A wakeboarder and kiteboarder’s dream destination and ultimate playground lies in the heart of the Bicol region
By Denise J. Mallabo / Photos by Rafa Itchon
Countless water sports have surfaced here in the Philippines and people, regardless of gender and age, have embraced it. Who would have thought that surfing would really be that big in the Philippines; that you can actually surf almost every week? Aside from surfing, there are two water sports that have grown close to most Filipinos’ hearts: wakeboarding and kiteboarding. When you say wakeboarding in the Philippines, the first venue that comes to mind would be the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC). Situated in Pili, Camarines Sur in the Bicol region, it is safe to say that the CWC has turned the province into a full-blown tourist destination, especially for both local and foreign wakeboarding enthusiasts. A huge factor in the province’s growing recognition is the massive support of its present governor, Hon. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte Jr. who has been obsessed with wakeboarding for four years and counting. In fact, local celebrities have been flocking to CWC for their wakeboarding fix, and also, to probably make good use of their quick breaks from busy schedules.
Wind or No Wind Kiteboard Jam
The province of Camarines Sur has been the haven for sporting events of late, which includes the Cobra Ironman 70.3, Cobra CamSur International Dragonboat Festival, World Wakeboard Championships, and CamSur Marathon. An event called Wind or No Wind (WONW) Kiteboard Jam was recently concluded. It lured some of the top kiteboarders to CWC.
The WONW was a dream come true for Brazilian-born, U.S.-based kiteboarder Mauricio Abreu, known by his peers as the “godfather and Wikipedia of kiteboarding.” He and fellow kiteboarder Andre Philip designed the obstacles of the kite park for the WONW Kiteboard Jam. “I was invited by Gov. LRay to visit Camarines Sur to promote kiteboarding in his province to the world. One of the first places I visited was CWC, and it was like a dream come true. CWC is a well-known cable park worldwide and in person it is ten times better,” admits Abreu.
Grab a copy of the February 2011 issue of UNO magazine with the beautiful Heart Evangelista on the cover. You can also download the UNO e-zine via Press Display.
Get ready: Anberlin is set to leave their mark on Manila this March 9
Being a teenager is always tough, and being one in this past decade was no exception. Thankfully, pop-punk band Anberlin made it all worthwhile. Formed in 2002 and led by frontman Stephen Christian together with Deon Rexroat, Joey Milligan, Nate Young, and Christian McAlhaney, Anberlin has made a name with powerful and infectious songs like “A Day Late” and “Glass to the Arson.”
Shortly after signing with Tooth & Nail Records in 2002, the band released their first album Blueprints for the Black Market in 2003. Their debut album proved to be a success with songs such as “Readyfuels” and “Foreign Language.”
Their sophomore album was an even greater success. Entitled Never Take Friendship Personal, Anberlin gained an even wider audience, thanks to powerhouse songs such as “Paperthin Hymn” and “Time & Confusion.” With Never Take Friendship Personal, Anberlin not only set themselves apart from other pop-punk bands, but also cemented their reputation as a rock and roll force to contend with.
After two successful albums, Anberlin released Cities in 2007, gifting the world with songs like “Adelaide” and one of my personal favorites “Dismantle.Repair.” Just a year later, they released another album called New Surrender. With this album, what was old became new, with the band reworking old songs such as “Feel Good Drag.” The band also gave us their most upbeat song yet. Called “Haight Street,” I can say that this song will get you hooked within seconds.
In 2010, the band released their latest album Dark is the Way, Light is a Place with “Impossible” as their carrier single. It was also in 2010 that the band announced they would be coming to Manila in this March to rock the house at A.Venue in Makati.
UNO was able to interview guitarist Christian McAlhaney via email to find out about where the band got their name, and about their albums, world domination, and hints at what songs they’ll be playing for the Filipino crowd.
I’m sure you get this a lot, but what does [the name] Anberlin mean or represent? Where did the name come from, and who suggested it? What were some of the other band names that were suggested or considered?
It has a pretty deep meaning for all of us actually. When we all first started playing together we had more of a hippy, New Agey, jam bandy kind of sound. I can’t remember who first suggested it, but someone came up with the name Amber Wind, and we just all fell in love with that immediately. As time went by, our sound progressed and changed to what it is now, and Amber Wind just didn’t have the same ring to it that it used to, so after much brainstorming we came up with Anberlin.
You guys have a distinct sound for each album. Also, each song has its own rhyme and reason. What song, from each album, is your favorite?
Blueprints: “Readyfuels.” Never Take…: “Dance Dance Christa Päffgen.” Cities: “Unwinding Cable Car.” Lost Songs: “The Haunting.” New Surrender: “Blame Me! Blame Me!” Dark is the Way: “Prey Tell”
Arguably, your most successful album is Never Take Friendship Personal, could you share your experiences in creating that album? How did it differ from your other albums?
It was different for me than the past two albums because I recorded on those (New Surrender, Dark is the Way) and not on Never Take, but I heard they had an amazing time recording that one.
Hey it’s Jayvee. It’s been a hectic week in Barcelona, covering the Mobile World Congress. For those uninformed, MWC is kinda like Fashion Week, but instead of new trends in fashion being announced in Paris, we’ve got all the new trends in smartphones and tablet devices announced in Barcelona. If it’s got a SIM card slot, it’s probably here.
Before, MWC used to be a stuck-up, ultra-technical conference for telcos. This year, we’re seeing more fun and casual things. Twitter is here. So is Facebook. And Google. Angry Birds too.
Stay tuned! I’ll be giving you the lowdown on what to expect in 2011.
Oh and we have our charming little DJ friend Andi9 with us on this trip!
This month of February, we launch abrand new column that talks about LOVE. Gangster of Love gives the blunt love, sex and relationship advice that you don’t want to hear (but, let’s face it, desperately need to).
So here’s the first batch of answered questions, thanks to you, our loyal readers!
Dear Gangster of Love,
I’ve been living with my girlfriend for over a year, and now we’re talking marriage. I’m pretty happy with the way things are though. I tell myself that things will be pretty much the same, but I know that can’t be true. What changes, for better or worse, after you get married?
From,
Sleepless in Singalong Dear Sleepless in Singalong, Read more…
This February, UNO falls in love with Heart Evangelista, our stunningly beautiful cover girl. Inside, QC Mayor Herbert Bautista talks to us about the one that got away (none other than Lea Salonga, as it turns out); we tell the true story behind Danica Magpantay, who recently became the first Filipina to win the Ford Supermodel of the World contest; and we eat chocolate with the lovely and charming Chia Hollman Yulo.
Also: Eight of our favorite women tell us what men should know about love. We feature exclusive interviews with international bands The National and Anberlin, and give the lowdown on the upcoming album from local sensation Taken By Cars. We interview our favorite creative couples, from Arnold and Cynthia Arre to Pete Lacaba and Marra Lanot. We talk about the devastating loss of the one you love, with Rene Saguisag and Risa Hontiveros. We kick off our kick-ass advice column for the confused: Gangster of Love.
We also feature two stories about love, with writing by Luis Katigbak and photography by Kidlat de Guia. And finally, we learn all about love from acclaimed filmmaker Lav Diaz, who gets the last word.
UNO Magazine February 2011
Featuring Heart Evangelista
Music: You Wear Me Out by Cambio
Directed by Jason Tan
Produced by Lyle Sacris and Erwin Romulo
Directed and shot by Juan Caguicla
Edited and co-produced by Jason Tan
Produced by Erwin Romulo/UNO
Music: “You Know This” (Mikey Amistoso) Performed by Hannah + Gabi
“There is a Light That Never Goes Out,” Morrissey would sing, and, for once, looking at an unbearable beauty straight in the eye, you somehow get a physical sense of what Moz means. If only for a few hundred words, get a sense of what it’s like facing (and confronting) the sublime godliness that is Paloma Esmeria.
“Get ready to dance!” was the text message I received from a friend after telling him I was going to watch the concert of Northern Irish “alteronica” (alternative rock and electronica) band Two Door Cinema Club (TDCC) in Jakarta, Indonesia. My friend watched them perform live in Hong Kong when they opened for the equally talented electro-dance band Delphic, and he was so taken by TDCC, that he’s been a fan ever since.
It wasn’t too far back this year that these Irish lads released their first album Tourist History and yet they’ve already performed almost everywhere, and by the looks of it, have no intentions of slow down. A quick history about TDCC for the unaware: the band is composed of Alex Trimble (vocals/guitar), Sam Halliday (guitar/back vocals), and Kevin Baird (bassist/back vocals). The trio met in Bangor, Ireland and started the band when they were 17. A few years after they formed the group, they released an EP called Four Words to Stand On. Then, on January 2009, they were signed by Kitsuné, the French record label responsible for the albums of Hot Chip, Foals, Fantastic Plastic Machine, and Phoenix, to name a few. TDCC’s songs “Undercover Martyn” and “Something Good Can Work” have been getting airplay from some radio stations in Manila.
A few months ago, the band released a deluxe edition of Tourist History, which includes remixed songs, a new track called “Kids,” and an hour-long documentary of the band. UNO was able to interview guitarist Sam Halliday before the band jetted off to yet another gig in another continent.
What is it about touring that you guys like and dislike the most?
It’s great to have seen so many different cities because we love traveling. It is difficult not seeing friends and family for months on end though.
Has it already come to a point that any of you got really physically ill from touring?
Yes. Tour flu is the common illness! It starts with one person and is quick to spread, especially after late nights and long travel hours.
How are you guys taking all this attention now from the press? Honestly, are you guys a little surprised that you’re being interviewed for a Filipino magazine?
It is always great when people want to talk to you. It is a bad sign when they stop caring! So we are very happy.
To download the complete e-magazine version of UNO’s December 2010 – January 2011 issue, please visit Press Display, sign up and search for UNO Magazine.You can also download the Press Reader application for your iPhone and iPad.
Club Tattoo's Chris Garcia (photo by Mon Punzalan)
The man who tattooed Miley: a quick chat with Las Vegas-based Pinoy tattoo artist Chris Garcia
“Actually for a tattoo artist, I don’t have many tattoos. I only have one on each arm and a few small ones on my leg, that’s it, but I’m not your typical tattoo artist natadtad ng tattoos,” says soft-spoken 35-year-old tattoo artist Chris Garcia. It’s not that he doesn’t like getting inked, but it entails special risks now since he underwent heart surgery ten years ago.
“Like most kids, I wanted to become a doctor,” says Garcia, when asked whether he could trace his tattoo artist ambitions back to childhood. Although he didn’t get that degree in medicine, he did get a degree in engineering. His love for art and ink prevailed, though, and it seems to have been the right path, as his many willing and eager clients can attest.
Chris Garcia’s entire family migrated to the U.S. from the Philippines in 1993, but his brother Jamir Garcia, vocalist of rock band Slapshock, came back to pursue his music career. In 1994, Chris Garcia was part of the Ancient Art Studio, which was followed by a stint with The Ink Gallery. He worked with both tattoo shops for years, and then in June of this year he moved to Las Vegas, and now he is part of Club Tattoo.
Musician Raimund Marasigan showing off his new ink by Chris Garcia
When asked about his influences, he cites the artists that he works with on a daily basis in the shop. “I get to observe and pick up some things from them every day, I really learn a lot. Actually we kind of learn a lot from each other,” says Garcia. Doing realistic tattoos are his forte; he loves the challenge of making a replica of somebody’s portrait on someone’s skin, especially if he does justice to it in the end. He admires the work of tattoo artists like Nikko Hurtado, Mike DeVries, and Bob Tyrrell, who are masters at making realistic tattoos. He doesn’t really have a preference regarding whether the tattoo he makes is monochromatic or in color—what’s important is that his clients are happy with the outcome.
“You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone…” was a phrase that ex-Smiths singer Morrissey appropriated from a risible country hit by Brooks & Dunn for one of his recent singles. He prefaces it with this line: “You don’t like me but you love me, but either way you’re wrong… You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone.” Like many times before, he appropriated the line and made it into his own, inserted it into his personal vocabulary just as he did lines from movies he liked, writers he read or words like “coma” and “shoplifter,” taking them from their original context and giving them a personal significance that somehow also resonated with others when he sang them. Read more…
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