Friday, July 31, 2009

WHEE! WHEE! WHEE!

BANGKOK CALLING...
Thank you Andrew Bond and The Bangkok Post for the lovely feature on yours truly. Check out the article here. Log onto Andrew's new website on travelling around the Philippines too. Thanks for the nice mention there as well.

Log onto his site here:

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

CARLOS IS IN DA HOUSE...LIVE!

Today, July 22, 2009 Wednesday, is the day of the alternate "State of the Nation" address at the University of the Philippines Diliman. It's called the "State of the Nanay (Mother)" address and will be a theatrical spoof on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's last national address on the 27th of July a week from now. I am honored to play the kinky part of "The Curious Congressman" (above, with the "House Dog" of Congress) who wonders why an empowered woman like GMA refuses to address the most basic of women's rights: the access of reproductive health technology and information to the masses.

The "address" will start around an hour from now at 1:00PM. This is the snack (above) the lovely folks at the Philippines Legislator's Committee on Population and Development gave me before I go down to sit in the "House of Representatives" (below).

Here is a shot of some of the "Representatives" at the "House" (below). Apparently, I'll be sitting with Rep. Risa Hontiveros. Awesome. Love her. She is one of the authors of the Reproductive Health Bill. And seriously, she is the only one I have decided to vote for so far in the next elections. She is running for senator and I got her back. Unless, of course, someone out there can drag out some dirt about her. Which I doubt.

Stay posted for more updates. Live. From the "House of Representatives" UP Diliman.

Monday, July 20, 2009

PRESS! PRESS! PRESS!

BETTER SONA THAN LATER...
Come to this event! I will be playing a "congressman" (above at HOR). And you can check out the new discovery from UP Diliman who will be playing PGMA. Fun fun. Check out some of the "nanays" (below), all decked out in high fashion designer clothing. They will be there to support our cause.

Greetings! The Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN) and Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), together with other networks working for the passage of the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill, are doing a “State of the Nanay Address (‘SONA’)” on 22nd July, 2009, Wednesday, 1:00PM at the Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman, Quezon City.

Our ‘SONA’ is a spoof of the official State of the Nation Address to be delivered by the President of the Philippines on 27th July and will be participated in by at least 700 advocates, personalities, and legislators. The event aims to: (1) kick-off in a media-worthy manner the resumption of the advocacy for the immediate passage of the RH Bill by Congress; and (2) dramatically demonstrate to the President of the Philippines and legislators the urgent need for the Bills’ passage by presenting the real state of Filipino mothers.

The actual program will promptly start at 1:00 PM and will only last for one (1) hour.

We sincerely hope that you will accept this invitation. Please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Rhoda V. Avila or Vanessa T.P. Dugenia at 9271766 or 9266395 or mobile number 0917 8855782. or Vigie (0918-2936786), Vanessa (0917-8074313) and Yhen (0920-8882591) for attendance and clarifications.

MEDIA COVERAGE IS REQUESTED.

See you there.


Sunday, July 19, 2009

SSHHH! CARLOS RECOMMENDS!

BIOMODD UPDATE...


University of the Philippines Open University Opens an Open Showing of Biomodd to Open University Students... Now say that ten times fast...

Friday, July 17, 2009

HELP! HELP! HELP!

CAUGHT BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND..Grr. I'm experiencing a major moral and scheduling crisis. I have two events that have somehow overlapped on the same day and I have to make a choice: Do I host the NAIA3 anniversary celebrations of Cebu Pacific, meet the President, and get paid in free international and local airline tickets or should I attend the Reproductive Health Alternative SONA (State of The Nanay) Rally at Bahay ng Alumni at UP Diliman on Wednesday. For free. Grrr. I am only human. I like airline tickets and I like promoting the use of condoms too. Help me decide.

CARLOS RECOMMENDS!

CHECK OUT COOL WE'RE BECOMING...
It's not as over the top as ART BASEL or the VENICE BIENNIALE, but Manila has gotten way cooler by holding it's first international new media ART festival. It will be a week long affair that will showcase emerging trends in new media from top European and Asian artists. Check out programs like Eye2Ear that will feature cutting-edge music and moving images and performances by Iron Egg, Tad ErmitaƱo, Rubber Inc., Caliph8, Innovative Noise Collective, Arvie Bartolome, Icconnu ictu, Tengal, Elemento, Etniktronica, Nyangbinghi, Mannet Villariba, Trojan Whores, Eggboy among others. Also discussions on interactive design, networked culture, open source software movements, interactivity, data visualization, bio-technology, DIY electronics, open-source hardware, computer/electronic music, and sound and video art lead by Peter Tomas Dobrilla, Christiaan Cruz, Jerneja Rebernak, Emma Oto, Aether9, EXIST and Diego Maranan as part of the 5-day festival in cooperation with MMC KIBLA and the Asia-Europe Foundation as a follow up project to the ASia-Europe Art Camp New Media Series.

It all starts off with a party on July 21, 2009, 6PM at Gweilos, Makati. I'm going to be there. Check out the schedule and details here: ASEUM

The Living Room is sponsoring accomodations for ASEUM participating artists Angelo Vermeulen of Biomodd (top) and Peter Tomaz-Dobrila of KIBLA Slovenia (bottom).

Thursday, July 16, 2009

BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO!



I am insanely proud of my friends Mark Gary and Denisa Reyes. Their movie, "Hubad" was chosen to be shown at the New York Asian International American Film Festival next week! Amazing.

Despite the lack of big name stars and absence of the gritty "squatter chic" element that foreign film festival programmers looove so much, I knew that this movie would make waves. And contrary to it's titillating title, the film has no hard core sex scenes, violence, or gritty stereotypes of Philippine society. It's just a wonderfully poignant and humorous story of middle aged actors working out their issues with their director and themselves.

Play the clip above and catch my cinematic debut as a foreign "judge" on a panel from Disneyland HongKong.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

CARLOS RECOMMENDS!

An Affair Gastronomique
Having started as a little-known “secret restaurant” in Quezon City, Ninyo has become a gem of a dining haven, boasting of fine French and Japanese fusion cuisine. This year marks a milestone in the history of the restaurant as executive Chef NiƱo Laus takes the standards of fine dining to the next level.

On Friday, 31 July 2009, Ninyo Fusion Cuisine, in cooperation with Barton & Guestier, will officially open its doors with An Affair Gastronomique. On this exclusive 8-course dĆ©gustation, Ninyo will take you on a journey to the French countryside while reminding you of its Japanese inspirations. Guests will also enjoy a shadow theatre performance by Anino Shadowplay Collective, and a special multi-media performance by artist Tengal Drilon. To top it all off, wine lovers will be treated to a wine-tasting session with the restaurant’s own sommelier.

Ninyo Fusion Cuisine is located at 66 Esteban Abada Street Loyola Heights, Quezon City (behind Katipunan Avenue). Cocktails start at 6pm. For inquiries and reservations, contact Ninyo at 426-0301 or Lai del Rosario at 0917-5718629. PhP2500 per person. A group of 4 gets a 10% discount and an additional bottle of Barton & Guestier.

Proceeds will be donated to Biomodd, a project that shares the restaurant’s passion for fusion and aims to promote art, environmental-consciousness and technology through collaborations and exhibitions. To know more, visit www.biomodd.net.

Biomodd http://www.biomodd.net

Monday, July 13, 2009

CARLOS RECOMMENDS!

SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT

My parents opened a farm in Nasugbu. Literally somewhere between Tali and Punta Fuego. They now sell fresh mesclun and pesto sauce out of their backyard and deliver to homes near Balaytigue and some Manila neighborhoods. My mother brings it fresh to Manila every weekend. Please buy some from them. It would make them very happy.

LOLO DOC CELDRAN'S FARM
ORGANIC MIXED LETTUCE (MESCLUN)
90 pesos per 1/4 kilo bag (250 g) ; good for 4 to 6 people (pictured above)

PESTO
with Parmeggiano reggiano, olive oil and organic kasoy nuts
190 pesos / 200 g bottle
vegan version of pesto too with nutritional yeast and miso instead of cheese available by request.

*DELIVERY WITHIN DASMA, FORBES, FORT, SAN LO, LEGASPI VILLAGE IN MAKATI
VALLE VERDE IN PASIG AYALA ALABANG, and MALATE.
FOR 2 BAGS OR MORE.

PICKUP AREAS ARE IN DASMA, VALLE & AYALA ALABANG

call or text Denise at
917 8202081

WHEE! WHEE! WHEE!

Thanks a bunch to The Italian newspaper "La Repubblica" for the super minor mention of my Imelda tour in the final paragraph of an article that appeared last week. My kingdom for a translator.

Imelda Marcos Danzando con la Storia su scarpe rosa shocking
RAIMONDO BULTRINI
04-07-09, pagina 39 sezione POLITICA ESTERA
Stampa questo articolo

MANILA Le Rolls Royce scaricano signore ingioiellate davanti al Sofitel di Manila Bay, dopo scrupolosi controlli anti-bomba. Tra due ali di hostess filippine in abiti tradizionali, frotte di ospiti in sete fruscianti, smoking e livree fanno il loro ingresso nella grande sala addobbata di candelieri e strisce di stoffa bianche che scendono da ogni angolo del soffitto.

Read the rest of it here: LA REPUBBLICA.

Thursday, July 09, 2009

JUST ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE...

I had a really great Friday night last week. Aside from Donna Miranda performing "Of Course Not, this is a Bathtub" at my Malate art space, The Living Room, I also got to hang out and have drinks with current residents Megan Wilson, Eliza Barrios, and Eliza's cousin/aunt, Anne (above) who was in Manila visiting her.

Loved her. Anne is a funny, articulate jeans clad twenty something year old who texts on her phone a lot. She loved Malate. She totally got into the contemporary dance/video piece, and had great chats with quite a few of the strange but interesting men and women who made it down to my neighborhood to watch Donna. She got along famously with Bogart of course, (above) and was thrilled to be having beers and act all "Bohemian" so to speak.

But what really made the night absolutely meaningful to me, Eliza, and Anne was that this was her last night in the Philippines. She was in transit on her way to Saudi Arabia where she works as a dental assistant. Apparently, for the next year, she will not be allowed to have any beer whatsoever, hang out or talk to any men at all, and wear a veil/abaya everytime she goes out to into a public place. Apparently, her passport is also confiscated, she is locked into her room every night for her own "safety", and allowed to only have half a day off at most per week to buy groceries. She is also sometimes "requested" to give massages to some of the Saudi folk she knows (because that's what Filipinos are supposed to do). And all this just to earn Php20,000.00 a month.

And yet, Anne manages to do all this all while keeping her great smile and wits about her. And believe it or not, she is actually grateful for the opportunities life has given. It's truly amazing how strong we Filipinos can be and what we will put up with.

But stories like Anne's only makes my blood boil. Why can't our politicians get their f*cking act together enough to provide jobs and fix our economy so that folks like Anne don't have to be separated from their children to work abroad as our new "heroes". People like Anne can greatly contribute to our society and should not be putting up with such degradation. Meeting and hanging out with people like Anne only makes me seethe when I think about the next elections.

So guys, for the next election, vote wisely. Make sure that we vote for someone who can bring Anne and all like her back home. Don't vote for some selfish power hungry freak who can't see the bigger picture, OK?

Check if you are registered to vote for the 2010 elections here:

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

KAKAKABBALLAH KA BA?


If it's good enough for Her Madgesty, 
it's good enough for Me!

KABBALAH!
What's It All About?
Free Intro Lecture
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22 @ 7PM

U-View Theater at Fully Booked, Bonifacio High St., 
The Fort, Taguig, Metro Manila 

To register, text 0920 902 9008 
or email philippines@kabbalah.com

Monday, July 06, 2009

OH WOW..

Oh really? No kidding. 

Apparently, I attended Imelda Marcos' 80th birthday party. I didn't get to dress up, stuff myself on prawns, and dance till four am, but it seems that I was there - larger than life.  And thank you to a dear friend for emailing me proof.

So judging from the photo above, does this mean that "The Barefoot Beauty", Imee's "pambatok" documentary against Ramona Diaz is done? I know I allowed footage of myself to be filmed by it's director, Mark Meilly so I'm inferring that the project is finally complete.  I can't wait to see it.

And does this also mean MIRM likes my "Living La Vida Imelda" tour? The footage was obviously used. Or does this mean she hated it? Because it's no secret that I wasn't invited to the party. Either way, it doesn't matter a smidge to me. 

All that matters is that you guys attend the next Imelda tour on July 18, 2009 at 2:30PM and learn a little bit more about the Philippines in the 1970s. Tour starts at the Little Theater Lobby of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Click on the tour description and schedule links on the sidebar for details.

Sunday, July 05, 2009

CARLOS RECOMMENDS!


INA/ANI: (RE)PRESENTING WOMEN IN THE AGE OF CRISIS
World Population Day - Art Exhibit
July 11, 2009 3:00 PM - 4th Floor, The Podium
ADB Ave. Ortigas Center, Pasig City

Featuring the collection of:

Rameer Tawasil 
Joseph Firmeza
Rishab Tibon 
Romeo Rosete

and interpreted by award winning poets and writers such as Rolando Tolentino, Sarah Raymundo, Frank Cimatu, Carlo Pangilinan, Grace Subido, Rommel Rodriguez and Butch Guerrero.

Please join them for this special event for the benefit of Zone One Tondo Organization and confirm your attendance. 

The exhibit will run from July 11-14, 2009.

CARLOS RECOMMENDS!