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'05
Published 1.01.2006 by 38th boy.
“Beauty thriving from Mud,” so says a line from Three Seasons.
Indeed, Pop Culture of ’05, like the lotus flower, never wavered amidst the difficulties and dramas that ran with it.
In our country, the dead Film industry has been given hope to give birth to anew life. 2005 has
given the death blow and secured the final nail in the Old Philippine Cinema’s coffin. With the huge help of Cinemalaya, Cinemaone Originals and Cinemanila – independent filmmakers equipped with their digital gears broke barriers and gave hope of having a new Philippine Cinema born.
Pinoy Television on the other hand had a major make-over this year. Propelled by the raging Network Wars between ABS and GMA (irritating and silly yet undeniably good), Pinoy programming had taken a huge leap forward. Even minor networks like RPN (the Prime-shift) and ABC (iba tayo!) took big risks by having major overhauls. Before the year ended, QTV11 came barging in and joined the war.
The local music scene has seen a rise of Pinoy Rock Bands. THE Eraserheads, through their undying influence, gave birth to a handful of rock bands that knows what they’re doing. Finally, novelty songs were put in their proper places.
There were still mistakes, particularly in the West, Paris Hilton being one. But nonetheless, 2005 has been a great year, especially for Pinoy Pop Super…uhm, I mean, Pinoy Pop Culture.
So here are my picks from the year that was…
Television Moment: I am Sorry (Pres GMA’s live telecast)
Bad lighting, stupid close-up and poor production design. And oh yes, a very, very bad script. But hey, it’s the President saying she’s sorry for “something.” Laugh trip, I’m glad I was able to watch it.
Honorable Mentions: Emmy Tribute to P.Jennings, Pope John Paul’s burial, CSI Q.Tarantino’s episode
Film: Sa North Diversion Road (Dennis Marasigan)
I know loads of people will disagree, since well, they haven’t seen the film. My reason? Brevity and simplicity, I look for the Zen in films and quite frankly this is one of the few that has it. To hell with spectacle. Strip the film to its barest essentials, is it still good? This one is.
Honorable Mentions: 2046 (Wong Kar Wai), Maximo Oliveros (Auraeus Solito), Brokeback Mountain (Ang Lee)
Film Screenplay: Crash (Paul Haggis)
I’m a sucker for multi-character narrative/plot/development. He handled something real and presented it as is, no moral didacticism, no plan of action – just the raw confusion of everything and how everything eventually crashes with each other.
Honorable Mentions: Match Point (Woody Allen), Maximo Oliveros (Michiko Yamamoto),Me and You and Everyone We Know (Miranda july)
Film Cinematog: 2046(Christopher Doyle et al)
The lighting and camera work set not only the mood and tone of the film, but also it was able to tell the story itself. The opening sequence was superb.
Honorable Mentions: Baryoke (Jun Aves), Mysterious Skin (Steve Gainer), Tuli (???)
Film Editing: Sin City (Robert Rodriguez)
From graphic novel to the big screen, Sin City looks great, or rather “cool” as a more appropriate term. The editing carried the whole film, well actually, Jessica Alba did.
Honorable Mentions: Pepot Artista (Daniel Adapon), Gaps (Galileo Te)
Film Prodesign: Ilusyon (???)
Set in 1958 the prod design of Ilusyon did a lot of work. From the city to the province, the beauty of paintings and the malice of life – Ilusyon through its prod design, was able to deliver a surreal and deliberately paced portrait of a young man caught in a web of strange events.
Honorable Mentions: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Alex McDowell), Chro. Narnia (Roger Ford)
Film Musical Score: Memoirs of a Geisha (John Williams)
I’ve seen a pirated copy, sorry I can’t help myself. But I’ll be watching it one the big screen anyways. The Musical score was phenomenal, you can close you eyes and the score will be enough to convey intricate emotions.
Honorable Mentions: Chronicles of Narnia (Harry Williams), Mulawin the Movie (???)
Film Directing: Match Point (Woody Allen)
I’m a BIG Allen fan, sorry. Plus, he’s 70 years old, give the man some tribute.
Honorable Mentions: Tuli (Auraeus Solito), Brokeback Mountain (Ang Lee), Saraband (I. Bergman)
Film Actor: Heath Ledger (Brokeback Mountain)
Give him an Oscar.
Honorable Mentions: John Arcilla (Sa North Diversion Road), Paul Giamatti (Cinderella Man)
Film Actress: Irma Idlawan (Sa North Diversion Road, Pusang Gala)
Living up to her title as the “digifilm queen”, she is indeed the country’s most able actress. Playing 10 different roles in one film is too much even for Meryl Streep, but Irma pulled it off with a distinctive bravura feat. From theatre to stage, she never fails to amaze me.
Honorable Mentions: Ana Capri (Ala Verde. Ala Pobre), Michelle Williams (Brokeback Mountain), Zhang Ziyi (2046, Memoirs of a Geisha)
Performing Arts: Ang Pokpok ng Ohio (Hanoch Levin)
In this CCP adaptation, Irma Idlawan once again dazzled everyone. The play slowly creeps and grows under the audience’s skin – five stars.
Honorable Mentions: An Angel Earns his Wings
Song: Para sa Masa (Various Artists)
Everybody now… Sa lahat ng Masa (*cries*)
Honorable Mentions: Sometimes You Can’t Make it on Your Own (U2), Helena(My Chemical Romance)
Album: UltraElectroMagnetic-JAM (all star tribute for The Eraserheads)
Ely, Raymond, Marcus, Buddy – thank you (*clenched fist on chest, nods, cries*)
Honorable Mentions: Jagged Little Pill Acoustic (Alanis Morissette), X&Y (Coldplay)
Concert: UltraElectroMagnetic-JAM launch concert (Various Artists)
Amazing artists, unforgettable songs, ever-faithful fans – all for one Band. The only concert that can beat this – an Eheads reunion.
Honorable Mentions: G8 / Live 8 Concert (Various Artists)
Radio Station: Jam 88.3
Thank you for giving us Ultraelectromagnetic-Jam. Because of this, I can forgive your increasing amount of talk and commercials.
Honorable Mentions: NU 107, YES FM
Book: Kafka on the Shore (Haruki Murakami)
A boy running away from an Oedipus-like prophecy and an old man who talks with cats, now
THAT is a story. A book beyond description, a must read.
Honorable Mentions: The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana (Umberto Eco)
Writer: Haruki Murakami
This is the year I first had a dose of Murakami and well, I’m addicted. He’s a mixture of Franz Kafka, Woody Allen & Edgar Allan Poe (my three fave writers of all time) albeit still unique in his own way. When Allen dies, I’ll be shifting gears towards this guy.
Honorable Mentions: Neil Gaiman (Sandman)
Magazine: Time (December 26 Issue – Persons of the Year)
With Bono on cover, this has to be my pick.
Honorable Mentions: GQ (with Aniston sa Man of the Year) FHM (Katrina Halili on Cover)
Website: Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.com)
One stop info source, with links and bibliographies. Truly, a copy-paster heaven. Specially this year, wherein their data bank rose by 180%. Woah.
Honorable Mentions: Pop Culture Comics (www.popculturecomics.com)
Blog/Journal: Reypinmoko (http://www.livejournal.com/users/reypinmoko/ )
This guy’s LJ makes me laugh every time I read it. From his mundane activities to his passionate political stands, he brings wit and humor all proudly written in Filipino. Kudos to you.
Honorable Mentions: Bryanboy (http://www.livejournal.com/users/bryanboy/ )
Gadget: Playstaion Portable- PSP (Sony)
Playstation. Portable. Perfect.
Honorable Mentions: iPod video (Apple-Macintosh), Nokia 770 Internet Tablet
Game: Civilization IV (PC)
Sid Mier’s 4th installment of the epic game proves to be worth the wait. Another golden piece in gaming history, Civilization IV improved immensely and yet still maintaining that oomph that it solely owns. Let’s rule the world!
Honorable Mentions: God of War (PS2), World of Warcraft
Edible: C2 Cool & Clean
No one knew when and how this product came to rule the market. Nonetheless, this is a product that did not need the hype through advertising, for its undeniable quality. The next best thing to water.
Honorable Mentions: Longganisa Burger Mcdo
Fashion: Emo-look
This is the year when bohemian and havaianas were the center of attention. On the side
however, lurks the Emo-look, unnoticed yet definitely predominant. Now Zafra looks acceptable, even fashionable, with her glasses.
Honorable Mentions: Havaianas, Bohemian
Man of the year: Chiz Escudero
The opposition is more than lucky to have this guy on their side. Though his attempts on unseating GMA failed, his impact on Philippine politics grows stronger everyday. I’ll not be surprise if he ends up being the president (or prime minister) of our country. His cunningness and charisma enables him to outwit, outplay and outlast everyone in this messy political island. And oh, look at those eyes.
Honorable Mentions: Pope John Paul II, Bono
Woman of the year: Mother Nature
Tsunamis, hurricanes and earthquakes – she’s saying something and she’s saying it way LOUD. Can you hear it? It took Mother Nature’s wrath to bring together the whole world once again, even for a brief moment of peace and unity. Is the Philippines going to wait for a major calamity as to clean up our political squabbles? Mother Nature, I hope not.
Honorable Mentions: President GMA, Rosa Parks
Word of the Year: Emo (Emoness)
It’s no longer a state of oneself but a genre, a school of thought and yes even a commodity as well. Emo-songs, emo-movies, emo-fashion… what’s next? Let me guess… emo-diet? YM should provide emo-emoticons soon.
Honorable Mentions: Sorry, Weh
Indeed, Pop Culture of ’05, like the lotus flower, never wavered amidst the difficulties and dramas that ran with it.
In our country, the dead Film industry has been given hope to give birth to anew life. 2005 has
given the death blow and secured the final nail in the Old Philippine Cinema’s coffin. With the huge help of Cinemalaya, Cinemaone Originals and Cinemanila – independent filmmakers equipped with their digital gears broke barriers and gave hope of having a new Philippine Cinema born.Pinoy Television on the other hand had a major make-over this year. Propelled by the raging Network Wars between ABS and GMA (irritating and silly yet undeniably good), Pinoy programming had taken a huge leap forward. Even minor networks like RPN (the Prime-shift) and ABC (iba tayo!) took big risks by having major overhauls. Before the year ended, QTV11 came barging in and joined the war.
The local music scene has seen a rise of Pinoy Rock Bands. THE Eraserheads, through their undying influence, gave birth to a handful of rock bands that knows what they’re doing. Finally, novelty songs were put in their proper places.
There were still mistakes, particularly in the West, Paris Hilton being one. But nonetheless, 2005 has been a great year, especially for Pinoy Pop Super…uhm, I mean, Pinoy Pop Culture.
So here are my picks from the year that was…
Television Show: Encantadia-Etheria (GMA7)
Sure, the lines are bad, the acting is not helping and the fight scenes cannot be more contrived. But the production design, the musical score and of course the brilliantly written story (not the script mind you) somehow, surprisingly, make up for all its flaws. There has never been a program this good since Abangan ang Susunod na Kabanata.
Honorable Mentions: Dokyu (ABC5), Jack & Bobby (WB), Rome (HBO), Pinoy Big Brother (ABS-CBN)
Television Actor: Kiefer Sutherland (24)
You have to give it to this guy. Shooting a season worth of episodes trying his best to remember
his character’s emotion and development in one whole day – amazing. Plus, he can’t get fat or thin, cut his hair or shave; he must remain the way he is shooting for the whole season. Poor guy.
Honorable Mentions: John Carl Barrameda (Mga Anghel na Walang Langit), Victor Garber (Alias)
Television Actress: Song Hye Kyo (Full House)
I love her during the Endless Love I days, but I never thought she will be able to take on this quirky character. But she did – and thus, the love continues.
Honorable Mentions: Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives), Jennifer Garner (Alias)
Television Moment: I am Sorry (Pres GMA’s live telecast)
Bad lighting, stupid close-up and poor production design. And oh yes, a very, very bad script. But hey, it’s the President saying she’s sorry for “something.” Laugh trip, I’m glad I was able to watch it.
Honorable Mentions: Emmy Tribute to P.Jennings, Pope John Paul’s burial, CSI Q.Tarantino’s episode
Film: Sa North Diversion Road (Dennis Marasigan)
I know loads of people will disagree, since well, they haven’t seen the film. My reason? Brevity and simplicity, I look for the Zen in films and quite frankly this is one of the few that has it. To hell with spectacle. Strip the film to its barest essentials, is it still good? This one is.
Honorable Mentions: 2046 (Wong Kar Wai), Maximo Oliveros (Auraeus Solito), Brokeback Mountain (Ang Lee)
Film Screenplay: Crash (Paul Haggis)
I’m a sucker for multi-character narrative/plot/development. He handled something real and presented it as is, no moral didacticism, no plan of action – just the raw confusion of everything and how everything eventually crashes with each other.Honorable Mentions: Match Point (Woody Allen), Maximo Oliveros (Michiko Yamamoto),Me and You and Everyone We Know (Miranda july)
Film Cinematog: 2046(Christopher Doyle et al)
The lighting and camera work set not only the mood and tone of the film, but also it was able to tell the story itself. The opening sequence was superb.
Honorable Mentions: Baryoke (Jun Aves), Mysterious Skin (Steve Gainer), Tuli (???)
Film Editing: Sin City (Robert Rodriguez)
From graphic novel to the big screen, Sin City looks great, or rather “cool” as a more appropriate term. The editing carried the whole film, well actually, Jessica Alba did.
Honorable Mentions: Pepot Artista (Daniel Adapon), Gaps (Galileo Te)
Film Prodesign: Ilusyon (???)
Set in 1958 the prod design of Ilusyon did a lot of work. From the city to the province, the beauty of paintings and the malice of life – Ilusyon through its prod design, was able to deliver a surreal and deliberately paced portrait of a young man caught in a web of strange events.
Honorable Mentions: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Alex McDowell), Chro. Narnia (Roger Ford)
Film Musical Score: Memoirs of a Geisha (John Williams)
I’ve seen a pirated copy, sorry I can’t help myself. But I’ll be watching it one the big screen anyways. The Musical score was phenomenal, you can close you eyes and the score will be enough to convey intricate emotions.
Honorable Mentions: Chronicles of Narnia (Harry Williams), Mulawin the Movie (???)
Film Directing: Match Point (Woody Allen)
I’m a BIG Allen fan, sorry. Plus, he’s 70 years old, give the man some tribute.
Honorable Mentions: Tuli (Auraeus Solito), Brokeback Mountain (Ang Lee), Saraband (I. Bergman)
Film Actor: Heath Ledger (Brokeback Mountain)Give him an Oscar.
Honorable Mentions: John Arcilla (Sa North Diversion Road), Paul Giamatti (Cinderella Man)
Film Actress: Irma Idlawan (Sa North Diversion Road, Pusang Gala)
Living up to her title as the “digifilm queen”, she is indeed the country’s most able actress. Playing 10 different roles in one film is too much even for Meryl Streep, but Irma pulled it off with a distinctive bravura feat. From theatre to stage, she never fails to amaze me.
Honorable Mentions: Ana Capri (Ala Verde. Ala Pobre), Michelle Williams (Brokeback Mountain), Zhang Ziyi (2046, Memoirs of a Geisha)
Performing Arts: Ang Pokpok ng Ohio (Hanoch Levin)
In this CCP adaptation, Irma Idlawan once again dazzled everyone. The play slowly creeps and grows under the audience’s skin – five stars.
Honorable Mentions: An Angel Earns his Wings
Song: Para sa Masa (Various Artists)
Everybody now… Sa lahat ng Masa (*cries*)
Honorable Mentions: Sometimes You Can’t Make it on Your Own (U2), Helena(My Chemical Romance)
Album: UltraElectroMagnetic-JAM (all star tribute for The Eraserheads)
Ely, Raymond, Marcus, Buddy – thank you (*clenched fist on chest, nods, cries*)
Honorable Mentions: Jagged Little Pill Acoustic (Alanis Morissette), X&Y (Coldplay)
Concert: UltraElectroMagnetic-JAM launch concert (Various Artists)
Amazing artists, unforgettable songs, ever-faithful fans – all for one Band. The only concert that can beat this – an Eheads reunion.
Honorable Mentions: G8 / Live 8 Concert (Various Artists)
Radio Station: Jam 88.3
Thank you for giving us Ultraelectromagnetic-Jam. Because of this, I can forgive your increasing amount of talk and commercials.
Honorable Mentions: NU 107, YES FM
Book: Kafka on the Shore (Haruki Murakami)
A boy running away from an Oedipus-like prophecy and an old man who talks with cats, now
THAT is a story. A book beyond description, a must read.Honorable Mentions: The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana (Umberto Eco)
Writer: Haruki Murakami
This is the year I first had a dose of Murakami and well, I’m addicted. He’s a mixture of Franz Kafka, Woody Allen & Edgar Allan Poe (my three fave writers of all time) albeit still unique in his own way. When Allen dies, I’ll be shifting gears towards this guy.
Honorable Mentions: Neil Gaiman (Sandman)
Magazine: Time (December 26 Issue – Persons of the Year)
With Bono on cover, this has to be my pick.Honorable Mentions: GQ (with Aniston sa Man of the Year) FHM (Katrina Halili on Cover)
Website: Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.com)
One stop info source, with links and bibliographies. Truly, a copy-paster heaven. Specially this year, wherein their data bank rose by 180%. Woah.
Honorable Mentions: Pop Culture Comics (www.popculturecomics.com)
Blog/Journal: Reypinmoko (http://www.livejournal.com/users/reypinmoko/ )
This guy’s LJ makes me laugh every time I read it. From his mundane activities to his passionate political stands, he brings wit and humor all proudly written in Filipino. Kudos to you.
Honorable Mentions: Bryanboy (http://www.livejournal.com/users/bryanboy/ )
Gadget: Playstaion Portable- PSP (Sony)
Playstation. Portable. Perfect.
Honorable Mentions: iPod video (Apple-Macintosh), Nokia 770 Internet Tablet
Game: Civilization IV (PC)
Sid Mier’s 4th installment of the epic game proves to be worth the wait. Another golden piece in gaming history, Civilization IV improved immensely and yet still maintaining that oomph that it solely owns. Let’s rule the world!
Honorable Mentions: God of War (PS2), World of Warcraft
Edible: C2 Cool & Clean
No one knew when and how this product came to rule the market. Nonetheless, this is a product that did not need the hype through advertising, for its undeniable quality. The next best thing to water.
Honorable Mentions: Longganisa Burger Mcdo
Fashion: Emo-look
This is the year when bohemian and havaianas were the center of attention. On the side
however, lurks the Emo-look, unnoticed yet definitely predominant. Now Zafra looks acceptable, even fashionable, with her glasses.Honorable Mentions: Havaianas, Bohemian
Man of the year: Chiz Escudero
The opposition is more than lucky to have this guy on their side. Though his attempts on unseating GMA failed, his impact on Philippine politics grows stronger everyday. I’ll not be surprise if he ends up being the president (or prime minister) of our country. His cunningness and charisma enables him to outwit, outplay and outlast everyone in this messy political island. And oh, look at those eyes.Honorable Mentions: Pope John Paul II, Bono
Woman of the year: Mother Nature
Tsunamis, hurricanes and earthquakes – she’s saying something and she’s saying it way LOUD. Can you hear it? It took Mother Nature’s wrath to bring together the whole world once again, even for a brief moment of peace and unity. Is the Philippines going to wait for a major calamity as to clean up our political squabbles? Mother Nature, I hope not.
Honorable Mentions: President GMA, Rosa Parks
Word of the Year: Emo (Emoness)
It’s no longer a state of oneself but a genre, a school of thought and yes even a commodity as well. Emo-songs, emo-movies, emo-fashion… what’s next? Let me guess… emo-diet? YM should provide emo-emoticons soon.
Honorable Mentions: Sorry, Weh
So there, from the year that was. Moving on now…