Event: The Jason Mraz Concert

Last March, I received the best news on my inbox–Jason Mraz was going back to the Philippines! And after a couple of failed attempts at purchasing a ticket over the phone (TicketNet said they weren’t available yet, when their own website and the newsletter Jason Mraz’s team sent out said it should already be), I finally finagled a couple of tickets on the TicketNet website.

It was around 500 pesos more expensive than the advertised price, and it wasn’t the best seat. Good thing this is Jason Mraz. All seats are good seats because he knows how to put on a show. And what a show it was.

Oh yeah– the concert was last night. And it was awesome. A-W-E-S-O-M-E.

Now, I have a pretty bad track record when it comes to Jason Mraz concerts, wherein I’m always coming from somewhere and cutting it close. This is the first time though, I think, that I didn’t even catch the front act. Not that I minded. I’m not a fan of Zendee Rose. No offense, her type of singing just doesn’t jive with me.

Fortunately, I was able to catch the Jason Mraz part of the concert.

Back in 2011, when he was last here, I was a little let down with the whole shebang. But that was coming from his 2006 intimate nights that were simply astounding. I enjoyed the both times I went, but there was something magical about the 2006 concert that the 2011 one didn’t have.

The magic is back though. Last night.

Yesterday is the first time I’ve seen Jason Mraz perform with a band, come to think of it. The first two of his concerts I’ve been to, it’s always just Toca Rivera with him. Awesome duo, but as I said, there was a certain lack of something in the second time.

The band definitely marks last night as an experience that can’t be compared to the first two.

But, really, the best part of it all is that Jason Mraz seems to be enjoying himself more nowadays. And the way he interacts with everyone is amazing. He has chemistry with the whole band, and their joy at performing is palpable–and contagious.

I don’t know about the other parts of the Coliseum, but our area was standing, stomping, clapping and singing along with the band. It was a exhilarating.

The mix of songs favored his most recent album release, but Jason clearly hasn’t forgotten the ones that really made an impact in the Philippines, singing The Remedy, You and I Both, Lucky, Make it Mine, interspersed with his more recent songs. And, of course, he had to have I’m Yours as his finale.

There was a medley somewhere during the concert too. A medley that transitioned organically from one song to the next, thanks to the great performances of the band.

I’m still on a high from last night.

And I can’t wait for the next time he comes back.

Event: A Book Launch for Papa Jack

Well it was just a matter of time before Papa Jack entered the publishing industry; and after the success of Chico, Delamar, and Gino’s The Morning Rush Top 10 compilation, it makes sense that another popular radio disc jockey would get his chance at releasing his own compilation.

Last Sunday, February 17, Summit Books invited a few press people and bloggers for an intimate launch with radio disc jockey Papa Jack. And from the point of view of someone covering the event, I liked this one better because it was more quiet than the last event I went to–which was the launch for The Morning Rush Top 10 Book 2.

The event itself was short, which was good. And as an inteview subject, Papa Jack was honest and to the point–which is how he is even in his radio show. But why waste time trying to describe how he was, when you can just watch him here–

After the Q&A, Papa Jack signed autographs for the present press people, and answered a few more questions in one-on-one interviews, before the event fully gave way to the fans who were early for their 2 p.m. autograph signing session.

And because I don’t like seeing good press releases go to waste, here’s the one Summit Book gave:

This month of hearts, Summit Books launched Papa Jack of 90.7 Love Radio’s new book, Everything I Learned About Love I Learned from Papa Jack, at Bestsellers in Robinsons Galleria. Last February 17, 2013, the Papa ng Bayan met with the press and his kabisyo fans to eagerly talk and answer questions about his book, and met each one to sign their copies.

With a compilation of 365 love quotations from his hit programs True Love Confessions and Wild Confessions, this book is definitely a must read for the entire year–one quote a day really keeps the heartache away! Everything I Learned About Love I Learned From Papa Jack will really teach you years worth of wisdom whether you are single, dating, in a relationship, “it’s complicated,” or heartbroken.

This book will take you on a journey as you ride with Papa Jack to 6 stopovers in the subject that is mostly-complicated, sometimes-”oh-so-sweet:” LOVE — from courtship, to healing that broken heart, to learning to love again. You will surely laugh and cry with the stories of the most memorable callers on Papa Jack’s radio program. This book will surely teach you to love better, not just to your significant other, but most importantly, to love yourself even more.

Everything I Learned About Love I Learned from Papa Jack is out now in bookstores everywhere, and costs a cool Php 143. And by cool, I mean figuratively. I love how a compilation of quotes about love costs Php 143. Points for Summit Books.

If you want to meet Papa Jack in the flesh, you can catch him on March 3 at SM Naga, on March 17 at SM Manila, and on April 7 at SM Gaisano Davao.

Event: The Morning Rush Book 2 Launch

And here we go.

Last week I was invited by Summit Books to attend the book launch for the second The Morning Rush Top 10 compilation book. You already know what I think about the book, as it’s been out in the market since late last year, so I’ll stick with the event for this post.

Just like last year’s launch for the first book, it was held at the Activity Center of Robinsons Galleria. Unlike last year’s event though, there was no separate venue for the bloggers and press to conduct their interviews. On the plus side, the excitement and energy of the radio DJs fans are palpable as you mingle with them; but, on the other hand, you’d also feel sorry for them as they’re left out of the cordoned area as priority was given to the press and family members attending the event.

Not that I should complain, because I was one of the lucky few allowed inside. But speaking as a fan, getting left out in the cold while supporting your idols is not the best way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

As for the program prepared for the event… It’s short. Which is nice. It heads straight to the point of the event, which is the autograph-signing. But, again with the but, I wish there were more time for the radio hosts to be more candid with their fans. I understand that that’s just not possible with the time constraints and the venue restrictions–but, speaking again as a fan, that’s what we usually come to events for. To have that small candid moment with our idols.

I guess I am complaining a little. For the fans. But don’t get me wrong. I applaud Summit Books for what they’re doing. These autograph-signing events are still opportunities for fans to spend time with their idols, and to get to know each other.

But I still prefer how the first book launch was handled, with the press and family members separate from the fans, just so the fans can have more of the kikay barkada without having to share the spotlight with people who already have an unfair advantage at meeting said idols.

That said, people still had fun at the event–as evidenced by this:

Before I completely end this, here’s Summit Book’s press release about the event:

Last February 3, 2012, Summit Books brought back the sequel to the best seller The Best of Chico and Delamar’s The Morning Rush Top 10 — this time, bringing the entire barkada along with The Best of Chico, Delamar, and Gino’s The Morning Rush Top 10, Book 2 in Robinsons Galleria Activity Center. Monster RX 93.1′s The Morning Rush radio jocks excitingly talked about their book, answered questions from the media and fans present at the launch, and happily signed copies of their book.

Compiling over 100 Top 10 pee-in-your-pants funny lists, this hilarious book showcases the naughtiest and wittiest responses and jokes coming from–where else?–no other than the show’s avid listeners, the Rushers.

The Morning Rush Top 10 Book 2 will definitely make you LOLA (Laugh Out Loud Alone) with pages filled with the craziest and naughtiest topics and illustrations on a wide range of topics–from the 3 B’s (bitchiness, boys, and bekis), to that (sometimes happy, sometimes bitter) 4-letter word, to something a little more in need of parental guidance, and to just about anything you can think of–they even have superheroes in stor for you! The Best of Chico, Delamar, and Gino’s The Morning Rush Top 10, Book 2 is so addictive that we’re sure you won’t be able to put it down until you finish reading it!

The Best of Chico, Delamar, and Gino’s The Morning Rush Top 10, Book 2 is available in bookstores for only PhP 195.

Event: The Morning Rush Book Launch

And almost one month after the said event, I am finally here to blog about it.

First off, I would like to thank Summit Books for being gracious enough to invite me. And I also apologize for being a bad blogger, since it might have looked like I abandoned the blog. I haven’t. I just found it harder to take a break from all the deadlines I had to meet. But that’s all been said and done now, so let’s move on to the actual event.

The “book launch” for the The Morning Rush’s Top 10 compilation isn’t really a launch, per se. The book was already widely distributed, and at the time of the event, it was already in the bestseller’s list of National Bookstore. But still, Summit Books decided to invite some media people, as well as a few bloggers, for an intimate reading and Q&A session with the hosts of the Morning Rush; with the event being hosted by their current third co-host Gino Boy.

At the “launch”, DJs Chico and Delamar shared a few behind-the-scenes stories about the Morning Rush’s Top 10 segment–as well as how the compilation came about. Short story made shorter, Summit approached them. But if you want to hear most of the story, it’s in the video I’ve embedded in this post.

Also in the video are a couple of snippets from the readings they did. I managed to capture a lot, but thought better to include all of them in the video. If you want the funnies, you can buy the book–it’s not expensive at all, and it’s available in bookstores everywhere. In Manila anyway. I’m not completely sure if it is as widely circulated in other parts of the country though.

I’m keeping my reactions to the compilation for another post. And with that, I leave you with my video coverage of The Mornng Rush Top 10 “book launch”.

Advert: Kilalanin si Amapola

“Eleksyon, 2010. Isang baklang impersonator, si Amapola, ang naging manananggal at nakatanggap ng propesiya na siya ang itinakdang magligtas ng Pilipinas. Ang naghatid ng balita: si Emil, isang pulis na Noranian. Ang pasimuno ng balita: si Sepa, ang lola sa tuhod ni Amapola, na nanggaling pa ng panahon ng kastila at may unrequited love noon kay Andres Bonifacio.

Ang ikalawang nobela ni Ricky Lee ay isang hati-hating tingin sa buhay at pag-ibig ni Amapola at ng kaniyang mga mahal sa buhay, at sa buhay at pag-ibig na rin ng mga taong gusto nating pakialaman dito sa bansang tinatawag nating Pilipinas, sa isang panahong halos humihingi tayo ng kababalaghan… At donuts!

Kilalanin si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata.“

PRE-ORDER & GET A DISCOUNT!
Regular Price: 300
Pre-Order Price: 250

May discount na, may autograph pa mula kay Mr. Ricky Lee!
For more, imbitado rin kayo sa book launch sa Nov. 27, 2011 (Linggo), 4:00 ng hapon sa Sky Dome, SM North Edsa.
First come, first serve ito kaya dumating nang maaga.

Mag pre-order na ng libro!
Mag-email sa akosiamapola@yahoo.com o tumawag sa 09193021149 at 9289557

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Blogger’s Note: If it’s not obvious, this was not written by me. I’m just endorsing it because it’s Filipino, it’s horror, and it’s comedy. Also, I’m going to the book launch. Provided I don’t have work. I’m hoping I don’t. And if you’re looking for something to do, then do drop by the book launch!