On and On and On

Do you still remember
The day when we first met
It was 30 days into October
The start of a long test

The test was not an easy one

I could've easily lost you

But I did what's needed to be done

For you to know it was true

And up until now, this love is

Despite my shortcomings

Despite my temper problems

I still find you centered on my feelings

Although feelings are important

You are of more importance

Never mind any of my rants

They merely display my ignorance

Forgive me for such unnecessaries

Clearly, I wasn't thinking clearly

Even if we'd face more adversaries

Know that I'd always love you dearly

Dear, this will go on and on and on

My love will not stop its beating 

No matter how strong are the storms

Our love will keep on burning

The only photo from that very day

Why Filipino Fans are Unlonely

While in Singapore, Jason Mraz held a press conference on October 29 and live-streamed it via Facebook Live. In the said press conference, Mraz announced that he would be bringing the good vibes through his Good Vibes 2019 Tour in Asia next year.

Mraz said that there would be six shows in Asia for the whole month of May, starting on May 8, 2019, in Manila. The series of shows ends in Shanghai.

Official Tour Poster from Manila Concerts Scene

Aside from the tour announcement, Mraz also answered a few questions from the press. One question was about the reason why the tour was named "Good Vibes Tour" and not "Know Tour" instead. Mraz responded in a very Jason Mraz--way, saying that he only meant for the album to be named "Know." for it to be the follow up to the 2014 released album "Yes!". He said that to transform the negative vibe that the word "No" could bring, he changed it into "Know" as some sort of wordplay. With the "Good Vibes Tour", he wanted to spread the positive mindset that he has shared through this new album even more, on a much wider aspect.

He also shared that "Know." was in the works since January 1, 20,16 and that the working title that he had was "Master Peace". This phrase actually made it into the album in the ballad "Love is Still the Answer" (To learn how to master peace, or master war...). I thought that this song was crafted during the early days of this album, hence, the working title of "Master Peace".

He also shared that during the creation of the album, he had been far from home, far from his wife. This was the reason why the album was filled with love notes and letters for his wife. He also went back to songs from his past like the single "Have It All" which was written when he was in Myanmar in 212, the song for his wife "Might As Well Dance", and the 1999 track "Sleeping to Dream".

The creation of the album was a trial and error and a mix of ups and downs for him. With his superband, the Raining Jane, and Toca Rivera, the music scene was finally ready for more good vibes from Jason Mraz.

Aside from the aformentioned singles, fans would be expecting hits such as "Unlonely", "More Than Friends", "Let's See What the Night Can Do", and probably a debut live version of the song "No Plans". Mraz hinted that there might be newer and unreleased songs in the upcoming tour. 

The all-time favorites like "The Remedy", "Unfold", "Common Pleasure", "Tonight, Not Again", "No Stopping Us", "Mr. Curiosity", and "Zero Percent Interest" would also be a great addition to the set list, as far as long-time Jason Mraz fans would be concerned, especially if done with more Toca Rivera than Raining Jane.

Surely, Asian fans found that it was matchless to #Know this good vibes alert.

Remembering the Only Jonas Brothers Concert in Manila... Yet

By October 30 of 2018, it would already be five years since the Jonas Brothers made the announcement of the band breaking up in a TV broadcast. That was over a year after they tried getting back together after at least a year of rest as the Jonas Brothers.

Joe Jonas' fan selfie from  the Jonas Brothers Philippines Facebook page

By 2010, Nick Jonas has formed his side group, Nick Jonas and the Administration, while Joe Jonas released a solo pop-RNB album in 2011, Fastlife. The last tour of the Jonas Brothers was the 2010 Fall tour which also had the promotions for Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. The last time they were on stage with the band together was when they performed in the Concert For Hope in March 2011. Since then, the burning question was this: Are the Jonas Brothers over?

But no, they were not over. At least, not until October of 2013.

They made a series of reunion concerts, starting in New York City’s Radio City Music Hall and then reaching Asia and Russia. The next stop was in the Philippines, a two-night concert (one in Manila, and another in Cebu) on October 19, and 20, 2012, and featured a mostly similar 26-song setlist to the one they had in New York City which ran for almost two hours!

I could remember the concert very well because it was the first time that I watched a foreign act, and also the first time that they were all here to perform. Back in May of that year, Joe Jonas was in Manila for a clothing line endorsement and had a two-song performance with “Just In Love” and “See No More”. He promised that he would bring his brothers with him soon and thank God he kept his promise. We were all fortunate to see them here before that unexpected break-up.

The Official Concert Poster from the organizer (not mine)

We were all hyped during the band’s entry to the stage with the song “We Will Rock You” in the background. After that, the trio was getting ready to open the night with their hit “When You Look Me In The Eyes”.

With that, I’d like to point out something that I noticed with Nick’s singing during “When You Look Me In The Eyes”. Since they started reuniting in 2012 and until their last performance of this song in their 2013 summer tour, and even in the digital album “Live”, I only got to hear Nick sing the coda part of this song similar to what he used to do back in their early days once and it was this Manila concert. I wouldn’t be able to point out the differences of the performance through writing, so here’s a video for that.

Notice these periods from these videos. All links are not mine but from other YouTubers. Thanks.

2010 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3T6KVGWLpQ (3:42-3:55)

2012 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAAl2k4iSzk (3:50-4:06)

2013 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXpg45vev2I (3:40-3:51)

If you’re a fan and you’d notice this, I’d be pretty sure you would have the same chills that I had upon learning this.

Another thing that I noticed during the show was that there were no gimmicks, or trickeries, involved in the show. There wasn't even any runway for the ever-energetic Joe's roaming around the stage, like what fans saw in the "Jonas Brothers 3D Concert Experience". These things proved that the night was purely intended for celebrating and singing their old and new music with them.

Aside from that, I could also remember singing out to the new arrangement for some of their songs like the reggae version of “Hold On”, country version of “Pushin’ Me Away” and “Gotta Find You”. I also liked the semi-acoustic set up they did for “Give Love A Try”, “Turn Right” and “Gotta Find You”.

One last thing I could recall was everyone singing all throughout “Lovebug”. A funny moment was when Joe did not need to sing any of his parts because the whole crowd was singing it.

The trio during "Lovebug" from http://www.gmanews.tv

To close out the show, they had “Burnin’ Up” and the band introduction and their own introduction which was then followed by their final goodbye and bow to the crowd in the same old Jonas Brothers way.

What a night to remember, and to feel alive for all JoBros fans indeed. We definitely need more.

Misleading Leading

Hey, are you a leader?

Maybe it is not a big group that you got. Maybe it is only a small group of friends, or an events team, or whatever.

Photo from Unsplash.com

Here's the thing. I'm gonna give you a word or two for you to become a good leader, coming from a follower. Not from a leader, but from a member.

Do you want to know if you are doing a good job in leading your team? Do you want to see if you are on the right track? 

See if things are going smoothly between you and your team. Do you sense any awkwardness? Awkward jokes and laughs, awkward silences and stares. If your answer is a "Yes", then something must be happening.

But no need to worry, yet. That "something" is just a small thing, yet. That won't be a problem unless you start changing some things.

Remember that when people are not liking how they are being treated in a team, or in a group, in an organization, they will start forming small secret groups, mini versions of your supposed group. They will get on and have some real jokes and laughs and there's a chance you may not get it or laugh about it. And the reason? The joke is about you.

Yes, they will start talking about you, mocking you.

There is always a fine line between being a disciplinarian and a dictator. 

The choice will always be yours, leader.