Kuya Manzano

Category: Blog

Thoughts, articles, comments on news, etc.

  • Meet The Family – Justin Quirino

    Meet The Family – Justin Quirino

    I have another cousin, Justin Quirino, and just like the other cousin I wrote about, Andi Manzano-Reyes, he is also an events host and radio DJ. While Andi is usually heard on Magic 89.9, Justin’s turf is on Play 99.5 (formerly 99.5 RT) where he hosts a program entitled “Mid Morning High” with fellow DJ Inka

    Unlike Andi though, Justin Quirino tried it out to be a VJ on the Philippine music channel, Myx. Since they have this annual VJ search, he then tried his luck knowing that opportunities like these don’t often come by. His audition piece uploaded on Myx’s YouTube channel turned out to be a nice trove of information about him. And it also gave me an idea about his major influences as a music lover.

    Justin Quirino
    Screenshot from MYX’s YouTube account

    Why would Justin Quirino want to be the next Myx VJ?

    Well it has always been a dream job even as that sounds cliche. But then I always wanted to travel all around the Philippines kahit all around Metro Manila, okay na rin yun. To different malls and stuff, to interview different people, meet interesting people. Have a good conversation. Maybe get some freebies. That’s also cool di ba? So I’d like to have a lot of fun being a VJ.

    Who is Justin Quirino’s favorite among Myx’s roster of VJ’s? Truth be told, no surprise there.

    Siguro the one I look up to the most is VJ Luis. Because he’s a veteran and I really admire how he’s so comfortable with how he hosts the show. And now everybody is, parang, may affinity siya with everybody eh. Like no matter what he does, everybody is just connected to him. So that’s something that I definitely want to, that’s an attribute that I really want to acquire as well.

    Justin Quirino
    Screenshot from MYX’s YouTube account

    Now while everyone knew Justin Quirino as an aspiring VJ here, he was once part of Ballet Philippines’ production of Peter Pan. And he gets to share this little known fact about him on the Myx try-out itself.

    I was a tap-dancing crocodile for the Ballet Philippines’ production of Peter Pan. It was super fun because I had a mask in it. And when you are behind the mask, you can do anything and people don’t know what I look like or anything. So they don’t expect anything. It’s like I’m not making a fool out of myself. So as long as I give them a good show, at the end of everything, I take it off and when I bow parang wow [claps hands]. So it was fun.

    Interesting that Justin Quirino once got into ballet prior to following a career that is close to his other passion – listening to music. What kind of music is he into? He managed to be articulate about it while being spontaneous at the same time. He has an adorable way of explaining it that it comes out naturally.

    I’m a big, para ngang I’m stuck in the past eh, like I still love Dashboard Confessional, Paramore, Fall Out Boy. John Mayer like I love his first album talaga or actually no, it was the second album. Basta ‘Room For Squares’ – I love ‘Room For Squares’ and then his album after that ‘Any Given Thursday’, the live album. I love a lot of different kinds of music. But for some reason, as long as it’s really popular, I can get into it. So that’s why I like pop music.

    Justin Quirino
    Screenshot from Candy Magazine’s YouTube account

    Apparently, I’m not the only person that finds him adorable. Justin Quirino appeals a lot to the teen crowd. Just ask Candy Magazine since they like having him as their host for the Candy Fair. By the time he’s doing it, he’s already a relatively well-known DJ. So asking him for advice on how to make it seem so easy and fun being a DJ, he told Candy Magazine:

    The best advice is, know who you are first, and to practice expressing how you feel, through words of course. And your intonation, up and down and everything. Keep it interesting. Next, choose a station that you would like to go to like 99.5. Play FM, for example, listen to the kind of music that hey play and try to copy the DJs, but put your own flavor into it, alright?

    Even When In Manila liked Justin Quirino. When they compiled a list of the 15 Sexiest Male DJ’s, Justin Quirino ranked at #4. This IG post summed up best how thankful he is for the compliment complete with the comment “Sexy daw ako!”

    Justin Quirino
    Image from his IG @justinquirino

    And in case you want to see more of him online, you can follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Make sure to tune in to the “Mid Morning High” as well on Play FM 99.5, 9am to 12nn to hear more of his good-natured humor. Chances are I get to attend an event that he gets to host. When would that be? You’ll never know unless you are constantly updated through my social media accounts. Follow me on Twitter @kuyamanzano and like me on my Facebook page, Kuya Manzano Fan Club. I would appreciate it a lot once you do. Gracias.

  • JM Rodriguez – Meet The Family

    JM Rodriguez – Meet The Family

    Some fans online once wondered “Whatever happened to JM Rodriguez?” It was only recently when I learned about my cousin, JM Rodriguez, as a pop culture reference personified prior to becoming a regular in the events’ scene. I am referring to the fan base he has established when he worked in ABC5, the former network name of TV5. In case you don’t remember that era anymore, let’s take a walk down memory lane. Who is JM Rodriguez?

    JM Rodriguez
    From his Instagram account @jm_ro

    There was this comedy program on ABC5 called “On Air”. Produced by Ideal Minds Corporation, one of the block-timers for the said network, it featured people doing stuff in front of a camera whether for fame or just to send several greetings to the world. (It occasionally includes “Hoy! Magbayad ka na ng utang mo!” and similar announcements) The program was hosted by JM Rodriguez. As you may now realize, long before there was “Web Soup”, there was “On Air”. Main difference is that the people are just doing it for kicks in front of a camera inside a booth probably in a mall, not in front of a webcam connected to some gadget. JM Rodriguez’ “studio” consisted of a green screen that popped up that animated TV. That may have been the inspiration behind TV5’s former slogan “Shake Mo TV Mo”.

    Being a host, JM Rodriguez managed to popularize some expressions on his program in between clips of ordinary people goofing in front of a camera. Sometimes they get used in comments about the clips themselves. A few of the expressions are as follows:

    – ‘stig!

    This is an abbreviated term for “astig” which is actually a “reversed” pronunciation of the word “tigas” (hard or tough). “Astig” is a Tagalog slang often attributed to people deemed badass. JM Rodriguez would then greet his viewers for a time with /’stig/ every time he gets to read a comment that found to be badass.

    – ‘muzta?

    “Muzta” (with a /z/) is  short for “kumusta”, a Tagalized form of the original Spanish greeting “Como esta”. JM Rodriguez would mention this either at the beginning of the program or after reading the name of a viewer that send his or her comment through SMS and printed on paper.

    – Steady Lang

    “Steady Lang” is JM Rodriguez’s response whenever it’s the viewers’ turn to greet him “Muzta”. It literally means “just steady” which is a way to say “I’m good”. He would say it while waving his hands sideways with the palms facing the floor. Think of some rappers expressing how everything is under control by swiping their hands sideways.

    – Wazzapening?

    It’s like “Muzta” except that it was an expression derived from “What’s happening?”, commonly heard in some parties when something badass is going on. If ever there was an expression that served as a premonition to the kind of career shift that would happen to JM Rodriguez, it might be this.

    JM Rodriguez turned out to be such a memorable host because he’s really, really funny to the point of letting his viewers make fun of him too. Just mention his nose. For viewers of “On Air” that loved sending their comments by SMS, one surefire way to catch his attention is by mentioning his nose. Both viewers/commenters and booth semi-regulars would end up talking about his nose whenever they run out of punchlines. On the other hand, it does not look bad. Maybe it’s more about the person and less about the nose. Still, it doesn’t make him any less adorable.

    JM Rodriguez
    From Gibb Cadiz’ YouTube clip

    Occasionally during or after the “On Air” stint, JM Rodriguez would be seen at the Sunday variety show “ASAP” singing with other talents of the program. Apart from gigs like this, he gets invited to concerts like “The Music of Dreams” by ABS-CBN and the Ayala Foundation. No wonder it turned out to be a pleasant surprise to see him in the Sundance Audience Choice Award-winner “Metro Manila“.

    But JM Rodriguez really proved his mettle in organizing events. Feedback is good regarding his bars Prive and 12 Monkeys. There is life after “On Air” after all since he enjoys life the way he plans his events. He has a career after hosting a show that developed a cult following. He’s one of the reasons why that experimental program was a hit to begin with. For a multi-talented man, he then found his niche in the bar scene. Partying as a career? He’s the guy.

    JM Rodriguez
    From his instagram account @jm_ro

    In case it’s been awhile since you sent JM Rodriguez comments about “On Air” even if it’s more than a decade since the show folded up, you can still tell him what you think on Twitter and on Instagram. Much better if you try coming over to his establishments. You might end up meeting more people too. Just know how to hold your drink. Everyone would thank you for it.

    Hopefully I get to be in one of those bars one day. You get to know it first if you are following me on my social media accounts, Kuya Manzano Fan Club on Facebook and @kuyamanzano on Twitter. It can be any reason like an awesome event that JM Rodriguez himself organized. Who knows? I’d be expecting your comments on social media. Gracias!

  • The 3 Minute Voice Lesson – Evynne Hollens

    Support me on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/evynnehollens
    Discover my music on Loudr: http://www.loudr.fm/artist/evynne-hol …
    Twitter: http://twitter.com/evynnehollens
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EvynneHollens …
    iTunes Link: http://www.itunes.com/evynnehollens
    iPhone/iPad app: http://bit.ly/HollensApp

    Right here are some quick vocal tips that even the most starting vocalist can attempt. Delighted singing!
    Video Score: 4/ 5

    Free Voice Driving lesson for warming up high female voices.

  • William Shakespeare’s life – Biography

    William Shakespeare’s life – Biography

    William Shakespeare. Biografía.

    . Shakespeare produced most of his known work in between 1590 and 1613. His early plays were generally funnies and histories, genres he raised to the peak of sophistication and artistry by the end of the sixteenth century. Next he wrote mainly catastrophes up until about 1608, including Hamlet, King Lear, and Macbeth, thought about a few of the finest examples in the English language. In his last phase, he composed tragicomedies, likewise called romances, and teamed up with other playwrights. Many of his plays were published in editions of differing quality and accuracy throughout his life time, and in 1623 two of his former theatrical coworkers released the First Folio, a collected edition of his dramatic works that included all however 2 of the plays now identified as Shakespeare’s.

    . William Shakespeare (1564– 1616), ‘The Bard of Avon’, English poet and playwright composed the famous 154 Sonnets and many highly effective oft priced quote dramatic works including the tragedy of the Prince of Denmark, Hamlet; “Neither a borrower nor a loan provider be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend, And loaning dulls the edge of husbandry. This above all: to thine ownself hold true, And it has to follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any guy. Farewell: my true blessing period this in thee!” Lord Polonius, Hamlet Act I, Scene 3

    . Shakespeare’s acting profession was invested with the Lord Chamberlain’s Company, which was renamed the King’s Business in 1603 when James was successful to the throne. Amongst the stars in the group was the well-known Richard Burbage. The collaboration obtained interests in 2 theatres in the Southwark area of London, near the banks of the Thames – the World and the Blackfriars.

    . The 1598 decision to build the popular playhouse came about as the answer to many of The Lord Chamberlain’s Men’s problems. With completion of a lease on the Blackfriars Theatre in 1597, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men (Shakespeare, J & & R Burbage, G Byran, John Hemminges, Augustine Phillips, Thomas Pope and Will Sly) had no where else to readily perform their plays.

    . William Shakespeare composed his will in 1611, bestowing his properties to his little girl Susanna (married in 1607 to Dr. John Hall). To his surviving child Judith, he left ₤ 300, and to his better half Anne left “my second best bed.” William Shakespeare supposedly died on his birthday, April 23, 1616.

    . Regardless of this, Shakespeare is credited by the Oxford English Dictionary with the intro of almost 3,000 words into the language. His vocabulary, as culled from his works, numbers upward of 17,000 words (quadruple that of an average, well-educated conversationalist in the language). In the words of Louis Marder, “Shakespeare was so facile in using words that he was able to use over 7,000 of them– more than take place in the entire King James variation of the Bible– just as soon as and never ever again.”

    . Sometime after 1612, Shakespeare relinquished the stage and went back to his house in Stratford. He created his will in January of 1616, which included his famous bequest to his spouse of his “second best bed.” He passed away on April 23, 1616, and was buried 2 days later at Stratford Church.

     

    More Shakespeare Articles

  • Shakespeare is all over|Christopher Gaze|TEDxVancouver

    Shakespeare is all over|Christopher Gaze|TEDxVancouver

    Shakespeare is everywhere|Christopher Gaze|TEDxVancouver

    Best referred to as Artistic Director of Vancouver’s Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Celebration, Christopher Gaze has performed in England, the USA and across Canada. Born in England, he trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School prior to coming to Canada in 1975 where he invested three seasons at the Shaw Festival. He relocated to Vancouver in 1983 and in 1990 founded Bard on the Beach which he has since
    supported to one of the most successful not-for-profit Arts organizations in North America, with participation exceeding 91,000. His many honours include induction into the BC Entertainment Hall of Popularity, Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal (2004), Honorary Doctorates from UBC & SFU, the BC Community Accomplishment Award (2007), the Gold Medallion from the Children’s Theatre Foundation of America (2007) and a Jessie Award for Finest Supporting Star for his performance in Equus at The Playhouse.

    In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring individuals together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx occasion, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to trigger deep conversation and connection in a small group. These regional, self-organized occasions are branded TEDx, where x = separately arranged TED event. The TED Conference offers basic guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx occasions are self-organized. * (* Topic to specific policies and regulations).
    Video Score: 4/ 5

  • Valeen Montenegro – Meet The Family

    Valeen Montenegro – Meet The Family

    My cousin Valeen Vicente is better known on Philippine television as Valeen Montenegro, a nod to being the grand-daughter of the late Filipino actor Mario Montenegro. But she gets to use this name online when referring to her other profession – a fashion designer. This article would focus though on the time spent mostly on TV5 as one of its on-cam comic talents. Yes, she’s very beautiful and funny at the same time.

    Valeen Montenegro
    Image taken from her Instagram account, @valeentawak

    It was only lately that her talent at comedy skits is being discovered since one of her first projects with TV5 was a weekly drama series entitled “Hush Hush”. Her role was that of an actress paired with an actor (played by Joem Bascon) in a primetime soap. She then got cluelessly lured into falling for her co-star in an effort for the talent agency handling the actress in the story to produce some PR content. So it’s basically a TV series that dared share the not-so-seedy side of Pinoy showbiz. Because sometimes that is more interesting than the soaps currently airing on actual primetime TV.

    Valeen Montenegro
    Screencap from TV5’s “Lokomoko High”

    But Valeen Montenegro became more memorable on TV the moment the network discovered her natural funny bone upon getting cast in TV5’s first foray into gag shows – “Lokomoko High”, a comedy program consisting of scripted gag sketches and street pranks. In skits showing her blurring the line of being serious and being funny, she displayed the campy approach of comedy without losing the humor in her performance. Think of soap operas so serious in their performance that it transcends into comedy. Main difference though in her performance at “Lokomoko High” was that the campy drama delivered is deliberate. That’s the kind of intelligent performance she can infuse into a simple comedy skit.

    Despite the several times that TV5 revamped their programming, Valeen Montenegro remained as one of the cast members of “Lokomoko High”. It was reformatted into “Lokomoko U” when the original practical show presenting street pranks “Wow Mali” returned to TV5 (when it was still ABC5). It was reformatted again when one of the original comedians of TV5 (again, when it was still ABC5), Ogie Alcasid, returned to the network. The show was retitled as “Tropa Mo Ko Unli”. In both revisions, Valeen Montenegro remained in the cast as her talent never wavered.

    Besides her talent is not limited to comedy. Valeen Montenegro proved her mettle even in live shows like the 2 times she competed as a celebrity contender in TV5’s “Talentadong Pinoy”. The first time that she competed, her talent was doing a Tahitian dance. Then she had to think of an act that would outdo that knowing the positive feedback it generated. So she came up with adding heat to her act. She went literal about the heat and performed a fire dance accompanied with the fire dancers.

    Valeen Montenegro
    Animated image from Talentadong Pinoy, March 2011

    With all the talents that she had from comedy to dancing, finding her place among talented comedians in “Tropa Mo Ko Unli” became evident. Apart from letting herself have fun in the program’s segment “Battle of the Brainless”, she gets to be beautifully hot and funny at the same time in “Gandumb and Gandumber”. She and the rest of the girls get to parody girls who are as pretty as they are dumb. Again, another set of memorable performances, it makes you look forward for more of Valeen Montenegro at “Tropa Mo Ko Unli” Surely you would have fun witnessing her share her gift of joie de vivre on national TV.

    Valeen Montenegro
    Screencap from TV5’s “Tropa Mo Ko Unli”, with fellow cast member Alwyn Uytingco

    I look forward to getting into a project with her someday. Could it be within reach in months? You get to know it first the moment you decide to like my official Facebook page, Kuya Manzano Fan Club, and follow me on Twitter @kuyamanzano. I keep everyone updated through those pages. Gracias!

  • Voice Lesson: The best ways to Sing From The Diaphragm (Part 1).

    Voice Lesson: The best ways to Sing From The Diaphragm (Part 1).

    maxresdefault.jpg

    For my full course on how to end up being an amazing singer, go right here:
    http://aapproach.com/blogs/elite-singing-techniques

    Reserve a one-on-one lesson:
    http://www.AApproach.com/private-lessons

    More Totally free Voice Stuff:
    http://AApproach.Tumblr.com

    Description:
    This 4 part Singing Lesson video series for all the vocalists out there who are interested in the best ways to sing from the diaphragm. You should do the exercises in this voice lesson every day for a week or up until you can feel the results I describe in this video.

    Pleased Singing,.
    Eric.
    Video Score: 4/ 5

    For my full course on the best ways to end up being a remarkable singer, go right here.
    https://www.udemy.com/elite-singing-techniques-phase-1/.

     

    Video 1- “Opening The Voice”.

    Welcome – 00:00.

    I’ve been so hectic, but FINALLY I have actually handled to produce an upgraded online warmup. Learn ways to get one of the most of it by enjoying the “Invite” section.

    Intro – 2:46 “Body Warmup”.

    By discovering how to get up the proper upper body muscles, neck/throat stress can be considerably decreased. Find out more about the advantages in this area.

    Coordination & Conditioning – 4:13 “Releasing/Awakening The Power Muscles”.

    Coordination and Conditioning are one and the very same for this lesson. Merely follow in addition to me, performing each action as I explain it.

    My suggestions:.

    1) Do this (Yes, all 4 parts) EVERY day. Do not be deceived by the simpleness of some of the exercises; each one is very important:D.

    2) For your very first week, enjoy both the Coordination and Conditioning sections of each video, to guarantee appropriate form. You’ll get much more advantage from 5 minutes of quality practice than you would from Thirty Minutes of unfocused practice.

  • Singing Recommendations

    Singing Recommendations

    If you’ve ever found yourself driving along and crooning at the top of your lungs with that tune on the radio or you have actually been understood to use your scrubbing brush or shampoo bottle as a makeshift microphone while you are showering, boy do I have some singing suggestions for you!

    How To Sing: Lilli Lehmann's Illustrated Guide, 1902 | Brain Pickings

    Certainly you need to start by taking pleasure in the physical act of singing. Singing is everything about breath control. Many voice instructors would concur that the more you are in touch with your breath the more success you will have with diction, sustaining a note, and maybe you might even unlock the natural vibrato to your voice that you didn’t even understand you had. It may sound basic, but a a lot of striving singers forget to breathe and that stops the potential and power of their vocal qualities cold.

    A great singer is a relaxed singer. We may all think we sound much better in the shower or vehicle and would never dare sing in public. However the reason we sound so great to ourselves is since we are at ease and having an enjoyable time vocalizing. Do not stress over hitting a sour note, go for it! Belt it out! But do not forget to be relaxed and use your diaphragm regarding not strain your throat.

    More singing suggestions are to keep yourself appropriately lubricated. Consume plenty of water. Keep a water bottle helpful at all possible times. If you are feeling a little hoarse, tea with lemon is a common and comforting option, however avoid the honey. Also, some would tell you to consume a small bag of a salted snack, as salt assists you to maintain the water.

    There are a number of facial workouts that you can make use of to keep your jaw and lips limber as it is very important to know simply as you require to be in touch with your breath, you have to have full control over your mouth and facial muscles to assist form the needed notes and pitches.

    These singing recommendations are just the suggestion of the iceberg in order to set you on your method whether you be the next pop sensation or you merely just want to improve on exactly what you currently love to do.

    Did you discover those pointers in this short article helpful? You can discover a lot more about ways to Singing Guideline. These sites can help you!

    Associated Singing Articles

  • The Kimmel School of Perfect Acting PART 1

    The Kimmel School of Perfect Acting PART 1

    Virtually every Academy Acclaimed actor has someone to whom they owe an excellent financial obligation, which is why we’re requiring time to honor a man who influenced more of them than anyone. His name is Jim Kimmel. It is time to pay homage to the greatest, most respected and revered acting coach who ever lived. This homage includes Benedict Cumberbatch, Lupita Nyong’o, Harvey Weinstein, Mila Kunis, Eddie Redmayne, Jeff Bridges, Kristen Bell, Susan Sarandon, Jennifer Aniston and Gary Oldman.

    See Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64K5q8wFqAY

    SIGN UP FOR get the most recent #KIMMEL: http://bit.ly/JKLSubscribe

    Enjoy the most recent Halloween Sweet Trick: http://bit.ly/KimmelHalloweenCandy

    View the most recent Mean Tweets: http://bit.ly/JKLMeanTweets8

    Get in touch with Jimmy Kimmel Live Online:

    Visit the Jimmy Kimmel Live WEBSITE: http://bit.ly/JKLWebsite
    Like Jimmy Kimmel Live on FACEBOOK: http://bit.ly/JKLFacebook
    Follow Jimmy Kimmel Live on TWITTER: http://bit.ly/JKLTwitter
    Follow Jimmy Kimmel Live on INSTAGRAM: http://bit.ly/JKLInstagram

    About Jimmy Kimmel Live:

    Jimmy Kimmel functions as host and executive producer of Emmy-winning “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC’s late-night talk show.

    “Jimmy Kimmel Live” is well known for its huge viral video successes with 2.5 billion views on YouTube alone. Some of Kimmel’s most popular comedy bits consist of – Mean Tweets, Lie Witness News, Jimmy’s Twerk Fail Trick, Unnecessary Censorship, YouTube Challenge, The Child Bachelor, Movie: The Movie, Handsome Men’s Club, Jimmy Kimmel Lie Investigator and video like “I (Wan na) Channing All Over Your Tatum” and a Blurred Lines parody with Robin Thicke, Pharrell, Jimmy and his guard Guillermo.

    Now in its thirteenth season, Kimmel’s visitors have actually included: Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise, Halle Berry, Harrison Ford, Jennifer Aniston, Will Ferrell, Katy Perry, Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, George Clooney, Larry David, Charlize Theron, Mark Wahlberg, Kobe Bryant, Steve Carell, Hugh Jackman, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Bridges, Jennifer Garner, Ryan Gosling, Bryan Cranston, Jamie Foxx, Amy Poehler, Ben Affleck, Robert Downey Jr., Jake Gyllenhaal, Oprah, and regrettably Matt Damon.
    Video Rating: 4/ 5

    Jeffrey Tambor's Acting Workshop - SXSW Film 2013

    Jeffrey Tambor (Apprehended Development, The Hangover) goes back to SXSW Movie 2013, continuing the custom of his much enjoyed acting and life workshop where he breaks down the performing procedure and checks out the practical and philosophical approaches that lead to a piece de resistance.

    Jeffrey has actually dealt with a few of SXSW’s favorite stars on phase, helping them (and the audience) to recognize and launch those fears that keep all of us from real creative liberty. His career as a Master Instructor of actors has given him understanding into human behavior that equates to assisting ALL individuals. Part one-man program, part workshop, part concern and response and endlessly entertaining, Jeffrey’s funny and empowering presentation influences the viewer to find the artist within.
    Video Score: 4/ 5

  • The Best Acting Lesson in the World

    New york city Acting-Coach John Windsor-Cunningham passes on a performing
    driving lesson which he says saved his own profession. He has dealt with every
    major theatre company in the UK as well as many in the USA including
    the Old Globe in California.
    Video Rating: 4/ 5