Post APCC: Celebrating Geek Culture in a Global Scale

As I was sitting in attendance at this year's Asiapop Comicon's (APCC) Hall N (Netflix) there was something that "Castlevania" showrunner Adi Shankar said that resounded in me. 

Dressed in what was almost 'casual cosplay' with the infamous 'power glove' on his arm, he talks with such passion about a beloved video game resurrected into a medium for a new generation.  

He says: "-this (Castlevania) was the stuff that I got made fun of as a kid. You know what I mean? I couldn't walk around with a power glove when I was 16. I couldn't talk about anime and video games, that wasn't cool and now all of a sudden we live in a world where this is part of the collective culture, this is part of the consciousness and we're talking about a global mythology here, a shared understanding."   

and I know what he means, growing up, I too was made fun of for being a fan of anime, my group of friends ostracized because we weren't like "the cool kids". 

During our school fair we had a booth and sold Anime merchandise (we did for fun and not profit, we hardly made any money) and even held film screenings, (screening rights weren't that strict then). We even cosplayed as some of our favorite characters and this was back when cosplay wasn't even "cool" or acceptable. 

There were no conventions then and the internet was just in its infancy. 

Flash forward to a couple of decades later and we now have one of the biggest pop culture events in Asia, bringing renowned actors, artists and cosplayers, whom we've only admired from a far. And as if these years of consecutive success wasn't enough, APCC ups their game this year by providing exclusive, never before seen content from industry giants like Marvel, Disney and Netflix (Netflix really brought their A game though). With exclusive world trailers for Season 2 of Castlevania as well as the world trailer of Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle.  

Adi Shankar during the Netflix panel.
(c) PCheng Photography 

As if that wasn't enough, the first episode of the second season of Iron Fist was also premiered to the lucky fans in attendance. 

Adi Shankar says of these exclusive previews: 

"Trailers would drop, new stories would drop - but it would never happen in this part of the world. Alien invasion always happen in New York" he says, proving his point. 

With these worldwide premieres debuting in an event such as Asia Popcomicon, it just goes to show how celebrating Geek Culture is now on a Global Scale. That even our humble city of Manila can experience these exclusive sneak peeks. Going through comments on social media, I even came across one that said the Netflix panel in APCC was a lot better than the world renowned SDCC (San Diego Comicon).  

I think I will never get over how 'being a geek' can now be celebrated in prestigious events such as Asiapop Comicon. You get to meet and/or hang out with friends who share the same passion as you do. May it be through cosplay or through panels, or meeting your favorite comic artists or scoring those coveted merchandise. There is something for everybody and if the evolution of these events in the following years is any indication, I can say that we are in for bigger and better surprises in the years to come. 




***Apologies this write up is a bit delayed, the week after APCC is actually our Little Jedi's first birthday party and we were busy handling last minute preparations. I just hope that next year APCC and Luke's birthday won't be too close.*** 

So..where were we?

In case you have been wondering, I- (Ica) have not really been writing of late. Its been almost three months, I can't even remember the last time I sat in front of some form of device (mobile or desktop) to actually write. Well, needless to say something life changing has happened to me, in case you missed it, Paul and I had a baby! 

So yes, all those cliche lines of what your mom and dad used to say about having a baby-happened, is actually still happening to us. Its been a roller coaster of emotions these past few months. For one thing, I became hypertensive when I reached my seventh month of pregnancy. My OB had me take a leave from work, take a butt load of medicines and essentially rest until I gave birth. I had to monitor my blood pressure,which would reach an alarming 180/110 and I wouldn't feel a thing! Which is kind of scary when you think about it. 

I hated being alone at home, while Paul left for work in the evening. For the last few weeks leading to giving birth, I would literally be alone in the house and I hated it. It's funny because I had a relatively easy time up until I reached my third trimester, when I hit a BP reading of 140 and it wouldn't come down anymore and I ended up in the hospital, to make things worse it happened on the week of my birthday. So now that my relatively "easy" pregnancy was non existent, I was left to a miserable rest of my pregnancy, which was essentially the whole month of July.

Because I was hypertensive my OB wanted to have me induced for labor, which is what happened, on August 4, we went to the hospital and as luck would have it, I didn't have a particularly easy delivery either. I went through labor and my God! It's as painful as they say it is, dysmenorrhea times 1000! I honestly don't know why anyone would want to go through that again, hats off to moms with children (emphasis on the "ren"). 

Honestly it was really scary, it was like an episode of a medical drama, when it was time to push, the baby wouldn't go down, I was looking at a monitor to my left and I could see my blood pressure had shot to 170/110 and when I looked at the fetal monitor at my right, I could see that the baby was going into fetal distress, it was honestly, one of the scariest moments of my life. My OB then decided to push through with an emergency Caesarean Section. While they were getting Paul's signature for the procedure, I was honestly in denial as everything was happening but like I said, it was like an episode of a medical drama but instead of being the audience who was at the edge of their seat, I was the helpless patient lying on the OR table. 

I remember not feeling anything (because of the anesthesia of course) but I could feel the tugging, like my skin was being pulled in both directions, then I heard the OB saying that it was "cord coil" (umbilical cord wrapped around the baby's neck) which was why he wouldn't go down. 

I saw my son as they brought him to the baby area, I could hear the pediatrician and other nurses working on him. I heard them counting his fingers and toes and being the paranoid mom I was just waiting to hear 'four' or 'six' but thank God they were all five. 

I remember saying a genuine thanks to my OB before I went I to a weird wake-sleep state. Just a few hours later I woke up shaking violently in the recovery room. When I called the nurse she said it was just the effect of the anesthesia. While my arms were shaking violently, my legs felt like tree trunks, they were so heavy and I couldn't lift them. 

Now it was baby out at 9:26PM, by around 2:00AM I was already on Facebook chatting with my in laws. After a while I was brought to the hospital room where Paul, my mom and sister were waiting. In the morning our son Luke Stephen was brought in the room and life has not been the same since.

Luke will be two months in a few days (I know! Where did the time go?!) 

I've told Paul that "pregnant Ica" was different from "regular Ica" and now I guess "Mommy Ica" is different from the Ica that I was. I still don't how to reconcile them both into just "one Ica" but I guess time will have to play a role in that. 

Right now I'm in this weird state of wanting to get back to my old routine, work, movies, events, the blog but as I said things will never be the same again now that we have a baby in the picture. It's less than a month before my maternity leave ends and I can't imagine leaving Luke, right now just thinking about it brings me to tears. 

So going back to the question "Where were we?" -actually I'm not really sure, as I am typing this on my iPad, Luke is breast feeding (don't ask how, but it is possible) I'll definitely work hard to get back to the old Ica but I'll definitely work harder towards the new Ica and hopefully that version of me is better and stronger, we'll definitely need it. 

I believe that OPM is very much alive

Reaching Out: Julz Savard of Save Me Hollywood at B-Tone Bar, Tanay Rizal 

I've always been an optimistic kind of person, you know the type that looks at the glass half full instead of half empty. So with regards to the statement that OPM is dead, I would have to disagree. Sure, there is truth and a painful reality to these "non-singers" and "pabebe" wannabes, sold out concerts in arenas of people who can't sing and albums sold from box-office personalities who only come out with covers of love songs.

I foam at the mouth when I think of these things especially since I know of so many underrated talented artists who play the local bars around the Metro, record songs from their rooms and peddle their CDs for half the price of foreign artists. 

Just open the radio stations, what is the ratio of foreign songs being played to local ones? Which songs are dominating the charts? Clue, they are most likely not from around these parts. 

Soft whispers, Strong Pulse 

It's a good thing that there are radio stations like Jam 88.3 which constantly play and promote local independent acts. Did you know that the radio station worked with Vinyl Titan Stachmi to produce and release a compilation of songs from some of the country's up and coming artists and release it on Vinyl? I'm a proud owner of Fresh Filter Vol. 1 and I'm listening to it right now as I am writing this, all the more determined to let the people know that OPM it is not dead. It is very much alive, playing to crowds in small bars, in soft whispers, a strong pulse, felt unfortunately only by a few.

OPM is alive, in the crowded bars of the Metro. Em Tolentino of Circa in District 2140, formerly Freedom Bar.  

There is an argument that our music scene is in the state that it is also because of consumers who choose to patronize novelty songs, the kind that eat your brain cells and offers no art, imagination or which cannot stir feelings aside from the kind of band-wagon hype which makes mindless zombies out of our population. Yes these are the masses who can't see (or hear) behind a beautiful face "singing" heaven forbid another love song cover. We can't do anything about that anymore, it's already there. The situation is what it is so the question is what are you going to do about it? 

Here's My Problem 

How and why do I say that OPM is still alive? Well- my problem, yes, it is a problem is that there are so many good OPM bands and music out there that my problem is I don't have the time or the funds to discover, listen and experience them all. 

Observe: 

Currently on my CDs/records to purchase list: 

Toni B. - Carnival 

Imago - Kapit

Never The Strangers -(New album)

Save Me Hollywood -Headlights 

The Ransom Collective- 

Idioms and Dispositions - 

Cheats - 

Drive Me To Juliet (Cebu based) - Kiss & Tell (album)

Jensen & The Flips - Honeymoon 

Barbie Almalbis - (New Album) 

Techyromantics - 

MOONWLK -20Twelve

Up Dharma Down -Capacities (on Vinyl) 

Maude

Pulso 

I'm looking forward to new music from these artists: 

Midnight Meetings 

Mad Hatter Day 

Tandems '91

Tom's Story 

Loop (Iligan based) 

Skymarines (Davao based) 

Autotelic 

Reese & Vica 

Kai Honasan 

Reese Lansangan 

Paraluman (currently recording in the studio)

December Avenue

Happy that Circa just released their long overdue EP :) 

*Apoligies for bands/artists I may have forgotten to mention* 

There are so many bands I've been meaning to check out but haven't had the time, between working the night shift and having events on weekends it's been a challenge. Speaking of working the night shift there are actually a lot of gigs and events that we couldn't go to or had to pass on because of our nocturnal schedule. We'd probably have more bands and artists to feature if we had an ordinary schedule. I haven't even been to 12 Monkeys bar yet, been wanting to go there but nothing has worked with our schedule yet. Hopefully soon. 

'Right back at 'ya' Monty Macalino of Mayonnaise at 70's Bistro 

Tools Of The Trade 

Social Media is a double edged sword but in the case of promoting OPM you can actually put it to good use. Amplify.ph is an awesome website where you can download songs and get to support the artist at the same time. The website also has articles which features playlist for different moods as well as staff picks and recommendations to help you get started. 

Some of our up and coming artists are also on Spotify! Tip. Don't check out the OPM playlist on Spotify itself, I have an OPM playlist you might want to check out, just follow me @ica_cheng. 

News on gigs and events is easier to spread through social media. Follow your favorite local bands on their social media sites for news and updates, some bands are active on social media and even reply to tweets, questions and comments :) 

Once you have a band or artist you've come to like, don't be selfish-share them to friends and family! Post it on your timeline! Instead of sharing those pabebe videos, post something worth while. 

When people ride in our car and I'm playing some of my OPM picks I tell them (proudly) "OPM Yan!" And go on telling them how this artist is still in College and made the album before she was 20 (yes- B.P. Valenzuela that's you) or how members of this band also work in a Call Center like us. We bring my siblings and older nephew to local gigs and introduce them to local acts they can look up to. :) For our younger nephew, we watch Myx with him and recommend some OPM picks :) We make sure the next generation know what good OPM is. 

I really wanted this piece to take an empowering direction, instead of pointing fingers and complaining about how OPM is dead, let's be part of the solution. Let's actually do something. There are so many ways and means to help get OPM out there, it's not going to be easy, we would all need to do our part. Let's keep OPM alive, it's struggling to stay alive but honestly with the amazing quality of music out there, it shouldn't be. Are you up for the challenge? I know I am. #OPMIsAlive 

Ready to get back up!

In case you guys didn't know I had a challenging (I won't say bad) last quarter of 2013 - refer to this post here. Despite the set backs I've regained my footing and am now ready to get back up. 

In case you didn't notice I haven't been blogging or posting stuff online as much as I used to. Well this is mostly due to my unexpected change in plans. But that doesn't mean that I haven't been writing - I actually have been writing old school style in a worn out steno notebook, making sure I don't forget my thoughts and reflections; just waiting for the time when I would be ready to sit in front of my good-old laptop and start typing in a frenzied state and I guess that time is now. 

Even before I started blogging I've always had the 'itch' of wanting to write and wanting to get my thoughts across. I guess that's the frustrated writer in me wanting to break free from its prison. I'm just lucky that I got to hone my writing skills when I was in College by being part of the school newspaper. So even if I lack the formal training one requires to call themselves a professional writer I still get by as a blogger and freelance writer. 

So now I'm finally adjusted and I'm finally ready to regain my place in this obscure realm known as cyberspace. Because even if I lost myself, stumbled and fell I was still able to get right back up. 

It doesn't matter that it took time or that I still feel the pain at times; what matters is that I got right back up and I'm ready to be me again.          

What 2013 Taught Me

Thorns in the wind. Photo by Paul Cheng. 

Do you know how people say- this wasn't their year? Well 2013 didn't really end well for me - for two months (September - October) I've been feeling down and all this started one fateful September night when the world as I knew it turned upside down. 

I was wrongly accused and 'punished' for something I didn't do. Although I won't be going into the details since this blog post isn't about what happened to me but how I was able to pick myself up and move on. I mean when I was ten years old I woke up to find out my father had passed away so I'm pretty much used to the universe throwing shit in my way. 

Needless to say I did go through a period of depression but through the grace of God and the love and support of my family and friends I was able to dig myself out of the hole I put myself in. 

Before I got officially over the depression though, it got worse when December came around but now that I'm okay I can feel and enjoy the cool December breeze. (it's colder up in Antipolo) and I was also able to admire the Christmas lights. Even Paul who doesn't really get excited about Christmas started the practice of opening the Christmas lights on the tree. 

Our tiny but mighty Christmas tree and the presents for family underneath, which Paul would light up in the evenings. Photo taken two days before Christmas.

For the first time in a long time I finally feel happy and content and I am ever grateful to God for allowing me to be healed from my wounds. It's not like he waved a magic wand and made all the pain go away; there will definitely be some scars and I might be tempted to pick at the scabs from time to time. 

Shit does happen, some shittier than others but what matters is that you clean yourself up and carry on. 

Whether we like it or not there will always be bumps on the road, it can never really be just smooth sailing along the way. No matter how much lying in bed, crying your eyes out while eating ice cream and watching cheesy shows sounds appealing when you are down and sad, you will really have to pick yourself up sooner or later. Sometimes you might force yourself to get better because of responsibilities and because your family depends on you (like in my case) but you should never forget that the person that you should be the utmost reason of getting yourself out of a rut is no other than yourself. 

Warm sunlight through the trees. Photo by Paul Cheng.  

Sometimes I ask myself -- ?

Okay - so don't be surprised this is not a blog post on an event, or an announcement or a review of anything. This is just me - Ica - letting some steam off in one of the best ways (aside from music) that I know how - writing and blogging. Maybe I need to do this more often or to the limitations to which I will be entitled to but for whatever reason I hope you guys don't get bored or click close - I guess its time I also gave you some personal thoughts and maybe let you know what's going on in my head. I don't know if its' that time of the month again or I'm just feeling really depressed now - so hope you guys indulge and read through :)   

So here goes -- 

Sometimes I ask myself why Paul and I do what we do? Why we spend our time blogging, covering events and writing reviews, among others. Sometimes I find myself so excited itching to start blogging, with thoughts flying across my head just waiting to get posted online. But I'll admit that there are times when I just want to lay down on bed and not do or think of anything. There are times and there are a lot of them, especially when we don't get the invites or the photo pass that we asked for - and I do ask a lot that I just want to pull my hair out of frustration and eat a pizza, blasting angsty music while I'm at it. The market is so saturated and there are so many people who do what we do - blog, take photos and what not and its' just so frustrating and hard to get a place, to get a spot and to squeeze in. You know - just asking for a chance. 

I mean what am I supposed to write about? I can't be a foodie- I am a very picky person when it comes to food, I bet that if you made a list of things that I eat to a list of things I don't eat you would have a longer list for the latter and its' not like we can afford to go to the swankiest of restaurants to try out their food either. Tried my hand in product reviews and make up blogging but that didn't really work out either - for the same reason of not being able to afford to have product haul after product haul of beauty products to review. So Paul and I settled to something that we both love - music and the pop geek culture. While we get invites on events and gigs, there is always that feeling of wanting to do more, as man has been known to feel but not getting the chance and the opportunity to do so. Covering these events means spending money on gas and food - while Paul and I are extremely grateful for the opportunity and the invites presented to us, maybe some people don't realize what it means for us to go on an event especially when we are on critical wallet day and are on a tight budget. Sometimes I ask myself what we get from all of this? I don't know if I'm just having a bad day or if I have a legitimate question. I do appreciate and I am grateful to the wonderful people that we have met while embarking on our adventures and meeting them and supporting music have definitely been one of the better things in these things that we do and spend so much time on.  

Paul has been pushing himself with his photography, since he wants to improve and become better but photography is a very expensive hobby and it really does hurt me looking at him becoming frustrated since he wants to improve so bad with his photography and of course that means needing funds for new lenses, a new body and other camera paraphernalia. He goes out every day making sure that he has a photo of the day and he is really pushing himself to learn more and more in photography, reading blogs and watching videos online. I know he wants to be a photographer professionally and that it is his dream - maybe someday we would get to see that dream lived, maybe.