MANILA, Philippines — Don Mclean has an idea why his songs still resonate among a lot of people, including some of today’s youth eager to see him perform.
“First, I believe I made good records, and these records fortunately had commercial appeal, people wanted to hear them,” the American singer-songwriter told the Philippine Daily Inquirer shortly after arriving from Singapore for his concert Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
“Second,” he added, “the songs were very different at the time they came out. But they still sound unusual all these years later. They weren’t the ‘simple’ kind of songs.”
McLean, now 65, whose voice doesn’t seem to have been too adversely affected by time, was referring to the tunes that made him one of the most popular figures of the folk-rock era in the 1970s. Two of the songs, “American Pie” and “Vincent,” became top hits not long after they were released.
“American Pie” spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard chart in 1972.
Beyond analysis
The song is memorable not only for its unusual length of over eight minutes, but mainly due to its engaging story about grieving over the death of rock ’n’ roll star Buddy Holly and the passing of the ’60s era. Its lyrics prompted curiosity and were endlessly scrutinized by fans and scholars.
Commenting on the attention that his lyrics had attracted, McLean said in a past interview: “They’re beyond analysis. They’re poetry.”
Indeed, much of the beauty of McLean’s songs could be seen through their carefully crafted lines.
“Vincent,” which also soared to No. 1 in the United Kingdom in 1972, was inspired by the artist Vincent van Gogh’s painting “The Starry Night.” Its lyrics describe the painting itself (“Paint your palette blue and gray …”) and Van Gogh’s tortured existence (“How you suffered for your sanity”).
Other McLean compositions that have stayed in the memory of millions of people include: “And I Love You So,” a 1973 hit for Perry Como and famously covered by Elvis Presley, as well as by Helen Reddy, Shirley Bassey, Glen Campbell and Engelbert Humperdinck; “Wonderful Baby,” a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Easy Listening chart; “If We Try” (“When I see you on the street, I lose my concentration…”); and “Birthday Song” (If I could say the things I feel, it wouldn’t be the same…”).
McLean says that songs do not necessarily have to become hits to affect people.
“For example, the guy who started Greenpeace claims that he was influenced by a song that I wrote called ‘Tapestry.’ And it’s not a hit song. It’s the idea of the song that influences a person to do something that could possibly change the world. It is a false idea to always be thinking of hits. What a songwriter has to do is say the things that matter, write about concepts, political or otherwise, and they will influence people,” he said. (report from Pocholo Concepcion, Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Eula Valdez says reprising the villainess role Selina Matias is a tough challenge
Eula Valdez said that she has big shoes to fill in reprising the role of Selina Matias (originally played by Princess Punzalan) in the upcoming remake of the phenomenal hit teleserye of the late 90s, Mula Sa Puso that starred Claudine Barretto, Rico Yan, and Diether Ocampo.
Eula’s last teleserye with ABS-CBN was The Wedding in 2009, while her most unforgettable character was Amor Powers in the 2000 teleserye Pangako Sa ‘Yo.
The character actress recalled how she got the part for the highly anticipated remake slated to air this March.
“Tinawagan ako ni Direk Wenn (Deramas, director and writer of the original teleserye), sabi niya, ‘Gawin mo itong Mula sa Puso, ikaw si Selina. Kunin mo ‘to, paglalaruan kita.’ Okay, game, ha-ha-ha,” Eula laughed.
Eula’s role is the same character that catapulted Princess to fame and made her a runaway winner as the “ultimate villainess in a TV series” in many surveys and polls.
Eula added that she knows that her portrayal will be compared to the original one, and although she is not sure if she can top Princess’s performance, she promised that she will give her best.
“Andun ‘yung fear [to be compared] pero challenge ‘yun sa akin. Ayoko siyang masyadong isipin kasi kung ano ‘yung andyan, kung ano ‘yung ipagawa sa akin, kung paano ko siya ma-visualize, ‘yun ang gagawin ko. Kung makulangan si direk, hindi mo naman mapi-please lahat ng tao, mga manonood. Ngayon kung sabihin nila na gusto nila ‘yung Selina before, may magkakagusto rin sa bago. Kanya-kanya lang ‘yan,” she said.
She continued that instead of giving in to the pressure, she will just deliver what is expected from her and she hopes to give justice to her role with Direk Wenn’s help.
“Role lang naman ito, eh. Kung magalit sila, eh ‘di okay lang di ba? Unang-una hindi na mahirap i-introduce ‘yung character dahil sikat na siya via Miss Princess Punzalan na pagkagaling-galing. Sigurado naman ako at kampante naman kay Direk Wenn na hindi naman niya pababayaan na mangyari ‘yon. Sana magustuhan nila, hoping din ako na magustuhan ng mga tao na ako naman si Selina ngayon.”
The actress is also grateful to Direk Wenn who thought of her as the perfect choice for the part.
“Masaya ako. Sino ang makakahindi kay Direk Wenn? Matagal na kaming magkaibigan. Kilalang-kilala na niya ako, alam na niya kung paano ako pagalawin, tsaka bilib ako sa kanya as a director, and as a writer din.”
Eula also added that a villain role is also a welcome change because her previous roles often lean to “soft” characters. “Nakakatawa naman ‘yung palaging pinaiiyak, na palaging inaapi. Para naman mas ma-relax naman ako ngayon na hindi lumuluha,” she said smiling. (report from Bernie Franco, Push.com.ph)
Report: Bomb scare disrupts Surigao airport operations
A bomb scare disrupted operations at the Surigao City Airport for more than two hours on Tuesday afternoon, a police report said Wednesday.
Caraga Police regional director Chief Supt. Reynaldo S. Rafal said the dummy grenade was discovered by Security Guard Rolando Reyes of the Aviation Security Group, around 1:45 p.m. Tuesday at the airport’s main building entrance and exit area.
Rafal said Reyes immediately called the Explosive and Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team of Surigao City Police Station upon finding the suspicious package.
An investigation showed that Reyes found a package with a device that resembled a grenade. However, after members of the EOD team exploded the package, they found out that it contained a fake grenade made from clay.
Rafal said the incident caused panic and commotion by some passengers and personnel at the airport.
Ordering the police to hunt the one who planted the package, Rafal said, “I will not tolerate such act of sowing tension and terror to our people especially in vital installation like airport , we will make sure somebody must have to pay the price of this foolishness." (with a report by Ben Serrano/VVP/LBG, GMA News)
Caraga Police regional director Chief Supt. Reynaldo S. Rafal said the dummy grenade was discovered by Security Guard Rolando Reyes of the Aviation Security Group, around 1:45 p.m. Tuesday at the airport’s main building entrance and exit area.
Rafal said Reyes immediately called the Explosive and Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team of Surigao City Police Station upon finding the suspicious package.
An investigation showed that Reyes found a package with a device that resembled a grenade. However, after members of the EOD team exploded the package, they found out that it contained a fake grenade made from clay.
Rafal said the incident caused panic and commotion by some passengers and personnel at the airport.
Ordering the police to hunt the one who planted the package, Rafal said, “I will not tolerate such act of sowing tension and terror to our people especially in vital installation like airport , we will make sure somebody must have to pay the price of this foolishness." (with a report by Ben Serrano/VVP/LBG, GMA News)
Palawan to gather 10M signatures vs mining
Catholic Church leaders in Palawan are aiming to gather 10 million signatures against mining operations in the province.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said Puerto Princesa bishop Pedro Arigo dedicated the signature drive to anti-mining crusader and broadcaster Dr. Gerardo "Gerry" Ortega.
Ortega was gunned down at an ukay-ukay (used clothing store) in Puerto Princesa City in January, shortly after his radio program.
“On January 24, 2011, Palawan and the World lost a good man (and) a zealous advocate for environmental protection and a fearless critic of a cabal of corrupt officials," Arigo said of Ortega.
In a statement, excerpts of which were posted on the CBCP news site, Arigo expressed optimism that they can gather 10 million signatures because most people are now aware of the destruction that mining brings to communities.
Arigo recalled that when Ortega was still alive, he wanted local residents to “see the face of the real Palawan," which “was being ravaged and disemboweled because of selfish mining interests."
The CBCP also cited the environmental advocates who said in a manifesto titled "Doc Gerry's Dream," that Palawan still countless undiscovered species of flora and fauna in its forests and waters.
“Some of these species could unlock solutions to disease and climate change," they said.
The province has earlier been designated as “Man and Biosphere Reserve" by no less than the United Nations.
“Mining in Palawan will mean large-scale destruction of forests and ancestral lands, as well as contamination of bodies of water," they warned.
They expressed fears once Palawan is destroyed, “we don’t just [lose] its resources and heritage" because “the country’s last remaining treasures get destroyed as well." (report from VVP, GMA News)
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said Puerto Princesa bishop Pedro Arigo dedicated the signature drive to anti-mining crusader and broadcaster Dr. Gerardo "Gerry" Ortega.
Ortega was gunned down at an ukay-ukay (used clothing store) in Puerto Princesa City in January, shortly after his radio program.
“On January 24, 2011, Palawan and the World lost a good man (and) a zealous advocate for environmental protection and a fearless critic of a cabal of corrupt officials," Arigo said of Ortega.
In a statement, excerpts of which were posted on the CBCP news site, Arigo expressed optimism that they can gather 10 million signatures because most people are now aware of the destruction that mining brings to communities.
Arigo recalled that when Ortega was still alive, he wanted local residents to “see the face of the real Palawan," which “was being ravaged and disemboweled because of selfish mining interests."
The CBCP also cited the environmental advocates who said in a manifesto titled "Doc Gerry's Dream," that Palawan still countless undiscovered species of flora and fauna in its forests and waters.
“Some of these species could unlock solutions to disease and climate change," they said.
The province has earlier been designated as “Man and Biosphere Reserve" by no less than the United Nations.
“Mining in Palawan will mean large-scale destruction of forests and ancestral lands, as well as contamination of bodies of water," they warned.
They expressed fears once Palawan is destroyed, “we don’t just [lose] its resources and heritage" because “the country’s last remaining treasures get destroyed as well." (report from VVP, GMA News)
CA upholds conviction of 3 Indonesians for drug trafficking
The Court of Appeals has affirmed the life sentences meted out on three Indonesians convicted of drug trafficking by a Philippine lower court six years ago.
In 2004, The Indonesians were caught in possession of almost 10 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu. A year later, the Pasay City Regional Trial Court found them guilty of drug trafficking and sentenced them to life imprisonment, with a fine of P500,000 each.
In a 23-page ruling, the Court of Appeals brushed aside the arguments of the three foreigners — Herawaty Ng, Maimum Wagimin, and Khoe Hong Gek — who claimed they did not know that they were carrying illegal drugs.
The CA said the suspects' excuse "cannot constitute a valid defense." It added that mere possession of drugs "per se is punishable under the Dangerous Drugs Act" of the Philippines.
The CA then said it saw no reason to overturn the Pasay City Regional Trial Court's guilty verdict handed down on the three Indonesians in 2005.
“Accordingly, this Court finds no valid or cogent reason to amend, much less, reversed the appealed decision, the same being in accord with the facts, the law and jurisprudence," said the appellate court.
The three Indonesians arrived in the Philippines from Hong Kong in September 2004. An airport x-ray machine detected a crystalline substance in the Indonesians' suitcases.
An inspection conducted by airport security personnel yielded 24 plastic containers containing 9.973 kilograms of shabu. Drug trafficking charges were subsequently slapped on the three Indonesians before the Pasay court.
In October 2005, the lower court ruled that the three foreigners were guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act, or Republic Act No. 9165. The suspects received a sentence of life imprisonment and a penalty of P500,000 each.
The drug suspects later appealled the Pasay RTC's ruling, saying that the lower court should not have admitted as evidence the sachets of shabu because these were confiscated without a valid warrant from the court.
They added they did not receive a fair trial because their interpreter was not able to translate well the court proceedings.
The Court of Appeals, however, ruled that the trial court did not have to issue a warrant when a person gives his consent to have his belongings inspected.
“He or she, in effect, waives his or her right to otherwise have a warrant justify the invasion of his or her liberty and privacy," the CA ruled. (report from Sophia Dedace/RSJ, GMA News)
In 2004, The Indonesians were caught in possession of almost 10 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu. A year later, the Pasay City Regional Trial Court found them guilty of drug trafficking and sentenced them to life imprisonment, with a fine of P500,000 each.
In a 23-page ruling, the Court of Appeals brushed aside the arguments of the three foreigners — Herawaty Ng, Maimum Wagimin, and Khoe Hong Gek — who claimed they did not know that they were carrying illegal drugs.
The CA said the suspects' excuse "cannot constitute a valid defense." It added that mere possession of drugs "per se is punishable under the Dangerous Drugs Act" of the Philippines.
The CA then said it saw no reason to overturn the Pasay City Regional Trial Court's guilty verdict handed down on the three Indonesians in 2005.
“Accordingly, this Court finds no valid or cogent reason to amend, much less, reversed the appealed decision, the same being in accord with the facts, the law and jurisprudence," said the appellate court.
The three Indonesians arrived in the Philippines from Hong Kong in September 2004. An airport x-ray machine detected a crystalline substance in the Indonesians' suitcases.
An inspection conducted by airport security personnel yielded 24 plastic containers containing 9.973 kilograms of shabu. Drug trafficking charges were subsequently slapped on the three Indonesians before the Pasay court.
In October 2005, the lower court ruled that the three foreigners were guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act, or Republic Act No. 9165. The suspects received a sentence of life imprisonment and a penalty of P500,000 each.
The drug suspects later appealled the Pasay RTC's ruling, saying that the lower court should not have admitted as evidence the sachets of shabu because these were confiscated without a valid warrant from the court.
They added they did not receive a fair trial because their interpreter was not able to translate well the court proceedings.
The Court of Appeals, however, ruled that the trial court did not have to issue a warrant when a person gives his consent to have his belongings inspected.
“He or she, in effect, waives his or her right to otherwise have a warrant justify the invasion of his or her liberty and privacy," the CA ruled. (report from Sophia Dedace/RSJ, GMA News)
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