The PHILIPPINE SKA FESTIVAL!

By this time, you already know that PiliSkapinas has announced the PHILIPPINE SKA FESTIVAL  and the concerts in Manila, Cebu, and Mandaue that are part of the celebrations. Giving the festival international flavor is Kingston Rudieska, Korea's No. 1 Ska band, who will be performing in all dates.

The Manila Ska Festival

The 1st Manila SKA Festival

It was a time when the local Ska and Reggae scene was burgeoning with great music, Ska and reggae gigs were on almost every week, and the scene's veteran guards were playing together with young talents while new bands were bolstering the ranks.  

Holding one night that would put together these bands was the stage that the 1st Manila Ska Festival hoped to achieve. The July 25, 2009 festival was PiliSkapinas' first major production, and it was such a hit that plans to make it a truly annual event were laid as the 1st Manila Ska Festival was closed. (do you want to look back at PiliSkapinas' review and photos of the 1st Manila Ska Festival? click here)

Shuffle Union November Gigs

In late October, Shuffle Union had a series of gigs as a lead up to the Manila Ska Festival. It was a packed affair at Skarlet's Jazz Kitchen, followed by a  Nov 09 party at The Spot. By the way, if you haven't heard yet, the venue formerly known as Ten02, and Skarlet's Jazz Kitchen is now known as The Hydra, heard that they're upgrading the sound system there too (nice!)

We had some special guests, including long-time Shuffle Union drummer Ferdie surprising everyone by jamming with the band again after a few years, and Bronzefist Records' Hideki Takasaki was also in attendance.

Shuffle Union October Gigs

At the heels of the Philippine National Ska Holiday (PNSH), PiliSkapinas has announced the PHILIPPINE SKA FESTIVAL happening this December 2012. Meanwhile here are some images and excerpts from our October-November gigs.

Augie of Rocket Punch and Nomer (photo:Mark Cristino)

Philippine National Ska Holiday

Oct 18 - Philippine Ska Holiday @ Skarlet's Jazz Kitchen, Quezon City

Oct 19 - PiliSkapinas presents: SKAMAX, The Spot, Caloocan City, Manila

Oct 20 - Mall of Asia Ska and Reggae Fest, Manila

Oct 20 - Skanky Vibes: SKA NITE, Bob Marlin Resto, Mandaue, Cebu 

Oct 20 - Enjoy Yourself @ Punchbowl, CDO City

Moonhop Gig Review, and the great October Ska-Reggae Weekend!

Moonhop!

Our friends over at the PiliSkapinas blog, has this to say about last month's Moonhop! Snubnose reunion, which we ably supported. The return of Philippine skinhead reggae pioneers, Snubnose on stage.. was that the last time we'll ever hear from them? or are the boys up to something? Read all about it in the full article here. Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah!  

The Weekend That Was

I haven't pieced together the materials for the gig review of last thursday's Snubnose reunion at Skarlet's Jazz Kitchen via Piliskapinas' Moonhop. But here's a summary of the weekend that was. Moonhop was Snubnose's first ever performance after disbanding over ten years ago, and for most attendees, it was the first time they saw the band play live. Since being reprogrammed, Skarlet's Jazz Kitchen has become the venue of choice for music listeners in the whole of  the Timog-Morato area.   

Snubnose at Moonhop

Friday night was Bisikleta Production's return after a few months off with Rude Maynila Sessions holding court at The Spot in Monumento. The Spot, a newly-opened/moved art and music venue is fast creating a following and its not be far-off to say that they could become one of the more illustrious local venues in the line of Mayric's and 70's Bistro.

Kit of SMB at Rude Maynila 

Finally, this weekend marked the end of the Philippine National Football Team's 99 year wait for an international title. Saturday's fixture was between The Azkals and Chinese Taipei, two of the best teams in the recently concluded Philippine Peace Cup, with the NT needing only a draw, while the Taipei squad needed a win to cop the title. The Azkals were merciless, opening their account a little over 10' from the start, ending the first half 3-nil and conceding only a single goal, the only one for the whole tournament, for a 3-1 rout. Denis Wolf, the Fil-German striker who bagged a hat trick last Thursday against Macau took home the Golden Boot and MVP award.   

The Azkals showing some love to their "rabid" supporters

So there you have it folks, the weekend that was. A proper Moonhop review will be posted soon.

Mabuhay Pilipinas!