The Singkíl originated from the Maranao people who inhabit the shores of Lake Lanao. It is derived from a story in the Darangen, the Maranao interpretation of the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana. The name of the dance itself means “to entangle the feet with disturbing objects such as vines or anything in your path”. It is a popular dance performed during celebrations and other festive entertainment. Originally only women, particularly royalty, danced the Singkíl, which serves as either a conscious or unconscious advertisement to potential suitors.

The lead dancer, in the role of Putri Gandingan (the Darangen name for Sita), graciously step in and out of closing bamboos poles arranged in either a parallel, rectangular, or criss-cross fashion while manipulating either apir (fans), mosala (scarves), or even just their bare hands. A kulintang and agung ensemble always accompanies the dance.

While often erroneously referred to by non-Maranaos as a “Muslim dance”, the Singkíl is in fact secular in nature, performed by the Ummah communities of the Maranao and Maguindanao. Initially, the dance was performed with just one pair of bamboo poles, eventually adopting the use of two criss-crossing pairs. – Wikipedia

I really don’t watch Filipino folk dances that much but after watching this performance, I felt proud as a Filipino (well, aside from being proud for working in HRG Marsman). I am amazed that we have this dance that is creatively done.

1. Give It To You – Steve Means feat. Skoolie (2nd Week)
2. Can’t Take This Away – David Choi
3. Better You – David Choi
4. Catch Me If You Can – M. Pokora
5. When She Moves – Steve Means

Pssst! I got a secret to tell… I usuallu sleep inside the theaters while watching a movie. Hehehe.

1. Can’t Take This Away – David Choi
2. Love Is Callin’ – Eric Saade
3. Give It To You – Steve Means feat. Skoolie
4. Underneath Your Love – David Choi
5. Kinetic – The Cinema

I removed my previous post about my Top 10 songs for 2011. Originally, I was planning to create three different blog entries for my Hitlist 2011: Top 10 Tracks, Top 10 Albums, and Top 10 Artists for 2011. But due to lack of time, I just decided to compress everything into one blog entry. And I failed my plan to do some graphics for this three part blog entries.

But anyway, like what I mentioned in my previous entry, thanks to the technology “scrobbling“, which I learned last year, that’s why I managed to come up with this 2011 year end chart. The “Hitlist” section of my blog is powered by Last.fm. Through its app in my mobile phone, it “scrobbles” all the songs I listen to and send the information to the Last.fm server. It actually logs the songs I listen to and it is able to create your own charts.

And now,  here is my year-end hitlist for the year 2011.

TOP 10 TRACKS

1. Better You – David Choi
2. Sometimes – Donkeyboy
3. I Know What I Know – Shane Harper
4. Heart Skips A Beat – Olly Murs feat. Rizzle Kicks
5. Save My Heart – Jason Reeves
6. Jump – Shane Harper
7. Someone Somewhere – Jason Reeves
8. Today – Steve Moakler
9. The World As I See It – Jason Mraz
10. Underneath Your Love – David Choi

I actually thought that “Sometimes” by Donkeyboy will be my 2011 song of the year. But I really got inspired by David Choi’s “Better You” that’s why it kept playing and playing in my music player since I discovered his “By My Side” album. And I think I liked him and his songs more after his concert in Manila last June 2011. I can say that 2011 has been a year of discovering songs which I can relate to, and hopefully songs that can inspire me.

TOP 10 ALBUMS

1. By My Side – David Choi
2. Shane Harper – Shane Harper
3. Only You – David Choi
4. The Lovesick – Jason Reeves
5. Caught In A Life – Donkeyboy
6. Forever and Ever – David Choi
7. Saade Vol. 1 – Eric Saade
8. Forever If Ever – Jon McLaughlin
9. Falling Through Holes – Jared Lee
10. Wide Awake – Joe McElderry

2011 has been a year of discovering great albums. Whenever I try listening to a full album, I am hoping that I can find good songs from it, not just “one hit wonders”. I think it should all start from a great album.

TOP 10 ARTISTS

1. David Choi
2. Jason Reeves
3. Shane Harper
4. Olly Murs
5. Jason Mraz
6. Donkeyboy
7. Eric Saade
8. Jon McLaughlin
9. Steve Moakler
10. Danny Saucedo

There’s really no doubt that David Choi would be on top of the artists chart – Top 1 Song for 2011 (Better You), Top 1 Album for 2011 (By My Side) and two others included in the chart (Only You and Forever And Ever), plus a great concert and close encounter last year, I think that would explain why he is my 2011 Artist of the Year. 2011 has been a year of discovering great talents. I started to like solo artists who do their own songs and whom you can feel their sincerity everytime they perform.

There you have it, my top 10 tracks, albums, and artists for 2011. I am looking forward to more great music this 2012.

1. Give It To You – Steve Means feat. Skoolie
2. Can’t Take This Away – David Choi
3. Heartstrings – Steve Appleton
4. The Way You Move – Kevin Hammond
5. Shake – Jesse McCartney

It started with the hashtag “Better 2012″ (#better2012), until I get inspired with a #. And here it is, a new season of my blog called “Hashtag Inspired”, where I want to think of different hashtags which I want to live up this 2012. Since we are talking about the word “inspired”, I want everything to be in a positive mood.  I am glad that I am back on thinking of new ideas for my blog this 2012. And as always, I hope that I will always have the drive to do the things that I want to do.

And as always, for every new chapter of a blog, I always feel a fresh start – trying to correct mistakes from the past, trying to pick up all the pieces again, trying to leave behind all the things that make me feel sad, and trying to become a better person.

1. Love Is Callin’ – Eric Saade
2. Can’t Take This Away – David Choi
3. This Is A Way – David Choi
4. The Way You Move – Kevin Hammond
5. Sky Falls Down – Eric Saade feat. J-Son

My Bohol trip with my friends started 2011 with a bang. It was our long time plan to go out of town together and it happened in 2011. We continuously explored new places and tried new things throughout the year. These experiences definitely made our bond stronger, despite of our busy schedules. I am glad that we became comfortable telling problems with each other. But I hope that we will share more happy stories this 2012.

My sister gave birth to her son in 2011, and we consider him as a blessing and a new addition to our family. There were a lot of adjustments to be made, but I know everything is worth it. This blessing brought more happiness to our family.

Work was more challenging. But I want to take it as an opportunity for me to grow.

Met some new people. Things might not always how we want them to be. What’s important is that we learn something from our mistakes, and stand up again as better people. Made some new friends as well. I know that it might really take some time to build up a friendship. I learned how to wait and to take things one step at a time. No need to rush things. We must be always sure of our decisions.

Became interested in new things. Listened to new music. Watched different movies. Tasted new foods. Less alcohol. Went to new places. Tried doing things I never thought I could do!

Year 2011 was a good year for the concert scene, as two of my music idols performed in Manila in 2011 – David Choi and Jason Mraz.

Found it somehow hard to go back to blogging again. But I am glad that I am doing another year-end review.

Things might not always how we want them to be but I can say that 2011 was a good year. I want to stay positive for this new year and I am looking forward to better things to come for all of us.

I don’t want to make any new year’s resolution. But I want to strive to become a better person for all the people I love. #better2012