May Favorites 2014 + Life + Music

I've been really complacent with blog posts lately, huh? Hahaha I guess I just really got into the rhythm of making videos :P I'm honestly not going to  go into the details of all the stuff I showed you in this May Favorites video because I feel like I'm just ridiculously talkative most of the time in my videos :P

So if you guy have any questions with the items above, feel free to ask them below -- I'll definitely get back to you! :3 BTW, if you're looking for where to find those What's Your Flavor Shirts you can find more info here (http://goo.gl/eyjPDr)

Now that I have an outlet for creativity in the form of videos and getting back into my art, I can actually use my blog more for talking about life and you know, what's really been going on haha.

So it's finally June and everybody's on their way back to school. It got me wondering whether or not I should try doing a Back to School Video. Although that'll probably come out pretty late considering I have yet to film it ahaha.

On the same note, I'm also on the way back to work. After a month or two-month-long break from labwork I feel rusty so I need get back into the rhythm. In case you guys I wondering, yes I've graduated, but I still have some labwork and research that I need to tie the ends on. Hopefully if I try hard enough all that research might actually pay off ;)

Meanwhile, this blog will finally become what it's supposed to be -- a stress reliever instead of a stress additive. I hope you guys don't mind me talking much about this stuff :P If not, you can always just skip these introspective and life-themed posts in favor of the ones you like.

ALSO! I've really been getting back into making playlists lately. Granted, they may not be as organized and themed as my previous Mixtape Mondays, but I'll definitely be sharing more with you guys soon so look forward to that!

And if you haven't already seen, I recently did an unboxing video of my recent Etude House package, so if you're interested go check that out!


I'll definitely have more cohesive and planned out blogposts soon guys, so look forward to that!

Ada, signing out!

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KCON Nuffnang Blogger Contest Goodies

Grrrrr Lazy Day Sunday Post hahaha. I'm too lazy to prepare or finish a productive post because my father's leaving for Jakarta today. Plus, this is way overdue, but why the heck not? hahaha.

Last 29th of December I had the wonderful opportunity of attending my first Philippine Kpop Convention thanks to Nuffnang PH. I got a free pass and some fun freebies from my win on one of their blogging events and aside from the highlights of the event, I never really got to share those fun little freebies :D

So here they are now. Some of them I've already started using and some of them I'm leaving for later use (hmmm, I wonder what?). Excuse the varying backdrops. I took some of the pics at my old house and the others in our vacation house. I'm pretty sure you can tell which floor is our old house hahaha.

Liole and Korean/Japanese Cosmetic Gift Pack

Ear Candle, Kojie Sana Glutathione/Kojic Acid Soap, Miscellaneous Japanese Bath Salts, Liole Eyeshadow in SKY 14, 3 Lioele BB Cream Sample Sachets, 2 Lioele Face Masks, Foot Pads and Skin Scrubs

Eskinol Gift Pack

4 sets of [Glutathione Whitening Night Cream + Eskinol Orange Fresh Facial Cleanser + Papaya Facial Scrub] (only 2 shown)

Nokia C2-02 (White)

I have reviews lined up for some of the beauty products and the phone (which is a rather old model but free nonetheless). I'm particularly excited about the Lioele products since I haven't tried any of their products thus far.

As of today I've been trying out the Eskinol skincare products and I'm going to try giving it at least a month before I give my final verdict. I doubt I'd be able to go through ALL FOUR SETS in all honesty, but if the results are positive with my review, you never know what I might do with all those products (do I smell a giveaway?). But if you guys have any request for reviews among the products above, please do tell me.

Aside from free stuff, I also picked up some fangirl merchandise. The funny thing is that I purchased a SISTAR t-shirt at the event but actually forgot to claim it. Owell, good on you fanclub boys! Hope you put the free money to good use LOL.

What I DID remember to pick up however was the awesome F.CUZ For Century Ultimate Zest EP (mmm, I love the sound of Engrish in the morning). Because I was one of the first 100 (or was it 200?) I got a free fan and poster with it. Whee~! Later on I decided: 'why not get another copy of the EP?' Luckily I had a friend with me to pitch in with the cost and have it signed despite that friend not being an actual fan LOL. I wonder what I'm going to do with this EXTRA SIGNED COPY of this CD? 

Lol I am such a tease, aren't I? You guys are just going to have to wait to see what's in store for this year.

Again, if you want specific reviews on anything (yes, even the CD, the music and the drool-worthy photobook -- I don't mind scanning) just ask for it. Hahaha as the saying goes: 'ask and it shall be given... in due time, possibly a few weeks after you make the request, but you can't really be picky'. I think I added the last part in.

Happy Sunday!

Ada, signing out.

4th Philippine Kpop Convention Highlights

Hey guys! I was supposed to start out the new year as most sane people would - with a few resolutions here and there and concrete plans for the year ahead.

But when have I ever demonstrated the sanity possessed by most of my stature? Answer: Not that often.

So because of my utter excitedness and flail-deprived state, I've decided to put this post ahead of the rest and share with you my first ever Philippine Kpop Convention Experience.

Most of you who are my friends on facebook know that although I had concrete plans to go to the convention regardless of whether or not I had a free pass, I did indeed win one from a Nuffnang Blogging Contest not long ago. But even still, I thought why not go ahead and pay for the entrance because the proceeds go to a good cause anyway.

But at least I got some cool prizes from Globe, Liole, Pond's and Basic House. Lol They even made me go on stage, which was a little too embarrassing for my taste.

Photos by Philippine KPOP Committee Inc.

Other than that though, going into my first KCON, I was honestly mostly there for the prospect of meeting F.CUZ  in the flesh. I've followed their music since their first single Jiggy and I remember listening to them fondly on my delegation to Singapore as a representative of my high school LOL. So of course, the prospect of meeting them excited me greatly.

But one unexpected highlight of my day was actually being introduced to a wonderful rookie Kpop Band called A.CIAN. To be straightforward, they aren't the best looking, nor are they the most talented, but you can definitely tell that they have the drive as well as the mindset to make it big.

Photos by Ada Agupitan

When interviewed, their model and aim was to become as well-known and respected as TVXQ, and you can tell that they value each and every one of their fans. I mean, who else would hug their fans so tightly and sincerely like that?

Aren't they just adorable hugging their fans like that?

Photos care of Brandon Sy my partner in crime LOL

So much happened between A.CIAN's LIVE and then F.CUZ but I wasn't exactly able to catch it all. There were fanbooths, activities, giveaways, dance battles, singing contests, Kpop Cosplay presentations etc etc. It's almost too much to take in at once. So being the oddball that I am, I took a calm little tea break and read a book ahahaha. DON'T JUDGE ME!

A few hours later and it was finally time for F.CUZ to perform. I pulled off some fancy cheerdance moves and managed to shoulder-sit myself atop my kind Kpop Partner to get these shots LOL. Yay for having the tallest combined height amidst all the people standing on chairs x_x Also, forgive me, I am obviously very Kan-biased LOL.

Photos by Ada Agupitan

Photos by Brandon Sy

The boys were absolutely amazing. From Left to right you can see them in the above few pictures: Jinon (the leader, and also the smiliest of the bunch), Raehyun (the one who likes to give out hand-hearts and aegyo to the max), Yejun (the self-proclaimed puppy of the household), Deagun (the to-die-for vocal) and Kan (the house and the cool mysterious visual).

Everyone who purchased their album at the event had a chance to meet and greet the band, and might I say the boys were really happy throughout the whole thing. I remember Yejun's crescent moon smile-eyes, Jinon's super tight handshake and Kan's hug hohohoho. I think these three are by far my favorites of the bunch.

Their performance itself was amazing. I have a few videos of them performing Gangnam Style but unfortunately, the loud fanscreams made it so that the video was virtually un-watchable unless in mute haha. Just tell me if you guys still want it and I'll be more than happy to upload all their performances.

I was one of the few that knew all their songs by heart and actually sang along to their songs, No. 1, No One, Jiggy, and Rise Up. Sadly they didn't perform Answer the Phone, but hey, you can't have everything right?

Two lucky fans got to win a dinner date with the band. I WAS ONLY TWO NUMBERS AWAY FROM THE WINNING TICKET! (The winner was 60 and I was 62 hahaha). Owell.

All in all, it was an amazing day from 9 am to 8 pm, almost a full twelve hours for me. I really can't ask for more despite all the could'ves and should'ves because it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life.

Thank you PHILIPPINE KPOP COMMITTEE for organizing another wonderful successful event! Until next time!

P.S. Can we please have B1A4 and/or BAP next? hahaha Please and thank you!

Ada, signing out.

Earporn: Epik High, Block B and Flumpool

There seems to be an epic void in my blogging life now that I've discontinued Mixtape Mondays where music is concerned so I guess the occasional music post intermittently spaced between points is forgivable right?

Most of you who follow me on twitter sort of know that I've been raving continuously about Epik High's new comeback material after newly being signed under YG Entertainment. I'll be honest - I'm not exactly a hardcore fan of Epik High, and in reality I only ever paid attention to their work after the whole controversy with Tablo and it struck me as stupid, all the accusations some netizens were pitting against him. But I wasn't enough of a fan to actually get involved. Now, I see that even if I had, it wouldn't really have made a difference, but I still feel like a horrible person for not paying attention, because damn, this guy and his group are good. IMO, those netizens just gave themselves and South Korea a bad name and should be responsible for the damage they've cost Tablo. They were dealing with someone's life here, and don't even get me started on the number of artists in S. Korea that commit suicide because of unwarranted netizen backlash. It's like these people get some sick pleasure out of causing such emotional torment.

Thankfully though, Tablo didn't succumb to such a fate, and he came back with a vengeance under YG's wing. And now that Epik High's back with their 7th Album 99 I couldn't be happier for him.

I think the biggest change/revolution for Tablo and Epik High under new management (YG Entertainment) is their change in style and the tone of their music. On this aspect, they're getting mixed reactions from both fans and newly exposed music junkies, but in all honesty, I don't think it's a bad thing. While some argue that you should like everything a group does if you're a "true fan", I don't support blindly liking music just because you like the people that make it (Sorry guys). And thus, those people that aren't exactly happy with the change in Epik High's music as opposed to their earlier hits like Love Love Love are entitled to their opinion. I personally think they're on a phase of self discovery, and a little head pumping music isn't so bad, especially if the music video is equally as fun and laden with deep, meaningful innuendos.

Oh, and murder. Let's not forget murder. Hahaha. Either way, it's hard to be disgusted by a bunch of cutely costumed kids committing bloody acts of bludgeoning (one of them's even dressed like GD! )when Epik High's just having so much fun. After those years under seclusion and not even being able to see the light of day, Tablo sure as heck deserves it.

Haters gonna hate.

I'd like to give another round of applause to Epik High for their other comeback song, UP ft. Park Bom. There's just something to be said about the meaningful, encouraging, head bumping, first pumping song which sends shivers down my spine every time I listen to it.  Honestly, I never even thought skate parks existed in South Korea but the setting looks so wonderfully vibrant that I didn't even give it a second thought haha. And not to mention, the music video is so visually appealing that you can use almost every screencap as an awesome desktop background.

See what I mean?

And I think one of the best changes (for the better) that YG has enabled for the group is their awesome livestages. Just that little bit of YG swag added that extra oomph IMO, and just watching it made me wish I could be on stage with them.

Yehp, definitely EPIK.

Epik High aside, another group I've been thoroughly enjoying is Block B. They came out as rookies just about the same time that B1A4, B.A.P., and Boyfriend did, and somewhere in my mind I'm thinking what the heck was up with letter B boygroups that year? That being said, I hadn't paid Block B much attention either when they debuted because in all honestly, I was distracted by the three aforementioned groups. That being said, I'm still not as much of a fan of them as I am the other three, and I can't even seem to muster up the enthusiasm to find out the other members' names (the only one I'm vaguely familiar with is Zico for obvious reasons) but I'll be damned if I lie and say that I don't enjoy their B-Boy music. Right now, I'm particularly enamored by their song, Nillili Mambo. It's just so damn fierce, and I currently have it on my iTunes on loop. It's sort of like how B.A.P. started with Warrior, Power, and No Mercy before they turned all boyband cute with Crash and Stop It (both of which I still like, just not as much).
,

I think Simon and Martina did a pretty good job of enumerating just how silly and amusing this music video was, despite its authentic and wonderful setting in Vietnamn, so I'm not even going to bother. Instead I'm going to spam you with screencaps of particularly appealing scenes in the MV (I actually typed 'appearing' instead of 'appealing' ohnoes. I think my English is turning in to Engrish. x_x)

Yehp, definitely earporn right there.

If hardcore KRap and Hiphop aren't your thing, then maybe you'd do with some soft JRock/Ballad type songs? My latest discovery in the JRock scene comes with an endearing band called Flumpool. A rather unorthodox sounding bandname, yes. But that doesn't take away from how completely and utterly awesome they are.

As I've discuessed before, it isn't actually the easiest of things getting media from Japan what with all their insane copyright laws. Even decent videos on Youtube are hard to come by and they're not as open to the public as South Korea has been with their music industry. But recently, entertainment agencies in Japan have been taking steps to make their music more accessible to their foreign audience. One of their recent pursuits has been throwing concerts for JRock bands (which apparently have a larger audience than mainstream Jpop, save of course bands and groups from Johnny's Entertainment and AKB48) accross Asia. Yay!

I'm really looking forward to the day that Flumpool gets to come here to the Philippines, but I'll be lying if I said I wasn't entirely baited by their cute lead singer, Ryuta Yamamura (山村 隆太).

 

IMO, he looks like a cute Japanese Adrien Brody and he doesn't necessarily have the best voice in JRock, but it has this characteristically soft tone to it that just captures you when you hear it.

So that's it. Sorry for the long post. I was just so music and fangirl-ing-ness deprived so I had to let it out. Hopefully this isn't a regular thing. My blog is mainly an outlet anyway and I'm keeping that way. Even if I have to use it as fangirl catharsis lol.

Any music you'd like to recommend? Foreign, Western or Local? Don't be afraid to drop me a line. I'm always open to new things (obviously).

Ada, signing out.