Shalom: A Tribute to the Half-Blood Prince

The conception of this little accolade in a parchment has been inspired by one of the book’s most hidden gems. With his famous words, “I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death -- if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach," he became immortal without using any Horcruxes nor the Deathly Hallows.

Professor Severus Prince Snape, I have always thought of you as cold, snob, sarcastic, unfriendly, bitter, stern (as what your name suggests), unapproachable -- basically every little thing that is not required of a teacher or a nice gentleman that is. You have never even attempted to be discreet on showing your favoritism towards the members of your own House, Slytherin. Not to mention, you have never failed to show your contempt towards our beloved hero, Harry Potter and his friends, especially poor Neville Longbottom. You had never shown considerations, Sir. Never. I might as well say you were unfair altogether. However, I cannot deny that you are indeed one of the most talented wizards I have the luck to meet. Your natural flair in Potions earned you the title Potions Master. You are a gifted potioneer, Professor. Perhaps you can even brew potions while you are sleeping. I could not emphasize that well enough.

Among everyone in the wizarding world, you perhaps had the toughest job in town – working for Dumbledore; plotting against your old master, Voldemort, without any of his suspicion (Thank Merlin for Occlumency!); protecting the fruit (Harry) of your hate (James) and love (Lily), and countless equally life-sacrificing acts in between. Now, we know very well that you were never a coward. If your courage is commendable, then your love is even more admirable. Despite the harsh reality you had faced as a result of unrequited love, you still hung on until the very end. For Lily, Harry’s mother, James’s wife, and your first and only love. I guess this is the sweetest thing one could do for someone you truly love. And, we never thought this is possible for you, Professor!

It is good to know that there might be real people out there who may be just like you, Sir. People who have made mistakes at one point in their lives but decided to go back to the light at the end of the day. You showed us that regretting isn’t such a bad thing. You made regretting a whole new act of bravery, for it is hard to admit that you have lived a lamented life; but you have done it Professor, you have done it so well. You had raised your hands up and called it a day as a Death Eater and embraced the bright side. You showed us all hope, hope for redemption.

Professor Severus Prince Snape, you may have reached the end of your 38-year life but your memories will continue spinning in the web of magic every kid will get to experience as they open the treasure the Harry Potter series bestow. Shalom, Professor.

(NOTE: I wrote this tribute more than five years ago for a Harry Potter class in DLSU-Manila.)

Moon

He used to send me messages telling me to go look outside my window every single time the moon shines beautifully. And I, a lover of anything outer space and a fool, would happily oblige. I would stare at the moon for a while, mesmerized by its light and comforted by the fact that we were both looking at the night sky.

Now, the messages are gone but the moon still shines as beautifully as ever. And I am still a lover of the night skies but definitely no longer a fool.

Eye Opener: On Keeping Your Mouth Shut

Earlier today, a friend told me that I'm too talkative. I was taken aback. I felt a pang in my heart, and I stopped talking 100 words per second.

Here's the thing, I am talkative especially when I feel too happy or giddy or when I'm comfortable with the people I'm with; OR when I am really, really, really nervous. So, when he said that, I have to stop my mouth from trying its best to catch up with my running thoughts and ask myself these questions:

1) Do other people think the same thing?
2) Are they also annoyed with my excessive talking?
3) Am I really that talkative that it's irritating?
4) What should I do now?
5) Should I turn into a plant now?

I was anxious. Very anxious. But I kept my cool and jokingly said that I accept his challenge. I stopped talking until we bid goodbye.

You see, talking is very important to me. Growing up, I was a very quiet cute little kid. I never talked that much. I wasn't hyper or noisy. I was too quiet that perhaps at one point my family thought I was deaf-mute. Maybe. I don't know when it happened but I suddenly turned into a cheerful, talkative girl. Maybe my young self realized the importance of talking and the next thing she knows she's an/a extemporaneous speaker/debater/Hermione Granger/most talkative person in the room who annoyed a bunch of her classmates and friends.

So, when a friend told me to shut up earlier, I guess I was reminded of that distant past where people liked me less simply because I talk too much. More importantly, it was an eye opener. His words made me realize that maybe it's time to go back to that very old version of me, that little girl who never uttered a word. Well, she's still around actually when I'm at home or in a crowd or with people I just met. I can be very, very, very quiet that you won't even feel my existence.

Lately, I've been thinking of isolating myself from the world. Maybe, my friend is right about me talking less. Maybe, it's about time to shut my mouth and let my writing do the talking. I don't know. Well, it can't be that bad. After all, "less words, less mistakes," they say. ;)

I also want to call myself, "Queen of Isolation." Who knows? Living a contemplative life may help me realize my full potential. :D

Let It Go by Idina Menzel from Disney's Frozen


AND to close this post, let me share with you a few words from Anna Peters:

Word Vomit: Catching Up

Six months and a million internal debates after, I finally found the time, courage, and will to update this blog. Although, I don't think it matters that much since nobody seems to be following this anyway. (LOL!) And it's totally fine! I'm already content having an online journal that I can peruse whenever the struggling writer in me says so.

I really want to say A LOT OF THINGS. But I don't know where to start. I don't even know what is worth sharing anymore. For the past months I've been on hiatus, I went through a great deal of challenges. There were days when all I wanted to do is give up. Give up on my dreams. Give up on people. Give up on myself. For the past six months, I think I cried more than I should have allowed myself to. It's tiring and annoying.

BUT I always try to rise, to keep going; for I know there will be better days. NO, I can always CHOOSE to make each of my days the best, as if it's my last. :)

To give you an idea of what I'm really trying to say, listen to these songs (Haha!):

Arms by Christina Perri


Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus


Say Something by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera


That is because I sing my feelings better than actually talking about them. ;)

Here's to hoping I'll be able to write more and more this year!

Boats and Birds are Little Things With or Without You

I know, I know! My recent blog posts have been about me and my musical adventures! But, don't worry I've got articles (not about me this time) coming up soon! ;) In the meantime, let me share what my friends and I have recently covered.

Gregory and the Hawk's Boats and Birds is one of my favorite songs ever. Its lyrics --

If you'll be my star
I'll be your sky
You can hide underneath me
And come out at night
When I turn jet black
And you show off your light
I live to let your shine

But you can skyrocket away from me
And never come back if you find another galaxy
Far from here where there's more room to fly
Just leave me your stardust to remember you by

-- are just so poetic and its melody is just so heartwarming. So, when Popoy played the song on guitar randomly one night, my heart gave a mini heart attack and I had an epiphany: I MUST sing this song no matter what! Below is one of my dreams coming true.



Ate Abby and I obviously don't like Little Things by One Direction. We loathe it so much we did not post a draft version of the cover! Finally, we have the FINAL version complete with rhythm and lead guitars!



And we even have a video of this cover!



Yup, we definitely hate One Direction. And I hope you get the sarcasm of the previous statement.

Also, Ate Abby, Popoy, and Paolo covered U2's With or Without You! And I love it! Their harmonies are so ear-catching I had an eargasm!

New Cover Songs from Super Shangkee and Friends

Because my friends and I love music so much, we try our best to cover some of our favorite songs. Recently, we added a few songs to our collection. Go ahead and listen and enjoy!

Little Things - Abby and Trisha (One Direction Cover)


Modern Nature - Edsel and Abby (Sondre Lerche Cover)


Ho Hey - Trisha and Abby (Lennon and Maisy Cover)


Of course, thank you to our guitarist/sound mixer, Popoy!

Super Shangkee and Friends Cover Lennon and Maisy's 'Telescope' - UPDATED WITH VIDEO

Ever since I can remember, my friends (especially the fabulous Queenie) have been bugging me to make a recording and post it on YouTube or Soundcloud. Since I've been singing for most of my life, it   totally makes sense. But laziness and all other excuses have been keeping me to do what the cool kids do: Post their audio recordings online. 

Finally, after "x" years of planning, my friends and I recorded an outdoor jamming session and here's the result!  

Thank you very much Abby (harmony), Popoy (guitar), and Edsel!


UPDATE:

Below is the video of our cover! Woot!

Note to Self: When to Hit the Heartbrakes?

Note: This has been sitting on my drafts folder for a month. I never really wanted to post this. But, I think it's about time. :) 

I've been crazy about Black Kids since I heard I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You on the radio while cruising the roads of Sta. Rosa, Laguna in a red pick-up truck. I fell in love with them even harder when I heard the rest of the songs from their album, Partie Traumatic.

One of the songs I've been obsessing lately is Hit the Heartbrakes. The song's really playful and full of fun and energy. But, listening to the song again lately made me realize that this song's pretty sugarcoated with brute.

I must repeat, I think you're sweet. But ain't no way that I'm gonna meet your mother, your father, your dog or your brother, your nephew and niece, girl. I just can't be bothered.

Sounds familiar? We all have that one person that we really like so so so much but the feeling is unfortunately not mutual. Snape has Lily, Eponine has Marius, etc. And, it sure freaking hurts like your heart has been ripped by Cora or Regina (from Once Upon a Time).

Yes, I've been there like a thousand times over or not. I've learned my lessons the hardest ways, and I'm definitely not going to back to that dark corner of unrequited lurve ever. LIKE EVER.

The only way to save yourself from the harsh consequences of rejection  is to hit the freaking heartbrakes when red flags have been raised right in front of you! But because sometimes we're stupid and crazy about this person, we forget that red is not just a color of love but also the color of danger. So, ladies and lords, quickly hit the heartbrakes when these happen to you:

1. Friendzoned - Does this even need explanation?! Gurl, if he's like saying that you're like his friend or little sister or what, obviously he's not just into you!

2. Push and pull - Why will you ever like someone who's so inconsistent? If the person you like makes a move then does not when you obviously like them, then maybe it's time for you to move to another person.

3. Forever ignored - DUH.

4. I like you but - BUTS. BUTS. BUTS. Okay, so the person of interest likes you BUT there is a BUT. The person you like is not ready or blah blah blah. Well, there's nothing wrong with waiting for that person and all, but what if it never happens, what will you do huh? Cry and pick up the broken pieces of your heart?

5. If he tells you to also date other people - Uhm. It obviously means that the person you like may not be so sure if you're the one. Maybe yous should listen to what he/she says, and look for another person to smother your love an affection with.

I believe that getting your heart broken is not anyone's fault. It's not your ex's or your lover's or your BFF's or whoever's fault. It is completely yours. Yeah, yeah, yeah feelings can never be planned or what. But, I think if people are only brave and smart enough to actually let go when the signs scream that you're already losing, then people won't have to deal with unrequited whatevs.

There's nothing wrong with looking for the silver lining in a situation; but, sometimes you just have to be brutal to yourself to save you at the end of the day.

Or you just can carry on with your life and pretend this post never existed. Go on, never hit the heartbrakes and you'll sure crash when the road ends.

Christmas Albums You Should Have in Your Playlist this Season

Before I give you some of the must-listen Christmas albums this year, let me share a secret. Not so long ago, I discovered the gem that is NoiseTrade. Since then, I have been downloading FREE music from the artists themselves (with the option to leave some tip) through this awesome website! As a big (yet broke – yeah shameless here) music fan, discovering new artists and being able to download their songs for free is a HUGE thing for me.

So, I thank you, NoiseTrade and all the artists who support your movement. Dear readers, if I were you, I will definitely check out its site and look for other albums like the ones below.

Ladies and gentlemen, add these albums to your Christmas playlist now!

A Very Rosie Christmas by Rosie Thomas
With a contagiously cheery opening song "Why Can't It Be Christmas Time All Year", Rosie Thomas's A Very Rosie Christmas makes you really wish this season will never be over. Seriously, this song is so addictive it can be a refreshing replacement to all the other candy pop Christmas songs we always hear on the radio every single year. It's the new "All I Want for Christmas is You", IMHO, TBQH.




Silver & Gold by Sufjan Stevens
If you want to hear something eccentric this Christmas season, then better grab Sufjan Stevens's Silver & Gold album. I definitely like all the songs from this album that I can't choose a favorite. The songs are all fun and catchy and unexpected! I'm surely playing this album on Christmas Day while opening my gifts or something.



This album actually features 58 original and cover songs that you can check out here:


Songs for Christmas by Branches
If you're a big fan of folk/country music, Branches's Songs for Christmas album should be in your playlist this season. This group's version of "O Holy Night" made me teary-eyed, and its cover of "O Come All Ye Faithful", "O Come O Come Emmanuel", and "Silent Night" are equally impressive. "Go Tell It on the Mountain" is actually my favorite song from this album. It's dancey, fun, and festive, a kind of song that you want to play when with family, friends, and loved ones.




Over the Rhine by Snow Angels
Jazzy and soulful, Over the Rhine album by the Snow Angels adds some sultry drama to your Christmas eve. I particularly love "All I Ever Get for Christmas is Blue" and its bass parts. Actually, I love all the bass parts of the whole album. With this album glaring in your speakers, your Christmas will definitely not be blue.

Perk of Being a Not Very Pretty Woman

DISCLAIMER: I wrote this a few months ago, rationalizing why I'm still single since birth. It may sound so pathetic, but no no no, I'm not that desperate. It's just me being my weird self. :)

I think I'm ugly and nobody wants to love me. – 2NE1

Quoting the baddest Korean girl group ever, I really think I'm ugly and nobody wants to love me. 

Okay, I'm not really ugly. I think I'm fairly attractive! But, I think there are more attractive girls out there. It's the simple truth. I'm not really judging guys who like physically desirable girls since I do like guys who are physically attractive anyway. I mean, that's how relationship starts to begin with. A guy likes how a girl looks. A girl likes how a guy looks. Then, they hook up. It's all about attraction.

Given that, it makes me wonder, am I really that unattractive that no guy has ever thought of pursuing me? Geez, that sounds really pathetic! So, here's my justification why I'm still single at 22: It seems like I'm not really the type as of the moment. 

Not to mention, I'm surrounded with girls and women who are leagues prettier and hotter than me in terms of today's standards. When we all go out, I guess they just stand out and I become a wallflower. I'm pleasant to look at; but I'm no head turner. If I were a household item, I'm not really a statement piece. I think I'm some wallpaper, nice and pretty grandmas and mothers and aunties will love.

Okay. JSYK, I'm not fishing or having some insecure moment here. It's just how nature goes. Some people are taller, some shorter. I'm not really sad or anything. I really like the way I am.

A family friend once asked me if I ever wanted to marry a foreigner. I said I'm really open to the idea since it looks like most Filipino guys don't like me. They prefer their girls doll-like pretty with perfect brown wavy hair, paper white complexion, and a style copied straight from a magazine. And what she told me was thought-provoking. She told me that if ever a guy likes me even I'm not the most beautiful girl based on today's standards, then he truly likes me just the way I REALLY am.

And it made me think: maybe being "ugly" can help me or you or whoever find THE ONE who will truly love us because of US--which is so much better than being loved because I look like an ulzzang or something.  No idea how to end this weird and awkward entry so pretend that I just fade into nothing please. (Insert your chosen emoticon here.) 

P.S. This whole post is a hoax. I'm just looking for an excuse to write about 2NE1's song Ugly. HA. HA. HA. 

Sharing Music: Lines by Said the Whale

Vancouver-based indie rock band, Said the Whale, is my latest music discovery. And, its song Lines from the New Brighton EP is definitely an instant pick-me-upper. 

With a catchy melody and hard-to-forget harmony, Lines will definitely cheer up your day and leave you humming for more. 

Listen to the full New Brighton EP here: 

Also, here's the band's latest album, Little Mountain

Visit http://saidthewhale.bandcamp.com or http://www.saidthewhale.com for more information about the Juno Award-winning band. 

Current Happy Song: Move on the Sun

Don’t worry cause you’re never alone / You’ll always have a friend in the sun / And even though you might just get burned / At least that you learned

I want to thank Joseph Gordon-Levitt and his open collaborative company, hitRECord, for producing this amazing song by The Morning Hollows and some other amazing collaborators. Move on the Sun has been my happy song since the first time I heard it some few weeks ago.

Because it never fails to make me smile every single time, I'm going to endlessly share it to every single person I know! I'm just spreading the good vibes! As what most people who've already heard the song say, it's really impossible to feel unhappy when listening to Move on the Sun!

The song is part of a 15-track album of the same name that features 78 contributing artists from JGL's company. Aside from Move on the Sun, the album also features a song titled, Why Am I So Dizzy? written and performed by the founder himself.

Interested? You can get a digital copy of the album through Bandcamp or iTunes. It is also available in double-vinyl LP, free digital download included, through hitRECord's store.

Visit http://www.hitrecord.org/moveonthesun for more information on the album.

Meanwhile, you can listen to the rest of the album here:

Cray, this post sounds like an ad! :P Don't get the wrong idea! I'm not directly connected with JGL or hitRECord or anyone featured in the album, although that would be seriously awesome...

I just really love the song and the rest of the album too much I just cant help but promote it. :) I hope you love it, too! And if you do, pay it forward and share the happiness to everyone you know.

'Tis the Season to be Jolly!

Falalalala lalalala!

The first of the 'ber months is finally upon us. It feels just like yesterday when I was jumping up and down saying hello to the New Year, or enjoying the hot summer months in Manila (April-May, JSYK). And now we're only a few months away from the end of the month, the start of the last quarter, the beginning of the end. Time flies really fast when you're having fun, or working, or busy fangirling, or wasting time doing things you think great but actually mundane.

TBFQH, I really don't know how to blog anymore. It has been a while since I wrote a "proper" blog entry; and by proper blog, I mean an entry with words, thoughts, feels, and not mere videos and some description. Since I started working a "professional" writer, I am more careful of what I write even on Twitter or Facebook. Not really a bad thing though. Thinking before clicking is actually a good practice.

I actually feel like I have lost my "writing" voice, or that spontaneous "writing" voice. It has been a while since I've written something really personal. So please, no judgment. :P

September is my birth month. You see in 10 days, I will be 22, and I'm scared. I'm scared that one day I'll wake up and realize that I've done nothing to reach my dreams. My problem is that I'm not content. I want so many things that I no longer know which one I should get first. In the end, I end up not doing anything about it, letting it pass than being frustrated of giving your all then not getting it after all.

For example, when I heard that Clara C will release her sophomore album, esc, on Sept. 25, I have a serious urge of getting a pre-order. Unfortunately, a serious urge is not enough for me to click "buy now". Jeez, it costs $10 plus $5.99 for the shipping plus some taxes once it arrives here in the Philippines. So, I'm guessing it will cost me around $20++ to get her awesome album. Here's the awesome preview, btw:

Then, Phantom of the Opera, something I was seriously obsessed about when I was 14 when the movie was released in 2004, will be running in the Cultural Center of the Philippines until the end of the month. And, the ticket prices are so expensive and I don't want to get the cheapest seats because this is Phantom of the Opera we're talking about.

But, American Idol Season  Season 11 finalists will be coming here in Manila to have a show at the Araneta Coliseum on September 21, a day after Phillip Phillips birthday, and I love Phillip. And I also have to see Heejun. Of course, I want to get the VIP seats, k. Plus, I already missed seeing Hailey and Casey last year!

So little money, so many shows to watch! Good thing I was able to watch Potted Potter at the RCBC Plaza earlier this evening courtesy of Ate Rona! Definitely, hilarious! I want more please. The ending was sooo bitin. I was hoping they would make an encore, but they didn't. But I loved every moment of it! Garry and Jesse are extremely talented, great improv, and spot on humor. Thank you Ate Rona for the early birthday gift!

Well. I don't know if I'll be able to get a physical Clara C album or watch Phantom of the Opera or the American Idol Live Tour 2012. I just can't spend all my month's pay on things like these; it's impractical and I have to feed my stomach and keep my toes warm. Only shows we won't be able to get what we want all the time.

But I don't want to be such as pessimist, a non-believer. Maybe good things will happen! After all, September is my birth month and today's the first day at Hogwarts and I was able to watch Potted Potter! Maybe some great things will happen and the universe will all of sudden conspire to help me get what I want. Then, maybe, I one day I'll wake up living my dreams... Maybe, I just really have to want them sooo bad I should not just sit on it or pretend it never passed my waking life. Maybe just maybe. Fingers crossed and let's see. (So much drama meself! #chauss)

Indie Goodness

Some of the best songs I've heard in my entire 21-year-old life are from indie bands. These songs are so good, I think I'm hypnotized when listening to them. I won't mind even mind playing them for the rest of my life.

Active Child - Hanging On 

How many people in the world can create music as ethereal and calming as this? A lot, TBQH, but this song captures my sentiments exactly. 

 

Black Kids - Hurricane Jane

With lyrics like "It's Friday night and I ain't got nobody", I instantly became a fan of Hurricane Jane and the rest of the Black Kids discography. It's my kind of music--indie-electro with a hint of pop and rock. 

Dr. Dog - The Breeze

Thanks to Jamie Dornan, I got the chance to listen to this amazing Dr. Dog song. And he's right, if this won't make you smile, there's something wrong with you. A song for laid-back Saturdays. 

A Music Video Party

I missed a lot of music video releases the past weeks. Let me make up for that by having a music video party! Confetti, please.

Clara C - Fish 

Clara's music video are always a little bit whimsical and Fish is no different. I actually expecting something more related to the song in a literal sense and some great underwater scenes. But, I have no complaints with the actual MV, TBQH. And Mike Chang is here, JSYK. :D

Lana del Rey - National Anthem 
Lana del Rey aka the Queen of Instagram pretends to be Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy in one music video with rapper A$AP Rocky as the President JFK. Well, you know the story. And I love it, I love it. Btw, loving all your clothes in this vid, gurl. Werk.

Super Junior - Sexy, Free, & Single 

Their title song is definitely so much better than last year's Mr. Simple. It was too simple for the gods that are Super Junior. Aside from the song, I super love the set of this MV, especially that minimalist white set with the curved side. Does it even matter?! My flawless BBs are back and nothing in the world matters right now. Everything else is irrelevant.

2NE1 - I Love You


I like the "sensitivity" this song has. I like its melody especially at the beginning. It's like Go Away minus the angst. But after last year's I Am the Best, it's definitely much more tamer. I have a feeling that this is not really their song for the year. It's more of a taste of what is about to come.

Clara C Unveils MV Teaser for 'Fish'

YouTube sweetheart Clara C releases the music video teaser for Fish, the first single from her upcoming sophomore album featuring Glee star Harry Shum, Jr..

I love Fish! Ever since I heard the song during Clara C's show here in Manila last December 1, 2011 at the Music Museum, I have been waiting for this day to come! To fully comprehend what I really feel right now, watch this clip (Thanks eibrum!):

Fish will be available on iTunes on June 25th!

Florence + the Machine Unveils 'Breath of Life' OST for Snow White and the Huntsmen

I fell in love with Florence + the Machine ever since I heard Dog Days are Over. Then, when I heard Shake It Out and Spectrum, I know I'll never reach the ground. With their new song for the soundtrack of Snow White and the Huntsmen, Florence and the Machine brought me to cloud nine.

Breath of Life is haunting. In fact, it is terrifying. I love how it sounds so classical with the grand choir and the orchestra but Florence's voice just makes it even more enthralling. Her voice is epic that it matches the classical sound of the choir and the orchestra yet it is so distinct that she still overpowers them all. Plus, adding the hiphop beats was genius since it made the song more relevant and modern and different from all the classical OSTs that we usually hear.

If I were a spy or an assassin, I would definitely play this song when plotting for someone's demise, which is actually what this song is all about, given Florence wrote this song with the Queen's perspective (her desire for youth that she literally sucks out the life out of young women) in mind.

Can I just say how solemn and calm her speaking voice is? Her speaking voice is so prim and proper yet her singing voice is so strong and commanding. 

Uno

Welcome, welcome to the blog of Super Shangkee, a super heroine in the making who is living with all her favorite people (celebrities and fictional characters included) in her dreams but actually a 24/7 spazzy fangirl in real life!

In this little corner, I am going to share to you some of my personal stories and some news, information, opinion, whatever on anything we can spazz about! See ya later, spazzers!