Not A Relaxing Stroll Through the Park

"Walking through the park just the other day, baby. What do you, what do you think I saw?" More like, what do you I think I heard? It sure wasn't the lilting keyboard riff of Misty Mountain Hop. Instead it was the blaring, loud cacophony of radio commercials. Not songs, just commercials. All emanating from the myriad speakers scattered throughout the park.

Not the greatest picture. It's something that needs hearing more than seeing anyway. Besides even in real life the speakers and pole sort of blend into the background. This is not the first time I have traversed this park only to be met with the annoying sound of the radio. But this time I decided to find the source. Here it is:

Believe me when I asked the lady at the desk why they are blasting loud radio commercials instead of something quieter and more suitable to a park she had no idea what I was talking about. I was tempted to smash that system to bits but that would have only exacerbated all my problems. The way this is set up I find quite mind boggling. There are about twenty poles with speakers scattered throughout out the park. Yet somehow they all have wires that lead underground and back to the stereo in this office. That's a lot of work and for what? So people can be annoyed by crummy commercials and boring, redundant pop songs they have heard a million times before! I don't know about you but I despise Celine Dion even more when I hear her tinny voice blasting through tiny speakers.

The strange thing is no one seems to care. There were plenty of people sitting on benches chatting, playing checkers, or just hanging out.  Here is one lady who set up shop and was waiting for customers. 

There are always several mani/pedicurists plying their trade in this park. Once I was walking through and some lady ran up to me saying "Sir, Sir!" I thought she was going to ask if I wanted a mani/pedicure but instead she asked something else I will not repeat here.

Anyway, this park sucks. It's not pretty to look at it and even if it was you couldn't relax here because the radio is playing loudly all day.

Blaring Election Truck Speakers

If you think those trucks blasting out popular songs with altered lyrics all about a candidate are annoying then you ain't seen nothing yet. Check out this behemoth!

Just look at that huge stack of speakers! When I walked by I could feel my whole being rattle. What is the point of that? This is not the only candidate using a wall of speakers to get your vote.

Again what is the point?  I hope the point is that as this was a festival these guys are not driving around every day blaring music from these speakers but they are just being festive. Somehow I doubt it.

Remember BOOM BOOM BOOM to BOOM BOOM BOOM vote for BOOM BOOM BOOM me!

Review: Fake Martin Guitar Strings

I have a Martin guitar and I prefer to use Martin strings. After stringing up my guitar with my last set I looked around town for another set of strings because it is always handy to have spares around just in case a string breaks. When I first saw these strings I hesitated because I knew they were fake. It was pretty obvious. The sales clerk told me they were Class A. Should have been Class F for Fake.

I bought them despite knowing their dubious authenticity because I figured they are better than nothing and I was curious as to how they would sound. Later I was able to buy a few sets of genuine Martin strings but when my strings finally broke I decided I would give these bad boys a shot.

The first thing you notice upon opening the package is that each string gets its own plastic bag. Genuine Martin strings come two in a paper sleeve.

Next you can see is that the ball end is very different.

The Martin strings have a bit of cloth tied at the end but the fakes do not. I'm not sure how much of a difference that makes to the sound.

Here is my guitar with the new strings on all ready to play.

The fake Martin strings sound really good. They are crisp and sharp and bright. The gauge is light which makes it easy to move my fingers up and down the fretboard. There are also no rust spots. The last few pairs of strings I used, which were genuine Martin stings, had rust spots on them. Maybe they were on the shelf for too long?  It has been about two months since I put the fake Martins on  my guitar and they still sound fresh.

I would buy these strings again if I were in a jam and needed some right away. It's too bad that whoever manufactures these strings is attempting to pass them off as Martin brand strings. Why not make their own brand name and build a solid reputation for their company? These strings are good quality and I don't see why the company that made them couldn't corner the domestic market and become known as the number one Pinoy manufacturer of acoustic guitar strings. But rather than do that they took the low route and stole someone else's name and logo and tried to pass their product off as Martin's.

Too bad.

Loud Music Transforms SaveMore Into a War Zone

How is anyone supposed to enjoy shopping when SaveMore has the volume on the music turned all the way up!?  Look at this beast:

Those two speakers are pumping out a BOOM-BOOM-BOOM jam that is so loud your body is shaking as you pass by and what is the point even?  Because there is a sale? How about just give me a flyer with all the sale items listed. As it is all I hear is loud music and I don't see a single item for sale.

When you walk in you are greeted with another set of loud club music coming from speakers overhead. So now there are two different sets of loud music blasting at customers as they come in and as they stroll about.

If that's not enough over in the non-food department they have this little but powerful monster blasting even more jams:

What is the point? Is this thing for sale? Were there some items for sale on that platform? If they are all gone why is this music continuing to play? All the idle grocery clerks were sure enjoying the jam as they stood around nodding their head to the beat.

So now there are three sets of loud, unnecessary, rude, aggressive, bassy, club music shouting at you as you walk around the store and all you really want to do is get your items and get the heck out where it's nice and quiet. SaveMore gives you no time for strolling or window shopping. It's a war zone and if you don't know what you need and exactly where it's at you will be caught in the cross fire of all those speakers blasting out their angry sound waves.

This loud, aggressive club music blaring in your ears as you walk about the store is unnecessary and uncomfortable and out of place. Who really wants to hear all this noise this when they are out doing their shopping? Anyone? As I was leaving an old man was walking into the store holding his ears and with his shoulders shrugged up to his neck and he was shouting something to the guard which I couldn't understand because of the loud music but was undoubtedly something like, "Why is that music so loud!?"

Listen for yourself.

Guns N' Roses to Play Venue Owned By Iglesia Ni Cristo

This November Guns N' Roses, the apotheosis of 80's hard rock, will be playing Manila for the first time EVER! They will rock your socks off with all their hits. They wanna hear you scream!

The venue is the Philippine Arena which has hosted acts such as Katy Perry, Eat Bulaga, and various PFB games. But did you know...

THE PHILIPPINE ARENA IS OWNED BY THE IGLEISA NI CRISTO!!

Yes that means if you go see Guns N' Roses play their first ever Manila show you will be filling the coffers of this Bad Religion, the INC. What a conundrum for rock fans! But why is Guns N' Roses playing this venue? Why did Katy Perry play this venue? Why was Chris Brown slated to play this venue? (He subsequently cancelled and a brouhaha ensued.)

The stated purpose of this arena is to promote wholesome clean living.

http://sports.inquirer.net/13449/biggest-sports-dome-not-for-profit

“The Arena,” stressed my source, “is being built not to make a profit. In fact, it is not even commercialized nor aimed at making money.” 

On the contrary, the complex aims to establish itself as a wholesome gathering place for people and an entertainment venue for the whole family, serving as a venue for religious, cultural and sporting events. Besides, my source said, the Philippine Arena could help boost the country’s tourism industry.

Look at these ticket prices from Katy Perry's 2015 tour.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/371266/philippine-arena-open-for-use-by-non-iglesia-orgs-officials-say/story/

Ticket Prices:

VIP – P15,900

Patron – P13,500

Lower Box Premium – P10,500

Lower Box Regular – P8,900

Upper Box A Premium – P6,000

Upper Box A Regular – P4,000

Upper Box B Premium – P3,000

Upper Box B Regular – P900

Here are the ticket prices for Guns N' Roses:

http://www.philippineconcerts.com/foreign/guns-n-roses-live-in-manila-2018/

Ticket Prices:

P15,595 – Platinum

P13,390 – Lower Box A Premium

P10,080 – Lower Box A Regular

P7,875 – Lower Box B Premium

P5,670 – Lower Box B Regular

P2,365 – Upper Box A

P1,575 – Upper Box B Premium

P1,050 – Upper Box B Regular

P840 – Upper Box B Sides

These tickets are more expensive than Katy Perry's. Is this what they mean by "No profit"?

While waiting for the show itself, GNR fans can hang out at The Philippine Arena’s VIP Lounge and Entertainment Tent, which will have a food fair, bazaars, motoring and sports exhibits, and a grand fireworks display. 

Transportation to the venue will consist of Point-to-Point (P2P) shuttle buses. Bus schedules and pickup points will be posted at strategic locations. 

The venue likewise offes a staycation package, with more than 400 housing units available for overnight stay.  For reservations, log on to philippinearena.net, or visit Official Philippine Arena on Facebook, or contact 09163372756.

http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/296817/preparations-guns-n-roses-philippine-arena-concert-underway/

Yeah right! 400 housing units for overnight stay is just to make costs. So is all the food and the shuttle buses. Guns N' Roses is playing a charity event.

What about the Philippine Arena being a venue for good old fashioned wholesome family entertainment?

The Iglesia Ni Cristo-owned Philippine Arena will be available for use by interested Filipino and international organizations provided their activities will be in accordance with the Bible’s teachings, church officials said Monday. 

“We reserve the right to determine what kinds of activities will be held here based on wholesome Christian principles and values that our church upholds,” Iglesia Ni Cristo evangelist Bro. Bienvenido Santiago Jr. said during the arena's inauguration.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/371266/philippine-arena-open-for-use-by-non-iglesia-orgs-officials-say/story/

Wow! I never knew Guns N' Roses was a band with "wholesome Christian principles and values" that the INC upholds.

They may not hold Christian values but it sure looks like Guns N' Roses is good wholesome family fun.

It's all Lies, Lies, Lies from the Iglesia Ni Cristo.  Which makes their arena the perfect venue for Guns N' Roses' first ever Manila concert.

Let the People Decide to Declare War

Presenting the first music video from Philippinefails.

Enjoy!