Francis Magalona’s death is yet another signpost of a “dying” generation of Filipino music. Not to mean it very literally, but what used to be the scene of more talented and less populist driven musicians is burying itself in nostalgia and beneath all the new fads. The Eraserheads had their absolutely final reunion concert recently, and I can’t help but think, “There goes the old days”.

I try my best to be optimistic and pray for more critical work (that is critique-worthy).  And yet again, the Philippine arts are in crisis.  It has yet to find a voice for the generation I belong to.

In any case, thank you for all the memories.  Cheers.

The Eraserheads – Alapaap [Download] [Lyrics]

What’s the point in talking about a year that isn’t already?  I really have no point in all of this but I try to make it a habbit to have “closure” with every year that passed.  And I must admit that the only closure I had this year is coming to terms with my own arteur intellectual inclination.  But who cares about that?

You would care to know that 2008 was so memorable to me because:

The Eraserheads played a reunion concert and Ely Buendia had a heart attack!

Heath Ledger died.

The Beijing Olympics was so moving.

Did you know that Lav Diaz, a native of Mindanao, won the prestigious Orizzonti Prize Film Award from the Venice Film Festival? (Who cares, right?)

Gay Marriage was legalized in California AND illegalized through Proposition 8. (What irony!)

Gaza conflict erupted.

Barack Obama wins the US Presidential race.

Okay, it’s not a big deal.  My point is, new things are so much more interesting.  This year included.