Going out (of the way) in Grimm City

In Francois Ozon’s queer gothic take on a Grimm fairy tale, Alice and her boyfriend Luc find themselves in a petrifying ruse when they escape into the woods and then cannot find their way back. Les Amants Criminels makes reference to the story of Hansel and Gretel, with Luc being the target of lust of both Alice and the enormous Woodsman, who tells the waif-like lad that he likes his boys fattened and his girls thin before he eats them.

Who would’ve thought that dressing down and going out, getting caught and eating in could sum up a two-hour-long movie so aptly?

Abruptly to my point: Going out of one’s way to reach a cretin destination. Geographically, intellectually, magically – astral projection and teleportation aside. Summer is here and while travel agencies are warming up to worn-out bodies aching to get a break, a tan, a massage, and a life all in one heatstroke, maybe city inhabitants need not go far away to discover that our Manila/Quezon City divide has within its natural smokescreens little exotic provinces full of hidden spots devoid of lush greenery, clean air and fresh water.

I am all for the B&Bs of summer: Boracay, Baguio and my own Bed (where Unisom can take me to Budapest or Berlin) but I also like going out of my way to get somewhere far in my own city, enlarging tiny corners and extending short alleys as well as crashing through dead ends and stumbling upon yardsticks of anonymous democracies and topographies. My mother always says, "Familiarity breeds contempt!" and I agree and would wish to be more contemptuous. The world is becoming more and more superficially familiar via MTV and the Internet yet many a Pinoy globetrotter doesn’t even know his own backyard, let alone her maze of a metropolis. Just go out of your usual way and don’t search too hard for clues. Manila and Quezon City may not have the same parks and wildlife anymore, but both can still offer a unique kind of Grimm woods. In metal and mineral, cold and precious.

* * *

Hey Yason!

How’ve you been? I trust that everything is set for your trip back to Europe. Hope your stay here was fun and see you again in July.

I’m also writing you about the metal gig I had invited you to a couple of months back…

When I got to the National Press Club, gasping for air on account of running as fast as I could upon hearing their name called, what I saw instantly stunned me and certainly overwhelmed my expectations. The German band (S.O.L.) were puking out their crusty hard-core political anthems like a dragon after a bad case of baked beans and moldy bread. As ugly as it sounds, I actually mean they were spectacular, Yason! The singer poured out all his despair on the microphone amid people crowding up in his face. I was totally blown away, hundreds of mohawked kids, hardcore kids, metal kids, punks, some elderly-looking characters probably escorting one of the many skateboarding youngsters or pretty young ladies in the crowd. The mosh pit was freakin’ sick! Kids bumping and smashing into each other, slam dancing, crowd surfing, even some really weird and dangerous stunts choreographed by the infamous Southcore (Cavite, Parañaque) kids. I felt almost close to tears at one point – it just felt so good to get everyone together in support of our distinguished guests from Germany and to represent our own contributions to the worldwide underground movement. After the third song, the singer (whose name I forgot, as usual) gave out a very heartfelt statement in honor of the occasion: "This scene is yours. It’s mine and it’s yours. It is ours, so it’s up to us if we want to share it or be selfish about it, if we want to pass it to the next generation and share it with them. It’s all up to me and it’s up to you so remember that..." Priceless. – Sam Kiyoumarsi, musician

* * *

Two other recent events mapped out an interesting junction of people from different backgrounds, geography and style preferences.

Future Prospects in Cubao just held a raffle of some 12 artworks in order to raise money for its operations. From the working class hands of UP-bred artists like Romeo Lee, Jayson Oliviera and Poklong Ananding, and on to the moneyed hands of Makati sociables such as Hindy Weber-Tantoco, Miguel Rosales and Chut Cuerva, the mini-lottery proved to be a fun and productive stint, even made more thought-provoking by a huge Filipino poetry reading in the neighboring leftist bookstore, which also happens to stand harmoniously beside a vintage Americana shop.

* * *

I love anything that’s hard to find. It makes the discovery far more valuable. I like things and places that not many people have discovered yet. It makes the experience unique. – Angelique Villaraza

I like the idea that there are destinations beyond malls in this city. This city is becoming one big mall! The event gave me the opportunity to discover something new about the city I live in. I loved the place, it was like discovering a new neighborhood. – Tisha de Borja

I’m very OK with going out of the way... I’ve gone great lengths in the past to see new things and to support them. It makes me happy when I see people doing things that are passionate and meaningful. – Isa Lorenzo

Isa owns the new photo gallery Silver Lens. Located near posh Forbes Park, the pristine space doubled as playground-cum-reunion hall to the various back-from-the-dead club kids who in turn acted pro witness and living testimonies to the heady and headless party photographs of Eddie Boy Escudero. The gallery is pretty out of the way, even by Makati’s beauty standards. And yet it seemed the perfect anaerobic exercise for the dying breed of subculture vultures – those dancing legs (or wings) needed drastic stretching after years of "safe distance club malling." The fringe triumvirate of Dredd, Blue Café and abg’s – my then Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao – as well as countless sanctuaries for alternative clubbing, they all died of/for various causes. And now, evidenced by the bleached but balding vultures hovering above the carcass of "going out of the way clubbing," the exhibition "When We Danced" served as its poignant epitaph.

Patrick Robbie John Angelo Shola Katya Ami Jess Pepito Hebe Maya Edmund Tara Yvette George Roya Francis Pep Mitzi Freida Cathy Paolo Nicole Tina Rina Tatu Jing Karen Tad Rio Joseph Marta Toni Carlos Reb Vina Erik Miko Ting Luigi Windy Pia Toti Micky Edge Noel Sam Malek Jet Blums Denis Leslie Chie Doy Katrina Michi Peter Mikey James Garret Melvin Lirio Cecile Hank Lauren Barce Nonie Marky Cyril Shahann Vernon Gigi Maurice

* * *

i wish

i can help you but i am such

a poor poor writer and have a terrible memory pa.

all i remember is that i had so much fun during those party years.

i may have been much older than most everyone then but i sure as hell didn’t care.

i think i take pictures better than i write. – Eddie Boy Escudero, photographer

* * *

You can e-mail the author at yasonbanal@yahoo.co.uk.