Seriously Cute: PINK CRES. in Manila (09.09.2017)

This is an incredibly late post, but with the new direction my blog is going I thought it would be an appropriate start. 

On September 9th 2017, PINK CRES. came to the Philippines for the ASEAN-Japan Television Festival at Trinoma Mall.  

It is a three-piece group led by Miyabi is a former member of the now defunct group, Berryz Koubou which was one of the biggest groups of Hello!Project at that time.  

Being a fan of the group, of course I could not hold back my excitement to see the group perform in person.  An opportunity like this is rare, and quite possibly once in a lifetime considering the short lifespan of many of my favorite groups from Japan. 

Seriously Cute: MNL48 ... Finally!

Finally, it has been done.

It has been more or less two years since I first made my first post on the group.  To be honest, I have no idea how I feel about this now.  The group has been plagued with more controversies than I care to remember from the time the auditions first started.

Some easy to let go, others not.  However, I find that it is more of the management's fault that the girls themselves.

Am I the only one bothered that the final uniforms look nothing like the winning piece made in the competition?  These are cute as well, but it must be disappointing to the winner who was probably expecting to see the girls wear it.  I hope they at least use it for a future video.

Another thing that bothers me is what they said about indie groups.  They basically said that groups outside the 48G or indie/alternative groups are "Class A" or fake groups.  This was after the establishment of a handful of indie idol groups which have a boatload of potential.  As a big fan of indie groups and groups outside of the 48G, my first thought was that the management had no idea what they were saying or doing.  I might not be as knowledgeable as many people, but I know an insult when I see one and this was quite unnecessary.

I can't fault some of the girls who probably didn't understand what they were getting themselves into.  Anyway, I am still happy for those who made it though.

For now, I would like to talk about the girls themselves ... or at least a few of the stand-outs for the management ... and for myself.

Seriously Cute: MNL48 From Top 200 to Top 75 (01.27.2018)

MNL48 Top 200 Reveal
01.20.2018

Two years ago, I wrote an entry about my worries for this group.  However, it seems I was worried about the wrong things. 

I won't lie, there has been a lot of negativity going on in the MNL48 "Fandom".  With allegations of cheating (i.e. Boyfriend in MNL48 staff, vote-buying, like-for-like), allegations of management's manipulation of votes, and rule-breaking (i.e. Love Ban in particular), the group hasn't even debuted yet and the controversies are piling up.    

It doesn't help that some "fans" of the group have resorted to bullying by making fun of contestants' appearances, English and inexperience.   I have no desire at all to contribute to that.  I think there is enough of that in Facebook.    

That is why this post will focus on potential because there are girls that got in that I have my eye on and are why I can't say I completely give up on the group.  

Of course, they have a long way to go with so many of them unable to dance or understand teamwork as  many seem to be trying to out-do each other.  With so many girls, I can't really blame them.  However, it hasn't escaped my notice that their first performance was only the beginning, which is probably why I am going to try to be less critical.  I will talk about my favourites among the Top 200 but I also talk about who among my picks made it to the Top 75.

This is a list of my personal choices, if you have an Oshi I didn't include here I encourage you to make up your own list because these girls need all the love and support they can get in these grueling auditions.  

Seriously Cute: AKB48 Team 8 in Manila (12.04.2016)

Better late than never!

December 4, 2016, AKB48's Team 8 visited the Manila, Philippines in Market Market, Taguig.  The visit is in honour of the 60th Philippine-Japan Friendship Anniversary. 

Not one to miss an opportunity like this, I of course went.  

60th Philippine-Japan Friendship Anniversary
AKB48 and MNL48

As I have said on this post, MNL48 is coming.  However, I can't say at what its exact date is.  The latest piece of news released though is that they are now partnered with local television station, ABS-CBN.  So, we might actually get some kind of reality television show out of this. I suspect that they might televise the audition.  

Going back to the event, this event is not only to promote the friendship between two countries.  This is more MNL48 promotion.  

Seriously Cute: YANAKIKU in Manila

Yanakiku at Pop Life FanXperience, Manila

Prior to watching them perform at the ToyCon/Pop Life FanXperience, Manila, I had never heard of this group before.  I chose to watch them perform out of pure curiosity, it was one of the highlights of an otherwise terrible day --- my wallet got stolen at this event (Reminders: Please be careful with your wallets and bags in these big crowds)

Introduction

Megumi Yanagi and Shoko Kikui, aka Yana and Kiku are members of Japanese pop duo, Yanakiku.  The group has been active since 2012 and their mission is to share the wonders of Japan to the world --- oh and rule the world.

What makes this group especially interesting is their combination of contemporary Japanese pop culture, such as kawaii and decora culture --- with traditional Japanese.  This shows in their costumes and music videos.  Also, their image makes them look like they leaped out from an anime.

Another thing that makes them different different from other performers I have seen are their amazing voices.  Individually, they are great singers and together they are dynamite.  Their songs aren't high-pitched nor idol-ly which I admit is what I usually associate in Japanese pop.  These girls can really sing. 

Art from the Heart: BGC Art Mart

Handcrafted Teddy bears
from "My Fabric Projects."

Remember a few months ago I talked about La Pomme, a small shop that sold handcrafted supermarket items? I had loved it for its child-like charm.

It always makes me happy when creativity is expressed.

The Bonifacio Global City (BGC) Art Mart is an event held every few months to give artists and craftsman to showcase talent and sell their wares.

This is what I love about BGC. Every street you go, you really see a work of art.

I saw it advertised on facebook the day before I went, I was lucky to have found it  because they had been cancelling the event for a while because of heavy rain in the area. Worried that it would be my only chance to catch it until the next time they have it at around October or November.

The event is small but it still certainly made me happy, since everyone was so nice. All the artists there were so open to talk to me and tell me about their products. How they are made and what they are made of.

I know they are just trying to sell their products, but still I had a lot of fun talking to them. I'll be sharing a few of my favorite booths.

Seriously Cute: Going "Kawaii" in Manila

Kawaii Girl finalist, Atascha Mercado

Not a lot of people can probably understand why I am interested in the Kawaii Culture. I imagine that a lot of people may find it to be too sweet and childish. Not surprising because while this is considered a Global Phenomenon, it is still growing in the Philippines.

What is Kawaii?

By definition, in Japanese it means, "cute", "pretty" or "adorable". Over the years, the meaning became more than that and is now for some a way of life. 

According to Kawaii Manila, "It is not just an appreciation for the all the cute and pretty things anymore, but it is also about looking at the world in a happy and positive light."