The PHILIPPINE FLAG

For my INDEPENDENCE DAY blogpost and incidentally It's also MY 200th BLOGPOST , I would like to pay tribute to the PHILIPPINE FLAG. HAPPY PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY KABAYANS!! When I started blogging wayback AUGUST 2007, I already placed the PHILIPPINE FLAG at the upper right side of this little blog of mine "The Doctor Is In". Well, just a symbol that I'm PROUD TO BE A FILIPINO. Of course, this would also inform my blog readers that this blog is TRULY PINOY and MADE IN THE PHILIPPINES. Last year 2008, I also made a SPECIAL INDEPENDENCE DAY blogpost by featuring an OUT OF PRINT Philippine Cassette Tape compilation entitled "PHILIPPINES SONGS FOR FREEDOM" since It was the 110th Aniversary of Philippine Independence. So for now, let's just review a little bit about our FLAG. Today marks the 111th Anniversary of Philippine Independence so I decided to feature my flag and every PINOY's FLAG.

What you see right now is today's PHILIPPINE FLAG which undergone a lot of changes after more than a 100years of existence. WATAWAT is the TAGALOG of FLAG. Each part of the Philippine flag has a specific meaning and here it goes:

BLUE FIELD
-stands for common unity and the noble desires of the Filipino people.

WHITE TRIANGLE
-with equal sides of the flag is symbolic of equality among men.

WHITE FIELD
- stands for purity.

SUN
-stands for the gigantic strides that have been made by the Sons of the land on the road to progress and civilization.

The 8 RAYS ON THE SUN in the triangle
-represent the first eight united provinces that revolted for independence namely:
Batangas
Bulacan
Cavite
Laguna
Manila
Nueva Ecija
Pampanga
Tarlac

The 3 STARS in the triangle
-stands for the three major geographical divisions of the country namely:
Luzon
Visayas
Mindanao

RED FIELD
-symbolizes the eagerness of the Filipino people to shed blood in defense for their country.




Here's our
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL ANTHEM
"Lupang Hinirang"
Composed by Julian Felipe
June 12, 1898


Bayang magiliw, perlas ng silanganan.
Alab ng puso, sa dibdib mo'y buhay.
Lupang hinirang, duyan ka ng magiting
Sa manlulupig, di ka pasisiil.

Sa dagat at bundok, sa simoy at
sa langit mong bughaw,
may dilag ang tula at awit
sa paglayang minamahal.

Ang kislap ng watawat mo'y
tagumpay na nagniningning.
Ang bituin at araw niya
kailan pa may di magdidilim.

Lupa ng araw, ng lualhati't pagsinta,
buhay ay langit sa piling mo.
Aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi,
ang mamatay ng dahil sa iyo.


There was also an ENGLISH and SPANISH VERSION of the Philippine National Anthem. Btw, KABAYANS the title of our National Anthem is "LUPANG HINIRANG" and not "Bayang Magiliw" because some of my KABAYANS are still mistaken with these two.

The EVOLUTION of THE PHILIPPINE FLAG will be traced back to the revolution in 1892 and these KKK Flags were considered as the origin of our flag.


KKK stands for Kataastaasan at Kagalanggalang Katipunan ng Mga Anak ng Bayan. In ENGLISH Translation: The Highest and Most Honorable Society of the Sons of the Nation. Well, for PINOY NEW WAVERS we could sing the classic RAMONES song "The KKK took my baby away". Right guys? He He He!!


ANDRES BONIFACIO who is “The Father of Katipunan”, had a personal flag too during those times.

The Philippine National Flag made its first public appearance when then General Emilio Aguinaldo declared Philippine Independence from Spain. Like what I've indicated, there were several Katipunan flags and war banners and some of the revolutionary generals had their own flags during those times and some of them looks similar to our present national flag. I didn't anymore included the other flags here in my blogpost since there are lots of them. There were also times when The Philippine flag was banned and this was during the US and Japanese occupation. There were even debates regarding the colors of our flag especially the BLUE one wherein it was really confusing because it became Cuban Blue,then Sky Blue, then now It's Royal Blue. So how Blue would you get KABAYANS? BLUER THAN BLUE? He He He!!



There are guidelines on how to properly display our PHILIPPINE FLAG and so KABAYANS I hope you'll be familiar with them. If you're around the METROPOLIS today you would see our PHILIPPINE FLAG all over. YUP!! From SHOPPING MALLS, BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS, PARKS, OFFICES, SCHOOLS and a lot of places and even VEHICLES which I'm glad to see since this is a sign that we FILIPINOS still value our FLAG amidst the Political Disarray that everyone here in my country are feeling right now. Your's truly, Dr. Stirring Rhod, is also an advocate of PROUD TO BE PINOY thing as you'll see in my blog. The late PINOY MASTER RAPPER FRANCIS MAGALONA was also an advocate of this and of course he loves the PHILIPPINE FLAG too like I do. FRANCIS M. even composed a song entitled "THREE STARS AND A SUN". I hope you guys liked this humble blogpost tribute of mine about the PHILIPPINE NATIONAL FLAG. MARAMING SALAMAT PO!! THANKS for dropping by again!!

So my message to my KABAYANS:
KABAYANS, TAYO'Y MGA PINOY!! IPAGMALAKI SA BUONG MUNDO!! TAYO'Y MAGTULUNGAN AT HUWAG MAGSIRAAN. IISA ANG ATING DUGO AT IISA ANG ATING LAHI!! UGAT NATIN AY IISA!! MABUHAY ANG PINOY!!

HAPPY
111th INDEPENDENCE DAY
KABAYANS!!

MALIGAYANG
ARAW NG KALAYAAN KABAYAN!!
MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT!!
-DR. STIRRING RHOD-

EDucational REVIEWS (E.R.)

It's the middle of year 2009 and It seems that there are a lot of album releases by our Legendary NEW WAVE 80s icons lately. Mike Sutton invited me at a yahoo group two years ago and I got to know "ED WALLACE". Though, I'm not an active member of the group composed mostly of Americans who loves music, I find ED's album reviews very informative. He reviews any kinds of musical genres and so I asked him if It's okay with him that I'll feature his album reviews on my little blog "The Doctor Is In" especially those pertaining to the ARTISTS/BANDS that have existed wayback the NEW WAVE ERA. He was glad of that idea and so here it goes. Well, he decided to edit his reviews a little bit so that It would be very fresh as a daisy once published here on my blog. I've featured his BAUHAUS Album review here before so now I personally invite you guys to my E.R. (Emergency Room) este EDucational Reviews here on my clinic este my blog "The Doctor Is In" courtesy of ED WALLACE. Aside from the Album Reviews, I personally included the TRACKLISTS of the Album for additional information and of course the photos to spice up my blogpost too. If you're like me who loves to read album reviews then this would be great for you. On the otherhand, If you are those who are just interested to read reviews before buying the album then this would be a helpful tip for you. I hope you'll ENJOY reading the articles.

Hello, I'm Ed Wallace. I've worked with Sutton Music Group in its various incarnations , and I've been reviewing new alternative albums for the last ten years on Yahoo's Wavelength Message Group. I take no money for my reviews, which are strictly done for my love of the genre. I feel many of the bands I've grown up with are continuing to release some of their best work, but getting overlooked by an industry often biased towards teens and baby boomers.

Respecting that other fans may not share my taste, I try to provide objective facts and provide links so others can judge for themselves if an album is right for them, while still conveying my enthusiasm as a fan.

I'm honored to be invited here to post reviews on Doctor Stirring Rhod's 80s website.

-ED WALLACE

---------------------------------

ED Wallace Album Reviews:

U2: NO LINE ON THE HORIZON

(Interscope) ****1/2
Review by Ed Wallace

"Choose your enemies carefully cause they will define you/
Make them interesting cause in some ways they will mind you/
They're not there in the beginning, but when your story ends/
they're going to last longer than your friends" - U2, Cedars of Lebanon

The new U2 attempts to create a new sound by combining the dance club kitsch of Pop and Zooropa with The Unforgettable Fire’s grand, shimmering guitar, spiritual lyrics, and synthesizer sound smoke.
Occasionally, the results are oil and water, seeming like tracks from two separate U2 sessions thrown together.

Funkier drums by Larry Mullen evoke INXS Kick when Bono is shouting out stream-of-conscious lyrics “Every sweet tooth needs a hit / every beauty needs to go out with an idiot.” When bombastic pronouncements are made: “I was born to sing for you” or “it’s not that I believe in love, it’s love believes in me” he’s unashamed to order Queen cheese and ham. Stand Up Comedy is my favorite of these, urging individuality. Rest assured that nothing is funkier than the questionable Get On Your Boots single.

It’s the update of U2’s 1984 sound that works better.
The Edge’s guitar shines with Adam’s intertwined bombastic bass. Bono’s voice reliably whispers then soars. Brian Eno works as an essential fifth member, conjuring retro future keyboard magic on par with anything he’s done in past collaborations. Fez is a brilliant nod to their Passengers period.

Adam and Larry revisit some of the rhythms from Until The End of The World and Even Better Than The Real Thing on the title track, as the Edge pumps up the rock, making it a personal favorite and the single that should have been.
Subsequent tracks have Blessed Aktung Baby B-side touches like Gothic choir, techno, Middle Eastern music, and Blues rock. Moment of Surrender even opens with a little Irish violin.

U2 puts us in the place of lovers, partiers, weary pilgrims, and wartime observers, showing how in today’s non stop world we’re all forced to be all three. Still, Horizon seems a step behind the times. There’s a nod to the lost “two towers” and rising [!?]“Chinese stocks”, but no mention of the global financial collapse, and government change. There’s tanks in Lebanon not Gaza . It’s forgivable, but U2 albums have always been politically as well as musically cutting edge.

None of the new anthems have the perfection of One or With or Without You, but all are potential growers that will reward continued listens by patient fans not just looking for the next hit.

If No Line On The Horizon, ultimately ranks as a lower tier U2 album, it simply means it ‘only’ beats out 99% of its competition.

[June Update - the album has indeed grown on a lot me since I first bought it in March. Get On Your Boots seemed to tie in (by coincidence) with The Watchmen movie in an enjoyable way. And Magnificent is now lighting up the radio as a modern classic. I’d rank now rank the album above Atomic Bomb and Pop, and just below ‘Leave Behind. U2 continued to be my second favorite band of all time (after Echo & The Bunnymen)].

TRACKLIST:
1)No Line On The Horizon
2)Magnificent
3)Moment of Surrender
4)Unknown Caller
5)I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight
6)Get On Your Boots
7)Stand Up Comedy
8)Fez -- Being Born
9)White As Snow
10)Breathe

11)Cedars Of Lebanon


Depeche Mode : SOUNDS OF THE UNIVERSE

(Mute,EMI,Capital) ****1/2
Review by Ed Wallace

“I could corrupt you in a heartbeat / You think you're so special, think you're so sweet? / What are you trying? Don't even tempt me /Soon you'll be crying, and wishing you dreamt me”
- Depeche Mode, Corrupt

I have a problem. Whenever I think of doing something naughty, Dave Gahan’s chant from his new single pops into my head: "WRONG!"
Should I go into debt on a new sports car? “WRONG!” Should I flirt with my girlfriend’s hot sister “WRONG!” You get the idea.
But when it comes to buying the album, the answer lies closer to another of its songs: “PERFECT”

For starters, this is a return to the dark pop mid 80s to 1990 heavy, Gothic keyboard heavy, but less industrial, electric Depeche Mode. It’s a follow up to Violator, with familiar dark themes of sexual and pharmaceutical temptation In Chains, coupled with relationship desperation Fragile Tension and ultimate spiritual triumph Peace.

Andy Fletcher’s and Gore’s combo playing is catchier than anything they’ve done in ages, yet still cutting edge. Along with the Pet Shop Boys, Franz Ferdinand, and Brian Eno’s work with U2 I declare 2009 a synth pop Renaissance - not a mere nostalgic rehash, but genuine advances in sound with that instrument.

Hole To Feed has an amazing Shriekback level rhythm: the best work of unsung drummer Chris Einger.

Gahan’s voice is sensuous, powerful and unaging. On Jezebel, Gore serenades a bad girl, knowing full well she can never belong to him.

The lyrics of SOTU are decent, though there’s nothing quotable enough to join black celebrations and blasphemous rumors in our collective lexicons.
I’m intrigued that Perfect may be about the insanity of Phil Spector: An unnamed character wishes for “a parallel universe” where his love wasn’t “shot down”, where a jury reached “a different verdict” all the while insisting that he didn’t “pull the trigger”.

I cherish every Depeche Mode album. This one’s my favorite DM of the 00s.
Depeche Mode is in constant battle with R.E.M. to be my third favorite band. On the strength of Sounds of the Universe, DM's retaken the bronze.

Try to find a version with the B-side ‘Oh, Well’ : It’s fast paced and pounding like Depeche Mode meets Tones On Tail.

If anyone missed it, the single Wrong has my pick for the year’s best music video so far, with a twist right out of The Dark Knight.
http://www.myspace.com/depechemode

[June Update - Dave Gahan has recently had Cancer surgery to remove a “low-grade” malignant tumour from his bladder. He's expected to recover and my prayers are with him and his family] .

TRACKLIST:

1. In Chains
2. Hole To Feed
3. Wrong
4. Fragile Tension
5. Little Soul
6. In Sympathy
7. Peace
8. Come Back
9. Spacewalker
10. Perfect 4:33
11. Miles Away / The Truth Is
12. Jezebel
13. Corrupt

THE CHURCH and It's members:

Steve Kilbey and Marty Wilson Piper

Steve Kilbey: PAINKILLER

(Second Motion) ***1/2
Review by Ed Wallace

"The wolf is sad / he can't run with the pack " - Steve Kilbey, Wolfe

Kilbey’s rocking epic Wolfe might be a better The Church single than Pangaea. [ Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjpC6zi2zWw ]
Otherwise, this album is like a 90s Church release, with more focus on bass (Kilbey’s instrument), drums, and a greater tendency to jam like cool, slower, stretched out versions of early Echo & The Bunnymen. (File Under Travel is like an instrumental extended trance mix of All That Jazz and Over The Wall).
The whole CD’s very psychedelic with watery guitar feedback and keyboards, with lyrical nods to his past sci-fi themes like “the real time being”. Sex, drugs, travel, and spirituality are featured as painkillers, in a swirling release that can perhaps help hypnotize one out of agony (or at least the pain of waiting for more from The Church).

I don't own Wilson-Piper or Kilbey's other solo albums to compare them. Painkiller & Nightjar are equally good. If you can only afford one - download the best five tracks of each. Overall, while solid, they're not quite at the level of a full line up Church CD (Which I'd all rank at four to five stars out of five).

TRACKLIST

1. Outbound
2. Wolfe
3. Celestial
4. Crystalline Rush
5. Song for the Masking
6. File Under Travel
7. Look Homeward Angel
8. Oenone
9. Spirit in Flame
10. Forever Lasts for Nothing

Marty Wilson-Piper: NIGHTJAR

(Second Motion) ***1/2
review by Ed Wallace

“I heard a rumor, God was coming back.” – Marty Wilson-Piper, More is less

The Church are my favorite Australian band. While waiting impatiently for their new album back in April, I found the latest solo release by guitarist Marty Wilson-Piper.

His voice is similar enough to Kilbey’s (but with a trace of his native Liverpool accent) to evoke a familiar Church vibe, and his opener, No One Is There feels like a Starfish classic. But Nightjar also finds one of new wave’s greatest guitarists exploring his folk roots with more strait forward tunes than his day band. For further variety, he has a female backup singer and tries his hand at what sounds like a mandolin.

Named after small hawks that (in legend) drink blood, the album explores contradictions in life. I Must Have Fallen is a sweet love song while Game For Losers is a cynical country heartbreaker. Feed Your Mind praises the way a drink brings people together only to have its protagonist disfigured from a drunk driving accident. With ominous bass, Sniper features an angry political assassin, while Song For Victor Jara (with South American flute) is a Neil Young-ish ode to a slain peace activist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Yb44OioWQE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypKLFwKozzo&feature=related

TRACKLIST:

01. No One There

02. More is Less

03. Lullaby for the Lonely
04. The Sniper

05. Read Your Mind

06. High Down Below

07. I Must Have Fallen

08. The Love You Never Had

09. Song for Victor Jara

10. A Game for Losers

The Church: Untitled # 23

(Second Motion)
Review by Ed Wallace

“On our way to crush the revolution / campfire lit in the blackened land / dealing out love and retribution / dealing out the dead man’s hand.” – The Church, Dead Man’s Hand.

As the title indicates, The Church achieved twenty three albums in their twenty nine year history (not including great solo material by its members). Their talent still hasn’t run dry. And yes, every one of those albums is good. [They are my all time favorite Australian band and amazing live].

Like a typical Church outing, #23 has gentle, cryptic vocals over elaborate guitar networks by the classic line up of Steve Kilbey, Marty Wilson-Piper, and Peter Koppes. Tim Powles returns with steady drum-work.

This time we have more 70s Pink Floyd influence – haunting, drifting winds of sound that give way to rock or classical strings. The Blurred Crusade with the updated production quality of Hologram of Baal.

The band has stepped up its game with greater use of backing vocals and harmonies. Primed by his recent album, Wilson-Piper’s voice rings hauntingly after Kilbey’s on tracks like Happenstance.

As their 1990 Gold Afternoon Fix warns of a music industry Metropolis run by Pharaohs, #23 describes of an empire that “Has you by the balls”, a place of a Sunken Sun where Kilbey likens himself to a minotaur in a maze.
“I’ve got to jump on the clock/ I’ve got to find me some time.” Kilbey sings, as he soars over Pangea: a one world super-continent depicted on the CD cover.

Angel Street is unique and perhaps The saddest Church song ever: A metronome beats like a ghostly phone left off the hook, giving way to melancholy strums with hints of a New Orleans vibe. The drums fall like footfalls as you visualize a lonely man returning to his old haunts and thinking of better times. “You should change the message on your machine/ so sad, so strange baby, to hear my name…makes me cry when you say that we’re not at home.”

For the finale Operetta, Kilbey experiments with a deeper, David Bowie range while an amazing chorus intertwines the whole group’s vocals like it does their guitars to old school Echo & The Bunnymen style poetry. “See the men all dressed in black/ they are never coming back/ See the girls all dressed in red/ All are dancing with the dead.”

While every song is perfectly crafted, Untitled #23 may suffer from a languid pace compared to classics like Heyday. The mysterious diners gathered at a captain’s table in Anchorage are not stabbing an immortal beast, but simply sleeping. #23 is a place to chill out and reflect. The soaring, psychedelic romance Space Savior is the closest it has to a pop song.

Fans looking for their catchier side can find it on their latest two EPs.

Pangea EP has the single & three non album tracks: the epic So Love May Find Me; Insanity (Beatles type magic by Wilson-Piper) and the romantic LLC (A Skins & Hearts level sing-a-long by Koppes)

The Coffee Hounds EP (all non album tracks) has a cover of Kate Bush's Hounds Of Love that I still can’t get out of my head, and two versions of The Coffee Song a perfect vacation song with electric surf waves for drinks by the beach.

[I found them on I-tunes].

Songs from Untitled #23 can be heard here:
http://www.myspace.com/thechurchbandofficial

TRACKLIST:
1. Cobalt Blue
2. Deadman's Hand
3. Pangaea

4. Happenstance
5. Space Saviour
6. On Angel Street
7. Sunken Sun
8. Anchorage

9. Lunar

10. Operetta

The Pet Shop Boys : YES

(Parlophope/Astralwerks) ****1/2
Review by Ed Wallace

“Who do you think you are, Captain Britain?” – Chris Lowe to Neil Tennant
Building A Wall

Most of my reviews require loads of guesswork. Understanding this one was easier thanks to a digital track by track commentary by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe.

Yes is an upbeat, pop album that reminds me most of Very. Their production team: Xenomania provides walls of backing synthesizers and vocals similar to Alphaville’s old albums and the last Franz Ferdinand (who Xenomania were also involved with). The single Love Etc. has distinctive Brit-punk shout outs – more like The Kaiser Chiefs than The Village People.

Later, disco and pop are paired up with old world elegance. Track two All Over The World blends The Bangles with Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. On the heartbreaking Way It Used To Be Lowe takes a Hollywood sounding romantic piano piece and layers it with it with virtuoso keyboard playing.

Beautiful People has a 60s Ronnettes orchestra swing, introducing a series of tracks with harmonica and guitar provided by The Smith’s Johnny Marr! Did You See Me Cominghas Marr playing Pretenders style rift over bubbly keyboards.
Between Vulnerable’s Spanish guitar and ‘Legacy’s’ French waltz, Pandemonium has an Ammi Stewart/Depeche Mode dance shuffle.

Yes’ theme of simple love trumping materialism is displayed in two halves. Early on, we have common people dreaming that wealth and beauty will give them happiness. But the later songs feature unloved powerful men from cold warriors to exiled monarchs feeling completely alone. While ostensibly a dig at the likes of Tony Blair, there are similarities to Cold Play’s more autobiographical Viva la Vida about a band past its heyday.

Indeed Neil’s voice is tender, yearning, and more vulnerable sounding throughout.
But if the duo is feeling their age, their skill and energy are every bit as vibrant as when they began.
Pet Shop Purists may find this their best album since at least 1993. I’m still especially partial to Release, but I liked Yes more than Nightlife, Bilingual, and Fundamental, putting it at Behavior level.

Preview songs on their site
http://www.petshopboys.co.uk/

TRACKLIST

1) Love etc
2) All Over the World
3) Beautiful People
4) Did You See Me Coming?
5) Vulnerable
6) More Than a Dream
7) Building a Wall
8) King of Rome
9) Pandemonium
10)The Way It Used To Be
11)Legacy

Iggy Pop : Preliminaries

(EMI Music France )
Review by Ed Wallace

"It's nice to be dead/ It's nice to be underground/ Free of the ugly sounds of life," - Iggy Pop, Nice To Be Dead

I enjoyed the Stooges reunion The Weirdness and looked forward to more. Imagine my surprise when I saw that his next album was a French Jazz album(!?) My first thought was that this had to be some sort of revenge on his record company Ala Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music. But according to interviews, Iggy insists he was bored and genuinely wanted to try something different. So we find him speaking the opening lyrics in French, his baritone voice accompanied by trumpets,horns and delicate strums: the ‘Idiot’ as a cultured Renascence man. It’s not for everyone, but to his credit, there’s never been an album like this before. Even speaking the language of love, he’s as rough and sad as Nick Cave as in the spoken word A Machine For Loving. He’s Dead/She’s Alive and She’s a Business feature riverboat blues music. Party Time is an electronic dance song, a shuffling, deadpan nod to his 80s days. Buried in the middle is Nice To Be Dead, a swaggering, grungy Iggy Pop rocker that’s one of his best and worth a singled out download.

http://www.youtube.%20com/watch?

TRACKLIST:
1) Les Feuilles Mortes

2) I Want To Go To The Beach

3) King Of The Dogs

4) Je Sais Que Tu Sais

5) Spanish Coast

6) Nice To Be Dead

7) How Insensitive

8) Party TimeHe's Dead/She's Alive

9) A Machine For Loving

10)She's A Business

11)Les Feuilles Mortes (Marc's Theme)

Elvis Costello: Secret, Profane and Sugarcane

(Hear Music)

Review by Ed Wallace

“If you don’t know my hidden shame/ then you don’t know me.” – She Handed Me A Mirror
After a return to energetic rock with Momofuka, Elvis has returned to his fascination with American roots music: He teams up again with T-Bone Burnett (O Brother, Where Art Tho) who worked with him on Spike, duets with country artist Loretta Lynn, and covers Bing Crosby’s sad waltz Changing Partners. We’ve got bluegrass guitar, harmonicas, and fiddles with occasional use of electric strums.
All the songs are well crafted and competently sung, but I’ve never felt Costello’s voice lent itself well to this field. He’s incongruous as a sad cowboy, farmer or 1920s American bar crooner, coming across as a tourist rather than disappearing into character. We’re left with his wordplay where he’s subdued and thoughtful instead of his witty, angry best. A lower tier Elvis outing, still suitable for pleasant relaxing in the southern heat if you find it at a steal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxZi0BzmtHU

TRACKLIST:

01. Down Among The Wines And Spirits

02. Complicated Shadows

03. I Felt The Chill Before The Winter Came

04. My All Time Doll

05. Hidden Shame

06. She Handed Me A Mirror

07. I Dreamed Of My Old Lover

08. How Deep Is The Red

09. She Was No Good

10. Sulphur To Sugarcane

11. Red Cotton

12. The Crooked Line

13. Changing Partner

------------------------------------

WHEEEW!! FINALLY!! I GOT TO FINISH THIS BLOGPOST OF MINE!! He He He!! Wow!!! That's a lot of work I may say but It's worth it since these articles are worth reading. I wanna THANK Mr. ED WALLACE for this one. THANK YOU VERY MUCH SIR!! I tried my very best to be creative in making this BLOGPOST look good and interesting for you guys. YUP!! It's "The Dr. Stirring Rhod Way" again which is"OFTEN IMMITATED, NEVER DUPLICATED". We didn't make any song available for downloads right now since these materials are very new and also this is to prevent my blog on a DMCA issue of Copyright infringement. I also hope that you guys liked these articles the way I did. Who know's If there would be more NEW RELEASES from our favorite NEW WAVE/PUNK bands from the 80s maybe this "EDucational Reviews" would be a part of "The Doctor Is In". So what do you think guys? RIGHT ED? THANKS for dropping by again.

This Is E.R.

EDucational Reviews

WALLACEtik!!

Fantastic!!

-DR. STIRRING RHOD-

MODE ZERO

"The Mayor goes back to his roots and puts together this new set for Mix Ministry. During the 80's, in the Mayor's place, when one talks New Wave, one talks of Mode Zero, a group of young gentlemen who decided to venture into what-was-then the undiscovered realm of New Wave. Recognized as one of fore-runners of the new wave invasion in the Philippines, Mode Zero became known for doing what it does best...putting together a string of new wave tunes to come up with one seamless melody. The Mayor revisits the group's glory days through this MixMinistry exclusive." ......These are the lines that you will read on MIX MINISTRY which is "Your Remix Authority" whenever MAYOR's MIXES are featured on the site entitled "MODE ZERO REVISITED". It's great that I was able to contact Mayor of MODE ZERO when I visited the site and definitely we will be talking about their good old days again. So braise yourself guys because I'm proud to present you another one of those MANILA's LEGENDARY NEW WAVE MOBILES back in the 80s none other than MODE ZERO exclusively here on "The Doctor Is In". First of all I wanna THANK Mayor of MIX MINISTRY for the inputs and according to him the information that we will be sharing to you are basically from his own recollection as a member of MODE ZERO. Mode Zero was composed of two groups of dudes, most of them Engineering students from a famous University along Taft Avenue. Mayor stressed out that he is not in any way among the founding members,but have only joined Mode Zero thru invitation. Mayor's brother who did the spinning for the other Mode Zero group was the one who referred him to the younger group so he became one of them. The members as far as Mayor could recall aside from him were Winston Bautista, Johannes, Jackson, Totots, Monching(who took over for Mayor),Relly, and Mayor's brother Dennis. He explained to me that he might have missed out someone on the roster and would like to apologize to these guys. Well, Mayor remembers his very first gig with the group which was in a birthday party which must have been a debut. After that, he would spin for them regularly in their gigs. However, since he studied in another part of the Metropolis he seldom get to spend time with them except for pre-gig and post-gig happenings.

Vintage MODE ZERO Photo

So what's MODE ZERO's motivation? Mode Zero stemmed from the guys' penchant for music and audio. It was not enough to play good music, the music had to sound good too. Setting up during those times was really time-consuming and the members were very particular about audio quality back then. According to Mayor the most memorable gigs or considered to be their best gigs would have to be the two successive halloween parties that Mode Zero helped organized which were NIGHT CHAMBER and REQUIEM. He remembered how packed the PICC Reception Hall was back then up to the rafters on both occasions. For him "THAT WAS CRAZY!!".

Courtesy of WINSTON BAUTISTA

Worst gig for Mayor would have to be this gig they had at St. Michael bar along Makati Ave. It was the first and would later turn out to be the ONLY time MODE ZERO with Mayor as spinner would be in a gig with Audio Network...(MoD's group) and their followers were really looking forward to that. Unfortunately, Mayor bombed his set. He didn't really know how it happened but he was really off that night. He got so embarrassed that he didn't anymore return for his next set. Wheeew!! THANKS for sharing Mayor!! MODE ZERO were loyal WXB102 fans. WXB all the way!! The NEW WAVE scene here in MANILA back then was incomparable and these guys were happy that they got grouped together just before the new wave invasion really happened. One magazine before gave them credit for being one of those who started the new wave invasion here in the Philippines. That's an honor for them I may say!! While most of their contemporaries were playing disco, dance music and 99.5rt songs, MODE ZERO were playing NEW WAVE which were their thing back then. All I can say "MEMORIES INDEED"!! So where are the guys right now? They went seperate ways already and who knows maybe someday they will have a reunion. Right Mayor?

Let's shift to

MODE ZERO!!
THANKS Mayor!!

-DR. STIRRING RHOD-

Depeche MODE ZERO Mix

Well, since I've just featured the MODE ZERO story so why not feature a sample of their mix. I made and conceptualized a SPECIAL MIX PROJECT for Mayor of Mode Zero for "The Doctor Is In" to display his mixing talents in this genre called NEW WAVE. YUP!! It's "The Dr. Stirring Rhod Way" again which I have to personally say that's "OFTEN IMITATED , NEVER DUPLICATED!!". So let's proceed to this mix which I entitled "Depeche MODE ZERO Mix". When I saw the name Mode Zero on Mix Ministry few months ago and I got to know Mayor then an idea came out to my mind. Hmmmp!! It would be very interesting to have a DEPECHE MODE MIX here in my blog done by MODE ZERO since their names are interconnected. So what do you think guys? He He He!! I was glad that Mayor took time to make this MIXSET for me to be featured here on my little blog and to be shared to you regular and not so regular visitors. I do hope you'll like this Mixset prepared for us by Mayor and definitely this is one heck of a trip down memory lane again especially for all you DEPECHE MODE freaks out there. I saw DEPECHE MODE back in 1994 here in MANILA performed LIVE at the FOLK ARTS THEATER and that was indeed a memorable experience too. So without further a do let's get up and dance to DMZ Mix or "Depeche MODE ZERO Mix"!! ENJOY THE MUZIC!!

LISTEN TO THE MIX HERE:

Depeche Mode Zero by DrStirringRhod

Depeche MODE ZERO Mix
TRACKLIST:
File Size: 27.47 Megabytes
1) Everything Counts

2) People Are People
3) Shake The Disease
4) Just Can't Get Enough
5) Get The Balance Right
6) Master And Servant
7) But Not Tonight
8) It's Called a Heart
9) See You
10)Dreaming of Me

Well, I have to say nice choices of songs by Mayor. GREAT INTRO to start out the Mix with everyone's favorite "EVERYTHING COUNTS" and followed by the first song that made DEPECHE MODE famous here in MANILA "PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE". I remember the MTV of "People Are People" was all over the VIDEO TV shows on all Channels here in MANILA back on those days. We have to "SHAKE THE DISEASE" regarding Swine Flu. He He He!! Of course we "JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH with this mix so we crave for more to "GET THE BALANCE RIGHT". I definitely enjoyed this 20minutes ride back in time and reminded me a lot when DEPECHE MODE Music ruled the airwaves on XB and BM. I hope you like this little gift for you courtesy of "The Doctor Is In" and Mayor of MODE ZERO. THANKS for dropping by!!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE MIX:

PASSWORD: http://docmuzic.blogspot.com/

This Is
Depeche MODE ZERO Mix
-DR. STIRRING RHOD-

SWINE FLU!!

Recently, SWINE FLU have just taken over as a health threat here in the PHILIPPINES and around the globe so here is my own blogpost about it. As of writing, Department Of Health Secretary Francisco Duque confirmed that there are already a total of 21 known cases here in the Philippines and this will still rise in the coming days. Hmmmp!! THAT'S VERY ALARMING KABAYANS!! Despite the increasing number of cases of Influenza A(H1N1) , the Department of Health (DOH) still insist that there is no outbreak in the communities. Secretary Duque explained that the country is on response level two, with the department closely monitoring 46 cases already . Currently, 13 new cases have been recorded, with 21 confirmed and 32 still pending for test results. There are some guidelines already regarding preventing this disease and did you know that the first lesson for the students who just went to school today as preparation for the new school year 2009-2010 is how to wash their hands correctly and properly. This is a preventive measure for these students and even the schools are already on alert to monitor this SWINE FLU scare that has cost lives around the globe especially in MEXICO. The very first case of Swine Flu here in the Philippines was of a 10-year old female child who visited CANADA when she was in the U.S. Now, It's totally a different scenario since there was an increase in Swine Flu cases here in my country. People who attended a Wedding in ZAMBALES are in strict monitoring by the Department Of Health (DOH).


So what is SWINE FLU? SWINE FLU viruses are not the same as HUMAN FLU viruses. Pigs can can also get influenza (flu) like humans , but Swine flu doesn't often infect humans , and the rare human cases that have occurred in the past have mainly affected people who had direct contact with pigs or better known as swine for the sense of discussion. The current SWINE FLU outbreak that have started in MEXICO and currently spreading around the globe is very different. This time It's caused by virus that has changed or mutated in ways that allow it to spread from person to person and now It's happening among people who haven't had any contact with pigs which makes it a human flu virus. Thus, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) called it Novel Influenza A (H1N1) virus to differentiate it from the other strain of Influenza virus of the same name normally occurring in pigs in North America . YUP!! It's deadly in a way if the virus have totally weakened your immune system. CDC has determined that this new H1N1 virus is contagious and at this time it is not known how easily the virus spreads via human to human transmission. Even the two DAVIDS of AMERICAN IDOLS namely David Cook and David Archuleta were screened by officials for Swine Flu when they visited MANILA recently to do some concerts. MANNY PACQUIAO was no exception too when he arrived home coming from a terrific knockout of Ricky Hatton. Former PRESIDENT RAMOS on the otherhand made a self-quarantine when he arrived from a trip abroad a day before the merging of two major political parties last week. Definitely, something to be aware of.



Symptoms of swine flu are:
1) fever
2) cough
3) runny nose or stuffy nose
4) headache
5) body aches
6) sore throat
7) chills
8) fatigue
9) diarrhea

10)vomiting

These symptoms does not automatically tells us that you have SWINE FLU okay. They may also be associated with other diseases so It's better if a laboratory work up will also be done.



Prevention is still the best for this SWINE FLU scare!! Right now, there is no known Vaccine yet and the Flu vaccine that we usually know is not the same thing that could help us prevent it. Good thing babies here in the Philippines are already given their Flu Vaccines in their Vaccine Schedules unlike during my times. Hmmmp!! Talking about age ah? He He He!! But these vaccines that I'm talking about is very different guys. Everyone of us can prevent the spread of this virus coming to our body system with proper hygiene. PROPER HANDWASHING (15-20 seconds with soap and water), WASTE DISPOSAL are very effective preventive measures. If you guys feel sick already then proper rest and avoid contact with others will help. Coughing and sneezing by use of tissue and throwing it in a proper waste disposal would also help prevent the spreading of the virus.




INFLUENZA A(H1N1)VIRUS



Well, I hope I've given added INFOS for you guys regarding this disease. I also hope that my BLOGPOST PRESENTATION will not scare you to death regarding SWINE FLU so I invited PORKY PIG, MISS PIGGY, PIGLET, and BABE to help me out on this. He He He!! THANKS for dropping by and TAKE CARE!!



-DR. STIRRING RHOD-

WOLVERINE Origins REVIEW

Last APRIL 30,2009 X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE was shown here in MANILA and I was able to watch it on the big screen last MAY 2,2009 and definitely It was indeed a Blockbuster movie not only here in the PHILIPPINES but around the world. I also made a WOLVERINE blogpost just few days before the movie opened. I was really very excited to watch this film and I'm very interested on how this film would have adapted It's comic version. Another great PRE-QUEL for X-MEN fanatics like me who wouldn't get tired of this batch of Mutant Characters invading the big screen. He He He!! The movie started on an 1800s scenario specifically 1845 wherein a child name James Howlett was very sick and then there was this outrage when his birth father assaults his mother and kills his stepfather. Then, the unexpected happened, Deadly BONY CLAWS just sprouted out of James' forearms and with rage and anger he was able to kill his own father too who he didn't also know. WOW!! Of course Victor Creed, his elder brother helped him out after a wild chase of young James. Then the story proceeded to the three WAR Scenes which brother James and Victor were part of namely World War I and II and the Vietnam war. BROTHERS IN ARMS I may say regarding their Tandem fights on these wars with Victor having this weaponized fingernails and James(Wolverine) with those deadly claws. If you're a purist Wolverine comic fanatic then you might just be a little dismayed since there were some changes on the story but still Brian Singer, the director, blended comic sensibility with the harshness of real life as a mutant for the characters. It's 175 years of Wolverine I guess and Brian have turned his X-MEN films into great and smart thrillers on the big screen for viewers to enjoy. Then the story of WOLVERINE began to evolve on the film which for me HUGH JACKMAN portrayed very well. I will agree that Mr. HUGH JACKMAN was born to portray WOLVERINE!!



I love the blood brother relationship between Victor Creed (SABRETOOTH) and James/Jimmy(WOLVERINE) in this film wherein these guys shows love, affection, and hate for each other yet they end up protecting each other like the good old times. Like Victor's line for Wolverine would go: "Nobody kills you but me." It's basically the history of this UNCANNY X-MEN called WOLVERINE and how he got his ADAMANTIUM-LACED claws under the PROJECT WEAPON X which was headed by this military guy "William Stryker". Well, violence will always be there especially if you'll be dealing with the story of WOLVERINE. Love and Lust was also present and more importantly BETRAYAL which is indeed still a deadly weapon for people to use nowadays. Of course, everyone is anticipating the presence of other mutants like GAMBIT, THE BLOB, AGENT ZERO, DEADPOOL, JOHN WRAITH, KAYLA SILVERFOX, EMMA FROST, and CYCLOPS. With the short special participation of PROFESSOR X. Who would forget the boxing match between Wolverine and The Blob. Hmmmp!! KABAYAN, does it remind you of PACMAN vs. HATTON? He He He!! This film have a remarkable cast of Actors and Actresses that would make you believe that these mutants do exist right now in the real world. YUP!! All of them portrayed their characters very well.


HERE ARE SOME OF THE MUTANTS:

SABRETOOTH


GAMBIT


DEADPOOL


JOHN WRAITH



KYLA SILVERFOX


AGENT ZERO


EMMA FROST and CYCLOPS

A great film indeed!! I remember this scene when each of these mutants showcased their powers while going to this MOB place and attacking it. Wheew!! So wh0's origins will be next. I guess this would be very interesting as always. Like Logan(Wolverine) would say "I'm the best at what I do, and what I do isn't very nice." A classic WOLVERINE statement!! ANIMALISTIC I may say!! It's heart pounding to the "Nth degree" and can create intensity 7.0 on the Richter scale!! Dark and bloody if you'll be talking about the action scenes. Just seeing Stryker shoot Wolverine straight on the head point blank would give you the shake of that scene erasing Logan's entire memory. THANKS to STAN LEE that we have these fictional characters for different generations to look forward to.

JUST SOME OF MY OWN WOLVERINE STUFFS:




A famous Philippine Food Chain also gave away some WOLVERINE Toys on their Kids Meals for the young generation to play with:


Well,I hope you like my little review on "X-MEN ORIGINS:WOLVERINE". THANKS for dropping by!!

That's WOLVERINE!!
-DR. STIRRING RHOD-