Leaders
During the Second World War, lieutenants and majors are alongside their troops in the front lines, in order for them to have a better perspective of what is happening during an encounter. Battles are won with this way since the time a spent making decision is not hampered by the distance between the commanding officer and the troops. But present day battles are not fought this way, with the higher ranking officers being safely sheltered at their command posts, overseeing battles with the help of technology. What is lost is the direct link with the troops. Morale and empathy with the men are lost.
This analysis of war can be compared to the way architects and project managers should link up or communicate with their subordinates. Thankfully, architects are not in danger of being shot for making a wrong decision. What is necessary is for the architect to greatly empathize with the contractors, with the foremen, and of course with the workers.
Architects are all trained in school in the field of design and theory. What separates great architects from others is the fact that they go beyond what is thought in design school. And what separates the more experienced architects from the great i-know-what-I’m-talking-about architects is their direct immersion in the field. The great architect-generals are those found in the board rooms, in the executive chair, in the drafting room, in front of the computer. The great architect-majors and architect-sergeants are those that mingle with the troops, they eat with them, they safeguard their welfare, they talk with them, and they look after their quality of work. Even a simple chat with the lowest helper can help erase boundaries between the great architect and the men. Every line, every plane, every connection is carefully analyzed and deliberated in the field. After all, drawings, specifications and documents tend to be faulty at times. What is important is the direct connection with the work involved, since time is equal to work, and work is equal to money. And great connection is not limited to the foreman. It should be up to the grass roots, to the men, since they are the real executors of work.
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I recently had a debate with the great administration-general in the office, with regards to my progress as a project manager. It turns out that I am too kind to the contractor, according to the almighty admin-general. I am too generous with time extensions. As compared to other project managers, I am too lax.
I tried to convince the great almighty that I will not sacrifice time with quality, but they insisted that it all boils down to the documents. If other project managers see that I am too lax, there will be points of comparisons, which, accordingly will result in unrest. Chaos. Jealousy.
Well almighty administration-general, this architect-sergeant has been a contractor and project manager for almost four years. If I can just say to them that I have been through thick and thin with the work related to construction, I can defend my position as to why I am too generous. But alas, old “experienced” people will always give you the great lines “…don’t reason with me. In terms of experience, I know what I am talking about. You are only just beginning with the field. Do not challenge me.” Yes, I am still young, but age does not correspond with experience. Work and quality cannot be summed up with words such as deadlines, documents, and damages. For me, quality work is concerned with user satisfaction, good architect-contractor relations, and empathy with the workers. Good relations for me cannot be replaced by theory and documents.
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So the challenge continues.
Cheese and Wine
We attended an inauguration of a set of newly renovated classrooms at the Palma Hall Annex. We got the priveledge of rubbing elbows with the top brass of the University. What caught my interest in attending though is the food they said they will offer: wine and cheese.
Upon reaching the table, we were amazed to see different kinds of cheese. Great for the white and red wine, we were very curious as to what kind of cheese was served. There was the speckled kind of cheese, the quezo de bola-ish kind of cheese, the soft in the middle kinda cheese, etcetera, etcetera. Next time before attending cocktails I ought to research first. Baka makakuha ng attention ng mga academic chicks if you know your stuff. Hehehe.
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After the cocktails I attended first day of classes for one subject at the School. The alcohol, although small in quantity, was still circulating within me. Good thing I didn't mess up when I introduced myself to the whole class.
We then proceeded to the local watering hole to complete our fill of alcohol for the whole day.
And now I need coffee. Lots of it.
Dedication
This song is lovingly dedicated to my long lost elementary classmate, who I recently found out is now an artista.
Magasin
Kita kita, sa isang magasin
Dilaw ang iyong suot at buhok mo'y green
Isang tindahan, sa may Baclaran
Napatingin natulala sa yong kagandahan
Naaalala mo pa ba,
Tayo pang dalawa,
Di ko inasahang sisikat ka
Tinawanan pa kita, tinawag mo kong walanghiya
E medyo pangit ka pa noon, ngunit ngayon
Iba na ang iyong ngiti
Iba na ang iyong tingin
Nagbago na ang lahat sa iyo
Sana'y hindi nakita
Sana'y walang problema
Pagkat kulang ang dala kong pera
Pambili, pambili ng mukha mong maganda
Siguro ay may kotse ka na ngayon
Rumarampa sa etablado
Damit mo'y gawa ni Sotto
Siguro ay malapit ka na rin sumali
Sa super model of the whole wide universe
Nakita kita, sa isang magasin
At sa sobrang gulat, di ko napansin
Bastos pala ang pamagat,
Dali-dali kong binuklat
At ako'y namulat sa hubad na katotohanan...
Nasaan ka na kaya?
Sana ay masaya
Sana ay sa susunod na issue
Ay centerfold ka na...
To R.V....we hope you would greet us sa t.v. hehehe
Invasion!
Many people who lived during the ‘60s are proud to have been part of the British Invasion, otherwise known as Beatlemania. Having been unfortunate to be born 15 years late, I did not experience the phenomenon known as the Fab Four. The Beatles heralded the growth of a new form of pop music, rock and roll at its finest.
But here in the Philippine Islands, another phenomenon was born during the ‘90s, for which I have been witness to. The Eraserheads was born during the later part of the ‘80s and the first half of the ‘90s saw the rebirth of the Pinoy Band scene. Now this part of music history I can proudly saw I was witness to.
This piece is an experiment in historical documentation and the analysis and opinions are all mine. In depth analysis of the albums and songs of both bands are pending and are very good subjects to tackle. Whew, parang technical paper, me scope and limitations.
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I recently got copies of the albums of the Eheads, Ultraelectromagneticpop!, Circus and Cutterpillow. Listening to the songs within these albums just brings back memories of the ‘90s, particularly college days. Although they shrug off that they have been heavily influenced by the sound of the Beatles through their frontman Ely Buendia, I cannot help but draw parallelisms in terms of their musicality and also in terms of their development and eventual disbandment.
The Beatles started off with teenybopper songs, like Please, Please Me, Twist and Shout, and I Wanna Hold Your Hand. The Eraserheads started off with radio friendly- amidst- the- cuss lines songs Pare Ko, Ligaya and Toyang. Both bands have been rejected by Major record labels before being accepted into their respective major companies. What is noticeable about the Eraserheads is their raw sound in terms of recording, and the use of instruments. The Beatles started off the same, just a four piece band consisting of lead, rhythm and bass guitars accompanied with the drums.
Moving fast forward, the Eraserheads then ventured into the sophomore album Circus, which as they explained, was the way it was for them when they reached stardom through the first album. The sound in the album has improved tremendously, with the inclusion of various instruments outside of the four piece band. Songs such as Wishing Wells, Butterscotch and Sa Wakas have shown their knack at experimentation with the inclusion of percussion instruments and their ability to compose deep yet reachable lyrics. The album can be likened to the Beatles concept album Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, wherein the songs revolve around a central theme, masterfully varied in terms of musical instruments used and central characters introduced.
The third Eheads album, Cutterpillow, was according to many the last great Eraserheads album. Their music by this time was more refined, giving more emphasis on rhythm and theme instead of lead guitar parts, drum fills and bass lines. Songs such as Waiting for the Bus, Poorman’s Grave and Fine Time have been given life through the fusion of great lyrics with excellent guitar and drum parts. I can then compare the album to the Abbey Road Album of the Beatles, the last great album they recorded prior to their breakup.
Fruitcake, the fourth Eraserheads album, is very similar in theme to the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine album, where the band members are transformed into cartoon characters, and the songs revolve around a story. Like the Beatles battling off the Blue Meanies through their music, the Eraserheads have to contend with the loss of Christmas and the mono-virus through their music along with their friends. Although being an experimental album, the Eraserheads has again achieved musical success with the inclusion of other instruments into their songs such as violins in the song Lightyears.
The later albums of the Eraserheads for me have gained less recognition, but gems have been found in these albums. Songs such as Julie Tear Jearkie, Pop Machine and Huwag Kang Matakot have still kept the distinct sound of the Eraserheads. But unlike the Beatles, who have managed to cook up one final album, Let It Be, to show their musicality as rock and rollers, the Eraserheads has failed to go back full circle, having been lured too deep with the use of electronically improved sounds that are not very radio friendly.
And finally, with the release of the Eraserheads Anthology, the Eheads hoped to again capture the current generation as their audience. But unlike the Beatles who met up again for one final Anthology album, the Eheads have yet to sign up again for one last time.
It’s nice to see the development of groups in terms of their musicality and their careers. The Eraserheads have indeed contributed much to the local band scene and although disbanded, has left a generation singing out songs such as Easy Ka Lang, Maling Akala and Pare Ko, songs that they can relate to.
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