The operative word for my mode and/or mood these days is nostalgia. Or perhaps retro. It started with my “stumbling” on some videos of the globally famous music artist Bruno Mars online several days ago. I say “stumble” because I never (shame on me!) really stopped to find out more about this half-Filipino performer, songwriter, producer, musician Bruno Mars whose name was already buzzing around in Manila among my showbiz, music aficionado friends around 2010. I was pre-occupied with other things at that time. But with more time on my hands now with the pandemic, I came across videos of his official live performances which, to put it mildly, blew me to bits. OMG! They are epic. I guess I am years too late and that you all knew that.
I have been obsessing over those videos for almost a week now. My favorite is his performance with his band The Hooligans singing (and effortlessly dancing) his own composition “24 Karat Magic” at the 2016 American Music Awards. Watch it on You Tube. I don’t know how many times I have viewed it. It just lifts my spirits up but at the same time gives me memories of my showbiz days in the Philippines. Other videos posted which I can’t seem to get enough of are – the official music video of “The Lazy Song” (2011) which, to date, has more than 2 Billion views (take note that this is a “B”). Then there is his incredible guesting, together with Mark Ronson on The Ellen Degeneres Show in 2015 performing another hit “Uptown Funk”. Worth watching also is the guesting of Bruno Mars in the Carpool Karaoke with James Corden. Their enthusiasm is undeniably infectious. No wonder it has 141 Million views or more. Another fave of mine is the video of Bruno performing “Versace on the Floor” at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards. Of course, not to miss is the official music video of “Just The Way You Are” which has over 1.6 Billion views. Listening and watching his all-consuming performances, it makes one proud of being a Filipino. I just can’t get over how much of a consummate performer he is. It is like his musical genius takes over him.
His songs have a retro vibe tweaked in a millennial way. I would say his songs are universal in a funky music way. And the story of his life is awe-inspiring, and in some ways, heart rending. His mother was a Filipina from Cebu whose family immigrated to Hawaii and was a singer and dancer with their own family band in Waikiki, “The Love Notes”. His father was from Puerto Rico and was the band leader and his siblings were all involved with the band.
Some people have commented that he is under-rated as a performer. Is this because of some form of racism? I just have a feeling about it. Maybe yes and maybe not. It really does not matter since it does not seem to hinder his meteoric rise and his making full use of his creative juices.
Happy to find out that he, together with Anderson Paak, just released a new album “An Evening with Silk Sonic” last March, 2021 with another soon-to-be-hit song “Leave The Door Open”, which now has 436,817,646 views (and counting) on You Tube. And it is a fabulous song. Outstanding! The best news is that they are one of the performing guests in the 2021 American Music Awards to be aired (or was aired) on ABC on November 21, 2021. Yehey! I’ll be right there later with my 5 Guys burger comfortably ensconced in my sofa rooting and enjoying the performance of our very own (at least half Filipino) kababayan or kadugo.
I mentioned nostalgia earlier. It is really apropos that I feel sentimental for I have been remembering lately the late Kitchie Ortega Benedicto, who was at the helm of Kanlaon Broadcasting System. Several years ago, I bumped into her at the National Book Store (remember this store?) at the Shangrila Mall beside SM Megamall in Ortigas, happy to exchange greetings with someone who played a major part in my broadcast career. She said for me to tell them (“them” meaning the government, since I was working with both the government station and a government owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) TV network) “na ibalik na lang daw sa kanila ang TV station”. That statement she made really stuck in my head. With the developments in the coming 2022 elections in the Philippines, she has, of late, been on my mind, with a sad wistful feeling of nostalgia. You never know how life unfolds. And how precious life is.
Another person in my mind is Bert de Leon. I just found out that he passed on in the Philippines. Another person from my showbiz career in the past. He was an excellent TV director and also a musician. I would like to extend my condolences to his family. I have not been in touch with him for decades as we both pursued other paths within the television industry after a while. But he was the director of the hit series “Iskul Bukol” which I produced together with the late Boy Gatus. I was the “silent” producer as I was still employed with IBC 13, although Kitchie
Benedicto gave me her approval so long as I had a partner who would be the “visible” producer. So, if you google “Iskul Bukol” on Wikipedia, it will state that Boy Gatus was the Executive Producer. Rightly so. Sigh! Those were the days. But life goes on. We all move on to each his or her own path.
Speaking of moving on, I was so happy to dine in again in the relaxing and restful 3rd floor restaurant Bar Verde of Nordstrom at the Eaton Centre a few days ago. They serve a seasonal menu of internationally inspired dishes. I just love their Atlantic salmon salad nicoise, a dish I miss most, and their tiny chicken tacos plus their scrumptious freshly made flat bread. Can’t wait to go back again. Yum yum! And it is such a restful haven from the hustle and bustle of the mall.
For now, I will sign off and wish all a happy and safe 2 weeks.
Tessie O. Taylor