Saturday instantly became a welcome relief to real dance music lovers and true-blue partyphiles when James Zabiela whipped up his DJ-ing prowess at the A.Venue Hall. Being one of the best in the world, he commanded everyone to dance in a way that party denizens don’t often experience. It was truly an incredible night with a full production and effects that sounded like it came from a science fiction movie.

Black was the color of the night as Nokia Music together with Big Fish brought to town the UK-based club brand, Gatecrasher.  With the theme of Innovation Black, Manila’s party people marched to A.Venue Hall in Makati Ave all decked in pitch black to be take part in an event that promised an evening of fun, dancing, and a whole lot of music.  The tone of the night was set right by Anton Ramos who played steady heady beats.  But the highlight of the party were Ralph Kyau and Steven Moebius Albert, better known as DJ/producer tandem Kyau and Albert, who are possibly one of the most original DJ/Producer duos in the modern day Electronic Dance Music circuit.

Honoring the culmination of UP JMA’s Golden Anniversary, a week-long celebration, composed of a series of events that brought together UP JMA members from the University and the underprivileged of the community. The series began with a socially relevant event, St7ll Life (Still Life), which gave a glimpse into the lives of the Indigenous Peoples of the country through their artistry. Next was a daylong activity of fun, mind-boggling challenges all around the metro. 5pectacle (Spectacle) took everyone on a trip down memory lane as the event reminisced the splendid years of JMA in photo displays. Next was D4sh (Dash), a fundraising running event. Tasteful and innovative, Driv3 thru (Drive thru), the week’s Grand Pakain served as a means to drive the CBA community together for one big feast. Undi2ided (Undivided), an advocacy campaign concert featuring various amateur musicians in a song writing competition making a stand against campus violence. WeeWillDoodle also graced the event with a live presentation. Trans1tion (Transition), the Grand Alumni Homecoming and Culminating Night, rounded up the week’s events which brought …

The Haus of Gaga Video Mix Party held recently at the Dolce Super Club in Tomas Morato was a celebration of the music and the success of Lady Gaga’s new album, The Fame featuring Just Dance, Poker Face and Lady Gaga’s new single, Love Game. Officially launching the soon to be anthem of dance clubs, radio stations, and music video channels here in the Philippines, was an evening of everything Gaga, which encompassed several competitions from dancing to fun and sexy games to a search for a Lady Gaga of the Night. Party goers won exclusive Lady Gaga merchandise, cash, ipods, gift certificates from Maldita, 3 days and 2 nights accommodations from Punto Miguel Resorts and other surprises from Bacardi, MTV and MAXFM 103.5. The evening also featured a new mix created by Bacardi featuring their apple variant, exclusively available at Dolce Super Club called The Gaga Mix, and the newest collection created by Maldita called The Fame inspired by Lady Gaga.

In House Live and RJ Bar recently held Genre:Spring of Aphrodite. It was a burst of everything art and female! Featuring Artworks by Monaliza Villanueva, Margo & Allen Alesna, Guads, Valen, Jehan Manansala, Sarah Gaugler, Yvette Co and Flobby Carrasco. Photographs by Dog Pound Crew, Fraulien Tan, Redi Mendoza, JM Policarpio, Eileen Gutierrez, Jennifer Cobarubbias and Shermaine Perez. Live Body Painting by Sigwada Knikolai. Bellly Dancing by Jill Ngo. Performances by Miguel Escueta, Tevanny, Black Tooth Grin, Turbo Goth, Black Summer, Sundown Caffeine, Rahab, Tangerine Sky, F.I.O., Glass Onion, Flicker Fusion and Discoball. Poetry Reading by Kathy Villar and Charms Tianzon. Fashion Show Courtesy of Gliteratti, Joe San Antonio and Bico Australia Accessories.

Manila Surfers Association (MSA) recently organized Save Our Surf: The 4^th Manila Surfers Cup in La Union. The weekend event, supported by Stoked Inc. and Billabong, drew a crowd of hundreds as Manila surfers gunned it out in their short and long boards to crown the finest surfers in the metropolis. After the events, Manila surfers showed some love for the ocean they played in. Green Zinc, a Philippine-based environmental program that keeps our beaches clean, together with the support of everyone made sure surfboards were returned to their racks and the shore, clean and safe once again.

Photos by: Elaine Abonal, Kage Gozun, and Abe Tolentino

Manila’s most fashionable trooped to A.Venue Hall to celebrate fashion, art, photography, lomography, music and dance in a whimsical fashion gala dubbed as Perya by young designer Happy Andrada where she unveiled her theatrical couture collection. The event also highlighted a whirlwind of personalities such as artist Paolo Icasas, accessories designer Dennis Celestial, photographer Darrel Pobre, graphic designs by Happy Days, Schu, Hat Momma, Maverick by Design, Ang INK and Lomo Manila. To keep things in high pitch, the De La Salle University Pops Orchestra, Musicality Dance Group and DJ Funk Avy kept everyone entertained.

Café Mondial recently celebrated its first year in the biz with a high-flying attended by their ever-loyal habitués. Overflowing drinks and hors d’oeuvres were served to guests throughout the night while music was provided by DJs Cao Ocampo, Migs Siojo and Christian Raeueber. Claudine De Leon, VP for Marketing also presented their weekly happenings.

Nokia has partnered up with an award-winning local rock band, Kjwan, to herald their newest album dubbed “13 Seconds To Love” at the A.Venue Hall. In line with the launch, the latest Nokia 5800 XpressMusic will come pre-loaded with Kjwan’s 11 new tracks plus 25 more from Universal Music, as well as never before seen photos and videos. The launch also featured the head banging performances of Salamin, Faspitch, Even and The Out of Body Special. For the ultimate music experience, visit the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic stores in malls all over the metro.

Nokia Music and Bigfish Manila teamed up to give clubbers a taste of deliciously stylish Kandi vibe by throwing back-to-back parties. Preaching the Kandi philosophy were Andy Daniels, Peyton, Anton Ramos and Johnboy Lee. First stop was the Cebu International Convention Center where Cebuanos got their taste of the Hed Kandi lifestyle. After which, the four-piece made their way to A-Venue Events Hall in Makati City to party with the Manileños. In between smoldering house sets, local tribal music group Bunganda gave partygoers a different kind of treat by launching euphoric bongo-heavy numbers.