NEW YORK–Talking Heads singer David Byrne has launched the US debut of his pop opera on the life of Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines.

Co-written with British DJ Fatboy Slim, “Here Lies Love” — a 23-song romp through Marcos’ life — had its US premier late Saturday at New York’s Carnegie Hall, where the repertory usually runs to the more classical.

Byrne said he drew inspiration from Imelda’s love for disco music and the iconic disco-era New York club Studio 54.

“‘Here Lies Love’ is what Imelda is quoted as saying she wants on her tombstone. Her story is the timeless story of power, politics, and psychological needs,” the eclectic musician said.

The work covers the span of Marcos’ life: her youth, her time as a beauty queen, meeting and marrying Ferdinand Marcos, living at the pinnacle of power, and later in exile. Imelda Marcos’ extravagant life has earned her many enemies, but a great deal of criticism from around the world, but Byrne said his pop opera is not about being judgmental.

“It’s easy to fall into categories,” he said.

The show, first put on in Australia in 2006, for now is all about the music. and doesn’t have a set. It was sung by three people – including Byrne and Joan Almedilla of the Philippines. Byrne told Time Out magazine he would like to see the show put on at Studio 54 which has been made over into a theater.

via PDI

I wonder if David Byrne will bring the show to the Philippines.

I got this from A Socialite’s Life.

Hollywood is speculating if Lindsay Lohan is a cutter. I don’t know what to make of this. It’s possible that those wounds were caused by bushes or her run-ins with the paparazzi. It’s also possible that the pressure of being a celebrity is getting to her. Self-injury is a symptom of mental illness like depression so this is something serious. I hope she isn’t cutting herself eventhough I don’t really like her.

I was finally able to watch The Prestige last night. I found it okay, entertaining, but not that great as some people opined. I was able to guess how the magicians did their tricks at once so the ending didn’t surprise me at all. I loved the all-star cast though. I was surprised that David Bowie (as Nicola Tesla) is in it. I liked the props and the costume design. I also liked their play on Tesla and Edison’s rivalry, echoing Angier and Boden’s obsession with outdoing each other.

I watched the film with my friend Phoebe. I chose the 10:45 PM showing at Greenbelt 3 and made reservations through sureseats. Ticket is expensive, 160 pesos, but cheaper compared to watching it abroad. We arrived in Greenbelt around 9PM so I had enough time to eat supper. I chose National Sports Grill since I’ve never eaten there. Good choice. I loved the San Francisco Burger with Sourdough Parmesan bread. Yum. The fries were really good too. I ate too much though. :frown: While I ate, Phoebe mostly read the Time magazines she bought. She ate at home already so she just picked on my fries. She isn’t into American food.

We were supposed to watch Cine Europa yesterday but I woke up very late. 5:15 PM to be exact. Yay me!

Tonight we will have a family dinner to celebrate mine and my sister’s birthdays. The relatives will be coming and I hope it will be fun. We decided to have it at Burgoo in Rockwell. I love their salmon and Seafood Caesar Salad. :yummy:

I watched Marie Antoinette this afternoon with my new friends Chito Rico (Sorry! I’m bad with names) and Luna. I met them through a Philippine depression mailing list I joined a week ago. They’re great and we could relate with each other because we’re all going through the same thing. I’m glad I joined the group. I hope I will become friends with the other members. Maybe I’ll finally have a support group and a social life.

Marie Antoinette was great. Sofia Coppola showed a different side of the notorious historical figure and in the process, the viewers get to understand and relate to Marie Antoinette. Honestly, I didn’t know much about Marie Antoinette except for her famous words (”Let them eat cake”), how hated she is, and that she still makes an appearance as a ghost. Coppola reminded us that M.A. is young after all, that she was given heavy responsibilities and was put into too much pressure, that she had difficulties with her marriage, and that she is female. The M.A. in the film reminded me of today’s socialites. People like the Hilton sisters and other trust-fund babies who just want to party and live the life. They’re young, love to party and experiment, has money to splurge on clothes and stuff, and they’re also portrayed negatively in media. Perhaps the film is also a commentary about them. What I loved most about the film is the visual eye candy. I love Coppola’s use of bright colors and how she framed Kirsten Dunst surrounded by flowers. The set design and costumes were great although I’m not so sure if they’re historically accurate. I also loved the scoring and soundtrack she used which added a modern touch to the film.

We watched this in Greenbelt and the cinema was full. I don’t know why this film is only being shown in Ayala Cinemas. I think a lot of young people would like to see this. I feel like watching the film again. Maybe I will with mom.

Oh poo! I grabbed this picture from Perezhilton.com that’s why it looks graffiti-ed. I  want to have a more decent copy of this.

God! George’s boyfriend is HOTT!!! I want both of them now!

Fuck! I’m devastated with this news.

Grey’s Anatomy’s T.R. Knight is gay, he has confirmed exclusively to PEOPLE.

“I guess there have been a few questions about my sexuality, and I’d like to quiet any unnecessary rumors that may be out there,” Knight tells PEOPLE in a statement. “While I prefer to keep my personal life private, I hope the fact that I’m gay isn’t the most interesting part of me.”

via People online

He’s one of my celebrity crushes and he’s my favorite in Grey’s Anatomy. I think he’s really charming and handsome. So fucking Irish. Why are you gay?! I had dreams that you and I would get married someday.

I just watched Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and was astonished that Wes Anderson used Filipino actors to act as pirates. I found it very amusing.

I found the first hour of the film boring and I thought that it would bomb but by the end of the film, I was crying. Hay. Idol ko na talaga si Wes. I loved The Royal Tenenbaums, Bottle Rocket, and Rushmore. Ang galing galing.

I want to be John Mayer’s girlfriend now!

As told to Rolling Stone:

1. “Be really careful with me on the phone. Distance makes the brain grow more maniacal.”

2. “Twenty-four-hour phone-sex assistance. If there’s a cute girl in the front row, I’m gonna run offstage and call you.”

3. “You have to run every single fantasy you’ve ever had through me. You’ll never cheat. You see a cute guy at the gym, I’ll be him. Or we’ll get him. I don’t care.”

via : perezhilton.com

I’m a big fan of Wong Kar-Wai so let me post this forwarded email.

Things Wong Kar-wai Taught Me About Love
by Alice Dallow

1. Requited love is an impossibility.

2. You will fall in love only once. Obstacles will
prevail. The rest of your life is spent recovering.

3. Eroticising their possessions will be the pinnacle
of your sexual fulfilment.

4. Anything that distracts you from the pain of your
loss is good. Some people are more successful in this
regard than others.

5. Hook up with someone. Live with them. Sleep with
them. Tag along. Don’t be fooled. You are only a
transitory distraction. Ask for commitment. Declare
your love. Watch the set up evaporate.

6. The most potent way to exist is to occupy someone
else’s imagination.

7. Desire is kept eternally alive by the impossibility
of contact.

8. Modern communication enabling technologies will
only heighten your sense of desolation by making you
more keenly aware of the fact that no one is trying to
call.

(Alice Dallow is a long time fan of Wong Kar-wai’s
films. In her spare time she makes shorts films and
music clips.)