Muningerzee

Billie Jean, a song composed by Michael Jackson, is now 3 decades old.  This song has a 29- second intro which reports say the producers wanted to be shortened from the track. But, the king of pop said no.  He argued that "that's the jelly of the song" and makes him want to dance. It was mixed 91 times before it was released.  The song was only the second single from MJ's Thriller album.  This song was also known for one of Michael's signature moves--the moonwalker. It came along with a music video which reports say MTV didn't want to play at first. Eventually, they put the video in rotation.  MJ wrote this song not for any x or girl in particular. He said in interviews that the song was based on groupies he and his brothers met on the road when he was still part of Jackson 5. MJ also had a good feeling about the song.  While writing the song, he knew Billie Jean would be a hit and it was.

It’s the song that was so huge in the early 80s.   Imagine disco-goers turning into cheerleaders on the dance floor all thanks to Toni Basil’s “Hey Mickey”. This song was initially released in 1981 but didn’t make it to the charts at all.   Then it was re-issued the following year.   When it became number 1 in US and Canada, the world took notice. 'Hey Mickey' was so popular that there were several covers of this song from the likes of Girl Generation from South Korea, Weird Al, Olivia Newton-John and more.   It was also used in tracks created for Run DMC, Madonna, Kylie Minogue just to name a few.   Now, reports says Toni Basil is filing some legal actions over the rights of this song.   But, did you know that the song Mickey was also just a cover?   The original music was from a UK band called Racey.   So ‘Mickey’ was originally entitled ‘kitty’ and was released in 1979 but didn’t take off. Watch Toni's version belo...

Performed by Michael Jackson, Thriller smashed all records in 1982.  The song was initially titled ‘Starlight.’  After 100 plus more name studies, the song was aptly called Thriller.  This song also came out with a groundbreaking music video.   The material was 14 minutes long and was the longest promo material ever played on TV.   It stars the king of pop opposite Ola Ray as a young couple goofing around after watching a horror movie.   Then MJ turns into the undead leading a pack of Zombies. Everything was perfect in this video, from the short narrative, set designs, prosthetics, lighting down to the dance number.   Check out the shortened version of the video of MJ below: Thriller in Lego below: Check out the video above of Regine Tolentino and Rene Sagaran of Manouvers doing a dance tribute of "Thriller." 

STOP by SPICE GIRLS Can you imagine? That song we danced to from the Spice Girls is already 20 years old? STOP was produced for the group’s 2 nd  album “Spice world.”  The song was a baby of Geri Halliwel all due to the exhaustion the group was feeling at the time.    Ironically it was also Geri who put the stop to the number girl group of that decade.   The group broke up a year after the movie.  This song only landed on the number two spot of the charts, never making it to number 1.  But to Filipinos back then, this song is number 1. See this cute dance tribute of Regine Tolentino, who is a huge fan of the group.  She appears as all five of the Spice Girls.  Check out the video below.

DIRTY DANCING This year marks the 30 TH anniversary of the release of the 1987 hit movie Dirty Dancing.   The film stars Patrick Swayze as Johnny and Jennifer Gray as Baby.   Set in 60s the movie is about a bakasyonita who falls in love with a dance instructor.   But what makes this movie amazing were the dance routines including the finale which featured the song “Time of my life’.   Choreographer of this particular dance was Kenny Ortega, also worked with Michael Jackson, and Madonna on the ‘Material Girl’ Video.  His credentials included directing highschool Musical Series. In this movie, girls swooned over Patrick Swayze.   He passed on in 2009 at   the young age of 57 after battling pancreatic cancer.   He and Jennifer gray would always be in our hearts and mind for showing us how to have the time of our lives.

People go to Puerto Princesa for many beautiful reasons—the beaches, the underground river, the cashew nuts, the seafood.   I went to Puerto Princesa to renew my passport J   The latest appointment in the capital was September last I checked.   I tried searching nearby provinces like Batangas, Pampangga and even Baguio and Legazpi but all were fully booked till September.   So I grabbed my best option—Puerto Princesa!   It’s also a great excuse to getaway from the toxicity of the metro.   I booked with AirAsia and the cost was just   PhP 3337.00 two way.   Lucky Me!!!! Hotel was also relatively easy to find.   I reserved mine through Expedia.com    Cheaper than the rates in Tripadvisor.   Well at least for this boutique hotel.   I booked 1 small room with a twin bed at Islands Stay Hotels Puerto Princesa.   It’s located at 420 Rizal Avenue, Brgy Bancao-Bancao in Puerto Princesa.   In truth I chose Islands St...

I made a very short video about legendary Jazz singer Billie Holliday to commemorate her passing more than five decades ago.  The video is just a simple highlight. Her real name was Eleonora Fagan Gough.  But she changed in to Billie Holliday in tribute to a film celeb named Billie Dove. She doesn't know how to read music and had no formal music training but she went on to sing for jazz big guns like Count Bassie, and Benny Goodman, and signed many deals with recording companies. Considered as one of the highest paid performer during her time, Holliday passed away July 17, 1959 with just $750 to her name, according to NPR.   Eight years after that, also on July 17, the world lost another jazz great--John Coltrane.  I'll do a short video about him next year.  Meantime, please enjoy: