Franco is, by far, my favorite Filipino band. I can't even describe how incredible Franco is, both…read morein terms of just their music and as a live act, but you've gotta see it to believe it. Unlike most Franco fans, I don't do "juts" (at least not yet) but nevertheless, I still absolutely love their music. When I meet friends who don't think OPM has good stuff in it (which even in general I vehemently disagree with), I immediately tell them to listen to a few Franco tracks. Franco is an absolutely brilliant band, and watching and listening to Franco Reyes is like viewing a genius at work. Not only does Franco brilliantly blend together diverse styles of music, ranging from grunge, reggae, classical rock, and alternative, their songs' poetic lyricisim and wordplay is pretty stunning when you're paying attention. Even if you don't take "juts" there's lots to love here. Live, Franco Reyes pours his entire heart and soul into his performances. He's an intensely charismatic frontman for the act, reaching riffs and putting on a crazy level of energy that infects the crowd. Franco is definitely a distinct and incredible act, one that manages to make you believe in the power of OPM. I certainly do. (francophilippines@gmail.com)

I was in High School the first time I heard Gracenote. Just like everyone else in High School at…read morethe time, I was in that sweet spot where I was listening to all these punk pop bands like All Time Low, All American Rejects, Fall Out Boy, and of course, Paramore. Gracenote was an actthat was featured in our variety show as the opening act for Imago. Just like everyone else in the crowd, no one knew who they were. They were a fairly indie band at the time. Literally, it took one song to figure out that they were eventually gonna make it big. They opened (expectedly) with a Paramore song, and for a second I literally thought that it was Paramore on stage. After a few more of their originals, I was hella impressed. Not only did they sound like legitimate punk pop (and they weren't trying hard like a lot of other acts were) but their original music was fucking legit. Flash forward to a few years later, and I see them on TV promoting their first album. A few more years, and I find out that their booking fee has skyrocketed by a lot. I'm kind of amazed at how big they made it. They're literally our equivalent to Paramore - a female-led punk pop act with insanely catchy songs. Gracenote is a pretty great band that can only go up from here.

What exactly is Banna Harbera, you ask? Banna Harbera is an indie band that I listened to when I…read morewent to a battle of the bands inside school a few months ago. The Battle of the Bands was filled with (generally) bands that sounded like the same indie alt-rock rehash with the same male vocalists trying to sound like Alex Gaskarth from All Time Low. Then comes Banna Harbera, and just literally amazes the crowd. They didn't amaze the crowd with wild guitar riffs or jumping around on the stage. They did the exact opposite - they played mellow, easy listening alternative music that sounds like literally no other independent act I've heard. Not only was their music completely different from the rest of the bands, it was probably the absolute best of them. Consider me a fan. I'll be looking forward to going to their concerts sometime in the future.

No one goes to Parañaque to watch gigs as there aren't really any good gig places here. But if…read morewe're talking about spots that go against the grain, Gara-eh offers a totally alternative scene, and I'm not even referring to the genre here. Garaeh is a LOT of things. Run by super friendly artist couple Yvette & Om as well as a couple of their friends, this place is a community of sorts that focuses primarily on music. Firstly, Garaeh is a space. It's literally a "garahe"--an outdoor garage that's filled with art and curious things. They, as well as their friends, host music gatherings and gigs here. Aside from an events space, they primarily offer rental services for music equipment for events. I HIGHLY recommend their music equipment rental as they do have a complete set of equipment at good rates. They also offer music classes (drums, guitar, voice, keyboard, etc.) for people of all ages, even music-appreciation for babies! Inside Garaeh is an electronics repair shop as well. What else? Occasionally they also do sell vegetarian mock-meat via their small project 'Ngitian Kitchen'. Their mock meat liempo is really, really good. Events aren't regular, as well as the classes or the veggie food, and you can't just barge into this place unannounced. It's best to stalk them online to see if something's up or if there's a gig to catch. If there is, do drop by as you're in for a unique and interesting treat.

If you want to see something that'll change your life, catch a show by the Quezon City Performing…read moreArts. You have dance performances and music as well, but here's the clincher - these kids are street children. QCPA gets them off the street and grants them a scholarship that puts them in the theater or in the dance studio. Funded by the Quezon City government in hopes they'll pursue careers in the arts, most of these kids come from families that can't afford to send them to school, buy a house, or even feed them regularly. They could have been drug dealers, slaves to physical or sexual abuse, or worse, but this foundation transforms their lives and instead teaches them to play the guitar, to sing, and to pirouette. Through the QCPA Development Foundation, the scholars have led better lives. They have had the chance to travel, study, and earn money to support themselves and their families. Dancing, singing, making music, and creating art becomes their way out of all their hardships. To see them perform onstage and smiling, knowing the past they have, is beautiful. It really shows what a difference art can make to save this country.

The first time I've ever been to Concert at the Park was when there was a French Animation Festival…read morelast 2014. I got there earlier so I chanced upon a cultural dance performed by grade school students. I was in awe with how much they have prepared for this performance because I'm sure that apart from dance rehearsals, they also had to teach the students how to play the old Filipino instruments like the banduria. I find the place magical because it induces nostalgic vibe and it makes you feel that you're not in Manila at the same time. It's so rare to find an amphitheatre these days that show the public how rich our culture is especially in terms of music and the performing arts. What I also love the place is that even if it's open, there aren't any mosquitos that will bug you while watching. The place is also not too windy nor humid. Just right. I just wish that there will be more places like this that will showcase the beauty of our culture.

For those bitching about how Art should be more accessible to everybody, may I present to you the…read moreTiu Theater. Formerly the old Louie's THX Cinema, the theater has recently been reinvented as an events venue back in 2014, and has hosted a number of concerts, plays, recitals, and performance art pieces. But what sets the Tiu apart from other event venues is how committed it is to making Art more accessible. The management of the Tiu will go out of their way to look for worthy art groups to sponsor. They have even staged a couple of free shows, just to get people more chances to watch these kinds of works. Time will tell if the Tiu can sustain and thrive with this kind of setup, but I'm happy we have such a venue for the arts.

Back in the day, the Tiu Theater used to be Louie's THX, the most high-tech movie theater in Makati…read moreat the time. These days, the Tiu Theater has become an events venue. I had the opportunity to come here for the Luna Art Festival in early 2015, and I loved the intimate, community-like vibe that was present all throughout. Inside the main theater, performers like the Adinkra Lumads group and other ethnic Filipino musicians and dancers performed to a crowd of art enthusiasts, and at some point, people took off their shoes and started dancing in the middle of the aisles! There were also a bunch of merchants outside the theater, selling shirts, food, jewelry and more. The back part of the theater is dimly-lit (adds to the vibe, I think), and has large murals painted on it, cementing the Tiu Theater's position as a haven for artists to showcase their work - be it performance art, visual art, handmade crafts, and more! I always enjoy events that are hosted here because it's always a good time with quality people in attendance.

RCBC's Carlos Romulo Auditorium is an irony in itself to me. It's small, but it has big productions…read moremore often than not. There are countless performances showed here that're actually the big names in Broadway. The most favorite of mine that I've seen here is Rock of Ages Philippines. I've been a fan of the musical way back since I've heard about it. I mean, why wouldn't I be? It's like a musical with 80's stuff! What more could I ask for? Anyway, it wasn't long after Rock of Ages Japan ended their tour (see? I know these useless stuff!), and the 2012 movie trailer was shown in the movie that ROA Philippines was announced to be showing in the Philippines. I almost screeched in public when I've read it online. So I immediately bought front row seats. I think it was the fourth seat to the front? (egh, the seventh and eight row were already taken at that time). I wasn't thinking clearly though, I was so into seeing Mig Ayesa upclose that I forgot that no matter where you are in this theatre, it's still a nice view. I could've saved like a thousand then! Yeah, it's that small. So the next time you are trying to save up and you still want a great show, it doesn't matter where you are here. Oh, and because it's a small theatre, the audience tend to be awkward towards each other because of its intimacy. If you want a total kick-ass show with all the fireworks and dancing and crowdsurfing awesomeness (okay, not really), make sure you get the tickets to the last show. It's usually where all the awesome occurs. Of course those are just my own tips for having nothin' but a good time (See what I did there?). You can always get the best seats at the best convenient schedule to you.

Avenue Q, RENT, In The Heights, and recently No Filter, have all been staged at Carlos P. Romulo…read moreAuditorium (RCBC Plaza), which should tell you something about the quality of the plays they produce. I mean, Avenue Q was by far the funniest, most uproarious musical I have ever seen in my life! Who knew puppets played by Rachel Alejandro and Felix Rivera could make me bend over so hard from laughter to the point that I was already crying? And No Filter was a breakout play of epic proportions, delivering quick-fire monologues and witty banter with a solid cast, interrogating what it really means to be defined as a millennial. Before I delve too deeply into the awesome-sauce plays they've staged, which are too many to count, I want to say that although the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium might look small and intimate for a theater, it's those qualities precisely that make going to the theater here such a visceral experience, drawing loud reactions from everybody in the audience. Other theaters will make you feel like you need to dress up fancy for the occasion, but the truth about the theater is that it's accessible to everyone and not just rich snooty people. I wish we could clear that misconception in our country.

Teatrino is one of my favorite venues for concerts/shows. I love it because it is conveniently…read morelocated in greenhills. There's almost-always parking available and there are lots of coffee shops/restaurants to hang out in if you're trying to kill time before entering. I also love it because it is very cozy. It's not too tight and squishy, but it's not massive either. They also serve drinks and food while you're watching, making you feel comfortable. Teatrino makes the perfect venue for intimate concerts and various shows/performers. I love how they have such a wide variation of performers. From old-time and starting singers to stand-up comedian Rex Navarete. They're very diverse with their shows and yet, they almost always sell out their tickets. I can't wait to see who other acts they have in store for the year. I'm looking forward to watching something again there soon. :)

Bad experience with this venue. It was advertised on the their website that one of their…read moreprovisions is security. It was not safe at all. Someone posing as waiter will ask for a payment without giving a receipt, only to find out it was not teatrino's waiter.

When it comes to the weird, daring, challenging and uncharted in the world of theater, Sipat Lawin…read morehas made their mark on the top of the chain. Somewhere in the middle of theater, performance art, and everything nice in between, Sipat Lawin takes theater away from the stage and puts it in an unconventional setting. Oftentimes, they break down the 4th wall and include the audience participation in their shows. One of my favorite shows of theirs was Battalia Royale, a theater adaptation of the Hunger-Games-original cult classic Battle Royale. This show was set in the grounds of an abandoned school, so the audience had to weave their way around the venue and run around with the actors. Since it was Battalia Royale, and the action was happening right in front of us, we would get splattered with some blood too making the performance doubly fun and exciting! Attending one performance is definitely an experience. Keep your eyes and ears open for their upcoming shows! :)