Blog Posts: March 2010
G is for Gaza
With Palestinian-Filipino hip-hop groups like The Philistines and the Hasidic rapper Matisyahu, it seems the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has found voice in hip-hop.
But rappers have encountered opposition, not from fellow rap rivals, but from clubs from around the globe who have copped out after receiving calls from pro-Israel groups threatening to boycott their venues.
Montreal-based Jewish rapper So-Called—who raps about putting “the Jew back in Jukebox”—scoffs at the divisive style of such traditional pro-Israel groups.
“The face of Jews that Israel shows to the world pisses me off so much,” he says to the New York Times. “The point is to bring people together with the music, not to isolate ourselves.”
Click here to listen to The Philistines
Click here to listen to Matisyahu
Click here to listen to So-Called
Photograph by Tanya Traboulsi
Christopher Nolan’s Inception (2010)
While the whole internet is buzzing about the Avatar trailer, the teaser to Inception, Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to The Dark Knight quietly made it’s way to the internet
Nolan can do no wrong and it’s good to see him back to doing a non-Batman movie. From the look of it, this sci-fi film will be a classic Nolan mindfuck, just like Following, Memento and The Prestige. The awesome cast is led by Leonardo DiCaprio along with Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy and Michael Caine.
The movie comes out in July 2010!
Rogue Presents
The site is continually evolving to what we at Rogue want it to be; an online destination that people around the world can come to find compelling content. We’ve been working hand in hand with the good folks at Pelicola.tv to help us get there and we’re excited to show you Rogue|Presents come September 1.
Here are more details:
Rogue Magazine and Pelicola.tv continue to forge their partnership by pushing the envelope and delivering quality content in their respective fields. With the Rogue’s recent introduction to the online space with Rogue.ph and Pelicola.tv’s already successful online presence, the collaboration is about to take it to another level.
On September 1, Rogue Magazine and Pelicola.tv will launch the revamped first season of Rogue|Presents. An intimate video portrait show that explores personalities that are “unconventional,“ sometimes “controversial,“ always “fascinating”, and undoubtedly “Rogue”. The shows are portrayed in the raw - uncensored, brutally honest, and powerful, connecting the viewers with the subject. Each episode is a feast for the mind, from pop culture to politics, they are chosen for their relevance to the modern Pinoy rogue’s psyche. The “revamping” is caused by the reassertion of Rogue and Pelicola.tv’s objectives for the show, which is now directed towards a more global audience.
Rogue|Presents was originally set to launch earlier this year, releasing its first episode on the legendary P.O.T. frontman, Karl Roy. This new take on the concept will raise the bar on all aspects of the show, with special emphasis on treatment.
Rogue.ph and Pelicola.tv provide an interactive and cohesive online experience. Watch an episode of Rogue|Presents exclusively on Pelicola.tv, then continue to Rogue.ph for accompanying articles, full transcripts as well as audio podcasts, and vice versa. The online show and the website are also integrated with Rogue Magazine, with links and features inserted in relevant articles.
Rogue|Presents promises a unique and compelling production that only Rogue Magazine and Pelicola.tv can deliver.
Catch the premiere episode of Rogue|Presents on September 1.
Update:
Teaser Trailer for Rogue|Presents, Episode 1: Esperanza Spalding
The Impossible Cool
The Impossible Cool is a great photographic collection of personalities that have that certain swagger. Actors, musicians, writers, fashionistas, and even politicians.
At first glance, it may seem like it’s pretentious chic, but as you go through each page, it actually becomes more and more inspirational.
The blog is also peppered with great qoutes like these:
“As far as men go, it is not what they are that interests me, but what they can become.” - Jean-Paul Sartre
“Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.” - Mick Jagger
“I worked hard, and if you work hard you get the goodies.” - Steve McQueen
In case you didn’t know, the photo above is of the great Miles Davis.
Manila Design Week
From maniladesignweek.com:
Manila Design Week 2009 gathers all graphic designers – local and international, established and up and coming – to celebrate the emerging graphic design scene in the country today. The first of its kind in the Philippines, it aims to bring Philippine Graphic Design into the mainstream. More than that, Manila Design Week 2009 aims to establish the Philippines as a major hub of Graphic Design and creativity in the region, if not the world.
Kicks off tomorrow at Bonifacio High Street, 4pm-11pm. Public Art by Caliph8, Electrolychee, Wee Will Doodle, PSP, KST, 2720. Live music by Up Dharma Down, Taken By Cars, Techy Romantic, and more.
Information and schedules are here.
UPDATE: Awesome ads for MDW.
Behind the Scenes: Alexandra Rocha
There’s always something about a bright, smiling, fresh new face that Rogue loves.
While we’ll definitely have a certified superstar on the cover every so often (like last month’s stellar Marian Rivera, the phenomenal Angel Locsin in Dec/Jan, and Anne Curtis in last year’s July issue), we’re always proud to launch a beautiful girl on the cover as well.
This is the Appetite Issue, and while a good chunk (well actually, practically the whole August edition) is dedicated to the most delectable dishes, iconic eateries around the globe, and some of the most prominent names both in the kitchen and behind the computer screen (check out our special portfolio on the best food bloggers in the country!), this issue is also about the good life. You know, the warm and homey aspects of life that make the world such a wonderful place. Given this, we felt that Enderun student, ice cream aficionado, and beauty queen (well, not really but yes, but, read her write-up and see for yourself) was the perfect cherry to top our 2nd annual Appetite Issue.
Alexandra Rocha, or Xandra for short, was such a delight to work with. It is working with young women like Xandra, with a refreshing, positive take on life, that makes my job easy breezy Japanezy.
Unofficial “Rogue Girl” make-up artist, Ines Lobregat, works her magic. Ines possesses that wonderful talent of bringing out a girl’s most naturally stunning beauty.
“Touch me, while we’re shooting. You know you’ve got that magic touch.” Or at least that was my “clever” play of words on The Carpenters song while Bren Sales, hair stylist extraordinaire, was putting some finishing touches on Xandra’s sexy, tousled chestnuty brown hair.
A little touch-up goes a long way.
Mark Nicdao does what it takes to get the shot.
Break time. In this shot, Xandra, Rogue EIC Jose Mari, and Ines.
Our beautiful location, Tali beach. The cool, calming turquoise sea was the perfect backdrop to Xandra’s Greek goddess look—her beautifully chiseled features like the ivory sculpture of Pygmalion.
This pose reminds me of the brass statue of Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid in Coppenhagen, Denmark.
The eyes say it all. Xandra’s eyes are simply mesmerizing. A beguiling mix of hazel and green. She has a look that is at once mysterious yet inviting and comforting, like a hot cup of apple cider. Mmmmm. Are we full of the food references yet?
The sea glistens in the background as Xandra absorbs some sun and Mark takes his stunning photos.
A little fierceness goes a long way.
It’s a (knitted) wrap! Rogue intern, Alessandra, Xandra Rocha, and Ines pose for the camera after a long day at the beach. What a hassle!
The key to a successful shoot, aside from the obvious, a beautiful young woman and a talented and dedicated team? The subject’s gung-ho attitude, a terrific personality, and absolute trust in the vision of the magazine’s team are what it takes to make a good shoot a wonderful one. Traits of real maturity and sophistication, the elements that separate the bright young women from the dime-a-dozen girls.
Xandra truly charmed the Rogue team, and we hope that we have successfully conveyed her entrancing beauty and apple-pie warmth and allure onto the pages of our August “Appetite” issue.
