I love Michael Jackson

My little vocal tribute to the King of Pop.

(photo taken from: http://blog.juststopeatingsomuch.com/was-michael-jackson-a-crybaby/)

Original demo: Sunrise (Thinking of Me)

Here's a little beachy tune I wrote with my friend, Jay. We recorded it on a laptop in the living room, using a built-in mic and Ableton. Hope you enjoy! Peace, light, love. :)



Lyrics & vocal arrangement: Cara Manglapus
Musical production: Jay Arguelles

The Conversation

I recently bumped into an old boss of mine from my previous life as a sales director. He asked what I was up to these days. 

"So, Cara, what do you do now?" 

I told him that I had absolutely fallen in love with performing arts and that I had hung up my blazer to pursue a career on stage, not because I wanted to chase fame but because I wanted to be passionate about my work. 

"YOLO," I said, finding the only opportunity to ever use that acronym without cringing.

"What do you do for business, then?" he asked again. I told him that I am a singer, a writer, a beauty model, and that I am getting back into acting and hosting. 

"That sounds like fun," he said, "but, what about as a profession?" ... to which I excused myself from the conversation. I mean, I work 5 jobs.

(Photo by Alejandro Rivera, Make-up by Aria Ortega.)

** Top image from www.pangaro.com (link)

Oh Louis

(via http://www.buzzfeed.com/summeranne/the-50-most-romantic-photographs-of-all-time)

Maybe the CUTEST picture ever.

An adorable moment is captured:

From the Primetime Emmy Awards red carpet, Zooey Deschanel gets her very dreamlike whimsical ball gown caught in Lucy Liu's sexy metal dress while in line to speak with Ryan Seacrest of E! 

Don't you think their gown choices are also so fitting of their personalities? 

Too cute.

Home Movies 2: Stage Jitters

I found an old video (okay, fine, it's just a year old) of the first time I sang infront of an intimate crowd in a little hole-in-the-wall jazz joint in Timog. 

It was an impromptu jam, so yes I look very nervous and don't even have any makeup on (haha), but my dad was kind enough to accompany me on his guitar as I put my own little feeling-freesyle-jazz spin on Maroon 5's "Sunday Morning." A good friend, Ale Rivera, joined in with his violin to make it all sound a little prettier.

I've become much more comfortable on stage since my start as an amateur singer just a year ago, I think... everyone starts somewhere, the important thing is to start. :)

This was the 2nd time I ever "took the stage" on my own, the first time was at Fete de la Musique 2011 (story here). More recently, I've tried to sing bigger songs like Etta James' "At Last," which made its debut at the French Film Festival (story here).

Travel Tidbits 7: Corregidor Island Day Tour

(photo credit: RJ Cabaluna)

Corregidor is an island at the entrance of Manila Bay, just an hour boat ride away on one of Sun Cruises' two impressive fast ferries. I say impressive because the term "ferry" can be used very loosely in the Philippines, sometimes referring to a bangka, which was what I was expecting when some friends and I signed on for the tour. 

However, Macy, RJ, Christian, and I were very comfortably carried by two first-class airconditioned catamarans, and I got to take nice little naps each way. :)

On this island, General Douglas McArthur made his famous statement: "I shall return."

(photo credit: Macy Yap)

There are many things to do on the island if you plan an overnight trip, such as hiking, biking, camping, bird watching, and other beach resort activities, however our group of 4 went on a very informative historical day tour which took us around the tadpole-shaped island in a trolley. 

(photo credit: RJ Cabaluna)

(photo credit: Macy Yap)

Corregidor, or "The Rock," served as a military nerve center during the Spanish and American colonial periods (Fort Mills), and the Japanese occupation in Philippine history, particularly during World War II, which you can read more about by clicking here. Defense installations on the island cost the US government $150 million. 

(photo credit: RJ Cabaluna)

(photo credit: RJ Cabaluna)

What remains on this heavily bombed fortress are ruins of a life that once was: old artillery, memorials to the brave souls that fought, symbols of Philippine-American friendship, and most importantly, a reminder of the sacrifice our forefathers made in a fight for freedom.

(photo credit: Macy Yap)

(photo credit: Macy Yap)

Aside from the gorgeous scenery, a nice change of pace from the bustling city, tourists are in for a treat at "Light & Sound Show" inside the Malinta Tunnel, an interesting walking capsule tour of what it was really like for those living on the island, particularly for then President Manuel L. Quezon in hiding.

Macy and I at one of the batteries. (photo credit: RJ Cabaluna)

RJ, Macy, Christian and I by the lighthouse

Arial shot of Corregidor ruins (via web: Wikipedia)

The total package for the day tour costs an all inclusive Php 2,200, with roundtrip transportation, buffet lunch, and a very smart and engaging tour guide. There is, however, an addition Php 150 for those interested in the optional Malinta Tunnel Light & Sound show. 

It was a Saturday morning and afternoon well spent. We certainly enjoyed ourselves... maybe even a little too much. ;)

(photo credit: Macy Yap)