31 August 2016

Bad Decisions Wednesday Crew shares how it all started with Trap and Ghetto Rap Music


I remember sheets of rain falling from the sky that Wednesday night. Trudging down the street, my eyes shifted back and forth into unfamiliar territory. I walked a couple more blocks, shuffling my feet forward on the pavement, lost as can be. It was silly of me to look for some kind of sign board, so I asked around, walked a bit more, went back down the same street in La Fuerza, and turned up a block. A couple of steps later, I came face to face with a nook that looked like an abandoned old space, save for the well-lit Mexican inspired food truck that stood next to it. But there were bouncers outside and based on hearsay, this looked like the place. See, on a normal Wednesday night, I would have headed home straight, but tonight was different. After months of hearing about its ratchet-ness everywhere and after countless posts on my timeline of friends and everyone else having the time of their lives here, I was finally about to experience it myself. My senses were tingling with sheer curiosity and excitement. It was my first ever encounter with Bad Decisions Wednesdays.

“We wanted to do the complete opposite. Basically, it’s like making fun of everybody else. We just really really wanted to play ghetto rap music.” - Angelo, Co-founder of Bad Decisions

Words by Arrah Balucating, and photos by Patrick Casabuena


Bad Decisions Wednesdays has become a steady staple in the Manila night life scene for a while now. But back in 2013, would you believe it was an entirely different ball game? It was the year that saw the rise of the Fort (now more known as BGC) club scene. At the time, night life was at an all-time high in Taguig. Everybody was playing funky soul sets and in the months that followed, everybody had this clamor for EDM. No one dared drop a Kendrick Lamar nor did they pine for beats from ASAP Rocky. Angelo, one of BDW’s founders, was not having it. Nope, thank you very much. After all, the trap music movement in clubs was a huge deal in San Francisco, where Angelo was originally based. More than anything, he wanted to bring it here to our shores. He made newfound friends in Manila and they opened Black Market outside of the whole bustling Fort locale. It was a bold move for sure but Angelo’s got more tricks up his sleeve. Alongside PJ, Bad Decisions Wednesdays was his brainchild concept, “We wanted to do the complete opposite. Basically, it’s like making fun of everybody else. We just really really wanted to play ghetto rap music”. With Hypebeast parties in the U.S. as the peg in mind, they outlined the whole thing at a local Starbucks. By the time the night was over, Bad Decisions Wednesdays was born and ready to roll out.

Meet Angelo. He curates all the cat videos and booty shaking videos you see projected on the screen.


(Photo by Goks) Meet PJ. He sets the mood for the night on a weekly, providing the latest tracks and the freshest artists. In addition, he also does a lot of the social media blasts. And on slow nights, he's the person to count on to start up the tequila shots. 

Meet Meme. She organizes the team’s brain farts and then makes it a point to distribute it to people.

Why the ghetto trap theme on a Wednesday when it could be on any other day, you ask? Apparently, Black Market’s early days had the humpday as the weakest sales night. It was secretly the icing on the cake because a low foot traffic meant they had nothing to lose. The Bad Decisions crew had little to no restrictions with their wild ideas, and they had the liberty to do whatever they wanted. On its first few nights however, nobody really got the memo. Bea, who was absorbed as part of the BDW crew, shares stories from the early days, “It started like, every week, it was just us. There was just like 10 to 30 people here every time. I was dancing alone”. The first few nights quickly turned into a year but they still weren’t making much. The first year was just about breaking even, Bad Decisions had a long way to go still. It was word of mouth and social media that eventually broke the dry spell.

Meet Bea. She basically dances around and gets people drunk, and does promotions as well.

Meet Zac. He creates Bad Decisions Wednesdays’ recap videos. Yep, the crazy ones you see online.



What kept people coming back for more was the raw energy it pulsated. Or maybe it was the fact that Bad Decisions Wednesdays couldn’t be tamed. It was the antagonist to every club concept that has ever been done before. If anything, they were not afraid to push boundaries. They weren’t about playing safe. If some took offense or deemed it unpleasant, then so be it. For instance, take a good look at their promotional posters. It’s anything but proper and put together. In the beginning, Angelo shares how it was because he had no time to make apt posters that resembled what everyone else was putting out. But in the end, the novelty worked out for their overall branding. Their promotions even extended further on to clothing merch. And they’ve done quite a number of collaborations with a curated list of local streetwear brands that already have quite the following. You’ve got independent brands like We Legendary, Team Manila and CrooksnCastles or the bigger, more established like Nike. The first piece of clothing given out were panties with Angelo’s face on them alongside a Bad Decisions logo. The people went crazy and the next thing they knew, they were making a regular limited run for merch at least once a month. More recently, they did a couple of aprons and towels. The best part is that they would just give it out—20 to 50 pieces tops. It’s a keepsake of sorts, proof of a solid night you’d probably remember for decades to come.


Meet Ninyo. He’s the one booking the DJs and finding new talent. He’s also the go-to-guy when it comes to handling partnerships with local streetwear brands.

The next thing they knew, Bad Decisions Wednesdays was becoming a household name. The 30 people that used to come on a regular basis doubled, tripled, quadrupled in number. Suddenly it was packed, a full house every single Wednesday night. And then, it was more than just club night. Bad Decisions Wednesdays began to have a life of its own. It’s got its own website, its own online radio counterpart, a Tumblog with features on local designers, local musicians, and local stores. There’s even a magazine publication in the works. Slowly but surely, it began to become an authority on Manila urban culture for the youth.


With every week showcasing different sides of lit, it’s hard to come up with just one wild story. But I had to ask. What night stood out so far in the BDW crew’s book of crazy? It had to be that moment in time when Black Market was basically turned into a strip club of sorts. It was for Shit Show Year 1 back in 2014. In every sense of the word, the first anniversary is a milestone in itself. They flew in strippers from Japan, complete with a pole and a stage. They even asked someone to make fake money with their faces on it.

Bad Decisions Wednesdays is a night full of moments that are too epic to let pass. The new surprises and shenanigans, however, are just piling up. For instance, they’re planning on bringing Bad Decisions out of Black Market more. It started with Shake That AssKARA, the BDW version of the Maskara Festival in Bacolod. Right now, what’s on their mind is going regional. Also, a worldwide takeover where they do pop-up Bad Decisions Wednesdays in other countries and maybe adding a few more cities locally. But despite the bright future and the brimming success, the BDW crew remain a humble bunch. Angelo sums things up, “We’re underachievers. We’re kind of surprised that this thing actually worked, we were surprised that people actually liked it”.


The night was still young when I capped my talk with the Bad Decisions crew. I checked my watch and it read 10 p.m. The party was just about to start. Despite the rain, the lines outside were getting thicker by the minute. Inside was a different story altogether. It felt like being transported to another dimension where time and space didn’t exist. They say a typical night here is sweaty, slimy, dirty, and grimy. And while all of the above is true, I beg to differ. Because despite the packed bodies you bump into as the night soldiers on, despite the momentary loss of air, despite the cramped space, what you’ll remember most upon leaving the place is this: Bad Decisions Wednesdays was the night you got stupid and let your hair down. It was the night that you had raw unadulterated fun with ghetto beats as the soundtrack of your life for hours on end.

And as the Wednesday night broke into early Thursday morning, Kanye West was playing. As if on cue, everyone was singing along and dancing, putting their hands up, putting their drinks up. And I remember thinking to myself, it’s for moments like this that I live for. All hail Bad Decisions Wednesdays, indeed.


For more info about Bad Decisions, visit their website or Facebook page.


TISHA takes over the Bastard Mixtape for Vol. 23



Ballin' it. By now, it's probably some outdated phrase lost in the bowels of the early 2000's, but it's nevertheless still retained its definition. Alluding to "the good life," "ballin' it" often brings a mental image of excess, affluence - the infamous high road that's full of nothing but good vibes.

In that case, you could say that Bastard Mixtape's 23rd Volume is definitely "ballin' it." Featuring the stylings of TISHA, you're sure to get hooked on the sick introductory beats - and gliding towards its characteristic R&B melodies, it's easy to imagine yourself sipping a martini as you cruise down a highway in a high-end lamborghini.

For more mixtapes, be sure to check out BASTARD's Facebook page here.




30 August 2016

This is how a Photowalk around Escolta and Ongpin in Binondo sounds like


In line with the recent launch of adidas Originals' Neighborhood stores around the metro and their newest NMD Collection, we were inspired to create our own idea of their campaign message, "Urban Exploration through Sound". We partnered with Buwanbuwan Collective member, local music producer, Escuri, for this Soundscape Exploration. The idea is for us to take photos and record sounds side by side while walking around our chosen area. Conceptually it was already mind-boggling, but to actually hear and see the final product of this project is even more astonishing.

Together with Escuri, we chose to do the Soundscape Exploration around the reincarnated Binondo area, specifically at Escolta and Ongpin streets. We felt that they were the best places to do it since there are so much life to experience, and spirit to capture in those historic locations. And luckily, we were right, even on a slow Sunday afternoon we found interesting subjects and happenings that portrayed a burgeoning neighborhood. You can view the photography slideshow we made below, and be transported to that Sunday afternoon exploring we did. Let our very own, Marvin Conanan's photos accompanied by Escuri's track "good morning, good night" made from the sounds we heard during the walk, to bring you that same feeling we felt throughout the exploration. 



In addition to the pilot track "good morning, good night", Escuri went on to create two more tracks using the other sounds that he recorded from the walk. He produced "dusk" and "after dark" to make it an EP. You can stream the two other great tracks below. Plus, you can also download the whole EP for free, just follow the directions indicated after the tracks. 



If you like what you've just heard, we have all the three tracks up for free downloads for all those who accomplish our short reader and community survey. It will only take you less than 10 minutes to accomplish the survey, and as soon as you're done, the download link will be given to you. And moreover, you will now be on our digital club mailing list where we will send more exclusive content and updates straight to your email.

You can visit these pages to know more about Escuri; FacebookSoundcloud and Bandcamp

Witness Surreal Hypnosis Releases ϟF . 16 Collection


Local clothing brand Witness Surreal Hypnosis has released its latest ϟF . 16 collection. The new collection features two shirts bearing the signature surreal design of WSH - the first, called KISSIN PINK, features a bare retro-style eye in the front and its remaining image in the back, while the second, titled PERSISTENCE OF TIME, features renowned surrealist painter Salvador Dali and his most famous work The Persistence of Memory. A departure from usual lookbooks released by other clothing brands, WSH’s newest release feels almost like a fashion and art editorial, with the newest designs presented with various verses and artworks. Get your hands on the collection at We Legendary at Mountain Dew Park Circuit, Makati City.











adidas Originals welcomes you to the Neighborhood through two new stores in the Philippines


adidas Originals has finally landed in Manila, and since then has opened two Neighborhood concept stores. Neighborhood is a concept that celebrates culture and community, so each one that opened in the major cities across the globe took inspiration from stories of their very own neighborhoods. The flagship stores in Uptown and Glorietta demonstrate just that: the scene and feel of Manila and its people. adidas Originals is the brand's retro concept that recreates classic models such as the Superstar and the Stan Smith plus the recent hype, NMD, which fuses the iconic running silhouette with modern technology – So to celebrate the opening of Neighborhood in Manila, adidas Originals launched eleven of the NMD's new colorways for sneaker enthusiasts to take to the streets.














A Peek inside Stache, Baguio's newest hangout for the Gentlemen


It looks like the barber culture in the country is only growing, now extending its reach to the mountains of Baguio City through Stache Man Hive and Barbers. More than providing men haircuts, Stache aims to revive the old barbershop culture where men can hang out with a cup of coffee or a glass of booze while getting groomed. A film by Leo Perez and produced in partnership with Baguio-based clothing brand Pine 74 offers a preview into Stache and the community it fosters.

Photo from Neil Torres

Stache is located at Marian Palazz Hotel, #38 Military Cut-off Road, Baguio, City. For more information, visit them on Facebook.




Faintlight's Losing Control is set to become your Newest Rock Anthem


After a long hiatus in releasing new tracks, Faintlight is set to make a comeback with their newest EP "In Transit". As we wait for the entire tracklist's release, we can make do with Losing Control, the first single they just officially dropped. Based on the teaser we've seen posted on their Facebook page, we could see how the song is very personal and telling about Faintlight's musical re-calibration and their journey. Indeed, the band has been rolling with the punches since its inception a decade ago in 2006. They've been through tough times having lost three lead vocalists and just recently, guitarist Bryan Gadia. Fans of Faintlight have more reason to smile though because the dynamic trio led by Ron Dela Cruz on guitars and vocals, Dave Pimentel on drums, and Emil DelaRosa on bass show no signs of slowing down. 

Photo by Ouie Sanchez

Losing Control has all the right elements to make it the newest rock anthem and if that isn't any indication enough, have a listen to the full track below.




Relive early 2000 3D feels with Nouvul's "Plié" Music Video


Heartbreak's never felt so psychedelic. Recently, Nouvul - a brainchild of Jorge Wieneke V of similarobjects fame - launched its "This Quiet" EP, followed by the official music video for "Plié,"a single off the record.

While the whole EP exudes a sort of exuberance with its neo-techno underpinnings and bright, bittersweet tones, "Plié" in particular holds a more melancholic feel than the other two - starting off with simple, minimalist beats before moving into the vocals. In contrast, the music video is a smorgasbord of early 2000 pop culture references - bringing back old school emoticons, animation, and even pop-up ads. But maybe that's just it. Maybe it's the nostalgia that bring both song and video together - one for a lost past, another for a lost love.

For more information about Nouvul, you could check out their FB page here, or visit their Soundcloud.



26 August 2016

Black & White Photographer Erin Nøir collaborates with KLTRD for a Capsule Collection


The Makati independent community purveyor, KLTRD is at it again. After their successful collaboration with barber collective, Slick Barbers Co., and skate team and brand, Stargate, the brand is set to release another one this coming Saturday. This time they look to photography for the collection's expression, and fittingly, Erin Nøir is who they found. Her passion for the local photography community is similar to KLTRD's passion for the Makati independent culture, a common denominator that drives the collaboration. The Capsule Collection includes t-shirts by KLTRD, and tote bags and postcards by Erin Nøir. It will all be launched this coming Saturday at Satinka Naturals in Makati City, you can visit the event page for more details. There will be music sets by various local producers and artists such as, Calix, Like Animals, Paincake Patrol, Alisson Shore, Indio Bendana and more. 

In addition, Erin Nøir will also be releasing the first MONO Collective Photo Zine. It features 50 black and white photographs by local photographers. More about it in this link. So if you have nothing planned for this coming Saturday, it's a good day to immerse yourself to the ever growing independent culture.











Girl In Transit's "Hardly A Promise" Collection is the Commute Aesthetic you need in the Metro


Following their debut collection, Lovers in the Parking Lot, Girl In Transit is at it again with the launch of their second lookbook, Hardly A Promise. The much anticipated collection draws inspiration from East Asian flair which range from color palettes to traditional garments. Here, you can expect a variety of pieces from t-shirts to outerwear. Stand above the commute crowd as you wear their "Girl" statement tees in pops of color, like yellow and red. Or opt to amp your look for the day with their "Girl" noragi or their "Girl" coach jacket. Then, while you're at it, throw in their "girl x Satchmi" cap for good measure.

The items will first be made available live via a pop-up store happening this Friday, August 26, at Special Affair, Girl In Transit's official launch party. The launch will feature performances from the likes of Curtismith, BP Valenzuela, Crwn, and Olympia, and will be held at The Belle and Dragon. But for the mean time, as we wait on our toes, you can have a sneak peak of their newest lookbook below.













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