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DENIM IS FOREVER

2009-08-06T22:08:00.001-07:00

Where do I start? Denim is such an innovative force and deeply rooted in our history that you can bet it will be here long after we are all gone. It has been a part of our daily lives since the late 18th century and that alone is something you cannot look over. These are only a fraction of a mind blowing amount of reasons why we at BTMxSHLF gravitate around "denim". We love all sorts of denim but the most important part is the cut, after that then the word selvedge comes to mind. The selvedge or self-edge or selvage denim as they say are made by old shuttle looms from beyond the turn of the century and it creates this very clean edge (can be seen on the out seam of the pants) which prevents the denim from unraveling. Shuttle looms also create tighter weaves requiring more time and heavier fabric (on the oz.) which ultimately makes a longer lasting almost unbreakable pairs of jeans. Also purchasing your denim in raw unwashed form is almost a must not just because of the fact that it will last longer than a factory distressed pair, but you may also naturally age it to your own body's composition. These are just a few things we learned from years of just draping ourselves with the highest caliber pieces made to satisfy. Remember, quality over quantity (it will take you over a year to break a pair anyways) and only the ones with unsurpassed attention to detail and quality kind of quality. Thank you for your time. You have just been riveted (pun intended).

-www.btmxshlf.com

TODAY (YESTERDAY)

2009-08-05T00:46:00.000-07:00

Got my sleep on and woke up midnight on the dot. Then I was like, "today was a good day". Then I was like, "what video did they make for me this time?".

"Today I didnt even have to use my a.k. I got to say it was a good day" -Cube

-somegiant

CSUCI

2009-08-03T20:34:00.000-07:00

Spent a little time around the beautiful downtown Ventura and main st. is always packed any given weekend. We were just in time for a free gallery on Main st. and California hosted by CSUCI. I had a few favorites and stole shots quietly. Then I found out that photos are allowed. So bring your EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM. If you don't have one, sell your fixie, get the lens and drive to downtown Ventura. It's titled "Summertime Blues" and they will shut down on August 23.

-somegiant

so 1950's

2009-08-02T10:49:00.000-07:00

Mid century design is undeniably supreme. This video is the best music video I've ever seen to date because it's solely inspired by mid century everything minus Kanye and his six inch Tims of course. The easiest most basic video, with the best glass on a vid cam. That's all you need and a little final cut knowledge. This video is so Choice and I love the low saturation with the horizontal split screens. Just mad good.

Kid Cudi - Make Her Say Feat. Kanye West & Common (HD) from DP on Vimeo.

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LABAN

2009-07-31T22:04:00.000-07:00

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DOUBLE OVERHEAD

2009-07-30T12:39:00.000-07:00

So I documented a little bit of last weeks south swell that hit us like the winter of 69. Well not really quite that big but in my eyes, those waves were THE heavies. Absolutely the biggest I’ve witnessed around here because it never really goes double overhead in the summertime here. It was absolutely punctual and right on time for the 2009 US Open of Surfing. Went to the competition and the beach was packed and reminiscent of the late 80’s early 90’s period. The event was HUGE in direct correlation with the waves. I burned my face from the sun but it was beyond doubt worth the footage I got. And may I point out that I got to observe a few hall of famers and distinguished surfers in the industry doing their thing on the best waves HB has seen since the 90s. Congratulations to Brett Simpson who got bumped up to 5th place on the ASP rankings after winning 100K purse for the whole Hurley US OPEN. Also Congrats to Courtney Conlogue, Kai Barger, and Malia Manuel (the future) for winning the rest. It was fun and I wrapped up what I could in this video and a few still photos of the event. It's all Love.

HURLEY US OPEN OF SURFING 2009 x SOMEGIANT x BTMxSHLF from good peoples on Vimeo.

Rob Machado had two body guards (blue shirts) after every heat

packed like there's no tomorrow

volcom stone in the place to be

boardwalk and from my vantage point

this is to show us how easy life is

RIP to the 50 yr old man whose life was claimed by (in the words of bruce brown) "the dirty, old, nasty, wedge." He was a warrior taking on those 20-25 ft faces.

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TAKE (ON) ME LITTERALLY

2009-07-17T13:08:00.000-07:00

CHEER UP. It's the weekend jumpoff. See you all on the flipside.

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AFTER 1630

2009-07-04T13:56:00.000-07:00

So we're at the beach after work everyday. One of our options for some sand activities (besides Port Hueneme/Ventura beaches) are a few beaches around Point Mugu (which is 10 minutes away from home). It's absolutely a gorgeous panoramic view (enough to make a anybody move here) and we just want to share a little bit of stills of our backyard (if you will). But don't take our words/pictures for it, come and visit Ventura county and look no more.

this is how I (stretch) get ready before I charge 8 foot waves.

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2009-06-25T19:13:00.000-07:00

Get at me on TWITTER.

_{https://twitter.com/somegiant}

RIP MICHAEL JACKSON & FARRAH FAWCETT

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ALOHA

2009-06-24T18:05:00.000-07:00

So we went to Hawaii about two weeks ago and I finally got the chance to upload some stills. We really had a blast going everywhere experiencing what Oahu has to offer. We specially enjoyed (the highlight of our trip) Haleiwa for their delightfully refreshing shaved ice. The random sari-sari stores (wiki this one) and back country cruising were reminiscent of Philippines. Love the super packed line-ups all over waikiki and all around the southeast portion of the island. We will definitely comeback maybe to another island and definitely with friends. If you are going to Hawaii, don't forget to visit Ewa beach on the west and Sandy's on the east. Enjoy the snaps and I hope you get the feel of how it is there just incase you ever visit.

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DAY AND NIGHT x DAYLIGHT x HAWAII x SOMEGIANT

2009-06-14T09:45:00.000-07:00

Footage from our trip to Hawaii last week on HD (so make sure you hit the hd button on the bottom right corner). Rigged the Chevy Malibu (rental) with our G10 and drove to Mokuleia. Started the footage in Mokuleia and drove through Haleiwa and around the east coast and down to Kaneohe. Went down through Sandy beach and Haunama, then to Hawaii Prince Hotel for the final destination.

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purpose

2009-06-01T11:45:00.000-07:00

We are all betting our lives on something.

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H.M.C.M.

2009-04-27T22:30:00.000-07:00

My brother HMCS Ronald A. Edquilang just made Master Chief in the world's strongest navy, USN. It's quite an accomplishment but to those who were/are in the US Navy, you will agree that it's more like a feat than anything. It's one of the highest notable achievements done in the navy and that it's the highest rank an enlisted personnel can make. It's the tip of the ice berg, the top of the ladder, the highest level of progression, and my brother (one of only 25 corpsman picked this rotation) made it. That's a milestone and truly a blessing.

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G.O.A.T.

2009-04-23T21:57:00.000-07:00

Old news but it's almost summer and I have to get everybody in the mood.

Photo by ASP Kirtsin

AAAnd watch this video on HD too.

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union

2009-04-20T23:18:00.000-07:00

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TO A.P.C.

2009-04-20T22:27:00.000-07:00

This is my route to A.P.C.

TO A.P.C. from good peoples on Vimeo.

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chapter

2009-04-05T19:45:00.000-07:00

I said "Maybe after the knots are all tied*." on my previous post. Well, it went down yesterday and this was the invitation we sent out a month ago (to only a few chosen friends and families). This is the real reason why I have been so busy but the ends truly justifies the means. I will post more official wedding photos as soon as I can get a hold of them. For those that came, thank you for your support and extending the love for Elanor and I. And we thank God for giving us a beautiful sunny day to work with.

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LONG EXP

2009-03-23T23:25:00.000-07:00

Remember the long exposure I did in Pt. Mugu? Here's another two taken with the 5D MKii. Photos are untouched/unedited by anything so they are what the Canon snapped them to be. This camera is unbelievable and I haven't even uploaded the 1920x1800 30fps full High Definition video capabilities. Someday I just might go on vimeo and upload. Maybe after the knots are all tied*.

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CANON 5D MK II x iMAC x TIME CAPSULE

2009-03-23T22:47:00.000-07:00

Yes, I got them all this month. All these new things + boogie boarding + settling into my new apartment + that other thing I will definitely elaborate on (in the upcoming posts) has put my blogging in the back burner. I shall return one day.

iMAC (24-inch : 2.93 GHz 4GB memory 8x double-layer superdrive) x 500GB Time Capsule (Simultaneous dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi base station)

Canon 5D MKii x Canon 24-105 mm f4 L IS lens (image shot with Nikon D200 x Promaster AF 18-200/3.5-6.3 XR EDO Nikon)

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PATTERNS

2009-03-23T22:22:00.000-07:00

An excerpt from my old old blog post that sums up my excuse (for being on a blog purgatory) once again.

FELL OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH

Man I need a ghost blogger. Blogging is kind of like flossing your teeth or going to the gym. You sleep on it once and you’re in for a long nap. Well, I’m going to try ~~to keep the updates on a daily basis~~ from now on. It’s just that about ~~three months~~ a year ago, I picked up on the most excellent diversion you can have (I.M.O.P.O.) from my boring, programmed, and pre-determined daily reality. It’s called boogie boarding, sponging, body boarding, etc. Since I live about ~~two~~ one block(s) from the beach, I might as well. Now I boogie board for hours on a daily basis. Everyday is never the same and every wave is unpredictable. Here in Port Hueneme, surf swells normally 3-7 above head and almost never flat. But that’s our little secret. I’m usually there at around 0430 to about 0830 on weekdays but I hit up Huntington Beach ~~on the weekends~~ sometimes. Let me know if you want to roll with me! Now I leave you with this video.

BOOM Ep 2.04 NMDtv Indo Trip Max Arent from Waldron Bros Production on Vimeo.

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FRANCIS MAGALONA

2009-03-06T21:41:00.000-08:00

The originator of Filipino rap died today succumbing to leukemia. The Philippines' own Kool Herc. Hands down the first Pinoy that made it out rapping. He really made MCing and spitting a Pinoy subculture and has personally influenced me in that aspect. Rest In Peace and may God rest your soul.

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WORD ON THE STREET

2009-03-02T21:46:00.000-08:00

.......is.... it's Eya's Birthday. So i sing in my andrea bocelli (true tenor) singing voice "Maligayang bati. Maligayang maligayang (pause) .....maligayang bati".

-happy birthday Elanor

BLOWN

2009-02-25T21:24:00.000-08:00

way out of proportion. Just the way I like architecture. I'm sure they initially wanted to make a really awesome treehouse, then this happened. Blown out of proportion. This particular one called "tree hotel" by Tham + Videgard Hansson Arkitekter takes the cake along with the whole bakery. Impossible? It's due for the build in 2010 so we'll see then...that's if Lil' Wayne doesn't destroy the whole universe singlehandedly with his rapping, singing, whatever. Never mind.

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RRL

2009-02-25T20:31:00.000-08:00

I can arguably be the most magnanimous Ralph Lauren fan and with emphasis on RRL. I just can't believe that there's a RRL store in melrose. It's like the secret is out. It's like I can almost sing that Common Sense song called "I used to love her" but instead of HipHop, Double RL is the unfolding focal idea. I recommend going there. It's quality based in the pursuit of functionality. I love this company above all the rest and my closet resembles the store. You got it right, this post couldn't be anymore biased.

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dRMM

2009-02-18T22:06:00.000-08:00

A sliding house? "Get at a heeyah!". That's what I would sound like if I was an Italian reading about the sliding house created by the London based architects from dRMM. "Slide me you bloke". That's what a wall would sound like if it could actually talk.

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adios

2009-02-18T19:59:00.000-08:00

Sold my s13. It was a good car, moreover, super super fun. Real heavy decision but at least I made one kid's dream come to reality. Enjoy it Jaime and remember, a balanced diet is SS for breakfast and mustangs for lunch.

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born

2009-02-18T19:33:00.000-08:00

I'm finally coming out of a long hiatus. Here are some photos from the funeral made especially for our family back in Philippines and to those who couldn't make it. The place was packed with overwhelming support, and to that we thank you.

Finishline

2009-01-25T11:27:00.000-08:00

You've finished the great race and earned a place in God's promise. Prepare a place for us up there Dad. We celebrate your life and miss you a whole lot.

A.P.C.

2009-01-15T22:43:00.000-08:00

So we went to the A.P.C. store in Melrose just to check it out. The usual modern feel inside the store, because it's either the mid-century or bust now a days. Well, we took advantage of the 50% off everything from last season deal which isn't good enough for resale, but Eya loves cardigans so yeah. To me, APC denim fades and ages pretty awesome but the selvedge denim never goes on sale. The price is not as gassed up as many denim are so I can't really blame them.

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8021

2009-01-12T17:28:00.000-08:00

It's a family business. Went to Crooks & Castles yesterday and got to chop it up with Gee, Big Cuz, and Lucci (All cousins). Talked about how we all want to move back to the Philippines and how we love the mother land. Its nice to actually meet people our age and have the same outlook as we do. Gee also mentioned how Crooks was actually built around hip hop specifically music. Then it's only proper that they drop an album or two right? Well, according to Gee and Big Cuz, Alchemist (producer) just gave them 20 some odd instrumentals. Illmind, a Filipino producer from NJ (recently collaboed with Little Brother on The Get Back album) will also be cutting up a few beats for Crooks. Really something to watch out for so keep one eye open for that. Also, Crooks 8021 store recently celebrated their 1 year anniv. so congatulations again. Let me just say that I wouldn't mind conversing with Gee, Big Cuz, and Lucci once in a short while. It sure beats dealing with all the LA retail snobs around Melrose. Here are a few (only a few) images of the store so feast your eyes. You'll have to visit yourself to see the marble covering the whole store.

This is Big Cuz and Gee. Lucci was serving some customer at the moment

These are the upstairs. Sorry but I didnt take photos of the ground floor. Maybe next time

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undefeated billboard project

2009-01-10T22:04:00.000-08:00

I took this photo of the Undefeated billboard two weeks ago in a low light (around 6 pm) with the G10 about 60 yards away (across the street). It's photographed by photographer Neil Leifer and it's of Cleveland Browns' own Jim Brown. Since it's called the billboard project, I took the liberty to ruin/enhance it (depending on whether you like apples or oranges) with my illustrator. I like apples so I know I ruined it. But who am I to judge.

here is the original photo

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outlier

2009-01-08T00:12:00.000-08:00

This company will alter the way we wear our clothes in a very progressive way. I believe in this company and what they stand for as far as innovativeness and groundbreaking future classics. The company I’m speaking about is Outlier and it is tailored “performance clothing you can wear from your bike to the boardroom”. Yes indeed my friends. And with their pieces made with schoeller 3xdry and nanosphere fabrics, they are water resistant, breathable, quick drying, grease resistant, stain resistant, abrasion resistant and so forth. Simply the best performing fabric as of umh…now and it’s versatile. It can be worn in and around your cubicle or wear it while doing an arm bar in your very first MMA match. It is multipurpose and all around worthy to be a denim substitute. I am currently on a look out for the Outlier OG Workwear model which has been sold out for several weeks now but I will not rest until I can rest in my them. Remember that this is super new and that you heard it first from me.

just to keep the theme rollin', here is a fun fixed gear track bike video montage

Empire from Empire on Vimeo.

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CROOKS & CASTLES x SOMEGIANT

2009-01-07T21:45:00.000-08:00

Eya and I were chillin’ at the Barnes and Nobles (while waiting for our movie), reading a few books that caught our eyes at first glance. I got into Pieter Hugo’s book called ‘The Hyena and Other Men’ (highly recommended) when I realized that a certain somebody from Crooks and Castles was in the joint. It was BJ, Dennis' (C&C originator) brother. We talked for a minute about how the company has grown from the bottom up, to put it plainly. He told us they feel blessed to be where they’re at the moment and have a lot more in store for us in the future. I mean BIG things ahead of any other Filipino designers that have done it prior to. Apparently, a NYC and SFC Crooks store build outs are in progress. I told him I was feelin’ the Mosley Tribes collabo sun glasses the most out of everything they had out last year. He told us that Oliver Peoples made the most out of the deal and that Crooks is currently on the grind producing their own frames and eye wear to avoid any turnover miscalculation. Oh, and he was with his son and daughter who was pushing some LV tote given to her by her uncle which BJ claimed “…spoils the hell out of her”. I’m very happy for Crooks getting so far in this thing we call the Game because many fall out sooner than it took them to get in. All the best to the Fairfax chapter and the whole Crooks family Mafioso. Everybody that's residing in Philippines and are interested in Crooks products, go visit Greyone at any of their two locations in Manila or fly to the one in Taipei

2gb thumb drive bullet necklace| Crooks billboard on fairfax right above slb (they have a dope website courtesy of 530 media lab)

young HOV with the mosley tribes X crooks sunnies

Here are some images of the book I was looking at. Pretty extreme.

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STAIRWAY

2009-01-05T18:23:00.000-08:00

Just because I like Jimmy Page's solo.

Led Zepellin from Vendée 1 on Vimeo.

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selfless

2009-01-05T16:26:00.000-08:00

Having your emotions moved to tears ones in a short while is a healthy thing I think. Went to see Seven Pounds and I’ll say it’s worth every penny. The soundtrack was phenomenal and really bridged the gap between the movie and the audience. The premise alone (as it unfolds) will subdue every ounce of testosterone in your system and you will cry to the best of your abilities. Perfect. I don’t want to give away too much but one word to describe it is “selfless”. Not the literally dying to self part although you can apply it to your life as a healthy metaphor in purpose of achieving altruism. Super quality. I give it 5 out of 5 Giant blah blahs.

Another tear jerker is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. I have to admit that I went to see this movie because I saw this bike in the trailer.

Post Script: when you go to watch Seven Pounds, note the crash seen is the same spot i wrote about in my previous post last November.

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perspective

2009-01-02T11:33:00.000-08:00

Well, it’s hard to believe its Friday. This week has been a little off for me (not necessarily a bad thing) and I know most of the working class can relate. The ball has not only come down but has probably also been smashed by now. 2009 looked like a long shot for others but here we are. Still indeed insignificant in this vast cosmic coldesac we call the Milky Way. Though that may be true, it’s important to realize the significance of our insignificance to gain a much needed PERSPECTIVE.

Numbers and the Universe from matthew borrett on Vimeo.

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present

2008-12-30T15:26:00.000-08:00

What I got from her.

What she got from me.

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR

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story of a hero

2008-12-25T20:51:00.000-08:00

that saved the earthlings. Maligayang pasko at manigong bagong taon.

WEEKEND SUMMARY

2008-12-24T13:13:00.001-08:00

First went to my ninang Linda's funeral. We all miss her so very much.

Ate at CPK. Try the new pear and gorgonzola pizza. It's serendipity baby!(old taco bell commercial). Oh!! and we eat out at least once a week in an effort to stimulate the economy and not because we are careless and irresponsible.

Then we went to Eya's parent's 35th anniversary.

then we went out for a little thrift shopping. Below is nirvana for some, but for others, it's a five foot pile of used clothes. I've found great items there including selvedge denim and o.g. chambray wrangler collared in mint condition. Not to mention a guns and roses tee from 1988 also in immaculate condition. The best thing about this pile is that everything there is a buck. Yes, 50 pesos depending on the exchange rate.

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NEIL HARTMANN x HONEYEE BLOG

2008-12-19T21:33:00.000-08:00

One of the most prolific photographers in the snowboard industry has finally arrived. I mean Neil Hartman’s been there but now he’s really really there. And by there, I mean in the Honeyee 100 day blog relay. Do you remember when I said the sartorialist was the first blog I visit before any blog, well in succeeding order, honeyee is the very second. I enjoyed the last 100 days with Shinsuke Takizawa (neighborhood), Hirofumi Kiyonaga (soph), and Hiroshi Fujiwara (Japan’s current living emperor). I can talk about Shinsuke’s blog until I exhaust every brain cell in your grape but that would be a completely separate post or maybe a whole different blog dedicated to that topic alone. But back to the subject at hand, I am very animated for Neil Hartman getting tangled with only the best and most prominent elites in the world of aesthetic design development. Not to mention that he is one of the very few photographers that shoot Nikon with persistence (I can relate) and that in the honeyee blogroll, he’s physically slotted right next to Nigo and Yoco Morimoto. Nigo (just won GQ Japan's 'men of the year' uhm like..today). uhm. Wow. That’s all I have to say about that. Make sure you check out his website too and add him to your big list of…. or list of big inspiration.

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LONGEVITY

2008-12-19T15:11:00.000-08:00

“Trees bright and green turn yellow brown, autumn caught em See all them leaves must fall down” -Andre 3000

One of the things true about this life is that change will come. Political, and the more important social changes will take place in their season within life’s mysterious timeline. Permanence or even prolonged existence will never be guaranteed or assured and those are laws above and beyond our control. Let me lighten up the conversation and take it to a more shallow level. Fashion for instance is always in constant revolution and even more on the avant-garde side of fashion because they’re the ones who steer style clear from the norm, mean, or the expected. Due to this actuality, many consumers choke on their concepts because it’s just not what people expect or know as the standard. I will probably never venture too far off from the industry’s hidden guidelines and standards (as a consumer as well as a designer) except in the interest of functionality and endurance. Certain things like denim, military outerwear, and chucks have defied the changes and still are being utilized today as actual guidelines and standards. I personally love denim and what I love to sport with my denim is my chucks. Over 750 million pairs sold and i.m.o.p.o., the best template for a shoe (alongside a desert boot). Visvim understood that concept, took the chucks as a template, and ran away with it producing and releasing their Kiefer line a while back. So check out these leaked images of the new white distressed leather Kiefer High from Hiroki Nakamura. So buttery and light to the eyes, yet super heavy on the wallet. Just like girls and lechon, good to the taste but super bad for the heart. What I’m trying to get across is that chucks will continue to be a big impact in the future as much as it was a hulking impact in the past. Longevity.

“seasons change and mad things rearrange”. -Lauryn Hill

photos courtesy of slamxhype
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the monochromator X somegiant

2008-12-17T20:49:00.000-08:00

A gracious thanks to monochromator for putting me on blast in her blog. I'm not going to lie but i have great taste in high heels not for me (you children) but for my woman. Well, her blog could almost be a culminating destination for individuals that have a slight to an uncontrollable degree of a fetish for heels. Not only high end but avant-garde stuff also found here. aaaand I have to mention that her images are somewhat under saturated to say the least. She pulls it off just fine though. Well, all the best to monochromator, and I hope we get to see more of her real persona aside from the free goodies of info she unleashes.

feeling foreign

2008-12-09T19:18:00.000-08:00

I always loved the uncharted. We stepped on Mexico (literally speaking) and the experience was very authentic. Cabo was not as venomous as Ensinada due to commercialization which almost made me feel like I never left the U.S. It had some degree of that ideal American getaway which isn't really for me. I recommend losing 10 lbs before boarding the cruise (btw) because whether you're a Filipino or not, you will want to rip the cruise liner off through their gourmet meals and deserts. Get the upper hand and eat 200 dollars worth of food every single day. Overall, it was decent. Then we came home stateside and Pacquiao stepped on Mexico (figuratively speaking) in a not so good way.

Cabo

Ensinada

and speaking of foreign, the new Foreign Exchange album is out so listen and release your frustrations.

-COME FOLLOW

recap

2008-11-28T15:43:00.000-08:00

Some mysterious element out there, though unseen it definitely subsists among us, has been keeping me busier than people’s credit cards on Black Friday. Or I’m just going through a lethargic blogger stage, one of my impending many, in this ever emerging cold season. Well, a lot of things surfaced where some things I’m not at liberty to speak of. But one thing i can and am about to is that Stephen’s life finally began. He received a package from apple and at last got his macbook pro. I heard he wept for hours. I told him that that was a normal thing and that it’s going to be ay okay. Speaking of black Friday, it sure seems like we are leaving recession in the dust. I just urge everybody to be smart consumers and pay by way of cash all the way through. We're starting to look like we're just cruising through this economical spiral to hell phase. Speaking of cruising, my family is in formation ready to load the one and only Carnival Cruise Liner for My parent's 50th anniv. It should be pretty epic but sad to say that some of my nieces and nephews aren't going to make it through. I've never been on a cruise so I don't have a clue if they have wifi. It's a week long so it should keep me busy writing about it in the next couple of days. Stay tuned. Enjoy my craftsmanship on the illstrtr right below (an oldie but a goodie). It looks much more interesting sideways i think.

-COME FOLLOW

THE ABRERAS

2008-11-17T22:22:00.000-08:00

Stephen and Cheryl (aka Mr. and Mrs. Abrera) paid us another visit here in ~~fiery~~ sunny socal to witness the show called “marvelous mountains of inferno” and "the burning trailer park full of old people". They said it was better live than on the tube because you can actually feel the fallen ashes on your face like fresh flakes of snow. Hmmm refreshing. But really, Stephen and I go back like similac and we always knew that we were going to build something great together. This meeting is more business than anything so we had to make do with the pressed time we had. The project is going to be a beautiful thing and I will update you all on it when the right time comes. Let's just say it has something to do with the letters S and L, the innovation of the modern consignment, designs, that thing Al Gore invented, promoting consumerism minus the greed and selfishness, and our very own non-profit org benefitting the less fortunate kids in Philippines. Besides the work, we took the liberty to hop around socal.

The team on the grind. Then we went to la brea and saw this eco friendly PB gas station. Oxymoron? Maybe so, but still visually dope in real life.

Supreme. I hate Supreme but I don't buy anything but Supreme. How odd.

On our way to Santa Monica and on to the Hotel in Anaheim.

Long beach Fixed Gear just opened right next to Proper. They just had their grand opening last Saturday and there were close to 300 bikes clumped around the cute little store. These guy's timing to open up shop couldn't be more impeccable because of our current economic busts mostly due to our dependence on foreign oil. Then we said our good byes and on they went on their journey back to the Bay Area.

To the future we come.

-COME FOLLOW

CONNECT x ISRAEL x PCD

2008-11-17T18:00:00.000-08:00

Connect conference at church was grandiose, not in a pompous kind of way but in regards to the scale and scope of the event. We managed to get a few snaps to prove.

Here is our church emptied and the dance team tightening up the loose ends.

Here is our church when Israel Houghton and New Breed is headlining. They killed it by the way.

And here we are sitting in church right in front of Nicole Scherzinger’s (Pussy Cat Dolls) father. We told him about our travel to Philippines and how we saw Nicole’s behind the scenes photo shoot for bench. He told us he doesn’t have a clue what bench is but he said he will be asking Nicole when he sees her the following day. It’s as if it came from my mouth and straight into Nicole’s ears which is pretty typical, for me. Nothing out of the ordinary.

MAGDALENA LUSENIO

2008-11-13T17:55:00.000-08:00

You are family. We love you and we miss you. See you in heaven where there is no more pain or suffering. Kapayapaan kailanman.

Magdalena Lusenio

XX/XX/19XX- 11/13/2008

AARON MORGAN x MIA x SOMEGIANT

2008-11-13T15:09:00.000-08:00

Went to Aaron's silkscreen/design headquarters last Sunday to see what operation he's got going on. It's pretty neat how much business he's getting these days and that 1 of 1 M.I.A. on a canvas autographed by Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam herself ain't too shabby either. Pencil him in for future collabs with somegiant (top secret). You can contact Aaron at amorgandesigns at yahoo for anything silkscreening.

-COME FOLLOW

Mr. Booker

2008-11-11T21:59:00.000-08:00

"I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul for making me hate him". -Booker T. Washington

Just a simple reminder from a person born into slavery and faced far greater evils than you. A very selfless and sacrificial statement but a wise in philosophical terms nevertheless. Trust me, your boss ain't too bad in comparison to Mr. B. T. Washington's dad (which was his owner).

-COME FOLLOW

POINT MUGU : EG6 : SOMEGIANT

2008-11-08T01:13:00.000-08:00

I never really felt the need to post about my daily driver but for the sake of a good picture, here it is. I was on my way to O.C. taking my usual highway 1 route towards Malibu and thought I'd take some long exposures @ around 9pm (no flash) last night. Though I think the turnout could have been way better if I would have remembered to bring my tripod, i got a couple of good stills still. Note the two mountains are the same two mountains Robert Downey drove the R8 through in the movie IRON MAN.

-COME FOLLOW

RESERVE : FAIRFAX : DOG

2008-11-07T13:50:00.000-08:00

While going through La Brea and minding our own biz, we were greeted by this dog hitting the entrance wall in RESERVE. Or did she? Eya captured the moment because she is fast at the draw not to mention a first class photographer (so you should check out her blog too).

-COME FOLLOW

LETS ALL GET RAW

2008-11-06T22:55:00.000-08:00

Just call me a purist but isn't it much more gratifying and much more fitting (in a literal sense) to buy a raw denim and naturally age it to your own body's composition thus creating the magical sense of accomplishment within your person? ..rather than leasing some factory somewhere in the middle of Beijing to place all the wear and tear in the most unnatural places on your denim? I mean, nobody wants honeycombs on their knee caps do they? Makes me wonder why companies go through so much trouble on replicating a coal miner's retired denim and why people keep buying them. I'd rather get an STF than a WTF(what the freak). This post is not to make a consumer out of everybody or anybody but in fact the opposite. Buying denim from its raw form will last longer and will give you more bang for your buck in the long run.

W)TAPS TRASH DENIM 08

-COME FOLLOW

MONEY TREE

2008-11-06T18:03:00.000-08:00

This video was made by geeedeee and it elaborates on how a ten dollar bill is handled by a person in different stages of their life. I think it's awesome so i'll share it with you. I hope you pick up something good out of it like don't use a ten dollar bill when you snort.... ooor you shouldn't have voted for Barrack...ooor something to that effect. Have a nice day.

"Note To Self" from geeedeee on Vimeo.

-come follow

STOOPS

2008-11-05T19:09:00.000-08:00

-come follow

I'LL SHOOT YOU WITH MY CANON

2008-11-03T23:36:00.000-08:00

....G10. Just got it last saturday and so i've decided to water test the possibilities instilled in this camera. Some samples of what it can do. So amazing for such a miniscule raw capable, 28mm wide angle lensed powershot.

canon g10 x somegiant x pigeon john from somegiant on Vimeo.

-come follow

MY TWO CENTS

2008-11-03T14:14:00.000-08:00

SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PIECE. THIS GUY SPOKE MY MIND FOR ME. HOW CONVENIENT.

-come follow

WWW.FATLACE.COM/STAYFRESH/PURPLEFIBER

2008-10-31T21:26:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be posting on my fatlace again so keep one eye open for it. Consider it a subsidiary blog off of somegiant so it will not be a complete parallel to this blog as far as content goes. I will post solid infos on there though and not just residuals so visit and expand your universe or extend your reach to whats good (so they say).

-come follow

METRO MANILA

2008-10-29T11:04:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite stitch jobs I’ve done so far simply because of the balance and the content is full of imagery. Not to mention that it’s a place I esteem so highly, my future permanent destination. I’ve never been so homesick until I found myself flying home to California from Manila just to be back on the wheel and back on the race again. I figured, you can be winning the rat race over here but at the end of the day, you’re still a rat (so what's the point?). Speaking of rats (going off on a predetermined tangent), Banksy has been doing his thing in NYC. I think Philippines can use more rats (illustrated ones) specifically that huge white building smack dab in the middle of my photo. Well not smack dab but its coincidently huge and the only white building that screams at me so deafeningly. If Banksy doesn’t, I just might as well (soon).

here is a close up of the white building from that same photo above

here are two photos courtesy of wooster collective and hypebeast

-come follow

MY NEPHEW

2008-10-25T00:53:00.000-07:00

I was involved in a gallery last sunday after fuse at Cottonwood (our church). Got the notice from our good friend Robert Favela three weeks ago, got started two weeks ago , and finalized the piece two hours before the gallery opened last Sunday (almost a week ago). The whole process stretched to about a week although i did miss a few days due to good ol' fashioned laziness. The piece is a painting i did of my nephew R.J. (a.k.a. RED in superfuture) hence the title "MY NEPHEW". Let me brief you a little bit about this kid. RJ was recently picked to be a part of superfuture's "the dirty dozen". Only 12 individuals were hand picked from around the globe in this process. They are to wear one super rare custom made Evisu denim and pass it around to each of the twelve individuals where each will have a few weeks to get intimate with the denim. It's a pretty big deal and a great honor in the denim world to be apart of this crazyness so I'm very proud of him. You might be thinkng to yourself "ew, that's nasty!!". Yes it is, but you should see RJ and Gabe (my other nephew) live together in one room. Enough about RJ and Gabe(I'm sure you'll hear more about these guys in later time). Let's skip to the painting. Got the idea from a photo Eya shot of RJ outside the S.F. federal building last year. It was a dope photo so I collaboed' with it. Photos taken of the night were pretty ehhh but that's only because it was a busy tug and pull kind of a night.

this one is the photo Eya took.

this is the video of the bird logo being hand painted on the back pockets.

-come follow

sartorialist x eya x ralph lauren

2008-10-22T13:47:00.000-07:00

I'm a sucker for a good blog but thesartorialist far exceeds "a good blog". It's the blog I have to look at before any other blog there is. I hope you catch my drift and to better understand where I’m getting at, please steal a look for yourself. I have never seen an article of clothing I owned be on thesartorialist but today, consider that streak defunct. Kind of. Believe it or not, that’s a $10,000purse and I was fortunate enough to get blessed with one to give to Eya for our 9th year anniversary. She’s willing to sell it for $5,000 obo so if anybody out there is engrossed or even a tiny bit interested, we need tickets to Philippines. And we care about your needs also.

-come follow

CAT STEVENS

2008-10-21T00:36:00.000-07:00

I'm an avid Cat Stevens listener. The pre-islamic Cat Stevens was I.M.O.P.O. ahead of its time and I sure do miss that sound. It's the same feeling I get when I think about Eraserheads. Anyways, I recommend this album and hope you find it special too.

-come follow

hello everybody

2008-10-16T15:09:00.000-07:00

wordpress got hacked so we're here trying out the spot.

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come follow

DENIM IS FOREVER

TODAY (YESTERDAY)

CSUCI

so 1950's

LABAN

DOUBLE OVERHEAD

TAKE (ON) ME LITTERALLY

AFTER 1630

TWEET

ALOHA

DAY AND NIGHT x DAYLIGHT x HAWAII x SOMEGIANT

purpose

H.M.C.M.

G.O.A.T.

union

TO A.P.C.

chapter

LONG EXP

CANON 5D MK II x iMAC x TIME CAPSULE

PATTERNS

FRANCIS MAGALONA

WORD ON THE STREET

BLOWN

RRL

dRMM

adios

born

Finishline

A.P.C.

8021

undefeated billboard project

outlier

CROOKS & CASTLES x SOMEGIANT

STAIRWAY

selfless

perspective

present

story of a hero

WEEKEND SUMMARY

NEIL HARTMANN x HONEYEE BLOG

LONGEVITY

the monochromator X somegiant

feeling foreign

recap

THE ABRERAS

CONNECT x ISRAEL x PCD

MAGDALENA LUSENIO

AARON MORGAN x MIA x SOMEGIANT

Mr. Booker

POINT MUGU : EG6 : SOMEGIANT

RESERVE : FAIRFAX : DOG

LETS ALL GET RAW

MONEY TREE

STOOPS

I'LL SHOOT YOU WITH MY CANON

MY TWO CENTS

WWW.FATLACE.COM/STAYFRESH/PURPLEFIBER

METRO MANILA

MY NEPHEW

sartorialist x eya x ralph lauren

CAT STEVENS

hello everybody