Love is sweeter the second time around? If that’s the case then DJ COLETTE surreally seemed like Aphrodite in her divine, human form with the sweet, hypnotizing music she played in her, not second, but third time here in the Philippines. A deity incarnate indeed! Yes, last July 7, 2007, WAREHOUSE 135 and DRIVEN broke ground for the comeback of this ball of talent.

As House music continues to gain popularity all over the world, this island of ours included, many have been witness to the sudden surge of DJs that tried and succeeded to make a mark in the scene. What sets one apart from the other are talent and skill - a DJ with a keen and solid ear for music is great, a DJ who produces her own tracks is even better, a DJ who produces her own tracks and sings the vocals to those tracks is, hands down, a mighty winner! And that’s Colette for you.

Studying music and performance in her early days, Colette is a master in translating her vocal warmth to vinyl. She embraces the all-inclusive genre of House music, with her sets ranging from instrumental techy tracks to deeply soulful songs. With a sheer fondness for the upbeat, Colette unifies her records through the warmth of her voice, powerful, rolling drums and distinctive bass lines. From G. Flame to Underworld to Synthique and The Greenkeepers, Colette’s programming is unmistakable. Colette has also collaborated with producers like Home & Garden, Greenskeepers and Kaskade on her debut artist album, “Hypnotized”.

It was pure bliss watching and listening to Colette and obviously this 3rd time seemed like the first time for everyone at the venue. A proof of how Colette’s allure defies weariness? Check out Warehouse 135’s headcount for that night…all of that 1000++ pax filling the club, crowding the dance floor, and singing along to get another dose of Colette, just enough to last them till her next visit!

Opening for Colette that night and toasting the nightcap was DRIVEN’s DJ ALI NEPOMUCENO, who played a deep, dubby, uber sexy House with long, melodic bass lines or in other words, Chicago House. A toast to this young gun for his talent and skills that improve threefold in each appearance he makes.

Major props once again to DRIVEN MANILA and WAREHOUSE 135, as well as the event’s major sponsors WINSTON, SMART GOLD, CHIVAS and ABC 5 for another smart choice bringing in Colette.



Copy by Karen Cornejo for DRIVEN, 07.23.07 ;)

In this day and age when the local clubbing scene is taking the fast route to evolution - with clubs sprouting here and there, a growing number of talented DJs and a multitude of events filling up your social calendar, one must be ready to embark on the journey to ultra enjoyable partydom. Uber stylish clothing, chic yet comfy shoes, credit card, cool posse, a shot of adrenaline...wouldn’t a nocturnal party guide just be handy?

For the past 4 years, CERTIFIED TRUE ADDICT, INC. (CTA), has brought us weekly party guides, promoting the local dance music scene & local artists, bringing events groups together and keeping everyone in the loop as to what’s happening and where to go to in the clubbing world. Four years. It is just indeed about time CTA put together a party of its own.

Last May 19, 2007, CTA in cooperation with WAREHOUSE 135, brought forth PEAK OF THE UNDERGROUND: THE ULTIMATE CTA CONVERGENCE PARTY – a party with no other purpose but to bring forth a rebirth of the Underground, emanate love and super duper good vibes. Free entrance till midnight, free-flowing booze, a wild line-up of DJs and no non-sense underground music. It was nothing short of a successful event.

With a fusion of music from eight DJs from seven different organizations, playing together all for the love of the scene, it was beyond doubt a convergence like no other! If 2 to 3-hour DJ sets on regular nights gradually progress until it reaches its peak, just imagine the sets of these seven DJs with just 1-hour time slots. No gradual progression but continuous explosive beats, with each of them at maximum performance level (wink, wink). This is the night the rebirth of the Underground reached its peak at Warehouse 135.

Warming up the crowd was ELECTRONICA MANILA’s MADZ ABUBAKAR playing minimal Tech and minimal Electro, followed by ABSINTH’s DJ PATCH with his trademark Funky Disco House. Playing for CALYPSO EVENTS was ROMAN MOJICA spinning Electro with a dash of minimal Tech & Trance, followed by JON NAVAL of NBK playing a Progressive set with a twist of Disco Punk & Euro House. Representing SUPERFLY was PAOLO GOMEZ playing Progressive House, followed by CURV’s ELECTRO BROS. NOEL SARMIENTO & MARTIN BALLESCA - building their set with Electro-fying, heart-pounding tunes. ALI NEPOMUCENO of DRIVEN ended the night with peak-driving Hard House to Trance. Cheers to these wonderful DJs for their mother funkin’ wicked sets! They have succeeded in their mission of keeping everybody up on their feet and dancing all night.

Whew! Talk about 1,500 crazy dressed-to-kill clubbers invading one of the hottest clubs in the Metro for a downright crazy get-together concocted by an even crazier group of people. Brilliant. A very thin line indeed between brilliancy and lunacy…in a very good sense that is!

CTA is an exclusive organization built to bring shiny happy people together – people addicted to happiness, good vibes, soul-connecting music and living life to the fullest. It is for the select few who have awakened to a new world filled with color and vibe, for those who have learned to appreciate the essence of even the simplest of things n this dear planet. And as the CTA “No Drugs” logo implies…well, that of course is self-explanatory, my dear!

A very big toast to the minds behind this exceptional event: CTA, Inc., Warehouse 135 and marketing arm, Driven Manila. Cheers as well to sponsors Winston – for the sky’s the limit cigarettes, Chivas - for the birthday celebrant bottles, Smart and Manila Bulletin.


© 06.01.2007

When Warehouse 135 initiated its campaign to change the world…I mean elevate the clubbing scene by resurrecting the Underground, boy were they downright serious! Hosting events that deviated from the mainstream such as Diskoteca Deluxe Friday Night Live, Rewired, CTA’s Peak of the Underground and rolling the DJ’s booth’s red carpet to our local DJs and Electronic artists who new damn well the true essence of the Underground – that probably was the music scene’s breakthrough initiative of the year. Not only did it broaden the “music appreciation” of the Metro’s hardcore clubbers but it made everyone aware that there’s so much more in dance music than your usual “well-known, what-the-heck-as-long-as-it-makes-you-dance club hits”.

And when DRIVEN & WAREHOUSE 135 brought in Superstar DJ and Producer STEVE PORTER last June 16, 2007, that entrenched equator-deep the groundwork for the sky-high flagpole that marked the ultimate rebirth of the Underground – pointing clearly to the direction of where the scene is heading!

Too bad I can’t say much about STEVE PORTER but that - he’s the bomb! Take the best Electro set you’ve ever heard in your life, increase the intensity a hundred notches higher, that’s PORTERHOUSE for you, my dear. Funkin’ dirty angst! His Big Room Electro, Techno and Progressive set with Break Beats for build-up was just plain electrifying! No wonder his tracks find their way into the record boxes of the likes of Sasha, Lee Burridge, Derrick Carter, Carl Cox, Sander Kleinenberg, Mark Farina and Paul Van Dyk. Porter’s suave DJing style with an attitude created a magnetizing connection between him and the crowd. No wonder those crazy ones who were in the dancefloor never left their post, evidently drowning themselves in Porter’s pure Underground sound! Well, that’s what happens when you’re dished out with prime grade porterhouse served bloody rare (wink, wink).

That wasn’t all that highlighted the night. DAVID JACOB of NBK and KEE CLUB (Hong Kong) did an excellent job warming up the crowd with his wicked Electro Dub Tech beats. I could not think of a better DJ to open for Steve Porter! DRIVEN’S very own ALI NEPOMUCENO picked up flawlessly where Porter left and kept the party up and running with his Breakbeat, Progressive and Techno set. These world-class DJs most definitely received “the nod” from everyone in the venue.

To cut it short, ALL SYSTEMS GO: PORTERHOUSE was out-of-this-world crazy.

Muchos gracias to DOMINI PRIMERO and the brilliant team behind Driven Manila and Warehouse 135 for a very successful, cutting edge event. Kudos as well to the event’s major sponsors WINSTON, CHIVAS and SMART GOLD. Till the next one.



Copy by Karen Cornejo for DRIVEN, 06.17.07 ;)

If Lisa got any louder than this, WAREHOUSE 135 would have been apprehended by the authorities. Yes, DRIVEN MANILA, once again, paved the way for the First Lady of House Music – LISA LOUD – to grace the grounds of Manila’s clubbing scene last February 17, 2007. It was a rocking Chinese New Year celebration at the newest privilege club in the Metro.

Talk about bringing in the biggest names in the international House music scene, DRIVEN is really focused on bringing in what the Filipino clubbers want and what they ought to get – not just any amateur, no-name DJ fronting a well-known club but LISA freaking LOUD! Dance music appreciation is now an art, my beloved partyphiles. And with DRIVEN’s goal to educate this country’s unimaginably fast-growing number of clubbers to utmost sophistication, here’s where your education starts.

A backgrounder on this fine lady – Lisa Loud has had a phenomenal career that has spanned 15 years and is widely revered and admired as one of the UK’s top female DJs. With her extensive musical background and expertise, Lisa can ignite any party in the world from the fashion glitterati in Milan to the hardened dance floors of Ibiza, and obviously, Manila’s sinfully wicked party places. One cannot fail to be seduced by Lisa's sounds. Lisa combines glamour, elegance and sophistication on the decks with her trademark Tribal-infused Tech House music. With no less than fellow DJ PAUL OAKENFOLD encouraging her to learn the craft of DJ’ing, you know this lady’s sound means serious dancing!

Backtracking to the earlier part of Warehouse 135’s & Driven’s Loud & Clear Chinese New Year celebration, I am at present on my knees, lighting some incense and paying my respects to one of Manila’s senior DJs, ERWIN EDRALIN (ABG) for his mind-blowing opening set. Starting off with Minimal Electro, progressing to Dub House and finally transcending to uplifting Funky House, his was the answer to how it is to warm up a crowd with heaven-high standards and open for a DJ with even higher needs for a brilliant segue. The “sacred turnover of the decks”, as what I feel is best-fitting to call it, by ERWIN EDRALIN to LISA LOUD was one hell of a sight to see and a sound to drown into. Manila’s supremo and the UK’s finest, side-by-side, grooving in unison, connecting that perfect beat to that perfect other…done ever so perfectly! LISA LOUD followed with her much-awaited, explosive Deep Tech, Electro & Progressive set and kept the party going till 6 in the morning. With the dance floor-huggers going wild sans the care for time, there loudly and clearly was no better place to celebrate Chinese New Year but in this event.

Tiring? More of motivating! Until the next Driven event at Warehouse 135! Kudos to WINSTON, MOTOROLA, SMART GOLD and of course TEAM DRIVEN for given us more reason to get drunk and go wild on a weekend – in a good way that is (wink, wink)!


Copy by Karen Cornejo for DRIVEN, 02.22.07 ;)

It’s been months since we’ve been hearing this buzz about a new club opening. Funny thing is, for the longest time, nobody knew where it was going to be put up. This only heightened the excitement of Manila’s partyphiles, always with that inner craving for something new, something that will add pizzazz to our already spicy social lives. Yes, I know, people are never really satisfied…tsk, tsk. Maybe we’re all looking for that “oomph” we haven’t been getting in our past party nights? Well darlings, this club seems promising!

The long wait is finally over. WAREHOUSE 135 (135 Yakal St., Makati City), now the official residence of the newest & hottest dance events promoter in town – DRIVEN MANILA, opened its doors to the public last February 3, 2007 with International DJ, SHUNJI MORIWAKI (NYC) and our very own ANTON RAMOS & ELMER DADO. A private party preceded this launch on February 2, 2007 with GLOBAL UNDERGROUND’s LEE BURRIDGE (Almost Anonymous/365/TCA), ANTON RAMOS & DJ PATCH. Such big names in the international and local music scene in just one weekend! My oh my, this gives you a glimpse of what’s more to come. Come to think of it, it’s the first time ever that we’re having a club that’s also the home of a fast-rising events team. Just imagine what immense events this type of fusion would bring!

So let me tell you about the private party last Friday. Upon reaching the mouth of Yakal St. around 10pm, traffic was already heavy. The entire stretch of Yakal was filled with parked cars and you can see tasteful people fully dressed in subtle black glam – the attire for the night - brisk-walking towards the club. Seeing the tall, beautiful, spotlight-intense façade of Warehouse 135 and the long line in the entrance was more than overwhelming, it was crazy. The place was packed, inside and out, with party people and spectators even, wondering what the hell was going on. It was like being in the vicinity of a foreign club on local grounds. There was no way one’s excitement could get anymore intensified!

With its structure taking on a modern and industrial design, lighting and special effects by MARTIN MAC, and sound architecture by EASTERN ACOUSTIC WORKS (USA) – winner of the “Best Sound System” and “Best Sound Product” awards at the 2006 Club World Awards – it was Zouk-like being inside this 20-year old, 600 sq.m. warehouse transformed into a club. With a magnificently huge DJ’s booth, a proper dance floor, a bar overflowing with booze, lounge chairs and bar tables (thank God) on the ground floor and VIP rooms on the second floor, the club was so comforting, I could cry (wink, wink).

Warehouse 135 shows all signs that it will be home to Manila’s suigeneris social community – a fusion of mixed lifestyles and personalities – from the social and glamorous to the wild and outrageous but all with that endless thirst for 100% pure clubbing. And of course, no less than Manila’s dance music authorities will take charge of the club’s soon-to-be-a-trademark music programming.

And just who do we thank for a breakthrough like this? After seven years of doing massive dance events in big venues, Team Driven’s DOMINI PRIMERO surely took a graceful exit while on top of his game to follow his dream of building a proper club. That dream evidently came true with the opening of Warehouse 135. A very big toast to you and the team that is behind Driven Manila! Cheers as well to your sponsors that made the right choice: Motorola, Chivas, Smart Gold and Winston, for without you guys, this would not have been possible.

Next up at the Warehouse is HOUSE OF SOUL’s ANDY CALDWELL on February 10, 2007 and a Chinese New Year celebration with LISA LOUD: LOUD & CLEAR on February 17, 2007. The party has definitely just begun!


Copy by Karen Cornejo for DRIVEN, 02.07.07 ;)

The party has just begun!


We might have made you wait a bit. But now that we’re on a roll, we solemnly swear to give you endless nights of pure pleasure, soul-connecting music, the biggest names in the clubbing universe, an infinite supply of booze, habit-forming reunions with the Metro’s hippest crowd, a warehouse you could most definitely call home and that certain oomph your past party nights have been missing!

Thank you to all of you who have celebrated with us the exclusive launch of WAREHOUSE 135 last February 2, 2007 with LEE BURRIDGE, ANTON RAMOS & PATCH, and the grand opening last February 3, 2007 with SHUNJI MORIWAKI & ELMER DADO. Your aching feet from dancing all night, hoarse voices from trying to chat with your peers despite the loud music, your next-day hangovers and your crazy party vibe mean the world to us!

Kudos as well to our precious sponsors: Motorola, Chivas, Smart Gold and Winston, for without you none of these would have been made possible.


Buckle up, Manila! We’re all in for a loooooooooooong ride!


TEAM DRIVEN





Check out www.drivenmanila.com.




© 02.06.07 by Karen Cornejo

Rough week…red tape at work…problems you wish you could just toss in the can and forget about. We all go through this week after week after week… But at the end of the day, all that matters is you, your happiness & where the hell the best place is for you to unwind after all the hard work you’ve done. As they say, when the going gets tough, the tough go partying!

The days are numbered until the much-awaited opening of WAREHOUSE 135. Watch as Team Driven transforms a 20-year old, stand-alone, 600 sq.m. warehouse into a club of global standards and, yes, with a proper dance floor for all you dance floor-hungry partyphiles.

With its structure taking on a modern and industrial design, lighting and special effects by MARTIN MAC, and sound architecture by EASTERN ACOUSTIC WORKS (USA) – winner of the “Best Sound System” and “Best Sound Product” awards at the 2006 Club World Awards http://www.eaw.com/news/pressrelease/2006/033006_ClubAwards.html – there is absolutely no reason for you to miss out on this.

Warehouse 135 will be the official residence of DRIVEN MANILA and of course, Manila’s dance music authorities will take charge of its soon-to-be-a-trademark music programming. Likewise, it will be home to Manila’s suigeneris social community – a fusion of mixed lifestyles and personalities – from the social and glamorous to the wild and outrageous but all with that endless thirst for 100% pure clubbing. At Warehouse 135, everybody will appreciate everyone for who they are.

This club does not need a name. You only need the address so you would know where to go for that certain oomph your past party nights seem to have been missing.

135 Yakal Street, Makati City.

Strict house rules will be enforced.

Check out www.drivenmanila.com.





MYSPACE: www.myspace.com/drivenmanila
FRIENDSTER: drivenmanila
MULTIPLY: drivenmanila.multiply.com



Copy by Karen Cornejo for DRIVEN, 01.07.2007 ;)

Tearing away my calendar’s October page, I was surprised to see a series of what I would tag as major dance events lined up for the months of November and December – big names in music from different genres coming in from different parts of the world, brought in by no longer a monopoly of an events organizer. Competition indeed is healthy, sweetie! The more heated it is, the more quality parties for us (wink, wink). But amongst all the burgeoning dance event promoters in the Metro today, there’s one company that took even me by surprise and is, in my perspective, rising the fastest: DRIVEN MANILA.

From the brilliant minds that brought you the most undisputed acts and dance events in the last seven years, comes a new, more promising venture. DRIVEN is ran by a team of passionate dance event promoters – spearheaded by Manila’s homegrown “über promoter”, Domini Primero – working together in full synchronicity and trust, driven by the love of dance music, the ardor for good vibes and good life. DRIVEN takes on a global approach by taking the Philippine clubbing scene to the next level, achieved thru having its own club of genuinely global standards, its own record label and a graphic style which can be marketed globally. All these are aimed to make our local talents known across regions and to put the Philippines in the global clubbing map.

So what is DRIVEN in a nutshell? Simply and nicely put in their website (www.drivenmanila.com), “DRIVEN is all about passion…the little things in life that make a difference. It is all about the love of music and the overwhelming feeling you get immersing yourself in it. It’s when you go inside a club and feel you’re the happiest person on earth, losing yourself to a room filled with people that feel just the way you do. It is all about connection, harmony, inner peace, contentment, crazy nights and wonderful mornings spent with unique individuals that add spice to your life. It is all about everything you wish to look forward to after a hard day’s work. It is what motivates you to push further and what makes you value each single step in the journey of life.” One word: Cool.

DRIVEN officially launched itself last December 8, 2006 at the Philippine Trade Training Center with no less than Ibiza’s “King of Space”. Dressed up from floor to ceiling, the venue was transformed from your usual lame multi-purpose hall to a dance club of extreme magnitude. Dazzling lights, crisp sound, brilliant décor and Manila’s oh-so-fine socialites and partpyhiles filled up every corner of the room. NBK’s DJ MANOLET DARIO, one of the country’s most respected senior DJs, loosened up the crowd with his one-of-a-kind uplifting sounds.

When the Law finally spoke, jaws dropped and adrenalin went a-spilling! STEVE LAWLER (Viva Music/Ministry of Sound/Global Underground/Tide Recordings), renowned as one of the world’s premier and most respected House music talents and no doubt the DJ/Producer every clubber wants to hear, fired up the halls of PTTC with his distinctly brilliant, deep, dark, sexy electronica. Perfectly unrefined, it was as devious and filthy as any genuine Lawler set is expected to be – truly a taste of the underground! Lawler seemed to have total control of the crowd’s vibe, each groove, each heartbeat, the speed of each one’s palpitations. Steve Lawler left everyone shaken and in awe, blessed with this exceptional unearthly clubbing experience!

Whew…a taste of what’s to come, is that right? DRIVEN’s launch evidently signifies a new era in the Philippine club scene, a unique approach few have had the drive to pursue until now. Here’s to the team that swears by their lives that they will make things happen! Cheers as well to telecom giants MOTOROLA and SMART, for without their support, none of these would shine through.

On December 31, watch out as DRIVEN opens the gates of Warehouse 135, giving Manila’s party people a chance to experience pure, unadulterated clubbing in every sense of the word.


Copy by Karen Cornejo for DRIVEN, 12.14.06 ;)

November 19, 2006 – Right smack in the middle of the “-ber” months, whose crazy mind would think of bringing the beach party vibe to one of Manila’s hotel pool areas on a Sunday afternoon and actually pull it off? Crazy as it is, that’s just what DRIVEN – the newest dance event promoter in town – did and even surpassed all standards in my brilliant-party-should-be checklist.

Driven by MOTOROLA, the Salted Sunday Afternoon Swimming Pool Party at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel drew in crowds of Manila’s beach bummed social butterflies – those Boracay peak-season mainstays – searching for and grabbing every opportunity they get to party up, beach style! With unquestionable world-class production and ultimately the perfect ambiance, it was intoxicating just seeing beautiful people scattered everywhere, most clad in Billabong beachwear matched with Rayban shades and Vodka Ion in hand.

What made the event even more perfect was the fact that it was also a timing victory party for Manny Pacquiao who won over Morales just a few hours before the party started. Actually, I was startled at first that I might have gatecrashed another party with all the people wearing red-stained Pacquiao shirts. But then again, they were also in board shorts so I must have been in the right venue then (wink, wink).

And the music? Psychedelic! Talk about a line up of uber fine DJs! First up was the legendary seveneightorange’s ANTHONY KIERULF with his classic down tempo grooves, followed by The Chillout Project’s ANTON RAMOS and his deep and soulful style of music programming. Bringing the party closer to climax was Salted/NeoDisco Music’s veteran DJ and producer, JULIUS PAPP, dishing out suave and sophisticated disco grooves. With the crowd’s already lifted spirits and positive vibes, it was just soul-bursting when the main man, Salted/Naked Music’s MIGUEL MIGS, finally went on decks with his much-awaited sweet and sexy uplifting beats. Awesome music, pulsating lights, light-hearted laughter and people dancing to every beat of Miguel Migs’ tracks – the perfect setting!

Starting as early as 12 in the afternoon, the party had to be stopped at 10 in the evening even if the people were obviously asking for more. I must say, this has been one of the most enjoyable, satisfying and stress-free parties I’ve ever been to. They should organize more events like this – you start early and end early!

Cheers to the team of DRIVEN and MOTOROLA for such a unique concept and a job well done! I remember a friend telling me a couple of weeks ago to expect the unexpected with DRIVEN. Well, he couldn’t be more right!

So see you all at the official launch party of DRIVEN with the legendary and multi-awarded DJ/Producer, STEVE LAWLER a.k.a. “The King of Space”, on December 8, 2006 at the World Trade Center. Let’s see DRIVEN make things happen.


Copy by Karen Cornejo for DRIVEN, 11.24.06 ;)

October 28, 2006 – Definitely a date to remember for all of Manila’s partyphiles that have long been infected with that contagious Aquarian virus. This is the date of the posh Halloween ball everybody looks forward to every single year – CREAM by Bigfish at the World Trade Center, now on its 7th year. This is also the date, the biggest fish of them all, praise-worthy Domini Primero, danced with Bigfish – the venture he & his late partner, Tuck Cheah, built from magic dust – one last glorious time.

It was mind-blowing at the venue! Of all the Halloween parties I’ve ever been to, Cream always stands out. No wonder this event is always option numero uno in almost everyone’s to-go-to list. World class production Bigfish style, superb music, the best crowd in the world. Where else can you find angels & demons (doesn’t that sound familiar?), an oversized man in a skimpy nurse’s uniform, a monk drowning on booze, soldiers, school girls, SWAT teams, racecar drivers and what-have-yous partying in wicked harmony like it was for world peace? Only at Cream, sweetie!

Doing a fabulous job of warming up even more the already hot, hot, hot crowd was Team Bigfish’s DJ JOHNBOY LEE with his pumping beats.

Making the event crazier was the progressive sounds of UK’s Steve Helstrip, a.k.a. THE THRILLSEEKERS – ranked DJ#45 in the world in the DJ Mag Top 100 Poll. The Thrillseekers brought to the world hits like Synaesthesia, Dreaming of You, By Your Side, remixes of Chicane’s Saltwater and Timo Maas’ Der Sheiber. Steve’s connection with the crowd was unquestionable. He even dished out old school hits – the ones from the era when Bigfish started – like Born Slippy. You could see people from the end of the hall running to the front at the beat of the track.

Cream this year was undeniably a festive celebration but a very emotional one as well. As he made his grand exit with this final event, Mr. Primero fashioned a shirt with the words “I’m good to go”, while his wife, dazzling Joanne Primero, answered back with an “I’m going with you” tee. And everywhere you look, you’ll see friends and supporters that answered back to the king with tees printed with statements “Got your back”, “I’ll dance with you my friend”, “All together”, “CTA for Domini”, “Right Behind You”. The sight was just overwhelming. You can evidently tell how Domini has made a lasting mark in the hearts of many with his fervor, creativity and selfless efforts. There’s indeed no better way to end one chapter and take a step to moving forward than this.

Kudos to you, Sir Domini Primero, for putting the Philippines in the global clubbing map. You truly are driven with passion. Cheers, as well, to all the bright minds behind Team Bigfish for yet another successful event! Of course, this would not have been possible if it weren’t for the support of Motorola MOTOKRZR.


Copy by Karen Cornejo for Bigfish, 11.05.06 ;)

Ever wondered how the lavish gods of the heavens spent their weekends partying? Anyone who ever had this thought knew just one answer. GODSKITCHEN.

Last August 19, 2006, with the paradigm of partying the entire long weekend away, there was no better way to start it all off but to be at the World Trade Center for the most consistent and decadent event in Manila, an event which all of Manila’s social butterflies consistently looked forward to each year of their so-called party lives.

GODSKITCHEN WORLDWIDE, part of the special series of global parties by the no. 1 club brand in the world, was brought to Manila once again by the effervescent tag team of TEAM BIGFISH – DOMINI and JOANNE PRIMERO – with dazzling partner PIXIE CHEAH. It was undeniable that Bigfish has again raised the standards and surpassed all expectations, dressing up the event with more sound, lighting, lasers and superb visual arts than ever before, all tastefully combined to create that unique Godskitchen atmosphere.

Opening the event and heating up the dancefloor with his electro house set was no less than DJ JOHNBOY LEE. He certainly did one hell of a job warming up the crowd!

All the exhilaration, sweaty bodies and aching feet that came after that can only be blamed on one person – the main man, DJ PAUL THOMAS (Godskitchen Resident DJ / Tool Farm Record Producer). It was cool how this DJ had the ability to re-ignite my passion and remind me of why I fell in love with dance music after all. 26-year old DJ Paul Thomas rocked World Trade Center with progressive house beats and a dash of tech trance – obviously THE perfect combination to make sure that everyone was up on their toes, bodies moving with every beat, every rhythm. He even played the “Baguio” track by Luzon. Cheers to you, oh young, most talented one! It was a heavenly experience how you made us all dance like crazy (tee-hee)! Paul after Paul (it was DJ Tall Paul that took charge of 2005’s GK event), I can now say that Godskitchen events, truly and unquestionably, can only get better!

And of course none of these would have been made possible if it weren’t for the support of Winston and Motorola (cheers to Electronica Manila’s SILVERFILTER for the cool new Moto Soundtrack!). Special thanks to you guys and most especially to Bigfish Manila – the undisputed leader in international dance events promotions!

Next event to look forward to is CREAM Halloween Ball on October 28 – 6 years and running!


Copy by Karen Cornejo for Bigfish, 08.27.06 ;)

It takes time to write about an event that’s just so totally fantastic. You get overwhelmed, you tell the whole 1,000++ people in your Friendster, MySpace and Multiply lists about it, you search every single byte of the World Wide Web just to know the titles of all the tracks played, you spend hours connected to Limewire to wait for those tracks to appear and be ready for your precious download. Well, so now it’s your turn to hear from me this event I’ve been raving to everyone about.

Last June 10, 2006, BIGFISH MANILA, in their endless pursuit to bring in the best dance and DJ acts and liven up the already spicy social lives of Manila’s party people, brought in TOKYO PROJECT with the uber creative and energetic MARK DOYLE and the tantalizing Miss BONNIE BAILEY.

A backgrounder for you guys: Tokyo Project was launched by Mark Doyle, the creator of HED KANDI (yeah baby!), with his partners as his unadulterated vision of what a record label and events brand really should be – and boy were we lucky to have a taste of this vision of his!

Once again, World Trade Center was invaded by a colossal group Manila’s stylishly beautiful partyphiles – from the elite members of the society to the tastefully budding clubbers of the teen community – all gorgeous, all eager and ready to party the night away!

Warming up the crowd was our very own ANTON RAMOS of The Chill Out Project with his trademark sophisticated house grooves. Following that was a truly unique clubbing experience with BIGFISH making sure you got not only ear candy but eye candy as well! Everyone got a feel of 100% pure “Tokyo Disco” with exclusive décor, captivating Tokyo Project dancers and leading the ultimate experience was none other than Mark Doyle, playing the best blend of house music to THE most friendly, up-for-it crowd in clubland - US!!!

Now here comes the greatest surprise of the night! Just when you thought you were fed up beyond belief with this one track that leaked the clubs and was discovered by local television and until now is continuously being played over the radio (just a sign how successful this track is), here comes Bonnie Bailey – all clad in white and alluring as ever – singing in acapella the first lines of her hit single “Ever After”…and everyone, consciously or unconsciously, found themselves singing along, knowing the song word for word and (damn!) enjoying every single minute of it! Hah! Caught you my dear! No worries, though, because that includes me (wink, wink).

My oh my, Tokyo Project was surely a fun, fun, fun event – indeed another Grade-A production by Team Bigfish, composed of my forever favorite couple, Domini and Joanne Primero and also with partner Pixie Cheah. The biggest and warmest thanks to you guys and most especially to Bigfish’s greatest supporters, Addict Mobile and MYX.

Watch out for GODSKITCHEN Worldwide with Paul Thomas and Johnboy Lee coming your way on August 19, 2006 at the World Trade Center!


PR copy by Karen Cornejo for Bigfish, 08.12.06 ;)

After throwing a mean Easter Weekender in Boracay, Team Bigfish's dynamic duo, Domini and Joanne Primero, with budding partner Pixie Cheah, returns with more than a bang as they bring back THE most awaited live act of the year. May 27, 2006 marked the return of the much-awaited Chicane in Manila!

If waiting for that date to finally come after 4 long years was excruciating for all the Chicane and dance music enthusiasts, well, being at the World Trade Center on that night itself and waiting for Chicane's set was all the more agonizing! It was just overwhelming to be there…like a reunion of familiar, old school faces from Casino Filipino four years ago, with today's new breed of clubbers dressed up ever so stylishly. Everybody just wanted to be there and obviously, with the up & down rows of VIP tables encircling WTC, everyone wanted a good spot too! I don't think I've ever seen WTC that packed with approximately 8,000+ people that the air-conditioning system almost couldn't handle the crowd!

I couldn't tell if it was Kevin Ruiz' wicked opening set or the wound up predisposition of every single soul there that caused unending chills down my spine as I waited for Chicane. Kevin did one hell of a job warming up the crowd with his trademark New York deep tribal house, filling up all corners of the venue. That, plus the grade-A, world-class production of Bigfish - crispy clear sound system, spectacular décor and lighting coming from all angles - was enough to make everyone burst with uncontrollable anticipation over Chicane.

And then finally, after almost an eternity of waiting, Chicane sets the stage on fire as they open with their new, still unreleased track, "Turning". Chicane surely gave us an all-new music experience, opening our minds (or our ears?) to a unique direction, starting off with his latest release, "Stoned in Love". Being widely known to produce instrumental dance records, Manila was indeed privileged to witness Chicane's evolution from dance music to diversified electronica, blending electronic know-how and dance grooves with indie rock guitars and good lyrics. A lot of people were surprised with the change in style but naturally, this is expected from every unique artist there is such as Nick Bracegirdle (that's Chicane's real name for you, my dear partyphiles!). But of course, Chicane inserted classics dating back from even 1997 (yes, 9 years!) in-between their new tracks, never failing to capture the crowd with hits like Spirit, Offshore, Saltwater, Don't Give It Up, Autumn Tactics and most especially 2000's big hit, No Ordinary Morning. People got so emotional and everyone was just jumping, going wild, and moving in synch to one sole groove. It was like, thru those tracks, a certain connection was established among everyone present in the crowd. It was wonderful! The event was a hybrid between a full-fledged concert and a dance event…different but definitely good!

Of course none of these would have been made possible if it weren't for the support of Addict Mobile, Nokia and MYX. Special thanks to you guys and most especially to Team Bigfish - indeed the undisputed leader in international dance events promotions! Next in line is Tokyo Project with Mark Doyle and Bonnie Bailey on June 10!




PR copy by Karen Cornejo for Bigfish, 06.05.06 ;)

For years, the beautiful island of Boracay, with its spectacular white sand, serene ambiance, cozy hotels, endless choices of beach-themed bars, classy restos and what-have-yous has been a summer destination not only for foreign and Filipino tourists but yes, the country’s oh-so-fine party people as well! For someone like me whose mantra is to work hard and party extremely harder, it is tradition to go to the island during Holy Week and longer…wink, wink!

And speaking of tradition, Bigfish’s Slinky Trans_Atlantik has already been a yearly tradition not only for yours truly but for the thousands of the country’s coolest partyphiles addicted to good life, good times and good vibes.

Bigfish’s Domini & Joanne Primero, along with partner Pixie Cheah has definitely done it again. Team Bigfish has always been known for surefire world-class dance events, bringing in the best of the best DJs whenever, wherever – be it in a club, a tent and yes oh yes…the beach! Bigfish has been throwing the best dance parties in Boracay for the past 6 years with the undying support of Addict Mobile and Nokia.

The first of the series of Bigfish’s Easter Weekender was Slinky Trans_Atlantik Year 6 featuring pumping tunes by international DJ Johnboy Lee, Dave Lee and the insanely amazing John “00” Fleming. As always, Slinky was the undisputed last party standing in the island. It ended at 8:30am on Easter Sunday. John “00” Fleming played his energetic style of electronic dance music for 2,000 beautiful party animals clad in bikinis and classy beachwear. I definitely have got to give two thumbs’ up (I would include my two big toes if I could) to John “00” Fleming for keeping the vibe up throughout the night, extending till early Sunday morning. How do I describe this? His music just went up and up and up, bringing you to total nirvana. Just when you thought his next track would already start you on a chill out state, you are so wrong because you’ll start to hear those escalating pumping beats again. And you can see Domini Primero whispering at the DJ’s booth, “Don’t stop John!” My oh my! KUDOS to all the partyphiles who survived John “00” Fleming! If you were there, your exhaustion would definitely equate to the greatest extent of satisfaction!

The 2nd weekend paved way for Hed Kandi Beach House, now on its 2nd year - presented of course by Addict Mobile, Infinity and Motorola. To start things off, Anton Ramos and David Jacob played their pumping style of deep house music during the Sunset Sessions at Waling Waling where white wine and champagne were overflowing from 5pm to 9pm. What more can you ask for, huh? Well here is the answer to that question…the main event, Hed Kandi! Hed Kandi at the beachfront of Hey Jude featured the deep, soulful and sophisticated sound of Anton Ramos followed by Team Kandi’s young gun, DJ Paul Hill, who made Boracay’s beautiful people dance till sunrise. Closing the party with his ecstatic, one-of-a-kind sound was DJ Erwin Edralin, one of the country’s best senior DJs. Moto V3X and Smart’s 3G network were highlighted during the event. Familiar faces from the previous week’s Slinky event were there again and some friends of mine who went back to Manila after Slinky, even flew back to Boracay just for Hed Kandi. Talk about an event that’s worth all those plane fares and hotel accommodation rates!

Whew...writing this article gives me the chills as it brings me back to the magic of these breathtaking events. Cheers to Bigfish – you have never failed to promote damn good vibes! Believe me when I tell you this, my dear readers – your summer Boracay experience will never be complete without gracing a Bigfish event. Sue me if I’m wrong!




PR copy by Karen Cornejo for Bigfish, 05.09.06 ;)