nyko maca

Nyko Maca is musician, one of the pioneers of Capoeira in the Philippines, and a passionate traveler. I visited her home last year, and we ended up talking for a good 3 to 4 hours about life, beliefs, and dreams. I love that she has a ton of maps pinned to her wall --- places she's been to. Goes to show how much she's a citizen of the world. She has a hammock inside her crib too, how cool is that?! :)
 

Nyko Maca

(Makati City, Philippines)

Occupation: Creative artist, capoeira and language instructor

Website: Nyko Maca official on FB

Favorite toy as a child: A doll whose hair stood up like french fries.

Favorite toy now: Open space! And a mic.

Turn-ons: Good food! Good conversation and honesty.

Turn-offs: Plastic and White lights

What are 5 things that inspire you right now?

Music 

Capoeira

Good people

Elements (sun and sea)

Travel

Who are your influences?

My mother and my father

Fela kuti

Theo Dombrowski

Rumi

Paulo Coelho

Ella Fitzgerald

Top 5 movies:

The Usual Suspects

Kung Fu Panda

A Very Long Engagement

Black Cat White Cat

Star Wars (entire series)

Top 5 books:

The Book of 5 Rings (Musashi)

The Essential Rumi

The Velveteen Rabbit

The Alchemist

Lord Of The Rings (series)

Music you listen to: wow. everything! right now, frank ocean and a lotta french rap, plus kizomba

5 Favorite websites:

http://www.maya-portal.net/tzolkin
http://www.ebcphilippines.com/
http://www.youtube.com/
http://www.tatame.com/
http://www.soundcloud.com/

When you're not busy with work, what do you do in your free time?

sleep. i love to sleep. it's the best happy medicine.

clean. a clean house is fun to sleep in.

eat and hang out with friends --- essential to well-being!

If you were to choose a different job, what would it be? 

criminologist

If you can have any super power, what would it be?

to FLY combined with APPARITION and COOK GOURMET MEALS MAGICALLY

What is the biggest problem of the world right now?

negative influences that create negative thoughts = lack, poverty, thus fighting

What do you think is the solution?

abundant thinking for one and for all

What's the most important life lesson you've learned so far?

to love fully and have the courage of your convictions

Most inspiring statement/moment(heard/said/read):

pois a vitoria de um homem as vezes se esconde num gesto forte que so ele pode ver. "The victory of a man is sometimes hidden in a powerful gesture that only he can see." Falcao (o rappa) 

and: "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence."

raymund marasigan

Filipino rock icon, Raymund Marasigan, opens his home to Anik-Anik Love. :)

His work station

Finding new use for an old piano

A studio at the basement of his house for jamming sessions

Wings that were given to Raymund by a fan. It actually swings up, down, forward, and back.

He has a habit of buying old synthesizers. 

(Left) Munny designed by Raymund's daughter, Atari

Raymund Marasigan

(Marikina, Philippines)

Occupation: Musician. I play for Sandwich, Pedicab, Gaijin, and Cambio. Sometimes, I also produce records for other bands.

Favorite toys as a child: Lego, Atari, Nintendo

Favorite toys now: reason 6, ableton live 8, and synthesizers

Turn-ons: hard working creative people

Turn-offs: lazy complainers

What are things that inspire you right now? Drum lessons with Mike Alba inspired me to be a better musician, trying out new ideas working with Team Manila and Locked Down, goofing off with my daughter, working with Dong Abay (very intense), and watching Chris Garcia work (meticulously detailed and focused). I'm also inspired to work on songwriting after watching my OPM heroes at Ryan Cayabyab's music camp in Dumaguete.

Top 5 movies: An American Werewolf in London, Out of Sight, Exit Through the Gift Shop, The Lord of the Rings, and Moonraker

Top 5 books: The Delta Star by Joseph Wambaugh, Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut, The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, Tunesmith by Jimmy Webb, and recently, I read the (three) Dragon Tattoo books by Stieg Larsson (before the movie screening).

Music you listen to: (I'm a bit late but) I just got into dubstep after catching some local DJs in B-side, Makati. Recently, I've been heavily playing the Black Keys, Yuck, Jay Dilla, Justice, The Social Network soundtrack, Gary Granada, and Tom Waits.

5 Favorite websites: I don't surf a lot. I mostly just email.

When you're not busy with work, what do you do in your free time? Bike

If you were to choose a different job, what would it be? (If I had the skills) I think it would be pretty cool to be a tattoo artist or a hairdresser. You can travel and work almost anywhere in the world.

If you can have any super power, what would it be? Kiri Dalena beats everyone with China (Haha), so I'd settle for traffic destroyer.

What is the biggest problem of the world right now? Illiteracy

What do you think is the solution? Education

What's the most important life lesson you've learned so far? There are no short cuts.

Most inspiring statement/moment (heard/said/read): Art and music, not politics, are the markers of our lives. 

diego mapa

Musician Diego Mapa's (Pedicab, Monsterbot, Cambio, and now Tarsius) creative space can be found at the spacious attic of their house. He loves collecting vinyl records, indie magazines, and is a thrift shop fan boy. Take a peek inside Diego's creative playground. :)

Diego Mapa

(Quezon City, Philippines)

Occupation: Musician, Music Arranger, and Associate Web Manager of www.artisteconnect.com

Website: online music arranger reel - www.wix.com/diegomapa/home

                 tumblr - diegomapa.tumblr.com

Favorite toy as a child: GI Joes and Tranformers but I lost them all.

Favorite toy now: My laptop

Turn-ons: vintage anything, gear, clothes, records, toys, memorabilia, furniture, video games, etc.

Turn-offs: rude, conceited people, and war freaks

What are 5 things that inspire you right now? successful art projects, or business ventures from my friends that I like, Pinoy rare grooves or records, history books from World War II, toys old and new, and found furniture

Who are your influences? in music, my favorites are The Beatles, Beach Boys, The Kinks, The Zombies, Cornelius, Beck, The Cure, Joy Division, New Order, The Faint, Fugazi, Pixies, Nirvana, Giorgio Moroder, Telex, Kraftwerk, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Buddy Rich, Sergio Mendez, Joao and Astrud Gilberto, J Dilla, Madlib, DJ Shadow, Eraserheads, VST, Hotdog, Cinderella, and the list goes on...

Top 5 movies: The Godfather, Goodfellas, Ninth Gate, Inception, Norweigan Wood, Sukiyaki Western Jango

Top 5 books: Lust for Life, Last nite a DJ saved my life, Brave New World, Sin City books, and The Watchmen

Music you listen to: if currently listening to - Rotary Connection, Jazzanova mixtapes, Pet Projects: Brian Wilson Productions, The Drums - Portamento,  M83 - Hurry Up We're Dreaming, and The Pains of being pure at heart - Belong

5 Favorite websites: indabamusic.com, artisteconnect.com, insound.com, turntablelab.com, stonesthrow.com

When you're not busy with work, what do you do in your free time? I bike, hang out with my kids, watch DVDs, or rummage my favorite thrift stores

If you were to choose a different job, what would it be? I can imagine myself being a chef, a flight attendant, working front desk of a hotel, working in a t-shirt company, or a nurse or a care giver

If you can have any super power, what would it be? X-ray vision, invisibility, the ability to crawl on walls, I can spit spiderwebs with my hands but still fly, and I also have cool gadgets, a billionaire with super intelligence. So I'm like Batman, Superman, and Spiderman in one --- that can be invisible. Kinda redundant huh?

What is the biggest problem of the world right now? corruption, violence, racism, and greed

What do you think is the solution? Peace and let them have what they want, anyway someday they will implode here on Earth or in the afterlife. I'm for what Gandhi, Buddha, or what Jesus would say.

What's the most important life lesson you've learned so far? God, family, and friends are the greatest remedy to spiritual and physical hunger and loneliness.

Most inspiring statement/moment (heard/said/read): currently, "You can't achieve anything just by sitting around." - William S. Burroughs, Interzone

kate torralba

Walking into musician/designer Kate Torralba's creative crib instantly made me smile. There were bursts of vibrant colors and knick-knacks everywhere! :) Like the songs and clothes she creates, Kate's place is overflowing with fun & quirky pieces. Her space really reflects the passionate and positive energy that she has. Her dog Daisy is such a charmer too!

Kate Torralba

(Makati City, Philippines)

Occupation: fashion designer / pianist-singer-songwriter / entrepreneur

Website: blogs.stylebible.ph/katetorralba

                 facebook.com/katetorralba (music page)

                 facebook.com/KTDesigns (fashion page)

                 twitter.com/katetorralba

Favorite toy as a child: My Barbie army, comprising of 30 Barbies and 2 Kens. A highly competitive dating ratio: I had to dress each girl up to the nines and make up interesting scenarios. The Kens always seemed to run out of pickup lines.

Favorite toy now: my adopted 2-year-old Maltipoo Daisy. But I don't dress her up - after my last dog Miu-Miu turning homicidal and reading a certain  Lourd de Veyra piece on canines, I'd rather be careful.

Turn-ons: talent, wit, thoughtfulness, all things good and geeky: good music; good writing; good boys who are tall, lanky (and handsome naman!), shy, nice to their moms and sisters, and God bless them if they wear glasses, because I have a spectacle fetish. I am fascinated by people who put a lot of thought into what they create: an intricate artwork, a well-written piece, a killer musical score, a perfect pastry crust.

Turn-offs: all things bad and unsanitary - bad intentions, bad teeth, bad breath, bad taste - but that's relative, right?

What are 5 things that inspire you right now? the process of creation, love, 6841 miles, chic grandmothers, and the Big Guy that I don't see but am beginning to really, really believe in.

Top 5 movies: I hate these lists - how could you narrow 'em down to just 5?! Off the top of my head, 5 movies I really liked: Inception, In The Mood for Love, La Mome, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Amelie

Top 3 books: Outliers, The Great Gatsby, Streams in the Desert.

Music you listen to: OMG. Do you have time for this?!?

Right now, I'm listening to Kakkmaddafakka's super fun Hest album - it was a gift from Erlend Oye, and it's my instant picker-upper these days. (Hmmm... maybe we should bring those boys to play here!)

On my current playlist: Ciudad, Joanna Newsom, The Fleet Foxes, Beach House, Jonsi, Frank Sinatra, Humanfolk, Explosions in the Sky, Burt Bacharach, Barbara Morgenstern, Turner, Pasta Groove

To feel good, I always go back to the Beach Boys, The Pretenders, Fleetwood Mac, The Whitest Boy Alive, and Phoenix. I listen to Sigur Ros and Chopin when I'm feeling stressed. Tom Waits and Joni Mitchell's Blue album to accompany my emo stints.

And my own music. Cos for some reason I still cringe listening to my own stuff. I'm training myself to get the hang of it soon. Cos if I can't stand it, why the hell would anyone be able to?

5 Favorite websites: twitter.com (what a brilliant invention), huffingtonpost.com, pitchfork.com, bitrebels.com (so helpful!), lettersofnote.com

When you're not busy with work, what do you do in your free time? I sleep. It is the greatest indulgence when there is so much to do! I like to putter around the house, look for things I misplaced, write music, try to read the books and magazines I haven't read. I see and get in touch with friends and family as much as I can.

If you were to choose a different job, what would it be? I'd be a full-time touring musician. Or a professional pizza/dessert taster. Or a hue-namer (?? I don't know how to call it) - someone who creates names for paint shades, make-up, and nail polish colors! That would be so cool!

If you can have any super power, what would it be? The power to multiply myself - so I could do everything I wanted - make music, make clothes, travel, write, blog, go on a food trip, and manage my business at the same time.

What is the biggest problem of the world right now? Apathy and cynicism

What do you think is the solution? FHL - faith hope and love (so sue me for being a cliche)

What's the most important life lesson you've learned so far? That God gives, and God takes away. So be kind, appreciative, and don't be so full of yourself!

Most inspiring statement/moment (heard/said/read): Gaaaah there are so many! But of late, here's one that resonated with me: "So, what does patience feel like? For me patience is the slow, yet perfect unfolding of my dreams one day at a time." - Mastin Kipp