• Since we’re all sad from what went down at this year’s (or last year’s) Miss Universe pageant, the best remedy for our sadness is singing. Karaoke, in particular. If you’re in need of karaoke songs for maximum cathartic effect, here are 8 quintessential birit songs for you to sing:

    8. Basang Basa sa Ulan (Aegis)

    Drenched in the Rain, translated. This is everyone’s favorite karaoke song. The challenge is to sing the song in the same octave as it was originally sung. Birit moment: The key change

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA6SMDQoUtk]

    7. Through the Fire (Chaka Khan)

    Chaka Khan! This song is far from chaka, because this is a birit classic. Birit moment: “Through the test of tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiime”

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tyj1uLacxtg]

    6. Listen (Beyoncé)

    A favorite in singing competitions, singers auditioning sing this song to flaunt their range. This is the quintessential diva song in her catalog. Birit moment: “I’ve tried and tried to say what’s on my mind, YOU should have known oh”

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGYEDhWuP_w]

    5. Through the Rain (Mariah Carey)

    Classic music video. This was during Mariah’s Charmbracelet era. Birit moment: This is one of Mariah’s softer songs, but the song soars to birit levels by the last line of the bridge, then key change.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRNdmkH8zrI]

    4. When You Believe (Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey)

    Diva showdown! This is from the animated film, The Prince of EgyptBirit moment: The glorious bridge (“…says hope is very neaaaar”) and final chorus

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKaXY4IdZ40]

    3. Dadalhin (Regine Velasquez-Alcasid)

    Will Bring, translated, as in The wind will just bring my dream away. The primera biritera of the Philippines, Asia’s songbird. Sad lyrics + epic melody = karaoke classic. Birit moment: “Ang lahat ng ito’y pinangako moooooo-oh-oh-oh-ohhh”

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEE4N3Zg4RI]

    2. And I am Telling You I’m Not Going (Jennifer Hudson version)

    Another one from the Dreamgirls soundtrack, for which Jennifer Hudson won her Grammy. Her performance in the movie was her breakthrough moment into stardom. Birit moment: “Tear down the mountains, yeah scream and shout…” to the end

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsiSRSgqE4E]

    This song was originally sung by Jennifer Holliday, who also gave us this iconic moment from American Idol. Slay!

    1. I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston)

    Arguably, the mother of all birit songs. Birit moment: “And IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII”

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JWTaaS7LdU]

    (You may listen and sing along to all of the aforementioned songs in this Youtube playlist.)

    What are your go-to karaoke birit songs? Share them in the comments below.

  • Everyone’s favorite portion of the Miss Universe pageant is the Q & A. To say that pageant fans were disappointed with the candidate’s answers is an understatement. Here is a recap of how the Top 5 finalists fared, plus Amiciness has its own (sometimes comedic and sassy) answers.

    First Round: Judges’ Questions

    USA - Nia SanchezIf you were given 30 seconds to deliver a message to a global terrorist, what would you say? – world champion boxer Manny Pacquiao

    USA replied: I would just say that I know as Miss USA I can always spread a message of hope and love and peace … to them and everyone else in the world.

    Amiciness answers: I will not say anything. I will take the 30 seconds to hear them out. Sometimes, listening is all it takes to end a fight. *pauses* I thank you.

    (more…)

  • In case you missed it, here are the results of the 63rd Miss Universe competition 2014. (Click here for our take on the Miss Universe Q&A.)

    Miss Universe 2014 Swimsuit round
    Swimsuit round (From the official Miss Universe Instagram account)

    Top 15

    • Colombia
    • Italy
    • India
    • France
    • Indonesia
    • Venezuela
    • USA
    • Spain
    • Philippines
    • Argentina
    • Jamaica
    • Ukraine
    • Brazil
    • Netherlands
    • Australia

    Top 10

    • Colombia
    • Ukraine
    • Argentina
    • Philippines
    • USA
    • Australia
    • Venezuela
    • Spain
    • Netherlands
    • Jamaica
    Miss Universe 2014 Top 5
    Top 5 in their evening gowns (From the official Miss Universe Instagram account)

    Top 5

    • USA
    • Netherlands
    • Ukraine
    • Jamaica
    • Colombia

    Special Awards

    • Miss Congeniality: Nigeria
    • National Costume: Indonesia
    • Miss Photogenic: Puerto Rico

    Final Results

    • 4th Runner-up: Jamaica, Kaci Fennell
    • 3rd Runner-up: Netherlands, Yasmin Verheijen
    • 2nd Runner-up: Ukraine, Diana Harkusha
    • 1st Runner-up: USA, Nia Sanchez
    • Miss Universe: Colombia, Paulina Vega
    Miss Colombia wins
    Miss Universe 2014 – Paulina Vega, Colombia

    Congratulations to Miss ColombiaPaulina Vega for being crowned the 63rd Miss Universe!

  • The 63rd Miss Universe 2014/2015, which has been delayed for ages (thanks, Donald Trump!) is finally happening in a few hours. Here are amiciness‘s predictions for who might get to the Top 15 in the Miss Universe finals, in no particular order:

    Tune in to the 63rd Miss Universe at 8/7c (9 a.m. Philippine Time) to find out if we chose right. 😉

  • With The Ransom Collective
    Amiciness with The Ransom Collective at Indayog

    The Ransom Collective is a six-piece indie folk band composed of Kian Ransom (vocals, guitar, and owner of an awesome name), Lily Gonzales (keys), Muriel Gonzales (violin), Leah Halili (bass),  Jermaine Choa Peck (vocals and percussion), and Redd Claudio (drums). I got to see them live in St. Paul College Pasig’s concert event Indayog: An OPM Music Festival during their school fair. That was the first time I heard of them, and I immediately fell in love with their sound. I loved it so much that I even bought their self-titled EP, which of course I got the band to sign. Their music reminds me of a lot of bands (and I confess to not listening to a lot), so I’m just going to drop their names here: Stars, The Lumineers, a folkier Bombay Bicycle Club (it makes sense in my head, okay). Other blogs have also made the Mumford & Sons connection, but I contest that it’s only because they’re both in the indie folk sphere that accounts for the similar sound.

    The Ransom Collective EP Signed
    My own copy of the band’s EP. Also available digitally on iTunes

    The best track on the EP is Run. It starts with just the keyboard and guitar, then 30 seconds in, the drums kick in, then a short violin solo, and it just soars from that moment. Perfect to blast in your car and sing along to on a road trip. Although, I’ve got to say, The Ransom Collective is a much better experience to behold live. Their recorded stuff doesn’t do their sound justice. I heartily recommend watching them in concert and in gigs.

    Follow the band on social media:

    Buy their self-titled EP on iTunes, or stream it here: