FIRST YEAR ANIVERSARY

The "Feminine Force" series, organized by the Feminine Force Group, has turned one year old! And to mark one meaningful year, an anniversary concert was set on March 10, 2001 at Mayric's in Espana featuring unsigned but potential female-led bands.

Topbilling the line up of the gig, also in celebration of the Women's Month incidentally, are Blue Rats (blues), Tala's Pleygrawnd (ethnic rock), Sheila-Na-Gig (percussion group), Pula (socio-political), and Strawberry Fields (pop rock). Special guest is '80s pop rock female icon, Lou Bonnevie.

The FFG also presented an open-jam session with most of the bands who took part in last year's "Feminine Force" gigs, such as Imago, Fatal Posporos, Gypsy Grind, Tribal Fish, Lastiko, Mother Bjorn , and more. As part of the FFG tradition, surprise guests will be up on stage to do a monologue, recite a poem, read an essay, or just share a girl-talk with the audience. This is to strengthen the camaraderie between the artist and the crowd and establish an intimate friendship.

FFG is a non-profit, music-oriented group of young women committed to showcase the talent of women in art, literature, and (live band) music. This is one event that is far from being drab and boring. The major bands' show was set at 9 p.m., while the jam session starts kicking at midnight. It's rock till dawn! And ticket price is so low, you couldn't afford to miss the show.

Lady Fresh Feminine Wash and Epiderm-A Lotion (Rogemson Company) supported the FFG anniversary presentation.

--March 10th, 2001 -- Manila Bulletin Entertainment Section

WOMEN UNLEASH POWER THRU MUSIC

The band music scene has always been dominated by men. It's seldom we see a bevy of young women leading a show, or even participating on what's happening. But not when the "Feminine Force" series takes place.

The female-dom takes centerstage in every "Feminine Force" gig where gals showcase their talent in arts, literature, and music. When the organizer, the Feminine Force Group (FFG), marked its first anniversary recently at Mayric's in Espana, five potential bands unleashed "women power" on stage with raw band music as weapon.

Blue Rats gave the early audience a taste of Pinoy Blues sound. The band is a regular at Malate's rock and blues bars. Straberry Feilds dished out pop rock tunes. Tala's Pleygrawnd sampled their band of ethnic rock. Sheila-Na-Gig, the only all-female percussion group that has socio-political band, expressed commentaries on stage. And in between, Imago and Fatal Posporos jam-sessioned to the delight of the crowd. Both bands have been featured in the past "Feminine Force" gigs.

There were also frontwomen who dropped by without their bands, but nevertheless powered the set with their acapella renditions. Zarah Edralin of Snowblind sang ala Alanis Morissette and said something about feminism or femininity. Sazi Cosino of Lastiko was at ease with a Tracy Chapman ditty. She shared her essay on her so-called "bonus man".

Special guest Lou Bonnevie came and played two songs, acoustic-style, with the company of her trusted guitar. The FFG believes Lou is ideal because she's also very much attatched to her craft, not only as a Pinoy rock musician, but also as a producer as well. It was her first encounter with the discriminating Mayric's crowd.

A surprise celebrity comedienne also graced the event - Giselle Sanchez. That is because, Giselle is married to Strawberry Feild's drummer man Emil Buencamino. She stayed even after her hubby's set was over.

Lou and Giselle both read parts of the "Feminine Force Principles." a traditional task at every "Feminine Force" gig. The purpose is to share the enlightening and uplifting principles, taken from the self-help book of Georgette Morbascher, to the audience.

Even when there were some bands who were supposed to jam, but didn't make it, the faithful "Feminine Force" goers refused to leave. Pnly when one of the FFG members announced that the show was finally over, that people left the small hub, and slowly.

It was also announced that one of the plans of FFG for this year is the every-other-month gig at Mayric's, which will be open to old and new female-led bands. The FFG hopes to raise fund to sustain their future events, specially the big one slated late this year which will feature a photo or film exhibit.

The anniversary show didn't offer much, materially (only gift packs of Epiderm-A and Lady Fresh, plus white roses to the female guests were given as "souvenirs"), but it's successful again in bringing the talent and voice of women up front, for all of us to see.

--March 23, 2001 -- Manila Bulletin Entertainment Section -- Ms. Jhi Diola Gopez

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