Sked for  November.

We will be closed on November 1 and 2. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

November
1 (Sat) CLOSED
2 (Sun) CLOSED
3 (M)- 3P
4 (T)- Writers Night (Romancing Venus & Matilda)/
Banyuhay ni Heber Bartolome
5 (W)- Early Evening Classical Music/ RJ JMNZ
6 (Th) ˆ Candelabra
7 (F)-  Cynthia Alexander
8 (Sat)- Mint Flavor
9 (Sun)- Gospel Jam (5-8pm)
10 (M) Piano Night w/ Rica Arambulo
11 (T) Writers Night (Pasiking)/ Ray Olaguer
12 (W) RJ JMNZ
13 (Th)- Paul Galang
14 (F)- Davey Langit
15 (Sat) Color it Red/ Gary Granada
16 (Sun)- Gospel Music Jam (5-8pm)
17 (M)- Songwriters Night
18 (T) Writers Night (Lira & ST Exposure)/
Banyuhay ni Heber Bartolome
19 (W)- Toto Sorioso
20 (Th)- Light it Up: Christian Musicians Night
21 (F)- Bayang Barrios & Mike Villegas
22 (Sat) November Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head: Stand-up Comedy Night w/ Mike Unson, Stanley Chi, Uli Oposa, Charms Tianzon
23 (Sun)- Gospel Jam (5-8pm)
24 (M)- Piano Night w/ Rica Arambulo
25 (T)- Writers Night (Araw ng Alyansa)/ Pido
26 (W)- Noel Cabangon
27 (Th)- Jess Santiago
28 (F)- Sessionroad
29 (Sat)- Cynthia Alexander
30 (Sun)- CLOSED

Date: Sunday, October 19, 2008, 10:48 PM

As the funding for CARP draws to an end by December 31, 2008, note those who are calling for a quicky charter change and those that are proposing the killing of CARP. These are the same guys who are killing democracy. Please read on.

soc

Subject: NEWSWEEK: How not to Save the World (by Fareed Zakaria)

September 20, 2008

 

How Not to Save the World

Valiant efforts are being made every day to end hunger, reduce poverty, save lives. But if we truly want to solve the world’s problems, here are five things we need to do. 

By Fareed Zakaria

So you want to spread democracy. By now, it’s pretty obvious that this is easier said than done. George W. Bush’s stirring rhetoric about freedom has suggested a too-simple path: just rid the country of its tyrant and the people will be free. Bush often asserts that people in every country and culture yearn for democracy and are capable of it. To argue otherwise represents cultural condescension. It’s not that President Bush is wrong at the abstract level–if Nazi Germany and fascist Japan could become democratic, it can happen most anywhere–but the argument holds at such an elevated plane that it becomes meaningless when applied on the ground. Consider, for example, Haiti, where the United States has attempted to foster democracy on and off for almost a century–with almost no success. Why? Surely Haitians yearn to be free. But there are aspects of its politics, economics and culture that have made it very difficult to establish liberal democracy. Changing these conditions is a hard, complex and long-term challenge. It is not impossible. There are many examples of success. But there are many more of failure. What is needed is careful study, pragmatism and humility.
 
One simple path to democracy is to hold elections. This has an obvious appeal. It legitimizes the political system, broadens participation and provides a simple answer to the question “Who should rule?” Holding elections is a defining feature of any liberal democracy. But it should not be the first step in building a democracy. Western societies went through centuries of modernization before they held elections. The Magna Carta, which first established limits on governmental power, preceded universal adult suffrage in Britain by about 800 years. It takes time to develop institutions of law and a civil society. Consider the problem of ethnic and sectarian strife, which is endemic to so many modern societies. If you hold elections in newly democratizing countries too fast, people will vote only according to their established ethnic, religious or racial identities–and that will undermine the creation of a genuine liberal democracy.

But if the simple solutions proposed by the right are not really that effective, neither are those suggested by the left. Foreign aid, for example, is not a panacea. More aid will not produce more democracy, or even better governance. Much of the history of foreign aid is one of good intentions leading to hellish situations–massive corruption and the entrenchment of near feudal elites. The early and successful transitions to democracy–in countries like Taiwan and South Korea in East Asia, and Chile in South America–were not the product of aid programs. There are certainly programs that have worked, many of them in medical and scientific areas. But while debt relief, new loans and grants are all worthwhile, how they are structured is absolutely crucial to their success. Otherwise, they can actually undermine the cause by giving foreign assistance a bad reputation.

If there is a dominant obstacle to building democracy, one that seems to recur in country after country, it is feudalism. In most developing countries, land is the most important asset, and is key to economic and thus political power. And the patterns of land ownership across much of the world are highly unequal. In a country like Pakistan , for example, land ownership has tended to remain concentrated, and as a result, a small group of local elites has wielded power, no matter what the political system. When elections are held, often the candidate elected is a local landowner or someone financed by him. Even in India, the regions where democracy functions worst–the large northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Biharâ–are those places where land ownership resembles that same pattern.

The solution is land reform, an orderly redistribution of assets–most often to the farmers who have worked on the land for generations.

The results speak for themselves. The United States pushed for land reform in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan .

All three ended up with functioning democratic systems. On the other hand, in Haiti, Cuba, the Philippines and Nicaragua , despite having the opportunity, America did not pursue land reform. The result is that in all those countries, establishing democracy has been a long, uphill battle.

Land reform has often been thought of as a socialist project.

But it is really the opposite. Properly done, the process for the first time puts land–the largest asset in most societies–into the marketplace. Most feudal elites acquired their land by dubious–and decidedly nonmarket–means, usually coercion or royal grants. These feudals rarely used their thousands of acres efficiently, often leaving them fallow. Land reform has tended to give ownership of the land to its users, who most often farm it efficiently or sell it to someone who can. The reforms are crucial in converting a backward peasant society into a modern capitalist one, which then creates the basis for civil society and democracy.

Americans should understand the link between privately held land and freedom. The 1862 Homestead Act, which gave away 10 percent of the land in the United States, was premised on precisely this connection. And the eminent economist-activist Hernando de Soto has argued that the chief obstacle to development in the Third World is the unwillingness of feudal elites and governments to give full-fledged property rights to their tenants and farmers.

A call for land reform is not as stirring as one for freedom. It is not as easy to televise as elections. But in the end, it is what will actually make democracy take root in foreign soil.

Cynthia Alexander is an independent Filipino singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Well known and respected for her instrument skills and her versatile and varied music. Also popular for her instant “pick” from the pocket trick whenever she’s invited to play in another band or artist’s gig. Also famous for her immortal lines “Trebel treble not volume sweetie !” She is also noted for her knack in the British accent when she lived most of her life in the Philippines.

Cynthia Alexander came from a clan of respected artists and her sibling, Joey Ayala, is another known artist in the Philippines. Other than music, Cynthia has also delved into art and does painting which was self-learned. In fact, album covers of Insomnia and Other Lullabyes and Comet’s Tail were both paintings made by her.

– from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynthia_Alexander

The Board met last night and decided on the following:

1. To celebrate the 5th Anniversary of Conspi, a general assembly of all conspirators i.e., Conspi Garden Cafe shareholders,  will be held on December 12, Friday, 6-8 P.M. A concert of Conspi artists will follow.

2. The G.A. will discuss the State of the Conspiracy and plans and elect the new set of officers.

We ask you to join us in this important event. Kindly send this invitation to co-inspirers in your address book to ensure everyone gets informed about our GA and Christmas celebration.
We ask every shareholder to come and visit our RestoBar and to treat families and friends there, more often.

See all of you!

Cheers!

Soc Banzuela
President, Conspiracy Garden Cafe

Starting out as a classical piano wunderkind excelling at competitions, Rica also played drums, percussion, recorder, organ, and sang at the school choir. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree (Major in Piano, Minor in Voice) cum laude, from the University of the Philippines College of Music. While in U.P. she was a Maria Mota piano scholar and consistently received the highest grade in music theory and piano. She also took courses in composition, and enrolled at the Grove School of Music in Los Angeles, California.

Since her undergraduate years, Rica played keyboards in several bands She has done in live concerts, tv, and theater. She did commercial jingles and album recordings as session keyboardist, arranger, backup vocalist, and musical director.

As songwriter,, Rica co-wrote Dahan-dahan, To Be Near You, and Tender Kisses, all commercial hits. She placed 3rd in the 1998 METROPOP FESTIVAL, a nationwide songwriting competition. In 1999 she collaborated with Louie Ocampo and Wilbur Victoria on a musical entitled Baclaran.

Rica released her self-titled debut cd under Viva records. The album showcases another facet of her artistry - as singer. The 13-track album contains all-original compositions, mostly acoustic style ballads. (Ikaw at Ako Pa Rin, Dahan-dahan, Missing You , Should I Stay, Falling, Should’ve Been Me) The album strips away the old pop formulas - less frills, all down-home goodness. The other songs dwell on the spiritual (Hold Out Your Hand, Safe In Your Arms), addiction (So Demanding), social issues (Amanda), the thrill of a summer getaway (Summer’s Here). Her musical influences range from classical to rock, R & B, jazz, new age, and folk. Several cuts on the album have found their way to the FM stations.

RICA ARAMBULO the album has been nominated twice for the 15th annual AWIT awards.

In 2003, Rica made history by becoming the first Filipino artist-producer to participate at MIDEM 35th International Music Market in Cannes, France.

Together with her band, she has showcased her originals at the Philippine International Jazz Festival.

Rica’s passion for singing started early. She admits that singing her own songs is one of the most powerful means of musical expression. “And it happens to be the most fulfilling art form ever created.”

RICA ARAMBULO is a study in contrasts. Set against Rica’s smooth, rich vocals and keyboards, the album blends classic with contemporary, strength with unmistakable femininity, tradition with modern edge.

Each track on the album shines like a gem cut to perfection. RICA ARAMBULO provides a refreshing alternative to the jaded music listener’s fare.

from http://cdbaby.com/cd/ricaarambulo

1 (W)- Noel Cabangon
2 (Th) – Toto Sorioso
3 (F)- Color it Red
4 (Sat)- Andres Bonifacio Choir
5 (Sun)- Gospel Jam (5-8pm)
6 (M) 3P
7 (T) Writers Night (Romancing Venus & Matilda)/
Banyuhay ni Heber Bartolome
8 (W) RJ JMNZ
9 (Th)- Paul Galang
10 (F)- Davey Langit
11 (Sat) Cynthia Alexander
12 (Sun)- Gospel Music Jam (5-8pm)
13 (M)- Piano Night w/ Rica Arambulo
14 (T) Writers Night (PAN FIL Website Launch)/
Diyosa
15 (W)- RJ JMNZ
16 (Th)- Ray Olaguer
17 (F)- Joey Ayala
18 (Sat) Comedy Nyt with Mike Unson, Stanley Chi and Uli Oposa with Charms Tiamzon
19 (Sun)- Gospel Jam (5-8pm)
20 (M) Songwriters’ Night
21 (T)- Writers Night (Oras ng Lira)/Banyuhay ni Heber Bartolome
22 (W) RJ JMNZ
23 (Th)- Christian Musicians Night
24 (F)- Bayang Barrios & Mike Villegas
25 (Sat)- Cynthia Alexander
26 (Sun)- closed (staff outing)
27 (M)- Piano Night w/ Rica Arambulo
28 (Tues)- Writers Night (Ang Teatro Martes: Koine)/ Pido
29 (W) RJ JMNZ
30 (Th) Jazz Night with Stella Ignacio
31 (F) Davey Langit

i miss how i could just head straight to the kitchen and ask for something to eat. i miss saying “sal, ano’ng ulam?” i miss how richard or rye or whoever is on duty would hold up a ready-to-open bottle of red horse toward me as soon as i walk in.

i miss how i could go there by myself and not feel alone. i miss conspi, and i think right now it’s a safe bet that i will be missing it more in the following months.

i miss the music most of all. i miss listening to whoever is playing and shutting everybody out. for the moment at least, it was always just me and the song, and perhaps my bottle of beer. and the rest of the world could disappear for all i care. a few, blissful minutes.

i wonder sometimes if other people feel the same way towards conspi. i wonder if they feel the pull, the need to be there and be immersed in something other than a noisy, smoky, ihaw-ihaw place. i wonder if they feel at home there too.

and i wonder.. do they miss conspi too, when they can’t be there?

and if they don’t, i wonder why not.

Video re-posted with permission from Uncle Tote

Video re-posted with permission from Uncle Tote