Sunday, June 7, 2015

Getting Personal with Katy Perry

Yes, you read it right. 

It has become personal ever since that fateful May 7 evening when Katy Perry (KP) graced the stage at the Philippine Arena.



In the beginning, I was not sure that I would enjoy KP’s show.  After all, she and I are of a different era.  Yes, her songs are catchy but I never paid too much attention on the lyrics.  Besides, I noticed that her songs and most of today’s hits are better listened to than sang.  Too much vocal acrobatics.  Not the straight forward tunes of Carol King or the Carpenters… Opps, I am showing my era.


Before the show, I brushed up on KP’s hit singles in an effort to appreciate her upcoming performance.  Definitely, the performances uploaded on youtube may be too outlandish or even offensive to some viewers.  Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” would seem rather tame as compared to KP’s “I Kiss a Girl”.


Keeping an open mind, I watch KP hit the stage with her block buster hit, “Roar”.  


(sorry, no audio)

Not even half way through her first number, I was hooked.  Swaying and clapping and trying my best to sing along together with my friends and the audience.

KP’s energy was exploding out of the stage like “Fireworks”.  There were a lot of youngsters with cat ears headbands, colorful wigs and eccentric outfits.   They seem to say, “This is How We Do it” for the love of KP.  When KP requested that everyone waved a light, the audience complied by putting the flashlight mode on their celphones like it was No Big Deal.   It’s incredible how the crowd had become so mesmerized with KP, they were willing to do anything she asked.



And when KP switched to “The One that Got Away”, the audience swooned and  loved her even more “Unconditionally”.


At one segment of her show, KP exclaimed, “Hopefully you would have more joy than you had when you came”.   The crowd agreed with cheers and applause.  And all too soon the show came to its end and KP bid good-bye but not without an encore.  We could not have enough of her. 

As I walked out of the venue, I could not help thinking that like very successful and popular singers of past generations,  KP’s songs clearly captures the emotions, the angst, and the essence of the current generation.  The lyrics maybe more direct and the dance moves more explicit than what I am used to or comfortable with but the meaning is the same—love, self-respect, acceptance, hurt, revenge, and youthful exuberance.

Yes, KP. I definitely had more joy when I left the arena than when I came.

xoxoxoxoxoxox
Remember Donna Summer’s "Enough is Enough (no more tears)" ?  
What about Gloria Gaynor’s “I willSurvive”?  
Well, it’s time you update your playlist. Do check out KP’s “Roar” and see what I mean. 
(click on the song titles to get the lyrics)
xoxoxoxoxox
All the kitty cats that showed up in KP’s show inspired me to share with you a favorite fish soup that will get you all purring with delight like a California Gurl. 

Tinowa or tuwa is Cebuano for a simple and one could say a “Minimalist” soup.  
When you read through the recipe below, you will understand why.
CC’s Tinowa

½ k fish—the freshest you can find (frozen will not do)
2 small tomatoes- quartered
1 stalk of green onions, sliced
1-2 pcs sili espada (sili pang sigang or jalapeno)
Salt


Procedure:
Boil enough water that would cover the fish- about 4 – 5 cups. When the water comes to a boil, lower the heat so water simmers.
Gently ease the fish into the water and follow this with the tomatoes, green onions and the sili. Add about 1-3 teaspoon of salt—depending on your preference for saltiness.
Continue to simmer until fish is cooked—careful not to over cook as certain fish, like Lapu-lapu, tend to be tough when cooked too long.

A squeeze of calamansi or lemon would make it purrrfect.


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