MIMICRY: The emerging Indie pop group of Lipa

Mimicry /mi mi kri/, still a relatively young group, is an Indie Pop Rock group from Lipa City Batangas and inspired by the likes of local heroes, the Eraserheads and Livepool's Fab Four, The Beatles. The group was formed in 2012 when all members were sophomores in college. Following a series of covers in 2013 mostly inspired by OPM bands, the group concluded that doing covers was not their thing. Instead they embarked on writing their own songs and creating their own music. Mimicry has to be heard. Music is absolute passion for young lads such as Eric Gonzales (frontman/lead vocals/rhythm guitarist), Rhobin Marcial (vocals/lead guitarist), Edzel Faina (vocals/bassist) and Lhumel Hilario (vocals/drummer/percussionist).

They started doing small gigs , playing for different occasions and social gatherings. A lot of late nights and sacrifices. Mimicry is the epitome of the phrase "Earning the right to play." They share their own experiences of rejection, being literally left out for a show and not being allowed to play on stage just because they were nobodies. Many tried to write them off and turned down their music. Giving them the good old advice of calling it quits even before they have proven themselves. It was not the dream start, but if things are at worst they only get better. The nobodies continued working on their music, and mastering their craft. After months of long hours practicing and at times taking unpaid gigs just to get that chance to play in front of people, Mimicry found the right tone as the year 2014 ended.

Now they get invited by universities to play in their events. Mimicry had also garnered their own fan base which is small but growing fast. This 2015, things took an even better turn when a Filipino music producer from Australia took notice of their work by offering them recording sessions and an EP album, "Roof Pop" which was released later.

Mimicry have definitely earned the right to play as they have served as front acts to some of the Filipino music band icons like Kamikazee, Tanya Markova, Rivermaya, Silent Sanctuary, Up Dharma Down, Chongkeys, Imago, Ney, Slapshock and other rap artists like Delo and Smugglaz which is definitely not a bad resume for a group of nobodies.

You can catch Mimicry and their album Roof Pop at iTunes, Spotify, Deezer and different online mp3 stores. They will also perform live in the upcoming Lipa City Philippines or LCP group Christmas evening this coming Dec 18th Friday 7pm at Lorenzo's Place in Fiesta Mall, Lipa City.

PROUD MOMENT: Engr. Mijeno Talks About Her Invention In APEC

Engineer Aisa Mijeno invented Sustainable Alternative Lighting or SALt. It's an alternative light source that runs on saltwater. According to Engr. Mijeno through ABS CBN interview, “It is made of tediously experimented and improved chemical compounds, catalysts, and metal alloys that when submerged in electrolytes will generate electricity". Her invention won several competitions here and abroad and received recognition from various countries.

She made another milestone in her career when she shared stage with President Obama and Jack Ma of Alibaba during the ongoing APEC summit in Manila. Pres. Obama asked Engr. Mejino on what have been the challenges and how could both the private and public sectors be helpful in encouraging young entrepreneur like her. Mejino answered "Based on our experience, I guess what we need here is like a support system because we have the passion... what we need is the support system both from the private sector and the government to mentor us [guide us] on how we can scale up the product and we also need support in terms of funding... we are looking for someone to fund us to get the project moving" which drew cheers from the crowd after Pres. Obama pointed to Jack Ma after hearing the word fund.

Engineer Aisa Mejino is also working as professor and laboratory engineer in De La Salle Lipa and from baranggay Tambo.
watch her interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGZs6xbGIbA

PROUD MOMENT: Southern Luzon Won Over NCR In Volleyball Match

Southern Luzon represented by De La Salle Lipa girls upset National Capital Region represented by lady bullpups of National University in a national volleyball championship match sponsored by Shakey's.

The team led by Janel Maraguinot also won the right to represent the Philippines in Shakey's Girls' Volleyball League International Finals set this coming December. Regine Diego, head coach, and her assistant Raphael Guevarra, both alumni of DLSL, were behind this victorious moment.

photo: from De La Salle Lipa website
source: Manila Times and De La Salle Lipa websites

Proudly From Lipa: Chelony Pinaypainter

Chelony Pinaypainter recently received an award from Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands, H.E. Jaime Victor Ledda, and BITAW Breda recognizing her talent in the field of arts, photography and film making.

Chelony is from San Jose, Lipa City and studied Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education at Lipa City Public College (now Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Lipa) and finished a film making course at SAE Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Other than painting, she had been a freelance artist, photographer and art director in different television events and shows while in the Philippines. She was also a DJ in an FM station based in Lipa City and has engaged into multiple arts exhibit in both local and national events. She won in different arts competition and received awards like Best Female Artist in Batangas.

At present, Chelony is happily married to a former NBA player, Erwin Lelieveld, and is based in the Netherlands with 2 kids. She is still active in photography, arts and added filmmaking in her skills. Last April, she and her team won best use of props in a Dutch Film Festival for short films where she was the art director and make up artist for special effects.

Congratulations, Chelony!

Candlelight Cafe Opens In Lipa Uptown

Candlelight Cafe is starting to be recognized as an alternative coffee shop in Lipa among more popular brands available in the city. It is a local coffee shop owned by spouses Mr Morten Carstensen, originally from Denmark, and Dr Marichu Liwag-Carstensen of Inosloban, Lipa City.

Candlelight Cafe's branch in Bigben Complex is their 2nd while the first one is located in Marawoy. Like other coffee shops around, they are serving the usual frappe, coffee, smoothies and pastries but they also have rice meals, pasta, sandwiches and salads in their menus. Their add on is their paintings, candles and other artistically created displays by Dr Marichu and her students.

Dr Marichu is the founder of Lipa Youth Art Club and Doctor of occupational medicine by profession. She is also a graduating student in UP Diliman College of Fine Arts major in Industrial Design. Her husband is engaged in construction business other than working as chef of Candlelight. They are also the makers and designers of Doc's Candle.

With their hands on their businesses combined with passion on arts, choosing Candlelight Cafe on your next visit to a coffee shop will give you a different and wonderful experience plus their menu is ranging only from 50 to a little over 200 pesos per order.

How Big Is SM Lipa Mall?

TRIVIA: Lipa's SM mall is the 15th biggest SM mall in the Philippines and #2 in CALABARZON according to gross floor area as of Sep 2015. Once the new 4 storey parking building will be completed, its gfa will increase to 169,495 sqm and will climb up to #11 or #12.

Expansion of mall or business is a marketing decision of a company based on the growing demand in the area and purchasing power of its patrons. SM City Lipa is competing well with other branches and has been lifted into a premiere mall last 2014 with lots of on going renovation. Here's the top 20:

1. 474,225 - SM MEGAMALL
2. 457,403 - SM CITY NORTH EDSA
3. 406,962 - SM MALL OF ASIA
4. 273,804 - SM CITY CEBU
5. 251,094 - SM AURA PREMIER
6. 201,645 - SM CITY DASMARIÑAS
7. 188,681 - SM CITY FAIRVIEW
8. 184,552 - SM SOUTHMALL
9. 181,593 - SM CITY SAN LAZARO
10. 178,178 - SM CITY MARIKINA
11. 167,812 - SM CITY MANILA
12. 154,020 - SM CITY CABANATUAN
13. 145,174 - SM LANANG PREMIER
14. 144,484 - SM CITY CLARK
15. 141,283 - SM CITY LIPA
16. 137,229 - SM CITY BACOLOD
17. 132,965 - SM CITY STA. MESA
18. 131,818 - SM CITY GENERAL SANTOS
19. 131,158 - SM CITY PAMPANGA
20. 126,425 - SM CITY DAVAO

source: skyscrapercity