KIS-MY-BONDING in Star City

One of my Japanice New Year’s resolutions is “to promote J-Pop” in Manila. I get to do this through a J-Pop dance cover group named “KIS-MY-BOYS” that covers the J-Pop group KIS-MY-FT2 or KISUMAI (check myearlier blog entry on “what is KISUMAI”) in which I am a member. The group have had some changes in the members’ line up since we started in June 2012 but the members as they are now seem to have steadied. The members are all into Japanese Pop Culture. Common interests such as anime, J-Pop, J-Rock and cosplaying make the group solid (I will no longer mention what “other interests” that are very common XD). All the members enjoy our performances and remain committed to rehearsals. As the main proponent of the group, I make it a point that everyone has fun in doing what we do. Our performances and the very group itself have also become an advocacy in not only promoting J-Pop Culture here in Manila but also to form invaluable friendship with other members of the local fandom. As basically the first (and so far the only) all-boys J-Pop cover group, we take a little pride in being instrumental to fuel the local fandom’s vibes and enthusiasm in J-Pop.

 

And so, it is very important for us to stay close to each other even if there are no rehearsals and J-Pop events that are upcoming. We are after all, friends and not just mere dancers who happen to belong in the same group. That is why for our first get-together this year, we decided to go to a theme park and dubbed the activity as “KIS-MY-BONDING”. It was very fun-full and thrilling for the boys to spend some time somewhere apart from rehearsing and playing Tekken (although we also spend a lot of time in the karaoke XD). It was really great for our other friends and fellow J-Poppers to have joined us in our simple excursion.

 

I also recall everyone singing Kisumai songs when we’re all about to go home. They just had to sing a Japanese song inside the van we rode from CCP going to EDSA that the driver must have felt awfully out-of-place. LOL And finally, the irony of it all is that there were at least five (5) instances that our group was persistently referred to as “K-POP” by other park-goers. Blame the hair and the fashion and the aura?=D K-Pop is the Asian Pop genre that’s mainstream locally so the reference is certainly inevitable. XD Trying to illustrate to other people the distinction of J-Pop and K-Pop is definitely an exercise in futility. But yeah, the torment of being misidentified can sometimes be burdensome. If you’re a J-Popper, you would know. =D

 

Here are some snapshots of the bonding we had that is so “KIS-MY”. ^_^ More photos in our facebook page: www.facebook.com/kisumaiboys



From Mall of Asia to Star City



At Mall of Asia



We fancied the wall bearing the KISUMAI member colors except Kitayama's LOL

KIS-MY-BOYS & FRIENDS

At Star City

There are two boys missing-in-action

Another group shot

Nikka gave the boys Valentine's Choco. It's customary for Japanese girls to give chocolates to boys around Valentine's Day

Off home. Energy drained. XD

{EVENT} KISUMAI PH First Gathering

Hello everyone! Sorry for the extra long hiatus (for anyone who’s actually following this blog). I can’t believe I don’t have a single blog post for the month of April... Hmmm… Considering that I missed attending Ozinefest 2012 because of an outing (which by the way was fun, no regrets) and that the academic term ended so I was quite busy submitting papers, I guess the hiatus is legit? =D

This particular blog post is a bit over due. KISUMAI PH held its first gathering last April 28 in Astoria Plaza in Ortigas.

***WAIT***

What is KISUMAI? 

Wikipedia identifies Kis-My-Ft2 (Kisu Mai Futto Tsū, "Kiss My Foot Two") as a 7-member Japanese boy band under Johnny & Associates. Their name comes from their members' names: Hiromitsu Kitayama, Kento Senga, Toshiya Miyata, Wataru Yokō, Taisuke Fujigaya, Yūta Tamamori and Takashi Nikaidō (ni is Japanese for the number 2). The group was a former Johnny's Jr. unit and debuted August 10, 2011. The unique feature about the group is that all its members do tricks and acrobatic moves on rollerskates.

***RESUME***

XD

Of course, I came and it was the first ever J-Pop gathering that I attended. Although I arrived late and left early, I really enjoyed the company of the girls. Had I not left early, I would have chatted with them more and definitely learned more of Kisumai. Well, needless to say, I must have had listened and watched lots of Kisumai music and vids then. I'm really looking forward to the next gathering. I admit that I'm not really "that" knowledgeable and updated as regards these boys or should I say, not “YET.” ^___^

I was expecting to meet other fanboys but I was the only one who came. Good thing a chibi fanboy (refer to the pics) was also there so I was not totally out-of-place~ hahah I was amused with the photos that the girls posted all over the room. I really thought, “Ibang level talaga ang fangirls..(sabay nganga).”  LMAO

We had tuna onigiri (rice balls with tuna fillings). They played guessing games and gave away posters and magazine pages to which I knew I had no chance of winning but I tried nonetheless and actually won magazine pages with ARASHI on them. XDD

It was fun and I wished I had more time with them to witness their spazzings and flailings. I’ve always been amused on how fangirls do those~ =D

On a last note, I was invited to be one of the admins of KISUMAI PH~ ^__^

It’s really exciting and I’m looking forward to becoming a full-pledged admin and to working with the girls. It’s really nice for them to add in a boy “dimension” in Kisumai Ph. =D They were likewise very supportive of the KIS-MY-BOYS cover group that I’ve been trying to form but this is where I’ll cut my blog post short. XD Until next time and hope us good luck for KisumaiBoys. ^_^

Chibi Fanboy Amir

Let the games begin~

Neo-mosaic :D

Focused. Everyone wants to win!

Group Pic

 

With Kisumai PH Admins

 

Taipi PH? XD

Kisumai 2nd Single PH Release and TamaMatsuri Convention

The very much awaited and anticipated “sequel” of the Philippine release of KIS-MY-FT2 or Kisumai’s record under Universal Records Philippines was held last Saturday. Kisumai’s second single, “We Never Give Up,” was simultaneously launched at Odyssey Megamall and Astroplus The Block. I opted for Odyssey since an anime convention was also scheduled on the same day in the same mall.

I purchased a bundle of the VCD Version A and the Concert DVDs with photo book for Php 2000.00. The cashier tried to convince me to get the two other versions of the VCD (Versions B & C), to which I only replied with a dry laugh. heheh.. Well, I do l like Kisumai but I’m not a hardcore fanatic. I’d like to show support to J-Pop in PH by purchasing their releases. While I love the music, the fashion and the dramas, I’m not really on a die-hard fan level (even to the point of memorizing the bio-data of the artists). =D That is also why, I wasn’t able to answer any questions of the fan club admins conducting games on that day except for the game on naming a drama where a Kisumai member starred. LOL I wanted to answer my favorite Ikemen Desu Ne but another got to answer first so I answered Risou no Musuko instead. Really nice I got to participate in that simple program.

I would likewise do the same as soon as Arashi gets to launch their records here in PH or for any other J-Pop artist for that matter. ^_^

As expected, I wasn’t drawn to win one of the three portraits raffled for those who purchased a bundle. >_< Never had any luck with lottery and the likes. 

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to watch the Kisumai dance cover performance of the fan girls that afternoon as I went up the mall and went to TamaMatsuri, an anime convetion held by De La Salle University students. Oh, how I love the Solan Bushi performance. It's a Japanese festival dance. I learned and danced it when I was in Kanzawa, Ishikawa during a cultural exchange program. *sigh* It was nostalgic.

The con was so-so. The usual merchandises. A number of cosplayers. Some bands. But there is something new... TAROT CARD reading!!! LOL I asked for two rounds of reading. XD One for a "general" prediction and the second about........... ROMANCE! hahah I picked four cards to represent my four prospects (believe me, I wanted to pick eight but I got shy). XDD What was I told about? Nah~ You don't honestly believe I'd share that here, right? =D

But it really gave me a good laugh. 10 for entertainment value! *_*

Back to Kisumai, I just can't wait for their third single and first album to be released here in the Philippines. And oh, wish me luck on my attempt to form a Kisumai cover group.

:3

Dressed Up and All Ready!

Kisumai PH

  

The much-coveted portrait XD

Jump Shot!

Solan Bushi Performers

 

Tarot Card Reading

Whut??

Concert DVDs

We Never Give Up