Happy World Listening Day!

Gentle Universe participated and performed in the celebration of World Listening Day 2011 Cavite PH. It was an intimate gathering to celebrate listening and field recordings. Thanks to all the organizers and participants! Here are some photos taken during the event. Additional photos courtesy of Valerie Faye Bautista.


road trip to Balite Falls...

Shey & Dylan. Welcome to the magical place!

the mystical bird was turned into a stone...


nature amphitheater

listening to recordings of Gerard Natividad (Acoustic Ecology)

sound collage improv by Tengal and Erick Calilan (photo by Valerie Faye Bautista)

Gentle Universe performing (photo by Valerie Faye Bautista)

Gentle Universe (photo by Valerie Faye Bautista)

Gears!

French sound artist Samuel Andre. He presented his field recordings from a festival in Taiwan. (photo by Valerie Faye Bautista)

moo...

World Listening Day 2011 Cavite PH was presented by: World Listening Project (WLP) & Midwest Society for Acoustic Ecology (MSAE), E.X.I.S.T. (EXperimentation In Sound art Tradition), Sonic Mind Fields, Tourism Office of Amadeo & Balite Falls Spring Resort and Espasyo Siningdikato creatiVEnue

Happy Birthday Fairy Godmother!

Ime Morales, the fairy godmother of Gentle Universe is celebrating her birthday today!

"Gentle Universe" was named after a line in one of her poems. She is a Filipina writer, a tai chi practitioner and founder of Isang Bata, an independent organization of volunteers who help underprivileged Filipino children. Visit www.isangbata.blogspot.com to find out more about the group's campaigns. If you want to support the projects, you may send her a message through blubitel@yahoo.com.

Happy Birthday Fairy Godmother!

As a present, here is one of the tracks that we currently perform during our live sets. Enjoy!

- Gentle Universe

Gentle Universe -Saglit by blendermusika
*written by Erich Diolola

Gentle Universe ABC: B is for BOAT

Week 2. As part of the Gentle Universe ABC video that we are making, here is the sketch for letter B. This was done in MS Paint also. See you again next week for letter C! :-)

Happy sailing!

- Cris

Gentle Universe at World Listening Day 2011 (Cavite PH)

Dear friends and families, Gentle Universe will perform at the celebration of World Listening Day 2011 this Sunday, July 17, 2011 (2PM to 6PM). World Listening Day is an annual global call to celebrate the practice of listening and field recording.

We are celebrating World Listening Day 2011 in Balite Falls, Amadeo, Cavite ,with presentation by Charlie Morales (on Acoustic Theory), Dok Natividad (Acoustic Ecology), French Sound/Video Artist Samuel Andre (Field Recordings), Erick Calilan(Circuit-Bending) and Gentle Universe . We would like to event everyone to join us. Outdoor sound event for the whole family. You can also check out the Facebook event here. RSVP erickcalilan@yahoo.com. Cheers! :-)

Gentle Universe ABC

We are creating a new ABC video with sounds designed by Gentle Universe.

The d.i.y. alphabet video is inspired by Dan Matutina (one of our favorite Filipino graphic designers); Bruno Munari, Batibot and Sesame Street. Here is one of our initial sketches using MS Paint. :-)



By the way, Gentle Universe will participate in the celebration of World Listening Day 2011. Check out the FB event page here.

Gentle Universe will perform at Sining Kalikasan

Gentle Universe will perform at Sining Kalikasan, a 2-day art and nature festival. We will play on June 25 (Saturday), 5 pm. For more details, check out the event page on Facebook.

Special thanks to Espasyo, Tanghalang Pascual Poblete, International Institute of Rural Reconstruction, Souk Kafe, Robinsons Place Dasmariñas, La Salle Filipiniana Dance Co., Cavite Young Writers Association, Alipato, Aklatang Panglungsod ng Dasmarinas and Doodle Art

SINING-KALIKASAN is a convergence of artists from various art disciplines and other stakeholders who advocate for the conservation and preservation of our environment. It aims to further artists’ commitment to instill, inculcate and nurture in them and to our brothers and sisters a genuine concern for nature and of our environment. Likewise, the event is a celebration of the creativity and artistry of Dasmarineños and a synergy of creative forces from various sectors whose desire is to make the earth a healthy place to live in. The celebration is in line with the Presidential Proclamation Order No. 237, Series of 1988, declaring every month of June as Philippine Environment Month.

Remembering Wind Vanes

The windy weather, reminds me of wind vanes that we used to do as elementary school projects. I found this nice wind vane from socialbits.org. Cool! Brrr.

Coming Soon! World Listening Day 2011!

Gentle Universe will participate in the celebration of World Listening Day 2011! More details coming soon!

How to Make Paper Pinwheels

We are planning to create paper pinwheels for Dylan's upcoming birthday. We found this easy to follow instructions. You should try it out too!



"Colorful pinwheels, made out of coordinating sheets of origami or lightweight paper, stand tall against a blue summer sky, poised to whirl at the slightest suggestion of wind."
http://www.marthastewart.com/272283/paper-pinwheels

Smile, Breathe and Go Slowly*

Here are some photos during the World Tai Chi and Qigong Day 2011 Philippines. Thanks to Peace Blossoms Internal Arts Society and all the participants! It is an honor for Gentle Universe to be part of the celebration.

Antonio Delgado, President of Peace Blossoms, said “We are celebrating World Tai Chi and Qigong Day to express unity and radiate positive energy towards our environment; at Peace Blossoms, our focus is to radiate peace, love and harmony through the practice of tai chi.”


Discussions about Tai Chi and its application for health (photo taken inside the venue, Veterans Medical Center, North Edsa, Quezon City)

Group Shibashi at 10:00 in the morning, lead by Senior Citizens Group from Brookside Hills Subdivision, Cainta, Rizal. “At 10am on April 30, different countries from all over the world will be doing tai chi together, so because of the different time zones, the effect will be such that the whole world will be doing tai chi together for 24 straight hours,” Delgado, President of Peace Blossoms, explained.

Live ambient music and sounds by Gentle Universe during the group Shibashi
left to right: Cris Garcimo, Erich Diolola

Ime Morales, Tai Chi instructor for children, with her son Bowi

Left to right: Charlie Morales, sound engineer, Ime Morales (Peace Blossoms Internal Arts Society), Bowi, Shey with Dylan. Taken outside the venue

Gentle Universe, after gig hangout and kite flying at UP Diliman, Sunken Garden.:-)

Smile, breathe and go slow*
left to right: Erich Diolola, Dylan, Shey and Cris Garcimo . Taken at UP Diliman, Sunken Garden

*"Smile, breathe and go slowly” is a quote from Thich Nhat Hanh, and used as a theme for Word Tai Chi and Qigong Day 2011 Philippines.

Gentle Universe at World Tai Chi and Qigong Day 2011, Philippines

Gentle Universe will perform at World Tai Chi and Qigong Day 2011, Philippines on April 30, 2011, Saturday.

The country’s biggest gathering of tai chi and qigong enthusiasts happens at the Valdes Hall of Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) on North Avenue, Quezon City. The World Tai Chi and Qigong Day (WTCQD) celebration is an annual event that is celebrated across 70 countries all over the world. Peace Blossoms Internal Arts Society (Peace Blossoms), a recreational club founded in 2008, has been hosting and organizing this global activity for four years now. Its predecessors, Spring of Harmony Internal Arts Club and Blue Dragon Society, in partnership with the Chevalier Monks of Christ, have been organizing the WTCQD celebrations since 2003.

Here is a link to the sound and musical improvisation of Gentle Universe for the event. This was recorded on April 27, 2011 using a portable Sony recorder for rehearsal purposes.

Cris Garcimo (Blend:er) - keyboards, synth, field recordings, sound design, music producer
Erich Diolola - keyboards, synths, sound design

About Gentle Universe (History)

"Gentle Universe" is a nature and children-inspired ambient sound performance group from the Philippines. Inspired by the birth of his son, it was founded by ambient musician and sound designer Cris Garcimo in 2011. They create music and sounds using vintage synths, computers, toys and field recordings.

The group has performed at Lopez Museum’s Reverb at SM Mall of Asia, Ayala Museum during Ang INK's 20th anniversary exhibit, UP Vargas Museum, Ronac Art Center, Secret Fresh Art Gallery, Alliance Francaise de Manille (Spring of Poets 2012 w/ Yanna Acosta), Anteroom Sessions Two at Cubao X, Greenbelt Fashion Walk 2012, Rockwell Tent for Mommy Mundo and Heima Store during the launch of its summer collection.

“Gentle Universe” was named after a line in a poem written by Ime Morales, a Filipina writer and childhood friend of Cris Garcimo. Ime Morales is also a tai chi practitioner and founder of Isang Bata, an independent organization of volunteers who help underprivileged Filipino children. Visit www.isangbata.blogspot.com to find out more about the group's campaigns. If you want to support the projects, you may send her a message through blubitel@yahoo.com

Music and sounds:

Cris Garcimo - synth, toy piano & keyboards, sound design,

(family projects with Shey Guemo-Garcimo. Shey doesn't play music. But she helps in family projects like these handmade postcards)

Erich Diolola - synth, melodica, shaker, programming (currently in Canada)

Valerie Faye Bautista - keyboard, toy piano, harmonica

Stanley Castelo - melodica, toy piano

Yen Reville - visuals

Collaborator/guest:

Amiya - improvisational vocals (guest at Lopez Museum's Reverb, Sept, 2011)

about Cris Garcimo

Cris Garcimo - electronic musician/sound designer based in the Philippines. He creates sounds and music using vintage synths, old keyboards, computers and children's toys. He also incorporates field recordings and found sounds in his works and performances.

His music has appeared in Mood Swing Theater (2004), released independently by Kittenwhip Compilation, Atlanta, U.S.A. One of his tracks was also featured in S.A.B.A.W. Anthology CD (2006) – the first anthology of sound art, electronic, and experimental music in the Philippines.

He has performed in several music and sound events/festivals such as Media Arts Manila's Field Trip (Green Papaya Arts Project), Asia-Europe New Media Arts Symposium (ASEUM 09), Tupada Action and Media Arts (TAMA 09, Ateneo Manila), Noises at the Park (Concert at the Park Series Luneta, Manila) and Fete Dela WSK (2010, with E.X.I.S.T). He has also performed as part of Gangan Synth Orchestra, the first Synth Orchestra in the Philippines. He lives in Cavite, Philippines with his wife Shey and their son, Dylan.

Timeline (last updated - May 8, 2012)

April 20, 2011 - Gentle Universe's first performance. Cris invited Erich Diolola (also from Cavite) to perform with him as part of the group. They provided live ambient music during the group Shibashi for the celebration of World Tai Chi Day.

They performed as a duo for the following:

· Sept 7 - Subflex, B-Side, The Collective

· Aug 27 - Launch of Paper Monster Press

· Aug 20 - Espasyo (Art Space)

· August 14 - Mercato Centrale, Mommy Mundo Expo

· July 17 - World Listening Day 2011 (Cavite PH) with French sound artist Samuel Andre

· June 25 - Sining Kalikasan, Rob Dasma

· April 20 - World Tai Chi Day 2011, VMMC QC

Gentle Universe at Mercato Centrale for Mommy Mundo, August 14, 2011

Gentle Universe at World Listening Day, July 17, 2011

September 2011 – Cris invited ValeriecFaye Bautista to join them for their performance at SM Mall of Asia for Lopez Museum’s Reverb. Valerie is also from Dasma, Cavite.

They performed 4 tracks including "Saglit" which was written by Erich Diolola.

Cris produced the live version with 3 keyboards/toy piano and a melodica part at the end of the track.

-----------------------

November 2011 – Erich Diolola migrated to Canada with her family after their petition was granted.

November 21, 2011 – Cris and Valerie performed as a duo for the following gigs

Gentle Universe at Ayala Museum

Nov 21, 2011 - Ayala Museum, INK Anniversary

Gentle Universe at CCP

Dec 10, 2011 – Cultural Center of the Philippines (along side Elemento)

Dec 15, 2011 – N/WSK at Saguijo w/ Outerhope, Wilderness, Similar Objects, etc.

December 29, 2011 – Cris invited Stan to play the parts of Erich. Stan joined the group for the Electronica Manila’s benefit gig at Saguijo for Sendong victims.

Here is the current line up of Gentle Universe for gigs

Cris Garcimo – casio keyboards, yellow toy piano, beats and programming

Valerie Faye Bautista – toy grand piano, casio Sk-1, glockenspiel

Stanley Castelo –red toy piano, shakers, triangle

Yen Reville – visuals/animation (if a projector is available at the venue)

Cris, Valerie and Stan performed as a trio for the following gigs:

Gentle Universe at Rockwell Tent

(Stanley, Valerie, Cris)

• May 5, 2012 - Rockwell Tent, ExpoMom 2012

Gentle Universe at Heima (Photo courtesy of Heima)

• May 5, 2012 - Heima Store & Lifestyle (LRI, Makati) - Summer Collection

• April 28, 2012 - Souk Kafe - Anniversary Show, Benefit gig for Lirio Salvador

• April 27, 2012 - Quantum Cafe, Electronica Manila gig for Lirio Salvador

• April 20, 2012 - Greenbelt Fashion Walk 2012 Ayala

Gentle Universe at Cubao X

• March 31, 2012 - Anteroom Session 2, Cubao Expo (w/ Tarsius, Slow Hello, Ang Bandang Shirley and more)

• March 24, 2012 - Espasyo Open House/Fundraising for Lirio Salvador

• March 15, 2012 - Alliance Française de Manille

• Feb 27, 2012 - Opening of Coffee Bean, Ronac Art Center

• Feb 17, 2012 - FWGP's OpenBook, Chef's Bistro

Gentle Universe at Secret Fresh

• Feb 12, 2012 - Secret Fresh Gallery (vinyl toy shop and gallery) opening of Garapata Exhibit

Gentle Universe at Vargas Museum

• Jan 19, 2012 - Vargas Museum

• Jan 14, 2012 - Benefit Gig for Lirio Salvador

• Dec 29, 2011 - Saguijo, Benefit Gig for Sendong Victims

For more inquiries, e-mail csgarcimo@gmail.com

Thank you! :-)