Three weeks ago, the fantastic stylist Rcxy Bautista posted in his new blog, MLA OTHRGRND, “Children of the Revolution,” an ode to Manila’s independent figures of the recent years. It was an exciting time, but there were no blogs to tell you that. One had to walk out and see it for himself. An Internet light year later, born are The New Independents. That was the thing at my haunt, Cubao X, over the weekend. Today, let me bring to your attention some DIY efforts possibly still under your radar. Because these days, you either DIY or Die.

1. The New Independents included the bonehead trio of OS, which just launched its 2nd volume of accessories. This collection marks the addition of more bones, leather, cuffs, knuckles, and caps. Paradigm Shift also just released its collaboration with upcoming designer Leatherengines, who made Dream Incubation, a collection of transformer pieces in the line’s signature black. If you missed Don Protasio during the Spring/Summer 2012 shows, that’s because he showed only in Cambodia, but the shoes were exclusively made here by Gold Dot. Another fashion week figure is Mike Lavarez, who sold his new RTW line. And then there was Salad Day x Kisses A with their brand of play. Missing were the pieces of top model Ria Bolivar, who is apparently releasing a clothing line but was mysteriously withdrawn from the lineup. We are watching.

Erwin & Zet

2. After two night’s worth of partying, it was time for me to take a laid-back Sunday, and I thank Erwin & Zet of Vicious The Boat for providing me with the soundtrack. Their profile goes: “We’re two friends who enjoy the same kind of sad bastard music that makes everyone else sleep. We like singing feel-good songs, dancing awkwardly in tight spaces, and sailing to unknown territories.” Erwin is drummer for The Strangeness and Don’t Bogart the Can…Man! and Zet is the fantastic girl behind the recently launched Spaces, “a diverse collection of people’s spaces through pictures and words.” I’m making a submission one of these days.

Photo: Mike del Rosario & Jan Michellardi

3. You probably know Musical O, Terno Recordings’ ambient babies, and if you do, you must be familiar with its vocalist/guitarist Marco Dinglasan (top right). Well, it has come to my attention that he’s uploading tracks from his archive in Soundcloud as Bleat. A little strange idea: I randomly clicked this Ted Talk by a 6th grader iPhone app developer while Marco’s “The stars have looked favorably upon me at last” was playing. Try it! Or actually, just listen to it on its own.

Yabu Japanese partners Chef Kazuya Takeda and Teiji Nakamura

4. A little food break. I passed by this new place, Yabu: House of Katsu, at Megamall’s Autrium last Friday and enjoyed the softest katsu I’ve ever tried. Their claim is you can cut through it with a chopstick (TRUE!). I cannot tell what is authentic, but their chicken katsu doesn’t taste like plain fried chicken, and turns out they have Jap partners. Prices are steeper than fastfood, but the servings are huge, they have a very attentive staff, and they offered us ice cream on the house!

Pauline Prieto for The Artisan

5. This is where I headed after the katsu meal: to the studio with the boys of The Artisan shooting a new campaign. How exciting is it? Well, it came to a point when they closed the door to contain the sexiness happening. Last month, they’ve already shot the lookbook in Hong Kong with the wonderful Regine David, and yesterday, one of the photos made it to Vogue Italia! I saw some behind-the-scenes from the shoot a.k.a. a documentary featuring 24-hour (literally) party people, and I cannot wait for the rest.—NANSAN