Scare Tactics

2009 November 10

PhotobucketEvery now and then, some creative pranksters, concoct stories to scare the community at large.

They then spend inordinate amount of thought and energy on making the stories viral.  In just a few days, the whole country is quaking in their shoes in fear. Over what?

Over imaginary goblins. read more…

The Discovery of a Gem of a Book

2009 November 9

PhotobucketI wrote about the subject of how buying magic books from local book stores can pay good dividends.

Today let me write something similar.

For some time now, I have been meaning to buy the Magic of Alan Wakeling. However, I have been dragging my feet to do the one thing a sensible magician should do right away.  I stiffened my Scrooge-like resolve not to part with my money, even though I know the book is a good investment. Even though the book is not expensive.  Even though I have been itching to get hold of a copy.

read more…

Hoop, Hoop, Hurray!

2009 November 3

PhotobucketHow do you prove that a levitating lady is unattached to a thread or string?

Why, of course, you prove it by passing a solid hoop through the lady’s body while she is floating in midair. read more…

Busy Week

2009 November 2

PhotobucketMy apologies to the readers of this blog.  I have not written an article for over a week.  I’m up to my neck with activities these few days, and I just didn’t have the inclination, nor time to spare, to pound articles on the keyboard. read more…

Now Selling: Egg Bag

2009 October 22

PhotobucketToday I stumbled upon an ad copy of Jeff Hobson’s Egg Bag.

As a magician in the Philippines performing for Filipino families, I read the ad in awe.  I’ve read it before with nary a reaction. But now, after reading it again, I’m in awe, stunned even.

read more…

Unfamiliarity Breeds Disdain

2009 October 21

WednePhotobucketsday’s Performance Tip: Master Your Act. If you have not yet gotten your act down pat, don’t perform it.Photobucket

The audience deserves better than a half-baked presentation. If you give them less than your best, they would know.  They would feel it in their sinews if you are bluffing through your performance, pretending you know what you are doing. read more…

Long Winding Magic: A Deadly Performance Killer

2009 October 19

PhotobucketLengthy introduction is a surefire attention killer.

It kills interest in your speech, if you are an after-dinner speaker.  It turns off potential buyers, if you are a sales person. It sends people to dreamland, if you are a product presenter.  It bores audiences, if you are mentalist or magician in the Philippines. read more…

Turning and Tossing on the Dove Toss

2009 October 15

Photobucket Dove magic is one of the most beautiful manipulative acts to perform.  It is elegant, amazing and entertaining.

Many magicians in the Philippines love to perform dove magic. Leodini is one of them.

Yet, launching oneself into dove magic is a difficult enterprise. First, you have to buy those doves—not just any type of doves, but the kind that God made for magic. read more…

Slowly and Unsurely Turns Off the Audience

2009 October 14

WednePhotobucketsday’s Performance Tip: Don’t Drag Your Feet

Dragging is the opposite of rushing. They are  equally boring. If you perform at supersonic speed, you will leave your audience wondering what the heck you are doing. Your performance will be a blur.

On the other hand, a snail-pace performance can put people to sleep.Photobucket read more…

Signature Act

2009 October 13

Words of wisdom from superstars don’t always apply in the Philippine  magic scene.

Take for example signature acts. Someone I idolize has been spreading the Gospel of building a signature act.

A signature act is something a performer has been doing so long that he has mastered it. It has become identifiable with him.
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For example, Jeff Hobson, Egg Bag. The Pendragons, The Metamorphosis.  Leodini, looking like Mel Gibson.

read more…