“Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board. For some they come in with the tide. For others they sail forever on the horizon, never out of sight, never landing until the Watcher turns his eyes away in resignation, his dreams mocked to death by Time. That is the life of men. Now, women forget all those things that they don’t want to remember, and remember everything they don’t want to forget. The dream is the truth. Then they act and do things accordingly.” — From Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Jena walks away with the lighter, and Teaze clears her throat. Loudly. Jena turns, feigns surprise and says “Huh? Me? Oh.... hahahaha,” and tosses it back on the table, with a smirk on her face and twinkle in her eye. Teaze grabs it, stuffs it back into her pocket rolling her eyes, and they both laugh.
It happens when you share lighters, see. And headphones. And tiangge finds. And the same air at least three times a week for work, and who knows how many other times for girl chit-chat over coffee or manicures. You forget what’s yours and what’s hers, which is dope, because sharing is caring. They are the ladies of Steak Productions, Manila’s Urban Party Princesses — Teaze and Jena — our humble but buzzing city’s very own female DJ tandem. And my friends, hush hush, but...Asia is talking. And why wouldn’t they? Everyone enjoys a novelty female group, no matter where in the world you are. There’s only one problem. These chicks will give any boy a run for their money — behind the booth, on the dance floor, at the bar, in life. So allow me to retract the word “novelty,” as it has a sense of frivolity and impermanence to it, and to the contrary, these firestarters are standing in front of the gate of the Land of Opportunity, a For Sale sign hiked over one shoulder, foot propped on a shovel. This is their turf now, and you better believe they’re just getting started with the building. But like I was saying…of all the things they do share, what they keep solely theirs, (aside from boyfriends, and all things related to boyfriends) is their own personal style...and swag.
swag: v. swagged, swagg-ing, swags/ v. intr. - To move over an area of surface with C.A.S (confidence, appearance, and style) by taking steps with the feet at a pace slower than a run.
See swagger.
I like the way you talk, I like the way you walk, I love it all baby, where’d you get it dawg? Right step, left step, dawg don’t stagger, watch the way I swag dawg, that’s my swagger.
Jena is the relatively quiet, brooding one that comes quick with witty one-liners, and an occasional smattering of she-did-not-just-say-that jokes. She can decapitate you with her glares, but lest that lead you to mistake her for a witch, she’s actually one of the most steadily sincere and conscientious people you’ll ever meet — quick to say please and thank you, determined to not sleep until she’s got all her bases covered; and that’s everything from buying more equipment, to getting her two young nephews financially “all good” in the baon department. Teaze suffices as the fresh air in the group, perpetually bouncing and laughing and asking and explaining. And she does impressive imitations in her naturally unassuming Teaze-way, too. Everybody’s best friend, the baby-girl of Steak’s local roster, and one chick who’s ready to show everyone whose world this really is...
They hella say “hella”…
hella: Originated from the streets of San Francisco in the Hunters Point neighborhood. It is commonly used in place of “really” or “very” when describing something.
The Fillmore is hella better than the Mission./ Thank God LA is hella far away.
Which is not to say either are from San Francisco (Jena = Cebu by way of Los Angeles, Teaze = Baguio). But they’re global, and down with the times, which, in layman’s terms, means that they understand this industry, this generation, the importance of saving the environment and educating the youth, as well as the sacredness of things like friendship, trust, morals, and faith. They also happen to possess an uncanny ability to become “that girl” that all the dudes feel comfortable kicking it with, and that all the girls wish they could be more like. And just so it’s established — I’m not even going to go into the whole “she’s actually GOOD, even for a girl” scene, because there’s no need. Anyone that’s ever heard them reacts in this pattern: excited, frazzled, giddy, awed, voice pitch rises, hands begin flailing, compliments start flowing, and a lot of “I gotta tell so-and-so about them and get them out to play at so-and-so” comments begin echoing around the booth. And how do the girls act when they hear these things? They don’t, dummy. They have their headphones on.
Sexy. Talented. Sassy. And really really good girls, that are spiritual, driven, friendly, humble, and (gasp!).... smart, to boot. Filipinas. Your friendly neighborhood DJ’s, Teaze and Jena.
DJ Teaze
Real name: Thea Arvisu
School is cool: Did HS duty at Brent Baguio/International School Manila, currently eyeing an education in Interior Design.
Bejeweled: Thea designs and handcrafts jewelry for some of Manila’s youngest trendsetters
Rhythm is a dancer: She rolled with the All Stars when they were just launching comets.
Do you remember the first time you went into a club?
Yeah. I didn’t know what to do with myself. (Smiles).
If you had to be a groupie, who would you latch yourself onto?
Johnny Depp.
What can you do better than a man?
... be a girl. (Smiles).
What can men do better than you?
They should be able to kill bugs better than me...
Boy-crazy or one of the boys? Prove your answer.
One of the boys, fashigadoe. I relate to a lot of the things they talk about (ex. music, sports, movies, the stereotype “guy” things, etc) and I’m just really not the girly girl type.
One music video you think should have never aired.
MC Hammer. Pumps and a Bump. Have you seen it? (Smiles).
Fill in the blanks. Other than being a DJ, your friends label you as the “__________” of the group.
Dancer.
Analogies: You are to Music, as __________ is to ___________
Key be to lock? Money to rent? (smiles), no idea. That’s a hard one.
Besides the DJ booth, where are you most likely to be found at the club?
By the bar... or my designated dance floor
When you look back at your teenage years, what song is playing as the soundtrack?
Back in the Day (Puff) - Erykah Badu
How do you unwind/keep balance/stay sane?
I talk to my favorite doctor (Author’s note: For fear that she sounds like she sees a shrink, I should inform you that Thea’s better half, is a doctor. Well, almost, anyway.)
What is your biggest guilty pleasure?
Eating lots of food and going to sleep right after.
Why are you a role model Pinay?
Because I’m doing something out of the norm and I work hard for everything I have.
What’s one thing you’re trying to get better at?
Walk in high heels...
Message to the ladies out there:
Believe in yourself, follow your dreams, have fun, and don’t ever settle for anything less than what you deserve
DJ Jena
Real name: Jena Daza
We call her J.Dizza: She adores legendary producer J.Dilla, and is steadily following in his footsteps having already produced tracks for Keith Martin, and Nimbusnine.
Award Tour: Jena is the reigning Philippine Hip-Hop Awards Club DJ of the Year...
Straight Flush: ...and poker player extraordinaire.
Do you remember the first time you went into a club?
Zero Below, Cebu.
I was nailed to the DJ’s booth. I didn’t even drink (with the exception of iced teas all night). I just wanted to hear hip-hop and watch people move to it.
If you had to be a groupie, who would you latch yourself onto?
If I had to be one, I’d latch myself onto Kanye West. I look up to him as a producer — he isn’t afraid to venture out, be inspired by different genres of music, and experiment. And as an MC, he has his witty one-liners from time to time. As a person, the tremendous rate at which he moved to the top is remarkable. That kind of hustle is hard to match nowadays. I want that.
What can you do better than a man?
Smile my way out of trouble.
What can men do better than you?
Pee standing up. Really? Nothing comes to mind. As cliche as it sounds, I can do anything.
Boy-crazy or one of the boys? Prove your answer.
I would say one of the boys just because I feel more competitive with men and it brings out the best in me. It tests what I can do. But my big sister would say boy-crazy — I’ve hardly ever been without a boyfriend, which is something she’s pointed out time and time again.
One music video you think should have never aired.
Master P’s Make ‘em Say Ughh. It didn’t make sense to me. There was was a tank in the basketball court.
Fill in the blanks. Other than being a DJ, your friends label you as the “__________” of the group. ___________
(Author’s note: She left this one blank. I will take the liberty of interjecting “one man band/musical genius aka Mozart” in there for her.)
Analogies: You are to Music, as __________ is to ___________.
I am to Music, as Jack Nicholson is to the Lakers. A die-hard, dedicated fan.
Besides the DJ booth, where are you most likely to be found at the club?
At the bar talking to my girls or my boyfriend or somewhere where I can see the majority of the crowd and listen to what the other DJs are doing, and taking note of the crowd’s reactions to songs.
When you look back at your teenage years, what song is playing as the soundtrack?
Mary J Blige’s My Life for the laid-back but still passionate feel. But since I got out of the house and started living alone, Notorious BIG’s Juicy.
How do you unwind/keep balance/stay sane?
I literally put headphones on. When I’m at my best, I’m listening to music. I feel at ease when I do. I take note of everything, from rhyming sequence and word play to song structure and drum patterns. The song playing will have my complete attention. It could be the simple state of concentrating on something so hard that makes me feel peace. Whatever it is, I find it in hip hop.
What is your biggest guilty pleasure?
Sneakers. They’re ruining my life. I spend too much money on them.
Why are you a role model Pinay?
Because the words “passion” and “hustle” are etched in my heart. Because I know that as long as I remain passionate and adore what I do, and keep working hard, I will live my dream.
What’s one thing you’re trying to get better at?
DJing. I’m forever trying to improve. Whatever accolades I’ve received thus far do mean something to me, but I still want to be better. I pick up so much from the people around me, and judging by their skills and talent, things are looking up.
Message to the ladies out there:
Make sure that whatever it is you do, justice and sincerity should be behind it.
* * *
Catch the girls at Alchemy every Wednesday, and Ascend every Friday.
For more of Teaze and Jena’s information, pictures, bookings, and gig schedules: www.steakproductions.com.