Zsazsa Zaturnnah-(huh!)

Zsazsa Zaturnnah's one of the funnest and funniest plays I've seen for a long time! It was a good homecoming for me at CCP since Miss Saigon. I'm a big fan of Ricci Chan and Agot Isidro whom I've seen in previous plays already, and I was curious to see Eula perform as well in her first ever musical stint.


I was re-acquainted into the world of Camp (read=gay lingo) which was always interesting to learn. Never knew that Eula could sing that well, and she really sounded gay (which for her role is a good thing!), while Agot and Ricci gave stellar performances, as expected. Ada was a professor pala, which explains the hordes of fans who were his students from Miriam. Dodong was a surprise too; apparently, he's already a composer and a MetroPop veteran. Three hours was just enough (I couldn't believe we laughed that long!) for the whole plot to unfold and for the punch lines to be delivered at just the right time. Kudos to the creative sets and props, and to the spandex costumes (definitely time space warp-ish!) Too bad the ushers were poorly confused (which was very unfortunate for CCP's reputation) and our seats were quite cramped--at second half, my right flip-flop accidentally fell at the bottom of the bleachers, which I could only crawl to get after the show was over! Cripes!


Waited for our happy food (banana split galore!) at Iceberg's while debating whether we should go back and finish our autograph signing. Good thing Eda was with me, my very own "Amazonistah" who made first dibs with Ricci, Agot, Eula, Wilma and Arnold a.k.a. Dodong (Ang Superstar ng Buhay Ko ay Ikaw! Cheesiness!). I just followed suit and smiled stupidly along… I was still definitely starstruck! Too bad I wasn't able to talk more with Carl the Priest, whom I shared smiles with during intermission and after the play (yep, cheesy kilig moment part two!). Definitely the most fun backstage adventures I've ever had!



I definitely recommend everyone to watch this play, if only there were tickets left. Last I heard the play is already sold out until the end of the season (we ourselves got tickets from a fixer!). This play goes out to all Amazonistahs out there: Go get your "mahiwagang bato", be superheroes and fall in love with your own Dodong's along the way...;-) Carpe Diem!

WWE Raw Live Tour in Manila!

Big Show, Big Crowd at the Big Dome!

After lifetimes of longing and wishful thinking, Julius and I were finally able to catch the WWE Raw Live Tour in Manila! The Stars came over here for a two-night show and Araneta was really jampacked! It was a dream come true for Julius, who's always been a fan. I guess in a certain way, it's always been my dream too, even if my generation still idolized Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart (and even believed Ultimate Warrior's fatal exit from the show!) We got tickets only in the Upper Box Arena, but it wasn't too bad... thanks to zoom lens of my DSC-T5. I was "hired" as official photographer for the night! Harhar!

On the other side though, the event almost didn't push through, as there was a "state of national emergency" declared by GMA. Everyone feared it was almost marital law, as politicians and rallyists were arrested on the streets. It was pretty scary; at a press release, the wrestlers admitted that they were scared too! Good thing that even the biggest rallies couldn't stop fans from going! We did scream our lungs out that night: "Steel Chair! Steel Chair!" The girls beside me screamed louder... I never felt greater adrenaline rush with that many people before!

Thanks to Julius for bringing me, and for letting me see Triple H, Mick Foley, Big Show and Cena! Even if I don't get to watch the show as often now, the Tour made me realize I'm still a fan, and I'd always be a screaming fan for them. Our Php500 bucks apiece souvenir shirts will prove that! Steep Man! But everything was definitely worth it!!!

About that Choir Guy...

After a long long time, I'm finally Inspired again :-)


Met someone from DAYS who was truly quite a character - He's a playwright / theater director who has one of the most wonderful voices I've heard. He was the one who taught me all those Days Songs, and I owe him much gratitude for that. If it weren't for him, I don't think I'll be able to join the choir, let alone do duets with him... My heart still skips a beat whenever he compliments my voice, like a proud mentor. What can I say... inspired nga talaga...


He loves UP as much as I do, loves menthol lights (my kinda guy!) and he was the first one out of all my friends from DAYS who asked me about my work, and who remembered what exactly I do for a living, and not just to make small talk. I'm glad I went with him to McDo instead of going with the group to Something Fishy. Talks about social-consciousness, politics, philosophy... to manghuhulas and UP fairs and concerts... to love and those feelings in between. That was one of the best conversations I've ever had - so good that we slept around 4am already not because we were tired nor running out of things to say, but that he just really had to prepare already for another session he was facilitating in a few hours...


Too bad he's still quite in love with a ghost from his past. His was quite the love story... a courtship complete with the theatrical staging and yep, all that drama. Kiniklilig pa rin ako just remembering about it. But like all great love stories, his did not end happily. And sadly, I think I was able to make him realize that whatever happens, he still would hold that girl in a pedestal, and no other can measure up to his "goddess".


Yup, he's definitely complicated (he admitted so himself), and he does have high standards. I'm not too blind to know that I won't have that chance to really be with him, but surprisingly I'm not too sad about that. I don't think I'll be able to make him happy anyway. (and this is definitely not bitterness talking!) I guess it's enough for me to spend time and see him at DAYS... admiring silently from afar. For now, it's enough to make me smile everyday, knowing that somewhere out there is a guy who really really has a strong faith and has so much passion for life (and is not gay!)... someone I can sing with again, till the next DAYS... :-)

Close to You

I watched Close to You twice--on Opening Day with my Intra girls (as my farewell gig), and the second time with my mom, who was convinced to watch after she heard me rave about it.


Story was quite simple: girl saves boy's life, boy befriends girl, boy falls in love with girl best friend, girl stalks another guy, boy gets jealous but follows her friend along, girl gets guy crush but realizes she's fallen in love with boy, girl confronts boy, boy asks girl to think things over, girl chooses boy, boy and girl live happily ever after...


The dialogue was witty and modern. John Lloyd's sarcastic humor was such a refreshing change (Para kayong Justice League! Harhar!) But I have to agree with Eda though that the way the writers developed the friends turning into lovers angle was so true to the real world. It was not cliche, hollywood movie-ish at all, and that made the characters and the whole film more poignant and endearing in the end...


Definitely the Valentine Movie Date this year! Go watch with your single girlfriends and with your guy best friend *wink wink* :-)

V-Day

Today was like any other. Except that I got a really big box of expensive chocs from my parents... and that there was a pseudo-arts-and-crafts at the war room today as we filled the room with cut-out pink hearts (cheesy, i know)... and that there were lovey-dovey forwarded quotes from friends who have always remembered...


It's the little things, and the constant love of my family and friends that really mattered. They made me forget, even for a few moments, that there were no bouquets of flowers (which has always been a dream), nor texts from that special someone, nor an invitation out for a date...


I guess those are not that important anymore... well, just for today. There's always next year right?


Happy Hearts' Day Everyone! :-)

Officially Resigned

Today, I officially handed in my resignation as Intrapreneur for Felina and Beach Hut.

It's been such an emotional roller coaster, the whole day and the (almost) two years that I've spent with Naturale Labs. I cried, I laughed, I heaved a sigh of relief. It's almost like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders, yet at the same time, I feel like I'm losing a big part of myself and I don't know where to find it.

Good thing I had my family and my friends to keep me sane and tell me everything's going to be alright. Thanks to Motherhood and Batas, for still being willing to support me financially despite this now soul-searching phase that I have. Thanks to Eda whom I woke up late last night, but who has always been standing by my side during these insane crazy months (I will get myself SUN load soon promise!). Thanks to Marc for the fortune cookie comfort food, for always being rational, and for the big hug. Thanks to my girls, Cris, Dianne and Coni for the coffee after, for understanding and still wishing my knees well despite my neverending adventures to Caloocan and beyond.

I have the vaguest idea what to do now. All I know is that I have to get well, physically and emotionally. Move on, but never forget the wonderful lessons and the great experience this work has taught me. Lest I forget, thanks to Dennis for being my mentor, for teaching me about life, and for being a good friend. I couldn't have asked for a better boss... you will always be my "purple cow"... :-)