My 2009 Wishlist

Once again, the last two months of the year are hovering above our heads - hinting the time of extravagance and generosity as often suggested by consumerism. Gift-giving, family dinners, parties. Working for one of the biggest malls in the country, I can assure you that I feel the weight of this season - it's time to spend, everyone!

Yearly, I would organize a wish list; not that I usually get what I pray for, but it's nice to be able to let it out. Who knows, a kind soul might pass by and wave a magic wand with some Bippity-Boppity-Boo's.

So here goes:

1. Ultraviolet Perfume by Paco Rabanne
First introduced to me by my aunt in the UK years ago, this perfume tops as my absolute favorite of favorites. In my personal description, Ultraviolet has a scent of powdery sweet elegance and sophistication that clings to you all day and night long. Lavsit!

2. Canon EOS 450D
I know this isn't the newest in the line, and I am no camera geek to know every desirable spec, in fact I would already gladly settle for a Lumix - all I want is simply a good camera to inspire me back into photography. My skills have become so rusty, my photography teachers back in college might as well curse me with tetanus.

3. A year's subscription to Yummy Magazine or My Home Magazine
Though not a consistent patron, I enjoy reading these magazines. So to say, they allow me to get in touch with the homemaker goddess in me - yes, I do take a fancy in the culinary and interior designing world. So sue me, this is as feminine as I can get.

4. Charley to ride a plane home and spend Christmas with me, or perhaps, and this is really a wish that would require all the Whitney Houston-playing-godmothers in the world to work on, an all expense paid to visit Charley in the US.

5. Good health and more blessings to all my friends, families and acquaintances.

Of course, I cannot go all greedy and selfish. The situation just outside our door is not as merry, festive and cheery as the season is meant to evoke. With the fairly recent typhoon combos that hit the country, it has orphaned and stripped many people of their homes and loved ones. Truly a sad scene. Christmas won't be the same for many people.

I decided to end this post with a nice video that was shared by a fellow bender. Star ng Pasko by ABS-CBN, a song of encouragement, highlighting Filipino strength and resilience against adversity and their unceasing conviction that tomorrow will always be a better day.

The Revolution

I was bored. Watching the rain outside, I decided to write a poem - it's been such a long while since I last wrote one.

The Revolution

quietly he started
a drop.
drip.
an incongruous tear
that fell into an ignorant vacuum.
noone noticed.
the warning fell
like an invalid that plopped unto the belly
of a panicking mob of ants.

he winked knowingly
and thus,
a flash.
the gurgling of the dimming clouds.
the allies assemble.

quietly he tried
once again.
drip.
a steady stream
of transparent milk fell from his breast.
the brewing of a storm
The skies turn gradually
into dark coffee marbled
with cream, humming the soft
grumble of a hungry tummy.

everyone was waiting.

it has began
he nods,
and then it poured.
a multitude of cold wet arrows
dancing violently with the bragadocio wind
blinded with a passion
pounding angrily as they hit the pavement
joining his brothers in a growing revolution.

in masses,
they piled onto each other
under the reign of their supreme master
their protest shall be felt.
and it is a dark dynasty, indeed
their pride, a parody against the world.

such dastard bufoons.

their mother's bosom
cannot sustain forever
and dust will one day squeeze out of her nipples
barren.
the arrows shall falter,
aimless, without cause

cease.
he says.
and the rain will
die as history has often so foretold.
the revolution halted.
anticipating
for the next call to arms.

Typhoon Ondoy

The rain has been pouring for hours now and frighteningly, this is one of the few occasions when our front porch gathered enough rainfall to flood. The wind bellows outside my window, as the rain crashes violently onto our rooftops. Unceasing, it has been like this for hours now - from the moment I got out of bed until this very moment that I've taken to my blog to write.

I found a video in Youtube that I want to post here. It was taken in Makati, on the street where I used to work. Totally alarming.

I've received news updates from many friends caught in the belly of this catastrophic typhoon - stranded in the flooded streets of the metropolis or unable to leave the comfort of their homes and offices bearing hour after hour of hunger and fatigue, without any means of attaining food and nourishment. Just seeing the video above, it would be completely heartless to have delivery boys or anyone at that, to brave these horrid conditions. Others have already resolved and resorted to staying in their offices for the night. What a sad picture this is to paint. This is absolutely going to be a "long" weekend for many.

Sometimes you wonder how things would be different if we had better drainage systems and more reliable roads, if we had a better emergency scheme in dealing with these sorts of situation; surely a handful of these inconveniences could be detoured. Then again, it is in situations like this that we get to test our resiliency and innovation - sigh, ain't it grand to live in the Philippines.

Related links:
Philippine Inquirer
Filipino News Network
A video circulating in Facebook
La Salle is flooded

High Fashion in UP. Photoshoot. 08.30.09

A few months ago, my boyfriend requested for some photos of me so he can display it in his newly decorated room. Being in a long distance relationship, we don't have many good photographs of each other - so I was more than willing to oblige this request.

I requested the help of a friend, Marlene Hsu to be so kind as to be my photographer for this endeavor. Having had taken a variety of photography classes under big names as Lito Sy, an avid photography enthusiast, I was more than confident that she would be able to give justice to the pictures and meet my boyfriend's stringent standards.

Marlene has just sent me the re-sized versions of my pictures, which I submitted to my boyfriend for his approval. Our deal though was that the photos were solely his and not meant to be shared with anyone else. I do want to credit Marlene for her incredible work - as I am observably not model material and yet she was able to pull something off. Thus, I had my boyfriend select a set of photos I can post in my blog to acknowledge my friend's talent and service.

Below are some of the photos he permitted me to post - not exactly the best ones, but still beautifully shot.

Location: University of the Philippines, Diliman (because it's free!)





I also asked my cosplay friend, Izabel Cortez to join me in this photo session, as this was my first and I'd really appreciate some help and direction with other models. Here are some of our photos.




Alright, so in general vanity has once again consumed me. But then again, you won't be young forever. The photo shoot was fun, and I wonder if there will ever be a next one for me. Hehe

Links:
Marlene Hsu: Multiply. Flickr.
Izabel Cortez: Multiply.

Sakamoto Ryuichi's Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence

My boyfriend shared a beautiful video of Sakamoto Ryuichi performing the song Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence. For music enthusiasts, this is one performance that is definitely something worth watching until the end. I recommend closing your eyes and just feel the music envelope you, and I believe then you'd understand the overwhelming beauty I encountered listening to this.

My heart melted listening to the very emotional and giving piece; like I was being pulled into becoming part of a surreal undefined story that could go by in so many ways - an indescribable feeling of peace. I am no music major to give a full and learned critique of the song, I can merely relay the emphatic motions that I can sense from this auditory delight. Absolutely breath taking.

Hello Philippines: Hangover

Another entry I've procrastinated so long to post. A couple of weeks ago, Kuya Sundee Guevara gave us our pictures from our Hello Philippines play. Aside from the photos I posted earlier in a previous entry, I'll be posting some more - others from our rehearsals, and others from the show itself. Here is a quick recap of what transpired in our lives the past few months.. and how it seems like an empty gap in our evenings now that it has ended. Enjoy.

P.S. Sorry nalang kung puros pictures ko, blog ko kasi ito eh. Hahaha

Rehearsals:
These are photos from our very first rehearsal at Pioneer, when we first laid eyes on each other and learned each others names. At the same time, this was the first time, we've really gone through the script until the end.



Music rehearsal with Ms. Pretty, a brilliant voice coach who taught us how to make sense of the techno-beat music we had to sing to, by Arkel - who happens to also be in the photo below.

Our rehearsal location has been moved to the MOO-something office in Shaw, and thus that's where we continued our practice. We were doing an "In-the-Round" setup, meaning audiences will be surrounding us, thus the four corner choreography.



Of course, who can forget our memorable guesting in Magic 89.9's Boys Night Out.




Finally, we moved to UP Vinzons Hall where we continued our rehearsals. This time, the stage setup has changed drastically. Most of our blockings were reevaluated and had to be relearned - in addition, choreography of the dances have been added. If you also notice, we also have subs now.



Prior to opening night, we all had a technical dress rehearsal, and I was late as always, coming from work. Kristel, my sub, had to play my role for the first part of the run.






Of course, the show itself.















I am still waiting for the cast party. :D

Nell Tu

Today, I attended yet another Cosplay event - once again, as Bleach's Nell Tu. This time though, I was accompanied by my siblings who are dressed up as Bleach characters as well. We didn't have any functioning camera so I won't be able to share any of the photos we had earlier. There were a lot of cosplayers and photographers and people in SM Megamall's Megatrade Center though, where the Cosplay Mania was held - which made the place dreadfully warm and crowded.

On a lighter note, I met Jon, the photographer from last Cosplay again, and he gave me copies of the photos he had taken of me. He had uploaded these photos in his Flickr account - and my friends who have seen them have all commended his wonderful work. Vanity once again consumes me and I've requested high-resolution copies of his photos to post here in my blog. I am so proud and happy, and that is as simple and candid a description I can give as possible.





To be honest, I'm looking forward to the next time I'd be able to participate in a Cosplay convention - though I am optimistic and hopeful that I would be wearing the costume of another character.

Once again, thank you to Jon for these wonderful photos.

Neoflam Launch

Last August 14 (Friday), our boss invited us to Home World's product launch of a revolutionary cookware called Neoflam at Mega Atrium of SM Megamall, Ortigas. Imported from Korea, using Ecolon technology, Neoflam boasts to be quite a special non-stick pan made entirely of natural materials. Demonstration of its fantastic non-stick powers can be seen in the video I've found in YouTube below. In addition, it was mentioned and constantly reiterated during the program that Neoflam pans are an asset to have as it does not emit any harmful chemicals that would translate into the food; and thus, it is very environment-friendly.

The program was hosted by Unang Hirit talk show host, Suzi Entrata-Abrera. The event kicked off with a few video slides of how Neoflam products are manufactured and tested. After which, the audience were treated to a cooking show with Chef Gino Gonzales. Chef Gino demonstrated three different cuisines using the Neoflam pans. I apologize for not recalling the names of his dishes, but I did note down the recipes - French Bread topped with Spanish Chorizos and fried quail egg, Chinese style clams and Butter cake topped with caramel sauce and whipped cream. To be honest, imagining the flavors in my head was just divine.


The highlight of the event though was a 15 minute challenge between Chef Gino, and celebrity chef, Marvin Agustin. Making their own pasta dishes, Chef Gino opted to do a Filipino inspired Puttanesca, while Marvin decided to do Pasta ala Neoflam - slash pesto with prawns, bacon and yum yum yum.

Select members of the audience were treated to taste the chefs creations. We, on the other hand, being not so lucky, lined up for some good buffet food fried, sauted and served by Chef Gino's students at the CACs.

To be honest, I was thoroughly impressed by the Neoflam launch and do commend it to be a fantastic kitchen apparatus! For those interested, Neoflam pans are now being sold in select SM Home World stores specifically North Edsa, Megamall and Makati.

Hello Philippines: The Show

After almost three months of tedious rehearsals and third degree dramas, the Hello Philippines production has conceded to its natural death of final curtain call, in short - it is done. (Awaiting a new breed of actors to fill in the shoes of Anton, Brichi, Elsa, Toni and Berna).


Now that we've concluded the production, let me spill a few beans about what occurred behind the scenes. This is my first play as I've mentioned in my previous posts and to be honest, I am still feeling the shaky stance of theater shock inside me. It felt like everything was falling apart days, even hours, prior to our opening day - songs haven't been memorized perfectly, our blocking were still being reassessed and redirected, demoralization was plaguing the actors. I would like to commend everyone for holding their ground, trying to pull everything together, being patient and understanding of everyone's qualms. We were absolutely but pleasantly surprised that the play turned out pretty good, receiving positive reviews from our audiences.

Before I go any further, let me share some of the photos of our 7PM show last August 22, 2009 (Saturday) at the College of Masscom, Media Center. Once again, Hello Philippines is written by Albert Cruz and directed by Dax Carnay.

Pictures by: Tricia Fernandez c/o Jill Masalonga







Pictures by: Sundee Guevara


Permit me to once again introduce to you our characters:

Fellow bender, Edmundo Abad Jr. as the office heart throb, ex-activist Anton - and can I add that he sings gloriously well that the crowd seems to practically swoon whenever he starts singing. LOL.


The uncontested comedian with his everlasting falsetto voice, whether on or off the show, Marvin Salazar as the intellectual gay, Brichi


Jill Masalonga as the overpowering religious queen, Pader Chelsea "Elsa Day" who easily became the crowd favorite for her outstanding and "give-all" performance

The wonderful and future "Irma Adlawan" (according to Jill M.), Nicole Manlulo as the maleficent, user-friendly Toni. She's actually a very nice person in real life.


This is just me playing the dumb Berna. Skip skip skip.


Our hard-working director, Dax Carnay taking the role of the Tiffany, an HR personnel who thinks she's Tyra Banks. Rawr.

Acknowledgements:
The first person that deserves praise for this production goes to our director, Dax Carnay - being fully aware of all the hardships that he had to endure and overcome, applause to you Dax for managing it all. Also, for trusting in me that I'd be able to pull this role off. Big hugs to you, Dax.

To DM, our SM, for being our personal little secretary - unfailingly reminding us of our schedules, our cues, our blocking, fetching our things, for being our ear whenever we felt slighted - you rock! Thanks so much. Oh, she also played Toni on the last show, kudos to you on that.

To UP Repertory and their alumni, thank your for putting forward your generally logical and fair critiques - for putting up with our many initial flaws and extending your support and help in ensuring that the show would be worth the 220 peso door charge. Even being a non-orgmate, I can still feel the camaraderie, friendship and love that encircles everyone in the said organization - everyone seems to be genuinely supportive and good-hearted and to add, funny. Galing niyo guys, para nga talagang pamilya.

To Kristel Perlas, the original and Abet's inspiration for my character, Berna, for being my alternate, even when I don't give you 100 percent of my attention and interest - to be honest I felt so insecure of you and undeserving of the role. Thank you for putting up with me and trying to be as nice as you can possibly be. Hope everything mends well in the future, and best wishes to you and your acting career.

To Tito Sundee Guevara for always being a cheery face to lift us up and for being our photographer. Thank you.

To Judee Bendiola, even if it was just a short while that we got to bond, it was really cool meeting and knowing you and sharing and conniving with you. Wishing you the best in your future endeavors.

To Ricardo Canapi, who facilitated our earlier marketing materials and for sending me a Twitter boost of support. Thank you, that really had an impact on me.

To my friends who took time to watch our production, one big hug to all of you. I hope that you enjoyed it. Also, to the benders who watched our show!


Last, but not least, to my fellow actors, to Nicole, Ed, Jill and Madam - it's you guys that made this play extra special for me. Had it been another group, I don't think the play would've come out as wonderful and as hilarious as what transpired the past few days. Thank you for being good friends, even in difficult times when we all have our little secrets and hardships and heartaches. You were all fantastic, and I love you guys, honest. Will really miss the times we shared together.


As DM always says, see you when I see you

Comic Con 2009

There is always a first time for everything, and today marks my first time to participate in a Cosplay. My siblings have already gone through their Cosplay initiations during the Ozine event last April; and have been asking me to join them in their Comic Convention dress up.

Unfortunately, due to some complications, my siblings weren't able to attend the Sunday of the Comic Convention, whilst I couldn't participate on the Saturday due to my work. In short, I was left on my own today to explore and learn about how to survive in a convention.

My brother had already assigned me the role of Nell Tu, a wise Arrancar who was betrayed by one of her team mates. Well, we did take into consideration her appearance and attitude, and we deemed that the character did fit me well. Below is a comparison between us.


I would like to commend my brother for taking pains in making my skull, patiently molding it using newspapers and resin. He also was the great hair dresser for my wig, which initially reaches up to my thighs in length.

Being alone in a convention, I realized that people are really friendly and are willing to give you a helping hand when you need it - like fellow cosplayer Izabel and photographer Jon. Thankfully, I also found my sister's classmate who was doing a Gothic Lolita.

I would like to apologize since I don't have a lot of photos to share today aside from mostly, my own. If you'd like to see a little more than what's posted here, you can check it in my multiply page.

Found a group cosplaying Bleach, so I requested to have a photo with them.

My office mates, whom I long promised that I will cosplay this August came to show their support. Hugs hugs hugs!

My sister's classmate dressed as a Gothic Lolita and me.

To be honest, I don't know the character, but since my sister's friend wanted a photo...

Bumblebee was just so adorable, I had to have a photo of him!