"Sharon" Moments

"Kala ko tapos na ang kabaliwan natin," Ryan texted last July 10 which refers to the taping that we were about to attend later on. I was invited by a fellow Sharonian (who wants to remain anonymous for personal reasons) to watch a Sharon taping that day. The taping was for the fans entitled Fan's Day On Air. She's inviting fans that would represent the online group. S'ympre go ako! Incidentally, I had nothing to do that day. We had no classes because the next day was a holiday -- Valenzuela Day. (It follows the "sandwich principle" -- since the day before the holiday falls on a weekend, might as well suspend classes or work on that day, too, to avoid absences. Tayo lang ata meron n'un. But we made up for it by having a class last Saturday.) I tried contacting some Sharonian friends to join us but t'was only Ryan who was available. He decided not to go to work anymore 'cause the taping ended late. Also, Biboy joined us who we referred to as the "closeted fan" since it is fan's day.
The invitation happened because the "invitor" read my entry re the mall tour. She was also present at the said event. We were also both members of the PEx's Sharon thread where she saw my post.
There were many firsts for me on this event. First time that I get to watch a Sharon taping -- actually any taping for that matter. First time to see how a set looks like. First time to see how the production works during taping. First time to meet fellow Sharonians outside my circle. It's quite funny when you think that you're a super fan of someone then you get to meet people who are more fanatic than you are. My collection of Sharon stuff is incomparable to what they have. Their knowledge of her life is way superior than what I know about her. Even Sharon said that, "Mas marami pa silang alam sa buhay ko kaysa sa kin!" They remember more about her history that she does! I'm not claiming to be a super fan, though. There was even such a time when I lost fondness of her -- during the whole Lilian Velez era, I think. It was only when Madrasta came out that the fondness came back. But the people I met can really be called mega-fans! They have notes about the events in her life. They compile magazines and interviews. They attend tapings almost religiously. Some of them even became Sharon's friends (and kumares because she became their children's godmother) because according to her, these are the people she often sees. For that, I give them loyalty award! Nakakatuwa sila! I admire them because of that. If given the chance, I'd want to do a story/movie about them. A story about what being a super fan is really like. Not to make fun of them but to show people that they are the moons behind these stars. As long as they're there to support them, their light will keep on shining. Theirs is an interesting life because some of them have devoted their entire lives into backing them up. Not all can do such act especially with people they have no blood relations to.
Anyway, these are the Sharon moments:
*Everytime Sharon would open her mouth. I mean, in between takes, she would constantly talk -- either about anything she has set her mind to or to her friends in the audience. Sometimes it gets tiring listening to her -- especially that it was our first time to see her work. I guess for people who has seen her a lot during those unguarded moments, they are used to it already.
*Every Sharon transition moments off and on screen. You gotta be there to see it. Off-air, she'd talk and talk even if the AD is counting already before going on air. When the number reaches 2..., she'd stop talking about whatever she is talking about then proceeds to doing her spiels! As if hindi siya naging sobrang kulit before the take! Sobrang aliw talaga!
*When she started saying something not-so-good about Gabby then the mic hits her teeth. She quickly adds, "Opo, Lord! Sorry na po! Sobrang bilis naman ng dating ng karma sa 'kin. Opo na po. Bati na nga po kami, di ba?"
*When a fan showed her the picture of her and Gabby with the doll "Shabby". Shabby is Kuya Germs's version of Guy & Pip's "Maria Leonora Theresa" doll. "'Yan si Shabby dati! Ngayon, nagiging Chucky na pag gabi!"
*Whenever Shawie calls Uma her Uma Khounita! She feels that he is her baby I hope that both of them realize that Khounita doesn't sound manly for someone whose sexuality is in question. I hope, too, that it was just unintentional to sound that way. Hehehe. (Pero care ko! Cutie pa rin si Uma ever!)
*All the time Aldred Gatchalian was on the stage singing Your Song! Siyet!!!! (See clip below)

*Like Direk Joey Reyes who first pledged his admiration for Aldred and calls himself a devoted "Aldredian", Manny Casteñeda became gigil-to-death with Aldred. Mega-pisil sa bata! OA! Hahaha! (Inggit ako! *wink wink*)
*All of Melanie Ganda's (in short, MeGa, aka Pokwang) kwento about her being a Sharon devotee. Part of her experience as a mega-fan was when Shawie carried her mother on her back in the film Pasan Ko Ang Daigdig. "Pinasan ko rin ang nanay ko," she related. "Kahit saan. Sa pamamalengke... sa grocery... sa simbahan... sa paglalakad... sa trabaho! Matapos nga ang isang linggo, natanggal ako sa trabaho, eh! Pa'no raw nakakasikip ang nanay ko. Elevator operator kasi ako!"
*John Lapus' stories about the days when he became Sharon's clown. The one who'd make her smile and laugh whenever she was down. Once, John waited inside a trash bag so that when the time came, he'd pop out and cheer her. It was during Shawie and Richard's days. There were talking on the phone then. It took a long time before the conversation (arguments, acutally) ended. John had to come out of the trash bag. "Juice ko, sobrang kaya akong pinawisan! Ni hindi pa nga ako makahinga! Naloka ako! Ang tagal n'yong nag-usap!"
*When Uma buckled on his lines. "Ang susunod po nating bisita ay taga-Hagdang-hagdang e Tahanang Walang Hagdan..." (Did you mean Hagdang-hagdang Palayan, Uma?! Ang layo naman n'un sa TWH! :-D)
*When Sharon (and most of the audience) cried upon learning that the boy she has been helping was cured from cancer. It was a heartfelt scene. "Most of my sick kids kasi from Wish Upon a Mega already passed away. I'm glad that he made it..."
*Lastly, when Sharon apologized to Sen. Kiko about all her mistakes in the past. "You are what you are today because of those," Sen. Kiko assured the Mega. Lakas-tama 'nung statement na 'yun kay Biboy! Thank's, Sen. Kiko for such words! Natauhan si mokong! Hehehe. Love u, Bi!
Sharon is about 40 minutes or so only on TV. But the taping took two hours! We started at around 9 PM and ended at around 11 PM. There were so many things that happened during that night. I am soooo glad that I was able to watch it. 'Wag naman sana akong makita sa TV palagi once it aired! Hehehe.
(^And'yan kami. Look closer. Click for bigger image. Some of the pics were taken from I Can Seeeeeee You!!!! More pictures from the taping here.)
So, my friends, watch Fan's Day On Air on TV this Sunday, July 30 after Balitang K. Other guests are Erik Santos, Bb. Joyce Bernal, Christine Bersola-Babao, Vina Morales, and some loyal and devoted fans.

Twist of Fate

I have been busy the last couple of months with the workshop and teaching classes. I swear, nagrereklamo na si Than-than because he hasn't been seeing me lately. "Kailangan pa bang magpa-schedule sa secretary mo?" he once jokingly commented. I guess, he was just not used to me being this busy since I was so "available" the last few years. My weekdays are mostly devoted to school while my weekends are for the workshop until such a time that we'd finish shooting the short film. This is really such hard work, not to mention the emotinal baggages attached to them. Not that I'm complaining. I have asked for this. I needed change. I want some direction in life. But sometimes, fate has a way of playing its dirty tricks on you. When it does, there's no escaping it...

As you may know by now, I have wanted to enroll in the workshop since last year. Only that all the slots were filled in. When I learned that there'd be an enrollment for the second batch this year, I made sure that I'd get in. I went to GMA as early as I could. I was the 15th enrollee and I got in! I was ecstatic and excited because I want to learn more about the business. I want to BE part of the business.

Before the workshop started, I applied as a college professor in my HS alma mater. I felt confident enough that I'd get the job yet there was something in me that's saying that I may not get it, especially when I haven't heard from them for about a month. Because of that, I thought to myself that the job may not be for me after all. God must've other plans for me -- must be work in THE business after the workshop. But when the school called a few days past June, there was a certain relief and doubt on my part. What could that mean? There I was being positive about the whole showbiz thingy when suddenly, teaching calls. Anyway, I took the job. I need a steady income since video orders come and go. I took it as a gift. The future is getting clear now that I have a job and so does Biboy who left Medical City a few days back. He got a high-paying job as a nurse agent in Medicall.

The workshop was doing well, too. I've new friends and I'm learning a lot about movie making. When we were grouped into four, I was happy to have Acy around since she was my very first friend there. All went well until "he" became part of the group. My instincts told me there was something not right about it and I prove it everytime we go into groups. From then on, my spirits went down. It was a situation that I couldn't get my hands on. I told Acy about it and I was glad that she has been feeling the same way about it. At least I have someone to share my thoughts about it. Till we learned that Don has the same feelings. Anyway, to cut the story short, it wasn't good. We are at the point of our workshop lives now that we couldn't care less anymore. We have tried to do and say something about our situation yet they fell on deaf ears. All our energies were used up that we tend to not fight back anymore. We see no point in fighting a losing war. To add insult to the injury, we learned that the person we admired the most in the workshop is not admirable at all.

As if the workshop situation is not enough, I learned that my salary in school is not what I have expected. I knew that it won't level up to my previous salaries because I was just working "part-time" (weekday mornings only) but I didn't expect that it'd be that low. How low? Let's just say I couldn't raise a family with it! Sa akin pa lang, kulang na kulang na! Actually, most of us in school didn't expect such. Kaya nga during the first pay day, nilunod namin ang aming sarili sa kaunting beer at pagkanta sa Encore, Encore.

Pampalubag-loob sa school na meron pang adjustment 'yun sa next pay day. When I got my next pay slip, pucha! Mas mababa sa una! T'was really depressing. Never have I received such amount for work. Malayong-malayo sa mga naging sweldo ko dati. Napaisip tuloy ako. Is it time that I find myself a new job before the semester ends? Or should I continue with it?

I am not really into high-paying jobs. Ever since I worked, it didn't become a leverage for me in accepting the job. As long as I like what I do, it won't matter. But then, when it is this low, it will matter! I have new priorities now. I'm working to pay my debts and to save up for Angel's schooling next year. At the rate I am going today, I don't think I could afford to do both.

Apart from what was mentioned, everything is pretty good in school -- environment, company, students, rules. I own my time except for my given schedule. I can do whatever I want in class. I can make my own exams. Students are easy to deal with. The company I keep is fun. Besides, I feel that somehow it is my "territory" since I graduated there. The problem I had with the last school I was with was everything except the students and the pay. If this is my first job, I wouldn't mind the set back. But as I've said, I've different priorities now. However, I won't be force in applying for a certain job just because of its high-pay. My principles don't go that way.

My spirits have been damaged. My problem is, once I lose my appetite for something, it's difficult to bounce back...

Hooked

Because of the bad weather these days, classes are often suspended. I guess, it's one of the perks of being a teacher especially if you're one of those who really bust their asses off in school! To pass away the time, I decided to catch up on my Grey's Anatomy Season 2. I have downloaded the whole season a few months back. I couldn't wait any longer. But I wasn't able to watch them all because my external hard drive got busted. Fortunately, Ghil has a copy so I borrowed it.

From the moment I saw the first episode, I got addicted! Season 1 was not that inviting for me although I liked it. I just feel that there could be more to it. I can't help comparing it to ER which got me hooked from the beginning. (Oh my! It is still on US TV! I wasn't able to follow it anymore a few seasons after George Clooney left.) But man, Season 2 really picked up from where it left off plus more! The first season was more of an introduction of the characters with only 9 episodes to its credit. The second one finally takes its audience on an emotional ride with the events in the main characters' lives and some of their patients. I began to have the ER feeling all over again. It made me miss that show so much that I decided to buy the series on (original) DVD once I have the money.

When I saw Episode 3, I knew that I have fallen in love with GA! OMG! Never have I seen such an emotionally-charged episode in any series that I have seen where all the characters exeperienced an emotional battle! One climactic scene after another! What a great writing! You have to see it to know what I am saying. Then, there's a 2-part bomb episode (16, 17), shooting incident involving one of the doctors (25), and that cliffhanger where Meredith gets to decide between McDreamy and McVet (27)! I'd definitely get Season 2 Uncut on DVD!

OK. Because GA was so last week and I was done with the last few episodes of Lost Season 2 (Shit! Where the heck are they, anyway?! Who the eff is Henry Gayle?!), let's go to the next: Prison Break! Courtesy of Ghil again, this show will get your adrenaline all pumped-up! Not just because of Wentworth Miller (Oh baby baby, we belong together!) but because of the thrills it has to offer! It is about Michael Scofield who made sure he'd be imprisoned just to get his brother, Lincoln Burrows, out of prison. Lincoln is about to be executed in a month. Michael has planned it all (even tattooed the prison's blue print on his body) but didn't think about the screw-ups he may meet inside the prison bars. Aside from that, he didn't realize that he is dealing with a higher power outside the jail.

These shows are my band-aids for missing my one true love, my TV bible: Sex and the City!

Speaking of missing old TV shows, ABC is reinventing (or should I say adapting) one of my favorite Spanish telenovela Betty La Fea via Ugly Betty! Yehey! It stars America Ferrera of "Real Women Have Curves" and "The Sisterhood of Travelling Pants". This is something I'd truly watch out for!

Seen, Stalked, & Shot!

OMG! Am I being stalked? Hehehe... Just kidding! I stumbled upon a Multiply site who happens to be a fellow Sharonian through Ryan's post. I was surprised to learned that she had taken some shots of me & Ryan during the CD signing. (Tingnan n'yo naman, mega-smile pa ko sa isa sa mga pics na parang alam kong kinukuhanan ako ng picture! Hmm... Ano kaya ang pinag-uusapan namin sa pic na 'yan? Could it be the super mega hunky bodyguard of Ate Shawie?!) I am not sure if we have met her on Sharon taping day three Mondays ago. (I'd tell you all about it in the coming days. Our phone line was busted for about two weeks so I couldn't get online.) But I'd surely like to meet her one of these days. (I guess that it's about time that we volt in with the rest of the rest Sharonians! Hehehe!) Thank's for the pictures, girl! We owe you one! *wink wink*

Fanatic!

Isn't It Romantic? Mall Tour

Ryan and I went to SM North Edsa yesterday to see Ate Shawie on her album tour. Of course, the super fan in me came out! A few hours earlier, I have put about 10 or so cover sleeves of my favorite albums and movies of her. I'd have them all signed by her. This would be the first time that I could actually see her in person closely and asked for her signature.

(Picture above courtesy of We R Sharonians! Look for me!)

I arrived at 2:30 PM thinking that the show was at 4:00 PM. It was at 5:00 PM pala. I waited for Ryan for a while. When he got there, I bought her latest album (my second copy!) just so I could get a seat and asked her to sign my CDs. Ryan, on the other hand, bought her "All I Want" CD. Luckily, he doesn't have a copy of it yet.

DJ Macho Palito of iFM hosted the event. There were games while we were waiting for Ate Shawie to arrived. She came out at past 6 PM and greeted the audience. Grabe! Ang daming utaw! All seats were filled! Standing ovation pa! See my recorded video below...

After a few minutes, we are asked to line up. I was sooooo excited! As in! When she saw that I have two new albums and her other two Sony-BMG albums, she said, "All for Jheck? All for you? Wow naman! Thank you very much! Thank you very much talaga! That's so sweet!" O di ba?! All for the love of Sharon! Then, pa-picture na kami!

Kung kinapalan ko ang mukha ko, I could've asked for more pictures. And, I could've asked her to sign my other sleeves! Kaya lang nahiya na ko. Ang dami pang nakapila. Di lang ako ang fan niya! But how I wished we could've stayed a little longer with her. Sana nakatsikahan namin siya ng matagal! I hope that I'd get the chance to interview her someday...

Related Posts:

Review: Isn't It Romantic?
A Bagful of Sharon Vicor Goodies
A Fanatic Weekend

Funny Vid: MAD TV's Gay Str8 Guys

Watch and laugh to your hearts content!

FTP Second Half Session

FTP class sessions have ended last July 25. We are now in pre-production stages of our short film. Before I talk about the pre-prod planning, let me recap the second half sessions which I failed to write here.

Day 7: Production Design

As the facilitator, we had Robert Domingo. He won for his work in Eddie Garcia's Imortal. His most recent work was on TV via Kampanerang Kuba.

He made emphasis on being creative and resourceful when it comes to production designing. The designer has to do away with all the things available around him especially pag nagkakagipitan na, i.e. sudden costume/set change.


Day 8: Cinematography/Camera Works/Lighting Design

For this session, we had one of the best (if not the greatest) in his field, the Romy Vitug! Tatay Romy started as a photo journalist back in the 60s-70s. The Lino Brocka gave him his first crack at cinematography via Tatlo, Dalawa, Isa in 1974. He wasn't adept then to movie camera language. Nawindang-windang pa siya with Lino's technical instructions. He learned along the way through experiences and with the help of the people around him. He also read books about it. Till he became one of the respected cinematographers here in the Philippines! He has won numerous awards in different award-giving bodies including Urian. I remember him mostly with his Reyna Films works. They're a few of my favorite films.

The session mostly became a kwentuhan event. Sadly, Tatay Romy isn't really much of a teacher. I guess, most people who learned from experience are not. Not that it's bad. It's just a given fact that not all has the ability to teach even if they are excellent in their field. Kaya nga sinapo na siya ni Direk Rahyan when it comes to talking about technicalities, etc.

What inpires me the most about Tatay Romy is his humility. Inspite of the countless awards and recoginitions he had received from the industry, he had remained down to earth. One could easily notice that with his demeanor and how he speaks. Walang ka-ere-ere!

One thing I've realized, as well, is that I'm not into cinematography (at the moment, I guess). It's very technical. I need to read and learn about it first before I could say that I want to try it.


Day 9: Assistant Director/Continuity Director

Day 9 was with the ever pleasant and accomodating, Julius Alfonso (see picture with my friend/groupmate, Len). O di ba? Magsipsip ba? Hehehe. I know that you'd find your way here in my blog in someway or another (just like Joseph Balboa did!), so babatiin ko na po kayo! Hello po sa inyo! :-)

Sir Julius started as a fashion designer. How he started in show business escaped my mind. I guess, I wasn't paying much attention well when his history was mentioned. Pa'no nga ba, Sir Julius? What I remember, though, is that most of his work was with Joel Lamangan. Gamay na gamay na nila ang isa't-isa na tandem na silang maituturing when it comes to being a director and assistant director. With films like Bulaklak ng Maynila, Mano Po 1, Manay Po, Aishite Imasu, theirs is a winning collaboration! Incidentally, he also put on his hands on co-writing Bakit May Kahapon Pa? with Roy Iglesias which was also under the direction of Joel. He was nominated with Roy for Best Screenplay in Urian, 1996. Tama nga ba 'yung info na 'yun, Sir Julius?

An AD is truly the director's right-hand man (the cinematographer being on the left) because he is the one who'd give orders on the set. He would make sure that the director's visions would be executed properly. He'd be the one to tell the cinematographer the shots needed/wanted for a certain scene. In short, he is the voice of the director on the set. Kaya madalas, siya rin ang napuputukan ng mga artistang pasaway, ng mga director na init-ulo o ng mga producer na tigas-ulo. An AD is also the script supervisor (most of the time) who would make sure that every scene would be done accordingly. He needs to remind the director on the last scene or shot that he made.

An AD has a lot of work scope. If you think about, it's a very tiring and demanding job. He needs to be present from pre-production plans to editing sessions. Puyatan na kung sa puyatan!

Day 10: Directing Actors

Fun, fun, fun! That was day 10 like with Director Soxie Topacio! Direk, Socrates pala name n'yo talaga! Ang taray! Hehehe... (Picture with friend/groupmate, Acy)

Direk Soxie mostly gave us techniques in directing/motivating actors. I don't remember the names of those techniques because we tried them ourselves. We didn't had the time to write some notes.

As a director (and as a person, I guess), he's the fun-loving kind. His set is a pleasant one where fear is nowhere in sight. Sometimes it's good. Sometimes it isn't. He isn't the type of person who shouts or gets mad at his actors. Kaya nga raw andun ang AD, he'd be the one to do the "dirty deeds", i.e. mambulyaw ng artista o crew kung kinakailangan.

What I mostly remembered about the session are his behind-the-scenes stories of some actors/movies/directors. He should come up with a book detailing all his kwento! Sobrang aliw! Sobrang halay! Hahaha! Di ko na lang ikukuwento rito dahil mas masarap siya pakinggan. But what I learned with his stories is that Nora Aunor is truly one of the greatest actor (worldwide) alive! An expert should write about how great she in all details for the world to know!