Oh Shit!

I went to SM Valenzuela to pay my bills. I know that the cashier closes at 8 PM but I wasn't sure if I was right. It was already past 7 so I hurried down to the payments section. Medyo parang naligaw pa nga ata ako kasi hindi ko siya nakita kaagad. I thought that they have moved it. But they didn't. In a few seconds, nakita ko naman siya at iisa lang ang nakapila. Nagmadali kaagad ako kasi nga baka magsara na. The guard approached me, calling me, "Sir?" but didn't say anything. So I went on to proceed paying my bills. Magulo pa nga si Angel kaya sinasaway ko. When I was done with it, to my shock, may mahabang pila pala sa likod ko! I immediately apologized twice but had to leave kaagad because of embarrassment. I swear, hindi ko nakita 'yung pila. Iba na kasi 'yung pwesto, away from the counter. Sobrang nanlamig ako at pinagpawisan ng malamig afterwards. Ten minutes din siguro akong nahihiya sa nangyari. I could just imagine what they are thinking about me. Ayokong-ayoko pa naman ang may sumisingit sa linya at naniningit ako mismo sa linya. Hindi ko kayang magmakapal ang mukha tulad nu'n. Grabe talaga! Till now, when I think about it, nanliliit ako sa hiya. Kung pwede lang magpaliwanag sa kanila, ginawa ko na. Grover talaga! Kung bakit ba naman kasi hindi ako sinaway ng guard. . .

Cinema One Originals 2007 Schedule

The 2007 Cinema One Originals Digital Movie Festival

Trinoma (Cinema 1)
Edsa corner North Avenue

November 30, Friday
12:05 pm HULING BALYAN NG BUHI (The Woven Stories of
The Other)

2:00 pm CONFESSIONAL and Astig

3:50 pm Agogo Makabago (Pandanggo segment) and MALING
AKALA

6:15 pm PRINSESA

8:30 pm TAMBOLISTA

10: 10 pm ALTAR

December 01, Saturday
11:15 am Ang Pagbalik and PRINSESA

1:45 pm TAMBOLISTA

3:30 pm Putot and ALTAR

5:30 pm ROME & JULIET

8:00 pm Carpool and MALING AKALA

9:45 pm Agogo Makabago and CONFESSIONAL

December 02, Sunday
11:30 am CONFESSIONAL and Astig

1:30 pm REKADOS

3:15 pm PRINSESA

5:30 pm TAMBOLISTA

7:30 pm Kultado and ALTAR

9:45 pm Agogo Makabago and MALING AKALA


Glorietta 4 (Cinema 5)
Ayala Center, Makati

November 30, Friday
12:15 pm Kultado and PRINSESA

3:00 pm MALING AKALA

4:45 pm Ang Pagbalik and REKADOS

6:45 pm ALTAR

8:35 pm CONFESSIONAL and Astig

10:20 pm Agogo Makabago and TAMBOLISTA

December 01, Saturday
12:05 pm Putot and TAMBOLISTA

2:30 pm HULING BALYAN NG BUHI (The Woven Stories of
The Other)

4:30 pm PRINSESA

6:45 pm CONFESSIONAL and Astig

8:30 pm Carpool and MALING AKALA

10:30 pm ALTAR

December 02, Sunday
12:05 pm ALTAR

1:50 pm CONFESSIONAL and Astig

3:30 pm TAMBOLISTA

5:10 pm Putot and MALING AKALA

7:00 pm ROME & JULIET

9:45 pm Agogo Makabago and PRINSESA

CONFESSIONAL (2007)
Running Time: 90 mins
Directors: Jerrold Tarog, Ruel Dahis Antipuesto
Screenwriter: Ramon Ukit
Producer: Ruel Antipuesto
Cinematographer: Ruel Antipuesto
Editor: Pats R. Ranyo
Music: Jerrold Tarog with Arodasi
Principal Cast: Publio Briones III, David Barril, Greg Fernandez, Owee Salva, Donna Gimeno

About the Filmmakers
RUEL DAHIS ANTIPUESTO always wanted to study film, but since time and money never got together, he just took the plunge. He made so many mistakes along the way that he ended up teaching in a film school. He won the grand prize in the 2006 Sinulog video documentary competition, and was cinematographer on the award-winning short, Carpool. Confessional is his feature directorial debut.

JERROLD TAROG took film theory courses while working on his Music Composition degree at the University of the Philippines and had a short encounter with the International Academy of Film and Television in Cebu. He got three Gawad Urian Award nominations in 2007 for the scores of Kubrador, Kaleldo, and Manoro, and bagged the Cinemalaya prize for musical score for Kadin. His short, Carpool, won first prize at the 19th Gawad CCP. Confessional is his first feature film.

About the Synopsis
Lies + Lies = Truth.

Ryan Pastor knows this by heart. As a small time filmmaker, he knows how sound and images can be manipulated to say anything. And he's tired of the lies—the lies at work, in his relationships, the lies one must keep in society just to exist. On a whim, he decides to go to Cebu to document the Sinulog festival. There he stumbles upon a truth he didn't ask for and is reluctant to touch. One of his subjects, a former politician who may or may not be dying, decides to confess his sins—all the crimes he committed while in office—before Ryan's camera.

What follows is a story of revelations and bitter truths, of buried secrets and sweet lies. CONFESSIONAL takes you to the heart of a criminal...or an honest man.


ALTAR (2007)
Running time:
Director: Rico Maria Ilarde
Screenwriters: Rico Maria Ilarde, Mammu Chua
Executive Producer: Ronald Arguelles
Producer: Mammu Chua
Cinematographer: Louie Quirino
Production Designer: Fritz Silorio
Music: Malek Lopez
Editors: Maisa Demetillo, Rico Maria Ilarde
Principal Cast: Zanjoe Marudo, Nor Domingo, Dimples Romana, Dido dela Paz, Kristalyn Engle

About the Filmmaker
After graduating from the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, RICO MARIA ILARDE immediately immersed himself in the mainstream by directing action scenes for his father Eddie Ilarde's TV drama anthology. He has since made a name for himself in the suspense-horror genre by directing Dugo Ng Birhen, Babaeng Putik, and the Aquarium segment of the horror franchise Shake, Rattle & Roll 2k5. His 2006 feature Sa Ilalim Ng Cogon has garnered considerable acclaim and screened in festivals in Europe, Asia and South America.

About the Synopsis
Anton, a boxer who accidentally killed an opponent in the ring, returns to the Philippines from the US and finds himself jobless and destitute. He is hired by a mysterious foreman named Erning, who assigns him and a man named Lope to renovate an eerie, decrepit house on the outskirts of the city. They soon discover that the place is haunted by the apparition of a young girl, and that the basement carries a strange wooden altar to an unknown deity. Truly bloodcurdling events follow one after the other, snowballing into a deeply disturbing and violent climax.


MALING AKALA (2007)
Running time:
Directors: Veronica B. Velasco, Pablo Biglang-awa Jr.
Screenwriter: Veronica B. Velasco
Producers: Veronica B. Velasco, Pablo Biglang-Awa Jr.
Cinematographer: Larry Manda
Editors: Danny Añonuevo, Lester Olayer
Principal Cast: Victor Basa, Jodi Sta. Maria

About the Filmmakers
This is the second feature from the team of VERONICA VELASCO and PABLO BIGLANG-AWA, JR, whose first film Inang Yaya was named Best Film of 2006 by the Young Critics' Circle and Best Digital Film by the Star Awards.

Pablo started out as a graphic designer and is now a director of commercials for Unitel. Veronica has been with Unitel as a producer for 15 years. They honed their craft by directing and producing 30-second ads.

Pablo is a visual artist and grand prize winner of the Art Association of the Philippines competition. "We've always been asked how we 'divide' directing," Veronica says. "We don't. We collaborate well since we complement each other's skills. He's a painter and I'm a writer."

About the Synopsis
The bittersweet love story of JP and Teta gives us a glimpse of how a gay man/straight woman relationship works… or doesn't. JP is a fugitive on the run, after having accidentally killed his lover. On the bus, he sits next to Teta, who is 9 months pregnant. When Teta gives birth, JP accompanies mother and child home to their fishpond in Sasmuan, Pampanga. Teta impulsively introduces JP as the father of her child surprising both JP and her parents. When JP and Teta agree to play-act husband and wife, their queer, dysfunctional tale begins.


PRINSESA (2007)
Director: Lawrence Fajardo
Screenwriters: Jim Flores, Jade Snow, Lawrence Fajardo, Dado Lomibao
Executive Producer: Ronald Arguelles
Directors of Photography: Lawrence Fajardo, Jun Aves
Editors: John Wong, Conrad Zaguirre Jr
Music: Jobin Ballesteros, Jimmy Bondoc, DJ Myk Salomon
Production Designer: Lexter Tarriela
Principal Cast: Romnick Sarmenta, Archie Adamos, Shamaine Buencamino, Katrina "Hopia" Legaspi

About the Filmmaker
LAWRENCE FAJARDO fell in love with theater and film in high school, when film director Peque Gallaga "discovered" him in the halls of the University of St. La Salle Bacolod. "Law" learned filmmaking through workshops and internships with Gallaga, Lore Reyes and Erik Matti. His 2005 short film Kultado, set in the markets of his hometown, won the Special Jury Prize in Cinemalaya 2005 and the Best Short Film award of the Gawad Urian. Kultado has been exhibited in Singapore, Germany, Los Angeles and Italy, and is an official entry to the Clermont Ferrand Short Film Festival in February, 2008. His first full-length feature, Raket ni Nanay, was a Cinema One Original in 2006.

About the Synopsis
How does a child cope with being parentless? Princess' mother dies giving birth to her twin. Her father, Mar, gets a job overseas. Her aunt, Marie, cannot fill the void left by her parents.

Prinsesa is the first Filipino film to delve into the psychology of obesity. Fat people have always been portrayed as objects of ridicule in Filipino movies, but what of the circumstances surrounding the issue?

Prinsesa regards obesity in a new light, connecting it to the Pinoy diaspora, the separation of parents from their children, and the mechanisms of overcompensation. How can you be a good parent when you're thousands of miles away from your children? What's it like to grow up as children of overseas Filipino workers?


TAMBOLISTA (Drumbeat) (2007)
Running time:
Director: Adolfo B. Alix, Jr.
Screenwriter: Ave Regina S. Tayag
Executive Producer: Ronald Arguelles
Supervising Producer: Alvin Yapan
Line Producer: Arleen Cuevas
Associate Line Producer: Maxie Evangelista
Editor: Aleks Castaneda
Director of Photography: Albert Banzon
Music: Khavn dela Cruz
Production Designer: Jeck Cogama
Sound Engineer: Ditoy Aguila
Principal Cast: Jiro Manio, Coco Martin, Sid Lucero, Anita Linda, Fons Deza

About the Filmmaker
The films of Adolfo B. Alix, Jr portray strongly Filipino characters at the crossroads of tradition and modernity. His first feature, Donsol, was honored with special jury prizes at the Asian Marine Film Festival, Japan and the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, and is the Philippines' official entry to the 2007 Academy Awards, Best Foreign Language Film category. His second feature, Kadin, has been screened at the Locarno and Amiens filmfests. As a screenwriter, Alix's works include the feature films Homecoming, Mga Munting Tinig (Small Voices), and various television shows. A magna cum laude graduate of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Alix now teaches film and screenwriting courses at his alma mater.

About the Synopsis
Jason, 14, had one passion: playing the drums. His dream is to get a drum set of his own. But life is never as constant and regular as the beat of a drum; it often skips a beat or moves too fast. Jason's brother Billy discovers that his girlfriend is pregnant, and he needs to raise the money for an abortion. Their friend Paolo finds himself homeless, jobless, and burdened with a secret. When Jason tries to help Billy, he gets caught up in a web of betrayal and violence. He may finally be able to get his drum set, but is it worth it?

The third feature film from Adolfo B. Alix, Jr draws an intimate portrait of two brothers struggling with poverty and seeking a kind of redemption.

Note:
Agogo Makabago (40 minutes), Carpool (8 minutes), Ang Pagbalik (10 min.), Putot (20 min.), Kultado (22 min.) and Astig (4 min.) are featured guest short films.

Cinema One Originals 2007 Preview

Amidst our "tight" schedule, Nori and I (with Biboy) attended the Cinema One Originals Preview 2007. We just had to unwind. Akala rin kasi namin sort-of premiere night na rin siya. Tipid nga naman if we get to see the films (kung ilan man siya) that night instead on its regular showing. But like the event suggested, preview nga lang siya. OK lang naman sa 'min, though. At least we get to watch a 10-minute preview of each film and catch a glimpse of what it is all about (kahit paano).

Based on the preview, my bet it on Jerrold Tarog & Ruel Dahis Antipuesto's Confessional. Reading the gist doesn't do much justice to it. Siya nga lang ang talagang wala akong idea kung ano. But when I saw the first 10 minutes of the film, laugh trip talaga! Galing ng dialogues at editing.

My second must-watch film is Maling Akala. First because it is by Veronica Velasco and Pablo Biglang-Awa, Jr. whose Inang Yaya remains to be one of the best Pinoy films for me, as of recent times. I want to know how they'd do with this one. Saka kapamilya na 'yan si Direk Pablo kaya dapat suportahan talaga! (Nakasama namin siya minsan sa aming "Film Techniques" sessions.)

Second, dahil sa crush kong si Victor. 'Nuff said. Hehehe.

Third is the luscious cinematography. Tingnan n'yo pa lang 'yung poster. Parang siyang live painting! Ang galeng!

Fourth, we have yet to discover what the "maling akala" is all about. Gusto ko 'yung take ni Nori on it. 'Di ko naisip 'yun. Focus kasi ako kay VB! Hahaha!

Kung kaya pa, I'd see Altar, too. Apart from the typical scoring ng mga movies ni Rico Maria Ilarde na feeling ko over the top palagi, the film seems interesting. Ano ang nakatago sa likod ng altar? At s'ympre, another eye-candy is Zanjoe (who came with Enchong Dee -- may kwento ako, ask me na lang personally. Hehehe.)! Sayang, di ako nakapagpakuha ng pic sa kanya. Kainez talaga! But we were seated right in front of him. Talagang abot-kamay! Sabi ko nga kay Nori, destiny ito! Hehehe.

with Dimples Romana of Altar

Other films are Adolf Alix, Jr.'s Tambolista and Lawrence Fajardo's Prinsesa. Tambolista was filmed on black & white. I just don't know how would affect the film in general. Mayro'n kasing dapat matinding dahilan kapag nag-black & white ang movie at hindi dahil gusto mo lang. At kahit naman may dahilan, kung minsan hindi pa rin maitawid ng maayos. (Hay, di rin ako nakapagpa-pic kay Coco Martin who is part of the film. Ang tagal kasi nung interviewer, eh!)

with Jiro Manio of Tambolista

Anyway, suportahan po natin ang Pelikulang Pilipino!

Sali kaya kami ni Nori? Hmmm. . .

Sulat ni Nanay at Tatay

Halika, mga kaibigan, at hayaang maantig din ang inyong damdamin. . .

(Note: Read this with a dramatic song on the background (like the one here). Panalo!)

My Music - She's Leaving Home

Sulat ni Nanay at Tatay
Rev. Fr. Ariel F. Robles
CWL Spiritual Director
St. Augustine Parish, Baliuag, Bulacan


Sa aming pagtanda, unawain at pagpasensyahan mo sana kami, anak. . .

Kung makatapon kami ng sabaw sa hapag kainan
O kaya makabasag ng pinggan
'Wag mo naman sana kaming kagagalitan
Dala lang yun ng kalabuan ng mata at ng namamanhid naming mga daliri. . .
Pinagalitan ka man sa mga baso't pinggang iyong nabasag noon bata ka pa,
Iyon ay dahil ayaw naming masugatan ka.

Kung ang mga sinasabi mo'y 'di maintindihan at madinig
'Wag mo naman sana kaming sabihan ng "Bingi!"
Humihina na talaga ang aming pandinig
Pakiulit lang nang malakas-lakas na 'di naman kailangang sigawan
Upang tayo ay magkaunawaan.

Kung mabagal na kaming maglakad at 'di na makasabay sa mabilis mong paglakad
Pakiantay sana at alalayan—mahihina na ang aming mga tuhod
Alalay na tulad sana nung musmuos ka pa at nag-aaral ka pa lang maglakad
Tuwang tuwa ka naming pinagmamasdan.

Kung minsang makulit at paulit ulit ang aming sinabi na parang sirang plaka,
'Wag mo sana kaming pagtawanan o kainisan
Ganyan ka rin kakulit noong bata ka pa at nag-iiyak pa--
Kapag nagpapabili ng kung anu ano’y di kami tinitigilan
Hangggang ang gusto mo'y di naibibigay.

Kung kinatatamaran namin na maligo at nag-aamoy lupa na
'Wag mo naman sanang pandirihan at piliting maligo. . .
Mahina na kasi ang aming katawan pag nalalamigan.
Natatandaan mo ba noong bata ka pa at kahit anung dungis mo
Ay masayang-masaya ka naming hinahalikan
At mat'yagang hinahabol sa ilalim ng kama upang paliguan?

Kung palagi kaming masungit at nagsisisigaw
Dala na siguro ito ng pagkabagot sa bahay
At pagkadismaya na wala nang magawa at wala nang silbi.
Ipadama mo naman sana na may halaga pa rin kami sa mundo mo
Katulad ng pagpapadama namin noon ng pagpapahalaga
At pagtutuwid sa kamalian at katigasan ng iyong ulo.

Kung may konti ka mang panahon mag kwentuhan naman sana tayo. . .
Alam kong abala ka sa hanapbuhay pero sabik na kaming makausap ka.
Gusto kong malaman mo na interesado pa rin kami sa mga kwento mo
Tulad n'ung pagbibida mo sa eskwela noong bata ka pa.
Na kahit pautal utal pa ang salita mo,
Nakikinig kaming masaya tungkol sa iyong mga laruan.

Kung kami man ay maihi o madumi sa higaaan dahil hindi na makabangon
'Wag mo sanang pagagalitan o pandididrihan.
Katulad ng walang reklamo naming paggising nang kahit anong pagod sa gabi
Upang linisin at palitan ang iyong lampin para maginghawa kang makatulog
Hindi na baling kami ang mapuyat.

Kung kami’y maratay sa banig ng karamdaman
'Wag mo sanan kaming pagsawaang alagaan
Gaya ng mat'yaga naming pag-aalaga noong musmos ka pa.
Bawat daing mo noon ay hirap na dinadala sa aming kalooban
Pagt'yagaan mo naman sana kaming alagaan sa aming mga huling sandali
Kami naman ay di na rin magtatagal.

AT kapag dumating na ang takdang panahon ng aming pagharap sa Dakilang Lumikha. . .
Ibubulong at hihilingin ko sa Kanya.
Na pagpalain ka dahil naging mapagmahal at maalaga kang anak sa iyong ama’t ina.

About the song above, She's Leaving Home is one of my favorite Beatles' songs. It is similar to our own Anak but this one has made me cry the first time I read/sung its lyrics. 'Till now, 'pag kinakanta ko siya, naiiyak pa rin ako. Mas dama ko kasi 'yung feelings ng anak at ng mga magulang sa kanta. The daughter's need for independence and the parent's longing for her, feeling that they had done her wrongly.

"One More Chance" Cast Party

Cast party on November 13, 2007 at Metrowalk after the Megamall premiere

More pictures here

This Is So Not Good For Me!

Dreaming about demons, monsters, goblins, and whatnots -- each one getting scarier than the other, is not good for me! It happens when I need to accomplish something that I can't because of the lack of muse. I wonder what's the meaning behind it. Am I battling my own demons or there are demons around me that I need to get rid of. . .

Past Life Regression

Take this quiz and see who you were in your past life. . .

My result is:

Diagnosis:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I do not know how you feel about it, but you were female in your last earthly incarnation.
You were born somewhere around territory of modern Portugal approximately on 900.
Your profession was monk, bee-keeper, lone gunman.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your brief psychological profile in that past life:
Inquisitive, inventive, liked to get to the very bottom of things and to rummage in books. Talent for drama, natural born actor.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lesson, that your last past life brought to present:
The world is full of ill and lonely people. You should help those, who are less fortunate than you are.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now you remember?

My psych profile sounds right. Usyusero talaga akong tao and likes to dig further sa mga issues just so I could understand it better. The lesson I've learned in the past seems familiar, as well. I'm very much drawn to people who seem sad and alone. Parang feel kong iangat sila sa kung saang putikan sila nalulugmok and show them that life could be better.

Hmm. . . Ang galing nito, ah!

Try it yourself!

Manilyn Live @ 25

Manilyn Live @ 25 was a nostalgic event for people like me and Nori (and Biboy, as well) who grew up with That's Entertainment. Yes, it was Manilyn's 25th anniversary celebration that night but nevertheless, the night captured the whole era with immense fervor and merriment! It was '80s all over again. Sobrang happy trip down memory lane.

The concert started a little late, probably between 8:45-9 PM. Hinihintay 'ata ng producers na mapuno 'yung theater. The show begun with Mane singing Feel Na Feel. Kuntodo denim jacket and pants ang attire niya ala Feel Na Feel era talaga. Ay simula n'un, goosebumps na ang pumaimbabaw sa 'kin. Parang we were transported back to the decade where Manilyn was the biggest teen star -- TV, movies, and radio, thus the title Star of the New Decade. Feeling ko nga, if I have seen Feel Na Feel The Concert live then, baka napaluha pa ko.

Throughout the concert andu'n 'yung feeling of sentimentality especially that the theme of the concert has '80s all over it - from the upbeat music she sang (Body Dancer, Rico Mambo, Blue Kiss, Jump, I'm So Excited, Manic Monday, etc.) to the duets she did with Ogie (Pangako), Keempee (Never Gonna Give You Up - in Mane's words, "Sarap alalahanin 'yung time na nakikinig ka ng mga senti music tapos. . . nanonood ka ng Young Love, Sweet Love."), and Janno (Always/Secret Lovers - where Janno made his famous moves during their love team days: pagbaba ng mic sa stage then share Mane's mic; kulang na lang ang pag-share nila ng same garlands of Sampaguitas!) Nakakatuwang balikan at isip-isipin ang mga kilig days na 'yun of our youth.


Highlights of the event were Manilyn's singing her hits such as Feel Na Feel, Mr. Disco/Shake It, Baby Medley, Ikaw Pa Rin (join ako with her with this one - kanta to death ako s'ympre!), Somewhere Along the Way (one of the best songs that night with its new soulful arrangement), and Sayang Na Sayang (the much-awaited song which she sung before the show closed). I was expecting to hear her sing Isang Tulog Na Lang with Janno but she didn't. Nalungkot ako ru'n s'ympre.

Todo na siguro ang '80s experience if the three gentlemen sung their first hits: Peksman by Ogie, Nais Kong Malaman Mo by Keempee, and Miss by Janno. Ogie did Sumayaw, Sumunod and Kailangan Kita/Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw Medley. Ang kwento niya ay hindi naging sila ni Mane. Sa pagkakaalam ko ay hindi niya tinodo ang ligaw kay Mane. Like Bistek to Lea, torpe-torpehan siya. Ang kwento nga ni Mane minsan sa Moms, Ogie went to their house in UP area. Akala niya ay aakyat ng ligaw. Makikigamit lang pala ng CR! (As in para magbawas! Eewy, di ba?!) But whenever he write songs then, kay Mane niya unang pinaparinig. She co-wrote Pangako with him. Keempee sung Ipagpatawad/Binibini Medley. Janno did Pinakamagandang Lalaki/Fallin' Medley.


Kuntodo dance si Mane during the '80s dance medleys! Talagang to the nth power ito reminiscent of the may-I-promote-my-movie days sa Regal. Ka-level din nito ang performance competition during That's Entertainment Saturday Edition! Kulang na lang ay si Billy Joe dancing to a Michael Jackson song! But as what she said, medyo mabigat at matigas na raw ang katawan niya para mag-dance galore.

Before the final act, Mane did a number with the three guests. It was the song Alipin with lyrics rewritten telling the story the stories of their affairs with each other. Nakakaaliw siya given na naglolokohan sila on stage! They ended the number with That's What Friends Are For. Very '80s siya talaga, di ba?!


For her final act, Mane thanked the special people in her life has been there during her ups and downs. She related the time when she felt like quitting the biz, feeling unloved and lost. Luckily, she was given another chance. Now she is known by the youngsters as Corazon in Marimar. At least they'd get to know how truly remarkable she is.

Other songs sung were Superwoman, Bakit Ako Mahihiya?, Usahay, Ako Ang Nagwagi, I Have You, I Made It Through the Rain, and others. 2 hours and a half 'yung show. Sulit na sulit talaga ang gabi!

Happy 25th anniversary, Mann! It is but right to say congratulations to you and to direks Al Quinn and Tats Faustino! You have given us such a wonderful night of fun and excitement! Ang gleng-gleng talaga! Sana sa susunod kasama mo na sina She at Tina on stage!

P.S. It was my first time to watch in Aliw Theater. Ang ganda ng venue -- very cozy ang dating. Maliit lang siya (but bigger than Music Museum). Hindi pa pinagbabawal ang picture and video taking tulad ng sa Araneta. The truth is, I don't see why Araneta need to prohibit people from taking pictures and videos. Right naman ng audience para i-capture ang moment na 'yun! Sa US nga, people can even bring camcorders!

One downside lang sa Aliw Theater is sabog kung minsan ang sound. Masakit na sa taynga kapag bumibirit na 'yung singer on stage.

***
For more pictures, visit Manilyn Live @ 25
Videos available here or here
Related post: My Manilyn Years

When Will You Die?

Based on this Tyra Quiz, I'll live until 75 years old. Hmm. . . Medyo matagal-tagal 'ata 'yun. When I was in my late teens and early twenties, dala na rin siguro ng 20s crisis and adjusting to the hardships of the real world, I felt that I won't reach my 30s. But here I am, a few more months to go and I'll turn 31. Still going at life!

In one of Biboy's depressed moods, he asked me, "What makes you going?" I don't have the exact answers to that question but I just live a day at a time. I told him na malalampasan din niya 'yung stage kung saan your death wish calls you every now and then. Ang iniisip ko na lang, life will soon be better. I am looking forward to the day that everything will come easy. That you won't sweat the small stuff anymore. That waking up every day is a wish granted. That you become thankful for whatever has come your way -- be it good or bad.

Biboy asked me again, "How do you accept things? How do you face the people pag madami kang kabalbalan? 'Pag may masamang nangyari? How do you move on without feeling bad?"

Ang patakaran ko sa ganyan, it is just right to feel bad about something -- whatever it is. Sulk, mope, wallow in self-pity for all you want. Magpakalunod ka sa luha at pighati -- for a day, a week, or even a month! But then, move on! Get up and apologize for your wrong deeds. Start fresh. Wala na rin naman kasing mangyayaring maganda if you continue to drown in sorrows. Sino ba ang pahihirapan mo nu'n? Sarili mo at ang mga tao sa paligid mo, di ba? Nangdamay ka pa ng iba kung ganu'n! Anyway, letting yourself overcome with emotions will give you insights naman on what you need to do next. Mas masama nga 'yung you don't allow yourself to process what you went through. Mas mababaliw ka sa ganu'n. Ang isipin mo na lang ay hindi ka nag-iisa. There are people with same struggles. There are people who came out of it strong and wise. Just pray for guidance and strength. Hindi ka Niya pababayaan.

Naku! Naging preachy na 'ata itong post ko. Feel ko lang maglabas sama ng loob. I'm at a cross road, trying to decipher if the life I want is truly the life for me. Matagal ko siyang hinintay pero ngayong nandito na, bakit parang may mali? 'Yun lang! Just thinking aloud.

Anyway, if you want to know your dying age, try the quiz! Just be aware that the quiz is mostly about lifestyle. If it says you'll live 'till you're 80, it doesn't necessarily mean that you'll do so. Pa'no kung maaksidente ka? Pa'no kung magkasakit ka? Try it for fun. 'Wag seryosohin ever!

On the Way to Avenue Q

On the last few steps of Gil Puyat LRT station, I decided to buy Mentos. "Magkano Mentos?" I asked. Batà-batà pa 'yung tindera. Arounds 20s siguro. A guy was with her who was also seated in front of the items they sell. Busy siya with something. The tindera replied, "Piso."

"Piso isa?" I asked back. I had to clarify it since the last time I bought candies through such vendors 3 or 2 for a peso pa. The vendor nodded. Syemas! Mahal na nga ang bilihin.

I took 5 Mentos and paid her 5 pesos. Then she asked, "Koreano ka?"

I was wearing earphones that time so I had to take it out to make sure that I heard the question correctly. "Ha?"

"Koreano ka?"

"Hindi," I answered with a sort of wonder in my eyes.

"Chinese?" she asked again.

"Hindi."

I can tell that she wasn't satisfied with my response yet, "E ano ka?"

"Filipino!" I said.

"Ah. . . Mukha ka kasing Chinese, eh."

I just nodded and went down.

"Ingat po kayo," pahabol niya.

I thanked her and went on my way.

The said incident happened a month ago already (Sept. 23 to be exact). I was on my way to RCBC Theater to meet Nori, Gilbert, and Biboy for the Avenue Q play. I just thought of blogging it in because it was the oddest comment about me that I have heard so far. Ni sa hinagap, hindi ko naisip na mukha akong Chinese. Not that there's anything wrong about looking Chinese, ah. I just find it weird. Sa'n naman kaya nanggaling ang comment na 'yun? Hindi kaya dahil mayro'n akong maliit na kuliti that time on my right eye?

Well. 'Yun lang. It just was sort of funny in a weird way.

The Inday Chronicles: Chapter 1

Gathered from different e-mails, text messages, and forums, here is the story of Inday (as in kwento form!). Let's humanize her and the people around her. With that, sadya kong binago ang ibang linya ni Amo. 'Wag naman nating gawing bobo ang pobre. Di man siya sing-talino ni Inday sa English, di rin naman siya bobo. Hehehe.

Ito ang nagagawa ng hirap sa pagsusulat ng sequence treatment. Iba ang ginagawan ng script! Hahaha!

***

Biodata ni Inday

Name: Inocencia Binayubay
Nickname: Inday
Age: 18
Parents: Aling Seling at Mang Andoy
Siblings: Iying 13, Itoy 8, Iking 5, Ederlyn (allegedly half-sister) 18

Education
College - La Salle 2nd year (scholar)
High School - Manila Science High School (Valedictorian, Best in English)
Elementary - Sta. Monica Elem School (Valedictorian, Best in Dancing)

Work Experience
3 years Household Service Manager (katulong) - Mr. and Mrs. Eugenio Lopez

***

Chapter 1: Inday’s Housecapades

Dahil sa tindi ng kahirapan sa probinsya, namasukan si Inday bilang katulong sa Maynila. Habang ini-interview ng amo . . .

Amo: Kelangan namin ng katulong para mag-ayos ng bahay, magluto, maglaba, magplantsa, mamalengke, at magbantay ng mga bata. Kaya mo ba ang lahat ng ito?
Inday: I believe that my trained skills and expertise in management with the use of standard tools, and my discipline and experience will contribute significantly to the value of the work that you want, my creativity, productivity and work-efficiency and the high quality of outcomes I can offer will boost the work progress.
Amo: Aba, impressive nga!

Makaraan ang dalawang araw, nakitang may bukol si Junior. . .
Amo: Bakit me bukol si Junior?
Inday: Compromising safety with useless aesthetics, the not-so-well engineered architectural design of our kitchen lavatory affected the boy's cranium with a slight boil at the left temple near the auditory organ.
Amo: O siya, papalitan ang lababo! Gawing child-friendly!

Na-homesick si Inday. . .
Inday: I stay awake in the coldness of the darkened sky contemplating why, for some reasons, has my emptiness made itself manifests, extending to that niche where I was given life and growth, that because of austerity I was made separated from.

. . .kaya sumulat sa probinsya:

Dear Mommy,

Had it not been for the smelling salt, I must have collasped moments ago. Junior has become a little monster to me. Remember the head trauma he had? As if it wasn't enough, he was summoned by the principal of his shabily run academe. Oh, such erudite bunch of baboons! I never thought being a governess can be such a strenuous employ.

Missing you,
Inday

Sinagot ng ama:

Dear Inday,

Walanghiya ka! Magpadala ka ng pera! Nasa ospital ang nanay mo...dumugo ang ilong kakabasa ng pesteng sulat mo!

Love,
Tatay

Ngunit sadyang malikot si Junior. Pinagsabihan niya ito nang minsang nagluluto siya:
Inday: Stop your raucous behavior. It is bound to result in property damages and if that happens there will be corresponding punishment to be inflicted upon you!
Junior: Yes, Yaya.

Ayan, natalsikan siya tuloy ng mantika:
Inday: Bloody hell! What the f*ck did just land on my cutie top? I mean, I've spent all that just to make myself look fabulous. I think I'll have this eewy thing removed in a whip of time!

Sa hapunan:
Amo: Bakit maalat ang ulam?
Inday: The consistency was fine. But you see, it seems that the increased amount of sodium chloride (NaCl) affected the taste drastically and those actions are irreversible. I do apologize. Amo: (nag-isip) Anyway, bakit ba sa tuwing pag-uwi ko, nadadatnan kitang nanunuod ng TV?! Inday: Because I don't want you to see me doing absolutely nothing.
Amo: O, eh bakit daw umalis si Angel Locsin sa GMA-7? Nanood ka ng The Buzz, di ba?
Inday: Sometimes, people choose to leave not because of selfish reasons but because they just know that things will get worse if they'll stay. Leaving can be a tough act, and it's harder when people can't understand you for doing so.
Amo: May point nga naman siya sa pag-alis, no?

Sa almusal:
Amo: Bakit hilaw ang kanin?
Inday: The dwindling resource of hydrogen2 and oxygen present, coupled with the stabile amount of precise heat in the thermal environ of the vessel, resulted in the premature hydration of the 'Oryza Sativa', hence the calefaction factor was rendered lost and wandering when the algid formation came about.
Amo: Sabi ko sa 'yo sinangag na lang sa umaga, eh.

Minsan sa tanghalian:
Amo: Ba’t di ka naglagay ng kangkong sa sinigang?
Inday: Ipomea aquatica has become the constant ingredient to this Filipino delicacy which is very helpful in the digestion during the peristaltic process of the food we intake. Due to the continuous rains and floods, the harvest of the said vegetables has lessened the production in the market.
Amo: Dinamihan mo sana ang sitaw kung ganu'n.

Nang mamamalengke na siya:
Inday: Attached herewith is a list of proposed acquisition in line with my proposal to upgrade your household facilities. I have already made initial survey of current market prices. Note however that prices could vary depending on the prevailing exchange rate and aggregate supply and demand which we also monitor on an hourly basis.
Amo: Sige, ingat ka!

Sa palengke, kausap ang tindera:
Inday: Hey, guess what! The not so stunning guy keeps on staring at my french-tipped nails while the copy-cat freaks, like, envy my newly coated hairdo. Unfortunately after a great spa, I have to step on this murky and stinky bricks just to get some bunch of veggies!
Tindera: Where is the stunning guy?! Make turo to me naman, oh!

Matapos mamalengke, dumaan muna si Inday sa Starbucks:
Inday: I hate how coffee turns into an addiction and how it keeps you up all night. How it burns and makes your heart beat fast. Especially how it makes you crave for its rich and sweet promises of grains, milk and sugar. Moments later, it puts you into a melancholic mood of coldness. Before you realize, it has consumed you before you consume it. Empty. Bitter. Then again you crave for another cup. Just like love...

Inihahanda ni Inday ang baon ni Junior:
Inday: Drunken tiger shrimp and blue lobster meat, cut diagonally & caviar served with milagrosa rice (red variety) and apricot sauce. Vegetables in balsamic vinegar splashed with extra virgin olive oil garnished with mint leaves. For dessert lychee and peach salad.

Sa school ni Junior, diretso principal’s office si Inday:
Principal: Sinuntok ni Junior ang kanyang kaklase.
Inday: It's absurd! It was never a fact that he will inflict a fight. I can only imagine how you handle schizophrenic kids on this educational institution. Revise your policies because they suck!
Principal: We'll take it under consideration, Miss Inday. . .

Pag dating sa bahay, nandun na ang amo, galit na galit.
Amo: Inday, bakit nagkalat ang basura sa likod ng bahay?!
Inday: A change in the weather patterns might have occurred wrecking havoc to the surroundings. The way the debris are scattered indicates that the gust of wind was going northeast causing damage to the path it was heading for.
Amo: Pesteng hangin 'yan, o!

Nagka-rashes si Junior:
Amo: Day! Bakit may rashes si Jun-Jun?
Inday: Allergens triggered the immune response. Eosinophillic migratin occurs to the reaction site and release of chemotactic and anaphylotoxin including histamine and protaglandins. These substances result to increased circulation to the site promoting redness.
Amo: I see. . .

Si Junior, ayaw mag-aral:
Inday: The brain is not a muscle. It can accumulate vast information. The neurons can create millions of synapses because of neural plasticity.
Junior: Sige na nga!

Humingi ng day-off is Inday.:
Inday: Physical stress and excessive work may result to serious damage to one's body. It is therefore essential that once in a while, we take a break from our usual routine to replenish our lost energy.

Dahil hindi pinayagan, isama na lang daw siya sa Enchanted Kingdom:
Inday: Don't limit my capacity to the four corners of this luxurious abode. Expose me to the real challenges of the outside world 'coz I want to grow as an individual with dynamic experiences!
Amo: K! Fine!

Sa restaurant:
Waiter: Ano po order nila, Ma'am?
Amo: Ung Fried Chicken meal lang. Ikaw, Inday, ano sa 'yo?
Inday: I would like to partake of a dish of sauteed pork and chicken, boiled in thick essence of soy and cane extracts, with copious amounts of garlic, onion and laurel, sprinkled generously with fine spices and served with a generous helping of root crop and a helping of rice.
Amo: Iho, Adobo with rice daw.

Napansin ni amo ang kutis ni Inday:
Amo: Ano gamit mong sabon?
Inday: Only belo touches my skin, who touches yours?

Pagba-budget ni Inday:
500 = Globe plan subscription
1800 = glutathione tablet
600 = Olay total effects
1500 = pink Crocs flip flops
2000 = savings

Nang minsan may tumawag sa bahay:
Inday: Hi, you are calling in the midst of me cooking our lunch, my superiors aren't around. I'm the immediate person in support. How may I help you? If you wish to leave a message, an abrupt tone means you’re diverted to our voicemail.
Caller (sa sarili): Wrong number ata.

Sagot ni Inday sa Dugu-dugu gang:
Inday: I pity you for you have degraded your very own pride and dignity by resorting to this despicable behavior just for the sake of having something to feed your fetish appetite for wealth and I hope that one day you'll be rational enough to realize that you should not use other humans as means in the attainment of your ends. As what the great philosopher Kant uttered, 'treat a man as an end in himself.

Dahil di sanay sa microwave, sumabog ito nang gamitin ni Inday.
Amo: Bakit sumabog ang microwave? Ano ang ginawa mo?
Inday: Success is often the result of taking misstep in the right direction. Show me a person who has never made a mistake and I'll show you somebody who has never achieved much.
Amo: P'wes, ibabawas ko 'yan sa sweldo mo! Mistake mo 'yan, magdusa ka!

During inventory sa bahay:
Amo: Inday! Bakit mo binenta 'yung sira na silya?
Inday: I have computed the chair's fair value less cost to sell, and the value in use using projections for 5 years and a pretax discount rate. Accordingly, the value in use us lower, so I decided to sell the chair. This is in accordance with PAS18 on Revenue, PAS16 on PPE, and PAS36 on Impairment of assets.
Amo: Ah ganun ba?

Nalungkot si amo. May sentimental value ang silyang iyun sa kanya:
Inday: It's hard to run from a feeling that haunts you every now and then. Painful to tell your heart that you don't need it. You keep on pretending that you are better off alone, when in fact, you feel so empty. But why take chances if you see no hope? Why try if there's nothing to win for? Sometimes, it pays to wait. Never hurry, let infatuation die a natural death and give birth to true love when it's time.
Amo: Alright. (sigh)

Sa Embassy:
Consul: Why do you want to go to US?
Amo: To travel, to visit friends
Consul: Denied!
Consul: And you?
Inday: For life is never ending pursuit of material and social satisfaction that I tender my great intent of actualizing a transpacific journey to the land of milk and honey. An affabale sanctuary where dreams become reality and a perfect habitat where souls like mine can reach the pedestal of freedom.
Consul: Visa granted! Ma'am, we denied your helper.
(Narinig ng amo)
Amo: Excuse me?! Nagkakamali ka!

Side trip sa Spain:
Inday (habang tumatawad sa palengke): Uster por favor? Puede darnos un descuento porque mi senora y yo solo turistas estan en su pais bonito? Nosotros no tenemos mucho dinero pra que cualquier forma de descuento usted puwede darnos seria la mayoria apreciado.
Amo: Saan ba ang probinsya mo, Inday?
Inday: Sa Siquijor po. . . But I can be conversant in French Italian, and Spanish. My accent may bother you but I take no offense if you make snide remarks on my account. I understand your limited exposure to culture. C'est vout plait. . .
Amo: Bakit di ka na lang mag-call center? Pa-inggles-inggles ka naman?
Inday: I don't think that I'd want to have easy money for I know that choosing such employment is already limiting myself from experiencing enthusiastic ways of expressing what I feel by means of what I do, thus imprisoning myself with an incapable mind which will result to doubt and uncontentment.
Amo: May punto ka nga!

May pulubing tumayo sa harap ng gate:
Inday: Off you go, under no circumstance this house would relent to such unabashed display of vagrant destitution!
Pulubi: A**hole! Biatch!

Si Lagring, ang plantsadora, nagkaroon ng family problem:
Inday: When you have a problem, don't hesitate to tell it to people you can't live without. You have friends and love ones that you can depend on. So even if you say you need nobody, you're wrong. Remember what MJ said to PeterParker? "Everybody needs help, even Spiderman. . .
Lagring: Sorry, di ko napanood 'yun, eh.

Nag-open-up naman ang isang katulong ng kapitbahay sa kanya. Magre-resign na siya:
Inday: The highest courage is to dare to be yourself in the face of adversity. Choosing right over wrong, ethics over convenience, and truth over popularity. . . These are the choices that measure your life. Travel the path of integrity without looking back, for there is never a wrong time to do the right thing.
Katulong: Sure ka riyan?

Dumating si Manang, nakikitsismis:
Inday: Much as I want to indulge in the pedantic palaver proliferation of such indecent idiosyncrasy and malicious information, I want to lift the stigma and alleviate society's perception of our profession.
Manang: Hmph! Ang sungit nito!

But Manang wouldn't take it sitting down. She was offended. Dahil dito, tsinismis niya si Inday sa neighborhood. Kinausap ang amo niya:
Manang: Ang batayan ng pagiging mahusay na kasambahay ay hindi masusukat sa kakayahan sa mahusay na pakikipagtalastasan gamit ang pananalitang banyaga. Sa halip, ito'y masusuri sa kakayahang gampanan ang pangkalahatang gawain at pagsisilbi sa taong pinaglilingkuran. Wala sa salita kundi sa gawa!

Pinagtanggol ni Inday ang sarili sa amo:
Inday: Listening to the nonsense talk about someone's life is a pathetic way of entertainment. It doesn't contribute to the good of society. I hate character assassinators! There are those people who don't like me. People who criticize how I run my life. People who just say things that hurt me. People who do things to give me pain. People who will never understand my principles in life. People who will keep on trying to put me down and tell bad things behind my back. But through it all, I struggle to prove them myself. . . That I did not exist to please them.

Minsan, nairita ang amo:
Amo: Inday, Filipino ka kaya mag-Filipino ka. Tandaan mo ang sinabi ni Gat Jose Rizal, ang sinumang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika ay higit pa sa malansang isda.
Inday: Ang mga namutawi sa inyong mga labi ay mataman pong iimbak sa sulok ng aking balintataw at kaibuturan ng aking ouso, at gugunam-gunamin, aariing salik ng aba at payak kong kabatiran. Akin nang tatalikdan ang matayog at palalalong banyagang wika, at ang kinagisnan manapa'y kakalingain, bibigkasin, at sakdal timyas na sasambitin ng aking kalooban.
Amo: O-K.

Minsan, mainit ang ulo ni amo. Namura niya si Inday:
Inday: Nurture others with positive, truthful words, not words that hurt. It doesn't cost anything to do so. But mean what you say, and say what you mean. Do it everyday. This is one of the most obvious qualities of the most beloved people. If you cannot be generous financially, at least be generous with your words.
Amo: Sorry. (sabay yuko)

But like any other employee, Inday has to move on:

Dear Ma'am/Sir,

I hereby tender my irrevocable resignation as your employee, effective today. It has been a pleasant stay in your company, but owing to personal reasons I am compelled to move on. I would like to thank you and your good management for the wonderful experience accorded to me during my stay in your company

Yours truly,
Inday

***

(Next - Chapter 2: Inday & Dudung)

Are You Gay?

Eto na naman ako stalling my writing before going to the office. Nami-miss ko na rin naman ang pagba-blog. Partly because of the busy schedule. Kahit na di araw-araw 'yung pagpasok sa Star, parang ganu'n na rin kasi madalas kaming nag-iisip ng mga bagong kwento. Mind you it isn't easy. Nakakapagod. That leads me to my other reason for not blogging as much as I want to, exhaustion. I like to spend my "non-writing" days resting, watching movies, or ang favorite past time sa office, thinking! Hehehe. Miss ko na ring mag-review ng films. By not doing so, hindi ko na maalala kung ano ba 'yung mga movies na napanood ko this year. Nakakalimutan ko na rin 'yung ibang titles which is very unlikely of me. Siguro dahil na rin 'yun sa sunod-sunod na panonood ng movies na kailangan ko to come up with storylines required of us.

Anyway, that's not the point of this particular post. Recently, Victor Basa was asked by Will Devaughn in one episode of PBB Celeb Edition 2 if he was gay. Medyo I found it discomforting especially when I saw the video just today. I felt that it was such an insensitive act from Will given that it was around all other housemates and in front of national television. Kahit pa sabihing he, too, was cornered by Boy Abunda by telling him to ask Vic one question that people are dying to know most about models.

Boy: Ganito na lang, Will. Gayahin mo nga ako. Kunwari ini-interview mo si Vic. Ask him the one question that everyone wants to ask. . . Ano ba ang tinatanong ng mga tao sa mga modelo? Vic Basa, are you. . .
Will (hesitating puts the mic on Vic): . . .gay?
Vic: I. . . Well . . . Recently. . . na-cut 'yung relationship ko sa babae so. . . as far as. . . parang, as far as I can tell, straight naman ako.
Will: . . .Sure ka?
Vic (a lil bit surprise with the question but not given the chance to answer)
Will: Joke lang! Nagbibiro lang, pare!

Perhaps it was Boy who instigated it or Will already has that question in mind. Nevertheless, it was embarassing for both him and Vic, especially to Vic. Hindi lang 'yun. Bastos ang dating. Why do I say this? The most dreaded question for closet gays is "Are you gay?" I'm not saying that Vic is (but it'd be wonderful if he is! Super crush ko siya!) but I'm speaking in general. I feel that one's sexuality shouldn't be other people's business unless may hidden agenda sila sa pagtatanong o pakikialam. Sure, it's exciting to pry but what happens after you put someone in such humiliation? Hindi madaling umamin ng tunay na pagkatao sa mapanghusgang sosyedad. People do not know what closeted gays go through from the moment they know that they are different to the beginnings of coming out. So sana lang that they could be more sensitive to the issue rather than pagpiyestahan ito.

I admit na guilty rin ako sa pang-uusyoso but I never once cornered people into asking if they are gay or not. Kasi ayoko rin namang gawin sa 'kin 'yun. But when I came out, non-issue na 'yun para sa 'kin. Although naging hesitant ako about answering that question last year kasi feeling ko malisyoso ang pagkakatanong sa 'kin ng isang GMAAC workshopper. Sa harap din ng mga ibang group members 'yun when he asked, "May gf ka ba? Eh bf?" Sabi ko wala. Later, Acy & I realized that there was something "odd" about his gestures towards me, especially when he learned the truth when I bought Biboy along with me during one of our meetings. 'Yun ang sinasabi kong hidden agenda about asking someone's sexuality. Either may personal kang interest sa tao or you're in a sort of vengeful mood or something closer to that or you're a homophobe. Otherwise, ano bang pakialam mo, di ba? 'Wag ka masyado apektado, pwede ba?

My Manilyn Years

I had two agendas in going to Megamall last Friday. First was to buy DVDs on sale. Sadly, there weren't much titles to look around even if Magnavision is on their 50% promo while Viva is on their 100/150/199/299 price scheme. I'm not sure kung dahil ba first day 'yun ng 3-day Sale and Astro Plus has yet to replenish their stocks o talagang napag-iwanan na ang Mega branch ng Astro Podium pagdating sa lawak ng stocks/titles o dahil na rin siguro weekend sale ng most malls sa MM that time (including Galleria and Ayala Makati). I only bought The Philadelphia Story DVD which I'd be using for my report on the Classical Hollywood narrative/style for Star Cinema. (Mukhang next year pa naman ata 'yun.) The rest are VCDs na. With that, I can say na hindi masaya ang buying experience ko. Hehehe.

Second was to buy Manilyn Live @ 25 concert tickets. I'd be going with Biboy, Nori, and Ms. Vanj of Star Cinema. I was expecting that there'd be more of us pero hindi ko sila mahagilap. Sobrang busy ata. I just told Jullian na sila na lang bili ng tickets nila in case they'd be watching talaga. Anyway, what's funny was when I asked the saleslady for the tickets. She said, "Uy, may fans si Manilyn." Sagot ko, "Oo naman!" Then after a while, parang nag-iisip din silang manood ng mga kasama niya sa booth asking if there are still tickets available to purchase.

About a month ko na rin nabalitaan 'yung tungkol sa concert. I got excited about it. Sabi ko watch ako. When I told Nori about it, aba! Na-excite din ang lola at watch din siya. Nung pinagkalat ko sa Star, same reaction din sila at may-I-sing pa ng Sayang Na Sayang. Ms Vanj even dubbed the concert as Sayang Na Sayang The Concert. Ewan ko lang kung tutuloy 'yung iba.

I'm sure that watching the concert will bring back memories of our teenage years, especially that Mane's guests are Janno, Keempee, and Ogie. O di ba?! Tatalunin nito ang Janice starrer, Pakasalan Mo Ako, with Gabby, Aga, and John! (Only in Regal Films na kayang pagsama-samahin ang lahat ng ex ng isang artista, mind you!) Naalala ko nga na mas affected pa ko sa Mane-Janno break-up kaysa sa Sharon-Gabby o sa mas paborito kong Sheryl-Romnick tandem. Anyway, masaya lang na mapapanood ko siya sa concert. I failed to see her Feel Na Feel Concert dati kasi bata pa ko nu'n. La pang budget s'yempre. Pero I think I recorded it on VHS dati when it was shown on TV. Di ko na nga lang alam kung asan ang kopya nu'n o kung buhay pa ba. Galing kasi ako sa school n'un at di ko masisimulan kaya pinakiusapan ko 'yung kapitbahay namin na i-tape muna.

Most people these days will find it jologs pero That's Entertainment ang kinakabaliwan ng mga panahon na 'yun, long before Ang TV days or Gimik or TGIF or About Ur Luv/Boys Nxt Door these days. Basta ako, Tuesday at Wednesday group fanatic dahil kay Mane at She. Hay, may pic pa ko ni She sa cheapanggang pitaka ko nu'n na ginupit ko lang sa magasin. Hahaha! Mega-ipon din ako ng posters and picture cut-outs from show biz magazines. Eyebags and Teenstars/Gossip ang favorites ko nu'n. I swear I still have my favorite issues pa ata with me! (Or I have thrown them na? Di ko sure pero ayoko namang maghalungkat sa ngayon.) Ganu'n ako ka-showbiz dati. (Hehehe! Hanggang ngayon pa naman, eh.)

My favorite Mane album is Heartbeat. I have it on cassette then later on, I bought the LP kahit wala kaming player. Ang kwento kasi, bumili ako nun dahil malaki siya. Gustong-gusto ko 'yung cover. Aside from that, I was wishing na ipapaayos ng dad ko 'yung player knowing that I have bought new LPs (including Sheryl's debut album) pero deadma. Hindi ko napakinggan 'yung plaka kahit kailan. Kaya naman kung mayro'n diyang buo pa ang turntable nila at gusto kong i-donate sa akin, pasasalamatan ko kayo ng marami! I miss listening to turntables kasi. Iba kasi ang feeling when you listen to LPs, especially with that sort of hiss sound at the beginning. Sa ngayon bihira na ang nagbebenta ng (bagong) plaka rito. Mostly sa Europe na lang siya and some parts in the US. Anyway, I have Mane's albums from Manilyn to Mula Sa Puso on cassettes. I was able to get the first three albums on MP3s and the last three (I think). Sadly, wala akong mahanap na Mula Sa Puso. Favorite ko pa naman 'yung Nandito Pa Rin Ako. Binalak kong mag-convert ng cassette tapes n'un to digital format pero wala akong makita cable ng cassette-PC o siguro I need to buy na lang a tape converter. Anyway, saka na lang siguro pag may budget na at magaang ang schedule. Pag nagkataon kakaririn ko talaga ang pagko-convert including the Triplets Must Be Heaven album! Hehehe.

Manilyn was dubbed as the Star of the New Decade noong '90s. I feel that she righfully deserves the title. Back then kasi (maski ngayon), liking Manilyn is no problem unlike Sheryl. People tend to like or hate Sheryl pero ako, like na like ko siya! But with Manilyn it's different. Parang like siya ng lahat.

So 'yun lang for now ang aking pagre-reminisce. Wala na kong maisip. Naubos na 'yung oras ko sa pagsusulat nito na dapat iukol ko sa paggawa ng sequence treatment ng script ko. Hay! Ang hirap naman kasi, eh! May Claudine brain storming pa mamaya. La pa kong baon! Waaah!

P.S. We saw the invitational screening of Endo last Wednesday in UP. Ay kagandang pelikula! Try ko i-review minsan dito pag may time. Watch it on its commercial run. (To be announced pa.) Di kayo magsisisi! Kikiligin ka na, mamumulat ka pa! Truly this year's best! Walang stir!

Naiyak ako when I saw the events that transpired in Glorietta 2 last Friday. I received a call from dad that time asking my location. Sabi ko Megamall. Sabi niya umuwi na raw ako kaagad kasi nga baka magkagulo pa. Then Biboy's mom called him. Kala namin nag-o-overreact lang sila. Ang sabi kasi ni Imee ay gas tank lang ang sumabog. ('Yun ang unang balita.) But when my mom in Oman texted me, sabi ko mukhang seryoso na nga. Naisip ko, if I had known na sale din sa Glorietta that time, baka nagpunta kami. Kaya nga naiyak ako knowing na baka napahamak din kami kung sakaling nagpunta kami ru'n. . .

Page Turner

The moment I started reading Pop's tell-all interview in the October issue of Yes! Magazine regarding her separation with Martin, I couldn't put it down. It was already past 3 AM then, but I felt that finishing it is better than sleeping that time. With every page, the details get juicier. It is like a movie unfolding before your eyes. Aside from that, nag-flashback sa utak ko ang mga naging past experiences ko with a cheater. Feeling ko tuloy, tell-all ko 'yun, eh.
I was never a Pops' admirer. When she and Martin separated, like with the rest of the Pinoys, my sympathies went with him. Siya 'yung nagsalita kasi. Siya 'yung paulit-ulit na humingi ng tawad. Siya 'yung umako ng responsilidad. Of course, that is such an honorable thing to do for a man. Kaya naman his career zoomed up from then on.
Meanwhile, Pops kept her silence throughout the ordeal. Usually, when couples separate, no matter who's to blame with it, it is the woman who gets the attention. It is the woman whom people feel for. In this case, Pops became the bad guy. By not saying her piece, speculations about the separation that led to the divorce seemed true: she was at fault. However, with this 16-page interview, all the mysteries have unraveled. The tables have turned. All eyes become focused on her. Siya pala ang inaapakan. Siya pala ang pinagmukhang tanga.
More than anything else, for the person who has been betrayed (especially several times), maliit na bagay lang 'yung affair. It is what the affair stands for on your partner and on yourself. It is a question of self-esteem and self-worth. Bakit nagka-affair? Is it my fault? Am I not enough? Ano ang mayro'n siya na wala ako? Ano ang mga naging pagkakamali ko? Did he/she ever love me? If so, why did he/she hurt me? Sometimes, when you love the person too much, you blame the affair on yourself. You tend to look down on yourself rather than the one who made the "mistake." Ang pinakamasakit ay 'yung di na mabubuo pa ang nasira mong tiwala sa sarili. Lagi na siyang nasa likod ng isipan mo; isang anino. There will always be self-doubt. Lagi ka niyang hahabulin in your moments of sadness or self-questioning. Sa mga tunay na nagmamahal, malaking dagok iyun sa iyong pagkatao.
'Yun ang dapat maintindihan ni Martin who seems to be showing his true self lately. Pops was seen in a bad light regarding their past relationship for several years now so it's time naman na ihaon niya ang imahe niya sa publiko. Besides, napakinabangan na naman ni Martin ng husto 'yung hiwalayan. Bait-baitan siya kaya naman nakuha niya ang amor ng publiko. It just goes to prove that karma has its way of getting back at you, maybe not immediately, but in the years to come.
To Pops, I have a newly-found respect for you. . .