It's About Time!

DJ Mo Twister is now being investigated by the KBP because of the alleged sexually explicit interview he had with John Lapus over at Magic 89.9. Aside from that, there were some rumors circulating that Mo's license to work as a deejay was already expired. Expired or not, I'd say that it's about time that someone looks further into his show -- whether it is of violation of any rule or it has been crossing the boundaries of whatever rule. It has created a lot of buzz because of the answers he had gotten from his guests, and there are a lot of celebrities whose name has been dragged into the mess.

Earlier, I felt that some showbiz folks just over reacted with what has been said by his celebrity guests, especially CF. (I agree with what Jo-ann Maglipon had said in Startalk. If CF feels that Mo has been crossing the line of decency in his interviews, she, too, has crossed the line several times. So, cut the guy some slack!) I do understand his statement when he said that his Forbidden Questions segment were all for fun and shouldn't be taken seriously. He compared it to people (or friends) having a conversation over a cup of coffee in the morning, talking about anything under the sun. However, there is a huge difference when people are talking privately and amongst themselves, and when the same conversation goes on public. On public, everyone takes part in it, it spreads out, it becomes everybody's business, and the people involved in the talk get hurt.

I hope that Mo should realize that he isn't in the US where celebrities get picked on (by other celebs themselves) and not hear a word from them regarding it. We are Pinoys and we easily get offended. We are too sensitive to a fault. We can't do anything about it. It is embedded in our history and culture. Who would not get sensitive when we became oppressed for over hundreds of years?

I digressed.

My point is that fun is fun when everyone is laughing and fun isn't fun when people get hurt. Maliban diyan, nilalagay niya lang sa alanganin ang mga bisita niya.

Back story: I once had a crush on Mo (Mohan Gumatay in real life). It was back in '97 when he hadn't enter showbiz yet. Just graduated in college then and without a job, listening to his 3-5 p.m. program (Early Returns) made my day. I liked listening to his voice. I thought he was cute. (Sobrang bwisit na bwisit pa nga ako kay Bunny nu'n. Actually, it was more of a jealousy rather than annoyance. Hehehe.) I even sent him (and Miles, his partner in the show) a letter. However, my admiration just disappeared when he to ASAP from SOP. (Sobrang solid Kapuso kasi ako back then.)

HTD!

I almost forgot a very important occasion (whether people agree or not) until I was informed last Thursday night through SMS about it. It wasn't like any holidays where everyone seemed to be aware about it. It wasn't like any hero's day where the whole nation celebrates. It wasn't like any family member's day where everyone goes out of their way to greet the people they love. No ads about it on TV or print. No greetings from famous celebrities or known politicians. Dates differ from one country to another may be one reason that people are not very much familiar about it. It was a day almost always celebrated by the celebrant themselves and the people they encounter with 5x a week only, in their own territory: school. It was Teacher's Day.

If OFWs these days are touted as the "Bagong Bayani", I could say that teachers are the "Unsung Heroes". Not just because I am one but because I feel that (good) teachers are one of the most important people in a society. Imagine, without them, we won't have any doctors, lawyers, policemen, nurses, etc. Sino ba ang humuhubog ng pag-iisip at pag-uugali ng mga kabataan? Who teaches them about the things they need to learn about their future profession? Who gives them the inspiration to push through with their dreams and aspirations in life? A teacher's job may seem trivial to some (even to some of the teachers themselves) but it is one hell of a humungous task! Heck, there are kids who would believe what their teachers said more than their parents. But are they given the much needed importance that they deserve? Are they treated as equals with other professionals? The answer is capital N-O!

Anywhere in the world, teaching should be a devotion. Not everyone can teach. Not everyone could withstand the long hours of work with a salary that could barely make ends meet. Not everyone would have the patience to be with hard-headed students or students who think they know more than teachers. One should be dedicated enough in order to carry the task through. One should have the passion for it because, in the end, it would be the only thing that one could hold on to through rough times.

Teaching is not a rewarding job financially. No one really gets rich in it. The fruits of one's labor can't also be seen immediately. It would take time to reap the benefits of one's hard work. However, most of the time, it isn't the teacher who would reap what he sow but rather his students.

Lately, we have been bombarded by news of teachers hurting their students. I am not in favor of such act but I don't condemn them, as well. Before we blame them, can we see the bigger picture first? How could such thing happen? Could it be stress-related? Elementary/high school public teachers deal with 50-100 students daily in a small and not well-ventilated room. Aside from that, they have to do their best to teach in limited time and resources. Not to mention their financial worries which I know bothers them everyday. Then you'd have two or more kids who would disrupt the class with their noise or petty quarrels. These are all part of the job description but can one help bursting out from time to time? Not everyone is Mary Poppins. Even the best teachers have rough times. However, if disruptive children need to be discipline, so does teachers who go beyond their limits with these kids.

When I was still in NF, our Academic Director had once asked us, "Are we becoming lenient teachers producing weak and undisciplined generation?" We may have spared them the rod but are we also spoiling them? I am against corporal punishments, of course, but I am thinking, would a little "discipline" hurt a child? Our parents and their parents and their parent's parents were part of such generation and they grew up to be learned and disciplined individuals. Life outside school is tough and it won't help if students are pampered both at home and in school.

Anyway, I hope that the government would really sit through and do something about our teacher's situation. Hindi biro ang maging guro at lalong hindi biro ang maging guro at makakuha ng karampot ng kita sa iyong paghihirap. Dedication could only go so far. Aanhin mo ang dedikasyon kung kumakalam na ang sikmura mo at ng iyong pamilya? Will it save you from pain and financial doom?

Incidentally, Cinema One had shown Mila (2001). I haven't fully watched it since it came out years ago. I couldn't even sit through it whenever I had the chance to see it on TV. Opening pa lang kasi, medyo off na para sa kin. For one thing, the dialogues and Maricel Soriano's acting (during the teaching scenes) were un-teacher like. I really couldn't explain it but one would know if one is a teacher. The same way a doctor would know if the actor acts "doctorly". Second, being a Joel Lamangan movie, it is colored with social and political issues that surround the teachers and the government of our country. There really isn't wrong about that but could we leave the issue to the news department? What would be better is if we could make a movie about teachers for the teachers, showing a slice of their lives. A movie that would showcase their so-called dedication to the profession and to their students. A film that would tackle their struggles to become an almost-perfect model for their kids to emulate despite living in an imperfect world. Something that would focus on how they juggle their relationships with their students and fellow teachers and their families. Something that would inspire children to become future teachers. Something that would differentiate the good from the bad. A movie ala Mr. Holland's Opus, Dead Poets Society, or even Dangerous Minds. (I may be wrong about Mila but it's how I feel about it at the moment. I guess, I need to really sit through it one of these days and see beyond its political commentary.)

Despite the hardships and unnoticed dedication, teaching is still one of the best jobs! It is but right to commend them especially those who do it for the love of the profession, learning, and the students. Being a teacher doesn't stop when one gets home. It is a continuous work because one plans his day ahead even while sleeping!

Mabuhay ang mga guro!

ZZZ Movie Trailer

Here is the ZZZ movie trailer! To the words of Carver himself, the trailer "was a lengthy, colorful monster." Yes, Carver, it wasn't perfect. The truth is, it really could be better. Ala Spidey trailer sana. Pero suntok sa buwan na atang isiping 'yun! Anyway, on the right is the Making of ZZZ from Regal Multimedia.



Medyo nanibago lang ako not seeing Eula Valdes and Tuxqs Rutaquio as ZZZ and Ada, respectively. Imagine, I've seen them performed three times on stage!

Meanwhile, while searching for the trailer, I found this on You Tube! It was uploaded last June 2006. I have no idea how this person was able to sneak in his camera inside the theater. Nevertheless, the clip was a treat! Of all the performances that I've seen, I never saw a single Arnold Reyes act. I swear, come January, I'll see the play again with friends!

The Angelica Panganiban Scandal

In her 24 Oras interview, Angelica Panganiban denied the fitting shots. She said, "Ung ilalabas namin ay totoo lang. Pati ba naman katawan ko ay lolokohin ko pa?"

OK...

When Losing is Unexpected

Watch Faith Hill's reaction when Carrie Underwood was announced as the winner for "Female Vocalist of the Year" at the recently concluded Country Music Awards.


After the incident, Hill said that it was all a joke. Her manager, Gary Borman, added that: "I've worked with Faith for many years now and the idea that she would ever insult or undermine another artist, let alone another human being's success is absolutely preposterous. Those who know her know that she's incapable of such actions. She was being playful while the nominations were being read and playful after."

Anyway, if she is being "playful", these guys are being "playful" themselves. Great spoofs of the incident!


In another event, Kanye West also expressed his disappointment when he interrupted the winners at the MTV Europe Awards. He said that his video deserved to win.

In our country, remember when Cesar Montano bad-mouthed a certain award-giving body when Bagong Buwan did not win as Best Picture saying that trophies can be bought in Recto?

Oh well...

Cinemanila 2006: Numbalikdiwa

View the trailer
Numbalikdiwa (2006)
Maricel Soriano, Albert Martinez, Meryl Soriano, Ping Medina, Estrella Kuenzler
Bobby Bonifacio

Numabalikdiwa (n) - An ancient, macabre ritual where the dead assumes the body of a living person. Like cannibalism, it involves the ingestion of the deceased’s ground meat and bones as part of the ritual. With the help of the Sasigloho, an ancient tribal deity, the dead assumes the identity of the living and continues to live his/her life accordingly, granting near immortality to the one who practices it.

Numbalikdiwa follows the lives of adoptive siblings, Karissa (Meryl Soriano) and Anton (Ping Medina), and live-in partners, Carlos (Albert Martinez) and Portia (Maricel Soriano). The couple cross paths with the siblings because they are frequent buyers of the barbeque they sell.

One night, after an argument with Anton, Karissa runs away. Unaware of her surroundings, a car hits her. When she opens her eyes, she is in a different surroundings, in a different body. It is now up to her to continue the new life she has been given or live the life she once had.

Numbalikdiwa, as a horror film, is a breath of fresh air from the roster of horror films that have been coming out lately. For a new director, Bobby Bonifacio is very promising and someone to look forward to. The whole film has creepiness written all over it. Good acting from the whole cast. Lighting could be better, though.

Catch Numbalikdiwa this Cinemanila 2006! Check out Cinemanila's sked here.

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Cinemanila 2006: Perhaps Love

Perhaps Love (HK, 2005)
Jackie Cheung. Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhou Xun, Ji Jin-Hee
Peter Chan Hoh-San

Perhaps Love is the title of a musical movie about to be made by the renowed director Nie Wen (Jacky Cheung). It brings together for the first time one of the famous actresses in HK, Sun Na (Zhou Xun) and one of the famous actors in Shanghai, Lin Jian Dong (Takeshi Kaneshiro). However, Sun Na seemed to be indifferent to Lin Jian Dong. The more he tries his best to get closer to her, the more she resist.

Enter Monty (Ji Jin-Hee), a muse. According to him, his job is to make people remember the deleted scenes in their lives. He brings back their inspiration to them. He gives them back the memories that deserve to be remembered as they go along with their lives.

As the camera rolls, they are able to relive their pasts in the movie that seemed to mirror their lives. It is the past that would help them bring out their acting best and would make them realize what they are missing out in their lives. The film would make them cross between what is for real and what is for reel.

I have wanted to see Perhaps Love when I first knew about it. Knowing that I couldn't see it on cinemas, I opted to buy it online on DVD. However, despite being a lover of musicals, I had my apprehensions. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to enjoy the film knowing that the songs were all in Chinese. How could I ever get the feel of it when most songs in a musical film tell a story? I decided not to buy it. But when I learned that it is part of the 8th Cinemanila Film Festival's line-up, I immediately took the chance of watching it.

Perhaps Love is Cinemanila's opening salvo for this 2006 (Nov. 3-15) festival. It is China's first musical film ala Moulin Rouge.

When the film opened its first musical number, all my apprehensions went down the drain. Music could be enjoyed no matter what language they're in. Mixed together with grand visuals and fantastic ambience, Perhaps Love is one cinematic feat!

Apart from the enthralling music and majestic visuals, it is the story that would leave one speechless and teary-eyed. The love triangle amongst the characters may not be something new anymore but it is the passion and heart-wrenching emotions that would capture the audience's attention and would make them grab a tissue or two.

Perhaps Love brings together some of Asia's best performers: HK's Jacky Cheung (best known here as Regine Velasquez's duet in "In Love with You") and Zhou Xun (The Banquet), Korea's Ji Jin-Hee (best known here as Kapitan in Jewel in the Palace), and Taiwan/Japan's Takeshi Kaneshiro (The House of Flying Daggers, Chung King Express). It is an ensemble of cast acting together in one spectacular film!

Not to be missed!

My Rating: 5 out of 5


Check out Cinemanila's sked here

6 Guys. 1 Plan. A Movie Review.

6 guys. 3 groups. 1 plan. And a huge screw-up to mess it all up.

Pinoy Blonde (2005). Cousins Andrew (Epy Quizon) and Conrad (Boy2 Quizon) Cunanan were sent on a no-questions-asked-mission: to deliver the package, retrieve the payment, and leave the vicinity. Delivering the package was easy. However, it was leaving the vicinity that became the problem. First, they witnessed several murders that were linked to the mission. Second, a bag full of money was in their possession. Third, Conrad met the collector (Jaime Fabregas) who had a foot fetish, Andrew had a long discussion with the assistant (Ricky Davao) about the Brocka-Bernal rivalry, and they'd seen the senator (Joey Marquez) who was one of the mission's protectors. How could they ever get out alive with all the knowledge they have learned?

Nasaan si Francis? (2006) Childhood friends Boy (Paolo Contis) and Sonny (Rico Blanco) wanted a better life. In order to achieve it, they needed some money to start over. 40k to be exact: 30k for Boy and his gf, Sophia (Tanya Garcia) and 10k for Sonny's tuition fee. Their solution was to borrow money from their drug-junkie friend, Francis (Epy Quizon). Francis offered them a better deal. Sell his 50 tabs of ectasy with his price of 1k each. They can double the amount and get whatever amount is left after he receives the other end of the bargain. However, before they could execute it, Francis died. How could the plan be pursued if people surrounding Francis learn that he's dead? So they hid Francis until they were caught in a web at the end with the drug dealer (Christopher de Leon) who wanted the money that Francis owed him, the mama san (Rio Locsin) who believed that she owns Sophia, Francis' gf (Angel Locsin) who wished to rekindle her relationship with him, a paranoid drug-junkie friend (Karl Roy) who thought that everyone is out to get him, and Francis' siblings (Ricky Davao & Rita Avila) who felt that he needs to clean up his act. How could they ever get out of the web with Francis dead and no E to sell for money?

Big Time (2005). Like Boy and Sonny, childhood friends Jonas (Nor Domingo) and Danny (Winston Elizalde) dreamed of a better life. But they wanted the big change in a snap. They couldn't wait any longer for success. They'd get it in any way they can.

No more petty crimes for them. Kidnap and ransom was their choice of crime this time. Only that when they were about to kidnap Melody (Joanne Miller), they met her bf, Wilson (Jamie Wilson). Wilson, who thought of turning the situation for him, decided to go along with them. He wanted to squeezed some money from his mob-boss dad (Michael de Mesa) so that he could start his own drug-dealing business. What seemed to be a perfect plan turned out their biggest nightmares because they had underestimated the power of his dad and his "alipores". How could Jonas and Danny ever hit the big time when they got themselves tangled with the mob?

Pinoy films seldom come up with movies with type of genre. i.e. dark comedies or simply, in my book, "kakulitan" films. The last good "makulit" film that I have seen was Kakabakaba Ka Ba? These three films seemed to go between the unconventional and the experimental way of Pinoy film-making. First, the story theme is not typically Pinoy. Topics about drugs and mobs are usually seen in action films. Second, the first two incorporated animation and comic-style of story-telling into the films.

Amongst the three, Big Time is a stand out when it comes to the story. It has a goal and it knows how to get there. It is hysterically funny with some witty dialogues to boot. Despite how bad the manner of achieving their desires, its lead characters were amiable with their simple and unapologetic ways. You'd get to love them that, in the end, you'd get to smile with them as they concoct another plan.

Another thing that I find appealing about the film is its injection of Pinoy pop culture. You'd easily discern that director Mario Cornejo is indeed a Pinoy film lover. Not some Pinoy film-snob and wannabe-director who wants to make Pinoy films for the sake of showing the world that it could be better when, in fact, he has no idea what is truly in the heart of a Pinoy film. Love your own first, dude! :-)

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Pinoy Blonde also infused the Pinoy pop culture in it with its who's-the-better-director-Brocka-or-Bernal issue in it. Andrew is pro-Brocka while Conrad is pro-Bernal. Mostly, though, it is, beyond doubt, a Peque Gallaga movie with all the bits and pieces of Gallaga movies jabbed into it. All the actors who played a part in this film are reminiscent of his other films: Liza Lorena in Oro, Plata, Mata, Manilyn Reynes in Shake, Rattle, & Roll episodes, Richard Gomez in Once Upon a Time, Cherry Pie Picache in Baby Love, Ian Veneracion in Unfaithful Wife 2, amongst others. In that aspect, it is really what it says it is: an all-star cast! You'd never know who would suddenly popped out in a scene.

The storyline, which sometimes becomes absurd, is simple. It isn't a laugh-out-loud comedy but still very entertaining. Peque makes up for it with his cinematic way of dealing with the script: the traditional way mixed with a couple of animation, dream sequences, and colorful background. It seemed like that the film is done fantastically with all the demented but interesting characters in it. In two words, I could say that Pinoy Blonde is an eye candy! It gives you a pleasing treat with an after taste.

Check out the Eddie Garcia with his hilarious song number!

My Rating: 4 out of 5

Out of the three, Nasaan si Francis? by Gabby Fernandez tried to be funny but failed miserably. It is reminiscent of the Hollywood film Weekend at Bernie's. Yet like that film, it is very much forgettable. The somewhat commedable acting of the cast (except for Rico Blanco who seemed to border on being retarded and stupid when it comes to his acting and characterization) couldn't make up for the inanity of its plot and its technical ineptitude (bad sound, poor editing, faulty lighting).

Christopher de Leon could've broke out of his acting shell in this film yet you couldn't miss out the fact that his character as the drug dealer is dim-witted. How could a drug dealer collect the payment by himself? Doesn't he have collectors for it?

This is a non-sensical film that would truly give you nothing in the end.

Check out Tanya and Julia Clarete's dance number. Though short, quite engaging! :-)

My Rating: 2 out of 5

The PLDT Incident Exclusive Video!

First it was heard. Now it can be seen!



You Tube video by Lithium478

Kayako's Curse

The Grudge 2 (2006)
Amber Tamblyn, Sarah Michelle Gellar
Takashi Shimizu

I could say that all characters that were created after Sadako Yamamura's likeness seemed to be just mere copycats and don't create much impact on movie goers. Kayako Saeki, being one of Sadako's descendants with her long hair, her "magic kamison", and her bone-breaking moves, is no different. However, Kayako has her own distinction. For one thing, she brings her son (Toshio, and his cat) along whenever they go curse-victim hunting. Plus, the cackling sound she makes adds to her katakot points.

In The Grudge 2, Kayako is back to terrorize people with her curse. She started by hunting Karen (Sarah Michelle Gellar) in a hospital. She'd never stop until she gets her. Hell forbids that someone will get away from her. That could never happen as long as she's in charge. Then came Aubrey (Amber Tamblyn) who goes to Japan to tend to her sick sister, Karen. After her death, she wishes to learn more about the curse that afflicted her sister. She did not know that Kayako has bigger plans for herself and her son. She wants to go grand. But like most egotistic and selfish ghost, she didn't want to leave her nest. Aubrey did not realize the she'd bear the curse herself in a rather most unexpected way. Most victims would be thankful that Kayako just took their lives away. Poor Aubrey.

Director Takashi Shimizu must have been feeling so lucky! I mean, how many directors could get to redo their work in a bigger scale, huge budget, and audience worldwide? With his reworking of the first two The Grudge trilogy, he gets to add details to his previous works. He is able to incorporate new ideas or additional storylines in his new outings. In that sense, the story becomes concise and clearer. Because he is redoing his original work, the intention and essence of the story are never lost.

Like its Japanese counterpart, The Grudge 2 was done in a non-linear fashion. It goes from one setting to the next to reveal the grand twist. Shimizu has high hopes for Kayako and Toshio. If he could realize his dreams in Hollywood, so should Kayako!

Prepare to be scared. But don't expect something that will last with you till the end of the film. Just remember, like in Pulse, this is what happens when ghosts and their trippings go hi-tech. Let's see what Kayako has up in her sleeves next in part 3!

My rating: 3 out of 5

Go Dark!

Filmus addictus, try this!

There are 50 hidden "dark" movies in this picture. Find them! It's fun. Some pictures are cleverly drawn. (Dark movies are either suspense, thriller, horror, or science fiction.)

I'm on my 27th in 30+ minutes, in three days (on and off). I'm not sure if I'd want to give up. For the life in me, I couldn't figure out the rest of the pictures. Maybe I just haven't seen them yet.

Go to M&M's site to guess the titles of the films. Let me know how you did. If you can't guess any further, go here to check all titles. In a few days, I might visit the said Flickr site, too. For the meantime, will continue figuring out the rest...

Eyeball / Gimmick

On Oct. 16, 2006, the stage was set for my Philippine Literature class. My students were to present their play as part of their finals. They had only about a month of practice because it took me a while before I found a piece that they could relate to. Aside from that, I made sure that it'd be light on memorization and easy to understand.

I chose a play entitled Sa Sabado Sa Sam's by Chris Martinez (of Sukob and ZsaZsa Zaturnnah: Ze Musikal). When I first read it, I immediately knew that it was the right piece for my students. Because its theme was quite adult in nature, I had to make a few adjustments and adapt it to the nature of my students. I also managed to infused some musical numbers in it. Then, after a while, I saw the 10-minute play written by Alfonso Dacanay called Eyeball (included in the book compilation called 10x10x10). I felt that it had to be included in our play so I made it our first act. Unlike Sam's, I only tweaked a few dialogues in it. Some of my actors had a hard time pronouncing some dialogues - English kasi. Not to belittle them but they are not exactly used to speaking the language. "Masang-masa" kasi.

In Eyeball, the characters are Patrick (Alfred Edji Lorenzo - on the pic sitting down) and Eileen (Rosalie Dave - girl in stripes on pic) who are about to meet for an eyeball. They have been chatting online and talking on the phone for quite some time and decided to take a step further. Only that when Patrick saw Eileen, he realized that she wasn't the girl for him judging from how she looked. With them are Eileen's gay best friend, Wilson (Edwin Reinier Reyes - in black shirt on pic), and Patrick's cousin, Rosemary (April Labicane). Among the four, Rosalie and Edwin stood out in their perfomances. They were very relaxed and natural.

My version of Sam's was entitled Sa Manang's in the beginning. I changed it to Gimmick to coincide with the first act. Gimmick is about a group of five friends who vented out each other's problems all throughout the week before Saturday came - their group gimmick day. The characters were all in their teens - college level. In Chris's work, their ages ranged from 24-25 - working individuals.

Second act opened with Ryan (Darwin Sto. Domingo -left) and Quely (Shirley Taculog -right). Ryan is a gay guy whose main concern was not having a boyfriend. (Originally, he is Lloyd who just broke up with his boyfriend.) The moment Darwin spoke, the audience cheered. Most of them were shocked on how good his portrayal of a gay guy. He is straight and nobody knew that he could pull of such act.

Napabilib niya rin ako several times with how he delivered his lines. Kahit may mga nakalimutang linya, go pa rin! Adlib to death! He has gotten most of the laughs by the audience.

The last part of his Tumatakbo musical dream sequence (with Gilbert Umali)
Quely and Ella's (Jenipher Casabuena) scene followed next. Quely was in between accepting or not accepting her parent's separation. She feels that the separation would be mostly hard for her younger siblings. (Originally, she is Pating who recently lived on her own and learned that her parents are separating).

I had difficulty adapting her character. Mahirap kasing lagyan ng patawa ang isang seryosong topic tulad ng paghihiwalay. Her scene was the shortest among the five characters because I couldn't stretch it any longer.

The picture shows Quely singing Mama by Smokey Mountain. Her mom was working as a domestic help in HK when she came to back and finally decided on the separation. The song was played in full volume and it almost made me cry including some of the audience. It somehow reminded me of my mom. Shirley mostly just stood in front and sang the song. Despite the lack of movements, it was very touching! One of the best parts that day!

Next scene was that of Ella and Eric's (Rinky Soriano). Ella's dilemma is that she feels conscious about her looks. She feels that she is ugly. Eric tries to comfort her by saying that she isn't. But calrifies that she isn't pretty either. (Originally, she is Peaches who has the same problem as Ella. I didn't change much of her dialogues. Iniklian ko lang.)

Jenipher was really good during rehearhals. However, nervousness got the better of her on stage. She wasn't able to give her best but her Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko production number is still a blast!

Eric (with Hannah - Rochelle Tupaz) recently got basted by a girl. Ang himutok niya ay pinaasa siya nung nililigawan niya, si Daisy. He feels that Daisy should have told him from the start that he has no chance with her. However, because he loves her, a part of him still wishes that she would come to her senses and agress to become his girlfriend. (Originally, he is Mario, a marijuana user. You see why I needed to change his characterization?)

A scene from the Beer musical sequence

In the last scene before the finale, Hannah is contemplating on breaking up with her boyfriend. She thinks that he is having an affair with someone because he hasn't communicated with her the night before when he promised that he would. "Ni isang text wala," she said. (Originally, she is Harlene who just broke up with her boyfriend).

In her Paalam Na production number, Rochelle cried bucket of tears. It wasn't in the script that she should cry or even during rehearsals. But she did on stage! It lasted for 2 minutes or so. 'Yun pala, during one of the scenes, she was accidentally hit by another actor. Sa sobrang sakit, napaiyak siya. The good thing was that it perfectly fit the finale of the song.

The last scene is when they all meet for their Saturday gimmick. They meet in their favorite tambayan, Manang's, only to discover that it is close for some unknown reason. So instead of hanging out there, they quickly decide where to go. The decide to go to Ryan's place to watch a pirated copy of Sukob.

Overall, the play was a success! There were a few glitches but the important thing was that the audience enjoyed the event. It was evident in their laughters!

If plans would push through, we'll stage it again this coming semester. Only that it'd be bigger and better than the first production. Audience wouldn't be limited to those who could fit a certain room. It'd be done on a proper stage for the whole school to see! I'm crossing my fingers...

P.S. Paumanhin kina Ginoong Alfonso Dacanay at Chris Martinez sa pagbabago ng inyong script na lingid sa inyong kaalaman...

Go Multiply the pictures
Listen to some of the songs used in the play through My Playlist