ZOOPER ZATUHRDAY!!! =D

So this one's a take two. =D

I previously raved about Ze Muzikal, having dragged Hubby Sweet to see it with me two years ago. My enjoyment of Zsazsa Zaturnnah (Ze Muzikal) was so immense that when I had no choice but to watch the movie version to while away my day in the province over the holidays, I laughed not because I thought the movie was funny (it was not), but because I remembered how the same scenes were hilariously played out in the stage version.

And so it also goes that in an apparent facebook trail, I managed to goad my jeje office friends (;p) to see it the next time it is staged (except that they decided that they will only see it if I go with them). Thus, take two--and a take two, really, that I didn't mind--this time with Eyz-Eyz and Chrizh. (The Hubby is tied up these days anyway with weekend duties at the Shang so it turned out to be a girl's Zsatuhrday out! =))

We had previously decided to meet up for lunch before the 3:00 p.m. matinee, but decided to forego our Yakimix buffet try-out in consideration of Eyz-Eyz's...uh...condition. ;p Not being familiar with the area, we agreed to meet up in CCP instead (yes, despite the title, sushal ang venue =)), and just take one car in search of wherever else we will finally eat. I arrived earlier than they did and quite serendipitously found that there are now eating places right beside CCP. After a quick run-through of the area, I squealed when I discovered there was an Army Navy Burger & Burrito outlet in one of the nooks (yes, I'm also babaw that way). Hubby Sweet had previously raved about it, having tried it in Tagaytay with his wakeboard buds, but I thought Tagaytay is a long way to go for a decent burger and burrito.

I immediately liked the place as soon as we climbed up the steps to get to the second floor (Yellow Cab was occupying the first level.) OUR MISSION: COME IN HUNGRY, WALK OUT HAPPY. Good mission, I thought. 'Hope they really deliver.


OK, so the plan was we will order different things after we surveyed the menu and realized that there was a lot we wanted to try (burgers, different types of burritos, cheesesteak sandwiches, quesadillas, etc., etc.!), but only so much that our stomachs could handle.


I decided to try the Burger that Hubby Sweet was raving about with sidings of Freedom Fries (think Twister Fries flavor, except they're straight. =)). Eyz-Eyz unsuccessfully tried to convince me to get the triple-decker. Hello! That's bigger than me, 'no! I decided to stay with the regular burger instead with no fancy toppings. Just lettuce, ketchup, mayo, mustard. Burger heaven, notwithstanding the simple condiments, although I did wish the burger were more compact. =) I also found that dipping Freedom Fries in a combination of ketchup, mustard and spicy garlic sauce is close to french fry nirvana. ^_^


That said, out came my two companions. Excitedly, I asked them what they ordered. Not having agreed on who will order what else, they decided to order THE. SAME. THING. Mga laos! Haha. ;D In any case, they both ordered the Steak Burrito. It was good and filling, but I'm not really a burrito fan. I actually don't see the point of wrapping and eating carb (rice) with another carb (tortilla wrap).



I suppose I can come back next time to try the others. (Army Navy is owned by the same group as Yellow Cab Pizza so I figured outlets will be mushrooming over the metro soon. =))

The outlet was small so we had no choice but to dine al fresco which we initially dreaded because of the noonday heat. Quite surprisingly, it was comfortably breezy outside, and the light breeze complemented our hilarious conversation over great food quite well. Situated next to the marina, we also got this view. Not bad for a P200-250/person meal (including drinks), right? =)

We had time to spare by the time we finished lunch so we all decided to skip over to the nearby Icebergs outlet for a halo-halo and mais con hielo fix. Diets be damned! Leche. Haha. =D

With 30 minutes to go, we decided to cross the street to the CCP Little Theater entrance. It was time for the show.

Zatuuuuur-nah! Ah! ;D

O, zsya! =D

WAGING A FULL-BLOWN BATTLE OF THE BULGE =)

Earlier this year, I decided on a New-Year's-Cum-Birthday-Resolution that by the time I hit 40, I would have to be down to my weight when I was 30. Ang yabang ko. Haha! I, of course, at that time, was thinking I had the whole year ahead of me, and that I was the type anyway who can lose weight quickly if I just put my mind into it. What I did not realize, of course, was that sometime between my 35th year and my 39th, my stupid metabolism decided it had nothing else left to prove and that it was time to slow down. Gr. Hay!

My lackadaisical metabolism was, of course, further aggravated by my seefood diet. I see food, I eat it. Gr.

The extent of how much I've gained is best summed up in a post I previously wrote in my...uh...old friendster blog. =p It's one of my favorite stories and one that I do not tire of rehashing. I always have a good laugh everytime I remember--all at my own expense, of course. I won't go into details, but you can read it here if you have time. =D

In any case, three months to go before I hit the big 4-0, I decided to get down to business. I decided as a starting point to weigh myself on the scale. My target weight is to go back to 94-97 lbs. (Yes, up until I hit 35, I had no problem keeping my weight below 100 lbs. Bliss. =)) Now here I was, thinking I was only about 110 lbs, but I decided to make it official anyway. Using the office weighing scale, I weighed myself and had to gasp when the digital reading threw back 118.5. NOOOOOOOOOOO. WAAAAAAAAAAAY. "Bullet," I said matter-of-factly,"sira ang scale mo!" Haha. =)

Still in denial, I decided to weigh myself again in Father's trusty digital scale once I get home to House Better over the weekend. Quite confident, I stepped onto the scale, eyes closed. With one eye, I squinted at the reading on the scale. 118.4. Darn! Ano ba! Lech. Sira din ang scale ni Father! Hahahahaha! ;p

I simply could not believe it. I mean I know I get ribbed a lot about the weight I've gained, but have I really let myself go that much?! Apparently, yes, and it was time to do something about it. Wah. =S

First, however, I needed some sort of motivation. Some sort of North Star that I can guide myself against to track my progress. See, I know myself. With the first person who tells me, "I've lost some weight", I'd be off celebrating with a venti coffee frap or a cup of froyo. So I decided to look through my archives for a photo of the "old me" I should be gunning after. I decided on this. It was a photo of me soon after I meat Hubby Sweet. Goodness, I couldn't believe this was taken just a little over 5 years ago! Santa Barbara. =S

Then, I suppose I was inspired by about 5 or so people in the office who have lost weight (some of them older than me, some of them in a perpetual diet without much success). Thing is, they were all on the Cohen diet which requires you to get blood tests and pay P50,000 (yes, I kid you not--albeit, supposedly in staggered payments) for a list of items you can and can't eat and in what quantities. I marveled at their weight loss (some as much as 20 lbs to date), but decided I have better use for my P50K. I decided to just strictly follow--one way or another--the South Beach diet (or something like it) which previously worked for me.

Quite serendipitously, two of my friends told me about the protein shake which came in choco or berry flavors. They've been taking it along with supplements that had one of them losing 10 lbs after one week, and the other 18 lbs and going after years of struggle with her weight. I can drink the shake as a meal replacement for a week, and I'm even allowed to eat fruits as snacks. "Hmmmm...," I thought, "it's not something I can do long-term, but I suppose doing it for a week wouldn't be too bad". So I tried the routine for a week, but while I lost weight, I did not lose as drastic a weight as my friend. "Oh, well," I thought, as realization sunk in, "There really won't be a shortcut for me this time."

What it did allow me to do is to rebuild some form of discipline with re: eating on time, eating the right of food and resisting the chips, pastries and sugar drinks that are regularly served to us during meetings. While it did not allow me to lose weight as drastically as my friends did, it, at least, allowed me that. =)

What I am thankful for, at least, is that I am back on track as far as healthy eating is concerned. Fruits and veggies have become my friends; chips have become the enemy. (Mantra until I get every single pound of excess weight off: "I would love to see my jawline again more than I love eating chips....I would love to see my jawline again more than I love eating chips...." Haha. =)) I've also done away with rice for now.

In the past few weeks or so, Goolai has been my favorite lunch buddy. I discovered it along with a office friends a few years ago when they still delivered to our old Citibank office. 'Am not sure if they still deliver these days, but thankfully, these "to-go" salads are available at the Robinson's Supermarket near House Pioneerso I get my stash at least once a week. I prefer their fruit vinaigrettes over their cream-based dressings (with the exception of their Tex-Mex salad). Goolai has made healthy eating really good for me. =)

Imagine:

Mixed Greens with Poppyseed Vinaigrette. Mixed greens with chicken strips, mangoes, strawberries, dragonfruit, walnut and poppyseed vinaigrette.

Mixed Greens with Raspberry Vinaigrette. Mixed greens with peaches, kiwi, dragon fruit, raisin, Feta cheese, honey almonds with raspberry vinaigrette.

Tex-Mex Ranch. Aaaah, this one shouldn't be considered a salad really. Haha. Still, I choose to consider it so because of the veggie, never mind the other ingredients. =D Mixed greens with ground beef, tomatoes, onion, grated cheese, nachos with tex-mex ranch dressing. =D


In addition to my North Star picture, I have decided to weigh myself only once a week using Father's digital scale in House Better. I wanted to lose weight, but I did not want to be obsessed by it. I do weigh myself every morning in the House Pioneer scale, but that scale is in kilos so I really just use it as a guide but don't obsess by converting the kilogram readings into pounds. So far, after 3 weeks, I've lost 6 lbs. Definitely not as quickly as I used to do it, no, but Hubby Sweet tells me 2 lbs a week is not a bad pace. I figured a week or two more of getting my system used to my new eating habits, then I'll pick up exercising again. (I know enough that unless I do actual cardio-exercises, I may lose weight, but I will be hard-pressed to lose the extra fat in the tummy area. =))

Another serendipitous discovery in this hopefully-not-so-quixotic-quest of mine is the Blood Type Diet. Two Saturdays ago, I was in the office (saying goodbye to what would have been a long weekend); there were last minute changes and back-up requirements for the Board Presentations. I arrived to find our CFO eating a plateful of pineapples.

"Breakfast?" I teased.

"Actually, yes," he replied, " I've lost 3 lbs this week just eating pineapples instead of bananas." Then he proceeded to tell me about this book that his sister brought home for him that states that people tend to digest and process certain types of food according to how well they react to the inherent chemistry in their blood (thus the term Blood Type diet).

"Depending on your blood type," he continued, "there is a chart of meats, grains, seafood, fruits, vegetables, etc. that would be most beneficial for you in the sense that it can be best processed by your system, food that are neutral and food that you should avoid entirely. It's a book by Dr. D'Adamo, but I can't remember the title right now. I think the book is also available locally. Try checking in National."

A quick internet check enabled us to get the specific title: Eat Right for Your Type by Dr. Peter D'Adamo. I did manage to find a copy in Fully Booked Boni High, except that they were out of the original Eat Right version so I got the Cook Right for Your Type version instead.

The original has the full explanation of why eating based on your blood type makes sense, but the Cook Right version provides a good enough overview of the rationale behind the type of food that each blood type needs to maximize and/or avoid. In addition, it provides several recipes that can set you down the path of blood type dieting. I've been at it since late last week (at least as far as the type of food is concerned), but this week I'll start being strict on the quantities and frequency as well. We'll see how it goes. =)

Before I decided to take things seriously, I picked my North Star. I suppose it also makes sense to post a starting point. =) The picture below was taken outside Dong Bei in a recent Binondo outing with college friends. (Thank you, Annette, for the pic. 'Hope you don't mind me using it. =)) To be fair, I looked happy, but I suppose that is not the point. I want to be happy, but look sexy. Haha! ;D

With only a little over 2 months to go before I hit the big 4-0, I suppose I've got my work(out =p) cut out for me.

Good God. Heaven help me. =)

********************************************

Goolai Salad Packs are available in most supermarkets. I'm fairly sure they're available in Robinson's, Rustan's and Landmark. Check your favorite supermarket's chiller section for availability. The last time I went, they also have a stand-alone kiosk in Virra Mall. =)

If you want to know more about Eating Right for Your Type, click here for the official site. As I tried to find out more about this type of diet, I found that it was also featured in Livestrong.com--which, rightly or wrongly, built more credibility for it for me. O, sya. =)

POINT B: A TRIBUTE TO MOTHER =)

I found it fitting to end the “Baguio series” with a tribute to my mom through this piece. It was actually forwarded by Sister Pusjing (I forget now why or for what occasion, but I’m pretty sure it had something to do with Patita). Now, whereas the piece “spoke” to the mom in my sister, I had a totally different appreciation for it. It “spoke” to me as the daughter who grew up with a Mother who resisted the (I can only imagine) basic maternal instinct to protect her child from all things “bad”—so she can be better prepared for the future she will most likely spend without her mom fawning all over her.

By the time I finished listening to this piece, I had tears in my eyes because as I recognized myself in the little girl she spoke about, I realized just how special my Mother really was. Beyond the million and one meals that she prepared for us, and the million and one tutoring hours, and the million and one reprimands and advices, and the million and one celebrations and cheers, she made sure we grew up with an entire set of memories that we can go back to every single time we hit a crossroad and have to decide one way or another. She continues to be my moral compass. And, her greatest gift to us (and her life’s greatest achievement, I suppose) was the kind of human beings we all turned out to be—simply because of the kind of Mother she was to us.

Happy Birthday, Mother!


Love, love, love (!!!!! to infinity),
Toyang =)


P.S. – Now for some strange reason, video posts do not show up in my FB links even though they show up with absolutely no problem in my Multiply and Blogspot sites. For those who may not be able to see the video, following is a transcript. But, really, you ought to hear Sarah Kay deliver it. (Look for “Sarah K Performs B” in You Tube.)

******************************************************************


B
As Performed by Sarah Kay
@ the Bowery Poetry Club
Summer, 2008


Instead of Mom, she’s gonna call me Point B,
Because that way she knows that no matter what happens,
At least she can always find her way to me.

And I’m going to paint the solar system on the back of her hands,
So she would have to learn the entire universe before she could say,
“Oh, I know that like the back of my hand.”

She’s gonna learn that this life will hit you, hard, in the face,
Wait for you to get back up so it can kick you in the stomach,
But getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.

There is hurt, here, that cannot be fixed by band-aids or poetry.
So the first time she realizes that Wonder Woman isn’t coming,
I’ll make sure she knows she doesn’t have to wear the cape all by herself,
‘Cause no matter how wide you stretch your fingers,
Your hands will always be too small to catch all the pain you want to heal.

Believe me. I’ve tried.

And, “Baby,” I’ll tell her, “Don’t keep your nose up in the air like that; I know that trick.
You’re just smelling for smoke so you can follow the trail back to a burning house,
So you can find the boy who lost everything in the fire to see if you can save him,
Or else find the boy who lit the fire in the first place to see if you can change him.”

But I know that she will anyway.
So instead, I’ll always keep an extra supply of chocolates and rain boots nearby,
‘Cause there’s no heartbreak that chocolate can’t fix.
OK. There’s a few heartbreaks that chocolates can’t fix,
But that’s what the rain boots are for,
Because rain will wash away everything if you let it.

I want her to see the world through the underside of a glass-bottom boat,
To look through a magnifying glass at the galaxies that exist on the pinpoint of a human mind,
Because that’s the way my mom taught me,
That there’ll be days like this.

“There’ll be days like this,” my Mama said,
When you open your hands to catch, and wind up only with blisters and bruises,
When you step out of the phone booth and try to fly,
And the very people you want to save are the ones standing on your cape,
When your boots will fill with rain, and you’ll be up to your knees in disappointment,

And those are the very days you have all the more reason to say “thank you”.
‘Cause there’s nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline,
No matter how many times it's sent away.

You will put the wind in win some, lose some.
You will put the star in starting over and over.
No matter how many landmines are up to the minute,
Be sure your mind lands on the beauty of this funny thing called life.

And, yes, on a scale from one to over-trusting,
I am pretty fucking naïve,
But I want her to know that this world is made out of sugar.
It can crumble so easily,
But don’t be afraid to stick your tongue out and taste it.

“Baby,” I’ll tell her, “Remember your Mama is a worrier, but your Papa is a warrior,
And you are the girl with small hands and big eyes who never stops asking for more.
Remember that good things come in three’s, and…so do bad things, and
Always apologize when you’ve done something wrong,
But don’t you ever apologize for the way your eyes refuse to stop shining.
Your voice is small, but don’t ever stop singing.
And when they finally hand you heartbreak,
Slip hatred and war under your doorstep,
And hand you handouts on street corners of cynicism and defeat,
You tell them,
That they really ought to meet your mother.”

TODAY, I JUST NEED A REALLY GOOD LAUGH....=)

Yup. And just as I was cleaning my email inbox (which was bursting at the seams and shutting down), I ran into an old e-mail that I deliberately did not erase because I found it too funny, but also too true. So there, I read it one by one, and found myself feeling a bit better. A bit. Not entirely better, but every bit helps. *Sigh...Smile. =)*

In any case, I don't know who Bob Ong is--and yes, this made the e-mail rounds quite a bit of time ago, but it is one that is worth revisiting. Heck, o, sya! Yes, it is even worth "immortalizing" in my blog. Haha! =D

********************************************************

BOB ONG QUOTES

PAG-IBIG

"Kung hindi mo mahal and isang tao,wag ka nang magpakita ng motibo para mahalin ka nya."

"Lahat naman ng tao sumeseryoso pag tinamaan ng pagmamahal. Yun nga lang, hindi lahat matibay para sa temptasyon."

"Gamitin ang puso para alagaan ang taong malapit sayo. Gamitin ang utak para alagaan ang sarili mo."

"Huwag mong bitawan ang bagay na hindi mo kayang makitang hawak ng iba."

"Huwag mong hawakan kung alam mong bibitawan mo lang."

"Huwag na huwag ka hahawak kapag alam mong may hawak ka na."

"Parang elevator lang yan eh, bakit mo pagsisiksikan ung sarili mo kung walang pwesto para sayo. Eh meron naman hagdan, ayaw mo lang pansinin."

" Kung maghihintay ka nang lalandi sayo, walang mangyayari sa buhay mo.. Dapat lumandi ka din."

"Pag may mahal ka at ayaw sa'yo, hayaan mo. Malay mo sa mga susunod na araw, ayaw mo na din sa kanya, naunahan ka lang."

"Hiwalayan na kung di ka na masaya. Walang gamot sa tanga kundi pagkukusa."

"Pag hindi ka mahal ng mahal mo wag ka magreklamo. Kasi may mga tao rin na di mo mahal pero mahal ka. Kaya quits lang."

"Bakit ba ayaw matulog ng mga bata sa tanghali? Alam ba nilang pag natuto silang umibig e hindi na sila makakatulog kahit gusto nila?

"Hindi lungkot o takot ang mahirap sa pag-iisa kundi ang pagtanggap na sa bilyon-bilyong tao sa mundo, wala man lang nakipaglaban upang makasama ka."

"Kung nagmahal ka ng taong di dapat at nasaktan ka, wag mong sisihin ang puso mo. Tumitibok lang yan para mag-supply ng dugo sa katawan mo. Ngayon, kung magaling ka sa anatomy at ang sisisihin mo naman ay ang hypothalamus mo na kumokontrol ng emotions mo, mali ka pa rin! Bakit? Utang na loob! Wag mong isisi sa body organs mo ang mga sama ng loob mo sa buhay! Tandaan mo: magiging masaya ka lang kung matututo kang tanggapin na hindi ang puso, utak, atay o bituka mo ang may kasalanan sa lahat ng nangyari sayo, kundi IKAW mismo!"

PAG-AARAL

"Mag-aral maigi. Kung titigil ka sa pag-aaral, manghihinayang ka pagtanda mo dahil hindi mo naranasan ang kakaibang ligayang dulot ng mga araw na walang pasok o suspendido ang klase o absent ang teacher. (Haaay, sarap!)."

"Nalaman kong marami palang libreng lecture sa mundo, ikaw ang gagawa ng syllabus. Maraming teacher sa labas ng eskuwelahan, desisyon mo kung kanino ka magpapaturo. Lahat tayo enrolled ngayon sa isang university, maraming subject na mahirap, pero dahil libre, ikaw ang talo kung nag-drop ka. Isa-isa tayong ga-graduate, iba't-ibang paraan. Tanging diploma ay ang mga alaala ng kung ano mang tulong o pagmamahal ang iniwan natin sa mundong pinangarap nating baguhin minsan..."

"Hikayatin mo lahat ng kakilala mo na magkaroon ng kahit isa man lang paboritong libro sa buhay nila. Dahil wala nang mas kawawa pa sa mga taong literado pero hindi nagbabasa."

"Dalawang dekada ka lang mag-aaral. Kung 'di mo pagtityagaan,limang dekada ng kahirapan ang kapalit. Sobrang lugi. Kung alam lang 'yan ng mga kabataan, sa pananaw ko eh walang gugustuhing umiwas sa eskwela."

BUHAY

"Nalaman kong hindi final exam ang passing rate ng buhay. Hindi ito multiple choice, identification, true or false, enumeration or fill-in-the- blanks na sinasagutan, kundi essay na isinusulat araw-araw. Huhusgahan ito hindi base sa kung tama o mali ang sagot, kundi base sa kung may kabuluhan ang mga isinulat o wala. Allowed ang erasures."

"Mangarap ka at abutin mo. Wag mong sisihin ang sira mong pamilya, palpak mong syota, pilay mong tuta, o mga lumilipad na ipis. Kung may pagkukulang sa'yo mga magulang mo, pwede kang manisi at maging rebelde. Tumigil ka sa pag-aaral, mag-asawa ka, mag-drugs ka, magpakulay ka ng buhok sa kili-kili. Sa banding huli, ikaw din ang biktima. Rebeldeng walang napatunayan at bait sa sarili."

"Tuparin ang mga pangarap. Obligasyon mo yan sa sarili mo. Kung gusto mo mang kumain ng balde-baldeng lupa para malagay ka sa Guinness Book of World Records at maipagmalaki ng bansa natin, sige lang. Nosi balasi. Wag mong pansinin ang sasabihin ng mga taong susubok humarang sa'yo. Kung hindi nagsumikap ang mga scientist noon, hindi pa rin tayo dapat nakatira sa Jupiter ngayon. Pero hindi pa rin naman talaga tayo nakatira sa Jupiter dahil nga hindi nagsumikap ang mga scientist noon. Kita mo yung moral lesson?"

"Nalaman kong habang lumalaki ka, maraming beses kang madadapa. Bumangon ka man ulit o hindi, magpapatuloy ang buhay, iikot ang mundo, at mauubos ang oras."

HALO-HALO

"Wag magmadali sa pag-aasawa. Tatlo, lima, sampung taon sa hinaharap, mag-iiba pa ang pamantayan mo at maiisip mong di pala tamang pumili ng kapareha dahil lang sa kaboses niya si Debbie Gibson o magaling mag-breakdance. Totoong mas importante ang kalooban ng tao higit anuman. Sa paglipas ng panahon, maging ang mga crush ng bayan sa eskwelahan e nagmumukha ring pandesal. Maniwala ka."

"Ayokong nasasanay sa mga bagay na pwede namang wala sa buhay ko."

"Hinahanap mo nga ba ako o ang kawalan ko?"

"Hindi dahil sa hindi mo naiintindihan ang isang bagay ay kasinungalingan na ito. At hindi lahat ng kaya mong intindihin ay katotohanan. "

"Sabi nila, sa kahit ano raw problema, isang tao lang ang makakatulong sa'yo - ang sarili mo. Tama sila. Isinuplong ako ng sarili ko. Kaya siguro namigay ng konsyensya ang Diyos, alam niyang hindi sa lahat ng oras e gumagana ang utak ng tao."

"Obligasyon kong maglayag, karapatan kong pumunta sa kung saan ko gusto, responsibilidad ko ang buhay ko."

"Masama akong tao, tulad mo, sa parehong paraan na mabuti kang tao, tulad ko."

"Mas mabuting mabigo sa paggawa ng isang bagay kesa magtagumpay sa paggawa ng wala."

"Iba ang walang ginagawa sa gumagawa ng wala."

"Iba ang informal grammar sa mali!"

" Para san ba ang cellphone na may camera? Kung kailangan sa buhay yun, dapat matagal na kong patay."

************************************************

=)

SUSAN BOYLE ON BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT =D

Just when I thought no one else on You Tube could make me cry as much as Paul Potts did, along came Susan Boyle. Ano ba! What is it with these Brits?! =)

I Dreamed a Dream is one of my all-time favorite songs from a musicale. I think more than it being a piece, she was literally singing about her life. Made it all the more touching (at least for me =)).

I'm happy (again! =)) for one more underdog who dreamed the dream, against all odds, to finally see it come true.

WOOHOOOOOO!!!! =D

P.S. - Is it just me or did Simon look like he was on the verge of a major crush? HAHAHA! =D

ANG HULING EL BIMBO / MARCH 7,2009 =D

And so the final salute has been given. As four men stood on stage, their arms around each others' shoulders in the closest version of the group hug the audience has been clamoring for over the course of two reunion concerts, I couldn't help but be torn between tearing up over the idea that this will not happen again anytime soon, and smiling from ear to ear at the consolation playing over and over in my head--that I was at least there when it all ended.

Hubby Sweet, myself, G-Genius and Sister Pusjing were all there in the VIP section for The Final Set as part of the Hubby's birthday celebration. Truth be told though, even without anything official to celebrate, we would have been there standing shoulder to shoulder with 100,000 who braved vehicular and pedestrian traffic to join the countdown from Z to the inverted E, to be part of Philippine music history. Literally the only way to breathe fresh air within the concert grounds is to turn your nose up and jump up and down.


Not counting the 3 extra songs that Ely, Raimund, Marcus and Buddy jammed to after the sticker-happy-piano has been burned and smashed, after the confetti has been released to rain on the crowd, after the fireworks lit up the MOA midnight sky, after the stage lights have gone dim, and after the crew have started to dismantle the stage, the official last song of the Eraserhead's Final Set was as apt not just because it was among their most popular song, but because it talked about a love affair that started from laidback afternoons of nonsense only to blossom into a serious lifelong love affair without anyone noticing--until it hit them squarely in the face.

As we walked out of the concert venue, we couldn't help but laugh, reminiscing about one of Sister Pusjing's ex-officemate who was an ex-dormmate of the E-Heads in U.P. In one of those OA overtimes, typing away at their computer keyboards, preparing for a major presentation, her ex-officemate blurted out, referring to his now-very-famous-ex-dormmates, "Nung araw, iniisip ko, 'Wala kayong ginawa kundi kumanta at mag-gitara! Hay, wala kayong mararating!' Ayan, mayaman na sila, ako hanggang ngayon, overtime pay lang ang nahihita sa pagt-trabaho hanggang madaling araw." HAHAHAHAHA!

Then again, they did more than just that. The Eraserheads gave a voice to an entire generation. They celebrated their triumphs through song. Reveled in their angst. Sang about their pain.


Magkahawak ang ating kamay
At walang kamalay-malay
Na tinuruan mo ang puso ko
Na umibig ng tunay......

And just like that, without any of them really meaning to, they made an entire generation fall in love with them.

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For those of you who missed it (and those of you who want to relive it), The Final Set airs tonight @ 10:30 p.m.on GMA. =)

ZSAZSA ZATURNNAH: ZE MUZIKAL! =D

With such a campy title, how could this be anything but FUN! Yes, FUN. In BIG. BOLD. LETTERS. Even that would be up for running as the biggest understatement of the year. HAHA! 'D

I had previously missed two runs of this darn muzikal (using musicale seems like a great disservice to the theme, haha). The first time, Hubby Sweet & I were getting married, and goodness knows where I was the second time it was staged, but I wasn't able to go either. Boy (or girl or gay!), am I glad I finally got to see it this time. =D

Zsazsa Zaturnnah: Ze Muzikal is based on a comic book by Carlo Vergara. Loose plot: Ada, a gay beauty parlorista gets hit by a stone that falls from the sky while he was taking a bath. Believing they were being stoned (as in, binabato ng mga kapitbahay, haha), Ada stormed out of the shower. After a hilarious dialogue with his/her sidekick Didi (also gay), they both discovered that the pink rock was actually labelled Zaturnnah-HAH(!). Getting the crazy idea that it might be like the famous bato of another popular Filipino comic book hero (you know...taking off from Darna), Didi managed to make Ada uto-uto into swallowing the rock.

Didi: Malay mo, may magical powers yan.
Ada: Eh, ang laki naman nito!
Didi: Eto naman. Parang di ka sanay sumubo ng malaki!

HAHAHAHAHA!!!! 'D And that was just the beginning of a shallow, mala-70's plot--complete with Darna-esque encounters with a giant palaka, zombies and aliens (visions of the young Vilma Santos in black & white, HAHAHA)--that was updated to the here and now into a colorful, entertaining muzikal with the wittiest, most hilarious lines I've ever heard on Philippine stage.

The dialogue was also aided by witty takes on special effects from beginning to end (translation: low-budget, pero bongga! Haha). Truth be told, they had me as soon as they transformed the darkened theater into a colorful galaxy with the witty use of lights, umbrellas and rotating what-have-yous. It was equally entertaining to look around the audience (to check if their reaction was the same as mine) to find the theater "glowing" with floating white teeth. (They used special lights that made anything white glow so the number of floating white teeth is equivalent to the number of people smiling in the audience, haha!) Yup, ZZZ:TM may not have the big-budget backing of Broadway productions but, as it is with Pinoys, they made something big out of what they had. Their hilarious takes on the aerial fight scenes, mala-Matrix bullet sequences, an abandoned Bulacan kakanin factory, etc., etc. had me not just rolling in laughter, but also ecstatically in awe at the brilliance that managed to think and put all of these together.

The cast was perfect. Eula Valdes was a revelation to me. Granted, she may not be the best singer in the world, but hey, I didn't even know she could sing that well! And, dang, heaven knows what kind of bribery she has offered to ze gods to have that knock-out body at the age of...uh...38(?)....39(?) ...40(?). LECHE SYA. And I say that will all the green envy I could muster in this world. Hahaha! =) Didi's part was beautifully written and I suppose that would mean that anyone playing him/her would upstage everyone else (to the nth millionth power in the whole wide universe). Shame on me, I forgot to note down who played it during the February 14 matinee show, but that said, whoever he was (*insert sheepish grin here =D*), ay, truly, ang ganda-ganda niya. Haha! =D Kudos too to those who played Ada and the villain Queen Femina and the Amaz(h)onistas! =D

Beyond the perfect leads, the company actors of ZZZ:TM was a truly talented and versatile bunch. They danced perfectly. Sang perfectly. Acted perfectly. Enunciated and threw their voices to the audience perfectly. As I sat through the entire production, I can't help but compare them to the company (and even the younger leads) of the recently-staged Hairspray (which was a disappointment to me because, heck, while the show was visually appealing, I couldn't understand what they were saying for most of the show! =(). Not the ZZZ:TM bunch. They knew how to bring it and, boy (or girl or gay!), they did! =)

I decided not go to to the details of the plot because I seriously recommend that you watch this one--if and when it is staged again. I'm actually hoping they will stage a fourth run. Because when they do, you can be sure, I will be there in the audience, rolling with laughter all over again. =D

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I had to settle for the crumpled flyer that I found in my bag because--learning from the Miss Saigon experience which was also staged at the CCP--we left all our cameras and cellphones in the car. We all thought waiting in line to get them back wouldn't be worth the hassle. (Besides, I'm not really one to take pics during actual performances, haha!) BIG MISTAKE. HUGE! Because after curtain call, the cast immediately proceeds to the lobby where the patrons can meet, greet and take pics with them. Ack! =(

Oh, well. I suppose I'd just have to do that next time. =D

KEN LEE: BULGARIAN IDOL (WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATION)

Hubby Sweet couldn't stop himself from guffawing himself silly at 7:30 a.m. earlier today and I just had to see! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! 'D

As the new American Idol season kicks in, here's something to get all of us rolling (on the floor, HAHA!)

ENJOY! =P

DAYO: FULL CINEMA TRAILER

Ah, what the heck. Who cares if this is a little less clear than the teaser trailer.

Here's the DAYO trailer IN FULL.

Anyone else want to see it? =D

DAYO: OFFICIAL TEASER TRAILER =D

While discussing options for one of the projects we've been working on lately, someone mentioned something about supporting DAYO, THE MOVIE--supposedly the first full-length animated film produced by a team of all-Filipino artists right here in the Philippines. The character's voices were done by some of the pillars of the movie industry (Laurice Guillen, Johnny Delgado, Peque Gallaga to name a few) and by some of the more popular entertainers today (including Michael V and...uh...Pokwang =)). Nash Aguas voices for Bubuy, the lead kid.

Gawang Pinoy. Dito sa Pilipinas. Well, well, well...=)

My curiosity was sufficiently piqued. The materials I found online were more than enough for me to form an opinion.

Long lines be damned, I'm watching this one when it opens in cinemas this December. I can't wait. =)

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For more, visit www.dayomovie.com. And yes, you can browse You Tube for the full cinema trailer. Unfortunately, the uploaded full trailers are not as clear as this official teaser trailer but they will give you a more complete idea of the gift that awaits us this Christmas. There is hope for the MMFF after all. =)

NESSUN DORMA / OCTOBER 8,2008

I've been a fan of Paul Potts ever since I viewed a You Tube upload of his first-round audition for Britain's Got Talent. Something about the sad-eyed-shabbily-dressed-crooked-toothed man instantly grabbed my heart. He looked every bit like the kid in school everyone loved to pick on. (True enough, in his semi-final interview, he mentioned that singing has always been his sanctuary everytime he gets bullied in school.) He looked every bit like a man from whom no one really expects much from. Even before he could open his mouth, I found myself already rooting for him.

"What are you going to do for us today, Paul?" they asked.

"I'm going to sing opera," he shyly answered.

Pierce looked to Amanda and Simon, his thoughts betrayed by the expression on his face. "Here we go again....just another loony thinking he could sing..."

Then he sang, his voice soaring with every note.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Even before the contest ended, I read somewhere that Simon Cowell already offered him a 2 million dollar (or was it pound?) contract. Quite a bit of money for the lowly car phone salesmane from Bristol. Last Christmas, Sister Pusjing and bro-in-law G-Genius gave Hubby Sweet a Paul Potts CD. It is one of his treasured gifts. Paul Potts is actually the only artist that the Hubby refuses to download from Torrentz. He respects the guy that much, and feels that after everything he's been through, he deserves to get every bit of penny he is entitled to. =)

Last Wednesday, Hubby Sweet and I--with Father, cousin Tiririt and fave-aunt Panet--found ourselves trooping to the PICC to see him in person. He's better dressed now, the shabby, ill-fitting coat had given way to a smart tuxedo. He's better groomed as well, his crooked teeth straightened (although I really think it's a temporary guard =)). But the familiar, unsure gait is still there as he ambled shyly towards the center microphone. Despite everything he's accomplished, his innate shyness is apparent. He's not yet suave, even fumbling through some of his spiels. At certain points, he looks like he still can't believe people would actually pay to see him. Yet, that exactly is where his charm lies. Paul Potts is still raw, yet his innate talent shines through, his voice fluid and easy.

True, Rachelle Gerodias--the Filipina Soprano who alternated with him and dueted with him--got the louder applause at all turns. She with the impeccable pitch and lungs powerful enough to sustain unbelievably long and ridiculously high notes. But she's a trained soprano. Paul Potts is self-taught. He learned opera from watching shows and listening to records. He will learn all the technical aspects (he did run out of air in one song) in due time. In the meantime, both Hubby Sweet and I appreciate the fact that we got to see him live--before he turns all suave and polished. After all, the Paul Potts we saw that night at the PICC is the same Paul Potts we fell in love with in our living room.

His final song of the night was both his audition and winning piece. I've always wondered what Nessun Dorma meant. Father had joked sometime during the evening that the largely Filipino audience applauded Rachelle more because she sang Filipino songs (Mutya ng Pasig, Sa Kabukiran, etc.), while most of Paul's songs required subtitles. Haha!

Nessun Dorma translates to "Nobody Shall Sleep" in English. As Paul narrated before he sang it, it was an aria from an opera about a princess who said she will only marry someone who can successfully do some challenge (I forget now what). Those who fail will have their heads cut off. When this guy finally succeeded, she did not want to marry him, but the King reminded her that she was the one who made the rules and should therefore abide by them. The guy gave her an out. If before daylight, she is able to tell him his name (which I presumed nobody knows), he would gladly let her cut off his head. Otherwise, she would have to marry him. Hearing this, the princess ordered everyone in the kingdom not to rest until someone can give her his name.

Nessun Dorma is the song sung, full of love and hope, before daylight. For Paul Potts, the ending says it all.

Nessun Dorma: the English Translation (from Classical Music, About.com)

Nobody shall sleep!
Nobody shall sleep!
Even you, oh Princess,
In your cold room,
Watch the stars
That tremble with love and with hope,
But my secret is hidden with me,
My name, no one shall know,
No! No!
On your mouth, I will tell it when the light shines.
And my kiss will dissolve the silence that makes you mine!

(No one will know his name, and we must, alas, die.)

Vanish, o night!
Set, stars! Set, stars!
At dawn, I will win! I will win! I will win!

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Here's the link to my original post on Paul Potts: his audition episode on Britain's Got Talent. =)

SYNOPSIS / AUGUST 30,2008 =D

I’m posting this to end the series. I don’t know Ana, but I suppose among all the videos posted on You Tube, hers best encapsulates what transpired that night.

15 songs.

Alapaap. Ligaya. Sembreak. Hey Jay. Harana. Fruitcake. Toyang. Kama Supra. Kailan. Wag Kang Matakot. Kaliwete. With A Smile. Shake Yer Head. Huwag Mo Nang Itanong Sa Akin. Lightyears.

And we were just getting started! I suppose it says a lot that despite the cancelled second set (and third if I understood it correctly from Marcus’ blogsite), each and every song in the first was enough to bring us back to “our times”. As the Eraserheads played and sang, we sang along with them. Word for word. Jumping. Headbanging. Screaming. Just like we used to. When they were still together. When they still talked to each other.

Rumors abound that there will be a Part II in December, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up just yet.

In the meantime, a borrowed line from one of my favorite movies of all time says everything I need to say after 15 songs, following six long years of waiting.

“Enough. Enough now.”

Yes.

For now, this would have to be enough.

ALAPAAP!!! / AUGUST 30,2008 =D

This was the opening number. There are countless more on You Tube if you care to surf. Enough said. =)

Time for me to relive the moment. If you had been there, you'd be screaming your head off too. WOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! 'D

ULTRAMAGNETIC POPPED! / AUG.30,2008 =D

We woke up on this particular Saturday fully-charged. With the E-heads concert and a habol for friend Nikolodeon’s belated birthday party at Biltmore after, we woke up earlier than we usually do and trooped to House Better with Buster J in tow. We arrived in time for breakfast with Buster immediately running to Lola (haha), the entire time jumping around like a jackrabbit. I suspect that like my nieces, Patita and Ray*-B, he also sees House Better as his comfy-land, having free reign to roam the garden and bug Madonna (Mother’s talking bird) until he gets bored and sleepy. Just as well. He’d at least have company while Hubby Sweet and I partied. Haha! =D

Hubby Sweet and I stayed until lunch, after which I had to go to the office (yes =() for last minute meetings with The Boss in time for the Monday presentation of the CY09 Operating Targets to our President. Hubby Sweet dropped me off (the office was one block away from the concert grounds, yey!). At 1:00 p.m., Fort Bonifacio was beginning to buzz. There were more cars than usual. There were more people milling about. This was no ordinary Saturday and several simple, plain, black signs on white tarpaulin said it all. ERASERHEAD REUNION CONCERT ->. The lack of "S" notwithstanding, I still say, WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Hahaha! 'D (Thanks to BJ, BTW, for the pic of the sign. I got it from his multiply site. Hehe. *Sheepish grin* =))

After dropping me off, Hubby Sweet set out to run several errands. I told him to be back by 5:00 p.m. though, in anticipation of the heavy traffic and the full restaurants. (I had previously dealt with Christina and Beyonce, and I suspected that the E-Heads reunion concert would be much, much, MUCH (!) bigger than both—COMBINED.) Thankfully, we did not have to deal with the parking nightmare that everyone else had to go through. We used my office parking slot. Yey! =D

I finally finished my meeting at 6:30 p.m. The Hubby Sweet passed time milling about Boni High. By the time I got down, every single restaurant within the vicinity was packed. Pancake House, Friday’s, Texas Roadhouse, etc., etc.! All were practically bursting at the seams with people eating and with people waiting for their turn to eat. I was just telling the Hubby that maybe we should just do take-out and eat in my office (how sad!) when I had a eureka moment. I whispered to Hubby Sweet and asked him to follow me to Landes & Hobbes. (Futile, I know, because no one else was really listening to me. Haha!) He looked at me curiously. It was a fact not too many people know. Right there in the middle of all those overpriced toys, Landes & Hobbes actually serve more-than-decent, and reasonably-priced pasta, turnover pies and sandwiches. There used to be caramel apples for dessert. Now, there’s only Haagen Daaz. Despite the busy-ness inside the store, we found a free table! YEY!!! ,D

Our E-heads Reunion Concert dinner? A gigantic Hungarian Sausage sandwich and potato chips for me; a chicken spinach lasagna and pepperoni roll for Hubby Sweet. Yum! ^_^ No pictures though. I was too excited, I forgot to take pics. Haha! Still, I do remember drowning my Hungarian Sausage under tons of mayo, tomato ketchup AND mustard. Diets be damned! This night was a night for celebration. OK, so maybe it ought to count that I gulped everything down with a can of Coke Light. Haha. =D

We decided to head to the concert grounds a little after seven. The walk only heightened our excitement. There was undeniable electricity in the air. The air was so charged, there could’ve been lightning and thunder, except that on this particular night—this night of all nights—there was, thankfully, no rain. After an entire week of afternoon showers, even the heavens seemed to have bestowed its special blessing and ordered the clouds not to release a single drop. On this night of all nights, Fort Bonifacio was A.L.I.V.E. WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

The traffic jam was mad. Vacant lots were converted to temporary parking lots. People were walking to and fro. A good number were sitting on the sidewalks. Hubby Sweet and I suspected they were the die-hard E-heads fans who were inevitably “left out” when the organizers decided to sell the tickets for P1,300 and P800 a pop. May mga jologs. May mga sosyal. May mga naka-shorts. May mga naka-miniskirt at heels (My personal thought balloon: BAKET???!!!). May bata. May matanda. May mga pawis na pawis. May mga mukhang "amoy cologne". Hahah! May isang grupo pa ng mga trentang tao yata na naka-customized black Eraserheads t-shirt complete with Ely Buendia prints. Nakatambay sa harap ng Honda Fort. Nagtatawanan. Nagyayayaan. Kala ko nagbebenta ng t-shirt, di pala. Muntik pa naman ako bumili. Haha! =D

Hubby Sweet and I walked to the entrance nearest Boni High, but were told to line up at the entrance on the other side instead because the lines near Boni High were getting ridiculously long. No biggie. The long walk to the other side allowed us to take in the entire scene. I was practically skipping and hopping the entire time. So were a few other people who walked alongside us. Hubby Sweet--who was just released from hospital confinement after popping his lung--was not allowed to. I suspect though that, deep inside, he was skipping and hopping along with me. Haha. =D

Right outside the entrance, a huge vacant lot (next to the newly-built South of Market condo) has already been converted into a huge picnic ground of sorts. Blankets were strewn everywhere; jackets were converted into makeshift picnic mats. As with the folks who contentedly sat down on the sidewalks on the Boni High side, I suspect, these folks were just happy to hear the Eraserheads play one more time without having to pay for the admittedly steep ticket price (for the average masa). Nonetheless, the same level of excitement that was stamped on the faces of the ticket-buyers were also quite evident in theirs. Considering that the organizers only had two days to release changes in concert details and two days to sell tickets, Fort Bonifacio (yes, beyond the actual concert venue) was SOLD-OUT. =D Official reports placed the crowd within the concert venue at 60,000. Those who partied outside were estimated to be at 10,000. 70,000 people trooped to Fort Bonifacio for the one thing they never thought would happen again. For one night only, the Eraserheads would once again take centerstage and rock.

Inside the concert venue, people patiently waited for 8:00 p.m. Some sat on solid ground. This was no time for kaartehan. Hubby Sweet and I stood the entire time. I took in the scene. I suppose it was perfect that the sole major sponsor pulled out at the last minute. Being in brand management, I found the experience quite surreal, and yet, admittedly, I also found it extremely refreshing. Despite the short notice, I refuse to believe that no other sponsor was willing to step in. Maybe things were really the way they were because the E-heads wanted it to be so. After all, the Eraserheads Reunion Concert was the biggest event of the year, and yet the entire place was practically a blank canvass. The signs that directed folks to the concert venue were unbranded and printed using simple Arial Bold Black letters on white tarpaulin. Inside the concert venue, there were no gigantic streamers. No gigantic Globe (or Smart) tarpaulins hanging from the stage and the scaffoldings. No perimeter walls painted with advertising. No gigantic Coke (or Pepsi), Pizza Hut (or Shakeys or KFC) booths! No personal care company giving samples of shampoo / soap / moisturizer / etc., etc. at the entrance. No merchandising whatsoever. Even the sole McDonald's booth did not have a gigantic sign with the familiar Golden Arches. It was more of a tent with set-up tables and a mound of burgers and rows of paper cups being filled with ice and softdrinks. (Think Sunday picnic set-up as opposed to the usual high-tech mobile booths that they usually send to events like these). The only other food booth was a burger place whose name escapes me now (I have not heard of it before). The only drinks being sold in the venue aside from bottled water was Sunkist Iced Tea and some neon-colored vitamin water. (Yes, drinks that no one has probably even heard of nor tried until then.) It was the early/mid-1990s again--before the telecom giants and below-the-line brand activations took over our lives.

Everyone was betting that the concert will start at 9:00 p.m. as most concerts in Manila are wont to do. (They start one hour after the declared time; 'am not too sure if it was to make room for the concept of Filipino time.) Everyone was wrong.

A little after 8:00 p.m., the gigantic video-wall flashed 10:00.00. The 10-minute countdown has begun. The crowd went wild at the 10-minute, 5-minute, 3-minute, and 1-minute marks. Eyes stayed glued to the screen, until finally, the real countdown began. As the numbers flashed on screen, the crowd screamed along like some weird extra New Year's Eve in August.

TEN!!!!!!

NINE!!!!!!!

EIGHT!!!!!!!

SEVEN!!!!!!!!

SIX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TWO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The crowd went wild. The screen blacked out only to come back alive with two simple words, printed in simple fonts, white against a totally black screen. Those two words said it all for the 60,000 people within the venue and the 10,000 more outside.

SA WAKAS.

The Eraserheads were back, and I couldn't stop screaming.

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More in the next post. Time to work now. =)

THE ROAD TO THE E-HEADS REUNION CONCERT / ALL DAYS BEFORE AUG. 30,2008! =D

I first knew about the possibility of an Eraserheads Reunion Concert from the PEP site. That’s the Philippine Entertainment Portal for the uninformed, and for the record, I only check it because I want to track changes in the weekly NUTAM TV ratings for work. Haha. Yeah, right. ;p But seriously, I find that these days, I can no longer sit through an entire episode of The Buzz without developing a serious headache from listening to the travails of a series of mindless mini-starlets. The PEP site provides a great alternative for those who want to follow local showbiz biggies without having to sit through the irritating fillers (I mean, who wants to know about the latest in the lovelives of Mystica and Madam Auring?!).

So there I was, reading through the right column where all the headlines are listed when I almost had a minor heart attack as I stumbled upon one particular headline: ERASERHEADS TO REUNITE FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY. (Click on the link to read the article.) Amidst everything I had to do that day (I forgot now what they were), I texted Hubby Sweet to solicit his cooperation in finding more about how to score tickets.

From mid-July to D-Day, August 30, I monitored every single article on the web, hoping to find out more abut the concert. With personal issues not yet resolved between some of the band members, a big part of me thought the concert may not actually push through. Everytime, I would click on each headline with dread only to heave a sigh of relief after each one confirms that, yes, the One-Night-Only-No-Band-Reunion-No-New-CD-After-Concert will indeed push through. (Click here if you want to read the article.)

Still, with D-Day fast approaching, and with no official announcement on how tickets can be had (word-of-mouth though suggest that the key to getting in lies in the Marlboro website), I walked around like an E-head zombie, trying to get through business reviews and CY09 budget preparations at work, while asking around and scheming for ways to unlock the secret to getting inside the reunion concert.

Finally, on August 27 (three days before), organizers announced that Marlboro (which has rightly been tagged as the official solo sponsor) had pulled out because of threats from the DOH resulting from the ban on any form of advertising (including sponsorships) for cigarette manufacturers. Sony-BMG (the band's old label) announced that it was stepping in, that the concert would push through as scheduled on the 30th but that it will now be held at the Fort Bonifacion Open Field (instead of the original CCP grounds). In addition to the change in venue, the tickets will now be sold (instead of being given for free upon registration at the Marlboro site) at P1,300 for Patrons, P800 for General Admission. Tickets will be sold @ all Ticketworld outlets beginning August 28, two days before the concert.

Unfortunately, I had wall-to-wall meetings the following day, but officemates who decided to try and brave the mob reported that lines at all Ticketworlds were snaking like there was no end in sight. (Mas mahaba pa daw ang pila sa Ticketworld kesa sa For the First Time ni KC and Richard! Haha! ‘D) Darn. DARN!!! I felt my chance at scoring tickets slowly fade away when the Hubby texted @ way past 9:00 p.m. (I was still in the office) that someone told him the Cebu Pacific site had a Ticketworld link where we can possibly buy tickets online. WOOOOOOOHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOO!!! It was definitely worth a try. =)

Hubby Sweet and I decided that we will both try (him from our laptop at home, me from the office) to increase our chances. We figured if we end up with two extra tickets, it would be easy enough for us to sell them to someone else. =)

After several attempts, I finally got hold of adjoining seats. (The website kept giving me available seats that were far from one another, and I stupidly believed that because we were paying for the more expensive Patron tickets, we would be provided with actual chairs, hahaha!) In any case.... WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! G3715 - G3716. *Grin, grin, grin from ear-to-ear-with-matching-yes-and-fist-in-the-air! =D*

After clicking on the "purchase now" button, I then belatedly realized that for me to buy the tickets, I had to create an account with Cebu Pacific. This automatically heightened the stress level even more as the countdown on the left side of the screen indicated that I have only 10 minutes to complete the transaction after which they will free up the seats to someone else. It was literally a race against time. WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! *Huff, huff, huff, complete-concentration-with-matching-furrowed-eyebrows-must-do-this-type-of-expression-on-face. >:/*

After wheezing my way through the registration process (it actually left me breathless, because I think I put off breathing the entire time, haha), the ticket purchase was FINALLY a done deal. All that was left for the Hubby and I to do was to go to the nearest Ticketworld outlet to pick up the tickets.

WOOOOOOOOOHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOO!!! 'D

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More in the next post! Right now, I have to work. =D

SATC, THE MOVIE / JUNE 1,2008 =D

Even as everyone is now raving about The Dark Knight (or that John Lloyd-Sarah Geronimo movie, haha), and even as I try and figure out how to squeeze in a Mamma Mia! screening into my sched, I felt it right to write about the last movie I saw. SEX & THE CITY (and since I already used my one-chick-flick-a-year pass for this movie with the Hubby, I suppose I would just have to watch Mamma Mia! on the small screen—"Dibidi, Dibidi...." ;p). BTW, I got all the pics used in the post from the publicity photos posted on Yahoo. =D

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Sex & the City (the TV series) held special meaning for me. During The Wander Years, I fancied myself to be Carrie Bradshaw. Except, of course, for her fashion sense—which never really made sense to me. =) Carrie processed and figured things out by putting her thoughts on paper. She was a fiercely loyal friend. She was a professional success, but an emotional retard. She was in constant pursuit of her idea of The One Big Love every woman should have, but always got her heart creamed in the process. BIG TIME. All pun, BTW, fully intended. =)

When I first moved out of House Better into my own place, the one vision that I had running in my head was that of Carrie typing away at her laptop as she looked out her apartment window to the sky above or the street below. I thought, hmmmmmmm, I could do that. =) In my spare time, of course. (I had always wanted to be a writer, but have long accepted that a writer’s pay will never be enough to pay for my dreams. =))

On my first night in House Pioneer, I walked into my near empty apartment after a long day at work, tired but bubbling with excitement. After blowing my life savings on the downpayment and the first batch of monthly amortizations, I did not have money left over to buy a decent sofa so I only had the gigantic throw pillows Sister Pusjing and G-Genius gave me for Christmas littering my sala. I did not have money left over for a decent bed so I only had a mattress in my room. I had those, a 25-inch flat TV, plus an 11-cubic feet stainless steel ref with nothing in it but water (this was long before a stainless steel ref became fashionable). I also blew money on a a stainless steel gas range with hood but without LPG because the darn thing was for purely decorative purposes, hahaha. (I did not want any weird holes in my kitchen. =)) Oh, and because I also did not have enough money left over to buy a decent aircon after spending the last of it on my decorative gas range & hood, I had to settle for a stainless steel industrial fan "gift" to cool me at night. Have you ever tried sleeping with an industrial fan pointed in your direction? Hahaha! 'D For sure, the entire place was far from where I wanted it to be, but it was my place. My own space. On the first night I walked through Door 2**4, I couldn’t stop grinning. I remember thinking, “I am soooooooooooo Carrie. HA!” =p

And so it goes that even during The Wander Years, every Tuesday night was officially a no-gimmick night because I had to be home in time for the 10:30 screening of SATC on HBO. I sighed when Carrie sighed. Laughed when she laughed. Swooned when she fell in love. And, yes, I cried buckets along with her every time she broke her heart. I went through the entire gamut of emotions with Carrie and the rest of the SATC girls. We were girl friends for life. =)

Which is why I have never anticipated a movie more than I anticipated this one. The final episode of the TV series put a definitive “closure” on each of their stories. Miranda married Steve and moved to Brooklyn with their son Brady and their housekeeper Magda in tow. Charlotte finally found and married her “prince” in the kind-hearted but ordinary-looking Harry (a far-cry from the dashing, but emotionally distant Trey). She even had her lifelong wish of being a mom fulfilled with the hint of an approved adoption of a little girl from China. After a bout with cancer, Samantha finally found herself giving up her series of one-night stands for the one thing no one really thought she would go for—committed love in the arms of Smith. And yes, after a long-winded history of romantic hook-ups and disastrous break-ups, Mr. Big finally came to his senses to realize there was only one girl for him. Carrie. There could be no one else but Carrie. (The other bonus closure, of course, was that in the final episode, they finally revealed one of the series’ long-running mysteries: Mr. Big’s real name was John. =))

Now, it would have been ideal to watch SATC, The Movie with “the girls”, but the office folks watched the premier on the night I had to go to a family affair. Because of a business trip to BKK, everyone had also watched the movie by the time I got back. And so it goes that I had to force Hubby Sweet to watch this one with me. It was like pulling teeth. Hahaha. =D In any case, I deliberately put off writing this post as I did not want to spoil the story for my other girl friends who have not seen it. Still, I’d like to be able to remember the parts of the movie that hit me most:

1. That scene where Carrie rushed out of her bridal car to hit Big repeatedly with her bridal bouquet, petals flying off in the air! I was reduced to a bumbling, sobbing fool in that scene. Hubby Sweet looked at me like I was an alien and, in the dark theater, he couldn’t help blurting out, half-kidding, “Ngyaaah! Sa lahat ng oras na nag-away tayo, di ka umiyak. Sex & the City lang, ngawa ka ng ngawa!” HAHAHA!!! Oo nga naman. Haha. =D Still, how could I make him understand? How could I explain to him just how many times I have sat in a darkened room, crying just as I had that day in the theater? How could I explain to him just how much I felt Carrie’s pain in that scene, knowing the million and one heartaches she had to go through and disregard just to get to that point? I never did like Mr. Big for Carrie. I had always favored Aidan. Aidan whose heart she broke. Aidan whom I think—to this day—really loved her most. All the husbands and boyfriends who accompanied their girlfriends and wives, only to see them reduced to tears in that scene, need to understand that to women, Carrie was not just some fictional character. Especially to SATC fans, she was the embodiment of the heartbreaking journey every girl has to go through before finally settling down with The One person she was meant to spend the rest of her life with.
   
2. That scene where Charlotte stepped in to stop Big in his tracks as Carrie rushed back to the bridal car. Holding up one finger, she said only two words. With those two words, she was able to say it all. NO! NO. Angry. Firm. Then restrained. Her face betrayed all the hate and disappointment simmering within. If the scene in #1 reduced me to tears, this one totally killed me. For the first time, I saw a little of myself in Charlotte. She had always been the dreamer in the group. The one who believed in happy endings, regardless of dire circumstances. She was the only one in the group who supported Carrie every time Carrie decided to give Big another chance, despite all her past bad experiences with him. And so, during the Wander Years and the series’ 10-year run, I never really understood Charlotte, never really liked her unconditional optimism. In my single mind, she was sugar and spice and everything TOO nice. And yet, in that scene, I instantly saw myself in her. I was instantly transported to all those times I chose to support my girl friends who decided "in the name of love", against all rational thought, to go back to their hoot-of-a-BF/FB/BT (for boy toy), etc., etc. (They will all remain unnamed in this post, but I’m sure they all know who they are, haha!). Charlotte’s definitive “No! No.” captured all those times I would have gladly stepped in and slapped all the boys (I refuse to call them men) who weren’t treating my girl friends right—if only my GFs had allowed me. Like a two-edged sword, the scene also made me appreciate even more all my girl friends who, at different points in time, stepped in to keep certain people from hurting me more than they already have.
   
3. That scene where Carrie laughed for the first time after her disastrous heartbreak. Most of us have gone through times when we just don’t have the energy for anything. Not for eating. Not for getting up. Not even for waking up. We sleep, literally, from dusk till dawn, only to sleep again soon after we open our eyes. Now while self-pity can be a soft, fluffy pillow in the beginning, it can soon turn into a cold, hard place if one wallows in it too long. So you wake up. You get up even though you have no sense of real purpose. You go through your chores like a zombie. You go to bed, only to have the cycle repeat the following day. AND THEN, one day it unexpectedly happens. You find something soooooooooooooo ridiculously funny, you can’t help but laugh! Not just a giggle kind of laugh, but a real, right-from-the-gut, belly-kind-of-laugh that leaves you doubled-up, barely able to walk. The kind that leaves you fully flushed with tears in your eyes. The kind that reminds you, “Hey, no matter what you’ve been through, heck, you’re going to be all right.” Yes, after that "first laugh", you can't help but be filled with hope that the best was yet to come. Hubby Sweet must have thought I had gone bonkers inside that dark cinema because minutes after I cried uncontrollably over #1 & #2, I couldn’t stop myself from laughing with the girls. Even weirder that I couldn’t help but giggle every time I remembered #3.

I do have a few beef against some of the things in the movie. I hated the way Big and Carrie reconciled. It seemed….uh…trite. It was nothing compared to the TV series’ romantic, sweep-me-of-my-feet conclusion. Then again, I’ve never really been a big fan of sappy, oh-I-totally-knew-it-was-going-to-happen-that-way kind of resolutions, so I suppose I will just have let that one go. My major beef is that they reduced Stanford to nothing more than a wallflower looking giddy on Carrie’s non-wedding day! Hmp. >:\ While I get that Jennifer Hudson’s new character was key to the “reconciliation scene”, I sorely missed all those moments when Stanford stood in for all the men in Carrie’s life who let her down. Every time she needed to attend an event after a break-up, Stanford readily stood as her “date” (albeit, openly-gay). Everytime she needed to vent, Stanford listened to her think aloud over brunch. He was always ready to be with her. All she needed to do was ask. Every woman knows that during times of love crisis, next to our girl friends, it’s our gay friends who prop us up most. Not our secretaries. Not our personal assistants. Our girl friends. Our gay friends. I suppose time constraint did Stanford in. Still, I wonder to this day just how the story would have progressed if the writers deliberately kept Jennifer Hudson's character out and made a conscious effort instead to keep Stanford in. =(

Still, all in all, SATC The Movie was a jolly, good romp, and a wonderful celebration of the power of "girlfriendhood". It was interesting to note that four years later, my life has strangely evolved along with theirs. I no longer just relate to Carrie. I can now also relate to Miranda with her struggle to juggle family and carreer (but THANKFULLY NOT the infidelity that Miranda had to grapple with throughout the movie). I could even now relate to Charlotte with her mommy wishes and baby woes! OK, so I think I will never, ever be able to relate to Samantha and her "wandering" ways, but I will always consider her classic entertainment. Haha! I especially found poignant that scene where Carrie was packing all her stuff so she can move out of her "single-girl flat" into the space she was to share with Big. I found it particularly touching because, inside the darkened theater, I realized that soon, I will also have to do the same packing in House Pioneer in preparation for the big move to the more family-sized House Royal.

Four years later, the SATC girls have all grown-up. Apparently, so have I. =)

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I am soooooooooo looking forward to the DVD release, and would probably ask Cousin Dooders to bring it home for me from U.S. when he flies in for his 2009 wedding. (Naks! =)) As we all know, the big, bad censors had their way with SATC here in Manila and snipped-snipped a lot of scenes. I'm just so sure that the movie is way funnier than what I got to watch in the cinemas, and watching the full version on DVD would fill in some of the "blanks" that inevitably resulted from the deletion of the, uh, censored parts. =)