Went to visit my brothers and sisters in NEU glee club during their rehearsal earlier. When I arrived in the main building gym, I saw them preparing for panata. I didn't bother entering the door until they've finished the divine obligation. As I stare at them from the doorway, a bit of flashback ran into my memory. We used to be these young students--- so hardworking, dedicated, and prayerful. When they're done, I entered the gym and asked if Ma'am Jovy was there (Ma'am Jovy took over the role of Nanay Fe when the latter rested already.) The member told me she wasn't there but Patrick (the current president) and some alumni members were inside. I was greeted by Cheeno (an alumni and also a former president of the group) and the current members as well. I greeted them back as they gathered around me when I was introduced as a former president of the group but I told them I don't have any speeches. But wished them good luck, anyway. As they went to their respective routines, I stayed for a while and watched them. Youthful energy hasn't withered, excitement can still be felt, but this time, I noticed, they seem to have more "freehand" on the performance. No strict mentor supervising and calling the shots during the rehearsal, but still looks promising. Can't wait to see my brethren perform on Tuesday!
PANATA: It's what keeps the group going... through the years!
Hindi ko man madalas sabihin, si Nanay Fe ang isa sa naging malaking impluwensya ko sa pamumuno sa mga mang-aawit, may ilang taon na rin na niloloob ng Ama. Maging ang pinanghahawakan kong "tagline" o prinsipyo sa buhay na "All things happen with a purpose" ay isinalin ko lang mula sa madalas nyang sabihin sa aming mga mag-aaral noon na "lahat ng bagay ay may kaukulan." Higit pa sa pag-aaral ng mga pyesa ng musika, ang isa sa pinakagusto kong bahagi ng aming daily rehearsal noon sa room 124 ay ang "words of wisdom" ni nanay Fe. Hindi lamang hudyat iyon na tapos na ang sigawan sa pag-aaral ng mga kanta, kundi higit sa lahat ay oras na naman para matuto kami ng mga karagdagang aral sa buhay. Sa kaniya ko natutuhan na pwede kang magyabang ng iyong mga naabot pero nananatili ang kababaang-loob. Sa kaniya ko rin natutuhan na ang lahat ng angking talento natin na nagbibigay-daan para tayo ay kilalanin at hangaan ng ibang tao ay sa Diyos lamang marapat na ibalik ang kapurihan. Pinatibay ni nanay Fe ang pagkakilala ko sa Pamamahala ng Iglesia. Sa kanya ko na-appreciate ang pagpapagal ng Pamamahala, na halos gawin nang umaga ang gabi alang-alang sa pangangalaga ng kawan ng Diyos. Kay nanay Fe ko rin narinig na ang paglilingkod ay hindi nakapaloob sa apat na sulok ng kapilya, pero ang pagpapahalaga rito ay hindi rin matutumbasan ng kahit ano. Nakita ko syang nagalit, nag walk-out, humalakhak, umiyak. Nakasama ko sya sa kainan, liguan sa outing, road trip sa kung saang walang tiyak na direksyong pupuntahan.
Flashback
pagpasok ko ng room 124, napansin kong aligaga ang mga miyembro, maliban sa nag-recruit sa akin--- ang Glee Club total performer na si Noel Cunanan. araw pala ng audition yun. walang rehearsal. itinakda ang araw para lang sa audition ng mga mag-gi-glee club.
pagbukas ng pinto, nakita kong pumasok ang isang propesor. sa unang tingin, kung may pisikal na depinisyon ng "small but terrible," yun sya--- dire-diretsong tumungo sa kaniyang upuan para sa panata. mukhang istrikta... sobrang istrikta. nang matanaw ang buong silid, sinipat ako sa isang sulok. ibinaba pa ang salamin, binasag ang katahimikan sa silid at nagtanong: "sino yan?" na naka-titig sa akin. agad namang sinalo ni Noel ang tanong at sya namang sumagot, "recruit ko po." sagot lang ni ma'am: "hmmm..." sabay balik ng salamin sa mata at naghintay na ang lahat para sa oras ng panata.
pagkatapos ng panata ay nagbilin si ma'am na hanapin na ang mga recruit na ipapa-audition at saka pinalabas ang lahat maliban sa akin. tinanong ako: "anong course mo?" "mass comm. po," sagot ko. walang ngiti sa mukha niya at nagtanong ulit, "mass comm? anong kinabukasan mo run?" hindi na ako sumagot, ngumiti na lang ako. pagkatapos ng maikling tanungan ay pinakanta na nya ako... Will I Survive? tanong ko sa sarili ko kaya yun na rin ang kinanta ko na orihinal ng Introvoys. pagkatapos lang ng ilang linya, pinatigil ako ni ma'am, "wala akong maintindihan sa kinakanta mo. kantahin mo yung unang dalawang linya ng Maalaala Mo Kaya." sa isip-isip ko, mabuti na lang at uso na ang palabas noon ni Ate Charo. Kahit paano eh alam ko yung himig at lyrics nung kanta.
mukhang kumbinsido naman si ma'am sa kinanta kong dalawang linya. pagkatapos nun ay pinapunta ako sa harap ng piano at tumipa na sya ng mga nota. sundan ko raw yung tono. parang nagdi-drill lang sa lokal, kaya ayus naman. pero teka, antaas na ng nota.. nakita ko yung tikladang pinipindot, nasa higher fa na.
at last nakita ko na ring ngumiti si ma'am, sabay wika, "hindi ka naman tone deaf. ilalagay muna kita sa baritone para maalagaan ka ni Noel." naka-ngiti na rin ako, pero sa totoo lang, hindi ko pa alam kung ano talaga itong pinasok ko. noon kaseng elementary at high school, puro academic clubs lang ang sinasalihan ko, this time, GLEE CLUB. alam ko may kantahan pero later on, nightmare pala sa akin dahil may choreography pa na kasama, eh parehong kaliwa ang paa ko, di ba Kuya Orly?
sa susunod na tagpo, lalo kong nakilala si ma'am... "o, ano ang schedule mo kapag M-W at T-F?" "ma'am, isa lang po ang subject ko pag M-W.. pol. Sci. po ng 7:30pm." tiger look ulit sa akin si ma'am, "Ano?? isa lang subject mo pag M-W at gabi pa? ano bang klaseng schedule yan? nagsasayang ka ng araw." magalang akong tumugon, "eh, ma'am, irregular po kase ako. yung ibang subjects nakuha ko na, yung iba po pre-requisite na hindi pa po ako pinayagan i-enroll." tumayo na si ma'am sa kinauupuan, "tawagan ko nga si Sally. A.S. ka ano? teka..." du-mial sa telepono, maya-maya lang... "Sally, meron ako ditong bagong myembro, tulungan mo naman sa schedule. aba, eh isa lang ang subject kapag monday at wednesday, gabi pa? sayang naman yung oras nya. baka pwede mong dagdagan ng load... (bumaling sa akin) iho, ilang units ka ba ngayong sem? sumagot ako, "15 po." at bumalik sya sa telepono, "o, 15 units lang, baka pwede mo pang dagdagan kahit isang subject lang sa hapon mga alas-tres o yung 4:30. ano, ok ba? o sige, papupuntahin ko sya dyan sa yo." pagkatapos ng usapan nila sa phone, sinabihan nya ako na makipag-usap sa secretary ng A.S. tapos pinapunta muna ako sa room 125 para makita ang staff room... tambayan. saka tinawag si Noel. "noeeeeeeel....! o eto na sunduin mo na yung recruit mo. dyan muna sya sa section mo para matutukan mo."
^ ito ang unang araw ko sa Rooms 124 at 125. Unang araw ko sa glee club, nakita ko kung gaano ka-"powerful" si nanay Fe sa eskwelahan. Lalo na nang itawag nya sa Arts & Sciences ang pag-aayos ng schedule ko.
Concerts Lessons
Ako At Ang Musika after a night's performance. January 1995.
first major concert ko sa grupo--- Ako At Ang Musika. magagaling ang mga dating miyembro na naging haligi ng performances. madalas sabihin ni ma'am: "***** kayong mga bago! kayo ang magpapabagsak sa konsyerto ko!" sinu-sino ba kaming new members noong batch na yun? ang mga natatandaan ko: Ako, Faye, Michelle E., Mildred, Joy, April, Joelita, Rio, Junjo, Alexis, at siyempre si Onin. (sinong na-miss ko?)
Dito ko unang nalaman kung paano "magtrabaho" ang glee club members. Sabay ang pag-aaral at ang performances. Time management agad sa unang taon. At kapag dumalaw ang alumni, todo pa-impress sa mga ate at kuya dahil isa sa mga tinitignan nila ay ang mga bago sa grupo.
Piso-piso... isa ito sa bumubuhay sa grupo lalo na sa mga panahon ng rehearsals. Maliit na bagay kung araw-araw "isinasabuhay" pero napakalaki ng naitutulong sa panahong kailangan na ito.
Bawal sa grupo ang baha-bahagi o grupo-grupo. Bawal rin sa grupo ang magkaroon ng katipan mula sa loob. Kung uso na noon ang "bahay ni kuya," glee club na ang nauna sa napakaraming "house rules" na dapat sinusunod kung hindi, labas ka sa "bahay."
2nd major concert ko sa grupo--- Memory Lane. ito na yata ang most attended na concert. pinakamarami ring bilang ng miyembro that time. Standing Room Only. "may nakasabit na sa kurtina." puno ang gilid at pati ang hagdanan. halos katabi na ng perfomers ang audience sa harapan ng stage. itong concert din na ito ang pinakamahaba. may intermission numbers ang mga education student sa pagitan ng mga concert part. isa rito yung 'Muslim' dance na tampok ang pamangkin ni ma'am--- si Jing. last song sa repertoire: Hibang Sa Awit! kahit pagod sa mahigit 3-oras na pagtatanghal, makita lang ang audience na buhay na buhay, sige pa rin ang 101% performance level!
Dito ako nakasama sa pag-aayos ng publicity and promotions ng konsyerto. Unti-unti, nakakasama na ako sa mga usapin ng mga staff na may kinalaman sa pag-aayos ng mga bagay-bagay sa grupo.
Eighteen... ito ang 3rd major concert ko sa grupo. para sa akin, ito ang pinaka-feel good ko na concert. konsyertong inabangan ng maraming alumni at maging ng mga tagapgturo ng awit, kabilang ang UPSA director, ang Ka Ed Manguiat. Broadway-themed ang concert.
Lehitimong staff na ako ng grupo. Vice President 2. angas? Sa taong ito rin ako nabigyan ng "break" na umawit ng trio kasama sina Harold at Jontis. Malolos, Bulacan concert. Di ko malilimutan. Kasabay ng pagpatak ng ulan ng Apo Hiking Society eh pumapatak din ang pawis ko sa kahihiyan. Wala kaming feedback monitor kaya hindi nagsabay ang tinig sa minus one. Di rin naging maganda ang quality ng sound system o nung venue? hmm.. lahat na sisisihin ko wag lang kaming tatlo na kumanta. haha. Anyway, itong taon na ito ang naging grooming year ko para sa huling taon ko sa grupo...
'Yan Ang Pinoy! ang huli kong major concert sa grupo. nagsimula akong Presidente sa simula ng school year na ito pero nagka-problema ako sa schedule ng 4 na OJT ko at rehearsal sa grupo. Kasama pa ang gabi-gabing location shoots para sa telesine project. Hindi nagkasya si nanay Fe na tanggalin ako sa pagiging presidente. "Itiniwalag" pa nya ako. Ayusin ko raw muna ang priorities ko. Ramdam ko mahal nya akong anak. Ibinalik nya ako bago mag-concert. Sapat na panahon para mapangunahan ko ang produksyon. Ako ang Production Coordinator. Nasa responsibilidad ko ang lahat ng apeto ng paghahanda sa produksyon. Karangalan kong tanggapin at gampanan iyon. Dito ko natutuhan ang magbigay-daan sa mga bagong miyembro pagdating sa performance. Panahon na nila ito, sa "likod" na lang kami para umalalay, gumabay at gawin nilang sandigan sa panahong kinakailangan.
Fast Forward...
Nang huli ko syang makita nang personal noong nasa ospital pa, pinagsabihan na ako ng nurse na huwag nang magtagal sa pagbisita dahil pagod na raw ang pasyente at kailangan nang magpahinga. Nangako ako na saglit lang ako. Pero hindi ko natupad ang pangako ko sa nurse. Nang makita ako ng nanay, hindi ko mabakas ang sinasabing "pagod" nung nurse. Maraming ikinukwento si nanay. Nakangiti. Mahina sa karaniwan ang tinig at maraming inaalam sa buhay ko sa kasalukuyan. "Kumusta ang tungkulin mo, pangulong mang-aawit ka pa rin ba?" "Kumusta ang anak mo?" "Mayaman ka na ba ngayon, anak?" Agad niyang ginamit ang dinala kong bagong unan para mahigaan niya sa kama ng ospital. Hanggang sa pumasok na ang nurse at sinabihan syang iinom na ng gamot. Doon na kami nagpaalam sa isa't-isa.
NEU Glee Club year-end party. December 2010
August 23, 2013... namahinga na ang Nanay Fe. Isang taon na pala. Ambilis ng panahon. Parang kailan lang. Nang huli ko syang masilayan sa kaniyang kinahihigaan, sigurado ako, pumanaw siyang may ngiti sa labi. Bakas kase iyon sa payapa niyang pagkakapikit habang daan-daang miyembro, kakilala, kamag-anak, kapatid sa Iglesia ang sumisilay sa kanya habang nakahimlay. Alam ko, nakaratay pa lang siya sa banig ng karamdaman, nakahanda na sya. Maraming bumalik para magbigay-pugay sa napakalaking naiambag nya hindi lamang sa paaralan kundi sa buhay ng mga estudyanteng dumaan sa kaniyang "pangangalaga." Isa ako sa kanila. Marami mang hindi nakakikilala nang lubos sa kaniya at sa unang tingin ay agad siyang katatakutan pero para sa aming naging mga "anak" niya, nag-iisa lang si nanay Fe. Hindi siya naging madamot para ibahagi ang mga kaalaman ng buhay. Tulad ng iba't ibang uri ng musika na aming kinakanta sa loob at labas ng sulok ng rehearsal rooms, ganun niya ipinakita sa amin ang buhay naming haharapin... sa panahong napaka-delikado para sa amin. Mga taon kung saan hinahanap namin ang aming mga sarili--- nakikipagsapalaran sa paaralan, naghahanda para sa mas makatotohanang hamon ng buhay sa hinaharap. Ang paghubog niya sa amin ay hindi matutumbasan ng kahit na sinong guro na dumaan sa buhay ko. Inilaan niya ang maraming oras sa pagtupad ng tungkulin at pagpapayo sa amin. Ang malasakit niya sa grupo at pag-iingat sa tiwalang ibinigay sa kaniya ng paaralan at ng Pamamahala ng Iglesia... lahat ng iyon ay tinupad niya hanggang sa kahuli-hulihan niyang hininga.
1. ang unang kanta na natutunan kong kantahin ay Ebony & Ivory ni Paul McCartney.
2. ang unang kanta naman na pinerform ko sa paaralan ay ang kantang The Search Is Over ng Survivor.
3. nanalo kami ng kaklase kong si Maridel sa duet-singing competition nung high school. 3rd place nga lang at isang trophy lang ang award. ayun, nasa kanya yung nag-iisang trophy na yun.
4. nase-senti ako sa kantang The First Time ng Surface. Kung curious ka kung ano'ng kanta yun, eto:
5. pinagawa kami ng song card noong high school bilang project namin sa Art, at ang pinagdiskitahan kong gawing song card ay ang kantang Kahit May Mahal Ka Nang Iba ni Wendell.
6. sobrang saya ko nang una akong makapanood ng LIVE PBA game sa ULTRA. San Miguel vs Shell, rookie pa lang si Benjie Paras.
7. sa aming magpipinsan, ako si Blue 3 sa Bioman.
8. inaabangan ko linggo-linggo ang Pinoy Thriller.
9. naaliw ako sa iba't-ibang kulay ni Voltron. tignan nyo rito.
10. alam kong si Tandang Sora (Melchora Aquino) ang tao sa hugis-bulaklak na 5 sentimo, at si Lapu-Lapu naman ang bida sa parisukat na mamera.
11. paborito ko ang Bakal Boys at natutuwa ako kapag natatalo nila ang Smokey Mountain Brothers.
12. hindi ko pinag-iisipan ng masama ang samahang Shaider-Annie. Pero nagtataka ako kung bakit sa kabila ng napaka-iksing suot ni Annie eh panay pa rin ang tumbling nito. may nakikita ba kayo rito:
13. nagpadala sa akin ng personal email ang song artist na si Archie D. dahil sa paghahanap ko ng single nya na Mahal Na Mahal. July 5, 2008 ang petsa sa inbox ko.
14. kinasasabikan kong panoorin ang Yakult Roleta ng Kapalaran... "Letter Y, Letter Y, Letter Waaaaaaahhhyyy!!!..." tatlong beses ito sa isang episode ng Family Kuarta O Kahon.
15. Speaking of Family Kuarta O Kahon, nakapanood na ako ng LIVE show nito sa Entertaiment Stage (meron pa ba nito ngayon?) ng SM North Edsa, at pagkatapos ng show ay nilapitan at hinawakan ko ang kinaaaliwang Yakult Roleta Ng Kapalaran.
16. kumanta ako ng sintunado sa isang grade school pageant bilang intermission number. ang salarin...ang minus one ng kantang Lovers In The Wind na puro 2nd voice. yun ang katapusan ng solo singing career ko. (dapat kinanta ko na lang yung walang kamatayang The Search Is Over, perfect ko pa sana)
17. pinakagusto kong moment nung elementary ako ay yung susunduin na kami ng school bus pauwi. andami kaseng tinda nung kundoktor namin sa bus... lagi kong inuutang binibili ay turon at isang basong orange juice.
18. sa school bus pa rin, nag-uunahan kaming umupo sa likuran kapag dadaan na sa may bahagi ng Roces Ave. sa quezon city. meron kaseng parang rampa ang isang bahagi ng daan dun kaya parang nasa roller coaster lang ang pakiramdam kapag umangat yung likurang bahagi ng bus.
19. kami ng ate ko ang unang sinusundo ng school bus. wala pang araw kaya antok na antok ako lagi.
20. mahilig kaming umarkila ng betamax ng pinsan kong si Bernie sa palengke. karaniwang hinihiram namin--- Summer Slam 88 (kung saan nagtanggal ng skirt si Elizabeth), Wrestlemania 3 (Hulk Hogan vs Andre The Giant ang main Event), at Royal Rumble episodes ng (dating) WWF.
photo of Ms. Elizabeth after the main event of SummerSlam '88. photo courtesy of Wikipedia
21. sa kasabikang maglaro ng water gun noong pre-school years ko, napaso ang putotoy ko ng mainit na tubig na isasalin sana sa pampaligo ko.
22. ang pangalan ng kindergarten crush ko ay si Arlet.
23. meron akong biniling class picture na wala ako sa larawan dahil absent ako nung picture-taking.
24. may kaisa-isa akong kabatch nung high school na kapangalan ko. namatay pa sya nung high school din kami.
25. may malaking poster si Voltes V sa kwarto namin noon. Takot na takot ako kaya tinaggal ng tatay ko.
26. noong naniniwala pa ako kay Santa Claus, tuwang-tuwa ako nang ang medyas na sinabit ko ay nagkaroon ng laman na de-bateryang robot kinabukasan. eto sya:
27. sa buong panahon ng pagiging mag-aaral ko, 5 paaralan ang nilipatan ko. 3 rito ay nung nasa elementarya pa lang ako.
28. hindi ako na-guidance ni minsan sa buong buhay mag-aaral ko.
29. naglalaro kami ng mga kaklase ko ng agawang base tuwing lunch break sa open field ng school.
30. gusto ko ang amoy ng bagong-tabas na damo.
31. nanghuhuli kami ng tutubing-kalabaw sa open field ng school sa pamamagitan ng paghagis ng ruler sa himpapawid.
32. natatakot kami sa isang matandang pari na lumilibot sa campus at may dala-dalang malaking rosaryo na nakasinturon sa baywang niya.
33. tumitigil kami sa paglalakad kapag tumunog ang orasyon sa school.
34. patok na patok ang halloween episode ng Magandang Gabi Bayan ni kabayang Noli at inaabangan naming magpipinsan ito.
35. huli kong binabasa ang Niknok tuwing may bago akong Funny Komiks. pangalawa sa huli lang ang Planet Opdi Eyps.
36. naranasan kong magdikit ng campaign posters ni dating senador Ting Paterno sa kalye gamit ang gawgaw nang kumandidato sya sa ilalim ng tiket ni dating pangulong Cory.
37. kinabahan ako matapos makapagsend ng "erap joke" sa numero ni senador enrile nang biglang magreply ang huli na "hu u?"
38. inaabangan ko lagi sa Panorama ang Slice Of Life ni Larry Alcala.
from Slice of Life Gallery, LarryAlcala dot com
39. gusto ko ang "freedom" na nararamdaman kapag boxers lang ang suot.
40. mas kumportable akong magsuot ng slack pants kaysa jeans.
41. nangongolekta ako ng campaign bookmark give-aways ng mga tumatakbo sa student council.
42. nagbebenta ng yema sa klase ang titser namin nung grade 3. madalang akong bumili.
43. ibinibili ko ng menudo ang aso namin para sa tanghalian pagkagaling ko ng school.
44. hinahabol ko ang Mara Clara pagkatapos ng klase. minsan, inaabot ko pa ang Anna Luna kapag maaga akong nakauwi.
45. iniyakan ko ang aso namin habang naghuhukay ng libingan nya sa bakuran namin nang ito'y mamatay.
46. dinedicate ko sa aso namin ang kantang Tears In Heaven.
47. kapag 4:30 na, AngTV naaaaaa!
48. hindi ko nami-miss panoorin ang Hoy, Gising!
49. naaaliw ako sa satire-sitcom na Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata. Parang blog lang ni Professional Heckler na binigyang-buhay sa telebisyon. :D
50. ang baon kong inumin sa school noong kinder hanggang grade 1 ay Hi-C Orange, Hi-C Mango, Hi-C Grapes, at Yakult. Isa lang nyan sa isang araw. Nasaan na kaya ang Hi-C?
51. iniisip ko na madaya ang final round ng One Million Dollar Chance Of A Lifetime.
52. pangarap ko noon na makasali sa game show na The Price Is Right at manalo ng... "a new car!" hanggang ngayon, pangarap ko pa rin makapaglaro dun.
53. noong bata pa ako, gusto kong maging lawyer paglaki ko.
54. natutuwa ako pag may natatalong Gladiator sa American Gladiator.
55. naiinis ako kapag dinadaya ang T-Birds sa Roller Superstars.
56. nakanganga ako tuwing mapapanood ang introduction/opening scene ng CHIPS.
57. mabango pa ang amoy ng mansanas noon.
58. kinasasabikan kong manood ng xmas show sa COD - Cubao.
photo courtesy of theurbanroamer.com
59. nagtaxi kaming pamilya noon mula quezon city hanggang pampanga sa halagang 100 pesos lang. kontrata pa yun. hindi naka metro.
60. nagkikiskis kaming magpipinsan ng styrofoam sa pader para magkaro'n ng "snow".
61. nagtitinda kami ng bunga ng kamias sa bahay ng lola ko... fresh na fresh from the tree! kami lang sa buong street ang may puno ng kamias.
62. nagkaroon ako ng isang pares ng Mighty Kid.
63. unang commercial ice cream na natikman ko ay ang Coney Island bubble gum flavor.
64. tinitignan ko ang serial number ng tube ng Pepsodent.
65. natutuwa ako sa kulay ng Ola (detergent bar soap).
66. gumagamit ako ng Perla White pang-hilamos sa mukha ko noong high school.
67. may picture ako nung 4 years old ako na naliligo sa kalye, hubo't hubad.
68. kinukuha ko ang statistics ng laro naming magpipinsan sa Double Dribble... kumpleto: points, rebound, assist, freethrow, slam dunk, three-point shot, at win-loss record.
69. nag-iipon ako noong elementary ng Mr. Clean wrappers dahil may paramihan kami na requirement sa school. dismayado ang labandera dahil madali raw matunaw at yun lagi ang binibili namin *teehee* :D
70. nag-breed kami dati ng kuhol.
71. sabay-sabay kaming naliligo ng mga pinsan ko nung elementary pa kami.
72. nahuli ako ng boss ko dati na nagtatatalon sa tuwa nang umalis siya--- bigla kaseng bumalik, may nalimutang dalhin na nasa kwarto nya.
73. nasarhan ako sa loob ng bank vault, akala ko katapusan ko na. marami ngang pera, paunti nang paunti naman ang oxygen... wala rin. :P
74. sexy para sa akin ang babaeng naka maong shorts... yung parang ginupit-gupit lang na jeans. :D
75. sa That's Entertainment - Saturday Edition ko natutuhan na pwede palang mag-effort na maging maganda ang mga production numbers kapag may competition... at prize syempre.
76. hindi pa rin bagay ang tambalang Romnick-Sheryl. matangkad yung babae para kay lalaki.
77. mas may sense mag showbiz balita ang namayapang si Inday Badiday kaysa kay Cristy Fermin. opinyon ko lang yan.
78. ipinagpapalagay ko na astig ang pelikulang Coming To America.
Eddie Murphy (right) in 1988
79. naa-astigan din ako sa pelikulang Passenger 57.
80. mas gusto ko yung Under Siege part 1 kaysa part 2 starring Steven Seagal.
81. napanood ko ang Rocky 1 to 5. Pinaka-maganda para sa akin yung part 4.
82. kahit mahirap pumasok kapag linggo, nag-enjoy ako sa ROTC kasama ng UST Golden Corps of Cadets.
83. paborito kong de lata ang Century Tuna (flakes in vegetable oil with omega 3) :D
84. na-appreciate ko ang Filipiniana songs dahil sa new era glee club.
85. feeling celebrity noong miyembro pa ng new era glee club. may mga nagpapa-autograph sa amin. SERYOSO.
86. kahawig ko noong college ako si Gio Alvarez, sabi ng maraming nakakakilala sa akin.
87. pero nung high school, ayon sa mga kaklase ko, kahawig ko si Doogie Howser.
88. nagrerecording kami ng mga pinsan ko ng version namin ng Humanap Ka Ng Panget, gamit ang portable keyboard.
89. pinakagusto kong single ni Andrew E. ay yung "Mahal Kita"
90. may isa pa akong paboritong pakinggan sa mga singles ni Andrew E. nung kasikatan niya--- Mas Gusto Mo Siya. kanta yata ito ng mga sawi sa pag-ibig.
91. nainis ako nang una kong marinig yung Maganda Ang Piliin ni Michael V. pakiramdam ko, sumakay lang sya sa popularidad noon ni Andrew E.
92. kaklase ko sa Humanities (subject) si Gladys Reyes. mabait sa tunay na buhay ang magaling na kontrabida sa telebisyon.
93. nangongolekta ako ng BAZOOKA JOE comics noon, paramihan kami ng mga kaklase ko, minsan trade-in pa pag may doble kang kopya.
94. patok na patok sa akin ang Tropang Trumpo.
95. para sa akin, cute si tweetie de leon bilang Faye sa Ok Ka, fairy ko.
96. comedy ang unang-unang drama series ni Kris Aquino sa telebisyon, ang "Kris at 18".
97. natutuwa akong panoorin ang Sic O' Closk News, tampok si Jaime Fabregas.
98. pari ang role ko sa isang school play nung grade 5.
99. sikat moment nung nag-perform kami sa EAC bilang baguhang boyband. sad to say, hindi nagtuloy-tuloy ang gigs namin. ang pangalan sana ng aming samahan--- NORTH.
100. sa mga hindi pa nakakaalam, na-ambush interview kami ni wifey bago kami ikasal nung 2008, para sa primetime news. at ni-replay pa yung interview nang dalawang beses sa magkaibang news program. *kahiya moment*
101. meron akong natutulog na formspring account. kung may gusto kayong itanong sa akin anything under the sun, punta na kayo doon. ;)
i just got home from watching the new era university glee club's latest offing, Play Our Song. after a good number of years, the group has again entered the limelight and performed broadway hits. this time, the group performed in the university hall. also distinct from the previous concerts, hosts giving out spiels in between parts are members/performers. with a fully designed stage, grand lighting, and promising performers, the audience were taken to a tour to specific broadway production songs. the flow of the show was commendable, not too many gimmicks injected in the production numbers though. the soloists were talented, and the choir did good also.
[caption id="attachment_1305" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Tami plays the lead in the production number, Hello, Dolly!"][/caption]
watching the newest batch of glee club performers took me back in time and as i was seated with the audience, i have pictured ourselves doing the same some years back. oh, how time flies. its a good thing though that some of my batchmates are still actively participating in the groups present activities so we get to reunite whenever the group has events. will a grand alumni concert be realized some time? that shoukd be a thing to look forward to. the new era glee club has gone a long way since it foundation some three decades back and it's always nice to go & look back from where i once was.
i have finally uploaded a clip from the tele-sine project that i am very proud of which our group labored more than a decade ago. memories of this short film take me back to countless days of shooting scenes in the campus of UP Diliman, Roxas Boulevard, (the old) Club Dredd, parts of Quezon City and as far as Batangas City. we squeezed in our time getting the production done while we report for lectures in some subjects and at the same time finish our hours in four other different OJT fields. overnight location shoots paid off having been recognized during our Annual Mass Comm Awards night that same school year. as a proud part of the production, i'm happy to recall that we have won a good number of major awards and it includes the following: best musical score, best editing, best cinematography and best actor. credit goes to our whole group and worth mentioning my ever-industrious group mates namely: Jean, Direk Sherwin, Scriptwriter Joey, co-assistant Director Marky French, and actresses Roschelle & Grace. The following cut is my favorite 5-minute+ clip from the production:
how time flies... who would have thought that it's been over a decade already? have we had digital equipments back then, we could have produced a better output for the short film. while the video remains as it is, it now only serves as a good memorial for the wonderful times that we spent as amateur film producers in school uniform.
these are some of the old photos uploaded on Friendster & our college choir yahoo group. noong hindi pa uso ang mga digital cameras. mabuti naman at may mga masipag mag-scan ng photos at mag upload nitong mga ito. syempre, ninenok ko lang ang mga litrato kung saan naroon ang pagmumukha ko. hehehe...
unang larawan... ala-ala ng tropang babebi oo, yan ang pangalan ng tropa namin. kung bakit, mababaw lang ang dahilan: alam mo ba yung joke na *knock-knock, who's there*? kung alam mo yun, marahil alam mo rin yung *use ___________ in a sentence* ayun. yung huli, dun nakuha ang pangalan ng tropa. sige nga paki-sagot... "Use Babebibobu in a sentence." ayan... yan ang pinagmulan ng pangalan ng tropa. balik tayo sa larawan. kuha ito sa lalawigan ng Quezon nang minsan kaming nagbakasyon na buong tropa sa bahay ng kamag-anak ng isa sa aming ka-tropa. hanapin ako. super payatot:
pangalawang larawan... concert in Bo. Maligaya, Nueva Ecija. Outreach program ito ng college choir namin during summer vacation. (ito rin yung ISA sa sinubmit kong photo entries kay Coy para sa kanyang Strike a Palawan Gang Pose):
ikatlong larawan... ang voice section na kinabilangan ko noong kasalukuyang miyembro pa ng college choir. The Tenors! (syempre mukhang mga HS lang ang uniform, haha!):
teka, pangalanan natin... nakatayo mula sa kaliwa: neil, belvic, steve, jerry, absalon. nakaupo mula sa kaliwa: harold, kuya aldrin, pedz, jon :)
ikaapat na larawan... ang tropa ko sa college choir: rheidell, arman, pedz at ako syempre... the magic 4!
at panghuli ay ang pictorial ng huli kong concert sa grupo... 'Yan Ang Pinoy! batch (1998 ito... oppsss nabuking ang taon):
...kaya sinong mag-aakala na mukha na akong tatay after more than a decade? hehe... sige lang. pogi pa rin naman (o, walang kokontra. BLOG KO 'TO!) >:)
pahabol... ang ganda ng wifey ko. hehehe... yun lang! :P
It was a beautiful Friday and each New Era University Glee Club member, current or alumni, has marked the date--- November 7th, 2008. For this day the very first and probably the only time that a memorable event shall be held: The New Era University Glee Club Fe_mily Reunion (a tribute to Nanay Fe). I myself looked forward to the event as i filed a leave of absence from work so as not to miss this occasion and be able to prepare early for it. The afternoon was filled with excitement. One by one, glee club alumni arrived at the venue, Pearl Hall of SEAMEO Innotech in Diliman, Quezon City, while the core committee members of the event were still busy finishing up the things to be used on the event. My wife & i checked in for the night in one of the building's de luxe rooms. while waiting for the time of the event, we took a short rest in bed with other fellow glee club alumni while performers rehearse at the venue and still the committees were busy fixing the technical facilities, program arrangement and the secretariat committee were walking to and fro in anticipation of the guests arrival. some members of the current batch of glee club helped out as receptionists & committee staff to ensure orderliness of the guests. they were all diligent with their own tasks. The event began with the hosts briefing on what to expect before the special guest's arrival--- Nanay Fe. Even before the venue was filled with the alumni, the groups favorite fan was already seated at the VIP table: Brother Arnel T. The minister was with his family while his daughter Cristina being one of the group alumni performed a special number with her batch as the program progressed. Also seated in the VIP table were Bro. Jun S. and wife. We all excitingly anticipated our Nanay's arrival as we knew how she acts up during occasions. The lights were turned off in the entire hall, leaving the candles on each table lit and gave a warm ambiance within the area. The long wait paid off when nanay arrived and was obviously surprised upon being greeted with a bouquet of flowers handed to her by none less than Bro. Arnel, while the house music volume up to the glee club's interpretation of Ikaw Ang Mahal Ko. Nanay Fe was escorted to her seat at the VIP table and watching her myself as i held my digicam, I can say she was truly surprised with all the set-up. Wherever she looked, she was greeted with faces familiar to her only from many years back. Our ate's & kuya's flocked Nanay Fe until she sat down in her designated seat.
The program showcased (of course by) song numbers from different alumni who had the time to prepare and practice (even if there are a couple of impromptu performances) and it gave joy to our special guests as well as the other members. some other highlights of the program include:
1) AVP of the history of the new era glee club featuring an alumni, Mr. Elson Montalbo; 2) video greeting of some alumni overseas; 3) intermission greetings by local celebrities during the song medleys performed by the glee club members; 4) back-to-back song numbers of some selected glee club soloists; 5) dinner-buffet! (oh, how can i miss that?!)
The main part of the event of course was the reading of message to Nanay Fe from none less than Bro. EGM, through Bro. Arnel. Everyone listened intently as Bro. Arnel read the message and Nanay Fe's reaction to it was simply priceless! The letter-sized-long framed message was handed over to Nanay Fe afterwards and then she was given time to say her piece to her glee club family. unexpectedly, she resorted into the usual "sermon" that we normally used to here during 11-1 practices but later on learned how happy & grateful she is for having the event realized.
(from top left, clockwise) members anticipating Nanay Fe's arrival at the venue, kuya orly serenading Nanay Fe, "Miss" production number, noel c. on video sending his greeting to nanay fe and performing saxophone afterwards featuring the song Smoke gets in Your Eyes
attendees were the following (list courtesy of ate jhoy):
Alano-Lazaro Maureen Alcantara Lynie Aledo Ruth Alejo Orly Amandy Mariel Andres Anna Rhodora Ang Cahrolyn Angeles Ernalyn Apuan Charlie Arcangel Bodjie Arietta Arnel Bañez Vladimir Barcelona Dennis Basa Ian Dave Bautista Manuel Beltran Anthony Borcena Jordan Borlongan Sahlee Bote-Villaruz Josie Buenaventura Rommel Caladiao Mickeil Calayag Laudemer Canzana Efren Castillo Kristie Castro Rowena Castro James Catchuela Arman Cayanga Janice Conanan Andrea Jorge Cruz Merlanie Cruz-Sabayo Raquel Cruz-Santos Rowena De Guzman Junjo De Guzman Romeo De Jesus- Miclat Anne Margaret De Leon Tami De Leon Faye Dela Merced- valiente Everlyn Dela Paz Harold Donasco Jay Elba Aileen Failano-Abeleda Sally Flores Maria Gallardo Michelle Gamboa Roy Granado Zaldy Harmiel Joey Ibay Jennesse Linguete Lheny Lucy-Plaza Hazel Magat Jon Magat-Cushing Simonette Malicdem Richard Mangulabnan Ronnel Marcadejas Mood Marcadejas Simonette Mariano Junjun Marquez Mylene Mendoza Mark Miranda Onin Ocampo Reynard Olbes Chrisly Ortañez Paula Pascual Ronald Peña Emelyn Porcado Rodeson Quito Arna Quizon Abbie Ramos-Pepito Glenda Ramos Aurelio Jr. Reyes Jhoy Rivera Rommel Ruiz Mark Paul Salao Fely Sarmiento Stephen Santillan Jeddah Lyn Tortoles-Rodriguez Cristina Trinidad Marivic Trinidad Denver Tumanan Cristina Frances Valezuela Jean Velano- dela Paz Cristina Villapando-Caro Aya
Present Batch:
1. arjie 2. inah 3. april 4. jesicca 5. belind.a 6. karen 7. carol 8. Aubrey 9. ivy 10. lara Danielle 11. alexader paule 12. Jason 13. Renz 14. Ronel 15. Dan 16. Edgar
Mamang sorbetero, anong ngalan mo Tinda mong ice cream, gustung-gusto ko Init ng buhay, pinapawi mo Sama ng loob, nalilimutan ko
Masdan ang ulap sa himpapawid Korteng sorbetes sa pisngi ng langit Mata ng dalaga’y nananaginip Mayro’ng sikretong nasasaisip
Mainit na labi, nagbabagang mata Sunog na pag-ibig, parang awa mo na Mamang sorbetero, o, nasaan ka Init ng buhay, pawiin mo na
[Repeat CHORUS]
La la la la la… La la la la la…
[Repeat CHORUS]
La la la la la… La la la la la…
Special Thanks goes to the Committee Members, whom without their effort, this event may have not pushed through:
Kitz Dela Paz Abbie Quizon Arman Catchuela Glenda Ramos Ian Dave Basa Jeddah Santillan Jhoy Reyes Jon Ramos May Banares Ruy Lopez Sahlee Borlongan Raquel Sy Lori Loyola
Thanks also to our fellow alumni overseas and in some Philippine provinces who joined us via SKYPE & YM... and to our two energetic hosts for the night, shout out goes to: Mavic Trinidad & Onin Miranda
martes. alas tres. nagising ako. ang init kase. nakatulog pala ako kagabi sa sofa pagkatapos makipag-usap kay ayah sa telepono. bukas pa ang mga ilaw sa kusina at sa dining room. gayundin sa kwarto na dapat tutulugan ko. tsk, tsk... di ko naman sinasadyang maging si Asiong Aksaya at katunayan kapag natutulog ay gusto ko na nakapatay lahat ng ilaw maliban sa labas ng bahay na kinakailangang nakabukas.
kagabi ay tumirik ang minamaneho kong Ford Escape. kasakay ko si Ayah at ang kanyang mga magulang. mabuti na lamang at nangyari iyon sa may bandang junction na at katapat namin ang isang battery shop na kung saan eksaktong nakita ang naging "sakit" ng sasakyan. dead battery. diskargado. una nang nagpahiwatig ito nang pumitik ang makina, sabay patay ng cd player at umilaw ang battery indicator sa may dashboard. wow. first time kong masiraan sa isang AT na sasakyan. isa lang masasabi ko: mas sanay pa rin ako na masiraan sa manual transmission. mas madaling itulak. tinawagan ko si itay para lang ipaalám sa kanya ang nangyari sa mahal nyang sasakyan. nang sabihin kong alternator ang problema, iminungkahi nyang igarahe ko muna ang sasakyan hanggang pagdating nya sa katapusan. mahal daw kase ang pyesa ng Ford. at mas mabuti kung sa mismong Ford car center ito dadalhin. mmmm... ok.
nung linggo ay birthday ni untong. salamat sa late dinner treat! na-touch naman kami ni ayah at kami lang yatang dalawa ang taga-ibang lokal na naimbitahan sa kainan. siguro ay dahil sa kakakulit namin sa text. hehehe..
nung saberdey, muli akong nakabalik sa aking alma mater para pumirma sa attendance sa seminar ng ukol sa summer kindergarten program, at gayundin makuha na rin ang matagal ko nang ni-request na TOR. andaming tao sa school. karamihan sa naroon ay nag-aasikaso para sa summer classes. habang nakapila ako sa cashier window, walang pinakamagandang gawin para hindi mainip kundi ang magbalik-tanaw muli sa panahong kami pa ang mga mag-aaral sa kinaroroonang paaralan. dun ko naisip na ang estudyante, pinaka-alalahanin nya lang ay ang kanyang pag-aaral. at kung paano matataasan ng allowance mula sa kung sino man ang nagpapaaral sa kanya. nag-uusap yung dalawang katabi ko sa pila, yung isa nakakuha ng full load sa summer, yung isa kulang ng tatlong units. hindi raw sya nakapag-advance nung isang subject dahil naubusan na sya ng schedule. sa ganang akin, pag magsa-summer din lang ay pinakamabuti nang mag-full load para hindi masayang ang pamasahe, allowance at oras. maraming pwedeng gawin pag summer pero kung nakapagdesisyon ang isang mag-aaral na mag-aral sa summer, back subject man o advanced, paghusayan na niya ito. at ngayon nasasabi ko na lagi na hindi biro-biro ang pagpapaaral. sa taas ba naman ng tuition fee. at sa lalong mas magastos na allowance lingguhan o araw-araw. makukuba talaga ang nagpapa-aral. pag nagtrabaho na ang mga estudyanteng ito, saka nila lubusang mauunawaaan na mas mahalagang gumising nang maaga para huwag mahuli sa trabaho (at makaltasan ng sahod), kaysa pumasok kunyari sa paaralan at dumiretso lang naman sa computer shop para mag online gaming. sayang. sayang. hindi naibabalik ang panahon. kung meron mang masaklap na pangyayari sa kasalukuyan ay ang pagsisisi sa nakaraan.
nung college ako, pinangarap kong makapag-part time job sa jollibee. wala lang. para lang maranasan ang paghahanap-buhay pero dahil nga ang mga nalalabi kong taon noon sa kolehiyo ay ginugol ko sa pagsa-summer classes, hindi ko na naranasan ang maging crew sa isang fastfood chain. oh well. ganyan daw talaga ang buhay--- hindi lahat ng gusto mo ay makukuha mo. saka payo rin ng itay ko, hangga't kaya ng nagpapa-aral sa iyo, mag-aral ka na lang muna nang mabuti. kung nakapagdesisyon ka naman na huwag mag summer classes, lasapin mo ang sarap ng bakasyon. hmm... may punto.
iba na ang mundo ng isang nagtatrabaho. wala na ang barkadang araw-araw at halos oras-oras mong kasangga sa paggawa ng projects, kahiraman ng notes at assignments, kakopyahan sa exams at kasama sa lahat ng aktibidad sa loob at labas ng paaralan. sa pagtatrabaho ay natututo kang maging independent. kanya-kanyang diskarte, kanya-kanya nang oras. bagaman hindi naman lubusang nawawala ang mga kaibigan, iba pa rin ang mundo sa paaralan at ang mundo ng mga propesyunal. totoong buhay na ito. sariling kayod para sa sariling gugulin. kung hindi ka marunong dumiskarte, magiging isang kayod isang tuka ang buhay mo. kaya kailangan ding matutong mag-impok. sabi nga ng mga langgam, "para sa panahon ng tag-ulan." dyahe naman kung iaasa pa sa magulang ang gastusin gayung may sarili ka nang pinagkakakitaan, di ba? ang buhay. habang tumatagal, parang mas lalo mong gustong bumalik sa simpleng kabataan. yun nga lang. hindi na pwede. kaya dapat ay naging matalino ka sa kabataan mo. para kapag nagbalik-tanaw ka, hindi ka mahihiya sa sarili mo at masasabi mong marami ka nang narating kahit bata ka pa lamang. CONGRATULATIONS at good luck sa mga bagong nagsipagtapos! Congratulations din sa lahat ng mga magulang na nagsikap magpa-aral para lamang mabigyan ng disenteng edukasyon ang mga anak. :)
all students who are active in their extra-curricular activities would most likely know about their school glee club--- the group that makes a lot of noise through singing & dancing. as for me, i'm thankful enough to have belonged and attain a gracious exit in our university glee club. it is more than the usual singing and dancing glee club.
the New Era University Glee Club has taught me a whole lot of things more than just vocalization and choreography. It has shaped up my personality and has encouraged me to get out of my shell. yes, i was a very reserved and timid person until i joined the group. i learned time management and responsibility. i got aware of command responsibility. my value for brotherhood strengthen and it made me understand other people better. on the spiritual aspect, it primarily helped me understand the role and importance of the church administration in the church and it edified my faith in prayer. it is through this group where i followed what our mentor, professor fe aguilar-walath, told us during one of her fruitful lectures: "lahat ng bagay ay may kaukulan", which i later on translated a version of my own: "all things happen with a purpose."
for four years i have balanced my academics and extra-curricular activity. i have experienced to be a "superstar" on stage through the numerous concerts we've performed for the school and for the church, i have appeared in a number of music videos, experienced studio voice recording and has contributed my share in remembering the country's centennial independence celebration through a musical concert solely dedicated for the said occasion. A WHILE AGO, some of the groups alumni met for a very special purpose. even the cloudy weather and the occasional scattered rainshower didn't hinder us from pushing through with the meet. three batches (although small in number) gathered in Proud Mary's Cafe near ABS CBN in Quezon City. seeing them was a breather and at the same time nostalgic. it was fun and at the same time drafted a serious business. all for the group that nurtured us when we were once a young eagle getting ready to soar high. so now, it's payback time! the current members may not be aware but we heard that our glee club adviser, who eventually is the same founder of the group, is already retiring. since she hasn't had any assistants ever since, all of us were asking what's next? and it was one of the reasons of the emergency meeting. we're mixing ingredients to produce something that the glee club audience haven't tasted yet. and we're cooking not just an ordinary dish. we're preparing an A1 menu.
the groups humble beginnings and since-then achievements were narrated by our one and only college choir mentor, mom fe:
[the video above was aired on TV in March 1998, shortly after the group celebrated its 18th anniversary. the NEU Glee Clubs achievements were not limited to the major concerts mentioned in the video but among other achievements, it can boast also having won 2nd placer (regional) and 4th place (national) in the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) 1993]
just got home from a very exciting event--- taping for The Sweet Life, the talk show hosted by Ms. Lucy Torres & Ms. Wilma Doesnt. long story... last saturday (26th), Ayah was asked by a talent scout she knew if she was available for guesting. we were together for the whole day with her mom & tita gie so when we went to their place for a stop-over, her lola was informing us that ayah was being asked to guest in PBB. huwaaaatt??? i jokingly told her "go! ako manager mo. kailangan natin ng extra income!" but to clear things up, we called the phone number left by the caller and clarified that it was not a guesting for PBB but to the show of Ms. Lucy Torres-Gomez on QTV. and that the taping will be this Monday (a while ago, actually). so ayah & her mom talked with the talent scout while i took tita gie to her appointment in SM, then i hurried back to the place of the talent scout since i was excited to know what's in the offing for ayah. when i got there, ayah's mom introduced me to the talent scout and, woot! woot! she (the talent scout) said she can also use me in the guest list. "huh?! ok." LOL.
so after telling us the "script", i was like... sige. bahala na si batman. i took the half day off earlier so i can prepare for the taping while ayah took the whole day off from work since if she did report for work, she'll never make it to the taping. hindi na siya papayagan ng mga alipores ni ginoong SY. :P
this is going to be a unique experience, i told myself. i've been to TV studios and some TV shows in my college years as a Mass Comm student to fulfill some requirements but TV guesting on national TV..? nah. it's going to be my first time. and since i am not watching shows from QTV, i didn't have any idea how the show goes. i only know the set-up in talk shows but that's it. the talent scout informed us that it's going to be a long exposure for both of us because we will be on the set for the whole duration of the interview. wow. i mean, wow! i was used to the set-up that extras who get a thousand-peso talent fee are only captured once by a panning video camera and that's it. but no. this is going to be not one of those "extra extra" TV stint. and if it was my first time to do TV guesting, ayah is way behind me on this. she was more used to ramp modeling and speaking on talk shows makes her knees shake big time! lol. so ok. i have to "carry" her on this. it's more about her, anyway right? it's supposed to be focussed on her and i'm only acting in a supporting role?! while being briefed on the script, i later on find out i was wrong. the "life" of the interview will be relying on my ability to deliver the answers to the hosts questions. a script ayah & i became hesitant to portray but nonetheless carried on since it was crunch time! ok, lights... camera... action!
...the interview became soooo much better than i expected. feedback from the staff who assisted us were positive, comments from ayah's mom were good, even the guest celebrities we were with on the set congratulated us for a first time job well done. we were told that (our) episode will be aired on the 12th of February... so there goes bahala na si batman. :P
i'd like to thank the kapuso (QTV) staff who warmly accommodated us during the entire taping. and the hosts, Ms. Lucy Torres-Gomez & Ms. Wilma Doesnt for being warm to their guests, Mr. Jeffrey Santos whom i have talked with at the backstage--- he was very supportive and he & his wifes story is very inspiring. lastly, i was able to meet my long lost college pal, Mark French, in QTV set. he works in QTV in the production side and it was a delight to have met him after more than a decade. he was my co-assistant director in our short film project in college--- When The Music Is Over. surprises!
kahapon ay nakakundisyon akong magtrabaho at magtrabaho at magtrabaho. isa yata yung kahapon sa maraaaaaaaming LUNES na hindi ako nagreklamo. sa katunayan, maaga akong dumating sa opisina at maaliwalas ang pagmumukha ko, kahit napuyat ako nung isang gabi sa kakahintay matapos ng pagko-convert ng DAT file sa MP4 format ng kauna-unahang video na nailagay ko sa blog ko, na ito ay ang aming MTV Project noong nasa ikatlong taon ko sa pag-aaral ng kursong Mass Comm sa Pamantasan ng New Era.
inaasahan ko na ang pag-alis ni Lyn na naipakilala ko na dito, dahil sa kalagayan ng kanyang kalusugan. kinakailangan niya raw magpahinga. anyway, tamang mindset lang pala ang kailangan para hindi ako mabagot sa dami ng trabahong nakapila kong gawin. at kinakailangan matapos ko ang lahat hanggang biyernes na darating. may kukunin na naman daw kapalit ang aking bossing kaya ok lang. sana magbigay ng malaking bonus si boss. yun na lang ang huli kong inaasahan para makadagdag sa ipon ko na akin namang gagamitin para sa isang malaking bagay sa susunod na taon.
habang abala sa trabaho, naka-text ko ang dating kaklase na si jejie at ibinalita niyang nasa pahayagan ang pangalan niya kahapon, sa Lifestyle section ng PDI. wow. may PDI kami sa opisina kahapon. hinanap ko agad at binati siya (thru text pa rin) sa pagkakasama niya bilang honorable mention sa best featured actor play category ng ginanap na mga dula kamakailan. unang-unang pumasok sa isip ko si ginoong Gibbs Cadiz dahil pareho sila ng larangan. aba. kilala raw niya at si Gibbs pa raw ang nagrereview ng mga roles niya sa tanghalan. small world 'ika nga. sabi ko kay jejie, kilala ko lang si gibbs sa blogging world at di pa kami nagkikita ng personal. si jejie nga pala ang nag-direk ng MTV project namin at kaya ko rin sya naka-text ay upang ipa-alam na naipost ko sa blog yung nasabing proyekto. matagal na kase syang humihingi ng kopya eh hindi kami nagkikita para man lang mai-burn yung vcd copy. oh well...
pagkatapos ng oras ng trabaho ay sinundo ako ng aking itay sa opisina. aba. gusto niyang makipag-kwentuhan sa akin. hehe.. tumulak kami sa gusto niyang puntahan--- Starbucks (yakk). eh, siya ang manlilibre, sino ba naman ako para tumutol? so, nagtungo kami sa sangay nito sa White Plains. sige na nga. mabango na sa loob ng Starbucks. pero di ko pa rin gusto ang ambiance dun--- mga yuppies na magkakatabi at magkakaharap sa ISANG lamesa at may kanya-kanyang laptop. hello? hello?? itsura nyo. magkakape ba talaga, mag-uusap, o didisplay lang dun para ipakita na naka wi-fi access kayo habang sumisipsip ng kape na mas mahal pa sa halaga ng lutong-bahay na tanghalian ko kay manang? sabi ko nga, kung magbo-bonding lang kayo ng kasama mo at hanap ninyo'y kapeng masarap, dito na tayo!
maraming ihahabilin sa akin si itay. tutulak na sila sa Canada sa a-19 ng Enerong darating. lahat ng obligasyon sa bayarin, ako ang mag-aasikaso. natakot ako sa dami ng "itu-turn-over". nalulula ako. maga-upgrade din ako ng sasakyan pero magiging mas mahal ang maintenance nito. huwaw. iba na talaga ang magiging hinaharap ko sa darating na 2008. maraming magiging pagbabago. di na ko pwedeng maging isip-bata palagi. dapat ay maglista na ko ng mga gagawin ko dahil tiyak malilimutan ko ang iba sa kanila pag hindi ako gumawa ng checklist. home alone ako mula Enero hanggang Hulyo. independent. magpapakalugmok na muna ako sa trabaho at syempre, pagtupad ng mga tungkulin ko sa lokal. si ayah kaya, anong gagawin next year? hmm...?
pagkahiwalay namin ni itay ay dumiretso naman ako sa SM para sunduin si Ayah na inaakala kong makakalabas nang maaga dahil batay sa schedule nya dapat, 630 lang ay out na siya. pero hindi eh. mukhang dinadaig pa niya ngayon sa responsibilidad ang mall manager. hawak na niya yung dalawang building dun. tsk, tsk... laki na talaga ng tampo ko sa SM. minamaltrato na ang labs ko. pag nakita nyo si Ayah ngayon, tingting na ang katawan. hinintay ko na sya ng may dalawang oras. nag-ikot ako sa mall, napagod, at umupo sa isang tabi. kinontak ko si tongis at mabuti naman nakarating sya limang minuto bago magsara ang mall (hayy ten years ito!) minolestya namin yung tindera ng brownies. nagliligpit na pero bumili pa kami ng mahihigop na kape habang hinihintay pa ang may 30 minuto sa paglabas ni Ayah. ayun. nang makita ng iba pang tao na nagbebenta pa ang brownies, nagbilihan pa sila. medyo simangot na yung tindera pero wala kaming pakialam. aba. customer is always right (sabi nga di ba?) saka benta nya yun ano.
nagkwentuhan kami ni tongis at pinapanood ko sa kanya yung video na inihahanda namin para sa year-end ng lokal. naaliw sya. actually, iniinggit ko talaga sya. hehe. paraho kase kaming pangulo ng KADIWA, sa lokal lang siya ng Angono. kaya more or less nagkaka-intindihan kami ng mundo. pagkatapos, hinatid ko na si Ayah sa bahay nila at nakikain na rin ako doon dahil pinaghain kami ng hapunan ng butihin niyang ina. nagkwentuhan habang kumakain at umuwi na rin ako dahil lumalim na ang gabi.
yun lang.
plugging: panoorin nyo po ang aming MTV project noong college. Ako ang cameraman dyan. hehe. wala lang.
ok.. i still have to do some office work but i'm too lazy to do them here at home. anyway, i have five days in a week dedicated for work so i will spare my remaining hours of my weekend to just take it easy... so. since i've posted the 2nd part of my 10 Truths, 5 Lies last june 14th, i'd like to reveal the truth and lies behind the 15 statements before this year expires. here goes:
1. i read first gospels and responsorial psalms during grade school first friday masses. TRUE.even if i am not Catholic, the school faculty staff admires my english reading (perhaps) so every first friday mass, they task me to lead the responsorial psalm.
2. i prefer eating with my hands rather than using spoon and fork. TRUE.whenever possible (even if inappropriate some time) i eat using my hands rather than using spoon and fork. mas masarap kumain ng naka-kamay :D
3. i know how to eat using chopsticks. TRUE.not an expert but yes i do eat using chopsticks sometimes. my dad taught me how when i was younger and fortunately, i can pick those food with barely two thin sticks on hand!
4. i have watched NBA - Live. TRUE.refer to the last photo of this post.
5. i have literally tasted the snow. TRUE.while walking under a snowfall when i was still in Mississauga, i stuck out my tongue and literally tasted the falling snow. good thing my tongue didn't freeze that time. lol. oh, the one i tasted was a bit salty.
6. i have 20-20 vision. LIE.i already wore two eyeglasses but amazingly my vision got corrected somehow after wearing the first pair of glasses: from 100-100 to 50-75. labo ng mata ko 'no?
7. i have dined in the 360 Revolving Restaurant of the CN Tower. LIE.one of my frustrations. even though i was able to climb up the CN Tower and entered the revolving restaurant up there (view was extra nice!), the cost of food hindered us (noriel, charlie & i) from dining in there. yep. kahit snack lang di rin kinaya. and they require reservation. next time, next time. hehe..
8. i have experienced working as a flower delivery boy. LIE.close but not. magdya-dyaryo po ang inyong lingkod.
9. i have experienced doing the teller function for the whole day in a bank where i used to work. LIE.i was asked to sit down in the teller counter for a day when 50% of our tellers was absent (2 out of 4), but i was brave (and stubborn) enough NOT to follow what our cash operation officer (COO) told me to do. "ma'am, ako pagte-teller-in nyo? gusto nyong umuwi tayong lahat ng alas-10 ng gabi? sarado na ang buong mall, hindi pa ko balanse." after getting scared of what i said, our COO just assigned my more senior new accounts partner to do the tellering task. i was left alone in the New Accounts Section and was given a WARNING when the day ended. :P
10. i have won a student council post during my college years. LIE.this is a dream of mine too late to have been realized.
11. my choir singing voice is tenor. TRUE.Tenor 2 to be precise. when i entered the college choir, i was first assigned in the baritone section but after a year with the group, i was transferred to tenor section and for three years until i graduated, it has been my choir voice.
12. i enjoy playing bowling. TRUE.after the frustrations of getting numerous "kanal" throws, i eventually enjoyed bowling. especially when i began hitting strikes and spares (not really so much.. just a couple or more per game). i still wanted to learn the art of throwing the ball with "pektus"
13. i learned driving when i was 14 years old. TRUE.my cousins and i were early learners in driving. we practiced during the unholy hours in the afternoon when our grandpa is sound asleep after having lunch. while he sleeps, we get his jeepney keys and hit the road, going around subdivisions and the plaza!
14. my mom and dad live separately. TRUE. woot! woot! my dad works in San Fernando Pampanga so he just comes home to us when there's an occasion here. and vice versa.
15. i won the "Best Cinematographer" award in our college Annual Mass Comm. Awards during my senior year. TRUE. one of my most precious achievements in college. pinaghirapan ko, pinuhunanan ko, hindi ko naman hinangad pero napasa-akin ang award. salamat po!
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finally, my very first video on my blog. This video launched my career as a cameraman and eventually nurtured me to have bagged the above-mentioned award during our senior year when we made our short films. This MTV however was made a year earlier, as this was a junior-year project under the subject BROAD 130 - Audio Video Procedures. memories... :P
last weekend was one of the not-so-usual weekends that i am having for the past years of my life. two highlights are as follow:
1. Tutuban with Ayah. after attending a special worship service in Antipolo which was intended for PNK officers, Ayah & i went home to our place to have lunch. good thing mom was there to prepare us some left-over food for us to finish and it served as our lunch. since it was adobo, it couldn't have tasted any better days after it was first cooked. as it has been proven: ang adobo ay lalong sumasarap habang tumatagal, and yes, it doesn't spoil easily for days. So after we have taken our lunch, a few minutes only and i was dozing off on the couch (i know, i know... it isn't healthy!) while Ayah was (i guess) watching Eat Bulaga and waiting for me to wake up from my nap. a few minutes have passed and Ayah was tapping me while saying "wake up" since it was supposed to be our date. geeezz... what a boyfriend i am! haha! ok, so i dragged myself up and prepared to leave with Ayah. after leaving our place, we haven't decided where to go so we just stopped by the nearest mall in our place (your guess is as good as ours, :p).
But we felt excited looking for things to buy so we decided instantly that we travel to Divisoria that same hour! And yes, it was supposed to be Ayah's first time to ride the LRT2. It was a joyous experience for her, and for me as well just seeing how happy she was having experienced going to Divisoria via LRT2. She used to go there with her aunt thru a private car and now she had the 'feel' of being a commuter in the main streets of Manila. All the pollution in Manila are the only unpleasant things she (and i of course) had experience but the rest is history!
We just decided to shop in one place--- Tutuban over 168. She bought me two polo shirts (thanks po) and get herself a slack pants. i bought a small polo for Kyle Cribe and later on found out it was indeed small even for the kid. :( We didn't stay long as we still have to get back to the mall where we parked our van. we also consumed the MAX's gift certificate for dinner and afterwich, we called it a day!
2. 'Berks' reunion (while the nation is rejoicing). not the TV program but the real-life friends reuniting after some years... while Ayah was with her friends in the afternoon (or after all church obligations), i was also with my set of college friends after we decided to see a balikbayan among our circle of friends way back in college days--- Rheidell. He came home from taiwan and is presently residing near our place. good opportunity to reunite, catch up some stories and future plans. we met up with Kristie, together with Arman and we all decided to drop by the place of our music mentor, mom Fe. We had a good conversation after catching up with the hi's & hello's, and Weng was convinced to join us in the unplanned eyeball. It was a very refreshing moment to be with old pals after years of being together, then separated by the many things that must happen in each owns life. The usual 'lecture' was given to us by mom Fe while we had a light snack in KFC Tandang Sora. Only there we had a more serious talk about memories of being a "school servant" and the future that awaits those who showed joy in service for the school and the church as well. Because earlier at mom Fe's house, we were simply giving each other some funny compliments and played jokes on each other while we were also busy rejoicing on the victorious fight of Manny Pacquiao over Erik Morales (2-1). The former knocked down the latter three times, finishing off the much-awaited fight in just three rounds.
photo taken: (1) at mom Fe's condo (L-R): Kristie, mom Fe, Arman taking a picture of myself, and Rheidell; (2) at KFC (L-R): Weng, Rheidell, Arman, Kristie & mom Fe
I have watched the latest concert of the New Era University Glee Club last night which was held at the CEM Auditorium--- it's concert home. The concert, entitled Nostalgia...Musika displayed a carefully prepared stage production, as well as a more "hi-tech" presentation among all the previous NEU Glee Club concerts. Repertoire featured spiritual songs, mostly church-composed hymns, filipiniana, and contemporary pop music. In between songs shows video presentations thru the wide screen situated at the usual hosts area (stage left side), they have 2 sensitive hanging microphones aside from the five corded microphones planted in front of the stage, (we used to have only three corded microphones for the choir so we used to sing out with maximum volume), anf if i'm not mistaken, the TV production provided them five video cameras. The stage design was pretty Nostalgic as the concert theme suggests, performers are promising. I was imagining myself when our batch were the ones on stage performing. too much memories of college life... my best friend was guest performer, and his voice haven't faded. still as good as the old days...
video interviews with some alumni revealed that most of them are already in the US. I was able to sit beside a former new member in my last year in the group, Ana (with her husband) and both of us were gasping in surprise to find out that most of them have already left the country. No wonder, most alumni can not be contacted here anymore.
(right photo: pictorial of my last major concert in the group, entitled 'Yan Ang Pinoy, where i served as the Production Coordinator and performer. Concert was performed March 1998 and it was staged as the group's 19th anniversary presentation, and likewise dedicated to the country's Centennial Celebration)
most alumni are encouraging me to watch again on Friday, the last show day, as most of them are watching on that day. I would love to if I have no other obligations but anyway, at least, i was able to show my support for the group which used to be my home. From the adviser to all the members: Congratulations NEU Glee Club batch 2004! We'll have a GRAND PRESENTATION soon... well, at least, i'm looking forward to it.
mula sa bayan ng Cainta, magandang lalawigan ng Rizal, Pilipinas
Ako si aajao. Jon Magat sa tunay na buhay. BUKLOD na. Tagasulat. Nagtapos ng kursong AB Mass Communication sa pamantasan ng New Era sa Diliman, Quezon City, Pilipinas. Bunsong anak. Kuripot. BORING. Mahilig sa kape. Fan ni Bob Ong. Mabait na tao. Masuwerte ka kung kaibigan mo ako at kung kaibigan din kita. Pihikan. Suplado (raw). Makulit. Matigas ang ulo. Mapang-asar. Ipinanganak sa taon ng Dragon at buwan ng Toro. Kung ano ang karakter nung dalawa, ganun din ako. Mag-ingat: "getting-along with aajao is habit-forming."
I have watched the latest concert of the New Era University Glee Club last night which was held at the CEM Auditorium--- it's concert home. The concert, entitled Nostalgia...Musika displayed a carefully prepared stage production, as well as a more "hi-tech" presentation among all the previous NEU Glee Club concerts. Repertoire featured spiritual songs, mostly church-composed hymns, filipiniana, and contemporary pop music. In between songs shows video presentations thru the wide screen situated at the usual hosts area (stage left side), they have 2 sensitive hanging microphones aside from the five corded microphones planted in front of the stage, (we used to have only three corded microphones for the choir so we used to sing out with maximum volume), anf if i'm not mistaken, the TV production provided them five video cameras. The stage design was pretty Nostalgic as the concert theme suggests, performers are promising. I was imagining myself when our batch were the ones on stage performing. too much memories of college life... my best friend was guest performer, and his voice haven't faded. still as good as the old days...
(right photo: pictorial of my last major concert in the group, entitled 'Yan Ang Pinoy, where i served as the Production Coordinator and performer. Concert was performed March 1998 and it was staged as the group's 19th anniversary presentation, and likewise dedicated to the country's Centennial Celebration) 
