Survey, heeheehee...

1. WHAT'S THE STORY BEHIND YOUR NAME?
The name Christine came from my brother's name, Christopher. As for Hogi, I'm not sharing. I like keeping it a mystery. Plus it's a long story that I'm kinda lazy to tell, heeheehee.

2. NAME FIVE OF YOUR FAVORITE FOODS.
Pasta, pizza, chicken, pretzels, ice cream

3. HAVE YOU EVER HAD A MAKEOVER?
Well, I never had a real makeover before. I don't really like doing anything extreme.

4. NAME THE BEATLES.
John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr. Hahahaha, my best friend Iam's a Beatles fan.

5. WHAT'S THE LONGEST TIME YOU'VE STAYED OUT OF THE COUNTRY AND WHERE?
A month and a half in 2 US states.

6. ONE THING YOU'RE GRATEFUL FOR TODAY.
Technically, Urinetown's opening was a great success.

7. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY?
When the Hogi Hall was formed.

8. WHAT IS THE MOST INSANE THING YOU'VE DONE FOR/TO YOUR CRUSH THAT HE/SHE MIGHT NOT/MIGHT KNOW ABOUT?
Ahahahahaha... I'd rather not put it here.

9. DESCRIBE YOUR DREAM WEDDING.
I don't really have an ideal wedding. I just imagine this pretty little garden wedding, complete with the gazebo and stuff. I'm not really into particular details.

10. WOULD YOU EVER JOIN TEMPTATION ISLAND?
Nyak, no thanks.

11. NAME THREE [3] TEACHERS YOU LIKED IN HIGH SCHOOL/ELEMENTARY.
Let's see, there was Ms. Alog, my computer science teacher and computer club moderator; Ms Almeda, my physics lecture teacher, and Ms Simbahan, my trig teacher.

12. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE/SAYING? WHAT IS IT?
"Smile. No one knows what you're up to."

13. MY FIRST HEARTBREAK HAPPENED WHEN I:
Uhm, can I pass on this question?

14. THE SCHOOL PICTURE YOU BURIED IN YOUR BOTTOM DRAWER?
My 2nd year high school picture.

15. DO YOU HAVE ANY WEIRD PREFERENCES? WHAT ARE THEY?
I have a lot of these, being such a weird person.

16. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Men and their issues about commitment. Jeez.

17. WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND(s)?
Rosa and Iam. We proved the words "three's a crowd" a fallacy.

18. NAME ONE TV CHARACTER YOU'D MOST WANT TO BE.
Lucy from 7th Heaven. Sassy and sweet, and grew to be a snesible lady.

19. IF YOU WERE FAMOUS, AND WERE TO BE A GUEST ON A TALK SHOW, WHOSE SHOW WOULD YOU CHOOSE? WHY?
Oprah! She's my fave.

20. GIVE YOURSELF A PORN STAR NAME.
Uhm, no thanks.

21. DO YOU HAVE ANY WEIRD SLEEPING HABITS?
I like covering my face with either my pillow or my blanket. Usually the latter, so I won't suffocate.

22. WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO THIS SUMMER?
Oh please, not this question yet! I still can't decide! Should I stick with Atlantis and work with them in their production of Baby with Lea Salonga or should I stay with Trumpets and be a Playshop admin and take up another musical theater class?

23. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SONG RIGHT NOW?
None in particular.

24. WRITE A LINE FROM ANY SONG.
Follow into the open air
Far from squalor and noise
Follow, someone is waiting there
Someone who shares all your hopes and your joys.

Hahahaha, it became a verse.

25. DO YOU KNOW AT LEAST ONE DISNEY SONG BY HEART? WHICH ONE?
A LOT. *grin* I love Disney.

26. DESCRIBE YOUR DREAM HOUSE.
My dream house would have lots of big spaces and big windows.

27. YOUR TYPICAL SLEEPWEAR:
A tank top and pajama bottoms.

28. WHAT'S IN YOUR BAG?
Right now? Phone, wallet, brush, sewing kit, jacket, black long sleeved stage crew shirt, notebook, pencil case, Urinetown program.

29. WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET?
Money, ID, cards...

30. HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR WALLET RIGHT NOW?
300. Just got paid for one show the other day and I spent part of it already.

31. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PAIR OF SHOES?
My white sneakers.

32. IF YOU COULD'VE GONE TO YOUR PROM IN A DIFFERENT OUTFIT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
This lavender dress I got to borrow from Me-Anne once. Pretty. ^_^

33. HOW WAS YOUR PROM?
My last one? I was left hanging.

32. TELL US ABOUT ANY OF YOUR BIRTHDAYS:
My two best friends went to my house and surprised me while I was still in my pajamas, hahahaha.

33. WOULD YOU RATHER BE A HOBBIT, AN ELF OR A DWARF?
An Elf!

34. WHAT ARE THE FIRST FIVE THINGS YOU WOULD SPLURGE ON IF YOU WERE A BILLIONAIRE?
My phone bill, theatre tickets... I don't know where to start.

35. WHAT IS YOUR DAILY BEFORE-GOING-TO-BED RITUAL?
Brush teeth, wash face, set alarm, check phone, then sleep.

36. WHAT IS THE WEIRDEST/FUNNIEST NICKNAME ANYONE HAS EVER CALLED YOU?
"Kabubu". Mikki came up with that one.

37. NAME THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE CARTOON CHARACTERS:
Dory from Finding Nemo, Boo from Monsters Inc., and Ariel from Little Mermaid.

38. WHAT ARE THE MAGAZINES YOU READ ON A REGULAR BASIS?
I don't get to read magazines anymore.

I remember telling Tita Sherbet a few nights back, "Tita, bili tayo ng peace on earth, hahahaha."

Just this afternoon, I started singing this Christmas song I first heard a few years ago. It was sung by Alex, Alexa, Inaki, and a bunch of other Playshop kids.

This goes out to a lot of people.


NGAYONG PASKO

Kamusta na ang paligid?
Di lahat nagsasaya
Nalimutan nang umibig,
Paano na sila
Kung walang magkukusang tumungo?

Kaya alay ko ngayong pasko
Buong puso ko
Hangad ko ay makamtamtan katahimikan sa mundo

Di ba pwedeng maghari
Ang kapayapaan
Kahit panandalian lamang?

Kaya alay ko ngayong pasko
Buong puso ko

Di ba pwedeng maghari
Ang kapayapaan
Kahit panandalian lamang?

Kung ang bawat isa ay matutong magmahal,
Mundo nating gaganda
Liligaya...

Kaya alay ko ngayong pasko
Buong puso ko...


I think I'll be singing this a lot this month.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

I know I'm going to come out so mean in this entry.

I'm just getting annoyed more and more at my trainee, Moppet. I mean, she's a good friend and all, but if she wants to work for us, she's gonna have to learn to stick to schedules.

OK, I understand the time during production week. So maybe Miss Bernice was a little too extreme that we have to be absent from class to be there in theater all the time that week. We try to understand the OJTs that they also have to talk to their profs about the show and missing classes. But hey, prod week's over, and still, there was never a day that Moppet ever came to the theater on time. The only time I recall her being there on time was during her first day, when I picked her up near her place so we could go to the theater together.

When I was having an early dinner with Bea, Arnel and Lawyn at Mexicali yesterday, Bea and Arnel were asking me if Moppet was already there. I told them that she was late, and I just said that I was planning to be lax during the show so she would be on her toes. And Arnel said na di pwede yun, and we have to talk to her about her tardiness. Yeah, we really should. Actually, I have to do it. Gah.

Oh well, in case I get too nice to talk to Moppet (hahaha, as I told Ritchie last night, I don't know how to get mad at someone, no matter how annoyed I get), it's gonna come out in her OJT form anyway.

I have to stop ranting. Need to be cool today.

Darn this cold. I hate this. And my head hurts. No wonder I couldn't go to Mon's house today to finalize our FILMPRO project.

Though I did go to my optometrist to have my new contacts made. Nyak, had to pay most of it from my paycheck. Well, at least I have something to show out of my hard work from Urinetown. Hahaha, I told Dr. Perez that I want to get it in time for my birthday. Of course, being a friend as well as family doctor, he agreed that I really should get it soon.

Went to Mass with my mom after that. Hahaha, this morning I had just told my 'rents that Noel from the cast lives in Philam, and there he was in front of us during communion. I didn't get to find him afterwards. Hahaha, figures he lives in the south, being another Zobel alumnus.

Speaking of Noel, I was hanging around the prod room with him and Jeremy in between their scenes. He asked me what made me get into theater. Hahahaha, while I was thinking of what to say, Jeremy stood beside me and held out his fist as if holding a microphone, pretending to do an interview. So I told them that theater was what got me to shed off my shyness, and I fell in love with it so I kept going.

Funny story, really. Back then, you had to push and shove me to perform. Heck, during my first audition for a school play back in 7th grade, my best friend actually pulled me in through the door, muttering something about peer pressure. She was the one who encouraged me to join, and I was the one who stayed in the show.

Seriously, I love performing because it's opportunities and possibilities are endless. I can be whoever I want to be. I can make a fool of myself without worrying about my image. I get to meet new people and make friends. I get to know the real people behind actors' facades. And I've lost my shy streak because I had to learn to deal with different people.

Hahaha, Noel was about to ask me why won't I perform, but then his cue to enter was about to come, so we didn't get to talk more. Oh well. I guess the answer I'm gonna give will be what I wrote above.

Man, these smilies are amusing me, hahaha...

Last day of finals has come and gone. Whee...

It's technically Thursday, December 18th. It's my best friend's birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROSA!!! Luv yah!

Hehehehehe, the funny thing about birthdays is the day after. People still give their belated greetings because they probably forgot or something. Some people would even say they were too busy or preoccupied with other things, hence the reason of no greeting.

During VIDEDIT class this evening, my phone started ringing. Nyak, Franco was calling me? I guess he wanted to tell me about my YFC bro who wanted to contact him about a gig this weekend. Instead of leaving my computer terminal, I answered the phone right then and there. Sir Dong wasn't around anyway, so it was OK. The first thing I heard was Franco singing the first line of "Happy Birthday" (ahahahaha, of course, he added the word "belated", so it sounded kinda weird). Nyak, when I said thank you, all my classmates suddenly turned to look at me and realized when my birthday was. Ahahahahaha...

Kuya Totoy came for a visit today. Wheee, I haven't seen him in over a year. Hahahaha, he promised me a birthday gift when I talked to him over the phone, so he gave it to me this evening. Thanks, Kuya Toy!

Can't wait to see the Angels at Dish... Wheee...

Ooooh, I'm a dreamer. As if that's a surprise...


Morpheus


?? Which Of The Greek Gods Are You ??
brought to you by Quizilla

Weird, I was bothered by something last week, and then I brushed it off for a while, and now, it came back. Grr...I hate it when this happens.

I always try to please people in any way I can. When something wrong happens, and I'm partly invovled, I still feel greatly affected as if I'm the one who's responsible. So I always try to make up for it.

With some people, they let bygones be bygones. But with others, it's quite a challenge, because they don't forget so easily. I really can't help but notice that some people I know act ever so weird after some instances that had happened. Here I am, making an effort to keep a good friend. But what do I get? Deadma na lang. It's apparent that I'm being treated differently. Or am I just paranoid? I can't really help but notice that there's something different.

Am I just being paranoid?

Oh help.

Here I am again, bottling everything up inside, then ranting about it ever so vaguely. I don't really know who to talk to.

Got this survey from Jill.

1. FAVORITE BREAKFAST IS: Ham and cheese on wheat bread, or bacon.

2. THE MOVIE I'VE WATCHED MOST NUMBER OF TIMES IS: Noises Off. My goodness, I always find myself rolling on the floor in laughter with this one. If only I can find a DVD of this movie.

3. LEAST FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: Math.

4. I SPEND MY LEISURE TIME BY: Surfing the internet, reading, sleeping, hanging out with friends.

5. WORST SMELL?: Anything foul.

6. IF I CAN HAVE ANY CAR IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE? A Lincoln, heeheehee.

7. FAVORITE HOUSEHOLD CHORE? Hahaha, do I have a fave chore?

8. WHEN I WAS A KID I DREAMED OF BECOMING: An artist, like Leonardo da Vinci.

9. FAVORITE PERFORMER(S)? In the theatre scene, there's a lot. Lea Salonga, Menchu Launchengco-Yulo, Audie Gemora... the list goes on. In the music scene, there are the AKAfellas and Nyoy Volante with Mannos.

10. WHEN I DIE, I'D RATHER BE CREMATED OR BURIED? Cremated.

11. IF I CAN GO BACK TO COLLEGE, I'D TAKE UP? I'm still in college right now, and I'm happy with the course I chose.

12. THREE THINGS I CAN'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT? Can I say four? There's my phone, my wallet, my lip gloss/lip balm, and my comb.

13. FIRST THING I WILL BUY WITH MY FIRST SALARY. Salary? When I had my first paycheck, the first thing I bought was a pair of shoes.

14. I'D LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED AS: A true friend. It's hard to find those nowadays.

15. IF A BOOK WAS MADE INTO A MOVIE, WOULD YOU STILL BOTHER TO READ THE BOOK? Yeah, of course.

16. SPECIALTY IN COOKING? I don't bake, but I love making mango and peach cream pies.

17. FIRST CRUSH? My next door neighbor, teeheehee.

18. FAVORITE HANG-OUT(s)? ATC, school, other malls, Makati area

19. BEST PLACE TO SHOP? No idea. I'm not really a shopaholic.

20. DO YOU LIKE TO WATCH PLAYS? Heck, yeah!

21. FAVORITE PLACE IN YOUR HOUSE? My room, or in front of the PC.

22. BEST GIFT YOU'VE GIVEN? There are a bunch of those... *tries to recall*

23. WEIRDEST GIFT YOU RECEIVED? Nyak, I've received a lot of those.

24. GIFTS THAT YOU WANT TO RECEIVE AS OF THE MOMENT: Jeez, there are way too much to list down. First there's that Mitch Alboom book, "The Five People You Meet in Heaven", a k-hon (hahahaha, Jill, pareho tayo), a DVD of Noises Off, those cute picture frames that Bea and I saw at Dimensione yesterday, that dress Lea wore in Proof (hahaha, even though I know it came from Bayo, I still want to get it as a gift)...the list goes on...
=====

What was your most memorable moment from the last week? My birthday, and seeing the Angels.

What one person touched your life this week? No one yet.

How have you helped someone this week? I'm trying to help someone aside from myself right now, just to get my own problems off my mind for a while.

What's one thing do you need to get done by this time next week? We'll see.

What one thing will you do over the next seven days to make your world a better place? I have no idea. I wanna just lie low from everyone I know because I might end up ranting. I just want to stay sane to keep everyone sane as well. Hay nako, bumili na lang tayo ng peace on earth.

If you had the chance to meet someone you've never met, from the past or present, who would it be? Wow, a lot! Cameron McKintosh, Jonathan Larson, Julie Andrews, Bernadette Peters...

If you had to live in a different century, past or future, which would it be? Somewhere in the past? I have no idea.

If you had to move anywhere else on Earth, where would it be? Somewhere secluded in Europe. I still haven't found peace of mind, and that would perfect.

If you had to be a fictional character, who would it be? Lucy Pevensie from the Chronicles of Narnia.

If you had to live with having someone else's face as your own for the rest of your life, whose would it be? Hmm...I don't know. Maybe Audrey Hepburn.

Do you like talking on the phone? Why or why not? Yep. Sometimes the people I get to talk to on the phone are people I hardly get to see in person. It's better than no contact at all, right? Though I haven't found the time to talk much on the phone lately.

Who is the last person you talked to on the phone? My fave cuz.

About how many telephones do you have at home? Two phone lines and 3 units.

Have you encountered anyone who has really bad phone manners? What happened? Jeez, lots. I sometimes snap at them, no matter how much of a goody-goody I am.

Would you rather pick up the phone and call someone or write them an e-mail or a letter? Why or why not? It depends on the person. Usually, I express myself better on paper.

What was the last song you heard? "Run Freedom Run" from the Urinetown CD Chari and Manman made for the cast and crew as Christmas gifts.

What were the last two movies you saw? My goodness, if it were the last two movies I saw in the theater, it would be American Wedding and...I forgot, ahahahahaha!

What were the last three things you purchased? Iam's Christmas gift, the CD of MYMP (hahahaha, all because of Lexi and Peachy), and a box of corn muffins.

What four things do you need to do this weekend? I have no idea.

Who are the last five people you talked to? My brother, my mom, my dad, my aunt, and myself (yes, I always talk to myself).

What is your favorite type of literature to read (magazine, newspaper, novels, nonfiction, poetry, etc.)? Everything, really. I love to read, but I really need to find the time to read all the stuff I want.

What is your favorite novel? Do I have a fave novel? I don't one in particualr. I'm happy enough having books to read.

Do you have a favorite poem? Lots!

What is one thing you've always wanted to read, or wish you had more time to read? "The Five People You Meet In Heaven" by Mitch Alboom. I found this book in Powerbooks in G4 when I was with Iam, and when she told me about it, I got so intrigued. When I tried looking for it in Powerbooks in ATC yesterday, it's not there! Gah, I want that book!

What are you currently reading? I'm not really reading anything right now. But I've taken Robert Fulghum's "All I Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten" and "Maybe, Maybe Not" off the shelf to read today to help make me feel better.


============
This survey came from Lyn from email.

1. Your name spelled backwards? igoh

2. Where were your parents born? My dad was born in Palawan, while my mom was born in Zambales.

3. What's your favorite restaurant? I love lots of restos. Gerry's is on the top of my list right now.

4. Last time you swam in a pool? Can't recall.

5. Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving? No way

6. Furthest place you ever traveled? USA

7. Favorite place you visited? USA

8. Best movie you've seen in the past month? Haven't gone out to see a movie in 2 months.

9. Favorite pizza topping? It used to be pineapples, but after that stint with Franco and the AKAfellas, I got sick of it and switched to pepperoni.

10. Chips or popcorn? Both

11. What color lipgloss do you usually wear? A lot! I love lipgloss!

12. Orange Juice or apple? Both

13. Who was the last person you went out to dinner with and where did you dine? Bea, Carol and Arnel. Just at Food Choices ATC

14. Last person you talked to on the phone? My fave cuz (I think I answered this in one of the surveys above)

15. Favorite type chocolate bar? Hershey's chocolate bar

16. Ever order an article from an infomercial? Nah.

17. Sprite or 7-up? I don't drink carbonated drinks.

18. Have you ever had to wear a uniform to work? Goodness, no!

19. Last thing you bought at a pharmacy? Toilet paper

20. Ever thrown up in public? Nope

21. Would you prefer being a millionaire or find true love? Find true love, duh..

22. Do you believe in love at first sight? Not anymore

23. Can exs be friends? Yep. Ari and I are living proof.

24. Who was the last person you visited in a hospital? Kitin. Wow, that was a long time ago.

25. Did you have a lot of hair when you were a baby? Nope

26. What was the name of your first pet? Kex

27. Dogs or Cats? Dogs

28. What is in your purse? Phone, wallet, brush, compact, lipgloss/lip balm, brush, cologne

29. Favorite thing to do before bedtime? Surf the net, watch TV or read a book

30. What is one thing you are grateful for today? True friends, which are so hard to find.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

I actually found some quiet time today to just sit and look back on this year. A lot of things had happened, a lot of things had changed, both everywhere around me as well as myself. Reading my past journal entries starting at the beginning of the year, I realized how much I've been through.

I realized how old I was getting. Last January, I witnessed the wedding of my close friend Karlo to his (then) girlfriend Domini. We've known each other since our crazy playful high school days, and seeing us all get together back then at the cathedral, the wedding didn't even feel real. I can't believe the Funky Bunch had finally lost one bachelor.

Then I lost a friend to a motorcycle accident. Michel Mojares slipped into a coma and never woke up, leaving a lot of our friends and classmates devastated. I miss you, Mich.

Following that up was another opportunity to work for Atlantis Productions as a trainee in Dreamgirls. Alongside that experience was boyfriend trouble. Despite everything, I believe I did the right thing because I realized I can't really handle a relationship that well yet. I know the reason of being afraid sounds so pathetic, but I think it just shows me I'm not ready to keep the relationship going.

Even though I was going through that tough time, I knew I still had friends with me, and I learned not to let my personal life interfere with my work.

"...Yes, I was thought that love was what I had to have,
When we were young, that's the way it seemed,
If only it were the way we dreamed..."

"...But years have passed
And time has a way
Of making us see
Things aren't the way they seem to be..."

That's when I also saw that I was finally single after a long time. I finally knew what it felt like again to have a crush on someone, to feel the kilig and the funny moments of keeping the fact that you're crushing on the person.

During the summer, I bagged another job to work for Trumpets Playshop as administrative assistant. I also got to be in the advanced musical theater class along with most of my Playshop friends. Because of late-night complaints about our class and teachers over dinner and desserts, our entire classes bonded to together. And we knew it was up to us, not our teachers/directors, to pull off a good show.

Before the summer even began, I got exposed to a brand new kind of music. I've been listening to nothing but Broadway and West End musicals for years, and I've grown eccentric and never listened to any other kind. But a simple invitation from one of the cast members of Dreamgirls (that I was crushing on, heeheehee) changed all that. I never knew then how much of an impact Nyoy Volante could make in the acoustic music scene.

The world of acoustic music opened up a whole new world for me. During the summer, I took one day every week to go to Makati to watch Nyoy and the Mannos perform. I fell in love with the music. As I began frequenting their gigs, it wasn't about the crush anymore. It was about the music. Acoustic music had always been there, but the people had only recognized it then, so it surfaced. Nyoy and the Mannos' music also gave me the opportunity to meet new friends. In the beginning, I only knew these people online. They were random names with no faces, no voices. Getting to know people via the internet was tough, because you'll never know what they're like in person. When I did get to meet them, I found a lot of good and true friends in some of them. They were like a bunch of angels that descended to give love and friendship.

Of course, there was also the groupie phase I went through. A bunch of us still kept frequenting gigs of these 4 guys. For me, there was more to the music. I wanted to see the real people behind the music. I wanted to get up-close and personal with the guys so I'll know they're not perfect, that they're also human. In theatre, I ventured backstage to see how the magic was made. I wanted to do the same thing with these people.

"Getting up-close and personal" wasn't what I had expected. Being friends with the guys was one thing. Getting involved was a different story. I only wanted to see what kind of people these guys were. But I got much more than what I bargained for. Hence, my decision to lie low.

I had to deal with some personal issues these past few months. I kept quoting from Tita Sherbet that during my toughest times, that's when my true friends come in. True enough. My closest friends were there to back me up.

Of course, I didn't let these problems get me down. I prayed to Him for peace of mind. I asked for something to keep me busy.

My prayer was answered. I found work (and got paid for it, heeheehee) with another musical group, the AKAfellas, through a bunch of friends, and right after that, I returned to Atlantis for a short run of Urinetown. Even though I was busy, I managed to make time for my dearest friends. It taught me how to manage my time well.

Funny how much things can happen in a year, and sometimes we don't realize it. These experiences are the ones that make us the people we are today, making us stronger as we go through the obstacles, and gaining a lot of rewards as well. Despite the pitfalls I encountered, I don't regret anything that had happened because it helped me grow as a person.

To all those who had been there and will always be there for me, I love you all. I thank the Lord for bringing you into my life. For the friendship, the love, the support, the laughter and tears, the moments we've shared together, it's been a great year. I'll cherish it in my heart forever.

Once again, Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all!

I got home at 6 this morning. More on that later.

Went to Tito Sunny's recording studio yesterday. Met up with Peachy at the Greenhills Shopping Center at 6 in the evening so we can go there together. When we got to the studio, Tita Sherbet, Jill and Eloi were there. Tita was on the couch amidst food and bags, while Jill and Eloi were alternately playing on Jill's brand new kahon. Gave Tita Sherbs and Jill their Christmas gifts, and Tita handed me this pretty charm bracelet that spells out my name.

After a while, Tita led us to Studio B, where the guys were recording. Coolness, I've always wanted to see the studio because I never really got to learn anything from Sir Mike Pedero's sound classes. Wow, Pro tools... *drool* Because I concentrated on stage management and lighting design, I never really knew how fascinating sound was. Until last night. Maybe because the only equipment I ever touched were lighting boards. Sir Mike never took us anywhere, gah.

Then we went to the other studio (Studio A, the bigger one), where Memey had to record his cymbals. The equipment there was a little older than the ones in the other room, but I kinda understood it easier. Tito Sunny introduced me to Kuya Dante, one of the techies, and while they were recording, I got to ask him a few questions about the equipment. Hahahaha, Peachy even took a picture of me talking to him.

My goodness, while we were in the studio, Tito Sunny suddenly told us that he wanted us to sing as additional vocals for one of the songs in the album. Ack...

Then Maika and her younger (hahaha, I can't really say little sister, because she's taller) sister arrived. We kept going back and forth between Studio A and B, just hanging around, then had dinner (wow, lotsa food) until the other Mannos' Angels came. We hung around with them there, then Tito Sunny asked who wanted to check out the studio. All the girls went inside, and then he told them about the additional vocals. Nyoy went in as well to teach us how the part went. Nyak, I just had to hum the notes along with Nyoy, so when he got all the girls who wanted to sing, he told me to go as well because he heard me sing. Hahaha, I dragged Peachy along with me.

Inside...
Nyoy: Sino magsusuot ng headset? Para may makarinig. *looks around*
Nyoy: Ayun, si Hogi. Halika dito, koronahan na kita.
Me: Nyak, wag na. Shy ako. Si Peachy na lang!

Hahahaha...Peach and I ended up sharing one of the headsets, Cocoy got another, and then two others went to the other Mannos' Angels.


Well, the recording was pretty fun, and it did give me a lot of exposure to that whole recording experience. Cool. Tito Sunny, teach us in CSB! Hahahaha...

We spent most of the night hanging around the couches, watching TV, eating and talking. Jill even snapped pictures of the sleeping Glenn, who was konked out on the floor near the mirrored wall. Wahahaha, she even recorded him snoring! Hehehehe, when everyone was getting sleepy at around 3am, AJ suddelny got bored and got into this whole trivia-frenzy, asking us questions about this and that, and he didn't stop until about an hour and a half later. Lana even arrived with siopao and siomai, and he still hadn't stopped. He would ask questions from showbiz in the 80s, to even Harry Potter trivia. My goodness. Everyone sort of perked up when they got hungry and started eating again. Hahahaha, from noisy to quiet and sleepy to awake again.

It was after 4 or 4:30 in the morning when the recording was done. Huwaw. Everyone started gathering their things coordinating rides to certain destinations. Ended up riding with Glenn along with Fatima. My gosh, we left the studio at around 5 in the morning, golly. Hahahaha, when we were near my street, I even saw my dad pass by with the car.

Can't wait for the new album to be released. I can't believe I was actually a part of it. Babaw, I know, but who would pass up a few minutes of fame, anyway? Teeheehee...

Check out my gallery. Just uploaded my pics. Some of pics courtesy of Jill and Peachy.

Someone asked me this question last night.

"Bakit ang tagal mong nawala?"

...

If you only knew, ahahahaha...

Said some pathetic excuse about being too busy because of school and rackets. Oh well.

Went with my mom to Baclaran yesterday to shop. Nyak, I figured there would be some clothes that would catch my attention, but it was such a disappointment. I like clothes that don't look too common. Or just simple shirts and blouses with no screaming logos and such. Ended up buying nothing, so my mom sent me to South Mall to go clothes shopping on my own. Nyak, so where do I find myself? Getting blouses for the same prices at Surplus Shop. Ahahahahaha...

Was supposed to accompany Kathy to an audition today. After Eve is looking for a 3rd female vocalist, so I told her about it, and she was game. But then when I got to Makati (where we were supposed to meet up), she told me she was in Greenhills already so I hung around in Greenbelt for a while. She kept asking me to meet her at the audition, but I wasn't really up for it, and wished her a good luck. Hahahaha, Kathy, if ever you need a manager, you know who to call, okie? *grin*

Then I met up with Rosa, Aris, and Rosa's cuz Mae in ATC. Ate at the food court, then we mostly just walked around, window-shopping.

I was looking at my old Trumpets Playshop programs last night. I saw some familiar people that I didn't know then in some of the classes from the other branches. Saw a bunch of AKAfellas from the other musical theater classes, like Robi, Ikey, Red, even Jin, along with Allotte from After Eve. Of course, Paulo and I both got into Playshop for the first time last 1999 (I guess it was because we know we can do something better than that Teach the World that we did in senior year). Coolness, even Jerome's sister Cello was enrolled in an MT class. She was in Tito Jaime's Musical Theater class (Shangri-la branch) with Alex the year I first joined Playshop. Too bad Je said that she didn't finish the class. Oh well.

Getting hungry again. Time to rummage around for food, teeheehee...

Reminiscing 2003

It’s true that life has its ups and downs. I’ve been through a lot of those this past year. For one last time, I look back on 2003…

January
The year started out fine, but then I found out that my friend Mich got into an accident with his motorcycle. He was admitted in the ICU in the hospital, had 2 operations, but never woke up from his coma, so he passed away that month.
Then a bright future opened up for another close friend of mine. Karlo got married to his (then) girlfriend, being the first member of the Funky Bunch to lose his bachelor status.

February
I started my job as trainee for the musical Dreamgirls. Rehearsals reigned over my leisure time. Heck, even in between classes, I’d go to rehearsal and come back to school for evening class. This was also the month when I realized I started having guy trouble with my (then) boyfriend.

March
The month when Dreamgirls opened and and ran for the entire month, at the OnStage Theater in Greenbelt. I was also getting confused with my relationship, so I opted for a cool-off period with Ari. Of course, it didn’t really help that I was also crushing on someone at almost the same time.

April
Started work for Trumpets Playshop, at the same time taking advanced musical theater classes there. It overlapped with the closing of Dreamgirls and final exams, but thank goodness I managed it pretty well, which was a relief. This month was also the first time I frequented Hard Rock Café to watch the gigs of Nyoy Volante and the Mannos. Nyoy, being a cast member of Dreamgirls, used to invite us all the time to his gigs, and I realized then what a talented musician this guy was. I started to enjoy listening to acoustic music.

May
I was occupied this month because of rehearsals of our Playshop showcase, Bye Bye Birdie. Our class bonded because of common complaints and late dinners after classes. We kept pouring our frustrations over food and coffee. At the same time, I was also juggling admin work (thank goodness it was also for Playshop so it wasn’t a hassle) and going to the gym every morning. Oh yeah, I was starting to become a fan of NWM, but I was so in denial then, hahahaha…

June
Not much highlights during this month, I guess. I do recall that a bunch of us in my CINMATO class got involved in a TV commercial, heeheehee. And we all went for the money, not the exposure.

July
Auditions for Urinetown was held this month. I was having 2nd thoughts about trying out, ahahaha. In the end, I got shy and didn’t go through with it.
Officialy broke up with my (then) boyfriend this month.
This was the month when Jill and I first met online. After a while, we finally got to meet in person. Then because of our online talks, there was the birth of the Official Nyoy Volante with Mannos website and the NWM Forum as well.

August
STAGFX class during this month. That was the funnest weekends I had while taking a class from 9 in the morning till 5 in the afternoon.
And yes, the first EB of the NWM Forum at Dish was one of the most significant things that had happened! I met new friends that I knew I would keep for a lifetime.
I also got involved in the rock opera, Ritmo Enkwentro, which served as the thesis of a bunch of my friends and classmates.

September
September’s what I now like to call my real groupie month. Watched gigs of Nyoy Volante with Mannos whenever I could find some people to go with me. Mostly Anne or Lyn or Jill or whoever. We also held our second forum EB then at the Hard Rock Café, but most of the people who came were the people who had been to the first one.
Then I secured another racket, which was for Nyoy’s Eclectic Acoustic Concert Series. Usually ticket sales and meetings with our boss, Myron, took place during this month.

October
I started the month still concentrating on selling tickets for the Eclectic Acoustic Concert series. Of course, there was the frustration because people expected that we were also selling tickets to their first major concert. Nyak. But the Eclectic series was actually fun. Myron was right about the joy of seeing your hard work being paid off.
Of course, despite that, I had to go through more guy trouble. I went out with a guy I once liked to know what it was like again to date. But then going out with him turned out to be a mistake. Thank goodness I realized that soon. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have known what would have happened.
But I learned how to be civil and professional. Once again, I applied what Tita Menchu taught me about not letting your personal feelings affect your work.

November
I prayed for peace of mind for this month. So I decided to lie low. I wanted to keep myself busy. Sure enough, my prayer was answered. I bagged another racket. This time a concert with the AKAfellas.
Still trying to keep my mind off things, I talked to close friends. They were the ones who really helped me with all the things that have been bothering me.
Then immediately after the concert, I finally got a paying job for Atlantis in Urinetown as wardrobe supervisor. Woohoo! I didn’t mind the rehearsals or the frustrating search for costume accessories. I was still having fun.

December
Mostly Urinetown kept me busy this month, specially during the weekends.
Ahahahaha, I almost forgot to write this down. I celebrated my 22nd birthday during this month. It was a day like any other day, really.
Another highlight was Tita Sherbet’s birthday celebration combined with another EB at Dish. After a month and a half of not going to NWM gigs, I came back.
Then I followed it up with the last day of recording of their 2nd album. A bunch of us got to go to the recording studio to celebrate the last day of recording, merged with a little Christmas party for us. We even got the opportunity to sing backup for one of their songs, coolness. And to end that eve…uhm, morning, I was asked why I was gone for a while. Hehehe, I’ll pass on that question, please. 

Whew.

I finally managed to do this summary. Hahahaha. I’ve seen this format in a couple of blogs, and I’ve been wanting to do it as well, but got too lazy. And here I am, still awake during the first few hours of 2004, typing this.

To the people I met and friends I made along the way, thank you. It wouldn’t be 2003 without you guys. You made my year complete. For the friendship, the love, the laughter, the tears, the memories we shared together, I raise a glass to y’all.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!