My fever has turned into cabin fever. I hate being cooped up so long at home.

Gah, I didn't even get to go out yesterday with Jill, Lexi and Peachy for our movie marathon! Bored myself to death holed up in my room listening to the radio, going online (hahaha, hard to believe that I was running out of things to do online yesterday), and once in a while my mom would hand me chores I could do.

Weirdness, unexpected people have been calling me over the phone lately. First there was Edward, someone I haven't talked to for months, and when I talked to him again, I remembered the reason why. Then last night there was Myron, calling me out of the blue. His reason? "New year na kase eh." Nyak. The guy's still kulit as ever even now that I'm not working for him. Of course, he did give me a few bits of info about people he's seen in the music scene. He told me about this rockin' female beatboxer that he once saw and another amazing girl who plays the kahon! I wanna watch these girls perform! Girl power at its best, nyahahahahaha!

Now what can I do today? Maybe I'll wear out the DVD player this time instead of my CD player. Heck, I made a mess out of my CDs yesterday because of all the music I played. I'm afraid the neighbors will complain after all the Broadway songs I was listening to.

First meeting today of THESIS1. I already found out yesterday that Miss Cindy will be our thesis adviser, but even though she was the adviser of the group that did last August's rock opera, I still don't know what's she's like as an adviser. Sure, I got her as a teacher once, but that's it.

Before class started today, I was already wondering what it's gonna be like doing THESIS1. Of course, there were different options. Usually, THESIS1 is just the proposal of the production or whatever we will be doing. THESIS2 will be the execution. Then there's what the other batch did, which was do one show for THESIS1 and another for THESIS2.

Before we enlisted for the class, our block had already been talking about our thesis for the past 2 terms. But everyone had their own opinions. Qua wanted to do something simple, like a fashion show. Dang didn't say anything yet about what she wanted to do, and neither did Kathy. Anthony and I were thinking along the same lines. We both wanted to do a play, preferably a musical. Honestly, I wanted to do that because doing those simple events were the easy way out. I wanted to experience how hard it is to produce our own show because that's one of my goals in life.

When I arrived in the classroom, only Miss Cindy was there. We got to chat for a while about Rep shows, tardiness and professionalism (nyahahahaha, because my other 4 classmates weren't there yet), and opinions about previous theses done by other blocks, such as that Summer Lovin' concert and Ritmo Enkwentro. Nyak, we didn't go as far as that Saint Benilde play, which was the thesis of the first batch of tech students (gr...daya talaga nila Nyoy and Rogel, coz they had it easy).

When my other classmates arrived, we started discussing what should be done. Miss Cindy asked us what we wanted to do that term. We could do the proposal for the whole term, individually, and whichever approved proposal we all like best will be the one to be executed for THESIS2. Or we could do one show this term if we work as soon as now.

We all ended up doing the latter.

But then, my expectations of the class were true. No one wanted to do just one thing. Dang insisted on tying up with the fashion design students and make a fashion show. Anthony wanted to do a musical play, and so did I, so we got together. Qua wanted to do an event because that's what he likes doing. Kathy teamed up with Anthony and me, suggesting that we could produce a show that will serve as a fundraiser for a charity.

I knew it. We never really agreed on one thing. I guess we learned the hard way during TECTHE4.

I'm still gonna pour my heart out on this one. I just hope the three of us won't be at each other's throats by the end of this term.

Coming to school early this morning was the most brilliant thing I did today.

I got to talk to Rain, who had just enrolled in our Thesis1 class. He wanted to be in a group where he knew people, and was totally relieved to find me there because we have some of the same insights. So at around before noon, we sat together and talked about the ideas my classmates had given last Tuesday. I was still hung up on the musical production idea, not the idea Anthony and Kathy had come up with.

After more than an hour of talking, Rain and I had settled something. He'd join our group and give his own ideas. And this was what we came up with.
A thesis proposal this term and a musical production next term instead of coming up with a half-baked plan and production for this term, such as Joseph and The Technicolor Dreamcoat or something like that. We could co-direct, Anthony could be technical director, and Kathy could do whatever she wants. Since she enjoyed costumes, she could be wardrobe supervisor or something. Concerning talents, Rain and I have lots of contacts so that's pretty easy.

We were talking about it so much this afternoon that we got all excited already. Now I know this is gonna be good. Now all I have to do is contact Miss Cindy about what we settled on. But damn, I don't seem to have her correct email address! I need it now! Gr...

One thing I hate about joining froshie blocks is that they’re too loud. And they’re too dressed up. My JOSERIZ class is composed of a block of multimedia freshmen, and they never failed to amuse me, just by watching them. The first thing I noticed about them this week was the way they moved around the room, always in clumps, and they kept hovering around the door, waiting for our teacher to arrive. Then there was how they dressed. Hahaha, by the time they reach the end of their sophomore year, they’ll be too lazy to dress up.

Gah, I’m so mean.

Met up with Jill in school and we went to Greenbelt together to watch The Lord of the Rings: Return of The King with Lexi, Lyn and Peachy. Lyn arrived when we were hanging around Food Choices, and waited for Lexi to arrive so we can finally get our fix of Ice Monster (teeheehee). While we were ordering Ice Monster, Nyoy called Lyn, and she passed the phone around so we can talk to him. Gah, when I told him that I’m finally starting on my thesis, I still can’t help but feel jealous that he had it easy on his own thesis, because he was mostly on the creative part as an actor.

Still no sign of Peachy, who was still on the way to Makati, we went to the cinemas to get some popcorn and drinks. Oooh, found Bea there too, and Glory and Jennie as well. Hahaha, and we all came to watch the movie. Peachy wasn’t answering Jill’s call, so we decided to go right ahead inside. Peach arrived during the first few minutes of the movie, still wearing her uniform.

Per usual, I was totally overwhelmed at the designs in the movie. Every time they do those wide angle shots and establishing shots for each setting, huwaw. I couldn’t seem to count how many times my jaw dropped in awe. Golly, I wanna watch the movie again.

After the movie, we mostly just dawdled, because Peachy was getting hungry but didn’t want to eat alone, and Jill was just waiting for Tito Sunny to pick her up. Lexi had to go meet her mom at her clinic, and I wanted to go home as well. So after around 20 minutes of just standing around, we all parted ways.

Hahahaha, Rain promised that we won't talk about our thesis this weekend, but somehow he got so excited that he called me about some plans he just came up with.

I know this is ambitious of him, but he wants to play the alternate Joseph if ever we really do Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. As if it's already ambitious enough to try and get DJ Myke (who played Joseph in Cue Drama's Club's production of the show) to play Joseph again. Then when we were discussing the cast about pre-casting and auditions, he wanted me to do a cameo as well, as Potiphar's wife. Nyak... I can't really imagine myself wearing a seductive outfit and seducing some actor onstage that I barely know. But of course, I have to be professional, and hello, thesis din namin ito, so we have to pull it off real well.

But first, we still have to wait for Miss Cindy's approval.

You are going to marry Josh Hartnett. He is really
shy, but don't let that fool you. He is really
outgoing and sweet with those he loves and will
be loyal to them for the rest of his life.
Congrats!!


Which male celebrity are you going to marry? (10 results that have pics!)
brought to you by Quizilla


Hmmm...interesting. Sounds like my type of guy talaga, wahahahahaha.

The frosh MMA block in my JOSERIZ class is still amusing me. Those kids are still at it. And this one girl in particular who swaggers like a just circumcised guy (I don't know why, but the way she walks annoys me ) kept chanting "Free cut" as if it's some special day. Hahahaha, it happens all the time, my dear.

Hahahaha, Mark, the first guy who talked to me from this block actually looked like a younger version of Reuben of the AKAfellas.

Just saw the video of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat tonight. And yes, this is the version with Donny Osmond as Joseph. That bod of his is...huwaw, teeheehee...

Rain was insisting I do a cameo in our show as Mrs. Potiphar, the woman who tries to seduce Joseph. Gak. Still trying to imagine myself, but I can't seem to picture it. Joan Collins made it look so easy in the video, but can I do it, even just for those few precious minutes? It's just for a few minutes anyway. Then I can go back to being an SM. Oh well.

Miss Cindy approved our idea of doing a musical production next term, woohoo!

I was late for class this afternoon, but when I arrived at the classroom, Rain told me that even Miss Cindy was pretty excited about our idea. Coolness, that’s a relief. One reason why I was pretty hung up on doing this musical production was because most of the theses I heard from other groups were mostly events and concerts. Dang and Qua even opted for that. I wanted to do a full play and put all my sweat and tears into it.

Plus, like Rain, it was also partly because of pure vanity. I wanted to show a lot of people that I’m not someone who always goes with the flow. And I wanted to prove to everyone what I can do. I wanted to prove it to my teachers, my other classmates, and of course, who could forget my number one critics—my parents. I hate the fact that no matter how good I am at some things, they focus more on everything I did wrong, and they never forget all those wrong things. GRR…

I hate it when my ‘rents do that. Especially my mom. Even when I talk about something good, she keeps raining on my parade by bringing up all the wrong stuff I did before. She never shows any sign of being proud of me because she’s too busy spoiling my brother too much.

Gah.

Next topic please.

So anyway, during Thesis class today, we talked a few more things through, and then we borrowed a VCD player so Anthony and Kathy can view the video of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Aw, the scene where Joseph reunites with his brothers in Egypt always brings tears to my eyes.

Huwaw, I just realized this evening that I have to put my summer and Trumpets Playshop on hold this year. We’re planning keep working on the thesis (specially the rehearsals and other concerns) during summer to take advantage of the ample time before we run the show in July or August. Oh well.

I just watched my copy of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for the nth time to get my creative juices flowing. I played it twice, just listening to the audio during the first one to check the lyrics that I got from this page. Hahahaha, I love that site. It's my reliable source for libretto. It's chock full of all the musicals I need.

During the 2nd time I played it, I recorded the audio so I can make a study tape for our talents, whoever they may be. Hahaha, my mom was watching the video the whole time, and I kept saying how hot Donny Osmond's bod was, but she didn't realize it was Donny until she looked at the credits, wahahahaha.

Teeheehee, I was singing all the Narrator's parts along with Maria Friedman the whole time. I know I might come out makapal, but there's this teeny bit of me who wants to play the Narrator, no matter how demanding the part may be. It sounds like a cool part to play, but I don't think my thesis mates might go for it, because I already got first dibs as stage manager. Though Rain once suggested I do the Narrator before I announced I wanted to be SM. Oh well.

I've always wanted to do a big role onstage. But I never got any of those because hindi gaanong makapal mukha ko when it came to the castings of our shows. Take for example last summer's Bye Bye Birdie. Instead of trying out (even for the sake of trying) for the main female roles such as Rosie, Kim and Mrs. MacAffee, I insisted on trying out for the non-singing role of Ursula. I have to admit, I hate auditions because I know I'm not as good as the others. I didn't get the part, but as consolation, I got another minor speaking part which also required a bit of singing. I never got good roles that leaves a good impact on the audience, except for a few shining moments.

And now, here's a really really good role that's up for grabs, and I can easily get it because I'm co-producing the show. I really want it, but I don't know if my voice is strong enough for the part. Heck, I never had any formal voice training, but musical theater training had developed my voice somehow. But still...I know my voice is still raw.

But, I still want to prove to other people I can handle a big role such as this.

But there's still the task of being stage manager, that's why I accepted the cameo role of Potiphar's wife.

But then again, looking back at the very first batch of technical theater students, Nyoy played the lead role in Big In God's Eyes. It was his thesis, but he got to perform in the show as Saint Benilde. How did he do that? Plus how did they manage to pull off that show, being the experimental batch of techies?

There are so many but's, gr...

Gah, maybe I should talk to Rain about this. I know he'd understand what I feel.

Strange as it seems
There's been a run of crazy dreams
And a man who can interpret
Could go far
Could become a star

Met up with Maika at her dorm after her exam today. Just hung around for a while while waiting for Jill to get out of class and for Dandan to arrive. When Jill finally texted, off we went to McDo. Hahahaha, Maika was pretty cute, squealing with delight the moment she saw Jill. Dandan arrived after a few minutes, then Diane joined us a few minutes after that.

Gah, had a craving for ice cream again, so I got myself a hot fudge sundae to match my fries, yum, hehehehe. Of course, Jill did her usual thing with her caramel sundae, taking all the caramel part and then leaving the vanilla ice crea, wahahahaha.

When Diane had to leave, Jill walked her inside DLSU while I stayed with Maika and Dandan in McDo. Eheheheh, Maika was mostly playing with Dan's phone the whole time, while Dandan was writing in Jill's organizer. As for me, I was just reading the Joseph libretto I had just printed out. Nyak, funny ng hirit ni Maika, who was sitting between Dandan and I. When Dandan's phone sounded out, sabi nya may player daw. On her other side, I was reading the libretto, singing the lyrics as well, so concert naman daw. Hahahahaha! To quote her, "Hogi Unplugged". Nyak! Hehehehe.

When Jill returned, we mostly just sat around, talking. Dandan, who had to leave for class soon, didn't really leave right away because puro kami kwento, hahahaha. And of course, Maika was still playing with her phone.

Then Dandan finally left for class, Jill let Maika view the pics from her digicam. Then we just went back to sitting around, talking and talking. As usual, si Maix yung makwento, teeheehee. It's amusing how animated she can be and how she never runs out of things to say. Anyway, we just stayed there until Jill and I had to leave for class.

Earlier today, I texted Rain, casually telling him that I was singing the Narrator's part that I enjoyed it so much. He replied, saying that I could be the alternate. Huwaw. I don't know if he was just being polite, or he really believed in me that much.

Just arrived from Powerplant mall. Teeheehee, went to Dish to watch the AKAfellas.

After JOSERIZ class today, I met up with Rain to talk a little more about the thesis, because he went to LSGH the day before to talk to Miss Ginny of their drama club. My golly, I think Rain really is serious about making me the alternate as Narrator, aside from the role of Potiphar's wife.

Went to McDo to meet up with Maika, who happened to be with her clique, so I got to join them. Actually, I met a bunch of them before, but I finally got to meet the rest. Then Ari arrived, looking for me, so for a while we stayed at a separate table. Dandan arrived a few minutes after Ari did, and she stayed with Maika and her clique. (Dan! Sowee we didn't get to talk much! Kulit kase ni Ari eh.) Anyway, when Dan and Maika's clique had to leave, I was left with Ari for a while til Maika returned. Hahahahaha, having said that Maix got intimidated by Ari the first time she met him a few months ago, he let down his wall and showed her the real Ari, hahahaha, kuleeet. Hahahaha, because of our kakulitan, it looked like we haven't broken up. Labooo...

Hung out with Maika and Kristel at their dorm after that while Maika waited for her 'rents to pick her up. Hahahaha, while we were just sitting around, talking, my phone suddenly started ringing. "Franco Mabanta calling". Huh? Why on earth would Franco be calling me? I haven't asked him about any new possible gigs lately. Ahahahaha, when I answered his call, he told me that he had just checked out the AKAfellas forum, and he was really touched about everything that was there. "I was pretty overwhelmed, but this is really great. You guys did great. Give everyone a hug for me." Hehehe, okie. The funny part was, when I answered the call, Maika was wondering who it was. When I mouthed that it was Franco, she suddenly gestured to Kristel. Hehehehe, uy, kayo ha.

When I arrived at Powerplant in the evening, I wandered around Fully Booked for a while, because Pam said that we'll be meeting there, along with Ria. But after looking through the books, I decided to go around. I found out from Teena that Mika and Maris were going to Dish as well, so I texted Mika to meet me in front of Dish. As soon as I stepped off the elevator, I immediately ran into Paulo, Red and Karl, who were in kind of a hurry to get to another gig. Said hi to them, and then Paulo offered to put me in the guest list, so he hurried back to the entrance to do so and then finally left with Red and Karl, without giving me a moment to thank him. Oh well. Finally met Mika, with her friend (I think her name was Juvee, or something. Sowee, Dory-syndrome)! I was getting kinda hyper already because I was feeling restless, that I didn't realize that there was this huge guy sitting at a table in front of Burgoo. It was Meynard! Man, the last time I saw him was when he came to see Urinetown. Anyway, Mika, Juvee and I hung around in front of Dish for a whille with Aileen, then we decided to go inside.

Then when we sat around at Aileen's table (finally with Maris), I finally found out that Pam and Ria were already outside. When I found them going to their table, I joined them then. Huwaw, thanks to Ria, our table was right in front of the stage, exactly where Paulo would stand. Wahahahahahahaha!

Got Teena to join us at our table when she arrived, then we had dinner while listening to the first set of 9th Avenue. Not bad, but since we were so close to the speakers and monitors, we could all feel our ears ringing. After finishing our food and before the fellas' set started, Pam, Ria and I told Teena our share of Paulo Nav stories, mwehehehehehehe.

The guys are so funny and sweet. Even when they haven't seen someone in quite a while, they really make up for it by acknowledging that person. When they first got onstage, I did my usual "huwaw!" and Robi saw me right away, then hammed up his surprised expression. Nyak, Robi, forever ham. Then when the lights came on the stage, Myke was the next one to see me and waved.

Hehehehehe, of course, we couldn't resist requesting one song for the night. We asked for "Seasons of Love" from the musical Rent, and then all four of us put our names there.

During the 2nd set of 9th Avenue, we went back to telling Teena our Paulo stories, nyahahahahaha. Then when I saw Chiko emerge from backstage, she saw me and said hi. Hehehehe, then she dragged me to the table where she was seated with Nica and Cheers. Man, I haven't seen those girls since No Strings Attached. I missed them so much, specially Chiko. Hahahaha, Nica told me that she'll be singing with the guys during their 2nd set, for "Seasons of Love", yay!

Hehehehe, during the 2nd set of the guys, Robi mentioned "Seasons of Love, as requested by Hogi... (then I gestured to Pam, Ria and Teena, saying "Sila rin!") ...and the rest of her gang." Ahahahahahaha! Kuleeeet. Then they called Nica up onstage, telling everyone that she got into "Star In A Million". Huwaw, really? I guess that means she'll be in the same batch Chevy will be in.

Anyway, after the set, we hung around outside Dish. Ria had to leave with her mom, so we said goodbye to her. Then when Paulo emerged from backstage, once again, kulitan galore with Pam. It never fails to amuse me just by watching them.

Then Franco appeared. Nyak, I didn't think he'd make it because he told me that he had some stuff to do about the album. Well, at least he did make it. When I went over to him to give him a hug, nyak, he lifted me up again when I did. He always does that to me. Cute mo Franco, ha.

Anyway, after mingling with the other guys, Pam, Teena and I said goodbye, and left. Darn, we didn't get to hitch with Paulo tonight because they had to go to Pink Noise, or wherever, I forgot.

Went to AFP theatre with Moppet and her mom this afternoon to watch Gantimpala Theatre Foundation's Grethology. Jinky got all three of us in the guest list so we could watch for free.

I didn't really know what to expect of the show the moment we arrived. When we got to the lobby, there was this huge crowd of students. Oh no, field trip. Noisy kids. Gah...

Anyway, we got into the theatre easily once we said we were Jinky's guests. The kids were seated in the front part of the orchestra, and the usher led us to the 2nd part of that section, saying that we could enjoy the show better there because we were away from the noisy crowd. Oh well.

Of course, being true to my tradition, I bought a program of the show the browsed through it while waiting for the show to start. I wasn't surprised to see a bunch of familiar people in the cast aside from Jinky (who was playing Hestia/Medusa). I found Raul got the roles of Lord Zeus (naks) and King Aetas. And there was Pam and Miss Lani in the ensemble! Coolness. Wahahahaha, they even got Wowie de Guzman in the cast as Perseus.

Honestly, I wasn't all that impressed with the show. First of all, the kids in the audience made too much noise. Gr... Then there was this woman behind me who put her feet up on the seat in front of her. It just goes to show that they don't have strict rules about theatre etiquette in the venue. Gah... And then some people in the cast were eating their words, so they don't really come out clear. Then there's the guy who played Jason. He kept throwing his arms around repeatedly and unnecessarily. Huwatsdaaat? And during his duet with the girl who played Medea, it was awful. Sayang yung girl, because she had a good voice, but ended up with a partner with a lousy singing voice.

And the kids just won't shut up!!! When Wowie came out as Perseus, everyone just kept screaming. Jeez... I can't hear a damn thing because of their noise.

But there are still the good points, and they're not biased at all. Jinky and Raul still made a great performance as their respective roles. And I loved how they made the costumes, especially the ones of Aphrodite and Hera. There was minimal set and props, but they managed to maximize the entire stage.

Anyway, after the show, all three of us went backstage to say hi to Jinky. We first peeked into one of the bigger dressing rooms, just to find that the only the female ensemble were there. Man, was I ever so excited to see Pam again! The last time I saw her was during the Playshop showcase last June. Huwaw, I missed that girl. Anyway, she was the one who got us to see Jinky, who was in the room next to theirs. Coolness.

Hahaha, I remember when I was walking through the doors that led backstage. It reminded me of our Teach The World days in Zobel. Memories came flooding back. The hushed controversy that involved Ari, Chrissy and me. The crazy truth-or-dare and suck-and-blow games. The colorful 18th century French costume I wore that resembled a cake with candy-pink icing. My "shining moment" as Maria from The Sound of Music in the parade scene. Paulo Nav and Pam's duet in the second act (wahahahaha, "The Love We Had", ew...). Our panic when Paulo had a fever after prom night, which was the night before our premiere night. The crazy bus rides with Jammi, Bunny, Chrissy, Nic, Ronald, Andre, Jorge, Marah and Ari.

Huwaw, enough reminiscing.

Waiting for a phone call right now.

I keep remembering stuff from last week's phone convos.

I don't know who you are anymore. You're not the girl I once knew.
Can I help it that I feel jealous because of everything you did last year?
I can't help it that I'm still in love with you.

Freaky. And to think that this guy's already commited to another girl. And he's so in love with her that he's already set in marrying her.

He's my best friend, my ex-boyfriend and all, yeah. But the feeling isn't really mutual. Yeah, I do love him, but not as much as before. He's my best friend, nothing else.

Alala ko tuloy last Friday when we were at McDo. Sabi pa ni Maika tuloy na mukhang kami pa rin. Kulit kasi eh.

Oh well.

A brief exchange late this morning is bugging me.

Should I ask? Should I try to talk to someone else again?

Are you mad at me? I still want to be your friend. I don't know how to approach you because of certain things that had happened in the past.

I'm a coward pa man din when I want to talk to someone.

Help...

"Pick ANY 20 LJ users on your friends list. Without revealing their names, say something about (or to) each one of them. NEVER reveal who is what."

I didn't ride with trend when I kept seeing it in my LiveJournal friends list sometime last year. But maybe I'll give this one a go for Tabulas.

But since my friends list here is short a few people to reach 20 (and mostly composed of Mannos' Angels), hanapin nyo na lang kung sino kayo dito. Leave a comment on this entry if you want to guess which one you are.

1. You're the person I like to call "Miss Congeniality." I was told by more than one person that you were very accommodating to everyone during one gig.

2. The ate I never had.

3. Nakow, this is the most obvious one. Can you say "best friend"? Say it with me.

4. Shy type daw. Bawal ang shy this Friday! You have to sit beside me on that night.

5. You somehow manage to get me to open up to you without even trying or prying. And I thank you for everything.

6. We started hanging out around school recently lang, and I find you ever so much fun to be with. I sure hope the tables stay on the floor next time, teehee...

7. Cousin ko daw, as I introduced you to my classmates. Such an animated person, never runs out of things to talk about, especially when it's about...?

8. We've seen the birth of a whole new world together. And the family seems to grow everyday.

9. I hardly see you these days even though we're close to each other in terms of geography.

10. Ang isa sa mga nagkakalat ng lagim sa forum. Teeheehee. Everytime I refresh a page, I see a new post by you. (And yes, this applies to not just one person).

11. When I first met you, I felt very welcome with you. But I haven't seen much of you these days.

12. Why oh why, do you always seem to not notice Nyoy at first glance? Teeheehee...

13. You once played a role in a musical that I've always wanted to play. Can I rent it?

14. I've only met you in person once before, and you seem to be the quiet type for a first impression. But I'll bet you're really bubbly.

15. Gr...I have you yet to meet you in person. I was told that you're a lot like someone else in this list, very makwento and animated, only a taller version ka nga lang.

16. Like a set of twins in the forum, you look like someone else too. If only you're allowed to go out more, bonding tayo one time.

So there. Wala lang, just killing time before I head for school.

My goodness, I can feel myself getting fatter. Hehehe, it seems that I’ve been eating at fast food places too many times this week as well as last week. McDo has become a regular hangout for Jill, Maika, Dandan and me.

For a change, I met up with Jill and Diane at Subway for lunch today. Heard a lot of what happened last night at Bagaberde from Jill. Hahaha, may mga bagong chismax for the forum. Gah, I sure wish I had gone with them last night but I know that my mom won’t let me go all the way to Pasig on a week night, what more with the Akafellas gig tomorrow at Dish and another function on Saturday night. Oh well.

Dandan caught up with us when she arrived in the area. Wala lang, the usual talk here, and more of Jill’s stories, especially about Maika, mwehehehehe. Kidding, Maix.

Noonienoo, I’ve been learning a lot about how people act in certain situations lately. Honestly, I don’t know why some people actually enjoy being so mean to others. They enjoy making other people miserable. I mean, what do they get in return for doing it anyway? The satisfaction that they come out on top? The attention they get for having this “trophy”? The misery they see in other people’s faces? WHAT?!?

It’s so annoying. And then I learn that one of my friends is being treated ever so casually by someone else. What the hell is everyone’s problem? I don’t want to make enemies, and I don’t want my friends to get hurt. But it seems that for everything that I want, I get the opposite instead. I try to be civil, but I get nothing out of it. My friend attempts to steer clear of trouble, then ends up getting up bothered by that someone even more. Lumalayo na nga ang mga tao, tapos may darating nanaman to bring things up back to the surface. Hay nako. I don’t get it.

Life can really be a bitch sometimes.

Just got home from Dish.

After class today (so it was technically yesterday), I met up with Ari to help him with some paperwork for his dad. We even ran into Shai along SJ walk. After going around DLSU, off we went to Makati to get something else done.

We hung out in Greenbelt after that. I had this huge craving for Ice Monster again, so we went up to Food Choices in Greenbelt 3 to get some. MMMmmm, we decided to share some mango ice with strawberry ice cream. Hahaha, we saw Elea, one of his former classmates who was part of the AKAfellas chorus last November, standing in line ahead of us. Since I was introduced to her then by Franco as Ari's ex, we decided to have a little fun and pretended that we were back together. Hahaha, kulit namin. Then I texted Lexi when we got our Ice Monster, because I remembered her then.

Lexi happened to be in Greenbelt as well, so she joined us at Food Choices for a while. There goes Ari again in his kulit mode, nyak. Hahahaha, always does that whenever a pretty girl's around, teeheehee...

After hanging out a little more, off I went to Power Plant for another EB. This time for the AKAfellas forum. Met up with the Teena, Mika, Maris, Sybil and June at Burgoo first, then we headed next door to Dish, where everyone else was. Whee, Dandan, Maika, Anj and Kristel made it. There was also Ienne, Tere, Aileen, Kuya Rommel...basta nawindang ako sa dami nila. Even Reuben's dad settled at one of our tables and joined us. Hahaha, everyone was so picture-happy. Picture taking here and there, everywhere!

Wahahaha, I think I shocked everyone there when the AKAfellas' first set was about to start. When I saw one of them step onstage even with the lights still out, I let out my loud "HUWAW!" Wahahahaha. I'm so crazy.

Funny, during that first set, picture taking galore once reigned again, this time on the guys. Hahahaha. I actually enjoyed looking around at the forum members more. Their expressions as they watched and listened were more interesting to take pictures of. Anyway, as I looked around, I spotted Chiko, Lana, Mic and even Rony watching in the back.

Franco suddenly walked around the tables while the guys were well into their set. When he stood there for a moment and held something up, all of us erupted into cheers. It was the first prototype of the album! Woohoo!

During 9th Avenue's first set, I went outside with Maika for a while to talk. Then we went back to the entrance to hang out with Teena. Teeheehee, when Franco passed by us, he told me that he included my name in the acknowledgements. My gosh, really? Whatever for? I didn't really do much naman. Anyway, a bunch of others joined us, then Reuben hung out for a while as well, and even showed a little magic trick involving this green handkerchief.

My golly, I can't remember much anymore. I was less hyped up during the 2nd set.

After that, we all trailed outside to wait for the guys. When I realized that there were a lot of people waiting for them, Teena and I decided to go backstage to warn the guys of how much people they'll be encountering for the meet-and-greet thing. But I doubt they got overwhelmed by it. If they did, they didn't show it.

Getting sleepy. Need sleep. Ciao for now.

Ever have that feeling that despite the way some things are going so well, you just want to go away and never come back?

...Exactly.

Leave me alone.

Or...

Just get me out of here.

Arrived from Nyoy's surprise birthday party around half an hour ago.

I wanted to go to Greenbelt and Glorietta this afternoon (technically yesterday) to window shop, then Anne and I arranged to meet for lunch. We went around and caught up with each other's lives, because man, the last time I saw that girl was last October at Ann Arbor Montessori for that Eclectic Acoustic gig. She left at 3 for a wedding she coordinated with a bunch of friends, so I spent the afternoon going around Glorietta and Greenbelt.

Most of my time was spent reading in Powerbooks Live and even a couple of hours checking my mail online. Hahahaha, initially I planned to watch movie alone, either Sea Biscuit or Last Samurai.

Nyak, I keep hearing about the status of the guys' flight back to Manila from Naga the whole time. Their initial flight got delayed, so we had no idea at first if the party was still on. Thankfully, they got a 4:30 pm flight to Manila.

When it was an hour before I had to meet Anne, I went ahead to Starbucks 6750, where we had planned to meet. I decided to go there early so I can sit down and read the new book I just purchased from Powerbooks.

While I was sitting by the window (hahaha, I love to sit where people love to pass), I suddenly saw two familiar people pass by. It was AJ with Nyoy in tow, walking towards Makati Shang. As it turned out, Nyoy had a solo gig there for a debut. Hehehe, then while I was well into my book, AJ went inside Starbucks for coffee. Nyak, he said that Nyoy still had no idea about what was to happen.

Anne and I managed to hitch a ride to Nyoy's village with her friend April, who happened to be my old teammate from the DLSZ high school track and field varsity! We met up with Peachy, Teena, Eloi, and the rest of the Mannos' Angels at Chowking near Nyoy's house, and when we were all assembled, we walked to the Volante residence.

Sat at a table with Tita Sherbet, Jill, Diane, Lexi, Peachy, Anne and Teena. We kept anticipating when Nyoy's arrival would be, because it was almost midnight, and he wasn't there yet. A joke about him catching the last full show of a movie even circulated for a while.

When Nyoy finally arrived, everyone went inside the house. When Nyoy opened the door, we all sang "Happy Birthday" to him. Hahaha, I think he was kinda speechless. I couldn't really describe what his face looked like. Hahaha, naks, may birthday speech pa si birthday boy before the prayer. Then after that, everyone started lining up for the food. Hahaha, Tita Sherbs naman, kumuha na ng food even before everyone else.

We spent most of our time sitting at the table, talking and stuff. Hahahaha, then Sir Hanzel started passing Nyoy's old pictures from the living room to our table, and my golly, most of the pics were hilarious. I wonder how embarassed Nyoy was about the goofier ones.

I got to talk to Nyoy about my thesis, thank goodness. Gah, when I told him I was doing the whole show production enchilada and then asked him about his, ANG DAYA MO TALAGA, NYOY!!! All you really did was perform??? Gah... But thanks for the offer talaga. I'll keep you posted about the letter I need to give you. (Nyak, as if mababasa talaga niya ito.)

Hitched a ride home with Tito Sunny, Tita Sherbet, and Jill, who were driving Diane home. Hahaha, parang probinsya talaga ang Las Pinas.

Anyway, it's technically Sunday, January 25, 2004...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO NINO DEL MAR VOLANTE!!!

...and today's also the release of the second album of Nyoy Volante with Mannos! Great job, you guys! Let's make it to platinum this time!

My friend Bunny wanted me to write an article about my theater experience for her 'zine. Here's what I came up with.

===================================

Confessions of a Theater Brat
by Hogi

Most people get ever so amazed when they go to the theater to see a play. They always get lost in the “magic” of the story, the gorgeous romantic lead actor, or the spectacular sets. They look on in awe for an hour or two at how the actors perform “perfection”.

What they don’t know is that behind all that, the set is just plain wood, glue, and old newspapers covered in paint, the supposedly “gorgeous” actor is just some sweaty guy “beautified” and is most likely to be gay, and the supposedly flawless performance is actually a result of a whole lot of sweat and tears.

I'm not really an expert in the theater business, but people call me a theater freak because I’m quite the fanatic. So I guess you can say that I was more than flattered when I was asked to write an article about theater.

Part of the reason why I wanted to get involved in all aspects of theater is that I wanted to see how the “magic” works. It’s like seeing a magic trick’s secret being revealed by the magician.

I’ve been working as an apprentice in professional theater for two and a half years. It was partly a requirement for my course in school (technical theater), but out of pure love of what I was doing, I even exceeded my maximum number of hours without asking for pay.

Last year, I was a trainee for Dreamgirls, a musical loosely based on the girl group The Supremes, by Atlantis Productions. I found myself working with such well-known talents in the local theater and television scene. Having worked with an international stage actress the year before, my jaw now hardly falls at the fact that I’m in the same air space with these people. Despite the fact that these people are professionals and are always seen by the public eye, I learned that they’re also human, therefore not perfect. Being a trainee, I held back for a while, kept myself aloof and just opened up to the crew, who are actually graduates of my course and school. Eventually, I found the cast pretty accommodating. Never mind that they’re celebrities in the entertainment scene, these people are just as crazy as you and I.

Then I finally entered professional theater late last year as a paid crew member. Working once again for Atlantis Productions, I got involved in Urinetown, a musical that’s still running (?) on Broadway. I worked much harder then than as a trainee. Attending rehearsals was mandatory, unlike before when I can come and go whenever I want. If someone missed a rehearsal or even just came in late, they get a deduction from their talent fee. You always have to come on time and leave on time. If you’re not doing anything 100% (hahaha, kind of like Lea Salonga in that Cream Silk commercial on television), you’re let down, and probably never hired again. COMMITMENT is the key word. That’s why people in the theater biz are committed to their craft. They love what they’re doing to they commit.

I guess that’s why I’m also in theater. I enjoy the things that I do, plus no one cares how old you are, because everyone’s willing to make a fool of themselves no matter what age they’re in. Maybe that’s why everyone I know in theater looks young and so full of life.

I’ll see you all after the curtain rises. I’ll just be backstage amidst the chaos.

I went home today at dusk. As I looked out the window while riding along Roxas Boulevard all the way through Coastal Road, I could see this gorgeous sunset. The blue sky was covered with red, gold and rose hues, and the sun was glowing orange-red in the distance. I was in complete awe that I just gazed at the sky the whole time, enjoying its natural ethereal beauty.

It's one of my simple joys to watch a sunset as spectacular as the one I saw today. It made me realize that no matter how crappy things can get, there are still things worth doing and seeing and enjoying. Who cares about all the crap that's happening? Stop thinking about the terrible stuff that's going on in my life and enjoy what's there for the moment.

I miss the times I would go to CCP before this one show I had. I'd come early to the theater in GSIS and leave all my stuff there, then I'd rent a bike and just go around, just stopping to watch the sunset. It's really therapeutic, I tell you. Anyone wanna go with me to CCP sometime to witness another sunset?

My inner child is ten years old!

The adult world is pretty irrelevant to me. Whether
I'm off on my bicycle (or pony) exploring, lost
in a good book, or giggling with my best
friend, I live in a world apart, one full of
adventure and wonder and other stuff adults
don't understand.


How Old is Your Inner Child?
brought to you by Quizilla

Gah, I've had this darn cough for two days straight and it's annoying.

Jun texted me yesterday, asking me if I could SM for his concert this coming May. Hmmm...I do want to earn some cash this summer, but with thesis in the way, I can't apply for an admin position in Playshop this year. Hopefully by the time Jun's concert will take place, our thesis will be pretty clean.

While Maika and I were in McDo for dinner this evening, we invited Jill to go with us after her class. Hehehehe, Tito Sunny and Tita Sherbet arrived and hung around with us for a while as we waited for Dandan to get out of her class. Funny niJill, hirit pa na sumama lang si Tita because she wanted to go to Greenbelt for Ice Monster, hahahaha.

Warning, I'm gonna go into one of my contemplative moods again.

Sometimes...well, OK, most of the time, I wish things were the way they were before. Hay nako, if only it were that simple. A few months ago, things were easier. Things were less complicated. So now I feel so uncomfortable with certain things and around the company of some people I felt at home with.

But as they always say, you can't please everyone.

I remember telling Maika last night, "Am I really home pa rin talaga?" Lie low ulit kaya ako? But Jill told me that it really doesn't work, hahahaha, well, according to her own experience. Teeheehee...

Well, when I was bothered by something late last year, I prayed for peace of mind. The answer I got were a series of things to keep me busy, to keep things off my mind. Then I started missing people, so I decided to make an appearance. But then, some things went up to the surface again for some weird reason. But now I think I'm forced to lie low because... basta yun. Ewan ko na lang. I don't want to risk affecting other people, so I guess I have no choice.

Bahala na.

Was supposed to meet with Jun about their concert this evening, but then we had to postpone it for Saturday because he wouldn't be able to pick me up. Wheee, that meant I had the whole afternoon and evening free to do whatever.

But then I had to meet with Tine for their Campus Tour program that I'd promised I'd help her with. Gak, it was so short notice that I had to cancel movie plans with Jill, Lexi and Dandan. Shoot. I shouldn't have committed. So anyway, we had to discuss the program flow with the GK777 Party's emcees, Nina and Jersh. I had to help them with the script, but then since I've been pretty inactive in YFC ever since I started working, I had no idea what to say. Plus I hardly know the members anymore, so I don't know how well they can emcee.

It was almost sunset by the time we finished (heck, Tine and I even had to discuss the stage design), so I quickly rushed to get a bus so I can watch the sunset again, hahaha. Too late, the sun had already set by the time I reached Roxas Boulevard.

Then Jun texted me that in case he gets to use his car tonight, he can still pick me up. So when I got home, I told this to my mom. Hay nako, here she goes again about not getting any rackets for now. But jeez, it's a job opportunity, darn it. My tried tried to defend me for a moment, but then said nothing. Gr...

They're always getting in the way of my career. I thought we're over that. Jeez. But nope, they went back to their ways again. And I thought that they'd leave me alone by the time I turn 21. Heck, I'm already 22. Makes me wish I managed to get Ate Shang's condo so I can get out of their hair (or the other way around). I can't wait to move out of here and get a place of my own. Somewhere in the central area where all the rackets are easy access.

The Dreamer
Escapes from society into a daydream where beauty
and adventure are all at her fingertips. She
still seeks to find aspects of her imagined
world in the real one, childlike almost in her
perspective, naive at times but genius at
others, a thirst for new ideas, new
information, new places all in the hope to find
what she longs for, but as of yet can only find
in her dreams...


A unique perspective on one's inner self: who are you?
brought to you by Quizilla


My golly, this is freaky. It does seem like me in a way.

Just sitting here in the computer lab, wasting time, ehehehehe. I was supposed to go to Greenhill Sound today for an OJT-slash-recording-session with Tito Sunny, but because he was still sick, he moved it to Monday afternoon.

So now, I'm just here in school with nothing to do. Not quite true anyway. Was with thesis mates Rain and Anthony earlier, talking about how to work on the souvenir program, and we managed to talk to one MMA students who offered to do the ticket and poster layout in exchange for OJT hours. Coolness.

Damn, this darn cough still won't go away. I couldn't get some sleep last night because I was coughing the whole time. Arg. No cold stuff for me anytime soon. Aw, no hot fudge sundaes and Ice Monsters for a while.

Woohoo, I'll be meeting with the PEx Theater Club tomorrow afternoon for the first time. I can't wait to meet them. A bunch of them actually got to watch Urinetown, and I was supposed to meet them then after the show. But we didn't get to because I had to leave right away. Oh well.

Bored...

Was chatting with Mic this evening. When she first saw me online, she asked if we had met before. We did, actually, when we were working with the 'fellas during their No Strings Attached concert.

Hahaha, our chat session ended up being a Paulo-bashing thing, mwehehehe. But my goodness, di na ba mawawala yung koneksyon ko kay Pau? Hahaha, it's so funny how some people think we had a thing just because I knew him since we were kids. It's Paulo, for goodness. If I were Pam, it would be a different story, teeheehee.

I found an interesting thread in the Nyoy with Mannos forum. The thread title was "how 2 b a true angel with ur co-angels". I'm thinking of posting this excerpt from one of my favorite books by Robert Fulghum, "All I Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten"...

Share everything.

Play fair.

Don't hit people.

Put things back where you found them.

Clean up your own mess.

Don't take things that aren't yours.

Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.

Such simple rules to live by. If kids get it, why can't older people get the hang of it as they get older? They just keep making things more and more complicated.

Went to Shangri-La Mall this afternoon to meet with the PinoyExchange Theater Club members. Well, I was actually one of the club's founding members, but I never really got to meet any of the others until today. And to think that there were only a handful of us who came.

First got to meet Oliver (a.k.a. Renthead) when we met up at the entrance of Bon Appetit. We went inside and sat with Ernest (a.k.a. senyorito_nes) for a while, until Tina (actually her name's Christianne, or something like that, but we called her by her PEx nick, which was tina11) and her husband (whose name I suddenly forgot, gah) arrived. The PEx Book club was also there, seated at the booth beside us. We mostly talked about our major and minor activities the club would do for the year. Huwaw, so many shows, so little time. I can't wait to watch all of those with these people.

Observations about the group.

Oliver reminds me of an older version of my friend Neilvin. Pretty fun to talk to. Hehehe, he actually works for Trumpets and Stages, so I can be constantly updated about their projects when I'm too lazy to drop by the office. He's truly someone I can easily get along with.

Ernest is the true theater addict. Hahaha, when Oliver introduced him to me, he said that Ernest has this huge collection of theater paraphernalia. Man, and the guy's willing to lend those stuff. Gotta get my hands on some of those. Cute mestizo guy, but obviously younger after telling me that Karl's classmate in Ateneo. And by the way he talks and moves, he might turn out to be gay. But he's so fun to talk to. A big fan of Crisel Consunji and Topper Fabregas, his theater obsession started when he saw The King and I at 5 years old, hahaha.

Tina's like a young ate figure. Cute, and her voice has a pattern when she speaks. Always speaks what's on her mind, and ever so witty when it comes to bashing Oliver (actually, lahat naman kami, hehehe). Her hubby's pretty cute, by the way. Mestizo guy, and half Swedish. Huwaw. And works at PinoyExchange. Nice.

Anyway, after talking about all the shows we were going to see, Oliver had to leave for a Playshop meeting. Haha, but before he did, he took out something from his bag. It was the program from last year's Playshop! I never got to see it until today! Huwaw. When Oliver had left, we still kept on talking about the different shows by Rep we could watch, and then Tina and her hubby went to join the PEx Book Club's discussion, because she was also a member of the group. So I spent the rest of the time talking with Ernest and his theater obsession. Hahahaha, he kept saying how amazing Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo is. So when I told her about Tita Mench, he said that I sounded like her at times. The next Menchu daw? It's a long long way to that, hahahaha.

We're planning to watch Blue Rep's Footloose next week at RCBC and will be talking with Chari after the show. Can't wait.