OK, here's the thing. All of us involved in Joseph are up for the September restaging at St. Scholastica. Cool. So we can still use the set, props and costumes, and we don't have to sell them yet.

Then when we were all at Cafe Bola last Friday night during our cast get-together-slash-gimmick, Rain told us that when he went to the theater during university break, he saw the lobby full of people. Apparently, people thought that our run was until Friday, and wanted to see the show. They actually wanted to? Cool. So I told Rain, if the theater's still available, as well as the people involved in the show, why not? Right?

I got a text from Anthony while I was taking a nap before lunch this morning. He wants to hold a meeting tomorrow to plan another restaging in school, sometime this month. Once again, why not?

Does that mean I'm going to be busy again for the rest of this term? Ack... I was already looking forward to free and lazy days to put together the production book. I don't wanna do the marketing thing again. But I just want to sell more tickets. I want to pull of a good show. I want to do better for this restaging.

Hahahaha, while we were at Uva last Friday night, Rain told everyone there that I was supposed to be the original Lady Potiphar. *tries to hide under the huge table* But for the restaging, do I even want to perform, even as part of the chorus? Yes! But I don't think I can do it, being stage manager at the same time. Oh well.

My friend who works for both Trumpets and Stages emailed this to me.

Trumpets Playshop launches weekend workshops

Trumpets Playshop begins its all-new round of weekend workshops on August 7 all the way to November 27. Now on its 11th year, Playshop has always been the preferred venue for performing arts enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds in discovering new talents, and in sharpening skills in a fun, encouraging environment.

No longer just a summer pastime, Playshop provides a continuous learning experience with a year-round program designed to fit into the student’s tight school or work schedule. Students and working professionals can now make the most of their untapped talents as they learn how to build confidence, stage presence, as well as improve skills in voice, dance, and the theater arts under the guidance of some of the country’s best performing arts teachers.

Classes offered are Children’s Theater (3-6 years old) and Children’s Musical Theater (7-12 years old), both designed to encourage young performers to discover the fun and magic of the stage. 7-year old Jaime Calabig, one of last summer’s outstanding young graduates, remembers "learning how to sing and dance while having fun, playing games, and meeting lots of new friends."

Older students can take Musical Theater for Teens and Adults (13 years old and above), which combines all the elements of acting, music and storytelling to help form a solid foundation for serious actors. Of her two-month musical theater class last summer, 20-year old Catherine Calalay relates, "My Playshop experience exposed me to a new way of looking at things. I appreciated my teachers’ encouraging attitude, which made me love performing even more! I loved the improvisation exercises, the adrenalin rush I get right before stepping onstage, and the natural high of just being in the moment. I have to say that Playshop was a really good experience for me."

Streetdancing continues to be the dance of choice among young people and classes are now open to enthusiasts 7 years old and above, with the Maneouvres on hand to show them the right moves. Trumpets’ Musicademy, meanwhile, holds one-on-one voice lessons all weeklong (on a 12-session schedule basis) for intensive training in vocal and singing techniques.

Playshop also fires up its weekend program with an exciting new class on Public Speaking and Hosting for Professionals. Addressing the need for better presentation skills in corporate settings, it now offers a professional-level Public Speaking and Hosting course for office employees, and even company executives. Facilitated by no less than the topnotch events host, teacher, and multi-awarded writer-director Freddie Santos. This 5-weekend communications course is designed to build confidence and develop skills in public speaking, within the context of corporate presentations and social events.

Discover your talents and be the best that you can be all year round. Classes begin August 7. Enrolment is extended until August 14. Call 6362842 or 6335010.

A place has been re-opened.
Wanna know what it is?

Hmmm... why was Tabulas down earlier? Oh well.

I've been bumming since the beginning of this week, and even when I went to school last Monday, I didn't really do anything then. I'm not really productive lately. Except for the past two days, I've been sitting in front of the PC, fixing "stuff".

So what will I be up to for the rest of this week?

Thursday: Just classes. Rawr. Of course we have to face the wrath of "Ms. D."

Friday: Go to school concerning payment of set design and construction. Get my hair cut. (Finally. Hahaha. Though I still don't know what kind of cut.) Then visit Lea at Baby rehearsals! Yay!

Saturday: Go to Greenhills. Watch Garfield The Movie (maybe alone, hahaha) and Mr. Noah's Big Boat (with the PEx Theater Club). Yay, Ernest is giving me a copy of Avenue Q. I can't wait.

Oh yeah, Ed's back here in Manila! I got a text message from him at around 2 this morning! I can't wait to see that guy again.

Wrote this yesterday...

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

My thesis mates were such a hoot today. It was the first time we all got together after our thesis closed last week, so there was a lot on our minds, like issues that happened last week, our money, and the upcoming restaging of the show.

Sir Jay didn’t come to class in the morning, so we spent the time in the classroom, talking about financial stuff. Then after taking a break for lunch, we decided to go back to the classroom (even though our meeting with Miss Cindy wasn’t for another 2 hours). But instead of talking more about that, Anthony took out his copy of the Joseph libretto, and we started singing the entire musical. Hahahaha! We kept going on and on, and Cris even arrived to join us. When Miss Cindy arrived, she told us that some members of St Scholastica’s Sining Tanghalan will be meeting with us concerning the restaging of our show at their school.

It was so amusing to see some of the cast members drop by our classroom during the afternoon. Rian stayed for a couple of minutes to chat at around noon, then Drei and Nicco even stayed with us till after we met with the St Scho girls. Hahaha, we kept talking about everything funny that happened with us, from people’s auditions, to the final show. Aw… thank goodness for this restaging, I’ll still get to see the cast. Of course, some of the girls couldn’t make it anymore due to conflicting schedules, but we sure hope we’ll see them often.

I got a text message from Krystal while I was on my way to school this morning. I texted her before about me visiting them at Baby rehearsals, and this is what she sent me.

Hi Hogster. Sorry, never got to reply. Haven’t been able to reload yet, hehe. Friday is cleaning lang yata for chorus. Your best bet would still be today and Saturday. By the way, Lea was asking about you. I said you’d drop by this week. Ü

Holy kamote, THE Lea Salonga was asking about li’l ole me? OH. MY. GOD.
*insert old starstruck face here*

Huwaw.

Tito Audie's birthday today. Hahaha, Nap just had to announce it through text along with Mr. Gemora's number.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TITO AUDIE!!!

Went to school this morning. Hahaha, I got a text message from Rain when I woke up, telling me that the video of Joseph is already in our LRC, and he was watching it at that moment. When I got to school, I found him and Junjun watching the video. Hahaha, I only reached the part of Act 2 when "Stone The Crows" began, and I stayed until the whole act was done. Then I left.

I finally had my hair cut today! I was supposed to have my hair cut tomorrow before I watch Mr. Noah's Big Boat, but then I changed my mind. So I went to my usual hairdresser and had it cut up to my shoulders. Man, at least 4 inches of my hair was chopped off.

I found out that Ed was going to be in Makati, so we decided to meet up in Glorietta. My golly, he lost a lotta weight and is uber buff. Ahahaha, he's the first person who saw my new haircut. Too bad he didn't see how long my hair was before. Had lunch at Kenny Rogers, and kwento galore. My golly, as it turned out, Ed's working as a personal trainer at the YMCA. Huwaw. Then we decided to walk around... until we ended up at Food Choices and introduced him to Ice Monster, hahaha. Toured him around Glorietta and even Greenbelt, where I had a craving for candy. Hahaha, boy, I'd hate to have Ed as my personal trainer. He kept watching me pig out on everything I see.

Hahaha, I keep running into different people. First there was Myke and Ehra, then Kyla, and even Melvyn.

Eventually we went back to Glorietta's Food Choices to sit and talk. Then 2 of his old DLSU blockmates came and hung around with us, talking and joking and laughing. Then we went to Yellow Cab (yay, Teena!), but since the place was crowded, we ordered the pizza and took it back to Food Choices. I got to meet another former blockmate of his while we were pigging out on the pizza. Ngak, I'm a real pig. I finished my slices way ahead of the 3 other guys, hahahaha!

Anyway, I gotta go. Going to Makati and Greenhills tomorrow.

Yesterday afternoon, I decided to go to Oppen to check out Baby. Hahaha, the first person I found taking a yosi break outside the building's entrance was Luz. Man, I miss that girl. Anyway, she told me to go right in and check the rehearsal place out, because everyone was there.

The first person who greeted me when I got to the door? Tita Menchu. Then there was Krystal and Bobby. The chorus was milling around the room. There was Chari, Topper, Cathy, Robbie (Zialcita), Jun O. And of course, the cast, composed of Tita Menchu, David Shannon, Miguel Faustmann, Agot, and Jett. When Lea walked out of the smaller room, she smiled at me and said hello. Huwaw. Wahahahaha...

Sat next to Krys and Karen when Bobby gathered the cast. They played this relay race as a warm-up before they began rehearsal. Hahaha, guys against the girls. It's this game where you pass a ball to the person behind you, alternately passing it over and under, then the last person runs to the front and starts all over again. But the catch was that everyone's eyes are closed, except when they run to the front. When the game began, Tita Menchu was the last person in the girls' team, and when the ball was passed to her, she was told that it was passed "under," but her arms were stretched upwards! But the girls won anyway. After that, they did a few rounds of Charades, leads against the ensemble. First they guessed countries and cities, and I can't figure out how Lea managed to guess this city that David was miming. The next round was to guess songs, and holy kamote, because Rony the Walking Jukebox was put in the ensemble's team, he managed to guess this song from some obscure musical.

Then everyone gathered in front of the keyboard to polish the finale song, then Bobby finished cleaning up that scene. Hahaha, Lea was already wearing this preggy thing around her waist, and it had huge velcro straps, so they had to arrange to turn off the lapel mics while she was taking it off.

A couple of scenes into the run-through, I said goodbye and went to Greenhills to meet with Teena. Found her at Pasto, where she was viewing the Akafellas concert from her video camera. After quite a long while, one of the waiters told us that we can't plug anything into the outlets, even though the waitress Teena had asked permission from said it was OK. Nyak. So we went to Virra Mall to have the videos transferred, then went to Music Museum for Mr. Noah's Big Boat.

Ernest was already there when we arrived at the lobby, and I found Oliver so I can claim my ticket from him. We hung around the lobby for a while until it was almost time for the show to start, and as we got in line, Teena and I found Gary V in front of us in the queue to go through the ushers.

The show was amusing. Hearing the voices of Robi, Gary, Bito, Chevy and Sam amused me even more. Man, bow ako kay Niel for this show. I actually enjoyed the part where Shem, Ham, and Japeth (Noah's sons) were trying to catch the animals, hehehe.

Yep, Krystal was right. The best part of the show was the finale. Hahaha, when the ark found dry land, the stage looked like the "It's a Miracle" scene from Narnia, wahahahahaha!

After the show, I hitched a ride with Ernest to Greenbelt, where I was meeting the Joseph cast at Krocodile Grille. It was supposed to be another cast dinner, but to my dismay, not even half the cast could make it, and our crowd was combined with the birthday celebration of a friend of Drei's and the others. Plus no one really decided on anything to order, so Arman decided to take charge of it. And to our surprise, there was too much food ordered! Ngak. To be quite frank, I have to agree with Mimay about disappointment because there was only a few of us who could make it, and it wasn't completely our celebration.

By the way, I finally got copies of Avenue Q, Wicked (thanks, Ernest!), and The Last Five Years (thanks, Krystal!).

When I asked Ernest for a copy of Avenue Q, he also recommended that I listen to Wicked, and even offered to make me a copy of it as well.

I was too excited to have a copy of Avenue Q, that I didn't even have a clue as to how good Wicked is. But when I was sitting in Ernest's car last night and let me listen to the latter musical, I got even more curious. He even told me the entire synopsis, which sparked my interest even more. And what's more, even, Ernest admitted that he liked Avenue Q before he heard Wicked, so he rooted for it at the Tony Awards. But afterwards, after listening to the other musical, he decided that it should've been more deserving to win the Tony's.

And after listening to it the whole day today, I sure wish it also did win the Tony's for Best Musical.

I wonder if it can be possible for it to be staged here. But I doubt it. It's too expensive. I'd kill to have Idina Menzel's role as Elphaba (which got her to win as leading actress in a musical) though. Right... Dream on, Hogi.

In honor of one year... please welcome back...

THE FORUM

I feel sick. Usually, my sure sign that I'm going to get sick is that my throat gets kinda sore. Check, got that when I woke up this morning. Then during our pictorial this afternoon, my head started to hurt... even until now. Waaah...

So what was that pictorial we had? I agreed to be an actor for Cris and Ems' thesis, Larawan. Well, it's actually Nick Joaquin's Portrait of the Artist As Filipino, but they gave it a 70s feel, and also included a fashion show showcasing clothes from different decades. Anyway, they cast me as Paula. Yikes, can I do this? I have no idea.

Anyhoo, pictorial was today. Ems provided my retro outfit. Hahaha, Rain, "Go Go Joseph" ba ito? I had on red flared pants and a brown turtleneck. Then Cris was the one who made me up. Holy kamote, I was in a time warp when she was done.

It seems that our Joseph cast never gets tired of each other's company. Last night, Nicco invited everyone to eat out at Jollibee this afternoon, so there we were. Nicco, Junjun, Nikki, Rian, Miko, Drei, Arman, Rain, Anthony and me. Then when Junjun opted to do magic tricks instead of his usual jokes, the whole table kept erupting in laughter. And the others even gave their share of magic tricks. It was such a hoot. Then Henry caught up with us, and after a while, Rian and Nicco had to leave for their 6pm class, Rain, Anthony and Cris had to go home, Drei had to finish his homework, Miko had to go back to their condo, and Arman went with them. Michelle arrived from class as well. That left just Michelle, Junjun, Nikki, Henry and me. Junjun and Michelle ended up playing cards (with me looking over Michelle's shoulder, hahaha), and Henry and Nikki talking about their upcoming theater shows.

We then decided to go to Providence and do some videoke, so off we went. Hahaha, everyone was singing except me, because my headache was kinda bothering me. Of course, I didn't wanna show it so I won't come out as too much of a party pooper. Then while Nikki and I were browsing through the song list, holy kamote, the song "Any Dream Will Do" from Joseph was there! So of course Henry had to sing it, WAHAHAHAHAHA!

Anyway, that's it for now. Class tomorrow morning.

Chalk magazine held a go-see at DLSU's sports plaza yesterday from noon until 3 in the afternoon. Pretty low-profile, specially since it was a Thursday. I finally got to meet Angelo, the college editor, and Mags, the in-staff photographer. I also met Jan la O', a columnist who happened to be from my school as well.

Teeheehee, when Angelo asked me if I have the latest issue of Chalk, I immediately said that my copy didn't have an invite to the anniv party. Hehehe, as it turned out, he had two invites with him that day. He gave one to me and the other to another OSC. Coolness. Of course, he told us not to tell other OSCs about it.

Well, not a lot of people came and signed up. Most of them were even "hataks" by us, because we knew the people passing by. Then we found this girl with a cool hairdo, so we got Jan to call her to sign up, hahaha.

My golly, I didn't realize how tall Angelo was until he asked me to go with him to buy food at the nearest canteen. Holy kamote, he was uber-tall. I felt like such a shrimp walking next to him.

Our Joseph cast is so amusing. Because we had nothing to do with our evenings anymore, most of it was spent eating out together, just sitting and talking. One time, we laughed til our sides ached because of Junjun's jokes. The other day, it was card tricks. Yesterday? We first started with scary stories, and then it shifted to what were we like in high school and different experiences (craziest things we ever did, cheating techniques, etc...). What did we end up talking about before we all left? Old school stuff, like old TV cartoons, TV shows, commercials... Wahahaha... Nostalgia.

Anyway, I'm out for now. Darn cold is still at it.

Because of the re-opening of the old forum, I decided to do a little look-back of my own.

Hehehe, I checked out some old blog entries from last year.

Despite the fact that I was becoming such a space-case due to late nights (Jill, bakit kaya? Hahaha...), I didn't realize that I was going through a lot.

Entry from last year (Aug. 15, 2003)...

Gah, I'm so out of it right now. Been thinking of a lot of stuff. Why is it so hard to please everyone? Chiquita once told me that it's either you love someone more or you love yourself more. And why is it that it comes out as a bad thing when you love yourself more than someone? Is that really wrong? Damn, I was so distracted during that conversation that I didn't know what to do. Gah, I'm not making any sense. And I have other problems to think about.

Back then, I had problems with my lovelife, as well as my studies (specially in Tecthe4, and to think that the entire class flunked that darn subject). And StageFX class was the only subject I devoted lots of time to. Heck, I travel all the way from Las Pinas to Quezon City for 2 weeks, spending time at Miss Batoctoy's house from 9 in the morning till 5 in the afternoon, up to our armpits in styrofoam, paint, polyeurethane, and prosthetics. Why shouldn't we enjoy it? Plus I had to deal with these crazy people (heeheehee... *grins at Krys*) who got me as a talent for their thesis.

Anyway, despite all that, I can't believe I actually managed to make time to have fun. Specially with my gig buddies (sino ba ulit yung mga yun? Hehehe...).

Enough reminiscing.

Next topic.

Have you ever encountered those people that sort of have these "permanent hangovers"? I mean, it's like they can't seem to get over some stuff that they can't withdraw. So they end up talking about it, until it's practically the only thing they talk about. Parang...their whole world is so boxed in. Don't they ever get sick of it? No wonder some people's conversations have no essence. Get out of that darn box, people.

Switch topic again.

I need a break. From everything academic. I just want to do theater and forget that I'm being graded for it.

Hahaha, visited Lea's newsgroup again today to check if someone replied to my post about the Meralco Theater's artists entrance yesterday.

I expected someone like Anna's friend Tin to reply, because it was her message that I replied to.

The reply was from someone else.

From: Lea Salonga-Chien (______@______.com)
Subject: Re: lea, will you be....
Newsgroups: alt.fan.lea-salonga
Date: 2004-08-13 23:46:06 PST

Hogi, was that you at rehearsals? The hair's longer (and colored?), so I wasn't sure if that was you.

Holy kamote. Hala, nahuli ako, hahahaha.

Robi posted this on Myspace via the Akafellas account.


Red Sandico is leaving the group coz his visa has expired and must return to abu dhabi. Actually, he is being called back to his homeplanet coz his mission of world domination was a complete failure! Actually, defective daw siya and is being recalled by the company that manufactured him. Whatever the reason is, the real one of which is because he is taking film in New York, that leaves room for one new akafella! Anyone out there interested?

The auditions for the newest akafella will be held at Stageworx, 5th floor, Shangri-la mall, Ortigas on aug. 25 (wed) from 12-4pm and aug. 28 (sat) 3-5pm (the earlier the better). These auditions are open to all male vocalists from 16-26 years of age. Bring your resume/profile and prepare 2 songs (pop/rock/r&b) with minus 1 or otherwise.

We're looking for a tenor with exeptional vocal prowess, a great ear and musicality, wit, charm, sense of humor and good looks to boot. But above all, he must be committed.

Who will the next akafella be? Something's telling me it might be you! So start preparing. Spread the news!

Most of my yesterday afternoon was with Teena, going around anywhere. Met up with her at Shangri-La and had lunch somewhere in Greenhills. Spent a good deal there, just sitting and talking, and then off we went to Ortigas. We turned on the radio and tuned in to Wave 89.1 to check if Robi was there, and when we found out that he was, we dropped by for a visit. Of course, like Teena said, that's the only time we sort of had to stop talking because we had to.

When Peachy was out of class, we headed for Robinson's Galleria to meet her so I can finally give her the DLSU and CSB application forms. We strolled around for a few minutes until I finally had to go back to school for my first rehearsal for Portrait of the Artist as Filipino.

We didn't really do much anyway. Cris just talked about how we'll go about the play with 3 different time periods (1940s, 1970s, and 2004) and 3 different directors. Then Faith and I read through all 3 acts. Basically that was it. We called it a night, and then Cris and I decided to check out the exhibit at the 4th floor by the lower batch of Production Design students under Sir Jethro.

We left at almost the same time as Sir Jethro's class, so I said goodbye to Cris. Got to hitch a ride with Arman until Coastal Mall, so I got to spend a cheaper bus fare.

Oooh, tonight's the opening night for Baby! To the cast and crew, BREAK A LEG! Oist, Krys! Pahiram ng ID one time, hehehe.

Haven't updated in a while.

Wednesday

Nothing much was done during this day. Because of our "trial period" for Tecthe finals the following day, I began to slack off because of reading too much techie jargon that I welcomed every distraction that came my way. Then when the evening came, I met up with Cris for Portrait rehearsals. Spent most of the time there reading through the script with Cris, Ems, and even our former Economics teacher, Mr. Pua. That guy was a big help that evening with my lines. When Faith came, we read through the other scenes again until we called it a night.


Thursday

I spent the first few hours of Thursday still poring over my Tecthe4 stuff. All the words and stuff keep jumbling up, until I had to sleep... and OVERSLEPT! When I woke up, I saw messages from Kathy, asking several questions in a panic, and Rain's messages as well, saying how he's "so not ready" for class (who was, anyway?), and finally quoting Miss Cindy with "Where the hell is everybody?"

As it turned out, Sir Jay was sick and didn't come to class! Nyak, hours of lack of sleep gone to waste!

Then we spent the afternoon hanging around in our classroom until we had to go to St Scholastica for auditions with Sining Tanghalan. I went there with Miss Cindy, Rain, Presh (with Kurt in tow) and Drei. Met the other members of the org, and I find Apple from last year's Ritmo Enkwentro among the group! And Cha lost a lotta weight. Naks. Nikki even came and joined us at the beginning for the meeting prior to the auditions, then for the audition proper. Hahaha, when Rain, Drei and I settled ourselves at the table, we looked like the American Idol panel, Drei as Randy, me as Paula (yaaakkk...) and Rain as Simon. WAHAHAHAHAHA!

After the auditions, Rain, Drei, Nikki and I went to Mr. Tiyan for dinner along with Arman and Nicco. After that, we piled up in Arman's van so he can pick up the film they made for class. Then we retreated to Drei's condo (shared with Miko and Miko's older brother) to watch it. Hahaha, I loved Nicco and Drei's western/Chinese/Japanese fight scene with the Miss Minchin cameo!

After watching the film from Miko's brother's PC, we switched on Drei's PC next to watch Altair's video of Joseph. Hahahaha, we all rolled on the floor in laughter when we got to the part of "Close Every Door" where he made piyok. Peace, 'Tair!


Friday (yesterday)

Just bummed around with Rain, Arman and Michelle from lunch onwards at Mr. Tiyan (hahaha, new tambayan), and then went to M409B to wait for Miko's reply so we can hang out at their condo. We let Mish view their film again, and then we just sat around and talked until Miko and his brother had to go home. So the rest of us went to KFC for dinner before leaving for home ourselves.


Saturday (today)

Went to Miss Batoctoy's house with Rain, just for a visit. Had fun bugging Nicco, Viv, Joan, and the rest. I was supposed to drop by Tita Sherbet's place, but then I had to go to Makati, where Mimay and Arni were waiting. Nicco and I went off to G4 after giving up on his styro carving, and found Mimay, Arni, Lav and Henry (with Friendster the Musical friend Cris), and then Arman arrived after a few minutes.

So there.

Call me crazy. I had two invites to Baby today, one from Lawyn and another from Luz. And I declined both of them. *smacks head on wall*

I got to see Baby today! Thanks to the crew who smuggled me in, hahaha.

Peach, uber sorry I went alone. It was hard enough to get myself in through the lady guard and the ushers, they're sure to notice if there were two of us. And nakakahiya kasi if I take advantage of my Atlantis buds too much.

Actually, I wasn't really planning to watch. I wanted to see the backstage action, or even help out, ANYTHING.

Anyway, I was at the artist's entrance and walked up the steps, and I could already notice the lady guard shooting looks at me. Di na kasi ako kilala, hahaha. Found Johnsy at the door, so I asked if Krys or Karen was inside. The lady guard then took over and asked who I was looking for. Perfect timing, Moppet passed by the door and let me in. Went to the prod room, and got to hung around with her, Krystal, Karen, Lawyn, Mae, Luz and Ate Cristy.

Funny incident. Wowie asked Moppet to give Lea a particular handprop, so Moppet told me to go with her to Lea's dressing room and asked me to knock on the door. Lea opened the door and found Moppet with the prop, took it, and thanked her. Then she almost closed the door, then opened it again, looked at me, and said hello. Laboooo, hahaha.

Anyway, after more kulitans with the crew, Lawyn took me to Karen's post so I can watch the show next to her.

The show rocked! Lea rocks! And Tita Menchu was amazing! And I loved Agot's character. Hahaha, and I can't help but gape when I found Topper dressed as a girl in one of the scenes. Then there was this song number where the preggy Lea stood on top of the bed and danced. She looked so goofy that it was so cute, hahaha! Imagine, playing a girl whose age was so close to mine, younger even! Wala lang, it was just a thought.

One of the funniest quotes I heard was...
Lizzie (Lea): Marriage turns talented men into husbands, and brilliant women into wives!

Mimay (with older sis Jade in tow) walked with me to the artists' entrance because I had to get my bag (which I left in the prod room) and Mimay wanted to see Lea. Nice timing, Lea was about to leave with her entourage (hahaha) a few minutes after I got inside, so Mimay got her to sign her program and have a photo op as well.

Mimay, Jade and I then went to Shangri-La after most of the people had dispersed. Went to Kodak first to have the pictures developed then went to the food court to eat. Hahaha, Mimay, a huge Lea-holic like Anna, couldn't stop raving.

Was texting my friend from this online theater club. Apparently he came to see the show as well today. Arg, he got the best seat in the house! 2nd row, center! Gah!

I wanna watch the show again! Hehehe...

Typical text message of some of the guys in my Joseph cast:
"San kyo?"

Ahahahaha, they amuse me these past few weeks. Ever since the show ended, we've been hanging out a lot with them lately. From Drei and Miko's condo, Jollibee, Mr. Tiyan, KFC... Practically anywhere.

It kinda reminds me of how I was last year with Maika ("Werka?"), Jill, Diane, Dandan, and Shai. We could sit around in McDo for hours until it was already late.

Hahaha, sat in at Sir Jed's Musstud class this afternoon because Rain and I had nowhere to go. Hahaha, apparently, their class hasn't finished the reporting of 20th century stuff, so I just sat there and waited for Johann's report on musical theater. Hahaha, why? Wala lang, I had the same topic the other year in the same class under the same teacher.

Nicco's comment: Mas interesado pa si Hogi kesa samin!

Hahahaha! I have to admit, I'm still a musical theater freak. So even I kept butting in during the report, like when Johann played certain selections, I sang along with the CDs, specially when he popped in the CDs of Into The Woods, Rent, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Then when Sir Jed played more showtunes on the piano, I actually named the musicals they were from, hahaha, from The Sound of Music to You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. I'll bet the other students probably thought I was some crazy lunatic who sat in the wrong class.

Rain and I were hanging around in the SIO when Nicco texted the usual "San kyo?" I replied, asking the same thing, hahaha. Rain and I were supposed to eat at Mr. Tiyan, but when we got there, we were told that they were already closing. WHAT? Closing at 7pm???

Text again...

Me: San kayo? Magclose na daw Mr. Tiyan.
Nicco: San nyo gusto kumain?
Me: (*thinking* Huh? Nasan ba talaga sila?) Kayo. Wait, san ba kayo?
Nicco: KFC? Jollibee? Chowking?
(Ang labo nyo! Hahahaha!)

We ended up going to KFC and met up with Drei, Nicco and Miko.

Hahahaha, the usual talk about anything under the sun. OK, to keep Drei and Nicco from going crazy, NO, I don't post anything incriminating about any of you guys in here.

I was at Powerbooks ATC earlier reading this book called "Disney on Broadway." Hahahaha, two of my favorite topics combined in one book. Anyway, it mostly talked about the birth and production of Disney animated movies that was brought to Broadway theaters. Beauty and The Beast, The Lion King, and Aida. Well, the last wasn't really counted as an animated movie, but it also was a collaboration of Tim Rice and Elton John.

I loved how they came up with the costumes of Beauty and The Beast. A-mazing. Specially how they turned a cartoon into a magical display on the stage. Reading through it, I was amused at Belle and the servants' elaborate costumes, and even how Chip and the Beast transform from their respective creatures into humans.

Then Lion King. Puppetry and all that. From Japanese Bunkaru-style (used in Mr. Noah's Big Boat), to ginormous headpieces and stylized make-up. A-mazing, hahaha. I can't believe how much thought and sweat and everything else was poured into one show.

Aida had simpler sets and costumes, but still had a beautiful story. I wonder if I could pull off a show like that.

While I was still poring over the book, I wondered, will I still ever make it as a producer? Hahahaha...

So today was the first day of the search for the new Akafella. Aw...

Anyway, I met up with Jun at McDo ATC so we can go to Shang together, because he was going to try out. We parted ways after he parked the car so he can get something to eat and drink, and so I can meet with Teena at Stageworx, where the auditions will be held.

Basically what Teena and I did was assist with the auditions. I sat outside the venue for the registration, while Teena manned the video camera inside the venue. Simple set-up, so everything was like clockwork. Guys came up to me (naks! Hahahahaha) to inquire and sign up, and after filling out the forms, I submitted it to Teena, Kyla or Franco inside and had the guys wait for their turn. Then inside, aside from the usual singing (the people who auditioned had to sing 2 songs--one with a minus one and one in acapella), Franco asked them questions and all that.

Some of the fellas turned up to check out the auditions, like Ikey, Roger, and Robi. Chevy, aside from auditioning, sometimes went inside to watch or just strolled around the mall, or even sat with me at the registration table. Leslie also came by as well, just sitting there.

Quote from Chevy that was said at least 3 times:
"He's singing my song!"

Hehehehe, Teena, I actually enjoyed my post. It's fun talking to all the boys!

2nd batch of auditions will be on Saturday afternoon for those who didn't make it today. Good luck to those who tried out and will try out!

I got Moppet reserve me 2 tickets to Baby for Sunday the day before, and she told me that the reservation only lasts for 24 hours. So from school yesterday evening, I had to meet with Peachy in Galleria so we can go to Meralco to get our tickets.

I got off at the Ortigas MRT station, then walked all the way to Galle, then finally, Peachy and I set off for Meralco. And yes, we walked there as well. When we got to the lobby, the ushers outside the lobby entrance told me to check our tickets with Ate Sally. But when I asked Ate Sally, she didn't have them either. Apparently, the Sunday show was being sold by Ticketworld, who had a booth right next to Ate Sally's table. But the Ticketworld people weren't there, so Peach and I just hung around the lobby to wait.

Hahaha, Peachy kept bugging me to go backstage to see Lea, even to the point of saying stuff aloud like, "There's my mom!" while pointing to Mrs. S, or "Can't we just borrow an ID so we can go backstage easily?" as Bobby walked right by us. Peach, patience is a virtue. There's still tomorrow, hehehe.

Anyway, I began to get impatient, so I asked the usher outside the lobby about the Ticketworld people. Arg, then she told me that she didn't tell them to come anymore last night. And to think that my reservation was about to expire. So she just told me to call Ticketworld first thing in the morning.

So Peachy and I left the lobby, only to run into Franco. Hahaha, I wasn't used to seeing him in Meralco after our Narnia days, so I was surprised to see him there. (Ngak, labo.) He came to watch the show with Amanda, and was equally surprised to see me. Hahaha, he thought I was a crew member for Baby.

Once again, Peach and I walked from Meralco to the MRT station, then took the train to Quezon Avenue station, and took a trike to the Ilacads' house. Lexi arrived about 15 minutes after we did, and we waited for Tita Sherbet and Jill to get ready before we all left for Dish along with Tito Sunny.

It was Red's last gig with the Akafellas last night, so people were getting all sentimental and stuff. I wasn't really into all the goodbyes, so despite the fact that I was also sad to see Red go, I felt sort of numb while he was singing "Maghihintay Sa 'Yo" and some people were crying. Aw....

Back to Stageworx today, where the continuation of the search for the next Akafella was. This time, 7 of the fellas (Karl wasn't around) came with Franco and Kyla to the auditions.

Peach went with Teena and me to Shang, right after we went to Ticketworld to claim our Baby tickets. I was expecting to sit at the registration table again today, but after a while, I had to go inside Stageworx to act as spinner.

Wahahahaha, sira talaga yang Franco na yan. When one guy said that he was going to sing "Rain Rain," Franco immediately turned to look at me on the floor (where I was sitting next to component), then said "Hogi..." teasingly. *bonk*

"Why do you think you should be the next Akafella?"
Johann: Because I'm better than Red!
WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Hahahaha, so I went to see Baby again for the 2nd Sunday in a row. This time I went with Peachy.

Met up with Peach in Galleria, then after saying goodbye to her mom (with her telling me to make sure Peachy behaves, hahaha!), we walked to the theater. We got there super early that we ended up killing some time in the ladies room in the lobby. Eventually, we got bored so we went to the lobby. But then the guard there told us that we can't go in yet, so we went outside. Found Ate Cristy walking towards us, and she let us go with her backstage.

Sat in the prod room with the crew (sans Lawyn and Mae, because they didn't arrive until after I left for the lobby). Introduced Peachy to them, and Krystal even said that she sees her blog, hahaha.

Karen asked if I had already seen her pictures from Urinetown, but I hadn't, so she showed me her photo album, which had pictures of not only Urinetown, but also Rocky Horror Show and Dreamgirls. Hahaha, Karen! Can I borrow your negatives? Anyway, after a while, Peach and I went to the lobby. Each of us bought a program then just hung around until the ushers opened the house.

Ehehehe, I couldn't help singing along during the opening number. Whoops, bad theatre etiquette. Anyway, I still enjoyed the show even though I've seen it already. Heck, I still want to see it again, hahaha.

Peach wanted to beat the other fans to see Lea, so we left the theater right away. There was this one guy and girl who were at our heels to the artists entrance, and the guy asked if either of us were from Lea's newsgroup. So yeah, I was a member. The guy happened to be Jeffrey, the member who posted in the newsgroup asking if anyone was coming to watch the show today.

He followed us in through the door, and the moment Peachy and I reached the prod room, the lady guard asked us to stay just next to the door. Oh well. So I pulled Peachy back outside so Jeffrey had to follow us back out, hahaha.

Lea was easy to spot because of her bright pink jacket. Hahaha, we were both in pink. I was one of the first to approach her as she greeted me with a hello. I introduced her to Peachy who in turn had Lea sign her program, her old album cover (cassette pa that was older than her, hahaha) and organizer. Peach wanted to have a picture taken with her, but then the other fans came to her side. So there, di na ulit sya nakasingit. I decided to take advantage of being a familiar face, so I went to Lea's other side and asked her to sign my own program (ahahaha, I didn't even have to say who I was) and have my own picture taken. So there, Peachy followed suit.


Naks, we're both in pink!

I have yet to buy that CD with the cuts from the musical.

Almost exactly a year ago, our entire Tecthe4 class flunked the subject, with Sir Jay saying we never understood any of the material he gave us.

Entry from last year, September 1, 2003...

We were supposed to get out grades/results from Sir Jay this morning, but I slept through the damn alarm clock. I woke up when Kathy sent me a text message asking me where I was, because she was almost in school. Gah... So I just told me to get my results for me, because I wouldn't be able to make it to school in time.

We flunked.

We all flunked.

Sir Jay flunked the entire class of 6.

I kept asking Kathy and Anthony what had happened, but they wouldn't say anything. "Basta, bagsak tayong lahat." "Bagsak tayong lahat. Wag ka na magtanong. Nakaka bad-trip kase."

Gah...

So I went home, not bothering to stay for my friends' play that served as their final project for INTROER. Sorry, guys.

Thank goodness for Jill, Shaira, Anna, and Mommy Sherbet. They were online this afternoon and made me laugh and forget about the whole thing.

I didn't know what to expect during course card distribution today. I sort of avoided the SDA office because of anxiety. Probably because I didn't feel that what I submitted to Sir Jay for the finals wasn't enough. Maybe it was because I was already prepared for the oral exams. But due to the suspension of classes, he just had us submit our written report aside from the Powerpoint presentation he made us do. My written report was actually just a "cheat sheet" for the oral one. But I submitted it anyway.

I spent the morning in the theater. I kept myself busy by offering to help Cris and Ems with their setup.

When I was about to head downstairs to the canteen for lunch, I got a text from Kathy, telling me that she had our Tecthe4 course cards..

...WE PASSED!!! We all passed the class!!!

And to add up to that, Miss Cindy gave us our Thesis2 grades, even though she has yet to see the book-bound format yet. A 3.0 for the whole thing! She even let us check her records in case we might ask any questions. I got an uber-high grade for positivity (or something like that, I forgot)? Hahahaha, I guess being optimistic in front of her helped loads.

Got this from Rich.

What Would You Do If
I cried:
I asked you to help:
I was becoming suicidal:
I killed myself:
I died from natural causes:
I said I liked you:
I kissed you:
I started smoking:
I stole something:
I was hospitalized:
I ran away from home:
I got in a fight and you were there:

What Do You Think About My
Personality:
Eyes:
Face:
Hair:
Voice:
Humor:
Choice of music:
Mannerisms:
Family:

Would You
Be my friend:
Tell me the truth, no matter what:
Lie to make me feel better:
Spread rumors about me:
Keep a secret if I told you one:
Loan me some cash: of course.
Hold my hand:
Take a bullet for me:
Keep in touch:
Try and solve my problems:
Love me: