It's funny how some people change so abruptly. And it feels like some of them don't have time for you anymore. Sometimes it's the other way around.

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Check it out, for the first time in ages, I checked out this gig in Padi's Point Las Pinas. When I saw the banners all over the city, I said to myself, heck, I'll go. It's only 10 minutes away from my house, no people to give me the evil eye when I'm not even doing anything, plus I want to check out the new sound.

Here's something funny though. I met this one girl, one of the band-aids, I suppose. I wasn't with anyone, so I welcomed her offer to sit with her and her sister. Then she asked me if I'd already met the frontman. When I said that I haven't talked to him yet, just a brief hello, she then said "It's OK, pakilala kita later." I just smiled, because it was all I could do instead of laugh, and the loud ambience inside the venue helped a lot. What I really wanted to say was, "Hello?!? I've known this guy even before that first album was signed, when he was still dropping his pants in front of an audience for a musical production. You don't have to give me that I-know-him-more-than-you-do treatment, because I can do that to you if I were someone else." Hahahaha.

Anyway, I wrote a few comments on a table napkin while I was sitting there listening.

The sax looks like a clarinet, but it gives a brand new flavor to the music. It reminds me of songs that Kevyn Lettau would sing.

The mini-drums (that's what they called it) make it less mellow, but rim shots reminisce the former acoustic sound.

It shows na kapahan pa rin, pakiramdaman pa lang, considering that half the group is new.

How much do those "mini-drums" cost? Hahaha, it looks like something my parents would buy for me back in high school.

Where does the sax player get all that air?

No one played with the lights until halfway through the set. No wonder I sort of got bored. No offense to the band, of course.

Hahaha, I still enjoyed "You Lost That Lovin' Feeling". It was still the same.

I couldn't tell yet if the falsetto in "Kahit Kailan" was still the same. The audience annoyed me because they were all screaming at that part. I didn't find out if it was as seamless.

Funny first exchanges...

Me: Are you sure that's a saxophone?
Sax Player: Oo, pero straight sya, no? Soprano sax kasi.
Me: Cool. Mukhang clarinet e.
Sax Player: You play an instrument ba?
Me: (supposedly had nothing to say for conversation but had to say -->) The drums.
Then he said we should jam one time. Uhm, no thanks.

Bass Player: Bye, Ate!
Me: "Ate"?!? How old are you?
Bass Player: **
Me: Mas matanda ka pa sakin no!

The question aside from all this is, What will Chiquita be like with this new band and sound?

Anyway.

There's this kid in the Internet cafe I'm at who's talking so loudly since he came in. I think he's high on sugar or caffeine or crack or something. Que annoying.

On to other things.

Ate Sally, Ate Alona and I spent the entire afternoon yesterday in Bobby's room, trying to organize his books and videos (VHS and Betamax tapes, and DVDs). I was the one who had to write everything down in a notebook before they put it away in these balikbayan boxes. We filled up 4 big boxes, and we're not even done yet. I'm not halfway through the DVDs, and we haven't started on the music CDs yet. Plus I have to type everything up. Carpal tunnel syndrome, here I come.

If they plan to give any of those away, I'd want to get half of everything. Looking at the list, I've already marked what I would want, hahahaha.

My head hurts, but it still won't keep me away from blogging, hahaha.

Last Saturday was the 2nd day of Mojofly's album launch concert. We were supposed to go on the first day, but we all ended up going on the 2nd.

Met up with Nicco in Megamall at around noon. We had planned to go visit Cue Drama Club's rehearsals, but ended up killing lotsa time in the mall. Had lunch, and then walked the entire perimeter of the mall, from top to bottom, hahahaha. When we decided we had enough, off we set in the direction of Ortigas to go to LSGH, but took a stopover at Robinson's Galleria because it was kinda hot.

We arrived at LSGH at around 3 or so, and Peach found us wandering around the corridor outside their rehearsal area so she let us in. Crept up behind Ezer to say hi then we sat in one corner to watch their run through. All the while, Frappe, this adorable little dog owned by one of the girls who plays Amneris, walked all over the entire room.

Peach, if you're reading this, here are a few observations... There were lots of Cue alumni in the room, yet they were all focusing on just the leads. Why not ask some of them to observe the ensemble? Because some of the kids don't seem to know their objective well.

After the rehearsal, we said goodbye to Peach and Ezer, then took off for the Greenhills Shopping Center, so we can go around and stay near Music Museum at the same time.

Hahahaha, I had told Nicco that I was gonna try a look that they haven't really seen, so on the first trip to the restroom, I traded my pants for a short skirt. Wooohooo, in the words of Arlene, Nasapian ako ng babae!" Hahahaha. Heck, I never really donned a skirt in public except for that one time in the summer that I had dinner with my clique. Anyway, we had dinner at Tokyo Tokyo, then we went around near the vicinity of Music Museum until we settled down at Timezone.

Inside Music Museum, I've got to hand it to Vivien for getting us really good seats. We were seated next to the center aisle, about 4 or 5 rows away from the stage. Coolness. Memories of my crazy rackets in that venue suddenly popped in my head. Nikki and Remus joined us 10 minutes before the show was about to start (which was 45 minutes after what was said on the tickets).

The show? It was fabulous. I've now officially become a fan of Mojofly, hahaha. Take note, just a fan; a mere spectator. I wouldn't want to delve into that whole groupie thing anymore. Lougee was a pretty cool and spontaneous performer, and I envied her. Ricci was a standout for just being himself. His entire being, from his build, his hair, his microphone, and his voice, reminded me of Mark from Rent. Yeah, he could make a great Mark, hahahaha! And Ali, of course. He rocks! Hahahaha, that's all I have to say.

They also premiered their music video of "Tumatakbo" just for the audience. A cool 3D animation with a simple playful concept aptly suited the song. It was so kulit that I found it cute.

The one thing all of us could never forget was when they played "Another Day". I barely knew the song. Then again, none among the four of us did. And when Lougee walked down the aisle to get the audience to sing, Nicco murmured the lyrics into his mouth and I was just smiling dumbly. She then called us "nahihiya," which sort of tormented us, hahahaha! Us, of all people, SHY?!?

Good show... Very good show.

Sometime during lunch on Sunday, Ferson texted me, saying that he was in South Mall, and asked me to meet him there. I had already made plans with Nicco, Nikki and Remus to meet at ATC that afternoon. I was still sleepy, having heard mass at 6am and falling asleep again, told him that I was going to ATC at around 3pm.

The first place I went to was the Yamaha music school. It had changed its venue, now at the Promenade. I went inside to ask about their voice lessons, and the lady there recognized me right away. After 7 years, she said, "I remember you..." and she ticked the word "drums" on the inquiry sheet before I said anything else. Hahahaha, she even mentioned that Teacher Roy was still there, and having heard that, I could also hear the muted sound of a snare and a hi-hat from behind one of the closed doors.

Met up with Son, Glenn and Nicco in the Food Court, and when we heard music in the Activity Center, we went downstairs. Nyoy Volante with special guest Nina. Hahahahahaha! The whole time we were standing there, Son was singing along loudly. Nikki and Remus joined us after a while.

I was kinda amused at Nicco that day because he was trying to learn how to play the bass guitar. Reminds me of my brother, hehehe. Nicco, like I said, you're welcome to use the bass (yes, with amp) at home anytime.

While we were just standing around, I felt someone try to slip past behind me. It was Tita Helen, so I said a brief hello before she went inside the closed area with Tito Oliver. I got to talk to Tita Helen after the gig, and I just had to show her some incriminating photo of her son in one of his "pitch-perfect" concert roles in my phone that she asked me to send it to her, at the same time asking how everything was in the world of Atlantis since then. She also asked how everyone is, because she mentioned how she missed the old crowd that she never sees anymore. They're still there, Tita. Doncha worry. And yes, "it's always nice to see old friends with all the memories of good old days."

My head hurts right now. It's been throbbing since late this morning that I fell asleep on the couch in the office and actually heard myself snoring, hahaha.

I think it's time for a turkey sandwich at Subway.

Whenever I find a brief moment to think while I'm alone, I write down whatever I was thinking. So here's a bunch of randomness, uploaded from my brain to this blog.

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I've always been a sucker for traditional romance. A simple touch on the cheek, a kiss on the back of the hand, a single discreet rose, a private serenade (preferably "The Way You Look Tonight") or even just a special glance. It's been nearly 3 years since I had a serious relationship, and just now, I feel as if I missed having one. But heck, I'm not that desperate. We'll just wait and see when the right guy comes along.

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When I was talking with former UST classmate Clarz on our way home from the German silent film festival a couple of weeks ago, she briefly mentioned that she really never got to meet guys during her college life. If she hadn't joined soccer for a while, she wouldn't have met any aside for the handful of guys in the other interior design block (there were only two Interior Design blocks in our batch).

When I arrived home that night, I started thinking. What would I have been like if I didn't transfer to CSB?

Back in freshman year in UST, my roommates would tell me that I was hard to approach in campus because I was always walking briskly, hardly looking up at the people. I only smiled at familiar faces. The only friends I made were in our block and in my dorm. I never approached people I didn't know. I had a frustration with theatre and wished I knew more.

In CSB, my mom told me to be more persistent and learn to talk to other people more. So beginning day one at my orientation, I walked in the room with a smile on my face. I made friends right and left, met other people from different blocks, different courses, and different orgs. I suddenly had friends in different circles. I found myself interacting with different people in backstage areas of the theatre world.

Looking back, it was like peering into the lives of two different people. If I hadn't transferred schools, I wouldn't be this outgoing, this approachable, and I wouldn't have this smile. Within the halls of our department in UST, I would always wish that I could sink to the floor every time Bim would make a loud and funny comment that would echo down the hall to the next stairwell. In CSB and practically anywhere now, I would be the one executing the loud quip or the crazy laugh.

Interesting how a single decision would affect your entire life.

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Hehehe, the CPU of the second PC in our office is finally fixed. To our delight, we rented videos this afternoon and stayed an hour late watching one of the movies. Rich was the one who chose them, so we ended up watching Nasaan Ka Man, wahahahaha!

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Chari invited Ate Sally and me to last week's DTR of Footloose. But I had plans that evening, and Ate Sally couldn't make it during evenings. So she got us tickets for tomorrow's matinee show. Thanks, Chari! See you tomorrow!

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I'm sorta having plans for this quarter. I just hope my 'rents will okay it. We'll see.

Another "back on this day" post.

I thought it would be appropriate for another post like this, because I haven't done it in ages.

Looking back at my old posts from last year, I realized that more than a year had passed since my crazy thesis days with Rain. Once again, I remember what I proudly said during a rehearsal of Bye Bye, Birdie. "I want to produce my own show." We did it, didn't we? And we did it twice. Exactly last year, we were prepping up for a restaging of our thesis.

All those memories suddenly came seeping in. All those after-show withdrawals, countless "san ka?" text messages, evenings spent holed up in Madison or in Nicco's room, and conversations over KFC chicken fillets sandwiches.

Plus it was the time we exposed ourselves to a lot in the theater scene. Aside from academics, we kept ourselves busy by watching lots of plays, and listened to show tunes I keep bugging them to listen to (wahehehe, Avenue Q days).

It's nice to know that the people I was with then during thesis days became my friends. And they're still there, despite all the changes.

Four's Company separated, and Clokworx became defunct. There aren't anymore "san ka?" messages in my phone. I hardly get to talk to see much of the others anymore, save for the constant text messaging and evening convos with Rain.

I once admitted that I couldn't stay with one group of friends for more than a year. But we're still here. Here's to a year of friends from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Four's Company, Clokworx, and "3wayjabber" (originally "Imtalking2dphone"). Thanks for everything, and I sure hope this isn't the end.

Luv y'all!

I'm on a roll tonight.

Just want to briefly add this before logging off. It's a quote from my boss. And I specially love the sentence in bold.

There is nothing more rewarding than working in theatre. And I know many people who will agree with me on this. Theatre is a safe environment to do unsafe things. And, thus, the bonds you form sometimes will last you your whole life.

I totally agree, Bobby.

Ate Sally and I met up at the office yesterday so we can go to Meralco together. Had lunch and killed time at the office, then off we went to Ortigas.

Chari had said that we can just go backstage to meet her for the tickets, so Ate May, the lady guard, let us in. When I checked the tickets that were handed to us, we found that we would be in the third row, huwaw. Thank you so much, Chari!

Went around to the lobby, and familiar faces abound. When I got through the guard that kept bugging me during my BATB stint, there was Sir Ed, the theater supervisor that we call "Mr. C." He was still trying to coordinate with us as to watching the show together with Miss Tinggay and Miss Liza in the viewing room (where he said we'd be allowed to bring food, hehehe). As I went through the lobby doors, I found Jhett and Reubs trying to go out to look for people.

Then when Ate Sally and I reached the lobby lounge, there was Kiwi selling Footloose T-shirts. Huwaw, they're selling it for P300 more than the shirts we sold before. Found Red standing next to the T-shirt table. Anyway, bought a program, then we went inside. As I was about to hand out tickets to the ushers, Joy greeted me. I haven't seen her in ages, so I didn't really notice her before she called my name, because she had grown her hair out. Then when we got inside the theater, there was June Vee, who was supposed to tell us where our seats would be. Joel approached us next, and also asked if I already knew where we'll be sitting. Heck, of course I knew, having pored over the seating plan since summer began.

So how was Footloose? Well, Jay-R is good, I can tell you that. But there were lots of times when I can't distinguish Ren from Jay-R, because he had put a lot of himself into the character. So most of what I see onstage was Jay-R, not Ren. Iya's voice was actually good, but she sounded sort of weak. Then there was Caisa as Rusty. Having seen her in the same role last year for Blue Rep, her interpretation was still pretty fresh. It was also refreshing to see Jonard as the bad boy Chuch Cranston. And like Lea, I was impressed at Nikki's voice, as well as her approach to Wendy Jo. Kyla, as always, was remarkable. Gian was equally amusing as the dancing-impaired Willard. Hard to see him as someone who can't dance though, hahaha. And of course, there was Tito Audie as Reverend Moore. How apt to play a man of God, but every time he was onstage, I was in awe. Hahaha, sorry, I have to admit, I was already a fan of his before I became his student.

I didn't get to stick around much after the show, but to everyone involved in it, my hat's off to you. I enjoyed the entire production that I want to see it again. Now, time to bug Calvin for closing night tickets, hehehe...

Time for dinner. My aunt got us tacos, yum.

First of all, it's my boss' birthday today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOBBY!

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Got this from Raphy, and thought it would be a good idea to include in my blog.

20 Years Ago (1985)...

I was the most timid (and fat) kid in my street. My goodness, I was so afraid of people that every time I hear the doorbell ring, I'd run to my parents' room and lock myself inside. I'm not kidding. And once I got enrolled in Blessed Mother Mary's Learning Center, I never went unless I felt like it.

15 Years Ago (1990)...

Still in my shy streak, it was my first year to have a real co-curricular activity in school. And what did I choose? Girl scouting, hahaha. I'd be one of those little girls who'd be walking down the halls in that all-green dress. I used to say that I enjoyed being a Star Scout, but I actually didn't because my mom didn't let me do anything. I never got to go camping or outreach programs, but stayed with a club moderator instead. I also lost my (then) best friend to the A-crowd that year. But little did I know that I chance encounter with a girl in a P.E. uniform in Brother Harry's office was actually fate.

10 Years Ago (1995)...

I was excited about first year high school for a lot of things. I felt sort of independent now that my brother had graduated from the same school. Plus one of my two best friends was in the same class as I was. Some people even quipped that we looked alike because we sported the same look (shoulder-length hair and round glasses). I also got a taste of things to come when it came to high school survival.

5 Years Ago (2000)...

Exactly 5 years ago in September 2000, I started my first term in my second college. I was a fresh transferee from UST to CSB, and I promised myself that I would make a clean start. Heck, if I wasn't in that general studies program, I would've made it on the Dean's List in my first term. I was amused at the fact that coming from an all-girl block in my former college campus, I was suddenly in a block composed of mostly male students, and was actually surprised at myself that I managed to put up with their good natured-teasing. I also became too eccentric and my taste in music suddenly shifted from pop to Broadway.

3 Years Ago (2002)...

I worked for Trumpets' The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe for my OJT. It was one of my favorite memories of that year. It was a blast being in the freezing backstage of Meralco theater amidst all those theater actors, and being part of all the organized chaos. Plus I was never on the Dean's List before then, so I didn't realize that I already made it, hahaha.

Last Year (2004)...

Last year was focused mainly on thesis with Rain, Anthony, Kathy and Precious. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was a result of all our hard work. And I cherish all those friends I met through this wonderful production. Rain, didn't I tell you? "Yayaman tayo!" HAHAHAHAHA!

Today (Sept. 15)...

Bobby's birthday. Despite the fact that he's in Hong Kong, we still celebrated his birthday in the office. Hehehe, pigged out with Ate Sally, Ate Alona and Rich.

Tomorrow...

Hmm... yeah, what am I going to do tomorrow? Oh yeah, I'm meeting up with Peachy after work. Gloria Jeans Coffee time! Yes, Nicco, I didn't forget you, hahahaha.

Next Year...

This is another good question. Hopefully, wrapping up Aida. Teeheeheehee...

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In less that 24 hours, I exchanged messages from a couple of friends that I haven't heard from in ages.

One was a friend that I met through this musician friend of ours, hehehe. We used to have brief moments of closeness, but then both of us would shrug it off. But hey, she developed my taste in jackets, hahaha. It was because of her that I get picky about the jackets I would wear. But one question... Who's Hope?

If it weren't for the other friend I mentioned, my thesis wouldn't be complete. I can still remember her audition because of her impersonation of Rufa Mae Quinto, hahahaha! She'll be leaving next week for Singapore for her OJT, so good luck to you!

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I've been eating a lot since our last show ended. And it's been showing. While having dinner with a bunch of guy friends a few mights ago, I noticed that I had ordered the most food, holy kamote.

Starting tomorrow, I'm cutting down on my food intake.

Hehehe, long time no post, so I'm apologizing in advance if you find this entry too long. I'm too lazy to cut it. My apologies once again. So here's a long overdue update. I'm going to try to make this as brief as I can, but I'm already warning you that it's been quite a while since the last time I went online.

Saturday, September 17

A few days before then, I called up CCP to ask about available tickets to R'meo Luvs Dew-Lhiett. The guy I talked to said that this was the only date available, and it was for the matinee show. So I reserved a ticket for myself then flew to the venue in the afternoon.

My goodness, it was totally hilarious. Jologs version talaga. The women I was sitting next to admitted that the last play they'd seen was Rent Manila back when it was still in Music Museum, so they really enjoyed it. I was practically embarrassing myself by laughing out loud and slapping my knee every once in a while, and to think that I went to see the show alone. Cats, who played Dew-Lhiett, was a pretty versatile actress. I already saw her in Troyanas, Himala, and that outstanding role as a psycho old woman in 'Yun Na Nga (Kung 'Yun Na Nga). And now she's a fourteen-year-old modern Juliet, hahaha.

Ledi was also there. She did a handful of cameo roles, including the one who stole Romeo's cellphone before he was about to board the bus to Mantua, hahahaha.

Sunday, September 18

Starting this day, I only do these things on Sundays, in no particular order. Sleep in, attend mass, and go jogging. Yes, jogging, hahaha! It's been years since I last did it, and decided to give it a go once again. Following in my brother's footsteps, I went to his usual jogging path in the next village and ran for at least an hour and a half and jogged back home.

To tell you the truth, I was not really quite the runner back in high school when I was in the track team. I was in the throwing events and was a walker. So after finishing the run around the jogging path, I learned that salt really does form with your sweat. Gross, I know, hahaha.

Monday, September 19

Food trip after work with Nicco and Drei. Met up with them in Makati, then Drei let Nicco try this sandwich he kept raving about in Almon Marina. Then I treated them to Gloria Jeans Coffee afterwards. Also gave Nicco this necklace with a peace symbol pendant that he had his eye on during the last time we went to Robinson's Galleria.

Thursday, September 22

The last time I had met up with Cris, she said that one thing she was dying to do was to dress me up in different clothes from different stores and take photos. So we agreed to do it on this day in Glorietta. Rain came along as well. Well, we didn't have much time then, so we ended up with just 2 outfits until Miko, Nicco, and Drei had joined us. Because of the boys' kakulitan, Cris treated everyone at Subway. Sat around in the venue and talked, until most of the mall had already closed. We then moved to Gloria Jeans, where we spent practically the entire time trying to guess Cris' middle name.

Friday, September 23

Celebrated Teena's birthday at Big Buddha. Had dinner there with Teena, Aileen, Ate Tere, Paulo and Pau's cousin Jennifer. Hehehe, it seems that whenever someone has a birthday, we end up in Big Buddha. Left early though after eating and chatting so I didn't get to go to Red Box with Teena, Ate Tere, Pau and Jen (Aileen went to Capone's to watch Barbie).

Sunday, September 25

Peachy, Teena and I went to watch Blue Rep's Blue Revue at the Ateneo. I knew from reading Tanya's blog that she'll be strutting her stuff in the show as Rent's Mimi, and I also heard from Peach that Tricia would be Ti Moune from Once On This Island, so I couldn't wait to see this one. Aside from the musicals mentioned, they also featured scenes from Pippin, Into The Woods, Bye Bye Birdie and Hairspray. All throughout the show, I found myself constantly mouthing and humming all the songs, hahaha.

So I guess that's what I've been up to these past few days.

I seriously need an outlet. Anyone? As for this other thing I'm planning, I'm still waiting for a go signal.

I went straight home after work yesterday, and arrived just in time for dinner. Usually I don't arrive home to have dinner with my family. On normal days, I stay in Greenbelt and eat dinner there or hang out with some friends I manage to run into. And even when I'm at home, I hardly eat with my family because I would still be sleeping, or eat early or late.

So anyway, it felt pretty surreal. For the first time in ages. There was my mom and dad, plus my aunt and my cousin. There was that simple joy of talking and joking around with them. And I actually caught my dad calling me "Apong," one of his pet names for me as a little girl. He hasn't called me that in years.

This morning I was sitting in the dining room having breakfast with my mom and aunt. Mom brought up the topic about my cousins in California and Washington, then I suddenly quipped if we could visit them. My mom and my aunt said that I could go if I want to, and I could take a day off from work to fix everything. Interesting.

One of the vaguest instructions I've heard from a director was "Relate to each other." It never bothered me before, knowing that there was an objective in mind. But for a play I did for me thesis everything was too vague. That entire phrase didn't make sense, coming from the director.

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It's so funny how the shuttle service from my village to Makati can manage to squeeze up to 16 people in a single vehicle.

What's even funnier is that if the driver pounds on the brakes during the ride, enough space for at least 2 more people will miraculously appear.

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Dad's birthday today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!!!

Speaking of birthdays, Richele will be turning 22 this Sunday. This entire week, whenever she wasn't working in the office, Ate Sally and I had planned to surprise her on one day she's be in Atlantis. That day was today. Because Rich had mentioned that she never really celebrated her birthday all her life, we decided to celebrate it with her. We chipped in to buy food and even cake, along with Kuya Boni and Ate Alona. Then we surprised her at lunch, hehehe. I took her out of the office for a while to pretend to buy something at Mini Stop next door, and by the time we returned at the office, everything was all set. Whee... advanced happy birthday, Rich!

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Hopefully the outlet I was talking about in past entries will finally push through this weekend. We'll see.