2000 and Thin

CHASING TOFF: The Fix

2011-04-18T10:51:00.000+08:00

The fix
CHASING TOFF By Christopher De Venecia (The Philippine Star) Updated April 18, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (0)

From castles to corporate companies: Daniel Radcliff stars in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying| Zoom

Broadway, to me, is the Center of the Universe. Over a slew of annual trips to the Big Apple, I have become, what you can say, accustomed and preternaturally betrothed to the ins and outs of the enchanted city. Imagine the skyscrapers, the marquees, the playbills, the enormous billboards, the city lights, and the street singers melding together to paint the perfect scenery that can absolutely vivify and penetrate through one’s core existence. Broadway is definitely the Mecca of theater aficionados such as myself. And despite Spider-man the Musical making the utmost mockery of the industry through its failed multi-million dollar attempt at giving Peter Parker some acting chops, all roads definitely lead to 42nd street and the ever-exciting and evolving Great White Way.

While our local theater counterpart seems very much alive and resplendent in 2011 with muscle-packed shows like Rent, Next to Normal, Joy Luck Club, 39 Steps, and Shakespeare Goes to Hollywood (currently playing at the On-Stage Greenbelt Theater via Repertory Philippines), I can’t help but allow my mind to wander off to the place where it all started, where truth to tell, my love affair with theater thoroughly began. Browsing on-line in preparation for my upcoming New York trip, here are this season’s hottest new shows and musicals that are making, or will be making waves in the Big Apple once this Philippine Broadway eagle has landed.

‘Stars’ Spreading the news

Coming from his successful Broadway debut in Equus, Daniel Radcliffe, who is best known for his stint in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter, tries his hand at a full-blown musical revival of the Frank Loesser classic, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. The piece, having won seven Tony Awards when it first opened in 1962 with a revival in 1995 starring Matthew Broderick, centers on a young window-cleaner who works his way up the corporate ladder to become an advertising executive in the World-Wide Wicket Company. Personally, I am thrilled to see Radcliffe sing and dance his way through this highly effervescent musical which promises an Old Broadway feel to it — something I’ve been craving for since my last experience at the Lincoln Center with South Pacific.

Strawberry field: Freckleface Strawberry is an enjoyable straight play about a girl covered in freckles.

Similarly, yet another Hollywood bigwig returns to the Big Apple for 2011 but offstage and behind-the-scenes via a musical adaptation of her autobiographical picture book Freckleface Strawberry. This actress is none other than award-winning Julianne Moore. I saw her perform several years ago in The Vertical Hour and while I usually get an A.D.D. attack watching straight plays, save for the recent tour-de-force performance of the Tony Award-winning RED starring Alfred Molina and Eddie Redmayne, I actually quite enjoyed myself on this one. The story centers on Strawberry, a seven-year-old redhead who is covered in freckles and is teased a lot in school. How she overcomes her insecurities, told through a storybook point-of-view and some feel-good Charlie Brown-esque melodies is the tensile strength of this children’s musical.

Hollywood-centric

Not only are movie stars invading Broadway for 2011 but 42nd street seems to be going Hollywood-centric this year with a slew of film-to-stage adaptations. And no, they’re not necessarily movie musicals. Case in point. Catch Me If You Can. Yes, you heard it right — a stage musical adaptation of the hit Hollywood film which starred Leonardo DiCaprio. The show chases after Frank Abagnale Jr., a world-class con artist who jet sets, diagnoses, defends, and prosecutes his way to millions of dollars, all before he turns 19. But what happens when love ultimately catches up to him? The musical stars Broadway’s “it” leading man Aaron Tveit of Next to Normal fame, and features music by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the hit-makers of Hairspray.

Next up: a wildly contagious hit musical based on one of the most successful Australian movies of all time. Priscilla, Queen of the Desert flies to the Great WhiteWay and packs one hell of a laugh while summoning utmost nostalgia. The musical centers on drag queen Mitzi del Bra, aka Tick, who hails from the distant town of Alice Springs in Australia and his journey with pals Bernadette and Adam in a large tour bus called “Priscilla Queen of the Desert.” They are on a quest to find friendship and true love — a tried and tested premise that proves parsimony is key to material perfection. The show has a Mamma Mia feel to it, featuring popular jukebox songs such as What’s Love Got to Do With It? I Say A Little Prayer, I Love the Nightlife, Girls Just Wanna have Fun, and Boogie Wonderland.

And finally, from Australia to the West End, another movie musical has made its way to Broadway. Give it up for disco diva and headliner Deloris Van Cartier as she dons the habit in Sister Act. This was the show I was looking forward to the most since I’m a huge fan of the movie; unfortunately, a lot of the songs, including I Will Follow Him have been excluded from this version. I’m not quite sure how this will work but I’m optimistic. The musical follows the story of Deloris who becomes an accidental witness to a murder and she is thus placed under the protective custody of the one place she is sure not to be found: a convent.

Great expectations

There sure are a lot of great shows debuting on Broadway this year. Let’s not forget: the Sutton Foster starrer and revival of Anything Goes, Wonderland, a modern-day take on the classic Alice in Wonderland story set in New York City, American Idiot featuring the songs of Green Day, and the return of Rent. With its overseas counterpart looking mighty fierce in 2011, no wonder our local theater scene is hot on its tails. Yowza!

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Follow me on Twitter: imcalledtoffee. Or e-mail me at imcalledtoffee@mac.com.

CHASING TOFF: Dynamic Duo

2011-04-18T03:34:00.002+08:00

Charity’s case: The dance hall hostess (Nikki Gil), falls for regular Joe Oscar (Kris Lawrence) in the musical Sweet Charity.

Dynamic duo
CHASING TOFF By Christopher De Venecia The Philippine Star Updated April 15, 2011 12:00 AM

When you’re rapping about the business of show business, you’re probably reeling off on three kinds of individuals: the movie star, the TV personality, and the thespian. But due to the varying techniques, disciplines, and sometimes, even years of training that each one entails, for practitioners, it’s hardly ever an either-or.

Once in a blue moon, however, you encounter artists like Nikki Gil and Kris Lawrence who are willing to train and engage in a series of out-of-body experiences, all in pursuit of holistic, 360-degree artistic expression.

It must be all the Daniel Radcliffes, Christina Applegates, and Hugh Jackmans of this world all heading down the mountain of tinsel town and flying east to conquer the stage, and ultimately, the Great White Way. Such that when Nicholas Cage claims, “To be a good actor, you have to be something like a criminal, to be willing to break the rules to strive for something new,” you can’t help but wonder if he’s actually gabbing about the worthy endeavors of these two.

From preparations to sweet escapes, and for one of ‘em, what it’s like to share the stage and possibly a stage kiss with his best friend’s gal, Young Star gets up-close and personal with the stars of 9 Works Theatrical’s forthcoming musical extravaganza, the Bob Fosse dance comedy musical, Sweet Charity.

YOUNG STAR: What role do you play in the show?
Nikki Gil: I play Charity Hope Valentine, a genuinely “nice” individual who wanted nothing more than to be loved. She works as a dance hall hostess and easily falls for any guy who would give her the slightest bit of attention.
Kris Lawrence: I play Oscar, Sweet Charity’s love interest. He’s a regular Joe Shmoe that somehow catches Charity’s attention with his boyish charm.

You were last seen as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde the Musical. How would you compare the two roles?
Nikki: Elle’s journey revolved around getting Warner to love her. Charity’s journey revolves around getting anyone to love her. Charity is more naïve and more easily manipulated, which is why many take advantage of her kindness. Elle is more gutsy and feisty and knew what she had to do to get what she wanted. Both characters are easy to love and they are both fun.

This is the first time you’re venturing into the world of musical theater. What made you decide to take the leap?
Kris: I’ve always been a fan of musicals, and my sister played Kim in Miss Saigon for six years… So, I thought I’d give it a shot and try something new.

You’re playing a role that was popularized by Christina Applegate in a recent Broadway revival. Any pressure coming into this?
Nikki: As soon as I am handed the responsibility of a role, the pressure begins. This is positive pressure, however. Christina Applegate did a fantastic job as Charity. Shirley MacLaine did an amazing job in the movie version. I believe the challenge is in creating my own version of Charity which, of course, would only be possible with the help of direk Robbie and a wonderful cast.

How does it feel to be Nikki’s love interest? Do you have some sort of gentleman’s agreement with Billy?
Kris: You know what… one of the first questions I asked was if there’s going to be a kissing scene kasi she’s the girlfriend of one my best friends. When me and Billy were hangin’ out one night, he said, “Dude…that kiss better be a staged kiss, ayt?”(laughs) I think it’ll be fun actually.

Sweet Charity is known to be a heavy dance musical. I mean, it’s from the iconic Bob Fosse, creator of the musicalChicago. What kind of preparations are you doing for the role?
Nikki: Bob Fosse’s style is very distinct. It’s the small details that separate this kind of dancing from other genres. I am definitely getting help from a professional and will be going through dance classes for this one.

People know you to be the smooth R&B crooner. What kind of Kris Lawrence can people expect from this show?
Kris: Actually I’m kind of excited to see what different side of me it’ll bring out! This is the opposite of what I do. If R&B was night, this is day. If R&B is yin, this is yang. When I auditioned for the part, they asked me if I was willing to change the way I sang for this project. I laughed in my head ‘cause I pictured a Chris Brown image with a Josh Groban voice. I think it’s going to be an interesting fusion.

Any fears or challenges coming into this?
Nikki: Anything Bob Fosse is intimidating! But I believe with hard work, a fabulous cast and a fantastic director, we will be able to come up with a version of Sweet Charity unlike any other.
Kris: Jumping into something new always brings out the heebie-jeebies in people. I feel like I’m jumping into an ice-cold swimming pool butt-naked! But at the end of the day, it’s a performance and I’m very anxious to see what kind of performance God will course through me this time.

What’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever done for someone?
Nikki: My boyfriend’s family lives in the US. And for his birthday, he wanted nothing more than to be surrounded by family. So for his birthday dinner, I “lent” him my family and threw him a surprise party.
Kris: The sweetest thing I’ve ever done for someone was send them on a Scavenger Hunt with clues and at every stop was a nice gift for them to enjoy.

Describe your sweetest escape.
Nikki: I have always wanted to go to Paris.
Kris: For me and a special someone (whoever that may be) ... to spend a couple of days in Amanpulo. Every night, we’ll have dinner under the stars, just us two. Every morning, breakfast on the beach, and just great conversation all throughout.

What’s your sweetest indulgence?
Nikki: Anyone close to me will tell you that candy plays a major role in my diet. It is part of my food groups.
Kris: I’m such a sucker for chocolates! Can’t say no to them, especially Patchi and White Chocolate Royce!

Finally, why should we see go see this musical?
Nikki: Sweet Charity is a classic! The music is beautiful and the choreography exciting!
Kris: It’s definitely gonna be a huge production. The female cast is an all-star line-up… And you’ll laugh a lot, that’s for sure. Great show-stopping numbers and you’ll see Nikki Gil at her best and me in a totally different element. And come on…9 Works is doing it!

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Sweet Charity, the Bob Fosse dance-musical-comedy, will open in August at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, directed by Robbie Guevara. For show buying and fundraising opportunities, call 557-5860 or 0917-5545560, or visit www.9workstheatrical.com. You may also log on to www.facebook.com/9workstheatrical for more info about the show and the rest of the cast.

HEALTH HAZARD

2011-03-21T03:07:00.001+08:00

I've been going around a lot of lies lately - I'm finding myself facing a huge crossroad. Where do I go?

Circus, Circus

2011-03-14T00:37:00.001+08:00

Circus, circus
CHASING TOFF By Christopher De Venecia (The Philippine Star) Updated March 14, 2011 12:00 AM

There’s a certain feeling of romanticism evoked by the circus. The performing acts, the stunts, the costumes, the clowns, the incredulous set pieces, the eerie sort of enchanting music that accompanies each one are all part and parcel of the magnificent three hundred sixty-degree live experience of every circus spectator. Whether young or young at heart, audiences are moved and fundamentally captivated, all the while being kept on the edge of their seats.

Juggling. Photo by Rick Diamond. Costume by Eiko Ishioka.

Over the years, the circus has been able to entertain scores of audiences worldwide. But for one particular circus troupe, it has been able to go beyond the realms of unadulterated entertainment, making possible the impossible and informing audiences in as much as they are able to inspire and ignite their passion, sensitivities, and imagination. The group is quite possibly the foremost authority on anything ‘circus’-related as the word has grown synonymous and fantastically betrothed to the group’s existence. They are none other than Cirque du Soleil and they’re finally coming to Manila.

Flight of the Icarus. PHOTO by Benoit Camirand. Costume by Eiko Ishioka.

Origins

Cirque du Soleil literally means “Circus of the Sun.” Founded in 1984 by Canadian Guy Laliberte, the show was meant to carry out the festivities across the province of Quebec to commemorate the 450th anniversary of Canada’s discovery. Since the show had garnered considerable success during that time, it continued on, and has remained to this day, vibrant, indefatigable, and constantly in the making, performing to over hundreds of millions of spectators around the globe.

With over 5,000 employees worldwide, Cirque has also enabled thousands of artists of various cultural diversities to showcase their unique talents whether onstage or offstage. At present, the group is performing a total of 19 different shows, including Quidam, Dralion, Corteo, Mystere and Zumanity, to name a few, all in lieu of their mission to invoke the imagination, provoke the senses, and evoke the emotions of people around the globe.

Georgian Dance. PHOTO by Rick Diamond. Costume by Eiko Ishioka.

Cirque-Xperience

My first Cirque-xperience happened in 1998 when I first caught O at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. The show, whose name is pronounced aseau, like “water” in the French vernacular, featured a gamut of water-themed acts over a stage that rose and fell to accommodate synchronized swimming, death drops, contortionists, trapeze, and quite possibly the most stunning imagery that accompanied each one. The hydraulics of the underwater stage lift made moments where the performers seem like they were dancing on top of the water possible and quite possibly, gave me the most breathtaking, albeit expensive, cirque-xperience of my life.
Years later, I was able to catch The Beatles’ Love, a Cirque show that channeled the youthful energy of the British underground, underscored by aerial performances, extreme sports, and freestyle dance to the musical legacy of The Beatles. Of course by then, I was old enough to drink so I was able to enhance my viewing experience with a huge mug of frozen pina colada that made moments like Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, incredibly trippy. It’s Vegas, baby! But watching Cirque substantiate and convey the essence of the Beatles through the conventions of the circus, I was reminded about Cirque du Soleil’s immense beauty and how a show that doesn’t necessarily follow the tell-all machinations of theater can still captivate audiences and give them the full breadth and depth of a relatable show.

The Betrothed. PHOTO by Eric Piche. Costume by Eiko Ishioka.

Varekai Comes To Manila

Alas, as many others I assume, I am quite possibly a fan boy of Cirque du Soleil. Recollections of O and The Beatles’ Love to this day can still exact goose bumps usually brought about by powerful Broadway material; such that when I was invited to attend the media launch of Cirque du Soleil’s Varekai last Thursday at the prestigious Manila Hotel, I was floored and at the same time, titillated with the idea that my Cirque-xperiences would be recreated on Philippine soil.

The word Varekai means “wherever” in the Romany language of the gypsies — the universal wanderers. Written and directed by Dominic Champagne, the show pays tribute to the nomadic soul, to the spirit and art of the circus tradition, and to those who quest with infinite passion along the path that leads to Varekai.

Paying tribute to the ancient and rare circus traditions of Icarian games, Water Meteors, and the Georgian dance, the show promises an explosive fusion of drama and acrobatics, displaying skill and power set against innovative music and otherworldly sets, interwoven with choreography that speaks to all in the universal language of movement.

Russian Swings. PHOTO by Patrick Bernath. Costume by Eiko Ishioka.

Varekai will premiere on June 21 for a limited engagement under the blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) located at the Luneta, across Quirino Grandstand. Tickets are on sale at www.hoopla.ph or www.cirquedusoleil.com. For inquiries, call 775-0939, 881-0947, 0919-4508125 and 0917-4436463. The show is co-presented by The Mania Hotel.

Existential Crisis: Action Vs. Self

2011-02-20T15:25:00.000+08:00

I Kinda need to be leaving in a bit for the matinee show of Rent today.

But lately, I've been thinking a lot about where I am at this point of my life, and where exactly I wanna go.

I've left SM already and I'm now full-time with 9 Works Theatrical. The ride has been hella fun, and hella stressful given that I am now PR and Marketing Director for the company - a lot of responsibility for someone my age. Thankfully, I'm able to keep up with the demands of the job, though I'm thoroughly understaffed. Not the point. Point is: the nature of the business is that you're busy as far as before the show opens (in the pre-production stages), but once it does, it's like all of a sudden, I have all this time on my hands. Time. Something I'm not entirely comfortable with.

Too much time on my hands makes me uneasy. It's like now, I don't know what do anymore coz I wake up everyday and there's less and less things-to-do on my planner. I always say that man is the sum of all his actions. You are essentially what you do. But if I'm not doing anything, then who am I? I'm a workhorse, a slave to my work - but when there's nothing for me to do at the moment, it's like I have no anchor... Unlike when I was in SM, it was always work, work, work. What do I do?

CHASING TOFF: Give Us a Break

2011-01-24T00:24:00.000+08:00

Give us a break
CHASING TOFF By Christopher De Venecia (The Philippine Star) Updated January 24, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (0)

The cast of Breakups and Breakdowns — Carla Guevara-Laforteza (Nina), Reuben Uy (Derek), Joel Trinidad (Mark), and Emerita Alcid (Sandy)| Zoom

It was August 1998 or 1999 when actor-comedian, SPIT (Silly People’s Improv Theater) founding member, and Awit-Award nominee Joel Trinidad had a meeting with a guy who was running 30 minutes late. Unfortunately, Joel couldn’t just “up” and leave so he decided to “Up” — start his own theater company called “Up”-start Productions.” Okay, that was a pathetic attempt to match Joel’s wit and humor — a guy I’ve known through the years as someone who always has something fascinating to say.

(Quick anecdote: I remember backstage in a play we did together for Rep. He mentioned to me the term “le mot juste” which means “finding the appropriate word or expression” for what you mean because things don’t always have to boil down to being “good” or “cool.” It’s one of those random things that Joel tended to blurt out but something that stuck with me over the years. Anyway…)
That’s not exactly how you connect the dots between Joel Trinidad and Manila’s newest theater company, Upstart Productions. But barreling through the wait, Joel decided to write a song, tap the musical director of Hong Kong Disneyland, and the rest, they say, is history. (Okay, more on Rony Fortich later, yes, the guy who composed the songs to the show).

“The first song I wrote was about a relationship. And once you start writing about relationships, you realize there’s just so much material to work with,” shares Joel Trinidad who is a 20-year (sometimes 20-year-old) veteran of the stage, having appeared in numerous productions such as The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Avenue Q, The Rocky Horror Show, and the Asian premiere of Rent. He adds, “You’ve got your funny anecdotes, your dates from hell, your broken heart — it’s universal. There’s no end to it.”

But beyond the countless productions and the esteem that an actor of his caliber can pride under his belt, nothing, to this writer, trumps the fact that Joel is probably the only actor in town who can manage to write his own piece of material, produce it, direct it, and take the liberties of starring in it — all in one blow. And it’s a musical for crying out loud — a segment of the performing arts which employs of its practitioners some serious, not-to-be-underestimated triple threat skills. The material? Breakups and Breakdowns.

Mark (Joel Trinidad), a young playwright, is putting the finishing touches to a play about finding that one perfect girl. Derek (Reuben Uy), Mark’s roommate and best friend, thinks that Mark would be better off actually meeting women instead of just writing about them. Derek, a notorious playboy, meets gorgeous and flirtatious Sandy (Emerita Alcid Trinidad) who seems to be the female version of Derek and puts the former in distress. What he doesn’t know is that Sandy is only feigning aloofness to keep Derek interested, as she was too needy, earnest and available in a past relationship. One stormy night, Nina (Carla Guevara-Laforteza) knocks on her ex-boyfriend Mark’s door and the two soon realize that there may be something still going on between them. And then Derek and Sandy arrive unexpectedly which to everyone’s amazement, reacquaints Mark with someone he used to call by another name, back when the latter was a little too needy, a little too earnest, and a little too available.
Reuben Uy, who plays Derek, reveals, “The script is basically Joel’s life. It’s been through a lot of changes but it’s still very current because it’s about everyone’s favorite topic — love.” As you know, there’s no better way to stir the love bug and put the finishing touches to a witty piece of material than to employ some fabulous, well-crafted counterpoints. Enter: Rony Fortich, the brilliant musical director of Hong Kong Disneyland.

Emerita Alcid Trinidad, Joel’s real-life sweetheart who plays Sandy, shares, “Rony did such a wonderful job putting everything together and composing. Joel and Rony really talked about how they wanted their songs to be. It’s a great team.” Rony wrote Breakups and Breakdowns with Joel in 2005 before moving to Hong Kong. The former also wrote the music to Stages’ recent hit, N.O.A.H (No Ordinary Aquatic Habitat).

Carla Guevara-Laforteza, who pays Nina, ends, “It’s a comedy and romantic musical. We all love a little laugh and my God, Joel Trinidad breaking into song, wouldn’t want to look forward to that, right?” (No Carla, it’s not “Right!” It’s “Up!” You know, like “Upstart!” No? I give up. There can only be one Joel Trinidad).

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Breakups and Breakdowns will be showing at Teatrino, The Promenade, Greenhills on the following dates and times: Feb. 18, 19, 25 and 26, March 4, 5, 11 & 12 at 8 p.m.; Feb. 19 and 26, March 5 and 12 at 3 p.m. For ticket inquiries, contact upstarttickets@gmail.com or visit www.upstartproductionsinc.com.

CHASING TOFF: Something is Stirring

2010-12-20T11:07:00.002+08:00

Something is stirring
CHASING TOFF By Christopher De Venecia (The Philippine Star) Updated December 20, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (0)

The cast of The 39 Steps — Michael Williams, Rem Zamora, Jeff Arcilla and Liza Infante| Zoom

A couple of months ago, I was privileged enough to have been invited to the grand launch of Repertory Philippines’ 2011 season at the prestigious Enderun College. Aptly titled, “Something is Stirring,” a cut from Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece and one of my personal favorites, Merrily We Roll Along, I was delighted to see a bevy of Philippine Theater’s finest and upcoming actors coming together to celebrate a renewed promise and excitement over some fantastical new shows from the company that started it all.

More than 40 years in the industry, Repertory Philippines is home to many of our country’s finest talents who have graced both the local and international stage. Lea Salonga, Monique Wilson, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Michael Williams, Audie Gemora, Leo Martinez, Bernardo Bernardo, Ana Abad- Santos, Rem Zamora, Robbie Guevara, Chari Arespacochaga, Liesl Batucan, Miguel Faustmann, Baby Barredo, Joy Virata, and Bibot Amador, the household names that are part and parcel to Rep’s constellation of stars run the gamut.

Rep has been a training ground for many artists who have gone on to work in London, Germany, Macau, Singapore, New York, and Hong Kong, and done our country proud. It is thus befitting that a new home in Ortigas, a new associate artistic director, and five brand new shows for 2011 deserve a seasonal launch in true theatrical fashion.

It’s a known fact that not all great actors make great directors. But there are a few who manage to do both and excel as testament to their inherent talent, instinct, charisma, years of theater training and experience, and some truly great artistry. Enter Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, the “First Lady of Philippine Theater,” now a bona fide theater director, an actor’s director, and Rep’s newly minted associate artistic director. Menchu was at the directorial helm of the 2008 restaging of Stages’ West Side Story (her first!) and the recently concluded Little Women (her second, and for me, one of the best theater pieces of 2010). Both musicals have earned her accolades from amongst the local theatergoing set. Her addition to Rep’s in-house artistic team is one that truly excites.

She relates, “We’ve picked an exciting selection of shows that are sure to stimulate theatergoers.” Enter: The Joy Luck Club (Feb. 4 to Feb. 20). Based on the beloved book by Amy Tan, The Joy Luck Club is a chorus of eight voices telling scores of tightly woven stories. It tells of the lives of four Chinese immigrant women and their four American-born daughters, brought together through a single vision of rich complexity — maternal bonds, filial frustrations, native superstitions and cultural divide. The Joy Luck Club will be helmed by famed director, Anton Juan.

Enter: The 39 Steps (March 4 to 20), a comedy thriller based on Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece. I recently saw this on Broadway, and quite frankly didn’t enjoy it. Then again, the material hadn’t yet encountered the genius of Aliw award-winning actress and director Ana Abad Santos. 39 Steps is a fast-paced whodunit “with over 150 zany characters played by a cast of four,” says Yulo. She adds, “There will be non-stop laughs as audiences witness missing fingers, a plane crash and some good ol’ fashioned romance!”

Enter: Shakespeare in Hollywood (April 1 to 7). This is the play that excites me the least. There’s something about Shakespeare that is off-putting to a contemporary theatergoer, more so, the horrific title and ridiculous premise. Shakespeare’s most famous fairies, Oberon and Puck, end up on the Hollywood set of Max Reinhardt’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Smitten by the glitz and glamour of showbiz, they end up playing (who else?) themselves on the silver screen. It sounds to me like a DVD movie you can buy off thetiangge. Unless Rep manages to put a spin to it á la what Abad Santos did in her fabulousMad Max re-imagination of Hamlet, I’m not so sure that this would be the best way to conclude a Rep season. Then again...

Off to better things: Seussical the Musical (Aug. 13 to Dec. 11). Repertory has always had a special place for young audiences through its Children’s Theater. Conceptualized by Joy Virata, Rep’s former associate artistic director, its aim is to train the new generation to make theatergoing a regular habit. Now, if only schools would make an effort to train their students to observe proper theater etiquette as Lea Salonga has previously written about in her column. For Seussical, Tony Award-winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtimeand Once on this Island) bring to life the colorful characters from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.

And finally: Peter Pan (Sept. 29 to Oct. 30), an exciting collaboration between Repertory Philippines and Stages which will be staged at the Meralco Theater. With the exception of Peter Pan, all Rep shows are usually staged at the Onstage Theater in Greenbelt 1. With actor Sam Concepcion in the title role, joined by Tippy dos Santos as Wendy, the show will be co-directed by Jaime del Mundo and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo. George Stiles and Anthony Drew (Honk! and Disney’s Mary Poppins) are composer and lyricist of the show. Peter Pan is a spectacular musical where the actors will fly right before the audience’s eyes.

Something is indeed stirring for Repertory Philippines. With the addition of Yulo and five new shows for its 2011 season, audiences will surely realize why nobody does a show like Rep does. For ticket inquiries and other information, call Repertory Philippines at 571-6926, 571-4941, or email info@repertory-philippines.com. Tickets are also available at Ticketworld at 891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph.

PRAYER FOR KC

2010-12-17T09:55:00.001+08:00

It's been six years since you passed away. Hope wherever you are, you're well and okay. Love you very much KC =) I know I don't think about you as much anymore - but you're always in my heart =)

PRAYER FOR KC

By Christopher de Venecia

I dreamt once of a child who walked by her mother’s side,

She ran through valleys, scaled mountains, and crossed oceans far and wide.

She spoke her mind, loved adventure, and set off to conquer the world

One journey after another, her legacy unfurled…

There was a hunger in her eyes that showed so much spark,

Her insatiable passion could overthrow the dark,

She was a light that brought fondness to all of our hearts,

Until such time tragedy tore us apart.

I dreamt once of a child who spoke with so much hope,

Who, despite extraordinary circumstances, had learned to cope,

Cousin, daughter, sister, and to most, a friend,

Her unwavering loyalty transcended ‘til the end…

She was unique, in any form, shape or way

Her radiance was unlike any that had ever seen the day,

She was a ray of sunshine that always shone bright,

But the flames were overwhelming that one awful night…

I dreamt once of a child who waited for life to start,

Her future ahead of her – so much excitement in her heart

She could’ve sang a few songs, taken up fashion, or law,

She had a way of seeing things that kept us in awe…

She was everything a star had destined to become

Living life to the fullest would become her solemn psalm

She became her own woman, tore away the silver spoon,

But like a thief in the night, her life was gone too soon.

I dreamt once of a child that had simply been away

on a very long sojourn, in Paris, Rome, or Saint Tropez,

That I’d walk into a room, and she’d finally be back

as we catch up on her travels and I help her unpack…

Her absence has made my heart grow fonder,

I talk with her continuously, hug her tight, then wonder,

“Will this beautiful reverie ever come to an end?”
And then I awoke, short of breath – my tears all spent.

It was just another dream – happiness and then pain,

The thought of your passing is more than I can take,

KC, my dear KC who left me all too soon,

How are you? Are you happy? I look towards the moon.

Six years have passed KC since you left us here,

The wounds are less, but not completely healed,

I know that we can rendezvous in the happiest of dreams

But happiness is not always what it seems.

I am happy that you are with our Maker

But I’d be happier if you left us much, much later,

When we’re all together old, and all together grey,

For now, as forever, I solemnly pray:

I look forward to the day that I’ll get back my friend,

Dear Lord, strengthen me, comfort me ‘til the end.

For now, I’ll take comfort in passing butterflies,

Pick up the pieces, strive to live, as my hopeful compromise,

I love you KC with all my heart,

Dear Lord, through my countenance, KC will never depart.

Six years will be seven, and seven will be ten,

‘til such day, we finally will meet again.

Amen.

THE ROMANTIC

2010-12-11T12:46:00.001+08:00

Grab a copy of this month's issue of STATUS Magazine =)
Wrote a piece on New York-based photographer Jimmy Fontaine...

CHASING TOFF: 'COZ EVERYTHING IS RENT

2010-12-06T01:24:00.000+08:00

'Coz everything is 'Rent'
CHASING TOFF By Christopher De Venecia (The Philippine Star) Updated December 06, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (0)

Fredison Lo as Mark Cohen, Mian Dimacali as Maureen Johnson, and Jenny Villegas as Joanne Jefferson in Rent, which will have a limited run of eight performances at the Power Plant Cinema 2 starting Dec. 8| Zoom

If there’s one musical that perfectly captures the angst and essence of our generation, it’s probably Jonathan Larson’s rock opera, Rent — a Tony and Pulitzer award-winning neo-contemporary masterpiece based on Giacomo Puccini’s La Boheme. The show, which opened in Broadway back in 1996 and holds the record of being the ninth-longest-running show on Broadway before closing in 2008, tells the story of young bohemians struggling to survive in the Lower East Side boroughs of Alphabet City during the rise of a mysterious virus known as AIDS. The show is also responsible for popularizing the hit song Seasons of Love, which is sung by the entire cast during the opening of Act 2.

There is probably no man on earth who hasn’t heard of the popular jukebox tune. A permanent fixture on commercial sound systems and radio stations during the Holiday season,Seasons of Love is also a fail-safe go-to for most Valentine’s concerts and even during weddings (I recently attended one that played it during the processional). I mean, how can you not fall in love or get all fuzzy with a song that counts the many ways in which a person can measure a year in his or her life? “In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee,” the means are endless. But for Roger, Mimi, Maureen, Angel, Collins, and the bohemians of Alphabet City, audiences come to realize just this — in a year lambasted with poverty, adversity, disease, and existentialist struggle entangled with an artist’s plight for self-actualization, every minute counts.

525,600 minutes — Jonathan Larson conceptualized the powerful numeric that follows after the momentous opening beats of Seasons of Love, subsequently giving rise to the many pillars through which musical theater stands today. As we’ve mentioned, there’s Seasons of Love that strikes a chord in the hearts of young and old alike, not to mention the many other songs that comprise the powerful score that Larson created right before his untimely death on the day that Rent officially opened in the Great White Way.

Sheree Bautista plays Mimi Marquez

Also, the show, through its powerful message of love and “No Day But Today,” was able to shed light on such issues as AIDS, HIV, and homosexuality – matters that were once seen as taboo to the general populace. Rent also popularized “The Lottery” system, an avenue through which financially challenged theatergoers are able to afford premium tickets to go see a play on Broadway as Larson himself had dealt with financial struggle while serving as a waiter at the Moondance Diner.

Furthermore, the show was able to jumpstart the careers of Adam Pascal, Taye Diggs, and Idina Menzel who played Roger, Benny, and Maureen respectively in the original cast. Menzel would eventually play Elphaba in the hit Broadway show, Wicked and Rachel Berry’s mom in Glee.

Overall, the show’s greatest contribution to Broadway was that it was able to rehash and redefine the rules of musical theater through its rock-operatic score — eventually enabling such musicals as Spring Awakening, Next to Normal and American Idiot to conquer the Great White Way.

For the holiday season, 9 Works Theatrical and Power Plant Cinema proudly bring back “the musical that changed the face of Broadway forever,” Rent which had sold-out performances last February at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in RCBC. Due to insistent public demand, Rent is back for a limited run at the Power Plant Cinema 2.

Robbie Guevara directs 9 Works Theatrical and Power Plant Cinema’s Rent.

Returning to the show is Gian Magdangal as Roger Davis who will be sharing the stage this time around with real-life girlfriend Sheree Bautista as Mimi Marquez. Sheree, a former member of the Viva Hot Babes, will be alternating with stage veteran Amparo Sietereales who played the role of Mimi many years back in a previous staging of Rent. Also returning to the show are Fredison Lo as Mark Cohen, OJ Mariano as Tom Collins, AJ Bautista as Angel, Jenny Villegas as Joanne Jefferson, and Mark Tayag, Gary Junsay, Johann dela Fuente, Harold Cruz, and Peachy Atilano as part of the ensemble.
For the December run, they will be joined by Mian Dimacali who bravely tackles the role of Maureen Johnson, Lorenz Martinez as Benny, Sab Jose as Alexi Darling, and Pam Imperial as the Homeless Lady who sings the powerful high note in Seasons of Love.

The show is directed by Robbie Guevara, with musical direction by Onyl Torres and Ricky Villante, set design by Mio Infante, lights design by Martin Esteva, sound design by Chuck Ledesma, costume styling by Bek Soriano, and additional choreography by Francis Matheu.

Rent will have a limited run of eight performances at the Power Plant Cinema 2, Dec. 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 (8 p.m.), and Dec. 10, 11, and 12 (4 p.m.). Get your tickets now at the Power Plant Cinema ticket booth. For tickets, call 898-1440 or 898-1441, or 0908-8692988.

Rent is brought to you by Rockwell Land, Rockwell Club, Power Plant Mall, Metro Society, Velvet Channel, and Basement Salon, and is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI), 421 West 54th Street, New York, New York 10019 – tel: (212) 541 4684www.mtishows.com.

CHASING TOFF: FROM TV TO STAGE

2010-11-29T19:25:00.000+08:00

From TV to stage
CHASING TOFF By Christopher De Venecia (The Philippine Star) Updated November 29, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (0)

| Zoom

Writing for stage is very different from writing for TV,” quips Gilbeys Z. Sardea who has been writing for ABS-CBN drama shows such as Maalaala Mo Kaya, Your Song, Tanging Yaman, and Habang May Buhay for more than eight years now.

“The process in writing for TV is very tedious. A material needs to go through a long process before it’s produced and aired.” As opposed to writing for the stage, in which the process is not that long. In writing for TV, a script writer has to make each scene worth watching because people might easily switch channels at the touch of their remote controls; whereas when writing for the stage, the author has to give the material time and space to linger.

“I must say, the transition in writing from TV to stage wasn’t that easy,” relates Gilbeys who considers his “Postcard” episode starring Cherie Gil, Perla Bautista and Armando Goyena for Maalaala Mo Kaya as his most personal work yet. In the process, he had to change his writing style and how he envisioned the outcome to be. He adds, “I had to go back to the basics of writing and push my guts more to let all the emotions go into the script that I write.”

On stage, each emotion has to be more intense and bigger because it’s live. In stage sensibility, the story has to be larger than life — so clear and so precise such that when it’s delivered, it will reach all the way to the back of the theater, so that even the deafest and oldest of grandmas will still understand it.

Such was the feat that Gilbeys had taken upon himself to conquer when agreeing to write the full-length musical Fuse, a Filipino musical put together by the Economia Church of Christ (Eco). “My inspiration for writing it was the concerns of the Christian youth today,” he continues. “I am very much alarmed with the problems and challenges that the youth face today. And I want to let other kids and parents know that the youth today have different concerns.”

In writing for the stage, just like for TV, a judicious amount of research is required of the writer in weaving the material together. He recalls a Maalaala Mo Kaya episode he wrote which starred Carlo Aquino, Emman Abeleda, Jaclyn Jose and Ricky Davao where he got to meet the mother whose sons both died one after another because of different illnesses. In Fuse, while Gilbeys was given some initial material to work with, he had to take it upon himself to indulge in a more personal kind of research that gave rise to each character being a composite of the different people he knew.

The musical relates the story of five Christian teenagers with different problems, who like any other teens, rely on their own strengths to face their personal challenges. They soon realize that it is only with God’s grace that they can truly overcome adversity.

Fuse features talents from Eco’s youth ministry The show is directed by Amiel Mendoza, with Nelson Caruncho as vocal coach, Jenny Jamora, Cris Villonco, and Jean Judith Javier as acting coaches, Rycher Christian Alfonso of the Philippine All Stars teaching dance, and choreography by Nhaz Maniego

The show is set for Dec. 4, at the Adamson University, San Marcelino, St. Ermita, Manila at 8 p. m. For tickets, SMS 0917-8271218, or 0922-8175418, or e-mail fusetickets@yahoo.com.

CHASING TOFF: UN-DAWN-TED

2010-10-25T02:53:00.002+08:00

'Un-Dawn-ted'
CHASING TOFF By Christopher De Venecia (The Philippine Star) Updated October 25, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (0)

Thanks to the nurturing of director Bobby Garcia who was the artistic glue that gelled everything together. This is one of Bobby’s best works to date. Bravo, Bobby!

Currently on Broadway with the talented Bernadette Peters in the role of Desiree Armfeldt, A Little Night Music, Sondheim’s celebrated masterpiece that features the seminal hit, Send in the Clowns, recently reopened in the Great White Way with a tour-de-force performance from Catherine Zeta-Jones. Her regality and candor suited the role of Desiree so much and the “quietness” that the piece demanded, acting inwards and drawing audiences towards the actor rather than doing an outward and bombastic performance ala Gyspy Rose, that she won accolades in the recent Tony Awards as Best Actress in a Musical.

Now I didn’t really get to catch A Little Night Music on my recent trip to New York — reason being that it was the in-between rehearsal period of the show from Catherine Zeta-Jones to Bernadette Peters. And I have not seen any other version of the show for that matter. But after catching Atlantis Production’s local staging, featuring showbiz scion and the very beautiful Dawn Zulueta as Desiree Armfeldt, I may as well have come face to face with Zeta-Jones and some Broadway-level caliber interpreted on our local soil. Atlantis Production’s A Little Night Music was nothing short of breathtaking, fascinating, and life-changing as I walked away from the theater, stunned, haunted, and a reinforced aficionado and disciple of Stephen Sondheim (who is the show’s brilliant composer).

Based on Ingmar Bergman’s film, Smiles of Summer Night, A Little Night Music is a witty and urbanemusical set in waltz time. The action takes place in a weekend country house in turn-of-the-century Sweden, where surprising liaisons, long-simmering passions, and a taste of love’s endless possibilities are brought to light.

There is of course Desiree Armfeldt at the center of a humorous tug-of-war between Frederik Egerman, played by the excellent Nonie Buencamino, and Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm played by the comical Jake Macapagal. Both men, contrasting in personalities, are initially betrothed, and thus become adulterous to their respective wives — conjuring a messy Melrose web that entangles the show’s primary players. Frederik Egerman is married to the young Anne Egerman, played by the wonderful and amazingly comical Cris Villonco while the Count is married to Charlotte Malcolm, played by the beautiful Jenny Jamora. Adding to the mix is Felix Rivera who plays Henrik, Frederik’s son who we discover later on, to be in love with his stepmother Anne. The Melrose web climaxes when all the primary players travel to spend a Weekend in the Country, upon the invatation of Desiree and her mother, Madame Armfeldt, played by Jay Glorioso — the role played in the Broadway revival by Angela Lansbury.

Apart from the joyous and breathtaking performances and Mio Infante’s gorgeous chrysalis-looking set that encrusts the Carlos P. Romulo stage and paints the mood for each scene as it is transformed each time with Dong Calingacion’s lighting design, not to mention the powerful support from the likes of Teenee Chan and Raul Montesa, among other narrators in the show, accolades should be given to both Dawn Zulueta and Nonie Buencamino who, for this writer, are the luminous stars of A Little Night Music.

Dawn delivers the performance of a lifetime, not overplaying the character to depict a caricature but rather, tempering those tender moments that pull audiences in, hook, line, and sinker. Her Send in the Clowns was in a whole other universe. And myself, being a sucker for middle-age people who find love again in each other’s arms, I was this close to bawling like a kid from where I sat in the second row. Think The Notebook. Where Dawn shines brightly, there is Nonie Buencamino fueling Dawn’s light, lyric to lyric, word for word, emotion to emotion. There was so much depth in his performance, proof of his many wonderful years onstage, that the two of them together — Dawn and Nonie — really do paint a sterling example of how acting and theater should be done. Bravo! This is of course, thanks to the nurturing of director Bobby Garcia who was the artistic glue that gelled everything together. This is one of Bobby’s best works to date. Bravo, Bobby!

The show also stars Alys Serdenia as the hysterical maid Petra who sings a whopping The Miller’s Son, Crystal Baranda-Paras as Frederika, Gabriel Santos as Frid, and Agnes Barredo-Fenoli, Glen Llanes, Anthony Ong, and Jennie Nuyda as the other narrators. Chari Arespacochaga choreographs the show, with Ceejay Javier as musical director, Rajo Laurel as costumes designer for Desiree Armfeldt, Twinkle Zamora as costume designer, and Manman Angsico as vocal coach.

CHASING TOFF: THANK HEAVEN FOR LITTLE GIRLS

2010-10-18T11:29:00.000+08:00

Thank heaven for little girls
CHASING TOFF By Christopher De Venecia (The Philippine Star) Updated October 18, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (0)

The cast of Little Women: Kelly Lati, Cara Barredo, Lora Nicolas, Caisa Borromeo with Pinky Marquez

Laurie is Mr. Lawrence’s grandson and has a sense of displacement from the world because both his parents died when he was young. Jo is outspoken, daring, full of ambition, and one of four sisters of the March clan. Once Jo and Laurie meet, they easily become the best of friends. Their relationship becomes very “sibling-like” as they grow fond of each other’s company, exploring and embracing new adventures together. Sound familiar? This is of course part and parcel of the timeless classic and Repertory Philippines’ wonderful offering for the holiday season, Little Women.

But seeing as that “sibling-like,” family oriented-ness, and passion for life are common between the characters and the actors that play them in real life, I may as well have just described the stories of real-life pals and two of my personal favorites, Caisa Borromeo and Jaime Barcelon. Okay, maybe not the “sense of displacement” part for Jaime.

“I’ve been fortunate to have a great relationship with my mom who’s also like a friend and mentor to me,” quips Jaime who is fresh off his stint with local pop singing group, The Ryan Cayabyab Singers. “I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to work with Mr. C, recording and touring with them for the past few years.” But as Jaime makes preparations for his first solo music project, he conquers the theater stage alongside real-life pal Caisa Borromeo who, herself, is no stranger to the theater world. While Jaime has essayed several roles, including Rolf in Rep’s Sound of Music and Ryan in Ateneo Blue Repertory’s High School Musical, Caisa has played dozens of roles on stage, including notable appearances for Stages’ Footloose and West Side Story, Rep’s Aladdin Jr. and Mulan Jr., and I Love You Because.

“It’s a lot of pressure,” shares Caisa who considers the role of Jo to be her ultimate dream role. “It’s such a challenging role to play but it’s very exciting. I feel so lucky to have been given this opportunity.” Luckily, for the challenge that the material and the roles demand of the two, they have the amazing Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as their precious director and artistic guide.

“She is very clear about her vision for the show but at the same time allows us the room for discovery and to see what feels right for us,” says Jaime. Caisa adds, “She’s an actor’s director. She trusts her actors completely.”
This wouldn’t be the first time though that the classic was adapted into something other than its novel form. In 1933, Katherine Hepburn headlined a movie version, followed by a 1949 “theatrical” version with June Allyson and Elizabeth Taylor as Amy, and finally an “intimate” 1994 version starring Winona Ryder. Caisa relates, “The book of course is a lot more detailed but the musical tells the story differently because it starts off in the present time, and then goes back in time when Jo remembers the time she spent with her sisters.”

Little Women is a coming of age musical about a young woman who actualizes her dream of becoming a writer and how those close to her play an integral role in helping her achieve that dream. “The show reminds us about the importance of family,” says Jaime. “It’s also an inspirational show because it reminds all of us never to give up on our dreams.”

Among the showstoppers for the show are More Than I Am, Small Umbrella Under the Rain, Some Things Are Meant To Be, and a gravity-defying piece for any female theater aficionado, Astonishing which Caisa has taken upon herself to conquer.

The show also stars Lora Nicolas as Meg, Cara Barredo as Beth, Kelly Lati as Amy, Jeff Arcilla as Professor Bhaer, Jack Salud as John Brooke, Mayen Bustamante-Cadd as Mrs. Kirk, and Rep veterans Joy Virata as Aunt March, Miguel Faustmann as Mr. Laurence, and Ms. Pinky Marquez as Marmee (who according to Caisa and Jaime, sings a very moving Days of Plenty).

Little Women marks Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo’s sophomoric undertaking as director. Her last piece was Stages’ West Side Story starring Christian Bautista and Karylle. For Little Women, she is joined by assistant director Rem Zamora, conductor Gerard Salonga for the FILharmoniKA orchestra, set designer Joey Mendoza, costume designer Tuxqs Rutaquio, and John Batalla for the lighting design.

* * *

The show will run from Nov. 20 to Dec. 12, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. with matinees at 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays at Onstage, second floor, Greenbelt 1, Ayala Center, Makati.
For ticket inquiries and further information, call Repertory Philippines at 571-6926, 571-4941, or e-mail info@repertory-philippines.com.Tickets are also available at Ticketworld at 891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph.

SLACK IS CUT

2010-10-16T02:02:00.000+08:00

Apparently, a busy guy is capable of some downtime. And that's exactly what I had today. I mean besides the usual morning to mid-afternoon stress, I had pretty light day today... and most importantly some semblance of normalcy in my life. Today was my pal Rina's birthday. She was one of my sister and mother figures in SM and it's so nice that we've managed to stay in touch. Of course, the whole kooky and zany bunch of the marketing group was there to belt their hearts out to MUSIC 21... but more importantly, it's the company that you keep, even after your time with a company is over, that really just sticks with you. I love my SM family... I'll forever be a part of them, even if technically, I don't work for Men's Fashion anymore...

And then, I headed to Tata's surprise birthday party where Kirk, Deb, and some of her other friends prepared a carnival-themed party for her - replete with cotton candy, sorbetes, nachos, a candy buffet, and drinking games where you can possibly win a stuffed toy if you get luck. How cool right? It was just fun and good vibes all throughout the evening, and I guess I just really missed my friends. With my schedule for Wedding Singer, and the work that follows me 'til the wee hours of the morning, sometimes I can't catch a breath anymore. Thankfully today, I did =) And I feel reenergized moving forward to the hell week that is this week. Goodbye social life, hello prod week for Wedding Singer which opens in October 23 =)

Cheers to one of the cutest couples in the world, and congrats Kirk on the championship =)

WHAT I ATE TODAY:
Breakfast:
none

Lunch:
none

Merienda:
Venti Creme Brulee Macchiato
3-Cheese and Ham Sandwich

Dinner:
Watermelon Shake
Lemonade
Pasta Telefono
3 slices of Bread
Mozarella Dip

Rina's Birthday:
Yakimeshi Rice
Fish Fillet
Fries
2 Chicken Wings
1 serving of pancit
1 glass of iced tea

Tata's Birthday:
1 pc. hotdog
Nachos w/ Beef and Cheese
Cotton Candy
1/2 bottle of beer
1 shot of brandy
Sour Tape
Gummi Bears

EXERCISE:
none

WEIGHT:
191.5 pounds
(gained three pounds... oh nyo)

HIGHER AND HIGHER

2010-10-15T03:20:00.000+08:00

On to the next one... Just finished successful shows at the Venice Piazza at the McKinley Hill. Now pulling an all-nighter working on the souvenir program for WEDDING SINGER THE MUSICAL. Ika nga ni mareng Nikki Valdez who message me on Facebook, ang hirap nga naman kumayod but we love what we're doing so we keep doing it...

All I know is, it took me a lifetime to get to this point. And now that my folks are finally supportive of what I wanna do, then I gotta do everything it takes to safeguard and protect this. Higher and higher... yep. Indeed.

Saw the cutest chow-chow by the way the other day while having lunch with my pal Caisa... How cute is this. I wanna have one, trained and all, with instant affinity and liking towards me, without the burden and hassle of having to raise it. AKA. Robo-Chow-Chow.

WHAT I ATE TODAY:
Breakfast:
none

Lunch:
none

Merienda:
4 pcs. takoyaki.. right next to our ad for Wedding Singer which came out in Inquirer today. woot woot!

Dinner:
5 pcs. mozarella sticks with dip
5 pcs. chicken fingers with gravy
1/2 fried chicken from Mc Do
3 spoons of rice
5 sips of coffee

EXERCISE:
none

WEIGHT:
189.5 pounds

MISERY

2010-10-14T01:43:00.000+08:00

You can be riding on top of the world yet still feel the full weight of the universe on your shoulder. Sometimes, seriously, a guy just needs a break. Thank God for my passion - it's my new security blanket. It's the new Energizer that keeps me going. On to the next one =)

Here's something that does cheer me up: BON CHON. Oh god, I'd kill for a dozen of these right now.

WHAT I ATE TODAY:

Breakfast:

none

Lunch:

3 cups Corned Beef Rice

Sunny Side Up Egg

3 pcs. hotdog

Dinner:
1/2 Bacon Pasta (which sucked by the way)
Nachos w/ Beef and Cheese
Some of Anna and Shelyn's pasta

EXERCISE:
none

WEIGHT:
189.5 pounds

TARGETS UNACHIEVED

2010-10-13T19:21:00.000+08:00

REPOSTING FROM MONDAY...

TOMORROW'S TARGET (Monday Oct.11):

- eat breakfast

- eat less

- jog in the Polo Field before rehearsals

- no ice cream and late dinner

Eat Breakfast? Nope. I still skipped it. Because the minute I got up, I started working.

Eat less? I think so. Well I didn't eat as much as Monday.

Jog in the polo field? Nope. because work got in the way.

No Icream? Well, yes, I didn't have ice cream.

Late Dinner? Well, I had a late snack.

WHAT I ATE TODAY:

Breakfast:

none

Lunch:

Spaghetti Vongole

3-cheese Ensaymada

Queso de Bola dip

1 glass of Apple Cinnamon Iced Tea

Dinner:

2 pc. Combo Kebab w/ Rice

2 glasses of Dalandan Sangria

2 pcs. sticky rice

1/2 serving of nachos

I'm getting busier and busier by the day. But I wouldn't have it any other way. Let's go! I have to regain my social life back though. haha. =)

WEIGHT

188.5 pounds

- 2000 and THIN

THEATER IS LIKE A DRUG

2010-10-11T02:14:00.001+08:00

Theater is like a drug. Imagine having a meeting from 2pm to 2am on a Saturday... yet loving every single minute of it. You feel like you can go on and on, discussing things because well, it's your passion. And what's better is that it's a shared passion by people whose passion are definitely overflowing. I feel driven to go from day to day because I love what I'm doing. I love it so much that it becomes me, it becomes who I am. I am what I do, and I love every single minute of it.

It took me a lifetime to get to this point - and now that I'm here, well, I just gotta do my best and God will do the rest. Lord, thank you for this opportunity to do something that will carve a mark in people's lives, for allowing me to enable people to grow in their own crafts, and for enabling me to grow with people who are willing to entrust me with the kind of responsibilities that people would have to work all their lives for. Help me protect them and nurture them and embrace them wholeheartedly that I emerge a better person who made a difference in people's lives.

WHAT I ATE TODAY:

Breakfast:

none

Lunch:

6 pcs. Crazy Maki

Watermelon Shake

Fillet Mignon Tips with Mushroom Penne

Dinner:

Shabu-Shabu

1 serving of fried rice

1 serving of fish with tofu

1 glass of pineapple juice

Late Dinner:

1 Large Fries

1 Oreo McFlurry

WEIGHT:

193.5 pounds

EXERCISE:

none

TOMORROW'S TARGET:

- eat breakfast

- eat less

- jog in the Polo Field before rehearsals

- no ice cream and late dinner

CHASING TOFF: It's Your Wedding Day

2010-09-06T00:44:00.002+08:00

This is your wedding day
CHASING TOFF By Christopher De Venecia (The Philippine Star) Updated September 06, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (0)

All I wanna do is grow old with you: Iya Villania as Julia and Gian Magdangal as Robbie in 9 Works Theatrical’s The Wedding Singer| Zoom

New Jersey. 1985. When Robbie, a charismatic wedding singer, is dumped in the altar by his longtime girlfriend Linda, the protagonist becomes a casualty of love and plunges into the depths of “dumpster-level” despair. But with the help of his friend Julia, a sweet and caring waitress who is oddly engaged to a smug of a guy and Wall Street type named Glen, Robbie rediscovers why he was all about the “love” and not so much the “green” in the first place.
The premise is simple. Guy gets dumped. Guy meets Girl. Girl gets engaged. Guy and Girl, though star-crossed, fall in love. Girl dumps annoying Fiancé. While in Vegas, Guy and Girl get married and live happily ever after. Nothing fancy. Just your typical love story, except for the Vegas part — unless you’re Demi Moore or Britney Spears, and just about everybody else in Hollywood. But when I saw the Broadwayadaptation of the New Line Cinema film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore a while back, incidentally on the night of its final performance before the show was slated to close and go on tour, my mind and my heart were literally blown away.

Amidst the scores of The Wedding Singer aficionados, bedazzled in actual wedding gowns and tuxedos, sore from camping out within the vicinity of the theater the night before the show (flashback on the diehards camping outside Manhattan’s AMC Theater for days in anticipation of Star Wars Episode One), there I sat and excitedly stood as early as the denouement of the first musical number, “It’s Your Wedding Day!” The energy, quirkiness, and passion of the cast, and specifically the show, were so infectious that it summoned an unprecedented standing ovation from everyone in the audience — a feat I had never quite experienced on Broadway before.

That was my most vivid memory of The Wedding Singer, sans the guy who played Robbie Hart who snuck out some other exit to avoid giving autographs and getting his picture taken with the fans. I mean, come on, it was the last performance! But that’s a story to tell for another day. One story though that is worth telling is that this celebrated musical, having won the hearts of everyone in America for its mind-blowing tribute to the ’80s, is finally coming to Manila, under the creative reigns of director Robbie Guevara and his company, 9 Works Theatrical.
Hot on the heels of Rent the Musical in RCBC, Guevara with executive producer Santi Santamaria, have taken on the challenge of bringing the neon, fun, and riotous spirit of the ’80s into the mishmash, forward-thinking melting pot of 2010. Hello Lady Gaga and an ’80s revival in just about anywhere. “When we encountered the material, we knew that we had to do it,” relates artistic director Guevara. Santamaria adds, “Wedding Singer is a crazy and energetic musical, and audiences will surely enjoy,” to which Guevara interjects, “One word to describe Wedding Singer? Fun!”

Melting the hearts of many, especially with the show’s jukebox song, Grow Old With You, is Party Pilipinas’ Gian Magdangal who will play the role of Robbie Hart. Here, he is reunited with pals Iya Villania and Nikki Valdez who he previously shared the stage with in Stages’ Footloose the Musical back in 2005. TV personality and MYX VJ Iya Villania will play the role of waitress Julia Sullivan, alternating with Hong Kong Disneyland alumna and stage veteran Shiela Valderrama Martinez. Meanwhile TV and movie personality Nikki Valdez will play the role of Holly, Julia’s polar opposite and lovable cousin. Valdez will be alternating with Analin Bantug who once played the role of Kim in Miss Saigon.

Also joining the cast are Jeremy Aguado as Julia’s fiancé Glen Guglia (Yes, if Julia married him, she would degenerate to Julia Guglia), Lorenz Martinez as Sammy, Johann dela Fuente as the flamboyantly eccentric George, Myrene Santos as Robbie’s ex-girlfriend from hell Linda, and Enchang Kaimo as the kooky grandmamma, Rosie.
The show will be directed by Robbie Guevara, accompanied by musical director Rodel Colmenar conducting the Manila PhilharmonicOrchestra, choreographer Francis Matheu, vocal coach Onyl Torres, scenographer Mio Infante, lighting designer Martin Esteva, sound designer Chuck Ledesma, and costume stylist Rosanna Aranaz.

* * *

The Wedding Singer will open at the Meralco Theater on October 23, 2010 and will run until November 14, 2010. There will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows at 8pm, with Saturday matinees at 330pm and Sunday matinees at 4pm. For details, you may call 586.71.05, 557.58.60, 0917.554.5560, or visit www.9workstheatrical.com or Ticketworld at 891.9999.

STATUS: Bone Thug + Tokyo Drift

2010-08-23T23:30:00.000+08:00

Grab a copy of this month's issue of Status Magazine... Wrote two articles.
The first: about Tokyo-lite Verbal of the Teriyaki Boyz, and LA-based street artist Verbal...

CHASING TOFF: It's The War Scenes That Really Get to Me

2010-08-23T00:13:00.000+08:00

It's the war scenes that really get to me
CHASING TOFF By Christopher De Venecia (The Philippine Star) Updated August 23, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (0)

Orosman at Zafira, featuring Jay Gonzaga as Orosman, makes for a powerful social commentary on human nature and society, here imagined through a primitive lens of animalistic dances and tribal aestheticism.

Last week-end, upon my friend Kakki’s passionate prodding, I found myself in UP anxious, curious, and doubly excited to watch Dulaang UP’s restaging of its hit musical, Orosman at Zafira at the esteemed Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater. Reminiscing on the last time I watched the show, I prepped myself for two and a half hours of heart-pounding madness and neo-Filipino artistry — calling to mind Carol Bello’s haunting world music and the brilliant contemporary choreography that enveloped the two-act piece.

I didn’t know what to expect of the show then, but after witnessing stunning performances from Cris Villonco, Felix Rivera, Judith Javier, JC Santos, and Red Concepcion among other exceptional stars from the previous run, and more than anything, first time director and movement master Dexter Santos’ unparalleled genius, I found myself judiciously craving more. It was those intense war scenes that really got to me; and true to form with artistic enhancement where I didn’t think it possible, it’s the intense war scenes that still get to me now. I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed; heart in my throat with emotions, insanity and passion runneth over, all I could really say while sitting at the edge of my seat was, “Holy S**t!”

Orosman at Zafira, penned by Francisco Baltazar or Balagtas, is an exposition of the life and times of three kingdoms: Marueccos, Tedenst, and Duquela, here contextualized by thematic elements, dances, and ritualistic iconography from Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. Provoked by conflict that almost always, in the tradition of a komedya, starts from the vicissitudes of both familial and romantic love, thoughtfully interspersed with an insatiable power struggle to the likes of a Shakespearean piece of literature, the play centers on star-crossed protagonists Orosman and Zafira who hail from two opposing kingdoms. When creeping doubt overcomes Boulasem, sovereign of Tedenst and Orosman’s father, on the prospect that his contemporary Mahamud could rally for power and seize control, he orders that the latter, sovereign of the Marueccos who also happens to be Zafira’s father, be killed. This consequently sparks a series of skirmishes among the contrasting kingdoms, ironically taken up first by the feminine in the person of Zafira as the play is replete with feministic undertones.

Of shifting alliances, bloodlust, and the human capital requisitioned by the necessity of war, Orosman at Zafira makes for a powerful social commentary on human nature and society, here imagined through a primitive lens of animalistic dances and tribal aestheticism rendered by the magnificent Tuxqs Rutaquio, where love and power seem religiously intertwined. Blinded or overcome by love, the truth of it all is that man will proceed at any cost – even if it is to the destruction or demise of a kingdom or civilization. Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Where Dexter succeeds in modernizing Balagtas’ powerful komedya while maintaining key elements that are essential to its artistic form, it’s also striking to note the play’s references to pagan ritualism in portraying the casualties of war – wherein a little boy is sitting on a bangka that drifts from stage-right to stage-left, followed by a cryptic march of fallen characters crossing over to the vast unknown. Accompanied by a haunting aria sung by the character of Zelima, the show’s narrator who will join the march at some point to illustrate how absolutely no one was spared by war, water falls continuously into a basin from atop the stage that, when lit, becomes a powerful metaphor connoting insatiable bloodshed, and possibly, a delubyo that engulfs and destroys the three kingdoms. Pieced together, the show reaches its indelible climax.

For the rerun, Dexter manages to inject some astounding new-blood to the piece, and much praise and shout-outs should be given to Delphine Buencamino who is a revelation in the role of Zafira. She is fierce as fierce can get, hailing from a family of actors that includes parents Nonie and Shamaine Buencamino who are themselves theater vets. Her eyes soared with both strength and vulnerability, accompanied by an understanding of the vocal technicality employed by Carol Bello’s world music. Delphine is joined here by Jay Gonzaga who plays a chiseled Orosman, Reuben Uy as the treacherous Abdalap, Natasha Cabrera as Zelima, Jacinta Remulla and Gabs Santos who also play star-crossed lovers Gulnara and Aldervesin, Roeder Camang as Boulasem, JM de Guzman as Zelim, and Neil Tolentino and Ronnie Martinez as Mahamud and Ben-Asar.

Comprising the artistic team are production designer Tuxqs Rutaquio who, lights designer John Batalla, dramaturges Anril Tiatco, Katte Sabate, and Pat Valera, accessories designer Paolo Rodriguez, assistant director Mara Marasigan, associate choreographer Via Antonio, and assistant musical director Irish Pangilinan.

* * *

Orosman at Zafira will run until August 29 at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, U.P. Diliman, Quezon City from Wednesdays to Fridays at 7 p.m. and at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. during weekends. For tickets, call Cherry at 09177500107, or the Dulaang UP Office at 926-1349, 981-8500 local 2449 or 433-7840.

CHASING TOFF: Cherie Gil, Who Are You?

2010-08-16T00:34:00.000+08:00

Cherie Gil, who are you?
CHASING TOFF By Christopher De Venecia (The Philippine Star) Updated August 16, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (0)

Cherie Gil in Master Class is sort of like Alfred Molina in the Broadway play Red, or Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada. You’d hate to be in Eddie Redmayne’s or Anne Hathaway’s shoes.

After catching the preview night of Philippine Opera Company’s Master Class many weeks ago, those were literally the only thoughts running through my head with each goose bump, art lesson, and tear that ran down my cheek. “Cherie Gil, who are you?”
A magnum opus in its own right, this marks the nth inception of POC’s Master Class starring the TV, film and stage diva, which has merited standing ovation upon standing ovation for its lead actress’ haunting portrayal of opera diva Maria Callas at a time when she was giving a series of master classes at the Juilliard school of music in the 1970s.

Gil is widely known for her kontrabida performances. I mean who can forget the “second-rate, trying-hard, copycat” bit that has immortalized her in the annals of showbiz and pop-cultural history? The role of Maria Callas seemed to fit Cherie like a glove. And was she good at it. Damn good, as, in the course of the two-act show and under the guidance of director Michael Williams, she becomes a lovable caricature of someone who you’d very much love to hate but in that she’s so unbelievably bitchy, quirky, and convincingly caught up in her own world, you end up loving her instead.

She’s sort of like Alfred Molina in the Broadway play Red, or Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada. You’d hate to be in Eddie Redmayne’s or Anne Hathaway’s shoes or in the case of Master Class, the shoes of her students played by the likes of the slapstick Juan Alberto Gaerlan, the haunting Florence Aguilar, and the riotous Ana Feleo. But given the chance to learn under the tutelage of one of the greatest women ever to grace the opera circuit, you’d bravely grab yourself in the balls and enter the lion’s den. All you really have is the moment — and it’s up to you, as a student of life, to seize it.

Sitting towards the front row of the intimate RCBC Theater, that is exactly how I felt — like I was inside the lion’s den waiting to be devoured. But there I was, ready to seize the opportunity that had been robbed of me all those times I never bothered to catch POC’s Master Class before.

Being a theater and art aficionado myself, I found myself, not only transfixed with Cherie’s soaring and beautifully engaging performance, and mesmerized by her eyes that watered with painstaking conviction every time she took to a soliloquy while her students barreled through the last ounces of their arias, but taking down notes as well, as though I was in an actual class and she had been my teacher. I was getting schooled, literally. And I found myself getting a master class of my own, though probably not on the astounding operatic technicality that Feleo and her contemporaries had shown after being shattered and sundered by Cherie’s religious monstrosity then being asked to sing with all honesty and truth right after, but the theatricality of it — the very essence of life.

“Don’t act, just be!” “When you stop, it’s class. When you quit, it’s depressing.” “A performance is a struggle. You have to win!” “An entrance is everything. That’s how we present ourselves to an audience. That’s how we present ourselves in life.” “Art is about transition. There is entrance. There is exit.” “There are no shortcuts in art.” Her rhetoric was running through my head and somehow made its way to my notebook as I was taking down notes for this piece. Somehow, I learned more about life in two hours than I would in years — a triumph in itself for POC’s Master Class.

Though at some point, I just couldn’t keep up with Callas. anymore. I closed my notebook, in the same way that Florence had forgotten to take down notes from her fiery interactions with Callas, and instead, sat back, breathed, seized the moment, and watched in astonishment. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. There was no fluff. And there certainly were no traces of Cherie Gil. Fierce. Oppressive. Pedantic. Cruel. Self-Absorbed. Mind-blowing. Ambitious. And never to be defeated. There was only Maria Callas. Bravo!

CHASING TOFF: The Other Side of Allan Strang

2010-08-16T00:31:00.000+08:00

The other side of Allan Strang
CHASING TOFF By Christopher De Venecia (The Philippine Star) Updated August 02, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (0)

Stark raving mad: Red Concepcion, joined by Jaimedel Mundo, Tami Monsod, and Miguel Faustmann
| Zoom

At 25, Red Concepcion has achieved for his age what others have simply dreamed of at the onset of their theater careers. Having played a bevy of fascinating roles on the legitimate repertory stage, Red has played a willing and gracious host to the likes of Dino del Canto in Repertory Philippines’ Romeo and Bernadette, Mark in Altar Boyz for which he was nominated for a Philstage Gawad Buhay Award; A-Rab in Stages’ West Side Story that top-billed the likes of Joanna Ampil, Karylle and Christian Bautista; and Aldervesin in Dulaang UP’s celebrated masterpiece, Orosman and Zafira.
“Every play I’ve ever done has a special place in my heart,” quips Red, who is currently playing the lead, Allan Strang, in Repertory Philippines’ Equus.

“Cheesy but true! It’s like asking me to choose between my left and right eye,” he stresses when faced with the possibility of having to choose just one role to sum up the totality of his blossoming theater career.

For Red’s latest endeavor, he plays Allan Strang, a curious young boy and a role played by Daniel Radcliffe on the Great White Way. A troubled young man who blinds six horses, Allan is forced to meet with a psychiatrist, masterfully portrayed in the Philippine version by Miguel Faustmann.
“He’s so much fun to be around — very instinctive and generous as an actor. I’m literally in awe of the guy,” shares Red of the stage veteran.

A psychological drama-slash-thriller, Equus pits Red, whose acting credits also include Hairspray, Into the Woods and Hamlet, against the complexity of Allan’s character, to the point that it compels the psychiatrist to question his own existence in the end. Though Red eventually found himself comfortably filling the shoes of Allan, of course, under the tutelage of the talented Audie Gemora, according to him, it was no picnic getting to the end result.

“One of the problems I had was that I was too settled (in the role). They kept telling me that madness has a certain electricity that I needed to get in order to play Allan. So there was little physical adjustment.” More than that, Audie asked him to appear more impulsive and unpredictable each time — something that compelled Red to consistently up his game.

The actor adds, “I like to challenge myself in every way. West Side was a challenge because of the choreography, Sweeney was a musical one, and Hairspray was a test of stamina and focus. When I got wind that Rep was doing Equus, I knew I had to try out. I knew that it was going to stretch me as an actor.”
Of course, mass media would put it that Equus became all about the famous nude scene that kept the World Wide Web atwitter when Daniel Radcliffe a.k.a. Harry Potter agreed to shed his clothes on Broadway. Was there any such trepidation on Red’s part? He retorts, “Of course, it’s a given. But I just kept thinking I would cross the bridge when I get there. When I finally had to strip, there really was nothing to worry about after all. The scene is done very tastefully,” he adds.

On the prospect of being compared to his alternate, newcomer Marco Manalac, he says, “Marco and I both worked really hard on this play. We came up with quite distinct Allans, filtered through our own experiences and truths. It’s like comparing apples and oranges.” He is quite proud of what they had both created in synergy with director Audie Gemora. Red says, “Audie encourages creativity. He knew what he wanted but he was open enough to let you create on your own.”

In five years, Red sees himself still doing theater, and would someday like to play the lead player in Pippin, Bobby in Company, and Sweeney in Sweeney Todd. But for curiosity’s sake, as Allan has obviously this weird relationship going on with horses, I had to ask. How would you describe your perfect horse?
“As a kid, I used to watch this TV series based on the classic book The Black Beauty. There was a sleek black stallion and the image of that horse galloping through the field, mane whipping in the wind, has stuck with me all these years.” Neigh- sayer, years later, who would have known?

176-186: MONTAGE

2010-07-20T15:47:00.000+08:00

Okay... I haven't been able to blog in weeks. I meant to when I got back from the States last, last Saturday but unfortunately, my net has been down in the house since then and I've had to go to other places to use it. Well, if anything, my trip to US proved to be very useful to me. I got my well-deserved R&R before it's back to reality and back to the real world of Manila.

If I were to sum up where I am at this point in my life, it would have to be that I'm very happy that I'm doing what I love to be doing, and I'm very happy to be accomplishing what I set out to do for myself. It's not stuff that piles up in my things-to-do, and I play catch up to my own procrastination... rather, I am able to actually accomplish things, big things, huge things, and that's one under my belt.

I am definitely seriously about resurrecting my writing career because I put it on hold for the last five months. So now, I'm seriously doing something about it. I will write and write because I am a writer. I know I'm a good writer so I can't allow myself to be rusty. And of course, my duties to 9 Works Theatrical, I will keep at it because we're on a roll... we have momentum, so we have to ride it and play our cards right, and hopefully find and secure a place in the Philippine Entertainment scene.

I also started already with my obligations with Blue Rep. I'm directing the newbie prod and I have the most amazing team behind me. This is the first time I'm directing something... on my own. I'm calling the shots. So it was weird and nerve-wracking at first... but now I'm settling into. I'm more excited now than scared. And I think that's a good thing.

I'm very happy with MY life right now. And I should continuously thank God for all the blessings and graces he continues to shower me. Without him, I am nothing...

BROADWAY REVIEW
Rock of Ages
RATING: 5 / 5

At first, I was like... ummm... okay lang. And then I started to get really into it. The songs are great. The story is great. And it's so friggin' hilarious. I'm so excited for my friend Chari to direct it for Atlantis next year. I got her a shirt fitting for next directorial endeavor after Legally Blonde. Anyway, the musical features songs from the 80s. So think Journey and the token Don't Stop Believing capping everything off in the end.

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS:

IN NEW YORK CITY

Me putting unlimited butter on my popcorn

Last Supper with Jared and EJ in the Big Apple

Dinner with Tita Josie on our last night in town

Mememoy attacking his steak

I love Mia and Joe

BACK HOME
RECENT SM VISIT

Pearl and Sam

Ghed, Pat and Ninoy

SM Family

RECENT DINNER WITH HARVS, CHRIS, AND MICHO

Frank and Harvey

Chris and Micho

WEIGHT UPDATE:
183.5 pounds...

woah... I can't believe. After a month without exercise... and all that In n' Out, Cold Stone, Bonchon, et al... I think it's from all the walking...

- 2000 and Thin ... yey :)

173-175: Modern Family

2010-07-06T14:11:00.003+08:00

I just realized how damn lucky I am to have a family like mine. Our stories are just out of this world. How we are is really out of this world. And I wouldn't really have it any other way. It's funny how I always try to recreate the stories in the dinner table to friends and loved ones but it's not quite the same as when you sit through a bona fide Vera Perez lunch or get together. It's what keeps us afloat all these years - looking back and moving forward. Is there any other way really?

You have family, then you have friends. Here's to hanging out with fellow Pinoys on 4th of July :)
4th of July

BROADWAY REVIEWS
Friday (Day 173)
8pm: La Cage Aux Folles
RATING: 5/5

Wow! Fantastic is all I can say. I'm so happy to have caught this despite my initial hesitations. I was smiling and laughing all throughout. It also has enough emotional punch to take you through a riveting rollercoaster ride. The leads are amazing, especially Kelsey Grammar and that British Shakespearean actor Douglas Hodge who plays one heck of an amazing Zaza. It was a scaled down version where the name of the game was the tackier, the better. The production meant to deconstruct the glamour and the shimmy of the show's previous incarnations to expose a rather pathetic yet heartfelt and spirited attempt at portraying the inglorious Riviera nightclub where drag queens reign supreme.

Curtain Call

Saturday (Day 174)

2pm: Addams Family

RATING: 3.5 / 5

Okay so I heard nothing but bad reviews about this show. But I just had to check it out. It was an idea that popped up in a sibling lunch that I attended previously. What better way to watch Addams Family than to watch it with the real Addams Family! Hilarious! My siblings and I kept looking at each other everytime a pass was made at being normal, either through dialogue or song. Haha. I loved the moving curtains that framed each scene. I also liked how brilliant the set changes were managed that my brother Ipe and I would stare in awe. Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth seemed hammy for the roles. But maybe that was the intention. Overall, the show didn't change my life. But it makes for good entertainment.

Sunday (Day 175)

3pm: 39 Steps

RATING: 2 / 5

I would've given it a 1 if not for the saving grace of Act 2. And I was actually surprised because this was a huge success on Broadway before it moved to Off-Broadway and it won the Tony Award for Best Play. Sadly, I had half the mind to walk out in the middle of Act 1. And it didn't help that I was sleepy. I dunno. The overacting (that was supposedly the intention of the show) didn't really work for me. I liked how elementary the stage effects were as it illustrated the pre-Wicked way of painting a theatrical picture. Witty. Clever. Especially the shadow play and the bare bones set that actually made for a convincing setting reminiscent of the original film. I also liked that the show was carried through with only four actors playing multiple roles. And there was even one scene where the two sidekicks were playing 2-3 roles each simultaneous within split seconds. Those parts were hilarious. Then again, maybe I should've caught Lend Me a Tenor instead.

WHAT I ATE TODAY:

DAY 173

Breakfast:

None

Lunch:

White Cheese Pizza

Bottled Water

Dinner:

Bacon Cheese Burger w/ Fries

Hot Chocolate

Cheesecake

DAY 174:

Breakfast:

none

Brunch: 44 1/2

Hanger Steak

2 Sunny Side-up Eggs

Fries Galore

Hot Chocolate

2 pcs. cornbread

Merienda:

Coffee Shake

Mac and Cheese w/ Sloppy Joe

Fries

Dinner:
2 pcs. Mad for Chicken Wings
Rice
Bulgogi

DAY 175:
Breakfast:
none

Lunch:
4 Chicken Wings
3 cups of Yang Chow Fried Rice
Fish
Beef w/ Taosi
5 pcs. Sweet and Sour Pork
1/2 Mango Slushie

Merienda:
Chocolate Mouse w/ Cheese Cake

Dinner:
Hotdog on a Bun
2 slices of bread w/ chicken spread
1 glass of milk
Leftover Chinese Food (Yang Chow Fried Rice + Wings + Beef)

EXERCISE:
none

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS:

Me and Mememoy

Ate Leslie

Bumped into Krista and her cousin at Mad for Chicken

Mom and Tita Bernie

Me and Ate Leslie

Mark and Ate Sandra

Group Shot

Krista and Francis

Jed and EJ

Storytelling

- 2000 and Obese

170 - 172: Remember Remember the 5th of November

2010-07-03T02:04:00.003+08:00

Here we are again. I'm down to my last week in New York City and I have to say, this vacation has been pretty much, enlightening. So many realizations came to me of late. I can't say they're the most perfectly timed realizations, but hey, God does work in mysterious ways. All I'm saying is, on a personal level, a lot will change when I get back to Manila. I have to get myself into a routine of doing what I need to do, and not procrastinating and putting things off for another day; lest, they just pile up and I get swallowed by them. There's a lot in store for me in the coming months.

For one, I'm directing again. Two, I'm heading PR now for 9 Works Theatrical and it's very daunting, given that much is expected of me. Three, I have to really work on my writing again and get into the habit of writing all the time. It's time I revived my column in Star. It's been dormant for far too long. And four, I have a lot of streamlining to do with my personal life, career and life goals, and basically putting myself out there and figuring out what I want to do. For sure, I'll be taking it one step at a time. I just have to get into the habit and get my priorities straight. It starts by waking up early and having a little more discipline in my life.

BROADWAY REVIEWS

Day 170 (Tuesday)
8pm: Everyday Rapture
RATING: 2 / 5

I'm kinda confused about this show. I didn't really know what it was about. Apparently, the show is about the star of the show, Sheree Rene Scott. She previously came out as the woman in The Last Five Years and Ursula in The Little Mermaid. I dunno... it was kinda weird. The opening number was Elevation by U2 being sung by three girls. Then she starts talking about Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, and the two Js in her life, Judy Garland and Jesus. I'm like... what the hell? I mean there are funny moments but overall, I didn't get it. She tried to be prolific with the paper metaphors. One one paper in one pocket, you have something that says, "I own the world." And on another, you have, "I am a speck of dust." It's a matter of what paper you pull out during the everyday rapture. I'm like... okay, what the hell!

Day 171 (Wednesday)
2pm: Million Dollar Quartet
RATING: 5 / 5

This was great. The best shows are the ones where you have not a lot of expectations, and then with stroke of pure theater magic, those expectations are thoroughly exceeded. Wow, talk about powerhouse. It's not even so much of the casting since there are not celebrities. It's just that each of the actors really embodied the roles that they were playing. Karl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley - all four are industry legends. It was spectacular seeing all four greats sort of interact with one another in a studio. And it helps that Hunter Foster was there too - the guy who played the dude in Urinetown and Sutton's brother of course. I kept staring at his face. Boy, does he look like his sister? There was even one moment in the show where he forgot his line, then suddenly remembered it, and the actor playing Elvis was sorta laughing his heart out. That's the beauty of live stage. Each show is different. So anyway, the part where I really got the chills was when it was a real-life photo was projected onstage on how the four legends really got together in a studio one day to record some great piece of music, "Down by the Riverside." I started to cry. and I saw that everyone else was. I mean, wow. This show was fiction at all. It really happened. And they also played the actual clip with all four singer's voices... Spectacular. And in Mamma Mia tradition, there was a concert during the curtain call. I walked away happy and in so much awe. Wow!

8pm: Next Fall
RATING: 5 / 5

What an enchanting play. So the guy fourth from the left is the patient. And he got into an accident. So he doesn't really show up in the play during present time; instead, you see al the other actors interacting in the hospital wing, waiting and praying for a miracle that he'll survive. Then the show flashbacks here and then to the patient's relationship with all five characters. You have his high-strung boyfriend, the fag-hag best friend, the two parents, and the mysterious guy who's relationship to the patient isn't really elucidated until the second act. Apparently, he was the ex-boyfriend. And he was in the hospital wing because the patient wasn't able to update his emergency contact to the new boyfriend. The show is hilarious and it's also compelling. It felt so real and like you didn't really want the show to end. You fall in love with the patient through the flashbacks and hope to God he makes it, but in true drama, well... you can sort of figure that out. Amazing cast of actors. All with comic wit but equal vulnerability to keep you laughing to the edge of your seats and emotionally invested in the characters... and then bam.

Day 172 (Thursday)
8pm: Promises Promises
Rating: 5/5

Saw this last night. Wow, enchanting! Very enchanting! I know for a fact that this was one of the shows in which Fosse, my idol Bob Fosse, rendered the choreography. So that was, in itself, a sight to behold. And then you have actors, generous actors like Sean Hayes and Kristen Chenoweth playing the leads. Wow, I was just smiling the whole time - sans the experience of sitting beside an A.D.D.-stricken lady who might have been under the influence of alcohol at that time since she stank like whiskey. She was annoying the living shit out of me - but thankfully, the performances and the show was enough to create a wall between me and annoying drunk geriatric shithead. Anyway, the show Promises Promises is a show featuring the songs of Burt Bacharach. Say A Little Prayer, Never Fall in Love again... timeless classics and standards that you kind of fall in love with. But more than anything, it was the acting - the acting that carried the show through. Sean Hayes is aaahhhhh-mazing! He is so generous as an actor that I'd hear audiences really say out loud, wow, what a great actor! I know it's rude to talk while the show is ongoing, but everyone seemed to be doing it. And I can't help but also say wow after he delivers a comic spiel. Genius! He is genius! And Kristen is Kristen. Amazing.

WHAT I ATE TODAY:
Day 170
Breakfast:
none

Lunch:
Udon w/ 2 pcs. Tempura

Dinner: Cafe 81
1 Bottle of Red Horse
1 Cup Garlic Rice
Sisig + 6 pcs. Fishballs + Lechon Kawali
Small Pink Berry Yogurt w/ Milk Chocolate Crunch and Almonds

Midnight Snack:
2 Vodka Sevens
French Fries from Bon Chon
6 pcs. Wings from Bon Chon

DAY 171
Breakfast:
none

Lunch:
Pretzel Dog from Auntie Anne's
Lemonade

Merienda:
Small Cold Stone w/ Cookie Dough and Almonds

Early Dinner:
1 Bottled Water
1 Slice of White Cheese Pizza w/ Cilantro and Tomatoes

Late Dinner:
1 Regular Beef Bowl from Yoshinoya
1 Bottled Water

DAY 172:
Breakfast:
none

Lunch: Whole Foods
1 Serving of Vegetable Paella
Spoons of Macaroni and Cheese
5 Fried Chicken Chunks

Mia with her sushi

2nd Lunch / Movie Snack:
Small Buttered Popcorn with an Army of Butter

Merienda:
Small Pink Berry Yogurt w/ Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Watermelon

Early Dinner:
8 pcs. Bon Chon Wings
Strawberry Mojito
1/4 Small French Vanilla Icecream w/ Cookie Dough from Cold Stone

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS:

Beautiful architecture on the way to Union Square

Awesome costume

Hood

Jared holds up his Red Horse

New York Sab!

Awesome Awesome Second Coming Variant Covers

The cast of Promises Promises Takes their bow

- 2000 and Thin

168-169: Honest Living and the Gay Pride Parade

2010-07-01T06:13:00.000+08:00

I remember last year when I used to rave to my Tita Chona about how enchanting New York City was. The lights. The sights. The sounds of Broadway. The hectic, always on-the-go hustle and bustle. It was every bit the lifestyle that I dreamed of. Wining and dining in restaurants before and after the show. Catching a Broadway show everyday. Shopping til you're a-dropping all night long. It was heaven. Then she said something, "You're saying that now because you're in New York with a wallet. Try being here when you don't have any money." Wow, I never really thought about that.

I was with Harvey last night, out in the town, talking finances and what not. I was telling him that lately, I've been thinking twice, and even three times, about the things that I spend on. I don't go about shopping on a whim, accumulating tabs of epic proportions, or tearing down the store without even looking at the price tag. Now, I only buy like 2 to 3 items at a time, and these are well thought of, well considered, and by process of elimination, the last items standing. I'm more aware now of my expenditures and the things I spend my money on.

I know it's a good thing. Yes. But also, it's kinda weird coz all of a sudden, I don't wanna be here in New York anymore because every corner I turn, I can't help but spend. On food. On shopping. On Broadway. It's terrible. So lately, I've been killing my time between shows by taking the subway back to my brother's apartment and just watching my downloaded movies of HARRY POTTER. I am currently in the Chamber of Secrets. Or just surfing the net. It's better to be indoors and not spend, rather than be outdoors and spend. New York demystified? Life elucidated.

On a less emo note.. here are some pictures from the Gay Pride Parade that happened last Sunday. Fun!

(photos taken from the net since mine were like... slipshod)

BROADWAY REVIEWS

Day 168 (Sunday)

3pm: RED
RATING 5/5

When I first saw this on Broadway.com, I already knew it was going to be special. I don't really know Alred Molina but his name rings a bell. I saw a brief overview online and when I read that it was going to be about art, I just knew I had to watch it. And boy, I don't regret moving things around just to be able to catch the last show. Alfred Molina was amazing. And that Redgrave dude who acted alongside him was just amazing. I believe they both won Tony Awards for this performance. The show was basically a series of socratic debates on art. There you have Molina, high-brow, coming from a puritanical place of how his art is hoisted on a high tower, lambasting neo-artists like Andi Warhol who would make a can of Campbell soup seem like art. And then you have a youngling like Redgrave who would take in all the convulsions of Molina. A quick learner, he starts to challenge the thoughts of Molina and level with him in a hopeful, almost idealistic stance. The show was the right mix of humor and drama for me. Goosebumps.

7pm: AMERICAN IDIOT
RATING 4/5

I had to check this out. It's a musical featuring the songs of Green Day. Now, I only really knew 21 Guns and American Idiot. But I had totally forgotten that they had written WAKE ME UP WHEN SEPTEMBER ENDS, BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS, and TIME OF YOUR LIFE as well. The musical also starred that dude who won the Tony Award in Spring Awakening as the lead guy. The set was amazing. The choreography was amazing. The costumes were amazing. The lights were amazing. Everything in the show was amazing. But at the end of it all, I found myself asking, "What's the point?" Maybe it was the lack of story. It reminded me of WE WILL ROCK YOU where the plot was just sort of forced into it just to the make the songs of Queen work. You have three friends. One left to like have drugs. Another stayed because his girlfriend got pregnant. And another was shipped off to the military. I'm like... ummm what? There was no emotional hook for me though it had all the ingredients and the makings of a great show. Maybe that's why it didn't win the Tony Awards unlike its predecessor Spring Awakening. It was a show made by the same producers which is why I saw a few familiar faces in the cast. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it.

Day 169 (Monday) NEXT TO NORMAL
RATING 4/5

I don't know why I decided to watch this show again. Maybe 'coz the first time I saw it, I left with goosebumps and tulala for the longest time. The show was excellent, poignant, powerful and it left me speechless. The music was superb, as was the acting of Alice Ripley and the rest of the cast. Besides being late for the five minutes, I remember that I regret catching it on one of my last nights on Broadway so I didn't really have the chance to see it again. Well, so now, I did. And well, I don't know. It sort of fell flat for me. Brian D'Arcy James who replaced the original dad sounded good. He played Shrek by the way. However, I dunno... I found myself not really caring. The new son was annoying. I still prefer the old one but of course, after his stint in Gossip Girl and Ugly Betty, I don't think he'll be returning to Broadway anytime soon. I found myself drifting instead to the aesthetic and technical elements of the show. Taking cue of the light, the sets, and even the choreography. It's still pretty good, don't get me wrong. But maybe I shouldn't have wasted my money on a show that I had already seen...

WHAT I ATE TODAY:
Day 168
Breakfast:
none

Lunch:
2 pcs. Bread w/ Mozarella and Tomato
3 slices of Mushroom Pizza
Lemonade
Pasta w/ Sausage

Merienda: Magnolia Bakery

1 Gay Pride Cupcake

1 Lemonade

Dinner:

1 Tall Caramel Macchiato

Mango Smoothie

Fried Chicken

Yang Chow Fried Rice

DAY 169:

Breakfast:

Carrie Cupcake from Magnolia Bakery

Lemonade

Lunch:

none

Dinner: Mc Donalds

10 pcs. nuggets

1/2 Angus Burger w/ Bacon

Large Fries

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

Day 169:

Trying on some stuff at Topman... yet another denim top. haha

My first time in a laundromat... woot woot

Nanay Marites in the house

Mememoy

EXERCISE:
none

- 2000 and Thin

166 - 167: New York Demystified

2010-06-29T12:09:00.000+08:00

Is it just me, or is the Big Apple looking less magical and more real by the day? Maybe it's the fact that I'm here almost every year, watching shows, shopping for new or recycled fashion in old stores, eating the same junk food, walking the same streets, only this time - it's way hot and not the Trench coat weather New York that I always knew. They say familiarity breeds contempt... but when a person gets too familiar with a fantasy, he's left with reality. It is what it is - not the fairytale. It's what comes after happily ever after - the hard knock life. Honest living man, honest living!

Mememoy in the elevator

Mememoy in the waiting lounge of Ate Leslie's Office. She writes a column for Baron's.

Where the action happens at FOX NEWS

Ate Leslie. I love her to bits.

Day 166 (Friday):

8pm Fela
RATING 4/5

When I entered the theater, I remember being stunned by the live Afro Band that was playing on-stage. The whole theater was dressed as though you were inside the theater where Fela was to perform his last show in dangerous South Africa. Colorful. Festive. Audiences could even bring their snacks and cocktails to their seats. It was really like a concert. The dancing was superb. The guy who plays Fela is amazing. The show dragged from time to time but i had that right emotional punch and rollercoaster ascent just when you thought your attention was taking the plunge. I found this one particular moment in the show really creepy when Fela's house was sieged, and all his wives were abused by the African military. It also showed how his mother died, a plot thread that is developed since the show's opening. I think Will Smith, Jada, and Jay-Z were right to invest in this show. Spectacular.

Day 167 (Saturday):

2pm Mamma Mia

RATING 3/5

I actually really liked the show. What's not to like? The songs of Abba. A fun story involving a daughter, his three purported fathers, and a hippy of a mother with her two laugh out loud sidekicks. How can you go wrong? Unfortunately, the producers did... in casting some annoying nasal lady as the mom, and some whippersnapper of girl for the daughter. They pulled the show down for me. Everyone was else was great, especially the three dudes, the two female sidekicks, and the fiance. But again, when you have awful leads who have no marketing value whatsoever, the show gets pulled down. Thankfully in Act 2, the mother improves. But the daughter? Still an annoying lookalike of that girl who plays Christine in the Phantom of the Opera movie. I forget her name as of the moment. But overall, I enjoyed more than I hated. And I absolutely love the concert ending. One of the best curtain calls I've seen - if only I didn't have to rush to a 5pm show.

5pm Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson

RATING 5/5

I hate that I was late for this show because Mamma Mia was taking so long. Anyway, it follows the story of Andrew Jackson and his rise to the presidency from being the dude who expanded America and ghettoed the Indians. Ironically, despite the plot, the play utilizes elements from the modern times. From the use of "dude" lingo, to the punk rock costumes, and to the Spring Awakening-esque musical that was infused with the show. But the best part has got to be the slapstick comedy that was larger than life and was the bread and butter of the show. The actors were HILARIOUS as they exaggerated all the dialogue and coupled it with wit and comic timing. I found myself not wanting the show to end. I'm so excited that they're moving to Broadway by the end of the year.

8pm Come Fly Away
RATING 2/5

Should've listened to my brother. What a lousy way to spend over a hundred dollars on an orchestra ticket. I'm a fan of dance. I love So You Think You Can Dance. And that was also the reason why I watched Burn the Floor last October... a ballroom extravaganza that featured Anya and Pasha. I thought, maybe this would be a different dance experience... infused with the music of Frank Sinatra. I love Frank Sinatra. I'm actually an old soul at heart. But I found myself waaaaayyyyy bored with this one. It starts of in a cafe with all these characters who thankfully get developed throughout the show via dance... But weirdly enough, towards the eclipse of Act 2, you see them in their underwear... I dunno... to signify that it's come to that time of the day when things get raunchy. That... I did not get. I also don't know why everyone is a buzz with the choreography of Twyla Tharp. I don't get it. And I didn't like it... Ba-humbug.

WHAT I ATE TODAY:

Day 166

Breakfast:

none

Lunch:

Salad

Mango Smoothie

3 pcs. tempura

8 pcs. unagi roll

3 pcs. california roll

Lychee Sake

Manoy Ipe and Ate Leslie

Dinner:

Hanger Steak

2 pcs. bread

Late Dinner:

1 Tall Caramel Macchiato

1 Marshmallow Dreambar

DAY 167

Breakfast:

none

Lunch:

6 pcs. Spring Roll

Phad Thai

Dinner:
1 Large Fries
1 Angus Burger w/ Bacon

Late Dinner:
Lemonade
5 pcs. Cinnamon Sticks

EXERCISE:
none

- 2000 and Fat

163 - 165: Start Spreading the News

2010-06-25T22:18:00.003+08:00

So I've been here in New York for the past four days. Been staying with my brother Ipe in his apartment. And I've been watching Broadway shows everyday since I got here... Well, I'm all about the Broadway. I'm all about the theatre. I love it, what can I say? My family and friends basically work their away around my Broadway itinerary since it's an unmovable object in my New York raison d'etre. I just can't miss out on any opportunity to catch a show.

It's JOHNNY DEPP! Haha.

I'm catching 30 shows on this trip so I can officially seal my record and beat the shit out of my pal Felix who beat out my 22 musicals with his 23. Haha. Die bitch! So far... I've seen the following:

DAY 164 (Wednesday):

11am Imaginocean
RATING: 3/5
COMMENTS: Story is basic. Music is so-so. Black light show is amazing. It's a kid's show. And I think I was the only adult there who wasn't a chaperone of some kid. Haha. The bubble effect in the beginning of the show was a bit on the annoying side. Bubbles are fun but when they leave some kind of thick glow in the dark residue on your skin which stays on for the entirety of the show, you'll get annoyed. Apparently they put some chalk solution in the bubbles so your outfit, and your skin is covered in a sticky glow in the dark coating all throughout. annoying.

2pm Mary Poppins

RATING: 5/5

COMMENTS: I loved it. I absolutely loved it. I was about to bawl in several scenes, including the Feed the Birds Scene with the Old Lady, the family squabbles, when Mary Poppins left the family, and when Michael said... "Mary Poppins... I love you!" The whole theater literally went, "Awww...." It's a show from everyone's childhood. It brings you back to that time. I looked around and saw that it wasn't the kiddies who were crying... it was the parents, especially the dads. Woah. Gave me all the license to bawl. Hehe :)

8pm Memphis
RATING: 1/5
COMMENTS: Fucking boring. What a waste of my time! And I fell asleep. Sayang sa pera. Shet.

DAY 165: Thursday

8pm: Sonheim on Sondheim
RATING: 5/5
COMMENTS: Beautiful musical revue featuring the songs of Stephen Sondheim. It's basically an autobiographic piece on Sondheim's lionized career. The deconstructed digital set was amazing. And the cast was amazing. The counterpoints between his famous songs were amazing. And they performed several numbers from Merrily We Roll Along... the musical that defined my love and passion for theater, and that of my theater barkada's. We're all products of this musical and it was nice to see some of the scenes recreated on-stage... especially "Opening Doors."

"But that's just not a hum-mum-mum-mum-mum-mummable melody.."

Barbara Cook and my favorite Vanessa Williams aka Willemina Slater from Ugly Betty rocked!

WHAT I ATE TODAY:

DAY 163:

Breakfast:

none

Lunch:

none

Merienda:

Coffee

Dinner: Fred's @ Barneys

Spinach Fetuccini

2 Slices of Pizza Bianca

2 pieces of Bread

3 servings of calamares

Fries

Lemon Sorbet

DAY 164:
Breakfast:
none

Lunch:
Tall Cinnamon Dolce Latte from Starbucks
1 Slice White Cheese Pizza
1 Glass of Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice w/ Pulp

Dinner: Bon Chon!!!
1 Glass of Draft Beer
7 pcs. Bon Chon Chicken Wings

DAY 165:
Breakfast:
none

Lunch w/ Mia!!!
7 pcs. Tempura Roll
Mango Smoothie
Crappy Curry Noodles
1 Slice of White Cheese Pizza

Merienda: GROMS

Small Crema de Grome

Dinner:
none

Midnight Snack:
1 Glass of Draft Beer
Chicken Shawarma Wrap

EXERCISE:
walking?

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS:

Spiderman the Musical! Coming in November 2010. Apparently, it cost $50 million to mount this musical. Holy camote!

Mia and Jared

My brother Ipe... dressed to the nines!

Francis, Krista, Mia and Joe! Finally i met Joe! I love him!

- 2000 and Thin

161-162: Country Club

2010-06-23T18:16:00.001+08:00

A few days ago, Manoy Snooky invited us to join him for lunch at a private country club in San Francisco. Wow, talk about pompous. There's a strict dress code that had to be followed that we couldn't wear jeans. Okay sure, no problem. So I didn't wear jeans. I wore a denim top and formal cargos and boatman shoes. True enough, when I showed up at the club, denim of any kind wasn't allowed - top or bottom. And they also didn't allow cargo pants. I was like, "What?" Thank God I was still let in because Manoy Snooky was good friends with the owner. But still... ummm hello?! Strict much.

It's a good driving range though. Manoy Snooky and my nephew DJ joined some Father and Son Gold Tournament for Father's Day. How cute! Do I wish I had that with Dad? Ummm... haha. But I thought it was really sweet of him to send me off when I left for New York a couple of days ago. From the inside the house, he saw me off 'til outside and gave me a hug. Awww Dad. You're full of suprises. Until he saw a duck fly by... and in typical manly fashion, imitated a shotgun motion, and went "Bang!" Haha. Our family is so weird.

WHAT I ATE TODAY:
DAY 161:
Breakfast:
1 strip of bacon

Lunch:
2 Sliders
2 pieces of bread
Half a Fish Strip
Risotto with Sausage

Merienda:

1 Lemonade from Auntie Anne's

Cinnamon Pretzel

Dinner:

2 pcs. Ribs

White Rice

DAY 162:

Breakfast:

none

Lunch:

1 Glass of Lowfat Milk

Sinangag Rice

Lechon Macau

Half an Order of Taco Bell Nachos

Dinner:
2 bowls of Sukiyaki
1 pc. shrimp tempura
1/2 gindara

EXERCISE:
Day 161:
20 minutes jogging

Day 162:
none

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS:

At the Country Club

DJ, Joycie, Mikey

Me and Ginny

At the Great Mall of America

Jollibee in SAN FO!!!!

Huwow!

At siyempre, kung saan may Jollibee, dapat may Red Ribbon

WEIGHT UPDATE:
187 pounds...
oh my god. himala. despite everything I've been eating, though I feel my stomach and my love handles expanding exponentially. Crap. Here now in New York! Time to walk of this shit! No subway!

- 2000 and Thin

159 - 160: Junkfood Thoughts and Junkfood America

2010-06-20T16:16:00.001+08:00

The past few days are what I can only describe as... the Attack of Junkfood America. Before I get into my thoughts, I will let the food speak for itself... (my thoughts after the food mania)

WHAT I ATE TODAY:
Day 159:
Breakfast:
none

Lunch: In n' Out
Double Double
Animal Style Extra Crispy Fries
Sips of Neopolitan Shake

Entering Adult Disneyland

The In n' Out menu

Animal Style Fries w/ a Double Double... Good god!

Merienda: Auntie Anne's
1 Lemonade
2 pcs. Cinnamon Sticks

Dinner: Mc Donalds
Fries
5 pcs. Chicken Fingers w/ Barbecue Sauce

Day 160:
Breakfast:
none

Lunch: Tarantino's at Fisherman's Wharf
Clam Chowder
Shrimp Popcorn
Calamares

Sinfully delicious clam chowder

Masagwang shrimp popcorn

Calamares... pwede...

Dinner:
1 Serving of White Rice
Pot Roast
1 Slab of Sea Bass

EXERCISE:
NONE

My friend Faith posted an interesting comment in my blog. She noticed that I haven't been updating my weight. She's right. I haven't. Maybe because I'm too ashamed to post it on-line. When I started this weight loss chronicle, I said that I'd always be honest about my weight. I wouldn't modify just for show. And true enough, I've stuck to that promise. And since I've been eating and eating non-stop for the past few weeks, well, I removed that very integral component from 2000 and Thin. It stops here. On my next blog, I will find a way to weigh even if there's no weighing scale here in the house. Maybe there is, I just haven't looked.

On to more junkfood thoughts, my God! America is the land of junk and excess. Excess shopping. Excess food. Excess lethargy. It's so tempting to just let go of yourself in this country and succumb to obesity (yes, despite watching Losing it With Jillian). But again, you have to make the conscious effort to exercise. Any exercise, little exercise is better than no exercise. So my goal? Before I leave for mass tomorrow which is at 930, I will jog. If I don't jog, then I will let you all know... and I will make sure to treat whoever remembers this bet of mine when I return to Manila.

On other junkfood things, insecurity. Why am I so full of it? Why can't I seem to accept a compliment? Why can't I stop digging deeper holes for myself? I dig my own grave. I make my own mental prison. And there's no escape... momentarily. Until I decide to remove the prison. Hayyy nako, why do I conjure my own demons?

Despite the reassurance that the people I love give me, I can't seem to unhinge myself from this state of constant self deprecation. Everyone deserves happiness. Everyone deserves a shot at something great. But I always seem to put myself down with thoughts that I make bigger in my head. Sometimes, it really is all in your head. Sometimes, your head gets in the way of achieving true and pristine happiness.

STOP BEING SUCH A CYNICAL FART TOFF. MOVE ON AND BE A MAN.

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS:

I'm starting to really love American Apparel style.

Here's some more of it.

At Fisherman's wharf. Kung sa Pilipinas toh, nakain na yung mga gagong yan.

Birds of the same feather...

Uphill Battle

STUSSY!!!

Haight corner Ashbury

Vintage Shops = Love

- 2000 and Resolved to Be Thin Again

156-158: LETHARGY

2010-06-18T11:04:00.001+08:00

So for the past few days, I've been vegetating here in San Fo, nursing the worst jetlag in my travel history ever. Been sleeping at 9 in the morning everyday and waking up at 4 or 5 in the afternoon with the bulk of the day wasted on sleep. Ayayay. I have to seriously wake up earlier to get more stuff done. It's been a week since I've been away... You'd think my jetlag would have disappeared by now. This better be gone before I leave for New York... I don't wanna be falling asleep in my plays.

Recently, I've been addicted to The Celebrity Apprentice and I've been watching it, day in and day out. It's probably the cause of my hermit mode of late - then again, I am also on vacation. And my life doesn't literally start until New York. I leave on Monday and I'm really excited to go :) Meantime, it's easy downtime here in San Fo, aka, my room. Haha. Have to go to Haight Street though... I will find a way to get there... by hook or by crook. Need to get my quirky, signature Toff stuff

WHAT I ATE TODAY:
Day 156:
Breakfast:
none

Lunch:
Steak Frittes
2 Glasses of Chardonnay
Pistacchio Macaroon

Dinner:
1 Glass of Milk w/ Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Day 157
Breakfast:
5 strips of bacon
2 pcs. garlic bread
1 serving of white rice
2 glasses of chocolate milk

Lunch:
none

Merienda: Panda Express
Fried Rice
Orange Chicken
Almond Shrimp
Spicy Beef
1 Bottled Water

Taco Bell / Pizza Hut at Target
1 Bottled Water
Bites of Mom's Marinara and Chicken Alfredo

Dinner:
none

Day 158
Breakfast:
none

Lunch:
none

Dinner:
2 slabs of sea bass
1 rib
4 strips of korean barbecue
10 glasses of white zinfandel
4 glasses of champagne

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS:
Day 156: At Bouchon in Napa Valley

Macaroons at the Bouchon Bakery

Dad and Tito Albertito. Can you believe they used to hit the town together? Chasing after the women of Pan American airlines? Haha. I call it chasing rainbows. But at the end of the day, they found their pot of gold... aka...

Tita Emily and Mom :)

Mom, joined here by Tita Pixie who played the coolest music in her car while driving a trio of underslept de Venecias (who didn't sleep the whole night before we left for Napa for lunch... que horror)

Dad's seafood platter. But this did not excite me at all...

Tita Emily's trout

Hmm... what's this? I totally forgot

Tito Albertitos 1,000,000 dollar bill. hehe

White flowers

At Panda Express

At the Family and Friends Barbecue in our Backyard

Dad's Pasta

Plate of Sin

Roasting Oysters and Barbecue

Duck Formation

The Boys: Dad, Mang Fred, Uncle Owen, Tito Albertito

Tita Pixie, Mom, Tita Emily and her friend

Ladies who lunch... being served by JDV

Kako and Roxie

Rico (Long time no see!), Kako and Roxie

Ginny!!!!

Ginny with Rico

Kako and Ginny

Rico and Kako

EXERCISE:
NONE

- 2000 and Lethargic

155: EASY COME, EASY GO

2010-06-15T00:19:00.002+08:00

Here we are... It's 9:02 AM and I'm about to leave for Napa Valley... with no sleep in my system. Stupid jetlag! My body clock is officially screwed up because of this time difference and I can't seem to adjust to San Fo time. Was dozing off already awhile ago but right before I was about to get some shut-eye, I suddenly remembered... I have a deadline for Status. It was last Saturday and it was already Sunday my time, and Monday Manila time. Too much procrastination and not getting the job done. Too much Facebook and downloading series without attempting to type even just one paragraph. Too much sleeping and dozing off to the land of Nod. Too much waiting until the last minute.

My feature writing teacher once said, a crappy article is better than a late article. What use does an editor have for a good piece if it's late. Shet, never forget that Toff. I cannot submit late, especially now that I'm gonna be doing this full time. Mahiya ka naman nang konti... wag umabuso sa mga kaibigan dahil sa totoong buhay, pagdating sa trabaho, walang kaibi-kaibigan, walang personalan. Either you submit or you don't.

On a random note...
I was browsing through the July issue of Nylon Guys, the #1 street wear magazine from the States, and guess what I stumbled upon while flipping through its pages... a Bench Ad featuring Jake Cuenca. Woah! I literally had to do a double take if I was really flipping through an international magazine... Good job Bench. Level up na kayo!

I will attempt to sleep in the car en route to Napa Valley. Heard it was a good two hours... Hopefully I'll sleep the entire time... that's at least 2 hours in my system.

On to better things, I was watching the Tony Awards last night and I must say, I was overwhelmed with the bevy of stars that graced the red carpet. Congrats to Denzel Washington, Scarlett Johanson, and Catherine Zeta-Jones for winning Tony Awards. I haven't seen you yet. Scarlett, no more chance. But Denzel and Catherine, I will see you in New York in a week's time. You're on my hit-list. I will definitely be watching. But really, congrats.

I'm not so thrilled about Memphis winning best musical... only coz I'm not yet familiar with the material. Let's see when I get to watch it :) By the way, Lea Michele's performance was deplorable. Exaggerated, no truth, and very indulgent. I could puke all over it. But Matthew Morrison was good, and he could do some wicked choreography. I seriously forget that he was a triple threat Broadway star before becoming Mr. Schuester.

STAR STUDDED

Green Day in the house!

Ang pandak tala ni Daniel Radcliffe, joined here by Katie Holmes.

Charlie's Angel: Lucy Liu

Michael Douglas with winner for Best Actress in a Musical, Catherine Zeta-Jones

Congrats Black Widow aka Scarlett Johanson

Viola and Denzel Washington

WHAT I ATE TODAY:
Breakfast:
none

Lunch:
none

Merienda:
1/2 order of Nachos from Taco Bell
1 small slice of pepperoni pizza from Pizza Hut

Dinner:
1 serving of white rice
2 pieces of pot roast
1 cup of mini oranges in syrup

EXERCISE:
none

- 2000 and Thin

152-154: Losing It with Jillian

2010-06-13T16:35:00.001+08:00

Hey folks! I have officially arrived in San Francisco, more than halfway across the world, bloated, with a heavy dose of jetlag. Ugh. The weather here is so-so. Not too cold, not too hot. But the temperature inside an airconditioned room in Manila could easily beat out San Fo weather... especially at night. I'm on an electric fan basis right now - something I'm not used to, given that we're usually here in Frisco during the Ber months where it's uber cold. Had a semi-productive day today... Checked out the new iPAD at the Apple Store, shopped at Hillsdale Mall, and bought a few things at Safeway grocery.

Something interesting to note is that I actually declined mom's offer to buy me an iPAD. Woah! I mean I looked at it, I remembered Robbie's iPAD, saw the 64 GB memory and how tempting it was to get myself one... But I realized, I don't need it. I don't need an iPAD because I have an iPHONE 3G and a Macbook Pro. It would be redundant if I bought one... and for the money I'm supposed to spend for it... sayang lang. In a way, I equate this decision to growing up - being more frugal and strategic with my spending, and not just wasting away on unnecessary expenditures. I feel that the Toff from years ago would have easily jumped and accepted the offer... But I've changed a lot, and changed for the better I hope.
I've also been watching this new series called Losing it With Jillian, featuring TV's toughest trainer Jillian Michaels. You may remember her from THE BIGGEST LOSER. In this particular series, she travels America and answers a call for help from families who have at least one problematic member in their household, for a whole week - and gives them the necessary boost to revamp their lives. It's more than just fitness. It's about jumpstarting their lives, dealing with issues, and not giving up on themselves and the people they love. The first two episodes are super emotional. I find myself crying with those fat mama sitas and papi chulas who are being driven hard by Jillian to go beyond themselves and exceed their limitations. A lot of shouting, and "I can't do it Jillian" going on. But when you're at heart risk or have surging levels cholesterol, sometimes it's not about yourself anymore. It's about the people who need you whom you may possibly leave behind if you succumbed to heart attack or diabetes or all those diseases brought about by being overweight. Can't wait for the next episode this coming Tuesday which means its downloadable every Wednesday there in Manila.

Also do check out this stunning new series called "Pretty Little Liars." It's based on a popular novel about four girls who are keeping a secret that seems to have something to do with the disappearance of their friend over a year ago. Eerie little Jenny Humphries here I tell you. Click on Pretty Little Liars to find out more about the show...

WHAT I ATE TODAY:
DAY 152
Breakfast:
none

Lunch:
1/2 Polo Cheese Burger
Bites of Lasagna
French Fries
Nachos w/ Cheese
Watermelon Shake

Dinner:
Shared Portions of Trittico from Pastelleria...
consisting of...
- Carbonara
- Vongole
- Tartufo

Dinner Deux:
Small Portion of Sweet and Sour Fish on the plane

DAY 153:
Dinner (SFO time):
5 pcs. korean barbecue ribs
2 slabs of sea bass
Rice
3 glasses of Low Fat Milk

DAY 154:
Breakfast:
1 Bagel w/ I Can't Believe It's Not Butter
2 glasses of Lowfat Milk

Lunch:
1 slab of Sea Bass
8 slices of porkchop
White Rice

Merienda:
Half an order of Nachos from Taco Bell
Half a Large Cup of Pink Lemonade
Tasting Portions of Yoghurt w/ Graham Crackers and Mango

Dinner:
1 bowl of chicken soup
Beef Adobo
1 serving of white rice

EXERCISE:
Day 152:
1 hour and 30 minutes of tennis

Day 153-154:
none

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS:
Day 153:

- 2000 and HOLDING THE FORT

151: ENDS OF THE EARTH

2010-06-12T15:18:00.004+08:00

There's this song of Adele that I really love...
Of course, I've been following her since her Hometown Glory song
that was danced by Joshua and Katee in So You Think You Can Dance..
download it... It's called MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE.

It's super nice.
Para sa mga nagmamahalan diyan, etong sa inyo powz...
ajejeje ^_^

It goes...

When the rain is blowing in your face and the whole world is on your case
I could offer you a warm embrace to make you feel my love

When the evening shadows and the stars appear
And there is no one there to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years to make you feel my love

I know you haven't made your mind up yet but I would never do you wrong
I've known it from the moment that we met
No doubt in my mind where you belong

I'd go hungry
I'd go black and blue
I'd go crawling down the avenue
No
There's nothing that I wouldn't do to make you feel my love

The storms are raging on the rolling sea and on the highway of regret
The winds of change are blowing wild and free
You ain't seen nothing like me yet

I could make you happy
Make your dreams come true
Nothing that I wouldn't do
Go to the ends of the earth for you to make you feel my love
To make you feel my love





WHAT I ATE TODAY:
Breakfast:
none
Lunch:
1 pc. beef curry
2 glasses of iced tea
1 serving of white rice
Merienda:
8 triangular slices of shakeys
5 glasses of pimms cup
Dinner:
1 pc. cheese stick
3 pcs. potato skins
2 pcs. buffalo wings
ribs
rice / fries
cookie skillet sundae
Midnight Snack:
Tea
1 pc. churro

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS:


HB





Mara





Rev





Trio of Ar-tistes

EXERCISE:
4 laps of swimming in the olympic pool



- 2000 and OH SO FUCKING FAT