November 6th, 2006 at 1:10 am There is no better way to start a long week than by spending Sunday with kids. I learned this last week when I was invited by my friend from Ictus, Ina Juan, to come to her birthday party at the cancer ward of V. Luna General Hospital in QC.
Our orgmates from Ictus chimed in and we all helped the sick kids, most of whom I think are terminally ill, paint colorful masks. Ina s parents and brothers were also there to help out. There was spaghetti and fried chicken for everyone, and all the kids went home with goodie bags filled with art materials and toiletries.
Everyone was happy, and I told Ina I ll probably celebrate my birthday the same way she did. For me it was the perfect party simple yet very meaningful.
That night, I rehearsed with Zann for my cousin s debut the next day where my aunt commissioned me to sing.
I think we finished at about 3, talking more than practicing just like Moira days. The songs I chose were Have A Little Faith In Me by Jewel and Time Of Your Life by Green Day, which I selected at the last minute because I thought it fit the occasion perfectly. Have A Little Faith In Me was a bit high for my range, but I insisted on doing it on the same pitch mainly because I really wanted to do that song for the longest time in the way it was performed exactly.
That song carries a distinct quality that has always had a huge impact on me I guess it s the way Jewel just brings it, y know?
Woke up early and skipped gym because I had to be in UP by 830am to participate in another Social Protection forum, work-related of course. I headed straight home because I wanted to get some sleep before the party at 7, despite the work for the Singapore trip that has been piling up on my desk.
Zann and I did a pretty good job with the surprise number for my cousin I think, because even though I was almost gasping for air at the bridge part, I got the overall effect I desired. Can t explain how though. Then of course we finished a bottle of red to load up before hooking up with Ruben who s anxiously waiting at 70s watching AC on his lone ass.
AC we paid 150 bucks to watch this band drill a hole in my head. I mean COME ON, that must have been the lousiest parody of rock and roll fusion I would never have paid 150 bucks for. Funny that I came all dressed to the nines at bistro, pearl bag and all, but with a Red Horse in hand.
Hehe. Beats staying at home man, spending a night with the boys even though I could care less about the band which was begging for a death sentence. On the way home, I was uber hungry as usual so thanks to Ruben s leftover onion rings, my tummy s anguish was immediately resolved.
Boy was I a work horse on this day! Had an eventful meeting with my boss in the morning, which is always a good way to start any day. She told me that she already submitted my recommendation to Annenberg, and will submit the one for Harvard soon.
What could I ever ask for pa in a boss?! I was busy the whole freakin day revising the country reports for the ministerial forum on families I just found out that one of the reports did not respond to one of the agreements in the first ministerial.
Nerd stuff forget it. But what really ticked me off was the artwork that I was asking for that came so late and me catching the people working on it playing games in their computer. Tangina nila, engaging in recreation while I was slaving my ass off waiting for their final lackluster output.
Aaaargh
That night, I celebrated Halloween with my choir mates in our traditional yearly get-together, brought a hat (which was supposed to be a headress, but it wasn t), ate lots, played Invisibles and saw The Others. We also planned our upcoming Christmas party, which is like the icing on the cake of every year. The theme that was agreed on?
The Christmas Belen, each of us portraying one of the characters: Joseph, Mother Mary, the 3 kings, shepherds, angel and even the darn animals. And among all of those, guess which I was auspicious enough to pick? The fuckin donkey.
I raised hell, but of course had no other recourse but to concede. Later the idea was questioned because it may be sacrilegous, so we might actually change the theme, which is very good news on my part.
The Rats struggled with CSNY s Carry On the harmony parts were just impossible to weave together.
Had a great talk with Andy and Butch afterwards, mostly about politics.
Talk about spacious in the tiny cocoon that is mag:net on a Friday night. We generated a measly 11 walk-ins, but the night was still incredibly fun.
Every gig night is fun. But Butch, Johnny, Tom and Andy chiming in about their carefree days is something you don t experience very often so that was a major highlight of the evening.
Went to Conspiracy for the Rakrakan Blueskrieg event, where our friends from Snakecharmer and Firebottle performed.
Blueskrieg is a 15-song compilation of original blues songs, in which unfortunately, the Rats was not able to participate. The night was fun, and despite the early warnings to Deltaslim that there was no way I m gonna get up on stage to sing, I relented at the jam sessions. I can t say no to these guys.
It s always fun just hanging out with all of them.
After the gig, we went to an obscure kebab place along Congressional where we fancied stories about weird movies and enjoyed the surprisingly sumptuous servings of chicken kebab and barbecue. Only then did I realized that there was also someone who appreciated the movie Adaptation apart from myself and it was really great knowing that, because for me that movie is a work of understated genius.
The same guy also saw Happiness, which is arguably the most disturbing collection of mishaps and daily atrocities which will leave an equally disturbing effect on the viewer. See it for yourself
David Bowie s A Reality Tour - the highlight for me was Under Pressure, which was sang with Bowie by the bassist, a gifted woman named Gail Ann Dorsey. Galing!
!!
The Break-Up - 5 stars, every man should see this film
September 3rd, 2006 at 2:03 pm I didn t get the Fulbright scholarship, my ticket to higher education in the US.
I didn t really wanna get bummed about it, because I was aware and prepared for a no answer. But I really wasn t prepared pala. I cried me a river.
My mom was hugging me while forcing me to just let all my tears go. She was obviously sad too. I didn t want to at first because I knew I was one of the strongest people I know.
But I found myself in my most vulnerable situation yet for I have never EVER wanted something sooooo bad in my entire life. So naturally, I had the blues that afternoon until the evening. I actually thought sweating it out at the gym would help.
Well, it did, a little bit. I shopped and bought me a new top. That was a bit comforting.
I ate three slices of pizza and that was only because I haven t eaten since lunch but that was a needed indulgence too. I got ready for my gig, with my puffy red eyes and just really tried to look my best because I didn t want people to feel my pain. I searched for solace from my bandmates, especially Andy whom I think really understood my situation.
Haaaay naku I just hope that despite my off moments in the vocal department, the crowd felt all my emotion that I poured in every song.
The mag:net gig was real fun. After that first gig, we got the First Friday slot so I hope to see more UP, Ateneo and Miriam students listening to blues.
( cause if I were still in UP, I would definitely watch our band. without bias yan ha.) Friends whom I have not seen in a long time got to see me perform for the first time, like Francis, Joey, Lancer and of course my cousins Ina and Ron, who s a big fan of Cowboy (who really stole the show during the second set great showmanship and talent from that guy).
Robit and Lester, with Chikki, finally saw me take it home during the third set and I m really glad I didn t let them down. And I am so thankful that bestfriend Chikki came to the rescue at this really sad time, to reassure me that there s just something I still need to do before graduate school (Andy said the same thing too) and that ain t a bad thing
Yesterday, I failed to study for my GRE and worked instead on my statement of purpose for the Annenberg School of Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, my dream school. I just wanted to point out that I can t let poverty hamper my educational pursuits.
Gifted and hardworking people (ahem) should be given a chance to prove themselves. I took advantage of what I felt and I think I was able to underscore why I am qualified for the Ph.D.
program and how through that program I know I can help our country. (Btw, that school provides the scholarship to accepted students.)
February 23rd, 2006 at 9:35 am And so the return of the Blue Rats begins, with two fluid sets that rocked Hobbit House last night.
The stage was congested with hilarious in-betweens, thanks to our minor mishaps and call center jammers ( and this song is called the Rolling Stones! that boy is seriously hooked on drugs). After saying a prayer at church earlier in the day, I didn t choke, because I would ve probably killed myself if I did.
All I can say right after was It s nice to be back ang sarap shet! Overall, it was a spectacular first gig.
Sadly, only reg and bri among my friends were able to come, but the lack of support on a Wednesday night was expected.
My parents and sister came too, thankfully, but again my mom had something to say this morning which is still pissing me off. Nonetheless, I got to know more about my bandmates last night, and met some of their friends. Even though I hate waxing poetic, I just had to text everyone and send them my thanks for letting me sing with the band (I didn t think I would sing again because of work).
If you saw them play last night, you ll understand why I feel so privileged. Definitely the crowning glory of the first quarter of 2006. And to quote andy it gets better.
Goal #1 is done. Goal #2, my Fulbright scholarship, is next. I m asking for too much already, but I really really feel that Harvard University is the only way for me.
Singing will have to come after.
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