Just Jeric! | a personal blog

Over at My Boring Life… Now A Blog! I posted my two year-ender posts. First, Assessing ‘My Goals for 2008′ which was posted last December 31, 2008. Second, I Thank You for everything a post where I thank everyone who made 2008 a great and wonderful year for me.

Over at Plurk, I decided to delete my account and start anew. I gave up my karma, my nirvana badge, my awesome set of emoticons. It made me feel better. It’s nice to start from scratch. I’ve been thinking of deleting my account for weeks but it is only now that I was able to do it. Now, I’m busy re-adding all the Plurkers I know. By the way, I’m also back using Twitter.

Happy New Year!

My comments are based on the matinee show last November 23, 2008.

When the first news about Atlantis Productions’ doing Hairspray here in Manila came out, my Plurk friends and I started planning to see the said show. After months (or was it weeks?) of planning, we were able to see the show last November 23, 2008 at the Star Theater, CCP Complex. We were able to watch the matinee show with Madel Ching as Tracy Turnblad.

Unfortunately, we weren’t able to see the first musical number, Good Morning Baltimore, which I was really looking forward to. Anyway, we were able to hear the song but wasn’t able to see the execution for we were at the lobby. Latecomers are not allowed to enter the theater when a musical number is being performed. So for those catching the remaining shows of Hairspray, please be at the venue at least an hour before the show.

Madel Ching really shined during the November 23rd Matinee show. The role of Tracy Turnblad really fits her. But, I really want to see Karla Reyes (Tracy Understudy) perform. So if you have an idea when she’s performing as Tracy, please please please inform me! My friends and I were unanimous in saying the Tim Espinosa isn’t the best Link Larkin. We were actually disappointed with his performance. And, who would have thought that Nyoy Volante, who played Seaweed, dances very well? Props to Michael de Mesa (Edna) and Leo Rialp (Wilbur) for a superb performance; they looked very cute onstage. Dulce, who played Motormouth Maybelle saved the whole show from doom. Her performance that day was really superb and gave me the goosebumps especially during the “I Know Where I’ve Been” number. Claps to Mechu Lauchengco-Yulo who played Velma and Christine Allado who played Amber. I think some of the cast members lack the energy.

The sets and props are just fine — nothing extraordinary. As similar with my West Side Story experience, the sound system is a major distraction. There are a lot of times that crackling and popping sounds would come out of the speakers. Some of the body microphones were problematic too; hence, the bad audio quality. During the first part of the play, I actually thought that they are using canned music until one of my friends pointed out where the orchestra (Filharmonika) was located which happens to be at the right side of the theater.

My favorite musical numbers include Good Morning Baltimore, I Can Hear The Bells, Welcome to the 60s, I Know Where I’ve Been, Without Love and You Can’t Stop the Beat.

I know that flaws during a stage musical presentation are unavoidable. Despite all, I enjoyed the shows and it didn’t fail to make me laugh. Congratulations to the cast, the orchestra, producers, director, staff, crew, and everyone else behind Hairspray.

HAIRSPRAY is directed by Bobby Garcia, Choreography by Cecille Martinez, Musical Direction by Archie Castillo, Production Design by Gino Gonzales, Lighting Design by Shoko Matsumoto and Specialty wigs by The Broadway Wig Co.

Hairspray runs from November 14 to December 7, 2008 at the Star Theatre, CCP Complex. For tickets call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078, 840-1187 or Ticketworld at 891-9999. Tickets are priced at P1,200, P1,000, P800, and P600. Ticket Prices are subject to surcharges.

Last Saturday, November 8, 2008 I had to go to school to attend this assembly for freshman students. So, I was at the National Computer Center where the UPOU Learning Center is located and I was hoping that there would be WiFi in the building. Unfortunately, there’s no WiFi (at least on the AVR where we the assembly was held). The assembly ended before 5:00pm. My friends and I decided to go to the Bahay ng Alumni to attend the UP AME Convention.

As we were walking along the University Avenue, I heard some bells being rang. “Can you hear that?” I asked my classmates. “The Carillon!” I said. I bet any UP student would know the Carillon. Upon hearing the Carillon, I excitedly plurked, “I want to cry tumutunog ang carillon!!!” Forgive me for that would be my very first time to hear the Carillon being sounded.

You want to know how the Carillon sounds? Take a listen to this mp3 that I recorded.

I’m so happy for I was able to hear the Carillon!

After eating with my family in Trinoma yesterday, I headed to Gateway to meet some bloggers Mica and Noemi for the screening of Panudlak, a documentary about Filipino volunteers in Cambodia. After the film, Mica and I joined Jen, Billycoy, Manolo, and Arbet for dinner.

We were about to go home, but we decided to check out the action happening at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. And this is what we saw:

Yes, we joined Jocjoc Bolante’s convoy to St. Luke’s Medical Center and saw the whole action. Yes, I got a crappy camera phone. Arbet and Manolo (Manolo’s Flickr Set “Chasing Bolante”) got better pictures of Jocjoc’s convoy.

Here’s Arbet’s video of Jocjoc Bolante in a stretcher being brought out of the ambulance:

You could also check out the blog entry of Jen, Arbet and Manolo about the things that happened last night. My thoughts are all over the place right now that I don’t know how to write about the Jocjoc hullabaloo last night.

Why I don’t have decent pictures?

*Tee hee*

For the second time, I am joining NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)! My first time to write a NaNoWriMo novel was in 2007. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to reach 50,000 words because of so many things.

I’m excited to start writing my NaNoWriMo novel, which has the working title, “Is This A Mistake?” that revolves around Emmett, a 17-year-old student. I am eager to finish my NaNoWriMo novel this year for winners will get their novels printed by CreateScape for free! Isn’t that nice? I’ve been wishing to have my own book / novel published but I don’t have the money and time to do so.

Anyway, if you’re interesting in joining NaNoWrimo you could visit their official website, http://www.nanowrimo.org. If you want to meet other Filipino NaNoWriMo writers, check out the official website of the Philippine NaNoWriMo Community, http://www.pinoywrimos.com/.

Anyway, wish me luck!

During the last few weeks of my first semester, I spent most of my time in UP Manila taking examinations and submitting a few requirements. Since UP Manila is just a stone-throw away from Robinson’s Place Manila, I decided to try White Hat, the Italian Frozen Yogurt which my blogger friends are bragging about.

I believe that frozen yogurt is the in thing now with the birth of different places offering the classic or flavored frozen yogurt. Of the two different frozen yogurt places I’ve tried, White Hat is the best. The White Hat classic frozen yogurt is as sour as those yogurts available in grocery stores with a little bit of sweetness, which I really liked. I want my frozen yogurt sour because if it’s sweet then it’s not yogurt anymore.

My sister, Dianne enjoying her White Hat Frozen Yogurt

Frozen yogurt is the best-tasting dessert you can eat without the guilt. Aside from enjoying the classic frozen yogurt on its own, you can choose on the wide array of topping you can put on your frozen yogurt. My favorites include: Homemade cheesecake, fresh strawberries and Kiwi.

Photo from The White Hat website

After trying it for the very first time, I found myself going back to their store just to have my frozen yogurt fix. White Hat’s classic frozen yogurt is really made of pure win!

White Hat has branches in Robinson’s Place Midtown Wing and SM Mall of Asia. For more information, you could check their website at www.thewhitehat.com.ph.

I should be at Taste Asia, SM Mall of Asia tonight for a bloggers’ party organized and sponsored by Pantene. But here I am at home watching the primetime news. Something hit me that I suddenly want to stay home and be alone.

There are a lot of things going on in my mind right now that I don’t know what to do. I’m stalling. I’ve been neglecting my blogs and the other blogs that I write for.

How I wish there’s a DELETE delete button in real life so I could delete everything and start from scratch.

I hate myself now. Really. Why am I like this? I feel like shit. I feel worthless. I feel ugly.

There’s too much negativity in my mind right now. And I don’t know what do.

PS: No, I’m not suicidal.

Dearest Darlingest Roxanne,

You know how much I love you. And you know how much I care for you. I know that we have different tastes and preferences and I understand that. But for the past few months you’ve been annoying me with your evil EMO playlist. I am nursing a terrible headache right now and there you are playing the evil EMO playlist.

Whenever I’m taking a nap, you would always play that stupid and evil EMO playlist. It’s too loud my dear and those screaming people SCARES AND IRRITATES THE SHIT OUT OF ME.

You know, there are several times that I attempt to delete your playlist without your knowledge but I didn’t. So be thankful because I’m such a good brother to you.

So please, my good and modest little sister Roxanne, be considerate enough. I am not asking you to stop listening to that kind of music because I know I won’t succeed. But, you can always use the earphones whenever you want to play that shit while I’m taking a nap because I AM SICK AND TIRED OF WAKING UP TO THAT SHIT!

I am hoping for your kind consideration.

Love lots,
Your Brother

My comments are based on the opening night of West Side Story last September 5, 2008.

I was able to watch STAGES Production of West Side Story with Christian Bautista as Tony and Joanna Ampil as Maria last September 5, 2008 at the Meralco Theater. I was eager to watch the opening because I’ve heard that Joanna Ampil will play the part of Maria (she is alternating with Karylle as Maria). Thank you to Oliver Oliveros of STAGES and Minnie Fong for I was able to get a ticket for the opening night.

I think I’m the only one who watched the play alone. Nevertheless, I got a very nice seat! I sat on the first row and I can even count Joanna’s skin pores (just kidding!).

I can’t say anything negative about Joanna Ampil. She got a very pristine voice and she sang effortlessly. For a few moments, I thought I was in UK. I’ve been meaning to see her live since I was 12 (the time when I heard about Jesus Chris Superstar). I was impressed and stunned by her performance. I believe Christian Bautista did a great job in playing the part of Tony. He isn’t just a good singer but also a good actor. He can really do stage plays! I must commend the lady who played Anita’s part that night. She was very funny and she dances very well!

The sets are fine and I liked it every time the set moves! It is quite similar to those that I’ve seen in Broadway shows like Legally Blonde Musical where the sets move on its own in between scenes.

I believe the one thing that ruined that night’s show is the sound system. The sound system is quite distracting during the whole show. There is this annoying static sound that kept on buzzing. I believe there was a time when an explosive sound came out from the speakers that really pissed me off. Well, it’s the opening night.

Although the sound system was quite distracting, it didn’t stop me from enjoying the show. The FilharmoniKA orchestra (conducted by Gerard Salonga) was also great during that night.

The dance numbers were ballet-ish. I hope you know what I mean. Nevertheless, the dance numbers were good.

There were a lot of boring parts throughout the show. I actually don’t like long exchanges of dialogues.

I loved the song numbers Tonight and Somewhere.

Despite the minor flaws during the opening night, I believe the show is really worth watching. I’m looking forward on seeing Karylle play the part of Maria.

Congratulations to the cast, the orchestra, producers, directors, staff, crew, and everyone else behind the show for pulling off a good show.

“West Side Story” runs at Meralco Theater on Sept. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, Oct. 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12, 2008. For tickets, call Ticketworld at (632) 891-9999 or STAGES at (632) 818-1111 loc. 225. Ticketworld is online at www.ticketworld.com.ph. Ticket prices range from PhP 500 to 1,200.

During the past few months, Philippine based bloggers have been adding various bloggers events. The most recent one is the Belo Bloggers’ Open House. Blogger events are great opportunities for bloggers to socialize and interact with each other in the real world. Two major bloggers event are to be held in the month of September — WordCamp Philippines and The Philippine Blog Awards 2008.

WordCamp Philippines

WordCamp Philippines is the premier event for WordPress users and developers. WordCamp is the best venue for WP enthusiasts to come together and get updated on the latest. WordCamp Philippines would be held on September 6, 2008 at the Augusto-Rosario Gonzalez Theater, College of Saint Benilde in Manila. A “mini-WordCamp” would also be held in Davao City on September 4, 2008. Matt Mullenweg will be attending Wordcamp Philippines. Wordcamp Philippines is organized by the Mindanao Bloggers.

The Philippine Blog Awards 2008

The Philippine Blog Awards now on its second year aims to recognize notable Filipino-owned blogs in their respective niches. With topics ranging from the arts, culture, technology and politics, Filipinos have become more abreast because of the fast growing blogging industry here and abroad. The Philippine Blog Awards is a venue to showcase notable blogs with quality content that engages readers from around the globe. The Philippine Blog Awards will be held on September 21, 2008 at 1 Esplanade (near Mall of Asia).

I am hoping to see you in both events!