Viva Pit Señor

This coming weekend is the feast of Cebu City and our Patron, Señor Sto. Niño. All eyes will be on our little island as tourists from all over the country and the world have flown in, and is still flowing in to witness the grand celebration. On Saturday, there will be the fluvial procession of Miraculous image of the Sto. Niño in the morning, then the Solemn Procession will be in the afternoon. On Sunday will be the grand mardi gras, the famous Sinulog.

We have A LOT of hotels, condominiums, motels, pension houses and Inn's in the city, but as early as last month, everything has been either occupied or reserved. There are parties and concerts everywhere in the city, the festive mood is definitely in the air. I just hope that in all of these, everyone will remember the reason why we're celebrating in the first place.

Viva Pit Señor! ♥

Marine, where?

I just watched the movie The Marine 2, and though it was passable, there's just one thing kinda troubling me.

The setting of the movie was supposed to be a fictional Asian country named Kusang, and the movie was shot on location in Thailand. In fact, the actors involved in the movie were Americans and Thais. If that's the case, I would just like to ask why the soldiers in the movie were wearing military camouflage with PHIL ARMY patches?

I wonder if they ordered their army costumes from the Philippines?

Together Again

As always, it was an amazing evening with the Concert King and Queen. As I've said a million times before, Martin is my greatest musical influence, and though I was never a fan of Pops, I've always admired how they make beautiful music together. I was also lucky enough to record most of the concert.

Here's one of the songs they performed beautifully, originally composed and sung by an old friend of mine, Aiza Seguerra.

It was a romantic evening as the Cebuano audience witnessed Martin and Pops together again, at least on-stage.

Waiting

Been here outside the entrance of the Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront Hotel & Casino since 3:00 PM, and it's now 6:55 PM on my watch. I just wanted to make sure that once the doors will be opened, I will be one of the first to go and reserve seats for my wife and close friend who are on their way here already. The producers said they'll open the doors at 7:00 PM. I'm hoping they will but based on experience, for the countless times I've been to Martin's concerts, the doors will be opened at around 7:30 PM and the show usually starts 8:45 to 9:00 PM.

I'm so excited to see my idol again after a long, long while. I don't see any signs or warnings that cameras are not allowed so good thing I brought mine. And yes, thank you to the Waterfront Hotel for the free WiFi while waiting for almost 4 hours, and thank you to my ever trusted phone (which is incidentally a year old today) for connecting me to the world wide web.

Shin's Message for Katrina

Since that evening I spent with Shin, Jed and Princess was my daughter's birthday, Shin sent her birthday wishes for Katrina through vid.

Thank you, Tita Shin Shin. Katrina Alyssa was so happy to watch your greetings. ♥

Being with Shin & Jed

Yesterday, I went undertime from work, rode a van-for-hire, and went to a city I've never been before just to see and be with Shin Shin again. It was worth it. The van we were in was also the backstage and dressing room, so we were cramped with Shin, Tita Russ, Jed Madela and Princess Ryan, but it was okay because we had a chance to talk a lot. It was an amazing experience, and since it was my daughter's birthday, I got her a video greeting from her Tita Shin.

After the show, I had to sleep at the sidewalk because there were no more public transportation in or out of the city. Well, not really sleep because I was half-awake the whole 2 hours for fear that someone might swipe my bag. I went home this morning, took a bath, and went to work. I was excited for my shift to finally end tonight so I can go home and finally sleep, but an hour ago, my office mate called sick again, so that means I'm stuck here again for the next 4 hours at the very least. Sucks big time.

Oh well, I'm sure my sacrifices will pay off in the end. That is, if my body won't kill me first because of over fatigue.

Here's one of the pics I took while inside the van last night.

It was night to remember, indeed.

Happy Birthday, Katrina

Today my daughter turns 7 years old. She was so excited that from 8PM last night until 2AM this morning, she was lying in bed but with eyes wide open. There's no party today as it's their review week at school. Party is postponed until after their exams next week.

It's your birthday, but we got the gift... a gentle, sweet, beautiful daughter who is always a pleasure to be with. You glow with sensitivity and compassion generated from the depths of your warm heart and and kind soul. Anyone who spends time with you is privileged to know such an extraordinary person. You are a great joy in our lives. We love you and cherish you and treasure you and wish that every one of your birthdays will be the happiest yet. Happy Birthday, Katrina! Papa loves you more than you'll ever know. ♥

Shin's 2009 Achievements

As we're starting with 2010, let me go back a bit and congratulate (again) my friend and idol, Shin Shin for an amazing year. 2009 has been a roller coaster ride for her. Personally, her heart was broken again, but professionally, she received a lot of awards and recognitions long overdue.

♥ 2nd Red Music Radio Awards Best Song by a Female performer: "Honestly"
♥ 3rd iFM Pinoy Music Awards Best Song by a Female Performer: "Honestly"
♥ 3rd iFM Pinoy Music Awards Song of the Year: "Honestly"
♥ Revival Album of the Year, 1st PMPC Star Awards for Music
♥ Female Star of the Night, 1st PMPC Star Awards for Music
♥ Pop Female Performance in a Music Video - 2009 ASAP POP Viewers' Choice Awards
♥ Pop Female Artist - 2009 ASAP POP Viewers' Choice Awards
♥ Best RnB for "Paano" - 22nd Awit Awards (PARI)
♥ Gold Record Award for her "Rachelle Ann Falling In Love" Album
♥ ASAP'09 24K Gold Record Awardee for her "Rachelle Ann Falling In Love" Album
♥ ASAP Platinum Circle Compilation Awardee 2009 "GV 25: An All-Star Tribute

I'm sooo proud of you, Shin! Hoping and praying for more success in 2010.
And yes, as always, I'm still always and forever here for you.

Which Concert?

The month of January is Fiesta month in Cebu because of the Sinulog. It will be the time of the year where the tourists, both local and foreign, will be flocking to Cebu to join the festivities. It's also this month where a LOT of artists will be having their concerts here, and as much as I would love to watch them all, I can't afford it, so I narrowed them down to the ones I love most. I got three.

Martin has always been my greatest musical influence. I learned a lot about music and about life because of him, and there have been instances that people would compare our voices which is both flattering and kinda absurd since he IS the Concert King, while I'm just someone who loves music. While I personally don't like Pops, she complements Martin vocally, and their rapport on-stage is perfect.

I've always loved Lea ever since I started in theatre, and her concerts are always elegant and somewhat enchanted. She didn't voice two Disney heroines for nothing. It's always a treat hearing her sing.


Now this may come as a surprise to those who know me, but yes, my wife and I love the Kanto Boys. Vhong Navarro has always been my idol in dancing and local comedy. He's just a natural. Billy, Luis and John Lloyd are not only good in their respective fields, they've already proven their worth with the awards that they have. And as a group, they're just hilariously talented.


I would really love to watch all three shows, but I can't. Okay, I won't. I have to choose only one. It's the start of the year so I have to save, and save a lot since I'm not earning as much as before, and my daughter is turning 7 years old on January 6.

So, which one would I choose? It's a difficult choice but since I've never missed Martin's shows in Cebu, I will have to choose his and Pop's concert. It's hard to let Lea's and the Kanto Boys' shows pass, but I have to.

There's always a next time.

01-01-10

Thank you 2009, for the roller coaster ride. A lot of things, both positive and negative, happened in my life in 2009, and although I have a few regrets, I know I have a chance to make things better this 2010.

This year, I will defy gravity. This year, I'm going to be a New Me. I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game. Too late for second-guessing, too late to go back to sleep. It's time to trust my instincts, close my eyes and leap!

My whole life, I've never had any new year's resolutions. I just thought that I would never be able to keep them for 365 days that's why I never attempted to make even one. This year, I'm going to try it. I will try my very best to keep these resolutions.

1. Spend more time with Family and Friends
2. Exercise often
3. Get out of Debt
4. Take a Trip
5. Minimize soft drinks
6. Go back to God
7. Sing or vocalize at least every other day
8. Clean up my Facebook
9. Organize projects for a cause
10. Don't trust too quickly

Each one of these resolutions will require a lot of discipline, dedication and hard work, and since I've decided that it will be a New Me this 2010, I will do my very best to keep them.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Cheers! ♥