Bright Lights

Christmas is incomplete without lights. Lights festooned on trees, houses, or buildings that come in different colors. I enjoy going around villages just to glimpse the Christmas decorations bedecked on houses.  I like the long stretch of Ayala Ave in Makati because of the lights adorned on trees and lamp posts.

This is the SGV building in Ayala.

Across the SGV is the Philippine Stock Exchange building, where you will be greeted by this huge nativity scene:

In its usual glamorous offer, the Ayala Triangle is conducting a nightly Musical Light Show this Christmas season, every hour, from 6pm to 9pm.

With the lights off, there was nothing much to appreciate. The trees looked sad and the park lacked radiance. But you can see a lot of people crowding the place, usually parents with their children, waiting for the show.

At the start of the show, the flowers slowly bloomed (compare above and below photos), with Christmas tunes accompanying the flickering of lights.

And dramatically changes its hue with every beat of the song.

Just beautiful! I was smiling all throughout.  The show lasted for 15 minutes. It was a sight for sore eyes!

Have a bright and colorful Christmas, everyone!

The Sound of Music

When the dog bites

When the bee stings

When I’m feeling sad

I simply remember

My favorite things

And then I don’t feel so bad

              -My Favorite Things-

All of us have seen the movie. All of us adored the Von Trapp family. And all of us can sing Do Re Mi.

The Sound of Music is one of my all time favorite movies. From start to end, I could sing all the songs. My mom used to sing Edelweiss during those times I slept beside her. It’s her favorite movie, too.

Resorts World is offering a perfect treat for the family this holiday season. Go and watch The Sound of Music at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Originally, the show was scheduled until 11 December 2011, but it has been extended until 12 February 2012.

I wish I have pictures to share with you, however taking of pictures were not allowed at the venue. Cameras and other gadgets will be confiscated from violators.

I watched the 8pm show, with the following cast:

                        Captain Von Trapp                              Audie Gemora

                        Maria Rainer                                        Joanna Ampil

            Liesl Von Trapp                                   Tanya Manalang          

            Friedrich Von Trapp                            Luis Nieto

            Louisa Von Trapp                                Danielle Sanghio

            Kurt Von Trapp                                   Justin Sian

            Brigitta Von Trapp                              Atasha Muhlach

            Marta Von Trapp                                Sofia Yabyabin

            Gretl Von Trapp                                  Alexa Villaroel

Atasha, daughter of Charlene and Aga Muhlach

  

It was lovely! It reminded me of my childhood days. Highly recommended.

I really deserve a Best Actress award =). I’ve seen the movie so many times, but still I cried during the show. 2 specific scenes that made me cry:

1) When the Captain heard the children singing after a long time, since the death of his wife.

2) The Captain singing “Edelweiss” with his family during the concert.

Mark this 2 scenes, I’m sure you will also be moved.

I like Edelweiss, it is absolutely a beautiful song. A very short song, but so meaningful. Edelweiss is a flower. The song symbolizes the perseverance of the flower which grows in places with severe conditions where other flowers cannot grow but the Edelweiss can.

Edelweiss, taken from national-flowers.info

 I happen to value patriotism and nationalism. I hope parents will continue to teach their children love for the country. Many people fought for our country’s independence and freedom. I pray that every generation will continue the same fight. Just like Captain Von Trapp.

 Have a good time. Watch The Sound of Music with your family or friends.  

Tickets are available at the Resorts World Manila Box Office and all TicketWorld outlets.

SEAT SECTION	TICKET PRICES
VIP	P2,000
Premiere	P1,700
Deluxe	P1,300
Balcony	P1,000

Get the cheapest ticket. Balcony is not that far from the stage. Be on time, or else you will not be allowed to be seated until the change of scene/break.

Go, celebrate music! Life is good =)

The Songwriter & The Crooner

Oh yes, I like Jose Mari Chan. I grew up listening to his Constant Change album. I had a cassette tape of it that I repeatedly play in my stereo back then. I memorized the lyrics of all the songs. I was in grade school then, the era of Debbie Gibson, and JMC captured my fondness for love songs. Can’t We Start Over Again was my favorite.

Last December 2, JMC had a show with Richard Poon. After my beach trip, sound trip naman. I rushed to the PICC, excited to hear him sing live again after eons of waiting. The crowd was not my generation, well mostly. Majority were bejeweled ladies matronly dressed, hehehe.

Opening act was by Thor. I really don’t know him, I’m not even sure if I got his name right hahaha. He sang 2 songs, songs that were badly chosen. Nat King Cole and Lani Misalucha ba naman. 

the who?!

There were several empty seats at the start of the show, but were eventually filled up. Talk about Filipino time.

Danceable tunes were performed by the two artists as their opening number.

Then the stage was monopolized by Richard Poon.

Singing Christmas songs with the 3 ladies.

Singing wedding songs.

A surprise appearance from Pokwang and Mahal followed. Hahaha, it was funny. Pokwang and her “No Boyfriend, No Problem” song earned laughter from the audience. Believe me, I heard the song for the first time there.

Pokwang was up and around the venue, with her song.

JMC had the spotlight with the following songs: Constant Change, Tell Me Your Name, Can We Just Stop And Talk Awhile, and Refrain. 

We need more songwriters, we need more JMCs in the music industry. Look at his songs, still very pleasant to hear after all these years.

I finally heard Noelle Cassandra perform live. Such an angel, with her harp and voice! “Please Be Careful With My Heart” and “A Love To Last A Lifetime” became so heart warming with their duet.

Who could forget “Beautiful Girl”? It’s always Gretchen Barretto that comes to my mind whenever I hear the song. Speaking of Beautiful Girl, I spotted that night Kring-Kring Gonzales and Tin Bersola Babao.

Beautiful Girl was performed in two versions, in English by JMC and Chinese by Richard. Cute.

The show ended with JMC’s Christmas carols: Christmas in our Hearts and Perfect Christmas.

It was a lovely night, so romantic for couples.

Life is good! =)

P.S.

Let’s Face It was the major sponsor. Everyone got a loot bag, and other freebies.

 

Again, life is good.

I am So Back!

After a long hiatus, I am so back! Can’t wait to write stories again. I had a roller coaster ride the past months, chose to be incommunicado to some, and kept my life under wraps.

 A lot has been going on, from serious to silly…from politics to showbiz. There’s the story of Ramgen… the balls of Topacio… the Piolo-KC break up… the Operation Put the Little Girl to Sleep…the controversial Mo-Rhian affair… Pacquiao against Marquez… the ugly Angry Birds cake from Metrodeal… the expensive football ticket… De Lima against the Supreme Court… and my favorite, the screech of Midas.

I missed a lot of good movies and tv shows. And I haven’t seen a single episode of PBB, where my classmate in law school, Tol Chua, is a housemate.

taken from shirgie-story.blogspot.com

But I didn’t dare miss Breaking Dawn. I endured Bella’s pregnancy! You see, I’m not a fan of Bella, just Edward. Among the vampire stories now, Bella’s character is the most duh. Unlike Sookie of True Blood, Schuyler of Blue Bloods and Elena of Vampire Diaries… these ladies really rock with their roles.

taken from twilight-breaking-dawn-movie.blogspot.com

While away, a lot of people sent their love. My mom gave me these:

Clinique is love, being hypo-allergenic.

I had this for dessert (for a week!), all the way from Davao, also from Mom:

Yummy durian.

A friend in Jakarta sent this:

Scent is sweet-smelling.

A girlfriend gave me 3 boxes of Meiji:

And I won in the raffle of Chuvaness!

I was really elated when I got this box!

One of my favorite bloggers.

Inside the box:

Human Heart Nature products and Eco Bag, EOS lipbalm, Goody hairbrush, Carb Trim iced tea mix, and bag from Rootote.

Also, I got a clean bill of health. Tested negative on hyperthyroidism.

Thank God!

 Meantime, enjoy these signs:

Taken near La Salle Taft: CERTIFIED THRU XEROX COPY

Inside a cab: Just how difficult it is to spell UTILITY?

 

 

 

the use of "AS PER": redundant

Common mistake, or talagang dapat naka-costume si customer?!

I'm sure this is referring to a lane, and not to a person. Otherwise, it is kidnapping!

With such sentence construction, I'm sure it is a gimmick hahahaha!

 That's it, pancit!