From L-R: Nyoy Volante, Tim Espinosa, Monica Reynoso,
Madel Ching, Dulce, & Menchu Lauchengco
source: http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2008/11/hairspraymanila.html

I have lost the habit of writing my thoughts on a play or movie  immediately after seeing it.  I hope it is not too late to share my thoughts though to those of you who plan to see this musical.

I recently watched Hairspray in Star Theatre last Nov. 21, 2008, front row seats.  I am a little disappointed that the venue of the play - a colorful musical and a tony award winner has to be in Star Theatre.  It was a friday, so I left QC 2 hours before the show started at 8pm.  On the way I fetched my friend Tin at Starbucks at 6750, Makati.  But still, we were around 20-25 minutes LATE.  I arrived towards the end of Scene 3 of Act 1.  I have never been late for a play except for Death and the Maiden due to inevitable circumstances.  But for leaving my QC home 2 hours before the show?!? - I purposely left early to be there on time but I was still late.  Partly because we still had to look for Star theatre which is hidden behind Aliw Theatre.  The theatre doesn’t have a big signage other than not being very well-known.  One thing that I learned from that experience, I must always always bring a map especially if the show where you are going has a definite time to start.

I also made a huge mistake buying front row center tickets.  Actually, it was unfair that they priced the front seats P1200++ which is the most expensive because from where we are seated our view is partly blocked by some huge rectangular black objects placed on top of the stage (which is either for the lights or speakers).  We weren’t able to see the entire bed where Penny Pingleton (Tracy’s bestfriend) was being tied up.  Our view resembled a movie screen with a huge black rectangular shadow at the bottom.

I hope people from Atlantis could take a look into this.  Infact I deserve a reimbursement  of my money or atleast return a fraction thereof for what happened.

The view above the rectangular shadow however was far from disappointment. Actors are good.  Spectacular I must say.  Madel Ching is perfect for the role of Tracy Turnblad.  I commend everything about her especially the acting.  She is a replica of the Tracy Turnblad of the movie and broadway which surprised me for a new discovery like her and made her professional theatrical debut in this musical.

Menchu Lauchengco gave the best performance of the night -  Pang-international level (acting with right timing, good singing).  Nyoy Volante was good, especially with the moves.  He portrayed Seaweed Stubbs, a black who dances.  I thought he won’t pull it off because I have watched him live in his shows and never saw him do a moonwalk which he repeatedly did for this role.

I also noticed unfamiliar faces on stage whose performances I like.  Monica Reynoso as Tracy’s bestfriend Precy was funny and gave good acting.  I like her a lot.

The Dynamites (From L-R: Erika Cedilla,

Mayen Bustamante & Emerita Alcid)
source: http://meldanyan.multiply.com/photos/album/87#1

Another girl who I also like is Emerita Alcid, one of the Dynamites in orange dress.  She has the prettiest face and her singing voice in a chorus always stood above others.  I already noticed her in West Side Story and I find her  better-suited in a major role than merely a part of the ensemble or dancers. Infact I find her more fit as the villainess bitchy Amber Von Tussle, than the actor who portrayed it who should have been prettier and bitchier.

Michael De Mesa
source: http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2008/11/hairspraymanila.html

Moreover, Michael de Mesa is far from John Travolta’s performance as Mrs. Turnblad.  I heard it is the most difficult role he had taken so far because of the dancing and the physical challenge to act as if he has the real huge weight.  However when I watched him, the dancing and physical weight weren’t a problem but the feminine acting and good singing that he lacked.  Parang mas babae pa si Chris Millado sa kanya when the former essayed the role of Rocky in Rocky Horror Show.  Parang mas mag-eenjoy ako siguro kong ibang actor portrayed Mrs. Turnblad.  What I want to drive at is that  Micheal de Mesa is overrated as a stage actor.  There are a lot of other actors who could do better in the roles he has performed on stage.

Ofcourse, I won’t miss mentioning Malen Bustamante-Cadd as one of the Dynamites and my former theatre workshop teacher who was sexy and pretty as a Dynamite dancer.  Keep it up Mayen!

So that’s about it.  This is what I can say about Hairspray, Manila.

I hope you enjoy and get good seats if you do watch it.
**********
Showdates:
Star Theater - Nov. 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 & Dec. 5, 6, 7, 2008
Ticket Prices:
Php 1236.00
Php 1030.00
Php 824.00
Php 618.00

Call Ticketworld: (+63 2) 891-9999
Email:tickets@ticketworld.com.ph
Fax: (+63 2) 891-5634
Hotlines: GLOBE +63-916-340-3919
SMART +63-0921-564-2108

Call Atlantis Productions: 892-7078/ 840-1187

You may also buy directly from these people:

Nov. 28, 2008 Fri 8:00pm | Andrea Go +63917-8867968 email: andreanicoleuygo@gmail.com

Nov. 29, 2008 Sat 2:00pm | Theody Demaisip +63920-9326067 email: tdemaisip@fastmail.fm

Nov. 29, 2008 Sat 8:00pm | Joelle Ona +63920-9010863 email: jhorca@gmail.com; Anton +63917-5683627

Nov. 30, 2008 Sun 3;00pm | Jill Pena +63919-3608974 email: jill_mari@yahoo.com

Nov. 30, 2008 Sun 8;00pm | Janna Chua +63928-5024066 Roan Isberto 0918-9133793

Dec. 5, 2008 Friday 8:00pm | Ticketworld +632 891-9999

Bachelor Girl Shake & Shimmy Show
Dec. 6, 2008 Sat 2:00pm | Lorna Lopez +632 913-157 +63922-3875729 email: thebachelorgirl@gmail.com

December 6, 2008 Sat 8:00pm | Ticketworld +632 891-9999

December 7, 2008 Sun 3:00pm | Teody Demaisip +63920-9326067 email: tdemaisip@fastmail.fm

Closing Night
Dec. 7, 2008 Sun 8:00 pm | Mae Castro +63906-3414559

Thanks to Ms. C for a pic of it

I was invited to judge for the Communications Week of grade 5 pupils today (Wednesday, Nov 18, 2008), in my alma mater School of the Holy Spirit QC. Ms. Cabotage (Ms. C), a teacher and organizer communicated with me via friendster (thanks to friendster people get reconnected!) and asked me if I could be one of the judges for this event.

Ms. Cabotage (at the center) recording the scores

for the Spelling Bee

Not that I didn’t want to, but I didn’t give a 100% “yes” for I only studied in SHS for 2 years (grade 7 and 1st year highschool) before I transferred back to my homeprovince.  I didn’t say “Yes I will” immediately, because I felt that they might want to reconsider other students/pupils who had stayed with the school for a longer period (like a loyalty awardee that they designate to people who studied since kindergarten) and are more deserving than me.  But when I talked to Ms. C over the phone she said, “So!?! So what if you studied there for only 2 years?”

So that means - it doesn’t matter.

“So?!? nga naman Naomi!” I told myself after talking to Ms. C.  SHS after all will always have a special place in my heart.  It had a big influence to what I am today.  Not only because I found my long-time friends Kari, Rona, Sheryl and Myra whom I still see every once in awhile, but because those 2 short years gave a lot of memorable experiences for me, especially in grade 7.

Back in grade 7, I was a newcomer then.  A probinsiyana, and I expected to be discriminated against and encounter very big adjustment because of the culture shock and new environment.  However that year opened alot of opportunities for me to spread my wings.  I represented my class under Mrs. Cabrido in the declamation and won.  I also joined and won an interschool singing competition held in Ateneo and Ms. Panturilla coached my singing while Mrs. Abubo coached my over-all stage performance.

Other than those contests, I remember grade 7 was a difficult year.  We were loaded with tons of work and exercises that a bulk of it was even homework that deprive us of longer free hours on weekends.  I used to complain together with my classmate Tracy because of that, however I will never forget Mrs. Abubo saying to the class, “Girls, I am giving you this kind of work because I want to train you for college.”

“College?!?” we used to exclaim.

But Mrs. Abubo was right.  When I look back, I learned a lot in this school academically that prepared me to where I am now.  The subjects with dedicated teachers we had in grade 7 are a good foundation especially at work and now that I am in lawschool.

It was in grade 7 that I fell in love with Constitutional Law for the first time because of Mrs. Malenab.  I also represented the school for a Math quiz bee together with Kari and Sheryl.  I remember some classmates envied the 3 of us because as participants we were all friends who belong to the same barkada and we had fun participating in it at Miriam school.  Mrs. Librando was our math teacher and I will always remember her as a very meek and a kind person.

Mrs. Abubo with her list of words to be spelled

Being a communications enthusiast, I will never forget the astronomically demanding Mrs. Abubo who gave us a lot of exercises in language.  Her exams were difficult and I recall exerting most of my efforts for her subject.  In the spelling bee awhile ago, familiar words were being uttered for the contestants to spell i.e. spontaneous, jaundice, indict… etc. I can’t help but smile, for the same words were given to us and it never changed!

Ginang Roque

I also met Ginang Roque whose face and hairdo are still the same.  She used to tease my bad handwriting and got mad at me when I referred to Fr. Arnold Janssen in a filipino essay as “panot.” Being a probinsiyana I had a hard time thinking of another filipino term to describe him.   Hahahaha! I laugh when I recall those good old days.

As I award, with the other two judges
(Councilor Bernadette and Ms. Angela Colet, also alumnae)

When Ms. Cabotage corresponded with me for the first time via e-mail, she mentioned that she noticed Holy Spirit QC is hardly mentioned in my friendster or blog and she hoped I never had memories that I wouldn’t want to remember.

I wrote her back and called her attention that SHS QC is mentioned as one of my schools in my friendster profile ever since I signed-up in 2003. In addition to that, it deserves not only a mere mention in my profile but an entire blog post dedicated to it.

Thank you SHS!  Thank you for the memories!  Thank you to its teachers, & people who and experiences that gave such a great impact in my life! I live up and I will always will … to Truth in Love.

For more pictures, click HERE.

The Cenacle Retreat House offered a Managing Stress Retreat weekend last Nov. 8-9, 2003 facilitated by Dr. Dido Villasor, Phd, a psychologist from Makati Medical Center.

I participated in this event because I felt I needed it.  Dr. Villasor provided insights to relieve stress which I think will be helpful to me - a stressed-out, burnt out person that I am.

What I appreciated, other than the lecture discussion is the environment of the Cenacle.  It is quiet, peaceful, truly a place to recollect and pray.

I also met rereatants who are chinese missionary nuns from different congregations.  Sr. Louise, from China and Sr. Clara from Singapore were my seatmates whom I shared group activities with.  They are very kind and shared inspiring stories about their lives.  I will never forget them both.

Jean Amis  is from Ateneo de Naga and became my roommate.

The Cenacle Retreat House, offers weekend retreats by themes.  To know more about the schedule and topic, check http://www.cenaclephilsing.org/ministry/calendar/.

Cenacle Retreat House & Spirituality Center
59 N. Reyes St., Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Tel Nos. 434-2054, 434-3064
Telefax: 434-6943
Mobile number: 0927-5608032

Naomi’s Shootings (Copyright 2008)

Nagsimula akong gumawa ng wishlist nung 2004, at merong mga ilan na tumutupad.

So, gumawa ako ulit last year, mga 70 percent natupad naman.

Natutuwa ako kasi ang mga hinihiling ko ay talagang nagagamit ko talaga, at sa tingin ko practical na gumawa ng ganito.  Kaysa naman sa makatanggap ako ng hindi ko naman kailangan at magagamit, sayang naman.  I will just hoard them and accumulate dust.

Para hindi na isipin ng mga mahal ko sa buhay, at mga secret admirers (kung meron man… ahem ) kung ano ang gusto ko at kung ano dapat ibigay sa akin sa darating na pasko, at sa birthday ko (January 10, kung hindi mo man alam), ito na.  Pinag-isipan ko talagang mabuti ito.

This time around, I will include tangible and intangible.   About the latter, gifts don’t have to be material things all the time.

I will be updating this every once in awhile.  I will also make a link on the right hand corner of my primary friendster blog to this blog post so that people could have easier access to it.

Kaya folks, ito na muli.

Naomi’s WishList Season 3

Naks! Parang TV series

NOTE: for Pictures of the following, click HERE

For shipping address:

N. Corpuz Ent. Inc., Paco Roman St., Laoag City, IN, Philippines

TANGIBLE wishes:

1. Wireless headphones, with microphone
It’s cheap at CD-R King.

2. Books

a. The Life of The Beloved
by Henri Nouwen
For Amazon’s link click HERE.
(NOTE: If not available, Inner Voice of Healing by same author)

b. Audition: A Memoir
by Barbara Walters
For Amazon’s link click HERE.

c. Home: A Memoir of My Early Years
by Julie Andrews
For Amazon’s link click HERE.

d. The Last Lecture
by Randy Pausch with Jeffrey Zaslow
For Amazon’s link click HERE.

e. a good book guide to help me understand reading the Bible.
I don’t know of any.  Do you?
Though I have my sister’s How To Read the Bible for All Its Worth
by Gordon F. Fee & Douglas Stuart, I still find it not reader-friendly.

3. Music CD’s

a. Prayers from the Upper Room
by Jesuit Ministry and Religious of Cenacle

b. Himig Nating Pag-ibig
by Noel Cabangon

c. Stand By Me Still: Songs for Healing
by Himig Eswita

d. Lauds 1: Jesuit Music for Meditation
by Fr. Arnel Aquino SJ

e. Lauds 2: Jesuit Music for Meditation
by Fr. Arnel Aquino SJ

These CDs are available at all Tanging Yaman Stores:

Sonolux Building
Seminary Drive, Ateneo de Manila University
Loyola Heights, Quezon City, 1108 Philippines
Tel. (632) 426.5971 to 72 local 113
Fax (632) 426.5970
Email tanging.yaman@jescom.ph

Loyola House of Studies
Ateneo de Manila University
Loyola Heights, Quezon City, 1108 Philippines
Telefax (632) 426.1023

Gateway Mall
Level 2 Concourse Area
Araneta Center, Cubao
Quezon City, Philippines

Tel (632) 912.1377

SM Megamall
5th Level Building B
EDSA, Mandaluyong City
Philippines

JMM music and songbooks are also distributed and made available at leading record stores nationwide by  UNIVERSAL RECORDS. (Also available at HOUSE OF PRAISE outlets.)

JesCom publications are also distributed commercially and made available at leading bookstores nationwide by ANVIL PUBLISHING.

From a Bulletin Forum I gather that JesCom also opened 2 new kiosks at Robinson’s:
Robinsons Place Manila
Level 2, Padre Faura Wing
(in between Marks & Spencer and Mossimo)

Robinsons Galleria
Level 2, Rodeo Drive, EDSA Node
(the hallway above National Bookstore)

4. a stock of Colgate

5. a stock of Dove, beauty bar soap
preferably scented

6. a stock of Dove liquid deodorant roll-on
MUST be: LIQUID roll-on
preferably: Cucumber & Green Tea scent

7. ground coffee, for brewing

8. a nice coffee mug
like Starbucks’, the big ones

9. nylon guitar
MUST be nylon
I plan to learn how to play it soon

10. handtowels
MUST be: handtowels and NOT facetowels
handtowels are rectangular, hence longer

11. Mizuno Wave Creation 9
footsize 7.5; salesgirl in trinoma says 8 for allowance
either of the two is fine

12. Acuvue Disposable Contact Lenses
Left Eye 275, Right Eye 175
Sarabia Optical in Trinoma sells
1 pair for P305
1 pack for 3 pairs for P785

13. Contact Lense Eye Drop
P80 per piece

14. My 2 choices of Moleskine notebook:

a. 2009 Soft Monthly Notebook Pocket 12M

128 pages / 9×14cm (size of an index card) / acid-free paper
available at National Bookstore for P684
for a picture I took, click HERE

b. blank notebook
9×14cm (size of an index card)

15. easel
available at National Bookstore for P2611
for a picture I took, click HERE

16. eyeglasses with no grade
to protect my contacts when travelling

17. voicerecorder
a nice one, which allows me to upload the voice recordings to the computer
(nakakita ako ng mura sa Dubai noon, pero hindi ko binili )

18. bed & breakfast tray
with foldable legs
I plan to use it, for eating, writing and reading. Multi-purpose.

19. a nice camcorder - not necessarily the latest
secondhand, hand-me-downs are fine,
so that I could also be a vlogger and document interesting moving pictures as I see them.

INTANGIBLE wishes:

1. someone who could fix my sites. I am not a pro in html/javascript, and my friendster doesn’t allow javascript.  I need someone who could maximize the features of friendster, and my other blogs (which I will launch some time in the future).  I like black&white color for my blogs, with predominantly white background, that simple.  I like looking at the sites of gibbscadiz.blogspot.com & hotcandy.multiply.com.

2. someone who could take excellent pictures of me, like a pro

3. someone who could make a nice looking header using my pictures

4. someone who could tour me around pagudpud, for I am not well-travelled there though I have gone there countless times for swimming.

5. someone who could treat me for dinner in a nice resto

6. someone who could let me try and have a taste of what their resto/beachresort/hotel etc. has to offer. I will make a blog review on them for free.

7. someone who could teach me how to play guitar

8. that people will click on my google ads in my blog sites, which I will put up soon,  and help me generate income

9. someone who could draw a nice caricature or cartoon of me - which I can make use for headers and profile pictures for my sites; similar to the one at the bottom of gibbscadiz.blogspot.com

10. someone who can lend me either his/her SLR (or a camcorder, if no. 19 can’t be given to me) by virtue of deposit.  Deposit is constituted from the moment I, as depositary receives the SLR with the primary purpose of safelykeeping it.  The depositor/owner must give express permission to me to use it though, and has agreed that it is gratuitous (meaning, I can use it without pay).

Thank you for reading and God Bless you!

Have a Wonderful Christmas and a Love-filled New Year!