Madge Goodies Galore!

Before I post my entry on our Camiguin trip since I still have to gather my thoughts after such a wonderful time (go check out the photos at the right sidebar), allow me to show you the Madonna goodies I recently got through my fabulous Sanfo Friend Jun...




I have waited for these magazines for several weeks! The Out Magazine cover photo may be horrendous, but the Harper's Bazaar shot is just heavenly!



This is one collector's item! A book of Madonna quotes with lots of photos.



I already have the audio files of Madonna's children's books in my iPod but this would definitely be a fine addition to my collection.



And finally, the Sorry maxi-single CD!




These are just one of the reasons I always look forward to Jun's bi-annual homecoming! Of course, there's the dinners to places I would otherwise have no chance of getting into, the out-of-town trips, and most especially the bucketloads of chika, Mimi Ganderisms and endless Balajories! Ha-ha!


Thank you muchest, Jun dearest!!!


MADONNA

B2B : Back 2 Bohol!

Over the weekend, our office department held our annual Teambuilding activity and finally, our bosses got generous enough to send us to one of my most favorite places in the world... BOHOL!

Exactly a year ago, I visited the place with my diva-bulous friends and I had the greatest time! This time going back, though my purpose is different, I still had a wonderful experience.

Bohol is actually my Mom's hometown (Tagbilaran City) and I remember going there a number of times when I was a lot younger. My eldest sister also has already made it her new home since she married a Boholano. So you can only understand that more than just seeing the various tourist spots in the island, being in Bohol is like getting back to my family's roots.

Below are some photos taken during our Teambuilding trip...


click on images to enlarge

www.flickr.com

In the coming weeks, I will again have a chance to go back to my roots when my diva friends, my Sunshine and I visit Camiguin where my father was born and raised. Needless to say, I can't wait!



...Like I just got home!




Bohol
Office
Teambuilding
Travel

Pinoy Big 'Sistah'

People are abuzz for the last couple of days as an aftermath of a rather 'historic' moment in Philippine television 2 nights ago.

Rustom Padilla, the former heartthrob and leading man, now the so-called 'prodigal son of showbusiness', a celebrity contestant in Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition, has finally confirmed a long-standing 'open secret' among the gay community. Yes, he is ONE OF US!

In an otherwise humdrum night at the Big Brother house garden, with the increasingly amusing housemate Keanna Reeves, Rustom heeded the sign of a butterfly, and decided to open up about his true identity. Like a scene out of a teleserye, tears were shed and in true Keanna fashion, so did pee! Hahaha!


Oh Keanna! Who would've thought that after your endless publicity stunts in the past that bordered on desperation, you'll be able to redeem yourself in my eyes and in the hearts of televiewers everywhere? By according Rustom with open ears, heart and mind, you unconsciously assumed the role of a big sister anyone would love to go to in times of confusion. By saying that you have now more respect to Rustom after his confession, you have uttered the words many closeted gays all over the world want to hear. Winner ka, sistah!


Indeed, Rustom has gained more respect by finally being true to the world and most importantly, to himself. Regardless of any other ulterior motive you have for daring to come clean and come out, may you inspire others who are going through what you did to do the same and finally desert their darkest closets.



What do I have to do to be accepted,
What do I have to say;
What do I have to do to be respected,
How do I have to play?



Pinoy Big Brother
Television
Gay

Zizzling Zsazsa Zunday

Victoria! Winner! Tagumpay!


Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to have the chance to catch Tanghalang Pilipino's highly anticipated staging of Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzical. Due to its limited run and its small venue, tickets were almost instantly sold out but thanks to my friend Liza, I got one for myself.

For those not in the know. the musical is adapted from the Carlo Vergara's cult hit comic book Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah about a gay beautician (Ada) who was 'chosen' to assume the role of a superheroine (Zsazsa Zaturnnah) to save his town from a giant frog, zombies (the Mumus) and the alien Amazonistas led by Queen Femina Suarestellar Baroux. With the help of his loyal sidekick Didi and objet d'amour Dodong, he struggled to fight the enemies and at the same time search his place and purpose in this world.


After hearing superlatively positive feedback from friends who have already seen the musical, I set myself up with such high expectations from the production. And they delivered... and how!

From the amazing performances of the actors (Eula Valdes, Ricci Chan and Agot Isidro were the stand-outs) to the most ingenious way they have presented and choreographed scenes to make the comic book come to life, the production is a triumph in creativity and fabulous queerness.

Luckily, the production chose to be faithful to the text of the comic book just enhancing some key moments with powerful, inspiring and soul-infused songs by composer Vince de Jesus. It was 2 and a half hours of laugh-a-minute musical extravaganza! Okay, there were a couple of songs there that nearly brought me to tears. After all, what's a story about a 'queen' without a little drama?!

The play did touch on rather serious issues like gay empowerment, social acceptance and the love that dare not speak its name, but it was not at all preachy as they were presented in a refreshingly comical way.

Though a little strapped for cash, I could not help purchasing some merchandise items being sold at the theater lobby. I bought the programme, a pink Zsazsa shirt (my Wonder Woman shirt now has a 'sister') and the souvenir Cast Recording CD. That CD is now on a repeat mode in my CD player!

Honestly, I'm still reeling from the whole experience. I feel so much pride that a production like this came along and that people supported it and I, in my own little way, was a part of it. Kudos to stage director Chris Millado, adaptor Chris Martinez and the entire cast and crew of Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzical for a job fabulously done.


Incidentally, my Sunshine resented the fact that he was not able to join me and missed out on a great show. I promised him that should the production announce an extended run or a repeat, I will immediately get us tickets so he'd also experience the 'Zsazsa fever'.

For the meantime, he will have to make do with me singing to him my favorite song in the soundtrack...


Ikaw ang Superhero ng Buhay ko... Ikaw,
Hindi ka man lumilipad,
Tinangay mo sa langit ang puso ko...



Zsazsa Zaturnnah
Theater
Musical
Comics

A Mega Valentine

After being her fan for more than 20 years, last Sunday had been a historic moment for me when I finally had the chance to witness my favorite Sharon Cuneta in concert for My Mega Valentine.

Many reasons had prevented and/or discouraged me in the past to catch her live but after being cajoled by a fellow Sharonian (who questioned my 'Mega idolatry'), I was glad I finally went to see her perform on stage.

The concert was such a fun evening mainly due to Shawie's funny spiels and wacky side comments between (and even during!) her song numbers. Her self-deprecating jokes really enlivened the crowd who obviously appreciated her honesty in talking about her weight. In fairness, Sharon has lost much of the weight she gained over the last few years but she still has much to go. Fortunately, her outfits for the concert were not as disastrous as her previous fashion faux pas. She clearly has gained back some curves and she no longer looked matronly in her size.

What blew me away that night is the quality of her singing voice that I initially feared has already detiriorated over the years. Apparently, nothing beats listening to her live! She did great singing some of the best loved and most romantic love songs. She did Barbra, Mannilow, Carpenters, Alcasid and of course some of her more popular classics. Kudos to her musical director Louie Ocampo who did such wonderful arrangements for her medleys.

A rather amusing number was when Sharon sang contemporary hits like Kitchie Nadal's Huwag na Huwag Mong Sasabihin (with matching fake guitar-playing!). She also sang wonderful duets with her guests Christian Bautista (great voice!), Christopher De Leon (not so much) and Kuh Ledesma (competent, as expected). Special mention of celebrities in the audience was met with excited applause from the crowd particulary for boxing champ Manny Pacquiao.

Obviously, I had a great time in My Mega Valentine and you should count me in for Sharon's next concert!


Incidentally, I had my own mega valentine today. My Sunshine surprised me with a sweet token of a single rose with a Valentine card that really made my day. I always thought that Valentine's day is the cheesiest day of the year and I wasn't too keen on getting on with the whole hoopla. But as it turned out, I'm cheesier than I thought I should be! Hah!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S to everyone!!!


See the roses raining on the love parade...



Sharon Cuneta
Valentine

As Seen On TV

We are TV stars... Yes, that's what we are!

This week, I had one of the most exciting experiences ever!

I and my fellow Club Madonna Philippines members were invited to grace the taping of MYX Music Channel for their 24-hour MADONNAthon!

And mind you, our TV appearance was no ordinary thing. We were given not just one but two 30-minute segments where we were allowed to request our favorite Madonna videos and talk about anything we want about Madonna.

If that was not enough, we were also given indvidual camera time to 'confess' our love, worship and devotion to the one and only, Her MADGEsty. Forget about 15 minutes of fame for us, we're talking over an hour of nationwide TV exposure!

But more than the thrill of being on national cable television for an audience reaching thousands to millions, we were extremely on cloud nine for having that rare chance to talk about the one person we are commonly most passionate about, MADONNA. Sure, we have discussed every aspect of Madge's greatness amongst ourselves so many times, but to have 'outsiders' listening in and enjoying every bit of Madonna trivia and insight we can offer is truly a remarkable opportunity. We coudn't contain our euphoria even days after the taped segments.

And now, we will devote much of the 24 hours of today to watch the Madonna video marathon and catch our nationwide music TV debut.

Here are some of the pics taken of my fellow Club Madonna Philippines peeps (Elgin, AJ, Meister, Oliver and Juliana) with MYX VJs Karel, Nikki and yummylicious Geoff during the tapings.













And since I was already in the home studio of my most favorite local artist, I was not able to resist having this shot for posterity...





Push the button,
Don't push the button.
Trip the station...





MADONNA
Television

33 Going on 13

As what everyone may know by now based on my last entry, I just had my birthday. And for the first time in so many years, I had the most fun celebrating!

Truth be told, I was a bit anxious about my birthday this year since it has been joked about by some friends that turning 33 would usher in a rather trying year. The 'crucifixion year', as any Catholic/Christian would probably understand. Luckily, I know who to go to to allay my fears...

The first thing I did to celebrate my birthday was to go to Baclaran church as a thanksgiving for another year. It has been a while since my last Baclaran visit and it felt really good to be there. So good that I decided to resume my long neglected devotion to do my novena to the Mother of Perpetual Help every Wednesday. My (late) momma would be proud!


Next, I gave myself my own post-Christmas/birthday gift: a Video iPod! After months of thinking over it and after finding an easier way to pay for it (a credit card deferred payment promo sealed my decision), I finally jumped into the iPod bandwagon. And I am loving every musical moment of it! So if you see me in the street walking like a supermodel sashaying with the rhythm, you can now figure out why.


My birthday this year was also a bit historic since I decided for the first time to temporarily suspend my usual stinginess (as if my iPod purchase wasn't enough). First, I invited my Club Madonna friends (AJ, Victor, Elg & Francis) to a birthday dinner to which my roomate Rolf and My Sunshine also joined. The following night, another birthday dinner with fellow MB Philippines members and a few days after, I treated my office friends to an after-work birthday lunch. My birthday celebration ran through several days and this cheapskate loved every minute of it! And I absolutely loved all the gifts I got! From a set of Sharon Cuneta videos, loads of Body Shop goodies and a personalized 'bling-bling' bracelet. But more importantly, it was so heartwarming to have my friends with me on my special day.

To cap off my 'birthday week', I went with my friend Liza's family to the Eurostar Carnival in The Fort, Makati and desperately tried to recapture my youth by feasting on as many, ice cream, hotdogs, popcorn and cotton candy as I can. It was so much like being a kid again (except now, I had to pay for my own sweets, hah!). Liza and I also dared each other to take on what we thought would be usual carnival rides but turned to be some nasty, gravity-defying, NASA-worthy and puke-inducing trips to hell. Whew!


Either the carnival rides have gotten really fiercer or I just am no longer that adventurous hotshot I used to be...

Whatya thinks?!?



Remember I was very young then,
And a year was forever and a day...




Birthdays
Life

Another Year Older...

Baby face, don't grow so fast...



Birthdays