Catch THE MALE VOICE on May 31 @ RCBC

Last Saturday, it was a bonding moment with an old college friend. We ate dinner at CPK because I was longing for their BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad then we proceeded to RCBC to watch an original production of the New Voice Company--- THE MALE VOICE. I was going to "cultivate" her appreciation for the arts because she was clueless about these kind of plays. It was a different gimmick from our usual barkada getaways.

At the reception table, my friend who owns Kodak stores around the city pointed at the poster and said, "So this is the play we are going to watch? The posters are displayed in my stores and I didn't know who put them?!" Apparently a loyal customer from a TVC (television commercial) company requested her saleslady to post it. The customer is always right, in this case :)

We arrived a little bit late (which is a no-no for theatergoers) and good thing the minute we sat on our seats, the show began in 3o seconds. We were just right in the nick of time!

I am not a critic nor do I aspire to be one. I just go to the plays to support my friends who are passionate about their craft. Honestly, I am not a "fan" of the medium because everything for me is "long shot" although I appreciate the actor's vulnerability while he shows his "reality" to a live audience.

Anyway, four decent and capable actors are in The Male Voice: Tommy Abuel, Michael Williams, Joel Trinidad and Joaqui Valdes.

I have met them in different events although I will remain faceless to them. A distant relative introduced me to Joaqui during a Cinemalaya screening. I've talked with Mr. Abuel over some film projects. I've seen Michael in some Repertory plays and admired him in NVC's Into the Woods. Even before Joel became a popular theater actor, I was inside this room when he auditioned for a lead role in a film created by a master director. At that time, I knew he had a great potential but things didn't go as planned. I bet wonderful things came into his life much greater than any film role...

Watching TMV, the powerful presence of Mr. Abuel is enough to lure you to RCBC. His portrayal of a Muntinlupa convict in "Apat Ang Sulok ng Kalayaan ni Bobby (Freedom Has Four Corners)" is a rare masterpiece. Real acting = Tommy Abuel.

I truly enjoyed laughing at Williams' portrayal of a successful gay make-up artist in "Victor/ Victoria." His lines are so witty, it brought a lot of happy tears and loud chuckles in the audience.

Joaqui with his good looks tried to play a "star" macho dancer. He really looks "good" on the surface but acting-wise he made a much lingering and memorable performance in Into the Woods than TMV. He is still young and is "teachable" so we expect him to be a much better actor in the future.

Joel has mastered the "English language" medium in the theater. He has a certain "magic"---his "bald" appearance shows intensity that unconsciously, you follow him wherever he goes onstage.

BTW, this is an original production so go catch TMV and listen to the rants of the male species!

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For 15 years, the New Voice Company managed to stage shows that are socially provocative and entertaining. TMV will have a limited run on May 31 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium (RCBC Theater) at 8 p.m. (Call 896-5497, or email nvc@pldtdsl.net).

Lomo Loco @ the Sanuk Sand Castle Challenge

Last weekend, my friends invited me to check out the Sanuk Sand Castle Challenge---they are bringing the beach to the city! Knowing how I love the sea, I gladly came with my Lomo Fisheye camera...

It was exciting to see fine, white sand in the middle of Boni High Street amidst the intense rays of the summer sun...

The competing teams were given 8 cubic meters of sand, buckets, showels, water to "sculp" their masterpiece. Their best tool: IMAGINATION! And it is Filipino ingenuity at its best!

And the winner is...the Orange team!

Sanuk means "happiness" in Thai. I first saw a Sanuk footwear comfortably worn by a male friend a year ago. Eye-catching and hip, it makes one wonder how it was "built" with its distinctive design.

I think my Lomo and Sanuk blend well together with these fisheye photos I have taken :)

Images I Saw in Davao

This is the controversial "David." Heard lots of stories about this image---some conservatives found it blasphemous---they tried putting some leaves to cover his manhood. I saw the real "David" when it went to a "tour" in a Toronto museum and found it a magnificent work of art! I love the contours of his body, perfect! David is my man! :)

On my second time to Jack's Ridge, I checked this figures again. There's something wonderful about using your bare hands to create art. I love seeing the lights at the ridge even though it came from the cemetery hehe.

We went to this shrine---Holy Infant of Prague. Prayed for more blessings...

Over at Marco Polo hotel, I shot this deer inside their bar. And there are lots of them! Tsk tsk hunters :( What's nice about the location of Marco Polo is my favorite shopping center---Aldevinco is just across! So before and after my event at Marco Polo, I was at Aldevinco three times in just one day LOL. The next day, we went back for last-minute shopping.

My Davao trip wouldn't be complete without eating durian! So after a busy day, my friends and I went to a street corner to ravish fresh durians (ate different varieties) with softdrinks as our chaser! The experience is really heavenly :)

Chilling at Pearl Farm, Davao

On my second trip to Davao, I only had one goal---go snorkeling! I am Pisces-born so throw me to the water and I will be there all day, under the sea, looking at the marvelous corals, bright fishes, sometimes finding Nemo and a lot more :)

So I headed to the Pearl Farm and joined their morning Coral tour (P550, 3 hours). Boarding is at a Samal Island dock where a boat will transport the guests to a 45-minute trip to the resort.

While cruising, we saw these birds...

We were welcomed at the Parola Bar. Drinks were served and a guide gathered us to show the resort map and to describe the amenities of the area.

This is the infinity pool in front of the Maranao restaurant.

This is the Samal House where guests can stay for the night...

I stayed in this hut all day, reading my book, listening to my Ipod and taking a quick nap.

This is my point of view while I lay down into my perfect getaway so far from Manila...

For the coral tour, we were brought to two snorkelling sites. I was with five Korean tourists and was the only local who joined the underwater escapade. A certified diver gave us a little introduction on the signs we should use while underwater and showed us how to fix our fins, masks, etc.

I brought my new snorkelling gear because I was really excited to test the Davao waters. I remember during my first Davao trip some years back, I also brought my own snorkelling gear but did not have the opportunity to take a dip because my trip was work-related---no time to go to the beach. Now, it was PURE LEISURE! Check out the waters...

After four hours of snorkelling, it was time to eat a sumptuous lunch---buffet style! Burp...burp...burp!

Who wants to taste Davao's sweet pomelo? So delicious!

Walking around the area, I took a self portrait---it was so hot that I had to wear a bandana over my head :)

I will definitely go back to Davao again and try another adventure---their Zipline!

Thai Food in HK

We arrived at HK mid-morning and settled into our hotel around lunch time. We contacted a relative who is based there as flight stewardness. She told us to meet at HSBC, near the Central MTR and she will bring us to a Thai restaurant. While waiting, an old college classmate of my sister who works at HSBC met us to chitchat. She tells us that the world financial crisis is affecting everyone, jobs are being cut and any time, one can lose a job. But my concern was my growling stomach! When I'm hungry, I am like a two-year old, ready to throw a tantrum!

We went to this food alley where different international cuisines are being served. People eat there at 1pm so we were lucky that we arrived early. My relative tells me that the area is sometimes called "rat alley" because of the obvious reason, hehe.

We settled in Good Luck, a Thai resto. One of the best Thai restos in Manila where I always visit is People's Palace. I discovered it with my cousins when it was first holed up at Malate so many years ago. Now, it is located at Greenbelt 3 and a favorite meeting place of my best friends.

Here are the food pics from Good Luck in HK:

Chicken Pandan

Pomelo Salad

Chicken Satay

Pad Thai

My fave soup of all time: Tom Yung Goong!

After eating, my take on this resto: "Burp!"

The Art of Animation

Welcome to Disneyland's Opera House where the Art of Animation is housed. For animators, it is a place of "worship." You see your favorite animated films in their "infant" stage. I have always been amazed with artists. Their "baby" all started from an idea and through their creativity and greatness, blossomed into the "real" thing.



Here are some characters from Disney and Pixar's animated films that have entertained us from childhood to old age :)

Mickey and Friends

Dumbo

Snow White

Aladdin

Cinderella

The Incredibles

Belle

Beauty and the Beast

Cars

Ratatouille

I love animation. I remember my dad bought me a Fisher Price film projector where I can watch 8mm Disney films like Snow White, Cinderella, etc by cranking it by my bare hands. It was my fantasy world. Maybe that is one reason why I went into moviemaking. Whenever I travel abroad, I always try to look for that toy but cannot find a similar one. My toy just got lost during my childhood years and cannot remember if we gave it away :(

I saw the IMAX version of "Beauty and Beast" on New Year's Day in Canada years ago. It blew me away watching it on an eight-story screen size. It was also a sweet screening because every woman was given by a plastic red rose (which looked real) at the cinema. I still have it until now. I also got a big picture of Belle framed in my room. I think all girls dream of being a princess someday, waiting for the right guy to sweep them off their feet hehe.

One of the oldest animators I met was Ray Harryhausen (responsible for the animation in Mighty Joe Young, Jason and the Argonauts, The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad, Clash of the Titans) in a festival in Hiroshima, Japan. He is the "father" of stop motion animation. It was an enlightening trip. I saw his passion discussing his films. He lectured to a large crowd and no one is allowed to take pictures of his creations or record his demonstration. Even at an old age, he breathes and lives animation. He would tell stories on how he used his parent's garage to make his films. He is quite an inspiration. (If you watch Monsters Inc, there's a place called Harryhausen--a homage to a great man!)

Animation is a long and tedious process. It is also a lonely job. Most of the time you are alone doodling your craft. I have always admired animators and artists for they bring us back to our happy and carefree childhood years with their heartfelt and entertaining imagination.

Hail to the animators!