December 25th

What a Christmas! Started the day opening gifts and watching the kids go gaga. At around 11:00am, we all flocked to Robinson's Metro East to watch ZsaZsa Zaturnnah Ze Moveeh, 17 of us, all including Lola, Hugo (2yo), my brother Earls' son, and in tow, his, and Diego's yayas. While Cak was queueing for tickets, nagkagulo na kami in taking 'souvenir' photos in front of the large Zaturnnah movie standee. Hay naku! Hilarious! Parang taga-probinsya! Hehe..!

Finally we saw Cak with this funny look on his face. "ANO BA YAN? ANG BABADUY NYO! Kakahiya! Parang taga-probinsya! Pa 'pose-pose' pa sa picture!" While he tagged mama and lola to join him and have their picture. He'd continue his battlecry while posing with us.. "KAKAHIYA NG GINAGAWA NYO! Parang ngayon lang kayo nakakita ng sinehan!! ang baduy!..." etc.etc. HAHAHAHA! The kids enjoyed the movie, lalo na ang mga yayas!

After the movie we headed back home to have a quick 'merienda' and started getting ready. Our house is usually the annual Christmas Lunch venue but just because of ze moveeh, it was moved to Christmas Dinner! Relatives came flocking in and whoa! riot! Especially now with a lot more toddlers than last year (obviously, since they've grown already), including cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mabenta ang aking Taco Salad, and Creamy Tahong-- umm, sorry don't have a more enticing name for it hehe. Red wine was flowing toward the evening and the last visitor left at 4am the next day!

Worth it!

Happy Christmas!

Before I get busy cooking with my mom for Christmas, here's wishing everyone a Happy Holiday!

Till next posting..


.

First Christmas gift

Received my very first 'official' Christmas Gift the other day, a Lowell Herrero American Cat 2007 Softcover Engagement Calendar. I've been an affiliate of the SF Musicbox Company and Calendars.com for almost 2 years now, and by putting their link on your website they show their appreciation by sending you a gift of your choice. Nice no?

Way back in college and during the first few years working, I am used to have an organizer in tow. Punong-puno ito ng mga to-do's (probably because I was at the peak of my retail career). Everything was so -- organized. Until I took a wrong step. Well, about time I get back 'organized' and get my life back together. At least that step gave me two beautiful kids :-)

What I got at the Zaturnnah Premiere

I was oh so excited yesterday morning after work. We are to watch the Zaturnnah movie premiere at 7:00pm at Cinema10 in Megamall. And ummm.... we (me, my mom and my mom's aunt) accomplished a few things:

- got to leave the house early anticipating the Christmas rush afternoon traffic (we were right!) and arrived at Megamall around 3:00pm

- got to finally go around Megamall after almost a year! and checked out the newly opened Christmas bazaar at the Megatrade Hall

- got to be amongst the first to arrive (at 6pm) for the 7:00 pm 'Red carpet premiere show'

- got to spend 3 hours (yup, 3 hours!) standing, waiting for the celebrities to arrive, eventually also getting leg cramps and a very full and complaining bladder.

- got to spend another hour listening to the stand-up comics asking trivia questions to patrons para aliwin at para medyo makalimutan na ang 7:00 pm ay nagiging 9:00pm na

- got to finally see the cast arrive at 10:00 pm

- got to FINALLY watch the movie at almost 12 midnight. They change the MTCRB rating from PG-13 to GP

- got to sit at the reserved first row balcony (premiere) section of the theater and on the second row are the complete cast of ZsaZsa Zaturnnah the movie, behind us, most specifically Dolphy, ZsaZsa Padilla, Glaiza de Castro, Pauline Luna and Chokoleit.

What can I say about the movie? Well, aside from that loooong, loooong wait that had most patrons going home before they let us in, and have more leave when it was announced that the movie will start at 12midnight because of a certain 'problem', I simply just love the opening production number, Dodong's (Alfred Vargas') noodles, Rustom's acting, the confrontation scene between Queen Femina and Zaturnnah. What major thing I see here missing is comic timing. For me, it failed to get hilarious, never-ending tummy aches because of laughing sooo hard as in the musical. Some scenes were too long, parang gusto ko nang sumigaw ng 'cut!'.

ZZZ Ze Moveeh is very, very Regal Films... and I know A LOT will REALLY be comparing this movie with its theater counterpart (which will have, by the way, it's 4th run at the Huseng Batute Theater in CCP on January. Watch ulit!), though keeping in mind that this is a totally different medium, those who didn't have the opportunity to watch the play or read the book will enjoy. Toward the end of the movie, the audience were shouting 'Part 2!' already. So No further comment :-)

Pahabol: Oh yes, I still find the frog cute and adorable.

B.U.D.O.N.G.

B.U.D.O.N.G. The name we took for our college barkada. It is an acronym for Band of Unique, Demure, Outrageously Nice Girls. It used to be Naive girls... but we decided to do away with that... tanda na namin e.

We started out 8 in the group. One by one nawawala nalang, until finally we were down to 5. Last night we had our 16th annual Christmas Party at Gel's place. Apat na nga lang kami coz Nanette wasn't able to come. As always, we'd let our hair down. It's the time of year where we'd always make sure that we celebrate the season together. This year was different. It will be Gel's last Christmas with us since she'll be relocating to Michigan after her wedding this January. For the past 16 years, Gel's home was our home every holiday season. Her home was witness to triumphs, laughter, tears, wedding plans, bridal showers, new babies, etc. etc. Kakalungkot isipin. We practically grew up there.

Well, life goes on.
In top picture from left: Maan, Gel, Bambie and me

Zaturnnah musikal: More noodles?

Lifted from Cak's blog...:

Lauren Novero won't be able to make the 4th run of the Zaturnnah musikal, and Arnold Reyes can only do a number of shows, so Tanghalang Pilipino is looking for the right guy to alternate as Dodong. The guy should be able to act, sing, dance a bit, as well as possess the face and physique that would send audiences into a swooning fit (for the girls and gay men, at least). If you want to give it a shot, or if you know someone who'd be perfect for the role, (di ba pwede si Jan Nieto?) there will be open auditions this Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 16 and 17) at the CCP Conference Room. For more info on the requirements, call 832-3661.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -

So far, there will be 10 shows for the rerun at the Huseng Batute Theater. That's January 19-21 and January 26-28. Enterprising individuals who want to make an extra buck can try buying a show and sell tickets for profit, but word has it that all shows have already been sold (wha....?!!?!?) However, you still can call Tanghalang Pilipino for ticket reservations. Kaya mag-reserve na! Now na! Pang-Christmas gift. :-)

More hugs needed

When was the last time you ever experienced a really warm, sincere, and affectionate hug that seemed to seep through every bone in your body? The one where you can feel how this person giving you this hug feels about you? Something that says, 'It's all right', or 'I am here', or 'I care'? Or maybe a hug that is so intense that it shouts 'I love you' so clearly that you feel so securely warm and eventually melt..

I can't remember anymore. Maybe 4, 5 years ago... from a person who might had thought he loved me. Or maybe 9 or 10 years ago, from someone who would'nt want to let me go.

Tonight is the eve of a supposedly 9-year anniversary of a relationship that, well, went wrong. The hugs that were meant before were not enough to keep this intact. But yet, for me, it's a loving gesture that should've meant everything...that is, when given to you sincerely. It is when you have the tendency to close your eyes, savor the warmth, and try to feel each other's heartbeat. (sigh) I've given out my emotions to the people I hug the most. My family, my closest friends. Maybe they can feel what I feel about them, or maybe not.

Right now there is only one person. He'd give it out without warning. Our eyes would meet and he'd come over and put his arms around me. His hugs are tight and very 'feeling'. It's an 'I love you' and 'I need you' all in one package. Damang-dama mo e. Parang ayaw mo ng bumitaw. The next thing you knew, he'd say, 'Labyu mama' and naiiyak ka na, cause it's been such a long time since someone really said it first, and really appreciated you....

umm..peace?

I had my hair cut today.. after 3 months. Yeh, it grew fast, and long, and wavy at the ends, and irritating cause nagwe-wavy nga e. Decided to get a trim..in time also 'sana' for Gel's wedding next month. Naku, for those who begged me not to do it?... you'd kill me! Ang konting trim... naging, ummm.....hehe?!?! Supposedly tatanggalin lang ang kulot..and ginawa niya... ni-layer ulit! Ayun... nagmukhang maiksi tuloy...

May magagalit ata.....
:-(

First Holy Communion

Dec. 9th is Andee's First Holy Communion.

I had to hurry home from work yesterday morning hoping to get a quick shut-eye. Communion starts at 1:30pm and will be held at the St. Scholastica's Academy Chapel. I had to admit, I was a bit stressed out.. for 3 reasons:

Number one, Andee insists that we will be fetched by her dad by 12:30nn which I really doubt it since there has not been a single text message or a phone call from him.
Number two, Baron's not yet home with the car and it was 12:30nn-- we had to be at SSAM by 1:00pm-- which made me realize that I should've had a 'plan B', that is, and said yes to an offer for a ride and to accompany me and Andee to school..,
and Lastly, I had to ask my mom to accompany us (this is a special occassion for Andee) even if it meant her missing an important meeting in the afternoon. Anyway, off we went... though I know how sad Andee feels....

I had quite a hard time getting dressed since I RARELY ever dress up anymore. And as a parent-reader during the mass, Andee wanted her mama to 'look maganda' (baby, di pa ba?). So, ok, fine.

During Offertory, the 'communicants' had a little 'surprise'. They got up and gave letters to their parents. I immediately knew what it was (naka! Kulasa trademark yan!-- personalized letters!!!) and I got teary-eyed. Andee had 3 letters. One each for me, Diego, and of course, Nikki. Yung sa tatay niya naka-special envelope pa, while mine and Diego's was a sheet of a stationary. "Ito kay papa ha.." she said, and she hugged me. Ouch! that hurt me inside... what more with her? I never read her letter until now. And again, as the balat-sibuyas as I am... luha, hikbi, luha.

I can't imagine how she is able to cope with this. I see in her eyes na malungkot din siya although she is (might be?) very aware of what is happening. There is a guilt feeling in a way that I may be responsible with what she is going through. I am missing something as a parent raising her by my lonesome. I've really failed to even try to let her know or understand what is going on between her dad and I. (Some psychologist you are, Yang!) I honestly don't know how to.

I'm taking Andee out later before lunch probably to Megamall or Galleria for her exchange gift at school. Bonding ito.

JustCats galore

What a big, big surprise when I checked my shop at Cafepress. As expected, my Here, Kitty, Kitty collection stole the spotlight. Never did I see this many "You've made a Sale!" notifications in my email before. What more if I REALLY spend time. Ka-career-in na!
Looks like the American Shorthair design ruled over Siamese this time! :-) Merry Christmas and here's to more sales!

Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah: Ze Moveeh

"WE’RE happy that Zsazsa Zaturnnah creator Carlo Vergara is happy with the movie’s trailer. Hindi nakarating si Carlo sa first general press con ng Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Moveeh ... " (read more)

Cak was really so hoping that the fight scenes won't be as corny as what we used to watch before. He was actually looking at something ala-Charlie's Angels style kind of fight scenes-- deadly and glamorous! This was the first thing I asked him after he saw the trailer. He was not disappointed. I then asked about the frog..( which always seem to be THE QUESTION everyone kept on asking even during the time preparations of the musical play early this year was ongoing) "..very cute" he says.

I'd like to thank Jheck for sharing the ZZZ trailer. I really enjoyed it. What's weird, though, is I can't view the full trailer in IE, but can view it in full using Firefox (which does horrors to my blog layout!)



"THE writers present at the presscon of “Zsazsa Zaturnnah, Ze Movie” applauded heartily after its full trailer was shown.." (read more)

We would have one of those family-bonding talks over midnight coffee with my mom and Cak; or during Sunday brunches when the whole Vergara siblings and family get together. ZZZ is an expected (and preferred) topic. Relatives already refer Cak as a 'celebrity' in the family and we agree.. hehe, well guess who does not agree. We are all hoping ang praying the the movie will at least meet expectations of all ZZZ fans since there are 2 basis for this: the grafic novel, and the musical play. The play, which had 3 very, very successful runs this year (4th run next year!!!), met and exceeded expectations. We are also confident, after seeing the trailer, that the movie will be GREAT.

And, yes bro, the frog IS cute!

*****************************
Andee's Communion was posponed today apparently due to the last typhoon, "Reming' who chose not to dwindle too much in Manila and decided to take a detour. In short, sayang ang VL! But at least I get to do other things. Andee showed her 2nd grading report card (sheet) and, whoa!!!! check this out:

Reading and Phoenix 91
Language and Spelling 88
Health and Science 93
Mathematics 91
Filipino 95
Araling Panlipunan 93
Music 97
Physical Education 93

Planning to take the kids out today before meeting up with my college buds. Gel's wedding is a month and a half away! :-)