The Last Last Home Stand

Tuesday last week I got home late but still manage to make it in time for the much talked-about The Last Home Stand sponsored by PLDT, but then again upon browsing my Instagram, I came across a screenshot of Spin.Ph’s breaking headline stating that the Day 2 of Last Home Stand was cancelled and the night’s exhibition game will not push through due to internal problem. Apparently, the organizers were not able to secure permission with the NBA. I actually thought this was another of Social Media’s sensational satirical news and SpinPh got hacked so I immediately confirmed it by browsing through Twitter and Facebook accounts of reliable media outfits and to my surprise I saw that it was legit. BUT the question is WHY? Why must this happen during the last minute? 

Summer Komikon 2014 Adventure

Picture a roomful of your favorite comic books and artists, that is what a comic-con looks like. 

Welcome to our Summer Komikon Adventure!

It was my first time to attend the komikon  a week ago. Thanks to my friend Azer whom I fondly call A, for she tagged me along with her cousin Annielle and friend Paula. I totally enjoyed their company and the event.

Philippine Veterans Bank launches Home Loan Free Home

Makati City, Philippines- "If they think that we started a war, they are right," those were the bold words of the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB)'s President and CEO Joey Bermudez during the launch of "Home Loan Free Home" promo last Friday, February 28.

Home Loan Free Home dinner launch

For Pres. Bermudez, home loans mean a lot more than just lower interest and quick processing that is why PVB introduces their new promo for real estate housing loan product dubbed "Home Loan Free Home." It was designed for homeowners who wishes to take up housing loan with PVB and avail their cash-bank guarantees.

Get your dream home now by availing PVB's Home Loan Free Home promo!

When I talk about running and Sunday: 10th PSE Bull Run

Something updated before I throw in throwback posts.

For the first time in forever, I joined a fun run last Sunday with my parents and dad's office mates. I joined some marathon before but then again those were years ago and both were required. One was for CAT in High School and another was for NSTP in College. 

It was only last week when I learned that I'd be joining the10th PSE Bull Run. My father asked me to substitute for his office mate for this 3K run. I told my parents that that's a short run. I'm thinking even as a starter I could start with 5K because I've been walking and sprinting at times in Makati to avoid being late (sometimes in wedge), but of course this difficulty level is much different than that. And my parents laughed back at me because they are underestimating my capabilities. 

Before the run, I didn't really prepare I just downloaded the old app I deleted, Nike + running, to sync it with my running shoes. I also did a little workout the day before as a warm-up for it's been a while of body strain. My body might get shocked.

Come Sunday, the scheduled PSE Bull run, we woke up so early as in 2 A.M. for this event. BGC was quite far and we need to avoid traffic but then again there's no traffic during those hours so I was a little grumpy upon learning that the 3K-5K run wouldn't start until 5 A.M. My head's screaming a very loud "WHAT?!!!" I thought the run's 4:00 A.M., we were two hours early and I only had around 1 and a half hour of sleep. That left me sitting on some gutter with a not-so-good-morning face, so to anyone who've seen me on that state, apologies for I am never a morning person, or in that case "dawn" unless it's the time of sleep and not the time for waking up.

Since we were too early, what's left to do is prepare for the run. Warm-up exercises and take photos.

Photo credits: Bodivance

The Script-ed

There's nothing like a concert where you can sing along in almost all the songs of the performer. This was also the case during the first ever concert of The Script in Manila, April 16, 2011. Sorry to disappoint you but this is not an account of their latest concert here. This is more like a throwback post because I wasn't able to blog it then.

I was really ecstatic when I found out this Irish band was having a concert here.One, they are one of my favorite bands, two, I know most of their songs. In fact, my all-time favorite was "The man who can't be moved" it never gets old. I immediately told my friends about it and luckily, they all loved the idea of going. 'Luckier-ly', our friend Ate Mary gave us a treat for summer and sponsored our tickets for this concert. How sweet!

On 16 April 2011, I went to the venue with my cousin. He's also going to the concert with his then girlfriend so I decided to take a hitch and we planned to just separate ways there as I join my friends.The roads then were very traffic that I felt I will almost miss the opening of the concert but of course, we can't let that happen. So we made it there. There were almost no seats, because our slots were free-seating which meant we really have to be there earlier than the show. I was with my friends, Alette, Ghe, Linette and Dennesse. Bianca was also supposed to be there but she had a family-affair to attend to then. We stayed at the SRO area as we jumped, waved our hands, screamed and banged our heads all night.

The Script Concert in snippets

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella in Manila

I was lucky to have witnessed Filipino Broadway theater actress Lea Salonga perform for a play, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella in 2009 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

It was the Cinderella's cast and crew's first time to put up a show in Manila which ran July 15 to 28, 2009. Then it was managed by an Australian production. 

Manila is actually their first stop in their Asia and US tour but they already nailed it. Like most of the renowned plays, Cinderella was able to capture the heart of the Filipinos especially that it was adapted from one of our favorite fairy tales. The shows were sold-out and it was truly lauded. I love their set. The carriage was very remarkable the casts were of course brilliant. I know that not everyone is fond of musicals but plays like these should also be appreciated because they are well-crafted since there must be a presence of good script, music and acting in one production. Here are some photo snippets of the day I watched Cinderella:

I adore this glass slipper. This is how the stage looks like during close-curtains/breaks.

The 2009 Cinderella poster

Since I can't take photos from the play proper, I took photos of the souvenirs outside the theater.

Shirts and caps 

Yay, pumpkins!

Some other displays

Cinderella's friend! Thought he was supposed to be a rat/mouse. Whatever rodent.

The precious glass slipper. Where we all know the twist originated from. Look there's a white mouse.

Well, this is a musical so...

This is what I took home. A key chain glass slipper. Too bad after some years it broke due to the tropical weather.

My ticket. Low quality, sorry. I wonder where this is now? Lost, maybe.

I'm hoping that that would not be the first and the last time I'd be seeing Miss Saigon, Salonga perform in theater (internationally).

This year Rodger and Hammerstein's Cinderella  will be staged again. This time Cinderella will be played our very own Karylle (alternating with Julia Abueva and Justine Pena) and her Prince Charming will be portrayed by the balladeer Christian Bautista (alternating with my crush, Fred Lo). It will be shown this October at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila. I am looking forward to these two talents. The play will be adapted to the Chinese version. Plus this is an all-Filipino cast, Filipino pride! Let's see how they would keep up with Ms. Lea Salonga. 

Cinderella poster (Photo Credits: Resorts World Manila)

For show schedules,

Shop, Watch and Help

If you have no plans yet for Saturday night, come and join GRRRL Scout Manila on Ukay Alalay happening this June 22, 5 P.M. at Route 196. 

Ukay Alalay is a project founded by Blogger/Celebrity, Saab Magalona in December 2011 to help raise funds for those who were affected by typhoon Sendong.

This time around she has partnered up with actress, Lauren Young to help Marra Sucgang and her mother raise money for Marra's radiation and her mother's operation. 

(Poster by Apol Sta. Maria)

Entrance is 200 PhP which includes one beer. Note that this is a CELEBRITY GARAGE SALE with BANDS PLAYING LIVE for a cause.

Not only you could enjoy shopping, listening and watching bands, you could also help. So call your friends now and book your Saturday for this shopping and music event. Who knows that Saturday spent with friends and family could mean a lot to someone else's life?

Check this Facebook event link for more details: GRRRL Scout Presents: Ukay Alalay for the benefit of Marra Sugcang
  
( This is a free advertisement for Saab Magalona and Lauren Young) 

-Ladyluckgazette

UST @ 400

My school, The Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas, is celebrating its Quadricentennial year this 2011 and I am lucky to have witnessed it and be a part of its history, in a way.


Here's a glimpse of UST @ 400:

(Main Building, December 2010)

(Christmas Lights, December 2010)

(Poy dancers at Lover's lane, Paskuhan 2010)

(Hello, guys! This is me enjoying Paskuhan 2010!)

(The most-awaited, Paskuhan fireworks!)

(Ely Buendia and his band Pupil caps the night with their hits \m/)

"Kaninang umaga nagising ako may bakas ng ngiti sa mukha. Kasama kita sa aking panaginip, sasabihin ko dapat sa'yo pero wala ka na.. wala ka na pala.." -Nasaan ka, Pupil

The countdown to 400 years started December 16, 2009 and the celebration continues til we reach 2011. Paskuhan 2009 and 2010 were part of these celebrations. What I love about Paskuhan 2010 are the bands, Up Dharma Down, Franco, Kamikaze and of course, Pupil. The night ended my December with a bang.

2011

(Athena, Faculty of Arts and Letters represent)

Quadri Program Countdown to 400
January 27, 2011(Thomasians started the night with a solemn prayer)

(The UST field and Granstand's jampacked that night, amazing!)

(Time warp 1611-2011)

(Alumni RJ Jimenez on-stage)

"If we fall in love, maybe we'll sing this song as one." -If we fall in love, RJ Jimenez

(Jugs Jugueta of Itchyworms rocked the night out as he went down the stage)

They sang Beer, Akin ka na lang, Love team, Penge naman ako niyan, the Showtime theme song and etc.

(From L-R Apple Chiu, Sarah Geronimo and Jamie Rivera)

(Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano)

(Royal and Pontifical. Confetti showered as the clock strikes 12!)

I was lucky I got media pass to cover this Quadri Program for my org. I totally enjoyed the night because however tiring it was, my school spirit was relived. It was an overwhelming experience and at the same time I feel like I've seen the history of my school unfold before me. Amazing feeling I have.

Quadri Fiesta
January 28, 2011

Free food! ...dated on the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas. I was too tired the previous night because the Quadri Program ended late and my body's aching from standing too long while covering but I can't miss this once in a lifetime event. So yeah, I still went to school and I was surprised that there are long lines of people waiting for the food. Two thumbs up for the food supplies: Elan's lechong baboy, lechong manok, Max's, bucket of rice and many more. It was a fiesta indeed! It was actually cute seeing students eating at the Quadricentennial park with all their plates and utensils. it's like a one big picnic, only happier because I'm with the Thomasian Community. And yes, should I highlight that everything is FREE?! I guess there's no need.

My Quadri-experience was so far so good and I'm looking forward to more exciting events this year. And I would love to savor each of those because it's gonna be my last year in UST (hopefully) (*fingers crossed*). On top of that, I enjoyed all these because I spent it with people close to me, I'd still love to share the future events with them because they're something that will make it more worthwhile.