I Want to Watch Sarah Geronimo Invade Gensan

Young superstar Sarah Geronimo is invading my hometown, General Santos City, on December 11, 2009. The Dreamwork Ventures of Mr. Michael Wee is bringing her The Next One concert at the cavernous Gensan Gymnasium.

Along with this, Mr. Wee and my multi-awarded blogger Tito Avel of Gensan News Online Mag are once again sponsoring a one helluva blogging contest. It is tagged as 5 Reasons why you should watch "The Next One" concert.

I may not be around during the concert because the christmas break here in ADMU starts on December 20 yet but, nevertheless, I still have my reasons why Sarah G's concert is a must watch for everybody. Here it goes. . . we are all in for a good show because -

. . . the concert sponsor is known for its penchant of bringing to Gensan world class artists whose shows boosted the Generals' morale because of their spectacular performances (indeed, only the best for the generals!);

. . .the performer tops it when we talk of versatility - at her age, she has already proven that she's got what it takes to be a total performer;

. . .the co-performers Jay-R, Mark Bautista, Simon Wood, Jimmy Marquez and Billy Joe Crawford are also known in the music arena and for sure - what we're paying for will be worth it with all these talented guys around our Popstar princess;

. . .the venue is cool - it is comparable or even very much better than several concert venues here in Manila; and

. . .the opportunity to watch a good show without boring a hole in your pockets is already here so why waste it... you need not travel far, no need for expensive accommodations - because this one of a kind invasion is coming right here in our beloved hometown!

We have shown our support to foreign artists who visited our place,
this time let us support our very own!

By the way, this concert is made possible in cooperation with Cebuana Lhullier, Jollibee, Sony Ericsson, Belo Essentials, Magnolia Fruit Drink, Skechers, Sunsilk, Vaseline, Ladies Choice, Careline and Charmee

and

Local Government of GenSan, Grab A Crab Restaurant, Coffee Club 101, East Asia Royale Hotel, Giacomino’s, Gregoria Printing Press, New York Fries and Dips, Gaisano, Miso Hardware, Skycable and High Frequency Productions.

For ticket inquiries, you can call (083) 554-5430, 301-5555, 0917-3639191, 0932-3433794 or

feel free to contact my Mom Jinky!

What Air Supply Song Am I?: Making Love Out of Nothing at All

Dreamwork Ventures will be treating again the Generals to an unforgetable night of immortal love songs by bringing to Gensan world class singing icon Air Supply!

This Platinum Concert Series 2009 of Air Supply is brought to us by Dreamwork Ventures in cooperation with the City Government of Gensan, Gensan City Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc. and ABS-CBN

co-sponsors :

Grab a Crab Restaurant, MISO Hardware, San Miguel Corporation, Coca Cola Bottlers, Inc., East Asia Royale Hotel, Coffee Dream, Giacominos, NY Fries and Dips, Gaisano Mall of Gensan and Gregoria Printing Press

If I were an Air Supply Song, I would be the song, "Making Love out of Nothing at All". This is my little story inspired by my all-time favorite song.

Concerts of all artists are so near my vicinity here in Quezon City. Shows by local and foreign artists are advertised ever so often. Yet, I never attempted to watch any of these even if I had the money or the time. However, it would take only one condition to send me running to the concert venue; that is, if the Air Supply were the ones having a concert.

The Air Supply. They're a legend for me really. To hear them sing live would be a childhood dream come true. I never thought that there would be that one little chance that I could be as close to them as a part of an audience in a packed concert venue. Yet, miracles do really happen!

I grew up with their songs though I was born only in the 90's because my parents, aunts and uncles had a knack for their songs. I don't even know how to express just how great the influence of their music was in my life. My love for music was brought about by my love for Air supply.

During my much younger years, I would be contented to sit down on the floor at the dead of the night with my homework and the radio playing Air Supply songs. Years later, I would begin to analyze the lyrics of their songs and thank them for having created such beautiful melodies with lyrics that made so much sense.

It was when I tried to learn how to play the guitar that made their impact in my life deeper than ever.
I had nothing that time. No experience in playing the guitar. No teacher to teach me except for the few pointers of my father. I had no other source for songs and chords except for two old Compilations of Songs which are my father's. How am I supposed to start? I asked myself.

I started flipping through the old compilations. I didn't recognize any of the songs mainly for the reason that I was not familiar with the titles of the old songs I heard often. It was then that I came upon the title, "Making love out of nothing at All".

I always heard it and i always sang along during the chorus part (since the verses seemed so fast!). I have long memorized its melody by heart even before I read the words which composed it.

From the moment I played and sang that song, armed only with a guitar, a compilation of old songs and a courage do something I've never done before, sprang a greater love for music.

As the song goes, "making love out of nothing at all....".

It was and still is my song. It is a memorable song which opened up a whole new world for me.

"I know just how to whisper and i know just how to cry... i know just where to find the answers.."

Going through its lyrics in my mind, I remember the second-year high school student who thought she knew a lot. She was humbled by the fact that she couldn't even play that one song, 'Making love out of nothing at All".

It's a reflection of myself, a person who somehow knows a lot. At the same time, I'm a person who still knows nothing of everything. I just know that I love music. I don't exactly know why or when or how. All I know is there wasn't much to begin with. There was only the music of Air Supply.

This is my take for the ongoing blog contest of the famous Bariles of Gensan News Online Mag.
I hope you too would get to share your ideas on the songs of Air Supply.

The Dreamwork Ventures who's producing Air Supply Concert in Gensan is headed by the Mr. Michael Wee of Grab A Crab Restaurant and Coffee Club 101.

The concert is on October 2, 2009, 8:00 P.M. at Lagao Gym, General Santos City.

See you there! :)

Rediscovering my First Love

It was a sunny summer morning. I was greeted by a kind face. He led me to that small, blue room with that black piano. Right there and then, I knew that one - the one I would like to spend the rest of my life with.
Music.
I don't know when I exactly fell in love with music but I knew even before I joined that fateful singing contest when I was in grade two, that I had a passion for it. I have this longing to hear and make music.
When I was still much, much younger, what I would remember about my afternoons is the radio playing 90's music as I sing along with it though I can't remember if I can even mutter a word.

As time passed by, I joined that fateful singing contest just for the fun of it. I won once and I never won again for the next few years.

There was one summer when I was supposed to just bum around, when my mama suggested that i take on classical voice lessons in this studio that she knew of. I was joyful. It was something I knew would be worthwhile.

That morning finally came. That small, blue room with that black piano became the playground of my being. Being there raised up all kinds of emotions in me. I would be worried about not getting the notes right. I would be glad every time I was able to make my teacher smile. I guess there was always that innate desire in me to touch people with music - to use this talent to reach out to others.

Everyday, I would go home with the new lessons that I've learned. I would tell my papa all about it on the way home and he would listen to my endless chatter.

Eventually, the summer came to an end and so did my voice lessons. It was capped off with a recital. It was the first time that I've witnessed such a wonderful display of music in its many forms. I admired the people who played and sang and hoped for one moment that I could be like them one way or another.

It wasn't until a year later that I've decided to pursue my voice lessons again. Yet, from that time when I set foot on another more spacious room with another black piano, I began to feel that desire to learn more- to hone this talent of making music. The music school was near our home and so I would walk down the street every Sunday with a smile on my face carrying my song pieces. It eventually ended with another recital. That recital was another milestone. It signified the end of my beginner's voice lessons.

I was not able to pursue it further though. As the years went by, I spent more time on my academics and less and less time for music. I would join choirs once in a while. I joined choirs for the mass or for competitions. Each time I practiced, the passion just continued to burn, only slightly dimmer. I wanted to reach out with music but desire proved to be not enough.

Eventually, we arrive at the present. I'm a college freshman trying to adapt to the demands of University life. I've decided to join the dorm choir initially because it was my habit to join whenever there is a choir in my midst.

This choir proved to be an eye opener. It broke the state of ennui of my existence. I just realized that I was half-dead all along, going wherever the winds take me. I was not living until I rediscovered the passion I have lost. I began to get to know music all over again. I remembered the times when I had less things to worry about. I remembered that summer when talking with my Papa about my voice lessons was enough to complete my day. I remembered the times when I made my Mama proud every time I sang. I remembered the times when I made people smile and praise God every time we sang during the mass. There were so many memories of music and joy in the early years of my life. It was then that I knew that I was capable of touching others with that music all along.
These realizations just happened on the most typical Thursday evening. A practice session with the choir. Right there and then, I saw that this music has hands of its own, touching those who opened themselves to it. This Music is always willing to love if only we allowed ourselves to be loved by it.

My first recruitment week (day pala)

Recweek last week. kaya nga lang, naospital ako for four days so I only got to sign up for organizations on Friday. Rec week was very fun! Kasi ang daming freebies! The organizers were fantastic because they were able to have Ipanema, Magnolia, Nestea and even Biogenic alcohol as sponsors. However, it was not just the freebies that I was after. After all, it was recruitment week. It was fun to really get a chance to sign up for the various organizations. I decided to join three this semester just to test the waters. I joined my home organization, Ateneo Chemical Society or ACheS and two others, Youth for Christ and Gabay.

I am taking up BS Chemistry and Material Science Engineering so I guess joining ACheS would be Big help. I joined YFC because I think it would help me stay grounded (hopefully....). Gabay, on the other hand is an organization aiming to help scholars in public schools near the Ateneo. I think working for that cause would be fulfilling enough.

I was thinking that I had too many orgs already. Pero may classmate nga akong 9 yung orgs nya!! Fantastic! I just hope to balance everything out. Our load is a bit heavy compared to thers- 22. Sana nga kayanin ko.. Aja!!

I thought Father's Day was last Sunday

MyHotComments
I really thought Father's day was last Sunday!!! That must have been the reason why my classmates' fathers were asking them if they wanted something that day. That was my wrong.

Still, there were a few lessons I learned from the incident.
It doesn't really matter what day is Father's Day for everyday is a reminder that we have a father who unconditionally loves us, who provides for us and who constantly forgives and understands us for the wrongs we have done in the past.

For this, I would like to greet my beloved Papa Arnel, a happy, happy Fathers' day for being the best father in the whole wide world!!!

I'm grateful to our Almighty Father above for blessing me with such a great father.

Happy Fathers' Day to all the Fathers in the world. Stay the best for your children!

Pooh and K invades my Hometown

I really love Pooh and K, to be honest. I was trying to find the right introduction for these two but I couldn't seem to find the right lines. Yet, they obviously know the lines that can tickle my heart that I end up literally dropping to the floor because of excessive laughter. They will be doing just that in their show entitled "Laugh til u drop" on April 19,2009 at the Lagao Gym. I really want to witness them perform with my own eyes. (that's why I'm writing this blog :>)

I was able to watch one show of Pooh and Pokwang held in Dubai, i think (but I wasn't there of course). It was one very funny and exhausting show. At the start of the show, I was already crying tears because of too much laughter. How much more tears will I shed once I get to watch pooh in person! I bet the people of Gen. Santos City will be doing the same thing as me .

What's amazing about stand up comedians like K and Pooh, is that they know what makes Pinoys laugh. We love to laugh. We love to be happy. Yan ang pinoy! That's a really good thing. We get to lighten our burdens by finding the time to chill and laugh for a while. Thus, this April 19,2009, let's let's all enjoy this one opportunity to watch two comedians who have the amazing ability to make us cry and laugh at the same time, Pooh and K.

Tickets to the Pooh and K Laugh Til U Drop Show are reasonably priced at :
Platinum - Php 600 (reserve seats, court area)
Gold - P400 (Free seating, court area)
Silver - P250 (free seating, lower bleacher, black seats)
Bronze - P150 (free seating, upper bleacher)

For more info, you may contact 0920-2078888 and 0905-8222220 or call the City Mayor’s Office at (083) 554-4214. Look for Haydee.

Life Lessons in Step Mania

I’m currently addicted to step mania nowadays. With the lull looming over us, there’s not much to do but to hang out anywhere with my laptop and my friends while playing this game.
Step Mania is a version of DDR or Dance, Dance Revolution, I think. However, instead of feet, we use our fingers by typing, up, down, left or right on the keyboard.
I knew the game two years ago though I didn’t mind it so much thinking it was easy. I tried playing it anyway, two years ago. Man! It’s one of the most difficult and exhausting games I’ve played. I got stuck in the light level for those two years because I stopped playing it.
I just couldn’t take playing a game where I was constantly reminded that I missed. I was even booed.
To make the long story short, I decided to learn to play it again two years later- now. I don’t really know why. Maybe it’s because of the challenge to take on this game I hated.
What amazed me about step mania are the lessons I’ve learned while playing it.
These lessons are the ones I would like to share to you.
1. Don’t mind the comments- both the nasty and exalting ones.
For every move you make, there would be a word flashing on the screen telling you how well you did. I didn’t know why the makers decided to put this feature but I’ve come to the deduction that it was to distract the player.
Why? If I get to see “Marvellous!, Perfect!, Great!”, I end up screwing my game. If I get to see “Miss! Boo!”, I also end up screwing my game. That’s probably because I tend to lose my focus. I tend to be either complacent or worrisome. Either way, I lose.
That’s why I decided to never look at them no matter how much they flash on the screen.
2. Look at the arrows.
The arrows are your guide in playing the game unless you want them invisible. No matter how tempting it is to look at your score.............., look at your arrows for they will lead you to your goal- the rainbow power level.
3. Never lose sight of what you want, rainbow power level.
That’s when all you get are the best comments and a lot of combos. Therefore, it’s when you’re better than ever.
4. Never stay in one stage.
Step mania has several stages. You can be a beginner, a light, standard or heavy player. Once you constantly get the rainbow power level in one stage, it becomes pretty boring. I discovered it’s always exciting to start all over again. To start in another stage is a way of challenging yourself to come out of your comfort zone and explore a bigger world with more arrows.
5. Congratulate or comfort yourself, then move on.
Once the game is finished, let the scores speak for themselves. If you got something high, congratulate yourself for a job well done and forget about it. Never let your scores get in your head. If you got something low, better luck next time.
6. Give every arrow your best shot for they only come once.
Don’t ever dilly-dally with your arrows for they need the right timing and attack. If it already passed, your chance has passed as well.
7. Enjoy and focus.
Step Mania is a game. It is an entertainment and a sport. Thus, there should always be a balance between enjoying it and taking it seriously.
There you have it. Seven lessons I have learned from Step Mania.

My Valentine's Day

I really wanted to hear David Pomeranz last February 14. He had a concert in Gen. Santos City at the Lagao Gym but I failed to attend it. It sounded so dreamy- hearing David Pomeranz sing on valentine's day. However, due to a turn of events, I stayed at home and watched "Kate &Leopold" until midnight instead. It was a romantic movie which was really worth watching. What made this Valentine's Day special was my first ever wall climbing experience. It was exhilirating to climb 30 feet above the ground. I had quite an adrenaline rush so it took me but several minutes to reach the top. It was not the perfect valentine's day but it was special after all.