Oh Louis

(via http://www.buzzfeed.com/summeranne/the-50-most-romantic-photographs-of-all-time)

Maybe the CUTEST picture ever.

An adorable moment is captured:

From the Primetime Emmy Awards red carpet, Zooey Deschanel gets her very dreamlike whimsical ball gown caught in Lucy Liu's sexy metal dress while in line to speak with Ryan Seacrest of E! 

Don't you think their gown choices are also so fitting of their personalities? 

Too cute.

Home Movies 2: Stage Jitters

I found an old video (okay, fine, it's just a year old) of the first time I sang infront of an intimate crowd in a little hole-in-the-wall jazz joint in Timog. 

It was an impromptu jam, so yes I look very nervous and don't even have any makeup on (haha), but my dad was kind enough to accompany me on his guitar as I put my own little feeling-freesyle-jazz spin on Maroon 5's "Sunday Morning." A good friend, Ale Rivera, joined in with his violin to make it all sound a little prettier.

I've become much more comfortable on stage since my start as an amateur singer just a year ago, I think... everyone starts somewhere, the important thing is to start. :)

This was the 2nd time I ever "took the stage" on my own, the first time was at Fete de la Musique 2011 (story here). More recently, I've tried to sing bigger songs like Etta James' "At Last," which made its debut at the French Film Festival (story here).

Travel Tidbits 7: Corregidor Island Day Tour

(photo credit: RJ Cabaluna)

Corregidor is an island at the entrance of Manila Bay, just an hour boat ride away on one of Sun Cruises' two impressive fast ferries. I say impressive because the term "ferry" can be used very loosely in the Philippines, sometimes referring to a bangka, which was what I was expecting when some friends and I signed on for the tour. 

However, Macy, RJ, Christian, and I were very comfortably carried by two first-class airconditioned catamarans, and I got to take nice little naps each way. :)

On this island, General Douglas McArthur made his famous statement: "I shall return."

(photo credit: Macy Yap)

There are many things to do on the island if you plan an overnight trip, such as hiking, biking, camping, bird watching, and other beach resort activities, however our group of 4 went on a very informative historical day tour which took us around the tadpole-shaped island in a trolley. 

(photo credit: RJ Cabaluna)

(photo credit: Macy Yap)

Corregidor, or "The Rock," served as a military nerve center during the Spanish and American colonial periods (Fort Mills), and the Japanese occupation in Philippine history, particularly during World War II, which you can read more about by clicking here. Defense installations on the island cost the US government $150 million. 

(photo credit: RJ Cabaluna)

(photo credit: RJ Cabaluna)

What remains on this heavily bombed fortress are ruins of a life that once was: old artillery, memorials to the brave souls that fought, symbols of Philippine-American friendship, and most importantly, a reminder of the sacrifice our forefathers made in a fight for freedom.

(photo credit: Macy Yap)

(photo credit: Macy Yap)

Aside from the gorgeous scenery, a nice change of pace from the bustling city, tourists are in for a treat at "Light & Sound Show" inside the Malinta Tunnel, an interesting walking capsule tour of what it was really like for those living on the island, particularly for then President Manuel L. Quezon in hiding.

Macy and I at one of the batteries. (photo credit: RJ Cabaluna)

RJ, Macy, Christian and I by the lighthouse

Arial shot of Corregidor ruins (via web: Wikipedia)

The total package for the day tour costs an all inclusive Php 2,200, with roundtrip transportation, buffet lunch, and a very smart and engaging tour guide. There is, however, an addition Php 150 for those interested in the optional Malinta Tunnel Light & Sound show. 

It was a Saturday morning and afternoon well spent. We certainly enjoyed ourselves... maybe even a little too much. ;)

(photo credit: Macy Yap)

Gangnam Style without Music

So the world has been struck by the "Gangnam Style" storm. Korean musical sensation, PSY, has given the fine citizens of the world another silly trending dance accompanied by a catchy tune (think Soulja Boy, Dougie, and heck, the Macarena). 

But what happens when you take the music out of the music video? 

One Youtube user has tweaked the viral video to his liking, leaving only the vocals and sound effects to match the scenes. Watch this and you'll have an even better laugh than you did when PSY taught Britney Spears how to do the giddy-up on the Ellen de Generes show.

You're welcome!

You can view the original music video (around 350M views and counting) here. 

September At The Theater

I had the great pleasure of indulging in 3 great musical theater productions this past month: the foreign production of the world's most popular musical, "The Phantom of the Opera," Resort's World's staging of the classic "The King & I," and Atlantis Productions' "NINE."

Of couse I, like any other, enjoyed seeing Andrew Lloyd Webber's legendary compositions come to life at the CCP main theater in the beginning of the month. But I must say that what I loved the most were the two local productions of "The King & I" and "NINE." The actors and directors were so engaging, I found myself leaning forward in my seat at both shows!

THE KING & I: Leo Valdez and Monique Wilson play the lead roles. (photo credit: GR Rodis)

I was delighted to be invited by dear tita GR Rodis to a special preview of "The King & I," now running at Resorts World. I'll admit, "The King & I" isn't exactly one of my favorite musicals of all time, in fact it's way down on my list that is topped by "West Side Story" and "My Fair Lady," but I was blown away by the spectacle created by Direk Freddie Santos and the cast and crew, not to mention the absolutely fabulous costumes designed by no other than Rajo Laurel.

A must see!

(photo credit: GR Rodis)

(photo credit: GR Rodis)

(photo credit: GR Rodis)

"Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera!" - Leo Valdez as the King, BRAVO! (photo credit: GR Rodis)

Backstage after the show with "King" Leo Valdez - tita GR, Joanna Ampil (who played Maria in Resorts World's "The Sound of Music," and myself.

Directed by Bobby Garcia, Atlantis Productions' staging of 5 time Tony Award-winning "NINE" is also a feast for all the senses. So much so, you can practically taste the talent in the auditorium air with local musical/acting icons gracing the stage. The cast is composed of: Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Cherie Gil, Eula Valdez, Carla Guevara-Laforteza, Ima Castro, Sitti Navarro, Jay Glorioso, Yanah Laurel (my childhood acting friend, yay!!), among others, with The Dawn's Jett Pangan as Guido Contini.

Without a major broadway budget, the production is propelled forward by stellar performances, showcasing the best of Philippine talent. The minimalist production truly lets the stars shine, and the brilliant direction leaves the audience in awe of what even a small stage in Philippine theater has to offer.

(photo credit: Atlantis Productions Jaime Unson & GA Fallarme)

(photo credit: Atlantis Productions Jaime Unson & GA Fallarme)

(photo credit: Atlantis Productions Jaime Unson & GA Fallarme)

A far cry from the rather flop hollywood version (released in 2009 with a star-studded cast), "NINE" is a musical theater adaptation of the legendary Frederico Fellini's classic film 8 1/2. It follows the creative crisis of a once prolific director, Guido, who often mixes imagination with reality as he searches for inspiration for his 9th film. A womanizer and yet a genius, the audience is coaxed to both love and hate the main character who is too old to be young and yet too young to be old. And the music, oh the music, if for anything, go for the music. 

Support local talent! There is nothing like the theater!

(photo credit: Atlantis Productions Jaime Unson & GA Fallarme)