Si Tonying at Ang Mahiwagang Aklat ng Kasaysayan

I have been posting and updating my list of scheduled shows per month here in my blog. I'm actually doing that for nothing. I just want to help groups advertise their shows specially the small ones since I know marketing a show is one of the hardest parts in preparing for a play. The process goes, groups contact me, and I post it on a page here in my waley-waley blog, :)))

One day, this group from De La Salle University contacted me to help them advertise their play. So I took all the necessary details and posted it here. As a reward, they included me as one of their official media partners and I got a chance to see the show for free!

I was able to watch DLSU Harlequin Guild's Tonying at Ang Mahiwagang Aklat ng Kasaysayan last October 27. It was a good show! I couldn't stop saying "wow" each time their set changes. Their auditorium is really amazing!!! Maybe I'm just used watching under rated plays in cheapaz auditoriums that a moving stage for a play is really new to my eyes.

The story was pretty well executed. There were flaws but the group was able to pull it through. I just want to comment on their lighting, the front of the stage was a little bit dark that it was hard for the audience to see the actor if he/ she is close to the proscenium arc. Nonetheless, it was a great play and I would still recommend it for watching specially to grade school and high school students.

To help you imagine what I saw, here are some photos Jigs took while we're on our seats:

The keys were handed to Tonying as the new "magtatala"

Tonying and his love interest, Clea. 

Tatalasi died after the encounter with Mangmang

When Tonying gave up everything that's important to the history, everything went out of order
See? I told you! The stage can move!! It can!

He then met several characters from the twisted history

I believe this is one of DLSU Harlequin classics. If I'm not mistaken, they staged this for several times already and I wish it'll be re-staged! I hope this will be shown to the younger generation so they'll know the importance of knowing and understanding history. 

Thank you to Harlequin Guild for giving me the chance to see their work! I'm looking forward to watch more  of their amazing shows. To other theatre groups out there, please don't hesitate to drop me a line if you need help in advertising your show. It'll be my pleasure to help. :)

- JJ

Photos are by Jigs Tenorio Photography. To see more photos, visit his facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/JigsTenorioPhotography

Getting My Groove Back

It's been years since I got all sweaty 'cos of dancing. I do choreography rakets left and right but most of the time, my throat gets exhausted more than my body does. Finally! After Jurassic years, I was able to dance my heart away again!

Thanks to Kuya Roi and Ate Laarnet for letting us (me and my high school friends, iSTARS) perform on their very special day. Their wedding's really lovely. It was very heart warming and one of the best wedding I've attended so far! :) We actually prepared two dances for the event but unfortunately, we just danced once. Reserve the other dance for my wedding!! CHOS!!

We were actually asked to open the dance floor for the after party part of the night so we chose Chris Brown's Turn Up The Music to set the vibe. The dance wasn't perfect but we really enjoyed it!! The fun part of the dance was the feeling of grooving with some of your closest friends... again! Breathtaking!

Let me share with you our little dance presentation through this video:

Hope you enjoyed it too! :)

-JJ

Singing: A Very Special Love

I once gave up on love. I came to the point that I believe, experiencing true love was just IMPOSSIBLE (yes, mega emphasis on that). I never knew that love could really make wonders until someone saved me from being in love with my self forever. From that day I realized I really am falling for this person, I decided to not let this thing go. I enjoy being with that special person and it comes with a long list of reasons why I would never regret choosing to be with him.. :)

I have the best food trip buddy.

We get along well with things. Best example of such is our food choices. We tend to eat a lot when we're together because we enjoy almost the same kinds of food- from fruits to local street food to foreign cuisine. Warning: never ask us what would we want to eat because we'll never give you a decent answer. When we say "anything", we mean it 'cause WE EAT ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING! HAHA.

Photo he took when we went to Bulacan to shoot for our documentary

I have someone to drag along wherever

I really hate doing things by myself. Not because I'm dependent but it's for the fact that I just don't want to do things ( like eating, watching plays, concerts, movies or TV shows, etc.) alone. Luckily, I found a great partner-in-crime that I can drag anywhere anytime. Hahaha! I now have a companion in all the things I want to do and to all the places I want to explore.

There's someone who understands me when my mood sucks. 

Certainly, girls are unpredictable creatures. I must know. I even give up on myself sometimes. There are days that I don't want to speak with anyone for no specific reason. I just don't want to talk. There are also days when I want all the attention I could get or just days when I feel like crying 'cause everything becomes a huge deal for me. Despite my hurricane-like emotions during these "days", he is the person who will not judge me and will stay by my side . He'll just go saying, "Okay lang yan, babe" then he will cheer me up in all ways he could try.

 CUTIEPIE.
I remember that time I was so pissed for no particular reason and he clearly knows that I am. He bribed me with my favorite milk tea and hugged me tight.

There's always someone who captures my smile

This guy loves to snap. I once described him as - a guy whose favorite sound is the click-click of the shutter as it closes and opens to capture a memory. He is the best photographer I know. I witness him shedding blood, sweat and tears as he is striving to be one of the best snappers in town and I have so much faith in him! I know he'll be successful in his craft someday, just like what he wants to be, but for me, he'll forever be that only guy who can capture  my sweetest smile. :) 

I once gave up on love but this guy made me realized that love will never give up on me... 'cause he didn't choose to give me up during those "haggard" parts of our then-starting relationship. I will never forget all those sacrifices and efforts he did just to make our relationship grow and to make me feel loved and special at all times. 

Since it's his day, it's payback time! I'll make him feel more special than eveeeeer. I'll be a better food trip buddy, and yes he can drag me wherever he pleases, I'll understand his mood swings (if he has) and I'll let him capture all my expressions for the day. HAHAHA! Seriously, I just want him to feel how thankful I am for having him with me. And... I love him so much. I'll forever will. 

I love you JiggyBoy! :D

Happy Birthday, baby. :) 

Enjoy your day! xoxo

Love,

Jhei. 

Hungry Artist

They say arts can be an outlet of a person's emotions. Great artists' masterpieces all come with a relevant and most of the time, sad stories. Their artworks are reflections of their feelings or the way the think at a certain time. I remember one movie I watched last summer, Midnight in Paris. It tells (in a very creative way) a great story of artists' lives and secrets.

Everyone can be an artist, according to some. As I go through a lot these past few days (yes, I just smile them away), I am thinking of finding a good activity to help me let go of these hidden emotions in a productive way. This led me in giving arts a shot. I don't have any pen or any coloring material that time so I decided to use MS paint. I just gave my fingers the freedom to move as they please and this is what I got: 

Ahhhh. Masterpiece

I know it's too awesome to handle. Bravo, Jhei. Bravo! It's full of emotions, right? That work is a picture of my state of mind, abstract. The color representation is so brilliant. It feels like rekindling the fire, like love or passion but I am leaving the interpretation to you. Friends, you cannot laugh. I did that with blood, sweat and tears. Art appreciation!

Now I am off to the kitchen. I will hunt for food because I am an artist.....and I am hungry. 

-JheiM.

P.S.

I know you've been holding it. You can laugh now. I can't take it anymore too. =))))))) BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Someday! I'll paint like Picasso can do. Or, not? :)))))))))) HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. 

Win 16gb iPod Touch from Designrs Hub!

As a celebration of their first anniversary, Designrs Hub is giving away iPod Touch units to lucky followers! I am actually crossing my fingers to win this one! :)

If you are interested to join, you can check this link and follow the given instructions. Good luck to us!

-Jhei M.

Five Movies You MUST NOT Watch If You're Depressed

The weather's acting up. If you're bored and depressed, don't say I didn't warn you. 

1. The Beach

The title and Leonardo's face might catch you (it did work for me too) but mind you, this movie is more than a movie. It revolves around the story of a man in his soul-searching adventure. As he wanders in Thailand, he knew about this beach island paradise and he tried to look for it with his two newly found friends. Successfully, they found the lovely place and uncovered the SECRETS behind it.

Of course I didn't tell you the catch. I didn't tell you that there's an existing SECRET community of soul-searchers on that island. They found the place, fell in love with it and decided to live there. You have to take note that I'm emphasizing the word SECRET here. Go figure if you dare. :D

2. In The Realm of The Senses

I dared to watch this film out of curiosity. Fvck!! Why am I always curious?!!? Anyway, this 1976 Japanese film marks a thin line separating art and pornography. It is based on a real-life story of a woman who killed (how?) her partner because she's sexually obsessed with his body. PERIOD. Hahaha! I bet you, this movie will cause you migraine, migraine and more migraine! READ: NEVER WATCH IT YOUR PARTNER.

3. A Serbian Film

I can't even tell you the story of this film. When I remember it, I cringe and I would like to slash my wrist. KIDDING- with slashing my wrist. But yeah, one thing I can only share about this film is that it is about the come back of a retired porn star. I choose not to get further from that. Huhuhu. WILD IMAGINATION STOPS HERE! Next!

4. Shooting Dogs / Beyond the Gates

Historical and political- I watched this movie over a year ago. We were required to watch it for our International Relations class. It gave me a glimpse to what was the situation in the Rwanda genocide that happened many years back. Genocide = Depression, of course. I know there was more to what this film showed but!!!! this can really stop you from breathing.

5. Requiem for a Dream

I can't clearly remember the story to be able to share it in detail (maybe my mind was somewhere else when I watched it). It is based on a novel and it tells a story of four people getting stuck with their addictions. NEVER EVER WATCH IT ALONE!

In general, these films are really good. I'm not telling you to not watch them. I actually enjoyed them but I won't dare to watch them again. :))) (LOL I know I should stick to watching cartoons!) Just don't watch them alone or while you are in extreme sadness. I'm saving you for a long-term depression by giving a heads up of what to expect. :)

- Jhei M.

Keeping a Lost Soul

I always envy those who grew up calling friends as "friends since birth". I know people who were together for over twenty years or for as long as they can remember and I envy them a lot. I grew up going places. Moving from one place to another, transferring from a school to a new one, meeting new friends and then bidding goodbye.. that has been my thing. I've never been familiar to a place or even a face.

I was longing for a sibling, an older brother or a younger sister to be particular. I wished I had someone to play bahay-bahayan with or someone who could hold the other doll for me. I remember those times I play Chinese garter with chairs or those times I play multiple roles, I'm the customer, the cashier, and the manager all at the same time. I wished there's someone I can argue with, someone I can cry with or just someone...someone to grow up with. After 20 years, I thought it's now impossible but through some twist of fate, it did happen.

I don't know if I can consider this 16-year old as my sister. I honestly want it to be that way. But yeah, things are too complicated to put things like that. It seems like we're keeping a lost soul. She's someone who tried to escape from the harsh realities of life and we became her refuge. She's broken and as much as we can, we're trying to fix her.

She became an eye-opener for me. Whenever I look at her, I see my younger self. I cannot imagine how strong this girl is! If I had the same drastic experiences, I could just die, right then and there. Knowing what she had gone through, I learned to appreciate my life and my very kind parents more. "Hey, Jhei! You are damn lucky!".

I choose to share that luck.

It feels good when she calls our home as her own too. We admit that we are starting to love her as part of our family and just by knowing that she enjoys the little happiness our family can share, we feel like we've received a lifetime reward. I'm looking forward to singing and dancing or watching good movies with her or maybe we can travel together. I hope we can share more experiences together, as a family.

The sad reality is, I know changes can happen with just a blink of an eye. She can choose to leave and find her soul in another place. She has a life behind her and I know we cannot take that away from her. But I don't want this dream turned reality to end too soon. I'm so tired of saying goodbye to people I learned to treasure and I don't want her to be just like any other playmate I had. If that time comes when she chooses to be with her own family again, I would accept it. But I'll always remember that once in my life a girl played as my sister and I will forever be thankful for that. :)