Despedida de Soltera

Today, i am covering my friend's despedida de soltera. Lyzel is getting married next month - 10.11.12 (October 11, 2012) Geez! She's bidding good bye to Single-hood. Cheers to that though. 

09.08.12 - one month and 3 days before her big day, all were gathered at room 838 of the newest hotel in town - Quest Hotel and  conference center to join our bride-to-be in saying good bye to single hood. Anyways, i prepared for the room decoration while Kimmy was the in-charge of the shower games, the rest brought food and drinks. 
Everyone looked gorgeous that night with their hair and make up courtesy of Bea Bunch. 

When others already went home, there were only few of us left in the hotel. That started a lil drinking session (with Tanduay, ewwweee though) hahaha and chit chat burst as if there's no tomorrow.  

It was certainly a night filled with games, fun and excitement. Naughty games were played and winners took home prizes from the bride to be. Not to mention the room was all messed up (we felt sorry for the housekeeping) the next morning. 

Blind item (someone was not feeling well that night as she didn't get what she wanted from blah blah blah) hush hush. HAHAHAHAH

So check out below for some photos and videos.

These ladies busy making up themselves good!

The Guests ...

A toss for this beautiful woman who's getting married soon!

  

and the bride to be .......

Towel cake i made

made of bath towel

The bride to be and the maids :)

Congratulations and best wishes to Lyel and Mike. God bless you both :)

BERDE: Hindi lang Pula ang kulay ng Pag-ibig

It was a Sunday afternoon when i and my friends headed to the CAP Art Theater to grace our friend's invitation to a stage play. Our friend Rachel was one of the main acts on the story. The scheduled stage run was at 04:30PM but we were there in the theater by 4PM. Lucky we were early as the curtain was up at around 0410PM. We're given front row seats to watch the stage play with an intriguing logline.   

Photo courtesy of Berde Production

"Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands" 

-Berde

Synopsis:

The story evolved in the life of Edwin, a young homosexual who's been engaged in a romantic relationship with another guy named Butch. The story narrates on the immeasurable love of a mother who has been all through out Edwin's life very supportive. On the contrary, the play also presents the undying hate and frustration of a father towards his homosexual son.

The story heightened when Edwin's father - a dispatched military went home and incidentally  caught Bruce and Edwin on the latter's bedroom kissing each other. A smash cut showing a confrontation of a father to his son and to his wife. The father has been putting blame on his wife for how his son has acted at present. In return, his wife blame him of being away from home but appealed to accept his son and love him. This led them to consult a "Psychiatrist" to seek for treatment of their son. 

Long after, Edwin's father died of heart attack after a confrontation with him. Edwin seems to be pathetic of his father's death and only thinking  of his own happiness. He has been on a constant battle of his love to Butch, thinking on how is he going to be with him. It came to the point when Edwin gave up his mum just to be with Butch leading to a nervous breakdown of his mother.  

The story ended on a re-union of Edwin's mother and his one romantic true love - Butch.

This stage play was directed by Mr. Loyd Wilson Sato, a prominent writer and stage director in Cebu. The story was written in Filipino.

Reviews:

My Views and opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the story, its producers or its Acts. 

In our constant battle for rights, love and acceptance, it is indeed good to see productions like this which helps convey the message to everyone that homosexual does exist and with this existence comes a longing for everyone's acceptance and respect. As Focus Production (Berde producer) has reiterated at the beginning that, their goal is not to be number one nor the best but to be relevant. Yes, the story is indeed relevant to one's community where homosexuals are here and there. Undeniable fact that homosexuals have been out in the open expressing various thoughts and talks. The question i got from the story was "are homosexuals really accepted in the society or are we just being tolerated?" Sabi nga sa linyo ng play, "okay lang maging bakla, basta huwag lang magdamit pambabae kasi ang sagwa". Oh really? Funny it may sound but this is reality. Marami ngang nagsasabi ng ganito at hindi ko nalang imi-mention kasi baka mapuno lang yong page ko. It's like telling a kid it's okay to play as long as you just sit on the couch. 

The play serves as an eye opener of this obscure love affair of two guys who represent thousands of men in the Philippines who feel the same way. Some would think that this is promoting immorality but i say this is stressing reality and awareness to all so as acceptance can be drawn. Morality is not an issue that was highlighted on this story (as we know it can delve into discussions/debates) but rather acceptance and love from the society. I am not saying that morality should be set aside but the fact is that moral standards vary from one culture to another. #justsaying

The ACTs:

Mother. No to be biased but i'm confident that majority if not all of the audience would agree to me that the one who really made mark on the show was Mrs. Ocampo - the mother of Edwin. Her acting was exemplary and looks pro. Jeez! i almost cry in one of the scenes. By the way, this role was portrayed by Rachel Layaog, a previous co-worker and a friend of mine. Her acting was so natural and very convincing. Her gestures suggest that of a real late 40's mother. Not to mention the powerful wardrobe. Jeez! i was like watching "Victoria Abella" of Magkaribal , "Behati" of Princess and I and Gretchen Barretto in real life. Kudos to  Rachel's wardrobe team. She looked so elegant.

Father. His acting was also very convincing. He looked like a real cop. Gesture wise he's so good. 

Edwin. He's good as well but sometimes, nasasapawan siya sa eksena sa galing ng Mother. Towards the end of the scene he shone most as an actor. He might have all the experience to give it all in the play. 

Butch. He's as good as Edwin. Good for him as he had only few scenes with the Mother.

Psychiatrist. She was the medical doctor in the story but when she entered the scene we were all thinking that she's Inday -- katulong or just nobody but like that of Inday. Gesture wise, nakukulangan ako sa kanya. She sounds scripted as opposed to being natural. Worst, her wardrobe was poor as in very poor i should say. I don't even know if she got help on her wardrobe though, at least naman lang sana yong blazer or gown ng doktor. No offense but as part of the audience, i was not convinced that she's a doctor in that play.

More so, talking about my dislike on the "psychiatrist" character, i also wonder if the production had / have ever consulted professionals of this field. I was a lil shocked when the character threw lines "negative" connotations towards her client as should not be done in any ways in the realms of Psychology. Well, i must have an idea on this since i delved my 4 years studying this field in college. I had been into actual counselling field and was exposed to real Psychiatrist - Client relationship. The rule of thumb is, always convey messages in a positive way. I heard of a line from that doctor in the play saying "your son is indeed selfish" and the play constantly used the word "cure" in that scene with the doctor. I understand if the Parent would use that term "cure" as they take homosexuality as an illness but i was saddened when the doctor was using it as well. The doctor could have even corrected the parents and explain to them that homosexuality in not even an illness. Anyways, that scene was just a pea of the entire plot though but it makes sense as in reality it is a constant topic in talks/debates.

To sum it up, the stage play was indeed GREAT! I would like to personally greet the team - from writers, director  contributors and benefactors, staff and the actors na nagpuyat at nangahas na maihatid ang napakaganda bagkos napaka kontorbersiyal na storya sa publiko. Well done guys. I am looking forward for your next production. 

Indeed, you have proven to all na hindi lang pula ang kulay ng Pag-ibig. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!

The Berde Actors

The Berde Actors, Director and Staff

Front row Audience. Photo Credits to Nelson Galan

Streets bent rules

I have always thought of the Philippines as country wrapped with exemplary rules and laws passed in the book but is ungirded on its execution. For years now I have always been wondering how these violators get punished from the government by deviating from the law. When you get outside you house, you’ll start seeing people violating simple rules and even laws. Traffic violators, reckless drivers, jaywalkers, pickpockets, snatchers, name them all and you’ll find one of them on the street or worst all of them in one place.

For today’s blog I prefer to show you how our executive body lacks proper execution of rules and laws. Even in the simplest form, it seems that our executive body is very weak in promulgation of rules and laws. I chose to discuss this minor violations on streets where you see cars/vehicles being parked anywhere on the street. I wonder how these drivers got their license to drive as I know that the SOP before one can get a driver’s license one has to undergo a seminar/training on the rules of the road.

I roamed around IT Park Cebu and found these violations in parking. First, let me get an excerpt of Republic Act No. 4136 or the Act to Compile Laws Relative to Land Transportation and Traffic Rules, to create Land Transportation Commission and for other Purposes.

Section 46 clearly states the following:

Parking Prohibited in specified places. No driver shall park a vehicle, or permit it to stand, whether attended or unattended, upon a highway in any of the following places:

(a)    Within an intersection

(b)    On a crosswalk

(c)    Within six meters of the intersection of curb lines

(d)    Within four meters of the driveway entrance to and fire station

(e)    Within four meters of the fire hydrant

(f)     In front of a private driveway

(g)    On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the curb or edge of a private driveway

(h)    At any place where official signs have been erected prohibiting parking

Now since I have enumerated already the rules in parking and i have shown to you the photos above, it’s up for you to say your piece.

Do these car owners / drivers really know the rules of traffic? Or they just seemed to be ingrate not to follow these rules?

What are our law enforcers going to do on these acts? Have there been any attempt to re-enforce these rules / laws or these would just be up on the sheet only?

Quo Vadis Philippines???

A closer look on Twitter in Philippine Media

My views and opinions below do not necessarily reflect the opinion of twitter, to its management and to the stars mentioned.

Twitter is an online social networking site and micro blogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based messages of up to 140 characters, known as "tweets".(Wikepedia).

Twitter was created on March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and was launched to public on July of the same year. Through the years, the site has gained popularity world wide with over 500 million active users as of 2012, and 340 million tweets daily.

Unlike other social sites (Facebook, Multiply, Myspace), Twitter has gained trust from public and those elites like businessmen and celebrities. This has been even used as a platform for movie and TV show promotions for actors and campaign agenda for politicians. Also, nowadays Twitter has been used as a medium of conversation between the mass and its government. Notably, Twitter has turned the table of NEWS delivering the most rapid online media. Most if not all of the large NEWS establishments have twitter accounts for their respective NEWS Program.

In this blog, I would like to tackle Twitter in the Philippine setting. If you have a twitter account I am sure that you can definitely relate on this topic.

Personally, I joined twitter back in 2009 out of curiosity. At that time, it had always been a talk of famous celebrities both Hollywood and local so I decided to create my own account too.

I followed the influential celebrities and politicians as well as news programs of television networks. With twitter I can directly convey my thoughts to these once unreachable stars and establishments. Good to know that there are celebrities who take time to respond to my tweets. Many of us would look forward to exchange thoughts with our idols that once we thought would never happen. But thanks to twitter, everything is possible now.

 

It’s sad to note also that Twitter has become a platform for online bullying which victimize everyone even these celebrities. Local celebrities have been a subject to bashing from their critics and haters. It’s surprising that these big stars also go down to their basher’s level. Take a note of Sharon Cuneta’s account when she continuously responded to all her bashers with negative statement. Everyone was shocked on her act and was even referred to by director Joey Reyes a “career suicide”. I only cite Mega’s account because to me that has to be the worst Celebrity – basher encounter in the twitter world though there were many celebrities who’ve been involved in a star-basher controversies.

I too had encountered this with the celebrities. I responded to their certain act on TV which as a television viewer I don’t like. My intention was not to bash celebrities but to convey to them my thoughts and how I feel towards their performance or act that I saw on TV. I got multiple negative responses already from them and even a couple of times were blocked by celebrities. Maybe, blocking is the ultimate answer to Twitter holders if they can no longer answer their follower’s thought. Kapag hindi na makakapag reason out yon mga celebrities ay Block lang ang katapat ng mga followers. Well, blocking those bashers are not an issue to me but kapag bina-block mo yong follower who is just expressing his thoughts towards you at ikay natamaan ay matatawag na kitang “coward” and should better stop using twitter if you cannot handle the pressure. Well, ang sa akin lang hindi naman makatarungan na iblock mo yong follower mo just because he disagrees to your thoughts.

Here are some of the screen-shots i took on my both positive and negative encounter with the celebrities. These are just few, i failed to save the others. 

 

Running a Twitter account entitles you freedom to say and express your thoughts but this should be coupled with responsibility as well. 

Reminiscing the Past!

Life is full of surprises. Today, i am writing this piece to say a million thanks to every one who has been part of my ups and downs.

I will be missing a lot of people from the company. The People whom i truly cheerish and who shared the loudest laughter with me. huhu.

i could still remember how i started in the BPO. I could not imagine myself that i made it for 2 years in the job which i think would only be temporary for at most 6 months. Haha. It's not the pay, it's not the company but it is with the PEOPLE who i call FRIENDS, REAL friends who made me stay in the company for 2 years. If you receive this, that means that you're part of those i will be missing.

Every beginning has its own ending. My journey is about to end in the BPO. Now it's time for me to venture my career in another line of business. I would like to say a lil piece to you guys.

To my Site A's family, thank you guys. I had so much fun with you all. All the activities and events we were part off were awesome. Tweet nalang ta then.

To VCS pips, now COBQ, well....... thank you!  i have so much fun in the VCS Program. I will just miss the people but not all then. haha. most i will miss are the moments i had with those friends who shared the biggest Laughter on the floor, from 5th going to 7th and finally on the 6th floor of i1. makamiss ang mga katawa and halkhak guys.

Mary Jane Velasquez: MJ, you're my biggest friend here in the company (aw si Kim Tanaya diay haha). iThank you for all the advises, chika, harutan and laughter you show and share with me. huhu, cry cry. big hug MJ, ai dili diay nako ka magakos fully. hehe. again BIG thank you. mwuah.

Maggie Ylanan: Magz, the pretty trainer! haha (wait, kay shunga shunga akong cust while nagmake ko ani nga line. hehe) okay yeko na si cust, going back. Maggie again, thanks for all your help eversince our wave started 2 years back. I remembered it on the 5th floor you were sitting near the centerpod and it was YOU and only YOU whom i approached for apply charges as i had a diff sched from the rest of my teammates. though, di ta ka-team and di ta friend but i never saw you being hesitant helping me. (pakipatong na ang Korona pls venus Raj) Magz, get ready. haha. thanks again Magz.

Chat Francis Lim: heyhey hey!!! TL Chat. my brat TL during nesting, God! i remember those days. ang tiyan na dako ug musipat lang daun. haha. i never thought ma friend taka, haha. On a lighter note, i would like to thank you for all the help, guidance and encouragement you imparted to me. I know you want me be someone you believe i'm capable of becoming to. Thank you for believing in me. We might no be on the same building anymore but always rember same nami building ni jeff. haha sa iya nalang nako i-chika ang mga events sa life para ma forward niya sa imo. hehehe.

Claire Taboclaon: Klurr, Mang! I feel you haha. thank you din for hanging out with me in the office as well as sa MANGO. hahaha. Party japon ta hap. haha, Workmate na pud me ni Sadai again :))

Charo Dey Galabin: La Greta! ohlalala. thank you for jamming with me. four-legged will always be four-legged. hehe.You enjoy your stay here. 

Kris: ingat ka and your, you know...hehe 

Ryan Valencia: heyaaahhh Ryan! thanks sa companion as well in the team. Take care of the rest. wokay? haha. i'll contact you for Dave's mall tour. hahaha

To Team Fred who once became part of my roller coaster ride for 4 months, thank you! i learned a lot from you guys.

TL Fred; paputol na ug hair TL. hehe

TL Lai: my mentor and my  critic ! Thank you also for all the learnings.  

and to ALL of YOU guys who receive this mail. THANK YOU!!!! 

I am moving on. New endeavor!

Again, with a BIG heart thank you again mga Kapamilya sa Stream! Till Then.

Don't be dismayed at goodbyes.

A farewell is necessary before you can meet again.

And meeting again, after moments or lifetime, is certain for those wo are FRIENDS!

Goodbyes are not forever.

Goodbyes are not the end.

They simply mean I'll miss you guys.

Until we meet again!

Be well, do good work, and keep in touch guys!!

   -josh

Joshua Lustre

E30657/143016 now signing off 09.01.09 - 09.04.11

Twitter: @illustriousjosh