Profile
Name: Rony Location: Hong Kong My life is a musical and I love applause... if even just from the both of you. Current Posts
Nowadays
street singersuccess out of reach... chasing pavements... Impossible We can be kind Jamming with the NOAH cast... the climb... All things just keep getting better... Letting things just happen
Back to Before
September 2004October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 January 2009 April 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 December 2009
Some People's Lives
|
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
So my week in Manila began with flying in Friday night, Feb 16. Landing just 5 minutes before the end of Andrei's birthday. Once again, he surprised me by picking me up with Kyla, Bea, and Gabs. (Thanks guys) The following morning, I had breakfast with my mom as Andrei headed to High School Musical rehearsals in Ateneo. I got a haircut then off to Angel's for Chloe and Cole quality time and lunch with the Laparans... We ate at this New Orleans restaurant at the block in SM North Edsa. So cute, Chloe would call the calamares "crunchies". After a yummy lunch, I headed off to Ateneo to meet up with Bu and meet the cast. I love theater. I think it's amazing to go from this...  to this...  Another opnin... But more on that later. That evening, Andrei had a family dinner to celebrate his birthday and I had Joshua's Chinese New Year bash to attend. My FIRST real CNY party. So I bought a red top and together with Angel's whole family, we were off to Josh's fabulous New Manila house. It was dolled up in red everything. Red. Red. Red. It was a nice reunion of ISM-ers who were also dressed up in...  Chloe was being her usual friendly self. Here she is with her good friend Bianca.  "maybe if I ignore her..."  "I am smiling!"  "seriously?" Josh spared no expense. The food was incredible, Tiffany chairs, chinese lamps, FIREWORKS, LIONS...  And a DRAGON even...  We had a blast. Josh even sang. I played a tune or two. What an incredible way to welcome in another new year. Again. Sunday was Andrei and Me time, a belated Anniversary/Valentine's/Andrei's Birthday celebration. We checked into Discovery Suites (thanks Joy!) watched Music and Lyrics (all I wanna do is find a way back into love...) tried the hilot at the Spa (just get a Swedish folks, it's the same lang...) dinner at Heat in Shangrila Edsa (yuuuuuummy... Chinese drums played the entire dinner though, LOUD) and returned to our junior suite to cap the night (no pictures). I knew this would be my only real chance to spend time with him cause of HSM prod week. To be continued.
rhapsody [
11:28 PM ]
|
0 comments
 
I'm back. Too tired to post anything significant. I should've flown in Sunday morning, which would've meant I'd have the whole day to recover from the hectic week. But things changed. I got to the airport at my usual 2 hours before 8 am departure. They had oversold the flight so asked if I'd be interested in taking a later flight in exchange for a one way ticket to any of Cebu Pacific's international or domestic destinations. I said no. What will I do with a one way ticket? And too much of a hassle to go back home, plus I looked and felt like crap having gotten only 3 hours of sleep - I just wanted to get to Hong Kong. I was in fact wearing the shirt I slept in. At 7:45, a little more awake and after having done my round of goodbye-texts, I was at the gate waiting to board. They made another announcement and raised it to a ROUND trip ticket and a guaranteed seat on an evening flight. GO!! I made sure I could leave my luggage in the airport, that I wouldn't have to do all that terminal fee and immigration lines, and that my ticket could be used for Hong Kong-Manila-Hong Kong. Check, check and check. So by 8:15, I was out of the airport and on my way to Discovery Suites where my sister was spending the night. I freshened up in her room and headed to Megamall where I bought a new shirt, and then spent the day watching the morning run of High School Musical, lunch with my family, and a little more quality time with Andrei. On top of this, a free ticket? Awesome.Funny, cause I was talking to Josh last week about how I wanted to take an evening flight instead. But since Cebu Pacific is notorious for the worst customer service, what a hassle it'd be. AND this happened. Things work out. They really do. Oh, and they oversold the evening flight and made another offer. If I didn't have work today... rhapsody [
2:28 AM ]
|
3 comments
Friday, February 16, 2007
drumroll please... Happy Birthday Bu!!!  23... *whew* Love you baby... Happy new Year  on that note, Kung hei fat choi and I'm outta here... rhapsody [
12:59 AM ]
|
1 comments
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
 Happy Valentine's Day Bu... See you in a few... rhapsody [
8:14 PM ]
|
0 comments
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
How HOT was Shakira at the Grammys last night?I totally thought that number sizzled. Not in a I-want-to-speak-Spanish way, but more in a I-think-she's-FABULOUS-with-a-capital-F-A-B-yulous kind of way. (yup, still gay, folks). So it's Valentine's eve and I've got dinner plans with some friends. Should be fun. The cooks in the group are cooking, so all I gotta do is show up and pay for my share of the dinner. And as for tomorrow night, I'll either shop downtown, get a massage, or stay home. Thing is shopping and massage-ing can happen in Manila where it won't cost me so much, so I think I'll rent a movie, order out a really yummy dinner, and give Andrei a skype phone call. We're delaying celebrating this holiday till this coming Sunday, just gotta find a classy restaurant to take him to. Different. Hmmm... Random thoughts: I'm looking forward to breakfast in Manila. Is that weird? Jollibee. Chowking. Pancake House. Filipino breakfast food. *sigh* Just thinking about it makes me hungry. The weather here is crazy. Last week, sun was out and blinding, I actually packed away my heater and used my aircon. Then last night, I took out the heater. Finished season two of Grey's Anatomy over the weekend. LOVE IT! Can't wait to marathon season 3. Am feeling really bad for Addison right now. McDreamy is a dork, seriously. Meredith is lost. Izzie is a lunatic. O'Malley is a sweetheart. And Yang is incredible. And how much do I want Sara Ramirez to start singing in an episode! LOL line of season 2, Bailey: "It's a hillbilly picnic." (you have to see the scene) I also watched Lady In the Water the other day. Fast forwarded it to the twists. Stupid movie. Don't get how this can be the same writer who wrote Sixth Sense and Signs. Ugh. On new traditions, I'm not Chinese (really?!?) but living here, I suddenly feel I should do all the things that Chinese do. Like celebrate Chinese New Year. For the regular 2006-2007 New Year, I did the usual, make sure I had money in my wallet and bank account, cleaned up, opened my doors, had food in the fridge, everything that I would like the year ahead to be. Bountiful in all directions. Just over a month later, I've this feeling I should again clean up the house, buy new clothes, get a haircut, post paper decorations stating wishes of prosperity, good luck, happiness, good fortune, wealth, and longevity, wear red, hand out those red envelopes with money. This Saturday, I'm actually attending a Chinese New Year party! When in Rome right? Guess I'll be one of those people celebrating new years twice. And the additional good fortune couldn't be bad right? Besides, it gives me an excuse to shop for a new red top. 3 days and counting. rhapsody [
3:17 PM ]
|
3 comments
Sunday, February 11, 2007
My dearest Audrey of my Audrey 2,HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABI!!!!! Here's to Little Shop of Horrors, biscuit escalators, Tropical Hut Hamburger, roller coaster rides home, Ace water spa, Chloe liking you more than me, and finding our Suddenly Seymours... *mwah*  rhapsody [
7:28 PM ]
|
3 comments
Saturday, February 10, 2007
When musicals collide... watch only if you know Fiddler on The Roof and Avenue Q... (or else you won't get it). rhapsody [
11:16 PM ]
|
4 comments
Friday, February 09, 2007
 It's in the small things.A creative director for Disney theme parks is in town and though we've only met a couple times, he never fails to warmly greet me by name. And this means a lot to me. It does. I mean, there are some people I see almost everyday, whose names just won't stick in my head. I work with 45 musicians, 33 vocalists, dancers galore, a bunch of stage managers, technicians, etc. But imagine, that's only HKDL. I can't imagine how many people this guy meets with all his travelling to ALL the parks. But somehow, he still has space in his life to remember my name. Small thing. Guess that's why he is who he is today, he doesn't let the tiny details slip by. It's the end of the week. Thank God. One more week to go and I'm homeward bound for the holidays. *dancing* I've got one glorious week home, and my schedule is already filling up. I arrive just in time for the last 5 minutes of Andrei's birthday, a Chinese New Year party in New Manila care of Josh, and an overnight in Discovery Suites to celebrate a belated Valentines-Birthday with Bu. Then it's just killing time for High School Musical opening night on the 23rd. Andrei will be incredibly busy with prod week, so I'm finding ways to amuze myzelf. Must shop, need jeans. Spa, of course. See family and friends. Chloe and Cole. Re-energize cause March looks like it's gonna be a lot of work. *sigh* Gay moment. Watched Project Runway finale last night. I liked Uli better, but I seriously know nothing about fashion. You know what I think would be fun? A composer's Project Runway. Where composers write songs every week, for any occasion, and the final project is a recital of some sort... *silence* I'd probably be the only one to enjoy this. Anyway. Gayer moment. Josh texted me about Dreamgirls opening in Manila on the 21st. I'll be there. We are SO watching it! Greyest moment. Been watching Grey's Anatomy again, having stopped my marathon to watch all of season 1's How I Met Your Mother. It's been good and bad. Good, I've been inspired to live a more full life. Bad, I'm getting all hypochondriac. Ugh. I just watched the very heavy "If you knew this was your last day on earth, how would you want to spend it?" episode. Not a new question, but something we should ask ourselves every now and then I guess. I'd fly home. Spend it with Andrei and family. Then write the most honest blog entry I've ever written. *grin* Funny, 3 weeks ago, I watched ten episodes in one day and thought, wow, why can't my life be that elaborate. Then a week later, it was. Careful what you wish for I guess. On another note, it's sad when the person in your head isn't the person they are. rhapsody [
3:36 PM ]
|
0 comments
Sunday, February 04, 2007
I got up at 8 am today to call my parents who are on a small vacation in Singapore right now. Hi Mom and Dad!I was also eager to finish season one of How I Met Your Mother. Last night at 1 am, I had two episodes left. The whole season went by so fast, I couldn't stop watching it. And I have to say, for a sitcom with bad acting and bad jokes, I am quite moved by it. I love the editing. I love the jolts of irony. And I love the moment in the episode that just pinches the heart every time. Dare I admit, an episode even got me all teary eyed. *sigh* We accept it though on TV. We accept that 2 people meant to be together aren't gonna get there without a lot of mistakes, 3rd parties, and a couple stretched out seasons. Ross, Rachel. Fran, Sheffield. Niles, Daphne. Ally, Billy. Ed, Carol. Meredith, McDreamy. And now Robin, Ted. Every twist only makes the sigh sweeter when the rare moments actually happen. The look. The hug. The kiss. We accept it cause as humans, we need romantic notions (right Jen?) In real life though, love shouldn't be so hard. Really. Any love affair that takes 10 seasons to resolve couldn't possibly work out. Really. Don't get me wrong, I too cried when Rachel got off the plane. When Ed chose Carol. But I also LOVE that Joey and Dawson don't end up together. Billy and Ally. Billy and Allison (anyone still remember that) Cause really, love shouldn't drain all your energy. It should make you stronger, feel safe. It's a wonderful, warm-at-night feeling. Not something that should keep you up. Love is something you work on, but it works right. It makes you happy to go home to an empty apartment, even if they're 710 miles away. That's my sitcom. Oh and look what someone posted a couple days ago! 710 miles away, I'm still a huge fan of hers. The night I watched this tribute to Ryan Cayabyab, Gary took this slot in the show and sang an incredible "Once Upon A Life" BUT thanks to a cracked egg in the cast, I got to listen to Regine rehearse this. Picture me in the parking lot of Eastwood, world stopped, glued to my phone. I was floored. She sounds incredible over the phone!!! *sigh* when the fog rolls in... mmm...
rhapsody [
9:57 AM ]
|
2 comments
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Dory said it best...Just keep swimming, just keep swimming Everything will be okay Just keep swimming, move your tail and Sure enough we'll find our way oh sometimes things look bad Then *poof* the moment is gone And what do we do? we just keep swimming on. There will always be Nemo's you can't find, people you can't reach, uncontrollable situations, clueless idiots, vicious thieves, tiring thoughts, and days you don't want to get out of bed. You just hope they don't all land in the same week. *sigh* And when they do, the only thing you can do really is, take a deep breath and move on. And this too shall pass. Quote that.
rhapsody [
11:13 AM ]
|
3 comments
Friday, February 02, 2007
ANYWAY... So today we launched Chinese New Year. The park's a different shade right now. But first, find the hidden Mickey...   And what's Chinese New Year without merchandise. Can you guess what it's the year of?  So of course, special guests...  Mind you, perhaps only in Hong Kong can 3 pigs get celebrity status... Check out the press!!  Press and pigs. Pigs and press. Press and pigs. Pigs and press. *smile* And of course, the stage show... here's a clip. We're open for business!! Let the good times roll! *sigh* I have a headache. | |||||||||||||