Archive for December, 2009
“Driving to Cagayan Valley in a Breeze”
When I told my co-actors last 22 December 2009 that I would be driving to Tuguegarao City in Cagayan Valley (Region II, Philippines) with my family on the 23rd of December in time to celebrate christmas eve with my wife's family, all of then showed concerns that I might be having a hard time driving. Dominic Ochoa was quick to ask when was the last time I drove to Cagayan Valley. He warned me that he experienced rough roads undergoing construction specially on Dalton Pass where there were sections that were only one lane was passable, a queue of vehicles had to wait for a long time to let the vehicles on the opposite lane pass first. Lito Pimentel with his with wit added I might lose my vehicle vanity plate (this was a subject of a joke on me, since my wife bought me a vanity plate with the word ACTOR on it). Jaime Fabregas reminded me that his friend used the North Luzon Expressway then the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway all the way to La Paz, Tarlac leading to Talavara, Nueva Ecija cutting the travel time to Cagayan Valley by escaping the heavy traffic on the stretch of the Maharlika Highway from Cabanatuan City to Plaridel in Bulacan. But Jaime asked if I would be the only driver since the travel time might hit me with over-fatigue. I told him my wife can be my alternate driver.
“Upsilon Sigma Phi’s Batch 1959 Golden Fellowship”
If I were to list down my important activities in my lifetime which I consider very enjoyable, after acting in television and movies as the most enjoyable, my second most enjoyable activity is my fraternity life. I was initiated into the Upsilon Sigma Phi of the University of the Philippines in 1973. In fact, these two activities are related: it was during my fraternity life in UP that I came to meet brod Tony Mabesa who became my mentor in acting having been my director in several college plays. Having learned the rudiments in acting from brod Tony Mabesa became my passport in pursuing acting in television and movies!
Last saturday, 19 December 2009, I woke up late and had brunch at 10:00 a.m. The day before, a friday was a very hectic day with my office party from morning till 5:00 in the afternoon followed by the May Bukas Party in the evening. I have to sleep again after eating brunch in order to gain strength for another party night – the Golden Fellowship and Ball of the Batch 1959 of our fraternity.
Read More..>>“May Bukas Pa: parties, parties, parties, Part 2″
Last friday, 12 December 2009, was a hectic day for parties! The Social Security System where I work had its Christmas Party from 8:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m. I do not know how the public viewed this long tradition here and I guess in most government offices where the Christmas party is being done while rendering public service. The rule of thumb is: there will be no interruption of delivery of public office as the party is on-going. Through these years, the public seems to be understanding of this set-up: anyway it happens only once a year. At the SSS, we celebrate it by Department: meaning, food preparation is at the Department level and same with the celebration (eating, parlor games for kids, videoke singing etc). After the SSS party, I felt so tired. The May Bukas Pa party was set at 7:00 p.m. But as I have experienced in the past events, people would start to come after an hour. I decided to recharge myself: I went to Soniari SPA on Tomas Morato Avenue. I had a good steam bath before a very relaxing massage. When I returned to my car at 8:00 p.m., I looked at my cell phone for new messages. Andre Tiangco one of my co-priest, texted if I was already at the party. Robin Tolentino, another co-priest was asking where the venue was! The venue of the party was the roofdeck of a building which is located along Timog Avenue, beside Mc Donald's. I found a vacant parking slot at the parking area of Mc Donald's. He, he, he, after parking I went inside Mc Do and bought a cup of coffee to give the impression on the guard that I am Mc Do's client and therefore should be allowed to park! I secretly walked to the next building where the party was! I saw Michael Conan with his friends carrying guitars, drums and other music instruments waiting for the elevator. Michael Conan's musician friends will be performing at the party! When the elevator door opened at 9:00 p.m., the roofdeck was already filled up with people! There was a covered portion which was air-conditioned and it was used as the stage/performance area. Almost everybody from the crew, lights men, cameramen to make-up artists, the three tsismosas, to the priests, Victor Basa, Ruben Gonzaga, Tony Manalo, David Chua,Jaime Fabregas, Lito Pimentel, Dominic Ochoa, Tonton Guiterrez, Albert Martinez, Desiree del Valle, Lara Quigaman, Zaijian Jaranilla, Direk Jerome Pobocan, Direk Jojo Saguin, Tita Mae Santos, Beegee Soldao, Hazel Parfan etc… etc…were there. Our bosses, Ms. Ethel Espiritu, Ms. Julie Ann Benitez and of course Sir Deo Endrinal were there! Noticeably absent was Ms.Dina Bonnevie. Ms. Lara Quigaman and Zaijian Jaranilla gave gifts to most of the cast! Lara gave choco pastries while Zaijian a.k.a. Santino gave Martini! There were production numbers participated in by the staff: lightsmen, make-up artists, etc… Drinks were aplenty: draft beer, red wine and a table with Sober Club, which is very attractive with its colored drinks in cupitas! There were dancing and singing till bout 3:00 am! Merry Christmas!Happy Birthday Bro!
“Jamming at the Pin-Up Bistro (PUB)”
Last friday,11 December 2009, I was invited by the Planning Service of the Department of Agriculture to their Christmas party. I was once the Service Director of the Planning Service before I transferred to the Social Security System. The party dubbed as Glitters in Christmas as held at the 8th Floor of the Torre de Venizia along Timog Avenue. Zinnia, who was my Secretary when I was the Director, requested me to bring along with me Santino (Zaijian Jaranilla) and Mayor (Albert Martinez) to the party. Instead of the two lead stars, I brought my kababayan co-actor Pinoy Big Brother Big winner Ruben Gonzaga to the party. On our way to the venue, I saw Michael Conan, another co-actor playing the role of a police named Dante. He came from a shop at the Victoria Towers condo.
“MBP: After the awards, parties, parties and parties”
One of the important experience that I gain being a contract artist for Kapamilya station ABS-CBN is network's reward system. Apart from the fat Talent Fees, after all the hard work which reap grand slam awards from almost all of the award-giving bodies for May Bukas Pa, the network pays tribute to all the people involved in the production by hosting parties for them. The almost 24-hour tapings that the artists, crew, production staff and all the people involved in the production go through is matched with parties complete with food, drinks dancing, singing and plain and simple camaraderie.
Aside from the thanksgiving and birthday parties, all of the people involved in coming up with the top-rated show are looking forward to the christmas parties!
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