The Phantom of the Opera (Reposted from my old blog)

Growing up from an all girls’ school that teaches its grade schoolers to understand and appreciate stage plays and Shakespeare it is but normal that I am up until now a lover of theatre. However my interest for musicals encompasses straight plays, it is safe to say that I loooove musicals. I would watch old movies (because a lot of them are musicals) and I remember watching Camelot both on stage and on LASER DISC (for the younger generation who is reading this blog: a laser disc is a giant version of a CD) Hello Dolly, King & I, West Side Story, Grease (again in Laser Disc--- the giant version of a CD) and the list can go on & on! But my passion for musicals did not stop there --- I collected cassette tapes (whoa! That was a real long time ago!) of musicals and Disney Soundtracks (which I consider a musical even if it is animated.) When I am asked what my favorite “type” of music is, I go “BROADWAY!” (yeah imagine the look on people’s faces when I say that! Hahaha! Their faces read: Huh? What’s that? Or Weird!) At any rate let me reiterate that --- I LOVE MUSICALS. However I remember the time when I first popped my cassette tape of The Phantom of the Opera (Original London Cast with Michael Crawford & Sarah Brightman) in my walkman (yeah that was some years back) I DID NOT LIKE IT! It was all so operatic & my young untrained ears cannot seem to comprehend the music… So, the cassette tape stayed in my collection and was never to be popped in any cassette player up until before The Phantom of the Opera movie was released in cinemas back in 2005.Don’t get me wrong, I loved the most famous songs from the musical: Music of the Night, All I Ask of You & The Phantom of the Opera. But that’s just it…. Unlike my other well-loved musicals, this particular one I did not really know… So after 10 years, I popped the cassette tape on a cassette player (for those ipod generation peeps ---- yes there are still cassette players) this time wanting to find out and understand the story. The most amazing thing happened --- I fell in love with the music (I guess age has something to do with the comprehending part) --- it evoked feelings of confusion, passion, pain and beauty that at that time just did not make sense. But it was mesmerizing, one with great mystery and so much emotion. So, when I heard that there will be a movie version that was being done based on the musical I grabbed the book of which Andrew Lloyd Weber based it on: Le’ Fantome L’ Opera by Gaston Leroux (thank you Kuya Mario & Angel for lending the book to me.) The book I read was already translated in English (Of course! Or else I would not be able to read it.) However, at the time I borrowed the book I treated it more of a research and a prep before watching the film version. The book was utterly beautiful! Kuya Mario said it is a good read but I never expected to be hooked in it --- the same feelings of confusion, passion, pain, beauty and great mystery revolved in the book and as a reader one can really FEEL the story. Gaston Leroux was successful in involving his readers and hypnotized them into the story --- when I closed the book it felt like I knew the Phantom, met him and understood him through Kristine’s eyes.At this point it has occurred to me that my blog is over long but I still can’t seem to stop raving about my experience with The Phantom…I want to go straight to the day I watched the movie. I just got off from work and my boyfriend Dong picked me up. Since I came from a graveyard shift I was out at around 9.30am on a Wednesday --- the first day that The Phantom of the Opera is showing in movie houses. It has been months now since I have been pestering Dong that we WILL HAVE TO WATCH this particular movie. So on that blessed day, we went to Alabang Town Center and watched the first screening of The Phantom of the Opera on its opening day here in the Philippines! (yippee!!! Just imagine how giddy I was!) Finally! The Phantom of the Opera in big screen! (I just realized now that there must have been millions of people who felt the same way as I did before watching this film.) I must say that from the opening of the movie ‘til the credits I was truly mesmerized…. Same effect as the book, the aftershock was still the same…. It never died down --- if anything it has “heightened my imagination.” I was speechless the whole time the movie was showing…the music took me into the depths of the characters’ thoughts, emotions and dilemmas. Gerard Butler’s acting was impeccable! (After seeing him in 300 I must say that he is one great actor!) No other Phantom can be as sexy and demented as he has portrayed the role by capturing the character’s madness and tenderness. Emmy Rossum is indeed an angel incarnated for the role, her voice is beautiful --- one that everyone can understand and grasp. At a young age of 17 when this film was shot her acting was realistic… it was through her that the audience was able to see and understand the story that revolved around the mystery of the Phantom’s existence. Of course Patrick Wilson is perfect for his role as Raol for he has epitomized Romeo in flesh, a great looking guy with an oh soooo beautiful voice! What is so amazing is that the book, stage version and the film have been so consistent with its outcome. They all have touched, shocked and mesmerized its audiences! See, Dong is not much a fan of musicals and I just dragged him to watch the film. As a singer he has sang some of the songs from this musical on stage and like me, he never really understood the depth of the songs. But through the duration of the film both him and I was so wrapped up with the story that we found ourselves wide eyed, open-mouthed, teary eyed and for the first time really comprehending the songs. This movie is a must watch! A Joel Shcumacher film, screenplay and produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber himself. It will not disappoint its viewers both theatre enthusiasts and not. It may differ and depart from the usual conception of theatre enthusiasts’ expectations of the film but what it is --- is heightened reality… One that the stage could not in its full glory gives its audience. Imagine a 105 piece orchestra, this could not have been possibly done on live staging, it is one reason alone for people to watch the film and grab a copy of the soundtrack.Words will lack, as you can see I have done an overlong review and yet there is still so much that I would like to share --- thoughts, facts and wonder (I’ll probably do a series of blogs on this topic hehehe.) I suggest that you grab a copy of the movie and read the book --- experience it on your own… How to do that? Let’s take the Phantom’s advise: “silently the senses abandon their defenses… grasp it sense it…listen to the music of the night… close your eyes and let your spirit start to soar” After doing all the reading, watching and listening, don’t forget to share your thoughts with me!

Note: Grabbed from the web

Wickedly Fantastic!

The book turned musical is wickedly fantastic! As a Wicked fan I can blab about this all night and all day long! :)

Note: Picture grabbed from the web

Elphaba, The Wicked Witch of the West

Have you ever heard of "The Wizard of OZ?" of Dorothy, of the Tin Man? of the Wicked Witch of the West? When I was a child I remember watching Judy Garland play the role of Dorothy and was fascinated by her adventure with her dog Toto as they try to look for their way home by following the yellow brick road. Dorothy was tasked to ger rid of the Wicked Witch of the West and fans of this story grew up hating the Wicked Witch of the West.
A few years back as I was in Powerbooks I stumbled upon this book --- Wicked by Gregory Maguire. My interest was perked by the title of the book and the synopsis of the book, as a result I bought the book and read it. The moment that I started reading the first page to the last page of the book I fell in love with how Gregory Maguire wrote the story and my heart went to the main character of the book --- Elphaba, The Wicked Witch of the West!
For those bookworms who haven't read the book, I urge you to read the book and fall in love with the characters of the story and fall under the spell of Gregory Maguire.

Fully Booked - Bookworm Heaven!

For a booklover there is nothing more heavenly than one whole building filled with books! Books! Books! And this is what Fully Booked in Fort Bonifacio High Street is all about.Fully Booked is a four story building-bookstore that can be found in the posh neighborhood near Serendra. The first time I saw this place I felt like a kid going inside a toy store where I am presented with endless titles to choose from. Each floor in Fully Booked houses different types of books that caters to the interest of different kinds of readers. Personally I love browsing books from one floor to another starting from the fictional books on the ground floor up to the cook books on the 4th floor.This bookworm can stay in this bookstore for the whole day without getting bored, oggling at the different titles and spending the day trying to decide which book to purchase. A tip for those book lovers, upon entering Fully Booked check out the "Top 10 best seller list" and the "Hot on the shelf" books that can be found stacked upon entering the store. To add to your experience the store's customer service is also fantastic! When you can't find the title that you are looking for, just simply ask the customer service team if they can order the book for you from the US. This service is a no-hassle, no commitment service that the store have. The CS will inform their customer that they will order it for them and will give them a call once the book is delivered to the store. And if the customer decides not to buy the book after ordering it the customer is not committed to purchase the book.Apart from Fully Booked being a bookworm's epitome heaven, readers can actually grab a cup of coffee in Starbucks which can be found in the 3rd floor of the building. As you all know nothing beats a relaxing afternoon reading a good book while sipping a really good cup of coffee.

the current has arrived

As I read through my blogs and reviewed the things that I wrote in the past, memories and past emotions wash through me. In Oct. 2007 I wrote "floating" wherein I mentioned that I was happy as it is and I am just waiting for the "current" to wash me to wherever...

Since the time I wrote that blog currentS have arrived....

1. Nov. 22, 2007 my dad passed away
2. April 2008 my uncle passed away
3. Got married in Aug. 2, 2008
4. Got pregnant September 2008
5. Gave birth to a beautiful baby June 7, 2009 (the best current of all!)

And now I am in crossroads again and this time instead of waiting for the current I'm actually praying for peace.... that all to comforting steady water.

a series of unfortunate events

When one reads a book about the Baudelaire orphans one can’t help but get entertained by the story. As a reader, reading pages after pages of adventure and difficult situations gets me hooked and I applaud Violet, Klaus and Sunny for keeping their heads up amidst all the impossible situations that they are thrown in.
On April 27, 2007 at around 11am I received a call from my dear cousin Patti. She was crying on the other line trying to inform me that her father, my uncle passed away. This is the third death in my family in less than a year --- this is my own version of A Series of Unfortunate Events. This is yet another proof that reality is stranger than fiction.
Tito Jerome was 52 years old, he was healthy and strong when the Lord called him home. In less than a year’s time my family had three trips to the morgue, three times that we had to “fix up” a wake and three times we buried our loved ones in Manila Memorial. This happened in five to six months’ intervals --- can’t help but ask the Lord “Why?” on the third time.
As Christians, my family and I hold on to our faith, to the truth that our loved ones went home to our Lord. Tito Jerome served God on earth as His “good and faithful servant”, my uncle has been an inspiration to many people, he touched people’s lives and to his family he will always be our inspiration to lead a life in God’ presence.
In less than a year, I lost a grandfather, a father and an uncle all of whom played a vital role in my life. These people were instruments by God to help make me who I am now. I will miss my three fathers.
My lolo, I will always miss his constant presence, his unending support in all things good for my career and education. He was the one that was easy to please and I wanted to please. His smiles were scarce but when I do make him smile, it always warms my heart.
My papa, I will always miss his ready smile and big-heart. I realized just now that he is a person who seeks for love and was ready to give his love. He had such spunk in life that made it really exciting and adventurous. Most of all, I would miss the lost time that I was not able to understand him and was not able to spend with him.
My Tito Jerome, I will always miss his calm presence. He was the one that the family looked up to when things go chaotic; he was always ready to extend his help in his own special way. I will miss the sound of his laughter and light disposition in life that is contagious.
Through these stormy events in our life, my family remains faithful in God and grows closer than ever. We are learning the real meaning of what becoming a real “family” is. At one point, we know that what happened is all God’s plan and that Our Father has something beautiful in store for me and my family which will unfold in the future.
Indeed, A Series of Unfortunate Events in real life is not amusing after all. For now, I close my eyes in prayer and lift my family’s worries, health and future to the Lord. In faith I know that everything happens for a reason and because it is the according to the Lord’s plan then it will be all-good. AMEN.

weddings! weddings!

this picture was taken last dec. 8, 2007. i was one of the bridesmaids for one of my good friends- Mimi Aguinaldo. pretty creative 'coz the color theme was r-o-y-g-b-i-v. im BLUE! :) i should say that we looked good together! hehehe everyone looked so grand!

since last year my fiance' and i have been attending our friend's weddings and now its april ---- i can't believe that time could run so fast! in less than 4 months time its my turn!

i should be in panic mode already --- so many things to do... flowers, organizers, make up, losing weight... grrr!!!

i've been so busy since 2008 opened and i was caught up with work (still am!) but i better try to juggle everything -- whew!