Big Hello

Last week, I got to catch up on what's happening with some of my old friends. Colleagues from previous companies that I used to work for. Some news nice, some downright horrible.

Last week I said hello to Rahyan Carlos, my previous teammate. We both used to work for ABS-CBN as creative researchers. He is now a successful film director. I found out that he has a couple of films up his sleeve.

Last week I said hello to Mylene Quintana. She used to be my EP for Gimik before becoming our Operations Manager. I asked her for a favor if we can have posters of Zsazsa Zaturnnah displayed at the TV Production area over at ABS and she gladly agreed. Yay!

Last week I said hello to Tin Banzon. My first teammate at Etel. Wave 9, Team Hotel. She is still working for the same ad agency. She was also surprised to find out that I'm still with Sykes. She gave me the number of my favorite funny friend, Russel Gatbunton. Hello chief!

Last week I said hello to Rhea Acena. A friend from RMH. I'm glad to find out that she's already a quality associate for a new call center. I miss her infectious laugh and of course her sandwiches.

Last week I said hello to my Aunt. I haven't had a chance to talk to her for the longest time. Good luck on the show that you're producing. Too bad it coincides with the Zsazsa run but will be sure to support it.

Last week I said hello to Abby Umali, another friend from ABS. I asked her for Ricky Lee's number. The nicest yet scariest boss ever. Unfortunately, she no longer has contact as well.

Last week I said hello to Jencarps, I never really lost contact with her being that she's my constant IM mate. She told me a shocking news. A colleague who worked at HSBC Alabang passed away because of a horrible accident. He got hit by a drunk driver while he was crossing the street. Something that you never really expect to happen to someone you know. A weird way to end this post but this news still leaves me in shock.

Of Gay Birds, non-coffee and sleep

I slept late Saturday and woke up really early for church on Sunday. Listening to the service, I literally can't keep my eyes open. This is the first time that I've felt so sleep deprived after a long while. Not since my high school chinese classes days did I experience something similar.

I don't know if I'm being touchy but when our pastor read a passage from Isaiah 29:10 "...Sapagkat pinadalhan kayo ni Yahweh ng espiritu ng matinding antok..." I can't help but feel as if she was discreetly telling me not to sleep. You'd naturally say yes, she is. Funny thing is the passages were printed out way before the service.

Right after church, we headed over to Glorietta where I did a little bit of window shopping since almost everything was on sale. I met with Zee and Hogi after lunch and we babbled at Starbucks till about half an hour before show time. I know since I sleepy I should've ordered coffee but the lure of chocolate cream was too much for me to resist.

Both Hogi and Zshali already attest to how funny and great the play was so I won't say anymore except that I really loved the set and yes, the finale! It was surprising to see Rep do something "unconventional", at least in my own opinion.

If you're wondering if I fell asleep midway. No, I didn't. Thanks largely to both my companions whose loud bursts of laughter kept me at bay. I did manage to catch but a few Zzzs during the intermission.

Coffee Break

A friend sent this advert to us. I won't be able to check if the stores here in the Philippines will be participating in this event because I'll still be in bed. I'm just hoping they do, it's time to give back to the loyal supporters of their expensive coffee. I blame them for becoming the benchmark of coffee shops in terms of pricing. Heck, a drink at Figaro, with their homegrown beans, are priced as much.

*A big Yay!!! to Kopi Roti. At about a price of a coffee cup in Starbucks, you already get your drink and your choice of either a coffee bun or toast plus change.

Bertday

I received a text message from our QM Manager last Saturday informing me and the other leads that we have to come up with a simple surprise on Monday because it was our new manager's birthday. Pressed for time, we decided to come early on Monday and just get everything from the nearby malls.

On our way out, we met Rhommel (our manager) at the lobby of the building. We made up an excuse and hurried to Galleria and Megamall. After having been to a couple of malls you'd think that we already completed our purchases, however, since we were already lugging the huge cake, we purposely left out buying the sodas.

After hiding the cake, we then left once more to go to Shangri-La. On our way there, we came across Rhommel again this time at Lourdes Church. He was just heading back to the office after buying something from the same mall. (Kamusta naman at akala nya wala kaming ginawa kung hindi mamasyal during office hours)

Except for the picture where he was blowing the candle, Rhommel is not in all the other photos. This was because he left at around 8pm when everyone got in to have dinner with a friend. We had to call him under the guise that we have a meeting with our regional manager.

High School Musical

We watched the last show of the 2-weekend run of High School Musical. This was the same show that our group was interested in getting but plans didn't push through. I met with Hogi and Zshali at Megamall around lunch time but instead of having lunch, we decided to stay at Starbucks to catch up on each other's lives...um, let me rephrase that...to catch up on Zshali's life.

Zshali didn't have the slightest intention of watching the musical but having travelled all the way from Laguna, she decided to join me and my sister. Hogi, on the other hand, decided to stay at the tech booth after having seen the musical twice.

I am a big theater fan. Most of the time, I overlook a show's shortcomings that way I always enjoy what I watch. The same goes true for High School Musical since I am taking into consideration the fact that I am not the target audience of the show but I do have several noted areas of improvement. Before that, I have to say though that I love Karel and the effort that the cast put into the production. I also loved the call back scene and the finale.

Brimming with actors, the stage was chaotic. Most of the time, you have to search for the actor speaking or singing in the crowd. Also as Zee pointed out, they could have done more with the set design. It was boring. Ditto with the choreography, I believe the high school musical production number at ASAP was better. I think part of the reason was the fact that they barely have room to move in the stage, much more dance. The lights were also distracting, there were instances that you feel as if you're clubbing instead of watching a show especially during the last few scenes of the second act.

There, most enjoyable for me was watching the enthusiastic kids responding to the cast especially during the audition scenes. I just hope that they get a better venue for the rerun.