Fireworks at the UPD Lantern Parade

12.18.2009
UP Ampitheater

We actually missed the Lantern Parade, but not the fireworks =)

Hanibersari hangover

This is me blogging about the anniversary date...again. I still can't get over Bibing's anniversary date surprise -- Lea Salonga...Your Songs concert. We both have a roster of adjectives to describe the Lea musical experience: Awesome! Incredible! Fantastic! Superb! Enchanting! But overall, it's a WOW!

We always follow Lea's column at the Inquirer every Thursday. This Thursday's column was something I was especially looking forward to. I was hoping that she would say something about her experience shaping up for the concert and what she thinks about her audience's reception.

And here she did (reposting from Inquirer.net)!

So, how was the weekend? 

By Lea Salonga

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 22:37:00 12/16/2009

SINGAPORE — In a word, my weekend was haaaaaanep!

I could describe the entire week leading up to “Your Songs” as a big high, one that I haven’t descended from.

Allow me now to tell you exactly how the week went, day by day.

***

Dec. 7 — A rehearsal was scheduled for two intensive numbers: “Rehab” with the Philippine All-Stars and the segment with Ai Ai de las Alas.

When I arrived at the Arts in Taguig City dance studio, the All-Stars were already rehearsing. I had seen them in performance and on countless YouTube videos. I was intimidated; I thought I’d be made to pop and lock. But Lema Diaz’s choreography was incredibly feminine (think “Dreamgirls” -like hip sways and tons of tough chick attitude), and I would be dancing with just the girls.

There were moments of sheer confusion, but I got it eventually in two hours. The Ai Ai section took all of half an hour to learn. Dance supervisor Cecile Martinez gave Ai Ai and me lots of room to play around.

After rehearsals, I headed to Rajo Laurel’s studio in Poblacion, Makati to fit my costumes. First fittings are always a bit rough … seconds and thirds bring far more relief.

Dec. 8 — I was called in at 2 p.m. I was singing as I headed to the 2nd-floor rehearsal room when I bumped into Richard Poon. First on the agenda was our love songs medley, with Gerard (Salonga) at the piano. There were a few songs Richard wasn’t familiar with, so when we recorded those, Gerard sang Richard’s parts.

When Ai Ai arrived, FILharmoniKA greeted her with applause and laughter. She gave us a hint of the sort of humor she would unleash during the show. Afterwards, everyone wanted a photo taken with her.

Last to rehearse was Jett Pangan, front man of The Dawn. He was our surprise guest, so everyone armed with a camera was sworn to secrecy! After we rehearsed our Pinoy bands medley, I kept on with more solo work, figuring out how to keep up with Jett’s electrifying vocals. We’ve been friends for a long time, but have never sung together. He’s also kind of a legend, I wanted everything to sound just right.

Dec. 9 — I was in rehearsal for the musical theater medley at 9:30 a.m. and kept going till noon, with just FILharmoniKA and my backup singers Elke, Marisse and Sammy.

Dec. 10 — It’s the first time we would be on stage. At 4 p.m., I was called in with the All-Stars to space “Rehab.” The performance space was different from what the rehearsal studio afforded; we needed to adjust. I had obsessively practiced the choreography at home; still, I tripped up here and there.

Bobby Garcia blocked the guests and me through all the numbers. We then sound-checked songs with FILhamoniKA for the benefit of sound designer Bobbit Jacinto.

During the actual dress run, Rajo Laurel and his staff took notes: pink dress too long, she’s fiddling with her black blouse, that red tuxedo isn’t right, given how much rock she’s singing. Juan Sarte (make-up) and Jeffrey Aromin (hair) were in the house to see what looks would suit each outfit.

At 9:30 p.m., we ran the show for a house full of friends, some members of the press, family and colleagues. The consensus: Good, but way too long. After the run, Bobby, Chari, Gerard and I huddled in a corner and started making cuts. From 3 hours, we shaved off about 45 minutes.

I had blisters on my feet, and my hips hurt. Awesome.

Dec. 11 — Richard Poon was called in early. Our love songs medley had been cut and reconfigured, so we needed to rehearse again.

We had agreed to start the show at 8:30 p.m., given the holiday traffic. I made one huge mistake: I had a huge cup of coffee too close to show time. At the start of the show, I was so dehydrated that things were sticking in places and I was a bit uncomfortable, vocally. Ugh.

After the show, we needed to add something to the encore. I asked Gerard to bring in a song that I really enjoy performing in concert, “Everybody Says Don’t” by Stephen Sondheim.

Dec. 12 — Second nights are generally better for me. I pull out all the stops, take a few more risks and go for broke, because I won’t be singing the next day.

I think the guests felt the same way. As great as they were last night, they were magical tonight.

Ai Ai was in incredible form. The audience wanted an encore so I called her out — and the crowd went wild! We reprised a bit of “Halik” and she was sent off with cheers. I do hope to work with her again.

***

It’s Tuesday morning and I’m sitting in a Singapore hotel room typing out this column, still giddy.

It’s time to start thinking of what to do next! Any ideas?

Two years of wedded bliss!

We are just too happy to have found each other...and the word happy is even an understatement at that.

And quoting our song, we are only too grateful that..."God blessed the broken road that led us straight to (you) each other."

Cheers to many more years of loving, laughing with, and living with each other! 

Dinner with Glen

UP Ayala Technohub
12.13.2009

Went out to dinner with our best man, Glen, right after the Carols by Candlelight concert at the UP CRL -- where we got married two years ago =)

Our anniversary date!

My husband's been giving me hints for the past two months about his big anniversary date surprise. I have this knack of spoiling his surprises kasi, but this time around, I decided not to bite into it. Sige, I'll leave room for the surprise =)

And then came THE Saturday. I had a bit of an idea that we're headed somewhere in Roxas Boulevard. Nah, he didn't keep the suspense for two months just to treat me to the Mall of Asia to see the fireworks, did he?! What is so special about malling?!?!

We roamed around a bit at the mall. I was quiet all the time. When we entered A Venetto for dinner, I was so close to breaking into tears of disappointment. Then he finally told me, that that was not the date yet. He took out something from his pocket -- tickets to Lea Salonga's concert! Awww...I was still teary-eyed, not anymore of disappointment, but of happiness. He got me! Magaling rin pala s'ya magtago ng surprise =)

We both had a fantastic night! Lea is incredibly superb, grabe!

Thank you, Bibingko. I love you more everyday.

(Our wedding anniversary's on the 15th. The concert was held at the PICC, December 12th.)