Book Launch: Stupid is Forever by Miriam Defensor-Santiago at Trinoma

#latepost #so2014

Finally, I found the photos I took during the launch of Miriam Defensor-Santiago's newest book "Stupid is Forever" in National Book Store, Trinoma last December. 

It was a riot!! Everybody wanted to be in the same room as The Madam Senator! I don't normally expose my fan-girl tendencies but that day I couldn't help it. Imagine... I went to Trinoma earlier than expected-- way before its opening time...several minutes before 10 in the morning, which to a night owl like me is torture. Aww!

I don't normally (make it never) wait outside the mall for it to open, which I realised is a habit of some Pinoys. Don't you notice some kababayans waiting outside SM malls, etc to open? I don't know why (I know it's none of my business), but they do it. Anyway, there's always a first time for everything. 

I arrived at Trinoma dumbfounded, upon seeing there was a long queue near the entrance. Really, everyone knew and went out of their way for this?? Yes, I was not alone who's filled with excitement to meet Her. Apparently, this was a foreshadowing of a Miriam frenzy about to occur.

I, and the rest of the citizens of this republic who are active on social media, found out about it through the Senator's official Facebook Fan Page. The announcement implied that the meet-up was on a first-come, first-served basis. The first 200 attendees would have a chance for a "photo-op"with her, provided that they buy her book on the event. The first 100 got the signed ones (!!) I wonder what it --the signature on the book-- looked like. I was number 160-ish. That was after I made a successful sprint -- to me, a spontaneous cardio-- that looked like I was on a chase scene in World War Z. I got out of it alive, though.

It took quite a while, hindi pa naman inugat ang legs ko sa pila... but she appeared anyway around 1 in the afternoon. Everyone was cheering, some were even screaming her name. That day, it was like meeting Miriam The Rockstar! 

Sayang, wala akong autograph from her. 

Dala-dala ko pa naman yung isa niyang libro from way way back: A Frabjous Day.

Sayang, hindi ako naglakas nang loob, tulad nang iba, na makipag-selfie. Sana kinapalan ko na lang yung mukha ko. Eh di sana lumevel up ang bragging rights ko.

Sayang, wala akong backer at kontak sa loob. Ni hindi namin siya ma-guest sa show kung saan isa ako sa writers. 

Pero, okay na rin. Stupid is Forever nga 'di ba?

Whohooo!

Below are some snapshots.

T-BIRD AT AKO QUOTABLE QUOTES (TO BE UPDATED)

ISABEL: ANO KAYA KUNG MAKAKITA AKO NG BABAE NA PHYSICALLY-ATTRACTED AKO? ANO KAYA PAKIRAMDAM KO?
BABETTE: GUSTO MO MALAMAN ANG TOTOO? KAHIT NASA ALASKA KAYO, PAGPAPAWISAN KA NANG MALAPOT.
 BABETTE: PINAPAPAWISAN KA, AH. MALAPOT.
SYLVIA: TUMAHIMIK KA.
BABETTE: HINDI, TOTOO NGA.
SYLVIA: SHUT UP.

Surprises: Writing for an Awards Night

#so2014 #latepost

In my career as a writer, there are still many things I have yet to do and experience. None of those includes plagiarism, though. Like many of us, I craft a Bucket List and hope someday I could cross all, if not most, of the items on that file. That day, I did nothing of that sort.

This particular event was never on that list, not even in my wildest imagination. I welcomed it with a big embrace, still. Clueless but excited. Nonetheless, I was thrilled to write for an Awards Night, thanks to my co-writer at work (hello and thank you, Ate if you're reading this!) who recommended me to a well-known TV director (hello, congrats on the recent feat Direk, if you come across this post!), who directed the show.

It was nerve-racking. I was put on the spot. I wish I had taken a class on improv, who knows, may be I had acted differently. And like a principle applied on improv: You just have to go with the flow. Thank goodness I have this sense of "bahala na" attitude, which on that day was put to the test.

One thing I learned: it's better to try regardless of the outcome than to have never tried at all. Where's the fun in not trying? Fear is something that we should get used to, and it should not be something that stops us from accomplishing things.

So here's a quick roundup of what happened: I was told about the event the night before. I went there, met everyone, brainstormed. And wrote the script. On the Spot... A few hours before the main event. How did I do it? With great difficulty, of course. Have you ever heard of that term "cram-berries?"

As the Destiny's Child song goes, I'm a Survivor (whut), I'm not gon give up (whut), I'm not gon stop (whut)... I did work harder. I did not know what I was doing but I was grateful I was in the hands of a very supportive team who's a pro on these kinds of events. I did not bother, meaning it wasn't top of my priority, to get a very high pay on this one. I'd be rich in terms of learnings, anyway.

It was nice to have a host who can deliver the spiels you've written, perhaps not verbatim, but still get the idea across the audience with great ease and then sprinkle it with his own brand of humor. That kept everyone entertained despite the predictability of such events.

Among the A-list celebrities who attended were: GMA News Anchor Arnold Clavio, MOWELFUND chair Boots Anson-Roa, showbiz personalities like Angel Locsin, Robin Padilla and the controversial politician E.R. Ejercito.

Here are some snapshots of the said event.

MARS 2014: SHEENA HALILI & CHARIZ SOLOMON

Mars #latepost #so2014

Super fun girl talk with them girls, Starstruck Alumni Sheena Halili and Chariz Solomon.
Sheena accomplished a handy DIY project while Chariz offered a healthy alternative via the baked veggies dish on Mars Masarap. Also fun to see the girls doing the exercise with the ever bubbly fitness trainer Jay-R Bautista.

And the MSG topic was very informative. I bet many of us are unaware or misled by the "fake healthy foods" out there. Beware!!

MARS: BOOBSIE, SHELLY HIPOLITO, RENZ VALERIO, BRYAN BENEDICT

Here's a little something for this Throwback Thursday. We go way back November of last year. This is from the TV show called MARS.

MARS is a lifestyle/magazine show all about moms which airs 7 to 8 weeknights on GMA News TV. I had quite a number of laughs on this episode, featuring comedian Boobsie and Kapuso artists Shelly Hipolito, Renz Valerio and Bryan Benedict.

Also on the episode was fitness expert Ken Uy, who owns the Bodyworx Gym located along West Avenue, on the same building as La Vie En Rose dance club. He showed the NovemBurn workout.

The MSG topic was: Thoughts When Your Crush Finally Speaks To You. (cuttte!)