Thursday, October 29, 2009

I'm Coming Back To Radio, Sorta...

.:6-9 AM, 99.5 RT, Every Friday!:.

As a guest every Friday on King DJ Logan's show, I'll be there every Friday morning to bring some pre-weekend cheer to everyone.

Hope you guys can give it a listen. It should be loads of fun. =)

Backblogging Lineup, Redux...

1. Hole In My Soul
2. Double Standup last Wednesday
3. Bound And Gagged Megapost
4. Establishing contact yet again
5. Cutting ties

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Just Turned Over The Donation...

.:Win!:.

Just finished turning over the proceeds of last Friday's "Bound And Gagged" to the Real Life Foundation. I cannot be any happier right now than knowing that through the help of everyone who made this event possible, we've managed to contribute to something big.

You know we'll be doing this again sometime soon, folks! I cannot thank all of you enough!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

A Climate Of Heroism

.:Trying To make A Difference:.

The difficulty with trying to do good is that one’s work is never quite done.

This is also the reason why people who genuinely wish to help are always looking for more ways to extend their help to people who need it. Just this morning, I was listening to RX 93.1, where I heard Chico and Delamar announce the first ever Monster Scholar. There were four very deserving candidates, and you could hear the sincere regret in Chico and Delle’s voice upon realizing that only one of these four could win.

But RX, being the awesome station that it is, decided to stretch their limits and granted a scholarship to two of the students in contention, instead of just one. You could just hear the gratefulness from Rachel and Ada as they found out that they will be scholars for the upcoming second semester.

Even then, if they had a choice, I’m sure they would’ve allowed all four candidates to win. As people who wish to help, we truly wish to help, but can’t quite give enough.

While I was talking to some people I met at last night’s amazing Samsung event where I actually ended up getting a phone (Is this instant karma for losing mine last Friday?), I pointed out how in vogue volunteerism suddenly became. Yes, I know, it’s a fad, and it may just fade away sooner than we think, but I’d rather that it became a fad than it never did at all. Whether it’s volunteers for Ondoy/Pepeng, or anything else of the sort, I hope this is one fad that never goes out of style. Who cares if it’s a bandwagon effect? It’s one bandwagon we all should get on, to begin with.

Having said that, here are a few more chances to help out...

.:Comedy And Music For A Cause:.

This Wednesday, aside from the regular open mic show at El Pueblo in Ortigas, there will be a special standup set happening in Ditzy Diner around 8:30PM. Tulong Para Sa Kaibigan is a benefit show of music and comedy for someone who recently suffered a stroke. It’s the least we comedians could do for him.

Here’s hoping we catch you there at Ditzy Diner that night. It would certainly be a big deal.

.:StART Here:.

One of my best friends, Elbert Or, is doing a special fundraiser on November 15, a Sunday, at the Podium, from 10AM to 7PM. Essentially, it’s a free sketch-a-thon for a cause, with hopes for pledges and donations for those affected by typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng, particularly the artists.

This is how Elbert plans to spend his birthday, akin to how “Bound And Gagged” for me was my post-birthday celebration. I hope you guys would support him on this endeavour as it’s certainly a worthwhile one. There’s so much more we can do!

.:I Imagine!:.

Imagine there’s no heaven. It’s easy if you try.

Samsung endeared themselves to me earlier this year with their CSR program that ended up giving aid to Atriev, a computer school for the blind.

With their new shoutout contest happening up to November 30, you can be sure that they’re going to be doing even more, not just with the chance to have your very own statement appearing on Folded And Hung hoodies, but you’ll find that a good chunk of the proceeds for these hoodies will actually also be going to Atriev.

It was great meeting the people behind this campaign last night, as I managed to swap very interesting stories with them, not to mention the fact that I also ended up running into my good friend, Alodia that night. And as if they read my previous post, I ended up with a spanking new phone, courtesy of Samsung. How’s that for instant karma!

Earlier this year, we were beset by “insults” over how we are a “nation of servants”. One can only hope that with these new developments that will hopefully persist, we can now look at ourselves as a “nation of heroes”.

And in all seriousness, I hope whoever stole my phone last Friday is using that money to feed his family right now. I’d be really bummed if he’s using it to feed a drug habit, though.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

I Wanna Live My Life From A New Perspective

.:In Lieu Of A Post About Last Night's "Bound And Gagged"...:.

... I'd like to offer an introspective look at the one sore point of the entire night.

You see, that night, my cellphone got stolen.

Now, you've all heard this before: it's not the phone, it's the contacts, the memories, and everything that matters.

Considering that my phone is a cheap but trusty Nokia phone, that couldn't be any truer, to be sure. That phone was great mainly because it allowed me to store a lot of stuff, but not because it was a high-tech, high-end phone.

It's a bit appalling and disheartening that a thief would ply his trade in a charity fundraiser, but what can we do? These things happen, and sometimes, all you can do is to look at the bright side of things...

I'm an emotional packrat. I try my best to archive anything and everything. I keep count how many standup sets I've had, record practically all of them, make sure that everything is accounted for. I blog autobiographically because I believe that if I don't, a simple human being such as myself would pass on, leave this world, without a trace.

But it's not just about my legacy. That's not the thing I'm concerned about, really, in being an emotional packrat. It's how I deal with arguably my greatest fear, to be honest...

... I'm afraid of Alzheimer's.

I'm afraid that at some point in my life, I would end up forgetting everything. I would lose myself and no longer know who I even am. I would look in the mirror and wonder who I'm looking at, what he did in his life, what his triumphs were, what his failures were.

I blog because I want to still know who I am when my mind can no longer allow me to remember. That someone would tell me, "Marcelle, this is your blog. This is a reflection of who you are."

And yet, no matter how thoroughly I blog, no matter what I do, it would never be more than just a Cliff Notes version of my life. Who I am and what I stand for can never quite be encapsulated by my blog alone. I am more than the sum of my parts.

Which leads me to my phone. Truth be told, it's difficult to restore all the contacts I lost, all the memories I lost, and perhaps most of all, the ideas I had for my standup comedy. I kept a lot of my undeveloped jokes there, meaning to just sit down and develop them with other comedians when the opportunity presents itself.

With Laffapalooza coming up, I was really hoping to do that. I didn't want to come to the contest bereft of good ideas. With what happened, though, I guess I'm genuinely worried about coming up with something new for it by then.

.:Stop There And Let Me Correct It..:.

... I wanna live my life from a new perspective.

Despite all those rather disheartening losses, I know that not only will I survive, but as much as that cellphone did represent a hefty chunk of my life, it not only fails to represent the entirety of who I am and how I think, but it also has managed to represent a side of me that perhaps, I am better off no longer seeing.

It's a forced spring cleaning, so to speak. Longstanding grudges, arguments, reminders of ill feelings, were actually kept in that phone. If I had a very vicious argument with someone via SMS, you can be sure it was going to be there. I kept mementoes of people I should learn to let go of and not bother anymore, for one reason or another.

Yes, I'm an emotional packrat, but maybe I should learn to let go of memories that actually do me no good. Maybe it's high time I allowed the whims of the universe to unpack my baggage for me when it sees fit, although perhaps I should mitigate its effects more next time (Actually, except for the standup ideas, I sorta did. At least 60% of my contacts are on Excel somewhere.).

I'm afraid of losing sense of who I am when my time comes. I'm afraid to forget, I'm afraid to no longer be the only sole reliable witness to my life at this point.

However, I'm far more afraid of witnessing the wrong things, of dwelling on what went wrong rather than what I did right.

"Bound and Gagged" was an excellent show for the ages. I can safely say that it was something that served a worthwhile cause, and something everyone present will remember for a long time to come.

I may have lost a cellular phone, but I gained so much more. I gained a profound appreciation for the people who watched the show (And didn't steal anything... heh.), and I cannot thank enough the performers: Carl Quion (His opening act really energized everyone), Giniling Festival (They were a taste of things to come.), Richie Fernandez (Who had the people rolling in the aisles), Wanlu (Whose puppets really were a sight to behold), Grin Department (Who went a wee bit too long, but really brought their A-game to a very appreciative/shocked audience), Mike Unson (Need I say more about one of the funniest human beings alive?), Ony Carcamo (Who had everyone eating out of the palm of his hand with his unbelievable set.), and of course, my partner, Jay Mata, who is the undisputed master of pain endurance, not only for his feat of walking on broken glass, but more so for putting up with me.

This show also made me very grateful to my sponsors: C2 (Drink of the night!), Jack n Jill Potato Chips (Yum!), Granny Goose Tortillos (Always a favorite of mine), E-Games (Those booth people rock!), Geiser Maclang (Been supporting us for two years now), Sheero Media (KelnJay.com wouldn't exist otherwise), and of course, Nuffnang Philippines (Who really made the show happen with their help). Normally, you thank them just for paying up, but I thank them for not just doing that, but for also being instrumental to helping out a very worthy cause, The Real Life Foundation. I lost a phone, but some people lost far more in Ondoy and Pepeng. It's the least we could do.

How can I even neglect to thank all the people who went in greater detail? From people who listened to the radio when I dropped in yesterday morning, to the walk-in people, to the media friends who covered the show from Hero, NBN, and TV5, to the bloggers, the friends, the family, the TSC magicians, the IMC people, the standup comedians, all of whom I may have failed to mention, we thank you for making the event a grand success.

Thank you, one and all, I'll blog about the actual event next time, but you know Kel and Jay will strike yet again sometime next year. You just know it.

If there is one thing I hope to never forget in time, it is my capacity to be grateful.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Bound And Gagged In Two Days!

I don't know about you guys, but I cannot wait!

Bound And Gagged is happening this Friday already, so see you all at PETA theater! Short, but sweet, I know. I mean, what else can I say other than "you're in for a treat this Friday?"

I'm stoked, real stoked.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Today Is International Thank You Day

.:It's A Good Time To Be Grateful...:.

The fact that I can still find the energy to write at this moment is enough cause to be grateful, to be honest. There's been so much going on as we prepare for October 23, but here I am, still soldiering on, and even finding the time to drop in on Grace Lee and Mojo Jojo on Magic 89.9, and I actually managed to promote my show.

Even dropped in on RT and saw some other jocks there who are pumped up to go and catch the show as well. In fact, I do believe that means I'm guesting on radio again this Friday, this time around 7AM on 99.5. Hehe.

These past few weeks, people have really come to the forefront and given me much cause for gratitude. From friends who are there for you when you need them, to having an awesome boss, to being able to give back for so many blessings through Bound And Gagged, there's so much to be grateful for, indeed.

But you know what? There’s a whole different category I want to be grateful for, seeing as today is international “Thank You” day. Hear me out.

Believe it or not, I'm thankful for the people who hurt me this year.

I'm thankful because I need to learn things through you the hard way. Heaven knows I’d keep doing the same things if I didn’t

Thanks to you, I know better than to believe a person when they tell me they care about me, or worse, that they love me. These are not words people should bandy about with no regard or care, but so many people throw them around as if these words meant nothing. I guess it’s just my luck that I keep running into your type.

Thanks to you, I know who my true friends are. I now know better than to think that I could count on you because when it really matters, you’re never there. It’s sad, but it’s a fact that I need to accept: I expected too much from you, and that was my own damned fault. At least in the future, I’d be warier of whom to go out on a limb for. I have more than enough fair-weathered friends at this point.

Thanks to you, I know better than to trust someone who would only lead me to ruin. You always had an excuse for everything, but in the end, you could never get anything done. That all of you now happen to be comporting yourselves in a manner that could only be described as “boorish” only cements my conviction that I did the right thing in not letting you ruin me any more than you already did.

Thanks to you, I now look before I leap. Though I may have thought the world of you, though I held you in the highest of esteem, I realize that it is nothing short of foolish for me to expect any of that to mean even half as much to you as it does to me. I hold myself to a higher standard. I cannot do the same to you.

Thanks to all of you, because I’ve become a little wiser, a little less naive, and a whole lot more jaded. You are the stellar examples of my dwindling faith in humankind, and a stern reminder to me that life can be good if I stop allowing people like you from polluting my life.

Thank you for letting me learn these lessons the hard way. Now vamoose. I refuse to allow myself to be beset by such vexations to the soul any longer.

I always thank the people who mean a lot to me. I believe that you shouldn’t have to wait for them to die before you could. As such, international “Thank You” day may mean a lot to me, but it’s not something I neglect to do whenever the opportunity presents itself. Thanking these people before I excise them from my life, on the other hand, is something I may never get the chance to do right.

Call it passive-aggressive, if you wish, but I genuinely am grateful for these people. I wish no more ill will upon them beyond what already is happening to them. We only get what we give, after all.

Monday, October 19, 2009

What's Up?

.:So I Said...:.

Hey, what's going on?

Well, lemme clue you in, as it's been a rather hurly-burly weekend that I've been rather pleased as punch about, all things considered.

.:Experimental:.

Last Friday, I tried out all-new material for standup comedy since I didn't want to get too stale with my old stuff. Admittedly, it was a hit or miss affair, especially since I really was a bit apprehensive about a lot of the stuff I wanted to do. Still, it all worked out in the end, and I'm glad I went with that little experiment. I wouldn't have been able to try my stuff out any other way if I didn't.

As usual, though, the magic was still a guaranteed hit, as people really enjoyed watching Fernando The Ferret in action, even if he was a bit stilted with his movements compared to Robby The Raccoon.

It was great bonding with Anna and the other people in Ditzy Diner that night, though, what with the videoke night we had, where I decided to go and sing songs like "Humanap Ka Ng Panget". Heh.

.:Bound And Gagged Is Upon Us...:.




It's THIS FRIDAY, guys! See you there, as we treat you to an amazing night of music, magic, mentalism, and mirth! For a trifle 200 or 300 bucks, you get a top-notch show, and even get the chance to help out our friends affected by the Ondoy and Pepeng typhoons through The Real Life Foundation!

Catch you all there. You have no idea how much time we've put into rehearsing for this show, just making sure we get every little detail right and perfect.

.:Love Still Wins:.

It bears saying... congratulations to my good friends Carlo and Mich for getting hitched!

In a time where it's easy to get jaded and lose sight of how beautiful love could be, these two are a stellar example of how love still does exist, if you let it live on in your heart.

Maybe there's still a wee bit of hope for me, then. :P

.:A Mental Note:.

A friend in need is a friend indeed. For every true friend you have, you probably have ten of the fair-weathered variety. I should know better than to go out on a limb for these people in the future. They're not worth the effort.

.:A Turning Point:.

I know my blogging has been lackluster as of late, but it's all good. Rehearsals throughout the weekend, and then the thesis to worry about, but after all of that has been said and done, I know I'd be back to form as I used to be. I guess I just really need the proper environment to write more creatively. At the moment, I'm just enjoying putting together one helluva show, and October 23 cannot come soon enough!

Friday, October 16, 2009

A Week Of Blessings...

.:It Bears Repeating...:.

Bound and gagged, with Ony and Wanlu, Kel and Jay, Mike Unson and Richie Fernandez, Giniling Festival and Grin Department, is on this October 23, PETA Theater. Tickets are available at the gate, at 200 and 300 depending on your seating, and program is pegged to start at 7:30.

Proceeds of this show will be going to The Real Life Foundation, in aid of the victims of Ondoy and Pepeng and (heaven forbid) Ramil, if it gets to that.

This event is co-presented by Nuffnang Philippines, and is brought to you by C2, Granny Goose Tortillos, Jack 'n' Jill Potato Chips, E-Games, Geiser Maclang, and Goldilocks.

Thanks to our media partners as well, TV5 and Hero TV.

.:Conversations Into The Psyche:.

I must say, speaking to one of the most stellar magicians of our country, Lou Hilario, has afforded me a very unique perspective that I cannot help but appreciate.

Truly, he is one of the greatest minds in magic in the local industry, arguably even the world. He's just that good.

.:A Season Of Grace:.

You can't keep a good cause down.

Rejuvenated by a very generous soul, my main focus for this entire week is nothing but putting out the best show I ever have since "Laughs And Gasps" last year. "Bound And Gagged" is definitely entering an exciting phase as we are but one week away from the show, so I strongly suggest you guys get ready for the ride of your lives.

.:Standup And Watchpad!!!:.

Embarrassed myself twice because I sang "Magasin" and "What's Up", but it was a load of fun, after everything has been said and done, especially since a lot of the bloggers had a good time last night, not to mention found themselves enjoying a spot of SPIT immediately after.

The night before that, I was with Jayvee and Jane, as they actually went to Sidebar to see us do our standup comedy sets. I was definitely appreciative of the support from my friends, as I definitely am personally proud of the progress I've had in my standup sets. Never thought I'd be able to get this far, truth be told.

.:If You're Feeling Down, Don't Let It Keep You Down!:.

Sometimes, it's really easy to let something get to you and ruin your day, but all you need sometimes is a fresh perspective on things. Personally, I'm very wary of letting myself fall into a funk, but it never fails that I end up in one every now and then.

Lately, I've been listening to this song, and though I really can't understand most of the lyrics, I do agree with one particular sentiment: sometimes, when the going gets tough, the best thing to do is to just stop caring and just keep on keeping on. Hearts have been broken, tragedies have been borne, but the human spirit cannot be crushed by any of these adversities if you refuse to let it happen to you.

Is it a matter of will? For the most part, it is.

So throw your hands in the air, and wave 'em like you just don't care, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh...

In the middle of a hurly-burly week filled with preparations for my show, bonding with friends, and enjoying life, I leave you with this song for inspiration...

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

My Acceptance Speech...

.:The Philippine Blog Awards 2009 Not-So-Megapost:.

Lemme start with my quick thank-you video...



It was a crazy night, but it was still a night to remember. As I donned my white Dutch cap and stepped into PETA Theater where our show, Bound And Gagged, will be held on October 23, it was good to run into old friends like Karen and Maro, as we talked about everything from doing a Kanye West ad nauseam to the possibility of having another Bitter Ocampo writing about not winning the award (but not caring that he or she didn’t, no siree…) yet again.

Thing is, while I was nominated for the Top 10 Best Blog Posts Of The Year, I certainly didn’t expect to win at all. I still believe that my best post ever was The Rick Astley Megapost, but as luck would have it, my nominated post turned out to be rather… intriguing.

This year’s theme was “One Blogging Nation”, and as I saw a Jose Rizal analogue talking to an Andres Bonifacio analogue (Both, I believe, played by Vince Golangco.), I realized how much I see my post in the hilarious video clip. Still, did that tell me I had a shot at winning? Hades, no. With amazing writers like DJ and even the crew of TNL, I felt like a gnat surrounded by giants.

But lo and behold, when they started awarding the Top 10 posts, I was the first one they called onstage, and I was stunned. So I went up onstage, and I was still wide-eyed and I could hear the heckler’s section, composed of myself, Maro, Ade, and Noelle, and they were delivering their ribs at me audibly from the back. I didn’t care. I was just gobsmacked, and for the rest of the night, I was clutching that trophy like it was never going out of style.

I’d like to also congratulate sir Jim Paredes for winning, as well as fellow rusher, the Professional Heckler for winning. I’d mention Aileen, Noemi, Janette, as well, but if I went on, I’d end up congratulating everyone who won. Maro won a couple of awards, too, and of course, he got the much-coveted Commentary blog award, among other things. Ade went home empty-handed, hence his rather bitter post.

Mica was a big winner that night, though, as she won the blogger’s choice award, and well-deservedly so. See the picture here courtesy of Fritz.


Maro, Mica, and I are winners. Ade is not. Neener neener neener...

In all seriousness though, I’d like to thank Ian Uy, whose post, abrasive thought it may have been, inspired me to come up with my first Lost Gems post.

Sometimes, it’s the tough questions that makes you look really long and hard at yourself, and from there, you manage to draw out the truest, purest, most well thought-out response. Yeah, the post was a bit humorous and all, but it did get its point across rather well.

Ian, I have but one last rejoinder to you…

You said in your post that Koreans have something to be proud of, while in contrast, you find it difficult to find anything to be proud of in this country, with all the corruption, lack of discipline, and apathy that mires the Philippines. It’s difficult, to say the least, and it’s certainly a bit bleak at times, perhaps even hopeless in some other cases.

In light of the Ondoy and Pepeng tragedies, and the everyday heroes that rose through the ashes to help each other, despite all the politicking, despite all the looting and racketeering, think upon those who chose to rise above all of that pettiness and just genuinely help others just because it’s a good thing to do.

I hope, dear Ian, that in the aftermath of these storms, you finally found a reason to be proud to be a Filipino. I know I did. :)

Thanks for giving me a chance to look deeply into the core of my psyche and find in myself why I’m proud to be a Filipino, no matter what idiotic government we may be under, or whatever latest international brouhaha we commit faux pas after faux pas in. When push comes to shove, the Filipino can.

One blogging nation. Now, more than ever, I believe this to be true.

But darn, I still think the Rick Astley post should've won.

Here are the list of winners of the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards:

SPECIAL AWARDS
Best Blog Design – The Site Guy
Best Filipino Blog Abroad – The Warped Zone
Best Foreign Blog – My Sari Sari Store
Blogger’s Choice – Micamyx
Best Filipiniana Blog – Pilipino Komiks

TEN BEST POSTS OF THE YEAR

Karnabal by Tuyong Tinta ng Bolpen
Finding Your Soul Mate: A Statistical Analysis
by Guttervomit
Lost Gems Of Philippine History: The 1896 Board Meeting by It’s true! It’s true!
The Diving Boys of Quezon Bridge by Dennis Villegas
Twenty Pesos by Lostphotograph
The way of the leaf by SMOKE
Portrait of a dramatic highlight in Nick Joaquin’s A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino by Gibbs Cadiz
Kaya Dumarami ang Bading Kasi… by Manila Gay Guy
The Parable of the Furry White Rabbit by Good Times Manila
The Amazing Bulul: A Story of Epiphany by The Cat Whisperer

BEST BLOGS

Best Technology Blog – Jaypee Online
Best Travel Blog – Langyaw – Sojourns and Off-the-Beaten Path Travels
Best Entertainment Blog – Lessons From the School of Inattention
Best Personal Blog – Writing on Air
Best Food & Beverage Blog – Table for Three, Please
Best Family & Living Blog – Make or Break
Best News & Media Blog – Virtual Journals
Best Business Blog – Negosyo Ideas
Best Sports Blog – Fire Quinito
Best Hobby & Recreation Blog – Bearbrick Love
Best Fashion Blog – Who is Elyoo?
Best Photoblog – I Am a Documentary Photographer
Best Culture and Arts Blog – magnetic-rose.net: Japanese Pop Culture for Filipino Fans
Best Commentary Blog – The Marocharim Experiment
Best Videocast Blog – Entrepbuff.com
Best Podcast Blog – Brink Notes Entertainment Daily
Best Humor Blog – The Professional Heckler
Best Gaming Blog – Blog Mike Got Game!
Best Advocacy Blog – Autism Society of the Philippines
Best Beauty Blog – The Doctor Is vaIN



NOT a winner: Noisy, Noisy Man

On Sidebar And Friendster

.:Catch You In Sidebar Tomorrow!:.

After a very unique standup set last Friday night, I’ll be back at Sidebar with the other comedians this Wednesday night. Catch us at El Pueblo! :)

Last Monday's Cartel show at Spicy Fingers was definitely a riot.

.:Friendster’s Interesting Turn Of Events:.

Met up last week with Ben Dunn of Friendster last week, and it was certainly a very cool meeting to say the least.

Admittedly, most of my circles use Facebook exclusively at this point, but given the nature of Friendster and the notorious hElLoW pOwH users, who can blame them, right? Still, Ben was very clear with what he had to say: if we’re not keen on Friendster given how they are right now, we’re simply not the target market.

Despite that, it doesn’t mean Friendster is just stuck the way it is. They’re definitely working on improving their services quite noticeably, and with it, recapturing some of the market that they lost. Friendster, despite its fall from favour with most of the people I know, still has quite a large market to tap into, and definitely has a place in the online scheme of things.

The meeting was rather insightful, and as usual, my Achie was gorgeous. That’s sort of a given, actually.

I wish Friendster all the best. I still keep my account to this day, and unlike my other social networks, I strictly add people in there only if they’re really my friend.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Chip-In For October 23's Bound And Gagged

.:Well, It Had To Be Done:.

I'll write more about the Philippine Blog Awards some other time, but for now, if anyone wishes to help Bound And Gagged become a success, here's the Chip In widget for it!

As you all know, proceeds of this event will be going to The Real Life Foundation, who are currently helping out in relief efforts for Ondoy and Pepeng.

See you guys on October 23!

Friday, October 09, 2009

Weather You Like It Or Not...

.:A Stroke Of Luck:.

Before last night’s blackout struck, I managed to finish my comedy set in Sidebar Café, where we apparently will be doing standup every Wednesday from this point on.

Having said that, it was a very entertaining night, as we spent most of it bonding with each other in spite of the blackout. It was particularly amusing how the people from St. Luke’s and I interacted, considering the whole “case of the ex” episode I didn’t expect to encounter recently.

Nonetheless, I’m excited about how standup has been treating me lately, as I prepare myself for November’s Laffapalooza 3 on Jack TV. Who knows what the future holds, right?

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Wheee!!!

.:October 23 Is Almost Upon Us:.

Much love goes out to our sponsors, Nuffnang, Sheero Media, C2, Granny Goose Tortillos, and Jack ‘n’ Jill Potato Chips! We are definitely excited as preparations are underway for “Bound and Gagged”, and needless to say, with over a hundred tickets sold already, you really don’t want to miss out on this, as seating is only for about 450 guests, and more tickets are already being snapped up, as we speak.

See you there, guys, and be wowed and amazed by the magic and mentalism of the Penn and Teller of the Philippines, Kel and Jay; the inimitable ventriloquism of Ony Carcamo and Wanlu; the wit and humor of Richie Fernandez and Mike Unson; and the unmistakable music of Grin Department and Giniling Festival.

We are doing this show for the benefit of The Real Life Foundation, one of the organizations that first mobilized during the Ondoy tragedy. We hope that this is a good way to continue the good work this country has done for the sake of those afflicted by this typhoon.

Catch you guys on October 23! It’s definitely going to be a blast!

… but before that, do drop in on the Philippine Blog Awards tomorrow as well, as yours truly is nominated as one of the top 10 best blog posts of the year. And, oh, like us, their event Is happening in PETA Theater, and they were more than kind to provide very clear directions! :D

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Well, I'm Off...

.:First Of All...:.

... happy birthday to my grandmother!

.:Oh, You, Ice Queen...:.

There's something just unbelievably irresistible about you, even if you're an ice queen and all that jazz.

To be honest, it's not everyday I meet someone who's as brilliant and engaging as you are all at the same time. It's just that you seem to enjoy frowning more than smiling, and I'm strongly reminded of Daria whenever I see you.

But hey, be that as it may, my dear ice queen, you are made of win.

Nuninu.

Friday, October 02, 2009

Two Things, Really...

1. Stay safe, everyone! Off-color jokes aside, mababasa tayo ni Pepeng. I can't say much else beyond that right now.

2. I love my company ID!


Muhahaha

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Bound And Gagged: A Show With Heart

.:Bound And Gagged Is Happening On October 23!:.




It’s still on, guys, and now the stakes are higher!

In light of the recent typhoon Ondoy, the fact that this show is happening for the benefit of The Real Life Foundation could not be more timely.

This is a show for a cause. A show meant to entertain people who want to see magic, comedy, ventriloquism, mentalism, and even music in one excellent package.

You get the magic of Kel and Jay.

You get the ventriloquism of Ony and Wanlu.

You get the comedic genius of Mike Unson and Richie Fernandez.

You even get the musical stylings of Giniling Festival and Grin Department.

Again, this show is a benefit show for the Real Life Foundation. Happening on October 23 in PETA Theater, you can enjoy and help a good cause at the same time. This is not a show for profit, but a show with heart.

This is “Bound And Gagged”, the sequel to last year’s “Laughs And Gasps”.

See you there!

Thoughts On A Fine Thursday...

.:A Weird Birthday, To Say The Least…:.

Spent my birthday mostly just figuring out how to hasten contributions to my October 23 show and immediately channeling them to relief efforts instead of mere gift packs. I think it was a good call, really.

Having said that, I dropped in on RT and saw my former co-jocks from WAVE 891, Robi and Don. It was hilarious having the three of us together again, since not only did I get to promote the show on the air, they even started having fun over my being straight edge. It was a laugh trip, as they tried to get girls to call/go to the station and seduce me, all to no avail.

One particular caller even put on her best bedroom voice to seduce me, but all it did was drive Robi nuts.

Considering how long I’ve know these guys, it felt like a mini-reunion of sorts. Admittedly, the geeky one in the equation will often be the butt of jokes, but hey, it’s all good.

Afterwards, just bonded with a good friend and mentor, Koji Morales, as we updated each other about what’s been going on in life recently. It’s been a hectic week for me, but hey, it’s nothing I couldn’t handle at the moment.

Thanks to the people who remembered my birthday and actually cared enough to greet me. It was a very unique birthday because I was way too preoccupied with everything else but my own birthday, to begin with. In a roundabout way, that could only be a good thing, I guess.

.:Benefit Concerts:.

Though Ondoy has passed, there’s still so much more to be done. Even if Ondoy never hit, there still would be so much more to be done.

That being said, last night, I watched a special fundraiser show in Mag:Net Bonifacio High Street that featured a very rare treat: a special performance from the band called Narda.

I believe today, there will be another special fundraiser in Mandaluyong Gym, featuring the likes of Itchyworms, Sugarfree, and Imago. To watch, just bring relief goods! How awesome a price of entrance can that be?!?

There are so many different ways to help right now, guys, from disseminating information to actually taking part in relief operations to performing for a cause. You pretty much have no excuse at this point to not do anything at all, even if only to look out for the people you care about.

Last weekend, I found myself salvaging a ton of stuff from the house while Ondoy flooded our house. Admittedly, the flood wasn’t that bad – a mere two steps on our stairs, compared to other places. Then again, this is Katipunan. You don’t expect this place to flood just like that, so it was understandably something we weren’t quite prepared for.

Despite that, we made it through safe and sound, and any damages we may have had, be it in my magic items or other similar things, have been minimal at worst, negligible at times.

So at this point, I can now turn my attention to doing what I can, given my limitations. I can only hope everyone else would, too. I know it can be a bit thankless, if reports of hostile evacuees are true, but we do what we must.