Junto al Pasig

A week ago, I received an email from the Humanities Department of UP Los Baños. It was about a stage play they we're having from one of Jose Rizal's works.

I have very high respect for theater actors because at some point in my life, I was one.

So when they requested that I write about them, I happily obliged.

The following information was taken from their official press release.

In celebration of Jose Rizal’s 150th Birth Anniversary, University of the Philippines Los Baños SAMASINING, together with the Theatre Communication class of this semester, will be staging EljayDeldoc’s Filipino adaptation of Jose Rizal’s Junto al Pasig.

During the teenage years of Dr. Jose Rizal, he wrote Junto al Pasig as a commissioned work for the feast of the patroness of Ateneo, Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. The play was first performed by Rizal’s schoolmates on the 8th of December 1880 at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, with music written by a Spanish Professor, Blas Echegoyen.

To be directed by Prof. Dennis Gupa, the play will be held at the NCAS Auditorium, UPLB on August 31 to Sept. 3 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. UPLB SAMASINING, the laboratory arm of the Department of Humanities, has produced plays of high quality that deepen the student’s knowledge about and application of the arts and humanities at the secondary and collegiate levels through the years.

Here are some of the official photo's from the play:

Tickets are worth 200php. For inquiries, contact Ms. Sophia Osorio at 09172097350.


What are you waiting for? Watch na.


P.S. I am not connected to the group SAMASINING nor am I a student of UPLB. All pictures and press releases have been provided by Ms. Mary Concepcion A. Lonzano from the Women’s Residence Hall of UPLB.

Bacolod Trip 6: Going Back Home

So this is the last part of my Bacolod trip story.

First of all, Im really sorry for the late post. I'm swamped with work, wala na akong time mag-blog tulad ng dati.

Mag facebook at mag tweet nalang ang pwede hehe.

Syempre naman, I wouldn't want to post a half-baked blogpost.

Ika nga nila, patience is a virtue.

Si here we go.

***********

Nagising ako, tanghali na.

Keri lang kasi wala na akong planong gumala dahil flight ko na pabalik ng Manila in a few hours.

Inumpisahan kong mag-impake ng bag.

Mga damit ko nakakalat sa sahig, sa upuan, sa lamesa, sa banyo.

I'm a slob. I know.

Pagdating ng 12nn, nag check out na ako sa hotel.

Sosyal, 3D/2N at 2k lang binayaran ko.

I wish they made more hotels this nice yet this affordable.

Matapos ang mga seremonyas ng pag che-check-out, pumara ako ng taxi at dumeretso na ako sa SM Bacolod.

I was going to meet up with RJ and the van going to the airport was also at SM.

After an hour, dumating itong si RJ at naglibot kami saglit bago niya ako inihatid sa sakayan ng van.

Pagdating ko sa airport, wala ako sa mood tumayo or maglibot and my flight was leaving in 2 hours.

Dumeretso ako sa check-in counter.

I gave them my ticket and the other documents they needed.

Biglang...

"Sir, kelan po ang return flight niyo?", tanong ni ate na nasa check-in counter.

"July 26. Today.", sagot ko.

"Sir hindi po yun ang nasa ticket niyo"

Medyo kinabahan ako.

"Ha? Paanong mangyayari yun eh ako ang nagbook niyan. July 26 ang return flight ko. Kaya nga ako nandito eh."

"Sir August 26 po ang nasa ticket niyo"

She showed me my ticket.

Nanlaki ang mata ko.

But I was in denial.

"Miss pa check naman baka error lang yan", I stupidly answered.

They checked their system. They checked it twice.

August 26 din ang nasa system nila na return flight ko.

"Oh shit! Oh holy mary mother of fuck!", I said to myself.

I was screwed.

Pinawisan ako ng sobrang lamig.

"Sir kung gusto niyo pong mag-rebook nandun po yung ticketing office namin", she suddenly said seeing as how I was starting to panic.

Kinuha ko ang documents koat tumakbo ako sa ZestAir ticketing office.

The flight back to manila was in less than 2 hours.

I entered the ticketing office and told the man what had happened to me.

"Eh Sir ganun talaga. Iba yung date sa return flight niyo eh", biglang sabi ng ticketing officer.

Ayyyyy... Oh no he didn't.

"Magkano ba kung kukuha ako ng bagong ticket?", I asked sarcastically.

He took out a calculator and started computing.

After a few minutes, he got a piece of paper and wrote something.

"Eto yung babayaran mo", he said and shoved the piece of paper in front of me.

I was a stone's throw away from having a nervous breakdown and this douchebag suddenly shoves a piece of paper in front of me?!

Pinilit kong kumalma dahil baka madala ako sa moment at magdilim ang paningin ko.

"Pwede bang card ang ipambayad?", I asked.

"Hindi pwede. Wala kaming pangswipe ng card. Cash lang", sagot ng puta.

"No I mean, if I can have this booked online, can I pay that amount lang?", I clarified.

"Hindi po pwede kasi amount yan ng rebooking at kung kukuha kayo online, 24 hours ang confimation time", he said coldly.

I swear to all my Gods, muntik ko talagang sinuntok yung Ticketing Officer ng Zest Air.

I've had enough of it.

I was stuck in Bacolod, I didn't have enough money to buy a new ticket and to top it all of, the douchebag in the ticketing office was being a complete asshole.

I-train nga yan for empathy and how to be deliver good customer service.

I-train siya ng 2 years.

So there I was at the Bacolod airport. Stranded.

I had an idea. I didn't know if it would work but I was desperate and willing to try anything.

I was going to do what I do when I get stuck in sticky situations.

I took out my phone.

I dialed.

*ring ring*

"Hello?"

"Hello Ma?", I said.

Yes dear readers. I called my mother.

I told her what happened.

Hindi ko alam kung naaawa siya or natatawa sa akin.

She told me to go to PAL and ask how much a ticket back to Manila was and just text her the amount.

I entered the ticketing office of PAL.

The officer greeted me with such a warm smile.

I told him what happened.

"Alright, there's a flight back to Manila at 6PM. The ticket costs 5000 pesos..."

"Oh shit", I whispered to myself.

"... Hold on. Alright, there's a ticket for the same flight and it costs 1350 pesos."

"Oh thank God. I need to go get money first. Can you please hold the ticket for me?", I asked.

"I can hold it but only until 4:30pm"

That was in an hour and 30 minutes.

"Okay, I'll be back with the payment"

I called up my mom and told her the amount.

She went to Western Union and wired me the money.

Before I knew it, I was back at the airport with the money.

I paid my ticket.

I was finally on my way back home.

Homage To A Great Blogger

Pagbukas ko ng Facebook ko, isang news feed ang pumukaw sa atensyon ko.

"Ang Huling El Bimbo"

Napaisip ako kung ano ito.

Ikinagulat ko ang aking nabasa.

Nagpapaalam na si Bookie sa blog niya. Last post na daw niya yun.

I could imagine the heartbreak his readers felt when they read this.

I've known Bookie since May 19, 2010. But before that, I was just one of his many many fans.

2008 nang mahanap ko ang blog ni Bookie.

I was searching for Power Rangers when his blog came up.

Binasa ko.

I was instantly hooked.

Everyday since then, I would visit his blog hoping for an update.

It became my happy pill.

Hindi pa ako out when I started reading his blog, I wasn't even out when he met me.

What I loved about his blog was that it was my safe-haven.

Within his blog, I felt safe. I felt at home. I felt that I can be myself.

Exaggerated? Who gives a flying fig.

He became my idol, and I would proudly say that to anyone.

Though he may have stopped writing on his blog, it doesn't erase the fact that Bookie,through his blog, became an inspiration to many whether he knows it or not.

His writing empowered his closeted reader and even gave some the courage to finally come out.

Bookie was the very first person I came out to because I saw something in him that gave me strength.

He promised me that things are better on the other side.

He was right.

I'm glad I listened.

Im sounding like a total fanboy right now. Again, who gives a flying fig.

Im happy that he is finally in good terms with his family. I know that that is something he's always wanted.

No more holidays or birthdays alone. No more coming home to an empty house.

See Bookie, the happy ending we writers envision can also come true.

So to end this, let me quote a line from my favorite musical, Wicked.

"Because I knew you, I have been changed for good."


So long and farewell Call Center Confidential.

The blogging world will never be the same without you.

Do Not Disturb

I was swamped with work earlier today.

I literally only got up to get water, use the bathroom, or smoke.

So there I was, typing frantically and researching stuff I needed.

It was noisy yet tolerable so I still wasn't losing focus.

I was fully concentrated on what I was doing because I wanted to finish everything as soon as possible.

Then, all of a sudden, one of my officemates come to my desk.

"Hello", she said.

"Hello", I answered trying not to break focus on what I was doing.

"May tanong ako."

"Ano yun?", I asked, eyes glued to my monitor.

"Ano yung Eba Panda?"

"Ha?", I asked a little confused.

"Ano yun?"

"Hindi ko alam", I answered.

"Eh alam mo daw yun eh"

"Hindi ko nga alam"

"Eh sabi ni ano alam mo daw yun", she insisted.

I was getting annoyed.

I was really busy.

"Hindi ko nga alam yun.", I answered trying to keep my voice calm.

"Eh ano nga yun?"

"Hindi ko nga alam!", I was getting really pissed at this point.

"Eh alam mo daw yun eh"

"Hindi nga! Dun ka na, I'm busy"

This should have been her signal to go away. But no. What she said after that, I did not expect.

"You're not busy. Hindi ka naman nagtratrabaho eh!"

Oh dear lord almighty in heaven. I swear to God, muntik nang nagdilim ang paningin ko.

I clutched the arm rest of my chair because I might suddenly lose it and take a swing at her.

"Busy ako. Dun ka na.", I said trying to be as calm as possible.

"Hindi ka naman busy eh!", she blurted out. Again!

Oh sweet baby Jesus of the holy saints and the holy trinity, inulit pa niya.

INULIT PA NIYA!

"Im busy! Go away!", I scoffed.

"Fine. Sige na nga byebye"

Mabuti nalang umalis siya because I was at this point wherein, my efforts were not enough to control my temper anymore.

And Im not sure if she was oblivious to the fact na nakatingin na sa kanya ang mga team mates ko kanina.

Just because you see me walking around the office and taking a break every now and then, it doesn't mean hindi ako nagtratrabaho.

Kayo ang gumawa ng trabaho ko, let's see how you'd fair at it.

I let it pass this time hoping she won't bother the same way again.

Because I might not be as gracious the next time.

P.S. Dear readers, pagbigyan niyo na ako. I just needed to vent out. Thank you.

Bacolod Trip 5: A Few More Stops

Here are a few more places I went to while I was wreaking havoc in the peaceful city of Bacolod.

Funny, the one day of the week that the Museum is closed was the day we went there.

Bacolods version of 168 Mall in Divisoria

This is the gayest thing I found in Bacolod so picture picture.

Pope John Paull II Tower

I was tempted to sit on this. Seriously.

The whole time I went around Bacolod, RJ was with me. He was literally my tour guide.

On my second day in Bacolod, once we came from the City Hall, we went to RJ's house because his Mom wanted to meet me.

She prepared dinner and can I just say, she cooked the best shrimps I've ever tasted. 

I also tasted stingray/manatee for the first time. Niluto sa gata. It was so yummy.

There was also chicken inasal and also a dish made from gabi shoots. It looked like adobong sitaw, but made with gabi shoots.

His Mom was so nice. Sobrang bait and masaya siyang kausap. Napaka-jolly niya in fairness. 

I ate so much that night. Promise, lumabas ang katakawan ko hahaha.

Stupid me I forgot to take pictures while I was there.

I left RJ's house at around 9:30 or 10PM and I headed back to the hotel because my flight back to Manila was on the next day.

(To be continued...)

Bacolod Trip 4: Around The City We Go

Food

Bacolod is famous for their chicken inasal. Might I add that they do have the best inasal I've tasted. Unlike others, taste doesnt end at the chicken's skin.

Inasal from Chicken Deli which is located along Lacson Street.

Inasal from Chicken House. Their inasal here tastes so much better.

There's also this cafe located just in front of L'Fisher called Calea. Without exaggerating, they serve the biggest slices of cake I've ever seen. I ordered my favorite which is carrot cake.

It was moist yet crumbly. The icing was smooth yet grainy the first time it touches your mouth. In short, every bite was a gift from baby Jesus.

Just FYI, hindi yan platito. That's a regular plate.

Here's the best part, the slice cost 85php.

Ha! Take that you over-charging bakeshops. Y'all can suck it!

The Ruins


There's this place called 'The Ruins' which is on the outskirts of town. Takes about an hour and a half to get there by commuting. It's fun though cause you get to sight-see on the way there.

Now truth be told, I was expecting something completely different.

Because, you know, they call it 'The Ruins'. But when you get there and explore the place a bit, you actually get to appreciate the beauty of the place.

Ten-nen!!!

Shalan ang house. May garden sa loob.

Oh by the way, meet RJ ang isa sa pinaka loyal ata na readers ng blog ko.

It reminds me a bit of Diplomat Hotel in Baguio.

Nagyosi break ako sa may fountain.

Naka-display na sculptures. I have no idea kung bakit naka-plastic

May ganito talaga? Oh well, blog ko nga diba?

SM Bacolod


Syempre, dahil nga suggestion rin ni Ellaine na bisitahin ko ang SM Bacolod, eh pumunta ako dun.

It's not that big, probably SM Baguio and size niya. Probably.

Bacolod City Hall


Im pretty sure this was their City Hall. Well, 98% sure.

Ayan may close-up na si RJ.

Ganda ng city hall nila diba?

(To be continued...)

Bacolod Trip 3: Why I Went There.

The reason I had the courage to go to Bacolod by myself is that a reader of mine is actually from there.

He said that if ever I would go to Bacolod, he would gladly tour me around.

He kept his word.

You'll get to meet him in a bit.

Two weeks before I left for Bacolod, my friend Ellaine was there on vacation with family. When she came back, she had so many stories about how great the place is.

It excited me more.

She even gave me a list of places to go and see once I'm there.

I didn't look at the list when she first gave it to me but when I was in Bacolod I took it out and I swear to god I couldn't stop laughing at three things that were there.

SM Bacolod, Robinsons, McDonalds.

Napakamot nalang ako sa ulo.

But I must say, the funniest thing she told me about the place was,

"By the way when you're there, speak to everyone in english kasi walang marunong mag-tagalog dun. Specially in SM, wala talagang marunong mag-tagalog dun. Everyone speaks in Ilonggo."

Ako naman itong medyo uto-uto naniwala ako.

So pagdating ko ng Bacolod, ini-english ko lahat ng tao pero sumasagot naman sila in tagalog.

Receptionists, waiters, cashiers, guards, salesladies, taxi drivers, jeepney drivers, tricycle drivers, lahat marunong mag-tagalog.

The whole time, I was thinking,

"I don't know where this crazy bitch went because I haven't met a single soul na hindi marunong mag-tagalog"

Ilan kaya ang SM sa Bacolod at mukhang ibang SM ang pinuntahan ng lukaret na yun.

Anyway, like I mentioned in my previous posts, I went to Bacolod for a quick vacation.

I needed to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

I had to escape from it all.

Yes dear readers, may drama akong ganun.

Shalan lang diba?

(To be continued...)