Doing the Headstand

supported headstand or salamba sirsasana is said to relieve stress and anxiety.

so, while most of my officemates were on break at the office, i attempted this pose, making sure my feet could reach a wall in case i needed the extra support.

first try was a failure…so was my second… but on my third try, for about 5 seconds, i got to hold the pose.

hmm…funny, it does work!

Planning Another Donsol Trip

Whale Shark or Butanding in Donsol, Sorsogon

The gaping mouth of a Whale Shark, locally known as Butanding —- a photo i took over 2 years ago in Donsol, Sorsogon.

This is one of the turning points of my life --- an experience that effectively convinced me to leave the comfort zone of my geeky world and explore the outdoors.

And I’m about to it again. next month. I can’t hardly wait!!

Um boom ba bay

Before bodyjam classes, and pole dancing, and latin dancing, and (just very recently) belly dancing, i was already engaged with a little bit of dancing, which i fondly call the dorky dance steps.

In the privacy of the four corners of my room, the books temporarily cleared off the floor for more space, i would put on my earphones and dance.

 

I generally would dance the dorky dance steps with any music, but there’s always been a favorite --- Queen and David Bowie’s Under Pressure

Hard day? Um boom ba bay….ba ba boom ba be be….

Another misuderstanding with mom? Um boom ba bay….ba ba boom ba be be….

I didn’t get an A in Taxation (uhm, well, who did?) Um boom ba bay….ba ba boom ba be be….

The dense crush didn’t even know I existed? Um boom ba bay….ba ba boom ba be be….

Geeky steps, awkward arms, even more awkward legs…a lot of hair tossing, even during the time i barely had any hair left on my head!

And just like that --- everything seemed better again. The world made perfect sense again and things were as they should be…

Last night, while watching It’s Kind of a Funny Story, I heard the song again and off I go —

With all the dance classes I’ve been attending, nice to know I could still do the dorky dance steps, switch it up with a little mambo and hiphop, back to dorky dance steps.

Yes, some things do change, but some, stay forever.

Um boom ba bay….ba ba boom ba be be….Cheers!

First Belly Dancing Class

I just had my first class in belly dancing. It’s relatively easier to learn compared to pole dancing but it’s hard on the lower back. I never realized how hard it is to move your hips while maintaining your chest and upper body immobile. Teehee! Great abs exercise, though!

Vack with a Vengeance

Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, Ze Muzikal
CCP Little Theater

Finally, I got to catch Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal. We were supposed to watch it on March 5, but the show was cancelled because of a minor fire incident at CCP.

Going back... frankly, I am a little disappointed with how the musical turned out. For one thing, not all of them have their own microphone. Even in a small place like CCP little theater, some of the songs were barely audible. Eula Valdez and Pinky Amador were both superb. My friend and I couldn’t stop admiring Eula’s figure from where we were seated and we didn’t know she could carry a tune! Pinky was amazing! The voice, the diction, the acting! She’s just amazing.

Dodong was played by Rocky Salumbides. While he does have great abs, he just couldn't act and no, singing isn't one of his strong suit, as well. Sitting through his horible song was the most excruciating experience I've ever had in a while. At that time, I didn't know who he was. I remembered wondering who he's sleeping with to get into the the play --- as it turned out, it's Eula herself pala!

After watching Care Divas last week, I couldn’t help but to compare Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah with it. I felt I enjoyed Care Divas better. Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah was expected --- typical gay humor, some scenes were dragging to the point that it actually got boring. Sometimes, their attempt at humor failed miserably. The lines were not as spontaneous and witty, which is a shame because I really like Chris Martinez. And the songs! The songs were forgettable. Nothing really stood out. Unlike with Care Divas that up until now, I am still trying to tell my friend about the Harang song they sang for finale and the superstar song they sang when one of them, Kayla, was about to get deported. The funny thing, though, for both Care Divas and Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, music is written by multi-award winner, Vincent de Jesus.

Bottomline: It's interesting but it could still be improved.

Dessert at UCC Terrace

Oreo Cheesecake Bar @ UCC Terrace
Robinson's Place, Ermita

After having dinner at secret recipe, my bestfriend and I had coffee and desserts at UCC.

I’ve forgotten how terribly overpriced this place is! My bestfriend clucked at me --- next time, we should stick to Figaro, she said. We should go for Pinoy brands...

Just as she was about to launch into her verbal tirades, a couple who must be in their 70s passed by our window --- both of us followed them with our eyes and sighed.

That's how we shifted from lamenting about overpriced desserts to lamenting about the poor state of our (nonexistent) love life.

Teehee!

Details:

UCC Terrace
Ground Level, Robinson's Place
Pedro Gil cor. Adriatico St., Ermita

Manila, Metro Manila

Secret Dinner at Secret Recipe

Tom Yum @ Secret Recipe
Robinson's Place Ermita

I’m supposed to go to work tonight, but I found myself sending a sick leave advice at the office and heading to Robinson’s Place Ermita to meet with my best friend.

Great decision, by the way. This Tom Yum is just the perfect scale of spiciness. I asked them to remove the meat, so no unwanted strips of chicken floating around. I’m definitely ordering this again. ^_^

Who would choose to spend another boring night in the office when you could enjoy this dish with a friend? Really?

Details

Secret Recipe, Robinson's Place Midtown

4/F Midtown Wing Robinson's, Ermita
Manila, Metro Manila
(02) 567-2042

Vegetarian Dumplings at Dong Bei

Vegetarian Dumplings at Dong Bei
Yuchengo St., Binondo

I had a sudden craving for vegetarian dumplings. I went at Dong Bei about a year ago with my  friends, but, with every step we took, my attention was more focused on my growling tummy than the way we were heading. So I looked up its address and off, I went! I figured, well, I got to a few places by myself. I’m sure Binondo won't be a problem! Sure enough, after several minutes of walking around, and 2 directions from friendly policemen, I found the place!

They didn’t have cooked vegetarian dumplings, so I bought frozen ones and cooked them at home. Well, they’re good! But I bet they’re better if I ate them at the resto itself.

I forgot about the binondo horses, though. I’m really, really afraid of horses. I had to cross the street whenever i see a horse on the side of the street where i was walking!! Yup, "courage is not the absence of fear, but the judgement that something else is more important than fear” --- like food, or the need to feel I’ll be okay…even if I’m alone…

Details:

Dong Bei
642 Yuchengco St., Manila
(Coming from Sta. Cruz Church, walk along Ongpin St. Turn right on Yuchengco St.)

@ Pole Dancing Class

while working on my turns, lifts, inversions and transitions yesterday at pole dancing class, i couldn’t help but to think of this song.

potential first performance written all over it!!

heavy guitar riffs, sexy beat…chorus is wicked, perfect part to show off…

will probably just use the first 3 min and a half of the song…

CareDivas --- Oy vey!

Care Divas --- heartwarming story, extremely hilarious lines and whimsically superb performances from all 5 actors (Shai, the leader; Chelsea, the optimist; Kayla, the macho deportee; Thalia, the flirt; and Jonee, the pessimist), brilliantly original songs (music by multi-award winner Vincent de Jesus; the songs are reminiscent to Fiddler on the Roof and Yentl, but still has touches of pinoy and yes, gay humor); this musical is another laurel wreath to Philippine Theater.

Care Divas
PETA Theater, Sunnyside Drive, Quezon City

The play touches on a number of social issues --- homosexuality, Filipino workers abroad, migration, interracial love affair, Palestinian uprising against israel, social acceptance. To try to squeeze in this many issues in one musical is actually a dangerous and a recipe to a confusing, heavy and out of focus storyline, but the seriousness and gravity of its conflicts are in direct contrast with its execution!

And no, this is not just another gay play nor a romanticized comedy gay bar performance. By the end of the 2-hour and 15 minute show, I laughed so hard until I almost cried and my hands were stinging for clapping too hard.

Care Divas' Casts

I'm really, really glad to have been able to catch the show before it wraps up tomorrow. Next week, it’s Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal naman!



Pole Dancing Again

Pole Dancing Class, Ortigas Center

I just came from a 2-hour dance class. After taking hiatus from dancing, I was just so eager and really, really happy to be back again!

I forgot how painful it is to take pole dancing class, though. My thighs burn! I had to rush off to Quezon city to catch Care Divas at PETA Theater after the class. Before hailing a cab, I got my Iced Coffee and I had it placed in between my thighs for the entire ride. Still, it is just exhilarating to be engaged in something that makes you feel so alive.

So, I'll try another pole dancing school soon, Pole Academy Philippines at the Arts in the City, The Fort. Last year's champion in the Pole Dancing Competition, Eisa Jocson, is one of the instructors and the Managing Director here. My only problem is that they don't have their own studio at the moment. They could change locations and I might not be able to attend classes if that would happen. But anyways, I'll cross the bridge when I get there. After I've tried all the studios that offer classes, I'll sign up for long-term membership.

Yup, I'm serious about this. If my career in Oracle HRIS reaches a dead-end, it comforts me that I have other work options. Teehee!

Japan and Canada: 2nd Philippine International Pyromusical Competition 2011

My friend and I were supposed to watch Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah this afternoon. We were hopscotching towards CCP Little Theater...only to find out that all shows are cancelled. A fire broke out that morning; the whole building was shut down! G-R-E-A-T.

So we found ourselves at SM Mall of Asia instead, to watch the 4th Saturday of Philippine International Pyromusical Competition. Tonight, Japan and Canada are scheduled to light up the sky with their amazing display of pyrotechnics.

It was drizzling for most of the afternoon so I insisted on getting seats near the cover. We made our reservations at Seattle's Best Coffee, where for Php400 each, we got a medium-sized drink, a pastry and a bag of chips. Not bad, eh?

After much delays, and more rain, Japan was first to dazzle the audience. And dazzle they certainly did!



Japan: 2nd Philippine International Pyromusical

Competition



Japan used a couple of jazzy songs that didn't quite
fit well with their fireworks, but they quickly picked up..

...and made a whimsical turn --- they used themes from

super mario, james bond, and addams' family!

 



At some point, their fireworks display showed smiley face
and hello kitty, much to the amusement of the cheering
crowd.



They used smaller and repetitive fireworks but they phased
it so well that the whole display came out alive and
not boring at all -- very cleverly executed!



Japan's interpretation of Louis Armstrong's What a
Wonderful World



An amazing finish that left the audience begging

for more!

And then, it's Canada's turn ---

Canada decided to use classical, instrumental music

They also used bigger fireworks compared with Japan.

But at some point, the repetitive display of big fireworks
became old.

The instrumental music, together with predominantly
gold-colored fireworks made us think of wedding
fireworks display.

And it was much too short...

Needless to say, we enjoyed Japan's display better.

Wonder what will happen next week --- the finale!!!