There is actually one reason why I wasn't able to blog last August about my adventures. A project actually kept me busy, and it was a major project that I cannot neglect.
One day, we were called for a meeting just to get informed that we are actually part of a big contest - Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs 2014 Music Video Competition. Well actually, before the meeting, I knew already that it's Himig Handog that we are joining and I was assigned as writer for the said project. The song that we were able to get was UMIIYAK ANG PUSO. It was composed by Mr. Rolando Azor and interpreted by Bugoy Drilon.
Producing a 4-minute video actually entailed a huge amount of time - from the concept (story, treatment, pitching and even casting), to the execution (the shoot itself), and finally, editing. It took us a month and a few weeks before we actually finish the video. Umiyak muna talaga mga puso namin before we finish the video. Haha! Plus, working with Bugoy Drilon is such a great experience, no headaches, as if we are only shooting a school project wherein everyone there are classmates and close friends! The composer Mr. Rolando Azor is also very approachable and kind so we never had a hard time working with the big people. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture with the group and during the shoot because of certain things which I won't disclose anymore before this turns into a rant post. Hahaha. :D But nevertheless, shooting the music video is one great experience, I was just sad that I wasn't able to attend the wedding!
#TeamBugoy members with the composer Mr. Ronnie Azor.
Screenshots from the music video.
So happy that we were able to be a part of it, as in literally. Hahaha.
But the most fulfilling part of all was when you see your fruits of labor being published, viewed and appreciated by people. We may not be able to please everyone with our product but of course, we are so happy and proud of it. :)
Last September 1, director Bea, executive producer Ady and I attended the press conference for the competition. All music videos were shown, and was followed by a question and answer portion with the composers and interpreters. Of course, Sir Ronnie and Kuya Bugoy were present. :) Another memorable moment for me was when I get to have a picture with Morissette Amon, one of my favorite singers (Moon of Desire, shining bright).
Here are the pictures from the event:
With Jessa Zaragoza.
She interpreted the song Bumabalik ang Nagdaan.
It was a dream come true to see her because her songs are my favorites ever since.
With Morissette Amon.
She interpreted the song Akin Ka Na Lang which can be a really good theme song.
I have always loved her since her TV5 Days.
We even had a short chat regarding that. Haha.
With Michael Pangilinan.
He interpreted the song Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako.
Oh yes, I was affected by the song.
And yes, he is gwapo. :)
With Jed Madela.
He interpreted the song If You Don't Want To Fall.
I loved his song How Can I Fall. :)
Team Bugoy with KZ Tandingan.
She interpreted the song Mahal Ko O Mahal Ako.
I love the song!
With Sir Ronnie Azor! :)
With Kuya Bugoy!
I am happy that we have our picture!
Because I wasn't able to have a picture with him during the shoot. :)
We were interviewed by MTV.
Unfortunately, I haven't watched it. Haha.
And of course, here is the fruit of our labor, our MUSIC VIDEO! :)
I would like to thank everyone who helped us. The cast, our professors and chairperson, all those who helped in the production and extras, to Sir John Paul for the gown of the bride, to Sir Jayson, Sir London, Miss Zyra, Sir Dexter and Sir Roxy of Star Records and of course, to God for making these things possible. And of course, Team Bugoy!!! I always believed that in any competition, as long as you did your job and put all your efforts into it, we are all considered winners! :)
And of course, do not forget to vote online for Bugoy Drilon as best interpreter for Umiiyak Ang Puso! Visit http://himighandog.abs-cbn.com/ :)
The finals night for the competition will be on September 28, 2014 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Goodluck to all the interpreters, composers, and schools! May the odds be in our favor. :)
Last August 16, I attended my first ever workshop outside school (I enrolled myself) - Writing and Directing Romantic-Comedy Movies. And guess who are the speakers? None other than Star Cinema Creative Manager and Master Storyteller of love stories - Miss Carmi Raymundo, and the Blockbuster and Master Director of Rom-Com movies - Direk Cathy Garcia-Molina! If you do not know, their team-up was behind the successful movies She's Dating The Gangster, It Takes A Man and A Woman, and One More Chance. Miss Carmi is also the writer behind Starting Over Again. I attended the workshop with my friends Yish and Ady.
Anyway, so how did I actually find out about the workshop, since it's not a school-sponsored one. Well one Sunday afternoon, my friend Flery messaged me on Facebook and sent me a link. This friend of mine knows how hard I wanted to write, and how I love Miss Carmi, Direk Cathy and their movies. I really wanted to join and I am set but there is one big problem - there is a fee and it costs a large amount which I cannot just get in my pocket. I just tried asking help by posting a status on Facebook that I am in dire need of sponsors. I just tried my luck and I am sure that nobody would mind. But then, people started messaging me saying that they are willing to shoulder a certain amount for me to be able to come out with the workshop fee. And in no time, I was able to enroll!
So the workshop had two parts - the writing and the directing. In the writing part, Miss Carmi presented us a powerpoint presentation as to how they conceive a movie and how do they come up with a screenplay with substance. For a wannabe writer like me, I really need this and I learned a lot. Two things that really struck me the most was: 1. Always ask the question why and make sure the questions have answers. In short, everything must have a reason in the movie, most especially when it comes to the characters' actions and decisions, which leads me to the number 2, CHARACTERS really play the most vital part in the story - not the concept, the plot, the locations, the dialogues, but the characters themselves. Your character must have a very rich problem and goal. And their motivations must be clear. Miss Carmi even shared that in the middle of writing the screenplay, you might encounter problems...and most of the time, they have to go back to characterization in order to fix the problem.
We were also asked to watch a certain scene in the movie "My Amnesia Girl" and study its script. It's my first time to actually see a hard copy of a film script (even though it's just one scene) and it made me really happy! (A film script ha - not TV scripts. Hehe.) We were also asked to create our protagonist and think of a situation - "How would you want to meet the love of your life?" And because I so love food, what I answered was "Gusto ko yung tipong wala akong ka-share sa table habang kumakain sa fast food chain and then this someone would join me, nag-iisa rin siya at wala nang makasalo sa pagkain." Haha. Then the character I created was named Cecille Martinez - a budding writer. I based the name from my favorite PHR writer - Martha Cecilia. :)
Before our lunch break, we were divided into groups and we need to write a one-page script of our story. Then after that, Direk Cathy selected a script from the groups. It was a cute scene and all groups were asked to dramatize it in front. It was about a guy and a girl who happened to be reading a book with the same title. The girl could not understand what she was reading and so when she put the book down, the guy was shocked. The girl kept on insisting that the book is not nice while the guy said otherwise. "Ang panget kaya!" "Ang ganda kaya!" "Panget" "Maganda" And their argument would lead to them saying to each other... "Panget mo!" "Ang ganda mo!" And for our group, Ady played the girl...and since I was the only guy in the group, I played the guy. Hahahaha! They told me, "si Direk Cathy lang pala makakapagpalalaki sayo!" Hahaha! And after that, Direk Cathy shared some tips in directing and her experiences as well.
It was funny that during that week, Direk Cathy guested in PBB and there, she was seen as a strict director. Well, she is actually known to be one. But when you get to meet her, she's so kind and approachable. Same as with Miss Carmi. These big people, who have created lots of blockbuster movies - whether they teamed up or they worked separately, are so down-to-earth. They deserve all the praises we have been giving them for the past years.
This is truly one of the best workshops I have attended. And I am looking forward to the next one. Thank you so much for all the things you have taught us Direk Cathy and Miss Carmi. :) Thank you also to those who helped me financially and supported me in this endeavor. I will never forget that. And of course, to Ate Flery! I wouldn't be able to experience this if not for your message!
Anyway, here are my pictures with Direk Cathy and Miss Carmi!
With Direk Cathy Garcia-Molina.
She also directed my favorite movie Four Sisters and A Wedding
and favorite TV show Midnight Phantom. :)
With Miss Carmi Raymundo.
She also wrote the screenplay for Bride For Rent, Won't Last A Day Without You and Forever and A Day.
She also works as Creative Producer for Star Cinema movies. :)
Group picture!
And after the workshop, I am challenged to write and tell better stories in the future as I achieve my dream in becoming a writer...soon. :)
I have always wanted to try Project Pie. I heard it from some of my friends and they said it was good, and their comments were justified by Facebook posts (when I saw their DIY Pizzas, I was really enticed). Then it was featured on one of Poptalk's episodes. [Poptalk by the way is a GMA News TV Show. If you love eating, then you should watch it 'cause they always feature food. Haha. Saturdays at 8 I believe is the timeslot.] During that time, I was chatting with my good friend Mart while I am in agony because of my toothache. As we were watching it, the last thing that we said to each other was...we'll eat there once my tooth heals. :)
And so after two weeks of suffering from toothache and some leadership training and meetings, by June 3, we finally tried it at their Bluebay branch. Project Pie is a DIY food chain wherein you can design and build your own pizza - selecting the toppings of your choice - from the cheese to the veggies to the meat. And if you are not that confident with you creating your own pizza, you may choose from the combinations they have already prepared. But of course, since I am really choosy with the toppings of my pizza (I hate Olives and Bell Peppers), I built my own pizza! :)
My DIY pizza! I think I have chosen Mozarella for the cheese, then Pepperoni, Crumbled Meatballs, Bacon and Pineapples for my toppings. I really love Pineapples on my pizza. (And obviously, I hate veggies.) :)
This is Mart's pizza. I forgot what he had chosen but you can see the presence of Jalapenos. (No way would I have that on my pizza.)
You can order Cola drinks for Php 65.00 and have it filled three times. They also have the China Mist Iced Tea which is really good. Just not a fan of the traditional tea so I chose sodas for my next two rounds. :)
Of course, I cannot afford not to have a picture taken and not to have it posted on Instagram most especially that it's my first visit! :)
But I actually forgot something. Haha. Since I was really planning to blog about this, I must have taken pictures as to the making of the pizza...but because of too much excitement, I failed to do it. :( That's why...we went back Friday that week!
This time, Mart and I brought along our other friends Ina and Jerome for them to try. And for me to take pictures and enjoy again. Hahaha.
So here's how the pizza is made.
You choose if your pizza's Red or White. I had White Pizza (just olive oil, no red sauce) on my first visit so I had Red Pizza on the next. :)
The best part - choosing your toppings! You can also have green and red bell peppers, tomatoes, caramelized onions, mushrooms and the likes for your pizza. But since I hate having those on my pizza, no thanks. :)
And there! Pizza's ready to be baked. :)
I won't post my pizza and Mart's as well. Kuya Jerome did not order. And so here's Ina's. :)
Ina is really a health-buff so she had chosen lots of veggies for her pizza toppings. :)
Project Pie also offers other "Awesome Eats" (that came from their flyer) like Dessert Pizzas (Banana Nutella, Strawberry Mango Nuttela are some) and Salads (and a Pizza Salad!). I would also want to commend their staff because they are really friendly and accommodating most especially for first-timers. And on my second visit, some of them remembered Mart and I. Hahaha. :) I also love the ambiance of the place. :)
Anyway, alongside with their Bluebay Branch, they also have branches in Shaw Blvd, Palazzo at Eastwood, Alabang and North Edsa. :)
Go build your own Pizza! :) As they say, Design. Build. Eat. :)
Not an avid fan of hers to the point that I really watch personal videos of her, or use her image as my phone's wallpaper. But I really fell in love with her songs - her style, her talent in songwriting, until I learned to love her face and everything about her. But if there is one thing that I can do all day that has a connection with her, it's of course listening to her songs - from her self-titled album to Fearless to Speak Now to Red.
And so I came up with my 10 favorite songs. Well, almost all of her songs are my faves, but these ten songs are the ones that I can really listen to on repeat, 24/7. Sorry that the songs Love Story, Our Song, Ours, Back to December, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, A Perfectly Good Heart, Better Than Revenge, White Horse, Fearless and the others did not make it, but you are still my favorites. Anyway, let's start with the countdown. :D
1. SPEAK NOW (from the album Speak Now)
"I am not the kind of girl, who should be rudely barging in on a white veil occasion. But you are not the kind of boy, who should be marrying the wrong girl."
Actually, it has nothing to do with me, my personal life nor I can relate with it when I first heard it. I just love the song because it's really upbeat and it gives me good vibes in the morning. But there was a recent event in my life where I nearly sang this to someone which I won't disclose anymore. After all, I am not Taylor Swift's friend whom she got the inspiration from. :)
2. ALL TOO WELL (from the album Red)
"Time won't fly it's like I'm paralyzed by it. I'd like to be my old self again but I'm still trying to find it."
I just love this song. I can't relate it with my personal experiences but I can just feel the emotions as Taylor sings this song, most especially during her live performances. But the lyrics I wrote there? I guess everyone can relate with that line most especially when you just came from a bad romance or you are moving on from something or someone. Another favorite line in the song is "Hey you called me up again just to break me like a promise. So casually cruel in the name of being honest. I'm a crumpled up piece of paper lying here 'cause I remember it all too well." In this part, you can really feel the intense emotion of Taylor. But still, I would die to have the old scarf Taylor identified here. Jake Gyllenhaal, if the song is really for you, can you just have the scarf auctioned? I'll bid for it. Hahaha. :)
3. TEARDROPS ON MY GUITAR (from the album Taylor Swift)
"Drew looks at me, I fake a smile so he won't see, what I want and I'm needing everything that we should be."
I think anyone who has experienced or who is currently experiencing one-sided love can relate to this song. Let's add the fact that you cannot confess your feelings...because the guy your eyeing for is your friend! This is really the perfect song. The song's story, as Taylor has narrated as well in one of her interviews, is about her falling in love with a friend named Drew. They were really close friends but she secretly wanted it to be a romantic relationship. Unfortunately, Drew would speak to her about a girl he really liked because he is oblivious of Taylor's feelings. Well, I have been through a lot of these things and I would listen to this song as well. I don't know if you call that self-torture or I am just looking for a song that can describe my emotions.
4. TIM MCGRAW (from the album Taylor Swift)
"September saw a month of tears, and thankin' God that you weren't here to see me like that. And in a box beneath my bed is a letter that you never read from three summers back."
At first, I just love that tune of this song. But I was able to associate this song to someone who I accidentally fell in love (with a Teardrops on my Guitar story) and thought of him as my own Tim McGraw. And the lyrics stated there can really describe to what happened to me. Yes, it was in September when I realized I need to stop and so there were tears (but not literal tears, just a teary heart, lol). And I also have written letters for that someone which he never read because I did not give it to him. Oh my gosh this is not the guy I have been blogging ever since ha! In fact it's the first time I will be writing something about him and my feelings but I have mentioned him somewhere in this blog. Hahaha. And after how many months, he knew already about my feelings (and I have nothing to hide anymore haha.) and I have nearly moved on, and we are actually super good friends. But he will always be my Tim McGraw, and he knows that. :) By the way, I am not like Taylor in the music video that I have the courage to give the letter and let him read it. Hahaha. :)
5. RED (from the album Red)
"Loving him is like driving a new Maserati down a dead-end street."
My interpretation in the lyrics written there is like, loving that someone will just bring you to nowhere. But the whole song is just so upbeat at the same time, it will make you realize things. Taylor Swift has really achieved her purpose in writing this song, that there are really things that are hard to forget. Whether you have moved on from someone or whatever, it will always be hard to forget the memories you had, and in loving someone, all emotions are intense and unforgettable. :)
6. YOU BELONG WITH ME (from the album Fearless)
"Can't you see that I'm the one who understands you been here all along, so why can't you see, you belong with me."
Can I just give my Teardrops... interpretation here? Hahaha! The song is also about one-sided love, this time they're bestfriends. And since the guy is in love with somebody else, he cannot see his bestfriend and her feelings for him. Basically same with what I said in Teardrops... this has a cuter and a less-heartbreaking beat though. :)
7. TODAY WAS A FAIRYTALE (from the album/movie Valentine's Day)
"Time slows down whenever you're around. Can't you feel my heart, it's beating in my chest."
Anyone who is in love with someone has experienced this I believe. Everytime you see that guy, time slows down. Your heart beats faster. Yes, I have been there as well and it's the best feeling ever. It always feels like a fairytale. And the tune really fits in the Fairytale-ish theme. :) Everytime I hear the song, I can imagine that I am in a fairytale and I am so in love. :)
8. CRAZIER (from the movie Hannah Montana)
"You lift my feet off the ground, spin me around, you make me crazier."
The song has actually a good message. It's like showing how a person who falls in love gets inspired and sees something that s/he couldn't see before. And so I had this as one of my theme songs for someone again! (Clue: Tim McGraw). It's also a fact that when you're in love, it's like you are in the heavens, and it's one of the best feelings ever. :)
9. THE MOMENT I KNEW (from the album Red)
"And it was like slow motion, standing there in a party dress, and red lipstick with no one to impress."
If there is one sad thing that could happen on any special day, it's when the most important person for you won't show. You dressed up for him and yet he won't come. And the song talks about that. Again, I can't relate to it but somehow, it affected me. It's such a sad song that you just want to cry for the girl singing this song.
10. TREACHEROUS (from the album Red)
"Put your lips close to mine, as long as they don't touch. Out of focus, eye-to-eye. 'Til the gravity's too much. And I'll do anything you say, if you say it with your hands."
I actually do not know what the song means but I just love it's beat and you can really sing along with it. However, when I searched about the interpretation, it's about falling in love with someone who's not available, basically with a person who's already taken, or you cannot be with. But I don't care about the interpretations. I just love singing with this song. ;)
And that's the list of my fave T-Swift songs. I am really excited on what she'll be singing next. :) How about you, what are your favorite T-Swift songs? :D
Last Monday, ABS-CBN finally aired its adaptation of 2011's top-rated Koreanovela "Pure Love" with Alex Gonzaga and Yen Santos as the leads (refer to my Pre-Pure Love Experience post for more information about Pure Love. :D). It received favorable ratings comparing to its rival show from other networks and its episodes, hashtags and characters also entered the Trending Topics on the micro-blogging site Twitter. But what is really with Pure Love's pilot week?
Anyway, in the pilot week, all major characters have been introduced. The story centers around Dianne Santos, a rich lady who has everything - fortune, beauty, loving parents, loyal bestfriends, a sweet and handsome fiancee and a golden heart. She was surprised by her friends Jackie and Kayla in her birthday, but she got more surprised when her boyfriend Raymond proposed to her. We also met Ysabel Espiritu, a depressed lady who wants to die and feels like she doesn't need to live anymore. One day, as Ysabel tries to commit suicide, she created a chaos in the streets and a big road accident happened, which unfortunately included Dianne. After Dianne's car bumped with a truck, she was thrown out of the car but sees her body inside, unconscious and hurt. She finds out, through a man called Scheduler, that she's not yet dead. And for her to be able to return to her body, she needs to find three pure tears from three people that truly loves her in 40 Days, and as a help, she can use the body of Ysabel who works at night and sleeps during the day. And there she will learn more about the people around her and their secrets, and most especially about herself as well.
So far, I love the character of Dianne (to the point that I imitate her actions - but because we have actually almost the same personality! Lol.) because of her quirkiness, at the same time her desperation for her to go back to her body. Plus let's add the fact that Alex Gonzaga's portrayal is also good, though I can sometimes see the Alex in Dianne. :) But the biggest surprise of all is Yen Santos as Dianne. She really portrays the role very well and she can also differentiate her nuances and actions from that of Ysabel and Dianne. But I am excited to know the twists in Ysabel's character.
Joseph Marco is really an eye candy. He registers well in the camera and his portrayal as the guy who, as Dianne said, has a life-sucks attitude. Despite his character's kasungitan, he still looks so handsome. Let's also commend the chemistry he has with both actresses Alex and Yen! I am excited for his character's secrets to unveil, and for his topless scenes as well. :) Arjo Atayde also works out his charm as Raymond. His flashbacks scenes with Alex Gonzaga makes me kilig! I actually did not expect it but they have the chemistry as well! And I am also excited once the twist in his character unveils - example is Friday's episode. As for the other cast members, they also did well, despite that most of them are newbies.
As for the show itself, its visuals are very lovely to the eyes. You will never get tired of your eyes being glued on the screen because of that. The shots are very refreshing, and the effects do not look cheap. Rather, the show has the Koreanovela feel, affirmed by the cute graphics shown whenever Scheduler and Dianne will discuss their rules and countdowns, and the musical scoring as well. It is definitely a light drama because of Dianne's funny actions. And the best fact is that they do not try to be comic, but it is really innate in the story that it is light and the humor is not trying hard just for the show to be funny. The pacing is also past that you will never get bored with the story.
I am pretty sure that Pure Love will maintain its treatment and story. And I hope the ratings will. :)
Continue watching Pure Love, weekdays at 5:45 PM before TV Patrol! Chummy chummy! :)
