Back to School...

...High School Musical Onstage that is. For the past month I have been busy working on this show. I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical of how this would turn out after watching the movie version (which I found to be too pop and superficial), but I was very much surprised by how much more heart the stage version has. Sam Concepcion and Cheska Ortega were the perfect pair as Troy and Gabriela. PJ Valerio and Alex Godinez stole the show as Ryan and Sharpay. Jeff Arcilla and Sheila Francisco were hilarious as Coach Bolton and Ms. Darbus.

I could identify best with the braniacs cos thats what I was in high school and at the end of each show, we look to God and give Him all the glory for He is the source of all our talents. I spent a lot of time with the cast and crew and I really enjoyed my time with them. Great job guys! Don't worry, we're gonna do more shows after this.

Back to Bulacan

After many many years, I finally got to visit Malolos, Bulacan again which is my father's hometown. When my grandparents were still alive, I remember we used to go there every sunday with all my cousins and every year we would always put on a big program. That's where i got my love for theatre i think. That's me playing the toy piano with lito v. over my shoulder.


I was there to set up a stage for a concert sponsored by a senatorial candidate (read: use of celebrities for electoral gain). Well, they did have 6 cycle mind and Katrina Halili. We set up the stage smack dab in front of the Provincial Capitol, which was built in 1930 but then was burned down by the Japanese during the war, and was rebuilt with help from the Americans in 1950.


The weather was hot hot hot and it didn't help that the day we were constructing was also the day they were distributing the ballot boxes to all the municipalities. Every ten minutes a new dump truck would park beside the stage and load up.

Elections is such a big thing here in the Philippines and a lot of time, money and effort goes into it. But in spite of all the busyness that day, it's nice to know that there are still those who are totally unaffected and can find peace and quiet...

Multimedia-Hypeing

I spent practically the whole day in G4 today helping Nokia to promote its new phone the 5300. I guess the best way to summarize it is that it's sort of an ipod video without the gigabytes of memory, but hey its a phone too!

I set up the computer system that was broken down into three stations: One was where people could have their photos taken and photoshopped into a rockstar wallpaper. Second was a green screen where people had their videos shot and morphed into a music video. The last is where people could take a quick class on how to play an instrument and get their jam session recorded digitally.

The cool thing was the photos, the videos, and the music were all sent to their Nokia phones on the spot. Oh btw, somewhere in the middle of it all, I did manage to bring Maits to Into the Woods auditions for New Voice Company, but I'll let her tell you about that. Goodnight.

Go Watch This

A couple of guys I know are celebrating their birthday this october:

Thanks to doing this ad, I was able to get my hands on a boatload of Bench GC's which shall be put to good use expanding my drab wardrobe. hahahaha. Time to resume the workouts and trim the tummy.

Fujitsu's 10th

Just a few pics from our event last Wednesday July 12 (I took these pics using Maits Nikon D50 - a very good and reliable camera):

Front view of the set

Audie Gemora singing with Maits

Teacher Lionel serenading Maria (West Side Story)

Ponce doing the Pose

And the Winner Is...

I recently submitted set design studies to Fujitsu Philippines for their upcoming event and now I'm waiting to see which direction they want to go. The first one is based on the jujitsu tatami mat; the second is has a construction site feel; while the third has a slight broadway influence. I'm a minimalist so of the three I hope they choose the first one. Off to work on Joseph the Dreamer now...

Among Other Things

I'm currently working on a set design for Fujitsu's 10th anniversary celebration so I actually found myself in Makati (which is rare) since I had to do an ocular of the Rizal Ballroom in Shangri-La Hotel. I also had to help out my apprentice with her photo shoot for sabs hernandez portfolio. Had some time to kill betwen the ocular and the shoot so Heaven and Eggs was a convenient place to have lunch. The apple waffle is good.

The artist busily working away.

Flavored syrups and flavored sodas are a specialty.

The artist takes time to pose with his apprentice.

On a side note, this photo taken from Maits' blog reminded me of a comic that I liked a lot. Funny how life often imitates art...

From Canada to Bora

The past week was a very busy week spent working on designs for a call center event, but somehow in the middle of it all I was able to go to DFA and have my passport renewed since we're planning to visit my sister in Toronto this June.


Even though I've never been to Boracay or Hawaii (well my plane to LA did stop over at the airport when I was a kid), I still had to manage somehow to create beach-themed signages,


and this stage which we spent all of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday constructing and setting up, only to find out that it's not going to be used at all since the President was going to show up at the event...


and apparently THIS is what her staff wanted the stage to look like. Sigh.

F Cell: The Car of the Future

In case you've been wondering where I've been lately (haven't you?), I spent the past 3 extremely exhausting days helping CATS Motors and DaimlerChrysler (the makers of the Mercedes Benz) promote the future of the car industry.


I started out as just the production designer but ended up having to supply the sets, find the lights & sounds and the projector supplier, hire the production staff and even take care of the food. So when did I start becoming a PM? (Jingay!!!)


The seminar featured the Fuel Cell car which runs on hydrogen gas and get this: It's exhaust/emission is pure distilled water. According to the germans, it is clean enough to drink!


So while I DID NOT drink from the car's tailpipe, I did manage to eat nothing but Via Mare food for two whole days...


Here's a bale of abaca fiber from Leyte which surprisingly is used in the production of many Mercedes Benz parts (mats, seats, tire covers, headrests, door paneling, etc.)


After two days I was glad to strike and have everything packed up, and there's always a good feeling of satisfaction mixed in with a touch of sadness at the end of every show that you worked hard on.


I always thank God for each new thing He brings my way. I am truly blessed and walking in favor in everything and with everyone I face. I never knew before that I could live with this much confidence that I will do well and all things will work together for my good simply because He loves me. It's exhilarating!

The Phantom of the Opera

I finally got the Ayala Museum photos from Jeff. The theme for the event was Phantom so I decorated using pleated fabrics, an 'operatic' arch, and touches of art nouveau garnish.

The event was a local merger between American Express and TDG

This is how the completed set looks without stage lighting.

Teacher Lionel Guico and my friend Crisel Consunji played the Phantom and Christine.

The prod team: Alvin, Leah, Carol, and Me getting caught with Jamaican Patty on hand.

Billboard Boys

Watch out for our billboard along the corner of EDSA and Shaw featuring Sam Concepcion and Christian Bautista.

Midnight at the Museum

Spent the entire night at the Ayala Museum erecting the set for a corporate event. The event's done but I don't have proper pics yet. Since Jeff Arcilla was the official photographer, he shot the show and the set so I'll just wait for copies from him and make a more complete post later.

However I do have to mention NOW that Albergus was the caterer and the food was excellent. I especially loved the chocolate fondue fountain which up until tonight, was only a blogging urban legend to me. Now I have seen it for real and I will never be the same! hahahahaha

Chocoholics beware!

Time for Timezone

Didn't get much sleep last night cos I was in Glorietta till 5am setting up for Timezone's Celebrity Open. I did the entire layout of the activity center and some set/visual elements for the event. More than 50 celebs (to use the term loosely) came and played video games all afternoon and competed for prizes like: trips to Boracay, ipods, sony digital cams, and GC's from Timezone, Converse, Clarins, etc.

Our hosts Slyde and Gelli from RX93

Took this while sitting by the fountain since I didn't have much to do when it started

Aiza Marquez kicking Dance Revo butt

Cathy Bordalba on Air Hockey

And the winners are: Yellow team! (including Mylene Dizon whom I used to have a big crush on way back)

I think I had more fun trying to take pics of the cute girls than actually watching them play the video games. Hahaha. Must get a life.

If They Could See Me Now

Overcoming fatigue, draconian class schedules, technical problems and even a state of emergency, BlueRep's Sweet Charity finally opened last night and it was a really good show. I was too busy shooting video to take pics so you'll have to be happy with some vidcaps.

Hey, Big Spender!

She's a Brass Band...

Ohhhh, Sweet Charity

I have to admit that at many times during the show I had to step away from the camera cos i was cracking up really bad. Geegee (Charity Valentine) has great comedic timing and had me laughing all throughout. Congrats, Guys!! All the hard work is paying off and it's time to enjoy yourselves up there on stage.

Sweet Charity

As some of you know, last week I completed work on the set of Ateneo BlueRep's show Sweet Charity and I just wanted to post some of the original concept drawings. I'll post actual pics from the show when it starts to run this Thursday.

Vittorio Vidal's apartment with the closet where Charity hides from Ursula

The Fandango Ballroom where the famed number 'Big Spender' takes place

Please come and watch cos everybody has worked really hard to put on a very good show. The rest of the creative team are also friends of mine from theater: Director - Chari Arespacochaga, Musical Director - Manman Angsico, Choreographer - Kyla Rivera, Lighting Design - Cliff Villareal.

PS Credit goes to the SM staff and many Bluereppers who helped paint the set. Remember guys, Primer muna!!