Turning Korean & Bisaya

Now practising some Korean and Bisaya songs... kakabulol grabehhhhhh!

1 month of sweating...

Long before we started at the Shangri-La Mactan, we were worried that they wouldn't like us, our style of performance, our songs, etc. Knowing Filipinos who are meticulously musically inclined, we were up for the challenge. But since Day 1, we've been hearing excellent comments from the guests to the management and staff of the hotel. They said, we have definitely liven up the lobby making it a more enjoyable place to kick back and relax.

As for my part, I haven't perspired in my entire life as much as I do here in Mactan. It's like working out on a treadmill at Level 7 for 4 hours! You can even imagine my sweat dripping from my chin and elbows! I even have lost so much weight over the month. I even had to use my expensive foundation, which I have been saving for special occasions, TV guestings or pictorials, to keep up with the sweating and heat! Maybe because we also started at the wrong time - summer. We already complained, even the guests complained about the heat. But they can't do anything as they want to make the lobby look squeaky clean when it comes to running cables and wires. We have suggested to put a floor fan somewhere and just hide it in a box that can be disguised as sound monitors. But to no avail. The F&B Director jokingly suggested us to wear less clothings - which I might consider soon so watch out for it, hahaha! Anyway, rainy season is coming and we're hoping that breeze would come and save us sometimes.

"Rain, rain, don't go away, come and dry my sweat away, little princess wants to play"

My princessette in the villa

Yesterday, my brother-in-law brought Selena to the villa. They were going to Carcar, couple of hours away from the city and nobody will look after for Selena. I had a bit of a problem because no one will also look after her when we go to work. So we brought her to work to solve the problem. She just drew and drew while we played, until she fell asleep in her seat. The staff were really nice to her. Anyway my princessette is well behaved and well disciplined that's why a lot of people adore her (like the mommy hahaha).

Please check out my PBase gallery, I have uploaded a few of her photos in a new gallery called D' Princessette. And I also have uploaded the pics during Cabusas' Reunion and few other pics in May 2006. Check dem out!!!

A different Sunday

Last Sunday, May 24, we attended the Cabusas Clan Reunion. They have reserved a space for 100 persons at the Villa Teresita Resort. It's a very beautiful place but since it's Sunday, there were lots of other people in the resort. Villa Teresita is a big resort with 3 big pools with slides. They have suites and cottages for the whole day activity.

Our reunion was successful and well-attended, although there were lots of other Cabusas' who weren't able to attend. I only know a few of them and I was really glad to meet the rest of them. I was the only female adult in swimming attire, though. Didn't even take off my shorts anymore because I was shy but I really had to take off my top because it was really hot, hihihi! Selena was out in the pool all the time and after the reunion, I couldn't even recognize her because of her dark skin! Hehehe!

There was a karaoke vending machine and we were able to sing at P5/song. Of course, the first one to try it was yours truly. But they didn't want me to sing a slow one, they assigned me to sing fast songs to keep them entertained. I couldn't move as much as I want to because they kept on laughing! After my songs, the hidden talents of Cabusas Clan were discovered, one song after another.

At night, we met up with our unnamed Filipino friends from Shanghai who came to visit Cebu. After a hearty meal at the Golden Cowrie, it turned out to be a boys' night out! And I felt I really belonged (even after the surgery, hahaha!). After listening to a band at the Papa's Grill, we went to a boys' only place - The Jaguar. It's a nightclub with VIP rooms. There were scantily-dressed girls waiting for the guests. As soon as we entered the place, because I was with 3 men, these girls lined up and waited to be chosen. But we only wanted to watch the show wherein girls dance one by one on the stage to the song of their choice. They can take off their tops and they can choose not to. We went and sat in the front seat. My seat was right in the middle of the stage and I guess it made the girls uncomfortable seeing a woman in the crowd. I didn't go to judge them, I went there to enjoy. And yes, I did.

It was indeed a Sunday that's different to other Sundays I've had...

Wowowee update

Wowowee has been my wake-up call daily. It brings a smile on my face when they do their games. It's like watching "battle of the brainless" sometimes, no offense intended ha! Today, one contestant won the bonus price in Pasalog segment of twenty thousand pesos and tricycle. What a lucky fella!

American Idol Season 5 Finale

In a few hours, it will be the season 5 finale show of American Idol. I wasn't able to follow the show since I left Kuala Lumpur at the end of March. But I was always updated with who's been voted out. I was right about my final 2 contestants, Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks, who have been my favorites from the start.

I would like to go for Taylor Hicks because this is his final chance to fame. He's so natural and very talented and must be given a well-deserved break. As for Katharine McPhee, regardless of whether she wins or not, she will surely be a celebrity. She's a fully packaged singer who can go for acting and modelling (if she shreds off more pounds), if given a chance.

The competition is very stiff. I wish them both good luck. I won't be able to watch the satellite telecast because we leave home at 6PM daily. But I will be able to check online at work during break! Hurray for wi-fi!!!

Stupidity kills the cat

Maybe it's not my lucky week. Last Sunday, out of stupidity, I left my camera's battery charged for 30 hours. Yesterday I lost my iPAQ's stylus! (For people who don't know what stylus is, it's the pen-type thing that is used to tap a PDA's screen.)

I'm not used to losing gadgets because I'm very careful with my stuff. That's why I usually dwell on my lost stuff. In fact, I haven't lost a mobile phone! See, that's a plus mark for me huh!

Watch out for my post about last Sunday because it was such an exciting day. Oops our service is here, gotta go back home now!

Stupid!!!

We're on the way to the venue of our family reunion. Prepared everything, from food, clothes, toiletries to charging my gadgets.

Charging my gadgets?!!! Oh my gaaaaawd! I left my camera's battery charged in the villa!!! Stupid! Can't turn back, we're already in SRP Hi-way.

But I'm still lucky because Marl has brought his Canon EOS 300D. Though it could have been better if I had brought mine for video recording. This is a very rare occasion to be captured.

This is a lesson to be learned. I’ve experienced this couple of times. My way to avoid this next time is to set my fone alarm to remind me of what I'm charging.

Thank God It's Off!

It's been another great weekend for us. I can say that I have fully recovered and performing at my top shape.

Since we started our contract here, we've been able to meet doctors of different kinds from different hospitals during the past conventions at the Shangri-La Mactan. Been waiting for my surgeon to turn up, but Dr. Joel Macalino of Medical Center Manila has been very busy. Couldn't wait to make him proud, naks!

I also had the opportunity to meet Dra.Margie Holmes last night. I was honored that she enjoyed herself. She was even dancing during our last set, grabbing the other patrons to the dance floor. She indeed has made a difference to a quiet Friday night.

I also have lost unwanted weight over the past 3 weeks. No, I haven’t resumed my yoga & pilates yet. It's because of the constant sweating that I do every night.

Tomorrow, we'll have a family reunion with Marl's side. This is their 1st family reunion in which he will have the chance to join in, especially me and Selena. We'll be having it in a resort. I'm sure my princessette will enjoy it there. Of course, I won't forget the pix... ako pah!

Life's ups & downs

What we have now is not ours. They're just bonuses in what we call life. Others might be luckier than others in things that we see but others might be rich deep inside.

Everyone is blessed in one aspect or another. Am I sounding too deep? Hmmm not really. Sometimes, even this cheerful lass have time to reflect on life.

Yesterday I watched the local noontime game show Wowowee. Each day they have contestants of different fields, mostly the less fortunate ones. Like yesterday, the contestants were children who are sampaguita sellers on the streets & churches. It broke my heart that I cried when I felt the suffering they are feeling. Most of the kids' parents are JOBLESS, so they send their children out to make a living for the family. You can see and feel the happiness in their eyes that they were given a chance to join the said game show. Most of these kids have stopped their studies unwillingly. So out of the kindness of the show's host, Willie Revillame, he offered to help the children through the money that was gathered from the TFC (True Filipino Channel) subscribers all over the world. The 6 kid contestants will be studying this coming schoolyear. Isn't that great?? Sometimes you'd be surprised with what life has in stored for you. Honestly, I was so touched by the said program and I'm thankful that there is an instrument like that to touch other people's lives.

Only then I realized how lucky and fortunate I am. I didn't have to go through a hard life that some of the people around me have experienced. I've got supportive parents, thoughtful friends and an understanding family. Above all, there's God who keeps showering me with pleasant surprises and abundant blessings. My possessions are just superficial, they'll just come and go. But these people I have in my life are the precious gifts I will forever treasure. Like you.

So let's celebrate life like how everyone is celebrating right now for the first Filipinos who have made our nation proud again by climbing the Mt.Everest and planting the Philippine flag on its summit. Congratulations to Leo Oracion, Romeo "Romi" Garduce and Erwin "Pastor" Emata! Thanks for making us proud.

UPDATED: Thanks Anonymous for the comment note. I've been rushing this post when I posted it from my iPAQ.

My friend Trish

Friends, I'd like you to meet my former-classmate-cum-kumare Trish. She designs very good fashion jewelleries (she gave me and Selena a mom&me kind of accessories, thanks gurl!). She has her blog too, which I enjoyed reading. Last month, we met up for a night of chit-chatting. Read the particular entry here: Trish's blog

Sick of being sick

Sick. Yes, that's how we've been since we started here in Shangri-La's Mactan Island Resort. The Pei Pa Koa syrup I'd usually buy twice a month is in my shoplist every week now! It's the only salvation I have.

Today, the hotel has setup new wireless microphones, Shure's PGX Series PG58. Very nice and very modern. It's around US$600 in stores here. I wonder how much it'd be overseas.

I also saw in the papers today that the Nokia model from the N-Series I have waited for is already out! The Nokia N80! Woah, it's really sleek and stylish!

Oops, time to have our dinner! They have finished setting up the sound system. See yah laterzzz!

Happy Mother's Day

It's a blessing that it's our off today so I was able to spend loving moments with my princessette. We've been very busy at home preparing for our little audition. We auditioned male & female singers who wanted to get a job overseas like us, aside from looking for a suitable replacement for Brice. When we go back to KL on October, we need a new girl. We're still searching and will be holding more auditions for ourselves and for our boss.

Updated the pictures' comments on my gallery, scroll down for the details.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms in the world!

Photos updated at PBase

Hundreds of updated photos are found in there galleries:
  • March 2006 Part 2 in the Back to KL Gallery
  • April & May 2006 albums in the Philippines 2006 Gallery
Check them out at www.pbase.com/saritajc and sign any comment on each photo! Please don't forget to sign my guestbook!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!

2nd Week Update

The place is slowly picking up. Every night is unpredictable, but the past nights have been excellent. People were really into our music eventhough our volume has been turned way down low.

It's been raining and the weather has been gloomy for 3 days now. Quite a relief actually because it's not that hot in the lounge anymore. The breeze is colder, though. But I'm feeling a lot better now.

We still don't have an internet connection at home. We're still accessing internet from the hotel.

It's Mother's Day tomorrow and it's our off. I'll be spending quality time with my princessette. We're holding auditions at home tomorrow for singers. This will be very exciting!

Sneezy & breezy

I've been sick over the weekend. But glad that I'm getting better now. Only runny nose at times esp when we perform.

It's been breezy in the lounge during the past few days which is very good for us. What I am only afraid of is our sweat getting dried up while singing. But at least it's better.

Our friend from Dubai, Akkila, came to visit us here in Cebu.We had lunch in Bigby's Ayala and even took home some pressies from him.

It was fun at work last night. Everyone enjoyed as we gave them some oldies tunes. Hope it'll be exciting tonight as well.

At home again

It's our 1st off from work today and I was able to spend some quality time with Selena. Marlou and I took some multicabs-cum-jeep to get to the city where we hitched a taxi to take us to our place. It took us an hour to do so - at noontime! Well I didn't complain much because I was finding a cheaper way to go home. Marlou still hasn't renewed his driver's license, he'll do it tomorrow.

We had a meeting with few musicians and singers who wanted to join our company. Our boss asked us a favor to scout for singers, musicians and bands while we're here in Cebu. They all came to our house to meet us. We then scheduled a date when we'll have some sort of "audition".

We then went to Gaisano Tabunoc to stroll around and buy some important stuff. My voice has turned awful. Luckily it's our off tonight. I've been suffering from colds and cough for a few days now.

We watched the nomination night of Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition. Afterwards, I prepared Selena and tucked her to sleep. Her legs are actually on my butt, I'm lying on my stomach and lazily strikes the keyboard. We'll be sleeping here tonight, we'll go back tomorrow after lunch to the villa. Oops, time to say goodnite!

Hunger for net

Whenever I go back home to the villa after work, I'd just lie in the bed doin' nothing... well except for 'that' of course! Hahaha! I miss playing with my computer. It's about pointless to do so because we still haven't got any net connection at home yet. They said that the internet server is down and that they will contact us as soon as they have fixed the problem.

If my bedtime used to be 6-7AM everyday before, now it's 1-2AM! And I'd wake up at 10AM every day!Yeah, big change!!! Nothing much to do at home and besides, it's like working out for 4 hours onstage with me sweating ENDLESSLY! In fact, I feel more tired here than in ShangKL, eventhough we're more relaxed here. I even have colds and cough right now because maybe of the sweat on my back that eventually dries up when we perform. I mean I cannot carry my white&pink-striped hand towel onstage and wipe myself in between songs, can I?

We play a total of 4 sets every night, from 8PM until 11:45PM. And it's kinda strange because we were asked to mellow down our music/sound on our last 2 sets. But we try to play bouncy tunes and not boring ones on the 3rd & 4th sets. But as early as 1st set, we'd be playing all the danceable tunes, until the 2nd set. The reason being is because we're playing in a resort. So people tend to rest early for their next day's activities.

Since I'm net-hungered right now, I dragged Marlou to the nearest internet cafe from our place. I also need a breath of fresh air. I've been coughing horribly all through the night. Don't want to be sick! Can't afford to be sick! Huhuhu!

3rd day in Mactan

I'm so happy because I saw Selena today. She's staying in our house in BF Betterhomes in Talisay, Cebu, looked after by my brother-in-law's family. She's enjoying herself there because she has lots of playmates. I wanted her to stay with us at the villa but due to our hectic schedule, it won't be fair for her. Today, I took her to buy her groceries. She's so thrilled and excited.

This is our 3rd day to perform at the Shangri-La Mactan. We're on the way to the hotel via our service provided by the hotel, Avis Rent-A-Car. So far, we are receiving great reviews from the guests & staff.

We can't complain more. We take our breakfast & lunch at the Lobby Lounge of the Crown Regency Suites. Dinner buffet is at the Shangri-La's Tides. They do provide us with everything we need for work, they're all very supportive.

As of now, we're still under observation so we need to really impress them with our performance. They encouraged us to do what we do best, until they decide which we should & shouldn't do. Fair enough.

Well, it will be another "sweaty" night for me. I brought along a hand towel, in addition to the cold towels they provide us on our break. Thanks for all your messages. Greatly appreciated.

Opening act - OK!

Out first night last night was a great success. It has exceeded our expectation from ourselves. Everything went well except for one major thing --- IT'S FREAKIN' HOT ONSTAGE!!! In a resort with a normal temperature of 30 degrees, how hot can it get once 9 spotlights shine over your head in an open air venue??? REALLY FREAKIN' HOT! Plus, the sea breeze sticks on our skin like leeches, even my hair tastes salty! Yeah, I occasionally taste my hair unintentionally during performance, hehehe!

But really, it was really a great opening night for the URB band. Thanks for all your goodluck wishes. Hope you can all visit us here.

Soundcheck

We weren't able to do soundcheck yesterday when Marlou set up his equipments onstage. There were too many guests. So today, we've just arrived to do our soundcheck.

It has been a very busy day for us because we have just moved in to the villa in the morning. Hope they won't ask us to move to the villa next to ours where the previous band has stayed (and still staying).

Our villa is very nice ang huge. It is fully furnished and has 3 bedrooms, 3 toilets & bathrooms, a lawn, car garage, huge dining & living rooms and a fully equipped kitchen. Very homey!!!

We still don't have any internet connection at home. But they will advise us once everything has been settled. As for now, I will just use the hotspot here at the lobby while I wait for our internet connection.

We'll be checking our sounds in a while. Promise I'll post the "missed blogs" during our hectic weeks in Manila. Tah-tah!