A Day with the Master of Portraiture Manny Librodo
Happy "BuddyDaddy's" Day!
Fun with friends at The Pub
Most of them are also members of Pinoy Musicians Network (PMN) which I and Marl had created almost two years ago. We are so glad that we are already approaching 6,000 members of very talented Filipino musicians from all over the world.
Thank you guys! Sa uulitin! See the fun photos below which were taken by Joan Villarico. :)
Photoshoot for myBATIK magazine
Since I needed to be in the location at 7:15am, my friend Reen picked us up from the hotel at 6:45AM. But when we got in the location, I was told that the crew was still on their way. So, Marl, Reen and I decided to have something from the nearest mamak stall. Then we went to the location - Taman Tun Park. What we didn't know was we went to the different parking lot - the one up in the hill with the jogging track. The rest of the crew were in the main parking lot, way down the hill.
So leaving Marl in the jungle upon his request (which he trailed for 2 hours before we got a "distress call" from him for being lost LOL), Reen and I went back to the car and met up with the crew at already around 8AM. I started my makeup right then and there at the parking lot. What I didn't know was it took 2 hours for look that I could have done in 30 minutes. But Kudos to the makeup artist that they provided, named Agnes, she was able to make me look like I had enough sleep, even though I only slept for 2 hours. Marl, on the other hand, was finally rescued my Reen and Melfay from being lost in the jungle for 2 hours and they arrived in the main parking lot just in time.
We started the photoshoot at around 10AM. As Marl was not the official photographer, James Wong, the assigned photographer took some interesting shots of me in batik fabrics draped over my body. Unfortunately, Marl was asked not to take photos while James was working which was kinda strange for us. Marl is my husband and he ALWAYS is asked to take photos of me whenever I work with other photographers. But it was alright, we just politely obliged to his request.
At one point and I think on my 4th change, I was asked to climb in the middle of the raging falls that was one of the sights in the park - much to my friends' and Marl's disapproval. They were so worried about my safety as the big rocks are expectedly slippery. Kittie, the fashion consultant and my assistant, was skeptical for me to do the waterfalls scene. But much to the photographer's insistence and even providing me his socks so I wouldn't slip on the slippery rocks that has algae growth, I was able to go in the middle of the falls. We took a few shots of me standing on a dry rock that wasn't touched by the waters while the photographer was in the base. In fairness to the photographer, the shots turned out fantastic. And after that, Marl and Reen helped me out by lending me a hand to hold on to.
We had a lunch break not long after that so Reen, Melfay, Marl, and I went to our secret lunch destination - away from the TTDI park. Yes, secret because none of the crew knows where we had it LOL. We all went back to the park after lunch and continued shooting. The whole photoshoot basically had me draped with 10 different batik fabrics which were really nice. Towards the end of the shoot, I was asked to wear 3 gorgeous batik dresses.
I can't say I had as much fun as I did with the rest of my past photoshoots since this was the first time that I had a full-day shoot out in the scorching heat of the noontime sun without any place to actually rest on (aside from the step ladder that the photographer brought and a few shades under the trees), but I definitely have learned something from the experience. I can actually say that I was able to walk in the slippery rocks of a waterfall, stepped on a huge anthill, lie on the hot pavement, go through the scary jungle part, stand on top of a picnic table, pose effortlessly under the noontime sun - all for art's sake.
I can't wait to see the images in myBATIK magazine. I hope that it gets released for the 3rd quarter (July/August/September) issue - while I'm still here in KL. Kudos to my husband Marl, who is ever supportive, and to my friends Reen and Melfay, who accompanied us and who worried much for my safety. They never left me even though they didn't have any proper place to rest in while waiting for my shoot to finish... and even accompanied me in my "rewarding time" afterwards - ice cream moment! :) Love you guys!
Manny Librodo's shot of me chosen as "Photo of the Day"
The shot was taken at the successful workshop of Manny "Manuel" Librodo recently in Kuala Lumpur. Clicking the screencap below will take you the chosen Photo of the Day. Goodluck to Sir Manny and his future entries! :)
The Unexpected Dance
By the third set, things were starting to heat up onstage musicality wise. There was this group of guys infront of me who were enjoying themselves drinking and watching us. When Marl sang "Sway" by Michael Bublé, he asked me to dance with one of the guys infront of me. "Hmmm, well they look harmless", I thought so I went down from the stage and pulled one of the guys - a French man - towards the dancefloor. To my delight, he could dance and lead swing very well. And my band knows how I love dancing swing and salsa with dancers or who can lead very well.
He then showed off some complicated yet fun arm-twisting moves with the turns, much to the audience's delight. I was enjoying the moves and dance. Until he lifted me up in the air and swung me up, side, up, side - forgot which direction I went to. Hahahaha! I know it was only for maybe 3 seconds but it felt like I was in a rollercoaster ride because my initial reaction was to SCREEEEAM and hold on to him tightly. LOL. I couldn't even remember how the dance ended and the best part was I couldn't even remember which part of him I did grab. Hahaha! I think it's his belt or something. Hahaha!
However, I'm so glad that I didn't end up on ceiling or on top of someone else's table. LOL. Oh well, so much for pulling people to dance. This was my nth time to pull undercover dancers who danced me off my feet. I guess the next time I dance with somebody, I have to ask him first... "Are you French?". :-)
At least I'm glad that I wasn't wearing a dress or skirt or else...
Landscape of Emotions - A Manny Librodo Workshop in Kuala Lumpur
A DREAM COME TRUE
THE WORKSHOP
There were 15 participants, a makeup artist, Manny's assistant Marl, Krystal Vee, a local model named Sofea and myself. The workshop was organized by Dr. Ban Hup Teh. They provided a costume for me which perfectly fit the Chinese Opera theme complete with the headdress. I was my own makeup artist so I matched my makeup with the costume. The photos came out outstanding!
at The Pub of the Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur
FUN INDEED
PS: Dr. Ban Hup Teh is organizing another workshop of Manny Librodo in July 31 and August 1. Visit his website for more details and to reserve a slot (if there's an available one).
Unaccompanied mini-me
Selena spent her 9-week summer vacation here in Malaysia since mid-March this year. Yes, it was a very long holiday since our school year in the Philippines starts in the beginning of June and ends in mid-March the next year. And soon, she'll be starting her 5th grade or what they call Standard 5 in Malaysia.
She really did enjoy her vacation here in KL this time. Although she spent most of her time with us, we often allowed her to spend timewith my friends and my friends' kids every weekend. In that way, she never felt bored and would always look forward to some activities with friends especially spending time at the ranch.
She's been traveling alone as an unaccompanied minor since she was 4. And on this trip back home, she said that the pilot gave her some M&Ms when they reached Manila and was invited to peek in the cockpit. What a lucky girl! :-)
As for me, it saddens me to lie next to an empty bed. Oh well, too much for the mushiness...
Video collab: Jason Telmo's birthday
PART 2 (my bit is at 03:12)
The Perv at Guardian KLCC
My family and I went to KLCC to do some shopping. Marl and mini-me went to Kinokuniya to buy books while I went my own way towards MAC store to get my own dose of new cosmetics.
Afterwards, I went to Guardian pharmacy to get some toiletries. I was at the Garnier shelf and checking out their new products, reading which is which and what I might get. Then this yuppy stood beside me as if he was also looking for something. He was maybe around 25 years old, in his office uniform, a backpack and leather men's shoes. I didn't mind him at first as I was busy reading about the products which went on for about 3-5 minutes. When I stood up from looking at the lower part of the shelf, I looked at him and he had this look that tells me "I've seen you somewhere before" - you know what I mean?
Bragging aside, I get that look from guys a lot (yeah yeah yeah, yada yada yada!). So I just ignored him in a snobbish way then I moved a few meters away towards another shelf - still not knowing about his motive as I was so busy with all these different beauty products. Then I saw the same pair of men's shoes beside me again. I was a little bit suspicious already. I didn't look up but looked sideways with my eyes. To my horror, I just realized that he was moving his left hand up and down inside his pants in a rigid way.
OMG!!! The f*cking perv was actually masturbating inside his pants through his pocket right before my eyes!
I looked to his face this time in shock and saw a different look in his face from the first time I saw him earlier. His face was a bit red and his eyes looked like he's high - he must be in his climax. I hurriedly walked towards the next lane to get what I need then rushed to the cashier near the entrance. I reached out for my phone to call Marl but there wasn't a signal. I saw him coming to me then queued up next to me in the line even though he didn't have anything to pay for - and at this time, I was soooo scared already. There were 5 more people in the line before me and so I rushed to the pharmacy counter to pretend I forgot to get something, leaving him in the queue. I felt so relieved that I can actually pay for my stuff at the pharmacy counter. After paying, I made sure that he wasn't looking and stormed out of Guardian. Yes, he was still in the store and probably was looking for me! Thankfully, I saw Marl and mini-me right away and we left KLCC at once.
I couldn't tell Marl about it right away because Selena was with us and she was so curious when I told Marl that I was gonna tell him something when we reach the hotel. So instead of telling him, I wrote about it on my iPhone and showed it to him.
Moral Lesson:
There are lots of perverts out there in real life. It's not just in movies nor in stories. Good thing about my situation was it happened in a public place. What if it happened in a secluded place like lifts or staircases? Only God knows what could have happened to me. And I'm so thankful that God didn't let anything to happen to me.
To my fellow ladies and girl friends, always be careful and bring a pepper spray or just be brave to tell the guard or something. Don't be like me. I wasn't brave at that time, sorry. Maybe because fear took over me that I couldn't think straight. Besides, I'm a foreigner in this country, I don't want to be in any trouble.
For now, let me put this story in the books and put it in the shelf under 'Lesson Learned'.
P.S.
And to my tweethearts @chrisjsimon, @varrylicious & @jeffcifra, sorry to disappoint you but I wasn't able to find out the length and size of that perv's thingy. Hahaha! But yeah, I realized that maybe his pocket has a big hole for easy access anytime. Next time I see him, I'll get his number, ask his size and give it to you, ok? Hahahaha!
To my other tweethearts who replied on my tweets regarding this, thank you so much for the comforting words. :)
Follow me on twitter.com/saritaonline
That Night in Genting
TO GENTING
It was walking distance down the hill from the First World Hotel. And when we reached the building and went in the lift, there was already a sense of creepiness. We were taken to the 14th floor where a management office is located. Since the RM80 units were all occupied, I was asked to pay RM150 for the ONLY available unit and another RM50 for the deposit.
The room was already cold even though there was no air condition at all. The cold wind gets in the partly opened window of the room which makes the dusty curtains move. The bathroom door in our room, which can't be locked from outside, makes creepy noises from the wind, too. And there we were, trying to get even just a little nap before having our dinner and soon, we fell asleep.
It wasn't long enough until I heard Marl's snoring which is actually a sign that I can go and sleep - yeah. it works that way for us. LOL. And soon enough, I was having my own dream away from Genting... until I heard a crying scream, "ahhhhh!" - it was Marl having a nightmare. I reached out and woke him up and he continued his sleep again. As for me, I couldn't go back to sleep anymore so I just played with my iPhone until it was time for us to really 'wake up' at 8:30PM - just in time for dinner back at the First World Hotel. I asked Marl what his dream was secretly since I didn't want Selena to hear about all these spooky stories. He said, he dreamt that he was being pulled until he almost got choked. He said it was scary and felt so real. Of course, it was just a nightmare... or maybe not.
I was so eager to get out of the place and got in the lift going down. Marl pressed the Ground Floor button. The lift is undeniably slow which makes it more creepy. The doors of the lift opened and we stepped out only to realize it was not the Ground floor yet. There were 2 suspicious guys sitting on the floor across the lift and I felt really scared because Marl was obviously carrying his camera and I don't know what those guys were waiting for. I couldn't wait for the lift anymore and took the stairs going one floor down. Boy was I thankful when I saw the exit door! My next concern would be going back to the apartment later in the night... *oh no*
It was already midnight when we went back to The Patio bar and Peach Apple Tree band was on their break before their 2 other sets. Most of the rides were already closed and so were the shops. Marl had an idea of taking photos outside the already-closed shops. The photos looked interesting which will be posted in this blog soon. :)
When our friends finished performing, we all went back to the Ria Apartments together with some of the Filipino staff from the casino. Apparently, they also rented out a place for us to have a little get-together party for the night. Had we known about it earlier, we wouldn't have gotten that room on the 13th floor. Plus, the unit that they rented is a lot smaller than our unit. So we had supper and didn't go back to our 13th floor unit anymore. Mini-me and I slept in the master's bedroom, while our friends sang and talked nonstop with Marl in the living room - 'til the morning!
PHOTOSHOOT
We didn't go far to have photoshoot, we just went around the Ria Apartment and to the 'Cradle Rock' to find some spots. I guided them on how to pose since the concept is more like "On the streets of Genting".
BACK TO REALITY
One thing is for sure... we won't ever forget that night in Genting.