Tomorrow is the day


Tonight (Friday) will be our second to the last night performance at The Pub. Our friends who can't make it on Saturday for our last night will be coming tonight instead. This should be fun!

I am planning to stay away from alcohol tonight because I have a big photoshoot in the early morning of Saturday. I will be posing for Manny Librodo again for his second workshop in KL this year, along with Krystal Vee again. It will be more exciting and challenging this time as I will also be the makeup artist for both of us. Oops, including the male model. Weeeee! Goodluck to me! :)

I should be sleeping now. My friend Reen is coming to pick me
up after lunch to get my outfit for the shoot and for me to get some stuff that I need to buy, too.

I suggest you to follow my updates on twitter @saritaonline. :)

Posted by ShoZu

Are taxi drivers in Malaysia really the worst in the world?

What was supposed to be an exciting day for the band turned really ugly after getting in on an old yellow taxi (not the airport limo taxi) with a Malaysian Chinese driver here in Kuala Lumpur.

We were on our way to a photo studio in Jalan Pudu for our band's photoshoot the other day. Since we've been going to that photo studio since 1996 every time our band needs updated photos for our profile in the company, we already know where that is and how near it is from Shangri-La Hotel. Since Marl was sitting infront, he saw the meter which clearly stated RM10.50 when we reached the destination. The driver turned off the meter and he asked for RM25.40! Of course, we asked why? Then he said because we "put a keyboard in the boot" and that costs extra. OH NO!!! The driver thought that we are tourists in KL because we took his taxi from Shangri-La Hotel! Normally, we would let it pass if the driver charges extra RM2 or RM3 for whatever reason, but more than double of the taxi fare price? NO WAY!

We all went down infront of the photo studio including the driver because we wanted to ask him why he would CHEAT like that. But he wasn't consistent with his alibis. He said that we were caught in the jam that's why our meter reached RM24.50. Marthy, Marl, and I disagreed in unison and said we all saw RM10.50 on his meter. How on earth would he come up with RM24.50?

Even though the driver was already yelling at us with arms provoking for a physical fight and trying to explain that we have to pay what the meter says, Marl still talked in his most diplomatic manner and said, "We are not tourists here in Malaysia lah. We've been here for 7 years and you cannot fool us like this. We came here to 'cari makan' (Malaysian slang for 'work'). So you cannot say that we don't know anything about the meter charges because deep inside you, you know that you have cheated us. Why like that?". Then the driver said, "You want you call police to check my meter" - but his meter was already turned off! So Marl said, "Okay, call the police? Call lah!". The driver took his phone and pretended to talk in the phone in Malay to ask the one on the other end of the line to come at our location. Funny thing he forgot to say in his "act" was the exact location and that maybe he thinks I don't know anything about gadgets - his bluetooth headset wasn't blinking at all. What a great pretender! He thought we would be budged by his antic that he's calling his police friend to check on the meter. HAH! Sucks to be him!

So since he wanted an 'act', I gave him an 'act'. I took my phone and 'dialled' Shangri-La Hotel to 'complain'. I took the taxi's plate number and described the taxi and said that the taxi driver was yelling at us. Of course, I wasn't talking to anyone on the phone! But that really got him and maybe he realized he dealt with the wrong guys. HAH!

The driver continued yelling at Marl and so Marl also yelled at him. I was already in between them and I was even thinking of what to do should the driver give Marl a punch. Things were really heating up. The owner of the photo studio stepped out to ask what'e going on. The driver with his red face said that we didn't want to pay him RM24.50 which was the meter charge. He even ushered the photographer to his taxi to show the proof but POOF! He forgot that he turned his meter off and that it was only a 'made up' charge. Hahaha!

The yelling taxi driver in action
So while waiting for his so-called police friend to come, we just continued standing infront of the studio. And you know what this driver said to us in insult? "If you cannot pay me, better tell me that you don't have money or RM 24.50 to pay me. Just don't say I cheat you". What the nerve!!! Marl held out his RM 50 note and said, "I could have even paid you RM 50 if that's the true charge. But you know deep inside you that you have cheated us. Money is not a problem. The problem here is you cheated us. You lied so can take advantage of your passengers. That's the problem!". But the driver couldn't take the accusations and continued yelling at us. He even took Marl's photo with his phone! For what? I don't know. Maybe he finds my husband good-looking? I don't know. LOL. So Marl also took his photo (seen here) and his taxi car number. What an instant photoshoot - outside the studio! LOL.

The plate number of the taxi
To cut the long story short, we ended up paying RM25 because he just wouldn't stop screaming. We paid RM25 for such a short distance which could have been only around RM10. But before I handed over the RM25, Marl said to, "We will pay what you asked for but you will regret. We will get you reported so you won't be able to cheat other passenger especially foreigners anymore". He took RM25 and just turned his back towards his taxi and sped off. WHAT A CROOK!

We already reported this matter to the Shangri-La Hotel so that their guests will be protected. Small things like that can make a big change. My local friends are actually aware of this problem and sad to say, they're worried about how this really affects the tourism in their country. They have worked so hard for their country only to be destroyed by these taxi drivers harassing their passengers.

Maybe in due time, the Malaysian government can prove the whole world wrong that Malaysian taxis are the worst in the world?

Her World magazine August issue is OUT! Grab one now!

When I blogged about the magazine 12 hours ago, I thought it wasn't out yet. BUT IT IS! It is freaking out! :) Get your copy of Her World magazine August issue today (with Jaclyn Victor on the cover) - only in Malaysia!!! I got mine at Caltex's Star Mart next to Shangri-La Hotel. :)

One whole page of my face is on page 103 with my name on it. My freakin' age can't be denied because it's right next to my name in my quote (below) on page 102. LOL. I'm proud of my age anyway. Not all women in their 30's have achieved and done so much in life. *winks*

Thanks a lot, Her World, for this opportunity! Love love love eeeet! :)
"The best type of foundation is one that gives me sheer coverage while bringing out my features." Sarita Carreon, 32, singer/model
Click pic for the bigger version

Get a copy of Her World magazine August issue!

I was at BluInc studio today for a magazine shoot that will be out in October. And today, they showed me my beauty shot for Her World magazine August issue. It's not yet in the newstands and magazine stalls but please do get a copy when it's released because this is considered my first magazine shoot ever as a model. I won't be in the cover, the first Malaysian idol Jaclyn Victor will be. But a whole page of my face is somewhere inside - more than I had expected. Thought it's just a quarter of a page, but it's one whole page, guys!  I'd like to give more details but for the thrill of it, I won't. LOL.

So watch out for the August issue of Her World magazine... gonna be out in the next few days!!!

PS: This is just one of the great things happening soon. Another magazine will be out next month, a billboard ad, and a great show - happening this August!!!

Remember the time when I was featured on Yahoo! Philippines?

Last March, I was featured on Yahoo! Philippines for my interpretation and impersonation of my idol, the late Michael Jackson - not only once, but TWICE!

The first feature was from a video taken of me with my band on the day that Michael Jackson passed away in 2009. It was during our performance in the lobby lounge of Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur, hence the long gown. So the article featured me moonwalking in gown and high heels. READ ABOUT IT HERE.

The second feature was from a video taken of me performing the same MJ medley at the Christmas eve party at Shangri-La Hotel Qingdao, China in 2008. I was in my usual energetic element and towards the end of the performance, my shoe accidentally flew off. LOL. READ ABOUT IT HERE.

Anyway, looks like there's gonna be a repeat performance that will happen soon... in August 8, 2010!

Sarita sings MJ Medley in gown and moonwalking in high heels


Sarita's impersonation of Michael Jackson with the "flying shoe"

Stung by Aedes mosquitoes

Last weekend, Marl had couple of photo shoots with two clients/friends. And being the other half of his team, I did my work as a makeup artist, lighting assistant, and creative director. Saturday shoot with Lara at the Lake Garden went on smoothly. The Sunday shoot at the Titiwangsa Park with my former co-singer, Arlyn aka Christy, was fun, too. But there was only a hassle for someone who loves to wear shorts like me - a lot of mosquitoes!

So as I was assisting the shoot, I kept on slapping my legs and even managed to be the murderer-in-charge of 5 poor mosquitoes. I even remarked that the mosquitoes look so "foreign" as they have white streaks all over. Anyway, the shoot went on and a day has already passed. Yes, a day has passed before I noticed the mosquito bites again because they became unbearably itchy that I couldn't sleep properly.

I became suspicious so I googled "black and white mosquito". To my horror, they turned out to be the dengue-carrier Aedes mosquitoes!!! OMG!!!!!! I remember reading about this kind of mosquito but I honestly didn't know how they look like. And... DENGUE?!!! Oh wow, I thought I was already dying! LOL. But luckily, I didn't get any hint of having a fever at all - thank God! With my further research, I found out that these mosquitoes are also called "Asian tiger mosquitoes" and if the mosquito bites get itchy, it's far from being infected with dengue. I don't know if that's true but yeah, that should be enough to make my heartbeat and blood pressure go back to normal again. :)

So anyway, this is a warning to all my friends out there - always bring a mosquito repellent when you go outdoors. It's better to be safe than to be sorry. Take care y'all!

Counting blessings

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS TOGETHER
Although we've been married for 11 years now, Marl and I still celebrate the date when we officially had a relationship as sweethearts. Cheesy as it may have seemed, but on this date 15 years ago, I finally said "I love you, too" to him. I was then 16 going on 17.

To those who don't know, I met Marl when he was still an active member of That's Entertainment and I was a budding recording artist in the Philippines. I was 15. I know it was way too early, but as Foreigner sings it "I wanna know what love iiiiis". Yeah, too much of an information. LOL. Anyway, I didn't do anything fancy or special for him coz our very busy schedule and for Pete's sake - we're together 24/7 anyway! But let me just share with you again the video that I did for our 10th year wedding anniversary. Watch it HERE.


FINAL MONTH AT THE PUB
Time flies so fast indeed. We've been performing at The Pub for the past 5 months and so, this is our final month at The Pub. The U.R.B. Band will be performing nightly except Mondays Sundays from 9PM onwards all the way until July 31st. So you still have lots of chances to watch our performances. Or join the big farewell party on the 31st of July (Saturday) itself at The Pub of Shangri-La Hotel KL!


PHOTO SHOOTS
After the much awaited Librodo workshop and photoshoot last month, I lay low with shoots. Only last weekend did I go for a shoot with hubby Marl and SoonCM for another series of The Traveling Sofa/Street Photography. Photos turned out really nice.

Other than that, I've just been busy assisting Marl on his photoshoots. I must say that my job is more tiring than Marl being the photographer (LOL!) because I am the makeup artist and hair stylist, the lighting assistant and the creative director all-in-one during his shoots. But I do enjoy it. :)

Manny Librodo is coming back to KL soon and I was offered to pose as a model again, alongside the very beautiful Thai-model-cum-Hollywood-actress Krystal Vee. I will be the assigned makeup artist on the said workshop, too! Best of luck to me!


BIG BILLBOARD OF MARL AND ME COMING OUT SOON
Two weeks ago, I was offered to be a print-ad model for an upcoming shopping mall in Shah Alam, Malaysia. What an irresistible offer! But what's surprising was they also wanted my husband Marl to pose for it. So we both said "YES" without a doubt.

After the photo shoot at Sean Studio, only then I knew that it won't be just for a simple print-ad in a magazine but it's gonna be for a huge billboard! Woooohoooo! Definitely something worth watching out for! Watch out for the spot at BATU TIGA tollgate in the coming weeks, guys!!!


TWO LOCAL MAGAZINES COMING OUT IN AUGUST
I just got a word from HerWorld magazine that my beauty shot will come out in their August issue. No, I won't be in the cover - NOT YET. LOL. But I'm so glad that I'm going to appear in a famous magazine here in Malaysia - for the first time!

No confirmation yet, but myBATIK is supposed to feature me in their August issue, too. Although the said magazine is not that famous in Malaysia yet, I'm equally excited to be the feature model for their magazine. :)


MY FIRST SOLO SHOW IN AUGUST - LIVE IN KL!
It's definitely great to be surrounded by people who love me and who believe in me. But it's really awesome to know that these people would go an extra mile to help me share my talent to lots of people. I am not allowed to disclose further information on it until everything is finalized but I betcha, it's gonna be fun and it's gonna be huge! Watch out on my blog for the big announcement this week!


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Panic mode

Last night was a normally fun night, both during work and after work, until I got the scare of my life.

After work, we all went back to the room and changed in our PJs. As usual, we called room service and ordered our supper. While waiting for the match between Germany and Spain to start, both Marl and I were having fun with friends online and tried to flood Twitter with our shoutouts for our teams - Marl went for Germany and I of course went for Spain.

So finally our food came, Tuna Niçoise sandwich for Marl and just fruit platter for me. After his first bite with his sandwich, he already felt a stinging kind of itch on his lips and in his mouth. But because he was hungry, he just continued eating it. He would normally have slight allergies from this and that food especially seafood, so I just treated it as normal. But he knew better for himself because he felt his internal body parts swelling up. There was even a part when I didn't believe him coz I cannot see any allergic reaction on his face and skin, as he normally would have. He took an anti-histamine drug called Celestamine and waited. Twenty minutes later, he went to the toilet and had loose bowel movement.

Just as the game became interesting after Spain made a goal, he asked me to call the reception if there's a hotel doctor available. Only then I knew it was more serious than his mild allergies because his face was all red. But it was past 4AM, no doctor. So we just went to the nearest 24 hour clinic that's recommended by the hotel. The limousine taxi drove slowly that Marl almost shouted at the driver to drive fast because he felt his chest and his throat swelling up plus he couldn't control his body from shaking - he was having chills or he was almost getting into a shock state! The moment the doctor in the clinic saw him, the doctor took his blood pressure (which was unusually high) and he was given a first aid anti-allergy jab which calmed him down and subsided his swelling feeling. The doctor advised me to observe Marl in the next 30 minutes in the hotel and was told that if he didn't feel any better or if it worsens, rush him to the nearest hospital or he could collapse and go into shock.

Nurse monitoring his heart rate at Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre

So we went back to the hotel but I think in less than 10 minutes, Marl started to feel the similar symptoms - it was coming back! So we went down to the reception to ask help from Jac of the front office as she arranged a limo taxi to take us to Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre. She also informed the emergency department of the said hospital to wait for us - everything was taken care of (thanks Jac!). After telling the doctor what happened, he was given medicines through IV (drips) and was given a nebulizer. His body was filled with red marks and he felt like blood was flowing into his head. His heart rate was even monitored because it was way too fast. But after 30 minutes of lying down in the hospital bed, he felt more relaxed and was even sleepy because of the effect of the medicines that were given to him. An hour later, he was dismissed and he felt a lot better.

Whatever caused this allergy is unknown because there are lots of factors to consider. Maybe his tolerance to allergies was too low that a simple tuna sandwich caused it. Of course, it can't be ruled out as food poisoning as we all know that Shangri-La Hotels have the highest standards in food preparation. I wouldn't want to worry about that anymore. What matters most is my husband is now okay. We'll just have to be careful with what he eats next time.

Photoshoots and Practices


I know I've once again gone back to my habit in slacking off on my blog. As most of my friends know, I'm very much visible on Facebook and Twitter especially on the current events in my life, until I get lost in the moment and eventually get over it that I actually forget to blog about it.

PHOTOSHOOTS
I've done a big photoshoot last week for a soon-to-open huge shopping mall. And guess who posed with me as a model, too? It's Marl! LOL. It was purely work so I guess the fun factor was a bit less. But we almost fainted when we asked where the photos will be used... on billboards & other promotional stuff!!! Wooohooo! Can't wait to see it!

I also did a fun shoot with SoonCM and Marl at 4AM last Sunday morning... in the middle of the street in Kuala Lumpur - on a sofa! LOL

PRACTICE
Been busy practicing with the new girl Marthy who's replacing Aretha at the moment. Yes, practicing every single day. :)

And this has been Sarita Carreon for Blog-A-Blurtz. :)

Posted by ShoZu

U.R.B. Band sans Aretha

To most followers and friends of U.R.B. throughout the years, it's not a strange fact to you that our band always has changes every couple of years. And this time, a year and a half with the band, Aretha has decided to leave. Not for any personal reasons that would put the band on the grill, but for the sad reason that she has to do a major surgery soon.

More than a month ago, Aretha went for a check-up because her blood pressure would always shoot high. High blood pressure runs in their family and unfortunately, she has "inherited" this disease since she was in her early 20's. So anyway, she went to the doctor and had a full checkup. Much to her shock, she found the reason why her blood pressure would always go up. Her results under CA19.9 (tumor marker) showed that there's a tumor in her stomach that needs special attention. She was then asked to do further tests. All test results showed that there's a tumor in the tail of her pancreas.

Aretha was advised by the doctor to have an ultrasound biopsy which costs as much as the actual surgery to have it removed. So she just decided to have it removed instead of just having a biopsy. That was in the beginning of June. But since we weren't prepared of what to do, which means no singer to replace her yet, she just stretched her stay until the end of June.

So as of this moment, Aretha is on the plane on the way to the Manila. She's gonna catch a noontime flight later to go back to her hometown Cagayan De Oro City in Mindanao. Hopefully everything goes well that the tumor will be removed safely without any complications and that Aretha will have a speedy recovery. It would really mean a lot not only to Aretha and us, but also to her family and friends, if you can include her in your prayers and intentions.

THE REPLACEMENT

The search for the replacement wasn't easy as most of the singers we know of are either not here in Malaysia or already have gigs. Luckily for us, we were able to find a replacement singer before June ended, her name is Marthy. We've known Marthy in 2005 when she used to play at the Concorde Hotel and we're glad that she's free after her contract in China with her present group. She will be joining us in our last month at The Pub of Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur. We just "borrowed" her from her present group so that we can finish our contract here.

OUR MESSAGE TO ARETHA

Rets, we thank you for all the good times we've been through. You're a great person who has such a big heart, I guess I'm not the only one who can say that. Thank you for being not just a friend and sister, but for being the best colleague I've ever worked with. I'm gonna miss all our nonsense stories and gossips during "coffee bonding" on our breaks. Our friends will surely miss the impromptu funny antics we used to do onstage and those bloopers that we couldn't avoid. But most of all, I'm gonna miss you. Please take as much rest and time as you want and as Marl and I told you, when the right time comes when you're all well and healthy again, we would love to work with you again in the future. We love you, Rets! *hugs*

A shot before she left the hotel: Sarita, Melanie, Marlou, Melinda, Aretha, Marthy & Reen