Sarita Carreon with Arpie & The Multivitamins Band

It's funny how nobody ever captured my nightly gigs at different venues, yet I have a handful of videos of me jamming with other bands and musicians - in my hard disk. I couldn't help but share with you this video taken last Thurday at Spicy Fingers when my favorite hilarious band Arpie and The Multivitamins asked me to jam with them. I had a good laugh watching the video esp. when they were trying to imitate me! I had no idea! Kulit nila RJ (guy wearing orange), Icee (girl wearing light blue) & Arpie (guy wearing blue) sa likod! KALOKAHHHH! Hahaha!

Stage is where I belong

Behind the scenes from shoot for Salon de Ning

Last week, I got a call from my local agent that we were asked by the management of Peninsula Hotel Manila, or Manila Pen, to prepare for a possible corporate photo shoot for Salon de Ning Bar on Sunday 7PM. That Sunday came and that was yesterday. At 10AM, I got messages and missed calls because the management decided to change the schedule from 7PM to 2PM. Basically, they wanted a separate schedule for the photo shoot at 2PM and video shoot at 8PM. Woah! I made some calls to my modeling agency to beg off from the 2 final casting/workshops that I was scheduled to go to at lunchtime. Simply because I wanted to do this for Manila Pen and it was indeed a great honor for me to do something like this for the hotel.

I arrived the hotel at 2PM and was immediately ushered to the hotel room where I got made up and dressed up. Yes, they provided stylist and makeup artist for the whole thing. Although the makeup was a tad too light and simple for a shoot, I looooooved the design of my modern Filipiniana gown. It was a fully-sequined gown that had a pop-sleeve on my right shoulder assymetrical to the bare shoulder on my left. It felt good and it definitely looked good on me. Shoot for Salon de Ning started. The A-list celebrity photographer Russel Wong made things easy for me and my pianist Noel Cruz. It was a wide-angled shot so my presence while singing onstage was significant. The whole shoot was a breeze, it gave us a chance to rehearse songs, too. It was done at around 5PM.

We were asked to standby for the video shoot at 8PM so Noel and I went to have an early, long dinner. We were warned that the video director is fussy about little details. Since I'm so used to working with difficult people, managers, and bosses, I knew I can handle the situation. But what happened after that was unpredictable and was uncalled for.

Behind the scenes from shoot for Salon de Ning with Russel Wong

I was again ushered to do touchup on my makeup and changed into another sexy flowy gown. The stylist asked the director for approval. To everyone's shock, director didn't want the lounge singer - that's me - to be in gown or any dress. Lounge singer in pants and blazer? That's sooo not Salon-de-Ning-y! But anyway, stylist was put into hot seat as we struggled to find an outfit that was quite the opposite with what the director wanted originally. As I was dressing up, another girl, dressed as a supposedly partying guest for the shoot, came up to the room and said she was asked by the director to be the singer instead! Uh oh! So what do I have to become now? My guess was right, they wanted me to switch places with her... I'd be one of the partying guests. But I thought... wait, I was asked to be THE singer and stage is where I should be. I didn't commit my full day schedule, canceling off another gig, just to be rejected by the director, who doesn't even know who I am, just like that. So nicely and politely, I begged off and quietly told the people in the PR Department that I'd lose my purpose being in there if I wouldn't be onstage. Anyway, I said, the director wouldn't notice losing a headcount among the partying guessts. They deeply apologized, but I said I perfectly understood their situation and that it's perfectly fine. There wasn't even a sound of bitterness in my part because I'd rather spend quality time with my family rather than sitting and waiting there in the hotel for nothing. But I did everything amiably, I was even joking with my pianist, who also lost another Sunday gig to give way to the shoot.

So my agent's wife and I went to the balcony lobby of the hotel and just made chikahan while waiting for my agent. Suddenly, we learned that there was a big news spread like wild fir, that I "walked out" from the shoot and that I was sacked by the director. But the management understood it very well, that the director has changed his "vision" for this project. They didn't have to even explain it to me because, being a professional model, I know this industry. However, they didn't like how it was done since they expected me, a real singer and a real representative of Salon de Ning's entertainment, to be up there onstage, singing for the video shoot of Salon de Ning. I felt bad, not because of me getting sacked, but because I didn't expect them to think that I walked out from the shoot, and I thought that with me silently slipping away from the scene, it would be less noticeable. Quite the opposite happened. It created chaos and I had people from the hotel unexpectedly apologizing to me.

I would like to apologize to the management of Peninsula Hotel Manila for the whole thing. I would have loved to the a part of it but we all know that it wasn't my decision. Of course, I wholeheartedly and humbly accept and appreciate their apologies, too, since I missed couple of my final castings and a Sunday gig - to give way to the photo and video shoots. On the brighter side, I always learn from these experiences. I love the people at Manila Pen. I love Salon de Ning and its staff. I was glad to be a part of the fun photoshoot with Russel Wong. But I guess, I was more glad to make a stand for the rest of the musicians and singers... that we don't blend well with the crowd because the STAGE IS WHERE WE BELONG... nowhere else. Peace out! :-)

PS: Catch me every Monday for my happy hour set at Salon de Ning from 7:30PM to 9:30PM.

Happy Sars gets an S100!

Obviously, you already know what I'll be talking about in this post. Yes, after how many years and having other camera brands, I've finally come back to Canon - the first brand I've ever owned.

I lost my Panasonic Lumix FX35, the one that my friend Dev gave me, when I sang at an event at Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna back in March. I was heartbroken as it had documented all the happenings in my life for the past couple of years. Then the company I'm working for at daytime provided me with a camera I requested for taking vides of the bands - a Panasonic Lumix LX5. But I can't always bring the camera with me as it's bulky and I'd be held responsible if I damage or lose it.

So after getting my talent fee from my Quaker Oats commercial, I spent some of them for the things I need for my gigs and saved some moolah to buy me a new camera. Originally, I was torn between Nikon P300/P310 and Canon S100. But seeing the test videos of both cameras, I knew that Canon Powershot S100 would be perfect for a video buff like me. So yesterday, we went to Hidalgo (in downtown Quaipo, Manila) to canvass for the prices there. But I found out that the prices aren't way cheaper than the prices in the malls. So I wanted to just buy online instead and I tweeted about it.

Guess what?!! One of my followers and a great friend on Twitter, @sofiewithlove, happens to have a husband who has an online shop for cameras and gadgets. She saw my tweet and offered me good price of 17,000 pesos compared to 23,000-24,000 pesos in Hidalgo. Yes, warranty is only applicable in their shop, but that's okay.

The transaction was fast. I spoke to Sofie's husband, Ronald, while I was at a costume fitting for another big project, at around 5PM. He met up with my hubby Marl at around 6:30PM and voila! Transaction's done! I will soon post about their online shop here on my blog soon. Big thanks to Sofie and Ronald for making me "100% Happy Sars" with my S100!

Expect the some new photos and videos to be posted soon. Time to catch up on what I have missed. I still have my Nikon D7000, which I don't bring around, and Panasonic Lumix LX5 for work.

Hmmm... I shall call my new baby, Sars100! :-)

Purple Rain In My Eyes

I bought 5 pairs of colored contact lenses through online shopping recently. Yes, I'm getting quite addicted to online stuff. Here, I'm testing the purple one. Love it or hate it? 😄

It's definitely June and I'm definitely back!

Woah!!! Time flies so fast! I'm sorry for the veeeeery long silence here on my blog. I've actually missed blogging. But if you're a Facebook friend or a Twitter follower, you would have known all about my adventures and busy life in Manila. We've been in the Philippines for 5 months now and we're enjoying our new lifestyle.

I have sooooo many things to blog about. Lots of adventures, changes, projects, and gigs here and there.

But yes... I'm definitely back to blogging again. Thanks to those of you who have missed me and encouraged me to go back to my blog. I ❤ U, guys! :-)

Old City, New Passion - A Manny Librodo Workshop in Manila

For more than a year of being a professional model, specifically in Malaysia, I've had my share of good and bad experiences with different people I've worked with on most shoots. But one photographer I enjoy working with - no matter what - is one of the top 5 photographers in the world according to Scott Kelby and who my husband Marl looks up to, Mr. Manuel "Manny" Librodo, Jr..

I have worked with him in Kuala Lumpur for 2 workshops and have had some fun shoot with him after those workshops. Fun shoots are usually done just for fun - it's not work - but still carefully planned and conceptualized. And this time, we did it again in my hometown... MANILA!

OLD CITY, NEW PASSION

When I worked with Manny during his second workshop in Kuala Lumpur this year last July, he mentioned to us that he'd be doing a workshop in Manila and is looking for models. Since I knew that we'd be coming back to the Philippines by then, I volunteered to be one - who wouldn't want to be his model? So after weeks of communicating with the organizers and the stylists, the day had finally come.

August 21 (Saturday) was the day I was so looking forward to. I think my Twitter friends would have agreed on that because I've been tweeting about that and even underwent to a very strict diet and workout just for the workshop.

Days before the shoot, I would send SMS to Sir Manny because I'm worried about the gloomy weather. It had been raining on & off for days and we heard that there was a typhoon coming. But with a full determination, he replied to me a day before the workshop with a quote worth writing about:

"Makikisabay ang panahon sa atin bukas. Kung hindi.... tayo ang makikisabay sa panahon. :)" - Manny Librodo

The day started very early at 6AM. And with the bright blue sky & the morning sun shining bright, I knew that Sir Manny was right. We all met up at Orchidarium in Luneta Park. The other makeup artists, stylists and models followed and we all started to glam up for the shoot. I am my own makeup artist - and boy, was I soooo thrilled!

Behind the scenes (click to view)

THE FIRE PRINCESS

The stylists and their muses (1st set)

My first set was a Fire concept. My stylist, Tiffany Cheung of Lifestyle by Feliz, gave me pegs of the look she wanted me to have. I did my makeup for an hour because I had to hide my eyebrows with an eyebrow sealer. The fun started when I wore the red wig and the gown created by Jearson Demavivas. It fit me just great like it was really made for me... and yes, I love how my cleavage looked in his creation! Hahaha! But panic started when I tried the red contact lenses, it just hurt! But after a few attempts and shedding real tears for that, I managed to pull it off just fine. Jearson also painted some fire thingy on my shoulder and chest. Loved it!

We then went to Puerta Real Gardens in Intramuros, a short drive from Orchidarium, where the photographers were waiting for us as they finished Kharunisia Jazmin's first set. Along with me were the other concepts: Fire and Indian. We were assigned by Manny to different locations in the garden as he divided the group of participating photographers into 3 - one group per model at a given time. I love the dress but since it's a corset dress, I couldn't bend my midsection so much thus limiting me with some of the poses I've conceptualized before the shoot. But it all went well. Thanks to my stylist, Tiffany, who was always there to assist me from my tangled wig to carrying my sandals for me. Love you, Tiff!

THE SAFARI PRINCESS

We were then asked to change into the second set... mine was the Safari theme. My stylist this time was Rica De Leon of Lifestyle by Feliz with a dress created by Jerome Salaya Ang. I super love this concept because I love earth colors and I feel good in them. Doing a brownish tinge of makeup is my forte as I've always loved to be tanned. I backcombed my hair and sprayed it with an extreme hold hairspray and a gold color hairspray. The dress was a bit too tight on my thighs, but as the other stylist named Lia said, "Tight is good!".

The Safari theme on me was cut into two sets, a quick photoshoot at the Baluarte de San Diego where I was photographed with a carriage and after lunch at Orchidarium itself. The lunch at Orchidarium was a great bonding time with everyone. Food was great but I couldn't eat - I was still in an adrenalin rush. Afterwards, we sang a birthday song to Kharu as Sir Manny presented a birthday cake for her. Then we went for a short retouch time. Feliz Diestro, the head stylist and a known prenup stylist, lent me more props and more accessories to wear. Weeeeee!

I was so much in my element at this time even though it drizzled on and off. Working with Manny in the past has made me feel at ease during this workshop that I even craved for more difficulty and challenge. Manny even had me lying on the pavement in my designer dress! I trust Manny in everything he wanted me to do because I know how he visualizes each shot. Soon enough, we were called for a group shot and Manny did a simple thank you speech to all of us. It was indeed a great workshop with lots of energy from everyone! :)

Manny Librodo with the models, participants, stylists, MUAs, organizers

Thank you "major major" to the effort of our hardworking stylists, especially to Tiffany Cheung and Rica De Leon. Thanks to my husband Marl who assisted me and for being my fashion and beauty consultant all the time. Thanks to the Image Nation for organizing the workshop. To all the participants who have tried their best to capture the best shots, galing nyo! And to the master, Manny Librodo, thank you so much for the opportunity again!

NEXT UP... CEBU!

And I'm fortunate enough to work with Manny Librodo again in his Cebu workshop on September 12, 2010. See you there, Cebuanos! :)

CLICK ON ANY PHOTO BELOW TO SEE MY UPDATE PORTFOLIO

Related Links

• Manny Librodo's Landscape of Emotions in KL 1 in June 2010
• Manny Librodo's Landscape of Emotions in KL 2 in July 2010