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! :-)

My Quaker Oats TVC!

Been really busy with stuff. My gigs are great and the projects that I do are even greater. Here's the recent commercial I did which started airing on nationwide television on the 1st of June. Since it's just a promo ad, it will only air for 3 months. I had lots of fun doing this...

QUAKER OATS TVC | Project: WTW

Sometimes, Silence Can Be So Good

Sometimes, silence can be good. And a very long silence can be ohhhh sooooo good. But first, I would like to apologize for hibernating for the longest time! I have a lot of great reasons why I never had time to blog was when we went skiing in Beijing and I'm very sure you will all understand why once you hear them all.

My mind is preoccupied by a lot of things most of the time. The only quiet time that I have is when I sleep or when I do my business in the toilet! Stopping our job as a duo in Shangri-La Hotel Beijing might be a good break from the monotonous daily life that we've been having for the longest time. We have contemplated on this decision for a long time. We didn't stop because we got bored or we don't need jobs anymore or we have enough 'ipon'. We went back home to Manila to be with our daughter - that's the main reason. She's been growing up and certainly needs guidance because she will be in high school in June. And surprisingly with that, we were greeted with different opportunities - left and right. You can't imagine how wonderful and amazing things have been for us day by day that I get really excited every time the phone rings or every time I get a message or a mail. Good news and blessings just keep on pouring... how can I not be thankful for that? :)

I would like to share with you the key highlights of the past six weeks that happened to us in a series of blog posts. But even though I've been quiet here in my blog, I never stopped posting tweets on Twitter and posting updates on Facebook. So if you're following my posts in any of the those sties, you should have already been updated with the biggest things that are happening to us. :)

But hey, I'm back to blogging and I'm very excited and can't wait to share all the great things to all of you! And yes, I'm definitely BACK in the Philippines and I'm soooo thankful for all the blessings that we have! :)

UPDATE: I just realized that this is my first blog post for 2012! LOL!

Finally with my mini-me :)

Allura billboard of Ara Mina - shot by Mar Silverio

The Goddess Ara Mina is definitely back...

IT'S FINALLY UP!

Here's the billboard of Allura Body Contour and Slimming Center where the NEW Ara Mina is the new endorser (after Cristine Reyes). And the best part (for us) was it was shot by my hubby, Mar Silverio! The billboard is in EDSA corner Annapolis St. in Greenhills.

ALLURA BILLBOARD

It ain't as giant as other billboards that you may see along EDSA every day, but this billboard is so remarkable in couple of ways. Why? It's Mar Silverio's FIRST big published project and at the same it's the much-awaited comeback of the Sex Goddess of the 90's, Ms. Ara Mina, who have amazingly lost a lot of weight through Bikram yoga and her slimming sessions with Allura.

As I might have already mentioned here in my blog before, Ara Mina & Mar Silverio used to be members of That's Entertainment. And since we've gone traveling after the TV show ended, there were only few occasions when we'd meet up with Ara. But during our last vacation in June 2011, when she saw Mar's photography portfolio, she endorsed him to be her photographer for this project (and then some). The shoot was scheduled a day before we left for Beijing, with celebrity makeup artist Krist Bansuelo and celebrity stylist Marvin. 

Mar took the photos with him to work on them while in Beijing. But there was a problem -- MMDA took down a lot of billboards of huge brands, especially those showing too much of skin. Even the billboard of famous celebrities were brought down. In this billboard, Ara is endorsing a body contour and slimming center and it would be impossible not to show a little bit of flesh. So Mar had to do a lot of revisions on different photos that were submitted. He and Ara communicated through email, Skype, and Twitter regularly to update each other regarding the project. But after almost 2 months of work and wait, MMDA  finally approved this final product. At last! The above photo was an actual photo taken by Ara Mina using her iPhone and was sent to Mar through email. :)

NOT ONLY ON ALLURA BILLBOARD

Mar's photos of Ara Mina won't only be used on Allura's billboards but will also be printed in tarpaulins for other purposes to promote Ara Mina as their new endorser. In fact, Ara Mina has also used Mar's different shots as her display picture (profile photo) on her Twitter page. And also, the photos will be used in the product labels and promotional materials of Ara's beauty product line - Ara's Secrets Pure Glow. So basically, Mar's shots of her will be all over. :-)

And now that The Goddess is back - in a healthier and svelte figure - there are lots of projects and shows lined up for her. We wish her all the luck that she needs. Anyway, she is already a household name in Philippine showbiz. Goodluck, girl, and see you here in Beijing, soon! :)

A GREAT START

It would have been a great start in Mar's serious photography career had we not left the Philippines too soon, as he was asked to do other projects with other celebrities, too. But who knows? This might be a great "sign" for us to stay back in the Philippines... soon. :)

Watch out for the making of the Allura Billboard on video... and more sexy-and-sexier photos of Ara Mina coming soon on Mar Silverio's Facebook page. Peace out! =)

Our condo unit is ready again

We have a small loft-type unit at California Garden Square (CGS) in Mandaluyong City. Honestly, since we bought it in 2006, we haven't had the chance to actually live in it because we always travel. Besides, the revenue its generating every month can cover the expenses and utilities that we pay for.

Our long-time tenants didn't finish their 3rd year contract and ended it in April. So I was told by my real estate agent that there are some stuff to fix in it before we can have rented out again. But I told her that I'll be putting it on hold since we're going to go back to Manila in August anyway.

So when we arrived in Manila, I formed a small group of people, headed by my brothers, to clean our unit. I contacted a CGS insider to take care of the repainting of the walls and minor fixes. We paid P23,000 for the whole thing. After a few days, our condo looked as good as new. We thought of using our own unit instead of staying at my mom's apartment in Paco, Manila so we can start living on our own, but it would be useless since we only get to go back once a year. Guess it's better for it to generate a monthly income.

The California Garden Square is situated along Libertad Street cor Calbayog Street. You can see the sample units and amenities on their website. If you know someone who wants to rent a 2 bedroom & 2 toilet/bathrooms unit, please leave your name and contact details at the comments so I can have my agent to get in touch with you.

UPDATE as of Oct 26, 2010: It's not for rent anymore. We're comfortably living in it now and we're happy about it. :)

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

Is it fair to be charged for a parcel/package in the Philippines?

Philippines' manpower export is known all over the world. In fact, it's what helps our sunken economy. Wherever you go, there would always be a Filipino working there. Entertainers, architects, engineers, nurses, domestic helpers, waiters, IT staff in companies, etc. Filipinos are known for being hard-working and dedicated to our jobs.

Most Filipinos are working hard overseas for their families back home. Our remittances are the ones helping the Philippines. And often times, we couldn't resist buying things for them and having it sent back through Balikbayan boxes, or if there are no Balikbayan boxes service just like in most cities here in China, through China post.

And just before Christmas, I sent a 53x20x37 (cm) box of my used stuff and a little something for my family back home. I paid a little over US$60 for the postal charge. And on Christmas eve, my mom received a notice from the Philippine postal office that she has a parcel to claim. And today, she indeed went there with much excitement. But to her dismay, the officer-in-charge at the post office in Lawton was charging her Php 5,000 for my parcel of used stuff! WTF?!?!

And how about the stuff that Marl ordered through the internet earlier this month and had them sent to Manila via the very reliable but expensive UPS? When they delivered it to my mom's house, the guy was charging my mom customs tax of Php 2,700 (a little over US$50). Of course, my mom didn't pay for it, why would she? Marl paid US$ 50 just for the shipping fee using UPS and now that the package reached Manila, the Philippines' custom is charging another US$60?!! Since the UPS guy didn't leave the package because my mom wouldn't want to pay for it, my mom had to go to the UPS office in Paranaque City to complain and to haggle for the US$60 charge. But they were not really releasing it. No money, no parcel. Mom had no choice but to pay for it. WHY ARE THEY SO BLOODY GREEDY?!?!

As for box that is still in the Philippine post office because my mom refused to pay Php 5,000, it will stay there until I get back home. My mom complained to the immigration officer (I don't know why he's there, instead of being in the immigration office?) that was present there and she learned that if I'll be the one to claim it, there's no charge at all. All I would need is to show my passport and visa. What the hell?!?! How about those other OFWs who cannot go back for a year or so? So they are expecting us OFWs to go back to the Philippines and claim the boxes of used stuff that we have sent from overseas by ourselves? WHERE'S THE SENSE IN THAT?!! What's next? Charging our families in the Philippines claiming for our remitted money before they can get their share of our fruits of labor?

I guess this issue has to be brought forward to other OFWs and hopefully, we can reach the ears - and hearts - of those who are in charged for this. This is an issue between Filipinos who are in the Philippines being the greedy suspects vs. Filipinos who are working overseas being poor victims. It is surely giving Philippines a bad reputation to its already-tattered reputation. I hope we can do something about this before it gets categorized under the shameful list of "Only in the Philippines".

Christmas lunch with the boss

Some of Seagulls (C&J) talents in Beijing with our boss, John Chacko

It was another fun offday for us. We had a Christmas lunch with our boss, John Chacko, together with all the 6 bands in Beijing that work for his company, Seagulls Promotions. The bands from Crowne Plaza Hotel, Kempinski Hotel, Shangri-La Hotel, Westin Hotel Financial Street, Hard Rock Cafe, and another new local bar, all gathered together at the Jackpot Restaurant for the first time in Beijing.

Since most of us don't eat lunch - because we wake up past lunchtime - it was a rather late lunch for our boss. We sat in 4 big round tables and ordered to our hearts' desires from the sumptuous dishes on their menu. I ordered sweet and sour pork and fried rice which I wasn't able to finish. :-p

We have asked everyone to buy something for the exchange gift. And so we drew some numbers among us that corresponded to the numbers on the gifts. Everyone was so happy with their gifts as I was happy with mine. I got a very nice small alarm clock. Thanks, Charrie! :-)

Merry Christmas everyone! =)