My Word

For the Sake of Just Saying Something

There really is something disturbing about the cultute in my new place of work. I know it might be negligible but I believe that it is an implication of something even more serious. Everyone seems to be in the terrible habit of trying to out-talk everyone else. As if the world is a great big quiz show and you have to prove the other person wrong...or at least talk them to death.

It really is rather anoying the way everyone seems to say:

"No, you're wrong..." or "Well, what actually happened there was..."

It's so tiresome the way everyone is verbally competing against each other.

The other day, I just got so fed up with the situation that I decided to say something stupid on purpose. The following is the conversation that ensued:

Conrad: (upon hearing a song performed by Madonna and Justin Timberlake) "I love this song!

Office Girl: "Of course, that song was composed by Timberland"

Conrad: (knowing fully well that it was a collaboration of the said composer and other artists said--out of sheer desire to have the last statement) "...Well, actually, it's Madonna."

I turned and walked away and just felt the stupidity of the situation but at the same time fulfilled that I did have the last say.

Jeez, I will just have to learn to keep away from such conversations that force you to compete.

I therefore resolve that I will never give my opinion to these people for the remainder of this month. I mean, unless they are ready to have a real conversation.

Hearing Without Listening

If there was really one thing I miss about all my past employment is the fact that you can actually have an intelligent conversation with any of your officemates. I don't mean the high-end, trying-to-be-artsy-fartsy talk...I mean having a friendly chat without anyone trying to out-talk the other person. To some extent, I know that this is due to me being that breath of fresh air...the new guy that everyone wants to share stories with...and eventually dump on. But you can't really call it a conversation if the talk is coming from other people and you aren't really allowed the courtesy of being listened to. Ah well. I guess the good part of it all is that I get to conserve my voice. However, I must admit it to be a difficult chore to sit there and be saturated with info that is either irrelevant to you as a person, useless in terms of your work, or even something you know to be totally false. Okay, the word is not "chore". It is a burden and a very difficult task to sit there and listen to bullshit.

Gone Too Soon

It came as a shock. Marlon Robles, my former employer's son had died at the age of 21. At first I didn't want to believe it...or I didn't want to know so I wouldn't have to deal with it. Not to say that I was close to the boy. In fact the only memory I have of him was when I was assigned to be his voice coach during the production of his sister's debut. Bottom line was--there was no avoiding it.

Saturday morning I was called by Tina, my former manager. "Conrad, have you heard?" she started. I had a feeling she was referring to Marlon. I was right. "Are you busy?"...and even though I had planned an activity for myself that day, I decided to go to the wake and fulfill my duty as former employee and friend. It wasn't even a question for me. I just had to go.

I hastily gathered my song pieces and desperately looked for songs appropriate for a wake and necrological mass. It's a frightening thought that a wedding singer is so skilled at his profession that he forgets about other occasions where his talents are needed. Let's face it. Weddings are extremely different from funerals. I packed up my keyboard and other equipment, rode a taxi and proceeded to the funeral parlor.

As I entered the establishment, I saw old acquaintances from my days at Royale Homes. Luminaries from the Real Estate were also there. They greeted me and that's when I realized that I really was a celebrity in my own right.

There's something disturbing about funerals and death in particular. Death itself being a mystery and something that all of us will ultimately have to face but to attend someone's wake who died in his prime--and much younger than yourself gets one thinking of each one's purpose in life. There's something especially sad about a young person dying. It's a situation that leaves the parents wondering why things have to be so tragic. I was suddenly reminded of that line from the movie Lord of the Rings where the king Theorden says: "No parent should have to bury their child."

I have seen my employers in all aspects of life however, this was the only time I had seen them directly affected since it was a death in their own house. There simply is no consoling a grieving parent. Death is painful enough but the passing of your own flesh and blood is especially painful.

I couldn't do anything but hug Ma'am Diding and kiss her forehead in the hopes that she felt how much I empathize with her and the family.

Just wanted to say hi

Hi PIMS kids!!!

Just thought I'd drop by and say hi! As you may have noticed. I do not go on-line (YM) as I used to. I'm sorry. Unfortunately with this new job, they feel no need for internet. Either that or the owners are just plain thrifty...to a fault. Ah well! they did say that they tried it once and that maybe sometime later this year they might install a connection. In the mean time. We'll just have to content ourselves with our correspondence through eMail and SMS.

Hey, how's the planning for the Manila tour going? I sure hope that pushes through before the rainy season. Well, gotta go. And, yes, I'm sending this through my computer at home. LOL. See you guys soon!

Ain't It Funny?

Transport Strike...ah...so what else is new? In all honesty, I never understood why transportation groups hold rallies here to protest the rising price of crude oil in the world market. Most of the time I just wish they be magically transported to the country where we get the oil from where they can hold their stupid protest.

But I'm not here to gripe how it had made my morning difficult...how it had prevented students from going to school on exam week. In fact, I'm here to tell everyone how this protest action had made my morning something almost from a movie.

I must admit I didn't wake early enough to beat the protesters. I reached Cubao at 8:45 am. It was evident that there weren't much transportation options on the road. Busses on EDSA south-bound were so scarce that you found people--including myself--walking and waiting for anything that came along. That's when the nice people from MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) drove by. It was one of their arm-lift vehicles. Normally I wouldn't even consider riding it. However, this was such a fine day and I wanted so much to feel the wind on my face rather than the harsh sunlight roasting my back. I jumped on board.

It was really great! I almost felt like a celebrity on a float promoting a movie. I couldn't help turning my MP3 player really loud and just enjoying the ride. Sure I got dirty but I think it was just what I needed to get me started.

So--the jeepney group plans to obstruct traffic, fine. I really don't care. I won't be needing their services when I go home later anyway. I always take the train.

A Magical Night In The Forest

What would happen if you take all your favorite fairy tale characters and put them all in one kingdom? Cinderella, Jack and his beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, even Rapunzel as well as the Witch who raised her—what would happen if all their stories transpired in just one night in one magical forest? This is the concept of the musical play Into The Woods written by Stephen Sondheim currently running at the Music Museum by New Voice Theater Company headed by Monique Wilson. Into The Woods is a new look at the stories we were used to. In addition to this, the play tackles certain issues that have been either omited or overlooked in the original fairy tale. Is there really a “Happily Ever After” for the characters of the stories? Did Cinderella, after marrying the Prince, live in happiness and contentment? In the tale Jack and the Beanstalk, is poverty enough reason for the main character to rob the giants that live in the palace in the clouds? These are just some of the serious topics discussed in the  2nd Act. I was so amazed with the actors in the play. Michael Williams who plays the baker and Menchu Lauchenco-Yulo, play his wife—both veterans of Philippine stage, are the characters which the story revolves around. In their desire to have a child they are forced to help their neighbor who happens to be a witch played by Lynn Sherman. Although Lynn is primarily known as a jazz artist, she plays this role wonderfully and adds her own flare to the character. Jamie Wilson plays the role of Cinderella's Prince Charming. Keep your eyes open for this prince, he's not the conventional “knight in shining amour”. Jamie's portrayal of this royalty is both witty and funny. Joaqui Valdes plays Jack. Perhaps not everyone knows this but long before he landed a job co-hosting Breakfast on Studio 23, this talented guy had been performing in major productions since he was very young. He played Edmund in The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe as well as the lead role in The Young King both for Trumpets. Tomy Abuel plays the mysterious man who seemingly appears and disappears at certain parts of the play. Another notable actor in this play is Julia Abueva who plays Little Red Riding Hood. Though barely 12, this girl exhibits all the makings of a world-class stage actress. I wouldn't be surprised if she would be the next Filipina to conquer Broadway. These are just some of the actors who comprise the wonderful cast of Into The Woods. Another point to consider is the complicated melody that Stephen Sondheim is known for. Unlike the works of Claude Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil (Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, etc.) or Andrew Lloyd Webber (Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Phantom of the Opera, etc.)--who's works have melodies that are easy to understand, Sondheim's works are so diverse. They run from simple tunes that you end humming out of the theater to some of the most complicated tunes that seem more dialog than song. Aside from the complex tune, the actors have to contend with the way the song was written. Most of the songs have overlapping lyrics which the actors have to deliver simultaneously with the other characters—being very careful not to be distracted with the lines of another. This, added with brilliant choreography makes for a truly delightful experience. Now, if you think you already know how the mentioned stories above will end—I'm telling you right now you're wrong. This is a musical that everyone will surely enjoy. I've already watched it twice and I still plan to watch it if only I get some extra money. Into The Woods of New Voice Company is currently showing at The Music Museum every Friday and Saturday until December 8, 2007.

Loss Of Credibility

Last Saturday, I arrived home to relax and catch a few hours of info-TV. For this week, I decided to join my siblings for an hour of Mike Enriquez's Imbestigador. It was the Halloween presentation and we thought it would be really fun to scare ourselves half to death--just like last year. This year promised to be a really good screamer. They had footage of some ghosts appearing in creepy places as well as seemingly harmless venues such as public utility vehicles.

We waited patiently as they presented the lesser stories. The first one was really bad--okay, just boring. It was a masked magician. Masked because he was revealing the secrets to the most intriguing tricks--namely, cutting a lady into three parts--knowing very well that an illusionist to reveal the trade secrets is against the magician's code of ethics.

Finally, the portion we were waiting for came...the ghost videos. We were all expecting an extensive story from the people who happened to catch the ghosts on camera. Boy, were we disappointed. After much drama on the presentation of the videos, they suddenly tell the audience that last week's presentation of the video was part of their televised experiment. Everything was a hoax.

I tell you, even if they win an award for this episode, they will have a hard time getting me to watch this show again. This is a classic example of "trust betrayed". And to the people involved in the conceptualization of this televised hoax:

"Good luck in regaining the public's trust."

The Third Wheel

I was watching TV and I chanced upon a story concerning the relationship of singer Erik Santos and comedienne Rufa Mae Quinto. Both seem to be happy and claim that their relationship is based on mutual love and respect. This should not concern any of us since all of us lead private lives outside the workplace. It just so happens that people in show business have a tendency to be spotted even during their days off. It raises a few questions, therefore, why another famous personality seems to be overly concerned of either of the two's welfare.

It is a mystery to me why Richard Gomez (print ad model, & pseudo-talk show host) is so vocal about the two. There are times when one's opinions are best kept to the confines of one's room. In this situation, the only opinions that do count are Erik's and Rufa's. Another person's opinions only count if this person is directly affected. Could it be that Richard is very much enamored with Rufa and plans to leave his wife?  Is this an indication of his amorous intentions on Erik? I remember rumors flying before his express marriage to Lucy Torres that he was the benefactor of several gay political figures.

If you put the facts together, Mr. Gomez may just be missing the attention he used to get from his former wealthy and very gay benefactors.

We're Still Hot: A Look Back

Not a lot of people will probably admit to this nor could they relate to what I am about to say. People are multi-faceted. Each face we use for certain situations we encounter. The characters of "We're Still Hot: The Musical" someho w showcased four of the many sides of my personality. In many ways, there is a lot of me in each of the characters portrayed in the play.

Marnie Summers represents that part of me that is still very angry for being abused in my childhood.

Zsu Zsu Herendy is that performer in me. The one that is desperately trying to get noticed. And all the time hoping that people are mature enough to look past my age and perhaps realize that people over 30 still has the capacity to wow an audience.

Cynthia Sawyer is that side of me that is afraid to grow old. That part of me that feels as if my window of opportunity is on the verge of closing--wishing and praying that something will happen to change the seemingly inevitable fate of aging without accomplishing anything substantial.

But I suppose the character I seem to relate to most is Kate Philips. An individual so full of promise but as the lyrics of the first song states...

"I was heading for something great but life and I got in the way..." I mean, doesn't it feel like that sometimes? It's like one derailment after another. You tell yourself that it's just life or fate. Most often than not, you convince yourself that you have no control over most of what we experience. However, there are some instances in life that are not set about by mere circumstance. There are things in life that are set in motion or even put to stop by human intervention.

I am, of course, referring to unscrupulous people who have infiltrated casting offices for stage, TV, and radio. Where else can you find an industry bent on keeping the big names big and the new talents grasping at strings. And we are left "...hanging on the coat tails of somebody else's life..."

It happened on my audition for Lion King Australia where you're supposed to pre-register but celebrities are allowed to simply walk-in and sing. It was there that I saw, as I handed-in my credentials, that there were separate piles of applicants. One for ordinary people like myself and another for celebrities. On top of the pile was Michael de Mesa.

This incident was repeated during the auditions for "Rama at Sita"--the second proposed show. During pre-registration, I was told flatly by the man handling the talent search that he would register me under the category of "walk-in". This was not a guarantee that I was going to be allowed to sing or even audition for any part. No, that honor was reserved for what he called--"mga bigatin" or "heavy weights of the industry". I had often wondered if that meant the sons and daughters of actors, socialites and political figures. He told me that I will only be allowed to sing if there was enough time after their preferred talents had tried out.

And even in the voice-over industry, these bastards had set-up their political dynasty. The already established voice talents have created guilds that push and promote only the members of their already worn-out group. No wonder the voices all sound the same. They never let new talent seep through.

It may sound like I'm sour-graping but think about it...isn't it a crime to push aspiring talents into the mud? Shame on you! How dare you all keep us in the dark while you and your high and mighty group monopolize TV, Radio and Stage. Who are you to tell me that we are not worthy of the limelight?

But this I promise you all. We, the extraordinary talents with bloodlines stemming from the common man--we shall endure. We will flourish and someday leave you so far behind that you will be asking us for work. And when that happens, you will finally experience what it feels to be humbled--to fall-in-line like everyone else. And to be screened for your talents (if any) and not your lineage.

The Question of Cuteness

The other day I went to Wendy's. The line was longer than usual. During such situations, I usually try to look for another place to eat. But since the line was moving, I decided to stick it out. When it was my turn to order, the counter girl looked at me and said:

"Good evening, Ma'am..."

Mildly surprised, I stared at her--the smile on my lips growing into a wicked grin. It took a good 15 or 20 seconds before she realized that the person she was talking to was a man. Mortified, she suddenly exclaimed:

"Sorry sir!" I laughed and told her

"That's the reason why I cannot work in Saudi Arabia."

Hmmm--am I as cute as I think I am?