Cannonball.

I have not much to write about what had transpired during the last six days. I mean, a lot happened but maybe I'm just too bored to write all of it here. Haha. Oh well, it's worth a try though.

Monday was Monday. We had rehearsals all day but it's disappointing, really, because the concert's so close, and yet the number of members who're actually training/rehearsing is only half the number of the actual members supposedly participating in the production. One good thing that did happen last Monday was that I was finally able to muster up courage and patience to wait in line and have my enrollment fees settled. Yes, I'm officially registered. I'm an Iskolar ng Bayan once more. While on that, I'm going to say this for the last time, I so effin' loathe my schedule. 7am classes every single day. Bye-bye night life. Sigh. I've somehow accepted this, and I'm now actually thankful with the schedule given to me. I know it'll help me focus more on the more important things in college life. Haha!

Tuesday marked the start of my First Semester for the Academic Year of 2008-2009, and well, all my professor's showed up and even began with the "actual school stuff". Man, I was so looking forward to those first day meetings wherein you do nothing but introduce yourself to the class then get dismissed early. Maybe those wondrous first meeting moments are slowly becoming a thing of the past. It's safe to say I had a very good first day though, except for the fact that I only have a one-hour break during Tuesdays? Yes, I was blessed with 7:00am-4:00pm classes, 9:00am-10:00am being my only break time. So there goes my breakfast, lunch, and cramming time.

Wednesday was grrreat! I have longer breaks during Wednesdays and I love my Wednesday subjects. I have Botany, Genetics, and Math; and no, I'm not being sarcastic. Haha. What made this Wednesday super special is that we got to perform for Freshmen during the UPLB's Welcome Concert for Centennial Freshmen. Oh my God, felt kinda old looking at the hoard of Freshies that clogged up the usually empty Baker Memorial Hall. Haha. We performed Thea's set for Choreorapher'z Birth but added "Bartender" and "Low" to liven up the routine a little bit.

The Team, sporting our Sun and Stars Shirts.

We had a great time! Kahit na last to perform kami! We had a rare opportunity to go out and eat late because there wouldn't be any classes the following day because of the celebration of Jose Rizal's birthday a.k.a Laguna Day. Thank you, Pepe! If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have had the chance to eat all together once again. Clan, ulitin natin yun! Haha!

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, we didn't have classes last Thursday which meant ample time to rest. Not! We hauled our tired and sleepy selves to UPF's Conference Hall to train for the upcoming concert. This time, a greater number came, and the rehearsals were more productive than the previous ones we've had.

First time naming mapuno ang CH ng UPF.

I managed to unluckily have my first 2 absences for this semester last Friday. I don't know what went wrong, maybe I was just too tired to even hear my alarm clock. Haha. I missed my 7:00am class, and arrived five minutes late for my 8:00am subject. Thanks to the strict instructor, she marked me as absent because she had already called my name before I came into class. Sucks, I know right? Other than those two misfortunes, I believe Friday was probably the best day of the week for me. Why you ask? Hmm. I had a fantastic time with a friend. We ate and talked for over an hour and well, I just really enjoy being with her and talking with her. :)

If Friday was the most enjoyable day of the week for me (gosh, I still smile whenever I remember the time I spent with her), Saturday wins the award for being the most tiresome day of the week. We were dancing for like 8 hours straight, with only thirty minutes spent for lunch break. I'm already feeling the concert y'all! Malapit na! Konti na lang, guys! The whole day was really fun, but really, really exhausting. All of us were sabaw after the rehearsals. I managed to prod my mom to pick me up because I was too tired to haul my enormous bag and commute all the way home and because immense rain pour began and winds were howling come late afternoon in Elbi. Upon arriving home, I quickly cleaned up, ate, then went straight to bed. Yes, I was that tired to not even go online. Haha.

I woke up around 3:00am today (Sunday) surprised to see that our electricity's down. I later learned that Laguna was put under signal number 2 because of typhoon Frank. It didn't bring much hassle except for the fact that the drainage system in our village was once again broken which meant that our streets were once again flooded. I'm guessing rehearsals were canceled because of the storm. but I'm not quite sure. I didn't receive any text messages with regards to rehearsals eh. I did text the people though that I wouldn't be able to go because of the flood. Anyways, I slept through the whole morning and got up only when I went and took a bath. Because power's still down, I asked my cousin to light up a candle to put up in the bathroom. I happily washed myself, with a lot of singing on the side, and enjoyed the water we pumped out of what else, a deep-well pump. After washing up, I climbed back into bed and dozed off again, only to be awaken with startled exclamations and a bit of shouting. turns out the candle in the bathroom wasn't put out and well, our bathroom's cabinet caught fire. Our pink-walled bathroom looks like this now.

Our pink-walled bathroom; now tainted with black ash. Haha.

I know, I know. I'm partly to blame because I didn't put it out after I used the bathroom. But I wasn't exactly the last one who went in there. And yes, she's still denying that she came in after me. Tsk, tsk. Anyways, I'm just glad the fire didn't go out of control. Thank You Lord.

After that hot and steamy incident, we all came back to what we were doing, except for me because as soon as the electricity came back, I opened up the telly and haven't stopped watching up until now.

So what's up with the title? Nothing, really. I'm just experiencing Last Song Syndrome for the song Cannonball by Damien Rice.

Stones taught me to fly
Love, it tauht me to lie
Life, it tauht me to die
So it's not hard to fall
When you float like a cannonball

Enjoy the rest of the weekend guys! Did I mention UPLBians don't have classes during Mondays? Oh joy!

24 counts to go.

I like, no, I love popping and locking/funk style routines, but they are hard to execute. But I recently learned that creating a sequence of the said style is much, much harder. Sigh.

I was assigned to create a 32-count popping and locking/funk style choreography which will be included in one of the numbers for our upcoming concert. Upon receiving the text message telling me to do such, I was literally dumbfounded. I was like, for real? Haha. I've danced a couple of funk styled choreographies in the past but what they're asking me to do is to give out the freaking best 32-count funk routine I could think of. Oh my God. Pressure. I'm supposed to show it tomorrow but as of typing, I only have 8 measly counts. I've downloaded a couple, alright, maybe like 10 popping and locking instructional videos from YouTube to help me with the task, and I have to admit, the basics are well, basic, but trying to make modifications and deriving harder steps from them, not so easy. I'm having a hard time trying to actually learn some of the footworks but I think I'm getting there. I hope so.

Anyways, I might go to sleep after blogging this because my head hurts and my eyes are starting to give up on me. Hopefully I'll finish the choreography by tomorrow lunchtime. Wish me luck, guys.

This time around.

The realization that the 1st Semester of the Academic Year of 2008-2009 is dawning is bittersweet. I'm quite disappointed with the way I spent my summer vacation but there's no point in crying over spilled milk. I could rant, though, but ranting isn't really on my top priorities as of the moment. Anyway, for the first time in a long time, I actually feel excited for the coming sem. I don't know, maybe because of my change of heart (for the course I'm taking my friends :p ), or maybe because I know that, somehow, everything with regards to my academics will go fine, sana smoothly din. I seem to have sorted out things, and am now walking with much clarity and a whole new perspective. Haha.

One thing sucks though, I have 7am classes every single day. Bad trip, right? So much for having a night life. Feeling ko tuloy nasa high school ulit ako. Haha. This could mean "bye-bye night life", but I won't let it get to that point. Trust me. I'll have my fair share of night action. Besides, maybe this is a blessing in disguise, to further challenge me with regards to self-discipline and such. You know, pag-pasok ng maaga, huwag umabsent, etc. Or this could just be Karma, from all the late night-early morning moni and isoy sessions that took up most of my supposedly sleeping/resting time last sem. Okay, exaggeration, but you get my point, right? Haha.


To my Street Jazz family: Let's all work hard for our concert. Walang susuko, I know we can do it. Tulong-tulong tayo.

To the Chengs: It sucks that we won't be complete this term. We'll find time to enjoy each others company pa rin ha? To Hasper Lee and Pumba, we miss you! Bisita kayo minsan ha. Or pwede rin palagi. :)

To my High School batch-mates: I'll see you guys around. Sana more often. Haha.

To my BS Bio batch-mates : Congratulations sa mga graduating! I'll graduate in due time! Hindi, next year pala. I CLAIM BY FAITH na one year lang ang extension ko. Hehe. I guess I'll be seeing you guys sa IBS :)


I'm looking at a great sem ahead of me, and I hope I stay as positive as I am now until the semester ends, which is, quite far, really. No worries though, I claim by faith that everything will be O.K. :)

Here's to next sem, guys!

Happy Independence Day Y'all!

Since it was quite impossible for us to join the Philippine All Stars and other dancers/gangstas as they celebrate Independence Day by hanging out in San Miguel by the Bay (Mall of Asia), I decided to still nudge the team to wear them Sun and Stars shirt, as for our own commemoration of our country's independence. Thanks guys, for granting my simple request, too bad we weren't complete.

Happy Independence Day y'all! Pinoy Pride!

(If you wanna get your own All Stars gear, go here.)

It is On!

I heard from Sheena earlier this evening and well, the gathering's gonna happen after all! So hear me out, alright? All are invited to drop in San Miguel by the Bay at the Mall of Asia later, around 4:30pm. All are requested to wear them All Stars/Philippine Gear, this is with regards to the commemoration of our Independence Day.

So, if I were you, I'd wash them shirts and head straight to the venue to share one gangsta celebration of our country's freedom! Pinoy Pride y'all!

It's a bit sad though that we (UPLB Street Jazz Dance Co.) might not be able to attend the said event, due to time constraints and financial issues. Oh well, we'll be wearin' our shirt tomorrow in UPLB though.

To the philippine All Stars, thanks for making this happen! We'll be with you guys in spirit!

Enjoy and spread Filipino love y'all!

Happy Independence Day, Pilipinas kong Mahal!

Independence Day is "Wear your ALL STARS Shirt Day".

I had this ridiculously fun idea of "requiring" the Clan's Choreographer'z Birth Team to wear them Sun and Stars Shirts this coming Thursday, as our form of celebrating and remembering Independence Day. I seriuosly hope they comply to my simple request. Haha.

Anyways, I had one of the best mobile phone conversations ever late this afternoon. I mentioned to Sheena (yes, Sheena Vera Cruz of the Philippine All Stars) thru text the idea I had and she sent me a message acknowledging the planned activity. Around five minutes later, Sheena called me and told me that she and Kuya Ken (Kenneth "Kenjhons" Serrano) discussed and liked my idea. She was really excited about the fact that this could be an official event or gathering of some sort come this Thursday. They want to invite all gangstas to wear them Sun and Stars or any All Stars shirt and gather up somewhere and celebrate the Independence Day as one community. The thought of having tons of people gathered in one place, all wearing them shirts gave me chills and got me teary eyed. Sheer Nationalism and Patriotism highly accentuated with Filipino Hip-hop. How cool is that, eh?

Anyways, the "event" is still not an official event though. I hope it pushes through, though. Eventhough the Clan might not be able to participate due to lack of fundings for tranpostation and all, and also because we're doing tons of things for our own concert this coming July.

If all goes well and the gathering takes place, I think it can really be considered as the commemoration of the Independence Day, offered by today's generation. It's time to give back to the land we love. Almost always we hear people proclaim that they "love the Philippines" and that they're "proud to be Filipinos!", but let's take it a step further. Let our actions speak for what we truly feel for our country and for our countrymen. Share this day with people who feel the same way. Share it with people who, despite all the glitches our economy and politics have, still believe that our country will someday rise from all adversities. Share our Independence with the World!

Be proud y'all!

Pinoy Pride!

June 7, 2008 - Choreographer'z Birth (jampacked entry)

If you read my blog entries, I'm sure you know how uneventful my last Saturday was. If not, you can check it here: So much for a Saturday night.

This last Saturday however, was a total blast! We had tons to do but it was all fun, y'know. Ready for some major rundown of what had transpired? read on! A word of caution though, this entry is long. Haha.

UPLB - IRRI Dual Meet

I think it's a twice a year event kinda like a sports fest or intramurals involving employees from UPLB and IRRI (International Rice Research Institute). Yes, the adult people in LB have fun too, you know. Haha. So anyways, we were invited to give an intermission number, which the masters of ceremonies kindly dubbed as a "pampagising" number to boost up and liven up the mood of the people involved in the event. The routine we did was far from being a booster since we did Thea's set, our almost too emo set. Haha. I think the people enjoyed it though. Did I mention that we were asked to dance before 7:00am? Haha. It worked for us though because we had to be in Ateneo by 9:00am for Choreographer'z Birth rehearsals.

5:30am car ride going to Baker Memorial Hall, UPLB



Good morning, Clan :) It's nice to see you guys this early. For a change.

It's sad though that the other performing team from the Clan wasn't able to give out their number because of some certain flaw and misunderstanding with regards to the flow of the program. Don't worry guys, your efforts weren't sayang.


Henry Lee Irwin Thetre, ADMU (rehearsals) and Jollibee Katipunan (brunch)

We pulled off a "dance-and-run" and got on our van and made our way to the land where Blue Eagles flourish. Indeed, we were blessed because there wasn't any traffic at all, which made our trip a breeze. We all snucked in a good nap while our trusty driver Kuya Rex, well, drove. Haha. We made it to Ateneo with 3 minutes to spare before the 9:00am call time. The first run of the show began on time and we were able to grab brunch after we had our final blockings on stage. Honestly, one of the hardest decisions that the Clan takes time in deciding upon is where to eat. Seriously. Haha. Anways, we all agreed to raid Jollibee of their breakfast sets. Thanks to the power nap we had, we were all hyped up. Noisy, that is. Haha.

Henry Lee Irwin Theatre, ADMU (time for serious rehearsals)

Not really. Upon getting back to the venue, we were instructed to go the Tent where all the performers will be staying. It was a pretty big tent, although not that big to hold over 80 hyper active individuals otherwise known as dancers. Haha. It was fun though, we got to meet the performers, eat, take pictures, eat, play cards, eat, etc.

Deo and Jojoy playing cards. Trivia: I don't know how to play tong-its and pusoy dos. Hoho.


Them guys eatin' and chillin'. (L-R: Roy, Deo, Jojoy, and Ms. Feautered Choreographer, Athea)

After a couple of runs, good ones albeit, all performers were gathered up and Sir/Kuya Maui pep talked us. What he said made us all excited and even more ready for the show. However, it was Kuya Ken's (Kenjhons Serrano) little sharing that made me physically, emotionally, and most of all, spiritually ready for the show. He left us with one simple yet very, very striking message, that is to let go, and let God. Let go of all the things that hold you, and let God take care of you and your bondages. After the talk, all were pretty much psyched and hyped up for the show.


Choreographer'z Birth : Pre-Show

Now Thea's really nervous. Haha. We laughed it all off though and assured her that it'll be great, not just fine. We changed into our costumes and put on make-up, and we prayed. We had final adjustments and then we prayed again. After that, it was all fun for the Clan!

Sad. Walang picture ang team na kumpleto tayo. Haha.

L-R: Rej, Maris, Edith, Louie, Mico of LSDC-Street, and Lyn of Indayog Dance Varsity (UPM)

L-R: Chris Belison, Louie Canaria, Mico Lumanlan, and Lyn Hazel Calawod

Choreographer'z Birth : Show Proper

We were second to perform, next to the All Stars, which got us really nervous and excited at the same time. We were just so in the mood to share to the world, or at least to the people in the theatre what we can do. What Thea can do. What He can make us do. We were totally in the zone and ready for it. We prayed, again, and we knew we had it. We knew it'd be a great set, with all His blessings of course. From the first step we took to get on stage to the last step we had, we were one. Eleven individuals dancing as one, for the One. The whole three minutes we performed felt amazing. We were all hyped up even after we've performed and got up back to our tent. We went on and wished the other performers good luck and went on to watch the rest of the show.

There were a couple of technical glitches but nevertheless, the show was fantastic in every aspect, and all performers totally delivered. Kudos to the cast of Jhong's and Euj's set for fantastically bouncing out of the technical glitches and delivering such astounding performances. Trully, you guys are all professionals! Every set performed was undeniably a highlight, but I think it's safe to say that the set that made the house applaud and cheer non-stop is Kuya Raegan Cornelio's set, entitled Chacharzuveleix, a flame-boy-ent performance which also feautered Jhong Mesina, Niko Bolante, and Gio Gahol. Of course, who could forget all the "sisters" in the house! Fantastic job guys, err, ladies. Ang gaganda natin!

Sisters! Ang gaganda natin! Aaaaayyy!

All in all, the show was undoubtedly successful. It was not just a night of pure dancing and flaunting of talents, but moreover, it was a sharing of blessings, inspiration, and finally giving back to the Man Upstairs, as Kuya Ken puts it.


Choreographer'z Birth : Afterglow

All of us were in cloud nine after the show. Sobrang enjoy talaga. Despite the fact tat we're all now physically tired because of the hectic rehearsal schedule we've had over the course of three weeks, it still didn't stop us from mingling with the others and sharing off what we've learned from our experience.

Sporting our All Stars shirts. Thanks All Stars! We love 'em!

With Madelle Enriquez of All Stars y'all!!!

Louie and me posin' with Jhong Mesina of All Stars. Idol eh!

One happy bunch! Thanks to all Elbizens and sa mga alumni na nagpunta!

Brother's Burger and Prince of Jaipur

Yes, I was definetly looking forward to the part of the night when we could just go out and have extra fun. Everything turned out great, from the "kanya-kanya" and almost walang pansinan dinner in Brother's Burger, to all night partyin' in Jaipur. It could have been better though if lahat sumama. Haha. There will be a next time guys, and we'll rock Jaipur then. Haha. It's always great to have Kuya Tope around with night-outs such as this. Financer! Kidding! Thanks man for taking care of us. Haha. Amazing. We, I mean, they, played "Hep, hep, hoorah!" in Jaipur. Haha. Laughtrip, man!

Kuya Tope and Jazz squatting, as a concequence for losing in "Hep, hep, hoorah!". LOLs.


Gettin' friendly with Absolut, thanks to Kuya Tope!

Gettin' a lil too friendly with Mary, Jazz' cousin. :)

Obvious ba that I really wanted to party last night? Haha. Jazz and I were all up on the dance floor and waiting for some good music to come play. Haha. I saw a couple of familiar faces there, like Mico Lumanlan and Brent Chua from the La Salle Dance Company - Street, and also Jay, a fellow blogger and a member of the Skittlez Crew. Nice chat mate! You party animal. Haha. I'll see you again, hopefully soon.

Alright, so we left Jaipur at around 4:00am to finally get some rest in Ate Joyce Serrano's condo in Katipunan. We had to take Mary home in Pasig and drop off Kuya Tope and Kuya Noel somewhere in C5 before finally driving off to Katipunan. Thanks again, Jazz, for the car ride!

We immediately dozed off and after a few hours of sleep ( three hours, to be exact) I decided it was time for me to go home to the land of siomai, buko pie, and butterfly na tinapay, otherwise known as LB. Haha. T'was my first time to commute all the way back to LB and I've had a couple of misfortunes along the way, but that's another story, and another blog entry. Haha.

Off the hook Saturday night-Sunday morning, y'all!

Thanks to the Philippine All Stars for having us. Congratulations once again and God Bless y'all!

Grant me strength, please.

I need to wake up at 5am tomorrow because we need to be in the UPLB Freedom Park by 6am. For what, you ask? A dance number to be performed at 6:30am. Argh, people who know us pretty much know that we are not, in any way, moring persons. Oh well, challenge. Haha.

Oh and after that, we need to rush to Ateneo de Manila University's Irwin Lee Theatre for the final rehearsals for Coreographer'z Birth. Call time for the choreographers and dancers is at 9am, so that means we have a little less than two hours to get our tired behinds from UPLB to ADMU. Please, grant us a quick trip.

Rehearsals will be all day, as in all day. Then that's it! Show's at 7:00pm. Cyeah!

The end of the show wouldn't mean the end of our dancing though. Haha. It's party time, guys! Well deserved night-out, right? Excited lang eh no. Kahit sabaw-sabaw na tayo sa training, ayos lang yan. Minsan lang naman eh!

Hmm, so with rough estimations, pretty much it'll be a 24-hour dance weekend for me. Good luck sa katawan!

Body Talk

Alright, ready for some major ranting? Here goes.

I am seriously not feeling well. I've been feeling, not just a little bit, under the weather since Tuesday afternoon. It's probably because of too much dancing. I'm not complaining though. Haha. How can I not not dance? Tss.

Anyways, I thought the slight fever and dizziness I had last Tuesday night would be the only thing that I'd rant about, but no. I woke up early this morning and wasn't able to move both my arms because of immense muscle pain. Erik "daddyboo" Javier taught us the choreography to Zion I's Top Down and it required a lot of control, especially with the arm movements. I was so into the choreography that even after going home, I still rehearsed it in my room. And what did it bring me? Aside from mastering (slightly) the kick-butt moves, it made my arms hurt, like really bad. Haha.Sabaw!

And because I've started to talk about my sore body, lemme now post this video of the Choreo Cookies' winning set for the Body Rock 2008. Get it? Body? Body Talk? Body Rock? Lols.

Choreo Cookies - Body Rock 2008

After watching most of the videos from the aforementioned competition, I can very well say that the Choreo Cookies deserved the championship. What's not to like about their routine/set?

I guess that's enough body talk for now. My eyes are getting a little tired na rin from all the internet surfing. I think I need new eye glasses. Oh no.


P.S

Choreographer'z Birth is in 2 days! We're all excited, and pressured at the same time. We can't let the pressure get to us though, after all, all the performers are part of one dance community, one dance family, HIS family. It's gonna be one wicked, blessed, and inspirational night! So what are you waiting for? Grab your tickets now! I think the "pre-selling" period is over so tickets are charged 350pesos na, pero trust me, the show's wrth your money!

God Bless to the Philippine All Stars and to all performers! Ang dami natin! Cccyeah!

Word up.

So after messages were exchanged, I guess it's probably safe to say that we might be able to attend the TechRun this coming Tuesday after all. Our adviser'll be working things out come Monday. I do hope everything goes well and plans push through. Athea called for an emergency practice later, and I guess my Sunday'll be spent with the Team.

I might go to bed and sleep now. Call time's at 9:30am. Woot.

And yes, my cousin sent a message informing me that they're in Jaipur already. Great.