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!

So much for a Saturday night.

This particular Saturday would have been as boring as the previous ones if it weren't for the rehearsals we had earlier for the upcoming concert slash production by the Philippine AllStars. Entitled "Coreographer'z Birth", the show will be showcasing some of the most promising choreographers here in the PI to date, including our very own Athea Baraquio. See poster below.

Anyways, tiresome as the word "rehearsal" sounds, the practice we had earlier was highly elated and filled with snickers and grunts. All were excited to finish up the routine and I can say we're all ready to hit the stage this coming Saturday.

Athea Baraquio y'all!!! (L) Athea with Edith, conceptualizin'(R)

Brown Ranger and Black Ranger (Ate Rej and me)



Kuya Louie (T) Deo,Ate Maris, and Mariel (B)

Yes I know. Caps aren't for me. Haha. I look weird.

As of writing/typing this, news came that we need to attend the TechRun (Technical Run/Rehearsal) in Ateneo, this coming Tuesday. I'm not sure though if we'll be able to go, first, because we haven't really performed the routine with all of the eleven dancers present, and second, money's always been an issue with things like this (transportation,food,etc.). I'm hoping though that we'd make it on Tuesday, even if that means missing out on another date with my Mom (We're supposed to take a stroll in Serendra and maybe in TriNoMa. Sigh).

It's official, my Saturday night is uneventful as compared to my Saturday daytime. Think it's better to stay in and spend time at home? Nah, especially when some of my cousins and some friends are all going to Jaipur later. They'd be dancing and drinking and partying and I'll be, uhm, straining my eyes with my computer and tv. How 'bout that eh? So much for a Satruday night.