The hills had been alive...

it was an afternoon (and night) to remember. Pau Librojo Mendoza and i have seen a local production of The Sound of Music at the Resorts World in Pasay. was quite nervous and excited because it was my first time watching a real live stage performance of a musical play. i didn't care that the ticket price is expensive. i was on the mood that time to watch. it just felt right and good.

the idea of watching it actually came out of the blue. i thought that i'd be able to satisfy myself on only thinking of it. moreover, i already missed many chances of fulfilling a dream, missed Cats, Rent, and Sweeney Todd and others I may not even knew produced locally.

anyway, it was a great experience. the production sets were impressive and that LED background was huge and one of a kind, not to mention the great acting of the lead actors. Cris Villongco played Maria and Audie Gemora played Captain von Trapp. Michael Faustmann and Pinky Amador as Max Detweiler and Elsa Schraeder were equally superb as well. this is my first musical play, and it made me very impressed, happy, and proud. my favourite parts are when Maria and the Mother Abbess sing 'My Favourite Things,' the 'Sixteen Going on Seventeen' scene, and the Kaltzberg Festival scene with those Nazi stormtroopers substituting for the theatre ushers. The latter made me feel I'm part of that scene.

i wish i could see another production of Sweeney Todd (Repertory Philippines had its third production of the show in 2010) or even Les Miserables and possibly (I hope) The Phantom of the Opera.

¿Cómo se llama?

started learning a foreign language at the Instituto Cervantes in Manila. Spanish, obviously. it's one of my goals, that is, to learn 'unas idiomas extranjeras.' i was a bit scared i guess because i had no idea if i still have the 'student touch'; i had no idea if i can go back to being someone who carries books and notebooks and goes to the library and do homework. i was a bit relieved when i realised i still can do it. i'm not yet too old to go back to school; i am not that old.

the first ten days were i guess fun. i was still groping and feeling things like a half-blind person. i was still finding the student in me. fortunately, i did well. nine out of ten. hehe. apparently, the first level is the easiest one to learn, but i did not want to belittle it and treat it as if it's just a walk in the park. the professor (a Chilean, se llama Angela Martinez) was kind and 'muy tranquila.' i wish she would still be the professor for the second level.

met some acquaintances and friends. every learning day was a day of discovery. it felt great to learn something new. it always feels great.

(sigh) happy days, indeed. i hope i might find what i'm looking for by continuing this feat.

07 November 2011, 17.32

i forgot about this blog. i admit i abandoned it for quite some time. however, i will try to revive it. i want to be active once more in and practice my writing.

Every leaf is a flower

A leaf sits its verdant beauty on the ground
Another issue was conceived by the shade, it thought
Will leaves continue to grow and die
To forever decay, to complete its cyclical plot?

Its first bloom brought meaning to spring
In summer, it showers fairness to the old
A bunch gives way to the newbies in autumn
While the naked stalks sleep in the cold

The leaf waits for Time on the ground:
I smile on how other creatures live
Alas, Time robs it of its verdancy, though slow
My maker, receive what I here give