snapshots of my so-called life

yesterday, march 25 was the 15th anniversary of our community - mater dei. i was really excited to attend the anniversary celebration because i'd be able to see fellow SADErs, titos and titas whom i haven't had news of for the longest time. reunion of sorts ito! kakatuwa na makita sila ulit.

of course, a mater dei celebration would not be complete without a performance from the SADErs. for this event, we were asked to lead the community in playing the joyful songs. lep, together with his band (blisstered) worked hard in arranging a new sound and beat for the joyful songs. during their practices, he often tells me that i'd be surprised daw kapag nadinig ko yung bagong areglo. and sobrang nasurprise nga ako when i heard and saw them perform yesterday! apart from the new sound, they also choreographed new steps for the joyful songs. kakatuwa kasi very lively and todo-bigay talaga yung mga bata. haha sarap sana magjoin sa kanila sa pagsayaw pero mama jane and i just chose to be at the sidelines taking pictures and video. mga tanders na kasi kami. wehehe

dahil yesterday lang ulit kami nagkita-kita, hindi na naman maubos-ubos ang kwentuhan. we heard from ryan that CPT (http://www.copperpopthrill.com) would be having a gig in makati and he's going there daw after the community event. tapos spur of the moment thing, nagkayayaan na lang bigla na gumimik after. we heard the news kasi na second to the last gig na nila and miss na rin naming makita silng magperform. so from jade valley, we headed off to the bohol's para makichika saglit and to check out my cutey inaanak (gwen) tapos sabay-sabay na kami pumuntang saguijo.

i was surprised to know that saguijo is located within a residential neighborhood in makati. actually, old apartment siya tapos ginawang bar+cafe. sobrang nice yung concept. from the entrance area, nakalist yung mga bands na magpplay for the night and CPT is due to perform mga late in the evening pa, so we just hung out for awhile outside. tapos nung medyo malapit na silang magplay, nagdecide na kami na pumasok para din makahanap ng good spot sa loob. most of the bands who played were underground alternative/rock bands, yung iba naman may mga pangalan na rin. kakainspire yung energy habang nandun kahit na halos mabingi ang mga tenga namin sa lakas ng tugtugan. ang theme pala for the evening was tribute to the lost pinoy bands of the 90's. twas just great to hear songs from our era. hehehe siyempre, karelate dito ang mga kageneration ko na sina beck, jane and ryan. headbang ito!

when it was CPT's turn to perform, we can't help but feel nostalgic kasi nga second to the last gig na nila. itay volt kasi would be leaving na for the states in 3 weeks. wala talaga akong masabi sa galing ng banda nila. i'm not saying that because i'm their friend, anyone who has seen them perform can really attest to their brilliance and talent as musicians. actually, well-respected yung band nila sa underground music scene. nagstart sila sa UP then naging very active din sila nun sa pagtugtog sa club dredd in the 90s. well, dami na ding pinagdaanan yung band nila from change in name (they were formerly known as agnus day), change in band members, etc. pero they still went on to continue doing what they loved to do. i really watched them intently as they played last night and i noticed one common thing with all of them (kuya volt, kuya joel, gredge and their new drummer), they played with so much intensity and passion. kakainspire talaga! due to insistent public demand, binigyan pa sila ng isa pang round of songs after all the other bands have played. during their final set, the people were really having such a great time as in jumping, banging their heads and bumping each other. hala! nakijoin na din kami nina beck, jane and joanne. hindi na mauulit ito eh! hehe :p

thanks, CPT for sharing your music with us! cheers! good luck, itay volt!

i never thought that i could do a lot of things with my life this week. i have never felt this sense of accomplishment in years. since i joined the rat race, my perennial complaint was how my life has become a routinary blah. it's the first time in years wherein i felt a sense of balance; being able to fulfill my duties at work, have time for recreation, sports, friends, family and God. i realized that i've been depriving myself of these pleasures simply because i let myself be consumed with work and other non-essential activities. i just feel tremendously blessed to have been given the chance to finally experience this incomporable bliss. i just hope that with proper time management and prioritizing, i'd be able to sustain this balanced and holistic lifestyle that i long to have.

Our high school class (UST HS Saint Dominica '96) had a reunion yesterday to celebrate 10 years since we graduated from our beloved UST High. Being the class president, I took on the responsibility of planning and informing everyone about the said event. Medyo rush din yung preparations kasi Carol will be leaving already on the 19th. I wanted to setup something while she's still here so 1 week lang talaga yung naging preparations.

The original plan was we'll have dinner at El Pescador, Metrowalk but according to Jing, we need to reach a minimum of 20 pax to have the place reserved tapos kailangan pa ng deposit. Told her that more or less 15 pa lang yung nagcconfirm sa 'kin. I just suggested that we pick the place while we're there na lang. Anyway, there are several restos to choose from naman dun sa Metrowalk.

Come Saturday, may mga nagtext sa 'kin in the morning to inform me that they can't come daw. Well, hindi naman ako nadishearten. Whether onti lang or madami, kung sino man dumating basta ang important thing is that we'll have fun. And fun we definitely had. There were 13 ladies who attended. This is a major feat since the last reunion I organized na 6 lang kaming dumating. Ang nakakatuwa pa eh dumating sina Cecil, Kristine and Jhemma... graduation pa nung last ko silang nakita. Grabe! Hindi maubos-ubos ang chikahan at kamustahan. Funny kasi Myles brought pictures...tawa kami ng tawa sa mga itsura namin. Tipong mga naka-pigtales and braces pa ang karamihan. :P

We had dinner pala at Good Earth. We're lucky kasi vacant yung second floor so it's as if we had the place reserved for our exclusive use. Kawawa nga yung server namin kasi hindi matapos-tapos ang pagpapakuha namin ng picture sa kanya. Wehehe :P After having dinner, siyempre, bitin pa ang mga girls lalo na si Carol na sabik uminom. hehe Chill daw kami sa bar eh some of the girls wanted to have coffee na lang daw kasi magddrive pa sila pauwi. Kinantyawan namin si Carol na magbbar lahat kung manlilibre siya; she agreed without batting an eyelash. Ayos! So we surveyed the place for bars but none caught our fancy. We ended up at Decades kahit tipong high school kids ang crowd. Sabi ni Jing, high school kids pa rin naman tayo ah... 10 years ago nga lang. wehehe :P Then Myles realized na sakto na nasa Decades kami kasi we're celebrating 10 years since we graduated from high school. Galeng!

I would count yesterday evening as the most fun I had in months. It was only yesterday when I experienced laughing heartily again. Stories about our antics nearly made all of us roll on the floor laughing. I think everyone enjoyed the get-together as much as I did.

It was great to reconnect again with old friends and classmates. This is definitely not the last time that we'll see each other. In fact, we're already planning on another reunion this April, in time naman for Jecky's homecoming. They were suggesting na out-of-town trip naman. Hmmm...mukhang madugong planuhan yun ah. hehe Anyway, as long as everyone is in constant connection I think it's not impossible to gather all the ladies again for another get-together. 'Til we meet again, girls!

Decade Anniversary Celebration at Decades

Dominica Beauties

Pretty Ladies