performing onstage

Gbex says: I strongly agree with you Ellen. It is such an awesome experience to see our kids and children perform onstage with their masks on or with their costumes worn.

It is a great delight to see our kids with their best performance onstage while wearing their best cool and lovely costumes! Thus, it is such a source of happiness and great delight to parents who have painstakingly reared them to become productive individuals with skills and talents unmatched.


photo owned by Lawrence's buddy Kuri of stupidorkkris.

Morey's Pier

Ellen says: We really had a good time to Morey's Pier. My kids loves the idea of having another trip in New Jersey during their summer break... In that case I need to save more so that I can bring my kiddos again to their much wanted place. Morey's Pier is the best amusement park and one of the great New Jersey attractions.

Well, It is the largest amusement piers in the world! Located on the boardwalk in Wildwood, New Jersey, next to historic Cape May, New Jersey, and not far from both Ocean City and Atlantic City, Morey's Piers offers over 100 exciting amusement park rides and attractions, including two large beachfront waterparks, kiddie rides, roller coasters and more. Is'nt it awesome for a family beach vacation.

Don't be left out you can plan your vacation now in the wonderful place of Morey's pier in New Jersey. Grab the chance to get their weekly special offer. your wildest dream vacation is just a simple click to their website. From Morey's Pier website you can find hotels and motels in Wildwood.

Avoid the long theme park lines and come enjoy a classic seaside amusement park with your family!You can ask about their birthdays, group events and packages, youth events, and corporate picnics and discounts.

Most Humorous Vacation

Ellen says: Vacation or holidays are often used as a time to spend with friends or family. I cannot forgot the time I spent with my loved ones and of course my humorous vacation on Top of the Rock Top of the Rock has a breathtaking 360 degree panoramic views of NYC from the newly renovated, 3 tiered observation deck, located on the 67th, 69th, & 70th floors of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, a top world-famous Rockefeller Center.

Upon entering, we are greeted by the elegant, 14,000 piece Swarovski crystal chandelier, Joie. The exhibit hall on the mezzanine features a retrospective on the history of Rockefeller Center, including a thrilling 'beam walk' and state-of-the-art theater. The glass-topped Sky Shuttle elevators are a part of the Top of the Rock experience.

On the Observation Deck itself we found the best skyline views of Manhattan . I saw the Central Park to the North, and the Statue of Liberty to the South. At night, I mesmerized by the lights of the 'city that never sleeps. It is really an experience I will never forget.

I also been to Las Vegas. I can say that it is one the the best place I've ever been. I was thrilled by the exhilaration of a helicopter flight that soars down into the canyon and a picturesque boat trip on the mighty Colorado River. A truly a one-of-a-kind experience. I got all the excitement, an unforgetable journey. so try to consider this place for a vacation.

Well! if you are planning to have vacation for the next summer, You have to visit the Trustedtours, so that you can see from their online travel guides the different attractions offers by them. They have list of the best sightseeing tours in 23 cities across America. From then you will get an ideas on what to do?

Take into consideration the special promotion awaits you in trusted tours, aside fom the chance to win a $150 Magellan’s Gift Certificate.
Just simply sign up newsletter page intheir site.

Things to do in Atlanta, things to do in Las Vegas, things to do in Orlando,etc etc...

Ellen says: We have a wonderful vacation in Madame Tussauds last summer. Madame Tussauds Washington DC Wax Museum gave us an interactive, full-sensory experience; we touched, saw and heard major historical events and celebrities in a way unlike any other Washington DC tour. It is located in the midst of the excitement of the Las Vegas Strip at The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino. What things can you see at Madame Tussauds Museum?

WEll, one of the coolest things to do in Las Vegas is to witness an interactive celebrity attraction that immerses its guests in dynamic, one-of-a-kind experiences.domination, there's little truth in the notion that it's become a family destination. In fact, for kids, it's doesn't begin to compare to somewhere like Orlando. We will go to several casinos who have added theme parks or fun rides to fill those odd nongambling moments, I will bring children, and the crowds that cluster around the exploding volcanoes and pirate battles along the Strip remain almost exclusively adult

WEll, what may be the best things to do in Atlanta? I learned that the stone mountain park in Georgia is the most visited attraction in Atlanta, drawing nearly 4 million guests yearly. With over 3,200 acres of natural beauty, the Park is a unique and fun destination where families can enjoy the outdoors together, while experiencing attractions, entertainment and recreation. Only the Atlanta area outlet stores surpass the grand shopping centers and malls you'll find throughout the Atlanta area. We will find what we are looking for in the Atlanta Shopping section.

If we can have the chance to go there, we will stroll from its beautiful park and to take some pictures of it. The best comprehensive way to see Atlanta is by taking the Atlanta Trolley Tour. I want to discover Atlanta's history, major attractions, architecture. beauty and more. The tour includes an all day pass including 12 stops with on and off privileges. What a good offer from Travel Tours, so in that case we've planned to visit Atlanta next summer.

ON the other hand, I asked myself: What could be the best things to do in Chicago? Someone told me that it is also good to visit the home of Michael Jordan, my all-time favorite basketball player there in Chicago. How I wish I can experience Chicago's famous North Shore to see the world-renowned garden right in Chicago's backyard. The 385 acre living museum features 23 gardens set on a series of islands and lakes.We can tour the garden by trams.

Our family would love to go and experience things to do in Orlando. I heard that in Silver Springs, we can experience the natural habitats of Florida's largest alligators, endangered panthers, petting zoo, and wildlife shows. Definitely , we are going to the place where we can surely see those endagered panther and largest alligators as well. Surely we will enjoy the glass bottom boats rides, exhibits for all ages in a natural setting of stunning beauty.If your family is visiting Orlando this summer, you’ll have plenty of thrills to experience. The destination is loading up on the new theme-park action, providing parks, rides, shows and parades that are only available in Orlando. Get wet at Aquatica – SeaWorld’s Waterpark, take a ride with The Simpsons at Universal Studios Florida or have a “Block Party Bash” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Just remember to get some rest, because with all of the new excitement, you’re going to need it

On the other hand, what can be the great things to do in Boston? WEll,there is this circular, four-story, Giant Ocean Tank holding more than 200,000 gallons of water which is an impressive sight at the New England Aquarium in Boston. With 3 surrounding levels of exhibits, galleries, hands-on tidepools, discovery centers and more, a must see in Boston.

While these places may give you the excitement you are wanting for in a vacation, let me tell you that there are lots of  things to do in Los Angeles. the Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the most comprehensive collections of paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts in the world, the works of famous masters like Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt and Vermeer. It is such sure hit to visit.

And what about the things to do in San Francisco? Well, a Segway Tour is a whole new way to appreciate the beauty of this City by the Bay at night and an opportunity to ride the coolest machine in the world - the Segway!

I know that it is not impossible to visit such beautiful places I mentioned,if we only learn to plan ahead. For more informations we can visit online travel guides  at Trusted Tours & Attractions. They will give us great ideas on what to do.

Just sign up for the Trusted Travel newsletter and enter to win a $150 iTunes gift card Offer ends July 31st, 2008 CLICK HERE

A form of relaxation

Ellen says:I turn into reading magazine during my siesta time or before going for a nap. As a blogger, eventhough how busy I am, I see to it that I provide time for my body and mind to relax. After a while, I feel energized again...

the kind of music that i dig...

Gbex Says: Watch the video after the jump music video by Jan Nieto

guns and roses...the saga continues

Gbex says: Do you still remember the Guns and Roses?...

I hope so, those were the days when i got hooked to this group whose songs I had so much to relate to in terms of my social and romantic life...

I still a pile of their Lp albums and other cassette tapes... Wanna borrow some?

monks renew vows...entertainment party follows.

Dom says: In the evening of Wednesday, June 11th, at the Chapter, with the Sisters present, Brother Marcus Santiago and Brother Anton Vo renewed their simple vows, beginning their third year of simple vows.

Then all went for a party in the refectory. There was a lot of entertainment at the party. Four sisters and five brothers sang a song about freedom, which was very well done.

Then the Sisters put on hats and sang a song to say "good-bye" to us.

The Filipino brothers (Dom Caedmon, Dom Lawrence-that's me!, and Dom Marcus) sang a song popularized by Raymond Lauchengco, saying "good-bye" to the Sisters!

Brother Caedmon sang "The warrior is a child" for the first time in 2 years—and it was wonderful. Brother Anton sang a song with his own guitar accompaniment. Abbot Philip sang "How Great Thou Art."

Sister Elizabeth had music and did a 'Tai Chi' performance with it. Father Romualdo sang a short Korean song and did a dance with it.

At the end, Brother John Dat did a skit with Brother Dominic Dat and Brother John Baptist about cutting hair which elicited a loud laughter from the congregation. It was wonderful and really had us all laughing.

reality shows- that tick and click...

Gbex says: The other night, I was waiting for the computer technician and analysit to get my computer that crashed fixed when I heard a loud roar of laughter in the television set next to me. I got curious and my attention was glued to the tv monitor. A reality show was being shown!

I was so carried away by the show. It was about a reality tv, that was being aired. The show was very infectious and relevant that I did not even notice the passing of time that caused me to miss my dinner date with my lady friend who was supposed to meet me in a restaurant near Trinoma.

I was so apologetic to her and thus sent her a text mesage explaining why I failed to show up: that I was mesmerized this show I saw on my tv set.

If I remember it right, I even sent her a text message of the show's net address and highly recommended it on her!

So, dear friends in the net, please check and try to visit http://www.realitybug.com/shows - "Reality Shows"

as it really is an entertaining one, I promise!

coming soon...a movie to watch!

This is an upcoming movie entitled "10,000 BC" which is scheduled to be shown on the first week of March and I bet you, this is gonna be another very good movie of Steven Strait, my favorite foreign actor.

The story of the movie tells us about a hunter in a mountain tribe. The hunter's name is D'Leh and has fallen in love with the beautiful Evolet, played by Camilla Belle.

When a group of strange warlords raided his village and kidnapped Evolet, D'Leh was forced to lead a small group of hunters to fight against the warlords to save her.

The story is indeed very poweeful and will give you an idea of how one in a savage ancient world fight to survive life.


the ACTORS

Steven Strait was hired by director Roland Emmerich, for the movie “10,000 B.C.” In this movie, Steven took on his biggest film challenge in the lead role of D’Leh, a prehistoric hunter forced onto a trek to save his tribe from extinction and save his love interest. The film is to be shown on the first week of March playdate.

Camilla Belle, the leading lady of Steven Strait in 10,000 BC

Reserve your day and your ticket for this exciting movie my dear friends.....

the Golden Age of Philippine Cinema

Do you still remember them?.... in your time, in your mom's time, in your granny's time.... the golden stars of Philippine Cinema!

which of these hairs you prefer your son to groom?

This?

This?

This?

This?

OR This?
take your pick...

delightful choices to choose from...

In today's modern world with the new age of technology and the like, as woman of the 2000's, would you rather choose to become like....
This?

This?

This?

This?

Or This?
Take your pick...

Weekend snapshot: at a sing-along-bar

As what the author says, ....Everybody loves weekend, it is the time for leisure, recreation and other religious activities. And when everyone is having a grand time, you want to capture it and share it with others.That’s why Weekend Snapshot is here for you.

The week that passed was a bit tough for me as I needed to attend on issues that affected my work and my relationship with some buddies, so I deemed it right to go out and give myself a respiteat the end of the week.
The destination: Library-sing-along bar! I was so surprised when i arrived at Adriatico Street that they changed location already and their new haven was in Nakpil Street. The night was so young but it did not stop me from getting inside. The group of entertainers really amused me with their antics that I decided to stay put until the wee hours of the early morning and take snapshots of them while performing onstage (with the permission of their kind and amiable manager).

click on any image to activate the mosaic show!


You may want to join Weekend Snapshots. This is a meme open for everyone. For more information, go to this site.

taking a look at Philippines' tourist belts

As I was passing the intersection of Makati Ave, I could not help but to sigh in awe after taking a good glance at one of Makati's finest hotels: The Manila Peninsula. The view from its back facing Ayala Ave is indeed a headturner!

This is from inside the Shangrila Mactan Cebu. Its fine dining attract tourists from all over the world. I, myself, who experienced a two-day stay in this hotel must tell you, it's superb in its amenities...its room quality, service, and ambience, not to mention its terrific view overlooking the sea.

On the other hand, I can compare Ayala center to Manhattan New York's finest malls. When I dropped by Ayala Center the other night, I could not contain myself from just looking at its very beautiful facade. I couldn't get enough of it until I take its images:

for the love of his mama

I got a text message from 'dodong' himself (his name is actually janvier daily, but after I watched his very fine portrayel in the musical play Zha Zha Zaturnnah as 'dodong', I started calling him dodong) and broke his news to me about the release of his new movie Roxxanne!...He was asking me to offer some prayers for the success of it....

He also sent me a text message of the blog site of his director who published an interview with him which he later thought that it was too strong, and asked me to give him some words to say. Well, what can I really say? We all have dark past and what is important for us now is: we still are alive, healthy and is keeping our best shot in our present dealings with our lives.

I met janvier in January of 2007 when I watched a musical comedy play zha zha zaturnnah and since then, we became gym buddies and friends, and the rest is a history to be told. I felt so much sympathy for dodong after reading the interview (though I already knew most of his dark past when he revealed them to me in one of our jamming sessions at makati avenue) of his director jun lana in his upcoming movie Roxxanne.

Here's an excerpt of Jun Lana's interview with janvier daily which he postd on his personal blog....
JL
At siyempre sasabihin mo sa akin, naghuhubad ka para maiahon sa hirap ang pamilya mo.

JD
Para po sa Mama ko. Lahat ng ginagawa ko, para sa kanya. Hindi po biro ang pinagdaanan niya para lang mapalaki kami ng maayos.

JL
Gaya ng?
(Hindi agad sumagot si Janvier, parang naninimbang kung ano ang pwedeng sabihin.)
JD
Nung bata pa po ako, bigla kaming nilusob ng crew ng “Magandang Gabi Bayan”, pinagbintangan nilang bugaw ang nanay ko.

JL
Sino daw ang binubugaw niya?

JD
Kami pong mga anak niya. Ang totoo, naghahanap lang siya ng mag-i-sponsor sa studies namin, pa’no walo kaming magkakapatid, hindi niya kami mapag-aral lahat. Pero akala ng mga tao binubugaw niya kami.

JL
Sino naman ang mga malisyosong taong yan, at nireport pa talaga ang nanay mo sa “Magandang Gabi Bayan”?

JD
Yung mga kasama po namin sa kalye.

JL
Kalye? Anong kalye?

JD
Sa Ermita, Direk. Minsan sa U.N. Avenue… sa Luneta. Kung saan kami abutin ng gabi.

JL
Teka, naguguluhan ako. Tumira kayo sa kalsada?

(Napatingin ako sa manager ni Janvier sa tabi ko. Hindi ito umiimik.)
Seryoso ka ba? Wala kayong bahay? Wala kayong kamag-anak na pwedeng tirhan?

JD
Taga-Surigao po ang Mama ko, wala siyang pamilya dito. Ang Papa ko naman po, taga-Laguna.

JL
O, e ba’t hindi kayo tumira sa Papa mo?

JD
Siya po ang tinatakasan namin. Lagi po kasi kaming binubugbog. Lalo na si Mama. Muntik na niyang mapatay si Mama.

Ilang taon ka nung mapadpad kayo sa Ermita?

JD
4-5 po.

JL
Gaano kayo katagal tumira sa kalsada?

JD
11 na po ako nung kunin ako ng MYRC.

JL
Ano yun?

JD
Juvenile center po.

JL
Teka, 6 years kayong nakatira sa kalsada? Lahat kayo? Paano kayo nabuhay?

JD
Nung nagtagal po nag-squatter kami sa estero sa may U.N. Tapos nag-waitress ang Mama ko sa Ermita. Kaming magkakapatid, kung anu-anong trabaho. Ako po nagbenta ng diyaryo.

JL
Buti hindi kayo nababagansiya?

JD
Maraming beses, Direk. Ang pinakamatindi nung naghahanap kami ng matutulugan sa Ermita Center, umalis sandali si Mama, pagbalik niya isinasakay na kami sa mobile ng mga pulis. Pinagbabato ni Mama yung presinto para pakawalan kami.

(Tumigil sandali sa pagkukuwento si Janvier, parang iiyak.)

JD
Pinakawalan kami ng mga pulis pero si Mama ang pinagtripan nila. Binugbog nila, tapos hinubaran, saka kinulong. Pagkatapos po nun, madalas nang magkaroon ng breakdown si Mama.

JL
Anong klaseng breakdown?

JD
Minsan bigla na lang po siyang iiyak, magwawala, tapos maglalakad nang nakahubad sa Ermita.

JL
Anong ginagawa nyo?

JD
Susundan po namin siya hanggang mapagod siya. Basta makatulog siya, OK na siya paggising niya.

JL
Buti sa kabila ng lahat ng yan, hindi kayo nagkahiwa-hiwalay?

JD
Nung 11 po ako, dun dumating ang MYRC. Ang pakilala sa Mama ko, social worker sila. Pag-aaralin daw kami. Pero Juvenile center pala, ginawa akong katulong, taga-ipon ng kaning baboy. Yung ibang kapatid ko, pinagkukuha ng ibang ampunan. May napunta sa Kapatiran, yung iba sa Asilo.

JL
Ba’t hindi kayo kinuha ng Mama mo?

JD
Wala po siyang trabaho noon. Kung babawiin niya kami, magugutom lang kami. Pero ako, nung isang beses na bumisita si Mama, pagkaalis niya, tumakas ako, hinabol ko siya.

JL
Janvier, hindi ko kaya ang pinagdaanan mo. Talo pa ang episode ng Magpakailanman. Paano nabuo uli ang pamilya mo? Paano kayo nakaahon sa hirap?

JD
Direk… sasabihin ko po sa inyo pero off the record...

JL
Janvier… sa dami ng pinagdanan mo… wala bang nang-molestiya sa yo… nang-abuso?

(Matagal bago nakasagot si Janvier. Parang nag-iisip. Kahit ako naging uncomfortable, iniwasan ko ang tingin niya, nagkunwaring busy sa pagtatype sa laptop)

JD
Wala po.

Before I ended up with my late-evening exchange of SMS with dodong, i told him..."dong, kelangan maging matatag ka dahil pinasok mo ang pinakamagulong trabaho sa mundo,ang pag aartista, at saka wag ka mag alala- dahil mature na ang mga moviegoers ngayun....they will surely take you, basta sa susunod mong movie ay galingan mo pa lalo acting mo!..."

that's it and I said goodbye to my friend dodong!

talent search

When I started viewing this VIDEO, I was kind of reluctant as I thought this is just one of the usual kind of vid clip from American Idol talent search which I have been keenly following up on its seventh season. I was wrong. Towards the middle and until the end of the clip, I was startled and moved by how one talent was able to get himself to be accepted in the next much awaited American Idol Seventh Season....
And he is Filipino!...
Long live the Filipinos in the field of Music and Entertainment!

"tonight is the night, la la la la"

It's been a long time since I was plunged to sing songs with a group on a karaoke or a videoke. But that night when my friend planned to tag along with me and some friends for a videokebar, I could not just resist.

So, even if my voice was not good enough for singing, I yielded to his request: I called up some of my friends who are really into videoke singing so they could come along and share the night of fun with me and my foreigner friend.

I was very surpprised at how videoke system now can blend my voice and adjust it to suit to the listening ears of my friends!

Oh my, it was worth my try!..Have you tried singing using a videoke system that changes and adjusts the quality of your voice? Try it and you might just say, "oh la la, I can sing like Madonna!"

We ended up at midnight with everybody happy and gay. (gay as in delight...-wow!, I was hesitant to use this word anymore as it might give you a different impression on its present doubled meaning and connotation.)