Hall of Just tiis

January 7th, 2008 by macarmela

http://www.pep.ph/blogs/candidly/?p=7

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January 7th, 2008 by macarmela

http://www.pep.ph/blogs/candidly/?p=3

May bata,bata…ingat ka matanda.

November 14th, 2007 by macarmela

      
                      
The set of Princess Sarah is like a kindergarten class except that the parents are allowed inside the classroom.

Imagine almost 20kids wanting to ask you a question all at the same time. Each kid is very unique from the other. Each kid has a peculiar characteristic that distinguishes his/her apart from the rest. The kids are a delight to be with. it makes me feel young as well. They just want to play. They think that the set is their playground…oh, well… that’s another blog entry…’ incoming child star’

What struck me most is that everybody in the set  is on guard with themselves…. hahahahahahaha!!!! there you go!

                                    

Everybody wants to be a good example to the children. Not only that, no one wants to carry that guilt or burden of teaching a kid some bad traits.

It shows that people in the set can actually be nice and courteous if needed. Nobody wants to blamed after years that the childs future was desroyed because of what she/he has seen in the set with tita or tito whoever.

hahahaha! some guilt tripping there. I now conclude that everybody believes Jose Rizal : Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan. Bongga!

The set of Princess Sarah is not the usual taping set of the usual taping atmosphere. It’s not a quiet atmosphere for the kids have so many things they want to say and ask. I salute our directors, asst. directors and staff for having such long patience to keep up with the kids.

The staff are not the only ones that are adjusting … the crew as well…

1. I have noticed that people are very cautious with their manners because the kids might imitate the elders.

Imagine walang naglalaro ng sabunot-sabunotan, walang naglalandian, walang nag babad- sign, walang nag aaway o nagpapakita ng di magandang asal. If meron man, not from the sight of the children.

2. I haven’t heard any person curse in the set. That is no joke! Funny?! Nobody has ever blurted out a single bad word in the set even in the height of one’s anger. All I hear is …grrrr!

classic example:

Staff 1: ANAK NG, NG… (couldn’t continue because a bunch of kids entered the room)

Kid 1: ANAK PO NG?

Staff 2: ANAK NG TETENG… NASAAN NA BA YUNG PROPS NA KAILANGAN?

kid 2: SINO PO SI TETENG?

Kid 3: BAKIT DI NA LANG NIYO TAWAGIN YUNG PANGALAN MISMO NG TAO?

Staff 1: NAKALIMUTAN KO ANG PANGALAN NIYA EH.

Kid 1: KUNWARI PA PO KAYO GUSTO NIYO DAPAT MAG BAD WORD EH…

hahahaha! kids… You can’t start anything with them that you cannot finish and cannot fully explain and stand for it.

                                          

3. No hanky panky playing in the set. Even the homosexuals are very tamed.

4. No unneccessary movements or actions that may confuse the child in sight.

5. The people correct each other when one slips or forget that there are children around…

        WAG KA NGA MAINGAY! LAKI NG BUNGANGA MO DIYAN. oopsies! wrong term… bunganga? how funny that we correct each other on the set as if there were GMRC teachers or inspectors. When situations like this arise immediately one will  correct the wrong term with the right one. WAG KA NGA MAINGAY DIYAN PLEASE. LAKI KASI NG BIBIG BITO EH.

hahahahaha! all these changes because we have a kindergarten class on the set.

In reality, the adults are being guarded by the children with our actions, words and deeds…. When i thought all the while it was supposed to be the other way around….

APAT DAPAT, DAPAT APAT nakakagulat…

November 14th, 2007 by macarmela

I know this reaction might be long overdue for most of the people who would be reading this…. sorry… I had to garner strength and courage to be able to write this and at the same time not sound defensive and guilty for what so ever….

The title of the blog:

APAT DAPAT,DAPAT APAT NAKAKAGULAT! and i stand by this for a couple of reasons.

1. no real star as in superstar but it hit the tills showing in all cinemas nationwide for a month long. How about that? Amazing right?

2. different reactions and different comments sprung from this movie

3. it’s a movie that  one will either like or hate.

4. I wasn’t around during the premiere night and so I did not see and hear the peoples’ reaction with the movie.

I watched the movie in a regular theater along with my sister and some friends… I cannot be a real good reviewer of this movie, I feel because I’m a part of it. But I cannot help but share my feelings with the effect of the movie to me….

My sister without any expectations came to watch and she did enjoy the roller coaster ride of emotions while watching the movie.

I personally felt that the movie is not your usual expected comedy. It is a black comedy, a tragic comedy. I did not realize that while we were shooting that my Director, Wen V. Deramas, already had something in mind. He was setting again a new trend in terms of doing comedy.

I have read a lot of blogs and reviews that they got dissapointed with the movie. Dissapointed because they were expecting the usual formula kind of movie from Deramas…. too bad he did not give us that.

I myself, got worried while watching the movie with all my expectations… It’s different… It’s a very bold move….

It’s black comedy. I don’t know how many people could truly enjoy that type of comedy but I’m saying these not only to defend the movie but because i myself was suprised of how it has affected me.

The script has flaws. Oh yes… a lot of it… first how my character was able to surpass all entries in the airport… hello! kaya nga comedy at movie ito… hindi naman ito docu.

Still there was something missing with the story flow and that I would agree with the others.

As I was trying to analyze the movie, my mom told me her piece about the film

‘ Totoo kasi yung pelikula kaya marami ang nasaktan dahil totoong mahirap manilbihan sa ibang bansa, saka yung movie niyo was discouraging the filipinos to work abroad to keep the family. masyado kasing masakit na realidad na nakadikit pa sa maraming issues kaya hindi handa ang isang taong papasok ng sinehan para manood ng comedy… yun lang yun…’

Oo nga… I was trying to intellectualize the movie but here’s my mom that gave her one cent worth of logical and practical observation… The truth hurts.

Though the truth is also funny.

Who do we blame for this? (oo nga, tama si mama, sanga-sanga nga ang issues involve with the main premise of the movie)

Am I believing this because it’s my movie and I want to defend it? maybe yes, maybe no… The movie is not the answer to poverty but it’s coming from a painful reality presented in a light manner.

Bold move for Wen V. Deramas.

Something new for all of us.

To all who watched enjoyed, did not enjoy, confused, dissapointed, elated or whatever your reaction was… thank you very much for giving this movie a chance.

There were also a lot of people who wrote me and commented that they liked and enjoyed the movie. Thanks as well… i mean double thanks.

To my director, Wen, thanks for the oppurtunity of being a part of this project and congratulations because you have once again did something new with comedy… Filipino audience ready or not..here you came with the movie.

Lesson Learned: Next time when you do or watch something do not expect anything because we do not know what’s in store. We only get dissapointed when we have some point in comparison and reference.

So much has been said about this movie at the end of the day… taste is very subjective. Comedy is very subjective. Art and beauty is very personal. The captain of the ship (director) has the overview of everything and he knows what he wants to say… Ano pa ang sabihin niyo….hehehehehe…. kumita ang movie. It reached a whooping 100million and will be shown in New York and New Jersey….

Canada Cri- SIS

November 6th, 2007 by macarmela

My manager broke the good news that I will be joining Ms. Sharon Cuneta for her Canada Tour as her guest. What a blessing! This is so exciting!

As the tour date was nearing, they were already asking me who I wanted to bring for the tour… I wanted to bring my sister but with the apprehension if she could handle the task of helping me with my act. She would be like my assistant. There was also smurf( Rowena) who knew what to do and was so excited to join me… Let me see… Let me think… what’s best?

I asked my sister and she declined…(whew!) Okay, guilt is off my chest that I never considered her. I just had to ask her and find out if she wanted to but she declined right away.  Reaction: both good and bad. Bad she turned down the opportunity to travel and good because it’s a load off my back.

2 weeks before our tour. She decided that she would join me. What?!@ Why so sudden? how can she cope up? Can she handle the stress? can she take the pressure? Can she cope up with the fast-paced life of touring? Can she move fast? How will she blend it with the others? Is she ready to face this industry? How about her masters? Her finals with school? To top it all, BAKA MAG-AWAY LANG KAMI!??? oh dear….

If God allowed this to happen, then maybe He has a reason.

Vancouver Airport:

She forgot my make-up kit at the check in cabin. I was the one getting all the baggages…as expected. Not solely her fault because the make-up bag also slipped off my mind. Still, it’s supposed to be her job… 1 down. moving on…

Calgary Airport:

Ate Belay was the one who met us at the airport. First time I met her. She seems very nice. Tita helen was the only one I really knew from the producers side. At the hotel I met, Ms. Sandra, Ms. Nancy and saw Tita Helen.

First official day in Canada:

The promoters generously toured us to lake Louise. It’s a long 2hour drive. When we got there, it’s freaking cold! MM’s first comment was " ate, you can’t stay long out here. You might get sick. You have a show tomorrow. It’s too cold. The sudden change of weather with your jet lag might affect your performance."

Thought Bubble: Kapatid ko ba yun? Totoo ang sinabi niya.

After going around for quite sometime.

MM: We have to go home. You still need to write a script.

Back to the hotel:

I was so tired that I decided to take a power nap. I told MM to wake me up at 1130pm, so i can write my script. She did wake me up at 1130pm, 1230 and at 130am. She did not sleep until I stood up and started writing my script.

As I was about to finish writing my script at 4am, I was shocked to see her still awake behind me. She waited if I needed something. I told her to sleep now because I’m all good.

Calgary Show:

MM fixed all my stuff. Prepared my costumes. Set-up my make-up. Asked me what I needed. Reviewed with me my script and my sketch. Gave me pointers….

Okay… Let me do my thing. Did my make-up. Fanny Serrano generously fixed my hair…. Now, where is MM? She’s nowhere to be found. ‘ eto na nga ba ang sinasabi ko eh..’ In my surprise, she was with Ms. Sandra and Ms. Nancy helping out with the power point. Can’t I be more proud that she was tasked to do such. she was helping with the production side which what I really want her to do… offer help where she can.

Show started.

I was already on stand by alone with tita helen because MM was busy fixing up my things at the dressing room.

Tita helen told me:

‘matagal na kami magkakasama nila Sandra. Kami ang nagtutulungan kasi kami rin naman talaga ang magdadamayan bilang magkakapatid kami. Si nancy, matagal na rin namin siya nakakasama. Mababait ang kapatid ko lalo na iyang si Sandra… Si Belay nagkakaintindihan na kami kung ano ang trabaho namin at assignment namin. Mas maganda nga pag kapatid mo ang kasama mo kasi mas nagkakaintindihan kayo at totoo ang malasakit ninyo sa isa’t- isa."

Thought bubble: magkakapatid kayo? sandra, helen at belay? ayos ha…

Tita Helen: matagal mo na ba nakakasama ang kapatid mo sa tour?

candy: Ngayon lang po.

Tita Helen: Okay siya. Masipag. Saka okay iyan… Tingnan mo mas sensitive siya sa kailangan mo. ganun din kasi ako sa mga kapatid ko. Minsan nag-kakainisan kayo sa show pero pagkatapos nun wala na. Magkakapatid kasi eh. Gusto niyo syempre walang mapapahiya at masasaktan sa inyo, walang madedehado.

Thought bubble: OO nga naman. Tama ka nga naman dun.

We had 3 successful shows in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. The people was very pleased. We met a lot of people along the way. Learned a lot of things about Canada, touring and people.

Everybody was so focused with the shows, schedules and alike. Amidst all these I was seeing something else…

I couldn’t help but notice how the Chavez sisters with ate nancy worked. I always thought that it was hard to deal and work with relatives. But they proved me wrong.

Working with family had a certain security. That was what I saw with the Chavez sisters. They had trust with each other and enjoyed each others company as colleagues and siblings. I enjoyed watching them. It felt good to see real blood sisters helping each other. It was like they were playing, playing grown-ups. I felt guilty that I doubted what my own sister can offer me.

I zeroed back to my own sister, who I doubled at first but never failed me ever. She took me by surprise. She went beyond what i expected of her.

In Vancouver she told me that this might be the first and the last time that she could join me in a tour because she would be busy with work and her master-al. In my heart, Thank God I was given a chance to travel with her and to be with her, just the 2 of us far from home.

We had a great show in Canada.  We enjoyed the company of Fanny Serrano and the whole band. I was in awe with Mega on how she captures the audience when she’s on stage. Sharon Cuneta wooed the audience in different levels. Her Life and her movies marked and made me remember highlights of my life.

In Canada, I also had a deeper friendship with Fanny Serrano.

                        

Had a chance to speak and bond with Marvin Q. (basta!)

In Canada, I met and worked with the Chavez sisters. I’m amazed how they make things work in their simplicity. They are already a production of their own. No politics, no pretense… working, happy family.

Again In Canada, I realized

                                          

…. I had a younger sister whom I can truly depend on even with my work. I spent time with my sister and I love it!

APAT DAPAT, DAPAT APAT

September 2nd, 2007 by macarmela

APAT DAPAT, DAPAT APAT showing on October 10, 2007. Directed by Wen V. Deramas

Ayan na po talaga ang title ng pelikulang ito na ginagawa namin nila Rufa Mae Quintos, Pokwang, Eugene Domingo and myself directed by Wen V. Deramas under Viva Productions. Kasama rin po sa pelikula ay sina DJ Durano, Marissa Delgado, Dick Israel, Christian vasquez and John lapus at marami pang iba… Nandyan sina meryll streep at Jack nicholson na gusto namin ngunit di namin kasama sa movie.

Genre: Comedy

Category: For all ages, size and shape

Plot: It’s a story about 4 friends who have spent their lives intertwined together even though they have their different lives to live. A story about family.A story about the plight of our domestic helpers wanting a better life for their families. A story about in the end what matters most in our lives. Of course it’s about friendship.

As I said before I shall be lying if I tell you that this movie aims to alleviate the standard of Phil. Cinema. It’s not an entry for any filmfestival. It does not attempt to be different and be the art/culture movie in the likes of Cinemalaya.  It will surely alleviate one from the everyday pressures and problem the presses an individual. it attempts for just 2hours to make you laugh and maybe after the movie have the effect of one missing a friend. All this movie wants is to make life simplier for all, to entertain, to make every moviegoer’s money and time worth it.

Behind the scenes: Every movie has it’s unique experience that the movie goers do not know. Here i can say experiencing the uniqueness of each co actor is amazing. Fun! Fun! Fun! Tiring! Draining! Still Fun… Bonding not only with my co actors but with the staff and crew itself is such an awesome experience.

Everyone can relate to this movie because everyone has a friend. See you at the theaters. Opening on October 10, 2007.

Nakaka- L (wag kang veztuz)

August 23rd, 2007 by macarmela

Long Lasting Lingering effect of Bath and Body Desserts…. the elements that makes it wonderfully awesome and great for sensitive skin.

Dear Multipliers:

I never recommend something I haven’t tried and don’t believe in. Yes! na-experience ko po ang Massage/Body Oil, Eau de Vanilla and Vanilla Bath Syrup. I thought it would fail me and not last the whole day. To my suprise it surpassed my expectation that the scent lasted the whole day considering I was on location for a shoot.

Di ko naman kayo bobolahin para sabihin na… till midnight bonggang bongga…. lahat ng bagay kailangan ng re-touch. But the scent simply had the pefect combination with my body chemistry.

What lingered other than the smell was the smoothness of my skin… ang sosyal! Check it out. http://bathandbodydesserts.multiply.com/

In fairness, kahit walang in fairness… It made me smile, made me feel good about myself… Pampering oneself is not a sin. It’s a must.

I remember that one must learn to love oneself. Because we cannot give what we do not have. These maybe too external as basis of loving oneself. But then again, why make life complicated if we could smile at the simple gifts/perks of life. Go and find something simple that would make you smile. It maybe something that money can or cannot buy. We often neglect ourselves. We have focused so much of simply making others smile… That too can be tiring if we do not refresh or recharge ourselves. It could be draining. Take time out. Relax! Make yourself smile. Pamper yourself. Affirm yourself. Love yourself. God wants you to. God loves you so He does wants you to love yourself as well.

Caution: Anything that is of excess is bad. Too much self love could be simply being selfish. Don’t want to be preachy but for real… God can fill up those loopholes of love and balance those love into it’s proper area where it’s just needed.

I love it!

A peace of claudine

August 18th, 2007 by macarmela

" Walang Kapalit" is my nth soap opera with Claudine Baretto. We started working toether from ‘Mula sa puso’ and so on… I have known Claudine, her moods, temparaments, pet peeves and et al.  What’s the diff? She has grown to be a ver good actress since the first time I have worked with her.

She has shown something different here in ‘Walang kapalit’. She has attacked scenes differently from the way I would expect her to attack and handle the scenes same as before. Not to mention ‘ buntis ng bonggang-bongga’ this lady I am talking about. I remember when i was pregnant and working..’ang arte ko’. Claude just worked, slept, ate, worked, slept and ate… not that fuzzy at all.

Is it because

1. She has gone through a lot

2. Direk Wen-Claudine tandemn has never failed to impress the viewers.

3. Must be the partner: Piolo Pascual…

Honestly, I think it’s the peace and joy that is just shining inside and out. She is just so steadily calm and has that peace within, that makes her so open with things, having no distractions, having no barriers to protect, making her talent more shine with the joy that she has.

As I was watching the ‘prison scenes’ of Claudine. I saw a different claudine. A mature, more experienced person and a deeper, more prepared actor. A survivor finally reaping her harvest from all that has gone through.

I know a lot of things can still happen with her, with me, with us… but if we just hold on to that peace and joy within us then everything will be well. Every thing will just pass off our sleeves without a sweat. That’s joyfully peaceful, huh?

pasilip nga. from my point of view.

August 18th, 2007 by macarmela

Pasilip nga…

That’s how I exactly feel when I take pictures of people, candid or not. It feels that there’s a piece of that person that she/he has shared solely with me with the way she smiled, pouted, posed or whatever.

It’s a connection between the photographer and the subject. A connection that only the two can understand and feel. Pictures don’t just capture poses. It captures emotions, state of being, inner desires, bolted up feelings, and most often than not it captures real moments of reactions and experiences.

When capturing landscapes, non-living things I feel that I am putting life into these things with the angles…. making them talk to me in some manner. Capturing landscapes, nature is a different story again because it’s taking home what is God given making it more tangible to be appreciated.

I want to be a photographer. I can say I have points with esthetics but don’t have technical knowledge. 

Looking at photography this way. Having this kind of opinion with photography, would I consider myself ‘tsismosa’? Maninilip ba ako? Curious? Or simply interested with what’s happenning around? or I may simply be bored with what I am doing and what to further challenge myself…


Whatever,… aminin mo, masarap manilip. Masarap manilip na may permiso

Kaya siya megastar

August 14th, 2007 by macarmela

Here I am again excited, eager, nervous…(mixed emotions)

Meron akong guesting sa Sharon. I’ve been in the business for quite sometime now but still there are but few stars/actresses that makes me feel like a fan… In awe on how they are as human beings, as performers…

Si Sharon Cuneta ay megastar. Aminin natin iyan. At iyan ang binigay sa kanyang title ng industriyang ito.Tumaba, pumayat, lumapad, lumiit…megastar pa rin siya. Walang pakialam ang mga Client sa itsura ni mega… basta kailangan si mega ang mag-eendorse ng produkto nila. Kesehodang pahabain nila si mega, wag patayuin, kalahati lang ang mukha, kahit boses na lang ang marinig basata dapat tunog mega, markadong si mega ito…

Aminin natin. Iyan naman talaga si mega. Mega- endorser.

Aysus! Mega- charming din naman kasi. yes, maybe being a political daughter trained her to be endearing to the masses. One has to admit that no matter what if you ain’t that person, one day it will just show. Until this day i must say inate ni Sharon yung charm na iyan.

Mantakin mo… Kilala niya ang lahat ng tao. Di ko alam kung bakit ganun na lang ang memory ng taong ito. Pero kilala niya ang lahat. Not only does she know the names of the people but she also knows what they do and where they are busy at. Meron pa siyang time for that.

Sincere…the person is sincere.

God fearing. Not righteous or pa-clean but fears God, respects God and believes in God. In that aspect it then shows with the way she treats people.

Perfectionist. Aba naman kung ikaw ay isang mega star, dapat lang naman…diba?!

may tantrums daw…weno ngayon…ikaw ba wala?

Transparent. Wise. Learned her lessons the hard way. Instinctive. Merong tatak Sharon. Tunog Sharon. Galaw Sharon. Komentong Sharon. At sinanay tayo ng industriya sa mga bagay na ito… kaya siya megastar.

Sanayan lang ba talaga? Hindi parati. Hindi madalas. May kasamang talento, dasal, pagod, pagtitiis, pagsunod, paghihintay, at kasama sa plano ng Panginoon…  kaya siya megastar.
At naniniwala ako na sa lahat ng bagay, ito ang sangkap para makamit ang kanya-kanyang bituin… Ikaw ano ang plano mo? Yung plano mo ba pareho sa plano nung nasa itaas?

Napagpalnuhan ka na bago ka pa simulan kaya check mo kung pareho kayo ng foreplan….