Saturday, September 27, 2003
WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN
The Damage Report - Year 2 - Ending Week #16
Background Music: "Baby Boy" by Beyonce Knowles
NOTE: This is a weekly blog entry that summarizes a series of events of a finished week in and around La Salle.
WITH so many things up lately, I guess I'll leave it all vested in the pictures. Basically, this past week wasn't normal. Wait, is there ever any normal week? I failed to go to Heraldo Filipino office this past week with the shoulder-high work that we all have to work on.
Practices
I basically remember all of Tuesday afternoon being reserved for General Rehearsal at the GDO together with Political Science 2-1, which is the section we merged with for the "PHED Festival" performance on Wednesday. I lost my original position in the formation and ended up getting in line with the Polsci peeps. I was basically "cut off" and away from my fellow classmates.
At least, I did meet two new people. Grace, who was my partner and was originally from PSC2-2 with Joel and them but shifted to PSC2-1. And then there's Dee, I forgot her name!! Woah. She's the one in charge of the props on the other side.
We practiced and I caught up to the moves as much as I can. I was absent last Friday when the instructor taught the whole class the rest of the dance steps.
Wednesday came and the feeling in the morning was sheer nervousness. I would be half naked dancing to this old 80s song "Walk Like an Egyptian" in front of half a thousand people. Only if I was given a better metabolism which in turn would result in this great and fit body to show-off... it would be okay. But a person in my condition would turn ghost-white at the sight of a yellow cheerleading-like skirt to be worn.
It appeared the guys of Polsci2-1 have this Egyptian looking skirt while the guys of Broadjourn2-1 would have an Egyptian skirt with some type of Roman influence to it.
I greatly disliked what we were going to be wearing. I thought the "egyptian guys" would be wearing something similar to big pants and a vest top. No! It was a skirt without a vest top... just skin and this cover for the shoulders which I used to cover up most of my upper chest. Ugh. F*ck it.
The competition
Anyways we did get to the performance. There was this stupid parade where we went around the whole oval. First to perform was Broadway, which was Marketing and Management combined. Next was the Indian Dance by Political Science 2-2, which has Abbie, Len, and Joel in it! It was cute.
Psychology2-1 performed and we were expecting (or, at least I was) a hula-dance since they were all wearing Hawaiian clothes. All they did was sit down and do arm gestures. And the music was like the third stage of an old Nintendo game from 1987. No offense.
The girls and boys of AB Com2-1 and Com2-3 split. The girls performed this nice "Chinese" dance, they had the best costume hands-down. Then the guys performed after them and it was a "Mongolian" dance, they too had good costumes. Followed by them was us.
First we got into the formation and then did that strange Egytian chant thing. Then all of a sudden, "Walk Like an Egyptian" plays. I so badly wished it was "Baby Boy" by Beyonce instead of that old 80s song which to me sounded baduy.
I even tested out the steps on "Baby Boy" and it works! And it's tempo is slightly slower just enough to groove and feel the music compared to the strikingly fast paced "Walk Like an Egyptian".
Anyways we performed and after us HRM students danced the Japanese. They were very good too, since they had nice umbrellas which they fashioned into Japanese-style. As an added bonus, the clothes they wore were comfortable.
They announced the winners. The first one they announced was "4th Runner-up" and it was Egyptian. That would be us and that would be the first time we actually lost this 'badly' in a competition. It didn't dampen the spirits... I mean, we've felt how it feels like to be champion to 2nd best to champion again... so I guess we had it coming that we wouldn't get this one.
At least we beat Broadway
The guys of Com2-1 and 2-3 won 3rd Runner-up, followed by Abbie, Len, and Joel as 2nd Runner-up for the Hindu dance, and then 1st Runner-up belonged to the HRM with the Japanese dance, and then the over-all champion was the girls of Com2-1 and 2-3 with the Chinese dance. Broadway, all clad in their white and grey costumes, top hats, and sticks... together with the Hawaiian dance thing... didn't get official awards.
The rest of the evening was taking the most refreshing shower of my 1st Semester in 2nd Year College. I went to Square Canteen and picked up Abbie and the rest and we ended up riding the shuttle bus. Air-con and good seats pa. I was also wearing my new red polo from Penshoppe for the first time that evening. Imagine taking a shower, then getting on a cold bus, then eating at Red Ribbon enjoying Chocolate Cake among other things. It was relaxation after being half-naked and sweating under the humid skies.
Thursday was catching up and in Speech I had no Speech... makes sense? Don't bother to ask. In Comm Theory we had a discussion and in Retorika we discussed about the de-ba-te for next week and we went to the library for research. Break was spent enjoying Sisig at Square Canteen... literally everyone at the table was eating Sisig. I took pictures. In Constitution we had a discussion and in Computer a lady sub'd and led a discussion.
I returned to the dorm, removed my brain and placed it on the table... and fell slightly asleep. Tired. Exhausted.
Dinner and drinks
We ate out and this time it was at Inazalle again. It was Brian's birthday but he wasn't around. Abbie was having symptoms of a fever but she still went... she even stormed into Cyberkada to pick up the other guys... but she emerged without any of them. Only promises.
At least someone finally kept his promise and showed up after the longest time. Before he showed up, Abbie was complaining about how she was about to cry due to all the stresses and confusion lately. When he appeared, all the complaining evaporated and she was smiling and joking around despite her being a little sick. All I could do after eating (while waiting for the rest) was finish up a bottle of San Mig Light and pay for my order.
I did not want to return to the long table, so instead I headed outside for some fresh air. I ended up joining Karl and Daryl. Both of them were drinking San Mig Light as well. Karl offered to treat me to one San Mig Light, which would mean I ended up finishing 2 bottles of beer. Then, Joel went up the stairs with this larger bottle of Red Horse Extra Strong. I had a glass of that too before joining Lance and Abbie descend the stairs. I was once again tipsy.
Halfway back to the dorm, Tony collapsed and suffered another chest attack after nearly two weeks I believe. I was tipsy and couldn't walk straight, but still I assisted Tony when they carried him to F2. The assistant Matron lady came by and spoke her soft words to Tony while he was nearing the end of his attack. I was disappointed at myself for being in the condition that I was in at the time... and disappointed in Tony since he forgot to refill on the medicine he needs to take during an attack.
With two cellphones of his lost...
With his original set of keys lost...
With his current condition, that up to now, we don't know exactly what it is...
With his parents already wanting him to leave DLSU-D...
A new kind of depression might enter my life in the dormitories soon...
Without another guy like me in the dorm (Com/Journ student)... no one would be able to relate to my experiences. Tony is a rare person and from the moment I found out his illness to the moment I am typing this entry and to the moment anyone may be reading this sentence, my prayers are with him that he will get well and stay to enjoy DLSU-D as much as I am enjoying it.
My tipsyness went away as I played FFX in Lance's room for the rest of the night and in the morning I was late for the Art Appreciation practice, which didn't continue. I went to NEBO to try and write my speech, but....
I'm a journalist and a writer without words.
In REED103 we discussed about Repentance in this one song and in Art Appreciation, we were supposed to view the rest of [Quills] but Ms. C. Oliveros couldn't find a room to view the movie so we were dismissed. The class broke into pieces and re-appeared at the Alumni Hall.
Anatomiya ng Korupsyon
We gathered there and registered. We were watching "Anatomiya ng Korupsyon", the staged production of Teatro Lasalliana featuring four of my classmates in it. Namely William Eusores (as Bok), Arjay Navarro (as Cely), Athena Maquinay (as Cely, and Jennyfer Arboleda (as the many Lawyers). Arjay and Athena were each other's alternates, meaning we'd only see three of our four classmates on-stage. In our show, Arjay was Cely and Athena was assigned to handle the House in the auditorium.
Kuya Rheyan suddenly appeared and we sat next to each other. Just hearing that humble soft-spoken voice of his reminded me of the good old days back in JOU1-1 last year. I suddenly remembered Jerson and Emil as well. Talk about flashbacks. We spoke about Broadjourn today and about him today in Economics. He has successfully shifted to Economics from Broadjourn. A giant leap that he made and that I'd like to applaud him on.
The show came on and from the reviews I had of it, it's really good. And yes, I wouldn't disagree. Especially when you are watching the very people you know and see everyday in the classroom up on stage and performing. It feels good. Let me kindly review them:
Arjay (as Cely): she carried the role! she projected the kind of woman that came from the province and is concentrated on the true values of working at a Law Firm. she absolutely has no corruption in her body and mind.
William 'Tope' (as Bok): of course, we've seen him star in "All for the love of thee..." last year and now he carried his role as the boss in the office just as great. his voice was projected well complete with facial expressions and other sorts. he's truly the performing type.
Jhen (as the many lawyers): personally, she stole the show for me. because she's the closest of the four in class involved in the Teatro. Jhen had so many wigs and different personalities up there on the stage. Her on-stage chemistry with Jed (of Com2-1) and Joey (of Com2-3) was tremendous. She was like a Barbie doll that came in many costumes. She had this 1970s afro look wearing an olive green dress... then she suddenly goes Aerith of FFVII with the Rosalinda-style hair... then she has this sophisticated 1980s look (the play is themed in 1980-1982)... and then she has this one grim look where her hair is messed up and she has this black line on her lips... that brought the house down for Kuya Rheyan and I... as well as the JOU2-1 that was there... grabe Jhen... ikaw talaga... ang galing mo. I'm so proud of you.
I'm proud of everyone up on the stage that I knew or am familiar with. I miss being a part of the Performing Arts Group. All this tired of writing and loss of influence, inspiration, etc. is just killing my mind in Heraldo Filipino. I'm not giving up on HF, it's just I need some time to find my words again.
After the show, which was just fantastic, we went to congratulate Arjay, Tope, and Jhen on a great performance. It was the last showing so the parents were all there. We took pictures and then all I remember feeling at that time was just how proud I was of them. Sana lang ganon din ako sa Heraldo Filipino... if in the Teatro the four of them can cook up a great show after all the hard work and effort... why not the four of us in the Heraldo Filipino? Eric Salta, Maycee Mercado, Kate Mamon, and myself.
I went back with Upper and Teenah and then Lance and I had take out from Hidden Tapsihan. We returned to the dorms and then Aldrich suddenly came by and his parents were with him (from Guam). Lance and I got to meet his parents, and his dad for the first time.
It was one very strange moment. I wanted to meet his parents but it came as such a wrong time. That's what made it so strange.
I played FFX in Lance's room until 3AM Saturday.
I practiced with my classmates for the Speech Choir at JFH 2nd floor during lunchtime. I then ate with Kate and Teenah at Square Canteen. Teenah was carrying her broken laptop. Afterwards I went to the dorm in the early afternoon to fix up my study table, bed, and my cabinet. I packed up and then before I was about to play FFX, I ended up talking with Kate since William was there. We interviewed him about his performance and also told him what's been happening lately in JOU2-1.
After they left, I fixed up my room once more and then I was picked up. Had take-out at McDo Manggahan (Chicken Nuggets and French Fries) and then saw the new computer desk for my brother for the new computer. My brother's new computer is 40 GB, Flatscreen monitor, and now it has a webcam.
I need a new cellphone since my Nokia 3210 is starting to malfunction. It started acting up this past week. I'm looking at a Nokia 7250i but I'm not sure yet.
And by the way, my digipics have been processed and developed. Php 1,300 later and 165 pictures emerged. So many pictures, you had to put them into two separate big envelops. I badly need an album. I have 300 pictures now to catalog.
That was my week. Take care. I have much to do now.
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