Thursday, August 25, 2005
Nova Prata recollections cont. 9/1/05
geez, i thought i was gonna post all recollections in the last post. guess that didn't work...so back to sqaure 1 and i promise i'll end the recollections in this post! also this post was a draft i didn't finish back in aug. 25. so today is the 1st of september...have fun reading.
wednesday, all the groups had a day off from performing. so off the to hot springs...or the swimming pools heated by the natural springs. anyways, the swimming pools were heated by the natural springs, so that means no chlorine in the water. before jumping in the water, you had to go through a body inspection where this person will tell you to raise your arms to check for body sores or cuts, and that person would also inspect your hands for any sores. if you pass, then you can jump in. i actually utilized the warm waters as a rehab tool for my heel. the warm waters help with the swelling and abled me to push away the swelling. hurt like a bitch, but i was able to walk and put some pressure on my heel later on that day! there were some kool pictures taken that day, unfortunately i didn't take any, but i'm sure all ya'lls seen em already.
later on that nite, there was a performance by all of the local brazilian groups. that was pretty kool. what was also kool was anna banana's group performed too...i think. another kool thing was that the capoeira group invited a dancer from each group to come up on stage, so christian the chosen by default. he repped and did very well...sick bro! after the performance, another nations nite party and then sleep.
thursday, i had a day off so i can recover from the dumb heel injury. the performance for the evening was vinta voyage and the other muslim dances...forgettin the names at the moment. anyways, the highlight of the nite was vinta. since i had the day off, i was helping backstage with instruments and costumes changes. i was also playing cheerleader, gettin everyone juiced up to have a dope performance. so, all the dances were going well and the energy was high...until vincent fell of the bamboos--5 times. meanwhile backstage, we were watching on the monitor. the first fall, vincent got back up and we were all still rootin for the vinta peeps. then vincent fell again. by the third fall, all of us watching the monitor backstage were bummed. BUT...VINTA STILL FINISHED STRONG. THE VINTA DANCERS WERE DANCING ON THIN BAMBOOS WHICH MADE THE DANCE EVEN MORE CHALLENGING! DEPSITE THE 4 OR 5 FALLS, VINTA FINISHED STRONG. although vince was pretty much bummed out and didn't feel like chillin with us, i understood how he felt...(pleasanton - singkil). so that nite, most of were bummed but still felt we gave a good performance.
friday, it was redemption. we did cordillera and of course, last minute changes and adds by kuya rudi! salidsid for me and kirsi went really well. at times i was a little off beat, but vibin off the musicians just put me into a trance. gotta love it when the musicians vibe off of your dance while vice versa for the dancer.
during the day, some of us were walking around checking out the arts and crafts fair while others chilled at the hostel. me, angelo, and quim got some free stickers (brazilian flag). for almost the 2 weeks we were there, we couldn't find stickers. but finally we found some and got about 8 of em for the musicians that played for the trip.
friday nite was mabuhay nite and we were a hit. lot of people dug the food and the entertainment and the photo slide show gary put together. we also paid tribute to anna banana and her boyfriend and our sister *philippines* from the south africa crew. for those of you who don't know how *philippines* got her name....her mother named her after ms. philippines when she won miss universe. trip out eh?
saturday, we did muslim. again we were a hit...at least i thought so. during singkil, me and cass ended one count early. it was my fault, but cass was a little upset. i felt bad and couldn't apologize enuff for ending early. though, singkil was strong, tapping was on, and so were the musicians.
saturday, was also the day where i started feelin really sick. coughin, coughing, and more coughs. had a slight fever and the occasional cold sweat.
as for my heel, it was achy and swelled up. but i dance through the pain and continued to take the meds. those were some really good meds...i think i still have left over. uh oh...am i addicted? ahhahahahhaha.
sunday, the last day of performances, we did highlights or the best dances from our repertoire. so we did: manilena, salisid, pandanggo, singkill, errr...i forgot the others. so, we were suppose to keep it between 15-20 minutes long. somehow we were at 30? oops oh well. the crowd loved us anyways.
sunday nite, it was chaos. lots of drinking and costume exchanging. couldn't really tell what went on coz i was crashed out from being sick.
monday, most of the groups left early morning. we wanted to be up early and say goodbyes to the thailand peeps, but we all woke up late. some of us caught the south africa group leaving. they sang a couple of songs and man...it was heartfelt. had to hold back a tear or two...but it was kool.
us and the cadburrys were the last ones to leave. when it was time to say our goodbyes, i was saying my goodbyes to the kitchen staff. all of them expressed how they loved filipinas. and looking at them, some had tears in their eyes. man, had to buck up a bit and fight off the tears that were welling up in my eyes. the hugs they gave me...it was heartfelt.
so, 3 hour bus ride to porto alegre, 2 hour layover...2 hour flight to sao paolo, 2 hour layover...8.5 hour flight to miami, 2-3 hour layover to dallas...2.5 hour flight from miami to dallas with a major pain in the ass terminal change from dallas to SFO which delayed our flight to SFO. after that, it was a 3 hour flight to SFO. flight home was HELL, being sick and all.
so a 25+ hour trip to get back to SF. still worth it. call me crazy, but i wouldn't change anything. well, maybe the sick part, but it happened for a reason and it was a crazy experience. i guess we can use this experience and apply it to our next trip which is in FRANCE!
SO THERE YA HAVE IT. ALL IN A NUTSHELL. I LEFT OUT SOME RECOLLECTIONS COZ THEY WERE TO JUICY TO POST. HAHAHAH. BRASIL WAS A DOPE ASS EXPERIENCE. THANKS ALL FOR SHARING IT WITH ME. i'm out, coz i gotta throw teddy bears into the lake.
wednesday, all the groups had a day off from performing. so off the to hot springs...or the swimming pools heated by the natural springs. anyways, the swimming pools were heated by the natural springs, so that means no chlorine in the water. before jumping in the water, you had to go through a body inspection where this person will tell you to raise your arms to check for body sores or cuts, and that person would also inspect your hands for any sores. if you pass, then you can jump in. i actually utilized the warm waters as a rehab tool for my heel. the warm waters help with the swelling and abled me to push away the swelling. hurt like a bitch, but i was able to walk and put some pressure on my heel later on that day! there were some kool pictures taken that day, unfortunately i didn't take any, but i'm sure all ya'lls seen em already.
later on that nite, there was a performance by all of the local brazilian groups. that was pretty kool. what was also kool was anna banana's group performed too...i think. another kool thing was that the capoeira group invited a dancer from each group to come up on stage, so christian the chosen by default. he repped and did very well...sick bro! after the performance, another nations nite party and then sleep.
thursday, i had a day off so i can recover from the dumb heel injury. the performance for the evening was vinta voyage and the other muslim dances...forgettin the names at the moment. anyways, the highlight of the nite was vinta. since i had the day off, i was helping backstage with instruments and costumes changes. i was also playing cheerleader, gettin everyone juiced up to have a dope performance. so, all the dances were going well and the energy was high...until vincent fell of the bamboos--5 times. meanwhile backstage, we were watching on the monitor. the first fall, vincent got back up and we were all still rootin for the vinta peeps. then vincent fell again. by the third fall, all of us watching the monitor backstage were bummed. BUT...VINTA STILL FINISHED STRONG. THE VINTA DANCERS WERE DANCING ON THIN BAMBOOS WHICH MADE THE DANCE EVEN MORE CHALLENGING! DEPSITE THE 4 OR 5 FALLS, VINTA FINISHED STRONG. although vince was pretty much bummed out and didn't feel like chillin with us, i understood how he felt...(pleasanton - singkil). so that nite, most of were bummed but still felt we gave a good performance.
friday, it was redemption. we did cordillera and of course, last minute changes and adds by kuya rudi! salidsid for me and kirsi went really well. at times i was a little off beat, but vibin off the musicians just put me into a trance. gotta love it when the musicians vibe off of your dance while vice versa for the dancer.
during the day, some of us were walking around checking out the arts and crafts fair while others chilled at the hostel. me, angelo, and quim got some free stickers (brazilian flag). for almost the 2 weeks we were there, we couldn't find stickers. but finally we found some and got about 8 of em for the musicians that played for the trip.
friday nite was mabuhay nite and we were a hit. lot of people dug the food and the entertainment and the photo slide show gary put together. we also paid tribute to anna banana and her boyfriend and our sister *philippines* from the south africa crew. for those of you who don't know how *philippines* got her name....her mother named her after ms. philippines when she won miss universe. trip out eh?
saturday, we did muslim. again we were a hit...at least i thought so. during singkil, me and cass ended one count early. it was my fault, but cass was a little upset. i felt bad and couldn't apologize enuff for ending early. though, singkil was strong, tapping was on, and so were the musicians.
saturday, was also the day where i started feelin really sick. coughin, coughing, and more coughs. had a slight fever and the occasional cold sweat.
as for my heel, it was achy and swelled up. but i dance through the pain and continued to take the meds. those were some really good meds...i think i still have left over. uh oh...am i addicted? ahhahahahhaha.
sunday, the last day of performances, we did highlights or the best dances from our repertoire. so we did: manilena, salisid, pandanggo, singkill, errr...i forgot the others. so, we were suppose to keep it between 15-20 minutes long. somehow we were at 30? oops oh well. the crowd loved us anyways.
sunday nite, it was chaos. lots of drinking and costume exchanging. couldn't really tell what went on coz i was crashed out from being sick.
monday, most of the groups left early morning. we wanted to be up early and say goodbyes to the thailand peeps, but we all woke up late. some of us caught the south africa group leaving. they sang a couple of songs and man...it was heartfelt. had to hold back a tear or two...but it was kool.
us and the cadburrys were the last ones to leave. when it was time to say our goodbyes, i was saying my goodbyes to the kitchen staff. all of them expressed how they loved filipinas. and looking at them, some had tears in their eyes. man, had to buck up a bit and fight off the tears that were welling up in my eyes. the hugs they gave me...it was heartfelt.
so, 3 hour bus ride to porto alegre, 2 hour layover...2 hour flight to sao paolo, 2 hour layover...8.5 hour flight to miami, 2-3 hour layover to dallas...2.5 hour flight from miami to dallas with a major pain in the ass terminal change from dallas to SFO which delayed our flight to SFO. after that, it was a 3 hour flight to SFO. flight home was HELL, being sick and all.
so a 25+ hour trip to get back to SF. still worth it. call me crazy, but i wouldn't change anything. well, maybe the sick part, but it happened for a reason and it was a crazy experience. i guess we can use this experience and apply it to our next trip which is in FRANCE!
SO THERE YA HAVE IT. ALL IN A NUTSHELL. I LEFT OUT SOME RECOLLECTIONS COZ THEY WERE TO JUICY TO POST. HAHAHAH. BRASIL WAS A DOPE ASS EXPERIENCE. THANKS ALL FOR SHARING IT WITH ME. i'm out, coz i gotta throw teddy bears into the lake.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Nova Prata recollections cont.
Doing these recollections day by day is gonna take me really long ass time. So i'm just gonna compile all memories into one post and repost if i forget any. anyways...
monday, we took a bus ride to serafina, which was about a 2 hour ride. it was so cold outside, that we were advised to bring a blanket into the bus coz it was freezing inside. the first stop was a place (i forget the name) where you can have picnics and swim in the river dam. the next stop was a small theater hall where we watched videos about a place that we were suppose to visit. the small town i believe has a big italian influence...since weather wasn't cooperating, we couldn't visit. after the videos and some coffee and snacks, we went to a skool to watch a performance. there was some dancing and singing. man it was a treat to watch the kids.
while at the skool, oj and i was searching for the restrooms. i think oj had to throw teddy bears into the lake, but didn't go through with it coz the toilettes didn't have seats! yes, didn't have seats. very funny, but felt bad for oj...i guess he held it. ouch!
after the skool visit, we went into town and got a chance to walk around on our own. later on in the evening, it was time for the performance. it was us, the cadburry's and the africans who was performing. we were the first to go on and during itik-itik, there was a brown out (heheh fobby). the fuse must have blown and took the tech crew a long time to figure out the problem. so there was a pause in the show, but rondalla decided to sit on the edge of the stage and play a couple of songs to ease the crowd. man did they love the rondalla. i went out to play one song, then had to return back stage coz we were gonna go on, lights or no lights. again the crowd loved us. bu the time the easter peeps were on, the tech crew got the lights running. it was a fun, but cold day. after the show, it was back to the mission for nations nite.
tuesday, we had a performance in a town called cotipura. we visited a jewelry place, a winery (which by the way has really good wines), and a viewpoint called horshoe? while at the jewlery place, i learned how to whistle using the 'finger in the mouth technique.' i was all giddy that i learned something new....heheh dumb.
that day must have been really the coldest day of the week. at the performance, the interior was freezing and so was the floor. the floor was so cold, that it made my feet numb. it was this performance that i injured my heel during blit. after blit, my heel felt a little weird but didn't think anything of it. so during pandanggo, my heel started to hurt more. but i was during maglaltik that i couldn't bear the pain anymore. during pandanggo and magla, i was dancing on the ball of my left foot. guess during blit, i landed wrong...couldn't really say coz my feet were literally numb. anyways, kuya rudi gave me a helot whickhHURT LIKE HELL! i almost passed out coz my pain threshold was about at its limit. then vince wrapped up the heel with tape and and ice pack. i was kinda scared that i fractured my heel, but bryan was sayin that if i was tolerating the pain, most likely it was a deep bruise or even a contusion. so after the show was over, all the guys helped me pack all my things together and even helped carry me off to the bus. so ronning, manning, vince, christian, bryan, and kuya rudi...thanks a million! i am so grateful for you guys helping me out.
wednesday, all the groups had a day off and we went to the hot springs swimming pool. i did a little heel rehab while in the water. i was trying to apply pressure on the heel little by little to help push away the swelling. boy did it hurt. luckily for the warm water, i was able to stand on my heel for a few seconds.
okay, i'm done for now...will post again laters. sorry for any spelling errors. too lazy to spelll check.
monday, we took a bus ride to serafina, which was about a 2 hour ride. it was so cold outside, that we were advised to bring a blanket into the bus coz it was freezing inside. the first stop was a place (i forget the name) where you can have picnics and swim in the river dam. the next stop was a small theater hall where we watched videos about a place that we were suppose to visit. the small town i believe has a big italian influence...since weather wasn't cooperating, we couldn't visit. after the videos and some coffee and snacks, we went to a skool to watch a performance. there was some dancing and singing. man it was a treat to watch the kids.
while at the skool, oj and i was searching for the restrooms. i think oj had to throw teddy bears into the lake, but didn't go through with it coz the toilettes didn't have seats! yes, didn't have seats. very funny, but felt bad for oj...i guess he held it. ouch!
after the skool visit, we went into town and got a chance to walk around on our own. later on in the evening, it was time for the performance. it was us, the cadburry's and the africans who was performing. we were the first to go on and during itik-itik, there was a brown out (heheh fobby). the fuse must have blown and took the tech crew a long time to figure out the problem. so there was a pause in the show, but rondalla decided to sit on the edge of the stage and play a couple of songs to ease the crowd. man did they love the rondalla. i went out to play one song, then had to return back stage coz we were gonna go on, lights or no lights. again the crowd loved us. bu the time the easter peeps were on, the tech crew got the lights running. it was a fun, but cold day. after the show, it was back to the mission for nations nite.
tuesday, we had a performance in a town called cotipura. we visited a jewelry place, a winery (which by the way has really good wines), and a viewpoint called horshoe? while at the jewlery place, i learned how to whistle using the 'finger in the mouth technique.' i was all giddy that i learned something new....heheh dumb.
that day must have been really the coldest day of the week. at the performance, the interior was freezing and so was the floor. the floor was so cold, that it made my feet numb. it was this performance that i injured my heel during blit. after blit, my heel felt a little weird but didn't think anything of it. so during pandanggo, my heel started to hurt more. but i was during maglaltik that i couldn't bear the pain anymore. during pandanggo and magla, i was dancing on the ball of my left foot. guess during blit, i landed wrong...couldn't really say coz my feet were literally numb. anyways, kuya rudi gave me a helot whickhHURT LIKE HELL! i almost passed out coz my pain threshold was about at its limit. then vince wrapped up the heel with tape and and ice pack. i was kinda scared that i fractured my heel, but bryan was sayin that if i was tolerating the pain, most likely it was a deep bruise or even a contusion. so after the show was over, all the guys helped me pack all my things together and even helped carry me off to the bus. so ronning, manning, vince, christian, bryan, and kuya rudi...thanks a million! i am so grateful for you guys helping me out.
wednesday, all the groups had a day off and we went to the hot springs swimming pool. i did a little heel rehab while in the water. i was trying to apply pressure on the heel little by little to help push away the swelling. boy did it hurt. luckily for the warm water, i was able to stand on my heel for a few seconds.
okay, i'm done for now...will post again laters. sorry for any spelling errors. too lazy to spelll check.
Monday, August 22, 2005
here's a little tribute to by bbq pals ernie and almar. enjoy suckers hahaha! - - -what an a-hole?
Nova Prata recollections cont.
Day. 4 Sunday
I really don't recall much on what we did that day or what performance. the only thing i actually remember doing is walking aorund town with jaoquim and angelo looking for the brazillian flag stickers to put on our instruments.
later on in the afternoon, i noticed in the horizon that a long set of clouds was nearing nova prata. someone had mentioned that it was gonna rain on sunday and it seemed like it was evident that it would rain coz the winds started to pick up and the air became very chilly. this was the beginning of dreadful weather in which we were not ready for.
but here is a little pic of your pal angelo, otherwise known as big sexy. even has shampoo or something named after him.
I really don't recall much on what we did that day or what performance. the only thing i actually remember doing is walking aorund town with jaoquim and angelo looking for the brazillian flag stickers to put on our instruments.
later on in the afternoon, i noticed in the horizon that a long set of clouds was nearing nova prata. someone had mentioned that it was gonna rain on sunday and it seemed like it was evident that it would rain coz the winds started to pick up and the air became very chilly. this was the beginning of dreadful weather in which we were not ready for.
but here is a little pic of your pal angelo, otherwise known as big sexy. even has shampoo or something named after him.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
things i won't miss...copycatting mur :)
let's see here...things i won't miss?
let me add 0n what i do miss...
- this cold/sickness i have right now!!!
- bus rides
- bunk beds
- stashing toilette paper in the trash can after taking a dump (shame on you guys for those who didn't abide by the rules ;)
- the cold blistery weather
- the giant bruise on my right knee
- the contusion on my left heel (gonna have it checked by my doctor this week)
- 4 hour sleeps
- early rehearsal calls
- the co-ed showers (man, lots of hair=womenses hairs)
- the very tight and claustrophobic toilette stalls (just kidding about the claustrophobic part, but it was really tight in there)
let me add 0n what i do miss...
- brasil
- the love of the locals
- the groups
- the camaraderie
- the churrasco - you missed out ernie. hehehehehehehhehehehehehehaaahaaa
- the cookies
- the hot pockets
- the coffee and tea
- free food :)
- MY WHY LAU....YUNG WHY YOU (phonetically speaking)
- DUTY, DUTY. DUUUUTTTY DUTY DUTY FREE!
- DUTY FREE ME ONE MORE TIME
- LET ME SEE YOU DUTY FREE
- ALL OF THE DUTY FREE HITS BY MANOK AND JEN1
- the ice cream waffle cone with the small spoon
- the pizza (specially the strawberry and chocolate glaze one)
- the hot dogs at the arts and craft fair
- drinking and smokin with the guys and gals!
- all of you guys...two weeks with you guys was a challenge but a challenge that was conquered. i wouldn't trade anything for the experience and friendhips with you likhettes. you guys made this trip memorable for me. i am honored to have shared this trip with all of you.
- ana banana
- the "iron chefs" who cooked for mabuhay nite!
- i actually miss dancing and playing. call me crazy, but its true. tiring as it was, but if you have the love and passion for music and dance like i do, then you understand. i may not show it all the time (the love and passion) but its there. sheeez, been doin this since i was 13, what' not to love about it.
- sudafed is making me feel mushy. dam these drugs. okay das all for now. i'll add more if remember em.
Friday, August 19, 2005
Nova Prata recollections...
Day 2. Friday
This was our first Nations Nite of the Festival. The day started out with an early 9am rehearsal. Later on the day, we had our first bus ride to the Gymnasium for a sound check and some blocking? The performance went really well and the crowd really loved maglalatik. They actually loved all the dances. Later on that nite, the local Brasilian group had Nations Nite, which is a party and a small edumacation of the culture.
Day 3. Saturday
Again, had another early rehearsal. Throughout the day, some of us walked around downtown, had ice cream, checked out some of the local shops, and just soaked in the environment. We had another soundcheck, but this time it was for percussion. The musicians had to strike the floor for the percussion instruments since the spots were gonna be the permanent placing for the kulintangs, agong, drum, etc.
later on that nite, we did Lumad 1. It went pretty well and the crowd loved bogobo. During Blit, I landed straight on my knee after launching off Christian's back. I guess I didn't spot my turn and didn't land correctly. The result of the incorrect landing was a huge nasty bruise. Later on in the week, the bruise got really nasty looking. This bruise would be the first of a two-part injury
series...heheheh.
more recollections later...gonna rest. still not feelin that great. boo.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
THIS ONE IS FOR ERNIE
enough said.
okay one more....
enough said said...scrumdillyumptious!!
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
back to the grind
just got back yesterday from brasil. it was loads of fun, but most of us got sick. since i'm sick myelf, i'll have to post later. for now, its all water, orange juice, vitamins, and soup. anyways, will post later.
Friday, August 05, 2005
day one in nova prata, brasil
this was a long ass trip. as soon as we got here, we got acquainted with our rooms. at night, *we* were partrying. met some of the other groups here too. too much fun waaaaaayyyy ahead of us. today, we have to work, but will party again!!!!!
more later on. just a teaser for those reading.
more later on. just a teaser for those reading.
Monday, August 01, 2005
of day the song
for all you reggae heads out there...smoke up de sensi!
"bam-bam" - sister nancy
"...bam-bam. a whatta bam-bam, bam-bam bilaam!"
"ring the alarm" - tenor saw
"...ring the alarm. and now the sound is dyin, whoa-oh aye."
"bam-bam" - sister nancy
"...bam-bam. a whatta bam-bam, bam-bam bilaam!"
"ring the alarm" - tenor saw
"...ring the alarm. and now the sound is dyin, whoa-oh aye."
