Time for a Break

The time just came and went. We were so busy that there was nary a time to sit down and even think. This year's February is a month of exhaustion and exasperation. I was not only physically tired but my mind was weary as well.
Time for a break.

Well now that it's all over (at least until April or May --- thereabouts), I can now breathe freely and blog. There have been things that I've kept off from doing, like going to the dentist to have a much needed dental check-up.

So what have I been up to these past few weeks? A lot.

To celebrate J-Pop and all things kawa-iiiiii!!!!, we had a Japanese culture fiesta, a film festival, not just one - but two, exhibits, a formal opening and a pop-rock concert. All of that in the span of a week. Needless to say, the first 4 activities had its own travails from diva-ish 'artistes' to chatty contractors, onnas in anguish, demanding barkers, overeager helpers... and so much more! I'm just so happy I'm through with that experience.

But before I can even put up my feet to rest my bunions, we had a visit from the Japanese pop/rock group, Core of Soul.

After they arrived, it was work, work, work. Their first night in Manila, just some a couple of hours checking in, we (with me, of course, as designated groupie) went to their rehearsal session with Barbie. The session went well adn fast... as Kitchie wasn't there to really accomplish a lot. It was well and good that this was the case because they needed the rest anyway. So after pizza and cola, day 1 was through.

The following day seemed complicated on paper... but actually only consisted of a radio visit and technical meetings. But in between those activities was a spate of tension and uneasiness. The day before the concert, a big rally broke out and the word "coup d'etat" was bandied around. Add to that the nitty gritty details of the concert eating me up, and that made me one frazzled gofer.

After the long technical and security meeting we had at the Shangri-La, we rushed Mr. Shimohara, the stage manager to the hospital. It was a good thing that the Medical City was very accessible. Quick and clean. All this time, even after giving him medicine for lbm, he was in pain... poor boy. If there's anything which could melt my frozen heart fast, it's a man in pain. sigh. My boss and I took him to the hospital and tried to help him get a diagnosis. After 3 hours, we found out that he has amoebiasis -- contracted perhaps from Indonesia... not from the Philippines.

Day of the Concert started intriguingly quiet. Probably because of the unstable political situtation... but nevermind. It almost suddenly just picked up to a hurried frenzy. My hair was awry and I was all sweaty. Under normal circumstances, i wouldn't want to be in contact, much less within 12 inches from members of the opposite sex that day. i felt yucky and just plain plain. Wasn't it just perfect for lunch with the technical boys? Well, they thought so. Need I mention that the tech boys were way kawa-iii than the male performers? And you know, they thought I was too ;-) hehehehe.

So much for little consolations... The concert was a success! that's the best part! After all the sacrifices... it worked well. The audience loved them and their Filipino counterparts, they bonded with the Filipino artists, and the Japan Foundation was happy. Everybody happy.

We had after-concert party with the group and kampai. High spirits all around :) despite the respect from the cute techies ("bumpy-san, i respect you so much... thank you...") i just had to retire for the night, ay, day pala... at the shangri-la hotel... wooohoooo!!! booked two rooms initially for cos' use but since they went to their respective rooms at the city garden makati --- i had full use of the shang and buffet breakfast!!!! Lovely :)

The members of the group were so down to earth and naturally polite. It was a pleasure being their groupie for the week. Fuko-san was very sweet and bubbly. She's so unaffected --- or seems like it. she carries it so well. Her voice is also very sweet, despite being a smoker. They all are heavy smokers!

The following day, I accompanied the group to intramuros to look at the sights (they got to see two weddings!-- not particularly unusual since it was a sunday), then escorted the shoppers to the "fake market" in Greenhills, where they excitedly bought Louis Vuitton and Rolex knock-off watches... those were Kei and Song.

Then we had dinner aboard a yacht, where I met a Barbara's waiter who recognized me from the NCCA. It was groovy. so calming after all the madness.

< manila's baywalk view from the yacht

Ahhh... if only our cure patient was there... oh well, he was probably working and communicating with their counterparts in the following stop. taihendesne...

that night on the Tennessee Walker was refreshing as i go to talk to Song a bit and chill out with nothing in the agenda. Fuko even acted atypically Japanese as she went onstage and presented to sing not just one, but two songs! The passengers had no idea who she was, and that was the charm in the experience.

< The percussionist unwinding.

Fuko-san treating the audience to Eric Clapton's "Wonderful

Tonight" >

After the floating dinner, we brought them to Sanctuario, a Filipino spa where they got serious pampering. My boss asked me if I wanted to get one as he will treat me... heheheh. it was too tempting but i had to decline. i am on duty, after all.

I need to go exercising or at least some kind of body discipline. I am fast losing my posture. I see that from pictures taken lately. Also would need to drink my daily dose of vitamins and stay away from caffeine... i look like my age already. not bagay to someone so kawa-iii :)

So that's it for February. The group has left the Philippines and already meeting their Shanghai groupies... I hope they enjoyed their stay.