children of the happy sun...

day 2 in bohol was bound to be the HAPPY SUN DAY despite the threat of a heavy downpour... oh well, not even the dark clouds will stop the charmed sisters...

we picked up ate marie a.k.a. phoebe from her house... her hubby and the rest of the helping hand were all ready and armed for the big day...

phoebe's hubby, el cid (now i am wondering if it's really his name...) is the lead guitarist and at times vocalist of the reggae band BrownBuds... they are Bohol's pride in the music scene...

Morris, the long haired dude and slight look-a-like of orlando bloom, is the manager... but he too has a voice to flaunt (i heard...) and can do the percussions din... in fact, he's a member of the Rage band... i'm just not sure if he's the vocalist of the group...

the dreadlocks guy is Imbot (and til now, i'm not sure if i got his nick's spelling right... hahaha!)... he is the vocalist and major attraction of the band... a hearththrob... hmp! daming kalaban! hahaha!

and there's this bald guy i was so fond of calling 'wilson'... where and how i ever got that name? i don't know... maybe he looks like the ball companion of tom hanks in 'cast away'... hahaha! but the comic guy's real name is milo...

all were such angels...

on the way to the site, we fetch the clown... surprisingly, he was wearing his costume and make-up already... seemed as excited as the rest of us... hehehe!

we were greeted with happy faces when we reached the covered area of the community... kids who despite the language barrier were able to send messages of excitement... it was kind of hard to connect with them in the beginning but who needed words, everybody just exchanged smiles... it was more than enough for us... and the sight that some even wore their sunday's best was an indication that it was a special day for them....

ate marie, being a boholana herself, hosted the gathering... i and el cid were designated photo and video documentarists while morris took charge of the music...

it started off with all of us dancing to Edu's Papaya song... hmmmmm.... wait... i knew the dance but was too shy to cause so much laughter... imagine a hippo dancing in front of so many kids... inay ko po... hahaha... later on, some of the kids joined... which actually segued to the papaya dance contest... winner brought home toys...

we weren't the only one though who prepared a number... the kids themselves rehearsed a presentation... touching indeed...

then we brought out the surprises... first on the list were the educational tools like books donated by QTV's At Your Service, the boxes of chalk and visual aids...

the kids all clapped in acknowledgment... learning will be fun now that they have a chalk to use on the board... books to read... and the walls of the daycare center will now be decorated with visual aids...

the volunteer teachers couldn't help but shed tears of joy and gladness... i was really touched... what noble hearts they have to be happy for kids na hindi naman nila anak and yet, putting their needs before theirs... sobra... such display of raw emotion...

more gifts showered that day... bagful of groceries for the parents... then more toys as prizes... and then the jollibee chicken and spaghetti... every kid was anxious to have their meal... but they didn't keep it to themselves... it was shared with parents... siblings... i noticed one kid was nibbling the raw noodles from the grocery bag... i mean, okei... hindi naman tayo sanay ng ganun... either he was too hungry or he preferred eating it that way...

but of course, pity is the last thing they need... fine... this is just me thinking aloud... i am with anyone on that, mas nakakaawa sila kung kaawaan sila... we need to see (and make them realize...) the brighter side of their life... but i am just human, now that i am staring at the pictures again, i am struck with the bitter realities of life... OA as it may sound, ganun ba talaga? some are so much less blessed... why can't it just be that everyone... as in everybody enjoys the same benefits of comfort... oh well, pardon me for being melodramatic... it just hits me sometimes...

while i was taking pictures, i passed by one girl... smiled... the next thing i know, i had this butterfly in the stomach... i was so moved... she raised her hand and offered me her chicken... i might have looked hungry myself... hahaha... but really, it was obvious she very much liked the chicken and might have been kulang pa nga considering that she was sharing it with another kid... but good god, she was offering me a bite... so touched that i wasn't able to click my cam... but who needs the pic anyway...

Morris, El Cid, Imbot and Wilson provided the entertainment... sang two of their famous songs... Biyaheng Bohol and Olah...

the kids were so excited when we showed them the Happy Sun Backpacks... they were chaotic but in a nice way... just really clamoring to have a bag full of goodies and school supplies...


and finally, to mark the moment of happiness, we fixed on every kid the I AM HAPPY pin as a declaration to the universe... we even requested everybody to chant "I AM HAPPY" over and over again...

everybody went home really happy... the badjaos... the charmed ones... and the whitelighters of brownbuds... we are all children of the happy sun.

p.s.

piper, phoebe and prue basked and played under the rain... oh yeah... the rain fell only after we were through with everything... we received with open arms the blessings of bounty that went with the downpour...

what a happy day it was!

i am happy...

why were we in bohol? whatever brought us there? i would have stayed in manila and earn from that extra week of work but instead, i had this strong urge to fly with my bestfriend to bohol... it wasn't plainly a vacation after all... what with the heavy luggages and huge balikbayan boxes and the severe heat you'd experience only in far flung provinces (i don't know... it's an observation... mas mainit talaga sa probinsiya... hahaha! not that it's a bad thing... hehehe!)

wait... just a quick thought... i'm not glorifying myself nor the intentions of our trip... but i have to say, i am amazed myself on how i saw the wisdom in our intentions... after all, i am normally a bad person... hahaha! really... you just don't know what kind of evil corrupts this big lump of lard...

piper's brainchild was born from a heart that's pure not everybody can have... and i am proud of her... the HAPPYness CAMPAIGN as symbolized by the HAPPY SUN will spread rays of sunshine to so many kids... it's her advocacy... to make people happy... to be the host of an epidemic...
i remember her telling me... "hindi siya big thing ha... it's just a personal thing..." how can it be just a personal thing... it's always a big gesture when you make someone happy... not only does it reflect your truest content in what life gives you but also how you express your state of being... and sharing is always the most noble thing to do.

to whom much is given, much is required... we all have it in our hearts to share... to give... to offer a hand... sometimes, we just need a push... but with piper, she has 2 bright and happy hearted kids to inspire her...

it was gabie and kyla who came up with the logo... it's their visualization of what a happy sun is... simple and with a very clear message... the sun smiles on us despite the adversaries in each life... a happy sun would also mean that all shall pass and that one day, we will have a happy day... such uncorrupted thoughts from piper's girls... makes me also realize, we are all HAPPY SUNS... we can be a ray of sunshine to anyone... we just need to want to be... to feel and express the want... we need to want it... will it... enjoy being the happy sun...

where then does the happy sun rise first? it was a random pick... the one with highest recall... bohol was piper's most loved place... well, anyone who has visited bohol will love it... serving as a sanctuary for endangered tarsiers... the frontiers of crystal waters and rich ocean life... the white sands... it is a natural beauty that takes away your woes...

but yet, behind the serenity and chastity of its beauty, there lies the bitter truth... a badjao community who have been naturally deprived of comfort... the adults and ancestors may have adjusted to their way of life... but what about the kids? now that all on earth seem to advance and develop, are they able to cope up? it is funny... give them a celfone or ipod, it won't serve it's purpose... advancement isn't what they need to cope with life...
just simple joys... it's all they would want... comfort... and the promise that they will have a chance... just a chance for a better future.,,

perhaps it was pre-destined that a friend from our previous program decided to settle in bohol... who would know that one day, she'll be an instrument and the happy sun's link... she was quick to reply to piper's request... Ate Marie found the badjao community in Dauis, Bohol.
the badjao daycare center was DSWD's recommendation... from what piper was told, their classes had to be suspended due to lack of chalk.. yes... just a meager chalk.. the ones we just play with when we were in school (i play with them...what a silly ass i was)... the ones that can be bought for 60 pesos per box... there's even a 20/box... but even at a low cost, the children's education will have to cease and wait... no one wants that... not even the volunteer teachers... it is just what reality presents for the moment... resources are limited...
they receive support from the local government unit, albeit not enough... for what reason in such deficient action, we never intended to find out anymore...

the daycare center had insufficient books and other educatioonal tools... the kids have to brave narrow planks just to reach it even... but unfortunately for one kid, it was his road to a short life... news was one kid died the week before we arrived... he fell from the planks... oh god, the price that has to be paid for education... the only best way to see it is at least now, the same kid is now an angel...
during our ocular, we were surprised to actually witness huts being constructed... all the while, i thought the badjaos still settle on sea... according from the dswd representative, they are trying so much to persuade every badjao family to build homes on land surface... livelihood training is being provided for parents too... thank god they're willing to leave their domain... i've been to other regions and unlike the badjaos, most that i have witnessed weren't embracing opportunities...
the sun has smiled even before we came... all they needed was a reminder that they are not forgotten... that there's a reason to be continually happy... the badjao children especially... every kid has a right to good food... a chance to play with toys... to be educated... they deserve to be happy... even for one day, we can attempt to instill the meaning of happiness...

and so we left the badjao community HAPPY... knowing that when we return the next day, 70 kids will have a chance at the feeling... and to know that we are all provided the oportunity to influence lives is something we thank God for...

what surprises await the kids anyway... hmmm...

there's the happy sun bag which was customized... part from the fact that it carries goodies, it can be used by the kids when classes resume...
then there are books donated by friends from QTV's AT YOUR SERVICE... (nice noh? dos and siete can work together for a common cause..)
and the boxes of chalk..
toys...
chicken and spaghetti...
and there's grocery bags too for the parents...
and for entertainment, we'll bring along a clown...
and bohol's BrownBuds, the region's prime reggae band who volunteered to perform for the kids...
then of course, to serve as a reminder to the HAPPY feeling, the happy sun pins...

FOR FURTHER REFERENCE: you are all invited to please hit on piper's BRATTYNELLA blog and the HAPPYness CAMPAIGN blog... we are more than glad to share our happy experience with you...
VIDEO COURTESY: ate marie a.k.a. phoebe halliwel... mwah!

julio and julia...

who's julio and julia?

hahaha! that's me and jessie, one of my closest friends in Rated K...

we christened ourselves long before as julio and julia... quite fitting for two round figures who laugh even at the most trivial of things... hahaha! oh, there's never a dull moment when we're together... our bellies even ache because of incessant laughing and at times we don't even know what we're laughing about...

the video below was shot when we were in Burgos, Ilocos Norte to produce a story on the the town's lighthouse... and out of nowhere, we just created a jingle for our tandem...

it was a blast... hahaha! i still laugh at ourselves everytime i see the video... which by the way, i have to thank my 'beloved' Uge for adoring us... he keeps an archive of julio and julia''s standuppers and bloopers... i wonder if 'beloved' has kept my standupper in Batanes... hahaha! that you have to see...

anyway, here's our jingle... fair warning though... this isn't for the faint of hearts... hahaha! puhlease don't mock us after watching it... it is one of those boring moments and we were just being spontaneous... hahaha!

handa na ba kayo?

my program is having a new set as part of our new look... and just like this entry, it too was long delayed... it should have been launched 6 months ago but due to inevitable complications and budget restrictions, it had to wait... but lo and behold, we finally launched last oct. 07.


new graphics... new set.... new approach... new music... new dance... and a more vibrant and competent staff...

i hope our feng shui expert, Paloma, is more than just right... the color scheme... the date... the configurations of where to face and when to assemble... oh jeez... all that so everything fits into place and flies with color.... no harm in following... after all, Rated K has been in tip top shape ever since it's pilot... ratings and advertising wise... we have always managed to stay on top...

but more than that, we have always kept that connection with our audience... and that is the most important thing...

our set costed us a million and a half... it is the best we ever had.. from balitang k til now with rated k, this set is the most grandiose... the entire staff was proud of it.

our new theme music was by Rachel Ann Go and Gloc 9... rachel did most of the melody while gloc 9, of course, rendered the rap portion... all these were composed by Lito Camo... and it couldn't have been better.



and now... the most exciting part... the official rated k dance which was choreographed by Kuya Mel (Feliciano)...

it is very simple... just the way i wanted it so everybody can just slide by and do the gesture... it isn't really something we want to make big with... bahala na... let the audience follow na lang... call it baduy... it's fun... we enjoyed every step of the way in producing it... including its part in the obb (opening billboard)... remember the prod shot in Cainta? hehehe! pero siyempre hindi nagpatalo ang staff, they too wanted to girate... in fact, they were suppose to dance only the chorus but to my surprise, they created a choreograpy of their own for the whole song... hahaha! and all the while i thought nahihiya sila... hahaha!
took a shot of the staff when they were dancing in the studio... it is for our host, Korina, who celebrated her birthday last oct. 05... but you might want to also click on the edited version... hehehe!

forgive the staff... call it "kapal ng apog" na lang... hahaha! by the way, i think they danced at least 10 times just to make sure we had lots of materials to choose from... hahaha! and don't look for me... i'm the guy on the floor cuing everybody... after all, it's kindah weird to see a "butanding" dance, don't you think so? hehehe!




everything you see on television is the result of our collective effort... not only of one person but the entire Rated K staff... we have lapses... but we get Rated K on air... beautifully.

and prue's back...

oh gahd... i've missed blogging very much... missed connecting with everybody...

my apologies for not saying 'goodbye' before i left... hehehe... but i blew a promise to cyberspace that i'll bring home lots of stories... and insights to share... and pictures/videos to feed the soul... hehehe!

anyway, i am still here in Bohol but piper and i are finally set to return home tomorrow via Pal 12:30pm flight... we were suppose to have been back thursday but unfortunately (was it? hehehe... i think not... except for the fact that i have compromised my camarines sur trip and the team... well... that's life... you can't plan everything so perfectly... masyado naman ata akong masaya kung after bohol, diretso camarines sur pa ako!!! hahaha!), piper and i woke up very late @ 11:30am... the plane just zoomed over the resort... hahaha! there goes our 1030am flight...

and for the love of all that's good and holy, we hoped so much to board the 440pm flight today... waitlisted but seems like we're destined to stay a night longer... everybody that were booked came and flew... while the charmed ones remained stranded and... hmmm... rewarded again for another night of bohol escapade.

so here we are... still in bohol... enjoying the serendipity of our life together... hahaha!

what am i suppose to write about when i get back...? pretty tight and hectic... my weekend til monday may just be about accomplishing the following entries...

1> i still owe you that Rated K Dance... it's long delayed... forgive me... it's been a week now since i launched it...
2> Happy Sun Campaign... everybody deserves to be happy...
3> Preparation for the Badjao Charity Project of Piper's Happy Sun...
4> Children of the Happy Sun... the first ever recipient of the happy sun's ray of sunshine...
5> Post Charity... there's quite a number of angels that should be thanked... the possibility of spreading happiness depended on quite a number of people... heaven's sent to Piper and her brainchild...
6> BrownBuds... i've never loved reggae this much... thanks to the band who i now recognize as my brothers and friends...
7> Balicasag and Virgin Island... Piper and I rewarded ourselves after a very successful charity work...
8> Our veranda nights created memories.. and these i really want to share...
9> one of the topics in the veranda.. STAYER OR PLAYER?
10> Bohol Sunset
11> my most soulful moment in Bohol... THE SUNRISE!

Oh and i think i have sidelights... my friend and her "bana" (bisaya for asawa... not sure if it's stricly for 'husband' or generic for spouse... anybody is welcome to correct me... hehehe!) just can't help but express their love through music... which of course i got on video... thanks to my ever dependable Nokia 93i...

In fact, i'm making a review entry on my N93i... it deserves my appreciation... it was a great great great help...

and then there's these two foreigners who played and bared for me and piper's delight... hahaha! until this entry, il leave it to your imagination first...

hmmmm... then there's Imbot my Crush...

like hell, our bohol trip was just really filled with stories... i'll take my rest for now and start flaunting tomorrow... thank god my official leave of absence is until tuesday... hehehe!

blog away...

kilala niyo ba si ellen de generous?

ay day! ganun ata talaga... kapag natataranta tayo at kurta ang utak dahil nabibigla... nawawala sa wisyo...

hahaha! it was one of our usual days at work... my friend (whose name i won't state na lang para ma-protect naman ang kanyang reputasyon, integridad at dignidad... hehehe!) and i had a brief meeting with our overall program head just the other day but up to now, we still can't get over his blooper...

talak.. talak...talak... we were receiving a littany of sermon... all you'd hear from us were our 'yes'..'opo mam'... 'yes mam'...

it's only my friend's 2nd week as associate producer... and facing her wrath may have been a big blow for his should-be pleasant morning...

after my boss' series of reminders, we were asked...

"O kumusta ang ating plug?"

both of us weren't anticipating it... we haven't readied an answer for that... but my friend was quick...

"Ok na po mam, nakausap ko na po si Faith ng CCM... siya din po kasi ang kukuha at manunuod ng plug ni Ellen De Generous..."

i couldn't help it... natawa ako... kahit seryoso ang pag-uusap naming tatlo... kahit hindi napangiti si boss... because i think she didn't hear it... ako? tawa ng tawa... hahaha!

my friend wasn't able to hold it anymore... he too went laughing... it was a freudian slip at the wrong time...

hahaha.. let me just put it on note... my friend is literate in english and very much adept with tv production...

it's just that... talagang mahirap pag natataranta sa harap ni boss... hahaha!

(TO MY DEAR DEAR FRIEND: okay lang yun.. it happens... bwahaha!)

of christmas and lists...

waaaaahhooooo... it semed like only yesterday when i was rejoicing for the on-set of the BER months... what do you know... september's over and we're nearer the best times of the year...

oh well... i still have my dad's birthday to survive on oct. 21... and all soul's day of course... it's our 2nd christmas without daddy... hmmmm... not now... not now prue...

anyways, i think i have to start completing my christmas list... afterall, the season sure means big spending for me (i think same goes with everybody else... hahaha!)... big spending because i have my own wishlist... then there goes my circle of friends... i'm more reminded now to make bawi to some of them since last christmas, i failed to finish my shopping and before i know it, we all got hectic when work resumed...

then there's also my many inaanaks who everytime na lang i really have to make a list pa rin... i'm such a bad ninang actually... do you know all your inaanaks? well, i don't... some inaanaks either i don't remember... or some i think i haven't seen at all... or if fortunately, i recognize them, it's their names i don't remember... hahaha! bad bad ninang...

the production staff.... jeez.. the technical team... and quite a number of colleagues too... this estimately closes to an 80... ei piper, let's plan our gift-shopping days... paige, you might want to join us na rin... piglet... badingerz... julia... shoppingan na! hahaha!

and don't forget the ever-kind guards and maintenance crew... they must top the list...

wait... who did i miss last year? it is actually funny because it's normally my closest friends that i fail to give gifts... they would know naman why... we're all capable of buying for ourselves naman... there are others who need these gifts more than we do...

last christmas i went fine with the staff, the crew, the guards and a few egsi guys... and then my program managers... let's see how i do this year...

ate and dete
daddy... (i still can... i still want to... you'll see me from above dad, won't you...)
mommy
angel... (yaaaaaaaaaahoooooo!!!! finally home...!!!!)
angel's 3 cousins... (they were nice to me...)
kalbong komang... (haaaaay!)
papa p... (yes... ill send him a gift!)
charmed ones... piper, prue, phoebe and leo... (hahaha! laki ng utang ko kay phoebe...)
pooh bear's friends... piglet and tiger... tipi and nanay
my favorite and lovely younger sisters
bahay ni ate... unit 208
queer and queerer
poem... (thank God we finally found each other again...!!!)
inaanaks
ab gang... college friends
program managers
KKK anchors
production staff
post-tv editors
stickdreamers
plug artist... (hahaha! bagong crush...)
clyde of program trafficking
tecnical crew
two guards and an egsi
ate mila's family
condo guards
my haircutter and foot spa attendant
eastwood starbucks guard

oh yeah... there's the e-staff too by then... hahaha!

hmmmm... i am enticed to throw something for my blog acquaintances... hehehe!

i hope budget and time allows me to share more... afterall, i have been given much this year...

MERRY MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!