When: July 29, 2011, 7:00 – 7:30 Registration Time
Where: TechBar IT Park
Who: Anyone can join!
Visit our Sponsor: Exist , DevCon

From the beginning of the show, you are propelled into a world of comedy and romance. I won’t go into the details on what happened in the play, cuz I think the movie and play speak for itself already, and there are summaries and reviews floating around the net.  Also I wont compare the movie and the play since both are different in ways. What I will write here is from the perspective of an artist. I am writing this experience as a way of  specially thanking Ms. Daisy Ba-ad and Ms. Michelle Simtoco for introducing me to the world of theatrical arts and musicals, to which I now enjoy very much from the very bottom of my heart. Also, I’m dedicating this to the Siddhartha cast family also, since they can’t be here to watch it with me

Where to start, there’s so much to say about the musical. It’s everything an artist could hope or wish for, and to top it off, IT’S IN BROADWAY! I was already propelled out of my seat and into another place. I have forgotten that I was in a theatre was now in Greece!

Lets start with the location. The theatre was completely full, and this has been running more than 10 years and still draws a sold out crowd. The theatre was amazing, from the orchestra seats to the box seating on the side wall and balcony seating on the 2nd floor, everything was high-top class. If you saw from those movies where inside the theatre it’s like a classical/contemporary setup, it’s really true to the every aspect from where I went. I was seated real close to the stage, 4th from the from the front seat and center seat from both sides, so I had one of the best view/seat in the house, right at the center =D

The music…well it was live band! No kidding! There was even a conductor and SHE was leading the orchestra/band while they play the music/songs. The band was under the stage but can be seen from the outside. What we did in Cebu was pre-record the numbers for the production, but here, it was live. I was so impressed. Next the lapels, I COULDN’T FIND IT!! lol I tried to look for the mics but it was really hidden from sight, I did notice something in there left or right ear that was skin colored, hmm.. maybe that was it =p

Now their voices, I LOVE their voices! So intense, so crystal clear and beautiful!! You can really feel them what their singing about, from joy and happiness to anger, to sadness and distraught. I cried on one of those sad acts, I think it was “Knowing Me, Knowing You” act. As what Ms. Daisy said, project your voice and always show the truth. Oh, Peirce Brosnan has nothing on this show, the guy playing Sam Carmichael in the play was better than Pierce in the movie XD

The props… what else can I expect from Broadway. Top notch props! It was simple and minimal, just like from Siddhartha production. Sometimes there was just a bed on the stage and some table, others there was a wall as the house and some tables for the restaurant. Nothing too fancy but it does the job. Oh, there were also some nice props, e.a. elevating platform, two rotating walls that automatically re-arranges themselves to form the outside of the house, Sophie’s room, inside of a bar, etc. , which I really liked by-the-way All the props were constantly reused, so don’t expect that just because its Broadway they don’t reuse and recycle props Also, as far as I can remember, there was only ONE black-out, and that was during the intermission, I was so impressed. The location change and props were done in front of the audience, not as obvious but they did it as part of the play. When a main cast or supporting cast comes in, they are already bringing the props they or the whole group would need, from simple tables and chairs to liquor trolley. When transitioning from one scene to the other, one side of the stage the main cast is acting, the other side of the stage the supporting cast were already starting to change the props as they come in in-character.

Dance numbers were very well choreographed, I wouldn’t say everyone were in sync since its a musical and that’s not the point. The use of angles also, I was able to spot it right away hehe, may it be with the body and/or props used to point to the person or location that we were supposed to focus our attention to. Maybe to a normal viewer they wouldn’t notice this at all but after going through Ms. Daisy, I was able to spot some of these right away, I wouldn’t say all

Spacing was really well thought out, there were no empty spaces in the stage in large groups! If there is space in one spot that’s unoccupied, at least one or two is standing there to keep it occupied, or there are some props standing there in its place… may it be a bed, tables and chairs. I could still remember Ms. Daisy shouting to use all the spaces on the stage haha

Professionalism between the cast is really there, may it be dancing, kissing, body language  etc… _strictly_professional_. And one thing, when they go all the way, _they_go_all_they_way_ with there acting, from dancing to touching each other… and with no malice intended, when a scene requires them to touch “some” body parts, they do it, I’ll leave it to you to understand what I meant

Last but not the least, everyone enjoyed the show!!… not just the audience but also the casts. So its very true… from the simplest of productions to the most grandest of production in Broadway and to Paris… ENJOY.

Too bad I couldn’t meet the cast after, they didn’t come out but I was very happy that night. This was a night I will never forget for the rest of my life =)

Here are some pics I took before the show..I didn’t take any photos during the show =p

Currently staying at Residence Inn by Mariott, looks nice and homey. Has a kitchen and a living room, two bedrooms, 1 CR each. I’m sleeping on the 2nd floor. Open room, no door to lock.

I have been around Lexington already for the past few days… window shopping. Areas visited include Fayett, Hamburg, Lexington proper. No tourist spots yet.

The stores are having there summer sale and boy the sales are really great! Nike shoes go as low as 50% off, and its not those normal ones!

Monday was a slow day, work, complete paperworks, meet the team, etc.. the normal working stuffs.

I’ll be posting some pics soon around Lexington when I get around to actually upload them =p

Now the fun part begins, where to start, get my epic Netherwing mount, get l33t gears, upgrade my profession, finish instances and achievements.. lol soooo many things to do.

Also, I’ll be studying raid encounters strats now since I’ll be raiding once in a while with the guild that I just joined recently, Purple Fever, from Bonechewer server. Technically, I’m very new, as in 0 exp in raids, wish me luck lol.

I’ll post pic later when I get home.

Update, pic added:

Didn’t buy much except for the family and a bag and a shirt for my girlfriend, which fits her nicely. I was only able to buy a stuff toy and a blue-ray movie… Final Fantasy Complete!! Woohoo! (Pic below)

Also took some photos in Macau in one of their tourist spots which was having their flower festival.

Here’s a pic of one of those Japanese desserts that we tried… very tempting. I forgot the name though…

The photos came out real nice, and I didn’t even use a professional digital camera =D

Note: If you’re going to use these images, please email/credit me.

Also updated my theme since the black theme was not getting into my taste. Wanted a more simple and clean theme. This is what I found and stuck on me. It white, clean and slick, not bad at all.

Productive Magazine

ok.. less nagging.. back to work..

A message from one of our dear masters in Taiwan that took care of us when we were there last April for our Siddhartha Taiwan road tour. Ven. Master Miao Guang’s message to the Siddhartha family…

Hello Ms. Dayzee,

Time certainly flies! It’s already been over a month since we met at the performances and your visit to FGU. I was saddened by not being able to see your last show at FGS and the farewell party at Pumen Temple in Taipei, but I am content enough just to have been there with the Master, sitting in the front row, and fully bathing in the beauty and profound wisdom displayed by your show. I still can’t get over how touched I was by the musical. I still listen to the soundtrack or sing it silently in my mind almost everyday, because the memories from the musical have bestowed unto me nothing but courage and faith in the path that I had chosen at the age of a young adult, a weak mind seeking solace and guidance from the faith that I had taken for granted for too long over these years.

You and the Siddhartha Caste now hold a very special spot in my heart, and will continue to do so for a long, long time; for you were the ones who embraced me and the rest of the team at our first visit to Cebu with the warmest smiles and the purest eyes that showed unconditional acceptance and trust in a group of students who dared say that they were propagating the truth (courageous but ignorant!). It is certainly a privilege to be given so much support and confidence at the very first overseas Dharma Talk that I’d ever given in my entire life. Like what the Chinese say, “a good start is already half the way to success!” I shall bring what you have given me to every place in the world that I visit, and share this joy and love with every individual who crosses paths with me.

Besides Siddhartha being the one who “founded” Buddhism as a religion, I honestly do not regard the musical as a religious one, because every word sang by the performers showed nothing but the common truth to a joyful and wise life. Regardless of who we are, where we come from, or who we follow, the Noble Eightfold Path can be practiced by anyone in an un-religious way; a longing for the truth is the right held by every individual in his/her quest for uninterrupted happiness; to vow to be more than who we are means we have opened up our hearts to the world and are willing to share others’ joys and sorrows; to light up the lamp of our heart means we will travel on the brighter paths of life and no longer be fearful of the dark; and to regard all as one means exactly what you have said in your hub, that we are celebrating all our similarities and respecting all differences. Moreover, if that unshakeable faith in Amitabha Buddha is shifted onto ourselves, we will surely be blessed with a mind strong enough to make any wishes comes true (good ones of course!).

You have continued to modestly express that you have learned a lot from us, but in my mind, it was us who had learned much more from you. I admire your ability to bring out the best quality and courage of every member of the caste, and in guiding them across times of trouble and helplessness. You were like the mother who gave them assurance, and a shoulder to rest their heads on when they were fearful and exhausted. If only I had the chance to spend some more time around you during your stay, I would have loved to “dig out” more treasures from your wisdom and life experiences. ;D

I’ve recently just came back from a tour around Singapore and Malaysia with the Master, which has indeed been a fruitful one, for I have continued to meet new people and share our thoughts and learnings. What a wonderful world! The more colors and dissimilarities the more beautiful it will become!

I think I’ve blabbed on for too long, but I’ve been wanting to write you a letter to thank you for bringing Siddhartha to Fo Guang Shan. I am sure I will soon be sitting amongst the audience of your China and European shows. Until then, may peace, wisdom and joy be with you all. Please say hello to Michelle for me. Miss you guys!

Original post here.

Nothing much happened over a month and 10 days, went to Singapore July 1-4 and never got lost anymore. I would say Singapore would be on my top list to visit for _safety_ conscious visitors. The subways gets you places and you wont get lost that easy. If you ever get lost, just look for the nearest subway and find your way home =p

Nothing much changed in Singapore since I was there last year, except for new building and landmarks. The new tourist attraction there was called The Singapore Flyer, its a very large ferry’s wheel that takes 30 minutes to circle, you get to see around Singapore at the top most and I can’t suggest this to those who are afraid of heights.

July 10 Mamma Mia movie arrived here, a movie I have been wanting to see. Went to watch the movie on July 12 and I enjoyed the movie very much. Twas a very memorable and fun night. =)

Now I have to rearrange my schedule to fit in all the stuffs that’s happening so fast. I have projects from DOST as well as Simon’s (a software development company) that’s partnering with Wellmade to co-develop the inventory software I have developed for my dad. I have my WoW account finally unbanned and going have to set a time to play with K again during evenings. I have side projects to deliver and I have been back to the gym to get my leg back to strength after the operation (the wound has healed but I can’t stretch it like I used to before the operation).

Ahh life is sweet and bitter at the same time…well more on the sweet side =p