The Kulot Crusader Adventures

Go Figure...

2006-08-23T22:46:00.000-07:00

So, it seems i look more indian than anything else. Weird that most of my look-alikes are women. Hmmmm....

IT'S ME!!!!!

2006-05-29T06:01:00.000-07:00

I AM ALIVE!!!!!

I made it through the moooost hectic two months of my life to date. Assisted two - count them! - TWO Children's Musical Theater classes. One for 7 - 9 year olds and the other for 10 - 12. Love them, but all the stress kinda got to me. Steps scholarship for Jazz and Modern. Did the choreo for six classes, including Johan's version of a certain musical which is a prequel to the Wizard of Oz. And i still managed to squeeze in voice lessons. HAH!

Aladdin rehearsals start on the 5th. Johan's class' showcase is on the 3rd. So that gives me exactly... ONE day to relax and unwind. Great. T_T

but it's all good. amidst all that craziness, a silver lining: Last week, I was on a date. After what has been an eternity, I was finally on a date. And it was a pretty great one! Hurray for me!

2006-04-24T05:45:00.000-07:00

My life is in serious need of some fun! My brain is in danger of being irreparably fried!!!!

Call for Help

2006-04-24T05:17:00.000-07:00

My life right now lacks fun. I need to go out and party!!!! My brain is in danger of being irrepairably fried!!!

Randomness

2006-04-15T02:40:00.000-07:00

So, I handed in my agreement form for Aladdin na. I'm quite happy that I'll get to work again with a lot of people from mermaid. And a lot of people form blue rep. It's going to be a blast!

But for now, I'm just really psyched about Steps. Call me weird but I actually find it thrilling to look at the soles of my feet and see all the kalyos and the broken skin and the blisters that I get from dancing. It's like I'm suffering for my art. It's a nice, warm feeling. Hehe!

I still have a lot to learn, but I'm getting there. Most of my classmates in Steps have been dancing for several years now. I started to take dance classes, like, three years ago, but I stopped for two years. And that couple of years made all the difference. Some of the people who started almost the same time I did are way better dancers now. I regret not taking class for two years. But being surrounded by great dancers just makes me want to work harder and persevere more.

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Starbucks has lost its magic for me. There was a time when I couldn't get enough of it. Now, I can't even finish a grande coffee jelly frap.

One venti mocha frappuccino has the equivalent of 16 tsps. of sugar. That's not exactly a good thing.

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got this from Rony:

Name ten of life's simple pleasures that you like most, then pick ten people to do the same.Try to be original and creative and not to use things that someone else has already used.

In no particular order:

tuyo and garlic rice. YUM!
doing a clean double pirouette. triple if i'm lucky.
kwentuhan with my brothers and sisters.
a gentle breeze on an otherwise hot day.
taxi drivers who actually give you the correct change.
getting unexpected texts and calls from friends.
making tambay with good friends.
the days when my curls are actually manageable ( those are few and far between)
sneezing
inside jokes

I don't know who reads my blog so... I tag anybody who does!!!!

2006-04-10T04:24:00.000-07:00

I'm nearing my 21st birthday. It's really weird because suddenly, i seem to be contemplating more and more about the future. I tend to think of myself as a happy-go-lucky guy. If i ever plan my days, i can never get past a two-week period. And that's pushing it. I just live my days as they come.

But now, i'm actually worried about the future!

What actually triggered this phenomenon first was a conversation I had with tito Jaime. We were doing a show in tagaytay, and while we were having a smoke (yes, i know i should stop!), he suddenly asked me what i planned to do in the future. Of course, i said I had no idea! but i was kinda sure i wanted to do theater. he said that the logical next step for me was to do choreography. So, after 10 years or so of performing, i can choreo for shows.

I appreciate the advice. Really. I really enjoy conversations with him, coz you do learn a lot. But the first thought in my head was: "10 YEARS!!! I'LL BE OVER THE HILL IN TEN YEARS!!! NOOO!!!" I inwardly panicked coz, i had absolutely NO IDEA what i would do after one decade of theater. I mean, will i be able to provide for my family if i just do theater? Will i even get to do theater for 10 years?! I have no plan! It's terrifying!

So now, i'm faced with a work decision and i'm not sure what to do. There's an opportunity for me to do Aladdin for Rep and also possibly Jospeh for Trumpets. I'm just not sure what to do. Should i leave Trumpets for the time being, my theater home for the last 3 years? But are my roots deep in enough in Trumpets that if i start planting new seeds in Rep, I'll have something to come back to? And people in trumpets are just starting to notice me and what i can do - would it be wise to leave now?

Ont the other hand, it may not be wise to pass up a chance to work with Rep. Rep can really teach me a lot of things i should know if i want to succeed in theater. And this might be the only chance i get to work with them.

I really feel like my future for the next 2 years or so is hinged on this one decision. Over ba? but it's really how i feel.

And then there's also an audition for a musical theater or dance scholarship for the HK academy of performing arts happening this month that i would like to try out for. But i'm not sure if i really should go and do that.

HAY! EWAN!

Hey Big Spender!!!

2006-03-02T14:59:00.000-08:00

We opened yesterday and I daresay we had a great show! Watch us! You'll have a GREAT time!!!

Shows are on:
March 3 at 7pm
March 4 at 3pm and 7pm
March 5 at 3pm and 7pm

Rizal Mini-Theater at Ateneo De Manila
Tickets available at the front of house

See ya there!

Only for those who know me!

2006-03-02T12:40:00.000-08:00

Ok, im jumping on this johari bandwagon!
Pa-answer naman oh!

go to this site:

http://kevan.org/johari?name=Redmond

Thanks!

2006-02-28T03:47:00.000-08:00

Isn't it kinda funny when someone you know goes through something you've gotten over a long time ago?
I mean, not in a 'buti nga sayo' kind of funny.
But its funny coz it reminds you of how stupid you looked or were before.
For that moment in the past, that thing troubling you looked unsolvable. like pasan mo ang daigdig and all that crap. Sure, it was serious then.

And then you get over it.

And suddenly, you realize how utterly imbecilic you were. How you lost all faculties of reason and went all idiotic for a while.

but if you're really over it, you'll be able to laugh at the memory.
and hopefully help someone else get over their similar problem.

I Have Decided...

2006-02-05T03:44:00.000-08:00

...to listen to God more than I listen to the world.

...to be in the Know.

...to hold on to the things I believe in for sure.

...to strive to control my wants, so that I only want what is right and good.

...to give more.

...to build on my faith.

...to clear out the garbage!

I want...

2006-01-27T06:24:00.000-08:00

Why do people always want what they can't get? Is it because we're not content with what we have? Like, a grass is greener on the other side thing. i mean, we don't really know if what we actually want is going to give us happiness or satisfaction. But the possibility that it might do so is probably what thrills us. Or possibly, it's just the exhiliration of wanting - and possibly getting - something that might be forbidden.

In my case, it's not that the grass is greener on the other side. It's just that someone already has put a hedge around it. Somebody has lain claim on the grass!

And It's killing me! What i want is right in front of me! Everyday! And every time i think i'm making progress, there's always something that reminds that - whoops! - off limits! I mean, I could probably get what i want I just set out to do so. It just wouldn't be right. It wouldn't be right! Dammit, why do i have to possess a onscience!?!?

And therein lies the crux of the problem, what does one do if what you want already belongs to someone else? Resort to thievery? That is definitely not an option for me! And unfortunately, it's not like we're talking about stealing a ball or shit (although stealing random stuff is bad enough). No, it's way more complicated than that! I could wait until what I want is available again. But from the looks of it, that isn't gonna happen anytime soon. Not even remotely.

I guess what I have to do is to stop wanting what i want. Now please, can anybody tell me how to do that?

Rants, Reminders, Randomness

2006-01-23T07:47:00.000-08:00

HAAAYYYY!!!!! Why do you play these little mind games! Don't you know you could cause serious to yourself and the people around you! Maghinay-hinay ka! And please don't use ME to get back at him!

Sorry, just had to send that out to the universe before I explode! It's just so frustrating! People, sometimes even the ones you care so much about, can be SO STUPID!!!!
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See that image to the left? Its just a reminder to watch Sweet Charity on Feb 24. Ateneo Blue Repertory. It's gonna be a great show, what with tita Chari at the helm. Details soon!

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I've decided to be really careful this time. I don't want any of the drama the last time this happened. Please, none of the weirdness!

2006-01-08T05:12:00.000-08:00

Yehey! I have work! I've been cast in Trumpet's Fables and Parables for a february show.
Hooray! Normally, the first quarter of a year is the most unracketless period for freelance actors like me, so i'm grateful that i've at least got work.

Funny thing is, the show buyer wants too see a preview of the play on friday. And we we're only told about this show last thursday. Ergo, we only have three days of rehearsals before the show. Stress! So early in the year! Well, it's always better to stress yourself out because of work, rather than the stress that comes from worrying where your next meal will come from because you don't have work.
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I'm starting to have second thoughts about my curly hair. it seems to be getting a little out of hand. People have been noticing it. Normally, I love attention but there's attention and there's people eyeing you weirdly in the mall. Don't know if i can handle that.

Case in point: Saw Tita Sweet for the first time in a long while. Her first words to me were: Ano bang buhok yan!", followed by a snicker. I've been getting a lot of that lately.

But I can't cut my hair! I think tita Chari wants the afro look for my character because she specifically told me NOT to cut my hair!

I have such big problems...

The Mother of All Surveys!

2006-01-04T22:58:00.000-08:00

1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?
starredin a digital film.

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Didnt make resolutions for 2005. Resolutions for 2006 are to cut down on food, and to stop smoking, and to get more training in musical theater.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yupyup!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Fortunately, no.

5. What countries did you visit?
I stayed in my beloved homeland.

6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
More moolah! More training!

7. What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
It's funny, but i almost never look at my calendar. So, although particular events will remain etched upon my memory, their corresponding dates are not

8. What was your biggest achievement/s of the year?
Pendragon, Raising Heaven, and Mermaid.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Haha! It's not job-related but personal. ergo, i would rather keep that to myself.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No major ones. Just your occasional cold.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My tape recorder. A musical theater artist's best friend.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mine. HAHA! Kidding! Ashley. For a small girl, she has a lot of inner strength.

13. Whose behaviour appalled you and made you depressed?
Bea knows the answer to that question.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Most of my money went to my family (that's my parents and siblings. I don't have a family of my own yet.) but the little money that was left I spent on Food and GIMIK!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
the digital film. Saigon. Mermiad.

16. What song/s will always remind you of 2005?
"Can't cross Crustacea" king Argo...Jewel...HAHA!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
A. Happier or Sadder? Way happier!
B. Thinner or Fatter? Fluctuating...hehe!
C. Richer or Poorer? Richer... in so many ways.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Train. and Exercised.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Drinking. Coz i tend to do stupid things when i'm drunk.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent Christman eve with my immediate family, and christmas day with the whole Huelves clan.

21. Did you fall in love in 2005?
Damn right, I did.

22. How many one-night stands?
Ha! A gentleman never tells.....

23. What was your favorite TV program?
Didn't watch a lot of TV.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate? i never hate anyone. Strongly dislike, yes.

25. What was the best book you read?
Da Vinci code, and Harry Potter.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Wicked!

27. What did you want and get?
More work!

28. What did you want and not get?
It's cheesy so never mind.

29. Favorite film of this year?
Closer.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
i turned 20. I spent it shooting scenes for the movie which involved me walking barefoot around Iligan, including their very muddy and dirty wet market. That was an experience!

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If i had more expendable income.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
nothing's changed. I still do what i've always done int he past: stick my hands randomly in my closet and wear whatever comes out.

33. What kept you sane?
my close friends.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
What mystifies me is why Kris Aquino still gets a ton of jobs.

35. Who did you miss?
ellie, my ex. I suddenly missed her around August.

36. Who were the best new persons you met?
Mermaid and Pendragon people!

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005:
If you love someone, you let them go. sobrang cheesy, pero yun talaga, eh.

The Kulot Crusader Has Arrived! or, Ang Pinakamahabang Blog Entry sa Balat ng Lupa!!!!

2006-01-03T20:25:00.000-08:00

YEP! yet another attempt by me to creat a blog and actually maintain it. i know, i know, last year i had, like, three blog-related attempts. i thought that maybe this year, i could do it. and GADENGIT! I will!

Since the subject of last year crept up, and since there seems to be an uncontrollable urge for every person in this country to talk about last year on their, and being the nakikiuso guy that i am, i'll jump on the bandwagon and regale all of you, my loving readers (if there are any of you out there), with a heartfelt review of 2005.

i have been very much blessed with work this year. I'd say that this is the most fruitful year of my heretofore short, sad excuse of a life. I've been working non-stop since the second quarter of the year. What was i doing during the first quarter? A thoroughly sad, sad attempt at pop stardom. David C. thought that I should try my luck in Star in A Million. Now, whether he was drunk or was being possessed by the demons of the seventh circle of hell when he had this idea, i never found out. Anyway, the point is: I sucked. I thank David for thinking I could do it and believing in me, but I was never meant for pop stardom. That's my brother Sam's department.

so, after that misguided episode that i have shamefully never told my friends until now, things started to look up for me. i had the opportunity to work for trumpets playshop as an assistant teacher in one of their children's musical theater classes. Good experience. But- oh God! - those kids! Those kids caused quite a bit of stress in my life. So much stress, I had to do drastic things because i didnt know how to handle it. Having nowhere else to turn to and being on the very end of my pitiful rope, I soon succumbed to the evils of smoking. *sob*

*Silence, undermined by the occasional sobbing*
and soon... *hysterical crying*
I REPEEEENNNNTTTTT!!!!!!! PURGE ME OF MY SIN!!!!!

ok, that's done.

Needless to say, one of my new year's resolutions is to quit this bad, god-awful habit. everyone, always remember what's written on every pack of Dunhill's ( my cig of choice) - Smoking seriously harms your children.

About the time i started to poison myself with those little white sticks from hell, i was also rehearsing "Pendragon" for trumpets Summerstock. Now, that was a blast! I met so many new people from that cast. Riot kami lagi, tsong! When we all get together, it's always a fun-filled yet wholesome(?) time. I have not been able to hang out with those guys lately as much as i did before, and I really miss their company. Surot, Jay, Jayz, Inaki, Andy, Vanessa, and all you guys... give me ring!

Then I shot a movie. Yes, I am a movie star! paparazzi have been hounding me all year. Ben chan has actually asked me to replace rafael rossel as their bench body model, but being the private person I am, I naturally turned him down.

but seriously, i did shoot a digital film for sword productions. I played a street kid. imagine that! Me and my other street kid castmates - chevy, jay, and david- went all daniel-day-lewis and actually walked around roxas boulevard looking like street kids, even smelling lke them, parking cars and all that jazz. Really helped our performances. i think we all did a good job in that film. Ate Mayen and Steve, our director, guided us through each step in acting on that film, and I thank them with all my heart.

however, the hardest job in that film fell on the shoulders of our castmate, Alex Compton. No, it wasn't his role, although that was quite a tough role and we all think he did a swell job. The most difficult job he had was: teaching me and jay how to play basketball. There was a basketball scene in the movie and - whaddayaknow - of the four streetkids in the movie, that scene involved the two kids who have absolutely no idea how to even hold a basketball. Hey, i have an excuse! i was asthmatic as a child - very sickly- so I was never allowed to run around and play sports. Jay, on the other hand, is just a wimp. Kiddin'!!!!

Adn then there was mermaid. *happy sigh* Probably the happiest part of my year. The whole cast just jellled and got along. We were together for four months, and i am proud to say there were no major fights or tiffs ( that i know off!). It was just such a great working environment. Met a LOT of great people. Was reunited with old friends. Am now a better person, i believe, because of these people. I love you guys! you all know who you are!

I like to think i'm a little more grown-up now. I've learned so much in 2005 myself, and about how to deal with people. I'm now more comfortable withho i am. I found out things about myself and who i've become. It was kind of scary at times, and i didn't always like what i found out, but i know now that personal growth starts with knowing who you are.

Let's see, what did i learn in 2005?

I don't always have to talk. I used to have a fear of silence. Being a sanguine, I used to think that it fell upon me to fill every lull in conversation. But now, i can say that i've learned to let other people talk. I think i'm a better listener now.
I have a bit of a moody side. This side of me only came to my attention this year. A close friend came up to me one day and told me, "Alam mo, minsan i find you masungit. Like, meron kang mga tingin na mukha kang mataray. Pero sanay na ko." 'fcourse, that freaked me out at the moment. Someone told me naman that i have moments were it's clear that i'm not ready to socialize yet. The kindest one i got was that i was "contemplative". Parang i'd be with people, but i don't talk or socialize. Silent lang. just sitting there. Pero i guess that's really me, and it debunked a lot of the ideas i held true about myself. but it's all good.
I don't always think before I do stuff. sometimes, impulse takes over me and i do things that i seriously regret later on. I'll keep the details to myself, thank you very much.
When infatuation hits me, it hits me hard!
Marami pa pero tamad na ko magtype. at matagal ko nang alam na tamad ako.

Adn so we come to the part of the year i dread the most, but a part i still have to tackle if this is going to be an accurate review of last year: love life. Or lack thereof. Let's see: Had a short relationship around the first quarter. On emonth lang. Messy, messy break-up. tpos yun na! For the rest of the year, wala na! Just a roller coaster ride of infatuations. My close friends know all about it, so tanong nyo na lang sila kasi tamad na ko magtype.

All in all, it was a very fruitful year. A few messy parts, but on the whole it was a blast! This year made me a better person. I met a lot of new people, most of which i can say i'd be friends with in the years to come. Non-stop work. I love 2005! and i know 2006 will be better!!!!