SOLD OUT. I was expecting this but I didn't do anything to prevent my remorse from happening. I lost all hope on ever having to watch 'em but Suy brightened my sorrowful day by saying that there are still some for Upper B! And Meli just completed it by buying us tickets! <333 I know the view may be far but I really didn't care much about that coz it's the music I'm after and I really don't fancy staring at Will I Am or APL's face. I still went to work since it was a Thursday. I don't know why, but I wasn't as excited as I am on concerts. Maybe because the recent concerts I attended were from overseas and it made me went through a LOT just to watch it. So by the time the concert was nearing, I can't sleep and eat- the excitement was just different as well as the expectations. But this one was easy, buy a ticket, go to Araneta and that' it. Meli, Suy, Ahya Nel, Tey and I were already there and I still can't feel like I'm gonna watch the Black Eyed Peas. Filipino time bored the hell out of us. Show was supposed to start at 8pm but the lights closed at 9pm. At last! The whole place got noisy with screams and glow sticks, now that's what I wanted to see and that same scene pulled the thrill out of me! Waaaahhh they're really here!!! Will I Am, Fergie, Taboo and Allan Pineda aka APL!!! Plus they had the band along.. Bucky Jonson! What a weird name for a band! The weirder, the better I guess!
I can't remember which song they first sang. The whole concert was a blur because everyone was all in party mode, standing up, pumping their fists up in the air, shouting, dancing and screaming like crazy. Plus BEP sang a bunch of songs which was sulit.. One of the things I can remember was Fergie doing a drama like she was actually going crazy while singing SHUT UP and after that she did cartwheels across the stage, back and forth!! Hahaha I would love to do that when I go crazy... Another thing I remembered was when APL wore Barong to sing the APL song! Bwahahaha I think he knew he looked stupid because you can see from his face that he wanted to laugh. Then he breakdanced! Whoever does that in Barong Tagalog huh?! Here he is...
I was dumbstruck as well when Will I Am did a freestyle rap. At first it was just some random babble until it got faster and faster with some rhythmic tunes coming out of his mouth!! It was just so amazing! I say Will's got ultimate talent. He's musically autistic! And I love it when he rolls his eyes coz that�s the only thing I can see out of his blackness. Taboo danced like whoa! He didn't show that much skillz that time though, but I was trying to focus on his footworks.. so damn quick and looked easy but I'm sure it ain't. The band was awesome! I love the part when they played beats just by using tables and chairs. There were lots more to say. But the show, most of the time, spoke of Pinoy Pride. It was an APL show, I reckon. Will I Am kept on saying Philippines, Pilipino, Pampanga, Allan P throughout the show. And I've never shouted to the world that I'm Filipino that loud until Bebot. Everyone was shouting Pilipino! Pilipino! out loud and it brought a different proud feeling. Well you'd really feel proud to be Filipino after watching the concert not simply because of APL but in realizing that Pinoys can unite and support each other in so much ways. And that time it was MUSIKA.
BEP is just *sigh* I can't put it in words.. but they're astounding performers. Musically, they do good live. Nice audience rapport- they definitely know crowd control and made everyone jump out of their seats and move their asses. Everything was a blast! Even that thing having a Black Eyed Peas day on July 26 -__- Haha! Too much love for APL ya think? Or another magic in Pinoy politics? So if you wanna see what I'm talking about, you have a chance on Sunday, August 6, at ABS CBN. I should've been annoyed by having it shown a week after the concert but I feel like everyone's really gotta see it! True skillz and entertainment- that's what this country should recognize.
Did I overcome the Fangirl Challenge?
No. There was still the Pussycat Dolls which I wasn't able to watch. But I didn't push hard to watch it because I thought it would be too much. I think they'll come back and I think I was too happy with BEP already plus I didn't have much resources ahehe. Everything happened in a week and it was all so tiring, troublesome yet rewarding.
The fangirl challenge was not really about having to see my idols. It was not being able to say, "Oh! I saw him! Yeah I was there.." It' not about proving. The true essence of being a fangirl is not the mere fangirling itself. It's the people, the moments, the things you realize while you're at it! I have had a lot of fangirl challenges before and what made me survive them, was having to be with people who are, yes, fangirls/fanboys. These fangirls/fanboys may sound like just ordinary beings sharing the same love for an idol. But to me they're the truest friends! They do not go with you because they wanted company. They go with you because they want you to have fun as much as they would do when you get the experience. They wanted to share this same feeling that they have without anything in exchange. And isn't that genuine generosity? There'll be more like this in the future I'm sure.. and no matter what, I'm up for it. As long as I'm with great people and I'm not neglecting other important matters in life. I'll be a FANGIRL... for life!
He's MY BOY! In fact, he's everyone's boy! Everyone knew that he was coming and most girls I know wanted to see him. Most people consider me as the Korean aficionado, so days before Dong Wook arrived they bombarded me with questions: When is he coming? Where can he be seen? Can I go with you? And in most questions, I don't have a definite answer. His schedule was a blur, we didn't even know what his purpose was in going here but it's not ABS CBN they said. So finally, there was news. Wookie will guest on freakin' WOWOWEE!!! I was immensely aggravated knowing this.. Wowowee is like a circus! Oh oh no! that is an understatement... it's a PERYA! Or however it is spelled. For graciousness sake! I wanted to see Dong Wook so bad but never will I go and watch him in Wowowee! I might even die from stampede if I do!
So there, Friday- no Wowowee but Dong Wook went to ELJ Center to meet the ABS executives. My friends texted, they went there and saw Wookie while I was having my Queer Eye book signed. Right after the event, I texted Joanie to meet up and we flew like zoom to ELJ! We arrived and my friends were inside and we can't get in coz freakin guard was so strict that he needed details of the person we're supposed to visit. Ok then, we decided to just wait at Starbucks. We saw some girls talking about Wookie, so we followed them and got confused on where to go until Meli appeared. Meli and the rest said that they saw DW again before he left. "What? I didn't hear that right.. He left?" It didn't register as fast coz I was merely denying it. Yes, he left and I didn't see him. This may sound funny and overreacting-stupid but I cried! :D I wanted to see him so bad, I flew from place to place, rushing and now I won't see him? That was the only chance I can think of that time, since I don't want to go to Wowowee. So I tried to compose myself and I kind of accepted the fact that I won't see him. The rest were saying that he'll be coming back tomorrow and I can see him. But it's a NO for me. Had coffee and had thoughts. I'm a fangirl and ain't nothing can bring me down! I want to see Dong Wook and I believe there are ways! I decided to go back tomorrow but I won't watch Wowowee. I'll just get in ABS since Leslie(Meli's friend) was already there to let us in and find DW! Joan went home with a broken heart. She's a fangirl for HK and Chinese stars but not Korean stars. She never took time to do something like what we did so she just decided to drop it. We stayed there, made kwento about my Fab 5 experience earlier and was about to go home when we saw a bunch of girls crowding near the entrance. Meli asked the girl, "Si Julian ba hinihintay nyo?(Are you waiting for Julian?)" We hate calling him Julian but that's how he is better known here. And this selfish, low class fangirl probably thought that we're just some girls who like DW coz he's "uso" so she said, "Si Manny Pacquiao!" P*@)(+=#! Who was this bitch fooling? Does she know who's she messing with? You can't have years of international fangirling believe your Manny Pacquiao chatter! Thank God for bags of GMRC, we were able to hold it in, besides I won't waste wrinkles on a wicked-selfish being! So we waited, then a bunch of Hanguk Saram went out and I knew he was with them! Waaaahhhh a little later he appeared! Looking handsomely white and shining!!! He's a god! Bwahahha Ang gwapo!!! I waved like my arms wanted to fly away and it was such bliss when he waved back. I fainted. Haha Just kiddin! It was a bit far so the impact was not that strong. So there, I decided to go to ABS the next day.
Woke up early, geared for physical rampage, just in case. So I went in easy at ABS. Saw artistas here and there but I didn't care a bit. It was all Dong Wook in my mind. Well, ok, I had a pic with John Prats bwahahahaha! I was surprised when I saw all my fangirl friends there too! We really didn't talk about going but we were all there and everyone's got their own ABS connection. So Vudang is friends with the Editor-in-chief of Star Studio and she's having an interview with LDW and the plan was for her to get us in. But LDW's management was a bit strict. We just went tambay, ate and stuff while Wowowee was not yet finished.. I was thinking of going inside and watch but hell no... I know someone's going to upload it on YOUTUBE or elsewhere! And as expected, someone did! Watch how Pinoy artistas are! It's like they're not artistas at all!
Waiting with fangirls is always awesome. It's fun even if you won't get to see whoever, the bonding moments that make it enjoyable. So there was a guest list for this thingie with LDW meeting ABS employees. We're not employees so we're not on the list. But like I said, there's always a way! The guard asked us if we were TFC subscribers and we just said YES! Coz you know how TFC subscribers are prioritized in every show. Bwahahaha maybe we look like balik bayans or something. I don't know what made them think that but we sure are lucky! LDW's management allowed us to see him, take pictures and say hi but no shake hands, caress or whatever! Waaaahhh it was so unexpected! We went in Studio 1 and found our seat. People were already in front so we have to stay at the back. The place was just small, about only 80 people can occupy the place, so you can see DW clearly from the stage. Some friends went to the front to take pictures. A little later he went out and everyone got excited! He was wearing errrmm, a black suit with real thin shiny leather tie, errmmm, I don't know how to describe it will pictures do? Aira took them BTW!
So there was a question and answer portion, he spoke mostly about his horror movie Arang. After that, the management allowed 10 minutes to take pictures and say hi! This was where the moments began. If you were Dong Wook, up on stage, the first people you'll see are the people at the center, which were us. And you'll be leveled along with the people at the far back, which was me, Glady and Ponky! So his first sight was us! Waaaah! I waved like crazy and to my surprise, he pointed at my direction, made eye to eye contact, waved and smiled! Waaahh! I died! Well, he did this to everybody else who catches his attention. So flashes were all around.. smile here and there. I wanted to make more papansin so I decided to ask Ponky and Glady to shout this out with me, "OPPA! Sarangheyo!" (silly but it means I Love You!) So on three we shouted it out, he heard it and made this shy expression and was seemingly laughing so he covered his mouth a bit. The old lady beside us asked, "What did you say?" Us, "I Love you po." Lady said, "Shout it again!" Bwahahaha! I was emptying up the remaining minutes just staring and memorizing his milky face. *Sigh* Later, it dawned to us that he's Ken, Jerry and Zaizai rolled into one! Vanness already had Lee Junki of course! Haha!
We went to EDSA- Shang Hotel, where he was staying. Chilled, had dinner so just in case he decided to hang around, then we'll be able to see him. We stayed there until 2am without realizing that the table we were seated was exactly the same table Dong Wook stayed to eat earlier. We didn't see him but my other friends who checked in did. But that's another story. Now I'm watching My Girl on DVD and his expressions.. dang! It's much yummier in person! So lucky to bring with me memories of sunshine on a cloudy day! Up next... Stage 3...
I wished July didn’t come into my 2006 life. (read my previous entry so you’ll know) I came face to face with a real great challenge as a fangirl. Stars came down to reach out to people who adore them- a rare opportunity and a no-brainer for me. Impulse told me to see them but there were a number of constraints. All my life, I lived with these words, “Kung gusto maraming paraan. Kung ayaw maraming dahilan.” (If you want it, there are lots of ways. If you don’t, there are countless alibis) A fangirl gets what a fangirl wants… So there’s no place for alibis here… Fangirl Challenge? BRING IT ON!
STAGE 1- THE FAB 5
“Get ready! The queers are here!” That’s what I said not just to myself but on national TV. So I was fussing about the complexity of being able to get to the book signing event in my last entry since I’m all busy and have the littlest time for claiming tickets. Good thing, Kuting here, read my blog and wanted to go to. She did all the work, what a shame! That’s what friends are for right? Hahahaha! (Luv ya Kuts!) So she got us tickets but the problem was we got Group B tix (Kyan, Ted and Thom) and we wanted Jai and Carson! So Kuting went through all the hell just to exchange our tickets.
Thursday- they arrived. Suy went to their press con at Shang! So that got me even more excited! Check out her entry. Nice pics. In the evening, the Fab 5 had their first event at Greenbelt 3. We decided to check it out since we’re going there anyways. So Bubbles, Bheng and Vudang were there already. Bubbles texted me to hurry my ass up and when I got there, cameras were all over them! Then they all told me to join and say “Thank you ETC for bringing the Fab 5! We love you Fab 5! We love you Carson!” I was like, OK! That was long, can we practice? Well, obviously, there was no time for that. Camera roll… action! Ok I was just opening my mouth along with them shouting the spiel. The assistant was not satisfied and the cameraman was demanding more energy! Alright Mr. Cameraman, my brackets are all showing up, don’t I look perky and energized enough? So Take 2, roll… Me- “We love you JAI!!!!” Oooopss.. Assistant frowns.. OK Take 3! WTF? I don’t know why I shouted “We love you Jai!” -_- So there good take, done, watch me on August 7 at ETC! ;)
Friday came- I was busy all morning trying to think of what to wear and what to put on my face. Of course I don’t want the Fab 5 to feel like they wanted to do an instant make over right-on when they see me. I wanted to look relaxed and chill since this is an all summer country, so I thought we need a little representin’ for the New Yorkers. I wore cargo, flipflops, white-tank-instant boobs top and on my head- my multi-purpose ribbon. Simple and totally fab! Haha… Kuts and I met, waited waited waited, checked other people’s clothes, waited and Sam oh appeared! Good thing she was the one who hosted coz Anton San Diego was just a lousy host the last time.
They were introduced one by one and Glorietta was filled with screams every time a member comes out from the backstage! The interview went on and they were all so funny! Jai was wearing barong! He wore it so fashionably I didn’t notice it was actually a barong. A super whoa-handsome guy was with them and we thought that he was one of the Fab’s boyfriend. He’s super gwapo!!! Gwapo than Kyan, so we thought maybe he’s his boyfriend. But he isn’t gay after all. He was introduced by Carson as Amit, one of their Queer Eye staff. He’s got green eyes waaaaahh!!!
Moving forward, it was our turn to have our books signed. I was too busy checking out Amit, I didn’t notice it was my turn already. That feeling when I come up on-stage and meeting the person you wanted to meet in ages sent out a different Jillette- a cheerful, super-friendly, kikay-toned girl…
Me: HI CARSON!!!! You’re so fabulous! (Hugs, beso… Jai busy signing my book)
Carson: OH HI!!! Thank you so much for coming!
Me: (speechless… smile lang… turns to Jai) Hi Jai! You’re my favorite! (Kisses Jai without even asking..)
Jai: (surprised..) Really?! Why thank you!
Me: (speechless… smiles…) Yes! Thank you! (time is up.. leaves the stage)
After that, we saw Joy and took more pics and went to take a pic with Sam Oh! I used my Korean language powers haha! She’s so nice… After that, a girl came up to me and said, “Can we do an interview?” OK.
Girl: Where did you buy your books?
Me and Joy: Powerbooks Greenbelt and Glorietta…
Girl: Why did you buy it?
Me: (thinking of a good reason coz I only bought it coz I wanna see them up close)
Joy: It’s actually my brother’s.
Girl: Can you say this, “Get ready! The queer is here!”
Me: (thinks- “Why does it have to be only one gay?”)
Roll…
Me and Joy (in the same energetic shouting mode): Get ready! The queer is here!!!
Other girl: Uhmm.. can we do it again? It must be, “The queers are here!”
Me: (I thought so!)
Me, Joy and Kuting: GET READY!!! THE QUEERS ARE HERE!!!
Got out of the crowd all the way to ESPRIT when the crowd came swarming towards us. Kyan needed to pee and everyone followed! Unbelievable! We were devastated by the stampede!
Added to my priceless fangirl possesions...
The day never ended just like that! I received a message from my friends- “We saw Dong Wook! He’s so gwapo!!!” And that was my signal to the second stage of my fangirl challenge…
I had a very relaxing weekend. I got so much quality time with friends and had new ones. My days were all chill until this week entered. Arrrgghhh!!! I feel so tensed right now and trying to release it all by having this entry. Lately, it has been about FACE-SHOP...
New FACEs. Last Friday, Diane and I decided to arrange a dinner. I brought my friends Kim, Dang, Meli, Bubbles and she brought some friends too. But before that we went to princess Zara to SHOP. Zara went on sale for the past weeks but what I love most about this sale is having it on the Kid's section as well! Zara Girls has cheaper prices than Zara, but still has equal quality for their items. The styles of their children's wear are, most of the time, applicable for adults too- which I find very amusing (kids looking maarjud). Lucky me, I can fit myself on kid sizes. Believe it or not, my size in Zara is ages 7-9, 9-10. Hell yeah! I can fit on a 9 year old's pants. But they have big sizes so don't be surprised if a size 11-13 might fit on you. So there, cheap children's wear going on sale equals shopping bliss for me... Bought a pair of cargos... love the fit and the fall of the fabric. I was looking around for other stuff to buy but Diane was hurrying us up. Well, I won't compromise time with friends over shopping. Anyways, Zara is always there and I wish Zara Girls will forever be! So we had dinner at Kitchen. She introduced her friends Joseph and Francis to me plus Abbey to my friends. Then we went to NSG to have some drinks and lotsa kwentos. It was nice having the "meet-my-friends-ask-them-their-schools-and-where-they-live" routine when things like this happen. And I think when you get to meet new people, it's the most crucial part. Like within 13 seconds of asking each other's profile, you'll already know if you guys click or if you have good vibes with the person. Knowing that, I make sure that I'm being careful during that getting-to-know-you portion, though I really can't shade off my real manners like laughing out loud and my taray facial expressions. Yeah FACE matters a lot for first impressions.. for me at least. It may sound immature but I think there's a truth about a person's face. I am not saying to judge based on ugliness or graciousness. I trust it- that the way people's face laugh, frown, talk, wonder, think, agree tells something about that person. I can't say exactly what I'm having in mind, but certain expressions tell me, "Ah! He's like this, he's like that... and I feel him or I don't like him" Anyways, enough of that. So we shared stories- showbiz, relationships, family to think that we all just met. Diane's friends were nice and I hope they find my friends awesome too, coz I believe they are!
Pics of course... pretty faces... ;)
FACE is important.. that leads us to what happened the next day. Meli and I met at G4 going to Vudang's place. We were walking while sipping on our Taro Tea when I saw some sales lady in a Hanbok(Korean national dress)-looking wear. I said, "Meli, why are they wearing Hanbok? Is that Hanbok?" since I wasn't sure. And right beside one of the salesladies, we saw a life-size standee of our Oppa Kwon Sang Woo!!! And OMG, we both looked at each other saying "FACESHOP???" And we ran to the store, all 5 meters, like the fangirls we are! It's over reaction but my heart beat up fast! The Faceshop is like Korean (ok ok I know you are saying Korean na naman!) Body Shop. It is endorsed by one of my fave Korean actors, Sang Woo or "Cholo" for Pinoys(damn it I hate it when people call him that.. what a panget name- Cholo) I first spotted The Faceshop in HK and never had I imagined it being here in Pinas. We were so eager to wrestle with the crowd inside the shop, but we had Taro on our hands so we decided to finish it up first as we were intimidated by the Korean couple giving out free soaps. I reckon it was weird having to give away soaps when they are the boss. It's like they were from Korean series wearing color-matched suits and nice funky shoes. So after we finished our drink, we hurried and examined each section and it was heaven just looking at the back of each product saying MADE IN KOREA. We end up buying pressed powders, blush and nail polishes for Vudang. Impulse to buy is all I have that time and nothing else. Prices were fair anyways plus we get to get free pouches and nail art.
While lining up to pay, I saw Mr. Ben Chan lined in front of us with some items too. I later learned that he was the one who brought The Faceshop here. I really love him! Hehehehe We reached Vudang's place and tried out what we bought. And it was all worth it. The products give this clean, matte, soft to the touch feel and a real natural blooming look! I tell you, Meli and I can't stop admiring each other's FACE until Monday! Hahaha.. self-conscious freaks!
Watched Pirates of the Carribean- Sunday. ULK! A bunch of weird-looking FACEs, a giant squid and great acting! Johnny Depp will forever be one of my favorite actors. His versatility never fails to amaze me. The movie was really entertaining and fun! Though it's bitin coz there's Part 3. Bleh!
Here comes Monday, I woke up early and was at work at 745! Goodness! Too much for keeping my promise of never coming late for work. Then news spread out. Lee Dong Wook(My Girl star or Julian for pinoys) is coming here fo real!!!! That's when I shifted from relaxed to panic mode! *Sigh* Yeah I actually did when I was typing. Coz fjksdkljgdkla;gkjasdfklg <- not a typo, I was cursing. OK.. This July I wanted to see the FACE of people I longed to see... but it's like I won't be able to...
The Fab 5
July 20-21. All five of them will be here! And freaking world I wanted to see Jai Rodriguez! He's the hottest bisexual for me! I saw Kyan before and he was so hot, like you wanted to be gay yourself if all gay men were like him. Now having all five of them come here is like waaaaaaaaaaahhh!!!! I just love them period! But opportunistic Ayala Malls wanted to have people purchase 500PHP worth of stuff on July18-19 for the July 20 event and Jul 19-20 for the 21st event. I was like.. what?! I should've known so I was able to delay maxing out my kaching for makeup!!!! Damn it! I guess I'll just see what I can SHOP.
Black Eyed Peas and Pussycat Dolls
Tickets sold out- that's the dilemma here. I was one of the people who first knew they were coming here. July 27- BEP, July 28- PCD. Two great groups I always wanted to see perform. I should've bought tickets early on! I wanted to, but then, I had other things to spend on, that's why I didn't buy tix earlier. *Cries* Waaaaaahhhh I hate myself! Done.
Lee Dong Wook
You disarrange my world!!! A week notice that he's coming. OK a real challenge for a fangirl like me but WTF?! guesting on WOWOWEE. Ano namang kacheapepraksan yan??? (What kind of cheap act is that?) ABS-CBN sucks! I don't want Dong Wook guesting on Wowowee and be asked unintelligent questions by Willie Revillame. I wanted to see Dong Wook so bad but I won't go on stampede-reputable Wowowee and die just to see him. Until now, me and my friends can't come up with a concrete plan on how to go about seeing Dong Wookie... My fangirl blood is boiling! I'm tensed and alarmed but I know I can do this. I'd do anything to get a glimpse of a FACE like his...
So there... faces I wanna see and faces I'll miss to see. I don't know why I'm requiring myself to seeing them, I just feel like I had to. If you wanna see a face, you can't shop! Sometimes you have to shop to see a face. And you need to shop to have a beautiful face... T_T ... FACE and SHOP.. they sometimes go together....
Annyeong is a Korean word. The first word you’ll learn if you wanna talk Korean. It’s funny coz I think it’s the most ironic word for it can both mean Hello and Goodbye. I guess it depends on how it is delivered and who you are saying it to… Amazing.. so let me shout out Annyeong to this entry.
Annyeong…
..haseyo, Jillette I ye yo! That’s how I intro myself in Korean. And I didn’t stop by just knowing how to introduce myself. I can read and write Hangul now! Lately, I’ve been pouring my past times, Thursday nights and weekends in studying Korean with my classmates Meli and Jaja. Well, most people ask me why I’m studying Korean, for what use they wonder. First, I’m always fascinated with languages. Learning another language is so awesome. As some of you already know, I did study Mandarin last year too- up to level 2. Not ready for Level 3 yet. Hehehe… Information-hungry me, I guess that’s the trigger. Second, as most of you know, I’m a freak for Korean entertainment. So into Korean shows, movies and music. I think they’re just the best in Asia that’s why. They know their thing and they have the confidence to show it to the world. But I get tired of living in a subtitled world, so better if I understand it without the translations. Third, Korea is another world to walk my shoes on.. next year we’re planning to conquer it! So better learn how to talk to the annyeong haseyo peeps before setting foot on it…
Annyeong…
To my Korean exchange students! Whatever way to learn Korean than to have a language buddy? Yes, Pao is sending over her Korean students to study here and she’s giving Meli and I the task to have them practice English while we practice Korean. It’s getting me excited coz I can finally learn Korean for real...
Annyeong…
To the newest Korean club… EMBASSY! Bwahhahaha OMG! I haven't been to the place for a long time and I was surprised going back. I know the place was always filled with expats but never thought the population would be more of the KR side. It was Suy’s Bday and we went to Embassy with guest DJ Anthony Pappa in da house. Outside, there were already about a dozen Koreans lined up. I know they are Kors just by their get ups. We went in and the place was packed! Familiar faces here and there but dang I was bothered having a look at a Korean face when I turn either left or right. It was ok seeing one or two at a time, but that night it was like I’m actually clubbing in Korea! Hell I can hear the “yo’s” and “neh’s” everywhere. Good thing we got VIP access to take some moment off the Korean crowd, house music and turn to hiphop and some air. It was a fun night anyways! Pics..
