Hubby and I just got back from watching the Cirque du Soleil show, Varekai. I left work at around 5 PM so I can meet hubby early so we can have dinner first before the show.

We had dinner at Yellow Cab around 6 PM and just walked from Yellow Cab to Quirino Grand Stand. We had some picture taking outside and inside the Big Chapiteau and as always, hubby bought souvenirs of the show.

The show started at exactly 7:30 PM and it was amazing. I was actually bored at the first scenes but I clapped and shouted non stop for the next performances like the flight of Icarus, two men in straps performing acrobatic figures, the young woman balancing on cranes, and the finale (my favorite) the Russian Swings. I also love how the two clowns make the show funny and more entertaining.

After the finale, all the performers went on stage and the crowd gave them a standing ovation.

We actually had no plans at first to watch Varekai but I gave in after hearing the raves about it and I am glad that we did as this show is definitely a show that you should not miss.

Yehey, I am so happy. Bought online our tickets for the Varekei Cirque du Soleil show just now. I actually have no plans of watching. I know how good the show is and it is really a must see but tickets prices are so steep that I let go of the idea.

But then after my officemates watched the premiere and they are all raving about it and I saw some of their pictures in Facebook, I told myself that it is indeed something that I should not missed.

Hubby on the other hand got sold already when he saw the circus tent set up near his office. LOL. Since we think alike, he gave me a call at exactly the same moment I was thinking if we should watch the show or not.

So we both decided that we should watch. The next question is if we will bring Bela or not. Bela got excited when she saw the circus tent but she probably was thinking of elephants, lions and sea lions in the show because she got scared when I showed her the commercial and the giant posters and she kept on saying “Oh I don’t like, they’re scary. Please don’t take me there.”

I explained to her that daddy and mommy will be watching and if it is okay that she is not coming and she said “Yes, I will just stay at home and wait for you.”

So I guess it is a date for me and Howell on July 14th. Hubby was teasing me that this will be our Valentine’s date 5 months late. LOL.

I love watching the show America’s Next Top Model. Aside from the fact that I find the judges funny, I love the show as I am really in awe at how the makeup artist and the hair stylist transforms the model from one look to the next as they change themes every week.

I have no talent when it comes to hair and makeup so I am wondering if it is a natural born talent or I will learn to be a good hair and makeup artist like them if I will enroll in beauty school in Wichita.

Beauty school in Wichita is one of the thirty branches of Regency Beauty Institute. I heard a lot of good feed backs about them as they really produce great hair and makeup artist. Well I guess, if you study in a school with nothing but the best professors in the beauty industry and a campus that mirrors the upscale salons, then there is no reason for you not to excel and be the best hair and makeup artist.

I’m glad that my dad is enjoying blogging as much as I do. In fact he was really challenged that he was doing some readings on how he can improve his posts and even asked me to teach him on how to use some of the features of blogspot.

So Howell agreed to baby sit Bela while I give my dad a tutorial on blogspot like how he can upload images, change font attributes, change font color and the like. So he tried to make one posting and while he is busy typing in MS Word (which I’m really glad he learned to accept as before, he prefers to write his entries instead of typing it in MS Word), I was able to watch CSI. And they mentioned Manila in this week’s episode. They found a Filipino delicacy lying on the floor and Warrick Brown (Gary Dourdan) told Nick Stokes (George Eads) that his grandmother has a friend from Manila who makes those delicacies.

CSI has always been one of my favorite TV series but I don’t get to watch it that often now specially when we decided to remove the TV in our bedroom and move it to the other room. And since Bela sleeps early now, we have to go up to our room early which gives me no time to watch CSI. And so I was really happy I was able to have my “me time” tonight and finally able to watch CSI Vegas again.

I saw this on Jane’s site.

Actually, I’m also contemplating if we should take Bela to watch the show. I knew about it I think months ago when Pheng gave me the good news, as she knows how much Bela loves the Disney characters. (Nakwe-kwento ko kse sa kanya pag nag cha-chat kami). When we watched the Barney concert, she saw the big banner of the Disney on Ice show and she was saying “Watch, Mickey.” And when she saw the commercial of the show last week, she intently watches it and was also singing with the characters.

But after all our expenses after Christmas and we’re saving up for our Bohol trip, I don’t think we will have an extra budget for this show. Pass muna kaya kami? Matiis ko kaya si Bela? LOL. We’ll see….

We left the house at 5 Pm for the 7 PM show. I decided to leave early as I’m afraid that there might be a heavy traffic since it’s the Christmas season. But my dad knows a route where there is no traffic so we are already at Araneta by 5:30. We passed by at the main entrance to ask what time they will open the gate for the 7 PM show and then we head to Gateway for merienda. But Bela already saw the big screen showing the commercial for the Barney show inside the coliseum and so she was resiting when we are getting a seat at Pizza Hut to eat. Of course, the lolo gave in to his grand daughter’s whish and he said that we could go inside the coliseum na daw and he will just eat while waiting for us.

The gate is already open when we went back to the entrance and so we decided to go in na din. Thanks to Peachy’s tip, we we’re able to sneak in our SLR camera. Walang hassle at di ko na kailangang mag emote sa security guard. I just covered it with Bela’s diapers and the Barney stuffed toy and naipasok namin sya agad. (And maybe they’re more lenient na since it’s the last show na). Peachy gave me a tip also to go to the booth of Enfakid for a free pictorial with their Barney standee. So habang wala pang gaanong tao, we we’re able to avail of two free pictures from Enfakid. Then we just bought our food and went inside na.

Bela was starting to get a little scared when they dimmed the light inside when it’s almost time for the show to start. She wants me to carry her and she was hugging me and she was starting to have tantrums already. But right after seeing Barney when he came out of the stage, oh boy, she started to sing already and she was jumping with joy.

The Security permitted the kids to go in front of the stage. I tried to bring Bela there but she doesn’t want to be away from me and only kids are allowed to stay in front of the stage. So doon na lang kami umupo, sa center aisle ng first row. Pero noong medyo dumadami na yung tao, nag aya na si Bela back to our seats.

Naku, super sulit talaga yung ticket namin at super enjoy si Bela. She was dancing and singing and doing the action for the songs. After the show, she kept on saying “Watch Barney” and she was kissing and hugging her Barney stuffed toy. Hanggang sa car, nanggigigil sa tuwa at tili ng tili sabay kiss ulit kay Barney. Hay, like Joaqui, number one fan din talaga ni Barney si Bela.

Sharing some of the pictures that my sister took.

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Side Kwento: While waiting for the show to start, there were staffs going around selling Barney souvenirs. I saw Bela standing in front of the staff selling the souvenirs and she was intently looking at the Barney items. So I asked her. “What do you want baby?” And then I told her she can get one thing there that she wants. She was holding a straw and right after hearing what I said, she immediately gave me the straw she was holding and then said “Ch-Chu.” (Thank You). Hay, nadurog na naman ang puso ko kaya kahit wala ako balak bumili dahil nga ang mahal (OA ang price), napabili tuloy ako ng plastic watch ng di oras kahit di ko type. LOL.

I was chatting with Peachy & Kelly last night and lalo ako na excite for the Barney show after hearing their stories. Haven’t seen any pictures though. Ayaw pa pakita ni Peachy pictures nya para daw surprise.

Hope maipuslit ko yung SLR cam ng brother ko. Pano ko kaya gawin yun? Wish me luck Peachy. Nag backup na din ako ng pictures ng cellphone ko and I celeaned up the memory card para if ever di ko ma maipasok ang SLR cam, may back up plan ako.

I’ll try to post my kwento later when we get home. Enjoy the rest of the week mga sisters.

Taylor Hicks is here in Manila to promote his album. Next to Elliott, Taylor is my second love among the American Idol contestants. He’s here in Manila from Dec 18 – 20.

Below are the schedules of his shows: (from Ayamalls.com)

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TAYLOR HICKS LIVE

Glorietta
December 18, 2007
Glorietta 4 Park
7:00 PM
Concierge Hotline: (632) 752-7272

Greenbelt
December 19, 2007
Greenbelt 3 Park
8:00 PM
Concierge Hotline: (632) 757-4853

TriNoma
December 20, 2007
Activity Center
7:00 PM
Concierge Hotline: (632) 901-3000

Meet & Greet after each show

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But not like when Elliot was here, I decided I wouldn’t be trooping to Greenbelt to watch him perform since it’s Christmas season and for sure the malls are jam-packed. And last time we watched Elliott in Glorietta, they already have a guest list (mga friends and relatives cguro ng mga Ayala) and they we’re only the ones who are allowed to get in the activity center. Next time, when he comes back here for a concert, I will definitely watch him.

After all the trouble we’ve gone through to purchase the Barney tickets (see my previous post about this), finally we now how center aisle seats. Yahoo!

Howell went to SM yesterday to exchange our tickets. He didn’t have any problem when she claimed the tickets. At least, SM was able to give good service to us yesterday.

So we will be watching the Barney Let’s Imagine Tour in Manila on December 23, 2007 / 7:00 PM. We got PT 103 Row E, Seats 19-21.

For sure my daughter will go gaga over the Barney show. I’m so excited. This will be a perfect Christmas treat for her.

If anyone of you is watching on this date, let me know so we can meet up.

Good News

We already have our tickets for the Barney Just Imagine Show. We will be watching the show on December 23 at 7 PM. Sobrang excited ko so kahit na 8 PM na ako natapos sa salon, pinilit ko pa rin si Howell na dumaan kami sa SM San Lazaro to purchase the tickets that I reserved that afternoon.

I was really happy because I got center aisle seats at Row B.

Bad News

I was blog hopping last night and read Peachy’s post regarding the Barney show. I remember, she mentioned to me that they got center aisle seats. I read from her post that they got ticket PT 103, Row E, Seat 19-21. So I checked my tickets and we got PT 103, Row B, Seat 1-3. So I realized one of us was issued the wrong center aisle seats. It was already 11 Pm and Ticketnet is already close so I have to wait the next day to verify our tickets.

I called Ticketnet as early as 9 AM the next day and it was then that I found out that the ticket issued to us was not center aisle, but side aisle. Super bad trip na ako, since I specifically requested for center aisle seats. So takbo kami agad ni hubby sa SM San Lazaro where we purchased the tickets.

I raised my concern to the person in charge sa customer service. And sabi nya, center aisle seats daw yung ticket namin. I asked her to call Ticketnet to verify. After making the phone call, here is what the girl said:

Customer Service Asst: Ma’am side aisle nga po yung ticket na nabigay sa inyo. Pero wala na din po kami magagawa dyan.

Nairita talaga ako sa sagot nya. I promised hubby that I will be calm pero nakakairita talaga yung sagot ng girl at mataray pa tono nya. So I told her, it is their fault since I reminded them several times before they issued me the tickets that they have to make sure that it is center aisle. And kahit kanina, di pa din malinaw sa kanila kung alin ang center aisle at side aisle.

Ang sabi ba naman sa akin, dapat daw kse alam ko ang seat number na bibilhin ko. Susme, eh nirequest ko nga center aisle eh. Hindi naman ako usherette sa Araneta Coliseum para makabisado ko seat number don noh.

She asked me to come back at 1 PM since the manager will arrived at that time. And it’s only 10 AM. So sabi ko, hindi ako makakapag hintay ng 1 PM, I need to talk to the one in charge right now.

So di talaga ako umalis ng Customer Service…hehehe. Natakot ata sa akin, kaya tinawagan nya yung supervisor nya. Mabait naman yung supervisor. Napansin siguro na irate na ako…hehehe. So inasikaso na niya agad yung concern ko and tumawag na sya agad sa Ticketnet.

Good News

Ticketnet agreed to change our tickets to center aisle seats. But since the Accounting office is close on a Sunday, we have to go back tomorrow to get our new tickets. They have to refund our first payment daw kse from Accounting before they can issue us the new ticket.

Hay hope, ok na tomorrow.

Ang babaw ko ba? Oh well, ang mahal kaya ng ticket noh. And kaya nga maaga ako nag purchase ng tickets para center aisle seats makuha ko, tapos malaman laman ko, side aisle pala binigay nila sa akin….hehehe…

So sa mga mommies na mag pu-purchase ng tickets for the Barney show: For VIP Center Section 103, center aisle is seat 21. For Section 101, center aisle is Seat 1.

Yun lang…heheh… Tomorrow na ako magkwento about sa Blogging Mommies Xmas Party ha. Antok na ako eh… Inunan ko muna tong kwento ko na to para ma avoid na yung same problem pag nag purchase ng tickets yung ibang mommies.

Barney... Let's Imagine Tour in Manila 2007

(picture grabbed from Peachy)

Thanks to Peachy for sharing the information (Thanks sis). Super uber excited ako after reading yung ym ni Peachy and her post.

I immediately called Howell for his schedule as he might be out of the country from December 10-20. I wanted to book the Dec 22, 3PM show para sabay kami nila Peachy manood but Howell is not yet sure of his exact date of arrival so we decided to book the last show, which is on Dec 23 at 7PM.

So I called Ticketnet and reserved 8 seats (just in case my cousins would want to go with us). OA ba? We got the VIP Center - Center Aisle seats. I’ll pick up the tickets either later or tomorrow.

Yey. I’m so happy. I’m super excited na like Peachy. For sure ma star strucked na naman si Bela nito. And like what I said to Peachy, kailangan todo get up para certified Barney fan talaga ang arrive namin…hehehe

Let me know din if anyone of you would be watching the Barney show on the 23rd so we can meet up also.

We we’re able to catch Wanders at the Pagcor Grand Theater, Airport Casino in Parañaque City last Wednesday. My good friend Mheng, who works for PAGCOR gave us four complimentary tickets. So I was able to invite my cousins, Tessa and Joseph, to join us for the show.

I heard about the show and I heard really good feedbacks about it. They say it is a world-class entertainment. It brings together the elements of theater, concert, circus and dance.

We arrived almost a few minutes before the show begins so the theatre is already a little bit dark. Bela got a little uncomfortable at the start and she doesn’t want to sit down. But as the show begins, she started to get interested with it especially when she saw the balancing act with the big hula-hoop. At the middle of the show; she was already dancing and singing with the performers.

This is how they described the show:

“Wanders” is a visual and aural treat which enchants audiences with gravity defying aerial acrobatics, stunning displays of skill and physical prowess, soulful renditions of timeless classics and vibrant dance numbers.

Bela’s favorite is the acrobats while we love the aerial dancers.

Cameras are not allowed inside the theatre but you can have a pictorial with some of the cast after the show for a minimal fee of P100 per shot. Below is our picture with the cast of Wanders:

Of course, Bela can’t go home without some souvenirs from the show. So Howell bought her a T-shirt and stickers of Wanders.

I highly recommend this show. I assure you, both kids and grown ups will truly enjoy this wonderful show.

Happy weekend everyone.