I wasn’t able to watch the first few episodes of this teleserye because I don’t want to become hooked with it. But then, I wasn’t able to control myself and began watching it. So here’s the story: Julio (Ariel Rivera) and Beatrice (Janice de Belen) is a married couple, unable to have a child. Because of fertility issues, Beatrice’s half-sister Theresa (Cherry Pie Picache) became the surrogate mother of the couple’s child. Changing her mind, pregnant Theresa then runs away (to Cebu).

As time flies, now 17 year-old Celyn travels to Manila (despite her mother’s strong disapproval) to pursue her studies at the University of the Philippines. She then meets and befriends Margaux, a princess-like heiress to a famous shoe company (Memorata); along with her boyfriend Ethan (Enchong Dee) and their childhood friend Liam (Xian Lim). Margaux, who is living a life full of fear and insecurities, is the adopted child of Julio and Beatrice (although it turns out that Margaux is in fact Celyn’s twin sister).

Rivalry sparks when Margaux broke up with Ethan after a failed eloping attempt (because of Celyn and Liam), thus starting a tangled and complicated twist of lovers: Celyn-Ethan, Margaux-Liam. I forgot to mention, in the beginning of the story it was already indicated that Celyn has a crush on Ethan, and Liam on Margaux. Oh well, whatever. Haha. The rivalry became worse when it was finally revealed that Celyn is the real daughter of Beatrice and Julio.

“Agawan sa karapatan” begins as Celyn and Margaux competes for their loved ones as well as their status in the family~

Although I find Ina Kapatid Anak a typical Pinoy teleserye (where the parents loses their child, “NAM concept” as I call it), the idea of surrogacy is quite something new. Yes, Celyn may be separated from her biological parents, but the family she’s with is also blood-related to her. Theresa’s still the one who carried and gave birth to her. The issue of surrogacy is still quite complicated.

As of Margaux’s character, I really like the way Maja portrays her. You can see that even if Margaux acts bitchy most of the time, you can still see her soft and fragile side. You can feel her struggle of wanting to belong in a family, as if she was joining an organization where you have to prove yourself worthy in order to belong. (Kahit ako no, inis na inis ako sa pagka close-minded and selfish ni Margaux. Napapanaginipan ko pa nga. Haynako.)

I also love the love teams [o diba, redundant.] Hihihihi. I love how the love stories of these two couples are tangled. If I’m the writer, I probably would’ve written it as it is. But as an audience, nakakainis panoorin. How long will it take for Liam to realize that he loves Celyn??!! ♥

Celyn and Margaux being twins is actually predictable from the beginning. They have the same physique and they share the same mannerisms. Besides, the story is not the “bida vs. kontrabida” type, rather it is “bida vs. bida.” It’s a battle between two protagonists, so the other one should not end up miserable.  I wonder how the truth will be unveiled.

I also assume there will be a kidnapping scene in the end [probably on the last second or third week of the series yun] led by Diego, who might be Teresa’s first-born [predictions… predictions. Lol.]  Oh well. We all have to watch out for that.

“Company Caaaaaall!”

“Tableau”

“Freeze”

“Blockings”

If you are a theater-person, these terminologies might sound familiar. These are some of the terms frequently used in theater that still echoes in my head every time I close my eyes and reminisce the good old days of my college life.

I can still remember the first few days of my first year in college at Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba. Being a freshman (a newbie on a new chapter of her school life), I must find a group where I must belong: a group in which I will meet new friends who share the same interests.

It was the Recruitment Week of all the Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) of Letran. Obviously, this event is organized for the different organizations to introduce, invite, and recruit new members. While walking in the hallway occupied by the booths from different RSOs, my friend (from high school who’s also taking the same course as me) and I bumped into tadaaaa~~

Samu’t Sari. This is the official theater organization of CSJLC. As the preamble states, the organization presents theater productions not just for entertainment purposes, but also to give public awareness about the relevant issues happening today.

Anyway, during that time, I wasn’t really a theater person. Since I love drawing and the visual arts, I wanted to join the Society of Letran Artists (SoLAr). Of course, being a teenager who cannot do things on her own and must always be accompanied by a friend, I asked my friend to join Solar. Actually, this friend of mine was the theater-person, and she insisted that she’ll join Solar if I join Samu’t Sari too. So, the rest is history.

The first production that I was able to act into was Letranayt 5: Nang Mapadpad si Inggo sa Makiling. It was the very first time that I experienced the stage. I’m not really a performer and I have stage fright. At first I was really hesitant if I can act. But after months of rehearsals, I was able to do it. Yay! I’m glad that I was able to try something new in my life, and I discovered a new talent. My mom is very proud of me, I can tell. She would always brag about it to her friends, officemates, and our other family members. It’s kinda embarrassing, but in a way I’m glad that my mom is supporting me and that I make her proud.

It was in 2009 when the highlight of my Samu’t Sari experience took place. We hosted the Ikatlong Tanghal! Tanghal is a week-long theater festival which gathers the different theater groups from universities and colleges from all over the archipelago. I was nervous at first because we were given the task of being liaison officers all throughout the week. I handled the groups from Southern Luzon, FYI (hello nga pala sa mga alaga ko, CVSU, LSPU, and SLU (kahit proxi lang ako ni Meysi) hohhoho~). We would also present as major production for the festival, so we were really stressed and haggard during the event. It was a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (I can’t express the feeling properly, sorry haha) experience for me. Even though it was energy-draining, it was fulfilling. We were able to showcase our talents, meet new friends, experience different cultures, and of course, learn more about Philippine art and culture.

That was also the last time I acted on stage. I participated with the succeeding productions, but it’s more on the stage and props committee. I also became busy, as thesis and OJT came simultaneously.  

Today marks the 11^th anniversary of my beloved organization. In Samu’t Sari, I learned to appreciate the beauty of our own culture, leadership, being responsible, and time management (haha).~~~~~~

 

(c) facebook.com 

            I wasn’t really interested in K-pop… until Summer of 2010. I was an incoming fourth year Communication student having my internship for a magazine in Quezon City. We need to comply our 300-hour training during the whole summer season that year, and it is when my life as a fangirl started.

            My Park Shin-Hye look-a-like classmate, who was also spending her intern at the same company, is a k-popper. During lunch time, she would always insist that I watch Super Junior Full House. At first I was really hesitant and I don’t understand why she was hooked with SJ and Kpop. BUT… I finally realized what the fuss is all about after watching it.

Having 13 members, I can barely remember the names of each Super Junior members. Kibum, being a total cutie (and the bias of my other friend), is the only one that I can remember that time. And like other typical teenage girls, I was also smitten by the charms of the individual members… especially Lee Donghae. He caught my attention right away, when he playfully introduced himself using a soccer ball… he’s just soooooo cuuuuteee. A total sweetheart. ♥ 

Of course at first he caught my attention because of his looks, but after days of researching and “stalking” him on the internet, he also caught my heart. Of all the members, he is the one that I am most similar with. We both love dogs, we’re both childish, we’re both playful, we like soccer… and most of all, I can also feel his pain. I also lost my dad when I was in high school and somehow, I know what it feels like to wish that your dad would be there on the front seat and watch you perform and see him smile and cheer you on and tell you that he’s proud of you. Anyway, Lee Donghae is just… lovable. [I’m speechless. Hahahahha]

The only thing that I regret is that I wasn’t an ELF when SS2 was held in the Philippines. Our office is just one jeepney ride away from Smart Araneta Coliseum! There are huge posters/ tarpaulins of other members in a nearby mall that I just pass through, and I didn’t even bother to stop and stare and admire them. Urgghh. And on the day of the concert, while everyone was spazzing, there I am talking to myself “what’s the big deal?” ---what’s the big deal huh? Ngayon nanghihinayang ka, loka.

Anyway, after months of being an ELF, I also managed to convince that friend of mine (yes, the Kibum-biased friend I was talking about earlier) to also watch SJFH. And boom! Of course, she was also addicted to SJ. She’s even more addicted than me. She would spend sleepless nights just to download the latest videos of SJs. After her relationship with Kibum, she then ended up marrying Cho Kyuhyun. Okay, I’m exaggerating.

And after influencing her, she influenced another friend of ours. This other friend of ours (Hyukjae-biased), ended up watching SS3 Manila. The three of us would go to Mrs. Cho’s house to watch the latest videos while eating kimchi fried rice. We even celebrated Kyuhyun’s birthday, can you believe it? Okay. The SJ virus had spread amongst us. Hahahahaha~

I’m really happy that I belong to this fandom. There was this one time when I went to the supermarket, I happened to see a girl wearing the same ELF shirt that I was wearing. We smiled at each other and said “uy!” as if we know each other. Normal girls would be irritated if they saw someone wearing the same outfit, but fangirls would be excited to see someone from the same fandom. BWAHAHA.

Anyway, even though I’m not an active fangirl as before, I will always be proud of my boys… [our boys pala haha, sareeeh]. I will support them, and keep on bleeding sapphire blue until it dominates the world. Fighting! ^^