Bruno Mars: Moonshine Jungle Tour Manila 2014

March 22, 2014

Saturday

MOA Arena

Finally after 3 long years of waiting since Doowops and Hooligans tour last 2011, Bruno Mars added a Manila leg to his second tour. And because me and my friend Arian are die hard fans (to say the least) we really didn't let this pass. Even though our tickets were GA, our heart will always be VIP.

Despite the long line to MOA because of the pyromusical, I got there just in time. We were running because we thought we were late. But the concert was delayed from 8PM to 9PM even with the opening act of Poreotix. I was anxious and hungry waiting for Bruno but when the concert started, I was blown away...like always.

Setlist:

Moonshine
Natalie
Treasure
Boogie Song (guitar solo)
Billionaire
Show Me/Our First Time
Marry You
If I Knew
Runaway Baby
The Lazy Song
When I Was Your Man
Grenade
Just The Way You Are
ENCORE:
(drum solo)
Locked Out Of Heaven
Gorilla

Concert starts

Waiting in vain...delayed

Soon...the concert will start

Finally the concert begins

At the encore during his drum solo, there was this large Philippine flag as a backdrop. Way to honor his Filipino ancestry.

After every concert, I have this weird habit of taking pictures like this

We will always and forever be Hooligans

I just hope it doesn't take another 3 years for him to have his next world tour. Just in case it does, we will still watch his concert.

The art of being a weekend couch potato: Recently watched KDrama and Jdrama

These past few weeks, I've been a homebody. Lazy? Maybe. Well summer is at its peak and its too hot to even bother going outside. I missed blogging, my laptop is nonexistent (I need a new one) and I've been behind things that I would love to write about. Therefore, I'll do this on the next best thing: my phone. 

For me, the season where good KDramas emerge starts around July every year so.....I decided that until then, I'll watch Asian Dramas which I missed while it aired: 

Title: Moon Embracing the Sun
Country: South Korea
Episodes: 20
Broadcast Network: MBC
Genre: Period, Romance
Topbilled by: Kim Soo Hyun, Han Gain, Jung Il Woo

Synopsis:
The story of the secret love between Lee Hwon, a fictional king of Joseon, and Wol, a female shaman. Wol was born as Heo Yeon Woo, the daughter of a noble family who won the love of the crown prince, Hwon. Her enemies, jealous of her family's position in court, schemed against her and wrestled away her rightful place as crown princess and nearly takes her life. Years later, an embittered Hwon meets Wol, now a female shaman who has no recollection of her past.

Hikaru says:
Originally, my sister Marion wanted me to watch this drama. She has a huge crush on Kim Soo Hyun. I didn't want to since while she was watching it, she was crying that it kept me disinterested. Even when it was shown locally I was just okay with it. But after loving YWCFTS, seeing bits of Dream High 1 (I didn't watch this drama too because I don't like Taecyeon) I decided to give this a chance. I wasn't disappointed. There were scenes that I teared-up (yep, I'm not much of a crybaby) and that's saying a lot. There are times where I cringe at Han Gain's lack of expression but she delivered some of her lines well..so that's okay. And now, I'm a fan of Kim Soo Hyun's acting. Not a crush, but I love how he cries. Expressive, heart-wrenching and emotional.

Title: Emergency Couple

Country: South Korea

Episodes: 21

Broadcast Network: tvN

Genre: Medical, Romance, Comedy

Topbilled by: Song Ji Hyo, Choi Jin Hyuk, Lee Pil Mo, Choi Yeon Jin

Synopsis:

A romantic comedy about a couple who got married during medical school but due to their clashing personalities divorced soon afterwards. They are reunited six years later as interns at a hospital. Will love strike again for the two?

Hikaru says:

I honestly watched this because my brother TJ told me Gary would make a special cameo (Monday Couple!) and because my sister Marion told me it was good. Truthfully, I'm not well acquainted with most of the medical terms since I'm not from that field. The story revolves around a divorced couple who ended things badly only to find out that they were now both interns at the same hospital. Messy but fun. Oh, and that Lee Pil Mo looks cute. 

Title: Rich Man, Poor Woman

Country: Japan

Episodes: 11 + 1 SP

Broadcast Network: Fuji TV

Genre: Office, Romance, Comedy

Topbilled by: Oguri Shun, Ishihara Satomi

Synopsis:

Oguri Shun plays Hyuga Toru, an affluent man whose personality is on the contrary, speckled with flaws. A CEO of an IT firm who is published on Forbes as a billionaire, Toru attained his fortune through chance and pure luck. A woman who meets Toru and eventually becomes attracted to him is Sawaki Chihiro, played by Ishihara Satomi. Chihiro is a hardworking college student at Tokyo University who has prepared for her future as much as she possibly could through studies and obtaining licenses. Despite her efforts, she has yet to land a job. Upon meeting Toru, she begins to unravel a genuine pureness inside him and solitude resulting from such pureness, which eventually draws her closer to him. The two repeatedly conflict each other, but little by little learn about one another to grow and develop together.

Hikaru says:

I have been wanting to watch this since it aired but fail to do so. Oguri Shun, one of Japan's character actors and Dianne's crush (like me crushing on MatsuJun since forever but that's another story). Oguri plays an eccentric CEO to an IT company which he build himself and crosses paths with a Tokyo university graduating  student who fails to find a job for 8 months. This has been me watching a JDrama in a long time. Yes, I have been on hiatus. FInally, a drama where I can relate to. This is my field. Oguri's character suits him well: eccentric, blank-faced, straightforward. I just noticed that he plays characters around that area. The chemistry between the main characters is unquestionable however, I find Ishihara a bit too giggly for my taste.

Title: Cheongdamdong Alice

Country: South Korea

Episodes: 16

Broadcast Network: SBS

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Topbilled by: Moon Geun Young, Park Shi Hoo

Synopsis:

Han Se Kyung (Moon Geun Young) is a talented young designer who lives each day with the motto "Strive for your dream to succeed". Until she met Cha Seung Jo (Park Shi Hoo) a president of a luxury brand shop in Cheongdam-dong who will change her life.

Hikaru says:

The story is patterned around the novel 'Alice in Wonderland' by Lewis Caroll in which a normal person enters a fantasy world. Moon Geun Young portrays a dreamer but because of a series of life's mishaps and taste of reality, she is on the verge of giving up and decides to change herself to get into Cheongdamdong (SKorea's elite neighborhood) find her white rabbit to make her life better with the help of her frenemy who successfully got into Cheongdamdong. This series has the taste of reality. Some may say that she's a gold digger but she just wants to make her circumstances better. Her plan may label her that way, but for me I salute people who still held their principles intact even though they are now successful. Head in the clouds but feet on the ground.

Title: Cunning Single Lady
Country: South Korea
Episodes: 16
Broadcast Network: MBC
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Topbilled by: Lee Jung Min, Joo Sang Wook, Kim Gyu Ri, Seo Kang Joon

Synopsis:
A romantic comedy about Na Ae Ra who dreams of meeting a white knight after getting divorced from Cha Jung Woo when his business failed, but as soon as he becomes a successful venture businessman, she tries to seduce him back while the ex-husband Cha Jung Woo tries to date her again to get revenge.

Hikaru says:
This series reminds me of a cross between 'Emergency Couple' and 'Rich Man, Poor Woman'. The story revolves around a divorced couple in which the husband became a successful CEO while leaving his ex-wife unknowingly paying the debts of his failed businesses. When the wife finds out that he became successful but pompous, she plots her revenge by getting into his company. I initially thought that this would revolve around that main plot but it seems like the reason of their divorce is much deeper that it seems. Overall, I enjoyed the story and the main actors had chemistry.

Couch potatoes, unite!

Into the Silver Screen: The Amazing Spiderman 2

Title: The Amazing Spiderman 2
Genre: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Topbilled by: Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone
Date: May 1, 2014

The initial plan was to watch Captain America 2 with my brother if ever it was still showing. Yes, I know, I'm that late. I almost forgot that this movie was going to be shown around this date and that nearly every cinema would play the movie to accomodate the bulk of fans who are going to watch. I relented. This would seem to be against my will (sort of) and don't get me wrong, I don't hate Andrew Garfield or Emma Stone. It's just that I was so used to Tobey Maguire's take on Peter Parker that a part of me refuse to fathom the fact that somebody else is going to fill his shoes not to mention my satisfaction on James Franco as Harry Osborn and Kirsten Dunst as MJ Watson. This revamp shows Peter's younger side and Gwen Stacey's involvement as his love interest, or rather first love, way before MJ (this is like Lana Lang all over again one reason why I didn't religiously follow Smallville). But I was wrong. I'm glad that I gave this a chance. Andrew Garfield's Spiderman mirrors the comicbook hero's personality. Cocky and sarcastic, that's the Spiderman I remember reading snippets. In some way, I now can symphatize on why a large fanbase would rather have Gwen than MJ. She complements him intellectually not that I'm saying MJ is dumb but because she was there from the start.  On the other hand, I loved Harry and Peter's bromance more in the first trilogy. What amused me is Electro playing 'Itsy Bitsy Spider' during their fight scene and that the powerplant looks like something out of a pokemon game; the part where one must catch Zapdos. I don't want to openly spoil for anyone who hasn't watched yet. Let me just say this, the movie copied the comicbook plot  so well that if there would be a third movie to cap it off as a trilogy, someone new would be introduced. All in all, take Tobey's awkward Peter Parker and Andrew's cocky and sarcastic Spiderman, we would have a perfect reflection of the comicbook hero; like two halves of a whole. I guess I have to watch the first movie.

Till the next flick...

One Musical Night: Ending my February the Wicked way

I've been in love with Wicked ever since I heard the songs starting with of course 'Defying Gravity'. I saw this youtube clip of Idina Menzel, the original Elphaba, (when I was currently researching for her since I saw her in Glee) and coincidentally Kurt and Rachel sang the same song on Glee. I also found out that Kristin Chenoweth (another coincidence that she also had her own arc on Glee) is the original Galinda. I downloaded the entire album and I've been in love with the songs ever since. 

Watching 'Wicked' has been on my bucket list for years now and I've been preparing myself where would I watch it. I found out that they had a run in Singapore in 2012. I was even preparing myself to go and watch it there but due to some setbacks I didn't get to go and that has been my regret ever since. Not until me and my cousin Phyllis (also a fan) found out in 2013 that Wicked would have a Manila stop beginning January 2014. And the best part was...the Australian cast who performed in Singapore is the same cast for the Manila run. Imagine us being so ecstatic that we thought we would pass out. And here it was...our 'Wicked' night after 9 months.

It all started on...

February 1, 2014

Saturday

This was the day me and Phyllis finally got our Wicked ticket. I was so thankful for the extended shows in the season or else I wouldn't have this opportunity to watch the musical. The book was given to me as a gift back in July 2013 by my friend Meanne as a parting gift when I resigned from my previous company.

After all those countdown to D-Day...

Fast forward to...

February 28, 2014

Friday

This is the 'Wicked' night

I arrived at the venue 4:30 PM, and yes the show was at 7:30 PM...I was so excited I arrived three hours early.

Advisories...its better to be early then late

The steps to the theater lobby. I fell like Cinderella going to a ball

Finally at the lobby...the waiting begins.

Oz Dust Boutique...

I honestly want to steal and bring this drawer home...hahaha

So, me and my cousin Phyllis opted to hangout and wait for the 7:30 show

Funny story: me and my cousin was singing 'What is this Feeling?' (me as Galinda and her as Elphaba) whole heartily when I stopped to hear one person rushing to this part of the lobby to the stage (maybe) and I see a flash of blonde. OMG~ I think we saw Suzie Mathers  (?) pass by and we were so starstruck that we literally became mute for a few seconds. UGH! I wish I had the courage...but I guess she was late for something backstage.

Finally...we're going in.

I was so excited that I had to document everything

Right before the show

my cousin Phyllis and I

me

Now, we move on to the music. I think even those seated beside us and in front of us (and I can feel that some of those behind us) were giving us those weird looks. Why? We've been trying so hard not to sing along but we can't. We know every song. Well, except one.

Act I

No One Mourns the Wicked - Once you hear that melody, one can say that the magic is about to start. I had goosebumps even at the first note. Everything seems so surreal. Finally, I am here. Galinda's soprano voice as she descends from the bubble? Divine. Are people born wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?

Dear old Shiz - Shiz is the name of their university. This is where Galinda and Elphaba meet. And of course Galinda's soprano voice at the end. What amazed me the most is Galinda's transformation from the witch in the bubble to the school girl Galinda. Wow~ that was a quick change? How many seconds was that?

The Wizard and I - This is Elphaba's uplifting song. I love the little banter between Elphaba and Galinda before the beginning of the song.

What is this I'm Feeling? - Ah, yes. The song that I always sing with my cousin Phyllis. I love this song...you could feel the loathing, the banter and the way of the world between Elphaba and Galinda. Unusually and exceedingly peculiar and altogether quite impossible to describe. Blonde.

Something Bad - Dr. Dillamond and Elphaba's duet. Something baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad is happening in Oz.

Dancing through life - This is Fiyero's song and for me the ultimate production number. This song is about 7 minutes long? I think so. But what made me concretely a fan of this song is when I saw Suzie Mathers and Jemma Rix's version of Galinda and Elphaba, the part where Galinda was teaching Elphaba how to dance. This was the moment they became friends. Even without music, the scene for me was special. Even without music, I teared up. That was a powerful scene.

I even tweeted it to Jemma Rix and Suzie Mathers and I was happy they read it. It was really a powerful scene.

Popular - Galinda's optimistic song...clad in her pink dress singing to her new friend, teaching her the ways of the world. What to do for everyone to accept you. Whenever I see someone less fortunate than I...

I'm Not that Girl - Elphaba's song for people with unrequited love. Due to a moment between Fiyero and her, she began having her heart beat for him. Too bad as per what society wants, Galinda and Fiyero were 'sort of' together. The scene I liked? When Elphaba was singing 'I'm not that girl...' Fiyero looked back at her. Yep, my heart fluttered at that moment.

One Short Day - As much as I loved the production for 'Dancing through Life' the lights and sounds for One short day would top them all off. It makes me want to go and spend one short day in the Emerald City.

A Sentimental Man - This is the shortest song in the musical (I think so) in which the wizard is explaining why he did what he did.

Defying Gravity - This will always be THE ultimate Elphaba song. Words cannot describe how much empowering this song is. The ultimate breakaway from the norm song. The last part is my favorite. Jemma Rix did a great job that if I only had a thousand hands, I would clap them at the same time. Seriously, she was amazing up there.

So, if you care to find me, look to the western sky...as someone told me lately..everyone deserves a chance to fly..and if I'm flying solo, at least I'm flying free...to those who ground me...take a message back from me...tell them how I'm defying gravity...I'm flying high..defying gravity..and soon I'll match them in renown...and nobody in all of Oz, no wizard that there is or was is ever gonna bring me down~

Act II

Act II is the heavy part. If Act I was all happy, Act II addresses everything all the problems that everyone concealed.

No one mourns the wicked (Reprise) - This begins the second act, a song that mimics the beginning of the musical.

Thank Goodness - Galinda is now reaping her rewards as Glinda the Good and everyone loves her unknowingly that everything is the result of the deceit and Elphaba is carrying the burden of being the villain.

The Wicked Witch of the East - as I mentioned earlier, this was this one song I know nothing about just because it wasn't included in the final cut of the Wicked album. This is the part where Nessa finally lost it. I feel bad for Elphaba though, she was doing everything for everyone but she is still dubbed as the villain just because she is different. I'm hunting the song now. I wanna know this! 

I'm not that Girl (Reprise) - Galinda finally realizes that Fiyero also has this affection for Elphaba. 

As Long As You're Mine - THE duet song of Fiyero and Elphaba. I love this song so much. The romance between the two is undeniable. And the last part? I love it. Nothing, its just for the first time...I feel...Wicked.

No Good Deed - I know that 'Defying Gravity' will always be THE ultimate Elphaba song but for me 'No Good Deed' showcases whoever plays Elphaba better. Especially the part where she belts out then her voice softens. This is the reason why whenever I say Fiyero's name I do the FIYEEEEEEEEEERO part. WOW. Jemma Rix is really amazing. Eleka Nahmen Nahmen Ah Tum Ah Tum Eleka Nahmen. 

March of the Witch Hunters - This builds up to the climax of the story. I love this song as much as I hate the fact that they seem on misunderstanding Elphaba.

For Good - Now this is the ultimate Elphaba-Galinda duet. I love the fact that they gave their friendship the utmost importance. I teared up at this point mostly because I know the musical has neared its end. *sigh*

Finale (For Good - reprise) - This. Is. The. End. So many tears....and they truly deserve the standing ovation. And yes~ I want more. Amazing cast. 

That final bow. They deserve the standing ovation. Amazing cast. Truly amazing.

I enjoyed my stay in the Emerald City

Amazing Jemma Rix and Suzie Mathers. Truly amazing.

Phyllis and I as Elphaba and Galinda (but the outfits seem to be Galinda and Elphaba)

My appreciation on the wall. Fiyeeeeeeeeero~

I know that today (March 9) is the last day in the Manila run but I hope that they enjoyed their stay. Jemma Rix and Suzie Mathers as Elphaba and Galinda were amazing. They had this amazing chemistry. I will never forget this night and if opportunity presents itself once again, I would watch this musical over and over again.

My feels~ Galinda (Suzie Mathers), Fiyero (Steve Danielsen) and Elphaba (Jemma Rix) read   and acknowledged my tweet.

Thank you for that magical night...Wicked Manila.