Bound And Gagged!

.:Win!:.

Just finished turning over the proceeds of last Friday’s “Bound And Gagged” to the Real Life Foundation. I cannot be any happier right now than knowing that through the help of everyone who made this event possible, we’ve managed to contribute to something big.

You know we’ll be doing this again sometime soon, folks! I cannot thank all of you enough!

News and Updates bound and gagged

Expect a megapost sometime soon, once the pictures are ready.

In the meantime, my thanks to the performers: my partner Jay Mata, Ony Carcamo and Wanlu, Mike Unson and Richie Fernandez, and Giniling Festival and Grin Department.

I understand Grin Department may have gotten a bit out of hand and definitely went overtime at the expense of the other performers, but I’d like to believe their hearts were in the right place and they really wanted to give people their money’s worth. Still, you can’t take away anything from their performance: they are who they are, and in the end, Mike Unson and Ony Carcamo, the last two acts to follow Grin Department aside from Jay and myself, still managed to captivate the crowd with their wonderful repertoires.

Of course, Richie’s standup comedy was well-received, and Giniling Fest definitely won over some new fans that night, but let’s not forget Carl’s special guest segment where he opened the show for us with an amazing magic routine that really had me going.

Jay’s glass walk was of course stuff of legend, and Brenda made sure that Metamorphosis and Rickrolling would go soooo well together. Hee. Patrick’s assist during the Dove Vanish was hilarious as well. All in all, things really neatly lined themselves up, and it was great, for the most part.

Will write about it in full when the pictures come in. But for now, if you didn’t get to catch the show, too bad! You really missed out on an amazing night.

Much love to our sponsors: C2, Granny Goose Tortillos, Jack n Jill Potato Chips, Goldilocks, Geiser Maclang, E-Games, Sheero Media, and of course, our co-presentor, Nuffnang Philippines.

News and Updates, Personal Commentary bound and gagged

I don’t know about you guys, but I cannot wait!

Bound And Gagged is happening this Friday already, so see you all at PETA theater! Short, but sweet, I know. I mean, what else can I say other than “you’re in for a treat this Friday?”

I’m stoked, real stoked.

News and Updates bound and gagged

.:So I Said…:.

Hey, what’s going on?

Well, lemme clue you in, as it’s been a rather hurly-burly weekend that I’ve been rather pleased as punch about, all things considered.

.:Experimental:.

Last Friday, I tried out all-new material for standup comedy since I didn’t want to get too stale with my old stuff. Admittedly, it was a hit or miss affair, especially since I really was a bit apprehensive about a lot of the stuff I wanted to do. Still, it all worked out in the end, and I’m glad I went with that little experiment. I wouldn’t have been able to try my stuff out any other way if I didn’t.

As usual, though, the magic was still a guaranteed hit, as people really enjoyed watching Fernando The Ferret in action, even if he was a bit stilted with his movements compared to Robby The Raccoon.

It was great bonding with Anna and the other people in Ditzy Diner that night, though, what with the videoke night we had, where I decided to go and sing songs like “Humanap Ka Ng Panget”. Heh.

.:Bound And Gagged Is Upon Us…:.

It’s THIS FRIDAY, guys! See you there, as we treat you to an amazing night of music, magic, mentalism, and mirth! For a trifle 200 or 300 bucks, you get a top-notch show, and even get the chance to help out our friends affected by the Ondoy and Pepeng typhoons through The Real Life Foundation!

Catch you all there. You have no idea how much time we’ve put into rehearsing for this show, just making sure we get every little detail right and perfect.

.:Love Still Wins:.

It bears saying… congratulations to my good friends Carlo and Mich for getting hitched!

In a time where it’s easy to get jaded and lose sight of how beautiful love could be, these two are a stellar example of how love still does exist, if you let it live on in your heart.

Maybe there’s still a wee bit of hope for me, then.

.:A Mental Note:.

A friend in need is a friend indeed. For every true friend you have, you probably have ten of the fair-weathered variety. I should know better than to go out on a limb for these people in the future. They’re not worth the effort.

.:A Turning Point:.

I know my blogging has been lackluster as of late, but it’s all good. Rehearsals throughout the weekend, and then the thesis to worry about, but after all of that has been said and done, I know I’d be back to form as I used to be. I guess I just really need the proper environment to write more creatively. At the moment, I’m just enjoying putting together one helluva show, and October 23 cannot come soon enough!

News and Updates bound and gagged, randomicity

.:It Bears Repeating…:.

Bound and gagged, with Ony and Wanlu, Kel and Jay, Mike Unson and Richie Fernandez, Giniling Festival and Grin Department, is on this October 23, PETA Theater. Tickets are available at the gate, at 200 and 300 depending on your seating, and program is pegged to start at 7:30.

Proceeds of this show will be going to The Real Life Foundation, in aid of the victims of Ondoy and Pepeng and (heaven forbid) Ramil, if it gets to that.

This event is co-presented by Nuffnang Philippines, and is brought to you by C2, Granny Goose Tortillos, Jack ‘n’ Jill Potato Chips, E-Games, Geiser Maclang, and Goldilocks.

Thanks to our media partners as well, TV5 and Hero TV.

.:Conversations Into The Psyche:.

I must say, speaking to one of the most stellar magicians of our country, Lou Hilario, has afforded me a very unique perspective that I cannot help but appreciate.

Truly, he is one of the greatest minds in magic in the local industry, arguably even the world. He’s just that good.

.:A Season Of Grace:.

You can’t keep a good cause down.

Rejuvenated by a very generous soul, my main focus for this entire week is nothing but putting out the best show I ever have since “Laughs And Gasps” last year. “Bound And Gagged” is definitely entering an exciting phase as we are but one week away from the show, so I strongly suggest you guys get ready for the ride of your lives.

.:Standup And Watchpad!!!:.

Embarrassed myself twice because I sang “Magasin” and “What’s Up”, but it was a load of fun, after everything has been said and done, especially since a lot of the bloggers had a good time last night, not to mention found themselves enjoying a spot of SPIT immediately after.

The night before that, I was with Jayvee and Jane, as they actually went to Sidebar to see us do our standup comedy sets. I was definitely appreciative of the support from my friends, as I definitely am personally proud of the progress I’ve had in my standup sets. Never thought I’d be able to get this far, truth be told.

.:If You’re Feeling Down, Don’t Let It Keep You Down!:.

Sometimes, it’s really easy to let something get to you and ruin your day, but all you need sometimes is a fresh perspective on things. Personally, I’m very wary of letting myself fall into a funk, but it never fails that I end up in one every now and then.

Lately, I’ve been listening to this song, and though I really can’t understand most of the lyrics, I do agree with one particular sentiment: sometimes, when the going gets tough, the best thing to do is to just stop caring and just keep on keeping on. Hearts have been broken, tragedies have been borne, but the human spirit cannot be crushed by any of these adversities if you refuse to let it happen to you.

Is it a matter of will? For the most part, it is.

So throw your hands in the air, and wave ‘em like you just don’t care, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh…

In the middle of a hurly-burly week filled with preparations for my show, bonding with friends, and enjoying life, I leave you with this song for inspiration…

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.:The Philippine Blog Awards 2009 Not-So-Megapost:.

Lemme start with my quick thank-you video…

It was a crazy night, but it was still a night to remember. As I donned my white Dutch cap and stepped into PETA Theater where our show, Bound And Gagged, will be held on October 23, it was good to run into old friends like Karen and Maro, as we talked about everything from doing a Kanye West ad nauseam to the possibility of having another Bitter Ocampo writing about not winning the award (but not caring that he or she didn’t, no siree…) yet again.

Thing is, while I was nominated for the Top 10 Best Blog Posts Of The Year, I certainly didn’t expect to win at all. I still believe that my best post ever was The Rick Astley Megapost, but as luck would have it, my nominated post turned out to be rather… intriguing.

This year’s theme was “One Blogging Nation”, and as I saw a Jose Rizal analogue talking to an Andres Bonifacio analogue (Both, I believe, played by Vince Golangco.), I realized how much I see my post in the hilarious video clip. Still, did that tell me I had a shot at winning? Hades, no. With amazing writers like DJ and even the crew of TNL, I felt like a gnat surrounded by giants.

But lo and behold, when they started awarding the Top 10 posts, I was the first one they called onstage, and I was stunned. So I went up onstage, and I was still wide-eyed and I could hear the heckler’s section, composed of myself, Maro, Ade, and Noelle, and they were delivering their ribs at me audibly from the back. I didn’t care. I was just gobsmacked, and for the rest of the night, I was clutching that trophy like it was never going out of style.

I’d like to also congratulate sir Jim Paredes for winning, as well as fellow rusher, the Professional Heckler for winning. I’d mention Aileen, Noemi, Janette, as well, but if I went on, I’d end up congratulating everyone who won. Maro won a couple of awards, too, and of course, he got the much-coveted Commentary blog award, among other things. Ade went home empty-handed, hence his rather bitter post.

Mica was a big winner that night, though, as she won the blogger’s choice award, and well-deservedly so. See the picture here courtesy of Fritz.

Maro, Mica, and I are winners. Ade is not. Neener neener neener…

In all seriousness though, I’d like to thank Ian Uy, whose post, abrasive thought it may have been, inspired me to come up with my first Lost Gems post.

Sometimes, it’s the tough questions that makes you look really long and hard at yourself, and from there, you manage to draw out the truest, purest, most well thought-out response. Yeah, the post was a bit humorous and all, but it did get its point across rather well.

Ian, I have but one last rejoinder to you…

You said in your post that Koreans have something to be proud of, while in contrast, you find it difficult to find anything to be proud of in this country, with all the corruption, lack of discipline, and apathy that mires the Philippines. It’s difficult, to say the least, and it’s certainly a bit bleak at times, perhaps even hopeless in some other cases.

In light of the Ondoy and Pepeng tragedies, and the everyday heroes that rose through the ashes to help each other, despite all the politicking, despite all the looting and racketeering, think upon those who chose to rise above all of that pettiness and just genuinely help others just because it’s a good thing to do.

I hope, dear Ian, that in the aftermath of these storms, you finally found a reason to be proud to be a Filipino. I know I did.

Thanks for giving me a chance to look deeply into the core of my psyche and find in myself why I’m proud to be a Filipino, no matter what idiotic government we may be under, or whatever latest international brouhaha we commit faux pas after faux pas in. When push comes to shove, the Filipino can.

One blogging nation. Now, more than ever, I believe this to be true.

But darn, I still think the Rick Astley post should’ve won.

News and Updates, Personal Commentary blogging, gratitude, philippine blog awards

.:October 23 Is Almost Upon Us:.

Much love goes out to our sponsors, Nuffnang, Sheero Media, C2, Granny Goose Tortillos, and Jack ‘n’ Jill Potato Chips! We are definitely excited as preparations are underway for “Bound and Gagged”, and needless to say, with over a hundred tickets sold already, you really don’t want to miss out on this, as seating is only for about 450 guests, and more tickets are already being snapped up, as we speak.

See you there, guys, and be wowed and amazed by the magic and mentalism of the Penn and Teller of the Philippines, Kel and Jay; the inimitable ventriloquism of Ony Carcamo and Wanlu; the wit and humor of Richie Fernandez and Mike Unson; and the unmistakable music of Grin Department and Giniling Festival.

We are doing this show for the benefit of The Real Life Foundation, one of the organizations that first mobilized during the Ondoy tragedy. We hope that this is a good way to continue the good work this country has done for the sake of those afflicted by this typhoon.

Catch you guys on October 23! It’s definitely going to be a blast!

… but before that, do drop in on the Philippine Blog Awards tomorrow as well, as yours truly is nominated as one of the top 10 best blog posts of the year. And, oh, like us, their event Is happening in PETA Theater, and they were more than kind to provide very clear directions!

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.:Bound And Gagged Is Happening On October 23!:.

It’s still on, guys, and now the stakes are higher!

In light of the recent typhoon Ondoy, the fact that this show is happening for the benefit of The Real Life Foundation could not be more timely.

This is a show for a cause. A show meant to entertain people who want to see magic, comedy, ventriloquism, mentalism, and even music in one excellent package.

You get the magic of Kel and Jay.

You get the ventriloquism of Ony and Wanlu.

You get the comedic genius of Mike Unson and Richie Fernandez.

You even get the musical stylings of Giniling Festival and Grin Department.

Again, this show is a benefit show for the Real Life Foundation. Happening on October 23 in PETA Theater, you can enjoy and help a good cause at the same time. This is not a show for profit, but a show with heart.

This is “Bound And Gagged”, the sequel to last year’s “Laughs And Gasps”.

See you there!

News and Updates bound and gagged, kel and jay