Manila . June 25, 2022

This might be one of the reunion/trip that is already overdue for so long. 

I haven’t seen some of my college friends for so long well; I haven’t seen Faith after we visited Olongapo for her wedding in 2017 and the Scammers was in 2019 when we went to Baguio and La Union. 

Rachel wasn’t ask for the Baguio/LU trip and she constantly bug as when we will see her again because she wasn’t invited on that last trip. Well we know she’s busy. Lol

Anyway, this was planned early June so it will be an early notification for some if they will be available on what date as well. We settled on June 25th and as classic as it can be most of them can’t join us. Rachel, Fae and I agreed on that date and there’s no backing out for the 3 of us. 

Few days later, Fae said that Faith will be in Manila for that day as well so she can be able to join us. Unfortunately for Rachel it became unsure since there’s a family emergency. 

Fae told me to meet them at FEU which is a good start for such reunion but at 10am, uhm I’m not sure that I can make it that early! Haha 

Due to some events happened I almost back out as well but I’m also the other person to agree first on the date so, I know that I can’t back out on this. I planned to be at FEU by 10am I know to myself that it is somehow impossible and I don’t know if I calculated right the time travel that I should allot so I can make it. 

I left at 8:30am and thankful that it didn’t rain that morning as well as the whole day. Surprised that I didn’t encounter traffic on a Saturday morning and I was able to try the new Marikina-Pasig LRT station. 

I was in FEU by 10:30am but as this is a day with some Scammers, as early as 10am, I thought we are talking about the specific Jollibee that’s located on Gate 4 but then they are on Jollibee Recto. I don’t have much expectation on this trip so I don’t like to be making a big deal out of that but still, communication! So nostalgic to be back on that side of Manila where we literally live for 5 years or so. Took some pictures since I think it is somehow safe as the pandemic changed that place so much. Most establishments are closed and there are less people, there are no students. I haven’t seen that place daily for the last 10 years but I know how it looks like for an early morning until late night. 

Since I started walking at Gate 4, I was able to experience walking at Recto again. Reminiscing is one of the goals this trip. 

Meeting them at Jollibee Recto and then took a while to decide where to go next, we decided to look for Fae’s hotel so she can drop her bag. From Recto we walked to LRT1 - Doroteo Jose and we took the train to Pedro Gil then walked to Adriatico Street since her hotel is there 

then we ate lunch at Robinsons Manila. 

Faith will still be back in Olongapo that day and probably will join us until afternoon but then she got a call that she needed early in Olongapo. We separated ways after lunch and then later we found out that her bus will leave by 6pm. I wish she was still able to join us even on one museum.

-

Manila photo walk or sightseeing is one of the planned trips with friends for years but never happened until last Saturday. 

I searched prior to that day and I was a little bit confused with the buildings of National Museum. I know at some point I’ve been to one before but I can’ remember much. Upon researching, National Museum for Fine Arts is closed for almost a month for preparation of the inauguration on June 30th. We still have option which are National Museum of Anthropology and Natural History. We started at 2pm with National Museum of Anthropology.

Original itinerary included Intramuros and Ocean Park but we started late and since Rachel wasn’t able to make it, we decided to stick to the museum so we can still have reason to go back. One museum took us 2 hours and I was looking for the recent one which apparently was the Natural History. I checked the time and it was already 4pm and they will close by 6pm. We quickly walked around the Anthropology so we can transfer to Natural History. Both museums took us 4 hours and we weren’t able to visit yet the Fine Arts. Now we know that we should really start early and if you want to visit 3 museums then you should start as soon as they open. 

We did too much walking and by the end of the Natural History, it is already tiring. We know that we can’t do Intramuros anymore and Ocean Park also closes at 6pm. If you are planning a Manila tour it is either start early morning or yet check-in to a hotel and do a 2 days trip. You can’t visit everything in a day. If you want less people, visit on a weekday just be sure that the places you will visit isn’t closed that day. 

After Natural History, we decided to go to MOA already since Fae will be meeting someone and I haven’t been to MOA for 2 months now. Good thing there was a UV from there to MOA. It was also a Saturday and there are events here and there for Pride month, it was so traffic going to MOA and I can feel my tiredness. lol 

Fae don’t want coffee so I told her that I wanted to try the 19 degrees at MOA Food Court and she agreed. 19 degrees is now one of my favorite a must try.

After eating we separate ways and I went around MOA very quick just to check some store and how it looks now since I’ve been there during UAAP but no chance of going around. 

I can’t find what I’m looking for and malls doesn’t have an appeal to me anymore for so long unless I’ll buy something.

Took a bus to PITX before 9pm and I don’t know this new bus route. Apparently, you have to change bus at PITX to the one that will go back north. It’s free anyways but I should have gone down to Ortigas since there are bus stops that will require you to walk KM. The walk from the stop in Cubao to SM took me almost 1KM and let’s be honest that the Philippine sidewalk are the worst with no light and not as friendly as it can be. 

I was home before 11pm.

Thankful that it didn’t rain and I was able to explore Manila with scammer friends. 

Till our part 2! 

My Photographs: Manila

Avril Lavigne Live in Manila

I think this is the first concert where I didn't mind getting a ticket last minute.

And unfortunately, as I'm aiming for a closer section, I have to settle on Upper A ticket because if I will be on a lower section, I'll be broke for a month.

1 more station before Cubao and I'll buy a ticket first. Hopefully there's still a good seat. Uggghhh.

~

Sadly, fewer audience compare to her 2012 show and I don't know if the concert day which is Monday was one of the reason.

I have to admit, this was the 4th time that I saw her live and I'm not gonna lie this was not her best show. The first 3 Manila show was way better than this year though there are new songs and I love that I heard it live. There's a minimal interaction with the audience or spiel and she didn't even mentioned or greet  the huge banner saying "We love you b*tch" though she smiles a lot :D. Unlike the 2012 show, she even have this intro "this song is a very song... Blah blah" and the only spiel that she said is this year was "I love you Manila" (well, mostly). And I think 'Black Star' was the best intro ever and "I'm With You" wasn't the best last song ..... but its so catchy ... 

I love Avril and I don't want to out grow the fan girl in me so I still enjoyed the show recording some of my favorite songs, singing along and just being amazed to the crowd, the intro video, and I was surprised that Chad was there! I don't know if Chad was with her the whole time she was in Japan but he was here! I'm not a big fan of him but as Avril's husband I also read some articles about them and his band was pretty famous before. And at this moment I just realized that I'm a fan for 10 or 11 years! omg. :D

I'm happy that I saw her again and hopefully one day I will be able to meet her and be closer to the stage. See you again soon!

*everything was my personal opinion and I think she was sick that day*

One of the advantage of getting cheaper ticket was, I was able to buy a shirt and the 2nd photo booklet and I'm still be broke until the end of the month and maybe even 1st half of March. Less hangout until then.

2005 . 2008 . 2012 . 2014

ParaThrilla in Manila 2

If there's a future we want it NOW. 

I can't believe that we didn't need to wait for more than 5 years to see these guys again. The last time that they've been here was March 9, 2010 (here's my not so detailed blog post about it).

I'm so thankful for these people because of them I met some amazing people around the world like Hannah from Australia (who I met on twitter but now I don't have a contact with her but she sent me a Christmas card long time ago), Cate from Portugal but I think she's in UK now (its silly but I got her Blackberry pin on twitter then we started talking on BBM then on twitter and on Facebook. Even though we don't talk that much anymore I still treasure her so much), Mair (we don't talk that much but we are getting there). They are just a few people I met online but of course I also met some Paramore fans from here (Philippines) namely Pia, Nikki, Kai. (its not that many but I love these people so much and I'm glad that I met them already except for Nikki but Pia and I watched Avril together last year and Paramore this year and yes after meeting Kai online last 2009 or 2010 I already met her in person last February 15 and her cousin and friends and also Pia's friends).

I rant about this again and again maybe I'll stop after this post, HAHAHA. I really want to meet Hayley, Taylor and Jeremy and as you know you can have a meet and greet if you won on a contest by the producers or music label or through the fan club and on Paramore there's PFC (Paramore Fan Club). I decided earlier last year that I will join but unfortunately its closed for new members for almost a year now and that's the reason why I wasn't able to meet them. I will join PFC as soon as they opened it and anyway Paramore will not come back soon because they have scheduled tour dates and let all the ParaFamily saw them this year, its been a while.

Another rant, MOA Arena will never fail to disappoint me for some reason. HAHAHA.
I don't know if it was Ovation or whatever but just like the first concert where the VIP was placed behind the Gold area but this time, the VIP with reserved seats was not separated with the VIP Standing.

I was early at MOA because it was Friday and it was payday so I decided to be there at lunch time to stalk a little and to spend some time at MOA because I don't know when was the last time I've been there and also to avoid traffic.

The same thing that happen with this and the first show in Manila last 2010 was I WAS ON THE SIDE OF JEREMY AGAIN. I'M NOT COMPLAINING BUT I REALLY WISHED IT WAS TAYLOR THAT WAS ON OUR SIDE :((((

I'm really not complaining but I wished it was Taylor's side ... oh well, I also love Jeremy and gosh Kat is so lucky to have a hairy-handsome-husband. Next time, I will be on the middle where it was the best place to be in, in front of Hayley.

I didn't go to a Paramore show to be a photographer, I went there to experienced Rock and Roll so I don't care if my photos are not that good but I have some decent one and I'm satisfied with that. If there will be a 3 or 2 days Paramore show here in Manila maybe I'll spend the first day partying then the second day videoing the whole concert OR I WILL HIRE SOMEONE TO VIDEO THE WHOLE CONCERT NEXT TIME. HAHAHAHA and I'll make sure he/she is not a fan.

Paramore helped me in a lot of ways most especially coping with my past life to make me move on, make me realize that I was never alone in this, that there are people experiencing the same or worst than my situation. When I'm on a bad mood, their music makes me calm. I know or maybe I'll just tell you that:
My day will never be complete without a Paramore song. and I guess it will never get old.

Here are some photos before, during and after the show.

Kai, Me, Katrina and her 2 friends [sorry guys I forgot your names :(]

thank you guys for such a good company before and after the show! see you soon and hopefully another concert where we can be on the same section :)

the MYX crew . Oh hi Chino.

mewithoutYou : the front act and one of the influences and inspiration of Paramore

Hayley Nichole Williams on vocals

AHHHHHH . 

Kat's hairy face husband : Jeremy Davis on bass guitar 

I love this shot 

So, I was telling earlier that I was again on Jeremy's side and that means I don't have a decent photo of Taylor, Justin, Jon and Ilan Rubin </3. Well, Taylor went to our side but its either I'm filming or my camera is not that ready or the huge guy in front of us was fan girling over Taylor York. I swear next time I'll hire a photographer. So here are some decent stage shot that I got. 

oh, there's Taylor York on lead guitar

oh there's Justin and Ilan 

my favorite photo . although not all of them are in the photo .... 

A Paramore show will always be awesome. Although Manila didn't experience the presence of Josh Farro, we appreciate that they are willing to go back after 2 1/2 years and hopefully soon again once the 4th album was released because it was always different on live shows. 

Mary, Me, Pia, Kristine and Mary's brother

thank you guys! I had fun and we totally partied that night and I hope we can watch another concerts together. See you around :)

For now, we are all patiently waiting for "Paramore" the 4th album of Paramore and as we are across the world from where they are, we are being satisfied with the new interviews that are posted online, new photos from Soundwave, random post of Hayley on LiveJournal, Instagram, Tumblr and on Twitter. 

Last Saturday, it was the 3rd anniversary of Paramore's first show here in Manila the "ParaThrilla in Manila" and this year was a little bit different since the band was just here last month not 3 years ago. 

I don't have a decent photos from the first ParaThrilla in Manila but I'm happy I got some this time and since it was too many, you can check my photos here .   

Lastly, I would like to thank Hayley, Jeremy and Taylor for continuing this journey and I'll be here with you on this new journey. thank you and we love you guys so much can't wait for the new album. see you soon <3

I know this was a little late post. hehe

There's a time and a place to die but this ain't it. - Now

Prayer vigil to stop a concert?

My first impression was WHAT?! Last night this spread to the news. I don't have anything against Lady Gaga even though there are these other interpretation when it comes to her other song like Alejandro and Judas, where Judas make the big impact to a lot of people since its something related on a religious matter. I listen to a lot of music, introduced to some new artist / singer but when I don't like them or I don't feel the music their making I don't listen to it and I just don't care that much to the artist, for example Justin Bieber. I don't like him though most of the people around you as well as the radio are playing his song mostly requested by the listener or its on a daily countdown, you really can't avoid it. Lady Gaga have a different reason why she is being banned on different countries in Asia like Indonesia is hating her, same in Korea (if I'm not mistaken).

I really don't get it, Lady Gaga is just singing what she wants, writing her own songs when no one is being harmed while she is writing those stuff most especially she is just being herself and is it wrong to sing your heart out? is it bad to be yourself? it doesn't mean that she is like that and her fans will follow. Where is respect from these people? Yeah, maybe tickets are that expensive and most people can't afford the patron and can be just there on the general admission where they can see Lady Gaga almost in an ant size.

Why just pray for this country? I find it rude that you want to stop a concert. For the group that will make a prayer vigil to stop that show, are you ready if the fans are the one will face you on your prayer vigil? Seriously, fans love her and they respect her, so please let this concert happen and don't waste your time because the concert will happen, knowing that the first day is almost sold out? what are you going to do if you'll be facing the fans? they will just ignore you. Do you know how long they waited for her to come back after 3 or 4 years?  I just don't get it why. You have a different belief and faith and she have a different one, why can't get it?

I'm not being bitter because I can't afford or I don't have extra budget to watch her but I know the feeling if you are a super fan of the artist and you waited for so long to see her and then rude people will have a prayer vigil just to stop her because of couple of songs? I dare you to see the different side of Lady Gaga from this interview and because of her people have new hope to be their own self without any pretentious and she is the one why almost people have the guts to be themselves as well as saving other people from committing suicide. So many people are so thankful most especially the little monsters that Lady Gaga exist or else/maybe some kids end their lives already.

Please open your minds, and don't waste your time on something you know you can't change. Let the little monster be happy for a day or two to see Lady Gaga and enjoy her concert, FYI she is a great performer and she love us, little monster. Paws up little monster.


Just one of the millions little monster,
AEivryn