2.5 hours with Eraserheads

April 15, 2013 by witsandnuts

Just like a true Eraserheads fanatic, I came earlier than the early birds (hahaha) to get one of the hailed spots in Eraserheads concert in Dubai Media City Ampitheatre.

Thanks to the organizers of Du World Music Fest for lining up Eraserheads this year with Guns n Roses, Andrea Bocelli and other great artists.

After the long chase, i.e. after missing their reunion concerts in the Philippines being miles away, I finally met them by the front row. I finally ~~shouted~~ told Ely “I love yahhhhh, Ely” hahahaha, as he approached my spot as he sang “Pare Ko”.

Just when I thought they would kick off with “Alapaap”, they did “Walang Nagbago”. I knew it hit most of the audience infinitely especially with the lyrics “At ngayong may edad ka na at lunod sa problema nangangarap na ibalik ang kahapon na di mo malaman…..”

They sounded a hundred times better in person.

They performed (surprisingly) for 2.5 hours. It has been worth the drive from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, almost losing my voice from singing along (blast from the past), exposing myself to the wide screens (hence, receiving SMS from friends that they have seen me several times; never mind how I looked like with my probably ecstatic ear-to-ear smile look that night) and to the photographers of dailies (the risk of being by the front row).

(Setlist: Walang Nagbago, Maling Akala, Back 2 Me, Kaliwete, Sembreak, Ligaya, Huwag Mo Nang Itanong, Kailan, Spoliarium, Overdrive, With A Smile, Poorman’s Grave, Huwag Kang Matakot, Julie Tearjerky, Lightyears, Harana, Waiting For The Bus, Paru-Parong Ningning, Torpedo, Minsan, Super Proxy, Kama Supra, Magasin, Ang Huling El Bimbo, Pare Ko, Toyang, Alapaap)

The photo booth was busy the entire night. We have seen/ have been entertained by all the unimaginable poses.

Watching Eraserheads up close while watching Ely Buendia, Raymund Marasigan (with a surreal shakehands opportunity), Marcus Adoro, Buddy Zabala, with Sancho Sanchez (trivially introduced as their 5th member) in beaming energy was like reminiscing about my younger, crazy, interesting, silly and the indescribable years… onto concluding that nothing much has changed. And I am glad. I think I will have a concert hangover forever.

Winello and Perdita in this year’s Earth Hour

March 23, 2013 by witsandnuts

We were amongst the many who joined the observance of Earth Hour in Abu Dhabi. Apparently, that coincided with Winello’s 2nd birthday. We have lighted three electric candles (i.e. battery-operated/ used by Little J in her “pandanggo sa ilaw” dance recently) and randomly took photos of the cats.

It was not surprising that their photos turned out to have that “Blair witch project” appeal, remember that film?

My goodness, this screenshot of Perdita’s many faces from the video where she played with the electric candle was eerily funny. Better to remember how charming they are (read/ see this post), or else I might have a nightmare. Haha.

How did you observe Earth Hour from your end?

Things I never thought I’d ever try/ learn

March 11, 2013 by witsandnuts

The first two months of 2013 unfolded like a roller coaster ride.

I am just too pleased that I ventured/ re-engaged with some activities wherein I am time and courage-incapacitated. Who knew I would ever do the following in this lifetime:

Formula Rossa in Ferrari World. I finally tried the fastest roller coaster ride in the world. It was a heart and mind twisting event and fat-shaking moment hahaha. I still remember how just the thought of queueing for it in 2011 made me want to collapse.

It is interesting that there are several Tagalog words which have the (almost the) same meaning with Arabic, e.g. baqaraah (or baka) for cow.

Learning Arabic. I re-joined my Arabic class (held thrice a week at early morning) and although I need to improve a lot I am happy that I can now read, write and speak decently to a certain extent. I also appreciate that my classmates-officemates are humbly competitive that whenever we cross paths outside the ‘classroom’ we try to chat with each other in Arabic with our funny accents/ pronounciation.

Here is where I swim twice a week; attending the ladies session in one of the sports club in Abu Dhabi.

Yasbah! (That’s an Arabic word for ‘swimming’). It has been a long overdue plan to learn to swim properly. I am one of those who prefer a coach-based approach when it comes to swimming. In my over 30 years of existence I have been bravely doing the banana boat ride, snorkeling and other aqua activities although what I only know is to float when my head’s down the water. My goal is to learn the proper breast and dolphin strokes by end of March. Goal this weekend is to do the 50-metre backstroke non-stop. I am also pleased how my twice a week of swimming lesson/ practice has improved my health.

And more.

Some people (and even myself) at times asked where I find the time and drive to try new things. I think that there should not be a justification for everything. But nothing is impossible and never too late if you really want it… and of course, there is the ‘out of nothing’ moment that happens in between.

People watching at the Asian Food Fair

March 5, 2013 by witsandnuts

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