Manila

  • Tabing Ilog The Musical Review: Great Performances, Weak Storyline

    Tabing Ilog The Musical Review: Great Performances, Weak Storyline

    As a child, I didn’t start watching teen oriented shows until Gimik or Click. Tabing Ilog was for the older millennials so I was not familiar with the story nor the characters of the original series. However, Tabing Ilog The Musical does not full rely on 90s nostalgia as its plot is different with the TV series’ except for the characters.

    Set in 2023 and the town of San Juan E, the Tabing Ilog barkada goes back to their hometown and reunites for the wake of their late teacher. Everyone is present except for Fonzy who left the group chat after he and George broke up. The show also utilizes viber as a way to include the audience in the barkada group chat.

    The gift and curse of a teen-oriented show is that it can cover limitless themes from love, friendship to sex and identity crises. The audience remembers the names but not the story. In the case of the Tabing Ilog The Musical, the story went straight to the conflicts even before the audience cared enough for the characters.

    The musical could have been better if the show focused on one main conflict or character so the audience would have something to follow. The storylines presented had strong themes but they were weakly presented and conveniently resolved in the second act.

    The cast of Tabing Ilog The Musical
    #TabingIlogMusical The cast of Tabing Ilog The Musical

    The musical offers a variety of entertaining numbers. The main actors gave impressive performances especially Sheena Belarmino, Miah Canton and Vino Mabalot (his songs were the most difficult I think). I was also impressed by Jordan Andrews. Transitions from speaking to singing scenes can still be improved to make each number more impactful. Some transitions were just awkward.

    Overall despite of its weaknesses, Tabing Ilog The Musical was still a feel-good watch especially with seasoned theater peeps in the cast.

    Honestly, I wasn’t compelled to watch if it wasn’t for Akira Moroshita (Haha!)

    Tabing Ilog The Musical will run until December 17 at the PETA Theater. Get your tickets at KTX.

  • Trampoline Park

    Trampoline Park

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    Amiciness visits the Trampoline Park in Greenfield, Mandaluyong City. At first glance, the area isn’t as big (vs. to what we expected) but it’s more than enough to enjoy the whole experience. I got discounted vouchers from Metrodeal but you can get a 1-hour all-access to the park for the regular price of P320 (weekdays) and P350 (weekends).

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    Jumpin’ jumping.

    The receiving area faces the street. It’s a bit disorganized but it does the job. Entering the Trampoline Park, you will be sent to the waiting area upstairs since people are only allowed to enter every hour. Minutes before our schedule, we are asked to go to the viewing area to watch a safety video, imported from the UK, I guess. I suggest they shoot a Filipino version to make it even more entertaining and informative.

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    Seriously, hiningal ako. </3

    There’s the main court (with a volleyball net and colorful balls) where you can trampoline all you want. The park also has a basketball area so you can practice dunking. That’s way too advanced for me. HAHA. I have my limits.

    Trampoline Park
    WORK IT!

    I tried doing poses while jumping to no avail. Consider this as an official apology to ANTM/AsNTM models who were required to bounce up and in the air while struggling to be high fashion. I. AM. SORRY.

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    And the FCO goes to me… #NOT

    Trampolining is a good fitness activity as it helps strengthen your core muscles and improves control of body position. However, you are trampolining at your own risk. Meaning, you have to be a responsible trampoliner. Haha Trampoliners is such a cute word.  Don’t worry, the safety video tutorial will guide you on your first time. PS. Don’t forget to warm-up and stretch!

    Trampoline
    Wahhhhh…

    Overall, I enjoyed the experience even if my body was a bit old for this. Trampolining has always been a dream ever since I was exposed to western television. I envy the kids who’re given the opportunity to experience this while their bodies are still not frail and their energy limitless. HAHA. Next time, I’ll bring red bull.

    I’m giving away two of my Trampoline Park vouchers to one lucky winner. All you have to do is like and share this post on Facebook. Tag @Amiciness or include the hashtag #Amiciness. Make sure your post is public so we can see your entry.

    Promo is only until May 15. The voucher is valid until May 25. 🙂

  • Friendly Reminder: Click the Link Before Commenting

    In the age of free Facebook, netizens without data plans plague the World Wide Web with misinformed comments and totally bizarre violent reactions. People tend to judge an article by the title, the caption, the default picture or simply the comments of other people. This is why some articles get the attention that they don’t need or deserve. This is also why some people are gullible to hoax articles. You see a picture of a corpse of a fallen angel; assumes that the judgment day is near so you go to confession and hypocritically do penance. Little did you know that the picture was just from an arts exhibition. Take the case of the picture below, you see a pile of garbage and you immediately assume that where it is taken. Well, you are wrong. The article is also not about that.

    I’m not attacking anyone but I do feel offended when someone comments on a post without thinking. Though we are all entitled to our own opinions, let’s make a conscientious effort to know the whole story first. Read. Be informed. Be responsible. Do not be a public nuisance. Don’t make yourself look dumb as you already are. The brain is the most important organ in our body. I plead everyone to use it.

  • Why I Started to Avoid Helping Strangers: My Budol-Budol Story

    Why I Started to Avoid Helping Strangers: My Budol-Budol Story

    It is a familiar scene especially in the metro to see strangers trying to approach passersby asking questions, begging for alms or asking for a few bucks just so they can get home. For someone who is new to the city, you may fall for them and give them money. Worse, be a victim of a modus operandi that could cost you your life worth’s savings or your life. This is why little by little, passersby like me as much as possible try to ignore strangers asking for help. Good samaritans are becoming apathetic to protect themselves. Personally, I just smile (Important: without eye contact) and walk by them. This may be a little rude. What if the stranger actually needed help. Well, you can’t blame me. I’m just being safe.
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  • Haiku’s Haste by Adeleke Adeite

    Sweet star storms the skies

    the wake of sunrays’ goodbyes

    in tender twilight.