Sing, Dance, Love, Change

All my Filipiniana dresses were old and masikip na. I have been wanting to have a new one made since last year in case I would need one. Eto na nga, I was invited to Ballet Philippines’ Dinner-Show and I did not have a ready dress.

I went to Amir Sali’s shop near Ford Connecticut that morning. I found a gown that had sea shells but looked more like a gypsy thing. It was a little big on me. Amir wasn’t there but according to his staff, that gown was worn by a model for a magazine’s photo shoot. I borrowed it.

I went first to the office, then left the office at 3:30 pm. Reached the beauty salon near our house at 4:30 pm. I had my hair curled and make-up done. The last time I had my make-up done was 4 years ago. Just like in the past, I didn’t like how it turned out. Lagi na lang ganun, kahit kanino ako magpa make-up, it doesn’t make me a bit prettier. Parang wala namang na-improve. Ang mahal pa ng bayad.

I went to the office kasi without make-up, habang kina-curl yung hair ko, naisip ko, ma-re rela ako kung they would do my eyes na rin. I told the guy to just put eyeshadows, mascara and kilay. No heavy foundation that makes people look inambalsamo.

The gown didn’t complement my curvaceous body. lalo akong nagmukhang tesbun. Mukha akong si Sisa.

I had trouble going-up the hotel’s grand stairs. Baka ako gumulong pababa.

The ladies looked really glamorous and their gowns were the traditional Filipiniana.

Yung suot ko, except for the shells, pang gypsy.
Sisa, where is Crispin and Basilio?

Two women I didn’t know, complemented me. “I like your gown”. Thank you.

The German Ambassador with his wife Anna Marie.  They have been living in Manila for 1 and  1/2 years,

They have a 5 year old daughter.

This guy gave me an envelope for table #17. When I reached table #17, it was already occupied by 8 people and they told me the two seats were also taken. I went back to the registration and they looked for my name again. Table #19 pala.
They should not make simple mistakes like that kasi nakakahiya when I went to #17 para ba akong gate crasher.

My look was a mess. I didn’t like my hair, my make-up, my body didn’t do justice to the gown. I felt disconnected from my surroundings.

Maybe because there were so many things in my mind.

Look at Princess Monjiella Disini from Mindanao. She’s 71 years old and yet she still looked so young and pretty. Kala ko 60 lang sya. And beautiful 60 ha. Para bang she had less wrinkles. Siguro a princess does not worry too much.
To think sabi nya may jet-lag pa sya.
She had 12 children.

Ching Montinola, Lulu Obillo, Tessi Luz, Princess Monjiella Disina, Mrs. Tecson,

Grace Tiongo and friend

Gretchen Barretto was not wearing a traditional Filipinana dress. It didn’t matter, she looked pretty as ever.

German Ambassador Dr. Joachim Heidorn, Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing, and Tina Tiantian, Attache of Political Section, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.

Margie Moran and Lauren Liechtenstein. Margie’s gown was by Lulu Tan-Gan.

Lauren’s gown was by Ito Curata

Lauren with her mom Kathleen Lior- Litechtenstein, and Ambassador Ma Keqing.

Appetizer: Crab cake,

Braised Beef

It had sampaguita flowers

Hao-halo mousse and mango ice cream

Iphone is good in taking close-up pictures but not when you have to zoom. Blurred na agad.

Sing, Dance, Love and Change was the title of the uniquely Filipino mix of song and dance-show presentation of the Philippine Opera Company and Ballet Philippines.

Ang Bayan Ko-
Music by Constancio de Guzman
Choreographer: Alden Lugnasin

(time out first- our maid Rose informed me that Jazzy is having difficulty peeing and pooing.  I will send her first to the vet).