Wazzup, Wazzup, Mariliz Borbon-Tumonong

I first met Bing at…

I first met Bing 3rd yr HS. We were classmates in Emerald, it was my 1st time to be included in the star section (hehehe) . Most of them had been classmates since elementary but they didn’t make me feel OP (out of place). I thought they were the serious “genius-weirdos” type of classmates who would always study … nahhh, they also know how to have fun and play around. Bing may be blessed with a nice smile, but the eyebrows can really reach the roof =) She was one of those petite ones that you wouldn’t notice not until she talks and laughs, that will get your attention =)  
 
I remember Bing…

I got to know Bing better when I knew that she’s now my “friendly neighbor”, met sa Marya reunion and again when we planned the Bacolod escapade of Maryan friends. She did the entertaining, I took charge of the itinerary and we did great ;-)

Ala-Flor de Luna

I’m now based in…

Bacolod City, have been since I graduated from DLSU in 1987. Married to a Civil Engineer who’s working in Malaysia and have 4 lovely kids ages 18, 16, 15 and 6.

I’m busy with...

motherhood, PTA duties (I’m the President) at Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod-Basic Education Dept and SICS ’80, my grade school batch where I’m also the President. I’m also collating all my documents (I’m a second courser nurse) for submission and hopefully I would be able to take the NCLEX exam if not within the year then 1st quarter 2012.

I can cook…

             chicken cordon bleu, chicken sate and a lot more BUT haven’t really tried baking (my daughter does this for us). I’m still savoring the bliss of “being served” for a change hehehe but would soon have bonding moments with her in the kitchen.

My closet is full of…
              clothes, some of which don’t fit me anymore tsk!tsk!tsk! but I’m still keeping my favorite ones because I intend to fit in them again SOOON ;-)

My most fave me-place is...

our terrace, it has been since we moved here 25 years ago. I do my reading here (mas maliwanag), I studied here during my Nursing days (para hindi antukin) and I sometimes eat my snacks here (mahangin with plants and birds chirping along hehehe).

My obsession is…

hhhhmmmm I can’t think of anything specific kasi I’m a very simple person (read as mababaw ang kaligayahan) however I am quite keen to do a European tour someday.


Life is…     

like a rosary full of mysteries (hahaha slumbook answer). In my 43 years, I had my joyful moments which had remained etched in my mind and I try to open whenever I’m depressed. A lot of sorrowful ones I had surpassed and taught me courage and independence. The glorious days brought me humility and thanksgiving for all the blessings the good Lord has continually showered me. And I am looking forward with luminous, for whatever the future may bring =)

I don't mind having more… 

Yikes, definitely not kids coz I have 4 already hahahaha. I’ll go with I don’t mind having more tasks to do. That will keep my mind working and hopefully get rid of some unwanted fats.

Now, Mariliz is…

I’m still the same Ma’iz that my friends had known me since Marya days. Dependable, responsible, simple & caring but had matured through years of experience. I had harnessed my PLOC skills (planning, leading, organizing, controlling) thru my 10 yrs experience with Penshoppe (as District Sales Manager) and my nurturing skills as a Registered Nurse. I am more apt to take on responsibilities rather than watch on the sidelines. Now more than ever I treasure moments spent with friends and batchmates whom I had reconnected after several decades.

Dear Bing…

Dearest friendly neighbor, Thanks so much for considering me to be a part of your blog, I'm so touched (tuod gid na pramis). Had fun planning the Bacolod Escapade with you and looking forward that we'll be able to find time to meet up one of these days. Continue to be as sweet as you are, keep on smiling and stay beautiful inside and out. Luvyah.

Singin' in the Rain

My sister Midette posted this on her FB page some time ago:

 

My reply to her post was…maligo sa ulan.

Why is it that when we were young kids, we were allowed by our parents to bathe in the rain, and run half naked in its downpour, while when we became parents, we forbade our own kids to do so? Why are we afraid to let them do the things that used to be fun and carefree for us?

Bayo maong polo shirt
UK skirt
So!Fab maong wedges

Lately, I have been watching old movies after I searched for the Top 100 movies of All Time. I saw that Singin’ in the Rain was always included in the list of different people. So I downloaded it, and I was blown away by the sheer genius of the talented Gene Kelly. He was not your handsome Cassanova-type, but boy, was I charmed when I watched him sing and dance and smile. If I had lived in the 1950’s, I may have fallen head over heels with the dashing Mr. Kelly. I couldn’t take away the silly grin on my face while watching him perform the theme song of the movie.

Somehow, I felt like wanting to sing in the rain with him too. Now I wouldn’t have felt this euphoria if I hadn’t had experienced the rain, would I? 

I think that my kids missed a big fun chunk from their childhood.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Movie Review :  Singin' in the Rain (1952)

The Story:

In 1927, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are famous on-screen romantic pair. Lina, however, mistakes the on-screen romance for real love. Don has worked hard to get where he is today, with his former partner Cosmo. When Don and Lina's latest film is transformed into a musical, Don has the perfect voice for the songs. But Lina - well, even with the best efforts of a diction coach, they still decide to dub over her voice. Kathy Selden is brought in, an aspiring actress, and while she is working on the movie, Don falls in love with her. Will Kathy continue to "aspire", or will she get the break she deserves?

My Review:

Granting that the film was made in 1952, it could still hold a candle to most of the trash we now watch at the movie theatres. It is called a classic and one of the greatest movies ever made simply because of the talented genius of the cast. A joy to behold, it took me back to those days of watching LVN pictures--when pure fun means just singing and dancing in the rain. If you couldn't be charmed by this movie, I don't know what else could.

Trivia:

The rain consisted of a mixture of water and milk so it would show up better on film but it caused Gene Kelly's wool suit to shrink.

While the film makes a central point of the idea that Kathy's voice is dubbed over Lina Lamont's, what is not told is that, ironically, in some of these songs - notably "Would You" and "You Are My Lucky Star" - Debbie Reynolds, the actress who plays Kathy, is actually dubbed by Betty Noyes. However, Reynolds' own singing voice can be heard on the outtake footage of "Lucky Star" as performed next to the giant billboard of Gene Kelly.

In the "Would You" number, Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds) is dubbing the voice of Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) because Lina's voice is shrill and screechy. However, it's not Reynolds who is really speaking, it's Jean Hagen herself, who actually had a beautiful deep, rich voice. So you have Jean Hagen dubbing Debbie Reynolds dubbing Jean Hagen. And when Debbie is supposedly dubbing Jean's singing of "Would You", the voice you hear singing actually belongs to Betty Noyes, who had a much richer singing voice than Debbie.

Share this

Gene Kelly insulted Debbie Reynolds for not being able to dance. Fred Astaire, who was hanging around the studio, found her crying under a piano and helped her with her dancing.

Working days sometimes stretched to 19 hours.

Only 19 when cast to play the film, Debbie Reynolds lived with her parents and commuted to the set. She had to wake up at 4:00 a.m. and ride three different buses to the studio; sometimes, to avoid the commute, she would just sleep on the set.

Donald O'Connor admitted that he did not enjoy working with Gene Kelly, since Kelly was somewhat of a tyrant. O'Connor said that for the first several weeks he was terrified of making a mistake and being yelled at by Kelly.

Filming of the Cyd Charisse dance number had to be stopped for several hours after it was discovered that her pubic hair was visible through her costume. When the problem was finally fixed, the film's costume designer Walter Plunkett said, "It's OK, guys, we've finally got Cyd's crotch licked."

A microphone was hidden in Debbie Reynolds' blouse so her lines could be heard more clearly. During one of the dance numbers, her heartbeat can be heard, mirroring what happens to Lina Lamont in the movie itself.

Studio technicians had to cover two outdoor city blocks on the backlot with tarp to make them dark for a night scene, and then equipped them with overhead sprays for Gene Kelly to perform the title number. Their efforts are all the more remarkable since there was a severe water shortage in Culver City the day the sequence was shot.

After they finished the "Good Morning" number, Debbie Reynolds had to be carried to her dressing room because she had burst some blood vessels in her feet. Despite her hard work on the "Good Morning" number, Gene Kelly decided that someone should dub her tap sounds, so he went into a dubbing room to dub the sound of her feet as well as his own.

Debbie Reynolds remarked many years later that making this movie and surviving childbirth were the two hardest things she's ever had to do.

Was voted the 10th Greatest Film of all time by Entertainment Weekly, being the highest ranked musical.

In 2007, the American Film Institute ranked this as the #5 Greatest Movie of All Time.

(http://www.imdb.com)

Wasn't he just amazing?

Letters and Poetry

I had always been a sucker for letters and poetry. I had a soft spot for suitors (with an 'S'?) from the old past who could write mean love notes. I used to collect these love mails, kept them beside my bed, and re-read them hundreds and hundreds of times. (Of course, I also wrote back). I kept a diary where I could express myself through poems and drawings of sunset, and seas, and lots and lots of hearts. A long time ago, this was how we, young, hopeless romantics, poured our emotions—through pen and paper.

But I guess in this day and age, love letters, and poems, and romantic stuff have been slowly fading away. The young ones brandish their cell phones to ask a girl for a date. They shout out their feelings through a short FB post. And how to dump a boyfriend? Why, text him, of course. Or write him an email. Whichever gadget is more convenient for you at the moment.

Gone are the flowery words that tickled our hearts. Gone are the bursts of poetry that inspired our days. Gone is the thrill of opening a scented envelope, and the anticipation of reading the sender's message, and finding THE three most-sought after words.

Where art thou, Romeo?

An almost forgotten favorite poem of mine:

Mid-life Crisis in September

I don’t know if it’s only me… but don’t you feel that September has been really dragging?  The month has only thirty days, but it covers five weeks in the calendar, so I am pretty over it already. Sus, it may be this darn mid-life crisis…sigh!

Today, I found out that I had only four classes, all in the morning. My students in the afternoon were absent. During my break, I doodled some pictures and had a lightbulb moment. Why don’t I try my hand in sketching? Why not, coconut? So I sneaked out and went to National Bookstore, bought 3 charcoal pencils, a set of colored pencils, and a small sketch pad. On the way back to school, I ran some errands like sending money to Carlo in Iloilo via LBC (Text message from the Youngest: “Wala na ako extra na kwarta…”---Note: HA? When did he learn the word ‘kwarta’?), and complained to Globe (for the nth time) about my internet connection (that’s another post in itself).

When I reached my classroom, I started drawing at once. So after an hour, (er, I actually finalized the shading at home), here is what I came up with:

Crude, I know. But hey, I had only an hour to work on it!

When I sent this to my sister Ben, her initial reaction was, "Uy, trulili?..Talentadong pinoy?..Pero kahawig ng mommy ni Jaya. Donchatink?" Take note that she will be my first muse (other than myself, of course) Hmm, we are wondering who she would look like?Hahaha!

I also sent this to my artist Daughter, and she replied back: "Para anu 'yan?" Dedma!!! Hehe.

Whatever. I think I have another calling. Or another thing to do to make me forget it’s still September.

You know you are old when...

...you now attend weddings as one of the principal sponsors. Not as the maid of honor. Not as the bridesmaid. But as THE ninang.


So the Hubby called me last week to warn me that a wedding invitation was coming my way. And the two us were principal sponsors. Why me? I don't even know the couple to be wed, I asked. It's a Mr. and Mrs. thingie, so you are technically included, he said. Panic! What will I wear? What is the motif? Do I have to put up my hair ala-Imelda?

Actually, this wasn't the first time I was asked to be a sponsor. My colleague and friend at Ginebra San Miguel, Ingrid, also asked me to be her wedding ninang a few years ago. Of course I had to say yes. They say it's bad luck to refuse. It worked out well since I was very close to the bride. The second time was to our long-time yaya. But I wasn't able to attend her wedding since she got married in Davao, and I was already in Bacolod.

Pers taym ninang, 7 or so years ago. Hindi naman ako mukhang hapi?

Anyway, I heaved a big sigh of relief when I saw the invitation. I was not one of the entourage after all, only the Hubby was in the list. Hay, teynk you, Lord! The outfit wouldn't be a problem anymore since I'd be coming in as a plain guest only.


But the Hubby was insistent (daw oh!)  to look for a dress for me just the same. So the Daughter and he went on a window shopping/photo session/image messaging spree in search for a wedding guest dress. And here were their choices:

My text reply: Hindi kaya mukha akong a-attend ng board meeting nyan?

My text reply: Animal prints in the church? Too risque!!

My text reply: Parang pampiknik!

Issa: Andami mong reklamo, mom! Eto na lang kaya ang isuot mo?

My text reply: Hehehe! I know that the shirt is for you, gurl. 

But hey, do you even know who John Lennon was?

My text reply: Finally! I lurv et!

Issa to the Promod sales clerk: Ms, may size 6 pa kayo nito?

Sales clerk: Sorry, ma'am, pero last size na po yang size 12.

My text reply: Kainezzzzz!!!!

So after a whole afternoon of the Hubby and the Daughter searching through racks and racks of clothes, they finally gave up. Nahiya na rin ako sa kanila. Ha ha. So I just told them that I'd just settle for something old from my own rack.

And so according to the legendary words of Mudra Ricky Reyes...here is the final 'product':

Hindi naman ako masyadong mukhang ninang?

Wazzup, Wazzup Neysa Custodio

I first met Bing…

in 1989 at the College of Music when we were new members of the UP Concert Chorus.

I remember Bing…

as this little person with the superteased bangs (hello! the 80's just ended pero uso pa rin yung ganun hairstyle.)

Aquanet baby kahit na '90's!

I’m now based in…

Metro Manila. I live in Paranaque and work in Makati.

I’m busy with…

being a mom to a college freshman (who just might join the UPCC, too) and a 5th grader (who's with their school choir).

I can cook…

different pasta dishes (some of which have no name).

My closet is full of…

clothes spanning three decades (seriously!).

My most fave me-place is...

 in front of my laptop and hooked up to the internet.

My obsession is…

not really an obsession but I love playing Baking Life on FB.

Life is…

too short to worry too much about what everyone thinks, so keep doing whatever you want as long as no one gets hurt in the process.

I don't mind having more…

money if it means not worrying about bills and being able to enjoy quality time with my family and friends.

Now, Neysa is…

still pretty much the same person Bing met 20 or so years ago but more of a smartass and more confident of herself and her abilities. She is also easier to get along with.

Dear Bing…

Hanep sa slum book ha! Nice one. I enjoyed answering it. And I can't wait to see you and everyone else at the UPCC anniversary! I think your blogsite is awesome. Keep it up!

Love,  Neysa

Aww, Aren't They Kyoot?

The colors, the pants, the moves!

Japanese uncles, panalo kayo!

My Korean Students

I think I have been teaching Korean students for too long. Too long that I am able to categorize what type of student he/she is the moment I meet him/her. Please allow me to tell you the different types.

The Serious – No smile. No jokes. No teacher interaction. He just wants to bury his nose in the library to study grammar. Period.

The Breezer and Adventurous– Rarely goes to class. He believes that one can learn better if he goes out at night and socialize with his new-found Filipino friends. And by new best friends, I mean San Miguel Pale Pilsen, San Mig Light, and Red Horse. Sige, isama mo na rin si Pareng Tanduay.

The Proud and Sensitive – He is way past his school age. In other words, ergolang na. He had a job, quit for English's sake, and braved school again. Naturally his ego gets hurt easily if you emphatically tell him to do his homework, or repeatedly correct how he pronounces their r's and l's. But sometimes, I can't help but admire these people. Their desire to learn despite the odds of age is just a wonder.

The Eager Beaver – Is never absent from class. Gets to your room 10 minutes before the time starts, and goes out of your room 10 minutes after. Maybe he thinks the teacher doesn’t need to rest, noh? He wants to study, if possible, 10 chapters of grammar a day, which is near to impossible, considering sometimes he can’t even make a complete sentence.

The Clueless – 'Do you understand?'     'Yes, Teacher.'

                               'Are you sure?'                ' Yes, Teacher.'
                               'Okay, can you tell me what is the summary of the story?'     
                               'YES, Teacher.'

                               ‘Nuff said.

The Novice- aka Below Sea Level. Pang-ubos ng dugo. He does not understand a single word you say. Not. One. Word. Well, maybe except 'What's your name?' So the teacher should be a good mime and should have a lot of practice in yoga, meditation, or what have you. Seems to drain all your energy after the 50-minute session. Ngarag ka na, teh! Though those with very positive dispositions, can be quite endearing.

Kids – Every June to August (summer) and December to February (winter), elementary to high school students flock to our school to study English, instead of playing or resting or ‘wasting’ their vacations away. Ganun sila mag-maximize ng taym. (Di katulad ng mga anak ko, pag bakasyon, ang iniisip ay ang matulog o mag-internet buong araw!). These are also the months when teachers suddenly have migraine attacks, including me. I wonder why?

Whatever type they may belong, however, it all boils down to attitude and determination. Some students enter school with almost zero basic knowledge, but they improve very fast because they are resolved to maximize their time and money here. On the other hand, some enter school with acceptable speaking skills, but they never improved, (worse, some deteriorated), because they are not interested to learn more. Anyway, as they come and go, some have learned more than what they have expected, and are satisfied. While others go home not happy with what they have learned, at times even more confused.

That’s why I still enjoy teaching Koreans after four years. Like a big box of chocolates, you'll never know what you’d get.