Photowalk at Serendra

You know that feeling when you wake up in the morning and felt a sudden urge to buy something that you really wanted? Yes, it was the same feeling when I had an encounter Nikon DSLR. Plus the additional suggestion of my cousins who are all a Nikon-user. Instantly fell in love and felt like I dont want to let another day pass without having it. I thing I am proud the most is that, it was from my own savings. My very first major expense.

I am no way a photographer but since I have a DSLR, might as well bust it out and try to take some shots. Yesterday I was out with friends doing a so called "Photowalk" where you just walk and walk and take some photos. It was the first time I used my camera without any events and just look for an object and try to take the most perfect shot of it. This just might be a new discovered hobby. :) My take using Nikon D3100.

Surprise Birthday Party

Yep, you are probably thinking I am blogging about Marié Digby again, you can't blame me because this is the only interesting thing I have been up to. Haha.

Since Marié is going to celebrate her first birthday here in my country, we had the opportunity to throw a surprise party for her. :) Big thanks to Marié and her manager, Sir Nolo for keeping in touch with me and clearing up one night for us from Marié's busy schedule. With just 10 days of planning, collecting money, rehearsing, and meeting.. Everything we have planned and imagined went well and even exceeded my expectations.

Pardon my blog because it is going to be on Ayes' perceptive. :)

April officially started the program and before I had my opening speech, I had mixed emotions. I was shaking, I don’t know how to start, and I felt like I am about to cry too because it was surreal that I am right there standing in front of everyone with Marié at the middle. I have imagined that there will be a party like that but I never really thought it is possible. As I read my speech, I was looking directly to her. I was thinking, “Is she trying to hold back her tears?” But I wasn’t sure because of my stupid poor eyesight. Haha! And so, right at the middle of my speech, I heard her say: "I am gonna cry". It was so unbelievable. I don't know what to do, if I should stop, give her a hug, or just continue. But yeah, she started crying while I am doing my speech. I didn't see that coming but I am happy it did, why? Because it simply shows Marié's sincerity. She’s really different.

2^nd part of my speech: (I’ll replace with the video once I edited that part)

"Thank you for everything. For the trust, for being down to earth, appreciative and carefree. It is so unbelievable to the point that every time I opened up my experiences to my friends, it was as if I am making up stories. You are one of a kind. You are really one of the rare artists with such grounded personality and the genuine love you put into your music. I would have never ever imagined, and I am pretty sure the others as well, would ever thought that this day is going to happen. Meeting and hanging out with your most favorite musician in the world that you used to watch in that little screen on youtube wearing a bathing suit under her jacket singing ella ella eh eh? It is crazy. We believe in you that is why it doesn’t really matter why we put so much energy into this. Like what I always tell you, we are with you in every journey that you take. Marié digby all the way."

Fast forward, I did performed two important songs for that night. Lovesick Sunday and Unfold. Before singing Lovesick Sunday, I was feeling normal again.. not until she seated like 3 feet away from me! I started shaking again. Haha. A little fact about me. I grew up being scared with microphones and I have a stage fright. I know, some people may think right now I am talking shit but this is for real. I only overcome my fear when I was 1^st year HS when my professor asked me to translate an English song to Tagalog and perform acapella. It was a major leap for me. Anyway, so yeah, when I started to sing the first line.. Marié was so surprised. She only played the song twice in a live audience and it was one of the never released songs. When I saw her smiling at me and singing along, I knew I am doing the right thing. Haha Next was Unfold. Two years back she told me in our lunch date, that she was thinking about me while playing at the NBC Tent. She knew how important that song is to me. Every lyric represents me. So it is time to give it back. I still hope I gave justice to both of the songs. It was extra special because it was Marié’s favourite songs. AHH! I don’t know really. I hope so.

Anyway, that was one of those memorable nights. Like what my sister said, it was an once in a lifetime experience. SURREAL. She wasn't aware she's a big star, really. She eats like no one's taking her photos, she drinks as if there's no early commitments the other day, she dances as if no one's watching, she laughs so hard to the point she's so close to choking up.

Before she left the venue, she gave me a big hug and whispered how thankful she is with what we have done for her. I was speechless. Even before she went to the elevator, she went back towards my direction and gave me a tight hug, a kiss and a thank you. Simple gestures but really made me feel being appreciated and important. That is Marie Digby. But in that moment, it was as if I no longer organized a party for an international musican but for a bestfriend. Right now, I sounded like making up stories again. Haha.

2 years ago, it was a dream that came true. Few weeks back it was beyond expectation. This time? Damn, I can't even put into words.

So thankful for all the people who helped me organized this one. Digbyholics family (Yes we are not a club, we are a family.) I may be the head organizer, secretary, and treasurer (LOL) but none of this will be possible without their help really. They are the most cooperative persons I have met ever. To Sir Nolo for being such a good sport and who tolerated our surprise party. You are THE man! To Centerstage (Jupiter branch), for allowing us to set up a band in the venue and discounts. Who else? Please remind me if I missed something.

The gang who stayed after Marie left.

Since I have tons of Breathing Underwater and Unfold album to let her sign, I thought of this picture collage of Ayes and Marié from 2009 to 2011.

SHOT SHOT SHOT SHOT!

(thanks for the pics Kuya Jude!)

YOUR LOVE By Marié Digby with our band :)

Care to post a comment? Please do so right there on that box below! :)

Gadget Freak?

No, not really. I have never really asked any of these except for the DSLR that I really wanted ever since. I am not a gadget freak, in fact I have minimal knowledge about the gadgets, what's hot, or top of the line items. I am not materialistic. I survived staring at the wall, sitting still for quite a moment, and people watch for hours. I just blogged because how funny that I realized, it all became my personal stuff in less than six months.

HP Pavilion MS200 All-in-One PC - My bestfriend right now. I blog, I play, I communicate, I study, I work on this one. I can probably spend 16 hours in front of this computer. What I like the most about it, it doesn't have a CPU. If I wanted to watch a movie, I simply move everything nearer to my bed.

Nikon D3100 - My new baby and I call him "Beat". Not because I am deeply in love with music but my sisters know why. Quite funny little story that I would rather keep. :) This is my very first, major purchase with my own savings. That is why I am so proud of this baby. My favorite thing in the world!

Xbox with Kinect and Rockband - Not really bought for me alone but also for my Dad because of the Beatles limited edition Rockband. Never imagined.

iPhone 3G - It wasn't even my plan to have an iPhone. I am not even an Apple fan but I am inlove with this right now. My sister plans to buy an iPad or Galaxy tab and asked me if I wanted to buy her iPhone. Why I shouldn't say no? I just sold my old Nokia phone to my niece, and money then instant iPhone! :)

Addition: And so I remembered, my mom just added new LCD TV and a DVD player in my room which I rarely use. Tamad to snap a photo and upload nga lang. :))

I must say, God wouldn't really give everything to you. I may have all these "wants" but I have never really received the gift I have been asking to satisfy my "needs".

Marié Digby - Too Good to be True

"Too good to be true."

Before anything else! I felt bad that I didn't write much about Jam for Japan Benefit Concert. For a little background it was a six hour gig, (no kidding) 30 local and international acts representing different genre of music, all in one event for one cause - to give help for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami happened in Japan few weeks back. The event raised up to 17.5 M pesos and I am so blessed that my 500 pesos was part of it :)

Okay, Seems like some people are looking for my blog entry about Marié like what I did before. Though, I may not be able to write as deep or as detailed compared to my first blog about Marié Digby, but one thing’s for sure, nothing changed since the first day I met her and until now :)

I remember after my lunch date with Marie last August 2, 2009, I was able to blog my experience on the same date and was on a cloud 9 feeling for weeks trying to remember all the details everyday. I know the fact that not everyone has an opportunity like this. I am, really blessed.

Meeting her last April 1st felt exactly like meeting her for the first time two years ago. I saw her walking from the entrance door towards the backstage room and my heart was jumping for joy. It literally felt like I just found my long lost friend again. As she stand right in the middle of the stage, she looked for the Digbyholics. She only performed two songs but I am glad I witnessed her short set because it was one of her most emotional performances ever.

Marié Digby at Jam for Japan - This event raised 17.5 M for the benefit of the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I am grateful to part of this event.

After her two songs, me and Jackie went to the backstage room hoping they will let us in. But it didn’t happened. After few minutes, she went out and as she walk, I can see the huge smile and directly hugged me tight right away. It was surreal. She told me she was very happy to finally see me again with the rest of the digbyholics and mentioned that she’s very excited the future meet ups. My moment was when we were from the backstage to the free seating up to the exit area. Why so called my moment? Well because when she went out from the backstage room, she approached me right away and gave me a long super tight hug and I wasn’t even aware that we were walking side by side holding each other’s waist. LOL Simple gesture yet memorable. ♥ She made me feel that I am important. :) Oh, she also did mentioned that she saw my Breathing Underwater cover somewhere on the web - in front of everyone. I don't exactly know what to feel but I was so embarrassed that time. I mean, to hear that from the artist that you covered. Haha :)

I let her sign my Breathing Underwater album and she was like, “You bought one again?! This is like your 5th album already.” And I said, “more like the 7th I think.” She was in awe. LOL

After my dinner date with the Digbyholics, we went back to the museum to wait Roxy’s dad and meet up with Kuya Jude. As we wait, Rox and Mikha saw Marie having dinner talk with a couple of her friends and managers. They all signed “wait” and Marie went outside again to meet us, talked to us and even took pictures again.

Dinner at Shakey's

and Central with the Digbyholics

What is not to like about this international artist? She’s down to earth, appreciative, and carefree. She’s one of a kind. I was never a super fan to anyone locally or internationally except for her and I made the right choice! Thinking to this day, I would never ever forget that all I really want is to let her sign my albums. Who would have thought? On my blog two years ago, I did mentioned.. “You just witnessed a dream that actually came true.” Still the same, as you read this blog, you just witnessed a dream going beyond the expectations. This isn’t talk shit, but it is too good to be true. ♥

Comment below! :)