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! :)

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! :)

Marié Digby Experience

"All i ever wanted was just a signed CD and watch her perform live, but it was more than that. much much more.."

Writing a blog about this, is kinda hard for me to sum up all the experiences i had for this week. It was like literally living in a dream. Dont have plans about blogging but i think some people are actually interested on what and how i feel. So lets start this craziness. haha

Okay, First off, was at The Podium.. I dont care if i went there alone. It was a great pick on not bring anyone because i met A LOT of new friends who share the same interest as i do with this singer-songwriter. I was just seated there.. waiting for Marié Digby.. nervous. Seriously, i was starstruck when i saw her. I cant believe she's really here, in my country, doing promo's for her Concert at NBC Tent. Had a Meet and Greet / CD signing session. All the things im going to say is already planned (i even brought my lil notepad so i wont forget anything). The very first written there was how to pronounce my name.. As soon as i got to the stage, surprisingly she said "oooh.. you... ayes?! i thought you wouldn't make it!" yeah, i know. cant believe she remembers me from myspace. lol take note, she got the right pronunciation of my name! haha. We hugged for more than 10 seconds and yeah talked about emails and meeting again. Soon as i got off the stage Ms. Choy from MCA Universal Music talked to me and asked for my contact number since Marié was asking for it. Also random thing happened my friend Jeff, i asked him to keep my CDs first because my bag was too small.. So yeah he placed the CDs inside a paper bag. and you know what? that paper bag was given to Marié Digby and my CDs are actually in there. We had late realizations that i just left my CDs with Marié.. LOL but it was awmazing. :)


Second, Saturday's event at NBC Tent. All i ever dreamed of was watching Marié Digby perform live with her own songs. THATS IT. Im not disappointed at all. I feel so grateful to be one of the people to hear new stuff LIVE! There were VIP tables in front which celebrities and high profile people are seated who's just there to get drunk. No wonder why Marié went off the stage and joins the crowd and held so many hands! And my niece was one of the lucky ones who held her hand. But of course bouncers came to control the crowd. lol We are seated 2nd row center right. its so surreal. While she was singing, i was thinking too that.. "this singer, songwriter, awmazing person, right there. few feet away from me, singing her heart out. when i used to watch her in youtube." After the 2 hour concert, it was the Autograph Session. Since i left my CDs with her, i have to buy another album so that Mikha will have the Meet & Greet passes. So we both meet Marié Digby at the concert. Whats more interesting happened is that the people i met at The Podium was there too and be able to recognized each other. We had a late dinner together and shared the joy we felt about the concert. lol im wearing Digbyholics shirt. Priceless. Marié Digby is EPIC. Cant even put it in right words..



Third and last, Shangrila Hotel. So, Saturday morning (before the concert) i was at school taking my exam for EDN class and noticed an unknown number calling me. i failed to answer the call. As soon as i finished the exam, i texted the number and the conversation goes like this:

ayes : who's this?
unknown number: this is Choy from MCA, did you received my text yday?
ayes : nope. my phone was turned off for the whole day. what is it about ma'am?
unknown number: hi ayes! this is Choy from MCA music.. lunch with Marié on Sunday 1pm at EDSA Shangrila Hotel. You and Jeff can bring one person each :) see you there!

i was stunned! i never thought they were serious about texting me. haha So the next day (which is today!) Ms. Choy and i were texting for updates and yes, I met Marié Digby for the third time. We had an awesome lunch with her and talked about a lot of stuff. My friends are not saying anything so i just kept on talking and talking! I almost run out of english!! Nosebleed. haha I was seated next to Marié Digby then Jeff, Jaymie and Roxy was seated in front of us. We talked about a bunch of stuff! not going to details but a lot! I was surpised that Marié brought her camera out of her bag and took a picture of Jeff and Jaymie together, Roxy solo. and since im seated next to her she took a our picture together :) I also bought her Lengua De Gato and Dried Mangoes. with her is Ms. Choy and Sir Roland from MCA Universal Music, A guy from Hollywood Records, and her two bandmates. But we kind of have our own little world there talking with each other. We had a 2 hour exclusive late lunch with her. Its UNREAL. I tweeted her before that my personal request is Unfold. There's just too much of that song. I bet only Marié knows how much tears i've lost because of that song. She said to me the sweetest thing ever.. "ayes, i was thinking about you while playing Unfold." (teary eyed now) Oh and she returned my CDs left in the paper bag. haha i also let her sign my Unfold and Second Home albums.

I've got so many things that i really wanted to say about this experience, but really its hard. haha so hard to put the joy in words. On my way home, i know it sounds cheesy but i totally cried. All i ever wanted was just a signed CD and watch her perform live, but it was more than that. much much more.. i never thought she was this serious about hanging out with her.

Thank you soooo much Marié Digby. You're so different from other singer/songwriters. No wonder why i supported your music this much. Im your fan obviously and most definitely a friend. i had the longest, rock-est, awmazing-est week ever. Yep folks, you just witnessed a dream that actually came true. :)

and how can i ever forget this, thanks to my sisters who's been uber supportive. after all, without them, no blog about this experience. im really lucky to have em. you know, we live in a different countries (literally) but it feels like they are just here with me. never get tired re-telling the story over and over again. love them. :)


Marié Digby singing Unfold Live at NBC Tent:





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TAGGED: DESKTOP

Grabbed from my sister..

My turn.. So here’s my desktop.. Clean huh? I just reformatted my laptop months ago and I wanted to maintain the cleanliness of it. iTunes, Y! Messenger, Firefox, and Documents the icons that I often use. I also have iTunes ready on my sidebar.. Big big fan of music. oh there's also Notes at the sidebar which reads.. "love is not a thing to rush.." Desktop wallpaper is my current obsession. Marié Digby. Who the hell is she??! Haha Search her in Youtube or in Wikipedia. She’s an amazing singer-songwriter. Hit song is : Say It Again. Yup, she’s that girl. :)