Sunday, September 7, 2014

BA-WAL: Mga Dulang BAgong luWAL (Katre/Over My Dead Body)


I am delighted to have been invited, to a play written by a talented young man, Christian Tordecillas.  He has a gift for developing simple storylines into socially relevant plays.  His last play "Dyip" (Jeep) won him the Palanca Award in 2006.
 
I had the pleasure of seeing his latest masterpiece "KATRE" last September 7.


"KATRE" is one of the two plays featured in "BA-WAl: Mga Dulang BAgong LuWAL" of Project Mayheim, a production outfit supporting works of up and coming playwrights.




KATRE, is a tragic story  of a young wife and mother named Lea, who anguished the disappearance of her family.

I was truly  impressed, at how easily the play was able to translate such an utterly heavy social issue, "desaparecidos"  into words and actions that connects to it's viewers.   The audience was one with the main protagonist as she battles her sorrow, fear and despair.

The simplicity of the set and the intimate size of the venue, helped the play succeed in introducing to audience the real victims of this injustice, the ones left behind! 

The second is a comedy titled, OVER MY DEAD BODY, written by Christian Dagsil, was a perfect balance to Katre's heavy drama.   The over the top comical performance was hilarious. 

It was enjoyable seeing these talented young artists at work. 

Bravo and well done!

Let us support Philippine Theater, catch Katre and Over My Dead Body at the Room 3, ISO Complex Ateneo de Manila Campus on the following dates: September 13 (7 pm), 14 and 15 (3 and 7pm).

You may email Projectmayheim.production@gmail.com for shows and ticket inquiries.











 

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Transformers' Themed School Birthday Party

We skipped the usual big party preparation for my son's sixth (6) birthday and opted for an in school birthday party.
 
My son enjoyed the recent Transformers' movie so much, a transformers' themed birthday party was an easy decision.
 
School birthday parties are simple and easier than a full party celebration.
 
With the following key elements: invitation, food, loot bag, cake and balloon.
 
   -------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
First. I coordinated with my son's adviser to:
  • agree on the time (including duration) and date of the party
  • get the names of my son's classmates
  • get the number of teachers and teachers' aides
  • agree on party program sequence
 
 
Second the invites.
 
"Transform and Roll Out" was a nice catch phrase I found in the web.  I contacted a friend with a printing business "Mka De Signs and Prints" and ended with this beautiful invitation.
 
 
 

Third the loot bag.  I spent most of my budget on loot bags.  Since I already saved a lot on entertainment, venue, etc.), 
I splurged a bit on loot bags. 
 
I wanted a re-usable packaging for the loots. 
and found a utility box at the Japanese Home with blue and pink handle.   
 

 

The loots - lego imitation toys (I got them cheaper in bulk), cookies, chocolates and candies (I got the good brands, ones that I would give my own kids).
   
To give the utility box the Transformer theme, I attached individual bag tags, also printed by Mka De Signs and Prints.

 
 

 
Fourth is the cake.  Guilty of stealing the design  from the web!  I gave the design to a baker friend who was happy to customize for me
(for a fee, of course!)
 
  

Fifth. The balloons were difficult to find, as they must have transformers' prints. 
I was relieved I found these in Sulit. 

 
Sixth. Food came from KFC.
As the party starts early at 830 (on time for recess), we placed our orders the night before.
 
For the children, we ordered the Spaghetti Fully Loaded meal (at P150 per meal), which comes with spaghetti, chicken, French fries (for fixin') and water (KFC allows change from softdrinks to bottled water at no additional cost), the meal also came with soup (but we did not serve them anymore).
 

We also got Spoonful for the children (which was a good thing since ice cream would be difficult to transport, the spoonful doesn't melt easy).

 
For the adults, we ordered 1 pc Chicken Fully Loaded.
 


It sure was tiring, but worth it. 
 
The kids were all happy with their loots and balloons and my child can't stop smiling ~ hugging and kissing me the entire time!   
 
I love my mommy duty!
 
TIPS:
(1) Kids would most likely be unable to finish their food, so it is best you come prepared and bring "to go plastic/paper bags".  We got extra paper bags from KFC.
 
(2) Although the kids went wild over the balloons, these were hard to transport.  We hardly fit into an AUV with KFC food boxes, cakes and 21 balloons inside.  
 
(3) Order extra for the utility, guards and your child's school service driver.
 
(4) Bring your own garbage bag and paper towels (spills are bound to happen) and help clean the room.
 
(5) Make a checklist of the things to do and bring.  Often left items are: candle, lighter/matches and cake knife (if you are serving the cake).
 
 
 

BDJ Box - PURE & SIMPLE ..my kind of thing (July 2014)

 
BDJ Box brought out the natural beauty in us bellas with it's
July 2014 beauty box, aptly themed Pure and Simple.
 
The box containing mostly full sized products, was like an answered prayer, from last month's mediocre in size items.
 
I love this box.  Contents are 100% usable (...ones you would normally pick up from stores' shelves).
 
So what's inside?
 


  • Nivea Pure Effect Exfoliating Wipes- 22 wipes pack costs, P139.  It rids my face, off dirt and grease, while it exfoliates and refines the skin. 
My latest find courtesy of BDJ - Nivea Exfoliating Wipes!

I feel in love with this product, from first use. I so swear it would be part of my shopping cart from now on.  It is a perfect travel companion to freshen and clean your face, under the hot and humid Philippine weather.
  • Nivea Anti-Perspirant Invisible Spray - 150ml costs P184. The sample that came with the box is 30ml. I haven't tried this yet, but the product guide claims it protects your cloth from stain, and you from sweat and body odor. 

  • Nivea In Shower Skin Conditioner (It is a lotion you use in the shower. I initially thought, it was a shower gel.) - 100ml costs P109.  The product looks promising as it claims leaving your skin moisturized. Packaging also says it contains 50x more Vitamin C (no mention of comparison product). The sample, unfortunately was a tad too small at only 10ml (good for one time use), hence I can't say much!
From L-R/T-B (a) Celeteque Back Acne Spray,
(b) Magic Spell Eyeshadow and (c)Hygienix Gel and Spray

  • Celeteque (Back Acne Spray) - 50ml is priced at P320.  Product guide says it exfoliates the skin leaving it blemish free.  It would have been a perfect, if only I have back acne (hehehe). 

  • Magic Spell - Enchanted Eyeshadow - 6g costs P199.  I would say price is very reasonable.  The palette has 3 shades, for a extra-dramatic appeal. 

  • Hygienix Hand Gel and Spray - A 100ml hand gel costs P45, while a 55ml hand spray costs P40.  Both went straight to my purse for quick hand sanitizing.   

L-R/T-B: (a) Vitress Instant Relax and Vitress Hair Solenn,
(b) Keratin Complex Travel Valet Care Kit and (c) Pink Sugar Fire Fragrance

  • Vitress Instant Relax 30ml, costs P75 while, Vitress Hair Solenn 30ml costs P80.  I am not new to Vitress products, since I have been using them to tame my soft wavy curls.  Both helps make your mane look naturally soft and silky.

  • Keratin Complex (shampoo and conditioner duo) - 89ml costs P495.  This shampoo and conditioner duo is sodium chloride free, which is good for those with dry hair (sodium chloride in shampoo and skin products tend to reduce moisture in skin and hair).

  • Pink Sugar Fine Fragrance Mist - 250ml fruity collection costs P299, while the happy, dreamy and naughty collection costs P349.  My box came with a Wild Cherry and Marshmallow variant.  I was happy that it came in full size, however, the one I got was a bit too sweet smelling for my liking.  I wished I got a more fresh scent. 

I just adore beauty boxes, what is there not to like? 

This month I got my money's worth and more for my subscription.

I am a one happy mama!