Saltimbanco makes its way to Manila! Cirque du Soleil part Deux!

I have been friends with Val for more than 10 years now, quite a long time. Despite the fact that we have different personalities. I'm very nice and she's very evil. *insert eye rolling from Val here* I consider her a very close friend. I call her when I have stupid crazy stuff to share and well she does the same thing too, most of the time. I remember her whenever I see lizards, big or small, because she loves them dearly. Want to know how crazy she is, she prefers you refer to her as Master. Yup! Delusions of grandeur.

Everyone, meet Valdemort!

Isn't she pretty? She's single, call me I'll hook you up!!! bwahahahaha...I kid, I kid.

So why am I writing about Val? Well, she is one of the reasons why I love Cirque du Soleil. She is part of the awesome Hoopla Inc. team. Don't know Hoopla? They brought in Varekai, Saltimbanco and Fuerta Bruza. All world class shows made accessible to the Filipinos. :D Anyway, Val is their resident artist in other words all those Cirque things you see scattered around the Metro, she had a hand in making them. Because she works very closely with these productions we always end up talking about them. Most of the time she talks and I pretend to listen. See, best friends. hahaha

For the last few months we've been talking about Saltimbanco, all her deadlines and me nagging on her to get me a ticket. :P You can't help but feel excited about it. How often do you get to see a world class production that's a mere drive away? And because I missed my first opportunity to see it I had to make sure I would make it the next time opportunity presented itself. 

Last Saturday was THE day. Despite the worst traffic in history the bu and I made in time to hear them welcome everyone to Saltimbanco! Boy did it not disappoint. 

Of course comparisons to Varekai were inevitable.Varekai was a show filled with stunts while Saltimbanco was a show filled with acts. Varekai was more dramatic while Saltimbanco was more loud and fun. But both shows were filled with color and sound and movement and energy that when we left both the bu and I could not stop talking about it.

What I didn't realize from watching Varekai was that the music is amazing. They sing everything live and you will be in awe. They don't sing with english lyrics so you won't get distracted. If you're watching the show this run notice how amazing they sound. :D

I think it's time I share something personal, when I was a little girl I had big dreams of becoming an awesome gymnast. I would practice by myself since my parents refused to let me join any class for fear that my leg muscles would overtake the rest of my body, for that I am grateful. After watching Saltimbanco I realized, no matter how much I wanted to become a gymnast these people have managed to take things to a whole 'nother level. Their flexibility and strength are sub-human. Ask the super strong guy "Arnold Swarchenegger" who literally lifted a guy his size using his NECK. Yup, his neck...look ma no hands! It was crazy. That's as much of a spoiler I'm giving, the rest of the acts you've got to see for yourself!

The bu and I were lucky enough to score VIP tickets from a fantabulous friend, that meant we were seated right where the action was. We literally had cast members walking up and down the aisle in front of us. The bu actually had to sit up straight one time because Eddie was on his way over. Luckily neither of us were chosen to go on stage but props to the dad who did. His son's reaction was priceless. He will be hero for many years to come.

Another perk of the VIP area was that you get to enjoy food during the break. Since we ran from Shang, got stuck in traffic and ran to the Arena there was no eating time in between. Lucky for us there was complimentary grub from Manila Hotel.

 We ate our fill and enjoyed the rest of the show. It was quite an experience and I'm sure Hoopla has more in store for all of us! I can't wait!!!

Just a few more days left so get your tickets now, you wouldn't want to miss this opportunity!

SHOW INFORMATION:

Venue:Mall Of Asia Arena

Show Schedule (August 9-19, 2012):

Thursday, August 9 at 8:00 PM

Friday, August 10 at 4:00 and 8:00 PM
Saturday, August 11 at  4:00 and 8:00 PM
Sunday, August 12 at 1:00 and 5:00 PM

Tuesday, August 14 at  8:00 PM

Wednesday, August 15 at  8:00 PM
Thursday, August 16 at  8:00 PM
Friday, August 17 at  8:00 PM
Saturday, August 18 at  4:00 and 8:00 PM
Sunday, August 19 at 1:00 and 5:00 PM

Ticket Prices:

                                                  ADULT                    CHILD

VIP                                         Php 10,500                  Php 8,400

PATRON CENTER                           7,500                         6,000

LOWER BOX CENTER                     5,500                         4,500

PATRON SIDES                              5,500                          4,500

LOWER BOX SIDES                        3,500                          2,800

UPPER BOX                                    2,500                          2,000

GA                                                  1,200                             960

Purchase your tickets here:

www.cirquedusoleil.com/saltimbanco, www.hoopla.ph and www.smtickets.com or by calling +632-470-22-22.

Saturdate rush...

I have a bad habit of over-booking my personal social commitments. Yup, I am notorious for saying yes to dinner only to realize I already have plans for a movie at the same time. Frustrating. For someone who does organization professionally I totally suck organizing my own plans. I blame it on the fact that I barely had time to see my friends before so when they call for a meet up I always want to be there. The bu always has a field day when that happens. 

So why did I all of a sudden fess up to that embarrassing attribute...well, because yesterday was a very stressful day. Although I did not double book, our commitments were too close together that it was extremely stressful. 

I started out the day pretty calm, I was home watching videos waiting for the bu to get home from duty. So my morning was spent lazing around doing nothing except mentally preparing myself for the busy day ahead. The boyfriend wasn't as lucky since he barely got any sleep. After grabbing a quick bite for lunch I forced him to take a nap before we went to the Bourne Legacy screening being held by Nuffnang and Mandaue Foam in Shangr-La. Yay for Nuffnang Philippines and Mandaue Foam although the movie was a bit on the meh side for me I still felt kilig when Rachel Weisz first said "Manila, Philippines" haha

The screening itself started at 4 and was supposed to end at 6 which would have given us 2 hours to get to the MOA Arena for Saltimbanco. Yup, we were finally going to be able to watch Cirque du Soleil. Our lucky day! Unfortunately the movie ended at around 6:20 which meant we had to run all the way from the movie house to the car. I was wearing the most uncomfortable shoes known to man. My feet were killing me. They were flats but they didn't fit right so it was giving me the worst blisters.

Before leaving Shang though we made an effort to check the traffic situation. Since I use a BB and not an iPhone as my primary phone I didn't have the MMDA app, I had the Metro Traffic Live app.

                                                    

Let me tell you, that app SUCKS. I check it and it assures me that the traffic from Shaw - MOA is moderate - light so we decide that's best route to take. We stop for gas which couldn't have lasted more than 10 mins but BAM! we were stuck in the worst traffic EVER! Yup! A bumper to bumper, this sure isn't moderate traffic kind of situation. To make matters worse, we were on a tight schedule. So after much praying and stressing we finally get to MOA 10 mins before the show was supposed to start. 10 mins and we still had to find parking!!!

Parking proved to be a breeze but it was so far from the Arena that I literally forced the bu to sprint. We were running like lunatics. All those days spent running finally paid off! Let me tell you, those shoes were NOT made for walking all the more running but I was stressed! I already missed part of the Varekai opening I wouldn't miss the Saltimbanco opening if I could do something about it. Which I didn't because we walked in right as she was saying "Welcome to Saltimbanco" hahaha

Despite the fact that we were a bit late, the bu and I enjoyed ourselves. :D We had a wonderful time watching at the movies and at Cirque and well, just spending time together after being stranded apart the whole week. Saltimbanco was great, let me tell you all about it next time!

Maybe over-booking your weekends isn't such a bad idea if you're overbooking it with someone you love. Pass the cheese Luis! Just make sure you don't trust an app that tricks you into taking a heavy traffic route because it's stupid. hah!

Saltimbanco another day...

I've always loved productions. The choreography, the sounds, the lights, the drama. They're just so much fun to watch. I think part of the reason why I loved the time I spent in London was because I was able to watch so many musicals. Almost everything on my list was crossed out, plus some other shows I didn't think I'd watch. :) Sadly I wasn't able to watch the All Male Swan Lake. That would have been nice. hehe...

Anyway, a really awesome friend of mine who I loosely call my best friend since I talk to her the most out of my HS Barkada invited my to watch the premier of Cirque du Soleil's Saltimbanco and I was over the moon! :D You have to understand, I had been perstering her about tickets since the press conference ages ago and she would not commit! hahahaha...Now that that's in perspective you can now understand how excited I was when she called me to tell me she had tickets for me! Yaaaaay! Cirque du Soleil Saltimbanco here we come!!!

                                      

Or so we thought...

Much thanks to the habagat, plans had to be changed and well...sadly we weren't able to go. Until yesterday early afternoon I was stranded at home, the floods outside our village were high and well I wasn't the type of person who would walk into floodwater. Not that type of girl!

view from the main road

Floods effectively kept us home
***photos from Facebook

So imagine the stress I must have given best-friend Val, I kept calling her to tell her we couldn't make it, then we could, then we couldn't. Sorry best friend! Didn't mean to add to your stress. Hehe...

So wan't to know why I was so excited to watch Saltimbanco? Let me tell you about it...

Saltimbanco is Cirque du Soleil’s longest-running touring show and has performed since 1992. That means  a whole lot of people have already watched the show and have enjoyed it. I don't think it would have lasted this long if it wasn't awesome.

According to research, Saltimbanco has a cast of 50 high-caliber artists hailing from 20 different countries,  featuring breathtaking acrobatics and unbelievable athleticism during solo spotlights and epic ensembles. 

I remember the time the bu and I watched Varekai. It was so awesmazing that we couldn't stop talking about it. Apparently this show is a much bigger production. Their costumes, make up and set design is just so colorful and vibrant and that's just one aspect of the show. Then they start doing their stunts and you just sit there. Awe-struck. 

Don't believe me...let me show you...

That's just a sneak peak at some of the things you will see in Saltimbanco. So if I were you, I'd go on out and get myself a ticket. I'm sure it going to be worth your money.

SHOW INFORMATION:

Venue:
Mall Of Asia Arena

Show Schedule (August 9-19, 2012):
Thursday, August 9 at 8:00 PM
Friday, August 10 at 4:00 and 8:00 PM
Saturday, August 11 at  4:00 and 8:00 PM
Sunday, August 12 at 1:00 and 5:00 PM
Tuesday, August 14 at  8:00 PM
Wednesday, August 15 at  8:00 PM
Thursday, August 16 at  8:00 PM
Friday, August 17 at  8:00 PM
Saturday, August 18 at  4:00 and 8:00 PM
Sunday, August 19 at 1:00 and 5:00 PM

Ticket Prices:

                                                  ADULT                    CHILD

VIP                                         Php 10,500                  Php 8,400

PATRON CENTER                         7,500                        6,000

LOWER BOX CENTER                 5,500                         4,500

PATRON SIDES                             5,500                         4,500

LOWER BOX SIDES                     3,500                         2,800

UPPER BOX                                   2,500                         2,000

GA                                                   1,200                            960

Purchase your tickets here:

www.cirquedusoleil.com/saltimbanco, www.hoopla.ph and www.smtickets.com or by calling +632-470-22-22.

                                             

Take me to Cirque Du Soleil! Varekai in Manila

I've always been enthralled by the performance arts. I love dance, acrobatics, theatrics, musicals, ballet...anything that involves a stage and performers. :) My best memories of London were all the shows that I was able to see. They were all amazing, well except maybe perhaps for Jerry Springer the Musical. Don't ask.

So imagine my excitement when a good friend of mine told me that Cirque Du Soleil was coming to Manila. I had the privilege to have found out about it before it was going to come out to the press. I was excited but I had to keep it in because it was top secret. That was perhaps the hardest thing I've had to do recently. Ok, that's a little over dramatic but I was excited! :)

Cirque Du Soleil was going to be in MANILA! :)

Then the news came out and all the details. It was even more exciting. I was in a meeting in Sofitel on the night of the press launch in Manila Hotel and trust me, I wanted to fly to Manila Hotel just to catch the sample performance. Sadly I wasn't able to go. If you were my friend you would have wanted to kill me, hahaha, I kept bugging her for tickets and discounts and information.

Let me share with you a quick tidbit about me. When I was young I wanted to become a performer. A ballerina and a gymnast actually. They were so graceful and they moved with such command of their art. They were so amazing to watch. But my father refused. He said I would develop huge legs. I'm serious. On hindsight I would have loved the experience but I don't think I would have had the patience and discipline to become a ballerina or gymnast.

See, that's another reason why I love the performance arts. I mean look at them, they're all very dedicated to their craft. You can't do things like that half baked. It won't have the same effect and it will just end up sloppy. From what I hear the Cirque people are crazy disciplined. Their routines and their maintenance, a normal person would break. I mean look at this...

Aren't they amazing. I can't wait! I have tickets to see the dress rehearsals. Exciting! :) haha