Bow down bitches!!! Her Madgesty is coming soon!!! Here are two teasers of Madonna’s upcoming Rebel Heart World Tour.
Are those pole-dancing nuns?
It’s still seven months to go before Madonna performs here in Manila, yet this early, I am already freakin’ excited. I still can’t believe that I already got myself a ticket!
Ay kent weyt!
I grew up listening to her music. I grew up liking her ever changing image. I grew up idolizing this woman who ignited an entire generation to express themselves.
photo from madonna.com
Seeing a Madonna Concert is the only thing that is lacking of my being a die-hard fan. Click this LINK for you to know how big a fan I am of Madonna: https://neillangit.com/2008/08/17/a-fan-of-a-golden-girl/
To fulfil my self-imposed requirement, I seriously considered travelling to Tel Aviv, Israel in 2012 to watch the Sticky and Sweet World Tour. I chose Tel Aviv because that seem to be the nearest country where I can watch that concert. Also, being a Filipino I need not apply for a tourist visa in that country. But due to budget constraints I obviously was not able to go.
Then just about two weeks ago, my super friend Jesse who’s based in Sydney messaged me and invited me to see the Rebel Heart show in Australia. He sent me the link on how the purchase should go. This is despite the fact that Madonna performing in Manila is already becoming a big buzz. I was so close to buying the ticket! But for some weird reason, obviously I did not.
Until two days after chatting with Aussie Jesse, the big news was announced that Madonna for the first time will perform in Manila. I did not believe it still, until I personally checked the official Madonna website. And when I saw for myself that Madonna is indeed coming, I was like feeling so moved!!! I know I’m not religious, but I felt so moved, it made me wanna pray!!!
the only one in asia!!!
Then, 4 days prior to the official selling of tickets to public, I received a text message from Citibank informing me that I got the opportunity to buy Madonna tickets because of their pre-sale program. I of course did not let this chance go! I moved my ass and bought 2 ticket seats.
I need someone to accompany me during the concert so I bought 2 tickets. One for my dear sister Gaying. My sister during the event has been assigned to pinch my nose and slap me in the face to remind me that what I am about to see and experience is not a dream.
finally!
Now that I got myself her concert ticket, one of my life’s bucket list will finally become a realization. See you there…
Parating na ang sugo. Bili na ng tiket!
Here’s my 2015 summertime theme song…
You’re out of touch, in overtime
You’re running in, you’re running
Better left behind
You’ve dropped the ball to catch it with
And is it all there really is
You’re thinking but you’re thinking
‘Cause you know the best all things in life are free
And it’s all you needYou gotta live your life
You gotta treat you right
You gotta give into the great thing appetite
You gotta shake it up,
You gotta hold it down
You gotta do all the things that
Make you smile, make you smile
With the fun, but it is that really makes you happy
Yeah let’s say that
Let the world be a world that you fill with smileYou’re beautiful and evergreen
You’re dancing on high hopes and you got big dreams
So let them shine we’ll light it up‘Cause now’s the time to find your voice
Wear your heart out on your sleeve
‘Cause you know the best all things in life are free
And it’s all you needYou gotta live your life
You gotta treat you right
You gotta give into the great thing appetite
You gotta shake it up,
You gotta hold it down
You gotta do all the things that
Make you smile, make you smile
With the fun, but it is that really makes you happy
Yeah let’s say that
Let the world be a world that you fill with smileSo live for a night we won’t forget
Live for the memories we haven’t made yet
Turn up the love fall into it
Live for the memories we haven’t made yet
This is our life no regretsYou gotta live your life
You gotta treat you right
You gotta give into the great thing appetite
You gotta shake it up,
You gotta hold it down
You gotta do all the things that
Make you smile, make you smile
With the fun, but it is that really makes you happy
Yeah let’s say that
Let the world be a world that you fill with smile
Smayl…
The fastest way to attract something is to simply talk about it!
Life is definitely better with Mika around…
I love the beat, the colors and fashion of this video!
ako kaya? napag-uusapan?
Four years ago, when I saw the stunning rendition of “I Believe” by Andrew Ranells from the musical Book of Mormon during the 65th Tony Awards, I promised myself that when I reached New York in the future I would definitely see this musical extravaganza. This personal promise was reaffirmed a year after when I saw the opening number of the 66th Tony Awards which featured the song “Hello”. Seeing the 2011 and 2012 Tony Awards then was like listing The Book of Mormon among my life’s bucket list.
[youtube:https://youtu.be/GVJgmp2Tc2s&w=350%5D[youtube:https://youtu.be/OKkLV1zE8M0&w=350%5D
Four years later, such personal promise came true. One item in my long, arduous and complicated bucket list was accomplished. I saw, I heard and I enjoyed The Book of Mormon!
My New Yorker friend Jhong knows that months prior to my visiting New York, the one I specifically would like to do was to see this musical. We never talked about the sites to see (except for the 66 Perry Street), the rides to take, the food to taste or the people to meet. We simply talked about the musicals that I want to see. And The Book of Mormons was right there on the top of our conversations.
my view and my playbill
Jhong somewhat discouraged me because The Book of Mormons right now is considered the “King of Broadway”. Their ticket seats are ranked among the most in demand and the most expensive musical in Broadway now. You can actually buy 2 good seats of a different musical in Broadway for the price of one mezzanine seat of The Book of Mormons. It is so in demand, viewers cannot purchase tickets on the day they want to see the show. Tickets must be purchased online days before they would like to see it.
When Jhong and my new friend Lee purchased the ticket for me and told me how expensive a mezzanine seat was, I told them to go ahead. I simply said yes, closed my eyes and changed the topic for I don’t want to ponder and go nuts on how my New York travel budget has gone bloated.
it was all worth it!
And right after seeing the show, while I was standing up, clapping my hands and was shouting “Bravo!” I knew that my purchase of such expensive ticket was well vindicated. This 4-year old item in my bucket list was one hell of a wickedly funny musical show!!!
Kahit mahal, mapapa-mura ka sa galing!
In my short stay in New York, I can confirm the rich diversity of people and culture that exists in that place. No need to go to a restaurant or the high–end 5th Avenue or even Broadway to feel this. By riding the subway you easily could witness the various race, color and ethnicities present in New York.
Because of this assortment and thick individual differences, there is no one common look for a New Yorker. Everybody looks, sounds and smells different, which is actually refreshing. The only common character that I observed among all New Yorkers is their “walk”. New Yorkers walk fast! Their gait is wide. Their stomp is strong. Their pace is fast. It is so fast I wonder if New Yorkers know the concept of strolling.
bow bridge at central park, a popular and common film setting (i love my shot! LOL)
But there is a spot in New York where leisurely walkers exist. These walkers – which includes me – however are not New Yorkers but instead the mesmerized bunch of tourists of the state. This is at the Strawberry Fields in Central Park.
Considered as Central Park’s “quiet zone” Strawberry Fields is a 2.5 hectares living memorial to singer, songwriter and Beatles member, John Lennon. The name obviously was derived from the popular Beatles song “Strawberry Fields Forever”. Also, the spot was chosen because of its proximity to Lennon’s home, the Dakota Apartments (where he was shot and died), which was just across the west side of Central Park.
quiet!!!
happy to know that my country endorses strawberry fields as a garden of peace
lucky neil
One focal point of Strawberry Fields is of course the “Imagine” mosaic, which is another tribute to the legend John Lennon. My slow paced walking in the park even becomes more relaxing, peaceful and meditative when I saw and heard a musician seated on a bench, playing a guitar and was singing a Beatles song “Let It Be”.
I was just but happy to have leisurely walked the grounds of Strawberry Fields. That part of the park indeed has “nothing to get hung about”. It was peaceful and very relaxing. It was one short diversion from the fast paced walking and full packed happenings I was having in New York.
Let mi teyk yu dawn, kos aym gowing tu… Dakota Harrison!
The first Broadway show ever that I have seen in New York (as I have written in the past few days) was Les Miserables. After being so moved by this spectacular musical, I knew for a fact that it would be very difficult and challenging for the succeeding Broadway musical that I would watch for me to get so impressed. Les Miserables would be a tough act to follow.
This is exactly what I felt about Phantom of the Opera. Though it has been considered one of the longest running musicals in Broadway, I find it a little dreary. Or maybe it’s the operatic musical genre that Phantom of the Opera has that made me feel bleak. Except for the song “Think of Me”, which I prefer to be sang in a pop and non-operatic way, I am not that impressed with the line-up of songs.
think of me…
best thing about this gig was watching it and catching up with former colleague hannah, the world traveler
Blame it to Martin Nievera, an old and aging pop-star in the Philippines who keeps on singing the songs from Phantom of the Opera in the TV variety shows that he would appear at. Nievera’s obsolete rendition made me feel so fatigued about the songs of this musical.
Or maybe, the swanky and high-class music of Phantom of the Opera is so high-end and so classy and it’s just that I am the uncultured swine who fails to appreciate the elegance and chicness of its tunes. No thanks to my underdeveloped right brain because I have yet to find the right tools so as to appreciate such musical genre.
the orchestra! the people with sophisticated musical taste…
phantom of the opera will not be complete without the iconic chandelier
But what struck me most about Phantom is the great production design. My goodness! The spectacular drop of the majestic chandelier right over the heads of the audience at the end of the first act was breathtaking. Also, the colors of the masquerade ball number was truly outstanding. Those costumes were undeniably crazy! I was indeed transported into a different world!
Kelan ba kasi magre-retire si Martin Nievera?
surprise! surprise!
According to Dalai Lama, “the purpose of our lives is to be happy”. And this is exactly what I thought o after I watched the amazing Kinky Boots, the third Broadway musical show I saw in New York.
Prior to watching this Broadway musical, the only thing I know about the show is that it is a Tony award-winning musical. I don’t know what the story is about, I haven’t heard about the music and neither do I know anything about the cast. Blame this to my being an inhabitant living a simple life at the other end of the world.
saw kinky boots with super friend Ron, a new yorker and broadway musical enthusiast!
my ticket and my playbill
the view from my seat…
Kinky Boots is not a popular Broadway musical in Manila, unlike the classic Les Miz, Phantom, Miss Saigon or even Wicked. But after seeing the show it actually became one of my favorites. The story is simple and uncomplicated yet it opened a whole new perspective about prejudice, intolerance and acceptance.
There are lots of heartfelt wisdom that can be extracted from the show. It tackles about the struggles of trying to fit in. It is about the blossoming of life as soon as acceptance has kicked in. It even tackled the life’s various phases: childhood, adulthood, friendship, career, life’s ambition, secret admiration and even death. The story seem to have something for everyone. This is without eliminating the basics of a fun, fab and highly entertaining musical: excellent music, spectacular production, gifted singing talent and hip dance moves.
Kinky Boots got a big heart! That is why it has become one of my favorites. And I would not mind watching it again in case I visit New York again. If not, Kinky Boots I hope would reach the shores of Manila. This musical would definitely be something to watch. Charlie, Lola (the main characters) and the rest of the cast are of course welcome to perform in my city.
I’m pretty sure in case the Dalai Lama would have the opportunity to watch this musical, he himself would say “watching Kinky Boots is a must so as to live a happy life”.
Ispektakyular!
It took me some sweet days in New York before I was able to go to the Liberty Island, no thanks to the cold, punitive and prolonged winter. I literally pushed myself on seeing the statue because I agree with every organism’s principle living on this breathing planet that you have actually never been to New York (or the United States for that matter) if you haven’t seen the Statue of Liberty.
a selfie with lib!
“welcome to new york”
On the day of my visit, I was actually already feeling jittery when I reached the Battery Park and got hold of my ferry ticket that will bring me to Liberty Island. Such jitters were of reasons I don’t know. It took less than ten minutes for the ferry boat to reach the island. And even before the ferry has docked, all of us passengers were already taking photos of the stupendous statue of the unsmiling expressionless green lady holding a torch.
After taking a photo, I was experiencing some strange visual mirage. I was seeing the green lady to be smiling and seem to be uttering some words while waving its arms towards us. And then, all of a sudden I was suffering from acoustic illusion and could actually hear the most iconic American representation of freedom and democracy singing the song of Taylor Swift entitled “Welcome to New York”.
After a short walk of the island and while taking the next ferry to bring me to Ellis Island did I realize that the experience was so breathtaking it made me hallucinate. But further contemplation made me conclude that such irrational visions and hearing was actually due to extreme envy.
american icon! that’s my shot! i love it!
swept away by the grandeur of this lady
I was green-eyed and jealous of the fact that the United States is so free, democratic and unregimented. I was so envious of the massive opportunities and social services provided to its citizens for them to live descent lives. I was so envious of the fact that their country is such a superpower it can actually control and influence world affairs. And lastly, which is actually the most essential, is that citizens has the right to wear leather jackets, trench coats and fashionable layers of clothing without bursting a single sweat gland.
Taray ni Libertad! Dyaygantik!
I am a huge fan of both Madonna and Ellen. These two ladies would definitely be on top of my list for my most favorite Americans.
Here’s one awesome performance by the Queen of Pop featuring Ellen! The funny intro and the cute ending made me chuckle… I love it!
Kwins!
Nengkoy 