Blook III: Mostly Events (90’s-10’s)

EVENTUALLY

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

In the mid-90’s, the live concert format came to television.

For the first time in memory, the Sunday noontime show, usually a hodge-podge of whatevers, had a live band (with horns!), musical medleys (with lotsa songs!), carloads of guests (with singers!) and truckloads of dancers (with costumes!). The ratings rocketed.

Week after week, the nation was treated to free shot-for-television live concerts and companies poured their advertising monies into buying spots on these shows. If the advertisers weren’t content with 30-second advertising spots, they could buy the whole 8-minute gap and have their giant logos serve as backdrops for the performers.

When the decade ended, the live concert format was all over TV…not on the live concert stage.

The number and size of the live pop concerts thus began to dwindle and people like me, devoted to live, began finding ourselves with fewer shows to work for.

But as the TV shows began to gather momentum, so did the expenses. To pay for all the dash and flash, the TV stations began charging more for their advertising spots. The advertisers, in turn, had to become more creative with their budgets in order to maximize them.

So, they began thinking outside the TV box and a good number of them started producing high-quality corporate events focused on their products. Not trade shows, EVENTS. Some of these were invitational, others open to the public, but more importantly for me, all were staged…LIVE.

182. Commercials
183. Palmolive
184. Toyota Crown
185. The Banks

-   Citibank (QEA, VOE, Christmas Rock, Farewell, Welcome)
-   HSBC Asia Society Night of Song
-   Bankers’ Follies
-   American Express
-   BPI 155th

186. Technology

-   Computer Associates
-   Intel
-   Microsoft (XP Philippines, OS, Spit)
-   Tokumi (Coconut Palace, Clark Field Base)
-   Globe (Christmas, E-Wallet)
-   NXP

187. Travel

-   PAL Sun Logo
-   PAL Passenger Sales
-   PAL Cargo Sales
-   BCD Travel, TQ3

188.   Philamlife 60th
189.   Fortune Tobacco
190.   Sanofi/Crossroads of Civilization (Ayala Museum)
191.   My SM

-   The Founding Couple
-   SM Northwing/Cebu Book Launch
-   Sanso: By The Book/SMX

192. Concepcion Events

- Hechanova Golden Annivesary
- Kuala Lumpur Camelot/NBC Concepcion/Cool Hei Fat Choy

193. PLDT

-   One Convention
-   MVP Diamond/PLDT/Smart Foundation/Rock & Comedy Nights
-   Smart Infinity Classics
-   PLDT 80th
-   Festival of Trees/A Little Hongkong Christmas

5 AND MORE STARS

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Even hotels joined the bandwagon and began producing events on their own. The higher the numbers of stars in their hotel ranking, the more celestial the event they wanted.

194. The Peninsula Hotel Manila Events

-   Salamander Fashions/The Lobby Fashion Show
-   The Rigodon Wedding Fashion Show/House of Auction
-   The Events Seminar

195. The Shangri-la Hotel Makati Events

-   Masquerade!
-   House of Christmas
-   New Year’s Dual Eves
-   Amorissimo

INTERMEZZO

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Every now and then, I would find it ironic that someone like me, a lover of classical music, would end up with a career directing pop and rock concerts, not to mention events filled with modern music. Who’da thunk?
Every now and then, though, it all makes sense.

196.   Peter and The Wolf
197.   The San Miguel Choral Competition
198.   The San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra
199.   Li’l Red and Peter

ON AIR, ON STAGE, IN PAIN, IN FAITH

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

No intro needed.

200.   911, Manila
201.   In His Words Radio Recording Series
202.   Il Divino, A New Musical

THEM KIDS AGAIN

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Until today, the one thing Television, Cinema, Cable and Computers cannot seem to diminish in live performance is the Children Shows or shows you can bring the kids to watch and not have you go into intercessory prayer while they’re watching them. As the following blogs make clear, it will take more than a genie to wish Kiddie Fare away.

203.   The Magnolia Youth Awards
204.   For Love of Jabby
205.   The Parents Convention
206.   Song of Mulan/Aladdin & Jasmine/Lilo!
207.   Enchanted Kingdom

- Pyrotekniko Spettacolo!
- Danze Festivale

208. Young Valentine’s Concert
209. Joseph, The Dreamer & First Name, A New Generation

UP, UP AND DOWN

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Thank God for Television! Thank God for Cable! Thank God for Print! Thank God for certain cities except Melb…sorry.
Being a God-fearing, Bible-believing, punishment-fearing, thought-provoked Christian, I will just…thank God.

210.   Heroes in Singapore
211.   Winners in New Zealand
212.   Losers in Melbourne

CINE/TV LIVE

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

It was a TV segment producer who cheerfully told me, and bless her for being so candid:
“Direk, we’ll never get you. Masyado kang class!” (You’re too classy.)
N.B. “Masyado kang class” is more of an expression rather than a statement and is not as complimenting as it sounds.
The few times film or TV did call, it was to handle something Live. No problemo.
An unexpected bonus, though, was that the few times I appeared on television had enough impact to make me recognizable by a few people in the streets. Of course, I’m greeted by every name except mine. Oh well, at least they all say “Direk”. Really, no problemo.

213.   Mowelfund
214.   GMA Artist Center Launch
215.   Starstruck/Pinoy Pop Superstar
216.   Celebrity Duets
217.   The Manila Film Festival Awards

POLITIX

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The closest I ever got to Events Political is planning the most jarring Inaugural Speech if ever I get elected President, but outside of that, these blogs will have to do.

218.   Aguinaldo Shrine Recording
219.   20 Speeches That Moved A Nation
220.   EDSA II
221.   World Ministers Reception
222.   We Are Juan
223.   Mr. Tony Blair Grand Reception

CONCERT/SERIES

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Throughout the 00’s, it wasn’t as if there were no local pop concerts that needed directing. In terms of marketing, a lot of them had to be re-thought, though. A couple of solutions was to go very big and thus attract heavier sponsorship, or use niche stars (people well-known within certain communities) who would attract a specific market. A third method would be to go small but stage the show more often. You decide which is the better strategy.

224.   Jose Llana
225.   Streamline
226.   Some Enchanted Music/That’s Amore/Highlands New Year’s Eve
227.   Close To Home
228.   Bo Cerrudo

-   First Concert
-   Classic Ko
-   Stage ‘N Screen
-   Love Around The World
-   Words and Music

229. Only Love Remains
230. Christian Bautista

NEWER MUSIC

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Nobody remembers 2nd place, so they say, and that may be true. But sometimes, 3rd could be great!

231. Jed Madela/Rizza Navales
232. WCOPA

233. The 19th Philippine Ad Congress (with Lea Salonga and Mig Ayesa)

234. Bigfoot Begins

WOMAN AND BOYS

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

With a market of mostly girls, the boys kept presenting themselves, if not in singles, then in groups. Yet over it all, from then till now, it’s a woman who has ruled.

235. Bloomfields

- Happy New Band/MVP x 2/JAL’s Pals/Infinity Ended

236. Angelos

- Love These Boys/For The Kids/Suddenly Gone

237. Angelitos
238. Kuh Ledesma

- Just Causes/Write or Wrong/Hacienda Isabella/We Are Where?

239.   Monte Carlo
240.   The Unity Tour
241.   Isabella Gonzales

BRAIN DRAIN

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

In 2008, there was a Summer Olympics. That was my cue: it meant I was going to have a birthday that year, I was going to be 13 birthdays old, I was going to be finally old enough to lawfully see some of the stuff I direct!
I had decided to celebrate by holding Thank You parties. A breakfast for my staffers and crew members, a lunch for my colleagues, and a dinner for relatives led by my cousin who also celebrates her birthday on February 29 (How rare is that? Two Leap Year babies in one clan!).
These plans were already twirling in my head as early as late ’07. But I don’t think they were the reason why my head started to ache in January…and ache…and ache more and more every single day until I collapsed and was rushed to the hospital…on my once-every-four-years birthday.
I suppose it was appropriate. My life was reborn that day (again!) and in the strangest manner, it has not been the same since.

242.   There’s A Leak!
243.   By Remote
244.   Lea: My Life…On Stage

-   The Script
-   The Show
-   The Songs

RETURNING ENGAGEMENTS

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

I am such a creature of habit, it maddens me. Some corporations are also creatures of habit. That gladdens me. It means, year after year, I am almost certain of a job from them and since that job is so endearing, so empowering in so many ways, I clear the calendar without pause. One of those corporations, a local, I had to say goodbye to. The budget was so low I could no longer afford to keep doing it. The other, a multi-national, has just that much more lifeline, enough for me to keep hoping it will go on.
My company is the only thing that will not get rich doing these particular projects because everything else about them, believe me, is treasure.

245.   TOFIL Awards
246.   National Dreams
247.   BYEE Awards
248.   UN Eco-Minds

MULTI-FACETED

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

A big, loud career needs the balance of a tiny, quiet hobby. Mine is gemstones.
And when a career project is focused on the quiet hobby, like a true gem miner, I move earth and earth to make sure I’m there.

249. Miladay

- The Jewelry Shows
- Gladness, Madness & Sadness, Two

250. Tissot/Rado
251. Benjamin, Favored Son

- The Birthdays/The Openings/The Weddings/The Exhibits
- The Eating…and Eating…and Eating

252. The Freedom Collection

SOCIALS REPUBLIC

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Although Corporate Events were plentiful in the 00’s, another kind of Event also grew in professional number, the Socials…utterly delightful and exciting. That is, until client (usually an honouree or host or parent of) changes her mind. Yes, her. Then you understand the justification of the Delete button. Because once client begins changing her mind (yes, her), it doesn’t stop until it’s over. That’s why we have Planner/Coordinators. That’s why Planner/Coordinators have Directors. That’s why Directors pray.

253.   Enchanting, Enchanted KC
254.   Coliseum of Young Presidents
255.   Rotary Clubs At The Wheel
256.   The Wedding Store

- A Thousand Songs/Pillow Cake Spectacular/Bejewelled/Hello, Young Lady

257. Pastry Bin Takes The Cake
258. Society Highs

-   Toasting at 1/Ramping at 18/Dancing at 25/Marrying at 50/Celebrating at 80/Hitting 90
-   Moon Weds Sun
-   Incredible, Immeasureable India

THOSE WHO DID, TEACH

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Teaching is the only profession in the Bible that carries a threat. Lead “any of these little ones astray” and splat! You’re done in and done for. It’s been more than two decades now since I taught formally on campus so I’m taking that as some sign that I didn’t muck it up too badly. Who knows, maybe I’m being given more time to get it right.

259.   St. Joseph’s College/University of Sto. Tomas/Assumption College/OB Montessori
260.   George Yang/KMF
261.   Homecomings

-   St. Theresa’s College, Manila
-   St. Scholastica’s College
-   College of the Holy Spirit
-   Assumption College
-   Maryknoll (Miriam) College
-   De La Salle Greenhills
-   San Beda High School
-   St. Stephen’s College
-   UST College of Medicine
-   Stella Maris College
-   Sacred Heart School

THOSE WHO TEACH, DO

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

When someone asks me for the implausible, I have but one answer:
Listen, I only SOUND like God.
Particularly when what is asked for is: INSTANT PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION.
Let’s look at it backwards:
Transformation – this, whether you like it or not, will happen. There is no permanence in this world, least of all in ourselves. The world erodes, evolves, replenishes every moment. Our own bodies do the same. To transform is not only natural, it can be depended upon to happen.
Personal – Because all that is physical is changing, the personal follows suit. You will change your mind, you will have changes of heart. That you will change is beyond your control, that you will change for the better or worse is never beyond your control.
Instant – I know, I know. His go-see is tomorrow, the hosting gig is on Sunday, she records next week, they’ll be launched in a month. That’s enough time, right? Listen, I only SOUND like God.

262. Coachings

-   Repertory Actors
-   Trumpets Actors
-   Tim Yap
-   Rodel Naval/Lee Robin
-   Kanto Boys
-   Onemig Bondoc/Bobby Andrews
-   JB/JG/JY
-   Paolo Fabregas/Edward Feist
-   Bianca Gonzales/JC Cuadrado/Marvin Agustin
-   Mau Marcelo
-   Paolo & Gab Valenciano
-   Chris Yu
-   Tim Eigenmann
-   Eric Eleazar/Gino de la Pena
-   Iza Calzado/Rhian Ramos
-   La Diva

BOTTOM LINES

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

As I mentioned before, I am not the selfless type. My relatives are far more thoughtful and helpful than I may ever be. The advocacy I picked for myself, I didn’t even look for. Because it was a friend who asked, I joined, that’s it. Ten years later and well, I’m still there. Obviously in the lives of abused and abandoned children, my heart sees more than what my mind tells me.

263. House of Refuge
264. Homes of Refuge

- The Ruiz Clan
- The Santos Clan