the new amazing show finale set

It has been quite a while since the folks over at Amazing Show had to install a new sequence set considering that we've been (and still is) through hard economic times. With the new Art Director Chito Mercado on board, he was finally christened in installation work together with a composite team from the production and the engineering services division.


a giant framed screen is set up to be set as the new backdrop


a batten was earmarked for the new silhouette fabric which meant the relocation of some lighting equipments


the black fabric in final inspection before being hanged on the batten


what the set looked like after the installation


the dress rehearsal before the actual show

43

Another birthday, another year...

I knew they were planning something when my secretary told me I shouldn't go down unless my security officer clears it. So I asked my brother-in-law who was in the country for a business trip from Singapore to keep me company in the office. Soon later, my good police officer friend arrives and joins for a few advanced rounds of Jack.

I got cleared before ten and as I exited the MFC's main door was greeted with the first few notes of the Happy Birthday song emanating from Alamat's Mc Monderin's very familiar rift. Everyone was there... and the party commenced!



Thank you to everyone! It was one of the best Birthday celebration somebody prepared for me...


Alamat on stage at the MFC Bar


crazed


the night wasn't without additional excitement, there was a car chase with the police all over the place who apparently gave chase to a military man who did not heed a checkpoint in Manila


that show wasn't on stage


thank you all!

on birthdays and growing older...

Not necessarily smarter for that matter.



I went low bat on my first hour after activating my phone and it felt good. I was flooded with birthday greetings that made me feel pleasantly well that people remembered.

Last night, my former secretaries treated me with packed dinner in my office together with a low-sugar cake since I am diabetic.

When I got home last night... yes, last night and not this morning. My two sleeping kids prepared their video message for my birthday and the other Compaq has just finished rendering the video. It was a very cute video message with them singing me birthday song. I am blessed having two very caring children.

Today, as I turn towards my mid 40's, I shall look forward to the things that I can change and probably smirk at those that I cannot. As I grow older, I see myself tending to be more "fatalist" with my perception of life. I may perhaps have lost the fire that I once had as a younger man. A bit pathetic, but I am hoping that the bigger challenges ahead, specially that of the daunting task of producing a lawyer (my daughter)will once again inspire me to pursue a more substantial future hopefully armored in financial security.

Sad to say, these forties are not looking as good as I have hoped for. But I am banking on some assets that I still have... and I wish to convert them to opportunities...

ALAMAT concert dvd teaser ft. Juan

the post production is an absolute nightmare!

Here are a few of the boo boos that happened... First, I only had the theatre until 4pm because somebody bungled up the schedule. The window of opportunity for the shoot was very small that I had to content myself with certain fuck ups in favor of finishing the shoot earlier. Second, I wasted time dealing with a very minor problem from one of the staff. Third, we did the gig live and I knew the nightmare that would follow... It's called Murphy's Law!

But nevertheless, I got good shots. It's basically a four-cam shoot and the angles were all decent for a rock concert.

I've not been happy lately over several matters and this dvd concert was something that gave me a break from the stresses of my regular life.

Amazing Theme Song sky shoot version

weekend photography

Sunday night with Uncle Jack

photography by Joey dela Vega

a very early birthday gift

Three months ago, as I was having casual drinks with my best bud, he wondered why I still kept my old notebook despite of it being Jurassic with only about 70G on it... He then said that I should give it to my daughter and he'd give me a new one soon.

I shrugged it off thinking it was just drinking humor. But last Saturday, as I was drinking in his bar with my daughter after a hell of a day shooting Alamat's Concert DVD, his manager told me to wait for him. He arrived a few minutes later with a bag in tow... low and behold, it was my very early Birthday Gift! A brand new HP Compaq Notebook with 300G of storage inside.

Thanks Buddy!!!

Family Lunch with my In-Laws

the Making of ALAMAT'S CONCERT DVD

ang bandang ALAMAT

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICA VILLAROSA,
SANTI SORIANO & GIL MONTANO

Finally, we are on the home stretch of Alamat's Quest for an all original album. With the Concert DVD shoot out of the way, we now move on to the more complicated task of post production work to make the Concert DVD a viable product for market consumption.

Black Pipe has waited for this completion as well since they've finished the Araw at Ulap Concert DVD. The two bands under Sunset Studios will be packaged together and will be marketed to labels this year hopefully signing in as new talent early next year.

I'd like to thank all the people and the staff and performers of Amazing Show for pitching in this project and the Chairman for the opportunity to do something that I really love.


top left clockwise; while waiting for the band to get in make up, supervising the stage set up conceptualized by Joey dela Vega, Dolreich and Ivan inside the dressing room, Ivan, Mc doing last minute tuning, Dolreich preparing his microphone and the drum riser...


with Mc Monderin


Director Elmir Castillo discusses what needs to transpire


Aris in a make up chair


the staff posing for a photo op with their favorite guitarist Mc Monderin


Alamat with some of their friends waiting to be called in


the crowd loved Alamat's music


Aris Gutierez


Mc Monderin


Ivan Scott Mariano


Amazing Show performers


Dolreich Tonolote on center stage


Ivan Scott Mariano


Kumander Angel at the helm of the establishing camera





stage design and concept by Joey dela Vega


this is the easy part... post production will be a nightmare

Department of Tourism Activity

Yesterday, I spent the whole day at the Department of Tourism for an activity with the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines.

Fender Telecaster Jack Daniels Edition

I love this guitar!










photography by Joey dela Vega