Went to catch the MYMP Concert last night with old friends and my sister. I didn’t really know what to expect. I mean how does an acoustic band bring energy to the Araneta Coliseum?

I was not able to catch their Music Museum concert. Good thing KayBu, made a very good review, I wasn’t “fearful” about Araneta at all.

I couldn’t hide my anticipation all day. Forget that the project I worked overtime for 2 weeks got cancelled. :o(

I just wanted the day to end so I can head on to Araneta. We got to Araneta late. But, as expected of Filipino shows, the concert started later than expected.

So how did the concert go?

I’ll dish in the bad news first, as there were only three.

First: The script was poorly written. Many times, the duo was struggling for words.

Second: the technical crew did a lot of booboos. This was highlighted during the Southborder number. It could’ve been one of the key numbers of the evening but Duncan and Vince’s microphones were both busted, Juris had to move and get cozy with Duncan to share the microphone. Then after the SB boys did their number with Juris coming back, her microphone volume was so low (and so was Duncan’s), the instruments drowned their voices as they sang Southborder’s “Sweet”. Many times, we would hear microphone feedbacks; and the balance of volume of the instruments and microphones got mishandled many times we heard abrupt increases and decreases in the volume.

Third: Why was Janno Gibbs dressed like that? I mean was he watching Harry Potter at Gateway with his Kids when he suddenly realized he had to sing at the Big Dome? White shirt, jeans…the least he could’ve done is put hair gel. It was so weird to see him in jeans beside Juris who donned this beautiful light blue gown.

Now let’s move on to the good news as there are plenty.

Audience Attendance:

Araneta was filled. Objectively speaking (unlike some crazed fans of artists who tend to exaggerate the accomplishments of their idols), I will say that Araneta was not filled to the brim like Regine’s shows, but there were more people in the MYMP concert than during the Southborder: Independent Concert [Which was a pleasant surprise since the MYMP Concert Tickets costed 100% more than the Southborder ticket pricing. Ie Patron Tickets for MYMP were sold Php1200++, Southborder tix costed Php600++]. Believe me, I saw both.

Juris and Chin must have packed at least 8,000++ people there yesterday. My God, sikat na talaga sila!!! Walang butas except sa General Admission. People were willing to pay more to see them.

MYMP Styling:

May I just say the styling for both was awesome? Chin’s hairdo gave him a little edge, even his Dracula-like coats. I think he had at least 3 costume changes that night. All made him look like a rock star.

Juris’ make up and hair was done pretty well. She had six costume changes that night. (1) Glitterly black pants with orange top, (2) same pants with green top, (3) multi-layered white skirt with Yellow top during the rock section, (4) black mini-skirt and orange top with 80’s accessories, (5) long blue gown with silver accents and the (6) white Encantadia-type/diwata long dress for the encore. The outfits were glamorous, hip and sexy, without trying too hard.

The Song Selections:

Overall the songs selected were great. The musical arrangement could’ve been better if seamless (ala Jay Durias), nevertheless it was okay for a neophyte band. I used to tell people at the office that the Philippines hasn’t seen the best of Juris yet…I hate those MYMP detractors, especially those who tend to compare her with this certain singer.

Some would say, Juris can’t hit the high notes. Well, the Araneta show proved she could hit the birit. The number “Nakapagtataka” was the highlight of the show for me. Aside from, of course, from Because You Loved Me, which she sang to her mom. She gracefully and beautifully sang and hit the high notes, even as tears streamed from her face. [Naawa naman ako kay Chin. Sana may picture ng mommy niya sa Video wall while Juris was singing a song for her mom. Para kahit papaano sana, they offered the song to Chin’s mother as well]

Others said she could only sing and that she had limited talents. People wouldn’t believe me when I say she’s a decent dancer. C’mon, I distinctly remember her dancing with Cheryl Martin and Co. when we were in second year sa Campus Pop…ano nga yung song ng dance ninyo? We got a love thing, love thing.

Still others found Juris stiff and boring and walang feelings, even if I say she’s actually one of the “major actors” in Teatro Ateneo. Her emotion filled ballads last night, and her rockin’ number proved the girl’s got feelings and she’s got some bite.

Overall, the show was a success. It successfully brought out the talents of the two and showed the audience they’re more than just an acoustic band. You don’t believe me? Why else would they have a repeat on February 3?

Basta! I'm sure they made a lot of people proud last night (as in other nights, but especially last night)... grabe.

Anyway, here’s a list of songs I remember them singing last night:
Waiting in Vain
Get Me
Too Many Walls (Cathy Dennis)

Acoustic Artist’s Tribute Medley:
Pagdating ng Panahon,
Moonlight in Paris,
Let me Be the One
Nasan Ka Na

A little Bit
Kailan
Sa Kanya

Southborder Number:
Let’s Stay Together,
Di Ka Nag-iisa/Darna Theme (Jay Durias revealed it was Juris who did the Demo for this song, before Regine V. recorded it),
Ikaw Nga,
Sweet

Never Get Over You Getting Over Me
Nakapagtataka (the Hajji Alejandro Original)

Why (Avril Lavigne)
Don’t Speak (No Doubt)
You Ought to Know (Alanis)
Complicated (Avril)
Ironic (Alanis)

Intermission [Video wall with song]: I forgot the title pero ang taas ng tono.

Madonna Medley: Borderline, Cherish, Material Girl, Crazy for You

Inseparable
Beauty and Madness

Janno Gibbs number:
Fallin
If I’m Not in Love with You

Tribute to the Mommas: Because You Loved Me

Constantly
No Ordinary Love
Love Moves in Mysterious Ways
Talaga Naman

Tell Me Where it Hurts

Encore: Especially for You, The Christmas Song

These past few days have been amazing and it all started with two little stripes.

On Sunday, October 30, 2005 at 5:46 PM Tina walked out of the bathroom laughing and smiling while she held in her hand the home pregnancy test kit we bought the night before. At that moment, I didn’t know what it all meant exactly until I saw them: two tiny little stripes named C and T. There they were standing beside each other, happily announcing the miracle that’s happening in my Tina’s womb.

We just sat on my bed hugging while we stared at them. Laughing. Excited. Amazed. Scared. Hugging. Happy. It was a mix of everything that added up to something so overwhelming. We hugged and laughed some more for what seemed like forever. We just couldn’t believe that we were finally pregnant. We’ve heard about this happening to other couples before and it seemed so ordinary then. But now that it’s happening to us, we were just so astonished and speechless. We’re going to be parents!

That reminded us of our own parents. Somewhere down the line, they will have to know and they will be disappointed at first. We decided that it wasn’t going to be a problem: we were both of legal marrying age (I’m turning 28, she’s 26) and had jobs. Besides, we both already decided on our own to get married long before this came along. Nothing has changed except for the schedule and, of course, the presence of a fetus in her tummy.

We decided to tell my parents first the next day. I thought that it was fortunate that my niece, their first and favorite granddaughter, has moved with her mom to Manila. I found it fortunate because now my parents miss her and are most likely longing for another grandchild to brighten their lives. In retrospect, I think I was a bit too optimistic.

(Watch out for part 2 where I tell my parents about the good news)

(did you miss part 1? it's right here.)

I had planned on treating them to a foot massage from this Thai relaxation center near our place. I figured they wouldn’t be as shocked to hear the news if they were being subjected to the calming effects of the masseuse's able hands at the same time. Unfortunately, my plan was foiled when my father decided he didn’t feel like going out that night. I couldn’t wait any longer. I’ve been waiting all day for the right time to tell them and it was already 6 PM! So I told them right there while the three of us were seated in the living room.

“There’s something I have to tell you.”

“You’re getting married?” My mom said

“Well, that too. Tina’s pregnant.”

That left my mother with a rather awkward smile. My father, on the other hand, was hilarious. He looked as if he heard nothing more than ordinary everyday news. Like the trash being taken out or the lawn getting mowed. Then, without looking at either me or my mother, he said “Well, that’s not really a problem.” (It wasn’t. I didn’t think it was a problem.) “You and your mom should go get that massage now. We’ll talk about it later.” At that point I was the one who was disappointed. This was a big thing for me and I was very excited to share the news. They could’ve at least shown a little bit more emotion: jump for joy, cry out loud, or dance the Macarena--anything to show that it was something big for them too. I soon realized that they were just hiding how they really felt deep inside: worried about my future. Parents are just the silliest people, aren’t they? :-)

Eventually (right about a couple of days later), they both stabilized and accepted (and were happy of) the fact that I was going to be a father soon. They were also glad that it was Tina that I was marrying. She was already practically a part of the family long before this week happened.

Up next was the task of telling her parents. We set the date to Friday of that same week. I’d have dinner at their house and we would tell them sometime that night. Already I was getting butterflies in my stomach. It felt pretty much like those last few moments just before going up on stage to present a slideshow or give a speech in front of an audience. The difference is that in this one, the audience, after hearing the news, might just rip my testicles off and feed them to the lions. Tina tried to calm me down saying as long as her parents know we have plans of our own, they (and perhaps my testicles too) will be OK.

“What was our plan again?” I asked.

“We’re going to get married next year. You're going to stay on your current job. In two weeks you will be done with your MBA. I’m going to quit my job and find a regular 8 to 5 one and you’re going to take that offer to teach part-time.”

“Oh. Right. Now I remember.”

I wrote the whole thing down just in case I forgot again that night.

(Watch out for part 3 where I finally tell her parents)

(did you miss part 2? it's right here.)

Dinner was supposed to start at 7:30 but I arrived about 45 minutes too soon so I decided to drive around a bit and park on the far side of their village. For the next thirty or so minutes I would walk to and fro by the side of the road, practicing my speech inside my head. I sent SMS to two of my friends telling them what I’m about to go through. One wished for the Force to be with me while the other told me that, should I accidentally fart during dinner, to just exclaim about how good the food was. They both wished me well and offered a short prayer on my behalf.

When I arrived at their house, there was Tina’s father, relaxing a bit. He had just finished preparing the food. I was touched to learn that he had gone to the wet market earlier that day knowing that I would be having dinner there. Soon after Tina’s mother arrived. There they were, happy that Tina and I were around for dinner, not knowing what was about to come. We both tried our best to be normal, chatting with her parents, mentioning the rising cost of things, etc. The rest of the conversation we had during dinner is a blur now. All I remember is the tasty soup and the delicious chicken and pork adobo. It’s probably amazing that I could still eat that night, but I hadn’t eaten since lunchtime.

Just after dessert (I bought chocolate mousse cake from Red Ribbon earlier. I’d learned that her dad loves chocolate), I told Tina’s father that we had something important to say. His smiling face turned ashen in a split second.

“Oh...Let’s the four of us talk outside, Mark.”

Outside we seated ourselves. Her mother sat with us first.

“Is this a common story we’re about to hear?” she said.

I’m not sure what she meant by that but I think it has something to do with pregnancy. Mothers are amazing, aren’t they?

So there we were. I held Tina’s hand and we told them the news and of our plans (Yes, I remembered all of it). They said a few things and we said a few more but they were all good. I saw her parents’ eyes well up a couple of times. They wished us well and asked that I take good care of their baby girl. It ended with her father shaking my hand, and me trying to hug her mother ever so awkwardly. The night went well, my testicles were still intact, and we were finally getting married.

Tina and I hugged for a long time just before I left. I saw our reflection on the car window and there she was in my arms, so fragile and helpless. I knew then that this was the woman I was going to love and take care of for the rest of my life. She was about to become my wife, and the mother of my children. It was all so overwhelming.

In a few months we will be exchanging vows at the end of that aisle. A few more months and we will be parents. From here on, we will experience all that life has to offer together, standing beside each other pretty much like those two little stripes that started it all.