Last week, a day before EDSA holiday, I wanted to do a bit shopping for work clothes but ended up satisfying my sweet tooth in this unlimited dessert buffet called Cajun in SM Megamall. While walking with my officemates, I was thinking about whether to go to Megamall or Greenhills because I seriously need to update my office wardrobe. But maybe I just wasn't in the mood to go home that day. I'm a typical work-home introvert but that day I wanted to go out so when my officemate suggested this place in SM Megamall with unlimited desserts, I said yes right away. UNLIMITED. DESSERTS. My sweet tooth got excited. 

It's my first time and it was unplanned so let me tell you that I am not sure whether it's a promo or not or how long it is for but the I can tell you that for Php 199 you can feast on different cakes, pastries and ice cream! Well, all for two hours. 

Here's how their spread looks like:

 

With my officemates Kelvin and Sasha

Let me set expectations before you get up on your seats and head to Cajun. They have the usual pasta and other meals as well. The unli drinks were hot tea and red iced tea only. The cupcakes were average but I liked the cheesecake. I say, don't expect much. But for 199, it was worth it. Will I go back again? Sure. If my sweet tooth craves for it. 

UPDATE: Officemates went back to Cajun last September 2016 and I'm sorry to say that they no longer offer the Unlimited Desserts Promo. But they will bring it back so watch out for future announcements!

All the writing I do for work gives me no time to update you guys and it really bugs me. It’s already February and this is just my first post for this year. I have so many things to share to all of you guys—new job, a pet died… But I’ll just save those on my next post. I would love to give time to write a proper post for our pet. (Huhu… I’m such a pet “tita”)

This is for all the people suffering from cancer. You are all beautiful and brave. Stay strong. 

One More Chance is one of those movies you’ll never get tired of watching. Kahit kabisado mo na ang mga hugot quotes nina Popoy at Basha. This is one of my comfort movies. The kind of movie (like books), na after you’re done with all your series and dvd’s at wala ka ng mapanood na iba—babalikan at babalikan mo. Kasi nga ganon na kayo ka-close nina Popoy at Basha. Tapos feeling mo part ka ng Thursday Group.

When a video circulated online of Popoy and Basha fighting over a Meralco bill, a lot of people got excited. I got excited. Some say it was only a test shot by Star Cinema to see how people will feel about a One More Chance sequel. It went viral. Maraming umasa.

Above is a photo of the happy crowd who gamely cheered on the poets. They applauded and hooted at the right moments. "Walang forever" was heard several times during the show. It was the kind of crowd that is easy to please and were so supportive that you'll want to please them all the more. 

I had so many favorite moments that night but one of the most memorable one was when a guy who goes by the name Rock6, performed. He sang acapella and rapped. Sounds pretty regular right? But I think he has autism or something like that--I'm not sure, but my point is back to the crowd. It was heartwarming how they were so supportive of the guy. There were no weird looks. Everyone cheered him on. He was a little out of tune when he sang, but man oh man, he rapped like a pro! There was a loud applause and appreciative comments everywhere. I love this crowd! 

There were performances from poets from The Artidope, White Wall Poetry and many more. After all the official line-up was done, open mic was next. People sign up prior or during the show and you get to perform after the official line-up. The night was capped off by a performer from Sev's Cafe itself. I forgot his name but the guy deserves to be famous, even only if viral famous. He was one of Sev's staff, dishwasher I think. At first we didn't pay attention but he was also such a good rapper. Hindi mo talaga aakalain. I'm not into rap but that guy has a talent stringing words together. He's very impressive. Unfortunately, like all others I have a tendency to underestimate others and I'm sorry for that. But I love how people surprise me and I find out every so often that talent can come from any one, from people with different kinds of background.

Here are some other photos from the event. 

Above is Karlen Fajardo, she writes music and poetry. It was my second time to watch her. I had to get used to her "style" of performing. But I warmed up to it after. She can get too emotional. She is a living, breathing freakin' feelings. In short, she is feelings personified. In her performance, she threw her ex's mementos (bus/movie tickets etc) on the stage and removed her shirt (yes!) after. Such a brave thing to do in front of so many people. Hehe. I really searched for her Facebook page. Now I'm a fan. I want to be your friend Karlen! Haha. Don't worry about the litter, she picked the stuff off the floor after her performance. Heehee. Her band, The Theobromine is just as awesome. She just played solo when I first watched her on another event that was 90's kids themed. Appreciated her songs more with the band especially with a violinist. One of her original songs were so catchy, the crowd sang with her as well. Hello naman kasi the chorus lyrics were like: "F!^% you, magsama kayo mga walang hiya..". Much like Lily Allen's. Sweet melody but tough lyrics this song was. 

Carrie and I were talking about joining the open mic night. Well, soon for her but someday for me. Heehee. I'm sure I'll get more nights like these. Join me? 

One day, when I was still in college waiting for my next class, I was sitting somewhere while reviewing for a quiz when I heard voices singing. I don't know the song but I can still remember how I felt hearing a legit choir for the first time. They were heavenly, like choir of angels. Even hearing them match pitch gave me goosebumps. That was when I decided that I'm going to join the UST Pharmacy Glee Club. I can't remember my audition song but I remember we had to sing the Lupang Hinirang as well and before we get off stage we were asked to mimick how our choir master clapped his hands, timing and all. I honestly didn't think I'd get in because I have no singing experience and haven't been part of any Glee Club before. Oh the happiness I felt when I saw my name on PGC's bulletin board. I actually got in! I was an Alto. My co-members were so good and I felt it was such a wonderful privilege to be singing with them. Here we are at our concert, ChoralwoRx held at Philam Life Auditorium back in 2007. It was a benefit concert together with UP Manila's Medicine Choir. Happy memories!

Being in Glee was the best part of my college years in UST. And that was when I was introduced to classical music. We were asked not to listen to pop music for a few months, if possible, and just listen to musicals and other choirs. That was when I fell in love with musical theater and how I got to know the UST Singers. Some of PGC's alumni even went on to be part of the UST Singers. It was always a joy to watch them perform. Their conductor Prof. Fidel Calalang always arranges songs for UST's annual choral competition, Himig Tomasino. 

UST Singers is a mix of current students and UST alumni. It was founded in 1992 by Sir Fidel as well. They always compete abroad and even holds the distinction in being the only choir in the world to have won the most coveted "Choir of the World" Grand Prize twice (in 1995 and 2010) at the oldest international choir competition in Wales, United Kingdom. 

I would watch them perform few songs when there are events in UST but I've never been to any of their concerts. They always perform and compete abroad and I always miss their Philippine concerts. But when I found out from their Facebook page that they're having a thanksgiving concert, I knew I had to go. Less than 2 weeks before the concert, I would call Ticketworld and CCP to check for the tickets. Siguro nakukulitan na sila sakin. Haha. I brought my brother Jed with me. He's part of Adamson University's High School Glee Club and a fan of UST Singers as well (because of me, of course!). 

The very excited brother. It's also his first time in CCP. He was all smiles when we entered Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.

Took a photo of us while waiting for the show to start. Excited spectators!

We don't know majority of the songs in the program. Before we went to CCP, Jed said he wishes to hear Piliin mo ang Pilipinas. We got a bit disappointed when we saw that it wasn't part of the line-up. But God granted his wish when after Tuwing Umuulan.. people shouted for more again and they performed Piliin Mo ang Pilipinas. Ang saya!

It was such a delightful song. And if you have no idea about Glee, you'll find that "dancing" is just as important as well. There are some songs where they have to dance and they looked so adorable doing it, like when they sang La Aporrumbeosis which is a variations on the Latin dance, rumba. If you close your eyes, you'd think everything was recorded. They were THAT good. Some would think choir or classical music is boring but let me tell you, there never was a dull moment. Their soloists were great, too. Ang linis ng mga boses at ang gaganda ng diction. Hindi kinakain ang mga salita. The soloist on their song, Banwar Iti Cordillera was good, I didn't get goosebumps--I got teary eyed! Haha. And she's an alto too. Such a rich voice. Altos represent! 

I loved their version of Gapas. It had a very good arrangement and I love the dynamics. All choirs can sing a song perfectly by the note, malinis but what will make a choir stand out from others is really the dynamics or the execution of the song, the style--the pitch or pace of a bar can matter and a huge part of that (or maybe all of it) depends on how great your conductor is. At sa dynamics talaga magaling si Sir Fidel. 

And their last song, Get Happy was indeed a happy song. The group surprised the crowd because it was actually a mash up between that and Pharell Williams's Happy. It was such a fun moment when their soloists got the crowd clapping to the beat of the song. The whole theater was happily clapping!

The happy crowd. They got a standing ovation after the show.

That was a really good night. It made me miss singing. My brother and I kept talking about it all the way home. I'll really watch their other shows next time. Who's with me?