La Bête et Sa Rose

Look there she goes that girl is so peculiar
I wonder if she's feeling well
With a dreamy, far-off look
And her nose stuck in a book
What a puzzle to the rest of us is Belle
- Belle

What's with French boys and their roses? I just realized that a pretty rose was central in both the Little Prince's and the Beast's stories. Sorry, even this tiny detail amazes me! So there, I used 'The Beast and His Rose' for my title.


Top: Zara | Brooch: H&M | Skirt: Collab MNL (loved it too much, Ver!) | Shoes: Michael Antonio | Watch: Anne Klein

I wasn't supposed to watch Beauty and the Beast because I was trying to save my parents from spending some more on me this month (I watched it on the 31st January. The post before this happened on the same day) after covering all the expenses brought in by my birthday celebrations and because my musical buddy is currently in Australia with my cousins (Hello Lala!). But then at the last minute, the thought of not seeing this production in person saddened me. So I made the abrupt decision to pester my Mom into buying me a seat, even if I'd have to watch alone. Thankfully I have a very cool, very supportive, very reasonable, very open-minded, very kind, very beautiful Mom. More than buying me a ticket of my desired seat, she willingly accompanied me as well. (Hahahahaha you are super, Mommy!)

As my life has been altered once
It can change again
Build higher walls around me
Change every lock and key
Nothing lasts, nothing holds
All of me
- Home




Don't believe me? Ask the dishes
They can sing, they can dance
After all, Miss, this is France
And a dinner here is never second best
Go on, unfold your menu
Take a glance and then you'll
Be our guest
Oui, our guest
Be our guest!
- Be Our Guest

Disney musical productions are more difficult to pull off because there's already a material to be compared to. Disney has always set the bar so high that imitation is highly undesirable. So who else can top off a Disney movie? Why, Disney of course! Have I mentioned that in all the interviews I've been to, both in school and possible work, I've always given Disney as my dream corporation to work for? I digress. I can't help singing along all the familiar songs because surely, anyone who's watched the Beauty and the Beast film would know parts, if not the entirety, of the songs. Even the dialogues were too familiar that I can spout them off. ("If it's not baroque, don't fix it") These were clear attempts to show how faithful to the movie the musical production is. As for the costumes, they were terrific! I'm particularly happy with Madame de la Grande Bouche's dress (Yes, the Wardrobe has been finally given a name in this version). All in all, I believe the production is a perfect showcase of what Disney has always stood for: an overall overwhelming experience that doesn't sacrifice any aspect of a good story.



It's not because I'm vain (although really, how can anyone who has a blog all about herself not be vain right?) that of all the characters in the musical, my favorite is Adam Dietlein's Gaston. He's just so funny and unapologetically obsessed with himself that I can't help but believe he is indeed God's gift to women. He's a narcissist down to his core. I'm all about seeing a character respond to a catalyst that will change the way he looks at certain things but sometimes, a character is already so perfect that he doesn't need changes anymore. He's already in his optimum. Such is the case for Gaston. I deliberately didn't include lyrics from any of his songs because choosing only a few lines wouldn't do justice to his greatness. When he starts wooing Belle through his perfectly titled song "Me" which goes along the lines of "we shall be a perfect pair rather like my thighs", I can't figure why a sensible ambitious girl like Belle would turn down a he-man such as Gaston when she knows that "no one's slick as Gaston, no one's quick as Gaston, no one's neck's as incredibly thick as Gaston's". Gosh Belle, you're made of steel to not positively respond to the sweetest proposal I've ever heard. "On occasion, women can have their uses too; mainly to extend the family tree. Pumpkin, extend with me!" If his "Me" song wasn't enough to unfasten your resolve, how could you have still said No after hearing Gaston and the townspeople's uplifting "Gaston"? A he-man "built 6 foot 4" with special talents like expectorating (an inspiring talent if I must say so) who has two songs all dedicated to himself wants you for his wife. Okay fine, maybe he has faults too (very minimal though!) but even if "he plans to persecute harmless crackpots" (like, say, Belle's father himself) and admits to taking "cheap shots", isn't it enough that he has "biceps to spare"? Hahahhahahahaaha. Kidding aside, Gaston in the musical is just as villainous as in the movie's. Only, he's the type of villain whose stupidity and narcissism are endearing. Bad actions should not be rewarded, I know, but points for consistency I guess?


Can you just imagine how much more perfect Gaston would have been to me had I seen Hugh Jackman's performance? I would willingly pay for another ticket just to see Gaston again.
from For the Love of Broadway Musicals

Long ago I should have seen
All the things I could have been
Careless and unthinking, I moved onward 
- If I Can't Love Her



Beast: I never knew books could do that
Belle: Do what?
Beast: Take me away from this place
Make me forget for a little while
- Something There

I intentionally wore blue and white since they're the colors in Belle's town dress. The brooch was more symbolic rather than an ornamental piece as well. To represent the Beast's rose, I wore the only flower brooch I have. Probably the only article I donned that was inconsistent of Belle's outfit was my pair of shoes. I should've worn black but hey it didn't look as complementary to my outfit as my blue ones. Oh no, I'm not a mental dresser who always injects symbolisms in what she's wearing. I'm just desperately salvaging my image after admitting to liking Gaston. Haha! Anyway, I'm so jealous of the kids who were seated near us. Some were wearing fur capes like what Belle was wearing! I wish I have the same guts to wear mine as well in public. (There goes the usual shallow babble).

When I'm human again
Only human again
When the world once more make sense
I'll unwind for a change
- Human Again




Barely even friends
Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly
Just a little change
Small to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the Beast
- Beauty and the Beast

Keep Moving Forward

In the midst of our thesis and internship, I found ways to indulge on other things as well. Like not going to work for a day because it coincides with the musical concert where famous Disney soundtracks were given tribute. I've a poor sense of priorities, remember? Just kidding. I nicely asked permission from the supervisors to allow me to be absent due to 'personal reasons'. Here are photos taken last September.


Tank top: Topshop | Knitted cardigan: from Macau | long golden skirt: Verlyn Guiyab | Belt: H&M | Necklace: from Macau | Bag: Kenneth Cole Reaction


Just days ago, I was watching Meet the Robinsons. It's a favorite if only because of this particular resounding scene that is true in every way you look at it. If there's anything that Disney teaches everyone, it's that against all odds, we just have to keep moving forward. 

Lewis: Look, I'm sorry your life turned out so bad. But don't blame me you messed it up yourself. You just focused on the bad stuff when all you had to do was... let go of the past and keep moving forward...
Bowler Hat Guy: Hmm, let's see... take responsiblity for my own life or blame you? Dingdingdingdingding! Blame you wins hands down!

Thanks to my thesismate Kim Sta. Rita for being very very kind and accommodating!

Wicked

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
 So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend
- For Good

I was contemplating on the title I'll use for this post. Then I thought, I've already used plenty of phrases from the songs of Wicked in a couple of previous posts even way back in 2010 just because it's a memorable broadway musical for me, so perhaps there's no better way to entitle this post than simply 'Wicked'. 

Dress: Promod | Sweater: Zara | Shoes: Topshop | Black and gold necklace: Debenhams | Gold peacock necklace: from Macau | Flower ring: Mango

I'm through accepting limits
'Cause someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I'll never know
- Defying Gravity

My last noteworthy activity in HS is our class' production of Wicked. I was entrusted the role of Director so as expected of me, I thoroughly read the script of the broadway musical and excessively listened to its songs. I even hired a voice coach to train the class' leads. If there's anything I took away from that experience, (let's be honest on this, the class didn't bag the over-all best production award), it has to be my renewed love for all things musical. 

One question haunts and hurts
Too much, too much to mention,
Was I really seeking good
Or just seeking attention?
- No Good Deed



There's a kind of a sort of: cost
There's a couple of things get: lost
There are bridges you cross
You didn't know you crossed
Until you've crossed
And if that joy, that thrill
Doesn't thrill you like you think it will
- Thank Goodness

Last 7 February 2014, I watched the broadway production of Wicked which was brought here in Manila with my grandmom who has just gotten back from her year long 'vacation' in the US. Let me borrow her lines when she said, "I can't think of words fit enough to describe it so let's just settle with AWESOME". I loved the musical from the beginning to the ending and if only there is some over-generous financier out there who'll be willing to shell out another Orchestra-seat for me, I'll watch it once more! Haha! It's definitely one of my two most favorite musicals of all time.

It's all in which label
Is able to persist
There are precious few at ease
With moral ambiguities
So we act as though they don't exist
- Wonderful

Of all the lines in Wicked, this is what I've identified with the most. Not to break any of your impressions of me but let's be clear on this one. I may have plenty of both pensive and senseless thoughts alike but never take out of the equation shallowness. But hey, I don't really consider vanity or the thirst to have more, more, and more of superficial things a bad thing. As long as no harm is done to others in pursuit of ones' goals, I still believe that that's completely understandable. Also, I think that there's some brilliance in the kind of shallowness both Fiyero and Glinda displayed. I'm a Machiavellian kind of thinker, as I've mentioned countless of times here, so the result has always been of considerable weight to me when determining the success. Both Fiyero and Glinda eventually got what they wanted, even if they appeared to be, in Fiyero's own word, brainless. When you've gotten what you've wanted, without doing so much as just putting on a pretence of helplessness, you're not stupid in my book. You're actually a genius. Imagine having your desired results delivered at your feet by someone who thought you couldn't do it on your own. Brilliant!

Maybe I'm brainless
Maybe I'm wise
But you've got me seeing
Through different eyes
 - As Long As You're Mine

Past The Point of No Return

Past the point of no return, no backward glances

The games we played 'til now are at an end

Past all thought of 'If' or 'When', no use resisting

Abandon thought and let the dream descend

 I'm still on high! Along with my Lala Ester, who has just arrived in the country from her half a year 'babysitting vacation', my classmate Kim, and her sister Bea, I watched The Phantom of the Opera at the CCP Theater last 6 October. It was such a heart-warming production and was beautifully orchestrated that I want to convince everyone around me to catch the remaining shows before it finally conclude on the 14th. Every penny you'll spend on it, absolutely down to the last nickel, will be worth it, I assure you. Very worth it, in fact, that even if you catch only the Act II and a few minutes of Act I, you still won't consider it a waste. Take it from me, someone who was 40 minutes late! I wasn't able to anticipate the traffic build-up and knowing CCP, I knew they wouldn't budge even if majority of their audience are not there. Lo and behold, we were allowed to enter the theater when Act I was almost over and were asked to stay on the stairs on the sides cause should we proceed to our assigned seats, it would be highly disruptive as ours seats were only two rows away from the front and center. If there's anything I learned from this experience, it would be: Never trust Manila traffic. Seriously.

 



Dress used as top: Topshop| Skirt: Greenhills| Flower brooch: Forever21| Shoes: Mango

I love watching plays. I love the drama, the costume, the set design, the characters, the orchestra, and even the simple opening and closing of the curtain. Above all, I love dressing for plays. I seldom get to wear fancy dresses so when there's an opportunity for me to do so, I grab it wholeheartedly. For this day's event, I chose to wear my almost forgotten embellished dress from Topshop but since the show was at 3PM, I had to tune down the formality. What better way to do that but to add this frilly skirt I found in Greenhills. Added a flower brooch and I was good to go.

Lala's back in the country, yahoo!


Thanks to the Sta. Rita sisters for being so patient and understanding of my tardiness. Hihi

The end of Act I wherein the chandelier crashed on the floor.

I guess you could say that floral is our theme of the day.


Couldn't resist not asking my Lala to buy me the Phantom's mask.

Think of me, think of me fondly

When we've said goodbye

Remember me once in a while

Please promise me, you'll try

- Think of Me

Say you'll love me every waking moment

Turn my head with talk of summer time

Say you need me with you now and always

Promise me that all you say is true

That's all I ask of you

- All I Ask of You

See, this is exactly why I couldn't tell all my friends about this blog. I keep on posting all my psychobabble bullshits (I credit the term to Jodi Picoult. Jodi Picoult na naman? Wala na bang katapusan yan? Well, remember the fanmail I sent her that I storied here? She replied! She freaking replied to me. So kilig!!!)

Thanks to Lala Ester  for all the photos