Virtual Links of my Favorites

Ms. Bernadette Sembrano at http://www.bernadettesembrano.com/

Ms. Gretchen Malalad at http://www.gretchenmalalad.i.ph

Ms. Sharon Cuneta at http://www.sharoncuneta.com/

Ms. KC Concepcion at http://www.kcconcepcion.com/

Ms. Agot Isidro at http://agotisidro-sandejas.com

Mr. Jim Paredes at http://haringliwanag.pansitan.net/ (Writing on Air Blog)

Ms. Jamie Rivera at http://www.jamierivera.com.ph/

Ms. Nene Tamayo at http://www.kumandernene.net and http://www.bobnene.com

Ms. Barbie Almalbis at http://www.barbiealmalbis.com

Ms. Kitchie Nadal at http://www.kitchienadal.com

Ms. Carrie Underwood at www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com

Ms. Julia Roberts at www.aboutjulia.com/  

Mr. Eric Mana at www.ericmana.com.ph 

MYMP at www.mymp.com

More shortcuts soon!

Meet the two R.A.’s

 Ruth Angeline, fondly called as "Andidong" is my real inaanak.   

  Rachelle Anne is her younger sister who eventually becomes my instant inaanak, too. 

Both are calling me "Ninang Sheggz".
Both are carbon-copy of their parents…
Both has the markings of being Timang in their own ways.

Didong looks a lot like her father, Anei… the shy and snob type

While Rachelle is a lot like her mom, Raquel… the charming and mashowbiz. 

Giving gifts should always have to be two.  Without the other… GIYERA PATANI.

I warned Ate Raquel that Rachelle is the one following my footsteps..

Timang din paglaki…  See the pictures… pangKText na rin..

I saw Didong's pictures…
parang si Ninang na laging Miss Japan or Miss Chinese kapag United Nation's Day.

Pag may mga events ito sa school… ang Mommy Kaye, aligaga sa paghahanap ng costume… binubulabog pati ang nananahimik na Ninang.. hehehe

Meet the Man of Magic

I was watching It's A Guy Thing on Studio 23 when I saw Erik Mana.  So I stay tuned to watch him.  Erik is my all-time favorite Magician….

A DVD is now out featuring his show at ABS-CBN (Studio 23) last July, entitled Mastermind, The Magik Of Erik Mana.

      

Bewitched, bothered, bewildered.

Erik Mana leaves you gasping for more. Enter a world where things aren't what they seem, where everything you thought impossible is now happening before your eyes. Its a world where your mind encounters delirium, your senses are defied and reality bends all through the mystifying magik of Erik Mana.

Erik mana takes viewers to the darker realms of the unexplainable- exploring the mysteries of supernatural forces, mind manipulation and more shocking magik never before performed by any other magician in the world.  (From KabayanCentral Website)

'Mastermind:' The darker side of Erik Mana
From: Manila Bulletin  | Date: May 9, 2006

Byline: Walden Sadiri

Not all magics are suitable for children.

However uncanny, the statement above holds true in the case of renowned street magician (a performer who does his illusions with people he meets on the street without the aid of special effects) Erik Mana who's staging his "Mastermind, Live! The Magic of Erik Mana" on May 27 at the Music Museum. His promotional posters even carries a warning: "Some scenes may be frightening to young audiences. Parental Discretion is advised!"

"Mastermind Live!" according to Erik Mana will be a combination of his street …

May 17, 2006

Mastermind Live

by Cathy Paras; Images by Edward Dela Cuesta and Jay Lara

There are many reasons why you won't forget Erik Mana. One of them is because he introduces himself as Erik Mana, Magician. "It's strange," he quips. "In Canada (where Mana grew up), magicians are recognized and even revered. But here in Manila, being a magician isn't exactly seen as a positive thing."

A NOBLE PROFESSION

Mana considers being a magician a noble career choice. "I influence people's thinking, I affect people's emotions. I make people laugh, cry, gasp, and shake their heads in disbelief. Why shouldn't it be a respected profession, just as any other profession out there?" 

This magician has slowly but surely gotten more attention from the media. After a few successful television appearances - most notably with Stranger (aired in 2004 by ABS CBN's Studio 23) and the ubiquitous presence of the Mystical Artists of Ruse and Conjure (M.A.R.C. for short, with members Conrad Alampay, Ethel Campana, Rony Mariano, JB Dela Cruz, and Martin Paz) on the street magic scene, the craft and the artistry that is Magic has morphed into something contemporary and highly appealing to audiences. You could say that Mana's magic has extended itself outside of the run-of-the-mill birthday party 'rabbit in the hat' trick. He and the younger magicians of Manila have helped change how Filipinos typically see a magic show.

MENTALISM

"I don't take anything away from the magicians that one may traditionally find using hats and boxes and those kinds of effects. That's what they do and they are very good at it. I'm a lot more interested in mind-reading, in interpreting people's reactions. I'm more into mentalism." Mana prefers studying human psychology to performing tricks and confirms that he does not want to be known by his Filipino audience as a trickster. "My goal is to affect people."

 You can't help but compare Manila's Erik Mana to New York City's David Blaine, who at the time of the interview had just finished his week-long stay inside a "human aquarium" and failed to break the Guiness Book of World Records for the longest breath held underwater. When asked if he saw himself performing any endurance tests in the near future, Erik answered with a resounding "No!" Erik is quick to distinguish himself from Blaine, whom most modern day wizards call "an inspiration."

"I'm not like Blaine, who uses street magic as a platform to get to the greater things that he's doing. I don't think I can do what he can do. But that's why people are amazed by him - he makes the impossible seem attainable, seem possible. That's what I strive to do in my magic - to suspend people's disbelief and make them believe."

LIVE IN MANILA 

The Magic of Erik Mana, Mastermind Live, is Erik and his brother, Alvin's (a television and film producer/director) most ambitious project yet. Two production outfits, a stage-crew, and hands-on help from the M.A.R.C. members will be needed to take the show to the level where Erik and Alvin want it to be.

Alvin, a magician himself, knows all of his brother's tricks (a statement that produces a sly smile from Erik). "At least I'd like to think that I know Erik's magic. It's really necessary with this kind of production. That's why it's his biggest show yet - it requires him to depend on me, on the crew, on the M.A.R.C., on the production people, and even on the audience! It's grand because it requires this large-scale collaboration."

 The Mana brothers are excited for the show, which they expect to have last-minute changes up until showtime. They think that the intimate setting of the Music Museum stage will be the perfect venue for Erik's first live stage performance. One thing is certain - Erik does not want it to be a typical show.

"I want to hit people on an emotional level. I want them to talk about (the show) for days, months, even years after May 27." With Mastermind Live, he just might make the seemingly impossible, possible.   (http://www.clickthecity.com/arts/?p=1091)

 

Cutie Cute Cute

Well oh well.. let's talk about the dragons… hehehe

Dunno what's in my pictures that provoked some dragons to send these messages…  Don't get offended my dear friendsters… natawa lang talaga ako sa mga pinagme-message ninyo sa akin.

This one's from Joel:

HELLO AGAIN 'CUTIE''!! 
U knw wht ang sbi nla talented k dw… matalino na marami pa alam…gaya ng kumanta,magplay ng piano,etc..
kaya nga me naging interesado na makilala ka talaga kc i like the person like u, tingin ko pagmakakasama kita dme maboboring…am i ryt…? and u deserved it nmn kc db!! kita nmn ang ebidencya eh..
hope the smile n ur face will nver lost..ang ganda mo kc pagnkasmile ka palgi…

From my college friend, Wilson:

Still the same sheggz, just a little new look, but still just the same, still quite mysterious, hehehhe
Hope u'll have a genuine smile someday, nevertheless ur smile is still as captivating as before…

 

Sa uli-uli…. wear a clear eyeglasses… hehehe
Thanks anyway!

Aim to be Iconic in the Future

Speaking of career, Mdme Susan Baytan mentioned to me that she’s wondering why our school is not inviting me for a career talk. And I casually replied,

“Eh bakit naman kasi ako ang magtatalk… gusto mo bang mawalan ng kinabukasan ang mga batang makikinig sa akin? Hindi naman ako valedictorian ng class namin. Bakit ako magsasalita?”

She told me…

“You don’t need to be on top to inspire others with how you’ve managed your life and your career. And I believe that you have something great to share… that even your former teachers will listen. Natuwa nga ako ng makita ko ang picture mo sa compilation of successful graduates sa school eh.”

Sheggz: Ay shocks… un ba ung hininging picture ni Mdme. Lejos sa kin? Kala ko nagtatanong lang kung saan ako ngwowork dati. Tanggalin ninyo un, Dios ko… May makakita pa nun eh matawa…

Sansu: Tange! Talagang gusto naming mailagay name mo dun. Successful ka naman ah.

Sheggz: Hindi. Alam ko pag successful ako.

Sansu: At anong scorecard mo para sabihing hindi ka successful.

Sheggz: Wala kaya akong savings. Hindi naman sa akin napupunta un. Kala lang nila, porke malimit akong gumala, puro gala lang ang alam kong gawin.

Sansu: That alone cannot convince me that you are not successful.

Naisip ko… pano nga kaya kung magsalita ako sa harap ng mga estudyante?

Ano naman kaya ang sasabihin ko?

May mainspire kaya ako?

Even before, I used to make this claim…

“Don’t forget my name….Sheggz… the name… soon to be a legend.”

Naalala ko tuloy si Direk Joey Reyes, when he introduced Gretchen Malalad in PDA during their Halloween Party… Natawa ako.

“The name… once a legend… now an ICON… GEGE”

O davah?!? Ang tarush! Ibang level un ah! Kawindang!  Iconic! Hehehe

Backtrack

I’ve been trying to backtrack my life from the day I can remember. So I could determ ine how far I have gone and what I have accomplished before I turn 28. And I smiled because I remembered a lot of things when I was still young… 

Eversince… I am a born-dreamer.

I dreamt of becoming a bus driver and the one gives the ticket, a nun, a doctor, a runner, a drummer, a boxer, a pianist, a violinist, a flutist, an animator, a music conductor, a tennis player, a karate expert, an equestrian, a journalist, a missionary, a writer, a scriptwriter, a traveler, a teacher and a lyricist and to be someone who can inspire other people.

And as I look myself now… a long-time software developer, analyst, project lead…
What happened with my dreams? Whehehe

Now it boils down to achieving what I still want to do even if I am no longer young… and this remains…

A drummer, a pianist, a karate expert, a writer, a lyricist, a violinist, a flutist…

In fairness to me (hehehehe), I tried to look for venues for the talents that I know are innate. I failed and succeeded at some points. I smiled every time I hear appreciations for the little things I do especially in music.

I was never and will never be a failure… so long as I have that dreams and the passion to achieve it. My 27 years is never a waste… it’s just that at some area it has been wrongly-managed by Sheggz, herself.

And I always look back to what Mdme. Rodil’s, prediction once shared not to me but with someone else…

“She’ll go places with her dreams…”

What made her say that?  What made me not fulfill that?

A lot of people are expecting that I can be great in my own little ways.
Why am I not making any effort to jump and tumble at the expense of achieving dreams.

At this time, I would want to fulfill a dream I loved the most… become a pianist..

And this November… I’m definite with my first plan to step into Mr. Ryan Cayabyab’s Music Studio. So Rowell could go back to be with me on my piano recital.

Then with my other plan… to become a karate expert under KDA or Gege’s Dojo..   Hayeeahhh!

Really a Bad Joke

Characters:

GhostFighter                           – a 23-year old man
August, Angel, Wave, Matutina – GhostFighter’s Friends

This is a true story but I chose to hide the real names of the ones involved.

Yesterday, I got a text from GhostFighter at around 11:43am.

What if isang malamig na bangkay na pala ang ktxt mo dahil na disgrasya cya at di nya pa ito tanggap at nangako syang babalik?

Sheggz:          “Sbi sa Ghost Whisperer ang ghost hndi nkkahawak ng solid na bgay. Pno  ka mkkpgtext?”

GhostFighter: “Malakas pa rin ang mind over matter, kaya nga pag may multo, madalas nakakarinig tayo ng mga kaluskos.” (sent 11:51am)

 

Sheggz:         “It takes time b4 d ghost learn it. E pg bgla, d nya p alam gwin un.”

 

GhostFighter: “Malakas ang mind power ko kaya kaya ko yung gawin, lalo nat may potential din ako ng esp at pag open ng 3^rd eye” (11:55am)

Hi, gud pm!  This is GhostFighter's brother, let's offer a prayer for kuya, coz as of 12:30 this afternoon, kuya died in a motor crash, dead on arrival sya. (1:38pm)

After reading the message, I ignored it and placed my cellphone on my drawer. Then in less than 5 seconds, I got a call from August asking if I have received a message from GhostFighter. I asked him to call. I told him we were exchanging texts at around 11am. I never made an effort to call GhostFighter.

Instead, I sent the same message to Matutina. It was on Matutina’s reply that I got really surprised and threatened, not on GhostFighter.

Matutina:         “omg! Totoo b? Kinikilabutan ako sis. Sixth Sense Man warned me that someone I know will pass away. Can you confirm? Pls. call the number, I’ll send you load.”

I replied immediately not to send load cause I don’t intend to call GhostFighter.
But the next text I got from “Share-A-Load” confirming that a load has already been sent.
Before trying to dial GhostFighter’s number. I texted Angel if she received the same. She asked me whether it’s true.

I replied with….

“Ewan ko. GhostFighter na GhostFighter ang text eh”

I reviewed previous texts sent to me by GhostFighter. The pattern is the same.
I typed in Big Bold Letters…

“If you’re really dead and the one you sent is true, then have the lights turned off NOW!
I’ll count 15 seconds.”

I was thinking that if GhostFighter is now a ghost, he can no longer have any other senses working at the same time. So, I let my message flashed on my monitor so he could read it. I waited for 1 hour and lights were still ON.

Instead, I texted GhostFighter.

“E ano nmang mangyayari sau?”

“Bakit?”

“A bad joke, GhostFighter.”

“Really a bad joke.”

“Ano bang nangyayari sayo?”

“Pg gnawa mo un, pag-uuntugin ko kayo ni Rowel at Ren Adriel.. Mga mang-iiwan.”

Then due to Matutina’s request, I called GhostFighter. Cellfone Unattended.

At 5:19pm, I received a text from GhostFighter.

“Sorry sa perwisyong ginawa ng kapatid ko, hiniram nya cp ko, at nabasa ko ang sent items, pinagalitan ko sya, bad joke ginawa niya, sorry ulit.”

Sheggz: “Really a bad joke.”

GhostFighter: “Grabe, nga eh, sensya na po talaga.”

I called him up.. in a mellow voice… but I was angry.

Matutina: “Tarantadong bata yan!”

“Tawagan mo nga. Just to make sure na buhay cya.”

“Sama ako. Bubunutin ko isa isa ang ph nya! Hahaha!”

I sent a text message to some friends who got the same text.

“Don’t worry about GhostFighter. We’re just being fooled (daw?!) by his brother. He didn’t know that his brother sent dat bad joke. He just woke up. No load & cud nt rply. Sorry daw.  Reserve ur flowers & donations when he comes back to Manila. Tutuluya ko talaga cia.”

That bad joke ruined my day.

Not because of the content but on the manner it was sent to friends and the reason why such kind of senseless message was made.

It was sent to friends who in one way or the other might get hurt.

We’re friends… Why?

Didn’t you know that I know you… huh?!

GhostFighter.. si Sheggz to!

Where is Sheggz in the Greatest Scheme of Things?

Sis. Jenny Galang introduced this song to me. I learned that it’s from Bukas Palad. *Clap! *Clap! *Clap!

This was played while Jen was giving a talk in Singles for Christ and was used for reflection. While others are crying, I remained calm. I took the time not only to reflect but to listen to the song. I smiled. So unusual to smile on such event that requires the audience to be quiet and crying… Right there and then, I knew that it was the perfect song that speaks exactly of what it’s in my heart.

I looked at each one of my brothers and sisters… all crying…  Why cry on song that inspires?
Why bother…. if they want to cry?
It just requires the listeners to think and reflect on the kind of life we have as pilgrims.
And it will leave you a very interesting question of…

“Where were you in that greatest scheme of things?”

A reply that no one else can answer but you.
Don’t cry at all times.
Stop. Look and Listen with all your heart.
Crying sometimes prevents us to discern what our hearts really want to say.

Guys… take time to read the lyrics… it's really good!

Pilgrim's Theme
Lyrics by Johnny Go, SJ
Music by Manoling Francisco, SJ

Tired of weaving dreams too loose for me to wear.
Tired of watching clouds repeat their dance on air.
Tired of getting tied to doing what’s required
Is life a mere routine in the greater scheme of things?

Through with taking roads someone else designed.
Through with chasing stars that soon forget to shine.
Through with going through one more day – what’s new?
Does my life still mean a thing in the greater scheme of things?

Refrain:
I think I’ll follow the voice that calls within
Dance to the silent song it sings.
I hope to find my place, so my life will fall in place
I know in time I’ll find my place in the greater scheme of things.

Each must go his way. But how can I decide?
Which road I should take; who will be my guide?
I need some kind of star to lead me somewhere far.
To find a higher dream in the greater scheme of things.

The road before me bends; I don’t know what I’ll find.
Will I meet a friend or ghosts I left behind?
Should I even be surprised that you’re with me in disguise
For it’s your hand I have seen in the greater scheme of things.

Refrain:
I think I’ll follow the voice that calls within
Dance to the silent song it sings.
I hope to find my place so my life will fall in place
I know in time I’ll find my place…

Bridge:
For yours is the voice in my deepest dreams
You are the heart, the very heart of the greater scheme of things.

So here I’ll follow the voice that calls within
Dance to the silent song it sings.
I hope to find my place, so my life will fall in place
I know in time I’ll find my place…

Chorus:
Why don’t we follow the voice that calls within.
Dance to the silent song it sings.
One day we’ll find our place
For all things fall in place.
For all things have a place
in the greater scheme of things.