The Taylor Swift Spectacle ★

“I spent most of time writing songs about love and heartbreak, and love and heartbreak, and then love and heartbreak.

The thing about love and heartbreak is that they are almost the same.” -Taylor Swift (Manila, 2011)

 The moment I heard/read that Taylor was coming to Manila turned out to be a hoax. So, when news of her "official" tour date in Manila was released I was so ecstatic! Of course Katsy was too, we waited for the tickets to be available, like everyday monitoring from all sites but alas there were more important things we needed to attend to when the "ticket" day came. News of the tickets selling like hotcakes spread so fast and we both didn't want Gen Ad seats which according to the rumor the only seats left. Thinking of a family friend who has connections, I thought what the heck it's for Taylor Swift so I texted her asking if she could score 2 tickets for any area except Gen Ad. The text I received was like a message from the angels, "I have 2 upper box b tickets here reserved under your name, please get it within the day" OMG! I'm gonna be watching Taylor!!! I asked Katsy a favor to get the ticket for us since that day was our company Christmas party.

Fast forward to February 19, 2011. 

I arrived around 4pm and there was a very long line already, the concert is at 8 hello?!? Anyway, I fell in line & started my barrage of texts to Katsy. To make the long story short, she came from a school thing in Bulacan & was stuck in traffic. I think this was the first time I wished that they wouldn't open the gates yet. It was supposed to be open 6pm but due to the volume of people causing traffic outside they opened 5:30. I let a whole lot of people pass me by in the line. I should have known better & asked Katsy for my ticket the times we saw each other. If I did that we could have had good seats. Our area was not all bad there weren't tall people in front of us blocking every possible view like my past concerts. I think I'm getting used to standing while watching concerts.

The Philippine National Anthem started the night followed by Sam Concepcion. After his act, we had to wait for a couple of minutes before the star of the night appeared. Taylor opened the night with Sparks Fly. Followed by the songs below:

Mine

The Story of Us

Back to December mashed with a few lines from Apologize & You Are Not Sorry

Better Than Revenge

Speak Now

Fearless mashed with some lines of I’m Yours, using a Ukelele

Fifteen

You Belong With Me

Dear John

Enchanted

Long Live --> my fave song from the Speak  Now album ♥

Encore: Love Story

I really loved her setlist! Every song she sang, I love!!! I am actually guilty of singing every song along with her. She totally rocked the big dome! It was also endearing to see her "little" fans singing her songs by heart.

All in all, I could say Katsy and I had an enchanting evening with Taylor ★★★

Where Are You?

 

The lyrics says it all...

The Royal & Pontifical Catholic University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Celebration

Last Jan 27 was a once in a lifetime experience I would never forget. Edz, Vida, Girlie and I along with Girlie's friends witnessed the countdown to Quadricentennial. Imagine we are alumna's of a University full of history and trials. The word Quadricentennial isn't even acknowledged by spell check, it means it's not used very often hehe ;) 

I started the day browsing stuff being sold at the bazaar. My goal was to buy a jacket for me & shirts for Edz & EJ. When I arrived at the booth of the perfect white shirt, the shirt Edz & EJ wanted (which was incidentally the same as the shirt I was wearing) is completely sold out. I texted Edz the bad news. I was off to search for my jacket. I reached the booth where they sold official Quadri merchandise, got hold of a jacket, the size... Large! I tried it on, it was like a nightgown on me. I asked if there were still other sizes, they told me there weren't any. I was about to be discouraged when a lady behind me shouted to the person manning the stocks, asking for available sizes, she replied with "3x & medium". I immediately got her attention & acquired a medium jacket for me ;) It was still big but I'll manage. After weaving my way out of the very crowded booth, Girlie called. It turns out that we were in the same place. She introduced me to her friends and we searched for the very elusive jacket for them. Again, weaving myself into the booth... unfortunately they were too late. We then walked to Dapitan because Girlie was hungry, lo & behold a store there sold jackets :) Girlie was more than happy to purchase one. After, the jacket acquisition & snack we went back inside & took pictures. Of course, this event is too important to forget the ever reliable camera. 

It was time for the unveiling of the QuattroMondial, a 10-meter high monument rendered by internationally-acclaimed sculptor Ramon Orlina, also a Thomasian. We met Vida & Edz at this time. Since Girlie & her friends took pictures already we opted to divide the group first to take pictures. Vida, Edz & I wasted no time & took every shot possible. We even posed in front & behind different landmarks & decorations. 

While roaming around, we even saw our former professor & had a picture taken with him. That was fun. We headed to the AB building after tiring our mouths from too much smiling ;) We entered the building... woohoo.. timewarp! hehehe ;) The AB shirt for that year looked great definitely a step up from the AB shirts of our year. Of course we ordered shirts ;)

We met Girlie after this, she was seated on the ground in front of  the big screen in the main bldg. We watched performers while waiting for the official countdown & grandest fireworks ever. 

Being in the campus that time made me so proud to be a Thomasian! ;)

As my shirt says, "Trivia: In Espana Tigers live up to 400 years & beyond!"

PS. I know you would want to see the grandest fireworks ever, so here they are... ;)

I Won't Give Up

Don’t tell me love is something you won’t try again
That’s just not true
But baby right now maybe what you need’s a friend
Well I’m here for you

I will be by your side
If ever you fall deep in the dead of the night
Whenever you call
And I won’t change my mind
No I’ll see you thru
And I won’t give up
No I won’t give up
I won’t give up on you

You need someone who knows you from the inside out
The way I do
I’ve seen you walk the wire never looking down
I believe in you

I will be by your side
If ever you fall deep in the dead of the night
Whenever you call
And I won’t change my mind
No I’ll see you thru
And I won’t give up
No I won’t give up
I won’t give up on you

I will be by your side
If ever you fall deep in the dead of the night
And I won’t give up
No I won’t give up
I won’t give up

You can call it love
But I won’t give up on you