AMT moments

It's the first Tuesday in a month that I didn't have to rush from Makati to CCP for the workshop. I had felt restless by the time I had closed the door to our office, so I headed to Powerbooks to pass the time away.

Surprisingly, withdrawal wasn't that hard this year compared to last year. Then again, I'm not really all that surprised.

An annual quote... "We do not remember days. We remember moments."

• Sir Roeder's infamous wooden sticks, plus his substitutes. (And run!)


• Sir Nazer's CD that we use for vocalizing.


• "Fillet" being synonymous to "plie," HAHAHA!


• "Delicious" Gino, originating from his trademark jazz walk.


• Guia repeatedly being called "Ghia."


• RJ's true colors coming out almost overnight.


• The 2 Pauls: Lachica and Lachaka.


• Tapa King almost every night. (Happy hotdog, anyone?)


• Going to Malate every Saturday night after class.


• Baywalk buddies. (Talking until the sun rose... while we were facing the other way!)


• 8 o'clock break. Bring out the junk food, mostly sponsored by Cindy.


• Trying to break a 20-peso bill or even a 5-peso coin just for the coffee and soda vending machines.


• Sir Nazer's endless search for junk food.


• Pa-simple pa si Sir Roeder. Siya rin kaya, hehehe.


• Father Joseph's addition to the 8 basic efforts: the wink.


• Princess' autistic way of talking.


• Guia's addiction to the Wheel of Fortune game in Princess' phone.


• The girlfriend/meantime girl gang: Joyce, Princess and Hogi. Naku naman, Allein, sumama ka na sa amin.


• Waiting for Christian and Minette after class.


• Super friends Gino and Hogi.


• Walking from CCP to Taft every night.


• LSS of "Sugarpie, Honeybunch" and "My Humps."


• Faye's school stuff all over the place by the time she arrives at the conference hall.


• Sir Roeder's crazy jokes, such as the "tweet tweet."


• Spirit of the paper.


• Cindy's birthday dinner at Giligan's.


• Pasta galore by Paul R and potluck junk food on Bong's birthday.


• Paolo's collection of Broadway CDs.


• Forever LSS of "Unexpected Song."


• The film viewing, with the crazy choreo that Guia was supposed to do, and those bakulaw performers.


• Mission Hiding "Rose Jasmine" at Harbour Square.


• Cindy's choreo to the show's songs.


• "Syotang Pa-class" at "Syotang Bakla."


• Sir Roeder and Sir Nazer's "okrayan" moments over dinner at Tapa King.

(Hehehe, some of these have been contributed by Cindy.)

Like I had told all of them, it doesn't end there.

Allein, you've been one of the people in the class that I spent time with the most. You're also one of the sweetest and most caring people in the group. And don't tell me that you don't have a voice, because if you can carry a tune, yes, you can sing. I'll truly miss our bonding moments.

Bong, ang forever kengkoy na bugoy. I admire your dancing skills and it's always treat to watch you perform as you are so animated. Idol kita for still being strong after things that you have gone through in life at such a young age.

Cindy, you're wacky, you're crazy, you're fun to be with. Ah yes, my ever reliable insomniac YM chat buddy. I just love your quirks. Salamat sa pag-provide din ng junk food during breaktime, hahaha!

Faye, we never really got to talk that much, but I know we'll still get our chance even though the summer workshop has ended. Believe me, maraming panahon para mag-bonding.

Gemma, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have made it to the workshop. Thank you ever so much! You were great. Don't ever feel pessimistic if you can't do something on the first few tries, because I believe in you. And you did it! Love you, Gem!

Gino, when I first met you right on up to the first day of this year's workshop class, I had never thought we'd become really good friends. You and I remind me of a quieter version of Jack and Karen of Will and Grace fame, hahaha. Aminin mo, pareho lang talaga tayo ng level ng kalandian! My forever waiting buddy, superfriend to all.

Guia, the most outspoken girl among the group, it's never boring or quiet whenever you're around. Maski gaano ka pa kakulit, ayus lang.

Jella, our little sister in the class, and the most graceful of us all. Despite the last minute crazy things that had happened, you still managed to keep your performance level up. Kahit ano pa ang mangyari, good or bad, we're there for you. I'll never forget that warning about C2 equals one cup of rice, hahaha!

Joseph, naku, easy lang sa pagiging too touchy, Father. Thanks for all the laughs and crazy stuff that you manage to come up with without any effort at all. So I guess by now, you've already memorized your songs? Ahehehe.

Joyce, you may say that we became close a little too late, but nothing's too late. Marami pang paraan para magkita kita ulit tayo. Tuluy-tuloy pa rin ang mga kwento! Hahaha, exes unite! Tama na ang pagiging bitter. We're gorgeous. I'll miss being mataray with you, though, hahaha!

Marlon, I know you regret being out of place, but it's not your fault or anyone else's. You're a talented guy, and we're all genuinely grateful for your friendship. Hope to still see you around.

Paolo, oh my, I was so surprised to find out that you were the one standing next to me on that first day. Our resident repetiteur, hehehe. Pahiraman pa rin tayo ng Broadway CDs!

Paul L, makulit ka man, but you know me, I can be more makulit than the next person, haha. Thanks for keeping my spirits up whenever I'm tulala, bored or out in the ozone. And no, you've got it wrong, I'm not that much of a gimmick person that you think I am. Tambay lang, hahaha.

Paul R, I just love you for what you are! You're quirky, bubbly and witty, and I just admire your individuality. I sure do hope you keep up your directing skills, because I know you're brilliant. Thanks for the notes that you've observed and the little pieces of advice.

Princess, you're such a sweetheart. I never thought you'd be the girl I'd hit it off real well with, but I guess I thought wrong. Basta, we gotta meet up again soon wherever and whenever para tuloy pa rin ang mga kwento. I really cherish those bonding moments with you and Joyce.

RJ, ah yes, Rose Jasmine, as Sir Roeder and Sir Naz had christened you. Idol kita sa mga galaw galaw mo! Even though I haven't picked up anything from your body jam sessions, ikaw pa rin ang aking syotang bakla, hahaha! See you around, boyfriend!

Sir Roeder and Sir Nazer, both of you have been truly inspiring. Thank you loads for all the patience, the encouragement, the endless "nags" and everything else. Your gentle pushes had helped me believe in myself more. Here's to next year's plans? Hahahaha!