dual*ities

I just realized that I spent a total of about 20 hours watching live basketball games these past four weeks. (The computation includes the amount of time spent traveling to and fro the venue of the games and waiting for the games to start, but doesn’t take into account the time spent for ticket-hunting.) Yup, my basketball buddies and I stuck to our pact of attending every single ADMU game in the 2^nd round of UAAP Season 68. If the increasing number of UAAP tickets that I’ve collected these past few weeks isn't proof enough, then the pictures below (which I just saw a few days ago in www.fabilioh.com) would give one a glimpse of how much I (along with my basketball-loving friends) have become a true-blue UAAP groupie. Harhar.

ADMU vs. UP (08-25-05): That's Maits and me,
just above L.A.'s, uh, bum. Harhar.
Source: Aly Yap of Fabilioh.com

ADMU vs. UST (09-03-05): Off-court action. Who do you think
was the most excited about the game?:) [3rd row, L-R] Reg,
Carmen, Bing; [2nd row, L-R] Maita, moi; [bottom-most row] Trina.
Source: Miguel de Leon of Fabilioh.com

So yes, we were present in every game of Round 2 (except for the ADMU-ADU match, which fell on the same day as the JVP Board Meeting), thus witnessing the Blue Eagles' every victory and defeat. The wins, of course, were such energy boosters! The losses, on the other hand, were really frustrating. The result of the game last Thursday against DLSU was especially heartbreaking. The Blue Eagles played scared, while the Archers played like the defending champions that they are. It was, more than anything, a mind game— one that Franz Pumaren’s boys seem to have really gotten good at. It was such an emotionally-charged ballgame such that even we— the supporters—were pretty exhausted when it ended. It’s as if we were the ones playing on court! With that loss, coupled with UE’s loss to DLSU earlier today, the Blue Eagles are now faced with a twice-to-win disadvantage— either against the formidable FEU squad or the tougher-by- the-minute DLSU quintet— in their quest for this year's UAAP Championship. But then, as we always say, win or lose, we will stand by the ADMU team all the way! I really just hope that they have learned from their past mistakes and will genuinely play their hearts out during the play offs, the Final Four matches, and hopefully, the Championship. One big fight!

Anyway, in the midst of waiting for those crucial games, my friends and I found something to truly cheer and be proud about yesterday, as we watched our friend George wow ‘em all with his outstanding performance in Trumpets’ rendition of the Hans Christian Andersen classic, The Little Mermaid. For a while there, we thought he was only gonna appear as The Seahorse (not that there's anything wrong with that ü). But he did turn out to be The Prince after all.ü And he really did play his role to a T! Such a natural performer, our friend is. The Christian theme of the play makes it all the more perfect for him to be part of the ensemble. George is, without question, a winner through and through with this latest endeavor of his.

Backstage with the stars of the show! [Back row, L-R] Tintin, John,
George (a.k.a. Prince Christian), moi, Maita; [Front row, L-R] Bing,
Ashley (a.k.a. Jewel/The Little Mermaid), and Carmen.

Putting the "G factor" (the George factor, that is) aside, the whole production was enjoyable to watch. The colorful costumes, the set, et al, were creatively done (although I learned from my friends that everything has been considerably pared down as compared to the play’s initial run in 1996). The entire thing, in my humble opinion, was much-better executed than Atlantis’ Beauty and the Beast (well, maybe except for the Marketing aspect of the show). This production may not have big name performers as part of its ensemble (as in the case of AAI's Once On This Island), but its cast members, in a very real sense, are stars in their own right. So yeah, a huge round of applause goes to George and co. for a job well done!