Archive Page 2

31
Oct

Loss Of Credibility

By conrad-mananes 0 Comments
Categories: Television

Last Saturday, I arrived home to relax and catch a few hours of info-TV. For this week, I decided to join my siblings for an hour of Mike Enriquez’s Imbestigador. It was the Halloween presentation and we thought it would be really fun to scare ourselves half to death–just like last year. This year promised to be a really good screamer. They had footage of some ghosts appearing in creepy places as well as seemingly harmless venues such as public utility vehicles.

We waited patiently as they presented the lesser stories. The first one was really bad–okay, just boring. It was a masked magician. Masked because he was revealing the secrets to the most intriguing tricks–namely, cutting a lady into three parts–knowing very well that an illusionist to reveal the trade secrets is against the magician’s code of ethics.

Finally, the portion we were waiting for came…the ghost videos. We were all expecting an extensive story from the people who happened to catch the ghosts on camera. Boy, were we disappointed. After much drama on the presentation of the videos, they suddenly tell the audience that last week’s presentation of the video was part of their televised experiment. Everything was a hoax.

I tell you, even if they win an award for this episode, they will have a hard time getting me to watch this show again. This is a classic example of "trust betrayed". And to the people involved in the conceptualization of this televised hoax:

"Good luck in regaining the public’s trust."

23
Aug

The Third Wheel

By conrad-mananes 0 Comments
Categories: Television

Santos_copy_1 I was watching TV and I chanced upon a story concerning the relationship of singer Erik Santos and Ruffamaequinto2comedienne Rufa Mae Quinto. Both seem to be happy and claim that their relationship is based on mutual love and respect. This should not concern any of us since all of us lead private lives outside the workplace. It just so happens that people in show business have a tendency to be spotted even during their days off. It raises a few questions, therefore, why another famous personality seems to be overly concerned of either of the two’s welfare.

Sunken_02 It is a mystery to me why Richard Gomez (print ad model, & pseudo-talk show host) is so vocal about the two. There are times when one’s opinions are best kept to the confines of one’s room. In this situation, the only opinions that do count are Erik’s and Rufa’s. Another person’s opinions only count if this person is directly Lucytorresgomez6mcaffected. Could it be that Richard is very much enamored with Rufa and plans to leave his wife?  Is this an indication of his amorous intentions on Erik? I remember rumors flying before his express marriage to Lucy Torres that he was the benefactor of several gay political figures.

Richard_1 If you put the facts together, Mr. Gomez may just be missing the attention he used to get from his former wealthy and very gay benefactors.

04
Jul

We’re Still Hot: A Look Back

By conrad-mananes 1 Comment
Categories: Sports

Logo_wsh_2Not a lot of people will probably admit to this nor could they relate to what I am about to say. People are multi-faceted. Each face we use for certain situations we encounter. The characters of "We’re Still Hot: The Musical" someho w showcased four of the many sides of my personality. In many ways, there is a lot of me in each of the characters portrayed in the play.

Marnie Summers represents that part of me that is still very angry for being abused in my childhood.

Zsu Zsu Herendy is that performer in me. The one that is desperately trying to get noticed. And all the time hoping that people are mature enough to look past my age and perhaps realize that people over 30 still has the capacity to wow an audience.

Cynthia Sawyer is that side of me that is afraid to grow old. That part of me that feels as if my window of opportunity is on the verge of closing–wishing and praying that something will happen to change the seemingly inevitable fate of aging without accomplishing anything substantial.

Hot2But I suppose the character I seem to relate to most is Kate Philips. An individual so full of promise but as the lyrics of the first song states…

"I was heading for something great but life and I got in the way…" I mean, doesn’t it feel like that sometimes? It’s like one derailment after another. You tell yourself that it’s just life or fate. Most often than not, you convince yourself that you have no control over most of what we experience. However, there are some instances in life that are not set about by mere circumstance. There are things in life that are set in motion or even put to stop by human intervention.

I am, of course, referring to unscrupulous people who have infiltrated casting offices for stage, TV, and radio. Where else can you find an industry bent on keeping the big names big and the new talents grasping at strings. And we are left "…hanging on the coat tails of somebody else’s life…"

It happened on my audition for Lion King Australia where you’re supposed to pre-register but celebrities are allowed to simply walk-in and sing. It was there that I saw, as I handed-in my credentials, that there were separate piles of applicants. One for ordinary people like myself and another for celebrities. On top of the pile was Michael de Mesa.

5644a_still_hot_girlsThis incident was repeated during the auditions for "Rama at Sita"–the second proposed show. During pre-registration, I was told flatly by the man handling the talent search that he would register me under the category of "walk-in". This was not a guarantee that I was going to be allowed to sing or even audition for any part. No, that honor was reserved for what he called–"mga bigatin" or "heavy weights of the industry". I had often wondered if that meant the sons and daughters of actors, socialites and political figures. He told me that I will only be allowed to sing if there was enough time after their preferred talents had tried out.

And even in the voice-over industry, these bastards had set-up their political dynasty. The already established voice talents have created guilds that push and promote only the members of their already worn-out group. No wonder the voices all sound the same. They never let new talent seep through.

It may sound like I’m sour-graping but think about it…isn’t it a crime to push aspiring talents into the mud? Shame on you! How dare you all keep us in the dark while you and your high and mighty group monopolize TV, Radio and Stage. Who are you to tell me that we are not worthy of the limelight?

But this I promise you all. We, the extraordinary talents with bloodlines stemming from the common man–we shall endure. We will flourish and someday leave you so far behind that you will be asking us for work. And when that happens, you will finally experience what it feels to be humbled–to fall-in-line like everyone else. And to be screened for your talents (if any) and not your lineage.

27
Jun

The Question of Cuteness

By conrad-mananes 2 Comments
Categories: Food and Drink

The other day I went to Wendy’s. The line was longer than usual. During such situations, I usually try to look for another place to eat. But since the line was moving, I decided to stick it out. When it was my turn to order, the counter girl looked at me and said:

"Good evening, Ma’am…"

Mildly surprised, I stared at her–the smile on my lips growing into a wicked grin. It took a good 15 or 20 seconds before she realized that the person she was talking to was a man. Mortified, she suddenly exclaimed:

"Sorry sir!" I laughed and told her

"That’s the reason why I cannot work in Saudi Arabia."

Hmmm–am I as cute as I think I am?

19
Jun

Adventures of the Dancing Monkey

By conrad-mananes 0 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized

In the past few weeks, I have noticed that the things happening in my life are both to jump-start me with something I have yet to discover. I remember one time when I was frustrated with my job in the museum, my good friend told me that at least I was sure I wanted to be singing.

Truly, it does seem that the world is pushing me in that direction. Last week was perhaps my busiest in terms of using my voice. I received a call from the studio for a follow-up commercial. The next day, I had a wedding to sing at. I always have fun at weddings. I get to belt out and get paid for it.

As for the dancing monkey, he met with the ladies that he was to coach in singing last Thursday. I must say, in all fairness, these rich children were well mannered. They treated me well. Maybe because they know that I was not going to be paid for all of this. Perhaps they know how much of an inconvenience it was for me to spend time with them instead of resting at home.

At any rate, last night we were scheduled to rehearse and the dreaded annoying thing took place, the other two kids who were to perform did not show-up. As for the two that came, only one of them was in the mood for practice. Needless to say, the practice did not go as planned.

The scary part of it all is that the coordinator is asking me to accompany the girls tonight (9:00pm onwards) to coach them during recording. Poor dancing monkey.

I often ask myself: "What sin have I committed to deserve such punnishment as this?" I mean, sure it might prove to be some funny anecdote in the future if and when I decide to become a stand-up comic but what use are these events to the advancement of my carreer?

The sad part is that in all of life’s situations, the answer to any profound question concerning something inexplicable is: "We’ll have to wait and see."

15
Jun

The Return of the Dancing Monkey

By conrad-mananes 0 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized

Tuesday was the start of the week here in Royale. As usual, we had routine things that we all have to do. Then I remembered a very urgent call from Ms. Ellen Pecson last Sunday morning. Michelle needed help with her production number. She and a few friends were slated to perform a special number for her Lola’s birthday.

Of course there was mention of how MPR missed having both Mira and Conrad together to come up with the dazzling numbers that Royale’s Executive committee was so used to. I tried to ward off the responsibility, telling Ms. Pecson that I could only suggest songs that were up tempo that my band sings. The end of the conversation was that I was to revert back to my persona two years ago: "Conrad the Dancing Monkey"!

For those who are unfamiliar with the "term"… Conrad the dancing monkey used to occupy Mr. Mananes’ body. He was at rich people’s beck and call if ever entertaining was needed.

"Get Conrad—he works for free."
"Just feed him, he’ll be happy."

And amid my protestations that I had an important rehersal that evening, the president of Royale insisted that I teach her daughter and her friends to sing.

And so it was, with four magic words, they resurrected the dancing monkey: "Agahan n’yo na lang."

20
Mar

We’re Still Hot: The Musical

By conrad-mananes 0 Comments
Categories: Music

Logo_wsh

The other night, I was privileged to have been given complimentary tickets by my very good friend, Lynn Sherman, to the play she was appearing in—Bahaghari Productions staging of the musical “We’re Still Hot.”

I arrived at the Teatrino in Greenhills at around 7:45 pm and was promptly seated. It was quite a pleasant surprise to be seated right next to Lynn’s parents. I decided early on that it was going to be a very enjoyable evening.

Just then five noisy people of diverse nationalities came barging in and positioned themselves to the right of my seat. The noisiest of them all was this middle-aged blonde woman from UK. She whipped out her ringing cellular phone and started talking to her teenage offspring.

“No, honey, I can’t right now. I’m in the middle of something.—No—no—I don’t know anything about that. You’ll have to talk to daddy. Well, I don’t have his number here. Yes—yes. Call daddy.”

As she put the phone down, the lights dimmed and the overture began. I was really getting into it. The storyline was very interesting. Three former school mates meet at their old alma mater to put on a musical review for their homecoming batch.

At the end of act I, the house lights were raised and everyone began conversing. I had the great misfortune of being of earshot of the “noisy British bitch.” Apparently, the show tipped way below her celestial expectations. She constantly pointed out how this one fared poorly in contrast to all the plays she had watched in other countries—in her lifetime.

Finally, she made the mistake of complaining about something so stupid I would probably remember her by for the rest of my life.

“Why can’t they just speak with their own real accents?”

I was in such a state that any further mention of it would have probably made me burst out laughing. I kept my cool and held back. In my brain, I was bashing her head against the wall screaming:

“…BECAUSE THAT CHARACTER IS HUNGARIAN—YOU NIT WIT!”

18
Jan

Fabricated Truths

By conrad-mananes 0 Comments
Categories: Current Affairs

Resources were at an all-time low. Still reeling from the recent fare-hike adjustment and the daily expense of going to work and eventually eating out, I found myself going to the ATM to extract the last possible withdrawal from my account.

“My last P500.00 until next payday,” I muttered. “It’s not so bad”, I thought. In about a week or two everything will be manageable again.

It was several days before my company’s 11th annual celebration. Everything went like most days except that we did our tasks with a bit more urgency. Just like before, I decided to go out for lunch. I noticed multitudes of police officers lining-up along EDSA. It was then that I remembered that today was: “THE ATTACK OF THE STUPID PRETENTIOUS ACTORS”.—Lady Susan had ordered her minions to converge and congest the streets to stage a demonstration of her magical powers.

Realizing the danger that awaited me, I rushed across EDSA, went into the mall to partake of a hasty luncheon. I shoveled the food into my mouth spoonful after spoonful, not stopping to savor the taste. When I was done eating, I got up and rushed back across EDSA to my place of work. What a relief to have been able to finish my lunch, beating the mindless creatures sent to wreak havoc on my schedule.

I had grown weary from the months of the same unintelligible noise of the opposition. The air was thick with their spiteful racket. Each of them blaring slanderous statements—most of which had as much factual basis as last night’s episode of the “fanta-serye” I always watch. I got back to my desk and went straight to work. I almost felt glad of the sheer volume of the things I still needed to finish. I had a newspaper print-ad to create and four photographic tarpaulin dropdowns to layout. I remember thinking that if these rallyists wanted to cripple the metro, they probably would stage their protest until very late. It was already 8:30 pm when I finished. “Surely the demonstrators would have dispersed by this time”, I thought and proceeded to board the first bus bound for Cubao. The traffic flow was still slower than usual. “Could it be that they had decided to make the event an overnight affair?” I strained to see what the matter was with the vehicular movement but the commotion wasn’t visible from my seat.

When the bus reached the People Power Monument, I noticed that it was richly decorated with expensive-looking tarpaulin banners. They were all embellished with pro-destabilization catch phrases. A handful of demonstrators boarded the bus I was riding and positioned themselves behind my seat. I reached into my bag and fumbled for my portable radio. As I placed the headphones in position and turned the switch, it was only then that I realized that I had accidentally left it running the entire day. The battery was drained and the only sounds that could be heard through the ear pieces were static hiss and a high-pitched shrill you often hear on short-wave receivers.

As I resigned myself to the fact that I wasn’t going to hear music from my very low-tech equipment, I was able to hear the rallyists speaking rather loudly. They pretended to converse among themselves but I knew that they were trying to solicit sympathy from the other passengers. Like a bad version of a song you’d rather not hear, they started to deliver their worn-out script of perpetually complaining about fare hikes.

“Transportation fares are much too expensive nowadays.” Said one

“It’s all Gloria’s fault.” Said another

“Things were much easier when Joseph Estrada was still in office.” agreed a third one.

My patience was starting to wear thin. It was late, I was tired and the last thing I wanted to listen at that moment was a lecture from mindless zombies. In desperation, I switched-on my radio and endured the static. The entire ride to Cubao I was imagining a scenario where I had them gagged and bound to their seats while I had a running monologue pointing out why their conviction were all stupid assumptions.

For starters, nobody forced them to ride that air-conditioned bus. And although I realize that their main goal of making noise was to convey their stand on issues and exercise their right to free speech, I would’ve wanted them to get off the bus and walk to their destination. That would have been a better kind of exercise. The cardio-vascular benefits of walking will strengthen their endurance, burn-off excess fat and improve blood circulation. Blood circulation is essential in supplying much-needed oxygen to their seemingly-atrophied brains. This in turn will allow them to finally think for themselves rather than taking orders from a bunch of actors. Besides, their theatrical conversation about oil prices and fare hikes as well as blaming all of these circumstances on the president is such an old vaudeville act. What transpired in that bus was not an exercise of free speech—the right to free speech is reserved for those who have their own opinions. This privilege is not given to those who recite antiquated scripts repeatedly delivered in the same exact manner since 1973.

Why do rallyists always blame life circumstances on the government? Why is it that with each cataclysmic event in our country, whether it be natural or manmade, the person to be blamed would always be the president. I hate to disappoint all of these people who deliver such erroneous scripts but you don’t expect me to believe that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has a hand at controlling the price of crude oil in the world market. Believe me, she’s not as powerful as you make her out to be.

It amazes me that all of this political unrest started with a “so-called” wire-tapped recording. Don’t get me wrong, I am open to the idea that this technology is available here in the Philippines. I am even willing to listen to a scientific explanation of how a cellular phone might be tapped. Oh yes, I know that all of this “Star Wars” technology is possible. But I also know that we are dealing with the sharp accusations from a group of “award-winning” actors. Thespians who have an entire industry backing them up. This industry boasts of being at the cutting-edge of technology with the utilization of computers. Anything is possible nowadays. Film makers can resurrect dinosaurs and make them roam the streets of New York. They can place an actor on a broomstick and make him fly. If they can convince movie-goers that everything they see on the big screen is real, how much easier it must be to fool the ear.

I accept the fact that President Arroyo has expressed her apologies on the issue but just for kicks, allow me to let you in on a little secret. I am one of the 20 or more voice talents that advertisers hire to imitate the president. 20—and that’s in Metro Manila alone. I have been screened for countless radio commercials and was privileged to be approved for several that have been aired two or three years ago. Even the Philippine Information Agency has availed of my talents immediately after the “Oakwood Mutiny” to create a “Call for Unity” campaign. One cannot comprehend how active this voice imitation business is. And we’re just talking about President Arroyo’s voice.

Think about it…20 or more voice-alikes in Metro Manila. In the provinces there might be more. What if this God-given talent is not only used for shameless financial gain (like I do for radio commercials) but more frightening—irresponsibly utilized to create a mockery of the present administration.

Let me give you the options:

Sound editing on “Pro-tools” on a Mac making use of existing voice recordings—possible but complicated.

Or…

Fabrication of a voice recording—employing voice talents. Terribly easy and convenient. Why even a high school student could make a scandal with a decent microphone on his PC.

Personally speaking, it would take more than an audio recording to fool a voice talent.

04
Aug

We Maxwell Go There: part 3

By conrad-mananes 0 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized

Adding Value to Others

In the past post, I have discussed how John Maxwell noted three distinct characteristics of a successful person. In this post, we shall discuss how you, as an upright leader can add value to the lives of other people.

1. You have to value people - This entails not only telling people how much they mean to you but also includes how you treat them. How you regard them from day to day.

2. You have to make yourself more valuable - In order to become a successful person and leader, you have to make yourself worth more than what people perceive you to be. Nowadays, it’s not enough to be content with a diploma. That degree is very nice but you also have to enrich yourself with more knowledge. Do not let yourself believe the myth that it is okay to be mediocre simply because a lot of people aren’t giving it their 100%. Do not concern yourself with how they think…be the example. Make a difference. Once again, it all starts with finding your passion–what you’re good at and concentrating on that. When you’ve discovered that thing that you do so well, you’ll be able to share not only the talent but also the know-how so that others may follow your example.

3. A good leader knows how to listen - You must know how to relate with your people or "rather the people you are growing". Learn how to listen to those who look up to you. People communicate in different ways. It is your responsibility as a leader to help your people sort things out in their lives so that they can find their strengths and thus become leaders themselves in the future.

4. You have to do the things that God Values - During the seminar, John Maxwell labeled this as something "optional" probably because in America they find it offensive to tell people of your faith. I believe that this is a very important guideline and encompasses most of the rules in being a great leader. If you have God in mind when you make the rules and while you are doing your work, you will always be aware that being such a person in your position, you are responsible for a lot of people. To do the things that God values means that you will not fall into the temptation of leading your group astray. You know that you have to lead them down the straight and narrow in order for them to be upright and just individuals.

*wait for part 4 of Maxwell Go There. Until then, God Bless!

03
Aug

We Maxwell Go There: part 2

By conrad-mananes 0 Comments
Categories: Current Affairs

For those of you who were waiting for the second installation of the John Maxwell seminar, here it is! We left off at some guide questions aimed at how you can find your passion and eventually discover your strengths.

SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE GROW TO THEIR MAXIMUM POTENTIAL

You may notice that people who are already successful somehow knew what they wanted to be at a very young age. Somehow they had focused on attaining this certain goal when they were very little. If you don’t know how to get to succeed, don’t worry too much. It’s quite common not to know what you want to do with your life. It’s okay–really.

Make a "personal plan" for growth–Growth is not an automatic process. Growth moves around purpose. So if you have purpose in life, there’s a very good chance that you are up for a whole lot of positive change.

1. Plan for personal growth - what are you doing right now to make your life better? You have to understand that experience is not the best teacher. If that were true, then every elderly person in the world would be absolutely successful and nobody would be left inside the "homes for the aged".

2. What are you doing to grow the people around you? - This takes place after you have reached your own personal success. Think of people like plants. What are you doing to cultivate their own strengths so that they can reach their success? Remember, the people around you are either making you or breaking you.

My former superior, Dr. Florina Capistrano-Baker, PhD - Director of Ayala Museum eloquently put it as: "We tend to gravitate to the people we can relate to." But what if you can change this common reaction of your own mind. Instead of gravitating to people, why don’t you seek the people you intend to gravitate to. Find people around you who are upright in their field whom you can emulate. Surely, this positive image will open your perspective to a whole new world of opportunities. Gravitate to people who will make you strive for better things and grow.

3. Success is Sowing seeds that Benefit Others–Think about this, "Successful people are committed in adding value to other people." By this, Maxwell means it is everyone’s responsibility to try and influence other people in doing the just and upright things in this world.

I shall try to explain further in part three… but for now God Bless.

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