Musikapella 2006

As promised, here are some pix I've got from our choral competition last September 3, 2006.

This picture was taken inside our vehicle to the venue after practicing in school. There's Mikka, I and Rjeelyn.









Almost there. Chilling at the back stage during the rehearsals two hours before the program with Rizelle, Ate Clarisse, Ate Angela, and Rjeelyn.

Still trippin' to ease the excitement and nervous feeling before the show with Mikka, Robert, Rjeelyn, Sharmaine and Ate Camille and Kuya Joseph.

It's time to shine! Preped up and ready, my choir mates and I, along with our ever hardworking conductor, Sir Paul gave our shot to sing our song pieces Paraiso and Anak. This is seriously the best time of my life.

Naruto

Anime:

(From the manga creation of Masashi Kishimoto published in 1999)
Originally Aired: October 3, 2002
Status: ongoing at Cartoon Network

Summary: During the rule of the Yondaime Hokage (Fourth Hokage), the Hidden Village of Leaf (Konoha Gakure) was attacked by the fierce Nine-Tailed Fox Demon (Kyuubi), predicting the destruction of the village if it was not captured and sealed. Knowing his responsibility to protect the village and the villagers, Yondaime Hokage sacrificed himself and sealed the fearsome Kyuubi in the belly of a baby boy named UZUMAKI NARUTO. The Sandaime Hokage (Third Hokage) resumed his position in the village after the death of the Yondaime and made a rule that no one in the village must speak a word about the Kyuubi being sealed within Naruto.

Ever since he was young, Naruto was hated by the people of Konoha for they presume that Naruto is the Kyuubi. Naruto did not understand the reason behind the coldness of the villagers towards him. In order to attract attention from them, he did all sorts of pranks and idiocy but still did not succeed. Until he became a student at the village’s ninja academy he went on with his antics trying to amuse himself despite his solitude. At the age of 13, for the third time, Naruto failed in the academy test which featured his worst technique (jutsu), Bunshin no Jutsu. Though depressed, Naruto overcame the challenges and temptations including the ability to learn the first forbidden technique sealed by the Yondaime Hokage in a sacred scroll, the Kage Bunshin no Justu (Shadow Clone Technique). After all that has been done, Naruto finally graduated in the academy and became a Genin.

Now part of the team seven of a three-man team, with his fellow genin ninjas Uchiha Sasuke & Haruno Sakura and their Jounin sensei Hatake Kakashi, Naruto strives towards his dream of being the Hokage while learning the value of friendship, responsibility and strength.

Comments:
When I started watching Naruto from the local television station, I instantly got hooked by the funny antics of Naruto himself. The presence of action, drama, comedy and all that jazz amazes me in a way that I can’t stop my self from watching it over and over again! Though I totally rock the anime version, I must say that the manga version is much different and somehow better that of the anime. But still, in the anime, you see the real action so it might be best to read both. As of now, there are 185 anime episodes wherein 45 or so are fillers that are created for some reasons of the mangaka, Masashi-sama, and the producers of the anime. Yeah, it’s very long but I don’t mind as long as they don extend it too much. Overall, Naruto is quite an action packed anime tied up with comedy and drama though I could sue the fillers because as of now, the most decent filler arc was regarding the Hidden Star Village. Sigh, if I only don’t like this anime, I wouldn’t stick my self, waiting for the slow progress of the anime. I wanted to beg Masashi-sama to please, please, please release the part two of the animated version… I miss Gaara already. Hehehe! ;)

Escaflowne The Movie

ESCAFLOWNE THE MOVIE (2000)
Directed by: Kazuki Akane
Japanese Cast: Sakamoto Maaya, Tomokasu Seki, Jouji Nakata
Distributed by: Omega Project
Produced by: Sunrise in association with BONES
Presented by: Bandai Visuals and Sunrise

Summary:
Hitomi Kanzaki is having a hard time with her life and just wishes it to fade away. By wishing so, she quitted the track team, ignored her friends, wrote a suicidal note and skipped classes. She continues to desire to be free from her earthly sufferings until her aspiration was granted when she was called as the “Wing Goddess” by the leader of the Black Dragon Clan who is known as Lord Folken Fanel. Responding to the call of Lord Folken as the Wing Goddess, Hitomi was brought to Gaea by being transported inside the infamous armor named as Escaflowne. Puzzled, Hitomi was rescued by the last descendant of the Dragon Clan Kings Van Fanel and the rest of the Abaharaki warriors. Together, they have surpassed different obstacles plotted by the Black Dragon Clan in the race towards the
destruction or salvation of Gaea.

Comments:
This was my first encounter with the Vision of Escaflowne as a whole. At first, I thought it’s going to be difficult for me to catch the fleet of the story but when I went on watching, I felt as if I know the whole story and all. Even if you’re new to the story of Vision of Escaflowne, you’re going to be able to relate and understand what it is all about. It was like the summary of the episodes of the Vision of Escaflowne. I also loved the songs embedded into the movie like the chants and the main song “Yubiwa” which was sung by Maaya Sakamoto. It really fits the puzzle, I must say.
In terms of the graphics and visual effects, I’m really amazed especially with the drawings of the mecha! The animation is realistic and I’m also quite impressed by the visual effects used.
Though the movie also contains some minor violence, it’s quite relevant to the storyline. If you are easy offended by such small scenes, well, I cannot say anything more.

Hurrah!

Musikapella 2006 - September 3, 2006 at the Philam Life Theater, UN Avenue Philippines.

This is the day where my choirmates, our conductor and I found the fulfillment of our hardships by participating in this choral competition. We're all nervous yet we found energy to have fun and stay calm. Thank God for His blessing and guidance since because of Him, we managed to pull through everything. I'm so happy to be part of this event! I don't have the pictures with me now but I promise that next time, I'll post some! :)