Under the Stars

'Twas a success!!! Albeit 30 minutes late into the program (yes, yes, I know, a great big loss by then), my good friend Arceli Flores and I were still able to make it a little more than halfway through the concert and managed to have a picture with the guest performer, renowned trombonist, Takahiro Ono!

I even had the chance to get a picture taken near the stage! (Of course at the end of the performance!)

I told my best friend Arceli it would be wonderful if we could do this more often, and perhaps, it would be wonderful if we could.

I remember Edward, played by Richard Gere in the movie Pretty Woman, how he told Vivienne, Julia Robert's character, that the Opera was something either you loved, or hated. And somehow, I find Orchestral performances could be quite similar.

It was breathtaking, that's all I could say. And I sincerely appreciate Conductor Olivier Ochanine's introduction on the second half of the concert, dedicating the performance on the remembrance of CDO's (Cagayan De Oro) destruction during Typhoon Sendong.

Arceli quoted that she felt the devastation in the music and how it pronounced the pain. I personally could only focus on the uplift towards the end because honestly, without it, it left a rather, sad note. We loved all that we heard, despite halfway through. Had we begun earlier, we would've loved it more so, I'm confident!

After the performance, we went to a nearby Starbucks, (and imagine, I in a gown, gripping the ends of the garment, crossing the streets in 5-inch heels--loved it!!! <3) and enjoyed the new Valencia drink they were promoting (I actually brought a buy1-take1 promotional coupon in my purse!).

By then, we were enjoying the muted view right outside the cafe, facing the sea, Manila Bay, where gorgeous yachts were on display as well.

I wish I could've taken a picture of ourselves outside the cafe, or at least the view. But something stopped me. The night. The boats. The sea. And a quiet soulful conversation. As Arceli said, some things cannot be taken by mere cameras.

This is a pic though from back inside the theater,

Me and my best friend. :)