Book Signing
It’s been awhile since I attended a book signing and I believe Jennifer E. Smith and Jasmine Warga’s book signing was the only International BS event that I went this year.
The venue of the said event was at SM Aura Samsung Hall. It was a bigger place compared to the first BS of Jennifer E. Smith last 2014. It was my second time to meet and greet Jennifer E. Smith but I was still thrilled. I was grateful that I was early and part of the first 100 fans to the line-up.
It was indeed a memorable book signing event because of three reasons: 1. I was able to meet the adorable and geeky Jasmine Warga and when she held my first self-published book (I was screaming inside!) 2. Hugging Jennifer E. Smith when she talked about rejection, I was truly touched. 3. I got new ARCs from National Bookstore because I won via their twitter contest!
Here are some interesting facts that the two best-selling authors shared when they were being interviewed.
*They went to Jollibee prior the book signing!
~Jasmine Warga~
-She can’t believe that she can see her books on the shelf.
-She is an accidental YA writer and she said that her characters chose the story.
-She was inspired by contemporary romance writers.
-My Heart and Other Black Holes is in talks to be a movie under Paramount Pictures. OMG!
-The book My Heart and Other Black Holes was about what it means to live and die. She wrote it when she loses two persons who are near to her.
-After finishing a novel, she loves to play with her kids.
Quotes from Jasmine: “I never set out for writing a book about depression.”
“Talking about depression is life-saving.”
Advice from Jasmine: ‘Life is about resilience. It makes you more fearless! Failing makes you a better person to reach more and try more!’
~Jennifer E. Smith~
-She might be an astronaut or ballerina if she didn’t end up in writing.
-When she finished a book, she let it go.
-Her latest book, Windfall was very challenging to write because of deeper characters. She considers Statistical Probability of You and Me as the one that changes her life and a gift.
-If she will win a lottery, she will get a first class plane ticket and travel more. I like that!
Quotes from Jennifer: “My life is boring enough that I use an imagination.”
“Let rejection and failure sink to you. You write it for yourself.”
(Review of Jen and Jas books will be posted soon!)
Acrobatics Show
The end of November was truly a surprise for me. I attended two wonderful and exciting shows; the first one was the Snow Maiden: A Russian Love Story last November 24 at SM North Edsa Skydome. It was my first time to watch an acrobatic show where I was only a few steps away from the performers. Though most of the acrobats were talented Filipinos, it was amazing to see Russian couples on the stage. I was a bit scared of the last performance where a man and a woman were entertaining their audience while on a ring that was attached to the ceiling. It was the perfect way to end the marvelous show!
Concert
Ended up my year right with an OPM artist’s concert! Get Music NU 107 NuRock Years happened last November 25 at Araneta Coliseum. The show started late but Itchyworms as an opening act was incredible. The band was very energetic and everyone got to their feet with their songs like Beer, Penge Naman Ako N’yan and Gusto Ko Lamang sa Buhay Ko. Barbie Almalbis’ voice and beauty were like an immortal. She still looks young. Her songs like Tabing Ilog, Torpe and my favorite Dahilan took me back when I was in high school and head over heels in love with my crushes. I surely missed Rico Blanco as the lead vocalist of Rivermaya so watching the band with three vocalists was a bit sad for me. Though they tried to pull out the crowd with 214, Hinahanap-Hanap Kita and Elesi, my friend and I couldn’t help but craved for Rico Blanco’s voice. Ebe Dancel was actually the one I was excited to see perform on the stage. It was a perfect timing that I was able to catch the play: Sa Wakas last January and Sugarfree songs were a huge part of the show. It was wonderful to hear Ebe singing Bawat Daan, Burn Out and Wag Ka Nang Umiyak yet, I found him quite bossy with his team during his act that it was a bit frustrating. Everyone was waiting for Ely Buendia who started his performance by twelve midnight. Save the best for last. Ely ended the concert with songs from Eraserheads and Pupils which truly was spectacular.