Part 4: CCP Wi Fi 3 New Choreographers Competition

Part 4: CCP Wi Fi 3 New Choreographers Competition

Okay guys, don’t worry. In general you were truly enticing. I saw you ONCE and you got my first impression. But to an audience, the first impact is IT.

Now that you know how it feels to compete, take the next step. Go furthur. Move on. Mull on the important rules of competition:

1. Think of a unique concept. Make the judges remember your work. Stand out!

2. Avoid gimmickry. Truth is the silent music of dance, and the loudest.

3. Don’t be afraid to repeat movements. Repetition is a breather. Repetition is emphasis. Repetition is a reminder. Repetition is powerful.

4. Don’t move all the time. Stillness can be a diamond in an outbreak of steps. Be familiar with the drama of immobility.

5. Structure. Structure. Structure. Don’t be carried away by movement itself. Don’t self-indulge. Have a clear beginning, middle and end. Come up with a finished and complete art work.

6. Lock yourself in the room and think, think, think. Get out of the box. Be crazy. Dare. Explore. Experiment. Don’t be safe and dull. Get good music – it will assure 50% of your success.

7. Have a ‘second eye’ and listen to fresh opinion. When you are too close to your work there are many things you no longer see. Make sure your ‘second eye’ is frank and unbiased.

8. Be confident. No one in this world is spared disappointment. Don’t be stumped by failure. Lick your wounds but never succumb to defeat. Tomorrow is another day.

9. Don’t be too proud to keep growing and learning until you die.

10. Don’t take yourself too seriously. You’re just another human being serving God like everyone else. One hundred years from now, who’ll remember your work? … unless you’re another Martha Graham and, guess what? a lot of people don’t know her anymore. Sad, no?

Jury for New Choreographers Competition:

Nestor O. Jardin, Chair

Basilio “Steve” Villaruz

Denisa Reyes

Shigemi Kitamura

Nonoy Froilan

Wi Fi Body Independent Contemporary Dance Festival 3

June 12-15, 2008

In cooperation with CCP, NCCA, Japan Fundation Manila, Instituto Cervantes Manila, Embajada de Espana en Filipinas,Ministerio de Cultura, Gobierno de Espana, Allince Francaise de Manille, Ayala Corporation

Review, Part 3: CCP Wi Fi 3 New Choreographers Competition

Review, Part 3: CCP Wi Fi 3 New Choreographers Competition
Set 2

Which Way? – choreography and performance by Rhosam Prudencio

The motto is: Start with what is closest to your heart. Add to that good sincere dancing and the Second Place prize is bagged. After basking in this glory, Sam, move away from the weathered where-am-i-where-will-i-go-i-am-confused dance theme. Use that talent to explore untried ideas. Keep discovering yourself. The way may have been well paved for you and, given that, take the many new and winding roads out there.

Subside – choreography by Madonna Louise Vitales, performed by Nicollete Arcaire Agunday

Faint and subdued. I wanted to see more impact and creative confidence. I sensed a holding back, a kind of hesitance in creativity and performance.

Go girls. You took the risky first steps, traipse on, boogie, float, spin, even schlep towards growth. Be more unconventional and assertive next time.

The Spark Within – choreography and performance by Jed Amihan

Another darkie with a bit of spark. Jed contained
illumination in one palm and the spark flickered from without. I wondered, if he placed the light in his mouth … more interesting?

Like Johnny in his Mananggit … guys … utilize the prop. Abuse and misuse it – let it come from your guts. Nice movements, Jed, but give me surprising peaks next time. The light in the palm is so safe. Put it somewhere else but not as a gimmick. Let all the stage lights whoosh then black out on the spark. Something striking like that would’ve made a more memorable ending.

Temperature – choreography by John Philip Martir, performed by Carlos Deriada

and John Philip Martir

Good compositional structure (like the next duet, Blank It). I find duets interesting because there is more room for return thrusts and bounce-offs. This, John did with ample success. Not enough Umph though. Something, something more electrifying should’ve struck me hard I know but it just didn’t come.

It’s a sizzling physical duet but the temperature didn’t exactly rise and fall. Make it hotter and colder.

Blank It – choreography by Chantal Primero, performed by Chantal Primero and Nicole Primero

Delightful and charming girlie duet. Good structure. Good concept. This piece held my attention because I kept wondering where it will go.

Chantal cleverly sets the journey and takes us on a flight to … well, a blanket. Well that’s rare enough! So I was thinking, are they sisters? Lesbians? Friends? Good work, Chantal – you made your audience think.

Manoy – choreography by Julius Legare, performed by Julius Legare and Deejay De Vera

First Place winner and rightly so. It was the most finished product. Message clear. Music and choreography funny. Different. A dance about two basketball wannabes getting too close for comfort, with sensitive nuances of ‘gayhood’ that’s not overdone. Their discomfort is felt intimately – rare in a gay subject – and quaintly portrayed by the two males.

Just one problem. The synopsis read: “Manoy explores relationships of bodies as they relate in the four realms of human experience: the physical, the historical/social, the symbolic/mythical and finally the integrative realms.”

Huh??? Just say it’s about two men who are attracted to one another and there is no closure! This was the winning piece because it was strikingly distinct from the rest.

Mind & Eye – choreography and performance by Joel Simbulan

A bandaged hands. Death in the end? You’ll need to rethink and restructure your message and make it scream. Or maybe do a piece about how your little finger can scratch the hell out of your body. I’d remember that.

Keep going though. Nice try. Don’t lose hope. Slap me a winning piece next year. You’re a fabulous dancer.

Review, Part 2: CCP Wi Fi 3 New Choreographers Competition

Review, Part 2: CCP Wi Fi 3 New Choreographers Competition
Set 1

Mananggiti (Coconut Sap Gatherer) – choreography and performance by Johnny Amar

Interesting movements, peculiar and out of the ordinary. Johnny starts off well with bamboo kawits but the minute he strips them off his Mananggiti becomes just another dance. He should have explored his unusual props and told a fascinating story about sap gatherers.

He started on the right track but veered to a safe detour, practically saying, “sandali lang, let me get rid of this gear because I want to dance” then, “oh yeah, gotta put the kawit back on …” Sayang.

Tubig-Ulan – choreography and performance by Mia Cabalfin

One of my favorites. Intelligent piece, beautifully danced by Mia. Only thing is, the concept is too broad and hazy.

She writes: “Tubig-ulan ‘di ko mayakap” (You are rainwater that I cannot embrace). A person, an idea, a dream, anything desired – something that seems so close, but that one can never really tangibly grasp – a vocabulary of the body translates this simple phrase.”

Duh? Good solo piece but not award-winning with thirteen others in the running. Mia, next time, try being crazier. I think you have it in you.

Bounce – choreography by Cristine Crame, performed by Richardson Yadao and Jairo

Ibarrientos

Audience Winner Prize. Crowd favorite. Researched and executed well. Too bad we saw Manoy (by Julius Lagare) first, another

basketball piece with a clearer concept. Cristine had a portion with the dancers on the floor. How I wished they stayed there. Playing basketball lying down would have made an impact – really out of the box. The minute they stood up … No! Christine! Don’t!

My advise is, use your exposure in Ballet Philippines – working with all those choreographers and their styles – and find your own Cristine Crame signature. Almost there with more idiosyncratic daring.

The Overture – choreography and perfomormance by Ea Torrado

The most charming and honest piece, very lovely indeed. It revolves around a ballerina’s edgy thoughts before a show. Surprisingly, with a background in ballet, Ea delved into contemporary movement with yawning passion.

She was a moving sculpture with a clear testimonial. Her body was eloquent. She knew what she wanted to say and said it well. This piece should have been one of the winners. It was a stand-out.

Battery Meter – choreography by Billy Sotillo, performed by Leodegario Demafiliz and Billy Sotillo

Good idea for a duet – soul versus machine – but Billy, you needed to nail it more. Active/Passive is different-complicated and you almost had it in the bag. Engaging and straightforward dancing by the two dancers. Brave and sincere.

You’re on the right track to self-expression. Keep going.

Sugilanon ng Awit sa Kahapunon (Stories and Songs in the Afternoon) –

choreography and performance by Deejay De Vera

Oh no another drag queen sob story!

The piece is a curious tale about an imprisoned lover-slayer who sends letters to a radio program. The protagonist Rogie’s liberated gay life ends in the morbid confines of a jail cell. Fortunately, this was stirringly illustrated in movement by Deejay. The Visayan radio voice relating the story adds intensity to the drama and there is poignancy lingering in the air.

Well-said and well-danced. Design can be improved. It was a tad too stretched. Shorter would’ve been stronger.

Moving Thoughts – choreography by Marius Centino, performed by Ian Nick Tiba

What captured me was the essence of the piece but it wasn’t enough. Let’s see … moving thoughts … thoughts moving … that can be a spectacle … so many different reflections … varying dynamics … funny, sad, angry,wild, limp, young, old … I can go on and on.

The problem is, Marius, the title gave you so much potential for movement but you lingered in a few similar thoughts. Next time, explore the idea to the fullest and it’ll be a smash.

Edna Vida Froilan: CCP Wi Fi Body Dance Festival 3: Review, Part 1

Edna Vida Froilan: CCP Wi Fi Body Dance Festival 3: Review, Part 1

CCP Wi Fi Body Dance Festival 3: Review, Part 1

Wi Fi Body Dance Festival 3

Cultural Center of the Philippines

June 12-15, 2008

Kudos to Myra Beltran and Paul Morales for their successful Wi Fi Dance Festival 3 held at the CCP last June 12-15. There is an abundance of creative talent in the Philippines and the two tirelessly supply the niche for many young choreographers. They are, themselves, choreographers of note and it is generous of them to give the limelight to the youth, supporting and encouraging them every step of the way. Thank you, Myra and Paul for your bighearted endeavor. Bravo, too, to the CCP for hosting the exhilarating dance event and the next two coming events: Labfest for theater and Cinemalaya for film. These, I will write about in my coming blogs.

I went to see the Wi Fi competition to peek at the latest pool of smarts in dance. Yes, I enjoyed myself immensely and went home pleased that the future of dance in our country is secure. A nagging thought bothered me, though. Artists need not only support but a straightforward evaluation as well. There are a few dance critics here and one of them, Steve Villaruz, happened to be a Wi Fi judge. Uh-oh.

Although I’ve reviewed dance works in the past, this is not one of my favorite tasks. I escape it with fervor, as a matter of fact. I was a dancer. I choreograph. I know how hard it is to be there and do that. It can be annoying to have a critic sniff and scoff at something you practically killed yourself to do – they pan you in one blow, tsk tsk, cough cough – and leave the building not knowing they’ve exterminated your career for life. Most exasperating are critics who don’t know what they’re talking about and judge works for the sake of having an opinion.

But, after some praises and compliments, I remember having to face the hard facts as a young artist. I took destructive and constructive criticism blow for blow, fell, got wounded, cursed but essentially GREW. Fearing the worst critique in every project, I learned to labor for excellence. It had to be that or nothing. Of course, failure also provides a good dosage of artistic vitamins but at least one must fail trying. The daunting critics in my early career were my sisters, Alice Reyes and Denisa Reyes, and National Artist for Design, Salvador (Badong) Bernal. Boy, they don’t mince words. Now, thanks to them, I am the worst critic of myself. Meaning, I can’t even fool me.

So I have decided to put on the hat of Simon Cowell; nitpick, analyze, find fault, fuss, appraise, be frank and, most importantly, be honest. I’ve noticed that many young choreographers hear nothing but the bravos of their friends and supporters in the audience and it saddens me that they actually believe they are always fantastic. We used to shiver in fright as we waited for reviews after a show – but that was when the critics actually wrote reviews. Hardly anyone does today for dance. So, sorry guys but you need this and it’s so not gonna be easy for me.

Hence, I begin with a lecture. Someone once told a choreographer that if her audience didn’t understand her work … it didn’t work. This was when she was forced to write something about her piece in the program because the audience couldn’t quite get it. I kept that in mind. In my creative movement workshops, I tell the participants to ask themselves two questions: Who am I? and What do I want to say? Then, say it well in a complete, finished and interesting work of art. ‘Interesting’ means not masturbatory nor self-indulgent.

This became rather clear to me when I watched a solo performance of a female dancer in a festival abroad. Movement after movement took place – beautiful and unique as they were – then more movement after movement after movement. We sat for an hour frying in a pan that offered nothing but self-indulgence. I went home very angry that night I think because it reminded me of my earlier works. So I researched on craft and makeup.

The Wi Fi’s New Choreographers Competition had fourteen participants do a seven to ten-minute number each. In such competitions, these minutes had better be good. Be striking. Be memorable. Be unique. As I said, the bane of dancer/choreographers is their mass supply of movement. Like an overdone feast, no matter how beautiful the movements are, they end up boring. When push comes to shove, a good concept and structure will always save the piece.

Another observation of mine is too many dance works today border on anguish and torment. This is my plea to all contemporary choreographers. The audience knows distress all too well – err, especially Filipino audiences. Contemporary dance can also be funny, beautiful, pure abstract, pleasant and have those good old beautiful lines. Give us a break from REALITY. If I’m full of angst, do I want to see someone else’s? Ain’t going through that traffic to CCP to be reminded of my problems. I’d rather watch my daughter on television in MYX.

Now, a final dodging of possible hurt feelings. I told a singer that I had to coach not long ago, “Can I be frank with you like I am with my children when I want them to be better?” He said yes and tutoring him was a breeze. Now brace yourselves and tomorrow I shall submit Part 2 of this review. I will analyze each choreography and give my two cents worth. Think of it as a mother’s opinion.

Mica's Myx History, Part III

And the next MYX VJ's are..

by Mica Froilan

Where to begin....

The Myx VJ Search finals night drew closer and closer and as each of the finalists closed every challenge left, there was an air of tension that hung despite the good energy we all so desperately wanted to maintain. It was after all, a competition and although the 3 and a half weeks certainly brought us all closer - it was clear as day that we all wanted to win.

I began to consider the glaring possibility that I could lose. After every challenge and taping, I left a little beaten and a little weary thinking, again I didn't stand out. I was awkward, shy, often too quite for my comfort and so "behind the scene." And as the "next times" were beginning to dwindle all I felt I could really do was to sincerely pray for God to grant me the strength to accept whatever the result would be. If winning was really not in my destiny at least give me the strength to accept my defeat gracefully and with sincere happiness for the winners.

I guess it was the constant praying that kept me calm as the days inched closer and closer because otherwise the tension would have driven me insane. The last few days of text voting were so wild that I did not dare to open the television. All I wanted, was to go through the last few days with the finalists with no competitive tension, no hate, no preference, no bad vibes - just chill. Prayers really work.

The finals night arrived. As we waited in the wings with bated breath, I could not help but think how this experience ultimately brought out really beautiful qualities among the finalists (whoops, Miss Universe moment!). Atom became the "kuya" of the group (because dude, you really are - if you know what I mean.. haha!). His maturity and experience brought some direction to an otherwise wacky bunch. Jet - the intense / insane ball of energy brought comic relief when our nerves were getting the better of us. Dianne's consistent positive energy was almost contagious and helped us all get along. Odessa was always friendly and warm - which put all of us at ease. Sandra was the calm and the cool and was everyone's baby. Sanya the crazy wacky girl who made us forget that it was a competition. Igi - whose hand games were everybody's stress reliever. Drei (partner!) made sure that everybody was ok, happy and sane. Nico who amazed me with his "air drumming" (man he sure gets those beats). And Max whose silly antics always made me laugh.

It was hard to realize that this was going to end. That after saturday night our paths will change, some will be winners and some will not. Before we went up on stage for the last time I said a quick prayer to God to please help us all understand the end result - whether we liked it or not. And that afterwards, whatever disappointment and bitterness will fade away as quickly as it appeared. After all, what really mattered was the experience - not so much the end result (again, hello Miss Universe).

So it happened. In what seemed like an eternity, the 4 winners were finally announced one by one.

Drei Felix.
Sanya Smith.
Igi Guerrero.
Mica Froilan.

Shock - is an understatement. And that is all I can say right about now, because I am still not believing it. =)

Thank you to everyone who believed I could make it. You gave me the confidence whenever I seemed to lose mine. Which was most of the time.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shout outs: My family - my rock and especially my Mom who knows more about the Myx Daily Top Ten now more than I do.
Fritz - because your crazy competitive tension gave me the boost and more importantly took my tension away.
Celine, RB (your cellphone rocks!), Oj, and Gino (too-too-too) - you guys keep my feet on the ground by still making fun of me - thank you.
To the CS team - you guys are my comfort pillows - thank you for waking me up when I doze off at work, and to everyone at OSMA for that matter who voted even if they didn't know me. =)
Miko and Li - for GIVING me ALL your accessories (diba akin na lang?) - you guys made me look stage worthy that night. Volts - because you weren't scared to scream like a chick when Kamikazee went on stage.
Tina and Shi - my patrons / sugar mommy and daddy - even if I have not heard from you guys for a while now, I know you know I know. Thank you.
Sis - ano, wish you were here?
To those overseas who wanted to vote for me but had no way... UMUWI NA KASI KAYO!!!!!

To those who text voted like crazy (are you crazy?) and to those who didn't (why didn't you?)

To everyone else, friends and strangers, know that every little thing you did to make this a reality for me will be something I will always hold dearly.

Most importantly, to my CJ (the "friend" with benefits. I'm laughing.) for holding my hand every.step.of.the way, for being there, for the sacrifices, for EVERYTHING - thank you from the bottom of my achey-breaky heart.

First, Myx. Then Bollywood. And then, HOLLYWOOD. =)

The Mother's Take, Part III

That's true. She didn't pray for victory on the night of the Finals. She prayed for humble submission to the will of God. Maybe that's why God picked her. Which contestant wouldn't pray to win?!?

I remember looking at the other families. Which one of us would step out of that place with a big smile? Okay. If she loses I'll say, "Mica, you're a gorgeous butterfly out of a cocoon. Now your life begins!" If she wins I'll say, "Mica, you're a gorgeous butterfly out of a cocoon. Now your life begins!" There. It really didn't matter which field that butterfly flew in. As long as she was a butterfly. The Myx experience was a nuclear reaction for her, a change from call center atom to vj atom.

A week after she won she again swerved towards the word 'ordinary'. "Mom --" she began. "Mic," I finish her sentence, "now you have to do your homework. Research. You have a long haul ahead of you. This is not just about being pretty and perky. This is all about interviewing souls. As a writer that's what I discovered. Souls want to speak. In every artist there's a secret rummaging for Self, the 'who am I, what do I want to say, and why'. Please don't ask them what their favorite dessert is.

Then I start to sing the top songs on the Myx list and we have a good laugh. "Break na tayo! Break, break break na tayo!" "I hate the way you smile, I hate the way you look with those big brown eyes." Oh boy. Maybe I'll write songs someday. Ones with better melodies. My soul is aching to be interviewed by VJ Mica.

Mica's Myx History, Part II

Of Mall Tours and all that Attention

by Mica Froilan

I think that, since the beginning of all this, the moment that made me realize how unprepared I am for all this attention was when we did the first mall tour last Sunday. It was a Penshoppe event where all the Myx finalists sort of tagged along with BIG BIG bands like Chicosci, Stone free and the ultimate BAMBOO. You know that feeling when you want the hosts to just stop yapping and get on with the band? Well, I guess when you get 11 raw and inexperienced finalists co-hosting a big show like that it will be inevitable for the audience to start chanting GET OFF THE STAGE, GET ON WITH THE SHOW!

But I'm being to hard on ourselves. The audience was receptive and even kind - considering that we were pretty much nobodys. And I'd like to think, at some point we pulled it off quite nicely.

The "attention" part was when the show ended and shockingly (for me at least) the crowd gathered a bit to take pictures and autographs with the finalists. THAT - was something I wasn't prepared for. That, was something I thought was only reserved for the big big celebrities. Though you could sense that some of the people were hesitant, thinking, er... should I take a picture with this finalist? Is it worth it? (that happened mostly to me - modesty aside)

My friends who were there instantly knew my insecurity was making me a complete awkward and anti-social dork. After the whole thing, they disappointingly advised me to think of it as "campaigning" and to basically work on acquiring a thick face. I promised them I would on the next mall tour.

So today was that next mall tour. Lo and behold, I became the same awkward, anti-social dork. See, the funny thing is, I'd never think I'd be one to freeze in front of people. I know for a fact that I can have a thick face. But I guess I'm learning that I become annoyingly shy at the wrong time.

Anyway, this really leads to the realization that the whole idea of being a Myx finalist has not entirely sunk in yet and yes, that I have about a thousand and one things to learn about this industry.

It's fun.

July 25, 2007 | Permalink

The Mother's Take, Part II

One thing I learned as a director of a ballet company and dance school is this. The ones who made it to the top of the pyramid were the ones least likely to succeed. They were the ones who had flaws and worked harder. They were the ones who had no attention and roasted just right. Those who had everything going for them got bored with their gifts and gave up.

"If I were Myx," I told Mica, "I'd choose you. Because you're so 'moldable'. You have nothing to unlearn. You're a fresh canvas on which they can draw anything. So keep learning and roast just right. Don't worry."

She's always been a good study. Mica puts her mind on something and she transforms. I promptly recorded her Myx specials and gasped. My, my, she sure is shy. Whoa mother. Shut up. Let her cook long, don't stress the rawness. Be humble (ump! I was the Firebird and my daughter is being passed by the camera) or she will LOSE. So ominous, that restraint was. She won. The Phoenix has risen.

Mica's Myx History

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Pre-Celebrity Shindig

It's been only a week and so into this celebrity-induced life and I find myself panting with exhaustion - physically and mentally. I always thought the artistas had a relatively easy life. Sure they work late hours and get into all sorts of intrigue but the pay and freebies always compensate. But no.

So I went out on a limb and auditioned for this vj search. I figured that because at 24, I have not been discovered yet despite my efforts (i.e hanging out at friends homes, sleeping, working and living a normal ordinary life), it's high time to start auditioning for something.

It was almost like destiny when my good friend Fritz told me about the auditions. Told me to come with him and have our pictures taken professionally (because I insisted on submitting my neo-prints) and audition (for 8 hours!!!!!!!!!!). Though I thought I sucked BIG TIME, somehow I miraculously managed to do something right because lo and behold I'm one of the 12 vj finalists (truly.shocking ).

So it's been a week since that memorable audition. And what a week it has been. This whole new world seems to magnify all my flaws: my lack of nice clothes (ayan kasi, tamad mag shopping), my lack of anything interesting to say (unless it's about the corporate life - I can totally give you a power point presentation of the data I input in Excel regrading stats, metrics and net profit) and my steady, sedate personality - which in this industry is a BIG BIG NO-NO. I mean, I had illusions that I was perky. But after being with the other finalists / energizer bunnies, I realized how I am such a drawl.

Add the fact that I work graveyard shifts and go straight to the shoots. I mean where in the world am I going to get the extra energy??!!! Speaking of work, it so happens that the big boss from the US is in town. So not only do I have to be energized during the "celebrity" part of my life, I need to be in top performance when I get to work at night. It ain't funny. One time I dozed off right in the middle of MY presentation.

Anyway, so I saw myself for the first time on national television last saturday. EEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. Yun lang.

But hey if there is one thing that excites me about this - it is the work itself. The fact that I get to be this close to music, than I have ever been before thrills me to no end. Sure the music I love might not always be showcased (modest mouse, nyko maca, red hot chili peppers, the strokes) but the fact that I get this window of opportunity to maybe play one video from them is enough for me to go through this gruelling task (naks!! music lover daw!!).

So that's the story. I am so thrilled to be able to go through this - though at this point I still have to carry my own things and take the MRT after every shoot (in full make up. Panalo!). At the very least I have one more interesting thing to tell people aside from corporate trivial issues.

The road to my Oscar award has begun.

** So ok, I'm one of the finalists for the MYX VJ Search 2007. Vote for me if you think you can stand the sight of my face long after the finals on August 4. =)

July 23, 2007 in Television

The Mother's Take

I wrote an article for Star when Mica graduated from La Salle titled, 'Sunrise, Sunset'. There I candidly wrote her apology to me and my husband. "I'm sorry I'm ordinary."

From the time I took her home as an infant I knew she would one day be extraordinary, a perfectly imperfect Someone. She will rise like a phoenix from the humdrum childhood I strained to impose on her and her brother. That statement of hers told me I succeeded. Mic, I'm so happy you're ordinary, I thought to myself, because once the limelight discovers you ... oh boy.

I basked in her obligatory mundane youth. Barbie dolls, D's in Math, funny love letters from awkward teenage boys. In college I expected the torrential makeover and was disappointed she only won the highest votes to become Batch President of the student council. That's it? Again, she thought she was the most ordinary leader. How deep did I drill that word in her psyche? susmaryosep.

In the corporate world she often confessed ineptitude but her self-assessment startled me. How very mature it was. Ordinary again? until we had her three American superiors over for dinner. The first thing they whispered to me was, "You know, your daughter is quite extraordinary." The whispering part confirmed their sincerity.

I don't have to write about how she felt about being a Myx finalist. You can see how she's able to laugh at herself. Pat, pat pat. Good mothering, Edna. I'm proud of her. More reaction on Mica on her next blog entry.

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Mica Froilan

My daughter Mica Froilan was chosen as one of the 12 finalists of the MYX VJ Search 2007. Funny that when she was 2, her Tita Den (choreographer Denisa Reyes) started her out as a vj by handing her a ballpen to serve as a mike. "Good Morning Manila!" Den would start and Mica would babble nonsensical words, really - it was hilarious. One day my husband decided to video us so we dressed up for the 'taping'. She interviewed me well. She had perfect timing, was gracious, a good listener and quite a talker. Who would have known ....

My husband and I were ballet dancers for a good twenty years. I wished Mica and our son, Raffy, would pursue another career. I never saw them awake. We had late nights and mornings and it broke my heart not to see them grow up. I secretly wished Mica wouldn't like ballet. I gasped, "Gosh I don't think I can stand watching another family member dance Swan Lake or Giselle ... and have to pray for another pirouette." But if she wanted it I told her we'd support her. "Better be ready for brutal honesty," I said, "because ballet is PERFECTION."

When Mica took up Political Science in La Salle I sighed relief. Right after her graduation she decided to go for a call center job, "because Mom, you stopped giving me allowance and I am soooo broke!" she said. She ended up staying there longer than planned. Her American bosses loved her and brought her to the States several times. She also got several promotions. Even if call center people have this that's-all-you-do? stigma to deal with I encouraged her to stay there. "You're learning from Americans and they have excellent work ethics. Humble yourself and LEARN."

It's the hours that bog her down. Working all night and sleeping all day is just a bit too abnormal for a beautiful girl of 24. One day I saw her dressed and fully made up and I gushed, "My, my. How pretty my daughter is. Too bad no one can see her." Then her friend dragged her to this Myx competition and well ... good morning Manila?

I saw her on tv several times and she was very good in the portion with one male contestant, Drei. When she had to grapple the mike - shared with the other girls - she failed dismally. "You know me, Mom," she explained apologetically, "I always give the floor to people if they want it." I had to reply, "Anak, that's excellent when you're interviewing someone but not when you're competing ... ?" Actually I appreciated the fact that she wasn't a hey-look-at me VJ. There are two kinds of people, one that says, "I'm here!" and the other one that says, "There you are!" Mica is so there-you-are!

After a seemingly endless career in the arts I don't mind stepping into stage motherhood. What fun! I tell Mica that in those twenty years of being on stage I learned that everything was just a process. The significance of fame and fulfillment diminishes each time I get older and what remains in my mind is the process of achieving them. Parents would tell their children, "You're special and unique so you're a winner." I'd rather tell mine, "You're special and unique but so is everyone else. You'll always be a winner in God's eyes if you keep growing and developing."

Please vote for Mica by texting: Myxmatch 8 and send to 2366. This is until August 3, 2007. And as for her being corporate ... yeah right.