SO REAL IT'S SURREAL

I'm back -- and what a week I just had!

In case you didn't already know, I flew to Manila last week to attend events at Malacañang Palace and the Cultural Center of the Philippines held last Friday, June 9th, in connection with the proclamation of this year's seven National Artists. I was there to cheer on my father (the fourth National Artist proclaimed for Architecture, but the first ever in the field of Landscape Architecture), who took home a hefty gold medallion and an impressive framed citation.

I found myself -- unexpectedly -- starstruck. I had been dying to meet BenCab, Bienvenido Lumbera, and Ramon Obusan; I had several opportunities to do so, as I found myself in the same private receptions with these legends several times. Heck, all I had to do was stand beside dad as he spoke with them throughout the day. But no, all I could do was stare at these men in deep admiration. The only explanation I have is that it was just too, too surreal, the whole day was quite a blur.

And life went right back to normal the following day. In the morning, dad went to the swap meet as usual, watched television and napped the entire afternoon, and sat at the dining table in his plaid shorts and tee at night, sharing photographs he took of the previous day's events with our family, which was complete for the first time in more than a decade. I think he was even happy.

I have lots of stories to tell, but now I have to try to sleep and beat jet lag.

*Photograph by Willy Perez, which appeared in the July 10, 2006 issue of The Philippine Star. Dad's the guy on the left shaking President Arroyo's hand.

Comments

[bugsybee]

Awesome. Congratulations to your dad, Gigi -- and you, too! You have good reason to be proud. There is more about your dad here: http://www.admu.edu.ph/?p=120&type=2&sec=29&aid=2428 where he has a close-up picture (sorry, the link destroyed the "landscaping" of your blog). Now, maybe you can write something about him in the wikipedia (his name is mentioned but there is no write-up about him).

[Sandra]

Congratulations to you Dad and your entire family! This is so awesome, Gi. I'm so glad you're back though. I can't wait to see you again for a lunch and shopping date!

[jove]

Gigi! I knew it! I really had this feeling that we were in the same venue that time. SAYANG!

Rewind. Last holy week, at THE MANSION in Baguio City, I reported about the President's announcement of the six new national artists. ( the next day there was a snafu abt FPJ, and the inclusion of another awardee...but that's not relevant in this story)

Then one night, i read your blog about your father, but you didn't mention who he is among the names in the roster that I reported, so i told myself: pagdating ng awarding ceremonies, i will surely find out because i will see GIGI in the palace.

Awards day: i was busy studying the releases and hounding some people to interview, when i heard a group of palace employees talk about "how smart and pleasant looking some of the guests were, especially the ladies who were with one of the awardees", in fact i heard them say "the family of that architechture awardee". (NO JOKE!)

i trained my eyes on the said group, and i really had this feeling na malamang isa diyan si GIGI, (you see, process of elimination, after studying the profiles of the awardees, mukhang yung sa dad mo talaga ang fit sa description mo sa blog and sa mga kasama ng awardees sa palace that day)--- but the program was on going and i told myself, i'll try to find out later.

but after the program, chaos na, reporters kasama ako, had to run after some personalities to interview.

in fact while i was interviewing sec. ermita, i looked back and saw your family having this photo opp sa stage.

then i didn't see your bunch anymore. SAYANG.

wasn't the event simple but regal in its own way? we all loved the song sang by bayang and the ccp choir near the end of the program.

but my fave part was the conferment ceremony where the artists stood one by one on stage, as their merits were read. fave ko yun kasi, kitang kita how proud the family members looked sa moment na yun!

now i have to look at my crew's footage that day, malamang nahagip kayo ng camera. in fact i suspect that my VTR editor may have included that part in my report that day. i'll check

congrats again sa dad mo and your family, GIGI!

JOVE

PS sorry, long comment...

[ernie]

Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap. :-)

[Gigi]

Hi Bugsybee - Thank you so much for the link! It's so funny how you mention the Wikipedia entry -- my sister phoned me before I flew out to let me know that I probably should write and submit at least a blurb. So as soon as my brain is functional, I will. :)

Sandra - Let me know when you're free! Have I already told you "Mango" opened up at SCP? It's not nearly as nice as the branches in Makati, I think but definitely worth a visit.

Jove - Funny thing is I was looking out for you, too!

I wasn't feeling well to begin with and was pretty overwhelmed with all the people and just the experience of the affair that I was simply spacey the entire time. But strangely, I wouldn't stop giggling.

And yes, my favorite part, too, was seeing dad stand there while they were reading out his achievements -- although this rude old fart behind me was texting and talking on his cellphone the entire time and I was about to clobber him if my older sister didn't stop me. I think he may have been somewhat "important" because later he was inside the private reception room at the CCP before the show, so mas lalo pang gigil na gigil ako.

It was so sweet -- a bunch of press folks went over with their programmes to ask dad to sign (which they did with everyone too, of course) and I pulled him aside so he could do so. I even got to meet Howie Severino (oops, wrong channel pala! hehe) and tell him I read his blog; then when he asked me for the name of mine, I suddenly froze because DAD DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT GGG!!!

Ay naku, sayang I didn't get to meet you, I really would have wanted to. :(

Ernie - Thanks!

[K]

Wow!

Congratulations to your Dad and the entire clan. How proud can you be? In the Palace meeting the President was simply such overwhelming.

Did you wear a gown? Just wondering..

Ps. Thanks for the support on my Quit Smoking Campaign. I’ll view these as part of my normal journey toward becoming a nonsmoker.

[BlueEagle]

everytime i visit your blog, i feel like i'm among pinoy royalty. well, at least among the famous and fabulous.

good on your papa!

[batjay]

congratulations gigi. wow - national artist. jet and i are really happy that your dad's been honored.

may sikat pala kaming kapitbahay.

[Gigi]

Hi K - Oh thank God I didn't have to wear a gown!!! Because I was told that Malacanan dress attire was conservative, I looked pretty bland and blended in, I think. Still, I would have worn my outfit with spiffier shoes, though -- but when I was told "no sandals" I wasn't sure what that meant and wore comfortable (ie. boring) shoes instead. :)

BlueEagle - Naku, if you really want to read about the famous and fabulous, then you might want to take a peek at "Bryanboy." :) Hehehe. Thanks!!!

BatJay - I'm sure sasabihin ng daddy ko one day, "Ang suwerte mo naman, kapitbahay mo ang sikat na si Batjay at si Jet." Especially if he ever gets to try Jet's sinigang and nilaga (which are his favorite dishes)!

[sistah #1]

jove said:
"... when i heard a group of palace employees talk about "how smart and pleasant looking some of the guests were, especially the ladies who were with one of the awardees", in fact i heard them say "the family of that architecture awardee"..."

they must have been referring to me and my lovely daughters :)

and as for that rude imbecile who kept talking and texting on his phone, i would have gotten to him before gigi because he was directly behind me. but since i didn't want to make a scene and embarrass my dad, all i could do was turn around and glare at him... and the guy just never got the hint! just who did he think he was???

[Marilou Eugenio-Piedad]

Hi Gigi,
A big Congrats to Tito Chitong & all of you. What a big honor! We also saw Tito Chito's pic in Phil Star. Joni came to Nicole's grad party & was nice to see her again & hear her kuwentos. I'll send you guys some pics of the party soon. Maybe you can also share some of your pics from the Phil.???
Your long lost cousin,
Marilou
P.S. Nice blog......

[Gigi]

Hi Marilou - Thanks! I saw some of the pictures from last weekend from Joni's camera and I just noticed you sent some too. I can't believe how everyone's grown! Hope to see you soon. :)