Paintball Saturday

The thing about working with an all-boys team is that you often find yourself taking extreme shots and saying yes to risky, crazy ball games. In a word: paintball.

 

As always, adrenaline was high in the office as we were in the middle of mounting two big events. Our calendar was jam-packed, the march of deadlines unstoppable. For me, the more sensible thing to do would have been to double time, juggle or dance the tango. But, as I have discovered and come to respect, boys have a different way of fighting deadlines and stress.  That’s why, I suppose, with too many balls flying in the air, one of the boys finally shot out an email and yelled, “Paintball!”

As they would tell you, paintball is the perfect way to relieve stress and shoot the blues away without actually killing each other. Hmm, I had my doubts about that. They got me, however, when they said it’s a great exercise to strategize and focus the mind. Practice for teamwork. Why not? It was the perfect time. Nothing like backbites and catfights, yeah? Bring it on!  

So one hot Saturday afternoon, 7 adrenaline junkies assembled at the WEBOSS Extreme Grounds, a relatively new 1,000 square meter paintball facility in Tarona Compound Holy Family Village 1 in Banilad. They cater to 6 -10 players per game. For P350/head, you have free use of the gears and free 50 balls each with a maximum 4-hour play.

Of course, being a practical girl, I just had to spend the whole previous night reading paintball stories on the net, researching the dos and don’ts of the game and finding out what I was really getting into. Like you, or any first-time paintball player, I needed to resolve some questions in my mind. 

What is Paintball?

Paintball, just like airsoft, is an extreme sport. The rules are simple - shoot without getting shot. The players divide themselves into teams. The main objective is to mark and eliminate members of the other team from the game. In reality, when you shoot, you kill. But here you use only paintball markers and colored pellets, which could sting upon skin contact, but are basically safe, if you wear the proper gear and clothing.

What do you need?

Before we were released into the field, the Weboss guide/referee conducted a brief session on safety measures and how to properly use the paintball basics. Paintballs are the gelatin-filled capsules that look innocently like colored gums, but which you use to mark and eliminate an opponent. Then there’s the paintball gun or marker set to propel paintballs at 280 feet per second. For safety, it’s secured with barrel locks, which you depress only when in the field to prevent unexpected firing. A non-transparent loader, shaped like an almond, is secured on top of the gun to hold the paintballs and feed the gun for firing. Finally, you have the safety gear – a vest and a mask that covers the whole face – which you are required to wear at all times while the game is on.

What to wear?

Girls, keep your tank tops, walking shorts and favorite dresses at home. Be ready to get dirty and covered in paint so choose clothes that are protective and that you can afford to dispose of. When you’re out on the field shooting somebody, worrying about clothes should be the last thing on your mind. If you don’t want that pampered skin bruised, wear long sleeves and long pants to cover as much of yourself as possible. Besides, a shot on bare skin would hurt much more, as common sense would tell us. Depending on the weather, layer up or wear light clothing, but be sure you can run or crouch with ease. Rubber shoes, not boots, are your best friend. Camouflage is also a good consideration. This is not your moment to stand out, so forget about bright colors for awhile.  Most importantly, always be sure to wear your vest and protective mask. A hat or hair cover and gloves are a plus.

Can you remove paintball paint on clothing?

Yes, it’s removable. As the Weboss guide assured us, getting paintball paint out of clothing usually requires nothing more than a normal wash in the laundry. Just wash your clothes as soon as possible, and if it does not wash out immediately, add a stain remover. That should do the trick.

   

Is Paintball Safe?

Shooting each other for fun- is it really safe? Well, if you follow the basic rules and wear your mask at all times, it is. Even safer than riding a bike on the highway or playing any contact sport, I believe. During the game, an opponent got lucky and hit me dead center on the face. Red paint like blood splattered on the left side of my goggles. I didn’t even feel a thing. Serious injury could happen, though, when people take off their mask and get hit on the eye. So, without common sense, don’t play paintball. Other risks are sprains, bruises, sunburn or tripping on roots and rocks. But if you’ve had a regular childhood, these are nothing new.

Does It Hurt to Get Hit by a Paintball?

Well, a bit, sometimes. I’m not gonna lie here. If you don’t follow safety rules, don’t dress appropriately and you’re shot near enough-- it could cause welts and bruises depending on the speed of the ball. But it’s the kind of pain that slightly stings and quickly fades away. Nothing like heartbreak, mind you. I had the unfortunate incident of being hit by an opponent’s paintball squarely on my left uncovered palm. It stung (more ego than palm, actually) and reddened a bit.  It faded fast enough though– chased away by a pint of ice cream and the sweet kiss of victory.

How do you keep the game safe?

Before going to the playing field, it pays to read the safety rules mounted on the base.  There are simple things to do to keep paintball fun and injury-free. One, safety first – keep the vest on. Do not ever remove your mask while in the firing zone. Don’t shoot people from less than 20 feet away. Don’t be too proud to surrender if you’ve been hit or ran out of paintballs or ask the referee if you need help. No blind firing or overshooting players. One shot is enough. Wear proper clothing. Don’t drink and play – paintball and alcohol don’t mix. More importantly, use common sense. Most problems could be avoided if we just practice common sense. With this, let me just say it again – don’t remove your mask while the game is still on! Finally, have fun. 

Ready to play paintball? Up next, I’ll tell you how I survived my first paintball game. Stay tuned!    

-- SunStar Weekend, November 17, 2012

One Short Day in Ilocos Norte

When you travel way up north in the Philippines, two things will strike you: the unbelievable hotness of the region, and the tangible presence of a dead president.

We were on a rented car from Vigan, headed to Laoag to take our direct flight home to Cebu later that night. The day was young and our driver/guide cheerfully offered to tour us around Ilocos Norte before takeoff. We had just realized that, when in Ilocos, driving around in an air-conditioned car isn’t such a bad idea since the world outside always seems to be a few degrees hotter than we’re used to. And so, what normally would take just an hour and a half drive stretched to a short day as we explored popular hot spots along the way.   

Marcos Museum and Mausoleum in Batac City

Here, you will find the preserved body of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, still not buried.  Slowly, I walked around the dim, solemn and almost creepy mausoleum, each step prodded by curiosity. I grew up learning about the atrocities during Marcos’ reign, associating his name with ‘Martial Law’, ‘greed’ and ‘dictator’.  But upon finally looking at the wax-like body of this larger than life historical figure of a man, laid out like a saint, my first and only thought was: he’s shorter than I imagined.

The rest of the museum showcases memorabilia of the late president, from his stint in the armed forces down to his presidency. Walking around, reading his brilliant letters and looking at old cultural pieces and iconic photographs -- you can feel the love and loyalty of the people for him and his family. What does it say about Marcos – a man who’s lost a nation’s trust, denied a hero’s burial, and yet still revered in his hometown? It was strange. This was not a world I knew.

Paoay Church

Under the relentless heat of the sun, we proceeded to Paoay, Ilocos Norte where the familiar postcard-perfect San Agustin Church, also known as the Paoay Church, stands in all its centuries-old Spanish-era glory. This beautiful structure is listed as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. I could hear wedding bells all the way across the dry sprawling grounds. Accompanied by my apprehensive afternoon shadow, I walked then stopped in the middle of the brick pathway, staring up at this massive church and wondering if dreams of forever could be burned by the sun.

Malacañang of the North

For a welcome glimpse of clear blue waters, we drove along the legendary Paoay Lake. Along its lazy shores, you’ll find the official residence-turned-museum of the late President Marcos.  The Malacañang of the North, or what the Ilokanos endearingly call Malacañang ti Amianan, is said to be a "birthday gift" of then First Lady Imelda Marcos to her husband on his 60th birthday. I fell in love with its timeless architecture -- wide open spaces, hard wooden floors, grand balcony and long capiz-windowed hallways overlooking the lake. From its elegant rooms to Spanish inspired furniture and grand spiral staircase – everything is a work of art.  I went around feeling like a brush stroke in a beautiful painting.

Museo Ilocos Norte & The Sinking Bell Tower in Laoag

The memorabilia in Museo Ilocos Norte and the town’s progress in the face of its Sinking Bell Tower are testaments to the Ilokanos’ resilience and hard work. The Museo in Laoag is rich with lessons from the past – how the people persevered and turned dry lands to their advantage, toiling despite the beating of the sun, and perhaps, political controversy. It’s admirable how they have survived and seem to have remained unified under one leadership.  

At the wall of Marcos Museum in Batac, you will find this prayer, which reads in part:

“Cleanse us of our anger, our bitterness, and our recriminations of the past; spare us the doubts and anxieties of the present; and purify us for our sacrifice so that we may raise a people who will be their own strength today, and their own warranty against the future.” (by Ferdinand E. Marcos, 1917-1989)

Having visited Ilocos Norte, I realize that how we look at people and the past will always be colored by our present. Somehow, in between shades of gray, we find our own version of the truth. I don’t know about you, but like the photographs I’ve taken, my memories of Ilocos Norte will always be in sepia.

 xoxoxo

- Sunstar Weekend, October 27, 2012

Random Walk

Because I seriously needed some exercise, I decided to go shopping and walking through the maze of a mall from east to west, top to bottom. I thought of bringing my 8-year-old nephew along so I could run after him while I’m at it, but I figured at the last minute that it was already a tad overkill.

So I changed into my most comfortable T-dress which has “Girl Power” written all over it and prepared to strut, glide and dance along the fashion walkways of Ayala.  I could feel the warm excitement of my beloved 3-year-old Skechers but I couldn’t tell if it was from being reunited with my feet or at the thought of seeing its relatives at the shops. Either way, we decided to sweat it, so walk, we go.

I realize that as a woman, it is my responsibility to keep myself fit so I was really mindful about getting the most out of my walking time. To warm up, I proceeded to do some stretching exercises.  I walked inside 10 shops or more and successively tried on pretty dresses – bending, reaching, pulling my arms, turning sideways, and back again. Then off I went climbing mountainous stairs, wrestling the mob at the activity centers and pushing the cart at the supermarket. For good measure, I even went jumping up and down inside Fully Booked when I discovered my favorite book was in stock.

As I continue to turn left, right and forward, I find that the mall is not only good for shopping and walking, but a great place for discovery as well:

Hey, it’s Pink October!   

In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness month, Ayala Center Cebu and ICanServe Foundation are painting the halls once more with "pink" activities, silent auctions, beauty and health campaigns. As women, there's no better time to support and think wellness, as well as take up a cause much bigger than we've always lamented ourselves to be.

Scents of a woman

When shopping, there’s nothing I love more than dropping by Rustan’s and breathing in the different scents of a woman – be it sexy, passionate, ice cool, musky or mysterious. At times we may take our sense of smell for granted, but a woman’s fragrance helps define her. Whether we attract or repel others, there is always that one scent that fits us. Walk around and find your favorite signature. Then, too much or too little? Here’s a tip from Chanel, “women should wear perfume wherever they hope to be kissed”. 

Dressing your age and size

While walking, it can’t be helped that we sometimes bump into these eye sores: 40-something women trying to dress like teenagers; high school teens wearing corporate heels and makeup; or big-sized women holding their breaths inside skinny jeans and slim tops. Maybe there’s no need to struggle too much. The right fashion style reflects who we truly are. If we just walk enough, we’ll find there are stores and dresses for every age and size.

Makeovers

Why wait for something significant to happen in our lives to get a makeover? It seems there are enough beauty bars for DIY sessions with friends, or makeup counters and salons if we need a little help or inspiration. Feeling and looking good can do wonders for our drive when the going gets tough.    

Choices

We don’t have to be stuck in a rut. We always have creative options to keep our juices flowing. There’s yoga, ballet and pilates at the top floors; basketball and air hockey at Timezone; even zumba and dancing in the rain at the Terraces.

I really do not know if I’m doing my body any better walking through the mall instead of jogging at the track. But from this random exercise I find that there are enough interesting things going on for us to move forward. So keep those happy feet walking, ladies!  

-- SunStar Weekend, October 20, 2012

Vigan City: Just follow the weathered brick road

Inspired by the ingenious tribes of Baguio, we decided to go farther north and travel back in time to a place where a significant part of our past is still very much present. Vigan, the only surviving 16th century Spanish colonial town in the Philippines, is the capital city of Ilocos Sur. From Baguio, it is a comfortable 4-5-hour bus ride along the west coast of northern Luzon facing the South China Sea.

When we stepped out of the reliable Partas Bus, Vigan was cast in the romantic, almost eerie glow of twilight. The town’s smaller than I imagined. People move around via a kalesa or horse-drawn carriage, on a tricycle or by foot. I gathered it wouldn’t take more than a day to do the rounds of the city’s attractions. Vigan is so small and intimate, that in fact, even their retail buildings are on a first name basis like Linda’s Department Store or Mike’s Department Store.

On the way to our hotel, we caught a glimpse of Vigan’s Heritage Village, considered as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites. It was like a dream in sepia, straight out of a Noli Mi Tangere book. The whole village gives you a rustic and olden feel, from the cobblestoned streets, Asian-European architecture, down to the wooden balusters and Capiz shells that adorn the windows of probably more than a hundred ancestral Spanish houses.

As you listen to the clickety-clacks of horse drawn carriages and gaze at the old ventanillas, a compelling sense of history overwhelms you. Everything was so surreal. Where do we go, where do we start? I, for one, was feeling all too lost in time. This must have been what Dorothy felt like when she dropped in the Land of Oz. With this insight, I guess, there was only one sensible thing for us to do: just follow the old, weathered brick road!

So off we went to the world famous Heritage Village or Calle Crisologo, where we discovered some delightful things to do along the way:

1. Ride a kalesaTo conserve the nostalgic feel of the colonial street in Vigan, only horse-drawn carriages are allowed to enter and pass. For about 150 pesos per hour, you can tour Calle Crisologo, as well other parts of Vigan off the brick track. The good thing is the kalesa drivers are all trained by the local Department of Tourism and act as your local tourist guide. They know exactly the places you need to see. Some historical spots to visit are: the Bantay Church and Bell Tower; Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson’s Baluarte that features a mini zoo, skeet shooting range, pony rides and animal show; Plaza Burgos - dedicated to the memory of Father Jose Burgos, one of the three martyred Filipino priests (GOMBURZA) at Bagumbayan; and the Pagburnayan, where traditional Vigan jars (burnay) of varied shapes, designs and sizes are made. The kalesa tour usually culminates back to the main street of the Heritage Village, Calle Crisologo.

2. Take photos of the awesome architecture
The cobblestoned street of Calle Crisologo is said to stretch up to 1 km and is lined with colonial houses of affluent families that are picture-perfect with their blend of Chinese and European architectures. The houses look simple enough but are lovely nonetheless with their roofs of red tiles, brick walls, big doors, intricate grill and wood works, sliding capiz shell windows, and seemingly antique furniture that give you the feel of a 1572 ambience. Some of these ancestral houses have been turned into quaint hotels and inns. Even the restaurants and cafes at the Heritage Village are all Spanish-era themed.

3. Market, Market for pasalubongs
Some of the houses in Calle Crisologo are now used as souvenir shops selling items from “I heart Vigan” T-shirts to locally grown tobacco. Ilocanos appear to have a very strong sense of identity and respect for heritage. They have remained steadfast to their forebear’s time-honored crafts of burnay making (pottery) and inabel (hand loom weaving). With this, other great souvenir items to bring back home are coin purses made of woven fabric, knitted shawls and bags, hats made of indigenous materials, and burnay products. Some stores also flaunt intricate jewelry, Vigan woodcrafts, and trunks that imitate antique designs.

4. Feast on bagnet and other Ilocano delicacies
Ilocos is known for its native cuisine. A first-timer should try their signature dishes like pinakbet, the famous Vigan longganiza (garlic-flavored pork sausage), and the crunchy bagnet (pan-fried pork meat). The Vigan empanada --best eaten when dipped in vinegar-- is also a common favorite, which you can find in several stalls along Plaza Burgos. And since the weather in Vigan is hotter than most parts of the Philippines, enjoying a refreshing Pinoy halo-halo and free wifi at Max’s Restaurant is just awesome. Some of my recommended places to eat are Cafe Leona (of the great Ilocano poet Leona Florentino) and Cafe Uno -- the first coffee shop in Vigan city serving hot and cold beverages, desserts, pasta and sandwiches.

5. Enjoy a romantic stroll at night
A leisurely walk through Calle Crisologo is simply magical at night, especially with the golden colonial-style street lamps adding more to the 16th century ambience. There are also plenty of wooden benches (some decorated with wheels like that of a kalesa), which are perfect for quiet conversations, photo-ops, or simply for you to rest along the way.

6. Talk to the locals and listen to old talesHow did Vigan survive? How come this gracious capital still stands intact despite the war and trials of time? The locals say that Calle Crisologo is a “Street Spared for Love”. Story has it that during the later part of World War II, retreating Japanese troops would blaze any town before leaving so that American forces could not make use of them. However, a couple of Japanese officers found love and married local girls. So concerned were they for their families that they would bravely defy their orders to burn Vigan. Instead, they made a pact with the parish priest to protect their loved ones and they would leave the city intact. The Japanese officers may not have survived the war, but their undying love for their families saved this lovely town. And today, people are still being encouraged to protect the town’s heritage. You’d be impressed to learn that there are municipal ordinances specifying the historic center boundaries of the town where structures must be strictly conserved.

Indeed, Vigan is quite a lovely place to get lost in. But at the end of every road, you ask: How do I go back home? Unfortunately, there isn’t a direct flight yet from Vigan to Cebu. But a traveler has the option to go by bus or plane going to Manila, then fly to Cebu.

In our case, we rented a private vehicle going to Laoag International Airport, about 1 ½ hour drive from Vigan City, and took the daily flight to Manila via Philippine Airlines. There’s also another one via Cebu Pacific Air. But as we sat there at the departure lounge, anxious over yet another delayed flight by a couple of hours, I couldn’t help but wish that at the end of every brick road, we could just somehow borrow Dorothy’s ruby shoes, click three times and say “There’s no place like home”.

-- SunStar Weekend, February 11, 2011

I went to Baguio and hugged a tree

It was 45 minutes past midnight and we were still circling above Metro Manila, waiting for the captain to announce our final descent. Flight 2P801 from Singapore was already an hour delayed and we still have a bus to catch. No, not just any bus but The Bus – Victory Liner’s relatively new Deluxe Bus to Baguio City featuring an in-built lavatory, comfortable seats, free snacks, and most of all, free wifi! We have got to be in that bus. Not just because of the novelty of its cool features, but also – still high on Wicked The Musical, we couldn’t wait to defy gravity in Baguio City. Land the plane, land the plane now, I chanted like a witch. Our bus leaves at – I sneaked a glance at my pre-ordered Victory Liner ticket – OMG, in exactly 30 minutes. To avoid forfeiting our seats, we were instructed to check in already at, gulp, right that moment.

As soon as the airplane doors opened, my friend Jan and I hit the ground running, raced through the mocking white halls of NAIA 3, glowered at the slow-moving lines at Immigration and grabbed our bags. We took the first car for hire - never mind the bloated surcharge- and urged the driver to catch the Victory Liner Deluxe Bus at Pasay Terminal. How could it be, that even at midnight, Manila’s roads are still beset with heavy traffic? Good thing the young driver was sympathetic to our plight-- he wasted no time cutting through it all. Or, if I was thinking clearly at that moment, I could just say the driver was mad.

(Illustration by JPadreganda)

We reached the terminal just as the only remaining yellow bus was shutting its doors and crawling through the curve. I shouted and waved our tickets in the air, “Stop the bus, stop the bus!” Responding to the siren of distress, the terminal suddenly came alive. A car near the bus started honking for it to stop, someone helped us with our luggage and ran with us, one man shouted for another to pound on the bus, clueless passersby started shouting as well. For a brief moment there, I wondered, this must be the Pinoy bayanihan spirit at work. It was awesome experiencing it firsthand… if only we weren’t so stressed. The bus finally stopped. The stewardess (yes, the bus has one!) patiently opened the door only to tell us that, sorry, they were already full. I couldn’t believe it. After all the running, we still missed it. Worse, that was the last trip till morning – a sentence of frustration to the highest level. Thank you very much, Flight 2P801.

When things like this happen, you can choose to either cry it out or just move on and learn the lesson. We reluctantly opted for the latter. And I guess that’s how, at 2:00 am on a Friday, while cruising the busy streets of Pasay looking for a decent place to sleep, we comforted ourselves by taking to heart these five travel tips:

1. Never book flights or trips one after the other. For as long as you can help it, schedule consecutive trips at least a day apart. Even three to five hours lead time don’t always cut it. For your peace of mind, never expect airlines to be on time, even if they say so. Unfortunately, delays are a sad, but inevitable part of traveling. Don’t you notice, it’s always something -- a failed communication equipment, bad weather, heavy traffic, technical difficulties or just your plain forgetfulness. So give enough time for the dust to settle first when you land so you can see clearly where you’re going next.

2. Always have a Plan B. Travel plans have a way of going awry. You can lose a luggage, get lost or be stranded. In our case, it’s no joke going around Manila looking for a non-fully booked hotel at 2:00 in the morning. And expensive, too, especially when you don’t know the area. Even if you check in way after midnight and check out at 8:00 am, hotels will still charge you a full day’s worth. Truly, ouch. I wish all city hotels will start offering Sleep N’ Fly packages, especially with the nocturnal air flight schedules these days. If we had been better prepared, we might just have been able to find one that does, or just crashed at a friend’s place.

3. Pack well and limit yourself to just one luggage. In the long run, it pays.

4. When your travel itinerary gets skewed and there’s nothing else you can do, just sleep it off. Things will be better in the morning. After resting and indulging in a good buffet breakfast, we finally managed to catch another Deluxe Bus. This time, there were only about 7 passengers so we enjoyed more space. Less the stress, we were also able to see how funny it all was. We couldn’t stop laughing all the way to Baguio City. Something that we wouldn’t have been able to do had we stayed awake all night busy being mad.

5. Choose to look at the brighter side of life. Things may not always go well when we travel but Baguio City-- the summer capital of the Philippines-- is one destination that’s so cool it inspires one to look at the sunny side of things. For one, the viewing deck of Mines View Park is so high and peaceful you’ll begin to see things at a better perspective. Our systems and people may not always be efficient, but when you visit our cultural heritage at Tam-awan Village, you’ll find hope. If the ancestral tribes were able to work together, build structure and manage to survive the unpredictable mountains, so could we if we put our minds to it. And then, how could one afford to think of this country as poor when you see the abundant fresh vegetables and strawberry fields in Benguet, towering Pine Trees and rolling greens in Camp John Hay, beautiful rice terraces and glorious mountains all around? And if you’ve ever thought of Pinoys as inferior, you’ll change your mind once you meet the many creative people in Session Road who can sing through any heartache, magically turn an ugly thing to beautiful art and who can make various products out of one fruit and market them.

We may have been delayed in getting to Baguio, but then, with an open heart, I guess there’s always enough time to be inspired and be at the right place. Never mind the 6-hour bus trip. Once you find yourself in the midst of a magical place like Baguio, you feel so blessed that you learn to forgive and forget all inconveniences, even that of Flight 2P801.

Things may not always start out right, but traveling proves that in the Philippines, the winding roads can always lead us to something better. And that’s how, one fine day in the City of Pines, I finally thanked God and hugged a tree.





-- SunStar Weekend, January 21 & 28, 2012

Northern Delights

Journey with us as my siblings and I discover the many delightful ways of Northern Cebu!

Dawning the festive streets as we head north

Breakfast in Borussia: A Taste of Europe in Sogod, Northern Cebu

Meet the Little Borussia Chef who prepares a delish lasagna, tasty baguettes, mean German sausages and a whole lot more!

Eggs, anyone?

A little play and exercise while waiting for breakfast

A walk in the gardens

Quiet morning conversations

A Monkey at the monkey bar; my brother Manster when he's not at the monkey bar

Caution: New Driver! Where to next?

Ziplining or Taking the shortcut home to our orange mountain hut in Medellin

Get set...

... ready and go!

A lovely view to calm my sister's nerves

Manster: "Watch me, I'm going hooommmee! Almost there Mom!"

Conquering the fear of heights. Sis, you're up next!

Maila: "This is it!"

Maila: "Whoa, this is easier than i thought..."

Maila: "Hey, Popsy, i did it!"

Wait for meeeee!

As a more relaxing alternative, there's always the cable car

Taking in the sights of Caputatan Norte, Medellin Cebu

Finally, mountain trekking... You comin'?

A Wicked Journey

Everyone deserves a chance to fly!– Elphaba in “Defying Gravity”, WICKED The Musical

When I read at showbizasia.com that the Wicked Witch of the West is singing a spell and landing her gravity-defying broomstick in Singapore, specifically The Grand Theater of Marina Bay Sands, I knew that I have got to fly and witness this magical show. Having seen the classic film “The Wizard of Oz” when I was younger, I was particularly curious to know, “What made you so wicked, Wicked Witch?” Are you as green as they say? And did you really have to fight Dorothy from Kansas over, what, red shoes?

It is said that so much has happened before Dorothy and her little dog Toto dropped in the Land of Oz. Thanks to Base Entertainment Asia (also the producers of The Lion King Musical in Singapore), the multi award-winning WICKED -- hailed as the “Best Musical of the Decade” after its successful run on Broadway, in North America, London, Germany, Japan and Australia – finally finds its way in Southeast Asia to tell us the untold story of the Witches of Oz.


“Where I'm from, we believe in all sorts of things that aren't true... we call it history.”
― Wizard of Oz, WICKED The Musical

Have you ever wondered about the origins of the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman and Cowardly Lion from “The Wizard of OZ”? Was it an accident that Dorothy and Toto were sent to the Land of Oz through a tornado? Only the witches can tell.

Based on the Gregory Maguire 1995 novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West”, WICKED The Musical offers a fresh take on Oz’s history and the nature of good and evil with a parallel story told from the perspective of the witches in The Wizard of Oz. It is said that long before Dorothy and her friends stepped on the Yellow Brick Road, two opposite girls met at Oz’s elite Shiz University and became friends: Elphaba-- the smart, fiery, outcast with emerald-green skin, and Galinda (later Glinda)-- the beautiful, ambitious and popular blonde. WICKED tells the story of their unlikely friendship and how their characters led them to completely different destinies — Elphaba grew to become the notorious Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch of the North -- while struggling through opposing personalities, rivalry over the same love-interest, and different political views.


“I am wonderful... they call me wonderful, so I am wonderful!”
-Wizard of Oz, WICKED The Musical

The moment I was seated on Marina Bay Sands’ plush Grand Theater seat, I was spellbound. Who wouldn’t be with WICKED’s flying monkeys, giant mechanical dragon, a blonde floating in a cloud of bubbles, and a green witch defying gravity? Boasting of 35 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony awards, WICKED The Musical enchants with its original storyline, outstanding sets and costumes and exceptional all-Australian cast for this Singapore production.


Consider these wicked numbers: there are 350 costumes and 69 wigs for all 34 cast members on stage per show; Glinda’s bubble dress alone weighs 20kg (a kilo more and she has to pay the Bubble Air surcharge); you can count 111 windows in the Shiz backdrop that lights up; and Wicked has 54 scenes and locations, plus stunning flying effects. Still leaves me breathless just thinking about it.


“You have been Galindafied!”
-Fiyero to Elphaba, WICKED The Musical

Apart from the awesomeness of its sets, fun choreography and unforgettable music, for me, the best part of the show is its amazing, laugh-out-loud dialogue and lyrics- so witty and irreverent! Adapted by Winnie Holzman with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Academy Award-winner for Pocahontas and The Prince of Egypt), the musical tickles your mind with lines like: “Okay let's get this over with—No I'm not seasick, Yes I've always been green, No I didn't eat grass as a child” by the defiant Elphaba; and "Bright? She's phosphorescent! I happen to be genuinely self absorbed and deeply shallow" by the perky Galinda.


Here’s more:

“Glinda: It's good to see me, isn't it? No need to answer, that was rhetorical."

“Galinda: ...Oh I know! Let’s tell each other something we've never told anyone...I'll go first: Fiyero and I are going to be married! (squeals)
Elphaba: Really? He's asked you already?
Galinda: No, he doesn’t know yet.”

“Madame Morrible: You must be Nessarose, what a tragically beautiful face. And where is- [Turns to Elphaba and screams]
Elphaba: I'm the other daughter, Elphaba. I'm beautifully tragic.”

Lead actresses Jemma Rix (Elphaba) and Suzie Mathers (Galinda, later Glinda) are simply hilarious as they sprinkle magic on stage playing out their roles in perfect tandem.


"Maybe I'm brainless, maybe I'm wise, but you've got me seeing through different eyes."
-Fiyero in "As Long as You're Mine", WICKED The Musical

WICKED The Musical in its entirety makes you laugh, cry… and think. As the musical opens, a girl in the crowd asks, “Glinda, why does wickedness happen?" Glinda answers, “That's a good question. One that many people find ‘confusifying’: Are people born Wicked? Or do they have Wickedness thrust upon them?”

What does it really mean to be "Wicked"? Is it about failing to do “good”? Are good intentions with bad results the same as bad intentions with bad results? Would you consider ‘wicked’ living the unexamined life or those with a mindless, cavalier “Dancing through Life” approach like Fiyero the Prince? Is it true what the song says, “No Good Deed Goes Unpunished”? Are we really seeking good or just seeking attention?

WICKED The Musical explores the concept that Elphaba is a misunderstood, victimized girl whose fiery protests against the charlatan Wizard's corrupt government earned her the title “Wicked Witch of the West”. Of course it didn’t help that her skin color was green. On the other hand, Glinda the Good Witch proves that you really cannot be “Popular” without being scheming and shrewd.

With this, we realize that no one is totally wicked or totally good. Wickedness, then, is a matter of perspective. The Wizard aptly sings it: “A man is called a traitor or liberator; a rich man’s a thief or philanthropist. Is one a crusader or ruthless invader? Depends on which label is able to persist.”

WICKED The Musical addresses complex themes such as standards of beauty and morality. It allows us to see that friendship knows no barriers. Be it from the wicked or the good, there are lessons to be learned. We find that “there’s always blame to share” and whether you’re good or bad, bad and great things still happen to you. In the end, even the Wicked finds love.”Thank goodness!”


Ever since the original production of Wicked premiered on Broadway in 2003, starring Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda (you may have seen them on TV as guest performers in GLEE), I have dreamed of flying to see the Wicked Witch. It took 8 good years for this perfect journey to come through. To the WICKED, I sing this with Elphaba and Glinda in finale, “Who can say if I have been changed for the better? But because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”

WICKED The Musical continues to play at the Marina Bay Sands Grand Theater in Singapore till February 26, 2012. Go watch it, lah! Definitely worth defying gravity for.

--SunStar Weekend, January 7, 2012
*Photos courtesy of http://wickedthemusical.com.sg