Jpop Singing Contest, Himitsu Heiki

This was a super long ago happening (July 2011) but I really wanna blog about it because it was really fun!

I met a few members of the Himitsu Heiki band long before when I was still addicted to playing Drummania in the arcade. Thing is, Himitsu Heiki as a band is actually kinda like a family. Their members are quite flexible like that. Some members come and go, some just session, while others are permanent. I was just invited to session by their guitarist KR and since I knew some members already AND I like Japanese music (i’m rather very picky at choosing the people and music style that i wanna play with and Himitsu Heiki is a j-music cover band), I agreed! But the thing is, half of the members of Himitsu Heiki already won the same contest last year. Their other members Ann and KR who weren’t able to join last year wanted to join this year but needed more band members so they got Jordan on bass, Mogs on drums and me on the keys and called ourselves HEIKI to prevent some “issues” and shit.

BUUUT lol a week before the contest, our guitarist migrated abroad LOL. Luckily, there was Ric on guitars, also a really old friend of ours! AND THERE! Who knew we’d be bagging the entire SM Megmall that day haha nah I’m just kidding.XD Something like that.

The JPOP Singing contest was part of the Japanese Friendship month thingy held at SM Megamall so there were lots of contests held like art contest blah blah I can’t remember what else okay that’s not a lot.

Me and Ann bebe before the event.

Girlfriends Lesley, Kezia and Ann~! ❤

Time to shine~

What was I singing here? Oh yeah it was in Japanese.XD

Being interviewed by HEROTV after our performance…

…and suddenly getting called on stage to receive our awards! We’ve just won everything. The 1st prize, the Hero’s Choice Award and the TOEI’s choice award. Is that too much to brag? lol

Together with the other winners~ 🙂

DORAEMON!!!

Prizes were: a HEROTV framed anime poster (huh?), One Piece original goodies (lots of figurines etc) and other TOEI merchandise, free 48-hour Nihonggo lessons at the Japan Embassy, free lessons at Center for Pop and the most badass: a Panasonic Component EACH. It’s the blue box in the pictures above. Not a rice cooker.

Oh and… lots and lots of Yakult and Ajinomoto Umami Seasoning lol

Trivia: the half of Himitsu Heiki called “HIMITSU” (lol) won the exact same prizes in this same contest last year. Oh yeah~

CHOW TIME after being champions! Always tastes 10x better after some major success.

Optimus Prime.

This was the song we sang; Piece of My Wish by Miki Imai ❤

(during our last practice…)

My Graduation Recital with the Manila Symphony Orchestra

Long time it is! So much stuff to write about for keepsake. Allow me to begin!

MEL’S RECITAL

The best day that’s ever happened to me! But I had to undergo a series of terrible weeks before it too. And you guys have no idea HAHA! The stress, the nightmares of hitting the wrong notes, the horrors of mental-blocking (which happened during my exams lol), the dresses that needed so much altering, the heels that were slipping whenever I tried to pedal, the ensemble between me and the orchestra, the catering, the agony of the wait and the unparalleled nervousness. And I prayed for days like I was about to die!!! And believe it or not, I was majorly messing out during the last rehearsal one hour before my recital. My goodness.

But thank you Lord. 😉 You kept everything in place the entire time. You are one awesome being and I owe EVERYTHING to You.

 

Calling everyone in heaven to come down… (photo by my photographer cousin, Aileen from Black Label Photogs!)

Solo pieces first!

As I would call it, a “sweet & sour” feeling. Sweet because never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be able to play Rachmaninoff Concerto no. 2 with an orchestra (MSO) & sour because it was soooo scary that if I’d messed up, it would’ve been just terrible haha. But it was really something. Really something. Maybe a bit like sky-diving, though I’m just assuming since I’ve never sky-dived before. Sky-diving for 35 minutes that is! And I have my sweet mom and dad to thank for giving me an orchestra for a night! Not to mention, a reeaaaaally good orchestra at that! They know the piece so well! I was just so blessed. ❤

And here’s my song number! Haha kidding that’s me saying my thanks to everyone! I especially want to thank my professor Sir Jourdan who helped me sooooo much during the span of my recital preparation. He was always there during rehearsals, in times of my drama moments etc and he’s taught me a lot. I guess he’s had as much headache as I had.

With my beloved family! My little sister was part of the orchestra on violin 1. So proud of her too!

So much people came! AHA was jam packed! This was during reception. But I think this was just  less than half of the audience. I was so glad a lot of people came to watch.:) Though I’m not sure if all the people who ate really watched lol.

MY SPECIAL CUPCAKE TABLE! So happy *_*

With 2 of my ex-professors, Ma’am Pia and Ma’am Quinto, (far right & 3rd to the right).

With my friends from UP College of Music.

Got lots of flowers, gifts and some sweet dedications from my GC friends! Love you guys! Thanks for being ever-present during my recitals! All 3 of them! ❤

And to my Jet! I love you! Thank you for all your support. You are the best. THE BEST! 😀 If you’re reading this, sorry if I’ve been kinda bitchy to you for the past few days lol it’s just that time of the month.XDD

To those who are wondering what the hell do musicians do after they’ve graduated, well, we earn like all of you people except that you just don’t have any idea how much hihi… I’m giving private piano lessons, accompanying for some chi-ching, performing in some rackets here and there while taking a well deserved break! No plans of forming or joining any bands (because a LOT of people have been asking. So sorry to disappoint you guys.) Himitsu Heiki is the only band that I’ve decided to played with right now primarily because I’ve been friends with some of the members for a long time, I enjoy their company a lot and I just LOVE Japanese pop/rock music more than any western pop/rock music right now. Imagine playing L’Arc~en~Ciel songs! And a whole lot of super awesome anime songs. I never thought I’d find people to play L’arc songs with! And I’ve been composing pop songs for fun too! Will post them some other time.

As for YouTube covers, no plans. ;p I don’t really want my YouTube to be filled with pop song covers. I like posting live performances like my piano videos etc since I’m really a classical artist like that. Those covers were just for fun! But thanks to those who appreciate them nevertheless.

Anyhow, thanks again to everyone who became part of my college life. This was the exclamation point that ended those five-and-a-half years.:’) Waiting for graduation day this March!

More on a whole lot of other stuff on the next update!