80’s Musical Play- Not The Prom Queen February 15, 2008

I made this for my youngest brother Jhao. He said his music teacher requires them to do a Musical Play, songs from the 80’s. I said, I like musical plays. So I agreed to help out. Here’s what I came up with. There might be grammar lapses, just don’t mind them. I have no time to edit.

Musical/Comedy
Title: Not The Prom Queen
Characters:

Jamie Hayfield: Science & Math geek. Straight A student. Aspires to be a geneticist. Wears wide-eyed glasses, out of fashion weird looking outfits and loves to wear running shoes. She’s good natured but often misunderstood. she has a squeaky voice when she talks but sings really well. Her parents died in a car crash and was raised by her grandparents. She lives a in an old manor on top of the hill. They’re rich but does not want everyone in her class to know. On her 16^th birthday, she was given an heirloom. A heart-shaped locket with small diamonds studs in the center, which is worth half a million dollars. She was instructed by her grandmother whom she calls Nana, to only wear the locket whenever she feels something good is about to happen. The locket has been with the Hayfield family for more than 300 years and was believed to be magical.

Sam Murphy: An artist. He’s into abstract painting, but is also good in charcoal drawing. He loves art so much that he wants to put up his own studio and gallery at the age of 18. He loves alternative/rock music and plays in a band as a drummer during his spare time. He’s part of the student school body. He has nice features and considered really good looking only when he finds the time to comb his hair and wear decent clothes. He’s Jamie’s best friend and confidant. They grew up together. Both their parents died in a car crash when they were 10 years old.

Tracy Cooper: She’s the president of the music club, head cheerleader and queen of snobs. She’s from a wealthy family and is the only girl in school who drives a porche. She is envied by almost every girl in school. She gets to date the hottest senior guy named Jerry Mcalister. She’s impatient, irritable and snobbish. She enjoys being the center of attention. She is often seen kissing every teachers ass to help her pass the exams. Her dad is one of the most influential people in town, and she likes to brag what her dad does for a living… a Mayor.

Brad Mcalister: Handsome, gorgeous, good looking head of football team. He also plays in a band as the lead vocalist. Both Sam and Brad are actually good friends despite their difference. Not everyone in school knows about their friendship, they  feel it may not be socially accepted. Brad is also Jamie’s good friend. They were childhood playmates. But things turned out differently when Jerry started hanging out with the cool people in school. Recently, when Brad started dating Tracy, He swore to Tracy that he will never talk to Jamie in public as it might ruin her reputation. Brad hated the idea but agreed to it somehow. Brad and Jamie remained good friends despite the situation.

Jamie’s Friends:

• Cynthia Lansky

• Molly Harper

• Karen Simmons

Tracy’s Friends:

• Faye Sanders

• Tina Phillips

• Anne Davis

• Dianne Floyyd

Sam Murphy’s Friends:

• Jeff Dillon

• Eddie Lowes

Brad Mcalister’s Friends:

• Nick Tyler

• Fredd Sager

Other cast:

• Nana

• Aunt Marie

• Professor Tillman

• Professor Randall

Scene 1: Music: Walking on Sunshine
Jamie: Bye Nana. Tell grandpa I placed his favorite book on top his desk. I’ll be back before dinner. (As she closed the door… music begins Walking on Sunshine)
Jamie on her way to school. Happily prancing while carrying her dirty backpack .Met her 3 friends on the way. Choreographed dance until end of first chorus.

Scene 2:
Sam: Here you go Jamie. (Sam hands out a flyer that says: A Night To Remember… Vote for your Prom King and Queen)
Jamie: When did I get interested in this?
Sam: Just thought you might wanna cast your vote.
Jamie: Sorry Sam. You know I’m not interested. (Gives back the flyer and walks away)
Sam: (Sam screams at the top of his lungs saying: “But every student is required to vote!”)
Jamie: Yeah, yeah..Whatever. (Making faces. Disgruntled)

Scene 3:
Molly: I guess it’d be nice to attend the prom this year. It’s our last year anyway.
Karen: Yeah, I thought so too.
Cynthia: Are you out of your minds? (Looks at Jamie in a concerned way)
Molly: Maybe?
Jamie: Guys, if you want to attend the prom…just go. Don’t think that not because I don’t like the idea, you should too.
Karen: Are you sure you won’t mind.
Jamie: Of course! Just make sure to bring cams and take pictures okay.
Molly: Anyone in particular you want us to take  photos?
Jamie: Ha! Don’t bother.
Karen: Seriously? You don’t want Brad’s picture…
Jamie: Maybe a little.

Jamie Day dreams (sings: I want To Know What Love Is?)

Scene 4: Inside the cafeteria. Tracy sitting with her friends. Jamie holding a tray on her way to where her friends.
Tracy: Look who’s back from the streets of Manhattan? I don’t have a penny, but I can give you a dollar. Hahaha!
Jamie: Really funny Tracy. You may be driving a porshe but your brain’s so empty that it needs a transplant. You want mine?
Tracy: Oh…too bad. I can even get Einstein’s brain if I want too. I just have to snap my fingers.
Jamie: Einstein’s dead. Idiot!
Tracy: Whatever! Oh and don’t even think about getting nominated as the prom queen. Coz even in your dreams… it’s never gonna happen.
Jamie: FYI. I don’t even care!
Sam: Hey! Jamie! Over here.
Sam: So you don’t care, huh? What about Brad?
Jamie: So what about him?
Sam: You won’t get to see him in a tuxedo.
Jamie: Didn’t I just say “I don’t care?” Or do you want me to spell it out for you.
Brad enters the cafeteria with his friends. (Music: Billy Jeans)

Molly: Sam is so hot!

Karen: You can say that again.
Cnythia: Jamie, you been friends with Brad, right? How come he doesn’t talk to you anymore?

Jamie: Actually, we still do. Except in school. Sam, Brad and I are good friends since kindergarten. We grew up together. I guess society tore our friendship apart. He’s cool and Sam and I are….okay I guess.

Sam: Brad & I are band mates, so we still hang out. But not in school. I guess Jamie’s right, society tore us apart.


Scene 5: At home: Jamie opens the door.
Jamie: Nana..Grandpa, I’m home.
Nana: Jamie, do you remember your Aunt Marie?
Jamie: How can I forget! My super cool Aunt! (Jamie runs to her Aunt and gave her a hug, then kissed Nana)
Aunt Marie: You’re still wearing those glasses? Why hide such a pretty face. And your hair… I bet I’d find insects in there.
Nana: Marie will be staying here for a week. She has a conference in Manhattan Place.
Aunt Marie: I have a lot to teach you, sweetie. But first, show me your closet.
Jamie: My what?
Jamie & Aunt Marie inside Jamie’s room. Aunt Marie gives Jamie a make-over.
Music: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (Cindy Lauper)

Scene 6: Cafeteria
Jamie enters the cafeteria. Music plays: Who’s That Girl? (Madonna)
Sam and Brad mesmerized by her beauty.
Cynthia: Jamie? What happened to you? You look…you look…Guys help me out here. I’m lost for words.
Karen: We don’t know what to say but… Music: plays… Simply Irrisistable

Scene 7: Hall
Sam approaching Jamie, holding a flyer.
Sam: Before you say anything, you look beautiful. And here…(gave Jamie the flyer)you got nominated.
Jamie: I got what!

Jamie sings: What a Feeling “Flash Dance”

Scene 8: Home
Nana: Headed for school? And I see your wearing the necklace. Be careful with that, you know it’s worth almost half a million dollars. And have I mentioned that it’s been with the family for more than 300 years?
Jamie: I know Nana. And you said I should only wear this if I know something good is about to happen.
Nana: Care to tell me what that is?
Jamie: I’d rather not. I might get jinxed.
Jamie: Aunt Marie, thanks for taking me shopping yesterday.
Aunt Marie: My pleasure. You can keep all the make-up and the shoes. They’re yours.
Jamie: You’re the most coolest Aunt in the whole world!

Scene 9: Locker room

Jamie looks at Brad-Sam stares at Jamie
Jamie, Brad and Sam sings “It Might Be You” in different shots.

Sam: Jamie! Wait up.

Jamie: What’s the rush?
Sam: Just want to ask if you have a date for the prom?
Jamie: Nope. I’ll go by myself.
Sam: I can take you if you want me to?
Jamie: Are you asking me to be your date?
Sam: Not really. I just thought that since I’m your best friend, I shouldn’t let you go dateless.
Jamie: No. I’m ok. I can go with girls. They’re  dateless too, you know.
Sam: Ok. Whatever you say. (feeling sad) Music: What Do we Mean?

Scene 10:
Tracy: I really hate geeks! Specially that stupid looking Jamie. She thinks she’s so hot now. She still a geek!
Dianne: But you can’t deny that she’s really pretty.
Tracy: Whatever! I’ll make sure she won’t get the crown. She’ll have her worst nightmare come to life. Just wait.

Tina: You are so mean.

Tracy: I know! Coz we don’t live in the same world…coz “I’m a material girl.”
Tracy: Sings: Material Girl

Scene11: Prom Night
Everyone at the party will dance and sing to the tune of: Footloose
After the dance: Jamie arrives. Everyone stops at whatever they’re doing and just stared at her.
Brad stares at Jamie, mesmerized.
Jamie was approached by her friends.
Jamie saw Brad staring  at her. Jamie just smiled.
Jamie saw Sam looking at her. Jamie felt something different from the way Sam looks at her. Something she never felt before.
As he walks to her direction.
Sam: Jamie, Can I have this dance?
Music plays: Got To believe In Magic
Professor Tillman: Can I have everyone’s attention please. We will now announce the Prom King and Queen.
Professor Randall: The Prom King… none other than… Brad Macalister… and The Prom Queen Tracy Cooper!

Tracy walks passed Jamie.
Tracy: So you really thought you’d win? Dream on weirdo!
Tracy walks to the stage and took the crown.
Professor Tillman: This year, we’ve decided to give another award… The Goddess of Beauty! This goes out to that student who exudes beauty inside out, secretly nominated by all professors and the student body.
Professor Randall: And The Goddess of Beauty award goes out to Jamie Hayfield.
Jamie walks to the stage. As soon as she’s on the stage, red paint went splashing on her.
Jamie now covered with red paint. Dance: Thriller!
Jamie ran headed for the exit.
As soon as she’s out, Sam grabbed her and hugged her real tight. Jamie sobbing. (Music: Lean On Me)

Sam looks deeply into Jamie’s eyes.
Sam & Jamie sings: always (Atlantic Star)

After singing…
Sam: What about Brad?
Jamie: Brad? He’s just a face and a phase. Besides, he’s with Tracy. I’m already covered in red and don’t want to have blue on me. I’m sure this is her work.
Sam: You still look amazingly beautiful with all the red paint on your hair and your face. Would you still want to go inside? I’ll take you home if you want to.
Jamie: I ‘ll stay. I don’t want them to think that I’m a coward. I maybe a geek, but I’m not a chicken! I’ll show that Tracy and her robots who the real Jamie Hayfield is.
Sam and Jamie walks hand in hand as they enter the Gym.

Scene 12: Dance Showdown
Tracy and her friends vs. Jamie and her friends

Tracy: Why are you still here? You just don’t get it do yah? You’re nothing but a stupid, ugly geek!

Tracy: I’ll show you what’s hot.

Jamie: Bring it on… Megatron! just Beat It!

Dance Showdown song: Beat It

Jamie and friends…better dancers.
Everyone: (clap hands, excited!)

Tracy & Friends: Ran outside, crying out of humiliation.
Sam approached her after dancing.
Jamie: I know something good is going to happen. (Holding her necklace). Tracy and her robots are crushed! And I have you! This necklace is really magical.
Sam: What did you say?
Jamie: Nothing. I just said I’m so glad to have you. You’ll always be my hero.
Sam: Ain’t that line so old?
Jamie: I know.
Slow song plays: Time Of My Life
Sam: May have this dance?
Song till fade. Close Curtain.

All Cast Dance: Karma Chameleon

Fat Fabulous February 15, 2008

Being fat for some women is a nightmare, others it’s a tragedy and for some, it’s death! Better that they die rather than find themselves buy from stores that only sells “biggy size” clothes. For us Filipino women, it’s not easy being fat, because most of us (if not all) are born petite. Actually, it’s typical for Asian women to have a small frame. So, if you’re Asian, and you’re fat, you’re not sexy! When you go to a mall, and you see a SALE posted on a glass wall, don’t expect to see small (S) or medium (M) shirt on sale. Most likely than not, what’s on sale are the extreme ones, it’s either extra small (XS) or (XL).  And as you try an outfit, you’d find yourself frustrated because none of the clothes on sale fits you. Only because you’re an average size. And you should be thankful for that. At least you’re not too skinny to look like an 11 year old in high heels or too fat to look like a human Rhino.

When you were in your early teens, you can’t stop yourself from eating junk foods, ice cream, chocolates, hamburgers and pizza. But as you age, and you notice that everyone else around you is conscious about what their eating, you tend to do the same. So here comes salad, all white meat chicken, wheat bread, and herbal tea. Honestly, do you even enjoy them? All the diet you’re putting yourself into just to look like Nicole Ritchie or Victoria Beckham… Please. It’s dreadful! Slim is nice, but skin and bones… is not!

5 years ago, I look so much like a walking broom stick… thin and frail. But I can pull off a hanging shirt and a mini skirt, because I have nice abs. I don’t have a bulging stomach, arms as big as an oak tree or legs of an elephant (too much hyperbole). My point is, people are telling me I’m sexy! So that was sexy, huh? Really? Now, I guess I can say “No”, that’s not sexy. That’s skinny!

From 95 lbs, I am now a 120 lbs… and I’m only 5′1”. See that? If you’d think about it, 25 lbs is a huge amount of weight to put on. And I should feel really bad about it. But I don’t. Actually, I’ve been getting a lot of compliments because of it. True. I’m chubby now, and I don’t fit in an extra small shirt anymore. But I hardly even care. I like what I am now. I’m more confident, I am happy and I feel sexier! So hard to believe… but it’s true. Of course, I don’t want to get any bigger. Chubby is fine, but to look like cow .. noway! Oh! And for as long as my husband says I look sexy and he likes it… there’s no diet for me!

What’s your Valentine’s Day? February 15, 2008

The month of February is the much awaited month (aside form their anniversary) for people in a relationship. Valentines Day! The anticipation of giving and receiving  the most romantic gift is all over the place. Wherever you turn your head, you’d see paper cut-out hearts, miniature cupid, flowers and chocolates in fancy red ribbon. Looking for the  romantic gift is not an easy task for someone who is not romantic at all. But the thought that you want your partner to be happy, you have to put some effort to add a dash of romance in you. Where would you go to find that romantic gift you’ve been looking for? Is it always available in the mall? Do you always have to pay for it? This is where you have to sniff the air and dig a little deeper. You have to know what and who your partner is. Is he sentimental, materialistic, high-end, anything goes or no-care-at-all type? If you had that figured out, the next thing you do is to prepare. These days, planning starts with your budget. Unlike before, time is the most considerable factor. It seems that what you need and want is readily available if you have the right budget. You need money if you want to buy her what she wants or take her to a special date. But there are those who prefer to receive something that they know their partner worked hard for, like a poem perhaps or recycled Valentines card. It only takes a little of your creativity. This does not apply to everyone. Again, knowing what and who your partner is will help a lot.

Let’s turn the tables a bit, because I’m about to tell you how different Valentines is for married couples. When you were still dating, Valentines day is something you shouldn’t miss. It’s like committing a crime if you forgot to celebrate Valentines Day.  You’re already saving money for this day and already preparing a month before Valentines. This is a proof of how much you’re excited celebrating V-Day with your partner. You go to the mall and tried to look for that one special gift you think would make him happy. You call the restaurant  to reserve the best table. You’ve been squeezing your brains out to come up with a poem. You’ve been cutting papers and pictures for the scrapbook. And all these are because it’s Valentines Day!  Have I painted a clear picture of how it was like before married life? The truth about married couples is that they don’t really spend V-Day anymore. There’s not much preparation. A simple greeting and a kiss is enough. In this modern time, a text message is as good as getting a gift! I am not generalizing all married couples. There are still those who keeps the passion alive to celebrate V-Day. My point is, if married couples forgot to celebrate V-Day, it’s not as bad as how it was when you were still dating. There’s no crime committed if you forgot to buy her flowers or chocolates. What’s really important is that at the end of the day, after the celebration is over, your love for each other is stronger than ever (rhyming words). And you’ll just say… Valentines Day, is just another day!