MACAU-HK VACAY P5

We now come to the final stage of our three-day experience in the country of Macau...

An uphill road leading to one of the famous landmarks this small country has to offer.

The Ruins of St. Paul the Apostle Church. A stone church facade is all that was left caused by a great fire more than a century ago. The site was breathtaking. After climbing the 66 stone steps leading up to the landmark a path worth taking. There is also a small museum at the back where  relics of the ruined but historical church are showcased.

After our mini-tour at the ruins, we went on to mangle on free food samples along the streets, grabbed some warm coffee form Starbucks and finally, bought our "pasalubongs" for our loved-ones back home. Just a few freshening up and we headed straight back to the airport, said our heartfelt goodbyes to Karesse and boarded our plane homeward bound.

THANK YOU, MACAU AND HONGKONG!!!

UNTIL NEXT TIME!

MACAU-HK VACAY P1

A few months ago, there was an airline promo posted on the internet about a very reasonable deal to get to go to Macau and back. Of course the travel-hungry members of MSC immediately grabbed the deal and set on a journey to a strange land to get some well deserved R and R!

Annalyn, Mackoy, Oyet, Joy,  Glady and her family and I signed up for the journey immediately! It was a three-day vacay which also is intended to visit our very own Karesse that is currently working as a singer in a well-known hotel in Macau, The Venetian.  

Flight was at 7:30PM at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark, Pampanga. We arrived at the Macau Airport an hour and a half later and was warmly greeted by our Host, Karesse who enthusiastically invited us all for a welcome dinner at her apartment.

After a sumptuous dinner, we headed to the famous casinos and some tried their luck on the gambling tables in which Macau is famous for. As we stolled down the streets of Macau, I couldn't help but appreciate the cold climate of the night which one could never go out without a coat or a jacket.  

We managed to convince Karesse to stay at our hotel so that we could all be together the earliest to set off for Hong Kong the next day... Disneyland, baby!!!

KARESSE IN MACAO

Seems to me that somebody is indeed having the time of her life in Macao, China!

Karesse works at the famous Venetian Hotel in Macao where she sings her heart out for tourists and clients of the hotel on a gondola which sails around an indoor river mimicking the town of Venice in Italy. Her dream job, realized!  

KARESSE'S SENDING OFF PARTY

On the night of 16-September, the people of the Valenzuela Feast Music Ministry gathered at our place to throw a sending off party for our beloved Karesse. She will be leaving for Macau to pursue a career as a singer in a prestigious hotel there called "The Venecia". She got a 6-month contract and hopefully, if things work out fine for her, she will be able to be a regular there.   

Karesse's MSC family wasn't able to attend the gathering for it announced on such short notice. Only some MSC's that are also active in the Feast were there. Nevertheless, we made sure that this night would be a memorable one for her. 

 

The group gathered around her to pray. One by one, we declared our own personalized prayer for her aloud. We also sang her favorite songs from our previous Feast services. It was a very touching moment for her and for all of us too.

(Silverhawks Guys)

(Siverhawks Girls)

I had mixed feelings that night. I'm truly happy that she will be able to pursue her dream, but I couldn't help being sad as well for another asset of the group has gone away to look for greener pastures in a strange land. How much more of this will I have to take??

GOD BLESS YOU, KARESSE AND MAY YOU FIND YOUR WAY BACK HOME SOON!

KARESSE'S 23rd BIRTHDAY

It was a rainy Saturday night on August 13, 2011. After our weekly FEAST Music Ministry rehearsals, we headed straight to Lim's resort, a private resort just across from where I live to attend a swimming party of birthday girl, Karesse Marzan. 

According to Karesse, every year, when she throws a party on her birthday, her guests always get drenched of the heavy rains and flood so this year, she decided to make it a swimming party so getting wet would not be so much of an issue! Good point!

There were lots of food and booze for everyone! Since most of her guests are singers, a nice sound system set up for videoke was utilized to help liven up the party even more. The singers from the Music Ministry took turns on the microphone and were very much enthused to accommodate any song requests from the crowd!

Unfortunately, only a few MSC members made it to the party. It would have been a major riot (in a good way) if all of her close MSC family were there. =)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KARESSE!!!

God bless you more!

SPOTTED: KARESSE @ RESORTS WORLD

Whatever happened to one of MSC's premiere Sopranos??

Karesse has been once again out of the loop lately. That's because she's busy singing her heart out at Resorts World Manila!

In case you're all wondering, Resorts World Manila is an integrated tourist destination located in the heart of Manila. Resorts World is home to three luxurious hotels, a mall, entertainment venues and gaming facilities. World class in terms of facilities and very much at par with its Malaysian and Singaporean counterparts and yet... very expensive.

 Gimmick anyone? ☺

THE UGLY DUCKLING

I got wind that there is a new act in town. The famous fable " The Ugly Duckling" is being brewed for theater very soon. And MSC is proud that one of our members, Karesse Marzan (SOPRANO) is part of it! I am not informed about her role but it feels great for MSC that she was able to get through the grueling auditions to win the part.

Just recently, the cast members went to perform and promote their musical play at "Umagang Kay Ganda". Karesse was there next and at par with her fellows who are already familiar faces in our local entertainment industry. 

WAY TO GO, KARESSE!!!

MSC is very proud of you!

And as the theater people say...

"BREAK A LEG!"