A Whole New World with Lea Salonga and BYU (Manila, May 30, 2017 @ CCP)

And indeed, it was a dream come true - one item off my bucket list.
It all started when I was probably in Grade 3, when me and my cousin Katy discovered that we sounded kinda good whenever we sang A Whole New World by Lea Salonga and Brad Kane. That had been a constant for a couple of years during family gatherings. We actually even sang while sitting down on a carpet similar to the one in the movie. Haha.
As I grew up, my I've added one item to my bucket list - to sing it, duet, with the original singer, Ms. Lea Salonga. At first, it seemed quite far-fetched, even impossible.
In February 2017, Lea Salonga lea held a concert at PICC. It was entitled "Songs from the Stage". Having watched all the duets she has done with other people from abroad, online, I thought, that could be my chance! Haha. To be honest, I did everything in my power to TRY to put that to reality - including introducing myself to a mentor who happens to be Lea's good friend and doctor, sharing on social media status messages and pics of my tickets (and tagging Lea, and having other people tag her as well), having a banner (which writes: "PICK ME!) and a shirt (which writes "I'M YOUR ALADDIN") made. In essence, I'm shouting and requesting to the universe to kindly make it a reality. Unfortunately, she didn't sing THAT song. I got a picture with her though. Hahaha.
Then I discovered, thanks to a good friend that she'll have another (cheaper) concert, now at CCP, and I didn't hesitate to buy front row tickets right away. I didn't exert that much effort anymore and kept a low key about it - I didn't want to get disappointed should the song not be included in the set list again. Other than this, I had to study really hard during these past weeks for a the first part of my Specialty Board Examinations (which just happened today, and I passed! Yey!).
Then the momentous day came (May 30, 2017). Though I was trying to keep a low profile, I still decided to wear the same shirt and bring the same banner that I had made. She then said as she entered (paraphrased):
"I'm gonna give you some idea on what's gonna happen this evening: There'll be lots of musicals, and there'll be lots of Disneys, and I will be needing some audience participation later."
To this statement, I quickly responded by raising my banner (I was sitting on the 3rd row, middle). Of course she and the conductor noticed me right away (and the letters on my banner were sparkling! Haha). I then put the banner down, and opened my coat, showing them my shirt.
"Oooohhh. So I guess that slot has been taken already. Go do vocal warm-ups already."
I was nervous the whole time in anticipation, and my heart was pounding - for a long time. Haha. We did this during the 2nd Act! She called me up to the stage, finally.
On the stage, with her, I felt bliss, and suddenly all my nerves calmed down. Guess they just manifested themselves with the very stiff and kinda awkward posture and stage movements (forgive me, as I really originally had stage fright, and this was my first time singing in front of SUCH A BIG CROWD!) I never imagined that from her vantage point, that was what she saw (or always sees, whenever she holds concerts like this). WOW!
In retrospect, I could have moved more, made more gestures, been more animated, had better facial expressions, but WHAT THE HECK! I GOT TO SING A WHOLE NEW WORLD WITH LEA SALONGA AT CCP!!!
It was so surreal, so magical - indeed, a whole new world.
Thank you God, and the universe for orchestrating and making this happen.
Thank you to all my family and friends, who cheered in their own little ways, when they found out that this happened.
Thank you Sigfredo Mata (a classmate of mine in college who happened to be siting behind me) for taking this video.
Thank you to Sir Mark Antonio, Michelle Tuazon, and Mark Teo (and all other friends) who happened to be in the audience that night, and cheered.
Thank you Brigham Young University Chamber Orchestra for playing such a rich and perfect accompaniment.
Lastly, thank you Lea Salonga for making one of my dreams come true. :)
Perfect birthday gifts indeed - getting to sing with her, and passing my board exams. :) YAHOO!