I was so excited to be invited to attend Sony’s biggest party of the year: UPHORIA Party With Sony, to be held in Singapore! I was to be part of the Pinoy contingent to experience all the fun in this regional event. Of course it didn’t hurt that we get to see and experience the latest gadgets from Sony, but we also get an up close and personal chat as well as enjoy an exclusive performance from Mike Posner AND Train!
It was an early flight, I was at NAIA Terminal 2 by 4am. My seatmates on the plane were the super cool mom-daughter team Pia and Saab Magalona. We all apparently had very little sleep, so the whole contingent was knocked out most of the flight. I personally had only about an hour and a half worth of sleep (more like nap). Mainly because I ended up reading our Top Ten book from start to finish! Anyway, once I saw the unmistakably Singaporean coastline, complete with the cargo ships riddling the shore, I knew I was back in the Lion City! From the airport I was so happy to find out that we were billeted at the ritzy (pun intended) Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore!
My room was GORGEOUS. I’ve actually seen fancier hotels and resorts, but there’s something about the Ritz-Carlton’s simple elegance that really just struck me that instantly made it one of my all-time favorite rooms ever!
The design is very simple but all-classic. From the furniture choice to the sheets to the color palette to the very minute details. I guess that’s what made it special: the small details. They paid attention to the small things that most hotels overlook. Even the welcome fruit platter was awesome!
And the bathroom! Not only is it dripping with luxury, but it’s got a kick-ass view:
After our welcome lunch, we just had a few minutes to freshen up, then we headed straight for our exclusive time alone with the next day’s performers. Good thing the performers were also all staying at the Ritz, so the press conference was also held at the same hotel.
We were brought to a very small function room with a few seats and it was then I realized the Pinoy group had the performers all to ourselves! I was thrilled to have a front row seat to the interview:
(with Pia and Saab Magalona)
First up was Julia Abueva:
She’s pure Pinay (granddaughter of former U.P. president Jose Abueva) but she’s made a name for herself in Singapore, where her family moved in 2001. She sang a wicked a cappella version of Jessie J’s price tag.
Next up was Mike Posner!
Incredibly amiable celeb, Mike was so warm that he started out the whole interview by shaking hands with EVERYONE in the room. His energy was cool but electric! He still had the hunger to soak up all the newfound attention with a lot of gusto, unlike some other celebs who have become threadbare with the burdens of fame. Not Mike, he loves people and being the center of attraction. His vigor was quite infectious, getting everyone engaged instantly.
Hands down my favorite Mike Posner song is “Please Don’t Go”, but I had to ask about another song, “Cheated”, which goes: “I should’ve cheated on you, nobody told me I was dating a whore”, where he then proceeds to actually name the girl: Caroline Stephens. I asked if she ever got back to him for putting her name on the record, and his words: “She deserved it!”
What I like about him, is that he actually listens to your questions, looks you in the eye, then gives an honest-to-goodness answer. He knows how to win over a crowd. If he’s half as good as a performer as he is an interviewee, then we’re in for a GREAT show tomorrow!
(with us Pinoys!)
Next up: Train!
Before Train stepped in, we had an armload of train jokes for the band. But wisely, we abandoned most of them for the actual interview. The trio was the epitome of chill, calmly walking in, with cups of coffee in hand, sitting down, then coolly answering our questions. The lead singer Patrick was bursting with personality. He’s the one who’d crack a joke while answering the questions. Plus, I got so thrilled when he said my hair was cool!
If you noticed the change in Train’s music from dark to hopelessly in love, it’s because the members seem to all be in a good place. They all have solid families and are all smitten with their loved ones. If they sound like they’re in love, it’s because they are.
I asked Pat a question someone tweeted me to ask (Astroboy’s question, if I’m not mistaken), about how he keeps his hair so fabulous, and he credits Japan and all their hair products for giving him glam strands! They were sedate during the interview, so I was excited to see how they let loose on stage!
After our interviews, there was the big press conference with the regional media. Since we already asked our questions, we just watched the proceedings. One bonus though, was meeting TV host for Cash Cab and Sony Style, Oli Pettigrew!
After the press conference, we had the rest of the afternoon and evening off. Although we were all bushed, everyone was planning to take our only free time to go around and maybe shop or something. I was set to meet up with the Singapore Rushers at 10pm. Since it was just 5pm, I had a lot of time to walk around. I went up first to take a shower, then I was lying in bed tweeting…then next thing I know, I was getting a call from one of the rushers asking me where I was. I was wondering why they were asking me where I was so early, when I looked at my watch – it was 11pm!!! I was out cold for 6 hours and I didn’t even know it! So we rushed to Marina Bay Sands where I met up with some of the Singapore Rushers:
Those guys made me feel like I was right back at home! I’d like to thank them for a great night even if I got there late. We were just chatting and talking about the just released Top 10 book, and just having a hoot. But eventually we had to call it a night, and as we were walking home, they pointed out something on the path we were walking on: ChiChi & GiGi!
Actually, the path was supposed to be a DNA double helix, so i guess the letters represent the base pair cytosine and guanine. The next day proved to be even more eventful, but more on that later.
(to be continued)
(the view from my floor)
