Frank - R.I.P. - Left Behind

Frank, the wonderful husband of my Mom's youngest sister, had a heart attack last month. We were allowed access to see his unconscious body in the ICU at the hospital 2-hours away. He was able to hang in there until he passed away on All Soul's day. We went to the wake yesterday. I helped my Aunt fix his tie. It's been a long time since I've touched the cold skin of a loved-one who had gone before us. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend the funeral services today. After my sister shared what my aunt was feeling inside, this sad song which seemed to convey her exact sentiments played in my head:

Rest in Peace, Uncle Frank.

Diary of a 39-year-old first-time voter

I am a bit embarrassed and yet at the same time very proud to admit that this is my first time to vote in my life. From the time I was eligible to vote at age 18 and left my beautiful homeland, the Philippines, at age 25, I failed to vote on only one Presidential Election. My memory as to why I did not vote during that election where Fidel V. Ramos won the Philippine presidency has completely abandoned the inner recesses of my brain. The succeeding 11 years marked my journey of being a citizen living away from his motherland and my struggle of trying to belong to the land I now called home. Exactly two years ago, I finally became a U.S. citizen, and since then I have been looking forward to this day when I finally get to exercise my right to vote.
I set my alarm to go off unusually very early today and was planning to be there when the polls opened at 7AM. Bill convinced me to wait after 9AM, when most likely most of those who have to drive to work would have already voted and left. I was very anxious to go and worried that there might be a very long line and would have to eventually call in late for work, but I gave in to trusting his experience. He was right. Damn! I was in and out of there in 10 minutes. Woohoo! I am very excited to be part of this historic U.S. elections.

"really" putting country first and
hoping for the change we can believe in

no question about it

Voting "NO" on Prop 8

voting for equality and against discrimination

casting my ballot

I am optimistic that we will be celebrating tonight!

This could be the future, had I not voted:

One day more! - Les MisBarack

One Day More!


Do You Hear the People Sing?

Spring Awakening in the Fall

Each time I was in New York City within the past 2 years, I would always try to get tickets to the Broadway musical, "Spring Awakening", but it was always sold out. So I got excited when I found out they were coming to the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles. The Sunday before the most historical U.S. elections, we went and finally saw "Spring Awakening", the 2007 Tony winner for Best Musical. It is the "Rent" and "Hair" of today's generation.
We really enjoyed the show and immediately recommended it to all our "cultured" friends (lol). (In fact, we went to see it again before the tour ended.)
The edgy themes of coming of age, sexuality, and suicide surely brought me back to the days when I was undergoing puberty, living away from home, in an all exclusive boys school, studying Latin in preparation for the priesthood, under the strict guidance of my religious superiors... :)

Happy Halloween 2008!

Please click on the title or HERE for Birdie's costume.

Please Vote "NO" on Prop 8

I believe in love and marriage. Since I was six years old, I have participated in several weddings in different capacities. I have played the role of ring-bearer, altar boy, best man, prayer leader, lector, wedding singer/choir, witness, event planner, consultant to the designer, music organizer, photographer, and (had I never left the seminary) most likely would have also played officiating priest on more than one occasion. I always felt it was an honor to be part of one of the happiest days of several couples' lives, regardless if it was out of love (for friends & family) or was being paid for it. I used to wonder if I would ever experience that same kind of joy of being able to marry the one that I love.
Alas, last May 15th, a landmark event in history, the California Supreme Court overturned a state law that allowed only opposite-sex couples to marry. Bill and I were excited but cautious, and decided not to immediately take advantage of this, since it still does not cover federal benefits.
Then Proposition 8, an initiative measure to Eliminate Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry, was added by an out of town special interest group to the California General Election Ballot. I worried that if we got married and "Yes on Proposition 8" was passed after the elections, then we would only end up heart-broken.

I still am not sure if we will get married or not, but I am doing this not for me, but for those who have already gotten married and are/may be planning to do so in the future.
For those in my life who use their faith as their only moral compass, I implore you to think about the fundamental rights of those "happy" people (known or unbeknownst to you) who in some way, shape, or form played a role in making your wedding day one of the most memorable days of your life (like your brother, cousin, friend, hairdresser, make-up artist, wedding gown designer, stripper, event planner, choreographer, caterer, waiter, videographer, driver, honeymoon travel agent, best man, and yes, even perhaps your priest.)
Fellow Californians, regardless of how you feel about marriage, it is not fair to treat people differently under the law, so on November 4th, Election Day, aside from voting for the right person to lead our nation, please consider voting "No on Proposition 8", vote for love, equality, and not for discrimination.
If you disagree with me, speak now or forever hold your peace, so I can, therefore, save on wedding invitations, if ever. :-)

I've compiled some of the best videos on this subject matter:
For all videos by http://www.noonprop8.com, please click HERE.

From a group of independent citizens using sarcasm as a tool
to deliver their message:

Procreation:


Icky:


From a very smart young man named Dan Brown:

Last Dance as a 30-something

She has never admitted it, but my youngest sister, Sari's wish for her 14th birthday (aside from getting big boobs) was to have another brother. So God decided to truly bless her by sending me to this world a day before her birthday.

10 years ago, a week before both our birthdays (29th for me and 43rd for her), we had a family reunion in the Philippines to celebrate our parents' 50th Golden Wedding Anniversary. During the reception, all of their children and grandchildren rendered a song or dance number for the couple. Since the theme for telling their love story was "dance of the past five decades", Sari and I decided to represent the 70's (the decade of my childhood) with a disco swing dance number to the music of Donna Summer's "Last Dance", as our present to our parents.
If you wish to see what possibly could have been the inspiration for "Dancing with the Stars",
please click on the video below:
(Note to the judges/critics: This was choreographed and rehearsed in only one hour the day prior to the festivities and I had to be very careful since she wasn't wearing any panties...LOL)


By coincidence, exactly 10 years later, the only big show in town was An Evening with Donna Summer at the Hollywood Bowl. So my sister and I decided to celebrate our birthdays (39th for me and 53rd for her) by watching the disco queen perform live. Our poor respective partners, Bill and Richard, both disco haters, had to sit through the whole ordeal...LOL. Donna's finale song was naturally, "Last Dance". We had a blast!

When I said I wanted a bike for my birthday...

... this is not what I meant...LOL

@ the launch of
Indian Motorcycle Apparel Collection at Fred Segal:

Evite

Sean on a 2009 Indian Chief motorcycle

Sean modeling an Indian motorcycle jacket & helmet

My new grand nephew

Sachi with his Grand Uncle Sean

For the full story behind finding Sachi and more pics,
please click on the title or HERE to be directed to the posting.

Bill’s Surprise Big "New" 40th Birthday Party

Please click HERE for posting on
Bill’s Surprise Big "New" 40th Birthday Party.

Lucky 13

More often than not, instead of saying or exchanging, "I love you!"'s,
we usually jokingly say to each other, "You're so lucky!".
After thirteen years of togetherness,
the number 13 does feel like a lucky number.

Out of Whack with Crack

Two Sundays ago, while driving north on the 405 Fwy, an unidentified flying object hit my windshield, right above the windshield wiper on the driver side, leaving a quarter-sized spider-web-like crack. "F+_)(*&^%$#@K!". The next day, a bird dropped a big wad of poop around the same area. Bill on impulse ran the windshield wipers and soapy water dispenser. Right before our eyes, I saw a crack line expanding away from both sides and ended at a dollar bill length. Double F+_)(*&^%$#@K! The change of temperature and water caused this. Had it not expanded beyond the original crack, I would have been able to have it fixed with some sort of resin via some repair service that comes to the house. Now that it has expanded, I have no choice but to replace the whole windshield. So pissed.

Sean Saba for President

Here's my answer to Paris Hilton's ad for President:

If video does not load properly, please click on title or HERE.

In case you haven't seen Paris Hilton's response to the McCain Ad,
click HERE.

Earthquake rattles Los Angeles, California!

FYI: In case you are concerned for us here in L.A., We’re OK!
Still feeling a bit frazzled, though.
My dogs, Besi & Birdie, started acting very strange prior to my realization.
Their talking ball started rolling and talking upstairs.
That’s how I was first alerted that something unusual was happening.
Stupid me, when I realized what was happening,
I ran upstairs to the rooftop
to look and see if there was a tsunami coming,
instead of running outside the house.
Scary jolting 20 seconds or so of rolling and shaking.
I better put some clothes on, in case of an aftershock. LOL
Goes to show how unprepared I am for the big one.
No noticeable damage to the house,
but unfortunately, it is built on sand! Yikes!

A night with friends and the Lady Supreme

For the second time around, my friend Tom invited me to our friend, Nelson Lee's Annual Hollywood Bowl Party, where a bunch of friends of friends of friends (x 21) get together for a picnic prior to one of the hottest shows of the summer at the Hollywood Bowl. This is Nelson's 21st time to organize the event. Last year's party and show was South Pacific with Reba McEntire & Brian Stokes Mitchell. This year's show was Diana Ross: Lady Supreme. I have not seen her in person since Bill and I served as one of the several extras in her "I Will Survive!" revival with RuPaul video shoot shot in location at West Hollywood. (If you watch closely, you will surely see me wiggling on top of Bill's shoulders ... LOL).

Unfortunately, Bill was in Washington D.C. for a conference, so he could not join me to go to this gathering. Since it was a diva night, I invited some of my friends who I knew would surely enjoy the show.

or please click HERE for a bigger slideshow of the album.
If you prefer to view the thumbnails, please click on the link below:
21st Annual Hollywood Bowl Party & Diana Ross Night

HOME

My Grandaunt Iris' 95th Birthday

I was very young when I lost my maternal grandparents. In fact, two of my earliest memories were of their respective funerals.
Five years ago, I had the opportunity to meet the only surviving sibling/sister of my maternal grandfather, my grandaunt Iris Zabat-Simon.
So when her 95th birthday came, I was excited to drive down (along with my sister, niece, and aunt) to San Diego, CA to have a reunion with my mother's side of the family, the Zabats, and celebrate my Lola's birthday.

For more pics of the celebration, please feel free to click HERE.

iPostcards from San Diego, CA

Please click HERE or on the title to be directed to the posting.

Happy 4th of July 2008!

Friends usually ask if we are having a BBQ party for this specific holiday, since we have a strategic view of the fireworks at the marina. I felt exhausted from the trip to NYC, so we decided to just chill. We hung out with our friends, Pat & Michele, at their place in the Venice Canals, and then headed back home to watch the fireworks.

or please click HERE for a bigger slideshow.
If you prefer to view the thumbnails, please click on the link below:
4th of July 2008

Happy 80th Birthday Mom!

iPostcards from New York, NY - Summer 2008

Please click HERE or on the title to be directed to the posting.

iPostcards from San Francisco, CA

Please click HERE or on the title to be directed to the posting.

iPostcards from Monterey Peninsula, CA

Please click HERE or on the title to be directed to the posting.

Sean and the City

As far as I can remember, some of my wholesome fantasies involved being (in no particular order) ... a superhero, a Broadway/rock star, a male supermodel, an animal trainer, or a host of some travel show.
So for the past few years, every time I travel, I started filming myself acting as if I was Anderson Cooper or Matt Lauer reporting from some remote exotic location for CNN, National Geographic, or the Travel Channel.
When LXTV, a local L.A. Lifestyle TV show, recently announced that they were having a contest searching for a new host, I thought to myself, "Hey, I can do that!". After checking their website,
I saw that 95% of all the contestants who submitted entries already had past or have current professional experience hosting a TV show.
On the last day of the contest, I decided not to be intimidated and still come up with my very own audition video, albeit that it is, admittedly, very amateurish. Had I had the help of some of my friends, who are now accomplished film/commercial directors, fashion/costume designers, make-up artist, etc., I may have been able to present a more professional looking piece. But all I had with me was my trusty camera and Quik Pod. I managed to submit my video 11 minutes to go till the midnight deadline. What I didn't take into account is the time it would take to completely upload. So waahhh ... F+_)(*&^%$#@! ... I missed the cut-off! Even if I didn't have a chance against the pros, it still would have been nice to have been considered.
Since I already came up with a finished product, I might as well share it with you, my family and friends. I hope you like it.

LXTV hosting reel/audition video:
"Why should I be the new host of LXTV? Well, I found myself reporting about various places in this world, but never reported about my hometown. I may not have the professional background and/or back-up of a production crew like the other contestants,
I'm just a local guy who loves everything about Los Angeles!
Well, not exactly everything." ... (see ending of video).

For more pics/videos of my vaca-sean/saba-tical, please click HERE.

Happy 110th Independence Day, Philippines!

For the 110th Philippine Independence Day, a friend asked a bunch of his friends to submit a video greeting to promote one of
Ayala Foundation, USA's flagship projects, GILAS.
Gilas means ability in Filipino. GILAS also stands for
Gearing up Internet Literacy and Access for Students.


Happy 110th Independence Day, Philippines!

Go Lakers! - There Can Only Be One

I was never good at playing basketball.
When my parents chose the lot, among the first ten on the grasslands of our new village, in which to build our family home, my mother made sure that our house would be built right across the basketball and tennis courts.
So all the summers of my growing up years were filled with noises coming from park.
Being one of the smallest boys was no excuse. A lot of my friends who were just as small were very good at the sport. (Yes, in spite of the fact that it would be hard to find a Filipino over 6-feet tall, basketball is the number one sport in the Philippines.)
I really didn't follow the PBA, the Philippines version of the NBA, which usually had a lot of "imports" (mostly Americans who weren't good enough for the NBA). Being gay had nothing to do with my disinterest in the sport. The stereotype does not hold true. There are a lot of "us" who are athletic and are into sports. At that time, I couldn't understand people who absolutely had no athletic bone in their body and were fanatics of all the happenings within the league.
Today, I may not be a fanatic like Jack Nicholson, but I mainly follow the NBA whenever the Lakers are doing well. Being neighbors with Coach Phil Jackson and owners, the Buss family has nothing to do with my support.
I'm so excited that our home team is in the finals! Once again after 21 years, the Lakers-Celtics rivalry is back.
Go Lakers! Beat Boston!

There Can Only Be One: Kobe and KG


There Can Only Be One: Magic and Bird