• Benjamin Alves •

To celebrate his birthday he decided to take part of the poem reading contest; none other than the SANA DATI star, Benjamin Alves!

So it was true, Benjamin Alves celebrated his birthday in APC along with a few other schools he had planned on visiting. With him were an entourage of behind the cameras-crew, event planners and friends of his in showbiz.

But before that, it was a "chill" afternoon.

Me and a few friends had just gotten out of lunch and headed to the MPH1. We waited for the English professors' cue for us to go in. Until the time came and we did. Inside were chairs, tables, cupcakes, birthday cakes etc and to be honest, we couldn't contain our excitement! We couldn't wait to get our hands on those cupc-- I mean, we couldn't wait to see Benjamin.

Now, Benjamin, didn't arrive as early as we thought so an MC was there to keep the whole lot company. The MC was really nice and she was funny too! She knew well how to entertain a crowd and to break the ice, she had people volunteer for a game of PINOY HENYO. She had the volunteers hold pieces of paper on their heads and they had to guess what was written. But it wasn't long when they got word that Benjamin was coming and so after 2 rounds they declared a winner and had pictures taken.

When he arrived, he was greeted with smiles and likewise. He had all the girls wagging their tongues out and the boys left with jealousy.

He apologized for the delay and in a minute or two the show was on!

We sang him a 'Happy Birthday' and had the poem participants come in to present their art pieces. They were brilliant! The SOE really knows how to woo ladies with their gentle words. Then came Benjamin. His piece was absolutely breathtaking!

He said that it was an old poem of his, one he wrote for his 'the one that got away' and I could not help but feel awe for him. He was so deeply in love with her but in the end she wasn't his to keep. I looked his poem on-line but to my surprise, the internet has failed me. I would've recorded the whole thing but then I'll need his permission. It was a moment I'll never forget.

All I can say is he has talent.

He is a true artiste.