Day 2 - Sept. 11, 2006We set our alarms for 6:00 AM because we wanted to start the stalking really early. Our mission for the day was to find a way to give the guys our gifts. We had a set of dogtags made for each of the guys that had their group picture in front and their individual names at the back with our names (so they'll know it came from us) and the word Philippines engraved at the bottom.
Anyway, due to the fact that a lot of streets were closed off for the IMF Conference that week, it took us quite awhile to get to the Ritz Carlton but by 8:00 AM, we were already strolling inside the hotel. We figured that it would be best if we waited by the lounge or the "greenhouse" as the call it, because 1. we could order drinks there and 2. the front desk was there as well. We picked out a random table and leafed through the menu. Being pinoys, we had this "
nakakahiya naman" syndrome, wherein we felt that to be able to keep our table we had to order something. So even if we knew that everything in hotels were expensive, we felt we had to order even just drinks. I mean after all, we were on a shoestring budget. So we ordered 3 hot chocolates and a mint iced tea (which costs around Php 333 each!). I even suggested we drink in shifts! lol!
Anyway, we surveyed the area and saw that we were the only group of girls there, which made us start to wonder if we were at the right hotel or something. I texted Tina, Bea, Rara, and Steff all asking if they had any info where the guys would be or their sked. Luckilly enough, the Singaporean ladies all confirmed that we were at the right place with Tina reminding me that stalking is all about waiting (thanks!). So we just chatted about anything and everything we could think off and sipped our drinks very slowly. We decided that if we couldn't give the gift to the boys personally, we'd ask someone from their entourage to hand it to them. And I was hoping to see the head dancers because I wanted to have my picture taken with them (lol!). At around 11:00 AM, we noticed gaggles of girls appearing near the lobby foyer and figured that they too were there to stalk like us. But unlike us, they all stayed near the elevators and the entrance. When we saw the other girls, we decided to stick it out (we were contemplating on giving up). I mean after all, we were already there and check-out time was as 12 noon, so even if the boys don't check themselves out personally, we'd be able to see their entourage.
At around 11:30, we noticed a small group of Koreans heading over to the desk to check out and spied Good Entertainment stickers on their luggage. After a couple of minutes, the groups of girls near the elevator started squealing and cameras started flashing. Apparently, LUG, the front act, were checking out. Suddenly I saw the male head dancer of Shinhwa at the front desk. I asked Marie for her extra dried mangoes and got up the nerve to approach and give it to him and ask for a photo with him.
After thanking him, we headed off towards the elevators to try our luck to have our pictures taken with LUG. Luckilly, I was able to have my picture taken with 1 of the lead singers (his name? I have no idea but give me time and I'll find out).
We went back to our tables while the other girls were shephered by the hotel security to move back. Then I noticed the female lead dancer near the front desk and Ia and I also got our picture taken with her.
Feeling lucky, we went back to our table and continued to wait. The Shinhwa dancers and entourage then took the tables next to and behind ours. I think I went off to the loo after that because all I can remember is staring at Minwoo, who was standing behind Jaz' seat with his enourmous bodyguard, who I'll be referring to as Bulldog. Apparently, Marie, Ia and/or Jaz attempted to take pictures of Minwoo but Bulldog said "No pictures!" Being obedient and well behaved fans, our group obliged, while Bulldog was barking the same to the girls near the elevators, while shielding Minwoo. I thought "this is it! this is our chance to make sure that our gift gets to the boys!" I told Marie to hand the box with our postcard to Bulldog to hand to Minwoo. At forst Bulldog said "No autographs." We then tell him "yes, no autographs. just.... give....." Again, Bulldog said "No autographs (kulit no?)." We say "Araseo..... not autograph.... just give gift.... to Minwoo Shi." Bulldog stares at us then turns away. Just as we were about to grumble, he turns back and say "just give..... no autograph?" We all nod and he accepts the box we hand him. He then turns around and gives the box to Minwoo! I could have literally squealed in delight but I remembered where we were and that we were "well-behaved" fans. Minwoo says "Mwo (What)?" then he says "From who (hehe! in english!)?" Unfortunately, Bulldog chooses that time to shield Minwoo again from the fangirls near the elevator. Anyway, he glances at us and smiles then heads off to he table next to ours, where he flirts with the dancers, and tries to lift the glass cover of the table (as to why, I have no idea). All four of us look at each other and smile in triumph that we succeeded in giving the gift (and the fact that we were so near a real live Shinhwa member).
After a couple of minutes, the Koreans head off the the dining area to have their lunch. Us and the other fangirls on the other hand, stay in our positions to wait for the other guys to come down. I choose that moment to go outside for a smoke, as I was already satisfied with the events that happened. When I came back, Marie, Ia, and Jaz filled me in that while I was killing myself outside, Dongwan came down and briskly headed to the dining room. Oh well! I didn't mind not seeing him that much (Peace, Jaz!). So we stayed at our table to wait for Junjin, Andy and Sungie to come down. As we had some friends who were near the elevators (Eve and Juju), Marie got up to talk to them. When she came back, she learned that apparently, Andy wasn't at the hotel and that he was out golfing. So we were just waiting for Junjin and Sungie. We decide to order Ia another iced tea and split the bill 4 ways just so that we can validate our overstaying at our nook.
After about an hour or so, the entourage return to our area. Unfortunately for us, the dancers choose a different table, while some other people from their group (managers?) take the table near us. Then, the dancers and LUG all head outside to their waiting bus, probably to sightsee or something. Then, we see Minwoo heading back to our area and he sits at the table of the managers and right in my line of sight! woot!!!! Minwoo kept glancing around, thinking probably that we were the only ones who weren't from their group in the area so we might pester him for pictures or autographs or something (Bulldog was still shielding him from the fangirl paprazzi by the elevators). After a couple of minutes, he probably realized that we were just minding our own business, so he relaxed and slouched into his chair. The four of us were all in disbelief that he was back near us! While Bulldog's attention was on the fangirls, Marie was able to sneak in a
couple of shots from her phonecam before we all decided that we weren't gonna risk Bulldog's ire and risk being asked to move.
I kept looking at my watch waiting for the other 2 boys to come down when I realized that Dongwan has been shovelling food for more than 2 hours! lol! At around 3 PM, we see Dongwan rushing towards the elevator and disappear behind the doors. We were optimistic that Junjin and Sungie will be coming down soon because they had to eat after all. Even though the four of us were all quite famished, we decided to stay on and wait.
At around 4 PM, Bea comes back and introduces us to Helen (another friend of Tina's). We update them on what has happened and then tak about pervy stuff. Then at around 5 the bus with LUG and the dancers came back and all the other Koreans head towards it. Bea whisphers to Ia where they would be eating but we decided that we have had enough (I think I got sick of staring at Minwoo), and we were just going to have dinner, our first meal of the day. We head off to meet Weng at Glutton's bay, where we feasted on jumbo shrimp, oyster cake, and BBQ chicken wings. While we were eating, we suddnly decided maybe we should follow where the boys were eating and then send em off to the airport (yeah we are so fickle!). So after Bea confirmed that they were still at East Coast Marina, we rushed to finish dinner and hail a taxi to get to East Coast marina. Unfortunately for us, the boys just left when we arrived and Bea texted me to get our butts to the airport. Again we get a cab and arrive in the airport at record time! I must say that Singapore has the most stalker friendly airport. Anyone could just go in (well up to before the immigration section, at least). We were able to see Hyesung and Dongwan but not Andy and Minwoo. Weng then takes us to the 2nd floor where we see the guys enter the VIP lounge. We saw (and I was able to take a fancam but its a bit far T.T) Dongwan playing hide & seek with the fans and cutie Andy always waving (and him tripping.... awwww so cute). Finally, the guys have to leave and wave a final goodbye to us fans as they head off to board their plane. T.T
to be concluded.........P.S.thanks to Candy for the heads up on this one:
this was taken from an Mnet program in Korea wherein the subject was Shinhwa's concert in Singapore.