Mangyan Blogger

Dramang 'Pinoy na 'Pinoy' : May natututunan ba tayo sa bawat drama?

2012-05-29T07:51:00.003-07:00

Ang drama naman talaga ng Pinoy!

Kitang-kita 'yan sa hilig ng karamihan na magbasa ng mga pocketbooks at manood ng mga walang kamatayang teleserye. Tinawag kong 'walang kamatayan' dahil talaga namang hangga't sa kayang istretch ang isang istorya ay iiistretch ng writer lalo na't nagrerate ito at walang kamatayan din ang bida sa dami ng mga pinagdaanang unos sa buhay ay talaga namang buhay na buhay.

At dahil nauuso ang pagbabatuhan ng mga maaanghang na linya sa mga teleserye, batuhan kabi-kabila ng mga di malilimutang linya. At 'eto naglista ako ng mga hindi ko malilimutang linya na hanggang ngayon, ginagawa pa ring status sa mga social networking sites.

Patunay lamang ito na hindi talaga malilimutan ang mga linyang ito:

“You’re nothing but a second-rate trying hard copy cat!” - Angelica dela Cruz
Bituing Walang Ningning (2006)

“If you want war, I’ll give you war!” - Gretchen Barreto
Magkaribal (2010)

“I never said that I love you!” - Sam Milby
Maging Sino ka Man - (2006)

"Yes, I am a slut, but I am the best slut in town!" - Anne Curtis
Maging Sino Ka Man (2006)

"Sa mundong ito, kapag hindi ka natuto lumaro, mamamatay kang mahirap! Kuha mo?" - Xyriel Manabat
100 Days To Heaven (2011)

"Sa ayaw at gusto mo, aangkinin kita!" - Jhong Hilario
Mara Clara (2011)

"Like ko po 'yung gold, pero mas gusto ko red. Kaya hindi ako gold digger, red digger ako. Yes, I dig red" - Angelica Pangaliban
Rubi (2010)

"Namatay ako, para mabuhay ka" - Kim Chiu
Tayong Dalawa (2009)

"You are fired! Kuha mo?!" - ConeyReyes
100 Days To Heaven (2011)

“Hindi sa Tala sa Langit, kundi sa Buwang nakasilip, ibigay ang hiling ng matang nakapikit” - Angel Locsin
Lobo (2008)

"Kung ngugutom ka, nagugutom na rin ako. pero nakita mo ba akong sumuko, hindi di ba?" -AJ Perez
MMK (2011)

"Sana kasi hintayin mo na lang na ikaw ang lapitan. Kitang-kita ang pagka-desperada mo" - Diego Loyzaga
Mara Clara (2011)

"Ang respect hindi 'yan ini-impose, ine-earn 'yan. Act your age!" - Beatriz Saw
Pinoy Big Brother Season 2 (2007)

"Pagod na pagod na ako na wala akong nagagawa para sa mahal ko sa buhay" - Kathryn Bernardo
Mara Clara (2011)

"Go to hell... Go to hell! GO TO HELL!" - Claudine Baretto
"I'll see you there!" - Angelica Panganiban
Iisa Pa Lamang (2008)

"Once a slut, always a slut!" - Angelica Panganiban
Iisa Pa Lamang (2008)

Marami pa siguro ang makakapagdagdag ng mga memorable lines na alam nila dahil hindi naman lahat ay napapanood ko at naririnig ko. Ito ay base lamang sa mga patuloy kong naririnig at mga nababasa na mga statuses na isang magiging patunay na hanggang ngayon, kahit ilang taon na ang nakalilipas, ay hindi pa rin nakakalimutan

Hanggang sa usaping pulitikal, damang-dama mo ang drama. May tawanan, iyakan, patawaran at minsan may suspense! 'Corona' serye ang itinawag sa ilang araw ding balitaktakan ng mga salitaan sa senado. Nakita rin ng marami na umiyak ang akusadong si CJ Corona tapos kung ano-ano pang nangyari. Tapos may nangyari pang akala nila ay nawawala si Corona. Suspense nga naman!

Buti naman ay tapos na ito... Buong Pilipinas at buong mundo ay nasaksihan ang makasaysayang kaganapang ito. At tulad sa mga teleserye, meron din itong mga memorable lines, 'eto ang ilan sa kanila:

“Ang yayabang na magsabi ng ganyan, mga g*go naman! Whaaa!” - Senador Miriam Defensor Santiago bilang reaksiyon sa pag-drop ng prosekusyon sa lima sa walong Articles of Impeachment.

“Masama po pagkagawa ng complaint.” - Ilocos Norte Rep. Rudy Fariñas sa tanong ni Sen. Jinggoy Estrada kung bakit hindi ito lumagda sa impeachment complaint.

“Ano po ang difference ng cash advance sa loan o utang? O, bakit tumatawa na naman kayo diyan?” - Sen. Lito Lapid sa miyembro ng prosecution team.

“I could recall a small lady but I couldn’t remember at all who this person was.” - Rep. Reynaldo Umali ng prosecution nang tanungin kung sino ang source ng mga bank documents ni Corona na pinadala niya sa tanggapan ni Enrile.

“Do you want me to lecture you more?” - Senate Presiding Officer Juan Ponce Enrile kay lead prosecutor Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., tungkol sa kung anong ebidensiya ang pwedeng tanggapin sa Article 3.

“Mea culpa (It’s my fault).” - Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales bilang paghingi ng paumanhin kay Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago dahil sa pagsabat nito kahit nagsasalita pa ang senador sa impeachment trial.

“Talaga naman pong shrill ang voice at nasasaktan tenga ko eh.” - Private prosecutor Atty. Vitaliano Aguirre sa ginawang panenermon sa kanya ni Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago dahil sa pagtatakip nito ng tenga habang kinakastigo ang prosekusyon.

“Pagod ka na ba? Noong una kasing umupo ka diyan, tawa ka nang tawa, ang ganda-ganda mo. Ngayon parang haggard na haggard ka na... Baka maiyak ka, sige, salamat.” - Sen. Lito Lapid kay PSBank Katipunan Manager Anabelle Tiongson, witness ng prosekusyon.

“Counsel, do you still recognize me? I’ll give you a grade of 3. I passed you, but I warn you.” - Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago bago tanungin si lead prosecutor Niel Tupas, Jr.

“Kindly articulate your vowels and your consonants.” - Senator Juan Ponce Enrile kay Megaworld finance director Giovanni Ng, witness ng prosekusyon, dahil sa hindi maintindihang pagsasalita nito.

“Nanganak na raw. Wala akong kinalaman d’yan ha.” - Lead defense counsel Serafin Cuevas nang tanungin hinggil sa witness nilang si BPI Bank Manager Leonora Dizon.

Pero ang tanong, tulad sa isang teleserye, may natutunan ba tayong aral dito? O tulad din ng isang teleserye, alam lang natin ang mga nangyari, naging memorable ang mga sandali ng impeachment trial, pero aabangan pa rin natin ang mga susunod na panibagong serye, iba lang ang tauhan pero iisa lang naman ang kwento?

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Kilalanin si "Super Sawsaw"

2012-05-23T03:30:00.001-07:00

Nakaencounter na ba kayo ng taong sa lahat ng umpukan at mga usapin ay may alam siya? Ang tawag diyan, 'sawsawero' o 'sawsawera' naman sa mga babae. Nakakainis sila 'di ba? Pero paano pa kaya 'yung "Super Sawsaw?" Kung ang normal na 'sawsawero' at 'sawsawera' ay matotolerate mo pa, ito naman ay hindi na... Para sa akin, sila ang mga taong, nakikisali na nga lang, sila pa ang nagpapabida!

Kahit saan naman meron niyan... Normal na nakakasalamuha natin madalas ang mga taong ganyan. Ang iba nakakaharap natin saan mang lugar tayo magpunta o dili kaya'y sa internet kung saan ang daming mga kakaibang mga ugali. Ang iba nga, makapagpost lang sa mga social networking sites tulad ng Facebook at Twitter masabi lang na tumetrending sila. Umiisteytment ng hindi naman kailangan ang kanilang mga kuro-kuro at kung makaisteytment naman ay para namang alam nila ang lahat...

May ilan namang halos mangaral sa mga isyung pumapaloob sa lipunan o 'di kaya'y isyu sa mga kapwa bloggers. Nakakatawa lang, kung kilala mo ang taong 'yun, masasabihan mo siyang "practice what you preach" dahil may mga tao talagang hanggang salita lamang... Ang galing mangaral sa kapwa kahit na alam naman sa sariling hindi rin naman niya ginagawa ang mga ganun.

Kahit anong antas ng lipunan ka nabibilang, merong "Super Sawsaw." May mga obvious at mayroon din namang kailangan mo pang kilatisin para malaman ang totoo.

Protesta rito. Rally doon. 'Yan ang balitang nasasagap ko sa mga news dito sa Dubai galing sa Pilipinas. Mula sa mga demolisyon sa mga illegal settlers, ang pag-angkin ng China sa Scarborough Shoal at ang pinakalatest, ang rally ng iba't-ibang grupo sa 2-night-concert ni Lady Gaga sa bubuksang SM Arena. Sa Pilipinas lang talaga ako nakabalita na halos-araw-araw ay may balitang protesta o 'di kaya'y rally. Lalo na't sikat ang topic, mas maraming 'sawsaw.' Kabi-kabila ang mga pictures, kodakan dito, kodakan diyan... May masabi lang na kasama sila.

Hayyyy.... ang iba, alam na nilang "Super Sawsaw" sila, ang iba manhid ang iba sanay na. Hayyy buhay!

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Isang araw na puno ng kumustahan at hagikhikan sa "Haguhan sa Dubai"

2012-05-15T07:34:00.003-07:00

Hindi engrande ang preparasyon pero naging masaya ang kauna-unahan kong pagdalo ng "Haguhan sa Dubai" ng mga Mangyan (collective term para sa aming ga taga-Mindoro, particularly ng mga taga-Paluan).

Ginanap ito sa Al Mamzar Beach sa Dubai kung saan halos umabot sa tatlumpu ang bilang ng mga dumalong Mangyan. Nagkulitan, nagkamustahan, ang naging paksa ay halos tungkol sa aming bayan ng Paluan. May magandang balita at meron din namang hindi.

Pagkatapos ng kainan at kumustan, naglaro naman ang dumalo ala-Pinoy Henyo (ng "Eat Bulaga") na tinawag na "Paluan Henyo." Ang mga huhulaang mga bagay, lugar, pagkain, pangyayari o kaya tao ay may kinalaman sa aming bayan ng Paluan.

Isang hindi malilimutang araw sa lahat. Isang araw na puno ng kumustahan at hagikhikan. Isang araw na siguradong mauulit!

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Ilaw...

2012-05-12T05:16:00.001-07:00

Madilim ang mundo kung walang ilaw. Hindi mo makikita kung gaano kaganda ang mundo sa madilim. Ang ilaw ang nagsisilbing gabay para makita natin ang totoong mundo. Ang ilaw na parang ating mga ina, na s'yang tanglaw sa bawat tahanan simula pa noong sumilang tayo sa mundo hanggang ngayon...

Ngayong darating na Linggo, magdiriwang ang buong mundo ng Mother's Day. Araw kung kailan ginugunita natin ang kadakilaan ng ating mga ina at pagpupugay sa walang katumbas na pagmamahal na ibinigay nila simula pa noong nagdalang tao sila hanggang sa tayo ay lumaki.

Ang ating mga ina ang sinasabing "ilaw ng tahanan," kaya hangga’t may natitira pang liwanag, kahit na kakaunting sinag, patuloy silang magsisilbing liwanag. Ang ating mga ina ay sumasagisag rin ng pag-aaruga, pagmamahal na walang maliw at pag-gabay tungo sa liwanag ng buhay. Bilang "ilaw ng tahanan", ang ina ang gumagabay sa anak para maging matuwid ang landas.

Para maiba naman ang Mother's Day entry ko ngayong, nagtanong ako sa ilang kilalang celebrities at mga bloggers tungkol sa kung gaano nila kamahal ang kanilang mga ina at ano-ano ang mga bagay na nagawa or gagawin nila nang sa gayon ay matumbasan kahit paano ang pagmamahal na walang pag-iimbot na ibinigay sa kanila.

Naririto ang mga sagot nila:

Rocco Nacino

Actor - Dancer
(http://twitter.com/nacinorocco)

Gaano mo kamahal ang iyong ina?
- A lot of course, isa siya sa mga inspirasyon ko kaya lahat gagawin ko para sa kanya. At sa kanya ko nakukuha ung drive ko at determination.. Idol ko yan... :)

Anong kaya mong gawin para ipakita mong mahal mo siya?
- Pagiging isang mabuting anak sa kanya, masaya na sya dun.. At tumutulong ako sa education ng kapatid ko... Kahit papano nakakatulong ako sa kanila. Naaappreciate nya ung ganong bagay. Tsaka 'di ako ngbabago. 'Yun lang bilin n'ya sakin lagi. :)

Julian Trono
Actor - Dancer
(http://twitter.com/IamJulianT)

Gaano mo kamahal ang iyong ina?
- I love my mom so much... I think i love her more than my life. :)

Anong kaya mong gawin para ipakita mong mahal mo siya?
- Simplest: I do household chores 'pag walang taping and take care of my 2 li'l sis... Hardest: When I stop courting someone for her.. :) Hahah!

Joyce Ching
Actress
(http://twitter.com/ChingJoyce)

Gaano mo kamahal ang iyong ina?
- Super super super love as in sagad na sagad. Unexplainable and indescribable ang love ko po kay mommy. :)

Anong kaya mong gawin para ipakita mong mahal mo siya?
- Simplest and hardest po yung pagsunod sa mga rules and mga gusto niya po. :)

Ella Cruz
Actress
(http://twitter.com/ItsEllaCruz)

Gaano mo kamahal ang iyong ina?
- Mahal na mahal ko po ang mommy ko dahil s'ya po ang tumulong sa pag-abot ng mga pangarap ko po at hindi n'ya po kami pinabayaan.

Anong kaya mong gawin para ipakita mong mahal mo siya?
- Ginagawa ko po ang lahat ng bagay para maging proud po s'ya sa akin at para rin po maipakita ko sa kanya ang pagmamahal ko po sa kanya, nag-aaral po ako ng mabuti at nagtatrabaho.

Miguel Escueta
Singer/Composer - Endorser
(http://twitter.com/MiguelEscueta)

Gaano mo kamahal ang iyong ina?
- I love my mom with every ounce of my being. All that she has done for me, my siblings, my dad, our family.. Can never be repaid in full.

Anong kaya mong gawin para ipakita mong mahal mo siya?
- I just try to show her how much I appreciate her by making her "lambing" often and spending as much quality time with her as I can. I also try to have sincere conversations wth her & make an effort to always make her a part of the things I go through and what I aspire for

John Michael Bueno
Blogger
(http://kumagcow.com)

Gaano mo kamahal ang iyong ina?
- More than my life.

Anong kaya mong gawin para ipakita mong mahal mo siya?
- I'd kill for her

Rod Magaru
Blogger
(http://rodmagaru.com)

Gaano mo kamahal ang iyong ina?
- I may not do the same sacrifices she did to me, but I promise to serve, respect and love her until the rest of our lives.

Anong kaya mong gawin para ipakita mong mahal mo siya?
- I won't give him reason to be sad or dissapointed. And will continue to be as living proof of her motherhood. Will give her all her wishes on her birthday, no matter what that is.

Richard Mamuyac
Blogger
(www.mapanghingikaba.blogspot.com)

Gaano mo kamahal ang iyong ina?
- Mahal na mahal ko si NANAY... Noon At Ngayon At Years to come!

Anong kaya mong gawin para ipakita mong mahal mo siya?
- Para sa akin ay imposibleng matumbasan ang mga ginawa sa akin ni nanay. Ang pinakamaganda sigurong magagawa ko para maipakita sa kanya na nagbunga ang maayos na pagpapalaki niya sa akin ay ang maging mabuting magulang din sa aking anak. happy mothers day sa mga nanay natin tukayo!

Flow Galindez
Blogger
(http://angsawariko.com)

Gaano mo kamahal ang iyong ina?
- In terms of loving my move, Indi mo sya maeexplain and ma-measure dahil it's more that your life kasi tulad ng pagbigay niya ng buhay sa iyo

Anong kaya mong gawin para ipakita mong mahal mo siya?
- It's not about how simple or big in showing your love but it's more on how we appreciate and respect her that's the only thing you can give to your mother aside from material things.

Sino nga naman sa atin ang hindi nakakaalam ng kadakilaan ng isang ina?

Mula pagkabata ay damang-dama na natin ang pag-aaruga at pagbibigay-halaga sa natatanging regalo ng Diyos sa anila - tayong mga anak.

At para sa kanilang kaarawan ngayong ikalawang Linggo ng Mayo, Happy Mother's Day sa lahat ng mga ina! Kayo ang bayani ng bawat pamilya!

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Mainit, Malaki at Nakakagalit talaga!

2012-05-08T02:33:00.002-07:00

Wala ako sa Pilipinas (nasa Dubai po ako) pero ramdam na ramdam ko ang init sa dami ng balitang nasasagap ko dito. Ang dami ng gulong kalat na kalat sa social networking sites. Share dito, retweet diyan, reblog dito, at kung anu-ano pa diyan... Minsan nga, naguguluhan na ako sa mga nangyayari, at dahil sa walang magawa, pinapanood ko na ang mga news ng lahat ng channel sa Pilipinas unlike noong nasa Pinas pa ako na kahit sulyap sa TV ay hindi ko magawa.

Buti na lang at may TV rito at internet at kahit papaano ay updated pa rin ako sa mga latest happenings diyan.

Mainit.

Una na ang nangyaring gulo sa muling pagtatagpo nina Albie Casino at Andi Eigenmann. Muling nagpang-abot daw ang ex-lovers sa isang bar sa Makati at nabugbog pagkatapos noon si Albie dahilan para magkaroon siya ng galos at pasa sa katawan.

Isa pa, ang nangyaring gulo sa NAIA Terminal 3 kung saan sangkot ang mag-asawang Claudine Barreto at Raymart Santiago laban kay Ramon "Mon" Tulfo. Pinagmulan ng away diumano ang pagkuha ng video ni Mon Tulfo sa tumatangging mag-asawa dahilan para magkasapakan sila sa airport.

Pangatlo, ang mga nakikisabay sa init ng awayan sina, Amalia Fuentes na finally ay nagsampa na ng kaso kaban kay Ruffa Gutierrez. Pati na rin ang sapakan ng mga karakter nina Joem Bascon at Coco Martin sa "Walang Hanggan." Sumasabay pa ang mga teen housemates ni Big Brother! Ang init nga sa Pinas! Kaya naman ang iinit ng ulo ng tao diyan!

Malaki.

Masyado raw napakalapit talaga ng moon sa earth noong sabado (May 6) kaya naman malaki ang tanaw nito sa mundo kaya tinawag itong "Supermoon." Paniwala ng ibang matatanda, malaki ang epekto nito sa pag-uugali at temper ng mga tao kaya may ibang nag-uugnay nito sa kaliwa't kanang insidente ng pag-aamok o pakikipag-away.

Malaki rin ang epekto nito sa karagatan. Inaasahang tumaas din ng isa o dalawang sentimetro ang tubig sa dagat dahil sa supermoon pero kayang-kaya ng gravity ng earth na balansehin ito kaya halos hindi rin ito mapapansin. At mukhang hindi rin ito napansin dahil karamihan a nakatingin sa taas at nagmamasid ng "Supermoon."

Nakakagalit talaga!

Ang sa madaling sabi, si "Supermoon" ang sinisi ng ilan kung bakit ang iinit ng ulo ngayon ng mga tao. Dagdag pa ang lalong umiiinit na temperatura sa bansa. Pero kung tutuusin, mas mainit pa rin dito sa Middle East na umaabot na (ngayon pa lang nagsisimula ang Summer) sa halos 40 °C at tataas pa 'yan sa mga susunod na buwan.

At dahil dumating si "Supermoon" sa eksena, siya na ang nasisi! Si "Supermoon!" Si "Supermoon!" Si "Supermoon!" Si "Supermoon"na walang malay! Si "Supermoon" walang ginawa kundi magshow-off sa kalangitan...

Sa mga nangyaring gulo ngayong weekend, hindi nakakatuwang si "Supermoon" ang sisihin o 'di kaya'y ang mainit na panahon. Nangyari ang mga 'yun dahil ginusto nilang magkagulo-gulo ang mga buhay nila. Oo, nakakadagdag ng init ng ulo at nakakadala talaga ang init ng panahon.

Sa panahon ngayong kahit na sino ay pwedeng kumuha ng litrato at video lalo na sa kanilang mga kinikilala sa lipunan lalung-lalo na sa isang pampublikong lugar, umasta ng ayon sa nararapat. Hindi naman ako PRO ni Mon Tulfo o Claudine dahil hindi naman ako masyadong fanatic ng dalawa, pero kung sana'y inuna ang magandang pakiusapan, hindi mangyayari ang ganito.

Isa pang nakakagalit, ang isama ang isyu na ito sa network war. Unang-una, wala sa network ang pag-uugali ng tao, nasa tao mismo ito. At para naman sa nagmamalinis, lahat tayo ay may kanya-kanyang kagaspangan. At normal ang pagrereklamo lalo na 'yung tungkol sa maduduming serbisyo na nakukuha mo.

Nakakagalit nga talaga! Trending topic pa! Hayyy!

Blogging is where my heart is...

2012-05-05T06:57:00.001-07:00

Dati, inaakala ng marami na ang mga artista o sa mga kilalang tao lang ang nagbablog. Sila kasi ang may huge followers na talaga namang kahit na hindi ganun kainteresanteng topic, siguradong uulanin ng comments ng mga fans. Lahat tayo ay pwedeng mag blog, hindi naman kailangang magaling kang mag ingles o magaling kang magsalita o magkwento.

E bakit ba talaga ako nagsstay ng ganito na katagal sa blogging world? Ano bang meron at hindi ko ito maiwan? Dalawa sa mga malalaking dahilan kung bakit ako nag-eenjoy sa blogging world : Dito ko naeexpress ang mga gusto kong sabihin nang walang nasasaktang tao, at dito ko rin nakilala ang mga totoong naging kaibigan ko at ang iba, nagpatibok ng puso ko.

Wala lang, trip ko lang...
Wala akong masabihan ng feelings ko... I-blog na lang, may nakakabasa pa (at possible may makarelate)
Another way of socializing with other people in this planet.
I think keeping a blog is a hundred times fun than keeping a manual diary (tamad kasi akong magsulat)

Muli akong nagblog-hopping noong isang araw, marami akong napansin. Dumadot-com na sila... At nag-increase ang mga PRs nila samantalang sa akin ay nabawasan. Nainggit mode lang. Haha!

Hindi baleng sabihin nila na ang konri naman nito at parang nobela naman sulat ko, ang mahalaga ay ako ito at buhay at mga kwento ko ang mga isinusulat ko, first hand, at hindi sabi-sabi lang. Para sa akin ang blog ko ang pinaka magandang taguan ng nilalaman ng aking utak at puso. Ito ang pwede kong paglagakan ng mga masasaya at malulungkot na nagyari sa aking araw -araw na pamumuhay.

Dadating ang panahon at maaaring hindi na ako makapag sulat, tatanda na ako at lilipas ang mga alaala ko. Pero ang blog ko ay mananatili...

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I am Mangyan Blogger, and I'm proud to be PROMDI!

2012-05-02T10:14:00.000-07:00

I am Manyan Blogger and 100% PROMDI. I was born and raised in the Province of Occidental Mindoro, in the quiet town of Paluan. Before coming over to Manila to experience living in this concrete jungle, I was a naive probinsiyano, devoid of influence from the mostly materialistic and stressful urban lifestyle.

I went to Manila when I was 13 and studied high school at Rizal Technological University - Laboratory High School (RTU - LHS) and studied college in Far Eastern University (FEU) and Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC). In every start of classes, you need to introduce yourself to new classmates. When people hear those places they quickly ask me if I'm a Muslim. Though I look like one, no... Mindoro is still in Luzon, not in Mindanao. Check geography people!

There are so many things I enjoy doing back in my province. That I can't do here. I am now here in Dubai and I realized that, in the province, you don't need to spend a lot of money to enjoy. Seeing beautiful scenery is just around in the province... I always enjoy going around the town kasi because I love nature and trees!

Through all these, after living in Manila for almost a decade, and now I'm n Dubai, I still loudly proclaim my promdi-ness. And why shouldn't I?

I am Mangyan Blogger and a proud product of the PROMDI Educational System. PROMDI we may be called but I believe we did receive world-class, quality education! I am also proud of PROMDI expeeriences... coz there's still a lot that only in the province you can see, feel and experience!

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Know when to start ignoring people...

2012-05-02T06:54:00.000-07:00

Lots of people feel bad when someone ignores them because they gain their self esteem from the approval of others. I know how it feels because it already happened to me. But there are some circumstances where you can't stand anymore the things that are happening.

The main reason why people feel bad when someone ignores them is that they think that they were ignored because something was wrong with them.

To ignore someone takes a lot of effort but I know when to ignore them just because:

I can't stand someone anymore. I think, annoying people don't deserve my attention.
If I know that this person will never do good to me, I will start to ignore.
I simply can't look at them. That's how I think. They're so disgusting, I can't look at them. I've done it long enough that it's how I work now.
If you get that disgusted with someone's pig-like manners, it's hard to look at them anymore and give them your time.
When this person hurt me so much....
I hate that person! That's it!

If I can approach the person directly with the problems first, then turn to ignoring them if they still won't solve them. During a confrontation I always feel so bad when people talk to me in a rough manner, although I know I am right in the matter. I feel hurt so easily and it lasts so long. I try my best to be pleasant to everyone, but not everyone returns the favor. I think that I need to ignore them but I don't know how to. Well, there's also a lot of person you can never

I always remember that people make mistakes. If I feel I've come into contact with someone toxic, or have run out of ways to solve the problems, I need to get myself out of the situation or relationship. Unfortunately, most people are weak and a simple apology will bring them back.

If you ignore me, I won’t wait around you.

I won’t bug you, I just won’t talk to you.

Simple as that. It’s going be hard. Yes, it hurts. But it won’t hurt as much as being ignored, because I deserve better than that. I’ll move on and find someone who actually really cares about me, since obviously you don’t. If you continually treat me like a crap, what reason do I have to stay?

Just visiting Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates

2012-05-01T09:25:00.002-07:00

I'm not a Muslim but I tried visiting Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque when we visited our cousin in Abu Dhabi. I think this Mosque is open to all...

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is quite possibly the must do visit in the UAE. It certainly is for Abu Dhabi, and has a certain aura not matched by any of the other landmarks across the whole of the UAE. The Mosque’s beauty captures the hearts and the spirits of its visitors who are entranced by its splendid architecture. The thousands of daily visitors are captivated by feelings of serenity.

The architecture is great, the white color all over the place gives you a sense of ease and relaxation. they offer Abayas & Shellas for women to cover up as well as deshdasha for men if wearing shorts. shoes is required to be off when in the prayer areas. tours are available however not during prayers. make sure you see the biggest carpet in the world and the chandelier best timing to go is right before it gets dark or very early in the morning to avoid the hot sun.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and the eighth largest mosque in the world. It is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and the first President of the United Arab Emirates, who is also buried there. The mosque was officially opened in the Islamic month of Ramadan in 2007.

Want to visit? Just go there, walk in the outside hall and hear the peaceful sounds inside you. You'll not regret it.

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Movie Review : The Avengers

2012-04-27T05:35:00.000-07:00

What do you expect when six mighty super heroes - Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Hulk - assemble together on the silver screen for one common purpose?

Over the past four years, Marvel Studios have slowly been putting together the pieces to form "The Avengers," a film version of the comic series that brings some of the studio's most powerful heroes together. The ambition of the project cannot be overstated: over five films, the studio have constructed an approximation of their comic universe that remained faithful to its origins without ever producing films that were only aimed at the converted, even if sometimes, as in the case of "The Incredible Hulk," only the converted showed up. Considering the risk involved - the very real possibility that, had any of the films faltered badly in the early going, the whole thing could have fallen apart - the build-up to "The Avengers" alone is something quite remarkable, maybe unprecedented.

The wait is over my friends, it is finally here in it's ever glorious presence, years of build up have paid off from here on. Right off the bat i have to say that this is definitely the superhero movie that we have been waiting for ever since we read them in the from the pages of the comics. The team movie that we have been waiting for and it is nothing like the "X-Men."

The Characters:

The cast is great in this movie , they are developed very well. Everyone in this movie is great, Chris Evans as Captain America/Steve Rogers, I'm gonna take it all back on what I've said about him back in 2010 when he was announced to be casted as Captain America. Here in this movie you really see him being the team-leader, barking out orders that actually works and pretty much how he interacts is interesting.

Then we got Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man/Tony Stark now we can all agree that he is definitely born to play Iron Man/ Tony Stark. I love how he interacts with the team and i love his humorous dialogue that he spits out every once in a while.

Chris Hemsworth as Thor and he is also great in this movie, again i really love the interaction here and there with the team and he is awesome as Thor.

Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk is a badass in this movie, this movie is what the Hulk is best at, they gave him alot to do in this movie.

Another new-comer we have Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye/Clint Barton. The script did offered him a variety of action scenes where he does feel like Hawkeye.

Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow/Natasha Romanov is hot.... that's all I can say....

Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury is just perfect in this role, he really has a lot to do in this movie this time but just stand and spit out clever one-liners here and there here he did the same with even more depth.

And lastly we have Tom Hiddleston as Loki, He is great in this movie , he really is a perfect choice as Loki and I love his performance in this movie. The cast is greatly assembled and I'm happy with it.

My Take:

The action in this movie is what you think you're going to expect when it's totally not. Like I said, this movie will get you off-guard in some parts. The special effects even looks real especially for the Hulk, And I've always thought Hulk does not look like his human counterparts, Eric Bana is close to looking like Hulk, Edward Norton doesn't look like Hulk yet Mark Ruffallo really does look like his monstrous counterpart which is a big plus.

Going in this movie i have really high expectations such as: This better not suck, I would like to see a few things and i want this movie to surprise and yet it exceeds all of my expectations. There wasn't really anything bad that i can say about this movie.

There were alot of holy shit moments here and there i have to admit when you think the trailers,clips and tv spots spoiled everything ,you are pretty much wrong there are still many surprises that will get you off guard. I love the witty writing he did here in this movie and yet i liked how balanced everything is. It's funny when it needs to be and it's serious when it needs to be. The Final battle is just so much win.

Considering all the hype and build-up, it's wonderful to see that "The Avengers" not only lives up to expectations, but exceeds them on almost every point. It's funny, exciting and offers the kind of giddy thrill that all blockbusters should aspire to, yet rarely achieve. On top of all that, it even manages to find an emotional core for all its dazzling spectacle and witty repartee that makes the destruction mean something. Quite frankly, it sets a new standard for what blockbusters should aim to be from hereon in.

RATING : 10/10

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The Easter Eggs for the Easter Sunday!

2012-04-07T10:38:00.003-07:00

"Hallelujah! The Lord is risen."

"He is risen indeed."

Easter Sunday, most Christians across the globe will celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter Sunday has become an excuse for most Filipinos to celebrate the occasion with a party, which, for them, is a welcome respite after a week of reflecting and fasting. Though it also means an end to a long vacation.

For Christians the egg is a symbol of Jesus' resurrection, as when they are cracked open they stand for the empty tomb. No-one actually knows when eggs were first used as symbols at festival times but it was long before Jesus' time.

Here's the cute boys of my Blog Team. They're some of my closest and cutest friends :)

It is a joyfull day of happiness because the "Lord has Risen" from the dead and has overcome this world and it's evil and has thereby given all a chance to do the same.

I'm now in Dubai. What I miss today is the traditional "Salubong." “Salubong”or “Linggo ng Pagkabuhay” (Resurrection Day) is done at exactly 4:00pm (16:00) and is held in Catholic Churches or in the center of every baranggay.

Before the break of dawn on Easter Sunday, the men folk gather in one place to accompany the statue of the Risen Christ while the women march apart with the image of the Blessed Mother. The two groups (Boys and Girls) meet at a center in front of the church or in our town in Mindoro, the groups meet at the center of the baranggay. While the choir sings the Regine Coeli, a child dressed as an angel descends to remove the black veil covering the Virgin’s face. Everyone in the crowd hail "Alleluia! Christ has risen!" It’s the central feast for Jesus Christ who lived, died, and then rose again after the 3rd day of his crucifixion. It’s also the most important mass/liturgy of the year.

May your Easter be blessed us with health, longevity, love and a lot of happiness! Happy Easter everyone!

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Worth-watching movies for Holy Week...

2012-04-06T07:05:00.001-07:00

I'm now in Dubai and I can say that Holy Week is not the same here. I grew up in Mindoro and for 23 years of my life, this is my first time to spend Holy Week abroad. As Holy Week is upon us once again, I have decided to use this week to review and experience, pray, meditate, and read the Bible for this season, watch religious programming on TV, and seek God's will for my life.

Since, I'm bored and have nothing to do here in Dubai, I decided to watch those movies available in the computer. My brother-in-law has a collection of movies for over a thousand. That's wow! I just picked some worth-watching movies and here they are:

Lorenzo's Oil

This is one of difficult movies to watch, that's for sure. It depicts human suffering so realistically that you forget it's "just a movie." It's a true inspiring story about two parents who watch the horror of their son's health decline due to an illness called ALD. These parents literally study and read and find a cure for there son's illness. Which ends up helping millions of children with ALD to this day. Everyone needs to watch this movie, because this is also a movie about real love and how powerful it can be when put to the test. There are some important messages here. This is now one of my favorite films!

The Man from Earth

This movie is pretty much 100% dialogue, but really interesting. If you would live through 14000 years of human evolution, you would transcend the human scale of things and realise that what matters on a personal level is entirely trivial. You would think generations ahead; individuals would have become meaningless to you. This is a very provocative movie! This really shows the true beauty of what separates science fiction from other genres! Great revelation at the end. In fact, I literally played back again the movie when it ended. Haha!

Fallen

I love this movie so much, it makes me think that you never know if you're talking to an actual person or a demon. Kinda creepy and the ending made me ballistic. This movie had a psycholigical effect on me. Everytime I have contact with negative minded people it creeps me out if If they touch me in any way.

The Bucket List

This was one crazy movie but it's great! This is a story on how two strangers become friends when they are about to die. This also made me cry a lot. I hope u make something like that in your life and don't waste time for nothing. This movie also give it's sentimental value and gives you insight into the "good things" in life.

Passion of Christ

I cried a lot in this movie. Thank you Lord because nobody would give their life for the whole world except for Jesus Christ.

I don’t believe movies give us a more clear picture than the gospels, but they can help us visualize Jesus’ life in new ways, bringing dynamism to our own readings and reflections.

The last few months have been really difficult for me, and quite honestly, I've actually gone through a lot of rough times since I decided to move here in Dubai and stay for months. Sometimes I wonder why I have had to go through so much of the same kind of thing now, I am definitely done with "bad things happening to good people" and dealing with various dramas, and seriously ready to move forward. For a while I was even using this blog to vent about an ex (I think I took them all down - whew!) certainly not a very moral or kind person, but the older I get I realize more and more that no human is perfect.

Today is Good Friday! Make this day meaningful and blessed, spend this day with the right people... with God ;)

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Social networking wars of opinionated people...

2012-04-03T12:45:00.000-07:00

Every author has their own interpretation of what they've written and not all readers were able to decipher that. Misinterpretation is a really bad thing.

You probably have commented on something that you don't fully understand. As long as the posts doesn't contain bad words (that most comments do), then it should not be taken too harshly. I would also like to point out that in communication, the way a message is conveyed is also important.

Let us also hope that people would exert some effort to make their posts not as abrasive as possible to avoid quarrels and misunderstandings.

If the other people has their own right to express their emotions regarding a post that might be against other people, why not respect that particular post that also airs the author's concern about his/herself?

I think some of us may have already forgotten that each right has ambodying responsibilities. A right stops being one if it steps on others rights. The freedom to express has boundaries in itself. People have the right not to be (verbally) abused as well.

We can have an exchange of arguments in circles here but the thing is, there is always an intelligible and considerate way of conveying a thought. Like I said, you cannot emotionally shut themselves down.

Like begets like.

A bad post gets bad comments.

In an ideal world, your ideals are acceptable but please do not forget that social networking sites is a microcosm of our society - we have people from all walks of life here. Again, respect and consideration in posting will make this place a peaceful one.

Are the people who comments over an insensitive post are the only ones who has the right to express their emotions? Again, as I have said, people has their own right to express themselves. And other people has to respect that. Now, if they don't want a post, they have the choice of ignoring it or commenting on it. It still lies on their choice.

Respect is the word. Everyone has their right whether they are the ones who posts in every social networking sites or the ones who are just commenting on their posts. And respect in each and every post or comment is what's important. So whether a bad post is a bad post or a bad comment is the result of such bad post, still, respect is necessary.

Again, I am just balancing the the things I have observed in joining these social networking sites. I am not justifying those posts that are bashing other artists. But not all posts are offensive. Still, it is in the interpretation of the reader. It's a good thing that we let ourselves/other people to see both sides of the situation: the one who posts their opinions and the ones who comments on the posts.

So, I advice everyone to please always read without prejudice! Be an educated person at all times.

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Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking sites and you!

2012-04-03T12:30:00.000-07:00

There's a lot of social networking these days. All of them are really appealing but of course, all of these has its disadvantages. In social networking sites (like Facebook, Twitter, Path, etc.), while they include the ability to post written material to the web, revolve much more around the ability of an individual to build a web presence and to create visible links with others in the network.

There are so many existing networking sites today. There's a hundred of them I think. These sites are developed in such a way that it emphasizes more on a theme rather being a so called "make-a-friend site" or in a sad note, make an enemy.

What writing there is on a social networking site is often in computer slang, intended to be different. These sites often allow the ability to place music, photo, and video content on the site, allowing the individual to showcase their likes and dislikes. A form of text messaging is often included as well, with a history of the messages appearing on the site. Again, all of the features of social networking sites are intended to create social interactions with others.

In social networking, you are interacting with many different people, you are playing a role, but it is a role that you create using the tools at hand.

Your profile (Facebook, Twitter, G-Plus, etc.) is a characterization of yourself.

That's of course why the predators had such free rein initially. But aside from that, each individual creates a characterization that represents a self they would like to present or be within the context of the social networking world.

I can see how having greater capability to make that characterization of oneself, that character, more mobile, with greater and more varied ability to interact with the surrounding virtual world and the other people in the social network, would be very attractive to everyone.

Sure thing, you can have multiple accounts. You can use different emails for every account you want to make. You can be another person you want to be... But what if you want to portray one characterization or mood of a character one day and a different characterization of the same character another day? It can be done easily.

I'm not advocating multiple personalities, but multiple personifications of ourselves are something we do every day in real life, right? Depending on the situation, we act differently. Some networking sites let you have many different account, like in Facebook pages, I think. Well, that's many different versions of presentations of yourself to other people in the networking sites...

Respect is the word.

Everyone has their right whether they are the ones who posts in every social networking sites or the ones who are just commenting on their posts. And respect in each and every post or comment is what's important. So whether a bad post is a bad post or a bad comment is the result of such bad post, still, respect is necessary.

Again, I am just balancing the the things I have observed in joining these social networking sites. I am not justifying those posts that are bashing other artists. But not all posts are offensive. Still, it is in the interpretation of the reader. It a good thing we let ourselves first to balance and see both sides of the situation: the one who posts their opinions and the ones who comments on the posts. That's so easy!

So, I advice everyone to please always read without prejudice! Be an educated person at all times.

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My first flight...

2012-04-02T02:34:00.002-07:00

All my bags are packed, I am ready to go – or so the song goes. The weekend has been busy as I have offloaded as many things are possible to my nearest and dearest and did the last events in the Philippine Blogging world of events.

This is my first time to fly in an airplane and first time to go out in the country. Of course, nervous, depressed a little bit and scared. But why is it so difficult to find something to wear? Haha! I have lots of pairs to choose for this flight. Everybody has a story about their first time. The anticipation, the nerves, the worry...but then the pure wonder when you finally take off. Of course we're talking about your first flight—the first time you boarded an airplane and discovered the skyways.

Anyways, my connecting flight is in Brunei. I spent my 12 hours in Brunei with some other Pinoys there. I slept 8hours at Traders Inn hotel. I'm so much tired and no energy to go around Brunei.

Dubai here I come....

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Movie Review : My Kontrabida Girl

2012-03-15T06:15:00.000-07:00

Great villains are largely forgotten in the broadcast and comments but Rhian Ramos here is the most lovable and highly commended among the villainess!

"My Kontrabida Girl" is a well-made romantic-comedy from the scriptwriter of “My Amnesia Girl” and director of “Zombadings: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington.”

We frequently want to equate protagonist with the "good character" so we got in a discussion about how the protagonist doesn't necessarily need to be the good person of the story. It's easy to hate a movie villain, because its his or her job is to be hated. But a villain that's funny, charming, beautiful and has the rare ability to steal the show from its heroic counterparts is a special breed.

The Story:

"My Kontrabida Girl" (My Antagonist Girl) is a 2012 Filipino romantic comedy film directed by Jade Castro. It stars Rhian Ramos, Aljur Abrenica, Bea Binene and Jake Vargas.

The film’s story centers on the life of a famous soap opera antagonist and her funny and heart-warming quest in finding her one true love. Isabel Reyes (Rhian Ramos) who is the infamous soap opera villain in the country. Everyone simply loathes Isabel which makes her the most condemned personality in the world of television.

But by some weird twist of fate, Isabel’s life turns upside down when she encounters a near-death accident. The wicked antagonist experiences a sudden change of heart and being the top kontrabida of her soap opera, Isabel couldn’t just deliver her heartlessness and cruelty in front of the camera. Her over-the-top villainous persona disappears and she finds herself powerless to kick and slap the lead star.

Isabel’s show hits a major ratings lump and the network advises her to take a break from work with hopes of reigniting her passion. To solve her dilemma, Isabel seeks the help of the biggest kontrabida icon in the country, no less than Ms. Bella Flores. She finds her on YouTube and says that for Isabel to get herself back, she needs to find the person who hurt her the most. And that person for Isabel is Chris Bernal (Aljur Abrenica).

Armed with pure wits and sheer determination, Isabel sets off to meet Chris who is still living in the same town where she left him many years back when she was a child. As they navigate their way through romance and heartbreak, will it further sabotage Isabel’s career and their chances for a relationship? As they rediscover their past, Isabel begins to see Chris in a new light and she unexpectedly finds herself falling in love all over again with the very same guy who broke her heart. Will they ever get the right timing to be together? Will the Kontrabida girl find the perfect and genuine love she has been wishing for in the arms of Chris?

My Take:

Kontrabidas (antagonists/villains) are very important in any story. A good villain can save a bad movie. A great villain can elevate a weak film. A great villain in a great movie is matchless cinema history. Rhian in this movie is the most lovable! Aljur's acting here shows a big improvement since I last saw him act on a movie.

"My Kontrabida Girl" really looks goofy which seemingly establishes the comedy in its romantic comedy genre that this film falls under. What sets "My Kontrabida Girl" apart from any other rom-coms is that it does not stick to the formula that the other movies have been using. Granted, it's a far cry from any rom-com movies out there. But Aljur and Rhian's romantic comedy movie has just enough edge to entertain every moviegoers in the cinema.

Rhian Ramos and Aljur Abrenica have a very fascinating chemistry together. Aljur delivered convincing portrayal of a leading man, though it’s a way to go on his acting but nevertheless, he can act! and he is really looks good in the movie. He was also able to deliver his role as a naive townsman yet charming enough to make every woman fall for him. Whether intentional or not, he was able to make the people laugh at his adventures and misadventures.

Charice Solomon who was very outrageous in her role as Isabel's PA is really a scene stealer here. It's my first time to see her in a movie and she's very hillarious and I almost laugh my lungs due to laughing. The "SK Boys" consist of Enzo Pineda, Sef Cadayona, Kevin Santos, and Ken Chan are revelations here. Maybe they are just supports in this movie but in every scene I'm seeing them, makes me think that they can be the next leading men of GMA Network. They have different characters and more importantly good looks and talent that will surely put them to stardom.

Overall, it's still a great movie! This is kinda refreshing and is genuinely funny without being crass or hyperactive, sincerity can sneak into the lair through the back door.

Rating: 8/10

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Are you ready to face your own demon?

2012-03-15T05:05:00.002-07:00

Can you face the wrath of your alter ego?

There are two sides in every story...

Two sides of a coin...

Dr Jekyll has two personalities residing in one body...

Created in a classic short novel, "The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde," by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1886 is familiar to us all probably due to the film versions, where great emphasis is made on Hyde turning into a monster after drinking his potion.

"Jekyll and Hyde" is about the man of research and science and the inner beast driven by lust, fury and passion. All frame and comment on the central story of Jekyll himself and his attempts to control his alter ego Edward Hyde. In an alternative state of mind, he commits multiple murders and other atrocities, the issue of lifeless bodies and blood and how to portray them on the stage is raised.

Dr Henry Jekyll (Michael Williams/Jett Pangan) wants to prove that he can separate good and evil in man, as a cure to his father’s madness, through his revolutionary potion and is devastated when the board at St Jude’s Hospital refuse him a living soul to experiment upon.

During his bachelor party, he is inspired by local prostitute Lucy (Kalila Aguilos) to make his own dreams come true, and decides to experiment upon himself. By drinking the potion he becomes Edward Hyde, the manifestation of all that is bad about his own personality. Hyde revels in being alive and his acts become more and more shocking and culminate in multiple murders. Hyde finds it harder and harder to control his alter ego which threatens his sanity and his relationships with the people around him, especially his fiancée Emma (Cris Villonco).

When Hyde finds it harder and harder to control this manifestation of his personality until the murderous Hyde threatens to take over. Seemingly Jekyll takes control of his personality allowing him to marry Emma. Just as he says his vows Hyde returns to cause havoc at the wedding. Reluctantly Jekyll’s best friend Utterson (Junix Inocian) kills him to set him free.

When Dr. Jekyll comes to the realization of his own guilt, suicide seems his only option to forever silence his murderous side.

"Jekyll and Hyde" is a story we all know but few have actually read. This story focuses on a man who is able to allow the evil that lurks inside him to find freedom and expression through brutishness and corrupt behaviour. The musical incorporates both ideas with mixed results. Facade and duality are the main themes running throughout the musical. This production offers creatively dramatic solutions — stuffed sacks are stand-ins for corpses, and bags slashed open to spill blood-red beans and sand artfully imitate the escape of vital fluids from the body.

The leads in the show are spectacular. I have watched this play that Michael Williams, who plays Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde, has the voice of a superstar. This is not an easy role to do well. First, you have to be the dedicated if not a little compulsive Dr. Jekyll, whose passion for eradicating evil in the world clouds his good judgment. The acting was superb. Jekyll and Hyde were believable as two sides of the same coin, Hyde with a believably malevolent presence. Enfield hammed up his role marvelously, but still performed his final scene with pathos.

"Jekyll and Hyde" is enjoyable and the songs are good you just end up leaving it wishing there had been a bit more drama and spectacle to get your teeth into! Well done to all involved, including the band of course, "Jekyll and Hyde" is a fantastic musical!

Catch Repertory Philippines presentation of "Jekyll & Hyde" beginning March 16 to April 15 in Onstage, Greenbelt 1, Makati City. For tickets please call Repertory Philippines at 571-6926 or 571-4941 or email info@repertory.ph or in Ticketworld at 891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph.

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Stage Play Review : Bare : A Pop Opera

2012-03-02T07:53:00.002-08:00

These Ateneans take risks and delivers on "Bare : A Pop Opera"

"Bare : A Pop Opera,"a musically-charged and sexuality-questioning explosion propelled from the stage and onto the laps of the audience. Certain songs were heavy with harsh beats and foot stomping rhythms, while others captured your heart. What I liked most about this musical, however, it would definitely be the lyrics. They were so heart felt and poetic; I found myself thinking over each refrain, even after the song was long ended.

This is a coming of age story for a group of senior high school students at a Catholic boarding school, "Bare : A Pop Opera" is not your typical musical theatre fare, touching on such subjects of homosexuality, drug use and teen pregnancy in a sometimes dark view of adolescence. Wrapped around these universal teen issues is a church that is at most times unyielding in its beliefs, causing confusion and angst for these kids coming to the discovery of who they are.

It was a very moving performance, and the story itself led to many open discussions on issues such as drugs, sex, alcohol, love, the church…etc.

These heavy and controversial subjects were handled with respect and consideration, which was good because of the wide range of audience members present. I thought it was beautifully done.

Furthermore, the actors were fantastic and the singing was pretty good; however, probably not one of the best vocals I’ve heard out of a student theater organization.

I bowed to the two leads, Bibo Reyes and Jaime Barcelon, along with the mother (Jenny Zamora) of the Peter (Bibo) were extremely talented. Bibo and Jaime both have tremendous voices and there is a real connection between them. They stood out the most to me, in terms of talent. Jaime is particularly good here as he struggles to reconcile his feelings for Peter (Bibo) and his perception of how the church and those around him would judge if they knew his secret. And of course, stand-out in all his characters is Rem Zamora with his characters as the Priest and the stunning Sister Chantelle.

"Bare : A Pop Opera"'s knowing exploration of teen challenges, coupled with the solid presentation from the BueRep, this a powerful piece. While it may sadly become another show preaching to the choir, it's okay to be reminded we've all been there and, to borrow a phrase, "it does get better."

Directed by Ana Abad Santos, "Bare : A Pop Opera" will open this February 29 with runs from March 1 to 3 and March 7 to 10 with gala shows from Wednesdays to Saturdays at 8pm, and matinée shows on Saturdays at 3pm. For tickets and inquiries, you may contact Chiz Jardin at 09165787618 or through e-mail at nicojardin12@yahoo.com. For show buying, you may contact Luis Marcelo at 09175025847.

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Stage Play Review : Wilfrido Maria Guerrero's The Forsaken House

2012-03-02T07:10:00.000-08:00

Freedom is something priceless, unnerving and relentless but above all it is a right that God, himself had provided us and that no man should usurp.

"The Forsaken House" is a play written by Wilfrido Maria Guerrero, published in his 13 Plays (1947). It depicts a typical Filipino family in the post-war era where the father assumes total control of family affairs, and shows how the children respond to the repressing circumstances.

The play stars theater luminaries Irma Adlawan, Tess Dumpit, Ces Quesada, Espie Tinio-Garcellano, Menggie Cobarrubias and Joel Lamangan, together with the Dulaang UP ensemble and some of today’s young and versatile breed of theater actors.

Characters:

Ramon – husband
Encarna - wife
The children
Teresita – eldest daughter, most self possessed of the children
Clemencia - tiny and weak of constitution, nervous by temperament
Adeling - pretty, strong-willed and impulsive
Jorge - the eldest brother
Flavio - most reserved of the brothers, his reserved nature is dangerous, his brooding eyes reveal strange longings and desires
Gonzalo - the youngest of the family
Tony - the prodigal son who ran away to the U.S
Tio Carlos, Tia Pelagia, Nilda, Edgardo, Mr. Sarte, a servant, a policeman

The story:

While many Filipino families of the time embrace change, Don Ramon (played by Joel Lamangan) maintains a severe hold on his family, specially his children. He forbids them from going out with friends yet does not welcome the idea of entertaining visitors at home either. He distrusts their peers and dictates what they can and cannot do in life. Though having only his children’s best interests at heart, his unyielding will to wield control over their lives spur a series of events that led him and his entire family spiraling uncontrollably towards an ominous fate. And such fate unfolds in unexpected and heartbreaking proportions.

I would like to compliment what the play established; that although the Filipino family is patriarchal, dominated mainly by an authoritarian father, the children still maintain a high regard and respect for their father, no matter how loathing the circumstances are. Regardless of my misgivings on trying out in a stage play, by simply watching an excellent play with an outstanding storyline and characters, I already feel content.

“The Forsaken House” runs from February 15 to March 4, 2011, at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, UP Diliman. For inquiries, contact Cherry Bong Edralin at 0917-7500107 or the DUP Office at 926-1349.

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Ever wondered where and when does Ateneo and La Salle's grudge to one another started?

2012-02-23T08:53:00.000-08:00

"Rivalry" (Ateneo-La Salle The Musical) - a brilliant portrayal of the competitive spirit between archrivals La Salle and Ateneo!

The decades-old feud between Ateneo and La Salle has always ignited lengthy discussions and passionate debate among those of the blue and green persuasion. While the rivalry has considerably mellowed over the years, it gets renewed every time the UAAP season begins.

What I found most entertaining is that these blue-bloods and green-bloods would always delve into a pissing contest on who can piss higher. Pride and bragging rights will always be there for the taking as college basketball’s most compelling rivalry in Ateneo and La Salle and also

These schools are both are private, Catholic academic centers within the Metropolitan Manila area. One is from Taft and the other one is from Katipunan.

In the story, “Rivalry” revolves around two families in 1968: the Valencias with their star Atenean basketball star, Paco (O.J. Mariano); and the Basilios, with the La Salle court heartthrob Tommy. Incidentally, the two boys are actually cousins. Set in 1968, the musical produced by Ed Gatchalian, is the story of two families: the Valencias and the Basilios. Paco and Tommy are cousins, both seniors and star basketball players of Ateneo and La Salle, respectively. The competition between these two schools is as classic as the Montagues versus the Capulets, the Jets versus the Sharks, Magic Johnson versus Larry Bird, Federer versus Nadal, UP versus others. As a subplot, there’s Paco’s younger brother Quito (Felix Rivera), who asks Tommy to introduce him to a girl he fancies from Maryknoll (now Miriam College), Rina. Tommy gives his word as a La Sallite to his cousin but nonetheless finds himself falling for the girl. The stories are set against the backdrop of the NCAA championships. “Rivalry” is, at best, a work in progress. Both schools play to type in "Rivalry." Ateneo values the arts and humanities, its students speak Latin and quote the classics; La Salle, meanwhile, is all about business and numbers. While the show gets the boys right, it does Miriam College no favors by depicting Maryknollers as a gaggle of vacuous, giggling girls. “Give me a boy from La Salle, please,” they plead again and again and again. In a smart move, Mr. Trinidad throws UP a bone through a cameo by his father Noel Trinidad.

Now on stage, their decades-long rivalry in basketball could extend their protracted war on the hard court to the diamond-shaped field and, by bringing fans back, effect a truly renaissance of the sport that, many years ago, was the Filipinos’ favorite. People who do not root for either team probably think this rivalry is too overrated, over-publicized and given too much attention but sad to say and we just have to admit that the Ateneo – La Salle rivalry is here to stay!

Produced by The 4th Wall Theatre Company and directed by well-known theater writer/director Jaime del Mundo, "Rivalry" runs until March 11 at the Meralco Theater with 8 p.m. shows Wednesday to Saturday and 3 p.m. matinees on weekends. For some people, especially during basketball season, Ateneo-La Salle becomes a matter of life and death, but that’s why the rivalry is iconic — because students blow it so out of proportion that it becomes hilarious.

This is the video of the making of "Rivalry"

Feel the serenity of your body, Sense the breeze in your face and Experience cool rejuvenation in Spa de Soleil (Baguio City)

2012-02-18T04:46:00.000-08:00

The relaxing aromatheraphy massage at Eurotel’s fantastic Spa de Soleil. It was an hour of rhythmic massage that combines the techniques of Swedish, Shiatsu, and Thai. Spa and body massage has become synonymous with peace and serenity, which many believed to be a luxury in this stress-driven world. Body massages and a few hour of relaxation and of emptying the mind is a must to keep me sane. This is a great way to end end the busy and roaming-around-days we had in Baguio.

I am glad that I had the chance enjoying some relaxation and even more, that I’m able to push myself to be comfortable in yet another new experience to relax. Modesty aside, the Spa de Soleil experience certainly made me excited for my next body massage trip. This nostalgic experience at Spa de Soleil really gives me a relaxing time without hurting my wallet because it's a treat! That's the best thing happened after the two days of walking around in Baguio. It reordered and cleared my thoughts thus bringing back my sanity.

We had a really deep and comfortable sleep that night. All the fatigue brought about the long trip and our outdoors adventures in Baguio City disappeared as we woke up all refreshed the next day.

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Chinese Temple and the Bell Church, Baguio's hidden secret

2012-02-18T04:30:00.000-08:00

I've been in Baguio for so many times but that was my first time setting foot in this Pine City’s hidden jewel. It’s not as crowded as Session road., Burnham, and the likes of the famous places to go to in Baguio. Bell Church is a Taoist church, and is open to public at 6am to 5pm. On the way to Bell Church, you can see there a narrow street, and that is the passage to Bell Church’s entrance. In there, the walls of the church are designed with Dragon statues.

Bell Church is located at the boundary of Baguio City and heading to La Trinidad is the Bell Church. This Chinese compound features intricately designed arches and buildings adorned with flags, bells and dragons. It has a pagoda, and beautifully landscapped gardens.

I love the designed arches and architecture. Beautiful landscaped gardens are noticeable. There are Buddhism artifacts but I don’t have any idea exactly what it symbolizes. Everytime I see Chinese temple, I always think of dragon, lotus, burning of joss sticks. I was never tired of taking photos here. Photography is allowed,except inside the church itself. Since this is a sacred place, proper decorum must be observed at all times.

Look at the photo above. The secret mountains will no longer be a secret. Mountains, now covered with houses.

Tam-Awan Village, a reconstructed native village resembling the traditional village in Cordillera

2012-02-18T04:10:00.000-08:00

The rest of the afternoon was spent at Tam-Awan Village, a reconstructed native village resembling the traditional village in Cordillera. It also features an art gallery, a souvenir shop and a café where we had an afternoon drinkie and some deserts. It also showcases local artists and their works of art and an Ifugao village with Kalinga huts which you can rent for a day to experience what it feels like to live in one.

This is an another tourist destination in Baguio City which is home for artists. This place houses a collection of various Ifugao and ang Kalinga arts are found. Feel and take a glimpse of Cordillera’s old way of living and lifestyle. This a remarkable place to people who appreciate arts . A place of activities like art exhibits , workshops and alike. Feel at home and enjoy the brighter and colorful side of Baguio only at Tam-awan village. Explore and discover things that people seldom appreciate. The Tam-awan village also not just for people who appreciate art but for those who value nature and life.

This serene garden in the sky is an ideal venue for art and cultural activities. It will make you appreciate life in the Cordillera region, as well as its culture, history and heritage. During the year when Baguio was still a huge grazing land for herds of cattle, Pinsao, the location of Tam-awan, was one vast pastureland.

A spring beside Tam-awan is the source of a body of water that once served as the watering hole for the cattle. Right now, being handled by Chanum Foundation, you will find seven reconstructed Ifugao houses and two Kalinga houses so our generation will have the chance to take a peek at how life once was at Cordillera.

Tam-Awan Village is an interesting tour. Visitors could also stay overnight at the village to fully understand the experience. The cottages for the visitors are the traditional dwellings as well. Tam-awan Village is located at 366-C Pinsao Proper, 2600 Baguio City. Entrance fee is Php50.00 per adult. You may call 074-446-2949 or 074-442-5551 for more information.

Panagbenga Festival 2012

2012-02-18T03:48:00.000-08:00

Baguio City is called the Philippines' summer capital because of its cool climate. Tourists flock to the mountain city in the summer to escape the city's heat and during the Christmas season as an excuse to use winter clothing.

One of Baguio's most awaited events is the Baguio City Panagbenga Festival, also known as the Baguio Flower Festival, which is usually set in February. What started as a filler to promote local tourism during the lean months soon blossomed into one of the most anticipated events in the city. The festival is a month-long event, with this year's Festival opening with a program on February 1 and closing with a Grand Fireworks Display on March 6. There are different activities each day, with the Grand Street Parade and the Grand Float Parade drawing the most crowds.

The Grand Float Parade is the most anticipated event of the Panagbenga Festival. It is the Philippines' version of the Pasadena Rose Parade, where motorized "floats" or carriages are decorated with fresh flowers. This year's theme - “Community Convergence for a Sustainable Tourism Growth” - was applied to the design of many floats, most of which displayed slogans preaching care for the environment. The event will run starting February 1 up until the 18th of March. Expect the grand Street dancing parade on the 25th of February, 26th is the Grand Float Parade . The entire Session Road will bloom from the 27 until March 18.

Just an advise to those who'll be going to see the Grand Float Parade, if you can make it earlier than 7am, the better. Anticipate that lots of people will be out early to scout and take the most convenient spots. Good places to watch the parade are Postal Park, entrance of Melvin Jones Grand Stand and the Athletic Bowl.

Panagbenga Festival 2012 Schedule of Activities.

February 1-March 4 - Market Encounter at Burnham Park
February 12 8:00 am - Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom at Melvin Jones
February 12 - Handog ng Panagbenga sa Pamilya Baguio at Burnham Park
February 12 10:00 am - Fluvial Float Parade at Burnham Lake
February 25 8:00 am Grand Street Dancing Parade at Panagbenga Park to Athletic Bowl
February 26 Grand Float Parade at Panagbenga Park to Athletic Bowl
February 27-March 4 Session Road in Bloom at the Session Road
March 2-3 Pony Boys’ Day Athletic Bowl
March 3-4 Panagbenga Shootfest 2012 , West Pt. Firing Range, Tuba
March 4 Panagbenga Closing Ceremonies at Athletic Bowl
March 4 Grand Fireworks Display at Athletic Bowl
March 17-18 10th Panagbenga Open Scrabble Tournament , Golden Pine Hotel

The event on the 25th and 26th from 4am to 1pm South Drive Teacher’s Camp gate to the Military Rotonda to the Session Road and Harrison will be closed for the Panagbenga parade. Both grand street and float parade.

The best thing to do this month is to enjoy and celebrate the ‘love month’ in Baguio for The Panagbenga festival or known as Baguio Flower Festival and stay in one of the best hotels with a European experience, Eurotel Hotel (click the link here).

Experience European lifestyle in the Philippines' summer capital in Eurotel Hotel

2012-02-18T03:42:00.000-08:00

Eurotel Hotel is a modern European-inspired hotel situated in the heart of the commercial district in Baguio City Abanao Extension, Brgy Rizal Monument just minutes away from Burnham Park. Guests are treated upon arrival to the quaint and elegant hotel lobby. They have the friendly, courteous and efficient front desk staff are ready to assist guests round the clock. Their location is perfect! A minutes-walk to Burnham Park, Baguio Orchidarium if your a green thumb, and pretty much at the center of everything. What makes this Eurotel great is the location is a walking distance to one of the best restaurant in Baguio and famous, Cafe by the Ruins. Its also near Legarda road and to the market.

Pipe-in music started to play as we entered our cozy suite and true to its European theme, their room has the Leaning Tower of Pisa on its wall. It has a 21”inch LCD TV mounted on the wall.

Eurotel accommodations offers the following hotel amenities: Wi-Fi Equipped Lobby and Rooms, 24 Hour Room Service, Therapeutic Massage, Central Fire Protection System, 22″ LCD TV with 24 Hour Cable & in-House Movie Channel, Safety Deposit Box Inside the Rooms and Air-conditioned Rooms w/ hot & cold water.

Eurotel Hotel also has function rooms (good for 30-300 pax) that are perfect for kiddie parties, debut, weddings, baptismal, seminars, company team buildings, event venues, training and more. Aside from Baguio Eurotel has branches at the following locations: Araneta Cubao, Las Pinas, Pedro Gil, North EDSA, and Makati. Eurotel Baguio is the newest branch of Eurotel which is situated few minutes away from the famous Burnham Park.

Eurotel Baguio is no doubt a unique hotel of budgeted travelers, businessmen and family service in the country today and the best hotel in Baguio I have ever stayed in so far. They also offer very affordable rate for their clean rooms. All rooms are with split-type aircon. sometime Baguio get hot during the year and its wise to stay in this kind of hotel.

I experienced a Euro Suite with a cool and modern european design and style . The room is totally clean and had a very elegant taste towards the entire room. I was not really sure what I totally enjoyed extra for but I guess sleeping in a very comfortable bed, watching tv shows with an LCD TV or probably enjoying the bubble bath before going to bed are one of those. Everything else inside the room is elegant. I got used to it that I had no intentions of going back home. I had spent the whole weekend with some friendly bloggers during the "Baguio Bliss 2012 : Bloggers event" at Eurotel Baguio. I genuinely had a European style of accomodation. I was also overwhelmed by the service displayed by the staff. Eurotel Baguio staff, from the front desk to room attendants, they are certainly awesome. Their dedication towards their job and to their customers are way above my expectation. In my experience at Eurotel Baguio would be the remarkable and ideal hotel for couples, tourists, business people and other travelers out there seeking comfort in Baguio City . You can rest assured of convenience with a quality room choices, from studio, standard and Euro Suite. If you value money and looking for a traditional Filipino hospitality in Baguio. Then Eurotel Baguio will give you the best lodging experience you will ever have.

Wi-fi ia always a must for me anywhere I go! There you go - free wi-fi inside the hotel premises, including your room. The facilities I truly taken advantage was the free Wifi internet and the hot and cold water, LCD TV with Cable and so much more.

The meal they serve is fairly well presented and the taste is good. I was entirely spoiled by their inhouse restaurants serving various options. The complimentary buffet breakfast was excellent! A good combination of local and Western servings await the guests. It's buffet so guests had to go down the dining area. Other hotel food options are also priced reasonably. I usually do not order in-house meals in a hotel, except during our stay here. The location is very accessible to various public transportation.

Overall, it was the fantastic experience . Feel the European design hotel. Check out the furniture of the lobby of the hotel, the function area , the dining area and specially the bedroom. At any rate, the great quality of the hotel and the service. It’s Worth it! I will definitely comeback because I was really contented with the level of hotel services and amenities.

For more informations, please call: (072)444-EURO or (02)355-0000, or visit their website : www.eurotel-hotel.com

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