Coffee Talk with Sophie

The Photography with an Artistic Flair

2011-08-18T07:28:00.007+08:00

Photography was one of interest when I was younger. It’s just that my dad didn’t entrust to me the Polaroid instant camera since it’s much expensive. So, I ended up having an ordinary camera that uses a photographic film. It’s just a click and flash thing with nothing much to adjust on the lens. It is where I learned how to manually adjust on the lighting and to work on the right angle since I got limited number of shots. It’s a miss or hit thing.

Only in 2005 when I got the luxury of taking too many shots when I got my Sony Cybershot digital camera. It was the time when I also learned to emphasize the emotions, to focus on the mood and to highlight the background by playing with the colors and creating some effects thru some software applications like the Photoshop. However, it gets more complicated as the software continually upgrades and I find it harder to use since I never took some photo editing workshops.

It was only a few months ago when a friend introduced to me some lomography online applications. I then went thru the online tutorials for lomography and presto! It’s just like professionally done!

Let me share to you some websites that offers online lomography / photo editing:

http://www.dumpr.net/
http://www.phixr.com/
http://www.picnik.com/
http://pixlr.com/
http://pixenate.com/
http://www.tuxpi.com/

Below are some of my obra maestra!

Willy's Rock, Boracay

Lagoon

Calleruega, Batangas

Bridesmaids

its all about the weather

Top Picks: My All-time Favorite Beach Songs

2010-05-05T12:58:00.004+08:00

To beat the summer heat in a tropical country like the Philippines where else do people go? –the beach!!! With a lot of beach resorts to choose from, everyone will surely have a great summer experience in our own definition of FUN whether we're up for a beach party, water sports, food trip, or simply for meditation and relaxation. Aside from the company of our friends, colleagues, and family, the experience wouldn't be complete without our life's soundtrack. So here's the list of the beach songs of my personal choice which you might consider to add on your playlist:

10. Selfish—Sunset Daze

Originally released by The Other Two who are Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert of New Order. The band name refers to the fact that the other New Order members, Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook, had already released solo records when the first The Other Two record, the single "Tasty Fish," came out 1991.

09. California Dreaming – Benny Bennassi

House version of Benny Benassi from the popular song by The Mamas & the Papas, first released in 1965. The song is #89 in Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The lyrics of the song are about a man in a cold winter landscape longing for the warmth of California.

08. True Faith—New Order

True Faith is a 1987 track from New Order, produced by Stephen Hague. True Faith is one of New Order's most popular songs.

This track was used in the opening nightclub scene in Mary Harron's film adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis's novel American Psycho and in James Bridges's 1988 film adaptation of Jay McInerney's novel Bright Lights, Big City. It also appears at the end of the 14th episode of the third season of the American TV series Queer as Folk.

07. Waiting in Vain—Bob Marley

Waiting in Vain is a song written and recorded by reggae musician Bob Marley for his 1977 album Exodus. Released as a single, it hit number twenty-seven in the UK Singles Chart.

Waiting in Vain was covered by Annie Lennox for her album Medusa. It was released as the album's third single in 1995 and reached number thirty-one on the UK singles chart. Lennox's version was used in the 2001 film Serendipity and the 2002 film Changing Lanes.

06. Santeria—Sublime

Santeria is a song by Sublime on the album Sublime. The song includes the bassline and guitar riff from Sublime's earlier song "Lincoln Highway Dub" off the album Robbin' the Hood.

This song tells the story of a jealous ex-boyfriend pursuing to reclaim his ex-girlfriend from a man. The lead singer of Sublime, Bradley Nowell refers to the man as "sancho" and his ex-girlfriend as "heina". In Mexico, a man who steals another man's girl is often referred to as "el Sancho" and a man's woman or girlfriend is referred to as "heina".

05. Satisfaction—Benny Bennassi

Satisfaction is a Benny Benassi track from his 2003 album Hypnotica. The track was Benassi's debut single and most successful song, peaking at number 2 in the UK. It was also used in a TV commercial for an Australian beer.

04. Amber—311

Amber is a 2001 single from the band 311 off their album From Chaos. Focusing more on their reggae roots, the song is about Nick Hexum's then fiancé Nicole Scherzinger. Scherzinger appears briefly in the music video, playing in the ocean with Hexum.

03. Ever After – Bonnie Bailey

From the Hed Kandi Beahc House 2004 collection. Hed Kandi is a UK-based record label and a music brand which was established in 1999 specializing in commercial house music. Hed Kandi's catalogue includes both artist albums and various genres of club compilations.

02. Porcelain—Moby

Porcelain is a song by Moby, as the sixth single from his electronic album, Play. It was first featured in 1998 film Playing by Heart and appeared as soundtrack to the 2000 film the Beach before it was actually released on June 12, 2000.

01. Pure Shores—All Saints

Pure Shores is on top of my list and my all-time favorite beach song by All Saints. It was released as the first single from their second album, Saints & Sinners and was first heard from the film The Beach in 2000.

Sophie’s Kitchen

2010-04-30T11:29:00.007+08:00

As for me, cooking is a passion. It takes more than the customary ingredients of herbs and spices in every recipe that makes any food served on the table as appetizing and delicious as it could be. Without the skill, technique, practice, attention to detail, interest and patience of the person behind the food preparation and cookery then the food would only be bland and unsavory.

Coming from a family of picky eaters, I grew up in a kitchen where food are meticulously prepared and cooked. I then discovered my interest in cooking when I was in high school. It's so funny that find myself tasting and naming the ingredients from the cut and size of the chicken to the itsy bitsy piece of basil and garlic on my meals from my favorite restaurants that I used to go to. From then on, instead of just helping my mother on food preparation, I started to experiment in the kitchen by myself. It's a trial and error thing until I finally arrived with the taste of my desire.

Below are some of the recipes that I personally picked from a wide variety of my family recipe with a dash of my personal touch:

MENUDO

YOU'LL NEED:

1 kg pork tenderloin, cubed

3 medium potatoes, cubed

2 medium carrots, cubed

½ cup raisins

1 medium red bell pepper, diced

1 medium green red bell pepper, diced

500 ml tomato sauce

100 ml tomato catsup

Hot sauce

1 small can of liver paste/ or ¼ kg fresh pork liver if desired

1 medium onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

50 g grated cheese

MARINADE:

2 bay leaves

1 cup Sprite/ 7 up

4 tablespoons lemon/ calamansi juice

Ground black pepper

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Combine all marinade ingredients. Divide the marinade in halves. Save half. Add pork cubes on the other half with the bay leaf and marinate for at least 30 minutes

2. Remove pork from the marinade, drip dry.

3. Sauté garlic and onion, add pork and the unused half of the marinade and bay leaf, simmer uncovered, reduce the liquid to half.

4. Add fresh pork liver if you prefer the fresh ingredient, cover and cook.

5. Add tomato sauce, liver paste, carrots, potatoes and raisins, simmer stirring occasionally.

6. Add peppers, hot sauce and adjust the seasoning.

7. Add the grated cheese, let it melt, stir and distribute evenly. Serve hot.

LEMON CHICKEN

YOU'LL NEED:

2 1/2lbs boneless-skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1" cubes

MARINADE:

2 tablespoons soy sauce

½ teaspoon salt

BATTER:

2 large eggs

¼ cup cornstarch

½ teaspoon baking powder

1 pinch white pepper

oil (for frying)

SAUCE:

1/3 cup sugar

1 cup chicken broth

1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons lemon juice

¾ teaspoon salt

3 slices of lemon (peeled)

2 tablespoons oil

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Place cut chicken breast pieces into a bowl and mix with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and ½ teaspoon of salt. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

2. To make the batter – beat 2 large eggs with ¼ cup of cornstarch, a pinch of white pepper and baking powder. Coat the chicken with the batter.

3. Heat deep fryer to 350 degrees and deep-fry in batches until chicken is fully cooked. Drain on paper towels and set aside. You can also cook the chicken using a wok if you don't have a deep fryer.

4. Now, to make the lemon sauce – combine 1/3 cup of sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 cup chicken broth, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and ¾ teaspoon salt. Mix until well combined and add 3 slices of lemon to the sauce mixture.

5. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in your wok and stir in the lemon sauce mixture and heat until well mixed and sauce becomes clear. Remove lemon slices and pour the sauce over the chicken and mix. Best served with rice and broccoli.

LUMPIANG SHANGHAI

YOU'LL NEED:

1 kg pork ground beef/ pork

2 medium size onion, finely chopped

1 medium size carrot, finely chopped

2 stalk celery/ kinchay finely chopped

3-4 eggs, beaten

salt and pepper

lumpia or spring roll wrappers

cooking oil

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Mix all filling ingredients thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper. Place 1 tbsp of filling on one side of wrapper and wrap tightly, secure wrapper by lightly dabbing water on wrapper edge. In a wok deep fry lumpia at medium to low heat for 2-3 minutes or until wrapper turns to golden brown and filling is cooked. Serve with sweet and chili sauce.

BAKED MACARONI

YOU'LL NEED:

1 kg elbow/salad macaroni

Chopped parsley

Grated cheese

RED SAUCE:

1 kg ground beef

½ kg hotdog, sliced

2 cans of sliced mushroom

3 medium size onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons of sugar

ground black pepper to taste

a dash of dried basil leaves

1 small bottle of pickle relish

1 small can of liver paste

1000 ml of spaghetti sauce

1 bottle of sweet blend catsup

Hot sauce

WHITE SAUCE:

1 medium size onion, finely chopped

½ garlic cloves, chopped

1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch

1 large can of evaporated milk

1 large can of all purpose cream

butter

100 g grated cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:

1. To cook the macaroni—Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 10 to 13 minutes or until al dente; drain. Set aside.

2. To make the red sauce—Sauté garlic and onion add ground beef/ pork, simmer for about 10 minutes, and stir occasionally. Add hotdogs and mushroom simmer for another 10 minutes, stir occasionally. Add the liver paste, spaghetti sauce, sweet blend catsup, hot sauce and seasonings. Simmer for about 10 minutes, and stir occasionally. Add pickles. Simmer for about 10 minutes, and stir occasionally.

3. To make the white sauce—Sauté garlic and onion in butter. Pour in the milk and all purpose cream and cornstarch. Add seasonings and mix well. Bring into boil.

4. To bake the macaroni—Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a bowl mix together the macaroni and the red sauce. In a baking dish, place about a third of the mixed macaroni in one layer, spread with 1/2 of the white sauce mixture. Then layer the rest of the macaroni and red sauce mixture and spread the remaining white sauce mixture and cover with grated cheese. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted. Best served with toasted garlic bread.

The Stars and Me

2010-03-10T13:22:00.004+08:00

Leo Astrology

Leo Strength Keywords:

- Confident

- Ambitious

- Generous

- Loyal

- Encouraging

Leo Weakness Keywords:

- Pretentious

- Domineering

- Melodramatic

- Stubborn

- Vain

Leo and Independence:

Leo is very independent but they need something to control and someone to admire them and appreciate them. They are fully capable of being greatly successful on their own but they are much happier if they have an audience and a following of people who look up to them. They would prefer not be alone.

Leo and Friendship:

People are attracted to Leo's zest for life and their warm spirit. They have the ability to lift up one's spirits and provide encouragement when times are rough. Their enthusiasm attracts people, Leos are social butterflies, not because they want to be but because people always naturally gravitate and surround the Leo. Leos are very difficult people to not like, they are usually fairly balanced, realistic people. They never dwell on the past and they will think you are strange if you do. Some Leos might be too caught up in themselves and be very self-centered but they are never too self-absorbed to help anyone who needs it. They pamper their friends and treat them well. A Leo is the ultimate friend. They do not hold a grudge and they are very forgiving. They have respect and understanding of people's differences.

Leo and Business:

Business dealings are easy and successful for Leo, if they are in command and control. This can cause conflict in the workplace should the Leo not be in a position of superiority, but they usually get there eventually thanks to their powerful drive to succeed, in other words, they are excellent leaders because this is their kingdom they have to control, and they do it well. Leo has an amazing ability to get along with people and they work best in a group as opposed to alone. They can be very diplomatic in a group setting and can delegate people well, however Leo will not take orders. They need to give orders but with their enthusiasm and cheerfulness, other people do not have a problem taking orders from a Leo because they are never condescending and they treat others with respect and equality. Leos are full of drama, flair and extravagance and this reflects in the business world. They make an impact, they make a difference in the workplace and help to keep the parts moving in sync and iron out any problems before they arise. If the business fails, that means that Leo fails and they are extremely determined not to fail. Leo is the most extravagant sender of all astrology signs. They will not over do it but they will surround themselves with luxury as much as possible. They will never settle for second best.

Leo Temperament:

Leo loves the new and extraordinary, they despise dull, regular routines and if this is what they are faced with, they will simply create their own drama and excitement. This makes Leo prone to stir up a situation out of nowhere just for something to keep their vivacious temperament satisfied. Leo has an amazing ability to bounce back from any feelings of despair or unfortunate events. They do not like to be unhappy, it hurts their pride so they will take matters into their own hands and make things right again. Leos could come into conflict with other powerhouse type of people who will not take orders and not give an inch, Leos will not budge their opinion, they will understand and accept opinions of others but they do not take well to people to try to impose their beliefs on them. Leo most often have the temperament of a demanding, spoiled child but this is only shown if someone steps on the boundaries of their kingdom. They react this way because of their territoriality.

Leo Deep Inside:

Leos are extremely sensitive but they hide that very well. Leos love praise and flattery, their egos demand respect and adoration. Leo is all about pride. This can cause them to be self-centered but the warmth of the Leo heart keeps it under control. If Leo's audience (otherwise known as their friends) do not provide the needed appreciation, Leo is too proud to ask for it and they will suffer a hurt ego, but no one will ever know and they will suffer in silence. The secret of the Leo is that they need to be needed.

Leo in a Nutshell:

Leo is the lion, this well suited symbol represents Leo very well. They possess a kingdom which they protest and cherish. The are high esteemed, honorable and very devoted to themselves in particular! The kingdom could be anything from work to home to a partner, whatever it is, you rule it. Leo is always center stage and full of flair, they enjoy basking in the spotlight. A Leo always makes their presence known. Leo are full of energy that acts like a magnet for other people. Others are attracted to Leo's wit, charm, and what they have to say for they speak of things grand and very interesting. Leo will never settle for second best. They want only the best which can cause lavish excessive spending habits as they enjoy their life of luxury, which is all to easily justified by the grand and magnificent Leo! Public image is very important to Leo, with luxurious possessions and ways of life, this keeps the public image in high standing. They will do whatever it takes to protect their own reputation. Leos are very generous, kind and openhearted people. If a Leo is crossed, they will strike back with force but they are not one to hold a grudge, they easily forgive, forget and move on. Leos are always trying to make things right in the world, they have larger then life emotions and they need to feel like they have accomplished something at the end of the day. They react to situations with action instead of sitting back and thinking about it, they are not impulsive however because they look at the future and consider consequences of their actions.

Leo Love, Sex and Relationships

What it's like to date a Leo Woman:

The first step is to give her praise and adoration. The relationship will never work if she does not receive this from you. Do not look at other women when you are with her, she has to be the only one in your eyes. The thought of competition with other women completely turns her off, for she is marvelous and grand and better then any other woman (in her eyes)! Be prepared however to compete with other men. She attracts men, deliberately or not, because of her dazzling personality. She makes a good partner because she gives undying affection and love and makes you feel really mood about yourself. She is kind and supportive with an adventurous streak, she is always fun to be with. Leo woman will dominate,. But not completely for she still needs the man to lead the way and give her the desired sense of approval, she looks up to her man. Leo woman is perfect for the man who is affectionate and has a strong character but not too controlling. She needs someone who is passionate about everything in their life and who strives for the best in everything, because so does she.

What it's like to date a Leo Man:

The Leo man falls in love easily and it usually does not last. This is because his emotional ideals of a grand and magnificent love affair quickly turn into reality. Leo man needs a woman who is grounded and in-tune with the realities of life so she can help him keep his feet on the ground. He may seem like he is casual and detached about love but this is not the case, he needs adoration and approval and if he receives this, he feels quite passionately inside and will treat her with amazing affection and be a wonderful cheerful companion. The Leo man appears to be a rock solid unemotional king but truthfully, he is very sensitive. He wants a woman who caters to him, not in a demanding way but he thinks he is entitled to this because of how great he is. Leo men are prone to be self-centered but underneath they are gentle and have lots of love to give providing the woman can give him what he wants. Leos get along with just about anyone and just about any type of girl is suited to him. The woman who caters to him and overlooks his faults (he thinks he does not have any) and the woman who does not nag at him will obviously have preference and a chance at a long term relationship. If the relationship lasts, eventually she will have to teach him that he is not the only great thing in the world.

How To Attract Leo:

Admiration is key. Admire them ands they will be yours. Leo is a fairly easy sign to attract they are very receptive to advances and come ons. Give them compliments, dish them out in handfuls because Leos never think a compliment can go too far. Even if you are faking it, they don't care, the simply love the attention. Be funny, Leos love to be entertained and they love to laugh. If you can make them laugh, you're good! Leos like the grand things in life, treat them to a lavish dinner or a cultural upscale event. Always have the best of the best and never try to offer them second rate. They think nothing is too good for them, they like everything posh so dress classy and nice, and have a good night on the town with the charming Leo!

Leo Erogenous Zone:

The back is Leo's most sensitive area. Most Leos have a well defined muscular back, compliment them on it while you lightly scratch your fingernails from the base of the neck down to their buttocks. They love a back rub or massage because to them it is being pampered. Get scented massage oil and give them a sensual massage and it is guaranteed to set the mood for a night of passion!

Sex With Leo:

First impressions would tell you that Leo is all about the kinky and novelty, but that is not so. They are deeply sensual and passionate and enjoy posh surroundings, such as candles and scented oils and lots of affectionate physical contact such as massages and rubbing. They like sex to be familiar, not necessarily routine, but they like to know what's going on. This is because Leo always has to be the best and if there is a suggestion or something offered that they have never done before, they would rather pass on the chance then attempt it and be only satisfactory. Leo has mastered the moves he know, so do not be disappointed with the lack of novelty and variety, because Leo is very good at what they can do, they are the best.

http://zodiac-signs-astrology.com/zodiac-signs/leo.htm

Be Connected!

2010-01-30T20:44:00.012+08:00

Whenever we feel the stress and pressure from work and when life gets a little adverse, there's no other place we wanted to be but in our own little haven-our comfort zone! I'm not talking about indulging ourselves in front our computers while keeping up with our social networks like friendster, facebook and twitter. What I'm telling is it's better to let ourselves off the hook! It's okay to go out and get connected with real human beings! Nothing compares with the experiences and moments shared with our good old friends.

As for me, I keep up with life by going out with my friends and colleagues once in awhile just to catch up with each other while enjoying a couple of cocktail drinks, sharing our comfort food accompanied by familiar music like old school rock, r&b, acoustic, & bossanova.

Now, let me share with you some of the good places to chill and relax within the Metro:

~~QUEZON CITY:~~

Off the Grill, Timog Ave.

Virgin Cafe, Timog Ave.

Chili's, Tomas Morato Ave.

Something Fishy, Eastwood City

Seafood Island, Eastwood City

Starbucks Coffee, Eastwood City

~~ORTIGAS:~~

Mugen, Metrowalk

Marina, Metrowalk

Dencio's, Metrowalk

Dulcinea, Greenhills

Recipe, Shangri-La Mall

Agave, Shangri-La Food Strip

Seattle's Best Coffee, Mega Strip

Kwago Grill, Madison Square Pioneer

Mario's Kitchen, Tiendesitas

~~MAKATI CITY:~~

Temple, Greenbelt

Absnith, Greenbelt

Cafe Breton, Greenbelt

Guilly's, Greenbelt

Bubba Gump, Greenbelt

Guilly's, Glorietta

Pier 1, Fort Strip

Gweilos, Palanca St.

Coffee Bean, Valero St.

360-A. Venue, Makati Ave.

~~MANILA~~

Bluewave

Don Hen, Mall of Asia

~~ANTIPOLO CITY~~

Padi's Point

Top Picks of a Couch Potato

2010-01-25T00:24:00.013+08:00

Have you ever ditched your friends on a weekend and totally detached yourself from the outside world? Well, I do! The reason—hooked on the heart-pounding and mind-boggling scenes from an all day TV show marathon. The fast-paced, complex stories and unexpected plot twists will truly make you look forward to every episode. Take a glimpse of my personal favorites:

STATUS: ENDED

#4. MIAMI INK

SYNOPSIS: It is an American reality show that followed the events that took place at a tattoo shop in Miami Beach, Florida. The show premiered in July 2005 and has finished broadcasting its fourth season. The shop, which was called 305 Ink (with 305 being a reference to the Miami Beach area code) before the show started, is now called Love Hate Tattoo and is co-owned by tattoo artists: Ami James and Chris Núñez, and also features artists Chris Garver,Darren Brass, Tim Hendricks and Yoji Harada. Each episode featured a number of customers along with their backstories and motivations for choosing their tattoos. In addition, there was some focus on the personal lives of the artists. Most of the episodes are narrated by James, with Nuñez occasionally filling in. The main musical theme for the show is "Funky Kingston" by Toots & the Maytals. The show has on occasion featured the personalities from other TLC shows such as American Chopper.

#3. QUEER AS FOLK

SYNOPSIS: The show was noted for its somewhat frank depiction of gay life, as well as its vivid sex scenes. A disclaimer, "Queer as Folk is a celebration of the lives and passions of a group of gay friends. It is not meant to reflect all of gay society" appeared after each episode on Showtime in the U.S. but this disclaimer was not broadcast on Showcase in Canada (instead, the standard Showcase disclaimer "This program contains nudity, sexuality and coarse language — viewer discretion is advised" was broadcast before each airing and after each commercial). The title comes from an expression originating in the North of England, "there's nowt so queer as folk", meaning "there's nothing as strange as people (Folk)".

#2.THE L WORD

SYNOPSIS: The original code-name for the project was Earthlings, a rarely used slang term for lesbians. Contemporary use of the phrase "the L word" as an alias for lesbian dates to at least the 1981 play My Blue Heaven by Jane Chambers, in which a character stammers out: "You're really ...? The L-word? Lord God, I never met one before.

#1. PRISON BREAK

SYNOPSIS: Lincoln Burrows is on death row for the murder of the Vice President's brother. He insists he's innocent, but no one other than his brother Michael Scofield believes him. An engineer who was hired to renovate the prison where Lincoln is being held, Michael takes drastic measures to help his brother. He robs a bank and is sent to the same prison, so that with his knowledge of the building the two of them can escape together. However, the plan soon becomes more complicated than Michael intended as other prisoners find out about the plot and want to escape too. Michael also discovers a massive governmental conspiracy that is determined to see Lincoln executed when two crooked federal agents try to silence Burrows' ex-wife and son. Breaking out will be more difficult than he thought, but he's still going to give it his all.

STATUS: AIRING

#10. ENTOURAGE

SYNOPSIS: Vince Chase is the newest actor. His career is sky-rocketing. He makes the move to Hollywood and brings his childhood friends from Queens with him. Eric, his best and closest friend, takes on the roll of Vince's manager. Drama, Vince's half-brother, is also an actor who follows along with Vince hoping to gain his own fame. Turtle is the least experienced member of the group. He always wants to party and does random errands for Vince. Then there is Ari, Vince's aggressive and high-powered agent. Watch as Vince and his buddies soak up everything that Hollywood has to offer. See what its like to make it as a movie star.

# 9. DEXTER

SYNOPSIS:Based on Jeff Lindsay's novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter, this new crime thriller tells the story of a strange man named Dexter Morgan. Once an abused and abandoned child, Dexter is now a successful forensics pathologist...but lurking just beneath his charismatic personality is a terrible truth. Dexter has corralled his innate homicidal urges into a closely guarded second career: He hunts down and brutally murders those vicious criminals who have managed to avoid the clutches of the law... A serial killer that hunts serial killers.

#8. NIP/TUCK

SYNOPSIS: Nip/Tuck is a show that follows the lives of two successful plastic surgeons in Miami. Sean McNamara and Christian Troy are best friends and business partners. Sean is a family man who is always trying to improve his marriage, which is falling apart, and his strained relationship with his son, Matt. Christian, on the other hand, is the definition of playboy. He is single, charming, and a sexual predator. Together these two men are the best plastic surgery team in Florida, and their lives create endless drama.

#7. DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES

SYNOPSIS: Narrated by the late Mary Alice Young, Desperate Housewives takes viewers inside Wisteria Lane, a small section of suburban America that's anything but ordinary. This primetime soap delves deep into the lives of a circle of women with a mix dark humor and drama that helps expose the truth that things are never as they seem. The tale of these women started with the death of one of their own, Mary Alice Young (Brenda Strong). Even though she is a resident of Wisteria no longer, she guides us through the daily lives of her close friends, family and neighbors from her unique and all-seeing point of view.

#6.GREY'S ANATOMY

SYNOPSIS: Meet Meredith Grey. She's a woman trying to lead a real life while doing a job that makes having a real life impossible. Meredith is a first year surgical intern at Seattle Grace Hospital, the toughest surgical residency program west of Harvard. She and fellow first-year interns Cristina Yang, Izzie Stevens, George O'Malley and Alex Karev were students yesterday. Today they're doctors and, in a world where on the job training can be a matter of life and death, they're all juggling the ups and downs of their own personal lives. The five interns struggle to form friendships in this most stressful and competitive atmosphere.

#5.CRIMINAL MINDS

SYNOPSIS: The Behavioral Analysis Unit is composed of an elite team of FBI profilers who analyze the country's most twisted criminal minds and anticipate their next moves before they strike again. Criminal Minds stars Mandy Patinkin as Special Agent Jason Gideon, Thomas Gibson as Special Agent Aaron Hotchner, Lola Glaudini as Elle Greenaway, Shemar Moore as Special Agent Derek Morgan, Matthew Gray Gubler as Special Agent Dr. Spencer Reid, AJ Cook as Jennifer Jareau, and Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia.

#4. CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION

SYNOPSIS:CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an innovative, fast-paced drama that follows a crew of forensic investigators as they solve crimes by analyzing evidence with advanced forensic tools.

#3.HEROES

SYNOPSIS: It is a serial saga about people all over the world discovering that they have superpowers and trying to deal with how this change affects their lives. Not only are they discovering what having superpowers means to them but also the larger picture of where their superpowers come from. Eventually their superpowers draw them together when they try to evade the series' antagonist who wants to harness their super-DNA for himself. Their ultimate destiny is nothing less than saving the world.

#2. HOUSE

SYNOPSIS: From executive producers Paul Attanasio, Katie Jacobs, David Shore, and Bryan Singer comes a new take on mystery, where the villain is a medical malady and the hero is an irreverent, controversial doctor who trusts no one, least of all his patients. Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) is devoid of bedside manner and wouldn't even talk to his patients if he could get away with it. Dealing with his own constant physical pain, he uses a cane that seems to punctuate his acerbic, brutally honest demeanor. While his behavior can border on antisocial, House is a maverick physician whose unconventional thinking and flawless instincts have afforded him a great deal of respect. An infectious disease specialist, he's a brilliant diagnostician who loves the challenges of the medical puzzles he must solve in order to save lives.

#1. 24

SYNOPSIS:One of the tensest, most intriguing television shows airing today, the critically acclaimed 24 has captured the attention of millions of viewers. Created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran, 24 has become one of FOX's leading TV shows. It centres around its main protagonist, Jack Bauer, as well as a plethora of supporting characters. Bauer, a skilled government agent, works in the Counter Terrorist Unit, located in Los Angeles. Over the course of seven thrilling seasons, Jack Bauer has evaded terrorists, nuclear weapons, assassins, and many other sinister figures, all with equally sinister goals in mind. 24 is highly unique in the fact that each season takes place over 24 hours in real time, with each episode spanning one hour of the day.

The Other Side of the Story:

2010-01-15T08:06:00.006+08:00

Reflections of Being the Other Woman

by Bethany Harvey

Being the other woman was never my intention. As a matter of fact I vowed that my next relationship was going to be perfect. No Step kids, no ex., no one to make life difficult or hurtful. No one to call in the middle of an evening out. No one to dictate by which rules I must go by. Just me and my man. I would be his one and only. He would be my prince charming and I the only princess in his life.

But life is funny sometimes. Sometimes you have no control over fate. It just sneaks up on you and is there. Handing you a curve ball which you must catch.

I felt love the first time I met him. The moment I saw him I knew. This is the one. We talked and laughed. There was an instant connection that I have never felt with anyone else. The sparkle in his eye was enough to melt my heart. The gentleness of his embrace. The passion of his kiss. The love.

I was scared. I knew how bad relationships could be. I was just ending my marriage. A bad marriage. Years of hurt and anger I wanted to put behind me. I wanted love..real love. Not just the kind you have to be polite. I wanted heart stopping, can't think, can't breathe...love.Can't live without you for one second love. I knew it was possible. I knew couples like that. I wanted it too. Had waited years for the chance. Now I had it and I was scared. I could see it in his eyes. Hear it in his voice. Everything he did and said. It screamed love.

He was honest with me. He was separated but still married. They still shared the same house. There was no love between them. He didn't know when the divorce would take place. He loves his kids and didn't want to hurt them. I understood. I have kids too. He told me all about his family and what he wanted in life. I wanted the same things too.

We share many intimate times as well as fun times. We are great together. We laugh and have a wonderful time. We dream about the future. We share plans for what we want in life. We have the same interests and likes. From the kids of movies to the food we eat. We have a lot in common. Love. We love each other with a passion that is awesome.

There is hurt too. There are certain times I cannot call him. He is with his family and at those times I cannot communicate with him. When he is at his home I cannot see him, talk to him or even send an e-mail. His wife looks over his shoulder and sees what e-mails he gets.

She screens all his calls and checks his phone records. I do not know what he is doing or who he is with. I panic...I am afraid that sooner or later he won't want me. That his wife will make life better and then I will be forgotten.

I cry at night because he is not there. When I need him I cannot call out for him to come. I cannot reach over and touch his warm body and have him hold me close. My heart aches when I need to feel his caress and there is nothing but air or darkness. We have our intimate moments but it is not the same. My heart longs for regularity. Daily seeing him and having a "normal life and relationship" is what I long for. Promises to be kept and feelings to not be hurt anymore.

Yes, I am the other woman. There is no getting around that. I don't live with the man I love. I don't see or talk to him every day. I don't get that privilege. I have limits on what I can and can't do. I feel sad and lonely most of the time. When I do get to see him it is never enough.

The love that we share is real. It is special. Would I change things if I could? Yes, I would marry him and never leave his side. I would be the best wife and never let the romance go sour. I would put 100% into our relationship and make it the best for the rest of our lives. Will I ever get that chance? I don't know. Some divorces take time but I am willing to wait. I am willing to wait for the best man on the face of the earth to be free. He is special and I am blessed to have his love. Being the other women is hard. There is great sadness sometimes and many tears.

I cannot imagine being the wife in this situation. I try to imagine her heart. She knows about me. She knows that there is another women. She knows that there are times when he is with me. I cannot imagine her mind at these times. All I know is...he loves me and I love him. They have talked about finalizing their divorce. I want to be with him and he wants to be with me. Until that day I must be happy with the way things are.

Some might criticize me. Do what you must. If it makes you feel better hate me or judge me. You will never understand until you have walked in my shoes. You will never be able to understand why I became the other woman. What drove me or what I was seeking.

There is one thing you must remember...I will always be the other woman.

Helium Reflections: Being the other woman

My Top Picks: Coolest Nescafe Coffee Commercials

2009-11-29T23:37:00.015+08:00

Nescafe is the leading instant coffee brand here in the Philippines. With its familiar coffee blend which was not far enough from the country's rich flavored local coffee, it was instantly loved by the Filipino consumers. Nescafe coffee then became a constant partner of the Filipino families on their breakfast table.

It's also good to know that Nescafe Philippines continuously supports and educates our Filipino farmers in improving their livelihood through sustainable agriculture.

I could say that Nescafe never stops reinventing their products and reconnecting with their consumers as their ads and commercials say it all. Here's a list of Nescafe's commercials ranked according to my personal choice:

#10. On the bottom of my list is the ad where Nescafe features the country's movie stars: Toni Gonzaga, Sam Milby, John Lloyd Cruz, Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson. For me, it's not too appealing and it seems so scripted and unnatural.

# 9. Here's the most recent ad of Nescafe coffee. It has a general concept unifying people regardless of personality clashes and indifferences by finding the common interest among each other.

# 8. One of the 1^stNescafe ad which was released in the early 80's. Notice how the Filipino lifestyle changes. Is it improving or deteriorating? Does anyone still play Polo in the Philippines today?

# 7. This one is a great interpretation on how "freshmen" adjust on their 1^st day in college. They may feel alienated at first but they'll surely find common interest with one another. Also, this ad shows how the Filipinos are improving with their materials in commercial-making. It's really nice.

# 6. This ad was released on the rainy season about 2 years ago. It's truly amazing how the rain and romance goes along together.

# 5. This is Nescafe's Summer Reggae Series describe how a simple coffee mix matches the summer breeze in the Philippines. By watching it, you'll get the feel of all the fun, gimmicks, both beach and house parties in the in the country.

# 4. This ad simply illustrates that the social support in the Philippines is very intact and strong that's why Depression rate in the Philippines is very low.

# 3. Nescafe never fails to feature Filipno talents. Third on my list are the exemplary music and talents of Hale, Bamboo, Parokya ni Edgar, Ramon Bautista and the late Francis M.

# 2. Second on my list is a 2-part series released in 2001. It has been said that audition for this ad lasted for 3 months. This ad is a perfect visualization of a typical morning on every Filipinos' lives. I could say that I was moved by this.

# 1.This Nescafe Summer 2009 Commercial is on top of my list. It gave a new taste to the Filipino's all-time favorite refreshment, "Samalamig". It was an all-Filipino concept which showcases how the rural and urban people unify with the coolest "samalamig".

World's Most Expensive Coffee

2009-11-28T17:35:00.018+08:00

If you're a coffee lover, don't just settle with your usual daily brew!

Explore... Indulge then Crave for more!

Here's Forbes.com's list of the most expensive world class quality coffee beans that could keep you ask for more!

Kopi Luwak

Indonesia

$160 per pound

Luwak Coffee is made from coffee cherries that have been eaten by common palm civets, which use their keen sense of smell to select the choicest and ripest beans. The digestion process removes the flesh from the crimson Sumatran berry and the beans, supposedly sweeter as a result of having passed through the animal, are hand-collected from the jungle floor.

Alamid Coffee

Philippines

$115 per kilogram

The Philippines has recently discovered it produces one of the world's most expensive and coveted kinds of coffee.

Alamid Coffee is a kind of Civet coffee made from coffee beans eaten and passed through the digestive tract of Sugar Palm Civet (paradoxorus Philipinensis), or alamid in the local language forages in the mountains and forest of Philippine Archipelago.

In the Philippines, only 500 kg are produced a year and the roasted beans sell for more than $115 a kilogram.

Get the freshest cup of Coffee Alamid at Bag of Beans,Tagaytay City.

Hacienda La Esmeralda

Boquete, Panama
$104 per pound

Hacienda La Esmeralda's Geisha coffee set an online auction record when it sold for over $50 dollars per pound, unroasted, on May 30, 2006. The coffee, which is grown in the shade of old guava trees, has been widely and enthusiastically praised for its flavor and aroma. In April, it placed first in the SCAA "Best of Panama" competition, with a score of 94.6 out of 100.

Island of St. Helena Coffee Company
St. Helena
$79 per pound

This very exclusive coffee is grown on the island of St. Helena, 1,200 miles off the coast of Africa. Cultivated from a varietal brought from Yemen in 1730, it owes much of its success to Napoleon Bonaparte, who started a vogue by praising the coffee during his exile on the island. St. Helena coffee dropped from sight for more than a century, until David R. Henry began exporting it again in the early 1990s. Production is low (about 12 tons per year), and once again, demand is high.

El Injerto
Huehuetenango, Guatemala
$25 per pound green at auction

Expected to retail for more than $50 per pound

This boutique lot of coffee by El Injerto, specially prepared for the Cup of Excellence auction, is from the region of Huehuetenango, Guatemala. It recently won first prize in the 2006 Cup of Excellence. This coffee is likely to retail for more than $50 per pound, after it has been roasted.

Fazenda Santa Ines
Minas Gerais, Brazil
$50 per pound green at auction

This coffee is the highest rated in Cup of Excellence history, with a combined score of 95.85 points out of 100. Only 12 60-kilogram (132-pound) bags of this limited production coffee were available at auction; they were purchased green by Caffe Artigiano, an independently owned café in Canada, and two Australian roasters. You can't go out and buy a bag, but cups are available at Caffe Artigiano and, occasionally and with much fanfare, other specialty shops around the world.

Blue Mountain
Wallenford Estate, Jamaica
$49 per pound

A long-admired coffee, Jamaica Blue Mountain is controversial because of high prices and variable quality. There has also been a fair amount of counterfeit Jamaica Blue Mountain on the market; remember that "Jamaica Blue Mountain style" and "Jamaica Blue Mountain Blend" may contain little or no authentic product. The real thing is well known for its mild taste and aroma. About 85% of all Blue Mountain produced is sold to Japan.

Los Planes
Citala, El Salvador
$30 per 12 ounces ($40 per pound)

Los Planes from El Salvador ranked number two in the 2006 El Salvador Cup of Excellence competition, with an international jury scoring it 93.52 out of 100. It's not yet available to consumers.

Kona
Hawaii
$30 per 14 ounces (about $34 per pound)

In the late 1820s, the British brought Brazilian coffee trees to Kona's rich volcanic soil, hard-working family farmers and perfect climate. True small-farm, estate-grade Kona coffees are known for their clean, pleasant, mild flavors and good aftertaste. Nevertheless, Kona is also a controversial coffee, due to its high price, and scandals in which inauthentic beans were packaged as Kona.

Starbucks Rwanda Blue Bourbon
Gatare/Karengera, Rwanda
$24 per poun

Starbucks began visiting coffee-washing stations in Rwanda in 2004 and found these high-quality beans in Gatare and Karengera for its Black Apron Exclusives offering. Until recently, Rwandan farmers grew low-quality beans as their main cash crop.

Yauco Selecto AA
Puerto Rico
$22 per pound

Puerto Rican coffee from the Yauco region represented a standard of excellence in production that many other countries sought to imitate by the 1890s. Grown on the Southwestern Mountains of the island, this "Island" coffee is known for its mild flavor. Price is determined by the cost of production and the availability.

Fazenda Sao Benedito
Minas Gerias, Brazil
$21 per pound

Brazilian coffees are known for their nutty, sweet and exceptional bittersweet and chocolate-roast tastes. Fazenda Sao Benedito is part of the Sertao group, a family run association of coffee producers in the south of the state of Minas Gerias. This group of producers had ten coffees out of the top 36 in the Cup of Excellence 2005.

IN THIRST OF POWER... Dirty Politics in the Philippines Continues

2009-11-25T18:22:00.003+08:00

Dirty Politics in the Philippines continues where around 27 Filipino journalists were ruthlessly killed in a massacre of more than 50 people in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao province. According to the news, the journalists had accompanied the wife, two sisters and two human rights lawyers of Buluan town Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu in filing his certificate of candidacy for Maguindanao governor in next year's elections.

Mangudadatu organized an all-female team to file his candidacy because he allegedly received death threats from the camp of incumbent Governor Andal Ampatuan Senior, a very close political ally of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The victims' convoy was stopped by about 100 gunmen allegedly led by Mayor Andal Ampatuan Junior, the governor's son, and was diverted to a remote village where they were killed.

International media groups condemned the mass murder and called on Arroyo to immediately bring the perpetrators to justice.

"Never in the history of journalism have the news media suffered such a heavy loss of life in one day," the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders said. "We call for a strong reaction from local and national authorities."

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/296237,extra-at-least-27-journalists-among-dead-in-philippine-massacre.html

An Offer You Can’t Refuse

2009-11-23T08:16:00.006+08:00

The tagline above was popularized by "The Godfather" trilogy which was based on a Mario Puzo's novel of the same title. The story revolves on the family business of Don Vito Corleone and just like the head of the family, kind and compassionate to those who give respect, but given to ruthless violence whenever anything stands against the good of the family.

The said movie won numerous awards from reputable award giving bodies like Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Grammy and many others. Since the 1^st release of the movie, the impact of "The Godfather" to the general public continues to influence in every medium of popular culture from movies to TV shows to music to video games and now, it has even invaded the worldwide web.

I must say that I was so enthralled by this movie although I wasn't even born yet when the first "Godfather" movie was released. I have been hearing about it when I was young especially during the early 90's when the last sequel of the trilogy was produced. I only get to see the trilogy in full in 2003; 2 years after the DVD copies got available. From then on, The Godfather trilogy has always been on my list of favorites.

Furthermore, I jumped in excitement when I discovered an offer that I can't refuse and that is through Mafia Wars. It is a social game created by Zynga which can be found on social networks like Facebook, My Yahoo, My Space, and Tagged. I guarantee that you'll get the feel of the clashes of the Dons to vie for respect online.

Just like the movies, the game is set in New York City with the option to travel to Cuba and Moscow. The game revolves around mastering job tiers in order to earn cash and experience, with the goal of establishing and advancing one's criminal empire. As the game says "More Mafia, More Power", Players create mafias by recruiting players and using reward points to hire extra mafia members. And just like the movies, the battle of the mafia families for honor and power continues. Each member of the player's Mafia is armed with the best offensive and defensive weapons which are essential in picking up a fight. The objective of the game is simple: Staying Alive, Stay Fighting, Stay On Top!

Join My Mafia: http://apps.facebook.com/inthemafia/status_invite.php?from=858264849

Here's My to-date-Profile on Mafia Wars:

El Padrino Experto "[skip] jane smith", level 259 Fearless

Mafia Fight Strength

501 Up to 501 mafia members and hired guns help you in fights, each using a weapon, armor, and vehicle from your inventory.

33,606 Mafia Attack Strength is the total equipped offensive power of everyone in your mafia.

36,294 Mafia Defense Strength is your total mafia's defensive power.

Best Offense:

Best Defense:

Attack:	405	Increase your attack to do more damage and win more fights.
Defense:	380	Increase your defense to repel more attacks.
Health:	145	Increase your max health to survive intense fights.
Energy:	858	Increase your max energy to do more jobs.
Stamina:	60	Increase your stamina to fight more often.

TYPHOON "ONDOY" HITS THE PHILIPPINES

2009-10-02T21:42:00.003+08:00

It was noon of September 26, 2009 when my mom woke me up. I was too sleepy that time since the climate is still pulling me back to sleep. After 10 minutes, I finally got off my bed and I got so surprised that flood water is starting to come inside the house. In my 17 years of living in Pasig it was my 1st time to experience flood this high. My mom asked me to help her bring up our things on the 2nd floor of the house then suddenly the power line was cut off. The rain continued to fall all day and the flood water rose up to our knees inside the house and it’s about 3 ft. high outside. We weren't able to hear any news from any broadcasting stations due to the total blackout. The only way we got to know the situation in other parts of Manila was through a landline and text messaging on our cell phones. We just checked out our relatives in Pateros, Taguig, Paranaque, Las Pinas and Quezon City by calling them from time to time. The next day, my sister and I decided to move out and we checked in a hotel somewhere in EDSA since we can’t afford to be absent from work especially that we’re both working for a US based bank. It was only in the hotel when I got to watch television and got to know the damages done by the typhoon. I felt so lucky that my family and I are still safe. Until now, our house is still submerged in flood water and there’s another upcoming storm on its way. I’m just keeping my hopes high that everything will be better.

On a personal note, I was moved by the videos of survival that were posted by my friends on our social network (facebook). It gave me time to reflect and contemplate on two things:

First: I could say that I would have to agree with the ad that I've heard from a radio station that the Filipinos' ultimate secret of survival is the way we find joy and reason to smile in spite of hardships and obstacles in life. Also we made sure that after putting our hands together in prayer we extend our hands in helping one another. With this, Filipinos will continue to inspire everyone from other nations by finding solace in the midst of the harshest adversity through resiliency and optimism.

Second: This experience could be a wake up call not just to the Filipinos living in urban areas but to everyone living in this world that at the end of the day, it’s not our houses, our cars, our riches, our savings account nor our credit standing that needs to be measured. At the end of it all, isn't it what truly matters is our spiritual investment with our Creator?

Happy Together

2009-09-21T17:14:00.002+08:00

We’ve known each other way back in High School. He’s known for being sarcastic at times and for being funny and gay. Although we were classmates in our senior years, we belong in a big group of friends which is one of the reason why there weren't enough opportunity for greater intimacy to take place. During our college years , we were able to get to see each other since we were both studying along Taft Avenue in Manila. I could say that the friendship has started to deepen during my lowest low. He was there to help me recover from a painful past…

To perfectly describe our friendship, many would agree that it’s like the friendship that sprung between “Eric Quizon” and “Kris Aquino” from the local movie “Happy Together”. Unlike in the movie, Eric Quizon's character died when they were on their old age already. In our case, my dear friend passed away when he was at the prime of his life. It was just so agonizing to find out that some good things never last…

It was April of this year when I got to visit my dear friend in his nook. It has been months since we got to see each other. Though it took us like a couple of hours of catching up with something new in our lives, I could say that it was a total fun!

It was in July when I've heard that he has resigned from his work as a supervisor in a job hunting business since he's getting sickly the past few weeks. He told me that he was burning in fever and rashes have started to come out of his body. He was seeking home-based job, asking me if I could refer him to my previous employer where I used to work as an online English tutor for Koreans. I then informed him that they were looking for full-time tutors and they no longer cater work from home services but I told him that I'll try to see what I can do and to give him an update on it. On the course of our conversation, he also invited me to come with him for a vacation in Boracay since he already made reservations for the plane tickets. I just told him that I'll check my schedule first if there are available leaves that I can use and I also wished him well.

In August, I bumped onto his cousins while I'm on my way to work. We had a little chit chat and from there I've learned that my dear friend was hospitalized in Medical City and Philippine General Hospital consecutively. According to them, the doctors couldn't identify his disease. They also told me that his rashes have turned into wounds and that they are getting worse. When I got off from work, I phoned him right away asked him what he wanted to eat since I'll pay him a visit on my rest day. He told me not to bother because he doesn't want me to see him like that. I respected his decision and we remained in contact through text messaging and through yahoo messenger.

September was the most critical days of my friend’s life. It was on the 13^th of the month when I insisted that I’m going to visit him at home but then his life partner replied to my text message that they are in the hospital right now. Coincidentally, my friend’s cousins phoned me that they’re going to visit him in the hospital and asked me to come with them and so I did. In the hospital, I was so shocked and speechless when I saw my friend lying in bed with ventilator attached on him. I honestly can’t recognize him anymore with the wounds covering his entire body. Tears fell on his eyes the moment he saw me and the room was suddenly filled with melancholy.

It was Friday that week when I visited him for the 2^nd time. However, he was no longer on his private room; he was being treated in ICU. The nurses asked me to wear a lab gown and a mask before I could get in. He was surrounded by more medical apparatus to monitor his vital signs since his immune system was already been affected. His body dropped way too far from the last time I saw him. He was wearing diapers and the wounds all over his body are more prominent this time. When I saw his feet getting bloated, I knew that he’s just waiting for his time. I stayed there for a while and whispered to him “Hi friend! This is Sophie, you’re BFF! Just be brave since we’ve always known you as a fighter. You have to be strong and we have a lot of shopping and out of town vacations in line… I miss you! I miss our days together!”

Two days after my visit, a phone call woke me up at around 1:30 in the afternoon informing me that he has finally departed.

RAKISTA

2009-09-17T08:54:00.002+08:00

ROOTS OF PINOY REGGAE

"Rasta don't segregate, Rasta Integrate!" This philosophical viewpoint of Rastafarians along with its music captures the hearts of many Filipinos. Since Philippines is known as the land of great artists, Pinoys easily find ingenuity with the Reggae music by incorporating the rich Philippine culture.

Inspired by music of Bob Marley, The band named Cocojam gave birth to Pinoy Reggae in the 70's. This band was the first to combine Reggae music with the country's indigenous ethnic sound. The band's attempt to introduce this new genre to the society was a success in spite of the fondness of the general population with the popularity of Pinoy Rock and Roll.

It was only in the 90's when reggae music has started to flourish on the mainstream. Local bands like Put3ska, Black Jack, The Weeds and Tropical Depression were able to specialize in a unique brand of rhythm by focusing on social awareness on every song.

Following the belief that reggae music is a powerful force that unites the people of all ages, races, abilities, and walks of life, Pinoy Reggae to this day, continues to uplifts and inspires souls with the power of the positive vibrations. Local bars nowadays usually hold "Reggae Nights" at least once a week featuring the growing number of local bands who support Rasta music (Coffee Break Island, The Chongkeys, Roots Revival, Badjao Roots, Hemp Republic, Brownman Revival and many others).

Below is the list of Local Bars who houses Reggae Music in the counrty.

BABA'S LITEL KAPIHAN AND BARR! Location: 167 White Plains Ave. (Leona's Resto), Quezon City (In front of Ralph's Wine Cellar)
CAPONE'S BISTRO Location: 2/F A-Venue, Makati Ave., Makati City
CLUB FISHBONE Location: 37 Almaciga St. Northview 2 Filinvest 2 Quezon City
GWEILO'S Location: E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave, Bagumbayan Libis, Eastwood City Walk 188, Quezon City
LEPRECHAUN BAR Location: Tomas Morato Corner E. Rodriguez, Quezon City
NINE MILE BAR Location: Kalayaan Ave., Quezon City
PAT'S CREEK BAR Location: Beachfront Central Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
PENGUIN BAR Location: Remedios Circle cor. Bacobo St. MalateManila, Metro Manila
RIDE & ROLL DINER Location: 59 Xavierville Ave., Loyola Heights, Quezon City
SAZI'S (formerly MAYRIC'S) Location: Espana, Sampaloc, Manila (In front of UST)
TERMINAL FLUID BAR Location: E Dona Soledad Extension, Better Living, Paranaque City
XAYMACA BAR Location: Timog Ave, Quezon City

The Science of Sending Positive Vibrations

2009-09-11T22:03:00.003+08:00

I got mesmerized right away the first time I saw this toothpaste commercial . The bubble concept of this advertisement matches its music perfectly. On my personal interpretation, the lady on the video sends positive vibrations of her emotions through the bubbles and the man on the other end of the street who was yearning for affection unintentionally caught her signals and they magically connect in an instant. It seems that this video translates the “Law of Attraction” on “Love Affirmation” in both literal and figurative manner.

The Law states: “I attract to myself, whatever I give my focus, attention, or energy to; whether wanted or unwanted. If you think about being broke, poor, lonely and believe your thoughts guess what? That is exactly what you'll be. This Law applies to your life and every other person's life on the planet. Like all laws, it is impartial and impersonal, which means it works when you want it to and when you don't want it to.”

For many years in my life I’ve wondered why the things which are of most important to us and the things that we save the most are what we more often than not lose out in the end. I then learned that “anxiety” is the dominant emotion behind this thought and purpose which most likely attracts the negative energy of fear that it eventually resulted to unfavorable and frustrating life events. I never have come up with this concrete realization on this until the day I learned on applying the “Law of Attraction” in my life.

Being a Psychology graduate, it still amazes me to see how the subliminal mind works wonders through Positive Affirmation and Meditation. These mental actions drive us to act accordingly in fulfilling our every desire and dreams. And of course, getting what we wish for certainly creates positive emotion but it doesn’t stop there. I strongly believe that giving gratitude for every little thing we receive will continue to manifest positive attitude that constantly attract more positive experiences into our life.

What goes best with a Freshly Brewed Cup of Coffee?

2009-09-11T07:22:00.001+08:00

5. COFFEE + PASTRIES = Chilling out with friends
Coffee and Pastries are usually catered by most coffee shops in the country. Majority of their customers who were students and yuppies could get to choose from a wide variety of pastries on their menu from doughnuts to pies to waffles and cakes. It goes perfectly while catching up with our growing network of friends may it be our online friends or not.

4. COFFEE + KAKANIN = Glorious Family treats
Native Rice Cakes and Coffee are typically served on Christmas season and on family gatherings. These "Kakanin" were so familiar to our taste since recipes of these were passed on from generation to generation. They are still the Filipino families' favorites because they aren't overly-sweetened and they're truly exotic. Perfect for a soothing taste of coffee for longer chitchats with relatives.

3. COFFEE + PANDESAL = Breakfast on the go!
This combo is best for peeps on the go! Just a quick bite of pandesal and a swift sip of a steaming coffee will keep you on the run! And of course, who could ever forget our lolo and lola’s favorite breakfast? It’s the custom of dipping the pandesal on their morning coffee to make their bread softer makes this combo more satisfying . I bet some of you have acquired the same habit.

2. COFFEE + SINANGAG = Heavy Breakfast Meal
Woo! This is so mouthwatering!!! I could say that for a tough day ahead, this is the best coffee partner that could get you invigorated to your maximum level! A heavy breakfast of fried rice with any traditional viand of your choice (may it be tapa, tocino, longanisa, daing or tuyo) as long as there’s sunnyside up eggs for side dish and a hot roasted coffee will definitely keep you upbeat all day long.

1. COFFEE + SMOKE = State of Sobriety
I could say that coffee works best with cigarettes. It gives you soothing taste in every sip and rejuvenating sense in every smoke. The longer you drink and smoke the longer you offer yourself to calm down and to think more clearly. It revitalizes your inner senses that allow self-actualization to take place.

PINTADOS

2009-09-07T12:01:00.002+08:00

FOR THE LOVE OF TATTOO ART

I believe that I’ve been a tattoo lover way back the ancient times from my past life. Hahahahaha! I first learned about tattoos in school that it evolved in the Philippines as a cultural-religious celebration based on the body-painting traditions of the ancient tattooed "Pintados" warriors. From then on I became so much captivated with tattoo art particularly from the first time I’ve seen a real one.

But growing up in a conservative community with strong Christian values has dissuaded me from getting one since there were some negative associations with tattoos in our society.

However, it doesn’t stop me from getting a feel of having one. I then settled in getting temporary tattoos. When I was young, my cousins and I used to put tattoo stickers on our skins using water. We usually got those as prizes inserted in some chips and bubble gum packages. It is just frustrating whenever the design would easily come off with water or rubbing due to a poor quality ink transfer.

Good thing that tattoos are continuously being accepted in our society as pop culture. Celebrities all over the world have started to show off their tattoos. In late 90’s from the time I’ve watched “Frozen” by Madonna on MTV wherein she had her hands tattooed with Henna, my interest in tattoos boost up. For the past years, I’ve been getting henna tattoos from time to time or whenever I’m in “party beaches” of Puerto Galera or Boracay. Henna tattoo artists were usually found there. This type of tattoo on the other hand, is much better than the sticker type since we get to choose and customize our own designs which usually lasted for a week or two.

Also, I became so hooked with TV shows like Miami Ink, LA ink, and London Ink. These shows had influenced me to get a real and permanent tattoo at this time. Ambigram tattoo would definitely be part of my customized design. I was inspired by it from the book “Angels and Demons” by Dan Brown. However with the wide variety of tattoo art right now, I’m still indecisive on how I would personalize my design. Everything seems to be interesting, from Black and Gray designs to Biomechanical tattoos to Asian tattoos. I’m also thinking that Pin-up designs, Portrait tattoos, Memorial Tattoos and Patriotic Tattoos are also cool and timeless. Whew! Too many ideas running in my head ! Anyone would definitely undergo the same dilemma in deciding for something permanent in our lives right?

One thing's for sure, there would always be emotional stories behind every tattoos and the meaning attached on each tattoos varies on the person wearing it.

Daddy's Girl

2009-04-28T23:45:00.001+08:00

I grew up knowing this man as my father. Taking me to walk and carrying me at his back every morning around our neighborhood was my most vivid memory of him when I was a child. We never had a lot of time together since he had to spend most of his time abroad to provide us a convenient life here and I must say that he did a very good job in it. He had sent us to a good school, given us a comfy shelter and he made sure that we’ll get to eat almost anything that we desire to eat. However, growing up without his presence was never easy. As the eldest daughter I had to be self-reliant and in the process, it developed distance on our emotions and misunderstandings on our perspectives in life that most of the time resulted to a heated argument.

On my teenage years, it was too painful to learn about him having another woman from China. I started to despise him as normal daughters would do. With this, the yearning to reach out to him to rekindle our father and daughter relationship vanished and it eventually turned to feelings of rejection.

When I got older, my understanding got deeper and wider but patching things with my father whom I barely knew was a great deal of challenge. I tried my best to straighten out everything and I admit that it was a very long process. I finally shrugged off all the hatred inside me when I brought him to the hospital for consultation and to my surprise his doctor insisted that my dad needed a thorough analysis, only to find out that he had stage 4 of colorectal cancer. It was really hard for me to see him in pain. My loathing vanished instantly and all I wanted was to provide him all the convenience in the world just to ease his sufferings. My thoughts were focused on how I could make him feel that I am so much grateful for everything he had done for me.

Whispering “I love you” on his ears on his critical time of battle and grip my hand right after was the last response I got from him. It was also the most vivid memory I have for him. It’s a very sad experience indeed yet it’s the most relieving one since it only confirmed that even before he died, he acknowledged me… he responded… he knew that he was loved by me…. His daughter.

X-GIRLFRIEND!!!

2009-03-24T01:23:00.003+08:00

Long before I became an enthusiast of Akon and Ne-yo, I was once a frustrated rock star back then in high school! Little did the others know that I even tried to play djembe (African hand percussion) when I had a chance.

My two favorite alternative rock bands were NO DOUBT and BUSH.

Among the competition between female band vocalists on the late 90's, Gwen Stefani stood among the rest. Her SEXY yet TOUGH ATTITUDE, which somehow captures a part of my personality, makes her different from the stereotyped female artists. As for me, she’s one of the fantastic performers on stage and Tragic Kingdom was the best album they ever had!

Bush on the other hand, had the most gorgeous vocalist of all time-Gavin Rossdale! Aside from Gavin’s pretty face, awesome body and husky voice, I was so much fascinated with the beat, and their lyrics-OBSCURE yet PROFOUND. Songs like: Glycerine, Machine Head, Cold Contagious, and Chemicals Between Us were some of their tremendous hits. I even watched them performed live here in Ultra with two of my high school friends (Diane Marie and April Sundae).

Funny though that both bands were able to come up with a song of the same title “X-Girlfriend”, only the concept came from two different perspectives. Also, No Doubt made it a hit while Bush had it as a filler song from their album Sixteen Stone. It may sound serendipitous or was it a matter of design? Either way, the two vocalists found a way to connect with each other and eventually made a good family together.

So, for all the Ex-girlfriends out there, have faith! In our pursuit for love and affection, we surely had been an X-girlfriend once, maybe twice or more but no matter how great nor disastrous our past relationships turned to be, our X-boyfriends will surely remember us as their crazy yet though and gorgeous X kind of girl!!!

For all the Ex-girlfriends out there! These are for you!!!

HAIL TO THE FREE MAN!!!

2009-03-14T20:33:00.001+08:00

Here are some of the genius works and breathtaking performances of the Master Rapper "Francis M":

A true blooded Filipino who gave a colorful meaning to his bloodline...

Francis Magalona was a descendant of reputable persons in the country: from his grandfather, Enrique Magalona, who served in the Philippine Senate in 1946-1955,through his parents who were popular film stars of their era, Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran, and down to his offspring who are now starting to make names and build careers out from their talents and skills in their respective fields.

This man was the nation's modern time's hero who was significantly inspired by our national heroes who defended our land against the colony of Spain.

He was a patriot who dared to defend his country against the colonial mentality with his microphone and music as his full battlegear.

And just like any other hero, he too had a weakness. A weak spot that broke the hearts of many. Dreaded to see that the same man who offered so much honors for his bloodline in both literal and figurative manner had faced a battle against the killer blood disease that took his life away too soon.

This warrior may have lived a short life but he had surely lived well for he was never defeated and his legacy and hardworks will forever stay in the hearts of the Filipinos.

This crusader of freedom who had conquered numerous victories in his own right is now an absolute FREE MAN .

300 Hundreds of dolphins stranded in the shore of Bataan, Philippines

2009-03-14T20:21:00.002+08:00

BALANGA, Philippines (AFP) – Fishermen and volunteers in the Philippines managed to rescue more than 200 beached whales on Tuesday by guiding them back into deep water, officials said.Residents of seaside towns west of Manila raised the alarm early in the day when they saw a large pod of melon-headed whales in shallow water.

Three of the whales were later found dead and authorities feared others would die unless they could be guided into deeper water.

The head of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said on local radio and television the stranded mammals were dolphins, but experts told AFP they were in fact melon-headed whales.A veterinarian, said melon-headed whales were "easily mistaken for dolphins because of their size and their teeth, which resemble those of dolphins."

Government marine biologist said the mammals, which travel in pods of 100 or more, may have been disorientated by damage to their hearing caused by illegal dynamite fishing in the area or the leader of these dolphins have been injured.

Another theory was that they reacted to a major underwater earthquake.Authorities said they had managed to guide most of the stranded mammals back into deeper water and away from the shore.

The whales were said late Tuesday to be heading back into open water, although one was taken to a nearby marine park for observation by veterinarians.

TWO THUMBS UP for our local residents for assisting these melon-headed dolphins back to the ocean!!! Like the pod of dolphins who’d stayed intact after all the suspected reasons for the said phenomenon, our fellow countrymen “kababayan” on the other hand worked together as a team to bring these marine mammals out of danger. It makes me proud to see that in this modern time, we Filipinos are still practicing the values of “Bayanihan”.

PATEROS ... REVISITED

2009-03-14T20:03:00.002+08:00

PATEROS REVISITED….

I got up at 6 in the morning and hurriedly dress up for an early Sunday mass with my family, but this is not the regular Sunday mass that we usually hear because, today the Filipino Catholics like us are celebrating the feast of “SANTA MARTA”, whose the patron saint of a small town called PATEROS and due to its narrow streets, roads were usually closed to traffic on occasions like this. So, my sisters and I decided to park the car few streets away from the church and we just walked our way from there. My eyes then became too busy scanning the crowded sidewalks of the town, which were full of vendors, selling various kinds of products, from candles to flowers, to food, to toys. I just thought that nothing much had changed in this town since I moved to the city of Pasig around 17 years ago. The same mini cooking pots and fruit baskets made from clay from my mini kitchenware collections back then were still being sold on the sidewalks. A sudden rush of loneliness then tingles into me. As if a certain flash of light popped up on my face that brought me back in time wherein I was so naïve and careless… but I tried to shrugged the thought at once to prevent myself from getting emotional. We then finally reached the church of Pateros and too bad we were a little late from the mass since we need to push ourselves in just to get near the altar due to the heavy traffic of the crowd. The bishop who presides the mass animatedly and enthusiastically retold the history of the town and how the celebration all begun…

THE OLD PATEROS:

Before the Spanish era, Pateros was once a barrio of Pasig called "Aguho" which was originally came from the name of abundant shady trees that grows along the Pateros River, while "embarcadero" means a small dock. The small barrio’s geographical situation led to a perfect center of trade and commerce of the Rizal province, and later on considered as the most progressive barrio of Pasig.

People residing here were known for being resourceful and innovative. Nothing can stop this small barrio from maximizing their resources especially when the Chinese merchants started to settle in their town. That was the time the locals were introduced to the “balut” industry and slipper-making called “alfombra”.

In time, a small barrio of Pasig called “Aguho” was eventually turned into a Municipality by the Spanish government along its name as PATEROS which derived from the Tagalog words “pato” – the duck that lays the eggs for balut making, and “sapatero” – the word for shoemakers.

SANTA MARTA:

Long before the parochial system was established, the early residents of Pateros already had a strong devotion to Santa Marta. It started out when the crocodiles had come out from the river and started to pester the ducks and ate them alive; this became a dilemma for the residents in the duck-raising business. They sought help from Santa Marta through prayers and praise. One day, the residents were all surprised to see that for some reasons all of the crocodiles were dead. Most of them thought that Santa Marta had probably heard their prayers and to give gratitude to Santa Marta, the local people of Pateros considered her as the patron of duck-raisers or “mag-iitik.” A yearly procession is conducted with people carrying a pagoda with the image of Santa Marta stepping on a crocodile. Wearing traditional costumes, the feast comes with the singing of “kundiman “songs while Santa Marta devotees from Pateros dance the “Pandangguhan sa Kalye,” as spectators throw food called “pasubo.”

THE FEAST CONTINUES….

Right after the mass, my family and I went to the ancestral house of our clan, who were the early residents of Pateros. It was a two-storey Spanish architectural designed house which was situated along the main road of Pateros. We called it as “bahay na bato” since it was built during the Spanish era and at that time houses made out of stones could only be afford by the aristocrats or the upper class citizens. The older generation from our clan used to tell us that the first “kabisera de barangay” of Pateros was our great grandfather. They were also the first ones to drive a car in the said town. They also say that our great grandfathers were known for being snob and meticulous. As a result, women from the early generations of our clan remained as old maids.

Moving forward, it was a tradition in our clan to celebrate the feast of Santa Marta by gathering together for lunch. Our family’s specialties were served on the table like Suman and Kalamay, there’s Chicken Pastel, Kare-kare with Bagoong, Fresh Lumpiang Ubod and desserts non other than Leche Flan. It may not be as festive as it is several years back but it is still the legacy of the values that has been passed from generation to generation.

After a couple of hours of endless hellos and long chats with my other relatives, the procession had finally reached our street. Everyone rushed to the wide window of the house to see the long pile of people dancing in duck-like gestures accompanied by the kundiman song “itik-itik sa Manila Zoo”. We then started to throw out bags of goodies and snacks to the participants of the procession. There’s an indescribable feeling to see the excitement on the faces of devotees as they passed by the house and moved on to the next.
In my thought, retelling the stories of our ancestors is essential in every clan. It is just as good as finding out the origin of the beliefs and traditions that our own families have been practicing for years. Having a clear knowledge of these beliefs and practices makes a strong foundation of our personality and life's principles.

InTeRrUpTeD

2009-03-14T19:59:00.001+08:00

Alienated with this sick head
… an urgency to gather my senses.
Alleviate this wrath unsaid
… a convergence of my defenses.
Confused with this flickering haze
… a discernment on my existence
Conquered by this lingering silence
… a duration of my persistence.
Inclined with this regression
… a fixation of my delight.
Impelled by this repression
… a dissent of my insights.
Drifted by an elevated wisdom
… A rule of the unconscious.
Driven by an altered freedom
… Just a rebel without a cause.

BEACH BUM

2009-03-14T19:41:00.001+08:00

… I could feel my body lying in a plush
… Filling the serenity in a recumbently
… As the sun disappear below the horizon
… The stars gazed down on me
… When the clouds are nearly on my fingertips
… A certain glow tingle beneath my skin
… It was the wave and the breeze that created a great symphony.
… A very light and soothing feeling.
… A first-hand experience of detachment and dispassion
… A liberty to release my hidden grudges
… A chance to scream my anxieties away
… A place of being connected to a supreme being.
… Six hours of complete tranquility
… An enchanted adventure of a wandering soul…

Then I’m back to reality again…