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XFACTOR: Drew is Reminiscent of Diana Vickers

2011-10-28T02:48:00.000-07:00

I think Drew of X Factor US is on the same league as Diana Vickers of X Factor UK 2008.

Watch!

Any resemblance?

PEOPLE: Pinoys on X-Factor US and the Sing Off

2011-10-27T21:00:00.000-07:00

After Thia Megia's stint in Idol, Pinoy presence in Singing Competitions in the US is again felt. Apart from Nicole Sherzinger being one of the panelist of X Factor US which is already noteworthy, another pinoy makes it to the finals. Originally auditioned for the solo category 14 year old Ellona Santiago was given another chance to be part of a group contender inTensity when she didn't make it to the cut together with other talented young kids. Her asian features underscored by her vocal prowess has made her a stand-out in the group. Another feather in the cap for us pinoys.

Former teenstar Antonette Taus has also been part of the Acapella Singing Competition, The Sing-Off. As part of the group Kinfolk 9, they have managed to stay only for a short time but then again it is worth noting.

Kinfolk 9 was founded by Jenilee Reyes, a pinoy-american singer whom you can see below.

Thank you guys for making us proud.

EVENT: Superstar Halloween Sunday in Zirca

2011-10-26T04:07:00.000-07:00

Don't wait for the monster under your bed make its grand appearance infront of you this Halloween. Get out and catch my good friend in a rare performance this Sunday in yet one of the most extravagant Halloween parties in the dot - Superstar Scary Movies in Zirca. A regular performer in this superclub, Sammi Zhen, considered one of the most-sought-after impersonators with her own distinct and singular style, will again perform on Sunday, October 30 showcasing her interesting repertoire and latest flambouyant costumes.

For enquiries visit www.sammizhen.com

For more info on Superstar Sundays visit www.superstar.s g

See you there!

BRANDING: Funny Beverage Brands

2011-10-25T02:02:00.000-07:00

Just when you thought that Mango and Tomato are odd brand name for clothing; or Pepe and Bebe are funny, wait till see this two beverage drink from Cambodia and China. I found CUTE drinking water in Siem Riep and my friend introduced me to WAHAHA Juice Milk in Chinatown. Wahaha is a must-try though. Cute on the other hand has nothing really special since it's just plain water. You can find Wahaha in Sichuan Restaurant near Chinatown MRT.

More funny brands to come!

EVENT: Spooky Halloween in Tantric

2011-10-25T01:52:00.000-07:00

Time flies so fast that Halloween is just a sniff away. I can smell spirits! I can smell the spirits of Vodka and Jim Beam. Kidding aside, Halloween, for me, is a celebration of the living and dead and even of those inexistent creatures that continue to smash the box office - Freddie, Casper, Frankenstein, Sadako, Chuckie, Dracula and many more larger-than-life icons. Halloween is the time for everyone to party and be dressed in hedious costumes. However, over and beyond this frantic merriment, where everyone finds a reason to get wasted and get drunk, let us not forget our loved ones who have perished the earth and pray that their souls may rest in eternal peace. For those who believes, let us not forget that this is the season of the souls. Before we get wet and wild, let us relive their memories and wish them infinite happiness at the other side.

Where will you celebrate your Halloween? No idea? Then go to Tantric Bar in Neil Road. They have exciting tricks and treats this Saturday, 29 October.

See you there!

TRAVEL: PHUKET, A Piece of Heaven

2011-10-23T01:45:00.000-07:00

Amidst the pressing crisis I have been in, I couldn't waste the chance of getting out of Singapore for few dollars only. It was January of this year when I booked my flight to Phuket for only $9. Yes, you heard it right. Thanks to Jetstar's Friday Madness. Without second thoughts, while rushing for an event, I wasted no time in booking. 10 months later, I was undergoing some crisis that has financially drained me. I thought I couldn't go ahead with he trip. On top of that, everything seemed to be out of place and going to an obscure direction and travelling is not a good idea. But Phuket lured me. I have always longed to see what I have only seen in movies. I packed my things, booked my hotel online and i flew leaving all the worried behind.

It was raining when I got there. For two days, I ended up lying in my hotel room. The streets were flooded and shops were closed. Returning home without seeing the islands would definitely be a no-no but I gave up on my last day. I can't cease the rain from falling. The weather, earlier on my last day, was unfavourable. Lo and behold, Mr. Sunshine appeared minutes after I planned of sleeping again. In split seconds, I checked out and booked an island tour. Luckily, I was just on time. Here are some of my favorite snapshots of Phuket. The photos were captured using a point and shoot camera and iphone.

Phuket is a must-see destination. Many awaits to be explored and discovered. It is a piece of heave on earth.

TRAVEL: PHNOM PENH, What Can I Say?

2011-10-23T01:18:00.000-07:00

Phnom Penh is a bit forgettable. I could have stayed longer to explore deeper into their history and culture, the place itself is not as alluring as I have thought it was. Maybe, I have expected much. I have no top favorite things for now. But here are some snapshots of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.

More photos soon!

RANDOM: Ronald McDonalds Goes Thai

2011-10-17T10:55:00.001-07:00

McDonald's hospitality is indeed world class. They only don't serve fresh burgers and fries, they also serve smile. In Phuket, the first thing I looked for is Macs, since I haven't tried it in Bangkok before. I have heard a lot about Thai Macs and this greeted me, Ronald doing the Sawasdee Krub greeting.

Photo of Ronald Taken in Jungceylon Mall in Phuket and photo of thai girl in Bangkok Spa, Johor Bahru

Amazing Thailand.

RANDOM: Chili Sauce and Catsup, Inseparable

2011-10-17T10:53:00.000-07:00

Chili Sauce and Catsup is like Batman and Robin, they are inseparable. Almost everywhere you go, you find the two on top of the restaurant tables seating beside its bestfriend, Salt and Pepper.

Look at these photos I took in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam and Phuket, Thailand. I am going to add this to my new hobby - taking photos of condiments.

TRAVEL: SAIGON, Where You Could Find Love

2011-10-17T10:29:00.000-07:00

True indeed, LOVE resides in Saigon. Why? Everything is just LOVE.

Saigon has always been just a word from the world-famous play Miss Saigon. Back in High School it is all about ricefields with farmers wearing their signature Vietnamese Hat. I have never really imagined that Saigon is a progressive city equipped with modernity and convenience. But what really fascinates me is the richness of the culture that has a life of its own. There are a lot to explore and discover in Saigon yet with my short trip, I have only seen a snapshot of the heart of Saigon. Here are my Top 10 of favorite things.

1. Coffee

I have always loved Singapore coffee until I have tried Vietnam Coffee. With its distinct taste, it is truly a pleasure to the senses. Add to that the DIY process of preparing using the Phin filter, Vietnam coffee is indeed singular.

2. Ben Thanh Market

Just like any tourist destination, Vietnamese has its own local produce market. What I like about Ben Thanh, their famous market, are the gourmet shops selling local coffee giving a European feel.

3. Motorbikes

Undoubtedly there are more motorbikes than cars in Vietnam. The sight of rushing motorbikes coming from every direction gives Saigon its novelty character. What is interesting is that you can just cross the streets amidst which resembles that of a free play grand prix of motorbikes. Just cross and don't fret, these bikes can smell fear.

4. Night Life

The night is alive in Saigon even on a week day. There are a handful of choices. The people are friendly and surprisingly they know how to party contrary to what others may think . The Latin Night in Hard Rock is a must-go. Band is authentic Latin and the people are mostly Latinised as well. Lush is also one of their best clubs.

5. Pho

Saigon trip is never complete without trying the world renowned Vietnames Pho. Our friends introduced one of the best in Saigon named Pho Hoa.

6. People

People are generally warm - reminds me our the Filipino hospitality.

7. Wifi

Wifi is everywhere. Available connections kept of popping up in my iphone. It gave me the chance to update my friends with the sights and sounds of Saigon in real time.

8. Tea

Tea is everywhere, even at the hotel lobby they serve bottomless complimentary tea. I am not a fan but i have enjoyed the taste of their local tea.

9. War Museum

The infamous Vietnam war leaves an indelible mark in the history books of the world. A nightmare for most of the old folks, it has moulded the nation to what is it today. It has tested their resilience amidst the despondence it has caused the early generations. Remnants of the war serve as mementos of the massive turmoil that has sparked global support. Visit the War Museum in Saigon and get a clearer vision of this page in history.

10. Mekong River

To complete the visit, take a tour at the Mekong River, the world's 10th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia. From the Tibetan Plateau this river runs through China's Yunnan province, Burma, Laos,Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam (SOURCE) All tour companies have their own packages to choose from.

There are more yet to be explored in Saigon. It is one of the cities that I wish to revisit one of these days.

I AM BLog-ACK

2011-10-17T08:34:00.000-07:00

I find it rather cliche-ish, when they say life is like a roller coaster. But for the past three months, I have proven that it indeed holds true. Never did I see it coming. Just when I thought that my life is completely fine and that I am OK, I was wrong. I have had the slowest roller coaster ride in my life, and what is sad about it is that it went so slow when I was in a upside down position and worse, it ceased to moved for quite sometime. It stayed at the bottom - so still. While writing this, flashback of bitter memories came rushing into my vision. I can just cry so much thinking of what a hell of a ride it has been.

But it made me strong. It tested my character. The weakling has emerged victorious against a very strong opponent. I am OK. The ride is slowly moving upwards in a very slow motion yet it is moving up. Today marks my victory - a start of a new life that has been shattered into pieces. I am resilient I know and I have proven to myself that I can do it.

I miss the blogsphere. Now I am back with my rants, raves and reviews of the world as I see.

MUSIC: REBECCA BLACK is Back

2011-07-26T23:53:00.001-07:00

I may not be her fan, I am also not a hater. Let us give this girl the chance!

PEOPLE: Amy Winehouse, Forever 27

2011-07-24T19:58:00.000-07:00

We say goodbye to Amy Winehouse, a novelty artist who has carved her own niche in the music industry. Much has been said about her struggle and perhaps defeat against addiction of drugs and alcohol yet at the end of the day, Amy Winehouse is deemed an icon of our time and considered as the best singer-songwriter of her generation. You will always be in my ipod Amy.

Goobye Amy!

MUSIC: DJ INCOMA'S So Sketchy, Too Edgy EP

2011-07-13T21:12:00.000-07:00

Please support of my favorite DJs in Singapore, DJ Incoma's NEW mixes/sets from his second EP album Soo Sketchy, Too Edgy, So Damn What! Want to listen to it? Click here.

More tracks comin up soon.

RANDOM: TOP 5 FAVORITE DRINKS

2011-07-13T10:36:00.000-07:00

Here I go again with my Top 5 current favorites, for this post I am featuring my favorite drinks.

1. A &W Rootbeer - I have to go to Kuala Lumpur just to grab my favorite rootbeer float, Singapore doesn't have A &W.

2. C.Nai Perfect Match - Tea and coffee concoction at the C.Nai Hong Kong and Taiwan, East Coast Road Branch

3. Lingoberry Juice - Can only be found in Ikea, very addictive.

4.Lime with Sourplum - If made like the one I had in Malaysia, this is one of the best drinks in the world

5. Ducth Lady Banana Milk - The suspect of my diarrhea, nevertheless still one of my favorites.

All the photos except for no. 5 was taken using Instagr.am.

RANDOM: Flavoured SanMig Light

2011-07-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

San Miguel Light or SanMig Light has changed the face of beer drinking in the Philippines. Beer used to be man's bestfriend, but now it is everyone's kumpare(buddy). It is low-calorie and if taken in moderation won't hurt the weight. Though I still prefer beer with strong taste like Red Horse of Strong Ice, San Mig Light has been a very good alternative for drinking with lesser calorie intake. I have heard and seen from a facebook friend, that San Miguel now comes in Apple and Lemon? Another experiement by San Miguel Beer. Sounds strange but I remember a friend who mixes beer with juice or soda. Her prayers have been heard indeed. I couldn't wait to try and prove whether it really tastes like air freshener.

Speaking of beer, while lunchin' at The Central I came accross some Pale Pilsen in the shelves. To my amazement, the less than $1 bottled beer back home costs $.3.60 in Singapore. That is like 4 times higher. But we can't really do anything about it. It is expensive here.

I can't wait for the flavoured beer.

FOOD: IKEA Cheap Treats

2011-07-13T09:33:00.000-07:00

Ikea has always been a favorite stop-over not only for furniture and furnishings but for its food. I never fail to grab their hotdog sandwich + bottomless drinks. Now that they have offered Lingonberry Juice as part of their combo meal, I could foresee myself frequenting the place.

APPS: HDR Artist + INSTAG.RAM

2011-06-28T07:47:00.000-07:00

iPhone apps have been continuously revolutionizing the way people communicate. A lot of apps are elevating social media to greater heights making it easy, fun and colourful to convey your message across the globe. Recently, I have downloaded an HDR apps named HDR Artist for $.99 where photos can be instantly edited to HDR in a snap. I then edited the sample photo further using Instag.ram, the revolutionary app which filters photos to different desired effect and enables online sharing to the rest of app users around the world. More about this app soon. Here is my favorite photo entitled Boy meets Girl taken this morning.

HDR Artist

Instrag.ram

More of HDR Artist App here and Instag.ram here

I am looking forward to more interesting random shots.

RANDOM: SINFUL WEEKEND

2011-06-26T23:53:00.000-07:00

My flatmate T-One has a knack for party planning and an eye for aesthetics and colour coordination, add to that the "it"for cooking. Oh well, it is her passion and perhaps sooner ot later, a passion for a living. Over the weekend, while I was sleeping bankurptcy off, she planned a late birthday tea party for her hubby. The theme? Dougnuts! When I heard about it, I shirvelled. So I offered to give her a hand in the kitchen instead of just sleeping the whole day. Doughnuts top the list of my favorite pastry. Be it the street fried dognuts sprikled with white sugar or those from Krispy Kreme or Go Nuts Dougnuts.

It was the second leg of my sinful weekend after the irrestitable pizza and pasta from Al Forno courtesy of my friend Kirby and JB made more sinful by the truffles and dark chocolate ice cream from Awfully Chocolate. But I can't stop her from pursuing the potential diet-wrecker theme. I have to submit to temptation and just forget about the calories looming ahead.

The tagline,"One second on the lips, forever on the hips," indeed holds true. But whatever, the doughnut party concluded the sinful weekend with stress of bankruptcy washed away to oblivion. Who can resist goodies which surpasses the taste of JCo, Starbucks, Dunkin Doghnuts, Candylicious, Break Talk and Canele? So here I am bloated on a manic Monday, a bit regretful but happy.

Here are a few snapshots of her creative flair.

Need help with your party? Contact us!

FOOD: AWFULLY CHOCOLATE

2011-06-24T23:31:00.000-07:00

Craving for rich, dark, bittersweet chocolate treats? Come down to Awfully Chocolate, where sinful indulgence reigns at its best. With a unique selection of delectable sweet tempatations fulfilling your fancies, from the mouth watering cakes and pastries to the orgasmic ice cream concoction, Awfully Chocolate heaps to the brink of oblivion, teleporting you to a whole new world of chocolatey madness. Oh well, to cut the story short, every dollar is worthwile with them.

More about them at Here!

Photos courtesy of JB! You may visit the main branch at:

462A Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427674
(65) 6345 8212

AD: JOLLIBEE Chiken Joy

2011-06-24T02:31:00.000-07:00

I bumped into Kaye Garcia, a celebrity friend back in the Philippines and showed me this latest Jollibee ad. Reminds me of our class picture taken every school year-end.

Kaye, you seem to be the class president.

Now I miss Jollibee, the comfort food of almost every Pinoy.

APPS: TAXI BOOKING in Singapore

2011-06-23T21:11:00.000-07:00

Late for a party and can't get taxi? How you fancy of booking one in a snap. Don't fret! Taxi Booking apps have already hits the apple store in the red dot.

Taxi Booking can be a pain in the a** specially during peak hours, all the more if its raining. You will be stuck in seemingly endless queues in the taxi stands and busy tones from the hotlines. Good thing apps exists. Thanks Apple! Now, by just a few taps, you can conveniently book for a cab using your iPhone. It may take longer sometimes but it cuts half of the waiting time for confimation compared to dialling the hotlines. Comfort and City Cab Book A Taxi first launched and recently SMRT did the same. Now, booking a cab may be a less pain in the a**.

Download these apps for free on Apple Stores for a hassle-free booking.

Life is indeed made simplier!

AD: PEPSI Commercials

2011-06-23T03:43:00.000-07:00

Pepsi's success in the US has been fuelled by multi-million dollar celebrity endorsements. From Michael Jackson, Spice Girls, Britney Spears and Beyonce and JLo, they just won't stop. Lady Gaga, you are next.

And of course my new favourite, Sofia Vergara for Pepsi

I still love Coke though.

AD: CHRISTINA AGULERA for Coke and Pepsi

2011-06-23T03:21:00.000-07:00

Christina's management is indeed very clever. After endorsing Coke, they have signed her for Pepsi. Interesting right? Watch the videos below:

Inconsistent? Nah, just money money and more money!

AD: PEPSI vs COKE

2011-06-23T03:17:00.000-07:00

The Pepsi versus Coke war is a never-ending saga blown out of epic proportions over the decades which has definitely become larger than life. It is a battle handed down from generation to generation. I am a Coke fan but I drink Pepsi too. Thank you boredom, I have found some old banned commercials or home-made videos of Pepsi versus Coke. Here you go.

These commercials are in favour of Pepsi. But whatever, they are very entertaining.