I was not sure hubby would say yes to me though, I just had to take a chance at that

It has been years since I watched a Filipino-made movie on the big screen. Except for a preview of this movie that I watched a few days before Miss You Like Crazy, I admit, my movie preferences are a bit different.

So, going to a movie premiere is fun, albeit crowd can be high energy and bit rowdy especially when the stars arrive: screaming fans, a bustle here and a bit of a jostle there plus a lot of small talk. Good thing we were asked to go inside the theaters before they arrived.

I deliberately did not read any reviews on the movie because I didn’t want mine to be influenced even for a bit by what others wrote. This is my take on the movie Miss You Like Crazy:

I have not watched the trailer in full before I went to the premiere. I was prepared to see an engagement ring filled with diamonds, travels to exotic places, mushy romantic scenes that will melt my heart, and scenes  that will move me to tears. The movie did nothing of the sort.

Here’s why.

Instead, I laughed. I said “Awww…” I felt happy. I felt some regret about the characters and the “it could have been” scenes playing in my mind. I felt relief. I admit, a few tears flowed. I felt different sorts of emotions.

Those messages written on stones are just awesome and these are the thought bubbles we have that are most of the time, unspoken.

In short, “Miss You Like Crazy” movie is like watching real-life happening in front of you, from the ferry boat rides, the jeepney, the Divisoria crowd, the old home being renovated, the office cubicles, the working-abroad-to-support-the family situation, the support system when working overseas, the Filipino humor, even the noisy family setting and the hope of being with the one you love even if it seems impossible.

• The movie is about knowing when to let go much.

• It is also about caring for the family and setting your priorities before your dreams which could men a setback to your dreams.

• It is about believing in yourself and also believing in love.

• It is about love that does not focus on the self and the loved one alone.

• It is also about knowing that there is a second chance or maybe, another chance.

“Bakit ba tayo may second chance? Maybe because this is not for us to have happy ending… But to end things right.”

Some things are meant to be and for those that are not, there are reasons for being so, my thoughts about the quote.

This is Bea’s movie more than John Lloyd’s. Her lively character and  her sense of humor are  believable that you just gotta know her situation could happen to anyone or has happened to another woman.

Star Cinema’s Miss You Like Crazy starring Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz, directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina is still showing in theaters nationwide.

Erik Santos sang the theme song. Watch the full trailer of Miss You Like Crazy trailer here.

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My Miss You Like Crazy movie premiere invite was made possible by Biogesic, the leading fever and headache reliever trusted by millions of Filipinos.

A lot of professionals in this country are working overseas. Yes, these professionals teach, build structures, take care of the sick and the elderly as well as take care of other people’s children in foreign countries.

These kababayans are all over the world from New Zealand and Australia, other Asian countries,  to the Middle East to Europe to the Americas while others do New York job search.

As a parent and a teacher, I ask myself: Who are left to teach the children?

Truth is, this is one of the reasons why we homeschool, apart from the fact that we only pay half of how much we would when the children are enrolled in regular school.

photohunt

*kababayan = fellow country men

But then again, maybe it is that “sensitive side” me of speaking.

Who would be pleased when they approach you with a whitening cream product.

An offer to do FREE BMI analysis so you can decide whether you would like to buy that exercise machine they are selling. Some offer a free hour at the fitness center where they want you to get a membership plan.

Ok, I get it, I look like someone in need to a fitness regimen. No need to rub it in

What about free insurance quotes? Or house and lot? Nope? Condo unit?

What? A secondary credit card? I don’t even have one, lol!

Like I even  need a new car huh? Oh, a van? Low interest rate?

“Oh, you mean I can get a chance to win a vacation package if i just fill out this form”. Hmmm…no thanks.

I know I’m rambling. Good thing the view is wonderful in this place we went to and I didn’t get to encounter a sales agent

Polliwalks are shoes for kids.

“Aha!” I told myself, this fun for feet shoes for kids would be perfect for my kids to use this summer!

Being a mom, I am concerned not only about cute, fun and playful stuff for my children. I am also concerned with how safe these things they use with regards to their health and well-being.

So I found these about Polliwalks:

• Polliwalks have Footprinting Bottom and color changing lips. Now these are fresh and innovative ideas for these “character” shoes.

• Judging by how the shoes look, these seem well-fitting and comfortable too aside from exuding playfulness, happiness and innocence which basically sum up what children really are.

• Playfulness is one characteristic that I can describe my children. I let them run around and have fun through play (with restrictions of course). One thing I make sure of is that the shoes they are wearing should be: comfortable, easy to clean, lightweight, fits well and slip resistant.

• Environment-friendly packaging (recycled paper for tags and hooks) as well as environment-friendly water-based adhesives were used in the manufacture of these shoes.

My youngest daughter would definitely love this pair of pink t-Rex shoes:

Where to purchase:

Check out Polliwalks at Rustan’s, Hobbes and Landes, Gift Gate Robinsons Ermita, Gift Gate SM Megamall, The Lonely Planet D’Mall, The Lonely Planet Robinsons Dumaguete, ROX Bonifacio High Street, ROX Cebu, Ollie & Co., SM Mall of Asia, SM North Edsa, Party Packagers, Islands and More, and Brussels and Sprouts.

Check out Polliwalks™ at http://ww.polliwalks.com for more information. Polliwalks™ is open for dealership. For more information, contact Mr. Owen Lim through mobile number 09088630958 or 09223046048, or telephone number (632) 4701127, or email address info@unitedlimsun.com.

Below was one of the photos I took on January 1st when I decided to do a daily 2010 project 365. Yes the blog posts may not updated but the photos are

It is fun taking photos because each photo has a story to tell, hence my blog name, Photo Stories.

Though the inspiration to capture what one sees as a good image may make one lose interest and get bored, for me, taking photos, albeit what I think for me are good enough , is better than reading about insurance quotes and waiting for the paint to dry.

Others may not consider my work as masterpieces. I don’t really mind at all, as long as I am happy and still able to take photos I find interesting. After all, photos are captured moments that can be enjoyed without sweating the tech stuff.

Have fun Photo Hunting, remember, taking photos is one of the many ways we have stopped time

photohunt

Honestly, I was surprised when it was announced that the writer, director and some cast were present. “How could that be?” I thought, because movie is a foreign film. Turned out I was wrong.

The Red Shoes (A Love Story) is produced by Unitel Productions. Yes the same one who gave us Inang Yaya and Crying Ladies.

No, I did not get to watch both films. Truth is the last locally-produced movie I watched was that of a real-life sweethearts’ movie. Sadly, its leading man has passed away.

Anyway, The Red Shoes (A Love Story) is a love story of Lucas and Bettina that spanned several years. It is also the love story of the parents of Lucas.

Watch a teaser of The Red Shoes (A Love Story) here and here.

I will not dwell on the plot and spoil the fun for you. I will just give emphasis to the symbols that I feel are important in the story:

Shoes: For me, this is the focal point of the story: Imelda Marcos’ pair of red shoes that Lucas got from malacanang Palace. He gave the right shoe to his mother and the left shoe for his loved one, Bettina. Every character in the movie has a favorite kind of shoe to wear. Lucas’ mom, Chat, always gets a new pair of shoes for her birthday. In real life, we all wear different kinds of shoes, depending on what we hope to do, where we are going and what we hope to accomplish.

Bridges. Bettina loves bridges because her father used to build bridges. In the story, a certain bridge provided the setting for the highlight of the love story as well as the end of it. Bridges connect us with people much as it separate us from one another.

Spirista. When all else fails, we go to the spiritista, the one who will “talk” to our loved ones who passed away without telling us their last wish. Don’t we just wish this is easily done for our peace of mind, at least?

Home Altar. For  a predominantly Catholic country, home altars are common. Alongside these however are traditional Chinese thingamajigs like frogs or Buddha figurines. When a loved one died, it is also customary to “offer” food (called atang) to seek the favor of the one who died to intercede and ask help from the saints for a favor being asked. This is my opinion on this matter, by the way.

Moving on. Chat had difficulty moving on after her husband’s death more than two decades ago. This tackles how people deal with grief on their own terms. Or maybe because her intuition tells her otherwise that’s why she won’t stop until she gets a “message” from her dead husband. Moving on is one of the hardest things to do, especially after a sudden and/or tragic death of a loved one.

Jose Rizal snippet about slippers: Jose Rizal lost a slipper on a lake. What he did was throw the other slipper away so that whoever might find both would get to use the pair. There was something about this in the story and it moved me to tears.

Removing shoes/slippers when entering a big house. This used to be customary, as a sign of respect, especially if the one entering the big house is from a lower economic strata. This is a kind of demarcation line between the haves and the have-nots.

There are still a lot more to be discussed and I know this has gone too long.

Please go and watch the movie and I am sure you are going to love it.

The Red Shoes (A Love Story) will be shown in theaters on March 10, 2010.