7th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival Gala Premiere Photos

3 Replies

My presence in the online world is hardly felt last week. I focused on watching the competing films featured at the 7th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. There are over 30+ films featured and just like the previous years, I focused on the New Breed Category. There are nine competing films under the New Breed category this year and I am proud to say that I saw ALL of them.

Cinemalaya43

Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre)

I am happy with the line-up of indie films this year. The organizers see to it that the movies for this year are from different genres with various themes. These movies made me cry, laugh, wonder, worry, depress, grateful and learned a lot from each film. The trailers are not spoon-feeding. I noticed a number of films that gave a melodrama impression to those who viewed the teasers on YouTube, but they end up to be far from what we expected. I think that is a big plus compared to most of our mainstream films where they give too much information about the story. Why watch then?

I only missed three days in Cinemalaya: The Opening Night, the Sunday and Wednesday screening. I was present in the rest of the movie days and luckily, I got the chance to attend the Gala Premiere of the following movies: Nino by Loy Arcenas, I-Libings by Rommel Sales, Isda by Adolf Alix Jr., Ang Babae sa Septic Tank by Marlon Rivera and Chris Martinez, Cuchera by Joseph Laban, Ligo Na U, Lapit na Me by Erick Salud, Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Paa by Alvin Yapan, Bahay Bata by Eduardo Roy Jr., Rakenrol by Quark Henares and Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington by Jade Castro. Whew!

Continue reading →

Niño by Loy Arcenas at the Cinemalaya 2011 Film Festival

3 Replies

Last Saturday, I attended the Gala Premiere of the movie Niño, a Loy Arcenas film which is competing under the New Breed Category of Cinemalaya Film Festival 2011. It is not my first time to watch a movie in the Cultural Center of the Philippines. In fact, this is my third time to attend this yearly appreciation of Philippine movies. What made this day special is I was able to watch a movie with my grandfather. How cool is that?

Loy Arcenas with the cast and crew of Niño

Loy Arcenas with the cast and crew of Niño

We arrived at 6PM just in time for the screening. I saw some familiar faces at the cinema and happy with the number of people seated while waiting for the movie to start. This year’s line up of movies are all promising as they tackle different topics from different genre. It is quite noticeable that in among all the movies competing, Niño didn’t really have a ‘giant’ mainstream star that can really help promote the film by making his/her life controversial to the press. The trailer is dominated by strong characters and opera-inspired music. The synopsis posted in the press release is quite intriguing yet it looks so serious. Most people were expecting a melodramatic film full of shouting and crying scenes… but no.

Continue reading →

The Lovely Transition of Lovi Poe

9 Replies

I admit it. I didn’t like her when i first saw her on TV. I even raised my left eyebrow when I found out that she’ll be launched as a singer. PR write ups referring to her often mention that she is the daughter of ‘Da King’ and yes, the advantage of getting instant fame.

Left: Lovi Poe in 2006 for Bakekang; Right: As Serafina in Temptation Island (2011)

All the news programs were interested about her and she was even chosen to play the role of Kristal in the TV version of Bakekang, where she shared the limelight with Yasmien Kurdi as her ugly twin sister Charming and Sunshine Dizon playing the title role.

Ok, maybe the real reason i don’t like her is that she is often spotted with Cogie Domingo that time and they even starred in one Love to Love series LOL. Once upon a time, I was Cogie Domingo’s biggest fan.

For me, this girl lacked charisma. She’s just the daughter of a legendary icon in the Philippines. That’s all she is. That’s all.

Continue reading →

The Beautiful Possibilities of Simplicity

14 Replies

Last Wednesday, I went back to Dagupan City (just after two weeks!) to accompany my grandfather and I originally planned to go to Binalonan (my mother’s hometown) and go with my blogger friends to Bolinao for the weekend, but neither of them happened. I ended up just spending most of my time at a newly-opened coffee shop to work on some blog posts and interact with some online friends.

Dreaming of Manila

I am also quite amused on the developments of my beloved hometown. New coffee shops, food establishments,  shopping malls, hotels among others are being developed. Finally, Dagupan City is open for some big changes!

Five years ago, I was a student who wanted to graduate right away. Instead of taking it slow and study for four years, I graduated one semester earlier than my batchmates. The reason? I wanted to leave Dagupan City immediately and pursue a career in Metro Manila.

Continue reading →

Life Wish – The Edge of Fear and Joy

15 Replies

Death is a subject that most people wouldn’t want to talk about or rather, think about. As much as possible, we would like to avoid discussing it. In reality, we cannot even predict our own death. It is something that we cannot control. There are different types of death, but untimely death is one that gives us too much shock and we can’t even figure out how we can possibly move on.

DO the DanO and live it up... Life is too short not to!

“Dearest Emma, my love for you is higher than the highest of peaks! Love, Dad,” right above where is says “DON’T LET YOUR FEARS STAND IN THE WAY OF YOUR DREAMS.”

– Dan Osman poster message to daughter Emma.

Earlier, a Facebook contact of mine shared a video about Dan Osman. The name is quite familiar, but i am not sure why. I clicked on the YouTube link and wow, this man is amazing! How can he possibly do that speed rock climbing without ropes and safety gear? I then remember that my father showed a newspaper clipping to me way back, but i couldn’t exactly remember if he’s a fan or he simply wanted to show it to me.

Continue reading →

I Support HotelwithHeart.com’s Pencil Project

2 Replies

The Pencil. What can a Pencil do? It is just a simple tool that can launch a thousand ideas. I remember when I was younger, I had my own magic pencil case. I kept three, which i usually use in school. As I grew older, i shifted to pens and now I am blogging with the use of the keyboard. Pencil might be a small tool, but it can be a source of something big.

I Support HWH's Pencil Project

A few weeks ago, Manu informed me about this new online hotel called HotelWithHeart.com. What caught my attention is that the people behind this online hotel booking website is actively supporting some charities.

HotelWithHeart.com partnered up with Efren Penaflorida’s Dynamic Teen Company (DTC) for HWH Pencil Project Signature Campaign. How does it work? All you have to do is sign up via the HWH Facebook Page and go to the Pencil Project tab for the Digital Signature. HWH will donate 1 pencil to DTC for every digital signature (Like and Sign Ups) collected.

Continue reading →

Sunny Weekend in Puerto Princesa with AirPhil Express

13 Replies

This is a trip that I never imagined will push through. Bagyong Falcon is about to hit the country and I am in Dagupan City, Pangasinan last Thursday. I asked some of my travel blogger friends if the scheduled trip to Puerto Princesa will still push through. Most of us were hesitant because of the weather. When they finally confirmed that the weather in Puerto Princesa is good, I decided to take a bus trip from Dagupan at 6:30PM. Despite the heavy rain in some areas, i arrived safely in our house at 11PM.

Rochelle, Robbie and Mica @ Puerto Princesa Airport via AirPhil Express

I didn’t sleep during the whole duration of the bus trip. I didn’t sleep at home too even if i still have enough time to take a nap. I did some online tasks then packed my luggage at 4am. I once asked my companions if the trip will still push through since it’s raining hard that time. With the confirmation, I took a taxi to NAIA Terminal 3 to meet up with Robbie, Winston, Eric, Anton, Rochelle and JC with the staff of AirPhil Express (Line, Nicole, Mike and Brian). It’s not my first time to visit Puerto Princesa, but what made this trip exciting is that i’ll be enjoying the whole tour with some of my favorite travel companions. Also, our itinerary is loaded with activities and i’ve never been to some of the places listed. Exciting!

Continue reading →

#ilovemydadeventhough

5 Replies

Tomorrow is Father’s Day! I have a feeling that most bloggers are busy writing articles related to this special day – whether that includes quotes, songs, gift ideas, poems, movies and so on and so forth. I am more of a Twitter person now and I realized that the hashtag #ilovemydadeventhough is the second trending topic tonight. Because of this, i am inspired to write a random post about my dad.

I'd rather keep this image of you in my mind =))

I will be posting 40 RANDOM FACTS ABOUT MY DAD. I won’t be editing this entry. I will just say whatever i want to say. Why 40? You will know why by the end of this post. Please read, ok?

  1. Ang pangalan ng tatay ko ay Joseph Arsenio. Ang palayaw niya ay Jojo.
  2. Ikatlo siya sa anim na magkakapatid. Pero siya ang pinaka-cool (s’yempre, tatay ko yan eh LOL)
  3. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, tatlong eskwelahan ang pinasukan niya bago siya nakatapos ng kolehiyo. Hindi naman bopols ang tatay ko, tamad lang. Pitong taon ata siya sa college. At least naka-graduate diba? Continue reading →

Bring Me Back My Childhood! – Girl Power Domination

5 Replies

I am a certified 90’s kid. I am one of those kids who learned how to use the internet just to search for the pictures of her favorite musicians. I don’t deny that I sent my first fax message ever by paying Php100 in an internet cafe just to request the song ‘Viva Forever’ in MTV’s Most Wanted. I even sent an artwork to that show in Singapore hoping VJ Sonia, VJ Sarah or our very own VJ Donita would read it one day. It never happened LOL.

These girls saved my life without them knowing it

I also sent lots of emails for the show MTV Select to request for a Spice Girls video. Yes, I am a crazy fanatic like that. I have their posters all over my room and I collected second hand music magazines from my cousin based in Metro Manila (I grew up in Dagupan City). One day, my email request was granted and it was VJ Sarah who read it. I wonder where she is now?

The Spice Girls taught me a lot, but that deserves a special post. What I want to do right now is reminisce some of the girl bands that made my childhood extra special with their singing and dancing skills, awesome dance videos and oh-sp-gorgeous bodies!
Continue reading →

Kuro-Kuro sa Araw ng Kalayaan

3 Replies

Ika-labing dalawa na naman ng Hunyo. Paniguradong maglilipana na naman sa daan, dyaryo, tv at internet ang larawan ng pinakamamahal nating bandila. Buong-pagmamalaking iwinawagayway ng ilan sa ating mga kababayan ang simbolo ng demokrasya ng ating bansa.

Carlo makes his own Philippine Flag

Naalala ko noon na paborito ng kapatid kong si Carlo na mangolekta ng Philippine Flag. Sinubukan ko nga siyang bilhan noon ng iba’t ibang klase ng bandila, pero ayaw niya. Interesado lamang siya sa Philippine Flag. ‘Tila makabayan talagang maituturing ang mahal kong kapatid. S’yempre, ito ay aking ikinagagalak. Ibig sabihin ay marunong siyang magpahalaga sa kanyang bayang pinagmulan.
Continue reading →