Snatched

Jess is a snatcher.  He specializes in cell phones.  Being poor, he has resigned himself to the reality that he will be suspected of stealing even if he wouldn't actually do it.  So to save everyone the trouble, he learned to embrace the stereotype.

Grace is a call center agent, and a modern woman with a secret.  And she would do anything to retrieve that secret from her stolen cell phone even if it meant scouring the streets of Quiapo for the snatcher with the help of the police.

In an interesting and very realistic turn, Posas (Shackles) tackles the twists and turns of police procedures, and the lives of the people embroiled in it:  victim, perpretrator, and the enforcers themselves.  In the end, as Jess' handcuffs were removed, he finally and palpably felt the shackles latched on to him.

Beautifully shot and subtly acted, it was a joy to watch.  Having heard nothing about the film prior to viewing, I had no expectations whatsoever, and I was happily rewarded for my gamble.  The scene with Susan Africa is easily a favorite.

Posas and four other films are in competition under the Director's Showcase of Cinemalaya.  Ten more films are also competing in the New Breed category for budding directors.

I'm looking forward to seeing a good number of these, and no storm signal will deter me from going to the CCP to buy tickets.  For a couple of years now, I have organized marathon screenings of select movies for me and my friends.  The raging weekend storm almost prevented me from being able to procure tickets.  Experience has told me to buy them on the first weekend because most movies will sell out by the next week of screenings. 

So brave the rains, I did, thankful for the few minutes' respite from rain while travelling on foot.  It felt good having reserved those tickets for our weekend marathon.  It meant one less detail to worry about.

I'm going to watch a quite few movies

photo credit

Addictions: Cinemalaya

It's once again time to head over to CCP for the ten days of Cinemalaya. Film enthusiasts, social butterflies, and yes, students with imposed reaction papers, and bandwagoneers will flood the various viewing rooms to partake of this year's finalists.

Twenty five films have been announced as part of the three main competitions in the festival.  But as in other years, my main focus is with the New Breed Full-Length competition:

Emmanuel Palo’s “Santa Nina”
Gino Santos and Jeff Stelton’s “The Animals”
Vincent Sandoval’s “Aparisyon”
Mes de Guzman’s “Diablo”
Lemuel Lorca and Jerry Gracio’s “Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino”
Alfred Aloysius Adlawan’s “Ang Katiwala”
Marietta Jamora’s “Ang Nawawala”
Paul Sta. Ana’s “Oros”
Julius Sotomayor Cena’s “Mga Dayo”
Loy Arcenas’ “Requieme”

Earlier in the year, the Cinemalaya board was embroiled in its own scandal what with one competition film being disqualified for not adhering to the casting demands of the Board.  Others have called for the boycott of the Cinemalaya for its apparent disregard for its own mantra of being the haven for truly independent cinema.  But though I share the sentiment of keeping Cinemalaya truly malaya, I don't adhere to the idea of punishing the other competitors just to get the message across.

Last year, Cinemalaya increased its clout by tapping Greenbelt Cinemas to feature the films in competition; the first time their movies were shown outside of the CCP grounds.  This year, the competition reaches more ground with the help of Ayala Cinemas.  Aside from CCP, the movies will be shown in Greenbelt and Trinoma.

I am planning to watch as much as I can, maybe sneak as much weeknight viewing after work, as well as organize a weekend marathon among friends.

See you in Greenbelt and CCP!  :-)

Shirking Responsibilities: Shang

It's the company sports fest today, but I begged off from joining, even though I have no concrete weekend plans.  Then again, I can use this as excuse, though I haven't really decided on watching.

It's that time of the year once again, when Shangri-la plays host to a bevy of film festivals.

Hello again, long lines and waiting for an hour for (free) tickets.

I used to be one of those eager souls who will queue up for a chance to watch the films.  My weekends were free then, and the lines used to be manageable.  And populated with film enthusiasts, some off whom would cheerfully chat you up and narrate which films they've seen and which are the really good ones in the line up.

But the festivals became too popular, I guess, and the allure of a free movie was hard to resist.  And there are those well-meaning professors who require reaction papers and other writing assignments to their students.  That's why year after year, the people who turn up to watch the free screenings get bigger, younger, and I should say, more stylish.  The old crowd of film enthusiasts are no more, probably turned off by the advent of the new crowd, with their college accents and designer labels and cliques perpetually by their side.

I'm still not sure if I'm watching this roster of films.

But I'm sure I wont be around for the company outing/sports fest.

Rise

Are you ready to rise?

Finally, the last of Christopher Nolan's Batman movie franchise is upon us.  Or at least the latest promotional posters are.  Too bad there wasn't a poster of Marion Cotillard.

Will you watch this on opening day, or let it simmer the first few weeks, so there is no crowd?

photocredit

How Are You?

From the Italian Job (2003):

John Bridger: I feel so optimistic. How do you feel?
Charlie Croker: [shrugging] I'm fine.
John Bridger: Fine? You know what "fine" stands for, don't you?
Charlie Croker: Yeah, unfortunately.
John Bridger: Freaked out...
Charlie Croker: Insecure...
John Bridger: Neurotic...
Charlie Croker: And Emotional.
John Bridger: You see those columns behind you?
Charlie Croker: [looks behind him and sees the pillars] What about them?
John Bridger: That's where they used to string up thieves who felt fine.

The Zombie Apocalypse Team

The Zombie Apocalypse finally happens.  You need to assemble a team that will help you survive the catastrophe.  Your team members would be comprised of the protagonists of:


1. Last movie/tv show you saw 
2. last book you've read 
3. last video game you played


With your team in place, how long do you think you will survive the zombie plague?


As for me, my team is as follows:


Last movie I saw:

The Avengers.  The culmination of five prior movies and four titular characters, assembling some of Marvel's greatest heroes, or at least those who are movie-worthy.  While we're on this subject, I cannot say enough how much I loved this movie.  It may not be faithful to any comic arc that I know of, but the snarky dialogue and scenes make up for it.  With Joss Whedon of Buffy fame at the helm, of this project, my expectations were high.  And he did not disappoint.




Last book I finished:

Augusten Burroughs from Magical Thinking.  The memoirs of an advertising executive who believes he can perform magical thinking.  He thought about wanting to quit advertising and become a New York Times Bestselling author, and he became one.  He wanted his date to like him even though he wasn't his type physically, and they became partners.  He was so angry at a former boss that he wished her to get hit by a bus and months later, the boss dies of an aneurysm.  Which is so much better than a bus!  Funny, endearing and relatable to an extent, I am not surprised that it became the bestseller that it was.




Last video game I played:

Druid from Diablo II.  I don't really play much video games.  But when a friend and I were talking one time about Diablo, and how it was once rumored to have caused demon possessions (yes, it even made the news) I told him I wanted to play it.  As luck would have it, he has a copy of the game and he installed the same on my old lappy.  Sadly, old lappy was ill-prepared for handling the specs needed for proper game play.  No demon possessions occurred while I was playing, but old lappy finally called it quits, and died on me.




So there you have it:  A group of super-powered, neigh indestructible individuals, an author whose every whim is made possible by the universe, and a druid who can summon wolves, bears, and meat-eating tendrils at command.  I guess I'm all set for the zombie apocalypse.  


How about you?  How will you fare in the coming apocalypse?




photo credits.  avengers, magical thinking, druid

Something Wicked

I got a message from an old friend the other day asking if I want to watch Deathly Hallows.


I mean, come on, would anyone in their right mind refuse an invite to a special screening of Harry Potter, and for free?!

And VIP tickets to boot!


With such perks, no amount of rush hour traffic from Makati to Megamall will be able to stop me from the two things I like:  movies and free stuff.  The day's schedule did pose a bit of a problem though, with meeting after meeting peppered with rushed reports here and there.


Thankfully, I made it to the venue just a few minutes late.  It was good that I had the foresight to instruct my movie bud to get there early and to arrange for the ticket exchange.


I'm not gonna make a review, because I know I'm not capable of any at the moment.  Maybe after my nth screening, I would be.

Letters to John and Savannah

Dear John,

Thanks for showing off at the pier by making that jump from 20 feet up, I would have never noticed you otherwise. Since I am near-perfect and chaste, your broad shoulders and near-zero body-fat index would have done nothing to attract me to you. By the way, thank you again for getting my bag from the water, it's my life, you know. How it is that way remains a mystery, but just trust me that I'd die if that bag got lost. Write me letters everyday, I want to know everything.

Savannah.


Dear Savannah,

It rains here everyday. There are big rains, small rains, rain that goes sideways, rain that goes up instead of down. I'm missing you everyday.

John.


Dear John,

The next time you feel the urge to quote Forrest Gump, don't. I've seen the movie. Four times. You don't fool me.

Savannah.


Dear Savannah,

What do you expect I'd write? I hope you're aware that everything we write would first be inspected by the US Army before it reaches the intended party. So don't be surpried if those panties you sent through your last letter have made the rounds of some army base before it ever got to me. And don't be fooled too much about the moon metaphor, for we probably aren't in the same time zones to be able to see the same full moon at night. It's more likely that you'd be hiding from the sun while I'm gazing at the moon.

John.


Dear John,

Let's not write letters anymore. I'm getting tired of the socio-political relevance our love story is trying to force through other people's throats (hi there, US Army letter inspectors). Anyway, you've made me wait one year already, and you'd be gone for two more. That's 24 more months of chastity you're forcing me to endure. That's why I've decided to trap myself into a life of misery and regret. Remember our neighbor from next door? Well he's a divorcee with cancer and an autistic child and I've decided to marry him. I wont even bother telling you any reason or show you any redeeming quality of his, just know that I'd be spending years and years wallowing in depression and burning my family's fortune to extend my husband's life. I hope you will be happy for me.

Savannah.

P.S. When your father dies, can you please sell his coin collection and give me the proceeds so I can spend it all on my husband's cancer? That would be a godsend.

Savannah.


Dear Savannah,

I'm burning all your letters and will try to forget you. But after your husband dies, call me.

John.

-----

Went out Friday night with my buds to watch a movie; I don't think I need to tell you which. I enjoyed the company and the film. Talking about the film was fun as well. I enjoy being a popcorn critic, maybe too much at times.

Laughtrip!

I have seen one of the most entertaining films of the year! I would have to give credit to the whole production team for their efforts; I was impressed. The producers went to great lenghts to create this cinematic marvel; they pulled out all the stops.

Impressive car chase? Check.

Stunning CGI graphics? Check.

Affective soundtrack. Booming sound effects. Explosions! Check, check, check!

There was even a love angle to boot!

The dialogue was superb. Punchlines were delivered to the point and with so much pananché, cola almost shot through my nose. And I wasn't even drinking cola!

The actors' comedic timing was dead-on, they're funny without even trying to be. I am not so much a fan of physical comedy, and I immensely enjoyed this film's use of subtlety to illicit a laugh.

Of course, no movie is perfect, and you're bound to hit a snag every now and then, but these were forgivable. Some directors just cannot resist including a tear-jerker moment. I say, to each his own.

Over-all, one of the funniest films I've seen this year. You should go watch, for sure you'll enjoy it!



What do you mean, it wasn't a comedy?

Then why was I laughing so hard?

:-)

Attention Deficit: Filmfests

September and October were a whirlwind of some of the best movies the world has to offer. With the German, European, Korean, Spanish and Italian film festivals set almost just one week apart from each other, it could only be described as a viewing frenzy for me and some friends.

Then October ended and there were no more news about any other movies to follow. I felt like an addict suffering from withdrawal symptoms.

Thankfully, I chanced upon a website announcing the Australian Film Festival held at the Greenbelt. The news was such a shining beacon of hope that I gleefully hoarded up info as to the movie dates. It seems to me that this event has been set without any fanfare that it didn't even register upon my radars until it's release. Apparently the Festival started last November 5 and will end at the 15th.

Unfortunately, the 2nd week of the Festival will be held, not at Greenbelt, but in Ayala Center Cebu, so this weekend would be my only opportunity to enjoy these movies.

So now, I'm off to the cinemas.

And wait for another bout of withdrawal symptoms after this festival is over, as this might be the absolute last for the year.

And no, the one held annually during December does not count in my books.

Attention Deficit: Mini Updates

It's crunchtime once again (what else is new) and I can't make my mind stop and focus on writing. I do have some posts in mind, and I'm aching to pen them, but nothing comes out the moment I face a blank sheet with pen in hand. To unburden me of my thoughts, I'm opting for this mini-post to tide me over until that time that I can produce something of significance.



Fe Comes Back

After its successful run in the Cinemalaya, Fe went to Chicago and then to New Delhi to compete in the international scene.

The Rapture of Fe now returns home for commercial screenings at Robinson's Galleria and Robinson's Place Ermita starting November 11.

You'd have to hurry, though, because Fe will disappear once more once the Vampires and Warewolves of New Moon attack.

For more info about the film, go to their webisite.











Attention-grabber

I went inside 7-Eleven to buy foostuffs when I saw this lollipop's new packaging.

Placed inside a flip-top box and with matching "warning note" on the label, the package reminds me of cigarette cases. I guess chupa chups are now marketing themselves as alternatives to smoking for those trying to quit the habit.

Whether the marketing ploy works or not, their "warning note" is hillarious! Sucking does not kill, indeed.

Astro!

Astro Voice

I have formed the habit of using my earphones to listen to the radio while at work. I find that it soothes me, and minimizes the toxicity I feel. Also, it frees me of unnecessary distractions that would make me lose focus at my work: people tend not to ask questions when they see you have something covering your ears. It does leave me behind of the latest office mumbles and grumbles, but I tend not to delve into those anyways, so it isn’t quite a loss; merely my antisocial tendency rearing its snobbish head.

Last week, as I was listening to my lunch-hour duo run their show, something curious happened: a new listener called in time for one of their more famous contests. I didn’t give too much thought to that, except that the way the caller pronounced Makati was rather odd – it was familiar. The caller was not able to beat the best damn buzzer in fm radio, but he did give her a scare. For that – and probably for M’katy – the caller was awarded a consolation prize.

A few minutes later, I got an sms from EyviCat, inquiring if I were listening to the radio, and informing me that he won tickets to Astro Boy for almost beating Suzy.

Astro Bus
Unfortunately for EyviCat, his work schedule precludes him from being able to attend the premier screening. Fortunately for me, I was one of the first people EyviCat offered the tickets to. And so, mere minutes after 6 pm, I clocked off and set my pace to go to Mega Mall, braving the traffic along Pasong Tamo, and wishing for powers to disintegrate vehicular traffic to get to my destination faster.

I have learned, to my detriment, that taking the bus along Buendia to go to Edsa on a weekday rush hour is the surest way to get late to any appointment. More than the bottlenecks, the constant stops to wait for more passengers will eat your time more effectively than a Hoover sucks dirt. That is why I have learned to brave the MRT, sacrificing my need for personal space in exchange for speed. That is no laughing matter, considering that on its better days, the trains can get so tightly packed, it borders on achieving critical mass, thereby creating a black hole.

I got to the venue at around 7.15, making good time by being a few minutes earlier than the rush-hour horde. I whiled the time by walking around the mall for a better part of an hour while waiting for Gentle to arrive, knowing full well that when organizers tell you 7.30, it means that the show will start an hour hence.

Astro Boy

The movie was good and funny, though it deviated from the original story line to make for a more concise film. Thankfully, its essence was intact, and you can feel for Astro as he makes his way to find acceptance. Both boy and robot, but not belonging to either realm, Astro’s story is relatable in different levels. His yearning to belong and find his place in the world is shared by many people; much like my quest for rocket-powered red boots that would enable me to fly; it is universal in appeal.

Purists for the manga and the anime might have reason to complain about how the film was rendered, but I myself don’t mind. Though I grew up with the anime, I honestly don’t remember much about Astro’s earlier adventures. What I do remember is his unique hairstyle and his omnipresent boots, which is as much of a trademark of Astro’s as his butt machine gun.

The key to enjoying this movie, as with all other adaptations, is to forget the source material. Without something to compare to, movies like this could be experienced in its own separate light, and it frees you from feeling resentment and disappointment that the finished product is inferior to its source, because let’s face it, very few adaptations will ever surpass the awe and nostalgia that the original material brought us.

Astro Voyeur
Going out of the cinema, I suggested to Gentle that we head first to the nearest restroom to releive ourselves of the drink we downed while watching.

There is an unspoken rule when using public urinals wherein you should situate yourself one urinal apart from the next person. Seeing five empty urinals, I made a beeline for the middle urinal to do my thing. I was rather put off when a stranger moved to my left, considering that there is a perfectly usable unit further on either side, and a whole row farther inward of the restroom. Consider my shock when I saw this stranger, through my peripheral vision, start peeking over the barriers into my side of the urinal.

Having let go of control over my baldder, I had no choice but to suffer those invasive eyes until I was able to empty that well of amber liquid. To rid myself of mounting unease, I focused on myself and refused to acknowledge the stranger's existence. After I'm done, I turn to the line of sinks and see Gentle with impish glee in his eyes, having witnessed the stranger's blatant harassment; I roll my eyes at him. We exit the restroom and try to put as much distance between us and the voyeur.

Astro!
Weirdness aside, it was a fun night for movies, and seeing Astro Boy once more was like seeing a long lost childhood friend. Memories become legend, and it was enjoyable stripping those myths to find out the truth hidden in the memory.

Someone commented before that everyting is cyclical, and seeing today's trends, I believe that the statement has more than just a spark a truth in it. With Transformers, G. I. Joe, Fame, and now Astro Boy, making it big, you'd think that we're all back in the 80s.

This is a good time to be young again.

Shirking Responsibilities: Película Pelikula

An asteroid three times larger than the one that caused the extinction of dinosaurs is headed for Earth. The combined might of all world powers has amounted to scratch; not even enough to derail the asteroid from its crash course collision with the planet. You have three days before the end of the world, what would you do?


For one man, the answer is simple: Escape his 20-year incarceration and kill the man responsible for his capture, along with his progeny. What better revenge is there, after all, than to let your enemy meet his maker a few hours before everybody else does? And if you can give them a slow, torturous, hanging death, then so much the better.

For one mother, it is protecting her sons and her grandchildren from a killer's vengeance, while trying to keep the grandchildren ignorant of the impending armageddon. For her other son, staying alive long enough to die with everybody else seemed enough.

But when death comes barging in, even a man who's felt inferior and unwanted his entire life, a man who seemed to have never lived, can find the will to defend himself, and his brother's children from the all too real prospect of a violent death. When death comes knocking, how far would you go to protect something that is already lost?

3 Días (Before the Fall) and 20 other award-winning Spanish and Latin American films are featured in the 8th Spanish Film Festival at Greenbelt 3.


I've been able to see three films so far, and I'm hoping to see more. Of the three films I've seen, my favorite would have to be Los Cronocrímenes, about a man who becomes displaced in time, and the lenghts he would go in order to regain his life. The film is too good to blurb about, so I wouldn't even attempt a summary. Just watch it. Another screening is scheduled on Friday at 12mn, and I am planning to see it again.

----

I guess I'm back to blogging again. The past month became such a circus that it effectively wiped out my thought processes. As much as I love this medium, writing is at most, a fickle mistress. The urge and the inspiration comes and goes, and sometimes, it calls on you at the most inconvenient time. There are instances when it disappears for great lenghts of time, only to come back to give only elementary output. But there are times when it performs beyond anyone's expectations, and those are the moments, though rare, that makes me fall in love with it again.

Mediocre or spectacular, I hope this new advent in my writing urge would stay this time. Loss of writing ability sometimes feels like the loss of lucidity, and nobody wants that.

Addictions: Movies & Cinemalaya

Cinemalaya Cinco is underway. Due to the very timely rains we've experienced this weekend, I wasn't able to watch as much as I wanted. A whole weekend has passed, and I was only able to view only one movie. I'm planning to get to see more.

In competition this year are ten full-length films and ten shorts exhibited at six major venues of the CCP Complex. The finalists in the full length feature category are:

24K by Ana Agabin,

Ang Nerseri (The Nursery) by Vic Acedillo, Jr.;

Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe by Alvin B. Yapan;

Astig (Mga Batang Kalye) by GB Sampedro;

Colorum by Jon Steffan Ballesteros;

Dinig Sana Kita by Mike E. Sandejas;

Engkwentro by Pepe Diokno;

Last Supper No. 3 by Veronica Velasco and Jinky Laurel;

Mangatyanan (The Blood Trail) by Jerrold Tarog and

Sanglaan by Milo Sogueco.

Of these ten, I was lucky enough to get a ticket to Engkwentro, probably because the ticket seller though I was part of a group of students she sold tickets to outside of the queue. Haha! Unfortunately, I no longer have a student ID to show anyone, which is too bad, for I might have enjoyed a 50% discount had I been a student (wishful thinking, I know, but there it is).

Engkwentro is about Richard (played by Felix Roco) and his woes with his family, his gang and its rivals, and the vigilante group that wants him dead. Tiring of his life as a petty criminal, he plans to elope with his girlfriend and try their luck in Manila. The movie was good, although the camerawork was a bit dizzying, at times whitewashed with solar glare, and at other times completely veiled in shadows, but I guess that was intentional. It sets the mood, somehow, and communicates the idea of the audience as voyeurs to the protagonists' life.

Expect to be shocked with this film's conclusion, which is, I guess, the director's intention.

Another film I'm itching to watch in this year's Cinemalaya is Alvin Yapan's "Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe" (The Rapture of Fe), about an OFW who was forced to return home due to the financial crisis to be met with an abusive husband and the attentions of other men, paranormal or otherwise.

It was unfortunate that the film had already sold out when I was about to purchase a ticket for the 9pm showing. Thankfully, there is still another weekend viewing for the film set for next Saturday. I have already contracted Eyvicat to accompany me with this one, and possibly to another film or two, if schedules (and funds) permit. Come to think of it, maybe a day pass for that day might be a good idea. :-)

For ticket information, please call the CCP Marketing Department at 551-7930 or 832-1125 local 1800 to 1808 and the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or 832-1125 local 1409.

Deadly Sins: Envy and Lust

I've been dying to write something in ages, but I just draw blank everytime I'm facing my computer. For the past few days, my mind is reeling with things I want to write about springing up unexpectedly while I'm at the office, however, seeing as I have deadlines to hurdle, these thoughts are not fully realized, and are inevitably forgotten when I get home. It's frustrating!

To take the edge off things, I surf, and the past week has become a revelation as I discover writers who effortlessly wring my envy button and highten my inferiority complex. I don't want to dwell on that at the moment.

----

Two weeks into its release and Revenge of the Fallen is still a hot topic. Whether you like the film or not, people are united in their lust for Megan. I found this video and it just tickled a funnybone, among other things.

I wonder if the Megan-vision glasses can work for other films, and on other people (now that would be purrfect).

Shirking Responsibilities: Shang

I bailed out from rendering overtime and accompanying an officemate yesterday in order to watch a movie. I was trying to rest my eyes from work by browsing on the internet when I chanced upon an article about the French Film Festival. The movies are for free. Immediately, I texted some friends, asking them if they are interested.

EyviCat and Gentle responded to the affirmative, so we agreed to meet at the Edsa Shangri-La for the movie. I was at the place at around 7pm; the movie will start by 8. But when I got to the ticket booth, an unassuming sign brought despair to my heart: There are no more tickets to the movie we were supposed to watch. As an addendum to that disheartening sign was another note stating that tickets were to be dispensed 2 hours before the scheduled screening. My being an hour early therefore was nothing, for the tickets have run out an hour before I got there. Disappointed, I informed Gentle and EyviCat of the unfortunate incident.

Seeing as we already took the effort to travel to Shangri-La (EyviCat and I came from Makati, Gentle, from Mandaluyong) it would be a waste of effort if we decide to just go home. We agreed to have dinner in the area instead. While waiting for the two of them to get to the area, I entertained myself by going to the bookstore. Good thing there was a nearby Powerbooks, and though their selection was rather slim, it was enough to while the time away, sifting through books and browsing those that have caught my interest. I was able to add another book (or five) to my mental list of books to buy.

At last, dinner. We spent some time deciding on where to eat. The Mall was filled with establishments that I want to try, but those said establishments are also full of customers. I have no patience with the waiting list. After circling the area for food, we decided to dine at the Green Tomato. Incidentally, this was also the first restaurant that EyviCat recommended as good in the area.

With our original plan thwarted, and lacking the drive to establish new plans, we decided to go home after the dinner. I was home at around 11pm. I'm no longer used to going home early.

photocredit

Shatter the Illusion

I was tagged by Victor Gregor, and I am supposed to write 10 random things about me, one of which should be a lie. But then again, there is in the blogsphere a 25 random things happening, and, ambitious that I am, I think I’d like to opt for that, but put in the bit about one being a lie. Not to mention that I’ve been tagged in one of my social networks as well, which means I’m gonna cannibalize this post for all its worth. Haha!

1. I am a pencil-pusher, a numbers-cruncher, a table-hugger, a bookkeeper. I am an accountant, but that is just my work.

2. Work is one of my addictions. I am known to work for ten to sixteen hours a day, especially when deadlines are about. Thankfully, I’m trying to lessen it.

3. IT is one of my favorite books by Stephen King, about a monster who feeds on the fears and lives of children, and the group of misfits who defeated him. The story takes place 35 years after they first defeated the monster, and now, IT is back to take revenge. The novel has also been made into a movie for TV.

4. TV has been out of my system for more than two years now, which is big, considering I was such a couch potato. I don’t really miss it, except for Discovery Channel and cartoons.

5. Cartoons and anime has been part of my life since I can remember; from The Flying House to Visionaries, and now, Avatar and Bleach. Now that I don’t watch TV, most of my cartoon fix come from my local pirate shop.

6. Shopping doesn’t really do it for me. I don’t get the emotional high or the rush other people experience when they shop for clothes and shoes. I get more excited when I go to the hardware shop, and more so when I go to the bookstore. That’s the reason why I have more books.

7. Booksale is my favorite place, ever. I always go to their store, wherever there is one. More than half my collection of hardbound books has come from this store. And seeing as this is my third bit about books, I have just effectively typified myself as the classic nerd/bookworm. I think I should really stop this kind of talk.

8. Talking is the least of my talents. I get easily tongue-tied, and I stutter. I am also prone to talking to inanimate objects, especially to my office computer and photocopier, whenever it malfunctions; or to electronic doors, when it wouldn’t let me pass.

9. Passive-aggressiveness is another trait I am not proud of, but am prone to practicing.

10. Practicing my profession as a CPA has always been nagged at me. People see it as such a waste that I passed the board, but I don’t practice. People also nag me about my apprehension to study law, stating that being a CPA-Lawyer is da bomb!

11. Bomb-making using common kitchen ingredients has become a hobby of mine ever since I watched the movie Fight Club, and intensified when I read Chuck Palahniuk’s novel.

12. Novelty songs should be banned. They have no intrinsic and artistic values whatsoever. Also, it promotes low IQ. I mean, come on, what does boom-tarat-tarat mean?

13. Meanings – whether blatant or hidden – of words and its etymology has been a pass-time for me since high school. We used to have an encyclopedic dictionary at home and I can kill hours poring over it, looking for words and learning its definitions. I was prone to reading that till I hurt my eyes.

14. My eyesight, though far from perfect, is still manageable. I did own a pair of glasses once, which I started wearing while I was reviewing for the board exam, but the frame got broken after a couple of years. I bought a second pair after that, but that too, got broken. I haven’t bothered myself to buy a new one.

15. One of the pets we have now is a dachshund, which my brother christened Odie. My niece has a pet as well, a half-breed mix of dachshund and pincher, called Cosmo. Odie and Cosmo live at the topmost floor of our house, playing tag, humping each other, and basically driving my mom bonkers with the mess they create.

16. Creating attempts at poetry is an activity that is, sadly, becoming farther and farther from being practiced nowadays. I used to churn out half-decent lines during high school thru college, but unfortunately, I think my muse got lost along the way.

17. Way back in high school, we were subdivided into “shops”, where each shop has a technical specialty, like Industrial Drafting, or Mechanical Engineering. My shop specialized in Electrical Engineering, and, upon graduation, we were awarded, aside from our academic diploma, a technical diploma which certified us as apprentice-level electricians. Whatever I learned back then was somehow lost during college.

18. College days were not spent boozing and partying, as the typical college-themed movie would have us believe. Somehow it was spent studying, with only the occasional party to break the monotony. Unfortunately, said party is rather tame, for most of my blockmates suffer from what I call the Cinderella Complex, meaning, they have to be home before the clock strikes twelve.

19. Twelve things you will find in my room: 1) a shoe rack hanging at the back of the door; 2) a mask I borrowed two Christmases ago, but haven’t returned yet; 3) a study table that’s full of clutter, there’s no place there to study; 4) a bookshelf filled, half with books, and half with assorted knick knacks I never bothered to clean; 5) a toiletry bag hanging on the door knob; 6) a winter jacket I use when entering the store’s walk-in freezer; 7) a laundry basket brimming with at least a week’s worth of dirty laundry 8) two green umbrellas, one of which is broken 9) a bed with six pillows and a comforter; 10) a steam iron I use for my clothes; 11) two dream catcher pendants hanging on my bedpost; 12) a native rain-summoning device my mom got from Palawan.

20. Palawan is one of those local places I have always dreamt of going to, but have never gone to. Going there seems far more expensive than going to Boracay. But still, one should be able to experience going to the underground river, at least once in your lifetime.

21. Timepieces have no appeal for me. I no longer own a watch, and the last time I owned one was during freshman high school. It was a digital talking watch that tells you the time in a funny accent and has an alarm that crows like a rooster.

22. Rooster is my Chinese Zodiac sign, although when you look at some calendars, they point out that my year of birth is a Dog year. This is because I was born before the Chinese New Year, which follows the lunar cycle.

23. Cycling (that is, bicycling, motor biking or mountain biking) is an activity that is unknown to me. I never learned how to ride a bike, or anything on just two wheels. There was a time way, way back, that I tried, but I failed, and landed on my back.

24. Back aches are a common thing for me, thanks to my scoliosis. I’ve had it since I was little, but I have never once had it checked. If you’re going to grade me in guts, I guess my grade would be poor.

25. Poor Man’s Grave is my favorite song by the Eraserheads. You can’t beat those lyrics and that guitar intro! Other favorites include Anggun’s Snow on the Sahara; John Mayer’s Love Song for No One; Annie Lenox’s Into the West (from the soundtrack of Return of the King); Incubus’ Pardon Me; The Verb Pipe’s Bittersweet Symphony (from the soundtrack of Cruel Intentions); Linkin Park’s Crawling; Evanescence’s Bring Me to Life; Paula Cole’s I don’t Want to Wait; and Korn’s Freak on a Leash.


So there you have it, 25 things about me. So I guess you know more about me. But then, again, you don’t know me at all. Haha!

Cinemalaya 09: The Rapture of Fe

Cinemalaya has been hailed by some as the most important film festival in the country today. It plays host to limitless independent talent, and it isn't surprising that films that are finalists in the Cinemalaya find their way -- and win -- in most international film festivals.

Last year's film 100 found its way to the Pusan International Film Festival and won the Audience Choice Award, while Pisay from Cinemalaya 2007 won for itself the Grand Jury and Audience Choice Awards from the 14th Vesoul International Film Festival.

This year, Cinemalaya will showcase as one of its ten finalists, Alvin Yapan's The Rapture of Fe.

"The film stars critically acclaimed stage and film actress, Irma Adlawan as Fe, a former OFW forced to come home due to the negative effects of the global financial crisis. Coming home, she is met by her husband’s resentment and subsequently, his abusive nature.

Dante, Fe’s husband will be played by Nonie Buencamino. Her loyalty to her husband now becomes oppressive as a younger lover, Arturo played by television star TJ Trinidad, offers a fantasy for escape. Amidst all these, baskets of black fruits keep appearing mysteriously by their doorstep.

In a society where violence still remains unimaginably real and covertly present and an economy that has become dependent upon the fruits of her labor, the film attempts to redefine the concept of freedom for the Filipina who has to rely on her imagination to survive." (theraptureoffe.com)

Visit their website here and witness how an artist's vision is translated into cinema. You can also help in achieving the artist's goal by donating to their cause. Producing a film is no cheap feat, after all.

Shirking Responsibilities: A Year of Movies and Stuff

38 movies, 1 concert, 2 plays, 1 cheerdance competition; and it still doesn't quite sum up what I had been up to the past year. It was fast; it was fun; it was tiring; it was heart-breaking at times... but it certainly wasn't boring.

I am reminded of a line from Ally McBeal by John Cage: "If you look back at your year, and it doesn't make you shed a tear -- whether happy or sad -- then consider that year wasted." I may have done quite a few (well... a lot actually) mistakes during 2008, but wasted, it isn't.

I just hope that I remember my lessons and not repeat those same mistakes.

Here's hoping for a better year than the year that was past... even though it's a month late in the celebrating.

The Day of the Anti-Christ

Today is June 6, 2006. In numerical terms: 06-06-06, or put simply, 666. Yup, the Dragon's number (I say dragon for you wont find the words satan, demon, or anti-christ anywhere in the Revelation; the author uses that word: dragon), and everyone is, in their own quirky ways, fidgety about today. Some even reacting to the point where they think armageddon would strike at any moment today. And some are acting like they would on a Friday-the-Thirteenth; as if any action would cause their misfortune, or worse, demise. Funny how that thinking came about...


Today also marks the release of a film; which i believe is a remake of some old 80s shocker; The Omen. I must say, that film is really capitalizing on the common peon's paranoia. Here we have a boy, born on the fateful day of the triple sixes, who exhibits a propensity for homicide but executes it so seamlessly that it would always look like an accident. Then the clerics come and announce to the doting parents that their son is indeed the anti-christ, as evidenced by the cute little birthmark shaped like a circle of sixes. I never got to see how that movie ended, and I don't think I will see how the remake ends as well. I just don't have the patience for watching the film.


I do not have anything against superstitious people, but letting superstition run (or more likely, ruin) your life is just not acceptable. It shouldn't be common fare. Sure, heed the old'un's advise, but at least look into its logic. Blind obedience is so passe.


published on friendster blog June 6, 2006