July 30, 2010

INCEPTION tops Manila movie sales in just 2 weeks!

Excellent word-of-mouth and multiple viewings have driven Warner Bros.’ sci-fi thriller Inception to a remarkable P60.88-million gross nationwide after two weeks of release (July 15 to 28). This was announced today by Francis Soliven, general manager of Warner Bros. Philippines.

“Inception” posted a respectable P22-M gross in its first weekend, and in a rare development, earned bigger receipts in its second weekend with P23.32-million. Most titles strike with their biggest hauls during the first weekend, and go steadily down as the weeks pass.

“The film’s exceptional business is being powered by recommendations from those who’ve seen it and curiosity from those who haven’t,” noted Soliven. “Everyone’s talking about it, and in some cases, arguing over certain points about the story! It has clearly transcended the big screen.”

The cinemas that registered the biggest receipts are SM Mall of Asia (P4.25-M), Trinoma (P4.15-M), SM North EDSA (P3.70-M), Power Plant (P3.25-M), Greenbelt 3 (P2.90-M), Glorietta 4 (P2.76-M), SM Megamall (P2.40-M) and Gateway (P2.37-M).

Also earning huge grosses are Theatremall (P1.96-M), Alabang Town Center (P1.83-M), Shang Cineplex (P1.82-M), Robinsons Ermita (P1.68-M), SM Cebu (P1.40-M), Robinsons Galleria (P1.18-M), Festival (P1.06-M), Market! Market! (P889,788), SM San Lazaro (P883,250), SM Marikina (P825,854).

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan, “Inception” is an original sci-fi actioner that travels around the globe and into the intimate and infinite world of dreams.

In the film, Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a skilled thief, the best in the dangerous art of extraction: stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb’s rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible—inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse; their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime.

Still playing across the Philippines in IMAX, Digital 2D and regular format, Inception is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

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July 29, 2010

translation services for global competency

the world today requires fluency in different languages. there are hundreds of languages and dialects and it is has become a trend to adapt to the place where one tongue is acceptable. and so you have to know the dialect of that place in order to blend in. this is also essential in business transactions when you try to venture out of the country so you and your potential market won't get alienated.

reading books is not enough. you have to hear and listen how a language is delivered. you need translation services in order to know the correct pronunciation of a word or a phrase. for one, Translia offers professional translation services for those who seek it. editing, proofreading are additional services when translation is needed.

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July 28, 2010

lessons in life from MASTER CLASS - review

it's just like being a student again. i remember the terror teachers that whom i am thankful for their existence. without them, i have not learned to what i am today. as MARIA CALLAS would say, one must possess MUT, COURAGIO. posture, breathe, relax and feel what you are doing.

though teachers may be strict. they also got humor to make an attachment with the students. they want you to feel the worth of what you are doing and don't have the attitude of letting it pass. it's good that they deliver humor at times. it's not just that they need it, they love it. and imparting their knowledge and experiences before they become what they are, is one of the great things that they can be proud of.

Philippine Opera Company has staged MASTER CLASS again. i am so happy that i was able to see it featuring Philippines' own La Divina, Cherie Gil as Maria Callas -- the famous soprano and opera star of her time.


Cherie Gil immortalized Maria Callas in our hearts. although contemporary music has overpowered classical and opera, anyone should see it. and i guarantee pure entertainment and lessons in life which you can actually feel Maria Callas talking to you. how she handled it, her despair, her strength, and ambitions. just like any other ordinary person.

i, myself thought that i won't enjoy but i loved it! i hope everybody catches it.

Philippine Opera Company presents MASTER CLASS by Terrence McNally starring Ms. Cherie Gil, directed by Michael Williams running from July 29 to _____ at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

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EWAN MCGREGOR INTERVIEW for THE GHOST WRITER

Ewan McGregor (Angels & Demons, Star Wars trilogy, Moulin Rouge) portrays a successful British ghostwriter who stumbles upon a shocking truth while writing his latest project, in Oscar-winner Roman Polanski’s searing mystery thriller The Ghost Writer. Winner of the Best Director Prize at the 2010 Berlin Film Festival, The Ghost Writer will be shown exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas (Glorietta 4 & Greenbelt 3) starting August 4.

In the film, when the mysterious writer named only as The Ghost (McGregor) agrees to complete the memoirs of former British Prime Minister Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan), his agent assures him it's the opportunity of a lifetime. But the project seems doomed from the start -- not least because his predecessor on the project, Lang's long-term aide, died in an unfortunate accident.

The acclaimed actor talks about the intriguing film in the following interview:

Question: When you first were offered The Ghost Writer, were you familiar with the novel?

Ewan McGregor: I read the novel after I read the script. When you get an offer from Roman [Polanski], that's one of your better days and I liked it so much, I read the book. I saw the character of The Ghost really clearly when I read him in the script and I knew that Roman had written the script with [novelist] Robert Harris so I knew that they'd been involved in that together. So I trusted that it was the adaptation that they both wanted. In a way, that's perfect. You might not even bother with the book.

Q: Were you tempted to not read it to avoid subconsciously cribbing from the book?

McGregor: I have done that in the past where reading the book is just not that helpful, but I spoke to Robert about the way I wanted to play him. I would've just played him with my [Scottish] accent but Robert didn't want him to be from Scotland because of the reference to [Prime Minister Adam] Lang's family being Scottish. I still don't think it would have made much difference, but he didn't want that. But once I'd read the script, I had him in my head so I suppose that's who I saw when I read the book. I was just seeing the same guy.

Q: You were quoted as saying that Polanski is always giving actors interesting notes on their performances. What did you learn from him in this regard?

McGregor: He's always pushing you. The first scene we shot on the first day lasted 22 hours. Just on and on and on. Whenever there's a new set or new location or new actor, it would take Roman a little while to warm up and get it in his head how we were going to shoot it. He said to Tim [Preece, who plays Roy] about one line, "When you say that line, be a little moved" and nobody quite knew what he meant. Sometimes you think with Polanski it's just a whim -- just what's flitted through his head -- but it was a genius note. I just found he was always pushing to find the truth. Some of the lines I delivered because they're how he wanted me to deliver them, not necessarily how I would have done it myself.

Q: Are you worried that external events will alter how the film is perceived?

McGregor: I hope not, but I don't know the answer to that question. My hope is that the film is viewed for the film's sake and the people that might not go and see it because of Polanski's situation might not have gone to see it anyway. But of course I would never dream of telling people what to do or think. That's not for me to say.

Q: When you read the script, how much of the political message informed your decision to take the role?

McGregor: When I first read it, I didn't see the bigger political picture. I was looking at it through The Ghost's eyes and I'm not political. I'm really not very interested in politicians. I just find it really boring.

Q: Like The Ghost?

McGregor: Yeah, that was quite handy. So I wasn't as aware as I am now about the political message in it but I really agree with it. I'm delighted that it says that our politicians should be answerable for their actions. There's a political relationship at the center of the film between Lang and his ex-Cabinet Minister who's now getting him into trouble and the idea that politicians are just back-biting and not to be trusted is probably pretty dead-on.

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love in the middle of everything with GOING THE DISTANCE

Even in the age of Skype, texting and e-mail -- technology designed to bring people closer -- long distance communication can be an emotional minefield, more so for lovers. That’s the dilemma tackled in New Line Cinema’s new romantic comedy Going the Distance starring Drew Barrymore and Justin Long.

In the film, Erin ’s (Barrymore) wry wit and unfiltered frankness charm newly single Garrett (Long) over beer, bar trivia and breakfast the next morning. Their chemistry sparks a full-fledged summer fling, but neither expects it to last once Erin heads home to San Francisco and Garrett stays behind for his job in New York City. But when six weeks of romping through the city inadvertently become meaningful, neither is sure they want it to end.


Barrymore was drawn to the project by the lack of artifice in the script by first-time screenwriter Geoff LaTulippe and its frank portrayal of the real life complexities of contemporary romance. “I can relate to that feeling when you’re just super excited and you want to call someone, and it’s too late, their time, and you can’t,” she describes. “Or you want to cry to someone, but you can’t because they’re out with their friends and you don’t want to spoil their time, so you have to put it in a box and save it for another time. I think that same sort of feeling can happen in people that live in the same city. These are just interesting aspects to explore in a relationship—timing and how you make it function, and their friends versus your friends.”

The script’s unaffected style is a perfect fit for Nanette Burstein, an Academy Award-nominated filmmaker for the 1999 documentary On the Ropes making her feature filmmaking debut. “Coming from documentaries, where I am capturing real life, I wanted the movie to feel as real as possible,” she comments. “The script is very honest and extremely witty. A lot of romantic comedies are often more fantasy, a fairytale. I think there is more of a reality to this film.”

The trials and triumphs of a long distance relationship are especially familiar to the cast and crew, all of whom work in a profession that requires constant traveling. “I’ve been in a long distance relationship my entire life because of my job,” Barrymore reveals. “Anyone who travels for their job knows how it is, that feeling of having to make everything great in a weekend because that’s all you have for a little while. Some people really like to know what their day is or their next month is or their future is. Other people aren’t like that. I just want to take things a little more day-by-day or month-by-month. There really are no rules. It’s very individual. Each couple has to figure out what works for them.”

Distance can add a certain unreality to a relationship. Getting to know someone through the ups and downs of daily interaction is replaced with an idealized projection, a perception based on e-mails and phone calls, or static memories. “There’s still a fantasy quality to a long distance relationship, but the closer you get the harder it is to maintain this fantasy,” says Burstein. “This film is extremely relatable to modern society because women are in the workforce almost as much as men now. People have to move all the time because of their jobs. It happens all the time. But you can’t help it when and where you fall in love.”

Ultimately, the most crucial and perhaps most challenging aspect of a long distance relationship is staying connected. “I prefer writing letters to sending e-mail,” Barrymore offers. “Technology definitely helps,” agrees producer Jennifer Gibgot, “but at the end of the day, nothing really replaces that person standing next to you in the flesh.”

Opening soon across the Philippines , Going the Distance is a New Line Cinema production, and distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

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GREEN LANTERN posters revealed!

Warner Bros. has just unveiled four Mini Character One-Sheets for its upcoming 3D action adventure Green Lantern!

The individual posters feature the following characters:

Hal Jordan / Green Lantern (Ryan Reynolds) -- a gifted and cocky test pilot who is the first human ever selected to be part of the elite Green Lantern Corps.
Carol Ferris (Blake Lively) -- a test pilot and the heir apparent to her father’s aviation company.


Hector Hammond (Peter Sarsgaard) -- a brilliant scientist, and
Sinestro (Mark Strong) -- Jordan’s powerful mentor in the Green Lantern Corps.


Bringing the enduringly popular superhero to the big screen for the first time, Green Lantern is directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale) from a screenplay by Greg Berlanti & Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim and Michael Goldenberg, story by Greg Berlanti & Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim, based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics.

The film is currently scheduled for release in 3D and 2D worldwide beginning June 16, 2011. Green Lantern will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

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July 27, 2010

ADAM SANDLER's new funny kicks

In Columbia Pictures’ new hit comedy Grown Ups, America’s favorite funnyman Adam Sandler plays Lenny Feder, who was once the ringleader-of-sorts among his childhood buddies, the one who could convince the others to do the silly things kids do. He’s since grown up to be a wheeling, dealing Hollywood agent.

Sandler stars with Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade and Rob Schneider who all play best friends when they were young kids and are now getting together with their families on the Fourth of July weekend for the first time in thirty years. Picking up where they left off, they discover that growing older doesn’t mean growing up.

Was Sandler worried before starting production that there would be any unhealthy one-upmanship amongst the stars? “No, no,” he says. “I think we might have been competitive in our 20s, but that’s the beauty of doing a movie together in our 40s.”

Grown Ups director Dennis Dugan and Sandler have worked together many times and enjoy their collaboration. Dugan admits, “It’s very fun and very challenging. I always thought I was the hardest worker on earth until I met Adam and then I realized that I was at best second. Like this one – Adam thought up the movie, co-wrote the movie, stars in the movie, and produces the movie, so he’s pretty involved. He’s very challenging – he always wants your work to be fresh, new, and creative.”

Adam has enjoyed phenomenal success as an actor, writer, producer and musician. His films have grossed almost $3 billion worldwide and include the recent box office smashes Bedtime Stories for Walt Disney Studios; Sony Pictures’ You Don’t Mess with the Zohan and Universal’s comedy I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry.

Sandler was most recently seen in Universal’s Funny People, written and directed by Judd Apatow and starring with Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Erica Bana, Jonah Hill and Jason Schwartzman. Next year, Sandler will star in Sony’s Just Go With It, opposite Jennifer Aniston, and will lend his voice for Sony’s comedy Zookeeper alongside Kevin James, Jon Favreau, Sylvester Stallone, Faizon Love, Leslie Bibb and Rosario Dawson.

Previously, Sandler has been seen in the starring role opposite Don Cheadle in Sony’s Reign Over Me for director Mike Binder and the box-office hits Click, starring with Kate Beckinsale, and The Longest Yard, starring with Chris Rock and Burt Reynolds. He also starred in James L. Brooks’ Spanglish, opposite Tea Leoni; the romantic comedy 50 First Dates, with Drew Barrymore; Anger Management, with Jack Nicholson; and Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch-Drunk Love, for which he received a Best Actor Golden Globe nomination.

Opening soon across the Philippines, Grown Ups is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and like the fanpage to get the latest movie news, video clips and contests.

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garden ideas from E-Planters

i've always wanted to grow plants but i admit that i don't have the time to do it. i wish that if i was still a student and don't have anything to worry, i would rather grow plants in my own home. it should have been my hobby, not only that i help to the environment, i also breathe in fresh air at my window. that's a great way to start the day.

planting is just putting in greens in the area but it's nice that you can play along with them. and you don't have to be a professional gardener, instead you can use planters to organize your plants. it's good that E-Planters.com have a variety of planters which you can use.

you may opt to use a colorful planter for your cute flowering plants and place it in plain corner to accessorize. you have a nice accent to your home, and your guests might like it too.

E-Planters.com offers a wide array of planters which you can also personalize. also, it is cheap and there's no shipment fee for delivery. try it and decorate your home while loving the environment.

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July 26, 2010

SALT movie review

Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) is a CIA agent which is a Russian spy undercover assigned to kill the Russian president during his visit at the United States. trained and carefully planned by her colleagues, she was fortunate enough to do her job.

but on the other hand, she was also being used by radical Russian ambition to take over and gain power against American power by threatening international security. since she is an asset to the group, they kidnapped and killed her husband as lure to bring her back. but Salt had other plans in mind.

thus, Evelyn Salt has to take herself into exile from the security measures to keep herself alive and bring justice to her husband.

Sony International Pictures packed Salt with extreme action stunts done by Angelina Jolie herself. honestly i wasn't that satisfied seeing Salt. but it is way too far as they wanted to achieve that James Bond appreciation. Lara Croft will still be a better movie for Jolie in terms of action. i expected even more extreme action but from what you see in the trailer, those i think are the best parts. story wise, it was like any other police or CIA or FBI or INTERPOL chases halting terrorist threats.

if you want to see SALT, it opens on July 28, 2010 in theaters nationwide by Sony International Pictures.

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President Noynoy Aquino's first SONA transcript

Transcript of the State of the Nation Address of President Benigno S. Aquino III to the Congress of the Philippines delivered today, June 26, 2010. this is also the first time that SONA is delivered in full-Filipino language.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte; Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; Vice President Jejomar Binay; Chief Justice Renato Corona; Former Presidents Fidel Valdez Ramos and Joseph Ejercito Estrada; members of the House of Representatives and the Senate; distinguished members of the diplomatic corps; my fellow workers in government;

Mga minamahal kong kababayan:

Sa bawat sandali po ng pamamahala ay nahaharap tayo sa isang sangandaan.

Sa isang banda po ay ang pagpili para sa ikabubuti ng taumbayan. Ang pagtanaw sa interes ng nakakarami; ang pagkapit sa prinsipyo; at ang pagiging tapat sa sinumpaan nating tungkulin bilang lingkod-bayan. Ito po ang tuwid na daan.

Sa kabilang banda ay ang pag-una sa pansariling interes. Ang pagpapaalipin sa pulitikal na konsiderasyon, at pagsasakripisyo ng kapakanan ng taumbayan. Ito po ang baluktot na daan.

Matagal pong naligaw ang pamahalaan sa daang baluktot. Araw-araw po, lalong lumilinaw sa akin ang lawak ng problemang ating namana. Damang-dama ko ang bigat ng aking responsibilidad.

Sa unang tatlong linggo ng aming panunungkulan, marami po kaming natuklasan. Nais ko pong ipahayag sa inyo ang iilan lamang sa mga namana nating suliranin at ang ginagawa naming hakbang para lutasin ang mga ito.

Sulyap lamang po ito; hindi pa ito ang lahat ng problemang haharapin natin. Inilihim at sadyang iniligaw ang sambayanan sa totoong kalagayan ng ating bansa.

Sa unang anim na buwan ng taon, mas malaki ang ginastos ng gobyerno kaysa sa pumasok na kita. Lalong lumaki ang deficit natin, na umakyat na sa 196.7 billion pesos. Sa target na kuleksyon, kinapos tayo ng 23.8 billion pesos; ang tinataya namang gastos, nalagpasan natin ng 45.1 billion pesos.

Ang budget po sa 2010 ay 1.54 trillion pesos.

Nasa isandaang bilyong piso o anim at kalahating porsyento na lang ng kabuuan ang malaya nating magagamit para sa nalalabing anim na buwan ng taong ito.

Halos isang porsyento na lang po ng kabuuang budget ang natitira para sa bawat buwan.

Saan naman po dinala ang pera?

Naglaan ng dalawang bilyong piso na Calamity Fund bilang paghahanda para sa mga kalamidad na hindi pa nangyayari. Napakaliit na nga po ng pondong ito, ngunit kapapasok pa lang natin sa panahon ng baha at bagyo, 1.4 billion pesos o sitenta porsyento na ang nagastos.

Sa kabuuan ng 108 million pesos para sa lalawigan ng Pampanga, 105 million pesos nito ay napunta sa iisang distrito lamang. Samantala, ang lalawigan ng Pangasinan na sinalanta ng Pepeng ay nakatanggap ng limang milyong piso lamang para sa pinsalang idinulot ng bagyong Cosme, na nangyari noong 2008 pa.

Ibinigay po ang pondo ng Pampanga sa buwan ng eleksyon, pitong buwan pagkatapos ng Ondoy at Pepeng. Paano kung bumagyo bukas? Inubos na ang pondo nito para sa bagyong nangyari noong isang taon pa. Pagbabayaran ng kinabukasan ang kasakiman ng nakaraan.

Ganyan din po ang nangyari sa pondo ng MWSS. Kamakailan lamang, pumipila ang mga tao para lang makakuha ng tubig. Sa kabila nito, minabuti pa ng liderato ng MWSS na magbigay ng gantimpala sa sarili kahit hindi pa nababayaran ang pensyon ng mga retiradong empleyado.

Noong 2009, ang buong payroll ng MWSS ay 51.4 million pesos. Pero hindi lang naman po ito ang sahod nila; may mga additional allowances at benefits pa sila na aabot sa 160.1 million pesos. Sa madaling sabi, nakatanggap sila ng 211.5 million pesos noong nakaraang taon. Beinte-kuwatro porsyento lang nito ang normal na sahod, at sitenta’y sais porsyento ang dagdag.

Ang karaniwang manggagawa hanggang 13th month pay plus cash gift lang ang nakukuha. Sa MWSS, aabot sa katumbas ng mahigit sa tatlumpung buwan ang sahod kasama na ang lahat ng mga bonuses at allowances na nakuha nila.

Mas matindi po ang natuklasan natin sa pasahod ng kanilang Board of Trustees. Tingnan po natin ang mga allowances na tinatanggap nila:

Umupo ka lang sa Board of Trustees at Board Committee meeting, katorse mil na. Aabot ng nobenta’y otso mil ito kada buwan. May grocery incentive pa sila na otsenta mil kada taon.

Hindi lang iyon: may mid-year bonus, productivity bonus, anniversary bonus, year-end bonus, at Financial Assistance. May Christmas bonus na, may Additional Christmas Package pa. Kada isa sa mga ito, nobenta’y otso mil.

Sa suma total po, aabot ang lahat ng dalawa’t kalahating milyong piso kada taon sa bawat miyembro ng Board maliban sa pakotse, technical assistance, at pautang. Uulitin ko po. Lahat ng ito ay ibinibigay nila sa kanilang mga sarili habang hindi pa nababayaran ang mga pensyon ng kanilang mga retirees.

Pati po ang La Mesa Watershed ay hindi nila pinatawad. Para magkaroon ng tamang supply ng tubig, kailangang alagaan ang mga watershed. Sa watershed, puno ang kailangan. Pati po iyon na dapat puno ang nakatayo, tinayuan nila ng bahay para sa matataas na opisyal ng MWSS.

Hindi naman sila agad maaalis sa puwesto dahil kabilang sila sa mga Midnight Appointees ni dating Pangulong Arroyo. Iniimbestigahan na natin ang lahat nang ito. Kung mayroon pa silang kahit kaunting hiya na natitira: sana kusa na lang silang magbitiw sa puwesto.

Pag-usapan naman po natin ang pondo para sa imprastruktura. Tumukoy ang DPWH ng dalawandaan apatnapu’t anim na priority safety projects na popondohan ng Motor Vehicle Users Charge. Mangangailangan po ito ng budget na 425 million pesos.

Ang pinondohan po, dalawampu’t walong proyekto lang. Kinalimutan po ang dalawandaan at labing walong proyekto at pinalitan ng pitumpung proyekto na wala naman sa plano. Ang hininging 425 million pesos, naging 480 million pesos pa, lumaki lalo dahil sa mga proyektong sa piling-piling mga benepisyaryo lang napunta.

Mga proyekto po itong walang saysay, hindi pinag-aralan at hindi pinaghandaan, kaya parang kabuteng sumusulpot.

Tapos na po ang panahon para dito. Sa administrasyon po natin, walang kota-kota, walang tongpats, ang pera ng taumbayan ay gagastusin para sa taumbayan lamang.

Meron pa po tayong natuklasan. Limang araw bago matapos ang termino ng nakaraang administrasyon, nagpautos silang maglabas ng 3.5 billion pesos para sa rehabilitasyon ng mga nasalanta nina Ondoy at Pepeng.

Walumpu’t anim na proyekto ang paglalaanan dapat nito na hindi na sana idadaan sa public bidding. Labingsiyam sa mga ito na nagkakahalaga ng 981 million pesos ang muntik nang makalusot. Hindi pa nailalabas ang Special Allotment Release Order ay pirmado na ang mga kontrata.

Buti na lang po ay natuklasan at pinigilan ito ni Secretary Rogelio Singson ng DPWH. Ngayon po ay dadaan na ang kabuuan ng 3.5 billion pesos sa tapat na bidding, at magagamit na ang pondo na ito sa pagbibigay ng lingap sa mga nawalan ng tahanan dahil kina Ondoy at Pepeng.

Pag-usapan naman natin ang nangyari sa NAPOCOR. Noong 2001 hanggang 2004, pinilit ng gobyerno ang NAPOCOR na magbenta ng kuryente nang palugi para hindi tumaas ang presyo. Tila ang dahilan: pinaghahandaan na nila ang eleksyon.

Dahil dito, noong 2004, sumagad ang pagkakabaon sa utang ng NAPOCOR. Napilitan ang pambansang gobyerno na sagutin ang dalawandaang bilyong pisong utang nito.

Ang inakala ng taumbayan na natipid nila sa kuryente ay binabayaran din natin mula sa kaban ng bayan. May gastos na tayo sa kuryente, binabayaran pa natin ang dagdag na pagkakautang ng gobyerno.

Kung naging matino ang pag-utang, sana’y nadagdagan ang ating kasiguruhan sa supply ng kuryente. Pero ang desisyon ay ibinatay sa maling pulitika, at hindi sa pangangailangan ng taumbayan. Ang taumbayan, matapos pinagsakripisyo ay lalo pang pinahirapan.

Ganito rin po ang nangyari sa MRT. Sinubukan na namang bilhin ang ating pagmamahal. Pinilit ang operator na panatilihing mababa ang pamasahe.

Hindi tuloy nagampanan ang garantiyang ibinigay sa operator na mababawi nila ang kanilang puhunan. Dahil dito, inutusan ang Landbank at Development Bank of the Philippines na bilhin ang MRT.

Ang pera ng taumbayan, ipinagpalit sa isang naluluging operasyon.

Dumako naman po tayo sa pondo ng NFA.

Noong 2004: 117,000 metric tons ang pagkukulang ng supply ng Pilipinas. Ang binili nila, 900,000 metric tons. Kahit ulitin mo pa ng mahigit pitong beses ang pagkukulang, sobra pa rin ang binili nila.

Noong 2007: 589,000 metric tons ang pagkukulang ng supply sa Pilipinas. Ang binili nila, 1.827 million metric tons. Kahit ulitin mo pa ng mahigit tatlong beses ang pagkukulang, sobra na naman ang binili nila.

Ang masakit nito, dahil sobra-sobra ang binibili nila taun-taon, nabubulok lang pala sa mga kamalig ang bigas, kagaya ng nangyari noong 2008.

Hindi po ba krimen ito, na hinahayaan nilang mabulok ang bigas, sa kabila ng apat na milyong Pilipinong hindi kumakain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw?

Ang resulta nito, umabot na sa 171.6 billion pesos ang utang ng NFA noong Mayo ng taong ito.

Ang tinapon na ito, halos puwede na sanang pondohan ang mga sumusunod:

Ang budget ng buong Hudikatura, na 12.7 billion pesos sa taong ito.

Ang Conditional Cash Transfers para sa susunod na taon, na nagkakahalaga ng 29.6 billion pesos.

Ang lahat ng classroom na kailangan ng ating bansa, na nagkakahalaga ng 130 billion pesos.

Kasuklam-suklam ang kalakarang ito. Pera na, naging bato pa.

Narinig po ninyo kung paano nilustay ang kaban ng bayan. Ang malinaw po sa ngayon: ang anumang pagbabago ay magmumula sa pagsiguro natin na magwawakas na ang pagiging maluho at pagwawaldas.

Kaya nga po mula ngayon: ititigil na natin ang paglulustay sa salapi ng bayan. Tatanggalin natin ang mga proyektong mali.

Ito po ang punto ng tinatawag nating zero-based approach sa ating budget. Ang naging kalakaran po, taun-taon ay inuulit lamang ang budget na puno ng tagas. Dadagdagan lang nang konti, puwede na.

Sa susunod na buwan ay maghahain tayo ng budget na kumikilala nang tama sa mga problema, at magtutuon din ng pansin sa tamang solusyon.

Ilan lang ito sa mga natuklasan nating problema. Heto naman po ang ilang halimbawa ng mga hakbang na ginagawa natin.

Nandiyan po ang kaso ng isang may-ari ng sanglaan. Bumili siya ng sasakyang tinatayang nasa dalawampu’t anim na milyong piso ang halaga.

Kung kaya mong bumili ng Lamborghini, bakit hindi mo kayang magbayad ng buwis?

Nasampahan na po ito ng kaso. Sa pangunguna nina Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares at Customs Commissioner Lito Alvarez, bawat linggo po ay may bago tayong kasong isinasampa kontra sa mga smuggler at sa mga hindi nagbabayad ng tamang buwis.

Natukoy na rin po ang salarin sa mga kaso nina Francisco Baldomero, Jose Daguio at Miguel Belen, tatlo sa anim na insidente ng extralegal killings mula nang umupo tayo.

Singkuwenta porsyento po ng mga insidente ng extralegal killings ang patungo na sa kanilang resolusyon.

Ang natitira pong kalahati ay hindi natin tatantanan ang pag-usig hanggang makamit ang katarungan.

Pananagutin natin ang mga mamamatay-tao. Pananagutin din natin ang mga corrupt sa gobyerno.

Nagsimula nang mabuo ang ating Truth Commission, sa pangunguna ni dating Chief Justice Hilario Davide. Hahanapin natin ang katotohanan sa mga nangyari diumanong katiwalian noong nakaraang siyam na taon.

Sa loob ng linggong ito, pipirmahan ko ang kauna-unahang Executive Order na nagtatalaga sa pagbuo nitong Truth Commission.

Kung ang sagot sa kawalan ng katarungan ay pananagutan, ang sagot naman sa kakulangan natin sa pondo ay mga makabago at malikhaing paraan para tugunan ang mga pagkatagal-tagal nang problema.

Napakarami po ng ating pangangailangan: mula sa edukasyon, imprastruktura, pangkalusugan, pangangailangan ng militar at kapulisan, at marami pang iba. Hindi kakasya ang pondo para mapunan ang lahat ng ito.

Kahit gaano po kalaki ang kakulangan para mapunan ang mga listahan ng ating pangangailangan, ganado pa rin ako dahil marami nang nagpakita ng panibagong interes at kumpyansa sa Pilipinas.

Ito ang magiging solusyon: mga Public-Private Partnerships. Kahit wala pa pong pirmahang nangyayari dito, masasabi kong maganda ang magiging bunga ng maraming usapin ukol dito.

May mga nagpakita na po ng interes, gustong magtayo ng expressway na mula Maynila, tatahak ng Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, hanggang sa dulo ng Cagayan Valley nang hindi gugugol ang estado kahit na po piso.

Sa larangan ng ating Sandatahang Lakas:

Mayroon po tayong 36,000 nautical miles ng baybayin. Ang mayroon lamang tayo: tatlumpu’t dalawang barko. Itong mga barkong ito, panahon pa ni MacArthur.

May nagmungkahi sa atin, ito ang proposisyon: uupahan po nila ang headquarters ng Navy sa Roxas Boulevard at ang Naval Station sa Fort Bonifacio.

Sagot po nila ang paglipat ng Navy Headquarters sa Camp Aguinaldo. Agaran, bibigyan tayo ng isandaang milyong dolyar. At dagdag pa sa lahat nang iyan, magsusubi pa sila sa atin ng kita mula sa mga negosyong itatayo nila sa uupahan nilang lupa.

Sa madali pong sabi: Makukuha natin ang kailangan natin, hindi tatayo gagastos, kikita pa tayo.

Marami na pong nag-alok at nagmungkahi sa atin, mula lokal hanggang dayuhang negosyante, na magpuno ng iba’t ibang pangangailangan.

Mula sa mga public-private partnerships na ito, lalago ang ating ekonomiya, at bawat Pilipino makikinabang. Napakaraming sektor na matutulungan nito.

Maipapatayo na po ang imprastrukturang kailangan natin para palaguin ang turismo.

Sa agrikultura, makapagtatayo na tayo ng mga grains terminals, refrigeration facilities, maayos na road networks at post-harvest facilities.

Kung maisasaayos natin ang ating food supply chain sa tulong ng pribadong sektor, sa halip na mag-angkat tayo ay maari na sana tayong mangarap na mag-supply sa pandaigdigang merkado.

Kung maitatayo ang minumungkahi sa ating railway system, bababa ang presyo ng bilihin. Mas mura, mas mabilis, mas maginhawa, at makakaiwas pa sa kotong cops at mga kumokotong na rebelde ang mga bumibiyahe.

Paalala lang po: una sa ating plataporma ang paglikha ng mga trabaho, at nanggagaling ang trabaho sa paglago ng industriya. Lalago lamang ang industriya kung gagawin nating mas malinis, mas mabilis, at mas maginhawa ang proseso para sa mga gustong magnegosyo.

Pabibilisin natin ang proseso ng mga proyektong sumasailalim sa Build-Operate-Transfer. Sa tulong ng lahat ng sangay ng gobyerno at ng mga mamamayan, pabababain natin sa anim na buwan ang proseso na noon ay inaabot ng taon kung hindi dekada.

May mga hakbang na rin pong sinisimulan ang DTI, sa pamumuno ni Secretary Gregory Domingo:

Ang walang-katapusang pabalik-balik sa proseso ng pagrehistro ng pangalan ng kumpanya, na kada dalaw ay umaabot ng apat hanggang walong oras, ibababa na natin sa labinlimang minuto.

Ang dating listahan ng tatlumpu’t anim na dokumento, ibababa natin sa anim. Ang dating walong pahinang application form, ibababa natin sa isang pahina.

Nananawagan ako sa ating mga LGUs. Habang naghahanap tayo ng paraan para gawing mas mabilis ang pagbubukas ng mga negosyo, pag-aralan din sana nila ang kanilang mga proseso. Kailangan itong gawing mas mabilis, at kailangan itong itugma sa mga sinisumulan nating reporma.

Negosyante, sundalo, rebelde, at karaniwang Pilipino, lahat po makikinabang dito. Basta po hindi dehado ang Pilipino, papasukin po natin lahat iyan. Kailangan na po nating simulan ang pagtutulungan para makamit ito. Huwag nating pahirapan ang isa’t isa.

Parating na po ang panahon na hindi na natin kailangang mamili sa pagitan ng seguridad ng ating mamamayan o sa kinabukasan ng inyong mga anak.

Oras na maipatupad ang public-private partnerships na ito, mapopondohan ang mga serbisyong panlipunan, alinsunod sa ating plataporma.

Magkakapondo na po para maipatupad ang mga plano natin sa edukasyon.

Mapapalawak natin ang basic education cycle mula sa napakaikling sampung taon tungo sa global standard na labindalawang taon.

Madadagdagan natin ang mga classroom. Mapopondohan natin ang service contracting sa ilalim ng GASTPE.

Pati ang conditional cash transfers, na magbabawas ng pabigat sa bulsa ng mga pamilya, madadagdan na rin ng pondo.

Maipapatupad ang plano natin sa PhilHealth.

Una, tutukuyin natin ang tunay na bilang ng mga nangangailangan nito. Sa ngayon, hindi magkakatugma ang datos. Sabi ng PhilHealth sa isang bibig, walumpu’t pitong porsyento na raw ang merong coverage. Sa kabilang bibig naman, singkuwenta’y tres porsyento naman. Ayon naman sa National Statistics Office, tatlumpu’t walong porsyento ang may coverage.

Ngayon pa lang, kumikilos na si Secretary Dinky Soliman at ang DSWD upang ipatupad ang National Household Targetting System, na magtutukoy sa mga pamilyang higit na nagangailangan ng tulong. Tinatayang siyam na bilyon ang kailangan para mabigyan ng PhilHealth ang limang milyong pinakamaralitang pamilyang Pilipino.

Napakaganda po ng hinaharap natin. Kasama na po natin ang pribadong sektor, at kasama na rin natin ang League of Provinces, sa pangunguna nina Governor Alfonso Umali kasama sina Governor L-Ray Villafuerte at Governor Icot Petilla. Handa na pong makipagtulungan para makibahagi sa pagtustos ng mga gastusin. Alam ko rin pong hindi magpapahuli ang League of Cities sa pangunguna ni Mayor Oscar Rodriguez.

Kung ang mga gobyernong lokal ay nakikiramay na sa ating mga adhikain, ang Kongreso namang pinanggalingan ko, siguro naman maasahan ko din.

Nagpakitang-gilas na po ang gabinete sa pagtukoy ng ating mga problema at sa paglulunsad ng mga solusyon sa loob lamang ng tatlong linggo.

Nang bagyo pong Basyang, ang sabi sa atin ng mga may prangkisa sa kuryente, apat na araw na walang kuryente. Dahil sa mabilis na pagkilos ni Secretary Rene Almendras at ng Department of Energy, naibalik ang kuryente sa halos lahat sa loob lamang ng beinte-kwatro oras.

Ito pong sinasabing kakulangan sa tubig sa Metro Manila, kinilusan agad ni Secretary Rogelio Singson at ng DPWH. Hindi na siya naghintay ng utos, kaya nabawasan ang perwisyo.

Nakita na rin natin ang gilas ng mga hinirang nating makatulong sa Gabinete. Makatuwiran naman po sigurong umasa na hindi na sila padadaanin sa butas ng karayom para makumpirma ng Commission on Appointments. Kung mangyayari po ito, marami pa sa mga mahuhusay na Pilipino ang maeengganyong magsilbi sa gobyerno.

Sa lalong madaling panahon po, uupo na tayo sa LEDAC at pag-uusapan ang mga mahahalagang batas na kailangan nating ipasa. Makakaasa kayo na mananatiling bukas ang aking isipan, at ang ating ugnayan ay mananatiling tapat.

Isinusulong po natin ang Fiscal Responsibility Bill, kung saan hindi tayo magpapasa ng batas na mangangailangan ng pondo kung hindi pa natukoy ang panggagalingan nito. May 104.1 billion pesos tayong kailangan para pondohan ang mga batas na naipasa na, ngunit hindi maipatupad.

Kailangan din nating isaayos ang mga insentibong piskal na ibinigay noong nakaraan. Ngayong naghihigpit tayo ng sinturon, kailangang balikan kung alin sa mga ito ang dapat manatili at kung ano ang dapat nang itigil.

Huwag po tayong pumayag na magkaroon ng isa pang NBN-ZTE. Sa lokal man o dayuhan manggagaling ang pondo, dapat dumaan ito sa tamang proseso. Hinihingi ko po ang tulong ninyo upang amiyendahan ang ating Procurement Law.

Ayon po sa Saligang Batas, tungkulin ng estado ang siguruhing walang lamangan sa merkado. Bawal ang monopolya, bawal ang mga cartel na sasakal sa kumpetisyon. Kailangan po natin ng isang Anti-Trust Law na magbibigay-buhay sa mga prinsipyong ito. Ito ang magbibigay ng pagkakataon sa mga Small- at Medium-scale Enterprises na makilahok at tumulong sa paglago ng ating ekonomiya.

Ipasa na po natin ang National Land Use Bill.

Una rin pong naging batas ng Commonwealth ang National Defense Act, na ipinasa noon pang 1935. Kailangan nang palitan ito ng batas na tutugon sa pangangailangan ng pambansang seguridad sa kasalukuyan.

Nakikiusap po akong isulong ang Whistleblower’s Bill upang patuloy nang iwaksi ang kultura ng takot at pananahimik.

Palalakasin pa lalo ang Witness Protection Program. Alalahanin po natin na noong taong 2009 hanggang 2010, may nahatulan sa 95% ng mga kaso kung saan may witness na sumailalim sa programang ito.

Kailangang repasuhin ang ating mga batas. Nanawagan po akong umpisahan na ang rekodipikasyon ng ating mga batas, upang siguruhing magkakatugma sila at hindi salu-salungat.

Ito pong mga batas na ito ang batayan ng kaayusan, ngunit ang pundasyon ng lahat ng ginagawa natin ay ang prinsipyong wala tayong mararating kung walang kapayapaan at katahimikan.

Dalawa ang hinaharap nating suliranin sa usapin ng kapayapaan: ang situwasyon sa Mindanao, at ang patuloy na pag-aaklas ng CPP-NPA-NDF.

Tungkol sa situwasyon sa Mindanao: Hindi po nagbabago ang ating pananaw. Mararating lamang ang kapayapaan at katahimikan kung mag-uusap ang lahat ng apektado: Moro, Lumad, at Kristiyano. Inatasan na natin si Dean Marvic Leonen na mangasiwa sa ginagawa nating pakikipag-usap sa MILF.

Iiwasan natin ang mga pagkakamaling nangyari sa nakaraang administrasyon, kung saan binulaga na lang ang mga mamamayan ng Mindanao. Hindi tayo puwedeng magbulag-bulagan sa mga dudang may kulay ng pulitika ang proseso, at hindi ang kapakanan ng taumbayan ang tanging interes.

Kinikilala natin ang mga hakbang na ginagawa ng MILF sa pamamagitan ng pagdidisplina sa kanilang hanay. Inaasahan natin na muling magsisimula ang negosasyon pagkatapos ng Ramadan.

Tungkol naman po sa CPP-NPA-NDF: handa na ba kayong maglaan ng kongkretong mungkahi, sa halip na pawang batikos lamang?

Kung kapayapaan din ang hangad ninyo, handa po kami sa malawakang tigil-putukan. Mag-usap tayo.

Mahirap magsimula ang usapan habang mayroon pang amoy ng pulbura sa hangin. Nananawagan ako: huwag po natin hayaang masayang ang napakagandang pagkakataong ito upang magtipon sa ilalim ng iisang adhikain.

Kapayapaan at katahimikan po ang pundasyon ng kaunlaran. Habang nagpapatuloy ang barilan, patuloy din ang pagkakagapos natin sa kahirapan.

Dapat din po nating mabatid: ito ay panahon ng sakripisyo. At ang sakripisyong ito ay magiging puhunan para sa ating kinabukasan. Kaakibat ng ating mga karapatan at kalayaan ay ang tungkulin natin sa kapwa at sa bayan.

Inaasahan ko po ang ating mga kaibigan sa media, lalo na sa radyo at sa print, sa mga nagbablock-time, at sa community newspapers, kayo na po mismo ang magbantay sa inyong hanay.

Mabigyang-buhay sana ang mga batayang prinsipyo ng inyong bokasyon: ang magbigay-linaw sa mahahalagang isyu; ang maging patas at makatotohanan, at ang itaas ang antas ng pampublikong diskurso.

Tungkulin po ng bawat Pilipino na tutukan ang mga pinunong tayo rin naman ang nagluklok sa puwesto. Humakbang mula sa pakikialam tungo sa pakikilahok. Dahil ang nakikialam, walang-hanggan ang reklamo. Ang nakikilahok, nakikibahagi sa solusyon.

Napakatagal na pong namamayani ang pananaw na ang susi sa asenso ay ang intindihin ang sarili kaysa intindihin ang kapwa. Malinaw po sa akin: paano tayo aasenso habang nilalamangan ang kapwa?

Ang hindi nabigyan ng pagkakataong mag-aral, paanong makakakuha ng trabaho? Kung walang trabaho, paanong magiging konsumer? Paanong mag-iimpok sa bangko?

Ngunit kung babaliktarin natin ang pananaw -- kung iisipin nating “Dadagdagan ko ang kakayahan ng aking kapwa-- magbubunga po ito, at ang lahat ay magkakaroon ng pagkakataon.

Maganda na po ang nasimulan natin. At mas lalong maganda po ang mararating natin. Ngunit huwag nating kalimutan na mayroong mga nagnanasang hindi tayo magtagumpay. Dahil kapag hindi tayo nagtagumpay, makakabalik na naman sila sa kapangyarihan, at sa pagsasamantala sa taumbayan.

Akin pong paniwala na Diyos at taumbayan ang nagdala sa ating kinalalagyan ngayon. Habang nakatutok tayo sa kapakanan ng ating kapwa, bendisyon at patnubay ay tiyak na maaasahan natin sa Poong Maykapal. At kapag nanalig tayo na ang kasangga natin ay ang Diyos, mayroon ba tayong hindi kakayanin?

Ang mandato nating nakuha sa huling eleksyon ay patunay na umaasa pa rin ang Pilipino sa pagbabago. Iba na talaga ang situwasyon. Puwede na muling mangarap. Tayo nang tumungo sa katuparan ng ating mga pinangarap.

Maraming salamat po.

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NEIL PATRICK HARRIS plays dog in CATS AND DOGS

no, Dr. Doogie Howser, MD won't play vet in this one. instead he will be as one of the pets.

Best known by global audiences as the womanizing Barney Stinson in the hit CBS comedy How I Met Your Mother -- a role which has garnered him a combined five Golden Globe and Emmy nominations – Neil Patrick Harris provides the voice of Lou, the commander of dog secret agents in Warner Bros.’ new 3D comedy adventure Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore.

Lou, a bespectacled Beagle, leads the subterranean base of DOG HQ, the nexus of worldwide canine operations, where dog agents watch surveillance monitors, break codes, build and test new equipment and…work out.

Lou was once the pup trainee from the first Cats & Dogs. Now a proud papa with a litter of his own, he’s top dog at HQ. “He takes the job very seriously. Lou assigns the missions. He’s also like the watch commander, saying ‘let’s go, let’s get this done,’” says Harris.

“You can’t have an ego when you’re doing this,” he concedes, not specifically about portraying a dog, but about voice acting in general. “You’re asked, ‘Can you say it this way?’ ‘That way?’ ‘Can you say it like you’re younger?’ ‘Older?’ You do a hundred different readings and it really becomes a chance to be creative. Ultimately, Lou’s voice is pretty much my own, but with more of an official, businesslike tone.”

Lou is assisted by gadget hound Peek (Joe Pantoliano), veteran agent Sam (Michael Clarke Duncan) and alpha agent Butch (Nick Nolte) who’s about to become the reluctant partner of new recruit, Diggs (James Marsden).


Nolte, Harris and Pantoliano

Nolte, who voices the gruff Anatolian Shepherd Butch, adds, “Since it’s a human story played out by dogs, you have to think in human terms—meaning, Butch is primarily a cop. He’s an old-timer, he’s been around and has a certain loping pace. Diggs wants to be heroic and that’s probably how Butch was when he was younger so he tolerates him, but at this stage he really doesn’t want the hassle of being saddled with the new recruit.”

Meanwhile, watching everyone’s back is Peek, a resourceful Chinese Crested with a keen nose among noses, the agency’s tech and communications expert. Much like Bond’s Q, Peek has a gizmo for every occasion. “Peek is the geek,” quips Pantoliano, reprising his role from the first film as the voice of the tiny technician. “He’s always at the center of things in the lab, developing gadgets the dogs use in the field.

“It’s amazing how sophisticated the talking-animal technology has become,” he observes. “I used to love watching Mr. Ed because it was never in sync. When the horse talked, it looked like they just gave him something to chew on. We’ve come a long way.”

Also reprising his original role is Duncan as the voice of stalwart Sheepdog Sam. Sam can hardly see through the thatch of hair over his eyes, causing his feline adversaries to underestimate him, but this veteran agent can hear the crunch of kibble or the click of tiny claws a mile away.

“I have a cat and three dogs, so this probably goes on at my house,” says Duncan, of the ongoing campaign between Sam and his pack against their lifelong foes.

But all that could change when Kitty Galore hones her master plan to purr-fection.

Opening soon across the Philippines in Digital 3D and regular format, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

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July 23, 2010

VAMPIRES SUCK: opening soon

in the tradition of movie spoofs, comes a new comedy about the stupid romantic illusion of a mortal between vampires and werewolves. LOL

At the heels of the phenomenal vampire tales come VAMPIRES SUCK, a parody of today’s hit teen flick from the outrageous minds of Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer (“Date Movie,” “Epic Movie”).

VAMPIRES SUCK pools together talented comics headed by Ken Jeong (“Hangover”) with Matt Latner, Jenn Proske and Chris Riggi. The movie bites when Becca (Proske) finds herself in the midst of vampire-human-wolf love triangle, taking her deeper into teen angst and romance as she decides between Edward Sullen (Latner) the vampire and Jacob (Riggi) the werewolf. In the midst of being torn and before she finally decides between Edward and Jacob, Becca must get around her controlling father who manages to embarrass her at all times. Thanks to her set of friends who make her feel normal while contending with their own teen romantic issues headed for a smash in their most awaited prom.

VAMPIRES SUCK opens very soon in theaters from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

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July 22, 2010

OSCAR bids for INCEPTION

though it messed up your mind, (LOL) admit that it's a very nice movie.

Let the Academy Awards buzz for INCEPTION begin!

Days before the genre-defying film opened in the US, internet giant Yahoo already proclaimed Inception as the best film of the year to-date. Yahoo wrote in its citation – “From its mind-bending dream-within-a-dream-within-a-dream plot to its way cool special effects, the movie stands head-and-shoulders above an otherwise lackluster movie summer.”

Then the glowing reviews started pouring in – from the high-and-mighty Time Magazine and New York Times and Variety to the pop-centric USA Today and Chicago Times to the heady Rolling Stone. All are ecstatic over director Christopher Nolan’s originality, genius, even…balls…to realize such a high-concept film. Inevitably, the word “Oscar” kept coming up.

Which prompting news bureau Reuters to ask in a syndicated article, “Can Inception safely dream of Oscar glory? That's one conundrum that will linger long after average moviegoers have stopped debating the ambiguities of Christopher Nolan's twisty new thrill ride into the subconscious,” continues the story.

In the old days, like 2007, the middle of July would definitely be too early to start thinking about the Oscars. Back then, Hollywood loaded up its prestige fare in the fall so that it would stay fresh in the minds of Academy voters. Yet last year, four of the ten Best Picture nominees -- including winner The Hurt Locker -- were released in the summer. So Inception’s chances for a best picture nomination may not be a farfetched idea.

The Warner Bros. release cleared the first hurdle last weekend when it opened to a solid $60.4 million in North America. Oscar nominees don't have to be box office blockbusters, but if Nolan's fan base hadn't shown up en masse, that would have damaged the movie's chances.

Still according to Reuters, “Such other visionary movies as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Blade Runner and The Matrix all failed to earn best picture nominations, though they picked up nominations in other categories. On the other hand, it might be a good omen that Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound, his 1945 plunge into Freudian dream analysis and surrealism, earned best picture and director nominations. Inception should also prove competitive in a wide range of categories, and, with 10 slots to fill, that would help push it into best picture contention.

“Now, it's all a question of how the industry responds over the coming weeks and months. First reactions, which trickled in over the weekend, were for the most part upbeat. `I saw Inception last night & had a good time, but must admit it's a bit trite & stilted. Still though, leagues above most drivel,’ producer Ted Hope wrote to his Twitter followers.

In another tweet, Lost executive producer Damon Lindelof, no stranger to mind-bending puzzlers, exclaimed, `I wish that someone would break into my dreams and give me an idea HALF as good as INCEPTION.’”

(Now playing across the Philippines in IMAX, Digital 2D and regular format, Inception is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.)

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JAMES MARSDEN plays dog in CATS AND DOGS: The Revenge of Kitty Galore

Warner Bros. presents James Marsden (The X-Men trilogy) and Chris O’Donnell (Batman and Robin) in Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, a comedy in 3D that blends live action with state-of-the-art puppetry and computer animation.

In the film, Kitty Galore, formerly an agent for cat spy organization MEOWS, has gone rogue and hatched a diabolical plan to not only bring her canine enemies to heel, but take down her former kitty comrades and make the world her scratching post. Faced with this unprecedented threat, cats and dogs will be forced to join forces for the first time in history in an unlikely alliance to save themselves—and their humans.

Though Marsden and O’Donnell share the screen, director Brad Peyton explains, “they rarely got a chance to interact in person, but even so, their work came together in a way that created its own chemistry and in that sense they truly were a partnership.”

That’s because Marsden was providing the voice of rookie dog agent Diggs, a German Shepherd with leadership issues, while O’Donnel plays Diggs’ compassionate human partner on the police force, Shane.

“It’s a lot of fun,” says Marsden. “This movie doesn’t take itself too seriously, although, at the same time, the characters behave as if the fate of the world was really at stake. Dogs using headsets and computer keyboards, throwing grenades; it’s all played straight and that’s what makes it so funny. The more determined they are, the crazier it is.”

While Kitty Galore grooms herself for greatness, another drama plays out on the streets of San Francisco. K-9 Officer Diggs is about to execute the latest in a series of screw-ups that will land him back in the concrete kennel.

Marsden understands how the over-eager German Shepherd sabotages his potential. “He has the best intentions in the world but not the best judgment. Wanting to be the maverick, the hero, he recklessly takes the lead in every situation, with disastrous consequences. He’s likeable and has real ability, but no self-control. Sadly, for all the confidence he shows on the outside, he’s beginning to have real doubts.”

“He knows he keeps messing up, but he just can’t help himself,” adds O’Donnell. “When Shane and Diggs go out on a job, sure enough, he jumps into action before he’s told. Shane knows he’s trying hard and it’s frustrating for both of them because every time they face a tough call the dog does something to make it worse—spectacularly worse.”

As the story opens, Shane and Diggs are on a case. Used car impresario Crazy Carlito (Paul Rodriguez) is living up to his name by going nuts at his car lot, threatening to blow it all up. Against orders, Diggs lunges at Carlito’s backside for a massive chomp, prompting the startled salesman to toss his detonator skyward… with unfortunate consequences.

The incident ends Diggs’ budding law enforcement career. Heartbroken, Shane campaigns to have his former partner retired to domestic life at his own home, but the department insists he’s state property and locks him in a cage.

It’s there, alone and at his lowest point, Diggs gets a second chance most mutts can only dream about: an offer from elite canine protection agency DOG. They’ve been watching Diggs and think he’s got what it takes to be a good agent—but only if he drops the lone wolf act and learns to work with the pack.

O’Donnell recalled the old adage about never working with children or animals, saying, “My first shot involved a baby and a dog. The dog has to go over to a crib, pull a blanket up over the baby and walk away, and all I have to do is say a line. I’m thinking, ‘the baby is perfect, the dog is perfect…if I can’t get this right on the first take I’m going to look really bad.’ It was a lot of pressure!”

Opening soon across the Philippines in Digital 3D and regular format, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

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