April 20, 2017

WIT theater review



TwinBill theater's new production WIT gave a stronger reason that all of us are just mere basic living things that will some time fall to the ground, no matter how much we strive for greater things and search for superiority of one self than others.
It was a lecture on medical terms. Thanks to Tami Monsod, who plays Ms Vivian Bearing, who gives an elaborate explanation of her ovarian cancer with proper diction despite the consequences of putting this play in an auditorium with less the quality of acoustics to hear the words uttered herein. The story gets more and more interesting as she narrates her childhood and life as a college professor and doctor of literature. It was also very impressive of her to shave her head and immerse into the character, making her perfectly fit for the role.

The woman called Vivian Bearing was a very special individual. Her confrontations with cancer are very inspiring, but nevertheless, her innocence and eagerness to learn about her illness and to face her strong medications are exceptional. It will take you up in happiness and chase your younger years.
Tami Monsod as Vivian Bearing
Mikkie Bradshaw and Bibo Reyes as the nurse and doctor respectively are two of the important roles in Vivian Bearing's life. Two very different characters which stood by her side in her last moments. The nurse, made her comfortable and looked after her as if she is the only family left, and the doctor, in his adrenalized emotions, giving abrupt judgements on the cancer is somehow funny.

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April 19, 2017

Butt-hurting tour to the North of the Philippines



Last Holy Week, I and a set of bloggers took ourselves unknowing of a very long travel to Cagayan Province. We were supposed to participate in the Ropali-Shell Partakan Festival -- "Partakan" meaning speed in the Ilocano dialect. Almost like an Amazing Race for motorcyclists to the endpoint in Sta. Ana municipality in Cagayan.

It was an estimated 13 hours from Manila but we arrived after 21 painful hours to our accommodation in Cagayan. Passing through different provinces north of Manila. Any wrong turn will take you to another province - might be a good thing as I was longing to go to Baguio which is just at the Western side of Nueva Vizcaya. We all felt that our butts nearly deflated in the long travel. It could have been easier and comfortable if plane tickets were booked for us. Below was an honest story and expect a few rants.

Good thing we managed ourselves along the way with road chats a enjoyed the view of the mountains and valleys of Bulacan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela and finally Cagayan. Let me share with you a few stops that you will pass by on the road to the North part of the Philippines.

You can drop by at Malolos, Bulacan where a religious and historical landmark called Barasoain Church sits. We didn't make it here because there were no instructions from the organizer that we have to check in different spots along the way.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel of Barasoain Church, Malolos, Bulacan (c) Pamana.ph

A long 1.5 hours (almost from home to Makati on a regular basis) via MacArthur Highway, we arrived at Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija for the next Ropali Stop. There we learned about the real itinerary from start to finish. Apparently, many of the Ropali and Shell stops didn't comply for the requirements of the Partakan Festival promo. And since we were media outfits who were just invited to cover, we think that we should also do the challenges in the nearby stops. Instead, we just went on and had breakfast on the first okay stop along the way until we found Five Mamas.


It's a battery-saving tour when I didn't open my mobile data along the way. Vivo Y55 is efficient for that not to mention that it takes the photos that I want, how the way I like it. The Professiona Camera feature works best for my still-life photos.

The zigzag and elevating road in Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya gave ear pops which I barely noticed because I was light sleeping along the way. We had a few stops for stretching, lunch and number 1 (for Php5) and number 2 (for Php10). And before we enter Isabela province, we stopped at Lower Magat Eco Tourism Park as it is also included in the tour. It's the spot for a new photoshoot while we are looking for tupig.



I almost forgot that many establishments are closed since Thursday because it was Holy Week and normal operations resume Easter Sunday so we found it hard to locate dining areas.

We continued the drive, thanks to our very reliable driver, Lito, who remained as cheerfully and patient with us when we are getting grumpy due to the long travel time. Imagine nobody was able to freshen up or had taken a bath that time. We're still on the road at sundown and we're again driving where our headlights is just the source of light. Looking out the window and up is seeing the Milky Way on the ceiling. And your imagination will just invite some stories that you might not want to hear but tolerating it just to keep you awake and support those who have been awake for a while. It's been a past time activity until 10:30pm.

Around 5 arches or so and around 637 km traveled, we arrived at Sta Ana, Cagayan. We're about to meet the Partakan Festival people, but was also a hard time to know where they are. The GPS isn't much of a help but mobile signal is good. Finally we can stretch our bodies which are excruciating with pain. We had our dinner at Nassim Hotel & Restaurant where it also took hours before they served us food. I was told that they do it first come, first serve. So when there are a few people ahead of us, they will partake of it first. They just prepared the meals when we arrived when the order was made 3 hours in advance. The main person who invited us wasn't even too accommodating and she's been enjoying Cagayan more than a day already.

I understand that somehow they want to promote tourism in the area. The place is peaceful, no question, and you'll love the view of the mountains and sea. But in cases that Holy Week is a travel escape for many of us, the hotels in Cagayan (there's a few of them) should have anticipated the number of people coming in so that they have stocks to serve. Displaying good hospitality for tourists is a good business for countries like the Philippines.

Related links:
Earth's VLOG
Ruth's Road Trip to Cagayan
Rhea and Jeff's Summer Vid and Photo Shoot


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April 11, 2017

THOR: RAGNAROK unleashes teaser trailer


Marvel released the first trailer of the third Thor movie, Thor: Ragnarok. Thor gets imprisoned in another side of the universe and finds himself in battle with an old friend. Check out the trailer below.
There's no more hammer, a new hairdo, and donning a gladiator gear to fight before the Hulk and race time against the destruction of the Asgardian race from new threat Hela (Cate Blanchett).
Thor: Ragnarok also stars Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban and Mark Ruffalo. Opening November 3 in Philippine theaters.

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April 8, 2017

BOSS BABY movie review



This is the cutest thing that you'll have this Easter. Alec Baldwin voices the cute Boss Baby which opens April 15. I guarantee that the movie will have tons of cuteness that you will enjoy from start to finish.
It was an adorable sight to see lots of babies and do corporate grown up things. His expressions are so adorable that you won't forget or regret it. As the Baby Company CEO, he is a pretty good leader to the other babies -- especially while having the conference with them.

I like the sibling rivalry between him and Timmy that are exaggerated to an action sequence while they are just using household and baby items -- a successful merging of concepts to project a very good aspect in the relationship of the two boys which is very relatable among siblings.

In any sibling rivalry, there will come a point where they will deal on protecting each other just not to get caught by the parents or adults. It also very sad that they have to part ways after their mission. There's a Peter Pan situation here that we don't want Boss Baby to suffer. But since the boys have bonded in a very special way, I liked how things have ended in this movie.

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April 7, 2017

GOING IN STYLE movie review


Learn how to get a huge retirement from the seniors, Alan Arkin, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman in the remake of the 1979 heist comedy, Going in Style by Warner Bros. Pictures. Now showing in cinemas nationwide.
You know how I love stories of old people enjoying their lives and having good ties with their friends. Going In Style showed us that friendship can be forever no matter what circumstances. Alan Arkin, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman were perfectly cast for this as they give punchlines well. You will never go wrong having these three, like the Three Stooges in a more classy fashion. Take my word that you'll get immersed into their activity. You'll laugh and cheer for excitement on how they are going to pull off the heist and escape the FBI. A really feel good movie that young ones will even appreciate.
You have to watch this with the family so that you can also appreciate from different generations.

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April 4, 2017

POWER RANGERS movie review



So I think I might forgotten how the story goes since Power Rangers was shown when I was just around 7 to 10. Now that the Saban TV series is now a movie franchise, I tried to recall all elements from the show and compared it with the movie.
The Power Rangers is a group of teenagers (check!) that acquired super powers by being the chosen few to save the world from a villain, Rita Repulsa (check!) and her minions. Led by Jason (check!) as the Red Ranger (check!), joined by 4 others, are set to a quest to defend the earth from future destruction (storyline check!).

They have taken a new approach on the origins of the Rangers and why Rita Repulsa (Elizabeth Banks) wants to conquer earth so bad, I thought that there are major elements that are missed in the movie. They should shout "Mastodon - Pterodactyl - Triceratops - Sabre-toothed Tiger - Tyrranosaurus" to morph themselves into Power Rangers. That's how they can get the unknown bond between them and their own vehicles. The coins didn't do much on their morphing as they were just instruments to discover the new breed of Rangers.
Major twist, Rita Repulsa was a previous Ranger. Before, she was an evil witch trying to rule the universe with her minions. Now, with her greed to collect all energy crystals from all planets, there is also no reason why she first looks for gold instead of the crystal which can give her greater power.

There's a plot hole that crushed the concept of them having unbelievable strength they acquired upon discovering the coins. When Rita Repulsa tried to kill blue Billy (RJ Cycler/Blue Ranger), suddenly all of them have to help carry him. And the origin story is too long and the fight scene just took less than 10 minutes I think.

A few things great about Power Rangers -- they maintained actors diversity just like the TV series. There's White, Black, Asian, and even a lesbian is part of the characters. Making it very human and adapting to the times. New outfit is better and I liked it too with the metallic accents and works. I just LOL'd on the scene which Rita Repulsa made herself comfortable with a piece of Krispy Kreme and a cup of coffee before she started destroying the Rangers home town. Plus a good cameo by Amy Jo Johnson and Jason David Frank at the end.

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