A Review of Year 2012

          The past year has been a wonderful journey for me. And now that 2012 is coming to an end, let me just enumerate and acknowledge the blessings my family and I received over the year. 

 

1.) Charms’ Graduation

Graduation held at the UP Film Theater, March 28, 2012

Just last March, my cousin Charmaine finally graduated from College with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

2.)  Lolo’s First Death Anniversary

September 17, exactly a year after my grandfather’s death due to cancer, we remembered his memory and prayed for his soul. And though we will never forget everything about lolo, I still find it a blessing to find our family, especially lola, moving on from losing a loved one.

3.) Mom’s discharge from the Hospital

It was last December 15, when my mom started to have difficulty in swallowing food. It went on until December 18 and that was the time she finally decided to have herself checked up. She was diagnosed to have epiglottittis (is an inflammation of the epiglottis — the flap at the base of the tongue that keeps food from going into the trachea (windpipe) –Wikipedia) which is considered to be an emergency medical condition if not treated immediately as it may block the airway. So, with the doctor’s advice, she sought consult and had herself confined at Capitol Medical Center. After four (4) days of medical intervention (with antibiotics), she was already able to ingest food and feel better. On December 22, my mom got discharged from the hospital. It was a blessing indeed that she was diagnosed and treated even before any complication has occurred.

4.) Celebrations with friends

To meet and have friends is fun; but to make a friendship work and last long is a blessing. So for this year, I thought it is a blessing to find time to be with my friends and share celebrations no matter how busy we were with work. 

5.) Celebrations with family

Adding another year in our lives is definitely a blessing and surely has to be celebrated.

6.) Visit to Manaoag in Tagaytay

It was our first to visit Our Lady of Manaoag in Tagaytay last January 8, 2012. Since it was our first, we made sure to make a wish and pray for our intentions. There I prayed that hopefully, in 2012, I would already land a job. I never thought my prayer will be heard that fast which led me to, probably, the biggest blessing I received in 2012.

7.) Employed as University Nurse

January 9, 2012, a day after visiting Our Lady of Manaoag, I applied for the University Nurse position in AMA. With high hopes although not expecting much, I got hired. I was like, finally, goodbye bum life! I already so thankful to be employed; but to gain all the experiences I had, to learn more and meet new friends is more than a blessing for me. There is actually a lot to talk about being the University Nurse of AMA but I guess I have to reserve it on my next post. 

          It seemed so fast but 2012 has been quite a year. I remember last year I hoped to find a special someone in 2012, but I think, saka na yon. J There’s just a lot to be thankful for. And now that we are about to welcome 2013, I can only hope for another blessed year not only for me and my family, but also to everyone who gets to read this… 

  Happy Happy New Year! Godbless! 

One More Try: A Review

          Family drama has been a favorite genre by Filipino moviegoers. That probably is the reason why every year, a movie theme like this has been included as an entry in the Metro Manila Film Festival along with fantasy filled movies of Vic Sotto. I remember in previous years, movies like Tanging Yaman and the Mano Po Saga were Box Office hits during the period of the festival. And for this year, Star Cinema brought us this kind of film with their movie entry, One More Try.

 

          On its third day, I was finally able to catch One More Try in cinemas. It stars four of the brightest stars in our generation; Angelica Panganiban, Dingdong Dantes, Zanjoe Marudo and Angel Locsin. 

          It is a family drama filled with romance as it focuses on a sick child that brought up complications from the past among his parents, Grace (Angel) who is already in a relationship with Tristan (Zanjoe) and Edward (Dingdong) who is already married with Jacq (Angelica). Grace and Edward had to reconnect in order to save their son.

          Angelica Panganiban’s portrayal as the loving wife who has everything except from bearing a child suits her well. The balance of being a kontrabida and a wife who had to sacrifice just to see her husband happy was perfectly executed. Although I really find her scene with Agot Isidro talking in a straight English awkward.

          Zanjoe Marudo, who I’m used to see in a comedy film, showed he can also do drama. With the interpretation of his character, I felt how full of insecurities Tristan is. 

           Dingdong Dantes, who is already known as a good actor, was just okay. I thought he was able to perform exactly what was being asked from him for his character. I also love how he and Angelica dresses pretty good throughout the movie.

          And for Angel Locsin, with a very ideal role from the script, I believe she stood out from the rest. Coming from movies like In The Name of Love and UnOfficially Yours, Angel showed another side of her versatility as an actress. With this, her latest film, I can say Angel just keeps on getting better and better. As a mother of a dying child, she flawlessly delivered her character. I love how she pulls off the right emotion to every situation in her scenes, Nakakadala. That scene where she has get on her knees and beg without saying any word, was rightfully made.

          What I also love about the film is its cinematography. I like how every scene and even their location was perfectly shot. It showed a western-like part of Baguio which we rarely see in Filipino movies. 

         Although I didn’t cry even a single tear (Ako na may problema doon), the movie was really good. It offers moviegoers something new. I just hope, they didn’t include some of those MTV-like-scenes, where the lead stars have to shed tears while the music was playing. I thought it wasn’t essential or needed anymore.

  Feminist, that's how the story has had me oriented with Angelica and Angel's characters; one who is willing to give everything for her husband's happiness and one who's going to do anything for her sick child. Both being firm with their decisions, they dominated the male characters in the story. And with their portrayal, I can say Angel and Angelica deserve to be recognized with an acting award.

 

Lolo's First Death Anniversary

Thought of sharing this video made by my cousin .. ..

 


It's been a year now and we definitely miss you Lolo .. ..

Pinoy Power, World's Shocker

JESSICA SANCHEZ IN AMERICAN IDOL

    American Idol started airing early this year and from that time, we have followed the Idol journey of Jessica Sanchez. A 16-year old, US citizen Fil-Mexican, who finished as a runner-up in the said televised singing competition, behind of Phillip Phillips. Sanchez, after trying her luck in the audition, made it to Hollywood, entered the top 24, and ended one of the 12 finalists of the American Idol. Among the finalists, she was, I guess the first who was given a standing ovation by the judges with her song “I Love You I do”. Throughout the season, she was given a total of 6 standing ovations including her duet with fellow finalist Joshua Ledet and another duet with Jennifer Holiday during the final results night. After getting consecutive praises from the judges, Ryan Seacrest, the Idol host, announced Jessica belonged to the bottom three during the top 7 elimination night and later declared to have received the lowest number of votes. She was then saved by the judges even before she finished her save song - which was very dramatic. Since then, she gained more support coming especially from her Filipino fans and, as per report says, Mexicans do too. Boxing has divided Filipinos and Mexicans after Manny Pacquiao has beaten out numerous Mexican boxers, and this time having Jessica in the competition, made everyone united! She was able to avoid facing the bottom three and later battled with Phillip at the finale. The show ended having Phillip Phillips as the new American Idol and Jessica the runner-up. The result made, I think, every Filipino disappointed and in grief. Topics like “That should be Jessica” and “Jessica is the World Idol” even trended worldwide on twitter. The issue of racism and how WGWG (White Guy With Guitar) is being favored by AI were brought up. Rumors and speculations that it was arranged were raised, that even I, thought those were true. I thought it was possible since the Mexican superstar, Thalia, tweeted right after the performance night that her husband Tommy Motola (the man behind the success of Mariah Carey, JLo and etc.) will produce Jessica’s first recording album. As far as I am concerned, whoever wins the competition gets an exclusive recording contract under the 19 management and it wouldn’t be possible for Sanchez to sign under Motola if she bagged the season 11 American Idol title. 

Well, just my thought. What happened may only be a result of a coincidence, or whatsoever. But I kinda thought of the same thing last June 10, during the Pacquiao-Bradley fight. Hmm?? 

MANNY PACQUIAO – TIM BRADLEY

            The moment that the Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley Jr. match was announced, boxing fans around the globe started to follow their preparations and get updates regarding their training. Pacquiao, being the Eight-Division World Champion title holder, was predicted to win over Bradley. Manny, on the other hand, was humble enough to say that he cannot be relaxed since Tim’s record shows he is undefeated. So, June 9, evening in Las Vegas (June 10, morning in Manila) came and the whole world watched as the two fighters battled for a title. In as much as I wanted to give a blow-by-blow, per round account of the match, I am neither a boxing analyst nor an enthusiast. What I know is Bradley was in good condition during the first two rounds then Manny threw his power punches the next several rounds. While Pacquiao hasn’t seemed to be unstoppable, he kinda slowed down during final rounds. Still, all I see was Tim Jr kept on hugging Manny and appeared to be in a resting pace. I was just like waiting for the Pound for Pound king to knock out the undefeated boxer because in the way I see it, Manny was already winning the fight. But I had to wait after the 12^th round let the judges make their decision. And to my shock, the ring announcer proclaimed Tim Bradley Jr. as the New WBO welterweight champion! WHAT!?! REALLY?!? Then I checked out twitter and facebook and realized that twitter users and netizens around the globe shared the same sentiment as I do. I think everyone was disappointed on how those judges judged the fight and came with such decision by making  #RIPBoxing  one of the trending topics. Pacquiao fans also showed their support via twitter through a hash tag, #mannypacquiaoisstilltheworldsbestboxer and made it as the top trending topic on twitter worldwide. Although everyone was left in disbelief, Pac-man on his interviews said, for him he is the real winner but will respect the judges’ decision. He may have accepted his defeat; I still cannot help but wonder if everything was right and if something was going on. According to reports, there will be a Pacquiao-Bradley Rematch on November, which I don’t know would be possible if not for this controversial decision. Tim Bradley has even posted this photo on his twitter account last May 30, tweeting, "Gonna be so nice we gonna do it twice".

            I can never tell if the bout had been arranged or what. All I know is everything just seemed so wrong.

FIRST JESSICA AND NOW MANNY

          “First Jessica” was also one of the trending topics that came out after the Pac-Bradley fight. Netizens compared Jessica’s loss to Manny’s defeat, saying it must be a question of racism since both are not pure American. Some say its business that has been arranged. But whatever, the world knows who their winner is. Jessica may have ended her idol journey only as a runner-up, but seemed to be more in demand as evidenced by her TV guestings. She performed during their Memorial Day Celebration, was invited to sing the US national anthem during the Pac-Brad match and on NBA Finals – Game 1. She even topped the preorder selling of EPs on walmart.com and is now working on her own album. Sanchez is also trending on twitter for almost every other day. For Manny, he may have faced his defeat but look like he is just gaining more fans and even richer after the fight. Nevertheless, as a Filipino, I just feel so happy seeing our “kababayans” making it big in Hollywood and in sports world. :)

photos credit to the owner

24th Birthday Celebration

                So to continue, last March 17, together with my family, I celebrated my 24^th birthday. And just like my mom’s birthday celebration, we only had a very simple dinner, this time, at Abe.

Located at 3rd floor, Trinoma mall

                Foods served at Abe were all like Spanish and Native Filipino inspired. They offer different kinds of viands of meat on their menu, including goat and lamb meat and others. And I think, they also have fried frog legs. ;) But since our family is not really used to eat these “rare” meat, we just tried foods that we are very familiar with.

                 We had Crispy pata which was cooked really well.

                Then we had Morcon that was really tasty but my mom disagrees. Heheh!

                For our sidedish, we ordered Laing with smoked tinapa, for me, must probably be one of the Best Laing I ever tried! Or, maybe the best? 

                We also had sinigang na baboy which was truly enjoyed by the kids, especially the “sabaw”.

                For us Filipinos, every good food or viand must come with perfectly cooked rice. And Abe has it – unlimited! Yeah, for 62php, you can consume rice as long as you can. Guess I also have to share that I finished two big plates full of rice. Takaw lang?? :p

                Aside from their palatable foods, they also have a very lovely ambiance. I like how truly Pinoy their concept is, as evidenced by how their chairs and tables were made. And also, they have this really cute bar. :)

 

                 I may have other ways or options on how I will celebrate my birthday, I just chose to have a less extravagant dinner. Well, I guess, nothing beats a celebration with your family … :))