The Watcher

While I admit that being a 4^th year law student eats a lot of my time, I think I did fairly well when it came to watching movies on the big screen for the past months.

With the holidays at hand, I felt privileged that I have already watched two movies in the big screen and two movies in the DVD.

The Day The Earth Stood Still

Eh kung makita ko naman talaga si Keanu in person, the world will really be at stand still for me .. haha!

Anyway, I’m happy that it has been a blockbuster movie. Admittedly, it was not that amazing for a sci-fi flick. I felt that things were not surprising and there was not much thrill. Yes, I know that it seems Keanu is forever associated with emotionless alien-like characters on the big screen. But what can I do? I do not have the money to produce a flick.

Back to the movie, I knew what was coming when we decided to watch the movie. I told my brother and sisters that it was a remake and it will tell us to avoid war – plain and simple .. hehe. O, di ba .. may moral lesson? Aside from that, I just enjoyed watching Keanu to make all the P 85 (paid by my mom) worthwhile .. hehe

The Chronicles of Narnia – Prince Caspian

One of those films that I have been longing to see for quite some time. At last, I already got the chance to watch it.

I looked forward to seeing again the 2 sons of Adam and the 2 daughters of Eve and meeting Prince Caspian. The film did not fail me. While I expected that this would be another “moral lesson” film, I enjoyed it nevertheless.

I enjoyed the flashlight brought by Edmund. I enjoyed Lucy’s new friend and the ever-lasting potion. I enjoyed Susan rescuing Prince Caspian. I enjoyed Peter’s courage. I enjoyed Aslan’s fur waving in the air na parang commercial sa buhok.

I think the film brings hope to the hopeless, courage to the fearsome and faith to the non-believers. That’s why I like it!

Eagle Eye

I already had an inkling where the film is going through the feedback I have heard and read.

Nevertheless, the Eagle Eye was still a thrill. I like the chase scenes and how things were worked out. However, it also made me wonder about a future such as that .. hmm ..

Tanging Ina Ninyong Lahat

I have to admit that I was looking forward to watch this MMFF film. Why not? I enjoyed the first film which I watched in the big screen twice .. haha. No kidding!

While this film was still funny in some ways, the first film was funnier. I think I was looking forward to more dramatic scenes and just when you are about to get carried away, they make it funny. There’s not much to that in the second flick. Most were “kasabihans” which were funny but then I already heard most of it from the trailers.

Funny scenes? When the door was slammed “silent” by Tenten .. hehe .. I was still laughing when I got home and tried to close the door. Another funny scene was the “Isa kang salot!” – “I may be a slut but I am the best slut in town” exchange – hilarious! Yup, dramatic scene turned funny.

I guess I also find it confusing being a law student. I was thinking all the time that the President cannot do those PDs and RAs she has enacted in the movie because the President executes the law and does not legislate .. haha .. I know I think too much. I guess it is innate.

Yup, 4 films for less than 2 weeks. Not bad at all!

'Tis the Season to be Jolly ...

Christmas is definitely my favorite holiday!

I always look forward to the glorious food. I always look forward to seeing and being with people whom I haven't seen for some time. I always look forward to more family time. But more than all of these, I always look forward to celebrating the birth of Christ, the reason for the season - the reason why I look forward to life!

My Christmas officially started by attending the LA Foundation Christmas Party at PAGCOR, which I truly enjoyed with all the food and being with people. Sayang, wala akong prize na uwi .. pero enjoy pa rin .. hehe

Next came the LA Christmas Party at Camp Holiday, Samal, which I actually think was a Summer Outing .. hehe. I truly enjoyed the games and I felt bitin ... hehe .. Lingaw and gi-career jud ang games :)

My third party was with a few of my high school batchmaters. As usual, it is always nice to have a blast from the past. We were not that many but it sure did not dampen our spirits enjoying each other's company.

Then, the next party I attended was with tenants of the JMS building. Of course, I enjoyed the food. But I had to leave early because I had an exam the next day. But I heard that they really enjoyed the party as well.

I think I our visit to the Home for the Aged was also party. I hope they enjoyed our visit as much as I did.

Class party came last Saturday and that was fun as well. It was indeed a hep hep hooray event!

Of course, the Christmas Eve dinner with the family is an event which I look forward to. No, we were not dressed up to the nines but we made sure we had food on the table. I prepared Italian spaghetti (na medyo na wala ang pagka-Italian kay my mom insisted to have white sauce on top of it .. hehe), blueberry cheesecake, ham and a strawberry flat cake (na dapat short cake pero wala niburot mao flat cake na lang .. hehe)

I also enjoyed the fact that we had gift-giving with my dearest lola around. I am not sure if she gets that's its Christmas because of her Alzheimer's. But I am happy that she has a smile on her face.

Yes, indeed .. 'tis the season to be jolly!

Shout for Joy

July 1996. December 2003. December 2008.

Memorable dates for me - a Gary Valenciano fanatic residing in the City of Davao.

I can still remember the first time I watch Gary V's Concert back when I was in Grade 6. I can even remember that it was a Saturday and I was earlier in school practicing for our dance number for the miting de avance for the Student Council Election. That was Gary V.'s "Shout for Joy" concert and I surely shouted for joy.

Fast forward to December 2003 when Gary had a show at the Venue. Through Maan's persistence, she was able to get tickets for us to watch the fantastic show. Super enjoy and just the same, I was shouting for joy while Maan was the one shrieking for joy .. hehe!

Early in December 2008, we saw the huge billboard advertising Gary V's concert. And we decided to check out the ticket prices. And so a few days before the concert, my dad surprised us and told us that he already bought tickets for 4 of his angels (hehe).

So, off we went ot watch the concert. My brother and sisters were pretty excited because this was their first time to watch a concert. I was excited for them. I was excited that we are together watching Gary V's show and I was excited because I was really sure that we would enjoy it.

And we sure did! Gary V. truly rocks! It was pretty exciting as well because all of his children came on stage to perform .. music royalty indeed!

The show was more than entertaining. It was inspiring. Gary V shared how blessed and grateful he is for overcoming whatever obstacles that have come his way through God's grace. Gary V showed us how to celebrate the season - to be with the family. Gary V inspired us by performing in the said benefit show and being a UNICEF ambassador.

Gary V is one awesome performer. I have been a fan of his since I was in Grade 3. He writes wonderful songs and sings it with so much passion.

We truly enjoyed the show! Until the next concert :)

Ambisyosa

"FBI"

I always dreamt of saying that for real, with matching an action showing an ID.

While we were having our class, our discussion somehow reached NBI and how it had the feel of FBI in the Philippines before. Sir mentioned that it used to be that there were lawyers and accountants in NBI before. (At this point, I felt my seatmates are looking at me .. toynk!)

Anyhow, I find it funny. I think anybody who knew me way back in college or even some of my officemates are aware of this "dream" of mine.

Criminology was actually one of my top 5 choices for a college course. No, I did not want to be a police woman. I wanted to be an FBI agent. I really did not want to be an NBI agent because I felt it did not had that stature of FBI like in the US. But I decided not to pursue criminology because it would be of no use to someone in the Philippines who dreams of becoming an FBI agent.

My "dream" of being an FBI agent is probably rooted in my "love" for The X-Files. I was already a fan back in high school.

In college, I looked forward to days where I can wear a jacket. Why? Because I like to place my ID in the inside jacket and then show it to the guard. Kulang na lang sabihin ko FBI agent ako .. hehe. Actually, based on the TV series, one can show their ID by flipping their wallet. But I like keeping it in my jacket and make fun of myself in class showing my ID .. hehe.

Back then in our computer laboratory class, my classmate and I would go to the FBI site and check out qualifications for an FBI agent. I found out I am disqualified for many reasons - I am not a US citiizen and not even a resident. I think I did not reach their height requirement. And I do not have a 20/20 vision. Oh, well ...

When I started working, we had an activity and I remember that one of the questions asked was what is your greatest dream. I wrote "to be an FBI agent". Laugh trip!

Actually, I was asked by one of my US office mates a more or less the same question. And I said the same answer. In fairness, he did not laugh at me. He said he actually sees me being an FBI agent. (O, ha!) I am not sure if he was just taking me for a ride. But it made be happy .. hehe. He said that he knew someone who is an FBI agent who is sort of like me. Then, I mentioned my disqualifications and I heard that most of the time, I could just be at my desk .. hehe. And he said, he heard that too. That was actually a nice discussion.

I am not anymore hoping that I could be an FBI agent someday. It was one of those dreams which is unlikely to come true but you just dream about it anyhow. Maybe in another life time.

Oh, well .. libre lang naman mangarap :)

Amazing Race 13

I could not remember the last time I had so much butterflies in my stomach just watching Amazing Race, or any reality TV show for that reason.

For every season, I always pick my favorites. Sometimes, they make it. Sometimes, they don’t. That’s ok. I can deal with that. Usually, the most unlucky thing that could happen to a team is with regard to a cab – either having difficulty to get any or having a cab but getting lost in the way.

It’s a given that its most likely that a team composed of two alpha males would win. Next in line would be couples. I liked the family season where the siblings won – 1 girl with 3 brothers.

So, everytime there is a new season. I am hoping that an all-female team would win. However, I do not find most of the all-female teams worthy to cheer on. Next choice would always be parent-child team. It was interesting that last season, there was a father-daughter and grandfather-grandson teams in the final 3. They placed second and third respectively. Bummer.

Our family had a "discussion" a while ago about joining the Amazing Race. I do not doubt that my dad has the capacity to join. We were discussing who will bicker the most or who would they want as a team mate. Modesty aside, I think I was the easy choice for direction/map-reading purposes. However, I have given up my dream of being a part of these kind of reality contest due to my scoliosis. I don't think they would ever allow me. That's ok. I have already accepted that reality. Maybe in my next lifetime .. hehe

This season I was rooting for Toni and Dallas, the mother and son team. Next was Nick and Starr, the siblings.

I really had a bad feeling that Toni and Dallas would be booted tonight. The teasers showed that a team will lose their passports and money. It made me worry. At around 9 pm tonight, AXN was a no show and signal came back at 10 pm. I checked that there would be a 12mn replay. My sister and I waited for it.

It was excruciating. When I watched the teaser, I had an inkling that they were the ones who will lose it. When I watched the episode and Toni left the passport and money to Dallas (those were the instructions I think), I felt butterflies in my stomach. At the taxi, I saw Dallas put some stuff on top of his bag. When he left the cab, those stuff fell and Dallas realized that their stuff got stuck in the cab and it was too late to go after the cab. By the way, they were in Russia.

It was nice that there were Russians who gave money so that they could go on the race. And they did go on the race. But they were still the last team to arrive. I think Phil was quite sad when he said that they were the last team to arrive.

I think it was really nice of Toni for not scolding Dallas. I do not think it has something to do with the editing. Dallas really felt bad because I felt that he really wanted to win for his mom. Over-all, I really like their relationship in the sense that they know how blessed they are with each other. However, luck was not really on their side when they reached Russia.

Oh well .. that’s reality TV! So, it is Nick and Starr for the win. A win by the Dan and Andrew team, probably the luckiest team in the history of Amazing Race, will be the biggest upset ever.

So, I am really hoping JC won’t be eliminated tomorrow in Survivor Philippines. I have enough sadness over reality TV for this week and it’s still Monday.