The Girl on Fire

“In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying district. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and girl between the ages of twelve to eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.”

The book of Suzanne Collins has recurring themes that had been explored in numerous books and movies. Because of this, many critics had questioned the originality of her work. But the author offers a fresh perspective about post war District 12. It is the city where people suffer injustice and starvation. They despise the tyranny of the Capitol but all too powerless and scared to even dare to think of a rebellion.

What the author was able to achieve was to connect the readers with the heroine of the story, Katniss Everdeen. Through her eyes, we saw the despicable place that is the Seam. We felt her determination to survive, her love for her family, her hate with the social inequality that the Capitol burdened them with. We shared her burning desire for a reform and her doubt if she can even make a difference.

Katniss’ participation in the Hunger Games was to save her younger sister, Prim, from being the tribute of District 12. She played the game well because of her own skills, tactics and experience on being a hunter. She was the audience’ favorite because she knows how to be charming in the camera. But she still bitterly understands the essence of the Hunger Games when she cradled Rue, sang a song for her and laid some flowers as a farewell gesture to her fallen comrade. In the supposed ‘final showdown’ of the game, her quick mindedness and bravery saved her life and Peeta’s, as she outwitted the Gamekeepers and were finally declared as victors.

It is impossible not to care about what will happen to Katniss after she and Peeta triumphed in the Seventy-fourth Hunger games. It is interesting to know what will President Snow and the Capitol are scheming to save their ruined reputation after Katniss defied them in the arena. It is intriguing to learn if Katniss will still care for Peeta now that they are out from the games or if she was really in love with her friend and hunting partner, Gale. And most importantly, it is a must to know if the people from the districts will take a cue from Katniss to have the courage, to take a chance and start a rebellion. And should they try to finally fight back, how on earth can they win against the almighty Capitol?

Yes, The Hunger Games is just the first part of a Trilogy. I am not even sure if all the hanging questions can be answered in the sequel, Catching Fire. But I am hooked enough to hang on until the finale in the third book.

“Whatta Disaster!”

When planets align in 2012, the world will end in the most catastrophic way possible. The director of the movie showed it in the most gory, detailed and realistic manner. The falling structures, cities and mountains succumbing to mile high water, and people trying to run away but to no avail.

There were no family meant to survive but John Cusack’s. They are lucky to have the best driver in the world, being able to run away from the falling debris of sky scrappers, cracking highways and even a derailed coaches of train. They also have a great pilot, maneuvering the small plane against the fire and poisonous gas spitted by the volcano. Their luck to get away, almost unscratched in the middle of the wrath of the earth was downright ridiculous.

Even the supporting cast of the movie did nothing to save the movie. The supposedly inspirational talk of the president was dowdy. He chooses to be left behind defeating the purpose of him saving what is left to his country. The scientist and the commanding officer had several arguments that failed to capture the interest of the audience to challenge their philosophy about life, survival and humanity.

The movie was detached and unsympathetic with the other faceless and nameless people in the movie. Swatting them like flies, drowning them, finishing them off and there is even no statistics to keep track. As long as John Cusack’s family will be saved, let everyone else be damned. That is not the type of movie that will move the audience; it had been a disaster all along.

Team Jane

There are a lot of reasons why Team Jacob should celebrate in the sequel of the Twilight saga, New Moon. For one, the story almost revolved around the friendship and one-sided love affair of Bella and Jacob. The glorious half nakedness of Jacob with his six packs and ripping muscles has a lot of exposure too. And the performance of Lutner as Jacob was decent, at the very least. Who needs Edward when Jacob’s commanding presence, his steaming on-screen chemistry with Bella and his good acting chops filled the silver screen?

It was Jacob’s time to shine, and he lived all the hyped. But it seems that Bella still needs the part three of the movie, Eclipse, to prove that she can really act well. She was abandoned in the forest by her true love but there was no pain and betrayal emanating from her. Months had passed and Edward did not come back, but there was no anger, longing and hopelessness that the audience felt from her. Most of the time her eyes were blank, her face was expressionless, numb of any emotion.

Perhaps Bella can learn a thing or two from Jane. Even though her airtime was just limited, she nailed her role as Volturi’s princess of torture. She is definitely a scene-stealer and a delight to watch. In just her steeled red eyes and calculated movements, it was already obvious how evil, powerful and dangerous she is. Count me in as a member of Team Jane.

You Have to Earn It

‘Arrogance is earned’, as my favorite TV doctor, House, bantered in one episode from season three. You can’t be arrogant and don’t have the credit to back it. House is an absolute ass, as he was told a couple of times already. He was even shot by a madman and bullied by an officer because of that. He maybe one of the rudest, most sarcastic, meanest character on television, but nobody can deny that he saved a lot of lives because he is the best Diagnostician there is.

Dr. Gregory House maybe still lovable despite of this because he is just in fiction. But put him in the real world and he will be despised and hated by everyone. Being self-assured and confident are a necessity, but staying humble, with all your achievements and accolades, is more admirable.



Michael Jackson, the late King of Pop, has all the right in the world to be an egomaniac. But as shown in his movie This Is It, he was nothing like that. He was not a demanding diva that he has a license to be. He was a perfectionist but he seems to be so easy to work with, always saying ‘Thank you!’ and ‘God Bless you!’ to the crew, musicians and back up singers and dancers. And that is why all of the people with him treat him with reverence, respect and love. He is now gone, but he is a legend who is an inspiration to the new generation in the music industry.



Another guy that I admire because of his genuine humility is the world’s Pound for Pound King, Manny Pacquiao. He is a demigod in our country, filthy rich and undeniably talented. He had defeated a number of boxing champions; bloodying their handsome faces, knocking them flat on their backs in the second round, crushing their egos to bits, but his feet are still firmly planted on the ground. He is a boxing icon, claiming seven belts in different weight classes. Truly, he is the man to beat. But instead of being the quintessential self-absorbed, hot-tempered fighter, Manny broke the mold with his easygoing smile and friendly demeanor.

The music and boxing worlds are like a double edge sword. It can give you money and fame beyond your wildest imagination. But it can also cost you your family, friends, reality and identity. Michael and Manny prove that if you are really gifted, talented and successful, as you believe yourself to be, humility is the icing of the cake, and arrogance will just ruin it all.

For All Eternity 1

So at the end, Bella was able to get her own small but perfect piece of her forever with her Edward, Renesmee and the rest of her vampire family. But it took her four, thick books to reach that finale and bid ‘the end’ to the readers. I think it is really anti-climatic to write about the ending, but that exactly what the Twilight saga was.

The debut book ‘Twilight’ was really a literary genius. Offering the readers a new perspective about the vampire world, making them fall in love with Edward and Bella and pushing them in the edge of their seat as the Cullens fought against the vampires who wants to hunt Bella.

The second book New Moon was one of the best rebound books of all time. Edward left Bella, supposedly for her own sake. He abandoned her and it was as if her heart was ripped out of her chest and her soul was sucked out of her body. The readers sympathized with Bella, understanding her grief and rebellion. The readers almost rooted for Jacob, who was there to be a good friend who can ease the ‘hole in her chest’. But with some twist of fate, rather, by excellent writing or Stephenie Meyer, Edward wished to end his life, Bella and Alice went to Italy to try and rescue him, thus meeting the sinister Volturi coven. The book wrapped up by Bella and Edward back in each other’s arms and the threat of the Volturi to destroy Bella who is security hazard to the vampire secrecy, effectively leaving the readers clamoring for more.

For All Eternity 2

Eclipse was like a kid story book about vampires, werewolves and all the supernatural that Stephenie can throw in. It was more on about the history of the tribe of Jacob. It sure was interesting, but the overwhelming pages allocated to narrate all the backgrounder were downright unnecessary. The third book also exposed the author’s weakness to keep up with the climax of her plot. She heaped anticipation by building up the danger of the rampaging ‘new borns’ under the command of Victoria. The tension was felt with these new and old enemies and the preparation of the pack of Jacob and the Cullens was entertaining. But when it was time for the real fight, maybe because of the limited point of view, it fell short, stale and bland. The ‘new borns’ turned out to be dimwitted underdogs, easily shredded to bits by the more powerful Edward and Emmet, well- experienced Jasper and clever Carlisle, not to mention the equally powerful women members of the Olympic coven; Alice, Rose and Esme.




The final book, Breaking Dawn, was a more promising book. After all, it is The Volturi coven, whose members are the most gifted, strongest and evil vampires, who are going after the Cullens. Even if they were able to assemble the other vampire covens as witnesses, some of which are even willing to fight along with them, the coven from Italy still has the obvious upper hand. It seems that they are all doomed to die but not with out an exciting, blood soaked ‘royal rumble’ kind of fight. But disappointingly, what the readers got were word plays, instead of snarls and bites; mock trial rather than of unleashing of fighting techniques; a ‘let’s leave in peace’ shameful surrender crushed hope of trash talks about death and vengeance. It was all anti-climatic, and it was because of their secret weapon, the shield of Bella and the unexpected presence of the shape- shifter gang of Jacob.

In books and movies sequels, anticipation and climax build until the explosive and decisive face off of the protagonist and antagonist of the story. But in Breaking Dawn it is as if Agent Smith committed suicide instead of having the epic battle against Neo in The Matrix or Voldemort slipped and hit his head causing his instant death rather than having the final wand fight showdown with Harry Potter. The Volturi was demoted into all snarl and hiss bully vampires who turned out to be toothless after all.

Even with major glitches, Stephenie Meyer’s talent is undeniable. The readers were happy that the Cullens were all safe and as cool as ever. They are hopeful of the new allegiance that the different vampire covens formed and might bring down the tyranny of the Volturi. They were satisfied that Bella, Edward and Renesmee will be together loving each other, for all eternity.

Calm in the Chaos

We had experienced this weekend the fury of mother nature. Our country had been devastated by the storm Ondoy which the amount of rainfall for two days is something that weather forecasters claimed is equivalent to a month’s worth. Filipinos had been used to typhoons, and many assumed that Ondoy would just be jotted as one that will visit the country. In this complacency, many were surprised that the havoc that this storm created which caused them their houses, possessions and even worst, their loved ones.

What will make Ondoy unforgettable is the scale of its effect on the people who I know and the places that I often go to. A number of my relatives, friends and colleagues had narrated how the level of flood had been alarmingly fast to rise and that there was no way to save all of their belongings. Rosario, Pasig, which is the gateway out of Rizal, had been submerged underwater and the exodus of people trying to cross it was really surreal. TV footages of people’s struggle for survival and the aftermath of the disaster show how powerless we are against Earth’s wrath.

But people tend to have a short memory. Ondoy should not be a tragedy that will just be a part of our country’s gloomy history of disasters. This should call for preventive measures against flash floods and landslide, not reactive by telethons to raise funds; good urban planning, not to scamper to rescue stranded residents from their shanties or two-story houses and protection of our environment not plundering it until our planet can’t bear it anymore.

In just a week, several more disasters occurred, the earthquakes in Indonesia and Tonga and the tsunami in Samoa. These are obvious warnings that our planet is in the verge of break down. It is on its limit, refusing to take any more abuse from its inhabitants, it is striking back at us exponentially on how we treated it badly.

Dear Cosmo

I first took hold of Cosmopolitan Philippines magazine when my chic cousin, Hidemi, let me borrow hers. I was immediately hooked on it because as an innate ‘kikay’ female; beauty, fashion, hairstyles, make-up, clothes, shoes appealed to me. It is fun to browse over the glossy mag, imagining myself wearing the trendiest, prettiest, covetable and expensive loots which littered each pages.

But I was just in college during that time. Buying my own copy of Cosmo is not really on top of my priority. As time goes along, it is always a delight to read this magazine when I was able to borrow from someone or read it in the bookstore. I was so thrilled when I was finally been able to buy my very own copy of the Valentines issue with Miriam Quiambao on it when I saved enough money.

When I entered the workforce, I found myself with extra bucks to go to the nearest store which sells Cosmopolitan Phil. It was always money well-spent because the magazine is always a good read with the inspiring articles and such an eye candy with that fashion and beauty editorials.

I consider myself as a fan, I really don’t buy each issue monthly. Mostly the reason is because the cover girl is someone who I do not like. Personally, I think KC Concepcion is the ultimate cover girl. Sadly the other ladies are not really as alluring as her, so I procrastinate to buy my copy until I finally decided not to buy one for that month.

I had a change of heart, though, when I noticed that the pages of the first Cosmo issue of 2008 was thinner even for a January issue. It hit me that even a
fab magazine is not immune with the worldwide recession. I realized that it will be horrible if my favorite magazine will (God forbid!) fold. I got worried that I might lose a dear, helpful friend. So I took it upon myself to faithfully buy an issue each month. It is already September and I never miss one yet! It is also wonderful that Cosmopolitan is consistently becoming thicker and thicker each month.

And it seems that my loyalty was appreciated when they published my letter as the Letter of the Month in their September issue. Becoming a part of my favorite magazine feels like an early Christmas present, including the gift pack that I won! I will always support Cosmo, my dependable stylist, shopper, life coach, therapist, cheerer and friend.

BitterSweet

Kate and I saying goodbye to our friend Wendy.

Malapit Ka Na

The priest from the mass today asked us to say “Malapit ka na.” to the person sitting beside us in the mass. He was expecting that there would be a violent reaction afterwards, and of course, there was. Who would like to die early anyway?
But dying is just a part of the circle of life. “Death chases life from the very first breath.” We are just a dust here on earth. As my dad puts it, no matter how long have you traveled in the jeepney, you will reach your final destination sooner or later.
The priest offered us a different perspective on how to view death. Perhaps death is not as lonely as it sounds if we have missions in life. We should know our purpose so that life will be worth living.
Mission in life sounds too serious for me. I just want to take it one day at a time. As one of the episode in Spongebob had it, make it ‘The Best Day Ever’. I think that the key is to make the most out of the day that had been once again given to you. Everyday is an opportunity to do good, to be happy, to use time wisely, to utilize your talent in your work, be a blessing to others and strive to even be a better person.
In a fast pace lifestyle that we are living now, it is kind of difficult to achieve nor to be consistent with these. But I guess it is also part of the mission to be a work in progress until you can achieve your ‘ideal’ self.
Personally I have two main goals which top the list of my mission. I have to get in track with my project study. I have a year to finish it and my ‘gap months’ is over. It is bloody hard and research is not exactly my favorite subject but I am aiming to focus now and give it my best shot.
My second goal is to be a professor. I think that if I really do care for this country, I gave to give back. And the best way to do that is to share myself to the students in a state university that I really benefited a lot from.
Should I achieve these goals, maybe I would find the ‘peace’ that Father was talking about. Then it is time to set my eyes on the other missions that I should do as I continue my journey. If you are going to think about the reasons to live and seize every moment of it, then death is not as scary as it seems anymore.

versus

I prefer the cheery florals of Michelle than the blah gray of Carla. ^^

Power Hug! ^^

Sarah and John Lloyd is undeniably the team up to beat in their second movie together, You Changed My Life.They looked good and fun together which solicited laughter and 'kilig' from the viewers.I guess the winning formula is definitely their personalities. Sarah as the naive, good hearted, virginal Laida can stay charming and cute even in her every whimper when her boyfriend compliments her. John Lloyd as the grumpy,rich, misunderstood Miggy who 'never got jealous ngayon lang' and who 'can't stop acting like a love sick puppy dog' had proven how he had already matured as an actor.

They are a power couple who gives a power hug to everyone.Seeing them together, one can't help but relize how good it is to fall inlove and have that fuzzy, warm feeling inside.

It's the Time of the Year

With the temperature reaching more than 30 degrees Celcius, summer officially started. More than the hot weather, this season means sunscreen, relaxing, detoxing, vacation and a jolly chill time. My travel buddies in the past summer adventures had been my cousins. With them as my fun loving companions, the gorgeous beaches we had visited had been more extra special and memorable.

Puerto Galera



Bora



Bohol



So for this year's summer, let's see where my wanderlust will take me. One thing is for sure, the Philippines offers a lot of beautiful destinations for me to discover and enjoy. Life is not just about working oneself to death, once in a while, a vacation is a necessity to achieve a balanced, meaningful and happy life.

God is all, and all is in God.

Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677)

'He denied that the Bible was inspired by God down to the last letter. When we read the Bible, he said, we must continually bear in mind the period it was written in. A "critical" reading revealed a number of inconsistencies in the texts. But beneath the surface of the Scriptures in the New testament is Jesus, who we could well be called God's mouthpiece. Jesus preached a "religion of reason" which valued love higher than all else. Spinoza interpreted this as meaning both love of God and love of humanity. Nevertheless, Christianity had also become set in its own rigid dogmas and outer rituals.

***

'Are you saying that I cannot decide for myself?'
'Yes and no. You may have the right to move your thumb any way you choose. But your thumb can only move according to its' nature. It cannot jump off your hand and dance about the room. In the same way you also have your place in the structure of existence, you are also a finger of God's body.'
'So God decides everything I do?'
'Or nature, or laws of nature. Spinoza believed that God - or the laws of nature - is the inner cause of everything that happens. He is not an outer cause, since God speaks through the laws of nature and only through them.'

***

'God is not a puppeteer who pulls all the strings, controlling everything that happens. A real puppet master controls the puppets from outside and is therefore the "outer cause" of the puppetts movements. But that is not the way God controls the world. God controls the world through natural laws. So God- or nature- is the "inner cause" of everything that happens.'


- excerpts from Sophie's World

Gong-chan & Yu-rin

Laugh + Cry + Fall in love...over and over and over and over and over again! ^^

Arrogance of Youth

Clint Eastwood had proven in the movie, Gran Torino, why he is an icon in Hollywood. He is the main actor, director and producer of this movie which got its' title from a Ford vintage restored car.

He is Walt Kowalski, a Korea veteran and a widower, who prefers to be alone with his canned beers and loyal dog, Daisy. But he was soon entagled with the gang pestering their neighborhood, particularly his next door neighbors, Thao Vang and Sue Lor.After a lot of growling, snapping and snarling, he got closer with the siblings and felt protective of them. He was furious when the gang bullied Thao and marked his face with a cigarrette and anguished when Sue was brutally tortured and raped by them. Walt soon realized that 'Thao and Sue are never going to find peace in this world as long as that gang's around.' He then decided to act on his last mission to ensure their safety and peace of mind, even if it means that he needs to sacrifice his life.

In his last will and testament, he gave his precious Gran Torino to Thao, much to the dismay of his family. It symbolized that he was passing a newly rebuilt hope for him and his responsibility to make the most out of his life. Thao was shown serenely driving the car with Daisy on the passenger seat as though thankful to Walt and accepting his challenge to tread the right path of life.

a.k.a.

Edward Cullen a.k.a Robert Pattinson had step out from his shiny, silver Volvo to be a presenter in the Oscars. Swoooon!

maZterpiZ

Carlo Vergara's Ang Kagila-Gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni ZsaZsa Zaturnnah had earned a cult following in the comic book and the movie releases. It is about the adventures of Ada, a typical 'gay' parlorista, after a magical stone fell on him. The stone transformed him into a sexy and powerful heroine, ZsaZsa Zaturnnah. With the help of his loyal and funny assistant, Didi, he is about to save their small, peaceful town from the clutches of the evil Queen Femina with her Amazonistas; and latter decide if he will let himself fall from the charm of Dodong who pledge to love him despite all odds.



To celebrate the birthday of my sister, Nica, and to support Filipino talents, we went to CCP theater last Feb. 15 to watch the musical play rendition of ZsaZsa Zaturnnah.

The whole play was an all out laugh trip with witty punchlines and gay humor. The music and choreography were an extravaganza of energetic, soulful performances. The adaptation and direction were sheer genius.ZsaZsa was treated as a musical spectacle which is set to capture the funny bone, heart and imagination of the audience.It also has a strong sentiment about gender equality, belief in oneself and true love.



Eula Valdez as ZsaZsa had been perfect for the role as she can definitely sing and act as the gay heroine Ada, trapped in the curves and beauty of ZsaZsa. Nailing the part with her comical antics, she also had some heartfelt moments when she thought Didi had died and the encounter with the zombie form of her father.



Wilma Doesnt as Dina B., and the rest of the Amazonista had also been scene stealers led by their Queen Femina with their accents, 'crayola' costumes and production numbers as they did their 'Transmorphication--Execute' routines. They are villains, yes, but they are all adorable and hilarious.



Nar Cabico as Didi had solicited the most laugh, and arguably, the loudest cheer in the curtain call because of his uncanny comedy, good singing voice and A+ talent. I love his performance, he was a big part why ZsaZsa the musical had been a roaring success!

Doubting Meryl

St. Thomas had doubted Jesus when He appeared in front of the apostles after He resurrected. To prove that it was indeed Him who had risen from the dead after three days, He showed them His palm which still has a wound from the nail when they crucified Him in the cross.

In this movie, it was the turn of Meryl Streep as Sister Aloysius Beauvier to DOUBT if Father Brendan Flynn just has a soft spot for Donald Miller, the first black student of their school, or if the priest already has an 'untoward' fondness to the boy.


The root of her DOUBT is when Sister James told her that the priest called for Donald in the middle in the class, returned smelling alcohol and saw him put the boy's undershirt in his locker. Father Flynn was able to come up with an explanation that made sense to Sister James and said "I don't think Father Flynn did anything wrong." but Sister Aloysius just snapped: "You just want things to be resolved so you can have simplicity back."

And the case was really not resolved by telling it's audience if Father Flynn is guilty or not. Instead, there is a need to read between the lines in their confrontations to get a clue if Sister Aloysius is just a malicious, paranoid nun or Father Flynn really is a child molester. There are also some clues like the priest always wants the window to be opened but the curtain covers it, and that he wants his manicured nails to be long, as he showed his students "...long but clean."

And as Sister Aloysius warned the priest: " I will step outside the church if that's what needs to be done, till the door should shut behind me!" she talked with their superiors to tell them her DOUBTS. They hear her out and remove the priest from his post. Only to be transffered to another school with a much higher position.

Not attaining her conviction that she will fight Father Flynn and he will lose, she just cried at the arms of Sister James, though she already has her certainty, it will still remain as DOUBT.

Partial Solar Eclipse

Manila Bay, Philippines.
www.time.com

I was promoted at work as a Team Leader. We have an up-coming trip in the province this April. Nica and Jeje are going to celebrate their birthdays. My project study is still yet to be finished. I am waiting for my new LCD monitor and better CPU. The sequel, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is a must-see. The number of my student per day is becoming overwhelming. I am turning 27 this March 30. I like the new Milo commercial because Japoy Lizardo was on it.I am really sleepy now, gotta turn in to bed.

Art at its' Purest

To celebrate the birthday of my good friend Melissa, we decided to be nationalistic and cultured at the same time. Repertory Philippines was running a Nick Joaquin play " A Portrait Of The Artist As Filipino" so we went our way to OnStage Greenbelt, Makati to watch it.

Synopsis from www.repertory-philippines.com

A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino is considered the most important Filipino play in English.

Set in Manila in October 1941, it tells the tale of two of Don Lorenzo's daughters, Candida and Paula Marasigan to whom Don Lorenzo has given the portrait and the many different forces want the painting. The daughters resist the temptation to sell their father's self-portrait, which could fetch a small fortune, and ignore their siblings' coercion to dispose of the family house. Imminent war, practice blackouts, and sleazy figures from Manila’s nightlife make a colorful context.

''Portrait of the Artist'' is an engaging, well-plotted metaphor for the passing of Old Manila. It focuses on family conflicts in which old cultural models are reconciled with modern values and the influences of Western values on Filipino identity.

LIES

Underwold Rise of the Lycans was the first movie of the franchise that I watched so I went to the cinema with an almost 'tabula rasa' mind about it. Sure it was known that Kate Beckinsale is the kick-ass female lycan hunter, Death Dealer and that the movie has a goth feel in it. But without much background about it,the movie becomes more interesting to watch with the gore, sword fights, forbidden love and the piercing dark atmosphere.

The heroine in the story was condemned to death. So if she died, how come that there had been two Underworld stories? It turned out that she was not Kate Beckinsale all along but it was another actress, Rhona Mitra. The story was about Sonja, the mother of Kate's character Selene. On how she 'consorted to an animal'and 'messed up the bloodlines'as his furious father and leader of the coven Viktor accused her. But she argued that she fell in love with the lycan slave, Lucian.She helped him and the other lycans to escape for their freedom. Sonja was supposed to meet Lucian to run away together but Viktor discovered her treachery and confined her, so he went back to the fortress to rescue her but got caught. The vampire council, lead by Viktor, unanimously voted that Sonja must die despite being pregnant, while Lucian was forced to watch her demise. The Vampire v.s. Lycans battle ensued, calling their warewolves brothers to fight with them, the Lycans was victorious and ovethrew the vampires from their own fortress. Lucian overpowered Viktor, but at the end, the vampire proved to be resilient and not easily killed. He was later shown to be smuggled out in a ship, resting on his casket to regenerate cursing that 'this will just be the beggining'. Thus starting the long, waging war between the Vampires and the Lycans.

To end the movie, Kate as Selene was shown in the opening sequence of the first Underwold movie being told about what really transpired in the past. That it was the vampires who started the conflict and her families were murdered by Viktor himself and not by the lycans as she was led to believe, on which she only coldly replied: "Lies."

Meet Me Halfway

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button had lived up to high expectations. The story offers a unique story of what if you were born old and die young. Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett had been excellent to their portrayal of lovers who were against time. The flawless make-up of the characters is worth accolades from award giving bodies.

My favorite actor in the movie is Quennie, the soft hearted woman who treated Benjamin as her real son. She was funny and compassionate in the same time.While the best scene was when Benjamin sat with his estranged, dying father to watch the sunrise together. The prologue and the epilogue about the clock added an interesting twist. While putting the real time when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans was disturbingly eerie.

The movie is a riveting story about what true love is, it waits for its time as Benjamin and Daisy met halfway. And as the Angel of Death arrives, you will peacefully let go of the one you love, no matter how painful it is, and just wait for your time to reunite again.

the First Couple

...of Vanity. Posh with her fierceness and Becks with his gorgeousness made a stunning ad for Armani.

God's Mother Nature

Paulo Coelho caught my attention with his best-selling book, The Alchemist. But wanting to taste his contemporary work and not the classic, I have chosen his more recent work The Witch of Portobello.This had been another part of what he calls 'Literary pilgrimage'wherein he infused morality and spiritually with his works.

The theme of the book is about the feminine side of God.That God is not really in heaven but dwells among us here on Earth and manifested by Nature. Instead of the instituted doctrines of the church, God can be praised by chanting and dancing. The heroine of the story, Athena, communed with God through her pagan ways. She always saught how to be closer with God, through the churh, by reaching the vortex and even by calligraphy. In reaching this goal, she was labelled as a witch, a godess, a priestess and even the spirit of Hagia Sofia, the Great Mother.

The book hinted that the modern world is not yet prepared to such 'Cult of the Mother'.When the group of Athena attracted many supporters,conservative and religious sects repressed their group.It turned out so bad that Athena's custody to her son had been questioned. Her mission will be completely ruined if gossips will overwhelm what she preaches.In the end, she needs to 'die' so that the controversy will subside and the road for the Mother will be cleared.

In the book Sophie's World, this other side of God was also mentioned:

It was an ancient Christian and Jewish belief that God was not only a man. He also has a female side, or 'mother nature'. Women too are created in God's likeness. In Greek, this female side of God is called Sophia, which means wisdom.

'Sophia' or God's mother nature had certain significance both for Jews and in Greek Orthodox Church throughout the Middle Ages. In the west she was forgotten. But along came Hildegard. Sophia appeared to her in vision, dressed in a golden tunic adored with costly jewels...

LoVe Ko 'to!

Mc Do had scored another iconic commercial. And the ad agency of Jollibee had called for an emergency meeting to counter back.

Baby CoMe inTo Me

Celebrating New Year with my cousins.