Hangout with Julhan

My Oscar 2012 Prediction

2012-02-25T18:03:00.008-08:00

A few hours from now, American Academy of Motion Pictures Arts or Sciences (AMPAS) or simply called the Oscar will be recognizing the movies of 2011 from directing, writing, acting to technical achievements. Oscar Award has been an annual gathering of known actors and movie personalities since 1929 and since then it has been dubbed as the mother of all the film awards. For movie geek like me it is just too hard to miss the show or not be informed about the winners. Due to US simulcast I often time miss the live award, but thanks to online blogs and news that feature the result real-time. So without further ado here is my own list of Oscar Winners.

Best Picture is "Hugo"

This is the first Oscar that I was able to watch all the Best Picture Nominated films before the actual award. I took time watching all of them and despite the mixed reviews of critics and movie-sites users I still fine all the nine films nominated worthy of the award (yes even the least favorite Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close). Due to other awards given the multi-awarded nearly-silent French film "The Artist" is most likely to run home with the biggest award, but I'd still like Martin Scorsese's Hugo to win. It's because I like the entirety of the film, a real output of Scorsese's passion in film making can be seen. It touches the important aspects of life; purpose, change, love and passion. No other film from the list that has shown what Hugo presented. Here is my ranking of the all the nine films: 1. Hugo 2. Midnight In Paris 3. The Artist 4. War Horse 5. The Help 6. The Descendants 7. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close 8. Moneyball 9. Tree of Life

Best Director is Martin Scorsese

Best Actor is George Clooney

Best Actress is Viola Davis

Best Supporting Actor is Christopher Plummer

Best Supporting Actress is Octavia Spencer

Best Original Screenplay is A Separation

Best Adapted Screenplay is Hugo

Best Animated Film is Rango

Best Foreign Film is A Separation

Best Cinematography is War Horse

Best Editing is The Artist

Best Art Direction is The Artist

Best in Costume Design is The Artist

Best in Makeup is Albert Nobbs

Best in Original Score is War Horse

Best in Original Song is The Muppets

Best in Sound Mixing is Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Best in Sound Editing is Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Best in Visual Effects is Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Hugo Is A Precious Gift From Martin Scorsese

2012-02-22T02:28:00.007-08:00

At last for quite a while now a movie has finally inspired me to write a full review again. I just couldn't let all the positive thoughts about this film pass me by without sharing it. I'm talking about a splendid creation of a movie legend Martin Scorsese called Hugo. Unlike his other movies, Scorsese took another path of making magic in film creation and he did it with dashing style, something panache as the word even uttered in the movie itself.

The story centers on a little boy Hugo Cabret (starred by Asa Butterfield) as he finds the message of his deceased father (Jude Law) from a broken automaton. He spends his day searching for the missing piece of the machine while winding the clocks on the train station where he lives and met Isabelle (Chloe Grace Moretz), the granddaughter of a toy shop owner George Milies (Ben Kingsley). Hugo and Isabelle soon discovered something extraordinary that lead to his father's work.

Besides the mystery of the automaton, the movie features another great piece of work that made the whole thing more than a masterpiece. It's the story of a person behind the acclaimed 1902 film A Trip To The Moon which I actually watched several months ago. I appreciate the classic film more after watching this movie and made me admire Scorsese even more. Everything in this film will really linger, each character even the small ones will be remembered as it served its purpose, big or small just like what the whole message of the film is all about. Just what Isabelle said in the film "Thank you for the movie today, it was a gift", Hugo is a precious gift that we always be thankful of, and for hundred of years the magic of this film will always remain.

All Is Well For My Sister Inshallah!

2012-02-03T17:08:00.000-08:00

Just got off the phone talking to my sister from Sandakan, Malaysia. We've been worried lately for her because we found out that she won't be able to have a normal delivery for her second baby. I've been talking to her since yesterday and it helped us to just feel better knowing that she's ok. She feels fine though and I really hope everything would turn out good. We are excited too for their second angel, for our second angel. We are expecting a very healthy and bouncing baby boy and my sister been wishing for one 'coz her first is a girl, a very cute, smart and littler girl who is now 6 years old. I visited them once in Malaysia and that was the best vacation ever.

It's not her first time to be in under the knife situation actually and it wasn't because of her first baby, she was joking about it on the phone with me. She was saying that it's not her first time anyway (just couldn't tell you exactly the reason why 'coz I was young then when it happened). I really admire my sister's courage, our mom really did a wonderful job in raising her (same goes to all of us I hope). I'm sure if my mom is still alive we won't be worried like this, because she always had all things under control. I'm a bit relieved now, what just worries me is that I can't see her anytime I want to because I'm too faraway, we are all faraway from her, thanks to the technology nowadays I must say. So today we are all going to stay put and wait for the result of the cesarean operation, All is well Inshallah!

Finally back to writing again...

2012-01-12T00:43:00.000-08:00

It's really been a while since I had the last entry here on my blog. It's not that I don't have anything to write because there is always something to write if you are always fond of it but because for some reason I wasn't able to log in to my account since my last entry. I just lately searched on Google the reason why and I found out that I have to log in to the Blogspot home page, how did it happen? I don't exactly know.

Anyway, there are couple of stuff that I just wanna share, about work, some personal goals and things that I'm thankful of having. Let's start with things going on at work. Well as I have mentioned in my last entry I'm working with HP now, supporting Inkjet Printers for home consumers. We officially started as our non-trainees status last three weeks ago and so far I'm enjoying it, although there are couple of unwanted incidents and some undelivered promises still bearable for me, I mean I've been through worst when I was starting with BPO industry last two and half years ago so I think it's getting better everyday somehow.

For personal goals? nothing serious really, it's just that I'm learning to move my limbs and muscles seriously now by doing a running work out. I got my self a pair or running shoes, a digital clock and some dry-fit shirts and shorts. Yeah I geared myself somehow though they are not that really that hard to prepare hehe. I just also realized that I just live next to a park (Quezon City Circle) where most people in the city go for a walk or a running exercise. It is just so motivating seeing a lot of people doing things like you want to do to stay fit. This is just a start for me, I haven't yet set my goal, so far I'll just have to be consistently doing the running during my rest day with no pressure at all.

I think I'll have to stop right here, my eyes are already closing, I haven't slept yet since 10pm. So that's it for now, it's my off anyway, I may continue writing again 'coz I feel that I still have lots of things to share here..Ba have a great day everyone!

From Dell to Hewlett-Packard

2011-11-06T17:16:00.000-08:00

Done with the first phase of training for Hewlett-Packard Printers in Sitel. I haven't blogged about my previous account (Dell) that was pulled out last month. After just a year and a few months Dell Clients had decided to stop doing business with Sitel for a reason. We were made aware of the reason (I think), I myself is not sure if it was really the real reason, but just to play safe let me not just mention it here. What I can share with you is that working with Dell is one of the best working experience I've had. I've learned a lot of things, and I can say that I have improved not just my technical skills but as well as my skills in dealing with people, our American customers and my co-workers.

HP is my third account or department in Sitel in two years and four months. First was at&t then Dell, and unfortunately I didn't get any promotion with the last two accounts. Hopefully this time with HP I'll get promoted. I may start to work with the Quality then as a Learning Specialist. I know right now I'm not yet qualified but I'll work my self up, that's my goal and it will happen two years from now.

The Magic Lives On...Enchanted Kingdom Getaway

2011-09-04T23:16:00.000-07:00

Had a great time with my family and friends in Enchanted Kingdom last night. It wasn't really planned. My nephew, Jaf who is based in Cebu had a trip to manila with his officemates and on their itinerary is visiting EK in Sta. Rosa Laguna, he just sent me a group message (via SMS as what he always does that they were going) and it so happened that our trip to Malaysia was canceled so I thought of joining them. I invited my friends but only Dats who was able to make it and my younger sister Queenie.

It was our first time to visit the place (except for Dats), I've been to Star City in Metro Manila but not in EK so I didn't really let the chance to pass us by amidst the devastating issues about our trip. In fact I thought it was really a perfect time to move on with what happened. So when we were there, we screamed our lungs out with the adrenaline-junkie rides especially the Space Shuttle Max , Jungle Log Jam and Anchor's Away. Of all the rides, the Anchor's Away really gave me the goose bumps, and I was really trembling, I was still feeling the every muscle in my body even after we got off from it. It was tiring but we really had a great time. Hoping to visit again soon.

Inspirational Movie Quotes

2011-08-30T12:31:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the inspirational movie lines that I remember taking note of so far. It took time for me to blog about it but I've been keeping them in my drive for quite a while now.

Grown Ups
"Life can be difficult sometimes, it gets bumpy, but with the family and things not going exactly as planned that's what makes it interesting.In life the first act is always exciting, the second act, that's where the depth comes in."

The Bounty Hunter
"Life is about making mistakes. Death is about wishing you made a whole lot more." - Jennifer Aniston

Tooth Fairy
"The reason why there are unhappy people in this world because they are clinging in to some version of "What if" - Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson

All About Steve
"My favorite ingredient in a crossword there is, is perseverance,if you quit the puzzle you can't finish it" - Sandra Bullock

Precious
"The Llongest journey begins with a single step"

My Name is Khan
"The theory of entertainment in Physics states that some specific sounds increase the rate of your hearbeat.For me Mandira, that specific sounds has always been the sound of your laughter"

Ip Man 2
"By fighting this match, I'm not trying to prove Chinese martial arts are better than Western boxing, What I really want to say is, though people have different statuses in life, everybody's dignity is the same. I hope from this momment on, we can start to respect each other"

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
"Everything changes with time, we should know this best of all"

Faith Like Potatoes
"The condition for a miracle is difficulty, for a great miracle is impossibility" - Angus

Cameron Diaz, All Time Hollywood Box Office Queen

2011-08-30T11:45:00.000-07:00

Cameron Diaz has already sent 15 movies to Worldwide All Time Box Office record (boxofficemojo.com). From comedy-fantasy, to Romcom, to action thriller films, Diaz has managed to score box office trophies regardless of genre she stars in. Her latest Bad Teacher role just crossed $200 Million world wide this weekend as her 15th film to reach the milestone which makes Diaz as the only Female Hollywood actress that has more than 10 box office records (at least with $200 million total gross), more than any female A-lister including Oscar winners, Julia Roberts (has 9 films), Angelina Jolie (has 8 films), Nicole Kidman (has 6 films) and Sandra Bullock (has 5 films).

Here are Cameron Diaz's successful films:

1. The Mask (1994) - Cameron's first movie was really a huge hit, thanks to Jim Carrey.
Worldwide Boxoffice Gross: $352 Mil

2. My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)
Co-star: Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney
Worldwide Boxoffice Gross:$299 Mil

3. There's Something About Mary (1997)
Co-star: Ben Stiller, Matt Dillon
Worldwide Boxoffice Gross:$370 Mil

4.Charlie's Angels (2000)
Co-star: Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu
Worldwide Boxoffice Gross:$264 Mil

5. Shrek (2001)
Co-star: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy
Worldwide Boxoffice Gross:$484.4 Mil

6.Vanilla Sky (2001)
Co-star: Tom Cruise, Penelope Cruz
Worldwide Boxoffice Gross: $203 Mil

7. Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003)
Co-star: Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, Demi Moore
Worldwide Boxoffice Gross: $259.3 Mil

8. Shrek 2 (2004)
Co-star: Mike Myers, Antonio Banderas, Eddie Murphy
Worldwide Boxoffice Gross:$929 Mil

9. The Holiday (2006)
Co-star: Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black
Worldwide Boxoffice Gross:$205 Mil

10. Shrek the Third (2007)
Co-star: Mike Myers, Antonio Banderas, Eddie Murphy, Justin Timberlake
Worldwide Boxoffice Gross:$799 Mil

11. What Happens in Vegas (2008)
Co-star: Ashton Kutcher, Queen Latifah
Worldwide Boxoffice Gross: $219.3 Mil

12. Shrek Forever After (2010)
Co-star: Mike Myers, Antonio Banderas, Eddie Murphy
Worldwide Boxoffice Gross: $752.6 Mil

13. Knight and Day (2010)
Co-star: Tom Cruise
Worldwide Boxoffice Gross: $262 Mil

14. The Green Hornet (2011)
Co-star: Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Christoph Waltz
Worldwide Boxoffice Gross: $228 Mil

15. Bad Teacher (2011)
Co-star: Jason Segel, Justin Timberlake
Worldwide Boxoffice Gross: $201.2 Mil

I Hate the service of Cebu Pacific Airlines

2011-08-30T11:19:00.000-07:00

I really disgust the service of Cebu Pacific Airlines. I can't believe that they didn't let us to board the plane after the check-in process that caused us to miss the Eid'l Fitri trip going to Kota Kinabalu last Monday, August 29th (Flight No. 5J733, 3:50 PM). I admit that we didn't know that a return ticket is necessary for tourist travel and checked-in during the very last minutes before boarding time (not to mention the long lines on the check-in station), but the fact that they asked us to purchase a return ticket on that day, and I asked them if we still going to make it which they said "Pwede pa sir, wag na lng kayo pumila sa ticketing, diretso na kayo sa counter" which I did, the fact that I explained that to them, we should have been assisted or at least they should have notified the people in boarding area that we will be a bit late because I still need to purchase a return ticket for my companion (my sister), which they agreed on before checking us in. We didn't waste any time, we got the return ticket paid all the fees (Travel Tax and Terminal Fee), before we reached the Immigration the guy (who was wearing the Cebu Pac uniform) informed us that we can't board anymore, I thought he was just joking, I even told him, it's not yet 3:50pm, the plane has not left yet, he said the boarding time is over, they have got our baggage off the plane. I explained to him why we were late because of the return ticket but they didn't listen, instead they accompanied us back to check-in station. I spoke to the person in-charge, she said we will rebook but we have to pay for the penalty and the ticket differences, which was over Php 16,000.00 which was really crazy. We would have not booked earlier if we wanted to spend that amount for the trip. I explained to them I booked the ticket three months ago and took advantage of the promo fair for a cheaper admission but they just apologized though admittedly telling us that they should have at least assisted us. One of the people in-charge even said that they were not informed about our case that's why they just didn't let us board the plane. Apology is accepted but that doesn't make things easier for me and my sister and our family who were waiting for us to spend the holiday with in Malaysia. The worse part about it is that they won't even refund the money that we spent for the tickets, not even for the return ticket that we purchased on that very day which was really absurd. I know there are policies and all that but at least they should have done something about it. It was not that we didn't check-in on time or didn't adhere to the immigration policy of purchasing a return ticket, we did all that. They should have at least have a little courtesy of waiting for their customers who trusted them with their time, money and effort for a Holiday Vacation.

I understand that things happen for a reason, but things like these could have been avoided if we'll only be extra careful and focus with what we do. Especially if it involves time and family. My sister cried the whole day when we reached home, she came to Manila from Zamboanga to join me in visiting our sister and brother in Malaysia during the Muslim Holiday, Eid'l Fitri, and I took my 10-day Vacation Leave from work for it, that's how important the trip was. It was not just like any adventure or any trips, and because of what happened it all just went to waste.

Back to Malaysia for Eid Celebration

2011-08-26T22:08:00.000-07:00

Today is the start of my two-week long vacation from work. I'm glad my superior approved it, I already have the plane ticket booked three months before my flight when I filed for it last two weeks ago and it seemed to be a good reason after all (for sure they don't want me to miss an international flight) and besides I worked hard for my work attendance to deserve it anyway. I'll be spending the Eid'l Fitri with my sisters and brother and their families in Sandakan, Malaysia. It will be my second visit already but first time during Eid, in fact first time in so many years that we will be spending the Eid together. I can't wait to play with my little nephews and niece again and of course to catch up with my sister Laidz and brother Jul. Really missed them. Our younger sister Queng is with me right now and we will both going though she'll stay there for a month and I have to come back again to Manila for work.

I can't really wait to travel again this Monday, it's going to be a long trip, a two-hour flight from Manila to Kota Kinabalu then another 6 to 7 hours bus-ride going to Sandakan, to my sister's place. We'll probably reach our destination around midnight and by then people are preparing for the Eid celebration already. One of the best things about work is that you can always give yourself a break from it. Advance Happy Eid to everyone!

My First IMAX Experience

2011-06-30T12:11:00.000-07:00

I finally experienced IMAX 3D with Transformers: Dark of the Moon. I've watched several 3D movies in cinemas since Avatar in 2009 but not in IMAX. It's not that I didn't have a chance to, I just didn't find a movie that is worth spending the admission ticket for. It costs around Php 450.00 but it was really worth it. The sound, effects were real-like, too bad I was positioned right next to the first row of seats but did enjoy it anyway. It was the last full show, so I didn't really expect the seats to be filled, I had no choice but the get one of the last remaining seats.

Overall, the third Transformers film was not the best among the series but it got the best visual effects, after all it's Michael Bay's first 3D film. I wouldn't really mind going back to IMAX cinema for another film but next time I'll see to it that I'll got the best seat ever.

Finished First Quarter at work with Flying Colors

2011-05-19T18:19:00.000-07:00

Didn't expect what happened at work today. Performers for first quarter were awarded, it was unannounced actually, it wasn't really a formal recognition, the people from management just showed up on the floor and gathered themselves to give out the certificates. To my surprise one of the awardees was me, I thought I misheard my name or something. I got the highest "Customer Experience or CE" with an average of 100% (CE is based from the survey results submitted by Dell Customers that we spoke with) for the month of April. And the surprise didn't end their, I heard my name once again when they announced the highest CE for the whole Quarter 1. I couldn't almost believe, I don't really qualify myself as the best, 'coz I know I still have a lot of things to learn and there are a lot of better folks at work that I sometimes get insecure with. But I guess I'm half lucky too at the same time. I believe in luck, to my definition it's synonymous with right moment, we may all deserve of something, but not all of us deserve to have it all at the same time.

Meanwhile the Team's performance (we are clustered per Team at work with one Supervisor) for Quarter 2 has been promising. Started with me who just took home the highest CE for the first week of Quarter Two (I enjoyed the cash prize by the way) and our Participation Rate for Sales has been consistent for four weeks now (so it means we got a total of Php 20,000.00 for our Team Building Fund). The Team is also ranking first in terms of CE and other metrics but over-all we are currently in Second spot, we came short in our attendance and one other metric. I don't really expect too much for our team, but I wanna keep my hopes up especially for the all the teams to pass most of the metrics this quarter.

It always feels good to be recognized for your effort, it lets you know that you're doing great with what you do because sometimes you are too busy to notice it at all.

Calamba, Laguna Summer Escapade

2011-05-03T23:01:00.000-07:00

After a few weeks of planning for a summer escapade, me and my colleagues at work finally invaded Calamba, Laguna (the birth place of Jose Rizal, our National Hero) which is about two hour trip via public transportation bus from Metro Manila. We rented a private place with four rooms and a pool with a karaoke machine which was just good enough for 11 of us for just Php 3,500.00 which was really affordable for a place like that. We spent time swimming and karaoke all-day-and-night-long. Most of my colleagues had a couple of drinks, don't know if it was wine or rum, couldn't really tell, what I do know is that some of them got so wasted that couldn't almost drive their bikes to go home.

What I always appreciate whenever I go out with non-Muslim friends is that they always respect what we really believe (as Muslims). They are aware that I don't take any alcohol drinks or eat anything that has pork or any food contaminated with it (even for the spoon that was used to serve pork, I couldn't use it without washing it thoroughly). From the time we bought food for the trip, everyone wanted to buy Purefoods Hotdogs but had to switch it with Swift Hotdogs because it got Halal seal on it. I informed them however that they can buy anything they want as long as I'll prepare the hotdog myself which everyone agreed.

Everyone enjoyed, especially me, though I slept around 10 PM 'coz I woke up around 4 AM to resume the singing and I realized that I'd sung too much that I lost my voice for two days. I even had to inform my boss at work that I couldn't report because I had problem with it. Which means that I'll get some write-up when I report to work later. I'm so guilty that everyone was able to go to work but me.

It was my first time to be away from the Metro Manila again since last October when my friends invited me to join them for a Pampanga trip and my second summer outing since I moved here to Metro Manila (last year was the first when I joined my co-workers for Baguio and Pampanga escapade) and I can't wait for more to come. Great day everyone!

Additional photos below

4-ft private pool with four rooms on the second floor

On our way back to Manila

World Invasion Battle: Los Angeles - A Movie Review

2011-04-05T13:13:00.000-07:00

Just got off from watching "World Invasion Battle: Los Angeles or simply known as Battle:LA in North America. Due to not-so-good reviews from the movie critics (only got 34% from Rotten Tomatoes) I didn't expect too much from it and to my surprise I found the film interesting as alien-invasion themed movies District 9 and Independence Day.

Set in August 2011, Extraterrestrial invaded and started to colonize the Earth due to its abundance of water. While people from all over the world were being exterminated, a group of marines in LA headed by retiring Sgt Michael Nantz was sent on a mission of securing the remaining civilians before Air Force bombs the entire invaded area. Carrying the baggage from the last mission, Sgt Nantz realizes that aliens are not just his only concern, he also needs to deal with his marines and their bad speculations about him.

Filled with non-stop action thrills, World Invasion is a pretty good action flick which promises to give you more explosions despite of being short in exploring human emotions. Director Jonathan Liebesman could have extracted deeper from the characters though it isn't really necessary in an action film but since Liebesman started showing it on the beginning he could have been more consistent with it to make the ending more joyful and unforgettable. But despite all that still I was a bit moved by its little drama and the action-thrill with decent special effects is worth watching. (3.5 out 5 stars)

World Invasion Battle:Los Angeles is starred by Aaron Echkart (Dark Knight, Rabbit Hole) as Sgt Nantz, Michelle Rodriguez (Avatar, Fast and Furious), Michael Pena (Observe and Report, Shooter) and R & B singer Ne-yo. Directed by Jonathan Liebesman whose directing jobs includes Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning and now working on Wrath of the Titans (Clash of Titans 2).

Shake, Rattle & Roll 12 - Movie Review

2011-04-01T16:50:00.000-07:00

I don't exactly remember when Shake, Rattle & Roll or SSR started scaring audiences but what I remember is the creature "Undin"(starred by Manilyn Reyns and Ai-ai Delas Alas) gave me ghost bumps every time I'm left in the rest room alone. Several years have passed and technology has become more sophisticated, SSR reaches its 12th films but unfortunately delivered less scary stories compare to its predecessors (talking about the films released in 90's).

Just like the usual trend of the series, SSR 12 comes with three different episodes, "Mamanyika", "Isla", and "Punerarya". While the first two episodes were disappointing, the movie as a whole was concluded with a great one.

Mamanyika: Is a story of a possessed doll that kills every one or everything (including its fellow dolls) who gets its way. The episode was not scary at all, everything was ridiculous. First time director Zoren Legaspi apparently wasn't ready to take the director's seat. Starred by Shaina Magdayao and Ricky Davao.

Isla: The second episode focuses on a heartbroken woman who let things cooled down in an island haunted by "engkato". Though it got better visual effects, the second story was even more boring and totally a waste of time. Dir Topel Lee should have focused on the story line than working more on the effects and the killing scenes. Starred by Andi Eigenman and Rayver Cruz.

Punerarya: The final episode is the most suspenseful story among the three, one of the best episodes I've watched in SSR series actually. The plot was simple and I believed was used in horror films before but still made into a real shocker. Focusing on a story of a teacher who takes a private tutor job for two children of a family whose business involving funerary services. Intrigued with the family being different from normal people, the tutor realizes that she has to run for her life before the whole family prey on her. Starred by Carla Abellana and Sid Lucero.

Don't know why our local movie makers can stand with ridiculous stories that are not even worth of a single peso to spend for. With the strong final episode, SSR 12 obviously could have been better. The movie is watchable but you just need to suffer on the first part of it for you to enjoy what has been stored at the end of it. (My rating is 3 out 5 stars)

HP 7.1 has become the top grossing HP movie overseas among the series

2011-03-31T20:30:00.000-07:00

Down to its last book, Harry Potter continuously vows both the critics and fans with its breathtaking conclusion of this beloved book-adaptation series that has become the most successful book adaptation of all time with a total of $6.4 billion. The latest film Deathly Hallows Part 1 has become the top grossing overseas among the series with $952,175,796 million while Sorcerer's Stone (Philosopher's Stone) rules the North America and World Wide box office tally. Both of which are in the top 10 all-time highest grossing films (boxofficemojo.com)

The series follows the life of Harry Potter, a young wizard who has been running for his life since his parents died from ruthless evil wizard Lord Voldermort. With people around him doing everything to protect him and end up dying, Harry Potter with the help of his best friends Ron and Hermione, they must find Voldermort's weaknesses quickly as possible to spare the people they love. (My Rating is 4 out of 5 stars)

The three have gone to searching and destroying Horcruxes which help them to defeat Lord Voldermort on this first part of the last film, which is the 7th and final book of J. K. Rowling. With David Yates on the director's seat again, HP has never been this great. The dark-noir effects and musical scoring were really outstanding bringing a different experience, more so if the film was successfully converted to 3D-IMAX. Personally, "Prisoner of Azkaban" is my best book and best film among the series and assuming the last film would carry on thesame style and over-all cinematic presentation, it would be either fall next to 'Azkaban' or surpass it. The film is obviously vague, but that's how it really is, the momentum may have gone downhill after watching it but prepare for a roller-coaster ride once Deathly Hallows Part 2 hits the 3D-IMAX cinemas this July.

Fast and Furious Race - a Total Recall of a Successful Franchise

2011-03-31T12:06:00.000-07:00

One of the most anticipated movies of this year is the 5th movie of the famous speed car-racing movie franchise Fast and Furious, this time dubbed as "Fast Five". Before hitting theaters this May, let's look back and see what this action-thriller has been for the last ten years (I spent the whole day yesterday watching again its first four films).

The Fast And The Furious (2001) - The first film from the franchise was released in June 2001 and went straight to top spot on its first 3-day in North America with $40.1 million . Starred by Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster. The first film was a huge success that accumulated $207 million world wide considering the small budget of just $38 mil. Directed by Rob Cohen, who later directed xXx, Stealth, and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

Plot:
Dominic Toretto (Diesel) with his team including his girlfriend Letty (Rodriguez) hijacked a truck stealing millions of merchandise. Pursuing them was LAPD Brian O'Conner (Walker) who was in undercover joining Dominic's team to get enough evidence to take them in. He fell for Dominic's younger sister Mia (Brewster) and become more close with her brother. The two got along and Dominic introduced him the "Race Wars". A sort of brotherhood formed and Brian got himself protecting Dominic and his team from the authority. (My rating is 3.5 out 5 stars )

2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) - after two years the second movie was released with more budget ($76 mil) and also debuted at number one on it's first week with $50.1 million and ended with $236 mil during its theatrical run world wide despite the absence of Vin Diesel and the two female lead. New casts were added which include Tyresse Gibson, Ludacris, Eva Mendez and Devon Aoki. Directed by John Singleton who later directed Mark Wahlberg in Four Brothers and this year's new film Abducted.

Plot:
Brian was discharged from LAPD from freeing Dominic (was shown at the end of the first film). He was contacted by the FBI to do another undercover job with Monica Fuentes (Mendez) for money laundering headed by a ruthless drug lord. In doubt of being accompanied by an FBI agent, Brian demanded for a known driver who can do the job with him and in return they will be both cleaned from their past charges. He turned to his old friend Rome, whom he had a little drift with before joining LAPD. With the help of fellow street-racers Tej (Ludacris) and Suki (Aoki), Brian and Rome need to finish the job before the drug lord finishes them. (My rating is 2.5 out of 5 stars)

The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006) - released after three years, the third installment didn't much live up to its predecessors when it comes to box office gross but wasn't a disappointment either. It still managed to accumulate a worldwide gross of $158 million despite casting younger and unknown actors which include Lucas Black, Bow Wow and Korean American actor Sung Kang. Directed by Justin Lin who later worked on the other two movies from the franchise.

Plot:

Sean (Black) is a high school student who constantly moves from one town to another due to his stubbornness. He was sent to Tokyo by his mother to join his father after involving in a crash because of street racing. Despite the warning from his father, Sean found himself joining his fellow-American student, Twinkie (Bow Wow) who introduced him to "Drift Racing". He met Han, a Japanese drift racer who later taught him to drift against DK, a nephew of famous Yakuza. Tired of moving and running away, Sean made a good deal with the Yakuza and needs to race again and win against DK for him stay in Tokyo for good. It was revealed that Han was a good friend of Dominic (Vin Diesel) who made a short appearance at the end of the film. (My Rating is 3.0 out of 5 stars)

Fast and Furious (2009) - released in April of 2009 which opened with $70.1 million on its first 3-day. The fourth film reunited all the four original casts together which became the most successful film in the franchise so far. It earned a total of $353.2 million world wide and holds the record of the best live-action car movie ever created. Justin Lin was once again took the directing job for the fourth film.

Plot:
The plot happened between the second and third movie, where Brian was back in LAPD pursuing a drug dealer while Han and Dominic were in Dominican Republic hijacking trucks of fuel. When Dominic learned about the death of Letty (Rodriguez) he went back to LA pursuing her killer who was also being pursued by Brian to lead him to the drug lord Arturo Braga. The two met and once again involved in car racing, only this time with Dominic is on for revenge at the same time. After avenging Letty's death, he chose not to run from authorities, he was convicted and was sent to jail for 25 years, and on the bus while on his way to his prison, Brian, Mia and two other new racers rescued him. (My rating is 3.0 out of 5 stars)

Fast Five (2011) - picking up from where the last movie left off, Dominic, Brian, Mia and fellow racers are being pursued by cops headed by a new character Hobb (played by Dwayne Johnson). Still directed by Justin Lin and three main characters reprise their roles (except for Rodriguez whose character died in the last film). Also Rome (Tyresse Gibson), Han (Sung Kang), and Tej (Ludacris) are back in this action-thriller film. We still don't know if this film is better than its predecessors but no matter what it will be another box office success and the guys behind the franchise are already working on the sixth and final film. Sounds so exciting right?..can't wait to watch it in cinema this May

February Movie Summary

2011-03-14T21:01:00.000-07:00

I watched a total of 22 movies last February, quite a number but a bit fewer compare to my list last January which reached to 29 films. I know It's probably insane (because I'm really crazy about movies) to keep track of all the movies you watch everyday but for me I just find it fun, it's like I've never seen that movie without having it on my list, good or too disappointing or whatever, I just like seeing them enumerated (if you notice them on the right hand side of my blog).

Most of this movies were not really part of the plan for my movie marathon or I was not eager to watch them. I could just count in my fingers those movies that I really wanted to watch and gave everything up to watch it, some made me sleepy at work 'coz I had to watch it 'coz I couldn't wait to watch it on my rest days and these movies are Robert Downey Jr and duo-comedy "Zach Galifianakis "Due Date", Russel Crowe's prison-break thriller "The Next Three Days", the all-time Oscar Best Picture "The Godfather", Josh Radnor directing-debut in " HappyThankYouMorePlease" and Jason Statham's latest action "The Mechanic".

Some movies were just latest and thought was fun to watch but rather disappointing like Jack Black's Guilliver's Travel, Dwayne Johnson's Faster and Hilary Swank's The Resident. Others were old but really great like the first Toy Story film and the Oscar Best Picture winners Chicago, American Beauty, and The Godfather. Movies like "Bulong", "Just Go With It" were both funny since I watched it in cinema along with friends and family. The horror flick Vanishing on 7th Street, Musicals Burlesque and Nine, teen action-thriller Tomorrow When The War Began, Sandler and Nicholson comedy Anger Management, and Woody Allen's star-studded comedy "You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger" were not really my favorites but pretty good one. The horror-comedy Hatchet is the worst movie on my list while The Godfather and The Next Three Days are the best.

Tangled - Movie Review

2011-03-07T01:07:00.000-08:00

Tale as old as time has once again brought to live by Disney and I’m not talking about the Beauty and Beast, I’m talking about the young girl who has been known for her very long hair, Rapunzel. The story didn’t need a retelling to do for it to be famous but Disney in a way relive Rapunzel’s tale not just to be enjoyed by the children of today’s generation but the adults as well.

Rapunzel was kept in a hidden castle for years by a woman whom she thought was her mother. Every year, during her birthday, she watched these hundreds of lights in the sky from a faraway place. Curious with what was out there, Rapunzel wanted to see these lights closely on her 18^th birthday and decided to leave the castle for the very first time. With the help of a young bandit Flynn whom he made a good deal with, her chameleon friend Pascal and the castle horse Maximus, Rapunzel will see these lights brighter than she could imagine.

The movie was a lot of fun, it doesn’t require too much thinking but not too shallow either. Beautifully scored and voiced by Mandy Moore (Rapunzel) and Zachary Levi (Flynn), this animated re-imagination of the classic tale will once again capture you heart and perhaps would last for another century. (4 out of 5 stars)

My Picks for 2011 Oscar Academy Awards

2011-02-26T20:32:00.000-08:00

The Academy is probably busy as of this very moment preparing for tomorrow's biggest and prestigious event in Hollywood, the 83rd Academy Oscar Awards. But before they unveil the winners that would shape the movie history for years to come, allow me to declare my own list of Oscar winners.

Best Animated Film is "Toy Story 3". With the absence of "Tangled" and "Despicable Me" in nomination list, it shouldn't be hard for the animators of Academy to be unanimous on this category, not even the threat of "How To Train Your Dragon" winning the Best Animated film as awarded by Annie Award, the prestigious award for animated feature films.

Best Original Song is "Coming Home" by Gweneth Paltrow, the original song from the movie "Country Song". The song got sweet melody and Gweneth's voice is really soothing to listen to. I personally like all the nominated songs but of course I have to pick one. I always thought that"I See the Light" of the animated movie "Tangled" as the best song, but that was before I downloaded "Coming Home".

Best Original Score, is "Inception". "127 Hours" and "The Social Network" got a pretty good scoring but "Inception" will take home the Oscar, all technical awards actually, so add the Best Sound, Best Sound Editing, and Best in Visual Effects. After being snubbed in Director category, Oscar would do anything to make it up with Nolan, because he really deserves it...and by the way add the Best Art Direction to it too.

Best in Cinematography and Best Adapted Screenplay is "The Social Network". There is no question in these two categories, it's clear that the Facebook story will take home these two awards.

Best in Original Screenplay would again be "Inception". Simply because it's the most unique and original story among other nominees.

Best Supporting Actress is Melissa Leo in "The Fighter". I almost didn't recognize her in this film, I knew she was in it but hardly notice her because they were other female casts in the film. But I did notice how great the actress was who played Mark Whalberg and Christian Bale mother, then I realized I was referring to the same person, Melissa Leo. She was just great, no other words, that's it.

Best Supporting Actor is Christian Bale in "The Fighter", who else could it be?. If Geoffrey Rush would win it only means bad luck for "The King's Speech".

Best Actress is Natalie Portman in "Black Swan". Well it wouldn't be easy for me 'coz I always think (up to this very moment I still hope for her to win) Annette Benning to win this year 'coz I really felt bad when she didn't in "American Beauty" last 1999. But it's unbelievable for Natalie not to win, 2010 is for her and 1999 is the year that was for Benning.

Best Actor is Colin Firth of "The King's Speech". I'm not really a fan of this British actor but I've seen a lot of his films in the past and his performance as a stutterer king deserves him to win the Oscar finally after being upset last year by Sean Penn.

Best Director is David Fincher. He did a great adaptation of Facebook story which become so phenomenal. It almost won all the critics awards, not just in US but in UK as well. I really like Tom Hooper (especially his previous film "The Damned United" is one of my favorite films) but David is more deserving. He still has so many things to prove.

Best Picture is "The King's Speech". The battle between American history and British history in Oscar will be over soon, and it would end with a very good speech from the 'King' . "The Social Network" developed the confidence after sweeping almost all the critics awards but the "King" proved its dominance in BAFTA and Guild Awards. It was a very tough competition indeed.

These are just my own prediction, whether they win or not I would still stand for it. I really spent time watching all of these nominated films so I would be able to come up with my fair conclusion. Click here for the list of nominees.

The Next Tree Days - A Movie Review

2011-02-25T17:05:00.000-08:00

'The Next Three Days' is one huge film not just because of Oscar winner Russell Crowe is in it but also because it's written and directed by his fellow Oscar winner Paul Haggis whose works in the past were Oscar favorites. He is known for his work for 'Crash' which won the Oscar Best Picture in 2004, he also won the Best Original Screenplay and was nominated for Best Director. He has two other Oscar nominations which include two Best Screenplay for both Clint Eastwood films, the Best Picture "Million Dollar Baby" and "Letters to Iwo Jima". He also wrote the the latest James Bond film "Casino Royale" in 2008. Russell Crowe on the other hand won Best Actor for "Gladiator in 2001 and got two other nominations for "The Insider" and "A Beautiful Mind". The two joined forces last November hoping for another Oscar buzz. But unluckily the movie didn't turn out to be as planned. It was a boxoffice flop 'coz it was released along with the latest Harry Potter film, and got mixed reviews from critics. Judging from all these you won't be expecting too much from the film as you start playing it but don't be surprised if you'll get yourself glued to every scene after its first 25 mins.

John Brennan (Crowe) was a college teacher whose wife (Elizabeth Banks) was sent to prison when her boss was found dead after a serious argument with her. After three years, justice seemed unclear and John left with no choice but to plan on how to have his wife escaped with the help of a prison-break expert (Liam Neeson). Filled with edge-of-the-seat scenes, one after the other. Paul Haggis didn't waste any scene and took his time showing every detail that justified the implausible plot. Elizabeth Banks' performance was at her best so far, and Crowe as always is one of the finest actors in Hollywood, he never failed me, though I was a bit unhappy with "Robin Hood" I didn't really take it out on him, it was the story itself the made it boring which Ridley Scott didn't carefully work on.

One strong point of the film which made the thriller effective is how Director Paul Haggis played with audience's thoughts (those who are really watching closely) and that's when John Brennan's well thought-out plans worked, it was so smooth that it would appear like you know what would happen next. For those who want to watch the film, just a little tip, listen to Liam Neeson's character in the film, every word he said, his advised to Russel Crowe in the bar set all the thrilling mood, it was also the turning point of the film, so you have to start paying more attentions for the next scenes after that.

Most movie critics were not satisfied with this thriller film, but some of them really did find it gripping and terrific and I belong to the latter group who had seen every bit of the film that most of them missed. It was indeed an enjoyable ride, it was like watching Liam Neeson's "Taken" with a bit of Hilary Swank's "Conviction" drama.(4 out of 5 stars)

Movies, Food, Rewards

2011-02-24T13:00:00.000-08:00

Almost done for the week, just three hours and couple of minutes more and I'm out for two-day off. Always looking forward for it, always think of it as a reward, whatever I do, may it be a dinner with friends, a movie date, or just at home cooking some of the dishes that can be found online, I always make sure it's enjoyable. I don't have plans for the next two days yet but it looks like movies and cooking are in placed already, I would just wait for the invitations of friends for future activities probably.

Last week, I watched a couple of recent films which includes the Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston comedy "Just Go With It" which I watched with friends in cinema, I also watched horror flick starred by Hilary Swank "The Residents", Jason Statham latest action movie "The Mechanics". I got to watch the latest movie of Woody Allen's "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger" with greatest casts which includes Naomi Watts, Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas, Josh Brolin and Frieda Pinto. I also watched Rob Marshall's back-to-back musical films "Nine" and Oscar Best Picture "Chicago".

For last week menu, my sister cooked her favorite Sweetened Chicken Tosino while I tried the Creamy Chicken Curry which she didn't like much because of the butter. I did like it (of course) but I agree with her that I had put more butter in it and it was a bit oily and yellowish. I also think the curry powder that I bought wasn't the right type, didn't know that it was already a mixed powder with all the ingredients for chicken curry and not just the curry powder itself. I bought 3/4 kilo of chicken with 6 big slices, there were 3 slices left which we fried the next morning, yeah we are really good in recycling, it did taste good hehe..

I'm looking forward for another more rewarding rest days. More movies and we will try out cooking 'Beef Steaks' and some other menus in www.pinoyrecipe.net. Great day to everyone!

Completed the Billboard HOT 100 No.1 Songs from 1993 to Present

2011-02-17T19:57:00.000-08:00

Just completed all the number one songs of Billboard Hot 100 since 1993 to present. I may haven't mentioned here but apart from movies I also love music. Now the Billboard Hot 100 has reached its 1000 number one songs I just couldn't wait to have them all. But of course that's a lot of songs, requires more space and of course the time and effort for searching and downloading them. Billboard Hot 100 started tabulating since 1958 and this week they reached the 1000th song with Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way'.

I've been collecting all Billboard Hot 100 songs ever since I got my first PC in 2006, so most of the songs are pretty new 'coz I though I would be ok with it, now the milestone for music has reached I have to go with it, need to have my own milestone too (hehehe). To date I collected 223 mp3 songs from 1993's Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" down to Lady Gaga's "Born This Way". I got hits from Alladin Soundtrack to Mariah Carey's multiple hits to Usher, Rihanna and Lady Gaga. Probably next weekend I'll complete the year up to early 80's. How will I listen to all these?I don't know yet hehehe. Happy Friday to everyone!

Just Go With It

2011-02-17T06:16:00.000-08:00

Had another good time with Enzo, Joebert and Lecel yesterday. Chui wasn't able to make it so it was just the four of us. The last time we went out on a movie date (we watched "Little Fockers") it was Joebert who was not around.

We watched in Trinoma Cinema (again!), same cinema (Cinema 7) where Little Fockers was shown, and this time its with Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston comedy film. Though there were other movies shown which includes "Bulong", "My Valentine's Girl", "127 Hours", "The Mechanic", "Vanishing in 7th Street" and "The Rite" but we decided to watch "Just Go With It" because I have watched already the three movies that they wanted to watch. Enzo and I wanted Jason Statham's The Mechanic but the two ladies (assuming Joebert is a real lady hehe) with us didn't want the action flick. With my brainwashing power I was able to convince them to watch Adam Sandler's movie.

The film was of course funny, what would you expect from Adam Sandler (though he had one serious movie in the past)?. As what said in the movie, it was pretty stupid but just go with it. The movie didn't require you to think, you just need to go with each scene and laugh the whole time. There was no room for you to be inspired or to learn from what they went through except of course not to tell too many lies but everyone knows that.

For anybody interested to know about the plot of the film here it is. Danny (Sandler) is a surgeon who always tells women that he is married to take advantage of them. It was a pretty safe move for him to hook up and break up. But when he met the super hot 23-yr old Palmer (Brooklyn Decker) who doesn't want to be with married man, he thought Palmer was the right woman for him. So he went a head and live with this piled up lies. He asked his longtime friend and personal assistant Katherine (Jennifer Aniston) to pretend as his wife to win Palmer's heart and you probably know what will happen next. It's too predictable. What surprised me in the film is Nicole Kidman's role and the little Bailee Madison. Thought Nicole would just make a cameo in the film, didn't know that she had more scenes and she is really stunning, very beautiful as always, and really funny. Bailee on the other hand started to get more attention than any other kids star in Hollywood and she is really good, seen her in two movies last year "Letters To God" and "Conviction". Brooklyn Decker is super hot, I can still picture her out with some of her scenes. Meanwhile Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler are still in with the usual role they get, nothing new.

'Just Go With It' is not bad a movie if you are looking for fun without expecting too much from its plot or actors. It's something that you would enjoy the most when you go out with friends or family probably. (2 stars out 5)

Perseverance and a good faith really work

2011-02-14T22:45:00.000-08:00

We just moved to a new room, again!..it's a smaller room this time, we had to let go of the bigger one 'coz it's just too expensive for Php 5,000.00 a month, just for a room without the water and electricity (imagine that!), I was fine with it before since my cousin was paying the half of it, but now, since she's back to Zamboanga and it's just me and my sister left I have to shoulder everything basically, so we need to cut down the expenses, my sister is still on the job seeking process now, though I don't really pressure her to get one, I want her to enjoy her stay here in Manila.

And since we moved to a smaller room I have to go back to using my pre-paid internet, Globe USB Modem connection (we got free wi-fi in the previous room) and 'coz of it I may not be able to update my Facebook so often like I always did (as if somebody would care...lols!). I may not be able to post here in my blog so timely. But that's ok, I'll be subscribing to unlimited broadband soon, I just don't know which one is better and something that my pocket will agree with hehe..

At work, everything is a bit better, lesser stress, though sometimes I get frustrated with the shifting schedule, I was only given two split off for two weeks, imagine that? so what I did I was out during the rest day of my supervisor, I mean rest days, I was out for two days too, so I was still able to get a four-day off for two weeks, I deserve it, I work my ass off the whole week and I deserve a rest, and I got bunch of movies to watch, screw the people who work on schedules, they should do something about it, though I shouldn't get deducted with it, but I don't really mind if they will, actually. So far they haven't asked to answer for it, not sure if they just ignored it or maybe they haven't noticed it, but it's quite impossible, don't really care anyway, I have all my reasons for it.

My sister and I are doing great so far, it's like bonding everyday, though we just stay at home, cooking any food we like, watch movies, talking about our life before in Zamboanga, reminiscing how sweet and hard at the same time for all of us back there, those were the days where we didn't much care and it's funny that we now realized how deprive we were before, perseverance and good faith really work (Alhamdulillah!). 'Til next time, timing out from movie stuff for now, great day everyone!

'Bulong' shows a new face of local horror and it's enjoyable

2011-02-08T22:45:00.001-08:00

Had a little bonding time with my younger sister and my niece last Monday in a movie house in SM Megamall. We laughed our heads off with Vhong Navarro and Angelica Panganiban's horror-comedy film "Bulong". Apart from being so funny, the plot was pretty new, though it involved 'kulam' and 'demonyo' theme but the story as a whole was presented in a unique way,far better than the previous horror films produced locally. It was beautifully acted. Vhong surely never fails to make you laugh and we always see him doing that for a quite a while now and he is getting better each time but to my surprise Angelica did as great as he did. She is even better as comedienne than a serious actress I supposed. Chito S. Roño scared our asses off with 'Feu Shui' and "Sukob" and this time he will give you a fright that you won't forget that you find yourself bursting with laughter almost in every scene. Though the effects were really poor (as expected with low-tech and limited production budget) and the scoring was a bit unpolished but the film was very enjoyable. You'll leave the cinema smiling and you won't mind if a friend of yours will invite you to watch it again and again.

A decent horror flick..better than 'Shelter' and 'Paranormal Activity 2'

2011-02-05T06:58:00.000-08:00

Vanishing on 7th Street is a horror film that combines supernatural, mystery and apocalyptic style of scaring people who are really into scary movies which is somehow a bit of unique style considering horror films nowadays are either about exorcism or ghost stories with long hair and black eyes (lol). With decent performances from Thandie Newton, Hayden Christensen and John Leguizamo, the film is just as good as it is. It's not really scary but thrilling, and though some happenings remained unanswered until the end, the film ended just fine. Nothing really especial about it though (except for the plot perhaps) but it was satisfying 'coz it's not predictable and you would really wanna seat though it once you started.

Four group of people found themselves in a bar as they looked for the people they love. They were just four of the few people left in 7th Street alive as others were vanished mysteriously in the dark (with their clothes and other stuff they wear left behind). As soon as they realized that the darkness devoured these people and power is running out, they have to do all things necessary to keep at least a spark of light with them to survive. Directed by Brad Anderson, who directed Christian Bale's The Machinist, Vanishing on 7th Street, though it could have been better, it's a good horror flick that I have watched this year so far, compare to non-sense 'Shelter' and 'Paranormal Activity 2'. (3 out 5 stars)

"Due Date" is as funny as Hangover

2011-02-01T04:04:00.000-08:00

My first movie of the month of February is from Todd Phillip's Due Date which features the new comedy duo, the star of Hangover Zach Galifianakis and Mr. Tony Stark himself Robert Downey Jr. They were really both funny, I got myself laughing the whole time.

A father-to-be Peter (Downey Jr.) bumped into an aspiring actor, Ethan (Galifianakis) who wanted to make in it Hollywood. Both were heading to LA. While on the airport their stuff was switched and was confiscated because of some weeds and was enough for the two to be on the No-Fly list. The two had to take the road together unfortunately and that's where all the fun and catastrophes begun. Supported by the power casts which include Michelle Monaghan (Eagle Eye, Maid of Honor), Jamie Foxx (The Kingdom, Law Abiding Citizen), Danny McBride (Up In The Air, Land of The Lost) and Juliet Lewis (Conviction, The Switch) and Todd Phillip was in the film too (with Juliet Lewis and Zach Galifinakis scene).

The movie didn't much live up to Todd Philip's previous film, The Hangover, but the film was not a disappointment either when it comes to box office gross. The critics got mixed reviews too and Rottentomatoes was a bit unhappy with it, gathering only 42% (as opposed to be at least 60% to be considered to be as a good film) but for me I enjoyed it just like I enjoyed "The Hangover" because the lead actors didn't fail me at all. 'Till next movie experience, good eve everyone!

Little Trivia: This film is the third movie of Director Todd Philip with Juliet Lewis in it, the first one was 'Starsky and Hutch' followed by 'Old School'. They're working on the fourth one now which is "The Hangover 2" with Zach Galifianakis who had two movies together (Hangover and Due Date)

My Rating (3.5 stars out 5)

World Wide Box Office Gross: $209.7 million

Production Budget: $65

Back-to-Back Will Smith Movies on Sunday

2011-01-30T11:22:00.000-08:00

Got a triple-action treat from Will Smith today. Watched his old movies from late 90's and early 2000's. I don't remember his full movie that I first watched but I'm sure it wasn't one of the MIB or Bad Boys films but I remember watching 'Wild Wild West' in 1999 with Kevin Klein and Salma Hayek, I remember him and Sisqo then rapping the soundtrack of it on MTV (I was in 3rd year high school then). Since then he became such a huge movie star and seen him in many films which include "I Robot", Shark Tale", "The Pursuit of Happyness", "I Am Legend", "Hancock", "Seven Pounds" and last December I was able to watch "Enemy of the State". With this number of films on his record I still missed a lot of his hits which include "Bad Boys I and II", "Hitch", "Ali" including the other three movies which I just saw today.

Independence Day (1996)

I first watched "Independence Day" after taking breakfast early this morning. It's a 1996 action-thriller film directed by Roland Emmerich (The Day After Tomorrow, 2012). When a city-like alien space ship positioned itself on the skyline the people of America was puzzled but when it started to attack and destroy all the cities, the President of America (Bill Pullman) must unite with his people together with the marine pilot Capt. Steve Hiller (Will Smith) and an electronics and computer expert David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) to defeat the aliens and draw them away from planet Earth. It was breath-taking. I was surprised that the movie '2012' was almost a copycat of this film, no wonder most critics were unhappy with Roland's latest film. (My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars)

Men In Black (1997)

Watched this film after lunch. Though I have watched this before in cable channels, I didn't really get the gist of it since I wasn't able to watch it in full (and I don't like watching movie in cable channel or online streaming, I prefer in DVD or playing from my hard drive). Just like "Independence Day", Men In Black is also about aliens, only they co-exist with humans and Agent Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) and Agent J (Will Smith) maintain their peaceful living on earth without letting the human race know that they really exist. These aliens should really behave 'coz if they don't MIB will turn them into tons of green slime. Though the film was a bit short and less action, it was funny and considering it was released in the 90s the special effects were really cool. (My rate 3 out of 5 stars)

Men In Black II (2002)

Watched this sequel MIB II right after the first part. It was released five years after the first movie and was directed by the same director, Barry Sonnenfield (who will be back with MIB III sometime next year). Agents Jay was back in action fighting aliens but couldn't do it alone. He had to restore the memory of Agent Kay as he resigned the job before the first movie ended. With the help of Frank (the talking dog) and the four alien-worms MIB should defeat Serleena before she conquers The Light of Zartha and destroys the world. Added cast was Lara Flynn Boyle, the 'Jackass' star Johnny Knoxville and Rosario Dawson (who later worked with Will Smith again in 'Seven Pounds'). The film is funnier than the first one because of Frank, and Will got more of the spotlight here compare to his parter. But the film was still vague and it got lesser actions this time (2.5 stars out of 5)

'It's Kind of a Funny Story' is a kind of a good movie too

2011-01-28T04:29:00.000-08:00

"He is not busy being born is busy dying" as what Bobby (Zach) said which was quoted from Bob Dylan song according to the film 'It's a Kind of a Funny Story'. It was a pretty cool light-comedy-drama film starred by Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover, Up in the Air) with Emma Roberts (Hotel for Dogs, Valentine's Day), Viola Davis (Eat Pray Love, Doubt, Law Abiding Citizen) and Kier Gilchrist. The movie talks about how beautiful life is when much appreciated and how little things we really wanna do can add up to make it more meaningful. Simple things like art, music and letting people that you love know how you feel (bad or good) can save you from getting your mind too messed up (that you wanna kill yourself sometimes). We often feel depressed and frustrated because we don't see the beauty of the things we have and the people we love 'coz its presence and simplicity blind us and it takes other people to show it to us.

Zach Galifinakis is really an awesome actor, his funny acts are effortless and he showed some serious faces here too which shocked me. Viola Davis is adorable as always, since seeing her from 'Doubt' I can't help but to get impressed with her performance in each movie she's in, she's just so natural and pleasing. Emma Roberts and Kier Gilchrist also did a pretty good performance especially when their together. Not the best movie of 2010 and you won't be laughing throughout the film but it does keep you smiling 'til it ends. It was simple but inspiring in someways. Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck who also directed the critically-acclaimed movies like 'Sugar' and 'Half Nelson' which I haven't seen yet but I will because of this film.

My Rating (3.5 stars out of 5)

US Box Office Gross: $6.4 million (only released in US)

Production Budget: $8 million

'Love and Other Drugs' is not addictive but it surely keeps you high for a moment

2011-01-27T04:56:00.000-08:00

The film centers on Jamie (Jake Gyllenhaal) who works as a pharmaceutical representative for Pfizer and finds himself falling in love with an artist Maggie (Anne Hathaway) who is sick with Parkinson's Disease. Started as a casual affair 'til everything went serious. Though Maggie is into him, her disease holds her back while Jamie gives up everything for her, even his own dreams. The film was funny and a bit dramatic. It also got several sex scenes of Anne and Jake so that film is basically not for everyone.

What amazed me about the movie is Jake's character, he has everything and he can have what every man on earth desires but he gave up everything to be with someone he loves. I can say it's really a brave thing to do, it takes a lot of courage to do that. I really like the part when he said "Sometimes the thing you most want doesn't happen and sometimes the thing you never expect does happen...you meet thousands of people none of them really touch you and then you meet one person and your life is changed forever.." Most us men (guilty of this too) always wish to have fun and always wanna runaway from responsibilities and Jamie was like that 'til he met Maggie.

The movie is not the best love story ever but it's a good one. It was a pretty light comedy-drama. You don't need to feel so sad about it or too happy giggling with their lame and cheesy lines. It was just enough and worth remembering. I don't know how director Edward Zwick pulled off something like this albeit previous films he did like Defiance, Blood Diamond, and The Last Samurai.

And by the way, here is one more line from Jamie, who knows this will work for you or for me.

"Let's just say in some alternate universe there is a couple just like us, only she is healthy and his perfect, and their world is about how much money they're gonna spend on vacation, who is in bad mood that day, or whether they feel guilty about having a cleaning lady...I don't wanna be those people, I want us..you..this.."

My Rating (3.5 out 5 stars)

World Wide Box Office Gross: $84.8 million

Production Cost: $30 million

Movie Everyday : "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader"

2011-01-26T04:26:00.000-08:00

"Extraordinary things can only happen to extraordinary people, maybe it's the sign that you got an extraordinary destiny, something greater than you can imagine" that's what Reepicheep said to Eustace when he turned into a dragon in the third film adapted from C.S. Lewis' book "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" (the fifth book in chronological order). Like the previous two films 'Dawn Treader' is magical and full of adventures.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader brings back Lucy, Edmund, Caspian and Reepicheep (talking rat) from the last film, and accompanied by their cousin Eustace who always disbelieves everything they say about Narnia. As they sailed on a Dawn Treader (ship) against the current of the Narnian's sea from island to island, the main characters have to battle sea monsters and their own greatest enemy which is themselves and their own fears while looking for the Seven Lost Lords.

What's good about this sequel is that most of the characters from the last film were still in it though Susan and Peter were just shown for one or two flashbacks (as their characters were in America). Aslan and White Queen were also shown in some of the scenes. Noticeably the film is a lot shorter compare to its predecessors and wasn't co-produced by Walt Disney anymore which resulted to not-much-good box-office return. Produced with $150 millions but only reached $100 million in North America (though they collected $367 worldwide) which considered to be a boxoffice failure. But despite all these I still recommend the film, it's a family treat especially for kids which can benefit from a fantastic imagination and a lot of lessons for their take away.

My rating (3 stars out of 5)

Worldwide Gross: $366.7 Million

Production Budget: $155 Million

Movie Everyday - Paranormal Activity 2

2011-01-25T05:02:00.000-08:00

Today's movie is 'Paranormal Activity 2'

Genre: Horror - Supernatural

Katie Featherson is back this time with the new director, Tod Williams. It's the prequel of the first movie, so it happened that Kristi (Katie's sister) was also haunted with the same demon that terrorized her and Micah on the first film. The movie was a bit dull and sadly it didn't live up to it's predecessor, it was not just so scary at all despite having the same concept. I wonder how would it turn out to be like if it was directed by Oren Peli (the director of the first movie). It could have been a lot scarier than the first one.

I just don't know what they have to offer on the final movie coming out this year (also directed by Tod Williams) and I'm not excited to watch it (though I like to see Molly Ephraim again on the sequel).

My Rating (2.5 stars out of 5)
Worldwide Box Office: $171.6 Million
Production Budget: $3 Million

'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' is a small comedy film with huge laughs!

2011-01-24T05:17:00.000-08:00

Been snubbing the film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" since it came out last 2002. It was because I found the title so weird and the only actor I know in the film is Joey Fatone of the N'sync of 90's boy-band as one of the supporting acts. It didn't interest me at all until yesterday when I was looking for a feel-good-movie to watch. And as soon as I started watching the film I can't help but to be impressed with how everything was seriously presented but really really funny. Thought it got a typical plot for rom-com films it was smartly written which really sets aside from dull and corny films of the same genre. And by the way to give justice to what I'm saying about this film, I've watched two other romantic comedy films today (Bewitched (2005) and Life as We Know It) but they were nothing compare to My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I got my self laughing the whole time especially with Toula's father and his mother.

After watching the film, I did a little research about it, it was written and starred by Nia Vardalos (who also starred in My Life Ruin) and she was nominated in Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for the film as well as in Golden Globe for Best Comedy Film. And wait there is more, the film was just produced with just $5 million but grossed around $369 million world wide (see boxofficemojo.com) and it's the highest romantic comedy film in North America with $241 million since 2002. Pretty amazing right?..'til next great movie experience, good eve everyone!

'The King's Speech' will leave you speechless!

2011-01-19T05:36:00.001-08:00

Do you still recall the feeling you get after listening to a beautiful and inspiring speech? It's a warm feeling that makes you smile everytime you get reminded of it. And most especially it changes the way how you see things, gives you hope and makes you believe in something, even if it's almost impossible to happen.

That's the kind of feeling that the film 'The King's Speech' gives you. It will leave you speechless as it ends and before you knew it you find yourself applauding along with the crowd. Such a wonderful movie. If there would one movie that deserves the Oscar Best Film besides 'Inception' and 'The Social Network' it would be this film. And maybe a month from now, the more members of Academy would have the chance to watch it, the closer it gets to grabbing the Oscar statuette.

The King's Speech is based from a true story of King George VI (starred by Colin Firth) and his stammering problem. Pressured from the sudden ascension to the throne and to give a speech to the people of Britain, his wife Queen Elizabeth (starred by Helena Bonham Carter) looked for a speech therapist to help him out with his speech problem. Queen Elizabeth disguised as a regular citizen and hired Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Lionel is known for his conventional way of teaching where trust and equality are important. No special treatment even for royalties. Their differences somehow clashed, especially when the two just started out but friendship bloomed eventually between the two and remained friends for the rest of their lives.

This is just the second movie of the British Director Tom Hooper. His first film is 'The Damned United' last year (which is also a good movie and one of my all time favorites by the way). From directing TV shows and series, his works are now being recognized internationally which he really deserves. 'The King's Speech' is one of the strongest front-runners for this year's Oscar Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for Colin Firth and if I am to decide, it has already won.

'127 Hours' another triumphant story from Danny Boyle

2011-01-14T01:02:00.000-08:00

I can still hear my heartbeat slowing down. It was beating too fast a few minutes ago while watching the last few scenes of Danny Boyle's 127 Hours. It was really intense. James Franco (Spider Man, Eat Pray Love, Pineapple Express) did his best performance of his career so far.

127 Hours is based from a true-to-life story of Aaron Ralston (starred by James Franco), an adventurous man that got himself trapped in a deserted canyon in Utah when a rock crashed on his right arm locking him inside the hollow canyon. Trapped for 127 hours with nothing but a camcorder, a tumbler of water, a pocket knife and some climbing tools. Left with hopeless chance of getting rescued after being trapped for several days, Aaron must rely on his own survival instinct to get through.

The plot was pretty common for a film and you probably know what would he do in the end just to survive, but the film is not just about survival. It's about looking to someone's life or your own life why you end up in such situation and how you would give up anything to turn things around. One of the best scenes in the film is when Aaron was so weak and hallucinated, he saw all the people that he loves on a couch smiling at him which was significantly emphasized at the end of the film. It was indeed a triumphant true story.

The movie could have been boring if not because of the beautiful musical scoring of the Oscar award winner A.R. Rahman. The same person who was responsible for the scoring of Danny Boyle's Oscar film Slumdog Millionaire. All through out the film, background music and sound effects made the movie symphonic which plays pretty well with James acting. What made his effort worth remembering is that there was no supporting cast to back him up in most scenes. There was no interactions with anybody so he had to act alone. There was even one scene where he had to show his emotions without any words at all which was really outstanding. It reminds me of Tom Hanks solo performance in the film "Cast Away". And if with luck he might gain his first Oscar nomination for this performance. 127 Hours may not be an Oscar piece like Boyle's previous film but it was equally beautiful and it sure gives you the same pretty light feeling of triumph as the movie concludes.

'Little Fockers' comes with little fun

2011-01-11T01:27:00.000-08:00

Me and my friends decided to have fun and headed out to cinemas to watch the Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro starrer, Little Fockers. With too much expectation in mind, we were all excited to LOL with the movie. But unfortunately the movie has little fun to offer. The movie is predictable and the old trademark of the first two movies is absent. I was expecting it to revolve around "Circle of Friends" and "I'm watching You" of De Niro and Stiller famous tangle. But they tried to focus the spotlight on young Fockers, the twin offspring of Greg (Stiller) and Pam (Teri Polo). It was worth of a try though, only it didn't much play off. The character name of Jessica Alba, which is Andi Garcia is really funny, but it's just the name, that's it, not even her character as a whole added to the fun.

However, there is still a reason or two for you to have fun watching it and one of it would be seeing Dustin Hoffman in the film. He is the funniest Fockers in it. Though his scenes were few, they were all smartly acted, his Mexican dance move is just unforgettable. Barbara Streisand just did pretty good too. She brings the fun and regulates the corniness in all scenes she's in.

I did enjoy that day. But not really because of "Little Fockers". Yes I have to admit I laughed hard in some scenes but what made my day complete, it's because I spent it with friends and with the woman that is so dear to me. Wish we had more time together that day. Anyway, 'til next movie experience.

'Never Let Me Go' is Gripping and Moving

2011-01-04T03:18:00.000-08:00

I have never watched any movie like "Never Let Me Go" before. It was gripping and moving.

It's an adaptation of a novel of the same title which I first heard before watching the film but never got the chance to read it. Though books are complete and original, I still prefer watching the movie version over reading it or sometimes I read the book after watching the film then watch it again after finishing it. It's nice to see how things come to life in a movie. I'm enjoying the beautiful scoring that makes each scene more intense and I really admire the actors in it while portraying the role.

Just a heads up, the movie is not made out of eye-popping special effects, no action or high-octane scenes but purely drama about life, love and letting go presented uniquely in a different situation. 'Never Let Me Go' is a sci-fi, romantic - drama that is set in 1970s in England. It's a tale of three people who learned to live their lives according to what they were raised for. Created out of science and eventually would die for it. While most of us grow up freely with hopes and dreams of what we want to be, Kathy, Ruth, Tommy and the rest of the students of Hailsham are deprived with it. They were raised to be donors (of their body parts). They were clones of their originals (this is far from clone-movie of Michael Bay's 'The Island' by the way) that got only a lifespan up to four donations. With little knowledge on how it came to be they moved on without questions. The three were inseparable, Ruth and Tommy became lovers but Kathy is secretly into him. What Kathy didn't know that Tommy had been in love with her ever since they were young. After studying in Hailsham, the three were exposed to real world with normal people but still bind with the rules. They soon learned about the Deferral where donation could be put back to three or four years and donors would have the chance to live together normally as long as they can prove that they are really in love with each other. And with this, the three lives became more interwoven, and whose gonna end up with whom? that's the twist of the story. The end would actually determine if you really like the movie or not. In my case, the ending was just fine, I'd prefer it that way.

It was beautifully acted and Romanek's way of transitioning from one scene to another was pretty smooth. The scoring was simple but really played off (I always look into film's scoring, it's the most important component next to acting as it brings life to the film as whole). The song Never Let Me Go that was played several times in the film which obviously where the movie title based from, was just in tune with one of the most intense scenes in the film (apparently not just local Filipino films are using the song title in the film as its movie title).

Starred by two of the young and talented British actresses, Oscar Best Actress nominees Carey Mulligan (An Education, Wallstreet: Money Never Sleeps ) as Kathy and Kiera Knightly (Pride and Prejudice, Pirates of Caribbean Trilogy) as Ruth with new comer Andrew Garfield (The Social Network,New Spiderman Movie) and based from the novel of Kazuo Ishuguro and directed by Mark Romanek, 'Never Let Me Go' will show you that sometimes no matter how hard it is, letting go is just the only way. It's really up to us on how to make each and every second we live worthwhile, especially with the ones we love.

RPG Metanoia is astonishing - A movie review

2010-12-31T05:19:00.000-08:00

Went into a digital theater with high expectation for RPG Mentanoia despite being the pioneer 3D Filipino film. Put my 3D glasses on as soon as movie started but tried flipping it and checked what the visuals like without the glasses on. Well, the 3D is not as promising as Hollywood films but the movie as a whole is really astonishing. The animation was beautifully created so as the story and characters.

The movie centers on a boy named Nico (Zaijan Ranilla ) whose passion is computer gaming. He spends most of his time in a virtual world and plays the Role Playing Game (RPG) Metanoia. It's an interactive game where you can design your own avatar, level-up and get to fight bad guys along with your friends. But when Nico and his company lost the game he was leading, they were thrown out from the computer shop by some bullies and was not permitted to step a foot ever again. Outside the shop they get to experience the real game like normal kids do as Nico's mom (Eugene Domingo) wished him to be. But when the world of Metanoia got infected by some malware and paralyzes its users including their loved ones, it's up for Nico, May, Bryan, Bobby and Mark to lead the remaining players of the RPG to save the other world they lived in.

The film sticks to its authenticity as it shows 100% Pinoy through out the film. It features the Pinoy food like bangus, longanisa ang games 'laro ng lahi' like 'sipa', 'piko', 'syatong', 'tumbang lata' and 'patintero'. These were shown and presented beautifully in Nico's real world and even in the virtual world of Metanoia, some of the background settings were noticeably authentic which really shows that creator has been carefully taken small details into consideration to stay true to its goal of promoting Filipino values and culture despite the modernity of its plot. It's also filled with humor that everyone can relate to (one instance is how kids picked their names for their avatar), which is simple but made the film more meaningful.

What amazed me most was the fight scenes which were made outside mediocrity. It was magical in its own simple way and amazingly creative. Though young voices in the film showed some opportunities for improvement, the other characters like Eugene Domingo, Aga Muhlach (Daddy) and Vhong Navaro (shop owner) did pretty well. In general, the movie is a great breakthrough, it's a technical achievement in local film-making history that even most of us didn't think of achieving this sooner. It's a realization for our local aspiring animators who have been passionately involved in advocating animation in our country and as a former member of academe, I've seen young minds who are really seeing themselves in the future making something out of this passion and what's left for the rest of us is the utmost support and appreciation. It was really a good idea that the film was introduced during the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) where it can get more attention that it deserves. RPG Metanoia is amazingly beautiful and I've never been this proud for a locally-produced film. See it for yourself.

My Best 10 Films of 2010

2010-12-30T00:49:00.000-08:00

2010 is almost over and Oscar is busy screening the next best movie of the year (not until February) . But if you would be given the chance to list your own best 10 movies of 2010 what are those?...Check out my own list (also available in Imdb.com click here).

10. Ip Man 2

If you have enjoyed the first movie, there is no reason for you not to enjoy this sequel. Donnie Yen (Ip Man) shows more of Wing Chun Martial Arts in this film. Unlike the first part, the second film got a happier ending. The last fight against Western Martial Art is my favorite part. I heard Ip Man 3 is on the works, we shall see if got the same punches like its predecessors

9. My Name Is Khan

Bollywood film that will make your heart melt. A story of an autistic Muslim Indian who goes to America and fulfills a promise for someone he loves and that promise is to see the President of America. Funny and filled with love and hope, My Name Is Khan is a type of movie that you would want to watch over and over again and you just like it more and more every time.

8. The Town

Forget the Ben Affleck of Armageddon and the pathetic Daredevil and focus to Ben who directed and starred in this one the most critically-acclaimed films of 2010, The Town. I've never imagined him becoming a good director 'coz Ben Affleck is just the worst actor I've ever known in Hollywood. After watching his first directorial effort "Gone Baby Gone" thought it was just a beginner's luck, but after watching The Town, damn, I can't just wait for his next film (as a director, still don't like him as an actor though). The Town was beautifully written and amazingly acted. I would be so sad if this won't be nominated as one of the best films in Oscar.

7. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

The funniest comedy film that I've watched this year. The film is presented in a video-game-like where Scott has to defeat several characters with extra-ordinary powers to earn points and to win his love interest. He gets power-up and gadgets and can earn extra life too. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is an example of a very unique way of making people laugh.

6. The Expendables

Ever since the buzz about Sly and these action stars in a movie came out, I've never been so eager to watch it. The film was completed and finally released in theaters after a year. And just like what I expected the film filled with never-seen action thrills with never-seen all-stars line-up. It gets your adrenaline pumping from beginning to end. And at the end of the film it makes you shout for more. Let's just keep our fingers crossed for the sequel next year or on 2012.

5. How To Train Your Dragon

I've always liked animated films and I have watched a lot of them this year, while some of them are just 'ok', two (or three if I expand my list to 15) of this year's animated film really stood out. Apart from Woody and Buzz adventure, I was amazed by Hiccup and Toothless in How To Train Your Dragon. Their unlikely type of friendship would make you believe that everything is really possible once done with courage and heart. Funny and moving.

4. Toy Story 3

The best animated film I've watched this year. I'm not really much of a fan of Toy Story series but it took a while for me to move on with its story. Nearly cried at the end of the film (when Andy played his toys for the last time). It's seldom for an animated film that would make you do that. May be the last Toy Story film that the Pixar will ever create but that magic that brought to our hearts will stay in it to infinity and beyond.

3. The Kids Are Alright

This film is the most honest movie that I've seen this year. Everything was so simple but smooth, there was no exaggeration done on the story. Most movies are done in a way it appears to be cinematic but 'The Kids Are All Right' is just what it is, a reflection of what's really happening out there somewhere. The acting was outstanding especially Annette Bening, hope she wins the Oscar this time. This movie reminds me of George Clooney's Up in the Air last year for some reason. Surely one of the all-time favorites.

2. The Social Network

The second best movie I've seen this year. One of the strongest contenders for this year's Oscar Best Picture. Be amazed on how a nerdy Harvard student turned out to be one of the world's billionaire by creating the famous social site Facebook. The film is well acted and beautifully presented. David Fincher is really amazing, He makes magic from out of almost everything. From fiction drama to biographic to mind blowing thriller, he is just one of the versatile directors in Hollywood, perhaps the best one after Steven Spielberg.

1. Inception

The best movie I've watched this year. Christopher Nolan made every ingredient of a film that you think of worked out perfectly in this film. Drama, suspense, action, thriller, sci-fi, with great musical score, mind-blowing special effects, not to mention the never-heard-plot before, great performances, name it! Inception is an example of a film that every director or movie writers should create, where everything is new and unique. Oscar should really name this as Best Picture or at least Christopher Nolan as the Best Director.

The Origin of A**holes

2010-12-27T22:02:00.001-08:00

I just don't understand why some people have to be assholes. I envy their consistency sometimes on how they can move you big time with their simple words or actions. It's amazing that you don't even see them exerting effort to mess with you. Really, been thinking about it, how do they multiply? Anywhere you go, one or two of their kind follow you. Their like shadows that you can never can get rid of, a very sophisticated shadow that glows in the dark, isn't that cute!

Anyway, I bumped with this type of human form at work. Though the collision wasn't really that hard it was enough for me to be sent to our OM for a talk. Her first question was, "Is there a problem with your RS?". Apparently they call him RS which stands for Resolution Specialist, but not to me as he f*cks up almost everything. He comes up too strong, a too-proud type of person that you would think has been in position for quite awhile. But guess what? He is just a starter, amazing right? Sometimes I ask my self if it's just me or maybe I'm new and I don't know him so well so I have to give a time to get along with. Then I found out that my colleagues are also having issues with him. I know it's not enough for me or us to judge him but whatever he is doing, it's not just so healthy. I don't know what he is trying to prove. Though he seems smart, in some ways (maybe), but most of the time, he is just really an asshole. I'm sorry can't think of any lighter words. I can't use stronger words than that here hehehe.

But we can't just keep people like these tormenting us everyday. I mean it's not that we need to fight back physically or to answer them back (though I did twice). We need to find a shield that wont let him enjoy whatever his doing. What I'm doing (as of the moment) which I know sometimes don't work 'coz there are times it becomes too unbearable, I just ignore him . Ignore his ways of making me feel so small, idiot, or whatever words that associate with making you so insignificant, I think "belittling" is the exact word. He does that unfortunately. But what's funny about it the more he does that the more he appears to be less-capable or dumber to me . I guess that's why people wear badge visibly to let other know that their strong, smart, but deep inside they feel incompetent (I can justify how he appears to be like, but that's not the point I'm arriving at) and I think that's where asshole originated from. They can't just level with you in some ways, too bad!

So that is just my own view on that matter. I know we tend be assholes ourselves to anyone but making it a hobby 'coz you are really enjoying it, that's already something else. But let's not forget that people do change and who knows some of these assholes will become your best buddy, though it's kinda difficult with the person that I'm talking about but still possible and I wanna hold on to that possibility (fingers crossed). Blessed afternoon to everyone!

We Were Soldiers

2010-12-16T13:02:00.000-08:00

Still wiping off my misty eyes while writing this blog. And I've never cried like this over a movie in a very long time. As you can see from the above picture I'm referring to "We Were Soldiers" of Mel Gibson. It's an old film but I just got the chance to see the beauty of it today. It's a two hour film and the moment it started 'til its very end I got my self sobbing over each scene. It's a war film but the movie is not just all about it. While most movies of the same genre are made with beautiful ending that you can celebrate their victory with, We Were Soldiers got a different one. Perhaps they were victorious for some reason but the ending is just so sad but uplifting at the same time. As you started watching the film you would know that most of them would die in the end, but still it won't make you prepared enough not to take it emotionally. The last 30 mins of the film is just the best part where everyone was struggling for survival, caught between orders and dignity. Col. Morris (Mel Gibson) as the commanding officer that lead the troupe against Vietnam soldiers that stayed true to his words 'til the very end. He never faltered, kept his faith to God and to his people. One journalist in the film that joined the war to cover the story made the film so interesting, one character that made the movie unique from other war films. For me, apart from the Col. Hal Morris, Joe Galloway (the journalist) is one the most significant characters in the film, his part was short but very powerful. He said, not in verbatim though "If I can't help to stop war, then I would just help to understand it". Which is really true, no one can stop war, and none of us understands it either. The movie however is not about how you would understand the war, but it's a question to everyone of us. Some of us witness it, our loved ones are even involved, but we never understand what we are really fighting for. It makes sense to me because if we do, there would be no war otherwise. 'Coz people fight because of misunderstanding, the order was never put into place for both parties resulting to collision, and the casualties are even bigger than what we want to achieve.

As one of the critics said on the movie poster says "The best war film in years" and indeed 'We Were Soldiers' is extra ordinary, one of the best movies I've watched, another film added to my all-time favorites. For those who haven't watched it yet, please do so, and see the beauty of the film yourself. 'Til next movie experience, Great Friday to everyone!

Moving to a New Home

2010-12-10T21:02:00.000-08:00

After a year of staying in a fully furnished house in Boni, Mandaluyong, I decided to move to a smaller but more comfortable room of my own in Cubao. It's just a plain room with no bed or anything, so I really have to start buying my own stuff. Though I haven't officially moved yet (not until this 15th) I already checked the place this afternoon and got my self a comfortable cushion with sheet for my bed and a desk fan (no not a desktop lols).

There's nothing wrong with my current place though, it's just really far from my work, since we were moved to different site in Eastwood. Apart from distance I'm really spending a lot for my fare, so it's time consuming and pocket depleting at the same time and not to mention your effort for taking three rides (or six rides back and forth) plus the super crowd in MRT. I couldn't stand having my face almost next to the train's window glass every time and sometimes if you feel unlucky you will be standing next to someone who is drunk or smelly. But sometimes, when you are lucky, you will be surrounded with pretty girls (evil smile), but that's very rare. The new place has no cable tv anymore, no fridge, no hot and cold purified water and no unlimited wi-fi access. So I'll be back to using my mobile Globe broadband so I can get on line once in a while. But at least I got privacy, all my stuff is secure, and I can wash my own clothes, cook any food I want, these are the things that I didn't have despite the luxury I mention above, not so bad right? I'm hoping too that I'll be able to save up this time.

Western Digital again!

2010-12-09T10:26:00.000-08:00

In a world where everything is digital, losing a single file is almost unbearable. It's even more tormenting when your PC just starts to freeze and you can't do anything but to have it reformatted. Reformatting is never an issue but the files that you have been keeping since day one is. In my case I can't imagine losing the most important files in my drive, and these are my mp3s and my precious movies. And just this week, I realized that that my PC is really getting older, it's almost five years already and though it still works normally (at least for most part of it) except for battery which only lasts for 5 to 10 mins and the optical drive which doesn't read anything anymore, I feel like it's gonna give up on me very soon. And what I'm afraid of, in case it crashes and I have to reformat it and since the optical drive won't work how would I reinstall the OS? Plus I don't have the installer for drivers and all. You can think of the worst think can possibly happen to my Jurrasic laptop. Poor me. I'm thinking of getting a new one but that would be very costly, so I just decided to have a portable hard drive for me to at least back-up the files for the mean time in case it the doom starts. So I closed my eyes and picked 3,000 pesos from my wallet and purchased a 500GB external hard disk this afternoon and started doing the back-up. Wish I would be able to save enough money for a new laptop before anything happen to my current one.

I got a 500GB Western Digital portable hard drive, my second one actually. The first one which is already full is a 250GB which was given to me as a gift by one of my best friends (I always get gagdets as a gift from us, so lucky me hehe). I don't have issue so far with WD so I think it's a good brand. It comes with one year warranty. And besides I was able to get a 310 pesos discount. I looked around this afternoon in almost every computer shops in different malls, the price is almost 4,000 or even higher. I found a stall in Cubao called Compex and they were on sales and before I knew it I was making my way to MRT station with a plastic bag in my hand with the portable hard drive in it. Cool!

Your way to Neverland

2010-12-05T20:38:00.000-08:00

"Time is chasing after all of us" said by Mrs. Snow in the film "Finding Neverland". This is the line that really lingers on me after watching the film two days ago. I was so surprised that even "Peter Pan" got an interested story to tell. It may sound so babyish at first but the film requires a deeper understanding that even normal adults sometimes may not be able to conceive its point...But before I go on with this, I just want to point out that this is not a movie review, but rather an emphasis of how movie somehow affects our lives or how we see things in a positive way. Anyway, the film is about the story of James Barrie (starred by Johnny Depp) and the people that inspired him to create Peter Pan (the flying boy with a fairy friend Tinker Bell). It started as a play in London before it became an animated film that now every kid loves. The people that inspired him were not just the ones who believed in him, but also the people who hated him.

The movie requires you to at least know a little story about Peter Pan, otherwise you'll get yourself asking what is the film about up to the end of it (but I guess everyone knows the story of Peter Pan). Every character in the story even the crocodile that always carries the clock has a very significant part in the play. Something that tells us that everything surrounds us plays a very important role in our very own story. In reality we also have our own crocodile with its own clock telling us "hey! time won't wait for you, keep your ass moving". Yeah for sure sometimes you need to take things slow, how slow it can be, that's really up to you. It's an advantage if you know how fast this crocodile can catch up. And you always know what happens if it catches you, so you better move as fast as you can while avoiding to fall.

There are more to tell about the film and I'm leaving it with you to discover them. It's very touching and full of lessons that maybe helpful in dealing your own issues in life, perhaps in finding your own Neverland. 'Till next movie experience, Happy Monday to everyone!

Ben Affleck's The Town

2010-12-02T16:47:00.000-08:00

Before we start talking about the film "The Town" let's go back to history a bit with its director Ben Affleck. I first saw him in Good Will Hunting, one of the best movies of 1997 which won 2 Oscars including Best in Screenplay for Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Both of them starred in the film but I totally didn't care about Affleck, I remember me and my colleagues saying back then that Ben didn't do anything for the movie and that it was just Matt Damon who did all the works that's why they won the Oscar. I honestly never liked him, he is the worst and pathetic actor I've ever known in Hollywood. His past films like Gigli, Bounce and the douche-bag superhero Daredevil are just some of the worst films in history. Ten years after, Ben Affleck decided to come back and made a good name in Hollywood and that's through working behind the camera, as the front man Director. His first full directorial effort was "Gone Baby Gone" in 2007 which received positive reviews from critics and viewers and managed to get one nod in Oscar. Though I like the film Gone Baby Gone, I still didn't much appreciate him, thinking it was just a beginner's luck or something. Not until this year when the buzz came out that he is coming back to direct the Oscar nominated actor Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Hall, Chris Cooper and Blake Lively in the new film The Town. His second works as a director has received better reviews than his first and even managed to open as number one on its first week in North America. The film is also being considered as one of the contenders for Oscar Best Picture and Best Director. Want to know why? You can see it for yourself, but in the mean time you can go on reading my brief movie review below.

The title 'The Town' refers to Charlestown in Boston where crimes is just part of people day to day life (as emphasized in the beginning of the film). A group of friends headed by Doug(Affleck) and Jem (Renner) robbed a bank (while wearing masks) and took Claire (Rebecca Hall), the bank's manager as a hostage. They freed Claire eventually and the group moved on with their normal lives. When they found out that Claire was just living in the neighborhood, Doug started to check on her and fell for her. The two began an intimate relationship while Claire wasn't totally aware of what was going on. She had no idea that the man she was sleeping with was the same man that asked her to open the vault in the bank, the same man that took her as hostage. The movie goes on for more than two hours, but I'm telling you every scene is just so good as it showcases the talent of each actor which is so fit in to their characters. Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Hall and Blake Lively are the best performers in the film. Jon Hamm as an FBI agent did pretty good as well, though Ben Affleck did some good acting, he was outshone by his fellow actors. Filled with intense action and drama, The Town is just the one of the finest crime movies that has been adapted on screen. An Oscar worthy. And to Director Ben Affleck, what can I say? I think he just found his cup of tea and should really just stick with it.

Oscar Race

2010-12-01T17:49:00.000-08:00

Not missing a single movie doesn't make you an official movie geek if you don't know which movies are great or not. And when I say great movies I mean its an Oscar standard. A lot of people are still confused with Oscar Award from Golden Globe and other Hollywood award giving bodies. Just an FYI for everybody, Oscar Award is the prestigious and the highest award for Hollywood films. Once you're an Oscar winner that means you are really good and that you have attained the highest value of being an actor or a filmmaker.

Perhaps most of the movies that we love are either nominated or an Oscar winner. A perfect example of this are Titanic and Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King which both won the Best Picture. E.T, Jaws, Sixth Sense and the latest films like, Up, The Blind Side and Avatar were also nominated for Best Picture category. While most of our all-time fave actors and actresses that are making a lot of money for each movie they make are Oscar winners too (though some of them are not much making box office movies anymore). Of course I'm talking about Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Angelina Jolie, Denzel Washington, Russel Crowe, Meryl Streep, Resse Witherspoon and Sandra Bullock who are Oscar winners while Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, Bruce Willis and Tom Cruise were nominated at least once in acting category. The trophy and the nods that they get make these stars glitter than what they used to be. And besides the money, they give their best effort to have an award, not just an award but an Oscar Award.

Most of my favorite movies and actors are also Oscar winners. Let's start with my fave actor Russel Crowe who has been nominated twice as Best Actor and won once for portraying as Maximus in the film Gladiator which also won Best Picture. He was also nominated a year after for portraying the lead role of John Nash Jr biography in A Beautiful Mind which also won the Best Picture. A Beautiful Mind is my all time favorite movie, the very first movie that I really adore. I fell in love with its cinematography, the screenplay, actor's performances, the plot and everything. Watched the movie for several times.

Before A Beautiful Mind, one movie that started it all was Titanic. This is the film that turned me into a movie freak basically. I was still in my first year high school when I started to get hooked up to it, but due to some reasons I have only watched limited number of movies then, I didn't have enough money to go to cinemas, we didn't even have a VHS player then, I just relied on my cousins who also love watching movies, so I only watched what they had then. But now, due to the abundance of dvds and vcds plus the free download and streaming online I can already watch whatever movies that I want to watch. Plus I got enough money now to buy myself a ticket to watch cinemas, even in HD and 3D. So since 1997, I have watched maybe thousands of movies and collected almost 500 dvds, vcds, and downloads of my favorite movies.

Going back to Oscar Award which takes place by February where movies that are released from this year will be racing for Best Pictures trophy. Oscar buzzes are already available online and I'm glad that I have watched most of the movies that would possibly end up in top 10 nominees for the award. These are Inception, The Social Network, Toy Story , How to Train your Dragon and The Kids are Alright. Other movies in the list like Ghost Writer and The Winter's Bone are also next in line since I got the copy of the these two films, just need time to watch 'em. So far The Social Network and Inception are my personal choice to win this February. Though 127 Hours is also strong as well as The Town, I couldn't just give comments for now since I haven't watched them yet. But whatever will win, for sure they really deserve it, otherwise it won't get even nominated. Oscar Awards winners will be announced this Feb 27, 2011.

A lifelike movie

2010-11-29T01:20:00.000-08:00

Wished life is like a movie, where ending or conclusion of the whole thing is confirmed at the end of two or three hours. Though sometimes it got a sequel but at least you won't have to wait for a lifetime for it to end, sad or happy ending, at least it ends and you move on to the next movie and start over with different characters, different people, a brand new experience, totally new adventure. But of course we all know life isn't like that. But seriously, what are these movies for?Aside from entertainment (and we know that very well) that makes you laugh, cry, scared the shi* out of you, what else? Is making you full of hopes that everything will be ok soon a part of it? What if everything won't turn out to be ok?what now?..I just don't understand sometimes. No matter how you tried yourself to look at the bright side the other side just keeps catching up, it's like a race, your vision becomes unclear and this dark side is really competitive you know!. Grrr, I feel so pathetic thinking about the problems that have been around for century.

You might be wondering what's this ranting all about?I'm writing this not because I'm blaming my family nor I blame myself for how things are going right now. Its just that you don't know who to blame and to whom you can talk to, so just let this blog take all of it. For sure it listens and speaks for you, though it won't give you any advises at all. Anyway, the problem of the century that I'm referring to is 'money'...simple thing, but yes, without it, everything falls out of place (atleast for our family). You work hard or harder than you thought to provide your family, sacrifice your personal needs and dreams just to give them money' at least to help them with their everyday need, still not enough for them. Sometimes I really wished mom and dad were still alive to back me up for all of these. I mean I may not be giving them a big amount but at least I'm helping them, I don't have my own savings for crying out loud. I'm getting older and soon I'll be alone, who will take care of myself when that happens?..I want to have a family of my own too. Don't they see it. How can I start saving up for myself if all the extra money that I earn goes to them? I know these thoughts or sentences I'm writing here just don't go with one another anymore (just forgive my sentence construction and all that). I hope I have the courage to tell them that they can't just leave everything to me, I mean I have to earn for my self as well [Big sigh..really big sigh]

This is long enough for a drama movie, I'm not used to it 'coz I'm into funny stuff. Anyway, for sure there will always be a way how to end everything with smile. If this is a movie for sure my director is doing a lot of cuts and retakes to make this movie inspiring and he is having a hard time now (hehehe)..and in case it ends not so good this time, then expect a sequel and I'll make sure it's gonna be a happy ending..'til next part, great day everyone..smile",)...

Production Floor here we come

2010-11-24T18:19:00.000-08:00

Two weeks of nesting period is over and we are heading to the floor next week (this coming Saturday already). Well, don't know if I still feel the excitement 'coz we will be doing the same thing as what we've been doing for past two weeks in OCP basically. Glad that we were not ask to extend for another week, though we would love that 'coz we have two hours of training, which means we only have 6 hours phone call left (petiks mode hehe).

I don't feel the pressure just yet, maybe because scorecards are not yet rolled out and I think that I was able to handle the task just fine. After all I've been in call center industry for almost two years now, so call handling is not really an issue at all. I just need to learn more about the troubleshooting and the tools are still strange to me, it takes time I know.

I'm looking forward to be enjoying my work in Dell. And besides it's time for me to get elevated, I know it's pretty early since its been what?two months with Dell?..but considering my stay (a year and 5 months) with Sitel since at&t, it's already something and who knows 2011 is just my luck year. I can start with being an Resolution Specialist (RS) maybe then a Trainer position, which is really my goal, my passion. Thinking of all these makes me really wanna go to work everyday.

Glad that I Passed the Certification

2010-11-07T01:08:00.001-07:00

I passed the certification for Dell account successfully last Friday. I thought I was gonna retake it. My score wasn't really outstanding but at least I made it with only one take. Only half of us passed but the rest got a chance to retake it for the last time. Hope they will make it too.

We still have one more week to complete the Product Training. A week after that we will be endorsed to production floor and we'll start taking live calls already. I kinda miss talking to Americans for some reason, I miss taking calls.

I'll be turning a year and five months with Sitel tomorrow (Nov 8). Hopefully I'll be promoted to a trainer or at least floorwalker before I'll turn two years. I know it's a bit hard 'coz I'll be back to square one with Dell, but of course it's possible and I'm gonna work on it Inshallah (In God will). So for now, I got to do what I have to do out there and be the best that I can be.

One of the Best Weekends in Pampanga

2010-10-31T22:25:00.000-07:00

These photos were randomly taken during our trip to Pampanga. Had a three-day consecutive off then so I took the time to unwind. Thanks to my closest friend Fhadzralyn for the invitation, it was not really planned actually but it turned out to be one of the best weekends I ever had.

Outside Clark

At Nayon Pilipino riding the old-style Pilipino Jeepney

With Aeta, The old katutubo (also in Nayon Pilipino)

At Fontana Village

Stayed overnight in an affordable hotel

Had dinner in Gerry's Grill in SM Clark

A Movie to Remember

2010-10-16T22:01:00.000-07:00

This film was referred to me by Jigz, our trainer in Dell. It's a Korean love story whom he said was really a tearjerker. Jigz said that he cried his heart out with this film. I don't really watch Korean film or any foreign films that much (aside from Hollywood movies of course) but because the review was really good I took time looking for it. So I looked for the film and searched it in torrent. Luckily, it was available and downloaded it completely after an overnight download (apparently, it got lesser seeds, and my connection was a bit slow, so it really took time).

The movie is about a young couple whose love was tested with the wife ended up having an Alzheimer disease. The plot was very simple, but it was how the story was presented in general that made the movie very sweet but really sad. Actors were really good, especially the husband. His different facial expressions from the part that he met her to the part of almost loosing her was really shown on his face. Most scenes towards the end would really make you cry from the inside. Though you would know somehow how the movie will end, there are still scenes that are unpredictable, especially the very last scene which will really make you sigh and would make you wipe your cheeks one more time.

I bet Nicholas Sparks is really envious about this film 'coz the movie shows what his The Notebook somehow missed. It was indeed a wonderful movie, worth remembering. A Moment To Remember film marks the fourth Asian film (excluding Pinoy Films) that I watched this year. So far none of them disappoints me. 'Til next great movie experience, have a great Sunday to everyone!

Slice n' Dice

2010-10-16T03:47:00.001-07:00

Two weeks of training is over, four weeks more before we hit the production floor. I'm excited but nervous at the same time. I honestly don't feel so confident handling customer's issue yet, there are a lot of stuff that I have be acquainted with first. Hope everything will be covered in four remaining weeks.

While training, I still have time to relax, coz it's not much tiring. And besides we are on a day shift, so my life is normal for six weeks hehe. No more lack of sleep, the only drawback is there is no Night Differential, so my salary is 30% lower compare to what I normally receive. But it's ok, as long as I get to pay my rent and buy personal stuff. Anyway December bonus is just two months aways hehe.

Yesterday I skipped again the drinking session with my team. They know that I don't drink anyway, though it's awkward to always decline their invitation, I don't have much a choice but to turn it down, 'coz it involves my religion and they know it, so I'd rather handle the awkwardness. So me and my fellow agent who chose not to drink went ahead and I invited them instead to try the T-bone Steak in Slice n' Dice. And it was very satisfying. I also like the Stir Fry Kangkong with mushroom. I wish to be going back there sometime and try the other menu.

Me and Queenie with our order T-Bone Steak (with unlimited rice) for just Php 119.00

Bob with beer-float and T-Bone Steak

Stir Fry Kangkong. This has mushroom too, and it's very satisfying for just Php 95.00

I Love Sony

2010-10-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

Got a new headset for myself finally after planning to buy one for almost a month. I got a Sony Headset which cost Php 2,500.00, the most expensive headset I have. It's pretty cool that I could put it on the whole day without feeling my ears. I don't even feel it on my head after wearing it for an hour. It really sounds great and works perfectly with my Sony Erickson Walkman phone.

I was planning to buy just a thousand-worth of headset and was eying for Pioneer or Philips. But when I tried the Sony, for some reason, all of a sudden, I decided to buy it, maybe because of my phone which is also under Sony. I feel so attached to Sony Brands now, maybe my next laptop is Sony and I will get a Sony HD TV and Blue-ray player in the future. Who knows?After all it's Sony, one of a reputable brands. We work hard to earn more and to improve the quality of our lives and that should manifest in everything we do, with everything we have. So there is no such thing as expensive, only 'quality'. Good night everyone!

There is nothing so exciting than doing what your heart really desires

2010-10-05T03:57:00.000-07:00

I love my schedule this week (day time shift 7am to 4pm). I reached home earlier today 'coz Jigs (our trainer) sent us home 30 minutes earlier, since we finished the module ahead. I was able to skip the traffic and the peak hour for MRT. My head is not aching anymore like yesterday too. Maybe because I slept for more than ten hours last night.

We started with the training in Dell (did I already mention this?) last Monday and I'm really enjoying it. New people, new workplace, new stuff to do everyday, new learning, which means new adventure. It was easier for me to be at ease on training since I'm with some my colleagues from u-verse. The learning environment is comfortable and our trainer (Jigz) seems pretty cool.

Dell is really a tough account 'coz you need to do a hardcore troubleshooting with the customer over the phone, more than doing diagnostic on the problems, you really need to dismantle and reassemble the pc (both laptop and desktop). I honestly know a little about troubleshooting since I worked with old computer units before, but I'm confident that I will be able to learn a lot during the training. So far we were exposed to different computer models and peripheral that we will be supporting. It's really cool 'coz most computers are really new and highly advanced. And as what Jigz said, if you have worked for Dell, it's really a feather on your cup, since it's a big company, and if you do good, any Dell companies world wide can hire you and I'm looking forward to that.

Transferring to Dell was a bit rough for me at first, I had to apply to other company thinking I won't be admitted. I really thought I was gonna be transferred to a Sales account, which I strongly disapproved ever since. But God is really good for me (Alhamdulillah!), He gave me to Dell 'coz He knew it's what my heart wants. That's why no matter how far my place to Libis - Eastwood is, I'm still excited to go to work everyday. There is nothing so exciting than doing what your heart really desires. And as long as you believe that you can do it, there is nothing impossible, just let your self out there and always keep the faith. 'Til next time, great Tuesday night to everyone!

Thank you Sitel - U-verse team.

2010-10-02T12:40:00.000-07:00

The end had come. For the very last time, the at&t u-verse team spent time together for a farewell party. Though the last working day was last Thursday, Sitel organized a night for everyone to be together and celebrate the great job that the team accomplished for previous months. It was indeed a wonderful journey for everyone.

Though I don't hangout in a place like pub or bar (or whatever you call it) where everyone drinks alcohol and get drunk, I still joined the team, of course I didn't drink (Audhubillah!) and glad that my supervisors and the team respected that. Actually if there is one thing that I have gained from the team, aside from the skills and knowledge and the friendship, it's their respect for my religion as a Muslim. Though at first they were so surprised that someone like me don't really eat pork, drink at all or even smoke, which is really different from what most Manila people do (despite of their religion), they never made me feel unwelcome and different. Although there are times that there were jokes about me being terrorist or selling pirates dvds (lols), but that was it, I know those were jokes and you can feel that they didn't mean it and it's part of being comfortable to one another.

And during Ramadhan (I spent two Ramadhan in at&t u-verse) where I had to take my breaks so early and sometimes so late 'coz I need to follow a certain time to eat, I didn't need to explain myself much and they just let me observe Ramadhan without struggling, they really made it easy for me (Alhamdulillah). And there are a lot of instances where everyone gets to eat pizza and food for free, and of course it's natural for them to have pork in the menu (which I really understand), my bosses exerted their effort to have a separate food for me that I can eat, which is really very touching. I didn't expect them to do that, not at all, but to my surprised, they did and it was heartwarming, really a beautiful feeling.

There a lot of things that I'm always thankful for, but the above instances are the most important to me, it always has a great impact to me. To my coaches and trainers, from Nathan, my very first trainer, to Coach Melai, my very first coach and my real mentor, both inside and outside work, to Coach PV, to Candy (who always takes care of my locked password, and my trainer as well) down to my last Coach Luther, you guys really rock. To all the RTAs and to the rest of the at&t u-verse team that includes my teams and other agents, thanks to all of you guys. You made my very first call center job very meaningful and full of colors.

It's just so hard to say goodbye, but we say it anyway, not because we are ready to end things at once and put them in the box we call it "past", but because memories are best treasured and well-kept if it's in it and we always carry it with us through times.

Actual pictures during the Party will be posted here soon, enjoy these two photos during the last two days for the mean time

the very last u-verse call in Sitel, taken by Jaime

the whole team posed on the floor for the last time

Goodbye at&t u-verse

2010-09-30T17:46:00.001-07:00

Last night was our last shift with at&t u-verse in Sitel. Everyone updated their Facebook status with goodbyes and farewell messages. Some kept on saying "Good luck" to one another. Most of us took the last pictures, packed our stuff, turned over the headset and our key lockers. It wasn't easy though, especially for some of us who started the call center career with at&t u-verse in Sitel. I, for example started the first call center job with at&t u-verse, and for more than a year with the company, I can say that I really learned a lot of things.

More than other jobs, being a call center agent takes a lot of patience and perseverance for you to succeed. It really takes a lot of extra effort. Just imagine you would stay awake the whole night and leave the house or reach home late or early dawn, you don't only put your health at risk but putting yourself in danger as well. Then the moment you put your headset on, calls start coming in and you would be grateful if you will just get a single irate customer that keeps on swearing at you, that no matter how you get used to it you still can't stop yourself from being upset or mad at them (though you don't really let them know that you really are). You hold on to your temper and keep on uplifting your spirit that they are not mad at you but at the service that your company you are working for. Well you represent the company so it's still the same, you deserve their yelling (at least according to them). You will also learn to multi-task, pulling up the customers account, checking their profile while talking to them understanding their concern while fighting your self to be awake. You tend to keep the work done precisely in a very timely manner.

A lot of people criticize our job 'coz it doesn't require a degree to make a career out of it. Yes it doesn't, but it's one hell of a job. A job that's even more rewarding than other professional jobs. It's saddening that here in our country, teachers, engineers and some professional jobs get lower salary that we do as call center agents. Well, maybe because we deserve it after all.

My Sitel at&t u-verse Family

Some of my teammates (LtoR) Coach Luther Mejia, Virginia, QA Brent, Chui and Me

Boring

2010-09-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

Boring...don't know what else to do, I ate, watched new season of CSI but still feel so bored today. I only had one rest day and yet it feels like a week. It's not really my legal rest day, but my head was freaking aching last night so I informed my supervisor that I won't be going to work last night.

Tonight will be my last shift this week, the last shift with at&t account then it's my rest for three days. Don't have plans yet, don't know what to do, I got to have plans to entertain myself apart from watching a lot of movies 'coz it for three freaking days or I'll kill myself with boredom. Maybe I'll text Genie or Bien or Dats for whatever plans they have in mind hehehe..Good luck to me tomorrow..

Aftershock

2010-09-29T03:14:00.000-07:00

Just done watching a Chinese film called "Aftershock". I came to know about the film when it was featured in one of the pages in my Facebook account. The movie was praised with positive feedback though I didn't read the whole review I already thought the film is a nice film to watch. I immediately looked for the movie online and found a copy of it and downloaded it and indeed, it's a good film. Your heart will cry to it from first to last.

The movie was based from a true story about the earthquake tragedy in China in 1970s. The story of a simple but happy family who got separated by the disastrous event. The aftershock made them suffer for almost their lifetime 'til one day, after 32 years, the same tragedy happened that brought these people together and were able to patch things up, healed the long overdue wounds and longing. "Aftershock" may not be the best tragedy-drama movie that you would ever see, but it's worth watching as it would inspire you to deal with you own aftershocks in life.

So far, this year there are two good foreign films that I have seen, the first one was an inspiring Indian film "My Name Is Khan" and this one. Too bad movies like these don't get a chance to be shown here in our place. I'm looking forward for more heart-warming and inspiring movies like these and I would always share it here. 'Til next time.

It's finally Dell

2010-09-22T21:39:00.000-07:00

Relaxing at home while listening to Train's Save Me San Francisco album. I was not a fan at first, except for their old hits "Drop of Jupiter", but when I saw their album available online and downloaded it and started listening to it, darn it, i just can't stop listening anymore, their songs are really irresistible. "Parachute" and "It's Not Goodbye" are my favorite.

What have I been doing lately?Well, everything seems the same, normal week, nothing seems especial. Though still thinking about having another job next month, but I know too much thinking will just pass. I tried my luck in different companies, I made it in one company but the offer was not good. Though the basic is a bit higher than my previous job, you won't get the basic salary 'til you pass the training stage for a month, so I thought where will I get my money to pay my rent for the whole month. So I just decided to stay with Sitel with Dell account, it's a bit far (in Libis) but I'll give it a try, the account is pretty cool and for sure I will learn a lot. Training starts this Oct 4th and that would give me four days rest after our last day with at&t this month.

I'm ok with Sitel, but I still wanna know if there still better opportunities for me out there. I might apply in other centers and who knows I might just get the best one there is. Keeping fingers crossed, Inshallah!

Mall of Asia Escapade with Bien, Rex and Sweet

2010-09-19T11:45:00.001-07:00

Had a great time with Bien, Rex, and Sweet (Alvin) in Mall of Asia tonight. We had a never ending stories about our new careers here in Manila and the past experiences in STI. It was our first bonding time since we moved to metro. Rex was our clinical instructor and Sweet was our math teacher while Bien and I were IT instructors in STI.

We talked things over roasted chicken and some menus in El Pollo Loco. After eating around 10pm, we decided not to go home yet and sung our lungs out in Timezone karaoke booth. I reached home around past 12 midnight already. Everyone enjoyed it, especially me, that's the only fun I have apart from watching movies in cinema.

Hope next time, other STI friends here in metro like Nikka, Genie, Anale and Amor can already join us. It would be a lot of fun, I could just imagine. After all life is not just moving on, there are things in the past that is always fun going back with. Out past experiences with STI may all not good that there were some frustrations and bitterness when we left, but meeting these people who I can consider friends is one of the reason to be thankful of, one of the beautiful things that happen to me in STI. Someone that you can always depend to freshen you up after the hard days work. I'm looking forward for another get-together and fun time with these people.

Here are some of our photos ....

Dell or Sears

2010-09-18T01:05:00.000-07:00

Just had my late lunch for the day. Just took two scoops of rice and some hot sardines and since it's late afternoon, I ate it along with a cup of hot coffee (not much a perfect combination right? hehe). It was satisfying 'coz kinda miss having it for a meal and sardines always makes me remember my home town, Zamboanga City (most sardines factory can be found in Zamboanga City).

Speaking of 'missing', one thing that I will surely miss is my current account at&t u-verse. I will miss my teammates, the stuff we do, the people on the floor, the irate and nice customers, the troubleshooting steps that we do, the tools that we used, everything. So far we only got 1 more week together as we will be deployed to different account next week. Some of us will be staying in the same site, some will be transferred to different sites especially for technical account. Not sure yet for my status, but I have finally decided to take DELL (I passed the interview and training starts this 27th), a technical account, which I think will really help me develop my technical skills. It is a lot further from our place but it's really ok, though at first I was hesitant. Though not sure yet if SEARS will take me too 'coz I had my interview first with them but no result yet if I have made it or not. SEARS is a sales account and I couldn't really imagine myself doing sales. The only reason I tried applying because I wasn't sure then if I will make it in Dell, and SEARS is just in OJV too, so it's closer to our place. But now I have finally decided to take DELL, so my status is still floating 'till SEARS will submit the result on Monday. But I talked to OM and to my coach that I will take DELL but they said they are not sure yet since SEARS interviewed me first and if I made the assessment, I'll be counted in SEARS already....I don't know why it would be difficult for them to give us a chance to choose once we passed both accounts. I mean I wouldn't like it there so the tendency I might not perform.

Anyway, I know everything's gonna be find, I know they will let me take Dell over Sears, 'coz if they won't, I may just attend the training and will still apply to different center. I can't do things that I don't like, especially if I have a lot of choices and chances of doing what I really like.

For now, I'm firm with my decision to take Dell and can't wait to start with the training this 27th Inshallah (If God wills)!

Hereafter - Official Trailer [HD]

2010-09-15T05:58:00.000-07:00

After working together successfully with the inspiring bio-film last year in 'Invictus', Director Clint Eastwood and Matt Damon team up again for another film that might earn them another Oscar nominations. Though empty handed from last year Oscar, 'Invictus' was nominated for two major acting awards, Best Actor for Morgan Freeman and Best Supporting Actor for Matt Damon. Clint Eastwood has a total of four Oscar Best Picture films and won two for Unforgiven (1992) and Million Dollar Baby (2004). He was also nominated for Best Actor in lead role for both films. Other nominations include Best Films for Mystic River (2003) and Letters from Iwo Jima (2006). Matt Damon also has three nominations and won one for Best in Screenplay shared with best friend Ben Affleck in "Good Will Hunting". Other nominations include Best Actor for Good Will Hunting and Best Supporting role for Invictus.

Hereafter is a supernatural thriller film that centers in three different people that experience death in so many ways (imdb.com). Also starred by Bryce Dallas Howard (Eclipse, Terminator Salvation, The Village). "Hereafter" will be coming out in cinemas this October 22, 2010.

Disturbed - "Another Way To Die" Official Music Video

2010-09-14T20:29:00.000-07:00

Just watched this music video from Channel V this morning, didn't know that an official music video has already been released. The group was not featured in the video but its theme is very meaningful as it talks about pollution that kills the environment and possibly the entire human race if its totally neglected, thus explains the title of the song "Another way to die". Their album is called "Asylum" which debuted at No.1 in Billboard 200 Albums and this is their first single. Searched it in Youtube today and wanna share it to you guys, enjoy!

Eid'l Fitri

2010-09-08T03:36:00.000-07:00

Still full with bread and hot coffee that I just took for the Iftar. Still thinking of eating rice later or will just have some noodles and juice with a glass of milk. Tonight could be the last night of Ramadan, if the Islamic leaders world wide declare the last day of fasting tonight, prayer for Eid'l Fitri will be tomorrow morning Inshallah (in God's will). I'm happy and sad at the same time. Happy because it's Eid'l Fitri and every Muslim should celebrate but sad because Ramadan is over.

Glad that my supervisor allowed me to take my rest day on Friday morning so I can pray the Eid'l Fitri prayer, it's also my off on Wednesday 'til Thurday afternoon so I got a two-day off. Currently I'm just waiting for a text message from my cousin so I can go to Taguig tonight or tomorrow night and pray the next morning. It would be my second Eid'l Fitri here in Metro Manila, it's difficult and it made me miss home more. Anyway, I know there is nothing permanent, who knows the next Eid, I'll be back with my family in Zamboanga City Inshallah! Advance Happy Eid'l Fitri to everyone!

An eye-opener to every Filipino

2010-08-23T07:41:00.000-07:00

The world witnessed the hostage drama that just ended an hour ago in a tourist bus in Quirino Grandstand, Manila. It took more than 10 hours and left 4 tourists from Hong kong dead along with the hostage taker, who was a former police officer. He was shot in the head by the SWAT who took over the rescue after hearing series of gunshots while on negotiations with policemen. It was really saddening, most especially the people involved are foreigners. I could just imagine how foreign people are thinking about our country now. Nine months ago, Philippines was on every news channel worldwide because of the massacre in Maguindanao that left lot of innocent people dead. Now another incident just happened which sent message to the world that our country is one of the non-peaceful places to live in, maybe next to countries nearby in middle east.

I still do not know the details on why the hostage taker did it, though it was mentioned that he was dismissed from service because of the involvement in serious cases and wanted some demands. But whatever the reason is, end doesn't justify the means, a basic rule. A basic rule that most of us forget to obey. The hostage taker might have wanted a better life for him and his family or may want to send positive message to his superior or to government because of possible neglect of their responsibilities that resulted to his dismissal. He might have wanted to clear his name for whatever reasons. And somewhere along the way, these positive ends that he wanted to achieve was taken to a bloody and gruesome act that took away innocent lives and hurt not just his family but the entire Filipino nation. This is really a challenge for the new government. Hope this would serve as an eye-opener for every one of us. We can't change what just happened a few hours ago, but starting today moving forward, we can always make things better by always doing the right thing. A good act will never turn out bad no matter how tough the consequences are. In the end, good always prevails and God is always with those who do good deeds.

2010-08-18T18:01:00.001-07:00

We've been experiencing low volume calls for more than two weeks now. The average avail time is 30 minutes which is really a long wait for us compare to last months which calls on que are atleast 5 calls. We almost had no time to take our breaks and some of us were forced to render overtime for atleast an hour more.Our team is so far on top, passing all the major metrics.

My scorecard is looking good too.Passing all major metrics except for one, which is just corresponding to just 1 point in our scorecard. With the perfect score of 20 points, my score so far is at 17.5 points. And I just need to get at least 8 points to pass.

We really need to keep an eye on our scorecards as it determines our job with at&t. Once you failed the scorecard three times consecutive or not, you will be removed from the account (at&t). Though there are possibilities that you will be transferred to another account, you will be lucky if you will be starting right away. And most of the time it takes a few months before another account would be available for you, so the chances are, either you take a long vacation first (that is if you have a lot of savings) or you take your chance applying to another company. And most of time, it's always the last option that works best.

I'm so happy that I'm still with Sitel - at&t for more than a year now and I really love the job, though it's difficult sometimes and the salary is a bit lower compare to other company, I still like it here. It's more challenging and i'm enjoying the company of my co-workers. And I think that's what matters most. As of now, don't know yet 'til when I'll be staying here, I couldn't really tell, but I'm pretty sure, as long as there is no better opportunity for work abroad, I would still be with Sitel, Inshallah!

Wish things would go back to the way it was before

2010-08-17T06:16:00.000-07:00

Just had a hot choco-milk and cheese bread for Iftar today. Woke up almost late and wasn't able to prepare the curry noodles with egg that I was thinking off having for Iftar. Though I was still planning to cook it, the bread and milk made me full and I realized that I still have rice from last night suhoor and couldn't just waste it. So I just ate it with corned beef and sardines along with cold mango juice. Though it's my second Ramadaan here in Manila, this is the first time that I'm eating Iftar alone. Last year I was with my cousins in Taguig and it was never boring during Iftar time. You can prepare your own choice of food without as wet market is accessible. Mosque is just fronting the house so I can always pray Tarawee. I really miss it, I feel so guilty fasting without praying. Hope time comes that I could go back to the way it was before, where praying five times a day is my only hobby Inshallah! This is not the life that I always ask for, but I know this is just temporary.I hope I would already have a job abroad in Saudi or Malaysia whereI can be freely do my responsibility as a Muslim Inshallah!

Salt - Movie Review

2010-08-12T22:32:00.000-07:00

Watched this film after the trip to Malaysia. Though this was shown before my flight I didn't have the time to watch it on the first day. I was planning to watch it in Malaysia but didn't have time either. So I waited to come home and watched it the next day after arriving to Manila.

Though the film got mixed reviews from the critics, most viewers (the ordinary people who watched the film and not the professional movie critics) liked it. I didn't expect a lot from the film, 'coz as a movie geek, I really trust the critics, but of course even them got their own views, and getting 50+% from rottentomatoes is already something, it means more than half of the critics like it.

The movie started with Evelyn Salt as an CIA agent (starred by my female action favorite Ms. Angelina Jolie) being tortured as mistaken to be a spy, she was rescued by Mike who later became her husband. While working as CIA agent again and living her marriage life with Mike, her reputation as CIA agent put at risk again when an interrogated Russian suspected her to be a spy and is planning to kill the Russian President. She ran for her life and tried to save her husband.

The plot may seem to be known and has been used in several movies but Salt offers more than we we have seen before. Twists were unpredictable and actions were breath taking and even made more intense by Jolie's effortless acting. Aside from the action thrills, movie is also filled with drama and romance for viewers' takeaway. With powerful support cast from Liev Schreiber (X-Men Origin: Wolverine) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (2012) the movie is one of the best spy films that I have seen. The movie somewhat ended telling the viewers that Evelyn Salt is coming back soon, and if its true hopefully it would be as good as this one.

Visited Malaysia at last

2010-08-10T21:32:00.000-07:00

Just got the chance to write again here. Lot of things that I wanted to write about, many things that I wanted to share. Like for instance my trip going to Malaysia. It was the best vacation so far. I was able to meet my sister again after almost five years of not seeing each other. I finally meet my brother whom I never met, 'coz he left the country before I was born. Played with my very cute niece Putri, and met some relatives who really made me feel so at home. Almost everyday we went out and visited the center of trade of Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu and ate Malaysian food. The food was really amazing, and the people were nice. The place was not polluted, it was clean and peaceful. They don't even get stormed there, just mild rain shower but sunny and windy most of the time despite the strong storm here in our country. Food is cheap and most employed people have cars so just imagine the economic status of the country. Salary is higher and no taxes for most employed both government and private workers. I really want to work in Sandakan or Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur, hopefully there would be opportunity for me soon, inshallah!

I really miss everything, more than the food, I really miss my sister, my brother and their families, especially Putri. Hope I can find work there so I would have more time to spend with them. Inshallah!

Some of the photos taken in Sandakan and Kota Kinabaluh Malaysia

Kah Bong and Me

My sister Indah Lai and my niece Putri

With Kah Joe and his wife Inda Saripa at the airport in Malaysia

the last two shots taken in one of the parks in Kota Kinabaluh

Can't wait for Friday

2010-07-28T06:49:00.000-07:00

It's the start of my ten-day leave from work. Though my flight for Malaysia is on 30th, I filed my leave started from July 29th to August 6th and since I got my rest day on every Wednesday and Sunday, I got a total of 10 days of time-off from work. So cool right?

So far, I haven't done anything today but to sleep and and started sorting some clothes to bring. But tomorrow I'll buy some stuff, maybe a shirt or a cap for Utoh Jul and Kabs (brother and brother-in-law). I want to buy a doll or stuff-toy for Putri but I'm worried that the people from the airport will ask me to deposit it since I have only a light ticket with no baggage free. So maybe I'll get one for her in Kota Kinabalo instead.

I'm gonna pass by Star Mall tomorrow to see a dentist and a barber to get a hair cut before that. I also need to wash the pair of shoes that I'll be using before living the house tomorrow. And I hope I won't forget the Munchkins that Inda Lai asked me to buy for her. Haay, can't wait for Friday. So excited for my first international flight, hope everything will be ok Inshallah!Ameen!

Pissed with insensitive people

2010-07-25T04:55:00.000-07:00

Totally turned off. I can't believe that she is so insensitive. I thought I liked her, I just realized something that pursuing her is not really a good idea. I thought religion was never an issue for me in a relationship as long as you respect each other. But when that person somehow shows hatred or a bit of unwillingness to what you believe?You can't just help but to be offended. I understand people who are non-Muslims that are asking about my religion, like why we don't eat pork and all that. It's fine by me. I'm more than glad to explain to them. But what I can't tolerate is when someone mock your religion, spreading bad things about what you believe based from what they read online or watched from the internet. This is a big issue for me. Though it doesn't involve me directly, there still pointing to Islam in general. They are so insensitive that even you try to explain to them what's really going on, still they don't stop. You wanted to tell them "hey, it's my religion, please have some respect". Do I really need to say the exact words to them. Simply by opposing to what they said should really mean to them that I'm hurt, 'coz they are talking about Muslims and Islam as my religion. But she didn't get the message. I was trying to stop her at least to save the friendship or for sake of being teammates. But there was no apology or anything. I was really pissed. I can't believe that she's that too insensitive, of all the people.

It's not really easy to belong to a place where people are different from what you usually get along with. I'm not talking about people who are non-Muslims, 'coz I got a lot of friends who are Christians, Catholics and others with different religious beliefs, but they don't judge, they respect. Not like some people here in Metro Manila, well not really all, so far there is one person who just pissed me off, and the worst part is, I liked her a lot and now because of it I realized that I'm not into her, at least not anymore. I was just blinded 'coz she is a decent woman, at least that's what I know about her. I'm glad that It wasn't too late for me to know her Alhamdulillah!

The Sorcerer's Apprentice Review

2010-07-23T15:48:00.000-07:00

I watched this film without having too much expectations because of the mixed reviews from the critics and some viewers. Since the trailer came out, The Sorcerer's Apprentice is really on the list of my summer movie guide. I got the chance to watch it last Thursday, I even chose watching it over "The Last Airbender". I sat in the middle seat and there were few viewers since I watched it on the second week.

The movie started with the narration on how magic and sorcery and the battle of good and evil begun which common for movies with similar genre

The story begun with Baltazar (Nicholas Cage), Veronica (Monica Belluci), Horvath (Alfred Molina) as apprentices of Merlin, a good and powerful sorcerer. When Horvath along with Morgana, an evil sorcerer who turned against Merlin in order to user their powers and planned to awaken all the deads to bring havoc to people on earth. Baltazar and Veronica must stop them and should look for the apprentice that is destined to defeat Morgana. The apprentice turned out to be the science-geek Dave (Jay Baruchel). As Dave thorned between his personal life and his responsibilities as an apprentice, he should focus and believe in himself that he can fulfill his destiny to become a great sorcerer to save mankind.

Nicholas Cage and Jon Turtletaub seem to be comfortable working together since National Treasure 1 and 2. The comedic scenes though sometimes not funny at least with Cage, Jay Baruchel regulates it. He fills the boring side of the film. And Jay doesn't need to exert effort, he is really funny by nature. Sorcerer's Apprentice is not Nicholas Cage' best adventure film I've watched since National Treasure films have been phenomenon, but surely is entertaining and worth the admission ticket (3 out 5 stars).