Thursday, November 26, 2009
Team Building
Monday, November 23, 2009
New Moon
The wait is over for the new Twilight Saga as New Moon opened last Friday. Fans rushed to cinemas to watch the sequel of Bella-Edward vampire-theme love story, this time combined with a wolf-theme love triangle as Jacob (Taylor Lautner) made a bigger important role in this new series.According to boxoffice.mojo, New Moon earned a record-breaking single day gross of $72.7 million in North America alone. The record was previously owned by The Dark Knight with $67.2 million which opened last year. Transformers : Revenge of the Fallen and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince opened $62 million and $58.2 respectively this year. New Moon's three-day gross ended up with $140.7 million which is good at third place in all-time opening weekends in North America. Its worldwide opening weekend reached to $258.8 which is currently at No. 7.
Summit Entertainment is probably celebrating the success of the Twilight Sequel as it only made with in $60 million budget. Current No. 1 Movie for the Summit Entertainment Distributor is the first Twilight movie which earned up to $190 million last year earned in domestic, and $385 million worldwide and was made by $3o million production cost. Thanks to New Moon, Summit somehow cope with the lost of its other films released this year, which includes Push, Astro Boy and Sorority Row.
Although not much accepted but the most critics, New Moon is well accepted with open arms with the book's fans. That includes my self, I didn't much like the movie but I am glad to see everything came to live again. I didn't expect too much, but somehow amazed how Chris Wietz encapsulated everything in a 2-hour film without missing a single important part in the book. Kristin Stewart and Robert Pattinson somehow made a better acting this time, but Taylor Lautner needs to work more on his acting. Dakota Fanning was really good, it was a short scene though, but couldn't forget the way she said her line "This may only hurt a little...". I was so surprised with Michael Sheen, I didn't know that he was on the film. Like Dakota, Michael Sheen is one of the best actors that cast in the New Moon. The scene with Volturi is my favorite scene in the film.
I shouldn't also forget to comment on the soundtrack (the album made it to No. 1 in Billboard 200 by the way). Songs are really cool, it sounds so new with totally different beat, so different compare to it's first OST album. I didn't know Stephenie Meyer has a very good taste of songs (I'm sure she made big part in choosing the soundtrack for the film). Meanwhile, Eclipse is set to be released in June 30, as November date is taken by the first part of Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows.
Over-all, New Moon delivers a very safe move in everything. It's not the best love story ever told, but somehow the book made it huge and fans are craving for more.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Drive to Five is Over
The training somehow worked for me 'coz I got 3 surveys with an average of 90% for two weeks. Before the training begun my MTD survey was at 60%, the training was really a big help that pulled up my stats, and currently I am at 75% for total of 6 surveys. Our site's monthly target is 73%. For two months now, I've been exceeding the site's target as I scored 77% last month. Hopefully I am able to keep it up. Although we are done with two-week program, Candy will still be monitoring our calls and our surveys for our consistency. I'm so glad that everything works fine for me now. Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) really helps a lot. Thanks for whoever created the video I watched about PMA.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Lucky Day for me..
Any way, when I started my shift last night, I seemed to have a good-luck day, maybe because it's my birthday or whatever reason. I got two surveys from our clients with a "Very Satisfied" rating. The comments were good, and I am so happy that I made Candy (our trainer/coach) 'coz we are undergoing training with her. At least everything she does to us must be effective.
I'm looking forward for more good surveys from our client, after all I'm for a regularization next month. I have to keep my performance up. And I'm pretty sure if its for me, it will be mine. God knows best. For now, I'm just enjoying whatever blessings I have.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
12 Rounds
It took several months for me to watch this movie, maybe because I failed to watch his first movie, The Marine. The director of this film is the same director of Die Hard 2 and Deep Blue Sea, which gave me interest to watch 12 Rounds. Starred by John Cena, a wrestler superstar, whose relationship with World Wrestling Federation (WFF) reached to a higher level of producing films. WWF has already produced four films which include The Marine, See No Evil, and The Condemned. Two of the films are starred by John Cena and I won’t be surprised if they still have movies installed for him. ‘Coz despite of not so being a box office success, their films are not poorly rated and earned a lot through DVD rentals and sales.
Donnie (John Cena), starred as a police officer who made the most outstanding job in his career by sending a famous gangster, Miles Jackson (Aidan Gillen) to jail. Donnie got promoted with the job and after a year, Miles broke off from jail and started to haunt Donnie, his wife and his best friend. Playing a very exciting game of Miles, Donnie needs to survive the 12 rounds to save his wife and his best friend.
Mr. Cena needs to work on his acting, but since he is a new comer, what he did in this film was bearable. Every round is breath-taking, it’s like watching a boxing fight except that knock out is impossible without reaching the 12th round. Not the best but one of the good action-packed films that shouldn’t be missed.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
2012 - The mother of all disaster films
"2012" is happening now in the Philippines and I have finally watched the movie yesterday. I was planning to watch the movie today, but couldn't wait for it. So while waiting for my interview schedule yesterday (application for abroad) I passed by Glorieta Cinemas and the first screening was almost starting at around 11:45. I immediately bought a ticket, grabbed a burger and a large coke from McDonald and headed to the cinema and looked for my seat. After several trailer, 2012 started. The first main character (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor) in the film looked so familiar. I have seen him in Redbelt movie. I can't forget his character because of his excellent performance in that film. It was after several minutes 'til John Cusack was shown with his funny act. He played a not-so-known author of the book in the film which later taught a very important lesson or realization to Ejiofor's character.After several minutes, disasters begun in different parts of the world. I had nothing to say but "Whoa, wow...what the f***.." again and again. It started by a mini quake in which earth cracked like an egg shell then followed by a real monster earthquake, gigantic tsunamis and a fireballs from the sky. The disaster effects and thrilling action were to be expected in the film, but what I didn't expect was the story. It is more inspiring and very touching. It tells us that there is always hope no matter what, may it be an end of the world. Indeed 2012 is the mother of all disaster films that should never missed to watch.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Letting go..
I still remember that night, when I told her" why don't we give it a try". Despite the idea of a long distance relationship she said "Yes". Then after three days, I left for Manila, for first few days, the exchange of messages was frequent, like normal couple who misses each other. But after few weeks, I don't know what had gotten into me. I wasn't able to keep up with the responsibility even for simple way of replying her text messages. Until she buzzed me with her message "do you still want this to work?". I apologized to her and somehow it fixed that issue after a whole night of talk about it (through text messages). When she told me that she's goining to Bicol and would stay in Manila for few days, I immediately filed for a leave to be with her. While together, conversations regarding our conflict religion was brought up, which was never an issue between us before. Then she started talking about what happened way back in Zamboanga, how she waited for my text messages just to show that I still care for her. She was telling me like "what if after a few days of being together here in Manila, it will happen again?I don't want to go back to Zamboanga and to hope again that you would still care for me, that's why, if we can't handle it, let's call it off..."
I didn't want it first, I forced my self to make it up, But there was nothing I havendone that pleased her. I met her father formally with her brother the night before her flight to Zamboanga. The whole night was a total disaster for her, as I failed her expectation again. I was also thinking of my own "like" to happen. As we were waiting for our ride back home, there was a silence again. I didn't talk the whole time we were together that day, except when we met her father and brother. She broke the silence with her comment "kanina ka pa di nagsasalita, napipikon na ko"..Then I said "lahat ng gusto ko ayaw mo, and then you are asking me what do i want?what do you want me to say?"..There was a silence again, then we sat on one of the benches in Mall of Asia and finally talked seriously. There was an exchange of blame and complaints, both parties seemed to be of against each other. 'Til both of said, "Ok, let's call if of"..As I said "if you think that there is no way for us to make this working, then let's call it off"..We ended the conversation that night with both parties agreeing to call it over. She was crying while we were talking, it was not easy for both us to say it though, but we let go with one another that night.
Among my previous relationships, my relationship with Kristine, is the one that has the most meaningful end for me. I learned a lot of things that will make me a better person, a better man to my woman. She is in Zamboanga now, and we are still texting, we are still friends. I may always know what happen, but for me and Kristin, I'm sure that if we can't be together again, we will remain as good friends.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Ramil
Anyway, I'm the only one awake now 'coz I was about to report for work for a 3:45am to 12:45 shift. I got my stuff hoping the rain which started from 7pm last night had stopped or started to drizzle. But when I was about to open the door, I could hear the wind howling, and the rain even fell harder. Then the light went out, so I called the office instead, telling them I may be late or I may not be reporting at all. Although they considered my excuse,they still wanted me to report to work, which I also understand. I told them I'll stay up 'til 5am today, if the rain stops, i'll try my best to report.
As of now, I don't hear the rain anymore, I think it had stopped. Which means, I need to go and report to work. I don't want my paycheck to be deducted this coming payday hehe..
Monday, October 26, 2009
the Interview with an employer
The interview or should I say the talk with the employer was really smooth ('coz he didn't ask me dance or to do some stunts hehe..). He made me somehow comfortable with the usual questions about my self, my family, my dreams and why am I applying for abroad. I don't know if I impressed him, but he told me I did (tampa humble or hambog). He was telling me "Inshallah you will meet all your goals in life". He even asked me if when can I possibly start with them if they will select me for the position.
While waiting for the result for these applications, I'm still trying my luck in other agencies, planning to visit them during my off (gawing hobby ba!). According to the head recruiter prior to our interview last Friday, there are 1,300 agencies here in the country, land-based alone (meron daw kasi sea-based, baka may agencies sa barko hehe) so there are still thousands of it that I still need to visit hehe. Anyway, I'll just try all the possibilities and opportunities while working at the same time.
Honestly don't know yet if I am ready to work abroad, 'coz I started to enjoy my work now. I'm learning a lot especially in enhancing my communication skills. I also learned some new IT Stuff, as part of our support scope I am able to familiarize the environment for latest Mac Operating System and the latest Windows 7. Despite the difficulties of taking a very long ride everyday, there is somehow a price that is more than twice its worth (whatever that means hehe..).
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Another opportunity opens
Next week would be another job hunting for abroad. I won't stop 'til all the agencies for abroad here in Manila will receive my CV hehe..Honestly, I started to love my job now here in manila (unlike for first few months, which everything was difficult for me), so I won't mind waiting. My sister in Malaysia wants me to leave the country after March next year, after the graduation of our younger sister. She will be finishing Midwifery course this school year (Inshallah). But of course, if better opportunity comes, why would I not consider it, after all its the reason why I am here in Manila now.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Lucky with so many women in my life
Another SMS I got was from my younger sister in Zamboanga City. She was asking me to check her grammar for an invitation letter that she wrote. The grammar was really 'awful' hehe, it made me smile though!I used to be helping her with those stuff before and even upto now, no place that far for her (what does celphone do right?hehe), she's still taking time texting me all those funny sentences that I need to correct for her (it makes me laugh again now hehe..). I replied as soon as I read the messages but i think she was already asleep 'coz it was already late. Expect to hear from her tomorrow morning.
I just miss those days when my sisters and I are still together with our mother in Zamboanga City. I'm so lucky 'coz I have so many women in my life that really love me. I'm the only son in the family (at least from our own family tree..it's complicated, but I have three family trees hehe). I'm second to the youngest, our eldest is Inda Lai, the one in Malaysia now, next to her is Itting who is Bongao, Tawi-tawi with her family with two children, and me working in Manila now, then our youngest Queng-queng in Zamboanga City who is graduating this year . I don't know why we are not together now, but there is one thing that I'm sure of, we will always love each other, and we show support to one another despite the distances. I know our parents in heaven now are also happy with us.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Oscar Best Picture Collection
The first Best Picture I bought is the 2001 winner, A Beautiful Mind of Ron Howard and Russel Crowe which is one of my personal favorite films and to date I already have 9 Best Picture Films. (all original copies) Why just 9?'coz I just realized collecting them this year after buying Woody Allen's Annie Hall (1977 winner) this August. Since then I have been able to collect Titanic (1997), Gladiator (2000), The Departed (2006), No Country for Old Man (2007), Slumdog Millionaire (2008) and just added to the collection are Forrest Gump (1994) and Shakespeare in love (1998).
This coming payday, 2 0r 3 more films will be added to my collection (that really depends on the budget hehe..)
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Greatest Movie Collection and a Home Theater
Currently I have almost 200 original copies of films and they are placed safely inside the box, honestly, I haven't watched some of the movies yet. I watch them during my off or whenever I have a time on my 2-year old laptop or in a regular TV and DVD player at home.
I can't wait to have this Greatest Movie Collection and a Home Theater, I know with in 5 years from now this starts to become real.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Shit happens sometimes but best things can happen anytime
Just got home from work today, thank God the sun is showing up now, hope the typhoon Pepeng is not going to visit Philippines anymore as what Pag-asa said ‘coz most people here in Metro Manila have not yet recovered from the havoc of Ondong (previous typhoon) last four days ago. I didn’t have much a bad day today, except for little conflicts which really bothers me. I don’t really understand why sometimes people think that you are capable of doing something bad which you even never thought of. I never thought the people that you thought were good to you, your company every day, the ones that you treated as friends are the same people that are not really true to you. That in some point they would do anything so that you will feel sorry for yourself, and despite of everything they still go with you, as if they really care for you. I don’t know how they could stand living with it. Thank God I have seen the real them as early as now and I can’t do anything about it but to get rid of them. You can’t just risk a fresh tomato to join the rotten ones, unless you want to end up like the rest in the basket. At least now I know what to do.
I’m honestly not productive in my work right now, it’s not that I’m not giving my best, it so happened that I’m not just producing good results and not contributing to company’s effort despite the fact that you think that you are doing everything to be good. Maybe that’s just what I think, maybe I need to give more…whatever these undertakings are, I know that I can handle it, it’s just one of the lessons that I need to learn. Life is not easy sometimes, tough and unpredictable but you just need to get along with it, there is always a choice to be upset with it, or to enjoy its ups and downs like rollercoaster. Shit happens sometimes but best things can happen anytime. It could be later or tomorrow, so I need to sleep now, good stuff will happen when I wake up. Good night everyone!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
A Simple CARE
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
District 9, rare and a real fiction
It is really worth watching, lessons may learn as you watch it (if you care about it hehe)..
I still have The International and Drag me to Hell to watch later or during my next off. Let's see if these films are also worth spending my off for.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Happy Eid'l Fitri to all
Alhamdulillah I survived the Ramadhan (for 29 days) without missing any of its days despite of the difficulties here in Metro Manila. This is the first time that I spent my Ramadhan and Eid'l Fitri away from my family and friends in Zamboanga City. After praying the Sala'tul Eid'l Fitri at around 7 am, I spent the whole day at home and waited for the Mayweather and Marquez fight instead, not the usual Ramadhan though. I missed those times where relatives (upto the nth degree) are visiting the house just to greet each other. That's what I'm proud of as being a Muslim, or Tausug, we have a very strong family-ties.
Inshallah (if Allah wills) my next Eid'l Fitri will be in Zamboanga City with my family. I'm missing them so much now. I won't be here in Manila if not because of them anyway, so I have to be strong and be patient, this is not permanent, things will be the same again for us. Sacrifice needs to be done for a long time pleasure as they say. I'll keep the faith and hope for the best.
Happy Eid'l Fitri to all my Muslim brothers and sisters.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Anyway, going back to G.I. Joe, it really rocks!...so cool, that I even forgot that I just had 3 hours of sleep 'coz I watched it after the night shift. It didn't send me to sleep, unlike Transformers 2, which made me missed 4 - 5 seconds of the film towards the end for several times, but I still like Transformers 2, can't wait to own it in DVD. Effects were really great (what would you expect for 175 million dollars production budget), and the story too, I like the way Stephen Sommers (also the Director of Van Helsing, The Mummy, and The Mummy Returns) presented the plot, especially the quick flash back of the characters. The actions were really breath taking. Sienna Miller and Rachel Nichols really kicked ass/asses. Can't wait to watch the sequel, I'm sure there would be a sequel, two or three years from now. G.I. Joe now is earning $283.7 millions world wide and currently at No. 13 for 2009 and at No. 225 for all time box office record. It will not surpass the Transformers 2 or HP6 earnings, but G.I. Joe will still remain the best action film and number one for me so far.
If still showing, I'll watch Gerard Butler's Gamer next week, then Bruce Willis's Surrogates a week after that, 2012 this November and James Cameron's Avatar this December.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Sitel and the Wonderland
The whole production floor yesterday suddenly turned into a museum or a costume-party hall with different characters walking around. There were Horror House, Olympiams, Forest, Film Production Studio and other unusual themes which were products of creative minds. Taking calls was never suspended, so our common costumes was the headset (despite the make-up and other props on the body).You would see Alice and other characters with their headset on.
Everyone enjoyed it.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Unwrapping the most important gift...Life
Started with a new shift yesterday. From last week 4:00pm t0 1:00am, my schedule is moved to 4:00am to 1:00am this week, which means I have to leave the house by 2:00am. Normally, I allot at least 2 hours before my shift, not to mention the extra 30 minutes to prepare my stuff. But when I started my shift yesterday, I thought I was going to be late, 'coz I woke up around 2:00am already. So, I hurriedly took a shower, prepared my stuff and got going. Luckily, there was still a tricycle going to the terminal, which you don't expect in our area around that time. When we reached the bus terminal, the last bus for that hour was ready to go and I arrived to work an hour before my shift, that was really so fast. I really thought my new shift would be the most difficult shift, I was totally wrong, I gave my judgment right away, I thought of its negative effect without weighing things out. I was thinking, it was difficult for me to wake up, that there would be no rides at that time and all the negative stuff. It was the exact opposite, the trip was so smooth, no traffic, no crowds, everything was perfect.
That's how sometime we view things in life, we always think of the negative sides without weighing things out, sometimes or most of the time, complaints come first or the negative possibilities. We tend to miss the important side of it, which is the most beautiful. I never thought simple things like shifting schedules would teach me this very important lessons in life. Truly life is a gift with full of surprises, you will never know what's inside 'til you dare to unwrap it and appreciate it. Life is fun and everything about it. So enjoy it, and everyday is a new adventure.
Monday, September 7, 2009
It's not just yet for me...
For now, I need to keep a job,'coz I don't know if I can still stand for it 'till next month. I can handle the work (I think..or not) but the trip from home to work is like 'hell', I need to allot at least 2 hours for for me to get ready to work, not to mention the super traffic or the delay of MRT (which always happens at peak hours). I don't like it here but I need to like it, for me to survive.I really believe this is just one of the assessments or examinations that I need to pass, and I know I can make it. For now, whatever I like is not just yet for me, but someday it will, I just need to be someone who deserves it.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The hardest and most important lesson of Life
This week, she made a shocking revelation, Coach Melai was tasked to handle other team for a communication skills training. It saddened me because I knew she was doing great and she is doing everything for the team to stay solid. She fought for all of us when our team was almost dispersed because of not so good performance. But now, the team is getting better, but she had to leave the team. It wasn't easy especially for me, we just got to enjoy the work together with her..but she told us, she would still be monitoring our progress and would buzz us anytime whenever she has the time.
I guess that's how life is, nothing is permanent. Things may last for just a couple of minutes, days or months and you learned so many new things...just don't forget the most important lesson of life, which is" letting go"..It may not necessary mean that everything is through 'coz some things may remain the same, but that would be just for a while..
Sunday, August 16, 2009
2009 Films - Making money or not...
| Movie Title | *Word Wide Grosses | *Production Budget | *Total Earnings | |
| 1 | Ice Age 3 | 769.5 | 90 | 679.5 |
| 2 | Harry Potter 6 | 826.1 | 200 | 626.1 |
| 3 | Transformers 2 | 823.3 | 200 | 623.3 |
| 4 | The Hangover | 390.5 | 35 | 355.5 |
| 5 | Angels and Demons | 483.4 | 150 | 333.4 |
| 6 | Fast and Furious | 343 | 85 | 258 |
| 7 | Night at the Museum 2 | 387.2 | 150 | 237.2 |
| 8 | Star Trek | 382.3 | 150 | 232.3 |
| 9 | X-Men Origins: Wolverine | 363.2 | 150 | 213.2 |
| 10 | The Proposal | 249.1 | 40 | 209.1 |
| 11 | Up | 380.7 | 175 | 205.7 |
| 12 | Monster Vs. Aliens | 379.5 | 175 | 204.5 |
| 13 | Taken | 222.8 | 25 | 197.8 |
| 14 | Terminator Salvation | 369.1 | 200 | 169.1 |
| 15 | Paul Blart: Mall Cop | 183.2 | 26 | 157.2 |
| 16 | Knowing | 176 | 50 | 126 |
| 17 | Friday the 13th | 90.6 | 19 | 71.6 |
| 18 | Public Enemies | 159.8 | 100 | 59.8 |
| 19 | Coraline | 116.8 | 60 | 56.8 |
| 20 | Watchmen | 183.8 | 130 | 53.8 |
Among this' years disappointment includes films from Will Ferrel (Blades of Glory, Talladega Nights and Step Brothers), two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington (American Gangster, Remember the Titans), Michael Cera (Juno and Super Bad), Jack Black(Kung Fu Panda and Tropic Thunder) and Eddie Murphy (Shrek 1,2,3,) whose earlier films are box office hits.
| Land of the Lost | 60.1 | 100 | -39.9 |
| Imagine That | 16.6 | 55 | -38.4 |
| The Taking to Pelham 123 | 92.2 | 100 | -7.8 |
| Year One | 53 | 60 | -7 |












