Random Movie Challenge 2014

Updated as of December 27:

15 Movies that will always stay with you.

Rules: Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen films that you've seen that will always stick with you. List the first fifteen that you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes. Tag fifteen friends, including me, because I'm interested in seeing what films my friends choose. 

1. The Bridges of Madison County
2. Her
3. Something's Gotta Give
4. Same Time, Next Year
5. Kung Mangarap Ka't Magising
6. Kakaba-Kaba Ka Ba?
7. Bad Education/ La Mala Educacion
8. Lost in Translation
9. Annie Hall
10. The Thomas Crown Affair (Pierce Brosnan version)
11. Mamma Mia!
12. An Affair To Remember
13. Into the Wild
14. In the Mood for Love
15. History of the World Part 1/ The Producers (tied hahaha)

Random Book Challenge 2014

On September 10, updated as of December 27:

Book challenge tagged by (some friends)

So here we go!

Rules: Don't take more than a few minutes and do not think too hard. They don't have to be the "right" books or great works of literature, just ones that have affected you in some way. Then tag 10 friends including me so I can see your list.

1. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
2. Three One Act Plays by Woody Allen
3. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
4. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
5. How Do You Know Your Pearls Are Real? By Barbara Gonzales
6. Siddhartha by Herman Hesse
7. The Twisted Series by Jessica Zafra
8. A Frabjous Day and Other Stories/ Stupid is Forever by Miriam Defensor Santiago
9. Anything written by Margie Holmes
10. Without Feathers by Woody Allen/ I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron

Emma Watson on Gender Equality

Digital Trends

Facebook post on September 30:

"Don't you think it's rather creepy to allow a site to sell your data to third parties? That's in exchange of its 'free membership' agreement, which, by the way, also gives it the freedom to bombard your online account with ads. 

It's the socio-cultural landscape that netizens have to deal with in this digital age. Behaviors have been greatly altered. Won't be surprised if there's another psycho-anthropological disorder about to emerge after detecting a rapid spike on trends like Facebook envy, among others. 

I just described Facebook. Look how it changes you over the years. Do you like the kind of change your seeing?"

Openness

Arms wide, welcoming

Palms relaxed, willing

Doors unlocked, passable

Faucet on, flowing

Be open.

Musings: Surprises

Facebook post on October 7, 2014:

"Surprises. They delight us. But they can also horrify us.
Oftentimes, we find ourselves too preoccupied on sticking with the path that we have long dreamed of, thus hindering us from appreciating the wonderful twists and turns down the road. 

I have never (well at least not in this lifetime) dreamed of (the job that I am in now.)
What i'm doing now is far from the journalistic practice i had been exposed to. Sometimes i get astounded how totally different the Now is from the Future i had mapped out. So it gets frustrating to know that Fate is giving us a hard time in arriving to those in our bucket list. Surely, there's no map in the destination called Success. 

But as we chase this elusive feat, we're faced with Surprises, and along with these come Serendipity. The Universe may not agree with our plans, but it sure does make us thrilled -delighted and horrified just the same- with its plans for us. You bend, you adjust, you adopt. You accept. You develop. You evolve. 

It's the unexpected that brings out our real character. Let's just embrace this journey full of surprises then!"

Meryl Streep on Patience

"I do not have patience for some things, not because I have to become arrogant, but simply because I reached a point in my life where I do not want to waste more time with that displeases me or hurt. I have no patience for cynicism, reviews excess and demands of any nature. Reset the will to please who does not like, to love who does not love me and smile for those who do not want to smile. no longer dedicate a minute who lies or want to manipulate. decided not live more with the pretense, hypocrisy, dishonesty and cheap praise. I fail to tolerate selective scholarship and academic arrogance. I do not adjust more with the neighborhood or gossips. not stand conflict and comparisons. I believe in a world of opposites and therefore avoid people rigid and inflexible character. in friendship I dislike the lack of loyalty and betrayal. well I do not get anything you do not know who to praise or encourage. exaggerations bored and I have difficulty accepting who do not like animals. And on top of everything and I have no patience for anyone who does not deserve my patience "

Musings: Humble Beginnings

Facebook post on December 4, 2014:

"Today, saw Atty. Adel Tamano again.

This time, he as the VP for PR of Coke Philippines and I as a writer for the company's portion buy segment in a tv show. Years ago, I was just a student and publication editor in the city-funded university of which he was the president. Do the math.

Looking back, his charm never failed to swoon the ladies. No doubt, he was PLM's Kilabot ng Mga Kolehiyala that time. Today, that unmistakable killer smile is still there. 

In our next encounter, who knows what roles we would play, which hat we would wear. But I'm sure Nostalgia would visit me everytime. He'll always remind me of that girl with big dreams hoping to rule the world. The hope is still burning.

As Nostalgia crept in, it held my hand and guided me back to my humble beginnings, yet aspires me to look further down the road where more dreams are waiting to be chased. This makes me even more grateful for the gift called the Present."

And Miriam says...

You're the reason God created the middle finger.

From Stupid is Forever.

A Trip To The Stars w/ PLM Film Society

So... Last December 17 and 18, the PLM-Film Society held a two-day Holiday meet-up for a general assembly and a film viewing session. I was invited. (I co-founded the organization)

Gave away some things from my collection: movies and books. So glad to see everybody with goodies in their hands and smiles on their faces. :)

Sharing with you some of the snapshots.

A Grown-Up Christmas

When we were kids, we always look forward to celebrating Christmas, hoping to receive that long-awaited holiday present. To unwrap what Santa and his little helpers had sent all the way from who-knows-where. To smell the yuletide air and feel the holiday chills. To wake up at dawn for Misa De Gallo and indulge in puto bumbong and bibingka afterwards.

We couldn't wait for that most special dinner of the year, when the family and relatives come together for a night of thanksgiving. The hamon, quezo de bola, lechon, and even the simplest things kahit de lata lang for as long as it's Noche Buena with the family...spells Joy.

The mere thought of opening Christmas presents together with your loved ones on His birthday brings huge excitement and thrills you can't even quite explain.

Remember that???

As adults, we find ourselves asking, Where has that Christmas go? When has Christmas turned into a stressful, capitalist-driven holiday instead of a fun-exciting vacation? When did it become this tiresome routine?

The child, who for a period of time, was at the receiving end of seemingly endless pamasko, now finds herself at the opposite spectrum: the reality of beating the holiday rush for last-minute shopping for her family and friends... and wait for it.... forget-not the ever-widening social circle, for whom she is "semi-required" to gift.

The child whose eat-then-play participation in Noche Buena transitioned to punong abala-event organizer-cook-runner-peacemaker-panic attack pacifier and whathaveyou.

The reunions become horrific dates where your Titas and Titos confront you with armalite queries... Bakit single ka pa rin, maganda/gwapo ka naman!?!?, Dun ka pa rin nagtatrabaho???, Kailan kayo magpapakasal??!?, Ayyyy break na kayo??

It took you quite a while that in reality Christmas is not an event that magically springs and presents itself. It takes helluva work!

So you ask...

What was once easy and exciting became predictable and loaded. Did Christmas change? Did Christmas become like one of those "mairaos lang kind of event"/ "let's just get this over and done with Holiday mood and make everyone happy"?

Christmas didn't change. It does not. People do.

Life unfolds. Children become adults.

We could only wish we could stay forever young and see Christmas from the eyes of a child--- that easy, exciting Christmas that we used to have.

/fmr2014/

Taste Buddies: Christmas Giveaways 2014

A few days before Christmas and you still haven’t got any holiday giveaway?

Push those worries aside as your Taste Buddies’ Solenn and Iya give you fresh, fun and fab ideas this yuletide season!

Make your Christmas even sweeter by indulging in delectable desserts like Strawberry Trifle and macarons! Kapuso Star Rafael Rossell joins Solenn in making the flavorful fruity treat, while Saab Magalona introduces us to Mrs. Grahams’ heavenly macaron hub!

Meanwhile, you’re up for an exclusive, red carpet launch of Hotel Jen, formerly Traders Hotel, where patrons and guests can visit the Kitscho Resto which offers authentic Japanese cuisine. Steven Silva even takes us behind the scenes for a special sneak peek of one of their specialties- the savory Salmon Tartaryaki!

Hosts Solenn and Iya also share their expertise in fashion and crafts! Sos teaches us how to make a personalized Christmas gift for your hubby or boyfie, while Iya offers a budget-friendly way to wrap those presents!

Taste life’s merry and exciting Holiday adventures on Taste Buddies this Saturday, December 20, 8:40 p.m. on GMA News TV.