Life and the Movies

Ikr, sometimes you just wish life is just like the movies. And during times of distress, your knight in shining armor- may be in the form of Richard Gere-comes in to rescue you. Perhaps your dream girl saves you from frantically drowning ala Pamela Anderson of Baywatch. (Ooooh)

Or when you are gloomy, tired and alone and stranded in the streets during an unforgiving downpour, the Amazing Spiderman enters the frame, albeit inverted, to comfort the lady with a wet kiss. (U huh)

Dont you just wish you can get lost in the mystery and magic of the movies: where lighting creates an ambiance, music sets the mood and makeup covers the imperfection.

Voila! Perfect!

But it is all staged. And everyone acts.

You know, in life, it is pretty much the same. The world is our stage and we are all actors. But there's no Academy Award.
Too bad, we would have won for the Best and Worst Version of Us. Depending on the scene.

Bdays and all

You know what would make me smile on my birthday?

To know that I could go on that day without ever having to worry about work, or hounded by deadlines and pressured to read and answer the emails. 

To know that I'm going to be spending the day with the people I love and do what we want to do together, without minding to answer a single call or text message when my phone rings.

To be remembered by people who are close to me, and those I hold dear in my heart, and read their genuine, heartfelt dedication, some of which are perhaps sent the moment the clock strikes midnight that day.

And if you're still reading this now, a handwritten letter or greeting from you is more than fine a birthday gift! Call it a fan sign if you like, haha!

I thank heavens, I caught up with the generation that considered writing letters is not a bore! I was fond of doing that and my friends are witnesses...! Haha.

But Im quite sad to know that my generation is soo tamad. Or effortless. IDK, I just probably miss receiving letters, or that feeling to see one's handwriting on paper and his/her thoughts on it.

I hope this act does not die, the way Newsweek stopped publishing printed versions and eventually sticked to digital editions.

I just want to receive a handwritten letter on my birthday, thats it. Hahaha.

Sunday All Stars SAYAW Prog info

The heat is on as the search for the Best Kapuso All-Star Dance Crew makes its way to the Sunday All Stars stage this week!

Can Instagang defend their title? The group’s Team Leader Mark Herras fires up the stage once more as he shows what it takes to be the reigning Bad Boy of the Dance Floor, this time to the tune of the local ethnic beats! Together with his teammates Sam Pinto, Andrea Torres, Jake Vargas, Yassi Pressman, Julian Trono, LJ Reyes, Julieanne San Jose, Frencheska Farr and Christian Bautista, they will try to score a consecutive feat by offering a tribute to the nation’s folk dances.

It’s hip-hop like you’ve never seen it before! Witness the most-awarded team, Tropang Trending, gives the genre another flavor by combining tap and step dance into their one-of-a-kind routine! Don’t miss Team Leader Jay-R, Enzo Pineda, Kristoffer Martin, Aljur Abrenica, Kris Bernal, Max Collins, Jonalyn Viray, Rita De Guzman and Rochelle Pangilinan join forces with the Pinoy pride, internationally-recognized hip-hop dance crew, Philippine All-Stars!

Croon and swoon, hop and bop the Contemporary Jazz way with Ligang iLike! Leading the team is Kyla, who makes a shift this week from being the RnB Princess to a Jazz Sweetheart! Along with Winwyn Marquez, Mark Bautista, Steven Silva, Derrick Monasterio, Aicelle Santos, Kylie Padilla, Diva Montelaba and Barbie Forteza, they give a new meaning to pop music by fusing it with some jazz melodies.

Pasa Doble, Argentine Tango, Salsa, Samba and Jive, all in one classy production number! That’s what TweetHearts is about to cater this week featuring Team Leader Alden Richards, Maricris Garcia, Rodjun Cruz, Aira Bermudez, Louise delos Reyes, Sef Cadayona, Kris Lawrence, Ruru Madrid and Rachelle Ann Go!

But the Sunday fun does not end there! Because the cast of the most-awaited GMA Serye are set to join the All-Star stage!

The lead stars of the newest addition to GMA Telebabad, “Prinsesa ng Buhay Ko,”- Aljur, Kris and LJ give us a taste of the sweet vibe they’re about to show us every night starting September 23. Keeping us up in that mood are Kristoffer and Julieanne who would sing the theme song of “Kahit Nasaan Ka Man.”

Meanwhile, Winwyn, Ruru, Enzo, Joyce Ching and Mayton Eugenio would provide us a sneak peek of the happenings in “Dormitoryo.”, the latest Kapusos Sunday afternoon treat. Plus, your favourite “Anak Ko Yan” contenders are gearing up for some showdown with the stars this week!

This Sunday also paves the way for the music video premiere of one of the theme songs of the most-talked about and controversial GMA serye recently, “My Husband’s Lover!” Catch the exclusive preview of Jonalyn’s “Help Me Get Over You!” video!

 Join the All-Star, All-Out Showdown this Sunday, 12 noon on GMA!

Taste Buddies : BFF! BINONDO FOOD FESTIVAL

In Binondo, there’s never a shortage of foodgasmic treats! From authentic Chinese specialties to creatively exotic dishes, there’s always a room for savoury eats for locals, tourists, backpackers and the foodies like our Taste Buddies!

Armed with her appetite for adventure, Isabelle Daza makes the most out of her BFF-- Binondo Food Festival-- with Starstruck alumna Rich Asuncion and TV host Ali Gui.

Rich, Belle and Ms. Ali plus the owner of Masuki Mami House.

Best toured by foot, Ms. Ali takes the girls to her favourite food spots in the oldest Chinatown in the world. Together, they indulge in the delectable recipes of the must-go to places in the area! 

Perfect to mellow the rainy day blues away is the traditionally-made noodle soup of Masuki Mami House. 

The traditional way of making noodles via "pangangabayo."

Affordable yet equally-yummy dumplings is the hallmark of the TripAdvisor awardee, Dong Bei Dumplings.

Locals don’t even have to go abroad to experience the Hongkong-style dishes! A trip to the famed Wai Ying can already satisfy their cravings. And just a few blocks away, Quick Snack offers something innovative like their oyster cakes and omelettes! 

But if you want to be a chef at home and tweak some sumptuous recipes, you can also do your own shopping at the Bee Tin Grocery. 

There are so many ways to enjoy the weekend! This Saturday, give yourself a break and craft your very own Binondo Food Festival! For a preview, see how your Taste Buddies do it on GMA News TV, 5:40 pm.

TASTE BUDDIES: ULTIMATE RAKETERA

The Holiday season is here and it's that time of the year when presents come in handy! But if your budget for gift-giving is quite limited, worry not! Because your Taste Buddies, Solenn and Belle plus Kylie Padilla, have some ideas for a sideline aka "raket" to let you earn extra income.

And not only that, Solenn and Belle are vying for the coveted title of the season: The Ultimate Raketera! And in order for them to be named as such, they

would have to endure a series of challenges: Trip sa Jeep, Flower Power and Kiosk Ko Po!

Flower Power! Put your creativity to the test and mix and match those lovely blooms to come up with that mesmerizing floral arrangement!

Pleasure and Passion for the Palate! Get to know the easy techniques in making those luscious fast-food bestsellers and be inspired to make your own recipes out of them!

With these simple tips, you can earn more money in time for the yuletide rush, plus you can have them as your Holiday giveaways!

But even when working, don't let the fun die down! Sprinkle some adventure while doing your "raket", even when in the streets!

Do something daring like channeling a jeepney barker for some extra pesos in the Trip sa Jeep Challenge! Or perhaps go hunting for some elusive Pinoy delicacies to satisfy your cravings for regional specialties like the Suman of Rizal and Uraro of Bicol, just to name a few, in the Kiosk Ko Po Challenge!

In the end, there can only be one Ultimate Raketera! Find out what it takes to be one!

And before you embark on your investment plans for this season, "rumaket muna" with your Taste Buddies this Saturday, 5:40pm on GMA News TV.