My September's Film Index



Honestly
, I cannot remember the first film I've ever seen but I can tell you that this hobby, or side interest, is very important to me - not in the sense that I can't live without it. Filipino films were, of course, the first to encouraged me go to the cinemas and either be satisfied or disappointment by the two-hour moving image presented in front of me.

However, it is the Korean cinema that made me explore the motion pictures of Asia. 'My Sassy Girl' was the first Korean film to engrossed me but it was 'My Boyfriend is Type B' that I first known. Japanese, Taiwanese, Chinese, Hong Konger, Singaporean, Thai and Indian followed my list of Asian films to see. Recently, I added Indonesian.

Hollywood cinema played a huge part in my discovery of films. In case you are not aware of it, the Philippines were mostly Americanised in a various ways (but I will not justify it here). There was even a time when I was young, and ignorant, when I thought that all films were from Hollywood. Then I started to wonder why the accent changed, why the skin colour darkened and why the language used needed translation for me to understand. And that made me uncover British, French, Mexican, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and currently, New Zealander films.

I have seen so many films that I wished to record them from head to toe, if you know what I mean, thus I managed to come up with this section of my site. The motion pictures below were not all the films I have watched (as I am trying to list out all of them) and most articles are borrowed from Wikipedia and other sites. In the near future, I hope I will be the one reviewing the film so it will be more personal.

Asian films were classified in two ways. First, the name in its native language. Second, its name in its international release or simply its English name. If you have film suggestions, please feel free to leave me a message below. Thanks.

American Films | 1978
American Films | 1990
American Films | 2004
American Films | 2006
American Films | 2008
British Films | 2006
British Films | 2007
British Films | 2008
Japanese Films | 2004
Japanese Films | 2007
Korean Films | 2007
Korean Films | 2008
Taiwanese Films | 2006
Thai Films | 2007
Thai FIlms | 2008

~ Friday, June 19, 2009 0 comments

Taiwan: 007 | 潘瑋柏 Pan Weibo

Weibo Pan, also known as Will, released his much-anticipated album "007" this 22 May. The album features his first single, 'Be With You', a collaboration with American R&B singer Akon.

Disclaimer: The files are uploaded for your listening pleasure and I do not have any rights with them. The title was translated using Google Translate so the accuracy of the English translations is not a hundred percent. If you enjoyed the album, please support the artist and buy the album here.

To download the complete album, click here.

Track Listings:

01 双人舞 (Shuang Ren Wu, Pas de Deux)
02 限量发行 (Xian Liang Fa Xing, Limited Edition)
03 无重力 (Wu Zhong Li, Weightless)
04 Be With You
05 爱的歌 (Ai De Ge, Love Songs)
06 寂屋出租 Ji Wu Chu Zu Silence for Rent)
07 自我意识 (Zi Wo Yi Shi, Self-consciousness)
08 亲爱的 (Qin Ai De, Beloved)
09 Every Time's Good Time
10 怎么着 (Zen Me Zhe, How)
11 Don't Wanna Say Goodbye


~ Monday, May 25, 2009 0 comments

Literary Roll Week 21

Since my vacation's final day is still unpredictable, I decided to record literary stuffs I finished every week - starting last's. I have a list on my notebook but I guess it's time to save the trees. Legends: [F] - Films [B] - Books

Tuesday, 19 May
The Promise [F]
One More Chance [F]

Wednesday, 20 May
Invisible Target [F]
Vacancy 2: The First Cut [F]
Manay Po! [F]

Thursday, 21 May
Manay Po! 2 [F]
The Asia Book [B]
Invasion of Boy Snatchers: A Clique Series [B]

Friday, 22 May
The Eye, US [F]

Saturday, 23 May
1408 [F]
One Missed Call, US [F]


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She Stays Alive on Plurk

My college friend shared the article you'll be reading on his Plurk account and after reading it, I felt sad about what happened to the girl and her fiance but at the same time happy that Plurk kept it's promise to have her karma for infinity.

The girl who has infinite karma
by Ruby de Vera
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Last updated 23:22:00 12/05/2008

The Internet offers us an alternative social life. While we cannot be in two places at the same time, we can be on several websites at once. The all too human desire to be known and accepted by others is evident in the popularity of social networking websites.

Hazel Danielle Santos, a 27-year-old Filipina based in Lausanne, Switzerland, was a constant presence in several online forums such as Highfiber.org. She also had an account on Plurk.com.

Known as harley_quinn on Plurk, she posted a message on Oct. 12, which, it turned out, would be her last: “[harley_quinn] is the HAPPIEST WOMAN on earth today!”

She then said that her boyfriend had proposed to her in front of her parents, while visiting a historic place in Lausanne.

Strachan, her boyfriend, had pulled the ring out of the town’s old cannon and proposed. How could a girl say no?

Her father was so happy for her that he ordered in advance 500 bottles of personalized Bordeaux wine for the wedding. But—good things end too soon.

According to an e-mail from Hazel’s cousin, on the dawn of Oct. 13, Hazel and Strachan were driving back home from their engagement party when they met an accident. The car, what remained of it, was not located until hours later after a motorist reported seeing the wreck.

Hazel was a vivacious character online, and through these venues she had made many friends. Most of these people she had never met, but when the tragic news reached them, the response was overwhelming. Her death was so sudden, people couldn’t believe it.

On Plurk, you earn karma points for posting regularly. But with Hazel now gone, her karma was sure to dwindle. One of her online friends, thegreatest, appealed to Plurk management through the website Get Satisfaction (http://getsatisfaction.com).

“I know this is a long shot, but we have a plurker who just recently passed away… it is heartbreaking to see her plurk karma slowly trickle down. We were wondering if you can somehow freeze it, so we can remember her the way she was through her plurks.”

Amir Salihefendi from Plurk replied immediately. He offered his condolences to Hazel’s family: “We have stalled her karma drops and have given her a karma of infinity. May she rest in peace.”

Plurk has kept its word, and when you visit Hazel’s Plurk page (http://plurk.com/harley_quinn) you can see the symbol of infinity in place of karma points, a symbol that very well represents Hazel’s presence in the hearts of the people she let into her life.


~ Saturday, May 23, 2009 2 comments

No Boundaries [Studio Version] by Kris Allen

Seconds, hours, so many days
You know what you want but how long can you wait
Every moment last forever if you feel you’ve lost your way

What if your chances are already gone
Started believing that I could be wrong
But you give me one good reason to fight and never walk away

'Cause here I am still holding on

Every step you climb another mountain
Every breathe it's harder to believe
You’ll make it through the pain
Weather the hurricane to get to that one thing

When you think the road is going nowhere
Just when you’ve almost gave up on your dreams
Then take it by the hand and show you that you can
There are no boundaries
There are no boundaries

I fought to the end to stand on the edge
What if today is as good it gets
Don’t know where the future’s headed
Nothings gonna bring me down

I’ve jumped every bridge and I’ve run every line
I’ve risked being saved but I always knew why
I always knew why
So hear I am still holding on

Every step you climb another mountain
Every breathe it's harder to believe
You’ll make it through the pain
Weather the hurricane to get to that one thing

When you think the road is going nowhere
Just when you’ve almost gave up on your dreams
Then take it by the hand and show you that you can

You can go higher
You can go deeper
There are no boundaries above and beneath you
Break every rule 'cause there’s nothing between you and your dreams

Every step you climb another mountain
Every breathe it's harder to believe

Yeah…
There are no boundaries
There are no boundaries

With every step you climb another mountain
Every breathe it's harder to believe
You’ll make it through the pain
Weather the hurricane
There are no boundaries
There are no boundaries
There are no boundaries


~ 0 comments

I Think Adam Lambert Should've Won

Last night, I was watching American Idol's finale at TV2 and I love that they put on one airing the final showdown and the coronation. (At least my excitement was not cut off and I learned of the winner's name right after the show!) Last week, I was an Adam Lambert fan but I switched to Kris Allen last Tuesday because I like his modesty and, of course, his singing (though Adam's more creative on interpreting the songs he chose to perform).

I noticed last night that Kris Allen had some difficulties in singing his songs, especially the song 'No Boundaries' AI judge Kara DioGouardi co-wrote with Cathy Dennis and Mitch Allan. I am not expert on singing, or whatever, so I won't say anything about his singing but good thing Kara DioGuardi noted that the song's not fit for him (because it really isn't). They should have chosen another song. Anyway, with that, I thought he would lose the competition... but he didn't! Congrats Kris Allen! (Yet I feel Adam should have won. Can't wait for their debut album and to find out who will and will not hit the charts.)

Photo from blogs.nypost.com.


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Charice Pempengco's Note to God

I've been seeing a lot of articles about the version of JoJo's Note to God by Charice Pempengco and so I decided to listen to the song, which can be dowloaded here, and listening to the song was not enough so I watched it in YouTube and I realised that it was shown in Oprah and that it was her first single. (Is she an international artist already?) Anyway, watch the video with me and let me hear what's your opinion.


Like Oprah's reaction after the performance, I said, 'Wow!' for a number of times. It gave me the creeps while listening to Charice hit the high notes. I have heard of JoJo's version and it was great but this version is greater than hers. You can see the audience moving as if they were dancing to the rhythm and some were standing with applause. Amazing!

It makes me wonder what the American Idol judges would say on her performance.


~ Thursday, May 21, 2009 9 comments

Adia [Live] by Avril Lavigne



Adia, I do believe I failed you
Adia, I know I let you down
Don't you know I tried so hard to love you in my way
It's easy let it go

Adia, I'm empty since you left me
I try to find a way to carry on
I search myself and everyone to see where we went wrong
There's no one left to finger
There's no one here to blame
There's no one left to talk to, honey
And there ain't no one to buy our innocence

'Cause we are born innocent
Believe me, Adia, we are still innocent
It's easy, we all falter but does it matter

Adia, I thought that we could make it
But I know I can't change the way you feel
I leave you with your misery
A friend who won't betray
And pull you from your tower
And take away your pain
And show you all the beauty you possess
If you'd only let yourself believe that

We are born innocent
Believe me, Adia, we are still innocent
It's easy, we all falter but does it matter

We are born innocent
Believe me, Adia, we are still innocent
It's easy, we all falter but does it matter
Believe me, Adia, we are still innocent
'Cause we are born innocent
Beieve me, Adia, we are still innocent
It's easy, we all falter but does it matter


~ 0 comments

I Hate Thursdays: Fire, Betrayal and Bad Mood

When I woke this morning, I thought I was dying and I was in Heaven. Every thing was covered with white clouds and there was a blinding yellowish light. I was like, "Did I die? What happened?" and then I heard this beeping sound. The sound you hear when you're in the ER and losing your heart beat. Of course, I panicked. I told myself to wake up and move. This can't be happening.

And I was right. I was not dead. I walked to roam the place where I was and I saw our toaster on fire! Yes, it was burning and the flames were huge and ready to devour our wine cabinet. The white clouds I saw? They were the smoke from the fire! The binding yellowish light? It's from the f-ing aquarium! I screamed my Dad's name for him to do something (since I always do the wrong thing) but the fire was getting bigger. Above the fire was our wine and if the bottles exploded, the alcohol would create much bigger combustion I don't know if I can handle them.

Since I am used to seeing toasters on fire, even stoves, because of playing Sims 2, what I did was I got a glass of water and throw the contents on the fire. Of course, the fire died and I was happy that it didn't cost us any damage. I feel like I was a hero. I did something 'right'.

However, fantasies behind, my Dad reprimanded me with what I did. He said I should have unplugged it first, blah, blah, blah. What the!? The smoke was so thick I thought I was in Heaven, it was hard to breath and I was the only one in the right mind to stop the fire from consuming our house and again, I did the 'wrong' thing! WTF! As if I was the one using the toaster and left it there without setting the timer.

So my Thursday morning was such a wreck. What happened next? He acted like it was not his fault and ordered me to clean up his mess. Since I am good follower, I did what I was told and kept my mouth shut.

Minutes later, I opened my Blogger account to check for updates. (I should learn to trust my instincts. They are always precise.) I checked the blogspot I co-wrote with some of my friends and saw a new post published so I was happy... but not for long. I checked my Yahoo! Mail account and saw that my friend posted more entries related to OUR site on his other online account. Of course, I do not have the right to feel sad or mad about it so I ignored the posts and continued reading my mails. What the!?

I don't want to write it here but I need to release them (so sorry if I misunderstood you, my friend).

These other posts I ignored was published on a blogspot site, too. Ok, that hurts me but what makes it worse and deep was that he named HIS site based on OUR site's name. I felt I was betrayed, stabbed and I was left speechless for a minute. The content's layout was similar to MY layout. The... F-! I was, I. I can't believe this day. This f-ing Thursday. So I left him a PM and now I'll wait for his reply. I hope I just misunderstood him.

If ever he doesn't know, I have a massive trust on him.

Thursday. Now I hate Thursdays.


~ 3 comments

There's Still Time

Looking at this picture gives me this thought that though the world we live in is dying, there's still enough time for us to do something and even though we can't make it a perfect place, we can at least try to make it a place for everyone to love and take care of. Photo by Seattle Dredge. Original title, 'Party of One'.


~ Wednesday, May 20, 2009 0 comments

Huwag Na Kasing Ipilit

Nakakatawang isipin na isa ako sa mga tao na pinaplano na ang kinabukasan bago pa man ito mangyari. (Teka, may kapareho naman siguro ako sa inyo, di ba?) Bago ako manirahan dito sa New Zealand, may direksyon na ang landas na tinatahak ko… may mapa na at may finish line. Gusto mo ba malaman? Ito, ibabahagi ko sa iyo ang ilan sa kanila.

Plano ko, pagdating ko ng Third Year sa kolehiyo ay maghahanap na ako ng part-time na trabaho. Alam ko sa mga panahong ito ay malaki na ang gastusin ko. Gusto ko ikasal sa edad na 25 anyos. Gusto kosa edad din na iyon ay magkaroon ng panganay na anak. (Oo, seryoso ako dito.) Yung iba e medyo personal na kaya secret.

Plano. Hindi nga naman porke’t may draft ka na e may essay ka na na maipapasa. Maaring may palitan ka at magkaroon ng pagbabago at maari rin na may idagdag ka. Kaso sa aking sitwasyon, yung draft ko sa isang iglap ay naglaho. Nasunog ata, nahulog ko o nawala. Ewan. Nang aking hawakan ang aking draft e iba na ang nakasulat. Hindi ata akin ito. Wala sa plano ko na lilipat kami ng bahay; teka, gawin mo ng bansa.

Maraming pangako ang binitawan sa akin para mapilit ako na maisama dito sa lupain ng mga baka at tupa. Sayang at hindi nila ako inalok ng isang milyong piso para sumama sa kanila. Sa ganun e meron man lang nagging totoo sa mga ‘pangako’ nila sa akin.

Sabi nila, pagdating namin dito ay kumpleto na ang gamit. Wala na akong hahanapin pa. May sapatos na ako, damit, at kung anu-ano pa na ginagamit ko para maging desenteng tao. Iyon pala, nasa mall pa. Nanakawin ko pa para maging akin. Masyado raw kasing malaki ang closet ko kaya hindi na inilipat sa bahay.

Sabi nila, pagdating ko dito ay mag-aaral ako. Hindi ko inakala na ang aaralin ko pala ay kung paano tumaba, maging taong-bahay, maghugas ng pinagkainan, masanay sa araw-araw na bad day at makisama… dahil wala naman akong ginagawa, nasa bahay lang ako kaya kung ano ang iutos nila ay siya ring dapat nasa schedule ng araw ko.

Sa madaling sabi, kasambahay at translator nila ako dito. Ang galing no! Nag-aral ako ng BA Communication Arts sa UST para doon. *clap* Pumunta ako dito ng naka-Student Visa ngunit ngayon e visitor na lang ako dito. Tsk.

Sabi nila, mura ang bilihin dito. Mura siguro dahil iba ang halaga ng Philippine Peso at NZ Dollar. First time ko i-enjoy ang ukay-ukay. First time ko magkaroon ng tatlong pares lang ng pantalon (Mabuti na lang ngayon e anim na sila; nakabili ako.) First time ko rin na may isang pares lang ng sapatos (Ngayon lima na!). Ano pa ba? Hmm.

Sabi nila. Naniwala naman ako. Ikaw ba naman, pangakuan ka ng mukhang mas magandang buhay, hindi ka ba papayag? Huwag. Siguraduhin mo muna at huwag kang tumulad sa akin. Isang taon na akong nagpapataba. Tingin ko nga baka na ako e. Pag naabot ka na yung taba na gusto nila e ibebenta na ako. Doon lang ako magkakaroon ng silbi.

Pero hindi ko sila sinisisi. Hindi rin ako nagrereklamo. Naglalabas lang ako ng kung anumang tawag dito.

Una, sino ba naman ako para magreklamo? Pinapakain lang ako dito. Pangalawa, nakikita ko naman na naghihirap kami. Oo, hindi lahat ng nangingibang bansa e mayaman. Mahirap din kami no! Hindi ko nga malagyan ng laman bank account ko e. Pangatlo, hmm, wala na akong maiisip.

Basta, kahit sisihin ko sila wala naming mangyayari. Hindi naman babalik sa akin yung mga oras na ginugol ko sa pag-iisip ng kung ano kaya at kung sana, pag-iyak ng ilang gabi dahil talagang wala ng magawa, walang patutunguhan ang buhay dito at mga segundo na inisip ko na mag-suicide.

Natatawa ka na siguro pero kung naandito ka sa lugar ko at wala ka talagang magawa (dahil malayo ka sa sentro, kung aalis ka kailangan mo ng pera (malamang), wala kang magamit na computer (mabuti na lang ngayon meron kaso limited naman ang net at ang paggamit mo dahil may kaagaw kang dalawang asungot), walang cable kaya sa umaga puro advertisement ang mapapanood at mga alas-2 pa magkakaroon ng matinong palabas (pero kung naka plasma ka, buong araw meron ka makakapanood ng matinong palabas kaso wala kami nun) at may mga taong umaasa na gagawin mo lahat ng gusto nila: araw-araw ka maglilinis, maghuhugas, atbp.

Teka, may nagagawa naman pala ako. Ang ibig kong sabihin e wala akong magawa na gusto kong gawin. Ayaw ko kasing pinipilit. Ikaw ba, gusto mo? Gusto ko, kung ano gusto ko, gagawin ko. Kasi kung pilitan lang e hindi ako magaling diyan. Hindi ako plastic at ayaw kong magsayang ng oras pilitin ang sarili ko na mag-concentrate para sa bagay na iyon.

Hindi ako robot. Kaso wala naman akong magagawa kundi sundin kasi disppoinment ka nga sa kanila, dadagdagan mo pa ng dahilan. Napilit na nila ako noon at walang nangyari kaya ayaw ko na magpapilit pa. Bigyan muna nila ako ng isang milyong dolyar, papapilit ako.

Ayaw ko rin na dinidiktahan ako sa gagawin ko. Kung kailan ko gusto imulat ang mata ko, imumulat ko. Kung gusto ko umutot e gagawin ko. Hindi naman iyon ang gusto nila hawakan sa buhay ko. Gusto lang naman nila na mag-aral na akong magmaneho para madagdagan ang trabaho ko sa pamilya namin – tsuper na ako! Kaso wala ako sa mood para doon. Bibilhan daw nila ako ng sasakyan, kahit ano na gusto ko. Kung ganun naman pala e pag-aralin na lang nila muna ako sa eskwelahan. Sa susunod na iyang kotse. Unahin muna yung mahalaga. Maliban na lang kung mas mahalaga sa kanila na maging driver nila ako kaysa sa makapasok na ako.

Isa pa sa ayaw ko e yun bang parang laging may giyera sa bahay. Sigaw dito, sigaw diyan. Simangot dito, simangot diyan. Nakakalungkot na nga kapag wala sila (Ako lang naiiwan sa bahay. May trabaho mga magulang ko at may pasok naman mga kapatid ko.) tapos pagdating pa nila malungkot pa rin. Minsan na nga lang kami magsama-sama hindi pa puro tawanan. Nakakaasar.

Mukha na atang hate blog ito pero hindi a. Mahal ko naman sila kahit na katumbas ko ngayon sa Pilipinas e taong kanto maliban sa hindi ako mahilig uminom ng alak at manigarilyo. Bitter lang ako kasi kung kailan matatapos ng Third Year ang mga kaklase ko dati sa Pilipinas e doon pa lang ako mag-First Year. (Sana naman. Ayaw ko ng maging taong bahay. Pauwiin na lang nila ako sa Pilipinas ng maging drug adik na lang ako at may nagagawa.)

Bitter lang ako kasi kuntento na ako sa buhay ko bago dito. Marami akong kaibigan, marami akong raket sa USTe at habang may ka-text ako sa Globe meron akong kausap sa Sun. Nakuha mo ba punto ko? Sa Pilipinas, kahit na third world pakiramdam ko naman at tunay akong mamamayan kaysa dito, first world nga kaso pakiramdam ko naman e alikabok lang ako.

Aanhin ko ang four seasons kung para naman akong zombie. Aanhin ko ang snow kung hindi ko naman magagamit sa halo-halo. Aanhin ko ang mga pangarap ko kung alam ko naman na kailangan ko pang tumangkad para maabot sila. Aanhin ko ang daylight savings kung nasa bahay lang din naman ako.

Mabait naman ako a. Papakabait pa ba ako?


~ 0 comments

Walking By by Holiday Parade

It's about the nights
We spent locked up inside your room
It's about the morning breaking
Always just a bit too soon
It's about the way you're scared
Baby, just maybe I'm aware
This is what you need 'cause

Every time you walk in the room
Can't help myself, I wanna be with you
Hit the mic, quick check - one, two
Singing out my lungs just to reach you
I'm alive and I keep my cool one more time
And you just keep on walking by

I take a day to tell myself
It's gonna end up fine
It's all part of some master plan
We're all a little lost inside
Even if I run right now, swore you off
I'd still come back somehow
And here I am now

Every time you walk in the room
Can't help myself, I wanna be with you
Hit the mic, quick check - one, two
Singing out my lungs just to reach you
I'm alive and I keep my cool one more time
And you just keep on walking

I take a day to soak you in for a while
I'm hanging on the best I can, let go
'Cause maybe if I felt it once
Then I could somehow feel it again

Every time you walk in the room
Can't help myself, I wanna be with you
Hit the mic, quick check - one, two
Singing out my lungs just to reach you
I'm alive and I keep my cool one more time
And you just keep on walking by

Every time you walk in the room
Can't help myself, I wanna be with you
Hit the mic, quick check - one, two
Singing out my lungs just to reach you
I'm alive and I keep my cool one more time
And you just keep on walking by


~ Tuesday, May 19, 2009 0 comments

Korea: 2NE1 | Fire [Single]

2NE1 is the latest girl group to debut in Korea created by YG Entertainment. The group of four was first seen in LG Cyon's commercial campaign with Big Bang, another YG group. Park Bom, Dara, CL and Minzy released their first official single 'Fire' on 06 May 2009 with two videos - street and space version. The song was written and produced by Teddy Park of 1TYM.

The file is uploaded for your listening pleasure and I do not have any rights with them. It was originally downloaded at iHoneyJoo.

Track Listing:

01 Fire (Download) (Music Video 01) (Music Video 02) (Lyrics)


~ Sunday, May 17, 2009 0 comments

Taiwan: 唐禹哲 Tang Yuzhe (Danson) | D 新引力 Xin Ying Li New Attraction

Danson, or Yuzhe, Tang is known for his role Liang Si Nan (the dorm head of Dorm 1) in Hanazakarino Kimitachihe and Gan Gan in It Started with a Kiss II, also known as They Kissed Again. His second album, D 新引力 (Xin Ying Li, New Attraction) was released last 16 January 2009 and features numerous hit singles such as 'Kiss Me Now' and '新歌 Xin Ge, New Song'.

To download the complete album, click . For individual track download, kindly click the download link after the track's title.

Disclaimer: The files are uploaded for your listening pleasure and I do not have any rights with them. The title was translate using Google Translate so the accuracy of the English translation is not a hundred percent. If you enjoyed the album, please support the artist and buy the album .

Track Listings:

01 Kiss Me Now (Download) (Music Video) (Lyrics)
02 一言爲定 (Yi Yan Wei Ding, It's a Deal) (Download) (Lyrics)
03 新歌 (Xin Ge, New Song) (Download) (Music Video) (Lyrics)
04 告訴我 (Gao Su Wo, Tell Me) (
Download) (Lyrics)
05 *舍不得放手 (She Bu De Fang Shou, Reluctant to Let Go) (Download) (Music Video) (Lyrics)
06 *傳話遊戲 (Chuan Hua You Xi, Messenger Game) (Download) (Lyrics)
07 *絕無僅有 (Jue Wu Jin You, Unique) (Download) (Lyrics)
08 *不能不想她 (Bu Neng Bu Xiang Ta, Can't not Think of Her) (Download) (Lyrics)
09 最温柔的悬念 (Zui Wen Rou De Xuan Nian, The Most Gentle Suspense) (Download) (Music Video) (Lyrics)
10 情報 (Qing Bao, Intelligence) (Download) (Music Video) (Lyrics)

*If you have Chinese, Pinyin and/or English lyrics for the following tracks, please send it/them to me. Thanks.


~ 0 comments

Happy 15th Birthday, Kimberly!

Kimberly, ang swerte naman ng birthday mo. Anniversary ng pagdating natin dito sa NZ. Ganunpaman, kahit na ikaw pa lang ang nakakaranas na magbirthday sa eroplano sa atin, hindi na ata tayo makakapag-celebrate ulit na kasama ang swimming pool. Winter na! MAg-aral ka pa ng mabuti at ikaw ang pag-asa nina Ma.


~ Thursday, May 14, 2009 0 comments

Missing the Manila Sky: First Day

All my bags are packed and I'm ready to go. I'm leaving... Don't know when I'll be back again. I hate to go.
13 May 2008. Tuesday. Before the Good-bye.

It was the first and the last time Tita Dalyn woke me up from my sombre dreams. I did not want to open my eyes for I did fear that when I opened them, I would not recognise the place I was staying. I still did not want to go that day, but it was not a decision I, alone, was to make.

I wanted to call someone, to say good-bye in the closest personal option, but it was so early that if I did not know that, I would think the sky did not want us to go. It was dark; it was about to cry and looking at it just made me realised how hopeless I was. So I smiled.

I wore the clothes I bought in Manila days before that day. It was something different; something not me. Maybe I could still persuade them to leave me here? I could ask them. They were so excited, and at the same time sad, like me. Who wants to leave the life you worked hard to achieve? No one, I consider honestly.

Our departure was not announced so everyone was not expecting it to be that day. My mother said because she wanted it to be a surprise, yet I reckon, she just did not know how to say good-bye to her friends.

Tita Flor and her husband, bless their souls, came running from their house just to hug my mother, cry and wish us all the best. Later on, we found out they were killed and our chance of expressing our gratitude was forever gone. (Until now I found it so sudden.) Same with my childhood friends, I did leave without a word.

I was not able to thank our house-helper as well, yet I did give them a hug. They helped our family in a number of situations, good and bad, and right now I have not heard any news from them. I do pray they are living the life they deserve.

Two Flights Up: NAIA.

It was raining. Was it a sign or something? 'Cause if God said it is, and He wants me to go down and walk home, I will.

We, then, encountered the heaviest traffic I have ever been. Seriously; I thought we would be late for our flight and we would missed it and I would be jumping inside because of too much joy. However, we made it on time. I guessed it meant we were to leave, and live in New Zealand. So there was the crying, the exchange of kisses, hugs and farewells. *Hindi pa rin roaming Globe ko, aalis na lang kami!*

One Flight Down: Hong Kong.

I found Hong Kong International Airport unforgettable. We stayed there for eight hours waiting for our next flight. I was forced to understand Chinglish (They thought I am a Chinese) and their accent while speaking in English. 'Take out' turned into 'Tay aw'.

I found so many items I want to have. CDs and DVDs of Chinese, Malaysian, Catonese, Korean and Japanese singers, magazines, clothes and of course, food but we need to have our money in HK Dollars. I was so tired and I was not in the mood for another Chinglish so I ended up with nothing from HK. (Even a tissue!)


~ Wednesday, May 13, 2009 0 comments

They Say I Am A Dreamer

I guess there's nothing wrong in believing this world can still be a better place. Photo by Bill Ellis. Original title, "I was young enough."


~ Tuesday, May 12, 2009 0 comments

Don't Know Where to Go

Two years ago, I was having the same dilemma I am having right now - college prep. I wanted to attend the University of the Philippines-Diliman and take BA Film but my UPCAT score was not enough. I could study Communication Arts in UP-Los Baños but I prefer to be in a city while studying. University of Santo Tomas was my last resort and fortunately I made it to the last batch of examiners and passed the two courses I wished to study, which were BA Journalism and BA Communication Arts.

This time, I have four universities to scrutinise and apply to (with only one course in my mind, Film and Media Studies): The University of Auckland, University of Waikato, Victoria University of Wellington and University of Otago.

So let me tell you why I love the preceding varsities.

University of Auckland.
The University of Auckland was founded in 1883 and is New Zealand’s leading research university. It is also the country’s largest university with over 38,000 students and nearly 5,000 international students from 80 countries worldwide. (Ranke-Heinemann)


Aside from the fact that Auckland was awarded as the 5th World's Best Places to Live by BusinessWeek (2008) and Mercer Human Resource Consulting (2009), one of the reasons I do like to live and study in this city is because of its urban ambiance.

That, and the University of Auckland being in the Top 50 universities of the world (and also in the Top 50 in Arts and Humanities courses) made it an ideal place for me to settle.

The university is located in a unique geographic position, meaning even though it is a large city, the beaches, nature walks and other environmental scenes were nearby.

I can attest to the great cafés, restaurants, bars, theatres, galleries and museums Auckland has. It also have outstanding shopping and colourful Polynesian and Asian cultural influences.

My course here is Film, Television and Media Studies. I will also take Japanese and/or French and later on, apply for an exchange programme at Prague Film School and take MA studies in Japan.

University of Waikato.

The University of Waikato was founded in 1964 and was again awarded as fifth best university in New Zealand last year. The varsity achieved first rate in Accountin and Finance, Chemistry, Communications, Journalism and Media Studies, Computer Science, Information Technology and Information Sciences, Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution, Education, Management, Human Resources, Industrial Relations, International and Other Business, Molecular, Cellular and Whole Organism Biology, Music, Literary Arts and Other Arts and Pure and Applied Mathematics.


Waikato, known as the Action Central, is the heart of the country. The most beautiful beaches of the New Zealand are only a minimum of 40 minutes away. The university is also close to Whakapapa's ski resorts, forest lakes and thermal hot pools. South Waikato has spectacular mountain biking, rock climbing and motor sport courses (I always love motor sports. I do hope to attend an event soon). Adrenalin junkies will also enjoy white water rafting, jet boating, skydiving, wakeboarding, bungy jumping and a lot more.

Auckland is an hour drive from Hamilton, one of the best student cities in the country. It also has the best student nightlife, boasting its local network of underground bands, bars and cafés on one block and late night buses and cheap taxi fares.

My course here is Screen and Media Studies and I will also take Japanese and/or French here.

Victoria University of Wellington.

The Victoria University of Wellington was founded in 1897 and is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines. Victoria had the fourth highest average research grade in the New Zealand Government's Performance-Based Research Fund exercise in 2006, having been ranked 3rd in 2003.

The reasons I want to study in the said varsity are that I haven't been to the university and Wellington, which is the capital of New Zealand, and the prospectus of the school was convincing - both content and design. Film and Media Studies are different courses here. But French and Japanese can be taken in our course - Modern Languages.

University of Otago.

The University of Otago was founded in 1869 and is known for its student life, particularly its flatting. The university has New Zealand's highest average research quality and in New Zealand is second only to the University of Auckland in the number of A rated academic researchers it employs. It topped the New Zealand Performance Based Research Fund evaluation in 2006.

The varsity is located at Dunedin, in the South Island of the country (meaning it is freaking cold in there!). I haven't been to the university and city as well and the establishments are so beautiful I want to see, walk on and take pictures with them almost every day.

My course here is simply Film and Media Studies and they also offer French and Japanese. Most Asian international students, I believe, are in the university. I don't know why. Maybe they love the cold weather. The University is also in the Top Universities both in the world and in the country. It's main building reminds me of UST (because they both are old already).

Classes here starts on March, meaning right after my former classmates in UST finished their Third Year, I'l be starting my First Year. Is it a big deal? Of course, no. However, I do not want to spent a year and more 24/7 in our house taking to the four sides of the building. Please, make us permanent residents already so I can at least look for a job and do something useful.


~ Monday, May 11, 2009 0 comments

You Told Me You Loved Me [Demo] by Cinematic Sunrise

You said you loved me
More than anyone else could ever know
But now you're leaving
Can't we just try to work this out
And I've never been one to beg

The nights get lonely
And all I have left is a memory of you
I tried to say this
But now there's nothing left for me to do
And I've never been one to beg

Please don't go, just stay
I watched with tears in my eyes as you walked away
Miss your voice and your touch
And if I told you I loved you could that be enough

An awkward silence
It's been too long since I've heard from you
And I lay sleepless
Knowing that my heart still belongs to you
And I've never been one to beg

Please don't go, just stay
I watched with tears in my eyes as you walked away
Miss your voice and your touch
And if I told you I loved you could that be enough

Please don't go, just stay
I watched with tears in my eyes as you walked away
Miss your voice and your touch
And if I told you I loved you could that be enough

And tonight I'll stay home
And miss you more than you'll ever know

And tonight I'll stay home
And miss you more than you'll ever know

And tonight I'll stay home
And miss you more than you'll ever know

And tonight I'll stay home
And miss you more than you'll ever know


~ 0 comments

Jun Matsumoto is a Filipino Japanese

Jun Matsumoto, member of the Japanese boy band Arashi and famous for leading Japan's F4 in Hana Yori Dango, returns to our television screen as Vito Hayakawa, a Filipino Japanese, in TBS's Smile (スマイル).

The drama was written by HYD's Takayuki Takuma and narrates some serious social issues found in Japan. It was written in some news that Tomohisa Yamashita, simply Yamapi, was also considered to play the lead role. (Jun does look like a Filipino Japanese, I reckon.) Koizora star Yui Aragaki was chosen to team up with Jun. (Shun Oguri is in the drama too.)

Vito has a Filipino father and a Japanese mother, but he was born and raised in Japan; he has never been in the Philippines. He works day and night trying to make his dreams real. Like any other Filipinos, Vito faces each day with optimism and smile. One fateful evening, he met a girl with the name of Hana Mishima, who, later on will be revealed, lost her ability to speak due to an accident. Like Vito, even though in pain and suffering she maintains to keep a smile on her face.


~ Thursday, May 7, 2009 0 comments

Hana Yori Dango of Korea: Boys Before Flowers

Boys Over Flowers (花より男子, Hana Yori Dango) is a Japanese shojo manga written by Yoko Kamio. The manga gain popularity in the Phlippines through one of its four live actions, Meteor Garden, which was produced by Taiwan.


This January, South Korea finally released its own adaptation of the manga and called it Boys Before Flowers. Jang Di (Makino) is a common girl - whose family owns a dry cleaning store located near the famous Shin Hwa College - happens to stop a boy from committing suicide during oher delivery to the school. The student was a victim of F4's red card and her action caused the school troubles. In order to initiate certain plans, Jang Di was admitted to Shin Hwa College and made scholar.

South Korea's Boys Before Flowers F4



There are articles on line stating that Mainland China will soon be releasing their own version in the name of New Meteor Garden. Casts were not yet formally released as of writing this entry. (Is it true that the Philippines is about to make their adaptation too? I am looking forward for it but not expecting too high.)


~ Sunday, February 8, 2009 0 comments