Freshly DREWed!

CRITIQUE :     Tis’ the Season for Cowboy Luv…

YUCK! This is the word my college buddy gave me when the store keeper was already handing me a recently purchased pirated DVD of “Brokeback Mountain” during one Sunday afternoon in a popular bargain mall. I’d understand his expression because admittedly, Ang Lee’s latest production has very well been coined as this year’s most controversial award-winning “gay cowboy film”. The movie however is not just that, it’s a whole lot DEEPER than most people perceive it be…

The Pulitzer Prize-winning E. Anne Proulx short story-turned-screenplay is top-billed by two of the hottest Hollywood hunks, Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger – playing two cowboys who met each other in a sheep-herding stint back in the early 1960’s, forged an inevitable bond that became an intimate SECRET one cold lonely night. The sweet and playful duet ended shortly after the job as they go back to their previous lives, have ladies walk into their hearts and eventually, families of their own. Then came the exciting reunion that climaxed into one indiscreet yet UBER-INTENSE ‘lip-lock’ scene between the two hung lovers. Just when things could have gone back to where they’d have prefer it be, complications arose almost reaching to the point when the two clashed with each others’ devotion for one another.

I won’t spoil the ending here (actually, the Director allowed room for the viewer’s own interpretation) but honestly, it’s really HEART WRENCHING for me to complete the ‘journey’ and experience everything – even in just a 21” TV monitor! The movie is just pure of emotions seething with passion that the audience is guaranteed to be drawn to. Combine this with the picturesque backdrop of Western old country and the poignant steel guitar and strings (GOD, those notes keep ‘popping’ up in my head!) and you have yourself a compelling movie. Thanks to the forums in the Internet Movie Database, I came to realize a lot of symbolisms that the movie actually has!  

The actors are just so ‘in’ to their roles! Jake came out as more of the adventurous seducer, typically avid yet submissive when it comes to sex, with the ‘hots’ for the more subtle, yet equally fierce (when angry) Heath.  I actually see myself in Heath’s character being the more passive of the two male leads, emotionally repressed, laconic and rational. He knows too well of society’s cruel discriminations and so he chose to play the husband/father card. Not to be left out are the female leads who also portrayed mesmerizing characters. Michelle Williams is equally charming as Heath as she portrayed the martyred wife. As for Anne Hathaway, oh my, she has matured so much as I can still remember her jovial character in “Princess Diaries”! She’s a hottie herself and her character even overpowered Jake in one of the most tormenting backseat sex scene ever! If I were to compare her juggies with Michelle’s (who also showed hers while Heath was doing the usual ‘doggy’ routine), I’ll definitely vote for Anne’s. Who knew that an innocent-looking lass like hers can act so assertive!

Brokeback Mountain is a definite ‘must watch’ film. It’s easy to dismiss this movie as simply another queer flick with a different twist (re: the cowboys of the West) and universal statement on forbidden love and all that but be warned, it packs a whole lot of emotions! The impact is sure to hit all people of different age and sexual orientation. The message is so profound and very unnerving – it’s all about life, not just merely ‘surviving’ it but moreso to ‘live it’ notwithstanding the disappointments, frustrations and prejudice that pains our fragile souls. Sure everyone of us have our own personal regrets but really, these imperfections are what makes our lives essential. The losses that we have had in the past are really not losses per se for we keep them not only in our memories but also in our hearts so that we are reminded everyday that though we are mere mortals – our lives are quintessential!  Very few films can emulate such a degree of correlation and because of such, this movie is definitely a POWERHOUSE in itself… I’d give this movie a rating of 1.25 out of 4 (University of the Philippines’ grading scale).

"It could be like this, just like this, always." (a love stricken cowboy)

FUNTRIP :     How Not to Break-up

A ‘lovers’ quarrel’ episode in the tradition of “Brokeback Mountain”…

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Lover 1: “You’re too much for me… *turns away * God, I wish I knew how to quit you! *tearful eyes*”

Lover 2: “Well, why don’t you? Why don’t you just let me be? *puppy eyes* It’s because of you that I’m like this! I ain’t got nothing. I ain’t nowhere… *cries incessantly*”

**

… Lover 1 moves in for a HUG and no matter how resistant Lover 2 is, the other one does not let go. Lover 2 finally calms down and they both sit down gently while weeping. They then reminisce the good ‘old times together (SOB!).

"Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone!" (-mwah-)

LOVESTRUCK :     “i am sam” OST

I have long wanted the buy myself the OST of “i am sam” because I remember grooving with my college buddies back when we watched its silver screen debut back in 2001. The movie is touching and so is its soundtrack. Although I was originally aiming to buy one from a legitimate record store, a saw a pirated copy in a local ‘tiangge’ and I just couldn’t find myself parting with the merchandise so here I am, SOUND TRIPPING to the tune of revived Beatles songs.

Not all of the titles sounded superb but I had a few fantastic favorites from the CD. Aimee Mann and Michael Penn’s rendition of “Two Of Us” was a great starting track to get the GROOVE going! Sarah McLachlan’s “Blackbird” was a real sweetie and I swear I could almost feel my body swarmed by ants because of the song’s intense sweetness. Rufus Wainwright’s “Across The Universe” was sentimental (as expected) but really cool to listen to especially when I feel like relaxing in the front porch (if my house even had one). The Wallflowers’s “I’m Looking Through You” made me GET JIGGY a bit like I’m in bar or something. Thank God, no one was in the living room when I did it or this would have been extremely embarrassing! I imagined myself playing the guitar and someone backing me up with a harmonica while Eddie Vedder’s “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away” was playing, too bad I’m too lazy to learn any musical instrument. “Strawberry Fields” is a personal Beatles favorite so I enjoyed listening to Ben Harper’s rendition. His rendition is jazzy, which I liked by the way, except for the instrumental overkill towards the end which turned me off just a bit (too hard rock?). “Don’t Let Me Down” is one song that I’d like to play when I’m drunk and depressed after having my heart broken (that is IF I ever do fall in love in the first place). The version of Stereophonics is a good one and it made me fell like I want to just release all that pent-up anger that I have in me – which of course I did not do because it really is a perfect day for sound tripping. I liked “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” (both versions in the CD) too because it’s crazy and fun to listen to especially when there are friends around to accompany me. I found Heather Nova’s rendition of “We Can Work It Out” is too country but I still liked this. I have a feeling this track will be used in a political movie anytime soon with a statement on human society’s degeneration caused by too much commercialism (YIKES! - I’m sounding like a hippie already). As for the other tracks, oh well, they are still okay. Overall the soundtrack is worthwhile purchasing because of its memorable tracks. So if I were you, buy it the moment you see it, because you’ll surely gonna to love it! I know, I did…

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Tracklist: ‘i am sam’ (music from and inspired by the motion picture)

1. Aimee Mann and Michael Penn’s “Two Of Us”
2. Sarah McLachan’s “Blackbird”
3. Rufus Wainwright’s “Across The Universe”
4. The Wallflowers’s “I’m Looking Through You”
5. Eddie Vedder’s “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away”
6. Ben Harper’s “Strawberry Fields Forever”
7. Sheryl Crow’s “Mother Nature’s Son”
8. Ben Folds’s “Mother Nature’s Son”
9. The Vines’s “I’m Only Sleeping”
10. Stereophonics’s “Don’t Let Me Down”
11. The Black Crowes’s “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds”
12. Chocolate Genius’s “Julia”
13. Heather Nova’s “We Can Work It Out”
14. Howie Day’s “Help!”
15. Paul Westerburg’s “Nowhere Man”
16. Grandaddy’s “Revolution”
17. Nick Cave’s “Let It Be”
18. Aimee Mann’s “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds”
19. Neil Finn / Liam Finn’s “Two Of Us”
… plus one unlisted Bonus Track

NEWS :     Stampede at the Ultragedy!

It’s true, tragedy does strike when we least expected it… Just this Saturday (04 February 2006), BAD NEWS leaked early morning while my classmates and I were pre-occupied with a review of the previous sessions. Apparently, an accident occurred somewhere in the Metropolis that resulted in unconfirmed deaths. The gruesome body count started at 40+ and by the time I got home after lunchtime, this number has increased to 70!

What supposedly should have been a festive celebration for the one year anniversary of a no-brainer noontime gameshow named “Wowowee” turned into one TRAGIC event. A stampede took place in Philsports Arena (formerly the Ultra Stadium hence the title) when hordes and hordes of well-wishers rushed into the entrance gate hoping to get a ‘crack’ at the fabulous prizes up for grabs. There was definitely pushing and shoving as everyone was so agitated to get in and get a seat, after all, most of them waited for days and even camped at the vicinity just to be sure they’ll be in once the show starts.

Now who are these people by the way? Well for one thing, the immense crowd whose numbers have started to pile up as early as Monday afternoon (30 January 2006), belonged to the lower classes – the POOR in general. Many of them even came from the provinces with a single-journey ticket hoping that one way or the other, they will ‘win’ something (or so they thought). The numbers swelled to as much as 30,000, as earlier boasted by the sponsor local network’s (ABC-CBN Channel 2) primetime news program (YES, they use their own news program to promote their own shows). This figure, even exceeding that of the venue’s maximum capacity of 17,000 seats, may be attributed by the network giant’s massive and unrelenting marketing or promotional activities plus the gameshow’s notorious reputation for indulging the audience with lots and lots of monetary come-ons!

Unfortunately, no matter how noble the intention of the show may be (re: to help the needy poor), things didn’t turn out as planned and the resulting tragedy resulted to 70+ deaths and more than 300 displaced and injured individuals. State intervention responded in the form of crowd control and dispersal right after the horrific incident that shocked the entire nation (everybody was literally hooked up in the network giant’s all-day coverage of its OWN FILTH). As always the President came and delivered a mandate – she wants to know WHO IS LIABLE for this mess and she wants him/her to be charged accordingly within a 72 hours from the time of the incidence. Oh-oh, heads will definitely roll and I’m sure, ABS-CBN will suffer the consequences!

Of course, the network was quick to act on its own responsibility, though it did not directly admit its own NEGLIGENCE. It’s line-up of sympathetic senior officers, led by the company’s CEO Eugenio Lopez III (incumbent alpha-male of the rich and powerful Lopez Clan), promised to provide those affected by the tragedy complete financial assistance such as burial costs for the dead, medication for the injured, and transportation expenses for those who came from far-flung provinces with just a one-way ticket. Now this is A LOT OF MONEY but hey, the network, not to mention the elite family who owns it, is uber-rich anyway… Besides, it’s obviously their fault so they have no choice but to answer absolutely everything. Money can be easily gained, it’s going to be the HEAVY CONSCIENCE these people will have to bear for he next few weeks that will really get to them. A word of caution though, be very careful of the “glorified poor”, they have minds of their own and they can be very deceitful. One way or the other, some of them will find ways of abusing the courtesy that is afforded of them (typical Filipino “underdog complex”) and they will use said advantage extensively…

In the end, NOBODY wanted for this catastrophe to happen. This entry wasn’t even made so that people who believe that “Everything is in God’s plan” will lose faith or something (I don’t care about their faith, I have mine to worry about…). Then again, someone has to be made accountable, and it’s definitely not the government, as what the IGNORANT militant groups have earlier declared using the bylines of poverty and desperation. Let’s be honest ok, the stampede happened because of lack of discipline and sense of responsibility. For the organizers, there was obviously a coordination problem and mediocre planning. I also point the finger on the show for promoting a culture of dependency, mendicancy, and quick fortune. People may ask me “Where’s your heart?”, but in times like this, one also needs to use common sense to see the bigger picture.

“The impatient buildup of dreams exploded into a mad, deadly rush.” (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

CONFIRMED :     Back to Blogging!

WHEW! It has been more than two (2) months already since I’ve posted my last blog entry. Hmmm… Was I that too pre-occupied? Let’s review: first there’s my stressful day job (details on future posts), then there’s my Graduate classes every Saturday, third comes my new healthy lifestyle – lifting heavy weights twice a week (details on future posts too), I also have an online art gallery to maintain (deviantART), an active account in Peyups, an avatar to develop in Ragnarok Online (something which I rarely do nowadays), oh and my mother’s incessant requests for assistance to her business endeavor. WOW, I really am a “busy body”! Anyway, I grew envy of my Friendster pals who are able to update their personal blogsites more than once in a week, so here I am back to blogging once again. I’ll try to update this site every now often. I also found out that I’m consuming too much of my allotted online memory so there will be less graphics and more links this year. I have to be thrifty this time around or else, I’d be forced to delete my previous posts – and this is something I’m dreading because I’m a self-proclaimed sentimental fool.

WHOOPS, I almost forgot to greet you people:

"Belated Merry Chrismakkah and Happy Kung Hei Fat Choi!" (-grin-)

EVENTS :     “Hero: The Grand Channel Launch” at the Philippine Trade Training Center

Sorry, it took quite awhile for me to compose this blog entry regarding my latest ANIME-related stint which transpired two (2) weekends ago. I went to the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) for the 2^nd day of the “Hero: The Grand Channel Launch” in the hopes of buying myself another anime novelty item. Although there were A LOT of booths selling stuffs that range from the typical anime DVDs, manga, toys and actual clothing accessories, I wasn’t able to buy a single item because what I was looking for wasn’t simply there (with the exception of a discounted ticket for the “kAME Ulit: 2^nd Collegiate Anime Fair” due this Saturday in U.P. Diliman)…

Hero is the first all Tagalog-dubbed anime channel to be made available only on Skycable. This latest channel addition was made possible by a subsidiary company of ABS-CBN, one of the two leading channel networks here in the

Philippines. Before Hero came along, Animax Asia pioneered the first ever 24-hour anime channel in Philippine cable television. Its shows are usually shown in their original language with English subtitles.

I must say, the event was a huge success seeing that the venue was JAMPACKED with people, young and old, eager to participate in the many activities presented by the organizers. Of course, there is the usual ‘Cosplay Competition’ but with an additional twist in the form of an adlib skit performed rather ingeniously by the Filipino cosplayers themselves (you have to admire the local talent…). There was also the ‘Zenny o Bayong’, a trivia contest sponsored by the country’s leading MMORPG company, Level-Up! Games Philippines, as patterned after those local noontime shows. Showrooms for action figures were also put up for the delight of collectors. Playpens for card battle, online gaming and other anime-related sports were also put up to the enjoyment of the young-at-heart. There were also those mini-events opened only to the kiddos (WTF!) wherein, after completing all the required tasks, they get a hefty goodie bag from Hero! Anyway, I just roamed around and took MISCELLANEOUS pictures just to amuse myself while I was at the venue. I also have landscape shots of winning cosplayers which I will post soon so stay tune ok. For the meantime, click on the snapshots below for a full-sized version:

NEWS :    Power to the People…

The last side trip I took along the narrow pathways of the Muslim Area in Quiapo proved to be a very PRODUCTIVE one. An officemate tagged along and although it was a very hot afternoon, I managed to survive the heat and brought home two (2) DVD titles or rather collections. Why so? The DVDs that I bought contained five or more (5-6) titles each for a WHOPPING total of 11 movies all-in-all in just P 50 per disk! In sum, I spent just P 100 (= $ 1.83) and therefore, P 16.66 per title. Wow, isn’t this a real BARGAIN? I even outdid my officemate who bought six (6) DVDs with only 1 title in each disk, spending an average of PhP 35.00 per disk. If only she looked further and waited for the right offer, maybe she could have gotten the most with her money. At home, I tested the movies and found all of them to be in peak condition. Although there are neither bonus materials nor special features, a complete and perfect copy of each movie is already okay with me.

I do however feel GUILTY because, I myself am a Government Employee and there I was that afternoon, spending my salary (which came from the taxes my countrymen paid) on pirated optical media. I remember in my Basic Economics Course that “piractechnology” entrepreneurs are included in the informal sector/economy that contributes to the demise of the entertainment sector. But hey, I’m just being a practical consumer here and besides, the people in show business earn A LOT compared to a measly civil servant like me. I believe that piratechnology is somewhat the ‘great equalizer’ when it comes to consumer purchasing power. I know it’s not right but I would be a hypocrite if I say that I’m not for piratechnology. My apologies to the Optical Media Board and the entertainment sector as well, the people just can’t help it…    

Hereunder are the titles that I bought:

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DVD #1: ‘Best Korean Movie Collection 1’ (with English, Mandarin or Thai subtitles)

1. Jae-young Kwak’s “My Sassy Girl” (2001)
2. Jin-gyu Cho’s “My Wife Is A Gangster” (2001)
3. Heung-sun Jeong’s “My Wife Is A Gangster 2” (2003)
4. Han-chun Park’s “Spy Girl” (2004)
5. Yun-ho Yang’s “White Valentine” (1999)
6. Jae-young Kwak’s “Windstruck” (2004)

**

DVD #2: ‘The Box Office New Romantic Movie Collection’ (with Bahasa, Mandarin or Thai subtitles)

1. Michael Winterbottom’s “9 Songs” (2004)
2. Everett Lewis’s “Luster” (2002)
3. Rebecca Miller’s “The Ballad Of Jack & Rose” (2005)
4. Bruno Dumont’s “Twentynine Palms” (2003)
5. David Mackenzie’s “Young Adam” (2003)

LOVESTRUCK :     Vandread OST Rocks!

As an anime ENTHUSIAST myself, I admit to being prone to anime “last song syndrome” and even if I don’t understand the words that come out of my mouth, I still enjoy singing to the tune of my favorite Japanese addiction. That is why recently, I bought myself two (2) audio CDs of “Vandread”. The anime has 2 series and so there are 2 separate soundtracks. Both OSTs contain a massive lineup of mostly instrumental and some vocal songs composed by renowned songwriter, Yasunori Iwasaki. Good thing I bought them while ON SALE because apparently, the production of the said audio CDs has stopped already and so mine were one of those few remaining stocks (WHEW!).

Anyway, the reason I bought the CDs because they offered a DIVERSE range of musical genre from sexy trance to the typical J-Pop, a bit of hard rock, some classical retro, and even one track that sounded like a music box designed to make a baby sleep soundly. Some of the instrumental tunes may have been too short but I ENJOYED listening to them as well.

If any of you guys and gals are interested in acquiring a copy of some of these tracks, just email me and I’ll respond with the requested attachment. I’ll be making digital copies of the tracks using Windows Media Player’s “Copy from CD” function and save them as *.wma files instead of the bulky *.mp3 version. Unfortunately, I don’t know how to post a sampler of these tunes online so you people will have to do the necessary research on your own. 

"Let’s make a smile yes together - everytime I support you." (a space geisha seducing in English tongue)

EVENTS :     “Hello, Garci?” at Funnside

Last night was such a BLAST! I went to Funnside Entertainment Restaurant and Bar for the launching of Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism’s (PCIJ) 3^rd joke book entitled “Hello, Garci? Political Humor in the Cellphone Age”. I went with my UP blockmate Caloi who also works for a government agency. We arrived at the venue a bit too early and so we hanged out at a nearby Shakey’s Pizza. Past 6:30 in the evening, we decided to return to the site. The restaurant/bar was spacious and had a particular Halloween motif to it. The place was already teeming with people, mostly of which were journalists and media men. I spotted a few academicians, one of which was my former teacher and Caloi’s favorite – Professor Filomeno Sta. Ana, and a seasoned politician / stark oppositionist Representative Eta Rosales. Former Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary and one of the famous persona of the infamous “Hyatt 10” defectors, Ms. Dinky Soliman, was also present.

Anyway, the main event started shortly after PCIJ Executive Director and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, Ms. Sheila Coronel, delivered the opening statement. Prolific songwriter/singer/activist Mr. Gary Granada kicked off with his unique blend of cool tunes and subtle lyrics. The audience TOOK PLEASURE in his riveting songs and wanted to hear more from his humble talent. He continued to soothe our ears with his satire and everybody seemed to enjoy every minute with him onstage. After his memorable performance came the crowd favorite – comic chameleon and television host Mr. Jon Santos. As usual, he entered the stage masquerading as “Ms. Armida Siguon-Reyna Macarena” and everybody was already jovial at his mere presence. When he began his routine, everybody was just laughing frantically and even I had a hard time maintaining my composure because I simply could not resist the INDULGENCE! He was so darn good and simply hilarious. After that major laughtrip, I lined up to the buffet table and feasted at the nifty selection of finger foods. I bought myself a copy of the joke book and below is just a sampler of what’s inside:

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Question:      What is the difference of Malacañang and Chowking?              Answer:    Chowking has rice toppings while Malacañang has WIRE TAPPINGS!

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Worst Pinoy curses: May you have GMA’s HEIGHT, Ramos’s FIDELITY, Ping’s GENDER, Gringo’s LOYALTY, Mike’s HONESTY, Erap’s WISDOM and Cory’s DAUGHTER.

***

Mike and Mikey are not “Sacrificial Lambs”. They’re “Sacrificial PIGS”.

NEWS :     Wits in the Nick of Time!

I almost had it with public transportation this morning! On my way to work, I crossed paths with the criminal mind once AGAIN. The first time was a bit traumatic because I got held-up and my cellphone was taken. This time, luck (or should I say WITS) was on my side…

While my first ride was cruising along Taft Avenue – Manila City, 4 men boarded  the ‘jeepney’ and one of them sat at my left side while another on the other side of the seating row facing towards me. Minutes later, while I was glimpsing at my Omega De Ville gold watch, the one beside me asked politely what time is it. I told him “It’s 8:50 in the morning”. This could have been a typical stranger’s request but a few seconds still, the man in front of me suddenly panicked and started patting the lower right end of my jeans. He told me “A centipede crept up to your jeans!” and so I looked down and started wiggling my right leg. FYI: I am SO afraid of legged-wormlike insects because I witnessed one chasing me down the garage from a fallen mango tree. It was so scary I run like hell!

Anyway, I patted and patted and then I noticed the other passengers were looking at me and the man facing me. I did not feel anything creeping up my legs so I doubted for a second and uttered “I don’t feel a thing down there. I don’t think anything is down there at all.” The man insisted SOMETHING creepy went up my jeans. Suddenly the other man beside me started patting the left end of my jeans too! And now there are three of us and I got this nasty feeling that something is quite not right.

I peeked at the other passengers but they were just staring at us (and my jeans) silently. I took my head up stopped moving my leg and I looked around still. I noticed that the man beside me has his backpack covering a part of my upper left torso and suddenly I heard my watch SNAP and saw my watch dangling precariously at my left wrist. I stared at him ANGRILY and everything around me stopped moving (even the jeepney halted). He dashed instantaneously outside the vehicle then the man on the opposite seating row also did the same thing seconds after. This is when everybody else started talking and asked me if I lost something like a wallet or my mobile phone. I checked my bag and it was intact, no slashes and no opened zippers. I secured my watch (which is undamaged by the way) and just listened at how the passengers made those nasty comments about these filthy street criminals – cursing their kind and wishing their souls burn in hell (HEY, why not make them suffer while they are still here on earth!). I grin and nod at their every comment but deep inside, I felt a huge sign of relief on my part because they did not have their way with me. I’ve learned from my previous experience last year to always be on red alert no matter where I am. I know it’s bad to be very distrustful of strangers around me but this is REALITY and there will always be crooks out there. I didn’t bother passing by the Police Station on my way to work because I don’t want to be late. Besides, the last time I reported an incident similar to this, nothing happened.

"Where the hell could that ‘centipede’ come from? We are in a freaking moving vehicle and not in the open fields for God’s sake!" (an agitated passenger)