The Year Ender

12/31/2014 8:25:35 PM

First and foremost, I’ll try to make it short as possible, though you guys knew me for writing novel-ish liked length of posts. And at the moment, it’s been less than four hours before the turn of the year. And since I’ve been struggling to write much lately, I have to let the rush flow in to me in putting up this one. 

When the OPM Rocks The Philippines Ten Years Ago...

12/23/2014 11:30:49 AM

It’s been a decade ago where the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) rocked the entire Philippine music scene, considering the fact that US mainstream (or let’s say foreign, in general) always been the standout among the local music charts.

Yes, the local music scene dominated 2004 wherein the likes of Usher (Yeah, My Boo, Burn), Nelly (My Place), Alicia Keys (If I Ain’t Got You), and even the alternative rock acts such as Maroon 5 (She Will Be Loved), 3 Doors Down (Here Without You) and Hoobastank (The Reason) were household names in Billboard.

I remember printing out pages from those music countdowns of Magic 89.9, 97.1 Campus Radio LS FM and even 99.5 RT, seeing one song in common: Rainbow by South Border.

Yay or Nay? The Shockers, Stunners and Suckers of 2014 (Part 1)

12/30/2014 2:07:38 PM

Honestly speaking, I was in doubt for naming this post Shockers of 2014. I know: every year: news will always shock us, regardless if it runs on the same old shitty cycle or not.

But I beg to digress and I can’t help it. It’s like every year there will be happenings here in the metro, or somewhere in the country, or even around the globe that will wake our consciousness, regardless if it sounds stupid or legit; if it contains shallowness or well-excavated depth; or just because of a prominent name alone. Anyone who’s been scrutinizing all the current events and news should know there are key elements why such stories made it to the communication medium no matter how much we hate it or love it.

I tried recalling most (if not all) of the news that struck us in the year 2014 and gave my take on them as much as I can. If it differs on your point of view, then who cares anyway?

All stories enlisted on this article are arranged randomly.

"Walang Forever" Mo Mukha Mo

12/22/2014 5:50:41 PM

Ano? Walang FOREVER?

E bakit pa naimbento ang salitang yan kung ganun?

Playback: Enrique Iglesias – Bailando

12/21/2014 11:50:32 AM

Photo credits: YouTube; directlyrics.com

I’ve always considered Enrique Iglesias as one of the best contemporary Latin Pop musicians, aside from of course the always-hot multimedia star Thalia and former Menudo (and a confirmed one) Ricky Martin. Of course, his music has rocked both the world of Spanish and English languages for over a decade or so. And perhaps I can tell Escape, I Like It, and Tonight I’m Lovin’ You (or the uncensored one which is titled “Tonight I’m Fucking You”) to name a few.

Just over the recent years, it’s always those upbeat tracks which rocked my musical side the most (or maybe that’s just me anyway). This year, that posthumous single by Michael Jackson named Love Never Felt So Good made my year. Now, I’ve got top add another danceable track on that list, and it’s actually a mixture of Spanish pop and hip-hop. Talk about “Bailando,” Iglesias’ sixth single off the album Sex and Love which sent the world into their dancing moves since summer.

Well, the term itself was defined as “dancing.”

The Rundown Slam: NXT Takeover REvolution

12/24/2014 6:36:35 PM

At the event where the World Wrestling Entertainment is switching gears past the Authority Era, the developmental stage had few things in mind: the possibly shifting of supremacy in some kind of revolutionary manner, the entrance of another heavyweight shift in the pro wrestling scene, and the development of other stars...something I’d like to call as evolution.

NXT, the WWE’s developmental firm just had their fourth special episode of the year, and it’s called Takeover REvolution.

Playback: Star ng Pasko

12/02/2014 08:59:19 AM

Perhaps in all the recent Christmas station anthems, I can only come up with a fitting (if not perfect) choice to be part of my every Holiday playlist (aside from those Yuletide-related hits from three of the past decades in Retro 1105.9 DCG FM).

I know. ABS-CBN once made Sa Araw Ng Pasko a big-time seller during the late '90s, thanks to their star-studded pool.

And on 2009, just merely two months after typhoon Ketsana (or locally known as “Ondoy”) brought destruction and even much devastation to the Philippine capitol and nearby provinces, the nation's leading television network brought an idea of life titled “Star ng Pasko.”

Playback: Finn Balor's NXT Entrance

12/14/2014 5:05:15 PM

For the past few weeks, I’ve been seeing WWE’s developmental program NXT very rarely. And the thing is, its special episodes (their counterpart to those main PPV events) were hardly shown on TV, which made me rely on the internet more than often.

Last Saturday afternoon, as I went to update and download my music files, I checked out NXT Takeover R Evolution on Dailymotion (by the way, I’ll post my take about its entirety later this week), and one of those heavyweight battles (relax, this had nothing to do with title matches) was a tag-team match between a former duo champs and a tandem of international superstars.

And perhaps the most surprising shit of them all is that guy named Finn Balor.

Where's the Future?

11/2/2014 1:04:12 PM

(This is a late post.)

So, disbanded na raw ang Smart Gilas Pilipinas, ang naging reprensentate ng bansa sa basketball, matapos ang mahaba-habang biyahe nito sa mundo.

Ha?!

Senyales Na Nalalapit Na Ang Pasko

12/16/2014 8:32:07 AM

Christmas is in the air na nga. At sa panahon na sinusulat ko ito, ay siyam na araw na lang bago ang pinakapaboritong holiday ng marami.

Ewan ko ba kung bakit naisulat ko ito, dahil alam ko na medyo late na rin. Pero anyway, Pasko na nga ba? Oo, lalo na kung ang siyam sa mga senyales na ito ay napapansin mo na:

Surprising Explosives

12/04/2014 05:49:53 PM

(This is a late post.)

So, last week's a bunch of expletives. What the hell am I talking about? This year's traditional Survivor Series match was tagged as the potential match of the year with a lot of twists shown before, and during the contest itself.

Visiting the Science Centrum

12/15/2014 5:17:52 PM

It was a sunny day at the Metro despite numerous weather reports about typhoon Habagat (or locally known as Ruby) when yours truly, along with other invited bloggers, went to the nearby Riverbanks Center as the Marikina City’s premier shopping destination introduced us to their sets of different museums located along the vicinity.

Last of the four stops for the morning was the Riverbanks’ truly own Science Centrum.

War of Shits

12/04/14 01:39:42 PM

(Ang artikulong ito ay naisulat bago pa nailabas ang balitang Pacquiao vs. Mayweather sa darating na Mayo 2, 2015.)

War of Shits.

Ito lang masasabi ko sa salpukang Pacquiao at Mayweather. Alam ko, maganda sana kung matutuloy ang laban. Ito ang laban na tututukan ng mundo. Ito ang labanang titigil ang ikot ng planeta. Ito ang salpukang magpapahinto ng sasakyan at mga tao mula sa kani-kanilang ginagawa, makakapagpaluwag ng daloy ng trapiko, makapagtitino sa lahat ng mga mokong na mahihilig gumawa ng katarantaduhan at pagiging mapagsamantala sa kanilang kapwa.

Oo, ito nga. In your wildest dreams nga lang.

Spotting On Miniature Models and Nativity Sets

12/13/2014 1:11:34 PM

It was a sunny day at the Metro despite numerous weather reports about typhoon Habagat (or locally known as Ruby) when yours truly, along with other invited bloggers, went to the nearby Riverbanks Center as the Marikina City’s premier shopping destination introduced us to their sets of different museums located along the vicinity.

Next stop was the two-in-one place known as The Spirit of Bethlehem and the Museum of Miniatures.

Inside the Heartist's Gallery

12/12/2014 8:28:20 AM

It was a sunny day at the Metro despite numerous weather reports about typhoon Habagat (or locally known as Ruby) when yours truly, along with other invited bloggers, went to the nearby Riverbanks Center as the Marikina City’s premier shopping destination introduced us to their sets of different museums located along the vicinity.

First stop for the morning was the art gallery of the late visual artist Joey Velasco. Numerous artworks depicting a mixture of spiritual and society-related pictures were featured. The gallery became part of the Riverbanks’ Learning Centrum stalls since 2012.

Half-hearted

11/22/2014 4:04:31 PM

Part of my mind wants to offer, hile the other wants to back out.Pushing like courageous lion despite its frail-looking side.Complicated as its states, unknown are the stakesWhich path to go: Are you gonna stay, or will you take

Marriage Proposals? So Mainstream

8/25/2014 3:48:17 PM

Kamakailanlang (actually, sa mga nakalipas na mga buwan) ay naglipana ang mga video na naglalaman ng mga marriage proposals. At mas dumarami pa yan dahil sa mga sikat na artista mismo ang nagpopropose nito.

O tapos, ano na? Maliban sa naging laman ito ng mga mainstream news outlet, ano naman ngayon kung nag-propose na siya sa kanya? Ano naman ngayon kung na-engage na sila, at magpapakasal na sa mga susunod na buwan/taon/dekada/linggo/araw/oras o ni ultimo minuto?

Hindi naman sa pambabasag ng trip, ano po? Pero sobra na rin kasing nakakaurat ang mga ganyang talakyan eh. At alam ko, mas prefer naman ito ng mga tao kesa naman sa walang katapusang pork barrel scam, at kung anu-anong pautot sa showbiz—sa madaling sabi, nakakagago lang.

The Rundown Slam: WWE Survivor Series 2014

12/03/2014 10:14:32 AM

They're all fighting for change. The future lies in their own capability to beat each other. It's all for survival.

While the WWE universe are hoping for a Randy Orton cameo despite his absence from the roster just a few weeks back, the Survivor Series was held on St. Louis, where another historical mark was made for the current storyline, and thus halting the reign of the Authority.

The Scene Around: Haunted Prison House

11/30/2014 5:48:06 PM

Okay, to cap up the month of November, here is something I’d like to share about (how I wish I could have done this a long time ago, but due to a bunch of obstacles along the way...).

So, it’s quite Halloween era in the Philippines then (I never knew such tradition was coming here in the country little by little). Aside from kids dressed in their fancy or scary costumes with a pumpkin-designed basket at one hand while shouting “trick or treat!” along the way, this show was making waves in Philippine cable TV.

Alaala ng Walkman

8/25/2014 12:37:54 PM

Habang nanunood ako ng Guardians of the Galaxy, may isang bagay akong mas napansin sa pelikula, at ito yung walang pakundangan na maaksyong eksena, na siyang tunay na astig talaga pag pinanood mo gamit ang IMAX. Ano ang tinutukoy ko? Ito lang naman.

http://behindthepanels.net/

Oo, ang isang astig na imbesyon halos tatlong dekada na ang nakalipias — and Walkman. Kung namuhay ka sa panahon ng iPod at mga MP3 player — Philipps man o gawang China, baka hindi mo na naabutan ito.

Playback: The SGP Podcast

11/2/2014 12:34:59 PM

Here’s something I would like to put my take on. I have been digging podcasts since the time I got a day job. Yes, since paying all-music long on my computer may be boring sometimes, I need to indulge myself with some talkies that are somehow both worthy of my time and file space.

Paalam

11/2/2014 1:36:10 PM

Sa totoo lang, hindi ko alam kung bakit kailangan pa natin nito. Hindi ko alam kung bakit kailangan ko pang magsulat nito (pero sabagay, wala namang nag-utos sa akin nito. So parang timang lang, hahaha), pero bakit pa nga ba nating magpaalam sa isa’t isa?

Uber Problem?!

10/29/2014 9:24:13 PM

Isa sa mga pinakapangunahing serbisyong ginagamit ng tao ay ang transportasyon. At sa panahong ito, na salsat na salat pagdating sa kayang ialok na mga bus, jeep o ultimong pamapasaherong taxi, ito ang nagiging tanging solusyon ng ilan: ang Uber, isang transporation app na mala-private driving ang peg. Kung tutuusin, parang taxi lang ang datingan. Ang pinagkaiba, mahal nga lang ito kung ikuikumpara dun, at sa mobile app mo sila mako-contact.

Authority vs. Rebellion (The Pre-take: WWE Survivor Series 2014)

11/21/2014 12:56:10 PM

I can't really give what will be my predictions for this year's Survivor Series. Hence, I can only give my take on what will be the biggest tag team matches for this year.

Team Authority versus Team Cena. Will it the best for business? Really?

Chasing Revenge and Justice (A Personal Story)

11/22/2014 3:56:20 PM 

For all of my followers, I apologized for being too quiet lately (I mean, I haven’t made more new postings recently). Aside from having a bunch of stress, burnouts, and breakdowns on several aspects of our daily lives, I just encountered something that is really horrifying, yet at the same time was really, really wonderful encounter. 

Yes, I have no idea why and how it happened. Though I hope you will have something to ponder on as you read this story.

NXT: The Future of Sports Entertainment

09/18/14 03:22:04 PM

Is NXT the future of professional wrestling?

Definitely it is.

You know, folks, this is a must-watch program if you want to see more of real deal slam banging action instead of relying on the mainstream (or rather, the show where the main roster lives in) phase where RAW, SMACKDOWN, MAIN EVENT and even SUPERSTARS aired.

Mind you, their anthem suited best for business, much better than the combined RAW and SMACKDOWN.

Victim Mentality and Telenovela Syndrome

8/13/2013 5:26:29 PM

Hindi ako isang tao na maalam sa behavior ng tao. Pero kahit sikolohikal pa ang talakayan, hindi makakaila na madalas itong makikita sa ating lipunan. Ang mentalidad ng isang “biktima.”

Mas kilala bilang inaapi, o underdog, ang isa sa mga mindset nating mga Pinoy ay ang tinatawag na “victim mentality.” Ayon sa isang blog na aking nabsasa sa mga website ng Get Real Philippines at Definitely Filipino, dito tayo magagaling… sa pag-aarte bilang mga biktima. Parang mga paborito nating bida sa mga telenovela.

Bakit ganun? Dahil likas sa atin ang pagiging emoyonal at sensitibo. Pansinin mo, mas madalas mo mapapansin ang mga ito pag nanunood ka ng mga ganun palabas. Laging inaapi, laging sinasaktan. Palaging umiiyak (siyempre, ano ba naman ang drama kung hindi iiyak ang bida ‘di ba?), palaging nanunumpa (i.e., “balang araw, ako ang mananaig.” “bukas, luluhod sa akin ang mga tala. Babangon ako at dudurugin kita.”)

Missing The Disenchanted Kingdom

9/21/2014 4:47:24 PM

I have been a huge fan of Philippine radio for almost half my age already, especially during my college years when some of the stations turned backs on the Contemporary Hit (CHR) type. There’s no more Campus Radio on 97.1 WLS FM; it’s been a very long while since 93.9 KC FM switched letters to a single I; and Magic 89.9, though still remained as the one of the top cliché FM stations aside from RX 93.1 and 99.5 RT, still made a big switch in their programming during the mid-2000s.

Since then, most of us listeners have our ears glued in to the likes of The Morning Rush and Good Times with Mo in the morning (plus, Sam vs. Sam as then-third alternative), and Boys Night Out, other RX radio specials, and The Brewrats during nighttime. Well, during the the latter part of the decade, before NU107 bade goodbye after being the premier rock music station for almost three decades—plus The Brewrats on their stay at U92, another primetime program ushered by the name of The Disenchanted Kingdom.

Wapakels

10/29/2014 9:48:14 PM

Ang hirap ang maging walang pakialam sa mundo ng pulitika dito sa Pilipinas. Pero mas lalo naman yata yung magsabing nakakamangmang o nakabobobo na rin.

Oo, putangina, as in nakapanlalabo lang. Nakakalito na.

The Scene Around: Online Champions Meet-up

11/1/2014 4:23:03 PM

Just two Fridays ago, yours truly was invited by one of the Marketing staff of the housing group Habitat for Humanity Philippines to be part of the event they called as the meetup of Online Champions held in their office at Makati City, Philippines.

I swing by at the meeting though it’s very late then as they introduced their online campaign for the victims of typhoon Haiyan (or much recognized here in our country as Yolanda). 

"Save Literature" Your Face!

11/1/2014 6:25:14 PM

Nakakaloka lang.

Save literature?! 

Weh? Seryoso kayo d’yan?

Sa panahon ngayon na dumarami ang mga manunulat at mga nalilimbag na libro, "save literature" pa rin ang panawagan niyo?

Anong kagulahan ito ha?

Kid Rockers

8/10/2014 12:25:17 PM

Halos tatlong buwan  ang nakalipas (base sa panahon na paglimbag nito), ito ang naging mainit na usapan: Lyca o Darren?

"Answer"

11/10/2014 02:48:17 PM

Isa sa mga iniidolo ko sa basketball noon ang mamang ito. Oo, maliit lang, pero tangina, astig naman. Straightforward pa.

Oo, si Allen Iverson.

Torpedo

11/10/2014 09:36:42 AM

Nakakatorpe. Nakakapanibago. Ang liksi't sigla ko, nawala sa isang iglap, lalo na nung nakita kita.

Isa ka bang kakaibang pwersa sa mundong ibabaw? O sadya lamang dumarating sa puntong ako'y naduduwag? Ang buntot na nababahag?

Hindi ako payag. Lechugas.

Natrapik sa Maglalako

11/11/2014 05:01:09 PM

Talk about fatherly figure and at the same time, raketero.

Isang traffic enforcer ng MMDA ang pinarangalan ng dahil sa isang pambihirang gawain: pagtitinda ng kanyang kakanin sa oras ng... trabaho at nakauniporme?

Back Out!

11/11/2014 02:53:55 PM

O, may umatras. Ayaw na niya sa debate. Ayaw niya ng isang verbal na altercation sa eere sa national television sa Oktubre a-27.

Debate Kamo?!

11/10/2014 05:59:47 PM

(Ang pyesang ito ay isinulat bago pa man nagdesisyon na magback out si VP Jejomar Binay noong umaga ng Martes, Nobyembre 11, 2014)

Sige, magdebate kayo. Tama yan. Ubusin niyo ang oras, salapi at iba pang resources ng Senado para sa jeskeng debate na yan.

Confessions of a Not-Kitty

11/9/2014 11:37:37 AM

Kamakailanlang, nagdiwang ika-apat na dekadang annibersaryo ang batikang cartoon character na ito.

Tama, si Hello Kitty. 40 years old na siya. Astig, ang SANRIO charcter na nga na iyan ay nagdiwang pang isang malaking convention nun.

Pero, dalawang buwan ang nakalilipas, naging isang malaking rebelasyon naman ito: Hindi raw tunay na pusa si Hello Kitty.

Ha?! What?! So ang sa lagay ba ay naglolokohan na lang ba tayo dito?

Mga Bagay Na Dapat Mong Isipin Bago Ka Lumandi...

5/13/2014 6:43:46 AM

Wala na tayong magagawa. Ito na ang panahon na kung saan ay mas mananaig pa ang mga makamundong bagay kesa sa mga bagay na makapagpapabuti sa kanila. Mas mahalaga pa nga sa kanila ang mag-selfie kesa sa kumain eh.

Pero siyempre, hindi lahat ng kabataan ay magkakatulad. Parang mga lalake sa manloloko, at mga rakista, hip-hopista o alinmang miyembro ng underground society sa pagiging tirador ng ganja at takaw-away. Ang alinmang akto ng pag-gegenralize sa kanila ay isang malaking katarantaduhan, este, mortal na kasalanan hindi lamang sa aspeto ng pormal paglalahad at journalismo, kundi pati na rin sa personal na pananaw.

Chasing MISSteryosa

11/1/2014 3:10:05 PM

Isa kang kakaibang nilalang. Hindi ka ordinaryo. Bagkus isang espesyal. Espesyal sa mata ko, at hindi ito pagkain o ni produkto. At lalong hindi sa kamalaya ng ninuman (maliban na lang siyempre sa iyong mga kaibigan at magulang). Kung bakit ganun? Aba’y ewan —Hindi ko rin maipaliwanag.

Sino ka ba? Anong klase ka bang tao? Sa linis ng budhi mo, mapapagkamalan na kitang buhay na santo. Napakabait na nilalang, sa mundong punong-puno ng mapagsamantalang hangal. Siguro nga isa ka sa mga “totoong tao” na aking hinahanap.

Mas Matakot Ka sa Buhay Kesa Sa Patay

11/1/2014 2:48:39 PM

Real talk lang. Bagamat minsan naniniwala ako namay mga bagay na napakamisteryo na hindi basta-basta maipaliwanag ng siyensiya.

Pero sa totoo lang, hindi ako ganun kapanatiko ng mga nakakatakot na palabas, telebisyon man o pelikula.

Bakit? Ito ang isa samga pinaniniwalaan ko: “mas matakot ka sa buhay kesa sa patay.”

Alaala Ng Sembreak

11/2/2014 2:18:59 PM

Semestral break, ang panahon na nagsasaya ang estudyante. Panahon ng panasamantalang bakasyon, at sana’y tumagal pa nun, dahil bitin ang isang linggo para sa elemtary at high school; samantalang sakto lang sa kolehiyo.

EAT. SLEEP. RANT. REPEAT. (The Shirt Edition)

10/18/2014 1:02:44 AM

As much as I don’t really dig those Outfits of the Days, (I mean I don’t really flaunt my OOTDs unlike the present trend), I ended up sharing the shirt I personally conceptualized.

Yes, it all started as a cover photo which also uploaded on my Instagram account.

Four words: EAT. SLEEP. RANT. REPEAT.

The Good Guys and Juan Flavier

11/1/2014 3:40:10 PM

Halos nakalimutan na yata ng mga Pilipino ang mamang ito…. Hanggang nung pumanaw siya noong isang araw (o isang linggo ang nakalilipas mula noong pormal kong inilimbag ito).

Photo credits: Rappler

Pero, bakit si Sen. Juan Flavier pa, na isa sa mga hinangaan na pulitiko at public servant? Lalo na noong dekada ’90 sa kanyang pamamahala sa Department of Health. Kung maalala niyo, siya ang nagpauso ng slogan na “Let’s DOH it!” (with matching thumbs up sign). Daig pa nito ang iba pang mga “Philippines 2000” public service announcement (PSA) na umeere nun sa Philippine television.

Isa rin siya sa mga taong nangampanya sa Yosi Kadiri. (May drawing pa nga nito nun eh)

Balik-Tambalan

11/05/2014 08:30:47 AM 

Sa dinami-rami ng mga naglipanang balita noong nakaraang linggo, pasensya na kung magpapakashowbiz muna ako ha, pero ito lang yata nag pinakamagandang narinig ko: Jolina Magdangal balik-Kapamilya na, at magtatambal ng kanyang dating kaloveteam na si Marvin Agustin sa isang teleserye.

Oo, tangina, seryoso ako sa sinabi ko. Yan lang yata ang pinakamagandang balita narinig ko. Hindi dahil sa isa akong 90s baby na namulat ang kamalayan sa mga tulad nila ha? Pero ewan ko.

Shutdown?!

11/2/2014 1:18:44 PM

Sa dinami-rami ng problema sa MRT line 3 mula sa teknikalidad ng mga riles, tern,at crowd control at kabuuang operayon, may ugong-ugong noon na kailangan raw ishutdown muna ito para lang maisaayos ang dapat maisaayos.

Ano, kelangan i-shutdown?

Ang Bahaing Marikina River?!

9/21/2014 5:45:19 PM

Sinasabing ang lungsod ng Marikina ay isa sa mga mararaming lugar sa Pilipinas na palaging binabayo ng baha. In fact, dahil nga diyan ay nagkaroon na ng stigma ang mga Pinoy pagdating sa lugar na ito.

Pare 1: Saan kayo nakatira?

Pare 2: Sa Marikina.

P1: Pare, di ba binabaha dun?

P2: Oo.

Ang Istorya ng Katorpehan ni Jerry Maya (v. 2014)

10/02/2014 05:32:49 PM

(Ang pangalang nabanggit sa blog na ito ay pawang nagkataon lamang.)

As much as gusto kong mamasada sa mga napapanahong isyu, ay... teka, dumating na naman ang tropa ko after two years. Mukhang nanghihingi na naman 'to ng kasosyo sa bibilhing alak, para maglabas ng sama ng loob (ops, hindi ito tae, ha?) na parang two year ago lang ay ikinuwento niya sa akin.

The Scene Around: Blogapalooza 2014

10/17/2014 11:16:38 PM

It was that time of the year once again as When In Manila, along with Our Awesome Planet, and principal sponsors Globe, Easy Taxi, and Chooks to Go, held the 2014 Blogapalooza – the biggest business to blogger event in the country.

It’s actually the second time I hit Blogapalooza, with the first one held almost a year ago also at the same venue. And after six months, I reunite with my friends from the team Powerhouse bloggers. Also, spotted at the event were the blogger I usually interact from Bloggers ng Pinas, Pinoy bloggers, and those who participate in comment exchange threads.

The Rundown Slam: WWE Hell in a Cell 2014

11/1/2014 2:09:34 PM

It’s that time of the year when the World Wrestling Entertainment switched gears and went as hellish as fuck when they slate two inferno-like cage matches on Sunday popularly known as Hell in the Cell.

Sadistang Banta

09/09/14 06:28:10 PM

(Ang sanaysay na ito ay naglalaman ng isang matinding bugso ng emosyon.)

"Sa totoo lang. Wala akong pakialam. Wala sana akong pakialam sa mga nangyayari, basta wala akong ginagawang masama.

Hanggang nagpakita ang mga demonyong tulad niyo. Akala ko nananaginip lang ako. Akala ko isang bangungot. Akala ko isang gag sa comedy show o isang masakit na biro.

Throwback: This is It

10/21/2014 10:40:34 AM

I wanna take a look back on exactly five years ago, when news about the passing of this legendary-yet-controversial musician made waves. Yes, even beyond the trends of the modern world.

Michael Jackson's death instantly abrupt plans of making a huge comeback to the music scene via his worldwide tour This is It. And supposedly, it will have their kickstart on the O2 Arena in London on July 13 2009, just few weeks before his untimely demise on June 25.

The Bioessence Experience

10/30/2014 04:24:05 PM

It's been a very long while since the last time I hit a beauty establishment. And I know, that ain't my type at all. It's just because I managed to earn some perks while attending some blogging/press matters such as Blogapalooza.

Just last year, on the very first time I hit When in Manila's annual business-to-blogger meet-up November 2013, I got a freebie from Bioessence, the two-decade old beauty and wellness establishment. Well, the perk actually offered me either a facial or a back massage. I chose the former, and that was also the very first time I have undergone such treatment. So aty least, I could say nothing but good words regarding that matter.

Soldier Haunted By Love

10/23/2014 9:56 AM 

Why am I here?
Who the hell are you?
Are you some kinda ghost from the past?
Or somebody will haunt my future?

Flick Review: The Trial

10/26/2014 10:52:33 AM

Warning: some parts of this article could spoil your ass off.

It’s been a long while since I last dug a couch and watch a film that is not really my type: heavy drama, especially the family-catered ones. Considering these: the last time perhaps I hit a drama-related flick was Sean Ellis’ Metro Manila; but if we’re really talking about the movie for the family here, it was 1996 (then a Kinder 2 student) when I saw Ama, Ina, Anak at that Ali Mall cinema in Cubao. The Jose Javier Reyes-directed flick stars Edu Manzano, Maricel Soriano, and Angelica Panganiban.

Since then, we can only afford to see more romance-driven pictures from ABS-CBN’s film firm with the exception for the following: Tanging Yaman and Anak.

Ironically though after 18 years, I saw another Star Cinema drama product titled The Trial (and yes, in cinemas again).  

Talk about a mentally-challenged 27-year old Ronald Jimenez (portrayed by John Lloyd Cruz) facing a trial after allegedly raping her teacher Bessy Buenaventura (Jessy Mendiola), with broad complex plot obstacles in the process, including Ronald’s family background, his connection with a late young advocate, Bessy’s relationship , and her school’s reputation.

Hell's Coming...

10/27/2014 08:50:02 AM

Looks like this year's Hell in a Cell would literally haunt everyone this coming Halloween season, eh? Take a look on this: double main event featuring the decade-long rivalry between John Cena and Randy Orton and the newcomers Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose.

www.elwrestlingsegunyo.es

As much as I want to tackle other cards, I found most of them boring, especially with the clash of the Bellas earning me these words: funny stipulation, yet stupid match in the making. However, whatever the turnout may be, I had a fat chance to be proved wrong and that's okay anyway.

RKO Outta Nowhere!

10/26/2014 11:52:47 AM

As much as I wanna stay away from writing any posts from wrestling (since I’m just a plain fanboy and I will not consider myself a smark neither a ‘mark’), I can’t help it... again. Well, I have yet to give my pre-take for WWE’s Hell in a Cell this evening (Monday morning Manila time) though this move has already gained mainstream attention. Well, I’m not really pertaining to mainstream media delivering this news (i.e. “Randy Orton influences the world with his RKO),” but moreover...

RKO memes are flying everywhere.

Sixty Years in The Making

10/21/14 12:11:25 PM

Photo credits: Yahoo!

Isang malaking piyesa sa kasaysayan ng college basketball ang pagsunkit muli ng kameponato ng National University Bulldogs sa UAAP noong nakaraang Miyerkules. Isang historic na underdog victory, ika nga (kahit ang bulldog ay pang-siga) dahil matapos maolats sa Game 1, ay binawian nila ang kalabang Far Easter University Tamaraws sa Games 2 at 3.

Isang rally sa third quarter ang nagkita ng panalo para sa mga taga-Jhocson, 75-59, para kunin ang kanilang ikalawang titulo sa UAAP sa kasaysayan ng pagsali nito. Pareho silang mga orihinal na miyembro ng naturang liga mula noong naitatag ito noong 1930s.

The Scene Around: Professional Blogging Summit 2014

10/23/2014 10:12:26 PM

It was Saturday afternoon, and DPOP together with E-Commerce Boot Camp held their Professional Blogging Summit held at the A. Venue Mall in Makati City.

Though due to work, I managed to drop by at the venue midway through the program.

Despite being tardy though I still tried to learn and re-oversee what’s inside what I barely missed all throughout the afternoon. (well, according to some blog posts which I also read)

Lookback: End of an Era

8/28/2014 9:14:25 PM

As much as WrestleMania 31 will be more than half-a-year away from now, I hate to do this, but I’d rather write another lookback on the recent WerstleMania matches as I watch some random videos (besides, WWE Network, which costs $9.99 as advertised, is not even available here in the country yet) around our popular video-streaming sites.

Playback: Thryo feat. Ron Henley — Litrato

7/12/2014 11:48:31 AM

I have to admit: I never listened much on any local version of “slow jam” the rhythm and blues (rnb) way, and specifically, the romantic themed ones since I got used on my homies’ sets of Curse One, Breezy Boyz (yes, they were spelled that way; so don’t be an elite spelling Nazi) and Republikan tracks; until I randomly browsed my YouTube channel, and found this thing.

Chivalry Your Face

10/20/2014 9:58:02 PM

Sa panahon ngayon, na nag-iiba ang orientasyon at ang pangkalahatang pangtingin sa sekswaliad ng tao, ito ang nakapagtataka: akala ko ba gusto ng mga tao ng gender equality, gaya ng mga lalakeng sumasabit sa pambasaherong jeep.

Ano ang ibig kong sabihin? Ang litratong ito, na pinaskil ng Top Gear Philippines, at orihinal na kuha ni Marvin Sy (ayon sa naturang photo credits galing sa naturang magasin). Makikita na dalawang estudyanteng babae ang sumabay sa jeep pero hindi nakaupo. Kundi nakasabit sila, gaya ng tipikal na set-up sa atin na karaniwang ginagawa ng mga lalake.

Photo credits: Marvin Sy, TOP GEAR PHILIPPINES Facebook Page

Oh, gender equality ba kamo? Eh bakit kayo umaangal ng pagiging gentleman? Bakit kayo umaangal ng “is chivalry dead?”

Ang labo yata ng pinaglalaban ninyo ha?

Tirada Ni Slick Master: Basutusan sa Expo

10/18/2014 12:27:49 AM

Gusto ko lang ibahagi ang post na ito galing sa Facebook page ng Cubao Expo. Kung sakaling hindi mo alam ang Cubao Expo na ‘yan, o kung gusto mo ng mas modernong pangalan ay Cubao X, ‘yan ang dating Marikina Shoe Expo, isa sa mga tanyag na lugar sa Cubao commercial district sa Quezon City.

Bakit ito ang tinalakay ko, pansinin:

Post by Cubao Expo.

Sa haba ng kwento ng pinost ng admin ng Cubao Expo, na may pangalang Sandy ng isang shop dun na The Reading Room, isa ang pinuntirya nito: kawalan ng disiplina.

Stunner (on RKOs and Losing the Voice)

10/17/2014 11:02:10 PM

As much as I do not want to give much attention on any of the WWE’s flagship programs (considering I always have a lot of backlogs and schedules posts), I can’t help it; well, maybe because I’m sick of both political and controversial world. And even if I posted some of my very unusual visits and other good stuff, I haven’t felt much enough.

Power-Trippin'?!

8/23/2014 4:45:15 AM

Is racism very rampant in every aspect of our daily lives? Yes, and it even applies on the world of sports-entertainment. Perhaps, you can blame office (or in this case, backstage) politics on this.

Just a few months ago, the world was shocked in disbelief when the national Basketball Association (NBA) was put into the spotlight after raging discriminatory remarks from the Los Angeles Clippers’ ex-owner Donald Sterling, which led to his eventual ousting from his team of three decades.

WWE.com

Then there comes Alberto Del Rio’s firing from the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Several combat sports beat outlet reports that Del Rio, or Alberto Rodriguez in real life, was ousted by the Connecticut-based promotion for being an “unsportsmanlike conduct to an employee.”

Switching Gears

10/14/2014 06:30:07 PM

So the news were finally confirmed as per report of Media Newser, the online portal which takcles news media here in the Philippines. Yes, they broke that one out weekend, causing stir mixes of cheers and jeers from legit observers and plain trolls.

Professional Blogging Summit 2014

10/15/2014 11:25:07 PM

So, the e-commerce camp together with #DPOP (yes, not just a hashtag but it’s actually a brand name), teamed up for a half-day event which will benefit the blogging industry as a whole.

Named as the Professional Blogging Summit, The E-Commerce Boot Camp headed by Janette Toral will pilot the afternoon full of informational and insightful talks sponsored by Island Rose, Profriends and the official venue A. Venue Mall.

Photo credits: http://ecommercebootcamp.digitalfilipino.com/

Pusa Lang Yan?!

10/12/2014 11:16:17 AM

Kahit pito ang alaga naming aso sa bahay, hindi ko ikakaila sa sairili ko: isa akong cat lover.

At para dun isang isyu na kinasasangkutan ni Yeng Constantino at ng kanyang alagang pusa? Oo, tahsaan kong kinokondena ang mga mokong at lokang nagsasabi na “pusa lang yan.”

Photo credits: When In Manila

Mga tarantado, alam niyo ba yang mga pinagsasabi niyo?

Pero teka muna: paano nga ba naging mainit ang kuwentong ito?

Ang UAAP Finals na Parang Tunay na UAAP Finals Lang

10/09/2014 11:50:58 AM

Photo credits: Rappler

Sorry sa mga fans ng dalawang kilalang squad, ha? Alam ko, nagkaroon kayo ng panahon na kayo ang nasa itaas ng mundo ng UAAP basketball. Ngunit sa puntong ito, maiba naman ang ihip ng hangin.

Ito lang yata ang pinakakakaibang UAAP finals na nasaksihan ng inyong lingkod. Walang Ateneo o ni La Salle sa Finals. Sa madaling sabi, walang pamilyar na koponan, o mas pamilyar na rivialry ang naging dominante sa duluhang bahagi ng season na ito.

Mapagsamantala

10/12/2014 10:44:11 PM

Masyado na yatang baliw ang mundo, ano? Basta kahit saan, naglipana ang mga mapagsamantala. Akala mo sa mga pampubliko lang mambibiktima, yun pala nasa sarili mong bakuran mismo ay harap-harapan kang titirahin. Pag hindi nga makluha ang gusto nila mas dadaanin pa sa dahas eh.

Parang itong nangyari sa Caloocan: isang batang nagbebenta lamang ng pandesal, aba’y hinoldap pa!

Post by Christopher Pacheco.

Mukhang nakakamangha ba?

Playback: Marked

10/09/2014 01:35:38 PM

A friend of mine here in the workplace once asked me to critique this video.

It's a short video made by the Archdiocesan Commission on Youth (ACY) of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila. Their premier actually titled Marked.

At first, I had doubts whether I am doing this or not considering one of the philosophies I adhere in life, both as a blogger and an expressionist in real life: don't make any statements or arguments when it comes to religion. Why did I say so? Well, do I need to explain more, ladies and gentlemen? Once you argue with somebody who has a “close faith” and mind you, the dialogue between the two of you will never stop even if the clock already made its full round turn.

But anyway, here's that three-and-a-half-minuter.

Flick Review: Rurouni Kenshin the Legend Ends

10/09/2014 10:36:57 AM

I was never an avid fan of Rurouni Kenshin, or known ehre in the country as Samurai X. Maybe because I never managed to keep my eyes glued on the program when I was a kid, especially during those era where I only get a regular hold on Zenki, Hell Teacher Danube, Monster Rancher Dragon Ball, Magic Knight Rayearth, Lupin III, Ranma ½ and even Yaiba; and rare times on the likes of Samurai X, as well as the popular Naruto, Detective Conan, Gadget Boy.

Perhaps if these mentioned Anime toons had all in common: is that they're all adventurous in terms of plot maps.

I never even had a chance to watch Kyoto Inferno which I believe is an instant hit, considering Warner Brothers backed them up in terms of producing this trilogy (yes, thanks to my friends whose more FBIs than the typical program researchers, the first film was made in 2012, before the two-part epic brought to life this year).

Apparently, some friends of mine, Otakus by nature or just plain fanboys and fangirls, told me RK TLE was as beautiful as shit. In another hip-hop lingo, sick as fuck.

Flick Review: Lupin III

9/28/2014 12:13:26 PM

Okay. So the hype of Lupin the Third the movie came just during the much hyper (and according to my friends, much-acclaimed and more appealing), Ruroni Kenshin, huh?

Here’s the problem: as Rurouni’s widely recognized by otakus inside and outside Japan, Lupin III appearance rolls as if on a wrong timing basis. Despite this, I found their trailer appealing.

However after seeing the flick for over two hours, I had a conclusion: it’s funny yet horrible. It’s entertaining yet also a disappointment. In other words, I can tell it’s beautiful, yet also had a lot of flaws.

Patatas!

10/09/2014 09:16:20 AM

Ang kultura ngayon ay parang isang patatas. At ano ang patatas na tinutukoy ko, maliban sa isang gulay na minsan ay ginagawang sahog sa ilang mga putahe't paborito nating ulam?

Hindi ko alam. Pasenysa na, nakiuso ang din ako tutal national, este, worldwide throwback day ang Thursday, ang araw kung saan sinulat ko ang post na ito.

The Rocking Return

10/08/2014 09:48:54 AM

I haven't seen WWE RAW for almost two weeks (the last time I watched this show was during the replay by FOX on the evening of my birthday—something I kept secret after all. Haha.) and perhaps the most possible time to do so will be this coming Friday evening.

But heck, I can't myself wait for Friday to come, especially last morning (Manila time) when suddenly, a huge surprise came along: Dwayne Johnson, also known as “The Rock” just literally rocked Brooklyn on his appearance on Monday Night RAW.

Just in time after Rusev taunted The Big Show on his absence, his music popped from the speakers, his video played on Titantron. You know what this means, especially if the words “If you smell what the rock is cooking,” suddenly banged out of your consciousness, and there goes the former Florida college football player-slash-pro wrestler-slash-action star, donning that black Brooklyn jacket as he entered the ring.

The Rise of the Wattpad Stories?!

9/21/2014 5:20:47 PM

(Sa panahon na isinusulat ko ito ay kasalukuyang nagaganap ang Manila International Book Fair, ang pinakamalaking pagtitipon-tipon ng mga mahihilig sa libro sa SMX Convention Center sa Pasay City. Kaso kahit may libre akong access pass ay hindi natuloy ang inyong lingkod dala ng mga pangyayaring dala ng bagyong Mario)

Sa panahon ngayon, hindi na makakaila ang mga tulad nila. Dinaig pa nga yata nilaang Precious Hearts Romances sa paggagwa ng mga libro.

Kung gusto mo maging sikat, hindi mo kailangang umakot na para bang tanga sa mga palabas. Ang kailangan mo lang ay malawakang bokabularyo, malawak na imahinasyon, at kompuyter. Oo, love story ang tinutukoy ko, at ang Wattpad ang pinakavenue ng lahat.

The #MiriamMondays Experience

10/02/14 04:06:20 PM

Earlier last month, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago treated her fans and followers all over social media (to date, there are over 2 million likers on her Facebook page, and 930 thousand followers on her Twitter account), to a question-and-answer portion called #MiriamMondays. The interaction is also known as another hashatag #AskMiriamAnything.

Say, it appeared more than just either a Formspring or Ask.fm forum, aye?

Yes, it is.

Photo credits: Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago Official Facebook page

The Hit With a Thousand Words

9/21/2014 4:58:53 PM

It doesn’t really look rare when rappers tend to speak more in their songs than the typical hitmakers, even if they used to instil that “spoken word style.” At one point, we remember Twista for spitting the most number of syllabicated words in a single minute.

Then, we noticed this just a few weeks ago, when Eminem’s hit single “Rap God,” made him a rap god in both literally and figuratively ways.

Bigyan ng Internet!

10/02/14 09:58:23 AM

Matapos ang samu't saring serye ng mga pangyayari sa ating bayan, mula sa pagkalugmok natin sa basketball at baha, hanggang sa paghahahanap ng gintong medalya sa Asian games, hanggang sa audio (ops, hindi) sex scandal ni Daniel Padilla, hanggang sa kuwestiyunableng gusali sa Makati ni dating mayor at ngayon'y bise-presidente Jejomar Binay, may libreng internet na raw sa Pilipinas.

Ows, di nga?

Oo nga, free interenet daw.

The Rundown Slam: WWE Night of Champions

09/27/14 12:59:29 PM

So the WWE had done it again. Cena versus Lesnar in a rematch, while there are three title switches happened Sunday night at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Tenessee. Yes, this is the Night of Champions, where every WWE title is on the line.

Rampa Dito, Rampa Doon

9/28/2014 1:50:16 PM

Dalawang gabi ng rampahan, nangyari sa loob lamang ng isang linggo. Ano ang pagkakapareho nila? May mga kontrobersyal na eksena lang naman.

Simpleng Backstab

9/28/2014 7:09:46 AM

May audio scandal ang idol mo. Aba, hindi ito scandal na may kinalaman sa sex ha? Bata pa yang idol niyo kaya wag kayong masyadong marurumi ang isip.

Ano bang sabi niya? Wala lang naman, kung tama ang mga balita, aniya'y pinagtitripan lang naman niya at ang kanyang mga tropa diumano ang mga artista na obviously ay di niya pinangalanan.

Umamin naman si Daniel Padilla sa kanyang nagawa. Humingi rin siya ng patawad sa kanyang kaloveteam na si Kathryn Bernardo.

Quit the "Blame Game!"

9/28/2014 12:53:45 PM

(Sa panahon na nailimbag ang artikulong ito ay nakatikim ng panalo ang Pilipinas sa kamay ng Kazahkstan, subalit sa kabila ng natamong tagumpay ay hindi aabante ang Pilipinas sa semifinals dahil sa isang komplikadong usapin ng quotient system. Kasunod nito, olats ang Gilas as China, at naisalba ang ika-pitong puwesto matapos talunin ang Mongolia.)

Alam ko. Hindi ito ang inaasahan nating mga Pilipino pagdating sa Asian Games considering na kahit papaano ay nakarating tayo sa FIBA World Cup.

Pero dahil sa mga nangyari sa nakaraang Asian Games, mukhang hindi tumugma sa inaasahan natin ang mga resulta sa mga kaganapan sa basketball. Isipin mo, isang beses lang tayo nanalo sa mga kalabang bansa: sa India.

Basketbrawl Collegiate Style

9/28/2014 5:11:03 AM

Sa totoo lang, parte na ng basketball ang away.

Ano ang iniisip ko? Ano ang ibig kong sabihin? Gaya nito, panoorin niyo na lang.

Oo nga, ang laban noong nakaraang Lunes sa NCAA. Mapua Institute of Technology versus Emilio Agunaldo College.