Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy - An Official Entry to the Manila Film Festival 2013

My first share of MMFF2013 movie was Direk Wenn Deramas' Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy starring Vice Ganda. When it was anticipated that the latter will be doing Sisterakas sequel, with Kris Aquino and Ai-ai delas Alas similar to last year, a solo movie with four different characters was offered to him. 

According to showbiz news, the role was initially offered to Sweet Lapus but eventually given to Vice Ganda. 

Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy maybe one of Direk Wenn Deramas' signature uplifting the gay/LGBT community to another level after doing Bekikangs. 



I would say that this movie was similar to Bromance with a twist of four characters instead of two. While Bromance was a rivalry between two brothers separated and got back together, this movie quadrupled the story with four different sexual preferences. 

Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy is a story of betrayal, forgiveness and moving on. A loving mother (Maricel Soriano), a cowardly father (Joey Marquez) and the quadruplets (Vice Ganda) who portrays a girl who claims to be a model, a boy who claims to be a racer with Hepatitis, a bakla (gay) who's bitter since their father left them, and a tomboy (lesbian) who claims to be a singer with anemia. 

Four of them were separated the moment their grandmother (Joy Viado) flew to the states with the two babies who apparently were raised to be girl and boy. The other two were left behind with their mom, grew up in the farm and became bakla and the other a tomboy. 

The reunion was staged when Peter (boy), needs a liver transplant and Mark (tomboy) was the only compatible twin.

The plot heated when unsettled differences and issues were raised, and their parents' unresolved issue was added.




In case the movie was starred by Sweet Lapus, will it have the same impact to the viewers? I, personally would say YES! The fact that Direk Wenn Deramas can wave his wand to make an experimental movie to a blockbuster. No doubt the ratings would still be the same. He already did it when Zanjoe Marudo takes on Bromance. 

Meeting and Greeting someone (Pagsalubong at Pagbati)

English translation:
Everyday we meet and greet someone. Be it a person we bump along the sidewalk, people we ride along inside a jeepney, the train or bus. Of course we also do it within our family, friends and work area. Filipinos style of meet and greet starts with a simple smile, a handshake, cheek kiss and a bless (which is unusual to other cultures). These are usually the initial contact to place our best foot forward. 

A smile and handshake maybe the most common form of greeting and meeting someone along with the phrase "How are you?" or "Nice to meet you." In a more  familiar circle, a cheek kiss is more common within group of friends and a bless is a routine within the family where a younger generation will bless to older ones as a sign or respect.

Tagalog translation:
Araw-araw, may nakikilala at binabati tayo. Maging yan man ay taong nakabangga natin sa gilid ng daan, mga nakasakayan natin sa jeep, tren at bus. Tiyak ginagawa din natin sa ating pamilya, kaibigan at katrabaho. Ang stilo ng mga Pilipino nang pagkakilala at pagbati ay nagsisimula sa simpleng ngiti, pakikipagkamay, beso-beso, at pagmamano (na hindi karaniwan sa ibang kultura).

Ang ngiti at pakikipagkamay ay ang pinaka karaniwan kasama nang mga katagang "Kumusta ka?, o di kaya'y "Nagagalak akong makilala ka." Sa mas pamilyar na pangkat, ang beso beso ay nakaugalian sa mga magkakaibigan at ang pagmamano ay karaniwan sa pamilya kung saan ang mga mas bata ay magmamano sa mga nakakatanda bilang respeto. //

Typhoon Yolanda Gave Me Reason To Celebrate Life

One of the things I maybe thankful for is my life. Earlier this year, my friends and I planned to travel some cities in the country. We started up North within the bounds of Ilocos. T'was a time when I finally was able to check several places in a couple of days.

A month after, I was hitting the waves of San Juan with another batch of friends. My first time didn't hurt. Tiring but satisfactory. The waves and the board taught me that persistence is not about falling and standing up but doing better with every next try.

The chilly lakes of Laguna didn't escape our out of town experience. A bond of several people who have something in common. To enjoy nature.. 

Our next stop should have been Cebu. September. I really cannot forget that month. We've been planning on Cebu and Bohol for couple of months only to be cancelled at the end. That was before the earthquake paid a visit.

Last place for this year was the Romualdez Mansion in Leyte. Our plan was November. There are instances when you would be just human to be pissed off when you think it may have been important. Our case includes a schedule not released earlier so we could plot out vacation (for some reason). 

These, though at one point in time, would turn out blessings in disguise. I was thinking of it within the past week. If in case we were there where typhoon Yolanda strike, we maybe one of the ... 

I shed tears thinking we were at least spared. Spared money and time and life. 

Then I stopped and think.. " When was the last time I thanked God?" 

The answer came ubruptly in my mind.. " When I burp.."

Where my thank you Lord is a simple slip of the tounge not even sincere... 

Now, I have life to celebrate..

On The Job: A Disturbing Philippine Power-Cycle

A friend of mine had a chance to watch On The Job on its premier and gathered praise. I was asked to watch it since the film as he quoted: 

"Its-so-you.."

Finally, a rainy Sunday still unable to get out of Glorietta, we decided to take a peek.

On The Job begins with clips of recent news going on in the Philippines. As the movie gets timely, it holds an aura of not being sensational. With the issues confronting the country the film’s significance is impossible to notice. It illustrates how the politicians and criminals work hand in hand to achieve power, position and money.

Director Erik Matti gave in to a political underground story this time dealing with authority, politicians and position but his signature with how the Filipino family bond has never changed. Thanks to our corrupt penal system they’re regularly let out of prison to act as contract killers with the perfect alibis.

Though the film was slow at first, it maneuvers to cover each and every aspect of the story. Tatang (Joel Torre), a prisoner-hitman who eventually turned insecure when his boss Thelma informed that he can’t work full time due to his age portrays more than the murder. The darkness in his eyes conveyed more about his character than the conversations did. His assistant Daniel (Gerald Anderson) played a very talkative rookie following Tatang's footsteps. His character was more of a naïve prisoner who has a bit of an attitude. These two characters played major role as prisoners who gets out from jail time to time killing. As inmates, they share the father and son relationship.

The film was widely arranged where jail wardens also act as accomplices.

The cast of SPO1 Acosta (Joey Marquez) was played brilliantly. An SPO1 with 35 years of service stayed as SPO1 since he turned out to have the cleanest conscience. Integrity was challenged when he became the aid of Francis Colonel Jr. (Piolo Pascual) who takes part by being an NBI agent who’s entrapped by being an excellent cop, compromised by being a son-in-law of a politician (Michael Demesa) indirectly involved with the killings masterminded by Gen. Pacheco (Leo Martinez).

The love scenes portrayed were also timely and sensible still; the story remains intact despite the diversions. Angel Aquino, Rayver Cruz and Lito Pimentel also delivered well.

"On the Job" is a cynical, realistic portrait of PHL politics and crime.

Be warned: the film does not end on a hopeful note. It may even make you rather sad and ashamed at how real the film feels, especially in light of the country's current events.

But when people urge you to watch On the Job, do it. A film like this, an uncompromised commercial success, hasn't happened in a long time, though now that it has, our standards are irrevocably raised. - Adobo

All we need to do now is to wait for the film's international version.

The Man of Steel Turns Disaster-Porn

Clark Kent, Smallville, Krypton, Lex Luthor, Superman. 
These names ring a bell in a certain world of Superman. Once evolved cartoonic series to movies. Now he is the man of steel. 
As my company's employee appreciation day, they treated their employees to watch The Man Of Steel franchise. 

This new Snyder-Nolan team up came with a totally different perspective and story line of the said Superman series. Say goodbye to Lana Lang as love interest and Lex Luthor as villain. In this movie, we've got the Clark Kent against people from his own planet, Krypton. 

Though the movie was more of a disappointment, I highlighted some of the points I did not miss. 

The story itself was fast-forwarded to answer the question, What becomes of Superman after Luthor and after Jonathan Kent?

Though it highlights several main points about the difficulty of discovering oneself, his love life, his struggles and his earthly-father's desire to keep his ability a secret, this movie has been more of Clark discovering Krypton. 

When we say EPIC-FAIL, I think this was what the movie was all about.

• The presence of giant ships, and Jor-el's trench coat allows you to enter "The Matrix". Hey Keanu Reeves... 
• Where Jor-El's presence is called "a shadow" from an "S"-shaped USB that the people from Krypton use also to maneuver the ship. 
• Where the codex is not even an item that they are looking for but the codex it Clark Kent itself. 
• Where the letter S is portrayed as a symbol for "hope". 
• Where Lois Lane was asked by the aliens inside the ship for no reason at all.
• Where  Martha Kent survived after being thrown by Zod and Zods men never did anything else than to disappear after he was taken by Superman in the city for more act of violence. 
• Where New York was one block away from a farm without any sky-scrappers. 
• Where Metropolis came into crumble but Superman never intended to help the people buried underneath the rubble.
• Where Zod was programmed to save Krypton even without the existence of Kryptonians.
• Where Lois Lane is an award winning Pulitzer journalist and I don't even have a clue why was that mentioned.
• Where moral-issue was highlighted but was unable to save his earthly father, standing helpless in front of a tornado. 
• Where "you're not my real dad" script comes out of the context.
• Where Metropolis watch many people die when the man of steel was in nowhere but comes back in time to rescue Lois Lane.
• Where after snapping Zod's neck, Lois Lane appears for some reason. 
• Where contrary to the Superman everyone knows of, this man of steel does not care about the people's safety and welfare. 
• Where his weakness is not on Kryptonite but on killing (moral issue). 

Though the movie was a THUMBS-DOWN on my viewpoint, I still highlighted some quotes from the movie that struck me.

Just because you can't control me doesn't mean I'm your enemy.

Faith comes first, trust will follow.

You are my son. But somewhere out there you have another father, and he sent you here for a reason. And even if it takes you the rest of your life, you owe it to yourself to find out what that reason is.

What if child dream of becoming something other than what society intended? What if a child aspire to something greater.

Superman was once portrayed as a person from Krypton to save the people. In this movie, he was there to protect people. To save and protect are two different frames which were not highlighted in the movie. Maybe it was but it sucks.

The only part I love was how the two fathers, provided love, care and assistance to Clark. 

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY EVERYONE!

Lunching Japanese: Hana Restaurant

Japanese food has been one of my addictions. Tempura, gyudon, misono, teriyaki, you name it. I was invited by a friend for lunch and we found ourselves lost in a mazeatic Little Tokyo.

 

 Don't judge a book by its cover.
Inside these nearly-remnants facade are authentic look of Japanese life. From the airing television in Nihongo to menus, everything in Japanese.

This place offers authentic Japanese setting.

 

One turn on for a restaurant is for the crew to know very well of their product. One of the servers offered and suggested the best of the house.

Our orders include the most-spoken specialty, the Takoyaki. Compared to the takoyaki served over the mall's kiosk, this one is one of the best and flavorful takoyaki I ever tasted. Topped with garlic thin strips, mayonnaise and mouth-watering sauce.

Don't miss out the Bento meals. We grabbed a bento meal good for sharing.

Talk about gyudon, sashimi, tempura, karaage, and their own version of vegetable salad.

Along with it is a bowlette of miso soup and slices of fruits.

Dining experience is not enough without their kakigori (shaved ice)on a hot sunny afternoon.

Before we left, we were given a complimentary card for the next visit.

Hana Restaurant Chino Roces
Unit 1. 2277 Little Tokyo 

Chino Roces Ave. Makati City
Hours:
Mon - Fri: 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Sat - Sun: 11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Telephone Number: (02)828-8471

DIY Pancakes at Slappy Cakes

Who may have thought of having breakfast, brunch (breakfast and lunch) and brinner (breakfast and dinner) at the same time? My friends and I had the opportunity to visit Slappy Cakes, the newest breakfast joint in the Metro after Thursday Worship Night. It is located in Eastwood Mall, Libis so we have to drive down from The Fort to the location at around 930 in the evening.

As usual, Eastwood is jampacked with night-goers and night-partiers. This has been Eastwood signature and it has been a clean and quiet place in the morning. It gets busy at night.
Anyway, we paved our way through the restaurant expecting crowded people from the busy part of the metro. However, the place may have more than enough space for everybody. We got a perfect spot where we can start our "cooking".

This breakfast joint offers variety of batter, fixins and toppings to choose from.

Combinations are also available to choose from. Unknowingly, an 8 oz batter is good enough to feed a 2-3 tummies. Not unless if you have a big, I mean a really big appetite for pancakes, then you can have more than a bottle.

First, the griddle needs to be turned to 180 degrees. Enough to cook the pancakes but not enough to burn yourself should you touch the griddle's heated surface either by accident or not. :)

Then you can play with the batter making different shapes and sizes, add some toppings and wait until bubbles turn up.

Firstborn pancake by @eigher

One batch of finished product

Slappy cakes not all pancake galore but they also offer Pinoy breakfast and alcoholic drinks. 

They also offer a Father's day special you may want to check it out.

Slappy Cakes
G/F Eastwood Mall Open Park
Quezon City
(02) 909 3501
Store Hours: Everyday from 7:00 am – 12:00 mn

Namnam the Authentic Pinoy Taste

Located in Greenbelt 2, this restaurant offers great Pinoy dishes at a reasonable price. It's quite a small place that mostly missed but the ambiance and the experience may not go wrong.

We were there for breakfast. The mall just opened so the place is not that crowded compared with the number in the evening.

Got a great spot and 3 more tables are occupied. The upper loft is reserved for a number of guest coming.

Though Sinigang sa watermelon is a suggested must try, we deviate to a different dish. The crunchy sizzling sisig. Though this sisig misses a drop of egg and a mayo. 

Another is the Bone marrow Kansi and sweetcorn and added to that is the University rice. This resto does not offer much of a rice meal. Most of their packages were on pulutan and dishes and rice comes in a different order. 

Other must trys are the kare-kare, ensaladang namnam and pata tim.

This cozy place is a must try for people craving for authentic pinoy taste. 

What Cellphones and Internet Failed to Provide History

Baguio. 
One's visit in the Philippines cannot be complete without visiting Baguio. This small city is know for strawberries, vegetables, friendly taxi drivers, ghosts, american-named parks, The Mansion, and cold weather. I, being a Baguio born is proud when people talk about this place.

Recently, the magnet of the place is slowly decreasing. Weather getting hot. Session Road being more commercialized with new buildings and establishments, the place becoming more crowded as the time goes by.

Crowd. People. Tourism
It's how the economy booms. More tourists more fun. Don't get me wrong. Tourists are not stereotyped as the foreigners visiting the place but also Filipinos from different parts of the country. Sad to say though that some landmarks of Baguio, has been continuously abused. 

Recently, a former teacher of mine noticed a "place" that with the most recent technology or gadgets, became "just a building". 

Calling the attention of the NATIONAL HISTORICAL INSTITUTE! Please consider declaring the Baguio Post Office as a HISTORICAL SITE. We will help you with documentations and other historical facts just don't allow the building to be mutilated, remodeled, covered with tenant's stores and rented out for financial gains. Let the people of Baguio preserve, manage and operate it for its historical value. Salasalamat Apo!

Cellphones, VOIP, Internet lessens the use of letters, postcards and stamp usage. Nowadays, the only letter I receive is coming monthly which is the bill for my cellphone usage. 

Below is an open letter to the President of the Republic of the Philippines for the request. 

June 6 2013

Dear Mr. President, By way of introduction, please allow me to start by stating that in Baguio, there used to be two imposing landmarks atop Session Road and one of them is the Baguio Post Office. Today, no one would seem to recognize the once important structure that connected people from different continents. Postal Offices around the world are considered historical monuments because of their significant contribution to the human race bridging people of various creeds and races in all four continents. But, what we have here in Baguio is far from what a global mindset considers as a monument. In the absence of what they used to offer as social telegrams, telegraphic transfer and others that are considered obsolete, perhaps the place can be put to good use as a communication show room that features postal services, stamp and telegraph exhibits, letters from notable personalities etc. including displays of media paraphernalia and the likes. Let me further emphasize that non performing government assets such as postal offices need not have to resort to commercialization or space rental in order to keep the facility maintained. Rather, it can be put to use and one alternative is to convert it into a public museum. Postmen used to say that they always ring twice but this time as a letter sender, I am ringing your bell to submit a proposal converting Baguio's dilapidated and non functioning postal office building into a world class Philippine Postal Museum to which I am offering my services for free. Please view the attached photos and slides for the proposal that I am respectfully submitting for your consideration. Thank you very much and I hope to receive a positive feedback on this. Very truly yours, JOEL ARTHUR P. TIBALDO Multi-media Artist and Curator of the Media NewseumBaguio CityMobile 09178458534

Now, here are some snapshots of what The Baguio Post Office have become. It contains restaurants, a beerhouse and some tiange. I believe, this is a public property. 

Seeing the landmark being misused, a friend of mine, my former teacher, Art Tibaldo would like to propose to turn this historic landmark to a Museum, A Philippine Postal Museum in Baguio. That would be great isn't it? One more thing, he's offering his services for free. 
Lets see what he has to say and hopefully, this proposal will have the voice of the people. 

"There used to be two imposing landmarks atop Session Road and one of them is the Baguio Post Office. Today, no one would seem to recognize the once important structure that connected people from different continents. This photo album shows just a glimpse of what many believe is a monument and symbol of human understanding and communication.
Postal Offices around the world are considered historical monuments because of their significant contribution to the human race bridging people of various creeds and races in all four continents. But, what we have here in Baguio is far from what a global mindset considers as a monument.
In the absence of what they used to offer as social telegrams, telegraphic transfer and others that are considered obsolete, perhaps the place can be put to good use as a communication show room that features postal services, stamp and telegraph exhibits, letters from notable personalities etc. including displays of media paraphernalia and the likes." -Art Tibaldo

"Prior to emails, cellphones and Skype, we relied heavily on hand-written letters as the primary means of communication with our Dad overseas. The Baguio Post Office was the bridge that connected our family across all those miles -- carrying messages of love and hope, allowing us to swap stories and remain close despite the physical distance between us." Kristel G. Sanchez

Art Tibaldo has collections of the past. I was in my second grade during the earthquake. I remember clearly what I was doing that time. Couple of years later, Mt. Pinatubo erupted.  I still was in my elementary years. Though he amazingly captured history in his own way. 

I SUPPORT THE 
BAGUIO POST OFFICE 

TO BE CONVERTED TO 

BAGUIO'S POSTAL MUSEUM.

To know more about Art Tibaldo, visit his facebook page: Art Tibaldo Newseum and let's support this proposal to keep hold of our own history and for the generation to look forward to. 
This proposal is where history won't be owned by the internet but rather owned by a heritage and its people.