NINE

Just got home from seeing this film.... been waiting for NINE with bated breath ever since I so the first PREVIEWS a few months back.... what a cast and helmed by the same director of CHICAGO -- so right away one has HIGH HOPES... not to mention, the fact that I had seen the play many years ago with Mr Antonio Banderas in it and loved it... so am a bit familiar with the songs....

okay, i think you all know where am going with this one... Yes, I was a bit disappointed.... not that it is BAD... it was NOT... actually the production numbers are pretty good... the actors - every single one of them did well with their parts and musical numbers.... most exceptional for me is Penelope Cruz... I did not even know she could dance and sing -- another well deserved Oscar Nomination,as her part was much more developed and explored -- and she did it all oh-so-seductively!.... Fergie in her little role still stood out... truly a belter!!! and Kate Hudson's number was KICKY FUN... was also a TREAT to see Sophia Loren up in the big screen.... and what can one say about Daniel Day Lewis and Dame Judi Dench - they are actors ALL THE WAY!!!

Having Nicole Kidman as the director's muse could not have been any more RIGHT on... she is as luminous as ever..... SADLY, and this is one of the biggest DISAPPOINTED for me, her song was cut up by intertwining it with dialogues -- which is a bit annoying through most of the musical numbers.... unlike CHICAGO, one does not get to witness the musical numbers as they should have been - to the fullest... most especially, Nicole's lament to a love that never saw its fruition number... a wonderful, subtle, and emotional ballad - and actually my FAVE song from the musical... by cutting back & forth between the song and the dialogues - it lost it's EMOTIONAL IMPACT....

So, though it was entertaining to see the wonderful cast in the musical... see beautiful parts of Italy.... and see another Broadway Musical get a movie treatment - am afraid the movie, as a whole just did not do it for me... Still, it is always GREAT to see Musical Numbers in the big screen as they are meant to be seen... afterwards, just go on YOU TUBE and watch & enjoy each of the numbers, in full, again and again...

They are all ADULTS NOW!!!

This year marks my two nieces', Ameera & Nicole, adulthood - as this month, both of them turns 18!!! and at the same time my nephew Ace turns 23.... Really how time flies.... (PHOTO TAKEN FEB 2010 DURING AMEERA'S BDAY DINNER.)

Sadly, this year I also missed out on their BDAY celebrations... with everything else going on: scheduling, family dramas, etc - it was just not for me to attend and join in their festivities... but I might not have been there physically - I hope they know that I am there mentally and emotionally....(photo taken DEC 2007 - one of my most FAVE memories with you guys!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you three!!! Always, Your Tito

BEAUTIFUL

There is nothing ugly; I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object be what it may -- light, shade, and perspective will always make it beautiful.
-John Constable

From Michelle With Love...

Everyday is like XMAS day especially when one is SURPRISED with a package of goodies!!! Okay, it's TRUE that this one is EXPECTED and ANTICIPATED... but none-the-less, still very much an UNEXPECTED SURPRISED!!!

The GOODIES are from the collection of a very good, talented and SUPER SWEET friend, Michelle... and what a collection it is - older Be@rbricks & Qee vinyl toys... and most of them I had not even seen in person at all... just photos on the net.... so I cannot even describe the elation I felt upon taking each and everyone out of their individual packaging....

Right away the Be@rbricks ( http://baxter-ramblings.blogspot.com/search/label/bearbrick) were placed in their respective display collection cases (Photo Below)... and the Qees will be finding their own display cases soon, too!!! MANY THANKS and LOVE AGAIN, Michelle!!!

PHOTOS OF THE GOODIES HERE

IMMA BE ROCKING THAT BODY

...and since we are on the topic of Black Eyed Peas, here's their very latest KICK ASS video - complete with TRANSFORMERS like robots rockin their bodies.... and speaking of bodies, check out Fergie looking very SEXI once again.... gone are all the POUNDS gained for her role in the movie, NINE!

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This MUSIC VIDEO is a TOTAL WINNER... now if only they got me in my TRANSFORMER outfit to be in it... that would have been a DREAM COME TRUE!!!

BLack Eyes Peas X tokidoki

I remember seeing this photo of FERGIE a couple of years back, sporting a tokidoki tee, as she enters her recording studio.... I remember feeling HAPPY & PROUD, as one one of my MOST FAVE artist is wearing one of my FAVE designer's tee... oh what little PLEASURE we get knowing we are not the only ones GA GA over something... and to see a favorite celebrity as well, added extra pleasure....

Now I see that the newest Black Eyed Peas Concert Tees are designed none other than mr tokidoki himself, Simone Legno... and what cool tees they are... I hear they can only be purchased by attending one of the concerts - to that I say, come to TAIWAN (or MANILA) and do a CONCERT PLZ!!! and don't forget to bring the tees.....

ACTUAL TEE LOGO - available in different tee colors. Now am wishing a FERGIE vinyl toy will be produced, much like the Karl Langerfeld one!!!

Kirsten Dunst turns Japanese....

in a collaboration Music Video by Takashi Murakami & McG (famed director of Charlie's ANgels & Mission Impossible III)... Kirsten is dressed as a “Akihabara Majokko Princess” -- and she dances, prances, sings all over Tokyo's infamous ELECTRIC CITY, Akihabara. FUN VID and it is GREAT to see KIRSTEN again in something!!!

Hurried Trip Part II - LAOAG

Part II of III parts, first part VIGAN, you can see here:

HURRIED TRIP PART I-VIGAN

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Just as the sun was shining in Vigan, we decided to escape the heat by journeying on to province of Laoag... Fist was an hour and a half's bus ride to the city of BATAC to view the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE PAOAY CHURCH.... just as beautiful, even more so, in person as I have seen it in photos.... the outside... the interior... there are signs of neglect here and there - which is a crying shame - still it was beautiful for the most part.....

Then it was another hour's jeepney ride to the city center, LAOAG CITY.... of course, the first thing we did was go for food.... BAGNET (not too good where we had it!) and the EMPANADA (made freshly for us!!!)... two of the most famous local delicacies.... then time to escape the afternoon sun and check in the hotel,... this was going to be our based camp for the nite as there is a DANCE FESTIVAL to see later in the afternoon...

After finding just the right place to camp for the nite, the first order of biz was to SHOWER.... savouring the COLD WATER to shake off the dust, heat of the sun, and the fatuousness of the long rides.... not totally refreshed we all ended up taking a nap but woke up just in time to revel in the Dance Exhibition/Contest - commemorating the region's wonders: farming, hunting, handicrafts, sights & sounds... One after another, we got to enjoy different ethnic dances - with all the performers giving it their all plus dressed in their traditional outfits/costumes... what a TREAT!!!

Then it was on to more treats, the gastronomical kinds.... tasted some more of the town's delicacies... plus the local McDonalds... then walk about the city some more before retiring for the evening.... getting rested as tomorrow is another looong bus ride to our next destination....
COMPLETE PHOTOS HERE

Transformers III - Rudi Style

hahahahaha... just came across this photo edit by a friend of mine a couple of years back... found it as I was cleaning up my photo files...

thought it would be a good LAUGH for all on this HUMP DAY!!!

IF ONLY I COULD REALLY TRANSFORM... HMMMMM....

we are the world : you tube-ers style....

another video that caught my fancy this week is this version of We Are The World - broguht to us by lisalavie1, and it is a collaboration with so many of the talented undiscovered YOU TUBE STAR SINGERS...

Made as a FUNDRAISER to help HAITIAN VICTIMS - just a GREAT way to help a GREAT CAUSE... Visit the official "We Are The World" foundation and do what you can to help.

Finally: A New Justin Timberlake Song

well, it is actually a TIMBALAND tune but JT is featured all throughout... nice and catchy.... just wish Justin Timberlake would come out with a new album already....

..and of course, he is the spokesperson for the new Givenchy Cologne, PLAY... here's the making of the advert...

monday blues???

NO MONDAY BLUES HERE!!! Just work, work, and more work... plus dreaming of the BEAUTIFUL BLUE LIGHTS @ KAOHSIUNG's LOVE RIVER!!!

always the dancing fool...

More Chinese NY Happenings:

The 2nd Day of the New Year, Xiao Pang even came to Kaohsiung with his parents for a couple of days of fun.... right away he took a liking to the dogs, Lala & Ah Bao - so it was NON STOP FUN seeing him play with them... running around after them was tiring but indeed, fun....

Later on, after lunch, we all walked over the Cultural Center - a 15 minute walk - as they always have loads of fun stuff going on for the Chinese New Year... and just in time, as Taiwan's Aboriginal Dance Troupe had an hour show happening.... dances from the different aboriginal tribes of Taiwan was represented, plus a take on NOBODY & SORRY, SORRY (Korean POP songs)... and lo and behold, they had a DANCE CONTEST part where they took people from the audience to participate... Of course, the entire Wu Clan practically pushed me up the stage - hahahahahaha - and I suddenly I found myself up there, being interviewed & following the dance steps to one of Taiwan's "Tai Ke" dances, as it was instructed right on the spot... Never too shy to dance my ass off, I just went for it and danced away.... at the end of the 5 minute (seems like forever) routine - the audiences had to VOTE who did the BEST... I was rooting for the little boy next to me - but oh well, I WAS THE ONE!!!
you can just IMAGINE how red my face was at this point... and then after a few more Q&A, I was giver my HONG BAO (red envelope) Prize... in it was a bunch of COUPONS to be used at the Fair... I almost handed it over to the boy next to me but then I remembered XIAO PANG was with us - so instead I gave it all to him, HAPPILY!!!

Later on, they troupe did another roundup of people in the audience to dance a typical aboriginal "get-together" dance... and of course, I was the FIRST RECRUIT again!!! Oh well.... this time around I made sure I was not the only victim, I dragged Jason to join in on the fun... it was a FUN TIME had by all - and now and again, I really do not mind making a fool of myself for my friends & family's entertainment...

MORE PHOTOS HERE

New Addiction: The Tudors

The last few weeks, we have been totally addicted and enthralled by SHOWTIME's The Tudors... so addicted that we have seen all 3 SEASONS on DVD at least twice!!! So much to take in, so much history and dialogue... so much so that we even find ourselves GOOGLING for more INFO and reading in the BOOKSHOPS anything and everything else we can to CONFIRM who is who and how close to history the show is... which is to say, pretty close... AND MORE!!!

The more part comes from the dramatization of course of the actual stories of the lives and loves of King Henry VIII - and everyone else in his court, in his times... one look at the promotional ads/posters from this SHOWTIME series and you will see that the series has so much added SEX APPEAL - from the actors to the actual scenes... playing the King with so much GUSTO is Jonathan Rhys Meyers - a fave actor of mine from Mission Impossible III, MATCH POINT, August Rush and HUGO BOSS & ENERGIE Ads... one cannot help but be hypnotized by his piercing eyes and acting chops... and the rest of the cast is OUTSTANDING... lots of GREAT ACTORS have come and gone on the show: Sam Neil, Peter OToole, Max Von Sydow, Jeremy Northam, to name a few... and also worth mentioning are Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn (shines throughout Season 2) & HOTTIE Henry Cavill as Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk (Series Regular since Season 1)...

...just wanted to post something nice...

...before going to bed....makes me forget the rain still pouring outside...

...what makes me SAD....

over the Chinese New Year holidays, down south with The Wus, I stumbled upon a few of these completed Premium Program booklets, all ready to be redeemed from Family Mart & 7-11... I should be HAPPY right? But am not - for these have all EXPIRED!!! Such a WASTE as it is not even easy to accumulate the stickers to begin with... OH WELL... guess, unless you are like me all GA GA for the Premium Toys, such things will not really matter.... oh well...

...still raining....

Friday, with the Chinese NY holiday still in effect (banks and post offices still closed); and the rain not letting up one bit - we have been stuck indoors for the most part... even bundled up, it is quite freezing to be out... we have been basically just watching DVDs and reading a lot.... the WI FI connection is in and out so NET SURFING is limited... not much motivation to go work out, even with the GYMs just opening now... too cold to swim... and cannot run by the river as it is just too wet and muddy the last two days... one, especially someone like me, could go batty...

So I try to stay sane by taking little walks now and again.... even just around, just to get out.... today though, we ventured out a bit... took the MRT to MIRAMAR and walked around the mall... lots of people out and about, all bundled up, all freezing... but it was nice to see happy, smiley people all around...

and we were able to treat ourselves into catching a film... with not much playing now (as am still waiting for NINE, UP IN THE AIR and a few others to come out) we went and saw "I Love You Phillip Morris" - not knowing a thing about it as I really did not hear much about the making of it... but from the POSTER alone one can gather that it is of the GAY nature -- but I still was not convinced as I could not imagine Ewan McGregor and Jim Carrey playing homosexuals, much more lovers!!! But that they did and did it SURPRISINGLY WELL!!! Don't want to talk much about the movie as I feel it is best to see it if you know nothing at all about it... just be surprisingly entertained... it was well worth braving the cold rainy weather for...

At the end of the film, I found out that it was a TRUE STORY and it boggles my mind more how Jim Carrey's character got away with what he did... so now, I have to write to a few friends in TEXAS and confirm it all...

Kewpie Kuties!!!

Family Mart, for the Chinese Lunar New Year unveiled their latest Premium Program - and it is oozing with so much cuteness...

Above Photo: 2 Special ones Lion & Tiger

This time around, Sonny Angel's Kewpies are used for their Premium Program - a total of 8 different Sonny Angel Kewpies are offered dressed as various fruits and other Chinese items like a mahjong piece, a veggie and a fish. 2 SPECIAL ONES to welcome the Year of the Tiger are also issued.

PHOTO Left to RightThe 8 Messengers bringing Good Luck in the Year of the Tiger : Pineapple, Turnip, Orange, Apple, Mahjong, Firecracker, Fish, Chinese Cake

The way the program works is that, for every 40NT$ spent at Family Mart, one gets a sticker... a total of 20 stickers entitles one to redeem one Kewpie blind box - so you do not know which one you will get...

So hurry on down to your nearest Family Mart (if in Taiwan) and start your Kewpie Cutie Madness collecting fun... The Program runs till March 22nd....

INTERACTIVE LINK For Family Mart X Sonny Angel

Chinese NY II - Temple Hopping

The first day of the New Year according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar was spent mostly visiting various temples all around Kaohsiung - Wu mama and Wu Papa's most favourite past times.. hoping and praying for Good Fortunes and Great Health...

Of Course it was not all about PRAYING, we also got to spent some time just wandering about Kaohsiung's sites... a walk by the LOVE RIVER HARBOUR is especially beautiful at nite, with all the revelers, music blasting, and so much lights adorning and lighting up the area....

MORE PHOTOS HERE

Happy Chinese New Year 2010

Just wanted to wish you all a HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR in your parts of the world... according to some friends who knows a thing or two about Chinese Horoscopes, this new year is supposed to be a better one for all - economically and all... here's hoping the Year of the Tiger will be a BLESSED one for us all... full of Love, Great Health & Good Fortune...

In Kaohsiung now, spending the New Year with The Wus - a yearly TRADITION when am in Taiwan... of course the first day is spent hanging out with the family, meeting the new doggie (AH-BAO - who is now able to walk!); playing with Lala, doing the Chinese NY ritual of offering food to the Gods, praying, and EATING, EATING, EATING!!!

After dinner, the nite was spent on Wu Papa's PRIDE & JOY - the roof top - playing Chinese Checkers, watching the variety shows, and EATING some more!!! We try to last the nite through, till at least 12AM to properly welcome the New Year according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar.
MORE PHOTOS HERE

HURRIED TRIP Part I - Vigan

David came to Manila for a few days, while I was there - so we (along with my nephew Ace) decided to take a road trip up North... Vigan, LAOAG, & Baguio - places I have been wanting to go to for quite some time now.... with LIMITED TIME - we managed to hit all three places in just 2 days.... long bus rides & way too little time in each places , of course, but was worth every PAIN endured on those long bus rides....

Wed nite we caught a bus ride to VIGAN.... the bus was pleasant enough... DELUXE so air coned and nice size seats.... the road was not bad and hardly any traffic as it was overnite.... not during WORK or RUSH HRS....

Got to VIGAN at 5AM.... quaint little town with all the SPANISH INFLUENCED relics (restored old homes, beautiful cathedral, cobbled stones, horse drawn carriages, etc..) all concentrated in a little area.... the people were warm - all smiling and friendly.... at 5AM, many people were out and about exercising.... it helps a lot that the weather was just beautiful and the air, FRESH!!!

We only got to spend 5 hrs in the town... the bus ride (8 HRS!) was longer... but am sooo HAPPY I FINALLY got to see this town of VIGAN... and cannot wait to go back again to take in the place and its wonders at a much slower pace....

COMPLE PHOTOS CLICK HERE PLS

Cooler Than Cool

COACH POPPY X Sony Ericsson

just SPOTTED this morning on the side of the bus... a new AD hawking the COACH POPPY cel phone from Sony Ericsson.... looks kinda cute with the cartoon graphicsdon't know much else about it but the character in the design reminds me of a RUSSIAN cartoon character, Cheburashka, from the 60's that was revived in JAPAN a few years back...

RANDOMNESS

Sometimes it takes a while to sink in but it does... eventually...

Like learning that being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It may mean that one has decided to look beyond the imperfections.

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Cowboys & Angels

still one of my all time FAVE George Michael songs.... not even sure if there really as an MTV VIDEO made for this one... this is one of those put together ones I got off YOU TUBE...

just thought this would be a GREAT SONG to start this month of LOVE with....