Milk: The Movie

This DOCU-DRAMA of a film totally hits all the right nerves... one need not be a HOMOSEXUAL in order to appreciate, honour & celebrate what Harvey Milk, his co-horts, and the Gays of the 70's did for the community and for civil rights of Gays and other minorities.

It is so hard to even fathom how the Gays, pre 70's, had to deal with all the harassment not just from the bigots and simple minded people of the world... but to deal with being persecuted by the powers that be, too. As depicted in the movie -- so real, and sooo affecting. And the saddest thing is that, though GAYNESS, has been accepted and even embraced in some parts of the world, there are still countries where being GAY does not stand give you any rights whatsoever... in fact, it is BEST to HIDE this fact - so as to be able stay alive.

Director Gus Van Sant, a fave of mine since My Own Private Idaho, brought out superb acting from such a talented cast headed by Sean Penn... as always, Mr Penn embodied the character he was playing... throughout the duration of the movie, I did not see Sean Penn, I saw Harvey Milk. The supporting casts could not have been right on... James Franco (just the right amount of manliness and gayness in one dreamy package), Emile Hirsch (too funny seeing SPEED RACER act soooo naturally girly!), DIEGO LUNA (fiercely mental queen)... and so many more....

A SPLENDID FILM!!! Totally recommended seeing, or watching again, this film and what perfect timing as GAY PRIDE MONTH is coming up... will give you much more causes to CELEBRATE GAY PRIDE.NOTE: It was an added BONUS that the movie took place in San Francisco... so WONDERFUL to see parts of my beautiful city by the bay....

Gary V X 3

It AMAZES me that it has been 25 years (and counting) that I have been a BIG FAN of the very talented, Mr Gary Valenciano!!! He is one of the very first PINOY ARTIST I ever really liked!! As we all know, artists come and go... our tastes changes, as we grow older... but am very HAPPY to say that my admiration for Gary and his beautiful voice has never waned....

First discovered him back in the late 80's ... growing up in San Francisco, Calif... "Di Na Natuto" I heard playing from a friend's car and it was an instant LOVE for the artist and the song.... had to go to Daly City and get my own copy of the CD right away.... THANK GOD for the big Filipino Community in that part of the BAY AREA - there were shops that carried his CDs... From then on I was hooked... each and every album I had to get -- either purchased on my own or sent to me by friends and family from Manila....

"Sana Maulit Muli" hits close to home with me --as it was the song dedicated to me by a former love one. A Love Lost but nevertheless, still felt. ..and my third most FAVE by Mr V is, "Ikaw Lamang" -- this was chosen by the family to be played/sung (twice in fact!) during my Dad's funeral back in 2006... so it is very close to my heart.

Certainly the list of FAVES does not stop there.... each and everyone of his songs recorded has been overplayed by me -- and will continue to be played on for many more years to come....

Of course, the admiration runs much more deeper -- not only is his voice one of the BEST I have ever heard... his music has also been such an inspiration -- each and everyone of them.... and to read more about him: his devotion to his craft, his family & love ones, and of course, to GOD - is simply INSPIRATIONAL...

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

LINKS of Interests:
-Gary V. Live @ 25
Am so SAD I will nto be able to attend this concert celebrating his 25 years in the BIZ... here's hoping the a DVD of it will come out! Not to mention a LIVE RECORDING CD!
-Official Website
-Gary in Wikipedia
-Gary on IMDB

tokidoki in San Francisco!!!!

Yep, Simone Legno, creator of one of my OBSESSIONS, tokidoki, makes an appearance in the Bay Area on the 15th of November, 2008. It will be held at Macy's in Union Square....

Haaays, wish I could be there & attend!!! I MISS MY HOMETOWN!!!

Ghosts of Halloween Pasts!!!!

Was reorganizing photo albums on a quiet nite, here, alone in the Manila Condo... and I came across these photos from one of my FAVE, and one of the last Halloween's I celebrated in The US! Circa late 90's... Out and about with a few friends @ the Annual Castro Street Halloween Fair.
Steven Thai & I - a very good friend, Gary Miller, custom made this MATADOR costume for me... Was inspired to live out this fantasy after seeing the Almodovar Film Matador & Madonna's Take A Bow Music video.
The backside of the costume... very intricately designed... and yes, that's BAXTER on the left hand corner... must be admiring the costume, too!!
and my dear old friend, Judy, who I missed terribly, went as The Addams Family's Wednesday.... with headless doll to boot....