The Avengers and my bestie

I finally checked out the Avengers movie. Co-workers have been talking about it for days and made me feel like I'd be missing this huge cultural event if I didn't watch. So I dragged my cousin/best friend Rose away from her gorgeous 10-week old daughter Athena to watch the movie with me.

 I know, I'm a heartless godmother for doing that, but I just missed catching up with her the past few months. We hardly saw each other since I was busy with work and traveling (Singapore, Malaysia, CamSur, Albay. Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte within a month, crazy!) and she was busy lactating. ;)

This day was just a relief for both of us, ranting and raving about our situations. Sharing her joy at being a new mom, while I shared my disgust and disappointment at someone who wouldn't pay back a loan. It's just like old times. I'm thankful for the four hours we got to share a good conversation over pizza , pasta and a good movie.

The Avengers is a very good action film, with all the explosions, special effects and hot guys we've come to expect from summer blockbusters. Oh Captain America, marry me! But my absolute favorite is Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, she totally kicked butt. It's also very funny in parts--I loved the various interactions between the superheroes--even Loki rocked it.

Now I know why it's breaking box office records in the Philippines. It currently has the record for biggest opening and is on track to be the biggest grossing movie ever in the country. It's so good, it made me forget for a bit that friend who owes me money, who's currently ignoring my calls and texts. Thanks, The Avengers and Joss Whedon for that!

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The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and drooling...

Team Edward... err... Jacob!

I finally watched The Twilight Saga: Eclipse last weekend when I got together with my cousin and her girls. I haven't paid much attention to the brouhaha about the Twilight series though I've read all of the books... I liked it well enough, I just thought Bella could have been more assertive and kick-ass, but whatever.

Pia, En and Marivic

This movie was action-packed and quite funny in places, so I was a happy camper. And I have to admit, that Jacob (Taylor Lautner) boy's abs was unreal! Talk about drool-worthy... looking at him makes you wonder what's wrong with Bella picking Edward over him. :)

move over, Bella...

I couldn't help but tease (and pinch!) En because she's absolutely on "Team Jacob" and man, he was almost always shirtless the whole movie. There were even girls who chose to sit on the theater aisles to get a better look at his undeniable hotness. Gosh, the squealing from the girls had my ears ringing... but it was really fun watching the Twihards thoroughly enjoy themselves.

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Toy Story 3 was amazing!

utter perfection...

If you haven't watched Toy Story 3 yet, I suggest you get off your butt right now, go to the nearest mall and watch it. It was such an amazing treat to see the last installment of the computer-animated feature that started it all.

The first Toy Story made me a Pixar fangirl--that if there's a Pixar movie opening in cinemas, I'm one of the first in line to watch. And they have not disappointed me once... they know how to tell great stories (Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Up). Those Pixar guys are geniuses.

Watching Toy Story 3 just made me reconnect with Woody, Buzz, Jessie and Co. in a huge way. I laughed my head off, felt horror when they were in danger, and had to try really hard not to bawl at the end. Boy, I never knew saying goodbye to characters you cared about when you were young, could be so tough.

I've never been a crybaby to begin with, but the lump in my throat got so huge, it was embarrassing. Only the presence of my cousin Rose yelling at the screen when she thought Woody and the gang were goners, made me feel better about my uncharacteristic show of emotion. I realized I'm not alone in caring about these animated pieces of plastic (I noticed the crowd were yelling and emoting right along with us too).

So there we were--adults so incredibly sucked in by Pixar's technical and story-telling wizardry--trying to be strong and brave, LOL. It was a fitting send-off, with laughter and sadness in equal measure. Couldn't have wished for a better ending. Now, go watch it to see for yourself.

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Charice is joining the cast of Glee!

add Charice here

Charice is confirmed to be on Glee next season. I'm a Gleek so this is pretty exciting. I'm so happy for Charice--she's come a long, long way from her impoverished, small-town amateur singing days.

I bet her fool of a father who abandoned her when she was young--he did not even want her to use the surname "Pempengco" professionally (never mind that she has a right to it by birth, what a heartless jerk!) so she opted to use just "Charice" instead to shut him up--is kicking himself right now.

All that Hollywood money coming in and he can't do anything but drool... tsk, tsk! He's an idiot for not realizing what a treasure he had in his daughter. If only he'd been a good father to Charice and her brother. Sayang 'no? Success truly is the best revenge especially in this case.



Update: Charice's excellent rendition of "Lupang Hinirang" at the Aquino inauguration:



Update 2: Oh no. Botox at 18?



Update 3: Charice's estranged dad murdered.

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About Miley Cyrus' kiss stunt...

not cool

"Hannah Montana is gross!", spat my horrified 9-year-old goddaughter and avid "Hannah Montana" fan Lizzie after watching Miley Cyrus' performance of her new single on "Britain's Got Talent". Lizzie could not yet separate Miley from Hannah so her shock was understandable.

Stunts like this fake lesbian kiss has become a rite of passage for child stars (hello, Britney and Christina) trying to make the leap into adulthood. I happen to think Miley Cyrus is talented enough that she doesn't need to do this...

I know she's growing up and is eager to leave her wholesome G-rated Hannah Montana character behind but I hope she doesn't go too far too fast. No matter how "edgy" she wants her new grown-up image to be--fact is, she still has impressionable little fans who get confused and weirded out by simulated girl-on-girl action from their favorite Disney Channel star.

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About Kris Aquino's despedida

effective ang bru...

 You have to hand it to Kris Aquino, everything she says get blown out of  proportion. Kris had said in an interview a few weeks ago that she was willing to move abroad if she would just be a cause of stress for her brother if he's elected... and since Noynoy is expected to be proclaimed president any day now, some people are having online despedida parties to hurry her along.

Having fun at Kris' expense has become a national past time... I think many will have withdrawal symptoms if there's no more Kris Aquino to laugh at or cry with. She's a guilty pleasure, one blogger even said his traffic will surely suffer if there's no Kris controversy to write about every few weeks... her life is pure entertainment.

So to all those who want Kris Aquino to leave the country, you're in the minority. Mas maraming malulungkot kung umiskyerda nga si Kris 'no? Love her or hate her, she's undeniably a very effective campaigner and endorser, ma-appeal talaga sa masa ang lola. She certainly knows how to get and keep our attention... and now that her brother's on his way to Malacañang, expect more fireworks!

Update: "Bakit ako papatol sa mga talunan na bitter ngayon?" LOL.
               Noynoy Aquino reacts. 

Update 2: Kris to leave "The Buzz" and "SNN". Permanently?
Update 3: Nice Inquirer interview with Kris post-election. 

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Willie Revillame = whiny baby

big bully

Willie Revillame is at it again... this time threatening to resign from his noontime show "Wowowee" if the management of ABS-CBN don't fire showbiz reporter Jobert Sucaldito who he thinks is out to get him. I understand that criticism is always tough to swallow, but I don't think it's wise for Willie to throw his weight around like this, it just makes him look like a bully.

I don't get how someone who's been in showbiz for decades could still be so sensitive about what others say about him or his show... you're being paid millions Willie, and in this economy it's probably not prudent to act like your bosses--who picked you up from has-beendom--owe you anything.

Yeah sure, "Wowowee" is making a lot of money for ABS-CBN but I think its success owes more to its prize-giving, girls-jiggling format than its thin-skinned arrogant host. So Willie Revillame, resign already or shut your pie-hole!

hat tip @myfingerstyping


the whole rant:


Update: Willie goes on "indefinite leave".



Update 2: Willie asks ABS-CBN's management to release him from his contract.
Update 3: Better "Wowowee" ratings with Robin Padilla at the helm.
Update 4: "Indefinite break" for Willie.
Update 5: Wowowee canceled. Replaced by Kris Aquino and Robin Padilla's "Pilipinas for the Win".

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Meet Sandra Bullock's new guy

Sandra Bullock's new adopted son Louis Bardo Bullock looks so precious (and fierce!). She also finally filed for divorce from her lying, cheating jerk of a husband, Jesse "Sandy is the love of my life" James. Good for her, I hope she eventually find someone great who won't cheat on her...

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New Twilight Saga Eclipse trailer

A new trailer for Eclipse has been released. It looks really good (the werewolves still look fake, though). I've read all the Twilight books... and I'm currently listening to the audio books that my Twihard  friend Wacks lent me--it's making me appreciate the series more. I still think the Harry Potter  books are better but I can see now why there are Twihards like Wacks.

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What happened to Whitney Houston?

come back, Whitney

Is "The Voice" gone forever? I feel so sad watching videos of Whitney Houston's recent concert performances. She sounded so hoarse and out of breath--just miles away from the singer I've loved since childhood--what did she do to her voice? Was it the drugs and the years of hard living? So terrible to see one of the greatest voices ever heard in pop music reduced to this.

Update: Whitney Houston Addresses Voice Problems At London Show 

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Ricky Martin is gay...

My friend H is in mourning today. She's had a crush on Ricky Martin since elementary school and no matter how often we tried to tell her our gaydar was totally telling us he's gay... she wouldn't hear of it (even after the Barbara Walters interview) and would threaten us with annihilation for daring to sully the reputation of her "future husband" and "one and only love".

So this overdue admission from Mr. "Livin' La Vida Loca" is such a blow to her. I'm trying very hard not to be the insufferable friend and tell her "I told you so". But you know what, he may be gay... but he sure is still hot!

from the Daily Mail:

Pop heartthrob Ricky Martin has announced he is gay to end years of speculation about his sexuality. The Livin' La Vida Loca singer posted on his official website: 'I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am.' 

Martin, who had always dodged questions about his sexuality, told fans the birth of his twin sons in August 2008 and writing his memoirs made him decide to come out. The twins were born via a surrogate and at the time no details were given about the birth or the mother.

More here.

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Jesse James = Idiot

compare and contrast 

Another cheater bites the dust. Sandra Bullock's husband apologized for his "poor judgment" after a tattooed chick sold her story to inTouch magazine claiming she had an affair with him while Sandra was busy shooting "The Blind Side". This is insane. What kind of man in his right mind would cheat on Sandra Bullock?

I don't know why men like Jesse James, Tiger Woods etc. risk everything to get freaky with these kind of women--the kind who would try to absolve themselves of any wrongdoing ("I thought he was separated"? give me a break). A woman who sleeps with another woman's husband is pure scum, but a woman who sells her story to the highest bidder is even worse.

My heart goes out to Sandra--just 2 weeks after winning an Oscar--her jerk husband's mistress pulls something like this. What a way to come down to earth... people are saying she's the latest to be struck down by the "Oscar curse" of being unlucky in love after taking home the Oscar.

But what happened here is pretty simple really... Jesse James is just another unfaithful creep who was idiot enough to believe he'd get away with cheating on his gorgeous wife, and ungrateful enough to do this while she's helping him raise his children.

Update: More women come forward. Alleged 4th mistress won't be spilling the beans. Posing as Hitler too?
Update 2: Sandra Bullock files for divorce. Jesse James reacts.

Sandra Bullock with her stepkids
Photograph by: Scan/Getty Images, Canwest News Services

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Gisele Bundchen in Vogue

The new pictures of Gisele Bundchen in Vogue magazine are just unreal... I absolutely love (and hate) this woman! She just gave birth 3 months ago and lookie here, she's got her pre-baby body back. I guess some gals just have all the luck, eh?

7 months pregnant?!

 from her Vogue interview:

"I did kung fu up until two weeks before Benjamin was born, and yoga three days a week. I think a lot of people get pregnant and decide they can turn into garbage disposals. I was mindful about what I ate, and I gained only 30 pounds."

Yeah okay, I'm glad even Gisele Bundchen apparently has to work for a body like that. I feel a lot better. Wait, I think I still have ice cream in the fridge, that should do it. :)

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Sandra Bullock Wins Best (and Worst) Actress

 

"Did I really earn this, or did I just wear you all down?" Sandra Bullock joked when she won the Academy Awards for Best Actress for her role in the "The Blind Side". I loved both the book and the movie, so I'm happy that Sandra won... I've always liked her--I think she has great comedic timing. But most people never really thought of her as Oscar material before this, and it looks like she's honest enough to admit that, which is cool.



She made some kind of record too, because she also won the "Worst Actress" award for "All About Steve" at the Razzies. In typical Sandra Bullock fashion, she gamely accepted the award with good humor. She also starred in the romantic comedy hit "The Proposal" last year, so Razzie or not, she has reason to be magnanimous.

 

Going back to the Oscars, is it just me or was it the most boring Academy Awards telecast ever? I didn't like the overwrought presentation this year... too many boring speeches and I didn't get the dance numbers either. Admittedly, I didn't catch all of it, just the major awards during my lunch break... so it might not be as boring as I thought it was.

Update: Leigh Anne Tuohy on the Oscar win:

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The Blind Side movie is awesome!

I finally watched The Blind Side last weekend and it's better than I thought it would be. I still think literary works lose some of its substance when adapted for the screen--but bookworm that I am, it's not surprising I feel that way.  It's pretty much a faithful adaptation of the book with a few exceptions--Michael Oher and his adoptive sister Collins Tuohy were actually in the same class at Briarcrest Christian School and started college together at Ole Miss-- in the movie Michael went to college ahead of her. The fight with the neighborhood thug didn't happen... it was actually an Ole Miss football teammate named Antonio Turner who Michael smacked around after Turner said crude things about his adoptive mom and sister.

This movie is heart-warming without being too sappy. Sandra Bullock did a great job playing the no-nonsense Leigh Anne Tuohy and she didn't even have to shed one tear here to be effective. She deserves all the accolades she has received for her performance in this movie. Quinton Aaron also did well, I think he captured the hulking, quiet, gentle young man that was Michael Oher as he was described in the book. I was surprised at how good an actor Tim McGraw is as Sean Tuohy. Jae Head as the tough negotiator kid SJ is really cute and provided a lot of laughs too.

I saw this movie with my friends Rose, Aida and Sharon (pictured above) and we all gave it two thumbs up. It's also wonderful that fellow moviegoers stayed until the credits have rolled to look at the video and pictures of the real Michael Oher being drafted in the NFL with his family and tutor by his side. I'm gratified that the adaptation of one of my favorite books turned out this well and people have flocked to the cinemas to see this inspiring story of a young man whose life was changed by the kindness of strangers who became the family he's never had.

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The Blind Side is nominated for a Best Picture Oscar!

I'm so happy to hear that The Blind Side has been nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. Sandra Bullock also scored a Best Actress nod... A well deserved recognition for a movie with a positive message.

I'm trying out this Blog Writer application I downloaded from the Apple store using my iPod touch. I'm curious how this would turn out--will edit this once I get home from work (yes I'm still at work, shhh!).

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There's something about Taylor Swift

This is so predictable. It seems every time Taylor Swift wins some important music award, there are people who immediately question if she deserves it... even Kanye West very rudely interrupted her acceptance speech when she won "Best Female Video" at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Her latest win over the likes of Beyonce and Lady Gaga for Album of the Year at the 2010 Grammys is provoking the same reactions.

I think people should stop whining and lay off Taylor--she's undeniably talented. I've enjoyed listening to both of her albums ( "Taylor Swift" and "Fearless"). She may not be the best singer, but she writes and produces all of her catchy, relatable songs.

Her success and ubiquitous presence in the entertainment industry shows that you could actually get by with talent, charm and hard work--without succumbing to the pitfalls of Hollywood celebrity. I have yet to see her do something stupid like being photographed sans underwear, falling down drunk at parties or getting arrested. And that's a good thing.

***Dateline NBC Taylor Swift clip:

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New Michael Jackson routine from the 'Dancing Inmates' of Cebu

This is pretty cool... too bad this wasn't finished in time to go on the DVD and Blu-Ray discs of This Is It... Sony Pictures released this video on YouTube.

The "Dancing Inmates" from Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), a maximum security prison, were treated to a visit by Michael Jacksons long-time choreographer Travis Payne and dancers Daniel Celebre and Dres Reid to learn performances from THIS IS IT.

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Kris Aquino's Latest Travails

Kris Aquino is embroiled in yet another controversy. This time she confronted a woman who apparently acted too chummy with her husband--basketball star James Yap. The woman's family subsequently informed the media to the effect that "now they know who they will not vote for" because of the incident (Kris' brother Noynoy Aquino is running for President of the Philippines). Kris took to the airwaves to deny she shouted at the woman and pleaded for people not to drag Noynoy into her domestic troubles.

The scandal plagued but good natured Kris Aquino has continuously been in the public eye for more than two decades since her father Ninoy was martyred and her mother Cory became President... she must know by now that everything she does will provoke comment, condemnation and adoration depending on who you ask.

She is well within her rights as a wife to react to what she sees as a threat to her marriage and family. As a public figure and tireless campaigner for her brother though, she should have thought long and hard before she showed up at the house of her husband's overzealous female "fan", even if her intention is not to cause a scene but to just talk to the former about her inappropriate behavior.

When I first heard of this incident, the first thought on my mind was "this could not have waited after the election, huh?" And then I sobered up and remembered that this is Kris Aquino we're talking about here--she's practically indestructible. Filipinos have taken Kris into their hearts that whatever outrageous skirmishes she'd gotten entangled with in the past, she always was able to bounce back even stronger than before.

She had survived so many scandals ( unsuitable men, STDs etc.) quite unbecoming of a daughter of heroic figures but the public though exasperated, has always been forgiving. Of course there are snarky comments but most people usually wish her well. In this latest dust-up there's no doubt in my mind she'll get over this too. She's left her husband temporarily to have some "space for me" and is not yet ready to say her marriage is over. I hope she and her husband patch things up eventually.


*** photos courtesy of Kris' FB

Update: That was fast--Kris confirmed in a statement that she and James are now back together.

Latest Kris issue: Ruffa Gutierrez' "walkout" from "The Buzz". I don't see anything wrong with what Kris said to Ruffa here though. But like everything that involves Kris Aquino, this has become big news.



Annabelle Rama just had to play drama queen again on behalf of her daughter, so the furs flew. I think it's unfair to drag Noynoy's name into this but I guess Kris is so identified with her brother's campaign now, people just couldn't help themselves.



Kris for her part has apologized to Ruffa and Annabelle.  But I can't help but think that Kris has been used in all this to drum up interest on Ruffa's new show on TV5.



Kris to Pacquiao: Unlike you, Noynoy undefeated in polls

“In politics, Noy has won 3 straight terms sa Congress and won almost 15 million votes sa senatorial [race] in 2007." “How sad na he didn't think na in politics, knock out nga s’ya,” 

Kris gives up on James. Marriage over. James still fights, wants an "intact" family.





Update: Kris left for US vacation with her kids, lawyers file for "declaration of nullity of marriage".
             James Yap hopes for a miracle. 

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Sense and Sensitivity

Actress/TV personality Rosanna Roces was recently involved in a controversy when she said mean things about teachers in a talent show ("Showtime") where she was a judge. A big brouhaha ensued and though she apologized, she was still removed from the show. So I don't understand why The Movie and Television Review Classification Board (MTRCB) still suspended "Showtime" for 20 days.

Sure, what Rosanna Roces said was insensitive but she's entitled to her opinion. I think the MTRCB is overreacting. The offending party is not with the show anymore so a "preventive suspension" is ridiculous at this point. I think it's up to the viewing public to decide what they want to watch on TV, not a government body. The government should stay out of silly controversies like this and focus on serious issues.

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