Things I Learned From #KCON6

It's once again the time of year that every K-pop fan in the Philippines have looked forward to. The year-end event where all K-pop fans gather together to celebrate the joys of fandom - the Philippine K-pop Convention or simply KCON, and this year is the 6th.

This is the first year of my K-pop fandom. Around the same time last year, I didn't even think of myself attending a gathering like this. I had always been a fan of K-dramas but I didn't think I'll one day join a bunch of people, mostly teenagers, cheering and shouting my heart out for boys and girls performing on-stage in a language I don't understand. But things like that happen. Because of sudden turn of events (that maybe I'll write about in the near future), I became a K-pop fangirl at age 24. And I guess I'm such a lucky yeoja because on my first K-con, two of the very few groups I follow - SISTAR and GOT7 were confirmed to perform in the KCON concert.

Since this is my first K-con attendance, there were some things I thought I could've done better. So here it goes - the five (5) things I learned from #KCON6:

1. Wag magmadali bumili ng ticket (or magtabi ng pera pang-upgrade in case may mas magandang package).

     A few days after it was announced that SISTAR and GOT7 are in attendance, ticket packages were released:

General Admission - PHP 1000

VIP - PHP 3000

Royalty Package - PHP 10000 (includes photo op and hi-touch with chosen artist)

     I didn't think I was ready then to spend so much for a K-pop concert, but they are my favorite groups so I didn't want a Gen Ad ticket either, so without further ado, right on the day of release, I bought a VIP ticket. But then, 2weeks before the event, the organizers announced that VVIP tickets will be available for PHP 5000 and ticket holders will get a seat right in front of the stage next to Royalty ticket holders. Previously purchased tickets (GenAd and VIP) were upgradeable, but by then, I did not have the money anymore. I tried to console myself that there is not much of a difference between VIP and VVIP, but on the day of the concert, I realized how wrong I was. The VVIP folks decided that it's not enough to be infront of the stage and they all stood on their chairs, so everyone else at the back only saw the LED.

2. If you can afford it, GET A RESERVED SEAT! (because it's fvckn worth it)

     -I didn't think that 10K for the Royalty package was worth it then. It's hi-touch and photo op lang naman. I've read that in Kpop, pag hi-touch, hi-touch lang, walang yakap. Pag photo op, official photo lang, walang selca. But tonight, I learned (the hard way) na kung game ang mga bias mo, rules can be bent. My heart broke in a million pieces as I see fans hugging my bias and others uploading stolen selcas, while telling myself, "You would have been there too if you were not stupid!"

3. If you can't afford a reserved seat, magdala ng monopod (kung gusto mo ng matinong shots).

     -The last time I watched a live concert was 3 years ago. Back then, there were no monopods yet and smartphones were not yet in abundance. Now, recording "fancams" is seemingly becoming a part of enjoying the show. Plus, with the innovation in selca-taking called monopods, you can already record a video on top of everyone's head. That way, if you cannot clearly see the stage from where you stand, at least your phone recorded a pretty good one and you can juat watch it later.

4. Kung hindi ka naman matangkad, pumasok ka ng maaga para nasa unahan ka or else, puro kamay at cameraphone ang makikita mo.

     -As mentioned in the previous item, smartphones and monopods are already part of the experience, so it's almost impossible to see anything from the back unless you are freakin' tall. So if you want to really see the artists on stage and not just stare on the LED, make sure to come in early and occupy the front space (and never ever leave, not even take a pee).

5. Kung mataba at tinatamad magpapayat, wag pumili ng standing ticket.

-Another thing I learned the hard way. KCON lasted for hours and I was standing the whole time. My weight has taken it's toll on my legs and when I went home, they were already numb. So next year, I have to lose weight before KCON7... unless I'm getting a reserved seat.

But as what they always say, despite how difficult it was, first times are always awesome. Our first times in whatever are the moments where we make mistakes amd learn from them. So despite all that, it was an awesome experience.

Thanks to everyone who worked hard to make KCON6 a great experience for a new fan like me. To the organizers Pulp, Happee See, event sponsors, and of course t's once again the time of year that every K-pop fan in the Philippines have looked forward to. The year-end event where all K-pop fans gather together to celebrate the joys of fandom - the Philippine K-pop Convention or simply KCON, and this year is the 6th.

This is the first year of my K-pop fandom. Around the same time last year, I didn't even think of myself attending a gathering like this. I had always been a fan of K-dramas but I didn't think I'll one day join a bunch of people, mostly teenagers, cheering and shouting my heart out for boys and girls performing on-stage in a language I don't understand. But things like that happen. Because of sudden turn of events (that maybe I'll write about in the near future), I became a K-pop fangirl at age 24. And I guess I'm such a lucky yeoja because on my first K-con, two of the very few groups I follow - SISTAR and GOT7 were confirmed to perform in the KCON concert.

Since this is my first K-con attendance, there were some things I though I had done better. So here it goes - the five (5) things I learned from #KCON6:

1. Wag magmadali bumili ng ticket (or magtabi ng pera pang-upgrade in case may mas magandang package).
-A few days after it was announced that SISTAR and GOT7 are in attendance, ticket packages were released.
General Admission - PHP 1000
VIP - PHP 3000
Royalty Package - PHP 10000 (includes photo op and hi-touch with chosen artist)
 I didn't think I was ready then to spend so much for a K-pop concert, but they are my favorite groups so I didn't want a Gen Ad ticket either, so without further ado, right on the day of release, I bought a VIP ticket. But then, 2weeks before the event, the organizers announced that VVIP tickets will be available for PHP 5000 and ticket holders will get a seat right in front of the stage next to Royalty ticket holders. Previously purchased tickets (GenAd and VIP) where upgradeable, but by then, I did not have money anymore. I tried to console myself that there is not much of a difference between VIP and VVIP, but on the day of the concert, I realized how wrong I was. The VVIP folks decided that it's not enough to be infront of the stage and they all stood on their chairs, so everyone else at the back only saw the LED.

2. If you can afford it, GET A RESERVED SEAT! (because it's fvckn worth it)
-I didn't think that 10K for the Royalty package was worth it. It's hi-touch and photo op lang naman. I've read that in Kpop, pag hi-touch, hi-touch lang, walang yakap. Pag photo op, official photo lang, walang selca. But tonight, I learned (the hard way) na kung game ang mga bias mo, rules can be bent. My heart broke in a million pieces as I see fans hugging my bias and others uploading stolen selcas, while telling myself, "You would have been there too if you were not stupid!"

3. If you can't afford a reserved seat, magdala ng monopod (kung gusto mo ng matinong shots).
-The last time I watched a live concert was 3 years ago. Back then, there were no monopods yet and smartphones were not yet in abundance. Now, recording "fancams" is seemingly becoming a part of enjoying the show. Plus, with the innovation in selca-taking called monopods, you can already record a video on top of everyone's head. That way, if you cannot clearly see the stage from where you stand, at least your phone recorded a pretty good one and you can juat watch it later.

4. Kung hindi ka naman matangkad, pumasok ka ng maaga para nasa unahan ka or else, puro kamay at cameraphone ang makikita mo.
-As mentioned in the previous item, smartphones and monopods are already part of the experience, so it's almost impossible to see anything from the back unless you are freakin' tall. So if you want to really see the artists on stage and not just stare on the LED, make sure to come in early and occupy the front space (and never ever leave, not even take a pee).

5. Kung mataba at tinatamad magpapayat, wag pumili ng standing ticket.
-Another thing I learned the hard way. KCON lasted for hours and I was standing the whole time. My weight has taken it's toll on my legs and when I went home, they were already numb. So next year, I have to lose weight before KCON7... unless I'm getting a reserved seat.

But as what they always say, despite how difficult it was, first times are always awesome. Our first times in whatever are the moments where we make mistakes and learn from them. So despite all that, it was an awesome experience.

Thanks to everyone who worked hard to make KCON6 a great experience for a new fan like me. To the organizers: PULP, Happee See, event sponsors, and of course to JYP Nation PH and GOT7PH admins who in a way had made my experience awesome. Looking forward for more awesome events. Fighting!

(c) PKCI for the official KCON6 banner.

Ignorance Can Be Cured, Stupid is Forever

After 3 weeks of being on my bedside table due to my busy schedule, I got to finish reading what is probably one of funniest yet most intelligent book I've read in a long time (the last time was Lord de Veyra's This is A Crazy Planets 2). This book by probably the most popular politician and intellectual in this country, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago was released earlier this month and copies was sold within the day. On the day of the launching, first 100 booknuts got a pre-singed copy and first 200 got a photo op. I artived about an hout after the store opening but I didn't even make the lucky list. The line alone to the cashier was ridiculously long and seeing how many people waited for hours just to get a copy felt really good. My initial reaction seeing many people - young and old alike- crowding the National Bookstore in Trinoma that day was, "May pag-asa pa ang Pilipinas".

The 132-page book is collection of jokes, pick-up lines that we see her deliver on TV and transcripts of some of the Senator's most famous commencement speeches. 

The humor, sarcasm and satire in each page is very heart-warming yet sad at times. Every chapter will make you cringe, laugh, shake your head, and laugh once again. I took it one page at a time and it surely was a wonderful journey. But of course, there is no better feeling that reading the thoughts of the bravest woman I know.

Long live Sen. Miriam!

Why I Can't Excel The Way Others Expect Me To

Today, I feel kinda depressed to the point of writing, and I don't know wether to feel good or bad about. It had been a while since the last time I felt and intense emotion - intense enought to write about it.

I realized that what people don't understand is that a 'will issue' is not just about 'will'. They would always say that as long as you badly want something and you have the will to do it, it will happen. But it's not always the case. At least not for me.

For instance, I so freakin' badly want to be good at MMA, I have the will to do it. I was so freakin' willing to go on training and get bruised and be sore from sparring, but my grip is not strong enough to hold someone to submission, my punch is not strong enough to knock someone out and my kick, no matter how technical is not strong enough to hurt someone. So I can't be an MMA fighter now not because I don't have enough will to be one, but because my physical attributes wont cooperate. I also want to lose weight and stand at 120lbs, I want it badly. I tried every diet you can think about, I ran, went to the gym, did boxing, even starved myself at one point, by I only lose very little weight because after a while I would end up binge eating because I am not used to watching what I eat. I am fat now not because I don't have the will to be skinny, but because my food cravings think losing weight is funny.

But this writing is not about MMA or about losing weight. I have already come to accept that I may just always be an overweight MMA fan who watches UFC on TV shouting at how someone should beat an opponent when even I can't do it. And I have already embraced that part of me.

What bugs me now is the fact that no matter how I want to, I just cant excel at work. I know I am good at something but it is just not enough to be who I want to be. At first I thought it's maybe because I don't want it enough. Maybe if I want it a little bit more then I would end up trying harder and I will eventually make it where I want to be. But I realize it's not that simple. I grow up a happy-go-lucky girl who don't really care so much about things. Growing up, I only wanted simple things, so I got them without trying so hard. I was contented with the little things because I was taught that if you can't have something, you simply let it go. I was never ambitious and I have very simple sources of happiness. I never wanted grand things and even when I wanted to, the moment I realize we can't afford it, I would let it go and go back to what I have. That easy-going, simple attitude had worked great for me in the past 24 years, but it turned out that as you mature, you would want to do things that would require ambition. Goals that would require doing more than what you think you can, or have tried to do. Stuff that would force you to go out of your comfort zone and situations where you have to step on someone's dream to get to yours.

*Now 'Dreaming' by Kim Soo Hyun (from Dream High) is playing the background while tears are flowing down my face. Pwe~*

I had always been asked what seems to be the problem. Why can't I be consistent? Why can't I make it even if I have the ability to do so? I thought really hard for the answer, and I think I know it now. But even if I knew it back then when I was asked the question, I don't think I will ever be able to say it anyway. I am not good at telling people how I feel, especially if I had to go deep unto my emotion. I am so freakin' good at wearing an awesome facade and sometimes even if I want to, I just can't take it off. So now that I was able to finally dig into the issue, I wanted to write it instead. Paper is patient (or in this case, the internet) - it doesn't judge, although those who will read it may. But at least writing it down will avoid premature reactions. By writing, I am able to express everything without interuption.

So getting down to the main business about why I can't excel the way people expect me to be: I think it's the same reason why you can't expect a 10-year-old guard dog to suddenly be nice to strangers (pardon the metaphor). Nurturing a dream takes years, and I had only been working on it for a few months. On the other hand, I am not physically strong because I grew up doing nothing but watching anime and reading books. Unlike technique, physical strength takes years of training and patience, and the same thing goes to mental strength. To be mentally and psychologically strong enough to handle the pressure ofambitions, to learn how to fight the odds and muster the strength to push others out of the way to reach your goal - such things doesn't happen overnight as the phrase goes. I am not used to trying so hard. I am not much of a fighter. But I think it's about time I start being one.

These are not excuses, but rather an understanding of one's self. I believe that you will never be able to fix something unless you know there is something wrong. And now that I think I already know what the hell is wrong with me, I believe this is where the process of my growth starts. Others may think that starting to grow at 24 is a bit too late, but it's better to be late that absent (lol). But outgrowing myself and beating that girl in the mirror is something I can't do alone. I need help and I need others' strength. And I hope that I have people behind me as I fight in this battle.

-xoxo-

PXC 41: The Rise of PH WMMA

November 9, 2011, Saturday is a great day for women MMA fans. Philippine Xtreme Combat (PXC) 41 has now showcased the first WMMA fight in the Philippines. An all-out war between French-American Nathalie Heidel and Filipina Gina Iniong.

For years now, Filipinas had already been fighting in men-dominated sports like boxing, however, women fighters are not getting as much publicity as the men. Probably, this is because the Filipino society still can't shake off the mentality that women are supposed to be sheltered at home and cook the meal.

Anyway what were you doing when you were 21? Partying hard? Crying over a heartbreak? Gina Iniong, a BS Criminology student from Baguio, at 21 is the first Pinay to reign in the Pacific Xtreme Combat (PXC) Terror Dome knocking out Heidel with accurate and explosive punches in the first round. In her post-fight interview, she said it had always been a dream to be the first Filipina fighter in the PXC. Well she had already reached that dream and this girl surely still have a very long way to go.

Photos courtesy of PXC

I remember the time both fighters met in the cage, some middle-aged man commented, "Di naman mukhang tomboy!" (They don't look like tomboys). This only shows that most men in this country still thinks that only men will be interested in such a dangerous sport and the only women who will be brave enough to do it are the lesbians.

I believe that this is the start of the journey of women in this male-dominated sport. Soon, more and more women will come out of their comfort zones and fight in the cage. Gone are the days when Filipinas only stay at home, clean the house and watch the kids. Now is the era where women goes out to the word and fight the battles, being the best possible versions of themselves.

Demi Lovato: A Disney Baby Turned Warrior

DEMI LOVATO. A Disney baby first seen as a Barney kid, a promising performer at a very young age. She started performing at 5 and had no option but to grow up fast. People's high expectations and Hollywood fame got the better of her and with no way out, she started self-mutilating at 11. Then at 17, she got to her senses and brought herself to rehab. Now she is back as a better person, a better artist far from the Disney baby she once was. 

I wasn't a huge fan, but her courage amazed me. At 20, she is now an advocate of Anti-Bullying and is giving inspirational speeches to teenagers who are going through a rough time. While the other Disney teens she grew up with remains to be boys and girls, she is now a strong woman, capable of anything. She is a warrior. 

Her new self-titled album DEMI chronicles her struggles towards recovery and Warrior, along with Skyscraper is my favorite track in the album. Every line and note of the song just touched me to the core. As a person who went through a rough teenage life myself, I can clearly relate to the emotion of every line.

"There's a part of me I can't get back

A little girl grew up too fast

All it took was once, I'll never be the same

Now I'm taking back my life today

Nothing left for you to say

Cause you were never gonna take the blame anyway

Now I'm a warrior, I've got thicker skin

I'm a warrior, I'm stronger than I've ever been

And my armor is made of steel, you can't get in

I'm a warrior, and you can never hurt me again."

"Warrior" by Demi Lovato Lyrics

In an interview, Demi said that she had songs that helped her made it through the rough days. The nostalgia started to kick in. I can clearly see my 17-year old self, going through identity issues, don't know where to go. Then I watched Camp Rock and heard "This is Me" from the soundtrack. "I've always been the kind of girl who hid myself, so afraid to tell the world, what I got to say..." And that became my anthem. It became my turning my turning point. Listening to it repeatedly is what helped me made it through. Telling myself that I don't have to please others. I got to be me, and believing in myself "is the only way".

Demi is a survivor. An epitome of a true warrior.

Charice: The 'Comin Out'

I know every Filipino can still recall how a guesting in The Ellen Show had opened doors for the then 14-year old Charice Pempengco's singing career. And we can still remember everyone's shock when he showed up on TV in 2011 with a boyish hairstyle, a totally different wardrobe and a tattoo. She never said anything about her sexual preference, but this month, on her 21st birthday, she described it as a 'coming out party'.

I was never a Charice fan but her 'coming out' had touched me. In a country like the Philippines where people of the third sex are judged as if they are not as much human as the 'straights', it must have been hard for her to come out and show who she really is. I can only imagine how hard it was for her to be the kind of performer everyone had designed her to be. It must have been hard suppressing your real identity just to please people.

I have a newly-found respect for her. Despite her increasing number of bashers because of her choice of wardrobe and hairstyle, she continues to act and dress the way she likes as if telling her haters, "This is what I'm comfortable with and I don't owe anyone and explanation". If that is what makes her happy, then who are we to judge?

I am an atheist so suffice to say I don't care about the religious bullsh*ts against the third sex. I feel happy when gays and lesbians come out despite the odds and their family and friends accepts them. For me, it means that society has matured. We can't keep on hating them. We cannot keep on denying their existence. If they are here, it means they are ought to be here. Let's embrace them just like everyone else.

"My spirit is made of Titanium. I will not break" -Charice

*Photo courtesy of Bum Tenorio and The Philippine Star.

An open letter to a friend...

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to the other, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one'."

Dear Nhil,

Guess what? I just wrote you a letter! I bet tonight, a night before the start of your journey, your friends had already been writing you letters, sending you cards, flowers and what have you. Well as you know, just like you, I'm better at writing stuff, so I guess this is my sophisticated version of saying "Bon Voyage".

When I heard that you're moving to Hawaii, I thought a lot of stuff to give to you as a "Bon Voyage Token". I thought of getting you a John Green or a David Levithan book or maybe a DVD copy of your favorite movie (not that I'm not aware that you have a copy of 500 Days of Summer on your hard drive that you've watched for the nth time) and recently, I thought of getting you an original copy of Taylor's RED Album. I also thought of making a scrapbook of our photos during training to remind you of the awesome folks you met during your first "real job" (ahem..). But then, I got a little too busy and when I realized the day is near, I became totally broke that even a book on sale at NBS is something I can no longer afford. So it goes without saying that the only awesome thing I can give you is an open letter posted on my blog for every one to see and to know just how great you are to deserve such an effort (char). 

I know I won't be seeing you anymore for the next 3 years, or maybe forever, because after 3 years, you've already became a "super awesome American guy" that you've already forgotten everything about me or your CVG friends. But nonetheless, I wanna say thank you for the short awesome moment we had as friends. You are one of those few people I can have an intelligent conversation with, who never gets bored of my ideas and philosophy. Whenever I finish a new book, I can't wait to go to work and share it with you, because no one else understands how it feels. No one else understands how it feels to be swept of your feet by a wonderful story and hoping you could write something as awesome as that. And you are the only guy I met who likes Taylor Swift. I guess it's because we are both into these true-love cliches.

So I kinda revised Tay's Tim McGraw for you. You can sing it in that tune (just please bear with it, it's inda impromptu.)

"You said your tie doesn't look that nice

and your pimpled face don't match your brushed-up hair

I said, "That's a lie"

You're just a boy in an orange jeans

That had a tendency of getting stuck to your insecurities

And I was right there with you for 3 mos long

Cramming on those exams and mock calls and making it through

Well when you think Taylor Swift

I hope you think my favorite song

Like those stories we've talked about

Like Haze and Gus and Summer and Tom

When you think happiness

Remember the scorecard you've ACEd

All the happy days we've shared

and the new things we've learned

When you think Taylor Swift

I hope you think of me"

There you go. I may be unable to give you a copy of Tay's album but I wrote you a song. And since I was unable to give you a book, I'll send you one. You were wondering about the stuff you got in your email, well that's an eBook of "Let It Snow". I know you could just easily download that since we download stuff on the same site, but it would be more dramatic if I was the one who sent it (o_O).

In behalf of Penguin Wave 54, Bon Voyage mafriend!

Hugs and kisses,

SHIENNA 

-xoxo-

Review: I Saw The Devil (Korean Thriller Movie)

As Asians, we know for a fact that Koreans are superb at dramas and romantic comedies with leads with a boy-band face. I didn't know they are good at thrillers too, not until I got hold of a Blu-Ray of I Saw The Devil starring one of Korea's most promising actors Lee Byung-hun.

I Saw the Devil is a shockingly violent yet amazingly created film. I was never a fan of gore and violent films, let alone K-Pop, but this one is just so surprising. Portraying the role of Soo-hyun, a detective who tracked down his pregnant fiance's murderer and plots an extraordinarily violent revenge, Lee Byung-hun did an amazing job. His acting was amazing. The main antagonist Choi Min-sik, on the other hand, portraying the psycho murderer is just  equally stunning. The scenes where so real that you can actually feel how painful the decapitation is. The entire screenplay is also amazing. The story is so original. It wasn't your usual vengeance film, it was violence with a taste.

Watching this makes me wanna get more of these Korean thrillers.

You guys know any other good ones? Let me know.

Dogs are Love.

Whoever said you cannot buy Happiness forgot little puppies." -Gene Hill

I really love dogs. They are just so cuddly and cute no matter how old they get. In the picture above, I am with Tyra - a one-month old American Cocker Spaniel and Moymoy - a 2-year old Japanese Spitz. Tyra is the youngest of 3 pups and is the most gentle among the three. The other sometimes bullies her inside the cage because she just sits in the corner being the center of all attention. Moymoy on the other hand, despite being aggressive in the sight of strangers, is very sweet with familiar people. He had to be tied inside the house because he tends to temperamental and noisy whenever he sees other people. But whenever someone gets home, he always welcomes us, standing up and wagging his tail waiting for his hug. He is choosy in terms of food and he only eats one kind of meal every day. But the cutest thing about him is his human-like tendency to throw tantrums if he don't get noticed on the onset. Indeed, dogs are men's best friend. If only everyone will love them the way they deserve and if only people could love others just like the dogs does, the world will be a happier place. :)

Review: Fault In Our Stars by John Green

I just finished reading the book. And I am now waiting for the train on my way to work. I decided to right the review right away, so am using my handheld (that's what they call it in the novel, right?). This is because I am such a shitty writer that once I let an idea pass, it gets lost forever.

So where are we? Oh yeah, the review..

It was somehow like "A Walk To Remember" in some ways (I consider the two 'alike but different'). On the first chapter, I was like, "Yeah, protagonists with cancer, a love story on the edge of death. So mainstream. So Nicholas Sparks." But I read it anyway, because I love 'teenager-y' stories. I finished reading it without shedding a single tear, something unusual because I am such a cry-baby over fictional characters dying, that's when I realized that this is not just your typical 'cancer-love-story'.

As readers we have this tendency to think that the emotional "effect" of a novel or work of art depends on how 'emotional' we get, or on how much we cried. I used to think so too, until my dear friend Nhil shared to me his book. I didn't cry while reading it, but it doesn't mean it didn't affect me as much.

Despite the story centered in a tragedy over the lives of two young people, there is an extraordinary humor in this John Green masterpiece. It is sad, yet fun. It is heart-breaking, yet amazing. The reason why I didn't cry is because the story has a positive aura. It focuses on happiness rather than helplessness and fear. The story is very inspiring. For me, it is not just an ordinary love story - it is a story of someone who chose to survive against all odds. A story of surviving against cancer and surviving against the pain of losing your first love.

Moral of the story: Fighting for life, pursuing a dream, loving selflessly, accepting people's flaws. What more can you ask for in a novel?

Two thumbs up!

Netizens' Victory: TRO on Cybercrime Law

October 9, 2012 marks another victory for the Filipino people. The Supreme court had issued a 120 Days Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) for the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175). Looking back, this law, signed by President Aquino on early September and made effective October 3, 2012 had stirred the netizens and ordinary Filipino citizens. The clause on "libel" and other controversial clauses had threatened the Filipino's freedom of expression as mandated in the Bill of Rights.

After days of never-ending rallies of opposition from the Filipinos, the SC finally listened and issued a TRO to hold the implementation of the Cybercrime Law for the next 120 days as it undergoes a review and possible revision.

But despite the TRO on Cybercime Law, the fight is far from over. We will continue to fight for it until the unconstitutional clauses of the said law are totally removed. The Filipino people had fought hard for this freedom, and we cannot let anyone take it from us.

For freedom!

World Teachers Day: A Salute To Teachers!

Today, October 5 is World Teachers Day as declared by UNESCO. Today is the day to give thanks to the real heroes of our nation, heroes who's effort had been left unrecognized after all these time. Teachers who had spent a lot of sleepless nights so that every Filipino can learn to read and write. I know, because I had been raised by one myself. Without a teacher, there are no engineers, doctors and teachers.

This is my tribute to all my previous teachers. You truly deserves every appreciation.


A salute to all the teachers in the world!

*Photo credits - www.unesco.org

Cebu Dancing Inmates: Oppa Gangnam Style!

The world renowned inmates of Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), Philippines also known as Cebu Dancing Inmates had once again presented a spine-chilling dance number. And this time, it's the chart-topping Korean Hit - Psy's Gangnam Style.

"This is indeed the true meaning of rehabilitation", a YouTube subscriber had commented.

Looking back, the Cebu Dancing Inmates rose to popularity when they danced Micheal Jackson's "Thriller" and even became popular internationally and were even visited by American choreographer and featured in number of foreign news segments. They had also danced a number of dance hits such as Single Ladies, Nobody and Party Rock Anthem to name a few.

Indeed a true nation's pride!

Anti-Cybercrime Law Effective Today

Today, October 3, marks the implementation of the Anti-Cybercrime Law also known as Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 or Republic Act 10175. Today, the government had officially stepped upon the Filipino's freedom of speech and expression as mandated in the Bill of Rights. Today, the Filipinos can no longer talk about the idiocy and flaws of our government or any one for that matter. Today and moving forward, our mouths will be shut and all our thoughts and ideas for a better government will only be parked at the back of our heads. And starting today, commenting on the actions of our politicians, whom we had voted ourselves and who claims that we, the citizens are the boss, will officially be a punishable crime just like rape and murder.

The good thing is that lawmakers and other influential and smart people who still got it all together are raising a petition to remove the specific clauses in RA 10175 that are unconstitutional especially the clause on libel that clearly violates Sec.4 of the Bill of Rights.

New Facebook 'Photos' Interface: Overview

So just recently, Facebook rolled out some changes in it's 'Photos' interface. It's a bit confusing at first but once you get used to it, it is actually cooler and more organized than the one before.

We will now have a quick "tour" on the new interface of Facebook Photos. First things first, unlike it's one-tabbed predecessor, the new one have three tabs namely Photos of You, Photos and Albums.

PHOTOS OF YOU - It will show the photos that had been tagged by you or others. In the old interface, these photos appear below the page after the albums.

PHOTOS - It will show ALL the photos you had uploaded from the newest upload to the oldest.

ALBUMS- Will show all the albums that you have. The coolest thing about this interface is that when you point your mouse to each album it will start a slideshow of the photos in that specific album. So you don't have to actually click it. You can just point your mouse and watch the slideshow, unless of course you want a larger view.

Enjoy the new Facebook Photos interface and happy browsing!

Comments are welcome and appreciated!

If this article is helpful to you, don't hesitate to share...

Pope: "Gays aren't fully developed human" | Lady Gaga: "Don't Pay Attention!"

*Contents of this article may be offensive to some. Reader discretion is advised.

Gay people are not fully developed people because they do not obey Catholic laws, says Pope Benedict XVI in response to the French government considering gay marriage.

He also added that, "Marriage and the family are institutions that must be promoted and defended from every possible misrepresentation of their true nature, since whatever is injurious to them is injurious to society itself" and "the family is threatened in many places by a defection of human nature."

In an interview, the most popular defender of gay rights, Lady Gaga had commented against the Pope's statement and said that the gay community should not pay attention to what the pope had said.

She said, "What the pope think of being gay doesn't matter. It doesn't matter to the world. It matters only to those who like and follow the pope."

"And to the gay people out there", she added, "I hope you will have the human right to breed as an entirely equal, valuable and special member of the society."

My point of view:

I believe that nobody, not even the Pope, can judge others for being "incomplete" or "unhappy", etc. just because they don't share same faith or belief. I say it's the pope who is "not a fully developed human" because human development is based on intellect and an intellectual man won't just judge someone because of something as lame as sexual preference.

I refuse to follow a religion who would persecute someone because of their sexual orientation and waives someone's right to happiness just because he is gay. Everybody has the right to be happy, even the Pope has a right to express his thoughts but to say that someone is "not fully developed" just because he is gay is a total bullshit (excuse the expression). 

And lastly, I totally disagree that being gay "is a defection of human nature", hindering them from happiness and forcing them to be heteros - that is!

*Comments are welcome!!

Never Been To Me - Every Woman's Song

Charlene's Never Been To Me is my favourite classic. I first heared in sang by mom in the karaoke when I was a kid and started singing it too. I never really understood what it meant by then, i just love the melody and most of all, it talks about places I fantasize - California and Greece (while sipping champaigne in a yacht - cool eh?). By then, the famous line "I've been to paradise but I've never been to me" was too deep for me to comprehend.

But now that I am a bit older, listening to the song gives me goosebumps. It's more than just going to places, it's more than just luxuries. In fact, it's a song of a woman who had "been there, done that" but realized that there's more to life than just "that".

You probably never heard of Charlene (or Charlene Marilynn D'Angelo), specially if you are someone from my generation, or later. She was a struggling artist of the 70's - 80's (the era of more popular stars like Karen Carpenter, Barbara Streisand and Cher), recorded a couple songs but never really got to the charts. Never Been To Me was initially released in 1976 but had very little success. And when it was re-released in 1982, it was then that it became a hit. Became No.1 in the charts and eventually became every successful, yet unhappy woman's theme song.

I see two women on the song. The woman who is singing and the woman she is talking to - it could be anyone, it could be me or you, if you will. But I guess she is refering to women in general, sort of an advise to women who are discontented with their lives and are wanting more than just being a simple mother and a wife. It got more personal when she said, "I wish someone had talked to me like I wanna talk to you".

If you listen to it and try to feel the song, she talks about her not having children and being alone, "Hey lady, don't just walk away, for I have the need to tell you why I'm alone today". She had chosen to keep on running from life, until she "ran out of places and friendly faces". 

The spoken bridge says it all:

"You know what paradise is, it's a LIE! A fantasy we create about people and places as what we like them to be. But you know what TRUTH is? It's that little baby you're holding and it's that man you fought with this morning, the same one you're gonna make love with tonight. That's truth, that's life."

And this:


"Sometimes I've been to crying for unborn children that might have made me complete,
But I took the sweet life and never knew I'll be bitter from the sweet."

It's a very emotional song. A song advising women to stop seeking things in life that doesn't exist or are unimportant. The song may be from decades ago, but it totally matches today's generation. A generation where majority of people wants material things  and travelling to every corner of the world more than anything. Prioritizing these things may lead us with no family, loss of precious time in gathering useless possesions and in the end - dying along and all by ourselves.

Oh wait, do I hear ladies complaining, "Hey not only women, men too can be like that". Well, you didn't let me finish. I got here a male version sang by a British performer Howard Keel. Still we got two characters, two men of course (no, not a Brokeback thingy!). The song tells about a beggar he met on the street asking for a dime for coffee. Telling him that he is racing hell like he used to do. And told him the story as to why he ended up "being alone today" - no wife and children. Almost same lyrics but more manly. He had "been to China and Siberia and to any ship that can sail" and "wrecked the country jail", trying to run and be free, he had been with a hundred women but realized that "only LOVE can set him free".

Check out his version here:

The song didn't say that we should not travel or we should not live a luxurious and comfortable life. You can have all that if your finances can suffice, of course. Just don't forget other things that matters more. Dont just take the sweet life for you'll never know you may get "bitter from the sweet".

And now I understand what it meant by the title line - she (or he) had been to a lot of happy places, experienced all the luxury life can ever give, but in the end it all turned out to nothing. Because she (or he) was not able to find herself and what can really make her (or him) a happy camper. "Ive been to pradise, but I'v never been to me."

Review: The Girl With A Dragon Tattoo (Hollywood vs Swedish)

Tweet

Let me start this by saying that I am a little disappointed in the movies (just a little, really), because they never got one to perfectly match the real Lisbeth - she is supposed to be a 23-year old punk, brilliant hacker who looks like 12 years old, height is 4'9" and she's got almost no boobs - that's why she got a boob job on the sequel. Not that it mattered, but that was supposed to add a chill to the character, right? - a little tough lady.

As I understood, since the Swedish film came out first, David Fincher tried to hard to make the plot as close to the novel as he can yet as different from the first movie adaptation as possible.There are major details of course that they cannot alter, so the difference are mainly on the minor ones. But since the Sweidsh adaptation had been critically-aclaimed, not to mention a box-office hit, for sure it had been a huge challenge in Fincher's filmmaking ability. As what they say, it's like fixing something that is not broken (or is already brilliant) in the first place.

I cannot argue with most Western reviewers, in general, the English adoptation is indeed a better one in a lot ways. Well, since it got a better budget ($100M vs the later's $13M), it looks and sound better (of course Hollywood would never settle for less).The characters too suits better. Yeah, Noomi Rapace is a very good actress, she did the role very well, but there was not too much chemistry in the two main characters in the first film. Mikael looks to old and too lumpy and she was too spiky and harsh - and it's so unlikely and akward when they ended up together in bed. On the other hand, Ronney Mara and Daniel Craig had this chemistry and dynamics since the start - when Mikael broke into her apartment with coffee and bagel. Even without reading the novel, you'll know somehow, they will end up having beautiful rromance despite the age difference. And Erica Berger (Kalle's co-editor of Millenium and long-time lover) is supposed to be a hot lady on her 40's - and they got that on the English version, the first one was too old and not so classy to be projected as a lady who had been married to a rockstar and is having a long time affair with her co-editor, and note - her husband permits the affair and even allows her to spend a night with Mikael, provided that she keep their marriage intact - she should have a hot personality to have such a colorful lovelife, right?

But in fairness to Niels Arden Oplev's Swedish film, it is also better in some ways. Since the novel is on Swedish setting, the Swedish actors looks more natural in the film, the places looks more appropriate - that is if you had read it of course. An quoting from Oplev, "It’s like, what do you want to see, the French version of “La Femme Nikita” or the American one? "

If you had read the novel though, you'll surely notice that there were little, yet good-to-have details that the adaptations hadn't included or altered. Which, I believe, is inneviatble because you cannot really  put all of the details from a novel of hundreds of pages into a two-and-a-half hour film. Here are some of them:

In the English version (so with the novel), Kalle's daughter visited her and she was the one who discovered that the names and numbers in the journal are reference to bible verses, in the Swedish film, it was Lisbeth who discovered it and emailed it to Mikael, there was no reference to his daughter in the Swedish film. Palmgren, Lisbeth's first guardian was not mentioned in the Swedish film too, I believe he played a huge part in Lisbeth's character and it is a good thing that the US version includes him. The flashback of the 60's is also a good one. And they also made a big deal out of the part where Lisbeth had dressed up, went to the Carribean and withdrawn funds from Wennerstrom's bank accounts in the Cayman Islands - i love that part, she's so gorgeous!

On the Swedish version on the other hand, they had their share of good stuff. There were more details in Lisbeth's life showed on the Swedish adaptation. It shows how she had killed her dad, something that's not told on the novel until the sequel (The Girl Who Played With Fire) although the prequel had already somehow gave us an idea of what happened back then that bought her to be under guardianship. It also tells about her relationship to her mom, something not mentioned on the English version. The Swedish fillmaker also chose to include the fact that Mikael will be in prison for 3mos on top of the fine.

And my favorite in the Swedish version - the whole travel to Australia thing. Although they altered how they found out that Harriet is in Australia, it's still a good thing that they had included that Harriet migrated to Australia, using Anita's name, got married to a sheep farm owner, now managing the farm with her sons - she's also sun-tanned so it looks really believable. In the English film, they left out that part and decided to find Harriet in London where Anita used to be living before she died. But Anita isn't supposed to be dead right? She should be in London and wiretapping her line will lead them to Australia, were Harriet is living under Anita's name. But that was fine.

For me, both films are great in their own ways. And I really cannot say one is better than the other. Both movies are great because they came from one single plot - one great novel. And this is just the start. I havn't watched the sequel yet, it's because I am not yet done readin "The Girl Who Played With Fire". For some reasons, I love reading it first before watching it.

There's A Fine, Fine Line Between Love and a Waste of Time

Tweet

"There's a fine, fine line between a fairy tale and a lie,
There's a fine, fine line between 'you're wonderful' and 'good bye'
I guess if someone doesn't love you back, it isn't such a crime,
But there's a fine, fine line between Love and a waste of time."
-Avenue Q

You may be a teen, who is just starting to make sense of this crazy little thing called love, thinking that LOVE is always cool and always great, with your Knight in Shining Armor riding in a white horse, you have your own version of a Cinderella story and all other Hollywood movie cliche, but you're too afraid to try it out.

You could also be a thirty year-old single lady who had already been through half-a-dozen break-ups and is feeling hopeless that you will ever have your own "happy-ever-after" relationship.

Or you could be a pretty young lady who just had a recent heart break and is not facing the mirror asking stupid questions like, "Am I not pretty enough?", "Is she better than me?", "What have I done wrong?" or worse, "Do I not deserve to be happy?" (well, the last question is foolish, of course everybody do! No matter how ugly you are - no erase than, they say all of God's creation are lovely - but yes, no matter who (or what?) you are, you deserve to be happy!)

Or lastly, you can be someone who thought you've already moved on from your previous relationship and you've already learned that most men are jerks and they deserve some sort of "revenge", your thinking of be-friending his/her current love interest and is planning to sabotage his/her life (if that's the case, then you haven't moved on yet!)

You may be one of the persons mentioned (or none of the above), but since you are reading this, you probably are interested in the four letter world spelled L-O-V-E. Now, the question is, is love really a waste of time? No it's not! As what the song or that picture above says (please forgive my spastic fingers for such an ugly hand-writing - I'm just trying to make this thing as personalized as possible), there is a fine line between the two. Meaning just one wrong move, and you will get thrown unto the other side of the line - and you're "soon-to-be-happy-ever-after" will be a complete waste of time. But more often that not, it is actually worth the try. But never believe in that old-school cliche saying " There's no harm in trying" - of course there is! If you try to learn ballet, you may break your legs. If you try to learn swimming, you might drown and die. If you try falling in-love, you MIGHT get a broken heart that often cause irreparable damage (no erase that,  it is always repairable, it just takes a while). But never be afraid to get a broken heart! As you grow older, you will still get your heart broken one way or another, whether or not you are in a relationship. After all, it is when you fail that you will learn more.

Love, like life is a trial-and-error. You will fail here, but it doesn't mean you'll let yourself be stacked. You have to move forward, meet someone new and try it all over again. Is there a guarantee that it will last? There's none. You just have to keep wishing that it will work the next time around. Somewhere, somehow, you will meet someone who will be worth it. You will cry a bit, or sometimes a lot, bit at the end of the road, you're not going to count how many barrels of tears you've cried for that person, what will matter the most, are the happy days you had, and knowing that despite all the trials, the two of you still made it through. If in the end, you both, or one of you will realize that it's not meant to be, you will go separate ways, your heart will break again. But if it had been a happy and lovely journey, then it's worth it. If may a waste of your time, but it could be worth the waste.

As what this bitter-sweet song says, "You'll never know till you reach the top if it was worth the uphill climb". There may be a lot of painful risks in trying, but it was the people who tried that reached the finish line with victory.

*Listen to the song here: There's A Fine Fine Line by Avenue Q

Review: Nights in Rodanthe (novel) by Nicholas Sparks

Tweet

"A tender story of hope and joy; of sacrifice and forgiveness -- a moving reminder that love is possible at any age, at any time, and often comes when we least expect it. At forty-five, Adrienne Willis must rethink her entire life when her husband abandons her for a younger woman. Reeling with heartache and in search of a respite, she flees to the small coastal town of Rodanthe, North Carolina to tend to a friend's inn for the weekend. But when a major storm starts moving in, it appears that Adrienne's perfect getaway will be ruined -- until a guest named Paul Flanner arrives. At fifty-four, Paul has just sold his medical practice and come to Rodanthe to escape his own shattered past. Now, with the storm closing in, two wounded people will turn to each other for comfort -- and in one weekend set in motion feelings that will resonate throughout the rest of their lives."

Review:
Just like the non-disputed The Notebook, the story of Paul and Adrienne tells that love is not time-bound, nor is it a matter of age, nor of distance. As always, Nick Sparks never failed to make me cry. The story is remarkable but not as much as the characters themselves - Paul, 50 years old, a very successful surgeon who had ended up loosing the heart of his wife and son along the way, now trying to make everything right in his life ; and Adrienne, 45, a woman who had devoted all those years being a responsible mother of three after a painful divorce, forgetting herself in the process. After reading it, I came up with a realization that the movie is not only about an intimate love story shared by two individuals in the most unexpected circumstances, more than a few days of intimacy during a storm. It also tells us about a  mother's love for her daughter (Amanda), who lost her husband at a young age, to whom Adrienne had ended up  telling their secret love story to, 14 years after it happened, for her to know that she understands how it felt to lose someone she loves dearly, for she too had lost her heart when Paul, a few months before they can finally be together had died in an accident after saving his son from a landslide while volunteering in Ecuador.

Sparks, a fan of a tragic ending, which somehow depicts reality that love is not always a happy-ever-after did a good job in this story. I tried to compare this to other novels of him, but I cannot. Because every story has it's own impact, they are awesome in their own ways. And despite the same element in the stories: divorce, southern living, death, cancer and long distance love affair, he had made every story distinct from the other. Needless to say, Nights in Rodanthe is superb!

Trivia: The names of the lead characters where Nick's Christmas present to his in-laws - Paul and Adrienne.