Good Intentions

Musta na mga  ka-berks? Bago ang lahat isa munang katanungan — uso pa ba ang salitang “berks”? I have been in my own bubble for quite a while kung kaya’t hindi ko na sure kung ano ang usong tawagan ngayon. Anyway – it has been a while since my last entry — akala nyo siguro ay tuluyan ko nang kinalimutan ang aking first love – acting.. este ang pagsusulat ng mga walang kwentang bagay. Hindi pa naman. Medyo bisi-bisihan lang ng kaunti. The past few weeks have been uninteresting. You’ll be bored our of your wits kung ikwento ko pa ito. Sabihin na lang natin na I’ve been busy with :

Work 

A little sick (pero hindi AH1N1 ha..)

Farmtown  

 Yoville

 TV Series

 Movies

 Anyway – ulit — hindi yan ang gusto kong ibahagi sa inyo aking dear reader/s.  Naligaw lang ako – mahina ako sa directions e. Pasensya na ulit. Hmm.. nasaan na ba ako.. hmm.. ayun.. nangyari na ba sa inyo yung you did something with  nothing but good intentions pero ended up doing some other thing? Mukhang yan ang nangyayari sa akin ngayon. I wake up early and went to the office early (which by itself is already a miracle—- tutuo ang himala!!!!) with all the intention of working hard. Dami na kasing mga lumalagpas sa deadline – which is so not me. I am usually a hardworker – di lang halata. Pramis – masipag talaga ako… mukha lang hindi. J

 Ayun na nga – I arrived early sa opis. All ready for a full day of non-stop working. Work like a dog ika nga. With my Kopi-C siew-tai (Coffee with Evaporated milk – less sweet) – hinarap ko na ang aking computer. Read all my e-mails to get this our of the way. Nilabas ko na ang aking ipod to drown all the noise in the environment. And started working… for five minutes or so. Yup… I started will all good intentions – pero nabigo ako. Parang tinatamad ako e. Parang feeling ko may kailangan pa akong gawin bago ko simulan ang aking trabaho. Spent 5 minutes or so na pagmumuni-muni when it finally dawned on me.  Yup. Alam ko na kung ano ang dapat ko munang gawin. I need to write this entry.  And here I am – writing this entry which you are reading right now.  At dahil sa nasulat ko na ang entry na ito – isa lang ang dapat kong gawin. I need to end this entry and start with work. Walang choice e.. need to bring home the bacon. O sya… sa muli.

 P.S.

 Bilang tribute sa  namayapang King of Pop – I decided to listen to his music for the entire day. Yup. MJ the entire day. Sumalangit nawa ang kaniyang kaluluwa.

And It All Started with a Big Bang

I had another discovery na nais kong i-share sa inyo aking mga dear reader/s. In one of my previous blogs – nabanggit ko na kailangan ko nang itigil ang kapapanood ng How I Met Your Mother and probably should get a life. Well – I did stopped watching HIMYM. Bukod kasi sa few remaining episodes of Season 4 na kasalukuyan pa lang ipapalabas sa US of A – e napanood ko na lahat. Kaya true to my promise – tinigilan ko na ang panonood nito. Well until matapos na ang Season 4 sa Tate at makahanap ako na paraan para mapanood ito. Did I finally get a life? Hmmm… not really. Ang init lumabas e… tapos biglang uulan. Parang hindi alam ng panahon kung summer ba or rainy season na. Pati ang weather – confused. Katamad tuloy lumabas – not unless naghahanap ka ng sakit ng katawan… as in body pain due to flu. Aside from that — medyo lie low muna ako sa mga crowded places… with swine flu and financial crisis – now more than ever is the best time to become a homebody. Tipid na – iwas pa sa sakit.

Which brings me back to me – not getting a life. Dahil sa homebody pa rin ako – I need to entertain myself. Magastos yata umarkila ng payaso. Dito na pumasok ang aking bagong discovery. Presenting — The Big Bang Theory. It’s a fairly new sitcom which is beginning to attract fans in the U.S. Second season is currently being played in the States now. I was able to get hold of Season 1 and decided to give it a try – have no regrets whatsoever. I love this show. Ok. Fine.. Para makarelate din kayo. Brief info on this show (courtesy of Wikipedia):

It concerns two male Caltech prodigies in their twenties, one an experimental physicist (Leonard) and the other a theoretical physicist (Sheldon), who live across the hall from an attractive blonde waitress with show-biz aspirations (Penny).

Leonard and Sheldon’s geekiness and intellect are contrasted with Penny’s social skills and common sense for comedic effect. Two equally geeky friends of theirs, Howard and Rajesh, are also main characters. The show is produced by Warner Bros. Television and Chuck Lorre

Johnny Galecki as Leonard Leakey Hofstadter, Ph.D.
Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper, Ph.D.
Kaley Cuoco as Penny
Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz, M.Eng.
Kunal Nayyar as Rajesh Koothrappali, Ph.D.
Sara Gilbert as Leslie Winkle, Ph.D. (recurring since season 1)

Actually – kadalasan ay medyo hindi ko rin naiintindihan ang mga pinagsasabi nila. Hindi naman kasi ako physicist e – theoretical man or experimental. Pero the way they deliver the lines – specially Sheldon – pure genius (pun intended). It’s not your typical mainstream 30 min US sitcom. Kaya siguro hindi pa pinapalabas dito sa Land of Integrated Resort. Lam nyo naman ang sense of humor ng mga tao dito – non-existent. For sure ay lalangawin lang. Pasalamat talaga sa internet – we get to see good shows. I wouldn’t expect most people to like this show —- more on daldalan kasi. One of the main strength of this show are the dialogues. Kailangan pakikinggan mo mabuti yung sinasabi nila. The writing is a work in progress — they are still trying to know who the characters are. The actors are believable — they fit the characters to a T. Sheldon is hilarious but I particularly like Leonard’s character.

It’s a good show and I recommend it to everyone. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to love the show. Promise.

Opps.. muntik ko nang malimutan. The show’s opening theme is really good. “History of Everything” by Barenaked Ladies. To those interested to hear … just follow the link –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItIdeKg5kt4.

The One with the Burger

I am starting this entry with a flashback. Couple of Fridays ago — Friday night to be exact – I’m at home… in front of the tube… having dinner while watching the 4th season of How I Met Your Mother. There’s this episode where Marshall is looking for the place where he had the best burger. For the whole episode – they did nothing but eat burger from one place to another. And every time they bite into that thick juicy burgers – I can’t help but crave… for a thick juicy burger. And you know me – once I crave for something — I gotta have it. There ain’t no mountain high enough. Ain’t no valley low enough. Ain’t no river wide enough. To keep me from getting a thick juicy burger. Singbilis ni Flash na ako ay gumayak — at tumalilis. Isa lang ang aking goal buy a burger. And the best fastfood burger there is – Carl’s Junior’s Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger. Yun nga lang – the nearest Carl’s Junior from my place is the newly opened outlet an MRT station away. Pero hindi ito naging sagabal sa aking misyon. Pushing and kicking all those in my way – I finall arrived. It took forever – nakarating din ako. Pumila ako in all excitement – thinking of all the langhap-sarap goodness that I am to eat. Nung ako na ang oorder – I excitedly said — 1 Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger – no pickles – no onions. The staff smiled at me and said – I’m sorry sir – we only serve chicken and fish today. @#*^$%^%$# naman o. Who the hell eats fish burger? Or Chicken burger? Ok fine — marami.. including me. Pero that time – I want a double western bacon cheeseburger… and I want it now. Pero bigo ako bigo. Umuwi akong bahag ang mundo dala dala ang aking Double Cheeseburger from Mc Donalds. And I am telling you…. It was not the same. It did not satisfy me at all…..

Which leads to today. I am watching – well – the 3rd season of How I Met Your Mother ( I know… I have no life) and there’s this episode again with Marshall about to eat a burger. Lo and behold — the craving returns. Muli – singbilis ni flash na ako a muling gumayak. In no time – nasa mall na ulit ako. I am so excited to eat the best (that I can afford) burger in town ng mapadaan ako sa isang bagong bukas na Sandwich shop. Hmmm… Grilled Ciabata bread – egg, cheese and corned beef. Hmmm…

P.S.

I never made it to Carl’s Jr…. I had the sandwich… and it was Legen —- wait for it — Dary! Man… I need to stop watching How I Met Your Mother – even if it’s Awesome!

Quarter End

Long time no blog. Pasensya na po. Pasenya? Puro na lang pasensya! Ayan – inunahan ko na kayo ng pagalit. Yan ang aking pre-emptive measure para hindi ako mapagalitan. Pero hindi yan ang aking ikwento sa inyo. Nais ko lang magkaroon ng blog entry dahil ngayon ay quarter end. Ito ang aking quarter end report. Pagbabayad utang ko na rin ito sa aking paminsa-minsan na pagkalimot na sumulat sa site na ito.

Bago ang quarter end report — nais ko munag i-greet ang aking site. Happy 2nd anniversary! 2 years na akong nagsusulat ng mga bagay-bagay na walang halaga sa karamihan ngunit makabuluhan sa iilan. Bilis ng panahon no? Couple of years ago — nakaupo ako sa aking upuan sa opisina at nag-iisip ng maaring magagawa. Fast forward – it’s been 2 years of blogging and blog-nots. Well – here’s to 2 years of blogging and looking forward to more years! (Insert champagne glasses clicking sound here)

Okay.. enough of the celebration. Let’s go back to business. Dahil sa tagal ko na ring walang entry — I decided not to have any single subject. Basta kung ano na lang ang pumasok sa isipan ko. Wala lang. Minsan mainam din yung walang structure. Yung spontaneous. Para may kaunting thrill.

- Last Saturday — I had no choice but to face the inevitable. Kailangan gawin ko na ang isang bagay na I’ve been dreading always. I need to have a haircut. Bakit dreaded? Kasi – after every haircut – I think I look weird. Yung I got used to how I look for a couple of months then suddenly – voila – a different look. Minsan bad… Minsan good. Minsan hindi pansinin. But to me – I still look weird and I need a couple of weeks to get used to it again. Hay. How’s the haircut you may asked. Hmm… the stylist (yan ang tawag sa kanila dito) told me that I’m beginning to “hair problem”. Kailangan daw aware para ma-cure or something. I cut his litany short dahil alam ko naman na bebentahan nya lang ako ng kung ano-anong produkto. Pero – I made a mental note to minimize on hair products. Mahirap nang makalbo. Magastos sa facial wash. The haircut? Well – nothing earth shattering. Trim lang. I look weird as expected. But still – I had worst.

- Magulo pa rin ang ikot ng mundo sa teleserye ng aking buhay — well trabaho wise. May mga ilang magagandang balita akong natanggap the past few days which is a big welcome. Feeling ko kasi – for the past few weeks ay lagi akong nasa “looser” corner. Pero the past few days – slightly winner corner naman ako. Tutuo nga ang sabi ni Santino…. May bukas pa! Thankful to the max talaga ako. Salamat Bro!

- Speaking of Santino — kagabi habang nanonood ako ng May Bukas Pa…. I can’t help but wonder – kailan kaya pupunta si Santino dito sa Singapore? Para naman masabi nya kay Bro – na sana wag mawalan ng trabaho ang mga Pinoy dito. Sabagay – pwede naman tayo lahat dumiretso kay Bro. Sabi nga – ask and you shall receive. Pero ingat din sa paghingi — sabi nga ni Daughtry — “Be careful what you wish for ‘cause you might get it all, you just might get it all”. Mamaya ibigay sa atin tapos hindi naman pala natin alam kung ano ang gagawin dito. Kaya dapat bago humingi – mag-isip muna.

- Again – speaking of answered prayers… dahil na rin sa good news na aking natanggap —- naisipan ko na there’s only one way of celebrating this. I need a new “baby”. Pangtanggal ng stress. Panglunod sa mga hindi kanais-nais na bagay sa paligid. Sa aking mga masugid na tagasubaybay — matatandaan nyo sa isa kong entry ang tungkol sa pagkawala ng isang mahalagang bagay sa aking buhay a couple of months ago. At dahil sa kasalukuyang krisis ay nagdadalawang isip ako kung papalitan ko pa ba ito. Nanghingi ako ng sign from above — sabi ko kung April ay may good news para sa akin — isa itong sign na dapat kong palitan ang mahalagang bagay na ito. Alam kong wala pang April — pero dahil sa ibinigay na sa akin ang “sign” —sino ba naman ako para hindi tumupad sa nakatakda. Kaya ayun – kagabi – right after office….. I bought a new (and improved!!!) Ipod Classic. Silver. 120 gb. Finally – nagbalik na ang musika sa aking buhay!!!!! May isa pa akong sign na hihihintay — para naman ito sa Wii Fit. Sabihin ko sa inyo sakaling I’ll again see the sign!

- Dahil sa music ang napapag-usapan — kailangan banggitin ko ang American Idol Season 8. I particulary like Megan. Very unique voice. Yung pag narinig mo yung kanta ay alam mo na siya ang kumanta nito. I admit na slim ang chance nya na manalo as the new American Idol. Kung makapsok sya sa 6 ay swerte na. Pero kahit ganun pa man – I still prefer her kaysa dun sa ibang sampu-samapera na magaling nga kumanta pero salat naman sa individuality.

- At dahil sa may Ipod na ako ulit (naks!!!!) — my current playlist:
Twilight: The Score album
Songs Rediscovered 2 – Jed Madela
Lonely Road – The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Yan na lang po muna… Sa muli

Stop, Look, Listen

(11-Feb-09) Sobrang antok pa rin ako. Aga ko kasing nagising at pumasok – e late na akong natulog. I was watching the US Congress grill the financial company CEOs sa Bloomberg till around 2:00 a..m. Hmm.. Nagulat kayo no. Hindi nyo ba ako ma-picture in front of the television watching Bloomberg intently? Well – ako man. But desperate times need desperate measures! Knowledge is power! Sabi nga ni Ka Ernie (SLN) – pag walang knowledge — walang power! Truth be told – hindi ko rin naman naiintindihan lahat nung mga pinagsasabi nila. Pero dahil sa malaki ang effect ng mga pangyayaring ito sa akin — napipilitan akong makiusyoso. O – alam ko na ang sasabihin nyo – tsismoso naman talaga ako by nature. Fine. I admit that. Pero yung mga interesting tsismis naman. Tulad ng nabuntis yung pinsan ng kapatid ng manugang ny biyenan ng pinsan ng kapitbahay ng classmate ng friend ng kaopisina ko. Yan. Medyo interesting. Pero kung tungkol sa mga credit flow, Troubled Asset Relief Program, Financial market meltdown etc….etc…  Malamang ay tulugan ko lang yan. O ilipat sa Cartoon Network or TFC ang tv. Nasa isip ko kasi na pang-geek lang yang mga ganyang usapan.  Hindi naman lalabas sa normal na usapan yang mga yan. Sige nga – kunwari nagkwekwentuhan ang grupo tungkol sa latest episode ng Tayong  Dalawa at bigla akong sumabat para itanong kung ano ang opinion ng bawa’t isa tungkol sa bailout package ng US government sa mga  Banks na considered as “too big to fail” . Ano sa tingin nyo ang magiging reaction ng sangkatauhan?  Malamang ay tingnan ako ng masama at deadmahin – or worst batuhin ng sapatos ala Bush. Such news have no place in normal day to day conversation.

 

I was wrong.  Magmula ng nagsimula ang mga kabulastugan sa global finance ay naging common topic na ito sa aming circle. Siguro nga – dahil sa nakasalalay sa mga pangyayaring ito ang kinabukasan ng ating lahi. I’m not kidding nor am I being dramatic. Alam nyo naman kaming mga OFW — maraming mga dependents at scholars. Kinakailangang laging may raket kung hindi – force diet ang lahat. Since this crisis is very close to home — kinakailangan na medyo aware kami sa mga pangyayari at maaring mangyayari. We need the info in formulating our short term and long term goals and actions. Mahirap na ma-caught unaware. Again – force diet ang lahat kung sakali. Kaya ayun – bigla naming naging kaibigan sina Bloomberg, CNN Money at CNBC.  Looking at the bright side — as in looking – craning your neck to see the bright side— kahit pa by force – nakatulong ang force-awareness na ito sa amin.  We can make use of this awareness sa aming mga desisyon regarding investments and retirement fund. Napilitan din kaming i-review an g aming mga financial standings at mag-reprioritize ng needs at wants. In short – we were forced to grow-up and kahit papaano mature in our financial decisions. I am still a long way bago ma-achieve ang financial decision maturity pero kahit papaano naman ay may change ika nga.  I aint liking it but no choice lah.   

 

Anway – marami pang pwedeng mangyari sa “reality-serye” na ito. Sabi nga ng mga financial experts (which I am beginning to doubt kung experts nga) – it’s still a long long long way to go. Kaya suggestion lang – don’t hold your breath in anticipation. Baka maubusan lang kayo ng hininga at madedo.  What we need to do is to stop (ang walang mga kwentang paggasta), look (for ways to save…save…save…) and listen (sa mga bali-balita sa paligid). Hmm… mukhang listening lang ang kaya ko ah. Hirap nung stop and look e. Aiyah

 

Pahabol lang…..

Dahil sa ilang buwan na rin ako na medyo madalang  akong magsulat – naisipan kong magkaroon ng isa pang entry bago matapos ang taong ito. Isang entry ito na wala talagang tema – yun kung ano lang ang pumasok sa isipan ko. Pwede ko ring isama dito ang ilang mga pangyayari na hindi ko naisulat dahil sa ako ay busy or nagkukunwaring busy or tinatamad.     

 

- There is one entry sa blogsite kong ito na medyo hindi maganda ang dating sa ilang mga nakakabasa. May isang sentence daw kasi na medyo racist ang dating. Anong sentence. Well – nabanggit kasi ako tungkol sa isang suggestion ko na pwedeng pagkuhaan ng alternative source of energy.  Bilang tugon sa mga paalala kong natanggap — i-update ko po itong entry na ito. Sa mga mga mambabasa – kung medyo may na-hurt sa aking entry – pasensya na po.

 

- Tutal nasa racist na tayong usapan. Avenue-Q had its run in Singapore last Oct-Nov. Ang maganda — it was staged by the same people who did the Avernue-Q run sa Pinas.  Most of the cast are Pinoys. I can’t recall the names now (except for Frenchie D and Aiza Seguerra) but they were all quite good. I become a fan of Avenue Q when a friend suggested that I listen to the sound track. But watching it live is definitely way-way better kaysa sa pakikinig lang. Sobrang nakakatawa talaga. All the songs are great – but the songs “It Sucks to be Me”, “Everyone’s a little bit racist” and “The Internet is for Porn” is hilarious. Nakakatawa talaga lalo na pag makikita mo yung mga actions. Hay.  Schadenfreude!       

 

- I saw the Twilight movie last week. It’s surprisingly good —- siguro kasi ay hindi sila masyadong nag-deviate from the book. I particularly like the scene na naglalakad si Bella then followed by Edward papunta sa gubat without talking to each other. Then some fancy cameraworks. Galing. Parang ang dami nasabi nung dalawa sa isa’t-isa without really saying the words. I’m now reading the second book – New Moon. I guess I am officially caught by the Twilight fever.    

 

- I read from somewhere na binili daw ng ABS-CBN ang rights to turn Twilight into a telenovela.. Nung una ko itong nabasa – I can’t help but roll my eyes in disbelief. Asa pa. Couple of days ago – I read that Perz Hilton (quite well known American showbiz blogger) wrote an entry tungkol sa Pinoy Twilight. The pinoy version will be entitled “Takipsilim” and will have Rayver Cruz and Shaina Magdayao playing Edward and Bella. My reaction – wala lang. Let’s wait and see kung ano ang kalalabasan.  

 

- Still with Takipsilim —- binasa ko yung mga iniwang comments dun sa blog entry. I’m actually expecting the Twilight die hards to spew fire with the Pinoy Twilight idea. Ang medyo – for the lack of a better word – interesting ay yung mga iniwang comments ng ating mga  fellow pinoys. Better if your read it yourself — baka naman ako lang ang medyo napataas ang kilay….. link to the article (http://perezhilton.com/2008-12-23-filipino-version-of-twilight-to-begin-production-soon)

 

 

- Tuwing New Year ay maraming pamahiin na sinusunod. Unang-una na dito ang pagbabayad ng utang  before the year-end para debt free ka sa pagpasok ng bagong taon. Pag debt free ka daw sa pagpasok ng taon — the entire year ay madali ang pasok ng pera and hindi mo na kailangan mangutang pa. It’s actually a good superstition kasi napipilitan ang lahat – ok… ang ilan – na magbayad ng utang.  Anyway – just today – a couple of my friends settled their utang sa akin (lunch, taxi fare etc).  Para daw hindi sila abutan ng New Year na may utang. Dahil sa may pagka-antipatiko talaga ako — I reminded them na techinically – hindi pa rin naman sila debt free. They still have the credit card purchases which – kahit hindi pa kasama sa due – ay technically utang na rin. Hindi pa nga lang due – but still — utang ito. Then there’s the housing loan sa bangko. For 10 or 15 years — may utang ka.. So — it doesn’t really matter kung bayaran nila ako sa utang nila sa akin or hindi. Kung titingnan mo talaga — until the last amortization sa housing loan is paid — if naniniwala ka sa pamahiin na ito — you are destined for financial difficulties. Hehehehe.  Suggestion ko — pumunta ka Joyce Lim ng Charms and crystals. Marami siyang binebenta na pangkontra!

 

- Isa pang pamahiin ay ang pagbili ng 12 types of round fruits. Swerte daw ito.  We did this nung papasok pa lang ang 2008. Unfortunately — nabulok lang yung ibang prutas dahil sa dami. Since malas ang mag-aksaya ng pagkain — sa tingin ko ay na-cancel out nito ang swerte na dala ng 12 prutas. Kaya ayun – 2008 is not that financially rewarding. Moral lesson — you have to buy the fruits and eat it too. At least – di man maging swerte — napakinabangan naman ng katawan mo ang vitamins at iba pang nutrients nito.

 

-  Hindi pa man din pumapasok ang 2009 ay puro negative na ang sinasabi ng lahat dito. Oo nga…. kasama ako dito….  Lahat nga e…. Pero napag-isip-isip ko na unfair itong masyado kay 2009. Hindi pa siya dumarating ay na-judge na sya. Dapat hindi tayo masyadong judgemental. Sabi nga – positivity attracts positive energy. Kaya dapat — we welcome 2009 with a positive attitude. Para positive ang energy na ma-attract natin. Tingin nyo?  A ewan ko sa inyo — basta ako — I’m giving 2009 a chance to prove itself — sabi nga – wag tayong masyadong “NEGA”!

 

 

- Muli…. Happy New Year….  

And the Grand Star Dreamer is…..

Laarni Lozada is the Grand Star Dreamer of PDA Season 2! Naku — mukhang maraming matutulog ng masaya a. Bugoy – my other bet is on second place. Miguel placing 3rd cause quite a stir in the blogosphere. Liezel, Van and Cris place 4th, 5th and 6th. All in all — I am quite happy on the result. More about the Grand Dream Night on my next entry. Antok na ako e.

And Then There Were Six

Malamang naman ay alam na ng halos lahat kung sino-sino ang mga top six scholars sa PDA season 2. Sa mga hindi nakakaalam – wala lang. E di hindi nyo alam. Tingin ko naman ay hindi ito ikasasama ng inyong mga buhay. Kaya continue living your life as it is. Hindi naman ito life changing event. Anyway – dahil sa palapit na ang pagtatapos nila — kailangan may masabi muna ako. Wala lang. Masaya lang minsan yung nasasabi mo ang gusto mong sabihin. Try nyo rin minsan.

Personally – I hope Bugoy will win. Wala lang. There’s no doubt that he’s one of the strongest contender for the top prize. His voice is quite good. He performs well. Kung baga – lamang siya ng ilang paligo sa ibang mga scholars. However – he lacks the looks which – aminin man ng iba or hindi – is quite important. Medyo mahirap kasing ibenta sa masa kapag medyo kulang sa physical na biyaya. Although hindi nga masyadong blessed itong si Bugoy sa looks department – nadadala naman nya ito with his personality. Pero still – real world – he’ll need all the help he can get to last in the Biz. Being crowned the Grand Star Dreamer will mean that he’ll get more priority sa mga raket sa ABS-CBN. Mas maraming exposure – mas maraming change ang mga tao na makilala si Bugoy at mapatunayan na Beauty is more than skin deep.

Laarni is also a favorite. Lagi kasi siyang inaapi e. Laging pinapagalitan. Hmp. Inggit lang yung mga ibang scholars sa kanya. She’s been through so much – bago pa man siya pumasok sa Academy. Her stay in the Academy is no walk in the park either. Buti na lang nga at yung mga nangunguna sa pang-aapi sa kaniya ay natsugi na. She’s no angel – she has her faults. But somehow – you can turn a blind eye easily. Siguro nga nandun na kasi ang awa factor. She’s very versatile as well. I think she’s the only scholar who have been singing different genres every gala night. Yung iba laging ballad or pop lang. Voice quality is good – not greate- but good. She compensates her voice quality with good technique (sabi nung mentors ha… wala naman akong alam sa mga bagay na yan) and wide voice range. Mula mababa — hanggang operatic… kaya nya. Throughout the season – she has shown us the audience that she’s definitely a force to reckon with. Insecure tuloy yung ibang mga girls. Di ko na sabihin kung sino – baka masabihan pa ako ng Listen!

Fearless forecast? Aba – diyan ako magaling… at walang katanda-tanda. Kahit laging palpakin ang aking forecast — aba – forecast pa rin ako ng forecast. Wala namang nasasakatan sa aking forecast e.

Kung ako ang masusunod —- ang gusto kong result ay Bugoy, Laarni, Miguel, Liezel, Van, Cris. Bakit? Na-explain ko na sina Bugoy at Laarni. Si Miguel – di man ganun kaganda ang boses nya – sya lang kasi ang nakita kong seryoso. Yung alam nyang gusto nyang manalo and he’s not ashamed to say it. Liezel - I’m not a fan actually. Malinis siyang kumanta — pero laging kulang. Laging blangko ang mata niya — kaya hindi nya maiparamdam sa audience yung sincerity at emotion. Her voice is good – kaya lang may tendency na mag-Donald Duck pag mataas na. Parang si Fantasia. –na hindi rin ako fan. Van has the looks – pero manipis ang boses nya. Cris actually has a better voice than Van – kaso she’s stiff and minsan akward. Actually – Apple should have been in the final six — kahit ayaw ko siya – she’s way better thatn Van or Cris… or even Miguel.

As for how the votes will go —- it’s either Laarni or Bugoy for the top spot. Van for the 3^rd spot. Miguel on the 4^th . Liezel and Cris will be 5^th and 6^th. Hmm.. malamang maraming mag-react. Again — opinion ko lang naman ito. The views and opinions of the writer (me) does not reflect the views and opinions of the reader (you). Kaya wag mong masyadong personalin.

So.. paano… kalimutan muna tayo…. sa muling pagniniig…

Yahoo!!!!!

I’ll make this short…. and sweet…. WALA NA SI INYUCKIE !  

 

And I am Telling You……

Muli na namang napatunayan na wala akong future sa fortune telling business. Last week ay nagbigay ako ng aking fearless forecast sa naiisip kong kalalabasan ng “Showstopper” gala presentation ng mga PDA scholars. At tulad ng dati kong mga hula – mas marami dito ay mali. Out of the 6 face-off (including Laarni/Poy) – I was only able to predict 2 correctly. Opo – 2 lang. 4 ang mali. Sablay na sablay talaga. Hindi man lang pumasa. Buti na lang at hindi muna ako nagbigay ng down payment dun sa bakanteng pwesto sa may labas ng simbahan ng Quiapo. Sayang – akala ko pan aman ay pagkakataon ko Nang mag-shift ng career.

Balikan muna natin ang mga pangyayari nung nakaraang Sabado. Last Saturday’s gala presentation was very much hyped. For the entire week – pinakita sa atin ang mga pananaw ng mga mentors kung sino sa tingin nila ang liyamado at sino ang dehado. Aligaga ang mga tambay sa kanto sa pagtatalo sa kung sino sa tingin nila ang mananalo sa tapatan. Lahat ay hinihintay ang gala presentation which is promised to be a real showstopper.

Dumating ang Sabado — huminto ang mundo ng lahat… okay fine… ng mga sumusubaybay lang. The excitement is at it’s peak. Simula na!

Bunny vs Cris – hmm… kailangan ba talagang mamili? Hindi ba pwedeng bottom na lang sila pareho? Bunny’s performance is forgettable. Cris as expected did not deliver. Dahil lang sa kailangan talagang pumili – I thought Cris will be in the bottom 5.

Hansen vs Van – hmm ulit. Alam ba ni Hansen na singing competition ito —- baka kasi akala niya ay “mumbling” competition. He mumbled his way to the end of the song — ending it with a terrible falsetto (teka.. yun ba ang tawag sa boses nay un). Then came Van – equally horrible. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang may kasalanan – yun bang areglo nung kanta o siya. I was initially thinking kung ano iyong kinakanta nya – nung chorus na saka lang ako napa-ahhh…. Through the Fire. Since kailangan akong pumili – I chose Hansen – only because sa tingin ko he was able distract the judges with the dance routine.

Miguel vs Inyaki – Miguel’s performance is not that bad. It’s not good either. Para lang siyang nasa bahay at kumakanta. One problem with Miguel’s performance is that he was not able to include the audience in his performance. Vocally – the performance is weak. Boring in most parts. Inyuckie! Ok.. I’ll be nice – Inyaki. Una kong naisip nung nakita ko si Inyaki – ano naman gusto nilang palabasin sa make-up nay an… na para lang natutulog si Inyaki? Bukod sa bangkay like make-up — hmmm.. muscle shirt… para kay Inyaki? Kung sino naman nag-isip ng wardrobe nitong tao na to ay mukhang nangangailangan ng mag-resign. Inyaki’s performance is as what I was expecting. Pumped with attitude – lacking in voice quality. I was actually cringing with every note he sing. Both performance is weak – but I think vocally – Miguel’s is slightly better.

Bugoy vs Apple –Bugoy’s performance is a disappointment. His appearance – tinipid. Sabi nga ng iba – kalabaw na lang ang kulang – diretso bukid na ulit si Bugoy. His singing is not that bad — but not “Bugoy”. Parang biktima si Bugoy ng body snatcher that evening at ang kumakanta ay si alien Bugoy. Apple’s performance is mildly interesting. Outfit is laughable. I find it disturbing everytime she sings “family”. Parang slang na di mo mawari. Anyway – kahit mas gusto ko si Bugoy – feeling ko that time he will be on the bottom five.

Laarni vs Liezl. The muich awaited pagtatapat. I like Laarni’s performance. Puro kanta – walang mga nakakagulo na mga back-up dancers or fireworks. It’s all her. Vocals was good — well until the last part. Isang malaking panghihinayang ang naramdaman namin sa bahay. Kulang din sa edginess yung kanta ni Laarni. Kulang sa attitude. Malamang binuwakaw ni Inyaki ang lahat. Wala na tuloy natira para sa iba. Pagkatapos ng sabit na last part – I assumed na si Liezel ang safe – not unless pumiyok din siya. Liezel’s performance was good. Vocals was good – medyo manipis sa high notes… but okay naman. Malinis on most areas. Ang di ko lang gusto — yung mga ibinabang notes pag dapat ay pataas na. Halatang-halata kasi. Para tuloy bitin. Sabi ko nga dun sa kasama ko — hmm… nadaya tayo dun ha. Liezel’s performance is good – but not great. At tulad ng iba niyang performance – hindi ito tumatak sa isipan ko. Forgettable. Kulang kasi talaga siya sa presence. Pero still – alam ko na si Laarni ang mapunta sa bottom 5.

Poy – she’s good. Natural ang mga galaw niya. Palaban din ang vocals nya – daig pa yung karamihan sa mga scholars na ilang linggo nang nasa loob ng Academy. Feeling ko that time — may laban siya for Star Scholar.

Laarni vs Poy – Among all the performances of the night — this was the best. Galing nilang dalawa! Husay! Yun nga lang — medyo nakalamang si Laarni dito. The attitude is there.. sakto ang vocals… at alam ang lyrics hehehe.. Medyo nawala kasi si Poy nung nakalimot siya ng lyrics. Pansin din na medyo bumamaba ang confidence nya after that. But still – it’s the best performance of the season so far. Sayang at walang bearing ito sa grades.

Tapos nang lahat ng performances — result time na! Liezel was the Star scholar. No surprise there. Poy did well pero ganun talaga. Isa-isa nang sinabi ang bottom 5 – Laarni (expected), Apple (even Bugoy was surprised), Miguel (kainis!!! Ligtas na naman si Inyuckie!), Van (sabi ko na nga ba) and Bunny (oks lang – pareho naman kasing pangit ang performance).

I was expecting the (de)mentors to save Laarni. Kung ang basis kasi ay performance for the night — compared to the other 4 – Laarni’s performance is way better. 2 pa yun ha. Pero surprises of all surprises – the (de)mentors saved Bunny. Ha? Bakit? Why? Sa anong kadahilanan? Ano ang basehan? Hindi naman siguro alphabetical — kasi si Apple dapat ang na-save. According to height? E di dapat si Miguel. According to Beauty? E di dapat si Van. Hmm — presence of cyst? Aba – si Bunny nga dapat. If there is one showstopper that night – it’s this very controversial decision.

As expected – Van was saved by the scholars. Bakit expected – kasi naman – sure na ang vote ni “friend” Hansen at Bugoy… saka si Cris. Yung iba – mahahati na kina Miguel at Apple. Siyempre walang magtangkang mag-save kay Laarni. Hay. Yung nga ang nangyari.

Ang daming nainis sa mga (de)mentors. Actually – wala namang issue na manalo si Liezel against Laarni. Ang issue lang – sa dami ng pwedeng i-save — why Bunny? Siguro tanggap pa kung si Van – since madali itong ibenta. Pero si Bunny? Inis din ako – pero sabi ko – hintayin natin ang explanation ng mg (de)mentors. Ayun – Bunny was chosen because she is the most improved scholar daw. Ha? Most improved? Teka lang ha — kung most improved – bakit lagi siyang nasa bottom nung bunch? Naniniwala naman ako na nag-improve na na si Bunny — but to be the “most improved” — anong basis? Sabagay – isa lamang akong hamak na tagapanood. Baka naman may mga nakikita ang mga mentors na di ko nakikita. Baka hindi pa trained ang aking eyes and ears to appreciate true talent. Baka bulag lang ako sa pagkilatis ng isang true talent in the rough. Posible di ba?

Pagkatapos ng lahat ng kahuluhang ito — one thing’s sure — Laarni needs to strive harder than the others. Otherwise — goodbye Laarni na. Kasi naman – di na siya trip ng mga co-scholars nya (for reasons na maaring kasalanan din naman niya… pero minsan ay hindi rin naman). Parang di rin siya ang favorite ng Jurors . Acknowledged ng mga (de)mentors that she’s good — but not good enough to be saved. Kaya kailangan din niyang magpakitang gilas sa mga ito. She needs to prove herself more – kahit na minsan parang unfair na. Ganun talaga ang buhay – madali para sa iba… mahirap para sa ilan. Unsolicited advice —- kailangan isapuso ni Laarni ang kinanta niya last Saturday. She needs to make everyone realize that she’s there to fight and stay until the very end – the one to beat! Kailangan niyang makuha ang atensyon ng lahat — sabay sigaw — And I am telling you… I’m not going! I’m staying! I’m staying! And you.. and you… Sa ayaw nyo man o sa gusto —- Your’e gonna love me!