Maka-Belgian Waffle Nga

This weekend, I bonded with my awesome sister, Jackie and my pretty cousin, Juliene, over yummy Belgian waffles in Robinsons Mall Iloilo. I satisfied my palate with the Cheddar Cheese flavor while Jackie and Yen tasted their Cream Cheese and Chocolate flavors respectively. Served hot, the waffles costed 35-45 php depending on the savor you desire.

Me and Yen, excited to take a huge bite on our waffles.

My sister, Jackie, holds her share of  Belgian waffle with a great grin.

Roaming around the mall offered us new sights where people could relax in and vanquish their stress such as the additional restaurants (Starbucks, Savory Chicken, etc.) and boutiques (e.g. Payless)  that surely made Robinsons a cool venue for leisure.

We then visited Marymart mall in Delgado St. and I guess, this is absolutely a fit place for ukay-ukay lovers and cheap fashion buys.

We went Toppings boutique and here they sell second hand products, from clothes to old books. I loved there assorted caps because I'm a cap-kind-of-guy (boom!). I bet one can find a good read here for a bit of me-time. There are a plethora of good finds in this mall in a pocket-friendly price as long as you're patient  and keen enough to look for what you like.

second-hand books at Topping boutique, Marymart Mall, Iloilo

a variety of cute teacups, plates and glassware line up the shelf at Toppings boutique

That's it.  No need to spend much on things you might want to buy because there must be a cheaper version of it somewhere.

Viewing Stoker

Stoker is a suspense/thriller film that centers on the lives of family members who were victims of traumatic experiences. These stressful incidents in their past had immensely affected their personality to the point that they had developed  some kind of psychiatric disorders. Their illness had led them into a chaotic turn of events, interdependently affecting one character with another.

What I love about the film is its awesome cinematography. A lot of dolly movements and panning are involved to add to the thrill and excitement. The storytelling style is also worthy of praise since it has connected the past events adroitly to the present scenarios. Music is also commendable since it drives well with the emotions raised in the film. The actors are also in tune with their characters, making their portrayal effective. I have also observed a lot of symbolisms in the film, creating artistry and wit to the story.

Stoker is directed by South Korean filmmaker Chan-wook Park and stars Mia Wasikowska, Nicole Kidman, and Matthew Goode.

photo credit: clotureclub.com

photo credit: themoviejerk.co.uk

Just In My List of Funny Movies

He's Way More Famous Than You is a superbly funny film that revolves around Halley Feiffer, a promising actress who lost it all because of alcohol addiction and other incidents of work misconduct. After the split-up with his filmmaker/scriptwriter boyfriend, Halley had no idea what to do to keep her career going. She eventually decided to make her own film starring herself and her brother who was hoping much that this would be his big break. Asking his brother's boyfriend to be the director of her film, Halley braved everything, even kidnapping a well-known comedian and replacing her brother with an a-list star just to make her film made.

Directed by Michael Urie, the film could sometimes get corny yet it didn't get into my veins since Feiffer, who also played as her, had delivered her humorous antics pretty well. She was supported by equally entertaining actors who also justified their roles creatively.  Although the funny scenes came out exaggerated at times, the execution was cute, you couldn't help yourself from laughing. The script was ridiculously hilarious just as with the characters in the movie, which in turn solidified the whole story.

This film is just the pill that you need when you want to get those happy hormones up. We can learn here that it does not take to step on others, most especially on your loved ones, just to reach the top.

photo credit: www.moviefactory.org

For the Heaven Listens

I was touched by these colorful flag-lets hanging at St. Clement's Church. They were like rays coming from the big image of the Immaculate Concepcion located just above the church's entrance roof. Written on these triangular flags were petitions of different people asking grace from God such as good health for the family, a successful career and business, and fruitful board exam results. Indeed, faith and prayer give us strength in times we have doubts in our lives.

A Key Grip's Adventurous Life

I'm currently reading this book by Dustin Beall Smith which I cheaply purchased from Book Sale.  It is an interesting memoir of a key grip that will give you a ride to his roller coaster life of family and career drama. Film buffs would surely love to read this for it tackles politics in the film industry based on the author's point of view as well as the traps involved while working within it. Honest and brave, the book does tell us about the writer's struggle to stay in his competitive job as he tries to fight his addictions. 

Book Review: The Abundance of Katherines by John Greene

John Greene has found a new fan in me. Out of sheer curiosity, I purchased his book entitled The Abundance of Katherines because I fancied its simple but chic cover and was interested with the novel's overview at the back. I just wanted a light read to pull me out of stress once in a while and fortunately, this book was what I was looking for exactly. It is humorous, witty, and romantic. It has different characters that are imbued of unique attributes that apparently show their strengths and weaknesses. Also, the scenes and settings were cool to imagine.

In terms of style, the writer used modern and slang language which was a great advantage since most readers nowadays prefer words that aren't highfalutin and which they can easily relate to. Aside from this, the attributes of the characters can clearly be recognized through their way of speaking, providing each their own voice. Colin, the main focus of the novel, was narrated colorfully and comically that you get to empathize and connect with him emotionally.

A page-turner, the book taught me that while their is a scientific explanation behind almost every phenomenon on Earth, in love, there's none. Colin, who was raised from being a child protege to an awkward, hopeless romantic teenager, worked hard on his mathematical equations that would predict how a relationship would end between couples. He formulated this through his past 17 relationships with girls who happened to have the same name - Katherine. However, to his dismay, his prediction of a failed relationship with his new and current girlfriend, Lindsey, didn't transpire, justifying that his formula was erroneous and unsuccessful.

In the middle of the story, I could perceive the rising of action probably because  I already felt the tension between the engaging characters. The book simply put to test how these fictional beings interact and communicate with one another despite their contrasting behaviors. Take for example Colin and Hassan. these two best of friends are sometimes like belligerent cats and dogs. Hassan, a happy-go-luck, the-hell-I-care kind of guy, used to pick on Colin, a definitely serious lad when it comes to every aspect in his life. Due to this opposing attitudes, Colin  would get irritated and impatient towards Hassan's jokes that the former finds foolish. There was this unforgettable moment wherein Colin, thinking he had enough of Hassan's silliness, blurted out his anger towards his bestfriend. Taken aback, Hassan replied with utmost honesty - an unexpected persona which was unimaginable of him. This was the time the happy-go-lucky dude took a backseat as he unearthed his straightforward perception about Colin's view of life.

We can obviously observe in the novel that the characters, despite their strengths, have hidden insecurities that disguise who they sincerely are. Just like Lindsey, a lady who was  unpopular and a victim of bullying back in her highschool, altered her image after finishing such academic level. She became a one attractive woman any guy can easily fall into. That is why she took this opportunity to be attached to "another Colin", a once popular school jock in her highschool days. Being with "another Colin", who incidentally has a similar name with our main protagonist, makes Lindsey feel beautiful and important.

I guess this awesome and fun read reflects society in such a way that people tend to change who they really are just to fit in the community where they belong. They begin to fabricate their entire facade, either psychologically or physically, just to put the missing pieces back of their person-hood back into whole. Unfortunately though, some don't change for the better. Rather, they let their past hurts, angst, and regrets mold their future, engaging them to pernicious situations such as an unfruitful relationship with others and a destructive involvement towards their environment.

Nevertheless, the understanding and love we receive from those who truly care and appreciate us makes us feel vital once more, realizing that at times, we are also the first ones who judge ourselves negatively. That said, we must accept and embrace our real identity plus the scars time has procured us. Maybe this is the first step for us to be more open to others and not get easily affected by those who belittle us.

Family Weekend (2013)

If there's a film that centers on common family dilemmas, Family Weekend is a nice pick. It shows the typical scenario where kids are devoid of attention from parents, thus, they find ways to assert their existence at home. Most of the time, children turn out to be rebellious when their guardians are unable to provide them tangible love and support but here in the movie, the main character didn't rely on drugs or alcohol to solve her problem. Instead, she made a plan in order for her parents to realize that they miss in sharing quality time with her and her siblings: kidnapping her parents in their own residence.

What I fancy about the movie is that it has the abundance of comedy yet the scenes wherein intense drama is needed are portrayed well. Thanks to the actors who played each of their role adroitly. It is the story of Samantha Smith-Dungy (played by Kristin Chenoweth), an excellent and promising jumping rope player who officially represents her school in competitions of such sport, even joining the most-anticipated regionals. Problem is, her family is not always present during her tournaments and a teenager like her takes this lack of support very emotionally, destructive even.

I love it when most of the scenes center in one setting yet the story is still unfolding. This is true with Family Weekend for the family's home is the main location where almost more than half of the story takes place. Notwithstanding this, the film is not boring since my mind imagines what is possibly happening outside the home for the events going on inside are indisputably connected to the external occurrences.

Cinematography has a humorous feel because captures of a home video taken by Jackson Smith-Dungy (played by Eddie Hassel) are constantly shown on screen,  adding to the chaotic environment  transpiring inside the house. Eddie's character is interesting because here, he is pretending to be gay even though he's not just to please his father, Duncan Dungy (played by Matthew Modine), who ironically wants a homosexual son.

The film's pacing is well stitched in a sense that we get excited as the movie comes to its conclusion. The  ending shows the day of the regional jumping rope competition where Samantha is about to participate in. Before that though, she must escape the cops who just came into their house, ready to capture her for a kidnapping case. This is due to Samantha restraining her parents in their own home as she engages them in quizzes and games that include how to be good and responsible parents. However, Kat, a mean girl in Samantha's school, comes into the house, befriending the latter while she secretly records the drama with her cellphone, uploading them in the internet for the public to see.

Moral lesson? Parents are not perfect since they are also humans. Unfortunately, this is not enough reason for them not to be responsible ones to their children. Kids need the presence, attention, and love of parents for them to grow in good example. Family should find time to recreate so that their bond will not cut loose, making each member feel unique and special as they naturally are.

Make Iloilo a City Wonder

Vote Iloilo City in the New 7 Wonders Cities on http://www.new7wonders.com/.