My Cactus Heart: Fight for Love

          Is fate really happening? Are some things here on Earth bound to come true no matter how hard you try to avoid them? These are the questions I ask my curious self after watching the movie, "My Cactus Heart".

          It starred Maja Salvador (Sandy), Matteo Guidicelli (Carlo), and Xian Lim (Benedict). The rom-com story revolved around Sandy, who, straight from the beginning of the movie, was the one narrating her own fairy tale to her co-workers in an animation production company in which Benedict was the head. 

          It started when Sandy, then a typical high school student,  wrote something in her artwork that one day, she may find her soul mate. In a music store, she placed her work inside the whole of a guitar, hoping that the person who would buy the instrument would find it and be her "the one".

          However, due to the plight of her parent's relationship (Her dad left the family for another woman and whenever he sporadically visits them, the ending was just a fight between her parents), she resolved not to fall in love. 

           Here came Carlo. Living a hard up life, he was a singer in a band who earned additional income by working under the catering business of Sandy's Family. As the family prepared for one event, Carlo fell head over heels towards Sandy who entered the scene with her beautiful hair gracefully blown by the wind. Eventually in the story, Sandy was feeling the same way for Carlo yet she was in denial.

           In the office she's working in, boss Benedict was courting her and just to forget about her feelings on Carlo, she entertained the former. Seeing Sandy with Benedict breaked Carlo's heart. How could he compete with this rich man when he's just a singer of an unpopular band and was not yet established in his career? Benedict knew that Sandy loved another man and so, she freed her to be with that guy. 

          Carlo was so ecstatic when he received a call that his band was accepted to perform abroad. Sandy, devastated by the feeling of always being left behind by the people she cares for, confessed to Carlo a lie: she does not love him. Eventhough it was hard for Sandy to see Carlo leave the country for his music, she eventually accepted it, believing true love can happen.  She rushed to catch Carlo in his house before he leaves. Yet he was not there. Instead, what she saw was a broken guitar and inside it was the artwork she had made when she was still in highschool. In the end,  she fought for her love for Carlo since she knew, no matter what the circumstances were, he was her soul mate.
           The movie was funny, heartfelt, and incorporated with bits of life's realities. The cinematography was artistically simple yet brilliant. The actors were good. Thanks for the additional acting prowess of Rosanna Roces and Ricky Davao. Some actors weren't really given enough exposure to showcase their abilities like JM De Guzman. Sandy's gay brother in the movie was undeniably funny but needed to be more natural. Some scenes in the latter part of the film surprised me yet it didn't really affect the main characters' situation in the end. Overall, I liked the movie.

           So, does fate really occur? I guess, yes. Yes for those people who fight for it to happen. Yes for those who have the courage to fulfill their heart's desires and prevent personal conflicts from devouring them.  Yes for those who believe in the magic of love.

Vaseline Men Antispot Whitening and Its Cool Pouch

          Every man on Earth must know that he needs a moisturizer.  Moisturizers leave your skin supple and hydrated. Who loves a dry face, anyway?
          Problem is, most moisturizers sold in stores are expensive. Good thing I've found Vaseline Men Antispot Whitening moisturizer packaged in a small pouch with an opening that can be securely locked by a small cap. It only costs Php 28 -  not a bad thing because it is loaded! One pouch will approximately last you for one to two weeks depending on the amount you apply on your face.

          I've tried it and I've noticed my face lightening up. Maybe because it takes away all the unwanted marks and spots. With its packaging, it is easy to carry in the pocket since you know it wouldn't spill out. Very much handy indeed!
          The label at the back says that you will have fairer skin in 2 weeks and visible spot reduction. Your face will also attain long-lasting oil control with this non-sticky, fast absorbing cream.

Meeting the Real Man - - Jose Rizal (A Trip to Fort Santiago, Intramuros)

          I had been to Manila when I was in high school but I just stayed there for one day just to visit my titas. I had just arrived from Laguna where I attended some school stuff. So, I didn't really enjoyed Manila much. As far as I could remember, I spent my one day saying hellos to the animals at Manila Zoo and trudging along the sidewalks of Manila Bay which was then filled with restaurants.
          But this January, I packed my bags and headed for Manila for a fun and unforgettable trip. I went to almost all the malls in the Metro. Thank God I didn't get lost. It was my first time to ride the LRT. Yes, the city was indeed busy- honkering buses here and there, rushing people getting past each other, and raising voices of vendors in the streets. Businesses surely thrive energetically in almost every corner of the place.
          Besides going to Quiapo and Divisoria, I will really treasure my tour in Intamuros, Manila particularly in Fort Santiago. It surely brought me in touch with history. Seeing the old structures built during the Spanish occupation felt nostalgic even though you just experience them in textbooks. And yes, I've met the heroic man behind Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

These kalesas make you feel it's not 2012. These are the major transportation way back Jose Rizal's time.

I realized that the structures built by our forefathers were very much meticulous - - superior art!

Yes, I'm going inside!!!

Silhouette of Jose Rizal's statue 

The stainless framed copy of Dr. Jose Rizal's Mi Ultimo Adios or The Last Farewell

Fort Santiago is filled with lush green trees and of course, vintage materials like this simple yet sturdy bench I'm sitting on.

I guess that is the Pasig River at the background.

Way way back, the cages of the captives were built underground.

Pogi ni Jose Rizal, diba?

Cool, awesome structure.

The tour guide said these footsteps were by Rizal's as he was sent to Bagumbayan (Luneta Park)  for his execution.

Maybe this guy is one of the noble Gomburzas.

         It's a good thing that every now and then we be reminded by our history. From our past we can learn many significant lessons at the same time values that we intend to forget as time goes by. My visit to Fort Santiago opened my mind to the great hero, Jose Rizal and the many things he sacrificed just to free our country from captivity. He even died for our land. Studying his life and works through textbooks is different from actually stepping foot to the place where he was imprisoned. You can feel that he is indeed real and yes, in today's confused world full of corruption and lies, we badly need more real men like Rizal.

Want Dessert?

A meal wouldn't be complete without a dessert, right? You might just want a good panghimagas at Nothing But Desserts, which is located at Avenue Complex, Iloilo City.

This some kind of chocolate cake placed inside a glass is oozing with  yummy sweetness. I shared the sweetness with  friends and I guess their happy hormones just went up. 

They too have Mokki Latto, a real artisan gelato which came in different flavors. I liked the chocolate and coffee flavor. Have fun eating this with your small spoon!!! It is a surefire way to conclude whatever meal you just had.

Sleepover Before Christmas Time

I know this post is so so late but well, this is just one fun experience, thus I'm blogging it. Sleeping over at a friend's place is not just exciting but comforting as well since you get the chance to tell stories to one another and just ignore the night 'till your eyes close. Glaiza and I woke up at 3:30 am for the simbang gabi while others, who weren't Catholics, continued their slumber. The two of us slept for only about one hour because we talked endlessly that night. Want to do this next Christmas season!!! : )

Patunayan sa Gawa na It's More Fun in the Philippines!

          Ba't kaya masaya rito sa 'Pinas? Tanong ko ito sa aking sarili nang makita ko ang bagong slogan na "It's more fun in the Philippines" na inilunsad ng gobyerno para mapayaman ang turismo sa bansa. Simple pero may dating! Klaro nitong naipararating sa mundo ang gusto nitong ipahayag at samahan mo pa diyan ang makulay na mapa ng Pilipinas na hango ang disenyo sa banig.

          It's more fun in the Philippines dahil malaki ang pagpapahalaga ng mga Pilipino sa kanilang mga pamilya. At kahit hindi nila kamag-anak, binibigyan din nila ng pagmamahal at importansya.
          It's more fun in the Philippines dahil kapag may mga bagyo o anumang unos na darating, nakamamangha ang bayanihang naipamamalas ng mga Pilipino.
          It's more fun in the Philippines dahil may nakatago itong mga paraiso gaya ng mga magaganda at nakahuhulog-panga na mga baybayin.
          It's more fun in the Philippines dahil kahit sa mga simpleng pagkain ay masaya na sila gaya ng tuyo, taho, isaw, kakanin, balut, kwek-kwek, at ang pandesal na inilalako ng mamang nakabisikleta tuwing umaga.
          It's more fun in the Philippines dahil kahit anong hirap ng buhay ay nagagawa pa ring mailabas ng mga Pinoy ang mga malalambing at matatamis nilang mga ngiti.
          It's more fun in the Philippines dahil alam mong kahit saan ka pumunta, kung mawawala ka man, mayroong dadamay sa iyo at tutulungan kang makarating sa gusto mong paroroonan.
          Ito ang ilan lamang sa hindi ko mabilang na mga kasagutan sa tanong ko kani-kanina lamang. Batid kong mayroon pa ring ibang mga taong bumabatikos sa bagong slogan na ito ng Department of Tourism ngunit sa akin, swak na itong kampanya para mahikayat ang mundo na diskubrihin ang ating lupang sinilangan. Sana lamang ay mapatunayan nating mga Pinoy na tunay ang ipinapahiwatig ng kampanyang ito ukol sa atin - - na tayo'y maasikaso at maalagain sa mga bisita, hindi mahirap pakisamahan at siyempre, marunong tayong tumawa at magsaya. Higit sa lahat, ating pinapahalagahan ang sariling atin at pinoprotektahan ang angking likas na yaman ng ating bansa.
          Action speaks louder than words, ika nga. Kung mapapatunayan ng kahit isang turista na totoo nga na "it's more fun in the Philippines", sa tingin ko hindi siya magdadalawang isip na hikayatin ang kanyang mga kababayan na danasin din ang kakaibang saya na kanilang mararamdaman sa piling ng ating mga mamamayan. Higit sa ano pa man, tayo ang hiyas ng ating bansa. Mabibigyan lamang natin ng hustisya ito hindi sa kung anong makukulay na salita, kung hindi, sa gawa.

Movie Review: The Last Song

          If there’s a film that spoke of forgiveness and second chances, “The Last Song” would be one of the top contenders. It was deeply moving that it brought me to tears as the movie was about to finish.

         There were two instances in Veronica “Ronnie” Miller’s (Miley Cyrus) life that made her resolve her conflict with her father Steve Miller (Greg Kinear): One was finding love in the arms of an independent, popular young man named Will (Liam Hemsworth)  and second was her discovery of her father being critically ill. These events made Ronnie to open her heart once more to music, the one thing she and her father passionately shared since she was young. As a kid,  she was a super talented piano player but as her parents divorced, she formed a deep grudge and hurt towards her father, completely forgetting her almost superior gift.

          Similar to the other movie adaptations of Nicholas Sparks’ novels, “The Last Song”, directed by Julie Anne Robinson, was surely heart-warming yet instilled with a tragedy that turned the story into a twist which would meet its dramatic, tear-jerking conclusion. Yes, tears. I guess it is not Nicolas Sparks if you have not experienced shedding some in the film’s duration. Maybe, there was a hint of predictability since one may generalize that the author’s stories are composed of dying major characters.

          I guess Miley Cyrus did a good job in her acting here but I cannot help but get distracted with her pouty lips that she was sporting throughout the film. I don’t know if it was just part of her character’s appearance or if it was just a natural thing. But of course, that didn’t bugged me. She was effective in the portrayal of her role in which I was focused into.

          I think the relationship between the daughter and father could have been highlighted more. Maybe a little bit of flashback on their past happy memories together would do. If I was exposed to their former closeness, I could have been more affected in the later part where the two realized that they only had a limited time left to be with each other. Aside from Miley, the other actors were commendable in their acting.

         The music was actually nice that I even downloaded some of the film’s tracks. The shots were just right– not too complex to blow your head away and not too plain that it would bore you, just perfect for a touching story which would push you too reflect after the credits were shown. And yes, I loved the set-up. There’s the cosy house facing the cool beach, the humungous aquatic zoo, the romantic gazebo surrounded by a grassy lake, and many more.  For those who have rocky relationships with their families or significant others, this film might just be the right wake-up call.

Gutom na Doggie

          Gabi na ako nakaalis sa isang get together kasama ng aking mga kabarkada sa kolehiyo. Pagkatapos naming pinagsaluhan ang manok, back ribs, at tsaka ice cream sa isang mahaba at masayang kwentuhan ay nagsiuwian din kami.
          Malapit nang mag alas onse at wala na ni isang traysikel ang pumapasada. Ayaw namang pakiusapan ng ibang drayber na ihatid ako sa aming bahay dahil iba raw ang kanilang rota. Kaya, heto ako, parang nanglilimos sa isang kanto sa madilim na gabi.
          At ang kasama ko lamang ay ang isang asong tila gutom na gutom. Mabilis niyang hinahalukay ang basurahang wari'y ilulublob niya na ang kanyang buong katawan dito. Buong araw yatang hindi nakakain ang askal na ito. Kawawa naman siya. Saan kaya ang amo niya? Tingnan niyo na lang ang susunod na mga larawan.

          Napaisip ako. Bilang tao, nakakakain ako ng tatlong beses sa isang araw ngunit ang askal na ito, tila nagsusumamong may matatagpuang pagkain na ipanlalaman sa tiyan. Ako nga na hindi madalas nalilipasan ng gutom ay nagrereklamo pa sa mundo kung ba't hindi ang "favorite" ko ang nasa hapag kainan, paano na lang ang ibang mga nilalang na kahit sa paglubog ng araw ay hanap-hanap pa rin ang ipangsisilid sa sikmura?
          Maswerte ako. Dapat ko yan ipagpasalamat. Kung maririnig ko man ang sarili kong nagrereklamo dahil hindi ko paborito ang ulam na nakahanda, dapat ko lang tandaan agad ang mga nagugutom tulad ng askal na ito na halos ilublob na ang sarili sa basurahan para lang maituwid ang gutom.