Tuesday, February 7, 2017

My Disneyland Dream Turned Into Reality

Disneyland is a magical place for children and kids at heart. It has 6 locations: Anaheim (California, USA) [1955], Orlando (Florida, USA) [1971], Tokyo (Japan) [1983], Paris (France) [1992], Hong Kong (Hong Kong) [2005], and Shanghai (China) [2016].

I remember, when I was a kid, my grandmother introduced me to Disney. She gave me 3 VHS tapes for me to watch: Lion King, Sleeping Beauty, & Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. And from that time, I am a Disney fan and crazy for Snow White. And my childhood dream was to go to Disneyland.

Years had passed, then when 2005 came in, a fifth Disney resort had opened. It was in Hong Kong, second Asian country to have Disneyland. I don't have to apply for a visa anymore because Hong Kong is a visa-free country, indeed it is nearest from the Philippines. I hoped that one day, I'll be going to Hong Kong Disneyland.

My Childhood Dream Turned Into Reality. November 23, 2016 was the day that I wouldn't forget for my entire life in a place full of mind-blowing experiences and bunch of first time moments: Hong Kong Disneyland! Either rain or shine, it was a unique opportunity that I couldn't miss. It was an aunt-niece bonding time.


Welcome to Hong Kong Disneyland

When we arrived from the city tour, it was a rainy Wednesday afternoon. I was a little bit saddened because of the weather. But it didn't matter to me because it was my first time. I was amused when I entered Disneyland and often asked myself, "am I still dreaming? I think I'm living my childhood dream." Indeed the years I waited to see Disneyland were worth it but then I wanted to go back with better weather.

Entrance tickets for me and my aunt
Mickey& Friends fountain

Welcome To Main Street, U.S.A. I finally arrived and entered Main Street, U.S.A. This attraction that I only see in the internet became real and eventually saw it from my two eyes as I was still in delightful moment.

A famous Disneyland attraction as you enter the Main Street
The Main Street Train Station

My aunt and I were already hungry. We ate lunch so late (because we arrived two o'clock in the afternoon). I ordered Mickey waffle topped with whipped cream and served with chocolate and maple syrups worth HK$50.

Mickey Waffle, HK$50

Due to the increment weather we had experienced, the usual Flights of Fantasy afternoon parade turned into Rainy Day Express. I saw some of the famous Disney characters, but the moment I'd seen Snow White, I got teary-eyed and hoped that I would meet and greet her in person.

Disney Princesses: Snow White, Belle, Cinderella, Aurora

I also got a chance to meet and greet with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. Before the shoot, they noticed my Snow White-inspired outfit, from head to toe: red ribbon headband, royal blue blouse, yellow mustard shorts, and yellow closed flats.

I'm with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse!

Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to have a photo with Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Pluto, and Goofy (who dressed as a Santa).


The World of Fantasyland. Fantasyland is my favorite themed land where fairy tales come into life before my eyes.

Welcome to Fantasyland

My first stop was Snow White Grotto. Unfortunately, Snow White wasn't there due to bad weather. But at least I saw the wishing well and suddenly sang "I'm Wishing".

Snow White Grotto
"We are standing by the wishing well.
Make a wish into the well. That's all you have to do.
And if you hear it echoing, your wish will soon come true.
I'm wishing for the one I love to find me today.
I'm hoping and I'm dreaming of the nice things he'll say."

I went to It's A Small World attraction. I found some Disney characters included: Cinderella, Pocahontas, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Lilo and Stitch, Dumbo, Pinocchio, Toy Story, and Mulan I heard the Tagalog version of the song from my ears and I saw a Filipino audio-animatronic doll wearing traditional Filipino costume in bahay kubo (small nipa hut) with tarsier (animal found in Bohol Island, Philippines). Beside it, I found a farmer riding a carabao. I felt very proud because I'm a Filipino.

It's A Small World
Philippines represent!

I met and greeted three Disney characters: Pooh, Queen Elsa, and Princess Anna. I hugged Pooh like a teddy bear since it's my sister's favorite. I was lucky to have a small talk with Queen Elsa and Princess Anna before the shoot. Like Minnie and Mickey, Elsa and Anna also noticed my Snow White-inspired outfit and called me their friend, Snow White. While chatting, I suddenly sang "For The First Time In Forever" because it's my first time and I became witty at that time.

I'm with Winnie the Pooh!

I'm with Queen Elsa and Princess Anna of Arendelle [Frozen].

Sleeping Beauty's Castle at night

A Sudden Toy Story Land Visit. The sun had set and the night came as the rain stopped. We just passed by but I tried another ride: the Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop. It was like bungee jumping, experienced ups and downs five times. It was fun but nerve-wracking!


Comeback to Main Street, U.S.A. Lights were as bright as the stars and temperature was even colder than expected. We entered a shop full of Disney items such as costumes, dolls, stuff toys, shirts, phone cases, and stationery supplies. We bought black HK Disneyland shirt, HK Disneyland magnet, Snow White pen, Snow White necklace, and Snow White keychain. We also went to photography shop using Disney PhotoPass cards given by the photographers during my photoshoot with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Winnie the Pooh to let the photos printed that we selected.

Main Street, U.S.A. at night

Hong Kong Disneyland shirt

Hong Kong Disneyland magnet

Three things Snow White: pen, necklace, keychain

Printed photos using HK Disneyland PhotoPass cards


Disney Paint The Night Parade. It was already night time. We were almost tired but my Disneyland experience was not yet finished. I witnessed the most colorful parade with harmonic themed music: the Disney Paint The Night Parade. Some characters from Disney and Pixar movies were there: Tinkerbell, Sully & Mike (from Monsters Inc.), Lightning McQueen (from Cars), Ariel (from The Little Mermaid), Belle (from Beauty & the Beast), Woody & Buzz Lightyear (from Toy Story), and the entire Mickey & Friends (Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, & Pluto).

Mike (from Monsters Inc.)
Lightning McQueen (from Cars)

Ariel (from The Little Mermaid)

Belle (from Beauty & the Beast)

Disney In The Stars Fireworks Display. The most magical night finale is the fireworks display at Sleeping Beauty's Castle. It's the highlight of an ultimate Disneyland experience. Theme songs from Mulan, Cinderella, Beauty & the Beast, and Aladdin were heard and, of course, we let our hearts out through singing, either through our minds or through our soft voices. 






See you again soon, Hong Kong Disneyland. Promise me that next time I'll come back, I will finally meet Snow White.

It was exceptional yet extraordinary experience that I'll cherish the most. I will visit Hong Kong Disneyland again soon with fine weather to witness Flights in Fantasy parade, meet & greet Snow White with photo, and visit more attractions like Fantasy Gardens in Fantasyland, and try more rides like Jungle River Cruise & Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad. I want to thank my aunt for granting my desire for us to go to Hong Kong and visit Disneyland. It was a dream that turned into reality then wanted to be back again.

See you soon Hong Kong Disneyland! Wait for me, Princess Snow White. I'll be able to meet & greet you, embrace you, and take a photo with you as soon as I go back there.

"See you soon, Christine. I'll be waiting for your return." - Snow White









Thursday, October 27, 2016

Opening A Ninja Way To Music

Anime music is still popular nowadays whether it was used as an opening theme of a particular anime, or as an ending theme, with amazing animation and credits. Others say that opening is better than ending, or vice versa. Some say both themes are good, in different genres: rock, ballad, upbeat, and pop-rock to name a few. But most of the time, we always notice opening themes because when our favorite anime episode finished with an ending animation, we often skip it and proceed to its next episode preview or proceed to the next episode [for completed anime series].


Some remarkable songs used as an opening theme of an anime were:

  • FLOW - Cha La Head Cha La (Dragon Ball Z)
  • Satou Akemi - Itooshi Hito no Tame Ni (Fushigi Yuugi aka Mysterious Play)
  • DALI - Moonlight Densetsu (Sailor Moon [90's version])
  • Mawatari Matsuko - Hohoemi No Bakudan (Yu Yu Hakusho aka Ghost Fighter)
  • the OYSTARS - Nanka Shiawase (Flame of Recca)

Naruto/Naruto Shippuden is one of the most popular animes. It was created and written by Masashi Kishimoto. It was a story of Uzumaki Naruto, a ninja who dreamed of becoming a hokage of Konoha village but when he was born by Uzumaki Kushina, he suddenly became a jinchuuriki [human that has tailed beast sealed within him] of nine-tailed fox. In the Boruto: Naruto the Movie, Naruto lived his dream as the seventh hokage after all his hardships and battles he experienced,


This anime is indeed one of my favorites. I discovered this anime when I was in high school. My former female classmates were so crazy talking about what had happened in the anime and who was their favorite characters turned into crushes. I was very curious then when I watched it, I suddenly hooked up. I admit when I was in high school, my anime crush in Naruto was Uchiha Sasuke. But when its story continues, I saw a good looking guy named Namikaze Minato. He's my anime crush in Naruto until now (sorry, Sasuke), which happened to be the fourth hokage of Konoha and the father of Naruto.

Namikaze Minato becomes Fourth Hokage of Konoha.


From Naruto to Naruto Shippuden, there were a lot of opening and ending songs had been released. But there were some remarkable songs used as season openers for every Naruto Shippuden episode. Here are my top 5 favorite songs used as an opening themes:


5. Nobodyknows+ - Hero's Come Back!!
Naruto Shippuuden Opening 1
[season 1, OP1, episodes 1-30]

Official MV:


4. NICO Touches the Walls - Niwaka Ame ni mo Makezu
Naruto Shippuuden Opening 13
[season 14, OP2, episodes 307-320; season 15, OP1, episodes 321-332]

Live Performance:


3. Asian Kung-Fu Generation - Blood Circulator
Naruto Shippuuden Opening 19
[season 20, OP3, episodes 459-479]

Official MV:



2. Anly - Empty Heart (Kara no Kokoro)
Naruto Shippuuden Opening 20
[season 20, OP4, episodes 480 onwards]

Official MV:






1. KANA-BOON - Silhouette (Shiruetto)
Naruto Shippuuden Opening 16
[season 18, OP2, episodes 380-393; season 19, OP1, episodes 394-405] 

Official MV:



As Hatake Kakashi took full responsibility as the sixth hokage then followed by Uzumaki Naruto as the seventh hokage, the next generation of ninja (Uzumaki Boruto and Uchiha Sarada to name a few) continues their adventure to serve & protect Konoha and its people.


Thursday, December 31, 2015

2015: A Year of Fruitful Memories



At the start of 2015, I wished that this year would be good. Still I had doubts on myself, finding my own happiness and confidence that I thought I was and yet I know that I slowly became stronger and more faithful to God.

JANUARY
Pope Francis visited the Philippines. When he visited University of Santo Tomas last January 18, I was able to see him, riding the Pope mobile around the Grandstand. Because of him, I once again believed in God. 

  
FEBRUARY
My best friend named Janella and I met again after a long time at Gateway Mall, Cubao on February 8. We went to Eastwood to tour her and let her see the Philippine Walk of Fame which the stars of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla were included. She helped me taking a picture at the 4th Kyochon store. But unfortunately I didn’t qualify for the final list to get a chance to win a meet-and-greet with Lee Minho.

Last February 11, the movie Fifty Shades of Grey premiered in selected malls in the Philippines. The reason I watched this film because I was curious. I was a little disappointed that MTRCB’s R-18 law is not strictly implemented that the authorized movie theater staff didn’t check the IDs of the people who watched the film since it has a sex content. I felt distracted while watching the film because there were blocks in the scenes that Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey had sexual intercourse, even though it was uncut. But the entire movie was great; the performance of Dakota Johnson who played the role of Anastasia Steele was outstanding.

MARCH
Host and actress, Alex Gonzaga had her grand album launch named I Am Alex G last March 22 at Eastwood Central Park. After I bought her book and her album, I was able to meet her in person and let her sign the book and the album. She’s very funny and talented just like her sister Toni.

APRIL
My niece was baptized last April 12 at Immaculate Conception Catherdral in Cubao. The reception was followed at Shakey’s E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue branch.I invited my photographer friends, Rodin and James to cover the event. It was fun. I was shocked when my niece just stared at the mascot and didn’t cry.

Last April 19, actress Kim Chiu had her grand album launch titled Chinita Princess at Eastwood Central Park. It was my second time to see and meet her in person. The first encounter was during the Bida Kapamilya mall tour at Market Market in Taguig in 2011 when I was an intern in ABS-CBN TV2 Events Marketing department.


MAY
Some of my co-workers in RED Images and I had a summer outing last May 2-3 in Laguna. Each of us shared the food and transportation we paid. Rodin toured us since he was a resident of San Pablo, Laguna. We stayed overnight at Nea’s house, also a photographer, in Laguna.

Last May 13, Masashi Kishimoto’s film Naruto: The Last finally premiered in selected malls in the Philippines after it was delayed. The story was taken between Chapters 699 and 700, on how Naruto fell in love with Hinata. I felt relieved that the film was subbed in English rather than it was dubbed in English since I was used to watch the anime series with English subtitles.

My employment contract with RED Images, Inc. had ended last May 30. I gained a lot of memories and experiences. I was happy with my work as a front desk staff then downloader though I encountered challenges. On the same day, my best friend Julie Ann and I met each other at SM City Manila. It was raining so hard and got stranded for a while. As soon as the flood went down, I went home.

Selfie with my bestfriend Julie! Congratulations again Luna! Thanks for the gift and time... See you soon... #luna #bff4ever

JUNE
As a treat that I did a great work on my second job, I had a photo shoot at RED Images last June 8. I purchased creative package, dressed as Snow White. It was a dream come true that I was able to wear a Disney princess costume. My make-up was done by Tita Joy. Nea took the shots and Cris downloaded them for me to choose. Jackie edited the pictures I chose. Those edited photos will serve as an unforgettable memory, that I was once a Disney princess.



Some of my former co-workers in RED Images and I went to a resort in Batangas for another summer outing last June 12-13. Evan, one of the photographers drove a van instead of us paying the transportation fee. Each of us paid the amount we need for the car’s gasoline, food, and nipa hut rent.

Witnessing the beauty of sunrise. @ San Juan, Batangas 06.12.15

JULY
Naoko Takeuchi’s Sailor Moon had its 2014 version based on the manga released in 90s. The title was Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal. The series started airing in Japan on July 2014, few days after Tsukino Usagi’s birthday and ended July 18, 2015. When I was a kid, I liked Sailor Moon so much when its 200-episode Tagalog-dubbed anime series was aired in ABC 5 (recently known as TV5). I started watching it on June, until I finished it this month. I liked the 2014 version more than its 90s version. Its music was awesomely composed by Yasuharu Takanashi who made background themes for the animes Naruto and Log Horizon. Its season 2 has been confirmed to continue the story of Sailor Moon and other sailor guardians namely Mars, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter, but there are no further details yet when it will be aired. 

 
AUGUST
This month was a roller coaster. I accepted a job offer at an automobile company after I had taken four interviews and series of tests, turned down a job interview at my school alma mater after taking up examination, and considered a better offer through series of interviews at a company where my college batchmate is working. But all of them were failed. It was my own decision that I turned down the first, regretted the second, and got tired waiting for the third.

SEPTEMBER
Last September 9, Masashi Kishimoto’s Boruto: Naruto the Movie was screened in selected SM Cinemas. I was so excited to watch this movie because I wanted to know the life of Uzumaki Naruto after he married Hinata. Naruto became the Seventh Hokage of Konoha. Boruto was his son who used a chakra device during Chuunin Exams which was prohibited. He was disqualified. Naruto was disappointed with what his son had done through Hinata’s Byakuugan. Though he’d been hurt as a father, as the Seventh Hokage he removed the headband of Boruto in front of examinees and people watching. My favorite and memorable scene in this movie was when Boruto wore his father’s uniform which Naruto remembered his hardship during his childhood days wearing that uniform, he saved his father by the Rasengan technique being trained by Uchiha Sasuke.


While waiting for a new job, I watched anime series that I haven’t watched such as Ouran High School Host Club, Sousei no Aquarion, Aquarion Evol, Aquarion Logos, Vampire Knight, Log Horizon Seasons 1 and 2, Guilty Crown and Say I Love You. I’m an anime fan since my brother introduced me when I was a kid in watching his favorite animes Dragonball and Yu Yu Hakusho. From then on, I was fond of watching anime series as well, such as Sailor Moon and Fushigi Yuugi. Other anime series that I watched were La Corda D’Oro Primo Passo, Flame of Recca, Kyo Kara Maoh, Strike The Blood, Ginban Kaleidoscope, Saiunkoku Monogatari, Pokemon, Ayashi No Ceres, Beelzebub, Ranma ½, Inuyasha, Hayate The Combat Butler, and Parasyte The Maxim. I’m currently watching Naruto Shippuuden since it’s not yet done even though its manga has already finished.

OCTOBER
The British band Lawson visited Manila for the second time to launch their self-titled album. Last October 4, I went to SM City North EDSA The Block to watch them perform live and I had a chance to meet and greet them in person. I would regret if I didn’t come since I wasn’t able to attend their first show at Eastwood last April 2013 because of my first job. It was my best birthday gift ever though I was disappointed with the staff of a recording label company who distributed Lawson album in the country.


I turned 26 last October 5. I had one wish on my birthday: own happiness in life. I didn’t ask for love though because I got tired of falling in love with a wrong kind. At this age, I knew I’m ready for love; it’s just I’m waiting for that right person.

Last October 19, I started my third job as a secretary in Basic Education department at a school which my sister-in-law took up Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Due to class and work suspension on that same day, I started my work a day after.

It was my first time to participate in a run event. UNICEF Heroes for Children Run was organized by Anne Curtis, held at SM Mall of Asia last October 25. I finished 10 kilometer race. It was difficult but I enjoyed so much.



NOVEMBER
Last November 7, I tagged Mark Read, a member of a British boy group A1, a birthday greeting in Twitter. I didn’t expect that he will suddenly follow my account. I had a strong feeling that he followed me because he was casted in Cinderella musical in UK and on my profile picture, I dressed as Snow White. As a fan of A1, I know that he’s an ultimate Disney fan.


My niece turned one last November 16 but she had a tea party-themed birthday celebration a day before her actual birthday at Casa Pura Inn and Suites. Since her parents worked at Jollibee, her mascot was Jollibee. Unfortunately she was surprised and suddenly cried. I invited Rodin and James again to cover for the event, but since Rodin wasn’t able to attend due to his earlier commitment, his proxy was Evan, James’s best friend.

DECEMBER
For the first time I treated my family at a Korean restaurant at Eastwood on Christmas Day. That Korean restaurant was Kyochon. The reason I treated them there is I want them to try the unique taste of the chicken. I chose our food from their menu list. I was happy that they liked it. My sister-in-law compared the chicken taste of Kyochon and Bonchon, but she liked the taste of Kyochon more than the Bonchon taste.



I guess my 2015 has been fruitful. A lot of things happened, but I am thankful. Later the calendar will be replaced into another year full of hope and challenges to make our 366 days fruitful, meaningful, and memorable.

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

My Snow White Journey

"Someday my prince will come," Snow White sang to the seven dwarfs.


Snow White was my favorite Disney princess. The movie "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" was released in 1937. Why did I choose Snow White as my favorite among those beautiful Disney princesses?  It's because my grand mother introduced her to me thru the VHS copy of the movie that she bought in USA and then I watched it over and over again.


I collected merchandise such as dolls, meal plate, mugs, and books with Snow White on it; even I convinced my sister to buy me Snow White pillow case, bed cover, and comforter. I also watched Snow White and The Huntsman (starring Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron) and Mirror Mirror (starring Lily Collins and Julia Roberts). Even a scene from Snow White was re-acted in the film Enchanted starring Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey wherein Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon) disguised as an old hag, gave the poisoned apple to Giselle (Adams) to eat it then successfully poisoned Giselle.

Snow White and the Huntsman starring (from Left to Right) Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, and Chris Hemsworth
Mirror Mirror starring Lily Collins (left) and Julia Roberts (right)
A scene from Enchanted

The 3D version of Snow White was featured in an episode of Sofia The First entitled "The Enchanted Feast".


When it comes to the villain side, Snow White's evil queen has her descendant. Her name is Evie, played by Sofia Carson from the new Disney Channel Original movie "Descendants".

Kathy Najimy as Evil Queen (left) and Sofia Carson as Evie (right) in Disney Channel Original movie "Descendants"

Recently, I saw new Snow White collectibles at the toy section of a shopping mall that I want to buy like Palace Pets and My First Disney Princess doll.

Snow White's Palace Pets: Sweetie (up left) and Berry (down left)
My First Disney Princess Snow White doll

It will be a dream come true for me if I watched Disney On Ice at the Big Dome starring Snow White and I saw Snow White in any Disneyland Theme Park. 

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (from Left to Right: Sneezy, Bashful, Doc, Sleepy, Happy, Dopey, and Grumpy)
Oh! Snow White's waiting for me in Hong Kong Disneyland

But there was one thing that it came true: wearing a Snow White costume!

I worked at RED Images for 10 months. As a treat for myself, I purchased creative package and had a photo shoot. It was fun. My make-up was done by Francisco "Tita Joy" Villaverde. The shots was taken by Nea Torres. It was very very difficult to choose among those shots to be printed until it was down into five. 

There was a princess lived in a castle named Snow White.
Do you want this apple? If you want it, I'll give it to you.    
Here's an apple. Poisoned or not poisoned?

"Wish on that apple, take one bite and your wish will come true," the old woman said. Will Snow White bite it?
Oh! Is Snow White dead?

I provided logo for all shots. I also provided the background for the last two shots. These were edited by Jackie Antonio. Her editing skill was really above average.

The 5 5R-printed pictures will be in the Disney Princess photo album while the 8R printed picture will be double-glass framed.

From being a girl who is collecting Snow White merchandise until becoming a woman wearing Snow White costume in a photo shoot was a roller coaster. My Snow White journey will never end. Even though there will come a time that I'll inherit my merchandise to my niece or my daughter, I will never ever forget that I became a Disney princess through seeing those photos.

*-*-*-*


Do you want to become Snow White in a photo shoot like me? Snow White creative package is available at RED Images located at 1767 EspaƱa Boulevard corner Miguelin Street, Sampaloc, Manila.


For reservations or inquiries, you may call their hotline 554-00-24 / 354-04-42 / 354-03-60 / 354-04-27. You may also contact Ms. Helen Ledesma at 0922-892-2471 / 0917-826-0180 or Ms. May Tumaliuan at 0922-892-2450 / 0917-808-2097. 

Visit RED Images official site for other available packages and services. For latest updates, like their official Facebook page and follow them on their official Twitter and Instagram accounts.