Trick or Treat! It's Halloween!

Children knock on doors and dress up scary costumes as they shout "Trick or treat".

It's Halloween!!!

Besides kids are busy knocking to people who will give them candies and chocolates, there are other things to do in celebration of Halloween. In the Philippines, some shops put Halloween decorations such as spider webs, jack-o-lanterns, and spooky masks. Some people like watching horror and suspense films and TV shows.

I don't like watching horror films, unless they're produced by Asians. There's a film that I would never watch -- Paranormal Activity. When I watched its teaser, I don't like to watch it because of unexpected scenes for me to scream so loudly.

Michael Jackson's "Thriller" is the best song for the Halloween. When I hear it during Halloween season, I feel like Halloween is just around the corner.

We celebrate Halloween during 31st of October. But remember to visit the graves of your loved ones and pray for them.

My Sweetest Love for Etude

"Hello, Princess!" said the sales clerk of Etude House whenever I entered inside. It felt like I'm a real princess. Etude House became my favorite shop since I got crazy and fell in love with Hallyu and KPop fever. 

The Cutest Tagline

"Wanna Be Sweet? Play ETUDE!"

This is the cutest tagline I've ever heard, especially when SHINee's Jonghyun said this line three times for Precious Mineral Sun BB Cream CF. I would answer him, "Yes! I wanna be sweet because Etude House is my playground."

The Branches

Etude Sta. Mesa (cr: Etude PH's official Facebook page)

When I go to shopping malls, I always look for Etude House branch or its kiosk found inside the SM Department Store. Well I visited some Etude House branches in SM Megamall, SM North EDSA The Block, SM Manila, SM Mall of Asia, Market! Market! Mall, and Eastwood Citywalk 2 Mall. As an Etude House shopaholic, I often check those available products and their prices. If I want to inquire something regarding the product, I ask one of their staff who is near to me. Either I just visited the store without buying or entered the store to buy what I need, the Etude staff always welcome the customers and call them as their princesses.

The Products

High quality but expensive variety of products imported from Korea, from face to feet, they have all beauty products: shampoo, perfume, cosmetics, moisturizers, masks, lotions, and nail polish. Well, I completed the 
SHINISTAR collection (clear pact, clear BB lotion, and lip balm). I also bought 3 Petite Darling nail polish (base coat, natural coat, and RD106 Red), a Dear My Deep Color nail polish (DGR701 Tint Mint), cotton swabs, #2 Extra Power Nail Remover. There are products that I want to buy soon like Precious Mineral Sun BB Cream, Dear My Blooming Lips Talk OR206, Lash Perm 3-Step Volumecara, Skin Malgum Moist and Missing U Hand Cream #02 Honey Bee Story (Acasia).

The Brand Ambassador

2NE1's Dara was the first reason why I liked this brand. Dara was a simple Korean girl who became an famous celebrity in the Philippines after winning 1st runner-up in ABS-CBN's Star Circle Quest. Because of her 'krung-krung' personality, she was loved by Filipinos. I was surprised when she became one of the members of KPop group 2NE1 with their song 'Fire'. I was very happy for her because her dream came true and she's living it. Now, she's the brand ambassador of Etude House together with shining boys of SHINee.



Actually, this is my second blog article about Etude House because I am in love with this brand. I bought products worth PhP 500.00 to avail the pink membership card last June 07, 2012. As of now, I have a total of 22 points. Like me, a certified pink member must be an Etude shopaholic princess. In addition, I'm interested with its joint venture because I want to have my own Etude House branch located at SM City San Lazaro. If that happens, I will not a princess anymore but a queen who manages a royal business like Etude House. 

"I want to be sweet so I'm playing ETUDE!"

A 10.10.12 Celebration

October 10, 2012 -- 2 years after the 10.10.10 -- Today, I should watch out these new projects from my idols plus these famous celebrants share birthdays. 

Movie

This Guy's In Love With You, Mare

A new movie under Star Cinema starring the ultimate multimedia star Toni Gonzaga, the phenomenal box-office star Vice Ganda, and awarded TV host and actor Luis Manzano. A different romance-comedic film directed by Wenn Deramas.

New Japanese Album

SHINee - Dazzling Girl [Limited Version A]

Dazzling Girls is a title track from the new Japanese album with the same title after Sherlock. This is SHINee's first Japanese original song.

New Game Application

SHINee My Love

This shining handsome guys of KPop had new game application, together with the release of their Japanese album 'Dazzling Girl'.

Birthday Celebrants

Kangta

A former member of H.O.T. now a solo singer and actor under the management SM Entertainment turns 33.

Bae Suzy

An awarded newbie actress from dramas 'Dream High' and 'Big' and a member of KPop female group Miss A turns 18.

Wu Chun

A former Fahrenheit member who starred in Taiwanese dramas 'Hana Kimi', 'Romantic Princess', 'Hot Shot', and 'Sunshine Girl', now a movie actor under Fu Long Entertainment also turns 33.

Erik Santos

A grand champion from the singing competition 'Star In A Million', and now The Philippines' Prince of Pop turns 30.

Sen. Chiz Escudero

A former member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Sorsogon's First District, now a member of Philippine Senate since 2007 turns 43.

Jun Lana

A Filipino playwright and a two-time FAMAS award-winning screenwriter for the movie Jose Rizal who recently directed new indie film 'Bwakaw' turns 40.

New job!

Well, this is what I'm waiting for! I was just hired! I was very happy. Well, I don't know what SOO means, but I know my job will be Assistant Manager of that branch. Today was my first training day. ^^

Happy 10.10.12 everyone! ^^

Korean Drama Review: To The Beautiful You

To The Beautiful You was the recent live action drama from the manga Hanazakari no Kimitachi e. It aired last August 15th and ended yesterday (October 4th) on SBS. Apart from the manga's previous live adaptations from Taiwan and Japan, this Korean version had detailed story from the start until the end. Though it had additional characters that wasn't included from its Taiwanese and Japanese versions, it made the teenage comedy cute with a strong storyline and a slew of handsome cast members.

The manga

Hana Kimi or For You In Full Blossom was created by Hisaya Nakayo. It centered on a girl who lives in the United States. One day, she sees a track and field competition on TV, and becomes attracted to one of the high jump competitors. She begins to idolize the young athlete and eventually transfers to that country to attend the same school that he attends. In order to get him close, she must disguise herself as a boy to enter.

Taiwan vs. Japan vs. Korea

This Taiwanese version was the first to air in 2005. But I watched it in Tagalog-dubbed twice in ABS-CBN; first was 2008. It starred former Fahrenheit member Wu Chun as high jump athlete named Quan (Brian), Fahrenheit member Jiro Wang as Xui Yi (Wesley), and SHE member Ella Chen as Rui Xi (Joey/Joelle).

Three years after, the Japanese version of the manga aired. I also watched its Tagalog-dubbed version last 2008 at GMA 7. It starred Oguri Shun as Izumi Sano, Toma Ikuta as Shuichi Nakatsu, and Maki Horikita as Mizuki Ashiya.

This year, the Korean adaptation was recently aired. It starred Lee Hyun Woo as Cha Eungyeol, SHINee member Minho as Kang Taejoon, f(x) member Sulli as Gu Jaehee.

The soundtrack

I only knew To The Beautiful You OST. SM artists from The Grace, Super Junior, Girls' Generation, SHINee, and f(x) participated in the album. Kyuhyun and Tiffany had a duet titled "Rise and Shine". Sunny and Luna collaborated in the song "It's Me". Jung sisters sang their hearts out with "Butterfly". Super Junior KRY flew high with their song "SKY". Dana, Onew, Taemin, and Taeyeon recorded solo songs titled "Maybe", "In Your Eyes", "U", and "Closer". But the main theme song stood out with the song "Stand Up" by J-Min.

Best characters

I prefer the main cast (Taejoon, Eungyeol, and Jaehee) of To The Beautiful You. In addition to that are Song Jong-min (played by ZE:A's Kwanghee),Taejoon's rival Min Hyeon-jae (played by Kang Ha-Neul) and Jaehee's brother Daniel Dawson (played by Julien Kang. When it comes to its minor characters, it's different. I picked Mei Tian (played by Tang Zhi Ping), a gay and a school health official from the Taiwanese series. Also, the dorm leaders from Hana Kimi Taiwan were memorable as they played by Danson Tang (Dorm 2), Wang Tian Si (Dorm 1), and Oscar (Dorm 3).

Best version

Among of East Asian versions of the drama, I liked To The Beautiful You the most. Though its first episode was almost the same as the Taiwanese version and its climax was almost the same as the Japanese version, the Korean adaptation tackled the detailed story from beginning to end. Also, when it comes to ending, I liked the Korean version the most wherein Taejoon followed Jaehee in America, compared with Taiwanese and Japanese versions. In Taiwanese adaptation, Rui Xi stayed in Taiwan. In Japanese adaptation, Mizuki was in America when she received the news that her dorm-mates will be having a vacation in America.

Closer In Your Eyes: The TaeHee Love Moments

When I found out that SHINee Minho and f(x) Sulli will be starring in the Korean version of Hana Kimi, I was very excited. That time I was already an SMTowner (fan club of SM Entertainment artists).

I am a Shawol (SHINee World) but not a fan of Sulli's group f(x). When the drama aired last August 15th, I tried to watch it. Then I liked it from its pilot episode until its finale. As it was airing, I fell in love with Taejoon (Minho's character) and Jaehee (Sulli's character).

Here are some picture moments of this drama between Taejoon and Jaehee:

But among of these TaeHee moments, this was the most touching and memorable scene from Episode 15:

Goo Jae Hee: "I'm actually a girl."

Kang Tae Joon: "Thank you that you come into my life. I already knew that you are a girl."

Taejoon cried and said he knew for a long time and just hold it.

Then he said "and then , Goo Jae Hee, I Like You"

Jaehee looked at him, still crying and then they hugged each other.

Now that the Korean version has ended, I want to congratulate Minho and Sulli. Because of this drama, I just shipped to MinSul pair! I will miss Taejoon and Jaehee so much.

Source: To The Beautiful You (Facebook Page)

The Adorable Cha Eungyeol

The cutest character from the Korean version of Hana Kimi named Cha Eungyeol. It was played by actor Lee Hyun Woo. Well, he is one of my favorite characters in To The Beautiful You.

Episode 8

Besides his adorable smile, he microblogs a lot. Everytime he posts, he takes a photo of himself.

"On top of the ground, I am one hyena. A hungry beast who tries to find his way to the goal. I am still hungry."

[Episode 1]

"If there’s a compass that directs your fate, where would it point to tonight?"

[Episode 3]

"One memories that can still be seen plainly even with my eyes closed."

[Episode 4]

"You smiling, is better than me smiling."

[Episode 14]

 "Who cares if it's a guy or a girl? They're all humans!"

[Episode 14]

Also, I listed his 'quotable quotes' from the drama:

Episode 6:

"I'm crazy. Even in that tiger custome, he makes my heart beat."

Episode 7:

"Friendship sometimes requires understanding, loyalty, jealousy and wasting time."

"Even if the world ends, cockroach and Cha EunGyeol still could be alive."

Episode 11:

"I know you're a guy but, Goo Jae Hee I like you."

"Hey you, aren't you a sock too? What are you then, an onion?"

"I like Jae Hee, and I’m not letting him go."

"The person I like, crying because of you. I dont want to see that again."

Episode 12:

“I told Jae Hee I liked him. I confessed!”

Episode 15:

"For you, Tae Joon is probably the main hero. And I'm probably just an extra."

Now that this beautiful drama ended, I will miss Cha Eungyeol. To Lee Hyun Woo, good job and fighting!

Sources: Lee Hyun Woo 이현우, Beautiful You (Hana Kimi korean version)