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 España 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.



  

Monday, December 28, 2015

Still Having Their Young: A Decade of Fahrenheit


Taiwan’s HIM International Music, Inc. debuted a boy group named Fahrenheit (Fei Lun Hai) last December 28, 2005. It was composed by Wu Chun, Calvin Chen, Jiro Wang, and Aaron Yan, representing four weather seasons: autumn, spring, summer, and winter respectively. They’ve been dubbed as the predecessors of F4 (recently known as JVKV: Jerry Yan, Van Ness Wu, Ken Zhu, and Vic Zhou which were famous in the phenomenal Taiwanese drama Meteor Garden and changed their group name due to confusion since Japan had its version named Hana Yori Dango).

They acted in series of television dramas: KO One, The X-Family, and Sunshine Girl to name a few. My favorite role of Chun was Jin in Romantic Princess. Love Buffet’s Xing Da Ye was my favorite character played by Calvin. Playing the role 007 in Mysterious Incredible Terminator was my favorite for Aaron. For Jiro, being the superstar Mars in ToGetHer was also my favorite.

Wu Chun as Jin in Romantic Princess 
Calvin Chen as Xing Da Ye in Love Buffet
Jiro Wang as Mars in ToGetHer
Aaron Yan as 007 in Mysterious Incredible Terminator
They also released four albums: Fahrenheit, Two-Sided Fahrenheit, Love You More and More, and Super Hot. For each album, I have my favorites. In their first self-titled debut album, their collaboration with Hebe Tien titled Only Have Feelings For You. Existing For You was my favorite in their second album. Mo Mo, the closing theme song for Jiro’s drama ToGetHer, was my favorite song from their third album. In their fourth album, Sexy Girl was my favorite. Among these four albums, my favorite was Love You More and More because it’s the first album from Fahrenheit that I bought.





They became brand ambassadors of Coca Cola, Taiwan Tourism, C.C. Lemon, and Gatsby Hair Wax. Three members were also entrepreneurs. Calvin and Jiro opened their own apparel businesses named Factorysev7n and MJO respectively. Chun has his own business venture named Fitness Zone in Brunei with majority of the staff were Filipinos. Thru his gym business, he’s been helping the Philippines during calamities such as Sendong (Ondoy) and Haiyan (Yolanda) thru membership promotions and voluntary donations from members and non-members, and then he will send those donations he collected thru authorized Philippine non-profit organizations like Red Cross.



Wu Chun owns Fitness Zone in Brunei
Calvin Chen owns WOW brand in Factorysev7n line
Jiro Wang models his own apparel brand, MJO

Because of this group I met my best friends who were also a fan: Janella Geronimo, Therese Garay, Julie Pulmones, Aileene Saez, and Jaynee Michelle to name a few. We actively participated in Asian Expo event few years ago and had few meet-ups. Even though we rarely meet because of our personal lives, thanks to social media such as Twitter and Facebook, we are able to have a little chitchat.

from left: Aileene, Therese, and Gliselle
from left: Janella, me, Julie
A lot of controversies had happened with the group such as Chun’s departure in the group and Aaron’s revelation that he and Jiro and Calvin were not in good terms, even Chun’s most shocking revelation that he’s already married with children and Calvin’s relationship rumors with actress Joanne Zeng and Korea’s Miss A member Fei. The group had been inactive for years since Chun’s departure, but each member has been active in their solo careers. Chun was an actor in Chinese-produced movies. Calvin was still a TV drama actor and an MTV VJ in Taiwan for his own show title Ri Han Yin Yue Feng (Japan Korea Music Craze). Jiro actively participated in wearing character costumes in cosplay events as Goku in Dragonball and Batman to name a few. Aaron continued his acting career in TV dramas and released solo album The Next Me and other single albums.

Wu Chun with his daughter Nei Nei
Calvin Chen hosting MTV Ri Han Yin Yue Feng
Jiro Wang cosplaying as Dragonball's Son Goku
Aaron Yan's latest EP "Cut"
Even though in a rare time, I’m still able to read some news updates on what’s been happening about them through social media. For ten years, Fahrenheit still have their young. Each member achieved so much in music, film, and TV. We, fans, still consider Chun as part of the group, and still holding that hope for them to be in good terms as friends and to have a reunion soon just like what F4 did (performing in Chinese New Year celebration) few years back.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

The Heirs: Balancing Between Love and Duty



The Heirs was my favorite Korean drama that SBS Korea has been aired so far. It aired from October 9, 2013 to December 12, 2013. Its special was aired last December 25, 2013 as a Christmas gift to the fans of this drama. It starred Lee Minho as Kim Tan, Park Shin Hye as Cha Eun Sang, and Kim Woo Bin as Choi Young Do.

from Left to Right: Kim Tan (Lee Minho), Cha Eun Sang (Park Shin Hye), Choi Young Do (Kim Woo Bin)
This drama is indeed star-studded, including CNBlue member Kang Min hyuk as Yoon Chan-young (Eun Sang's best friend) and f(x) member Krystal Jung as Lee Bona (Chan-young's girlfriend and Kim Tan's ex-girlfriend). The former cast of To The Beautiful You namely Kang Ha-neul (as Lee Hyo-shin) and Kim Ji-won (as Rachel Yoo) was also included in the star-studded cast of The Heirs.

The Heirs Character Map

It was hard for Kim Tan balancing his love for Eun Sang and his duty as the future heir of the Empire Group. Since he has an elder brother who chose duty over love, he chose love over duty. So he did the right decision.

Kim Tan's professor's note "One who wants to wear the crown, bears the crown"

For me this drama is not boring. I really love how the cast portrayed the characters so well, making that portrayal seemed deep that you'll understand from time to time as the story progresses.

As a fan of this drama, I purchased the first original soundtrack which "Moment" was sung by Changmin of the Korean boy group 2AM and ordered dream catcher that is exactly the same as it was featured in the drama.

The Heirs Original Soundtrack Part 1
Kim Tan holds dream catcher that was given by Cha Eun Sang as a payment when she temporarily lived at his house in USA after she discovered that her sister lied to her.

The Heirs was indeed a phenomenal Korean drama that received love from fans and viewers all over the world. The news of this drama to be premiered in the big screen next year has been confirmed but its further details has not yet available. I hope that the original cast will reunite and reprise their roles for the movie version. Also I hope that the story will be the continuation of the TV drama which tackles the challenges of the relationship between Kim Tan and Cha Eun Sang before and after the marriage.

 
While we are waiting for its movie version, The Heirs will air on the Philippine throwback channel Jeepney TV (Sky Cable Channel 9) starting December 28, 2015, Monday at 11:15am. Last May 26, 2014, this drama was first aired in ABS-CBN. Filipino fans of Lee Minho and Park Shin Hye are surely happy that they'll be able to watch again after they requested to re-air it again on the official Facebook page of ABS-CBN Kapamilyanovelas.

Post of ABS-CBN Kapamilya Asianovelas Official Facebook Page confirming re-airing of The Heirs (JulYan stands for Julia and Ryan, English names used when ABS-CBN aired last year)