SOCIAL MEDIA

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Dealing with Unexpected Love

There were billions of people in the planet. Every day, as we do the activities of our daily living, we see different kinds of persons like those we bump in the train as we go to work, vendors in the sidewalks, and party people in the bar or those souls in the cyberworld aiming to fulfil their thirsty hearts in search for companions or future partners. In every, they say someone will come someday who will capture our hearts, the person whom we will feel that very complex emotion caused by attraction and chemical reactions, could bring us in the state of euphoria and intense pains as well; that thing we call love.

The questions are: Do we have the choice to choose who? Is there a right love for all of us? Could we stop love from happening from the beginning? Indeed, love is mysterious, we will never know when, where or who.  Having a heartbreak is not a joke. It may come into a scenario when we are not prepared. Many stumble, fall into a deep black hole of emptiness or the worse, depression.


First Question: “Do we have the choice to choose who to love?”

My answer to this is a big “NO”.  As a Bisexual, love does have no label. You could say that you were raised into a very philosophic, religious environment with teachings of the ideal and morally right way to love but never could
 you predict who you are going to be attracted in the future.

In another scenario, we can choose to learn to love somebody but we could not really stop our hearts from feeling that intense emotion for someone. Believe me, not all marriages are perfect. Once you have met your true love, time and situations might separate you apart, but for a lifetime that one person will remain inside you.

Is there an ideal person? As someone who is single, once in our lives we create these hopes of an ideal partner we were praying for every single night. Some pray for a prince charming, which will make them feel like a princess. Others wish for someone compatible with their mental capabilities and passions. As for myself, I always pray for someone who is passionate as me in terms of my hobbies and interests. Like “Lord, bigyan mo naman ako ng partner na mahilig magsulat o yung may alam sa photography. Ok din yung mahilig mag travel, kahit hindi ganun ka-attractive pwede na sa akin basta matalino.”  In reality, love is a feeling we will just feel no matter who the person is. Believe me, even the ugliest person in the world, if that emotional reaction will come, we could never stop it.

Third, the most complicated one: Can we not feel love for a person who is in a relationship or married? They say love is a choice but really? Some of us right now condemn people who choose to have relationship with taken ones. We often judge affairs and other women without looking at their scenarios. Not all of us are the same. Some are so weak enough to run away from love. When you are in love, nothing is right or wrong; sometimes we will do everything, never mind the dangers, the people for the person we love. At times, we have no choice, love came and conquered us.

Second Question: Is there a right love for all of us?

My answer is YES. That so-called “right love” is not someone who checks us 24/7, neither the one who could give us the moon and stars nor the one who could cross the seven seas for us. The right love is the person we feel complete with. He is the person that could make us feel secured, happy and contented without doubts. The person is right when we see ourselves fulfilled by his presence, by that we would not look away no matter what happens and when we do, either not by choice, should we question ourselves “Is this still right?”. Love is right when you see yourself with that person in the future, no one else.

Third Question: Could we stop love from happening in the beginning?

NO. Well, I charge it to experience. No matter how you condition yourself and say “Hindi ako maiinlove. No way.”  It will come to you like a thief in the night, then you will wake up one day, your heart is beating fast and you are lost. No matter how you say to yourself that you are not ready or hard hearted, if it will come, it will.

We never could control love. All we can do is handle it in a way that we won’t let it consume us, change us or make us attached from our selves. Loving someone would bring us happiness and inevitably, heartaches as well. In the end of the day, we have the choice what to do to manage ourselves. Not all love does have happy endings but I believe that verse in 1 Corinthians 13:8 “Love never fails.” We may not end to be together with the one we love with that once in a lifetime person, whom will be I our hearts for a lifetime, but true love won’t ever fail and if it does, it is not love at all.

If ever you are in a situation where you feel broken or being bugged by an unexpected love, just always remember that God put us where we are now because He has a purpose. We may never know it by now, but I do believe someday, in the right time and place, He will. He gave us these people we love for a certain purpose. Heartbreaks are inescapable, but prayers help. Surrendering our hearts and the future to God is the best thing to do. Lately, someone told me “Why does fate give us these people? There is probably a reason.” Being lost and confused are normal, what I have learned today is that you should understand that not all things go in perfect place we want them to be but we could create our own place where things may go well because we value them. These people who came by were blessings, no matter how they came from or who they are. Their status or situations should not hinder us to know and feel the love we have for them. There goes that old saying by Alfred Tennyson “Better to have loved than never have loved at all.”

-faf

Sunday, March 08, 2015

[Sports] DLSU's Ara Galang Shook the whole Philippine Volleyball Community and Social Media after having Major Injuries

In pain.
[PHOTO CREDITS: Mr. Josh Albelda. No Copyrights Infringement Intended]

Stars do shine giving us light to guide and inspire but what if that bright light all of the sudden vanish? That was what we felt last Saturday (March 07, 2015) when De la Salle’s star player, Ara Galang suffered a very painful blow after an ugly landing from a hit to their opponent resulting in major injuries in her left knee which were then specified as MCL Tear, ACL Tear, Big Bone Bruise and Medial Meniscal Tear as the article on ABS-CBN sports website posted. It was indeed very painful for all when they saw the Queen Spiker on the floor crying hard with grimace as her pain level was reported as 10/10 which is the maximum.


Ara doing her show with a big smile and energy.
[PHOTO CREDITS: Mr. Joseph Nebrida of GoArchers.com. No Copyrights Infringement Intended]

The heavens were in favour of the green girls as they were dominating the sets (26-24, 21-25, 25-18, 25-21) versus National University Lady Bulldogs that beat them on their first game of the twice-to-beat stepladder format that would decide what team will compete with Ateneo in the finals. The incident happened in the fourth set in the middle of her intense energy and ruling the court with her A-Game.

Ara was rushed immediately to the dugout and the worried Lady Spikers continued with Justine Tiu who replaced her finished the game making them qualified for the Finals for eight straight years. The volleyball community as well as their fans were in shock and disbelief of what had happened to this very promising athlete. A mix of heartbreak and concern was all that we felt as they lifted her on a stretcher crying in severe pain. The social media was flooded with tweets and posts hoping and praying for her recovery as well as hard feelings of sadness and disbelief of what she went through.




Those sweet smiles and powerful spikes she gave showed how she wanted her team to win, to inspire her teammates and show the world that she can lift her team as a captain. She gave all her best in it. What overwhelming was that the hashtag #PrayForAraGalang trended for a day and a half on Twitter being twitted by big names in the Philippine Volleyball nowadays, no rivalries and competitions. All for Ara. All those posts in social media prove that she is a very good and inspiring athlete by touching all of our hearts on that evening.


Ara trended on Twitter for almost a day and a half.

 But there was a sad reality all of us who support and admire her would have to face – her season 77 is now ended and will not be able to play in the finals anymore due to the severity of her injuries. Reading those updates added more to the heartbreak, the Aramazing passionate and very promising spiker was out. They said that the estimated healing time is 8 months, that means that there is no possibly for her to play in U-23, SEA Games and still uncertain for Season 78. We all know that she worked and trained in all her best just to give her team championship redemption this season. She is truly a sports superhero by all respects.




Earlier, Ara posted on her Instagram account that she still believes in her team and will be with them spiritually also thanking those people who are encouraging and motivating her. I love how she is handling things in her condition today by praising God and feeling so blessed for the love and care she receives from everybody.

Resting well with her partner and good friends.
[CREDITS to Kim Fajardo on Twitter]



We love and support you for always Ara.

Way to go captain! What you have shown us by your perseverance, dedication, passion and humility is more than any individual awards or championship titles an athlete could achieve, you may have lost your playing times this season but to your fans, you are the champion, the most valuable player they will look upon with respect and inspiration. -FAF

Tuesday, March 03, 2015

[Movies] Rome and Juliet (2006) Review

[No Copyright Infringement Intended]

Love is mysterious and we will never going to predict when will it would strike us and who one lucky person who with make us fall, one person whom our souls were in perfect conjugation with. In this country of conservative values and religious culture, are we Filipinos now ready to revolutionize the modern societal point of view of the kind of love between same gender persons who are struggling just to be accepted and love freely without contempt?

Released as an independent film under Cinema One Originals, written and directed by Connie Macatuno, this motion picture have all the sincerity to touch, teach and reach our hearts by a love story between two women with different lifestyle and environment; how they faced the consequences that nearly crashed some important aspects of their live and the people around them. To accept it or not, our country is still not in wide open hands to embrace these kind of relationships mainly because of our deep religious influences throughout the centuries. This is reality and as it happens, same sex love may be viewed by some as queer but its presence in our modern world should not be disrespected nor be condemned. This film is a brave effort to show us Filipinos that these situations exist not just in other countries but in our own. There has been a thirst for the Pinoy LGBT community for this expression through the arts and media to make us understand how they feel and their struggles being a part of it.


Rome and Juliet exchanging cozy talks.

For the two main characters, we see the two women in opposite dimensions of the universe. They found a soulful connection they have never experienced with anyone before resulting in mixed emotions of falling in love and identity crisis. Juliet (Andrea del Rosario) is a simple and sweet gal who is in a relationship with Marc (Rafael Rosell), a domineering, respectable but loving man who proposed marriage in the midst of crisis undergoing in her family. Her longing for that feeling of security praying to find her soulmate, the one she would be spending her life forever. After his marriage proposal, she then thought it was really him that she prayed for. As the story progresses, conflicts started to arise in their relationship like their difference of social class and her inhibitions about his dominance regarding her hairstyle preferences and choices of not having a child for the mean time. Every time Juliet reads her diary is like cradling the viewer’s soul. Hearing those words is like a song taking us into the deepest part of her heart. Great script!


The first time Juliet read a poem from her diary.

On the other hand, Rome is a liberated soul, an entrepreneur who lives in sophistication, brave independent principles and physical pleasures. Behind those sturdiness hides a lonely and broken heart as from surviving a heartbreak involving her ex-fiancée. The world changed when they met. Someone referred Rome to be Juliet’s wedding planner and as the two ladies became friends, they soon developed a kind of deep connection that gave them comfort and happiness whenever they were in the company of each other.


When Juliet became jealous of Rome's ex-fiancee.

If you guys were an avid lesbian movies enthusiast, you will notice that there was a huge resemblance to the movies “Imagine Me and You (2005)” and “I can’t think Straight (2008)”. I wonder what is with bride-to-be-Women that lesbian films were focused on those scenarios. In my point of view, these kind of situations requires important choices by choosing if you will stand up for what you really are or just keep quiet and go with the flow of what people view as normal and accepted, to fight for things or someone that you know would make your life complete and happy overcoming those clashing anxieties and emotional turmoil to be free.

One of the important parts of the movie was that love scene. It happened on the night that they were both vulnerable; there was intense passion as they kissed and touched each other. Could it happen in real life? I say yes. After that night, situations and the people around them went into chaos. The church scene where they talked and confessed what they feel for each other really touched the empathy in me, melancholic yet romantic. Juliet stated choosing to marry Marc because it was the acceptable in the eyes of people although Rome was telling her of wanting to spend life with her. That talk never really ended it all. Now sure of what she feels and a desire to win Juliet, Rome made an effort to stand in front of others and expresses her love for her by an endearing speech, they kissed. When Marc caught them in an intimate scenario in Rome’s place, things got harder for Juliet and she still told him that she wants to marry him.

To avoid so many spoilers, let us just continue with the review. The ending is good and for me it did not disappoint and was fully justified, though you have to watch the ending credits too because there is a scene found in the middle (the most important one). The production and the creative team should be really commended for pursuing this project. The two actresses really nailed it. Mylene exhibited so much sensuality in her scenes from the way she smiled to that scene where she was in the poetry session reciting her love while Andrea, setting aside her sexy image as an actress portrayed Juliet with justice and her simple plainness of her visage in the film added more appeal especially whenever she reads the poems and the endearing script with the capability to reach the viewers’ heart and soul. No wonder why they earned awards and nominations.

Also, I have seen a lot of symbolism that made this indie flick so sensible. From Juliet’s diary, symbolic of her deep thoughts, desires and emotional struggles, her deep soul searching of what she really wants to find. Second are the flowers. In one of the first scenes, Rome said that those could make a woman smile the reason it could evoke emotions, to heal and to feel love. We would also see a lot of flowers in some scenes like that moment Marc proposed giving them together with a ring. Third is Juliet’s hair, her fiancée’s dominance was shown whenever he commands her to tie it while deep inside it was against her will. The beaded bracelet symbolizes of Juliet’s growing love.

This film was shown nine years ago and I don’t mind how late it is to give a movie review now. Overall, the movie is great in all its elements. As one of the breakthrough lesbian films in the Philippines, I recommend this to the LGBT community and to those straight people who want to understand this kind of love, the people who by chance have this situation to face and be accepted as same human beings who have the right to feel and express love the way they want to. -faf

MAIN CAST:

Mylene Dizon as Rome
Andrea Del Rosario as Juliet
Rafael Rosell as Marc
Tessie Tomas as Charo
Glydel Mercado as Lia

DIRECTOR: Connie Macatuno

WRITERS: Connie Macatuno, Chris Violago

PRODUCED UNDER: Cinema One Originals

NOTABLE AWARDS:

[Winner] Best Actress: Mylene Dizon (Cinema One Originals Film Festival 2006)

[Winner] Best Production Design (Cinema One Originals Film Festival 2006)

[WINNER] Best Screenplay (Gawad Urian Awards 2007)

[WINNER] Best Supporting Actor: Rafael Rosell (Gawad Urian Awards 2007)

MY RATING: 4/5



Tuesday, February 24, 2015

PLDT Ultera Brings Volleyball Fans and Supporters Closer to their Favorite National Team Players and Sport in General Trias Cavite

Heads up to Team Amihan and Bagwis National Volleyball Teams! [Photo Credits to Ms. Bianca Frost aka Beverly Hawksworth]


Long ago, volleyball used to be a quiet sport in the Philippines, in a country who patronizes Basketball and Boxing as main focus constantly eyeing to win in international competitions and in Olympics. We had Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas that got it big on FIBA and the Philippine AZKALS Football Team that rocked Asia and made Filipinos proud. Now, Volleyball is rapidly winning each of our hearts. Let us give credits to the fantastic and highly talented collegiate players of UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) and NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association of the Philippines) and the experienced and very skillful players of Shakey’s V-League. From these athletic groups, our very own Volleyball National Teams: Amihan Women’s Volleyball Team and Bagwis Men’s Volleyball Team are now in spotlight as Filipinos were now embracing the sport in tighter grips than before. To add, the line-ups of the players are more promising that we could pray and hope for a brighter future for Philippine Volleyball for these national teams to achieve greater heights and make us more proud in competing internationally.


The prettiest volleybelle Rachel Ann Daquiz on the motorcade. [Photo Credits to Ms. Bianca Frost aka Beverly Hawksworth]


Pinoy fans are the best!  [Photo Credits to Ms. Bianca Frost aka Beverly Hawksworth]

Last February 22, 2015, PLDT Ultera spearheaded their first stop in the series of events that aims to bring the sport closer to the Filipino masses for them to meet their National Team idols in person and also to the players to express their gratitude on the continuous support and bringing them where they are today. Through this event, the Filipinos especially the youth would be inspired to play and appreciate Volleyball more. With happy hearts and warm welcome they played and interacted with the very humble players they admire and love.


Bagwis!  [Photo Credits to Ms. Bianca Frost aka Beverly Hawksworth]
Amihan!  [Photo Credits to Ms. Bianca Frost aka Beverly Hawksworth]
Drills and Warm-Ups by Phenom Eagle and Iron Eagle.  [Photo Credits to Ms. Bianca Frost aka Beverly Hawksworth]
Game with the locals.  [Photo Credits to Ms. Bianca Frost aka Beverly Hawksworth]




The Youth.  [Photo Credits to Ms. Bianca Frost aka Beverly Hawksworth]


This first leg was held in General Trias, Cavite at 9am and the venue was in General Trias Sports Complex after a motorcade attended by popular Volleyball Players like Jen Reyes, Aiza Maizo and Peter Torres followed by drills and learning the basics of volleyball as taught by star members of the team. There was also a game between the two teams and the Gen. Trias citizens and the sought after meet and greet where smiles surrounded the place as they had this chance of meeting their favorite players in person.


Powerhouse.  [Photo Credits to Ms. Bianca Frost aka Beverly Hawksworth]


The two captains. Rivalry?! What rivalry?!!! :)  [Photo Credits to Ms. Bianca Frost aka Beverly Hawksworth]

Present in the event were the star studded members of both Men’s and Women’s National Volleyball Teams (Amihan and Bagwis) who shared their time and effort to impart some of their knowledge and inspiring talk. To mention a few, what gave people so much bliss were the presence of the icons of Philippine Volleyball today namely Rachel Daquiz, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Mary Balse, Dindin Santiago, from the MVT Peter Torres, Howard Mojica and Mark Alfafara, and the very famous star collegiate players of the UAAP today: AdMU’s Alyssa Valdez and Denden Lazaro as well as DSLU’s power trio Victonara Galang, Mika Reyes and Kim Fajardo. I love those pictures when these five girls were bonded together like a barkada amidst the very intense rivalry of their schools in the court.

These kinds of events are truly inspiring and empowering especially for the youth. Let us wait for updates of when will their next legs would be. -FAF

PHOTO CREDITS:

Ms. BIANCA FROST | BEVERLY HAWKSWORTH (For the article and slideshow pictures)
YSABELA SIDOCON (For some of the pictures in the slideshow)


RELATED LINKS:


Saturday, February 21, 2015

Why the world admires Overseas Filipino Workers?



Filipinos are known great employees or workers that is why we are scattered all over the world working in different jobs making us heroes of our nation by  increasing the economic growth of our country through remittances. In the past three years, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) reported that there were estimated of more than 10 million Filipinos working overseas. There is a sum of more than US$20 billion amount of remittances from Overseas Filipino Workers in 2011. In the midst of poverty and calamities, OFWs sacrificed leaving their motherland just to provide more income and sustain their families in the Philippines. As they say, in almost every country, there were Filipinos working and we might feel a little homesick but for sure there were kababayans scattered everywhere.

So what are the qualities we Filipinos do possess that make us a huge part of a work force abroad? From the in demand health care professionals, engineers, seafarers, teachers to domestic helpers, we are considered modern day heroes and a great pride for our country. Here are some of the qualities we Pinoys have.

1. COMPASSION:  In everything we do, we Pinoys consider the situation of others. Our professional healthcare providers like doctors, nurses and caregivers work compassionately and take care of our patients in a very compassionate way with love and genuine care like they were our family members. We treat our co-workers with consideration and a ready hand to help in times of need and hardships.

2. GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS: There is no doubt that we Filipinos are globally competitive. We work excellently in different fields, reason why no wonder we are in demand. Pinoys have talents, skills and intelligence making us gives quality services to our employers.

3. HARDWORK AND DEDICATION: We Pinoys work hard and value our commitment in every job we do. Filipinos go to work with passion no matter how stressful the situations are and finish their assigned tasks as needed resulting in productivity.

4. HUMILITY: As workers, we Pinoys could reach out and have good relations with all kinds of people no matter the age, race and status. We also could handle criticisms in a good way and be assertive to others with respect with and down-to-earth personalities.

5. LOYALTY: When Filipinos commit to something or someone, they will hold that as they were supposed to. Being devoted to work and to our employers is such a priceless quality we Pinoys do possess. Our loyalty is immeasurable that is why we tend to gain the trust of our institution, co-workers and superiors. -FAF

Friday, February 13, 2015

[Sports] A List of 10 Most Attractive Women's Volleyball Players ofUAAP Season 77 (2014-2015)

What makes a woman attractive? It may be the looks, charisma or being smart but what more when we see them play?

Since then, Men’s Basketball used to be the only mainstream and much anticipated sports event in the Philippines as well as in collegiate sports. People were in such frenzy whenever they support their Alma matters or just their favorite players.  These past few years, Women’s volleyball slowly is becoming main stream. Last year’s Season 76 was indeed very historic due to the intense excitement we had seeing very enthusiastic and passionate girls play their best for their thirst to become champions, we fell in love with them for that and volleyball rose to become the next big thing in Philippine sports. A game that requires speed, strength and mental toughness, these women captivated our hearts winning our support and admiration whenever they battle in between the net.

In this article is my list of ten incredible young volleyball ladies whom we love and admire. Forgive me for the order, they were all the best. We may have different rankings based on our personal favorites. Peace be with everybody! *smiles*
HERE GOES MY TOP 10:



10. NICOLE ANN TIAMZON
Court Nickname: Nicole
SCHOOL (TEAM): University of the Philippines (Lady Maroons)
POSITION: Open Spiker

Photo By Arvin Lim for ABS-CBN Sports [No Copyright Infringement Intended]


The great thing to describe the Maroons is that they were a fighter no matter what the results or difficulties they were facing. A known great scorer and fatal attacker, Nicole never fails to make us see how strong and smart she is, aspects that make her attractive.



9. KIM KIANNA DY
Court Nickname: Kim
SCHOOL (Team): De La Salle University (Lady Spikers)
POSITION: Middle Blocker


Photo By: GoArchers.com [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

Aside from her cutie pie mysterious chinky eyed serious stare, this charmer is an achiever since her junior days. She was UAAP Season 73’s junior MVP.  More charming and attractive when in serious mode for me, a kind of aura with intense enigma and at the end of the day, our eyes would thirst to see her more.



8. CARMELA TUNAY
Court Nickname: Mela
SCHOOL (Team): University of Sto. Tomas (Lady Tigresses)
POSITION: Open hitter


Photo Credits to the owner. No Copyright Infringement Intended. [Sorry owner, just found this without watermark. Thank you.]

Almost all of us get easily attracted to meztiza girls but morena girls they say could nail their sex appeal on us. There is no wonder why Mela is one of the most popular Tigress nowadays. This kalog but sweetheart kind of a darling transitioned into a cultured young woman from baby fats. In between her sophistication as a student as part of her reputable school and pang masa Filipina beauty, we will miss her in yellow and black when her college days end.




7. ISABELA BEATRIZ DE LEON
Court Nickname: Bea
SCHOOL (Team): Ateneo de Manila University (Lady Eagles)
POSITION: Middle Blocker



Photo Credits to Arvin Lim. [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

At this very moment, I am claiming that Bea, the most promising rookie of all will become the next volleyball superstar in the future. As part of the team where all hearts are strong, there is talent and greatness in her might.



6. ALYJA DAPHNE SANTIAGO
Court Nickname: Jaja
SCHOOL (Team): National University (Lady Bulldogs)
POSITION: Middle Hitter


Photo Credits to MB Sports Digest [No Copyright Infringement Intended]


Statuesque with towering height, we see her gentle ness and enjoying aura inside the court, a very lovely lady indeed with a bulldog’s drive.



5. ALYSSA VALDEZ
Court Nickname: Alyssa/ Aly
Moniker: Volleyball Phenom
SCHOOL (Team): Ateneo de Manila University (Lady Eagles)
POSITION: Outside Hitter

Photo By Ramil Basical for Yahoo! Sports Philippines [No Copyright Infringement Intended].

What is the best word to describe Aly? Phenomenal. This young woman is undoubtedly the current face of Philippine collegiate Volleyball and we would expect her to be in the whole Philippines in the future. Highly gifted and passionate, we will never ever forget when she led her equally heartstrong fellow Lady Eagles to victory last season. A name dominating almost all individual awards tally and talk of the town in terms of her sport, an academically excellent student in her school and an always humble smiling face, who wouldn’t love Aly?



4. AMANDA MARIA VILLANUEVA
Court Nickname: Amanda
POSITION: Outside Hitter
SCHOOL (Team): Adamson University (Lady Falcons)



Photo Credits to MB Sports Digest [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

The kind of look that we always see in movies due to her “princess like beauty”, imagine a princess inside the arena spiking hard and running fast? Well, we are not in a storybook, it is just Amanda’s charm bewitching us. Charming eyes and glowing skin, aren’t we on a daydream?



3. MIKA AEREEN REYES
Court Nickname: Mika
POSITION: Middle Blocker
Moniker: Taft Tower
SCHOOL (Team): De La Salle University (Lady Spikers)

Photo Credits to Ms. Tin Pe Benito and GoArchers.com [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

Immeasurable charisma, strong personality, rosy white skin plus deadly blockings are just some of the factors why this Ms. Taft Tower since her rookie days has won the toasts of collegiate volleyball enthusiasts. Her charm is natural and without efforts, she could turn heads. The simplicity and genuineness in Mika make us adore her more and more.



2. DENNISE MICHELLE LAZARO
Court Nickname: Denden
POSITION: Libero
SCHOOL (Team): Ateneo de Manila University (Lady Eagles)


Photo Credits to GoAteneo.com [No Copyright Infringement Intended[

They say that you couldn’t have it all. When we think of Denden, surely we will doubt that thought. Athleticism? She’s the best digger and receiver in town. Brains? This gal is a BS Biology student aspiring to become a doctor someday. Attitude? She is Confident and heart-strong. Beauty? Need I say more? Oh  Denden, ikaw na!!!


1. VICTONARA GALANG
Court Nickname: Ara
Moniker: Aramazing, Taft Talent
POSITION: Open Hitter
SCHOOL: De La Salle University (Lady Spikers)



Photo Credits to The Score of ABS-CBN Sports. [No Copyright Infringement Intended]




Photo Credits to Scooper Ong and GoArchers.com [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

Many of you may expect someone like Mika or Denden to top the list but I am sorry for not being sorry. Please give me this moment to explain. Back in season 74, we saw this sweet humble rookie playing like a pro, no wonder she won the ROY from the start of her playing years. Her greatness today had been expected by some of us in the past and is not surprising as her hits on the court. We remember how cute and sweet she smiles on her braces back when she was younger to a very captivating sexy smile she gives us today and whenever that happens, our hearts melt in chaos of kilig and faster heartbreats. To add, her humility and quiet but excellent qualities are exceptional. She may be different compared to some of the girls in this list in terms of her outlook and preferences but my reason of why she topped my list is that she has this thing of capturing the hearts and attentions of not just boys but girls as well. Whenever I browse the comments of her Instagram posts, statements of admiration and even sexual identity crisis were all that I see and I can’t blame them. That is one thing that makes her exceptional among other girls.

Some aspects of being a winner, requires hardwork, dedication and learning but seeing Ara? SHE WAS BORN TO PLAY. Her form when giving those deadly spikes and service aces leaves us always gaping and asking “Is she human?” She has this strong sex appeal that just gives justice to her famous moniker “Aramazing.” --FAF

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

[Food] Elit Gourmet Collection- Chocolate Truffles



We all know that chocolates have been one of the most favorite comfort food of people around the world. From the early 19th century, European food chemists innovated cocoa and its extract was then used to make the modern chocolate we know. Here in a middle eastern country, everybody loves sweets and they always give chocolates as gifts, consume in snack time and is widely a popular ingredient in baking. Yesterday, one of our patients gave this truffles collection as a gift and I would say that the taste is excellent and classically sweet.

The box contains of three flavors of chocolate truffles: Dark (My favorite), White and Milk Chocolate. Sweetness is sinful. Obviously, there is a high sugar content so here I am advising you to take it on moderation. You will love the soft truffle inside as the taste will conquer and make your taste-buds on a high. This would be perfect to give on your lovers, family members or eaten in celebrations.





The box collection our patient gave weights 1.62kg in net weight and 12 x 135g in commercial. If you are living or working in the middle east, you can check the mall near you. The brand, as what I have research about is based on Turkey and they have an outlet store there. You can check on their site at http://www.elit-chocolate.com. It is also available on neighboring countries like UAE and KSA.

Monday, February 09, 2015

[Movies] Burlesque (2010)




Burlesque Official Poster


MAIN CAST:

Cher as Tess
Christina Aguilera as Ali
Eric Dane as Marcus
Cam Giganet as Jack
Alan Cummin as Alexis
Peter Gallagher as Vince
Kristen Bell as Nikki
Stanley Tucci as Sean


DIRECTOR/ WRITER: Steve Antin


GENRES: Romance and Musical


Age Group as per MPAA: 13+

TITLES OF SOUNDTRACKS PER MUSICAL PERFORMANCE (IN ORDER):

1. Something's Got A Hold of Me [Christina Aguilera]
2. Welcome to Burlesque [Cher]
3. Wagon Wheel Watusi [Christina Aguilera]
4. You Haven't Seen the Last of Me [Cher]
5. Show Me Your Burlesque [Christine Aguilera]

NOTABLE AWARDS:


Golden Globes 2011


[Winner] Best Original Song - Motion Picture for "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" by Diane Warren


[Nominee] Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical

[Nominee] Best Original Song - "Bound to You."




The storyline started when Ali (Christina Aguilera) a waitress in Iowa decided to leave her homeland and went to Los Angeles to follow her dreams of becoming a professional singer. Well, like other cliche, she underwent into so much hardships and failures as she tried her luck in a different environment. By chance she saw a Burlesque club, setting her feet into a world where sensual and artistic performances were a living. Like the usual success tales, she was rejected, then tried again working as a waitress and when Tess (Cher) challenged her to perform like she owns the stage, the start of her sparkles came in. Seeing her memorize all those dance steps and songs is a great wonder to me. How could a simple girl instantly got "Wagon Wheel Watusi" in just a snap of time?




As a cinephile/ Christina Aguilera-fan-since-then, I could say that the movie has this excellent and unique musical scores as well as the dance scenes. Cher and Aguilera, were a great pair because they have their names in the music industry. Christina's voice is so powerful with all those high notes plus great choreography would make the viewers entertained. The impeccability of club scenes and musical numbers including to that of Kristen Bell's were really fantastic with regards to the costumes, the stage and the dancers.



Of course we could experience the drama revolving around the lives of our two women protagonists. Tess is having a hard time thinking how to save the club who had been a sentimental part of her life. In the midst of all her adversities, Ali came like a savior angel who by her talent and voice, gave new changes to the performances in the club because she can sing live. In the end, Ali is a hero by finding about the air rights and Marcus' evil plans to build a skyscraper making the contractor buy the air rights above the club. On the other side, while on her flourishing career, Ali was in the middle of attraction to Jack, her knight in shining armor who saved her homelessness and one of the main reasons why she had the chance to stay at the club as a waitress. When an infatuated Marcus lifts her up and gave her a gift, Jack tried to tell her that some people were just into her because she is famous. The theme of the movie is all about pursuing your goals and to overcome difficulties. These two woman have their struggles and adversities and what is common about them is that they were fighting. One is passionate and driven to make her dreams come true and would gamble for chances and the other one is fighting to prevent the most important thing in her life from vanishing.

The love story of Ali and Jack for me is commonplace but sweet. Comedic parts were infused, I like the scene were Jack repeatedly said good night and end up making love with her.

Overall, I would say that this movie is great regarding the songs and dance numbers that we would not forget the quality of songs and performances. The acting were not that superb but we should thank Christina and Cher's voices for bringing nourishment to the film that it made the movie soundtrack an A quality. If you loved musical movies, then I expect that you already watched this.





Why you should watch?
1. Christina's vocal range and dance moves.
2. Cher appeared in a movie after quite a long time.
3. The soundtrack is absolutely amazing. You'll love the songs.
4. Cam Giganet is hot.

MY RATING: 3/5