Movie Review: Logan

Warning: Spoilers Ahead!!!

Running into the cinema at exactly 1:40 PM last Sunday just in time for the last commercial before the movie begins, I was out of breath and grinning like an idiot. The movie house was not as jam-packed as I expected it to be but there were only a few empty seats, so it's not that bad.

When the opening scene played, all I can think of is that Logan is old, very old. He looks sick and tired and working a blue-collared job. A few screens after, we are introduced to Caliban and Professor X. Great! The remaining mutants living together and waiting to die all in the same place, in an abandoned warehouse in Mexico. Add to that the dementia that Professor X is suffering from, it could never be more difficult of a life. No wonder Logan looked old.

The antagonist, Pierce, in this movie is an asshole with a robot arm. And that's not the only thing remarkable about him. He is persistent in his quest to hunt down all the mutant kids, so that's a plus for him. But he does not really face them head-on in confrontational battles and lets his henchmen do the job. A wise decision because he has more time to babble until the end.

Then there's the girl Laura, whose face shows an anger to the world. She does not speak and only stares balefully at Logan when introduced. When Logan failed to show up on time, the lady Gabriela died. She was escorting little Laura to the Canadian border and hires Logan to drive them there. Thinking that Laura was taken, Logan returned to Charles, only to find that Laura hitched a ride and meet Professor X.

Now that all the key characters are in one place, we can move the plot along. A fight ensued in the warehouse with Caliban taken as hostage and Laura was revealed to be X23. A mutant child with Wolverine powers. Then a chase from Mexico to North Dakota with Charles dying in the hands of X24, a Wolverine prototype with speed, agility, and power surpassing our dear old Logan. The suicide of Caliban right after that sealed the deal that this is indeed Wolverine, I mean Hugh Jackman's last Wolverine movie. He will die, I can feel it.

I was not disappointed. This is how it happened.

The mutant kids have gathered at North Dakota to cross to Canada. They were followed by Dr. Rice, Pierce, and all the henchmen and were being corraled like cows. Logan waking up from his sick-induced rest, checked on the direction the kids were taking and saw the ongoing hunt.

Sensing that the kids are in danger, he ran at full speed to go after the kids, you know that what's running on his mind is, "I am too old for this. I am too old for this". But you still cheer him on. His daughter is in danger and he needs to rescue her if it's the last thing he'll do. He said goodbye, after all, to keep her safe.

A mutant battle followed with Dr. Rice decapitated, henchmen blowing up or freezing or electrocuted, and Pierce dying at the hands of the mutant children. Their powers showcased one by one as Pierce lay dying taking all the pain. An excessive death at the hands of the children he haunted and hunted all through their young lives.

Then the finale, a fight between Logan and X24. X24 showing his prowess while Logan is barely keeping up. He impaled Logan to a tree and was shot in the head with an Adamantium bullet by Laura. the same bullet that Logan kept all these years, in case he could not take it anymore.

He was buried, and the kids hurried on to Canada.


Now for the review.

The plot was simple, the mutant kids that can't be trained to kill are being exterminated and replaced with new mutants that are fully controlled. The kids are to be smuggled across the Canadian border to escape to Eden, a safe haven depicted in the X-Men comics. Logan was caught up in this because X23, a kid with his powers is brought to him for protection. And that's that. No other fanfare needed.

If you want to watch an action-packed Wolverine movie, this does not make the cut though there were impressive fight scenes. The fights were brutal with lots of blood and violence, justifying its R rating, but they are not as many as I want it to be. They had to make time for the melodrama, after all.

If you want closure with Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, then this is a must-see movie. It will give an explanation why there are no more mutants and why the school no longer exists. And it is a chance to say goodbye, finally, to Professor X and Wolverine. This is Patrick Stewart last appearance as Charles Xavier, as well. So it's really an ending to a chapter, we have been hung up on since we were children.

The ending also created a lot of avenues to explore, especially with the new mutant kids. They may or may not create movies of this in the future. But for now, saying goodbye to well-loved actors that played iconic characters in movies is more than enough.


Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

App Review: Google Keep

A few weeks before, I had the misfortune of purchasing a book I already have.

The good thing was, BookSale allows replacement of book as long as its the same price as the one previously bought. Pawing Through the Past by Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie Brown is now Feast of all Saints by Anne Rice (review soon). 

To avoid having this problem in the Future, I installed a note App on my tablet called Google Keep. Google Keep is actually a virtual notebook where you can type in ideas, save images, quotes, and anything else you want to remind yourself at a later time. It has options for adding images, recording audio, a drawing tool and a list. It also has an alarm option which makes sure you do not forget what you want to remember later. If you have finished perusing a document and no longer has need of it, you can archive it. And if you want to re-use, you can also un-archive.

But what I want from this APP is the LIST. Through this option, I can list down all the books I ever had according to author and category. So, whenever I have an eye on a book, I can make sure that I do not have it yet. You can actually also add all the books from the author and the series and check the ones you have, so what would show foremost on the list are the ones you do not have.

It depends on what you really want to do with an app. There are many out there. I might replace it with a new APP in the future. But for now, Google Keep is what I am using to keep track of my books and some fleeting thoughts that come to me once in a while while riding a jeepney home.

Another thing is, you can sync this with your Google Account. So if you do not want to lose it, sync it!!!



Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Review

On December 13, 2013, the second installment of the The Hobbit Movie was released and on the weekend I witnessed it on 3D.

So here’s the second part of the review as promised.

The story:
It started with a back story of How the Expedition came to be, when Gandalf(Ian McKellen) met Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) on the bar of The Prancing Pony some years past.

My chosen quotation from the movie was uttered by Bilbo on the edge of Mirkwood.

I found my courage

• The first adventure happened when the eagles bore down the Dwarves, Gandalf and Bilbo(Martin Freeman) from the Woods into Carrock where a great bear resides. As the Wargs and Goblins are coming after them, they run for the house they found on the forest end. The house belongs to Beorn, a skin-changer. He was the same bear who chased the Dwarves into the house. When he met with them the next morning, he offered them help even though he does not like Dwarves because he hated Goblins more and Gandalf had killed the Goblin King. He let them borrow his ponies until the edge of Mirkwood Forest and here the Dwarves and the Hobbit are on their own. as Gandalf has other business to take care of.
• Gandalf’s adventure with Radagast was searching the Necromancer’s lair. He sent Radagast to inform the Lady Galadriel of their theory whilst he continued to explore and unveil the evil within that place. He was walking into a trap, of course, prepared by the Goblins themselves and almost escaped but then The Eye of Sauron appeared and Gandalf was kept as a prisoner. As Sauron said, There is no light to confront my darkness or something like that.
• The second adventure was within Mirkwood when the Spiders has caught the Dwarves and were hanging them to stay before they eat them. If not for Bilbo Baggins cunning, the dwarves would have all been eaten even before the Elves came to the rescue led by our favorite Elf, Legolas Greenleaf, son of Thranduil – Lord of Mirkwood.
• The third adventure is at the house of the Elves when the Dwarves were imprisoned. Bilbo, wearing his new ring, also followed because he doesn’t know the way out. He also came up with the idea of rescuing the Dwarves from the Elves by sending them down the river by using the Barrels. On their escape, the Goblins attacked them and they would have died if it weren’t for Legolas and Tauriel who fought off the Goblins.
• The fourth adventure is at Lake Town. At the end of the river, they came across Bard and he agreed to smuggle them into the town for a price. He provided them with weapons, also but they were not agreeable, so they decided to steal some from the Master of the town. Unfortunately, they were caught. Thorin then declared who he was and promised them Gold beyond their dreams. So they were fitted and provided for the trip to Erebor. 10 set off, 9 dwarves and a hobbit, while 4 remained because Kili needs medicine.
• The fifth adventure was finding the Secret Door. Bilbo found it of course and then they entered Erebor.
• The others who remained went back to Bard to heal Kili. There the goblins attacked, but Legolas and Tauriel were there to fought them. But some escaped to warn Azog that Thorin has reached Erebor. Legolas followed them while Tauriel heals Kili.
• The sixth adventure was with Smaug the Magnificent. Bilbo was sent in to do some 'burglaring' and he was successful at that. He got the Arkenstone after running around from Smaug who has quite excited to met a new creature, a Barrel-rider, that he hasn’t smelled before. Because of Bilbo’s riddling, he was able to escape Smaug unscathed and then the Dwarves came to the rescue. With Thorin’s guidance, they lured the Dragon into the Throne Hall and covered him with melted gold. Smaug was angry. The movie ends with Smaug flying out to attack Lake Town and Bilbo horrified of it.

As you may notice, I never really detailed the feeling, my feelings, when watching the movie.
As a fan, who had read The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings even before all movies were finished shooting. I want you, who have never read or watched the films, to feel them yourself.

That’s the summary of the movie. A great spoiler for some but I never really detailed anything.
So enjoy the movie for yourself.

---

Another reason to watch the movie (Lee Pace) ==> 

Also, even though Legolas and Tauriel were not part of the book, they were a great addition to the movie. Especially, the third party theme between them and Kili who in the movie is enamored with Tauriel.

At least it showed a side of Legolas Greenleaf that we have never seen before.

Hehe… Kilig to the bones.

• Movie Review for the Unexpected Journey Here
• Movie Review for the Desolation of Smaug Here
• There and Back Again: coming soon

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

Plot Wars: Chicken Coop V2

Because yesterday was, again, a HOLIDAY in celebration of EDSA revolution that ended Martial Law, we spent another day upgrading our Chicken Coop as the chicks are no longer babies and are entering chick teen days.

At 9, we went to the hardware store to buy additional materials, We bought 6 pcs of 1in x 2in x14 ft of good lumber, a 4x8 ft of plywood, some nails, and some door hinges.

These are the steps taken for the upgrade of the coop:

1. We sawed the good lumber to 4 5-ft pieces and 4 6-ft pieces. Then we nailed these together to form the frame. 
2. We also sawed the plywood into different smaller pieces to form the roof and the sides plus a roosting/sleeping area for the chicks. Then we nailed the plywood into the frame according to the cut pieces we had. 
3. We also created a door, so that we can get in to bring the chicks food and water. 
4. We removed the chicken wire from one side of the smaller coop to cover the whole side of the bigger coop with chicken wire. 
5. All areas that have no plywood are covered in chicken wire.
6. Then we placed sand and gravel in the new area and let the chicks scatter them.

It took all day, but we are happy with this new playground for our chicks.

Original Coop

New Coop

New Coop extended from our Wall and Backyard Kitchen

For the whole coop, I think it cost us some 2000 pesos because the chicken wire was expensive and it was half of the whole price. But there are some with smaller holes that are cheaper compared to the one we bought.

:D


For the original version, check it here!

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

LaserTag at Funatix

Last night is the first time that I played LaserTag or any War Game for that matter. Need to remedy that. Its the Valentines Day Celebration of the office, so we headed to Funatix Iloilo located at Plazuela de Iloilo to shoot our friends.

We were grouped into 2 groups, there were 6 members in each team and the bloodshed began. We were the Pink Team versus the Ocean Team, that's the color of the lights on the armor and gun so that you can identify your teammates in the dark.

The payment is 150 Php/person and that's for 15 minutes. 

So after learning the basics of how to play, we are made to watch a video that detailed the instructions, and donning on the armor with guns we are sent into the darkness to defeat our enemies, also known as shooting your friend.

Your life is unlimited and if you die will respawn in 6 seconds. your ammo is unlimited at 9999 shots that I never utilized as I am still at 9200 when the game ended. The armor or vest actually tells you if are hit or if you hit someone and other details that I may not notice because they does not seem important when you are running around or trying to trap a target.

We never had a concrete battle plan except to shoot the person with different lights when we see them. So for the next 15 minutes, we were running and hiding around trying not to shoot our teammates and only our enemies.

We had fun and shed good sweat, so it's a great experience. Though my score was -75  in the end. It did not really matter. I was able to hit some people, so that's good enough for me.

So if ever you want to shoot someone, challenge them to a LaserTag game in Funatix and get away with it. No one would know the satisfaction of hitting the enemy as many times as you can except yourself.

Be at Funatix. They have a promo right now. Click here for details.



Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

Paraw Regatta Adventures!!!

Paraws reflected in the water

Paraw Regatta Competition held every third Sunday of  February near Tatoy's Manokan and Seafood Restaurant is a yearly tradition in celebration of the use of Paraw when settlers found their way to the shores of Iloilo. It began in 1973 as a half-day event but has now blossomed into a weeklong celebration with different events.

This is actually my first time watching the Paraw Regatta competition. We arrived at about 8:30 in the morning to a shore full of people from every corner of the world it seems. Of course, the majority of the watchers are Ilonggos. We do not want to miss the biggest sailboat competition in Asia now, don't we? Given that it's happening right outside our doors.

Panorama Shot of all Paraws

We walked from one end of the shoreline to the other where the paraws are gathered. We took pictures of every sail design and took pictures with the sail design that caught our attention. There were some familiar ones like Son Goku and Dora, traditional ones like the Anito and Miagao Church, weird ones, very detailed sail designs majority of which depicts the life of a fisherman and life at sea in general. So we have art forms of dolphins, whales, sharks, and lots of turtles. Painting of the sail/sail design is also a different competition as part of the Paraw Regatta events.

Paraws on the beach

At 9, the coast guard started asking the people to leave the beach lines because the race is about to start and they don't want the crowd to press to the racers. Space is needed but some photographers are left to document the start of the race. But it's better to watch the race from far off because you will really appreciate the view of the sail and not mind the hard work put in by the people who make it float. There are 3 categories in all, and all of them will be sailing from Punta Villa to Guimaras Strait and back again. The race will end when the sailboats returns and it won't be until late afternoon.

Category B starting the race

After sending off the racers, we also left the shore to go somewhere else to eat. We ended up in the city because most of the popular restos near the shores are overcrowded with people who witnessed the send-off and will be waiting for the return of the sailors.

Category C starting the race

For my first Paraw, it was quite good. I did not mind the heat much and I acquired a good tan. I also enjoyed critiquing the designs and highly recommend that future Paraw designers use bright colors in their design because the dark ones may look good up close but when the sailboats are in the middle of the ocean, the design cannot be appreciated really. So please make sure that you use bright colors, please!? There were also some Paraws whose design are in the back, it cannot be seen from shore when they went off to race nor it can be seen when the sailboat is ashore. Too bad because they are really good design and would look really good from afar. So I think painters should be mindful of this in the future, or just totally design both sides to make it look like a vinta.

Off to Guimaras

There are also foreigners who are really into this that some of them are really filming the whole thing. I am not quite sure if they are simply vlogging or its really for news purposes because they have a boom mic and everything. So maybe. Others also posed for photos for teens who asked them. They are really into it also because they never failed to smile when asked, and they were asked a couple of times. :D

But the people who enjoyed the event the most were the little kids. they were frolicking in the water all throughout. From the time I arrived until after the send-off.

Kids frolicking before the start of the race

I hope the photographers and videographers had great pictures and videos after all the effort they made just to get the correct angles. So kudos to these persons that made Paraw Regatta event look stunning in print and media and social media.

The things photographers do for their craft

To the drones, as well. Great Flying!!!

One of the many many drones

And to all the Sponsors. Thanks as well for making this event possible. :D

Off to Guimaras as well, Happy Paraw!

If you plan to attend Paraw Regatta next year, please come prepared.

• Wear beach-worthy clothing that is not a bikini or swimwear.
• Wear slippers because you will wade in the water.
• Put on some sunscreen.
• Bring a cap or an umbrella.
• Bring water or money to buy water and food.
• Be prepared to wait because the race waits for the high tide or at least the dignitaries before they begin :D

Photo credits to @maikelsabido @Whereisfrances @elzniv

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!!!

So last night, we had a dinner date with friends, for the day when everyone paints the town red.

But I am not telling you about how the dinner went. Instead, let me tell you what the people I met on the street did.

Our reservation is at 7 PM and I had some errands to do, so from SM City Iloilo I walked to Citi Hardware. I am looking for an incandescent bulb and it's not sold on ACE or anywhere in SM, the guy at ACE recommended Citi Hardware.

I found myself walking, or rather running to the place because of the dinner and because all PUJs and Taxis are full at this time. Everyone is busy getting off from work and going on a date or going home. So no rides for me.

The street near SM, specifically Starbucks, is full of people. You see the usual, dating couples holding on to each other doing to not get separated in this "mob" going in both directions. Then, there's the group of friends planning where to have dinner or where the next photo is to be taken, and the family who are also eating out.

After the mob near Starbucks, comes the street in front of Plazuela and it's kinda freer here: less mob.

There's this guy with a huge stuffed toy. I think it's the one from S&R, though I am not really positive. All the kids gushed at the furry bear and shouted things to their moms: "It's so furry!", "It's so big", things like that.

The guy holding on to some flowers, waiting for his date to arrive.

The girls gushing over some stuffs one of their friends received.

The dating couple, walking sweetly and the teenager who sang "Hanggang Kailan Kaya Kayo?!" (Until When) in a very loud voice that some passers-by actually looked at the group of teens and the couple.

Now, on the road to Citi Hardware, between San Rafael intersection and Smallville.

The family who are going home.

Couples waiting and getting on a taxi.

Girls and boys hurrying to their dates wherever that may be.

The couple who are walking in the moonlight, so slowly that it made me think HHWWPSSP (Holding Hands While Walking Pa-sway Sway Pa).

Then on the walk back, since the PUJs are still full and I did not dare to take a Taxi because its traffic in that direction, a few more to tally.

The couple on the motorcycle going oh so slowly, that a sprinting me actually overtook them.

Friends who spent the day on bike-for-rents.

A guy who jogs and does not seem to care that there are love birds everywhere.

Guys and gals on solo going home, I think, since they are patiently waiting for a ride and does not seem to be in a hurry.

An ate with flowers walking in the same direction as I am obviously on a quest to date.

At the overpass from Injap to SM, now.

Married couples arguing on the time.

Teenagers in groups talking about other couples.

Teenagers gushing over what celebs did for Valentines.

Kids taking pictures while their mother is talking with someone on the phone.

And I am back in Spicy Elements, where the dates are in groups, families, friends and the usual couple who spent time together. And oh, the bear I met is also here sitting on a high chair outside.

It was a good night.

Happy Valentines Day everyone!!!


Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

Plot Wars: A Chick Tragedy

Today, a chick died.

We don't really know the cause of death. We only have our speculations.

After housing the chicks on Saturday night, everything was fine. We were happy that we are able to provide shelter and food for our new responsibilities: the 7 chicks.

On Sunday morning, we were greeted with chirps from chicks asking for food, and we obliged.

When I left the house that morning, all 7 of them were eating. When I got back mid-afternoon, one of the chicks have his head tuck under his wing and he was not moving. I thought that he was just asleep. But when I fed them again in the evening, he was still in the same spot.

Thinking now that there is something horribly wrong with it, I tried to force-fed it with water and feeds, to no avail. So I did the next thing worth doing, I added a box inside the coop and layered it with rags, then I placed the chick inside the box thinking that it must have been cold and was not shared with warmth by the other chicks. The other chicks huddled together the night before when they slept, I am not sure if this chick joined the brood since it was an outsider.

Doing all this, I slept and was awaken with the news that the chick did not survive the night.

Because we think that it was the cold weather that killed the chick, we decided to transfer the coop to the back of the house where a more secure protection from elements is provided by the walls of the house for them. So now, they are at the backyard with an additional box and lots of blankets to huddle in the night.

Let's hope that this precaution is effective and that we do not lose another one.


Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

Plot Wars: Chicken Coop

Because yesterday was Evelio Javier Day and we did not have class. your truly assisted in the making of a chicken coop.  A friends' mother will be giving us 6 chicks for our coop.

Very early in the morning, we walked to the hardware store to buy chicken wire, lumber, nails, and staples. The lumber was cut into 1x2x6 cubic ft. The chicken wire was 4 ft tall and we bought 6 meters for the ones we made yesterday and its extension once the chicks turned to chickens :D

At the house, the lumber was sawed into 1x2x2, 6 pcs of this, 1x2x3, 4 pcs of this and 1x2x1, 6 pcs of this. then we made a frame from the 3 ft and 1 ft pcs, 2 frames for the floor area and the top area. We nailed this together then add the 2 ft posts for each side. When the box was finished, we wrapped it with the chicken wire minus the floor part because it will just serve as cover for the chicks. For the floor, we placed a carton as big as the box we had and covered it with gravel.



And the most exciting part of the day is getting the chicks from the friends' house. We are also the ones to catch the chicks and separate them from their mother (Huhu). Well, tita is actually disposing of all her chicks, so not so guilty about that. Then we bought some starter feeds, vitracin for immunization and a water container.

Then home sweet home, we placed the chicks inside the coop, then covered the top and one side with tarpaulin. Then we watered them and feed them.

Last night, all 7 of them slept together to keep warm.

For the upgraded version: check it here!!!
Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

S & R Membership Shopping Iloilo

Today is the first time I’ve ever visited S&R Membership Shopping since its store opening in Iloilo late last year.

The visit proved that indeed S&R is for people who wants to buy things in bulk and in big packages. Aside from the appliances and apparel that are sold individually, one cannot really see anything else in small packets or as the Filipino fondly called it ‘tingi-tingi’ (smaller packs).

Let’s start with the place itself. From the parking area which has 8 lanes of parking space to the inside of the store with rows and rows of items, ranging from appliances, household items and tons and tons of aisles dedicated to food.

Upon entering the store, you are met with rows of appliances sorted according to type. So we have the TVs, kitchen items like burner, toaster and microwave, then household items like iron and electric fan. Then apparel, stuffed toys, backyard things like table, chairs are lined up next. Did not really explore this area much so can’t write other details.

The household items like dishwashing liquids, detergent, cleaning agents, lotion, shampoo and the likes comes in big sizes as well. Let’s include the tissue, diaper and many more that really answers to the advertisement One Year Supply Of ITEM NAME. No small packs here sirree. Some packages are even bigger than I am. Did not explore this part as thoroughly as I should but of well, we have limited time.

The largest part of S&R is dedicated to food. At least 75% of the store area is for food displays. Large chocolate packages, Hersheys, Ferrero, Toblerone, M&Ms, chocolate chip cookies, Peppero, Macadamia Nuts, and other brands you usually hear but never really tried. Large bags or containers of chips, from PikNik, Pringles, Lays to Nuts, Bread. Everything that you could never really eat in one sitting. Then, fridge after fridge of Ice Cream, gelatin, and fresh Milk. Also, a whole section dedicated to wine and drinks from Black Label to Budweiser. Then a section for cakes, a section for meat, pork, sausages, and cheese. Lots and lots of cheese types. Makes you want a membership just to explore these cheesy delights.

After this mini tour, the friend paid up and we had dinner at S&R also. We ordered chicken and pizza. The line was long. It took forever just to give the order and eat. But the food is cheap. Like an 18” pizza slice is 99 Php only and the Burger is 120 Php and the Large Fries is for 49 Php and the drink is for 45 Php and I guess its unlimited because I saw a lot of people coming back to the soda stack for more, more than once.

All in all, the experience was fun and I hope to explore it more in the future.

But unless you plan not to shop again for the whole year, I guess shopping at S&R is a no-no for you. Though they did have products not found in our SM and Robinson’s and some imported products are cheaper compared to the usual. I cannot itemize everything. You have to find that out for yourself.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

World Pizza Day!!

We planned to celebrate World Pizza Day at Yellow Cab.  They have a 2-hour Eat-All-You-Can Promo for 299 Php with unlimited pizza and soda. Unfortunately because of the time (after office hours), there were a lot of customers who are queuing to eat. According to the manager, they estimated that it will clear out by 8PM as loads of people came in at 6. If we can wait, we will have a table then.

Since it is a lot later than we thought it would be. We decided to eat somewhere else. In SM City Iloilo, we have 4 options but we decided to flip 2 coins for 3. Both heads, Shakeys; both tails, Pizza Hut; split, Sbarro. We forgot about Greenwich and I just remembered now while writing this piece.

Pizza Hut won. Our order consisted of one Stuffed Crust German Franks Family Pizza and Meal 9 Group Meal. It is good for 6, have 2 regular pizza (we ordered Hawaiian and Bacon Supreme), 3 pasta (2 Bolognese, 1 Mac & Cheese), 3 salad (2 Mango Salad, 1 Caesar Salad), 6 Soups (Mushroom Soup), and 1 pitcher of Lemonade. Our total bill was 1577 Php and each of us paid 263 Php so we have a saving of 36Php. :D

We did not even manage to finish everything off. 

To all, who were able to celebrate with Yellow Cab. Good for you!

To us who didn’t, better luck next time and hopefully you also found a better deal or something for your money.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

Tax Time

BIR Income Tax Return 2016 was released today.

Looking at ones yearly income and wondering where did all that money go?

Seriously, where did I spend my money?

I do not shop, not for clothes anyway.

But there are tons of BOOKS, BOOKS and BOOKS somewhere along the way.

Also, there’s FOOD, FOOD, and FOOD every day.

Hahaha…

Housing, internet and mobile load :D

Education.

A bit of savings.

Among other things.

Listing things that I did spent money on, clarifies everything though.

So, it’s not really a wonder that I almost have nil amount of money at the end of the year.

So, how did you fare in 2016?

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

Viva Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of the Candles. She is the patroness of the whole Western Visayas, but its mainly the district of Jaro that celebrates the fiesta on the 2nd day of February.

No matter the day, residents of Jaro always prepare a spread for eating and merry-making on this day. Friends and relatives are invited over for a buffet, socialization and all the other reasons for a celebration.

For the last five years, I have been invited over for the feasting. But I never had the chance to join or attend the procession for the Lady which is held during the afternoon celebration. The Diocese of Jaro houses the Lady, she can be found on the balcony of the Jaro Cathedral.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

Blog Migration

Today, we decided to retire our http://ideagoodies.com/ website.

The main site is converted to http://totopc.site/ and it will be dedicated to art posts and our comic book project.

So all the posts on that site will be migrated to this blog.

So, please do not wonder if it turned out more formal than the usual one I post from time to time.



Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

Plot Wars: Compost

Today, we finished setting up a compost area for our mini-garden...

We fenced it with ipil-ipil branches and placed the materials to be made to compost inside.

So we have grasses, stems & branches of trees, some dirt, some cow dung and a bit of water...
We plan to add to the materials from time to time until the original material is turned to soil..

So a few weeks from now, hopefully.


Also, today we planted some Aster Seeds on a tray.
Let's see in 10 days time if they grow bulbs or die out...



Thank you for reading...!!!...

Plot Wars Continues...

Today, we finally finished furrowing (or removing all the soil) the plot in front of our house. The next step is making a compost in place of the soil we removed. You might be wondering why we went to the trouble of removing all the soil.?Well, its because it's a mixture of farmland soil, cement, hollow blocks residue, and other materials that were leftovers from the house construction. I think the materials (comprises about 10%) were dumped there along with the soil was not intentional. But this type of soil composition is not really  great for growing vegetables and other plants. We are planning a spice garden after all. We want them healthy and big. So this extra work is no trouble at all.

I am just happy that we manged to finish everything in 2 weeks and can move on to the next step. Also, sorry to our next-door plot neighbors for becoming soil dumping ground. We will flatten them, we promise. As soon as we finish dumping the soil to your land area. :D

Tomorrow or next week, we will experiment on making compost. Advance Thank You to YOUTUBE for all the ideas that we already have, if they work. <3 p="">

Thank you for reading...!!!...

Because HIT... Drafting some comics

Visited NBI today to apply for NBI clearance and got a HIT!!!

So, waiting for a week more to get the NBI clearance I was hoping to get today...

Some things I think are just not meant to be and I hope that this is a false alarm, and my HIT was myself when I applied for same when I was single and sane and does not overthink things...

Also, reviving this blog again to spout random nonsense on my daily life that clearly the internet does not care about....


So yeah, today is a rebirth....

And we have started drafting comics...
Hopefully, you will support it when we publish it.


Thank you for reading...!!!...

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Watching Catching Fire on the weekend made me wonder why I was hesitant to watch the the First Hunger Games movie. The answer of course is simple, I hate waiting and I haven’t read the Hunger Games series then.

The first Hunger Games was forced on me by classmate when she found out I haven’t watched it yet. And my reaction was ‘Kailinit mana sa kay Katniss man’ (I hate the character Katniss Everdeen). And she said I was spot on. I was supposed to not like Katniss in the first place.

I was intrigued and so I read the series. If you hate Katniss Everdeen, reading the series would make you hate her more. But I did like the series, though not so the third book which is Mockingjay. But that is my opinion and you can have another if you have read the book, as I did, or you can wait for the movie, I hear it’s a Part 1 and 2. That is justifiable as its a bit thicker than the other 2 and they last for 2 hours and a half just to convey what happened in the book in a Lord of the Rings way (sorry, BIG fan).

So let’s get on with the review.

I think let us start with I adored Finnick Odair and Johanna Mason. They delivered the character as I imagined them to be. Sexy and sassy.

I feel sorry for Wiress and Mags and Effie. Theirs is a tragic part. Wiress and Mags dying and Effie heartbroken. But hey, Elizabeth Banks delivered. You should have been jealous of those gorgeous clothes with matching hair.

As for Cinna, I didn’t really care. He had implanted into the Capitol and the Districts a symbol and him dying as price for that symbol, I think, is fair. Since everybody who goes against Snow dies anyway, at least when he goes he had sowed more hatred for the Capitol in Katniss’ heart.

But I started at the middle.

Now for the start. The beginning of the movie is pretty subdued. Just highlighting life after the Hunger Games in District 12’s Victor Village and the RIOT at the Victory Tour. What moved most people would be the speech of Katniss for Rue, and the old man dying for defying the Capitol after that.
Then it was just a pure narrative of Capitol’s monkey business.

Remember: Panem Today, Panem Tomorrow, Panem Forever.

Everybody hated that (the District people) that is.

Then we have the sham engagement. Poor Peeta.

And the announcement of the 3rd Quarter Quell with the goal of eliminating Katniss Everdeen. Tributes were chosen from the victors who are already darlings of the Capitol. Shame that others would suffer because of a single Kat, err, lady?

The Parade, The Tributes Training, Interview, the implication of Katniss as the Mockingjay and the announcement of Katniss’ pregnancy and secret wedding.

Then we have the Hunger Games.

What happened then is too much fun to spoil, but spoil it I will.

The new Arena is a dome and there the Tributes, former Victors, must eliminate each to have one Victor in the end. But before that, the tributes suffered from Anxiety, Pain, Death, Friendship, and Love as Enemies became Allies and Allies Enemies.

But will Katniss have her wish and save Peeta from Death?

We do not know that yet, as the movie ends with Katniss waking up with Gale at her side and the story of District 12 burning in her mind.

So in Mockingjay Part 1 and 2, I hope the answers we seek will be found. And as those movies will bring the Trilogy to an end, will the ODDS be in Their Favor?

Because for now, the ODDS are never in their favor but at least they have
Katniss Everdeen: The Girl On Fire.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

Damires Hills Resort Outing

On June 29, 2013, we, on Eversun Software Philippines Corporation, held a Seminar on Customer Service Skills Training: “ACT Now. Be an AOV” at a wonderful place called Damires Hills Resort (Terra Verde). Though I wasn’t able to attend the training proper because of prior commitments, I was able to join my company friends for the outing.

Our package included the use of the Conference Hall, the facilities which include the Rooms, Snacks, Dinner, and Breakfast the next day, and the Swimming Pool. They also have Videoke in the Conference Hall, a Zip Line and ATV and a small park which I haven’t had time to explore because of time constraints.

So, when I arrived that night, we had a mini-videoke contest amongst us and after I decided to test out their pools. It was only 5 meters dip but we had fun.

The rooms are also comfortable, fully air conditioned with TV and Toilet and Bathroom amenities inside. It was good for 10 persons. Our room had a loft, so we had 3 beds right beside the bathroom and 2 more beds in the loft. The stairs are quite steep, so if children are with you on your visit, please look out for them.

The next day, we tested out the 6 meters pool and the Zip Line and the ATV. The zip line and ATV weren’t part of the package so it was paid differently.

After all these, we packed and get ready to leave. While waiting for the jeepney transport, we tested out their Fruit and Vegetable Stand where Shakes are also served.

Then it was Home Sweet Home.

Damires Hills Resort is located at Janiuay, Iloilo. Roughly 30-45 minutes from the city. Jeepneys traveling in that direction are found at the Iloilo Super Market near Robinsons Place, Iloilo and at the Ungka Terminal near the Christ the King Memorial Park.

For more information: Check out their Facebook Page

Have fun.

Photo courtesy of https://twitter.com/ktmalunda

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

Villa Igang Beach Resort Escapade

A few weekends back, we went on an outing with office mates and friends. We went to a nearby province called Guimaras. Guimaras is the Mango Capital of the Philippines. It’s sweet and tasty mangoes are legendary. That’s why the most popular festival celebrated on the island of Guimaras IS, you guessed it, the Manggahan Festival.

Why did we go there? You ask.

Not to unwind but to join the fun run on the first day of activities of the Manggahan Festival as was planned. But we ended on the beach, anyway.

Let’s do the boring anecdote of our Guimaras trip.

How to get to Villa Igang Resort, Guimaras?

From Iloilo City, you take a boat ride on the Brgy. Ortiz Wharf that will dock on Jordan, Guimaras. The fare is 14.00 Php. From there, you ride a jeep to Nueva Valencia, that will cost you about 40.00 Php. i am not sure if that is the normal price as we hired the whole jeep to accommodate all 19 of us.

What to do on Villa Igang Resort?

There are a lot of beaches on Guimaras. But I am writing about Igang because that is where we stayed.

We paid 100.00 php for the entrance. With this payment, we can go swimming on the beach, go caving and swim with the fishes on the Coral Cave and of course Explore.
If you want to swim on the pool you pay an additional 50.00 php.
And if you want to go boating, that’s 300.00 for 6 persons.
And as Filipinos are very fond of videoke, they also have a videoke machine were you can sing your heart out, as we did.

Where to Stay?

We also stayed on Villa Igang for the night, and we paid 300.00 php per person. But that’s alright as the room assigned to us was very ‘roomy’ and that’s saying something as there are 11 of us staying on the room.

Where to eat?

You can bring your own cooked meal and pay for their corkage fee of 35.00 Php per person.
Or you can bring uncooked meat, fish, pork, anything and pay 100.00 Php per kilo of that but the resort will cook that for you.
Or you can order from them and eat. Each meal serve is good for 2-3 persons and costs 180.00 Php or more depending on the food preparation.

And that’s the way with Igang…

Upon our arrival which is late in the afternoon already, we ordered some dinner then went swimming on the pool. After the swim, we ate and some drank beer and videoke-ed, others played mahjong and other games.

The next day, some of us went to Jordan to join the fun run. Ate breakfast on a diner that served Hawaiian Pizza with a Mango Twist and return to the resort.

Then, we spent the whole morning swimming on the beach. By noon, we ate lunch, packed up and left the resort at 3. Then we stooped over the Manggahan Festival Fair for ‘pasalubong’ or take homes.

Then Goodbye Guimaras, Hello Iloilo!!!

Whether you want to be alone staring at the night sky, or stroll around, goof with friends on the pool, drink and sing with buddies, swim with the fishes and dive to unknown depths, just take everything in stride and enjoy yourself.

I hope you are excited to go on your own trip to Guimaras.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!