the making of reviews

The Echo Movie Review

2009-09-23T20:37:00.001-07:00

“The next time you hear a knock at your door, be careful... you never know what's on the other side.”

This acclaimed Filipino thriller Sigaw (The Echo) is remade into a movie-for-Hollywood. Yam Laranas, the co-writer and director for Sigaw, directed this remake. Screening begins September 30, 2009 here in Philippines and will star Jesse Bradford of the ‘Flags of our Fathers’ fame.

On the premiere night, I found myself jumping on seat at certain scene. I admit Laranas had me freaked out. This feeling is reinforced when it occurs again and there is no child, just the camera hinting at the movements of someone. An excellent method of building unease in the audience, lighting and camerawork are excellent. I must also say, it is a real stunner -worth seeing at least once.

Instituto Cervantes stages the grandest Spanish film festival in Asia

2009-09-22T07:39:00.000-07:00

It’s a triple treat for film buffs as Instituto Cervantes de Manila brings back Película, the biggest annual Spanish Film Festival in Asia, at chosen venues in Metro Manila from October 1 to 31.

Due to the past successes of its first seven seasons, organizers have doubled the number of films (this year more than 40!), gone from one to three venues and lengthened the film festival. Cultural events have also been calendared, in line with the theme of this year’s festival: Locos por el cine or Adik sa Pelikula.

With new partnerships forged by Instituto Cervantes, the cultural arm of the Spanish Embassy to the Philippines, and the strengthening support from Spanish filmmakers, last year’s attendance by cinema enthusiasts is expected to increase this year. Last year, some 20,000 spectators attended the Festival.

"This year marks our 8th edition and we're very proud of how far the Festival's come in such a short period of time," said Instituto Cervantes director Jose Rodriguez. "We believe Película has the potential to foster incredible growth in arts and entertainment and attract the best of the best-acclaimed Spanish and Latin American filmmakers to this area. We are especially proud of the reputation the Festival has developed over the years as a great local venue to feature and premier award-winning Spanish films.”

Selection of films will be divided into four groups this year: Official section at Greenbelt 3 Cinemas featuring Spanish contemporary and award-winning films; Spanish and Filipino documentaries at CCP which is a selection of 12 documentaries that bear testament to the growing vitality of the genre in the two countries; Spanish Cinema in 8 Films at the College of Saint Benilde featuring eight classical Spanish movies; and a selection of Latin-American indie productions entitled Cine en construcción (Films in progress), also scheduled at College of Saint Benilde.

Película kicks off on October 1 with an opening night featuring the movie No me pidas que te bese porque te besaré (Don’t ask me to kiss you, because I will). This comedy is about a man who is repenting his decision to marry and takes guitar lessons with “special” people to distract himself before his wedding. Gracing the opening night at the Greenbelt 5 Fashion walk area will be a dance performance by B612, a vertical dance company who was brought to Manila by Instituto Cervantes to display their world-class dance and lights to local audience.

Multi-awarded films such as El truco del manco (The one-handed trick), Una palabra tuya, Los girasoles ciegos (The Blind Sunflowers), Rotorno a Hansala (Return to Hansala), and 3 Días make their Philippine premiere at the film festival, which starts also on October 1 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas.

Other films include El Nido Vacío (Empty Nest), a comedy that explores the gap that occurs when children grow up and move away from home; and Dieta mediterranea (Mediterranean Diet), a story about a girl named Sofia who was regarded as the “best chef in the world” and the two men who helped her become a legend.

On October 7, Película gives tribute to Mexico’s film industry with the Mexican Cinema Night. Headlining this evening 2008 San Diego Latino Film Festival, La Zona (The Zone), a film about a wealthy compound surrounded by walls and surveillance system to protect the locals against the violence of the slums.

Running at the De La Salle University- College of St. Benilde (DLSU-CSB) from October 1 to 31 is a photo exhibition on the evolution of the Spanish cinema. Tagged as Crónica Visual del Cine Español (A Visual Chronicle of Spanish Cinema), the exhibit will be divided into the three periods of the Spanish cinema, aiming to recreate the journey of the films from the old Europe and Latin American tradition to the current contemporary style.

Alongside the exhibits at the DLSU-CSB will be a series of workshops on scriptwriting and editing as well as the showcasing of Latin American indie films. On October 14, 12:30 p.m., Chilean director Oscar Cardenas will grace the DLSU-CSB for the Asian premiere of his film Rabia.

Meanwhile, from October 7 to 31 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is a photo exhibit on Filipino Filmmakers by renowned Spanish photographer Óscar Orengo. Featured in the exhibit – the first of its kind in the country – are local directors and actors from different generations like Peque Gallaga, Brilliante Mendoza, Lav Diaz and many more.

That same day, October 7, No todo es verdad, a selection of Filipino and Spanish documentaries will also begin at the CCP Dream Theater.

Película is organized by Instituto Cervantes, in cooperation with the Spanish Embassy in the Philippines, AECID, Ministerio de Cultura of Spain, Filmoteca del Ministerio de AA.EE. de España, Cine en Construcción, Spanish Program for Cultural Cooperation, Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day, LRT, MRT, Cultural Center of the Philippines, College of St.Benilde, Greenbelt and Ayala Malls Cinemas. Special thanks to Dusit Thani Manila - the official hotel residence, Qatar Airways - the official airline, Jaguar – the official luxury car, welovepost - the official post and design boutique and 2nd Avenue – the official TV media partner of Película.

Other sponsors are Alba Restaurante Español, Barcelo Café, Espa-Fil, Bai Capture, Icon Graphics, PostManila, Tooth Fairy productions, Mapfre Insular Insurance Corp., and Embajada de México. Media partners: Lifestyle Asia, Lifestyle Travel and Business Mirror, ClickTheCity.com and Spot.ph (Online), UR 105.9 and RJ 100.3 (Radio).

For more information, please call 526 1482 or visit http://manila.cervantes.es or www.pelicula.ph Instituto Cervantes de Manila is located at 855 T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila.

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For more information:

TJ Agcaoili

Instituto Cervantes Prensa

855 TM Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila

Tel: 526 1482

Fax: 526 1449

Mobile: 09273092603

prensamni@cervantes.net.ph

White Forest Cake from Red Ribbon

2009-09-18T04:17:00.000-07:00

White Forest Cake is the newest cake discovery from Red Ribbon. This cake got its inspiration from the all time favorite Black Forest Cake.

This White Forest Cake is an early and perfect treat for Christmas. It's made with creamy white chocolate and light, moist white chiffon cake layered between real cherry bits filling and a fusion of cream and white chocolate flakes. Simply sweet and pure bliss.

What more can you ask for? Nothing more I guess, and as I slowly savored bites from a slice earlier.

Get your cake now and experience the creamy goodness of Red Ribbon’s White Forest cake. Available in Red Ribbon stores starting September 18, 2009.

UNLITXTtrio 25: Tunay na pinakasulit, hindi combo, TRIO!

2009-08-19T07:32:00.000-07:00

Bago hatid ng Globe! Tunay na pinakasulit, hindi combo, TRIO!

Globe Telecom recently launched their new text service promo called UNLITXTtrio 25! This text promo enable the subscriber to text all day, call for 15 minutes to Globe and TM subscribers, and free 10 texts to other networks. This promo is so sulit for 25.00 pesos only.

How to register? Just text UNLITRIO25 and send it to 8888.

Globe Free Apps Website Review

2009-07-27T07:37:00.000-07:00

The possibility to download free applications is a big advantage for websites specializing on mobile application software. However, this way of innovation isn’t widespread. Recently, to further their services to their subscribers, Globe Telecom launched their online portal called Free Apps where subscribers can download free mobile and PC applications developed by members of the Globe Labs developer pool or popular applications coming from the web. This portal contains not only free mobile and PC application downloads but also a lot of interesting and useful information about Globe services and the mobile world.

Among its features, what I liked best about the site is its content which is not saturated with too much various information about the latest news in Globe services, applications, software reviews and whatnot. Also, when clicking the Free Apps tab, you will find a list of all free applications for different mobile devices. You can look through the applications available specifically for your phone model to personalize content listing. In the list of Free Apps, you will find top featured applications each with brief description and screenshots. Just click the Download button and you can save free software on your PC. There is also a quick view option where you can easily navigate through the most popular, highly rated apps and you can search for these apps by content type. Also, the Globe latest promos are listed also in the left section of the website.

The overall Globe Telecom website and Free Apps page has nice simple interface of a three-column page. The main frame contains the feature about the applications with screenshots, and right away the Free Download button. This presentation of section makes the site easy to navigate through.

As a recommendation to best the user navigation and experience, I suggest that the Globe team should make the download time from one page to another faster by using light content (graphics and other media) because if not, downloading a page will take years – they should make the site fast to load (this is one of a characteristic of a very good download site). Another is that the Globe site developers should also apply Search-engine friendly URL for shortcut and direct access on all pages.

Visit and download Free Apps here.

Orphan Movie Review

2009-07-26T07:38:00.000-07:00

We went last night to see the movie, Orphan directed by Jaume Collet-Sera, and while it's creepy - I'll give it creepy - it's boringly fun. The movie is about Esther, the Orphan, and figuring out what is wrong with her. In the movie you’ll meet John and Kate (parents who adopted Esther) – plus hate! I say, Esther, is the female version of Good son/Damien the Omen without the horror touch to it. It also reminded me of the movie Joshua; the story partly runs the same only that Esther is an evil-orphan, while Joshua is a smart-jealous son. I say it again - it is creepy but overlong and muddled, Orphan is excessively sadistic and partly exceedingly stupid.

Although reasonably, cheesily suspenseful, the movie takes a long time to get going. Its tagline, "There's something wrong with Esther," turns out to be a masterpiece of understatement. The movie draws us in by preying on parental fears and guilt, including the horrible things that can happen if you take your eyes off your child for a second, the difficulty of encouraging a child to be an individual but also to fit in with her peers and whether parents will love an adopted child as much as their biological child.

Warning: Not advisable for kids under 13 years old. The movie is stressing and (again) cheesily suspenseful and you’ll see the characters helpless. But don’t worry the ending is redeeming.

Favorite scene: The bitchslap at the hospital and the fucking kick at the end, "Im not your fucking mommy."

Movie Synopsis:

The tragic loss of their unborn child has devastated Kate and John, taking a toll on both their marriage and Kate's fragile psyche as she is plagued by nightmares and haunted by demons from her past. Struggling to regain some semblance of normalcy in their lives, the couple decides to adopt another child. At the local orphanage, both John and Kate find themselves strangely drawn to a young girl named Esther. Almost as soon as they welcome Esther into their home, however, an alarming series of events begins to unfold, leading Kate to believe that there's something wrong with Esther--this seemingly angelic little girl is not what she appears to be. Concerned for the safety of her family, Kate tries to get John and others to see past Esther's sweet facade. But her warnings go unheeded until it may be too late...for everyone.

Kaya Restaurant’s Talangkanin: More than a sumptuous meal!

2009-06-08T07:39:00.000-07:00

Wondering how the secret recipe of Jillian (Angel Locsin) of ‘Only you’, “Aligue Bibimbap” otherwise known as “Talangkanin”, tastes? Wonder no more for Kaya Restaaurant offers the Talangkanin Meal in the following branches to let people experience its blissful flavor: Jupiter, The Podium, Rockwell Powerplant, Glorietta VI, Paseo Center, Robinsons Place and SM Megamall.Invited bloggers tasted their special Talangkanin meal for lunch. The meal is based on the signature dish developed for the remake of the koreanovela ‘Only You’, the Aligue Bibimbap (means “mixed rice”). With the meal price of Php220.00 for Kaya’s express branches and Php310.00 for their fine dining branches, you get to savor the delectable taste of the famous Talangkanin meal.

Run to the nearest Kaya Restaurant and order Jillian’s secret recipe, Talangkanin, and satisfy your craving palates and growing tummies with its unique flavor.

Enchanted Kingdom Magicalympics

2009-05-25T07:42:00.000-07:00

Truly the magic begins in Enchanted Kingdom as they invited 50 lucky bloggers to experience a special adventure in their magical world.

Invited bloggers met at Makati and taken by the service provided by International Travel Exchange Inc. (ITEX), the exclusive Shuttle Service Provider of Enchanted Kingdom.

When we arrived there, we were group to five (5) teams for an exciting activity in the afternoon. Our first stop was to watch “Journey to the Center of the Earth” starring Brendan Fraser in the 4D theatre. The experience there was cool, you will really sense the special effects, and you’ll get wet and feel the adventure in screen, simply 4D!

After the lunch that they prepared for us, we played Enchanted Kingdom’s version of Amazing Race called Magicalymips! I was tagged in the Yellow team, the Elephant team, with Azrael as our team leader. We had fun the whole afternoon completing the task in whole theme park, including the rides. The challenges were set up in rides as station to complete. Our first task was the “Keep-the-water-inside-the-cup-on-your-head” while riding the Log Jam, then the quiz in Rialto, “Tomato catching” in Anchor Away, “bump and get the flag” in Dodgem, then the “find-the-landmark-quiz” on the Wheel of Fate, “the Puzzle” after Flying Fiesta, after that we went to the Rio Grande for a charade, then on the Grand Carousel where we study social behaviorism, sung “Gold” in Steeplechase Archade, and lastly the all out “longest line” in Junior Kart Trak. We were so tired but fun, we did not endure the heat of the sun because everyone is smiling and enjoying.

Unfortunately, our team did not win. The green team took home the good-for-2-overnight-stay in Tagaytay (each member) prize as winner of the race. After the awarding we were given free time to enjoy the other rides. Winston, Mica, Jhelo, Jason, Bryan, Evan, and I skipped the Enchanté Summer Special: An Under the Sea Experience! to ride more rides and to just bond and take some pictures. It was fun! Really fun!
The fireworks display ended the day. The experience is simply magical, until now I can’t get over yet.