Your Song

If the prior link ticked you off a little, you might find this one interesting:

The #1 Song on the Day You Were Born

When my sister turned 18, I thought of making an audio compilation of the #1 songs from the year she was born to that 18th year. It'd be a souvenir of some sorts for guests. But then, she didn't have a debutante party. Instead, we went to HK.

Anyway, the #1 song on my birthday was Torn Between Two Lovers by Mary McGregor.

Read This Shit!

Open Up and Say Yumburger

Care to comment?

Grrr... I don't why Americans have the decency to bad mouth other culture or other nation's foods. Do the words "respect for others" out of their vocabulary? Or they think of themselves as soooo superior that they have the right to do so?

Re-post: Okay, after a few minutes of calming down, I have regained my composure. Yeah, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I wouldn't say either that Jollibee has the best meals in the world. I just wanna point out that the author of the post just went overboard with her posting...

Ikaw Ang Superhero Ng Buhay Ko

I swear, I can't get enough of Zsazsa! In love na ata ako sa kanya, eh! Hehehe...

Ikaw Ang Superhero Ng Buhay Ko (Finale)

Matuyo man ang dagat,
At magunaw man ang buwan
Hindi ka ipagpapalit kanino man
Ang isip ko man ay naguguluhan,
Ang damdamin ko'y aking pinagkakatiwalaan

Ikaw ang superhero ng buhay ko..ikaw
Hindi ka man lumilipad,
Tinangay mo sa langit ang puso ko
Nais kong sumama saan ka man magpunta
Hawakan mo ako malalakbay tayo....

Ikaw ang superhero ng buhay kong ito
Ikaw ang Kristala at Darna ko,
Ang Sugo at Mulawin ko
Lastikman at Gagamboy,
Si Volta at Captain Barbel ko
Ang Super Gee ng buhay ko
Ikaw ang superhero ng buhay ko

The soundtrack contains 24 tracks including three bonus tracks (Zsazsa Transformation Music and two Minus Ones). It comes in three versions: Agot-Arnold Reyes, Agot-Lauren Novero, & Kalila Aguilos-Lauren. Available now in Tanghalang Pilipino at PhP350.00.

P.S. For those who are dumbfounded as to who Super Gee is, she is the superhero played by Ate Guy.

Shout out to My Scratch Pad for the lyrics!

Ang Batang Si Maxie

I got this from Jessica Zafra's Blog...

Just got word from Raymond Lee at the Berlin Film Festival. The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros won three awards: the Teddy Bear for best gay film, the Kinderfilmfest international jury prize for best children's picture, and special mention from the children's jury.

Best Gay Film and Best Children's Film.

That's bizarre.

Never mind Best Gay Film but Best Children's Film?! Wtf?! It certainly has a child for its lead character but definitely, it isn't a child's film!

Post-Zsazsa Post

Cast Photo taken from Carver's House
I don't wanna pre-empt anything but I do hope that the film version would push through. As of this writing, there have been talks about its transfer to film. Ako nag-suggest nun! Hehehe...

A Night With Zazha Za-Ah-Tur-Na-Ha!

This is the most hilarious night of my life so far! Never have I seen a movie or play that made me laugh so hard from start to finish! Joanne asked, "Naka-relate ka ba kaya ka tuwang-tuwa? Lalo pa't nakatuluyan si Ada at Dodong?" I answered in the negative. Sobrang tuwang-tuwa ako sa kabadingan nung play! And I don't mean that in a bad way!

For the benefit of those clueless about Zsazsa Zaturnnah (Joanne and Leigh are!), she originated from a comic book written by Carlo Vergara. (If I'm not mistaken, I bought the book as a first anniversary gift for Biboy.) It is about Ada (Tuxqs Rutaquio) who was hit by a big piece of rock while taking a bath. His best friend, Didi (Ricci Chan), suggested that he should swallow that big piece of rock ala Darna. Only this time, he would yell the name Zaturnnah because it was written on that big piece of rock. With much hesitation, Ada did what was suggested. In an instant, he transformed into a woman! Diding named her Zsazsa (Eula Valdes). To fully understand this new woman in Ada's body, Didi tested her by asking her to uproot a fully grown old tree and asked her to fly. Zsazsa was able to lift the tree but was able to leap into great heights only. Enter the Amazonistas led by Queen Femina (Agot Isidro) who want to rule the town first and eventually, the earth. Zsazsa fearlessly defends their town with all her might that in the end, she became triumphant. As Ada, he also wins the heart of his next door neighbor, Dodong.

From comic book, it was translated to stage by director Chris Millado and I should say that he did a terrific job! He made the characters come to life with vivid and flashing colors! Add to that is the brilliant work of composer/lyricist Vince de Jesus who gave the characters their singing voice ala Little Mermaid! (Sarap pakinggan ng soundtrack, boss Vince!) Re the cast, most of them were a revelation to me. I know that Ricci is talented but I haven't seen him act in a play. Being a Kapuso, of course, I became irritated with his ETK antics so I didn't pay much attention to him. But surprise! Surprise! He is very good! He brought the house (i.e. the stage) down, so to speak! He was on stage for almost 90% of the play and he delivered it like a hot pizza on a plate! Eula Valdes. Period. Oh my! She never fail to bring us to tears! With Pangako Sa 'Yo, we emphatized with her sorrows and pains. Sa Zsazsa, pinaiyak niya kami sa kakatawa! Who'd also think that she has a great singing voice? Eula is truly a diamond in the rough. It took the industry almost two decades to realize her hidden wonders. (May ABS-CBN be able to hone her talent well.) And Agot Isidro? Her voice has grown so much that you would wonder if she was the same woman who sung Sa Isip Ko (a favorite of mine!) back in the 90's. The woman who breaks her voice during live concerts and performances is one heck of a stage veteran now! Hooray for Agot!

As I told Joanne, we should definitely watch the repeat! With more friends next time who need to witness how great it is to be Pinoy! Not just a comedy of sorts, this play is a mirror of what our society is. For heteros and homophobes out there, fret not! You need not be a homo to enjoy this one. It is a magnificent work of art that is for everyone!

Maraming salamat, Tanghalang Pilipino, sa pagbibigay ng isang karakter na di namin malilimutan kailanman! Anong sinabi ng Miss Saigon kay Zsazsa?!

Weekend With Good Friends

I had a great time spending my weekend with good friends from college and high school...

Friday was spent with my college buddies. Bhe-bhe, Wheng, Leo, and I went to watch "Close to You" at 5:20 PM in Megamall. It has been a long time since we have watched a movie together. The last time being in college. I especially missed Leo when it comes to movie-watching. Siya 'yung madalas kong kausap pagdating sa mga movies nung college. Kaya nga during the movie, we couldn't help talking about some movies we've seen in the last couple of months. I have also made some recommendations of the movies that I thought he should see.

By dinner time, Joanne and Leigh arrived. We ate at the Kaya Korean Restaurant because Bhe wanted to try eating Korean foods. Nadala siya kakapanood ng "Jewel in the Palace" and "Only You"! Dinner was a blast especially when we tried referring the foods we are eating to the ones we saw in "Jewel". Finally, I get to taste Kimbap! Delish! Kiljim was particularly good because the beef is so tasty and tender. It was very reminiscent of our Beef Pares!

After dinner, we went to Starbucks for continued chikahan. Leo already left because he had a morning appointment the next day. Ayun, mega-chikahan and okrayan sa mga hindi pumunta sa get together! Sorry na lang sila! But one thing we all agreed upon is how much we missed the days we spent together. If only we could obliged ourselves to meet as often as possible with the rest of the group.

One glitch: Joy implying that she'd be going but she didn't! To which Leigh replied that she has been like that since college. So di na pala kami dapat talaga umasa.

***
Saturday afternoon, I met with Maan and Mark (her future buddy). The original plan was to meet at 1 PM. But since she'd be coming from Pangasinan, she moved the meeting to 2 PM by Friday. On my way to Megamall to meet Biboy, she then again moved the schedule to 3 PM. Fine by me only that she arrived at 4:30 PM! Grrrr! Till now, ganun pa rin si Maan! Late late late! Medyo nabwisit na nga si Biboy. But then, ung pagkabwisit niya kay Maan ay napalitan ng tuwa. Enjoy siya sa pagka-kikay at pagka-bruha ng babaeng 'yun!

I am thankful, though, for the CD she brought me! Actually, pinabili ko sa kanya 'yun sa Japan. Laking pasasalamat ko na binili n'ya nga talaga! Thanks, Maan! Mwah!

Ang dilemma ko ngayon is whether to open it or not...

***
Saturday night, off to Heaven 'N Eggs in Glorietta with the barkada. I have wanted to eat there eversince I learned about it in F. And my oh my! It was truly an awesome experience! Heaven indeed! We'd surely be back there! Magkano kaya mag-franchise nun? Hmmm...

At 11 PM, we saw "Brokeback Mountain".

One glitch: Than-than not coming. He was stuck in the office daw! But knowing that his college friends had a get-together, as well, I'd say that he went with them!

A Fanatic Weekend

I have spent my weekends with two of my favorites since childhood...

Saturday morning (12:00 AM to be exact) started with the "Madonnathon" coverage of MYX. It was a 24-hr event that featured only Madonna videos and interviews. This was the second time that MYX channel featured Madonna in a 24-hr basis. The first time being August 16, 2000 in the channel that was called Vid-Ok then. (However, there were already plans of merging with MYX sometime in the coming months of 2001.) I won the Madonna gift pack that time which consists of 14 CDs and VCDs! The question was "What movie used Live to Tell for its theme song?" The answer was Sean Penn's "At Close Range".

The funny thing about it was that I was also wondering about it for quite some time. I have asked some DJs over a radio station before but they don't have any idea, as well. (I have no access to the internet yet that time.) When the first Madonnathon was aired and Live to Tell was shown, I thought of searching for it on the net. Luckily, later that night, the question was asked.

Anyway, the whole week was quite a busy Madonna week! By Tuesday, iTunes started selling the last two remixes for the new single, Sorry. By Wednesday, the Paper Faces Remix of Let It Will Be surfaced on the net. By Thursday, at 1:55 AM, MYX premiered the new video for Sorry. A few hours later, copies of the said video surfaced on the net for downloads. Then at 9:00 AM, the 2006 Grammy Awards aired live over at Star World and Studio 23. Madonna opened the show with Gorillaz!

Sunday night was spent with the Megastar. It was the "Mega-Valentine" concert. Like any other Sharon concerts or shows, the best thing about it is how fun it is to watch Sharon! She is as bubbly as Julia Roberts. Although, she could also go overboard with it by talking too much. The concert could've been better if she had sung more of her own songs. Nevertheless, it is nice knowing that she is finally back after a few years of rest. I'm so looking forward to her new TV show on the 26th!

My Numbers Today: 2 9 3

It's my 29th birthday today! I have so much to be thankful for! For one thing, being alive for 29 years is the best gift so far. Life hasn't been all pretty and I'm grateful that I was able to withstand the events that stink.

I started the day with prayer. Then I went to SM Supermarket with dad, Angel, and Biboy (who had spent the night before here at home) to buy ingredients for spaghetti. Afterwards, I spent the day in the kitchen cooking spaghetti, frying crispy chicken, and making vegetable salad. With the help of Biboy, of course. Thank heavens that nothing much went wrong with my cooking unlike last year. We had a sumptuos meal!

Aside from my birthday, Biboy and I are celebrating our third year together! He's one of the people that I'm thankful for. He's a reminding presence that life is truly wonderful! I love you so much, Bi!


Special thank you's for all my friends who didn't forget to greet me in this special day of mine! Thank you for the love and friendship!

02/09/2006 6:24 PM
Imee: Happy birthday! (when told her that it was also my and his brother's anniversary) Talaga? Hapi anniversary s iño!

02/10/2006 12:19 AM
Liezl: Jeck hapi b-day!!! Txt u n lang me sunday kung pano ha. (Will see "My Mega-Valentine Concert" with her this Sunday.)

02/10/2006 12:49 AM
Ginger: kuya hapy bday!

02/10/2006 12:49 AM
Bangge (straight from Singapore!): gurlash happy birthday..!! cencia na ngaun lng ko nkpgtxt.. ayos ko kc ung spass ko d2 prng wrk prmt bka mga 2wks pa mrlse.. glbe kbabyn 2 kya prng roamng rin musta na diyan? .. c",) (I miss her a lot! Siya ang kaututang-dila ko tungkol kina Jang Geum at sa PBB.)

At around 3 AM, I received a call from Babes in Abu Dubai.

02/10/2006 07:28 AM
Jennifer Toneza: Nothing takes God by surprise. He knows the future and can therefore guide us through its trackless ways...

Look ahead n seek God's way!! Happy bday! (This was an unexpected message. Jenny was a good friend in HS and we've lost touch eversince. Till I saw her again mid-last year in McDo. We've exchanged numbers but really didn't make much communication. I appreciated it that she remember my birthday! Thank's, girl!)

02/10/2006 07:38 AM
Mean: Hapi bday po! I knw ur hapi naman so la n kng mahihiling para s u kundi good health and a fruitful year. God bless.

02/10/2006 09:00 AM
Leo: Jheck, hapi bday! (One of my good friends in college whom I've been missing a lot. Siya naman ang kaututang-dila ko tungkol sa mga movies nung college. According to him, he isn't updated with movies lately. Been engrossed with work and gf, now wife.)

02/10/2006 09:01 AM
Epoy: Gud morning jek, happy birthday! Sa nxt saturday ba? I might b in batangas. (Will celebrate next Saturday with friends. It was supposed to be tomorrow but I decided to move the date. I wish that her Batangas trip won't push through next Saturady.)

02/10/2006 10:00 AM
Alma: Jek HAPPY BRTHDAY! - ver n alma

02/10/2006 12:05 PM
Bhe-bhe: Happy bday! Have a fruitful career, floursihing lovelyf and loads of true frnds. Luv u! Hope dis year i have d date ryt. (Yes, you did! She got confused last year. Hehehe. Check out this post. Thanks, girl!)

02/10/2006 12:23 PM
Mommy (from Oman): Jek happy bday. Wish u all d best more bdays 2 come & life fild w spirit wondrus joy, hapines, succes.

02/10/2006 01:03 PM
Vehr (now greeting from Dubai!): jek hapi bday. un chika abot pl d2. pg ngtxt k try mo sa dati kng #, tsaka d2. musta nlng s lahat.

02/10/2006 04:59 PM
Jen P: happy birthday sweety! have a great one! (When told about the anniversary) wow! =) happy anniv to u both! 3 yrs and going strong! thats great! =)

02/10/2006 05:10 PM
Wheng: Hi. Jeck, happy bday po!

Leigh called. I have spoken to her in YM earlier but she was completly unaware of the date. When reminded, she immediately called me. Ayaw niya raw kasi malagay sa journal ngayon for being pasaway! Hehehe. Don't worry. Greet mo rin naman ako last year. But guess who'd be on the list now? Read on...

At around 8, best friend Elma called. I've asked her to drop by the house. She did along with hubby, Jay. Then Than-than called using a different number. Hmmm... Kung hindi ka pa tinawagan ni Elma, di ka pa ata babati, eh! Tsk tsk tsk...

02/10/2006 08:18 PM
Bi: hapi 3rd annivrsary. i will luv u kht anu p mangyri.. hapi bday din. (He left before 8 PM. Love u lots!)

02/10/2006 09:45 PM
+639178578203: Hi po. Arnel to, I jas wntd 2 wish u a hapi birthday. Nd hop dat things wil workout btwin d 2 of us dis year. (Thank you for the greeting! Let's make time decide on the fate of our friendship...)

YM messages recieved from Maan (from Japan), Nean (from Italy), Mama, spaceman_spiff (who somehow gave Biboy a wrong information about the profession I so-called gave of my hubby: siya raw ba ung engineer? hahaha! he immediately apologized, though. blaming it on his bad memory), Ryan, Tita Dolly (from Oman), Nica, RJ (from Texas), & DJ.

Thank you, friends! If you are not on the list, it means I didn't receive a greeting from you! Bad kayo! (Pasensya na at demanding ako! Birthday ko, eh!) Calling Gilbert and Joanne!!!! Last year pa kayo, ah! *grrrr*

Related posts (aside from the links above):
*Subject: What could be greater than this?
*To Bi or not to Bi

Review: Covers Volume 2

Regine: Covers Volume 2

I don't usually make CD reviews but I feel like making one with this release! When I learned about this follow-up to the 2004 "Covers" album, I was disappointed. To begin with, "Covers" isn't that good of an album to make a follow-up to it. Besides, I feel that doing an all revival album is already passe! Big artists like Regine need not do so many albums of such genre. Leave it to new artists or bands to thrash classic hit songs from the 70's to the 90's. Isn't it enough that she already have 4 all revival albums before this one?

Anyway, when we thought that she couldn't do any thing worst than her previous albums, she outdid herself this time! An album to top them all! An icing to the cake! A cherry on top of the ice cream! The truth is, you need not hear the album itself to feel that there is something terribly wrong with this one. Just looking at the song list, you would know that you are doomed for failure!

Everything could go wrong when you put together Al Green's sexy "Let's Stay Together", Elvis Presley's rock "Blue Suede Shoes" and Beatles's "Come Together", Paula Abdul's dance tune "Straight Up", and Alanis Morissette's alternative "Head Over Feet"! My question is, what happened to the concept of this album?! Not only that the songs don't jive together, they were not even arranged well! It wasn't as if this is a Michael Bubble album where all the songs were turned into jazz form! Even that could be a dangerous ground and one may not succeed depending on the arrangement of the songs. It feels as if Regine sung them all in videoke and decided to put them in an album altogether!

What has happened to you, Miss Velasquez? How did you become the songbird from "Ninety-90" to this mediocre "Covers" artist? It's sad that fans would excitedly buy this album only to hear crap one after another! Don't just rely on giving us a few gems in your albums (like How Could You Leave from "Drawn", Dadalhin from "Reign", and Mahal na Mahal Kita from "Covers"). Bring back the glory days of "Regine" (the first album), "Ninety-90," "Reason Enough," and "Listen Without Prejudice"! If you need to move out of Viva, do so! If that would mean you'd be giving us great albums once more!