A Break-up Letter


I never expected I'd be writing you this letter. We've had six years of wonderful memories but I'm afraid it had come to the Read more

Welcome to the New Yoshke.com


New look. New attitude. New experiences. Honestly, I had been neglecting this blog the past few weeks because of my awfully hectic schedule. Work had Read more

Sometimes We Burn to Live


Whenever I meet people for the first time, it always happens. When they start their sentence with "I hope you don't mind me asking but," Read more

Judging By the Cover


Our office is just a stone's throw from where I live. In fact, all I have to do is cross EDSA and voila, hello Read more

Fireworks, Hormones, and this Blog Post


You remember last week when I told you I found it difficult to blog since I met you? Since we became a couple officially, Read more

Do They Read Blogs in Heaven?


Whenever I say that the earliest memory I have is the accident wherein I had my left arm somewhat toasted, I lie. My earliest Read more

Unusual Breakfast


Here we are again. In the usual corner. Usual table. Usual diner. Usual time. And most probably, usual meal. I'm getting tired of this Read more

Top 10 National Stereotypes


Heaven is where the cooks are French, the police are British, the mechanics are German, the lovers are Italian and everything is organized by Read more

EDSA


It could have been a horrible Saturday. I was in the passenger seat. It was a bit raining. Normally, EDSA gets on my nerves. That's why Read more

Why Nursery Rhymes Are So Violent


A few months ago, I was teaching my 4-year old nephew some nursery rhymes with a DVD. After a lot of singing, he slowly Read more

Top 10 Worst Things to Say During Sex


Sex is the art of love. It must be done in the most enjoyable and most satisfying manner. This act of love of two Read more

The Promil Kid Drops the Bomb


Of all the living things created by God, I love my nephew the most. I call him the Promil Kid. He’s the cutest thing. Read more

••••••

Celebrities

Bring Back the ’90s!

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Yoshke in Celebrities, Entertainment, Music, TV |

Pageant Play Pretend

It’s that time of the year again when the fleeting euphoria brought about by the Miss Universe pageant sweeps the nation. I’m not a big fan of beauty pageants but when I woke up this morning, the first thought that popped up in my head was: Miss Universe telecast, live, today. Thanks to the constant TV reminders the night before.

Still, I resisted the temptation to turn the TV on, went on with my morning rituals, and headed straight to work. When I opened my laptop, Miss Universe updates flooded my News Feed — to my delight. When Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup was announced 3rd Runner-up, I felt a little bit disappointed that she didn’t get the crown but I was very proud of her. It was a tricky question but she was able to give a sincere and strong answer. Congrats, Shamcey!

And then, suddenly, I was reminded of the 1994 Miss Universe pageant, which the Philippines hosted. I was very young then. And I remember this junk food sold at sari-sari stores near our school at the time. Each pack came with a free Miss Universe sticker with a photo of a candidate and the name of the country she was representing.

I’m not sure whether it was an indication that I’d turn out to be gay later on but I collected as many as I could. And then I would arrange the stickers and randomly select the Top 10. And then Top 5. And then pick the 4th Runner-Up to the Miss Universe. Repeat from the top.

Wahahahaha.

Sometimes, whenever I wonder why I’m gay I can’t help but blame Charlene Gonzales. And Sushmita Sen. And Dayanara Torres, who turned over the crown that year.

I had never seen Miss Universe since then. Well, until Theresa Licaros competed a few years back. Not again after that.

Showbiz Then

Last Sunday, Aiko Melendez and Jomari Yllana made a guest appearance at Gandang Gabi Vice. I was expecting to be entertained but I wasn’t expecting to be entertained like that. I never thought Aiko Melendez and Jomari Yllana would make me feel something many young stars of today fail to bring — kilig. 

Watch their interview here:

Seeing Aiko and Jomari together, seated next to each other brought back so many childhood memories. Aiko Melendez. Gelli De Belen, and Prinsesa ng Brownout. Carmina Villaroel. Vina Morales. Manilyn Reynes. Ruffa Gutierrez. MMFF Scandal. I have previously announced my undying love for Donna Cruz on a separate post.

Jomari Yllana. Mark Anthony Fernandez. Eric Fructuoso. Gwapings. Palibhasa Lalake. Cynthia Patag. Mark Anthony, Claudine Barretto and the Tweety tattoo. Rico Yan. Gimik. Judy Ann Santos. Juday-Jolina rivalry. TGIS.

Read more

Viewed 1673 times by 592 visitors this month

3 Comments

Remembering ‘Iisa Pa Lamang’

Posted on November 10, 2010 by Yoshke in Celebrities, Entertainment, Humor, TV |

At any given time, I am hooked to one, just one, teleserye. Right now, it’s Imortal. Before that, it was Magkaribal. And as I was looking back, trying to remember other teleseryes that got my eyes glued to the boobtube (Tayong Dalawa, Maging Sino Ka Man, Lobo, Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay, Kung Mawawala Ka, Pangako Sa’Yo), I felt like I missed something. I spent minutes trying to figure it out and at last it dawned on me.

It’s been over two years since the conclusion of teleserye Iisa Pa Lamang. It wouldn’t be on my list of the best drama series but it is definitely one of the most unforgettable. This show caught the attention of many for the great performances of its cast. It was Gabby Concepcion’s first teleserye and Claudine Barretto’s comeback.

But more than the cast, I think what really made this program successful was its writing. Although the plot was cliche and formulaic, the lines were such a breath of fresh air on Philippine TV. They were witty and really hard-hitting. It was one of those shows in which I did not care about what would happen in the story but I was always looking forward to what the characters had to say.

Three women ruled the cast — Claudine Barretto, Angelica Panganiban and Cherry Pie Picache. Since Iisa Pa Lamang closed, a lot had happened to these three great actresses. Claudine switched networks and is now with GMA7. Cherry Pie got more and more interesting roles. Angelica Panganiban proved to be one of the most versatile actresses in the industry, paving the way for her first lead role Rubi. She even won Best Villain for this role.

Anyway, here are some of the most memorable lines from Iisa Pa Lamang. Starting with this scene in which Katherine (Claudine) and Scarlet (Angelica) is having a catfight. Thank God the rift between Angelica and Claudine in real life didn’t come to something like this! One YouTuber put some “bekimon” subtitles. Really funny.

Here are some more lines that made me go whoah, and then whoah, and then WHOAH!

Read more

Viewed 2133 times by 628 visitors this month

34 Comments

A Dose of Maricel Soriano

Posted on October 10, 2010 by Yoshke in Celebrities, Entertainment, Movies, Videos |

I’m mad. I’m very mad.

I’m having this awful Maricel Soriano withdrawal syndrome. You see, I haven’t seen Maricel Soriano on TV or any mainstream film in a long while now and it’s killing me. I don’t know, maybe I just haven’t had time to mingle with my boobtube lately but I miss her. I’m a fan. There may be better local actresses better than her but one thing she owns is versatility. She’s the only actress I know who can do drama, comedy, horror, bida or kontrabida and do it well.

So to ease my pain, I went to my old friend YouTube, who reminded me of the old Marya and here’s what I found.

This is a scene from a Star Cinema-produced and Chito Rono-directed Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin, also starring Zsa Zsa Padilla and Gabby Concepcion. Even Zsa Zsa was superb here.

Maricel: H’wag kang makikiapid! May isang tanong lang ako sa’yo. May relasyon ba kayo ng asawa ko?
Zsa Zsa: Relasyon?
Maricel: Relasyon! Kerida, kabit, number two, mistress, relasyon!
Zsa Zsa: Terry!
Maricel: H’wag mo akong ma-Terry-Terry! Yung tanong ko ang sagutin mo! ARE YOU FACKING MY HUSBAND! (fAcking daw eh.)
*titigan moment*
Zsa Zsa: Minsan!

Isn’t she fantastic? Here’s another one. This is from Inagaw Mo ang Lahat sa Akin. Maricel co-starred with another Regal baby Snooky Serna.

Ikaw na ang maganda at matalino. Busog ka sa mga papuri. Pati ba naman pagmamahal ni Itay, pinag-interesan mo pa… Ingaw mo ang lahat sa akin. Lahat. Sakim ka! Mapag-imbot! Maramot! *sampal, sabunot*

Here are some more.

Read more

Viewed 2106 times by 506 visitors this month

14 Comments

Sam Milby and Guji Lorenzana Heat Up Cosmopolitan’s Centerfolds 2010

Posted on September 2, 2010 by Yoshke in Celebrities, Entertainment, Hotties |

Sam Milby joins the ranks of Derek Ramsay, Jay-R, Dingdong Dantes, Richard Gutierrez and Gerald Anderson as he sheds off some clothes to grace the cover of Cosmo Men, the highly anticipated mini-catalogue of the hottest men on earth. I’m more than excited about is as I adore Sam Milby from head to toe. Nothing is better than a shirtless picture of Sam Milby.

“Prepare to be ravaged,” says the cover and I’m ready, Sam, I’m ready. Ravage me. Meow.

Take a look at this gorgeous, sexy cover. Isn’t he wild? And I’m not referring to the tiger.

Cosmopolitan’s Centerfolds 2010 will also feature the “newly built” Christian Bautista, Agua Bendita star Matteo Guidicelli, StarStruck alumnus Rocco Nacino and Pinoy Big Brother Double Up ex-housemate Tom Rodriguez. Also in the magazine are Bryann Foronda, Joross Gamboa, Carl Guevara, and Fabio Ide.

And oh, one of my favorite hunks, singer-actor Guji Lorenzana is there, too! I love him to death. He’s just so scorching hot shirtless.


image courtesy of mykiru blog

Viewed 1929 times by 619 visitors this month

10 Comments

Angel Locsin and John Lloyd Cruz Star in IMORTAL

Posted on August 28, 2010 by Yoshke in Celebrities, Entertainment, TV |

I’m sooo excited! Soon to hit the small screen is the much anticipated series called IMORTAL, sequel to the award-winning and highly successful LOBO.

I guess one of the most remarkable things about this new show is the fact that this is the first team-up of Angel Locsin, who was nominated in the International Emmy for her performance in Lobo, and John Lloyd Cruz, who will be doing fantasy for the first time. Here’s trailer fresh from the oven:

Directed by Chito Rono and Jerry Lopez Sineneng, IMORTAL stars Maricar Reyes, Chin chin Gutierrez, Jake Roxas, Gladys Reyes, Jaime Fabregas and Rico Blanco.

Aside from the fact that I love Angel Locsin and John Lloyd Cruz to bits, I am a big Lobo fan. Lobo is one of the three ABS-CBN teleseryes in recent memory that, to me, are phenomenal in terms of quality and impact — the other two being Maging Sino Ka Man and Tayong Dalawa.

Read more

Viewed 1915 times by 540 visitors this month

30 Comments

God, I Miss Boy Bands!

Posted on July 16, 2010 by Yoshke in Celebrities, Entertainment, Music |

I was just browsing songs on my iPod and I realized that I just miss the boy band era. Haha. I know boy band songs are like 300 different cheesy cheeses rolled into four minutes of music but hey, they are catchy as hell. And damn romantic, too.

I particularly liked the following boy bands and these songs:

  • 98 Degrees — The Hardest Thing, Invisible Man
  • A1 - Same Old Brand New You, Caught in the Middle
  • BBMak — Back Here, Still on Your Side
  • Blue – If You Come Back, Too Close
  • BoyZone – I Love the Way You Love Me, Baby Can I Hold You
  • Code Red — What Good is a Heart, This is Our Song
  • Five – Until the Time is Through, Keep on Movin
  • LFO – Girl on TV, Summer Girls
  • NSync - Bye Bye Bye, Gone
  • O-Town – Liquid Dreams, All or Nothing
  • Westlife – Flying Without Wings, Swear it Again

No, I didn’t forget the Backstreet Boys. I just didn’t like them that much. Haha.

But if I were to pick just one, I’d say Blue. But I really, really love BBMak’s “Back Here” and LFO’s “Girl on TV.”

So now, I decided to write the Top 10 Boy Bands that we really, really miss. And I want to know who your choices are. Let me ask you this, which boy band was your favorite? Yeah, yeah, you can say Hanson. Mmmbop.

.

Viewed 2140 times by 526 visitors this month

27 Comments

Hypnotic Jericho Rosales on MINT Billboards

Posted on June 16, 2010 by Yoshke in Celebrities, Fashion |

It’s been over a year since Jericho Rosales signed a deal to endorse MINT, a local fashion brand, but it’s only now that it dawns on me just how sexy Echo really is on Mint billboards.

A few months ago, while on board the MRT, I spotted this billboard along EDSA (near MRT Guadalupe station). I know this billboard looks so generic but there was something about it that was so wildly attractive. Maybe it’s the shirt. Maybe it’s Jericho’s drop-my-briefs stare. Maybe it’s that little cut on his left eyebrow. I dunno. There’s something about it that’s refreshing and hypnotic and sexy and yummy and God-I-wanna-take-him-home and keeps me talking.

And then, some weeks back, they replaced it with this:

I just died. Haha. I don’t own any Mint shirt or anything but I can look at these billboards for, like, forever.

It amazes me how I find Echo extremely sexy in these billboards even though he still has a shirt on. LOL. I mean, that he didn’t have to go nude or half-naked to appear hot. There’s something about him that is just AAAAH.

Read more

Viewed 2031 times by 623 visitors this month

15 Comments

First Listen to Christina Aguilera’s ‘You Lost Me’ and ‘Bionic’ Tracks (VH1 Storytellers Leaks with Lyrics)

Posted on May 6, 2010 by Yoshke in Celebrities, Euphoria, Music |

It seems like Christina Aguilera is going the Stripped way again. Although Christina Aguilera herself had said that her next album Bionic was going to be Stripped 2.0 (with Not Myself Tonight as Dirrty 2.0), it’s only now that two of the tracks from her upcoming album Bionic (out June 8th) that it is confirmed.

You Lost Me, one of the tracks that leaked, reminds me so much of Beautiful, but this time the influence came from Sia and not Linda Perry. The title track Bionic, on the other hand, sounds definitely more funky and more pleasing than Not Myself Tonight in the same way that Dirrty was not the best dance track from Stripped.

Not Myself Tonight obviously went for shock value the way Dirrty did. It’s the single that’s most likely to spark controversy and I must say that it was successful in that department especially now that the provocative, daring music video is released.

Listen to Christina Aguilera’s live VH1 Storytellers performance of the album’s opening track here:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

It has a hard beat but it’s really hard to comment on it since the piece has very low quality (because it was recorded secretly by a fan who was part of the live audience). One thing’s sure, though: it’s really catchy and infectious. I’m just not sure if this is a full song or just an intro. If you’re a Legendtina fan, you know how much Aguilera loves intro tracks in her albums.

Meanwhile, here’s the strings-driven ballad You Lost Me. Listen, listen:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

It’s beautifully epic! It’s about infidelity. The melody and lyrics are haunting. Vocally, as expected, it was powerful but different since Aguilera obviously explored the softer side of her voice here. I love how she sang the “And we-e-e-e-e had magic, and thi-i-i-i-is is tragic” part. Also, the way she sang “You couldn’t keep your hands to yourself” was just damn piercing and sad, yet funny at the same time.

The track was penned by Sia and Christina Aguilera herself. God, it reminds me of the first time I heard Beautiful. Goosebumps. Here are the lyrics although this is still a work in progress. The low quality of the recording makes it hard to understand the words:

Read more

Viewed 1920 times by 487 visitors this month

12 Comments

Christina Aguilera’s ‘Not Myself Tonight’ Music Video Review

Posted on April 30, 2010 by Yoshke in Celebrities, Music, Rants |

Well, not really a review. More like a rant.

I just hate it that people are saying that Christina Aguilera is ripping off Lady Gaga and Madonna in her newly launched music video “Not Myself Tonight.”

First of all, I really don’t see any Lady Gaga resemblance in that video. She’s been crazy since Dirrty. It just annoys me that people are claiming Christina is copying Lady GaGa’s kinky moves when we all know Christina pushed the boundaries of teen pop music in her time when she released Dirrty and its even dirtier music video in 2002. She was criticized for that, saying she was being too provocative, too naughty. Now, almost every female pop performer is dirrty and even naughtier than X-tina. I think none of what pop bitches, including Lady Gaga, are doing today would have been as appreciated this much if Aguilera didn’t take the fall in 2002, if she didn’t pave the way, if she didn’t push the envelope so hard that time.

image courtesy of Merlito of pinoyexchange.com

Second, my God, some people just don’t understand what “homage” is. The music video is clearly a TRIBUTE to the one and only Queen of Pop, MADONNA. The scene wherein Christina’s on top of the stairs against a misty, foggy backdrop, among others, is inspired by the music video of Express Yourself (1985). Also, the leather-driven orgy scene is obviously a contemporary version of some scenes from Madonna’s Human Nature (1995). And many other scenes are reminiscent of Madonna.

See the Human Nature music video here and Express Yourself here.

I don’t really love the Not Myself Tonight music video but I think it’s genius! Why? Because this video is able to do the following:

Read more

Viewed 1294 times by 349 visitors this month

3 Comments

The Crazy Christina Aguilera – Lady Gaga Comparison

Posted on April 22, 2010 by Yoshke in Celebrities, Music, Rants |

I just don’t get it!

I don’t understand why in the world would people try to lambaste Christina Aguilera for the supposed “attempt to copy Lady Gaga” with her new single “Not Myself Tonight” and upcoming album “Bionic.“

image courtesy of www.holamun2.com

It’s not secret. I adore Christina Aguilera. I have blogged about her so many times. I have a copy of all her albums. I even started saving for the first time in my life just to see her on concert (the Manila leg of her Back to Basics tour). Beautiful is probably my all-time favorite song. She’s really one of the best singers (or artists) out there. She has been since Genie in a Bottle, over a decade ago.

Don’t get me wrong. I love Lady Gaga to pieces, too. Been a fan since Just Dance. My Most Played lists on iTunes and Winamp have her songs.  I even have all her music videos on my iPod.

But the comparisons are just absurd.

Today, a Christina Quote is all over the net. It was from an interview in which she addressed this comparison.

“It just comes with the territory. That, in particular, is not even worth wasting the breath to comment on. I’ve been around for over a decade and I think my work speaks for myself.”

And now people are saying how conceited she is, how highly she thinks of herself, what kind of copycat she has become, whatsoever. But man, it’s true. She’s been around for years. And it was only brought up because the DJ asked her about the negative things Akon had to say about her. It’s just sad people never mentioned that. I actually believe it’s a tactful response to the question.

So here, I prepared a list of questions and accusations commonly thrown at Christina with some of my answers.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Christina Aguilera was out of the music scene for so long sitting her ass off. And now she’s back out of nowhere with the same look and sound as Lady Gaga’s. What’s up with that?

A: What’s up with you? Are you on drugs? She got pregnant! She friggin’ delivered a baby. Of course she would stop for a moment, rest until her vagina healed, spend time with her son and build a family. You know why? Because that’s what people do. It’s not all about fame and glory. That bitch has a heart.

And besides, she’s been doing a film called “Burlesque!”

Also, Aguilera is known for taking too much time preparing for one album. And if you ask why, go ask the Grammy’s why they nominated Stripped and Back to Basics for Best Pop Album.

Q: So what? She still copied Lady Gaga’s music and stole her look!

A: As early as 2008, when she was on Back to Basics tour, she was already very vocal about the theme of her next album, which was still untitled then. She would go to the completely opposite direction of Back to Basics, which is a blast from the past. She declared she would be doing pop again (since Back to Basics sounded like a pop-R&B crossover).

Read more

Viewed 1885 times by 450 visitors this month

21 Comments

1 2 3 4   Next »