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
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
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.
This morning, ABS-CBN launched their new Lupang Hinirang video. As usual, Kapamilya stars participated in this effort. The video was produced by Star Cinema.
To be honest, I love it. I’m not sure whether I love it better than the previous version but this one was well-shot, well-executed. I also liked that it’s short and simple.
The only comment I have is this: On the map of the Philippines shown at the end, where the hell is the Negros Island? I’m sure it was just an oversight but I hope that they fix it asap. After all, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental are major players in Philippine history.
Anyway, here’s the full video. Lookie here. No Negros on the map.
The Holiday season is over. And if there’s one thing I’m really thankful for, that’s a chance to finally watch daytime TV. You see, I only get to watch weekday morning and afternoon shows during Christmas break and it’s something I enjoy immensely. However, I couldn’t help noticing how local morning programming had changed through the years.
Today, Ben 10, Spongebob Squarepants, Mr. Bean and anime heroes lead the kiddie programs broadscast in the morning. As much as I love Spongebob and Ben 10, I am saddened by how locally produced educational TV shows have gone extinct from free TV. Lucky are we who belong to the generation growing up seeingBatibot and ATBP. Lucky are we who had that chance of singing along to this song every morning of our childhood:
Gusto kong abutin ang tayog ng ulap.
Gusto kong sisirin ang lalim ng dagat.
Gusto kong akyatin ang tuktok ng bundok.
Tuklasin ang hiwaga sa puso ko’y bumabalot...
It’s a shame Hiraya Manawari is not being shown on a major TV channel today. It would have helped my Promil Kid niece and nephew develop a good sense of right and wrong. It would have helped them appreciate lessons about respect, love, discipline, honesty and other values — things they will hardly learn from Mr. Bean and company.
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!
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.
First of all, let me ask this: Is it just me or is Safeguard‘s new TV commercial for their promo raffle a little off? It’s starting to make my head itch. I mean, come on, we’re in the middle of El Nino and their commercial seems to be encouraging people to waste water!
I’m trying to find the video on YouTube so I can post the TV ad here. Does anyone have a link to that video?
Anyway, this is the time of the year when I am usually irritated by insensitive TV ads hooked to reality shows. Allow me to talk about them.
AMERICAN IDOL Season 9
Almost every year I hear my friends say “this is the worst season ever.” They said that about Carrie Underwood’s season, also Chris Daughtry’s, and Jordin Sparks’, and David Cook’s. And I was always like, “That’s so not true.” My favorite so far is still Season 5 (Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee, Elliott Yamin, Chris Daughtry) and Season 7 (David Archuleta, David Cook).
What can I say about this year’s American Idol? I have three words: WORST. SEASON. EVER.
Especially after this week’s elimination? Gooosh. If it weren’t for Didi Benami, I’d stop watching this show. I mean, Alex Lambert and Lily Scott got eliminated!!? What’s wrong, America?
<insert frustrated sigh here>
Darn. But my love for Didi Benami is greater than my hatred towards the entire season. So I’m still in.
THE AMAZING RACE Season 16
The latest season of my most-loved reality show has been airing for a month already and I am sooo enjoying it. I honestly am surprised why I still love the show when my favorite team never wins (except for Tyler Denk and James Branaman, they’re so hot, I was rooting for them since Day 1 and I almost threw an Amazing Race party when they won).
Last season, I was so in love with Maria and Tiffany but they quit. Season 10 (All Stars), beauty queens Dustin and Kandice got all my loving but they lost. Season 4, Colin and Christie failed to win the race, either. Still love the show, though.
This season, all my cheers and prayers go to the cowboys Jet and Cord. Smart, smart players, I love it. Here’s hoping they win.
And I’m loving Caite. Her boyfriend Brent is a piece of wood but I love her. Hope they make it to the final 3.
Don’t you just love the full trailer of ABS-CBN’s remake of Mexican telenovela Rubi? Angelica Panganiban is just oh-so-perfect for the role.
It’s not a secret that of all the up and coming Kapamilya shows, I am most excited about Rubi for a number of reasons.
I religiously watched the Mexican “Rubi” when it was first shown in the Philippines a few years ago. It was refreshing to me, having an ill-mannered character for the lead role. I deliberately avoided enlisting to any 11:30am class just to catch every episode of it. I was in college then.
Angelica Panganiban, after Scarlet and the very funny Crissy (in Banana Split), has become one of my most-loved actresses. She’s just so versatile. She can do drama, horror, and comedy effortlessly. She can also be naive and angelic in one project and then cruel and manipulative in another. Only a few actors can do that.
I really wish this series would perform well in the ratings game. This is Angelica’s first solo project and she has waited for this for so long.
Darna 2005 and Darna 2009 without their costumes and showing their kili-kili. Angel Locsin vs Marian Rivera! Game on!
They’re both hot, aright? But uhm yeah, someone is hotter than the other.
images courtesy of Folded and Hung, and Jag.
special thanks to Shy Guy for the title. haha
On May 31, 1985, tragedy struck when 41 tornadoes hit Canada and the US, leaving 76 people dead. At the same time, a doomed couple in the Philippines were having the best orgasms of their lives. Nine months (280 days) later, a healthy baby boy was brought into this world by normal delivery. That was exactly a week before Microsoft had its initial public offering.
Today, Yoshke Dimen resides independently in Mandaluyong City. He got a degree in Film from a university in Diliman but is now pursuing a career in Social Media.
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You can reach the author by sending an email to yoshke (at) philippinebeaches.org
