On My Attempt To Complete the Simbang Gabi

It's 3:07. I have an hour and a half left to kill before I head out for mass. I haven't blogged for so long. And thanks to my neighbor's free wifi, I can write an entry!

Our Christmas party ended a few hours ago. It was crazy fun! "It's Showtime" really lived up to my expectations. From my team's awesome performances, to the beautiful set up, to the yummy food and lechon, to the non stop laughter, pictures and strong friendships. Brainbeam is all about family. Our Christmas Party was absolutely perfect. Indeed one for the books and something I will cherish and enjoy reminiscing for as long as I can.

Thank you, Lord, for our suppliers, Clients, friends who support us and a team that has dedicated their lives to making the company the gigantic success that it is. I cannot thank you enough. You have been so, extremely generous.

I promise to try my hardest to complete the 9-day Novena Masses, all for your greater glory. May you heed my special prayer too. I whispered it on the first day of the Simbang Gabi. And I know, I know, the light is shining so brightly at the end of the tunnel. That wish, I know, you shall give me.

I love you, Jesus. I love you Mama Mary. Thank you for loving me.

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On One Amazing Video Of The Country Coming Together

It was indeed a day we shall never, ever forget. Thanks to my brother's girlfriend Mimi, who took this video. I was beside her naman taking pictures. As Tita Cory passed by, I felt a tug in my heart. It was such an amazing moment and I was a part of it. Thank you, Mrs. President. MAY you rest in peace. You shall be our inspiration to do better. Enjoy heaven with our Lord and your dear husband!

Mabuhay ang lahing Pilipino!

On Sleeping In Non-Traditional Places

Yes, yes... I slept in a motel! The Marilyn Monroe Suite of Victoria Court in Pasig. Hahaha! My girls and I enjoyed the girly-girl feel of the room when we bunked here before our big event at Shangri-La a couple of weeks ago. Bed was big enough for the three girls. I slept beside the big bear!

Isn't the room just grand? =)

On A Stimulating Celebrity Experience

He was indeed fascinating to watch. I was impressed with how he totally took charge of the event. This guy can get away with ANYTHING! And for that, I became a fan.

Boy Abunda hosted our recently concluded event at the PCP (Philippine College of Physicians) Convention in SMX. We were able to fill up our projected 400 seats, plus a bonus of about 200+ more. I was so touched when he said he felt very at home with the script and it sounded as if he was the one who wrote it. Hey, he should get me for SNN!

I'm not very 'showbiz' and I make it a point that when we have celebrities as guests in our events, I distance myself a bit. But with "Tito Boy's" outstanding performance, I just had to hug him backstage and congratulate him for a spectacular job done.

There's another convention coming up real soon and I can't believe I'm excited to see how he manages that one.

Until then... hold on to your seats!

ON OUR 7TH ANNIVERSARY

I would like to pay tribute to my team (including those who have left) and to our clients, suppliers and support staff for this roller coaster of a ride! As we celebrate our 7th birthday, I also continuously pray for guidance, love and an endless shower of much more blessings from up above.

Thank you Mama Mary and Lord Jesus for this wonderful opportunity that you gave me. Thank you to my family for their undying support and my friends for always being behind my back in times of need.

This is our birthday! Cheers to more events, more happenings and of course, excellent and quality service to all our Clients.

On Another Proud Pinoy Moment

Bida na naman ang PINOY! Mabuhay ka, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao!!! Pagkatapos lamang ng dalawang rounds, pinatumba na ng ating pambansang kamao ang kanyang may pagka-mayabang na kalaban sa katauhan ni Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton. Ika nga ni Britney Spears, "Hit him, Manny, one more time!".

Marami ang nanghinayang dahil sa kagustuhang maging matagal na bakbakan ang labanan. Pero sa galing ng Pinoy, tama lang na di na pinatagal ang laban.

Iwagayway na ang ating bandila! Maligayang pagbati sa iyong tagumpay, Manny!!!

On My Surprise Birthday Party

I DID expect a party from the team. But I never expected it to be THAT major and THAT special.

Thank you to all those who came to celebrate my 30th birthday with me. Thank you to all those who sent video messages. Thank you for the effort that you all put into surprising me. I can't believe I got so many gifts! That's what made me the happiest! Loved each and every one of them.

My friend Borillo said that "30 is the new 20". I think so! I'm extremely blessed, my family's great, the business is doing well despite the global recession and Sweets is always there, holding my hand and making me feel secure and contented.

I love this life and cheers to more blessed years for little ol me!

On A Follow Up Review

Watched ONE NIGHT ONLY with Bru, Yaya and Bhorgina at Festival Mall last January 7. In all honestly, I laughed the hardest watching this movie.

The Chokoleit and Joross Gamboa and Alessandra and Paolo Contis bits were the most hilarious. I wasn't really convinced with the performance of Manilyn Reynes. Eugene (for Tanging Ina Nyong Lahat) should have won Best Supporting Actress instead. Manilyn as a "butch" didn't exactly click for me. Sana si Aiza na lang! She was 'screaming' the entire time (ganun siya magpakita ng angst-y character niya) and her moves were really exaggerated.

Katrina Halili was her usual slutty self. Valerie Concepcion's acting was so-so. The movie would survive with or without Jennylyn Mercado and Diana Zubiri. Jon Avila is hot! (hahaha)

The movie was quite short. Think it ran for an hour and 15 minutes only. The story ends at this motel, where all the characters stories are resolved. I liked it. The movie's pace was just right. No boring moments.

So in short, I only missed watching Desperadas 2, Dayo and Magkaibigan. But even if I get free passes for these three remaining movies, I would simply pass. Well, maybe Dayo.

Overall, I've seen better Festival movies. Looking forward to next year.

Metro Manila Film Festival 2009

DAY 1
ANG TANGING INA NYONG LAHAT

Ai Ai did say in her movie plugs that this should be the first movie people should see. Bespwen and I were obedient enough to do this. True to our yearly holiday tradition, we trooped to the Festival Mall Cinemas at about 11:00am of December 29 and bought tickets to the Filmfest's Top Grossing Film.

Eugene (Best Friend Rowena) upstaged Ai Ai, no doubt. Personally, I think she is the funniest bit in the movie, together with Alwin, Ai Ai's gay son. The story begins with Ai Ai trying very hard to impress her children and make them proud of her. Just like in "Tanging Ina", Ai Ai would go through some odd jobs like being Angel Locsin's stunt double in Lobo (but ending up being the lobo's stunt double instead). She ends up working at the Malacanang as a chambermaid, together with her best friend Rowena. In a simple twist of fate, she becomes the star witness to the killing of "Madam President" played by Gloria Diaz. It was the Vice President who actually plots the killing, and it is only Ai Ai who can prove this. The Vice President then challenges Ai Ai to a snap election. She wins. This was how she became President of the Republic of the Philippines.

The moment between Ai Ai and Gloria Diaz in the kitchen, when the President got hungry and it was Ai Ai who prepared some food for her was very touching. Ai Ai talked about her kids and how she would do anything to given them a good life. Her 'drama' scenes, to me, proved to be more effective than her comedy bits.

The Vice President was sent to jail and he instructs this one Senator to 'ruin' Ai Ai. This was not resolved in the end. Whatever happened to the Vice President was left hanging. There was no resolution to this and him killing Gloria Diaz.

Too bad Marvin was no longer there (physically, hehe). They should have just taken out Serena Dalrymple. She brings no value to the film. I liked the twins. They're first time actors and they are pretty good. I laughed out loud when comedian Flora Gasser took the twins to the police station (the twins ran away from home). She instructed the girls to hold on to her skirt and not let go whatever happens. By the time she reached the police station, her skirt was a goner. The police even had to ask if she was raped! LOL!

Overall, the movie was entertaining, but not spectacular. A good first movie to watch indeed. Now, on to the next...


BALER

This is my favorite movie out of the four we watched. I FORCED Bespwen to include this in our line-up, in exchange for her stooopid SHAKE, RATTLE and Roll X (which I will talk about later). I admit, there were some dragging parts, but I stayed glued to flick from start to finish.

Philip Salvador was so good in this movie. He played the father of Anne Curtis, whose sister got raped and killed by the Spaniards, and whose brother was tortured by the same. This was the reason why he abhored the Spaniards so much. The irony is that Anne falls in love with Jericho, who played half-Pinoy, half Spanish Celso.

Jericho was also very effective in the film. People around me kept saying it's weird that Jericho got casted as a Spanish soldier. HE IS NOT PURE SPANISH, OKAY? So drop it, people. =) He was good in this film. Pwedeng pang-Best Actor. However, I wouldn't be able to compare his performance with proclaimed Festival Best Actor Christopher de Leon since I have absolutely NO PLANS of watching Magkaibigan. Anything with Jinggoy Estrada on it is a waste of my time.

Aurora looked stunning in the film. The place is majestic! And the casting was really good. Hello, Jao Mapa! Hahaha! He played one of the four half-Spanish, half-Pinoy soldiers together with Mark Bautista (who was also impressive in the film). Bernard Palanca, Ryan Eigennman and Baron Geisler played heads of the Spanish troops that staked out in the church and surrendered to the Filipinos 388 (hope I got this right) days after.

Carlo Aquino was here again. He played Anne's brother.

Baler was an evident choice for Best Picture since the other films bordered more on the comedic side. Magkaibigan was their closest rival and I would absolutely die if this won Best Picture!

Bespwen and I ended the day feeling a bit depressed since Jericho died in the film. They did not end up together, sorry, folks. No happy ending here. The movie ends with Anne and her son 'Celso' seen walking around the church where the kid's father died. The entire story was narrated by Anne and Jericho's child.


DAY 2
ISKUL BUKOL, THE REUNION (20 YEARS AFTER)

Three words: WASTE OF MONEY. Kulang na lang si Pia Guanio, at Eat Bulaga the noontime show na ang kalalabasan. The Enteng series was way more entertaining that this attempt to bring back the glory days of TVJ. The Iskul Bukol regulars Tonette Macho, Richie d' Horsie and Bibeth Oropesa appeared for only about 20 minutes throughout the entire film. Where's the reunion there?

The movie mainly focused on the adventures of Vic Ungasis, now an archeologist. Parang Enteng Kabisote rin, but set in an Indiana Jones type of feel. I immediately texted Tatet and Cuz after the movie, telling them how lousy the film is. They exchanged their Iskul Bukol tickets for Tanging Ina. I saved them!!!

I won't waste my blog space talking about Iskul Bukol. Vic, stick to Enteng if you know what's good for you.


SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL X

If it weren't for the third episode (Nieves, the Engkanto Slayer -- Pinoy spin-off ng Buffy the Vampire Slayer), I would surely have nightmares since this was our last movie for the day. The second episode entitled "Class Picture" was extremely effective in scaring the living daylights out of me! Well, semi. Since I was so chicken shit about the whole "scary" thing, I was tucked under Bespwen's arms for the duration of Episode 2. I could just hear the whole thing and I peeped thru some scenes. Buti na lang the third episode starring Marian Rivera was a mix of comedy and fantasy. So okay na ako.

The first episode, Emergency, starred Wendell Ramos and Mylene Dizon as aswangs, Roxanne Guinoo as a doctor and JC de Vera as his nurse-love interest. Also in this episode were Denise Laurel (who also played a nurse), Janus del Prado (who is this episode's redeeming factor) as JC's best bud and Jon Lapus, a paranoid patient in the hospital.

The story revolves around Mylene and Wendell's quest for revenge after their child was pronounced dead at the emergency room of the hospital. The prosthethics were pathetic. It looked like the film was made during the 90s when costumes and make-up was still mediocre. It's unfortunate. I cringe thinking about it, honestly.

The second episode bags the gold in scaring everyone out of their seats. This episode starred Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson, plus Nina Jose, Prince from Starstruck, IC Mendoza and some other Starstruck and Star Circle people. The mumu, a nun, was played by the ever-so-wagi Jean Garcia.

"Class Picture" was about a bunch a friends, a barkada, who stays overnight in the St. Scholastica's College Manila-looking school. Some of their girl friends start missing, starting with Nina Jose, who opens the film running away from someone or something. She then gets whip wounds on her body, and eventually dies.

Another girl in their barkada dies after looking at this class picture (which keeps popping up almost anywhere) and staring at Jean Garcia, an old nun-teacher in the school. Apparently, in Jean's class during the 1800's, three of her students have gone missing, and the school principal tells her that she can only come back and teach once again, after she "completes" her class. Everytime Jean takes away the life of one of the new girls, their faces appear on the old class picture.

The last target was Kim Chiu. However, she has some sort of third eye. So she's the special one who "saves the day". During her final encounter with Jean Garcia, she summons the spirits of Jean's three missing students, asking them for help to save her from the evil nun. This was how Jean Garcia was defeated.

It's scary! I remember my high school days in St. Scho when we would talk about ghost stories of floating nuns and souls in school. It was so close to home that's why it was extra scary for me and Bespwen.

The last episode was okay. Nieves is a palengkerang probinsyanang ghost slayer, much like how Marian Rivera is in real life. So her portrayal of Nieves seemed effortless. It was really MARIAN, the real person, up there on the big screen. Pecto plays the role of Adonis, her "super gwapong" husband. The head engkanto, played by Diana Zubiri fights for Pecto's love vs Nieves.

I can't really say much about this episode. It was, however, okay enough to take my mind off "Class Picture".

Here is my round up of this year's Filmfest adventure with Bespwen. We are still aiming to watch "One Night Only". Crossing my fingers that Bespwen and I still get to do this since I am leaving for Vigan already tomorrow with Cuz.

Anyway, until next year, folks!

On Watching It Live

Congratulations to Papa-look-alike Bayani "BF" Fernando for winning the second installment of Celebrity Duets. Since I was in Urdaneta for an event, Mama, Cui and his girlfriend Mimi trooped to Studio 3 of GMA 7 for the taping of the final show.

Glad to hear that they had an awesome time. Ms Gigi Santiago-Lara, my former Client from GMA 7 reserved 3 seats for me. She is such a darling! Love you, Ms Gi! According to Cui, Ogie tried entertaining the audience while they were waiting to shoot some scenes. He asked Regine to sing, then he translated every line to Batanggeno.

Too bad I wasn't able to make it to witness all the action. Nevertheless, Mama had a blast so okay na okay na rin.

Congratulations to BF and to GMA 7. I think this was a more exciting edition and the talents were really good. Until Season 3!

ON MY BESPWEN'S BIRTHDAY!

She is truly my one and only
With a helluva strong personality
She is gorgeous even when placed under pressure
No boulder can destroy her, that's for damn sure!

On her very special day
This simple poem is my way
To tell her how much I love and appreciate her
and how I would fight for her forever and ever.

Love you, my bespwen! Enjoy your day tomorrow!!!

On Another One Of My Favorite Shows

Will it be JC, Bayani or Tsong Joey? Find out next week!!!

Mama, Papa and I are big fans of this show. Especially since everybody knows that my father looks like Bayani Fernando. You don't even need to guess who we are cheering for. But c'mon. BF is all out talaga in his performances. I extremely enjoyed his duet with Pilita.

Joey has a really good voice. First performance pa lang niya, I was really impressed na. So if he wins, okay din lang. Maiiyak lang ang tatay ko.

Si JC? Hay naku, mayaman lang ang mga clients niya kaya pa siya nandiyan. He probably got GMA and Cory Aquino's whole household to vote for him every minute of the day. And ang mga ka-duet... Yasmien Kurdi, Lovie Poe?! What the hell?!

Sana si Carlene na lang than him. But sabi nga ng Mama ko, siya na ang 'poorest' sa natira, meaning, her resources are the pinaka-mahina.

So let's see who wins! Haaayyy, two big finales this week! So exciting!

On Getting Myself Inked

I am planning to get this tattooed on my left leg (just above my ankle). K.A. just got two new tattoos and now, more than ever, I am super determined to get one myself. I'll keep you posted if I do decide to take the plunge. For now, this YEAR OF THE RAM sign will remain but a jpeg file on my desktop.

On My New Fashion Find

I really take good care of my nails. And I have been going regularly to Princess Carol in BF Homes for my mani and pedi. A couple of weeks ago, I had them put on this dark shade of blue from Face Shop. And even after a week, my nails still looked super fine. The paint didn't chip off easily.

Yesterday, I had my Princess Carol ladies use this red shade naman that you see on the photo. It looks chic on me, I swear! And the paint dries up really fast so I cut down on my waiting time. I love, love, love FACE SHOP nail paint so I bought four (4) this afternoon at Powerplant.

Got the blue (the first one they put on me at Princess Carol), the red I'm wearing now, this brownish-reddish color and purple! Yipee!

So ladies, troop on over to Face Shop and get your hands on some of the bottles too!

On My Super Favorite Pinoy Reality Series

My hats off to the creators of Project Runway Philippines. I got really hooked to this show! 10 - 11PM every Wednesday turned out to be a sacred hour, as I watched our local designers strut their stuff down the runway.

I completely agree with most of the reviews. Teresa is such a fresh face and most certainly the biggest asset of the show. Jojie's "Work, work, work" line is a funny spin to lovely Tim Gunn's "Make it Work". Getting Imelda Marcos on the show was super cool too! She is THE fashion icon and kudos to PRP for featuring her! Wish it were Imee though who judged the actual challenge. Met her and she is supah fab!

My bet was Jaz, although I voted for Philipp in ETC's Fan Fave promo (hahaha, I am that obsessed talaga!). Super sad ako when Jaz was voted out. Think Aries would win simply because he has been consistent and really innovative. His creations are nicely executed and well thought of. Plus, he won a lot of challenges. Philipp is a nice guy, but you know what they say... nice guys finish last. Si Veejay? Ang lousy mag-English ng lola pero best actress siya! Okay rin if manalo siya.

Overall, it was a terrific show. And I am sad that it's coming to a close next Wednesday. But I saw plugs already for a Season 2 so that's something to look forward to.

By the way, I saw Bo and Mara separately at Powerplant in Rockwell. When I saw Mara, her hair was already that from the Reunion Special. She is so laid back and rocker chic talaga. Wanted to have my picture taken with her pero Powerplant eh. Haha. If it were in Megamall, baka mas kina-reer ko. Saw Bo naman having coffee at Starbucks with some friends/clients. He was one of those na I didn't really like so wala lang. It was nice lang to see him in person.

I swear though, if nakita ko si Jaz or Philipp, pa-picture talaga ako! =)

Can't wait to see who bags the prize!

On One Helluva Challenge!

It was a riot during our last NESTLE COFFEE-MATE BARANGAY CHALLENGE at Tondo, Manila! Two chosen barangays in the said city competed for the title MODEL BARANGAY. Each had to decorate their barangay from head to toe with Nestle Coffee-mate streamers, banderitas and posters. I was assigned to oversee Barangay 5. And this was where this cute tabachingching baby boy lived. I carried him around the barangay and I swear, I was SO, SO tempted to bring him home with me! He's super heavy and very malambing. I want one of my own!!! Hahaha!

Well, tsaka na ako. Si Mona muna (girl on my right and my former Account Executive). She is 8 weeks pregnant! Congratulations, my dearest!

Our Trece Martirez run is tomorrow. Gotta do the final preparations...

On Being The Luckiest Daughter In The World

My Panda just celebrated his 72nd birthday last July 25. We set up this streamer, plus an arc balloon at our sala, and boy was he S-U-R-P-R-I-S-E-D!!! We love you Fred Flintstone!!!

On Being Around Celebrities Everyday

I wasn't aware that I had celebrities for employees! Happy birthday, my dear brainbeam girls and boy! =)