| Start: | Aug 27, '06 12:30a |
| End: | Aug 27, '06 05:15a |
Sunday, July 30, 2006
God of War nears Mother Earth
Friday, July 28, 2006
Masahista
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Movies |
| Genre: | Independent |
UNLIKELY
Masahista. The internationally-acclaimed and internationally-awarded film by Brillantes Mendoza is definitely a catch for indie film lovers here in the country.
A film of substance and artistry, the story revolves around Iliac (Coco Martin) the masseur, his unlikely job, his family, and his sense of yearning – for a father. The film also starred Jaclyn Jose, Alan Paule, and Katherine Luna.
This controversial yet essential film tickled the thoughts of the audience through its R-18 scenes and dialogues.
For such kind of films, the story itself of this hit indie movie is much unexpected. Unlike the usual methods of story-telling in filmmaking, Masahista’s approach was puzzling but enjoying as well. The sequencing of events is impressive, well thought of. But there would be times that viewers would be left mouth-open, hanging, because of its technique of parallelisms and flashbacks.
Coco Martin’s performance was superb here, aside from his boy-next-door looks which would definitely make girls drool over him, he rendered a character full of eminence in the world where he revolves in that makes him connect to the film straightforwardly. He was able to convince the public that he is a Kapampangan because he delivers the language very fluently, and that he was able to entice the audience with his innocent charm as a masseur in this film. Another plus would be because he has no inhibitions about showing off his not-so-perfect body for the sake of art in the movie. Actor Alan Paule proved again the local and international film viewers that he was not just a piece of junk on the bold wagon before. This man can truly act, may it be a macho dancer or a homosexual, and he was able to portray his roles with utmost performance. Jaclyn Jose was a disappointment for this film. She was a total left-out here, as though her presence wasn’t actually in the movie. She was the mother here; she played a significant role, so she deserves more exposure than the others.
Artistry is seen on the scenes of the movie. There were shots where men in their total nakedness would be seen, but it did not look pornographic at all. Instead, it turned out to be well-lighted views. After all, without those scenes, this film would be non-realistic. It was put on the movie to give more justice on Iliac’s unlikely job.
Another disappointment here was the musical score. Some sounds were not very well suited on scenes, and there were also times that sound effects would be distinguished from a normal sound – which would turn to confusion on the audience. One particular scene would be when Iliac and the relatives were putting his father’s deathbed on its final destination. There was a camera man there who took pictures, and the camera’s sound was heard – which is not good because it was distinguished as a sound effect at that precise moment. Yes, that scene was a bit off for the film’s entirety.
Masahista is a film brought to life with compelling story uniqueness and catchy packaging. For the adults and young-adults, this is a mind-opening film; it would definitely tickle one’s imagination. And yes, this is an indie film to watch for and which should not be ignored.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
ImPResyon ng PRopesyon: Deal or No Deal?!
A few weeks back, a PR seminar was conducted at school - the ImPResyon ng PRopesyon: Deal or No Deal?!. And as expected, our professor on PR required us to attend the seminar and make a reaction paper for it. The reaction was passed a few days later after the seminar was held. I wasn't expecting anything about my work, I wasn't confident enough of what I've constructed because I still don't know the standards of my professor when it comes to things like that. So I passed my work without any inhibitions.
Exactly a week after (which was earlier, July 22 '06), our papers were returned by our PR professor. One by one, our professor called the names of my classmates who have their checked papers on his hand. Mr. blah, blah was called, Ms. blah, blah was next, then Ms. blah, blah followed, and so on. The papers emptied the hands of my professor - shockingly, my name wasn't called! I felt my stomach turned upside-down, cold sweat started to fill my forehead, and my heart was pounding as fast as a cheetah's do when it hunts for food! Damn! Where is that damn paper?!
Actually, there were 5 of us who fortunately weren't called. So we told our professor our biggest concern that time - we did pass our papers! Then, Mr. Roel Ramirez, APR said, "...baka hindi kayo nagpasa ng paper...", and that made me panic to the highest degree! But then again he said, "...and these are the 5 people who got the perfect score..." - BINGO! And there I was, sitting on my beloved chair, with a smirk on the face, looking at my paper work with the grade of 7 (1 is the lowest, 7 is the highest), and thinking "...I'm not expecting this..."
Want a glimpse of my masterpiece? Here it is:
Worth It?!
On the night before this seminar, I was thinking “… would this be worth my effort?... is it a deal or no deal?”. I was having second thoughts whether I would go to this seminar, because it’s too early since our class for that day would be 2:00 PM, and the seminar’s time assembly would be 9:00 AM, plus the presence of an unfriendly weather. However, I did attend. And it wasn’t worth it – it’s more than worth it!
Along with the chills of the Bulwagang Manileño’s air conditioner, and with bit drowsiness, I sat in awe as the seminar was being conducted.
Headed by two renowned PR practitioners in the country – both colleagues by our dear professor Roel Ramirez, APR - Ma. Amylyn Sison de Quiros and Butch Raquel, the colloquium was successfully achieved.
Ms. De Quiros is the current president of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), and she’s not just an ordinary president of a so-called society, she is an APR. She arrived earlier than Mr. Raquel (but the wait was worth it…), so the seminar started with her presence. Ms. De Quiros renders a strong personality that is not intimidating. She is the epitome of the saying “woman of essence”, as she graces us – the students – with information which is necessary for our PR classes. According to her, PR is not just building-up an image, but also admitting faults that result to honesty, because it is better to turn out like that than the faults would be discovered – because that is not showing honesty. She taught us the value of truth, on our day-to-day lives.
I was really impressed on the way she talks, especially when she bravely answered the questions on the open forum part of the program. Ms. De Quiros is truly one influential woman.
Mr. Butch Raquel is GMA7’s OIC for Corporate Communications, and he is one of the people behind the Kapuso Network’s achievement of being the No. 1 TV Station today in the Philippines. As I’ve stated earlier, he was a bit late for the call time, but really, the wait for me was very worth it! If Ms. De Quiros was an epitome, he is as well! As for the Filipino saying goes, “huwag pumunta ng giyera ng walang dalang bala”, he was in fact armed with materials that made the program more exciting. While he was talking in front, his assistants provided us pins which read GMA bearing the Kapuso sign – the rainbow-colored heart. Of course, being a certified and proud Kapuso, I was delighted to have one! Not only that, he showed us AVPs which really took my interest and attention to watch it. It was a Corporate AVP for the GMA7 Kapuso Network, and I was thunderstruck between the four legs of my chair! He even told us that he is once a Kapamilya, and by that time that he was still in ABS-CBN, the said station was on no. 1 – and of course, he’s one of the brilliant minds behind it. But above all, his lectures were concerned more on the PR as a profession. But it didn’t bore me at all. In fact, he made us realize that practicing PR – whole-heartedly – is an amazing profession, for you get to help and inspire a large network of people. And he even provided us tips about PR which would help us on thorough discussions in our PR class.
He is the living proof of a successful man behind a successful business firm. And that he taught us to be effective as well, whether here or there, a PR practitioner should always do his job with utmost dedication.
The whole seminar was fun, action-packed, and informative. We had fun while learning, we experienced the fun of learning, and we learned rich information about PR.
The program lasted till 3:00 in the afternoon, where we had mini-team building games. It was really a lot of fun being a part of the PRSSP – PLM Chapter, because you do not only learn, you also get to experience the learning. And yes, my effort of attending ImPResyon ng PRopesyon: Deal or No Deal? was more than worth it – it’s definitely a deal!
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2006
| Start: | Jul 19, '06 12:45p |
| End: | Jul 21, '06 |
| Location: | Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) |
Masahista - 7/19 (12:45 PM)
Sa North Diversion Road - 7/19 (3:30 PM)
Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros - 7/19 (6:15 PM)
Ilusyon - 7/20 (12:45 PM)
Saan Nagtatago Si Happiness? - 7/20 (3:30 PM)
Mudraks - 7/20 (6:15 PM)
Donsol - 7/20 (9:00 PM)
Pinoy Blonde - 7/21 (3:30 PM)
Rotonda - 7/21 (6:15 PM)
Shorts B - 7/21 (9:00 PM)
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Record-holder
Record-holder
I was never a dull student.
Since I started my career as a student, I never imagined having malfunctions – failing grades. In my opinion, it was stupid to study and not learn anything at all. A failure grade was yucky for me.
I remember being one of the top students in my class on my elementary and high school years. Those were my days of reckoning, because I seize high remarks after every school year – always. My record: I was a six-time second honor student (Grades 1 – 5; 2nd Year High School), two-time Salutatorian (Kindergarten & Grade 6), and a first honor (1st Year High School); though I wasn’t recognized on the honor roll during my 3rd and 4th years in high school, I still managed to be ranked 2nd on all students; plus the fact that I never ever got a line of 7 grade.
With all those medals and ribbons I’ve collected from the past, I thought I was geared enough and prepared for college – unfortunately, I was wrong.
PLM was a challenge for me – new school, new environment, new classmates, new teachers, and new curriculum. I was culture shocked. This is not what I’ve expected. I remember my high school teachers’ saying “…college is like reviewing… college is easier than in high school…blah, blah, blah…” and other stuffs like that. But when I first experienced hell in this university, I can’t keep blaming them, and I even wanted to confront them and tell to them straight to their faces “hey, thanks for the advice… #?@$!”.
That particular hell I’m talking about happened only last year, on my first semester for my 2nd year here in college. I received a wheelchair – a 5.0! Yes, the worst among worst grades! It was on my Economics class – 7:00 to 8:30 AM every Tuesdays and Fridays, GL502 – where hell breaks loose. And yes, it stained my career record as a student.
Of course, there are consequences alongside it which I have to face – almost-kicked-out-turned-final-probation on my college, series of quarrels among my parents, hush-hush judgments of people around me, and (the worst of them all…) lowered self-esteem. I admit, I lived in the dark because of that certain event.
But I regained my strength. Eventually, I began to grow as a person because of that experience. I realized, again, that everything really happens for a reason, and that reason leads to a certain purpose. On my case, the purpose was not to stain my record, but to test my individuality and credibility as a student.
It was my first major failure being me as a learner, and it happened here in PLM. But I guess it’s worth it. It stained my record I guess, but it can never stain me. And at least I could still add something on my record: a one-time failure, but still never a dull student (2nd
The Da Vinci Code
| Rating: | ★★★★ |
| Category: | Movies |
| Genre: | Science Fiction & Fantasy |
THE ROSE DECODED
Astonishing as the novel itself, Ron Howard’s The Da Vinci Code was a huge phenomenal worldwide success – not to mention the controversies bonded to it.
The Da Vinci Code starred Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon – the famous Harvard symbologist, Audrey Tautou as Sophie Neveu – the gifted French cryptologist, and Sir Ian McKellen as Leigh Teabing – the obsessed Grail questor. Among with the cast were Alfred Molina, Paul Bettany, and Jean Reno.
This hit film, which was also based on the hit novel by Dan Brown with the same title, awakened not just the readers but also the non-readers’ mind and attention.
The movie featured lots of Europe’s finest tourist destinations, and the filmmakers did not fail to show that to the audience. Its shots were amusing that viewers would really feel the intensity and excitement on every scene. One particular example was when Langdon (Hanks) was face-to-face, alone, with Da Vinci’s famous Mona Lisa. It was a spectacular scene, though they should have showcased the painting a bit longer. Hence, they captured well enough to make viewers gaga over it.
Its editing is normal. On the contrary, they pictured scenes looking back on history to fruitfully support pieces of evidence and facts served by the film. And yes, it helped viewers to understand more.
As to most adapted films, this movie would leave you puzzled through out the story unless you take focus on its facts and information given by the characters. Hanks and the rest of the team did well on that. They projected the acting prowess needed by each character, and as stated on the book. As always, McKellen (Magneto in the X-Men Trilogy and Gandalf in the LOTR Trilogy) portrayed superbly his role, he was effective that he makes you clueless of what he really is in the movie through out the film. They keep your mind moving, and they put spirit on the film as well.
Unlike other films, The Da Vinci Code’s musical score was kind of ordinary. Yet, as ordinary as it may sound, it was perfectly embellished on specific scenes. The orchestra-themed music added vigor on every scene, thus making it more climactic and exciting.
The Da Vinci Code is a must-see for audiences who are in question of their faith, and for those who wants to test their faiths as well. It can move viewers’ intentions whether to believe or not. And yes, this is a successful film, because it never fails to shake one’s belief and thinking.
The Da Vinci Code was produced by Brian Grazer and John Calley, under Columbia Pictures and Imagine Entertainment, released by Sony Pictures, in the direction of Ron Howard.
Friday, July 7, 2006
Narcissism - The Photoshoot
Happy... Longing... Seductive... Serious.
This is all about me, myself, and I - Amirod Van Rial.
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