0 Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang

The official movie poster (from Google Images)

The two best assets of the film are (1) its cinematography; and (2) Erich Gonzales’ overall performance.

Erich is legit. I can’t picture anyone else who could play the role better, and I beg Lilia Cuntapay’s pardon for that. Erich has graduated into becoming a film actress who is very capable of giving other emerging big screen actresses a run for their money. For instance, Erich nails the birth scene in the film with a performance that only compelling actors can pull off. She knows how to keep a balanced delivery of expressions to grip her audience and make them stay.

On the other hand Derek Ramsay, whose performance is also laudable, is somewhat miscast as Corazon’s husband. Though the film does not suffer from a lack of chemistry between its leads, the creators could have been sharper to realize that Derek, who plays the role of a farmer, looks more like a landlord!

The film has a weak supporting cast but performance-wise, Tetchie Agbayani should not be ignored. She commendably plays the role of a crazy woman who is haunted by the ghosts of her past. Her character is so stirring, it is frustrating that the film fails to preserve the relevance of her story until the end.

Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang is not a horror movie to be watched by those who lust after the typical scare. The storytelling is not flawless and the horror is deficient. But the atmosphere created by its solid cinematography is so riveting, you will immediately feel the excitement of meeting the second aswang.

0 This Just In: Brian McKnight Moment

With Brian McKnight, fresh from his @Bandila interview.

TWIST Recommends:
Brian McKnight, sons arrive in PH for concerts

0 Quote of the Day - February 29, 2012

“If I were the symbol of UP standing there naked, called the Oblation, I would immediately throw away my fig leaf! ‘Wag na tayong magtago-tago pa! E, kagaguhan lang naman pala ang pinapag-aralan sa UP kung ganyan!” 

                                                         – Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, rebuking a recent survey conducted by the University of the Philippines Paralegal Society which shows that 74 percent of the students surveyed do not anymore trust impeached Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona

1 Kung Ako na Lang Sana

by Bituin Escalante

A complete lyrics for an incomplete heart.

Heto ka na naman, kumakatok sa'king pintuan
Muling naghahanap ng makakausap
At heto naman ako, nakikinig sa mga kwento mong paulit-ulit lang
Nagtitiis kahit nasasaktan

Ewan ko bakit ba hindi ka pa nadadala
Hindi ba't kailan lang nang ika'y iwanan n’ya
At ewan ko nga sa'yo, parang balewala ang puso ko
Ano nga bang meron s’ya na sa akin ay 'di mo makita

Kung ako na lang sana ang 'yong minahal
'Di ka na muling mag-iisa
Kung ako na lang sana ang 'yong minahal
'Di ka na muling luluha pa
'Di ka na mangangailangan pang humanap ng iba
Narito ang puso ko, naghihintay lamang sa'yo

Heto pa rin ako, umaasang ang puso mo
Baka sakali pang ito'y magbago
Narito lang ako, kasama mo buong buhay mo
Ang kulang na lang mahalin mo rin akong lubusan

Kung ako na lang sana ang ‘yong minahal
‘Di ka na muling mag-iisa
Kung ako na lang sana ang ‘yong minahal
‘Di ka na muling luluha pa
‘Di ka na mangangailangan pang humanap ng iba
Narito ang puso ko, naghihintay lamang sa’yo
Kung ako na lang sana

Ooooh…
Kung ako na lang sana ang 'yong minahal
‘Di ka na muling mag-iisa
Kung ako na lang sana ang 'yong minahal
‘Di ka na muling luluha pa
‘Di ka na mangangailangan pang humanap ng iba
Narito ang puso ko, naghihintay lamang sa’yo
Kung ako na lang sana
Here for the audio.

0 Project: #Follow @Ralphabet 1

I am pleased to announce that I have finally uploaded the first part of Project: #Follow @Ralphabet. We are all familiar with those people pestering us to like their Facebook posts and pages. Project: #Follow @Ralphabet is somewhat like that but I made sure it would be less irritating, and hopefully more compelling. In this video are comedienne Kakai Bautista, entertainment reporter Gretchen Fullido, and Kapamilya heartthrobs Ivan Dorschner and Xian Lim.

Isang proyektong nagsimula sa isang ambisyosong pag-iisip. Ngayo'y kinakarir na!

Follow @Ralphabet

Related Post: Project: Feeling Close

0 Quote of the Day - February 13, 2012

“You know, madam witness, you keep on smiling. I don’t know what that smile is for.” - Sen. Jinggoy Estrada to PSBank Katipunan branch manager Annabelle Tiongson

0 Cayetano to defense: Name your source

Under TWIST FIRST TO BLOG

 

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano grills defense lawyer Jose Roy III during the sixteenth day of the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona. The insulted senator challenges the defense panel to reveal their source after they alleged the Malacañang of offering P100 million to the senator-judges to defy the Supreme Court's TRO restraining the Senate from looking into Corona’s dollar accounts.

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano: Is any of you, defense counsels, also [a member] of the media?

Atty. Jose Roy III: Not that I’m aware, your honor.

Cayetano: Okay. So I asked that because we are all aware that the members of the media have the source privilege granted to them by a Republic Act.

Roy: Yes, your honor.

Cayetano: But is the source privilege also given to [lawyers]?

Roy: There is a fundamental right, your honor, which we draw comfort from. It is found in Paragraph E, Section 20 of Rule 138. And essentially, it states that the lawyers are under oath, at every peril to themselves to preserve the secrets of the client, your honor.

Cayetano: But you will confirm to me that the attorney-client privilege is only available when there is an attorney-client relationship.

Roy: That is exactly the case, your honor.

Cayetano: So unless the source is your client, then you are bound to reveal the source if this Impeachment Court asks you to reveal such?

Roy: Your honor, the reference to the attorney-client relationship pertains to the conduct of all the business of the client. Whenever we receive information in our professional capacities, which relate to the business of the client for which we have been retained, your honors, then it is covered by the mantel of the privilege.

0 I Just Blocked a Debtor on Facebook

Wheng someone, October 20, 2011: Tnx s pgaccept!!!:)

Wheng, 5 hours ago: Hi ralph pwede po b aq humingi ng tulong sau?

Me, 3 hours ago: How may I help you?

Wheng, about an hour ago: Try q sna humiram sau ng pera?pramis bbayaran q dn po sau!!!ala n tlga aq malapitan,lam q ndi tau mgkakilala ng personal pro ndi q nman ttakbuha f anu man ung mhhiram q sau!!!

Me, about an hour ago: Hahaha! Sorry but that's beyond impossible!

Wheng, 26 minutes afo as of blogging: Ok lng f ndi mo aq mpphiram,wg q nlng mgtawa ok!!pra qng nkkainsulto s 22o lng!!!salamat nlng ng mdme!!!pwede mo sbhin n ndi wg q nlng mgttawa ha!!!

Me: My apologies.

Kung close lang sana kami, why not?

0 Kit Tatad: Corona trial is no 'Budoy'

"The interest in the Estrada impeachment trial was unflagging, sustained. Pero dito [the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona], nakikita mo [asking 'Headstart' host Karen Davila], gumuguho na, nawawala na, e. The galleries are now empty… I wonder how much longer prime TV could carry it without losing its audience. Siyempre hindi mo pwedeng itapat sa Budoy ito."

--Former senator Francisco "Kit" Tatad, during Headstart guesting, contrasting the impeachment trials of former president Joseph Ejercito Estrada and Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona

0 Project: Feeling Close

I'm pretty sure it would sound like I'm the most pathetic, narcissistic, desperate fanatic but please allow me to share my third encounter with the irresistible Ivan Dorschner.

Before bidding farewell to 2011, it popped up in my mind to collect video greetings with Kapamilya stars promoting my struggling Twitter account. I called it Project: #Follow @Ralphabet. Before Mr. Dorschner, I already had Kakai Bautista,Gretchen Fullido and Xian Lim doing me the favor.

The one with Xian Lim was the most nerve-wracking, I actually faked the lakas-loob, kapal-mukha part. But this one, with Mr. Dorschner, has been so special for a very weird reason. HE INTERVIEWED ME! And it felt like sitting in an electric chair!

When I told him about my purpose (after almost shouting his name the way Toni Gonzaga shouted "I love you, Piolo!" in a Sprite commercial), skeptical Ivan asked me several questions that caught me off guard. When things became clearer, he pulled out his mobile from his pocket, searched for @Ralphabet, and hit "Follow." He even made fun of my Twitter page description: "Ive said too much. I haven't said enough." "Ayan, kulang pa ang sinasabi," I thought I heard him say with an adorable laugh while trying to speak straight Tagalog.

The best thing about that encounter was that it made me realize how Mr. Dorschner has always been so consistent in showing courtesy to his fans, an effortless kindness he will never fake.

I've been working with ABS-CBN for almost two years now and when it comes to the Can-You-Tell-These-Fake-And-Real-Celebs-Apart game, I've mastered the tricks! Fortunately, Mr. Dorschner is everything but fake. His middle name is Cute and once he flashes that sincere smile, it would definitely make you forget about the backlogs you've left screaming at  your workstation!

Thank you so much, Mr. Dorschner.

0 Photoshop

0 Jimenez Reacts

FRESH TWEETS: DOT Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. on the ‘Switzerland Coincidence’ | via Tourism Thoughts

Department of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. reacts on the surfacing of a 1951 ad from the Swiss National Tourist Office that read "It's more fun in Switzerland!" a slogan which is almost identical to the Philippines' newest tourism campaign, "It's more fun in the Philippines! launched earlier today.

2 hours ago as of posting:

No one can own the expression "it's more fun" but it's very true for the #Philippines so it becomes ours. #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines

1 hour ago as of posting:

This Switzerland coincidence only makes our line truer. Sun Tanning IS more fun in the Philippines.

The line isn't a manufactured slogan. It's simply the truth about our country. Don't be swayed by people who are trying to punch holes in it

If you look hard enough, you might even find an old ad that says "it's more fun in Alcatraz!"

Tourism is successful in Thailand because their positive voice is louder than their negative voice.

0 E.R. Ejercito: Kris Aquino is like Nostradamus

E.R. Ejercito made a guesting on ABS-CBN News Channel’s Headstart this Friday morning to share his thoughts on the controversies that have plagued his MMFF film, Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story. Apparently putting the blame on Kris Aquino, the Laguna governor made statements expressing his disappointment for not grabbing the Best Actor trophy.

Here’s the transcript of the “Blame-It-on-Kris” part with Karen Davila:

ER: Kris Aquino said in the news that we had a bad showing… And there was a bad trending like saying, we were pulled out from the cinemas. We have 51 cinemas. Unfortunately we were shown at only 17. Kaya masaklap ang nangyari sa amin.

Karen: Explain that. Why is Kris Aquino… I mean you’ve mentioned her name a few times.

ER: I read it on Twitter.

Karen: You read it on Twitter?

ER: Yah. I read it on news, I watched it on TV.

Karen: She allegedly said what, that you had a bad showing?

ER: Yes.

Karen: Okay. Do you think that was a factor?

ER: I don’t know. If she . . . said it . . . I just read it on papers.

Karen: Okay. But if she had said it, you feel that was a factor?

ER: [Pause.] Yes. Yes.

Karen: So how do you feel about that—

ER, interrupting Karen: ‘Cause people believe her. [Chuckles.]

Karen: Okay. Alright. Oo. How do you feel about that?

ER: Well, she has said a lot of statements that, well, I don’t really feel comfortable with, like saying “Magwala ka, Dingdong Dantes kapag natalo kang Best Actor.” At “Itataya ko ang buong pamilya ko kapag natalo kang Best Actor.” So she has been saying things that . . . [are] not good for me and for Dingdong.

Karen: Okay. Just to play devil’s advocate, isn’t Kris acting like a typical… I mean, actress who worked with Dingdong? I mean it’s like if we were together, I’d say “syempre gusto ko si Governor E.R. ang manalo.” I mean it’s . . . “classic her.”

ER: She’s like Nostradamus.

Karen chuckles.

ER: She predicts good, ha? [Chuckles.]

Karen: WHAT IS THAT?

ER: Ang galing n’yang manghula. She said Dingdong will win, Dingdong won. She said her movie will be Number Two, now she’s Number Two.

Karen: Okay. [Chuckles.] You’re hilarious. “She’s like Nostradamus.” Alright. First, when she had said na “’Yong pamilya ko, sasama ang loob” or something… “Magwala ka Dingdong” . . .

ER: I just read it on the papers and on Twitter and… I don’t know if she really said it. I have to talk to her. Kumare ko naman ‘yon e.

Karen: Do you feel that, that her statement influenced the judges? I think that’s what you’re leading to.

ER: I really don’t know. I respect the distinguished board of jurors, ‘no? That’s they’re decision. I don’t know if there was influence or not. I don’t know. She’s the sister of the president. Who knows? Only God knows the truth.

The two chuckle.

Karen: But you think that . . . she shouldn’t have said it? It was inappropriate? How do you feel?

ER: Yah. She shouldn’t have said it?

Karen: Why not?

ER: It doesn’t look good. It doesn’t sound good . . . for me and for Dingdong.

Karen: But if anybody else had said it, would it have been okay?

ER: Maybe. I don’t know. But she’s Kris Aquino for that. She’s known for that. … I don’t feel bad, ‘no? Dingdong is a very good actor, a fine actor of his generation. He’s a very outstanding leader of the youth. And me, I still have chances. This year, there are still seven award-giving bodies. I can win Best Actor maybe hopefully at the Urian, or maybe Star Awards, Famas, Catholic Mass Media Awards.

Karen: Okay. But Governor, what this is showing essentially—in a way, ‘no? —is you do feel bad losing the Best Actor award. This is what I’m getting.

ER: Well, I ... I … Bitin.

Karen: Bitin?

ER: Oo. Bitin.

Karen: So inaamin mo, kung baga, masama ang loob mo na si Dingdong ang nanalo?

ER: No. He was good [in] Segunda Mano. I still have other chances to win.

Karen: But do you believe you deserved it?

ER: Well, I did a great performance. I am 47 years old. Madami akong nahugutang emosyon bilang artista. But being a new actor, I think Dingdong deserves it.

Karen: Okay. But then, do you feel then that the MMFF [was] pressured because Kris had said that?

ER: Every year, there is always controversy at the MMFF. Sanay na tayo sa gano’n. I’m used to losing and winning. I still have more chances here in the Philippines and broad to win awards. No problem.

No problem? Really? E.R. here reminds me of Juan Manuel Marquez who, on November 13 last year, claimed he was “robbed” when Manny Pacquiao edged him for the WBO Welterweight crown. He may be the most deserving but E.R. is missing a point: Humility.

How I wish Kris Aquino could also predict when this bitter governor will finally move on!

2 'Segunda Mano' in 50 Words

If the mark of a good horror film is when it slowly becomes unpredictable toward the end, then Segunda Mano has successfully accomplished that goal. Definitely a must-see. Congratulations to Star Cinema, to Dingdong Dantes, and of course, to the one and only Queen of Philippine Horror FIlms, Kris Aquino!
 

0 My 2011 Christmas Wish List

Keeping my fingers crossed.

0 'Mahal na mahal kita, Tina'

"Ngunit ang kasukdulan ng pambabastos, sa aking pananaw, ay ang pagdawit ng aking maybahay sa reklamong ito.  Baka akala nila na sa ganitong paraan ako po’y madaling susuko.  Mapalad po ako na mayroon akong isang mabait at matatag na kasama sa buhay na siya . . . na s’ya ring pinagkukunan ko ng lakas at inspirasyon. Mahal na mahal kita, Tina."

0 The Commonality

THE HAIR. This photo shows how I unconsciously made my Tumblr page look yesterday upon uploading Mario Maurer's Christmas campaign for Penshoppe. Both of us running our fingers through our hair—something in common, at last! Hahaha! That's all. ;D

0 Video of the Year: "Marry the Night"

Emotional. Enigmatic. Epic. The long wait is over—and it is indeed worth it! Lady Gaga’s autobiographical Marry the Night video takes all her little monsters back to her early career trauma, which falls under the worst days of her life before being catapulted to fame. In 2006, Lady Gaga had been dropped by Island Def Jam, her first record label, only three months after she inked a deal. The abrupt ending of her relationship with IDJ devastated Gaga.

“Marry the Night”—which is nearly 14 minutes in length—is Lady Gaga’s music video directorial debut. The clip begins with the Mother Monster on a gurney being wheeled into a psychiatric ward, telling a nurse that she’s gonna be a star “because I have nothing to lose.” The ending shows Lady Gaga heading to a meeting at Interscope Records, her present record label.

Watching the longest Gaga video yet is like finishing a cup of Slurpee: It will leave you asking for more without consciously knowing that you’ve already had enough. And I think it’s a good thing. Enjoy the video!

0 The Big Three, The Bigger Two, The Number One

THE BIG THREE. GMA chair Felipe Gozon, ABS-CBN chair Eugenio Lopez III, and TV5 chair Manuel Pangilinan stand side by side for the first time in one stage at the 22nd Ad Congress in Camarines Sur. From Inquirer.net

Philippine television's "Big Three" had refreshingly shared one stage Friday, November 18, at the 22nd Philippine Advertising Congress in Camarines Sur. Gozon, Lopez and Pangilinan "for the first time stood side by side in one stage to share their thoughts on the future of television and media," Inquirer.net reports.

As a TV fan, I find this historical unprecedented gathering almost surreal but fascinating. I'm just hoping this would pave way for a healthy competition in an industry where crab mentality haunts its players.

The three had also taken the hot seat to answer questions from personalities from the rival networks. My favorite part!

Korina Sanchez: “Who is Number One today?”

Gozon: “As far as we are concerned, definitely, it’s GMA-7.”

Korina Sanchez : “I’m very surprised to hear that from you. By the way, Number One where?”

Mike Enriquez: “How long do you intend to stay Number Three?”

Pangilinan: “Well, that’s today, that’s not the future, right?"

Luchi Cruz-Valdez: “Is Sharon Cuneta really leaving ABS to move to TV5?”

Lopez: “I don’t know. Maybe we should ask the other channel.”

0 First Day High

JUST GOT RESERVED. I am lucky to secure an advanced first-day ticket to the worldwide release of the first part of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. Thanks to my office mom, Miss Jacqui Palaganas. =)

0 Move Over, Batangas!

0 Kabalintunaan

Stuart Walker, 28. From BBC News.

I was waiting for my 22nd birthday observation to end (October 24 in Manila) when the news of the death of a 28-year-old “gay man” in Scotland broke on Twitter. Stuart Walker, of East Ayrshire, was found dead at the road side of an industrial estate in Cumnock, BBC News reports. Twitter posts and online news reports suggest that Walker, who was believed to be savagely beaten, tied to a lamppost, and burned alive, could have been a victim of a homophobic attack—or a hate crime.

Earlier this month, a series of pellet gun attacks on gay men in Cebu City had been reported.

First off, mahirap mamuhay bilang isang bakla. Mahirap isiping may mga bagay at oportunidad na hindi mo kailanman mararanasan dahil sa tumiwalag ka sa daang idinikta ng lipunan. Mahirap tumitig sa isang napakagandang lalake habang alam mo sa sarili mong kailanma’y hindi s’ya mapapasa’yo. Mahirap maghanap ng totoong pagmamahal.

At susunod sa pagsang-ayon sa kung ano ang tama at mali para sa lipunan, pinakamahirap na yata ang bahaging pilit mong pinapaniwala ang sarili mong tanggap ka na ng mundong iyong ginagagalawan habang may mga pangyayaring pinapasinungalingan ito.

Personally, sa dami ng hadlang na sumasalubong sa daang tinatahak ko, hindi ko kailanman pinangarap na kumawala sa aking pagkatao dahil naniniwala akong hindi imoral ang pagiging bakla.

Hindi ito desisyon. Walang multiple choice. Ito ay isang buhay na nakalaan na sa mga katulad ko bago pa man kami ipinanganak—isang buhay na kailangan naming panagutan. Isang buhay na hindi nangangailangan ng pagsisikap ninuman para lamang mamuhay kami sa paraang angkop sa aming pisikal na anyo.

Hindi namin kinakailangang pigilan ang mga sarili naming gawin ang mga bagay na hinihingi ng aming mga katawan at ng aming buong pagkatao dahil hindi kami puppet.

Hindi namin kinakailangang paniwalaan ang mga taong “alagad” umano ng moralidad na nagsasabing walang masama sa pagiging bakla o tomboy sa kundisyong hindi dapat kami makiapid sa kapareho naming kasarian. Hindi kalakip ng pagiging bakla ang pagiging hipokrito. Tumigil kayo, Father!

The death of Stuart Walker is conclusive proof that some parts of the world still shut the door on accepting homosexuality. I don’t really care. I should not care.

Sa mga kasabay ko sa pagtahak ng daang ito, hindi natin kailangan ang huwad na pagtanggap ng lipunan. At wala tayong dapat patunayan sa mga taong namumuhay sa inaakala nilang katayuang perpekto. After all, mahirap magkwento sa lipunang bingi.