brill

Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, IMHO, is probably the hardest, if not one of the hardest songs to sing. Watch The University of Santo Tomas Singers as they kill it during the recently concluded Cork International Singing festival.

My alma mater's official singing ambassadors are currently touring Europe and winning first prizes in Ireland and Poland. Twice proclaimed as the “Best Choir in the World”, firstly at the 49th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales, United Kingdom in 1995 and secondly, at the 2001 World Choral Festival in Puebla, Mexico; they are expected to win more prizes as they continue their concert tour and participate in other international choral competitions in key cities in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain and the United Kingdom.

24: the final hour

Like all good things in this world, 24 has come to an end.

Was the finale what I expected? Yes. It was fast-paced, thrilling and poignant. A friend told me once that he thought that the show, although cutting-edge, is a bit too formulaic thus making it's unpredictable twists "predictable". I concur. The show is far from perfect. There were a lot of stories that didn’t make sense and situations that defied physics and logic. But that was all part of its charm.

And by the way, I too felt that the ending was a wee bit rushed. I guess it's okay because at the end of 24 hours the day, I’m comforted by the thought that Jack Bauer lives to fight another day.

chile

When I was smaller, I wanted to go to America. It was a childhood dream that I realised almost a decade ago when I qualified for an international training program by Marriott hotels. For a year, I was based in Austin, the capital of Texas.

I loved the time I spent there. I met some wonderful people and earned some amazing experiences. There were beautiful places that I was fortunate enough to visit too. Travelling is so convenient. It was really good that one can just hop on a domestic flight and before you know it, you're in a completely different place. Such a diversity of culture and wide array of sights.

Another dream destination is Chile. I just fell in love when I saw pictures of it on The Amazing Race. The architecture looks awesome and the land just intrigued me. It stretches 4300km – over half the continent of South America– and encompasses a remarkable variety of landscapes. From the driest desert in the world (near San Pedro de Atacama) in the north to massive glacial fields in the south. Filling up the in-between are volcanoes, geysers, beaches, lakes, rivers, steppe, fjords, countless islands, and the Andes mountain range. Because of its amazing landscape and topography, the country has a varied climate. It's like the four seasons in one nation anytime of the year! I promise to visit Chile someday.

Unless you live under a rock, you know that it was hit by a devastating earthquake today- 8.8 on a richter scale which went on for at almost 90 seconds- that to me is unimaginable. For the last couple of hours, I've been glued to the telly as I watch the news unfold. Experts are saying that the magnitude of the quake is so massive that practically every country in the Pacific Rim is affected because of the tsunami triggered by this great seismic acticvity. I hope majority will be spared.

To the two Chilean visitors of my blog, I'll be thinking of you and your beautiful country. I pray that you all are safe and that your nation will rise from this adversity.

killer voice

If there is reincarnation, I want to come back with Jack Bauer's voice. There's something about the tone that's menacing and sexy at the same time. It's silky smooth and yet grimly brutal. It's the sort of voice that can make your enemies drop dead in fear and the ladies drop their knickers. LOL. I'll be the ultimate action hero. Do you think drinking copious amount of whiskey and smoking large cigars will do the trick? I doubt the missus will approve.

Watch the hilarious video below as Jack Bauer terrorises Father Christmas.

The new season of 24 is on at Sky1 every Sunday at 9PM.

bayani

"... you are the change that you dream as I am the change that I dream and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be."

legend

We all know he is great. But this just proves he is better than we thought.

Pacquiao beats Cotto, makes history.

why do I love glee?

Let me count the ways. (Apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning)

1. A diverse cast of relatively unknowns but with,



2. as Randy Jackson would put it, mad talent. Pipes, check. Moves, check. Acrobatic skills, check, check, check.



3. Cool tunes. And an even more amazing musical score.



3. Brilliant dance sequences.



4. Inspired performances and production numbers. This is my favorite thus far!



5. Wicked sense of humour.



6. Great quotes and clever story.

7. The New York Times called it "blissfully unoriginal in a witty, imaginative way". Whilst the Entertainment Weekly gave the show an A, posing the question: "Has there ever been a TV show more aptly named than Glee? It both embodies and inspires exactly that quality."

8. It's freaks and geeks meets a Cameron Crowe movie set in High School Musical on crack. For the record, I've never seen the latter. And not planning to either. Seriously.

9. And even if it may be implausible at times, the show has enough reality to make it believable. Moments on the show that make one ask oneself, why don't I do that in real life? Inspire, I think, is the word.

Some people believe that the easiest way to change people's behaviour for the better is to find something mundane, like a really boring task, and make it fun to do. Everyone in glee seems to have fun. And as a viewer, the fun part kinda rubs on you.

10. "With my lost saints, --- I love glee with shallow breath,
dog smiles and crocodile tears, of all my life! --- and, if Fox choose,
I shall but love glee better after it is axed."

----------------------------------------------------------

If you can't follow it on tv, watch the episodes here.

don't stop believing

I am sucker for Cinderella stories. And the fact that this one's about someone from my of town makes it even more special.

Arnel Pineda and Journey, I am a fan.

9/11: Phone Calls from the Towers

"Still are thy pleasant voices, thy nightingales, awake.
For death he taketh all away but them he cannot take."

Last night, I caught 9/11: Phone Calls from the Towers on Channel 4. The exceptionally powerful and incredibly poignant and affecting documentary features previously unheard voice recordings of those trapped in the Twin Towers after they were hit.

After the film, I wondered if I would have had the strength to have not made that call if I was in that situation. Would I have been at peace to say goodbye and assure everyone everything would be alright, or would I let my voice betray the fear and desperation that would be engulfing me and let them live with the memory that I could not be saved?

Goodbyes are always heartbreaking. But if you make your every living moment an opportunity to make all those who are dear to you how much they are loved, they would have known you left with love in your heart for them without having to share the pain of your passing.

That's easier said than done. I couldn't have not made that call.

Watch the film here.

requiem

Kris Aquino summed it up beautifully, "How do I find the words to say goodbye? Paano bang magpaalam na alam ng puso mo na hindi pa rin sapat ang panahong ibinahagi sa 'yo ng Diyos?"

Filipinos from the world over mourned the loss of our beloved president. And the whole world felt our grief. They offered kind words to honor Corazon Aquino's memory. These tributes have been a source of comfort and acceptance in times of our sorrow. This is specially true for me. Reading their recognition and appreciation for our Mother made me very proud I am a Filipino.

Here are a few of them:

"... she was quiet but articulate; committed to non-violence; insistent that dictatorship should be replaced by democracy." -- the UK Times

" ... the first female holder of the post in the Philippines – Aquino can best be remembered for her noble fight to restore democracy and the systematic dismantling of the worst abuses of dictatorship." -- The Guardian

" ... she left a mark on the history of her troubled country, so deep and so lasting that her death will bring a surge of emotion as the heady days of the short but memorable Aquino era are reassessed." -- the Independent

" The quietly spoken lady in yellow, later described in an official biography as “homemaker, widow, reluctant candidate and elected leader of the Philippines” had come to represent oppressed people's aspirations for freedom across the globe..." -- The Financial Times

" ... went on to gain a worldwide reputation as a fighter for peace and democracy" -- BBC

" It was a fairy-tale revolution that gripped the world and Aquino was hailed as a modern-day Joan of Arc." -- Sky

" Cory Aquino rose above the bureaucratic procrastination that had always bogged it down, reminding her people that they once astonished the world with their bravery — and that they could do it again." -- Time

amazing

I'm easily pleased. And it's not because I'm mababaw. I just know what I want. And when these things are achieved, I'm always impressed.

The great iconic music + the amazing voice and an ingenious production and musical arrangement; this video knocks my socks off. I can't believe that even after numerous views, I'm still blown away.

Enjoy.

dubai

"Dubai is like an oasis. It is an illusion, not real. You think you have seen water in the distance, but you get close and you only get a mouthful of sand."

*** From the Huffington Post.

i bet it tastes just like chicken

The pinoys on CSI: Vegas.

* check out the action from the 4:00 mark.

old navy

Forget Dior, Old Navy is it for this little monkey. I've almost 2 dozen shirts from this American brand because they're comfortable and presko sa katawan. The vintage shirt designs are right up my alley too. To be fair, I'm not really fussy when it comes to clothing. I don't even press the shirts I wear when I go out. And if people would ask me what my style is, it's t-shirt and jeans baby!

Back to the shirts; I just love them. Old Navy is so affordable which is a good thing at the present climate and because I'm a cheapskate. Hehe. But seriously, why do some people spend hundreds and sometimes thousands of £/ $/ Php on shirts? I don't get it. Especially when you can get some Old Navy shirts for only 99 cents on sale (US. In the UK for 2 quid). Dirt cheap. Talk about value for money.

Did you know that Old Navy was named after a pub in Paris?

Pepito in what else?

the 44th president

"All are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."

** photo courtesy of Reuters

time for a cool change

Change is the only permanent thing in the world.

beer barrel belly bruiser

For real!

a foot in the door

From Crackle: The Wedding Of The Century

Hamming it up.

LOLz. Oh, Jesus! LOLz.

I met him through a friend of a friend of a friend. He told me he wanted to make a movie and he travelled all the way from the US to the Philippines to do just that. And since vanity is my second favorite sin, I wanted in. We shot for a little over 3 weeks. Most days, we started really early and finished way late. Sweated it out in a cockpit arena, chased tricycles and braved rains, we did. It was tiring but I had a blast. And after almost four years, a sneak peek.

Steven, ring me. Not! LOLz.

epidemic

And yet more covers of Renaldo Lapuz's We're Brothers Forever. Ang lupet, sikat na sikat na talaga. Visit his "official" website here. Namputek.

Punk.



Elvis.



Dance.



At may sister din!

may brader poreber

To Renaldo Lapuz, good on you. The singing is definitely off key but nevertheless, I was hugely entertained by your performance. Your audition for a spot on American Idol is one for the books. It's an instant classic. Worst than the common cold, your original composition of a song (if that's what it is) is very infectious. In fact, the painful lyrics have been ringing in my head for more than an hour now. In a weird way, I'm actually very proud that we share a common birth place.

William Hung, move over. Here comes the fcuking messiah! Dayum, pimp it, man.



Look, within hours, the song's already spawned different covers.

The karaoke piece.



The kiddie version.



The oldies remix.



The girl power edition.



Acoustic.



Operatic.



Brilliant, man. Absolutely brilliant. Mabuhay ang Lahing Kayumanggi!