I have something in common with Oprah Winfrey, Mark Zuckerberg, Hillary Clinton, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sofia Vergara, Bill Gates and even Kris Aquino not only this coming New Year’s Eve but even in the previous New Year’s Eves. All of us, have not been lighting firecrackers during New Year’s Eve yet we are the rich, popular and powerful beings of this planet.
wealthy powerful people of planet earth
So if you think that producing deafening noise during New Year’s Eve like lighting a firecracker will bring luck and drive away undesirable spells and bad spirits, you better think again. I hope you realize that even if you will light a nuclear bomb, no amount of wealth, power and popularity will come to you unless you work hard, persevere hard and stay focused on what you do and what you want.
You should realize that making noises should be made not on a literal sense. But instead thunderous noise of diligence, progress and optimism should be produced in your heart in an uninterrupted manner all throughout the coming year.
A Wealthy New Year to all of us!!!
Nagtotorotot at tumatalon lang kami nina Oprah, Bill at Sofia pag bagong taon. Haler…
Never did I posted anything about the new X Factor Australia winner, Marlisa Punzalan, while the show was running. It is because I don’t want to cause any sumpa (curse) or negative effect to her fate and universe.
x factor australia 2014 winner
But honestly, I have been watching this young lady ever since the X Factor Australia has started this year. I know for a fact that she is actually the first one featured during the audition segments of the show. I followed this newly concluded talent show, maybe because of the reverberating feelings of joy and my overindulgence in its 2013 version when the superlative Dami Im won.
A week before the grand finale, I already had the impression that this young lady will win. The reason is not because of her tender age, nor her looks and neither her amazing talent. Three coherent reasons rolled up into my mind right after the semi-final round.
Winning the Toughest Battle
This is because during the semi-final bout she defeated Reigan Derry, the most excellent and the most seasoned among all contestants in this series. I cannot imagine how perennial favorite Reigan Derry being beaten by the other 2 finalists, Brothers 3 and Dean Ray. Reigan with her incredible pipes would easily beat these two other finalists to smithereens in case Dean or Brothers3 would be at the bottom two and perform back-to-back with her.
best showdown of the series!
Thus, before the grand finale, Marlisa Punzalan has already successfully hurdled the hardest challenge she would be faced with during the entire run of the series. For me, the semi-final round was actually more exhilarating than the grand finale. The grand finale was just a matter of confirming Marlisa’s crown.
Australia’s Enduring Love for the Underdog
When Marlisa got into the finals, everybody thinks that she would simply end up being a third placer. Even judge/mentor Redfoo after the semi-final round immediately predicted that Dean is the one to beat. Even online betting website SportsBet predicted that Dean would be bestowed the 2014 title. Dean Ray exhales the funky rock of breath trough out the show that is why everybody expects him to win.
the three rays of sunshine…
funky rocker!
Nonetheless, the whole Australia was gearing Brothers 3 to possibly snatch the title from Dean because these “three rays of sunshine” got the ever reliable cutey-boyband formula. Also, they have been identified halfway through the live shows to have received the most number of votes. Moreover, it would have been a very good promotional angle of story in case the first ‘wild card’ contestant wins the show. Thus, Brothers3 and Dean Ray prior to the grand final were considered the un-proclaimed winners. They were simply the Goliaths of the program!
But Australians (like Filipinos) love an underdog. They would not let a simple-looking lady lacking of self confidence be simply in the side light. It is of human nature to feel that those who have less power are deemed virtuous and noble. Human beings in general love the underdogs because each of us knows what it feels like to be a loser, to be brushed aside or to be a David in a world full of Goliaths.
Let me cap this reason with Ronan Keating’s beautiful wisdom when he was commenting on Marlisa’s performance during the semi-final, which illustrates Marlisa being an underdog. That he is still faithful on the thought that not all good girls finish last. That statement I suppose struck a nerve to the whole of Australia.
Shining at the Right Moment
At the initial phase of the show, Marlisa exhibited good performances but nothing spectacular compared to other contestants. I particularly loved her performance during the boot camp portion of the program, Jessica Mauboy’s Never Be The Same. But during her performance in front of John Legend, who would assist Ronan on picking his top 3 contenders for the live shows, she faltered big time.
During the first few weeks of the live shows, she was simply sailing through. Viewers and even other judges/mentors were particularly concerned because Ronan could not seem to tap the right song that would best fit Marlisa’s age, tone and range.
She was lucky enough that other contestants gave inferior performances compared to her. She even performed the worst performance in the whole show when she sang Lady Gaga’s Paparazzi while suffering from severe illness, in which, she was nevertheless praised by the judges for her guts and professionalism. During these times, other contestants were delivering the best performances of their lives. They were peaking at those moments.
Unfortunately for these other contestants (except for the shoo-in Reigan Derry), they failed to sustain the high points in their performances while the show near its end. Fortunately for Marlisa, she seems to simply just starting to oil up. She was gaining confidence in her stage presence, she was starting to feel the mood/s of her song/s and Ronan is commencing to realize and tap the exact songs for her. She was slowly peaking up!
She only sparkled at the last four or five weeks of the entire series. I totally agreed with Danni Minogue who was stuck to her seat and would hardly stand up after every Marlisa’s performance week after week. That Marlisa’s rendition of Sia and David Guetta’s Titanium performed on the 9th week of the live shows was truly Marlisa and Ronan’s game changer. The Titanium performance of Marlisa made Danni stood up to her feet and cheered for the young lady!
All throughout the TV show, Marlisa seem to be the last contestant to shine. And what is so amazing about her shining is that she was able to sustain it and even progressed further every week! Australians then realized that something special was with this young lady.
Hahaha! Ellen’s gardener already got a movie offer! This only shows how powerful Ellen DeGeneres could be…
Charming and now-the-world’s favorite gardener, Nick, got a call from no less than Channing Tatum to inform him that he is in the upcoming Magic Mike movie. The adorable guy really looked moved and surprised!
obviously surprised…
Now that Nick The Gardener will be in the next Magic Mike movie, it shall be something to look forward to then. It would definitely be a fun booster blast if Ellen would do a cameo!
A tourist when in Osaka will never be considered a complete holidaymaker if he misses taking a photo of (or with) the iconic Glico neon signboard. The ginormous nightly lighted panel is located at downtown Dotonbori district. The Ezaki Glico Company’s triumphant running man with raised arms on a blue track with Osaka Castle, Tsutentaku Tower and Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan in its background has long been considered an amusing landmark in Osaka.
my sister joie during our spring of 2012 visit
glico in the spring of 2013, shot from afar of ebisu bridge
glico at night, during my spring 2014 visit
But during my trip with Nengkoy this October 2014, while walking along my favorite Shinsaibashi strip, my pamangkins (nieces and nephew) shocked me when they said that Glico has transformed into a woman. I just brushed their story and obviously did not believed them. But when we get to the Ebisu Bridge of Dotonbori-gawa River, I was stunned!
The massive display panel was covered with a tarpaulin, in which printed on it is a lady in exactly the same position of Glico with the same background. When I asked my pamangkins – with a very worried face – on what happened, they smiled and told me that the iconic signboard is undergoing revamp and overhaul.
rare, odd and singular! glico relieved by a woman
They immediately told me to take a photo since it would be one of the rarest events in Osaka when the treasured symbol is temporarily bugged and preoccupied. True enough, according to news the well-adored signboard will no longer be made of neon lights but will instead be LED powered already when it is re-lighted.
When I asked who the lady on the photo was commissioned to pose ala-Glico-like, my nephew told me that she was like the Marian Rivera of the Philippines. (Marian Rivera, the two-time FHM Magazine’s sexiest Filipina is a mega icon celebrity in the Philippines who is also very popular in other South East Asian countries).
This turn of events just added to the exceptionality and uniqueness of my recent Osaka visit. Imagine, Osaka’s Glico lighted nightly for the last 80 years is momentarily absent and was temporarily relieved by a woman? ? It’s like temporarily replacing the Statue of Liberty while it undergoes refurbishments with an effigy of Brad Pitt wearing a robe and holding up a torch. That I think is truly rare…
Nangawit lang pala kaya nagpahinga… Aym shur, estatwa ni Rizal sa Luneta pag-nirepeyr, rebulto ni Kris Aquino ang ipapalit.
luis gabriel moreno (photo grabbed from filipino.china.com site)
It’s not Alma the actress. It’s not Isko the politician. It’s not Tito Germs the TV host. Neither is it a moreno (brown olive) skinned human being. It is a Moreno-surnamed-athlete who made me so proud and so happy today. Luis Gabriel Moreno, an archery events athlete just won a gold medal in this year’s Youth Olympics presently being held in Nanjing China.
With nothing to watch on TV today while I do my laundry, I settled watching TV5 network this afternoon. Not even aware that Youth Olympics is ongoing, I settled on watching a Mixed Archery event upon knowing that one of the athletes competing was a Filipino.
The sports feature started during the quarterfinals match of Moreno with his Chinese partner, Li Jiaman. I was initially not expecting anything because before the game started a sports anchor announced and flashed on the screen the medal tally of the ongoing Youth Olympics. And to no surprise the Philippines – as usual – has yet to win a medal.
a true green archer in every sense of the word (photo grabbed from philippinestar.com)
But interest and uneasiness about the mixed archery game fired up when Moreno and his partner won the game to qualify for the semi-finals. And when the tandem won their match to qualify for the grand finals and compete for the gold medal, I was already ecstatic.
I was so nervous watching the event and I was clapping my hands every time Moreno and his Chinese teammate hits the 9s or the perfect 10s. I was screaming ‘Yes! Yes! Yes!’ And I was praying to the heavens to give this event to the Philippines and China.
The general feeling was reminiscent of me watching the tennis matches of Roger Federer or me watching the boxing bouts of The Great Manny Pacquiao on TV. When Moreno swished his last arrow to clinch the gold medal beating the Malaysia-Germany tandem, I was shouting, clapping, jumping and earnestly praying saying thank you.
The TV anchor then appeared looking very proud and equally ecstatic saying that this is the first medal for the Philippines in this year’s Youth Olympics. And that the young Moreno is a student of De La Salle, thus literally living up to the bill of being a true Green Archer.
Well, today is the National Heroes Day and I am glad to be feeling proud. I guess Luis Gabriel Moreno achieved something great, worthy of being called a young hero of this country.
When I learned in the past (about a year ago or so) that Matt Bomer was not considered to play the role of Christian Grey for the movie adaptation of the massive hit novel 50 Shades of Grey, I was glad. Besides the face of Matt Bomer is buckets-full prettier that the visualized looks of Christian Grey.
I was glad that I will never have to be compelled on seeing that movie, because otherwise, I would have to watch it simply because Matt was in it. Though 50 Shades of Grey was a massive hit novel series, I can profess that I am among the few adults on this planet who has not read it. And I don’t have any plans neither intentions of reading it anytime soon or anytime in the future. Reason? I actually don’t know.
I guess destiny did not allow Matt Bomer to star in 50 Shades because the universe intended him to star in a much much better material that is The Normal Heart. I saw this HBO film, adapted from the autobiographical play with the same title two months ago. And this movie definitely deserves an Emmy-worthy recognition for Matt. His characterization on his role as Felix in the film was no big joke. He loosed 35 pounds for it.
But beyond Matt’s physical transformation in the film, he was hauntingly amazing in this movie! He was the heart-wrencher in the story that will make you feel the pain. I saw the film 2 months ago and yet the drama, the thunderous message and Matt’s powerful performance still lingers in my mind. His character was definitely louder than the beat of a normal heart.
The Normal Heart is out for sale on DVD and Blu-ray format on August 28, 2014 – which I predict as – 3 days after Matt Bomer has gone home with an Emmy trophy.
Nowadays, every country seem to have their own franchise or version of The X Factor, Idol, The Voice or ‘name-a-country’ Got Talent. With the continuous popularity of these reality singing contests season after season along with the continuous diaspora of the Filipino race in every corner of the globe, it is no longer a big surprise if one or two or three of the show’s contestants are Filipinos or of Filipino descent. And because of the innate singing talent, Filipinos around the world has been wowing the planet.
And every time a Filipino joins these contests, the whole country tend to celebrate and be more than proud every time the Judges would either love, praise and exalt the talent they just heard. I actually at times gets so whacked every time I read the dog-tired “Proud To Be Pinoy” comment on Facebook or Youtube.
Anyway, because of these happenings, I along with a lot of Filipinos got to see personalities and celebrities around the world judging these reality based singing contests. Thanks to Youtube and Facebook.
Let me clarify, this write-up is not about my fellow Filipinos with killer pipes. This is about the judges of these fabulous contests. So far, via Youtube, I have seen and watched celebrity judges from Bulgaria, Italy, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Australia, USA, Israel, China, Canada, Spain, Poland, Norway, Taiwan, Ireland, Thailand, Austria and New Zealand. It is because these are some of the countries where at least one Filipino has joined.
ronan, danii, redfoo and nathalie (photo taken from au.lifestyle.yahoo.com)
Anyway, going back to the judges!
For me, the most gorgeous set of judges ever is from Australia. They are the Season 5 and presently running Season 6 of X Factor Aussie version. They are the clean cut Ronan Keating, the brunette Danii Minogue, the afro Redfoo and the blonde Nathalie Bassingthwaighte.
I have seen them throughout the whole season of season 5 and all I can say is that these four are simply oozing with gorgeousness both inside and out. If I am to join a singing contest, I would be joining the contest where all these four will be judging.
They are the only set of judges in a reality singing contest who gave a contestant more than a standing ovation. The four super impressed me when all of them stood on top of the judges’ desk to jump and applause over a contestant’s unbelievable performance!
Their comments may it be a denigration or accolades towards a performance looks and feels so sincere. They judge the performance not the person. What’s so good about their criticisms is that they express it not in a very cocky, arrogant or harsh manner. Even though a performance may turn bad, these judges always have something positive to say. Thus, rejected contestant walks out of the stage unhurt and actually goes home happy and inspired.
They’re the living example of charisma, great sense of humor, confidence and intelligence mixed into a gorgeous looking group. They got amazing bags of sex appeal and looks so comfortable with each other. They look like they are truly having fun. No drama, no palaver, no non-sense. I don’t know if it’s the differing hair but for me, they just blend perfectly.
The latest single of Sam Smith is entitled ‘Leave Your Lover’. I so loved the song, because it is something selfish and evil-ish in a way. Imagine, asking someone to leave a lover for your own gain? That is so messed up! Yet, the lyrics though can be perceived egoistic and self-seeking, also exhibits deep sorrow, pleading and yearning.
Aside from the poignant lyrics of the song and the moving rendition of Sam Smith, I am also blown away by the lonely ballad’s music video.
Leave Your Lover music video amazingly navigates the dynamics of friendship that leads to longing for intimate relationship. But what is so stunning about the video is that the story can be recognized in variety of angles. It has such a wide spectrum! Even the last few seconds of the video even adds up to the already complex twist of the three leading characters!
There’s harmony yet jealousy, allegiance yet competition, care yet disregard, joy yet disappointment, and many other irony of life’s circumstances. In terms of socio-sexual context, it can be perceived either as straight, gay, bi-sexual and even polysexual affection.
The compelling video seem to imply that it would be up to the viewer which layer from among the standpoints and feelings of the characters he or she would like to grasp the story from. It would be for the viewer to decide on how the story would continue and or conclude. The storyline presented is so complex, it engages you in some deep astute contemplation. And that is all conveyed brilliantly in 3 minutes and 10 seconds.
One of my best references to know and be updated about emerging hit songs is my dear nephew Luis. When I wanna be updated, I would simply ask him what’s his latest music downloads. He of course would be all but willing to play these songs in his phone. I then would got to select which ones would I like and ask him to send it to my phone via the ever reliable bluetooth.
Several weeks ago, Luis introduced me to the music of Sam Smith. After that moment, I was totally hooked on the beautiful music of this British singer. When Luis first played Sam Smith’s song on his phone, I asked him if the guy was a black artist. It is because he sounded like a soulful black singer!
When I first saw his video on Youtube, I believed that Sam Smith – with his enormous talent and rising popularity – is an Adele in the body of Boy George. That Sam Smith would most likely be the offspring in case Adele and Boy George would have a baby.
Kidding aside, since then I got so curious with the body of his works. I was so impressed by his unique voice, his exceptional vocal range and the stirring lyrics of his songs. I now got a separate playlist of Sam Smith’s music in my phone. Songs taken from his debut and sophomore albums.
Here is Sam Smith, my favorite male singer this year!
I am not a big basketball fanatic but when I was growing up, I can clearly remember that my whole family – especially my father – has as our favourite NBA team. And since I was no basketball fan, it was actually the only NBA team I knew back then. And up until now if I would be asked to name an NBA team, it is so automatic as if embedded in my genes, LA Lakers would simply first pop out of my brain.
award!!!
Actually, the first and only NBA player I grew up knowing was the lanky yet legendary Kareem Abdul Jabbar. And as I reached high school the only other player I knew then was Magic Johnson. Obviously from the same LA Lakers team.
That is why, when I had the dreamy opportunity to visit the USA, I was just so glad that I had the chance to see the home of the LA Lakers, the Staples Center located at Downtown Los Angeles. It was so surreal that I was actually on the plaza grounds where the striking statues to revere the legends Jabbar and Johnson were located.
nba legends magic and kareem!!!
with mr. & mrs. torio, two of my super friends who toured me around l.a. and las vegas
joesel’s version of jabbar’s trademark “skyhook” (the fashionable way)
at the staples center with super friends…
What added to my already delighted feeling of being in the area is that on the day me and my terrific friends and travel buddies were there, the area was packed with lots of bustling goings on ala mini-funfair. It is because a game was about to be held between LA Lakers versus Boston Celtics. There was a booth that showcase the last NBA championship trophy won by LA Lakers, a booth where you can take photos and signature of the LA Lakers cheerleading squad, an ESPN booth that interviews an NBA player whom I don’t know, a booth where fans can line up to acquire souvenir autograph by an LA Lakers player and of course numerous booths by major sponsors that gives away souvenir pieces and thingies.
Having a long glimpse on those statues, seeing the iconic LA Lakers colours and insignia and most especially being at the lively Staples Center made me miss my late father. How I wish I could proudly tell him that I was once at the home base of his most favourite NBA team.
Nengkoy 