Gorgeous Judges

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)

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.

Hurrah tu dis hurado!

Adele + Boy George = Sam Smith

my new favorite male singer artist

my new favorite male singer artist

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!

Ibang bumirit! Simpleng Husay!

Las Vegas Highlights: Part 1 (Le Reve/The Dream)

the dream and the nightmare... LOL!

the dream poster and the nightmare… LOL!

Never in my wildest desire or fantasy that I would be spending a holiday in Las Vegas.  Maybe it’s because I dream small and simple.  And besides I no longer dream for humongous miracles because at this point in my life I learn to make my own.  That is why when awesome blessings come along like my tremendous trip to Vegas, I am just but thankful and overwhelmed.

What is so ironic is that the theme of the magical theatre experience me and my friends had was about “dreams”.  It is entitled Le Reve (English translation: The Dream) shown at the fabulous Wynn Hotel & Casino.  The spectacular show that mixed the elements of water, air and fire as well as intermingled elements of strength and beauty was indeed a feast for the senses. Performers literally were swimming on air and dancing on water.

dream-like

a feast for the senses…

I was blown away from the moment we walked into the round theatre.  Yeah, the stage is in the middle – ala coliseum – that is why there is no bad seat in the house.

Bizarre air-suspension stunts, crazy high-dives and water ballet, incredible contortionists and acrobatics, fanciful synchronized swimming, a tenderly romantic yet passionate story… all wrapped into a dreamy set.  I was lost in thought because it felt like I was in an actual dream!  I was totally mesmerized!

spectacular!

spectacular!

hair-raising!

hair-raising stunts!

As much as I would not want to correlate the show’s theme and title to that of my travel in Las Vegas, I guess it is inevitable.   This show for me does not signify a dream being fulfilled but instead an immense sign and symbol that a lovely dreamy-like life is ahead.

Ispektakyular!

Some Polished Culture

The Philippine Madrigal Singers has long been a musical ambassador of my country.  They have brought countless honors to Philippines.  They are my country’s representatives who imparts to the world through their majestic musicality that there is more to the Philippines than mega-disasters, mega-traffic and mega-corruption.

Through the Philippine Madrigal Singers, let me place a piece of polished culture in this blog.  Just watch and listen! Their incredibly refined musical harmony can simply be compared to a gourmet food fit for an aching spirit.

I’m pretty sure after listening to this short musical showcase, you can say that… all is well and good with the world.

‘Tangna! Napa-nga-nga ko dun ha!

Catching Fire (The Movie): The Long Wait Is Not Over Yet

catchingfireposterWhile I fell on queue to buy tickets for the movie Catching Fire, I grasped and recognized that finally the long wait is over for the release to the sequel movie of Hunger Games.  It was a long agonizing wait!  The feeling of patiently waiting for its commercial release here in the Philippines was basically the same when I was awaiting for the release of the book a couple of years ago.

The film is definitely entertainingly engrossing and absorbing!  I even wanted to press my left hand’s three middle fingers against my lips then raise it while inside the movie house when defiant revolutionary people of various Districts were raising theirs to show their opposition to President Snow and The Capitol.

peeta & katniss on their way to the quarter quell

peeta & katniss on their way to the quarter quell

I refuse to make a review of this movie since there have been tons of reviews and write-ups about Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark and this entertaining film.  Let me just say which part of the movie that I like most.

The best part of the movie for me was actually the end part of it.  It ends abruptly which will leave you wanting for more.  After being so engrossed watching on how the turn of events happened, the end part would make you realize and be reminded that the movie is a sequel awaiting a sequel.  The ending will simply haunt you.

If you think that the long wait is over, you definitely are mistaken.

Pakibilisan ang pag syuting…

Miss Universe Plus One

miss philippines (ariella arida); 3rd runner up in the miss universe 2013

miss philippines (ariella arida); 3rd runner up in the miss universe 2013

Congratulations to Miss Philippines for being in the top 5 again in the recently concluded Miss Universe Pageant.  This is the 4th consecutive year a beautiful and smart Filipina placed the Top Five.  This definitely sealed the concept that Philippines is a first-rate powerhouse in the world of international beauty pageants.

I am not complaining that it has been four consecutive years that the Philippines almost took the coveted title.  It has been said that our country’s major movers on international pageants already has the correct formula for winning.  But I beg to disagree because there is one ingredient missing in their formula.  And that would be a Pageant Interpreter.

the brilliant philippine senator, miriam defensor santiago

the brilliant senator, miriam defensor santiago

May our candidate possess a sharp and perfect command of the English language or not, we should still have the component called Pageant Interpreter.  It’s the missing element for geeze sakes!  And these brilliant movers must give in to the enduring clamor of the Filipino people that Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago be our candidate’s Pageant Interpreter.

 

donald trump, owner of ms. universe organization

donald trump

As for this year’s winner, let me extend my warm congratulations!  As for the owner of the Miss Universe Organization, Mr. Donald Trump, let me remind you that would have to shell out more than just what Miss Venezuela has won.  You would now have to add an additional pax in the budget of Miss Universe 2013 for her every trip, meeting, function or social engagement that she would have to attend.  It would be additional expenses for plane tickets, meals, clothing, room accommodations and the likes.  This would obviously be for the essential and necessary Mr. or Ms. Interpreter.

last year, venezuela missed the "translator" element that is why they lose

last year’s venezuela candidate was more stunning than this year’s winner, but they missed the “translator” element that is why she lose

I always believe that a Pageant Interpreter can actually make a beauty contestant sound intelligent.  It has been an accepted fact that a translator’s skill and proficiency in integrating the idea of another person’s thought spoken in a different language through the usage of flowery expressions, momentous terms and big words can make a lot of difference.  Hence, let me also congratulate Mr. Interpreter for also winning the coveted crown!

Si Miriam talaga ang kulang. Pag hindi pa din tayo nanalo papagalitan nun si Donald Trump.

A Refreshing Anti-Love Song

michael bubleMichael Buble is so mainstream.  He is not your ideal fresh indie-singer or indie-band whose songs have ironically been listened to by everyone but only sold in a couple of thousands.  He is so popular, everybody loves him and he sells millions that is why he is not considered an underdog.

But having said this, you would realize that Buble being “too” mainstream in his profession could actually be categorized as the underdog.  He is an underdog because his being too mainstream means he will never be categorized as critically acclaimed. He is too mainstream he will never receive the greatest review of a prominent music critic on any of his present and future works.

And since I am not a prominent music critic, let me bestow a little accolade for the most recent work and music of Michael Buble.  His new single Its A Beautiful Day is probably one of the best anti-love song ever composed.  It’s upbeat, positive, sunny and refreshing.  Though it is a gladsome song it nevertheless did not fail to bring a message of kick-ass spunk and the naughtiness of its-your-loss-not-mine attitude.

This song can also make you realize that the messed-up and awful relationship that you may be in now which you never actually aspired for is something that can be treated as your today’s curse which can be tomorrow’s blessing.  I therefore declare that this song is my official anti-love song.

Ang kanta ng masayang sawi.

25% of Abba is Back

I am not particularly a fan of Abba but I no doubt enjoyed watching the movie as well as the stage musical of Mama Mia.  In both occasions, I could not stop myself from singing along those fun fun lyrics which I grew up with during the 70s.

But today and in the coming weeks, I’m pretty sure Abba fans will enjoy the newly released songs of Agnetha Faltskog.  Abba may not be getting back together soon but at least ¼ of the group is back to offer us fresh new bunch of her music.

Walang kupas ang bruhang Agneta…

Terrific Argo, Cheesy Actor, Brilliant Director

ben-affleck-argoWhen I learned that Ben Affleck the cheesy actor who once dated the cheesy singer/actress Jennifer Lopez and starred in two of the cheesiest movies of all time Gigli and Jersey Girl won the prestigious plum for Best Director award in almost all prestigious award giving bodies in America, I was shocked, stunned and stupefied.  I thought there must truly be something wrong in America nowadays!  I thought that America’s inhabitants must have gone foolishly cheesy.

My impertinent brain percolated that Ben Affleck being a film director is in no way count in the hierarchy of importance and skill from the pool of film geniuses who were also nominated this year.  Steven Spielberg, Ang Lee, Quentin Tarantino and Kathryn Bigelow definitely are of much greater creatures in the universe of film making.

argoBut when I saw the directorial job of Affleck in the movie Argo, I was more than shocked, stunned and stupefied.  There was nothing cheesy in it!

The action, the tension and the pacing were brilliantly built-up my fingernails hurt because of the nail-biting climax.  It was so wildly riveting and grippingly entertaining my butt aches because it held me at the edge of my seat.  The movie was absolutely brilliant!    Now I can say that Affleck remains to be a cheesy actor yet has turned out to be an exceptional director.

Mahusay pala ‘tong si Direk Aplek.