Ramblings on 300

Fam and I were hesitant to watch 300 at first. I was convinced by his "feeling" that the film is a crap (only by judging from the trailer) although I've anticipated to view this one. Well, how would we know if we don't see it for ourselves? Here's what I can ramble about the film:

A visually entertaining war film loaded with blood splatter, gory & violent scenes. Plenty of slow-mo shots would send you to boredom though. Nothing's really original but the director has combined different cinematic styles in his own discipline. The storyline is pretty basic & the film favors less in humanizing the characters. But it doesn't make it at all crap. Historical inaccuracy is quite obvious, nudity and sexual content were done significantly and artistically (hence, the PG-13 rating), and the casting is swarmed by men (by the way, it somehow had homosexual undertone). However, it didn't fail to provide a superb visual treat. The graphics is just marvelous! And the film has a distinct cinematographic look artfully duplicating the imagery of a comic book.

300 is a 2007 film adaptation of the graphic novel 300 by Frank Miller about the Battle of Thermopylae. The movie is under the direction of Jack Snyder.

Pre-election rants...and more rants

Summer's hot, and so is the coming election.

As much as I loathe to talk stuff about politics (especially the been-dirty election junks), I have to because I have declared myself a good and responsible citizen of this country and do believe that my vote will make a difference to the future of all Filipino people. Gee, I have to keep my fingers crossed then. How in tarnation shall I determine if my vote will be counted, anyway?

Five days ago, I was surprised to receive a mail from a senatorial candidate. I mean, who am I to be sent a letter from the Office of the Senate? Such letter, I believe, was mass produced and delivered randomly. But as to how I was included in one of the addressees, I never cared to figure out.

Anyway, the incumbent senator generally asserts in the letter his authored laws in education, health, agriculture and social welfare, and other major legislative measures he is currently pushing through (which I basically prefer not to elaborate here). The content opens about returning thought at the more significant events of 2006--both positive and negative--pointing to the turbulent Philippine political atmosphere and some moments of economic upturns. On the other hand, the end part tackles about his optimism to reducing poverty and uplifting our nation's living standards, and that he will remain our partner in working towards a stronger Philippines and a better life for all Filipinos. Yadah, yadah yadah!

Now, what are these blabberings all about? I supposed you're sooooo stupid if you missed the point he is trying to punch to. If you happened to receive this letter, you would say he simply wants to be seated in the senatorial post. Well, this is not entirely mockery. I still believe of hardwork and achievement that's kept yet for a good cause rather than letting the whole damn world know about them!

In this vein, I also detest watching those political ad campaigns that harass our supposed-to-be television viewing pleasure. Those infomercials provoke the freak of me. Don't you just hate those crappy jingles? Don't they titillate your spines? And where are the decent platforms? Let's see whose promises are just mere facade.

Hitching in the political wagons are actors, magicians, exhibitionists and what-not. Even celebrities (who happen to be the politician's sister, best friend or wife) become endorsers in their campaigns. You know, popularity is the only investment to be more appealing. You see, the more tricks they know, the better are their chances of bringing home the bacon. Now where are the competent and credible people (should I say the messaiah) we've been looking for to salvage us from eternal damnation?

Am I asking too much? Or are they just doing very little? Be my cynicism forgiven.

Oink, oink! It's year of the Yin Fire Pig!

Kung hei fat choi!

The Chinese all over the world will be once again celebrating their colorful New Year festivity, hoping that the year of the pig will bring them endless harmony, more luck--and money.

Chinese months are ushered in by the lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day. Traditionally, New Year festivities begin on the first day of the month and continue until the fifteenth, when the moon is brightest. As for how an animal like the pig came into play, legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality traits.

Those born in the Year of the Pig are believed to have excellent manners, make and keep friends, work very hard, and appreciate luxury. They are very loving and make loyal partners. Sounds like someone you want to paint the town red with, right? If your friend or partner is a pig person, or if you’re simply feeling festive and want to be in solidarity with our Tsinoy countrymen and women, check-out some places where celebrations abound this Chinese New Year.

Source: http://www.clickthecity.com/metro/?p=1511

Crazy for chocolates this Valentine's?

It's exactly seven days before Valentine's Day. In this month of heart, the god of love will be sending forth his battalion of cherubs and once again, the town will be painted in red. Don't you wish to be hit by a cupid's arrow? Oh, love is in the air. However, I will not speak of love in all its splendor.

Let's go straight to business. I mean, chocolate cake business.

My friend's sister and her amigas come out with a simple business venture this Valentine's season. We know that aside from the demand for roses, chocolates is the next all-time favorite gift. But they won't be reselling chocolate bars; instead, they will home-bake chocolate cakes, only with a twist. For only P135, you get to choose from seven varieties: rocky road, vanilla brownies, mocha brownies, german choco, choco mint, orange creme and mini choco cupcake. It comes in square shape (12"x12") which you can have it sliced into 12 pieces (except for the cupcake). You can also request for customization.

But here's the catch: A postman will deliver the cake straight to the recepient for FREE! Isn't that sweeeeet? It's perfect for busy people who want to surprise their loved ones despite time constraints come Valentine's day.

But if your budget is limited, you may place an order for a three-piece chocolate rose which only costs P75 . This awesome edible gift can be your simple way of saying 'I love you' without worrying about spending some pennies. Compared to real roses (and with proper storage), the chocolate may last for a couple of months--including the memories.

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Wishing everyone a wonderful Valentine's season.

Snowfall in the Philippines?

Forgive my illusion that winter is coming to the Philippines. Or that Christmas breeze is a month delayed. But with frosty weather that we nowadays experience soon after the sun would bid good night (in irony of the torrid daytime condition), who will not think that snowfall is far from impossible?

Yeah. I know it's impossible.

You know, only in "ber" months that the country's weather would normally go cold. But it's February and summer is supposedly greeting us. Not unless you live in the City of Pines (Baguio City) or Tagaytay, then cool climate is an all-year round grace. And besides, we have only two seasons. We expect nothing more than rain or shine.

Is this a reverse of cycle in the state of atmosphere? Or a phenomenon of sudden and inevitable weather change? One news informed that this is caused by the melting of ice in Siberia. Another hearsay told North pole snow thaws. To whether they are true or not, I could not be certain. However, it is said that this chilling effect will last only until March.

Oh, by the way, I gotta slip on my thick-layered coat before darkness fall. It'll be an open refrigerator out there!

My blog got PR 4!

After a month-long hiatus, finally, I'm back! Just for the record, for the past month I was preoccupied with heavy workload, newly discovered interests and all. Another year has just commenced and what can I say but to hope--again--for a better future. Well, I guess it's not too late to utter a New Year's resolution.

Anyway, I feel pathetic about myself of not being able to update my blog for 40 days. It was a surprise in disguise though. My frustration was practically over. My blog got PR 4. (Just a single notch lower than Bryanboy's "faggotry" blog). Isn't that a call for a celebration? The last time I knew was that it doesn't have a page rank.

To give your site a 4/10 ranking in a matter of six months isn't a short-term endeavor, knowing that I don't have the time in the world to work my ass off blogging. I know I'm exaggerating but I think my effort deliciously pays off. In fact, I didn't expect to rank that much because in the first place, this blog was born for mere reasons of monetizing from the ads and, what else, but to find a place to rant and ramble.

So to all my fellow bloggers, I'm still alive!