Semana Santa: Pinoy Traditions and Myths

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish (Proj. 4, Quezon City)
Photo credit: Mr. Randy Dreese

Back in the 80s, Holy Week is the time of the year that I least like.

Why? Because all you can see on the television are grainy screen or a blue one with a note that programming will resume on Black Saturday. If you don’t have a betamax or a VHS player then, more likely you’ll be spending Maundy Thursday and Good Friday in the street looking for other kids to play patintero, tumbang preso or syato with. In our place,  Biyernes Santo is the day Mang Willie does his annual “tuleng pukpok” or circumcision. I was one of his "patients" and after passing through this, the tradition is to watch and tease other kids whose turn to fall in line in front of his house that day.

This morning, Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz was interviewed over GMA 7’s Unang Hirit to explain some of the traditions and activities of Filipinos during the Holy week.

Cruz

On visiting seven churches for Visita Iglesia. Cruz believes that it could have started because of the seven last word of Christ or the seven sacraments. However, he pointed out that when we do the visita, it’s not actually only the church that we will visit but it should be the altar or the Santisimo Sacramento.

On pasyon. The Archbishop admitted that he is actually okay with the rap version of it after witnessing such sessions for a couple of times. He just reminds those who will do this to take it seriously and not participate just for fun. But if it sounds a little off, he hopes people will be sensitive to stop it.  

On Abstinence and Fasting. The former is ideally done on Fridays during the Lenten season where individuals between 14-60 years old are encouraged not to eat meat. Fasting is for 18-60 years old people who actually can eat small portion of food, a little less than the usual.

On selfie photos. Cruz don’t see anything wrong about doing selfie shot like example in front of the church or images. It’s just informing other people that they are actually took time to reflect during the Holy week

On corrupt officials going on pilgrimage. Cruz said, “Wag lang magsisi. Isoli din ang perang kinuha nyo!”

If only I have a chance to ask Archbishop Cruz who was really game to answer just about anything, I would like to get his thoughts on not taking a bath after 12 noon on a Good Friday, kids not allowed to play outside the house,  and other myths.

Share your thoughts. TIA! :)

Shine Team Sinag... Shine!

The Philippine Men's Basketball Team will formally open its campaign to depend the crown in the 27th Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar tonight.

Team Sinag II will face Singapore tonight and hope to capture a win to open up its bid in a high note. 
The team, which hopes to duplicate the first Sinag group that dominated the games in Indonesia two years ago, is composed of naturalized player Marcus Douthit, skipper Kevin Alas, Garvo Lanete, Jake Pascual, Ronald Pascual, Matt Ganuelas, Bobby Ray Parks, Kiefer Ravena, Jericho Cruz, Kevin Ferrer, Mark Belo, and Roi Sumang.



Below is the complete schedule of Team Sinag II. Games will be aired lived via Studio 23.

December 9, Monday
7:00 - 9:00 PM SINGAPORE VS PHILIPPINES

December 10, Tuesday
7:00 - 9:00 PM PHILIPPINES VS CAMBODIA

December 12, Thursday
7:00 - 9:00 PM MYANMAR VS PHILIPPINES

December 13, Friday
7:00 - 9:00 PM PHILIPPINES VS THAILAND

December 14, Saturday
7:00 - 9:00 PM INDONESIA VS PHILIPPINES

December 15, Sunday
8:00 - 10:00 PM PHILIPPINES VS MALAYSIA

Let's support Team Sinag just like how we cheered Smart Gilas during the FIBA Asia staging here in Manila months ago. Shine Team Sinag... Shine!

Things you should know before watching Les Miserables

Victor Hugo is one of Europe’s most well-known writers in history.  Two of his highly regarded works were The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and Les Miserables (The Miserables/ The Victims) which both have been adapted into films by major Hollywood productions. Between the two masterpieces, the later which the French genius released in 1862 is considered to have been more endeared  by millions of fans worldwide.

To this date, the novel has had theatre productions from Paris to West End and Broadway since 1980, and already have 10 film versions in its resume.  

In 1983, British producer Sir Cameron Anthony Mackintosh weaved wonderful music to the classic tale about a French peasant and his quest for redemption after serving years in jail for having stolen a loaf of bread for starving relatives.  Mckintosh’s gave a perfect soundtrack to every journey of Jean Valjean who decided to break his parole and started his life anew despite being relentlessly tracked down by a police inspector named Javert. Along the way, Valjean and a slew of characters are swept into a revolutionary period in France, where a group of young idealists make their last stand at a street barricade. The stage production of the novel harvested a number of Tony Awards during its decades of successful runs.

Who can escape the moving lyrics of “I Dreamed a Dream” and “On My Own” sang by female protagonists Fantine and Eponine?  Incidentally, our very own Le Salonga played both roles when the play was staged in Broadway in 1996.

Talking about the film adaptations, the first one was produced in 1913 staring French actor Henry Krauss as Valjean. The latest version starring some of the biggest names in Hollywood today conquered this year’s Golden Globe Awards as the film won best musical/comedy movie, while Australian actor Hugh Jackman (Valjean) won best actor for his all-singing role, and co-star Anne Hathaway (Fantine) won best supporting actress. Here’s another trivia: Did you know that Hathaway’s mother also played the role of Fantine on Broadway before she quit acting and devoted herself to parenting? This might also explain where Hathaway got her inspiration for her marvellous take on the character.

Prior to the 2012 Les Miserables, the last major film production based on the book was in 1998 with fine actors Liam Neeson and Geoffrey Rush as Valjean and Javert, respectively.  The film was not well-received by Hugo’s fans because of the number of differences from the novel it presented. Most evident was the conclusion of the film where Valjean walked away smiling from the place where Javert committed suicide. Of course, we all know that he too died in the story.

But with the way Director Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech) handled the movie, infused the much-discussed live action singing and casted excellent talents led by Jackman, Hathaway, and other award-winning actors like Russell Crowe (Javert), Sacha Baron Cohen (Thenardier) and Helena Bonham Carter (Madame Thenardier), even those not devotes of musical theatre will find themselves emotionally manipulated  by the latest Les Mis.

Even the heart of stone will be softened. Even the firmest wall will be moved from its placed.  If you plan to watch the movie, just a little advise:  Bring a hankie because you might wept  with Fantine, have more patience with your seatmate who might sing along with Cossette or laugh hard with Thenardier’s antics, and most importantly, stop be a miserable film critic for a while. There are some flaws but who cares.  Enjoy and stump your feet if you feel like marching with the spirited mob because this film is a cinematic victory on an epic scale. 

Thanks to SM Cinema for the invitation to the red carpet premiere of Les Miserables which is shown nationwide today.  Movie enthusiasts and fans of the widely acclaimed Broadway musical can expect nothing less but the best movie experience in full digital quality at their favorite SM Cinema. If you want to avoid the expected long lines at the ticket booth, I suggest that you get an SM Cinema e-PLUS card. Check the details HERE on how to get one.

The list is out! Top Grossing Local Movies of 2011

For the first time this year, I was able to do my regular task of scanning local newspapers today.

It has been quite a transition for the half portion of my body still on vacation mode to finally accept the reality that there was no long New Year vacation last week.

So I grab every available broadsheets I can find in the lobby and check for some interesting news that might impact the local business landscape that my company should know--- inflation hits 11-month low, Bangko Sentral planning to cut interest rates, the government earning $1.5 billion from a global bond sale. Wow!

But the most interesting news I read today is from Business World courtesy of their Weekender sub-editor Jeffrey Valisno who wrote the feature The Filipino Movie: Reports of its death are greatly exaggerated.  By the title itself, one can tell that the writer wants to prove the fact that local cinema is very much alive.

He supported his article with some figures which I scanned (so forgive me with the quality of the images in this post) from the hard copy of the newspaper.  Browse the lists below and see for yourself.  2011 gave three of the top ten all-time box office hits in the Philippines: The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin, No Other Woman and Enteng ng Ina Mo.      

 

Now, when almost everyone is excited about The Avengers, Hunger Games and the likes, would it be quite interesting to wait and see what great finds local movie goers are in for in 2012?

Who wants to be an extra for a hollywood film?

Who wants to be extras for the Hollywood film Bourne Legacy starring Edward Norton, Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz filming here in the Philippines?

Please send your profiles (name, age, height, vital stats, contact #s) and picture to janellyn.briones@gmail.com ASAP. Deadline of submission is January 6 (this Friday). Minimum age is 13years old and no maximum age limit (as long as he/she can walk).

They are also looking for stand-in talents for lead actors Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz are. Please send your picture with name, age, height and contact number to jilbert_bmx@yahoo.com or text 09153080403 and look for talent coordinator Oghie.

Renner

Lead actor Jeremy Renner is the one actually posted this call via his personal blog.  Renner most recent blockbuster films are Tom Cruise's Ghost Protocol: Mission Impossible 4 and Thor as Hawkeye.  He is also included in the highly anticipated superhero flick The Avengers.  Renner is best known for his role in the Oscar Award-winning film The Hurt Locker where he got an Academy Award for Best Actor.

If you want to watch the shooting of the film or avoid the heavy traffic it will surely cause, please take note of the following schedules and locations:

These areas in Manila include portions of San Andres St. from January 11 to 15; J. Bocobo corner Remedios streets, January 18 and 19; Leveriza Street, from Balingkit to San Andres, January 15; San Andres corner Quirino and Taft Avenue, January 14); Riverside Road, Real and Sta. Lucia Streets in Intramuros, January 25 and February 17 and 18; Jones Bridge, February 5; and Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, February 8 to 15, based from the news published by the Manila Bulletin.

It was also reported that 25% of the film will be shot in the Philippines and will also visit Navotas, Pasay City, Quezon City and El Nido, Palawan.

The movie is written and directed by Tony Gilroy and tells the story of CIA operative Aaron Cross played by Renner. The film is slated to be released in the US in the summer of 2012

There are also reports that Renner is already in the country and even welcomed 2012 at a five-star hotel somewhere in Makati City.

A great food experience at Tokyo Cafe

I love Japanese food.  I love coffee.

Call it coincidence or what but I just feel lucky to be invited in a blogger event organized by Tokyo Café, the only Japanese style family restaurants that offers Western dishes with the distinct Japanese touch and prides itself with genuine Japanese hospitality and services in the country. The event was held at Tokyo Cafe SM Megamall branch and bloggers were treated to an afternoon of great food and quality service. Thus, I would love to share my latest food discovery.  Actually, it's more on the food that I'd like to recommend.  The dining experience was such great that I will definitely comeback here with my family and friends.

During the event, we were privileged to meet Mr. Atsushi Yoshizawa, Japanese Executive Director for Restaurant Development of Tokyo Cafe, along with Marketing Manager Kate Paredes.  Mr. Yoshizawa is a native of Tokyo, came from a reputable Japanese coffee shop. With his background with restaurant operations, he adapted the same method and ventured into the food business here in our country. At the same time Ifoods Exchange Incorporated with its growing brands was able to partner with Mr. Yoshizawa that provide him a team that was able to develop and conceptualize the dishes, the restaurant look and the entire brand.

Mr. Atsushi Yoshizawa and Ms. Kate Paredes ofTokyo Cafe

Among the many mouth-watering dishes in the menu, I tried the Ten-Ju, a big serving of fried shrimp tempura with signature tempura sauce on steamed rice.  You just have to taste it for yourself to experience how delicious and satisfying the dish is.

A big serving of Ten-Ju

I also found out that Tokyo Café is not just your regular coffee shop.  Tokyo Café with its 6th branch coming soon on the south has been a sought after Japanese coffee shop in the country. The restaurant’s cozy ambiance is a welcoming sight for me and my companions.  Serving not only coffee but delicious food and unique Japanese beverages is a delectable combination that you wouldn’t want to miss. Combine with other western menu, you don’t need to skip from one shop to another be able to get a taste of all the cuisine and desserts.  And you might be happy to hear they don't have service charge.  Nice, right?  It was such one great food experience that I want to repeat!

Here are only some of the promotions that Tokyo Cafe is offering:

Tokyo Cafe branches are located at SM Mall of Asia; SM The Block; Mckinley Piazza; Go Hotel; SM Megamall and NAIA Terminal

For more details and information, you may visit www.tokyocafe.com.ph and like their official FB fanpage at facebook.com/tokyocafe.

It's Asus after a long debate

Last month, our company bought three (3) units of ASUS K40IJ notebook after a week of debates with some office mates.

Each one of us has different brands in mind but I was firm with my stand: Asus.

Well, I based my recommendation with the requirement of the team who will be using it. They need a no-frills computing experience while on the move with a budget less than Php 30K for each unit. "It should also look stylish and has a webcam," the last reminders from the team.

We got some quotations from three shops and I picked ASUS K40IJ notebooks. I told them that my sis-in-law bought an Asus unit two years ago and I don't remember her complaining about it. She even brought it to Japan as her companion after receiving a one-year scholarship grant in Kobe University in Japan.

To make the story short, our purchasing officer listened to me and at the end it's Asus! For that, I got the bragging rights!

Btw, Asus Philippines would like to remind the public of their new hotlines:

Toll-free number: 1-800-1441-0573

* Local Number: +632-636-8504

Working days and hours are:

* Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Also, maybe you like to received updates on Asus upcoming products, events, promos and freebies. Just go to the Facebook account of Asus Philippines.