Transformers: The book that comes to life

One of the best feelings every father can experience is when he is able to transform a childhood memory into a present bonding moment with his child.

I grew up in the 80s as a boy who is so amazed with giant talking robots that can turn themselves into zooming cars going against enemy droids changing into terror planes. I am pretty sure that you know what I am talking about. Yes, it’s the never-ending saga of the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons in the Transformers franchise that evolve from a popular TV program to a blockbuster movie series and tons of merchandises which includes books.

My 8-year old son, who is a fan of the Transformer films (the fifth installment to be released in theaters this month), was just so happy to get his hands with the Scholastic book Transformers Robots in Disguise: Where Crown City Comes to Life. 

   

This 32-page hardbound book for Transformer fans of all ages has a 5-star rating from goodreads.com. Well, if you ask my son he’ll probably give six because of the new and exciting reading experience he got. Aside from the full-color all-action world of Crown City that he discovered, he was able to bring to life his favorite Autobots Optimus Prime and Bumblebee going head-to-head against the evileforces of the Decepticons through incredible 3D augmented-reality animations by using our smartphones and tablets.

If there is a Transformers book for the boys and there is also a My Little Pony AR book for girls from Scholastics.

In single-user mode, anyone can bring to life Grimlock, Steeljaw and the rest of the crew in the palm of his hand then switch to life-size mode, watch his favorite Transformer grow to real size, and just sit in awe watching them move. Another great feature is you can take photos of the moment and share them with your friends and family!

In dual-user mode, just connect your device to a friend’s unit, and battle Underbite against an Autobot of your choice. Plus, you can also customize your very own Transformer by choosing  the color, look and strength of your robot to make it the ultimate Transformer.

There is an easy-to-follow guide in the book that will give you all the things you need to know including how to download the free app for both iOS and Android devices that will be used to get all the fun elements of the book.

Here's a video guide on how to fully enjoy this one-of-a-kind reading experience:

Innocence In Time: The Book Launch

When was the last time you can remember that the word “innocence” applies to you?

Grade school days? Before you had your first ever crush on your seatmate who always share her peanut butter sandwich because she just don’t like the taste?

High school years? Before you had your first ever kiss with that special someone whom you’d thought would walk you down the aisle after 10 years but broke up with you after graduation day?

College era? Before you were forced to take a part-time job to continue your studies and experience how it’s like to stand all by yourself facing the real world since your parents are in the province?

Well, one thing’s for sure, every one of us has experience once innocence at some point of our lives.

Talking about innocence (here’s the segue part), a fellow blogger Chai Galapon (www.momsykulitz18.blogspot.com) who have leveled up and become an author will be launching her book Innocence In Time this coming Sunday (April 13) at SM Center – Pasig City.  Everyone is invited and if you buy a book through orders before the day of the event, you’ll earn a chance to win in the raffle draw sponsored by more than a dozen sponsors:

Philips Avent
Dippin Dots
D’ InPLAYtables
Pink Parlour
CD-R King
Pazzo Rollio
Sweet Life Coffee
Claytoons Polymer Clay
Manulife
Walter Bread
Krispy Kreme
Adflix Manila
Books on Demand

Ang astig lang, diba?

For more updates regarding the event and about the book, please like https://www.facebook.com/InnocenceInTime.

See you there!

Unisex gifts for Christmas, anyone?

Image source: www.qualityimagesearch.com

Hey, it's a few days to go before Christmas and you haven't bought gifts for your love ones and friends.

Uh-oh! Good luck in facing the dreaded Christmas rush. The only thing I can help you with guys is to suggest some unisex items that you can buy in bulk so you don't have to make a list or end up buying again a boxer for your cousin Stella.

Here are my 25 suggestions. Why 25? Go figure.
1. Tattoo shop gift certificates
2. Jacket with a letter L for Lady or Lalaki
3. Headphone
4. USB flash drive
5. Powerbank
6. Mug (make sure it has text like "Loperamide" or "Compliments of Mayor Binay")
7. That big calendar with images of Saints, Anime and LeBrom James where you can personalize by placing the surname of your recipient. Place "Happy Family" instead.
8. A bottle of Vitamin B Complex
9. Stabillo
10. Complete set of DVD of The Walking Dead (original if possible or if if you can find)
11. Movie tickets (Valid at least for a month)
12. Poster of Paul Walker
13. Casio G-Shock or Technomarine if you have money
14. Snakes and Ladders and other game board
15. Handkerchief (safe color)
16. Towel (again safe)
17. Hand soap or shower gel
18. Conditioner (I have yet to see a conditioner for men)
19. Umbrella
20. Wall clock
21. Canned goods
22. Spoon and fork
23. Kikay kit (yes, even men have that nowadays)
24. Toothbrush and toothpaste
25. or this book below (available at all National Bookstore outlets nationwide)

Being Suplado the Second Time Around

Because of the record-breaking performance of The Hunger Games movie in the box-office, the sales of the book where it was based from also soared (again) worldwide.  However, the book will have a hard time getting the top spot of the best seller list in the Philippines.

This was after multi-media demigod Ramon Bautista made a big announcement at National Book Store – Shangri-La Mall.  

“Ang librong ito ay mas okay pa sa The Hungry Games!,” Bautista said while holding his complimentary copy of Suplado Tips 2 by Stanley Chi.

He explained that if you save the money intended for The Hunger Game book and instead use it to purchase a copy of Suplado Tips book, you’ll still have enough money for a value meal that will spell out your hunger. What a clever suggestion, indeed.

Actually, it was also Ramon Bautista who convinced me to get a copy of the first book via his moving testimonial, “Simula ng tinuruan ako ni Stanley Chi na maging suplado, nawala ang ubo ko!” Perfect for someone like me who has asthma.

The first book includes the 10 Suplado Commandments to remind grumpy people how to behave against people accordingly, the Suplado Meter to measure the level of angst in you and comic strips in case you lost interest in reading text entries.  

I became an instant fan of Stanley Chi after reading the book while attending a business lecture.  Thanks to this book, I had fun during the workshop and got my certificate at the end of the day. I thought this was never possible. 

And so, I am one of those who waited for Stanley to come out with a second book.  Alas, I think he heard my prayers (which I posted on his Facebook wall). And what a great way to get the Suplado Tips 2--- via an ultra kewl book launch!

DJs Ramon Bautista and Tado Jimenez with Stanley Chi

The “second coming” offers plenty more funny yet useful banter for moments you like to make a statement. There are more comic skits, laughs and other surprises (parang noontime show lang, no?).  I wish I would be given a chance to share my suplado story in the third book like the contributors whom Stanley invited in book 2.  It just proves that being a snub can get plenty of attention after all. 

Tado Jimenez, my idol from the wacky cult TV series Strangebrew, also attested to the "power" of the said book.  He confessed, "Yung binigay mong kopya ng libro tinanggap sa gas station nung magpakarga ako kanina. Fan mo (Stanley) kasi yung gasoline boy."

Anyone can relate to the many tips of Stanley Chi since (I hope it’s safe to say this) that there is a suplado side in each of every one of us.  For the non-suplados (Che! Umamin na kayo), you’ll learn great advices like “Kung nagpapa-picture ka, siguraduhin mong yung ngiti mo sa picture at sa toong buhay ay pareho!” (Now that's a direct hit on many FB profile pics that we say everyday) 

Suplado Tips 2, Chi’s newest book, shall be available online through www.psicompublishing.com and may be found in Fully Booked and National Bookstore outlets all over the country (unless his fanatic followers beat you to it).

For more updates on Stanley Chi’s Suplado Tips 2 and to join the Suplado Society of the Philippines, feel free to contact and stalk him at www.stanleychi.net. Catch more updates on the Suplado Tips Facebook page.

The Suplado Experience (TSE)

Suplado!

This statement was posted on my Facebook wall by a classmate from college whom I last saw in person a decade ago.  I did not delete his post but instead placed a comment asking him why. 

After several minutes, I got a response saying that I snubbed him big time when he greeted me near the entrance of a mall the night before.  I apologized and explained my side.  I was on a rush to get home since the next day I have a flight to Cebu for a company event.  And for crying out loud! How would I recognize HIM in a dress.  I thought he or she was one of those “marketing specialists” asking people if they have credit cards that will be the key to great fortune which eventually will just end up as a monthly charge for an insurance policy for the unwilling “client.”

And besides, my last memory of him was us in a tight hug of goodbye during the last day of our Chemistry class--- which made me realized now what his hand squeezing my buttocks then means.  That pervert!

Actually, it’s not the first time that I was branded as a snub.  Some of my neighbors, especially those who just lived in our placed recently, might have such impression on me.  I can’t remember how many videoke and drinking sessions I have declined just because I am not into these past times. But the more “real” reason behind this suplado attitude is that my wife won’t let me sleep beside her when she smells the scent of liquor coming out from my mouth.  Under de saya? No, naman.  I want to believe that I am just understanding.

I am suplado. Something I hate to admit but my actions does prove that I am one.  It’s just that I am not the type who will start a conversation.  I will respond   if you’ll ask me a question and if I find that there is sense in conversing with you, I can be your best friend.

I can also be suplado even to those people I am interested to talk to because I am not good in initiating talk with a stranger.  I am still stuck with an embarrassing moment when I tried to impress someone I just met during a community work.  I found out that this pretty volunteer was interested in organizing a basketball competition for members of a youth organization and was soliciting funds to buy sports equipment. 

I have a couple of basketball in our house and so I excitedly approached her and offered my help, “I have balls but I left them at home!”

Suddenly, I heard a group of other volunteers laughing that made me realized that I just said something not right. How I wish I just stayed in suplado mode and avoided humiliation.  How I wish there was something or someone to guide me then on how to be firm suplado, proud of it and succeed.

Sayang! I only found recently about the existence of a man who claims he is funny and suplado and his book called Suplado Tips (Pa-English English ka pa, Sipain kita dyan eh!).  His surname already sounds like he’s a snub combined with a first name that means meadow that is stony, ikaw na the best ka, Stanley Chi!

Stanley started showing the world his brand of comedy via the comic strip Chopsticks for the Sunday edition of Manila Bulletin. He is also a stand up comic and a TV host for the comedy show Front Act. Libraries were never the same again when he became a certified book author.

Honestly, it was my idol Ramon Bautista, a TV and radio demigod, who convinced me to get a copy of the book via his moving testimonial, “Simula ng tinuruan ako ni Stanley Chi na maging suplado, nawala ang ubo ko!” (Perfect for someone like me who has asthma)

But seriously (heck, I never expected to use the word serious in this post), Suplado Tips is one gem of a humor book for those who wants to laugh ‘till they drop.  One can relate to the many tips since I would like to believe that there is a suplado side in each of every one of us.  For the non-suplados (tse! mga echoserang ayaw pang umamin), you’ll learn great advices like “Kung may nagsusungit sayo at sinabing mainit ulo niya dahil gutom siya, hiritan mo ng...'Hoy gutom din ako baka patulan kita'” (But this is not advisable to be used by understanding husbands like me to their wives, okay? Don’t tell me I did not warn you.)

The book also includes the 10 Suplado Commandments to remind grumpy people how to behave against people accordingly, the Suplado Meter to measure the level of angst in you and comic strips in case you loose interest in reading text entries.  

Because of the success of the book which is the fourth under his name, Stanley should start getting voice and dance lesson 'coz he might get a call anytime soon for a production number in ASAP Rocks over ABS-CBN.  Well, Stanley just joined the ranks of Iya Villania and Sam Milby as endorsers of UniSilver Time, with UniSilver Time releasing the Suplado Watch this August.   Hmm… what could be a nice background music for a Suplado interpretative dance? 

So, are you ready to be suplado, supladoer and the supladoest? Go to your suking (favorite) bookstore and grab a copy of the book in the surprisingly less than Php 100 lang price!

But wait, there’s more!  Stanley Chi is also a radiologist.  You can catch him over the Suplado Show, the internet radio on Dig Radio (formerly NU107).  Just log on to www.pinoytuner.com and get all the how to snub tips that you want.