My ENGLCOM experience

               This term, I was able to hone and develop my compentency in writing. Through the years, I found it somewhat difficult to put my thoughts into words. However, through the guidance and help of our Reading and Writing class, I had a better understanding of how to gather my thoughts and fully express them through my writing (the brainstorming and pre-writing lesson particularly helped me in this). Also, through our classes, I have better developed my reading and analyzing skills. Now, I have an easier time to comprehend certain texts and also, better understanding of  the topic and thesis statements. So these were how I honed and improved my competencies.

             Moreover, I have also improved on my weaknesses with regards to reading and writing. As I've mentioned above, I've had a difficulty in putting my thoughts into writing. Through my reading and writing class, I was able to improve on this thus making it easier for me to write. Also, I've had a difficulty in pinpointing the exact thesis sentence in a paragraph. Though now, I have an easier time in understanding and identifying the thesis sentence within the paragraph. So through all my classes, I was able to improve on these weaknesses.

             Finally, I am very happy to have achieved my goal at the start of the term, which is to improve my reading and writing skills. I was able to see this improvement through my grades in the various essays and also, based on my personal observation. With this, I am very grateful and happy for having gone through my RWC class and thankful for my teacher for helping and guiding me through the whole process.

           

Song Review - Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift ft. The Civil Wars

                    Being a Taylor Swift fan, I was happy to hear that she (Taylor Swift) was chosen to sing the song for the official soundtrack of The Hunger Games. However, I was concerned if she could really translate the story of the movie through the song, since her songs are mostly upbeat. To my surprise, she did quite well in the song, "Safe and Sound", and though, it has a sort of dark, mysterious tune to it, she was able to deliver it well. Furthermore, the harmonies done in this song with - her (Swift) and the Civil Wars - were just beautiful. The voices really blended well together thereby adding more depth and emphasis to the lyrics of the song. So, over-all, I was very much happy with the song and so much more proud of my favorite female artist, Taylor Swift.  

Source of photo:  http://www.jennysunblog.com/images/content/Taylor-Swift-450x321.jpg

Song Review - Give Your Heart a Break by Demi Lovato

              I came across this song when Demi Lovato first sang it on an elimination episode of American Idol. Instantly, I fell in love with the song; because not only does it have a nice, upbeat tune but it also tells the nice story (through the lyrics) of a boy, who is scared of falling in love again, but when he finally meets the right girl, he keeps his guard up. It was very creative, though, that this story was told in the girl's perspective, where she expresses her thoughts on their situation saying that he should "give his heart a break" and take a chance on her. Moreover, this was a nice break from hearing break-up songs, since majority of the female artists, nowadays, sing only about having their heart broken unlike in this song, where it talks about opening one's heart to loving again. Finally, I loved how Demi sang it. I could not think of any better female artist that can sing this song with such emotion as she did. 

  That is why it is for these are the reasons that I loved this song and encourage all of you to listen to it.

Source of photo: http://www.aceshowbiz.com/images/news/demi-lovato-releases-lyric-music-video-on-christmas-eve.jpg

Song Review - Better than I know Myself by Adam Lambert

                             Just a few minutes ago, I listened to Adam Lambert's song - "Better Than I Know Myself." Upon hearing it, I very much loved the song and cannot stop listening to it. First of all, it has a great, catchy tune and is sung very well by Adam Lambert. Though more than that, it sends a hidden message - that we should take care of the ones we love, because sometimes we take advantage of them but in the end, we wouldn't really know what to do if they were gone (as seen through the lyrics of the song). This message is very meaningful and effective in reminding us to know what we have and who we have so we could fully appreciate life. It is for these reasons that I really love the song and encourage all of you to go and listen to it!

Source of Photo: http://www.sweetslyrics.com/poze/adam_lambert_better_than_i_know_myself.jpg

 

David Archuleta, not only a Beautiful Voice but a Great Heart

                        David Archuleta became known when he placed as a runner-up to American Idol winner, David Cook. However, nowadays, he is known by many Filipinos as Josh Bradley in the TV5 mini series "Nandito Ako." Here, he is not only recognized as a celebrity but a good-hearted person as well. 

                    This can be seen in how David countlessly expresses his love for this country and its people, as seen through his various video blogs, his interviews, and even in his book "Chords of Strength". It is very nice to see someone, particularly a foreigner, to show so much appreciation and love for our country. More than that, David exemplifies a genuine friendly attitude and hospitability to his fans. He would really take time to show his appreciation to all those that root for him. Finally, David exemplifies strong conviction and love for his church and his religion. Since his mini series has ended, he is returning to the United States in order to help out in his church. This, in my opinion, shows so much great love because he is willing to put God above all else, which is really what we should all do as believers of God.

                  Truly, David will be missed, though he has earned a special place in the hearts of his Filipino fans and has earned the love of the Filipino community.  

Source of photo: http://angsawariko.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/david-archuleta-forevermore1.jpg

Life = Flute

                           Just today, I visited my friend's Facebook page. On her wall was this picture:



                        At first, I found it quite funny that you would compare life to a flute, but upon further reflection, it does make sense. We do have "holes and emptiness" (imperfections, problems, etc.) in our life but it is what we make of them that counts. We can either make "magical melodies" (work with solving our problems for the better) or create horrid sounds (effect of just doing nothing with the "holes and emptiness" of our lives). In other words, this picture tells us that we are, basically, the makers of our own destiny, and that the outcome of it will be solely based on what we did or didn't do in our everyday actions. Therefore, it boils down to one question: do you want a beautiful melody or a disastrous song?

Bullying

Bullying

A poem by the author

Mommy, Daddy!

Look at me now,

Getting all ready

for school without a frown.

Mommy, Daddy!

I'm entering the school,

some kids seem bratty,

looking at me like I'm a fool.

Mommy, Daddy!

help me, I'm hurt

some kids call me "fatty"

and treat me like dirt.

Mommy, Daddy!

they won't stop teasing me.

They're all so nasty.

You'll know when you see.

Mommy, Daddy!

It's too much, I can't take it!

I want to die already,

and sink into a dark pit.

Mommy, Daddy!

goodbye for now.

I can't take any more of these bullies,

though we'll meet again someday, somehow.



                          The reason why I wrote this poem is 1) to advocate bullying and its effect on people, and 2) to also ask parents to make themselves truly part of their children's lives and now their situation; this will really help their child's situation and help them cope better. So that hopefully one day, we will put an end to bullying.

Teaching, a Vocation and Choice

                    There is this common saying that  "Those who can't, teach." Although, in my opinion, it should be "Those who CAN teach." As I learned from my CWTS teaching experience with the Grade 2 children of the 1K1 Housing Project, in Kasiglahan Village, teaching is a LOT of hard work. First of all, it's very difficult to get the attention of your students. You always have to think of different ways or techniques that will allow you to get their  full attention. This, in turn, is very exhausting and somewhat furstrating.  Second, I find it very difficult to explain a topic to your students and make them fully understand it. At times, I would think of an explanation in my head but once I open my mouth, the kids would not understand a single word that I just said. In other words, sometimes what you say won't translate to what you originally thought of saying. Lastly, teaching requires an immense amount of patience. After my teaching experience, I truly admire teachers now, who are able to control and understand unruly and rowdy children. So, in my opinion, I find it absolutely wrong for people to say that "Those who can't, teach," which would imply that teaching is just a "back-up plan." Instead, I view choosing a career in the academe, a vocation and a choice, and more importantly, something that should be looked up at and not downgraded.   

Source of photo: http://www.cksinfo.com/clipart/education/teachers/classroom.png

Remembering my favorite childhood movie - Matilda

                                     When I was around 4 or 5 years old, my parents bought me a VHS copy of the movie, Matilda. From the first time I watched it, I knew it was a movie that I would love to watch again and again. Soon, it became my favorite movie as a child. 

                                   One of the reasons why I loved the movie, Matilda, so much was the fact that it was about a little girl, who had special powers. I enjoyed how someone so small could possess such great abilities, and how she used it for good reasons. This sent me the message that even though you're just a small, young girl, you can make a difference in some way. Another reason is that I liked how the movie advocated the importance and benefits of reading. It was seen on  how at a young age, she (Matilda) learned to love reading. Growing up, I've never really understood why people loved to read but as the years went by, I started to love reading. In a way, that movie helped me realize my passion for reading books and the importance of it. Finally, the movie showed me hope for the better. At such a young age, Matilda was subjected to a family that doesn't love her and a principal that hurts her. Despite this, life changes for the better when Matilda meets the caring and loving Ms. Honey (her teacher), who loves her and understands her. Through Matilda's experiences, I saw that no matter how bad things get, life will turn around for the better, so don't lose all hope. 

                                    It is for all those reasons that the movie, Matilda, became my favorite movie as a child. One day, I hope that younger generations will watch this movie and see the value in it. Who knows? It might end up also being their favorite childhood movie. 

Source of photo: http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BNTYxNDEyMDQ1MF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwODcxMDYyMQ@@._V1._SY317_CR6,0,214,317_.jpg

American Idol contestant - Colton Dixon

                               For the past few years, I've been watching American Idol. As always, I have a favorite contestant to win the competition. This year, I am rooting for contestant, Colton Dixon, to win.

                              In addition to his unique and semi-rocker voice, he seems to have a firm and outspoken grasp on his faith. Being a Christian, he is unafraid to show and express what he believes in through his choice of songs and actions. This, in my opinion, is a very redeeming quality for an American Idol, since a real idol should know what he believes in and should not  be afraid in expressing it. In other words, they should be fearless, which I think Colton exemplifies. Also, Colton is very expressive when he sings. It seems that he immerses himself in the music he sings, which is a another reason how he could be a good American Idol. Lastly, he sings very well, which is the most important thing in a music centered competition. In short, I believe he would be the perfect American Idol this year and I will continue to root for him throughout the whole season.     

Conquering the Dance Floor

                   

             Last March 24, the culminating activity was held at the Enrique Razon Sports Center, where Fwdance students gather to perform for their Finals. Being part of Ms. Fernandez's class, I was required to perform the Tango with my partner.  Seeing that I have two left feet (figuratively), it sort of freaked me out to know that I will have to perform the Tango with my partner in front of all the Fwdance classes. Though despite my fears, I was able to dance in front of everybody, but it honestly didn't go so well. Even though I practiced many times for this dance, once I performed, I forgot majority of the steps. Due to that, I caused me and my partner to be delayed in dancing. Finally, to top it off, I was positioned near the front of the audience so almost everybody saw my difficulties in dancing. At the time, it was quite mortifying however, I realized something in the end. I realized that even though I messed my dance up, I was still able to conquer my fear of dancing onstage, and I think that matters to me the most, in the long run. Anyways, its the journey that matters more and not the destination. So despite my dance, I was proud of myself and I can definitely say that I have become a better person because of it. 

Source of Photo: http://www.vogueweddingblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/4049251498_8f3a9d54d4.jpg

Wrath of the Titans Movie Review

                       Today, I was able to watch the sequel to the film, "Clash of the Titans", entitled "Wrath of the Titans." Having watched the first film and as fan of Greek Mythology , I was very curious to see the turn in events as Perseus (played by actor, Sam Worthington) is called again to save the world. To my surprise, the movie was better than I anticipated it to be. The action scenes were very realistic considering that most of the creatures were created by computer graphics. Also, the story was well-developed. The movie gradually unfolded the story, and it even gave a short recap on what has happened to the characters since the first film thereby showing continuity and consistency. Moreover, I cannot get over the great acting of stars such as Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes and Sam Worthington, who truly embodied their mythological characters to a deliver believable and very realistic performance. So, over-all, I can definitely say that it was a great film to watch and hope that you will enjoy it as much as I do.

Source of Photo: http://www.comingsoon.net/gallery/65558/Wrath_of_the_Titans_9.jpg

Hunger Games Movie Review

                

                   Being a Hunger Games fan myself, I was excited to watch the movie last Saturday with my best friend. I have read all the three books and I was eager to see how this was translated into a movie. To my surprise, the book and the movie were very similar with really little differences. This, in turn, allowed me to enjoy the movie to a greater extent. However,  my only concern for the movie would be the wobbly filming. I am not sure if this was an effect on the part of the director but it made it quite difficult for me, as a viewer, to concentrate on the scene and the characters. Though despite that, the movie was quite entertaining to watch and the story of the book was unfolded well. So, I do encourage everyone to watch the movie and see how Katniss' story unfolds!

      

Source of photo: http://www.onlinemovieshut.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/the-hunger-games-poster.jpg

All Part of God's will

                               Scrolling down my Facebook News Feed, I came across this picture (as seen above). This picture somewhat reminded me that everything that has happened to me - all the highs and lows of my life -  has been part of a bigger plan, more specifically, it has been part of God's plan. Therefore, I should take all the challenges I get and do my best with it because as the saying says "...unexpected things that will make you happier than you originally planned," I can be much happier in the end. I guess this was a good reminder for me since I always want everything to go as I planned that sometimes I fail to see the benefits of my mistakes and God's true purpose behind it. This was truly a wake-up call for me and one reminder that I will always remember.

"God is the reason why"

  

                           During the weekend, I went through my Facebook News Feed and saw this picture posted on one of my contact's wall:

                            Upon reading it, I became very happy and very grateful that I have my faith and religion, since this picture shows how faith can save you in times of worry and pain. But more than that, it tells you how God is there for you even through the bad times since He gives you the courage to "smile though in pain" or to "fight even in time of fear". He reminds us that whatever problem or worry we have in life, we will get through it as long as we continue to fight our way through life with God and our faith by our side. So in the end, we will be truly happy at last. 

                            Therefore, I think this is a message we all must remember because we all lose our way at some point in our life, but it takes real faith and true love for God to find our way back into our Loving Father's arms once again.    

Remembering the good ol' shows!

                 Being born in 1994, I grew up with television shows such as Rugrats, Hey Arnold, and the Powerpuff girls. These television shows not only entertained me but also taught me some valuable life lessons. Take for example, in Hey Arnold, I learned things like patience and understanding (as it was exemplified through Arnold's character). While in Rugrats, I learned courage (through Tommy's character and sometimes even through Chuckie's character) and teamwork (as seen in the television show- how the babies always stick together and help one another through thick or thin). Finally, Powerpuff girls taught me selflessness (which could be seen through their heroic actions in every episode). At the time, I didn't really realize the value of these shows and the lessons whicht they taught me; but after looking back on them, I can really see their value and impact on my life. It is sad to know that they aren't showing some of these television shows anymore; and what's even worse, television networks nowadays show meaningless and sometimes useless cartoons to children. Some of these cartoons not only give meaningless values but they actually promote stupidity among children. It is the sad truth of television these days. Although, hopefully, one day, they can bring back the good old shows for the future youth to see; if not, make another cartoon show that will be able to exemplify the same values these shows have (when I was a child). It is through this way that the television can help in molding the future youth for the better and give more hope to the future!  





Source of pic: http://toonbarn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/hey_arnold.jpg

Source of pic: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/95/Powerpuff_girls_characters.jpg/270px-Powerpuff_girls_characters.jpg



Source of pic: http://epguides.com/Rugrats/cast.jpg



Comics

             Ever since I was young, I had enjoyed reading comics. Now, at 18 years old, I am happy to say that I still enjoy reading them. I know, for many of you, it may probably seem a bit childish and immature but to me, it’s a way of relaxing and getting a good dose of laughter. My favorite one would have to be the Archie comics though I also like Calvin and Hobbes, Marvin, Beetle Bailey, Hagar the Horrible and Dilbert. In addition to that these comics not only bring me joy but also bring back good childhood memories. Just recently, I found out that my favorite television show (back when I was a kid), Rugrats, has now turned into a comic strip for the Sunday newspapers. I remember being 5 years old and turning on the television to watch that show and now I get to reminisce back to that time every Sunday through the newspapers. To be honest, I think reading comics is actually a better way of relaxing than reading a book because 1) the stories are shorter so you don’t have to look back to the previous pages, like a book, to remind you of what happened before, and 2) it has pictures already so you don’t really strain your mind with imagining the characters and the scenes. So why should you not read comics? I strongly suggest you to go out and read some. It will surely brighten your day and put a smile on your face.     

Source of comic strip: http://www.creators.com/comics/31/20133_image.gif



Book Review - Diary of a Witness

                  

                Around two weeks ago, I came across this book entitled "Diary of a Witness," which was written by Catherine Ryan Hyde,  in our local bookstore. At first, I was intrigued by its cover, which was simple yet somewhat intriguing. Though it was when I opened the cover flap, I knew I wanted to buy and read this book. Inside the cover flap, it said:

One day they taunt you.

One day they trip you.

One day they break you.

One day can change everything.

                   I remember coming home from the bookstore that day, very eager to read the book, and now, I've finally finished reading it. To my surprise, it turned out to be a very gripping and emotional story. One definitely worth to read and one you will never forget. First of all, it tackles a very serious issue in our society today, which is bullying. I think this is a very important issue to discuss since we sometimes overlook it(because we either never physically seen it or have never experienced it first-hand) though it's always been there. In this book, Hyde (author) shows the effect of bullying in both of her characters - Ernie and Will - more particularly its effect on Will. Through Will's character, she shows how little acts of bullying can pile up until one cannot take it anymore. Moreover, this was emphasized in Will's situation as he continually struggles with problems in his household as well as the harsh acts of bullying done in school. The author wrote this, in such a way, that the problems gradually increased, hyping up the climax and encouraging the reader to keep on reading. It was in this writing style that I, as a reader, was able to feel everything the characters felt - particularly what Will felt at the time - and be able to relate to everything that they were saying. Second, all the scenes were very realistic. The things she wrote about could definitely happen in real life and is probably happening in our society now. None of the events seemed exaggerated,which made it very believable and relatable. Lastly, more than sending a message to the bullies (on the effects of their actions) the author also sends an indirect message to both the bullies and those bullied that life isn't perfect though it is what we make of its imperfections that makes us who we are and makes our life what it is (this could be seen in Ernie's character - because even though Ernie knew his life wasn't perfect, he made the best out of it by choosing the right decisions. This, in turn, made him the better person by the end of the book).

                So over-all I really enjoyed the book and I really encourage all of you to go out and read it! It truly is a wonderful read and one of the best books I've read so far!      

Source of photo: http://images.contentreserve.com/ImageType-100/0111-1/%7B6D3D6B51-D262-4AC6-9453-F99FE58E1B56%7DImg100.jpg

Evil of Child Abuse

        A few months ago, I saw one of my Facebook friends post this poem. It was done for the purpose of spreading the issue of Child Abuse in our society today. The poem went like this:

A STORY OF A SAD GIRL..

Her name was Abby

She was only five

This is what happened

... When she was alive

Her dad was a drunk

Her mom was an addict

Her parents kept her

Locked in an attic

Her only friend
was a little toy bear
It was old and worn out
And had patches of hair


She always talked to it
When no one's around
She lays there and hugs it
Not a peep of sound


Until her parents
unlock the door
Some more and more pain
She'll have to endore


A bruise on her leg
A scar on her face
Why would she be
In such a horrible place?


But she grabs her bear
And softly crys
She loves her parents
But they want her to die


She sits in the corner
Quiet but thinking,
" God, why? Why is
My life always sinking? "


Such a bad life
For a sad little kid
She'd get beaten and beaten
For anything she did


Then one night
Her mom came home high
The poor child was hit and slapped
As hours went by


Then her mom suddenly
Grabbed for a blade
It was sharp and pointy
One that she made


She thrusted the blade
Right in her chest,
" You deserve to die
You worthless pest! "


The mom walked out
Leaving the girl slowly dying
She grabbed her bear
And again started crying


Police showed up
At the small little house
They quickly barged in
Everything was as quiet as a mouse


 One officer slowly
Opened a door
To find the sad little girl
Lying on the floor


It must have been bad
To go through so much harm
But at least she died
With her best friend in her arms

                    The reason as to why I decided to post this poem is because I cannot think of anyone, who in their right mind, would want to hurt a child. A child is a beautiful gift from God, one that is to be respected, taken care of, and loved. In this poem, we see the exact opposite of how a child should be treated, which was to be physically beaten and harmed until the point of death. To think that this little girl's (with regards to the poem above) only best friend was her toy teddy bear; and all through her young life, she barely had any support and love from her own family. What was worse, at the point of her death, she still had no support from them. I am honestly extremely sad for this child and I hope that no child ever has to endure this kind of pain. However, the truth of the matter is that child abuse is present in society today and sometimes we forget that it is happening because we get too caught up in our own dilemmas. It is actually for this reason that I wrote this blog - to remind all of us of the evil presence of child abuse in our society and that we should, in all our efforts, spread this current issue around to families and friends; so that one day, we may finally put an end to child abuse!  

source of photo: http://media.photobucket.com/image/bloody%20teddy%20bear/Ashes_Only_Remain/Darker/7a5bd5dc.gif

God's Everyday Sacrifice

              

                        Just a few minutes ago, I came across this cartoon in my Facebook News Feed. This particular cartoon touched my heart and reminded me of the true and unconditional love of our Lord to us. Because even if we have sinned and hurt Him, He is still there for us, always ready to share our pain and to take it away from us. We even forget Him at times though He never forgets us nor abandons us. Finally, through it all He forgives us despite all the pain we caused Him. With all of this, can't you see how much God sacrifices for millions of us everyday? The amount of which is too great for any of us to handle. 

                     Through this blog, I wish to remind everyone, including myself, of God's everyday love and sacrifice for us - how we must acknowledge it, honor it, and lastly, return it back to Him. 

Through my eyes (short story)

            With only the dim light shining from the street lamps, I walk silently through the hussle and bussle of the Manila streets. Though my feet are sore and full of blisters, I continue down the streets eager to find my way to the nearest bake shop. On my way there, I can feel stares from people around me. People in cars and on the street look at me with both pity and fear - the fear that I will rob from them. I ignore their stares yet inside I hurt. These people don't know me and yet they judge me by how I look. Yes, I may look scruffy; and I may wear worn-out clothes and slippers but I am still a human being. I deserve to be looked and treated as one. Despite this, I still continue to make my way to the bake shop.
 
             On my way there, I see someone familiar on the other side of the street. Quickly, I realize that it is Gino, the boy living from across our house.

"Jon-jon!" he calls out to me and waves an unsteady hand.
I wave back at him. As I did that, I noticed that he is holding a bottle in the inside of his shirt. By his actions and mannerisms, I can tell that he is probably high from whatever he is sniffing from that bottle.
"Jon-jon" he calls back again, "Come here, I want you to try something"
Quickly, I realize that he would want me to join him though I hurriedly turn away and walk faster.
At a distance, I can hear Gino curse loudly behind me.

                I arrive at the bake shop and as I enter, all eyes stare at me. It's the same look I saw previously - the look of pity and fear. Again, I ignore it despite the pain I feel inside. I get the Ensaymada near the counter and line up in the cashier. A look of surprise and astonishment came to the cashier person as a street kid pays for the snack rather than steal it. I ignore it once again and pay for my purchase. Then, I quickly leave the store.

                 I got home about thirty minutes from the bake shop. As usual, the setting is still the same. Mom is still at work, possibly doing over-time. My father on the other hand, may be on his way home from the construction site he is working on. Grandma, fixes the house as my parents are on their way home.

"Jon-jon, it's 11:30 already, where have you been?" Grandma asks as I enter the house.
"I'm sorry, Grandma" I say as I grab her hand and touch it to my forehead.
"Where's Rita?" I ask and grandma points upstairs. Quickly, I make my way up the stairs and into her room.

"Hi Rita!" I say as I give my sister a gentle pat to her hand.
"I know you really like this snack so I made sure that I'd sell enough Sampaguitas today just I can buy it"

               Slowly, I hand her the piece of bread. Shakily, she moves towards me and with a crooked smile, she says "T-t-t-t-t-t-hank y-o-o-u K-k-k-u-y-ya!"; and I finally get a hug from my sister.

               You see, my sister is autistic and this is the most affectionate that I'd seen her today. With all the crying she does, no one really understands her. Today, I connected with her for the first time so I hug her closer to me and whisper...

               "Happy 7th Birthday Rita, I love you"

Source of photo: http://ih3.redbubble.net/image.5939958.0558/papergc,441x415,w,ffffff.jpg



Movie Reaction - "This Means War"

                Today, I just arrived home from watching the newly released movie, "This Means War," and I've got to say that it was a really good movie. It was action-packed, hilarious and over-all entertaining. Not to mention, it was filled with interesting personalities such as Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy and Chelsea Handler. So what's not to like about this film?

              I honestly cannot think of anything negative regarding this film; and I totally suggest for everyone to go out and see this. It will surely leave you with a smile on your face; and  make you burst a good, hearty laugh during the film and by the end of it. So what have you got to lose? Go out and watch this film while it's still showing in cinemas now!     

Source of Photo: http://cdn.screenrant.com/wp-content/uploads/this-means-war.jpg

A Book Review on "Thirteen Reasons Why"

 

     About two weeks ago, one of my classmates recommended me to read the book, "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher. At first, I wasn't really sure if I wanted to read it because I was not quite familiar with the author; but after her brief background on the book, I immediately wanted to read it. Because of that, I decided to buy it over the weekend; and when I already bought it, I couldn't stop reading. 

      The story revolved around the suicide of Hannah Baker and the casette tapes she left behind describing the reasons as to why she killed herself. Now I know this story may come off a bit dark and emo (because of my description) though it is one worth to read. What I loved about this book was the sort of exchange of thoughts with Hannah (through the casette tapes) and Clay, who is the reciever and listener of the tapes. Because of this set up, the reader can see the different perspectives of the characters in that given period of time. Can you even imagine being Clay and having to hear the voice of Hannah, who recently died, tell you why she killed herself? I honestly cannot think what I would've done if I was Clay; and the author, Jay Asher, let us experience that first hand (through the eyes of Clay, of course). This, in my opinion, made the story more realistic and gave a bigger impact on the reader. Moreover, I like how the author mentions the "snowball effect," which is when little problems pile up until the person cannot take it anymore. This sends a sort of hidden message to the youth today that all our actions affects someone, either in a good or bad way. In a way, this book also addresses the issues of bullying in schools and makes not only students but parents, as well, to be aware of the current situation of the student. It was very admirable that he decided to address this topic. Lastly, I like how the story builds up in a climactic order and finishes with a tinge of hope for the characters that remain.

       So all-in-all, it was a really good book. One that I wish all of you will read and learn from. I just honestly hope that when the movie comes out (rumors are going around that the book will be turned into a movie) that it gives justice to the book.

Source of Photo: http://www.thirteenreasonswhy.com/im/13rw_wp_800x600.jpg

The Mamma Mia! Musical Experience

                Through the past years, I've grown to be very fond of musicals. So far, I've watched around three- "Cats", "Cinderella," and "The Little Mermaid" (local production)- and I've enjoyed them all. I even enjoyed performing in one as I was an extra in an adaptation of the broadway musical, "Wicked," done in my high school. I love the music, the props and the performances. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that I love musicals in general (though I love to watch it more than be in it) ; so it was a real treat for me to know that I would be watching "Mamma Mia!" the musical in the CCP theater last February 4, 2012.

                Last Saturday, we, my family and I, arrived at Roxas Boulevard around 7 - 7:20 p.m.. We entered the CCP Theater around 7:45 p.m. (since we ate dinner first) and got to our seats almost immediately after we entered. Having only watched the movie, I was excited to finally be able to watch the musical live. I wanted to see the set, listen to the music and enjoy the experience itself. When the orchestra started playing, I knew that it was about to start so I glued myself to the seat with my eyes staring directly at the stage. Then, the musical finally started. Similar to the movie, it opened with the song "I Have A Dream" and with the Sophie sending the letters to her three possible fathers. The story slowly unfolded as every song was sung and the minutes turned to hours. It was a nice show. The singers sang beautifully and the orchestra played flawlessly. However, I would have preferred a more extravagant set and different backdrops per scene to really enhance the story and take the audience to the world of the characters portrayed. Nonetheless, it was a very nice show. I enjoyed it very much and encourage everyone to go out and watch it because it is truly a nice experience.

               This musical can now be added to the list of musicals I've watched and to the whole production of this musical I say "Thank you for the music, For giving it to me"!

Source of Photo: http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00103/playbill_mammamia.jpg

On Turning Eighteen

            Eighteen. A pivotal age in every girl's life where she becomes a woman, or so they say in our culture. Well enough, I turned eighteen last January 24, 2012. Despite this, I do not seem any less different than I am now. Yes, maybe I have changed a little, through the past eighteen years but I still consider myself as a little girl rather than a young woman. I guess change may be relative depending on the person. Whatever it may be, I am glad that I have turned eighteen; but more than that, I am glad that I was able to celebrate this occasion, in advance, in the company of my friends.

            Last January 21, 2012, I celebrated my birthday at the Mona Lisa restaurant, in Muntinlupa, in the company of my High School friends. We arrived there at around 7 p.m. and ordered some of the restaurant's delicious Italian food. We talked for hours about a lot of things like how our college life is like and we even reminisced on our most memorable high school moments. We laughed and even cried (because we were laughing so hard) the whole night long. To my surprise, some of my friends were even  kind enough to buy me birthday presents. However, the biggest surprise of the night was when one of the waiters came out with a slice of cheesecake with the words "Happy 18th Birthday" scribbled on the plate and my friends softly sang me "Happy Birthday." Though it was just a simple gathering, it was definitely a night to remember and one that I will cherish with me forever.