Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Childhood Nostalgia: Gotta Catch Em'All, Pokemon!


Since it's my first time to have a Tuesday restday in our account, I woke up early today and check what shows are featured in the morning, I came across with Pokemon which is one of the anime' characters that I adore. So, I decided to feature them today on Childhood Nostalgia.

Pokemon is the shortened name for "Pocket Monsters". This program talks about courage, friendship and being strong for any struggles in order for us to achieve our goals.


This is the story of Ash, an ordinary kid who wish to become the "Greatest Pokemon Master". He started his quest for his dream in Pallet Town where he got his first ever Pokemon named "Pikachu" which is also the best known Pokemon in the world. If they Together, they faced different types of pokemon, challenges and trainers as they visit gyms. The main goal is to defeat the Gym Trainer so that one can obtain a badge which will be needed in the Pokemon League Battle. They also encountered friends along the way.

Trainers in this show also need to collect as many Pokemon as they can. They need to train these creatures to prepare them for battle. As the pokemon battles other types and if they win, they level up and become stronger. This anime has a tag line "Gotta Catch Em'All!".

Pokemon is not only in anime series but in video games. They come in different versions. They started to release the first generation versions and these include Yellow, Blue, Green and Red versions. The featured pokemons here were Pikachu, Squirtle, Bulbasaur and Charmander respectively. They also came up with other versions and for other versions, there are other pokemons that you can use for your quest.

Why do I find them the cute? I really like the way they were drawn and brought to life. My personal favorite would be Squirtle, a water-type pokemon. I also like the plot of the story which is never giving up through trials and obstacles. I also play the game quest of all versions from the old to the current ones in my personal computer and everytime I'm into it, I feel that I'm also doing the quest. Now, who is your favorite Pokemon?

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Couch Potato Madness: In The Name Of Love: Review


I'm in SM DasmariƱas yesterday only with the intention of buying things I need for everyday use like toiletries and some stuff. Since I finished early, I checked the films that are being shown in the cinemas. I found "In The Name Of Love" starring Jake Cuenca, Angel Locsin and Aga Muhlach. I heard a lot of positive feedback and reviews about this movie so I decided to enter the cinema and watch to confirm if the reviews are indeed true.


At first, I was thinking why this movie was entitled "In The Name Of Love" but at the latter part I finally understood it. The concept of the story revolved around dance, which kinda reminds me of the old movie Dirty Dancing. The moves are sensual. Kudos to Angel for doing a great job of performing pole dancing. Although she mentioned in some interviews that this is one scene that she had struggle doing, I must say that she did pretty fine. Aga's scenes and facial expressions only proves why he is one of the best in the land. Jake's performance cannot be denied as well. He did not let himself be overshadowed by the Angel and Aga.

Scenes that I liked:
-Cedes' (Angel) pole dancing.
-When Cedes is still staking on Eman (Aga) in Japan.
-When Cedes and Eman became lovers and they had quality time together.
-When Eman is auditioning as dance intructor for the Governor's Ball.
-When Eman saved the shot intended for Cedes at the Governor's Ball.

Scenes that I liked the least:
-The flashbacks are kinda confusing, although it helped me a lot understand the entire film.
-The ending, this scene seems to be flat!

If I will be given a chance to rate this movie 5 stars being the highest, my rating would be 4 stars. There are still room for improvements for this but over-all, the movie is good.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Music Zone: Song Of The Day: Mama By Spice Girls


It's Mother's Day! Did you greet your moms on this day? Since we are celebrating their greatness today, I've decided to feature the best song for them today on Music Zone. This song was sung by the most famous girl group of all time, The Spice Girls. The lyrics of this song will make you understand how caring, understandable and protective our moms are. This song is "Mama". Here is the video and the lyrics:


MAMA By Spice Girls

She used to be my only enemy and never let me be free
Catching me in places that I knew I should'nt be
Every other day I crossed the line I didn't mean to be so bad
I never thought you would become the friend I never had
Back then I didn't know why
Why you were misunderstood
So now I see through your eyes
All that you did was love
Mama I love you.Mama I care
Mama I love you . Mama my friend. You're my friend
I didn't want to hear it then but I'm not ashamed to say it now
Every little thing you said and did was right for me
I had a lot of to think about,about the way I usedto be
Never had a sense of my responsibility
Back then I didn't know why
Why you were misunderstood
So now I see through your eyes, all that you did was love
Mama, I love you. Mama, I care
Mama, I love you. Mama ,my friend. You're my friend
But now I'm sure I know why,
Why you were misunderstood
So now I see through your eyes
All I can give you is love is love
Mama I love you. Mama, I care
Mama, I love you. Mama, my friend,You're my friend
Mama, I love you, Mama ,I care
Mama, I love you, Mama, my friend, You're my friend


HAPPY MOTHER'S TO ALL THE MOMS IN THE WORLD!!! =)

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Couch Potato Madness: The 20 Best Thrown Lines Of All Time From Philippine Movies



Last week, I featured my top 20 best teleserye lines which are very memorable and I must say that those lines made an impact to the viewing public. I got the chance to see one of my favorite movies of all time on DVD which is "Bituing Walang Ningning" by Sharon Cuneta and the iconic villainess Cherrie Gil. They portray Dorina Pineda and Lavinia Arguelles respectively. Because of the powerful lines in this movie, I've decided to feature the 20 best lines of all time from the Filipino movies today on Couch Potato Madness. Lines delivered by veteran actresses, actors and comedians of the Philippine cinema. Let's start the countdown begin:

1. “You’re nothing but a second-rate, trying hard copycat!" - Cherie Gil, “Bituing Walang Ningning” (1985)

2. “Para kang karinderyang bukas sa lahat ng gustong kumain.” - Vilma Santos, “Palimos ng Pag-ibig” (1985)

3. “Walang himala! Ang himala ay nasa puso ng tao! Nasa puso nating lahat!" - Nora Aunor, “Himala” (1982)

4. “My brother is not a pig! My brother is not a pig! Ang kapatid ko ay tao, hindi baboy damo!" - Nora Aunor, “Minsa’y Isang Gamugamo” (1976)

5. “Once, twice, thrice, gaano ba kadalas ang minsan?" - Hilda Koronel, “Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan” (1982)

6. “Ayoko ng tinatapakan ako. Ayoko ng masikip, ayoko ng mabaho, ayoko ng walang tubig, ayoko ng walang pagkain, ayoko ng putik!" - Maricel Soriano, “Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit” (1984)

7. “Hayop... Hayuuup... Hayuuupppp!" - Nora Aunor, “Ina Ka Ng Anak Mo” (1979)

8. “Trabaho lang ito, walang personalan.” - Rudy Fernandez, “Markang Bungo” (1991)
9. “Si Val! Si Val! Puro na lang si Val! Si Val na walang malay!" - Vilma Santos, “Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig” (1987)

10. “Ikaw pala. Ikaw pala ang sinasabi ng asawa ko na asawa mo na asawa ng bayan!" - Laurice Guillen, “Nagalit ang Buwan sa Haba ng Gabi” (1983)

11. “Akala mo lang wala... pero meron! Meron! Meron!" - Carlo Aquino, “Bata, Bata...Paano Ka Ginawa?” (1998)

12. “Gutay-gutay na ang katawan nyo... pati na ang kaluluwa nyo!" - Sharon Cuneta, “Pasan Ko ang Daigdig” (1987)

13. “Sabel! This must be love!" - Carmi Martin, “Working Girls” (1986)

14. FPJ: “Ang problema sa ’yo, maaga kang ipinanganak.”
Sharon: “Ang problema naman sa ’yo, huli kang ipinanganak!"
- Fernando Poe Jr. and Sharon Cuneta, “Kahit Konting Pagtingin” (1990)

15. “Wala akong pakialam… ibalik mo sa akin si Jun-jun. Ibalik mo sa akin ang anak ko! Ibalik mo sa akin si Jun-jun. Ibalik mo ang... ahhhhh!"—Vilma Santos, “Paano Ba Ang Mangarap” (1983)

16. “Kung saan, kailan, at paanong labanan, magpasabi ka lang. Hindi kita uurungan!"—Sharon Cuneta, “Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin” (1984)

17. Alice: “Mamamatay ako, Ate, pag kinuha mo sa akin si Alex!”
Lorna: “Ipalilibing kita.”
Alice: “Ate, please!”
Lorna: “Nung inagaw mo sa ’kin si... muntik na rin akong mamatay. Puwes, ikaw naman ngayon ang mamatay.”
- Lorna Tolentino and Alice Dixson, “Nagbabagang Luha” (1988)

18. “Simple lang naman ang hinihingi ko. Kung hindi mo ako marespeto bilang asawa, respetuhin mo naman ako bilang kaibigan. Kung hindi naman, respetuhin mo ako bilang tao.”—Vilma Santos, Relasyon” (1982)

19. Rene: “Cheetaehhh... ganda lalake!”
Echo: “Ulol! Sinungaling! Panget! Panget!"
- Rene Requiestas, “Starzan”

20. “Kung hindi tayo kikilos sino ang kikilos? Kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa?" - Vilma Santos, “Sister Stella L.” (1984)

Reminscing the past movies, huh??? Hahaha!!! Surely, these lines are all hit! =)

Monday, May 2, 2011

Francine's Fire Soul: The Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 Experience


Last Saturday, while I'm strolling in SM DasmariƱas after paying my Internet bill, I passed by a store that sells mobile phones and accessories. I checked the phones they offered. Their boss who entertained me is somewhat Chinese and at first I was speaking to him in Tagalog. When I noticed that he is having a hard time understanding the words that I'm saying, I talked to him in English (good thing, I'm with the contact center industry...). The Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 phone caught my attention, so I asked the man there how much the phone was. He answered "Php10,300.00 of bought by cash...", then I asked if they accept credit cards as payment, luckily, they are. He advised me that if I'm going to use my credit card, the phone is at Php10,800. The good thing is it will be paid using 12-month installment method, so it's less hassle on my part. I checked the phone specifications and since I have my credit card with me, I decided to get one.

The things I love about Sony Ericsson Xperia X8:

-3G phone that means I should be able to connect to the internet as well.
-Wi-Fi enabled phone.
-It's touchscreen that feels that your already using iPhones.
-It's internal memory is 128MB and anyone can use a micro SD memory card up to 16GB (the phone comes with a 2GB memory card already)
-It's camera has 3.15 MP, 2048x1536 pixels (it's really clear) and capable of Geo-tagging.

I really love Sony Ericsson! I'm a big fan of it! =)

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Music Zone: International Artist Of The Week: Whitney Houston


While I'm cleaning my room a while ago, I saw an old album of Whitney Houston entitled "My Love Is Your Love", a CD I bought when it was launched in 1998. Most of the songs are upbeat. So I thought of featuring Whitney Houston and her greatest hits in today's Music Zone.

Whitney Houston is one name that everybody considers as a DIVA together the likes of Mariah Carey, Barbara Streisand and Celine Dion. Her forte is RnB and Pop. She is hailed as the most awarded female artist of all time according to Guiness World Records. She is a mezzo-soprano singer and when I listen to her songs, I'm really amazed by her vocal range. Her songs are always used for singing competitions. She was also noted for her movie "The Bodyguard" with Kevin Costner.

My Top Five Whitney Houston Songs

5. One Moment In Time (1988) - is an Emmy Award winning song written by Albert Hammond and John Bettis, and recorded by American singer Whitney Houston for the 1988 Summer Olympics and the 1988 Summer Paralympics held in Seoul, South Korea.


4. I Will Always Love You (1992) - Whitney recorded this song for the movie "The Bodyguard" where is she the leading star paired up with Kevin Costner.



3. Miracle (1991) - is the third single from Whitney Houston's multi-platinum third album, I'm Your Baby Tonight. It was written and produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface.


2. Run To You (1993) - is a song performed by Whitney Houston and is the fourth single released from The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album.



1. Saving All My Love For You (1985) - is the second hit single from Whitney Houston's self-titled debut album. This jazzy ballad is about a love affair with a married man, and the singer is "saving all her love for him".


Whitney's songs will live forever and will always be cherished, that's for sure.