Movie #11: Unofficially Yours

Watched it last: February 15

Watched it with: Celine, Hazel, Leah and April
Released last: February 2012

WHY I WATCHED IT: JLC! JLC is, for me, the best actor of his generation. And he doesn’t even have to resort to showing his abs to be effective.

We’ve seen this plot before in lots of Hollywood movies, mostly in recent years. “Friends With Benefits” (Di ko pa napanood) and “No Strings Attached” (Napanood ko na), to name a few. Except for the indie film “Ligo na U, Lapit Na Me”, this is one of the few local films, if not one of the first ones, to mainly touch on this topic. And a mainstream commercial film at that!

I wouldn’t rave about its plot, because obviously it’s hardly original. But I guess, putting it in the Filipino context, in a way it is. Let’s face it, as conservative as we purport to be as a people, this is a fairly common setup in adult relationship these days. Having said that, I appreciate the Filipino touch to it. (Which I am betting that “Ligo Na U..” has done already, but I don’t know for sure because I wasn’t able to catch that one).

JLC’s acting. JLC’s superb acting is as sure as the rising of the sun every single day. Naks! JLC and Angel both had heavy dramatic sequences, but I was more emotionally affected by JLC’s. Angel showed a remarkably improved performance, but JLC was simply way better.

The Roommates. Most enjoyable and entertaining local romcoms bank on a dependable supporting cast. And JLC’s roommates were exactly that. They provided adequate comic punch lines every now and then, and the obligatory but amazingly insightful advices (which made me think – who are these people and why are they so wise! Haha).

Fear of love. Oh, can I write an entire blog post on this topic. Haha! I think that one’s attitude on love, regardless of one’s personal experience on it, is mainly dependent on the people that surround us. I know a few people who’ve been beaten hard by the tragedy of their love lives, and yet they still believe in love simply because they see it from their families or friends. Experience should lead them to be so jaded and untrusting, but knowing that it exists by seeing it on others only strengthens their resolve to be patient and still believe that someday, it’ll be their turn on the happy ever after.

Love has its limits. I’ve said this time and again. But really, it’s surprising how love can stretch your previously-set limits. Haha!

Overall, the movie was entertaining. It effectively infused the comic moments in the daring scenes, which I think is more of a calculated move than a creative one, just so the movie wouldn’t be too “liberated” or “daring” to the usually conservative Filipino audience that make or break box office hits. And I say that is just fine. The leads don’t really have that daring sexy image anyway (even as Angel Locsin is often voted as one of the sexiest), and this movie reinforces their hold on this film genre and provides a fresh facet to their line of portrayals at the same time. There are also many quotable quotes, akin to another John-Lloyd-Cruz-Cathy-Garcia-Molina movie, “One More Chance”. One major weakness of the movie though is that once the serious dramatic stuff started, it kinda lost its entertainment value. I found myself wanting to fast forward to the ending to skip the let-us-explain-why-these-characters-are-this-way-by-letting-them-cry-buckets- of- tears-while-they-are-at-it.

RECOMMENDED FOR: Star Cinema romcom fans! Some people are sick of it, but hey, this movie is another reason why we love them Star Cinema romcoms. Haha!

2012 Goals - Hit It With My Best Shot (Part 2)

For Part 1, click here.

GOAL #6: Be less snappy. I’ve always had this snobbish and intimidating reputation. It has its advantages, but when I find myself being unnecessarily snappy at people, I am turned off by my own self. Haha! I don’t know if being more mellow will affect my intimidating aura, but I’d rather that I relate to people much more nicer.

Passing Grade / Ultimate Goal: Again, I do not know how to measure this. Do I count the times I find myself snapping back to people? Haha! I will just try my best to be less snappy in general.

GOAL #7: Travel! I have this theory that the reason that I am such into geography is that when my Mama was still pregnant with me, they traveled Europe (courtesy of Papa’s former company in Nigeria). It has always been my dream to “see and experience” the world out there! Knowing the capitals just isn’t enough. Haha! Now that I am working I should be able to start fulfilling this dream already. I know this takes money, so having Goal #5 in mind, I should start simple and travel to local places first before I go Dora the Explorer on the world out there. Haha! Besides, it’s more fun in the Philippines!

Passing Grade: Travel to 3 places I’ve never been to. I already went to Tagaytay last week, so 2 more places and I’m good.

Ultimate Goal: Travel to 6 places I’ve never been to. 5 more to go! Hehe!

GOAL #8: Read 10 books. I want to reignite my passion for reading this year. For many, many years now, I rarely read books. I still read a lot of stuff, like in the internet and magazines, but there’s certain fulfillment when you get to finish an actual book. I miss the smell of the pages!

Passing Grade: Read 7 books. E-books should not count.

Ultimate Goal: 10 books. I already have 4 books, I’d have to find 6 more books to read! Any suggestions?

GOAL #9: Watch 100 movies. Last year, I started listing the movies I get to watch. I was only able to watch 81 movies. During my post-college vacation, I was able to watch many flicks, but when I started working already, I barely had the time. Well, I still had enough time. It’s just that I watch too many TV series as well, haha! So that’s another story. But this year, I have more time and so I think I can totally reach the goal!

Passing Grade: Watch more than 81 movies. At least it would be more than before.

Ultimate Goal: 100 movies.

GOAL #10: Find the Game-Changer. I used to call this shtick “The One Who Will Make Me Eat Isaw”, or “The One” for short. But then, back in 2009, my college friends threw me a surprise “Isaw Birthday Party” and so I was “forced” to eat isaw. Haha! So this time, instead of looking for “The One”, I will be looking for “The Game Changer”. Why “Game-Changer”? I’ve been single for many years now and I have learned to master it, haha! It’s time to level up the ante and go to the next level. I know I am more than ready. All I need is to find her – the one will change this game called life forever. Char. Hahaha.

There is no passing grade. The Ultimate Goal is not ultimate for nothing. Haha! Find the Game-Changer!

To be honest, I am already worried about meeting some of these goals, haha! Because some of them have conflict of interests with the others (i.e., Goal #5 is a detrimental to Goal #7 and possibly Goal #10, haha!). But therein lies the excitement, right? Some things are just worth sacrificing for. ;D

2012 Goals - Hit It With My Best Shot (Part 1)

I’ve never been the New-Year’s-resolution type of person. Call me jaded or whatever, but how many people have I heard who vowed to be better every New Year’s and yet they continue to be the same person they’ve always been – flaws and all. 


Also, while I recognize that the idea of synchronizing our personal phase of “starting over” with the “start over” of the calendar is more conducive to changes, I just feel that any time of the year is a good time to change for the better. What it really takes is the genuine resolve to improve ourselves.


On the other hand, having goals inspire us. So this year, I decided to write a list of “goals”, as opposed to “resolutions”. I know, I know, it’s basically the same thing. But for some reason, calling them “goals” adds a more serious, motivative and inspiring ring to it. Haha!


I will list down my goals and at the end of the year, let’s see how I fared. I will indicate a “passing grade” metric, which means that if and when I fall short of my ultimate goal, reaching this level is something I can be happy about already. 


GOAL #1: Pull down my weight. Ugh, my weight gain at the latter part of the year has been frustrating. Ever since I started working, I rarely had time for physical activities. Apparently, my daily hurdles event at the MRT isn’t enough. My tummy has gotten too big! I am now about 165 lbs. A few weeks ago, there was a Fitness First booth at the health fair and I submitted myself to their weight test (it was free after all). They say I have to lose 30 lbs in order to achieve my ideal weight. 30 freaking lbs?!?! And in another booth, they told me my body age was 41! The horror! Haha!
So now, for the sake of my body age and my clothing allowance (I don’t want to have to buy new clothes because I can’t fit into the ones I already have), I will have an active goal of weight loss, instead of just nonchalantly cutting my carbs intake.
Passing Grade: 150 lbs
Ultimate Goal: 140 lbs


GOAL #2: Finish a 5k-run. More than ever, I have decided to take running more seriously. Aside from the fact that it is a worthwhile and healthy endeavor, it will help me with Goal #1. Even as I’ve starting jogging many years ago, my level is still that of a newbie. So at the very least, I want to improve my cardio endurance. Right now, I can jog without having to stop for rest for 3 minutes. At the start of the year, my limit was 2 minutes. What an improvement, right?! Insert sarcasm here. Haha! Jogging 1-2 times a week should help me reach my goal.
Passing Grade: Stretch my jogging “limit” to 7 minutes
Ultimate Goal: Finish a 5k-run, and stretch my jogging limit to 10 minutes


GOAL#3: Blog at least 52 times. In 2011, I was able to write 19 posts. It’s even less than my output in 2010. This year, I want to be able to write more because writing is something I actually enjoy doing. My unsatisfactory output for the past couple of years is mainly due to many distractions. And when I started working, I rarely found the time. But now that I have more time in my hands (ever since I moved closer to work), I should be able to at least post something every week!
Passing Grade: 40 posts
Ultimate Goal: 52 posts


GOAL #4: Have better time management. This goal was originally “utilize my Starbucks 2012 planner better”. For years, my expensive and over-rates Starbucks planners have served more as diaries instead of planners. I usually write stuff in it AFTER things happen, as opposed to BEFORE when I’m still planning them.
But now that I have an Android smartphone, using apps to be more organized is more practical. Not to mention more “sersyal”, haha!
Basically, I just want to be able to more productive. I have more time in my hands now and yet I find myself not being able to do as much as I should.
Passing Grade / Ultimate Goal: I actually don’t know how to measure this one. Let’s just say that I’m able to write in my planner weekly, I know that I am using my planner adequately. Also, I would know if I would be able to juggle my time well if I am able to do “more” – and still be well-rested at that! Maximizing my potential is the real goal here, people! Haha!


GOAL #5: Have substantial savings at the end of the calendar year. Currently, my rule of thumb is that I should be able to save 20% of my take home pay. I immediately “set it aside” when I budget my monthly income. But I rarely am able to follow that budget! My gimik or miscellaneous expenses usually eat up a portion of my savings so while I am still able to save some every month, I am not building up my savings as fast as I should be.
Passing Grade: Savings that is worth around 80% of my monthly salary
Ultimate Goal: Savings that is worth my monthly salary

For Part 2, click here.

2011 Recap - Extraordinary

“2011, 2010 has given me so much that I don't know what to ask/expect from you anymore. Surprise me.”

We rarely measure changes in our lives by the day. If we think about how we spend the 24 hours of each day, it’s pretty obvious why.

Firstly, we spend about a third of it asleep. Secondly, we usually just do routine stuff. It’s not every day that we do something different or out of character that yields a considerable amount of change in our personality – or our future. But when you lump 365 days together, we see clearly what difference a year makes.

I said in my 2010 memoir that “as a whole, 2010, was one of the best years I’ve had in recent memory”. Imagine my delightful surprise when 2011 turned out to be an even more fantastic year for me. Boy, was I surprised indeed!

It’s easy to pinpoint the two biggest highlights of my 2011: finally graduating from college and finally getting a job. Although I expected these two milestones to happen this year, I never imagined the wonderful “bonuses” that came along when they happened: 1) my college diploma came with a “Best Thesis” award and 2) I got hired by a very prestigious multi-national company – despite my very blemished scholastic record.

I couldn’t be any more satisfied with the current status of my career. I mean, given the multiple mishaps in my academic life, I predicted that while I breezed through sealing the deal for my college diploma, I thought that jumpstarting my career would prove to be more challenging. But in the end, my golden streak with opportunity has not yet ended and I landed a job that appreciated my skills and experience. Of course, I recognize that the level of my career is hardly at par with my contemporaries but this start was way more than what I had hoped for and what I had expected I deserved.

All the other wonderful changes and highlights of my year were made possible by these two biggest ones. I am deeply thankful to God for making all these happen this year. In my darkest, most tumultuous moments in the past decades, I mulled over the reasons why I always had to stumble and why I couldn’t seem to get a break. As difficult and challenging it was, I kept my faith and believed in my heart that someday, I will understand why. Well, I think that “someday” has finally come.

Of course, one can argue that who knows, I could be in a much better place right now if all those bad things had not happened. But if there’s one thing that my faith in Him has taught me, I should never question the wisdom in His plans for me. (I don’t mean to be preachy, but I just want to share that that is what fuelled my strength and patience in enduring all these years).

2011 was truly a wonderful beginning to the current chapter of my life. Albeit delayed, I believe that this is what makes my story quite extraordinary, don’t you think? Extraordinary things happen to extraordinary people. And although there are times that “extraordinary” can be quite unfavorable, I like to believe that I am made of extraordinary stuff that allows to make the most out of any situation – extraordinary or not.

I was a daydream

Quiet and unseen

I lived in stories but inside I kept a mystery

Nobody's darling

Flying in perfect circles just for company

And now I'm ready 

And now I'm ready

And now I'm ready to be extraordinary
~"Extraordinary" by Mandy Moore

2011 Recap - My Most Played Songs

Thanks to my Last.FM account, I am now able to keep track of the songs I play on my laptop, so no need to manually tally them. Not that I have done that before. Haha!

#1 Adele - Someone Like You
Oh, definitely my song of the year. Not that I could relate to this song this year, but this one simply perfectly captured one of the worst pains one could ever have -- heartache. I can listen to this one all day.

#2 The Backbeats - Landslide

First heard this one when The Backbeats performed it in "The Sing-Off" Season 2.

#3 The Script - If You Ever Come Back

But she never did. Neh Lawi? Haha!

#4 Kelly Clarkson - Mr. Know It All

The original American Idol was back with a great album this year!

#5 Katy Perry - Last Friday Night (TGIF)

Ooh, I've had many great Friday nights this year! Not Katy Perry level though. Haha!

#6 Maroon 5 ft Christina Aguilera - Moves Like Jagger

As a newbie in the company, I performed this with batchmates in the office Christmas Party! Ugh. Haha!

#7 Adele - Rolling In The Deep

Best. Angst. Song. EVER.

#8 Javier Colon - Stitch By Stitch

My bet for The Voice won! Last time the contestant I rooted for won was in American Idol Season 8 when Kris Allen beat Adam Lambert.

#9 The Script - Nothing

Two emo songs from The Script in my Top 10. I should not be judged.

#10 Avril Lavigne - What The Hell

Angst and Bad-ass jam sound in one song, saan ka pa!

#11 Jojo - Disaster

#12 Cast of Glee - Loser Like Me

#13 The Script - Science & Faith

#14 Lady Gaga - Born This Way

#15 Shontelle - Reflection

#16 Greyson Chance - Unfriend You

#17 Yeng Constantino - Wag Na

#18 Sugarland - Stand Up

#19 Delilah - Grenade

#20 Maroon 5 - Just A Feeling

#21 Olly Murs - Thinking Of Me

#22 Taylor Swift - The Story Of Us

#23 Maroon 5 - Never Gonna Leave This Bed

#24 Kelly Clarkson - Tell Me A Lie

#25 Charice - Lost The Best Thing

#26 Cast of Glee - Light Up The World

#27 Beyonce - Best Thing I Never Had

#28 Beyonce - Run The World (Girls)

#29 Reba McEntire - Turn On The Radio

#30 Lady Antebellum - Just A Kiss

#31 Simple Plan ft Natasha Bedingfield - Jet Lag

#32 Javier Colon - Time After Time

#33 Natasha Bedingfield - Strip Me

#34 Delilah - Whataya Want From Me

#35 Cee Lo Green - It's Ok

#36 Jordin Sparks - I Am Woman

#37 One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful

#38 Gloriana - Wanna Take You Home

#39 Colbie Caillat - Brighter Than The Sun

#40 Cast of Glee - Take Me Or Leave Me

#41 Chris Brown - Look At Me Now

#42 Jojo - The Other Chick

#43 Jule Anne San Jose - Super Bass

#44 McFly & Taio Cruz - Shine A Light

#45 Adele - Rumor Has It

#46  Sponge Cola - Tambay

#47 Train - Marry Me

#48 Alex Gaudino ft Kelly Rowland - What A Feeling

#49 Fantasia - Collard Greens & Cornbread

#50 David DiMuzio - Naiisio Mo Ba

26 + 1 = 27

I think this will be the first time in years that I get to post this mandatory birthday post during my actual birthday. Haha! Well, thanks to all the extra time I have since I moved closer to work.


So, how did I usher in my 27th birthday? Nothing special really. As I type this very paragraph, my laptop clock just turned 12:00 midnight! *Pause* Happy Birthday to me! Hmm, okay, moment over. Haha!


Well, on the eve of my birthday, I bought a box of Krispy Kreme donuts. I know, I know, I’ve been packing in the pounds since I stopped even trying to jog (or play badminton at that) a month ago. But hey, IT IS my birthday. If I want to eat something fancy to satisfy my sweet tooth, calories be damned.


I also went to Starbucks for my grande cup of Cranberry White Chocolate Mocha and decided to try their Turkey and Chicken Wrap with Apple Stuffing. I haven’t had dinner because I stayed late at work (for both work and “extra-work” stuff). Again, calories and gastos be damned! Haha! (EDIT: On my way to work today, I again passed by Starbucks! Birthday ko, I should not be judged!)


And when I got home, I simply went through the last minute stuff I had to do tonight. You see, tomorrow (well, today actually) is our company’s Christmas Party and I’m part of the committee that organizes it. I had some tasks to do and I’m relieved I was able to finish them without much hitch. I don’t want to be stressed on my birthday. 


Now I don’t think anyone at work knows tomorrow is my birthday, haha! I’ve mentioned it to my batchmates a few months ago, but nobody seems to remember anymore because none of them has mentioned anything to me lately.


This little factoid (my birthdate) will prove to be crucial information. Haha! If my officemates will start greeting me I’m sure my age is bound to be brought up. And that fact, my friends, is some sensational (at least to them) information I don’t to be revealed just yet. Hahaha!


And so, it’s almost 10 minutes past midnight, I’m officially 27 years old (I was born at 12:08am)! Yey!


*Switching to 3rd Person*


Happy Birthday, Rex! You haven’t planned anything special today. I don’t know what kind of schtick you are playing because we both know you love surprises and celebrations all that (which is why you do that to your friends whenever you can). But I think you’ve accepted that fact that circumstances are not conducive to wonderful merriment. And it’s actually amazingly weird that you are okay with that. Enjoy this day nonetheless. Just pretend that the company Christmas Party is your Birthday Party. Who knows you just might win the grandest prize in the raffle draw. Haha! Have an amazing day ahead, and I hope you will get the most perfect birthday gift we both know you are truly longing for – year after year. Ingat! 


PS. That cold you suspect to be nursing already, I hope it doesn’t get worse today.