Here’s the schedule according to the Alliance Francaise website

All the films will be shown at Shangri-la Cinema. I’m looking forward to watching Les Chansons d’ Amour, Un baiser s’il vous plait, La Mome, and Qui m’aime me Suive.

Wahoo! It’s that time of the year again, when Japanophiles flock to Shangri-la mall to watch the film festival sponsored by Japan Foundation, Manila. Here’s this year’s schedule:

Shangri-la Plaza

Cultural Center of the Philippines

UP Film Institute

Source: The Japan Foundation Website

I won’t be in Manila on the 14th but I want to plug this event. You should check out Elemento and Slave Drum.

STIMULI ( Environment Influence Behavior ) electronica + noise + industrial + IDM + experimental + ambient + elektro

A dark and inviting descent through textures that swirl and drift like liquid smoke while ethno-electronic grooves throb with primal urges. This presents an interesting collision of atmospheric sound and rhythmic textures that immerses deep in to the subconcious. Featuring a selection of musician and sound-artists combining essential-organic, electronic, rhythmic and atmospheric elements to create another level of sound listening.

Let us take you there…

Experience a night of experimentation in sound, featuring a diverse line up of performers, ranging from ambient, electro, industrial, tripno beat to noise. With performances from the ethno-industrial band Elemento, the texture driven Blend:er, the southern Ambient trio The Slavedrum, the electro industrial band Decay Transit, Nyabinghi and the throbbing rhythm of Vikno. ALL IN MAY 14TH @ Penguin Cafe, Malate

Friday night I met up with Phoebe at Shangri-la so we can dine at Cibo. I miss the food there and I ordered my usual. Telefono with spaghettini and the Crostini with the Spinach dip. Did I spell that correctly? Phoebe ordered her usual as well which is Spaghetti Alfonso (I think). Basta it tasted good. We’re kind of lactose intolerant though and our stomachs were rumbling after the cream-based pastas.

Last night I had another Italian dinner at Amici. It was my first time there and I was surprised that it’s a self-service restaurant. The place was packed but Phoebe and I got a table easily. I forgot what she ordered. I wasn’t able to taste it because she ate it all so fast. That girl has a really big appetite. I got Spaghetti Vongoli something something. Very long name but I didn’t like it much. It also took a loooong time to arrive so I just lapped up the pizza we shared. It was the Al Funghi pizza (my spelling sucks, I know!) and it was really good. I think Amici’s specialty is their pizzas. Jenny caught up with us and we indulged in their toe-curling gelatos and profiteroles. I especially loved the sans rival gelato and ended up buying 1 kilo of it to take home. I think the price is reasonable for P450.

Yummy pizza!

Scrumptious profiteroles

After Amici, we hung out at our usual Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Only Phoebe ordered because Jenny and I were so full but usually I order The Ultimate mocha there. Since I bought that gelato from Amici, I asked the staff if they can store it in their refrigerator and they were so nice enough to accomodate me. We spent hours there just talking about different things. Phoebe showed me her new Sony Ericsson W960i and I’m now more tempted to get one too. We used the free wifi there and their internet was fast. I’m not sure if it’s because of the phone or just the ISP in the cafe. We made plans of going to Fort Ilocandia soon. If I’m going to buy a W960i, I won’t have enough money for the vacation so now I’m having second thoughts about the trip. Is the phone more worth it or Fort Ilocandia which I’ve never been to? We talked about so many things from American Idol contestants (I don’t watch it anymore) to US politics. Fun times. I haven’t gone out for ages because of the damn PCOS so last night was a good catch-up for us three.

I want to go to the gig since some of my friends will be playing. If my period is gone by the 10th, I’ll definitely watch this.

My friend Emman emailed me about a new film he’s making. Audition will be held later.

CALL FOR AUDITIONS for the movie

“1434456″

From the makers of Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Olivers, Sarongbanggi and Endo comes a new exploration of the ordinary.

ufo Pictures’ lates project 1434456 is the colorful story of Mr. Singh who is fondly called “Jimmy Paybsiks” . A 49-year-old Punjabi widower, he faces the challenge of finding a more permanent sense of home and country for his children who find themselves growing up more and more assimilated in the Filipino way of life.

1434456 recasts contemporary Manila as the unexplored borderlines between the Philippines and India - a landscape marked by both friction and friendship.

The film also offers a refreshingly upbeat take on 5-6; backed by research, it truthfully reflects the positive outlook shared by many Filipinos especially the small business entrepreneurs who directly benefit from the financing scheme.

1434456 examines the colorful stories and inevitable struggles of a migrant sector rarely given a second look or even a thoughtful pause in our society.

WE NEED ACTORS OF INDIAN DESCENT

We are looking for Indina/Fil-Indians (with or without acting experience) for the following roles:

1) Father (late 30’s -50 yrs old)

Amiable, speaks fluent Punjabi and broken Tagalog, knows how to ride a motrcycle.

2) Son (age 16-22 yrs old)

Rebellious but responsible, knows how to ride a motorcylcle.

3) Daughter/Sister (age 8-12 years old)

Funny and smart, speaks her mind. Good dancer, speaks Tagalog fluently.

4) Son’s Girlfriend (age 16-22 years old)

Free thinker and strong willed, willing to learn Indian dance.

WHEN: 03 April 2008 (Thursday)

VENUE: Hindu Temple Inc., Mahatma Ghandi St. (cor Apacible St.), Paco, Manila

TEL. NO. : 5218103

TIME: 2pm - 5pm

There will be a Hot Air Balloon Fiesta on Feb. 10 and I want to go! Pucha malapit na pala ito and I should have planned the trip earlier. Our Awesome Planet posted a food/travel tour for those interested. I don’t know how much it is. I hope it’s for free

Obviously I hardly read lengthy entries. It says pay as you order. lol

I don’t read dates either! The cost is P4,800. And the correct link is www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2008/01/up-up-and-a-awa.html#more

I took Yasu to a tea party organized by Ampao and her Events Planning classmates in Ateneo. It was somewhere in Balara, Quezon City. Quite hard to find but the venue was nicely decorated by the class. Only a few members of Manika Manila were able to attend but it was still fun. There were free food, mostly sweets and pastries. The class also took photos of the dolls. Actually I don’t understand the purpose of the event. Not my problem. At least there were lots of free food.

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Yasu now has 3 close friends: Cahel, Kim, and Lev. He bonded with Kim and Lev when I went to Ricci’s house to restring, sand, put top coat on him, and have his nails painted black. I didn’t know how so I needed Ricci’s help. I had to leave Yasu with her for a week because I had to leave early. Ricci took care of the rest and while Yasu was there, he bonded with her dolls.

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Yasu’s friends were there as well as some other dolls. Lev had to borrow some of Yasu’s clothes because he didn’t know it was a formal event. Yasu was reluctant but he lent them in the end since they’re friends now. Good for him. He’s not too selfish anymore.

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Ugh. This entry sounds so weird, even crazy! I’ll just show the photos I took of the event. Just click on the photo to get to the album.

UP is 100 years old and there will be a kick-off to celebrate its centennial. There kick-off will be on Jan. 8 starting at 4 PM with a parade at the Oblation Plaza then a fireworks display at 10 PM at the ampitheater. So UP peeps and friends, see you there?!