bury me in this dress

Six critically-acclaimed films will be shown in Manila and Cebu during the 7th Australian Film Festival. The Manila leg will be held at the Greenbelt Cinema from November 5 to 8, 2009. The featured films are the following:

The Black Balloon
Follows the story of 15-year old Thomas (Rhys Wakefield) who tries to fit in his new life as his family moves to a new home while taking care of his autistic older brother Charlie (Luke Ford, The Mummy-Tomb of the Dragon Emperor) and nurturing a budding romance with new girlfriend Jackie (Australian supermodel and actress Gemma Ward). Charlie takes Thomas on an emotional journey in a story that is funny, confronting and ultimately heart-warming. This film also stars Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning actress Toni Collette (Sixth Sense, About A Boy).  The Black Balloon was awarded the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival Crystal Bear for Best Feature-Length film in the Generation 14plus category and Australian Film Institute Awards for Best Direction, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Film, Best Screenplay, and Best Editing.

Unfinished Sky

When Tahmeena stumbles onto John’s isolated farm, he has no choice but to take her in. An illegal refugee, she’s been badly beaten and speaks no English. While John’s not inclined to welcome visitors, he’s even less inclined to involve the police. As they communicate through signs, pictures and a gradual understanding of each other’s language, John and Tahmeena both begin to recover their faith in themselves and their trust in humanity. Tahmeena brings the homestead back to life, reopening John’s eyes to the beauty of his land. In return, John tries to track down the daughter Tahmeena sent ahead from war-ravaged Afghanistan. With renewed confidence they step out of the sanctuary of the farm, but in doing so, reveal themselves to the violent criminals who’ve been looking for Tahmeena. Unfinished Sky is a powerful, poetic and sensual love story that peels away layers of hurt and mistrust to reveal the beauty of freedom, hope and choice.
The Bank

A political thriller set in the world of high finance.

Danny Deckchair

Based on a true story, the tale of a cement truck driver named Danny, whose long awaited vacation is cancelled thanks to his scheming girlfriend, Trudy. Danny escapes his grim life in suburban Australia and blasts into the skies in a chair tied with helium balloons. A mighty thunderstorm blows him clean off the map, and spits him out far away over the lush green town of Clarence. In this new town, he rockets into the world of Glenda, the town’s only parking cop. While the media back home becomes obsessed with the story of his disappearance, Danny gets to reinvent himself in this new town, and in his great adventure, he discovers a true soulmate in Glenda. Fate catches up with him eventually, as Danny’s true identity is revealed and Trudy–now a tabloid celebrity–comes to the idyllic town to claim Danny and drag him back to Sydney. Danny, however, is a changed man; he’s discovered what it means to be happy and has found a new self-worth. Saying farewell to Trudy, Danny makes a dynamic re-entry to the town of Clarence–determined to win Glenda back again and embrace his newfound zest for life.
(more…)

I want a free trip to attend the Youth Engagement Summit 2009 in Kuala Lumpur. It’s a 4 days 3 nights trip which includes airfare. Those who win will get to meet Biz Stone, Sir Bob Geldof, Amitabh Bachchan, Nando Parrado and more! I already joined but I want you to go with me. Just fill up the form here and increase chances of winning by inviting more friends.

Eligibility

• 18 to 35 years old
• Permanent resident of Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand or Vietnam

Please please please join using my link. I really want to go.

etonAPOtalaga!

I was there! In fact, I liveblogged and livetweeted the event. The concert started at 7:30 PM and only half the capacity of UP Theater was filled. I was disappointed but after 30 minutes or so, the seats were almost full. I and Marck had our own table and chairs on the right side of the theater so we were kind of detached from the event. Still, there were times when I sang and clapped and cheered. I really had fun. Of course, the highlight for me is seeing Noynoy. I squealed when he entered the theater. *blush*

After the concert, I was hesitant to approach Noy but Phoebe dragged me. I was too shy to have our photo taken so I just took one of him and Phoebe. I had a picture with Mar Roxas though. Hrhrhrhr. I’m sure there will be other opportunities for photos but right now, I am content with just seeing Noy. *blush*

Another blessing I received, Noy began following me on Twitter. I have to thank Helga, Sparks, Elena, and Ederic for tweeting that he should follow me. I don’t know if it’s really him but I don’t care much. I’m just really happy.

Vote Noynoy for President!!!!!!

the loot

Spending all that money for Vivienne Westwood stuff was a good move because my blog post about it won me the Shopaholic contest sponsored by nuffnang. I wasn’t the top winner but I’m in the top 10. I got a couple of Shopaholic goodies which I gave to my sister except for the notepad which I can use for work. I also won me 2 tickets for the premiere of the movie…except that I didn’t know about it and Nuffnang gave the prize on the same night of the premiere. *sigh* So I watched it alone. Good thing I enjoyed the movie. It’s a no-brainer but still entertaining.

I celebrated my birthday with a few friends last November 26. A lot couldn’t come. It’s their loss. Hmmp. Here are some photos taken by Jenny.

great food. ate too much that i became sick afterwards

mmm cakes. but i r annoyed cos i had to buy a slice just to blow a candle

journal from jenny. tickets to london to follow daw

(more…)

My Halloween for this year was fun. I had a Medusa costume made. The dress was a big fat failure but the head dress is a winner. The costume is expensive but I don’t care anymore.

Jenny was with me and we had dinner at my uncle’s Figaro franchise in High Street. It was a good meal and even better because it was for free. A couple of my relatives were there, checking out the people and me in costume. I just let them be. Why deprive them of any fun, right?

jenny and me

Jenny and I finally went to Eternal Death Wake a bit past 9pm. Mag:net was packed and we weren’t able to get a table so we just sat on some speakers. The bands could only perform 3 songs each because of the long line-up. We rocked to Scarlet Tears which I am a fan of and Jenny is a convert now. When the noisier goth bands were on stage, we headed outside to smoke and chatter. We met some new people which was neat. I was complaining how the place was so packed and the heat was killing me. I told Jenny we’ll go home already (this was only around 10pm) but when we went down, I talked to Pola and Katrina and then decided to go with them to Cubao-X.

Pola and dementia

me and katrina

me and a drunk luigi

dott with my head piece

Pola and her boyfriend decided not to go to Cubao-X anymore so we dropped them off near Farmer’s Mart. There wasn’t much people in Cubao-X when we got there but we saw old UP college pals at Mogwai and they asked us to join them.

marla, dementia, lyle, and monra

dementia and jun

ianco with my snakes

Pola surprised us by arriving sans boyfriend but it was already late when she got there and we were about to go home. I didn’t get to hang out with Katrina and company because I was busy catching up with college friends. Sorry, Katrina. Jenny and I left around 2:30am because I needed to prepare for my out-of-town trip.

katrina, sam, ayn, jiggy, and me

I had a lot of fun at Cubao-X. It was more fun that Eternal Death Wake actually and I’m glad I went there. This year’s Halloween was a blast and I’m so glad I went out unlike last year.

The photos in this post were taken either by Katrina or Jenny. I couldn’t take photos because of my lashes.

I was lucky enough to get invited by Lorna to view the dress rehearsal of La Boheme last night. The Puccini opera is being brought to life by Floy Quintos and the Philippine Opera Company. Almost everything was retained from the original opera. The names of the characters and the Italian libretto are the same except Mr. Quintos set the opera in Manila with present day problems of lovers and starving artists.

Since I only saw the run-through, I witnessed a lot of technical problems like the distracting/ill-timed spot lights, awkward blockings, and acting mistakes. Hopefully Mr. Quintos and company will be able to perfect everything when the curtain goes up on October 3. I was delighted with the video backdrop which Furball created although I learned that there will be some changes to it during the run itself. 

More information about the cast and the opera can be found here. La Boheme will be on stage from October 3 to 5 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Ticket prices are as follows: P500 (balcony 2), P1,000 (balcony 1 side),  P1,500 (balcony 1 center), P2,000 (orchestra side 2), P2,500 (orchestra side), P3,000 (orchestra center), and 4,000 (opening night orchestra center).

I registered for WordCamp Philippines as soon as they announced it. I blogged the required post (now deleted) and I thought I was in. However, I never got the WordCamp pass the organizers send through emails. I looked for it even in the spam folder but nothing. It’s no big deal. A lot of bloggers are heading to the event as I write this but I’m here enjoying the bed weather and plurking away.

Mrs. Noemi Dado of Touched By An Angel blog informed me that Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (CBTL) will be offering a free workshop on creative writing, photography, and videography on the 24th of June at their branch in Bonifacio High Street. I signed up for the workshop on June 18. On the day of the event, I learned that my family will entertain our balikbayan relative that night at Serendra. I haven’t seen my Aunt Rose for years so I decided to prioritize family even though I’ve always been a big fan of CBTL. When we got to High Street, my other relatives weren’t there yet so I decided to drop by the workshop. I informed the girl with the sign up sheet that I wouldn’t be able to stay long but she said I should still fill up her sheet. After doing that, I went inside and saw some people I know from my days working for ABS-CBN. We chatted a bit since the workshop hasn’t started yet. I also greeted some bloggers I know. When the workshop was about to begin, I got a call from my mom and she told me that I should go to Conti’s since they’re eating already. I had to leave the event and join the relatives.

I’m sure the event was a success. My relatives and I passed by CBTL a couple of times and I saw that the workshop attendees were busy doing their tasks. I know I missed out by not going to the workshop but CBTL is still my favorite. Especially their “The Ultimate” – mocha and no whipped cream please. To make up for it, some of my college friends and I had a spontaneous reunion last June 25 and we went to CBTL Eastwood.

It was a fun night. I missed my college friends. It was a night of nostalgia and catching up on each others’ lives.

I went to the 12th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta last Sunday with Phoebe, Jef, Egg, Mark, Patrick, Anthon, Loreyn, Jet, Kate, and our driver Arman. Got sunburned and drained but twas worth it all even if I have to spend a day recuperating. I didn’t have any sleep the night before because my friends came over early and we left at 3am. I wanted to kick them out but it was already too late. Hehe. Click the photo below to get to the album.