Mabuhay Restop

Tucked away in a little corner of the Rizal Park in Manila is a small nondescript restaurant that offers inexpensive Filipino food from 7:00 a.m. till 10:00 p.m. daily seven days a week.You can't miss the Mabuhay Restop! It's situated right across the Museum of Manila a stone's throw away from the Quirino Grandstand and the Manila Ocean Park.

Spearheaded by the charming Ms Rose Cabrera, Mabuhay Restop is one of the projects of Gawad Kalinga which is a non profit organization that is geared towards empowering the underprivileged. A noble program indeed! Ms. Billie de Jesus is in charge of Marketing and Promotions.  Both ladies  are working out ways to promote the resto the best way they can. 

On the ground level is a small coffee shop with a few tables and a corner curio store of Gawad Kalinga products made from their livelihood projects. There are recycled bags made from recycled doy packs, native woven baskets, silk-screened t-shirts, canvass tote bags, and organic beauty products from Human Nature. There's also a bar that serves refreshments as well as cakes and pastries and local "kakanin".

The upper level is where some of the other activities are held. There is an afternoon story-telling for kids with Tita Beauty. For the evening activity, they have a musical review entitled Manila Vanilla directed by no less than Nestor U. Torre and geared for an adult audience. The show comes with a buffet dinner. They also have tours of Rizal Park and other destinations where Gawad Kalinga's settlements are located. This particular evening that the show was launched, we happened to be in the company of some tour guides, a travel magazine editor and some foreign guests who sampled the delicious food.

If you're bored in the Metro and have no idea where to go, try the Manila Restop. You're striking two birds with one stone: enjoying good food and providing Gawad Kalinga with more funds to empower the less fortunate. Now that's helping out!

Comisserating with Les Miserable

I read a review of Les Miz from a major daily yesterday... I scoffed at it! Obviously there is some sort of "generation loss" that happens when a musicale is transposed into a medium like film. Some elements are lost and some are gained in the process of turning a long running and critically acclaimed piece like Les Miz when it is converted into a cinematic work.

I therefore, decided to view the film and see for myself whether Les Miz was worth all the Oscar buzz that it's getting. IT IS! 

image from Buzzsugar.com

It's a pity that some reviewers overlook the fact that cinema is a more intimate medium as actors are blown up on a larger-than-life scale on screen. And since it is essentially a "canned" performance, the energy and excitement of opening night is completely lost on the audience. You do not have the palpable vitality as though you were watching live theater. But the film version succeeds in conveying the pathos and the abject misery that the book and the musicale wants to impart on its audiences.

The songs and the music have already gained a massive following among theater goers here and abroad. Even Lea Salonga who has performed in it used "On my Own" as her audition piece for Ms Saigon ( for which she won a Tony as Kim). In the movie version, the actors have literally transformed themselves into the characters they portray. Both Anne Hathaway (Fantine) and Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean) have even gone on a strict regimen to lose weight for their roles. I for one, did not even recognize Jackman at the start of the movie. Such dedication! No wonder he got a Golden Globe for his portrayal.

The singing was not like you would witness it onstage. Naturally, these actors have had some considerable amount of vocal coaching. Some have criticized the music for being captured raw and would have wished the  soundtrack to have been "sweetened" meaning edited with digital enhancements. Russel Crowe, poor actor,  has received much chiding as having the weakest voice in the whole ensemble. But even Russel Crowe's portrayal of Javert does not escape notice. His voice though, not as full and forceful as Jackman's does its bit in conveying his hatred and dedication to duty through emotion. His constant series of scenes atop ledges and  dizzying parapets serve as foreshadowing of his ultimate fate.

Now that we've touched up on the subject of emotion. Anne Hathaway deserves an Oscar for her portrayal of Fantine. True, compared to Salonga and Paige , Hathaway's voice does not hold a torch to these actresses who are gifted with golden voices. However, Anne Hathaway imbues her signature song of "I Dreamed A Dream" with so much sorrow and regret you don't mind  if she falters on some notes for effect. Her commendable is singing, though, as she does reach the high notes with tears rolling down her pretty cheeks.

Amanda Seyfried was a revelation as Cosette. I first saw her on Mama Mia! and she could really sing (it was an Abba musical review anyway). Her voice was crystal clear and at some points in their counterpoint her  her head tones and falsettos rang like a tuning fork. The same thing is true for Sasha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter as the Thernadiers. What a gem they were as the conniving couple acting as both comic relief and  main foil. Their rendition of "Master of the House" would bring the house down any day. Both Carter and Cohen have been known to play quirky characters. Their being cast was a perfect choice for the film. Another brilliant actress, though virtually unknown, was the one who played Eponine. You feel for her misfortune as their fortunes are reversed. Cosette having become the object of Marius' affection and her good fortune as Valjean's ward, Eponine sings "On My Own" drenched in the rain as she wanders off nursing unrequited love.

All in all the ensemble delivers the stirring choruses particularly in the ending when they gather together for Valjean's redemption. Speaking of Valjean, Jackman has the burden of of carrying the film althroughout. He deserves his best actor trophy. His tenor carries up the higher registers of the songs especially when he sings "Who Am I?".  Points go to the cinematographer for cinematic angles that seem off but are effective in subliminal messages. When Jackman renders "Bring Him Home", his teary-eyed version shows Jackman with an image of the all-seeing-eye in the background seemingly saying that Valjean's prayer is heard by the higher powers.

Why shouldn't you watch Les Miserable, the movie? It's worth every cent i paid for the admission ticket...

Life of Pi - A Review

There are very few movies that carry a story line about one's journey without it dragging on at some point in the film.  Life of Pi is a "robinson crusoesque" story of a tweener forced into manhood by circumstance. Growing up as a boy, Piscine Patel experienced the pain of bullying as a result of his unconventional name. Who could he blame? His name comes from a popular resort in the south of France and sounds similarly like "pissing". He circumvents the matter by equating his name with a numerical equation and excelling in mathematical problems. Successfully, his name is changed to Pi.

Pi's curiosity finds him dabbling in different religions and  focusing on none. His daily routine consists of feeding the animals in a family operated zoo. As he grows up, he learns valuable lessons  that his dad taught him; particularly when he tries to feed the zoo's tiger Richard Parker. Eventually, these life lessons are what Pi hangs onto when in their voyage across the Pacific Ocean en route to Canada the ship runs into a squall and sinks with everyone and everything onboard except a Zebra, a chimpanzee, a hyena and to Pi's consternation, Richard Parker!

Photo from The Guardian website

The movie further unfolds into a series of misadventures that leaves Pi and Richard Parker into an uneasy alliance in order to survive. You'll have to watch the movie for yourself lest I ruin the story for you. Suffice it to say that Ang Lee's vision is so clear and directly presented that it will lead you aghast at the visual unfolding of the movie. Touted as the next Avatar for its stunning cinematography, Lee's images do not disappoint. Most of the scenes are shot in the water and yet the images are never boring nor similar.

The scenes are crisp and never dragging and the storyline delves on one's strength of character and unwavering faith in God but it never proselytizes. There are some funny moments as well and yet one sometimes gets the feeling of hopelessness as the two characters try to manage a non-relationship and get along inspite of the odds.

There are no lengthy dialogues and no big stars but the film manages to hold its own. Considering that the lead has no acting experience, he delivers his emotions so well particularly in the scene where he taunts God during another storm where he loses all but the lifeboat they're in.  

All in all, watching the movie is worth the price of admission. It's one of those films where there are no warriors defying gravity, no hollywood A-listers, no media hype... and yet Ang Lee captures the viewer's imagination with a tight plot and divine images

Photo from theawardsdaily.com

2013: THE YEAR AHEAD (1st Quarter)

I'M SORRY IF I HAVEN'T BLOGGED IN A WHILE!!!!

I've had technical problems last year with my broadband connection. And then I had problems with my laptop... I still am. This new blog is a long shot but I have resolved to be more diligent with my blogging. After all, I am trying to get my blog site off the ground. I have something to say with this blog and I will continue airing my views and imparting some information to those who quite religiously read my entries.

Skip 2012 retrospectives. It's too late for that now...

2013 proves to be an exciting year! It's the Year of the Water Dragon. And as if the Filipinos have gotten over the Christmas Holidays - NOT! Right on the heels of the Epiphany comes the Traslacion of the holy image of the Black Nazarene. OK, so I'm a raving fanatic, but I've established my own tradition of attending First Friday Masses at Quiapo Church and never ever missing the feast which is celebrated every 9th of January. I managed to attend the healing Mass at six o'clock on the eve of the fiesta. And then, I attended the 5 a.m. Mass the next day. 

This year was slightly better than last year's celebrations. The andas or carriage used for the revered image was outfitted with tires from a forklift to avoid last year's faux pas. To those who are not aware of it, last year the procession made an epic 24-hour journey from Quirino Grandstand back to Quiapo Church because the crush of the devotees and the andas malfunction. The andas had to be changed and the image was bourne aloft by the faithful who steered it in Quiapo's narrow old streets. This year was a lot better due to the changes in both logistics and in execution. 

Alright, the crowd was still unruly... breaking the barriers and rushing into the Quirino Grandstand in the middle of the Eucharistic celebration while the Nicean Creed was being recited. They had to be reminded the Mass was still ongoing and that the procession was still to follow. After that, the men started jostling to get a hold of the ropes. I gasped when the image nearly fell! Thankfully the image passed through our selected spot near the Lagusnilad by 11:30 a.m. That's record speed considering we waited until 4:30 p.m. for the image to pass through last year. An estimated 9 million were in attendance this year.

After the Nazarene, the Feast of the Sto. Nino will be welcomed with much revelry and street dancing especially in Aklan, Cebu, Iloilo, Tondo and Pandacan. The third Sunday of January is the time to soot up (pun intended) for the Ati-Atihan, Sinulog, Dinagyang festivals which recall how the fair-skinned Spanish conquistadores were able to convert the Indios by way of presenting the image of the Sto. Nino or Holy Child to the "dark-skinned" natives. There's still much merry-making to experience for this month.

For February, there are three more celebrations to look forward to:

Valentine's Day - What is it with Filipinos who just have to have dates on the 14th of February? The love month sees the increase in sales in flowers and chocolates and engagement rings. Trust the Pinoy to be sacharinely sweet on the day of hearts. No other country in the world celebrates Valentine's day like we do. If there's ever a good time to press for the RH Bill, it's on this day.

Panagbenga - Consider this the Rose Parade festival of the Philippines. People troop to Baguio City to view floats festooned with fragrant flowers. I love this heady competition of floats sponsored by different networks, enterprises, socio-civic organizations and what-not. It is also attended by showbiz personalities and endorsers and participated in by indigenous communities, school children and politicians as well.

Chinese New Year- Febraury 20th is the celebration for Chinese New Year. Kung Hei Fat Choi, everyone! This year marks the entry of the Water Dragon. Binondo one's again lights up with firecrackers. Feng Shui experts are called in to locate auspicious directions to bring forth good health and prosperity... tikoy, a sticky rice delicacy, is passed around and sampled; and all sorts of lucky charms to enhance luck, wealth, love and health are peddled in Ongpin and Quintin Paredes streets in our historic Chinatown.

Then as March comes along, it is assumed, that employees would have filed their vacation leaves, purchased their airline tickets, swimsuits, suntan lotion and flotation devices, made their reservations and packed their suitcases as they head out to various destinations to observe HOLY WEEK from the 25th to the 29th of the month.

So as I try to take in all of what I have written above, I look forward to another year filled with journeys and adventures,stories that I can share and blog entries worth reading... stay with me... I'll be in Coron next month... By then I hope I can upload great photos with great articles...

Restaging RAMA HARI

Last time I had a blog entry was three weeks ago. I was gushing over Pinoys winning international beauty contests. Then I had to stop again because I was too busy attending to the costumes of bothe Rama Hari and the CCPDS December evaluation program of The Nutcracker.

Both are challenging in terms of logistics but Rama Hari has the extra edge as it is a collaborative effort original works of National Artists Bien Lumbera (Literature), and Badong Bernal (Theater Design), libretto translation by Rolando Tinio, music by Ryan Cayabyab, and choreography by Alice Reyes (Artistic Director Emeritus of Ballet Philippines.

I was part of the production during the 1983 staging of said ballet when I was still dancing many moons ago. This year, I am costume consultant for costumes making sure the designs of Badong remain pure and intact. It was a most daunting effort as some of the costumes date back three decades and so badly in need of repair. In some instances we had to pattern a new set of costumes following Badong's design aesthetics.

Tita Alice would require some changes from time to time as she would recall how some of the scenes and costumes were required to look. When you put them all together with the lighting and music onstage Rama Hari is a tour de force performance. Opening night was so exciting as the artists of Ballet Philippines danced to a sell-out performance with the National artist Bien Lumbera and Maestro Ryan Cayabyab in attendance along with the original cast of Rama Hari.

Needless to say, Paul Morales' task of putting the ballet of Rama Hari with singer Christian Bautista and Karylle in the lead as well as OJ Mariano and Kahlila Aguiluz as alternates was brilliant. Opening night audience was enthusiastic as evidenced by the huge meet-and-greet attendance after the show.

Now I can concentrate on the costumes for the recital...

Ayala's Lights

Makati is all lit up again this Christmas season. They switched on the lights ahead of the other cities. And what a treat it is. It started out as some sort of experiment but the Light and Sound show was a hit and so it has become a part of the Ayala Christmas tradition to hold it at the Ayala Triangle.

They used a gazillion LED lights to  spark up the show. The music they used this year is mostly  Filipino Christmas carols that have a slightly edgy electronic slant to it. The islands on Ayala avenue have been festooned with sets of tableau of stylized Christmas trees while the palm trees have been wrapped with yards and yards of Christmas lights. The effect is dazzling, to say the least.

I find that it gives so much cheer to a rather staid and formal business district. After work, employees mill around the park waiting for the show to start and then they either head off to the row of restaurants in the Ayala Triangle complex. Either that or they line up for a ride home. I don't see anyone complaining... Well, maybe the regular joggers at the park do because now they have to contend with a lot of human traffic and they need to work their route around the waiting public.

The show starts at 6:00 p.m. and every thirty minutes thereafter.  The Light and Sound show will run until the 30th of December. To celebrate the holiday season, there will be anticipated Misa de Gallo to keep the nine day novena Masses going which will be held at 6:30 p.m. from the 15th - 23rd of December.

Other cities have followed the Ayala's lead in making Christmas cheery and bright. Makati does it in an understated glamorous way...

Changing Standards of Beauty

If you're Filipino, chances are you take beauty pageants seriously. And why ever not? Filipinos are blessed with olive skin and a mish-mash of whatever features their forefathers have handed down to them by virtue of  birth. Recently, Filipinos have been bestowed some beauty titles that have remained elusive for years.

June Macasaet image from Misosology/rddantes.com

June Macasaet is all male and boy, does he sizzle... A native of Batangas, June has been in demand as a commercial and ramp model for various consumer products and fashion brands. He also joined the usual rounds of male beauty pageants and emerged runner-up in the Century Tuna Bodies and  top winner for Manhunt Philippines. His recent triumph allowed him to compete in the Mr. International Manhunt pageant where he won the crown winning over strong Latino and European contenders. If we take into consideration preparations taken by Puerto Rico and Venezuela for their contestants, we really should be proud that June won. That's an achievement!

Image from normannorman.wordpress.com*

On the other side of the spectrum, there is Kevin Balot. I saw Kevin being interviewed by no less than Boy Abunda on the segment of Bandila on ABS CBN. It's not surprising how Kevin won over contestants of the same persuasion. Kevin admitted that he is not yet completely transgender.... he has decided to go through with it after his reign as Ms International  Queen 2012. Sharp wit, lady-like demeanor and a pretty face are qualities which helped him wrestle the crown from a long line of Thai cross-dressers.

image from pinoyrepublic.net*

This native of Tarlac comes from a tight family of three siblings. He was the only boy. He claimed he would join beauty pageants for money. On a good day/evening he would come home with at least seven thousand pesos as prize money.  His recent coup, he says made a good relationship with his father even better.

image from missosology*

Kevin says he never changed his name even during pageants as a sign of love and respect for his parents. He has one year to fulfill his duties and then probablyy stay in Thailand for his sex change.  Kevin's long tresses and petite build would make REAL girls jealous...

Taking fitness to the extreme is Luzviminda McClinton. She first caught our attention when she became a housemate in the Pinoy Big Brother season 4 edition. She eventually got eliminated... but definitely not for her physique! This housewife from Paranaque recently bagged top prize during the World Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation Southwest US Championships in Oklahoma. With her recent win, she also earned a license in the professional division of the bodybuilding federation world-wide. 

She will make the usual courtesy call at Malacanan Palace after a rousing welcoming activitity and then she flies off to Berlin for another competition. Just look at those rippling muscles...