Burger United

We call this event "4JRN3 sama-samang kumain ng Wendy's Baconator"

At the height of Facebook events in 2011, there were several invitations to events which were not really true but just a pigment of someone's humor. For instance, there was this event called "Sabay-sabay na pagtawid sa Espana" initiated by CFAD students. I'm not so sure if this is when the idea of eating together at Wendy's was born but I'm thankful it happened.

As part of our block's camaraderie and making-the-most-of-our-senior-year, we officers decided to make time for a monthly gathering for the class to be organized by different barkadas or cliques. It does not really matter what, just as long as all will have fun and all will participate. To kick-off that plan, this was organized.

It was totally fun! Not only we were full from eating baconator, we also enjoyed because this was the first time our class actually bonded without any occasion. We usually just celebrate togetherness during Christmas parties or mandatory student events. It was bad that the idea was late but better late than never, right?

We scheduled the event after our Taxation class around 3 in the afternoon. Everybody was asked to go to Wendy's Dapitan. Imagine a flock of students heading to a small fast food chain, sounds like a riot! A good kind of riot, I justify.

While waiting for others, some ordered already. The plan was to try the then newly-offered product, BACONATOR. Some made fun of the crew by changing their names when ordering. There used Mercedes Cabral, Haggardo Versoza, Jirita Avila and other old-sounding Filipino names/ celebrity names. You know what silly pranks High School kids do. We were like that except it was not really annoying. All for fun!

The place could not accommodate all of us, we stayed at the second floor. Others could not attend because of previous academic commitment while some just dropped by bringing their unbranded burger. Well-appreciated. If you can't beat em, join 'em.

The eating came first, along side own chikahan, then picture taking, then we capped the day off with a game. I forgot what it's called but I remember it was from a member of Tomasino!Web. There's a phrase to answer and we used our phones to type our answers and pass it on clockwise. Or something. I actually forgot the exact mechanics but I remembered it was so funny and partly naughty/witty. It was truly fitting for a gathering. I could not recall how many times we were reprimanded because the class was so noisy. We don't mind, we were just having fun. We ended up at 5 something because we still have next class to attend to. Photo summary of the day appears after my WENDY'S BACONATOR REVIEW.

I rate Wendy's Baconator 3.5, because bacon. Everything with bacon is good. Not just good, EXCELLENT when crispy. For its price it was kind of expensive but I understand considering there's double beef patty, and bacon, and cheese. It's made for sharing, I believe. In our case, some shared. Others took the challenge of finishing it alone. Calories everywhere but we're in this together. At present, there is now a burger called "Son of Baconator", I guess Baconator is too big they made a mini-version of it.

(Because we're sweet)

These photos spell sweet. While our former president Denesse is away, we recognize her presence by writing down her name using french fries. Aren't we sweet? Meanwhile, our boys Karlo and Dan bought their less-expensive burgers outside Wendy's and still dropped by to join us on our mini-gathering. The Jirita photo was just a random comedic attempt.

(Calories brought to you by Wendy's)

LARGE fries and double patty burger!

(Barkada photos)

(Wendy's Baconator)

The real celebrator of the day, King Baconator.

(Riot called "4JRN3")

We totally enjoyed this game. It was new for most of us. Fun.

(All smiles)

Obligatory class photo. We're incomplete though.

100 for 2013

I listed down 100 people, things, events, craze, TV shows, movies and every thing else international or local which determined the year that was. 

They are the noise-makers of 2013 whether in a good or bad way. I did not include personal stuff and the list was made in a random order. I'm sure if you are up to date, most of which will have a recall on you. 

(2013 in collage)

Here goes a recap of the year in 100: 

1. Janet Lim Napoles

2. Obama cares

3. Typhoon Haiyan/ Yolanda

4. Teng Brothers

5.  Selfie

6. Elevator girl

7. Ms. World Megan Young

8. Ryzza Mae Show

9. Don Mariano Bus Accident

10. Bohol, Cebu earthquake

11. Zamboanga siege

12. Royal Baby Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge

13. Catching Fire

14. iOS 7, iphone 5s and 5c, ipad air

15. Nelson Mandela

16. Gentlemen by Psy

17. Wanderland Music Festival

18. Paul Walker

19. NBA Pre-Season Game in Manila Indiana Pacers versus Houston Rockets

20. Ruffy Biazon

21. UST-DLSU UAAP championship

22. 2013 Senatorial and Barangay Elections: Nancy Binay, Dick Gordon, Cynthia Villar

23. Just give me a reason by Pink

24. Be careful with my heart

25. Star Cinema's On the job by Erik Matti

26. Bella Flores

27. Letran-San Beda NCAA championship

28. Charice Pempengco

29. Anderson Cooper

30. Tulong na, Tabang na

31. My husband's lover

32. The Voice of the Philippines

33. Team Kramer

34. Pacquiao-Bradley

35. Justin Bieber in Tacloban

36. NU Pep Squad

37. Game of thrones

38. G2B

39. Wrecking Ball

40. Movie installments: Iron Man 3, Thor 2, Despicable Me 2, Before Midnight, Cloudy with a chance of meatball 2, Kickass 2, Wolverine

41. Instax Mini

42. Million People March

43. 3rd Runner-up Ms. Universe Ariella Arida

44. "Neseye ne eng lehet" -Daniel Padilla

45. My little bossings

46. Scandals: Wally Bayola, Chito Miranda and Neri Naig

47. Ilo-ilo

48. Blurred lines

49. "I can buy you, your friends and this club!"

50. Egypt and Syria

7107 International Music Festival this 2014

Philippine concert scene keeps getting better and better as various  international and local artists invade stages all over the archipelago.

After the sucessful Wanderland music festival in Makati last May comes another music festival that everybody is raving about, 7107 International Music Festival. If Wanderland staged the international and local indie bands and performers, 7107 promises mainstream bands which never performed in RP. Imagine Red Hot Chili Peppers is gracing the 2-day music festival, who wouldn't go crazy about it?

(7107 IMF's official poster)

I heard that the producers of this festival were KC Montero and JP Singson. I was stoked to receive the press release maybe I could score tickets? Let's hope on that. I could just imagine how RHCP fans felt when they heard about this news. I knew they have been waiting for this and they will get what they wished for this 22-23 of February 2014.

It's not 7107 for nothing. 7107 represent our 7,107 islands and how we will turn this country into the concert scene capital of Asia. Neighbor countries are most welcome to attend! 

I'm still tuned because I learned that there would be greater line-up of performers to be announced soon. Apart from this promise, they would also donate portion of its proceed to the victims of Yolanda/ Typhoon Haiyan. I know that it is expensive and kind of far from the city but it is worth going to for the line-up is good and it's a two-day event unlike the usual. 

Here is their official press-release:

Red Hot Chili Peppers and Empire of the Sun Headlining Philippine Based Festival

United State of Pop: Pop or Flop?

DJ Earworm's most-awaited mashup for 2013 is already up!

So then I decided to do a review on the other mashups of DJ Earworm from 2008 to present.

Photo credits: DJ Earworm's Facebook Fanpage

I first learned DJ Earworm's mashup in 2009. The United State of Pop 2009 (Blame it on the Pop) was being played in the game Night Club City on Facebook and it immediately gave me the Last Song Syndrome. It was a love at first hear. 

Later on, I learned that it was an annual thing. DJ Earworm compiles the pop songs and music videos in the US which made it to the charts or made an impact in the music scene for each year, hence dubbed "United State of Pop". He also creates a theme every year. IMO, that makes him better than the other DJs who make annual mashups because he could always summarize the year into one theme which was hard because there are many artists, songs, music videos to consider but that's where he's good at. It's not just the mix of the songs and videos, it's "what happened" to the music for every year that's why it's something to look forward to. 

Sometimes I don't realize we're closing the year until I hear his craft. It has been my year-end indicator. I'm glad DJ Earworm always pull off good year-ender mashups. It makes me realize that several things are happening in the span of 365 days.

Here's an ordered review of DJ Earworm's United State of Pop mashups from 2008 to 2013. (Order from my least favorite to the best mashup by far)

TOP 6: United State of Pop 2013 (Living the Fantasy)

My rate: 2/5 Youtube views: 279K ++ 

Sorry 2013, I love the songs, but this mashup just didn't have a recall. I'm looking for something that is remarkable but I can't find one for this. It's good that there's Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, Lorde, Bruno Mars, Swedish House Mafia, Pink and others but why is Lady Gaga's Applause and Katy Perry's Roar not included? Their videos were included but I wasn't able to hear it. My ears just might have missed it but it should be used in the chorus or something. These tracks are phenomenal. Plus, Pink's Just give me a reason deserve to have more exposure because I believe it is the song of the year at least for the general masses. The tune is kinda off as well but I gotta hand it to the man behind it because he did create the right mashup in terms of his song choices, it's just that my choice of songs weren't included. On a recent post of Andi Manzano, she mentioned that DJ Earworm highlights 25 of the year's top tracks according to Billboard's Hot 100.

The Script-ed

There's nothing like a concert where you can sing along in almost all the songs of the performer. This was also the case during the first ever concert of The Script in Manila, April 16, 2011. Sorry to disappoint you but this is not an account of their latest concert here. This is more like a throwback post because I wasn't able to blog it then.

I was really ecstatic when I found out this Irish band was having a concert here.One, they are one of my favorite bands, two, I know most of their songs. In fact, my all-time favorite was "The man who can't be moved" it never gets old. I immediately told my friends about it and luckily, they all loved the idea of going. 'Luckier-ly', our friend Ate Mary gave us a treat for summer and sponsored our tickets for this concert. How sweet!

On 16 April 2011, I went to the venue with my cousin. He's also going to the concert with his then girlfriend so I decided to take a hitch and we planned to just separate ways there as I join my friends.The roads then were very traffic that I felt I will almost miss the opening of the concert but of course, we can't let that happen. So we made it there. There were almost no seats, because our slots were free-seating which meant we really have to be there earlier than the show. I was with my friends, Alette, Ghe, Linette and Dennesse. Bianca was also supposed to be there but she had a family-affair to attend to then. We stayed at the SRO area as we jumped, waved our hands, screamed and banged our heads all night.

The Script Concert in snippets

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella in Manila

I was lucky to have witnessed Filipino Broadway theater actress Lea Salonga perform for a play, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella in 2009 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

It was the Cinderella's cast and crew's first time to put up a show in Manila which ran July 15 to 28, 2009. Then it was managed by an Australian production. 

Manila is actually their first stop in their Asia and US tour but they already nailed it. Like most of the renowned plays, Cinderella was able to capture the heart of the Filipinos especially that it was adapted from one of our favorite fairy tales. The shows were sold-out and it was truly lauded. I love their set. The carriage was very remarkable the casts were of course brilliant. I know that not everyone is fond of musicals but plays like these should also be appreciated because they are well-crafted since there must be a presence of good script, music and acting in one production. Here are some photo snippets of the day I watched Cinderella:

I adore this glass slipper. This is how the stage looks like during close-curtains/breaks.

The 2009 Cinderella poster

Since I can't take photos from the play proper, I took photos of the souvenirs outside the theater.

Shirts and caps 

Yay, pumpkins!

Some other displays

Cinderella's friend! Thought he was supposed to be a rat/mouse. Whatever rodent.

The precious glass slipper. Where we all know the twist originated from. Look there's a white mouse.

Well, this is a musical so...

This is what I took home. A key chain glass slipper. Too bad after some years it broke due to the tropical weather.

My ticket. Low quality, sorry. I wonder where this is now? Lost, maybe.

I'm hoping that that would not be the first and the last time I'd be seeing Miss Saigon, Salonga perform in theater (internationally).

This year Rodger and Hammerstein's Cinderella  will be staged again. This time Cinderella will be played our very own Karylle (alternating with Julia Abueva and Justine Pena) and her Prince Charming will be portrayed by the balladeer Christian Bautista (alternating with my crush, Fred Lo). It will be shown this October at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila. I am looking forward to these two talents. The play will be adapted to the Chinese version. Plus this is an all-Filipino cast, Filipino pride! Let's see how they would keep up with Ms. Lea Salonga. 

Cinderella poster (Photo Credits: Resorts World Manila)

For show schedules,

34th Manila International Book Fair

Heads up book lovers! Our book "heaven" is officially open!

Last September 11, the Manila International Book Fair opened once again.

Photo credits

Filipino bookworms look forward to this event yearly as numerous bookstores and publishing companies gather to promote reading. They set up booths wherein they sell books and other reading materials, most of the time at a discounted price. There is a wide array of selection from text books to fiction and non-fiction, to magazines and to comic books.There are also freebies and workshops which await for those who will come. If you are lucky enough, you could even bump into your favorite author and you could have your book signed for there are also scheduled book signing and book launches.

In 2010, I've had my fair share of MIBF. I was able to go there during the last day (September 20, a Sunday) after an overnight for our Literature magazine. I was able too see Ambeth Ocampo and some other authors from Anvil. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to buy any book because all the good titles I've been meaning to buy were already out of stock. My favorite bookstore got their books sold-out. So if I were you, you better be an early bird so you'd get hold of good deals because you have several competitors out there, all hungry for books and SALE.

The 34th MIBF is running