Migration to WordPress

You read that right!

As much as I want to retain my blogger account, i have to give it up (i think). The big switch is primarily because, i can't properly access my blogger account via my BB.

Sucks right? Before, I can properly access it but because of some reason or change in the google group of of applications synchronization (what ever that means) rendered me incapable of accessing my blog. 

Well, I guess I'm not much of a loss. 

Word press, although a bit more technical, has an app for BB enabling me to blog from almost anywhere provided that i have an internet connection that is. But still very convenient for me. 

Here's the link: http://flipfloppintraveler.wordpress.com/

There's not many posts yet but I promise there will be more soon! Cross my heart and hope to drop dead (LOL!).

Caio for now! (this has a ring to it... i might use it again...)

Extra Extra! Read all about it!

You would normally hear the phrases "Extra! Extra! Read all about it!" in the US or Britain, when the main transportation means is through a horse-drawn carriage and when bowler hats were in fashion, announcing the headlines of the news paper so that passersby will purchase a copy. Well nowadays, it's rarely used. You can get your daily dose of news via the internet via your computer/ tablet/ smartphone


Well this is post is not about newspapers. This is about another type of extras. I'm referring to those who appear in TV along side celebrities who most of the time are just walking by in the background. I became one for Belo Essentials "DIVAS" 30s TVC. And I had a BLAST! Check it out on youtube!


It started call from a friend who was working in Belo asking if I was available to extra. Good thing I had suspension from my tardiness from work so I said yes. The thing was, I was under the weather suffering from colds and asthma. Considering the call and opportunity, I decided to grab it (it's not everyday you get a call for a shooting, right?). As I have mentioned in previous post, I have always wanted to be a travel talk show host right? That dream is still alive but I have come to terms that it might just be a dream. So this kind of opportunity should not be shrugged off. 


So on the shooting day, we arrived a bit early at the location. The theater was being set-up: there were lights, smoke machines, mirrors, cameras, props with the director checking every aspect directing minute changes on every thing on the set. I had to stop right there and took a deep breath. This was one of the careers that I was considering to take: showbusiness. HAHAHAHAHA! (i wanted to be an artist/actor when i was in preschool, swear to God!). Bottom line, I wanted to be either on camera or off camera at one point in my life.


We had breakfast first as rest of the my friend's office mates started arriving with their other friends who will be extras for the shoot. It was nice to meet new people and like me, are in our mid 20s and rocking it in their own professional careers. After breakfast, I checked the story board to know what scenes will be taken and found that the two endorsers for the day will be none other than Sarah G and Toni G, two of the brightest young stars of our generation. I am not a big celebrity fanatic but I idolize Toni Gonzaga for being her impeccable hosting! It must be the tone of her voice plus her witty adlibs that makes her a perfect host. Add her superb acting skills, then you have a force to be reckoned with! Sarah G on the other hand has her all powerful voice and sweet charms that got almost everyone captivated by her. I said to myself, it'll be a treat indeed.


The extras were grouped in two: one who will be production people for Toni's shots, the other for Sarah's. I was with Toni's group who were to shoot first. The production director had to give us specific tasks for the shot. I was to pull this rack of clothes after Toni walked passed with the thought of being happy since the concert was over and it was time for pack-up. Fairly easy right? Yes it was but the challenge was repeating it again and again to get that "money shot" as they say. We had a fair number of takes and most of them were good but it's not up to us to decide but the agency as well as the client have the final say if that was the shot. The production director was always saying that we all should have high energy and animatedly talk and interact with each other. We gave him that but doing it repetitively would left us a bit drained. Toni was of course gorgeous. The cuts were mainly because of us the extras and not her. She was really good.


The next part of the shoot was Toni again. This time she was sitting on a chair and speaking lines. What we had to do was just pass quietly (and i mean shush, not a sound or word) in the background. This shoot was more meticulous since there are lines to be delivered. We had to do several takes for this too and it was a good thing that one of my friend belonged to the same group so I chatted with him every time they did a playback. Although there was one instance when I was prancing in the background...


Me: <prancing in the background>
Me: urgh (quietly) <hitting the knob>
<slow motion>
Me: (mouth open as i saw the knob falling down)
<tok>
<tog>
Prod Director: Anyare dyan?(What happened there?) Quiet on the set.


I wanted to poof out of the theater but since I'm mortal, I just smiled and carried on. The director did not say "cut" and we don't stop moving until they say "cut" (snaps with head moving side to side).


We had lunch after that scene. The stage needs to be rearranged for another scene. I honestly thought that being and extra was a means to get paid with minimum effort but I guess i was wrong. It has it's own difficulties primarily because of the repetition that you had to do. Lunch with everyone was really nice mainly because everyone was nice. The fact that we were all of the same age group was a big plus too of us getting along well. 


The next scene will show both Toni and Sarah waving to the crowd behind them, turn around and walks towards the camera as the curtains closes behind them. We were in the background cheering them on as fans with flashing cameras. We were given instructions already on what to do but had to wait for the talents who were taking their lunches so we had a few minutes to kill time. We took pictures here and there and ended up chatting a lot with each other. And it honestly felt like I was talking to friends whom I have known for a long time. 


It was time to take again. With both endorsers on the stage, dressed in gorgeous gowns, I was like "OMG, they look breath taking" with a conyo accent with matching imaginary braces (imagine what it would sound like. i'll try to demo it if you get to meet me). The scene was we are their audience who are cheering them on as the show ended. I can work that. We were cheering and jumping to our feet to the tune of Nicki Minaj's Starships. The scene was easy but our throats were a bit dry after since we were cheering for a more realistic feel on the part of the endorsers. We finished it just in time for another break as the theater is prepared for Sarah's shoot.

More pictures were taken, facebook accounts were opened to add new friends plus there was a need for a seriously good iced coffee from a certain kuya who prepares them. I was having a good time but I had to check on emails so I missed mirienda(snacks). By the time I was through and was able to catch up with the group, they were already on stage with Sarah G and doing their blockings. I figured, I was done for the day but wanted to stay still to finish everything. It was really nice to see the other group work and it was basically the same movements walking in the background but with a different set up. I was carefully observing how everyone was moving from the camera’s angle and saw that this type of profession really requires not just an eye for detail but more of eyes, ears, nose and touch of detail. Basically, all of your senses must work on getting everything right. A tall order in deed but I believe that experience will help you a lot on this.

There was another shoot with Sarah. This was a beauty shot so there were no extras required. We were all hanging out in the theater, looking at the shoot, checking our facebooks (but we are not allowed to say that we were in a shooting). We got a go signal to go the dressing rooms of Sarah and Tony for a photo op. This was it, an up close and personal look on both these showbiz stars. They were really nice and accommodating for pictures even though they were both tired and still had to shoot. After that it was homeward bound for everyone.

Here were some of the pictures taken all throughout the shoot:

This was a definitely FUN experience for me. But I guess the best thing that I got out of it was making NFFs (new found friends) plus a some Belo Essential products that they gave me which I am now using today. It made my hands soft as per my mother. Her exact words were “parang ang lambot na ng kamay mo..kaka-Belo mo yan no? (your hands seems softer. From using Belo products?)”. In my head I answered, “Only Belo touches my skin. Who touches yours?”

10 Years From Now

10 years from Now

I have this set of friends whom I have known for more or less 7 years now. Yes, 7 years. I honestly just discovered it while I was making this entry. And I am just happy to say that we are, in the strong essence of the word, intact. We still have those get together dinner, movie nights, videoke sessions, coffee’ til the break of dawn, tennis games, road trip, overnight swimming and other forms of tambayan modes common to those of barkadas.

We were 16 all in all, composed of two sets of student leaders who  served the College of Business Administration of De La Salle University – Dasmariñas from 2005 to 2007. Right now, we are all working stiffs busy with our respective professional careers. Some have colourful lovelives, but majority are still single.

The first 8 was officially gathered inside a jeep in 7-11 in front of the main gate of DLSU-D around December 2004 bound for Naic, Cavite to undergo through leadership training and group deliberations under our political party. Afterwards, campaign started. We won as we had had no contenders and was followed by one entire year of student service: implementing projects (events, seminars, structures, and the likes) for the betterment of the College Business Administration students under one thrust: Service Oriented Leadership Initiating Development a.k.a. as SOLID (positive double meaning right?). Add one crucial person as our adviser to complete the mix total 9. We had our trials and triumphs during that year together. After the term ended, two graduated while the remaining six to finish their respective degrees. From the six, two rose to the University student council plus 1 from CBA. One has to focus on academics. The remaining 3 got re-elected after being joined by 5 new faces plus the same advisor totalling 9 again. Serving with a new thrust: Fuelled by Passion, Driven by Excellence, Gearing towards Quality Student Service(no acronyms but it says it all)   Now based on that statements, we have 15 (yes, that is the correct answer! Read again if you did not arrive at the same number). Although two have graduated and three are in the USC, there was still some form of connections that linked us still to each other. The 16^th one from the roster of those supposed to be seated for SY 2007-2008 but due technicalities, was not proclaimed (if you were not able to follow, just email me so I can explain, OK?).

As with all students, there came a point where we all graduated and started work on our respective professional careers. After graduation, communications got blurry. I would know as I was most of the time, the event organizer of the group as was most probably never been absent in a get together. Two  went abroad: one for good and one who goes home twice a year but is in constant communication. One focused on family life. One had and still have issues. One busy with MBA. Two have busy schedules. So basically, the attendance is just about 50% of the original number more or less. They have valid reasons though but as the organizer, it’s somehow  frustrating to not get the entire 16 person set in one place at one time. We’ll I tried but maybe there are just people do come into your life then drift away after leaving an impact. That’s the way it is so goes Celine Dion’s song. Maybe it just is.

And yet again, one is leaving for abroad soon. As in soon. Alas, that’s the way it is. But I believe that the remaining 50% have established bonds that can’t be severed by distance. I strongly believe that.

During the part 2 despedida and birthday bash overnight swimming and videoke party, there was this moment where I just looked around and saw everybody happy and enjoying each other’s company. It would be best described as a panoramic sweeping picture depicting each of our faces either with a smile or a wide open mouth of a big laugh as we sit around in a circle by the munching on delish home-made brownies, left over liempo and a bag of cornik opened last month while playing People Connect (I just named it that). And, I couldn’t help but wonder, will we still be like this 10 years from now?

By that time, we’d be ranging from 34 to 37 years old. There is a big possibility that we’d look the same with minor variations like bigger tummy or bigger muscles, false teeth maybe, more gray hair otherwise hidden under color, some piercings or tattoos.  The remaining group of eight might grow to around 20 factoring in partners and children plus yayas (yes, there might be yayas). The venue might not be the same resort but on a private island or a hotel which one of us owns. There will be this big screen with  webcam where people from abroad or those who can’t be present can check in on the happenings and just be “there” although virtually. Food will most probably be the same comfort food that we are familiar with. Children would need to be in bed before the alcohol is brought out. The discussions would most probably by about business, politics, travels and so on and so forth. There would be most probably a lights out time to get some shut eye. After the over night, we would drive to our homes. No more walking out the streets and waiting for tricycles. The might not even be the text advise or BBM that would read “ just got home. Thanks for the time and see you soon..”. This practice is slowly fading away...

I had to stop my dream sequence right there and bring myself back to that moment where everybody was laughing and enjoying and said to myself, “Enough with dreaming of things that may or may not happen ‘cause you might miss precious moments of the now.”

Movie Review: The Avengers

Quiti2x on The Avengers!

This would be my first movie review blog so let me just breakdown how I would do this.

I will be giving the plot, the background/setting, the effects, the characters SNAPs (this is SSSSOOOOOO Legally Blonde but whatever. I like how it sounds), 5 being the highest and 1 being the lowest, followed by an explanation of the SNAP.

I guess that pretty much covers it.

On with the review!

The plot:

Loki, Thor’s brother, fumed with revenge, want to take over Earth and free the human race through enslavement. Yeah.. I know.. I  don’t get it too but majority of evil plans doesn’t make actual sense , right? So he travels to Earth with some ancient knowledge that he discovered while in exile through a character that I don’t know the off, to get the Tesseract to use it as a weapon to free but enslave the human kind (rolling eyes).

S.H.I.E.L.D. (which I also don’t know the meaning too..) has the Tesseract for “research”. Loki was successful in stealing it from S.H.I.E.L.D. and mind-slaving some members which he needed. Fury, the guy with the eye patch, had the task of bringing together Earth’s heroes through the Avengers initiative that consists of Captain America, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Agent Romanov, and Hawkeye.

The plot was that of a typical super hero comic book where the antagonist would like to take over the world. The thing that made it interesting for me was that this was a war between a god, Loki and his army of alien/mythologic creatures versus the champions of the Earth. How’s that??

Even though the plot looks like it would be an testosterone with a pinch of estrogen butt whooping  action film, it actually has a very well placed and tasteful spoonfuls of comedy that will take your mind our of the action then suck you right back in!

Quiti2x verdict: 5 SNAPS

The background/settings:

From the Iron Man movies, you might have had a feel of how current the environment and also how futuristic it seems because of the technology shown in the movies. This was also carried on The Avengers movie.

THE WASTE LAND: This is in the opening scenes depicting a barren rocky landscape where Loki and the character that I don’t know were first seen was artfully done. Black violet and blues were the hues creating a sinister feel where the typical evil lurks.

TESSERACT HOLDING/TESTING AREA: From the name, it’s a lab where SHIELD is trying to decipher the inner working of the Tesseract. Very current open space testing area which Loki trashed. Well turned into rubble actually.

STARK TOWER: From the name itself, this owned but none other than Tony Stark, quadrillionaire, genius and all around player that is self sustaining and eco friendly. Truly a vision of future green engineering of course with a custom landing pad that removes Iron Man’s suite as he walks through

THE INVISIBLE CARRIER/AIRPLANE SHIELD COMMAND CENTER: No words to describe it but GIANORMOUSLY AWESOME! This started out as a airplane carrier that I thought would turn into a submarine but instead to a flying engineering masterpiece. Complete with the command centre with futuristic technology. But wait there’s more. It a cloaking device that makes it invisible. Beat that Hogwarts!

THE HULK CONTAINMENT UNIT: This was designed for the Hulk in case he decided to make an appearance and trash the command centre that was designed to withstand the Hulk’s strength and eject (more like drop) if in case he went berserk. This was where Loki was locked up but still have control over the entire situation.

STREETS OF MANHATTAN: Of course the island of Manhattan, famous as it is, is the setting for the battle royale of the movie between the Avengers and the invaders.

The ones mentioned were the background that I really love. Need I say more to defend my ratings?

Quiti2x verdict:  5 SNAPS

The cast:

Robert Downey Jr. as TONY STARK/ IRON MAN

This quarillionaire genius player was the brains and swagger of this movie. We all know that he was genius enough to make a suit to make him an oh-so-hot super hero. Although, Tony Stark was not recommended to be part of the Avengers but Iron Man was. In the end, you just can’t separate the suit from the man.

 I love his comedic inserts and snide comments which actually balanced out the movie. He got all the scientific stuff down into deliveries that were believable.

Highlight: getting the one of the engines of the flying command centre running again and guiding the nuclear missile to the portal and coming back to Earth

Quiti2x verdict: 5 SNAPS

Chris Evans as STEVE ROGERS/ CAPTAIN AMERICA

This man-sicle and war hero had spent his frustrations of missing out on a date decades back, spent his time punching bags. Although he was in the 21^st century he still stuck to his era. He rose to the occasion once he was called by SHIELD and took the role of leader of the Avengers after a few verbal squabble s with Tony Stark. Good thing as the entire team would have needed his leadership skills. Although he does not have powers that shoot out of his hands, he makes up for it with his kick-ass skills!

Everything was almost perfect (oh yes!) except for his voice which I though lacked some umph to it. But then again he was able to direct the Avengers  to a team.

Highlight: Taking charge of the Avengers and directing them to battle

Quiti2x verdict: 4 SNAPS

Mark Ruffalo as BRUCE BANNER/ THE HULK

Bruce Banner has spent his time helping out people in India. And his expertise in gamma rays was the main reason he was collected. He chose to be under the radar (so he thought) to get the green monster alter persona of him under control. Now the Hulk when unleashed was just like “BOOM”

Mark Ruffalo did a good job particularly in the scene when he was collected and sort of lost his temper allowing the Hulk to make an almost there appearance. The swift transition from anger to calmness was just superb

Highlight: collection of Bruce Banner and bashing Loki (it was hilariously GREAT!) plus hitting back on Thor

Quiti2x verdict: 5 SNAPS

Chris Hemsworth as THOR

Thor just actually appeared out of nowhere when Iron Man and Captain America captured Loki (very easily might I add) to take Loki into questioning on the whereabouts of the Tesseract. He knowS well the power that the cube posses and fears for his beloved Earth so he decided to help and join the Avengers.

Chris Hemsworth was not actually big on the acting side. But his mighty hammer and his lightning  were great additions to the Avengers. Plus he’s a god!

Highlight: Smacking the Hulk into almost unconsciousness with his hammer and sending out a lighting storm using the Empire state building as a lightning rod

Quiti2x verdict: 4 SNAPS

Scarlett Johansson as NATASHA ROMANOFF/ BLACK WIDOW

We first saw her in Iron Man 2 and got a taste of what she can do. Here, she was the rose among the thorns and held her own despite of the big heroes around her. Collected Bruce Bane, interrogated Loki and did amazing fights! Who said that you needed to be a gamma exposed, or wear armor, or be experimented on to be a heroine??

Scarlett Johansson was just FIERCELY AWESOME! I’m sure she can make Uma Thurman in Kill Bill and Angelina Jolie in Salt a run for their money! GIRL POWER! Although she was a bit under acting but I guess that is what you get from a spy. Still, BRILLIANT! I wish they would make a Black Widow movie!

Highlight: taking on 3 men while bound to a chair, interrogating Loki, taking an enemy flying contraption to get to the portal to close it down.

Quiti2x verdict: 5 SNAPS

Jeremy Renner as AGENT CLINT BARTON/HAWKEYE

While protecting the Tesseract, Hawkeye was mind-controlled by Loki because of his heart and determination. Since he was under a spell, he turned against SHIELD and almost brought down the command centre from the sky. He was that good. But after a hard knock out from Black Widow, he was snapped back to reality. He proved to be a great asset to SHIELD as he wielded his bow and arrows which were pretty cool too!

There wasn’t that much moments of him acting but more on combats and shooting only. But his scene with Black Widow on their life as spies was ok.

Highlight: Shooting down the enemy with his bow and arrow hitting his mark every time

Quiti2x verdict: 4 SNAPS

Samuel L. Jackson as NICK FURY

Nick Fury has been cameo appearing in the individual movies of each hero. He’s in this movie the entire time. Stern  but brilliant, he formed the Avengers and convinced them to be a team as they are Earth’s last hope. I actually don’t know how he ended up with one eye but I guess the look suits him

Samuel L. Jackson was great too. He was like the PR person of the Avengers versus their detractors with his direct to the point statements.

Highlight: Explaining the real purpose of SHIELD and anchoring on the death of Agent Phil to push the team to unite

Quiti2x verdict: 4 SNAPS

Tom Hiddleston as LOKI

As told in Norse mythology, Loki is the god of mischief and has been the public enemy number 1 of Asgard. In this movie, he wants to take over the Earth and enslave humans so as to free them. Wielding his magic staff/ spear, he destroyed the original SHIELD command centre to a rubble, mind-controlled agents and a scientist, demanded people to kneel in from of him, have himself captured but still under control of everything, and summons his army to destroy Manhanttan. EVIL!

Tom Hiddleston was perfect for the role I think. He has that sinister yet regal look which is fit for the god of mischief. There was only one thing missing for me. He didn’t have an evil laugh that rings in times of his short lived triumph. Guess I’ll just laugh for him <evil laugh>

Highlight: Cornering people in the park and getting them to kneel down at him

Quiti2x verdict: 5 SNAPS

Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson

Agent Phil first appeared in the Iron Man movies. He was a huge fan on Captain America and was looking for the right opportunity to have him sign it. He was the cause of the turning point of each avenger.

Clark Gregg was delightful in his scene where he was talking to Captain America. I felt his awe and elation to be standing next to his idol so to speak. Plus he was a scapegoat to get everything in proper motion. Although he was not a hero initially, he became one too one way or another.

Highlight: Facing Loki with a big ass gun but gets stabbed and died before he managed to hit Loki

Quiti2x verdict: 5 SNAPS

Cobie Smulders as Agent Maria Hill

Agent Maria Hill was right hand woman, in my opinion of Nick Fury that made sure everything was good .

                Cobie Smulders stepped out of her girl next door image with this movie.

Highlight: car chase with Loki and his mind controlled agents while trying to avoid being buried alive.

Quiti2x verdict: 4 SNAPS

The effects:

AWESOME is I guess the best word to describe the effects in this movie. Here are some of my favorites:

1.       Opening of the portal to another world

2.       SHIELD’s command center converting from an airship carrier to a flying airship carrier then turning invisible (that was a mouthful)

3.       Tony Stark removing his Iron Man suit while walking on a platform (really cool!)

4.       Loki’s multiplicity power

5.       Bruce Banner’s transformation into the Hulk

6.       Thor conjuring up lightning with his hammer

7.       Nick Fury’s conference call with world leaders

8.       Alien with their flying machines and the flying worm of mass destruction (you get it right??)

Quiti2x verdict: 5 SNAPS

OVERALL:

The Avengers movie was worth the wait! And like I said, has this amazing inserts of comedy that pulls you right out of the action for a second then you get sucked right back in.

I honestly think this is the BEST Marvel movie made to date!

Quiti2x verdict: 5 SNAPS

I recommend this movie to everyone! Although, I’m pretty sure that the comic book junkies who followed this series may have some let down which I guess is typical.

Remember that this movie was rated in the Philippines as PG-13. So parents out there, please accompany your children while watching this movie. I’m sure you would enjoy it too!

If you still haven’t watched THE AVENGERS movie, well, what are you waiting for?? The part 2??? GOGOGO and buy your tickets already! 

Extras: I would love to place pictures in this blog but by internet connection is slow. Just check it out in the web

Room

I come from a middle class family. By middle class, I mean we get by most of the times. We live in a small house in the city, originally with two rooms in which we added another one as our family grew in size (we got bigger in more ways than one, hehe) and in number..

I was OK with the set up of sharing rooms but as I have mentioned, we grew bigger as time went by and it is getting crowded at times particularly during the weekends where all six adults and one child have to share the space. I know it sounds that I am complaining (well, I actually am) but I have to work with what I have. That doesn’t mean that I stop dreaming of a day when I have my own room for those days that I don’t want to mingle with my family or just preferred to be alone. So I have always wondered how it would be like to have a room for myself.

We have lived at our place for about 20 plus years already. And it is already fully paid for. The house, no matter how small it was, was the only witness on our day to day lives. If it was alive, it can very well describe each one who lives in it, our personalities, our moods, our entire being,  and might add those that a few people can see.

My siblings and I have already graduated college and now working on our careers as professionals. Before, our entire money was spent on our education: tuition fees, allowances, dormitories and all that jazz.  Today, things are looking a bit up most of the times. We get by still.

At the latter part of the year, our next door neighbour put up a “for sale” sign on the door and our family was all eyes on it. My parents were able to negotiate with them on the prize, loaned it from the bank and viola, we now can occupy new space. I won’t say “own” yet since we are still pooling together resources to pay for the loan. Once we’ve paid it, I’ll blog it J. My dreams for a new room is within reach.

The former occupants left the house with no paint on the rooms so I was eager to help out in painting. We opted to do it ourselves than hire a painter as it’s more practical. It took us about three or four Saturdays to complete the necessary painting in the new space. But there is still a lot of things to do after that like tiling the floors, changing some doors and making a hole in a wall for accessibility. Well, we are taking it one step at a time since the renovations would entail, well, more money.

The good thing is, I have a space for myself in the new house!  Yey! After, 25 year of existence, a dream is somewhat fulfilled. By somewhat, I mean, I still need to give the space up if we have guest. So, I return to the top bunk of a double deck in a room I shared with my brother once in a while. But, occasions like that are rare.

Here are some pics of the room:

I want to buy a cabinet, table, TV, mirror, and perhaps a painting. Though I’m holding back because there is no final plan yet as to what will happen in the house. Even though it’s not officially mine, I’m just happy to have a place I can call “room”.