Pacific Rim hits #1 Spot Worldwide

Despicable Me 2 gave way for Pacific Rim as the #1 film internationally over the weekend. It was a surprising news for Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures as Pacific Rim (3D sci-fi) managed to hit the number one spot across 50 territories. However, this is not really all that impressive given that it is believed the budget was anything between $180 - 220 million. Pacific Rim brings a worldwide cume of $178.5 million. According to reports, many analysts do not believe that the film will even reach $100 million in the U.S. theatrical sales so there is still a good chance that it will fail to turn a profit. It may not make enough for the studio to confidently move forward with a sequel; after all, a summer tent-pole such as Pacific Rim should ultimately reach at least $500 million.

Movie goers has helped in a way because of their positive feedback and reviews of the film.

Do you think the movie Pacific Rim deserves a sequel?

VoicePH: Meet the Coaches

Meet the interesting coaches of The Voice of the Philippines.

Meet Sarah Geronimo, The Voice that conquered our hearts

The first coach on The Voice of the Philippines was announced last February 6,2013 -- Sarah Geronimo (Popstar). The singer-actress and talk show host Sarah Geronimo was dubbed as "The Voice that captured our hearts. ABS-CBN announced that her weekly show Sarah G. Live, was due to air its final episode on Sunday, February 10. The ABS-CBN Corporate Communications head Bong R. Osorio said that Sarah Geronimo will move on to fulfill other commitments." He added that Sarah will also be busy filming her upcoming Star Cinema movie with John Lloyd Cruz, and is set to go on a Sarah G concert worldwide.

According to Sarah Geronimo, she admitted that she felt intimidated with the three other coaches due much possibly to their caliber in each of their genres. Geronimo further stated that she will just focus on why she became part of the Voice of the Philippines. Also, she said that this is her chance to be part of someone's journey towards pursuing his or her dream. She furthered added that, with her also a product of a singing search, she believes that she can help the artists who will become part of her team. She also said that she will be open to the views and the preferences of her team.

Meet Bamboo Mañalac, The Voice that rocked our World

On February 10, 2013, during an appearance on the last episode of Sarah G. Live, Bamboo Mañalac hinted that he would be working with the talk show host after they both finished performing a production number together. Later on February 14, 2013, ABS-CBN aired a promotional plug during the airtime of the pre-primetime television drama Kahit Konting Pagtingin, confirming Bamboo Mañalac's stint in the show as coach and judge.Mañalac was the former frontman of Rivermaya from 1994 until 1998, and later with Bamboo from 2002 until it got disband in 2011.

In an interview made by ABS-CBN News, Mañalac provided a statement regarding his stint on The Voice of the Philippines, "I'm ready to be a coach in The Voice of the Philippines. There's a time for everything and this is it." When asked on what kind of artist will he would like to coach, he said, “I’ve been listening to rock for a long time but I also listen to other genres from rock to pop to folk to everything. I want someone who is open to all kinds of music; someone who is willing to listen and willing to learn.”

Meet Lea Salonga, The Voice that conquered the world

ABS-CBN aired a plug teaser on February 17, 2013 for the third coach. The coach, who is a female, was tagged as "The voice that conquered the world." The third coach was rumored to be Lea Salonga, a world renowned theater actress who had appeared in Miss Saigon, Les Misérables on Broadway, and was named a Disney Legend in 2011 for her work with Disney on Aladdin, and Mulan movies. The teaser strongly resembles Salonga. Salonga was also been rumored to host the show last October 2012, but was later debunked since Toni Gonzaga was announced as the host along with the show's media correspondent, Robi Domingo.[61]
On the night of February 19, 2013, Lea Salonga confirmed her stint as an official coach in the show via her official Twitter account. In the same night, ABS-CBN later confirmed Salonga's role on the Voice of the Philippines.

“I was very interested in ‘The Voice’s’ format, having seen the show in the US and really enjoying it. I’m a fan,” Salonga told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an interview. As Salonga had some commitments locally and abroad, ABS-CBN was able to do some adjustments and finalize her work schedule in order to include her job in the local version of The Voice.


Meet Apl.de.Ap, The Voice that ruled the worldwide music charts

After Salonga's confirmation, there has been strong rumors that the fourth coach will be Allan Pineda who is more popularly known as Apl.de.Ap. Apl.de.Ap is a Filipino-American rapper and member of the Grammy Award-winning group The Black Eyed Peas. During an interview made by The Huffington Post on 2012, Apl.de.Ap stated that he has plans on launching his own talent show in the Philippines. "I've been working myself up to do it because I'm not used to being on TV everyday... I've been offered a show for next year," he revealed.

Soon after, on March 1, 2013, ABS-CBN has confirmed that they are in the final stages of negotiating with the management of Apl.de.Ap to become its fourth and last official coach of the show. On March 7, 2013, it was announced through ABS-CBN's entertainment website, Push, that Apl.de.Ap will sit as the fourth coach. On an article posted in the network's official website dated March 20, 2013, Apl.de.Ap is slated to do the initial promotional plug with TFC London and is scheduled to arrive in Manila by April to meet and work with the three other coaches and the rest of the show's team. His promotional television plug was aired on March 27, 2013 right after TV Patrol. He was dubbed as The voice that ruled the worldwide music chart.

In an interview made by ABS-CBN News, Apl admitted that it was will.i.am, Pineda's friend and co-member in The Black Eyed Peas, that encouraged him to accept the coaching stint in The Voice of the Philippines. Will.i.am is also a coach on The Voice UK along with Danny O'Donoghue, Tom Jones, and Jessie J.

Apl further told that press that he will be truthful on coaching his artists, as well giving them constructive criticisms. Apl will also share his life experiences, what he has been through the music industry, and how hard it is to fulfill and reach it.

Source: wikipedia.org

Movie Review: 21 and Over (2013)

Straight-A college student Jeff Chang has always done what he was supposed to do. But when his two best friends Casey and Miller surprise him with a visit for his 21st birthday, Jeff Chang decides to do everything he wants to do for a change, even though his important medical school interview is early the next morning. What was supposed to be one beer becomes a night of humiliation, over indulgence and utter debauchery in this coming-of-drinking-age-comedy, from the writers of THE HANGOVER,about living youth to its fullest.

On my radar:
The writers of The Hangover stick to the same formula which is to provide fun while the beer flows. Unlike Project X, 21 and over had an actual story to it.

Off my radar:
21 and over is not actually a groundbreaking comedy movie; perhaps, writers John Lucas and Scott Moore, who created comedy blockbuster, have ran out of ideas. It is inevitable to compare 21 and over with The Hangover. The Hangover is way better than 21 and over.

My rating:
3 out 5 blipz

Cast:
Miles Teller ... Miller
Skylar Astin ... Casey
Justin Chon ... Jeff Chang
Sarah Wright ... Nicole
Jonathan Keltz ... Randy
François Chau ... Dr. Chang

Watch 21 and Over full movie trailer below.

Movie Review: Pacific Rim (2013)

When legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from the sea, a war began that would take millions of lives and consume humanity's resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon was devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. But even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless Kaiju. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes-a washed up former pilot (Charlie Hunnam) and an untested trainee (Rinko Kikuchi)-who are teamed to drive a legendary but seemingly obsolete Jaeger from the past. Together, they stand as mankind's last hope against the mounting apocalypse ~ Warner Bros.

On my radar:
Pacific Rim is the movie Transformers should have been. The battle between two-manned gigantic robots and humongous sea creature was balanced with humor spectacles (corny asides). The visuals was awesome and convincing, convincing compared to the effects of Man of Steel the movie.

Off my radar:
A little bit corny.

My rating:
4 out of 5 blipz

Cast:
Charlie Hunnam ... Raleigh Becket
Diego Klattenhoff ... Yancy Becket
Idris Elba ... Stacker Pentecost
Rinko Kikuchi ... Mako Mori
Charlie Day ... Dr. Newton Geiszler

Watch Pacific Rim full movie trailer below.

The Effect of Overpopulation

Overpopulation may be one of the biggest problems around the world. According to some research, the population of the world is increasing exponentially. This is the main topic of the book Inferno by Dan Brown. In the book, the villain, a mad scientist, engineered a new virus that would rewrite human genome to cleanse the world from overpopulation by one third.

I also to happened to watch the movie The Purge and over population was the main reason why the "The Purge" was formed. In the movie, the purge happens once a year, a 12-hour period when crimes are legalized and you can kill anybody; and, emergency services are suspended. In a way, and the government believed that the population would decrease significantly.

Both the book and the movie are thought-provoking. I think there's some truths to it based on my observation. If the premise is explored a little bit more, you may realize that over population could and would destroy the world. How sustainable the Earth as population rises? One thing for sure, the human race will keep on competing and destroying each other for some selfish reasons. And as the number of people like that increases all the more the impact of destruction.

VoicePH: Let the Battle Begin

The blind auditions for the Voice of the Philippines is almost done and the list of singers for Team Lea, Team Apl de Ap, Team Bamboo and Team Sarah is almost complete; the battle will start next week. Everyone is expecting a great battle between the great singers of each team; since the Philippines is dubbed as the capital of great singers of the world. While everyone is eyeing their bets who can pass through and move on to the next level of the competition 4 teams are ready for next week's episode.

Now the list is complete for each team, who's your best bet? Everyone is so anxious to witness the next level, the Battle Rounds.

Team Lea is complete 13 singers.
1. Darryl Shy
2. Chien Berbana
3. Taw Muhammad
4. Radha Tinsay
5. Mitoy Yonting
6. Diday Garcellano
7. Juvie Pelos
8. Marissa Saroca
9. Mel John Podolig
10. Rainier Acosta
11. Japs Mendoza
12. RJ dela Fuente
13. Kim Mainit

Apl de Ap's team is composed of 12 singers.
1. Thor Dulay
2. Corazon dela Cruz
3. Lorenzana Siblings (Guji and Grace)
4. Sir Lord Lumibao
5. Moira dela Torre
6. Cara Manglapus
7. Lance Fabros
8. Tristhan Perfecto
9. Janice Javier
10. Penelope Matanguihan
11. Jessica Corpuz
12. Jessica Reynoso

Kamp Kawayan has 13 singers.
1. Deborah Victa
2. Lee Grane Maranan
3. Isa Fabregas
4. Angelique Alcantara
5. Cordovales Father & Son (Willy and Mark)
6. Don Michael Perez
7. Angelica Prado
8. Paolo Onesa
9. Nicole Parada
10. John Philip Duka
11. Talia Reyes
12. Dennis Sagun
13. Dan Billano

Team Sarah has 11 singers and will be completed in the next episode.
1. Junji Arias
2. Eva delos Santos
3. Morissette Amon
4. Michaellen Temporada
5. Gabriel Ramos
6. Hans Dimayuga
7. Kathreen Castro
8. Hideyuki Ito
9. Lecelle Trinidad
10. Maki Ricafort
11. Klarisse de Guzman
12. To be announced (TBA)

The Voice of the Philippines is a franchise bought by ABS-CBN.

Getting a Kick Start Today

I've been hibernating for three months now. And, it is too painful to realize that being a couch potato is really unproductive. Just watching TV the whole day and always wondering what's next. For some this is enjoyable but I am used to work all day long and getting busy. I don't like the feeling of waiting and worrying what will happen to me (the future) while sitting in front the television set. I know for sure some share the same feeling. You get the habit of getting started and do something and then getting too tired of thinking how to get started -- procrastinating. The "how", "what" and "when" to kick start and go on. 

But then I realize I can do better. I think the sense of empowerment plays a huge part in getting out of the dark and step into the light and get started. I know it is hard to getaway from the shadows having low self-esteem. It crossed my mind that I have my family and friends who believes in me. Since I always wanted everything to be perfect I ended up getting frustrated. I always compare myself to others but I realized I don't have to compete with others but myself. 

I just need to step up and have a kick start, think positive, and enjoy the roller-coaster-ride of life. Not tomorrow, not next year but hit start today.

Revisiting Bulwang Caves in Mabinay

If I were to visit to a cool place again, I would choose Bulwang Cave. Also known as Mabinay Cave, located in Brgy. Bulwang, Mabinay, Negros Oriental, appeals to spelunking enthusiasts and travelers alike because of its natural formation of stalactites and stalagmites. Bulwang Cave offers 5 levels of easy to explore caves. As long you permits to camp and to hike, you may explore Bulwang Caves for you are into extreme adventures. This is something, as Negrosanon, to be proud of. The government of Mabinay also built stairs and railings for beginners. If you want to take great pictures of the cave, do not use a flash when taking pictures. There are lights installed in the cave so there will be enough light for your pictures.

Here are some pictures I took when I last visited Bulwang Caves. #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines

 

Box Office: Movies of 2013

Here's a list of top ten high-grossing films in the Philippines as of July 2013. Surprisingly, Star Cinema is on the list -- It Takes A Man and A Woman of Star Cin. beats G.I. Joe: Retaliation distributed by UIP.

Rank	Movie Title	Distributor	Gross	Release
1	Iron Man 3	Disney	$14,949,472	24-Apr
2	It Takes A Man And A Woman	Star Cinema	$9,141,744	30-Mar
3	Man of Steel	Warner Bros.	$8,907,067	12-Jun
4	Fast & Furious 6	United International Pictures	$5,916,627	24-May
5	World War Z	United International Pictures	$4,742,996	19-Jun
6	Despicable Me 2	United International Pictures	$4,646,551	3-Jul
7	G.I. Joe: Retaliation	United International Pictures	$4,560,225	30-Mar
8	Four Sisters and a Wedding	Star Cinema	$3,351,356	26-Jun
9	Jack the Giant Slayer	Warner Bros.	$3,154,259	28-Feb
10	Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters	United International Pictures	$2,744,810	23-Jan

Source: Box Office Mojo

The Voice of the Philippines

The Voice of the Philippines is a Filipino reality television singing competition on ABS-CBN (Philippines). The TV show is a franchise based on the reality singing competition The Voice of Holland, which was originally created by Dutch television.The Voice of the Philippines, also know as The Voice PH, is hosted by Toni Gonzaga, while Robi Domingo, and Alex Gonzaga serve as the show's V-Reporters or the social media correspondents. With an interesting ensemble of coaches - Sarah Geronimo, Bamboo Mañalac, Lea Salonga, and Apl.de.Ap.

The Voice of the Philippines is the fourth national franchise in the Southeast Asian region after Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia.

The first season premiered on June 15, 2013 (ABS-CBN).

Box Office: Movies Opening This Week

According to returns in the US, "The Conjuring" will easily get the No. 1 spot at the box office. Movie goers will enjoy the following films opening this week.

Red 2

Retired C.I.A. agent Frank Moses reunites his unlikely team of elite operatives for a global quest to track down a missing portable nuclear device.

Directed by Dean Parisot

R.I.P.D.

A recently slain cop joins a team of undead police officers working for the Rest in Peace Department and tries to find the man who murdered him.

Directed by Robert Schwentke

Turbo

A freak accident might just help an everyday garden snail achieve his biggest dream: winning the Indy 500.

Directed by Davie Soren

The Conjuring

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most terrifying case of their lives.

Directed by James Wan

Movie Review: The Purge (2013)

If on one night every year, you could commit any crime without facing consequences, what would you do? In The Purge, a speculative thriller that follows one family over the course of a single night, four people will be tested to see how far they will go to protect themselves when the vicious outside world breaks into their home. In an America wracked by crime and overcrowded prisons, the government has sanctioned an annual 12-hour period in which any and all criminal activity-includingmurder-becomes legal. The police can't be called. Hospitals suspend help. It's one night when the citizenry regulates itself without thought of punishment. On this night plagued by violence and an epidemic of crime, one family wrestles with the decision of who they will become when a stranger comes knocking. When an intruder breaks into James Sandin's (Ethan Hawke) gated community during the yearly lockdown, he begins a sequence of events that threatens to tear a family apart. Now, it is up to James, his wife, Mary (Lena Headey), and their kids to make it through the night without turning into the monsters from whom they hide. Directed by James DeMonaco (writer of Assault on Precinct 13 and The Negotiator), The Purge is produced by Jason Blum of Blumhouse (Paranormal Activity, Insidious, Sinister), Platinum Dunes' partners Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form (The Amityville Horror, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), as well as Sébastien Kurt Lemercier (Assault on Precinct 13). ~ Universal

On my radar:
Well, the plot is thought-provoking. A workable blueprint for a movie. That's all I can say.

Off my radar:
The Purge could have been great if only they've expanded and explore the plot a little bit more. The film  is an old horror-movie standard. The actors was not that bad but the kid actor lacks charm; not so convincing.

My rating:
3 out of 5 blipz

Cast:
Ethan Hawke ... James Sandin
Lena Headey ... Mary Sandin
Max Burkholder ... Charlie Sandin
Adelaide Kane ... Zoey Sandin
Edwin Hodge ... Bloody Stranger
Rhys Wakefield ... Polite Leader
Tony Oller ... Henry


Watch The Purge full movie trailer below.  

Movie Review: Man of Steel (2013)

A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind. ~ Warner Bros.

On my radar:
What I like about this movie is that it shows Clark Kent appears to be human at first. The film concentrates on the discovery of Superman's extraordinary powers. The movie tackles the origin of Superman; the letter "S" on Kent's suit. The new film also introduced a new suit for the man of steel (discarding the briefs). I think I saw the suit regenerates by itself. 

Off my radar:
The new Superman movie consists of a long declamation and endless violence. By the way, I slept half of the time as the movie ran. The movie effects was not that effective either; not as good as I have expected.

My rating: 
3 out 5 blipz

Cast:
Henry Cavill ... Clark Kent / Kal-El
Amy Adams ... Lois Lane
Michael Shannon ... General Zod
Diane Lane ... Martha Kent
Russell Crowe ... Jor-El
Kevin Costner ... Jonathan Kent
Laurence Fishburne ... Perry White

Watch Man of Steel full movie trailer below.

Long and Winding Road

Long trips make your travelling more fun and enjoyable. Even if this takes a lot longer to get to your end point. Come to think of it you get to see views that you've never seen before. You could just easily pull over, take out your camera, capture the scenery and savor the moment. And, it makes your trip worthwhile. 

More Fun in Bulwang Caves Mabinay

I've been to Dumaguete the center of Negros Oriental via Mabinay but I didn't know there's place like this. Last month we went to Bulwang caves in Mabinay as part of our long road trip to Bohol. According to the Guides consist of 400 plus cavernous sites explored mostly financed by foreign spelunkers.

 

Can't get enough picture taking, one tip though DO NOT use your flash. Photographs were more stunning without a flash -- 400 to 800 ISO is good enough.

Photography: Rustic Change

Shot taken without flash

I was playing with my camera and it just dawned on me (more like an epiphany) that photography is simply a play of lights. I thought flashes were only used during night scenes or if there's a low source of light to make your subject come up on the frame. I realized that flashes can also be used in scenes like in a broad daylight and it actually produce more dramatic pictures. It can make your background black and your subject look stunning.

Recently Discovered Fault Caused Negros Earthquakes

 

A recently discovered fault line caused the magnitude-6.9 quake that shook Dumaguete and its neighboring regions (Visayas region) on the afternoon of February 6, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

 

 

 

 

 

The earthquake was caused by the sudden shifting of two tectonic plates in the Visayas area. The shift was from a "blind fault" some 20kms below the earth between Negros and Cebu.

 

Read full story...

Earthquake Safety Tips

Nowadays, we are experiencing earthquake in different parts of the world. A little knowledge and a few precautionary measures can increase your chances of surviving an earthquake - or any other type of hazardous events. The keys are education and preparedness. The earthquake safety tips below will not make you an expert. However, they could make a life-saving difference if you find yourself in a situation such as this - an earthquake situation. Educate yourself by studying simple safety tips below.

Before the Earthquake:

• Learn how to survive during the ground motion. This is described in the "During the Earthquake" section below. These earthquake safety tips will prepare you for the fast action needed - most earthquakes are over in seconds so knowing what to do instinctively is very important.
• Teach members of your family about earthquake safety precautions. This includes: 1) the actions you should take when an earthquake occurs, 2) the safe places in a room such as under a strong desk, along interior walls, and 3) places to avoid such as near windows, large mirrors, hanging objects, heavy furniture and fireplaces.
• Stock up on emergency supplies. These include: battery operated radio (and extra batteries), flashlights (and extra batteries), first aid kit, bottled water, two-week worth of food and medical supplies, blankets, cooking fuel, tools needed to turn off your gas, water and electric utilities.

Phivolcs: Intensity Alert Levels

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck between the islands of Negros and Cebu before noon Monday, February 6, 2012, killing at least 7 people and prompting government volcanologists to raise a tsunami alert.

Intensity

Phivolcs said the following intensities were felt in the following areas:

• Intensity VII - Dumaguete City; Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental

• Intensity VI - La Carlota City and La Castellana, Negros Occidental; Argao, Cebu

• Intensity V - Roxas City; Dao and Ivisan, Capiz; Iloilo City; Ayungon, Negros Oriental; Kanlaon City; Lapu-lapu City; Guimaras; Cebu City; San Carlos City; Bacolod City; Sagay City; Tagbilaran City; Candoni, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental

• Intensity IV - San Jose de Buenavista, Pandan, Anini-y, Patnungon, Antique; Kalibo, Aklan; Dipolog City; Sipalay, Negros Occidental; Ormoc City

• Intensity III - Butuan City, Agusan del Norte; Legaspi City, Albay; Carmen, Cagayan de Oro; Tacloban City; Catbalogan; Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte; Masbate, Masbate; Cagayan de Oro City

• Intensity II - Cabid-an, Sorsogon; Borongan, Eastern Samar; Mambajao, Camiguin

• Intensity I - Pagadian City

Quake in Negros Prompted Tsunami Warning

The earthquake also prompted a tsunami warning from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), alerting residents near the coastal areas of Negros and Cebu to watch for unusual waves. But, according to Phivolcs, not requiring any evacuation just yet.


The tsunami alert was canceled after no further reports of unusual sea level changes were received after the two-hour extended observation period.

But more aftershocks could be expected in the next few weeks in areas near the epicenter, according to Ishmael Narag, officer in charge of the Phivolcs’ seismology division. As of 1 p.m. Monday, February 6, 2012, Phivolcs had recorded 16 aftershocks.

The quake triggered another landslide in the mountain village of Solongon in La Libertad town, also in Negros Oriental. An unknown number of people were trapped, said Inspector Eric Arrol Besario, the town police chief.


The earthquake sent shoppers scrambling under tables and workers and students rushing out of their buildings in cities of Negros and Cebu.

Classes in all public and private schools in Negros Oriental were suspended, while businesses in Dumaguete City were closed due to reported aftershocks. Intensity V was experienced in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.