Blind Side.

I was channel surfing last Saturday night when I came across a movie in HBO.  A guy dressed drearily just entered a classroom filled with normal American teenagers.  Some minutes later, I saw Sandra Bullock sporting a blond hair and driving a luxury car.


I later learned that the movie was called The Blind Side.  Sandra won her first Best Actress trophy in the Oscars here.
Since this is an Oscar-worthy movie, I thought I was off to watching a tear-jerker dramafest or a suspense-filled highly political movie.  As it went on, however, I was pleasantly suprised that it was inspiring, the story was simple yet powerful.


The movie was about Big Mike, an African-American teenager who was headed towards the rots because (1) his mother was a drug addict who had several kids with different fathers, (2) he lived at the bad side of town, and (3) he did not get a chance to get good education.  Jumping from one foster home to another, he ended up sleeping in the couch of one his father's friends.  This person helped him get accepted in a nice school where he met a little boy whose family was rich.  He eventually became part of this rich family.  They legally adopted him, hired a tutor for him, and made sure he lives a comfortable life until he graduated from college.  


This is a true story.  Big Mike or Michael Oher is now one of the more famous NFL players, a first-round draftee of the 2009 NFL Draft.


See the real Big Mike with the Tuohy family.
I was most affected by Big Mike's pure heart... how he showed his appreciation to the help he was given and did not abuse the support of his adoptive family.  Instead, he returned the favor by doing his best all the time.  The Lord saw that Big Mike deserves a better chance in life so He led this boy to the Tuohys.


And because this is a movie, one would think that the story is extraordinary (to which I agree).  But goodness exists everywhere.  I find it all the time in my family and friends.  In their own little way, they have made things a bit easier and happier for me.  I hope I am doing the same thing for them.


I wish more movies like this would win Oscar awards.  I bet there are a lot of stories to tell.  It's about time that we hype the good.

My First Sarah G. Concert.

February is really my month.  Aside from the major life celebrations (which I will write about later), I went to my very first Sarah Geronimo concert.

Because I am a true blue fan, I bought the Patron VIP at Php4,000.

From Iphone loads

Got the tickets way back in December because the nearest area would normally get sold out after a few weeks.  Talk about being excited.


It was a long wait.  Then finally, February 12 came and it was one of the best days of the month for me.


Before entering the coliseum and while waiting for officemate, Liz.

From Digicam Shots

Here is Liz beside the Sunsilk banner, inside Araneta.

From Digicam Shots

At the concert area.  There was a big screen.

From Digicam Shots

Our seats (Row S) were, unfortunately, still far.  It was a little disappointing but we forgot about it during the concert.
 
A shot of the whole stage.  It seemed smaller than how we see it on TV.  I like the big heart!

From Digicam Shots

Concert started an hour late.  Here is a shot of the coliseum around 1 1/2 hours before the show... was filled to brim half an hour later.

From Digicam Shots

(The waiting time would have been a breeze if not for an irate man and his date.  He was throwing out expletives because the show was late, while the date was supporting him in his cause.  They did enjoy the concert and were even dancing at the end of the show.  Weird.)


Sarah, during her opening number while wearing her opening dress.  Lovely!  And the shoes were super nice, too! 

From Digicam Shots

Now, with Martin.

From Digicam Shots

Concert gown no. 2 + the yummy Gerald Andersen.  They are shooting a movie together.

From Digicam Shots

While singing Firework by Katy Perry, with fireworks and all.  This was my favorite number of the night.

From Digicam Shots

Outfit no. 3 while doing a K-pop number.  K for Korean!

From Digicam Shots

Martin, when he went so near our row.

From Digicam Shots

Sarah while singing the hurting inside songs.  Second favorite number was the Almost Over You by Sheena Easton rendition.

From Digicam Shots

After the concert.  Here is the heart I was talking about... isn't it cute?

From Digicam Shots

The Sarah G concert-goers: me, Liz and Nova.

From Digicam Shots

Martin was indeed the Concert King because he was an all-out and damn funny performer.  Sarah sounded so much better than TV and she was just stunning.  It was a heck of a show so I will definitely not miss a Sarah concert in the years to come.

The Fantastic Magkaribal.

I grew up with soap operas as a staple so I am well aware of the evolution of these drama shows, at least in the Philippines. The formula is so easy to follow so what I do is just watch the first few episodes, get snippets in the middle and I do not miss the last part... that is if I like whoever is in the series.

Here is a list of soap operas that I followed -- not watched -- religiously (order is based on like):

1) Pangako Sa 'Yo which was an epic.
2) Marimar, the Thalia (read: original) version
3) Maria La Del Barrio, Thalia starrer again
4) Rosalinda, Thalia starrer still
5) Metor Garden (Series 1), which I so love
6) Pangarap na Bituin because of Sarah G.
7) Mula sa Puso. Thanks to the late Rico Yan.

And now, may I add Magkaribal to the list?


It is, for me, what a soap opera of the modern times should be all about. Put it on the top of my list, please.

Honestly, I do not like Bea. I think she is an actress so unnatural that during crying scenes, she seems to be trying her best not to yawn (yawning is actually the best way to make yourself shed those artista tears, try it). I do not like Gretchen and her persona but yes, she still has it (acting). I do not like Erich and her supposedly conyo accent nor I get kilig in the Erich-Enchong tandem.

BUT the story is so wonderfully written that I was able to go past my dislikes and concentrate on the story and how it was presented.

I shed a tear when Victoria lost her baby, shed a tear again when Victoria found out that Gelai was her sister, and shed a tear again when the sisters saw each other. Gretchen was very good in her crying scenes and was superb in her confrontational scenes especially the last row about the finale dress.

I love Vera's character. She is so mean but she is so in love with her husband. Other famous soap villains were merely evil and whatever hurt that caused their vengeful acts got lost in the story because they were portrayed as just evil. Vera was different because one can clearly see how she was heartbroken by the demise of Manuel.

Manuel was a class act while Papa Ronaldo Valera was the best portrayed old rich fag in town. Love, love, love to pieces!

I do hope that they would not come up with a series 2 for Magkaribal because they have to leave this epic at that... great and unforgettable.

Historic Visit.

We never thought our visit was the last Saturday for Wowowee.

Waterloo and Sarah G.

I adooooore Sarah Geronimo.

Because she seems ordinary but she is actually a gem. She is one of the most talented people I know (not personally) and I heard she is a very humble person.

I have been preparing for the day that I will finally see her. For the past year, I have been training myself to go up to different celebrities that I see and ask if I can have a picture with them. I have pictures with Jake Cuenca, Kim Chiu, Charice Pempengco and even Mang Dolphy! While I do get starstruck, I thought I did become an expert.

The day came back in June in LAX. She was 3 feet away from me.

Guess what... I choked. I got nowhere nearer than 3 ft and the only connection we had was a "Hello, Sarah!" greeting from me... and from her perspective, that could be anybody else!

This is the next best thing that I have to remember the day... thanks to my hubby.


Aargh! I never thought that Sarah is indeed my waterloo. After months of training, I still can't handle a Sarah G sighting.

I have a few months again to compose myself for another opportunity. Please, please, please, let the universe connive. And I do hope I will not blow it again next time.

Wowowee.

I am so excited.

I will be watching Wowowee tomorrow. Not that I am a super fan of the show but this gives me the opportunity to go inside ABS-CBN.

Reminders for oneself:

1) Don't forget to charge and bring your camera.
2) Don't forget to charge and bring your iPhone.
3) Don't forget to wake up on time.