The Wheel and Axle

I never thought the children’s song I Have Two Hands could ever be disturbing, but Aurelio Sedisyo: A Rock Sarswela – the latest musical from Tanghalang Pilipino – proved me wrong.

It tells the tale of playwright Aurelio Tolentino, who at the turn of the 20th century opposed the American regime in the Philippines through the mighty pen. He staged symbolic plays that condemned the colonizers as a way to continue the revolution after Emilio Aguinaldo’s capture. Together with Macario Sakay and Dominador Gomez, Tolentino was part of a triumvirate of resistance from different fronts: soldiers (Sakay), laborers (Gomez), and artists (Tolentino). Along the way, he befriends Manuel Quezon, an aspiring lawyer who believes freedom will come through political maneuvering into government, an idea that appalls Tolentino. Interspersed with the story of his cause is the story of his family, of how familial loyalties and love are tested in the midst of trials and tribulation.

(continue reading…)

Really liking this kid more and more. Thank goodness Ruru Madrid is of legal age, as otherwise I’d feel dirty all over. I mean, I already just had to make excuses for Jon and his aunt Daenerys this past week. Let’s not add to the fantasy guilt.

(continue reading…)

Joel Osteen is not a Christian.

He has always been a scam artist.

He didn’t even go to seminary. As per his confirmation during a Larry King interview, they just ordained him at his father’s church and ministry.

Aside from spreading incorrect Christian theology, he has risen to become a wealthy celebrity minister whose ostentateous lifestyle should make anyone – Christian or not – think twice.

While acquiring material wealth is not evil in and of itself per se, it is always highly questionable when a purported Christian minister acquires astounding wealth. This is especially true when you consider that Jesus asked His first apostles to leave their livelihood behind to follow Him. He also told a wealthy man about camels and needles, and that if the man wanted to follow Him, he should leave his wealth behind.

(continue reading…)

Please stop chopping onions in my presence.

For the full story, visit this link, which also provides info and links on how to help these kids. You should also visit Josh Rossi’s Facebook page for more awesome stuff.

So as of yesterday afternoon, Uber Philippines is back in business, having succumbed to the extortion of the LTFRB.

As a follow-up to the ongoing TNV saga, here we have the Spectacular Shriveled Man of the LTFRB showing just how truly tone deaf he is.

(continue reading…)

“No one looks better fighting in a tiara — although I haven’t had a go yet, so let’s not compare too soon.”

Etta, oh moxie-filled Etta! I hope they find a way to bring you to the sequels, too. Preferably using the golden lasso in those ways you’re thinking of. So very 40s Wondie, tee hee.

Wonder Woman is out today on digital, although the iTunes one will be released on September 4th (I’ve pre-ordered, obv). Blu-ray is out on September 19th.

The consumer in me will be happy if Uber goes back online this coming week given that the insidious LTFRB has already given the recommended fine for lifting the one-month suspension.

You know, just a mere and very sane 190 Million Fucking Pesos.

But the responsible citizen in me thinks they should give Shriveled Man and his sidekick Nostril Girl the middle finger and just serve the remainder of the suspension period. There’s only about two weeks left anyway, and if that’s what it costs to defy institutionalized extortion, I can – as a consumer – live with it.

(continue reading…)

Yesterday, I and fellow Library Undergrounders Deo and Roni (now also christened “Bibliophibians” by Jessica Z.) went to the 2017 Philippine Readers and Writers Festival in Raffles, Makati. Originally, my plan for the weekend had been to go to the 2017 Asia Pop Comicon; however, given that my interest in that event plummeted due to a tepid guest list that I wasn’t really eager to see, it was an easy choice to switch to the literature festival instead.

Jessica had invited us to attend the Q&A session she was hosting for award-winning author Mark Z. Danielewski, who wrote such best-sellers as House of Leaves, Only Revolutions, The Fifty Year Sword, and the (planned) 27-book series The Familiar, four of which have been released and the fifth coming out this October.

(continue reading…)

… and I am not ashamed of it.

Happy 37th birthday to the one and only Chris Pine, who will always be my favorite of the four Hollywood Chrises (Hemsworth comes second). All the way from The Princess Diaries to Wonder Woman, and definitely beyond, you are one of the absolute best in Hollywood!

(continue reading…)

Continued From:

Dedz Na Si Jess, Part 1

Despite the unrelenting hilarity throughout Patay Na Si Jesus, it must be noted that this is smart humor. No, this is not a movie that’s all slapstick and puns and repetitive shallowness (I shan’t name names). This is a movie where humor is intelligent and is derived from situation and circumstance, not from tired and forced jokes that just make their way into the dialogue without really being earned. In this movie, we have real people who find laughter in real situations; we end up laughing with them and not at them because we actually see ourselves in all of these characters.

And so we also empathize with them.

(continue reading…)