My Project Runway Philippines chicken, Jaz is out.

She of the feminine yet strong silhouettes, halter tops and amazing construction was auff'd by Teresa. I really really wanted her to win. In fact, I thought she was going to win but nooo I was so proven wrong and instead I have to accept the fact that she's not in the contest. I wanted her to win because I'd actually wear her stuff.

But I'm still voting for her here. Vote for Jaz!

I've been thinking a lot about work, like if I love it or if I'm enjoying it. I haven't really come up with an answer yet but today... work was amazing.

No, not the actual work but the fact that I totally scoopeed all the Philippines' news media.

My story on the tainted China milk (which I cannot link because I'm lazy fixing the PDF) came out yesterday, and ABS-CBN just picked it up today, ha eat that 2! Admittedly I did not think of the story first because I had read that the milk was not transported to Philippines but my editor felt it needed to be checked. So really he should be thanked but this is my blog and I feel like praising myself so kebs.

I love scooping people. And this is a real scoop, not the scoop TV only because they didn't care much about the event. A real real one.

Lurves it! The perfect way to end this looong day is to celebrate with ice cream, which I had, but needed to spend my own money because I haven't passed by the office yet to get my pay.

For today, I will not think about my future and what I will do. But rather celebrate the fact that I got the story first. Kebs kung hindi top story ng BWorld, lumabas pa rin.

Lest I be labelled as a chismosa (shut up Kevin), I just found out that Dennis Trillo went to CL for high school.

Now I spent 14 years in the school and never once heard that there was a student named Dennis, let alone Dennis Trillo. And my friends and I do tend to um, "talk", about other students.

Who knew? Is this true? It's kind of neat in a freaky showbiz way.

Firefox 3 screwed up my old lay-out. So now I have a new one that is formatted for it.

I still miss my old one.

Damn you Firefox!

Disney hasn't made a movie quite like Princess Diaries in a long time.

I mean Anne Hathaway was really amazing in it. And hello Robert Schwartzman before he became Robert Carmine and fully devoted himself to Rooney. It's funny and sweet and not too light. And Mandy Moore, the only remotely pop-ish celebrity in the movie had a small role.

I know I loved the books and the movie because her name is Mia too. And she has wild hair and glasses and ocassionally trips. Plus she's a princess, I've always wanted to be a princess. I still want to be one by the way. But the story is fun too. It's light without being too shallow.

But I also know how different Princess Mia is from Miya. I know I am not invisible, there is no way people will think that about me (unless I hide and stay in the back table like I always do at presscons). I'm totally comfortable talking in front of a crowd and I am so much more confident than her. But I can't help but relate to her anyway.

I haven't read the books since Book 5 though. CL really does have the ability to make one into a literary snob. One of these days I will spend my hard-earned cash on the Princess Diaries series. Come to think of it, I haven't read much chick-litty stuff in forever. In fact I loathe chick lit now. And I can't explain why.

Plus I had myself a Michael Moscovitz once. As in he was smart, played music and was cute. But like Mia in the 8th (or is it the 9th?) I got dumped. Or rather we never got to the point where dumping was necessary. Anyway, what are the chances I'd find myself another Michael Moscovitz, or Logan Echolls, or even Angel?

Ignore that last paragraph.

Basta, I miss Princess Diaries and hope that Disney starts making movies that don't star the Jonas Brothers or Miley Cyrus or Zac Efron. A movie that tells a good story without having to sing some cheesy pop song to promote it.

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I wasn't able to go to Rock the Cradle.

Because I went home after work, instead of waiting somewhere, and ended up all tha way in Antipolo, where it's hard to get a cab and where I waited for the dad who then decided it's too late for him to drive me anywhere.

I really should've taken the car then.

Muh, I still bought the ticket anyway because it's the donation that matters.

But of course I wanted to see my HS friends, have a margarita and hug Ate Vida. Ah life. Let's hope that my attempt to go to AdHoc today won't meet the same fate (it probably will though because I've got to work tomorrow).

I used to call Ate Vida my sister in law, not because I wanted her to be with the Kuya but because I always considered her as a sister, the ate I never had. So when I heard about what happened to her baby I wanted to help. But sadly I am not the best person to go to for these things since I don't have much money and am very bad at the supportive thing. But I can tell people to go to the concert (I'll try to make it after this presscon) and to donate as much money as they can.

So please go to the concert. It's for a very very good cause.

Our newlywed friends, Brian and Vida (nee Toledo) Samson are expecting their first baby. However, last July 2008, doctors discovered through ultrasound that the baby, Savannah Araceli Breeda Thaddeus Toledo Samson, has a life-threatening disease called congenital diaphragmatic hernia. It is a rare condition that occurs in 1 out of 2,200 to 5,000 live births, in which the baby's diaphragm, the organ that separates the chest cavity (which contains the heart and lungs) from the abdominal cavity (which contains the stomach, liver and intestines), fails to develop completely. The under-developed diaphragm leaves a hole that allows the intestines and the stomach to enter the chest cavity, affecting the development of the lungs. After birth, the lungs may collapse and Savannah may not be able to breathe.

According to Vida's doctor, approximately 75% to 90% of babies born with this condition do not survive, if left untreated.

But with your help, there is hope. Savannah must undergo an operation called intrauterine fetal surgery which can only be performed in the United States. The cost of this surgery is at least US$100,000.00. This procedure, to be done at the University of San Francisco Children's Hospital, is the only procedure that can raise her chance of survival. Vida and Brian have approached several foundations to shoulder the cost of the procedure and are awaiting a positive response.

We are under tremendous time constraints, as Vida needs to have the operation sometime in September, or in her 7th month of pregnancy. The Philippine Airlines Foundation has generously offered to sponsor the couple's air fare to and from San Francisco (excluding tax).

Trying to follow the Olympics before Solar took it over was like the lottery. You had to be really really lucky to catch it on TV.

And really I enjoy fencing, but seeing as it was the only sport I ever got to see during the 2004 Athens Olympics, I don't want to keep watching it. So this coverage was infinitely better for my gymnastics, soccer/football, swimming, synchro, diving loving self.

But of course because the news starts at around 6 or 7 (in some channels), I rarely got to watch the competitions that started at 5. And trust me I wasn't the only one grumbling about it in the media office.

Anyway, I hearts this Olympics. Maybe because it's so controversial and ma-chismis.Or maybe because I actually got to watch something else other than fencing.

I'm sad for the Philippine contingent but I know that in 2010 there's going to be someone really mad that they didn't make it to fourth place or better (Toni Rivero). There's this wonderful article in the Inquirer that talks about our contingent and how honor, most especially for Miguel Molina, was denied for them. As in the honor of carrying our flag ha. If I find it online I'll edit but for now hanapin niyo na lang sa sports section.

So other thoughts for Beijing 2008?

• Has Brazil really fallen in footie or are the star Brazilian players not brave enough to risk their pro careers and ask to play for the country?
• Ian Thorpe now wants to poison Michael Phelps. As if he didn't have another reason to do so
• Related to that, I no longer think the Thorpedo is a God, that honor now belongs to Phelps
• I should really make an effort to know the names of the Israeli gymnasts. I didn't even know they competed in gymnastics
• Diving may be my new figure skating, or at least my new COP
• Divers are hot
• Note to self: Kiribati is in Asia not Africa. Also, it exists
• There is nothing gayer than swimsuits that light up

I can't wait until the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olys and London 2012. Will the Doctor carry the torch? Will Johnny and Stephane admit they're dating while standing on the poduim? We'll only find out then.

This afternoon I got a text from one of the desk people from work. The text reminded us to "bank" stories for Monday. And I should because I only have one story for Sunday and none at all for Monday.

And what I am I doing?

Reading a manga about figure skating. Ice Dancing to be more precise.

Let's go procastination yeah!

One of the reasons why people should read. The book has a lot of really poignant stuff about reading but I just chose this one. And really, if debate is love, dance your soul, writing air, then reading is life. I am not a CL major for nothing.

***

I've been thinking about how I want to join SYTYCD and dance again. But I went to this chich chi-chi thing with dancers and I thought, is it the world I miss or dance itself?

I'm being emo and strange. This means it's time to go to sleep so I can wake up for that 9 am conference thingy I have to cover.

I was so afraid that I would get fired today.

Scratch that, I'm still afraid I'm gonna get fired.

I decided to not show up at work tomorrow and just email my story in. I do have to text my editor regarding that so I need to get his number. Anyway, so I'm writing the stories now so I actually relax in Tagaytay.

But apparently I'm really slow when I work at home. Maybe it's because I'm already at home and not looking forward to getting home. In the media office I'm super fast and of course now I've been working on the story for about 3 hours. And I'm only passing 300 words.

Ha! I so suck as a journalist.

So I've been commuting to Intramuros for a week now and so far I still get lost once in a while. But while I was battling to stay upright and not squished in LRT line 1, I've had some thoughts.

In other words I present, How to get a seat on the LRT.

1. Bring a small child with you. Make sure the child is well-behaved, willing to sit in your lap and not watch the window and most of all, shorter than the turnstile. It doesn't even have to be a real child, a baby doll will do.
2. Put a pillow under your shirt. The more you show the better.
3. Run fast.
4. Carry heavy things. People feel sorry for you. Same goes for wearing heels.
5. Put on a wig and pretend to be a woman, it is after all less crowded in the "special" car.
6. Riding from the terminal station often makes it easier to get a seat, but go early and choose the spot where the door opens right in front of you.
7. Make dirty looks to guys who are seating, they feel guilty enough they let you sit. But use with caution, it's a dangerous power.

***

Was supposed to drop by the app-mem mini-mock but my back hurts sooo much. It's an old recurring pain from ballet that I really need to have a doctor see.

SYTYCD 4 sadness, my favorite dancers are out. *sniff* I at least got to see a "Time of My Life" waltz that was more than a waltz. Loved it! And yes, I am weeks late in SYTYCD.

And I am so afraid that I don't have a story for tomorrow. Crap.

I'm sick.Well not as sick as I was this morning. But still, my joints hurt and my throat refuses to not be painful everytime I swallow.

I don't talk or else I put more strain on my throat. I can't drink cold water, or cold anything for that matter. I miss the tambayan where I can complain about being sick and dying and just lie down. And then people fawn over me saying that I should get myself home.

And more complaints: I haven't eaten, I get lost in Manila because I can get stupid and my lap top is so heavy my back is protesting. I want to call in sick tomorrow but I just started on my beat and I am not THAT sick yet. Maybe on Monday I can say I won't go to work.

Maan, I miss college. Lolz.

*I think I'm getting scooped but I have this feeling that my editors won't mind

La la la, I GOT A HAIRCUT!!!!

I don't exactly know who I look like with my new haircut but I don't care. La la la la haircut haaircut haaaaiiiirrrrcut!

I also need a new work bag. One that holds everything because contrary to what the mom says, carrying two bags is not the best idea.

My new terminal at work has no MS Word.

I know right. Waz, I will ask IT fix it but I'll find an installer that fits in a diskette and works with Windows 95. I can't find one and all attempts to download a replacement has failed. I do not want to count 800 words manually. Hmm.... should I complain????

My space is also right in front of not one but two aircons which people keep turning up and turning down at will. I don't say anything because I'm frozen and can't talk.

Favor for le org.


Here's a default message you can forward to your various e-groups:

Stand out this centennial: attend TAKE A STAND, the UP Debate Society's free debate seminar for college students. Drop by on July 25, from 2:30 to 5:30 PM at SE 125, UP School of Economics to learn the basics of the art of debate. Text Marc at 09183132806 or email updseacom@gmail.com to get sure seats.

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Got caught up with the latest season of SYTYCD 4. I didn't watch 2 or 3 episodes in a row. Or as I keep telling Kath, I only watch Mark and Chelsie's dances, and maybe Katee's but I don't like her that much.

Anyway, so in the recent episode Katee and I think William danced a pas de deux. To quote Cat Deeley, "for the first time ever on So You Think You Can Dance: the pas de deux!"

Which made me wonder, since when is pas de deux a dance style? Last time I checked, a pas de deux is a partnered dance in a ballet. Of course it can be argued then that all contemporary pieces in the show are pas de deuxs. I say yes, they are. Contemporary dancing in general is modern dance. And since modern dance is an offshoot of the classical techniques of ballet then other conventions of that style fall into contemporary as well.

And if the show's producer's keep insisting that ballet dancers who join the show are contemporary dancers then they shouldn't classify a ballet convention as something else totally. Until they actually say Danny Tidwell (season 3 runner up) and Jessica Fernandez (season 2) are ballet dancers then they can make pas de deux into a different style. Or they could just say that what was performed on the show was ballet instead of you know.

To wit, pas de deux not a different dance style. It is contemporary dancing with more balletic movements involved. Or it is ballet but the producers didn't want to alienate other people.

I haven't read the graphic novels of Batman, you know the one's that Miller wrote and the ones that Nolan took from, because graphic novels tend to be expensive. That and if I do buy I would buy Fables because I hardly ever see them.

But I think that's good, because I can fully appreciate Dark Knight as a movie without having to forget where it came from. The brother is another matter, but he hasn't seen it yet bwahahahahaha!

Alright, let's get to the movie. Also right now I'm watching The Batman cartoon, which is not as good as the old DCAU one but still good.

I need to rewatch the movie btw. I had to go the bathroom in the middle of the movie because IMAX sells huge Cokes and I was thirsty. So I missed that whole "you complete me" part. Which sucks because really it's the part that really drives home the fact that Batman and Joker are, on some level, the same.

Anyway, the movie wasn't perfect. I mean the start was kind of slow, and the whole "let's build up Harvey Dent because he will save us" was a little problematic but it got better. Maybe part of my problem was that I knew Harvey Dent is bipolar and will eventually become Two-Face. In the end however it worked well enough to get the idea across that Gotham doesn't deserve a "hero" like Harvey Dent, good guy extraordinaire. Also, Rachel Dawes didn't have much of a storyline. I kind of appreciate the fact that her exit wasn't that heartbreaking, but the character was built up as the big honking love in the first movie and yet Bruce Wayne barely cares.

Still, Maggie Gyllenhaal is loads better than Katie Holmes. At least I believed that she's strong and an ADA. Katie Holmes looked like she was scared of being in the movie in the first one.

The acting is amazing. And I echo the call for Heath Ledger to be nominated for an Oscar. I mean I was watching in full IMAX glory and it still took me a while to realize that it's Heath Ledger. He was so into the character, totally embracing the insanity/experimentation gleefull air Joker has. Christian Bale continues to be the hottest character actor ever. Gary Oldman was brilliant. Even Aaron Eckhart was surprisingly good. He's better as Two-Face than Harvey Dent but hey. They could not have underused Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine more though. I knew Eric Roberts was going to live somehow, because he was The Master and The Doctor isn't around to kill him.

And nothing in the movie felt overdone. And I like 'plodey stuff, that's always fun.

What I truly loved about the movie however is the fact that it's a character study. And the combination of explosions and character studies are some of my favorite things about comic books. And in my opinion, Batman is one of the best explored superhero. Until of course they did that whole angst-filled X-Men titles.

We get to see the unflinching dedication Batman/Bruce Wayne has to turn Gotham into a city where good guys can reign. We also saw how incredibly naive he can be. Joker played him, and everyone else, like puppets. Batman needed to see that he is not the only one living in grey areas. He needed to regain that faith in humanity Joker doesn't have. He needed to realize that he does work better when people don't depend on him.

The whole movie was Joker's though. The way he played the law, taunted Batman, turned Dent was brilliant. It's totally a tragedy when we know that if Joker is going to be in any of the other movies it won't be the same. I kind of think Joker is not really insane but rather on super-rational level. Where he can carry out sociological experiments just to see what would happen. Like he has great understanding of the human psyche. I bet he also kind of knew none of the boats would blow up.

And now for another kind of superhero movie.

Dr. Horrible. Maan, it's so Whedon but I'm still touched. Sequel? Yes yes please. So we see the nifty red suit more.

I really really have a lot of things to say about Dark Knight but I'm currently writing something about it (in the hopes of submitting it to the paper later) and I don't want to have a more difficult time writing the article.

Ah but this movie I swear is fucking fantastic. It has the philosophical angle, the action angle, the shit that was a cool explosion thing. And um, Heath. Tet said early that it's hard to think of Heath as hot now because he's dead. But then again Heath as Joker won't make you think of him being a heartthrob, rather you just see how amazing an actor he is.

Actually everyone is. Thank you for dropping the role Katie Holmes by the way.

I've a question, why the hell does ETC censor E! and Daily 10? Is it some sort of product thing that they can't mention brands from the US and the word jiggy? And they have to hide magazine titles? WTF, stop it ETC. Stop trying to be the moralizing force of society. Those who watch your channel tend to be inherently shallow you know.

Ooh, Dr. Horrible is love. Sad that the video keeps skipping for me but I get through it. Now watching Act II.

I had this whole other post ready in my head, then I watched Dark Knight. I'm aware that once again I am restrained from talking about the movie (even under a cut) because I cheated and have a media mother, so I'm not saying much. Until later when it's Thursday and some people have seen it.

Dark Knight? It was fucking amazing. Really.

I now have a bunch of random DK quotes in my head that I really want to try out on somebody.