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Amah Sita, donde este Santa Clause?

Teresita Arquiza Lu

+ Dec. 24, 2008, 1pm

I will miss you

Three deaths in a year. It all started with NaNay this Feb. Last month, it was Aunty Lin. Now it is Amah. I will miss them all.

I will miss the lessons they taught. I will cherish the knowledge they imparted.

One should be happy in their easy passing but I will miss them terribly!

Toast! To memories and more!

Dayo: The Wanderer

Can you truly be a foreigner in your own home?

Sadly, yes. There are times when we Filipinos loose the sense of being Filipino. So, what is Filipinoness? Three of my professors in college posed this question to our class. What is Filipino in elements.

One even elaborated that is it because gawa-pinoy that already make it proudly Philippine made?

Sadly, we are losing the sense of Filipinoness. We are losing our identities. We are loosing what made the foreigners wish to come to us in the first place. Media has eaten away our being loyal, friendly, warm and hospitable traits. Now, Dayo is using the media to revive it.

Last Friday, me and my sister were invited to the viewing of Dayo. Haha, we did our hair and fussed over what to wear when they told us red carpet event. When we got there, oh dear, we were over dressed. Everyone was in jeans and t-shirt. So much for Red carpet. At least we got to walk on it.

The movie is rated G for all audience. Yes, it's a family movie. Don't worry, adults can relate. The story is pretty much straight forward. Simple but good. I'm glad they didn't sacrifice the story just for the sake of having a digital animated movie.

Story: **** 1/2 (0ut of 5)

Dialogue: ***1/3

(would have been great except the yaya-nangals repeat themselves)

Music: *****

(Great sound effect! Perfect timing! Love the Theme! Love Joey Ayala!)

Effects: ***

Cinematography: ****

2d: ****

3d: **

Sadly, the pasting of 2d and 3d did not mesh well. Buboy's childhood nearly looks like one big donut add. My critique is that the school needs work. The school itself is boring, there is not much details except the TJ hotdog booth which looked pasted on. Everywhere else was cool.

So, what makes it Filipino? Aside from 100% gawa-Pinoy factor, the story, the set and the elements.

The story is set in modern day Pilipinas. Probably Antipolo or near since that's what is says in the jeepney. Then, it shifts to Elementalia, the world beyond/under/within the one Buboy is living in. Buboy, the star is your supposedly typical boy. Maybe I should say he's not the typical boy. What is typical today do shift and the creators of Dayo probably wants to bring back what a typical Pinoy boy should be: magalang, matulungin and malambing sa pamilya. He is raised by his grandparents and is struggling from bullies in school. Meet Ana, your never-typical mananang-girl! Who would have thought to use one as a star? She's slang, hip (not literally) and very helpful trait we should revive.

Lolo Nano may not be Lola Bashyang but he is wise and has lots of word of wisdom to share. There is Narsi, the narcisitic tikbalang who is oh-so-cool. Because Buboy was able to subdue him and get a hair, he is bound to Buboy until the next rainfall. An old lore which is not widely circulated. He then forms a friendship with Buboy and Ana and helps them in their task. There are so many creatures of lore in Elementalia, I'll leave the audience to find out.

So, what makes it believable? Yeah, it's a world beyond ours. But details are details. Look at Buboy's world for example. There's the jeep with controls resembling airplanes. There's the telephone poles na parang bulati hanging. He's got a picture of the last supper and those big wooden utensils in the dining area. His room has lots of posters. There are pictures of his achievements int he sala for all the world to see. We can see that Filipinos have a deep sense of religiosity. He makes the sign of the cross before jumping into the water and he prays before going to bed.

Ever heard of a capre who talks bisaya? You'll have to hear it! Bobuy can't understand but you should if you are really Filipino. Why? Because 90% of Pinoys speak it or even understands bits of it.

Do you have a protective parent? That's another Filipino trait. Although this parent is very workaholic, he does it to protect Ana and his world. The Yaya-nangals are not Ana's parents but they treat her like a daughter. Lolo Nano too treats her like family.

What may have been Typical Filipino culture is slowly dying because of foreign media. I'm glad Dayo is trying to revive it. A part 2 should be in order. Elementalia offers a setting where the younger children can unleash their creativity.

I'll let you get your own details on the production at:

www.dayomovie.com

Thanks to everyone at Dayo! We had a wonderful time at the studio and at the red carpet event! More power to you and to everyone involved in creating a wonderful masterpiece!

For the Love of Writing Party at Fort

Friday Night was a blast. For the Love of Writing Party was a success. With writers of all shapes and sizes attending, it was a blast. The party was mostly attended by NaNoWriMo people from the Pinoy WriMo Forum.

The Event was highlighted by (many times over) Don Carlos Palanca Award Winner Njel De Mesa and his Koine Theatre Group, the only intimate theatre group in the country, with their play SUBTEXT. It was funny and witty. Who knew a smiley face could have so much meaning! Mr. Njel also sang and promoted his single Kawangis ng Pasko. (Vote for it at You-tube!) It was so deep. As in nose-bleeding deep Tagalog. He'd make MLQ proud.

Of course, there were stpry readings since this is a writing event. Representative of Talecraft who wowed the crowed was Micheal Emil Luhico with his tale Unvampire. Another witty story. Loved it! The crowd loved it too!
Mia from Read or Die read a Dragon Lance-like except from her NaNoWriMo novel. It was a gory battle scene of carnage and death!
Then of course, we awarded the NaNoWriMo Challenge winners. Our trophy hats were sponsored by BabymoonLifestlye.multiply.com. (AKA me. Yup, all those are handmade by me.)
I too felt my 51K words were worth it. Seeing people's faces as they came upfront and was awarded by a deep red hat with a gold brooch and a big feather that symbolized the month's achievements.
Of course there were publishers who came to talk about submission guidelines and to invite the writers to write professionally. Being published is the best outlet for the imagination. it's the writer's goal for writing!

Hopefully, there will be a For the Love of Writing Party 2 next year. This year, the Philippines has accumulated 4Million Plus words and about 57 people finished the 50K word challenge. Go Pinoy!


Our engaging hosts for the evening were Sara and Mark.

Me and sister Marie.

For the Love of Writing Party was sponsored by:
tlecraft.komikasi.com
3hmpublishing.com
babymoonlifestyle.multiply.com
Kapitan Rufo's Cafe

For the Love of Writing Party

For the Love of Writing Party

When: Dec. 12, 2008 7 to 9pm (Friday)
Where: U-View At Fullybooked Fort, High Street, Taguig

What to expect:

• Cocktails
• Talks
• Awarding of the NaNoWriMo Challenge winners in the Philipines
• Raffle
• Story Telling

Entrance is Free!
Sponsored by Talecraft, 3HM-Publishing, BabayMoon Lifestyle

Diko...

Waaa! Diko go to India for 4 MONTHS!!!
Waaa!

Arrrrr!

Pirate with scars and all!

Baby Bonanza

Mommy Only! Ate Jenny and baby.
Daddy Only! Kuya Migo and Ate Glowy's baby!
Miranda and Isabella.
Ate Minnete and Kuya Micmoc's cutie! Baby Miranda in Blue Steel.

4th Generation Robillo. Girl Power all over again!

UP AME 08

Cosplaying is evolving. You need not portray a certain character in Anime anymore. Anything goes and anything but normal is normal. Even if my hands cried for three days making one umbrella, I love the effect.

Aki as a little girl lolita. Kawaii! I love her hair. It looks like she popped out of those comic books I buy in Hong Kong!
Not quite Japanese cooking but Eddie here might survive the streets of Japan cooking like a storm!

A Hero Comes Home

Lyrics | Idina Menzel - A Hero Comes Home lyrics

I love this song...

I hate the Beowulf version. I think I prefer the original hero with no equal version. If we aspire the skies, we might land on the roof. The flawed Beowulf aspires the roof and falls on the floor.
The story is sacrificed for the effects.

Bobby Chinn

Fullybooked Fort, Halloween

Kinda started late. As in 6:20 late. It said 5:00pm in the invite.

Ode to an Artist

Lovable
Irresistible
Nice
Distinctive
Artistic

I will miss you very much! Some how, you were taken from us abruptly but you did not suffer and I thank God for that. Thank you for putting crafts and bling into my life.
You were always the picture of an artist. You even drew your own eyebrows every morning.
I will miss you and love you always!

Cosplay Mania 2008

Making the Booth

Filling up with Stocks

Having fun with the stocks.

Babymoon Booth

Hats!

In which a witch bewitch a Hatter!
Two days to go and I'm test launching my Gothic-Lolita-Anime Inspired line in Cosplay Mania.

Good luck me and my sistahs!

Popz' Speech for Bureau of Plant Industries

Too perfect?
Mr. Inspirational.

For More Pictures:
http://figures.multiply.com/photos/album/11/Bureau_of_Plants_Industries

Dayo, to wander in a foreign world...

Dayo- can mean two things. 1. Foreign. A foreigner, dayuhan. 2. Travel or to welcome a traveler. Dayon ta. Mu-dayon to travel.

A boy named Buboy searches for his missing grandparents in the world of Elementalia with the help of Ana, a creature of lower myth. Together, they journey Elementalia and find the culprits responsible.

Ana, by the way, is a manananggal. She can detatch her lower half and fly away.

Dayo to the World of Computer Magic and Human Ingenuity...

The Filipino in Us

Saturday, bloggers were invited to Cutting Edge Studios, the makers of Dayo, the first fully digital animation movie in the Philippines. Impressive studios and I must say, we were feeling quite special. They fed us, answered all our questions and gave us sneak previews. Oh, they weren't afraid we took loads of pictures of them. Most places wouldn't even let you bring a cell phone cam.

Let me tell, you, these guys are amazing. From concepts to production, they made it. Their goal: to create a fully-Filipino masterpiece. They did.

My Aesthetics Professor once told me that the mere fact that Filipino made something automatically declares it Filipino but you have to let the World know. So, you add Filipino elements.

We know some animators of Finding Nemo were Pinoys, we can see Bahay Kubo in Nemo's Aquarium. So, what Filipino elements did the creators of Dayo put in?

They did set in the Modern Pinas. We can see telephone wires, tsinelas, kids playing our favorite past times and the daily utensils Filipinos commonly use in Buboy's kitchen.

Dayo also utilized Philippine Lower Mythology. Yeah, stuff of legends right? But nowadays, we modern Filipinos do not know them anymore. I was talking to some of the Bloggers and they have the same thoughts. In the days of our parents, they were always scared by creatures that would take them away if they did not behave.

"Kunin ka ng Capre! May Nuno sa Punso diyan!"

But now, we hear something different like: "Wag kang makulit! Kunin ka ng Pulis! Hala dukutin ka ng Bumbay!" and other derogatory things about people who scare us.

We will find Buboy is not without his discrimination. He calls Ana and her kind Halimaw. Ana, being super friendly and helpful, goes out of her way to help Buboy. Another endearing Filipino trait.

Learning from Urduja

Yeah, yeah, they don't want to be compared to the animated Urduja. They don't even call them rival. They are Kapwa Filipino and must be respected as such. Still, they have to learn from the mistakes of Urduja so they will not end as a flop. Not that Urduja was a complete flop, It's just that they want this movie to be a complete success. A huge success.

It will be finished in time for the 2008 Film Fest.

Why the story? According to the directors and producers, other previous animation coming from the Phil. are based on history or mythology: Urduja, Ibong Adarna. If they went for those, the critics would slay them if they were not historically accurate.

So, why a modern setting? The creators wanted something relatable. Especially since it is aimed at children. So, the main characters are children with their child-like qualities very typical to our times.

Filipino-ness? Yes, plenty. From the set to the attitude.

Attitude! something a lot of the other bloggers feel that Urduja lacked. Urduja is set in the pre-Hispanic era. There was no bias on who takes the throne. Historically, her father left ther the throne because she was his heir and she was a warrior without equal.

'Yeah, attitude is something Dayo characters have. Ana is a vegetarian. A What you ask? A vegetarian Aswang? No kid! Buboy is your typical dream boy who wish for so many things in life. One of which is flying. There is also Narsi, the Narcissistic tikbalang. Ana has her guards and a Yaya. (Very pinoy, don't you think?) Her yaya-naggal lost Ana and is arguing with her bodyguard on who really lost her charge.

New Ideas, Trivias, etc..

The manananggals have an extra set of lower wings that allow them to hover. All creatures of Elementalia have only four fingers.

Oh, Joey Ayala has composed something special for the album.

The theme song, Lipad is sung by Roots of Nature, a version is also sung by Lea Salonga. It will be in their album, to be released in November, ahead of the movie.

Expectations

We bloggers were silenced with food and charm but we still have high expectations. Dayo, so far seems very different. I do hope the market will appreciate the movie not only because it is animated but also because it is very Filipino. Kina-Career siya ng mga people involved. Me and my fellow bloggers who came to Cutting Edge saw the hard work put in.

This Movie is a stepping stone for all other computerized and animated movies that will come out of our country.

Good luck, Cutting Edge, and we wish you a success in Dayo!

http://www.dayomovie.com/

Mananang-Gurl!

Book Trailers and Feehan

I just noticed something. Feehan loves people who are awake in the night and men who are both lovers and predators. They always have to be described as predators, more animal than man.

And I only like three trailers from all her trailers. Dark Possession, Dark Destiny and Safe Harbor. All the others suck! They have awful fight scenes and girls who look older than the men!

Skirt Openings

The opening for your legs is called the Sweep of the Skirt. This also determines the cut of the skirt.

This picture above may help you to determine what they are.

Pencil Cut and Straight cut skirts are usually used for corporate wear. They need still materials to give a good flow. There materials would be Wool, Gabardine and sometimes, heavy cotton. Straight cut skirts can be used in denim and twill skirts.
A-line is the common cut because it is most flattering on a woman's body. Should she have thick or thin legs, an A-line works wonders.
Full Skirt is very wide with the sweep of about 30 inches (x2) to as much as a full circle. This cut always uses flowing materials for it to fall daintily and not stiffly. Textiles commonly used are silks, jerseys and light cotton. Gauze can give it an ethereal look.

For more tips: http://figures.multiply.com

I got them...

Finally.

I got them. It was purely by chance that they were available on the week of the Book Fair, which means 20% off.

I got Dark Curse, hard bound edition. Seems they doen't want to release paperbacks for the first print anymore. So, heck! I want the Carpathian male and I'm reading him fast. Nicolas' Book is very different from Christine Feehan's other books. It has chanting and science. It's worth the wait and I'm clmaoring for more.

Turbulent Sea is the sixth book in the Drake Sisters Series also by C. Feehan. Rockstar Joley hate the tabloid. They make up stories left and right. But that doesn't stop her from doing what she likes: performing. She loves the music and she has the gift of songs. Missing persons and murder turn up at every corner but that doesn't deter Joley Drake. Not since she has a bodyguard ready to protect her willingly or not.

Books This Year

Book Fair came and gone this year. Yes, I was a little disappointed. I was expecting more. Or at least, the same as last year but then, there were fewer stalls and the big stalls were cut in half this year.
But that, doesn't mean, I went without buying. hehehe. Can't resist books.
Here are some I got from the fair.

Set of Black Dagger Brtherhood books. 295, each excpet Lover Unbound which is 395. Each at 20% off at National Bookstore.
Turbulent Sea - 299 at 20% off
Dark Curse 975 - 20% off
Fangs for the Memories - 299 at 20% off
Mt Immortal Highlander - 299 at 20% off
Undead and Unreturnable - 315 = got it at 198.
Undead and Unappreaciated - 315 = got it at 198
The Treasured Ones -100 at A Diff Bookstore
The best buy I had was this 1.5 feet, three inch thick Biblica, The Bible Atlas. Fully colored, pictures at ever page. 1495 at 20% off.I made National Bookstore rich this book fair.

I heard last year, the rent for a space was about 50,+++.00 no wonder, not much wants to come back this year. It's expensive and people expect you to have cheap books.

I hope it would be better next year.