An Ode to Rurouni Kenshin

With all the hullabaloo concerning Rurouni Kenshin's live-action movie screening here in the Philippines,  is it any wonder why so many fans were starting to get antsy from all the waiting since the opening date kept on being delayed. As for me, I was just happy SM Cinema made the gamble and took the chance to get the licensing to show it.

The date they finally gave was December 5 and was said to be a one day thing only. Funny thing was when my brother and I checked a few days later, Rurouni Kenshin was still showing and going strong. Never underestimate a generation of fans I say. 

Fortunately, my brother and I plus a friend of our's were able to watch it on the day Rurouni Kenshin was released. I was even sick then. Still am, actually. BUT, I do not regret going even though I was shivering like crazy after watching the film. If you've ever watched the anime, heck, if you've read the manga, the movie will be a sure treat for you. It was just.......amazing! The casting was great, the treatment they used made it pleasing to watch, and the fight scenes had a quality to it that made it look 

natural. 

Plus, the story line was easy enough to follow and the easter eggs were just a delight to see. Acting wise? Not bad. Not bad at all. 

(maybe because I'm biased? five stars!)

★★★★★

CAST:

Himura Kenshin - Takeru Sato

Kamiya Kaoru - Emi Takei

Sagara Sanosuke - Munetaka Aoki

Myojin Yahiko - Taketo Tanaka

Takani Megumi - Yuu Aoi

Saito Hajime - Yosuke Eguchi

Udo Jin-e - Koji Kikkawa

Kanryuu Takeda - Teruyuki Kagawa

Gein - Ayano Go

Inui Banjin - Genki Sudou

---

As a side note and a little bit of shameless plug, UP AME (University of the Philippines Anime Manga Enthusiasts) held a Rurouni Kenshin live action promotion and cosplay competition last December 2 and Yui for President was invited to perform! Yay! 

Here's a part of their performance: 

(from: Lemon0Zero)

(Yui for President)

Phone Theme

Recently I was very fortunate enough to buy a new phone. Of course one of the first things I did was to set up the overall theme. So, this is what I ended up with:

I still want to do a lot but for now but that's what my brother and I came up with. What can I say? I like how the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo(s) look. Plus, a few friends of mine have different names in my contacts. Seeing the silliness of it just makes me smile. 

2013 Planner

So, since I had a 2012 Starbucks planner this year I was curious what 2013's Starbucks planner looked like and googled 'starbucks 2013 planner philippines' and ended up seeing this. I just couldn't help it and started my own mission of collecting 9 Christmas beverage stickers plus 8 core beverages from Starbucks.

FINALLY, with the help of my wonderful friends and family, I was able to get this!

I'm sorry that I don't have the time to put a detailed review of the planner but if you want one, you can go here. I came across that article when I googled the planner.

Now that I finally have one of my own, I might get another one if I can manage it :-p But for now, I think I'd like to help my other friends to get one of their own. 

Yui For President

It's been a life-long dream for a lot of my friends to have their own J-Pop band and finally, last year they formed one called Yui For President (Y.F.P.) and performed for the very first time at the UP-Ame festival. Just remembering it now brings a smile to my face. 

This year, Y.F.P. was able to take part in the Asian Kung-Fu Generation tribute night held last Oct. 20. Then, they participated in the Otomonagatari: OtoROCK battle of the bands a week later. AND, I'm happy to say, they won best vocalist, keyboardist, and they were the champion band for the night. 

おめでとうございます!!!!

Yay! Can't wait to see you guys and girls perform again! :-)

Here are some videos of Y.F.P's practice and performance for Otomonagatari. (Videos grabbed from YuiforPresident) 

Brave Song - LiSA cover

Crossing Field - LiSA cover

Official members of the band:

Vocals - Macky Santiago (not present)

Vocals - Zoreen Macaraig

Guest Vocals - Hannah Zuñiga

Keyboards: Brian Abenoja

Bass: Tin Caberto

Guitar: Kahlil Santiago (not present)

Guitar: Joseph Angelo

Drums: Migs del Mundo

Drums: Chino Bartolome (not present)

For more information about the Otomonogatari event, here's their facebook page: Otomonagatari

For the Y.F.P. facebook page, go here: Yui For President

Just Write!

Sometime ago I attempted to write for the NaNoWriMo challenge which ended in failure. It was interesting and fun but I was kinda disappointed that I wasn't able to finish 50k words of written work in one month. The fact that I have so much plots and sub-plots cluttered in my brain being left unused seem like such a waste. I actually have about three stories that I itch to write about but I end up mixing up characters and wondering if this person would work better in this other story or vice versa. Of course, in the end I ditch everything and start from the beginning.

One thing useful I learned was this: "Come up with your ending before you figure out your middle. Seriously. Endings are hard, get yours working up front."

That quote is from Emma Coats, a former story artist from Pixar. That's a big problem for me. I get so excited about the characters that I end up not being able to find an ending for the story I'm plotting out. It's great to love your characters but you can't really focus only on them.

That aside, here's to me fleshing out a set of characters, focusing on one story for the time being, and painfully eliminating certain scenarios that I love but aren't really working out.

Time to write!!!

The Road So Far

So, last week Supernatural season 8 started and it just about made my heart smile. There was a little catch though. I stalled in season 7 and paused in episode 5 while the rest of the Saltgunners all over the world are having mini strokes from the epicness of the first episode of the latest season (witnessed that myself from my brother).

With that said, I'm watching the rest of season 7 so that I could catch up with the rest of the fandom. I can't believe it took me this long to watch it. Bad girl.

A Little Something About Nails

My aim on writing in my blog this year was to exceed the number of entries I made the previous year. I think I started off well especially since typing didn't seem so daunting. To be honest, I think I just grew lazy as the year went on. There were a lot of things I could have written about. Watching Avengers, about the engagement of my close friend, about my love for Japan, about my desire to learn Italian, about attending a Cindy Cruse Ratcliff workshop, about the interesting animes and mangas that are out recently, and much more.

I'm a bit saddened that I wasn't able to do all that but I'm not gonna flip tables in frustration over it. Now that I'm here typing this entry, I'm trying to think of something to write about. The only thing that comes to mind is my recent obsession with nail polish. It's a shame I don't have a picture of my nails right now. It's a really nice color I bought from Face Shop:

The one I'm wearing right now is not on this list but I have about four from this line and plan to buy more. I think the pale colors are really pretty to look at. I also have some from Etude:

The colors are great, right? I'm not much into glittery stuff and those crackle stuff. So, these plain colors (minus the other silvery looking ones on that image), are really lovely. My obsession with this stuff worsened thanks to my friend's Totoro nail art. I would really love me some of that :-)

a really bad day today

Some people have been hired to cut down some branches from this tree in the back of our house. Earlier, we found our puppy wounded, unable to move and crying softly. It looked as if it got hit by one of the big
branches the workers were carelessly throwing from the roof.

We were supposed to bring the puppy to my aunt's place so that we could get to the vet she knows but we're too frightened to move her too much. It looks like the puppy won't make it :'(

The puppy litter had a hard time surviving when they were born and one passed away. Choco, the injured one downstairs, was touch and go when she was younger but she survived it. Now, she might die due to the
negligence and carelessness of some person who couldn't bother to be a little careful with his job.

26 Indispensable Writing Tips From Famous Authors

26 Indispensable Writing Tips From Famous Authors:

'via Blog this'

'cause I thought it was interesting...

25 Essential Expressions

So, recently I posted something in my deviantart account (here) in response to *napalmnacey's challenge of 25 Essential Expressions. She made this for anybody to try so I gave in to the temptation and started to make one of my own. Let me just say this...it was hard doing this on a tablet. I'm not used to it but the undo button was a big help in erasing a lot of errors in this exercise. 

It was really fun to do but I need more practice. Plus, this was just some random character that I thought was easy enough to draw what with her generic hair and eyes. Next time, I'll do a character from one of my stories. 

That Lightning Scar

I am currently rekindling my love for the Harry Potter books. When I finished watching The Deathly Hallows part 2 again, I felt driven to read the seventh book for the simple reason that I liked the final battle between Harry and Voldemort there better. I also couldn't accept the fact that Harry wasn't able to repair his original wand in the movie.

There were so many great parts from the book that just never made it to the films that it's almost a shame that it's all over and done with. I'm not sure what's included in the HP UK box set but it would be great to actually see more of the book on screen.

What were the things I would have liked to see? The Hogwart's giant squid, the elf kitchen, more Quidditch, Peeves, Charlie Weasley, more chemistry between Harry and Ginny, the Harry/Dursleys farewell with surprising Dudley moment, more Grimmauld scenes from Book 7, Nigellus Black, more of the Invisibility Cloak, conclusive ending to Peter Pettigrew, Snape/McGonagall confrontation, Harry inside Ravenclaw tower with Luna, more of us seeing Neville's big part with the whole Voldemort situation, Teddy Lupin, more Sirius Black backstory please, how Voldemort gathered all his horcruxes (even the accidental one), more screen time for Nymphadora Tonks, Kreacher's Tale, Winky, aftermath of Hogwarts attack from book 6, Bill Weasley in the Hogwarts infirmary while Molly and Fleur have a row, Fleur at the Burrow, Rufus Scrimgeour and Harry confrontations, and so on and so forth.

Sad to see all those scenes excluded from the movie but at least the films worked out well. Still, nothing beats the original. Now, excuse me as I go back to listening to my Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire audio book. If you have a book of your own, go ahead and read it. It's still great, I assure you :-D

Disney Covers

Today, my friend and vocal mentor challenged my other friends and I to a day of recording our favorite Disney songs. Of course, you could imagine our excitement when we heard the challenge. It took me a while to pick the right song what with the list of great ones already available to us. In the end, I chose, 'Out of Thin Air,' from the Disney animated movie, Aladdin and the King of Thieves.

I was actually nervous and a bit intimidated to sing in front of people. It was really a blessing that I have such good friends that made it a less daunting task than it would have been if faced with a different crowd. Thank you girls (and boys of course)! You were all wonderful! I hope we'll have recordings again sometime soon :-)

Here's the line-up for today's recording:

• I Won't Say I'm In Love, Hercules
• Out of Thin Air, Aladdin and the King of Thieves
• Love Will Find A Way. The Lion King II: Simba's Pride
• A Whole New World, Aladdin
• Just Around the Riverbend, Pocahontas
• I'll Make a Man Out of You, Mulan
• Her Voice, The Little Mermaid: Musical

Today was a really great day :-) Wonderful making music with you lovelies ❤❤❤

Epic Proposal!

Saw this posted by a friend of a friend and I just HAD to share it. It's the sweetest, most creative, most lovely proposal I have ever seen! Take a few minutes to watch it. It really is nice :-)

Just tugs at my heartstrings :-D

We Made Puto!

What is Puto? Puto is a kind of steamed rice cake here in the Philippines. It comes in many forms and can be eaten in a variety of ways. I grew up loving this little concoction so you could just imagine my delighted surprise when our helper told my brother and I that she was planning to make some after lunchtime. Obviously, I was hyper all afternoon helping out and watching the whole process of making puto.

The blue and red ones aren't the traditional shapes of puto. Those actually look like small candles :D These rice cakes come in the size of those small violet ones. The picture isn't that good and the perspective of this shot is kinda weird but I can assure you, they are smaller. 

Anyhoo, the whole process started off with Ate Lenny, our helper, straining two cups of rice and making sure most of the water got drained before using this baby.

I don't remember what that's called but we used it to make the rice fine enough like flour. Then we added some milk and sugar and baking soda. And of course, food coloring.

Then we did this.

Steamed it until it puffed up and then placed slices of cheese on top. Sorry, I'm obviously very new to describing something like this. 

And again, the top picture.

TADA! Puto for the family :-D Yay ❤❤❤

A Post!

THE ROAD SO FAR...

Because I feel bad for not updating my blog as often as I should, here's a very fast and efficient way to give an update about what's happened so far in my life (if you're interested). Will be doing my best to write more. Even if it's mundane. 

:-p

Game On!

Bought this a couple of days ago. My Ninang's late birthday gift to me! :-D Yahoo! Just started playing badminton late last month. Thank you Tita Gina :-) I love it!

Today, I Met My Little Niece

Today, my brother and I spent the good part of our day in Medical City visiting my sister who just gave birth earlier. We arrived a little after 1:00 pm with my sister still not back from the OR. My brother-in-law was there in the hospital room to greet us though. It didn't take long before my sister finally arrived looking incredibly tired (understandably) and about ready to pass out but she didn't go to sleep immediately.  We waited for my niece to arrive but the prep was taking a while. To pass the time, my sister and her husband showed us a doll they bought for their new baby girl. 

This, my friends, is Rosie. 

 

My sister and her husband thought that it'd be fun to have Rosie constantly present in my niece's pictures sometime in the near future. However, for health reasons, Rosie must stay clear until further notice before she actually gets to meet her new friend.

(Emo? hahaha)

 I'd like to now forward this small narration to the part where I finally see my niece in person. You have to understand my excitement. After twelve nephews in my father's side of the family and only one niece, finally, we get to welcome another girl.

Everyone, meet Sofia Gabrielle Avecilla-Riofrio. Born on March 19, 2012, 5.4 pounds at 8:45 am. Welcome to the family my dear niece :-D May God bless you with protection against any harm and with bountiful love from all your relatives. Can't wait for the others of our clan to meet you :-D

Tokyo Cafe

Just so you know, I didn't time this post to come right after the Japanese Festival one but it just so happened that we ate at Tokyo Cafe earlier and I felt like writing about it. There's a mall near our house called SM Southmall that is currently undergoing a big revamp. One of the new places that opened in the mall was Tokyo Cafe. My brother and I had always planned to check it out and we had our chance awhile ago after buying a present for my sister.

As I looked through the list of food they have, I noticed that the price of the drinks were that of a typical cafe but the food was expensive. Made me grimace a bit. I ordered a cold green tea drink that I hoped would go along with the clubhouse sandwich meal that I got while my brother asked for some iced cappuccino paired with his french toast. Our drinks came first and the lady said our meals would be arriving in about ten minutes. So we waited it out.

Look, it came with some liquid sugar. I thought the glass for it was cute. The service was a little bit slow but we had a lot to talk about so I didn't really mind but I hope they'd be faster next time we come here. When the food did arrive, mine came first and I was surprised at how big the set was.

It was a three-decker-three-set meal with french fries. The sandwich was a combination of ham, bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, potatoes, mayo, and mustard. And this was considered a light meal in the menu. A little hard to eat - with it being so thick and all - but really good nonetheless. Then, the french toast arrived.

(There were supposed to be six pieces but we forgot to take a picture before diving in for a taste.)

These square pieces of bread were bigger than in it looked in this pic. Another great pick for the night. Loved the whipped cream. On a scale of 1 to 10 in sweetness with 10 being the sweetest, it was probably around a 6 (according to my brother - he ate more of it after all). 

Though that was all we ordered, I couldn't help but look around the other people in the cafe and glanced at the food they ordered (surreptitiously of course). Each dish was more than plentiful for one person. At least you'd get your money's worth in quantity. I have no complaints with the taste. I wish we could have tried more though. Maybe next time.

花火!!! / 02

[For part 1 of this entry, click here]

Part two! As I said in the previous entry, this is where I'll be posting the pictures of us 'dancing' in a circle around the stage in the middle of the courtyard. I don't actually know what we were dancing to but from what I understand, it had something to do with the harvest like soil, water, etc. I think someone told me that but I can't remember now. Basically, the dance went something like this:

〜(￣▽￣〜)

 (〜￣▽￣)〜 

〜(^∇^〜）

（〜^∇^)〜 

┗(＾0＾)┓ 

┏(＾0＾)┛ 

〜(￣△￣〜) 

(〜￣△￣)〜 

ヘ(^_^ヘ) 

(ノ^o^)ノ 

Hahaha! I couldn't resist. They were just too cute. Seriously though, there were different dances for each corresponding element and each dance lasted for a few minutes while going around the stage. It's like a march dance. It sounds silly when I describe it like that but I can't find the words. Here are some of the pictures.

Then here we are. (You can't really see us that clearly in the above pic.)

 (We're behind the girls in yukata)

 (Me and my friends)

 

This was us before dancing. Pretty psyched, right? 

Here are some more random pics from that day.

 

 

 



Like I said. Random pictures. Finally, here are some images of the fireworks. They don't do justice but they're still nice.

BUT! My favorite pictures for the night....!

Super cool   (/^▽^)/


A shout out to my friends Tin and Chino for allowing me to use your pictures. Thank you! And also, a big, big thank you to the Crisostomo family for inviting us. Super duper thanks! ヾ(＾∇＾)


ありがとうございました!