Month: March 2011

FilmLeave a comment

A bemused film snob’s letter to Liz Taylor

chuckiechavez

Dear Ms. Taylor,  I was first introduced to your unspeakable radiance when I was 9. In, of all movies, The Flintstones. Needless to say, the movie was terrible, but you were its only saving grace. You epitomized style and elegance, even in makeshift mammoth fur coats. You had a wattage that could light a thousand towns.  It was only when I graduated from Saturday morning cartoons and evolved into the self-confessed film snob that I am when I fully understood why you’re a modern-day legend. You had the qualities and presence of a goddess. You were amazing in A Place in the … Continue reading A bemused film snob’s letter to Liz Taylor

TravelLeave a comment

Singabound

chuckiechavez

In a few hours, 3 1/2 to be exact, I will be bound for Singapore, together with my Mom, my Ninang Gina and her husband Brian, who both arrived from Chicago early this afternoon. This will be my second visit to the Lion City. First one was July 2007 when Mom had to attend a Rotary function with one of the sister clubs there. I agreed to tag along – mainly because I always instantly say yes to countries I’ve never visited. Unfortunately, that trip was a catastrophe. We arrived there on the 13th, which happened to be a Friday. As … Continue reading Singabound

Beauty PageantsLeave a comment

Adios, Amparo

chuckiechavez

The universe has lost one of its celestial beings. Amparo Munoz, the stunning Spanish beauty who was once crowned Miss Universe 1974, passed away Sunday night after a long battle with an unspecified terminal illness. She was only 56. She is notable both for being Spain’s first (and so far, only) Miss Universe and for being crowned in Philippine soil. (LEFT: Amparo with Imelda Marcos) Amparo’s reign was anything but smooth. During her run, she was hounded by controversy and ended up abdicating her title only after 6 months, thus making her the first Miss Universe to step down. She was … Continue reading Adios, Amparo