Petals and Prophecies Happens Tomorrow!
A Dozen Years in Divination
I wish it had a better beginning. Then again, not all stories do, and how dull this recollection would have been if it started on a tranquil note. I was hung up over a guy – something I never dared … Continue reading A Dozen Years in Divination
Life Lessons for a “Left-Handed Girl”
From the title, it’s clear whose vantage point we’re about to witness. Obviously, it’s that of I-Jing, the titular southpaw played adorably by Nina Ye, six at time of filming, 10 at time of release. In this poignant story, she’s … Continue reading Life Lessons for a “Left-Handed Girl”
Wes Anderson on a Roll: A Review of “The Phoenician Scheme”
Wes Anderson couldn’t personally accept his first Oscar for his short, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. He was in Germany making this very film. Come to think of it, outside of his Roald Dahl anthology, this is the most … Continue reading Wes Anderson on a Roll: A Review of “The Phoenician Scheme”
Miss Universe 2025: The Overdue Review, Part Four
It’s easy to look back at it as a story pre-written. Because, however one chooses to view that walkout, it made her the main character. In just a few days, Mexico’s Fatima Bosch gained as much infamy as traction. And … Continue reading Miss Universe 2025: The Overdue Review, Part Four
Miss Universe 2025: The Overdue Review, Part Three
An unprecedented twist occurred in the final rounds. After having announced the Final Five would still be pared down to a Final Three, the roster was kept intact for one more round of questions. Here’s a rundown of the eventual … Continue reading Miss Universe 2025: The Overdue Review, Part Three
Miss Universe 2025: The Overdue Review, Part Two
The Top 30 One obvious MGI element that made the telecast was the Top 30 Bench Swimsuit Round, where, instead of parading in the order they were called, they were presented alphabetically. Here’s a rundown of the quarter-finalists. Following her … Continue reading Miss Universe 2025: The Overdue Review, Part Two
Miss Universe 2025: The Overdue Review, Part One
It was one of those “where-were-you-when” moments, and even non-fans were hooked. Filipinos had conceded to another “almost”, unaware that, in two minutes, the country’s four-decade victory drought would finally end, except in the most bizarre way. In the first … Continue reading Miss Universe 2025: The Overdue Review, Part One
Slithering Sequel: A Review of “Zootopia 2”
Disney and Pixar sequels used to be automatically dismissed as cash cows, but families fell for them anyway. That held truest in the direct-to-video era, when even a peek into Pocahontas’ married life felt warranted. Toy Story 2 was the … Continue reading Slithering Sequel: A Review of “Zootopia 2”
“Wicked”: More or Less, “For Good”
The fact Part One clocked in at nearly three hours already hinted at the stretch. And much as cramming everything into one film was briefly an option, it was impossible not to close with “Defying Gravity”, not in this medium, … Continue reading “Wicked”: More or Less, “For Good”
“Vie” for Vivacious: Doja Cat in Manila
Obviously, she didn’t quit like she said she would in 2022. In fact, she immediately retracted her statement, tweeting “…I can give back to everyone because of you. I do owe people sh*t. I owe a lot.” We’re generally used … Continue reading “Vie” for Vivacious: Doja Cat in Manila
Re-route.
I managed a third run in that job, crazy enough, despite swearing Round Two to be the last, and how I somehow even scored a brief stint on radio (“Surprise! The talent provider’s now the talent!”). That one felt like … Continue reading Re-route.
Derailed, but Connected: A Review of Clint Bentley’s “Train Dreams”
It could have passed for a folk tale, given how it glossed over tragedy with majestic Old West vistas. But, in truth, Denis Johnson’s Train Dreams was first published in 2002 and reworked into a novella in 2011. Both versions … Continue reading Derailed, but Connected: A Review of Clint Bentley’s “Train Dreams”
Humanized Horror: A Review of Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein”
Again, the title is the scientist’s name, not the monster’s. And Mary Shelley never described the creation as a grunting behemoth with screws on its neck. That one was Boris Karloff’s take, immortalized through James Whale’s direction in 1931 and … Continue reading Humanized Horror: A Review of Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein”
Catching Up with Owen
I wasn’t the most active Green Media Group (GMG) member in 2005, but I was present enough to meet the then-recruits. Owen was among the more pleasant energies. That much I already gathered from our first group hangout. So, imagine … Continue reading Catching Up with Owen
Overdue Recapture: Thoughts on Miss International 2025
20 years ago, Precious Lara Quigaman beat the odds. Up until then, the Philippines had resigned to being an erstwhile powerhouse, content with being seen on-frame, jubilant over special awards and, God willing, the occasional semi-finalist. But that was the … Continue reading Overdue Recapture: Thoughts on Miss International 2025
My Monthly Dig: “Jubilee” by Japanese Breakfast
The first thing to know about Japanese Breakfast is that none of its members are Japanese. In a nutshell, it was front woman Michelle Zauner’s way of poking fun at the Western assumption that all Asians are, when she is, … Continue reading My Monthly Dig: “Jubilee” by Japanese Breakfast
The Spirit in Silver Linings: Miss Earth at 25
We thought it was the second coming of Miss Asia Pacific. It was on the final stretch of 2000 when the said pageant made that jaw-dropper of a revelation. After nine editions, it was to be Carousel Productions’ final … Continue reading The Spirit in Silver Linings: Miss Earth at 25
Miss Universe 2025 Candidate Round-Up: Asia
BANGLADESH – Tangia Zaman Methila. In an awesome case of fate leading to what’s meant to be, this actress missed her shot during the pandemic, only to earn her chance five years later. She’s a revelation, to sum it up. … Continue reading Miss Universe 2025 Candidate Round-Up: Asia
Miss Universe 2025 Candidate Round-Up: The Americas
Carolina Izsak‘s pre-Top Three ouster in 1992 was jawdropping, but the Americas did earn redemption in 2005, the second edition held in Thailand. The entire Top Five hailed from the region. But in what felt like the Latina contingent’s to … Continue reading Miss Universe 2025 Candidate Round-Up: The Americas
Planet Chuckie 