Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Candidate Round-Up, Part 1 (The Round One Eliminations)
BACOOR CITY – Felicia Aldana. The last Caviteña to make the cut wore this city’s sash, and that lady was none other than Victoria Velasquez Vincent. This year, the gateway to the province sadly occupies the rear of the Evening … Continue reading Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Candidate Round-Up, Part 1 (The Round One Eliminations)
Illuminate/Ruminate: What Will This Mercury Retrograde Teach You?
Not to romanticize that recent viral infection or anything, but clearly, the isolation gave me room to rest and recharge. There’s slight irony in recovering close to 2026’s first Mercury Retrograde – a season known for hitches, miscommunications, and delays. … Continue reading Illuminate/Ruminate: What Will This Mercury Retrograde Teach You?
Illuminate/Ruminate: Is Your Heart Right on Target?
The Bow and Arrow Spread is a seven-card spread exclusive to Mark Ryan and John Matthews‘ The Wildwood Tarot, which I acquired in 2019. True to the deck’s Tolkien-meets-Zelda leanings, the layout vaguely takes the form of the titular weapon … Continue reading Illuminate/Ruminate: Is Your Heart Right on Target?
Songs & Subtext: A Review of Richard Linklater’s “Blue Moon”
It’s no Richard Linklater essential, that much can be said. Some might even think it’s not by Linklater. But then, Ethan Hawke’s in it, which is arguably a dead giveaway. This could understatedly be a career-defining turn for the actor. … Continue reading Songs & Subtext: A Review of Richard Linklater’s “Blue Moon”
Illuminate/Ruminate: Advice on a Recent Win
The first Petals and Prophecies has come and gone and, from what I heard, the girls from Stems are inclined to do it again. So, while we eagerly await that, here’s a little something for those who missed the first … Continue reading Illuminate/Ruminate: Advice on a Recent Win
“Wake Up, Dead Man” Re-Awakens the “Knives Out” Series
Obviously, they were always gunning for a franchise. This third installment had been in the pipeline since 2022’s Glass Onion, which felt rather scattered, in hindsight. To its credit, though, it did reinforce the Knives Out series as Agatha Christie … Continue reading “Wake Up, Dead Man” Re-Awakens the “Knives Out” Series
“Bugonia” Bee-wilders
Emma Stone first worked with Yorgos Lanthimos in 2018’s The Favourite. Since then, she appears to have embodied that film’s title. All three of the Greek director’s subsequent films had her as lead, with 2023’s Poor Things even securing her … Continue reading “Bugonia” Bee-wilders
Clooney Playing Clooney, Badly Put: A Review of Noah Baumbach’s “Jay Kelly”
This wasn’t intended to be strictly biographical. For one, Brad Pitt was originally attached, only to drop out before production began. Now, with eventual lead, George Clooney, recently acquiring French citizenship with his family, one can’t ignore the parallelisms. Jay … Continue reading Clooney Playing Clooney, Badly Put: A Review of Noah Baumbach’s “Jay Kelly”
Illuminate/Ruminate: The 2025 Energy You Need to Release
As the New Year near-coincides with the Full Moon in Cancer, we’re reminded of what we need to emotionally release. For this activity, choose the Rebel Deck one-liner (not card color) which speaks to you. It will reveal the residual … Continue reading Illuminate/Ruminate: The 2025 Energy You Need to Release
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.
Planet Chuckie 