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Author: chuckiechavez

Vapid musings from a self-deprecating child-at-heart.
TarotLeave a comment

Illuminate/Ruminate: The 2025 Energy You Need to Release

January 3, 2026 chuckiechavez

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

Tarot, That Synching FeelingLeave a comment

A Dozen Years in Divination

January 1, 2026January 2, 2026 chuckiechavez

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

FilmLeave a comment

Life Lessons for a “Left-Handed Girl”

December 30, 2025December 31, 2025 chuckiechavez

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”

FilmLeave a comment

Wes Anderson on a Roll: A Review of “The Phoenician Scheme”

December 28, 2025 chuckiechavez

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”

Beauty PageantsLeave a comment

Miss Universe 2025: The Overdue Review, Part Four

December 26, 2025 chuckiechavez

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

Beauty PageantsLeave a comment

Miss Universe 2025: The Overdue Review, Part Three

December 24, 2025 chuckiechavez

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

Beauty PageantsLeave a comment

Miss Universe 2025: The Overdue Review, Part Two

December 22, 2025December 23, 2025 chuckiechavez

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

Beauty PageantsLeave a comment

Miss Universe 2025: The Overdue Review, Part One

December 20, 2025December 21, 2025 chuckiechavez

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

FilmLeave a comment

Slithering Sequel: A Review of “Zootopia 2”

December 18, 2025 chuckiechavez

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”

FilmLeave a comment

“Wicked”: More or Less, “For Good”

December 16, 2025December 16, 2025 chuckiechavez

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”

MusicLeave a comment

“Vie” for Vivacious: Doja Cat in Manila

December 14, 2025 chuckiechavez

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

That Synching FeelingLeave a comment

Re-route.

December 12, 2025December 17, 2025 chuckiechavez

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.

FilmLeave a comment

Derailed, but Connected: A Review of Clint Bentley’s “Train Dreams”

December 10, 2025 chuckiechavez

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”

FilmLeave a comment

Humanized Horror: A Review of Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein”

December 8, 2025 chuckiechavez

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”

Soul Family, This is 40Leave a comment

Catching Up with Owen

December 7, 2025 chuckiechavez

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

Beauty PageantsLeave a comment

Overdue Recapture: Thoughts on Miss International 2025

December 5, 2025December 8, 2025 chuckiechavez

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

MusicLeave a comment

My Monthly Dig: “Jubilee” by Japanese Breakfast

December 3, 2025December 3, 2025 chuckiechavez

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

Beauty PageantsLeave a comment

The Spirit in Silver Linings: Miss Earth at 25

December 1, 2025 chuckiechavez

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

Beauty PageantsLeave a comment

Miss Universe 2025 Candidate Round-Up: Asia

November 18, 2025November 20, 2025 chuckiechavez

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

Beauty PageantsLeave a comment

Miss Universe 2025 Candidate Round-Up: The Americas

November 18, 2025November 20, 2025 chuckiechavez

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

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