Author: chuckiechavez

Vapid musings from a self-deprecating child-at-heart.
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Hot Like Laava

chuckiechavez

My film school friends Tess and Vitte tagged me along to Relik, The Fort last night. Just to give a backgrounder, Tess and Vitte have the most awesome shooting gigs. Within the past year, they have done assistant camera work for a number of international productions. Last night was one of their wrap celebrations. Before going there, Tess had already given me the heads up that they’ll be with this female Brazilian model who they worked with in the shoot. It by-passed me at first, knowing that Brazilian models frequent this country anyway. In a few years, Brazilian could be the new … Continue reading Hot Like Laava

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My Oscar 2012 Wish List

chuckiechavez

Oscar season is here again, and for the first time ever, I made an effort to watch all the Best Picture nominees before the big day. This also means that, for the first time, I have a clearer idea of who to pick in making my annual Academy Award winners wish list. Of course, the roster of nominees isn’t without its share of eyebrow-raising upsets: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is up for Best Picture and Transformers: Dark of the Moon scored more nominations than Drive and The Ides of March combined. Then again, I’m sure the ceremonies will also have its … Continue reading My Oscar 2012 Wish List

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A Day of Whines and Roses

chuckiechavez

It goes without saying that being single is not the worst thing in the world. There are a lot of other means to fulfill yourself other than having a main squeeze. What is Valentine’s Day after all, but a capitalist attempt to part the blissfully partnered from their money and subject the rest of us to gridlocked traffic. Why limit the celebration of love to that orchestrated holiday when you can observe it all year round (Holy crap, that sounded bitter)? But being the Happy Network that we are, we believe that everybody should be happy, every single day (A mindset that … Continue reading A Day of Whines and Roses

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#KungMayMagnanakaw

chuckiechavez

Don’t you just wish that escaping sticky, perilous situations was as easy as shooting fireballs and transforming into superhuman beings? Well, here’s a more decent alternative. PXC Commentator, Fight Analyst and MMA champ Erwin Tagle teaches us how to apply mixed martial arts techniques in practical self-defense in this 3-part instructional video series we produced to promote PXC 29. Watch and share!     REMINDER: As Mr. Tagle mentioned in the videos, martial arts techniques should only be your last resort. When push comes to shove, your best weapon is still presence of mind. Keep safe all the time!  PXC 29 … Continue reading #KungMayMagnanakaw

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Bonus birthday wishes from a beauty queen

chuckiechavez

The closest thing I’ll have to a birthday surprise came during lunch today: A completely spontaneous photo-op with Mafae Yunon-Belasco, who still looks every inch the stunning, foxy woman who represented our country in Miss World 2003 (She finished 5th). She was seated next to our table in TGI Friday’s, Bonifacio High Street along with her hubby and two kids and it was my friend Barny who approached her and arranged this whole thing. 🙂 Here’s to more pleasant surprises today. Thanks, Barny! 😛 Continue reading Bonus birthday wishes from a beauty queen

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27

chuckiechavez

It’s my birthday. So please excuse this attempt at profundity. When I was 12, I wanted to fast forward to 26. I don’t know why but for some reason back then, it seemed like a cool age to be. I thought I’d be more in control, living on my own. You know, independent. Now that I’m 27, I realized that I’m still no different from that wishful 12-year-old. I’m still overweight, still cartoonishly neurotic, and still trying to figure things out. (Stop me before I start to sound like the 4 Non-Blondes). Not much has changed, really – save for … Continue reading 27

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Rest in Fins

chuckiechavez

Our long-time “receptionist”, Angelina the Pouty Flowerhorn died this morning. “She” was, more or less, 7 years old. Not bad for a fish. We bought “her” at a nearby pet store in 2005 when “she” was only slightly bigger than a danggit. In less than a year, she ballooned to 3 times “her” size, thus, we had to replace “her” aquarium. Now, about the name. See, we never really bothered to know “her” actual sex and “she” remained nameless all this time. It was only early last year when my cousin from Australia came to visit, saw the fish and said, … Continue reading Rest in Fins

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Sugod Mga Kapatid sa Sinulog

chuckiechavez

Last Thursday wasn’t just a whirlwind trip for me but for the TV5 talents who participated in the activities as well. Upon their arrival in Cebu, the stars had quick lunch then it was straight to a quick press conference. Upcoming young talents such as JC De Vera, Danita Paner, Ritz Azul, Arci Munoz, Nina Jose, Morisette Amon, and Eula Caballero joined the likes of established names like Ruffa Gutierrez, Zoren Legaspi and Wendell Ramos in tackling questions about their current projects and their personal lives. After the press-con, the stars immediately flocked to Fuente Osmena Circle later that afternoon … Continue reading Sugod Mga Kapatid sa Sinulog

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The Idol has landed

chuckiechavez

Today’s the day for Archie fans all over the country! New Kapatid star David Archuleta arrived in Manila this morning to shoot his upcoming miniseries with homegrown TV5 stars Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Eula Caballero. Upon stepping out of the airport, the 21-year-old pop star was immediately greeted by enamored chants and screams by his eager fans and supporters. He is no stranger to warm Pinoy reception, of course as this marks his 4th trip to the country. After that, it was straight to EDSA Shangri-La Hotel for his official contract signing and a press conference (the first out of many, to … Continue reading The Idol has landed

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Hello again, Cebu.

chuckiechavez

Currently in Cebu to cover the TV5’s Sugod Mga Kapatid Sa Sinulog event. We arrived in the city at 7:00am. Which means I didn’t have enough time to get ample shuteye. Actually, that one-hour flight was my one shot at salvaging some sleep. Unfortunately, I was seated in front of that one-man snore-chestra. Could have sworn he was almost as loud as the engine. Breakfast was hardly Cebuano: Breakfast platter from Bo’s Coffee. …Either way, this should be enough to keep me up and about within the next few hours.  Today will be jam-packed with activities. I’ll be covering a … Continue reading Hello again, Cebu.

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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

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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

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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

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Shut Up and Eat: 6 Mealtime Expressions that Should be Retired

chuckiechavez

I just want to share a sudden epiphany I had after having yet another sumptuous dinner at Trixie Ayson‘s house, where caloric intake is virtually unavoidable. Here are 6 mealtime catchphrases so painfully hackneyed that they already take the fun out of the dining experience and should, therefore, die a natural death: 1. Galit-Galit Muna- When someone notices that period of awkward silence while eating. Dear overly sensitive diner, gastronomic conversation lulls don’t automatically mean I have issues with you. It only means that I don’t want to risk obstructing my windpipes just for the sake of pleasantries and gossip. … Continue reading Shut Up and Eat: 6 Mealtime Expressions that Should be Retired

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Third place is still a charm

chuckiechavez

And we did it. =) Schucks finished third place at the Jack Shorts finals held yesterday at the SM Mall of Asia Activity Center. It’s an awesome feat considering that we were selected among God-knows-how-many entries. Too bad I couldn’t make it to the awarding ceremony – we had an important topic in school which we weren’t allowed to miss. But then, it’s a good thing our director Kito was there to represent the entire team. I had to rely on his real-time text message updates, from the public screening up to actual announcement. Pictured below: The trophy (which came … Continue reading Third place is still a charm

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Schucks: The alter-ego you want to punch in the face

chuckiechavez

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you…Schucks, a simple story about a cartoonishly animated, overgrown child smitten with a teenage girl. This is an on-location version of one of the drills we made in school and will also serve as our official entry for the  Jack Shorts Film Competition. Announcement of winners will be on January 15, Saturday. Wish us luck! =) “SCHUCKS” Directed by: Mark Kito Wilson Written by: Chuckie C. Chavez Assistant Director/Editor: Mario Felicidad Reyes Art Director/Assitant to the AD: Cia Hermosa-Jorge Cast: Chuckie Chavez, Stephanie Sol, Mario Felicidad Reyes, Mafe Silva Continue reading Schucks: The alter-ego you want to punch in the face