THE AWE-INSPIRING ASIANOVELAS

I used to question why do broadcast networks air Asian TV series dubbed in Tagalog when Filipinos have a lot of stories to tell with talented stars waiting for the right break to come. 

But I guess its just a matter of time before I realized that TV series from other Asian countries are just the same as patronizing the Mexican telenovelas or American series shown on Philippine TV.  When GMA7 aired its first Korean series Bright Girl, only few noticed.  But when ABS-CBN premiered Taiwan's Meteor Garden, the series became a phenomenal hit that up to its last re-run, the show continues to conquer the viewer's interests. The series opened up the hearts of Pinoys to love the tales and cultures of Koreans and Taiwanese.

Since then, there is no doubt of Asianovela invasion on Philippine TV and the love for such series continues up to this day. We have fallen in love with stories and twists that our local entertainment industry refuses or maybe scared to try.  

Both giant networks continue to compete in purchasing the TV rights of the best TV series from other countries.  Who benefit from these competitions? Of course, the viewers. Thanks to these TV networks for if not for them, maybe only less than one percent of the Philippine population would know the breathtaking TV series of our neighboring Asian countries.  More so, we won't be able to appreciate the cultures, traditions, food and even adore the beautiful people of these countries.

And speaking of beautiful Asian people, here's a list of some of the good-looking artists who has hit our lives just like their TV series that has taken the country by storm:

* LEE MIN HO
Perfect Match (Personal Taste)
Boys Over Flowers

* JERRY YAN 
Meteor Garden
down with love

* VIC ZHOU
Meteor Garde
Mars

* RAIN
Full House

* SONG HYE KYO
Endless Love Autumn in My Heart
Full House
Worlds Within

* KIM SUNG SOO
Full House

* WON BIN
Endless Love Autumn in My Heart

* BAE YONG JOON
Endless Love Winter Sonata
The Legend

* LEE YOUNG AE
Jewel in the Palace

* CHAE RIM

Dal Ja's Spring

All About Eve

* HYUN BIN

Kim Sam Soon

Worlds Within

the valentine box office king and his V movie

It started with Let the Love Begin, followed by I Will Always Love You, the Promise, My Bestfriend's Girlfriend, When I Met You and now My Valentine Girls. For over the past five years, Richard Gutierrez starred in these blockbuster Valentine movies which earned him his title Valentine Box-office King.  I am not a die-hard fan but at least I watched Richard's career flourished from being a second lead to one of the most in-demand young actors today - whether he can or cannot act.  But I believe he knows what kind of project suits him well because moviegoers enjoy his films especially those created by his mother studio. 

This year, Regal Films and GMA Films bring together a new Valentine offering set to tickle the hearts of moviegoers of all ages - My Valentine Girls.  The movie stars Richard Gutierrez who plays quadruple roles in the film -  Arvin, the author; Oslec, the taxi driver; Zach, the lawyer; and Aidan, the survivor.  The movie tells the story of an author creating stories for his new book: "Soulmate," "BBF" and "Gunaw." 


Among the trilogy, its the episode Soulmate that is most appealing for me.  The chemistry between Richard and Rhian Ramos in this romantic-comedy tale is obvious.  Although the story may be a formula, still it has reached out to moviegoers the kilig factor it ought to share this love season.  The story could have been created to one entire funny and kilig film.


Unlike the first story, the episode BBF could have been shortened since it's dragging.  And it appears the artists couldn't convince themselves portraying their characters so how can they convince the audience to enjoy this episode? If the creative team was fixed in pushing a Solenn-Richard-Lovi triangle, they should have chosen the world of fashion as venue for this story. Probably a male model falling in love with his make-up artist despite his relationship with another popular model. It would definitely be believable.  


As for Gunaw, well, there's nothing expected from Eugene Domingo except her hilarious scenes and punchlines delivered perfectly at the right moment.


Expect another romantic film from Richard Gutierrez next year.  But I hope in his next V flick, each cent I spend will be worth it.  Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
   

Revisiting Luneta

It was two decades ago when I last set foot in Luneta for a stroll.  In the 80s, going to Luneta was the best place to be for kids.  That was the in thing at that time. For adults and political matters, Luneta was the best venue to convene.  I remember my family used to go to Luneta park to celebrate our birthdays until the youngest came in.  As far as I can remember, balloons, vendors, photographers, and a lot of people were everywhere in Luneta park.  And it seems there was always festivity on that part of Manila.  

I also enjoyed stargazing while sitting or lying on the grass across Quirino Grandstand, playing in the sand at the playground behind or I think at the side of the grandstand.  I never went abroad, its just that I never had the time or the company to stop and revisit one of  Manila's tourist spots for I was very busy with family, school, friends and work.

Last November 2010, after more than two decades, I finally had a chance to revisit the historical park of Luneta, this time with my own family.

With a fine weather, my family and I went out of our house for a brief tour of Luneta.  We parked near Quirino Grandstand and saw some tourist buses parked in front of it.  Too bad, what the kids remembered about the grandstand was the awful hostage crisis that happened there recently.  So we had to remind them of some historical and significant events that occurred in Quirino Grandstand like the oathtaking of the elected Philippine presidents, concerts, shows, political rallies and even religious conventions.

On our way to Luneta, I had anticipated a lot of changes based on news and word of mouth about its development.  I know what is new to me may not be new to others and possibly been there for years.  But let me remind you that its been decades since I set foot in this historical park.

So after getting off the car, we saw the grandstand and then proceeded to the spot where the statue of a carabao - the country's national animal - is situated.  On our way we discovered the statue of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the Filipino saint.  Soon we found another "new" in the area, the Centennial Clock which bears a marker with a note from our first Philippine president Emilio Aguinaldo.  This is also the location of the so-called Kilometer Zero.

Then we crossed the street using ped xing (pedestrian lane) and learned that there are stanchions or colonnade across the street where the Independence Flagpole and Jose Rizal's monument are located.  The colonnade and stanchions in the area provided security for a historical site as well as discipline and order for tourists and pedestrians.   

We had our photos taken near Rizal's monument which is continuously guarded by ceremonial soldiers.  We also visited the site where our national hero Jose Rizal was executed.  There you will find a huge memorial plaque of Rizal's last letter or poem titled "Mi Ultimo Adios" translated in Pilipino, English and other languages.

A few feet away is the site intended to honor the martyrdom of Filipino priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora known as GOMBURZA.  They were charged with subversion and their execution in 1872 left a profound effect on Filipinos including Jose Rizal who dedicated his novel El Filibusterismo to their memory.

Strolling down the park, we came across a number of famous heads in Philippines history lined up on the sides of an on-going construction (this is probably the new and developed fountain area).  Among the historical heads we met were Francisco Dagohoy, Diego Silang, Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Apolinario Mabini, Jose Maria Panganiban, Sultan Kudarat, Gregorio Aglipay, Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Rajah Sulayman, Lapu-Lapu and others.

And speaking of Lapu-Lapu, his shrine at the Luneta is a breathtaking view.  One could see the statue from afar and once you get closer to the shrine, it is an overwhelming site, a recognition due to the Datu of Mactan a very long time ago.  

The Japanese and Chinese gardens were still there and remain to be interesting site for families, group of friends and lovers as well.  Nipa huts which serve as stores has helped eradicate food vendors in the park.

A "new" site called The Orchidarium, unfortunately, was closed for viewing.

With the changes and development I encountered in Luneta Park, it is obvious that more and more people are becoming concerned of this historical landmark.  Plus, the idea of presenting other Filipino heroes will surely help everyone to recognize and be familiar with our ancestors who risked their lives to keep our freedom and democracy.

All in all, I can say the visit was worth it. It brought  back some of my childhood days and at the same time makes me appreciate the changes and development we encountered at the Luneta Park.  Since some of the areas were closed when we visited the park, we'll surely find time to go back to Luneta. #

on paradise

The word paradise has more than a hundred meaning to a lot of people depending on the occasion, place, event, situation and the company you are with.  dictionaries unveil a lot of definition as well like wonderland, joy, joyfulness, delight, bliss, ballpark, Eden, Shangri-la, euphoria, divine abode, heaven, Arcadia, gladness, seventh heaven, enchantment, elation, etc.  but for me, paradise is simply happiness and overwhelming satisfaction.