New Moon Premiere- CAZ

How does one get ready for the most anticipated movie of the season?

Well, apart from reading the book and buying the merchandise, you wear it on you and attend the 1st day screening. That’s what I felt when I recently hosted and attended the first day opening of NEW MOON. Rushing to Greenbelt 3 for the event, I considered myself to be well armed as I was wearing my favorite Twilight shirt that read “I am Jacob’s IMPRINT”. I figured that would get me some Wolf points among the pack or at least create some attention for myself.

As I got there, the theatre lobby was already packed with people waiting for the next scheduled screening and the Cinema 3 lobby was already teeming with youngsters all waiting for the doors to be opened. But lucky for them members of Twilight Coven PH were on hand to entertain and keep their energies up. With a brief introduction from Mabs and Meanne about my voice-over contribution to the Twilight “DANAG” Podcast, I quickly jumped into the fray.

We played about 3 games with each game designed to test a fan’s true knowledge of the series; from re-enacting 5 Key Scenes in the book as effectively and creatively possible, to guessing the titles of the songs featured in both movie soundtracks, to the classic “Bring Me” game that got them rummaging into their bags to bring the required New Moon and Twilight items. The games soon made me aware that my own breadth of “research” was not enough and that for the life of me I couldn’t remember a specific passage taken from the book, unless I read it again. This was bad. And I call myself well-armed. Nonetheless the games ended and the crowd was made to queue outside the cinema as I, Meanne, Mabs and the rest of the Twilight Coven went inside the cinema to get ready.

Before the film, another round of raffle and games was made. There were some who won free copies of New Moon, Twilight, Eclipse, The Host and the “Edward” action figure. Along with the games, celebrity hosts JM Rodgriguez and Geneva Cruz were introduced to promote the evening’s succeding event following the screening, which was the launch of FIZZER.COM; the country’s newest social networking site. And this was to be done at Capone’s located in A-venue along Makati Avenue where I-pods and other goodies were to be raffled.

After the games and thanking the sponsors once again, the movie started off without a hitch. I felt it was a little longer than Twilight & I liked it better. Is it a reflection of the progression in Meyer’s storyline or a male director just certainly has different styles as compared to a female director?

That question of course is for another blog entry but on a whole, I felt that second film was a wonderful vehicle for the Wolf Pack to get star billing and attention while the Cullen vampires took the backseat and allowed some spotlight sharing with the La Push denizens. But whether you are Team Edward or Team Jacob, the true stars of the night were the fans who would squeel and holler at key points in the film, knowing that there are 2 more films on the way where they can scream, squeel to their hearts content and bond together like a Pack!

CAZ on MTV EMERGE! - Pls Vote

Hope ya guys can check out my single and vote for it on the MTV EMERGE website.

Thanks in advance. :)

http://www.mtvemerge.com/browse/view.php?key=7FFD72ADB075C244

Buffy's "Cordy" on Legend Of The Seeker- Season 2

Our beloved Cordy has left Sunnydale and joined the battle of the Midlands and D'harans in the TV Series, Legend of the Seeker. The series based on the Sword of Truth novels by Terry Goodkind, begins it's Second Season (yes!) on November 7 in the US.

From the pic she is playing Triana, a Mord-Sith; an extraordinary race of women impervious to magic (as magic casted on them is reverted back to the source) and delights in inflicting pain and torture. They were the "lackeys" of Season 1's bad guy, Darken Rahl. Her character joins the show in the season premiere.

Season 2 is based on the second novel of the series, Stone of Tears; while Season 1 was based on book one which was Wizard's 1st rule. :) 

Carlo J Caparas mulls over Senate in 2010

After the controversy over the National Artist Award, it looks like we have another one coming as a recent interview, film director Carlo J. Caparas admits being overwhelmed at the prospect of being considered a National Artist; having come from a poor and humble background.

On top of that, he is mulling over the possibility of running for the Senate in 2010!!!!

Mama Mia! Ay Caramba!

What has happened to this country of ours. (SIGH)

We need Divine Intervention......

see http://www.gmanews.tv/index.html

P.E.N. Calls for Abolition of Tax on Imported Books

The Philippine Center of the International PEN (Poets & Playwrights, Essayists & Novelists), led by National Artists Bienvenido Lumbera (chair) and F. Sionil Jose (founder and chair emeritus), has issued a resolution calling for the scrapping of Department of Finance Order 17-09, which levies duties on imported books.

 

While Malacanang has suspended the order, writers, and publishers are afraid that the tax would be re-imposed soon.

 

Text of the resolution is as follows:

 

We, The BOARD of DIRECTORS and members of the Philippine center of the International PEN, invoking the international PEN charter, join the many other sectors of our society in denouncing the Department of Finance Order 17-09, which imposes duty on the importation of books.

 

We believe that “literature though national in origin knows no frontiers, and should remain common currency between nations in spite of political or international upheavals” (Article 1, PEN Charter)

 

We, as a worldwide organization founded in London in 1921, consisting originally of Poets & Playwrights, Essayists, and Novelists, but now also of Journalists & Historians, were organized precisely and principally to promote friendship and intellectual cooperation among writers everywhere.

 

We are of the firm conviction that literature plays a crucial role in developing world culture and global understanding, and that the most accessible way of spreading thoughts and ideas, vision and imagination along this line in through books: “PEN stands for the unhampered transmission of such thoughts and ideas through books between nations all over the world” (Article IV, PEN Charter). To be left behind will certainly not be good for our youth and our country.

 

Moreover, the unenlightened and misinformed Department Order violates the Florence Agreement, an international treaty the Philippines signed in 1952. It also violates Republic Act 8047, the Book Publishing Industry Development Act passed in 1995.

 

The Philippine Center of International PEN joins other writer groups and publisher associations, and the general reading public, in urging the Department of Finance, to permanently withdraw—and not just suspend—Department Order 17-09, so as to finally allow the continued duty-free importation of books.

David Archuleta on SIS

David Archuleta on SIS.

First, it was really cool of David to have taken the time to guest on the GMA-7 talk show inspite of his busy and hectic sked as the big show is already on Saturday. How he would have to fit in the scheduled practices and seeing other scenic parts of the country is all part of time management.

What I'm griping here is the overall treatment and how his guesting on the show was done and "managed". Here are my gripes about it:

1. When the show opened, they had Gma talents sing his first hit single, "Crush". - this was horrible as some of the talents did not only give the song any form of justice or conviction but to quote Randy Jackson...the singing was way too PITCHY! The 3 girls who call themselves La Divas were also way off. The arrangement of the song didn't even fit the girl's range so much so that when Kyla did her part, it was too high for her to sing it. (duh, where's Ricky Minor when you need him?)

2. Throughout the show, they also had their own talents come out and sing songs that were associated with David, from his rendition of Angels on Idol, to his singing "And I'm Telling You" to Kelly Clarkson then during his first visit to the show on its first season as a fan. The writer's didn't bother to include in the hosts spiel to translate for David what was going on and David would be left just listening to mediocre renditions while flashing his boyish smile. The only one who did any justice was Kyla, who sang the "And I'm Telling You".

3. But apart from having them sing, the hosts would ask for David's opinion how the talents fared. Jeez, guys the show isn't about GMA talents but about David; his influences; his musicality; his memories on Idol and where he hopes to go at this point in his career. These are the questions that should have been asked not lame and shallow questions like, "who are your idols, or who did you listen to growing up". True that we need to know these things too but c'mon please re-phrase them intelligently.

4. Also when David was singing, as the crowd was really in the "super kilig" mode, he could hardly hear himself singing. On top of that, they didn't give him an earpiece so he can hear himself. Either that or the show doesn't have the budget for it. (GASP!)

5. Along with that, the show's hosts and the subsequent talents who would come out to sing would pose and have a photo-op moment after each number that they do. (in tribute to David). What the frak? Didn't the director foresee or even bar this from happening? It may look cute at first but when it becomes "routine" for each and every GMA talent that comes out to sing, it just gets irritating.

At the end of the hour long show, did we leave knowing more about David? Well, apart from him naming his musical influences growing up that ranged from Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and to his current favorite Jason Mraz; all we could do like David is smile back at him and at the show which failed to unravel and enlighten the audience as to who David is both as a person and as an artist. And although he is still on the road to fully flesh his own artistry, we can sit back and watch him and grow....and smile.....and hope that any future guestings of international talents would be handled more intelligently and not fawned on.

And as a nation, i hope that we be aware also of that. That WHAT and HOW you say on LIVE TV subliminally affects and influences your viewers. One would want viewers leaving the show with a sense of inspiration and awe not left with the polite smiles of people and the histrionics of the crowd all blurring the main purpose at hand.

Premiered my 1st single- HELPLESS

Played my first single, HELPLESS, over the AM talk show I host over the weekend with our Ms. World (and fabulous b-day celebrant), Evangeline Pascual.

Thank you to those who were able to tune in that day. I must say it felt like I've taken a big step, with regards to achieving my dream of making my own record. Those who know me, know that it's a longtime dream; and certainly one that was long in the making.

Bittersweet that Dad's not around to share this but I know that wherever he is, he's partying along with me and breaking out the cases of champagne and Chardonnay & smiling down at me, knowing that it is in his memory that I am living my life; fulfilling my dream and paying it forward in every way that I can.

Incidentally, I do have a song for Dad in the album and I'm expecting the album to come out late January 2009 or early Feb. Still got a little over a couple of songs to work on but the process of creating, birthing an idea and putting it to melody and words just keeps ongoing and never stops.

I'm grateful for the creative process and for the people that shared it with me as I work on this and envision the day that  when the album comes out, people will know that a new voice has surfaced and one that hopes and aspires to be heard.

And upon hearing it, will join me in raising awareness and pay it forward.

Because we are never helpless...only in the mind are we truly so....

Blessed Be!!!