BEST OF 2014

I'm not going to wait for the year to end to post this. I have work on the 31st so I don't think I will be able to have the time to write a post then. So I'll write this while working on Rizal Day.

All images captured from Google.

BEST MOVIE (International)
LAST YEAR: Gravity

The best film is the type of film wherein days after you've seen it you still think about what you saw and it still gives you the chills. Whether it's how awesome the characters are or how disturbing the story was, it still leaves something. Gone Girl is my best movie of 2014. What a disturbing movie!!! I watched it twice and in both showing, I notice how everyone in the cinema were really talking seriously about what they just saw. It was disturbing. It was emotional. It was shocking. It was a very very effective film. On facebook, whenever I post about a film I just saw, I normally just get likes, but when I posted about this, people really wanted to discuss the movie. You don't really get that a lot. And for that reason alone is why Gone Girl is my best film of the year.
RUNNER UP: Captain America: Winter Soldier

BEST MOVIE (Local)
LAST YEAR: OTJ

I know in terms of quality, the indies take the cake for brilliance in the local film scene. But in all honesty, I have not been exposed to it as much as I want to. But to be honest, 2014 hasn't really been a good year for us in terms of quality films. Even the indies had fewer noteworthy titles to choose from. So bear with me as my pick this year is reflective of the mainstream Pinoy films that we all love to hate. But then again, truth is we still pay to see these films. We swoon when we see kilig moments. And we still smile watching all the same cliche's film after film after film. Honestly, all Pinoy films tell the same story but with only different actors. Okay, enough ranting. The best of all jologs Pinoy cheesy films of 2014 is Starting Over Again. And I choose this solely because I love Toni Gonzaga.
RUNNER UP: Bride For Rent

GAME OF THE YEAR (Console)
LAST YEAR: Grand Theft Auto V

2014 is the start of the current generation of consoles, so it's quite understandable that the games are not of the same standards as the brilliant games that came out last year. Honestly, this year only 2 games are vying for the title of the best game of 2014. A choice between gameplay innovation and sheer size. Admittedly, Shadow Of Mordor's Nemesis system is the best thing to come out of video games this year. It gives players the ability to tell it's own story uniquely his. But Dragon Age: Inquisition consumed most of my idle time ever since I bought the game a few weeks ago.  I have poured in 60 hours into this game and I don't think I'm halfway done. There are literally tons of things to do in this game world and it's clearly worth what I paid for. Oh and just like with previous Bioware Games that I choose to win GOTY, it really helps that they let players have gay sex.
RUNNER UP: Middle Earth: Shadow Of Mordor

GAME OF THE YEAR (Handheld)
LAST YEAR: Tearaway

I bought my PS4 this year, and have played no other console as much as I did with my PS4. So my choice for Game Of The Year for Handhelds for 2014 is the only game that I played the most. Nintendo is great at creating games that allow you to kill time. With titles like Mario Kart, Smash Bros, Pokemon or even Animal Crossing, you could literally lose thousands of hours playing those games. But my 2014 Handheld game of the year is nothing like the innovative games I mentioned above. It's a return to form for classic JRPGs. Bravely Default is the best turn based RPG I have played since the time of the PS2 era JRPGs. It's tactical, challenging, and really addictive. I love getting new costumes as that meant that I will have new abilities. The characters are charming and funny and it has a very Japanese story which is quirky, imaginative and confusing as shit. Just how I like my Japanese Role Playing Games.
RUNNER UP: The Walking Dead: Season 2

BEST OF TV DRAMA 
LAST YEAR: The Good Wife

So the past few years I have been skipping on this show as the best US Drama series because there have been a lot of outstanding shows. That's why I think I've given this award to almost all of the best shows out there. That's why this year, I'm giving the award to one of my favorite shows of all time. Shameless. It's a family dramedy about a VERY dysfunctional family. The show is so taboo I don't think this will ever be allowed to be shown in our country. Regardless, the show is damn funny, brilliantly acted, and just like drugs, is so addictive. It is tasteless sometimes. It is filled with morally questionable characters and your heroes are pretty much all criminals in the making, but they are the most relatable and likeable characters on tv. I fucking love Shameless!!!
RUNNER UP: Game Of Thrones

BEST OF TV COMEDY
LAST YEAR: The Mindy Project

I am no longer the target market of MTV. I actually want to puke whenever I see something teenybopper on television these days. So imagine my surprise when I found myself glued to the television watching this year's winner. Faking It. It's a show about a couple of high school girls faking being lesbians so they will become famous in school. Just like the usual coming of age stories, one of them turns out to really be gay and falls in love with the best friend. But as cliche as this story gets, it's actually funny and it doesn't take itself too seriously (hello Glee). The show, now on it's second season, has now moved on from it's original premise and I think is getting better for it. This show may never win an Emmy, but I think it's the closest we'll get to seeing how American teenagers really are this generation. It's a cool show.
RUNNER UP: The McCarthy's

BEST OF TV (Local)
LAST YEAR: Got To Believe

What is a Gillboard Best Of post without an appearance of something directed by Cathy Garcia Molina. It would be nothing. And this year, I'm giving out the recognition of Best Pinoy TV Series to Forevermore. I love how this show makes me feel younger. It is a very Pinoy Soap Opera. It checks on a lot of boxes in the How To Make a Teleserye Handbook. The poor girl / rich guy love story. The evil future mother in law. The scene stealing supporting characters. The funny barkada of the guy. The third party. I'm pretty sure someone will get kidnapped by the end of this show. But then again, even if you do it, if you do it right. Get the script right. Get the chemistry right. Filipinos will buy the shit you throw at them. Unfortunately, I'm one who buys those shit. And come on, there really isn't anything really good on Philippine TV apart from our news and current affairs stuff. Is there? Anyway, back to Forevermore. What I like about it, is that it's smart enough that even if it ticks all those soap opera cliches, it gives us a bit of a twist that keeps us guessing if what we predicted will come true or not.
RUNNER UP: The Voice Of The Philippines

BEST IN MUSIC
LAST YEAR: Just Give Me A Reason

Let me be predictable for once. I like me some melancholy songs. And my song of the year goes to a singer who really writes great sad songs. The male or gay version of Adele as they say. Sam Smith's Stay With Me resonates for a number of  reasons. One, the song is really really relatable. Who among us have that one night stand that we wished was not just? Oh god, if I heard that song like 8 years ago, I would have sung that to that unforgettable one night stand. Two, Sam Smith. Wow, that voice!!! You could really feel his emotions in all of his songs. He's my favorite artist this year, bar none. Three. It was not overplayed unlike John Legend's theme song of the year. Four. It's just one song from an album that's full of great music. Actually, let me take back the award from Stay With Me. The Best In Music this year for me is anything from Sam Smith.
RUNNER UP: Ed Sheeran Thinking Out Loud

BLOG OF THE YEAR
LAST YEAR: Wickedmouth

I know I haven't been the most active blogger this year. I think I visit only a handful of blogs. And let's be honest, there haven't really been a lot of active bloggers anymore. The greats have now moved on  to better things in life. But there's been no one really who's been as consistent in writing posts as this year's winner. Regardless the posts are read or not, he still writes. I heard it's something he needs to do. For me, he is the epitome of the adage, "we write to express, not to impress". He's one blogger that I have known from like when I started blogging a few years ago, yet, he's someone I've never actually met in person. I admire this blogger because it is difficult to find things to write, but he never seems to fail to find one. From trysts, to heartbreaks, his job, to family matters. They may sometimes be deep, but they are very well written. I have given this award to people who are no longer in the blog world, but I'm quite positive, we'll be seeing his posts for quite some time more. Cheers Kuya Joms of L'Heure Bleue
RUNNER UP: Geosef's Alphabet

BEST OF 2014 NOMINEES

Continuing my year end tradition of naming the Best of The Year.

What is your choice? Point out if I missed something. Comment below, let me know.

Best Movie (International)

Guardians of the Galaxy
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Gone Girl
Grand Budapest Hotel
Boyhood
The Lego Movie

Best Movie (Local)

Bride For Rent
Starting Over Again
1st Ko Si 3rd
Dementia

Game of The Year (Console)

Dragon's Age: Inquisition
Far Cry 4
Infamous: Second Son
Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor
Alien: Isolation

Game of The Year (Handheld)

The Walking Dead Season 2
Bravely Default
Freedom Wars
Fantasy Life
Tomodachi Life

Best Of TV Drama (International)

The Good Wife
Game Of Thrones
Shameless
Orange Is The New Black
Homeland

Best Of TV Comedy (International)

The Mindy Project
The McCarthy's
Faking It
Modern Family
Brooklyn Nine Nine
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

Best Of TV (Local)

Forevermore
The Voice Kids
Two Wives
Pure Love

Best In Music

All About That Bass (Meghan Trainor)
Wiggle (Jason Derulo)
Chandelier (Sia)
Stay With Me (Sam Smith)
Rude (Magic)
Shake It Off (Taylor Swift)

Blog Of The Year

Citybuoy X City Songs
Geosef's Alphabet
Skeletons In My Closet
Wickedmouth
L'Heure Bleue

BEST OF 2013

I don't think I can wait anymore for the last day of the year. I have work then, and I think I'll be busy doing work at home. So let's just do this today then.

As with my other Best Of posts, I would like to first thank everyone who stuck with this blog event hough I don't post the way I do before. Even though I'm less funny, I write very rarely and sometimes I don't make sense anymore. Thank you.

So let's get it started.

BEST MOVIE (International)
LAST YEAR: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
I think this is the year where science fiction was taken seriously. It's not always about a chosen one destined to save the world. It's not always about super powered beings from another planet. Science fiction can also be simple. Something like... being trapped in space. Alfonso Cuaron's Gravity is a perfect example of a simple science fiction tale. It is unbelievable how you can be at awe at the beauty of seeing our planet from space and  the same time afraid for Sandra Bullock's character. That is the power of great filmmaking, storytelling, superb acting and today's technology.
RUNNER-UP: The Kings of Summer, Before Midnight

BEST MOVIE (Local)
LAST YEAR: Unofficially Yours
This year has brought us a surprisingly good number of awesome movies. Of course, we're still getting a bulk of romcoms, but we also got quite a number of quality films. A few of them were actually action films. If this were a different year, It Takes A Man and a Woman would have won the title, but since it's 2013, I choose OTJ as the best movie of the year. It is an awesome action film. Is it original? I don't think so. Filipino movie directors have been "inspired" by foreign films and some may compare this film to The Departed. It's action packed and it's intriguing. The fact that this is not a rom com alone gives it an edge over other titles.
RUNNER-UP: Four Sisters and a Wedding, It Takes A Man and A Woman

GAME OF THE YEAR (Console)
LAST YEAR: Mass Effect 3
Wow, this I had a really hard time choosing. While there are actually only two games that stood out, a lot of the nominees, if they were released another year would have easily won this distinction of being the best game. But how could you really choose between Grand Theft Auto V and The Last of Us? Both are really brilliant games. One has a really outstanding story with great gameplay and beautiful visuals. The other is a really huge game which no one could possibly want to stop playing. I could just make it easy and make it a tie, but there really has to be only one. I guess sky diving and dropping directly to a dirt bike then racing down the top of the mountain against a crazy drugged up daredevil, just because you followed a talking dog would trump an awesome zombie game this time. So, it is with great difficulty that I give the Game of the Year title of 2013 to Grand Theft Auto V.
RUNNER-UP: The Last Of Us

GAME OF THE YEAR (Handheld)
This is the first new title I'm giving out this year to replace comic book awards (if you don't know yet I have quit downloading them this year). I think it's only fair to separate the handheld titles from the console ones just because the quality between the two are really different. But then again this year, between my PSVita and 3DS, I played my handheld games longer than my consoles. Nintendo really had a strong showing this year with Luigi's Mansion, Fire Emblem, Pokemon and Animal Crossing. I think I spent literally hundreds of hours between the last three games. But the game I choose this year trumps them all not because of the length of time I played the game. Tearaway is a short game. But in the short time I played, it really pushed out all of the things my PSVita can do. From the touchscreen from the front back, camera, microphone, and everything else. All of them were used. Not all games could brag about that. And of course, it's got a great story.
RUNNER-UP: Fire Emblem, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Pokemon X

BEST OF TV (Drama)
LAST YEAR: The Walking Dead
This is another tough category. But there are really only two shows that delivered really really strong episodes this year. Game of Thrones with Khaleesi's taking of The Unsullied and The Red Wedding. The Good Wife with it's Hitting The Fan and 100th episode. But really, only one episode is enough for me to give the title to The Good Wife. I have been a fan of the show since it's first season. But they really stepped up their game in it's first ten episodes this season. Just watch episode 5 (Hitting The Fan). I named it the best episode of any tv show ever. I clapped. I laughed. I sat on the edge of my seat. I got mad. All those different emotions just because of one episode. It's smartly written, brilliantly acted and generally just a joy to watch. I love this show.
RUNNER-UP: Game of Thrones

BEST OF TV (Comedy)
This is the other new category. Honestly, if I didn't separate the two categories, no comedy show would've won in Best of TV. I don't know why it took me five years to create this one. But I guess for one, there really hasn't been any truly strong sitcom on television the last few years. I think the golden era of sitcoms was the time when both Friends and Will & Grace were on air. Now, comedies just come and go. And this one, I'm afraid is a show that we may lose soon. The Mindy Project is a really funny series. Yes, Mindy can be a bit annoying. But really, there aren't that many shows that could make you laugh out loud or is tolerable to watch again other than this one.
RUNNER-UP: The Crazy Ones, New Girl

BEST OF TV (Local)
LAST YEAR: Be Careful With My Heart
Cathy Garcia Molina has been a strong presence in this annual thing I do, because she makes really 'kilig' movies. This year, she brought her signature work to television via my Best Pinoy TV Show, Got To Believe. This is again not originally nominated because it just started recently, but given it's newness, we it is a show that I really can't let go. I am not a fan of Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo, but I cannot deny that the couple has great chemistry. Something I last saw with John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo. The show itself is funny, charming, sweet and Carmina is an effective villain. I hate her. How can you really deny giving the title to Mama Bear, Papa Bear, Care Bear, Teddy Bear and Gummy Bear.
RUNNER-UP: Honesto, Juan dela Cruz

BEST IN MUSIC
LAST YEAR: Madness / Muse
Breakup anthems have been the most relatable songs there is. I mean everyone has gone through one. Hearts have been broken at one point or another. While technically this song is not a breakup song, it's almost one. Pink has been on a roll lately in delivering really great songs, but Just Give Me A Reason is the best on her discography. Who doesn't know the lyrics to this song? It's about a couple having a trouble with their relationship and are trying to find a reason to stay with each other. Who hasn't been in this situation? That's enough for me for this song to be the best song of 2013.
RUNNER-UP: Blurred Lines

BLOG OF THE YEAR
LAST YEAR: Wickedmouth
There hasn't been any blogger who has experienced more success this year other than Glentot himself. He's so successful he's now published. It's one thing all real bloggers would want for their blog. And that alone is reason enough for Wickedmouth to be this year's best blog... Again. I have had a chance to finally meet him this year when he gave me a signed copy of his book (which unfortunately was among the things that was taken from me by those fuckin' holduppers). Glentot, if you're reading this I need another copy of your book please!!! Anyway, if you don't believe me, just click the link and go to his blog. I'll shut down my blog if you tell me you didn't laugh in at least one of his posts.
RUNNER-UP: Alfabeto Della Mia Vita

QUICKIE REVIEWS (UPDATED)

THE HUNGER GAMES (MOVIE)
To be honest, I was really prepared to hate this movie. I read the books, and it's one of those books that I could not stop reading. I have only seen one trailer, and just contented myself with their awesome posters. But I was ready to hate the movie.

Lo and behold, the director stuck to the script. The film is a very solid interpretation of the book. As in, everything I remember that happened in the book happened in the movie. And they made me finally realize what the Cornucopia looked like. This was the one thing I was having a hard time trying to picture when I read the book.

I loved Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Eberdeen. I love typing Katniss Eberdeen.

Oh and please, girls, this is not another Twilight. So please stop ooohing  on Peeta. He's gonna end up a mess of a guy on Book 3.


MIRROR MIRROR
It's a nice children's movie. Julia Roberts  was funny. Still think she's the fairest of them all. And I was so distracted by Lily Collins' thick eyebrows.

Charming film though. I predict it will still be better than the Twilight version coming out this summer.

THE WALKING DEAD SEASON 2
They're finally out of the farm. Man, that storyline dragged on for too long. The comics version was like less than 6 issues, if I'm not mistaken. But then again, they have strayed too far from the written title. Looking forward to the prison. If they'll follow the comics storyline, I think Season 3 will be the best Season for TWD.

Did you see the finale? Michonne baby!!! Oh, and they've already cast The Governor!!! Exciting.


MASS EFFECT 3
Got this game last week, and I can't wait to finish this game and play it again. I need to play it again because I killed a lot of people in Tuchanka. The storyline is amazing, and the graphics... outstanding.

I'm playing the Xbox version, and I must say, Kinect's voice commands is the way to play this game. From outside my room, I may sound like an idiot screaming out 'Warp', 'Throw' and 'Fortify'. But it's cool.

Can't wait to have my Shepherd make out with Alenko. Been dreaming of that since the original Mass Effect came out.

THE HUNGER GAMES (SERIES)
Since the movie's coming out tomorrow, might as well put on a quickie review of this series. I loved the first 2 books (Hunger Games and Catching Fire), but the third one was a bit dragging. To be honest, I haven't actually finished Mockingjay because it was boring.

Can't wait to see the film though. I hope it will be good.

LACOSTE WHITE (PURE)
I've always been a fan of Lacoste's colognes (perfume is for women) since I first smelled Lacoste Red. I think I had almost all of their scents including Pour Homme, Essentials, and Challenge.

But Lacoste White so far is my favorite. It's got that fresh-out-of-shower feel to it's scent. I really feel gwapo whenever I put it on.

I have to put this on as this is the first time in a year that I bought a new cologne. Yeah, I've been poor the last year. I bought the Blue one too, with the citrus-y scent, but I loved the White one better.

THE BEST OF 2011

A few more days, and we'll say goodbye to 2011.

Normally, I post this on the 31st, but I have a feeling that I'm not going to have internet access again, just like last Christmas, I thought to just post this today. My favorites of 2011.

But before I proceed, I'd like to give thanks to all the readers, followers, contest participants, all those silent readers, the people who followed my twits and liked my Facebook page (I am hoping you'd interact with me more there, specially those non-bloggers who I really don't know personally). I appreciate your taking your time to read about what goes on inside my head, even if most of the time they're not that interesting.

Enough drama, let's get on with the awards:

BEST MOVIE (International)
LAST YEAR: Toy Story 3
This film wasn't a part of my nominees of best films for the year, and I don't really think you'd all agree that it's the best film of the year if you see it. There were three films this year that gave me a wide smile after finishing the movie. Harry Potter, Crazy Stupid Love and my pick this year for best movie... The Help. It's a period film about a girl who wrote a book detailing the challenges of being a 'colored' maid, earlier in the last century. It's a film that you'd really root for the protagonists of the story. It made you care about the characters. I don't know what it is with Emma Stone, but so far she hasn't done any bad film in my book.
RUNNER-UP: Crazy Stupid Love, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

BEST MOVIE (Local)
LAST YEAR: My Amnesia Girl
This is the year of the indie films. Before, when I hear indie movie I instantly think of gay films. This year's best film is essentially a gay film, but it defied the norm. Zombadings: Patayin Sa Shokot Si Remington didn't have mandatory sex scene. It did not portray us Filipinos as poor people. And it made me laugh out loud throughout the entire movie. Films like these and Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank gave me hope that Pinoys can do really good films and not just cheesy romantic comedies. Although I'm really looking forward to seeing Unofficially Yours next year (John Lloyd forever!!!).
RUNNER-UP: Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank, No Other Woman

GAME OF THE YEAR
LAST YEAR: Mass Effect 2
The last few months have been hard on my wallet. All the good games came out within  weeks of each other. But there was no other game this year that made me stay at home on weekends, forget that I'm in a relationship and basically ruined my social life other than The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. This game literally has no ending. I'm 100+ hours into the game, yet I'm still not half into the main story. Massive is not an appropriate description of Skyrim. It's not a perfect game. I own the PS3 version and I experience (take note, it's in the present tense) lag whenever I've played more than 6 hours of the game, it's not for those people who crave action every minute into the game (you do a LOT of walking in Skyrim), and even if it's got a hundred of people in the world, you'll hear the same voices over and over again. But then it lets you kill dragons. DRAGONS for cripes sake! Nuff said.
RUNNER-UP: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, Gears of War 3,

BEST OF TV
LAST YEAR: Dexter
This year I'm really torn about this category. A lot of shows really deserve being on this list. I really got hooked on all these shows this year and they really delivered the goods. But I have to make one choice. Game of Thrones. Where else can you see incest, blood, gore, sexposition (exposition while in the middle of having sex), beheadings, DRAGONS, and heroes not be safe from death? Nowhere. Well, Once Upon A Time just did the last part. HBO didn't just give us a modern day Lord of the Rings. They stayed faithful interpretation of the original George Martin series (A Song of Ice and Fire) and they gave it to us in 10 straight weeks. I can't wait for April to see Season 2 (A Clash of Kings).
RUNNER-UP: Once Upon A Time, Shameless

BEST OF PINOY TV 
LAST YEAR: Showtime
I don't get to religiously watch the primetime teleseryes, but from time to time i try to catch up. There aren't a lot of shows that I find really interesting. Like I said in a previous post, some of the stories being shown these days are recycled stories from before but only give a different twist that would at least make it seem like a new show. Lost relative. Kidnapping/hostage taking towards the end. But it's not really those scenes that make us watch them. It's in the meat of the story. The acting. The way it makes us feel better about ourselves seeing we don't have family members who want us dead. And it's always a positive if it makes us laugh. I've always been a fan of Xyriel's acting, and seeing Coney Reyes brings me back to those days when I was a kid watching my mom cry while watching Coney Reyes on Camera. 100 Days to Heaven deserves this award.
RUNNER-UP: Budoy

COMIC EVENT OF THE YEAR
LAST YEAR: The Thanos Imperative
Earlier this year, Marvel said that 2011 was going to be the year of the mutants. They did good on that promise with really great stories like Schism and Regenesis. But undeniably, this year's event is the Dark Angel Saga. Critics have been unanimous in proclaiming this storyarc as a modern day classic. Comparisons with The Dark Phoenix Saga is well-deserved, if not an understatement. This is an awesome story. The tale of Angel's descent into becoming the heir of Apocalypse is as gripping and as emotionally straining as other literary classics. It's beautiful when it started and much more how it ended. The Dark Angel Saga is a perfect example of how to write a comic event.
RUNNER-UP: DC: The 52 Initiative, Spider-Island

BEST COMIC SERIES
LAST YEAR: The Walking Dead
While The Dark Angel Saga instantly put Uncanny X-Force on the front row of this list, credit must also be given to other perfectly written series. And my hats off to Scott Snyder in making me read Batman. His Detective Comics was just riveting. A story you can't put down and stop reading. He knows his Batmen, whether it's Bruce or Dick, and he knows how to give them a challenge. Detective Comics' The Black Mirror and now his Batman's Court of Owls storylines are just some of the best stories published this year. I don't want him to leave this book as I think Scott and Batman are a perfect fit. Credits to Jock, Francesco Francavilla and Greg Capullo for giving the matching tone in terms of the art for Scott's words.
RUNNER-UP: Uncanny X-Force, Amazing Spider-Man

BEST IN MUSIC
LAST YEAR: Baby (Justin Bieber)
We don't really get a lot of quality Filipino music these days. I don't know if we're lacking good songwriters or if we just ran out of creative juice in terms of song making. What we're left with are bands with song whose lyrics don't always make sense and really good singers singing really used up remakes of songs. Then in came Zia Quizon's Ako Na Lang. It's refreshing in the ears. It sounds sosyal. It's uptempo. And you can't help but put the song on repeat. I loved this song. Whenever my phone randomly plays this song, I wouldn't listen to anything else anymore. I am not sure if her album contains remakes too (hopefully not), but listening to these kinds of songs make me hopeful in our ailing music industry.
RUNNER-UP: Adele

NEWS OF THE YEAR
LAST YEAR: President Noynoy
Don't you just hate it when Filipinos are put in bad light. I am proud to be a Filipino. I don't want to leave this country. But when you have an incompetent and bratty President, a corrupt ex-president, a boxer who longs to someday become a Vice President (or God forbid the future President), a sibling rivalry that ended up in murder between a Senator's half sister and poor brother headlining the news, it makes you change your mind a bit. Thank God, Shamcey Supsup and Gwendolyn Ruais made us forget about those thing even for just a couple of hours. They may not have won their crowns, but at least our attentions have been diverted to something pretty and not nasty.
LAST YEAR: The Arroyo's

BLOG OF THE YEAR
LAST YEAR: The Deadbeat Club
I loved short posts. They are easier to read. They don't make my nose bleed. And when done the right way, they entertain. I don't like long posts. I don't like posts written so lengthily with no direction and have no point. Bloggers tend to do that. But there is one blogger that does that, yet he still successfully gets me engaged in reading his long posts. He got me reading through his ordeal in finding an empty cubicle where he can dump his shit. I don't know how anyone could be so gifted in words. I'm jealous. His blog is not for everybody, you'd probably find this guy arrogant or snobbish. He probably won't find the time to visit your blog back if you comment on his posts. But he is a great read. This year the Best Blog is Lio's Same Shit, Different Day.
RUNNER-UP: Wickedmouth, Human, All Too Human, Ms. Chuniverse

Agree? Disagree? What were your bets for the year? And you've got til Sunday to join my little pacontest, see posts below. :)

I might not be online again on Sunday, so HAPPY NEW YEAR Everyone!!!

PINOY TV

Matagal ko nang nais isulat itong post na ito. Last month, may isang araw kasi na wala akong ginawa kundi tumutok lang sa mga palabas sa ating lokal na telebisyon. Ang mga napanuod ko dito ay ang nagpatibay sa aking paniniwalang walang kwenta ang mga drama ng channel 7.

Sa mga loyalist pagdating sa so-called network wars, meron din naman akong puna sa mga palabas ng channel 2. Pero itong akdang ito ay in general aking obserbasyon sa local television.

BAKIT DI AKO NANUNUOD NG PALABAS NG MGA KAPUSO

• Naiirita ako sa batang si Daldalita. Wala siyang ginawa kundi magpacute. Feeling ko siya yung tipo na pagdating ng edad trenta ay isip bata pa rin. Mataba at walang lovelife. Ewan ko, pero meron siyang something na nagpapainit ng ulo ko.
• Walang kwentang script at direksyon. Nakapanuod ako ng episode ng panghapong drama nila na di ko maalala yung title. Basta baliw-baliwan si Tanya Garcia. Merong isang eksena dun, may isang artista na nagmomonologue. Sinasabi niya kung ano yung ginagawa niya. "Uupo muna ako. Dito ko siya hihintayin." Hello!!! Obvious naman, di mo na kailangan sabihin. Kakaasar.
• Ang lamya umarte ng mga bida. Ang OA ng mga extra. Palabas sa FX yung serye ni Roderick Paulate. Hinuli siya ng pulis kasi nawala niya yung anak niya. Bigay na bigay yung pulis sa akting ng paghuli kay Roderick habang si Mark Anthony nakatanga lang. Mas magaling pa umarte yung teatro sa hayskul namin.
• Nawala ang common sense sa mga tao. Hindi ko alam kung pinapantay lang ng GMA yung logic nila sa target market nila, pero may mga eksena talaga na minsan di ko alam kung may common sense ba talaga yung mga karakter sa palabas nila. Gaya ng example sa taas, mas inintindi nila yung paghuli kay Roderick kesa paghanap dun sa nawawalang bata. Nakita na nga nilang ibang bata yung bitbit nung tao, di pa rin naniwala na nawala niya yung bata.

PARA NAMAN PATAS SA CHANNEL 7

• Hindi rin naman perpekto ang Channel 2. Minsan ay nagkakasala din sila sa mga puna ko sa kabilang istasyon. Kaya lang ang problema ko sa mga drama ng dos ay iisa lang ang tema ng lahat ng kwento nila. Nawawalang kapamilya. Gitna lang talaga ang aabangan mo, dahil generic ang opening at ending ng mga kwento nila. Origin ang umpisa. Kidnapping/Hostage-taking ang katapusan.
• Kailangan nilang mangumpitensya sa Fantaserye. Hindi naman kailangan. Ang panghatak nila sa publiko yung mga kakaibang ideya nila at yung husay ng mga artista. Wag na sana sila mangumpitensya sa mga walang kwentang pantaserye dahil unang-una ang pangit nila gumawa ng special effects. 

May mga puna pa ba kayo sa mga tv shows ng mga Pilipino?

THE BEST OF 2011: ANG MGA NOMINADO

Hanggang bukas na lang naman ang Nobyembre, at sa Huwebes ay Disyembre na, at dahil pasulput-sulpot na lang ang mga blog post ko kaya ngayon ko na ialalathala ang mga nominado para sa aking taunang Best of the Year Awards.

Sa mga bago lamang dito, tuwing huling araw ng taon ay naglalathala ako ng mga naging paborito ko sa taong nagdaan mapapelikula, telebisyon, musika, comics, video games at blogging. Wala lang, gusto ko lang. Blog ko kasi 'to. Tsaka para na rin matakpan yung post kung saan nagpost at nagbura ako ng concert video ko.

At dahil mayroon pa ngang isang buwan bago matapos ang taon, maaaring hindi man makasali sa listahan ng mga nominado, merong mananalo na shoe-in lamang.

Kung sa tingin ninyo, may nakaligtaan ako, let me know, idadagdag ko.

MOVIE OF THE YEAR (INTERNATIONAL)
Bridesmaids
Drive
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part Two
Source Code
X-Men First Class

MOVIE OF THE YEAR (LOCAL)
Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank
No Other Woman
Thelma
Zombadings: Patayin sa Shokot Si Remington

GAME OF THE YEAR
Batman: Arkham City 
Dance Central 2
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Gears of War 3
LA Noir
Portal 2
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

TV SHOW OF THE YEAR (INTERNATIONAL)
Community
Game of Thrones
Once Upon A Time
Shameless
Suits
The Good Wife
The Walking Dead

TV SHOW OF THE YEAR (LOCAL)
100 Days to Heaven
Budoy
Reputasyon

COMIC EVENT OF THE YEAR
DC's 52 Initiative: DC Reset their entire comic line
Fantastic Four: Three - The Death of Human Torch
Spider Island: New Yorkers start having Spider-Man's powers
The Dark Angel Saga: Archangel the heir of Apocalypse
X-Men Schism: X-Men Civil War between Cyclops and Wolverine

COMIC BOOK SERIES OF THE YEAR
Amazing Spider-Man
Detective Comics / Batman (The Scott Snyder run)
Fantastic Four / FF (Future Foundation)
Morning Glories
The Walking Dead
Uncanny X-Force

SONG OF THE YEAR
Ako Na Lang - Zia Quizon
Give Me Everything - Pitbull Feat Neyo
Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO
Rolling in the Deep - Adele
Someone Like You - Adele
Super Bass - Nicki Minaj

NEWS OF THE YEAR
Miss Universe and Miss World
The Arroyo's
The Norway Massacre
The Revilla's / Bautista's
The whole KC/Piolo debacle

BLOG OF THE YEAR
(Blog must at least have one post  per month... hindi pasulpot-sulpot lang... previous winners not included)
Escape Islands
Human, All Too Human
Mood Swings
Ms. Chuniverse
No Spam, No Virus, No Kidding
Same Shit Different Day
Sentimiyento de Patatas
Soul Jacker
The Creative Dork
The Daily Panda
The Gasoline Dude
The Great Maldito
Wickedmouth

Hindi pa tapos ang taon, marami pa pwedeng magbago lalo na sa mga pelikula (andyan ang aking childhood favorite na Adventure of Tintin, Muppets, Mission Impossible).

Kung meron akong nakalimutan, o kung meron sa tingin niyo na dapat kasama sa listahan ng mga nominado sabihin niyo, malay niyo yun pala yung dapat manalo nakalimutan ko lang kasi ulyanin ako.

BULLET POINTS: GEEKY FRIDAY

Before I go straight to work mode, I just wanted to update this blog. Short things that's been keeping me off blogging and the blog community in general.

UNCHARTED 3
Great game. I don't know how many times I jumped off my bed while playing this game. It's like you're watching a big Hollywood Summer Popcorn Action Flick, with you having control of the main character. Will make a full review soon.

DANCE CENTRAL 2
I'm pretty sure I'm going to start losing weight again. Haven't found the time to dance yet, but any invite for a Kinect Party at my place, I'm game!!! I need to unlock all songs!!!

ONCE UPON A TIME
Let me promote another series that I am currently enjoying and that's Once Upon A Time. The show is about our favorite Disney characters (Snow White, Prince Charming, Pinocchio, etc.) cursed to be stuck in our world frozen in time with no memories of who they are. When I said Disney, I really mean the Disney characters from the cartoon flicks from our childhood. Watch it, it's a great show.

JIU JITSU
I want to congratulate a good friend of mine Max Nadin for winning the Gold Medal for the Master Category 57.5 galo weight in the recently concluded Rickson Gracie Cup 2011 International Jiu Jitsu Championship held in Japan. He's the only Pinoy who participated in the competition!!! Good job Max!!! Here's to hoping Sports Unlimited will take notice!!! Lolz

SOME GOOD NEWS
I'd also like to take this time to welcome back a prodigal blogger who became a friend of mine New Year's Eve last year. He disappeared for the last ten months because he had to fight off a health condition. I was able to talk to him earlier this morning, and am glad to know he's doing okay. My prayers will be with you, hoping for your complete recovery.

NOVEMBER 13
The date marks my sixth year of existence in the online journal community. I was thinking of a 'pakulo' to celebrate this milestone. My original plan was for another contest, but everyone's already started one, and I want to be different. But I might give away some swag from our little Fuel Company. We'll see.

Hope you all have a great weekend!!!

Good vibes!!!

THE WALKING DEAD SEASON 2

Last Sunday, one of the best series on the planet started it's second season.

The Walking Dead is back!!!

The first episode picks up where last season ended. The group has moved on after the CDC blew up. They get stranded in the middle of the highway on their way to their next stop. A pile of about a thousand vehicles stops them from moving forward and a herd of the hungry undead prevents them from going anywhere.

The show has  moved away from the comic books, but that's fine. It's become more unpredictable, and more exciting. You don't know what to expect anymore.

I'm now worried for Sophia. I don't know what will happen to Shane (I'm waiting for him to finally die... he did in the comics). I hope they'll flesh out T-Dog and Daryl more (they're the new characters). Where's Tyreese and his family?! How long will they be staying in Herschel's farm? I don't know the answers to these questions. I like it.

The great thing about this series is that even if they did deviate from the original story, they still find a way to come back to where they should be in the comics.

The first episode like the rest of the series was brilliant. The first half of the episode was heart attack inducing. It was suspenseful. It was gory. It was scary as hell. The show's back in it's form. Just the way I like it.

I believe Fox International will be showing the series here starting this weekend.

BULLET POINTS 2

Mabilisang post dahil wala akong maisip isulat nitong mga nakaraang araw.

• Medyo nabubuo ang araw ko nitong mga nakalipas na araw. Marami-rami na rin kasi ang nagsasabi na pumapayat ako. After 6 months, ngayon pa lang natutupad ang nag-iisang goal ko ngayong taon, ang mabawasan ng timbang. As of writing 15 pounds na ang nawawala sa akin. Sana magtuluy-tuloy na 'to. Kaya ko naman pala kahit di ako sumali sa The Biggest Loser. Naiinggit kasi ako pag napapanuod ko na ang laki ng nababawas sa mga contestant dun sa palabas.
• Dahil nadelay kami sa flight noong pumunta kami sa Boracay nung isang buwan. Nagkaroon kami ng libreng round trip flight sa kahit anong lugar sa bansa. Kaya sa Setyembre o Oktubre, kami ng barkada ko ay magtutungo sa Camiguin!!! Kung meron kayong mairerekumendang murang matitirahan at gagawin, pashare naman. Alam kong madaming travel bloggers dito. 
• Konting rant lang. Madalas ko ngayon napapanuod sa tv ang trailer ng bagong pelikula ni Melai na Pureza Queen of the Riles.  Di ko alam kung sino ang nag-approve ng pelikulang ito, pero ang tanong ay bakit?! BAKIT?! Gusto ko si Melai. Pero hindi sa kanya bagay umarte. Walang maski anong eksena sa trailer ang nakakatawa. Hindi siya nakakatuwa. Good luck na lang sa pelikula niya.
• Napaisip ako habang nagsusulat nito. Ang hirap palang mag-update kung wala naman masyadong nangyayaring bago sa buhay mo. Medyo status quo na ako ngayon. Ang nagbago lang ay mas napapadalas na kami magkita ni Kasintahan ngayon dahil medyo pareho na kami ng pinagsisilbihang kumpanya ngayon. Medyo, dahil Pilipinas ang pinagsisilbihan niya, habang Estados Unidos naman ang sa akin. 
• Kahapon ay nagtungo kami ni Kasintahan sa Manila Ocean Park para iclaim ang libre kong tickets na nakuha ko mula sa kumpanya noong Pasko. Marami akong nakuhang litrato, at napagtanto ko na medyo mahusay pala akong kumuha ng mga litrato. Photographer noon ang tito ko, kaya naturuan niya ako. Naisip ko tuloy na kailangan kong magkaroon ng DSLR. Kaya ngayon, yan na ang project ko. O HDTV. O treadmill. Teka, ang dami ko pala gustong bilhin.
• Medyo marami-rami na pala akong dinadownload ngayon. Sa palagay ko mabilis mapupuno ang 500Gb na hard drive ko dahil puros tv shows lang ang pinaglalalagay ko. Falling Sky, Franklin and Bash, Necessary Roughness, Wilfred, True Blood at Suits ang mga pinapanuod ko. Saka na ako magrereview ng bawat show, pero lahat sila ay maganda at nakakaadik.

QUICK HITS: REVIEWS

X-MEN FIRST CLASS:
Great movie. It's not really very faithful to the source material but it's undeniably entertaining. More of a spy film than a comic book movie, this one will definitely rank high on my end of summer list.

Just want to geek out a bit if you let me. Here are some of the inconsistencies when you compare the movie with the comics (as if you'd care):

- Havok is Cyclops' younger brother
- Moira MacTaggert is not an American spy but an Irish (or Scottish) scientist
- Xavier's First class includes Jean Grey, Cyclops, Iceman Angel and Beast
- Emma Frost shouldn't be that old. Unless Cyclops is into cougars (she's his current gf)

Still doesn't mean that I didn't like the movie.

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GAME OF THRONES
Wrote about this a few posts ago but I can't stress enough how awesome this series is. This is like the season's The Walking Dead.

I am not privvy to the written books (for one I can't find a copy on any bookstore I go to) but they say this is pretty faithful to the original material. This show's got everything you want in a series and they're not afraid to flaunt it.

You get beheadings, incest, full frontal nudity, lesbian sex, dwarf sex, basically every immoral thing you could think of that is entertaining, you will see in HBO's latest offering. I doubt they'll show this in it's entirety here in Asia.

I don't watch the show only because of those things, believe me, it is awesome. I love the intriguing story. I love the mythology. I love the nudity. And it is well acted. It's the type you'll only see in movies. But then again it's from HBO so that is expected. Fortunately they deliver.

The season's only ten episodes long and we're at episode 8 already so you can still jump in.

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21 - ADELE
I know this has been out a long time already, but it's only recently that I've downloaded or rather asked a colleague's copy of Adele's album.

Honestly, I was blown away by her songs. Most of them may sound bitter, but undeniably at one point or another, we've all gone through what those songs were about.

When I'm tired or travelling, I listen to her album. Heck I sing her songs too. To hell with the people inside the fx who hears my out-of-tune vocals, they're great.

I love how bittersweet Someone Like You sounds, how angsty Turning Tables is, or how hopeful One and Only seems. This is music. Real music. Not some noise that Lady Gaga produces.

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Hope this writing streak continues. I miss posting regularly.

BULLET POINTS

• Kahapon kami ni Kasintahan ay nagtungo ng Enchanted Kingdom upang magcelebrate ng aming ika labing-isang buwan ng pagsasama. Mababaw man, pareho naman kaming masaya kahit ayaw niyang sumakay sa Anchor's Away at hindi ko siya napilit mag EKstreme.


• Ang sakit ng likod ko!!! Ayoko mang aminin pero feeling ko sign of aging na talaga ito. Kailangan ko ng masahista o manghihilot.


• Mayroon akong dalawang palabas na kinahuhumalingan ngayon. Ang una ay Shameless. Tungkol ito sa pamilya ng mga manggagantso at lasinggero at kung papaano sila nabubuhay kahit sila'y pinapabayaan ng kanilang ama. Ang ganda niya, nakakatawa at nakakabilib.


• Ang ikalawa naman ay ang Game of Thrones ng HBO. Hango ito sa serye ni George Martin. Ang husay ng pagkakagawa. Feeling mo nanunuod ka ulit ng Lord of the Rings. Isang episode pa lang ang pinapalabas kaya madali pa kayo makakahabol.


• Ilang linggo na lang at ako'y makakatapak na sa buhangin ng Boracay. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong iexpect pero dapat pumayat na ako bago ako magpunta dun. Hindi na kasya sa akin ang mga pang-ibaba ko. Hayst.


• Hindi ko ito madalas nagagawa pero MARAMING SALAMAT sa lahat ng napapadaan dito. Nagulat ako pagbukas ko ng blog kanina meron na pala akong 322 na followers at 73 miyembro sa aking reader's community sa facebook. Salamat at kahit lately ay wala akong masyadong maraming naikukwento ay sinusundan niyo pa rin ako. Hayaan niyo, nararamadaman kong malapit ng bumalik ang mojo ko.


• Huli man, pero Happy Easter sa inyong lahat!!!

WALANG KAKWENTA-KWENTANG KOMENTARYO

Medyo matagal-tagal bago ako nakakapag-update ngayon dahil walang laman ang utak. Puros pilit na post lang. Umaandar lang ang pagiging mediocre blogger natin. Wala lang talagang maisulat. Pasensya na rin kung di ako masyadong nakakablog hop. Bawal na kasi sa opisina ang mag-internet. Kaya patakas na lang ako gumamit nito. Masunuring empleyado lang. Sa bahay naman, tulog lang ang inaatupag ko madalas.

Kaya eto muna. Mabilisang Komentaryo muli. Dahil mahilig akong magbigay ng mga kumentong hindi naman hinihingi.

AMERICAN IDOL
Nagbago ang isip ko mula ng nagkaroon ng Top 40. Dati nabanggit ko na nakakaantok ang palabas na ito. Pero binabawi ko na ang sinabi ko. Ang gagaling ng mga talento ngayong taon. Walang patapon. Well, meron pero kaunti lang. Natutuwa ako’t may nakapasok na Pilipino. Mas natuwa ako nang matanggal si Clint. Nakakairita lang yung boses niya. At mas nakakairita yung ugali. Ang mga gusto ko ngayon sina Thia, Casey, Pia at Scotty.

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MOMMY
Kaarawan niya ngayon. Unfortunately, wala na akong pera. Nangutang na ako last week sa tatay ko. Kaya yung hinihingi niyang regalong cake sa akin ay hindi ko maibibigay L Sabi ko sa kanya bili na lang siya tapos irereimburse ko sa sweldo. Pero di ko kinaya ang gusto niyang cake… Mango Bravo ng Conti’s.

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EFBEE
At dahil birthday ng nanay ko… ibig sabihin birthday din ngayon ng isa kong blog friend. HAPPY BIRTHDAY EFBEE aka Ferbert Bautista aka Kokeymonster!!!

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SUMMER
Umiinit nanaman. Gumising ako kanina na pinapawisan. Kulang nanaman sakin ang isang electric fan. Ibig sabihin niyan summer na!!! Pero kanina nalate ako pumasok. Kasi ang lakas ng ulan, bigla sa amin bumaha. Something tells me it’s gonna be one wet summer. I like.

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PIMPLES
Nagpapasalamat ako’t hindi masyadong tigyawatin ang mukha ko. Kung meron lumalabas ay paisa-isa lang. Kaya lang lately dumarami ang nagiging tagyawat ko. Ang problema kung saan saang parte ng mukha ko siya lumalabas. Sa likod. Sa dibdib. Sa pwe—likod. Masyado na ba talaga ako mataba at buong katawan ko ay naglalangis at naglalangib? Bwiset!!!

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TRABAHO
Dahil sa naganap na rigodon sa amin ngayong buwan, ay nagkaroon nanaman ako ng bagong team. Bagong boss. At bagong titulo. Napaisip ako kung handa na ba ako para dito. Syempre dahil sa bagong titulo, ibig sabihin na magkakaroon na ako ng mas maraming responsibilidad. Nagpapasalamat ako na kahit minsan ay pepetiks petiks ako, ay nabibigyan pa rin ng pansin ang aking trabaho. Wish ko lang na kaakibat ng bagong titulo ay isa pang pagtaas sa aking sweldo (Malabo!!!).

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OUTSOURCED
I just want to promote this show to you guys. I want to spread the word on how hilarious this show is and a bit relatable to a lot of Filipinos. Outsourced is a show about a Specialty Items Company Manager who was transferred to India to run their company’s outsourced call center. This is funny because watching the show, I remember a lot of my experiences when I was working for the industry. The customers, other agents, upselling, spiels. Just about everything that made working in a call center fun. Plus we get to learn a little about the Indian culture too. I love Gupta. And Mardri. I think 2nd Avenue will start showing the sitcom this month (if it hasn’t started already).

(Kailangan talagang English yung post na yan nang malpractice naman ang English ko. Tagal ko nang di nakakapagsulat sa ingles.)

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BLIND ITEM
May nasagap akong tsismis na may dalawa akong kaibigang blogger na nagdate. Nakakatuwa lang dahil pareho ko sila kaibigan. Hindi ko alam kung saan ang patutunguhan ng kanilang paglabas labas. Pero masaya ako para sa kanila. Two less lonely people in the world. Good luck sa inyong dalawa!!!

Wag niyo na rin akong tanungin kung sino sila, dahil hindi ko sasabihin. Basta naexcite lang ako. Hopefully mabawasan na ang mga emo post sa blogosperyo ngayon.

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SIGNS…
Na tumataba na ang kaibigan ko. Hindi na siya makatingin sa salamin. Ayaw na niya masyado magpapicture. Kailangan na raw niyang bumili ng mga bagong pantalon. Nahihirapan na siyang huminga minsan. Lumulubog na yung isang parte ng kama niya. Natutulog na bukas ang ilaw dahil hindi na nakakabangon sa gabi para patayin ito dahil sa bigat ng katawan. At nakasimangot na ang mga katabi niya sa fx pag sa gitna siya umuupo.

Ang totoo, wala talaga akong kaibigang ganyan. Ako yan.

**********
Yan na muna. Saka na ang cohesive na post. Pag nagka-inspirasyon na ako ulit.

MABILISANG KOMENTARYO

BLACK SWAN
Maganda. Nakakaintriga. Naging straight ako kina Natalie Portman at Mila Kunis.

THE KING’S SPEECH
Ang galing ni Colin Firth bilang si King George VI. Pero maganda yung movie. Hindi nga lang daw accurate sabi ng mga historian.

THE GREEN HORNET
Naging bading ulit ako dahil kay Kato.

AMERICAN IDOL
Pampatulog. Nakakaantok!

JUNIOR MASTER CHEF AUSTRALIA
Ang bagong palabas sa telebisyon na kinababaliwan ko. Pero hindi yata siya bago.

FEBRUARY 24
Kaarawan ko. Sana batiin niyo ako sa araw na ito. Walang party. Wala akong pera.

REGALO
Hindi ako manghihingi ng regalo sa inyo. Sumali na lang kayo sa reader’s community ko. Nagiging interactive naman siya kahit papaano.

BUWIS
Dahil napromote ako noong nakaraang buwan, nagkaroon ako ng increase. Sa buwis lang napunta lahat iyon. Hindi ko maramdaman.

CHARICE
Parang yumayabang. Ewan ko lang. Parang hindi na siya masyadong nakakatuwa.

MANO PO: A MOTHER’S LOVE
Gigil na gigil ako sa asar habang pinapanood sa Cinema One. Pero tinapos ko pa ring panoorin. Ako ang may hawak ng remote control.

SELECTA ICE CREAM REESE’S PIECES
Pinakamasarap na ice cream sa Pilipinas na nakain ko. Yum. Pero wala paring tatalo sa ice cream ng New Zealand.

SIOPAO BOLA BOLA
Kinaaadikan kong pagkain ng 711 ngayon.

AMBER’S PICHI PICHI
Kinecrave ko. Pero dahil walang pera, kailangan maghintay ng aking kaarawan bago makatikim ulit nito.

BALITA
Sign of aging: nagiging interesado sa mga balita. Hindi naman ako ganito dati!!! Feeling ko pagtungtong ko ng trenta magiging isa ako dun sa mga tumatawag sa radio balita para magbigay ng mga walang kwenta kong opinyon.

POKER
Isang araw napanaginipan ko na magaling akong maglaro nito. Parang naiintindihan ko na kung paano ito laruin salamat sa panaginip ko. Tsaka sa Chinese film na Poker King.

ROSAS
May natanggap akong rosas noong Araw ng mga Puso. Kinilig ako. Galing siya sa kumpanya naming. Hangsweet!!! Oo sarcastic ako. Sana pinera na lang nila.

JACKET
Itong kumpanyang pinagsisilbihan ko ang pinakamahal ko sa lahat ng pinagtrabahuan ko. Nakaka-apat na jacket, isang polo shirt at isang gym bag na ako sa kanila. Haylabet! Di na ito sarcastic. Mababaw lang talaga ako.

BAON
Dahil nga walang kwenta ang sinahod ko noong Balentayms, at sa dinami na rin ng aking bayarin at utang, nagsimula nanaman akong magdala ng baon na pagkain sa opisina. Tocino. Yum. Parang grade school lang!!!

BLACKBERRY
Buti na lang at may bago akong phone. Pinuno ko ito ng mga kanta. Kailangan ko siya sa trabaho dahil saksakan ng ingay sa nilipatan kong lugar. Parang palengke lang. Nakakapikon. Ang sarap lang pasabugin. One time big time lang. Kung pwede lang talaga.

TULOG
Dahil malamig lamig pa rin ang panahon ngayon, napapasarap madalas ang tulog ko. Sa sobrang dalas ay hindi ko na nasasagot ang mga tawag ni Kasintahan. Kaya ang laki ng tampo niya sa akin noong Valentine’s Weekend. Sad lang. Pero okay na kami. Bilang ganti, di niya pupuntahan ang birthday party ko. Quits lang.

BEST OF 2010

And so another year is about to end in a few hours.

But before I give out the best of 2010, I’d like to first thank everyone who made this year a good year for Gillboard. When I outed myself a few months ago, I thought that I would lose some blog readers because of it. I did lose a few, but surprisingly I gained more friends.

I did not expect that, and I appreciate all the support.

So a big THANK YOU goes out to all the people who still visit me and read, comment and interact outside of this medium. I love you all (in a not so romantic way).

On to our awards, here are my choices for the best of 2010:

BEST MOVIE (INTERNATIONAL)
LAST YEAR: Slumdog Millionaire
2010 wasn’t a good year for movies. There were a lot of duds and a lot of hyped movies that did not deliver. But there was really one film that I looked forward to. And I’m glad it delivered and exceeded my really high expectations. Buzz, Woody and the rest of Andy’s toys have one more adventure, and it’s their best yet. Toy Story 3 was for me one of the best films I’ve seen ever. I like films that make me smile after seeing it, but with this one, I was happy. I cried. I mean who wouldn’t. The last few minutes of the film was just heartbreaking as it is triumphant.
RUNNER-UP: Inception, How To Train Your Dragon, Kick Ass

BEST MOVIE (LOCAL)
LAST YEAR: You Changed My Life
John Lloyd’s been on my list three years running. I think I’m already a fan (man-boobs and all). It was a three way close fight for this title. One was about my birthday, the second is a shoe-in (Here Comes the Bride) which was hilarious and the third one was the winner, My Amnesia Girl. Toni Gonzaga and JLC have chemistry and they should do more. I know I hated the ending for this film, but damn, it was a great movie. No, this is not a rip-off of 50 First Dates. It’s a different story altogether. One that may not be common but is kinda logical (my kasintahan’s gonna burn me for saying this). Anyway, the tandem is fresh, the pick-up lines may not be original but were perfectly delivered by the duo. I loved this film.
RUNNER-UP: I Miss You Like Crazy, Here Comes The Bride

BEST GAME
LAST YEAR: Assassin’s Creed 2
Compared to 09, there were a lot of great games that came out this year. Well, not really. It’s only this year that I got my Playstation 3, so I only got to play most quality games recently. I only listed down 4 titles because these were the ones that took up one quarter of my year. But the best game of 2010 for me is Mass Effect 2. This in my opinion is one of the most engaging games of all time. Imagine, if you played the first game and kept your file, it’s going to read all the decisions you made and carried it over to your story. You have a cast of well-developed characters, hundreds of planets to explore and tons of missions to finish. And through it all you have to keep all your relationships intact, for when the time comes you go on your suicide mission you wouldn’t want one of your team members to die. I’ve played it twice, and it broke my heart to see some of them died. I’m playing it the third time hoping I’ll keep them all.
RUNNER-UP: Fallout: New Vegas, Red Dead Redemption

BEST OF TV
LAST YEAR: Glee
I was hooked on only two shows this year. The one a gem of a new series based on the comic book by Robert Kirkman. And the other, is one hell of a serial killer series. It was a tight race, but I’m going with the numbers. At the end of it all, The Walking Dead was only 6 episodes long. Not long enough to really get me excited. Dexter on the other hand had 12 for Season 5. The story of a forensics expert by day and serial killer by night won me over this year. Each episode was brilliant and the best part is that it gets better and better each week. I recommend you to see this if you haven’t. It’s one of the smartest tv series on air right now. And it’s one of the best. I am banging my head on the table for not recommending this in the past.
RUNNER-UP: The Walking Dead

BEST OF PINOY TV
LAST YEAR: Pinoy Big Brother Double Up
It sucks that I work on the night shift as I don’t get to see any of our local teleseryes. So this year it’s a difficult category. I’m left with talent shows, variety shows, Juanita Banana and Sabel. My choice is based on what made me laugh out loud, and that goes to Showtime. I know the talents haven’t been as stellar as when it started, but man Vice Ganda’s antics do not grow old. She’s really hilarious. I actually want to be a part of the madlang people (I hope someone nice from ABS-CBN reads this and gives me complementary passes). I want to experience how it is to be an audience member. Maybe show off my talent. Lolz
RUNNER-UP: Pilipinas Got Talent

COMIC EVENT OF THE YEAR
LAST YEAR: Norman Osborn’s Dark Reign
The Big Two didn’t really have a lot to offer in 2010. They did have their share of events, but they haven’t been really well received. But there was one event that I really got hooked on in 2010. The Thanos Imperative. The Cancerverse has ripped a hole in the universe. It’s a parallel world where nothing dies. Where Death is Dead. It’s slowly coming out of the hole to eat up our universe. Our only hope lies in Thanos, the mad titan. This is the best event I have read this year, I’d even go so far as saying this is the best since Joss Whedon took over the X-Men franchise. Every issue was a solid effort from it’s creators Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning and Miguel Sepulveda. It’s a story that’s so big it involve the whole Marvel cosmic universe, and it was great. I actually shed a tear when I flipped to the last page of the series’ ending.
RUNNER-UP: The Deaths of Nightcrawler and Cable

BEST COMICS SERIES
LAST YEAR: Invincible Iron Man
The Walking Dead may not have won this year’s award for Best TV Show, but it’s printed counterpart is a runaway winner for me. I am six years late in reading Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard’s post apocalyptic opus. This time I made sure that I am not left behind. I’ve actually caught up. 79 issues of this series, I read in a month’s time. Best damn comics I’ve read in years. The last year saw Rick Grimes and company living in a walled community and determining how to create a society free of rules and norms, it may have had less zombies this year, but the end of issue 79 promises to give us a return to form. A herd of zombies is about to destroy Rick’s community. I can’t wait for 2011 to begin!!!
RUNNER-UP: Invincible Iron Man, Unwritten

BEST IN MUSIC
LAST YEAR: The Man Who Can’t Be Moved (The Script)
Call me jologs. Call me whatever you like. But I sang to the tune of Justin Bieber’s Baby all year long. It’s not a great song. Not by a mile. But dammit you’re lying if you tell me you don’t know this song. I sang this song at work. I sang this in the bus. While I’m taking a shower. I sang this to my Kasintahan. I sang this song all year long. Don’t tell me you didn’t.
RUNNER-UP: Club Can’t Handle Me

BEST IN NEWS
LAST YEAR: Goodbye Corazon Aquino
It’s two years in a row for the Aquinos. Happy news this time as the Philippines finally elect a new President. And with the change in leadership, we also saw a glimmer of hope for our country. But before that, of course who would forget the circus that is the campaign period of our elections. Jamby Madrigal’s tinapa incedent. Manny Villar’s desperate moves. Joseph Estrada’s betrayal. Jejomar Binay’s surprise win. The campaign period was only a few months, but the things that happened then could fill up news for an entire decade. Kudos to our fellow countrymen for choosing the lesser evil this time. But as always, our eyes are now focused on one man alone. And hopefully it won’t be because of the women who dumped him.
RUNNER-UP: Anything involving Willie Revillame

BLOG OF THE YEAR
LAST YEAR: The Professional Heckler
Nominating someone is hard enough, given the category. I read all of the blogs that were nominated. Most if not all, I’ve acquainted to outside of our respective homes. But how do I choose the winner. Each blogger’s home is his/her personal kingdom. Each story or article came from the heart. They’re sincere. But then I read other people’s blogs because not only do I want to get to know these people, I also want to be entertained. Others entertain through their life’s anecdotes. Others through their travels. Others through jokes. And there are people who entertain just by giving their opinions. My choice for the year did not only do all of those mentioned. He also did it in fewer than thirty sentences, sometimes even less than a hundred words. And so I award the Best Blog of the Year to The Deadbeat Club.
RUNNER-UP: Wickedmouth, The Great Maldito, The Gasoline Dude’s Life
Agree? Disagree? And what are your bests for the year? Let me know.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

11 IN 2011

The end of the year is fast approaching, and during these times, we normally shouldn't dwell on the bad things. 2010 will soon be over and a new year will begin. Here are eleven things I'm looking forward to in 2011.

THOR & CAPTAIN AMERICA MOVIES

The Avengers movie is coming. And these are just samplers of what's in store when that huge super hero movie comes in 2012. Did you see the trailer for Thor? It looks kick-ass, right?! I mean come on, it's the God of Thunder for crissake! I must admit Odin's eyepatch looks cartoony, but I don't care. I'm a comic book fan, and I'm so looking forward to this film. While there haven't been anymore details coming out for the Cap movie yet, I'm liking the pictures that are being leaked in the web. And that's one reason to look forward to in these upcoming films.

HARRY POTTER ENDING

The last film, as almost perfect as it is, is not complete. And in the summer of 2011, we'll finally see how Voldemort succumbs to the power of Harry and his friends. I have finally reread the last book of the series, and I'm so looking forward to how the final chapters will be adapted on the big screen. Seven months seem like a loooong time for a fan like me. Sigh.

THE WALKING DEAD SEASON 2

If you haven't heard of this wonderful little show, you must live under a rock. This is 2010's most popular tv show. And if there's one thing that's really disappointing about it, it's that TWD is only 6 episodes long. 10 months is a long wait. Season 2 will start Halloween of the next year. But I'm pretty sure it's going to be worth the wait. I've read the complete series, and I'm telling you there's alot to look forward to. Wilshire Estates, Herschel's Farm, the prison, Michonne, the Governor. And the cast you've seen and loved in the first season, not all of them will survive this post apocalyptic world.

BLACKBERRY CURVE

This will be my birthday gift to myself. Hopefully, I'll have this by the start of the year. I've already budgeted for this. The office has been a little strict when it comes to internet at work, so I'll need to have a way for me to connect online whenever I'm working. Yeah, I know I'm shallow. That's the only reason why I want to own one of these sexy looking babies. Oh, and I already have 4 people to add in the Blackberry Instant Messaging service. Let me know if there's more of you out there.

TRILOGIES

Transformers 3, Gears of War 3, Uncharted 3 and Mass Effect 3. These are just some of the titles that will be coming out in 2011. Right now, I'm already telling you, when I score myself again for next year, I'm pretty sure that my grade in terms of savings will be another major fail. Anyway, back to the topic. All those titles are major releases. Transformers 3 might not be the most anticipated, but still I'm an 80s baby, so anything that's got these robots in disguise, I'm gonna buy. As for the video games. Just damn. Look the trailers up in youtube for these games, and I'm sure when you see them, your jaws will drop too.

BLOGS

I think I'm starting 2011 meeting up some bloggers that I read and read me. I'm personally looking forward to one particular blogger that I have a huge crush on. He said he's not going to be giving 'pasalubong' but finally putting a face on the smileys he puts on his headshots is worth it for me. And then there's also this grand anonymous bloggers meet-up that I got invited to. I'm looking forward to that too. Although I'm hoping it's not going to be held up north because I have work on the designated date and I am from the south. Also one thing to look forward to, are the new bloggers that will be popping up in 2011.

SMALLVILLE ENDING

Season 10 is the final season of this show and this will be the season where Clark finally becomes the man of steel. The year when he finally wears the cape. The year The Blur becomes Superman. A few years ago, people were ready to say goodbye to this show when it's original creators left the series. But damn, Smallville just becomes better and better. They've already shown the Justice League and Justice Society, and now they've formed the Suicide Squad. The storyline's becoming really really exciting. I personally can't wait to finally see Darkseid.

ANNIVERSARIES

Actually there's only one anniversary I'm looking forward to next year. I'm saying this now, because I'm sure that me and my 'kasintahan' will still be together come 24th of May 2011. We actually haven't got any plans yet for that day, and I think we won't be together then (the reason will be a bit later on). But that day is going to be special. Just like every day when I wake up since we became a couple.

TURNING 29

Almost everyone I know hate to get old. I'm not. I'm excited to enter my 30's. It's the new 20's. This is the beginning of a man's prime. I have a lot of things planned to celebrate my upcoming birthday. I wanted to be with blog friends, just like last year. But I also want to meet new people. I want to be with my friends. I want to be with my 'kasintahan'. I want to be in Baguio. I want to be a billionaire so frickin' bad so I can do all that I've planned.

PROMOTION

I'm just crossing my fingers that the promotion will be confirmed. I'll find out by next month. I'm not expecting. I don't want to be disappointed. But I'd really like for it to happen. I want to get promoted. I want to earn more. I started 2010 depressed, I'm praying the start of 2011 will be the opposite.

BORACAY

This is the reason why I might not be with 'kasintahan' on our anniversary. I'll be in Boracay attending a good friend's wedding. I'm really excited to go to Boracay. It will be my first time going there. I'm excited to do a lot of things. Parasailing. Snorkeling. Island hopping. Sight seeing. Oh yeah, and I'm excited for the wedding too.

BEST OF 2010 (THE NOMINEES)

Disyembre na. Aside sa malapit na ang Pasko, ibig sabihin din nito ay malapit nang matapos ang taon.

Isa sa mga pakulo ko dito sa aking mumunting tahanan ay ang magpost ng mga Best of The Year awards. Dahil excited ako, at wala gaanong maisulat. Naisip kong ipost ang mga nominees sa mga categories na pinaparangalan ko.

Ang mga mananalo ay gagawaran ko sa pagtatapos ng taon, bilang huling post ko.

Patikim lang ito. Mga nominado.

MOVIE OF THE YEAR (INTERNATIONAL)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows
How To Train Your Dragon
Inception
Kick Ass
Scott Pilgrim Vs The World
Toy Story 3

MOVIE OF THE YEAR (LOCAL)
Miss You Like Crazy
My Amnesia Girl

GAME OF THE YEAR
Fallout New Vegas
Halo Reach
Mass Effect 2
Red Dead Redemption

TV SHOW OF THE YEAR (INTERNATIONAL)
Big Bang Theory
Dexter
Glee
How I Met Your Mother
Shit My Dad Says
The Walking Dead

TV SHOW OF THE YEAR (LOCAL)
ASAP XV
Juanita Banana
Pilipinas Got Talent
Showtime
Wala akong naabangang teleserye ngayong taon. :(

COMIC EVENT OF THE YEAR
Bruce Wayne Returns
Siege of Asgard
The Deaths of Nightcrawler and Cable
The Temptation of Daredevil
The Thanos Imperative
Wolverine Goes to Hell

COMIC BOOK SERIES OF THE YEAR
American Vampire
Chew
Invincible Iron Man
The Walking Dead
Unwritten

SONG OF THE YEAR
Baby
Club Can’t Handle Me
I Love The Way You Lie
Just The Way You Are
Teenage Dream

NEWS OF THE YEAR
Anything Willie Revillame
Congressman Manny Pacquiao
First Ever Automated Philippine Election
Lotto Jackpot Winner of 700+ Million Pesos
President Noynoy Aquino

BLOG OF THE YEAR
Citybuoy
Clockstopper
Dong Ho’s Eskapo
No Spam No Virus No Kiddin’!
Pluma ni Jepoy
Prinsesa’s Anatomy
Sunny Starfish
Teacher’s Pwet
The Deadbeat Club (wag ka magrequest ng ‘and’ dahil alphabetical order ‘to)
The Gasoline Dude’s Life
The Great Maldito
Wickedmouth

Hindi pa ito final. Di pa tapos ang taon. Malay natin kung may humabol na mga mahuhusay pang mga pelikula, palabas, blogger o kung ano man bago magtapos ang taon. May tatlumpung araw pa ngayong Disyembre.

Kung may nakaligtaan ako, sabihin ninyo, baka yung nakalimutan ko, yun pa yung deserving manalo.

COUCH POTATO: THE WALKING DEAD

TV Talk.

I hate zombie films. I don't really watch them alot. Not fond of them at all. I think the only movie I really liked was the remake of Dawn Of The Dead. Because it was directed by the same director of 300. But other than that, I stay away from those films.

I've heard alot of hype about The Walking Dead after a preview of it was shown in one of the comic cons in the US earlier this year. I already know about it, since this is an adaptation of the comic book created by Robert Kirkman, with Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard. Add the fact that this was developed for television by Frank Darabont, the same guy who directed "The Shawshank Redemption", I had a hint that this show was going to be a winner.

I saw the first episode a few weeks ago, and by God, it did not disappoint. One of the finest hour of television this year (or hour and a half with commercials). This show is riveting.

The Walking Dead is the story of Rick Grimes (played by Andrew Lincoln, better known as the guy who fell in love with Kiera Knightley in Love Actually, the cardboard guy) who wakes up from a coma to a post apocalyptic Atlanta. A place where the undead or 'walkers' rule the country. He sets off to find his son and wife (who unknown to him is having an affair with his best friend).

I have read the first issue of the comic and I'd say that the show is about 95% faithful to the printed material. This is a show that's not about zombies. Although there's plenty of scares, gore, violence, and even sex on this series, it is about the drama. A man conflicted about killing his wife who's been infected by the plague. A black guy leaving behind a fellow survivor who is a racist. It's all about characterization in this show. And the cast delivers brilliant performances.

The first season is only six episodes long, so it's fairly easy to follow. And right now, we're only at episode two, so there's still four more to go before it goes on a break.

The good thing is that it's widely acclaimed and is breaking records in terms of ratings, so a 13-episode season 2 is already in the works for next year.

I don't recommend alot of pop culture stuff these days but trust me on this, you will love this show.

The verdict: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

POP CULTURE

Haven't posted anything geeky in awhile. Nobody reads it anyway. But I'll try, I mean it's in my veins, being a geek.

Here's what I've been hooked on these days:

SHIT MY DAD SAYS: This is one of my favorite new sitcoms. It's not really geek-y per se, unlike say Doctor Who, Chuck or Battlestar Galactica. It's a comedy about a son moving back in with his father who likes talking to his plants and pointing shotguns at girlscouts. It's funny. It's from the same people who made us laugh via Will and Grace. I thought to add it here because this show casts one of geekdoms icons, William Shatner. This is a good show, among the three I've been following these days (including How I Met Your Mother and Big Bang Theory), this is the one where I laugh the loudest.

BIG BANG THEORY: Arguably one of the best shows on tv today. I love Sheldon, Leonard, Penny and company. They're like the geek version of Friends. It's absolutely hilarious. Sometimes it makes my nose bleed, but that's fine, I like to pretend I'm smart most days. It's a good thing I've learned how to download using torrent, now I am updated on my favorite shows. Did you see the first episode? That was absolutely funny, the one with the robot arm. If you can't relate, try to find that show.

AMERICAN VAMPIRE: I have not been a huge fan of vampires. I did not, and will not EVER go gaga over the whole Twilight series. I occassionally watch The Vampire Diaries and I have yet to read a decent vampire book. But every once in awhile, you discover something new, something fresh, something good. Like say, True Blood. American Vampire is in a way like that. In the story, it says that vampires differ with the place where they come from. The traditional vampires are found in Europe, but in America, vampires can walk during the day, they don't drown and are way stronger than the European ones. Interesting stuff. Specially when parts of it are written by horror master himself, Stephen King.

FALLOUT 3: I've fallen in love again with this game for the PS3. I bought a pirated copy of this game before for my xbox, but it broke down when I started to play. But since I now have the original PS3 version, I've gotten to know this game better. And can I just say, wow!!! It's really an immersive game. Post-apocalyptic Washington DC is awesome. The story is rich, the graphics is cool, everything about this game is just perfect. Well except for the way I play it. But I love this game. I know, I'm two years late for this post, but damn! Better late than never, I say.

LITTLE BIG PLANET: My 'kasintahan' loves this game. It's cute. It's easy to play. And it's just one brilliant game. It's innovative, very creative and highly addictive. I'm sorry if it's only now that I get to highlight these games (I only bought a PS3 a couple of months ago). Sackboy is currently my desktop wallpaper. He's so cute. Do they sell toys of this character? I want one for Christmas.

THE HUNGER GAMES: Been reading alot of good reviews about this series, and finally I have a copy of all three titles. This is one of the first things I bought after I got my salary yesterday. I haven't read a good book since The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo a few months ago (Can anyone lend me the last two books of the millenium trilogy?). Anyway, I know it's set in a post apocalyptic world, but other than that, I don't really know much about this book. I'll try to post a review once I finish this series. I'd like to rekindle my love for reading books again. There was a time my goal in life was to have 800 books in my room. Right now, I only have 80. I need to read more.

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HOLLOWS: Have you seen the trailer to this film? Epic, yeah? In the next few days leading to the film's showing, I'm gonna read the last book and watch all the films. This is the penultimate chapter of Harry filmwise, so this ought to be good. It seems to be loyal to the source material, so that's great. The sixth film was technically beautiful, but kinda boring storywise. I just hope it's because they're pulling all the stops to make this the best one yet. Or best two. I can't wait for November.

KINECT: I'm going to buy this no matter what. I am so looking forward to this peripheral for the XBox 360. This is the future of gaming. Motion control. Early reviews seem to be positive for this one. I can't wait for November. I think this is where my 13th month pay will be going.

So there you have it, those are what keeps me from bloghopping these days. Comics, tv, video games.