Next time I Paul

Since I haven't been to a Uniqlo store - particularly my favourite branch in Megamall - for over a year, the internet is my only source of information regarding the brand.

It was only through the net that I discovered about their collaboration with Anna Sui. (Got a few shirts and a dress from this collection.)

And as it turns out, their next collaboration is something worth Paul-ing for!

Yup, it's Paul & Joe for Uniqlo!

Excited as I am for this collaboration, I'll have to just look at it online.

WATN: Mohr is Less

While watching "Pay it Forward" on Netflix a few days ago, this question popped in my head:

"Where's Jay Mohr?"

Back in the late 90s to early 2000s, he was one of the Hollywood leading men to watch. After his stellar turns in Jerry Maguire, Picture Perfect, 200 Cigarettes, among many others, he was poised for an upward trajectory on the big screen.

And he did follow that trajectory, making films continuously until he fell off the radar when the 2010s came rolling in. After that, his appearances were few and far between, and the last notable film I saw him in was "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone."

Given his great acting skills and comedic chops, I wonder why he doesn't appear in Hollywood films more often now?

This Mohr is currently a lot less.

Printed Matter: Toile, we meet again

The moment - as in the microsecond-that I saw this print, it was covet-it-at-first-sight!

Not only was it Toile du juoy, it was also in my favorite color - red. But wait, there’s more! It also,had bird prints which is always a plus.

Best part is, this print is the print of this pretty dress that’s perfect for summer.

No wonder it went from the screen to my cart in seconds!

Rejoice!

This will be the 2nd year that we're celebrating Palm Sunday virtually.

The Palm Sunday Mass is one of my favourite masses during the Holy Week. There's such an uplifting feeling each time the congregation lifts up and shakes the palms while the priest walks through the sea of palms, blessing them.

It's such a joyous sight that harks back to the time when Jesus walked through a rejoicing crowd, with Palms in the air. When I read the bible as a kid, I'd play this scene in my head. Then, when films and TV shows came out depicting this scene, it was exactly what I had in my head.

I also miss spending Palm Sunday with Mark in Tokyo, particularly in the Franciscan Chapel. They give away palms there for free, same as they do in HKG. But the Palms there look quite different from the very ornate Palms we have here in the Philippines.

We might be at home again for Palm Sunday this year, but we celebrate and remember with joy the start of the Holy Week.

Not Weak at all

From the time she won the 1st edition of American Idol, I've always been a Kelly Clarkson fan.

In fact, her music has been part of my adult life. When I moved to HKG, she "accompanied" me since I'd play her "Breakaway" CD each time I'd feel antsy or melancholic. For years, her CD was on repeat at home - almost everyday! Especially "Since U Been Gone."

It's been almost 20 years since she won that singing contest, and Kelly is still considered as THE most successful product of these reality shows. 

There are many reasons for her success. First, obviously, is that voice! Powerful, evocative and distinct. Second, she's dynamic, not sticking to just one kind of genre. Third, she reinvents herself. While a singer first and foremost, she's also a host and a judge. Fourth, she's an inspiration. 

Recently, I've been binge-watching the "Kellyoke" portion of her talk show, and it never fails to put a smile on my face. Her renditions of popular songs from the past is just stellar.

Just like her rendition of the classic SWV ditty, "Weak."

While I'm a massive fan of SWV and there's no one who can sing this song as well as they can, Kelly's version is at par and not weak at all!

FMM: Getting Wind

Seawind, that is.

This is a popular Jazz group in the 80s, and Dad had a cassette tape of the group.

Their lead singer, Pauline Wilson, was half-Filipino, which is also why Dad liked their group a lot. Pauline Wilson eventually sang solo, and she's best known of her wonderful ballad "Follow Your Road" and "Stay."

That song deserves an FMM post of its own, of course.

But today, let's listen to the group where she started. Here's the 1st song from that tape:

Wat cha doing? Listening to Seawind! 

It's a Friday, after all.

Her Feast. Her Faith.

Today is The Feast of the Annunciation!

My heart is always filled with joy and my mouth breaks into a smile every time I hear this story. A story that we relive each time we pray The Angelus, and a story that we commemorate again today.

One of the lessons that the church always highlights when they tell this story is Mama Mary's Faith and how she fully placed her trust in God. An act that's immortalized in her line that is written in Luke 1:38:

"Behold, I am a handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your word."

Mama Mary's faith is truly astounding.

Shirt Tales

If only the shirts in my closet could talk, these are the things they’d probably say:

“When are you taking us out?”

“Are we going to work yet?”

“Can we go to the Mall?”

Gosh! The last time I wore one of these shirts is a year ago. Seriously!

Maybe I should start wearing them as pajamas. Just to get to use them.

Donut tempt me!

Three things that I'm bonkers over: Oreos, Strawberries, Donuts.

Somehow, all three have come together for this:

Strawberry Frosted Donut Oreos!

Unfortunately, though, these are only available in the U.S.!

Time to contact my siblings and hopefully find a way to get this back to MNL!

LFLTAT: Modern Filipino

One of the classic looks for Pinoys is the barong and black pants combo. It's become a staple that it works for any occasion - whether it's for an event or as daily office wear.

And while it's considered "traditional," there's always a way to modernize it and bring it to daily living.

Just like this Bench ensemble from Shopee!

The top is a barong-style shirt, made of crisp, white cotton and with embroidery on the side, like a barong. This was paired with a pair of black trousers that are wide-legged and with a belt.

Together, it's an outfit that's a modern take on the barong-black pants outfit. Best part is, this cost about P800! 

How's that for a patriotically fashionable deal?

Hudson High

Because of yesterday's post on "Dreamgirls," I suddenly wondered what Jennifer Hudson is doing now.

Aside from "The Voice" which she judges, and her upcoming "Aretha" biopic, what else could she be doing.

Turns out, she's been busy with a lot of things, including this:

Whoa! JHud's rendition of one of my favourite songs from Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, and later on, Diana Ross.

It's true that there ain't no mountain enough for this powerful voice.

After the Dream

The 2006 film version of "Dreamgirls" is a memorable film for me.

When it was released, I was still living in HKG and remember that it was one of the first films that I took the time out to see on the big screen. If memory serves me right, it was in IFC, right after work, on the first day of its commercial run. Blame it on the good reviews, especially about JHud's performance.

It turns out that the film didn't disappoint. Although there were some moments of cheese, and there were some song renditions which wasn't as great as the musical version (hello, Jennifer Holliday!) overall, the film was pretty good.

And when the DVD was eventually released at HMV, I bought a copy to re-watch the film at home.

One of my favourite parts of the film is actually a cliffhanger in the end. During the final scene where Effie White finally reunites with The Dreams, this happened:

From the first time this scene played, until now that I'm watching it again, the thought in my mind has always been: "What happened after?"

Did Curtis find out that Magic is his daughter with Effie? Did Effie tell Curtis the truth? Did Magic find out that Curtis is her Dad?

It would be great to have a part 2 of this film, if only to get an answer.

FMM: Reminisce

Gosh, it's hard to believe that it's been a year since the first Community Quarantine status was implemented in the country.

Back then, it was such an odd feeling to see most of the country empty and deserted. No people, no cars, almost nothing on the streets. Watching it on TV, it felt like it was a scene from a Hollywood film, but it was real.

A year after, it feels like some things haven't changed, and some other things feel normal, now that we're in that much touted "new normal." And since we're in the mode of reminiscing, this would be a good time to play some "Little River Band" on today's Friday Magic Madness.

Listening to this song makes me just want to go back reminiscing to the late 70s when things were so much simpler and less frenetic as now.

WATN: Palmer reader

Back in the 2010s, one of the most recognizable and most often seen faces in Hollywood is that of Australian actress Teresa Palmer.

She was part of some of the biggest Hollywood hits, and a lot of those were films I watched, mainly because of her. Among them, "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," "I Am Number Four," Wish You Were Here," and of course, "Warm Bodies." (Loved her here, and loved the film, too.)

While she was known for these films, especially the last one, let's not forget that the was also in the Adam Sandler starrer, "Bedtime Stories" as a Paris Hilton-esque like heiress.

While most of her early work were very light, fantasy and comic in theme, she eventually showed her more serious acting chops. Her turn in "Hacksaw Ridge" was emotionally inspired. And it was the first time she was in a period piece, which was refreshing.

After that film, though, Teresa Palmer sightings on screen were few and far between. Even until now. 

I've been checking online articles to see if she has a film coming up soon. But there's none in the horizon just yet.

Hope she makes a Hollywood appearance again soon. 

Egg-ed on

There seems to be a salted egg festival at home today.

While checking out our snack area, I discovered these:

Salted egg potato chips, salted egg mushrooms and salted egg bagnet!

Looks like snacking is going to be egg-citing!

Rolling in the Dip

I'm a YanYan kid! Growing up, one of the things we never fail to buy in Unimart is YanYan.

You can never go wrong with this snack. Crispy, crunch biscuits dipped in rich, chocolate. Each crunchy bite is sublime! The chocolate is so good that I'd often save it for last, finishing the biscuits first then scooping the chocolate with my fingers. Sublime!

It's such a classic that even through high school, college to my working years, I've been noshing on YanYan non-stop, especially after they came out with more flavours like strawberry, milk and double chocolate.

A few years ago, they came up with a choco-hazelnut variant, which is most likely an offshoot of the Nutella craze. It was okay, but my loyalty was still with the original flavor. (Okay, and with strawberry.)

But last week, a discovery made me change my mind on choco-hazelnut. It's this product from my snack haunt:

Fineti Dips!

Fineti is a brand that sells choco-hazelnut spreads. I'd often buy this brand for the office whenever I'd make my choco-banana sandwiches. And as it turns out, they also have a biscuit-and-dip product. Which is really good!

To add to its kiddie appeal (which also appeals to me), it also has a freebie on the pack - either an eraser, sharpener, or stamp! Sweet!

Now, Fineti and YanYan will be 2 dips that will share a space on our snack pantry.

Faith to 500!

Yesterday was a special day for Filipino Catholics all over the world. 

At 5:00pm - Philippine Time - Pope Francis officiated a mass at the Vatican in Rome to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the coming of Christianity to the Philippines. And the Faithful attended the mass - at the church, on their TV screens, and online - to celebrate this momentous event for our country and our Catholic Community.

The procession was led by a Santo Nino, commemorating the arrival of the first Catholics in Cebu. They gave an image of the Child Jesus as a gift, and it heralded the beginning of the faith in the Philippines. Whenever I go to Cebu, I make it a point to drop by the Basilica of the Sto. Nino to relive that moment.

Needless to say, the live online broadcast was well attended by Filipinos worldwide. As the mass started, there were already more than 20,000 tuning in, and it climbed as the mass went on.

As expected, the homily of Pope Francis was inspiring and heartwarming. He talked about how God is a very generous God,  highlighting the phrases: "God so Loved," and "God gave."

He also talked about loving and giving. Part of his homily said: 

"The more we love, the more we become capable of giving. That is also the key to understanding our life. It is wonderful to meet people who love one another and share their lives in love. We can say about them what we say about God: they so love each other that they give their lives. It is not only what we can make or earn that matters: in the end, it is the love we are able to give."

Such love-filled and lovely words from a Pope who has showered our country with so much love. A love we feel from across the globe as we celebrate 500 years of the Catholic Faith.

Notice that?

“Further Notice.”

It’s a universal and commonly used phrase that’s easy to understand and easy to spell, right?

Apparently not.

Proofreader, please.

Soup-er!

One of the changes that happened the past months in our community is that the neighbors get to interact more. 

The past few years, everyone was so busy with their own work and lives that we didn’t really know who our neighbors were, much less talk to them or get to know them. But starting 2nd quarter of 2020, everyone started going out and getting to know each other more.

When mid-year came along, it felt that the compound was more of a community, with everyone greeting each other, asking about each other, spending afternoons in the common areas catching up (with face masks and social distancing), and asking if anyone needs help with anything.

Also, people started being more neighborly. Nowadays, it’s common for neighbors to share food with other neighbors. For no reason at all. Just because.

One of them, a Bicolana who lives a few units away, makes this yummy Korean inspired soup with so many good stuff inside! It’s her own recipe that she loves sharing with Mom and me whenever she cooks it.

The soup tastes good as it looks. It’s very hearty and flavorful, and it’s good on its own, or as a side dish for one of Mom’s signature viands.

It’s super how everyone is now nicer these days.

FMM: Shining Example

There are certain songs that evoke a very special vibe for me.

They're songs that transport me to another place and time, both of which are give out very happy feels. It's something that's difficult to pin or concretise, but it's a feeling that's in my gut and makes me feel good.

I've previously written about some of the songs under that category. One of those is Odyssey's "Native New Yorker." And here's another, also from that same era of the 70s. 

"Shine on, Silver Moon" by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. has a hypnotic sound to it. Which is why whenever the music plays, a feeling of calmness just envelopes the area. Which is what good music should do.

That's why this music will always be a shining example in my playlist.