Popsockets!

Loving these new popsockets. I think it's called Pop Grip now. They also have Pop Tops but they still have limited designs available in the Philippines. With this Pop Top feature, you can easily change designs unlike before.

I bought the classic Pop Grip and and the Pop Grip Glide Stretch.

The Pop Grip Glide Stretch is awesome because you don't need to stick it on your phone or phone case. It is adhesive-free. Simply stretch and instantly grips onto your phone and/or phone case.

If adhesives don't bother you, the basic/classic Pop Socket/Grip is also a great option since it's less bulky esp. if you have a phone case.

I would recommend either. Ungrip can also be an option, esp. for the guys. I think guys would prefer that one because it's more man-ly ha ha ha.

'The X-Files: The Official Archives' is a must-have for fans!

I never planned on buying The X-Files: The Official Archives. In fact, I was not excited. I usually am when it comes to X-Files collectibles, but I was not.

Was it because of the pandemic? Or, was it because of my slight tampo with the actress--the one portraying Dana Scully? After all, she ended Season 11 even before it started. Feel the huff? It MUST be the latter. Ha ha ha!

Fortunately, I gave in. I bought it.

I bought it even without any idea what it was really all about other than the fact that it's a collection of X-Files case reports. It also turned out as one of the best purchases I have made this year. This is a must-have for every X-Philes out there.

When I started reading it, I noticed how the book smelled like archived folders--like actual case/file folders. The book's texture made me feel like I was going through case files. Hearing Mulder and Scully's voices when reading their reports, even hearing other characters' voices when reading their notes.

I'm not done reading half of it, but the first few pages were pretty convincing. I was thankful to have this book--all the memories I have of the show came back, all the episodes recalled while reading these case folders. Best of all, it's like you are part of the show you love and cherish.

The X-Files: The Official Archives made me feel like I was in The X-Files universe--an agent uncovering the truth about The X-Files, Mulder and Scully, and all the conspiracies they uncovered.

Like most X-Philes, spoilers are a no-no. Hence, this sense-based review--all limited to what I see, hear, or feel.

To The X-Files and the people behind this book, especially the author, Paul Terry, THANK YOU!

Must-try Hair Masks from Davines!

I have never been more interested in hair care until I "discovered" Davines. This is probably my favorite hair care product simply because it is the most effective product I've tried.

Dandruff-free, softer , smoother, and shinier hair--all thanks to Davines.

Now, I'd like to share my experience with Davines hair masks.

Because of the promo they have for the Calming Shampoo + Superactive Serum Set, I was able to get four hair + scalp masks from The Circle Chronicles line for free!

The Let It Go Circle is a relaxing scalp and hair mask. I can attest to this. This is the first hair mask I tried. I love its cooling effect and the minty and relaxing scent. It softens, hydrates, and comforts both hair and scalp. This is my favorite!

To revitalize and repair damaged hair, the Renaissance Circle is the one for you. Scent is stronger than Let It Go though. For multi-hair mask, you apply this on the ends for obvious reasons. Ends of hair are usually dry and damaged. Having tried this one, I can say that my hair has really improved, particularly the ends. Results are instant. My hair has become softer and shinier since I started with Davines. The hair mask made it even better. ❤️

Spotlight Circle speaks shine. This hair mask gives your hair extra shine and enhance your hair color. The Wake-up Circle, on the other hand, speaks volume. If you have dull hair, this one's for you. I haven't tried these two yet, but from my experience, I expect positive results.

You may either use these masks individually like I do or try Multi-hair masking for customized hair and scalp care targeting the roots, lengths, and ends. You may check out the "how-to's of multi-masking" at their official Facebook page or Instagram page. I might try it too, one of these days.

Community quarantine gives us the opportunity to do things we do not usually do, like hair masking...at home! 😅 This is definitely the perfect time to try these hair masks and take extra care of your hair.

The time is now.

I hope you'd appreciate it like I do!

The beauty of nature!

A Natural Dishwashing Liquid made me a Human Heart Nature believer--an advocate. Why? Well, it's tough on grease and gentle on skin. It's environment-friendly too! This triggered my interest on Human Heart Nature.

I tried more of their products--Lip Butter, Skin Shield Lotion, Purifying Facial Scrub, and loved every single product I bought.

The Skin Shield Lotion was really effective. Mosquitos away! It smells like candle though! Ha ha ha!

The lip butter moisturizes the lips more than any other lip balms I've tried. I love that it has that cooling sensation as well.

The Purifying Facial Scrub gently exfoliated my dry/sensitive skin. No adverse reaction whatsoever. It was then when I decided to try more skin care products--facial wash, toner, and moisturizer. My skin responded well with the hydrating facial wash and toner and the day and night moisturizers.

I therefore became interested in the membership and dealership program, most importantly, the discount! Particularly now that it seemed like I'd be using their products in the long run.

To be honest, the business side was a mere afterthought. 😂

I took the chance anyway!

It's also easier to convince people to buy your products when you're actually using them. So, if you'd like to experience the beauty of nature, try Human ❤️ Nature's products through my online dealer shop, TallGirlWonders.

My personal favorites include: Dish washing Liquid, Lip Butter, Hand and Foot Salve, Skin Shield Lotion, Natural Sanitizer (1L) Natural Hand Soap (1L), Purifying Facial Scrub, Sunflower Beauty Oil, Hydrating Facial Wash and Toner, Day and Night Moisturizer, and Sunflower Body Scrub.

Also, if there's something I'm really proud of as an advocate albeit a newbie, it's Human Heart Nature's environment-friendly and reycling programs. They have refilling stations for the big bottles and/or 1L sizes. Empty plastic bottles may also be returned for recylcing and/or proper disposal.

Let us support this--not only for the environment, but most importantly for our future. 🙏🇵🇭👌

Finally, Shake Shack!

Thanks to Covid-19 I finally had a taste of Shake Shack Philippines! 😅 In BGC!

I first tried Shake Shack--the burger, the fries, and the lemonade--in California. It was also my first trip to the USA. It is definitely one of the food highlights of my trip, but In-N-Out's better! 😅

However, the Shack burger in the Philippines is really, really good mainly because IT IS LESS GREASY!!!!!!

Shake Shack burgers are really greasy. Haha! This was my very observation when I first tried it and why I prefer In-N-Out. Haha!

I'm glad the Shack Burger here is less greasy. I did not expect it, to be honest. I love the bun and the beef patty which were all rightly done! The lemonade is looove, as always! The burger-drink duo's worth every peso! 👌

As to the fries, I think it's a bit pricey, especially when you eat solo. Haha. Sulit siguro siya if for sharing. Let's be honest, there's just nothing really special about the fries--plain or cheese. And it's PhP150?! PhP180?! Diba?! You know what's sulit? McDo fries! 😅

If you're in the BGC area and craving for a burger that is NOT the usual burger, drop by Shake Shack! Have a burger, skip the fries or order a fries for two/three people!

Dine-in or Take Out, you choose.

This was probably my second time eating out since stores started opening up. It is important to note that they were (and still are!) observing health protocols to ensure everyone's safety--temperature check, contact tracing forms, physical distancing, among others.

This is the "new normal". We have to adapt. Let this virus not scare us. Let it make us better. ✌️😊🇵🇭

Lokal Love with the Vida shoes!

The first time I had Oxford shoes was when I was still in elementary. It was a black suede Oxford. It was a formal shoe. Since then, I have always known Oxford as a formal shoe. It has that classic vibe that I really love to this day.

Classic seems to be the trend right now. And, Oxford shoes have really become popular these days and I never thought I'd be having one especially during the ECQ.

I have seen a lot of Oxford shoes that are locally made, particularly on Facebook, but with the Vida Shoes, it was "love at first sight". 😅

I came across the Vida shoes when my friend re-posted her photo wearing the shoes from Una Lokal. I had no idea that it was a shoe post at first, but it was definitely the first thing I noticed. That nice brown leather shoes was just oh-so-beauuutiful!

The Vida Shoes is priced at PhP1990. It's made of genuine cow leather and handcrafted by Marikeño artisans.

Vida is simple yet elegant. It can be used for formal/business ocassions, office footwear, or casual wear. It's what an Oxford shoe is and always will be--a classic!

Like any other leather shoes, "matigas siya sa unang suot". It hurt my left little toe a bit, but my feet were able to adjust on the second or third use. This is why it took time for me to write a review. I was able to walk the shoes without finally hurting my feet just after a couple of use.

I'm also glad that they helped me choose the right size for me. I'm usually an 8, but because of the width of my feet, they recommended a Size 9 and it was a perfect fit. It actually makes may feet look narrower than usual. 😄

The soles have always been comfortable. I also love that my heels didn't hurt even after the first use. 😊 So, yes it is comfortable and it'll feel more comfortable in time. After all, leather gets better with age! 😅

As to the packaging, it's very artsy and classy at the same time. It complements the style and feel of the shoes. Loved the "thank you" note! A "how to care for your shoes" guide is also provided in the shoe box cover.

If you are looking for Oxford shoes or other locally made leather shoes that's stylish and affordable, visit Una Lokal.

In fact, I'm looking at Selma and Wanda already! 😍🤩😄

Saved by Davines!

Dandruff, itchy scalp, dry hair--these have always been my hair and scalp concerns since I was in elementary. I have tried a lot of Anti-Dandruff shampoos--both medicated and commercial ones, but nothing has been as effective as Davines.

Davines (Da-vee-ness) was established by the Bollati family in 1983 in Parma, Italy. It "started as a research laboratory specialized in the production of top quality hair and skin care products for renowned cosmetic companies worldwide" and it has been known for its sustainable beauty products.

I recently discovered Davines during the ECQ (thanks to Facebook advertisements). I have been curious about their Purifying Shampoo, which addresses scalp problems involving dry and greasy dandruff. I became a lot more curious when they had the Tele-Hair consultation in their Official Facebook Page during the ECQ. So, I did.

To the person who answered my questions and recommended the products suitable for my needs, THANK YOU ♥.

For my dandruff and itchy scalp problems, she recommended the Purifying Shampoo; for my dry hair, the OI line (Oi Shampoo, Oi Conditioner, and the Oi Oil). I appreciate that the recommendations were based on healing my scalp and not just for the sake of selling/marketing the products (plus poiiiints!).

Detailed instructions and/or tips were also given--which I strictly followed, of course. And, it paid off!

In just a few days, I definitely noticed the difference--less flakes, less itchy scalp, with soft, smooth and shiny hair.

I started the day when I got my orders and this has become my hair regimen during the ECQ:

Day 1 : Purifying shampoo on the scalp. Leave on 15 mins. Rinse. Oi conditioner lengths to end. Leave on for 6 minutes to fully absorb the conditioning nutrients in the hair and for the hair cuticle to close trapping the nutrients inside. ANY TIME shorter than that, is just cosmetic effect.

Day 2 : Oi shampoo + Oi conditioner

Day3: Purifying shampoo on the scalp. Leave on 15 mins. Rinse. Oi conditioner lengths to end.

Day 4: Oi shampoo + Oi conditioner.

And so on...for 2 weeks and then, the Oi line regimen continues!

Note from the online consultation: Once your dandruff is gone (after a week or 2). You can stop using the shampoo. Only use it when you feel your dandruff is back. Which will be if something irritates your scalp again for it to trigger excess oil and thus dandruff after.

I also mentioned during the Tele--Hair consultation that I had atopic dermatitis so I asked if the products recommended, particularly the Oi Oil, were advisable for people like me who have the said condition. As advised, "it is safe because the roucou oil (active ingredient) has cellular healing properties, which is actually great for skin." Having used the product for a month now, I can attest to this.

The Purifying shampoo, with its natural active ingredients, and the Oi line have healed my scalp and made my hair soft, smooth and shiny.

Truly, saved by Davines! ♥

#WearABEL!

My first #WearABEL is a Face Mask designed by Liz Enriquez for SudeMari.

Liz Enrquez is a fashion designer, has an atelier in New York, and the designer of airline apparels. She has also been helping SudeMari weavers to further their craft.

These 2-ply inabel face masks are made from soft and comfortable fabrics. Materials used for lining include duchess silk, silk grazer, different types of satin, and filter. It is lightweight, breathable, and stylish!

In addition, the materials used for the face masks are hypoallergenic. I can attest to this as I had no rashes even after hours of use.

To maintain its hypoallergenic component, wash your face mask with non-scented soap. I have been using VMV Hypoallergenics' Fawn and Launder Ultra Gentle Allergen-Free Laundry Soap for all my face masks. It's pricey but really effective.

These inabel face masks are priced at PhP250.00 a piece.

Be safe and stylish even in times of Covid-19. 😅

Wear ABEL.

For more designs, you may visit SudeMari or Atelier Liz Enriquez.

Introducing Delicious Bakes PH!

It has been said that a way to save our economy is to buy local. But, should we not consider starting one? A local business based on what you love to do. Isn't that also a way keep the economy moving!

My aunt's bestfriend, Tita Daisy, who loves to bake and cook has finally decided to open her own online bakeshop.

Kudos to her for seeing a great opportunity even in this time of crisis. That's positivity right there! And, I have always loved her pasta! 😋

CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES--the magic words! I ordered 3 boxes and paid via GCash. This is what happens when you have been craving for homemade cookies that you can't bake simply because you don't have a knack for it. 😅

The Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies cost PhP150 per box. That's 10 pieces per box. The more you eat the cookies, the better it gets. In other words, hindi siya nakakaumay. Downside, napaparami kain mo. 😆 The cookies are not too sweet. I think it is "friendly" to people with diabetes (like my father).

My order came with a free-to-taste slices of Banana Nut Bread and Banana Classic Bread. It wasn't part of my order simply because it is BANANA bread. It's like CARROT cake. I mean, "why?" 😅✌️

BUT, THE BANANA BREAD WAS SO DELICIOUS that I regretted not ordering. First bite palang, masarap na!

Now, I understand why Tita Daisy gave us those slices to taste--to want moooore!

Good move, Tita. 👏

The Banana Breads are priced at PhP300 to PhP350.

Indeed, the Banana Bread (Classic, Nut Bread or Nut Bread with Chocolate Chips) is a MUST-TRY!

I look forward to placing my orders again! I'm looking at you, Banana Nut Bread and Buttersctoch Chocolate Chip Cookies! 😋

Follow Delicious Bakes PH and @deliciousbakesph! Order now!

The SudeMari Backpack!

SudeMari is known for its elegantly handwoven shawls exclusively made by the weavers of the North in the Municipality of Banna, Province of Ilocos Norte.

SudeMari was derived from the words Suda de Maria, which means pristine, pure, and elegantly handwoven piece of fabric, made with passion and utmost precision to maintain its one-of-a-kind quality. Indeed, it is!

This handcrafted backpack is part of SudeMari's HANDGEWEBT + LEDER series. What makes this unique? The elegantly handwoven inabel design. No bag is alike in this series--there are different inabel designs for each bag. The black backpack was my favorite, but this pink one is pretty cool as well!

Genuine leather. Handwoven. Handcrafted. Elegant.

They say, "wear our culture". In this case, it's CARRY OUR CULTURE! 😅✌️❤️🇵🇭

Follow SudeMari on Instagram, @suda_de_maria, and on Facebook!

TV REVIEW: The X-Files - "Babylon"

[POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD]

Babylon received a lot of flak it did not deserve. Well, for someone who loved the episode, I'd definitely say that. Let's just say, when Chris Carter writes a story about religion, faith, and humanity, it's something I take into heart. I love when he writes about these themes not because we're on the same page, but because his stories help me keep an open mind. For me, religion should not be black or white, nor should it interfere with one's faith and being. Yes, faith and religion aren't the same (for me). There must be respect for human beings regardless of ones beliefs, faith, or religion. I, however, will not go into that.

First up, Agents Miller and Einstein. They are the "Mulder" and "Scully" of their generation. The believer and the skeptic/medical doctor. Miller's more laid back and Einstein's just really aggressive. I'd prefer Miller over Einstein. She's just not a Scully. Einstein is so full of her "I'm a medical doctor" status, but I applaud her for the placebo. Props to Robbie Amell and Lauren Ambrose.

I thought the Mulder-Scully-Miller-Einstein scene in the basement office was probably one of the highlights of the episode. Some fans hated it because they just hate the idea of a new "Mulder" and "Scully", but then again, Chris had done that before. He's probably just making a point that Mulder and Scully, David and Gillian are irreplaceable. It's just nice watching Mulder and Scully seeing themselves in others. It's funny.
 
Oh, and of course, "nobody down here but the F.B.I.'s most unwanted" coming from Scully was simply brilliant. We've all been waiting for that to come out from your mouth, Scully. 23 years!!! I thought it was a smart move.

There was also a moment when I thought that Scully calling Miller and Mulder calling Einstein were part of a Mulder and Scully plan for I really don't know what. I was wrong, of course. I guess they're just drawn to work with their opposites. It kind of challenges them. They have their reasons and it was kind of explained in the episode. I'll just leave it at that.

The Miller and Einstein moment towards the end was pretty cool too. Talking about the value of an open mind, the power of suggestion, and the nature of reality. These are the things we should contemplate on.

Mulder's 'Magical Mystery Tour' is one of the funny moments in Babylon. It had mixed reactions. I thought it was weird, but found it funny. Symbolism at its finest. Read this review. It best explains that scene. All I can say is, Mulder had a time of his life. The Lone Gunmen being there was priceless. A bit longer of the 'Gunmen' would have been better. I agree with the majority sentiment that Byers, Langly and my favorite Frohike deserved more than that tiny bit. Nonetheless, we were really happy to see them back on The X-Files.

Finally, in this world of political correctness, I understand certain critiques about the episode (I,  too have some), but the hate it's getting, I really don't.

When it comes to themes like faith, religion, and humanity, the message is what I'm after. It's probably why I loved Babylon. Thinking about perceptions, generalizations, faith, religion, and humanity. I have only read one review, which I have mentioned above, that really explained this episode very well. It's worth reading. It's an affirmation of what some of us have been saying all along, not in the open, just a small group discussion on why we actually like, or in my case love, this episode. The intricacies of Babylon not many people appreciate, we appreciate.

I'm not from/in the United States so I can't really comment on American stereotypes, but I can comment on stereotyping terrorists. Terrorism is a worldwide problem, after all. In my point of view, Babylon successfully presented that point--it's why it is receiving such flak. The good news is, we, as citizens of the world, were able to determine that. For me, that's basically the point. We see what's wrong yet we do nothing about it. We get mad, but not do anything about it. We are offended by what others say or do, yet we do the same to them. It took shows like The X-Files just to prove that point.

The final conversation scene between Mulder and Scully effectively summed up the episode, for me--the perceptions, the realizations, faith, God, religion, and unending questions. This is also my favorite scene from Babylon. Imagine, the shippiest moment yet from the revival came from an episode penned by Chris Carter who have always loved to troll with the shippers! It's not only shippy, it's very insightful.

Mulder: I saw things, though, Scully. Powerful things. I saw deep and unconditional love.
Scully: I saw things, too. I witnessed unqualified hate that appears to have no end.
Mulder: But how to reconcile the two? The extremes of our nature.
Scully: That’s the question. Maybe the question of our times.

That conversation alone speaks volumes about humanity. "Unconditional love" and "unqualified hate" are, indeed, the extremes of our nature. How do we reconcile these two? A question no one could truly answer.

We abhor terrorism, yet we spread hate in our own little way. Some days, we are full of love. Other days, we're full of hatred. In life, there's always a middle ground, but sometimes we just forget about it. It's a never ending cycle of our extreme nature. It seems Scully's right, we should just..."open our hearts and truly listen."

Truly listen.

TV REVIEW: The X-Files - "Home Again"

[POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD]

You have probably read reviews about this episode and yes, most of them have been great reviews. It would be difficult to top those solid reviews, but then again, that is not the goal. While a lot of the reviews were solid, some pointed out that The X-Files Revival lacks direction or focus. I'll get back to that after my own little review of Home Again.

Home Again is probably one of the episodes I was most excited to watch because Glen Morgan wrote it. He just gives all the creeps in The X-Files and I live for it! "Give me the creeps!" Also, it's a Scully-centric episode, which I always love. Expect beautiful drama and lots of MSR moments. Guaranteed. Indeed, it was everything I had hoped for, except that I wish it was scarier. It was creepy, heartbreaking and a lot of "oh-my-shipper-heart" moments. 

 

Trashman was not as scary as expected but he's just plain creepy and violent. If pulling someone apart and turning their body parts into pieces isn't gory and violent then, I don't know what is. The song Downtown has also never been creepy 'til after watching the episode. It's a Glen Morgan thing, I suppose. Remember Home? Yeah. Glen Morgan and his song choices will give you the creeps. 

Home Again had been considered a Monster of the Week episode, but again, it's a mixture of both MOTW and mythology, in particular the William arc. Glen Morgan succeeded in connecting the "responsibility" and "guilt" in both story-lines. It was through the artist that Scully had the chance to reflect on the choice she made in giving William up for adoption and it was also her who pointed out that the artist was responsible for the Trashman. It's simple: We should always take responsibility of our creation. The artist took responsibility in the end because he had the opportunity to. Enter "smiley face" art. Scully, on the other hand cannot undo what she has already done. Putting William up for adoption has haunted her for years. She felt guilty. She felt responsible.

All throughout Gillian Anderson was at her best. She deserves all the awards!!! Kudos to David Duchovny too. The subtleties were wonderful! Amazing performance by those two. When we thought the crying was over, we were wrong. The end scene between Scully and Mulder, and the conversation they had was simply moving. Indeed, when Scully cries, we cry.

I know now why Mom asked for Charlie, even though he was out of her life. She wanted to know before she left that he'd be okay. She gave birth to him. She made him. He's her responsibility. And that's why she said what she said to us. She wanted to make sure that we'd be responsible to know that William's okay. Even though we can't see him. I know that as parents, we made a difficult sacrifice to keep him safe. That it was for his own good to put him up for adoption. But I can't help but think of him, Fox. I can't help it. I believe that you will find all of your answers. You will find the answers to the biggest mysteries, and I will be there when you do. But my mysteries...I'll never have answered. I won't know if he thinks of me, too, or if he's ever been afraid and wished that I was there. Does he doubt himself because we left him? What questions does he have of me? The same that I have with this quarter? And I want to believe...I need to believe, that we didn't treat him like trash.

know now why Mom asked for Charlie, even though he was out of her life. She wanted to know before she left that he'd be okay. She gave birth to him. She made him. He's her responsibility. And that's why she said what she said to us. She wanted to make sure that we'd be responsible to know that William's okay. Even though we can't see him. I know that as parents, we made a difficult sacrifice to keep him safe. That it was for his own good to put him up for adoption. But I can't help but think of him, Fox. I can't help it. I believe that you will find all of your answers. You will find the answers to the biggest mysteries, and I will be there when you do. But my mysteries... I'll never have answered. I won't know if he thinks of me, too, or if he's ever been afraid and wished that I was there. Does he doubt himself because we left him? What questions does he have of me? The same that I have with this quarter? And I want to believe... (sniffles) I need to believe, that we didn't treat him like trash.

Read more at: http://transcripts.foreverdreaming.org/viewtopic.php?f=174&t=25088

know now why Mom asked for Charlie, even though he was out of her life. She wanted to know before she left that he'd be okay. She gave birth to him. She made him. He's her responsibility. And that's why she said what she said to us. She wanted to make sure that we'd be responsible to know that William's okay. Even though we can't see him. I know that as parents, we made a difficult sacrifice to keep him safe. That it was for his own good to put him up for adoption. But I can't help but think of him, Fox. I can't help it. I believe that you will find all of your answers. You will find the answers to the biggest mysteries, and I will be there when you do. But my mysteries... I'll never have answered. I won't know if he thinks of me, too, or if he's ever been afraid and wished that I was there. Does he doubt himself because we left him? What questions does he have of me? The same that I have with this quarter? And I want to believe... (sniffles) I need to believe, that we didn't treat him like trash.

Read more at: http://transcripts.foreverdreaming.org/viewtopic.php?f=174&t=25088

That last line, nobody but Gillian Anderson can deliver that line as compelling and as believable as she did. Also notable, Mark Snow's music. It simply captured that particular moment beautifully. He is a musical genius.

Clearly, Scully had a lot of realizations in this episode and I think we did, too. "People treat people like trash", even with or without "responsibility", is true these days. The kind of society we have right now is enough proof. I think it's something we all should ponder about. That is, if we want to have a better society--people should treat people like they would treat themselves. Definitely, it's not trash.

And of course, the MSR moments! Chris may have wanted us to believe that Mulder and Scully have really broken up, but after watching this episode and the episodes before it, it did not seem like it. I mean, really, CC? You call this a break up? Hahaha. Mulder knows when something's up. The moment he heard Scully's "Okay..." while she was on the phone with her big brother, he knew there was something wrong. Even in that moment, Mulder was touchy-comforting Scully. The "I'm here" scene. The hospital bench scene. The "I want to work" scene. The flashlights. The log scene. I know, there are too many fragments in this paragraph, but if you think of it, it has a complete thought esp. if you have seen the episode. There's just too much love.

Finally, my take on the lack of focus and/or lack direction comment on the revival. I completely disagree.

Where does this lead to? Why was there a need to revive this show? These are the questions that linger the curious minds. Having watched the episodes more than I needed to, I would have to say that the revival has obviously been focusing on the William arc. Yes, the premiere gave too many conspiracy theories that have yet to be answered--alien DNA and government involvement, to be exact. However, the William story lines seem to be the more obvious focus in relation to alien DNA and the massive government conspiracy. Focus is clearly there. We asked for it, we got it. You just need to put all these pieces together, like a puzzle.

My theory, all 6 episodes are connected and we'll get to figure it all out once My Struggle II comes out. Just my 2 cents. William-alien DNA-government conspiracy. Also, SCULLY.

TV REVIEW: The X-Files - "Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster"

Photo credit @thexfiles

[SPOILERS AHEAD]

Critics have been raving about 'Were-Monster' for weeks and now, I know why. This Darin Morgan penned episode was funny, deep and moving. It really, really is funny. Truly hilarious! More importantly, it had a touch of philosophy--on finding oneself, acceptance, and life in general.

Darin Morgan just has that gift--a balance of comedy and depth. He's not just being funny for the sake of being funny. It's silly, yes. But, we learn from his stories. He clearly is a comedic genius, yet he makes us think about life and the choices we make. That is his gift. A great storyteller who makes us laugh, think and understand--all at the same time  in one episode!

It's easier to believe in monsters out there in the world than to accept that the real monsters dwell within us here... and sometimes here. Maybe sometimes here. (chuckles) Not everything can be reduced to psychology. That's what you think.

Read more at: http://transcripts.foreverdreaming.org/viewtopic.php?f=174&t=24987

And speaking of gifts, Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster is indeed a gift given to us fans. We spotted the 'Easter Eggs'--War of the Coprophages, Quagmire (Queequeg!), Moby Dick (Daggoo), Red Museum and Psycho (peeping Tom!), Scully and Mulder's tie (oh, she loves playing with them ties), RED SPEEDOS (come on!), Kolchak (that outfit!) and a whole lot more! The Kim Manners homage was everything! I thank you, Darin Morgan. Kim means so much not only to the people involved in the show, but to the fans, as well. We miss you, Kim Manners! ♥

Now, onto my favorite scenes because there are a lot of them.

The scene between Mulder and Dr. Rumanovitch about humans and psychology, for me, was eye-opening. It made a point. It made me realize, "yeah, that is so true".

Dr. Rumanovitch said,

It's easier to believe in monsters out there in the world than to accept that the real monsters dwell within us...

whereas Mulder replied,

Not everything can be reduce to psychology.

It's easier to believe in monsters out there in the world than to accept that the real monsters dwell within us here... and sometimes here. Maybe sometimes here. (chuckles) Not everything can be reduced to psychology. That's what you think.

Read more at: http://transcripts.foreverdreaming.org/viewtopic.php?f=174&t=24987

It's easier to believe in monsters out there in the world than to accept that the real monsters dwell within us here... and sometimes here. Maybe sometimes here. (chuckles) Not everything can be reduced to psychology. That's what you think.

Read more at: http://transcripts.foreverdreaming.org/viewtopic.php?f=174&t=24987

Now tell me that ain't superior! Darin Morgan speaks superior script and we have tons of that in this episode.

Even when Guy Mann was talking about the only thing humans can understand--revenge. That speaks reality in this world. Our vengeful instinct. We see other people as monsters but fail to look at ourselves. We refuse to see the monster within us. This whole 'monster within us' have always been part of The X-Files philosophy as can notably be seen in Irresistible or Milagro. It's something we often overlook and this show challenges us to examine these realities about humans and monsters. For me, this episode effectively gave that message. It did. To me.

Too many things to contemplate about life in this episode. It gave us a glimpse of what would happen if we stop looking for our own purpose in life, or if we're simply convinced that there's nothing more to life...

Because if there's nothing more to life than what we already know, then there's nothing but worries, self-doubt, regret and loneliness.

Again, that speaks superior script.

Darin even took time to address people (maybe, indirectly) who might think that the whole episode is silly. After all, it's been Mulder's life. Some people think his theories were really silly and in a way, Mulder kind of mocked them by mocking his own theories. Heh

Mulder: Sounds a bit silly, doesn't it? 

Scully: Yeah. 

Mulder: You're really enjoying yourself, aren't you, Scully? 

Scully: Yeah. I am. I forgot how much fun these cases could be.

Indeed, it is fun. I've missed seeing them investigate such fun cases. Remember Bad Blood, Jose Chung's, War of the Coprophages. Live a little, people! Take time to laugh! I think it's what makes this show different from others--it can go all dark, scary, intriguing, and dramatic, or go all light, funny, and silly, or best, do both. The X-Files has always been able to do everything. It crosses all genres and I call that The X-Files magic!

Finally, my favorite moment from Were-Monster, the motel scene. The one where Mulder was debating with himself in front of Scully. Haaaaa! He knows her too well. Good thing FOX uploaded a clip of that scene. Watch it here. I can't help but laugh every time Scully tries to interject her ideas, but she just can't because Mulder knows what she was gonna say.

David did a great job in this scene. Gillian just really had great timing. This speaks CHEMISTRY. Out of this world chemistry. Unequaled. Unparalleled.

Because I truly love this scene, I have a couple of gifs for you! ♥

All I'm saying is...

And she simply says,

Yeah, we feel you, Scully. Your Mulder. It didn't end there! Mulder goes on and says, "So, you're agreeing with me?" To which our classic Scully exclaimed, "NO!"

YOU'RE BATCRAP CRAZY!

TOO FUNNY. 

Darin Morgan brought back a true fun classic X-Files episode. Most importantly, for bringing Mulder's mojo back--his willingness to believe. That last scene said a lot. "I want to believe", says Mulder. It what makes this episode very significant. It was moving. Again with that Mark Snow music. He truly knows how to end a scene so beautifully.  

Thank you Mr. Darin Morgan! Here's to more! 

There will be more.

Believe it.

I know it.

TV REVIEW: The X-Files - "Founder's Mutation"

@thexfiles

My initial reaction after watching the second episode of The X-Files revival was: That was beautiful! It truly was beautiful. Founder's Mutation is the quintessential X-Files episode we have been waiting to see! Mulder and Scully back at the F.B.I, being the "special" agents that they are, and investigating government conspiracies and paranormal phenomena together is simply amazing. My favorite show is really back with all the feels. LOTS AND LOTS OF FEELS.

[SPOILERS AHEAD]

We were led to believe that Founder's Mutation was a standalone or 'Monster of the Week' (MOTW) episode. It was; and then, it wasn't. In fact, it was a mix of mythology and MOTW. It captured both elements of what made The X-Files a unique show. It's a MOTW episode because Mulder and Scully were dealing not with monsters, but with individuals who have special abilities, which could have been genetically engineered by important and powerful people. It was bloody, too. Lots of blood out there. Heh.

It's a mythology episode for an obvious reason, the William arc. The case involved children who underwent genetic experimentation all their lives, and it hit them. It hit them hard. It hit fans real hard too. Fans have longed for this arc and we finally got it--just not the way we wanted it. This was extremely heartbreaking. Yes, it was beautiful, but damn was it heartbreaking. We get to see Mulder's and Scully's individual dream sequence--as "Dad" and "Mom" to William, and their greatest fear...of losing him. This Mulder/Scully different point of views reminded me of the film, The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby. If you've seen the movie, I think you'd understand why. That, or it's probably just me.

Understandably, one of Scully's fears is William getting hurt, similar to what other moms fear. What makes this unique, however, is her greatest fear that William might actually be part alien--considering that the children involved were genetically experimented on--that "what if" had a huge effect on her.

Mulder's dream sequence, for me, is this episode's highlight. We have never really seen Mulder as a dad to William since Existence. It is probably why the scenes between Mulder and William had so much effect on the fans. Watching TV, eating popcorn, setting up a rocket, flying a rocket--it was everything we've imagined, a perfect father-son moment. And then, gone! Just like that! It's Samantha all over again. Mulder's greatest fear: losing William as he lost Samantha. That was simply heartbreaking. 

You know what made the dream sequence scenes and that end scene even more heartbreaking? Mark Snow's music. It beautifully captured Mulder and Scully's pain.

"Bad things happen when birds gather" is one of the best and memorable lines in this episode. James Wong, you are one heck of a writer. Of course, thank you for this: "You're never just anything to me, Scully".  Squeeeee ♥. MSR is alive more than ever, not even Chris Carter can kill it hahaha.

In one scene Scully asked Dr. Goldman as to whether or not alien DNA was involved, but to no avail, the question was not answered. The Department of Defense was also involved in the case, thus Mulder, Scully and Skinner's hands were tied. I say that Founder's Mutation has a connection, story-wise to My Struggle--alien DNA vis a vis government conspiracy--that the government had the direct hand in genetic experimentation that resulted to Kyle and Molly's special abilities, and maybe, William's? Or, Scully's immortality?

Oh, by the way, was it "DANA is the key" or "DATA is the key"? I really heard DANA is the key and it might have something to do with the mythology. Maybe.

All in all, I really enjoyed this episode. I enjoyed the creepiness of the birds, the blood, the would-have-been, the pain, the sorrow, the heartbreak, and the hope. All the love to James Wong for writing a great story and to The X-Files team for the great execution! Simply beautiful!

TV REVIEW: The X-Files - "My Struggle"

c/o Giphy | The X-Files Facebook Page

Our favorite show is back and cliche' as it may sound, it was AWESOME! It got mixed reviews from the critics, but I think fan reviews are way more important than the critics', right? Looks like majority of us, XPhiles, loved it. I mean, truly loved it. And of course, it brought back great memories.

It had to begin with a voiceover. Oh how I've missed it! Lots of nostalgia!


I am not going to recap the episode(s) because I suck at it. I will simply write about my thoughts, feelings and emotions, and my theories about the mythology--especially the mythology.

[SPOILERS AHEAD]
 
The X-Files is, among other things, a show about government conspiracies and the revival episode just gave us that. Some have complained that My Struggle gave too much of it, but not  me. Having seen the second episode, Founder's Mutation, it became clearer that they just had to lay down the basis. They may have presented too much of these conspiracies in one episode, nonetheless it needed to be done. Season 10 will only have six episodes. It's probably why there's a conspiracy overload and it's a little bit fast paced. Still, it was better than expected. The office basement shift, in particular, was kind of out of place, but the dialogue was on point. I particularly loved "it's fiction masquerading as fact"--great delivery by David Duchovny. There are lot of truths in that particular statement, by the way. Relevant and current.

Mulder realizing the "what ifs"--what if the alien conspiracy was a lie, or what if everything they were led to believe in was all a lie? It would definitely change everything, wouldn't it? Everything was simply orchestrated by the government, but what if this sudden shift was just a decoy? Or, a ploy to confuse us. I mean, this is Chris Carter--that man, the myth, the legend of conspiracy theories--alien, government or both. Also, government conspiracies have always been part of the show. I mean, these are all WHAT IFs, and just like the 90's, uncertain. In The X-Files, you can never be certain, except the love between Mulder and Scully--that, definitely, is certain. Oh, my shipper heart!

Yes, the shipper heart. Not even TAD can destroy that. Let's talk about Tad for a minute. You don't call Scully, Dana, okay? Especially when you're not Mulder. The Tad Hate Is Out There. He's the male version of Diana Fowley. He won't stand a chance. On another note, I think Joel McHale as Tad O'Malley was convincing enough, if the goal was to annoy us, or as what Scully said, "a charming man full of charming BS". In that case, he succeeded. I'll have to leave it at that. Oh, Annet Mahendru was pretty good as Sveta. Props to the both of you!

Watching The X-Files felt like I was watching a movie in prime time television. I guess it has always been that way, even Vince Gilligan would agree. My Struggle had that feel, only it's 2016 and the visuals are amazing. Finally, the studio has given this show the support it deserves--comes with technology, I guess. So, technically, I have no complaints. Fantastic visuals!

The premiere also brought a lot of nostalgia. Just seeing them back together brought back great X-Files memories, fangirl memories and simply, everything about The X-Files. It was special. Plus, the old title sequence is back with minor changes. It's old new. It's chilling. Classic. X-Files. Mark Snow is a legend. The X-Files theme will forever be remembered. The Mulder/Tad conspiracy monologue was Kritschgau-esque. Redux, And then, the voice of reason, Dana Scully, just shuts them down. "Your test came back negative. She has no evidence of alien DNA" was a great Scully exit. BOOM!

Now, these are my theories. I think Sveta is alive. As Scully said near the end, Sveta has alien DNA. Scully had it re-tested, and apparently, "She (Sveta) is not the only one". It is implied that Scully has alien DNA too. Makes sense, if you ask me. And more importantly, I think Scully's alien DNA might have something to do with her "immortality". It has been said that Season 10 will tackle Scully's so-called "immortality". It's why I also think Sveta's still alive aside from the "no dead body, not dead" principle on TV. We'll have to wait and see if these theories prove correct.

Finally, how the hell is the Cigarette-Smoking-Man still alive? I have no explanation, except that he survived the "blast". Or, he may have alien DNA too? Haaaaaa!

What matters is, The X-Files is re-opened and our favorite agents are back! ♥

CONCERT REVIEW: The Elusive Chanteuse Show

This is Part 2 of 2.

October 28, 2014 - Mariah Mania In Manila Part Deux!

The Elusive Chanteuse Show - Mall of Asia Arena | Photo taken by me :)

Mariah was perfect. The venue wasn't. Let's just say MOA Arena was a disappointment. Let's just leave it at that and focus on Mariah's greatness as a singer, songwriter and artist.

This was Mariah Carey's second concert in the Philippines. The first one was at The Fort open field--the first concert I've seen in my entire life. To see her again was a blessing. She is a magnificent singer and her songs will live forever.

Similar to her previous Chanteuse shows, she opened the show with Fantasy and the crowd just went loud and wild. And, I mean, LOUD and WILD. We just love her and every minute of Fantasy was nostalgic. SHE. WAS. HAVING. FUN. It's probably because of the crowd. Ha!

Emotions was another crowd favorite. This was the first time she sang this song here in the Philippines. Every bit of it was amazing. Sure, her voice changed a bit but she can certainly hit those high whistle notes just like before. Hearing it live is one of the most amazing concert experiences ever. Her voice is one of a kind. The crowd's reaction was epic. Every time she whistles, they screamed with great appreciation. It was simply amazing. Too bad there aren't a lot of videos with great audio, or it was probably just MOA Arena's bad audio. lol. (Singapore's venue was just THAT good, so, yeah, that says a lot).

Mariah's soulful and sultry voice was put to test with My All, which she sang so beautifully. It may be one of my least favorite songs of hers, but when she sings it live, it becomes a favorite. My All  has always been the test of whether her voice is in shape or not. In this case, as in her previous concerts in China, Singapore, and Malaysia, Mariah sang My All with ease and so much soul and it was perfect. Again, her ad libs were flawless.

One of my personal favorites is Shake It Off. I never thought the song would sound really good live, but it did. The introduction to the song was a great addition to it. Fits perfectly with the song. Plus, the harmonies were spot on. A perfect singer with amazing backup singers, perfect match. It was another shining urban moment. I love, love, love Shake It Off. 

Uh, you're thirsty...The video is HERE. (If you're interested. I have yet to upload it on YT.) The clarity of Mariah's voice in Thirsty was one of the best moments during the show. If only the crowd really went on to sing with her, it would have been magical. Never thought Thirsty had the gospel feel. It was dark, magical and mystical. Well-played, Mimi.

My personal favorite and for me, the highlight of the night was Fly Like A Bird. I've said it before and I will say it again. The Fly Like A Bird performance was worth every peso. It was the performance of the night. The emotions, the vocal acrobatics, the high notes--everything was there. I feel you, Mariah. We feel you. It was simply A+MAZING. Mariah at her finest. BEAUTIFUL. I had to record the performance again. Same song, different venue. Here's my recording of Fly Like A Bird.

This, on the other hand, was uploaded by one William Mercado. Thank you, sir! :)


The crowd's response is everything. They know. They know what's coming. INCREDIBLE! MARIAH TOOK US TO CHURCH! ABSOLUTE SLAY-AGE, EVERYONE. Mariah sure knows how to silence her haters.

Mariah's concert would not be complete without the fan favorites, old or new. She sang Honey,  Heartbreaker (Remix)/#Beautiful, I'm That Chick, Cry, and Supernatural.

Her performance of Supernatural was not as memorable as the Singapore concert. There was no special participation of 'dembabies' here, but it was still good. Again, the bond she has with her children is every mother's dream. We can see how great she is as a mother and how hands-on she can be with her kids. She juggles career and family quite well.

Another crowd favorite is her duet with Trey Lorenz. I'll Be There never gets old. There are more banters in this show than the Singapore show. Great vocals as well. Excuse my cam-cording skills and just enjoy this awesome performance of this classic song.


Another memorable moment is that "Mahal kita, Manila" moment. That was priceless. It was from "Mabuhay" to "Mahal Kita". And, she was very particular with the pronunciation. You did great, Mariah! Epic moment. ♥ Oh, let's not forget that Mariah Carey Philippines 'ringtone' she did, which I failed to get on camera, but the lambs know what I mean. A local fan group being acknowledged by the artist herself is quite an accomplishment for that group. She knows we exist. Thank you, Mariah. Mahal ka namin! (We love you!).

Now, we have the big ones--Hero, We Belong Together and Always Be My Baby.

Hero is a fan favorite the way a fan favorite is defined. It is a song that inspires people. It inspires people to be strong and hopeful. It teaches us to see the good in ourselves and the good in people. It is probably one of those songs that fans would want to see and hear live. I'm glad Mariah included it in her setlist. She sang it oh so beautifully. Goosebumps all over. These trying times made the song more meaningful than ever. Mariah's strength is evident and that's what I admire about her. That beauty queen moment 'tho, it was awesome! Let's all be heroes and make the world a better place.

Here's Hero. Video uploaded by William Mercado.


EXCITEMENT NEVER ENDS!

Indeed.

We finally got to see and hear We Belong Together live. The song of the decade, everybody. This was beautiful. The climax has always been my favorite part. Heeeeh. I mean, that was perfect! Amazing Mariah! This song is not just about belting. It's about technique and when you talk about vocal technique, Mariah has it all. Ha! Plus, this particular song is one of the best songs of all time. Talk about song of the decade. That's undeniable.

Again, here's another video by William Mercado.  

We Belong Togetheeerrrrr!


Finally, the song everyone knows. You just have to end the night with this song. It is kinda mellow, but festive at the same time. "Just relax, just relax", she says. Mariah, we can't relax! Haha. (Forgive the unevenness of the audio. The fault is attributable to me. LMAO.)


Throughout the tour, I was wondering why Always Be My Baby became the encore song and I think the crowd's reaction says a lot. It's the song people would sing-a-long to. Evidently. Most importantly, EVERYONE LOVES IT. EVEN THE NON-FANS. So, yeah, it was a great move. The Butterfly Outro was lovely. Every time she sings that song or that part alone makes me smile. It was simply beautiful. No tears, all smiles. There may be tears, but it's because it was a great night. Epic night. Again, thank you, Mariah. We love you.

Looking forward to the future shows in the Philippines. Or, in Vegas! Haaaa!

Mariah's my Queen Artist. Always.

CONCERT REVIEW: The Elusive Chanteuse Show

This is Part 1 of 2.

The first concert I’ve been to my entire life was Mariah Carey’s first ever concert in the Philippines. That was in 2003. Mariah Carey Live in Manila. It was during the Charmbracelet World Tour. VIP tickets back then didn’t cost too much. Unfortunately, I  still couldn’t afford to buy one.  Well, at least I got to see her live and experience her greatness. I remember every moment of it still. It remains to be one of the best shows I’ve seen to date. That voice, those songs, the banters, the crowd, the ad libs (WE LIVE FOR THE AD LIBS, MARIAH! You are the QUEEN OF AD LIBS!), the everything—unforgettable. She is that artist I will forever look up to and respect no matter what—not only as an artist, but also as a person. 

Since then, I’ve been wishing for her to come back and have a concert here (again). Or, a concert in Hong Kong or Singapore and I'd fly to see her. Finally, all these happened. The Singapore and Manila legs were going to happen as part of her world tour, which was properly named: The Elusive Chanteuse Show. It was an opportunity I had to grab.

October 2014, evidently, was the Mariah Carey Month her fans (lambs), like me looked forward to. It was the most festive month of the year.

Having watched Mariah Carey live has always been a privilege and an honor. Being able to see her again, not just once, but twice in one week is beyond privilege and honor. It is a blessing that I’ve never imagined could happen. Thankfully, it did.  

The rest, as they say, is history.

October 24, 2014 – Singapore National Stadium

Mariah Carey has always been known for her range. The voice that she has is one of a kind. No one can sing like her. She’s proven it for decades. Mariah continues to prove the naysayers wrong despite a few hiccups blown out of proportion. Mariah Carey will forever be the voice. That’s what she had been showcasing night after night during the whole month of October 2014. 

The first night was a minor hiccup. Her voice was in full form since then (In particular, the 2nd show and most definitely during the 4th, 5th, 6th and so on). See, Mariah gets better over time. So, expect one hell of a come back, haters.

Singapore was the 10th leg of The Elusive Chanteuse Show. While some people expect her to fail in every way, the real fans know that she’ll put up a great show for us. Indeed, she did. As she always does. Mariah was in high spirits. She opened up the show with one of her biggest hits, Fantasy. This is definitely ‘for the nostalgia’! Such a crowd-pleaser. Plus, the beat really got the show going. We had the opportunity to hear Mariah do a sing-a-long of the ODB verses live as well! Sweet, sweet fantasy! It was actually a great way to start the concert. Awesome job, MC!

Of all the songs she sang during the first set, Emotions was definitely the highlight. It was my first time to hear her sing that song live, in person. And, I mean LIVE. It was a dream come true. When people say she can’t sing anymore, slap this video on their face! The high notes are simply incredible! When Mariah feels it, you feel it, 'nuff said! Shake It Off is another favorite from this set. The new intro is perfection! The entire performance did not disappoint either. Here you go, the best Shake It Off there is (This YT video uploaded by LepakTV).

 

Another favorite of mine and, for me, the best performance from the concert is Fly Like A Bird. You can watch the video of that amazing performance here. That song has always been a favorite. In fact, it is my favorite song from The Emancipation of Mimi. That performance alone was worth everything. Seeing Mariah perform Fly Like A Bird is the best thing ever. The crowd's reaction says it all. Goosebumps all over. Jesus surely carries her higher every time she sings it. Words can't express how lucky we were to be able to experience this live performance. It was amazing. Her brilliance as a songwriter and singer is clearly evident here. A+MAZING.

The favorites never end! It's time for the mother of all treats, Lullaby of Birdland. I was lucky enough to be in Singapore and watch Mariah do jazz, covering 'Birdland', made popular by Ella Fitzgerald. Mariah freestyles really well. That's a mark of a great singer. The ad libs and the speak-sings? Gorgeous. A jazz album is a great idea, actually. ;)

Mariah's not only the queen of the charts, she's also the queen of banters and speak-singing when she's in the mood. At this concert, she clearly was in the mood. I wasn't able to film everything, but at least I got a couple in-song and intro-to-song banters. Too bad I wasn't able to record the full Grammy shade. That was epic, by the way. Then again, there's the classic Mariah and Trey banters and speak-singing during I'll Be There. Sure, some fans are tired of this duet but not me. It will always be a duet that I look forward to every now and then. Here you go, Mariah and Trey and my awesome camcording skill lol.

This one's too cute not to be in this post! The hands-on-mommy with dembabies is definitely the highlight during Supernatural. It's an awwwww moment. There's so much love.


The last three songs she sang summed up almost everything the fans want--the inspiring fan favorite, her biggest song ever and the song everyone loves. That's Hero, We Belong Together, and  Always Be My Baby. Let's begin with Hero. It isn't one of my top favorite Mariah songs, but it is definitely one of the songs I'd want to hear live. Hero is different when sung live. It means something and Mariah makes sure we feel every word she sings. I was lucky enough to have seen her sing this song the second time and even got to film this beautiful performance. You inspire us, Mariah.


We Beong Together is the song we all wanted to hear live--for the first time! Too bad, I wasn't able to record the performance in full. Only got 27 seconds of it. Haaaa! Uhm, it's what we call the "memory card is full" moment. lol. Good thing is, there's YouTube. So, here's a video uploaded by LepakTV. The great Mariah Carey singing the song of the decade, We Belong Together. This is definitely a magical moment. ;)


Finally, the encore. Well, I didn't expect this song to be the encore. Always Be My Baby is clearly a fan favorite, but it usually is a prelude to the final songs and the encore, not the encore itself. I think I came to realize why it has become the encore song. Always Be My Baby has that festive feel. Everyone knows the song. The crowd is into it. When the crowd is still into the final song, that says a lot about the show and how great it's been. So, for me, it was a great way to end the The Elusive Chanteuse Show. It's fun. It keeps the energy going until the last note. It was definitely a night to be remembered. Always.

The funny thing is, I got to record the encore performance on my phone and you can clearly hear her amazing voice, but I decided not to upload it yet. It's not worth sharing in the sense that I was busy moving towards the front to get the best photo of Mariah. So, yeah, I got to film people's heads, their shirts, the floor, etc. I am sharing LepakTV's video instead. Here's Always Be My Baby.



Other highlights from the concert include My All, which is one of my least favorite songs, yet one of her best vocal moments during concerts. You can watch a clip here. My All remains to be amazing live. The intro to Thirsty is a vocal showcase. Mariah's soulful voice clearly heard in the stadium was amazing! The Yours moment was priceless. Being able to capture a few seconds of it on camera is awesome. It was nice hearing Touch My Body, Heartbreaker, #Beautiful, I'm That Chick, and Cry live as well.

Mariah's artistry is unparalleled, crossing all genres and generations. She is the greatest singer of all time and one of the best artists in the history of music. Haters gonna hate. They, however, cannot deny amazing talent. You can never bring a good person down. Mariah is a fighter. And, she's quite good at being one. The Elusive Chanteuse Show proved it. Mariah Carey is here to stay.

TO BE CONTINUED.

Part 2 is coming: 'Mariah Mania in Manila Part Deux!'

The Lumia.

It’s been a month since my mom bought my new (now, the not so new) mobile phone, the Lumia 520. See, she and I had a deal. Mama actually had the idea—that if I had no failing grade(s) (which is ordinarily impossible in Law School) for the first semester, she’d buy me the phone I wanted. It was a clean sweep. Hence, the new phone.

So far, so good. I think I have found the phone that suits me. Ha! In fact, I am loving it. It’s affordable, cool and classy. (Got the best price! Php6,600+) And, it’s windows phone! It’s lovely. If only people would really give it a try. I really think it’s a cross between Apple and Android, only it is Windows (8, to be exact) and it’s Nokia. I have an Android phone too, btw. (Best of both worlds, eh?)

The high-end Lumia would have had better features/specifications, of course, but I am definitely fine with this one.  As long as I have Facebook, Twitter and Instagram on my phone, it’s all good. I have a tablet for the games. lol. Maybe, I’ll have some games on this phone. We’ll see. I am not a heavy mobile internet user either. It’s probably one of the reasons why the battery could last for 3 days, which is great.

I have to further explore the phone’s features, programs and/or applications. The tiles layout is awesome! So far, the camera is great. It’s 5mp (better than the 2mp Samsung Galaxy Y I have haha). I have Microsoft Office. The photo editor is cool. Nokia Smart Cam is really nice. And oh, this has to be mentioned, I was able to transfer my contacts from my Blackberry phone to my Windows Phone with ease—bluetooth! It was that simple. Lumia has this ‘Transfer my Data’ feature that would allow you to transfer your data from your other phone to your windows phone through bluetooth, laptop, or desktop. It’s that easy! Here’s to further windows phone exploration. I hope this phone would live up to my ‘needs’. So far, it has. :)

In case you are thinking of making a switch or buying an additional phone, I’d recommend the Lumia. The 1020, maybe? That phone has the best camera from what I’ve read and heard. Haha. 520 is a good start though.

It’s all up to you.

Lots of phone in the market right now. Choose the phone you like and one which would suit you.

P.S. Weird observation, battery gets low fast in very cold temperature. At a normal temperature, battery lasts longer. Hmmm. (This happened once. Needs further observation/s haha)

I’m a Rafa!

First entry for the new year. Happy 2014, y’all! Hope you all started the year right. Hahaha! :)

I did. I think.

I was able to finish a book—a non-academic book. A memoir, to be exact. It’s a Christmas gift from Papa (as an exchange gift, of course. He’s not a gift-giving person e.). If it interests me, there’s a huge chance I’ll finish it at the soonest possible time, which I did. Started reading daaays after Christmas and finished before classes resumed. Rather, it was before I resumed studying. Hehe!

The book? It’s RAFA by Rafael Nadal and John Carlin. And, it’s A+MAZING! I am inspired by it and I got to know Rafa more as a person. I connect to his story and even his struggles not as an athlete, but as a person. Like him, I see myself as an ordinary person who is capable of something great with all the hard work, determination, and the unparalleled support of family, but fears ‘greatness’, or in his words, “the fear of winning”—it is what lets us down. This book, his story, shows us how a person can overcome this fear and how powerful ones mind can be. His mind is. The way he sets his mind into something is power. His focus is out of this world. It is his strength. It could be ours mine too. ‘Could be’.

Another highlight from the book is Rafa’s relationship with his family. His family is everything. It’s what keeps him grounded and yes, he was raised a good person. As what he said, that’s important to him. This is definitely something I can relate to because family is everything to me. A close-knit family is a blessing. A real blessing! Like him, I am blessed with one. True, problems will always be there but a strong family can overcome any problem. Also, having read his book, I understood the role of his family, particularly that of Uncle Toni’s and his team. Believe me, it’s interesting. It is very interesting (in a positive way). Well, that’s just me.

If you are a fan, you’d definitely appreciate this book. I think non-fans would too. There are a lot of sections in his memoir that are worth reading—his first Wimbledon title, the Australian Open, the French Open, Roger Federer and just everything about tennis and even football (‘soccer’). Lots of inspiring moments. A lot to learn. Novak might have read this already and even learned something from it. Hahaha! Read the book and you’ll figure it out. :)

So far, that has been the last few days of 2013 and the first few days of 2014—the realization that I am indeed a ‘Rafa’. :)