All posts in category Books

Republika

Took a break from reading Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman to check out this brand new comic book that my friend Alex bought from the recently concluded Summer Komik Kon.

image

I have never been interested in reading comics, but the cover art caught my attention. There’s a Lara Croft-looking girl holding an exceptionally lethal-looking knife. There’s also an insignia of a red-white-yellow triangle with a star on each corner placed on top of the comic book’s equally Pinoy title– REPUBLIKA.

Sounds pretty kickass, eh? And so I flipped through the pages of its 1st issue and to see if the content can meet my expectations. Hmmm… A popular Filipino novel, war, JPR, and a local mythical creature??!! By page 14 (contains a photo of The Parisian Life and the Philippine map), I knew I had to get my hands on the 2nd issue. I must find out the secrets of our national heroes and their connection to the mysterious island called Republika. And I need to know what the Lara Croft-looking girl is capable of doing!

The story that ties all the well-detailed illustrations is a mindgame dealing with history, science, and the supernatural. Such elements can potentially create genius.

Cheers to director/storyteller Paul Basinillo and comicbook illustrator/storyboard artist Dennis Crisostomo for this visual and literary treat!

—–

Alex also brought a Republika merchandise. A cute stuffy that’s supposed to be the sun but looks more of a pudgy yellow jellyfish! Pero sige, para sa ngalan ng Republika, araw na nga! 😛

—–

listening to: Bamboo – Masaya

6 Comments
by Iya Santos on May 31, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Books, Good Finds
Tagged , ,

Posted by Iya Santos on May 31, 2012

https://psychosomaticaddictinsane.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/republika/

Happy First Weekend of October 2011

Last weekend was one of the best times I’ve ever spent home. =)

—–

These are 3 of my most favorite things. These kept me company in the almost 5-hour trip to Bataan.

The Ilocos Chichacorn is not so salty and popped just right. To all my friends vacationing in Ilocos, yes, this is the pasalubong I expect you to buy for me. Damihan niyo ha.

Three Musketeers is my all time favorite chocolate. I know it’s very sweet, but I rarely get to eat it so I dismiss its sugar and calorie content each time I gobble it up.

Sweet Valley High is my uber-fantasy of choice. I know some of you are puking right now, but i’m just gonna shrug it off. I love the predictable couple Todd and Elizabeth. And in my head, Liz did not end up with Bruce and Todd with Jessica.

—–

I love Sunday comics. Mama loves fruits. She bought a copy of Philippine Star and I bought her favorites lanzones and grapes.

Dennis the Menace is the cutest! I also like the grumpy Mr. Wilson. Mama can finish a kilo of lanzones and half a kilo of grapes in one sitting. I managed to eat 3 of the former and 5 of the latter. I’m not a fan of these fruits but I like it each time my Mama smiles when she sees me pop these healthy treats. :p

—–

I was very hungry and I told my mom I wanted breakfast. I was surprised to see my Daddy in the kitchen cooking. Seryosong-seryoso ang expression, parang nasa Iron Chef. I went to the living room to watch the morning news and after 5 minutes, he presented this plate for me– his baby girl!

My very own breakfast HAPPY MEAL! I love my Dada! 🙂

—–

I’m a very blessed girl. I may not be rich in the material sense but my life is overflowing with love, given and received. 🙂

—–

listening to: Bruno mars – Just The Way You Are (Actually, si Billy. Nagvivideoke hehehe)

5 Comments
by Iya Santos on October 7, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in All About Me, Books, Food and Drinks, Home

Posted by Iya Santos on October 7, 2011

https://psychosomaticaddictinsane.wordpress.com/2011/10/07/happy_firstweek_oct_2011/

Harry Potter’s Reel Grand Finale

(Warning: contains spoilers)

Farewell to the most important series of our generation. I witnessed the last installment of the masterpiece storytelling last Friday along with other of Pot(ter)heads. I couldn’t even munch on my potato chips because Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 was just so engaging! I believe the rest of the theatre was as absorbed as I was because there were only a few times when I wanted to kick people for their unsolicited side comments.

I will always be a bigger fan of the books than the films, but the HP films did not disappoint me even once.  Well, okay, once. Awful choice of Ginny, I must say. Blargh! Moving on, the final installment was suberbly crafted as a classic capper. There’s perfection in the dialogue, acting, musical scoring, and effects. A magical wave of the wand for everyone, especially to Director David Yates for making sure that the beloved classic gets an epic supernatural conclusion.

Here are the scenes that I loves the most:

1. When Professor MacGonagall cast a spell on the statues of Hogwarts and said “I always wanted to use that spell.” I liked this not only because it’s a kickass line, but because I remembered her role as Reverend Mother in my other all-time favorite, Sister Act.

  

from prayers to spells

2. When Ron and Hermione kissed. Kilig to the maximum level!!! I bet even the boys got kilig when our fave HP couple shared a kiss. The antithesis to this is the Harry-Ginny kiss. Blech. I really don’t like the onscreen Ginny.

3. When Neville slayed Nagini. From getting additional 10 points for Gryffindor (HP1) to destroying a Horcrux! The chubby awkward character has become a brave hottie cutie!

 

FUCK YEAH, MATTHEW DAVID LEWIS!!!

4. When Harry looked at Snape’s memories through the Pensive. I bawled. Like when Dobby died. Waaaaah! I’ve always liked Snape! I’ve always thought that he’s a good guy! When he was asked if his patronus is a doe (like Lily’s) and he said ALWAYS… Waaaaahhh! Total cheeseball moment for me! *sigh* This part was done in absolute perfection.

5. And of course, the Epilogue. Arthur Cohen as Albus Severus was too adorable. :”) What if this isn’t really the end of the HP franchise and a couple of years from now, Albus Severus, James Sirius, and Lily Luna together with the Granger-Weasley kids- Rose and Hugo have magical adventures of their own? Unlikely, but not impossible. 🙂

  

Cute cute cuuuute!!!!!

I, of course, recommend that you watch this because a dementor will suck the soul out of your pathetic being if you don’t. If you’ve already seen it, well, watch again. I know I will!

I LOVE YOU, HARRY POTTER. I LOVE YOU AS MUCH AS I LOVE BATMAN. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THAT’S A LOT.

—–

listening to: Gomez – Ballad of Nice and Easy

7 Comments
by Iya Santos on July 18, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Books, Movies
Tagged ,

Posted by Iya Santos on July 18, 2011

https://psychosomaticaddictinsane.wordpress.com/2011/07/18/hp7part2/

I for Ilustrado

“One thing you’ll learn when you get older is that when you hate someone so much, a part of you wants desperately to forgive them. But you can’t decide if it’s because you really want to, or if you just want to stop hating. I still don’t know if forgiveness is generous or selfish. Maybe both.”

~ Ilustrado

Ilustrado was my fitting companion in my recently concluded weekend of introspection.

The quote above is my favorite among the many, many lines that I’d like to share on Twitter and Fb. And yes, well, the quote that inspired me the most during the decisions I had to come up with last weekend.

The photo, albeit staged, was really taken from my 1st day of reading Ilustrado. I spent the whole afternoon by the saltwater pool, swimming in the words of Syjuco.

—–

It begins with a body. On a clear day in winter, the battered corpse of Crispin Salvador is pulled from the Hudson River. Gone, too, is the only manuscript of his final book, a work meant to rescue him from obscurity by exposing the crimes of the Filipino ruling families. Miguel, his student and only remaining friend, sets out for Manila to investigate.

The result is a rich and dramatic family saga of four generations, tracing one hundred and fifty years of Philippine history forged under the Spanish, the Americans, and the Filipinos themselves. Exuberant and wise, wildly funny and deeply moving, Ilustrado is a daring and inventive debut novel that “begins as a murder mystery and develops into an ambitious exploration of cultural identity, ambition, and artistic purpose.” (The New Yorker).

—–

Ilustrado is an ambitious and complex book that shares the story of 2 Filipino writers in New York and their somewhat intertwined lives. The mentor and the student. Who is to be admired? Who is to be emulated? The obvious is usually the answer. But is it always the right answer? 

It’s witty, perceptive, moving, daring and stylish. I love that Miguel Syjuco is cute.  I loved how the author effectively created layers of fiction and how effectively he placed Pinoy jokes without at all deviating from the feel of each substory.

This is the first novel written by a Filipino that I’ve ever read that has got nothing to do with schoolwork. I’ve never been a fan of Philippine Asian literature until Ilustrado.

I love you and kudos to you, Miguel Syjuco!

—–

listening to: Ocean Colour Scheme – One for the Road

3 Comments
by Iya Santos on May 25, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Books
Tagged , , , ,

Posted by Iya Santos on May 25, 2011

https://psychosomaticaddictinsane.wordpress.com/2011/05/25/ilustrado/

HP7 on EP

Our company, ePerformax is having a special screening of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part1 tonight in Glorietta. Team Recruitment just finished distributing the invites and it’s obvious in every employee’s face that they are excited to see HP7.

I can’t wait to see it!!!!!!!! I expect it’s going to make me cry like a baby ‘coz this is the book where Dobby dies. Waaaaaahhhh!

I don’t know if Dobby’s death is in Part 1, but I do know for sure that I’d want our company to hold another screening when Part 2 comes out!

I love you, TDH! Thanks for this magical treat for us Muggles! We’re glad the CC and BPO Sorting Hat placed us in the House of Emax! :p

—–

listening to: a song Boss Vincci is playing… sorta sounds like Savage Garden

4 Comments
by Iya Santos on November 18, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in Books, Career, Movies
Tagged , ,

Posted by Iya Santos on November 18, 2010

https://psychosomaticaddictinsane.wordpress.com/2010/11/18/harrypotter7/

Sticker, Baby, Sex, Pita, Smoke

These are the things that made me happy in the last 72 hours…

A picture from Carla’s birthday salubong uploaded by Tamille in Facebook. I love my inaanak Caitlin. She’s the cutest! And I love the blue lighting!

A sticker from the funrun attended by my boss. Pasalubong ko daw. Baka daw kasi sabihin ko na ‘di niya ako love. Hehehe. Thanks, Acey! :p

Got dvds of seasons 2 and 3 of Secret Diary of a Call Girl from my suki, Ate Sally. Saw this line on season 3’s cover: “It’s been a business doing pleasure with you.” :p

Dinner at Rustan’s Gourmet-to-Go. Had this delicious and light Mediterranean Pita with snowpea (or was it split pea) soup. Also ate half of Joko’s lasagna that she paired with creamy tomato soup.

My favorite ex visited me and brought his favorite book. I’m not a fan of Gaiman, but I’ll read this while waiting for him to bring me Hunger Games. Plus, reading has become my substitute for  smoking.

—–

listening to: Katy Perry – Damn

1 Comment
by Iya Santos on June 16, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in Books, Food and Drinks, Friends, TV
Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Iya Santos on June 16, 2010

https://psychosomaticaddictinsane.wordpress.com/2010/06/16/sticker-baby-sex-pita-smoke/

Bye, 2K9!

Where did you begin the year 2009? – Playboy Party/2K9 Countdown @ Alchemy with Jessie and Carlo with the special participation of Lars (wth is this guy now? lol)

What was your status by Valentines Day? – Single and loved. Enjoyed the day in a bazaar in Eastwood (first big media exposure of the Manila Toffee Company), went to a drinking sesh at CJ’s (got mofukken drunk with matching cry-ola pa but most def not because of a boy), slept at Joko’s and went to Tagaytay (Chateau Hestia) and Rockwell (Grams) the following day

Were you in school anytime this year? The closest I got to Bene was when I went to ATC (Mexicali and TGIFriday’s). I got to go to Peyups for the tapsi and sinigang @ Rodic’s.

Did you have to go to the hospital? Yes, once, when Carla gave birth to my future goddaughter Caitlin Mikayla 🙂

Did you gain or lose weight? Yep, from 115lbs to 128lbs… unfortunately, the latter is the current. Pakk!!!

What food did you get to eat the most? lots of grilled food, Japanese food and grilled Japanese food. Hehe. 😛

What alcoholic beverage did you get to drink the most? Gilbey’s premium, cranberry vodka, tequila, and red wine

What was the best thing someone ever did for you this year? I was given a DSLR. Unfortunately, it was stolen 3 months after. 😦

What movie was your favorite this year? Terminator Salvation just because Christian Bale’s there!

Did you have any encounters with the police? Yes, because I was robbed. Thanks to the Manda Police and SOCO.

Where did you go for vacation? Bataan, La Union, Zambales and Cebu

What did you purchase that was over 100 dollars? Yep, my camphone.

Made any new friends? A lot! Thanks to surfing and jobfairs. 🙂

Other than home, where did you spend most of you time? Hands down, office!

Did you know anybody who got married? A lot! Carla, Hannah, Ledi, Macky, Ate Bec… susunod na rin ako! LOL.

Anybody who passed away? Quite a number of dads 😦

Attend any sporting events? Yes, surfing with Carla. 😛

Have you had any regrets? I should have pressed charges.

Have you watched American Idol? No, didn’t find any of the contestants interesting.

Have you gotten sick? Yep, nothing serious. Thank God.

What concerts or shows did you go to? David Cook/David Archuleta, Pussycat Dolls and Lady GaGa

Describe your birthday: It was a simple and intimate celebration that I’d want to have again. 🙂

You favorite moment(s): beachbumming, seeing my parents, my 28th birthday, eating out, partying, going to jobfairs, falling out of love

Done anything embarrassing? None, it takes a lot to embarrass me. Makapal mukha ko.

Gotten married/divorced? Was in a relationship twice. First, with Ejay. Second, with Nico. HAHAHAHA.

New additions to your family: Sean, my cousin’s son

What was your best month? January and December

How old did you turn this year? The great 28!

Do you have a New Year’s Resolution? None.

What’s a song that best describes you during the beginning of the year? Lady Gaga – Just Dance… just because I was always out and partying.

And by the end of the year? Lady Gaga – Telephone… not really but I listened to it a lot during the last few days of 2K9!

Lady Gaga ruled my past year, but The Climb by Miley Cyrus was my song during the harshest part of 2K9.

If you could give your life to get anything back, what would it be? Nothing. Nothing from last year is worth getting back in exchange of my life. Plus, that’s stupid, how’s I enjoy something if I’m already dead? Hihihihi.

HAPPY 2010, EVERYONE! MAY THIS BE A YEAR OF ANSWERED PRAYERS AND GRANTED WISHES!

🙂

—–

listening to: Lady Gaga – Christmas Tree

5 Comments
by Iya Santos on January 2, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in All About Me, Books, Career, Celebrities, Drama, Events, Food and Drinks, Friends, Good Finds, Home, Humour, Movies, Music, Places, Quotes, Social Media, Theatre, TV
Tagged

Posted by Iya Santos on January 2, 2010

https://psychosomaticaddictinsane.wordpress.com/2010/01/02/2009meme/

Adios, 2008!

Where did you begin the year 2008? At home with my parents. I wanted a quiet start of the year with lots of introspection and left-over Media Noche goodies. I answered a year ender survey just like this. Actually, I just copied what I wrote in that survey. Hahaha! At least next year I can write something different! God bless Playboy and Alchemy! Oh, oh wait… I checked my Multiply, and I just realized I also went to Donnie’s house with Carlo. We went to the church and pigged out in Minute Burger. Then I went to Joel’s with Jap and went to Seattle’s Best after. Soooo… I did a lot of things pala. Haha!

What was your status by Valentines Day? Single and happy, but I felt broken and murderous the following day. Damn that boy.

Were you in school anytime this year? I only went to UP once, that was to give Japjap a tour of my favorite spots in QC. Please please please don’t ask me about my master’s thesis….

Did you have to go to the hospital? Yes, 4 times. Twice in V Potenciano (the nearest to where I live) to get med-certs, once in Makati Med to have my left-eye checked (thank God I’m still a 20/20), and once in St Luke’s to visit cousin Aaron after the Genesis bus accident.

Did you gain or lose weight? Both, like any normal person! My weight range for 2K8 was 118-123 lbs. Love it!

What food did you get to eat the most? Sushi, maki, sashimi, gyoza, Double Happiness bibingka, hiu tieu (Vietnamese soup), and a whole lotta junk from KFC, Jollibee, and McDo!

What alcoholic beverage did you get to drink the most? Strong Ice and a lot of mized drinks with tequila, rhum, or vodka.

What was the best thing someone ever did for you this year? A lot of people have shown me kindness this year and I thank the Supreme being for that. Pat Montojo stood out. Albeit upsetting me with anonymity, he is continuing to inspire me to be kind, fair, and creative. Thanks Pat!

What movie was your favorite this year? Hands down, The Dark Knight! I love you Papa Christian!!!!!!!!

2008Ever been a fight this year? Verbal kung-fu only with one of my elder cousins.

Did you have any encounters with the police? Uhhhh no, unless you count the time I got lost in Subic. I asked one for directions. :p

Where did you go for vacation? I went to Bataan with friends, Jap, Colleen, Eunice, and Levi. It was the first time I brought people to my hometown. Sana maulit this year! We have yet to go trekking and swimming in the lake!

What did you purchase that was over 100 dollars? One, my Ultra Mobile Personal Computer! No post about him yet!

Did you know anybody who got married? Two of my colleagues, Jasmin and May.

Anybody who passed away? None, but one of our company drivers, Kuya Bobby got into an accident last December 30. He passed away midnight of January 1, 2009. May God keep his soul.  

Attend any sporting events? Uhhh, no. I didn’t even get to watch even a single game of basketball. Totally unsporty year!

What concerts or shows did you go to? Myx Tour in Saguijo, Red Horse Rockademics in Chakiks, 6CM gig in 70’s Bistro, and (technically) the Wolfgang concert in Eastwood.

Describe your birthday: My 25th 27th was most def more laidback than my 26th. No JA, no dramarama. I lovelovelove my friends, except those who promised to go but didn’t show up. Uupakan ko kayooooo!!!

You favorite moment(s): Clubbing with friends, visiting BF to drink and be merry, sleeping over at Jap’s and raiding their kitchen, hanging out in Shang with Ate Dona, going home to Bataan to see my parents, bonding with cousins, and seeing a handful of longlost acquaintances and former flames.

New additions to your family: Zero, but I got to see my niece/goddaughter, Reese for the first time last Christmas. She’s adorable! Well, mana-mana lang ‘yan. Hahaha!

What was your best month? December! Very busy, heaps of fun, loads of food, and lots of money (Well, for the early part only, hehe. I am now semi-broke. Haha!)  )

Made any new friends? I met a lot of people, but only made a few new friends. I’m just glad I still have all of my old ones! :p

2008_2

Other than home, where did you spend most of you time? Uhhh… work? Grabe, I badly need a vacay!

How old did you turn this year? I’m a 27 year old vixen of life! Nyahaha. Kelangan lang may ka-rhyme eh! :p

Do you have a New Year’s Resolution? I just promised myself to be fiercer and to seize more opportunities.

Have you had any regrets? None. Everything that happened this year was inevitable and vital. —> same answer as last year. The only “sayang” part of the year should have been realized and fixed almost a decade ago.

Done anything embarrassing? Nah, I don’t have a habit of embarrassing myself. An earth-open-up-and-swallow-me-whole moment happened during our company’s Christmas party though. My friends introduced me to my crush. the introduction was sooooo trite and old school. It involved, “Hi, can we get your number? By the way, this is our friend Iya.”

Gotten married/divorced? I wasn’t even in a relationship! haha, but I had a one-minute boyf on New Year’s Eve. Hahahaha!

Have you watched American Idol? Yes, almost all episodes, and to think I don’t watch telly a lot! The best AI season! I can’t wait for the next!

Have you gotten sick? Sick in the head since birth. —> Still am! :p

What’s a song that best describes you during the beginning of the year? David Cook – Time of My life and Dolly Parton – Jesus and Gravity. The 1st part of 2008 was full of trials for me, and these songs inspired me to hold on to my life objectives and just fight fight fight.

And by the end of the year? Rihanna – Breakin’ Dishes because I’m fierce. Haha! And The Killers – Mr Brightside, just because wala lang! Hehe!

If you could give your life to get anything back, what would it be? My Southside life. I miss the South my heart bleeds just thinking about it.

But oh well, this is a brand new year! Things change and I better make sure they change to my advantage!

Goodbye, 2008. I can’t say I’ll miss you. 🙂

—–

listening to: Led Zeppelin – Over The Hills and Far Away

3 Comments
by Iya Santos on January 2, 2009  •  Permalink
Posted in All About Me, Books, Career, Celebrities, Drama, Events, Food and Drinks, Friends, Good Finds, Home, Humour, Movies, Music, Places, Quotes, Social Media, Theatre, TV
Tagged ,

Posted by Iya Santos on January 2, 2009

https://psychosomaticaddictinsane.wordpress.com/2009/01/02/adios-2008/

Twilight sucks, but I love RPatzzz.

If you can still remember, I already blogged what I thought about the saga.

Here, check.

https://psychosomaticaddictinsane.wordpress.com/2008/08/20/you-know-youve-reached-fiction-hell-when/

So yes, I think the Twilight Series sucks. I just feel that I have to explain to those people who think I’m literary slumming. Haha.

I didn’t think the movie sucked because I think Robert Pattinson is hot and the visuals were pretty nice. Daming puno! Love it! :p Expected ko naman na bullshit ang story eh, so keri lang. I wasn’t disappointed. I came prepared.

I’ve had a crush on RPatzzz Cedric Diggory days pa lang. Zac Efron who? I shall be dissecting the magic of Edward Cullen soon. 🙂

—–

listening to: Hairspray on HBO

1 Comment
by Iya Santos on November 30, 2008  •  Permalink
Posted in Books, Movies
Tagged , ,

Posted by Iya Santos on November 30, 2008

https://psychosomaticaddictinsane.wordpress.com/2008/11/30/twilight-sucks-but-i-love-rpatzzz/

« Older Posts
%d bloggers like this: