Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Kristoff is Now One of My Favorite Disney Men

I watched 'Frozen 2' with my baby girl yesterday and I was honestly really surprised by how much I enjoyed it. This is actually exactly how I felt after watching 'Frozen' six years ago - on DVD, I might add. Yes, that's how long ago it has been since the first 'Frozen' movie came out. DVDs were still a hue thing.

Anyway... I still remember watching it on DVD and bawling my eyes out during the sister scenes because, well, I simply wasn't close to my sister growing up and it made me wish I had that kind of sisterly love in my life.

The only scene in 'Frozen' I could relate to. :p

This time around, I found myself bawling my eyes out because of all of the mother scenes because, well, my mom and I have never gotten along and it made me wish I had that kind of motherly love in my life. The only thing I can really do from here on out is be that kind of mother for Syrena.

The sappiness aside, I absolutely loved the soundtrack and how the songs in the actual movie are completely different from the songs in the credits - though both versions of each song are equally amazing. (Check them out on Spotify!)

Fun fact: Olaf's Samantha line was improvised by Josh Gad and made it into the film.

I was also surprised to find myself loving Olaf and almost dying of laughter at his one-liners. See, I used to get annoyed by Olaf. He was the C3PO of 'Frozen' for me. But in this one, he really stole the show. I especially loved his re-enactments of past events ala Luis in 'Antman'.

And let's not forget that ultra adorable salamander Bruni. PLEASEEEEE. He was like a puppy and basically everything I look for in a Disney toy.


Most importantly, though, Kristoff's character arc was downright mindblowing. In the first installment of 'Frozen', he didn't really make an impact on me and let's face it: Hans stole that show, being the villain and having one of the best songs in it and all.

In 'Frozen 2', however, Kristoff is nothing short of amazing. He has a boyband-like solo in the woods. He doesn't get mad at Anna for always doing what she has to do, even if it ruined his proposal plans several times and left him alone in the woods with a bunch of reindeer. And most importantly, when Anna is running towards the dam, he (literally) sweeps her off her feet and instead of being the knight of shining armor, he says, "I'm here. What do you need?" LET'S. GO. KRISTOFF.


Clocking in at 1h43m, 'Frozen 2' is just the right length for a Disney movie. It won't leave you longing for more, and it won't make you check your watch to see how much longer you need to sit through it. 'Frozen 2' is a breath of fresh air and I'm honestly still on a 'Frozen 2' high, singing the songs everywhere and even learning it on the ukulele. It's worth the cinema visit. Go watch it.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

'The Mandalorian' is a Dream Come True for Star Wars Fans

I honestly had no idea how to feel about 'The Mandalorian' when I first started watching it today. It felt so cliche at first, like the beginning of a bad Star Wars joke. "A bounty hunter walks into a bar..." I also didn't know how to feel about his all silver armor having grown up thinking Boba Fett in his green armor was the bomb and then eventually getting to know Jango Fett in his blue armor.

The more I watched the first episode, though, the more I found myself hooked on it. (Please take note that there will be some spoilers in this review, so do not keep reading if you do not want spoilers of the first episode.)


The 'Star Wars' series has always felt like somewhat of a classic Western, but it feels even more like that in 'The Mandalorian'. Except this time, they prove that Star Wars can actually work on the small screen in non-cartoon form - and I loved every minute of it. Screw my doubts. Finally, they focus on the world of the bounty hunters in more detail, including how the whole bounty-hunting system and the Bounty Hunters Guild work. We get to see little bits and pieces that will bring about nostalgia, like Hoth and people frozen in carbonite.


It isn't really surprising that it's so awesome, though, with Jon Favreau at the helm and with a stellar cast, including Pedro Pascal of 'Game of Thrones' and 'Narcos' fame as The Mandalorian himself and Taika Waititi of 'Avengers: Endgame' as the short-lived droid IG-11.

While it's definitely too early to sing too many praises for the show, 'The Mandalorian' is definitely off to a great start. And the best part? Its success isn't relying on any of the previous Star Wars releases. In fact, if this had been he first time I've ever seen a Star Wars anything (it's obviously not), I'm sure I would've been hooked onto it anyway.

BIGGER SPOILERS COMING UP. LAST WARNING!!!


Just as with the 'Star Wars' movies that I watched as a child, I found myself falling in love with creatures in the show (I WANT A BLURRG. RIGHT. NOW.) and practically crying when I realized who was in the carrier (SPOILER: IT'S BABY FUCKING YODA!)

Although obviously, it can't be Yoda coz last I heard, 'The Mandalorian' is supposedly set seven years after 'Return of the Jedi' and according to Favreau focuses on all new characters. SO CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN WHO THAT ADORABLE LITTLE GREEN THING IS?!?? Did Yoda have sex and make babies? That's a cringe-worthy though. Was he reincarnated? Is it a clone? I don't understand!!!


I'm obviously not the only one confused, either. Even The Mandalorian is confused because he knows he's hunting someone who is supposedly 50 years old. This actually makes sense in the Star Wars universe since Yoda died at 900, but still. If this is a brand new character, why does he/she (I'm not gonna assume it's a dude) look exactly like Yoda? We don't actually know what Yoda's species is, so this is really interesting.

Fortunately, episode 2 is already showing on Friday, so we hopefully won't have to wait too long for answers. Hopefully.

What did you think of the first episode of 'The Mandalorian'? Geek out with me!

Monday, November 4, 2019

This Red Horse Planner is Perfect for Drinkers Like Me

When Starbucks announced their planners this year, I was so proud of myself for not running to my nearest branch to start collecting stickers for a planner I was probably never going to use.

When I saw this ad for the Red Horse planner, though... SIGN ME UP!!!

This planner is a different ballgame. I love how they market it as the 'planner for people who don't have plans'... coz honestly, that is so me. :p Plus, it's from Red Horse, and I'm a pretty big drinker.

That's not all, either. It has surveys in it ala old-school magazines, as well as crossword puzzles (my inner Amy Santiago is screaming!) It also has other fun stuff in it, like mini games and passes for drinking. Check out the video for it here:


Subscribe to the Red Horse Lakas-Tama YouTube channel here for more updates on how to get this epic planner!

Sunday, November 3, 2019

RELX Brings Its Advanced E-Cigarette Products to the Philippines

The rise of e-cigarettes and RELX Technology


The use of electronic cigarettes has surged worldwide over the past decade with the global market valued at US$10.3B in 2018 and expected to grow at a CAGR of 24.9% from 2019 to 2025 per multiple reports. Though there are several major players in the vaping industry, most of them owned by tobacco companies, one recent independent entrant, RELX Technology – pronounced “relax” – has stood out from the competition.


Origins: Female entrepreneurship and concern for family and friends


Founded by ex-Uber China Head Kate Wang in January 2018, RELX Technology’s products have experienced tremendous success with adult smokers globally, catapulting it to the position of the leading closed-system e-cigarette brand in Asia.

Motivated by her father’s lifelong struggle to quit cigarettes and the lack of suitable new generation products in the market, Wang took it upon herself to start a company that prioritizes innovation, safety, and product quality.

An independent e-cigarette brand that works ethically


With a mission to empower adult smokers through advanced technology and user-friendly design without sacrificing ethics, RELX Technology’s core business encompasses independent R&D, product design and development, and sales. From its inception, RELX Technology has conceptualized and put into effect its ‘Guardian Program’ - a company-wide initiative that stretches from product development to sales, ensuring that the company puts the necessary effort in preventing and discouraging the use of e-cigarettes by minors, whether this be through concerted efforts with retailers to step up on-site identification of purchasers, or launching facial-recognition vending machines in China that dispense products only to adults against their national ID cards.

Cutting-edge R&D that focuses on problems faced by adult smokers wishing to quit cigarettes


In an industry focused on top-line growth, RELX Technology has invested millions of dollars into building its own facilities and operates the first CNAS-certified lab owned by an independent vape brand. RELX Technology also holds more than 20 international patents on its groundbreaking innovations in e-cigarette technology, all geared towards improving safety, quality, and user experience that helps smokers quit cigarettes more efficiently. Its products such as the RELX Alpha and RELX i include a haptic feedback feature called SmartPace, which vibrates to let users know when they should stop vaping and put down their devices. RELX Tech’s latest product, a smart e-cigarette called RELX i, connects to the companion smartphone app that features in-depth usage statistics and a child lock that prevents unauthorized use.


RELX Technology brings its advanced e-cigarette products to Philippines


RELX is now available in the Philippines through its physical stores and online partners, such as Lazada and Shoppee. The RELX starter kits are available in the variants of Classic Black, Rose Gold. Space Gray, Navy Blue, Red, and Turquoise and just recently they have released the Celestial series, which features the stunning
variants of Sunset Glow, Solar Eclipse, and Mystic Aurora.



RELX also has a wide range of pod flavors such as Mango, Lemon Tea, Blueberry, Grapefruit, Ludou Ice, Fresh Cucumber, Mint, Classic Tobacco, Banana, Greentea, Peach Oolong, and Icy Slush. All RELX starter kits comes with 1 vape electronic cigarette, charger, and 1 pod priced at Php 1,599.

Check out relx.com.ph to check physical and online stores near you. Like them on Facebook and follow them on Instagram at @relx.ph

Timothee Chalamet Looks Mighty Fine in the 'Little Women' Character Posters

'Little Women' is one of the first books I read as a kid. I don't remember much of it, but I do remember the movie that came out in the 90s. :p

Well, the remake is coming soon, and I have to say: I absolutely have no complaints about the cast, especially after seeing the stars of Columbia Pictures’ heartwarming coming-of-age tale featured in their individual character one-sheets. The studio has shared them with the fans. Check them out:


Timothee Chalamet as Laurie



Saoirse Ronan as Jo



Emma Watson as Meg



Florence Pugh as Amy



Eliza Scanlen as Beth



Laura Dern as Marmie



Meryl Streep as Aunt March



In case you haven't seen it yet, here is the trailer of the upcoming remake:


Writer-director Greta Gerwig has crafted a version that draws on both the classic novel and the writings of Louisa May Alcott, and unfolds as the author's alter ego, Jo March, reflects back and forth on her fictional life.

In this take, the beloved story of the March sisters is both timeless and timely.

'Little Women' is distributed by Columbia pictures, the local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

Saturday, November 2, 2019

There are things worse than ghosting.

Ah. Ghosting. So many people hate it and yet so many people do it. I've already been ghosted twice in my life. But while it was horrible the very first time it happened, the second time was actually totally bearable. You see, by the time I was ghosted the second time, I had already experienced things so much worse than ghosting. In fact, at this point, I'd take ghosting over the rest of the shit that I've been through any day. :p



If you think about it, the mere term itself should already show you how basic of a level ghosting actually is. See, ghosts by definition are apparitions of dead people. They're dead. They no longer exist. You might see them from time to time in your dreams or you might get a whiff of them and remember them every now and then; but generally speaking, they are no longer a part of your life. The thing is: there are a lot of bad things that happen in the dating world that people simply don't acknowledge as much as ghosting.



What about those people who are no longer a part of your life and then suddenly start viewing your Instagram stories without even following you? They don't just do this once. They do it multiple times, so that you notice, get bothered by it, sometimes even to the point where you end up starting a conversation with them about why they're viewing your stories without following you.

And what about those people who come back into your life as if nothing happened in the first place? They strike up a casual conversation as if they didn't break your heart into pieces and stomp on them months or even years ago. 



And what about those people who suddenly start talking to you again because they noticed you lost weight and are looking fab and living your best life after they left, or the ones who suddenly start talking to you again just because they need something from you?

And the worst kind: the people who message you in the middle of the night, asking if you're up for sex as if you're not lying in bed with a face mask on and watching Netflix like the (not-so-)responsible adult that you've become? Hey, just because you didn't evolve doesn't mean that I didn't.


I don't mean to make parinig to all y'all's, but it is what it is. If you're one of my marupok sister friends reading this, then I hope that you one day get out of that cycle and find someone who will truly appreciate you for who you are and treat you right.

On the other hand, if you're one of the losers doing any of the things that I mentioned above, please go back to being a ghost. Stay 'dead', please. Thank you. :)