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Movie Treat

June 25th, 2009 by charlottedianco

I miss watching movies- as in the real theater experience. I just have a crazy schedule these days and going to the mall (to watch a movie) is not included in my priority. I know! It is so not me– to think that I practically grew up going to the movies every week since I was a baby- for real! Of course I still get to watch movies now but only thru DVD and movie channels.

Cinema experience is still incomparable though- no matter what I say.

Thank God I attended a Camera Test presentation earlier this afternoon at the Shangri-la Cineplex- I finally had the time to go to the movies. About the presentation- it was really interesting and well-attended by notable and award-winning filmmakers and industry people. It was also very informative. And so after that- my friend and I decided to catch Transformers 2. Yehey! I was able to watch my two favorite Hollywood stars- Shai Lebouf and Josh Duhamel! So what if the shots made me dizzy (all those robots trying to crash each other– who wouldn’t develop a headache?)- at least they were just breathtakingly and painfully cute. Haha!

Next on my list- The Proposal and then UP.

Like for real. :)

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Back in Seoul

June 25th, 2009 by charlottedianco

I am so back in Seoul, South Korea! Nothing has changed– same environment and I still couldn’t understand the language. Well, at least now I am accessible by phone because I made sure that my international roaming works and I brought 3 mobile units! And yeah, there’s the lovely cherry blossoms around.

So I’m here to attend the premiere night of THE FORGOTTEN WAR- a movie about the Korean war and how the Philippines sent military troops. We do have a series of activities- planned by the Office of the Philippine Ambassador to Korea. Hmmm….

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Step One

March 9th, 2009 by charlottedianco

I finally directed my first 15-seconder mock commercial. Well, it’s not like it’s going to change the world and save the ailing economy, but for me it was something big. After all, I never imagined that I would actually take the steps towards directing- this soon. Well, I did it and while admittedly it was kinda scary at first, I know that in the long run, it’s just going to be a walk in the park. I am sure of it.

But it doesn’t mean that I am turning my back from my first passion. I still love to write and will always do. I just know that I would eventually go to the next level and I have to start somewhere, right now. And I’m glad that I decided to try my hand at directing because it gave me another vantage point in life and it was a humbling experience as well. It was also inspirational because I had the chance to hear stories from big shot directors and how they all started. Hearing about their experiences made me want to cry because it was just like imagining my own life. Most of the directors that I met also started as writers and like me, they were also dreamers who had the courage to take the road less traveled.

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The Oscars

February 23rd, 2009 by charlottedianco

Like most people in the world who are so into movies, I watched the 81st Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood yesterday. Of course- who would want to miss seeing the most important annual event in the entertainment industry? And it’s the biggest fashion show on earth, hello.

The gowns? Oh hell yeah, there were a lot– beautiful and glamorous gowns made by the world’s finest designers. But only a few really stood out- you know, classic and elegant without looking like an entourage of a roving circus. And to mention a few, Anne Hathaway, Natalie Portman and Angelina Jolie were just gorgeous in their chosen outfits.

But I’m not here as a fashion critic. I am writing this because I am truly happy for the success of my favorite movie SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE. And though I expected them to grab an Oscar since the day I watched the movie- but to actually bag 8 awards out of the 10 nominations- well, it was really fantastic! Like I also won myself. :)
Based on the novel of Vikas Swarup (Q&A), Slumdog Millionaire is about a teenager who grew up in the slums, joined the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and actually moving up to the final question. Jamal is not a genius but he is street smart, gaining knowledge and wisdom which helped him in answering the questions in the quiz show. But his reason for joining the show is actually not about money but because he wanted to find the girl that he loves. Yes! Slumdog is actually a romance movie covered with an action and comedy wrapper. It is a complete package because apart from the love, action and comedy elements, it speaks of the life in Mumbai making it a movie with social relevance as well. It is fast-paced, intriguing, dark and gripping- a perfect recipe for a movie buff like me.

I also watched the movies MILK (Sean Penn won the Best Actor Award in this movie) and THE READER (Kate Winslet got the Best Actress Award in her performance in this movie) and while these two films were good, Slumdog Millionaire shines best, that’s why it bagged four of the most important awards– Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Cinematography. And although I don’t mind the late Heath Ledger getting the Best Supporting Award for his performance in the Dark Knight, I actually enjoyed Robert Downey Jr in his movie TROPIC THUNDER- too bad he didn’t win.

Nevertheless, the Oscars was a big success. And yeah, HUGH GRANT was amazing as a host and it was only yesterday that I learned that apart from being a Hollywood hunk, he is actually an accomplished singer. WOW.

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Another List of Random Things

February 9th, 2009 by charlottedianco

The 25 Random List is spreading like wild fire. Most of my friends from Facebook are so into it. I already made my list for Facebook but for Friendster, well, I have another list. I just thought of it now, and while I’m in the mood for blogging, might as well write it down.

So here goes my list:

1. Most of my friends know this- yes, I am a big fan of movies.

2. I don’t like horror movies- especially bloody and messy ones. I like romantic comedy and light-action / suspense.

3. I like KFC’s chicken macaroni salad and that of Max as well.

4. When I was a kid, I wanted to be an action star and be able to do the stunts of Jackie Chan.

5. My biggest fear when I was in a kid was not being able to watch Star Rangers.

6. I like perfumes. A lot.

7. I hated doing the household chores when I was in elementary- I would often hide inside my room and read.

8. Grey’s Anatomy never fails to make me cry and I think I am such a masochist because I still watch the damn series.

9. I like McDreamy but I like McSteamy even better despite his reputation of being a man whore.

10.  I am a fan of ABBA. I’ve always liked the Swedish group way before Mama Mia  ‘re-hyped’ them. And if people enjoyed the movie of Meryl Streep, they should check out the film Muriel’s Wedding (1994)where the songs of ABBA were also featured.

11. I am NOT a fan of Beyonce. I don’t know why (wait, I don’t even have to explain!).

12. My favorite coffee is hazelnut.

13. I am so not into video games.

14. I only play Text Twist

15. Madonna is not just an icon- she is the GODDESS.

16. Most of my favorite bands are British.

17. Whenever I’m in another country, I always visit McDonalds so I could compare the taste. I don’t know why.

18. I always enjoy Baguio- it’s my favorite vacation place in the Philippines.

19. I never gambled when I was in Vegas. Not even the slot machine. I was more interested in looking at the places that I always see on CSI Las Vegas.

20. I once tried playing baseball when I was 16. That was my first and last taste of baseball. I don’t even know why I tried in the first place.

21. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a member of the Justice League and work with Aqua Man.

22. When I am in bed with a spaced out expression on my face, it means I am working. Daydreaming is my favorite part of pre-production.

23. My favorite ice cream is ube.

24. When I was five years old, during the Ati-atihan Festival, my aunt brought me to church but she lost me in the crowd. A nice lady approached and asked if I was lost and I said yes. She said she could adopt me. I got scared and told her I already have a family and that I knew my way. I walked home with that lady tailing behind me. An hour later, my aunt arrived looking pale and scared. I still wondered up to this day what could have happened to me had I not have the guts to walk home.

25. I constantly remind myself to update my blog. I just have to remember.

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Club Dredd

February 9th, 2009 by charlottedianco

I was at Club Dredd last night. It felt different. Well of course because they now have a new venue and a new set-up. But apart from the physical difference, going to Club Dredd is definitely a blast from the past. After all, the last time I was inside ‘Club Dredd’ was in the mid-90s. Yes, more than a decade ago! And I keep wondering until now, what happened to all those years? How time flies!

I remember the first time I set foot inside Club Dredd. This was the time when the club was still along Edsa in Cubao, just a few steps away from P. Tuazon Street. It was Hannah who dragged me to go to the place and the moment I entered, I thought I was going to faint. I was scared, really! Smoke was all around, people dressed in black shirts and leather jackets, there were a lot of shouting and head banging on stage while playing electric guitars - believe me, it wasn’t the kind of place my grandmother would approve. In fact if she was with me that time, she would have dragged me to the nearest church and bath me in Holy Water. But despite my fear of being eaten alive by men in mohawk hairdos, my curiosity to see what was going on in the underground music scene prevailed. And so, many visits followed after that. I discovered a new world of talented musicians and I met a lot of people- who remained my good friends up to this day.

And last night, when I went to the ‘new’ Club Dredd in Eastwood City (Libis), it was just like visiting a memory lane. Sure, the place looks different (what’s with all the stairs?), the crowd looks younger and the music… well, of course different.

A lot of things have changed. But it was all good.

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GOING UNDERCOVER

October 24th, 2008 by charlottedianco

IT’S been going on for several weeks now- my so-called semi-undercover life. Well, not that I really planned to have one. Let’s just say that it happened naturally. I didn’t even realize what was going on- until the day I was given ‘the look.’ Oh you know- the look that people give on others when they feel superior- like they’re standing on top of Mount Olympus and they’re looking down on lesser mortals. Yeah- that look.

How did this happen? It began the day I started going to the taping of a TV series.

For those who are not familiar with how crazy things are during tapings / shootings- well, let’s just say that the stress level is always high and people are always too busy doing things. Of course people still greet each other but you don’t really get the usual pleasantries- unless you are in a religious program. I mean, seriously- it’s not like a walk in the park. And that first day I visited the set- I wasn’t really properly introduced because everyone was just too preoccupied.

Okay, so I’ve been going there because my talent is one of the cast members. And whenever I go there- I am always armed with my mobile phones (I have three; which is totally acceptable for busy people like me), my beloved Palm TX, my mp4, laptop and a novel. How can I not bring all these things? A taping always take forever, and I have to keep my sanity because ending up in a mental hospital is not an option and to die of boredom is really unglamorous.

So yeah- for weeks now, I’ve been going to the set like a normal person. Most of the time I just stay in a remote area or just inside the car- reading a book, checking my emails, writing stuff, making business calls or I sleep when my eyes are already too heavy. Sometimes I talk to people that I know- like the production staff, the director and the Executive Producer. I get to say hi to some of the actors but I never engage in conversations because I know that they are ‘working.’ Of course sometimes I help my talent fix his clothes or decide which shirt to wear for a particular scene- or sometimes check the food basket- but my physical participation usually ends there. Most of the time, it’s just the thought that I am just around that counts to my talent because he is capable of doing things himself. As long as he knows that his manager is around- he’s already okay with that.

So now this is the twist.

Recently, I realized that some cast members (those who don’t even talk to me) and their assistants think that I am an ‘alalay.’ It was inside the dressing room that I was given ‘the look’ and that was the day I realized that they don’t really know who I am or what I am. No wonder I’ve been seeing not-so-good manners around. Because I doubt if they would show their true color if they learn that someone from the media is just around the corner.

I told my colleagues and friends about it and of course- it made them laugh so hard. Most of the reactions were – OMG (Oh My God), WTF (What The Fuck?) and HS (Holy Shit). Their reaction is usually followed by thunderous laughter. They just don’t understand what made those people think that I am an alalay when I have all these gadgets, I use MAC make-up for crying out loud and I always carry a chic literature! Not that it’s a sin to be a nanny or an alalay- they just find the idea hilarious. But then again, maybe because I always wear plain shirts, sweat pants, rubber shoes and sweat jackets- too ordinary for their taste. Well, whatever the reason- the look that was given to me that day- well, it gave me an idea. I decided not to speak up and let them think whatever they want to think. At least I know who’s real and who’s too showbiz!

Who knows… I might decide to start a blind item column one of these days.

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FRANKIE SAID ‘I DID IT MY WAY.’

June 29th, 2008 by charlottedianco

YES, Typhoon Frank did it his way. DAMN.

I was just a kid when UNDANG hit Aklan in 1983. Like what I wrote in my other article (see UNDANG AND MILENYO), that typhoon destroyed a lot of things and left us in the dark for several weeks. I remember people talking about coffins being made-RUSH, because a lot died that time. It was terrifying but we recovered fast. I mean, yeah, there was no power- no TV, no electric fan, no ref- but it was okay. In fact, Undang was also instrumental in achieving my goals in life. Undang gave me the opportunity to dream and work hard. Whenever things aren’t what they’re supposed to be, I always look back at post-Undang days— that no matter how stormy life is- it would always get better.

When wicked Frank hit Aklan and lashed Kalibo with all his might- I just hate him instantly. I swear. Imagine how I felt when I got a message from my brother April  that our family was trapped in the second level of our ancestral house because of an 8-feet mud flood! Yeah, unimaginable. I instantly called my friends and colleagues in the media to alert them of what was going on in my hometown. But how many reporters do they have in one network? Even if they combine their forces- they’re not enough to cover all the provinces here in the Philippines. So I had no choice but call my close friends who could disseminate the information fast- because people had to know. And to be honest, I had to tend to my family first (my parents, my 89-year-old grandmother, my only sister and my four brothers).

I called up Marlou Natabio of ABS-CBN (after calling the news room of TV Patrol and DZMM) and sent a quick email to Cheryl Martinez- my best friend whom I know could ring the bells of alarm and shake people. Marlou requested for assistance from Sagip Kapamilya. Cheryl urged me to write a letter that she could distribute- but I had to beg off and let her do the writing because I had to prepare cash and boxes of supplies for my family.

In between messages to my family, I patiently tried calling everyone I know in Kalibo but to no avail. I called the radio stations but there was no line at all. Waiting was just frustrating. When my family informed me that they were already safe from the mud flood- except that we lost a lot of things during the flood- I really thank GOD for  looking after them. I’m also glad that my family has natural surviving skills– they had the presence of mind to bring water and food on the second floor. They even gathered all their mobile phones and just used one for communication to save batteries.

Now, one week after that fateful day in Kalibo– the situation is still the same. No electricity, no water supply in a lot of areas and the food supply is really low. Mom said it is now literally ’survival of the fittest.’ DAMN.

But how can people survive without food and water? How can they even walk with mud still all over the place (because there is no water to clean them!) and people are getting sick. It is frustrating and very sad because the town is slowly turning into some place that I only see in B-Movies.

Inside_the_house_1 

That’s my grandmother sitting next to the piano. The floor was a far cry from the shining-shimmering-splendid floor that I grew up with.

 

Backyard

The backyard can now be used for planting rice. Seriously!

 

Okay, so FRANK did it his way. But it’s not enough reason to be depressed (like some people I know). In fact I’m using this disaster as a challenge to myself. I have to work triple time because my family is depending on me now. I just can’t sit and wait for things to happen. Like a mantra, I keep telling myself that if I survived a lot of storms in the past, I can also survive this- my family can survive this. And if Frank did it his way, now I am also doing things MY WAY.

 

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PALM

March 15th, 2008 by charlottedianco

THERE is something about PALM.

The second most important gadget in my life (next to my mobile phone) is a wonderful,  intelligent little thing called PALM TX. I’ve been using it since it came out in the market and I cannot imagine living without it anymore. Well, not really literally– but still- it plays a vital role in my life. Like sunshine and water to plants. Like gas to a car. Can you imagine how a bird can fly without wings? There you go. That’s my Palm TX darling.

People close to me know this fact. The only local corned beef brand that my taste bud could tolerate is the classic blue Purefoods Corned Beef. And my favorite corned beef in the world is PALM New Zealand Corned Beef (yes Randy- hoarding is just too tempting).

Yes, I have a scheduled trip to California soon. Some friends are inviting me to hang out and guess where they live? 29 PALMS California.

I know! It’s like my life is intertwined with Palm. Or something to that effect.

And oh yeah, today is Palm Sunday.

See? I told you.

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MEMORY LANE (not related to Diane Lane)

March 8th, 2008 by charlottedianco

I JUST had one of the best afternoons ever. And why not- I just spent it with my best friend Cheryl who is in Manila for a visit from Sacramento and with my best dance buddy cum partner in crime- the Dean himself- Rommel! OH MY GOD, I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard- and I mean- crisp, genuine laughter (that made people around us wonder if we were on a hidden camera show trying to get attention or if we were simply retards). And yeah, that’s what we did the whole time- laugh hysterically in between stories (thank God for the festive meal). 

The last time I saw Cheryl was in January 2004, but it was so brief. It was more than the usual pleasantries but not the kind of bonding for long-time friends. We planned on seeing each other in California when I was in the states but my schedule was crazy. I knew she was freaking out while she was in Sacramento and I was in Victorville- exploring on my own- but then again, she’s always freaking out anyway so what’s new. Hahahaha!

So anyway, she’s in town right now and I knew I had to break away from my daily routine of endless multi-tasking thingy and attend to her- pronto. Which I did. So together with Rommel, we took a wild ride to the mall (wild- because we were laughing so hard that I knew the driver was suffering the entire trip). And what do childhood friends do when they see each other? Oh God.. endless stories. And yeah- we had a wonderful journey to Memoryville.

As I was on my way home, I felt so good. Not only because I saw them, but because  I feel so blessed with great friends like them. We’ve been through a lot- laughed and cried, spent the best of our teenage years in Kalibo. We conquered a lot of mountains in our lives (including Manduyog when we did the play Ibong Adarna and literally dragged our teacher to the mountain where we staged it! Damn, that was  classic and still unbeatable to this day, hahaha!).

So really- I can’t be too sad or depressed when things don’t go the way I plan it because I have a lot of good memories to keep me going. I can’t say ‘I’m down..’ because all I need is listen to the music list of my generation and I would instantly feel good. And I can’t say that ‘I feel alone..’ because I know that somewhere- I have friends like them who believe in me and who care for me. We believe in each other (yes Mel, like I always say- because we’re fabulous!) and that is just like having a vitamin to strengthen our souls.

And by the way, I’m listening to Madonna while writing this (Papa Don’t Preach!).

There goes another Madonna favorite– Borderline. Ahhh.. life is good.

 

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