• Remember Her Name: Lilia Cuntapay

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    “Kilala mo ba kung sino si Lilia Cuntapay?” 

    Lilia Cuntapay (KOON-tah-pie) may be an unfamiliar name, but if you grew up watching the earlier movies of the Shake Rattle and Roll franchise, her face has haunted you at some point in your life. So you better remember her name.

    Now an award winning actress (Cinema One Originals 2011), Lilia Cuntapay stars in Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay (written and directed by Antoinette Jadaone), a mockumentary of her journey leading to a fictionalized awards night. Along the way, we discover the story of the woman behind the mysterious persona we’ve grown to fear. Her motivations and aspirations. Her professional ethics. The highs, glamor, and prestige. The trade-offs, sacrifices and disappointments.

    What does it take to be the most iconic bit player of Philippine horror movies?

    I was lucky enough to have caught the movie (together with Dagitab) in a special screening in Teatrino last January 17, 2015. The movie surpassed any of my expectations. Each scene was effectively executed. It garnered genuine laughs and tears (at least from me). More than a comedy, (also according to the makers) the film is an inspiring tale of an underrated personality who values her craft more than anything else.

  • Where is the Mercy and Compassion for the Environment?

    Although it wasn’t highlighted as much during the Pope’s apostolic visit to the Philippines, one of the messages that Pope Francis advocates is the environment. His namesake St. Francis of Assisi is known to be a “steward of God’s creation,” with utmost respect to the earth and all of its inhabitants.

    This situation is disappointing, to say the least. The theme of the Pope’s apostolic visit is “Mercy and Compassion.” However, being merciful and compassionate isn’t just reserved for people, but to all of God’s creation.

    With super typhoons wreaking havoc on communities yearly becoming the new normal, the government should be placing more focus on launching projects for the protection of the environment. Climate change, global warming — all of these are more than just buzzwords. We are clearly experiencing the effects caused by centuries of damaging and neglecting Mother Earth.

    Let us be like St. Francis and Pope Francis, who love the environment as their brothers and sisters.

    via Mounds of trash left in Manila after grandstand mass, GMA News Online.

  • Confessions of an Instagrammer #8

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    Most of the time, we don’t realize that we have changed until someone points it out. The ugly duckling did not discover that it grew into a beautiful swan until it saw itself on the water.

    Over two years ago, I felt that we were too close for our own good. I was in a terrible place then and he was the only one who listened. He made me happy. I guess I also made him… happy. At least, I hoped so.  It started innocent, yes, but change has its way of ruining things.

    I woke up one day and everything was different. His voice became my favorite song I longed to hear each day. His touch fed me warmth I had never felt for a very long time. His smile made me want to kiss him endlessly.

    I began loving him but he simply didn’t love me back.

    I wanted him to know but I was afraid to lose him. I never told anyone about my truth because I didn’t want it to be true. I even denied it to myself.

    We were friends and that’s the closest I could get. I tried holding on to it. I held on to our daily routine. That every four in the afternoon, he was mine.

    However, sometimes, change is just a decision people make. The beautiful swan could either decide to remain being alone or joyfully flock with the other swans.

    It’s a decision to say goodbye. Goodbye.

    Goodbyes are the worst. #EmbraceChange

  • #AsNTM3 Nadya is Out. Georgina Wilson is In.

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    Georgina Wilson is the new host of Asia’s Next Top Model.

    What do you think? Is this something to be excited about or will this be a change we ought not to see?

  • #Taiwan I Love Taiwan (Day 2)

    Day 2- Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village

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    The next day, we walked from our hotel to the cable car station. There, we boarded a cable car to the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village. This costed NT$ 600 per head (inclusive of the entrance fee and the cable car). The village is divided into three areas: a) Aboriginal Village Park, b) Amusement Isle and c) European Garden.

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