Side A celebrates its 25th Anniversary with a new album named "Side A 25"

Potato on the Go:

Those who know me too well would know that there are only two bands that stayed in my favorite list for a long time, or even up to now rather.  And  I know, if they are reading this, I can already hear them shouting the names of those bands.  Hehe.  They are Eraser Heads and of course Side A. 

Anyway, for this post, let me talk particularly about Side A, as they are celebrating a momentous event this year... their 25th Anniversary!  And for 25 years, I for one would like to thank Side A for enriching OPM with songs such as Forevermore, Tuloy Pa Rin, Tell Me, Set You Free, By Your Side and Let the Pain Remain and many more.  Personally, these songs are among my youth's soundtrack and they truly are special to me.  My close friends are surely nodding their heads right now and I would probably here the lines "You bet!"  and "Absolutely!".  I think what made them a hit and stay on top for a long time is Side A was able to capture the heart... the musical taste of Filipinos; they were able to hit our soft spot... our sentimental and poetic side.  That's why now, after they braved the storms and persevered through whatever trends, Side A has been synonymous with an unmatched classic-after-classic repertoire of songs and unequaled live performances here and abroad, for 25 years... and counting!

The band – composed of founding member Naldy Gonzales, veteran guitarist/vocalist Joey Generoso and veteran drummer Ernie Severino, former Take One guitarist Leevon Cailao and former Freeverse bassist Ned Esguerra –aren’t resting on their collective laurels. Their music lives on and just like wine, it gets finer with every new musical outing. Timed to their celebration of the band’s Silver Anniversary, Warner Music releases a special collection entitled “SIDE A 25”, a double-disc offering that includes twenty-five years of the greatest and bestmusic that the band has created.

Idol fever to hit Manila once more via The American Idol Live Tour in Smart Araneta

Potato On the Go:

American Idol fever has hit the Philippines for years already but for the first time in Idol history, AI's Top 11 are coming to Asia, and our own city Manila included, for a not to be missed concert event!  The American Idol Live! Tour 2011 is set on September 20, Tuesday and September 21, Wednesday at 8PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum!

American Idol Season 10’s Top 11 finalists will take to the stage to amaze, dazzle and enthrall fans with hit after hit song from the beloved reality show. Asian fans of American Idol can catch Casey Abrams, Haley Reinhart, Jacob Lusk, James Durbin, Lauren Alaina, Naima Adedapo, Paul McDonald, Pia Toscano, Stefano Langone, Fil-American Thia Megia, and Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery in Manila.

Astrovision and Astroplus, Preserving the Best Movies, Keeping the Precious Memories

Action & Event-ure:

I'm a big movie fan.  If you've been reading my blog religiously, I bet this is not much of a revelation to you anymore =).  I think I got this from my dad who had really been an A1 movie follower.  Whether it's at the theater or TV or VHS, be sure he's among the firsts to check his most liked films.  There are movies though that are way beyond my generation but my father was able to introduce me to them.  Think of the first Indiana Jones, The King and I, Ten Commandments, haha, I learned that and the stories behind it from him.  So I grew up with the movies; and I just know when one title should be kept, be part of the collection and be watched over and over again.  Before, it was hard getting your own original copies of your favorite movies but thank heaven and earth for the rise of video shops like Astrovision / Astroplus!  Now, when one movie is destined to be classic, getting your own copy is as easy as buying a hamburger!  =)

For me, getting a video copy of my favorite or a memorable film does not only give me the chance to watch it anytime I want but it allows me to preserve a memory, a special moment in my life, when I  first saw and enjoyed that movie.  I for example would always be reminded of our family and Christmas gatherings when I watch The Sound of Music, of my fun college buddies and our movie trips when I see Anaconda and I Know What You Did Last Summer, of my co-movie fan brother and our pizza nights when I play Underworld and X-Men videos at home, and some cheesy moments when I get a glimpse of She's All That haha =D.  How about you?  What's the story behind your favorite movie?  =)

So when I got the invite from Orange Magazine TV about the first Bloggers Blowout of Astrovision, I of course immediately said yes.  How could a movie blogger (and a long time movie fan) could be out of this momentous occasion?  =)  And I'm glad I was part of it because I got to know the brands and the people behind the movie / video industry and the things they are doing for movie fanatics like me.  =)

Resorts World Manila to stage the spectacular adaptation of The Sound of Music

POTATO ON THE GO (Theater):

"Panoorin mo 'to.  (Watch this.)  This is an internationally acclaimed classic."  This was the line of my dad when he first encouraged me to watch The Sound of Music.  And since then, The Sound of Music has always been in the list of my favorite stories, whether it's in theater or movie or animated series!  Not because it was told to me by my father but I myself witnessed how great the story and beautiful the music is of The Sound of Music.   And when I heard that Resorts World Manila is planning to bring back and stage the said musical, I felt nothing but excitement!

Joanna Ampil plays the lead role of Maria.

A musical by Richard Rodgers with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, The Sound of Music tells the story of Maria Rainer, a young postulant  in Austria who is appointed governess of the seven children of widower Captain Georg von Trapp and changed their lives by teaching them the gift of music.  This will be the key for the children in finding their voice and unlocking the cold and stern heart of their father to warmly loving them.  But the Captain's unlocked heart will also lead him to an unexpected love with Maria which will become the latter's most challenging trial of faith.  Soon, they find themselves threatened by uncertainties of wartime as they struggle to build a new life together.

At the preview of the The Sound of Music in Resorts World Manila's Newport Performing Arts Theater, I was again reminded on the very reason why I got hooked with The Sound of Music.  And this time, the feeling was more magnanimous as I saw the added flavors that Resorts World Manila has put not only to differentiate their version of the musical, but to make it even much bigger!

Why virus is more terrifying than vampires and ghosts! -- Contagion Movie Review

Potato On the Go:

Let's admit it, many of us are fascinated watching suspense thrillers and horror movies that dealt with vampires and ghosts as antagonists!  We enjoy the fright, the scream and the ride.  But I guess what can really terrify is to witness how real things can actually kill us!  This is what I saw from the suspense thriller movie "Contagion" screened earlier during its premiere in IMAX SM Mall off Asia. 

Contagion narrates the story of the people living in the different parts of the world affected by the rapid progress of deadly airborne virus that kills within days.  As the fast-moving epidemic spreads, the global medical community and government institutions race to find a cure and control the panic that spreads faster than the virus itself.  The best and worst in people come out as they struggle to survive in a society that is falling apart.

As mentioned earlier, what makes this movie more terrifying is that it is actually based on reality and the recent events that took place and created global paranoia.  Think of AH1N1, Bird Flu and SARS and you'll know what I am talking about.  Virus actually kills unlike vampires and ghosts!  Oh well, yeah, they can also kill, but only those with heart problems or those who will get into accident when people reacts with panic!  =D  Anyway, the film was able to narrate in a very detailed yet creative passion how a virus is transmitted. 

 

Jazzed up formula horror flick, no need for 3D -- Fright Night Movie Review

Potato On the Go:

Dangerous (but Cool) Vampire.  Hot Chick.  Underdog Hero.  Hilarious Sidekick.  Suspense Filled Screenplay.  And Tons of Audience Scream.  These are the reasons why the new Fright Night becomes a fun to watch movie!  =) 

From Columbia Pictures and distributed by Walt Disney Studios, Fright Night details the story of Charlie Brewster (Anton Yelchin), the newest popular kid in town dating the hottest girl (Imogen Poots) in school and how he crosses path with their strange new neighbor named Jerry (Collin Farrell).  Jerry seems to be the all around house guy until Charlie is led to a series of events that will reveal his neighbor's secret character.  Jerry is a vampire!

Sony Pictures' Vampire Movie PRIEST is Now on Home Video!

Potato On the Go:

Many of us like vampire movies right?  If you answered no, then you are among the few boring people on Earth!  Haha,  just kidding.  =)  Anyway, one vampire movie I failed to see in the big  screen is Sony Pictures' (released locally by Columbia Pictures) Priest.  And from the trailer I've seen before, I know this is just one 3D sci-fi action film I cannot miss.  But the good news is, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment through Magnavision has just released the Blu-ray™, DVD, and VCD of the unrated edition of the action horror film Priest!

Priest tells the story of an exiled warrior who must save humanity from a race of murderous vampires.  Reigniting the war between men and vampires, this visually stunning action epic stars Paul Bettany (Legion, The Da Vinci Code), Cam Gigandet (Twilight) and Maggie Q (TV’s “Nikita”) as a group of rogue warriors on a mission to rescue a beautiful young woman (Lily Collins, The Blind Side) from a priest-turned-vampire (Karl Urban, Star Trek) bent on destroying humanity.

Directed by special effects maven Scott Stewart (Legion), PRIEST has made believers of movie fans around the globe with its striking mix of hard-hitting action, spellbinding post-apocalyptic imagery and breakthrough visual effects. Also starring Academy Award® nominee Christopher Plummer (Best Supporting Actor, 2009’s The Last Station) and Stephen Moyer (TV’s “True Blood”), PRIEST is a visionary new take on vampire mythology that action and horror fans won’t want to miss when it sinks its teeth onto Blu-ray DVD, and VCD!

The Purple Taxi Cab

BAYANIHAN REPUBLIC:

 

While in Davao City, we saw this nice looking taxi cab.  Actually it's Misagh Bahadoran of Team Azkals who first saw this.  Then I just took a shot of the purple taxi cab as it's definitely a Scene Stealer for someone who's in Davao City for the first time!  My female colleagues at work who are obsessed with anything purple (and pink) will definitely want to ride this cab.  Paging Romsy, Ampy, Lelen, Jiejie Jane, Rach, visit Davao now girls!  =)  There are other colors as well!  =D

Batch Five of Celebrities and Personalities for Tatak Digitista!

Scene Stealers:

Here's the batch five of Celebrities and Personalities for Tatak Digitista!  =)

Team Azkals Coach Michael Weiss for Tatak Digitista

DJ Pam Ylagan of Wave 89.1 for Tatak Digitista

Team Azkals' Yannick Tuason for Tatak Digitista

Azkals Team Manager Dan Palami for Tatak Digitista

Laila Chikadora of TV5 for Tatak Digitista

Team Azkals' Jayson Sabio for Tatak Digitista

Doktor ng Bayan Dr. Ray Salinel for Tatak Digitista

Matigsalug Tribe for Tatak Digitista

Thank you so much to those who posed for Tatak Digitista!  =)

Yoohoo, Who Wants Crocodile Ice Cream?

Bayanihan Republic:

Right after the presscon of Team Cortal SQR - Azkals in Davao City, we took a time off and headed to Crocodile Park.  While having that afternoon siesta, Azkals' Yannick Tuason, who is also from Davao, introduced us to his brothers and friends including Chef Dino Dizon (also known as the Crocodile Chef from Davao) who owns a different kind of ice cream brand dubbed as the Sweet Spot!

Just in front of the Crocodile Park, Sweet Spot offers  luscious flavors with unique names such as Mt. Apo Coffee Crush, Mangomazing, Davao Chololoco, Purple Pleasure, Peanut Brittle, Melon Madness, Crazy Monkey Banana, and the new Dragon Fruit (which I usually encounter in FB's Cafe World and Restaurant City! hehe)  But what really caught my attention is the Durian Dynamite!  Why?  'Because that's the flavor we jokingly dubbed as the Crocodile Ice Cream!  Yes folks, Durian Dynamite, Davao's local gem is mixed with another local treasure, the egg of a crocodile!  =D  Perhaps, way back, I won't be as courageous to try new or exotic dishes but I was enlightened with what Travel Time's Susan Calo Medina said in one of her interviews.  She said, on taking exotic food, "I'll try it once.  If I like it, I'll take it again.  If not, then at least I experienced it."

The Durian Dynamite Ice Cream which we jokingly dubbed as the Crocodile Ice Cream as it uses crocodile egg as ingredient.  Sorry for the crater, Misagh tried it first!  Haha =D

Misagh Bahadoran was not as adventurous so he opted for Crazy Monkey Banana.  But we joked at him and said that the flavor he chose was mixed with monkey milk!  And everyone laughed!  =D

The rest of the flavors though do not use crocodile eggs.   While the rest are enjoying their ice creams, I asked the Sweet Spot staff why is the Durian Dynamite the only flavor using the crocodile egg.  He said that the the one with crocodile egg is a little more pricey.   All the flavors are priced at PhP 35 per scoop but the Crocodile Ice Cream is at PhP 70. Well, I guess we can assume why a crocodile is more expensive than a chicken right?  =D  Anyway, Dino Dizon said that a crocodile egg is 80% egg yolk, which means it has less cholesterol.  And hence, a crocodile egg gives more protein and energy than an ordinary egg!  So there's a premium added into it!  =)