Movie Buff: I Am Legend

The other day, Doy and I sent Miguel and Mia to the grandies' house so we could watch I Am Legend on DVD. This movie is definitely not for children.

Although it could be gory, I actually liked the sequence of events in this film especially when incorporating the flashbacks. The storyline is better than most movies that try to justify the existence of aliens and other fictional characters. I Am Legend has a credible plot, and it comes as a warning to the medical world (with regards to cloning and playing God).

I have to give credit to the art director of this movie for making New York eerie-looking but at the same time having a lot of greenery. It makes the viewer feel like the earth is completely deserted. The use of natural light (there wasn't even any light because the city was completely dark) during Robert Neville's nighttime battle with the mutant victims of the plague was brilliant and quite realistic.

And who doesn't love Will Smith? I've loved him since Independence Day, Men in Black, and Enemy of the State. He is such a natural actor. He expresses his emotions well, and we feel Neville's pain in possibly being the last person in the world.

I think I'll add I Am Legend in the GLOOMY-CLOUDY-WINDY DAY category of must-see movies.

Precious Moments

Whoaah? A book-reading session?

Mia was so quiet in the room, just had to see what she was up to. She got some of the stuffed toys from her closet and gave each of them a book to read. Afterwards, she prepared some tea and cakes from her kitchen and served them to Dora, Pooh, Brownie the Bunny, Violet (another bunny), Coin Bear, and Pug.

Oh, to become a child again!

Movie Buff: National Treasure Book of Secrets

Watched this movie with my whole family on January 15. We had an afternoon snack at Pancake House, dropped off Miguel and Mia at My Playroom, before proceeding to Ayala Onstage.

I enjoyed it immensely just as I did the first movie. It's a contemporary treasure hunt with an Indiana Jones feel; having a sort of semblance with The Mummy 1 & 2 (which I enjoyed thoroughly, too). Loved Nicolas Cage here, one more great performance aside from The Rock, Con Air, It Could Happen to You, and Guarding Tess. I liked Diane Kruger in Wicker Park, so it's just perfect that she's in this movie. And oh! Director Jon Turteltaub -- same director as While You Were Sleeping -- need I say more? I'm going to get DVDs of this series, and I do hope they make more from this franchise.

Medieval Moments

The other day was DVD afternoon for us. It was Miguel's first time to watch Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, but of course, for me and Doy it was the nth time.

This movie, which became so popular in 1991, was one of the hall-of-famers for the third year of Cebu City National Science High School. We probably watched it in Ultra Vistarama (wala pa man tawn SM or Ayala that time) 3 or 4 times. I also remember watching it on VHS in Grace's house with my closest friends while eating purple cake from Fountainhead and macaroni salad. Every guitar player in school was playing "Everything I Do, I Do it for You". All of us girls went ga-ga over this movie. We all imagined ourselves to be Lady Marian, and to have Kevin Costner as our knight in shining armor was our ultimate dream!

As explained in two books by John Eldredge and his wife Stasi, every little girl wants to be a princess, to be captivating, to be rescued. And every boy wants to be the hero of a story, to be man enough, to be wild at heart. Azeem and Robin of Locksley explain these concepts well when they utter two statements both at the beginning and at the end: "Was she worth it?" one asks. The other replies, "Worth dying for."

Miguel was amazed that Doy and I had memorized most parts of the script. My husband may be older than me by 9 years, but this movie was his favorite too in his time. So while the credits were rolling at the end, and after Doy and I exchanged cute kisses on the lips for all the great memories shared, Miguel finally said, "Aaargh, I'm going to Mama and Papa's house and leaving you two lovebirds alone!"

As Bryan Adams belted out his final song "Everything I Do, I Do it for You", my husband asked, "May I have this dance?" With a smile on my face, I said "Sure." And for a moment there I became Lady Marian, and I finally got to dance with my Robin Hood.

Kiss Me Kuya

"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about."
~ Author Unknown

Brother-Blessed

My brother Bensie is five years older than me. When we were little, we had so much fun playing together. Although he had his own set of "bigger" friends (to a 6-year-old, everything looks bigger), that didn't keep him from spending time with me. At the side of our house, there used to be two huge rocks. It was perfectly made into a kitchen nook, where we prepared food using clam shells as plates, black seeds as meat, and shredded leaves as vegetables (believe me, this kind of indigenous play is much more fun than what most kids have today).

When we got older, we got a bit more adventurous. We would take matches from Mom's kitchen and secretly take a frozen danggit from the fridge. We would grill it under a real fire on top of the small hill behind our house. The fish got cooked, but forgetting to take out its innards made it quite unpalatable!

My adolescent years were tough on me with growing pains and all. When you're a girl in love, you could do a ton of crazy things and feel a lot of confusing emotions. I indulged my emotional self by sulking without reason. Once, we were set to go to the beach on Bensie's birthday with my sister and my friends, when out of the blue I started crying. Suddenly I felt like I didn't want to go anymore. After several vain attempts to make me feel better, I thought they finally decided to leave me sulking there. But Bensie came back, embraced me while tears streamed down my face, and coaxed me to cheer up and go have fun with them. I did.

The day I was to be married, I arrived at the Cebu Grand Convention Center in my Victorian wedding gown, overwhelmed with all the people and by the new adventure ahead of me. It was the biggest day of my life! But there to greet me at the top of the stairs was my brother, waiting to give me one big hug before the ceremony started. His gesture comforted me, assured me that "Yes, you're doing the right thing," and it gave me the strength I needed at that very moment.

Bensie and I live far away from each other now -- he in Manila and I in Cebu. We get together at least once a year together with our spouses, kids, and extended families. But whenever I think about what my brother had done for me, tears still flow from my eyes, I had been truly brother-blessed.

Perhaps my son is five years older than my daughter because I want to let my children experience the kind of relationship I had with their uncle. I look at them play and Miguel is ever the big kuya watching over his little sister. When someone gives him something, he asks if Mia could have some, too. At birthday party games, he holds her hand so that other children don't hurt her in any way and makes sure she gets her own loot bag before he gets his. He gently speaks to her, reads her books, and gives her plenty of hugs and kisses every day. Hmmm...so far, so good.

Pro 10:22 GOD's blessing makes life rich; nothing we do can improve on God. The Message

Movie Buff: No Reservations

Watched this movie for the second time last night with Gingging, Dobz, and Mom. Although I'm not crazy about it, I did like it. Loved the food -- reminded me of the truffles in Cantinetta. There is a certain quietness, neatness, and vulnerability to Catherine Zeta-Jones' character that I like. There's also something in Aaron Eckhart that reminds me of my husband. And shedding a tear or two during this movie is actually quite good for the soul. Perhaps on another lazy day a few months from now I'd watch it again.

My Apricot Tree

As an apricot tree stands out in the forest, my lover stands above the young men in town. All I want is to sit in his shade, to taste and savor his delicious love.

(Song of Solomon 2:3)

He took me home with him for a festive meal, but his eyes feasted on me!

(Song of Solomon 2:4)

Oh! Give me something refreshing to eat--and quickly! Apricots, raisins--anything. I'm about to faint with love!

(Song of Solomon 2:5)

I had a back massage once and Doy accompanied me. So what to do while waiting for your wife for one hour and fifteen minutes? One of the guy attendants convinced him to get a facial...hahaha.

You look good as a clown, honey, but don't quit your day job!

Movie Buff: While You Were Sleeping

I love watching this movie during the Christmas holidays. It's just so sweet and romantic, plus it was the movie Doy and I watched on our first date :)

I find it amusing that what I want to watch on DVD depends on the occasion or the circumstance. If it's Christmas, I'd watch Sleepless in Seattle, Love Affair, or Bed of Roses. If it's a rainy day, then I'd go for The Notebook, Jurassic Park, First Knight, or The Prince & Me (movies with rainy scenes).

Whenever I feel lighthearted, I just go for my favorite chick flicks -- 13 Going on 30, A Walk to Remember, Chasing Liberty, Just Like Heaven, Runaway Bride, Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries, The Lake House, or First Daughter.

But on a nice afternoon with my husband, nothing beats a movie marathon on trilogy movies and getting cozy on the couch (with a snack and a glass of ice-cold coke): LOTR (the best!), The Bourne movies, Star Wars, Mission Impossible, The Mummy 1 & 2, and Pirates of the Carribean.

Today We Remember to Live and to Love

It's the last day of 2007 -- my, did that year pass by so quickly. I will forever be grateful to God for giving me so many new experiences to learn from and for unwavering joy in the midst of many challenges.

I thank the Lord that my children are growing beautifully. Although raising up kids has its upsides and downsides, I am truly thankful that Doy is with me every step of the way. Our life is not perfect, but we are happy and content nevertheless.

I thank God for my husband, who does not only provide for our family, but who also brings into our world his love, valuable time, and good humor. There is never a dull day with him; he makes me smile at the onset of every morning, and keeps me smiling even in my dreams at night. I could not ask for a better life partner.

I am also thankful for family, our life support in every way. Special thanks for my mom and dad who take care of the kids when days get crazy and when one just simply needs some breathing space. For my brothers Benben and Bensie -- who have pampered me since I was a kid and loved me unconditionally -- and my sister Gingging who is not only a close friend but my heroine as well. For my in-laws Gay and Mhil who have made my world a better place, and especially my nephews and nieces: Beejay, Arielle, Meg, Maddie, and Josh. Life is like a box of chocolates because of them. For the Bautista family, who are every bit humble, down-to-earth, supportive, and accepting. I love them all dearly.

And thank God for friends! They have made life easier and bearable, and not to mention more interesting and worth living! For the church where I grew up, met my husband, and made my best friends and mentors for life. For my Science High classmates who have given me the most wonderful memories as we experienced growing pains together -- high school was simply THE BEST because of them.

My time on this earth I consider borrowed, and therefore, I give praise and thanksgiving to the One who is the giver of life. My God could have made the world in black and white, but no, He made it with a beautiful color palette because He knew we would enjoy every shade in the color spectrum. And He could have made everything taste the same, but instead He gave us taste buds so we could appreciate every flavor there is here on earth.

Psa 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good. Blessed is the person who takes refuge in him.

As we face this new year, may we remember to seize each day and to consider each moment as a gift from God. In the words to the song We Live by Superchick: "We live, we love, we forgive and never give up. 'Cause the days we are given are gifts from above. Today we remember to live and to love."

Psa 90:12 So teach us to number our days, so that we may bring a heart of wisdom.

The year 2008 is here. Let us draw strength from the Lord and from the experiences we've had in 2007, and release our full potential on this earth starting today and for many years to come. God bless us all and happy new year everyone!