...

...I have been playing (video game) demos recently. The broadband at home finally got fixed and I have been able to download free demos both for the PS3 and the PSP. These demos are relatively short but give me an idea if I would really like the game enough to buy it. Among the PSP game demos I played are Secret Agent Clank, echochrome, and LocoRoco2. These games are mostly rated E(veryone) and are kind of too cutesy for me. I enjoyed more the PS3 games demos that I have downloaded: Ridge Racer 7, Resistance: Fall of Man, Killzone2, Resident Evil 5. The last 3 are shooters and were pretty awesome!...

...I tried out Pepper Lunch at the Power Plant Mall. I was able to taste their Pepper Steak (P645) and it was okay. What I really ordered was their Cut Steak and Hamburger Combo (P355)
(click on the photo to appreciate how peppery it is, hot it is and how yummy it really looks!)
It kind of reminded me of Stonegrill... the meat was still raw and you need to cook it on the (hot) plate. The light brown stuff on top is butter. There is a paper ring around the plate to protect from hot spatters. They have two different sauces (1 for the vegeatables and 1 for the meat). The mentioned price includes rice and a drink. The food was tasty and relatively filling. I'd recommend the place just for people to try it since it's something new ( and if you're not too budget-conscious)...

...

...Forgive me Father for I have sinned... Krispy Kreme's chocolate-glazed doughnuts!..


...Earth Hour is on March 28, 2009 (8:30-9:30 PM). Switch off your lights for 1 hour to VOTE EARTH instead of global warming...

...The Shakey’s V-League Summer Camp is an intensive, eight-day program that is open to girls aged 9-14. Recruitment is until March 25 and the camp is set to start on March 29 at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym. For a fee of P2,500, participants are given a training kit containing an official Shakey’s V-League Summer Volleyball camp shirt, sports bottle, sports bag, face towel, and volleyball with meal stubs for all the days.

Among the instructors who will be teaching the kids are NCAA MVP Laurence Ann Latigay, Shakey’s V-League MVP Suzanne Roces, and national team players Jinni Mondejar and Mary Jean Balse. Also included in the roster of player-instructors are Michelle and Mayette Carolino, Teresa Iratay and Margarita Pepito. Trainers and coaches Parley Tupaz, Joy Gorostiza, Boyet de Moro, Leonardo Toyco and Obet Javier are also involved in the Shakey’s V-League Summer Camp 2009.

For registration visit any of the following Shakey’s restaurants: Alabang Town Center, BF Homes, Bluewave-Marikina, E.Rodriguez, Glorietta, Gotesco-Commonwealth, Greenhills, Kapitolyo, Libis, Loyola, Malate, MCU, P.Tuazon, Paseo de Sta. Rosa, Retiro, SM-Fairview, SM-Mall of Asia, SM-Megamall, SM-Southmall, and Tomas Morato...

...Shakey's V-League's 6th Season 1st Conference starts April 19...

...Manilla Santos' jersey # 14 has been retired by DLSU! She is the first female and non-basketball athlete to have her jersey retired. She was part of 4 DLSU volleyball championships and the Best Receiver and MVP in her final playing year...

(pics c/o bro. ceci, gif c/o chabbs)

tedbits...

...the tween Dora:


...the next sudoku craze: kenken! "cleverness squared" in Japanese...

...celebrity sighting: at GB5, Francine Prieto, a real head-turner!

...create your own fonts for free, which you can use in every program that you work with...

SM City Annex

Napadaan ako sa SM City kanina. Ibang-iba na ngayon ang itsura ng SM. Nagulat ako lalo sa bagong Annex...
Ito na ngayon ang daan papuntang Annex:

6 na palapag na ngayon ang taas ng Annex:

Nasa Upper Ground Floor ako at kita sa ibaba ang Lower Ground Floor:

Napakaluwag na ng Annex at di na tulad ng dati na parisukat lang ang hugis at 2 palapag lang:

Hindi pa puno o nagbubukas ang karamihan sa mga establisyimento sa Annex. Hindi pa rin tapos ang pagsasagawa sa daanan at kainan sa harap ng SM mismo, pero mukhang maganda rin ang kalalabasan.
Gamit ko lang ang aking telepono (1.2MP) sa pagkuha ng mga litratong ito (hindi ko kasi dinala ang aking camera)kaya di masyadong maganda/detalyado and mga kuha.

tedbits...

...some pics I took of a VIVA event in Greenbelt 5:
Phoemela Baranda being interviewed by Juicy, with her own picture in the background...

Sarah Geronimo...


...some Bench/Coke t-shirts say "A Coke a day keeps the bad trip away!"... I say "A Coke a day will give you gastritis/ulcers!" :-p

...SM's plastic bags are allegedly biodegradable ("100% degradable") but I wonder if that is really true or it is all just hype. Bags like that may seem like a good idea but do not actually help much in solving environmental concerns...

DLSU Wins UAAP Women's Volleyball!

The DLSU Lady Spikers defeated the defending champion FEU Lady Tamaraws in 4 sets (25-19, 20-25, 25-21, 25-21) in Game 3 of the UAAP Women's Volleyball Season 71 Finals. This is the 5th volleyball championship crown for DLSU, their last being a 3-peat in Seasons 66-68 all under Coach Ramil De Jesus. They did not play in UAAP 69 because the school was suspended from the UAAP that time. In UAAP 70, they did not even make it to the Final Four because of some disqualification issues. The present crown seems to vindicate the dominance of DLSU's volleyball program in recent years.

From the beginning of the season the DLSU Lady Spikers were favorites to win the crown because they are really a powerhouse team. Individual players shined at times but this championship run was definitely a team effort, everybody contributing in any way they can! The talent and skill of each player complemented the others and it was how they were able to climb all the way to the top of the standings. Their team spirit was really there right from the start... from their matching haircuts at the onset to their white and green hair highlights in the finals series... from their gruelling trainings pre-season and to all the hard work and sacrifices they made... it all surely paid off in the end!


Open spiker Manilla Santos was a part of that 3-peat feat. After that she suffered a shoulder injury and endured surgery and rehab, but that did not stop her from playing (as a libero) for her team and showing her love for the game. In a team with a lot of pretty tall players, relatively short but high-flying Illa showed that she definitely has a big heart! In her final UAAP playing year and as the team captain this season, this victory becomes pretty sweet and memorable for her. She was also awarded the season's Best Receiver, and then finally the MVP trophy.

You can see Illa constantly reminding her teammates during games and in huddles not to lose focus, and after every point either won or lost she was a calming presence. She stepped up whenever her team was down and she was all over the court chasing balls and trying to save the point when the need arises. She used not only her skill but her experience to get points and she made sure to support and back-up her teammates. Under her leadership the squad swept the rest of the elims and won in the semis. In the gruelling finals, her strength of mind and heart prevailed and they were able to win the championship. Manilla Santos is truly the most valuable player of her very talented team... and for bringing back the championship trophy to Taft, the Most Valuable Player of the season!

Kudos also to DLSU standouts Best Blocker Jacq Alarca and Rookie of the Year Liss Gohing, as well as the rest of the squad, coaching staff and management... Mitch Datuin (who is Illa's batchmate), setter Kaye Martinez, Cha Cruz, Stephanie Mercado, Celine Hernandez, Camille Cerveza, Reg Diego. Emeli Zuno, Denise Lim, Monika Sta. Maria, Isabella Lepping. They were a joy to watch this season competing and striving for volleyball redemption. I am looking forward to their spirited defense of the title next season, but for now it's just time for them to relax, celebrate and really enjoy their hard-won championship crown!

(last pic c/o Bro. Ceci)

Watchmen

I read the comic more than 2 years ago. It was originally published in 1986 by DC Comics and was written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons. Since then it has become one of the highly acclaimed (graphic) novels of all time, as well as one of the highest selling.

The movie Watchmen is probably as true to the graphic novel as possible. One thing that is nice in having read the original book (from which a movie was adapted from) is that you are better able to understand and appreciate (or not) the actual movie story. One is also able to compare both mediums and look for what's missing or what's new. The movie has actually stirred debates and mixed reviews among critics and fans (of the graphic novel) alike. Alan Moore himself allegedly does not want to see the movie and will not take money from the film (and instead will give it to Gibbons). Depending on your background and point of view, this is a movie that you'll either love or hate and not in between.

The movie is rated R for strong graphic violence, sexuality, nudity and language. The action sequences are good, the CGIs are exceptional, the acting is okay, the soundtrack is superb and appropriate. As a moviegoer, this movie is quite good and I believe a must-see. To fully appreciate (or criticize) it though, you need to read the comic.

3.5 stars.


...on a sad note, Master Rapper Francis "Kiko" Magalona passed away today, succumbing to Leukemia. Heartfelt condolences to his family. The legacy that he has left behind will be remembered well by the Filipino people...

GoW: Chains of Olympus

This game was released exactly a year ago. I just got the Platinum edition (released in the EU recently) since it is much cheaper. Because of the game's popularity and very good reviews, it is understandable how quickly it was elevated to Platinum/Greatest Hits status on the PSP system. It is rated M (or 18 in the EU).

God of War: Chains of Olympus opens a new chapter in the epic story of the Ghost of Sparta, Kratos. As a slave to the gods of Olympus, Kratos undertakes a mission to relase Helios (god of the sun) from entrapment in the underworld in order to save the world and the gods themselves. I have not played the two previous GoW games but this game can stand well enough on it's own story- and playability-wise.

The main game has 4 difficulty modes: Mortal(easy), Hero(normal), Spartan(hard), God(very hard). Playing though any of the initial 3 modes releases God mode and some unlockables. Unlockables include mini games Challenges of Hades (5), bonus costumes(3), videos of the in-game movies and production, image galeries of the characters, environments and outtakes.

Gameplay, graphics, and sound are all spectacular considering that this is in a handheld. It is equal to (or even better that) CC: FF VII especially since there are no redundant cut scenes. Major drawback is that it is quite short. I finished the game in a total of about 10 hours on normal mode (average time for gamers/reviewers was 6 hours).

4 stars.