ANG SAKIT SA BANGS!

Don’t get me wrong about this entry.

My youngest brother joined this beauty pageant called Mr. Teen Earth Philippines which was concluded last Sunday (April 17). He didn’t won. That’s a good thing (for me).

I’ve been with him for most part of the competition and I’ve got to know some of the candidates. Some were really nice and some were just playing nice. I’ve been his all around personal assistant and manager. In short, I was his total bitch for that whole day.

DRESSING ROOM. It was jungle out there. Everyone were panicking because transitions were too fast and we should all get dressed in just a snap. I am no make-up artist so I am always worrying about how he looked with all the foundation I put on his face. It wasn’t that complicated to put make-up on guys unlike on girls. Some of the candidates were really at it, applying various make-up products on their faces. ONLY ON THEIR FACES. So you could imagine now how did they look. Yes, you are right. So when my brother was getting jealous that his competitors’ faces where filled with flour, I just tell him “You are fine. Ayokong maging KPOP ang mukha mo.”

COMPETITION. The winners were deserving to win. I couldn’t complain more. The judges picked the right people to compete internationally. Speaking of the judges, one of the judges was a batch mate of mine back in college. I was surprised when I saw her there.

Ban's Cultural wear courtesy of Olan Roque

The very controversial Azkals inspired sportswear.

Formal wear.

The Winners

Little Mr. and Ms. Teen Earth

Mr. and Ms. Teen Earth (Mr. Teen Earth is Ban's schoolmate)

The whole event was fine with me. I endured everything because my brother was competing. I couldn’t stand everything about beauty contest, not because I envy them, but because I can’t see the essence of it. The host said that “This is not just an event of beauty but also brains.” That, I disagree. Although there are some people who are blessed with not just a beautiful face but also intelligence, there are also people who are just plain beautiful. My brother told me that when they were doing mock question and answer portion during rehearsals, one contestant from Ms. Teen Earth was asked “If an alien came to your house, what will you do?” She answered “I won’t do anything. Thank you.” WHAT WAS THAT?! I assumed she was just tired so she didn’t answer with all her might. Came competition day, her grammar was all over the place. She didn’t even answer the question! Goodness gracious! Thank god she’s really pretty.

Also I discovered something. Texting is now a hobby. While strutting their way on the runway wearing their formal attire, each contestant was described by the host. I am assuming they were asked to write something about themselves before the competition. This same beautiful girl was described as someone whose hobby was texting. Some was described as someone whose motto is “Time is Gold.” Can’t they be more profound than that?!

Even though my brother didn’t win, I am truly proud of him and what he became as a person. He answered the questions wittily and described himself as someone who wants to explore the world and someone who follows God. There were many awful things that happened before and during this pageant but he just shrugged it off. He almost quit but because my mom wanted him to continue, he didn’t. This may sound really mushy but I will say it anyway. For me, my brother was the winner.

P.S. Did I already say this? I don’t want him to win cos another beauty pageant will seriously kill me.

EPISODE 22

I celebrated my birthday (April 5) the usual way: just with my family. My mom and dad just bought pizza and I chipped in 2 half gallons of ice cream to complete our dinner party. It was a double occasion because Ian’s birthday is after mine.

Two thin-crust pizza. I am happy with just this and ice cream :)

What I love about birthdays is that it's a time of the year where you can feel that you mattered and is you are surrounded with people that cares about you. Atleast once a year, I feel I am special with all the warm greeting from my friends, former and current co-workers, and other acquaintances. This year was extra special because I was greeted by my ultimate forever crush via twitter. Thanks to my little sister for granting my only wish :)

Why episode 22? Because it’s been 22 years since I entered this world and I would like to call every year of my life as episodes. Just like a drama series, every person’s life is filled with uncertainties, pain, bliss, highs, and lows. Every chapter is connected with another. You won’t understand the latest episode if you missed the previous one.

Episode 21 was really a roller coaster ride. Let’s see if episode 22 can kick episode 21’s butt.

BANDAGE

Director: Takeshi Kobayashi
Writer: Shunji Iwai (Screenplay), Chika Kan (Novel)
Producer: Shunji Iwai
Release Date: January 16, 2010
Runtime: 119 Min.
Production Company: NTV, Toho, J Storm

Cast:
Jin Akanishi as Natsu Takasugi
Kii Kitano as Asako Suzuki
Kengo Kora as Yukiya
Ayumi Ito as Nobuko Yukari
Yuki Shibamoto as Arumi Suzuhata
Nobuaki Kaneko as Ryuji
Hideyuki Kasahara as Kenji Yamane
Anne as Miharu

I saw this movie last night after waiting for it to download for more than a week. I didn’t realize that all I needed was to get our Bayantel DSL plugged in my laptop instead of Smart Bro to make it download faster. Damn, I hope I realized it last week!

Anyway, this movie is called Bandage. It is a Japanese film that focuses on the up and coming band called LANDS, their journey through stardom, and the personal conflicts of each of the members towards work and love. Set in the 90’s where rock bands were at its height in, this movie perfectly depicts the internal struggles of a band where they meet the pressure of their recording company to come up with a follow-up song to their first hit, the expectations of the people towards them, and the problems that arises when a primadonna lead vocalist unfortunately falls in love with a fan that affects the whole group dynamic. The title of the movie was from the words ”BAND AGE” – which is the nineties. This era was considered as the decade were rock bands were booming in Japan.

I was really impressed with the story and the songs that the band sang in the movie were exceptional. I also loved the part where the band was having problems with Natsu having a girl beside him during rehearsals. It reminded me of a John Lennon and Yoko Ono versus The Other Beatle Members scenario. Takeshi Kobayashi did a good job on directing camera shots and the actors (Akanishi Jin who played Natsu, the lead vocalist of the band, was very realistic in portraying his role as a wasted happy-go-lucky rockstar). However, the editing wasn’t that polished. The scenes and the songs were cut in an awkward manner. The movie was jumping from one year to another but the characters didn’t seem to age. They didn’t bother to change the hairstyle or the way they dress just to show that they are in a different year.

Overall, it was worth watching. You will love how Akanishi Jin registered on the camera and the talents of the other musicians in the movie. Bandage was the best Japanese movie I’ve seen so far (this was just my third, though). If they will be given a chance to re-edit (technical wise) the whole movie, I will bet it could make it big internationally.

Rating: FOUR STARS! :)

Could have been

March 20. It could have been four years now if they tried harder.

March 20, 2007. The day she finally surrendered to the fight against her heart. She keeps on battling her true feelings for him because she knows it won’t go anywhere. He was a typical jock at school: popular, good looking, and chick magnet. She was a typical introvert. She didn’t know what drew him into her and why he kept on following her around the campus. Yes, she’s a basketball fan but it never occurred to her that one member of the team could like her. After months of courting, exchanging text messages, few library sessions and lunch together, she gave in. She admitted she loved this guy.

She thought that their relationship was born out of boredom and him being fed-up on hot cheerleaders but as each day that they were together, she was slowly seeing through his intentions. He was there whenever and wherever she needs his help. He never hesitated or made excuses even though he was busy with school and training; she always liked to be alone and not used to have company all the time so she always shuts him out especially when he’s trying to get attention from her. Some people won’t put up with that attitude but he stayed patient just to avoid quarrels; she wasn’t comfortable in showing her feelings, saying I love you, or getting physical and her mood swings were worst than the weather but he’s fine with that as long as he knows she stays by his side; he never tried to cheat on her even though there are plenty of girls flirting with him as the only girl that’s beautiful in his eyes and the person he wants to be with was her.

Their relationship grew stronger and they became happier. They both graduate in college with hopes to do what they love. He fulfilled his dream to become a pro basketball player while she was still chasing her fantasy to become a writer. He was doing his best in the career he loves so much while she entered a field that she wasn’t sure fits her – teaching. She had a hard time adjusting because she didn’t have any idea how to teach a kid. She was trained to write a script, come up with an advertising plan, make a film, and produce TV shows. She was losing hope but he stayed and supported her all the way. He tried to help her check papers, do her teaching materials, and even writing her lesson plans. She appreciated everything he does for her and she loves him so much for that. In return, she tries to watch his games and cheer for him though most of the time he was sitting on the bench because he was just new in the team. Win or lose, she makes it a point that he won’t feel bad going home after a game. Then one game night, he asked her to move in with him. She said yes.

Living together was very pleasurable for them at first. It was his dream to wake up beside her and stare at her while she was still in slumber, to cook and eat dinner with her at the same table under the same roof, and make love to her. Every waking day became heavenly and every night was passionate. But their relationship had ups and down too like any other couple and theirs had more. Living together also means more fight. The reason behind a fight was always petty or unknown. She doesn’t like talking so they always end up a fight without even resolving anything. They will just stop fighting just because they are tired, not because they solved what’s wrong. She would stop talking. He will ask if something’s wrong. She will answer she’s fine but he feels something is bothering her so he would be persistent in asking what’s bothering her and usually that would come to blows. This went on for months. They were happy one moment then all of a sudden they were fighting over something nonsense.

The fights became frequent and they were not talking anymore like they used to. They just talk when they need to or if they felt they should break the silence at dinner. They still make love but for her it was just sex. She can’t feel the passion and burning love she used to feel back then. It was like she was just obliged to satisfy him every intercourse because they were living together. She always asks herself why they ended up like that. They were happy and she’s sure that they loved each other but she decided to break up with him to get over the misery. It was painful for her to leave him because she loved him so much. However, that love wasn’t enough to keep them together. He didn’t accept it but he let her go because he thought that could make her happy. He didn’t want her to leave and if he had the power to stop her, he would. He was sorry for everything that he did and didn’t do that made them drift apart.

It’s been three months since they separated. He’s still playing in the pro league, still a bench player though and she’s now working as a writer in a magazine. She fulfilled her dream but something is still missing. She wanted to share her happiness to that one person but that person wasn’t with her anymore. Today, it could have been their fourth anniversary. What had happened on this day in 2007 was still vivid in her memories. If only she could turn back time and have the chance to change everything, she would make things right with him. She will try to be more vocal and completely open her heart to him. She thought they would end up together just like what they planned before but those plans were gone the moment she left. He and what they shared will always stay with her forever. She still loves him and maybe she always will.

Note: The story is fully fictional. Any similarities with the characters, events, and settings in the story are not intended by the author.