The Zorro Doom
My niece who arrived from Baguio yesterday morning was nagging me to go out with her last night when she woke up around seven in the evening.Hmmm... Good thing, my convincing power is still effective. Thus, the start of a movie marathon today.
First movie:
The Legend of Zorro. A sequel to
The Mask of Zorro, the story is more about family relationship, with action and adventure to boot. With the addition to their family, Don Alejandro dela Vega and Elena agreed that the former would put his sword down and stop playing hero. It is easier said than done. Thus, a marriage crisis is in the offing. Joaquin, their son, seems to be of the same mold as his father, who is a precocious child. There are also scenes that the boy sometimes upstages the two veteran actors. All in all, the movie is fun, what with the action scenes and a sprinkle of comedy.
Next movie:
Doom. Not a horror movie, but fit enough for Holloween as the movie is sci-fi/action/suspense. A group of soldiers were tasked to keep at bay the "creatures" that has broken loose at a research facility based in Mars. Among the findings at the research facility are presence of human-like creatures in Mars that have a 24th chromosome (humans have 23) that make them super-human... or is it?
Mongolian Halloween
Finally, the first time (or is it?) I did not watch a movie on a Saturday even I am at the mall!!! c",) Given two long weekends, decided to do the following first...
- Check if the gift wrapping section of the department stores already have Christmas wrappers. This is so I can schedule during the end of Ramadan (declared holiday here) to already buy my Christmas gifts for the kids.
- Buy candles for the coming undas (visit to the cemeteries during All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day).
- Stock up on food (specifically, chocolates.. hehehe!) for the long weekend.
Mongolian BBQ 
So, instead of eating my lunch inside the movie house, had Mongolian Barbecue from
Mongolian Grill at the Glorietta 4's Food Choices. First, you are given a bowl wherein you can put in vegetables of your choice. Then, rice may be added depending on your preference. Followed by beef, pork, squid, fishball and/or noodles. And for the flavor? You can choose between regular, sweet, spicy, or sweet and spicy.
Halloween Tree...? 
Halloween After lunch, slowly but surely ticked my to-do list. Enough time before going back to Glorietta 4 to attend the anticipated Mass. After the Mass, we had our dinner at
Bon Appetit. They now offer
puto bumbong and
bibingka there.
Deuce Gigolo: European Bigelow
Finally, I was convinced by my niece to accompany her to watch
Deuce Bigelow: European Gigolo. She has been nagging me since last week that we watch the movie. I gave in... hehehe! Besides, she'll be going to Baguio for five days as she is representing her school in a debate competition. It (movie) would be a respite for her given her hectic schedule of researching, brainstorming, deliberating their stand on the debate issue.
The movie is about the murder of European gigolos, where Deuce's former pimp, T. J. Hicks, was being implicated as the serial murderer. As expected of any Rob Schneider movie, it is a lot of laughs. Also, as expected of any Rob Schneider movie, there's a cameo role for Adam Sandler. c",)
And for my niece? She never stopped laughing... She must have inhaled laughing gas.
The Phone I Did Not Win...
Enough said...
BTW, there's a fish competition at the Glorietta with P150,000.00 in prizes. They have already declared the winners today. As a side competition is the fish photo contest and registration is free. I wonder if I'll win an infrared photo printer... c",)
Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Decided to watch today
The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D. The movie opened in the theaters yesterday. Considering the movie is for kids and in 3-D, I assume that there will be a lot of moviegoers this weekend. Thus, made a headstart... c",)
The movie is more about Max, the ten-year old kid who daydreams a lot as an escape to face reality: his parents, the school bullies... But his overactive imagination somehow made his dreams a reality. This starts the adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, Max's superhero friends.
The makers of Sharkboy and Lavagirl are also the makers of Spy Kids. The 3-D effects used in the first movie is similar. Although, I find that of the Spy Kids more effective. I wonder if I sat at the right or left side of the theater I would enjoy the effects more. It's because the effects that seem to jump out of the screen always happen around the center. Which is unlike one scene in Spy Kids wherein a hand seems to reach something at the left side of the theater while a bug flies off from left to right.
In any case, still enjoyed the film. Although, I find the acting of some of the characters a bit over-acting... c",)
Dungeons & Dragons 2: The Elemental Might
Using the five days mandatory leave required by the office gives me a lot of time in my hands. The second day of my leave needed me to go to the office to attend a morning meeting. Since am already out of the house, decided to go to the mall after lunch to watch
Dungeons & Dragons 2: The Elemental Might.
It's a good versus evil movie, with the evil sorcerer Damodar threatening the kingdom of Ishmir, using the black orb which he tracked down so he can use to release the black dragon that can destroy the kingdom. The black orb was placed in a balance which kept the black dragon asleep. It also contains the powers of the black dragon. With a small band of heroes, led by the warrior Berek, they encounter several adventures with their attempt to retrieve the orb. The heroes represent Intelligence, Wisdom, Honor and Strength. While the heroes are on their way, sorcerers and sorceresses (with Melora, Berek's wife and amateur sorceress) at the kingdom are studying how they will contain the black orb, the way their predecessors have done, to keep the black dragon in a perpetual sleep.
The film is fantasy/adventure, with the "look and feel" of The Lord of the Rings. The special effects are OK. c",)
Friday's Curse of the Were-Rabbit
I am at a dilemma... will it be
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit or will it be
Dungeons and Dragons 2: The Elemental Might. Decided finally to watch the former as it received a higher rating in
ClickTheCity's review.
The movie is about Wallace and Gromit and their Anti-Pesto business. Their business has been booming as the Giant Vegetable Competition nears. They practice a "humane" way of handling the "pests". But like Murphy's Law, if something will go wrong, it will... for a veggie-hunting beast has suddenly appeared, threatening the success of the nearing competition. The movie is a lot of fun and is for the whole family. There are a lot of kids (and the kids-at-heart) in the moviehouse. In fact, at the end of the movie, some moviegoers even applauded.
After the movie, attended the anticipated Mass. And finally, was able to (birthday) treat my friends that I always meet during Saturdays at TGI Friday's. We had Fried Mozzarella (free being an Ayala Discount Card holder), Grilled Chicken Ceasar Salad, Chicken Alfredo pasta and Down East Fisherman's Platter.
A Bet, A Despedida, A Birthday Treat
Was able to haggle for a free lunch... hehehe! Actually, I was just a "chaperone". Originally, it was supposed to be a dinner date; but, the one who would be treating do not want they will be all to themselves. So, I volunteered to accompany them provided that I, too, will be included in the treat. c",) It finally ended to a lunch treat... at
heaven n eggs!
Then, at the office, there is a despedida and birthday treat. Despedida (by the people from our floor) for our floor secretary who would be flying to Dubai. And the birthday treat (?) is by my department-mates for me. The food was served at our area.
The food shared for the despedida is a Monster Bites Pizza and sodas. Monster Bites is a sorry excuse for an attempt to be like a Yellow Cab Pizza. The size of the slices are big, making the whole pizza look like the size of manhole cover. Although I was not asked to chip in for the despedida treat, I managed to get one slice... hehehehe! If you want to taste a food that tastes like paper, go buy one. Ranking the pizzas falling under the same category from good to bad, it would be Greenwich Pizza, Dexter's Pizza, Maggoo's Pizza, 3M, Monster Bites Pizza. Good thing I had a good lunch! Good thing, too, I have invited our floor secretary to my treat at Cabalen last Tuesday. It can be considered as my birthday and despedida treat for her.
The gift by my department-mates is a cake from Red Ribbon. Had it sliced and shared among us to supplement the ho-humm pizza. Also, received a mug from Humor Post and Leonidas Belgian Chocolates from my friends. I did not share the latter. c",)
...then Cabalen
Trooping to
Cabalen at Glorietta 4 is a continuation of my week-long birthday celebration. (hehehe!) This time, I celebrated it with my officemates (department-mates). The restaurant is noted for its Capampangan dishes.
One thing that I'll surely remember about this day, I left my wallet at home! Thus, have to borrow an officemate's credit card to pay for our meals. I also have to borrow money for my transportation fare. I wonder if it would be all right if I just say "thank you" to my officemate who kindly lent her credit card..? c",)
And, of course, after the buffet meal, I led them inside Glorietta 4 for the free coffee. ;)
Followed by heaven n eggs...
A continuation of my birthday celebration came as a lunch with another group of friends at
heaven n eggs. (ah-huh!) We had our own choice of lunch meal plus a Vigan Longganiza Pasta and Three Mushrooms Omellete shared among us... Burp!
Oh! Of course, any meal has to end with coffee... and we had (free) coffee to choose from: Figaro, Mocha Blends, Coffee Connection, etc. at the Glorietta 4. c",)
Chili's Birthday
It's a
Chili's birthday lunch with family and friends. We had Classic Nachos and Wings Over Buffalo for starters, Crispy Chicken Salad, Mushroom Jack Fajitas, Cajun Chicken Pasta, and shrimps with fries (name escapes me)... Burp! Thanks to Ayala Discount Card, we also had a free dessert. Oops! Also, with my nephew's alumni card, we got a 5% discount from our bill. hehehe!
After lunch, went to
Brown Sugar Muffins to buy some muffins as a take-out for my "guests". Then, dropped by
Greenbelt Chapel to thank Him for the blessings He has given me (and my family) for the past year, and the blessings He will still bestow on us... c",)
To pass the time, we had a stroll around Greenbelt Park and checked out (again) the photos on display at the Ground Floor of
Greenbelt 3 showcasing the finalists of
Manila, My Manila Photo Contest.
Oh! And I also have to treat my "guests" to a coffee. So off we went to the Ground Floor of
Glorietta 4 where different coffee brands using locally sourced coffee beans from Mindanao, Calabarzon and Cordillera are on display and for free taste. My "guests" had free coffee to their hearts content! hehehe!
Before finally ending the day, dropped by
Aristocrat to buy some food for dinner at home--Chicken Honey, Chicken Barbecue and Pancit Canton. Noodles is always a part of any birthday celebration in order to wish the celebrant a happy and long life. ;)
The 40-Year-Old Virgin
If the title does not draw you to troop to the movie house, I don't know what will... hehe!
The
40-Year-Old Virgin is about Andy Stitzer, a virgin at 40. With this concept, obviously the movie is a comedy. c",) And if my one plus one is correct, he would lose it by the end of the movie. hehehe! What makes it fun is watching him get around to it...
After the movie, went to Greenbelt 1, hoping that I'll be able to get me some Brown Sugar Muffins' Belgian Chocolates. The gods must be smiling at me... those elusive Belgian Chocolate Muffins are there for the taking! c",)
On the way back to Glorietta, instead of going thru my normal route (from Greenbelt 1, Greenbelt 2, second floor of Greenbelt 3 then Landmark), decided to pass thru Greenbelt 3 Mall at the ground floor. That's when I saw the photos of the finalists for the
Manila, My Manila Photo Contest sponsored by
Instituto Cervantes. If I have known, would have submitted an entry... Oh! I also saw a former officemate while having a look-see of the photos. She tipped me that if I will vote, to vote a photo submitted by a relative (?) of another officemate. The entry number escaped me when I saw a picture I liked. c",) I cast my vote for entry 177.
Afterwhich, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at.... Pancake. (And you thought it would be heaven n eggs... hehehe!)
SmartSpotters
Joined a promo by Smart wherein you are given a list of objects to take pictures of with your mobile phone, like a scavenger's hunt. The first to complete the list has a chance to win P5,000.00 daily.
For those who were able to complete the list but was not lucky enough to complete them first, they have a chance to win a Nano IPod, PSP, PS2 and up to P150,000.00 in prizes at the end of the promo.
Hayyy... Whenever it's about pictures and video, I'm hooked!!! c",)
Transporter 2
1st Transport: Rockwell Tent. I read earlier this week from Inquirer, a newspaper, about their project of coming up with seminars on photography plus shops that would sell photography as well as video equipments and accessories at affordable price. So, with my brother's driver in tow, we went to Rockwell Center.
I don't know exactly where Rockwell Tent is, but since there seems to be a structure that looks like a tent, we proceeded there. Oops... the tent-like roof covers two tennis courts! Good thing, a security guard is nearby and we asked for directions. Thus, Manong the driver dropped me at The Loft. When I went inside, a seminar is ongoing. Tsk! Tsk! My real purpose in going there is to buy me accessories for my camera. I have not even seen a trace nor a shadow of the stalls or shops! Hopping in a taxi, went to the my next stop.
2nd Transport: Glorietta Mall. Watched Transporter 2 starring Jason Statham. I was able to see the first installment of Transporter on TV and have enjoyed the action scenes. And I was not disappointed with this one, too! Jason Statham is Frank Martin, a former Special Forces operative, who drives his clients around. But he is no ordinary driver... His current assignment is to drive for the affluent Billings family whose only son was kidnapped. It is up to Frank to find out the kidnappers' real plan.
After the movie, went to shop for groceries, even the Brown Sugar Muffins' Belgian Chocolate. I have to wait for 20 minutes to get those elusive muffins as they are still being baked in the oven. Then, off to attend the anticipated Mass. For dinner? Where else but heaven n eggs. c",)
Next movie: Doom. Not a horror movie, but fit enough for Holloween as the movie is sci-fi/action/suspense. A group of soldiers were tasked to keep at bay the "creatures" that has broken loose at a research facility based in Mars. Among the findings at the research facility are presence of human-like creatures in Mars that have a 24th chromosome (humans have 23) that make them super-human... or is it?
