Coolchura

Since the shutdown of ABS-CBN and us still being in community quarantine, you might be needing additional channel/s for your TV viewing time at home. A side note, instead of watching TV, try learning new skills while you are at home. Paint, cook, know the internet, improve your conversation skills, draw, make video clips, etc. It may be a source of income in the future. 

The Filipino group of shadow play performers, El Gamma Penumbra, was hailed as the first ever grand winner of Asia's Got Talent last night (May 14, 2015). The group won the title out of the eight finalists; this includes two other Filipino contestants such as Gerphil Flores, a classical singer from the University of the Philippines who bagged the third place.


The group received a $100,000 cash prize and another performance at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

El Gamma penumbra earned two golden buzzers during their stay in Asia's Got Talent and those buzzers sent them directly to compete in the semi-finals and the finals round. They received the first golden buzzer during their audition and the other one during their semi-final's performance.

The group's first shadow play showcased the different cultures in the world and their semi-final's performance depicted the lives of people who were affected by war (humanity). Their heart-warming final's performance paid tribute to Mother Earth with the "Colors of the Wind" song playing in the background.

El Gamma Penumbra's Finals performance. Screen-grabbed from Youtube.

Screen-grabbed from Youtube.

We could have expected their win as they received the golden buzzer twice. Their performances were really not just for show but it also calls for awareness and concern to what is happening around us.

Congratulations to El Gamma Penumbra and to Gerphil Flores for boosting the Filipino pride!

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Love and red are everywhere! What do you have for Valentine's Day? Are you single, married with kids, in a relationship, whatever your status is, better enjoy this day cause it's a Saturday! Give yourself a break, right?

What to do then?
If you happen to be single and all you can have for the day is the company of your barkada or a friend, then I suggest that you attend the Backtrack: UP Fair 2015 in UP Diliman Sunken Garden. Jam for a night with Gloc 9, South Border, Soapdish, Rocksteddy, Slapshock, Barbie Almalbis, Ransom Collective, Wolfgang, Tanya Markova. You can buy tickets at the USC Office, Vinzons Hall, UP Diliman from 8AM to 4PM or if you can't make it at those hours, you can buy them at the ticket booth located on the venue. You can also reserve online through this site. You can also invite your friends to watch Fifty Shades of Gray, I heard it's already shown in theaters. But don't forget, it's an erotic movie.

Photo taken from UP Fair Facebook page

If you prefer to go solo, the UP Diliman Academic Oval and the Quezon City Memorial Circle are your options. You can take a stroll, jog, eat some streetfoods, or just enjoy the cool atmosphere of these places. If you want to be a couch-potato, go watch the latest movies, be updated with the new episodes of your favorite TV series or anime, read online manga, or browse the Zalora site for new clothes or accessories, they have a great collection of comfortable and stylish tees by the way. You can also try some food in a restaurant that you haven't been before or cook some hearty meal in your kitchen. Have your cheat day once in a while.

If you are in a relationship, then I say, do the usual. Things like a reservation in a romantic restaurant or recreational venues, the gift of flowers and chocolates, the surprise visit, doing sports together, etc. It's a special day to celebrate with your special someone so make it their super special day.

If you have your kids and/or your husband, spend the day outside and enjoy the sun and the earth with them! You can have a picnic in UP Diliman grounds (I know, I'm biased but I just love the place!). Equip yourself with the barbecue grill, packed lunch, and the picnic mat, then off you go for a good Saturday! You can also bring your bikes, badminton rackets, frisbee disc or your soccer ball and have fun playing. The important thing is, you give them your time as well as your love.

So, what's up for me?
We might bump each other in UP Diliman, I'll be there for the concert! See yah!
Spread love not only on Valentine's Day.

I just watched the music video/trailer of Sarah Geronimo and Coco Martin's Maybe This Time! I can say that I am excited for it though I can't say if Coco-Sarah tandem will be such a hit based on the trailer. They lack chemistry or is it just the trailer that's giving me the false hopes?

The song Maybe This Time (original by Michael Murphy) speaks for the storyline of the movie. Two old friends meet again, wearing older faces, talk about the places they've been. Two old sweethearts who fell apart somewhere a long ago, someday they'd meet again and had a need for more than reminiscin'. It's just my favorite song and I am glad that Sarah revived it and a new movie was developed with her as the lead actress. Sarah G fan here!

Along with Sarah and Coco in the movie were Ruffa Gutierrez, Ogie Diaz, Dennis Padilla and Tony Mabesa. The film is directed by Jerry Lopez Sineneng under Star Cinema. Movie will hit the cinemas this May 28, 2014.

Here's the music video and trailer:

Video credits to ABS-CBN Star Cinema (Youtube).

Filipino figure skater, Christian Martinez, landed as the 19th best figure skater in men's division in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics as the free skate program ends. He was also in that same spot during the men's short program which selected the top 24 skaters to advance in the free skate program.

He totalled 184.25 points in the competition while the gold medalist, Yuzuru Hanyu, scored 280.09. Martinez performed his routine in the tune of Malaguena which lasted for almost 5 minutes.

After the event, he said that he will get better in preparation for the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeonchang, South Korea. As incentive, Manny Pangilinan awarded Martinez with $10,000 (~PhP 450,000) for his historical participation and for bringing pride to the Philippines.

Martinez is the lone representative of the Philippines in the Winter Olympics after 22 years of no representation. His participation in the Olympics had sparked some issues to government as his mother claims that her son lacks support from Pnoy's administration, which Malacanang later clarified.

Remember Juno, the movie? Ellen Page is the pregnant lead actress. I have watched it before and I can say that from that movie she obviously is a lesbian. I didn't even think that she is closeted. It didn't come as a shock to me when I read today her speech, "I’m here today because I am gay". Does anybody care if she's gay or not? For Alexander Skarsgård's hopefuls, maybe, it just confirms that they are not dating! Page is also a star in Whip It and Inception.

I am tired of hiding and I am tired of lying by omission. I suffered for years because I was scared to be out. My spirit suffered, my mental health suffered and my relationships suffered. And I’m standing here today, with all of you, on the other side of all that pain. I am young, yes, but what I have learned is that love, the beauty of it, the joy of it and yes, even the pain of it, is the most incredible gift to give and to receive as a human being.

 You can watch her coming out speech:

Video credits to Youtube (NewsHD)

February marks the University of the Philippines - Diliman (UPD) month. Various musical and performing activities will be held in the campus every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Love Month, though the much-awaited UP Fair 2014 is held during weekdays. If you want to drop by the campus, make it in a day when there is a concert, play or show.  You can refer to the schedule below and start marking your planner!

OICA-Sponsored Activities - FREE Admission
February 1 (Sat) - 7:00 pm
The Legend of M, si Marya Makiling at ang mga Nuno sa Punso by College of Music (Abelardo Hall Auditorium) 

February 2 (Sun) - 5:00 pm
Camerata Jazz (Carillon Plaza)

February 7 (Fri) - 7:00 pm
UPLIFT: Handog Sining sa Bayan by UP Diliman Performing Groups (University Theater)*

February 9 (Sun) - 5:00 pm
UP Tugtugang Musika Asyatika (TUGMA) - Carillon Plaza

February 16 (Sun) - 5:00 pm
Maroon Bench Jam with UP-FM featured bands (Carillon Plaza)

February 17 (Mon) - 10:00 am
Sketching session with invited artists (Bulwagan ng Dangal, Gonzales Hall)

February 21 (Fri) - 7:00 pm
Serenades, Overtures and Lullabies by UP Arco and UP Orchestra with student guest artists Josher Peralta and Emil Silayan (University Theater)*

February 22 (Sat) - 7:00 pm
Street Fuzion 14: Journey by UP Streetdance Club (University Theater)

February 23 (Sun) - 5:00 pm
Ka-Fu (Katutubo Fusion) with Kontra-Gapi (Carillon Plaza)

February 28 (Fri) - 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Hagikhikan 2014: Ang Pagbabalik - the UP Diliman Faculty Follies (University Theater)**

February 28 (Fri) - 6:00 pm
Jeepney Orchestra Concert by UP CoNeMus (CS Amphitheater)


*Free tickets will be issued and in a First-Come First-Serve basis
**Ticket is worth PhP100 each and available in the UPD - Office of Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA). 
For more info visit UPD-OICA.

UP Fair 2014
You can also top-up your campus visit by watching the country's local artists perform live in the #UPFair2014 on February 11-15,2014 at the UP Sunken Garden. These are night gigs so you can drop off after work. Ticket price is PhP120 each. If you want to celebrate Valentine's Day (February 14) at UP Fair, you can contact 09477245365 for tickets. Here is the artist/band line up for the week (I'll be updating it since I cannot find info on some dates):

February 11 (UP Fair: Ascend) - Ticket price PhP100.00
Wilabaliw
Curbside
Arcadia
Imbue No Kudos
Diachroma
Days of January
Faintlight
Lost Threads
Jejaview
Brick City
Sirens
Earthmover
Talata
April Morning Skies
Happy Hearts Club
Saiya
BlueBoyBitesBack
Embercore
Subculture
Til Kingdom Come
Now You Make Me Angry
Blunt Concept
Penguin
The Fridays
February 12 (Todo Combo sa UP Fair) - Sponsored by Redlines Entertainment Production
Sandwich
Chicosci
Moonstar88
Banda ni Kleggy
Pedicab
6cyclemind
Imago
Ney
Gracenote
ABRA
BBS
Dello
Autotelic
The Marty’s
UP Pep Squad
Callalily

Hosted by Ramon Bautista

February 13 (Roots 2014: Music Festival) - Sponsored by UP Economics Society and the UP Underground Music Community
Up Dharma Down
Urbandub
Spongecola
Itchyworms
Silent Sanctuary
Giniling Festival
Ciudad
Ang Bandang Shirley
Join the Club
Anton and the Salvadors
Ivan Theory
Ourselves The Elves
Extrapolation
With Fingers Crossed
Speterull
The Yeah Gos
Fiona
Contra Classic
Adriel
Hosted by Joyce Pring and Bogart the Explorer


February 14 (Kontra Kultura 3: Born for Love) - Sponsored by UP Students of Destiny
Yeng Constantino
Quest
Never the Strangers
Freestyle
Sabado Boys (Paolo Santos, Jimmy Bondoc, Luke Mejares, and DJ Myke)
Crossworld Band
Transition Band
Audiocity
D-Tribe
Destiny Dance Rage


Time to have some fun at UP Diliman this month!

Ateneo de Manila University Ricardo Leong Center for Chinese Studies will hold the 8th Spring Film Festival on January 24-February 2, 2014 at Shangri-La Plaza Mall. This is in time for the Chinese New Year! It will show eight Chinese films for FREE, all with English subtitles.


Films
LET'S FALL IN LOVE
Tan Momo, a gifted musician, has entered the Conservatory of Music to learn to play the Guqin. After his graduation, he and his friends finally come into contact with real life. They are faced with conflicts between love and morality, ideals and their family. How will these young people deal with life's challenges?

AFTERSHOCK
The epic story of a family separated as a result of the Great Tangshan Earthquake of 1976.

CITY MONKEY
Naturally built and gifted for the sport, Zhipeng has fallen in love with parkour. He constantly practices the sport despite his mother strong disapproval. As a clash between the two generations arises, Zhipeng is forced to choose between parkour and his mother's wishes.

THEI-GO KING AND HIS SON
Jobless, divorced with a child to support, Liu Yishou is forced to teach Go to children to earn a living. Unexpectedly, he discovers his son, Xiaochuan, has a natural talent for the game. Liu Yishou then decides his son's skills.

LI MI CONJECTURE
After four years of searching, Li Mi was forced to break up with her missing boyfriend, Fang Wen. As she witnesses an eerie murder, she is lead to a man who is nearly identical to her lover. Could he be Fang Wen?

1911 REVOLUTION
Having just arrived from his studies in Japan, Huang Xing finds his beloved country in a middle of a crisis. Starvation and violence have erupted and political reforms are of no help. Left with a few choices, Huang Xing picks up his sword to lead a long rebellion against the Qing Dynasty and the New Army.

WHERE IS MY HOME
Being a simple village mother, Mrs. Geng found it hard to enjoy the city life despite improved living conditions. She cannot help but feel isolated and lonely. One begins to wonder if life is really just about material wealth or something more.

SNOWFALL IN TAIPEI
As a female singer, May has lost her voice and has reached rock bottom. Despite receiving kindness from Xiao Mo and her new neighbors, May remains melancholic. Baffled by her dejectedness, Xiao Mo finally realizes that May has left her heart somewhere at a different place and has gone oon this journey to be found.

8th Spring Film Festival Schedule
January 24, 2014 (Friday)
12 p.m. Thei-Go King and His Son
2:30 p.m. 1911 Revolution
7 p.m. Aftershock (Gala Night - by invite only)

January 25, 2014 (Saturday)
12:15 p.m. Where is My Home
2:30 p.m. 1911 Revolution
5 p.m. Li Mi Conjecture
7:30 p.m. Aftershock

January 26, 2014 (Sunday)
12 p.m. Aftershock
2:45 p.m. Thei-Go King and His Son
5:15 p.m. 1911 Revolution
7:45 p.m. Let's Fall in Love

January 27, 2014 (Monday)
12:30 p.m. Snowfall in Taipei
2:45 p.m. City Monkey
4:45 p.m. Where is My Home
7:30 p.m. Aftershock

January 28, 2014 (Tuesday)
1 p.m. Li Mi Conjecture
3:30 p.m. Let's Fall in Love
5:30 p.m. Where is My Home
7:30 p.m. 1911 Revolution

January 29, 2014 (Wednesday)
12:45 p.m. Li Mi Conjecture
3:30 p.m. Snowfall in Taipei
5:45 p.m. Aftershock
8 p.m. Let's Fall in Love

January 30, 2014 (Thursday)
1 p.m. City Monkey
3 p.m. Thei-Go King and His Son
5:30 p.m. 1911 Revolution
7:45 p.m. Snowfall in Taipei

January 31, 2014 (Friday)
12:30 p.m. Aftershock
3:15 p.m. City Monkey
5:15 p.m. 1911 Revolution
7:45 p.m. Where is My Home

February 1, 2014 (Saturday)
12:30 p.m. Li Mi Conjecture
2:30 p.m. 1911 Revolution
5 p.m. Snowfall in Taipei
7:30 p.m. Aftershock

February 2, 2014 (Sunday)
12:45 p.m. City Monkey
2:45 p.m. Aftershock
5:30 p.m. Let's Fall in Love
7:30 p.m. 1911 Revolution

Besides the filmfest, there will be a Chinese painting exhibit (January 24-February 6) and a workshop on Chinese painting and crafts (February 1 at 2-4 PM).

The news of a Filipina becoming the first winner of X-Factor Israel had hit the country like a storm. It sure made the Filipinos' pride bloom again for the nth time. Rosanna Fostanes, a 46-year-old OFW hailed in Taguig, works as a caregiver in Israel. She won the title singing Frank Sinatra's memorable My Way, breaking the Filipino belief that the song is cursed and whoever sings it (especially in videoke) will face death right after. But this is not the case for her, huh? The song made her gain the flags of admiration from the Filipinos worldwide after Manny Pacquiao's win in Shanghai, China last Novermber 2013.

As I read the news, I wonder how she was able to join the contest given she has a Filipino citizenship? And the problem now rise after this historical event. There was these issues of Israel not permitting her to work as a singer in their country and the Philippine's Bureau of Internal Revenue is also to tax her winnings. The BIR said that even though OFWs are exempted from tax, her winnings is not. It's like in Pacquiao's case, even if they had brought pride to the Philippines, they still have to abide with the laws governing their incomes. As with Israel, the country will not honor her caregiver visa to allow her to do paid recordings.

Well, I hope the best for her, these problems are workable and I am sure she can get out of it will soon enjoy the fame and the career that opened through the show. You can watch her winning performance below:


Video credits to Youtube (The X-Factor Israel)

A big thumbs up if you got here because you liked the Malaala Mo Kaya #Pulang Laso episode.

Well, who wouldn't be touched by that kind of love story eh? A love formed between two guys who will expect that it is true love. Everyone of us is quite aware that when the relationship is homosexual, they are usually for money, casual sex, and even just for passing the time. I have read comments in Facebook that they were really touched by it, that the story made their eyes puff after crying so much, that they want to have a partner like Alan, who will love them unconditionally and beyond everything.

So, for the music that added the to a memorable story: download Ikaw at Ako by Johnoy Danao.

Enjoy!

I have been learning to play the guitar for about two years already and the song that I can really play and sing along are Leaving on a Jetplane, Hwak Kamay, Bakit Ba? by Siakol and Breakaway by Carrie Underwood.   And I am still no good on those songs!

I was encourage to learn this instrument because I have seen among the guys that if they are not playing basketball or DOTA, they are playing guitar! Since I have known quite a few who can teach me and tune my guitar whenever it needed one. I bought an I.R. Lumanog guitar so as not to wreck other people's guitar. And I asked two of my friends to teach me starting with the finger positions. The hard part was the strumming wherein you have to make the sound just like as you have heard them in music.  So, much to my disappointment, I just let my guitar lie most of the time.

I have seen music prodigy, August Rush, played the guitar unconventionally. If you haven't seen the movie, here's a head start. Now, as I was browsing youtube.com for guitar lessons, I came across Sungha Jung, also counted as a musical prodigy I guess. I read that he started playing guitar at age 7 and then came to fame in Youtube. He and August Rush have the same style in playing the guitar (called finger-style), I can't still believed that it can be played that way and give the same music! The best of it, you can see that they are enjoying their music.

Watch August Rush perform The Dueling Guitar

Watch Sungha Jung perform Payphone or Gangnam Style

If you haven't heard the "Gangnam Style" music, you should ask yourself if you are still being aware of your surrounding. Because it has been playing in the air for months now and people are not getting tired of its repeated lyrics "Gangnam style, hey sexy lady! Gangnam Style!". The kids are not only dancing it, even the inmates in Cebu! They may be inmates, but they still have social lives and the biggie of this, they have Time to practice and choreograph a dance in this hit music! See the video here (youtube.com).

Filipinos now quote, that when they go into prison cells, it's better be in CEBU. You can dance freely in there! Opp, Opp!

The Gangnam version that I love the most is the Mother and Son style.
Watch them perform in Ellen

Original version at their home 

Enjoy!

I had watched The Mistress in Cinema and had seen the long lines of moviegoers just to watch this show. I have even seen a lola wait in line as she is being assisted by maybe her apo. Maybe some of them had watched it because of John Lloyd Cruz or Bea Alonzo. And maybe some of them shared the feeling of being a mistress and is curious how the movie will handle the theme.

As we can remember, before The Mistress was shown, there was The Other Woman which also became a hit. It has a different plot but same theme: having a mistress. And now, I came to watch the official trailer of A Secret Affair in youtube.com and it stars Anne Curtis, Derek Ramsey and Andi Eigenmann. Anne Curtis is now playing the first partner and Derek Ramsey is again taking roles of a guy with two lovers. Some said it is like the extension of The Other Woman cono on which Derek may had chosen to be with Anne. And here again revolves the story of having a mistress, a third party in the relationship. If the Other Woman ended with the Wife having her husband back while The Mistress ended with a tragedy, how will the Secret Affair end?

Are the Filipinos being liberated in this kind of idea on which they patronize on screen? Or are there so many  women now who had been in that same position before and had form sentiments of being called a mistress that's why it seemed that we are embracing third party culture? It is really extreme to the Filipino's conservative nature. Some may had said that statistically, there are more women than men and maybe this is the time for love triangles to be a norm?