Posted by CandyQ on Thursday, January 02, 2014 with No comments
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
To start the year, I've made the decision to move (again, hehe!) to a new address here on Blogger.
I've wanted to clean up my blog in a certain way for a long time now but there are just way too many posts and categories for me to muddle through and reorganize. Plus I really felt like starting my blogging year with a fresh, minimalistic approach hence the move.
Anyway, you can find me on EclectiCeefrom here on out. Hope to "see" you there!
Posted by CandyQ on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 with No comments
One of the good things that has come out of the recent disaster brought about by Super Typhoon Haiyan to our countrymen in Central Visayas is the overwhelming support that has poured in from all over the globe.
I can't help but get teary-eyed with gratitude and joy to realize that the Philippines isn't alone. There are so many heartwarming stories of random people, including children, who generously share what they have, stage fundraising events in their communities, give unexpected hugs and words of encouragement to Filipinos they meet on their way, and give us shoutouts on the web, telling us that we're all in this together.
And there's the official relief assistance, including logistic equipment and manpower, being sent over by countries such as the USA, Australia, Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, France, Korea and so many more. They're helping deliver food, water and medical care to the survivors as well aiding in clearing operations.
Philippines International Typhoon Response in pictures. More HERE.
Despite our differences in faith, politics, culture and status, it's amazing at how everyone has managed to set all that aside to respond to a common goal: to HELP another who is in need. And that restores my faith in humanity.
Posted by CandyQ on Monday, November 18, 2013 with No comments
2013 has turned out to be an extremely trying year for the Philippines. Not that we've ever had it easy but we've, more or less, learned how to deal with the natural disasters, corruption, peace and order situations, and poverty that seem part and parcel of our lives. But this year, it has been especially hard.
In August, my hometown of Zamboanga came under siege by separatist bandits which resulted in 19 days of fighting between them and our police and Armed Forces.
After it ended, we'd barely begun to recover when nonstop rains caused citywide flooding, the likes of which Zamboanga hadn't experienced in decades.
While locals, members of the national government and concerned countrymen tried to help us get back on our feet again, a 7.1 magnitude tectonic earthquake hit Central Visayas. It greatly affected the cities of Cebu and Bohol and caused widespread damage to infrastructure as well as death and injury to people and displaced hundreds of thousands from their homes.
And, while we were praying and hoping for the best, the worst came and plowed through Central Visayas. Super Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms in world history to make landfall, smashed through Leyte, Samar, parts of Cebu, Negros and Palawan, and left in its wake indescribable devastation.
The entire country is still reeling from this latest incident. The delivery of aid to survivors of the monstrous typhoon was initially very slow due to many factors and has only recently started to flow more smoothly with the arrival of international aid.
It's going to take a long time to rehabilitate all that has been destroyed - from Zamboanga to Bohol to Leyte - but I'm optimistic that we will get there eventually. I'm inspired at how Filipinos have come together to support each other despite our differences in opinion. And it is even more inspiring to see how the world has come together to help us get back up on our feet, particularly for the survivors of Haiyan.
As I end this post, I say a silent prayer in my heart, asking that we will be given some time to breathe, to mourn, to mentally and emotionally recover, and to rebuild before the next big challenge comes again. And may we never lose our faith. Mood Music: Rise Up by R. Kelly
Posted by CandyQ on Monday, November 04, 2013 with No comments
Since The Avengers, my eldest has become such a great big fan of the this particular Marvel franchise. Needless to say, there was no way we could miss this latest installment when it finally hit the cinemas.
Anyway, since I'm too lazy to come up with a decent review, let me point out the good and the bad in bullets.
Warning: Possible spoilers ahead!
The Bad (because I like to save the best for last):
- slightly sluggish start
- banal villain
- generic MacGuffin
- some plot holes
- a potential love triangle that went nowhere
- Natalie Portman as Dr. Jane Foster wasn't really given much to do or say
- a lot of scientific nonsense
The Good:
- Chris Hemsworth's charisma (and his ripped body!)
- Tom Hiddleston's brilliant portrayal of Loki
- scenes between Thor and Loki are the ultimate saving grace
- cameos from old friends
- witty one-liners and gags (Joss Whedon was actually brought in for this)
- pain and loss
- a mind-boggling final showdown between Thor and Malekith
The Verdict:
Despite the slow start, it was an undeniably extremely entertaining movie. I loved how scenes went from serious to funny and back again. I liked it more than Iron Man 3 to be honest. And this despite my being a huge Robert Downey, Jr. fan.
Of course, as with all Marvel movies related to the Avengers franchise, there were two Easter eggs at the end of the movie. The first one came after the animated credits and gave a hint of what's to come in Guardians of the Galaxy while the second came after the credits finished rolling.
With all that said, Thor: The Dark World has successfully managed to keep Marvel's Avengers franchise going and having people look forward to the next chapter which is Captain America: The Winter Soldier. And by the looks of this trailer, it looks like it's going to be awesome.
Posted by CandyQ on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 with No comments
My friend Hazel tagged me on Twitter months ago and I'm finally getting around to doing it. I used to post a lot of memes when I first began blogging and this is like a throwback to the old days.
Okay, here we go:
A. Attached or Single?
B. Best friend?
C. Cake or Pie?
D. Day of choice?
E. Essential item?
F. Favorite color?
G. Gummy bears or worms?
H. Hometown?
I. Favorite indulgence?
J. January or July?
K. Kids?
L. Life isn't complete without?
M. Marriage date?
N. Number of brothers/sisters?
O. Oranges or apples?
P. Phobias?
Q. Quotes?
R. Reasons to smile?
S. Season of choice?
T. Tag 5 people.
U. Unknown fact about me?
V. Vegetable?
W. Worst habit?
X. X-ray or ultrasound?
Y. Your favorite food?
Z. Zodiac sign?
Yay, finally done! By the way, all images were grabbed from the intarwebs. :)
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