Couch Potato Corner: My Favorite Movies and Series =)

MOVIES

source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2149080/The-man-TV-ray-gun-turned-couch-potatoes.html

Like my inclination toward books, I am smitten with movies that mess with my brain or those with so brilliant plots that make me wonder - how did they even think about that? Of course, I also go for movies that are highly entertaining but with a good story, especially those who were able to establish and present characters you will learn to love. I also love it when the cinematography is so awesome or the movie turned out into something totally unexpected.

So here is a list of movies I like =) Again, this is my blog about the movies I like so there will be additions to the list every now and then. =)


Transcendence
This is a movie that made me think - what if man is capable of being a God?

Inception
I dream like them (dreaming inside a dream) and I never thought that a film can be made out of that, a brilliant movie at that. =)

Hotel Rwanda
This made me cry. Films that show what happened/is happening in Africa really interest me.

The Shawshank Redemption
An inspiring and smart movie. Love it.

Patch Adams
My fave late Robin Williams movie. I also cried buckets in this movie.

Titanic
Took me a long time to accept and move on from the fate of Jack (Leonardi di Carpio). It really broke my heart.

Y Tu Mama Tambien
One of the earliest bold and daring and brave movies I watched. I like the way the Mexico political and social issues are exposed while also discussing the entangled lives of the main characters. And Gael was hot too =)

50 First Dates
Who wouldn't want to fall in love anew every single day? =)

Heavenly Creatures
This movie haunted me for several days. I can't get over with what happened at the ending. How could they???

Spider Man 2
Among all the spidey movie, this is the best for me. I love it how Peter went spiraling down to once again, the world's hero =)

Man of Steel
I watched two super man movies in my generation and I like this one better than the Superman Returns (in 2006). I like how they presented the characters - especially the human side of Clark Kent. I also love Superman's costume here, compared to the other superman movies.

Armageddon
I find this movie very touching, in my young heart back in highschool. hehe

12 Years a Slave
One of the best films I saw so far. The cinematography was perfect. And the approach of the movie - very subtle but just heart piercing.

Apocalypto
Morbid and dark, that's how I love it.

Invictus
An inspiring story of what and how leadership should be, and of forgiveness and unity.

Ang Babae sa Septic Tank
A different take on Filipino movies, and in the indie film itself, I like the fresh perspective and attack of the film. Very unique, and really funny.

Milan
Advertised as a love story, but turned out to be a movie about OFWs plights and sad stories abroad. I like socially relevant movies sometimes.

Here Comes the Bride
This film still makes me laugh even if I have seen it several times already. A very unique and smart comedy movie. No slapsticks at all, just pure wits. Not to mention that everyone acted out their role superbly.

Mystic River
This is really a mystery drama movie. Sean Penn was really effective here. I love the twists and how the characters unfolded.

Bona
In the mainstream Filipino movies nowadays, there is hardly any film that portrays empowered women. I found out due to my constant CinemaOne marathon that movies in the 1980s era show strong women. And this is what Bona is all about, stupid and in love but strong and revengeful. It was subtle, no heavy drama but was very effective. I also did not expect the ending!

The Matrix 1, 2 and 3
A totally intelligent movie. Made me think if my life here is real or just because of a software.

Changeling
Dark and sad, but I love it just the way it is.

Cinderella Man
A very touching story. Plus Russell Crowe has the ability to die in movies so I wasn't really sure if he will live at the end.

500 Days of Summer
The ultimate basag movie of all time!

Divergent
I totally relate to the protagonist of this story. Deep within, I am divergent, questioning a lot of norms and traditions. However, I am bent on following, knowing the price to pay for not following the imposed standards of society. And yes, personally, there is an inherent need for me to belong. Anyways, this is a success story of someone who is different =) it inspired me. ehehehe

The Last Temptation of Christ
OMG. What a creative way of presenting the Lord in a different light. Very bold and brave but still strengthens the faith! =)

A.I. Artificial Intelligence
Definitely a heart-wrenching story about a robot who wants to be a boy. Depicts though human being's cruelty, in this movie, to robots. One smart movie.

Stranger than Fiction
A very simple plot but really pinches one's imagination. I find this one-of-a-kind and quite unpredictable.

Avengers: Age of Ultron
I am not a frequent fan of very famous movies but this one, I like. I like how it was able to balance the characters in the movie despite all of them being big stars. Everyone has his/her own shining moment. I also like how the teamwork is presented, and the special effects to boot. They won one Marvel fan now =)

Pitch Perfect (1)
I lurveeeee this movie! Being the music lover that I am. I hope I can do acapella like that! Walang sinabi yung Glee :p

Heneral Luna
One of the best Filipino films I have watched so far. In an era of a movie industry that creates only shallow stories and boring, predictable romantic comedies, this movie is such a breath of fresh air. Heneral Luna emphasized on a lot of socially relevant issues such as patriotism, gender empowerment, lack of unity, etc. which is absent in most movies nowadays. I hope the younger generation who watched this movie took it by their heart as to be champions for what Heneral Luna wanted for this country. The actors and actresses were also fantastic, the director was just so gifted and how the movie was done was pure artistry. I hope movies of this quality start to come back into the mainstream.

Suffragette
I never knew how bad the situation of women is until I watched this movie. Women were really treated as second-class citizen and that is so sad. But this movie shows us never to give up, like what the women fought for, the right to vote. =) 

The Imitation Game
What a great way to narrate how computers started. Plus, great respect for the actors and actresses in this movie. And I can't believe how bad gays were treated in those times. I am so glad that some parts of the world have become more progressive nowadays.

The Theory of Everything
A story of love, marriage and falling out of the madness of love in narrated in a non-romanticized, realistic, less dramatic way. Scenes are just subtle, no heavy dialogues in tears, but just way too moving. This movie also provides a story of hope and courage, never to give up, amidst an awful situation.


SERIES

Meanwhile, I love series that are jampacked with action. I also love series that are solving crimes. So here they are:

Bones
I love how strongly the characters are portrayed here and each character dynamically interact with each other both in a personal attitudinal level and their area of expertise (we have an FBI agent, forensic anthropologist, artist, the bug guy, the shrink etc.). I hope this series never ends! Haha

Nikita
Pure action with the very hot Nikita. I like it when girls kick some ass and rule the world.

Chuck
I like Chuck's special talent here, with the very sexy but fierce Sarah and their love story. The different characters as well make the series even more interesting. I however became bored after Season 2. It seems to me that the 3rd season is overstretched. Stopped watching after that.

Prison Break
I love the first seasons of this series. I think the plot is ingenious. Plus a very good looking main cast. I must admit that I had sleepless nights watching this because I just can't stop from one episode to the other. But it also bored me after two seasons. It seemed that they never stop running from whoever. I got tired of the chasing.

Nip Tuck
Morbid, and very weird, (and perverse!), but it continues to interest me =)

Emily Owens, M.D.
Another story of women empowerment. Just as I was beginning to get hooked, the series had to be cut short because of poor ratings. Oh well. 

izombie
Since I love series about crime investigation, Izombie is a refreshing take in solving crimes. The twist and turns also make me giddy! Will definitely be watching every season =)

The Flash
This definitely does not bore me, as there is something to discover at the end. I also used to watch The Flash during the 1990s and it is cool that the protagonist's biological father is the one who portrayed the Flash during the 1990s. Already finished season 1 and will be highly anticipating the next seasons =)

Supergirl
Interesting characters to love! And this series really places emphasis on women empowerment. =) Really entertaining

Books and Reads: My Faves

Source: https://untitlement.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/reading.jpg

I have been meaning to have a section on my blogsite where I list down all the books I like. And now I am finally allotting the time to do it.

Well, I am not really a bookworm. For some reason, I am very picky with the books I read. I get so bored easily. Some best sellers and classics, I tried reading but I got so bored. I am also not the type who will proactively seek something to read, so the books I read are either required by professors/teachers or are influenced by friends. For those that hooked me, these books either mess with my head or I can totally relate to it =)

Anyways, I have been trying to target reading one book in a month. But...unfortunately, I end up playing video games or watching movies or TV. I hope one day I can get to read one book in a month :)

So back to the topic....

Now I am enlisting the books I like, Blame it on the trending challenge on Facebook where a friend is nominated to list down his/her favorite books. So a good friend of mine nominated me. I might have passed the impression that I like reading, but I like killing zombies more in video games :p

I thought I am not going to reach 10 books. My friend told me to include even academic books. Alright, that's good. When teachers require it, I am sure to read it. And there were a lot of school readings that I really liked. =) So i got to reach 10 books and more!

So here are my favorite books and academic hand outs =)

Since this is my blogsite, I am listing down beyond 10 (bwahahahahaha). These books are organized in random order. I think I love them all equally. :p

And this post will serve as my official blog for all my favorite books. So expect that more will be added to this list =)


Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coehlo
For me, it is a book that describes what I studied and learned in Sociology - my second love (my first love is music!).

Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coehlo
I am amazed on how an author can describe how and what a sex worker thinks. And I love the way Paulo Coehlo deconstructs reality here - what I like best about him =) I am just bothered that the bestfriend of the protagonist here is a Filipina, who has the protagonist's same profession. That's the impression for the Filipinas? Huhu

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
This made me wonder who will be the five people I meet in heaven.

Sociological Imagination by C. Wright Mills
This was a reading required back in college and this is a mind opener for me. Since it was ages ago, I already forgot what it says...all I can remember is - I really love this reading. hehe

The Miseducation of the Filipino by Renato Constantino
Very fresh reading (at the time of writing), as this was required by a professor in my grad school. It gave me a fresh perspective on American colonial rule and the English Language. And the author made very good sense to me. I like it when something that is just so common is criticized. Deconstructing reality really appeals to me.

ABNKKBSNPLAko?! by Bob Ong
I love this book as it talks about my childhood (80s child!) and some topics that made good sense =) I am a Bob Ong fan. I just wonder why his books now are so dark!

Ang Paboritong Libro ni Hudas by Bob Ong
I can't remember anymore the story of this. All I can remember is that I was laughing so hard when I was reading this book. Bob Ong humor is benta to me ;)

Stainless Longganisa by Bob Ong
I also can't remember the story of this one. But one thing that remains to my memory is that I find this book really funny and inspiring. =)

The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Finding out just recently that I am an introvert (always believed that I am an extro yet at the same time, I feel so weird socially, deep inside) made me totally relate to this book. It is so funny, that only a loner can understand ;)

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
This book has shaken me being a catholic raised and catholic school girl all my life. But the book is some sort of an emancipation as well. It's like a truth engraved at the other side of the coin. I didn't stop reading this book until I finished it. I like the action here too!

Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri
This was a literature piece we studied back in highschool. I love how Dante's mind works! A very vivid imagination of hell, purgatory and heaven. Reading this and discussing it in class made my imagination run so wild.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

This is also a highschool literature piece that we had to discuss for several gradings. I was just 15 back then but this book has a major influence on how to think maturely (yun eh! haha). It is a glimpse of reality and adulthood. I love it =)

Before I Go to Sleep
I am a fan of thriller/suspense books and this one did not disappoint! Really, when it got more interesting, I did not stop reading it until the very end. Sleepless nights because of this book. Highly recommended for suspense/thriller fans like me! =)

With the Wastepickers and in the Dumpsite

For the past few months, I had the opportunity to be in a project with the end-goal of helping the waste pickers have alternative livelihood. This is in the anticipation that eventually, the dump site, where they usually work, will be closed down in compliance with RA 9003.

Part of the work is having an ocular visit of the dumpsite, and, this is the first time for me to set foot inside an actual dumpsite. I visited two dumpsites for this engagement.

Where can we find the Wastepickers?

All along, what I know is that wastepickers are all working at the dumpsite; however, in this project, I discovered that there are different kinds of waste pickers, depending on where they recover wastes.

So there are waste pickers who go house to house. These are the ones who knock on our house and whom we trade our bakal, plastics, lata and other recyclables wastes.

There are waste pickers who go to pick up points (or called the itinerant waste pickers), in those areas considered as “tambakan” where the garbage truck get the wastes. Here in Manila, I usually see them in evenings looking for recyclable wastes from the "tamabakan"

Our friendly “basurero” from the garbage truck that collects are wastes everyday is also considered a waste picker. I found out that they also gather recyclable wastes from what they collect.

And then, there are the wastepickers at the dumpsite. And I found out through this project that, in the chain of the waste management, they are mostly the disadvantaged; they are the wastepickers with the least amount of income. This is because, usually, what they recover in the dumpsite are already the leftovers from the whole process of the waste management. You see, the house to house, the itinerant, and the basurero from the garbage truck, already have their share of recyclable materials even before the wastes reach the dumpsite.

Finding out about their daily income makes me frown. But nonetheless, they never fail to give me their upbeat and positive vibes. Oh, I love people in rural communities! :)

photo-op with the dumpsite workers in Pili and some municipal officers

All about Naga City

One dumpsite I visited is in Naga City. They say that there are far more advanced dumpsites in the Philippines, but for me, Naga City’s dumpsite, is, so far, so good. It has a Materials Recovery Facility inside the dumpsite wherein the biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes are segregated. The biodegradable wastes are converted to either organic compost or inoculant. The inoculant is used as an ingredient of the compost or is applied to the dumpsite to minimize the smell.

What I find impressive about Naga City is the recognition of the waste pickers in the solid waste management of the city. It is ensured that the wastepickers have specific “territories” where they can recover wastes as a means to ensure their primary livelihood activity. For one, the waste pickers are organized into associations by the city. There are currently 4 wastepicker associations in Naga City. One association is dedicated to collecting waste in private subdivisions; the two other associations are in charge of collecting wastes at public markets and malls; the other association is deployed at the dumpsite. These 4 wastepicker associations are allowed to recover wastes only in those barangays not covered by a Materials Recovery Facility.

Meanwhile, Barangays with Materials Recovery Facility (MRFs) have their own solid waste management system. The MRFs are managed through the close collaboration between the Barangay and a volunteer group (also living in the same barangay). The volunteer group, which can also be considered as waste pickers, practically manages the MRF, and also, if necessary, helps the city in the conduct house to house collection (especially to areas not reached by the garbage trucks). Income from the MRF is divided equally among the volunteer group. There are some barangays however who have organic compost activities in their MRFs, and this serves as an income-generating activity of the Barangay.

Meanwhile, the MRF inside the Naga City dumpsite is managed by a cooperative group. This cooperative group used to be wastepickers at the dumpsite. The city organized as well these waste pickers into a group, and then to a cooperative. Income from the MRF is considered income of the said cooperative.

I just find it simply amazing on how there is a pro-active move from the city to recognize, organize and secure the income-generating activity of these waste pickers. There is no way that these wastepickers are displaced and neglected. Interviews I made (both with the government and the wastepickers themselves) testified that the city solid waste management office is very active and has good relations with these associations.  Something unique I discovered. You see, this project covered 10 areas in the Philippines and this system of Naga just outshone the rest.

The waste pickers in Naga City controlled dumpsite

Gate of Naga City Controlled Dumpsite

the MRF inside the dumpsite where bio and non-bio are segregated

biodegradable wastes converted into organic compost

ready for soil application

biowastes being decomposed

biowastes converted to inoculant

another shot for the inoculant processing

an MRF located in Brgy. Triangulo

inside the MRF in Brgy. Triangulo

Naga Garbage trucks. Smaller than what I see here in Manila

All about Pili

Another site I visited is the one in the municipality of Pili in Camarines Sur. With a small population, the wastes dumped at the disposal site are small in volume as well. The solid waste management is also pretty straightforward – no processing facilities in the dumpsite; wastepickers are found in the dumpsite and they have no role in the waste management chain. There are other waste pickers as well, such as those who go house to house and those at the garbage truck. The main recipients of this specific project are the waste pickers in the dumpsite. They are also an organized association.

wastepickers in Pili open dumpsite

All about the Project

The project hopes to equip the wastepickers to engage in livelihood activities aside from recovering waste in case the dumpsite closes down. At the time of the field visit, the waste pickers are being trained in different skills. The wastepickers are also assisted in the setting up of their own business -either as an individual initiative or a business owned by their association. The waste pickers association in Naga City hopes to have a junkshop, a rice trading and a welding center. Meanwhile, the group in Pili wants to have a group-owned strawberry farm.

Naga City government is very supportive of this endeavor. Plans are underway to provide a  business space for the wastepickers in either the bus terminals or the coliseum. The city government of Naga also plans to partner with the waste pickers for some of their existing projects.

Meanwhile, the Pili government hopes to employ the wastepickers once their planned MRF has been constructed.

Livelihood training program for the wastepickers. they are also called IWS  or the informal waste pickers

Padyak making, as one of the livelihood trainings

wastepickers in pili are now starting with backyard farming of strawberry. tasted it and this one is sweet!

the community based strawberry farm now being set up inside the residential community of the Pili wastepickers

one of the Pili wastepickers also engaging in consolidation of the wastes of her association. She sells this to junkshops. 

Workshop Photo-Op in Naga City

workshop photo-op in Pili

FGD with the leaders of wastepicker associations in Naga

facilitating the workshop in Naga City. I also had to facilitate in Pili. A first for me :) I survived! :p

Refreshing

On a personal note, it was refreshing to see how supportive the people are to the government of Naga City. This is a first for me, among all the field works I had, that the people I talked to have full support and trust of the government. The Naguenos I interviewed are also proud of their government officials. They are telling me that the politicians in Naga lead a very simple life, which is so unlikely for our traditional politicians. They see that this is the Robredo legacy. they hope that this kind of legacy lasts forever. I do hope too.

I left the place inspired and motivated. Naga City is once a small town but now is a progressive city. It made me believe, that with political will, and honesty, nothing is impossible. Honestly, I got inspired to become a Mayor because of this experience, and of course, I shall follow suit with what Robredo has done to Naga. :)

Counting on the Community

I am likewise amazed at how the wastepickers can so articulately say what they need to address their problems. I am hands down to how they have suggested out of the box yet practical solutions with regard to their alternative livelihood opportunities. For me, these are even smarter solutions compared to those provided by people we regard as highly educated or tagged as experts.

I once heard from a high up person that "the poor cannot help themselves."  I have disagreed in silence and I am somehow offended personally. This experience from this project has even solidified my stance that we can count on the community as partners in fighting poverty. We cannot just go there and drop our packaged capacity building modules and believe from there that they will be ok. We should stop looking at them as project beneficiaries. They know what they need; it is just a matter of listening to them, and providing a conducive atmosphere where they will realize how they can provide solutions to their problems. It is a matter of respect for what they know, and patience to their pace . And as a development worker, it is a matter of providing them the resources and building their capacities for them to achieve these solutions; and from there -  be ready to be amazed at how far they can go :)

There, I still believe in a rosy world =)

Island Hopping in Zambales

Back in 2010, a good friend of mine invited me to join her and her friends for a vacation in Zambales. I must say that it is one of the best vacays I had. Aside from the beauty of the place, I laughed non-stop on this trip. I mean the sense of humor of the people I was with just clicked with mine :)


I am astounded by how beautiful Zambales is. I am not very familiar with it and I did not expect that it was that pretty. I was able to savor its beauty because on this trip, the rule was that “no one is allowed to sleep in the car” hahahaha. So, I was able to catch the sunrise which was just fantastic.

Zambales sunrise!!!! Very serene :)(Shot taken by Baby)

At Camara Island

Shot I took on our way to Capones Island

Going up to the Capones lighthouse. It is very very rustic and mysterious :) 

Lighthouse tower

Lighthouse gate

at the top of the lighthouse! the world is round! :)

Me taking pictures while on top of the lighthouse

In Anawangin Island

Behind the pine trees is the beach. I find this very unique to Anawangin Island - beach and river adjacent to each other and  the presence of pine trees! I felt like I was in New Zealand :p

Loving Anawangin

Now the beach!

Us at Anawangin Island :)

The next day adventure was going to Potipot Island. It is located in another municipality (Candelaria, Zambales) and if my memory serves me right, we traveled for one hour from San Antonio to Candelaria via private car.  Just like the other islands, you will stay on the main island and will ride a boat going to Potipot Island.

The highlight of our Potipot trip was that we had a sponsor. Haha. So, somebody lent us a speedboat (instead of riding the usual boats that transport people to the island) and jetski and that we were prepared with food and we had one of the biggest cottages on the island :) I felt like I was a royal blood just for a day :) ahahaha

feeling sosyal sa speedboat :p on our way to potipot :)

Our bountiful meal at potipot :) pinagdala kami ng food so we did not have to fend for ourselves :)

As I said, may jetski na pinahiram so that is me driving one. I am always scared of speed so if you may notice I was screaming while driving. hahaha

Potipot for me is a good substitute for Boracay. Still nothing beats the powdery white sand of Boracay but in Potipot the sand is also nice (pebble type and whitish), the water is warm, the waves are just fine and the sunset makes me drool!!!

Now, let me take you to potipot's sun and sand :)

the enticing beach of potipot :

the potipot island sand

Basking under the sun :)

Sunset! :)

Sunset again :)

Romantic :) My favorite shot in Potipot

we are leaving potipot at this moment. the silhouette at the horizon is Potipot island. the sunset was just lovely.

The happy me in a jumpshot :)

Other than that..I had a blast :)

I love you Zambales :) I love you Philippines!

PS. for more pics you can visit my photography site:

We first went to the Island of Capones, Camara and Anawangin. All I can say is that these Islands are just simply majestic. It was not the first time I visited Capones but during this time, it was ultra fun having the funniest people around. 

We hired a boat going to the islands. The boats are docked on the main island - San Antonio, Zambales. Resorts are situated in San Antonio but I believe Anawangin Island is open for campers. When I was there, the islands did not have facilities. In Anawangin, sari sari stores exist but the price of the goods is way too high! Haha.

If there is only one thing, the waves going to capones, camara and anawangin were so big, it was scary. I believe there are months when the wave is not that strong so if you are a little water sick then better check first which season is the best time to visit these islands.

http://glaizaveluz.weebly.com/potipot-island.html
http://glaizaveluz.weebly.com/anawangin-island.html
http://glaizaveluz.weebly.com/capones-and-camara-island.html