TV Series Diaries 001 - The Following

My Rating: 4.8/5
Genre: Thriller/Horror
Cast: Kevin Bacon, James Purefoy, Natalie Zea

Are you a fan of constant thrill and horror? This series is perfect for you.

The Following is a story about a college professor, Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) who is obsessed with the romanticism period. Most of his teaching inspiration comes from Edgar Allan Poe's works. And so does his way of killing. In the pilot episode, after being in prison for years, Joe escaped stealthy killed most of the guards.

The next day, a former FBI agent and a Joe Carroll expert, Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon) wakes up from a news that may change his life - again (Watch the series to find out why). Being the man to put Joe in prison, the FBI insisted that he works on the case on capturing Joe Carroll one last time.

So you may say, This is just another story of a psychotic serial killer. Now that is where it gets interesting. When the FBI started investing the the brilliance and charismatic capabilities of Joe Carroll, they discovered a much more disturbing truth to what lies in the mind of the serial killer. He is not alone. In fact, he brought them all together. Let me picture this for you, What if all the serial killers was able to unite and form a following lead by Joe? I'm also looking forward to that.


When it comes to the casting, the entire team is incredible. At some point, I wanted to kill Joe myself because I was so pissed at how his killings and tactics have always been one step ahead of Ryan. This only proves the effectiveness of the actors' portrayal of their respective roles. I'd also have to salute the chemistry between Joe and Ryan. Usually when people see Kevin Bacon, he comes off as this strong man. However in this series, you see a helpless Kevin and how James stands as a more powerful character before him. Oh I just love it.

If you want a series that puts disturbing art, murders, mysteries and thrill in one, this is something you should try. Since the series just started, much more twist and artistic killings are to be anticipated. For the mean time, let's wait and see how Ryan will face all these conflicts and hopefully get ahead of Joe.

Note: The series was renewed for a second season. 

Movie Diaries 002 - On Celeste and Jesse

My Rating: 4.0/5
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Cast: Andy Samberg, Rashida Jones, Emma Roberts,

Sometimes when things are too familiar, it's hard to let go. 

The story starts with an LA couple, Celeste and Jesse, who are undergoing the process of divorce. However, despite their situation, they remain "Bestfriends". Celeste, portrayed by Rashida Jones is a successful trend forecaster who owns a firm. On the other hand, Jesse, portrayed by Adam Samberg is nowhere near Celeste's success.  As Celeste tries to push Jesse to find his career and purpose, Jesse seemed more lost and confused. I cannot blame one of them because it is hard to be pushed around and be told what to do. It is also a pain the ass to tell someone to get their shit together because at one point, you'll eventually get tired of reminding them. In the movie, this kind of situated is depicted.

One of the main points I love about this movie is how well the actors portrayed the characters. At some point, I thought they were together for real. They have this cute and playful chemistry on screen. When it comes to their characters, their personalities seem to balance each other. Celeste acts like a forceful and determined person while Jesse is kind and confused. "Opposites Attract", they said.

However, as one normal relationship would go, there always limitations to what one can endure. At some point, someone will have to give-up and let go. In the unexpected turn of events, you have to watch to find out what happened and how they started falling apart.

I am a fan of simple and lightweight romantic comedy films like Like Crazy and Silver Linings Playbook. And one that I recently watched, Celeste and Jesse Forever. The ending may not be what I expected, but the movie touched and moved every bit of my heart.

Summary:

Movie: 4.0/5

Story: 4.0/5

Actors: 5/5

Picture: 4.0/5

When in Baguio, try Chocolate de Batirol

Another cafe that we tried during our Baguio trip was Chocolate de Batirol. It was raining quite heavily when we arrived and the cold weather was perfect for a cup of hot chocolate. We wasted no time and started ordering different kinds of food. We ordered Bibingka and Suman. The food was good coming from me, who doesn't like filipino dessert.

Getting to Clark Airport

Because of my #epic2013 trips, I have been a regular visitor of Clark Airport or Diosdado Macapagal International Airport. Since a lot of people have questions about Clark's accessibility, I created this post to help others know more about the schedules.

From Manila, it takes 2 hours++ getting to Clark Airport by public transportation. By private transpo, it takes about 1.5 hours depending where you live. That's how long it is getting to and from Valenzuela.


Trinoma
There are a lot of options to get to Clark Airport. Recently, they opened a lounge in Trinoma that caters to travelers from the north (Super swerte ko lang. Commute Addict.). The bus fare costs only 200 pesos. There is also a place where you can relax and wait for the bus.

Trinoma -> Clark

3:30 AM

8:00 AM

2:45 PM

Clark -> Trinoma

7:00 AM

12:00 PM

6:30 PM

Megamall
Before they opened the lounge in Trinoma, I go to SM Megamall for the bus. They arrive on time so there's no need to be there early. The bus fare costs 450 pesos.

Megamall -> Clark

7:00 AM

9:00 AM

12:00 PM

3:00 PM

9:00 PM

Clark-> Megamall

11: 30 AM

12:30 AM

4:30 PM

8:30 PM

12:30 PM

Pasay Terminal
I haven't tried the Pasay terminal yet so I can't say much about it.
Pasay -> Clark
6: 30AM
8:30 AM
11:30AM
2:30 PM
8:30 PM

Clark-> Megamall
11: 30 AM
12:30 AM
4:30 PM
8:30 PM
12:30 PM

For more info, contact Philtranco at
(02) 8518078 -79 or 09182288831


 

H&M Stores in Hong Kong

With Hong Kong being the closest city from Manila, I find it right to share this. Taken from our dead travel blog (here)

Hello fashion lovers! Since the H&M franchise is taking too long in the Philippines, why not head to Hong Kong?  Drop by any of these H&M Stores NOW.

Hong Kong Side


H&M CityplazaMTR Taikoo StationOpening Hours:Mon - Thu : 10:30 AM - 10:00 PMFri - Sun : 10:30 AM - 10:30 PM

H&M Central68 Queen's Road CentralCentral, Hong KongOpening Hours:Mon - Sat : 10:30 AM - 10:00 PMSun : 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM


Kowloon Side


H&M Tsim Sha TsuiSilvercord, Tsim Tsa TsuiOpening Hours:Mon - Sun : 10:30 AM - 11:00 PM
H&M ElementsKowloon Station- Tsim Sha Tsui+852-21968391 Mon - Sun 10:30 AM - 10:00 PM
H&M Olympian CityOlympic Station- Tai Kok Tsui, KowloonOpening Hours:Mon - Sun : 10:30 AM - 10:00 PM
H&M Langham PlaceMong Kok Station- KowloonOpening Hours:Mon - Sun : 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
H&M Festival WAlkKowloon Tong Station- KowloonOpening HoursMon - Sun :  11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
H&M Plaza HollywoodDiamond Hill Station- KowloonOpening Hours:Mon - Sun : 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM


New Territories


H&M Metro City PlazaPo Lam Station- Tseung Kwan OOpening Hours:Mon - Sun : 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
H&M Megabox38 Wang Chiu Road- Kowloon BayOpening Hours:Mon - Sun : 10:30 AM - 10:30 PM
H&M New Town PlazaShop 457, Phase I- Sha TinOpening Hours:Mon - Sun : 10:30 AM - 10:30 PM
H&M TMT Plaza- Tuen Mun, N.T.Opening Hours:Mon - Sun : 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM