Mario Maurer for Penshoppe

Mario Maurer for Penshoppe by Jojo Armenta

Victor Basa, Mikael Daes, Mr. Bernie Liu, Mario Maurer, Solenn Heussaff and MTV VJ Utt

          After Ed Westwick said yes to Penshoppe to become their new endorser, many Filipinos are now always looking forward for more and Penshoppe became widely the most talk- about local clothing brand in the Philippines. Penshoppe is known as one of the biggest local clothing brands in the Philippines and now, they’re celebrating their silver year of success in the business by revealing their newest endorser, Thai’s Young Superstar Mario Maurer. 

Mario Maurer was known for his role as P- Shone in the sensational coming-of-age romantic comedy film Crazy Little Thing Called love which was aired in ABS- CBN last June 2011 that is why he became so famous here in the Philippines. But before Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Mario Maurer became one the leading actors in the film Love of Siam in 2007 which became the start of his career as an actor in Thailand. 

         Last October 28, Penshoppe held a Fan Conference for the Thai young actor in the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). The event was hosted by Fil- Thai MTV VJ, VJ Utt together with Penshoppe’s Club Pen endorsers, Victor Basa, Mikael Daes and Solenn Heussaff. There was also an intermission number by Bluch, the newest and hottest girl group from different countries in Asia to grace the event. Alex Mendoza, the Brand Director of Penshoppe also talked about a brief history of Penshoppe and launched the new local clothing brand’s logo. The owners and executives of Penshoppe, Mr. Bernie Liu and Alice Liu, were also there to support the conference. 

Blush

MTV VJ Utt

PRAsia Joyce Ramirez

Meanwhile, PRAsia Joyce Ramirez was the one who introduced Mario Maurer and the one who invited the Thai young superstar to visit the Philippines and choose Penshoppe.

                The Fan Conference was a success because of the surprisingly number of Mario’s supporters here in the Philippines. That’s why Mario stated that “I will definitely come back in Manila.” Plus, everyone who attended the conference didn’t go home empty handed because Penshoppe gave out freebies for everybody. Now, Mario will become busy with his new upcoming movie here in the Philippines with ABS- CBN’s finest young actress, Erich Gonzales. Watch out for this and continue to support Mario Maurer for his upcoming projects.

Mr. A (part 2)

October 18, 2011

It was my first time to join a small group here in Manila and I’m happy that I met new friends and met people whom I could share my life experiences with and talk about God. I was also happy because I saw Mr. A again and now I felt the connection between us though he didn’t notice me much earlier. It felt like my heart melts every time he looks at me. But of course I don’t want to look aggressive so I just kept my “kilig” within myself. As I said before he’s not the main reason why I joined small group but then he’s part of it. For the first time he smiled at me when we’re about to go home and waved. I just want to keep this feeling and just wait for whatever plan God has for me. I wonder what he thinks of me. LOL

Mr. A (part 1)

October 14, 2011

It’s Friday night. The last day of final exams and the first semester is over. I, together with my little sister, decided to attend again the usual Friday night service in Victory Malate. I feel like I looked like an elegant lady tonight because of what I’m wearing. I am not expecting to see anyone but deep inside, I am hoping I could see him but of course, that’s not the reason why I want to attend the service tonight. After the praise and worship, I was surprised when I heard his voice again. He shared some passages from the bible and prayed. He really sounds sincere and fresh. Then after the service, I met two of my sister’s friends, Mark. What a small world because he belongs to a small group where Mr. A is the group leader. So finally, I met him.  After so many months that I’ve been seeing him in the church, I shook his hand for the first time. Thank God I met Mark who became a way for us to meet. I really can’t explain the feeling that I felt when he was nearly approaching us. I don’t know what to say. I love his smile and the way he looked at me. I am hoping that the time would stop when our hands met. “Hi, I’m Jojo”, the only words that came out on my mouth. Gosh, he is so cute. He invited me to be part of their small group but I think after that meeting, I think he would already forget who I am. I don’t want to attend small group meetings just because I want see him but of course because I want to share my life with others and how God moved in my life. Btw, I found out that he’s around 20’s and single. I don’t care if there’s a big age gap between us, for me age doesn't matter. Now, I am praying for Mr. A and hoping that we could be friends because I would like to know him better. I’m lifting up everything to God and I’m excited to share the next chapter of this blog. 

Maskara by Laurice Guillen (Movie Review)

Maskara by Laurice Guillen --- A movie review by Jojo Armenta

Maskara was the opening film for Cinemalaya this year and it was indeed, a perfect movie to start the annual showcase of independent films here in the Philippines. 

Photo coutesy of: http://www.clickthecity.com/movies/?p=11968

Even though the film was star- studded, I liked the film so much not just because Laurice Guillen is well known as one of the best directors in the Philippines, but because the story of Maskara is based from the true-to-life story of Johnny Delgado, a veteran actor and the late husband of Laurice Guillen who just passed away 2 years ago. Maybe it's not what everybody is expecting about the movie but it definitely gave the audience some lessons on how showbiz personalities live they life off-cam.

Secrets were kept for so long but in the end, it was all revealed. The outcome was positive though. The memories that Johnny Delgado left his loved ones were cherished and learned. A family tie story that will definitely capture every Filipinos heart.

Desperately Superficial

Desperately Superficial by Jojo Armenta
Do not condemn me for what I've done.

Keeping you alive makes me wonder what now.

This face with  mask I'm having for a long time, 

This furious of thoughts lingering on my mind. 

I'm shuttered with fears and doubts.

Out of this world is basically fine. 

No matter how hard I try,

This burden controls me inside.

Maybe it's too late, maybe it's not

Or maybe I'm just fascinated on how you act

Stop saying that you'll stay for long,

Or else I'll be drown again by your words. 

Please don't you dare bare this in mind

For you not to be ashamed of yourself

I may not get over with what happened

But I will try to carry things over mine. 

Veronica Guerin: Movie Review

 

Synopsis: Based on a true story, this is about the Irish journalist Veronica Guerin (Cate Blanchett), a reporter for The Sunday Independent, who exposed some of Dublin's most powerful crime barons and drug lords in 1996. But later that year she was gunned down by assassins hired by the same criminal drug lords she exposed. 

Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0312549/plotsummary

I love writing, though I am not that perfect in constructing my ideas yet, I am really practicing to become better and this movie made me love writing more. While I was watching this movie during our Film Appreciation class, I was frightened because I found out that being a journalist is a very dangerous profession.    To the point that you're putting your life on the line. But Veronica Guerin, inspired us. She is a hero. I already thought that she will die in the end but I didn't imagine how brave she was to fight for what she believes in. She was able to get the drug lords put into jail and the people supported her and gave their tributes for what she has done. It was amazing. I literally cried after the movie. I can't imagine how hard it was for her family to lose someone like Veronica Guerin. She also proved to everybody that a woman can also make a change. It was a really nice film. Bravo!

Say No to Domestic Violence!

courtesy of YouTube and Hannah Fortich. =)

This issue is not unusual to us. We already heard about Domestic Violence for so many times, but sometimes we just ignore it. If we can't do anything to help these people who were verbally, physically and sexually abused in any way, it means we're just letting these unreasonable acts to happen. Let's not be still. Do something. Say no to domestic violence!

Dinig Sana Kita (If I knew what you said) Part 2

 Dinig Sana Kita (If I Knew What You Said) by Jojo Armenta

               As I promised last time, I will blog my insights about this beautiful film by Sir Mike Sandejas. Students were all privileged to have Sir Mike, the director of the film, when the film was shown in our school. Dinig Sana Kita was released 2 years ago and I heard about it but I didn't get to watch it because the screening was too far from where I live. I didn't know that this film features Deaf and Mute people, but now they don't want to be called Mute because they could read lips when we talk.

               First of all, this movie is not a love story. Sorry to spoil you but I just want to clarify this because people focus more on the romantic scenes than what the real message of this movie wants to say. I want you  to look deeper more on the meaning of every scenes that you will see in the film. Everything has a meaning and every meaning made the story and the movie itself complete and amazing. Honestly, when I first saw the trailer of this film, I thought it was concentrated on the love story between a deaf guy and a rocker girl. I became excited because the trailer was romantic and we could relate on what the movie is all about.

             The film actually revolved around mostly with Nina and Kiko. They both longed for care and understanding. Kiko was abandoned by his mom when he was still young and was brought to an orphanage where he met his new family who took care of  him until he learned how to become independent. He knew where his mom lives but he never get to know her personally. In this world, I think it is really common for people who are disable to experience unfortunate things because they are disable. The fact that they're disable, some people also look at them as "walang pakinabang" which worsen their "being" disable. Gets? People are too judgmental and passive. Kiko doesn't want his mom to leave him but she still did because she was ashamed of her child who is deaf.

             Kiko strived hard. He was so passionate about dancing and teaching kids who are also deaf and mute. How can he dance? he's deaf. Well, that's the power of vibration. They could feel the rhythm of the song using vibrations. Amazing isn't it? That's why we should not under estimate people who are disable because they could do more that the things that we can do. Even though the're not perfect physically, they're very thankful and appreciative of the things that they have. That is what we should learn form them.

            After Kiko, let's talk about Nina. This girl is really interesting. Btw, the girl in the film who played the role of Nina, was the daughter of the director of this Film. Her name is Zoe Sandejas. Let's go back to Nina, the rocker. She always listens to LOUD music. Literally LOUD! When I first saw her, she was singing as the vocalist of their band, I asked myself, as the usual story there is something wrong with Nina. She looked pale and dry while performing her song. I think you could just count the smile that she did in the movie. I finally found the answer to my curious mind when she got home. She was verbally abused. Now I got it, why she rebelled from her parents and from every opportunities that comes her way. She became tired of listening and following her parents. Nina has a strong personality and yet she can't even explain fluently her side to her Dad,
who always punish and give her lessons. Nina is always brave outside but actually, broke inside.

            I hope this movie will open your mind and straight those narrow thinking. Especially to those parents who doesn't care and don't know how to understand the situation of their child who is disable. This blog is just an insight based from my perspective and own understanding of the film. If you have comments, please feel free to comment.

Thank you for reading this and God bless!=)

Dinig Sana Kita (If I knew what you said)

Synopsis:

The film is a love story between a Deaf boy who loves to dance and a troubled rocker girl who abuses her hearing. One lives in the world of solitude and silence, the other in noise and fear. Crossing paths in a Baguio camp that mixes Deaf and hearing kids, both find that they have more in common with each other including a love for music.

DINIG SANA KITA is the first Filipino film to have a Deaf Actor in a Lead role. Romalito Mallari is a Deaf performer that has played several stage productions as actor and/or dancer. It also features several Deaf actors in the cast and ensemble.

Awards: DINIG SANA KITA" won the Audience Choice Award, Children's Award & Best Original Music Score for Cinemalaya Cinco 2009. Cinemalaya 2009 --- Best Original Music Score , Audience Choice Award and National Council of Children's Television Award, Brussels International Film Festival --- Grand Prix-Deaf Cinema and 8th Gawad Tanglaw --- Presidential Jury Award For Film Excellence

Sources: http://www.facebook.com/dinigsanakita?sk=info

           http://www.cinemalaya.org/film_competition_dinigsanakita.htm

          *This film by Sir Mike Sandejas is indeed a wonderful movie. Dinig Sana Kita featuring deaf people really amazed me. I didn't know that deaf people can dance. How is that possible? Well, watch the movie. I can't say anything further but I will definitely blog about this movie again so watch out for it. I will gather first all my thoughts and opinions about it. 

The House-bands

The House-bands by Jojo Armenta

Again, I wrote this blog because I was inspired by our discussion yesterday in Women's Studies and this blog that I wrote is different from what you think because I mentioned my subject. This is not about us, women. This is about them, the Husbands with a new name -- The House-bands. Our discussion yesterday was fun yet very informative especially for us who grew up closely with our moms.

Most of the girls that I know are more enjoyable when they're with their mom like when it comes to shopping, boys, etc. Before, yeah it's true because the society labelled men as busy persons. They should work and work because Fathers are the so-called "head of the family".They really can't put so much time on spending it with their children because they come home late because of work but I am not saying all Fathers don't have time for their family. The society gave men a heavy responsibility to take because they're men. That's why I wrote this blog to change the perspective of the readers about them. 

Men are always known for being tough. They can't cry because they're men. They should always take control because they're men. They should always decide because they're men. There are a lot more to say how society define men but did you ever consider them as the opposite one? Because not all can do these huge responsibilities. I guess, even the small ones who are still asking about the environment they belong to would already carry these responsibilities because they were born men. 

Let me now go to the meaning of my title "The House-bands" and as we go to this discussion, please open your mind and way of thinking to this "not so" sensitive topic about men. Remember we are promoting gender equality and fairness. Before, women were considered uneducated, controlled by men and the doer of all the chores at home but now, a lot of women work abroad and make money for their family. What is the implication of this? Meaning men stays at home while women are working.

They cook, wash the dishes, do the laundry and  lot more and seeing them doing these things makes them cuter and funny. (Laughs)

Let us not focus too much on what they can't and can do cause well let's face the fact that men are not just tough but also flexible as well. So going back to the title of this blog, we should not underestimate the abilities of men when it comes to household chores because they can do it better than you could ever imagine. Staying at home and letting their wives to work doesn't mean they're inutil or useless.

I entitled my blog with House-bands because I want to emphasize the role that men are taking nowadays, though not everyone agrees and accept this new concept of what men are right now, I think it's good to change the heavy role that the society gave to the so called "head" of the family.