Movie Blog: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

To be honest, I wasn’t able to read the book, so all the critics and thoughts I have made will be based on movie. Before we begin, let’s get the required disclaimer out of the way. This is a review of the movie “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.” For those few who don't know anything about the movie, The Hobbit trilogy ("The Unexpected Journey", "The Desolation of Smaug", and "There and Back Again") tells a story before "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. You should be forewarned that SPOILERS may be involved.

IN A HOLE IN THE GROUND...... there lived a HOBBIT. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.  This was one of the opening lines of “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”. Although the movie doesn't start with them, the famous first lines of The Hobbit are said by older Bilbo as he writes them down in the Red Book. And our first glimpse into the Shire and Middle Earth. In this thrilling story, Gandalf the Grey returns and once again goes on a quest with a hobbit. This time, we look back in time to when a younger Bilbo Baggins, Frodo’s uncle, tries his hand at an adventure.

Bilbo Baggins (Ian Holm)

The story begins with an elder Bilbo Baggins (Ian Holm) writing his memoirs before his birthday party as seen in The Fellowship of the Ring. Martin Freeman is the young Bilbo, a very content Hobbit, living a peaceful and prosperous life. So prosperous that he becomes stale and priggish for his years (60, the middle years for a hobbit). A hesitant Bilbo Baggins is chosen by a wizard, Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen) to be the 14th member of a quest along with 13 dwarfs. The dwarfs, led by the dwarf king Thorin (Richard Armitageas), are leading an expedition to the Lonely Mountain to free their homeland from the dragon, Smaug, who took it over from them some long years ago. The orcs return once again to thwart Bilbo and the dwarfs. Thorin’s old enemy, the Pale Orc, who Thorin left for dead, returns to get his revenge. Bilbo must struggle with homesickness and a feeling of not belonging throughout the movie due to the fact that his newfound traveling companions believe it was an unwise decision to bring Bilbo along. After some convincing and some songs, Bilbo is convinced and their start their journey, where they are awaited by many quests...This sets the stage for an adventure the likes never seen.

The dwarves: Thorin, Gloin, Oin, Balin, Dwalin

Dwarves: Dori, Nori, Ori, Bombur

The Hobbit comes to life from director Peter Jackson in grand form. And Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was a success in fantastical escapism that took us out of our current wet and windy world and into a sprawling land of dragons, trolls, orcs, dwarfs, elves, stone giants, goblins and, of course, hobbits. J. R. R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” was written as a prequel to the original three “Lord of the Rings” books/movies. However, when transposed to the screen, the book was split into three movies. “An Unexpected Journey” is the first installment of the series.

Once again, J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic story is brought to life in an adventure that delights, excites and astounds viewers. We revisit some past characters, Rivendell and the elves, Gollum, and the mountains that pierce Middle Earth. We are introduced to some new characters such as the Pale Orc and Thorin and a new wizard, Radagast the Brown.

Pale Orc (Azog)

Thorin (Richard Armitageas)

Radagast the Brown

The movie was… *drumroll* GOOD.

*Gasp! What? I didn’t use “amazing,” “wonderful,” “fascinating,” or “awesome”? Nope. But it was good. I think the absolute best thing about it was the humor. This movie is brimming with humor. It is very lighthearted – much more than the LOTR.

The first thing you have to realize is that The Hobbit is a really long movie. It clocks in at 2:50 minutes. I think this will be biggest flaw is its run time of nearly 3 hours. Granted, if done right the 3 hours could be an adequate amount of time for a movie, but here it is too long. Pacing can be a tad slow at times but, an epic action scene pulls you back in soon enough. There isn't much character development with the new group of adventurer's however. This is somewhat disappointing as, you really want to know more about them. Gollum's scene is an amazing standout. I wish there were more of him but, his scene is pivotal. It was really fun to return to Peter Jackson‘s Middle Earth and many of the scenes are beautiful but…not a lot of stuff happens over the course of the film. There’s a lot of talking and a lot of walking. The action scenes are plenty but they’re not ALL really that exciting. I can’t say that I was wowed by, well, anything in the film. That said, I didn’t hate the movie at all. For the most part, I liked it…but, sadly, I didn’t really love it.

The cinematography in the movie was brilliant, beautiful and at times unnecessary. There were sweeping landscapes, wonderful scenery, great music and special effects to take your breath away. It also included many – perhaps too many – characters familiar to fans of the previous trilogy, along with the essential crux of the original story from The Hobbit. Further, many back story tidbits from Middle Earth concerning the early days of the Dwarves of Lonely Mountain were highlighted in dramatic fashion. Costumes, dialogue… there was a lot of good stuff here. Peter Jackson did a great job in giving visual aid to the audience. However, there were many scenes that were extended past their prime and could have been cut short. Visually, the picture creates a world fit for hobbits, dwarves, and elves.

Trolls

Leader of the Goblins

I will admit that they've actually got the right actors for The Hobbit for its characters like Tom, Bert and William the Stone Trolls with a cockney accent, and the Great Goblin does a great role too and of course most actors that were in the Lord of the Rings series make a return welcome too like Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, Ian Holm and Hugo Weaving. I've actually laughed at quite a few moments my main favorite parts were Roast Mutton and Riddles in the Dark which were both well played and fairly well done for it. There’s definitely a period of time when Bilbo's role shrinks considerably halfway through...until the stand-out moment when he makes the acquaintance of franchise anti-hero Gollum (Andy Serkis) in a gloomy cave, to play a life-or-death game of riddles. Ian McKellen and Martin Freeman pull off fairly solid performances. Richard Armitageas, the leader of the Company of Dwarves, does not impress me so far. Bilbo, of course, is the heart of the film, and Martin Freeman, who starts off a bit nervily in the early sequences, develops him beautifully as his story progresses. But Freeman’s warm-hearted, unsteady Bilbo isn’t meant to save the world; he only holds out a glimmer of hope.

Gollum (Goblin)

The sounds are also good…it grabs you! The vocals are incredible; the instruments superb. It drives the movie, and makes you feel the emotions. I especially love Thorin’s song (Misty Mountains? Not sure of the name.) – it is so rich, mystical, and enthralling.

The movie does have its problems, I'll grant you. I can understand why some people balk at the lengthy run time, it's true that it takes awhile for the adventure to get under-way, and there are no female characters of note beyond Galadriel (Cate Blanchett).

That’s pretty much all that I did and didn’t enjoy about the film. Considering that it was almost three hours long, I would say that’s not too bad, and I can easily deal with it. It was very much so worth it to see all the rest of the movie. Oh, but the ending…the ending…. At the end I was all,that’s it?!All I can say about the ending is that it is way too long until Part 2 and 3 come out. It leaves the audience hanging…and I really want to see the rest of the story – even with the minor downfalls! I came out thinking that it was good, but perhaps not as good as I was hoping for, or expecting. It was funny and entertaining. The actors were phenomenal, and the music was enthralling. Oh, and I forgot to mention this earlier, but I absolutely LOVED Gollum! He was incredible in this movie. His self-conflict was so entertaining. If I loved Gollum in the Lord of the Rings, I loved him even more in The Hobbit. “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” was a good movie, but lacked the push to be stupendous. It’s worth seeing, but the viewer should go in prepared to watch the movie in a not so unexpected way. It was OVERALL a SATISFACTORY MOVIE.

Here's the trailer for those who haven't seen it yet.

Another 12 months and 365 days in progress

I know, I suck! I haven't blogged in a while. I wonder if there's any 'blogging juice' left in my brain. :P I'll only briefly apologize for the lateness of this post, which I meant to have written up within a couple of days of it happening. But I'm just a 'little' girl reveling in a break, so I got lazy and am just now getting to writing it up. But anyway, excuses, excuses, right?? Hihihi

Congratulations!! I've made it this far! With that trending "end of the world" thing...Naahh!! Sure 2012 has been a hard and tough year; yet I survived it!! Clap! Clap!

2013 is fast approaching, and whenever a new year is on the horizon I get a bit nostalgic for the one I am about to close to chapter on. I tend to think about all those things I did or didn't accomplish, and look forward with hope and wonder about what opportunities this year will bring. Another 365 days are ahead of me. What's in store of me? I don't know what God's plans are for me. But whatever it'll be, I know it would be for my own good.

My 2012 started out quite rough. There were so many challenges I needed to face that almost put my spirit down. It was like a machine gun firing continuously at me, and the tough part was I didn't die with the first, second or third shot...It wasn't anything like the real thing. I had to endure all those bullets being shot at me. There were so many things going on and being my normal self who is an optimist, it was not really a pain in the ass. {Sarcastic me! I'm human too! I feel pain! Hehe} Still, I'm thankful! It was not like I had the world's biggest problem. I know I'm still blessed compared to others.

It's been a crazy year. I'm sure this applies to a lot people. There are many reasons to be thankful for what you've brought about, but at the same time there are also plenty of reasons to be pissed off. I've had my fair share of trials and tribulations with you but I can honestly say that I don't blame you. There are many things that I've learned from you. There are many things that I picked up from the pain you've brought about but also many good memories from the smiles you've brought to me.

Looking back at those hard times, it made me somewhat proud of myself probably because I was able to face them rather than cry in one corner or run. I feel like giving myself a big, big pat on the shoulder now. Haha! :)) Looking back, it also made me realize how God truly loves me unconditionally. Though, I wasn't really giving my all to Him, He did....He was still faithful with his promises even though I wasn't really in complete obedience in the past years. He was (and is) answering my all-time prayer: to not give up on me, no matter what, even if I have given up on myself and on Him. There were moments I felt like not seeking Him, but he was still there. He never left and that was what I truly needed, not a timeout with Him. It was God who carried me through all life's obstacles for the past years. I'm sure he will do the same thing, even more, this 2013.

Then it took me to a cloud, you brought me up so high. Met new friends along the way. You gave me hope; gave me something to believe in. Inspired me and reminded me of what it's like to have faith, to believe in something you can't even see, to fight for something that you truly think is worth it.

Last year was not just dark moments. I still had my fair share of life's ups and downs. My family received a handful of blessings before the year ended. I was able to discover something I can do, career-wise. I had accomplished, even not all, more than what I had planned for the year. Yeeeyy!! :D I made new friends, great friends actually. Most of all, I made a lot of realizations and learned many lessons before the New Year kicked off.

It taught me fear, reminded me of trauma and reminded me that life doesn't always work out the way you want it to, no matter how hard you believe in it or no matter how hard you fight for it. It taught me that there are some battles you can't win, that no matter what, friends and family will always be there for you. They will stand with you through thick and thin and they will support you no matter what how hopeless you may seem to them. They will always have your back as long as you're in the right path and that they will give you advice even if you don't seem to pay attention to them.

Reminiscing how I've lived my life, I've realized I'm still missing out a lot in life. I want to do sooo many things and I promise myself that I'll do my best to achieve it!! This year, it wouldn't be the same thing. I want a "new" year. It's not about becoming new.....I just want a better me. I want to look at life from a different perspective. It just feels good when you feel good about life whatever it brings. Life doesn't need to be perfect; it just needs to be beautiful in our sight, and we can choose to see it this way. Well, this 2013 I've got another year, another 365 days to fully embrace and celebrate life's beauty and goodness, to choose happiness every single day. I guess that's not so hard to do. While we cannot change the things in front us, the things of the world, we can change our outlook on life: to appreciate more and complain less; to thank God more and question Him less; and to love and live life to the fullest no matter how tough the world may seem.

With that, I say goodbye to you 2012.....I thank you for the lessons you have taught me, the people you've brought into my life and the trials that you've given me. I say goodbye to you with a smile on my face not because I'm glad that you're over, but because I'm glad that you've left me several lessons which I have yet to learn.

So today, we face a new beginning. A new hope was given to us. We have to set our minds and hearts for what is about to happen. As long as we have faith in God and we believe in ourselves, nothing is impossible. ;) This year let us make ourselves better, wiser and bolder. Cheers to confidence, maturity, witty and love. Always remember that this 2013, a new journey awaits. For those who were part of my 2012, THANK YOU for sticking around and let us continue this little journey that we started. I will greet 2013 with a big resounding hello and I can only hope that it's as great as you've been to me. 

2013 here I come!!! Just walk, talk and enjoy the roller coaster ride. :))

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!! HAPPY 2013!! Let's welcome it with a banggg!!

**Sorry it's kinda long for first entry this year! Too many thoughts to share.**

Girls wanna have fun!

Well, again I had a chance to go out again with my friends so this is always fun. Me and my friend Zackie meet first since we are the ones who came early. As usual, early birds! Hehe Since we're both hungry and haven't had dinner yet, we decided to go to Banchetto to eat. I missss it!!! Sooo many foods! Happy tummy again! :))

When our other friends came, we stroll in the tiangges located in Citywalk. I like so many things to buy however, "budget constraint". Need not to tempted. Then, have some picture picture with those human statues in Eastwood.

with Zackie, dinner @ Banchetto

with the Human statues @ Eastwood

Afterwards, we decide to have some drink at Graffiti. We order a tower of 'Sex on the Beach' with a mixed of vodka, cranberry juice and orange juice. Have a 'pulutan' of  nachos and cheese sticks. Little catching up and chikahans. 

@ Graffiti + Sex on the beach

Attendance!! Complete!! :) L-R: Me, Zackie, Ivern, Jen & Ate Aimee

This is how I spend my last friday of 2012. It's always a HAPPY HOUR with these people. Hanging out together with you guys is soo cool and fun! As I've said before, our gimmicks always keeps us young! Haha Does it mean I'm getting old?? Nah!! 

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Merry Christmas, One and all!

This Christmas has been so wonderful. As well as a delightful combination of busy and laid back. For me, December is always synonymous with Christmas. The holidays, the rush of excitement that comes from finding the perfect gift. How cozy I feel when I bundle up in my jacket, long sleeves, scarf and cardigans for the cold December breeze. :) Christmas is my favorite holiday, anyway. And Christmas time is my favorite time of year, too. 

Hey everybody! MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of you out there!! Remember it is the season to be jolly Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la so forget all your problems and just have fun! :D If you are on a diet, forget it and just keep eating! Continue your diet next year! Enjoy all the foods that is being served on parties. If you wanna buy something, then buy it! Don't worry about the money for now. Just go buy stuff and gifts and be broke later. :P

If you are sad this Christmas because you are heartbroken or something, but I hope you're not! Listen to happy Christmas songs, add them in your playlist, so you could not get all lonely and then go spend time with your friends, special one and family. Go out with them if you want. They will always be by your side. It was quite a fun day. Especially considering it happened after a day spent running all over creation to do Christmas shopping. 

Hey, it's ME! Greeting all of you a
MERRY CHRISTMAS!! ^-^

I am sooo grateful for everything! God knows exactly how I'm feeling blessed every single time as I myself couldn't measure and describe through words. My family, friends and all the people who stand by me, who have been faithful and true to me, ALL OF YOU COMPLETE ME!! :') I wish that you all be showered with love, wisdom, and prosperity this season! :))

But there it is, anyway. Proof that despite the fact that I'm still rushing around to bring Christmas together, I do indeed have Christmas spirit, cheer and goodwill. It is the time of the year to be happy and give gifts to the ones you love. So MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!!! Be happy and smile!! :)) Let's remember the reason for this season. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAPA JESUS!! <3 May the blessings keep coming to us all. So let's all be happy this holiday season and just enjoy being with the ones we love. 

PASKUHAN 2012

If it's Christmas in UST, I guess we are pertaining to Paskuhan alone. The annual UST PASKUHAN happened last friday December 21, 2012. UST is filled with people from different universities and parts of Metro Manila. All gathered in one place to celebrate Christmas the Thomasian Way! Paskuhan is one of the best event UST has to offer. It is well-proven to be one of the most awaited events of the students. This is the most awaited time of the year for UST students or not. Everyone gets excited to see the extravagant Christmas lights in the campus. :))

Paskuhan is one of the best events in the whole University Belt. Thousands of students are swarming over the campus. There could be an average of 15,000 to 20,000 people every year celebrating with UST. Other students from other schools are going too. There are tons of popular bands, singers and artists invited there to perform and give testimonials. There are various booths around the campus too with lots of goodies there. The FIREWORKS display. It is more like minutes of non-stop action up in the air. You really see grand fireworks display courtesy of UST.

When we arrived at UST, I was like, WTF! The line's soo loong!!! But then we had no choice but to line up. Then, when we were close to the entrance, the guards separated the females from males. Again, I was like O.o because we have to line up again! This means we'll be at the end of the line again!! But I think luck's on my side. Hihihi So after 3 or 5 minutes, we were able to get inside UST. There were soooo maaaaany people. This was already expected!! It was hot, crowded, no signal, and again, too many people. I had pasta, pizza and chicken for dinner. Thanks to Shakey's, one good thing that happened that night. With a massive crowd like this in one location, we have come in terms with the fact that network signals are seriously jammed. It's so hard to send and receive SMS nor do or receive calls.

The second good thing was I spent it with my college barkada! And last good or I mean the best thing.....none other than the FIREWORKS!!! UST fireworks are surely zeee best!! Seriously, I was like aww-ing and wow-ing. The most awaited attraction here are the bands and fireworks wherein students joke around and say that "Hey! There goes my tuition." Haha

L-R: Me, Bern, Jen and Ivern

L-R: Michael, Gaena and Me

With Gaena and Ivern

With Michael and Bern

Can I just say that UST did a good job in pranking us all? Like, seriously. Great, job guys! If you're not there, what happened was they kind of let us count to 1 and then some crappy fireworks display happened. And there's no sound so whatever and everyone was like asking for the sound and stuff and it ended quickly. Well, it's actually not that crappy but it was far from the usual UST fireworks display. So whatever!

And then we kind of faced in the front again. And the hosts announced something like, "The real Fireworks display!" The fireworks were beautiful, eye catching and most of all its colorful. The night sky was filled by beautiful lights of the fireworks. It was long and that's why my back neck was aching but it's worth it. Although it's not the greatest fireworks that UST has but that thing surprises me and I said "WOW!" because the combination of lights brings happiness to its viewers. The fireworks display took more than 5 minutes and whew the back neck ache is worth it. :) and these pictures happened.

The FIREWORKS DISPLAY!! Grab pic from my friend.

Some attend Paskuhan for them to watch the hottest bands as well as the fireworks. But for me, it's really the bonding that what makes me want to attend these kinds of events in UST. It's because I have the AWESOMEST FRIENDS in the world! They're the craziest, supportive and loving friends I have! Even, if we have our own problems, once we get to bond with each other, all our apprehensions are gone! We never ran out of stories to talk about. That's what I love about them. We have our OWN WORLD! AND OUR OWN WORLD ROCKS!

With my girl friends. L-R: Bern, Me, Gaena, Sha, Ivern & Jen

Of course that is the time that all of my friends to do some picture picture. My friends loves to camwhore and while where at some kind of event like this, flashes of camera are turning on and off. Even though the others are doing something, they will run to where the designated spot where we will pose. You know it's like we were destined to be friends because we love to take pictures! Haha! Corny, I say. :p

Pose! Pose! with Sha and Bern :)

Cam-whoring with Jen, Michael and Ivern 

After celebrating the Paskuhan, me and my bestie Sha, stay at Starbucks near UST in P. Noval street to spend the entire night! It was a long walk because we are first timers there so we don't know the exact location. Thanks to the security guards and the people we asked around the place! Some of our friends go first they still have things to do. So two of us had our GIRLS NIGHT OUT! Hahaha Funny!! it's only at Starbucks just to wait for the simbang gabi at UST and wait for sunrise and go home. I settled for a toffee nut frappe, and sit on a cozy portion of the store. We had soo much fun. I got home around 8am, nooo sleep yet and I still have to go to my granny's burial at 11am that day. Phew! It was really exhausting but it was worth it.

Back to the event, UST Paskuhan was really fantastic! Not because it is a gathering of friends, you know, some kind of feeling that you don't explain and that feeling brings total happiness. That is wicked awesome!! It was really tiring but it was a blast! I miss them so much! I'm looking forward for another trip with you guys! For now, 'tis the season to be jolly!! Happy Holidays!! :D

So what do you say? I guarantee you will never ever regret attending such an event like this. Being a part of this event, I'll say its worth to come in this event. I really had fun! Until, the next Paskuhan 2013! :))

Happy Birthday, Daddy!!!

This day of the year is one of the most special days in my life and will always be; today's my daddy's birthday. Yes, that's right, I said Daddy. I don't care how old or "grown up" I get. I will always be a Daddy's Girl. He isn't my father, not even my dad. He has ALWAYS been and will always be my Daddy. And today is his birthday!

We always speak about mom, how much she cares and how much pain she takes right from giving birth to us but there is a MAN who always supports us and the entire family without saying a word and with least expectations of recognition, 'DAD'.

The chemistry between me and my dad has always been like a bestfriend. He's my everywhere and everything buddy. :) You were the first man I loved, and the one I compare all others too. Your support and guidance have helped mold me into the person I am today; he has done so so so much.

I LOVE YOU, DADDY!! I'm sorry for being such a naughty daughter, especially on my bad driving skills and multitasking while driving. Sorry for being "pasaway" kid sometimes. Hihihi :P I never told you how much I love you and care about you but I want to take this opportunity and through this blog I wanna say YOU are my hero and no one on this earth can ever take your place in my life. 

LEFT: "PAST" I was about 5yrs.old. RIGHT: Me & daddy today! :)

I wish you the HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS!! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY!! :)) Thank you for all that you do, and all that you are.

#NoToCyberCrimeLaw YES TO CYBER FREEDOM

No, this is not going to be a serious, witty, lawful post about the Cyber Crime Law. It's just that it has caused so much clamour that I thought that it would be worth a few words or maybe more. But, this issue is so depressing and disappointing. I have a little theory on why it has been a big issue to many, particularly to our generation. I know that it has its own advantages but when it comes to its disadvantages, it may lead to asking you, "What's the use of the internet now?".

Republic Act 10175 was approved by PNOY last September 12, 2012. This new Cyber Crime had take effect last October 3, 2012 and facing a lot of protest including from netizens. Hash tag #NoToCyberCrimeLaw become a trending on Twitter in our country and worldwide. It aims to fight online pornography, hacking, identity theft, and spamming following local law enforcement agencies' complaints over the lack of legal tools to combat cybercrime.

However, the law came with tougher legal penalties. It also allows authorities to collect data from personal users accounts on social media and listen in on voice and video applications such as Skype, without a warrant. Users who post defamatory comments on Facebook or Twitter, could be sentenced to up 12 years in jail. Yeah! you aim to fight them. But to LIKE, to RETWEET, to SHARE, to REBLOG can cause us to go TO JAIL? Is it legal? C'mon people!! Common sense!!

I live in a democratic country. I was against SOPA and PIPA. This new law was implemented that silence the Filipino people's freedom of speech and expression and take down powers of DOJ to shut down websites finding violation of law even without a court order. 

I'm not scared to fight against it because of the following reasons. First, I know that those who favored the Cyber Crime Law obviously passed it and majority of them is because one's ego is bruised, then the whole make amends for it. We are all aware that it's a result of a Senator who PLAGIARIZED and LIED in front of the public. We all know about his plagiarism issue, but lying? Yes, he did! This Senator actually denied putting the libel part, but later admitted about it. Secondly, it saddens me, no it upsets me because now we faced with Cyber Martial Law because of the Cyber Crime Prevention Act violates the right to free speech. We want to be free from the shackles of dictatorship. Good thing that many netizens are against it. Sad though, it's what the past leaders/heroes were fighting for but now WE GET THIS!!! Lastly, this is probably a rant. This law is UNJUST, UNFAIR and VAGUE and has TOO MANY FLAWS. 

Photo shared by Ami Evangelista Swanepoel 

Petitions were filed and still we are not heard. We TWEETED, we BLOGGED, we changed our profile pics to black and still, the Government, our Government shunned our voices. Just a COMMENT, LIKE, RETWEETS or any form of intellectual criticisms or opinions from us can get us into jail. I f ever I get imprisoned, I will be there for 6-12 years. Any opinion, good or bad, can be thought as a libel. How could you, President Noynoy sign this bill??? 

We shall not silenced. We will fight and we will take what is rightfully ours. Now the Yellow ribbon that signifies freedom is wrapped around our faces. What happened to the YELLOW RIBBON??!! Isn't suppose to fight for FREEDOM?! I don't know what to say anymore but our GOVERNMENT is just TOO MUCH!! FREEDOM IS EVERYTHING.....EVERYTHING IS FREEDOM!!! But, don't use FREEDOM just to attain your selfish needs. 

Photo shared by Filipino Community Page

Thank you to Sen TG Guingona for fighting with us. The following photo was posted from Sen. Guingona Facebook Page.

Anywayyyyss....Here are some recommended useful links for more info on the Cyber Crime Law and why you would fight for it:

• 10 Scary things about the Cyber Crime Prevention Act
• Republic Act No. 10175
• Senator flip-flop on Cybercrime Law
• Sotto...for Plagiarism
• Palace statement on the Cybercrime Prevention Act 

Here's a short video from ANONYMOUS PHILIPPINES:

I hope this blog post would be a contribution to help people be aware as well as urge them to fight for their right. (P.S Hopefully, I shouldn't get any case or be in jail from sharing you this!! :P)

UAAP Season 75 Cheerdance Competition 2012

The UAAP 2012 Cheerdance Competition (CDC) was held last September 22, 2012 at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) arena. Hosted by Boom Gonzales and Jessie Mendiola. This year's competition is expected to be better as most teams, we've heard, have prepared new, never seen-before routines. 

It's exciting to see if the defending champion University of the Philippines (UP) Pep Squad will come up with another 'surprise' same as last year when all team members flaunted a blonde hair during their Madonna-themed performance.

Will the University of Sto. Thomas (UST) Salinggawi Dance Troupe and the Far Eastern University (FEU) Cheering Squad rebound and strive harder to snatch the title from UP? We'll find out!!

Here we goooo...Me and my girl friends had a last minute decision on watching the cheerdance competition live at MOA arena. We got there past 2pm and the event is almost starting. As we expected the tickets are already sold out. Since we are eager to watch it live, we tried to go on the ticket booth and ask if there are still tickets available. Good news is they still sell tickets but the bad news is we will watch it standing! Yezzz, we go for it!! We grab it! Haha :)) we buy the ticket costs Php300 each, it was just a Lowerbox ticket but once you take hold of the ticket such as these, it is like receiving a golden ticket. 

Let me start by saying that I miss the crazy feeling of UAAP Cheerdance Competition back when it was still held at Araneta Coliseum. I know that because the NU is the host for this UAAP season all the games and events was held at MOA arena because Henry Sy which the owner of NU. Hahaha All those lanes along the perimeter of the Big Dome cramped up during the selling of the tickets. The UAAP fanatics with their balloons and banners on hand as they enter the venue. The heckling between the rivals schools. 

UAAP Courtside Reporters

I really had fun, good time watching all the squads perform. I think UP and FEU delivered very strong performances. I am not a hardcore cheerleading fanatic so I can't comment technicalities. 

As their fans expected, the UP Pep Squad claimed their third straight victory at the 2012  UAAP Cheerdance Competition. The UP Pep Squad was declared the champion even UP had some errors at the end. The squad achieved a 3-peat (three consecutive championships) and won their 8th championship over-all, tying the feat of UST. Just like last year, UP Pep Squad clinched all the major awards being champion in the Group Stunts category and having won the Samsung Stunner Award.

UAAP Cheerdance Stunners

I wasn't really expecting National University (NU) to be in the top . The routine was clean but Disney/Royalty concept and costume seemed too shabby for me. 

Eight schools competed for the crown and showcased amazing stunts and extravagant themed performances. The Adamson University (AdU) Pep Squad opened the competition with a KPOP-themed performance.

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The squad was followed by last year's 1st runner-up, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Animo Squad which quite gave us a knockout performance with their boxing themed routine. DLSU's routine was very satisfying to the eyes. Their costumes looked really clean and I think they should keep it that way. 

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The National University (NU) Pep Squad went Disney with their fairytale-inspired routine wearing white and blue-royal attires.

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Meanwhile, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Cheering Squad had gone wild and took us to the world of animals with their jungle-inspired performance. They performed clean mounts and excellent routine. Squad with animal print costumes and tamarraw head dresses. Big pyramids. Almost flawless.

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The University of the East (UE) Pep Squad gave us a bit of a warrior with their superhero-inspired routine.

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The University of Sto. Thomas (UST) Salinggawi Dance Troupe brought us to Brazil with their Samba-themed cheerdance. Liftings are more stable, and the whole routine had been more technical. 

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The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Babble Batallion has an anime-inspired performance ending with a robot. The theme is "Let's Volt it!" Leather uniforms. Synchronized executions. They built a Voltes V character in the end. I just don't get the logic of including the Voltes Five in their routine but it was really cool.

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The defending champion, University of the Philippines (UP) Pep Squad did a flawless routine and a freedom-inspired performance. surprising all with clean-shaven heads (even the girls). Series of handsprings and individual stunts on their routines. Clean mounts and big pyramids. Finished with flags and banners. I was floored by the stunts that took place one after the other. All partner/group stunts and pyramids were mounted by tossing the flyers to second or third level and their formation and lines look so clean. Congratulations!!! 

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Here is the complete list of winners for the 2012 UAAP Season 75 Cheerdance Competition:

      *Champion: UP Pep Squad

      *1st Runner-up: FEU Cheering Squad

      *2nd Runner-up: NU Pep Squad

Ranking 4th to 8th place were UST, DLSU, ADMU, AdU and UE, respectively.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the PICS and VIDEOS just got it from Google images and Youtube!!