Symphony of Lights and Sounds - Ayala Triangle Makati

November 22, 2013

It's Thanksgiving holiday last week in America and luckily, I get to feel the same long weekend as Americans had. My account at my work is American-based so, that's it. Tee-hee.

I want to make sure I maximize my long weekend by being productive and do the things I haven't done for a while. And since I haven't seen the "Christmas Lights and Sounds" show and display in Ayala Triangle that I have been hearing about, I decided I should go and see it. Good thing my boyfriend works at Ayala Tower 1, just beside Ayala Triangle so it's a win-win: I get to see him and I get to see the Christmas display.

I live in Cavite province so I traveled for 2 hours just to get to the bustling city of Makati where Ayala Triangle is. But when I saw the Lights and Sounds Christmas show, the travel was worth it. 

How to get there from Cavite:

Strange images of Mary

Note: Do not, I repeat, do not take this seriously.

One day, me and my boyfriend's two sisters and their daughters decided to stroll around Mall of Asia to forget our bitterness and try to amuse ourselves. We were just derping around when we walked by this exhibition of "statues of Mary". 

I am really fascinated with Catholic's depictions of "Mama Mary". I don't know how they got these varying images of Mary and their "titles" but I enjoy looking how intricate their wardrobes are and how large they can get. I just don't like how they stare at me specially if they are life sized. I also don't like the combined smell of incense, flowers that are starting to wilt and fragrance that you usually smell on any Catholic statues. It really makes me feel dizzy.

So we entered the exhibit just out of curiosity. And to my surprise, the Mary images are not the images I normally see. Here's for one:

"Immaculada Concepcion de Malabon"

If I didn't say it's a statue of Mary, I'm sure you'll think it's a statue of a Hindu goddess. I mean, why not? With how she hold her hands to pray, how the wind blows on her clothes, her hair, her skin color, her eyes, facial features... dangling earrings?? Definitely not a typical Mary.

Here's another one Hindu goddess-like image of Mary.

Here's "Our Lady of Piat". I don't know why I took this picture. It must be because she's dark skinned, contrast of the milky white oh-so-perfect complexion of a typical Mary image. I wonder what they were holding.

Another dark-skinned Mary. I love her hand-painted dress.

HUGE Mother and Child Image. With all of its grandeur and gold ensembles, no wonder it has its own place in the exhibit. I also noticed how popular gold is to Mary statues. Why is that? To depict royalty? Holiness? 

I don't know. When I saw this statue, I just remembered Emma Stone's infamous wardrobe on her movie "Easy A". NOT that I'm comparing the statue to the character of the movie. Just NO.

And here's another one peculiar sight of the exhibit: A Chinese Mary and Jesus! Tell me why?

The painting is called "Empress of China". It is nowhere near the typical image of Mary and baby Jesus. I wonder why would someone paint this? Is it to get the empathy of the Chinese people? Or maybe the painter is Chinese? I had no time to read the descriptions of the painting 'cause the people with me are not interested as much as I am and are on their way out of the exhibit. One thing is for sure, the painter got my attention.

and the most ... surprisingly... unexpected sight.

A nursing Mary.

I commend the artisan who built this statue of Mary. It is closest to reality that Mary may indeed nursed Jesus when He was still a baby (not with the garbs they wear here of course). But this is really ... unexpected.

Anyway, we were given donation envelopes before we entered the exhibit. I ended up not giving anything. They had a good exhibit in Mall of Asia complete with flower decorations, lighting arrangement, perfumes and fragrant oils put on the statues. I thought, hey, if they have the means to do all these, why do they still need donations? So I gave the empty envelop back to the expecting old lady waiting at the exit. I didn't looked at her and walked straight to my friends, avoiding the old lady's disappointed face.

The busy morning bus. Taken on my way home from work. Makati route.

Sungha Jung - Asian Level 9000

So I was like having a playlist exchange with a friend of mine. We exchanged songs that would keep us awake (I was at work when we're doing this - graveyard shift) and at the same time, something that would relax us.

I gave him So Close by Jon Mclaughlin (I still got the hang over of Enchanted). He gave me some Maroon 5 songs and Taylor Swift.

It was a normal song exchange. Until he sent me something... something... amazing.

Sungha Jung

The first I heard his rendition of Thousand Years by Christina Perri, I am totally swooned. It felt like he played the guitar for me. Almost courting. But I know it's ridiculous because, well, sheeesh, I know right? But that's what I felt.

It only took 2 videos to watch. Now, I'm blogging about him. That's how good he is. Should I write about him more? Nah. I'm not done watching his videos. And you should start watching too.

Ouran Host Club live action movie casting

WARNING: I'll be ranting senseless.

So, I just recently discovered that there's an Ouran Host Club Live Action Movie that was showed in Japan. I am really fond of the manga series and read it over 2 years ago. If you haven't read the manga or at least watched the anime, I suggest you give it a try. The story is really funny and light. I was so excited and checked out the casts... and left me dismayed T_T

Anyway, here's their cast for the live action movie:

from upper left > Kyoya - Takashi - Mitsukuni - Hikaru - Kaoru - forgot the hooded one - (sitting) Haruhi - Tamaki

And here's the original anime version of Ouran Host Club:

from behind the couch > Takashi- Kaoru - Kyoya - Hikaru - Tamaki (on couch) - Mitsukuni - Hikaru

Okay.

First off, I haven't seen the movie. But judging on their pictures and video clips, I knew that the actor for Kyoya is perfect (portrayed by Shunsuke Daito). Very spot on. Takashi is good (portrayed by Masaya Nakamura). Haruhi is okay (portrayed by Haruna Kawaguchi). Mitsukuni is... okayyyy, but can be better (portrayed by Yudai Chiba). They should have used a 14-year-old who can act well.

Here's the part where I really have a problem: Kaoru and Hikaru (portrayed by Manpei Takagi and Shinpei Takagi). Okay. Maybe it really is hard to get actors that looked alike but... but... it really doesn't make any justice to the character. AND! The gorgeous Tamaki (portrayed by Yusuke Yamamoto)! It would have made sense if they cast Shirota Yuu for Tamaki since they are both half Asian-half westerner.

I KNOW RIGHT?? RIGHT?? RIGHT???? You melt right away, right?

I'm old for this but my squealing and giggling hasn't died down after 2 years since I last saw him. Just look at him. Isn't he the perfect Tamaki?? No one can deny that. How can they miss this?

Just imagine how Kyoya and Tamaki will face off for Haruhi if Shirota Yuu has Tamaki's role:

Tamaki versus Kyoya

OH HOT HOT HOT!!

I'm so sorry. I lost my will to write everything I thought about the live action series. I'm really overwhelmed with emotions right now just by looking at them. Excuse me while I end my blog entry here. I can't concentrate right now. It's impossible to contain my squealing... it's just... squeeeee!! :3

Google Art: Bram Stoker’s 165th birthday

Saw this on Google today.

So, it’s Bram Stoker’s 165th birthday; the one responsible for romanticizing goths and bringing Dracula for the world to fantasize about.

If I am Stephenie Meyer, I would give him some tribute too.

No Cost at All Halloween Costume

I'm broke. So I dressed up appropriately for this year's Halloween party at our office:

A HIPPIE!!

What you will need:

• Psychedelic or Aztec long sleeved blouse. Good thing I have this in my closet. You can borrow from your aunt if you don't have one.
• Ray Ban sunglasses. My late grandfather gave it to my dad. If you don't have one, an over-sized shades will do.
• Headband. Mine was an Usamimi headband. I just tied the knot behind my head. Usamimi headband is light and has wire inside so it stays in place. It doesn't leave marks on your forehead too unlike other headbands. A simple lace is a good alternative.
• Quirky accessories. Should I emphasize BEADS?? Lots of it. Wooden beads I prefer. I got my bead necklace from my mom. I'm rockin' the "STYLE ICON" necklace from my sister. Goes very well with my getup.
• Messy hair. Everyday is a bad hair day for me so no effort on this one.
• Peace sign. The most important of all. Hippies are all about peace. Google "hippie" and see the images that will come up.

Last year, I dressed up as a pirate. Sexy pirate. With booties and all:

The samurai is a makeshift from a curtain rod. I made it for my Shakugan no Shana cosplay. Maybe I'll post some of my cosplays here on my blog one day. The booties, the plaid skirt and the blouse are all from a thrift shop. Not bad, eh?

Our group’s theme last year was crew pirates. See the lady far on right? She’s portraying the witch Tia Dalma from the Pirates of the Caribbean. She made her costume out from curtains! Ingenious and resourceful. It’s a shame she didn’t win any award. And the lady beside me, she’s a mermaid literally without a top on. The boys in our office are ecstatic. She won the costume contest for her “realistic” portrayal. The man on my left won second place. Can you spot Luffy from One Piece?