Madrigal Sisters Cover FHM Philippines' November 2010 Issue

Both of them had already been featured on the cover of the Magazine before, but it is the first time that Michelle and Ehra Madrigal graced on the cover together for the November 2010 issue of FHM Philippines.

Turning 23 this November 24, Michelle Madrigal is currently a castaway of the reality show on GMA7, Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown. Her sister, Geralyn (better known by her screen name Ehra Madrigal) is a 25-year old GMA contract artist and is seen on Party Pilipinas (GMA7).

Carl Time

A baseball rant from Carl.  He rips on Lincecum for looking like a girl and ends up picking the Yankees to win it all in 2011.  I guess Carl is a Yankee fan.  Are most NY Giants fans also Yankees fans?  Does that mean Mets fans are usually Jets fans?  I know that James does not fit that rule.  He is also a Rangers fan...I am just starting to ramble here.  Time to go to bed.

My Qatar Airlines Seal of Approval

I've seen today on the news that this bomb from Yemen that was contained within a printer, had previously travelled on passenger planes with Qatar Airlines.

That's quite a scary thought. Clearly there's great issues of security continuing to emanate from the Middle East with terror levels being increased back here in the UK as a result.

It's also a sobering thought for me because I've flown on Qatar Airlines in the past. Back in early 2008, I had the great fortune to fly by Qatar Airlines to and from Manchester to Thailand via Doha, in Qatar.

They were very long 7 or so hour flights either side of Doha for a combined flight time of some 14 hours. Combined with the return flight, that's around 28 hours of travel that I've experienced with Qatar Airlines.

I was fortunate to have received a good deal for my return flight as I was under 26 at the time and got a discount. As it was, it was in my experience (and I've flown around a fair bit in all fairness), the best in-flight experience that I've ever encountered.

The service was excellent and the facilities really were first class. The choice of TV channels and music channels that I had on my own individual TV were wide and I had no problem at all in keeping myself occupied for the long travel to and from Thailand.

So it saddens me to hear that one of these bombs from the last week, had travelled on Qatar Airlines. But credit must go to the authorities for intercepting the package when they did.

I for one would love to travel again on Qatar Airlines. Today's honest announcement wouldn't change that. They have my seal of approval.

Has Mark Webber Blown It?

I was worried to read recently, Australian F1 legend Jack Brabham say how Mark Webber has blown his chance at winning this year's F1 World Championship.

It's not that I necessarily disagree with him. It's just that if a fellow Australian has his grave concerns about Webber's chances and is willing to express them publicly at such a critical stage in the Championship, then all can not be resting easily in the Webber camp.

Australian F1 Genius

Jack Brabham in all fairness, has quite a platform to speak from. The first antipodean World Champion, he didn't just do so once, but 3 times - in 1959, 1960 and 1966. Significantly, his final Championship win in 1966 was the first ever, and only to date, by a driver in his own car. His New Zealand team-mate Denny Hulme won the title in 1967 with Brabham winning the constructors title in both years. Brabham as a team went on to win more drivers titles in 1981 and 1983 under the control of Nelson Piquet.

So Jack knows what he's talking about and at 84, is one of the statesman of motor sport.

The only other Australian F1 World Champion was Alan Jones in 1980 - giving Frank Williams his first ever drivers and constructors Championship wins.

Mark Webber - Formula One World Champion?

Will Mark Webber join his comapriots Brabham and Jones to become only the 3rd ever Australian Formula One World Champion?

After his human error in Korea, Jack Brabham can be forgiven for raising serious doubts. Ferrari and Alonso have clearly got the momentum whilst McLaren have fallen back in recent races.

The relief for Webber must be his team-mate Vettel's blown engine just laps away from victory in Korea which handed Alonso the win. That unfortunate development for his team-mate has guaranteed that Webber still has the in-team advantage. Had Vettel have won, Webber's chances would've been diminished even further.

Because as we know, Ferrari's entire support is going to Alonso. Whatever Jenson Button may say, only a mad man in McLaren now would not put their resources all behind Lewis Hamilton.

Red Bull Tactics
What then of Red Bull? Webber finds himself 11 points adrift of Alonso. Vettel however now finds himself 25 points adrift with only 50 left up for grabs.

It would be wise for Red Bull to consider putting all of their eggs into the Webber basket, but then I can't see Vettel buying that.

More than likely then that Red Bull will continue to play 100% fair to both of their men. This is laudible but ultimately, my hunch is that this will help to secure the title for Alonso.

Good Luck Mate
I personally hope that Webber does win it. For as Jack Brabham says, this really could be Webber's last chance to win the title. He's not getting younger and this is clearly his big chance. I was backing Barrichello all the way last year against Button for the same reason. I hope that Webber can finish the job where Barrichello failed and can land that 3rd Australian F1 World Championship.

But I worry increasingly that he won't and it would seem that I'm in good company in coming to this conclusion.


NB. A follow up blog piece which I wrote after Mark Webber did indeed miss out on the World Championship can be found and read here - A New F1 Bridesmaid - Mark Webber

John Lloyd Cruz and Toni Gonzaga's new movie, officially launched on 'The Buzz'

The new movie of John Lloyd Cruz and Toni Gonzaga's was officially launched today on The Buzz (ABS-CBN). The movie is entitled 'My Amnesia Girl' and is directed by Direk Cathy Garcia-Molina. No exact date set yet, but the very interesting team up of John Lloyd and Toni will be brought to big screens nationwide this November, 2010.

Excited much? Check out the 'My Amnesia Girl' Movie Trailer below:

While watching it again today, Noypi remembered one very similar movie, 50 First Dates starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore . Noypi bets it's not going to be the same, though.

Noypi wants to hear you. Please share some thoughts below...

Awkward Television Moments

This week's television featured a few very awkward moments.  To the point that I was sick to my stomach or laughing my ass off.

Boardwalk Empire
The creepy government agent looking at Mrs. Schroeder's photo became very creepy.  He lays out the towel, pushes his wife's picture down so she can not "look" at him, and then gets out the belt.  I naturally assume he will partake in a little autoerotic asphyxiation.  Am I the only one who thought that?  Screw you guys.  Instead he punishes himself for having impure thoughts.  Stupid religion.

Worth masturbating to, not worth beating yourself with a belt...

Aside from that the episode was pretty awesome.  Jimmy hatches a plan to get back at the Irish.  And then Al insults him at a party, but Jimmy rolls with it and throws out his own insults.  Apparently Al Capone does not like that too much (I wonder how historical some of this is?).

Sons of Anarchy
SAMCRO heads to Ireland to get Jax's son back.  First though they have to get drunk and party with SAMBEL.  Jax meets Trinity and there are some instant sparks.  Jax does a bare-knuckle fight with Liam.  Trinity wants to wrap his hands and she is definitely giving him the fuck-me eyes.  After the fight she leads him to a shower, where someone makes the joke that she needs to scrub his back.  Normally this would just be another normal day for someone in the club, except in this instance, Trinity is Jax's half-sister.

Fortunately, Father Kellan came to the rescue.  He wanted to talk to Jax about his son.  Crisis averted.  Score one point for religion.






Always Sunny

Obviously this one was just meant to be funny.  The whole episode was hilarious, as the gang tries to recreate what happened at the Halloween party that ended up with Dee getting pregnant by one of them.  After everything is settled, they think it was actually Dennis who slept with Dee, which causes Dennis to vomit.  Dee then reveals that it was none of them and she just said it to screw with them and prove that they did care who the father was.  The gang then insults her and leaves without waiting to hear who the daddy actually is.  

Proud to be a 'Ginger Rodent'

I've never really embraced what many would argue is my 'gingeriness'.

I'm more of an auburn, a rusty blonde as I'd see it.

Poor Show Harriet, Poor Show

But, I'm more than happy to embrace and join in with my ginger friends in defiance of that Labour rodent, Harriet Harman.

It's interesting to see a former Minister for Equalities, slamning the "ginger rodent", Danny Alexander in her speech today to the Scottish Labour Party Confernce. Not very fair and equal is it Harriet?

Fair play to Danny, his Twitter response was spot on. He stated that he was proud to be ginger and that "rodents do valuable work cleaning up mess others leave behind" before adding that the "Red squirrel deserves to survive, unlike Labour."

Same Old Labour

This just demonstrates just how pathetic Labour continue to be, even out of government.

It must be said that Harriet Harman has since apologised to Danny Alexander for her remark, admitting that it was "wrong".

I expect her speech was written by a member of staff who thought this a particularly amusing ruse that would go down well with the party faithful. Shame on Harriet then as a former Equalities Minister, for not thinking out the repercussions of her words.

 Power to the Gingers

So in support of my fellow gingers, I'm happy to join their cause against the failed ridicule of a Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.

I doubt that Harriet would be willing to call the likes of Prince Harry, Peter Black, Wilma Flintstone, Ariel the Mermaid, Queen Elizabeth I, Ginger Spice, Chuck Norris, Mick Hucknall, and Nicole Kidman a 'rodent', so she's rightly been derided for doing so to Danny Alexander in what was a cheap political stunt.

More power to the ginger elbow.

US Mid-Terms - Obama's Nadir or his Saviour?

It was not long ago that I asked the question on this blog, what went wrong for Obama? That was September 5th and now, almost 2 months later, the mid-terms are upon us.

Obama's hopes look as bleak now as they did then. For the reasons that I mentioned in that earlier post, it isn't really surprising.

However, I couldn't help but notice a comment that I made, that if as expected, the results go against the Democrats, then to quote Bachman-Turner Overdrive and to paraphrase D:ream, 'You ain't seen nothing yet' because 'Things can only get worse'.

Hope for Obama?

I hold by my belief that the Democrats should just narrowly hold on to the Senate but are unfortunately likely to lose the House.

But having read Rupert Cornwell's front page piece in yesterday's Independent, perhaps I should not be so pessimistic, even if this scenario is played out.

Now, Rupert Cornwell is one of the many reasons why I read The Independent. The paper has some excellent commentators and Rupert, with his wry but keen observational eye on north American politics and life in general, always delivers with his incisive comment.

He made the valid point yesterday that if Obama does lose control of Congress, it may not be the disaster that it looks at present. Of course, if the 'Tea Party' contingent pull the Republicans in the House of Representatives further to the right, then we could have a complete and utter dead-lock.

But having said that, running the House would suddenly give the Republicans responsibility. They won't suddenly be able to play the obstructionist card which they have done so effectively (and to America's great damage) ovet the past 2 years. If they did, then they should suffer at the hands of the electorate in 2 years time.

The Clinton Experience

I mentioned it in my earlier blog post and Rupert Cornwell also alluded to the Bill Clinton experience is such a circumstance.

Clinton went from seeing a Democratic control of both Houses of Congress evaporate within 2 years of his election as Newt Gingrich's Republicans swept the board in 1994. Yet it didn't play against Clinton's chances when his re-election came around in 1996.

Clinton moved to the centre and worked constructively with the new Congress and it was to his credit. Suddenly, he was not soley to blame for the country's ills. The 'Republican Congress' also had to take it's fair share of the blame for the nation's discontent.

Republican intrasigence whilst leading the House will not play in their favour. At least it shouldn't do.

The Mid-Terms - Obama's Nadir or his Saviour?

So perhaps, losing outright control of Congree might make it easier for the Democrats to share the blame in the years ahead and help Obama in his re-election in 2012.

Having said that, it goes without saying that I'd much prefer the Democrats to retain overall control of Congress. No doubt I'll report back when my predictions have been blown apart this coming week.

Mara Clara Remake (2010) Cast: Albie Casino as Christian (Shirtless Pictures)

Taking the role of Wowie de Guzman, Albie Casiño is 'Christian' in the remake of the 90's TV series hit, Mara Clara. Albie Casiño is a Star Magic talent and was last seen on Your Song presents Gimik 2010. Admitting that it's a big break for him, Albie is hoping that the public will take notice of his acting capability through his role in the new Mara Clara.

The newbie actor revealed in an ABS-CBN interview that at his young age (17 y.o.), he already had 4 girlfriends and he has a crush on two pretty celebs, Angelica Panganiban and Andi Eigenmann.

Check out Albie Casino's Photos (be ready... a couple show him shirtless.. :D) below:

Credits to the owners of the photos...

I Hate Halloween

For a blog post title, it does exactly what it says on the tin really doesn't it.

It's Halloween weekend and it's one of the times of year that I really detest.

Why such an unveiled contempt when many enjoy the celebrations? Maybe it's because I was born in a part of south Pembrokeshire that was sparsely populated of immediate houses near-by. I never lived in a town or village so the whole concept of 'trick-or-treating' never really took off for me as a child as there was hardly anyone near-by to 'trick or treat'!

Having said that, that isn't a reason in itself to hate Halloween. That was only a reason to not be actively involved in it.

Remember, Remember, the 5th of November (not October 31st)
Really, I can't stand it, because I don't see the point in it. For me, it's a complete waste of time with no redeeming features. Wind the clock forward a few days however to November 5th and as a child, you'd always see me with a sparkler in my hand, no doubt near-by a Bonfire. Because actually, for all that Bonfire Night in itself is also a rather fanciful day of activities, it does at least actually represent something. It represents the failed attempts of Guy Fawkes to blow up King and Parliament in 1605. There's actually a bit of history behind it and as a historian, that always won be over. Also, Bonfire Night is a bloody good laugh.

Halloween though? Call me simplistic, but it's just an American fad. Now don't get me wrong, I love America. I've been there many times and have lapped up it's wonderful sense of self. My brother-in-law is also American and my eldest niece was born there, in Florida on the day of Diana's funeral in September 1997.

So it's nothing against the country, it's just this particular concept, which is naturally an alien one to this country. For me, America can happily keep Halloween. It isn't needed here.

What I do know as a local Councillor, is that I will be getting e-mails and phone calls over the next 48 hours from anxious residents who will have suffered from the pelting of eggs and flour on their windows. That's not very nice is it and yet it predominantly happens at exactly this time of year.

So, call me Scrooge if you like. I don't care. I'll bah humbug the lot of you 'cos I hate Halloween, always have and always will.

scrabble

I wrote this a few weeks ago when I couldn't sleep...

When it comes to writing, to finally tuning myself to the key I’ve set my life to, I am my own worst enemy. I lie there in bed at night, in the dark, and quietly construct the makings of great things: I write novels and poems, epic dramas and heartbreaking romances, prose and drama, scripts and haikus… Everything pours from my mind and into some great, cosmic font waiting to be blessed by being committed to the page. But as I continue to will my mind to shut down for the night, my frustration only multiplies because I am writing these words in my head and not on paper at all and try as I might to keep them there, near to the source from which they sprang, I cannot. And by morning, it is all gone and I am no more a writer than I was before full consciousness set in somewhere between birth and my first solid memory of actually living.

Does every writer go through this? Dealing with the absurdity of writer’s block only to try and escape it for a few hours in sleep, but to have the thoughts racing around your mind like some frantic muskrat on a mission? Jesus. It’s exhausting. I just want to go to sleep, to drift into the blissful unawares of nothingness for a while. Much as I love those rare lucid dreams, I love just seeing what my poor head can get up to when I get out of my own way.

And even now, I know the minute I step away from this particular ramble, my mind will once again spring into action because it won’t have the stage fright it has right now and once again I will be frustrated at not having the power to control my own inner-workings. These thoughts and stories and beautiful, perfectly constructed sentences will go to waste and I can only hope at this point that God is keeping some great transcript of my thoughts so that someday, if I am allowed into His kingdom, He will let me read over the things I thought so merrily at night and I will finally have the sense of satisfaction I only get a glimpse of here on earth, in the middle of the night, in my dark apartment somewhere between sleep and madness.

happy boy

Kamdyn Michael could not be any cuter. This is a fact. 

The Cole Family's Royal Connection

Last Tuesday, I was delighted to get on a bus to Windsor with friends and family for what was a pretty special day out.

In a twist on the Dick Whittington story, we all went to see the formal debut of our family horse Dyfed Celt as a member of the Queen's Household Cavalry.

As a family, Shire Horses are in the blood. My grandfather John Rees Lewis (or J.R as he was known) worked the land at Carnhuan, Eglwyswrw, with the Shires and latterly showed them with help up until his death in 1991. Our family, not wanting to sell his wonderful legacy, decided to diversify and open the farm to the public as the Dyfed Shire Horse Farm in 1994. We've sold horses to Germany and to the USA over the years, but never, until now, to the Royal Family.

It seems like an age ago when the BBC Wales cameras reported on Celt's new adventure in London, away from his Eglwyswrw home in west Wales.

Now, exactly 2 years later, we've gone full circle.

Eglwyswrw to London
As the report above shows, we as a family saw an advertisement for a Drum Horse in the Heavy Horse World and got in touch with the powers that be.

For only a young 3 year old, we knew his attitude and tempremant would be what was required. We weren't disappointed when the offer was made to purchase him for the Household Cavalry.

But that didn't mean that he'd make the grade and for the past 2 years he's been living in the underground Kensington Barracks in London and grazing in Hyde Park whilst undertaking the training required for him to be officially welcomed into the Cavalry.

The regiment have been excellent in communicating with us Celt's progress and last summer, the family and friends had a bus trip to Kensington to see Celt in his new surroundings. I was unfortunately unable to make it - being on holiday in France at the time.

Windsor & the Emir of Qatar
So I was really pleased to have a second opportunity this week to have a trip to the bigger smoke to see Celt at work. Now, 2 years on, it wasn't just a matter of seeing him in training, but actually seeing him in action.

The Emir of Qatar and his entourage were due to arrive on an official visit and were to be met by the Queen, Prince Phillip and the family.

We arrived in good time and found a place en-route just a 100 or so yards from the main welcoming platform. In the light drizzle, some 50 of us waited attentively for the star of the day to arrive - no, not the Emir or the Queen, but Celt!

See here a slideshow of photos taken by BBC Berkshire of the day and in particular, photo 6 of our gang, manning the barricades!  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-11630223 As the caption says, the bus left west Wales at around 4am - but I think the locals must've been bemused as to why we were there in the first place!

The reason arrived at the head of the procession just after 11am. Celt, 2nd in line of some 200 horses of the Household Cavalry, passed us in his full regalia, carrying those solid silver drums and the musician on top.

He behaved very well throughout the short welcoming ceremony and we could see him in the distance, at the heart of the action, as the respective anthems were played.

The Household Cavalry's Mounted Regiment Training Wing
We were then fortunate enough to be given a tour around Celt's home for the day at the regiments' near-by training wing. There, we saw him back in the stable after the exertions of his day out on formal parade.

We were told that this was the Queen's first opportunity to see him in action and in a matter of days it is expected, we shall hopefully find out what his new formal, Roman name will be. His stable name however will remain Dyfed Celt which will remind all of his roots. He will also be given the rank of a Major - not bad going for a West Walian!

He will next be on parade at the Lord Mayor's Parade in London in a few weeks time and next year there's a very good chance that he'll be on Horseguards Parade in the Trooping of the Colour.

It really was great to see one of our family's horses taking his place, centre stage, in the Queen's Household Cavalry. It was great in addition, that this was witnessed by a wide community of family and friends who had willingly paid the £20 coach fare and got up ridiculously early, to see a real 'one-off' occasion in the flesh.

More Media Coverage
Just as before when he left for the bright lights of the city, the Welsh media have again been enthusiastic in their interest of Celt's progress.

S4C's 'Ffermio' programme recorded the proceedings and will be transmitting the footage this coming Monday at 8.25pm. Meanwhile, my oldest brother Huw, who did a great job in organising the trip, went live on BBC Radio Wales' Jamie Owen and Louise Elliott programme on Wednesday morning. This clip on iplayer is only retrieveable for the next few days. Wind forward to 2:30:30 for an 8 minute interview with Huw.

It's a lovely story and one, that as a family and a community, we are rightly very proud.

Derek Ramsay Says Angelica Panganiban is 'Yummier' than Ex-GF Solen Heussaff

Caught off-guard, Derek Ramsay felt obligated to give an answer to a question thrown at him during the Belo Men press conference. The question was: for him, who is more yummy, his present girlfriend Angelica Panganiban or his ex-GF Solenn Heussaff?

Derek answered current girlfriend Angelica Panganiban as 'yummier' than his previous GF for 4 years, Solenn Heussaff. Solenn reportedly got offended when she heard about it and immediately fired back saying Richard Gutierrez, who is being linked to her, as more goodlooking and gentleman than Derek Ramsay.

What can you say about this? Did Derek really have to give an answer? Was he just being honest? Please don't hesitate to leave a comment below.

NFL Picks Week Eight: In Which I Suffer the Interminable Bye Week

Good lord I hate the bye week. Seriously, it drives me nuts. I know that a week to relax and heal all wounds is a necessity for a team that plays a sport as brutal and physical as American football, but if you're a dedicated soul who spends the first six days of the week anxiously awaiting Sunday, the bye week is like getting a date with the hottest girl in school and being picked up by your parents right before you're about to make out with her.

It's totally lame.

Fortunately, this year I get some vague distraction during the bye week because that whole World Series thing is happening, but since nothing has gone right for any member of the Texas Rangers -- with the possible exception of Bengie Molina -- that may not be lasting much longer. San Francisco has toppled Texas in the first two games with a combination of deciding to actually have an offense and apparently distracting Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton with some particularly unorthodox means. That may not be the best way to throw the recovering drug addict, who claims pot was never really his thing, but he certainly isn't making it up if the local media corroborates his story and it clearly isn't prevented the local establishments from trying to do what they can for the Giants.

Of course, with the Series headed back to Texas for Game 3 on Saturday night, I hardly think the series is over, but a two-game edge with a win over Jesus impersonator Cliff Lee in their back pockets sure makes the Giants look good with five games to go. I suspect the Rangers offense can't be held down for ever, so expect a breakout in Game 3 in Arlington that extends the series into next week, but I can't fathom the Rangers winning four games if it means going through Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez twice.

And that should be fine by everyone. After all, the Rangers have started to give us reasons to root against them, and a parade in San Francisco for the Giants would be pretty groovy. Man.

And by the time the World Series is done I'll actually have the New York Football Giants' Nov. 7 showdown with Seattle to look forward to. Everybody wins. And by then maybe the Devils will have started to crawl out of that cozy 2-7-1 hole they've given themselves to start the season. On the downside, the Knicks, who have a winning record for the first time in more than 23 months may have regressed back to the mean by that time, too, but beggars can't be choosers.

They can embarrass themselves with awful football predictions however. and that's where we're headed right now.

Last week: 7-7-0
Season: 48-51-5

Miami (+2) over CINCINNATI
DALLAS (-7) over Jacksonville
DETROIT (-3) over Washington
KANSAS CITY (-8) over Buffalo
ST. LOUIS (-3) over Carolina
NY JETS (-6) over Green Bay
SAN FRANCISCO (even) over Denver
SAN DIEGO (-4) over Tennessee
Seattle (+4) over OAKLAND
Minnesota (+6) over NEW ENGLAND
Tampa Bay (+3) over ARIZONA
NEW ORLEANS (-1) over Pittsburgh
INDIANAPOLIS (-6) over Houston

That's the games, and a special note to all of you watching Sunday night's once-assumed Super Bowl preview in New Orleans, keep an eye out for Kim Partrick and her Guinness World Records partisans who will be tracking what could be the world's largest Halloween party.

Give it a look-see if you aren't on too much of a sugar high Sunday night.

AHHHH

Hey folks, sorry I have not been around this week.  Let me just say that moving is hard, plus going into work everyday.  Do not worry though, I will be back next week to keep you entertained for the three minutes it takes to read my idiocy. 

Since I spend so much time at The Place That Shall Not Be Named, I figure Sarah Marince should be my GOTW.  And no, I will explain what that means.

Old Made New. . . With A Great Message. . . .

Gary has been doing all he can these last couple of weeks to exercise the memory portion of my brain. He's a college buddy who's been spending time posting some pretty incredible music memories on his Facebook page. One of the things that I love about music is that it serves me like that souped up Delorean Marty McFly used to transport himself instantaneously from one place to another. A lot of the stuff Gary's been posting has taken me back and put a smile on my face.

After I commented to Gary on some of his selections, he dug into YouTube's music archives to find something distinctively Philly-sounding that we often heard playing in the college dining hall back in 1976. Then, he posted the video on his Facebook page as a little gift to me. I love it!

Listening to Harold Melvin and the Blue Note's "Wake Up Everybody" some thirty-plus years later reminded just how important and powerful the prophetic voice can be. In a day and age when music and its messages can be frustrating and even frightening - a fact fresh in my mind as just yesterday I wrote a 3(D) review of Miley Cyrus's "Who Owns My Heart?" for our next edition of ENGAGE - this is one song worth listening to and even talking about with your kids.

So just for fun. . . take a few minutes and listen to the original. . . .



And then watch and listen to the newly released version of the song from John Legend and The Roots. . .



And if you've got even more time, check out this live version from John Legend and The Roots. Why? Well, it's worth seeing a sousaphone on stage in the mix. . .

Willie Revillame's 'Willing Willie' Tops Nielsen Survey on its Premier Episode

The much talk-about premier of Willie Revillame's new show on TV5, Willing Willie went successful as evidenced by its high TV ratings (number 1 on its timeslot) on the survey conducted by Nielsen last Saturday, October 23, 2010. The Nielsen TV Audience Measurement (Megamanila Individuals) overnight ratings showed that with the new show being aired, TV5 won 33.8% which was followed by ABS-CBN with 30.4% and GMA with 26.0%.

Willing Willie is shown from 5pm-7pm on Saturdays and 6:30pm to 8:30pm during Weekdays.It is a very non-typical timeslot for a show of its kind but it is said to be a perfect time since Filipino family are together at this time and that it is much better to spend the night with laughter and games rather than bad news and crime reports.

The new show of Willie has the tagline “Tuloy ang saya. Tuloy ang pag-asa.” The games are said to fulfill the The “saya” or happiness part. “123 Go!” is a game where 50 studio players battle it out in a multiple choice contest. Questions are answerable by either 1, 2 or 3. While, “Family Apir” is a funny, highly physical 'parlor game' type. In this game, a family of 4 must pop 10 balloons on each other’s lap in the shortest possible time. “Spin a Wil” is the finalé game with the big prizes. In this game, a player can win a brand new car, house and lot, and 1 million pesos – by spinning 3 roletas. If the 3 roletas spell W-I-L, the player wins all the major prizes!

The interview segment of “Wiltime Bigtime” will be the fulfilment of the “pag-asa” or hope part. This is said to be the heart and soul of the show. In this segment, People from all works of life will be interviewed. The audience can expect to laugh, cry and be inspired by their stories.

Were you able to watch the premier episode of Willing Willie? What can you say about it?

My Desert Island Discs Choice of 8 (in solidarity with Nick Clegg)

I was reading the Independent on Sunday (a regular vice I can't quite shake off) last Sunday (obviously) and found myself getting rather annoyed when I read this article by Andrew Martin about Nick Clegg's impending 'turn' on Desert Island Discs.

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/andrew-martin-when-politicians-get-down-with-the-kids-theres-no-way-back-up-2114935.html

At the time of going to press, Andrew Martin was only allowed to mention 3 of Nick's 8 choices but he instantly took against the choices that he offered from the 8 - that were the rock songs "Life on Mars" by David Bowie, "The Cross" by Prince, and "Street Spirit" by Radiohead.

In particular, he made this mind-numbingly annoying statement:

"I believe Clegg made a mistake in not choosing eight classical pieces. In a dumbed-down world, we admire people who like complicated things".

Now, I love my classical music, but he clearly feels here that politicians in particular, shouldn't try and 'get down with the kids'. Clearly, it's an error for anyone to try and pretend that they like something that they don't simply to look popular - they'll always get found out for such a sloppy error. But at the same time, I don't want choices made because it's the 'safe choice'.

I'm sorry Mr Martin, but actually, I rather like and indeed 'admire' people who in this 'dumbed-down' world, have an eclectic taste in music and are willing to make the case for their different choices. Why the hell should Nick Clegg be expected to only like classical music, simply because he's a politician? What a load of pompous old tosh!

Nick Clegg's Desert Island Discs Choice of 8 were:

1. Chopin's Waltz in A Minor played by Idil Biret
2. Johnny Cash - Sunday Morning Coming Down
3. Prince - The Cross
4. Cesaria Evora - Petit Pays
5. Radiohead - Street Spirit
6. David Bowie - Life on Mars
7. Shakira and Waka Waka the theme to the 2010 World Cup
8. Schubert's Impromptu No.3 in G Flat Major played by Alfred Brendel

So that there is a pretty eclectic taste in music. I have no reason to doubt that Nick Clegg is telling the truth about this range of interest of his. I'm pleased to see such a diverse taste in music. Very little of it is to my particular taste but that isn't the point. The point is that we get much more from this world by enhancing our listening experiences with a wide range of music.

Mark Cole's Desert Island Discs Choice of 8:
I'm never going to end up on Radio 4 myself to give my own personal choice to the world, so I may as well do so here to show my solidarity with Nick's eclectic taste in music.

Now, I love my music - and I mean love it. Music can well portray a feeling, a sense of time, an emotion. I have, as anyone who knows me will testify, a wide taste in music. No matter what my mood, I'll always have a CD or a particular song in my collection at home that will chime with that feeling.

As it happens, I put together a 'Desert Island Discs compilation' of songs long ago. I've altered it on one occasion but here below is my long since settled choice of 8...
 
You'll find two instrumentals. I love the piano in particular and I love rag-time and I personally find Scott Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag a much better tune than it's more famous big brother, 'The Entertainer'.



Also, there is no better instrumental in the world in my book than Apache by the Shadows. A close second would be Fleetwood Mac's 'Albatross', but it just misses out here.


 
I love Queen. They're the best band of all time. Freddie Mercury is one of the most mercurial of singers ever to have graced this Earth. A showman and an absolute musical genius. For me, his Barcelona duet with Montserrat Cabelle blows me away every time. The first time I heard it was after he had died when I was aged 10, when the BBC used it as the opening theme to their 1992 coverage of the Olympics. It's not even a power ballad - it's much, much bigger than that. It's just awesome.

This includes the wonderful opening instrumental.


 
Elvis Presley is simply, The King. I only became a fan at the ripe old age of 20 when the 'celebrations' for the 25th anniversary of his death sent 'A Little Less Conversation' to No.1 in the charts. Before I knew it I was buying videos about him, CDs, the lot. But if I were to pick one of my 8 here to be played at my funeral, this would be it - 'If I Can Dream'. It is the most hopeful, heartful, soulful, wordly optimistic song that there is and I absolutely adore it!

From his ''68 Comeback Special', ladies and gentlemen. It's Elvis.



A few choices from modern pop. My 'interest' and 'enthusiasm' in modern pop music hit a big buffer in about 1996 after the age of Brit-pop. Anything since has struggled to make my radar. I'm a big fan of Oasis, Blur and Pulp and the latter has really grown on me in recent years. Pulp's 'A Different Class' album is one of the best of modern times and I could easily choose 'Disco 2000', 'Common People' or 'Something Changed' for this list but I've got to go with 'Mis-Shapes'. It just rocks.


Then, there's a good old ballad from that awesome song-writer Billy Joel. Again, I could choose one of the many of his hits and right up there would have to be 'Goodnight Saigon' but for me, the great 'Scenes from an Italian Restaurant' steals in at the end.




I love classical music. It calms me and more often than not, my bed-side radio is tuned in to Classic FM. I could easily pick 8 classical compositions here but if I had to pick one (and it is so difficult to narrow it down to one), then it would have to Beethoven's Seventh Symphony. In its entirety, it is just absolutely superb. The four movements are all wonderful on their own but if I have to choose one of those four, I would go with the 2nd - the Allegretto. Its deep, dark, haunting sense reminds me of the Fall of the Berlin Wall and moves me every time.




Finally, but most movingly for me, there's nothing that combines so haunting, so moving, and so majestic a feeling than the sound of a Welsh Male Voice Choir. I'm Welsh and I'm proud of it and when I hear such a choir sing a traditional Welsh song, it sends shivers down my spine. None more than when the strains of Myfanwy can be heard. The word 'Hiraeth' for me, means the kind of feeling for my homeland that I feel when I hear this song.

Here it is being sang by Pendyrus Male Voice Choir in memory of those killed in Welsh mining disasters but particularly to the 116 children killed at Aberfan on October 21st 1966.




So, a re-cap, my Desert Island Discs 8 are...

1. Scott Joplin - Maple Leaf Rag


2. The Shadows - Apache


3. Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Cabelle - Barcelona


4. Elvis Presely - If I Can Dream


5. Pulp - Mis-Shapes


6. Billy Joel - Scenes from an Italian Restaurant


7. Beethoven - 7th Symphony (2nd Movement)


8. Myfanwy

If ever I was stranded on a Desert Island, I'd want to make sure that I'd have with me, a range of music that covers the whole range of this love of my life - my love of music.

For the record, which book would I take with me? Well, it would be one of two. Either Nelson Mandela's autobiography 'A Long Walk to Freedom' or Harper Lee's wondrous 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.

Luxury item? Pah, I don't know. Possibly my largest and cosiest duvet.

So to hell with Andrew Martin. I'm a much better and rounded individual for having a love for all these different musical genres and to that point, so too is Nick Clegg.

6th Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival (2010) Official Entries

Update (November 15, 2010): Click Here For the 6th Cinema One Originals Awards Night Winners 2010

A total of 7 finalists made it to the 6th Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival (2010). They were among the 100 indie films submitted and were chosen as the best.

Below are the 7 Official Entries to the 6th Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival (2010):

Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria by Remton Siega Zuasola, a novelty comedy of a young provincial lass who becomes a mail order bride to hoist her family from poverty.

Third World Happy by writer-director E JSalcedo is a melodrama about a balikbayan artist who has spent most of his life abroad but whose perspectives in life changes when he comes home to attend a funeral and reunites with his friends and girlfriend.

Astro Mayabang by Jason Paul Laxamana is a social satire about a financially, socially, intellectually and sexually frustrated man who boasts of his nationalism and Pinoy pride, but ends up humiliated because of his misguided and aggressive ways.

Dagim by director Joaquin Pedro Valdes who also co-wrote it with J. Eliseo Sandico is about two farm brothers whose search for their lost father lead them to a company of strange mountain inhabitants.

Ishmael by Richard Somes who gave us last year’s most triumphant winner Yanggaw, is about an ex-convict who is ostracized by his neighborhood. Little does he know that this neighborhood he once knew is set to awaken his past.

Tsardyer by writer-director Sigfreid Barros-Sanchez is based on a true-to-life story of a young boy who was tasked by rebel soldiers to charge their phones used for their negotiations with the government while holding the media people they kidnapped.

Layang Bilanggo is a family drama about a fugitive on the run who yearns for the love of his daughter that he abandoned several years ago and disguises in an attempt to get near her.

The 2010 Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival will officially premier at the Shang Cineplex of Edsa Shangri-La Plaza mall on November 10,2010 and will continue showing until the 16th. The awards night will be held on November 14 at the Dolphy Theater of ABS-CBN.

2010 FAMAS Awards List of Nominations

The award giving body which is composed of Palanca award-winning writers and movie columnist and writers and which started in 1952, the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) has announced the nominees for this year's FAMAS Awards.

Below is the list of 2010 FAMAS Awards Nominees:

Best Picture
Ang Panday
Dukot
I Love You
Goodbye
In My Life
Mano Po 6
Sagrada Familia
You Changed My Life


Best Director
Mac Alejandre (Ang Panday)
Laurice Guillen (I Love You, Goodbye)
Joel Lamangan (Dukot and Sagrada Familia)
Olivia Lamasan (In My Life)
Brillante Ma. Mendoza (Kinatay)


Best Actress
Janice de Belen (Last Viewing)
Iza Calzado (Dukot)
Sharon Cuneta (Mano Po 3)
Eugene Domingo (Kimmy Dora)
Sarah Geronimo (You Changed My Life)
Angelica Panganiban (I Love You, Goodbye)
Lovi Poe (Sagrada Familia)


Best Actor
Gabby Concepcion (I Love You, Goodbye)
John Lloyd Cruz (In My Life and You Changed My Life)
Allen Dizon (Dukot)
Coco Martin (Kinatay)
Piolo Pascual (Love Me Again)
Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. (Ang Panday)


Best Supporting Actress
Gina Alajar (Dukot)
Gloria Diaz (Sagrada Familia)
Heart Evangelista (Mano Po 6)
Rhian Ramos (Ang Panday)
Manilyn Reynes (Ded Na Si Lolo)
Dimples Romana (Love Me Again)
Miriam Quiambao (Kimmy Dora)


Best Supporting Actor
Robert Arevalo (Dukot)
Ricky Davao (Love Me Again)
Emilio Garcia (Sagrada Familia)
Baron Geisler (Nandito Ako… Nagmamahal Sa’yo)
Luis Manzano (In My Life)
Phillip Salvador (Ang Panday)
Fanny Serrano (Tulak)


Best Child Actress
Mara Panganiban (Last Viewing)
Justine Rose Rosal (Sagrada Familia)


Best Child Actor
Nash Aguas (Love Me Again and Kamoteng Kahoy)
BJ “Tolits” Forbes (Ded Na Si Lolo)
JP Mesde (Tulak)
Robert “Buboy” Villar Jr. (Ang Panday and Kamoteng Kahoy);


Best Story
Roni Bertubin and Romualdo Avellanosa (Last Viewing)
Carlo J. Caparas (Ang Panday)
Roy Iglesias (Mano Po 6)
Joel Lamangan and Bonifacio Ilagan (Dukot)
Raymond Lee and Olivia Lamasan (In My Life)
Vanessa Valdez (I Love You, Goodbye)
Raquel Villavicencio
Joel Lamangan (Sagrada Familia)

The 2010 FAMAS Awards will be held on November 19, 2010 at the Teatro GSIS.

Lucy Torres-Gomez and Gretchen Barretto Cover 'Yes!' Magazine November 2010 Issue

After sharing the number 1 spot on the magazine's Top 10 Showbiz Fashionistas of 2010, Lucy Torres-Gomez and Gretchen Barretto are together on the cover of the November 2010 issue of Yes! magazine. In this issue, YES! features a new and exclusive fashion editorial of the celebrities, who also obliged YES! with spreads of their baubles, bangles, shoes, bags, frocks, and more.


The lovely wife of Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres-Gomez is currently holding a government office as the congresswoman of the 4th district of Leyte. She is also doing some shows on TV5.

While, Gretchen Barretto is seen on ABS-CBN's primetime show Magkaribal. She is also expected to do a movie with Angelica Panganiban soon.

A Welsh Lib Dem Assembly Candidate!

I've deliberately kept away from blogging about my recent campaign as a Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate for the Welsh Assembly's Mid & West Wales regional list until now, because it may have been construed as an active campaigning tool.

But now it's all over, I can blog about it!

4 Candidates, 4 Hustings!
I decided to stand for the party on the list as the Mid & West Wales region as it encompasses the entirety of my life. I was born and bred in Pembrokeshire, educated in Carmarthenshire and have been living for the past 10 years in Ceredigion since originally going to Aberystwyth to study as a student.

I've been a Councillor now for 6 years but this is the first time I've put my name forward as a candidate for the Welsh Assembly. It took in 4 hustings across the region - in Builth Wells, Newtown, Narberth and Aberaeron. There were 4 candidates - myself, Bill Powell, Ed Wilson and Steffan John.

The hustings were well attended and were certainly something slightly new to me! A quick 5 minute pitch from each of the candidates seperately was then followed by a Q&A session between all the candidates. I felt the level of debate and engagement was excellent and the four of us did the party proud during the entire process.

We all got on as well. Kirsty Williams AM, our party leader, appeared in the audience during the first hustings (as if we weren't nervous enough!) and made the good point at the end, that it's an odd and difficult experience when standing against fellow party colleagues who most often than not, are good friends. She's quite right.

The Result
After weeks of campaigning and canvassing members around the region, we got our result on Monday. I was pleased to have finished a strong second behind Brecon & Radnor Powys Councillor, Bill Powell. Bill was our lead candidate for the region the last time in 2007 and I look forward to campaigning alongside him and all of my colleagues in the months to come.

It was a fantastic experience and I would recommend those who want to have their voice heard to do so and to put their name forward to stand - be it a local government, or national level.