The Veronica Mars Movie Project: Thoughts of A Proud Backer

Tags

kickstarter, movie, opinion, personal, television, tv: drama, veronica mars

With less than an hour to go, the Veronica Mars Movie Project has broke all the possible records on Kickstarter: (1) fastest past $1,000,000, (2) fastest past $2,000,000 and (3) most number of backers (now over 90,000 and still counting). As a true marshmallow, I of course backed this project, no questions asked.

I’m a backer!

Needless to say, the past month has been really exciting for a fan like me. (Heck, the first few hours when we already hit the $2,000,000 mark was absolutely insane!) Having loved this series from the very beginning and writing about the show a number of times on my old blog, the reality of having a Veronica Mars movie to look forward to is just plain exhilarating. Seeing the numbers continue to rise day by day has been both believable yet unbelievable at the same time. Now that it’s ending, I just want to say a few things.

As a backer, having a hand at making this happen is rewarding in itself. The shirt, DVD, etc are just icing on the cake. I’ve long believed that Veronica Mars fans are some of the most rabid, enthusiastic and awesome people ever. Now, we have solid proof of our numbers and our deep pockets… Pockets that reveal themselves when something like this is at stake… even if the show ended over five years ago. I love you guys!!!

In a few more minutes, the project is about to go off the ground. The screenplay has been written; and cast members are slowly getting on board. I just want to say that I understand the pressure Rob Thomas, Kristen Bell and company must be feeling right now… the pressure to deliver the best possible movie that would make all this worth it (for us fans and for them). As far as I’m concerned, though, I have complete faith in their ability to come up with something amazing with the funds that they’ve raised… so no need to worry about little ‘ol me! Just go make that movie!

Anyway, I know this would just be a blip in the radar since I’m not some high profile VM fan… But I want to say THANK YOU:
- to Rob Thomas, Kristen Bell, Jason Dohring and the rest of the cast: for loving this show and this character so much that you never gave up on it. You continued to fight in bringing her back and thought up ways to make it happen even if very few believed how AWESOME and NUMEROUS the fans are.
- to Kickstarter: for being such an awesome site that makes projects like these a reality.
- last but not the least, to all the fans worldwide: for the nonstop support and continued LoVe for all things Veronica Mars. I’m so proud to be one of you. You guys are the BEST EVER!

Japan 2013: Kaiyukan & Shinsekai

Tags

aquarium, ferris wheel, food, Japan, Kaiyukan Aquarium, lifestyle, Osaka, photography, Shinsekai, Shopping, sushi, Tempozan, travel

DAY 3 IN JAPAN

I felt both excitement and dread for day three. I was about to go solo and check out Kaiyukan Aquarium. I’ll just meet up with everyone else for dinner afterwards. Despite all the horror stories of getting lost in Japan in my head, I just had to suck it in and do it. Thankfully, it wasn’t a traumatic experience.

KAIYUKAN AQUARIUM

I got off at Osakako Station and walked to Kaiyukan Aquarium. The weather was comfortably cool; so a couple of blocks walk wasn’t too much of a hassle. The streets were pretty much deserted… very few people with a number of stores that were closed. It was weird for me since it was a weekday.

looking towards Osakako Station. i took pictures in case i got lost on the way back. i know… paranoid.

Once I got there, I went straight to the aquarium and bought my ticket. Entrance costs 2000 Yen for adults (around Php800).

Kaiyukan Aquarium — a unique and beautiful structure

The place is HUGE, needless to say; and it housed thousands of species of marine life. They had dolphins, penguins, stingrays, sharks, turtles, giant crabs and so much more. What’s great is that these animals are encased in huge aquariums where they could swim freely, with coral reefs and rock formations that simulated the real ocean. Here are just some of the awesome things I saw:

i’ve always wanted to walk through something like this.

iguana on top. fishes underwater.

biggest rodent on the face of the planet, the capybara.

penguin! so cute.

caretaker feeding a dolphin

tako = octopus

kids playing with a sea lion

more sea creatures in the biggest aquarium inside Kaiyukan

the biggest aquarium simulating the Pacific Ocean

jellyfish

TEMPOZAN MARKET

It took me around two hours to explore the aquarium. After shopping for some souvenirs, I headed to Tempozan Market to have lunch.

Tempozan Market entrance

I had some karaage at the food court and it was delicious!

chicken karaage with rice, coleslaw and potato salad

Since I had a couple of hours to kill before meeting up with my companions, I looked around and found some more stores which sold great Japanese souvenirs. There were also a couple of unique shops that sold vintage items.

this store sold vintage Coca-Cola merchandise, among others

My last stop at Tempozan was the Giant Ferris Wheel. It offers an amazing view of Osaka at a maximum height of 112.5m. One ride costs 700 Yen (less than Php300), which is really worth it.

view from below the wheel

view of Kaiyukan Aquarium and Osaka Bay

view of Tempozan Bridge

Before heading back, I made one quick stop at Milky for some ice cream. I know it’s cold; but I just had to try this one.

choco chip cookie soft ice cream. yum!

SHINSEKAI: Three restaurants. One big dinner.

I successfully met up with my other companions (yes!) and we headed to Shinsekai for dinner. It was sort of the Old Osaka and it is said to have some of the best local food. We walked around first and took in the sights.

the sunset when we arrived at Shinsekai

the line of restaurants

hearts with locks that had names of different couples

view of Osaka Tower

Since we couldn’t decide on one thing to try for dinner, we settled on just eating all of them! I was in for the food trip of my life when we ate at three different restaurants, starting off with kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers), followed by sushi, topped off with some blowfish.

first stop.

kushikatsu. fried food to be dipped in sweet and/or spicy sauce.

second stop. sushi place which had the most adorable sign. the old man’s glasses actually goes up and down. cute!

sushi master at work.

i LOVE sushi

last stop. blowfish. didn’t taste like much without the sour sauce.

With full stomachs, we headed back to the hotel to rest. My solo trip was a success. I didn’t get lost in the craziness of the Osaka Railway system. As a bonus, I tried as much local food as I could in one night.

Next up, seeing Hello Kitty, Snoopy and Elmo at Universal Studios!

Previous Post – Kobe/Dotonbori
Up Next – Osaka Castle/Universal Studios

“EMBRACE” & “SALLY”

Tags

behind the scenes, Biogesic, burger steak, commercials, food, John Lloyd Cruz, Jollibee, Yam Laranas

It’s been a while since I shared  some behind the scenes scoop on a project I was part of. Let me remedy that by covering two projects in one entry. Both were shot last February; and both were directed (and lighted) by Yam Laranas.

“Embrace” is a Biogesic for Kids TVC featuring John Lloyd Cruz. The commercial is pretty straightforward and simple; so setting the whole thing up wasn’t hard. The only challenge was keeping the little boy talent focused and alert until 8pm (which was the time we packed up). We shot this in one day in a studio set-up. Production designer: Butch Garcia. Production House: Unitel/Straight Shooters. Post House: Riot Inc..

These aren’t much; but here are some photos from the shoot.

our pretty set

Direk Yam coaches our talent

learn to fly. with AD Rallye Zapanta

“Sally” is an introductory TVC for Jollibee Ultimate Burger Steak. Compared to “Embrace,” this was a bit more challenging to mount because of its Darna nature. Darna projects are coined as such because we have to make like superheroes and finish everything as soon as possible. This project took us a little over a week from briefing to final presentation of material. That covers meetings, shooting and editing. Needless to say, I was very stressed that particular week. Still, the material turned out great and quality wasn’t sacrificed. I love the food shots in particular. Those took a lot of work and a lot of time to capture!

We had exactly 3 days to prep, with another two days to shoot the material. The first day was shot in Jollibee Lakefront (Sucat). This covered all the in-store scenes and food shots. The second day was done in two different locations (one in The Fort and the other at the Regus offices in Zuelling Building), covering the different vignettes of people ogling at the picture of the meal.

Other credits… Production Designer: Edwin Garcia. Production House: Production House: Unitel/Straight Shooters. Post House: Underground Logic.

And here are some behind the scenes snapshots from the project.

getting ready for consumption

in between takes

tedious food shots

our location with the wonderful view. with AD Jojo Atienza

Japan 2013: Kobe & Dotonbori

Tags

Beard Papa, Dotonbori, food, Japan, Kobe, lifestyle, Midosuji, okonomiyaki, Osaka, Shopping, takoyaki, travel

DAY 2 IN JAPAN

My first day in Japan mostly involved travel. We arrived at our hotel at almost 5:30pm. There wasn’t much time except eat dinner and do a bit of walking around. I was so tired… didn’t really feel all that well that evening. So DAY 2 was my first FULL day of walking, eating and sightseeing.

KOBE: Chinatown and Ramen!

It was a very cold two degrees outside. I wore between 2-4 layers of clothing; but it still felt a bit cold. We wasted no time and headed straight to Kobe to visit Chinatown (Nankinmachi and Motomachi areas). I saw an arch that is all too familiar in any Chinatown. Of course, I had to take a picture.

There were also a lot of shops lined up, ready to be explored!

We ate at a nearby Ramen place for lunch. It had a vendo machine outside where you could select then pay for your order. A slip of paper will come out; and that’s what you’ll hand in to the cooks inside. I ordered a bowl of pork chashu ramen and it set me back a mere 780 Yen (cheaper than some local ramen restaurants). The bowl was pretty huge but I finished it. It was so delicious! Perfect comfort food for the cold weather.

the vendo machine where we placed our orders and instantly paid for them. no need for waiters!

the interior was just one deep hallway where customers sat next to each other.

if you think this tastes as good as it looks, you’re absolutely right!

There was around two hours to kill after lunch; so of course I went shopping! First thing I bought (which I didn’t really plan on)… a Canon EOS M mirrorless camera. This is one of my wish list gadgets; and my brother suggested I check it out. The tag price had quite a huge difference already compared locally, the added discount for travel tax made it even cheaper! It was the right decision to purchase it right then and there. The seller gave me a free 4GB SD card to boot.

I bought the white Canon EOS M model with both lenses and flash attachment.

the store where I bought the camera from

After doing a bit of shopping, we took a taxi and headed to Europe Town (Kitano Ijinkan Foreign Residences). As the name implies, the tourist spot featured a couple of Western-style houses and structures that are really pretty. We didn’t really have time to go in; so I just took pictures. It seemed like I wasn’t even in Japan!

We then walked to the station heading back to Osaka; and I saw some more pretty sights, including a really pretty set-up for a Starbucks branch.

cute Starbucks branch

MIDOSUJI: An Apple Store and A Beard Papa

Back in Osaka, we split up. My sister-in-law and I walked along the Midosuji Avenue, hunting for the Apple Store. We were buying an iPad Mini for my mom. Along the way, we stopped to buy Beard Papa Cream Puffs, which were absolutely wonderful (warm on the outside, cool and creamy on the inside). I don’t know why the franchise here in the Philippines doesn’t have the same quality.

Jackpot! found the Apple Store where we bought an iPad Mini

Beard Papa: best cream puffs I’ve ever tasted (so far)

DOTONBORI: Sights and Food Food Food

We walked back to Dotonbori where we stopped by H&M, walked along the many shops calling our name, ate authentic takoyaki and waited for the Glicos sign to light up in the evening. Beautiful!

just one of the many huge and colorful shop signs around Dotonbori

yummy shrimp takoyaki

infamous Glicos sign in the evening

Afterwards, we had dinner at a famous local restaurant. I had some beer and ate okonomiyaki. At this point, my stomach was really full with all the scrumptious Japanese food I had! It was a great final meal to cap off a tiring day.

okonomiyaki is a Japanese savoury pancake with a whole lot of stuff inside. you top it with sweet or spicy sauce and a drizzle of mayonnaise for added flavor. it really went well with the beer.

Next up, I’m venturing on a solo trip; and I promise to share the experience.

Previous Post – An Overview
Up Next – Kaiyukan Aquarium/Shinsekai

Japan 2013: An Overview

Tags

food, Japan, Kobe, lifestyle, Nanba, Osaka, tips, Toyoko Inn, travel

I would just like to mention that this is my 100th post… and my first post for the year 2013. A small hooray is in order. “hooray!!!” Now that that’s out of the way, you may read on…

Japan is one of the places that you just HAVE TO go to. I always hear about how different it is, how getting lost is common and how communication is especially difficult. It sounds both terrifying and exciting for someone like me who loves to travel.

When an opportunity to go to the land of the rising sun came, I knew I just had to take the trip (expenses and all). I promise myself to go someplace new each year and Japan is hands down my ULTIMATE destination for 2013. I plan to share as much of the whole experience as I possibly can; so my special trip is going to stretch across a number of entries. Let’s start!

Before I write about my day to day adventures, I would like to cover the basics of my trip… how I got there, where I stayed… That kind of stuff. From this, hopefully you’d get to pick up a couple of tips when you do plan to take your own trip to Japan.

THE TRIP: Osaka It Is!

I was tagging along with my brother and sister-in-law to a food and bakery expo in Osaka; so that’s where my trip centered around. I went around Osaka and areas nearby. Even with almost a week allotted for this trip, our itinerary was pretty packed! Tokyo is a long way away. Going all the way there would not be practical; so I’ll reserve that for another time.

THE PREPARATION: Avoid Panic Packing

Upon deciding to go to Japan, I had to research about the weather when I get there. March is the time when winter slowly transitions into spring; and so it’s significantly cooler compared to our tropical climate. Having never been to a country so far north from the equator, this meant I had to start from scratch and buy everything I needed.

I started building my fall/winter wardrobe early, scouring December and January sales at Mango, Forever 21, Aldo and Terranova. I also bought HeatTech basics from Uniqlo. Sweaters, turtlenecks, jackets, boots, gloves, socks and leggings are essentials for cool weather. It’s best to buy stuff little by little instead of plopping down thousands in one time. That way I won’t be overwhelmed by the clothing expenses on top of travel expenses.

From my Twitter: “this is PACKING awesome! #osaka2013″ (March 2, 2013 1:33pm)

Two to three weeks before the trip, I started planning what I would wear daily. I did this to avoid packing unnecessary clothes that would just occupy luggage space. For a six-day trip, I prepared 7 days worth of clothes plus extra tops just in case. A week before, I started putting everything in my luggage. This allowed me a week to add or reduce clothes as I see fit. This way, I won’t pack like a maniac and forget stuff the day before I leave.

THE FLIGHT: Flying Cathay

Given that travel time to Osaka would take longer, I don’t regret spending a bit more money to fly Cathay Pacific. It was my first time with this airline; and we went on connecting flights from Manila to Hong Kong to Osaka. There is definitely a difference (as compared to local airlines) when it came to the plane itself, the food, the service as well as the in-flight entertainment. The seats were more spacious. We were given blankets. I also came directly from a shoot the day before; so I needed a flight that allowed me to sleep comfortably. It was well worth the few extra dollars.

THE TEMPORARY HOME: Toyoko Inn Nanba

Hotels aren’t really that big a deal for me. Since I will spend more time outside than inside, all I need are clean sheets, a clean bathroom and a comfy bed. I got all that at Toyoko Inn Nanba. My room is a small one; but it was for only about Php3,000++ a night. With free breakfast and free WI-FI, that’s a pretty good price point given the location.

These photos of Toyoko Inn Osaka Nanba is courtesy of TripAdvisor

THE WEATHER: Between Two and Twenty Degrees

My trip was from March 4 to 9; and in that week the temperature transitioned from really really cold to moderate.

I was practically freezing upon arrival at Kansai International Airport. I underestimated the weather, wearing only one layer of clothing. After checking in, I piled on the clothes but it still wasn’t enough! My feet were freezing in the two-degree weather. I ended up buying a thermal shirt and leggings. It really helped in the first few days. I’m just glad the temperature gradually progressed to a more comfortable 17-20 degrees as days passed by. It just goes to show that no matter how ready you might be, you may still be surprised once you’re actually there. But hey, it’s part of the unpredictability of travel.

THE TRANSPORTATION: Confusing But Effective

The Osaka Railway System looks this crazy. Who wouldn’t get lost with that as a guide?

Our main mode of transportation was the subway/trains. We had a local accompanying us while going from one place to another, so he was a really huge help. But he himself still got a bit confused by the subway system, asking other people along the way. (I find the Hong Kong and Singapore Subway System easier to grasp and understand.) Still, you gotta hand it to the Japanese. Their transport system is very effective and efficient. All the trains have arrival times set to the minute. There are almost endless combinations to get to your destination; because everything is connected in one way or another. It’s confusing; but still brilliant. In Filipino, pinag-isipan nang maayos (well-thought of and planned well).

It’s also convenient. You just get an ICOCA card, load up (it reached around 4000 Yen or less than Php2000 for me for the whole trip) and just tap to get in and out of the stations. As a bonus, the stations each have their own personality (some are old but with character, while others are very modern), the trains have cushioned seats… sometimes even heated seats. It definitely made travel comfortable and hassle-free.

THE SIGHTS: A Really Photogenic Country

I believe Japan, as a whole, simply looks good in pictures. There are a lot of sights worth taking a snapshot of, even something as random as a walkway or a street. Case in point:

first subway station we went into

one of the many stretches of shops around Osaka

this is an installation along one of the walkways

another stretch of shops, this one in Kobe

Even the food — real or fake — are so pretty! Can you tell which is which?

FAKE. food displays outside the restaurant.

REAL. pancakes from 3 Brothers Cafe

REAL. expensive but oh-so-delicious strawberries.

REAL. authentic karaage from Tempozan Market Food Court.

FAKE. i have no idea what this is, but it’s some sort of dessert

Even at the convenience store, I couldn’t help but take pictures!

a display of drinks.

one of the many food items available at Family Mart, a popular convenience store.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

It’s no wonder I had a great adventure in Japan. Almost everything I encountered is unique from other destinations I’ve been to. Simply put, the whole trip was just AWESOME!

Up Next – Kobe/Dotonbori

Surviving 2012

Tags

2012, 2013, end of the world, life, life lessons, personal, reflections

We all survived the end of the world. Again.

WRONG. I SURVIVED!

It’s been a looming prophecy since the movie came out over two years ago. I didn’t watch it, by the way. And face it, we all thought it’s a bit ridiculous that a group of people who weren’t able to predict their own extinction would be able to foresee the end of the world as we know it. Still, recent natural disasters made me think, “What if?” What if the world were to end suddenly? I didn’t really consider this thought as a major driving force in my life this year; but this teeny tiny possibility pushed me to make the most out of 2012 while I’m still young, kicking and very much alive. I’m pretty sure you know of these life lessons; but I’m sharing them with you anyway.

It’s never too late for a transformation.
Frustration over my physical health pushed me to change my body this 2012. I’m proud to say that I’ve lost a significant amount of weight over the past few months. I’m almost at my goal; but at this point, I’m already happy with what these changes brought out of me: more confidence and more self-control. As a bonus, I am loving shopping again! RTW sizes fit again! A bunch of old clothes I kept are being used again! It just feels good!
In 2013. I’m looking forward to finally achieving a healthy and stable weight and keeping it off for good. Also, I’ve started experimenting with new styles of clothing and hopefully, I’d be able to adapt and pull off a new look by next year. Time to change some more!

These ladies get to bond a lot!

Keep in touch.
Always make an effort to keep in touch with old friends. I’m happy to still be planning meet-ups with my high school and college friends after 10 years. After all, catching up on Facebook just isn’t the same as catching up over lunch and gossiping about what your batch mates have been up to. Even if you don’t see each other as often as the girls in Sex and the City do, a get-together once or twice a year is enough to keep the ties tightly bound.
In 2013. More meet-ups and bonding, hopefully… A group trip, perhaps?

Chocolate Hills in Bohol — woohoo!

Get out there and travel!
I traveled more than ever this year. Let’s see… Singapore, Hong Kong, Misibis Bay, Boracay, Batangas, Bohol… All beautiful places. With every trip, I am reminded again and again how awesome it is to take a break and see what’s outside the confines of Metro Manila.
In 2013. I’m in the process of planning my first out-of-SEA (Southeast Asia) trip. I just need to get my stuff in order. I’m also going back to Singapore with an intention to make a quick stop to Legoland Malaysia. It’s going to be totally awesome!!!

Wicked — before the show started.

Watch a bunch of shows.
I’m not just talking about TV shows or movies. I’ve never regretted plopping down cash for a good concert or theatrical performance. This year was off to a good start when I dropped everything and flew to Singapore just to watch Wicked. Hearing “Defying Gravity” live for the first time seriously brought tears to my eyes. It was a truly amazing experience. Aside from that, I screamed for NKOTBSB, Maroon 5, Lady Gaga and Foster the People. Of course, I had my share of regrets: missing Katy Perry in concert and Phantom of the Opera. Never mind. There’s always next year!
In 2013. More foreign acts worth watching, I hope.

2013, Here I Come!
I haven’t completely visualized 2013 for me; but I’m looking forward to it. I just need to internalize my resolutions and actually COMMIT to them. Here’s to more (life) experiences and more changes (for the better)!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Songs for the End of the World

Tags

a cappella, end of the world, mtv, music, music video, pentatonix

Here’s a Pentatonix mash-up of “Save the World” and “Don’t You Worry Child” by the Swedish House Mafia. Perfect timing for the END OF THE WORLD. Can’t stop listening to it.

Can someone please bring this group to Manila???

the IT list #10

Tags

boots, kindle, mindy project, movie: comedy, movies, palladium, personal countdown, pitch perfect, television, the it list, wedding band

“the IT list” A series of posts that highlight the various stuff, old or new, that I’ve been doing… reading, watching, eating or simply obsessing over recently. It’s my personal countdown.

the IT list #10

#ONE
I never intended to buy a Kindle for myself; but getting one from my brother and sister-in-law as an early Christmas present was pretty awesome. It can contain tons of books for a small, thin and light gadget. It’s easier on the eyes (compared to the iPad) for reading. It’s perfect for a bookworm like me. I’m looking forward to bringing it along with me everywhere in place of thick and bulky paperbacks.

#TWO
I’ve been wanting to buy leather boots for a while; and I came upon the brand Palladium at The Flat Shop in Glorietta. It’s made of durable, high quality leather. You can wear it two ways. And with the right attitude, you can wear it with almost anything. I love it.

#THREE
I’ve decided that The Mindy Project is officially my favorite new show this season. It started off as another comedy to pass my time; but I’ve grown to really like it. The humor is quick and witty. Mindy Kaling is hilarious. The many different guest stars are great as well. Hopefully, the show will be allowed to grow an audience so we can witness more workplace craziness in the future.

#FOUR
I watched this when it came out last October. Now, the DVD is out and I can’t get enough of Pitch Perfect. It’s “Glee” in college; but much funnier. Plus, with The Sing-Off canceled, this film gives me my a cappella fix, aside from Pentatonix of course.

#FIVE
Wedding Band is about… Well, a wedding band. This series is simply entertaining and fun… more so as the episodes progress. It’s just a bunch of guys rocking it in different kinds of events (weddings, high school parties, adult proms) and the craziness that ensues. I also love the cover songs they do. Here’s hoping that the comedy continues well into future episodes because I’m really liking it.

“JUMP IN”

Tags

apl.de.ap, commercials, jessica sanchez, jump in, mtv, music, music video, smart, tvc

And here it is… The BIG project I’ve been talking about for the past few months. It’s finally and officially OUT. Best of all, I can now claim to be PART OF IT!

The song is entitled “Jump In.” This music video was shot over the course of four days — One day for each of the vignettes and one long day for the dancing and singing parts. We shot in picturesque locations and shot with international stars apl.de.ap and Jessica Sanchez. This huge project was a challenge to take on; and hopefully, audiences saw the “bigness” in the finish product. After all, putting it together took a lot of physical and mental energy, endless moments of stress and sleepless nights. Whew!

This MTV is for the new Smart Jump In SIM. It’s directed by Filipino-Canadian Marc Andre Debruyne, with director of photography Take Onishi and production designer Rious Caliso. Production house: Straight Shooters Media, Inc. Post house: Engine Room and Optima Digital.