Category Archives: Entertainment

Jollibee Kiddie Party

Posted by wandergirl on April 29, 2012 None comments

On April 22, my daughter celebrated her 3rd birthday and we decided to give her a party at Jollibee NBS in Quezon Ave. (corner Sct. Borromeo). My daughter has grown to be so fond of Jollibee (like most other kids) and we thought that a Jollibee party will give her a memorable event.

We originally booked at Jollibee E. Rodriguez via phone two weeks ahead. However, on the day we visited the venue for confirmation and downpayment, we were left waiting for the attending party coordinator for more than 20 minutes. When we made a follow up, no one couldn’t give us a decent answer. Still, we waited and started reading some of the party brochures, until we had enough and stormed out the store.

We checked on Jollibee West Ave. and I liked their kiddie tables and chairs. Unfortunately, there was no more available slot for April 22, except 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM which is already pretty late. We made our last trip to Jollibee NBS and we were accommodated by Dennis, who happened to be the party host as well on the day of the event.

I liked Dennis, he was very lively. The Hetty room assigned to use can accommodate up to 75 people. Our initial reservation was only for 35 people, but the actual number of guests climbed to 41 on April 22. We availed of the food package 4, consisting of the following: 1-pc Chickenjoy w/rice, Jollibee spaghetti, softdrinks, chocolate sundae, and french fries. You can visit Jollibee website to plan your party – from choosing the food package to party themes and party add-ons.

The party venue’s decoration was very simple, with just a few balloons neatly decorated on the walls. The greetings tarp is pretty basic and simple, with the celebrant’s name printed on a piece of paper and attached to it. I guess if you want to have your own greeting tarp made, you’re allowed to have it posted somewhere on the venue, too.

JOLLITOWN greetings tarp

one section of the party venue

some of the Jollitown games prizes

We chose the JOLLITOWN theme and the party fee of P1,250 already included 1 Jollibee mascot appearance, 20 game prizes, 30 party balloons, 10 crayons, and a guestbook. If you want to add another Jollibee mascot, be prepared for additional fee of P1,000 (per mascot). We added Popo and Hetty because my daughter is just so into them. Jollibee mascot/s appear 30 minutes before end of the party. If you want them to join in the games, you’ll need to pay P300/mascot for the appearance. My husband and I knew our daughter would be ecstatic to have them so we decided to pay for the additional appearance.

Jollibee's entrance

Popo's entrance

Hetty's entrance

As expected, Jollibee food is for the kids and kids-at-heart. The Chickenjoy remained a standout. Most of all, the mascots are such a darling for the kids. I was a bit disappointed with the dance choreography of the mascots though. I was expecting they’d dance into the tune of a more popular music (like what I’ve seen on some youtube videos). I couldn’t remember the music they were dancing on but I think it’s still related to a Jollitown song.

my daughter with Jollibee

When it comes to booking, we had not problem booking at Jollibee NBS. I guess the only minor hassle (minor for me but not for my husband) was when Dennis (party host) had errors in the computation of the remaining balance, so we ended up going back to the venue a week after to settle the Jollibee loot bags we availed that wasn’t included in the final computation. But overall, it was a good party for the kids, and I know the adults enjoyed it, too!

Miss Universe New Policy Allows Transgenders

Posted by wandergirl on April 16, 2012 None comments

Last week, I run across a very disheartening news, Miss Universe had revised its policy to welcome transgender candidates. I read the news from Yahoo! and I was utterly disappointed. I have always loved watching Miss Universe since I was 9 years old. I loved seeing these beautiful women from all over the world competing for the highly coveted title. I loved how they’d sashay with their evening gown and swimsuit. And I always get excited when it’s time for the Q & A portion. At a certain point, I wished I had the height and the body to parade with the girls. But of course, I have long given up that hope because I knew Miss Universe has a very stringent policy. However, when it was recently announced that the Miss Universe organization is allowing transgenders to join the pageant, my dismay had gone uphill.

I have nothing against transgenders. I have gay friends who are intelligent and beautiful people. I know that gays are putting so much effort to gain acceptance in our society. And even if there are people who still look down on them, I don’t.

However, when the news about Jenna Talackova came out, I thought it was ridiculous of her to challenge the standards of Miss Universe. And then a few days later, the Miss Universe organization had confirmed changing its rules to allow transgenders starting 2013. What the heck just happened??!!!

Yes, I do respect the gay community, but where’s the respect for the REAL born women at this point? I know that not all gays are in favor of the new policy and it is not fair to direct anger to all gays and transgenders.

I am not certain about Jenna Talackova’s motive, so I am not going to go in that direction. To quote a statement by Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, “the decision to include transgender women Miss Universe is a result of the organization’s ongoing discussions with Gay and Lesbian Alliance against Defamation (GLAAD) and not Talackova’s legal representation, which if anything, delayed the process.”

Okay, so now this is an issue of equality. Perhaps, Jenna Talackova just wanted everyone to recognize transgenders in Miss Universe. We all know that Miss Universe is for REAL born women ever since. Is it too much to ask that it remains that way? Sure, the new policy will encourage more transgenders to show their wit and talent to the world, but it could also discourage REAL women to join the pageant and compete with transgenders. Perhaps, a few years down the road, 90% of Miss Universe candidates are transgenders and I wonder what kind of standards does Miss Universe uphold by then.

I don’t mean to generate negative comments with my opinion, but I just feel that the new policy is a bit of an insult to REAL born women. Does that make me much of a feminist? Maybe. But I hope not in a bad light. Whether we like it or not, equality is not absolute. If a transgender is not allowed in Miss Universe it shouldn’t be regarded as discrimination. There are institutions and standards that need to be respected. But I guess this is just one of those signs that the world has changed SIGNIFICANTLY!

Related Post:

Philippines Placed 3rd on the Miss Universe 2011

 

Gretchen Rubin on Happiness Project — What’s Yours?

Posted by wandergirl on April 6, 2012 None comments

A few months ago, while looking for a new paperback, I got the chance to check out Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project. It looked promising so I bought a copy. Surprisingly, it’s not the kind of literary works I can finish overnight. It’s not boring. In fact, it’s too interesting that I’d want to make sure I get to digest everything I read. Seriously, I’m not yet done wit the book even as of today’s writing.

So, why the heck I’m writing about it when I’m not yet done reading? Simple, I wanted to share the few pieces of wisdom I learned from it. Gretchen Rubin put it so bluntly: not everyone has the same concept about happiness, therefore, her happiness project will not be the same to my happiness project; and my happiness project will be different from other people’s happiness project.

It’s interesting how Gretchen Rubin tackles the concept of happiness when she’s not depressed at all. I haven’t even consider creating my own happiness project at my lowest points. And I’m sure there are many people out there who never thought of creating an action plan to achieve happiness unless it’s probably become a mandatory law. So, reading about someone who spends the time and effort on a happiness project is truly something new. I especially like Gretchen Rubin’s list of Secrets of Adulthood, such as:

  • People don’t notice your mistakes as much as you do;
  • Most decisions don’t require extensive research;
  • By doing a little bit each day, you can get a lot accomplished;
  • If you can’t find something, clean up;
  • You don’t have to be good at everything; and
  • What’s fun for other people may not be fun for you — and vice versa
Some of Gretchen Rubin’s happiness strategies are not applicable to me, but I like them just the same for the simple reason that they are inspiring. Halfway through the book I started cleaning out my closet and getting rid of my things that I haven’t used for years. I also started getting 8 hours of sleep everyday and it made me feel less irritated. Unlike her though, I don’t have a complete chart of my happiness strategies. Not yet for now. But reading The Happiness Project will inspire you to re-think your priorities in life and craft your own happiness project.

Toddler Hit and Run in China

Posted by wandergirl on October 20, 2011 None comments

It was my sister who originally told me of the news about the 2-year old girl who was run over twice in China. After checking my Yahoo! email I saw the headline Outrage as bleeding China toddler left on street in the Yahoo! News and I was curious to read and see how it happened. It was truly a horrifying video and looking at it makes me sick; not to mention worried about my own daughter, as well as my other nieces and nephews.

The video shows the toddler walking on the street when she was hit by the white van, crossing over the child’s dainty body. The child was helpless and three passersby were caught by the CCTV camera to have just looked without helping the poor kid. When finally, one good Samaritan came to the girl’s rescue, dragging her to the side of the street. I can still vividly imagine the soft body of the little girl bending like a piece of paper when her rescuer tried to lift her.

I didn’t bother to post the video here because it was just too much. How could these people just look at the child in that state? Reports have said that these passersby claim not seeing the child because it was too dark in the area. Really? The toddler’s rescuer was named Chen Xianmei, who’s a 57-year old mother herself who hails from Qingyuan, Guangdong province. She said she heard the little girl crying and saw her with blood on her mouth and neck. Sure the place maybe quite dark but were the passersby also too deaf to even hear the child’s cry?

Whatever happened to some of the people in this generation? Last I heard from the news is that the little girl is recovering well. Hopefully, she could thoroughly get through of her painful ordeal very soon. To the rescuer, we can only hope there’s more like her. And to the passersby…ah, it’s just hard to comment about them…lolz. I’ve read some comments that the parents of the child are the first to blame. But I guess it isn’t no longer important to start pointing fingers. Instead, the incident must be regarded as a living example that parents should always keep an eye on their children especially on those who are too young and small to even fend for themselves.

Philippines Placing 3rd on the Miss Universe 2011

Posted by wandergirl on September 19, 2011 None comments

Days before the Miss Universe 2011 pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil I already conditioned myself to wake up early on September 13 (September 12 in Brazil) to make sure I won’t miss the live telecast on STAR World. Unfortunately, on the day of the pageant, we had to rush my daughter to the hospital very early in the morning due to pneumonia. It was already 6 PM when I learned from the news that our very own Shamcey Supsup made it to the 3rd place. And guess what, we were settled in one of the private rooms of UST Hospital while watching the news feeds of Miss Universe 2011 highlights. But thank God, I was able to run across the encore episode around 10 PM on the cable channel.

Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup after being called as one of the top 5 finalists

There’s no doubt that Shamcey Supsup has made all the Filipinos across the globe gleaming with pride. She looked every bit of a beauty queen and her so-called Tsunami walk is simply gorgeous. Came the Q & A portion, she managed to answer with relevance and grace even without the help of an interpreter. But even with her stellar performance, she only landed as 3rd runner up. So, what could have gone wrong?

I’ve read several commentaries saying that she could have perfectly nailed the question if she omitted the last part of her answer where she said “If the person loves me, he’ll love my God, too.” Some are saying that the sentence negates the essence of her overall answer; whereas, others insist she answered better than everyone else in the top 5 finalists. Even Lea Salonga, who happens to be one of the judges, was criticized for her question to Miss Angola – saying it was the easiest and dumbest question ever raised in the Miss Universe pageant.

To be honest, even if I ran late in watching the pageant, I would have to agree that Miss Angola is beautiful and had gracefully aced the Q & A portion. She’s very pretty, sashays elegantly, and speaks in a calm and confident tone. Of course, we’d be rejoicing to the highest heaven if Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup was crowned Miss Universe 2011; but placing 3rd runner-up isn’t bad at all. Miss Philippines Venus Raj placed 4th runner-up on the 2010 Miss Universe – who knows what’s in store for us in Miss Universe 2012. In between varying opinions, we can only be grateful for the accomplishment of Shamcey Supsup and we can only hope we finally bring home the Miss Universe crown soon.

Rosanna Roces criticizes teachers on Showtime

Posted by wandergirl on January 13, 2010 1 comments

Ooops, she did it again!

Oh well, Rosanna Roces will not be the Rosanna Roces we all know today without her acerbic and scathing words. And ABS-CBN should have known better how capable she can be for saying whatever she feels like saying, even if it means getting a show suspended or axed for good. Though there is no escaping the fact that she made a very uncalled for remark against teachers in general, still, the blame should not all go to her.


New Moon: Bella-Edward vs. Bella-Jacob

Posted by wandergirl on November 29, 2009 None comments

Finally, I was able to watch the movie, New Moon, last night at the Trinoma mall with hubby. I was about to think that I was getting way behind the Twilight fever after failing to get a ticket last week because almost all mall screenings—both in Quezon City and Makati—were sold out.

Surprisingly, even on its second week, New Moon continues to lure a huge number of people, making its ticket sales soar even higher. And given that, I have become more excited, but only to get disappointed even before the movie rolls out its credits.

New Moon still

The first twenty minutes of the movie was fine to me and gave a faster phasing of the story. But when the movie reaches the part wherein Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) bids goodbye to Bella (Kristen Stewart), the succeeding scenes have become quite agonizing and boring to me.

First of, there’s Bella who seems so confused with her feelings between Edward and Jacob (Taylor Lautner). He was longing for Edward’s absence, and she knows she wanted him, but she also wanted Jacob to be there for her when she knows for a fact that the guy wanted her to be more than just his best friend. And to be honest, the begging part of Jacob for Bella to stay, really broke my heart.

And then there’s Victoria (Rachelle Lefevre), one of those three rouge vampires who was running after Bella since the first movie installment. Ironically, her scenes in this movie could be omitted without people noticing it.

And of course, who would forget about Dakota Fanning’s very short exposure. I can’t believe she accepted the role. Or shall I say, I don’t know if she thinks the role is somehow going to give her another award just like how her previous movies which acknowledged her acting skills in different award-giving bodies.

Funny but true, New Moon is nothing but a battle between team Bella-Edward and team Bella-Jacob. And that’s just it!

New Moon new movie trailer

Posted by wandergirl on October 21, 2009 None comments

I’m excited. I have seen the first movie trailer several months ago and I have since looked forward to its up and coming release this November. Mind you, if Robert Pattinson made a lot of girls squeal—me included—in the first installment of the Twilight craze, Taylor Lautner (Jacob) will surely make a lot more girls go ga-ga this time. Geez, that bod and that piercing look are just so hot…lolz. Enjoy the clip!

Boyzone Stephen Gately dies in Majorca

Posted by wandergirl on October 12, 2009 1 comments

Ironically, the year 2009 seems to be the “dying” year for many famous personalities, both local and foreign.

Here in the Philippines, there’s Master Rapper, Francis “Kiko” Magalona, and the Mother of Democracy, former Philippine President Corazon “Tita Cory” Aquino.

In Hollywood, King of Pop Michael Jackson bid his last farewell in the early part of June, while Dirty Dancing sensation Patrick Swayze ended his battle with cancer in September. And now, as we neared towards the end of the month, the music industry was greeted with yet another shocking news of death.

Boyzone's Stephen Gately

Stephen Gately, known member of Irish boy band Boyzone—along with Ronan Keating, was found dead while on vacation in Majorca, Spain with his partner Andrew Cowles. To date, his cause of death still remains undetermined after he was supposedly found in an awkward squatting position in the sofa of an apartment he owns and shares with Cowles.

His Boyzone band mates are some of the first to express devastation with what is considered to be a “tragic” death of the singer/actor, who joined the group in 1993 and has released some of the unforgettable hitmakers in the late 90′s.

Jacque Bermejo: The new Facebook star

Posted by wandergirl on September 30, 2009 4 comments

Everyone’s talking about her. Loathing her to high heavens. And probably, even cursing her to death.

But the question is, was it really Jacque Bermejo who posted the following lines: “buti n lng am hir in dubai! maybe so many sinners bak der! so yeah deserving wat hapend!” in her alleged Facebook account? Was she really behind this malicious comment, stirring the ire of hundreds of Facebook’s Pinoy users?

Below is Jacque Bermejo’s official statement in an effort to clear her name from the countless jabs she’s received from this infamous post. I guess, the girl deserves to air her side as well. After all, no one’s really sure it was her who made such abusive post in Facebook. Isn’t it just so easy to download other people’s pictures on the Internet these days and create fake accounts in any social networking websites? We all know, anyone can do that. Regardless, perhaps it won’t hurt to run the other side of story.

“I am issuing this statement to clear my name in the current controversy in which I allegedly posted a highly insensitive and offensive message on the social networking website, Facebook, in relation to the victims of typhoon Ondoy that recently struck parts of the Philippines.

About two years ago, an anonymous source created these accounts using my identity, posting my personal details, my real pictures captioned roughly and attacking other people. Because of these incidents, I reported such abuses and sent my credentials to the administrators of such sites, particularly Facebook. I have been abused and am still being abused online in social networking websites such as Facebook, Friendster, Multiply etc.

In the early stages, I was advised by close friends to ignore the situation, saying this would simply go away. Unfortunately, it has not stopped. Hence, I filed a complaint with the Dubai Police about eight months ago hoping they could help me with my problem. Should anyone wish to check my statement, my case is still under investigation with said authorities.

Time passed and these sites continued to generate malicious, obscene and cruel messages that are widely exposed and relayed to the public under my name.

Yesterday, September 27th 2009, I received phone calls from my close friends regarding very alarming posts in the above mentioned websites that directly offended flood victims as a result of typhoon Ondoy..

These malicious statement(s) which are posted under account names Jacque or Jackie are not of my doing. It is unfortunate that such statements were maliciously attributed to me and I do sympathize and understand the adverse and somehow verbally violent reaction that has been elicited by such insensitive statements or posts. Rest assured, I have taken every legal step that can be done in this regard.

I too, have become a victim as much as those who may have lost their lives and properties to such a devastating natural calamity. This recent controversy has greatly affected my reputation, my family, and my friends. I am devastated and shocked at the extent my character, my personal information and private space have been violated.

I have a deep respect and regard for my country. I am proud to be a Filipino and would never say or do anything to harm the interest of my country or countrymen. I have also had the privilege of participating in civic-oriented activities in Dubai, particularly in trying to help my fellow countrymen seek employment during the height of mass layoffs brought about by the ongoing global financial crisis, as well as those seeking employment for the first time. Making a mockery of any unfortunate incidents befalling any of my fellow Filipinos is simply contrary to my character. I condemn the person or persons behind these malicious acts to impute damage on my integrity and I hope that you can dig deep into your hearts and minds to truly find the truth in all these.”