June-soons

From June up to mid August is the monsoon/wet season here in the PH, and as everyone here has been experiencing since last week, two storms, and a whole lot of low pressure areas had come and passed.

There's heavy rains, flash floods, land-slides, and most recently, there're reports saying that there was a tornado around the QC area. [Whoa! I know.]

Well, this is not the first time we encounter this much water here in the country, say hi to typhoon Ondoy. It took thousands of lives and millions worth of property damage. One good thing about it though is that, we now know how to prepare and act in this kind of situations.

Here are a few tips for the worst-case senario:

1. Don't panic, not too much at least. [Cliche' but what the heck.]

- Panic, has its benefits. It keeps you on your toes but as they say, too much of anything is bad. Cliche' but what the heck.

2. Store basic necessities.

- If you can, buy extra food, medicines, flashlights, batteries, and there's one product out there today, an emergency light with a socket so you can charge your mobile phones. It also comes with a transistor radio so you can listen and update yourself with the latest news, also keeps you out of boredom. I think, its brand is Omni and/or Akira.

3. Stay home with your family,

- If you can, be with your family. Less worrying and you can work together to make everything easier. But if you can't, keep in contact, make sure all know where everyone else is.

4. Pray, and know that God doesn't let us down.

- The most powerful in the list in my opinion. Pray. God is good, and He will guide us through this for sure.

Movie Review: Kung Fu Panda 2

Last night, I was able to watch Kung Fu Panda 2 with my cousins, last full show at SM Mall of Asia.

Personally I liked the first film better [Well most sequels rarely compare to its prequels in my opinion.]. Jack Black's portrayal of the clumsy yet lovable panda in the first film is such a treat that his portrayal here fails to match it. In a way, you kind of expect what his character will do in such situations [fighting and/or training]. Although, you can see the improvements of Po. Which made this film more of an animated action film which is cool. The Five is still present, all of them. Played by the same actors/ actresses who played them before [But some of them don't really sound like them.] and there're new characters [of course, that's what a sequel is for, character expansion.]. A new foe in form of a Peacock [weird choice I know.], and other kung-fu masters, a rhino, an ox, and a crocodile [though their appearance and roles are somewhat mediocre.]

The moral lesson is there, just like the first one. And the plot didn't disappoint. It brought a depth to Po's character which I liked a lot.

A sequel to the hit Kung Fu Panda, if you loved the first one, you'll definitely like this one too. I give it a 4 out of 5. Highly recommended.

Labor and Gold Farming

And no, not the real thing. I was talking about in-game currencies. I just read from and online article that Chinese prisoners and being forced to harvest or in game lingo; "Farm" gold which will then sold to players of the said game.

If you're a gamer like me, you'll know that in-game currency is very important in any game [Some more so than others, Hello MMORPG's.] They can make the gameplay more fun and enjoyable and/or more tedious and time-consuming.

Game devs really find a lot of ways to make money nowadays that gaming has taken its position in the lives of everyone.

Anyways, I would mine if someone wants to farm my gold for me. Kinda like my In-game employee.

Read the whole article, visit this link.

http://www.swtorstrategies.com/2011/05/chinese-prisoners-forced-to-farm-gold.html

Monster Hunter for the IPhone

One of my favorite games of all time in the PSP is Capcom's Monster Hunter series. Although that game had given me sore thumbs, minor headaches, and a whole lot of frustration (because the games is so damn tedious!), the glory received from beating a 20ft Rathalos then carving its remains and using it as armor and weapon parts is unparalleled. Matching with some of the coolest looking armors and weapons set plus a tedious but awesome gameplay, not to mention the superb multiplayer action it sure won the hearts of many. But enough on the PSP game, it's about the IPhone counter-part.

It's called Monster Hunter: Dynamic Hunting (Don't know it the name will change in the US version.), From what I saw in the gameplay video, it uses the same type of gameplay as Infinity Blade (which is by-far one of the best games for the IPhone in my opinion.). You use your fingers to dodge and block, swiping coincides with attacking (see video).

It's a huge twist on the game, a totally different level of gameplay. Not sure if it will appeal to Monster Hunter fans (I will definitely buy this though.). What I like is that the original monsters are there (as you can see, it's the first wyvern in the series, the Yian Kut-ku.), and also the graphics is almost the same if not better (Hello Retina HD graphics.)

As a fan, I really can't wait to see this and try it first hand. Will keep you updated.

*Info and details credit to codamon.com. Thanks Kiven.

Video borrowed from GhGpsp4ever at www.youtube.com

Worth

If you put the happiness of others before your own, you'll soon regret it

I have read this quote for a while now, been hearing it for a lot longer but what if it's who I really am. What if, I prefer making others feel happy even if it costs me.

I do find it better to put others' (people whom I love and cherish) happiness and/or feelings rather than my own. Most of you will not agree but to me sacrificing my own happiness or feelings make sense if it's for the one I love. To me it's worth it.

I'd rather go with what she wants, what she believes in.

I'd rather lose and argument than blowing up the problem out of proportion.

I'd rather see her smile even if it means more work for me.

That way, I know I won't regret anything. Making whatever effort just to see her smile.

But there're times that it's really taking toll on me. I'm not my usual self. I'm giving up a lot (but not too many/ major) but still feels like I did nothing.

I really don't know what to do at times.

*I don't know if it's the right thing to practice but I've been like this for so long.

Movie Review: Fast Five

Not to many films have sequels more so 5 installments, and for a story of 2 precision drivers (I know it's not "the story" but that's the main plot anyway.) it's just amazing. And the movie didn't disappoint.

You got your main characters back; Vin Diesel as Dominic Torreto, Paul Walker as Brian O'Connor and Jordana Brewster as Mia Torreto plus you also got characters from 2Fast 2Furious; Ludacris as Tej Parker, and Tyrese Gibson as Roman Pearce. From The fast and the furious: Tokyo Drift; Sung Kang as Han. Then comes a new face. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Luke Hobbes (his part is legendary, you got to see his fight scene with Vin Diesel. Define EPIC!)

You got your basic element which you like from the first 4 installments, the cars and insane driving. Stealing from a moving train then escaping to dragging a bank vault all around Rio. You won't get bored with this film. But what I like about this film is their homecoming to street racing (although you don't really get to see the racing part. FAIL in my opinion.). Where it all began, The fast and the furious - the first installment. And Dom's line; "Home sweet home" really hits the spot.

Most of the fans who watched said they can't wait for Fast 6, but really? I think there's no more room for a 6th installment, it's kind of, stopping while your ahead. The story is at its finest. Great plot, great twist, great stunts, great acting, awesome fight scene, and the optimum ending in my opinion.

So with that, great movie, can't wait to have this on blu-ray. 5 out of 5

Happy Mother's day

They say, behind every great man is a woman right behind her. For the most of our lives, our mothers were "the woman" behind us.

In the Filipino culture, they're called "Ang ilaw ng tahanan" or "The light of the home". Meaning they give us the direction to take. Making sure we see cl

early through it all, guiding us and giving us that feeling of warmth and safety.

TO ALL MOTHER'S OUT THERE, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

We won't be who we are if weren't for you gals.

A photo of my beloved mother.