Movie Review: A Very Good Girl

First off, kudos to the trailer because it will lead you to more questions and theories than answers. My curiosity was piqued, which is why I decided to watch the movie. I was equally intrigued by the cast. Ms. Dolly’s recent nomination to the BAFTAs and Golden Globes was a definite draw. I have never watched any of her films before, so I was interested to see her in a starring role.

Now, if you want to proceed with reading this, just know that there are likely to be spoilers, so if you don’t want to ruin your movie experience, don’t read any further.

The movie’s start was a bit baffling. You see Kathryn’s character, Philo, in a bidding war with Mother Molly, Dolly’s character for a statue (anito). Philo wins the bid to the chagrin of Molly, but then she decides to gift the statue to Molly anyway in an effort to get her attention and win some favor. Upon soc med research, Molly discovers that supposedly Philo is a rich kid.

There are a lot of flashbacks in this movie, where you will slowly piece together why Philo is seeking revenge on Molly, and it’s really not that complicated or original. She gets fired by Molly and gets blacklisted on all the companies that she wants to work with. In desperation, Philo’s mother (played by Angel Aquino) tries to look for Molly and begs her to give Philo her job back, but this backfires when one of Molly’s delivery vehicles runs over the mom.

It’s a classic revenge story, but did they tell it in a unique way? Well, let’s start with some of the good points of the movie. Both actors looked gorgeous so points to the styling team. The sets were also very on-point, knowing that Mother Molly was supposedly very wealthy. I liked how plausible Philo’s work is vis-a-vis her schedule with Molly. Being a virtual assistant explains why she has a good command of the English language, as well as why she could even speak a little Italian. The “scamming” of her clients using her best friend, Karen (Donna Cariaga), also neatly explained all her designer outfits. The acting was for lack of a better word, consistent, although I feel that with how crazy the story was, they could have taken the direction over-the-top.   

Now, we go into the heart of the problem of this story—direction. It feels like they wanted to bring this story in so many directions that in the end, I felt very lost. Dark comedy? Or suspense? Or sexy thriller? It feels like the story was being pulled every which way, which resulted in many of the scenes not making sense. Like for example, why was Philo’s goal to have Mother Molly’s confession of her hit-and-run on record when after everything she’s gone through, she could have nailed Mother Molly for so many different, and more recent cases? Also, I hate, and I know hate is a strong word, but I really do hate the ending. Why was Mother Molly run over by a vehicle? Is it because this is what is “just” or what karma would have warranted? It feels very typically Filipino to kill off a character when you can’t find a good resolution.

I honestly really wanted to love this movie so much, given that they had a pretty solid cast. Sadly, the plot holes were very distracting and I really felt the Director could have pushed things further.  I would still recommend others to watch it though because in spite of everything that I’ve said, I still found it at the very least entertaining.

Revisiting Hong Kong!

I have not been to Hong Kong since the protests began in 2019, and then the pandemic hit. It’s been the longest I haven’t been back. Hong Kong has always been one of my favorite countries to visit because of its food and good shopping finds. And I also happen to like its ease of commute and the fashion vibe.

Fast forward to now and finally their requirements for travel have eased and it now feels fairly safe to revisit. So, what has changed, and what can you look forward to should you plan to visit again?

Food

I don’t know if its been the thing before, but I just discovered that high tea is something that people practice in Hong Kong. The Peninsula is most known for its high tea, but if you’re not interested in queuing up for this, you can make a reservation at The Langham Hong Kong (https://www.buys.hk/the-langham-hk/html/tlhkg-afternoon-tea-checkout-en.html). Their macarons are definitely something to experience.

Sweet on top, savory on the bottom 😍

You can also visit the various cafes. If you’re looking for a cute one with a wide variety of sweet and savory treats, visit Dominique Ansel’s Dang Wei Li (Shop 2 on Ground Floor of H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central, Central). There are three branches in Hong Kong, but the one that we visited was in Central.

The blooming chocolate drink @dangwenli !

Travel Spots

One of the newest travel destinations in HK is the recently renovated Victoria Peak. It has been over a decade since I’ve last visited, but now, they’ve installed new trams and it got me curious. Going there, you can take the scenic route and cut through the Cheung Kong Park.

Then, once you are up there, you can also enjoy some sweet breads from the Tai Cheong Bakery. They also have a mall now, just in case you still haven’t had your fill of shopping.

The Cheung Kong Park

Last Minute Shopping for Pasalubong

If you’re tired of the usual pasalubong of keychains and magnets, I suggest giving your relatives and friends some delicious egg tart. And not to worry if you’ve been too preoccupied to buy. Just show up a little bit early at the airport and look for King’s Bakery. They have one of the best cheese egg tarts I’ve tasted.

So if you’re like me and you’ve missed Hong Kong, now’s the time to go back =) Happy travels!

Art and Good Food @ Tahanan Bistro

As the whole Metro moves to Level 2, which allows you to dine out, I have been on the lookout for places to bring my family members to, that: 1.) has good ventilation and 2.) has enough space to practice social distancing. So the obvious choice is to go and visit restaurants that have outdoor options. As per the recommendation of my niece, we made reservations for Tahanan Bistro. It’s a restaurant that is situated inside the hilly part of a subdivision where you can enjoy the beautiful view of Antipolo.

The first thing that you will need to know, and that they don’t mention on their website, is that you cannot bring your shoes inside the house. I totally understand why–the house is entirely made from repurposed wood, which I’m sure they are trying to preserve and protect. But, it does pose a dilemma because you would therefore need to bring socks. Although they are kind enough to provide socks for free, I still prefer that they mention the need to bring socks, just so I’m not caught unprepared.

The second thing that you need to know is that you cannot be late. Each reserved party is only given 2 hours to finish their meal. So if you came an hour late, which is what happened to us because of horrible traffic, you would have to rush through your meal. Which was quite a shame, because the meals that Tahanan served to us deserve to be savored.

Each person pays a fixed fee of Php 1350 for a 5-course meal. I chose the Mayon option, which is composed of rellenong pusit, salad with a sprinkling of danggit, crispy pork belly binagoongan paired with crispy flat bread, a palette cleanser of a fruit popsicle, and French toast corn bread bibingka.

Rellenong Pusit

My favorite was the main course of the crispy pork belly because I loved their take on the binagoongan, with a tomato soup bed that paired so well with the flat bread.

Crispy Pork Belly

And even though they did rush us through the entire meal, we got to walk around their garden, which has a sprinkling of artwork that I really appreciate. In fact, throughout the whole house, there are also artworks on display.

A trio of Malang paintings!

So, if you’re looking for good food, beautiful scenery, and artworks to admire, do visit Tahanan Bistro. Tahanan Bistro is located at 22 Loresville Drive, Lores Farm Subdivision, Antipolo, 1870 Lalawigan ng Rizal.

Caffe Lilio Ristorante

Liliw, Laguna is probably most known for its 1500’s baroque church and the slippers (tsinelas) shops that line its main road. However, there is one more place that you must visit if you do get the chance to pass through Liliw. Caffe Lilio is an Italian restaurant a few minutes walk from the church. It is located in one of the classic white houses of Liliw.

The interior is decorated with black and white photos against a red brick background, which is reminiscent of a family-style Italian restaurant. As soon as you walk in, you will be greeted by friendly staff who will immediately offer you one of their fresh juices. My favorite was their apple-dalandan blend, which is just the right amount of sweetness and tang. Soon after, you will be served with home-baked focaccia bread with a side of vinaigrette and olive oil.

Their focaccia comes free with your order!

So far, my favorite food here is their salmon with a side of salad and their porchetta on a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes. But I’ve heard from the beef-lovers out there that they are also known for their angus beef dishes.

Artistic plating for my salmon 😍

You can end your meal with some yummy gelato!

Then, after your sumptuous meal, take a walk along the brick roads and enjoy shopping for shoes, slippers, and even more food! I always go home with my bundle of fern (pako) that is perfect for salads, kesong puti and sampaloc!

If you can, go on a weekday and park beside the church to enjoy a safe, socially-distanced visit to Liliw.

Caffe Lilio is located at 4CJP+W66, Liliw, Laguna.

Movie Review: Bliss

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a movie review and it’s not because I’m not watching any movies. In fact, I think I’ve watched and re-watched more movies this year than any other year in my life. And I think I’m not alone given the situation we’re all facing.

Unfortunately, in spite of my constant movie watching of local films, I rarely come across ones that I really like. Thankfully, I stumbled upon Bliss, a movie by Jerrold Tarog, starring Iza Calzado. It talks about an actress who gets into an accident on set and becomes comatose. In her state of limbo, her mind is unable to separate what is real from what is not.

The story is quite puzzling at first, with the viewer being led to the different worlds of the characters–the mom and husband who live off of the wealth of the movie star, the director who is gung-ho on winning an international award, and the deranged nurse who “takes care” of her patients, while also fulfilling her fantasies.

As the movie nears the end, the viewer begins to understand the motivations of the characters and things become clearer.

I think the choice of actors were pretty good, with many of them delivering authentic performances. I guess its to be expected of Director Jerrold as most of the actors in his previous films were also very strong performers. I also appreciated that it wasn’t your typical Filipino “horror” story with the horrors being more true to life.

Rating: 4/5 stars!

The Beauty of Bridgerton

Ok, I am assuming here that a lot of you (particularly you of the female variety…aka most of my friends) have watched the Bridgerton series on Netflix. Its popularity is evident in the fact that it has been on the Top 10 list for a few weeks now. I’ve also begun to see pictures on Pinterest featuring the Lady Whistledown logo printed on throw pillows and other merch, which I thought was pretty clever =)

https://images.app.goo.gl/BDBDnUjr66Tuxqas7

There are many reasons why I think it has gained a following. For one, the main actor, Regé-Jean Page, who plays the Duke, is piping hot (let’s not try to downplay something that obvious). For another, it is an opulent masterpiece, filled with beautiful colors, gigantic sets, tons and tons of fabric and Les Nereides jewels!

Beautiful pieces by Les Nereides as seen on the Bridgerton series

I am myself am a lover of movies like this having watched Marie Antoinette (the Kirsten Dunst version) because of the pastel colors and costumes.

Still for some, the draw is the intensely romantic scenes (spoiler alert!).

But for me, I think that the main appeal was that when I was watching it, I thought I had stepped into one of my old pocketbooks and had seen it come to life. And this was before I even knew that it actually did come from a pocketbook!

The Original Books from Julia Quinn

Hailing from an all-girls Catholic school, my friends and I would huddle during lunchbreak to talk about our newest favorite romance novel and for a time (it was a very brief time for me), I devoured novels of Judith McNaught like I was going to do a book report on them 😂 And so for me, it was the nostalgia factor that got me hooked on the Brigerton series…and then everything else in between. Post-Corona, I do wonder how all these grand sets will get to be built again because I am definitely up to see more of this series 😊

Shopping in the New Normal

My, how different 2019 was. It was chaotic, yes, but chaos brought about by possibilities. Too many possibilities, if you ask me.

And now, in 2020, the world is chaotic, but one filled with uncertainties. When will this end? When do we get back to normal? When will the vaccine come?

Which is why at this day and age of uncertainty, many have turned to the joys of online shopping for a quick release from this maddening world (myself included, so let’s not judge too quickly here ). I was deep in thought as to why Lazada has replaced IG as my favorite phone app and I realized the following:

1. Online shopping has gifted me with the assurance that something tangible is coming. In a world where we can’t see the end in sight, it is comforting for me to know that “your package has been shipped.”
2. Online shopping has given me something to look forward to at the end of a long day. As I struggle with work conditions (“Am I safe?” “Are we safe?” “Is the bank open today?”), there is a release of endorphins when I find a package waiting for me on my doorstep. My brother-in-law gave me a very good reason for this high. Getting my stuff delivered feels like I’m receiving a gift. Even though it is technically my money, the package is carefully wrapped and in a box. Now doesn’t that qualify as a present?
3. Finally, online shopping gives me that sense of normalcy, even for this one bit of activity. I know I still can’t go out. I know I still can’t mingle with my friends. But I can still smile when I find my favorite crafting tool on sale.

Will online shopping replace the actual thing someday? Personally, I still prefer the cardio I get from regular shopping. But it has proven a worthy substitute to me during these troubling times, and for now, it’s a little pocket of joy that I can cling on to =)

Movie Review: Ang Pangarap Kong Holdap

It’s been a while since I did a movie review on a Filipino film, and it really is because a good Filipino film is few and far between. I’ll be the first one to tell you that I always give Filipino movies a chance to surprise me. In the advent of Netflix, a lot of local movies have been accessible to me lately, and this one in particular grabbed my attention.

Normally, Philippine comedy is all about slapstick, with no solid plot. I really detest Tito-Vic-Joey type movies where you feel that they made a one-page script and told the actors to do whatever comes natural. For me, it feels demeaning and insulting for Filipinos to have to sit through movies like that, but as they use popular actors, these kinds of films normally make it to the box office.

But I was surprised with “Ang Pangarap Kong Holdap” because it does show that we can make smart comedy, and that we should give lesser-known actors a chance to prove our assumptions wrong.

Let’s go to the story. This is a heist-type of movie, wherein Eman is the son of the most “respected” robber in Baranggay Husay. He wants to prove to his famous father that he has what it takes to be successful in the same profession, but he is teamed up with two of his friends, Toto and Carlo, who are not the smartest bananas in the bunch. A newcomer is added to his team, Nicoy, who is actually an undercover cop. They start out with small-time scams, like attempting to hypnotize their victims, or dressing up as ghosts, but end up being the laughing stock of the community. Finally, they stumble on news of an artifact worth millions. They try to get in on the action, but realize that it gets more complicated in every turn. A shootout occurs wherein Eman’s father is shot, but before his last breath, he gets to tell Eman how proud he is of his son. In the end, the team gets to steal from the guy who killed Eman’s father.

As I said earlier, Filipino heist-type movies are a rarity, and the fact that it was also a comedy is something that delighted me. Eman’s father played by Pen Medina (a solid actor) is endearing because he genuinely loved his son, even though Eman was not as skilled as the father. The rest are okay actors, but the casting director made a good choice in picking them because they really did suit their roles.

This is a R-16 movie by the way, so it’s not for kids. While this was shown in 2018, I’m glad that Netflix picked it up, allowing more people to experience this movie.

Top 3 Go-To Pain Relief Patches

As I write this article, I am painfully aware that I am sharing more than advice on the best pain relief patches, I am actually divulging my demographic. Yes, I belong to the age group where pain relief patches, liniments and smelly oils are part of regular conversation. Lately, because of too much hand washing (not saying that I’m against it–I’m actually a strong advocate of frequent hand washing in order to beat this pandemic), my hands are not in good shape. I have been a crafter since my grade school days, and combined with copious amounts of typing on the computer, my nerves are fried. The pain has extended to my arms and neck, hence the constant need for these pain relievers. By the way, I’m also either too acidic or allergic to regular muscle relaxants (like Alaxan and Ponstan) so I am wholly dependent on patches for any sort of relief.

So after that loooong intro, let me get down to business. The first patch that I am advocating is the Salonpas patch by Hisamitsu. It’s a Japanese brand that’s been with me since forever. It comes in these cloth-like rectangles that can be placed directly on top of your aching muscles.

I usually use them after a fun run or when I have a stiff neck. What it does is it releases this minty, almost spicy analgesic that is good for about 8 hours of wearing (according to the packaging). The active ingredient in it is methyl salicylate, menthol, Vitamin E and Camphor.  The good news is that if it is really a muscle ache, it activates in a matter of minutes. But if it is any other kind of deep pain, you will not even feel its effect. Plus, the adhesive is so strong that it adheres to hair which makes it very painful to remove. On the other hand, if you want to have a pain relief patch AND a waxing session at the same time, then this is the product to use!

The second patch that I have recently discovered because of this quarantine is the elevated version of the Salonpas. It’s a bigger rectangle coated in a gel-like substance. I noticed that it only contains methyl salicylate and menthol, but that it is effective for 12 hours. Another good thing about it is that apart from covering a bigger area, it doesn’t adhere to hair, so it’s not a pain to remove in the morning. However, if you toss and turn in bed, I can’t assure you that the patch will still be there when you wake up.

Finally, and this one is my current favorite, we have the Tiger Balm Plaster-RD. It has camphor, dementholized mint oil, eucalyptus oil, menthol and capsicum extract.

It doesn’t claim how long its pain relieving action works, but from my experience, I can still feel its effects when I wake up in the morning. Plus, it’s the only one that seems to work on me when I have lower back pain caused by period cramps. It also says that it makes the area feel warm, but from personal experience, it feels more spicy than warm.

All three products actually work, but for me, the only one that gives me enough relief on my lower back is the Tiger Balm Plaster-RD. It is the most expensive of the three, and it is also the one that has the most number of steps for application. But hey, if it helps you sleep at night, then just go head and use it.

I hope this article is helpful in your quest for a literally less painful life!

 

 

Quarantined Titos and Titas of Manila

Strictly speaking, a tito or tita is equivalent to an uncle or an aunt. But for Filipinos, who love to claim consanguinity with even the farthest relative, a tito or tita could mean a close family friend, or practically anyone, if you’re polite enough (or selling something).

But the word tita has evolved even further when followed by “of Manila” to roughly mean “ladies who lunch” or women of a certain age group who hang out to have leisurely meals.

And if you’re from Manila, and from this certain age group, you do wonder in this time of quarantine, what have all the titas of Manila been busy with? And what can you do when all you have is leisurely time?

At this point in time, many have entered the plantita stage, where women turn to the joys of gardening to fill all that time once used to hop from one restaurant to the next. Highlights of the day for these plantitas are finding the most beautiful white and gold pots and ordering  yet another ornamental plant to add to their collection.

Then, there are those that are in their platita stage. They begin collecting painted or patterned plates to make their homemade meals look even more amazing on their IG accounts. I myself am very tempted when I see these beautiful plates, space being the only thing that hinders me from heading to the nearest online store to get my shopping fix.

And finally, there is me. I am in my patchtita stage, where I hoard pain reliever patches to alleviate my sore back, legs, arms and everything else that hurts. Since the quarantine prevents me from getting my regular massages, I’ve had to resort to substitutes just to lesssen my body aches, even just for the night.

But wherever you get your sanity from these days is highly encouraged, be it in plates, plants or even patches.

Stay safe and sane, y’all!