I discovered this Pinoy Idol blog through Tita Noemi, and was taken aback to see that GMA-7 has apparently dropped the ball with Philippine Idol. This is such a shame! I thought it’d do better on Channel 7, considering the Kapusos have more money than ABC-5 to put into its production, but it appears that isn’t the case.

Now the question remains: is it worth it to invest time and effort into supporting a show that doesn’t hold a candle to the previous incarnation, which was, in itself, left much of the Idol franchise to be desired?

I’ll bet the folks at Channel 5 are laughing their butts off right now.

I am a eau de parfum freak. Recently, my wife purchased a bottle of M by Mariah Carey, which is so beautifully bottled and smells wonderful, a completely different scent from most perfumes on the market today. I think it’s her best fragrance yet. Prior to that, her two parfums of choice were Too Feminine Spring by Aigner, a light, sweet scent, and Inspiration by Lacoste, a sure pleaser with its an elegant and memorable fragrance.

It may come as a surprise to some, but my current parfum pour homme is… hold your breath… Just Me by Paris Hilton. LOL True story, but it’s a nice, light scent with great lingering notes that I find quite appealing. I never thought in a million years I’d go for a scent by *shudder* Paris Hilton, but it is a unique scent that I have the opportunity to be known for, since I can’t imagine too many other Pinoy guys using a scent by Paris Hilton! LOL For more formal occasions, I rely on Play by Lacoste.

What about you? What’s your fragrance of choice?

(p.s. Yes, the picture is inverted. I haven’t quite figured out how to fix the Photo Booth application to take pictures right side up.)

I’m in total shock. Namdaemun is destroyed!

Namdaemun, South Korea’s most prominent national treasure, was destroyed by a fire last February 11.

About 80 firefighters worked to bring the fire under control, and damage to the almost 700-year-old gate is estimated at more than US$20Million. Initial reports indicate no casualties; arson is being studied as a possible cause of the fire.

Namdaemun, literally ‘the great southern gate,’ was the southern gate of the original walls surrounding Seoul during the Joseon Dynasty.

I’m stunned and shocked. I join the international art community in our expressing our sympathies to the people of South Korea.

What do you think of the inclusion of Teresita “Tessie” Aquino-Oreta and Vicente “Tito” Sotto in the administration’s senatorial ticket?Oreta and Sotto were among the infamous group of 11 senators who, during the impeachment trial of former Philippine President Joseph Estrada, voted to keep sealed the envelope that would have proven whether Estrada was in fact Jose Velarde (together with fellow ‘No’ voters senators Miriam Santiago and Johnny Enrile, and former senators Robert Jaworski, Kit Tatad, Blas Ople (+), Nikki Coseteng, Gringo Honasan, John Osmeña, and Ramon Revilla Sr).

Philippine politics being as it is, politicians almost always swing from party to party, so the situation we’re in now is interesting: a Pinoy voter now may actually vote based on a candidate’s qualifications and past history, given that the ‘party’ system is obviously useless, other than to decide who gets to spend taxpayers’ money in getting themselves elected.

What options are offered us? The administration ticket, titled ‘Team Unity’ is fielding candidates from all major political parties, including two former senators who voted to keep Jose Velarde a secret (Oreta & Sotto, from the Nationalist People’s Coalition) alongside Joker Arroyo (Kampi), Ralph Recto (Lakas-Christian-Muslim Democrats), Ed Angara (Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino), Michael Defensor (Liberal Party), and Bukidnon Rep. Miguel Zubiri, Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay, Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson and Zambales Gov. Vic Magsaysay (Lakas).

On the other hand, the fragmented opposition. ‘Yes’ voter Loren Legarda (GMA’s former running-mate) the widow of one of the ‘Yes’ voters (Sonia Roco, Raul’s wife), and the son of one of the ‘Yes’ voters (Alan Peter, son of Rene), running alongside ‘No’ voters Nikki Coseteng and John Osmeña, managed by a ‘Yes’ voter (Serge Osmeña), who, last I heard, was estranged from John. Who would’ve guessed an opposition ticket would see Senator Ping Lacson alongside Aquino scion Noynoy Aquino III, and rebellion leader Antonio Trillanes IV!

Then there are the independents, including Kiko Pangilinan, Richard Gomez and Kapatiran.

What do you think about the swapping-partner mentality of this political circus? I reserve the right to delete comments that may be, in my opinion, flammatory and/or libelous.

I made some lovely desktop wallpaper for those among you who’d like a little taste of Amanpulo West Villa.
I just created these using photos I took at this beautiful luxury resort in Palawan.

Just do me a favor: if you’re going to download any of these Amanpulo wallpapers, just leave a comment in the comments box so I’ll know. Thanks!

Alternative downloads: From left to right, Amanpulo West Villa desktop wallpapers 1, 2, 3, 4.

To make an image a wallpaper: Click on the image to load the full-screen image. Right-click on the photo and select “Save as Wallpaper” or “Save as Desktop Background.”

If it doesn’t work, save the image to your desktop. Enter your Control Panel and select Display. Select the Desktop tab, then browse for the image. Select the image, click Apply, then Ok.

Note 1: These are scaled for screens at 1024×768 resolution. If you’d like an 800×600, please leave a note in the Comments box, and I’ll get back to you.

Note 2: In the next few days, I should be uploading new desktop wallpaper for some other places I’ve visited, including the Fleuris Hotel in Palawan and the Discovery Country Suites in Tagaytay.

It’s been a while since I posted something random. I also notice people tend to reply more when there are a variety of topics in a post, and I’m lonely for comments. Hahaha.

CONTI’S TURTLE PIE
Cathy had been craving for a cake from Conti’s, having heard nothing but good things about this Paranaque- and Greenhills-based bakeshop. Finally, last week, we passed by Conti’s and ordered Conti’s Turtle Pie, because the bestselling Conti’s Mango Bravo had sold out for the day.

Conti’s turtle pie is beyond words. Sensational! This refrigerator cake from Conti’s is sweet - but not too sweet - and cold, with delightful pecans, rich mousse, and a crumbly cookie crust. Absolutely incredible! We love Conti’s.

NATHAN’S NEW TABLE

Last Saturday, I bought Nathan a table because I wanted him to have a homebase of his own size where he could color his coloring books, work on his clay, watch television, and basically do everything he needed to do without lounging around on or dirtying up the family sofa. This is what it looks like, and for less than P600, I’m happy with it. The woman with him is his nanny, Letty, a sweet, hardworking woman who’s blessed us time and time again. Nathan’s in decent hands.

AMANDA GRIFFIN HAS FALLEN FROM GRACE

This fallen Karimadon billboard, featuring former MTV VJ Amanda Griffin, caused a heckuva lot of traffic. We were late for church! Hahaha.

Only by God’s grace. Look at that. The edge of the Karimadon billboard slammed into the Boni station of the EDSA MRT, preventing death, no doubt; if that building weren’t there, or if the billboard were smaller, Amanda’s likeness would’ve likely smashed onto the highway itself, possibly injuring or killing scores of commuters who would’ve been crushed under the billboard or slammed into it at the speeds most buses and cars hurtle at on EDSA.

I’m very excited for the release last week of Somehow You Are, the third single of Contemporary Christian group Avalon from their stellar album, Stand. While the first single, Love Won’t Leave You admittedly disappointed many, and the second single, Orphans of God, peaked at #5 on the Inspirational charts, I firmly believe that Somehow You Are has everything necessary to bring Avalon back onto the #1 spot where they belong (assuming Sparrow will do their part in servicing the single to CHR/AC radio.Looking for the lyrics to Somehow You Are by Avalon? Look no further.

SOMEHOW YOU ARE

I look out at the ocean | I don’t know where it ends
I look up to the heavens | Where do they begin?
From way down here | My feet stuck on the ground
And the wonders in and around me | Can it be?

You who made the moon | You who made the stars
I cannot express the sum of who You are
You who spoke the words living in my heart
I cannot explain it but somehow You are
Somehow You are

Peering out my window, feeling pretty small
A perfect cosmic light show and I know You made it all
It makes it all the harder to wrap my mind around
how You gave up Heaven to be with me
Can it be?

Nothing high or low, above, below, Not anything
Can take that away, away from me

Nothing high or low, above, below, Not anything
Can take that away, away from me

Take that away from me

There you go! Avalon’s Somehow You Are lyrics. Enjoy!

On Friday, August 2, 2006, I join the Victory Weekend for Men at the Every Nation headquarters at the Fort.

What is Victory Weekend? Victory Weekend, according to the Victory Christian Fellowship website, is “a seminar and retreat that includes times of worship, Bible teaching, prayer, and personal ministry. Victory Weekend helps Christian men understand and walk in the victory Christ purchased on the cross.”

I always look forward to retreats at church. It’s like we’re cars, and we need to gas up everyday (reading God’s Word, meditating on it, and, of course, talking and listening to Him) to remain in good spiritual shape. Of course, to stay in even better spiritual shape, we should get spiritual checkups, and a retreat is a great time to get that.

Did that analogy work? LOL

I’m bringing a whole platter of issues with me this weekend, and I’m ready to lay them down at God’s feet and claim victory over these issues in the name of Jesus. By next week, hopefully, by God’s grace, I will finally be able to deal with my demons and really become that iron man He can use to really bring glory to His name.

If you can say a quick prayer for me and the other men attending Victory Weekend, I would be very grateful and blessed.

Got this meme from Andrew.

1. What are you listening to right now? The last song on my MiniDisc player was The Real Party (Trevon’s Birthday) by Mary Mary, off their phenomenal self-titled album.

2. What is the most annoying song in the world? I’m not generally annoyed by most songs, especially since the nauseating pop ones usually tend to grow on me for sheer novelty value. I never did like really heavy metal, so I guess I would identify that genre because it gives me a headache.

3. Your all time favorite band/artist? Tough choice there. For sheer number of years and loyalty, I would say *preparing self for Andrew’s bashing* Wilson Phillips. I am, however, a loyal, loyal, loyal fan of Avalon, Indigo Girls, and Deborah Gibson.

4. Your newly discovered band/artist is? I was pleasantly and happily surprised by Rascal Flatts. Country music is very hard to come by here in the Philippines, and the three songs they’ve been sending to radio (What Hurts the Most, Life is a Highway, and their latest, Me and My Gang) are playing virtually nonstop on my MiniDisc player.

5. Best female voice? Oh, too many, too many, especially depending on genre. To promote some of the lesser-known ones, give a listen to Avalon’s Janna Long and Melissa Greene (pop), Martha Wash (R&B/dance), and Ayiesha Woods (Contemporary Christian).

6. Best male voice? Again, too many, but among the lesser-known vocalists who are phenomenal are I’m partial to Elliott Yamin (pop), George Huff (R&B/dance), and JodyMcBrayer (Contemporary Christian).

7. Music type you find yourself listening to most? Contemporary Christian of the adult contemporary/pop variety, mostly. Acoustic folk, light R&B, and club/dance.

8. What do you listen to, to hype you up? Black gospel. Oh yes. I love me some Mary Mary, Joe Pace, Mahalia Jackson, Israel Houghton, and Shirley Caesar!

9. What do you listen to, to calm down? Piano-led love songs to Christ. There are several. Lately, I’ve been reconnecting to Christ with Where Joy and Sorrow Meet, a Melissa Greene-led Avalon track on their stellar album, Stand. I like songs that make me cry with guilt set free by love. Mark Harris’ Find Your Wings fits that bill perfectly.

10. Last gig/concert you went to? Oh gosh, I don’t remember. 98 Degrees and Jordan Knight? *blushes*

11. Band/artist you find yourself listening to the most right now? Avalon’s Stand is the full-length album that I’ve been overdosing on lately (and it’s been three months), haha. Add to that list Rascal Flatts and you get an idea of how white I’ve been lately.

12. Most hated band/artist? I don’t hate any musician; they do what they do. But I dislike everything that Paris Hilton stands for.

13. Song that makes you think? I always get a good mental workout dissecting the songs of Indigo Girls. “I did a paper on [them] in college but I didn’t know what I was talking about.”

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