still more pix from new year

Pa and the boys showing off the shirts from Kuya Rocel

photos courtesy of mang omeng

New year is a big deal in Pasay as this is the annual grand reunion and opeing of gifts and exchange gifts and raffle. And of course, the paagaw where my relatives scramble for coins that rain down from our generous aunts' hands.

i had to go to work on New year but I left P500 for anyone who could get the highest score on our new magicsing that Tita Chuchie gave us. Everyone thought Sherwin would win with his off-key songs that made my Kuya Arnel laugh so hard his blood pressure rose. In the end, Kuya Celso scored an upset without even glancing at the lyrics.

Ako ang nagwagi:Kuya Celso wins the top prize,photo by Jon

my top films of 2008

A little late and definitely not academy awards material, just my own personal favorite movies or ,ehem, dvds from the past year

Favorite family movie: Mamma Mia! I watched this on dvd with my family and I now regret that I didn't let my ma and pa watch this on the big screen...just pure unadulterated fun all the way. I had the songs playing in my head for a month!

Favorite comic bookmovie: Iron Man. Sorry Batman, I hate dark, depressing movies and while everyone hailed it as the best comic book movie ever, I enjoyed Robert Downey Jr.'s playboy millionaire more. Favorite animated movie: Kung Fu Panda. Again maybe it was because of all the hype, but Wall-E just didn't affect me as much as the other Pixar films like Nemo or The incredibles...Po and the gang took themselves less seriously and the result is genuine mirth and movie magic.Favorite comedy : Tropic Thunder. Robert Downey again saves the day as 'that dude playing anothuh dude' and true to his word, he's still in character in the audio commentary! Plus, my family could not believe that was Tom Cruise!

Favorite Filipino film: Endo

What? Nope, it's not a Star Cinema rom-com. It's a small indie film that very few people outside of Cinemanila saw...which is a pity because this charming tale of contractual ('end of contract') employees who fall in love sans the histrionics or 'acting' moments one usually sees in Filipino movies is poignant and so moving in its simplicity. Too bad it's still not available on DVD.

Honorable mention: Hellboy 2 for its arresting visuals like this. Those are eyes on her wings! The dvd I got is chock-full of special features detailing the creative process behind this movie.Wow! Wonder what del Toro's dreams look like.

I still don't have any picks for Drama. I've seen Slumdog millionaire, Benjamin Button,etc. on the bangketa but I'll wait for the true dvd copy. Any suggestions or know any other films I might have missed?

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edited to add:

Favorite Horror/Thriller movie: The Orphanage

Spanish language film that provided the thrills and chills without big budget special effects. Hello, Shake rattle and roll franchise of Mother Lily, it can be done! I never thought a game of "uno,dos, tres, toca la pared"(Spanish version of pepsi/7-up) could be so hair-raising!

more pix of 2009

I miss Christmas...Papa has taken down the tree and lights but the nights are still very cold by Manila standards (18 degrees celsius). We close our windows and wrap our blankets tightly and have to heat water for our bath. So while we can, we buy some bibingka and puto bumbong ...mmmm...
Here's a pic of Jon's birthday lunch at Conti's. We also bought some 3 stars and sun shirts for Kuya Gary et al. Note: BF Ruins stalls open at 2PM.
Pic of me and Ma in front of the sign, something new from 2008.

New year 2009 pix

pix from New Year's eve...

ewwww! I filled up the chicken butt with mushroom following wowa's directions. hope it turns out ok for tomorrow's family reunion!

Twinx sewing up the chicken butt

that's our yellow lab, sasha. i covered her ears to protect from the noise of fireworks outside. poor sasha!
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new year's day:

rodel and his kid, alexa

ate cecille and ate conching

it's a new year's miracle! the boys are washing the dishes for a change!

pandayan kitchen crew ready for action!

happy 2009!!!