I think Pepper Potts will die

That's one of the quickest way to make this movie dark dark.

And besides, producers probably thought, Gwyneth Paltrow is not getting any younger?

I just hope they do the whole movie right.

And the whole thing consulted with, or better yet, approved, by Whedon the Master.

Aling Lucing's Sisig

We had to drop by SM Sta Mesa to check out if the department store there have the stock of  the Merrell sandals, at the specific size, we are eyeing. 

We didnt plan to have dinner at that mall, but when we passed by the food court, we saw Aling Lucing's Sisig. 

I wondered if this is by the same owners of the original Aling Lucing im Pampanga, the inventor of that killer of a dish, the bane of all batoks, the vein clogger of all beer drinkers, the undefeatable pulutan... Sisig. 

We asked the lady counter if theyre affiliated with the Pampanga carinderia, but she didnt know. And we also havent been to the original. Weve been planning to some time (and also try to hit the original Razon's in one trip), but we dont have Googlemap before, so still no cigar.

Anyway, at 98 pesos, you are given an ample serving of tasty sisig. Talampunay ordered grilled liempo with the added Sinigang option at 110 PhP. She said the liempo is unremarkable.

The sisig is really fatty, perhaps 40% fat composition as shown in this picture. At one point when a spoonful lands in your mouth, you can feel the creaminess of fat swimming in your tongue. Creamy coagulation starting to do its magic. Wow.  

Although I would choose the crunchy variant of sisig, some purists say that that is not the original sisig, but just sizzling chicharon. They have a point. 

If the indication of how genuine a sisig is in how painful your nape feels 30 minutes after eating, then this sisig is truly authentic. I had trouble driving on the way home. 

BAD CASE: Otterbox Real Tree Defender Case for iPhone 4S

The case is good, functionally:  

--not too big (still ergonomic, i would say), 

--better grip (compared to just bare iphone)

--firm close-to-precise fit (all parts).

--gives comfort in knowing that your expensive phone is protected at all times

--good camo orange (can see iphone immediately; less chance of having it misplaced)

But after just 3 months of usage, the rubber is now deformed. Material appears expanding although it is not exposed to extreme heat or sunlight (probably just the heat from a battery being charged or friction inside one's jean's pocket?).

For a 35 USD case, this is truly disappointing.

And it seems to be getting worse. I can not even close the charging port cover by this time, plus the resulting lump in the home button is truly annoying (considering that youll push the home button many times during the day).

I saw in the marking inside one of the parts that it is made in the US. Is this is a mistake in material selection by Otterbox's vaunted state-side manufacturing?

From my reading, the Defender model has been in the market for years since the early iPhone iterations. Hasnt Otterbox learned to screen for the right rubber or silicone material over the years?

I would discourage anyone from buying this case, obviously. Judging from the rate of degradation, this case will probably become unusable in 6 months. Very short useful life. Truly disappointing.

Jollibee Avengers Comics

This is a landmark that was not advertised enough.

Probably because Jollibee chose to go the safe side of not having Jollibee fight together with the Avengers. Imagine how memorable it would have been in our local lovable bee used his big butt to sting Mole Man! Could have made this small comic book a collectible. The comic book was written by an established Marvel author (Ralph Macchio), our fast food great should have taken full advantage of the opportunity.

Instead, Jollibee elected to play it safe by just using a store manager and a store as a background, and Jollibee as Lola Basyang Narrator!.

I think this is related to branding, but if JFC wants to do it again, wouldnt hurt to have more chutzpah. Risks pay gains.  

But anyway, Im aching to buy the Avengers Blu-Ray for the extra features, and because of this Q&A from last April:

Q: What was it like to see it all last night after shooting disjointed scenes?

Ruffalo: Damn satisfying.

Hemsworth: There's one big shot where they did a 360 circle around all the Avengers. At the time, that was all green screen. I was thinking, "Wait a second, why didn't we shoot this in the middle of New York? This is the shot." But last night it got the biggest applause. It worked. Whether you doubted it at the time, (director Joss Whedon) pulled it off.

Downey: As long as the defects are not glaring. And the movie is not without defects. I still cannot exactly tell you what the bad-guy plot is. During the course of the journey, as long as you don't leave me with these lingering questions, so that I feel like you are being sloppy. But with the difficulty and complexity of it all, I don't like to say this, but I was humbled by it.

I will sure have the set during the Black Friday sale. Just one more month to go and I'll be involved again in another extreme Amazon.com consumerism. K-Tank! Shrrooom! Wapak! Splat!

Regarding 'Give Up Tomorrow'

Saw this yesterday. Film is well-made, and it's always good to see a movie that is fighting for something. At the minimum, it's always good to witness the exposition and style and direction of attack by the filmmakers. The film is also a decent study on how Philippine Justice System is currently in disarray.

But i have misgivings:

1) In the end, this is one whole movie regarding the struggles of one person--Paco Larrañaga. There's a disclaimer near the credits saying the the focus is on Paco primarily because he represents the whole group convicted for the Chiong Murders, but why not spare 10 minutes on the other players? Perhaps a bit of time for one of the poorest in the group for greater sympathy? Or all of them are rich?

2) Devoting one documentary on one rich mestizo also brings me discomfort, when you place it side by side with say, any thing by Ditsi Carolino. Minsan Lang Sila Bata definitely deserves way more production funds, slots in our theaters, and viewers' attention than this one

3) In the streets of Cebu, Paco is known for his thuggish behavior. He has a reputation that reinforced whatever 'natural' bias (which came out the moment he was arrested) the Cebuano masses have against him. And bottomline he is now a convicted felon from RTC all the way to the Supreme Court. Anyone can read SC's decision online, one link:
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jul2005/138874_75.htm, has this passage

At this juncture, it bears mentioning that this case is not the first time that Larrañaga was charged with or complained of pruriently assaulting young female students in Cebu.  Months before the abduction of Marijoy and Jackie, the parents of a certain Rochelle Virtucio, complained about Larrañaga’s attempt to snatch their young daughter and drag her in a black, stylish Honda Civic.    It happened just near the gate of Rochelle’s school, thus, showing his impudence.    We quote a portion of the transcript of stenographic notes dated September 23, 1998, thus:            “ATTY. HERMOSISIMA:            Your Honor please, this is a …. Inspector Era handed to this representation a copy of a Letter dated September 25, 1996, addressed to the Student Affairs Office, University of San Carlos,P. del Rosario Street, Cebu City, and this is signed by Leo Abayan and Alexander Virtucio and noted by Mrs. Aurora Pacho, Principal, University of San Carlos, Girls High School, and for the record, I will read the content: TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN:             We the parents and guardians of Rochelle Virtucio, a first year high school student of your University of San Carlos-Girls High School, are writing your good office about an untoward incident involving our daughter and another student of your school.             x  x  x                                                  x    x  x             That last Monday at around 5:00 PM, Rochelle and other classmates, Michelle Amadar and Keizaneth Mondejar, while on their way to get a ride home near the school campus, a black Honda Civic with five young male teenagers including the driver, suddenly stopped beside them, and simultaneously one of them, which was later identified as FRANCISCO JUAN LARRANAGA, a BSHRM I student of your school, grabbed Rochelle by her hand to try to get Rochelle to their vehicle. She resisted and got away from him. Sensing some people were watching what they were doing, they hurriedly sped away.
            We are very concerned about Rochelle’s safety. Still now, she is suffering the shock and tension that she is not supposed to experience in her young life. It is very hard for us parents to think about what she’d been through.”[16]           The presence of such complaint in the record of this case certainly does not enhance Larrañaga’s chance of securing an acquittal.

We've all gone to high school and college and familiar with these sorts. They are bullies with a dangerous combination of arrogance and libido. Mr. Larranaga is not an angel deserving pity.

4) The film's attempt to demonstrate unbiased, balanced exposition is shorthanded, we can say not evenhanded. Again, if one reads SC's decision, there are points against Paco that should have been debunked if the filmmakers intended to build a solid case. Accusing the Chiongs of covering up for a druglord (whos the one supposed to have done the killings) doesnt hold water. Any parent will attempt to fight any mafia if it's their children who are kidnapped and raped.

5) This is petty--but Paco is one of the 'blessed' at Munti who was allowed to construct his own special room, in the ranks of Rolito Go, Jalosjos, Mayor Sanchez. His family has money and clout, this movie is probably just one more demonstration of that clout and wealth.

It's known that all docus are propaganda, Im just saying there are better advocacy deserving our indignance and whatever strong emotions.

The 5-star review from Philip Dy at clickthecity was what made me see Give Up Tomorrow. He's one of the reviewers I respect today, mainly for not being involved in mainstream (and the attendendant payola system), but I think this one doesnt deserve 5. It also doesnt deserve the 200 PhP I paid for. Im now looking for a Ditsi Carolino DVD Set to show Talampunay and keepsake for the kids. It's good to keep the activist stance, but Larranaga's plight is not deserving mass activism; has no tug of sympathy if you process it more. Just leave the fight to his family.

Cancer in toddlers means there is no God

How do you explain cancer to a kid?

You dont. You just take deep breaths, and then cry.

Reminds me of that scene in Brothers Karamazov, where Ivan is trying to explain what or who God is about to a 4-year old who was tortured. Read Brothers Karamazov, if you still havent.