Monday, April 27, 2009

Rootote Philippines

This is for my friend Joni :)

Ok, those reading my blog, if you want to give a gift for a girl, check out Rootote Philippines. (http://roototephilippines.multiply.com)

Seriously, they should make ones for guys!!! A lot of geeks use man-bags...

And the tote bag is actually in GQ folks!

But the girls will definitely love this. It's a tote bag, but not just any other tote bag! Inside, there are "roo" pockets to put all the kikay stuff!!! make-up, cellphone, wallet, lipgloss, and all that other girly things. Hahaha.

Rootote came from Japan and I think they pronounce it as roo toh toh.

If they came out with a Rootote bag with Spider-Man's face on it... CONSIDER IT SOLD!

Here's a sample.


I saw this actual bag and it's one helluva bag. Awesome! I'd totally ask out a girl who owns one of these. Hahahaha.

Check out the website. :)

Some Random stuff

When I surf the web nowadays, there are a number of sites I check out.

1. www.newsarama.com - for all the latest comic book news
2. mail.yahoo.com - given
3. sports.yahoo.com - for scores
4. www.komikero.com - because Gerry Alanguilan is awesome
5. www.twitter.com - to tweet
6. www.geekologie.com - excellent geek blog my friend carlo introduced me to
7. www.bowendesigns.com - Randy Bowen and the finest Marvel "display items"
8. www.blogger.com - yep
9. www.comicbookresources.com - awesome comic news as well
10. www.facebook.com - i hate the damn quizzes i swear

So there are the 10 websites I usually go to.

Ok, I just came from geekologie and I'm telling you. MAN VS. WILD on Discovery is insane. It's a crazy show but it's still awesome. So anyway, Bear Grylls, the host, actually drinks water from elephant dung. He is one crazy dude. But if you do get stuck in the wild, you can learn a few things from that show. Hahahaha.

The summer season is weird nowadays... there's friggin rain!!! What's up with that? So anyway, there are just so many summer items and I stumbled upon Beach Hut's hair and scalp "sunblock". Yes, apparently there is sunblock for the hair and scalp. I discovered it from an officemate when we went to Dumaguete. What consumers want, consumers get.

I skipped reading "Wanted: Hal Jordan" and went straight to The Sinestro Corps War... It is friggin insane man... It's pretty wicked. Galing galing. But Marvel's still way more awesome. Hahahaha sorry DC Boys.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Chasing Amy


Kevin Smith is one of THE best writer/directors in Hollywood in my opinion. As far as dialogue goes, he's the man. Not to mention he wrote an excellent Spider-Man story. Well, half of the story at least... and he started of the second volume of Daredevil with a bang!

Mallrats will ALWAYS be my favorite Kevin Smith movie because of Jason Lee's character, Brodie Bruce. #1 Fanboy evahrrr!

So anyway, there's also a Kevin Smith movie VERY CLOSE to my heart and it's Chasing Amy.

Jason Lee is just a supporting role since the movie revolves around Ben Affleck and Joey Lauren Adams.

Holden McNeil played by Affleck is a comic book writer/artist and he's best friends with his inker Banky Edwards played by Jason Lee. They meet this girl Alyssa at a comic-con who's also an artist and Holden is smittened. His hopes are crushed when he finds out that she's a lesbian. That's where the plot thickens :)

If you haven't watched this movie, don't read the next paragraph! Spoilers ahead.

Holden confesses to Alyssa and the line goes like this.

"I love you. And not, not in a friendly way, although I think we're great friends. And not in a misplaced affection, puppy-dog way, although I'm sure that's what you'll call it. I love you. Very, very simple, very truly. You are the-the epitome of everything I have ever looked for in another human being. And I know that you think of me as just a friend, and crossing that line is-is-is the furthest thing from an option you would ever consider. But I had to say it. I just, I can't take this anymore. I can't stand next to you without wanting to hold you. I can't-I can't look into your eyes without feeling that-that longing you only read about in trashy romance novels. I can't talk to you without wanting to express my love for everything you are. And I know this will probably queer our friendship - no pun intended - but I had to say it, 'cause I've never felt this way before, and I-I don't care. I like who I am because of it. And if bringing this to light means we can't hang out anymore, then that hurts me. But God, I just, I couldn't allow another day to go by without just getting it out there, regardless of the outcome, which by the look on your face is to be the inevitable shoot-down. And, you know, I'll accept that. But I know, I know that some part of you is hesitating for a moment, and if there's a moment of hesitation, then that means you feel something too. And all I ask, please, is that you just - you just not dismiss that, and try to dwell in it for just ten seconds. Alyssa, there isn't another soul on this fucking planet who has ever made me half the person I am when I'm with you, and I would risk this friendship for the chance to take it to the next plateau. Because it is there between you and me. You can't deny that. Even if, you know, even if we never talk again after tonight, please know that I am forever changed because of who you are and what you've meant to me, which - while I do appreciate it - I'd never need a painting of birds bought at a diner to remind me of"

Kevin Smith, you absolutely f'n rock!!!

I can't tell you how it ends but please please please WATCH THIS!!!

Nestlé Pops

One of the ways I beat the heat this Summer is rewarding myself with Nestlé Pops!!!

If you haven't tried this, you better now because it is just AWESOME!!! Bite Sized Ice-Cream!!! How can you go wrong with that??? It's covered with one of my favorite things in the world - CHOCOLATE!!! It's the perfect combination!!! Chocolate and Ice Cream :) Yessur!!!

Speaking of which... I'm craving for Pops now...

Gotta go!

Saturday, April 25, 2009

SPUTNIK

Finally went to Sputnik in Cubao.

Jonty and I had to check it out. Our cousin Nina tagged along with her 2 fanboy cousins.

For me, it was Indie Heaven. I'm a sucker for independent comics and this comic shop has the goods. I told the people there that I found their store through Mr. Gerry Alanguilan's blog. I got there around 9. I thought that they close at 10 but they're open til 2am on the weekends. So check it out!!!

I got this graphic novel by Seth called "It's a good life, If you don't weaken", Greg Rucka's "Whiteout" and of course, Louie Cordero's "Nardong Tae" :)

I'll probably go back there soon to get American Elf by James Kochalka...

If you're an indie fan, check it out! They also have Marvel and DC stuff. Singles not so much. They kinda focus on the trades. It's an awesome store! Go!!!

Green Lantern: NO FEAR

I have 2 more books to read before the Sinestro Corps War. Revenge of the Green Lanterns and Wanted: Hal Jordan.

In No Fear, nothing huge happens really. It's just ok for me. What I liked about this was the art of Ethan Van Sciver. He really is a good artist and was deserving of Artist of The Year by Wizard Magazine a couple of years back.

The Hector Hammond parts were the good ones here...

I still am not that hooked to the story but I think Geoff Johns loves the DCU and he IS THE GUY for DC.

Rebirth was still better for me... Sorry DC boys. I'm still a Marvel guy.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Keep on running Mr. Nice Guy... Keep on running...

This goes out to all the guys out there fighting the good fight.

To all the guys waiting, hoping, sacrificing, and trying to prove themselves to that one person.

Why do we sacrifice? Why do we go out of our ways for someone? Sure we may feel heartaches, sure we may be taken for granted and all that, but why do we do it?

Because of love right? Or is it unconditional love? It's that four letter word that's just so amazingly complicated, it makes the world go round. It's love...

But what if you're not taken for granted? What if all your efforts are seen and noticed? What if it still doesn't work?

I was wrong in saying "that nice guys don't finish last, they never finish..." I'm sorry. Total b.s. on my end.

You keep running. You keep moving forward. The road maybe long but just keep on running... keep on moving... keep on sacrificing.

Quoting Sam Witwicky, "No Sacrifice, No Victory"

Hang in there. Never let go.

Stop playing it safe and just take that leap.

Never look at detours or road blocks. Just keep on running... because I believe in a finish line...

Whether you finish first, middle, or last... the important thing is that you get to finish.

There will be risks and decisions that have to be made but just think of the finish line... It'll be worth it right?

So I say, just wait. Keep on running... even if they ask "what if there's no finish line?"

Hang in there. "TINK PASITIB. WAG KANG BIBITIW."

Me? I'll keep on running... no matter what.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

6 out of 7

I attempted to do something 7 days straight this week. Didn't happen :(

85.7%

In other news, Celtics lost to the Chicago Bulls by two friggin points man!!! Argh!!!

Sundays... You can't help but think about Monday...

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Comic Book Review - The Sword #16

It's been a while since I reviewed the weekly comics. I don't know what week we are in now but this is my pick.

The Luna Brothers' The Sword #16


Joshua and Jonathan Luna are Filipinos and they are kickin ass with this book. They consistently give Holy S### moments every single issue.

This one had a lot in them!

Where do you see a character's jaw getting sliced and it gets back on?

Where do you see eyes getting cut and it comes back?

Where do you see someone turning into a mountain?

Holy crap, this book is made of pure awesome. If there's something consistent with the Lunas, it's giving an excellent last page.

I'm sad that this will end pretty soon. I hope they come out with an over-sized collected edition just like what they did with "Girls". They should also have an "Ultra" version.

If you wanna try something indie, check out The Sword. Volume 1: Fire and Volume 2: Water are already out. Pick this up please!!! I'm telling you!!! This stuff is GOLD!!!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Childhood TV shows and the effect it caused...

So this is for the childhood story I have to write.

If I meet new people and they eventually become good friends, I ask them about what TV shows they watched growing up. I was a child of the 80's and I still feel that most of the great cartoons and TV shows came from the 80's. Like what? Well, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers, G.I.JOE, The Real Ghostbusters, The Visionaries, Silverhawks, Thundercats, M.A.S.K., Robotech, Saber Rider and The Star Sheriffs, Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends, BIONIC SIX, Voltes V, Maskman, Shaider, and of course BIOMAN. (Sorry but some maybe from the 90's)

It was just awesome TV man! Loved those shows. Now, cartoons have changed. I just don't feel the new cartoons now. Which ones? Well... BEN10 seems to be very popular with the kids nowadays but I don't get it. Not fan of Aliens...

Why do I write about these shows? Because a big part of my childhood was actually playing outside the house and "pretending" to be those superheroes. Now? Well, we have the internet to blame. We have the PS3s, the instant messaging, and cable TV.

I don't see kids playing around the village. I don't see them hanging out at the park. Do they even know what Langit-Lupa is? Or Agawan base? Patintero? The trumpo? (I rocked with the trumpo by the way)

I made a mistake eating merienda everyday in front of the TV. Got heavy.

So now, I'm paying for the sins of the past. I've started to become active. I've been waking up at 5:30 during weekdays and going to the office gym. An hour of exercise. It's hard. I can't pretend to be the Flash when I'm on the treadmill... Hahaha.

Ok, back to the TV Shows. Why don't they make those kinds of shows anymore? The animation style before was way much better in my opinion.

And the sentai series now? I don't know...

The last one I watched was Power Rangers Zeo. Mighty Morphin will still be the best for the American version... BIOMAN will always be my best Sentai.

Shaider was ripped. VR Troopers copied it... ewww...

I guess times really do change.

We just have memories of the shows and the Boxed DVDs.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Wolverine's 1ST Appearance

This is one thing I really find weird.

Logan actually appears on the last page of Hulk #180 but his credited 1st appearance is Hulk #181.

181 is more expensive than 180... Why is that?

Is it "1st appearance" in the cover? Then that would mean that Wolverine did first appear in 181.

As a Marvel Fanboy, It's this thing that I can't seem to digest...

Why is it 181 and not 180???

I'd really like to know...

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Weight Training

I carried weights earlier this morning and another unexpected one at night. Didn't know coolers could be heavy... hahaha. But it was all good :)

Recently, I've been competing with one of my best friends. What's better? Chocolate or Ice Cream?

Well, we ask common friends and Ice Cream usually wins... oh well...

================================================

I decided to finally put a baby picture on the web.



wala lang... the heat is making me bored

Monday, April 13, 2009

hoping

just remembered philo103 and the beauty of hoping =)

I think it makes us more human...

im hoping something good will come along soon

Daredevil: Return of The King pt 2

To start of, I just want to say that I am extremely saddened by the news that Ed Brubaker will leave Daredevil... :( Yes, I know it's old news but I still can't get over it. But hey, I think Andy Diggle can still continue the story with the right amount of justice. I still say that the best Daredevil is Frank Miller's and Bendis'.

Ok, so here goes. I'm pretty psyched that Wilson Fisk, aka The Kingpin returns to New York. Part 1 of this story is more like a prologue and Fisk actually wanted to be a better man living a meaningful life. He fell in love with a woman and was belonging to a family. But Lady Bullseye "awakens" Fisk by killing the family he just started to love and offered him if he wanted to lead the Hand.

Lady Bullseye leaves and Fisk returns to New York looking for Daredevil. The whole underworld is stunned with his return. Funny thing is that Fisk actually makes one of the henchmen named Turk to be 2nd in command. Temporarily that is.

So Turk goes to see Matt Murdock and pees his pants. And he was just a messenger. Hahahaha.

Fisk and Daredevil meet... Fisk wants to destroy the hand.


You think that Fisk is out to get Murdock but no... He wants to join forces with Daredevil!!! Imagine Norman Osborn being allies with Spider-Man!!! Hell no!!! But I'm loving every issue Brubaker gives month in and month out. Daredevil is still his best followed by Cap. Though Criminal and Incognito are also good ones. Better to make those 2 trades...

But he and Mr. Fraction should have never left The Immortal Iron Fist! That was my favorite at that time... Sigh...

Oh, can I just say how amazed I am that some people actually do follow my blog!!! And I thought my friends were the only ones who read.

So if you read this, just comment away!!! It makes my day :)

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Just because I'm bored

So I was checking the number of entries I have...

17 is the record for most posts in a month. I plan to beat that this April.

Hahahaha.

I have to at least put in

3 Comic Book Reviews.
3 Trade Paperback Reviews.
Another movie review.
Rant.
Tell a story from my childhood.

Another Lazy Sunday

I don't know why Sunday afternoons can get so boring...

My guesses would be the ff:

1. Nothing on TV is ever good.
2. Work will happen the next day.
3. People are just at home and they want to stay home so you can't hang out with them.

Ok, I got nothing anymore.

I just think that there's far more stuff to do rather than answer quizzes on facebook. Jeez.

Easter used to be fun because of the Egg Hunting. Now that I'm old... nada. Not even a piece of chocolate.

Though lunch/brunch was pretty good. It was light. SALA Bistro in Greenbelt 3. Not bad at all. The service was just a bit slow... Maybe it's because of Easter...

Finally got me some running shoes. I consider it as an investment. Gonna start losing those pounds again.

I'll be in Boracay this coming May so I at least have to look better. Not slim. But less fat...

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Dragonball: Evolution


I just watched Dragonball "Evolution" with my brother. It was just ok... I'm being nice there.

I came prepared to the cinemas. I was set to be disappointed. It was just ok. What saved it? I think that Justin Chatwin, despite being Caucasian, tried his very best to be like Goku. There were certain homages to the cartoon. Goku having a big apetite, Master Roshi being a perv, Yamcha and Bulma flirting, the spikey hair... The Goku-Chi Chi love story was funny because it was just too damn cheesy. Then again, we all have our cheesy moments right?

The director tried to make the movie too much of an anime... Didn't work out for me... Yamcha had this annoying voice and he looked really bad... Annoying annoying annoying. Never did like his character anyway.

There were no mentions of Saians whatsoever so I don't know if there'll be a sequel... I don't think this movie will do that well. The Japanese will hate it.

But then again, if you grew up watching Dragonball or Dragonball Z, give this a shot. It's still entertainment!!!

3G Technology

How the cellular phone makers did 3G is leaving me mind-boggled. It's such a really cool concept! And it turned into reality. I thought that my phone couldn't do video calling but it can! There's this tiny camera at the upper right hand side that I completely missed.

God bless 3G!

Green Lantern: Rebirth


My brother Jonty lent me 4 Green Lantern books because I wanted to find out what the fuss was all about with Geoff Johns' Green Lantern stories.

There are all sorts of Lanterns now. From the ROYGBIV color spectrum. I think it's called the spectrum war? I don't know. Not a DC Fanboy.

Before I went to sleep, I read the trade of Rebirth. It ain't bad. But being a non-DC reader, there were times that I was just completely clueless. But it was a good read. Hal Jordan came back. Last I remembered he died in Zero Hour. But that was a looong time ago.

So there, he's back! Plus I had no idea how dangerous Sinestro was. Apparently, he's a major bad guy. I always thought he was this lame and frail pink-skinned guy. Is it pink? Oh well...

I also didn't know that BATMAN and Hal didn't like each other... Cool storyline...

Yeah, so I'll read the next one. I think it's called NO FEAR. Then it's THE REVENGE OF THE GREEN LANTERNS, finally, WANTED: HAL JORDAN. I have to read those to get what THE SINESTRO CORPS WAR is all about.

I can't say I'm hooked but it was still a good read.

Friday, April 10, 2009

An honest take on Gerry Alanguilan's "ELMER"

So I've always wanted to give my opinion on Mr. Alanguilan's "ELMER" but I was too embarrassed to even publish a review.

So, Mr. Alanguilan, here's my honest take on it :)

==================================================

Today, Good Friday, I decided to re-read ELMER. I read the gift set edition so I read everything in one sitting.

The art is simply gorgeous! The black and white art was superb and I loved the inking job of Mr. Alanguilan. Always have, always will. It happens in a world where chickens talk. Yes, chickens! It has a lot of family drama and it has its funny moments.

The story starts with a chicken named Jake Gallo and he decides to go home from the city to visit his family. His dad Elmer wasn't doing to good... Turns out that Elmer is sick.

Elmer leaves Jake with a book that he wrote. The story of how it all happened. Jake is scared to read it since he's been looking for that book all his life.

It is revealed that Chickens just had enough of the $h*t humans give them. They suddenly talk and go all-out crazy against the humans. A war suddenly emerges and it's humans against chickens.

A simple farmer named Ben decides to help out 3 chickens. He names them Elmer, Helen, and Joseph. Elmer sees the good side of the humans in Farmer Ben but Joseph doesn't like humans one bit. One day, Joseph attacks Farmer Ben and it was Elmer who had to stop it.

Turns out, the world is going crazy with the war. There are actually terrorist chickens! Lots of the activities happen in the Philippines by the way. A lot of chickens and humans died in the process. People went to Farmer Ben and found out that chickens were hiding. Joseph tells Elmer and Helen to leave.

I especially loved the scene wherein Joseph dropped from a tree to fight this guy. Awesome!!!

Eventually, Chickens got the nod of the UN and they are now part of the human race.

Some people loved it, some people didn't. One day, the Bird Flu came and people wanted to kill Elmer and Helen. Farmer Ben took a bullet for them and was rushed to the Hospital thanks to Elmer.

Elmer then became a writer and had a column called Chicken Scratchings. He had 3 children.

At the present, Jake learns a lot from the past... He finds a note in the book from his dad asking him to remember. Jake decides to finish the book...

It was here wherein I realized that one of the major issues we Filipinos have is selective amnesia. We only like to remember the things we want to and sometimes we forget what's important. To understand the present, sometimes, we really need to look back and see what happened.

The idea was plain and simple, what if chickens can talk? Mr. Alanguilan created a new world of fiction and fantasy but it says a lot about people. The good and the bad.

I really enjoyed reading this book because personally, I liked the family aspect into it. Here was a father wanting a secure future for his children.

There's this lesson I got from my mom. After my grandfather died, my godmother kept mentioning to my mom how lucky she was because she's never say no to my grandfather. Whether it be driving him to the grocery or a simple walk.

Life will be hard if you have regrets. Life is too short. Make the most out of it with your loved ones. Me? I can't say no to my parents. It's the little things, the simple things that make them happy.

Thank you for this wonderful story Mr. Alanguilan. I loved every single page of it. I saw how much love and passion was put into this book. It was a masterpiece!!!

I look forward to reading more of your work :)

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Hanging out with Mr. Gerry Alanguilan


Yesterday, I went to Robinsons Galleria to meet up with Mr. Gerry Alanguilan. He was really cool to set aside a very very exclusive ELMER gift set. It's priceless!!! I love the whole set!!! Such an awesome idea from the Alanguilans to create that gift set!!!

When I arrived at Comic Odyssey, he wasn't there. I read from his blog that people should check the nearby restaurants or coffee shops. I didn't wait long, he arrived and we went to Red Ribbon to sit down.

He made me choose on what color I wanted and I chose blue :)

The man is a really really nice guy!!! I think he's a genius. He shared with me what he'll be doing and I promised that I wouldn't tell anyone. I'm really excited for him.

We chatted about geek stuff. Comics and TV Shows mostly. He suggested that I watch Dr. Who and Battlestar Galactica. After the holy week, I'll find the DVDs... He also mentioned Twitter and as you can see in the sidebar, I joined twitter and I love the tweets!!!

Wanted to hang out some more but I had to leave and he had to leave. He was headed to Sputnik and it's a comic shop I really want to visit. He said that there were loads of indies there and I HAVE TO CHECK THAT OUT!!!

For those reading my blog, check out www.komikero.com and try to read ELMER. Available in comic shops!!! (I'll post my review soon as Mr. Alanguilan gave his blessing for me to write about it)

Thursday, April 2, 2009

The Promotion

Right now, I am just in such a high. I'm just so thankful that I made it to the promotions board at work. I am now an Assistant Manager. Well, effective April 15. :) I'm pretty psyched! But at the same time, more is expected from me. More challenges to accept and face. Pressure's on. Pressure's a privilege! So bring it!

I'm just thankful to the Lord for the blessings He's given.

Whew... I made it :)