Kangaroo Coffee Company - Davao City

Category: Cafe

City: Davao City


I wanted to visit this coffee shop ever since it opened... however it was only today that I finally got to experience it.

It's basically more than three years old already. Woot.

I liked the idea because on the outside I could see it has some books. However, it's different when one is in there.

I liked the fact that you can probably stay there for quiet some time and not order while waiting for a friend. It's not a "hurried" place, meaning you can stay long to study. It has two ideal area  I would have preferred to sit however, the occupants took their time and didn't leave until after an hour or so.

My friend told me they have a lot of meals. But, was disappointed to see a few sets and were only served for certain hour.

I liked that you can add additional ice cream on top of your frappes though. I liked the nachos 7 layered dip as well. And their nachos too!
They have limited pastries, and pica pica's too. But, a lot of tea-choices and drink choices.

I don't think it's a place you go to when you are hungry :P But a good place to go to for snacks and to chill out.

 

nachos 7 layered dip.

Lucy - 2014

Category: Movie

Genre:  Action / Sci-Fi / Thriller

Director: Luc Besson

Writer: Luc Besson

Producer: Canal +, Cine, EuropaCorp

Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Min-Sik Choi, Amr Waked, Julian Rhind Tutt, Pilou Asbaek, Nicolas Phongpheth and more.

Tagline: She has the Power

A woman was supposed to do a very simple job. All Lucy needs to do was deliver a briefcase to a certain Mr. Jang. But almost immediately she was caught in a dark deal where she is captured and was being turned into a drug mule. But, then she turns the tables around and transforms into a warrior they've never seen before.

From it's trailer.. I deduced it to: "Ahhh not another limitless film". But, although the "drug" was similar ... this one's more scientific and intelligent. And it has a deep sense of perception when it comes to Time. I find it cool. Scarlett did a wonderful job portraying her character, from the hangover party-girlfriend of Richard, to a terrified blackmailed errand girl to becoming a hostage and a witness to barbaric and gruesome cold, calculated kills of that Asian Mafia ... to becoming Lucy - the one who is slowly colonizing her own brain... :) Perfect!

Something Borrowed - 2011

Category: Movie

Genre: Chick Flick

Director: Luke Greenfield

Writer: Jennie Synder Urman, Emily Griffin (novel)

Producer: Alcon Entertainment, 2S Films, Wild Ocean Films

Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, Colin Egglesfield, John Krasinski,  Steve Howey, Ashley Williams, Geoff Pierson, Jill Eikenberry, Sarah Baldwin and more

Tagline:  It's a thin line between love and friendship.


Rachel was the one who introduced Dex to her best friend Darcy. At that time she was  still in law school and is already attracted to Dex however Darcy made a move and gets Dex before she even got to say her feelings. Now, she finds out that Dex is already engaged to Darcy. Friendships will be tested and secrets will come to the surface.


I actually didn't like the idea of the "affair" between the two while the engagement was still on. However, this is the effect when there's a connection and both didn't act on the connection, until well it's almost too late. I love the best friend part and it did play a very tricky light on the whole complicated scenario thing.

Once again, this is a story of taking chances....and what happens when one doesn't take on chances.

I love the soundtrack of the film!

Guess Who - 2005

Category: Movie

Genre: Comedy / Romance

Director: Kevin Rodney Sullivan

Writer: William Rose, David Ronn

Producer: Columbia Pictures Corporation, Regency Enterprises, 3 Art Entertainment

Cast:  Ashton Kutcher, Bernie Mac, Zoe Saldana, Judith Scott, Hal Williams, Kellee Stewart and more

Tagline: His daughter's Mr. Right just turned out to be... Mr. White.

Theresa(Zoe Saldana) brings home her boyfriend Simon (Ashton Kutcher), to meet her parents who will be renewing their vows for their anniversary. And both Theresa and Simon planned to announce their engagement over the weekend. There's one thing, the Jones' family is black and Theresa neglects to tell them Simon is White. Percy, Theresa's father has a general mistrust of any boyfriend for Theresa and let alone... Simon being white.


It is a very funny, light and family oriented film.  My Beloved Boo made me watch this and I always admire how he chooses his films. It's always light and fun. And very family oriented. You are the best sweetheart! It's a simple film about "meeting the parents" of your wife-to-be and how to get along with the "parents".

Best take from the movie, was this line.....

"Pride aint nothing when it comes to the matters of the heart".

Now You See Me - 2013

Category: Movie

Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller

Director: Louis Letterier

Writer:  Ed Solomon and Boaz Yakin

Producer: Summit Entertainment,

Tagline: 4 amazing magicians. 3 impossible heists. 1 billion dollars. This is no illusion.

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Melanie laurent, Morgan Freeman, Michael Cane, Michael Kelly, Common and more

A bizarre investigation started when four magicians (Four Horsemen) climaxed at a sold out Las Vegas showing a bank being robbed for real. Dylan Rhodes of FBI and Alma Dray of Interpol were on the case, however it has been a very difficult task to solve even if they asked for the insights of the professional illusion expert, Thaddeus Bradley. 


 I super duper enjoyed the film! I was hesitant to watch it at first, but was glad I did! It has a dash of Illusionist minus the love story....  Totally Unpredictable.... well unless you are that smart of an ass. Also, it has an Ocean's Eleven ring to it as well. Great Great! I guess the only thing lacking here though is... the character development. There wasn't enough scenes where you get to be close with the character. But, I love the ingenuity of the set-up.

Photo: Den of Geek

Mary Grace - Restaurant

Category: Food

Type: Cafe & Pastries

Place:



They are known for their ensaymada.

I love their story, which you can see splashed around their menu for you to read. It's very homey, the food at least. I wanted to try all their pastries(specially them cakes!! Lookie ohhh!!)

 But, I only ended up trying their ensaymada and banana shake! (Only because, my boo had his banana shake and para makisabay ako.... i had banana shake too!! Whopppeeee!)

Maybe next time around... im gonna try their cakes.. and next time it will be with Boo na :) 

California Pizza King - Makati Shangri-La

Category: Food

Type: Pizza / Pasta

Place: Makati Shangri-La

Spent time with Bee and her good friend Tin.

Buchooog!

It was a big meal, given that I am on a diet myself. Nyahahaha. Okay. cheat day! Cheat day!

Pizza. Pasta. And whatnots.

Kinda expensive to boot. But, good for the palate, specially if you want a heavy meal.

Diary ng Panget 2 - HaveYouSeenThisGirl

Category: Books



Genre: Chick Literature 



Author: HaveYouSeenThisGirl (Wattpad)




This is a continuation of the journey of Eya and Cross and their love-hate relationship.


Finally! I grabbed the DNP 2!!! After weeks of waiting and of going back and forth from the bookstore.

Huwaaaaa. I enjoyed it once again. I can't wait for the next installment. It's still the same.. kilig to the bones scenario.. however bitin. I wanted more! :)

Okay. Shoot me! Hayaan nyo na ako. In love lang eh.  And when you are in love.. all things goes cheesy weezyyy.... :P

Diary Ng Panget Book 1 - HaveYouSeenThisGirl

Category: Books

Genre: Chick Literature

Author: Have You Seen This Girl (Wattpad)

Eya studies as a scholar at Wilford Academy. She's poor and ugly, but then again for some weird fate she was drawn to two handsome and rich guys. This will indeed make you laugh. Cinderella inspired but with a very cute twist.


Grabe! I never thought I'd read this book... but I did! Only  because, I read the first few pages and I was enthused by how it was written in our own language. Its not too formal or anything, but conversational Tagalog. Haha. It's an easy read. One seating lang. You can finish this right away.

By the way, I've read reviews about people getting disappointed when they read the book. Oh puhlease, they were merely expecting this book to be in the league of what? Pride and Prejudice? Wag naman.  This one was written for pure entertainment, so don't overly "intellectualize" this kasi maloloka kayo.

This one is good if you need a breather... but only for the lighthearted. Wag yung sa mga tao ang idea nila ng breather is Leo Tolstoy :P Ahihihi. Peace out.

However it is super bitin! So, I'm just waiting to grab a copy of the Book 2.

Once Upon Stilettos - Shanna Swendson

Category: Book

Genre: Chick Literature

Author: Shanna Swendson


The life of Katie Chandler is now purely magic - literally. After quitting a drab job with a monster boss, Katie found herself becoming an executive assistant at MSI (Magic, Spells and Illusiions, Inc.) and she has seen more than enough of magical induced moments. But, Katie is no wizard, but has a unique gift called "magical immune". However, with this series, she begins losing her immunity because someone's got a different plan for MSI and the whole magical community, and the only way to fulfill those evil plans was to mess up with Katie Chandler whose done nothing but thwart all those evil deeds.


This is a good second part... and would make you go "kilig" with the Katie-Owen team-up and the partners of Gemma and Marcia who used to be frogs *hint hint*.I love the metaphors... and how it's a light but very funny read. I love the adventures. :)

Photo Source: Goodreads

Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

Category: Book

Genre: Sci-Fi / Drama / Dystopian / Adventure / Action

Author: Suzanne Collins


The Hunger Games is a dystopian novel for young adults. North America is now run by the powerful Capitol and is now divided into 12 districts (originally 13 but District 13 was destroyed), and is now called Panem. In the 12th District, there's Katniss Everdeen (16y/o) and Gale who hunts for a living. In order to keep the status quo and to remind the 12 Districts not to rebel, every year they hold a game of death, chosing 2 tributes per district via "draw". Katniss' sister was picked to be the tribute but then Katniss exercises her option to volunteer for the games. With Katniss comes Peeta, the baker's son.  Together, they must fend for themselves and survive.


I got hooked with reading this because it has an interesting plot. Although, it's something that is socially and  uhmmm morally not sound. The Hunger Games, I mean.

But, what I particularly liked about it was the love triangle between Gale, Katniss and Peeta. Can someone hand me at least a Gale or a Peeta? *giggles*

Anyway it was a breeze reading it. The author did not use any big words. It was simple but enough to give you the hand or play with imagination. The book tackled many things that can actually make people relate to: love, honor, freedom, rebellion, poverty, family, friendship and particularly survival. In the arena, you'd want to move from page to page since the suspense builds up and introduces many new creatures that came with technological evolution.

Anyway, this ain't something "intelligent", if you want to argue.. but it was successful enough to the audience it aimed for. And it's a good book to start or recommend if one wants to get into "reading". :)

Photo Source: NPR

The Cloud Atlas - Liam Callanan

Category: Book

Genre: Historical Fiction

Author: Liam Callanan

It is the mid 1940s, set against the magnificent backdrop of Alaska during the days where the World War II is waning. The Cloud Atlas is an enthralling debut novel, a story of adventure and awakening—and of an eighteen year old soldier, trained under bomb disposal on an extraordinary, top-secret mission…and found a world that would haunt him forever.

At first I thought this was the famed "Cloud Atlas" by David Mitchell, but a few chapters went by, with the same setting and I knew this wasn't Mitchell's. I finished the book, only because it was interesting and I was already halfway the book when I realized it's not Mitchell's. [yes, it was an ebook I got somewhere. only because I couldn't find a copy of David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas in the bookstores!!]

With all the references to shamans, magic, palm reading, astrology, tuunraq, balloons containing bombs and the impending war.... its a dazzling unique love story, or this enchantment of the 18 year old soldier with the Yup'ik woman named Lily. It's also a good look of Alaska and it's culture.

A literary art piece. Lovely all on it's own. 

Photo Source: Good Reads

Despicable Me - 2010

Category: Animation

Genre: Comedy

Director: Pierre Coffin & Chris Renaud

Writer:Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio

Producer: Universal Pictures, Illumination Entertainment

Cast: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Elsie Kate Fisher

Tagline: Some call him bad, "they" call him dad.

A trio of orphan girls are being used by a criminal mastermind Gru, as pawns for a grand scheme and can be the biggest heist in the history of the world. He is going to steal the moon. But then, an innocent and pure love from the three girls is profoundly changing Gru for the better. The world's greatest villain has just met his greatest challenge: three little orphan girls named Margo, Edith and Agnes. 

This film was recommended to me by a friend who really enjoys Gru, and so I can relate to a bully-like Gru... I watched the film. :)

Its dark humor, villainy stuff was muffled down by the appearance of the  three little girls. Fun and heartwarming, oftentimes cute and fuzzy. I enjoyed watching the film, and how it shows a side of villains that is never often showed. Villains got heart too! :)And it's good that this also portrays the "single dad" role which is often rare in cartoons or in movies. :)

Photo Source: GreatFun4Kids

Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card

Category: Book

Genre: Sci-Fi

Author: Orson Scott Card


Set in Earth's future, humankind barely survived two conflicts with the "Buggers". A hostile alien race which protects its queen like ants does. In preparation for an anticipated third invasion by the Buggers, an international fleet maintains a school to find and train future fleet commanders. The world's most talented and brightest children, including Ender Wiggin are taken at a very young age to Battle School.



A good friend recommended this book to me. It's a rich and intelligent book and one that carries a  good storyline. It's actually not a hard read but is in fact engaging, despite how disturbing the relationships of the three Wiggins' siblings are.

A song was dedicated to this though.and it will be made into a film! :)

Photo Source: Good Reads

An Education - 2009

Category: Movie

Genre: Drama / Romance

Writer: Nick Hornby, Lynn Barber

Director: Lone Scherfig

Producer: BBC Films, Finola Dwyer Productions, Wildgaze Films

Cast: Carey Mulligan, Olivia Williams, Alfred Molina, Cara Seymour, William Melling, Connor Catchpole, Matthew Beard, Peter Sarsgaard, Amanda Fairbank-Hynes, Ellie Kendrick and more

Tagline:  Innocence of the Young

A story of a sixteen year old Jenny Mellor(Carey Mulligan) in the 1960's living with her parents in the London suburb. But, her life changes when a playboy nearly twice her age arrives.

It was a good film. About choosing education and how sometimes a whimsy romantic love can detour a girl. But, good thing she was able to uphold herself and was given a second chance to do it all over again. Some sort of a coming of age film. This film explores issues such as social class, education, racism, being a woman and more.

Photo Source: GeorgianEye

Razon's Restaurant

Category: Food

Desserts


On one of my recent roadtrips we dropped by at Razon's.

It's a popular local Northern Luzon restaurant which is famed for it's halo-halo. And true enough the place was jampacked and you have to muddle your way or worse wait for a few minutes to be seated.

 It's not as good as Aling Foping's though. But, I bet it's the best in Luzon... soooo. :)

They have good meals rin naman. :) 

Well, it's good for transits.

I'm also seeing a lot of Razon's here in Davao already, but haven't really tried eating here.

The Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole - 2010

Category: Movie

Genre: Adventure / Fantasy / Cartoon

Director: Zack Snyder

Writer: John Orloff

Producter: Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures, Animal Logic

Cast: Jim Sturgees, Hugo Weaving, David Wenham, Emily Barclay, Joel Edgerton, Ryan Kwanten, Helen Mirren, Angus Sampson and more.

Tagline: On his way to finding a legend...he will become one.

Soren, a young barn owl, is abducted by an evil Owl Army, where owlets are brainwashed into becoming soldiers. He and his new friends escape to the island of Ga'Hoole, to look for the legendary Guardians to stop the menace.

Watched this with mom at Balanga, Bataan. We had a fun time watching it.

I love how the story goes. Inspiring and very good movie for a "team". A dose of inspiration, it is. It is quiet dark at the beginning and got a lot of fight scenes, but ain't adventure like that?Although, I don't think the youngsters would uhmmm benefit this much. I think this is for extra mature audience.  It is also a wonderful visual masterpiece with a story boot. What a hoot indeed! :) I enjoyed the musical score and the soundtrack: "To the Sky" by none other than Owl City! Haha. Lovely.

Photo Source: Imp Awards

 

Matrix Revolutions - 2003

 Category: Movie

Genre: Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi

Director: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski

Writer: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski

Producer: Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Mary Alice, Helmut Bakaitis, Monica Bellucci, Ian Bliss, David Bowers and more

Tagline:  Everything that has a beginning has an end.

 The human city of Zion is now preparing to defend itself against the oncoming massive invasion of the machines and the chances of surviving is nil. While Neo on the other hand fights to end the war at a different level while he opposes Agent Smith.

Choices and Beliefs was the message. Matrix sure is one layered film, there are references of the one, and symbolism used in the film splashed all over. It was quite a good way to end, and this part showed more action and keeps you on the edge. Eeep. Flesh vs. Machines? Eeeeep. Anyhoo, film wise, it has good special effects.

photo source: Matrix Fans

The Matrix Reloaded - 2003

Category: Movie

Genre: Sci-Fi / Thriller

Director: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski

Writer: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski

Producer: Warner Bros. Picture, Village Roadshow Pictures, Silver Pictures

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishbourne, Ray Anthony, Christine Anu,

Tagline:Free Your Mind



Six months after The Matrix, Neo has been proving that he is The One to the humans in Zion(The Resistance). Neo has discovered many of his superpowers. But, they will be facing a larger battle when they found out that 250,000 machine sentinels are digging and heading towards Zion and will reach them in 72 hours.


Not as profound as the first one... but a good continuation nevertheless with a cliffhanger ending... or I did not just watch it a couple of times to really see behind the layers. Matrix seems like a story of birth while Reloaded could refer to re-birth/death and revolutions.It was still good... but I need to watch it a second time to delve into the story.

Photo Source: EnglishMovie

A Thousand Words - 2012

Category: Movie

Genre: Comedy / Inspirational

Director: Brian Robbins

Writer: Steve Koren

Producer: Saturn Films, Dreamworks SKG, Varsity Pictures

Cast: Eddie Murphy, Cliff Curtis, Kerry Washington, Emmanuel Ragsdale, Jill Basey, Greg Collins, Robert LeQuang, Michael Wilkinson, Cliff Curtis and more

Tagline: Make every word count.

Just to make the deal with a spiritual guru, literary agent Jack McCall stretches the truth, and when he got home finds an unusual Bodhi tree on his property. It is teaching him a very important lesson about every word he speaks, he finds out that everytime he speaks a leaf drops off of the tree and he would die if all leaves fall out.


I found it quiet corny at the beginning and was looking like it is a mock-up of "spiritual" gurus, but then it turned out fine right in the middle towards the end. I actually enjoyed it. Eddie Murphy, was just that at the beginning - LOUD! It's a good balance between comedy and drama... and it's got a nice message built into the story which is one of the reason why I enjoyed the film.

Photo Source: Pinoy Technologies