General Luna: Femme Power

I have always been a big fan of Filipino Bands and It's normal for them to have male members. I have seen some with female front but all girls? hmmm... the last that I've known of was "Prettier than Pink". However, that perception changed when a band called "General Luna" appeared on the limelight. As I am listening to their music, it was a bit like the sound of Razorback but the female version of it. They are not the typical type of girls that you would see on a band as they are so very gorgeous and pretty yet they really rock so hard (no offense to other female bands out there though  ^_^). Trust me, they have the looks and they definitely have the talent in music. General Luna is the newest all women, all Filipino rock band, a group of gifted individuals who have both the looks and skills that will leave you amazed.

Per the members, their name has nothing to do with our Hero who is General Luna. That is just a combination of General which is very masculine and Luna which is feminine and those are just a balance of the two concepts. Let me tell you the reason why I really love their works, it is because of the melody that has been well executed together with a loud guitar riffs along with their serious lyrics that pertains to the reality of life. They really encompasses beauty with their talent, thus making them very deserving to have a place in the local music scene and likewise in the international scene if only be given a chance.

Just a brief background of their self-titled album, they have also been supported by some of the topnotch personalities and songwriters from the music industry such as Steve Badiola (front man of Typecast), Monty Macalino (Mayonnaise's vocalist and guitarist), Ebe Dancel (previously from Sugarfree), Japs Sergio (Rivermaya's bassist), NU and The Dawn's Francis Brew Reyes and lastly, the multi awarded Recording Engineer Angee Rozul. 

They are certainly one of the bands that is providing some spice on our music industry now. They will make you say vava voom!! yet will also say, "that's what I call TALENT" Rock on General Luna!

Below are the members of the band:

Alex Montemayor - Bass Guitar

Audry Dionisio - Rhythm Guitar

Bea Lao - Drums

Caren Mangaran - Lead Guitar

Nicole Asensio - Vocalist

 

We can never take it back!

Any fights have their downside and we all have our own piece of words that will be uttered that we can never take back. This is the reason why some people kept on saying to us that we should not open our mouth and say even a single word when we are mad and in rage. We might end up hitting that very soft spot that will hurt the person that we are having an argument with. 

This in effect will make the situation worse and will not definitely help to enlighten the situation. You thought that you've won because you've said what you wanted to say, but in reality NO ONE won. If you really cannot contain your anger, you must at least learn the skills of being silent and listening to what the other person is saying. You might not agree with what has been said but you will have your share of moment when he/she is done. I know it is tough, I too! cannot do it with myself but I am trying my very best to do such when I'm in the middle of an argument.

Remember, words are like knives.. it is harsh and shows no mercy when we use it as a weapon. Think twice before you say something, and make sure that you will be firm with it.

48 Laws of Power: A Must Read

I never heard of Robert Greene before nor his writings until I have spoken with an office mate of mine who said that reading his works is really worthwhile. He mentioned the book "48 Laws of Power" to me and the quote "Never Outshine your Master". He never gave any descriptions of what the book is for, but only a guarantee that I will really learn a lot from it. Hmmmmm, It sounds very interesting to me that's why I decided to give it a try. I searched for it online and then I came to a brief enumeration of its content and found out that it is about the most important points of power and how a person can attain it.

I am not yet done in reading all the 48 points but I could say as early as now that it can really open one's mind. Now, I know why some people in power act the way that they do. I really can't understand them before, but now? I am certain that they are doing such things in order for them to be in control. 48 Laws of Power provides revealing ideals that not all of us can understand. It's up to the readers on how they will be able to accept those and practice the points that they want to pursue.

Ms. World 2011 First Runner Up - Gwendoline Ruais

The 2011 Ms. World Beauty Pageant coronation night was held at Earls Court, London - Sunday. This is a venue where beautiful girls from around the globe gather together to represent their respective countries for a cause. The organization is continuously searching for a lady who will be able to justify what it believes in which is "Beauty with a Purpose".

All the ladies who competed on this year's pageant have their own styles in impressing the people and the judges. I will have to say that they all have the potential but as every competition goes, only 3 have managed to emerged on the top spots and only 1 have been crowned as the new Ms. World. 

Ms.Venezuela - Ivian Sarcos won the title over our very own Gwendoline Ruais (Philippines) and Amanda Victoria Vilanova Perez (Puerto Rico). During the question and answer portion where the candidates were asked on why they should be hailed as the next Ms. World? Sarcos uttered:  

"I believe that the next Miss World should be a woman of responsibility and reason. I believe the woman should be committed to the organization and help people in need. Beauty with a heart". 

On the other hand, I was not surprised that Gwendoline Ruais got the First runner up title. Aside from having a beautiful face, she also answered the question intelligently with a deep enthusiasm to help others while enjoying what she loves to do.

"To be Miss World is my dream job, and I say job because it is a lot of responsibilities. There's nothing I love more than communicating with other people. As Miss World, you get to use your potential and your voice to help people from all around the world. And what is more wonderful than doing what you love by helping others?"

Truly, Gwendoline have made all of us (Filipinos) proud once again. Filipinas are just simply strength and intelligence behind beauty,  and beauty behind the heart. I apologize for being a bit bias, I adore all the lovely ladies out there from around the world but let me love my own this time..... ^_^

Just an additional information, the final 7 are Miss England, Miss Korea, Miss Philippines, Miss Puerto Rico, Miss Scotland, Miss South Africa and Miss Venezuela. It was also revealed that Ordos in Inner Mongolia, China, will host the 2012 competition.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - (Swedish Film) Review

To tell you honestly, I haven't had the chance of reading the novel that was written by a Swedish author and journalist named Stieg Larsson. I also thought that it was just another fantasy story because of the title, you know the myths about dragons ayt? (well silly me!).

What I really like about this Swedish film is the ambiance that it is introducing to its audience. If you have no idea about the novel, you will not easily realize where the story would lead. This movie is full of mystery and reality about violence that has been explicitly yet artistically portrayed. However, the mystery was unveiled by two brilliant minds that didn't know each other initially but were brought together by circumstances. These two individuals were Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist and Lisbeth Salander, an antisocial and a bit weird but an exceptional hacker and researcher. I won't go into so much details but I find Lisbeth as the main protagonist in this film. You will be disturbed on the things that she has been through during the course of the film, but will find her very strong and firm as she still managed to move on with her life. In fact, her researches and inputs became a a great help to Mikael who primarily held the case alone.

I may somehow don't subscribe with the fact that the antagonist has been easily attacked at the end and how Lisbeth easily knew his whereabouts, but that is just another glitch that we can just justify on our end (no big deal for me). Putting all those observations aside, I will have to say that this is definitely a must see movie for all of the criminal investigative / mystery films enthusiasts out there. Just be ready on the graphic depiction of the scenes.