Innocent Steps: A Good Dying Movie

If you’ll die tomorrow what one romantic feel good film you’ll love to see? Being a fan of movies for more than 22 years, Innocent Steps (댄서의 순정 Daen-sei-eui Soon-jeong) is a good dying movie to watch.

Yun Chang & Moon Geun Young

Moon Geun Young & park Gun-Hyung

The story, music, characters, romantic-comedy feeling will give a heavenly feeling after 110 minutes. Thankful to Show East for distributing this film to the South East Asian fans. The character of Moon Geun Young became Korea’s Cutest Little Sister.

A young girl travel from province to fulfill a dream, which she and her Older sister wanted to happen. In her journey, she met the man that will help overcome her trials and achieve her ultimate dream. Fortunately found love in a an usual man (Park Gun-hyung), who has a broken dream same as her .

Moon Guen Young cute character reflects every young girl eager to prove themselves. A young girl who will stop at nothing to battle all hindrances against her dream. This character is one of Moon Geun-Young claim to fame.

The MOVIE + MUSIC, adds to the satisfying feeling of Dongseng Relationship.

Director Park Young-hoon and Script Writer Park Gye-ok, excellently mix-up dance, gymnastic and love chemistry between Jang Chae-min and Na Young-sae.

Please see the link below for the music Video: For A Thousand Years – Innocent Steps

Translated Lyrics

Main Movie Poster

Visit Korean Culture Center for more Korean Movie

Catching Beetles in Antique

How much fun can you get from the province? People from the city, find the provincial life boring. But during my stay at Antique; I met children who reminded me how much enjoyment we can get from simple things.

Salagubang Flying time : https://youtu.be/uXR3P9sL5Pk

Without  Sony Playstation or Wi-Fi, children at farmland find toys more interesting than on-line games. They rely-on their environment, react on it, and share with their siblings.

I met a boy who played with bugs. He wrap a string around the beetle’s wings, and run along the beetle as it flies. He and his younger brother take turns to catch these “Salagubang”  (Philippine Beetle) from a near-by tree. The older brother shook the tree’s branches from above, and the younger will catch the bug from below, or when it hits the ground.

With this simple activity, siblings get to together without much expenses. They enjoy physical exercise, like running and climbing trees, in a healthy and safe environment. The brotherhood is being build, as the younger brother rely-to his elder brother.

A strong reflection of Sibling-brotherhood-Filipino culture.

Understanding Entertainment Mediums

“Understanding Entertainment Mediums”

Due to fast phase life style and gadget upgrade, technology made entertainment more convenient. Entertainment viewing now a days, depend on my Wi-Fi connectivity. The number of hours spent at home watching depends on free time; and the availability of contents, depend on audience’s capacity to pay; if it’s not within the budget, and there is an urgency to watch; piracy (DVD or On-Line) is an immediate resolution.

Among the six type of medium, two medium threatens the system of content distribution, Pirated DVD and On-line piracy. It attracts the paying market, to patronize contents for a  lesser price, having a lesser operational expense. They facilitate faster and wider than the other four medium.

Free TV audience has the greatest advantage when it comes to accessibility. The content selection depends on the network. The network decides for the people. The people follows, the time schedule designed by the network for them.

Cable TV gives subscribers more option. Foreign program line-up is available. Audience choose, to have foreign content through Television for additional fee.

 

DVD is the most expensive medium, due to production, legal obligation, and distribution fees. Consumers are ensure that its content, is worth keeping for a long time. It can be used properly at the owner’s perusal, maintaining high quality entertainment. The price of personal ownership.

The same technology that made DVD accessible, is used to kill other business window. Pirated DVD and DVD file rip programs, made the content illegal distributed rampant.

Cinema/Film is the most complicated, and critical medium for entertainment content. It requires, an effective business process; specific venue to access it; quality equipment to make sure movie-goers expectations are immediately met; and great creativity to capture audience in the first 15minutes of the content.

If the film, entertained it’s viewers; it will open other business window. If the Film doesn’t work-out, possible loss of investment is expected. The audience has a very active role of out-right purchase of immediate content. The best promotional agent if the film is entertainingly effective.

 

Piracy:        

Pirated DVD best option for audience, with limited budget but has a great entertainment want. The operators of this business window, avoid the Legal and Social responsibility. The protection of the consumers is not secured; The quality of the content, functionality of DVD didn’t went through proper process of critical examination.

Having different content is an advantage. If it’s illegal operated, content might negatively influence the audience into wrong thinking; like pornography or sadist thinking.

The Government or Private organization, aims to prevent this mental deterioration to happen, with the help of MTRCB, OMB and media/entertainment professionals.

While low quality DVD (Pirated DVD) cheats the consumers. If the disc they bought malfunctions, or won’t play in their DVD player; the entertainment they bought is not a good investment.

In the Philippines, a movie ticket cost Php. 200 pesos, and pirated DVD cost around Php. 60- 100 pesos. Piracy is more affordable for the greater low income earners.

Illegal operators also improved their scheme by providing BLU-RAY edition of pirated DVD, higher quality but a bit expensive compared to ordinary pirated disc.

 

The illegal operators continue to capture audience with uncontrollable entertainment need, through On-line piracy. Making the content more accessible to greater number of audience, less production cost of DVDs and more accessible operational distribution through internet access.

It’s like FREE TV through your PC or gadgets, with WORLD WIDE content; the audience is only paying for the connection. Pirated Korean Films are one of the most sellable entertainment.

A quality content will capture its audience regardless of it’s medium, if the story reflects the audience personal life, and creativily fictionalize it to promote good values , it will last a lifetime.
Example: Memoirs of a Geisha Book, movie and DVD.
                 Twilight Book Series to movie purchase.
                 Star Wars Films from VHS, VCD, DVD and possible Blu-Ray 
                 K-Pop from on-line piracy, to DVD purchase from Korea, going to K-pop concerts to loving Korean Culture.
                Naked Weapon: Foreign mature content, saw it in pirated DVD, VCD, DVD and watching it on Cignal Cable.

Share a Book, Shape a Mind for Good

My sister told me a special place where I love to stay forever. She showed a mini-library in midst of Ayala Triangle.

She told me that people created this place, to share books for free. I was excited and thrilled to know if philanthropy exist for the less privilege. To my surprise, the organization of the bookstop shares knowledge, their greatest teachers, and their bestfriends for those who can’t afford to have a book collection.

I love the idea, that people donate books; and a young reader can have it for free. It’s like sharing your pre-owned books to others. What ever I read and learned from the book I donated, it will be a good use to those who find it interesting.

Making this community library interesting, they held events to keep people positively motivated. They provided venue for artist to showcase their poetry skills, listen to public discussion “WHY I AM DOING HERE?” and find love through Blind date.

Hope we have a more active community movers, who will guide youth and young professionals to express their emotions in an artistic way.

I find it difficult to share the books I owned, but I’m upto the the challenge.

I learn how to read when my sister shared her books to me. She taught me the happiness of sharing.

For more information visit: https://web.facebook.com/TheBookStopPH/

Thank you for the organization who created the library http://www.wtadesignstudio

Frozen Flower

Frozen Flower depicts the complexity of the heart versus the mind. I’m a great fan of Korean movie, and express how emotions overweight our logic.

The story started how a young boy, sincerely offered his life for the young future King of Goryeo; from his deep admiration of the king they developed brotherly friendship, he grew-up in the Kingdom and became his student, most trusted ally, and later-on his better half.

People might look at the visual of Frozen Flower as provocative; but it show how simple trust develop to life-long commitment. A young word of honor, lead to experience love beyond his understanding and his control. Hong-Lim (Jo In Sung) is torned, between his obligation and what love should be.

His ultimate test of loyalty; lead him to his equal love rival, who sacrificed herself for the King (Joo Jin Mo) to secure domination of his kingdom; the Queen (Song Ji Hyo).

While Hong-Lim protected the King and secure his feelings; the strong character of the Queen protected the King’s image as the right leader. Her sacrifice, stabilize the kingdom from wrong perception of the people; keep the secrets between the walls of the palace as gossips; her greatest obligation, giving the King an heir ,showed that he loved the king more she love herself. She is willing to sacrifice here greatest gift to King, for the King’s plan of Goryeo’s future.

Showcasing of the love for the King, lead the two rivals (Hong-Lim and the Queen), reflected on their selves upon each other. They saw the loved they offered to the King, on each other. Their submission to the King request, revealed how they are willing to help him in his weakness, and secure his leadership for his people.

Three people bound by love, obligation and life commitment at the same level; made the Kingdom  Goryeo strong for sometime. The pressure from Yuan Kingdom, overwhelmed them and emotions over rule the three of them. The King’s decision became more bias than before. He knows the love he wanted from Hong Lim, but he can’t deny the sacrifice of the Queen waiting for her opportunity to prove her love and loyalty.

The King’s decision fall apart as a leader, when the two most important people of his life reflected his own confusion.

People might misinterpret the movie as sexually provocative. But for me it showcase the demands from a leader to pacify his own worries, secure the love that will keep him mentally healthy, and maintain the relationship that will help me perform his role better.

I see Frozen Flower as the heart human governed by evil influences. I can’t choose between Song Ji Hiyo Unnie and Jo In Sung character; about who loved the King (Joo Jin-Mo) more… But in the end it’s the Queen who endured the mistake of the man she trusted.

Watch Korean movies at Korean Culture Center, Taguig.

Mocking Jay Fever

Weeks after the theatrical release of “The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay part 2.” I saw a pirated DVD sold in the streets for only Php. 80.00. The average film ticket at SM Cinemas is Php. 120.00 excluding popcorn and drinks.

Pirated DVD of Hunger Games: Mocking Jay part 2 Php. 80.00

As a practical consumer, I will choose the Pirated DVD and enjoy the convenience of owning it forever. This makes the film industry profit decline, since the technology transferred from VHS to disc. The rampant supplier of disc from the US, and other Asian countries, makes piracy business, wide and vast.

The Production company Lionsgate and Color Force; 37 distributor companies worldwide; knows how to counter piracy, in order to make the business running. And lengthen the profitability of the franchise, from books, to movies, other media platform, and then merchandise.

Here in the Philippines, distributor of “The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay part 2” invested on merchandise that can be use everyday. It use to flaunt their love for “Katniss”, and at the same time a wise promotion to different market-fan base of Suzanne Collins.

SM Dasmarinas Cavite: Odyssey

 

C-Interactive released, different version of Mocking Jay posters; attract paying market to purchase and to promote. SM produces toy tumblers; to promote the content to the younger audience. I saw Odyssey Dasmariňas post Revolution T-shirt, that carries a strong statement from the movie. This merchandise aims to pull DVD sales.

These are just few methods, to give paying market a premium to the content they love. If piracy offers affordability; legit distributor offers collectible merchandise.

DVD plus T-Shirt

about us.

Tumblers

DVD Merchandise

This makes me look at the film industry, a game of Strategic Business Arts. I still believe that a good writer, producer and director can make a good content; but with the demands to sell in a third world country; business strategy is necessary.

It’s easy to say stop buying pirated DVD; but a true business minded people battle the situation not by bending the rules, but extending their business offers.

I was intrigued to buy the DVD version because of the T-shirt. The shirt was not available or sold-out at SM Dasmariňas branch; I have to go to SM Megamall for the love of REVOLUTION.

I found it there, the store staff said that all they have was size large. I hope medium size will be available in other stores, like Mall of Asia, Alabang Town Center and Malls in Makati.

“THE REVOLUTION IS ALL ABOUT US!” One strong statement made me, save money, search, study and invest. The power of film to influence the mind is undeniable.

Revolution is a spark

about us.

The Voice of “Can’t You See”

Korean Pop Music, has it’s own beauty. Listening to it for five years, makes me appreciate the complementing voice of the artist, to the melody of the song.

Please listen to Son Dam Bi’s voice (Close your eyes, while listening).

One of my most love K-Pop song is Son Dam Bi’s Can’t You See, from her Queen’s album. The first time I heard it, it made me feel like I’m listening to a pleading break-up song of a woman.

It’s like, loving the her voice even before knowing her. I don’t understand the song lyrics, but every night I listen to her song, to end my busy office day calmly.

Artist behind the song: Son Dam Bi’s dance video

It lead me to download the song, watch her videos, and somehow watch her TV appearances. Her talent is made world wide through youtube and I-Tunes.

The love for her, grew deeper to the point of researching, what does her song actually means. There are many translation in the internet, but as a fan I would like to interpret the song the way she meant it to be understood. Art appreciation; feeling the song; relating to the song; strengthen the bond between the artist and fan.

Unknowingly it made me, discover different aspect of her being; embracing her nation, culture, language, and their way of lyric writing. Artist are the best representation, of their county’s culture. Son Dam Bi did that with “Can’t You See.”

In the way of understanding the song in Hanguel; It needs to be translated into English language; before I truly relate to it as a Filipino. One pleading break-up song, lead to appreciate three languages, to convey sincere emotion of the artist. It felt like communicating to a distant friend, you’ve never meet but shared the same feeling.

I was challenge to find the song translation in English, but I was hoping that I can translate the song from English to Filipino without changing it’s meaning and intention. Hoping more people will love and support, Son Dam Bi and her team who made this song very much heart felt.

I Love K-Pop, my brother and I are fans of their culture; and hope we can visit their country again. Victory Korea!

Sor. Korea’s Phoenix

Sor. Korea Blue House

 

Memoirs of A Geisha

“It may seem odd, but when I realized that the shape of my own face was surprise to me, I had the sudden insight that nothing in life is ever as simple as we imagine.”

Page 310

A woman’s transformation starts when she found her purpose. A little girl name “Chiyo” who was sold, to be a servant girl but strive to become the most memorable artisan of her time. She wanted to be a Geisha, it became her life purpose.

After reading Memoirs of A Geisha, I empathize with the main character. The little girl “Chiyo” wanted to escape her present situation. Then she met a senior gentleman, whom she shared her dreams with, over snow cone conversation. After their talk Chiyo (Suzuka Ohgo) became more determine to accomplish her journey, inspired to meet the gentleman again as a well-known Giesha.

The life of Geisha looked so extravagant, but as “Chiyo” underwent training; she realized that such beauty has a fair share of sacrifices. Her days where filled with lesson and practices. She started late compared to other young trainees called “maiko” mentored by one of the most celebrated Geisha of Gion Mameha  (Michelle Yeoh). Until she gave birth to her new persona “Sayuri” (Zhang Ziyi).

Sayuri face more challenging situation, that tested her character as woman. She never gave-up on her dream to meet the Chairman again. But her mentor assigned her to be with the Chairman’s bestfriend “Nobu-San” (Koji Yakusho). As if fate was playing trick on her, she was so close to the Chairman, but a great barrier hinder them to be together. Sayuri accepted her situation, without knowing that Chairman (Ken Watabe) also cares for her.

The chairman was looking after the little girl she met in the bridge, as she transformed to the person she wants to be.

We offer our lives to fulfill the goal we set for ourselves. For a Geisha, to pacify men from their worries as their companions; through arts of dancing, singing, and good conversation; to the point that can’t help but to fall for their charms and the bad side of Geisha culture was abuse.

When I was in college our Film Professor assigned us to watch “Memoirs of A Geisha” released by Sony Pictures. I bought the book and read it, and watch the movie in SM Dasmarinas and bought Special Edition  DVD at the same mall. I treasure Sayuri and Mameha’s story.

On-Line Piracy

A recent film was considered a box-office hit in the Philippines. People supported it, and the news about its success, spread like wildfire. Few weeks later, even its still showing in theaters, I found-out that it is already given free in torrent.

For middle-class audience, free-download cut their entertainment expense in half. They just have to pay for the electricity and internet usage to enjoy free movie.

Camcorded from cinema, but Samsung mobile made the picture more clear.

Note: Picture was taken by Samsung Mobile Photo. TV Sony picture quality.

Other people who wants to take advantage of file sharing, sells the content through illegal distribution or illegal up-loads. Storing the content in disc, and let it be sold on-ground. This makes film industry operation more expensive, to recoup their losses in piracy.

I have a fair share of guilt, cause I’m one of the middle-class earners who rely on file sharing; specially if the content is worth watching. This practice can justify file download; but when I experience business profit loss, because of piracy, my perception about file sharing changes.

There was a time when I was asked, by my Immediate Supervisor to lower the production cost, and lessen the fee of our Producer to save more. I find it hard to explain it to our Producer, because I knew that sales of DVD decreased. We have to adjust the budget at the expense of our employee. From then on, I invested on DVD, CD and album that are worthy to be in my collection.

Employees of media company tighten their belt, to save their production budget. They lower the people’s salary to ensure that their business operations are legal, and satisfied the qualification of government and other business sectors.

I enjoyed listening to music. I download music and later-on buy CD if I have enough money. I asked my brother to share the movies he downloaded; movies that we also watched in cinemas (not all), planned to purchase in DVD or BLU-RAY.

To defend the consumers side, anybody who likes a certain art will definitely buy to support the artist, who are making films, music and other art forms.

But these people are responsible consumers, once I get satisfied with your content I make sure you get what you deserve. It will take time, for the public not to abuse  “FREE.”

On the business side of things; I hope people in the art industry, will also consider their market’s capacity to pay. Charging too much, will make your clients  support piracy. Entertainment is not priority in the Philippines. It’s an escape from our reality

My advocacy, save to have your own copy.

If a friend is willing to share her love for music or film, I hope we spread the love for this art in the right way. Join forums for feed-backs, write blogs, or go to concerts, and events that will make the artist and content makers get what they deserve..

 

 

 

 

Jollibee Memories

Every children in Philippines, has there own Jollibee story. I grow-up waiting for Jollibee Pasalubong, Jollibee Honor Reward, and Happy Birthday Celebration Jollibee.

We used to live in Cainta, and there is a Jollibee store at Sta. Lucia Mall. I have to wait for my parents, to come home around 9 to 10 PM hoping they’ll give me French fries or hamburger. It’s a Filipino sign of love; our parents have something for us, to be excited for meeting them again. It’s for children to know that their parents, was thinking about them the whole day. My mom have to save her own marienda to give it to us (My ate, me, and younger brother). The greatest part of it, we share French fries and hamburger together, as our midnight snack.

Jollibee “Yum Burger”

For thriving people who live in a tight budget like us, my parents opted to treat us every weekend if we have extra savings. It’s a reward for us.

Most Filipino people save, a portion of their  daily allowance, for one weekend eat-out at Jollibee.

My parents used a different positive reinforcement, I can have a Jollibee blow-out if I have a scholastic honor. It’s annual award for studying hard, and having good grades. At the early age of eight and up; I have an idea how the world works. Jollibee is the most satisfying reward for me and children of the 80s to 90s.

Lastly, the number one place to have fun and play with your friends; is in Jollibee playground. Running after Jollibee mascots, and playing games with them during your BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!  I wish to do this in the future.

After 20 years, I see Jollibee fast-food every where; and it reminds me how many unforgettable memories, I spent with Jollibee. So every day I see Jollibee smiles, he entices me to have a good meal with him, to remember how happy I am in his place.

So I started collecting Jollibee DATE challenge. Recreating Jollibee memories everywhere. But I always wanted to know who Jollibee is, do you know Jollibee?

*Pasalubong is a Filipino practice, bring home food for your love ones.

I’m thankful for my Mommy Virgie Bardullas Tumangday for the Jollibee pasalubong memories. I grew-up waiting for her pasalubong, she saved her pamasahe or marienda just to give me and  my ate a Jollibee pasalubong. This her way to make us feel that she is thinking about us all day long, she want us to know how much she misses us and love us. Yung kakain ng Mommy Virgie Bardullas Tumangday sa amin binibigay pag-uwi niya. She endured her hunger for hours and walk in the sun, just to make us happy knowing she remember us through-out a bad-tough day of being away from each other. I love Mommy Virgie Bardullas Tumangday and Jollibee!