I almost forgot that this day was also the championship of the National Cheerleading Competition for the College Division. I did not actually went to the venue which was the Ynares Stadium but I have watched it via studio 23. There were 19 teams that is labeled as the top cheering squad in the whole country. And since there is more than thousands of schools in the nation, its a privilege that a school would be part of the 19 qualifying teams.
And since the competition is cheerleading, the routine of each team would be unpredictable. Cheerleading is also prone to a lot of accidents especially to the ones who are usually tossed up in the air. This is the 5th year of the competition and my school, CCP, has won 2 championships since then and for this year, they intend to regain the championship title from University of Perpetual Help Delta.
This season of NCC is also special since the brodcast of the event can be watched on High Defenition via ABS-CBN sports. Its also my fist time to see the Ynares stadium which is a new facility and different from the Ynares Colliseum in Antipolo. Since there were 19 teams in the competition, the exhibition time is lessened to 2 minutes and a half. There is also minimal props so it would concentrate more in the movements and stunts of the teams.
The Central Colleges of the Philippines has also won an International Cheerleading Championship, held in Brisbane Austrailia. Well as a student there, I also saw how they spend long hours even in the wee hours practicing their stunts and dances, so I believe that they are worthy of the title. Of course, the other teams have their sacrifices and contributions for their respective teams. Now since all the schools are of the best in the nation, everyone in the 19 teams are awarded. Now below are the ranking of the winners of NCC 2010:
1. Central Colleges of the Philippines - Another achievement after winning internationally!
2. University of the Cordilleras - also my favorite! They have been consistent in the top 5 for these years, kudos!
3. University of Perpetual Help System Delta - they won last year.
4. De La Salle University - for this team I felt that the men were in the spotlight...something like an 'astig' feel
5. Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan - I have to admit they were better than sister school ADMU...
6. Polythechnic University of the Philippines - Taguig - A big leap of ranking this year!
7. Tarlac State University - who said Tarlac is just rice fields? its home of cool cheerleaders!
8. Rizal Technological University - they lived up to their name to be innovative
9. Ateneo de Manila University - They made sure that they set a standard of international cheerleading.
10. Jose Rizal University - the BOMBS!
11. Notre Dame of Dadiangas University - the Pride of Dadiangas! (General Santos City)
12. Palawan State University - Good job for a new commer in the NCC finals!
13. Araullao University - PHINMA - cool choreography!
14. Southern Luzon State University - not the usual cheering squad!
15. Mapua Institute of Technology － they showed that they are good in sports aside from engineering
16. Angeles University Foundation - a new team to enter the finals and has a good future
17. St. Michael's College Laguna - this school is in Binan, hey I'm from Binan too!
18. Virgins Cheerleading Squad - loved the costume!
19. Unibersidad de Maynila - I saw their team several times in various competitions and agree that they are worthy to be part of the Philippines' best cheer squad.
now here is the winning cheer from the Central Colleges of the Philippines Bobcats!
I hope to see more action and amazing stunts next year, and who knows another Cinderella story will be born in the competition. And since it covers the whole country, more people would take interest in watching this and also show support!
I know that most of you have already know the story of Alice in her adventures in a place called wonderland. But for this version, Alice is now a 19 year old lady within the Victorian society but does not seem to fit there. She fell down again in a rabbit hole to enter the world of Underland the real name of wonderland).From there she encountered talking animals and other creatures that were surreal.
Of course, there is the protagonistic Red Queen that reigns over the whole land and always on a spree of rolling heads (literally). The Knave of Hearts also as an accomplice and the army of cards. On the other hand, there is also the White Queen, a kind and pure royal with a vow not to take a life of any creature. Alice also find herself in the company of the famous characters like the Mad Hatter, March Hare and the Dorm mouse. Since the Alice for this story is a little more bigger, she have forgotten her past adventure in the same world years ago. Also she is pressured with a lot of responsibilities in Underland and also the Human world.
I really love the movie since it will impart to you very important values and realizations in life that we can really learn from.When the movie ended, I heard applause from the audience meaning that they loved it. And I am also confident you will too.
Deliberation time kids!
Movie summary in 3 lines: Alice hearts wonderdand
Technical Effects 4 out of 5 stars (Wonderland still mesmerizes me, and its cooler to see it in 3D)
Plot 4 out of 5 stars (Anything can happen in wonderland)
Popcornmeter (the rating if this movie would make you hungrier while watching) 4 out of 5 stars (I think there would be a cake in my seat that would say "EAT ME")
Acting and Actors 4 out of 5 stars (Johnny Depp, and Anne Hathaway you inspire me to do cosplay!)
DVD worthiness 5 out of 5 stars (I could not agree less!)
Sequel worthiness 5 out of 5 stars (This version has no sequel, but Its really worth a sequel or prequel!)
Overall Rating 4 out of 5 stars (and the audience even applauded after the movie)
Even if I'm not into a relationship (right now, but hopefully) I do feel that love is all around me with my family and friends as I know that the essence of love does not limit to lovers only but to all who love.
Kung Hei Fat Choi!
The year of the metal tiger has arrived, which many people are more anxious about what would be the fate of the country and the world with the time of this astronomical sign. Although I have quite a good knowledge about Chinese Astronomy, I would not make it the basis of how I would live my life in this new lunar new year. There is always hard work, patience, wisdom and goodness that will lead anyone who follow those ways to success, happiness and peace of mind.
Ash Wednesday
Its actually not a very festive celebration but more of a solemn observance of the start of Lent as many Christians would start to reflect on the life of Christ as he journeys to Jerusalem into his condemnation. It may have a gloomy feel as we draw near those days but it actually would make us reflect into ourselves upon our works as a person. Also, we must recognize that even though we came from dust, a worthless object no one would want, we were worthy to be redeemed by the blood of the Lord. Like Valentine's Day, its actually the greatest form of showing love for someone like us.
As we were smudged with ash on our foreheads, we must remember that this should be a covenant between God and us to be change for the better. A call that we usually never respond, probably pretty much pre-occupied with work, school, problems, bills and all other things that would get our attention that we fail to just stop, be silent, and listen to the voice that is calling us all of our lives.
Its been a while since I have seen a Jackie Chan movie, because his late films were into drama and less action. Now with this movie, Spy Next Door, it made me excited to see him again in a very comedic charisma and again back to cool action! You would remember Rush Hour films with this one but the thing is his sidekicks are all kids.
The plot was simple and quite generic to action or comedy films but it has good dialogues that would make you laugh. No complications, just pure, wholesome, family fun. Actually this one passed my meticulous standards with comedy and I would recommend this movie for a night out, with family or friends. Moreover, you will also forget your stresses and problems while also being charmed by kid actors.
Now, of course if there is Jackie Chan, there is kick-ass kung-fu action! Now that make this one hot. And his signature moves with appliances, vehicles, gadgets, clothing and many more would temp you to do the same. However, please don't try them at home without medical and professional supervision.
Now, the closest movie that I can compare with this one is The Tuxedo. But for this one, since he makes action with kids makes it more funnier. I loved the youngest kid named Laura (or is it Flaura...?) that makes ironic yet innocent statements that would make you fart with laughter. She is so cute that a quote that is impressed in my mind is her statement, "I don't want to be a princess anymore, I want to be a cyborg"!
Deliberation time kids!
Movie summary in 3 lines: Spies plus Kids Technical Effects 3 out of 5 stars (family movie, simple plot, yet funny lines) Plot 2 out of 5 stars (I guess you got that from your recycle bin) Popcornmeter (the rating if this movie would make you hungrier while watching) 3 out of 5 stars (Air filled my tummy while laughing) Acting and Actors 4 out of 5 stars (Kids say the darnest things!) DVD worthiness 3 out of 5 stars (They should include a parkour instruction video!) Sequel worthiness 2 out of 5 stars (no signs of future enemies, in short happy endings...) Overall Rating 3 out of 5 stars
Yes, as we see that we are now in the new decade. And one major event in January for Filipino Catholics would be the feast day of the Black Nazarene. I am actually a devotee to the Nazareno, and I started going to Quiapo since I was in High School. Since this event attracts millions, as in millions of people, I still observe being spiritual but also vigilant since there would be a lot of people taking advantage of these situations. And with the numbers, always expect that you will be squished within the density of people.
The purpose of the procession (or traslacion meaning to transfer as it re-enacts the scene that it was transferred from its original church to the parish of St. John the baptist) to witness devotees pull the float of the Nazarene as it goes around the Quiapo district. But in rare occasions like this year, the procession would start from Luneta (or Bagumbayan) to Quiapo church. And for more than 400 years it has been a very long traditions that grew up and also transferred from generation to generation.
One sad thing though amidst the spiritual experience as one would come near the statue of the Nazarene are very perilous and fatal risks in even getting close to it. There would be a lot of incidents of being trampled by the crowd, hurting your feet, unable to breathe within the swarm of people, and even falling head on the street. And yet, the parish church officials never fail to remind people to be more careful and be patient to avoid these mishaps. Fatalities would be expected as well as the injured people. It would also a long time before there will be practically zero deaths and injuries. Though its unknown that they did it because of inspiration, or plain too dependent of the miracles that the Nazareno will bring.
However, the spiritual fruits for other people (including me) has been very inspiring and uplifting. You would also hear and read a lot of stories of faith and thanksgiving to the Poon that serves as the living proof of the great influence of the Nazarene to the Filipinos.. Because of its popularity, there are also processions in Cagayan de Oro City and Bataan, however the intensity in Manila is greater.
For this year's feast, It was literally a sea of people even at the wee hours of midnight as devotees still pour to Luneta park. Some made tents or placed mats to sit on or sleep, while some lined for hours just to have a few seconds holding the statue of the Nazarene. Actually me and my mother was one of them and patiently waited as the line moved but as the line is getting longer the possibility of getting to the Poon would be impossible. Then the line just collapse as there were announcement that it needs to be cut off due to the program. As we heard mass led by the Cardinal, the excitement as the procession would start. And it took some hours just to move it very slowly and leaves the perimeter of Rizal Park.
Sad thing though that garbage would be visible as the crowd focuses on the procession and leaves the park, but luckily there were volunteers who cleaned the mess but it would be better that as true devotees we also learn to respect and preserve nature since its also a gift from us. But overall, still amidst all the inconveniences and tiring experience, I still feel that there was a wonderful grace that I felt even I have not walk bare footed nor hold the rope. It was an assurance that faith would take us to new heights and inspire us to challenge ourselves.
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