Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Bye 2010s

Another decade has passed!

 The 2010s have been defined as me a working adult, facing life's challenges. Growing up and maturing. Realizing of the things I've missed out, missed expectations on life goals, general disappoinments! The latter half of this decade have been quite frustrating as shown on this blog! I started decade having this blog as a repository of pop culture interests and eventually became the place where I scream all my angst in life! But it has been very helpful at least.
 It freaks me out that I'm 32, a full-pledged adult. I sometimes I don't feel like one, sometimes I do. It has been a generally OK year to year if I'll be honest. A lot of challenges. Thankfully, I surpassed all of them. The latter half of the decade I truly felt how time is changing and saying goodbye to the ones that became a part of my life. Look back sometimes but always move forward,

2020s bring it on!

My 10 Favorite Movies of 2019

Another year of seeing fewer movies than I want to. Movies are just expensive! Anyway, my top 10 is again limited to what I just saw and it's really a slim selection😂


1. Quezon's Game

It's a fascinating look of a part of our history that seems have been forgotten. I never knew about this story until I've seen this film. This is a low budget but you won't feel, they maximized their resources to the full effect. Truly excellent.




2. Parasite
Thrilling with a great message of about inequality. Best seen with out any knowledge about it for full maximum surprise effect!


3. Toy Story 4

They did it again! Pixar once again formed a story with these lovable toys that resembles the journey of a real person in life. The theme about moving on to the next chapter of your life is someone will strongly feel connected to.




4. Edward
This film tells a whimsical story of a coming-of-age of a young teen boy in the midst of the seriously depressing world of public hospitals in the country. It has its whimsical charm despite the tragic stetting the character lives on. Very affecting film.



5. Alone/Together
I totally loved Tin's character journey here and how her idealism in her youth was crushed upon entering the real world. The circumstances leading to that felt a little contrived but the film totally got the feeling of disillusionment a young adult feels upon facing that being idealistic is so hard




6. Marriage Story 

This film perfectly captured how a strained relationship feels like and the conflict of doing what you heart desires vs what is practical. Excellent script and acting




7. Frozen II

A worthy follow up to the 2013 classic. While I feel the main storyline needed tightening, the powerful songs in the third act more than makes up for it. Show Yourself sequence alone is worth the ticket admission



8. Aladdin
This is so much better than initial promo suggested. I felt the production designed needed more oomph but this was such a fun remake. Will Smith's Friend Like Me is fantastic and A Whole New World still gave me goose bumps! The new song Speechless is simply divine as the re-imagining of Princess Jasmine in this live-adaptation works well




9. How to Train Your Dragon: Hidden World

The villain was a little weak but still the conclusion to this series ended on a perfect way as we see Hiccup and Toothless face the future as they follow their journey. Emotional finish but well-earned.




10. Hello, Love, Goodbye

A poignant look of the life of an OFW and how the idea of relationships in a temporary world could work (or not). I especially like how it ended, that sometimes you have to choose yourself and your dreams.




Favorites from the past years:



Monday, December 30, 2019

My 10 Favorite Comedy TV Series Episodes of 2019

Here is my annual rundown of my favorite episodes of the sitcoms/comedy programs I watched this year. Like in previous years for variety purposes I just chose one episode per show. Check out my top 10 lists over the years:  201820172016201520142013,2012


1. Speechless Season 3, Episode 22 "U-n-r-Unrealistic"
The de-facto series finale of this wonderful sweet show had heartwarming showcase of the human spirit. Sometimes all you need is to believe that even the unrealistic could be conquered.

2. The Conners Season 2, Episode 7 "Slappy Holidays"
This episode had the perfect balance of capturing real life tension between family members without losing its comedy side. The confronation between Darlene and Jackie is such a TV moment that left me gasping. It felt so real.

3. Fleabag Season 2, Episode 6
I jumped the bandwagon with this show's insane hype this year and it lived up to it. The (series) finale totally embodies why this show captured the hearts of many people, a comedic take of things not going your way but hey life goes on. Fleabag represented a lot of us with a messy side but hopeful of the life ahead.

4. Young Sheldon Season 3, Episode 5 "A Pineapple and the Bosom of Male Friendship"
This episode left a mark on me because of a seemingly stray comment made by supporting character Dr. Sturgis referring to himself as "damaged goods". It's self-depreciating made with so much earnestness and touch of heartbreak. This show is underrated because it's such a good and heartfelt coming of age sitcom a kid with peculiar mindset.

5. Superstore Season 4, Episode 22 "Employee Appreciation Day"
This episode was thrilling, funny with a shocking end. The race to hide Mateo was so expertly executed and the final scenes will leave you in shock. I also appreciate how the show portrays the life of a regular worker and the complicated corporate world.

6. The Big Bang Theory Season 12, Episode 24 "Stockholm Syndrome"
The series finale of this 12-year old series was so sweet and true to itself. Ending it with Sheldon's speech appreciating his friends for all the years they have loved and cared for him in their special ways.

7. The Good Place Season 3, Episode 11 "The Book of Doughs"
I love how this dug deep into a person's character, that doing what's wrong and right is not all the time sometime you can judge in black and white. There's always a grey because life is so complicated

8. Mom Season 7, Episode 10 "Higgledy-Piggledy and a Cat Show"
The show rarely does holiday-themed episodes unlike other sitcoms so the fact that they made one this year piqued my interest quickly. This episode knocked it out of the park! Funny, heartbreaking and heartwarming. It was also good to see how far Bonnie and Christy have come.

9. Bob's Burgers Season 10 Episode 5, "Legends of the Mall"
This wonderful animated family comedy is always and the current season is an embarassment of riches. I ultimately picked this episode because of the subplot of Bob finding it hard to buy pants on his own. The episode also captured the charm of a mall to a kid which I could relate to a lot.

10. Kim's Convenience Season 3 Episode 8, "To Him It May Concern"
This sitcom I just discovered this year on Netflix and binged all three seasons. Of the episodes that their aired this year, I picked this one because it's funny but insightful look of the life of a migrant through the use of their adopted language "English". It shows that even if years have passed living in a foreign land, there are moments when you realized you are still an outsider and it's okay.

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

My Hot 100 of the 2010s (2010-2019)


1. Dati - Sam Concepcion and Tippy Dos Santos feat Quest (2013)
2. Just The Way You Are - Bruno Mars (2010)
3. Closer - The Chainsmokers feat Halsey  (2016)
4. Rolling in the Deep - Adele (2011)
5. Maybe The Night - Ben & Ben (2018)
6. Perfect - Ed Sheeran (2017)
7. Lost Stars – Adam Levine (2014)
8. Somebody That I Used to Know - Gotye feat Kimbra (2012)
9. Shut Up and Dance - Walk The Moon (2015)
10.  Lover - Taylor Swift (2019)

11. Moves Like Jagger - Maroon Five feat Christina Aguilera (2011)
12. Buwan - Juan Karlos (2018)
13. Uptown Funk - Marc Ronson feat Bruno Mars (2015)
14. Teenage Dream - Katy Perry (2010)
15. Some Nights - fun.   (2012)
16. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran (2014)
17. Remember Me - Coco cast (2017)
18. Versace on the Floor - Bruno Mars (2016)
19. Ikot Ikot - Sarah Geronimo (2013)
20.  Someone You Loved - Lewis Capaldi (2019)

21. Walang Natira - Gloc 9 feat Sheng Belmonte (2011)
22. Just Give Me a Reason - Pink feat Nate Ruess (2013)
23. Love The Way You Lie - Eminem feat Rihanna (2010)
24. Secret Love Song - Little Mix feat Jason DeRulo (2016)
25. Dahil Sa'Yo - Inigo Pascual (2017) 
26. All of Me – John Legend (2014)
27. Gangnam Style – PSY (2012)
28. Pumped Up Kicks - Foster The People (2011)
29. Mundo - IV of Spades (2018)
30.  Cake By The Ocean - DNCE (2015)

31. Hello - Adele (2015)
32. Shape of You - Ed Sheeran (2017)
33. Hey, Soul Sister - Train (2010)
34. Rude – MAGIC!  (2014)
35. Falling In - Lifehouse (2011)
36. Let It Go - Idina Menzel (2013)
37. When We We're Young - Adele  (2015)
38. Sila - Sud (2016)
39. The Greatest Show - The Greatest Showman Ensemble (2018)
40.  Tala - Sarah Geronimo (2016)

41. Shake It Out - Florence + The Machine (2012)
42. Sana - I Belong to the Zoo (2018)
43.Say You Won't Let Go - James Arthur (2016)
44. Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen  (2012)
45. Stay With Me – Sam Smith (2014)
46. That's What I Like - Bruno Mars (2017)
47. Love Yourself - Justin Bieber (2015)
48.  Mahal Ko o Mahal Ako – KZ Tandingan (2014)
49. Clarity - Zedd feat Foxes (2013)
50.  Kung 'Di Rin Lang Ikaw  - December Avenue feat. Moira Dela Torre (2018)

51. Triangulo - Thyro & Yumi feat Jeric Medina (2015)
52. Kilometro – Sarah Geronimo (2014)
53. Never Enough - Loren Allred (2018)
54. Someone Like You - Adele (2011)
55.  Love Me Like You Do- Ellie Goulding (2015)
56. Hangover - Sugarfree (2010)
57. It's Time - Imagine Dragons (2012)
58.  Di Lang Ikaw - Juris (2010)
59. Counting Stars - One Republic (2013)
60. Sa’yo – Silent Sanctuary (2014)

61. Shake It Off – Taylor Swift (2014)
62. Airplanes - B.o.B feat Hayley Williams (2010)
63. Payphone - Maroon Five feat Wiz Khalifa (2012)
64. Stressed Out - Twenty One Pilots (2016)
65. Bang Bang - Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj and Jessie J (2014)
66. Royals - Lorde (2013)
67. High Hopes - Panic! at the Disco (2018)
68. Ikaw – Yeng Constantino (2014)
69.  In The Name of  Love - Martin Garrix feat Bebe Rexha  (2016)
70. Thunder - Imagine Dragons (2017)

71, Sugar - Maroon Five (2015)
72. Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke feat Pharell & T.I (2013
73. Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO feat. Lauren Bennett and GoonRock (2011)
74. She's So Mean - Matchbox Twenty (2012)
75. Sidekick - Dawin (2017)
76, Rumour Has It - Adele (2011)
77. Pyramid - Charice feat Iyaz (2010)
78. Happy- Pharell Williams (2013)
79. Hotline Bling - Drake (2015)
80. Price Tag - Jessie J feat B.o.B (2011)

81. Buko - Jireh Lim (2013)
82. She's Kinda Hot - 5 Seconds of Summer (2015)
83. Love Runs Out – One Republic (2014)
84. Between the Raindrops - Lifehouse feat Natasha Bedingfield (2012)
85. Circles - Post Malone (2019)
86. Nothing - The Script (2010)
87. Mirrors - Justin Timberlake (2013)
88. Pagtingin - Ben & Ben (2019)
89. It Will Rain - Bruno Mars (2011)
90. Girls - 1975 (2014)

91. 20 / 20 - Pupil (2011)
92. Bad Guy - Billie Eilish (2019)
93. Hurricane - Lifehouse (2015)
94. Kahit Ayaw Mo Na - This Band (2018)
95. Rhythm of Love - Plain White Ts (2010)
96.  If You Ever Change Your Mind - Marion Aunor (2013)
97. Where My Love Goes - Lawson (2016)
98. I Won't Give Up - Jason Mraz (2012)
99. Heavy - Linkin Park feat Kiarra (2017)
100. Somebody To You – The Vamps feat Demi Lovato (2014)



My Hot 100 for 2019

My favorite songs of the year!

1. Lover - Taylor Swift
2. Someone You Loved - Lewis Capaldi
3. Circles - Post Malone
4. Pagtingin - Ben & Ben
5. Bad Guy - Billie Eilish
6. Hindi na Nga - This Band
7. Ikaw at Linggo - Eamarie Gilayo
8. I Love It - Rob Thomas
9. Speechless - Naomi Scott
10. Blow - Ed Sheeran feat Bruno Mars & Chris Stapleton

11. Bulong - December Avenue
12. ME! - Taylor Swift feat Brendon Urie
13. Walk Me Home - Pink
14. Sunflower - Post Malone & Swae Lee
15. Here With Me - Marshmello feat CHVRCHES
16. Raise Your Flag - KZ Tandingan feat Kritiko
17. Truth Hurts - Lizzo
18. Balang Araw - I Belong to the Zoo
19. Dulo ng Hangganan - IV of Spades
20. Kahit Na Anong Sabihin ng Iba - Unit 406

21. Wow - Post Malone
22. I Don't Care - Ed Sheeran feat Justin Bieber
23. Memories - Maroon Five
24. Dancing with the Stranger - Sam Smith feat Normani
25. Goodbyes - Post Malone feat Young Thug
26. Ex - Callalily feat Yeng Constantino
27. Beautiful People - Ed Sheeran feat Khalid
28. Di Ba Halata - Agsunta
29. I'm So Tired - Lauv & Troye Sivan
30. Call You Mine - The Chainsmokers feat Bebe Rexha

31. Please Me - Cardi B & Bruno Mars
32. Timebomb - Walk The Moon
33. Talk - Khalid
34. A Whole New World - Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott
35. Di Na Babalik - This Band
36. Patawad, Paalam - Moira De La Torre and I Belong to the Zoo
37. Nagbabalik - Rico Blanco and IV of Spades
38. Ikaw at Ako - Moira Dela Torre & Jason Marvin
39. Lie to Me - 5 Seconds of Summer feat Julia Michaels
40. Bad Liar - Imagine Dragons

41. Timeless - Rob Thomas
42. Paalam - Moira Dela Torre and Ben&Ben
43. Dahan - December Avenue
44. Simula ng Dulo - Davey Langit
45. Sweet But Psycho - Ava Max
46. Into the Unknown - Idina Menzel and Aurora
47. Senorita - Shawn Mendes and Camilla Cabello
48. Slow Dance - AJ Mitchell feat Ava Max
49. Lost in the Woods - Jonathan Groff
50. Trip a Little Light Fantastic - Lin-Manuel Miranda

51.  Before it Sinks In - Moira Dela Torre
52. Masyado Pang Maaga - Ben&Ben
53. A Cover is Not a Book - Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda
54. Branches - Ben&Ben
55. You Need to Calm Down - Taylor Swift
56. Hey Look Ma, I Made It - Panic at the Disco
57. One Less Day (Dying Young) - Rob Thomas
58.  How Do You Sleep - Sam Smith
59. Take That Man - IV of Spades
60. Show Yourself - Idina Menzel

61. Lost in the Middle of Nowhere - Kane Brown feat Becky G
62. F*** I'm Lonely - Lauv and Anne-Marie
63. Araw Araw - Ben&Ben
64. Con Calma (Remix) - Daddy Yankee feat Katy Perry
65. Hello My Love - Westlife
66. Never Really Over - Katy Perry
67. Old Town Road (remix) - Lil Nas X feat Billy Ray Cyrus
68. Di Ka Mahirap Mahalin - Silent Sanctuary
69. Mabagal -  Moira Dela Torre and Daniel Padilla
70. Where I Belong - Simple Plan, State Champs, We The Kings

71. Motivation - Normani
72, Talk of the Town - Andy Brown
73. Stay Around - American Authors
74. If I Can't Have You - Shawn Mendes
75. Who Do You Love - The Chainsmokers and 5 Seconds of Summer
76. Pauwi Na Ko - PDL, Skusta Clee et al
77. Hanggang Dulo - Paraluman
78. Better Man - Westlife
79. Juice - Lizzo
80. Love Me Anyway - Pink feat Chris Stapleton

81. Alaala - Alekzandra
82. Sucker - Jonas Brothers
83. One Thing Right - Marshmello feat Kane Brown
84. Kills You Slowly - The Chainsmokers
85.  So Am I - Ava Max
86. 7 Rings - Ariana Grande
87. Carry Me Away - John Mayer
88. Ano Bang Meron - Rayt Carreon
89. Good As Hell - Lizzo
90. Pangarap Kong Pangarap Mo - Zephanie

91. Lose You to Love Me - Selena Gomez
92. Boy with Luv - BTS feat Halsey
93. Pag-ibig Fortune Cookie - MNL48
94. Harder - Jax Jones feat Bebe Rexha
95. Kill This Love - Blackpink
96. 3 Nights - Dominic Finke
97. Christmas Tree Farm - Taylor Swift
98. Dance Monkey - Tones and I
99. 10,000 Hours - Dan & Shay feat Justin Bieber
100. The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy - Chris Stapleton

***


Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Believe

One of my favorite modern Christmas songs. It just speaks to me on a deeper level now that I'm an adult.

In just a few hours, it's Christmas. It just not the same but you know I'm thankful because despite my general feeling of negativity the past few years, I still get to spend Christmas with my family who are all healthy and away from harm. I feel so ungrateful at times when I feel so resentful about certain aspects of my life but times like this, it does give me a reminder of what I have and how I should cherish the moment,