My 10 Favorite TV Comedy Episodes and My 5 Favorite Movies of 2021

  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: 2020,2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013,2012

1. Superstore Season 6 Episode 15 "All Sales Final" 

The series wraps up in such a beautiful moment for the Cloud 9 crew and represents how this show captured the joy and pain of being part of the working class. 

2. Only Murders in the Building Season 1 Episode 10 "Open and Shut"

The season finale of this wonderful comedy mystery featured a top performance from Steve Martin reminding us how a great and charming comedian he is. 

3. Hacks Season 1 Episode 8 "1.69 million"

Jean Smart's knockout performance in the standup comedy routine where she confronted a chauvinist is  an all time great. She makes this show so good.

4. Mom Season 8 Episode 18 "My Kinda People and the Big To-Do"

One of the heartbreaking cancellations for me this year, despite the short notice the show was able to do the best series finale they can under the circumstance with a funny and heartfelt final share of Bonnie. 

5. Ted Lasso Season 2 Episode 4 "Carol of the Bells"

I've been longing for a good Christmas TV episode and this show gave me that. It was cheerful, positive but also not too saccharine, just the perfect merry blend

6. What We Do in the Shadows Season 2 Episode 8 "The Wellness Center"

This episode is a terrific showcase of the talented cast and how this nails mixing the dark humor with traditional comedy. 

7. Ghosts Season 1 Episode 6 "Pete's Wife"

You know a new show is clicking when 6 episodes in you already feel like you've been watching for many seasons and know the characters for so long. This episode in particular had a great balance of laugh out loud moments and tender heartfelt moment

8. Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 8 Episode 9-10 "The Last Day"

The series wraps up with one final heist game that's crazy fun with the clever and funny twists and turn and ended up with a showcase of how awesome this ensemble is

9. Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist Season 2 Episode 13 "Zoey's Ex

Another show that got canceled this year but was still able to pull off a very solid finale that left the characters in a good  place although the show did get a wrap up holiday movie

10. Bob Hearts Abishola Season 3 Episode 2  "Bowango" 

The wedding episode was such a vibrant display of the Nigerian culture with a very earnest intentions that makes this underrated show such a gem. 

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My Five Favorite Movies of 2021

5. The Mitchells vs The Machines

A good tale of how our dependence to digital world could hurt us by interrupting communication lines on  a personal intimate level. 

4. Luca

A simple story of  friendship and self-identity with a heartfelt take on finding one's self. 

3. Encanto

A rare mainstream animated movie that didn't go full action adventure but the entire conflict was just inside the house both physically and emotional level. The songs were so fun too especially the jam  "We Don't Talk About Bruno"

2. Raya and The Last Dragon

The main mythology needed more time to be fleshed but the animation is just on another level and so breathtaking. The message about community conflict and misunderstanding also resonates in this polarizing world.

1. CODA

I'm not a Child of Deaf Adults but I definitely could to the lead character's conflict of being in between family responsibilities  and the desire to design one of own's path. 

Favorites from the past years:

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015
2014
2013
2012
2011

My Hot 100 for 2021

My favorite songs for 2021

1. Happier Than Ever - Billie Eilish

2.  Leave The Door Open - Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson Paak)

3. Brutal - Olivia Rodrigo

4. Elyu - Ben&Ben

5. Easy On Me - Adele

6. Drivers License - Olivia Rodrigo

7. Cut & Run - Lifehouse

8. All Too Well (10 Minute Version) - Taylor Swift

9. Binibini - Zack Tabudio 

10. MAPA (Band Version) - SB19 & Ben & Ben

11. good 4 u - Olivia Rodrigo

12. Save Your Tears - The Weeknd & Ariana Grande 

13. Upuan - Ben&Ben

14. Bad Habits - Ed Sheeran

15. Heartbreak Anniversary - Giveon

16. papercuts - Machine Gun Kelly

17. Lunod - Ben&Ben feat Zild and Juan Karlos

18. Levitating (remix) - Dua Lipa feat DaBaby

19. Treat People With Kindness - Harry Styles

20. Damage - H.E.R

21. Kiss Me More - Doja Cat & SZA

22. Traitor - Olivia Rodrigo

23. Gabay - KZ Tandingan

24. Pasalubong - Ben&Ben and Moira Dela Torre

25. Shivers - Ed Sheeran

26. Magpahinga - Ben&Ben

27. Nangangamba - Zack Tabudio

28.  Oxytocin - Billie Eilish

29. Sabel - Ben&Ben and KZ Tandingan

30. Kapangyarihan - Ben&Ben and SB19

31. Skate - Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson Paak)

32. deja vu - Olivia Rodrigo

33. Meet Me At Our Spot - The Anxiety, Willow, Tyler Cole 

34. Swimming Pool - Ben&Ben and Chito Miranda

35. Marupok - KZ Tandingan

36. Kahit Kunwari Man Lang - Agsunta and Moira Dela Torre

37. To Be Loved - Adele

38. Kasayaw - Ben&Ben

39. Beautiful Mistakes - Maroon Five feat Megan Thee Stallion

40. My Universe - Coldplay and BTS

41. Dumaloy - SUD 

42. Peaches - Justin Bieber, Daniel Ceasar and Giveon

43. Till Forever Falls Apart - Ashe and Finneas

44. Hate You + Love You - Cheat Codes and AJ Mitchell

45. Maligaya Ang Buhay - Inigo Pascual

46. Our Song - Anne Marie and Niall Horan

47. Cold Heart (PNAU Remix) -  Elton John and Dua Lipa

48. He's Into Her - BGYO 

49. Anyone - Justin Bieber 

50. Follow You - Imagine Dragons 

51. Heartbreak Anthem - Little Mix and David Guetta

52. Andito Tayo Para Sa Isa't Isa - Various Artists 

53. Waving Through a Window - Ben Platt 

54. Cover Me in Sunshine - Pink and Willow Sage Heart

55. Love Again - Dua Lipa

56. Kulang ang Mundo - Sam Mangubat

57. Ibang Planeta - Zild

58. We're Good - Dua Lipa

59. Permission to Dance - BTS 

60. What a Life -Scarlet Pleasure

61. Sugat - Ben&Ben and Munimuni

62. Agatha All Along - Kathryn Hahn

63. Ilang Tulog Na Lang - Ben&Ben

64. Run - One Republic

65. Kayumanggi - Ben&Ben

66. Come Through - H.E.R and Chris Brown

67. Visiting Hours - Ed Sheeran 

68. Bang! - AJR

69. Leave Before You Love Me - Marshmello and Jonas Brothers

70. Take My Breath - The Weeknd

71. Piece of the Puzzle - Trisha Denise

72. Inevitable - Ben&Ben

73. We Don't Talk About Bruno - Encanto cast

74. Tabi Tabi Po - JMKO

75. Me Niego - Reik, Ozuna, Wisin

76. Monsters - All Time Low and blackbear

77. Willow - Taylor Swift

78. Here's Your Perfect - Jamie Miller

79. Shy Away - Twenty One Pilots

80. Girls5eva - Girls5Eva Cast

81. Stay - The Kid Laroi & Justin Bieber

82. Tinadhana Sa'Yo - Zephanie

83. Ako Naman Muna - Angela Ken

84. Don't Go Yet - Camilla Cabello

85. Lead The Way - Jhene Aiko

86. Sigurado  - Belle Mariano

87. Bazinga - SB19

88. Smokin Out the Window - Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson Paak)

89. Pahina - Kiss N Tell

90. The Light - BGYO

91. Ang Hirap Maging Mahirap - Davey Langit feat Kritiko

92. Overpass Graffitti - Ed Sheeran

93. One Right Now - Post Malone and The Weeknd

94. Husavik - Will Ferrell and Molly Sandén

95. Transparent Soul - Willow and Travis Barker

96. Todo De Ti - Rauw Alejandro

97. Asi Me Gustas - Pau y Davo feat Diego Bollela

98. Shot in the Dark - John Mayer

99. Your Power - Billie Eilish

100. Paraluman - Adie

My Hot 100 for 2020

My Hot 100 for 2019

My Hot 100 for 2018

My Hot 100 for 2017

My Hot 100 for 2016

My Hot 100 for 2015

My Hot 100 for 2014

 My Hot 100 for 2013

My Hot 100 for 2012 
My Hot 100 for 2011
My Hot 100 for 2010
My Hot 100 for 2009  
My Hot 100 for 2008
My Hot 100 for 2007

Tempted

 So today I resisted to do something I used to do pre-pandemic because first it will cost money and second time constraints! I really wanted to do it for relaxation but as always my rational side always wins out. It was the last working day of the year and I wanted to celebrate surviving by giving myself  treat, a frivolous one. Maybe next year I can do it? The thought of it excites me but then again covid cases are rising again. I'm pretty sure omnicron variant has spread here already so I got to be cautious too. There's just a lot of things I need to consider before doing that frivolous thing really. So much complications for such matter that's basically insignificant 

Installed

 So I was supposed to work at the office today but the new cable/fiber Internet bundle provider I applied for last month finally contacted me yesterday to inform of the schedule of the installation today. I tried to re-schedule it on Dec. 30, a holiday, but they have no work on that day so I adjusted my schedule to accommodate them because I have to be here as my parents and nephew will not know how this works out. They texted a schedule within 8AM-4PM but it was nearing 4PM and they haven't arrived so I had a little meltdown (but still respectful) towards their customer service because they tried to moved my schedule to tomorrow morning which isn't possible for me because I NEED to go to the office tomorrow, I was thisclose to cancelling it and have my reservation fee refunded but my pushback forced them to still come to our house even if it was 5PM already. They are a new service in town so they better make up for this delay. Anyway, I'm now using the Internet service and so far so good. The cable service looks better with better channel lineup and video reception for some channels that had never ending issues with our current and soon to be former cable provider. Now that's next on my agenda  is to cancel that cable subscription. Good thing we are on old subscriber predating the acquisition from a bigger company that had lock-in periods (mainly because of the Internet service which the old cable company didn't have). Hopefully, that disconnection service won't be a hassle!

Knocks

 I'm struggling with my pessimism lately. Of course, I keep it to myself because I don't want to be that person I don't like dealing with, a person full of negativity. I'm deeply worried about one aspect of my life and in lull moments I think of what would I do if the nightmare I'm imagining actually happens. I knock on wood furiously each time my mind crosses that. It's a superstition I got from my family where if you do that you could stop something bad from happening but to be honest it has become a mechanism for me to stop myself from going even deeper with negative thoughts. It ain't easy to be in constant fear and the past two years didn't help things further. It's quite a miracle I'm standing tall as it is. Oh Lord please don't let these nightmares' I have from happening. I'm begging you.

Turn Around

 So Christmas started rough and stressful  but thankfully it got betteras the day went on. Nanay even if she stayed inside the van for the whole day for precaution enjoyed the basic roadtrip we had because she was outside the house and not in a clinic for the first time in months. We dropped by two malls to buy food - Market Market and Powerplant Mall, we chose to go there because the parking will be easier as there won;t be huge crowds which we were right. Nanay wanted to see the light show in MOA but the crowd in MOA was insane. There were no parking and so many people it's not safe so we just decided to go home so we can rest early too.

Thank you Lord that our Christmas was solid. My Christmas wish is the same as my birthday wish this year. Good health for my family especially my parents, I want more Christmas spent with them in good health condition

Spoiledmas

 Officially Christmas but sadly our mood was spoiled due to unnecessary drama. We ate early so most of the family members are asleep now. It's for the best at this time. Peace and calm. There are plans today that I hope will turn things around or at the very not give additional stress. I hope that one will not ruin the mood later and maybe realize the aftermath of that truly selfish action. Please that would be the gift I want for this Christmas - peace of mind even for just today.

Eve of Resentment

I'm so exhausted, I know my role on this day is bigger now but on top of that others just chose to add more stress because of pure nonsense. If we learn to let go of things and focus on what matters we can avoid stressful situations but no others chose to pamper their ego and make more things harder than it already is I won't be merry tonight and maybe even tomorrow. 

Doors Closed

 Today we found the clinic my mother has been going to for diabets management since the pandemic started has closed down permanently. There were warning signs with them cutting out lab services then all the doctors who checked up my mother left. This week is supposed to be her every 3 month checkup after doing her lab results and the doctor then said we should just come after Christmas for the checkup. I went to the clinic earlier to ask for the doctor's availability so I was shocked when I found it out closed down. Too bad I love their services so much and really took care of my mother well. We will now go back to her old clinic/doctor which was her original one but they closed down during the height of the pandemic so we had to find a new one and we landed in Family Doc clinic and we've been very satisfied. Too bad their next closest open clinic is still so far! Oh well, maybe a pandemic casualty? Another one. Hay.

Three Two

 So today I received something unexpected! It was for something I worked on a couple months ago and now seeing the fruit of that labor! I didn't know I will receive it today so it was a nice surprise! I immediately placed that blessings on a safety net. This inspired me to push myself more next year and let my inhibitions go. Maybe it's not yet late.  Hopefully. 

A10S

 I was planning to buy a new phone because my Alcatel smartphone is nearly 7 years old with battery issues and well its 4GB storage is you know so outdated and I need more internal storage because of the essential apps I'm using like GCash, Paymaya and the Smart/Globe apps! But my sister handed me her old phone because she got a new one as part of renewing her postpaid plan! Great and definitely saves me money. I'm now acquainting myself with this Samsung phone and honestly because I'm so used to my outdated smartphone, I'm a little lost now! But I'll get used to this of course and it's necessary to have a more current smartphone in this era

But I still have a keypad phone as backup with an old SIM I've had since college!

Struggles

One thing that deeply bothered me from the accounts of Typhoon Odette victims is the current struggle to get clean drinking water. Due to the power shutdown, many water refilling stations can't operate and so bottled water supply quickly ran out. It is quite jarring to find out how big a problem this is. A country surrounded with water and natural resources struggling to get clean water supply. I feel so much for the people struggling right now.

And this happening with Christmas happening this week. I can't imagine how the people affected right now are dealing with this crisis in a season that's supposed to be happy.

Odette

 It's just today that I realized how Typhoon Odette left such big lasting damage in Visayas and Mindanao. Somehow I feel like we were all caught off guard by how disastrous this would be?  I don't know if it just me but I felt news coverage felt lacking too?  Or maybe because I'm here in Mega Manila which was not directly affected. I've seen a lot of outcry due to problems in cellphone signal and lack of basic necessities life safe drinking water. We have relatives in Bohol who got affected too with big damages in their houses and some still unreachable;. I reached out to a friend based in Cebu but no response on my message. I hope he and his family are safe. 

Treat

 I don't get to do it often because funds are limited and allocated already to essentials so I felt really happy I was able to treat my family with my 13th month. It was just simple, chicken, liempo, pancit and donuts I bought from stores here. Despite all my frustrations and anxiety, I can still find joy in simple things and give my mind a break from endless worries. 

One Step Back

My nephew had his first dose of Pfizer anti COVID19 vaccine today! He will have his second dose in early January. I'm glad he finally got one because just in case they'll finally return to face-to-face classes sometime next year, we will be more at ease. He definitely wants to return to the actual school because online school just isn't the same and admittedly he gets attracted to it because the temptation to play games on the side while having classes is just there! Also, he is a young teenager now and it's quite a crucial time too and I do think having interaction with fellow teens in person is essential in shaping up his personality too. Hopefully, all things will be better by next year. Please Lord let this new variant be something that can't be controlled easily by vaccines. 

Season's Bits

 My nephew had a "virtual" Christmas party today. He participated via Microsoft Teams and even had a presentation to him dancing All I Want For Christmas is You in Santa Claus. I know he hated it now that he's 13 but he's cooperative as always. I picked up his exchanged gift at school. Hopefully, next year he can have real Christmas party with his classmates. 

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My siblings had Christmas grocery from their bosses! It's a nice touch and save us from buying such stuff like spaghetti, ham, fruit cocktail!

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Received my 13th month today, yehey! Last year it got delayed to January this year which was a bummer but understandable given how financially hard it was. I had my expectation low this year and prepared myself if it will be delayed again especially that our company is still not in top form given the retrenchment last month. So it coming today is a pleasant surprise. Thank you Lord!

Tow

To save money, I've tried commuting to work via jeep and bus again just like in the pre-pandemic times. Not everyday though because riding the van is just more convenient especially going home but I need to save up money. The bus to Ayala from Alabang has changed now notably that for the fare a card must be used. I'm fine with that since the card is free anyway. Earlier though I chose to ride an ordinary bus *no aircon*  to save more money but bad timing the bus broke down in the middle of the expressway with no options for us commuters but just wait for the tow service to get the bus to a place where we can ride a bus to Ayala. It took over an hour before I got to the office because of that incident! But since I leave home earlier than most people, I still got in before 8AM but I could have been there by 6:30AM! And this day was quite hectic for me with lots of task to finish but I made it through thank goodness. 

And that's it.

 Today was the last shot for me to open that window of something I really wanted to do but ultimately I chose to close it because it's just not practical for me to pursue it. It's not really a big life changing matter but it's a small thing that could have brought me temporary happiness. I knew I made right choice because I acted rationally and not on impulse but still I can't  help but feel sad that a small matter like this is like a big decision for me due to my life's limitations and the pursuit of convenience. 

Breach

 So there's this massive hack with BDO that led to a lot of people transferring money to a Union Back account with "nagoyo" as a surname! This is quite scary because you would think the biggest bank in the country will have the tightest security! I have had my savings there since I was a teen because they are the biggest so confidence is high. I've checked my payroll and savings account and thankfully not part of those who got victimized. I guess it helped that I don't do online banking because I'm generally a paranoid person. And yeah this incident will not help things further

Ajar

 So my brother has this possible new job opportunity from his wedding godmother and Tatay's former co-worker. This should be a no-brainer given that his current company is having financial troubles, delayed salaries and such. But I know he is having second thoughts because he is loyal to his bosses and has a personal relationship with them. He might feel that he is gonna offend by jumping ship in time of a crisis. I wish he could be practical especially since he is married now but with no kids yet but what if it finally happens? I do understand him and somehow I could relate to. I wish we are more like other people that are tough when it comes to decisions like this and make the leap. Too much emotional factor clouding our judgments to be honest. Lord please guide my brother. 

Hethler

 A friend whom I met on Pinoyexchange passed away yesterday. His name is Hethler and was initially a poster of the Anime forum then the ABS-CBN thread and also International TV and Movies. He eventually became a moderator and hosted a couple of games too. He would given generous prizes personally. I met him personally a couple of times and he is such a pleasant and nice guy. I don't know the details on the cause of death but last month he poste that he hospitalized and discharged after 17 days. I wished I asked how he was when I had chance. We haven't been in touch for quite awhile  and I regret that. Rest in Peace Hethler, may God bless your soul. 

Yeah, Nope.

 The plan that was supposedly spoiled last night actually didn't push through because of my choice too. I was just reminded that what I was planning to do is not practical at this point in my life. Yeah, it sucks but I need to be level-headed about it. Again, this so-called is not really a big deal in the grand scheme of things, it was something frivolous even but it would have brought me some joy. I felt I deserved it too but I was not gonna enjoy it anyway with all the other factors that would bug me anyway. I hope I can find a time where I can do that plan again. 

Can't Say No!

I planned something again tomorrow which a part of it are spoiled already because well circumstance where a decision was made without consulting you first and then lays it to you which catches you off guard. It's not a big deal to be honest but I can't help but get annoyed! Small issues that I just keep it to myself to prevent unnecessary stress. 

Preview

So a political motorcade today scares me because there was this viral clip of supporters being so obnoxious to a media institution and there's this political ally loudly proclaiming they have shut that company down and a reason for that they should be voted to higher power. And there were cheers from the crowd. Is this how gonna be the country's future be like? Just as I thought that what happened during this pandemic will be a wake up call, it feels like they felt more emboldened. I am scared of the future. I feel so hopeless. 

Adjust

 I had some plans for tomorrow that got averted because I need to adjust for certain family needs. Not gonna lie it's a bit of a bummer but I know deep in my heart this is the right and responsible thing to do.  I do hate feeling this way - of having some resentment. I'm 34 and I need to be more of an adult and stop acting like a child having tantrums of not having his way. Although to be fair to me, I only do tantrums to myself and do not show it to anyone else. I've been doing a lot of adjusting in my life to the convenience of others but that's what you do to the people you love the most.

Prolonging

I am puzzled why some people choose to make things more complicated when there's a solution that is simpler and directly addresses the issue. If you choose to keep things testy then why drag other people and hassle their lives just to give you convenience. I'm tired but I don't speak up because I know they won't listen and will just their turn the table against me. Why bother? Why add more stress to my life that's full of it already? I'm exhausted but I need to hold it together despite how everything is getting harder and harder to deal with.

Drama

 I'm tired of being in the middle of  family drama. An unnecessary drama. But I can't tell that or else more unnecessary drama will ensue. I'm tired of bad energy. I'm shielding Nanay as well from this drama so she won't get affected because it won't be good for her health. I'm dealing with a lot of stuff to and I get stressed all the time but I try my best to hide it from them especially Nanay. When she's in a foul mood and ultimately snaps at me too, it hurts a lot but I brush it aside acting as if I didn't get hurt because more than ever Nanay's health is a big priority. I hope some of my family will think that whenever they want to stir drama when they can prevent it from doing so. We have bigger things to think about.

Not gonna lie these are the moments where I wish I live independently. That I have my own life away from them. That I get to live the life I dreamed of. But God led me to this path I guess because who would be the one looking out for them? Maybe it is my purpose and I accept it.  It's just hard to take it all in sometimes. 

Here We Go Again

 It happened again, nothing really changes. I'm trying to just not care at all anymore but it's hard when you're the one directly hit even if you have no involvement at all. In an ideal world, I would cut this nonsense and be firm but I can't because doing so will just create bigger issues where in the end I'm still the one who resolves it and lower my pride. Pride? Do I still have that at a respectable measure? I don't know. Life flies by where I do nothing of significance. I try not to think about it anymore but what I can do if life continues to remind that I am nowhere. 

Additional

 Happy to learn today that a work project has been renewed for two more years so yeah that's job security especially at this time! I used to think this project will have a limited shelf life and that I was just staying on until it's over and what do you know it's still here and will be staying for the foreseeable future. The past 2 years have been rough so having this still a constant in my work life is at least a comfort with life's so many uncertainties. 

My Spotify Wrapped 2021... partially!

 I'm a little annoyed the Spotify Wrapped 2021 won't work on my phone so I can't access to my stats yet and as a chart geek it's torture! I did get my top 100 songs playlist but I need the other stuff! It's annoying that it is app exclusive now unlike before you can see a web version of it! Anyway, here's my top 10 *technically 11 but one song is listed twice due to two versions!

1. Easy on Me - Adele

2. Leave The Door Open - Silk Sonic

3. Happier Than Ever - Billie Eillish

4. Elyu - Ben & Ben (local song)

5. Brutal - Olivia Rodrigo

6. Cut & Run -Lifehouse

7. Papercuts - Machine Gun Kelly

8. Happier Than Ever Edit - Billie Eillish

9. Binibini - Zach Tabudio (local song)

10. Good 4 U - Olivia Rodrigo

*11. Bad Habits - Ed Sheeran

Happier Than Ever is likely my real #1 given my consumption of both the full and edited version 

Proactive

 Just listened to a podcast about the new covid variant and it somehow gave me relief. Not that it did cross out the possibility of this not being a bigger threat, far from that! But what gave me some assurance from this is how the scientists acted quickly on this new variant and announced it to the world to caution us. I admit the fear of what could go horribly wrong clouded my judgment. It is a good thing they warned the world as early as now before this becomes uncontrollable anymore. We are still in a wait-and-see mode as further studies are being done but at least is being done at the early stage of this variant. Praying this really won't be deadly and won't escape the vaccines. 📿