MOVIES, Again!

Just this summer, I finished watching almost 20 movies. Those movies are all my picks. Among those many films, the following are my best choices:

Pearl Harbor

Black Hawk Down

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

ANGELS and DEMONS

Trip to Japan POSTPONED

What is said to be the main feature of my summer vacation was postponed.

Everything was set until the commissioner herself, Atty. Priscilla Abante went to the College of St. Benilde (CSB) Hotel where we are having the pre-departure orientation announced the bad news.

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JAPAN-EAST ASIA NETWORK OF EXCHANGE FOR STUDENTS AND YOUTHS (JENESYS) PROGRAMME
First batch is from May 12 to 21, 2009
Second batch is from May 19 to 28, 2009

The JENESYS Programme, funded by the Japanese Government and in partnership with the ASEAN Secretariat, is to deepen understanding of the different facets of the Japanese society including politics, diplomacy, economics and culture and to form the basis of future vision and construct firm solidarity among Asian countries which will promote mutual understanding of the future generation of ASEAN and East Summit member countries.

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Dear Mr. Balt:

The National Youth Commission wishes to inform you that you have been chosen as one of the delegates to the JENESYS Programme (batch 2) to be conducted on May 19 to 28, 2009 in Japan.

You are expected to check in at the College of Saint Benilde International Conference Center and Hotel, Arellano corner Estrada Streets, Malate, Manila on May 17, 2009 for pre-departure activities.

Sincerely,

Richard Alvin M. Nalupta
Chairperson and CEO

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(letter distributed during the announcement of the commissioner)

May 18, 2009

Dear JENESYS 2nd Batch Delegates:


WE regret to inform you that due the regrettable and unforeseeable developments in relation to the A(H1N1) virus in Japan, the implementation of the Japan- East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) Program 10-day visit to Japan for the second batch will have to be postponed to a later schedule until the situation is under control. The dates of the new schedule will be communicated to you as soon as it becomes available. We are hopeful that the program will be implemented within the year. However, in the event that the situation has not improved, rest assured that for next year's implemetation, all participants, Student Ambassadors, and Supervisors, are automatically included in the next year's implementation. The National Youth Commission will update you on any developments regarding the implementation of the program. In this regard, we would like to request that you inform the National Youth Commission if there will be any changes in your contact details, i.e. mailing address, e-mail address, mobile and landline number. All administrative matters regarding your return to your hometowns will be taken care of.Please understand that this decision was arrived at with all difficulty and regret, with everybody's welfare and health at utmost importance.We ask for your kind understanding.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

National Youth Commission (NYC)

Japan Information and Culture Center(JICC)

Japan International Cooperation Center(JICE)

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Every batch is divided into four groups according to their prefecture. I belong to group 1 HOKKAIDO. In short, Hokkaido will be the destination of our group after we’re done in Tokyo. Hokkaido is located on the northern part of Japan. That’s why, it is expected to be cold in there. Our group really went well. We even started to rehearse for our group presentation in Japan. Though we only have a short time to get along, we still managed to bond among ourselves. It’s really nice to know and befriend people from different places.


After the unexpected announcement, everyone including the coordinators and supervisors were all disappointed. Before the commissioner arrived, we were having fun learning Nihonngo and the Japanese way of life. I just felt the excitement that day because the following day (early morning) will be our departure to Japan. Upon hearing the news, I whispered to myself, “This can’t be happening.” To my dismay, I even didn’t noticed I ate a bread with ham.

Since the programme was postponed, we’ll have to leave the hotel by May 19, the scheduled day for our trip. I thought it was time for goodbyes not until when our group supervisor invited us in Baguio City. For enjoyment sake, I decided to come along with my eight groupmates! Others didn’t made it though they want to come as well.

That was my first time in Baguio City. Indeed, my trip to Japan became a trip to Baguio!

It’s fated.


To be continued…

Slumdog Millionaire

So here's another a must-see movie offering of Celador Films. My friend, Nimay, introduced this movie to me. She told me how great the movie is. Curious what's with the film, I borrowed her uncle's DVD and really watched it despite my busy schedule. Nimay didn't failed me. The movie is indeed great! The story, the setting and even the soundtrack are all remarkable.

The Plot: The story of Jamal Malik, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who is about to experience the biggest day of his life. With the whole nation watching, he is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India's "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" But when the show breaks for the night, police arrest him on suspicion of cheating; how could a street kid know so much? Desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal tells the story of his life in the slum where he and his brother grew up, of their adventures together on the road, of vicious encounters with local gangs, and of Latika, the girl he loved and lost. Each chapter of his story reveals the key to the answer to one of the game show's questions. Intrigued by Jamal's story, the jaded Police Inspector begins to wonder what a young man with no apparent desire for riches is really doing on this game show? When the new day dawns and Jamal returns to answer the final question, the Inspector and sixty million viewers are about to find out...

I say: How can possibly a slum and uneducated Chaiwalla from Mumbai, India win 20 million rupees in "Who Wants to be a Millionaire"? Find out the stories behind Jamal's answers. The stories that will lead him to become a millionaire and will reunite him to his lost love.

When I say it's nice.. it's nice!

When I say it's great.. it's great!

When I say it's a must-see movie.. it's SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE!