The Artistree

15FFF Opening Night and Movie

 

I wrote in my previous post that I helped the French Embassy with the 15th French Film Festival, which officially opened last Thursday night. I was part of the reception committee, meaning that I was also tasked to confirm people who will be attending the opening night. I've been to the last two French Film Festival opening nights and this is my first time being directly involved with the planning; and, boy, let me tell you it was such a great adventure. Rather stressful, but worth every sweat drop falling from our scalp. More than 300 went to the opening night and the theater was packed with people, excited to watch the opening film, "L'Amour c'est mieux à Deux" or "A Perfect Date."

A Perfect Date is about two long time friends who have opposed views about love. Vincent has only sex on his mind while Michel thinks about the perfect soul mate, one you find by chance. They meet two girls, Angléne and Nathalie, who they can't stop thinking about and, of course, fall in love with.

The movie had an intelligent and witty script but I personally don't think that it should have been the opening movie. I don't know, but I'm used to French films with very deep (sometimes sexual) themes that leave me asking for more. The movie had a weak ending and I've seen endings similar to that before -- Notting Hill, Wedding Singer, so it was not that grand, but the movie is a great date movie. 

I actually like this movie for the script and location. Paris, to a romantic non-Parisian's eye, is the capital not only of fashion but of love, and so the aura is set to perfection. The script is very witty, funny and much more "human" than any romantic film I've seen in a while. However there are a few points about the film that I believe would have been better, like the music. Yes, I do like Andre 3000 and "Heya" but it made the film a little too Hollywood. There's nothing bad about that but it took AMOUR out of the picture. There are really good French musicians that can rap; I don't know why the director chose "Heya." Could it be because this film was marketed for an international audience? Not really sure but I guess I have research more on that.

The actors were not as believable as I hoped they would be. The script made everything... well, magical. There are no quotable quotes but they were as human as humans can be. Downright straight answers... a very European characteristic that I really love.

Overall I still think it's a good movie to watch if you're not into philosophical films like me. It a cute and funny movie, really, and honestly I enjoyed it. It was still a clean film with a clear story, (I can repeat this over and over) an intelligent script and an idea that most, if not all, can relate to: love. Even better -- love in Paris, France.

Can't wait to watch more films from the festival next week. Most of them look like family films, and compared to before, I am really looking forward to watching them.

Maybelline Philippines on Facebook

Maybelline is one of my favorite make-up brands because it delivers high quality products at reasonable costs. While I do look at the Maybelline New York website for the product catalog, many of their products are usually not on sale in the Philippines, like bronzers and other lines. Also the names may differ from region to region, so I cannot tell if that line is available here or not, or if it's under another name. Finally, the main website of Maybelline does not post a price on their make-up so I cannot tell if it's worth buying, let's say, their mineral concealer of liquid foundation.

But thank the heavens for the Maybelline Philippines on Facebook. I constantly check the page for updates and if I have any questions regarding their products. There is someone regularly checking the page and also replying to the "fans" who ask for make-up tips using their products, what's on sale and where, and what's the latest from Maybelline. Fans also post videos or photos of themselves using the items they bought and also post their own tips made especially for Filipinas who have medium to dark skin tones. Also they have a list of people to contact in case we want to partner up with them for projects and events, where to go if we want to sell their products, etc.

"Bayanihan" through beauty and fashion, I think, is one way to describe this Facebook fan page, since everyone in the page is out to help everyone feel and be beautiful in their own way. And, with a growing fan base, Maybelline must be one of the many interactive pages from the Philippines and for the Philippines. 

Kudos to the Maybelline Philippines team!

Check the Maybelline Philippines on Facebook here.

 

 How the Maybelline Philippines fanpage looks like.

This School Year

Just a random thought. I can't sleep.

This school year will definitely end with a bang. I can picture it all: my graduation party surrounded by friends and family, remembering the "good old days" and those little moments that make the mundane bearable. This school year will be the last year for me to help in coordinating events like the Linggo de Lingua Europa, a week-long event organized by the European Union member state embassies and their respective cultural institutes along with the big universities and the European Delegation. This year also might be the last time for me to work with other organizations outside school like UP-Euro. 

But most of all, it'll my last year being part of the Ateneo Lingua Ars Cultura family. Yes, it's not just an organization, it's a family. It's my family. It's the home I go to in school. 

I remember the first day I entered the old ALAC room (MVP 209), the falling ins and falling outs, the stress over urgent matters and the random everyday beauty of being with friends who actually believe in me. It'll really be hard to forget the org that made me love life even more, that gave me a lifelong cause to fight for. Because of ALAC I made the best of friends, and probably the worst of enemies, but nonetheless ALAC made me who I am today. I'm forever indebted to the org; I'll never forget the reason why I say college will be the best four years of my life.

Once the last ALAC activity is over, that's it. I'll be the outgoing VP for External Affairs and someone will take my place. But I don't want to think about that until that day actually comes. It's our tenth year, and I want to bridge, experience and celebrate my last year as an undergraduate with my ALAC family. I'm looking forward to our activities and everything else in between. This is not only my year, but ALAC's year most definitely.

I've been looking forward to this all my life, and now it's here. Senior year--this is the year to be in!

From Mom's Drawer

Mom has so much unused necklaces and bracelets in her drawer so I decided to just get the ones I like. They're from the 90s, though since Boho is coming back they're actually in trend... or they're classic... depends on the perspective.

These are the ones I managed to scoop up from my mom's drawer.

 

Crochet-beaded bracelets, and wrap-around bracelets. The crystal bracelet above was given to me by Dulce Cruzata, a famous singer here in the Philippines, and the green bracelet was a birthday gift from my mom. It has my nickname on it.

 

Sculpted wood pendant, depicting a family.

  

A jade necklace.

 

I'm not sure if this is made of capiz shells. 

 

 Yes, I admit I love shells. In fact I grew up going to the beach and collecting shells. I still have a collection at home.

My small collection of dangling earrings. My type of earrings is more on the ethnic side, but I do have some faux diamond earrings for more formal events. Oh, yes, I'm such a huge fan of the United Nations and a lover of my own country.

When I have time I do actually make my own jewelry. I buy hooks, special copper wire, and use all kinds of scrap materials, but on occasion I buy beads at Carolina's. I don't make money out of it, but they usually are interesting conversation pieces and I do make some for my girl and gay friends.

US Emba and CCP at Persia Grill

The branch of Persia Grill we ate in is in front of Greenbelt 5 (so, even though I didn't bring my wallet, I was so tempted to go to Zara). I couldn't eat anything that has beef so I was munching on tuna sandwich and chicken kebab, and drank loads of iced tea (and had hot tea afterwards!).

The place is perfect for eating. The colors and the space just invites one to enjoy what they ordered. There were many Persian icons around--from music to visual art; for a small restaurant, it packs a big punch on culture. The ambience is so great for eating and mingling, as the restaurant serves medium-sized (6-8) groups.

Clockwise, from upper right corner: Richard Nelson, Leslie Noble, Irene Rada, Bernie Abella and Chinggay Bernardo.

Clockwise, from upper right corner: Nikko Zapata, Najlaa Abdus-Samad, Eva Salvador, Josie Guillen, Tony Perez.

We ate out because we wanted to celebrate a successful project that was the US-RP Hip Hop Happy Summer Dance Camp For Youth, which ended a week ago. It was really great to see my family from the US Embassy and CCP again. I had so much fun talking to Neil, Ana Laura and Nikki, and also meeting Irwin and Adrian.

The conversation never gets old with Neil (rar!), Ana Laura, Nikki, Joselle, Irwin and Adrian.

I can't wait to see them again, hopefully soon! But to CCP: SEE YOU IN CINEMALAYA!!!