Samsung Cheer Dance 2011

I'll review the 2011 Samsung Cheer Dance Competition. I'm writing it right now as it happens.

Adamson Soaring Falcons - Great performance for the team kicking off the competition. The theme was great and the moves are pretty awesome. But, they got into trouble with their pyramid and the dice thing is little messy. Crowd wasn't involved much.  Is this enough for the crown?

Score: 8

Ateneo Blue Eagles - Classic performance from the Eagles, which is good as these has been effective in the past years.  A great cultural mix in their routines. I little hiccup lifts and poses. Costume could use a little more flare. But the new dimension they added in their routine could really make the difference. Would Ateneo bag the championship?

Score: 7

National University Bulldogs - The Bulldogs started their performance with a BANG! the performers' great energy help them get the crowd involve. The Matador theme made it fun, pulling off that red cloth from all likely places. And did I say that they are successful in all their pyramids. Definitely a force to reckon with. Will they be the top dog or forever be the underdog?

Score: 9.5

De La Salle Green Archers - Pulling off a classic routine for the cheer dance is the Archers' theme today. Involving the crowd early is great. They pulled off the warrior theme great. Overall, a better performance than last year. Top 3? Let's see.

Score: 9

University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons - They are not the defending champions for nothing. Sporting a blonde hair for their Madonna theme, UP graced the competition with awesome dance moves. Starting with classic lifts and tosses, UP continued with so much fluidity. A little energy could have made the performance a perfect one. Back to back?

Score: 9.5

Far Eastern University Tamaraws - Starting their performance with so much energy, the Tamaraws was able to perform a superb appetizer of what will come next. Fluid move and clean executions really nailed it for them. Costumes really make a good visual show for everybody. Awesome pyramids executed to perfection. All in all, the very very good performance. What can I say more? They maybe back on top.

Score: 10

University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers - Gunning for a comeback this year, the Tigers put up a great performance. With a steady start, UST was able to build the energy of the performance. Great pyramids and clean executions combined with the mammoth crowd made it even better. Solemn and simple but powerful. Crown back to Espana?


Score: 9.5

University of the East Red Warriors - The Warriors always has been a underdog, but this year's performance is a warning to all schools that they are here to fight. Pulling off a classic cheer dance with some robot action is really something to be proud off. A cheer dance competition upset?

Score: 8

The forecast as of 5:31PM:
1st: FEU
2nd: UP
3rd: UST

The actual results are as follows:
Champions: UP
2nd Place: DLSU
3rd Place: FEU

Spot.ph #7 Best Chocolate Cake in Manila - Starbucks Classic Chocolate Cake

I had this idea of looking for the best foods in the metro to satisfy my obsession for food. I know this not a healthy hobby to do or anything, but if there is something I really wanted to do without having regrets spending my money, it's to eat. And the first thing that slid through my mind was Pad Thai and Chocolate Cakes.

So today, I started with chocolate cakes, which is a lot more accessible from work rather than Pad Thai. So before I went to sleep last night, I scanned the list from Spot.ph that I was able to get from the internet for chocolate cake shops that are around my workplace.

And guess what's the most accessible one from work? It's Starbucks.

So today, I get my hands to a Classic Chocolate Cake from Starbucks in Eastwood Mall.

The Starbucks Classic Chocolate Cake

From the name itself, this cake can easily be your everyday chocolate cake - not too sweet, perfectly moist and oh so chocolatey that melts in your mouth. Those chocolate curls are as delicious as they look. Just like your favorite coffee from this famous coffee chain, this cake can keep you coming back whenever you're bored with those fancy chocolate cakes around. Plus, it is practically in ever corner of the metro, there is no way you couldn't get your hands on this luscious treat (Starbucks Stores). Priced at 105.00 pesos per slice or 700.00 pesos for the whole cake, this is definitely a value for money. This is perfect for the tight-budget cake lover or for a person who just craves for a good chocolate treat.

Don't let that Spot.ph #7 ranking fool you. This humble looking cake can take the top spot, uhmm, almost hands down.

Presentation: 9
Taste: 9.5
Texture: 10
Price: 9.5

Overall: 9.5

Tagalog Blog

It's August, it is the month of the Filipino language so from here on until September, I'll have Filipino Blog entries.

Simulan na yan, bawal mag-ingles.

Naisipan ko lang na gawing Tagalog ang blog na to para nman maiba, kadalasan naman kasi nasa wikang ingles ang mga blog. Mas astig daw pag ingles eh, hindi rin, minsan sa nilalaman din yan.

Kaya sa mga susunod ko na entrada sa blog na ito, magsusulat ako ng mga bagay-bagay na naiisip ko sa wikang Tagalog. Pasensya na kayo dahil hindi ko alam ang tagalog ng 'blog'.

Magandang Gabi!

Are you Conyo?

Did you know that this word is not as nice as you think it is? It's a Spanish word pertaining to something I'd rather not say here. But if you are really interested, get on to the internet and google it. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Let's just talk about the meaning of this word in the Filipino context. I use to get called this name because I speak English with a little bit of what they call 'arte', I never get to understand what's so bad about saying the words the way they should be. But never mind that, this not about me. Sometimes 'conyo' means the rich. If you are wearing signature clothes, designer shoes, and fancy accessories, you will be marked as 'conyo' just because you are pretty wealthy. But the best meaning I think of the word in Filipino context is that 'conyo' are those people who speak in English mixed with Tagalog. There is nothing with speaking Taglish, I think it somehow depends on how it is delivered. Many of us are so sensitive with this aspects of person that we have to have something to call it.

Being posh is not a bad thing because to be honest, I'd rather be 'conyo' than be 'jologs.

But the way, I saw this video today posted by a friend of mine in facebook. I just found it really funny.

Nature's Touch

I just stumbled upon this beautiful picture. According to what I dug in the internet, this waterfall is located in Multnomah County, Oregon in the United States and is called Multnomah Falls. This tiered type waterfall is such a beauty. Hopefully, I can see it with my on eyes one day.

And I just love this other picture, makes me think that faeries, a nighttime setting and a few fireflies ought to make the picture perfect.

Bad Hair Day

"Today is a bad hair day."

I didn't literally have bad hair today, but I was kinda expecting to start the week right. Unfortunately, I started Monday on the wrong note.

Well, the morning started with series of bad news and lots of work. I was kinda expecting that what I did last week was flawless, but nah, life really has the habit of annoying me. I felt so down and stupid, every thing that I was trying to purge from my mind came reeling back. I was once again thinking of giving up.

I'm really grateful that I have a very special group of people around me, even though all I wanted is to sulk in misery and despair, I have no choice but to stand up and move on.

How did I bounce back?

I just made sure that I do the rest of my work with excellence and treat the day as a chance to make things better. Besides, whatever things that doesn't kill me, should make me stronger.

You, how do you make a bad day better?

Maybe you just need to sing a sad song just to turn it around. *wink*

What would you do if you're Manny Pangilinan

I was watching the Smart Gilas and the Smart All-Star team earlier. This has been a great experience for Philippine Basketball and the whole country.

The Smart All-Star team consists of the NBA alpha-dog, Kobe Bryant, the reigning MVP Derrick Rose, the scoring champion Kevin Durant and the premier point guard, Chris Paul. Also gracing the team was Derek Fisher, James Harden, Tyreke Evan, Javale McGee, and rookie Derrick Williams.

Saturday was against the PBA All-Star Selection, with the country's top guns, such as James Yap and Arwind Santos. Today was against the National Team, Smart Gilas. Both games were won by the Smart All-Stars.

This once in a lifetime offer was all made possible by, may be the richest businessman in the country, Manny V. Pangilinan. He even bought half of the Araneta Coliseum, which will now be named as the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Plus, imagine how much money he has to spend to make this event possible. Maybe being the head of the top companies in the country helps to make this almost impossible event happen. It was also rumored that MVP is buying the NBA team, Sacramento Kings, which will make him the first asian to own a NBA franchise.

So if you are Manny Pangilinan, what would you do?

Me, I'll invite Kobe Bryant to play one on one with me every Saturday for a catch up game or maybe have Sarah Geronimo sing as I eat dinner.