Lockdown and KMovies

Image from Youtube; Is The Coronavirus Lockdown Healing Planet Earth?
Uploaded by: MyNation, Mar 20, 2020

These past few months have been nothing but a challenge for all of us. My PT and OT sessions were put on hold because of COVID-19. So aside from doing my exercise at home, I bake if there’s ingredients aaaannnddd I binge watch!

I was then waiting for the new episodes of Crash Landing On You when I got hooked in watching Korean movies. And the movies really did not disappoint, may be it happy, sad, hanging endings – Joseon era, the early historical battles…

So…. here are MY recommended movies, in no particular order… I just love it, so you should see it 😀

I’ve seen this all in Viu, Netflix, and Kissasian! (this excludes my favorite Hyun Bin movies.. cos all Hyun Bin movies I love!!! saranghaeyo oppa! ❤)

My Annoying Brother
(Image from Wikipedia)

My Annoying Brother is a 2016 South Korean comedy drama film starring Jo Jung-suk, Do Kyung-soo and Park Shin-hye.

A Judo athlete Doo-young (Do Kyung-soo), met an accident during competition and loses his sight permanently while his big brother Doo-shik (Jo Jung-suk), uses this crisis to get a parole from prison.

Since they didn’t grew up together, they mostly do not see eye to eye. But just when things are getting better for the two of them, a sudden news about Doo-shik will change how they will face the future. 😥

I Can Speak
(Image from Google Images)

I Can Speak is a 2017 South Korean film based on true story of comfort woman directed by Kim Hyun-seok, starring Na Moon-hee as Na Ok-Bun, with Lee Je-hoon as Park Min-Jae.

I thought that she wanted to learn to speak English so she can talk to her brother that was raised in the US, but there was a deeper purpose, she wants to continue to testify for her friend for the public hearing in Washington DC about comfort women.

A Taxi Driver
(Image from Wikipedia)

A Taxi Driver is a 2017 South Korean historical action drama film directed by Jang Hoon and written by Eom Yu-na, with Song Kang-ho starring in the title role.

The setting of this film was the year 1980, based from the real life story of Peter Hinzpeter and Seoul taxi driver ‘Kim Sa-bok’ and the Gwangju uprising.

(and Jung-hwan of Reply 1988 is here as well… <3)

On Your Wedding Day
(Image from Wikipedia)

On Your Wedding Day is a 2018 South Korean romantic comedy starring Park Bo-young and Kim Young-kwang.

A friend warned me that this is heart wrenching. Hay, the joy of first love, they went through ups and downs together, then circumstances happened. The waiting to meet again. And it stretched for ten years. Then he got an invitation.

Alam mo yung commercial ng Jollibee, ung Vow? It felt like that. Periodt.

Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds and
Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days
(Image from Google Images)

Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds is a 2017 South Korean fantasy action film starring Ha Jung-woo, Cha Tae-hyun, Ju Ji-hoon and Kim Hyang-gi.

Ang ganda. It made me feel that I want to be reincarnated only to question myself “tama ba ginagawa ko sa buhay?”

Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days is a sequel movie with  Ma Dong-seok and Kim Dong-wook as an addition to the cast. This equally showcased the effects like in the first movie. Syempre cut na yung pinupuntahan nilang courts sa movie to tell the back story of each characters.

It had me waiting for the third movie. And fourth?!

Love + Sling
(Image from Wikipedia)

Love + Sling is a 2018 South Korean comedy drama film starring Yoo Hae-jin, Kim Min-jae, and Lee Sung-kyung.

I’m a fan of Yoo Hae-jin since I saw him with Hyun Bin in Confidential Assignment.

Ahjussi Hae-jin can do amazing comedy through simple acting, tawang-tawa ako sa kanya.

And si Sung-kyung funny rin may pagka Bok-joo na girly sya dito.

The movie is about family and friendship and all the misunderstanding it brings.

The Accidental Detective and The Accidental Detective 2: In Action
(Image from Google Images)

The Accidental Detective is a 2015 South Korean action comedy film starring Kwon Sang-woo and Sung Dong-il.

Comic book storekeeper met legendary homicide detective, their story moved from case to another until they decided to have their own private detective agency in The Accidental Detective 2: In Action that was released in 2018.

Chooollloooooo! 😀 I watched it because of him. Well made ang movie. Hindi rin OA ang comedy. Plus Giraffe Lee Kwang-soo was in the second movie ❤

Warriors of the Dawn
(Image from Wikipedia)

Warriors of the Dawn is a 2017 South Korean historical film by Jeong Yoon-cheol set during the 1592 Imjin War, starring Lee Jung-jae and Yeo Jin-goo.

Japanese forces threatened Joseon by invading – which led King Seonjo to place temporary control of the country to Prince Gwanghae and then flee to Ming China.

Pring Gwanghae recruits troops and must head to Gangye area to fight against Japanese. With them are proxy soldiers to guard them on their journey. These proxy soldiers are mostly from the lower class, paid to serve a military term under a different a different name.

The Soul-Mate
(Image from Wikipedia)

The Soul-Mate (also known as Wonderful Ghost) is a 2018 South Korean comedy-drama film directed by Jo Won-hee. The film stars Ma Dong-seok, Kim Young-kwang and Lee Yoo-young.

A Judo instructor never cares about anyone but only his daughter. So when the soul of a police officer who wants to solve a case, starts clinging to him, an unlikely friendship starts to blossom.

Keys to the Heart
(Image from Wikipedia)

Keys to the Heart is a 2018 South Korean comedy-drama film directed by Choi Sung-hyun. The film stars Lee Byung-hun, Youn Yuh-jung and Park Jung-min.

A boxer met his estranged mom once again plus his gifted pianist brother.

Most of Lee Byung-hun‘s movies are either he’s super serious or action packed so it was refreshing to see him in a comedy/family movie.

Hitman Agent Jun
(Image from IMDb)

Hitman Agent Jun is a South Korean comedy action film released this 2020 starring Sang-Woo Kwoon.

A webcomics writer is having a hard time in creating a successful story. When his draft was accidentally posted online, trouble seems to find him again.

My Beloved Cholo hits comedy once again – and very papable pa rin kahit ahjussi na. ❤

Forbidden Dream
(Images from Google)

Forbidden Dream is a 2019 South Korean historical drama film set in the 15th Century period starring Han Suk-Kyu as King Sejong and Choi Min-Sik as Jang Yeong-Sil.

They are both ambitious in creating and inventing various astronomical instruments that will help the country to stand on their own.

Ang ganda ng history ng Korea, madugo pero maganda. The things they’ve done to have their own identity.

Must watch.

Crazy Romance
(Image from CineMaterial)

Crazy Romance is a 2019 South Korean romantic comedy starring Kim Rae-won, Kong Hyo-jin.

After dumping her cheating ex, a woman starts a new job and navigates feelings for her co-worker through a minefield of office gossip and social media (Netflix Korea).

Ang kulit ng story nito and ang cute nila dito. Kaya umiwas na sa tsismis at ingatan ang group office chatroom baka mawrong window ka! hahahahaha!

Luck Key
(Images from Google)

Luck Key is a 2016 South Korean action comedy film directed by Lee Gae-byok, starring Yoo Hae-jin in the lead role (Wikipedia).

When a notorious assassin met an accident, the depressed aspiring actor took this chance to hide his plans of suicide. Their lives got exchanged and they have to go with the flow until the lost memories came back.

Gusto ko talaga si ahjussi Hae-jin e, pero magugustuhan mo to…

So there you have it. You’ve seen all of it? Well can I see your list? Recommend ka naman ng movie pa… Please? 🙂

Oh nooooo… 😭

So I was baking corn muffins for an order when a batch came out wrong 😔

Out of the cupcake liner 😭

Not pointy and the top was not cracked 😔

It will not look pretty in the box 😓

It should be a bit pointy and cracked on top.

I was lucky that the previous orders came out good, given that it’s my very first time to bake.

See? I was so kilig it came out nicely before…

I thought, it is bound to be difficult.

Like in my situation, when I had a stroke last April, my work and my life was put on hold.

But we have to be strong and move on, even when we have to start all over again – and Sweet Nibbles Baked by Ann was born.

I just want to use this opportunity to thank all who made their orders – from our kapitbahays, my Mama’s amigas and my friends too 🥰

If you are from Dasmariñas, Cavite area, you can visit my page for baked good offerings ❤️ https://www.facebook.com/sweetnibblesbakedbyann/

What happened to the muffins? Well, it was a loss of income, but we have meryenda! 😅

Hello 2020…

It’s been a long time.

My last post was in 2016 – letting out a rant for a guy that ‘ghosted’ me 😦

Since that last post, a lot of things happened.

In 2017, the company I was working at was acquired by another company. Most of the employees lost their jobs – me included. But don’t worry, we were paid.

In May 2018,  found a new, completely different job but with a competitive salary.

In April 2019, I HAD A STROKE.

It was on April 10, 2019 when it happened. Around 6 AM. I felt okay, I was talking to someone over the phone. When it ended, I couldn’t feel my right hand and I feel very sleepy – then everything happened to me that day was all a blur.

I can’t seem to remember what happened to me during those days in the hospital. What I know is I was confined for 18 days. There was a bleeding on my left part of the brain that caused the stroke.

With my cousin Bong (Apr 20, 2019)

Going home to Cavite (Apr 27, 2019)

The days after I got home from the hospital was difficult for me and my parents. I remember my mom cut my hair, for easy management. It was getting in the way. I also had a few sessions of home physical therapy – it helped me to stand for a few minutes 🙂

I ate my meals in my room

By the time I can transfer from my bed to the wheelchair, I ate in front of the TV

Mother’s Day (May 2019)

I’m not sure if this is Father’s Day (June 2019) or Dad’s Birthday (Oct 2019) 😀

Home PT was expensive but thanks to Carla (my PT), I was able to stand. We decided to get PT from the public hospital. I go every Wednesday and Friday – 10 AM to 11 AM.

I can now stand and walk, but I feel like a baby who’s learning every step. The difference is, a baby is brave to take that step, as for me, I am scared. I am scared to take the step.

I do things slowly… literally. I get frustrated at times, like I can not use scissors, I can not write and sign documents, when walking – I can not turn right away if I forget something. I’m frustrated when my friends have to wait for me when we are outside. I have to ask for water when before I get it on my own. I eat with my left hand. I get tired easily. I don’t work. I am on a prolonged medical leave. And everything stopped.

But no matter how scared and frustrated I get, life moves on. I have to remind myself, I have to move forward no matter how slow I am.

Now I can put lipstick and fix my eyebrows. I bake – with my Dad and brother as my assistants. I attended a wedding in December and I looked good. I do treadmill and stairs exercise slowly in my PT. I celebrated my birthday, Christmas and New Year with my family. I ordered Jamba Juice and met with friends.

I really want to recover.

My brother is in senior high and I want to be able to support him. I want to help my parents. I want to go to Korea and accidentally bump into Hyun Bin. I want to work in Korea and open a snack bar (all Pinoy meriendas), go on a date and eventually get married to Hyun Bin.

I really want to recover.

I have to recover.

I need your help, will you please include me and my family in your prayers? It will mean a lot.

 

Moving On: Step 1

I’m at that moment again. You crossed my mind. It’s one thing that’s been happening constantly. I read all your messages to me again. But this time, after reading them, I deleted ALL of it. Including your picture. While I was deleting it, my heart is giving me this feeling – like thousands of needles pricking my heart. But I know I had to do it. And it’s just now I had the courage to delete everything. I can’t recover the pictures again, just like the thought of having you back in my life. 
You’ll be 32 this coming Sunday. And you know how much I wanted to make your birthday special – so special that you’ll decide to stay with me. We had so much plans. Plans that I looked forward to. But then, you were just gone. 
Last year was so full of you… I feel you even you’re thousands of miles away.. You’ve made me feel so special… And now I hate myself that I am still stuck with your memories. 
Wherever you are, I pray you are happy. I pray you find what you’re looking for. This will be the last time I will think of you. This will be the last time I will cry for you. I am blocking you, your email address, your phone number. I think I’ve waited long enough? I have to move on – away from you. 
Advance happy birthday. And goodbye.
 

let ‘s give this heart some space…

 

Confessions of my Broken Heart (3)

There’s this guy. He makes me smile even at the littlest things he do. I look forward going to work because I know I’ll see him smile. Like smile the whole day. Smile like crazy! 
He even makes me forget about you. Which is good.. I think?

The thing is, that guy… Is beyond impossible. Situation is, very much complicated. 

I want to tell him how special he is to me… He does not know it but he helped me a lot not to think about you. But then again, I will just keep it to myself.
But at the end of the day, when he finally goes home before me… I go back to missing you. How pathetic I can be?

Baby, I will do everything until I can completely forget you…

As of now… I guess I have to endure the pain and hurt of missing you…

 

As of now… I guess I have to endure the pain and hurt of missing you…

 

Confessions of my Broken Heart (2)

It’s been days… Weeks rather… I miss the time we talk and not care for the next day… You made me smile every time I think of you… But now, I cry every time I hear your name… 

I would do everything just to have you back in my life.. Just to hear you tell me you never forgot about me… But I guess, this, is just wishful thinking.

I can’t forget you… It’s so unfair. </3

 

I miss you everyday baby… I just want to move on and forget you.

 

Confessions of my broken Heart

I miss you everyday. I think about you all the time. No matter how busy I am.. No matter how much work I take just to try to forget you, it doesn’t work, I think about you more. I am worried about you. 
I know that you don’t want me like this, how come a girl who miles away from you become so needy of you. I want you to know that somehow you own me, you’ve known everything of me.. And I trust you with those. You’ve own me that way. No matter how hard I try to forget you I just can’t. I am still waiting. You might have changed your mind about me, please have the heart to tell me what to do. Tell me to stop. 
You are right, as you’ve always been. I am sadder, and I am crazy. I am sorry. It was my fault, I fell in love with you and I made it complicated for myself. I don’t blame you, I can’t be angry at you, you don’t owe me anything. I just didn’t expect that what I have with you, the happiness I feel when I talk to you, will just be gone and taken away from me all of a sudden.
If you’re busy, and if I’m important for you, you can atleast let me know. You forgot my birthday. But then again, I was never your priority and responsibility so I understand. It hurts like hell but I do understand.
I might not hear from you again but honestly I am waiting.. Please let me know, tell me to stop and I will never ever bother you again.
 

I miss you so bad and I don’t know when to stop missing you…

 

Hi everyone!

To all of you who were asking about how to be a live audience for Eat Bulaga.. Sorry for not answering, because honestly I am not sure of the exact process. The two instance I was there, I was only invited. But, I will ask okay.. And then I will update all of you. 🙂

Happy weekend!

Eat Bulaga experience no.2

My mom asked me if I wanted to go with them to Eat Bulaga since one backed out on the last minute.. So why not?

November 2, 2015 was my second time to watch EB live…

   

    
    
  

And it was such a lucky day! I was chosen to be one of the contestants for their segment ATM with the Baes… 😍 
 
When you get to hug Alden Richards… The prize money did not matter… 😂

     

  
 

 

 

Viva Il Papa Francesco! Long live Pope Francis! Mabuhay Lolo Kiko!

photo from Google Images

Through my line of work, I’ve met a lot of Catholics who went to the Vatican to attend the mass celebrated by the People’s Pope. I have always dreamt this kind of experience being born and raised Catholic. I was even planning to be part of the World Youth Day next year in Krakow, Poland. So when this once of a lifetime visit of Pope Francis came nothing but a reality, I really have to be there.

Watching him on television doing all his scheduled activities… From his arrival at the Villamor airbase to his motorcade – you’ll be amazed with his energy, it’s like the people who waited for him out on the streets gave him the power to not feel exhausted – thus, when he was out on his Pope mobile, his smile was the sweetest and infectious. I said to myself, “I’d really have to be there on Sunday” — I mean, my chances of going to Vatican is out of grasp at the moment… But he is here in the country, the Vicar of Christ is here.

(15 Jan 2015) How many times do you think the Pope’s skull cap was blown by the wind? – photo from Rappler

(15 Jan 2015) Pope Francis disembarking Sri Lankan Airlines at the Villamor Airbase – photo from Inquirer

(15 Jan 2015) The motorcade from Villamor Airbase to the official residence, the Apostolic Nunciature in Taft – where a lot of Pinoys camped out on the streets to welcome the Pope – photo from globalnation.inquirer.net

(15 Jan 2015) It may not be a long flight from Sri Lanka to Manila, but it was still tiring. But for a man of his age, it was amazing to see Pope Francis with all his energy and his smile never faltered as the crowd welcomed him – photo from ph.news.yahoo.com

So I texted some friends and asked if they wanted to go with me.. Some were very unsure… Given the knowledge that thousands of Pinoys will be there. This one friend of mine was so game and agreed without hesitation.

So I’m all hyped up.. Woke up at around 5am to cook breakfast that I would bring for me and my friend. We met at MRT Taft at 6am – took a cab until Star City / CCP complex.

Me and my friend Jiro in front of the CCP

Roads were already blocked and people were already walking.

Groups walking along Roxas Boulevard to Quirino Grandstand

These people opted to stay on the island and wait for the Pope – in front of them was a big screen showing the events in UST

One of the big screens along Roxas Boulevard

It was not really that tiring, we were babbling at each other non stop and taking pictures of each other and the other people. I called it an intense work out. It really was (I wonder how many steps I took).

#OOTD – These runners saved my feet from being stepped on and getting wet 🙂

So from Star City.. We walked the length of Roxas Boulevard. Me and my friend photobombed the selfies of other people and they would laugh at us as others photobombed ours. Everyone was in such a good mood.

The guy in blue pretended that he is not interested 😛

I was in the high hopes of seeing the Pope even just on the big screen I was imagining myself standing on the grounds of Quirino Grandstand and hearing the mass with my fellow Catholics.

But as we move forward to Quirino Avenue, the sea of people starts to thicken and the happy thumps of our feet started to slow down. Were no longer moving.

A few more steps and were in TM Kalaw — and we were stuck. A lot of groups were going back saying that there was no way for us to move forward – roads were blocked. I started to feel suffocated, the people around me would still want to move forward, some tendencies I shout and tell them “Wala pong tulakan (no pushing around)” — I would just take a deep breath and lean on my friend’s shoulders. My friend Jiro looked pale, we haven’t had breakfast and it was already past lunch time. When a lot of groups were deciding to go back, we looked at each other and we just decided to go back too.

No more space

Stuck and no longer moving forward

Thousands or Millions? Aerial shot of the people who went to attend the Pope’s mass at the Quirino Grandstand. Photo from Rappler

Thousands or Millions? Aerial shot of the people who went to attend the Pope’s mass at the Quirino Grandstand. Photo from gmanetwork.com

It was raining and we were soaking and dripping wet – umbrellas were prohibited for the Pope’s security – so we just had our raincoats on.

We kept walking back, and saw an empty pavement and we both sat there… It was very cold and we’re feeling our legs getting numb. It was raining very hard but we had no choice. We ate our lunch on the cold, wet pavement under the rain.

Lunch under the rain

basang sisiw #Selfie (lol)

The experience? It was very memorable. Though we were not able to see the Pope, or even hear the mass, I could say we had fun.

The people that was able to see him was so blessed and I wish that I had the same experience. But still, I had no regrets. I still had fun because I was with a true friend.

If I will be given the chance, if the Pope decides to come back – I would definitely try again (Im not sure with my friend Jiro..) – but next time, I better plan ahead. 🙂

Here are some photos and links:

My friend LJ is one very blessed person. He met the Pope last October 2014 in Rome. TV shows and News programs interviewed him about this experience. – photo grabbed from LJ’s Facebook account

Here, the Pope crowned the Image of Mother Mary and look who’s holding her? It’s LJ again! This was captured during the Encounter with Families in MOA Arena – photo grabbed from LJ’s Facebook account

I guess, Papa Francesco’s energizer is the crowd. Look at that smile! – photo from Rappler

When Vatican Spokesperson, Fr. Federico Lombardi was asked by one reporter during the press briefing after their trip in Tacloban if there was any possibility of cancellation for Sunday’s scheduled programs because of Typhoon Amang, the Holy Father just said “IT’S JUST RAIN.” Then Cardinal Tagle playfully commented, “Maybe it was just a rehearsal.” Look how happy Pope Francis is, despite the strong winds and rain in Tacloban. – photo from Google (courtesy of Johannes Eisele of the Associated Press)

Pope Francis waves at the crowd one last time as he passed them by on his way to Villamor Airbase for his 10 AM flight to Rome via Philippine Airlines – photo from Rappler

‘HE LIKES IT.’ Cardinal Antonio Luis Tagle says Pope Francis appreciates that his ‘popemobile’ was modeled after the common Filipino’s mode of transportation. Photo by Giuseppe Cacace/AFP (photo and caption both from Rappler)

“MARAMING SALAMAT LOLO KIKO!”. Pope Francis waves goodbye as he boards the plane that will fly him back to Rome via Philippine Airlines. 

See clip here from Rappler: http://www.rappler.com/specials/pope-francis-ph/80545-popefrancisph-pope-francis-leaves-manila

Quotes from our Beloved Lolo Kiko:

Compiled by Mark Merueñas and Andrei Medina/JST, GMA News
Link: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/popefrancis/story/408653/quotable-quotes-noteworthy-inspiring-amusing-lines-from-pope-francis

Photo from philstar.com

Photo from storify.com

LINKS:

Biography of Pope Francis (Rappler) – http://www.rappler.com/specials/pope-francis-ph/biography#slide1

Raw footages of the historical Papal Visit in the Philippines 2015 courtesy of RTV Malacañang:

Day 1: Arrival in Villamor Airbase – Motorcade to Apostolic Nunciature https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRfMChIsFeg

Day 2: Courtesy call to the President of the Philippines – Motorcade from Malacañang to Manila Cathedral – Holy Mass in Manila Cathedral – Motorcade to MOA Arena – Encounter with Families in MOA Arena https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJqOaYjg-OU

Day 3: Pope Francis in Tacloban, Leyte https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orzsc5HS0gg

Day 4: Pope in University of Santo Tomas – Motorcade from UST to Quirino Grandstand – Holy Mass in Quirino Grandstand https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKDmiGmC3rE

Day 5: Pope Francis’ departure – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ja86ojyLmw

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle’s message to Pope Francis (18 Jan 2015 – Quirino Grandstand) – from Rappler – http://www.rappler.com/specials/pope-francis-ph/views/81258-full-text-tagle-pope-luneta-message