Matilda 2017

Matilda, a show by children, for children.

There is no denying that the children casted in Matilda are very good. While not very impressive as actors, both song and dance numbers were done quite well by all counts. Esang de Torres, who performs as the titular lead, is a treat to the ears though a bit wooden (I can't really see her being Naughty).

As for the adults, well, they're a hoot. And while Jamie Wilson is no Bertie Carvel, he entertains both eyes and ears very well. The only exception is Chris Villonco's Ms. Honey, who takes Pathetic a bit too seriously.

To be honest, I'm not sold on Matilda, the musical as I found the movie to be more true to the book. However, I can see that this musical is a good way to introduce theater to both children and adults as there is enough "adult" content in a child appropriate setting. I can also appreciate the revolutionary spirit that will eventually lead them to Les Miserables (lol).

Honestly, I really didn't want to watch this as it was in Meralco Theater, but surprise! This musical started within 15 minutes of the desired time. Yay! Thank you, Atlantis for promptness.

I'd recommend this for all children, and for the parents that will come with them. Die hard book fans may be split, but I'd recommend watching to find out where you lie.

Matilda will run at Meralco Theater until December 10, 2017.

Starbucks Reserve East Timor Peaberry

I loved it so much, I got an entire bag. Its 1 cup away from empty now but boy, was it worth it.

Each bag contains 250g or round 25 cups worth of coffee for 595 pesos. This translates to 25 pesos per cup. This is a nice compromise between an in store 150 peso purchase and a 6 peso instant coffee cup.

Nichido Eye Pencil in Black and Brown

A few months ago, I purchased Nichido's Eye Pencil in Brown and Black. Honestly, I bought these originally for costume contouring purposes, but I've ended up using them a few times after, and here are my thoughts.

BDJ Planner 2018

For 2018, I decided to get a BDJ planner ahead of time since I'm trying to cut down on coffee expenses. Yes, even if I'm not a planner person, I have been switching off between BDJ and Starbucks for a decade. I am a solid two-timer between those two planners. FYI, I still have feelings for the first SB Philippines leather bound planner.

Snoe Under Armed Forces Whitening Natural Deo Spray

Honestly, I bought Snoe's Under Armed Forces Whitening Natural Deo Spray because I wanted a whitening deodorant and found a good ingredients list... but mostly because I have been lemming for Illuminants but VMV's version was too expensive for me to try. ALSO, most brands I've tried have failed to deliver, so I decided to step away from the grocery for now. This spray product has been around for a bit but the packaging is different from it's original iteration.

Sun 2017

I know this doesn't seem very relevant now since Summer has come and gone... but sun protection is always relevant, especially in tropical climes. I also know I'm awfully inconsistent, as usual, but I have been a good deal better at keeping myself protected.

This year, I have been using this 3 products to keep me safe from the sun.

AlgyNatural Seaweeds Deodorant

Yes, this too was given to me. The AlgyNatural Seaweeds Deodorant is more than it seems!

Brews Co.'s Single-Use Drip Coffee

This has been sitting for a while, but I've been trying a few variants of Brews Co.'s Single-Use Drip Coffee. Since everyone I know knows how much I love coffee, this was given to me as a gift. However, apparently, you can find it on shopee for P89-120 for three pieces.

As of now, I've tried Moreno, Hazelnut and Macadamia. They have a Don and Donya, which I haven't tasted. But here's what I think overall.

Sound of Music 2017

Years ago, in 2011, I watched the Sound of Music at Resords World Manila. Six years later, I watched it again in a different location with a different location, cast and direction. And sorry to say (because the former had mostly local talent) that I prefer the current version.

Why? This production was on a much grander scale. The set is better and the cast is larger. While sound quality was poorer in this production, on the whole, this show was a lot more palatable than the previous one. I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm not very fond of this musical. Sorry R&M. I'm not fond of West Side Story either. I know. That should tell you enough about me.

I am fond of some of the songs but the magic for me is already enshrined in the movie with Julie Andrews. In the same way, I cannot help but compare all Valjeans with the guy who screams two-four-shicks-oh-one. Because, tell me, how can you beat the actual gradual zoom in from the hills to the face of Julie Andrews?

Also, I have always found the second act, both in movie and musical, dragging. As such, movement and transition work are very important in keeping my attention. Most renditions of it (including that horrible TV one) are a lot more static. Which is why I found myself pleasantly surprised by the end of the first act (being a lot faster than I expected) as well as the second (I was not bored out of my mind). I found myself engaged in this musical for the first time.

I cannot seem to recall how the older version sounded years ago -since I don't seem to have posted about it. But that is on me. I will say that while their voices were decent, this Captain and Maria had very little chemistry. Humor makes up for it a little, but not enough to be believable. I'm not a very objective judge though because Julia Andrews and Christopher Plummer....

Anyway, all-in-all, it's a decent rendition of the Sound of Music, better than its predecessor. It's major drawback is also not a problem with the show itself but in logistics. The show started 15 minutes late and a lot of people were still very, very late (even appearing halfway through the first act) and the ushers allowed these people entry into their seats EVEN IN THE MIDDLE OF A NUMBER. Not cool.

FYI, if you are late to a show, you should either be seated at the sides or barred from entry until a song has ended. Anything else is rude. And while Hannibal would probably never see the Sound of Music, he would not approve.

If you really want to see this musical, go ahead and book (at seats close to the stage so you won't see the people moving around). But honestly, I still prefer the movie version.

The Sound of Music runs at Solaire until October 15, 2017.

Snoe What's Up Brow! 3D Eyebrow Setting Mascara

During the last Snoe sale, I picked up their 3D Eyebrow Setting Mascara in Khaki. I was torn between this and another product, but I bought this instead of the tube gel since I am very lazy and this seemed like far less work. I've been using it for a month (not very consistently because, again, lazy). Here are my thoughts:

Quick Update

Just a quick update. Nothing bad has happened. I've just been busy with life. But what's been saving me are the Starbucks Reserve Coffees. There was a short period between the newest batch when the coffee I did like ran out and I had a bit of a crisis. Srsly. But you can now purchase 2 new coffees at your nearest Starbucks Reserve (in the Philippines). Not going to go into any details but the East Timor Peaberry and Sun Dried Brazil are both winners. Both cost P155 for a 12 ounce cup, but it's definitely worth a try IMO. Will be out for another week or so, so I hope they don't run out of this, huhu.


Sept 21. Stay safe, everyone!

Pantene Hair Asthma

Being out of the loop with things, I only found out now (through the magic of late night Facebook adds) that Pantene's newest shtick is to liken pollution to "hair asthma".

Facebook Ad

I can't even.

First of all, hair is dead. Deadidy dead. It may look sleek and shiny with proper care but there is no life in it. At best, this is "scalp asthma". But no one wants to talk about female scalps, don't they? I guess they chose asthma as the disease du jour since they probably wanted to talk about hair breathing, but the day my hair (being quite acellular) breathes is the day I get doused with nuclear radiation and become a superhero.

Second of all, do you know what asthma is? It's a serious disease that makes it difficult to breathe and can cause ACTUAL DEATH. For realz. Would you call it hair cancer? Hair diabetes? No. So why call it hair asthma?

I am really disappointed with Pantene.

The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA

It's really hard to post with my computer on its last legs, but I can't help but talk about something not quite ordinary, The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA.

Now I know that it isn't one of the brand's more popular products, at least here in the Philippines. But I do think that this product deserves a little more love than it has been getting.