DCRJ'S AVENGERS

DCRJ's AVENGERS ! LOL. Wolverine and Spider-man should be included in THE AVENGERS if it wasn't for the licensing of 20th Century Fox and Sony entertainment. So, in my own artistic humble way, let me present to you...DCRJ's AVENGERS, me included ! LOL

 

DCRJ's MOVIE REVIEWS: TRUST (2011)

TRUST (2011). Solid acting with an amazing acting performance by newcomer Liana Liberato with Clive Owen's best performance so far. Annie, a 14 year old girl (Liberato) is seduced by a 41 year old internet predator. She knows only as 'Charlie', it tears apart her family, while her father (Clive Owen) becomes obsessed with revenge. An important issue in this internet age. The film shows how a pervert works, seduces and how the victim and her family goes through those trying times. The ending didn't work well much but suggest forewarn that there are smart perverts lurking around online no matter how strong those parental-protections are. My ratings: 4 out of 5 Biscuits !

DCRJ (Dan C Rivera Jr) stars in TRON: LEGACY (2010)

Walt Disney's Tron: Legacy (2010) will be shown Dec. 17, 2010 here in the Philippines. It is the sequel to the 1982 film Tron. 
Tron: Legacy has an amusing application at Facebook where you get to literally 'paste' your image in the Tron: Legacy trailer. 
I should have pasted a serious face of mine instead of the silly smiling face seen on the video below LOL !

Storyline

Sam Flynn, the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn, looks into his father's disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs and gladiatorial games where his father has been living for 20 years. Along with Kevin's loyal confidant, father and son embark on a life-and-death journey across a visually-stunning cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous.

That's me posing in front of the Lightcycle used in Tron: Legacy (2010) inside the San Miguel IMAX Theater, SM Mall of Asia. Amazing how this film went from vector graphics in 1982 to complete CGI 3D in 2010. I am excited to see this film in 3D next month ! The film stars Jeff Bridges who also starred in the 1982 film.

DCRJ for BRUNCH at Mercado inside RESORTS WORLD MANILA Dec. 11, 2009

Pic taken at Maxims hotel lobby Dec. 11, 2009. Brunch at Mercado, Resorts World Manila. Won P150 at a slot machine...I am not really a serious gambler, just enjoying the sights of those slot machines. It also reminded me of my visit to Atlantic city, New Jersey circa 2003 !


We ate breakfast or should I say BRUNCH at the Resorts World Manila today Dec. 11, 2009. Photo taken at the Maxims Hotel lobby (with Christmas Decor) Resorts World Manila.



Pic taken at Resorts World Manila near the entrance to the casino. Pic taking inside casino is not allowed. Had BRUNCH at Mercado, Resorts World Manila Dec. 11, 2009. Ate more on fruits and veggies should do me for the rest of the day, feeling light and not heavy.


This is the Globe that is currently underconstruction located at the Rotonda near Resorts World Manila and NAIA Terminal 3. Pics taken Dec. 11, 2009 on our way to Resorts World Manila. Could this Globe be similar to the one seen in SM Mall of Asia ? the developers are quite serious into making the place the next tourist attraction.

Okay, Resorts World Manila isn't completely done yet. Its 2nd and 3rd floor, the GRand theater and the Grand Mall has yet to open sometime next year. Resorts World Manila is one big playground for us locals and tourists but what really excites me is the start of the groundwork construction of Resorts World Bayshore City at the reclaimed land near the SM MAll of Asia. Resorts World Bayshore City is the name given to the second integrated resort which will be built and operated by the Travellers Aliance Group and Star Cruises starting hopefully in February 2010 !

DCRJ with Pretty Carshow Models at the BUMPER TO BUMPER V Carshow at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds Dec. 6, 2009

We arrived at the Bumper To Bumper V Carshow at around 7pm at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. I am not really a car enthusiast but what really attracted me in attending those carshows are the carshow girls !


DCRJ with pretty Jahziel Manabat






This Hello Kitty car is amusing

RESORTS WORLD MANILA Scene : Picture Taking is PROHIBITED INSIDE & OUTSIDE the Premises (Head Scratch) Duh !

We had lunch buffet (again!) at Mercado inside Resorts World Manila, my 5th time actually. I haven't had any pictures taken outside of the resort with the Resorts World logo so I got my handy Nokia N95 for some outdoors shot. Upon seeing the iconic Resorts World logo atop the still under-construction building I pose readily for some souvenir shots when the guard waved at me suggesting photoshoots aren't allowed. The hell? I am outside of your premises right? and why the restriction ? Okay, I could realize that the building is still under construction and it might prematurely be reported (and blogged) if they are behind or ahead of schedule. But I also realize that by posting photos of those unfinished construction in the internet I am also helping them by making some free commercialization of the upcoming resort. Case in point, the facebook of Resorts World Sentosa Singapore has published numerous photos of early construction work of the upcoming Universal Studios Singapore. By doing so they are attracting numerous tourist early on. Why can't we just do the same? Why restrict specially us bloggers by not taking photos ? Aren't we indirectly marketing it ? Duh !?

The guard in white waved to me suggesting picture taking is not allowed but I ignored him anyway.

Another guard in white uniform looks at our photo-shoot almost wanting to restrict us for doing the shot hence my facial reaction in the photo

Picture taking inside Mercado also not allowed since it's located just across the poker tables and slot machines. Just pretend your texting on your celphone camera and just fire away on the clicker!

The Star Cruises Centre office building just in front of the Maxims hotel.

The newly opened Newport Terminal bus station.

DCRJ on lunch buffet at Mercado's at Resorts World Manila (My 4th time) Nov. 24, 2009

Having lunch at Mercado's at the Resorts World Manila is now a habit of mine, my 4th time actually. Well, first of all lunch buffet is affordable compared to other lunch buffet in the Metro. Secondly, it's a good choice for inviting family members and friends without draining too much out of my own wallet. Thirdly, the ambiance is typically Las Vegas with the sight of numerous slot machines and poker tables. The only downside of this affordable buffet is that you tend to overeat which is not really healthy in my case. But I see to it that I get to have lots of fruits and salads, less on the meat and other carbs on the menu. The ice cream area is truly inviting with choices of 5 flavors plus a variety of toppings to satisfy your sweet cravings. I did missed out on some tasty-looking soups which my stomach capacity could no longer accomodate it. We did try out some of the slot machines after lunch but I am quite skeptic on its generosity to bestow some tokens, this is a computerized machine and quite prone to manipulation by computer-savvy personnels in my opinion. Gone are the days where you slide in coins and the actual sounds of coins coming out of the machine upon winning the correct lines. We also tried out the horse racing betting machine where you bet on a computerized horse via a touch-screen button on the monitor. We did lose two hundred bills on those machine bandits but had fun. Other areas inside the Resorts World are still under construction, it looks promising though and it's something we will be looking forward to in the near future.

DCRJ on watching the MANNY PACQUIAO vs. MIGUEL COTTO 'Firepower' Fight at SM Cinema

We saw Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto billed as 'Firepower' inside a cinema at the SM Mall of Asia Nov. 15, 2009, a Sunday noon. It's the next big thing in watching the fight live at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, after all, it has no commercial breaks as you see in local TV channels. A Pacquiao fight is always an event for us and a bonding time for my family and relatives, and we always get some photo-ops with the Rexona models assigned in each cinema booth giving away free Rexona deodorants...see pics below








It's incredibly amazing how so much honor was brought by Manny Pacquiao to every Filipinos. Seeing the Philippine flag with Manny's name made me prouder to be a Filipino. Introductory video sequence before the fight showed some of the historical and fire-powered fights with the likes of Hearns, Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard and Muhammad Ali which suggested a prelude to another upcoming fire-powered fight. We have witnessed history-in-the-making similar to those fights in the past such as Ali-Frazier trilogy, Hearns vs. Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Roberto Duran. It's also like a fitting tribute to those past legends when in fact Roberto Duran was there at ringside. I recalled his 'No Mas No Mas' (no more, no more) utterance during their Sugar Ray Leonard days.

The 'Eye of the Tiger', theme song of Rocky III, was played during the entrance of Team Pacquiao. Will that be a prelude to a Manny Pacquiao and Sylvester Stallone movie ?

Manny Pacquiao did the Rope-A-Dope technique popularized by legendary Muhammad Ali not to tire Cotto out but was used by Manny to gauge the body shots of Cotto, it's also one way to get Cotto unaware which was the case, Manny retaliated with a fast right hook sending Cotto to the floor. Muhammad Ali's style of dancing around the ring was imitated by Cotto but dancing not to punch but dancing away from Manny's punches.

Manny Pacquiao incredibly demolished a much bigger and stronger opponent and still managed to perform 8 songs in a concert after the fight. It's not the size that really matter ain't it? Didn't I told you that Manny Pacquiao is the new 'Bruce Lee' ? backread my blog :) The ability to adjust to any opponent big or small is the philisophy of Bruce Lee, Manny Pacquiao has that, physiquely-wise Manny has that too, almost the same physique of Bruce Lee. Nice to know that the Philippines is back on a positive note in today's headlines, in fact the Philippines is now known as 'Manny Pacquiao country'. Congrats to the idol of the world, Manny Pacquiao. He is the first boxer to obtain 7 Titles in 7 different weight divisions.

DCRJ Visits RESORTS WORLD MANILA at NEWPORT CITY in Lunchbreak Oct. 20, 2009

Placed a signage at the front door of my clinic that I will be back at 2pm and finally visited the Resorts World Manila at lunchtime today. It's only a 20 minute drive from my workplace (clinic).

Resorts World Manila in Newport City just across the NAIA Terminal 3 had its soft opening two months ago. This integrated tourism resort will be home to a series of hotels, condominium buildings, a grand mall and other recreational facilities.

We had a sumptious lunch via buffet at Mercado's inside the resort. Lunch buffet is P 188++ (plus service charge) which is only up to Oct. 31, 2009.

What's truly amazing, while walking in the middle of the slot machines, is that you get a sense you are in a place inside a casino in Las Vegas or Atlantic city. Picture taking is prohibited inside the casinos, the Indiana Jones theme or the Star Wars theme slot machines could have been a great snapshot. I saw a Michael Jackso look-alike rehearsing a Man in the Mirror routine, also caught a glimpse of an Elvis Presley look-alike...it seems that the place is becoming a Las Vegas style of entertaiment.

The casino part at the goundfloor of the Maxims hotel is already completely furnished. The upcoming grand mall, theaters and other recreational facilities is still under construction.


This is all I could show you, no picture taking allowed inside


You need a membership card like this so you could play those slot machines. It is given for free inside the resort after filling up the apllication form or you could apply via online at www.rwmanila.com


Hotel accomodations include the Marriot Hotel in the backdrop, the luxurious Maxims hotel which is still under finishing construction and a budget hotel which is still under construction.



This is just the lobby of the place. The place will be one of the finest tourist destination in the Philippines.

Of the total investments, up to $600 million is expected to go to the development of a 25-hectare property in Villamor Airbase into an integrated tourism resort called Resorts World Manila, which will be home to a series of hotels with a total 1,574 rooms and medium-rise residential condominium buildings, a grand mall, gaming and various retail, leisure, gaming and entertainment facilities. Once completed, the entire project dubbed Newport City will generate more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2012.

Newport City is a joint venture between AGI unit Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. and Star Cruises Ltd., the world’s third largest cruise line operator and part of Malaysia’s Genting Berhad Group, one of the largest conglomerates in Southeast Asia.

“Newport City will be positioned as the gateway to Philippine tourism owing to its proximity to the NAIA 3 International Terminal,” said Sian.

The integrated tourism estate named Resorts World Manila (RWM) will be part of the Resorts World chain of integrated tourism development across Southeast Asia , namely Resorts World Genting (Malaysia) and Resorts World Sentosa (Singapore). It will have three hotels – the recently opened five-star Marriott Hotel and two other hotels under construction – the six-star Maxims Hotel slated to open in the first quarter of 2010 and the budget class Remington Hotel which is expected to open by the first quarter of 2011.

In addition, there will be a 1,000-seat Newport Performing Arts Theater, four high-end cinemas, luxury shopping arcade and a four-storey retail mall, gaming areas, restaurants, spas, dance clubs and other recreational facilities.

In the next months, Travellers also plans to embark on another major tourism estate development within the 90-hectare Entertainment City situated in the Manila Bay reclamation area.

Travellers will develop Bayshore City on approximately 40 hectares of Entertainment City Manila. Bayshore City is envisioned as a themed leisure and entertainment destination that will include an iconic structure to symbolize the country’s culture and heritage, residential developments, several hotels with an aggregate room count of about 3,400 as well as leisure, entertainment and gaming facilities.

The project is expected to create over 100,000 jobs both in direct and indirect employment.

DCRJ visits 'JELLIES: DANCING SEA FAIRIES' - New Attraction at MANILA OCEAN PARK - Oct. 11, 2009

A new attraction at the Manila Ocean Park is now open. It's called JELLIES: DANCING SEA FAIRIES. An exhibition of assorted Jellyfishes synchronized with music and lighting effect giving a sense of seeing 'aliens' from a different world. The amazing Jellyfishes with its translucent gelatinous body reflects light giving an enchanting glow to their appearance.

I am delighted that these sea wonders which brought awe in Ocean Parks of the world are now here in the Philippines specifically at the Manila Ocean Park.

Manila Ocean Park is located behind the Quirino Grandstand at the Rizal Park, also near the historical Manila Hotel. Prices for the 'Jellies: Dancing Sea Fairies' attraction is P150 per person (Adult and Child).














I have seen the same Jellyfish attraction at the Ocean Park Hong Kong, it has the same concept, same design but different music played (at least, when I visited the place). The music played in Hong Kong, specifically at the Jellyfish columns, was fast-paced and upbeat synchronized with light colors. The music played in the Philippine counterpart is a slow orchestral music although giving a soothing effect while watching the Jellyfishes. Different strokes for different folks (or countries).

DCRJ's MOVIE REVIEWS: THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE

We saw ‘THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE’ at the SM Mall of Asia last Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009. It’s an effective love story with complete disregard for the space-time continuum or the Butterfly effect which could make Marty McFly shiver in annoyance. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed watching the movie even with its preposterous premise.

Henry (Eric Bana) is sick, he has a DNA-genetic sickness which makes him jump through time by slowly disintegrating himself into thin air which he hasn’t gained control of and leaving all of his clothes in the process, he thus reappear in a different time naked, see what I mean?

Rachel McAdams as the understanding wife faced with the dilemma that her husband disappears in unexpected moments not knowing when he’ll reappear next. It’s quite amusing since I am a sucker for all time travel movies in which one of my favorite is the Back To The Future trilogy and the Robert Taylor starrer ‘The Time Machine’. The film doesn’t follow the logic of ‘The Time Machine’ where you advance or go back to the past in the same exact place you’ve disappeared. Whenever Henry disappears, he either reappears in a library, in a forest or some other places.

Another thing that’s quite hard for me to comprehend is how could a gene makes one travel through time. Okay, forget about that logic because it’s only a movie yet still it would be acceptable if somehow Henry has mutated due to, let’s say, radiation exposure gone wrong...okay okay, Hulk has already got that premise but a time traveling genetic disorder is laughable.



Not to get discourage with its premise, a Rachel McAdams and an Eric Bana film is worth watching the movie. Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams works wonderful chemistry together and you’ll be convinced that they really love each other. ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ movie is romantic, full of warmth, amusing and magical…just don’t follow any logical thought from other time travel movies and you’ll have a wonderful time watching it specially with someone special :D

My rating 4 out 5 Biscuits !

DCRJ's Movie Review: TERMINATOR SALVATION (2009)

TERMINATOR SALVATON (2009)



I've read some reviews of the latest Terminator series, Terminator Salvation. Some reviews ranged from poor to mediocrely poor, overall ratings was mere 39%. So I was expecting the worst when I entered an SM Cinema to watch TS.

Surprisingly I had a blast, had fun and enjoyed thoroughly the latest Terminator film. Lots of references to the earlier Terminator films. Anton Yelchin played a young Kyle Reese in TS also played a young Chekov in Star Trek (2009)...the Star Trek movie tagline is 'The Future Begins' while the TS movie tagline is 'The End Begins'. The CGI image of Arnold Schwarzenneger was incorporated to a body builder's body to look like the first T-800 in the first Terminator film...some find it funny and hilarious while I say it's amazing how those genuises at ILM did it.

The origin of John Connors' scar on his face as seen in the post-apocalyptic scenes in Terminator 1 and 2 is shown in TS. The trademark movie lines 'I'll Be Back' and 'Come with me if you want to live' is there in TS.

Actress Linda Hamilton's voice is also featured in TS as a recorded voice of Sarah Connors. The actor Michael Papajohn is seen in TS as a baddie who wanted to rape the sexy pilot but got shot in the balls instead is the actor who played the alleged killer of Peter Parker's Uncle Ben in Tobey Macguire's Spider-man.

Although Terminator Salvation has lots of flaw, a flawed storyline and lacking 'the heart' of Terminator 1 and Terminator 2, the film is still enjoyable to watch and behold...I got a kick out of the giant terminator when two robot motorbikes came out of the giant robot's legs ! very cool ! Terminator Salvation has lots of wonderment to offer specially Christian Bale's and Sam Worthington's performances are outstanding.

I am looking forward to Terminator 5 and I will be eagerly awaiting the origin of T-1000 (the mercurial Terminator played by Robert Patrick in Terminator: Judgement Day). Forget about the T-X, it's a bummer.

my personal ratings - 4.5 out of 5 Biscuits

FRANCIS M. - Performer at the AMVASC (Anti-Hypertensive drug) Launching at SMX Convention Center, SM MOA - May 5, 2008

This is my personal video taken by my Nokia N95 at the SMX Convention Center during the launching of the anti-hypertensive drug AMVASC sponsored by Therapharma on May 5, 2008. The late Francis Magalona and Lea Salonga were the performers that night. The Master Rapper Francis M. died from complications of leukemia almost exactly 10 months after that night.



Here's another video I took with my Nokia N95 at a different venue of the anti-hypertensive drug of Therapharma, Amvasc 5mg presented by the late Francis M. Master Rapper extraordinaire at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on May 16, 2008 Friday. The stage is even more exciting with a huge Philippine flag on display along with swirling light effects that intensified the song number of Francis Magalona.


RAP IN PEACE Francis M.

EARTH HOUR 2009 - SM Mall of Asia is the Philippine Landmark

Earth Hour 2009 - major landmarks around the world switched off their lights for 60 minutes. The SM Mall of Asia in the Philippines is the major landmark as seen last year in the Earth Hour video in YouTube. March 28, 2009 much funfare were seen at the SM Mall of Asia with free concerts and cultural shows which signified the Earth Hour event here in the Philippines. 2700 cities all over the Philippines participated in the Earth Hour event which symbolizes an awareness for all to conserve energy and awareness on the ills of global warming. Earth Hour is an annual event around the world !

We were at the SM Mall of Asia March 28, 2009 to observe that event


The metallic giant globe in front of the SM Mall of Asia suits perfectly for Earth Hour


I bought an Earth Hour tshirt at the SM Mall of Asia


My favorite of all the malls in the world - SM Mall of Asia near the scenic Manila Bay in Pasay city.