Long For Escape

I badly needed a change in routine. I'm burning out from work and it shows in my quality scores these past few days.


My sis and I had a chance to don our Harry Potter costumes again before the New Worlds sci-fi and fantasy convention in October. Hogwarts Philippines (a.k.a. Pinoy Harry Potter), along with other fandoms, were invited to talk a bit about cosplaying (cosplay: short for costume play). I had to sacrifice my sleep time yesterday (slept only for 3 hours!!!) but it was worth it.


A TV program on one of the local channels asked us to wear our costumes. We met up at Fandom Cafe yesterday afternoon. There were a few people who showed probably because it's a weekday. The program was also able to film cosplayers from Star Wars Philippines and 501st Legion Philippine Outpost. It was a whole lotta fun!


We long for escape
Let the memory take shape
For the heroes we often see
I don't know if it's me or the movies we've seen
I don't remember as well as I should...*








I know some people don't understand how it feels to be a part of something like this. People may have misconceptions about us and some even result to discrimation or scorn. Some people misunderstand or don't want to understand. Others may not even care at all. I don't blame them. Besides, we can't please everyone.


Throughout the years, friendships evolve and sometimes die a natural death. It is sad. Some friends are still there despite the changing times and the growing up. For that I'm glad.


I've probably blogged about this before and still, I'll type it again-- I'm glad I found a place where I know my so-called geekiness belongs. I have this outlet now for my passions and I get to meet friends in the process-- people with almost similar, if not the same, capacity to be a fan or fanatic. Hurrah! :)


* lyrics from the song "Movie" by Sponge Cola
(This ought to be a paid advertisement. Hehehe! Peace. ;p)

Good Things Come to an End

July's nearly ended. Time flies fast especially when you're having fun. It has been a wonderful geeky month for me and my sis. We're back to the usual daily grind.



books and boxes



view from the top floor


The "geekfest" technically ended last Sunday when I finished the last book of the Harry Potter series. I spent the entire Sunday in our room reading it. The day before that, we were at the book launch at Fully Booked, The Fort. My fellow Hogwarts Philippines students (and faculty) had fun despite the no-open-book policy inside the store to prevent spoilers. We have been patient enough to wait for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" and a few more hours wouldn't hurt. Despite being tired and sleepy, we couldn't help but read the first few chapters of the book until our eyes couldn't take it anymore.



Accio books!



books galore!





I won't be making a book review. I prefer to discuss my thoughts and opinions in person with fellow Harry Potter fans. I just strongly suggest that if you have read about Harry Potter's life from books 1 to 6, read this book for closure at least. Make sure to read the 6th book before you read the 7th one. We've grown up and matured with J.K. Rowling's characters. She made the kids believe in magic and the kids-at-heart believe that there is still magic in this world. I cried when I was reading it and I cried even after reading it. It was sad because I can't believe the series already ended.


Kudos J.K.! :)


More pictures in my album here!


Chiqui's album is here.

NeWT

Yesterday was the last day of New Worlds: Transformed (NeWT), so if you haven't dropped by 2nd floor. Archaeology Hall, Powerplant Mall in Rockwell, Makati in the past week, you just missed your chance. Hehehe!



wand duel with Carl



we *heart* Hiro Nakamura!


My sis and I went there last July 11, which is Harry Potter Day. We watched the last full show of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" on IMAX after our volunteering duties. We went back to NeWT on July 14 and watched the movie again, for free this time, courtesy of Powerplant Cinemas. We had free snacks (Yay!) and we were in our Hogwarts Philippines uniforms.



Potterheads in Powerplant Cinemas
picture taken from Rocky's album


We went back yesterday, July 15, to witness The Philippine Tolkien Society's "The Hobbit" storytelling in Fully Booked.



Benc as Gandalf


There were more people during the weekends. A lot of different fandoms were visible and thus, we met a lot of our friends too! There was a cosplay contest last Saturday. First place went to Optimus Prime (woohoo!), second place went to the ever-charming Jack Sparrow of Black Pearl Philippines (way to go Hank! Note to self: must take my picture with him next time) and third place went to cutie Bumblebee. Congratulations! :)



with Optimus Prime



with my sis versus Optimus Prime
picture taken from Mark's album



with Nina and Bumblebee


There was another cosplay contest yesterday but we went home early. If you missed your chance to see all these, well better luck next time. :)


P.S.
Click this link to watch GMA's Saksi clip of Harry Potter Day.

Pinoy Harry Potter in the Press

We saw pictures from yesterday's Manila Standard (front page!) and Tempo (page 5). There will also be more pictures and an article in Manila Bulletin tomorrow(July 14). There was a radio guesting in RX 93.1 and several news clips. A couple my officemates told me they saw me on TV! Hah! I told them it wasn't me. It was my alter-ego. Hahaha!


More press releases here.


We're even on Yahoo!


Yatta!


Ooops... Wrong fandom. :)





New Worlds: Transformed!


July 9-15, 2007 - 11 AM onwards
Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City

Harry Potter High

Finally! Movie 5 is out. Just waiting for book 7 and this Harry Potter-y month of July is gonna be complete. I was dog tired yesterday but tired doesn't mean I didn't have fun. I actually had the time of my life. If you saw the news last night and read today's paper (Manila Standard and Tempo), you'll know what I mean. Some people may find it embarrassing but since I shared this with my sister and my friends from Hogwarts Philippines, I learned that "acting" in front of the camera was actually fun. Hahaha!


We spent most of the day in Powerplant Mall, Rockwell since it was Harry Potter Day for New Worlds: Transformed and I didn't expect a number of media coverages (plugging QTV's Kids on Q this Saturday, July 14, 10AM-11AM and RPN 9's I-Watch News on July 12 at 10:00 PM). After that, my sis, mother and I went to Mall of Asia to catch the last full show of the movie. My sis and I just took off our Hogwarts robes and went there. Some people smiled, glanced and stared. Some were even snickering as we pass by. I couldn't care less.



Hogwarts girls
with my sis, Jovan and Princess



playing Gnome Toss
with my sis, Jovan, Princess, Ivy and (not in the picture Carlo)



Expelliarmus!
with Carl, my sis, Ivy and pretty little Ella*


I won't make an official review of the movie or else I'll just gush. Yes, there were shortcomings but I really don't mind the disappointments that much because I know the movie is not be an exact copy of the book. It's an adaptation. I am scheduled to watch it again this Saturday, this time with my Pinoy Harry Potter family in Powerplant Mall and this time, in full robes too. I just wanna say that it was my first time to watch IMAX and the movie was worth it. Well, maybe I am just a biased fan but the fight at the Ministry scene in 3D was awesome!!! I'd do it again if only it weren't expensive. I wish it were longer too. Haha!


I slept most of the day on my birthday but yesterday made up for it. It was wonderful! Hope we can all have more days like that.


New Worlds: Transformed is ongoing in the Powerplant Mall in Rockwell until Sunday, July 15. Do check us out if you have the time or if you just happen to be there.


Thanks to all those who remembered to keep in touch with me on my natal day. :)


* pictures courtesy of Rej. View more pics in her Multiply album.

Barenaked Launch

Ten minutes of being on stage in his birthday suit, Daniel Radcliffe makes news again according to this article. Well, I do wish Daniel all the luck. Let's not judge the actor, he's already of-age to decide which characters he would love to play and his choice to be a part of the "Equus" play is a brave thing to do, IMHO.


Equus Photoshoot album updated.



pic taken from Daily Mail


Hogwarts Philippines will be having a Book Launch for the "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" on July 21, 2007 in Fully Booked, The Fort. Book reservations will be accepted starting Monday, 19 February, 2007. Rough estimate cost of the book is P1,700. Reservation fee is P500. Reservations will be given a discount. Probably 10% but not sure yet. Reserved books can be claimed at 7:01 AM in Fully Booked, The Fort and other "launch points". Please wait for further announcements.