Awesometastic 3-D Sequel: The Philippine Red Carpet Premiere of Tron: Legacy

A little while back yours truly, together with various Metro bloggers attended the Philippine red carpet premiere of Tron: Legacy over at the IMAX Theater in SM Mall of Asia. One of the last but definitely not the least, biggest 3-D film of the year will hit major cinemas nationwide today December 17, 2010. So why not end the weekend with a digital bang with Tron: Legacy.



It was a reunion of sort for most Metro bloggers as they populate the IMAX Theater in SM Mall of Asia for the Tron: Legacy premiere. Like what I've said earlier it is one of the biggest 3-D film of the year. I have seen the original 1982 Tron film a three/four months ago and was really excited to see what Walt Disney can bring to the table on a classic title which seems to haveended back in 1982. Not really a big surprise it was really good. As seen in various film trailers and being able to see some of its selected scenes (20 mins.) of Tron: Legacy back at Tron Night last Octobe, the hype surrounding Tron: Legacy is just right for the film delivered in flying neon orange, black, blue and white colors.

You can check out my full written film review for Tron Legacy over my updated spoiler-free movie review blog here:



Tron: Legacy (2010) Movie Review

Passing and Lighting the Torch on SM City Rosario's Seminar on Blogging

I was in SM City Rosario a little while ago and gave a talk to students and teachers regarding the basics of blogging. A few days ago Azrael Coladilla invited me and Iris Rebao-Pulga to be speakers in SM City Rosario's short seminar about the basics of blogging. I was a bit skeptical at first but eventually gave in. I said to myself that I must learn how to face one of my greatest fears in life which is public speaking. Thanks to the new found confidence I have acquired throughout these past few good years, I was able to overcome it after I started rolling and sharing my blogging wisdom.





I never thought that I would find myself speaking in front of an audience of 200 people which comprise of students and few teachers. I could still remember back at 2007 like it was yesterday, I was starting out as a clueless beginner in the blogging scene. I learned everything the hard way, committing every single mistake that a blogger should never do (in a monetization aspect that is) until I gave up. Later that year, the spirit of blogging called onto me (like the three ghosts of christmas past, present and future) so like a prodigal son who lost his way, I went back to blogging and the rest as they say is history.



It was my second time being in Rosario Cavite, it was a bit different from the first time I was there about 2-3 years ago. I believe they were just starting to build SM Rosario by then for I remember the area where the notable SM City now stand is a large construction site which caused heavy traffic in the narrow public road of Rosario back in the days. SM Rosario was spacy, homey and green. SM City Rosario uses natural lighting (like many SM City malls) to reduce lighting and conserve energy. I was a bit surprised to find out that we are going to speak on an open area in SM City Rosario's activity area but I eventually snapped out of a possible freak out moment. I waited a little longer and the rest of the team arrived.





Azrael started with a very engaging and interesting introduction to blogging. His talk didn't fail to amuse me and the rest of the audience. Taking a cue from the blogging master himself, I then followed up with a discussion about how to start a blog. I discussed about the basics of setting up a blogger (blogspot) account since it is the best and free platform to practice blogging and that is what I am more knowledgeable about. I also provided tips and various warnings on how to go about with blogging. Iris then closed the SM City Rosario blog seminar talk with kinds of blogs and monetization.





The talk was later followed by a question and answer portion. The audience was so active and eager to ask questions that bogs their mind (and I wonder why... hmmm insert dubious and sarcastic expression here hahaha) about earning money through blogs which wasn't even elaborately discussed but was vividly tackled in our discussion. We managed to effectively answer all of the questions. What concluded the Q&A segment was a teacher asking about blogging issues like intellectual property rights and blogging issues, that too was answered by various examples and our own personal experiences in the local blogging scene.





What made the whole experience memorable as how the two teachers heading the mob of students thanked us for sharing our knowledge. They told us that they were interested to try out blogging. We then told them that blogging is for everyone and that we are glad to impart the wisdom we earned through the years. It was life giving another life. Like passing of the torch to a new generation whom will continue on what most have established, creating, populating, helping the local Filipino blogosphere and the Philippines in general.



Again a million thanks to Azrael Coladilla and Iris Rebao-Pulga for the outstanding quality photos taken here. If it is a bit blurry then it is taken from my busted but still working digital camera hahaha.

To see more of their photo coverage and their blogs you can follow them at facebook here:
Azrael Coladilla http://www.facebook.com/popazrael
Iris Rebao-Pulga http://www.facebook.com/irispulga

The Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 Film Experience

A big thanks to Warner Bros. Pictures Philippines for giving us the opportunity to see the first part of the last Harry Potter film franchise in IMAX Theater SM Mall of Asia last November 17, 2010. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is currently on all major cinemas nationwide (Philippines) and the rest of the world. It is a definite must see movie.

I was then thirteen when I first saw the first Harry Potter film The Philosopher's stone so I technically grew up watching this film franchise. I am really thankful that I haven't read any of the Harry Potter books published (or listened to it since I am into audiobooks) as I saved myself from being spoiled on what will happen on this final leg of the film. What makes the viewing experience more worthwhile is having a good company with you as you watch. I was once again reacquainted with the Metro movie bloggers in this IMAX HP7 premiere screening. I really miss hanging around and socializing with them during various events, hope to get back to the local blogosphere scene in the days to come.

Photos by Azrael Coladilla.

Harry Potter picks up where the last three movie drops off, by taking a more darker tone and hoplessness feel to it. Hopelessness in the sense that everything seems to go against our protagonists, beloved characters dying and odds of winning diminishing. Of course in the back of our minds we know that there would eventually be a happy ending and that is what we are looking forward to on the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part by 2011. I recommend Harry Potter for all the fans and movie goers who grew up and followed the series. It is a great film to watch this weekend, or anytime of the week especially if you are free with your Hogwarts loving friends. It is not in 3-D though which doesn't take anything away from the film. Forcing the film to be in 3-D might eventually ruin the film like what recent movies did lately. If it is not meant to be 3-D then don't make it in 3-D. As the popular saying goes "If the thing isn't broken, then don't fix it."

Catch my full written review later of the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 on CMAQUEST.

My iBlog 6 Day 1 Business Day Attendance

Last April 16, 2010 I experienced my first ever Philippine Blogging Summit (popularly known as iBlog) held at Malcolm Theater at the University of the Philippines Diliman. iBlog is an annual event for bloggers to understand and learn more about the multi-faceted world of blogging. Here is my iBlog 6 Day 1 coverage which focus on topics such as business, advertising and promotion.



iBlog 6, though on its six year was my very first iBlog event so I was really excited for it. The feeling that I will learn and grow more as a Filipino blogger through iBlog got me really excited. I left Dasmariñas City at around 7:30 in the morning which took me one and a half hours of travel time, thank goodness that I was not late.

Sa familiar faces like Flowell and Miss Janette who were busy setting up the stage for the actual program. Most of the attendees where people from PR companies, blogtrepreneurs, and other business-related organizations for iBlog 6 Day 1 was targeted for businesses and entrepreneurs wanting to understand how to tap blogs as a medium to promote their products and services. This was the schedule for day 1 on the 6th Philippine Blogging Summit:



Miss Janette Toral on the stage lead the first talk regarding blogging for business. An introduction and analysis of the factors that helps business through blogging.

Day 1 (April 16, 2010)

9:00 – 9:15 Opening Ceremonies (National Anthem, Welcome Remarks by JJ Disini)
9:15 – 9:35 Blogging for Business: Tapping Bloggers to Generate Buzz (Janette Toral)
9:50 to 10:10 Advertising in Blogs (Abe Olandres)

10:25 – 10:50 BREAK

10:50 – 11:10 SPONSOR talk (Ivy Jean Vibar)
11:25 – 11:45 SEO & Blogging to Promote Your Business (Francis Gary Viray)

12:00 – 1:30 LUNCH / NETWORKING

1:30 – 1:50 Measuring Blog Buzz (Carlo Ople)
2:05 – 2:25 Legal Concerns in Blogging for Business (Emerson Bañez)

2:40 – 3:00 BREAK

3:00 – 3:20 Blogger and Advertiser: What is the Win-Win Relationship? (Diana Paterno)
3:35 – 3:50 Online Attraction Marketing (Manuel Viloria)

4:05 RAFFLE and GROUP PICTURE

The speakers could only accommodate an hour or so of explaining their individual topics but that didn't get n the way of sending out the message to the audience.



Abe Olandes, author of Yugatech discussed his experience and knowledge on advertising in blogging. Building that reputation to be recoognized by advertisers, placement patterns of advertisements on a blog, pricing for advertisers, and many more were the topics discussed by the author of the highly acclaimed Yugatech author. Being a recognized name on the Filipino Blogosphere not just by bloggers but mainstream companies as well, Abe Olandes was the right man to enlighten the audience with the in and outs of advertising through blogs.



The question and answer segment after each talk gave opportunities to some of the audience to learn more about the topic through a series of relevant questions. Mike Abundo spearheaded the series of questions right after each speaker was over with their topics. His questions are more likely to challenge the expertise of the speaker which in turn could either make the speaker shine as a reliable speaker or the opposite.





The Philippine Online Chronicles or the POC, a partner of iBlog 6 featured the new evolution of reliable news and blogging through the site. A mash up of traditional and new media, the POC is your source of quality Philippines news and relative discussions online.



In between breaks, bloggers and other media organizations got to the chance to socialize. I later joined Don, Rina, Alvin, and Fritz, fellow bloggers which made learning more interesting. It was also my first time meeting up with the jolly Dani and Ian.



Targeted more on the PR companies utilizing the power of blogging groups is another interesting topic for the day which made me wished that the PR agencies which I knew of (who have invited us in the past) were present to realize a perfect set up, a win-win relationship with bloggers. Didi Paterno discussed this topic which was also tackled in Carlo Ople's discussion on measuring blog buzz.

Though not really targeted for the first time bloggers, I appreciated and learned from the first day of iBlog 6. iBlog 6 Day 1 topics and discussions inspired me to become a better blogger by utilizing a blog's hidden potential of promoting one's name or business, which in return will yield new and better opportunities for bloggers, businesses and entrepreneurs.

The Market! Market! LazerXtreme Bloggers Challenge

LazerXtreme at the Market! Market! in Taguig City has recently invited a group of bloggers to experience their authentic brand of entertainment called laser tagging. What can the LazerXtreme, the first Multi-Level Laser Tag Arena in the Philippines offer?



Bloggers at the LazerXtreme Market Market in Global City Taguig

April 13, 2010 marks my first time in setting foot at the Market! Market! of the famous Global City in Taguig (another first for me) to cover and try out the facilities that LazerXtreme has to offer. LazerXtreme innovates the traditional game of tag into a completely new level, and thus the emergence of the term "laser tagging". Arm with light laser (L.E.D.) guns and vests that has laser or L.E.D. sensitive parts, laser tagging provides an enjoyable calorie-burning and quality bonding time with friends or loved ones.

I enjoyed the whole experience of both being an aggressive predator, tagging the opposite player, or as the agile prey, avoiding yourself from being "tagged" on the dark corners and alley of the LazerXtreme gameroom. The LazerXtreme also told us that a loyal costumer has incorporated regular playing on LazerXtreme as part of his diet and workout routine which later proved yielded favorable results, losing weight. Well, I can't see myself losing weight anytime in the future but I personally recommend LazerXtreme as a great way to enjoy a day's off with your family and friends. Just bring an extra shirt or towel though, for you will have entertaining fifteen minutes of fun with LazerXtreme.



LazerXtreme has been on the circulation for two years and have been improving their facilities and services throughout the years keeping them on top of the laser tagging entertainment provider on the Philippine market. Play as a team and defeat the opposite color on a Team Play game or go all out ala-Royal Rumble on a Free For All LazerXtreme game. Afterwards see who gained the most points in the laser tag and brag to your hearts content Hahaha.

LazerXtreme was also featured on an episode of Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho back at 2009, a testimonial that it is indeed one of the most promising and popular entertainment facilities in the Metro:



LazerXtreme started providing laser tag group gameplay since May 30, 2008. Now on its second year, the first Multi-Level Laser Tag Arena in the Philippines will be opening its second branch in Alabang Town Center anytime soon. As explained by the marketing head of LazerXtreme new laser games will be available on the new branch. So will wait til then for the next review.

For an in-depth look on the rates, photo galleries, and what to expect on LazerXtreme you can visit the LazerXtreme Official Website at http://www.lazerxtreme.com.ph.



LazerXtreme
4/F Market! Market!
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
856-6467 or 69
http://www.lazerxtreme.com.ph

Bloggers Come and Join the iBlog: The 6th Philippine Blogging Summit

Blogs are like stars in the bright clear sky, numerous! Each having their own place in the vast depth of cyberspace. Others are shining so brightly while some have just began its life. iBlog has been an annual event for new and established bloggers in the Philippines to cross paths to share and learn from each other about blogging. Whether you are a personal, photo, family-oriented, music, money making, general, entertainment, literary blogger etc. iBlog will help you get acquainted and become an effective blogger based on the category of your blog.



Join the iBlog: The 6th Philippine Blogging Summit for two days this April 16 and 17, 2010 at the Malcolm Theater, UP College of Law, UP Diliman, from 8 am to 5 pm. Registration is free. All you need to worry now is the transportation and managing your schedule for any/both of the two day learning summit. Listen from fellow established bloggers as they share the different aspects and responsibilities of blogging in this age of information and technology.

To register and learn more about the key speakers for the two-day event you can visit iBlog's Official Website here:



iBlog: The 6th Philippine Blogging Summit
http://iblogph.org/

This would also be my first iBlog Summit experience so I am really excited to enhance and develop my skills and knowledge in Blogging. I wasn't able to atend the 5th Philippine Blogging Summit because of some issues but this year yours truly would be on both the events. So hope to see you guys there!

I think it is the right time to make contact cards. Numninumninum

Day One Recollection of The First LetsGoSago Anniversary Surfing Clinic in La Union: Part Two "Chris A. Gone Surfing"

Last August 15-16, 2009 (Saturday to Sunday) yours truly attended the first anniversary of Jonel Uy's LetsGoSago in San Juan Surf Resort in La Union. This is Part two of day one and this is the time I gone surfing.



After changing into my "surfing gear" I joined some of the bloggers who already decided to take a dip and enjoy the fresh (scorching) morning beach. I asked a fellow blogger Omar for a favor to take photos of me surfing which I am thankful about.





Moments later I saw a group of surfers and bloggers crowding up meters away from us and then that is where I recalled that I was assigned to the first batch of surfers. Our group proceeded to their location and met Jonel. He reminded me that I should join the first batch, which I later did.



Luke Landrigan teaches the right moves in surfing.

The class started with Luke Landrigan (surfing professional and extraordinaire) teaching us the basics of surfing which is pretty simple when you looked at it but way different when you are actual doing it (just like first time biking).



Upon seing the rush of "surfing waves" you should paddle...



and push yourself up the board landing both your feet on the moving board. Take balance and stand with partially bent knees, straight back, and properly position feet and finally ride the waves.

That looks easy enough I thought and he directed as to our individual surf coaches whom given us and thought as the actual surfing drill. They also taught us individually the safety precautions to take when surfing. After the trainers saw that we are ready we then went on to try the real thing.



As beginners we were given over-sized surf boards, which measured at around seven feet and once we are at a right distance from the shore, our trainers will wait for the right waves and push us and the rest is up to us. So let's see...



Waiting for the right waves and getting pushed through the waves...



Standing and woops! Failed attempt number one... This is not the right way to stand and control your balance on the surf board.



Another failed attempt to surf as my feet was not properly positioned on the surfboard which causes the unequal distribution of my weight on the board. The result? The sinking of Japan I mean another failed attempt of surfing.

I believe after half an hour I got the hang of it and stopped giving my trainer a headache. This is the only good shot of me properly riding the waves:



Finally I learned how to surf and now acquired a beginner class badge on surfing ahahaha.

It was definitely a blast (of salty waves hehe) and was another memorable first experience for me. I would like to thank my trainer for being very accommodating and patient with yours truly.



To see more Chris A. gone surfing pics, view it here:
LetsGoSurfing La Union Day 1 - Chris A. Gone Surfing

To be Continued...

<< Part One: "Rendezvous Departure and Arrival at La Union"

Part Three: "A Lunch at HaloHalo de Iloko">>

Day One Recollection of The First LetsGoSago Anniversary Surfing Clinic in La Union: Part One "Rendezvous Departure and Arrival at La Union"

Last August 15-16, 2009 (Saturday to Sunday) yours truly attended the first anniversary of Jonel Uy's LetsGoSago in San Juan Surf Resort in La Union. This is my first out of the Cavite-NCR trip and this is how the first day went...



I will start the recollection of day one when two of my best friends accompany me from Dasmariñas, Cavite all the way to Mc Donalds Quezon Ave. Branch at the night of August 14, 2009. Yup, they are a terrific bunch of friends and that is why I called our group as the Terrific Trio. We lleft for Dasmariñas, Cavite at around 8:30 pm allocating time for the usual EDSA Traffic. It is our first to ever had to take the late night MRT(train) ride along Edsa and just to chow there (We usually have a frequent boys night out in Cavite which include dining out and late night walking marathons). The ride went smoothly though the volume of people who were taking the train is like that of a regular day in MRT.

A'last we reach the rendezvous point by around 10:30 pm and decided to grab a grub at Mc Donalds. The two were also very kind enough to wait for me to have the company of other bloggers and surfers. At around 12:00 mn (Start of August 15, 2009 Day 01) I saw the first bloggers, (whom I know) Ria, Earth, and Leira arrived at the establishment. Seeing that I have already some people to talk with. The two left and head home to our beloved town of Dasmariñas Cavite.

It is not long enough when the once silent Mc Donalds Quezon Avenue Branch turned into a busy and bustling establishment at the wee hours of the night as surfers and bloggers started to crowd the fastfood chain which is obviously good for their business. Jonel arrived as well and I aided him together with another person in the registration and the coordination of the participants of the surf clinic.



The bus already arrive and Jonel directed the participants (a better way to put it because the surfing clinic doesn't just include bloggers but non-blogging participants as well) to board and place their luggage on it. When everything was good to go, we went home (JOKE!), we boarded the bus and left Quezon Avenue for the long hour drive to La Union, hehehe.



On the bus, Jonel introduced the itinerary for the two day surf clinic, and the media partners, and sponsors who came to share the experience with the bloggers and participants on the LetsGoSurfing Clinic in La Union.



After the short message from Jonel almost everyone decided to take their much needed rest for when day light breaks it will sure require our energy. I slept while listening to an audio book playing on my mobile phone (and I've been a big Sherlock Holmes complete novel audiobook junkie these past few days). Our slept was cut short at around 5:00 am on one of the comfort room stops in Tarlac. We then continue to push towards La Union afterward.





At around 7-8 in the morning of August 15, 2009 the bus finally arrived at San Juan Surf Resort in La Union where the LetsGoSurfing Clinic was held. We unloaded our luggage and entered the very welcoming resort.



Welcome to Billabong Surf School in San Juan Surf Resort in La Union





A view of the San Juan La Union beach

Helping Jonel with the distribution and accommodation of everyone's room and breakfast. I finally got the chance to have mi much needed breakfast y'ar!



After breakfast and placing our things in our room, I changed into my "surfing attire" (which is not really fit for swimming/surfing though hahaha) and take some photos with the banner I "grew fond" of with.



Instead of making one mega blog post about the two day Surfing Clinic in celebration of LetsGoSago.net's Anniversary, I've decided to break these into parts. So expect the rest of what happened (through the my eyes) last August 15 Day One of the LetsGoSurfing! A LetsGoSago.net Anniversary Bloggers Surfing Clinic. As much as I wanted to post every photos of the departure and arrival at La Union, I can't. You can see the rest of the album photos at my facebook album here:

LetsGoSurfing La Union Day 1 - Departure and Arrival Album
(You need to have a Facebook account and you should add me first hehehe)
To be Continued...

Part Two: "Chris A. Gone Surfing" >>

CMAQUEST turns DOT COM and A Pre-La Union Trip Post

August 14, 2009 (Friday) - Just recently (August 11, 2009 to be exact) I bought a domain name for my Infotainment and Magazine Blog, CMAQUEST and gave it a new easier URL address to access. You can now visit my CMAQUEST: An Infotainment and Magazine Blog at http://www.cmaquest.com. CMAQUEST is my very first blog which dates back as early June of 2007. Later, I shifted genres to entertainment blog and move my personal blog here at Life On A Pencil and the rest is history. I have to thank my good friend Jori of Jori's Entertainment Journalfor helping me out address my domain name issues. Kudos to you my fellow entertainment and pop culture blogger.



www.cmaquest.com

CMAQUEST is an infotainment and magazine blog dedicated to pop culture, movies, television, the internet, and great web finds. I will soon update it to be more aesthetically appealing and interactive to the avid subscribers, followers, readers and fellow bloggers. For now, I have my eyes set on the La Union Trip.

Yup, I will later embark on a journey to La Union starting at 1 am at the rendezvous point set by a Jonel Uy of Let's Go Sago as he celebrates his first Blogiversary via Blogger's Surfing Clinic.

Let's Go Surfing! A LetsGoSago.net Anniversary Bloggers Surfing Clinic is a two day event from August 15 to 16 of 2009 at the Bilabong Surf School and in San Juan Surf Resort in San Juan La Union. Well, yours truly was lucky enough to experience this and this will be a primer to the trip and blogger's event.



www.letsgosago.net

Expect of an aftermath coverage of the event really soon here at Life on a Pencil which is probably by either Monday or Tuesday next week. I am getting both excited and nervous for this is the first time I am going to get out of the Cavite and NCR area so goodluck to me.