SMAFTS

Last Minute Meet Ups

November 18, 2017

Coffee Bean Robinsons Galleria and Starbucks Metrowalk

I can say that the best meet-ups are unplanned. I remember, this group once called a "kaladkarin" (Kaladkarin. From the Tagalog word "kaladkad" meaning "to drag", so "kaladkarin" would mean "draggable [is this even English? I don't know] or easy to drag").

Obviously, this was not a planned meet-up, it was just a last minute invites due to some things that I think, can't be scheduled for another day. Then Jay pops up on viber (which is once in a blue moon thing), so we invited him over and surprisingly, he did (again, very unusual). Then the rest is history. LOL!

New Coffee, New Planner (Goal 2018)

November 7, 2017

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Robinsons Galleria

We don't see each other often but when there's a get together invites, some showed up, some don't, because of busy schedules and other priorities. But this time, is an extra special. Leo and Edlen and Geraldyn, showed up. Hello, it's been awhile since we last met. Oh well, let me check our history photos: our last meeting was on our Christmas dinner in 2015.

L-R: Leo, Girlie, Geraldyn, Edlen and Encef

It's always nice seeing these peeps!

Why Coffee Bean?

Hmmmp.. Somebody's collecting stamps for Coffee Bean 2018 Planner. Just wanna share this, on my way to the meeting place, I saw this post of Kris Aquino in IG and this made me smile. I remembered, I got my first ever Starbucks Planner in 2011 and little did I know, I've been collecting it already every year up to 2016. It stopped in 2017 because there's no more coffee invites in 2016s. Now, I think this is a fresh start. New coffee, new planner? This is my first time here. Well, let's see! Go for the gold. LOL!

I Love You. Thank You. [2015]

November 13, 2016

Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza, Cinema 4

From the title itself, you can already determine that it is a sad love story because of the unrequited love. A love that is not returned but recognized by saying "Thank you".

There's so much in this story that I can relate with. Actually, the character of Paul (Joross Gamboa) is like it was written based on my story (less Tang). Someone who's life is a total mess. No direction. No self-worth. So much in love to someone who can't give the love back.

Not much more to say but this movie made me cry a lot because I used to hear, say or experience myself of the characters' lines.

I am much of the character of Paul who falls in love but doesn't expect anything in return. Just falling in love is enough. I am also like Red (Prince Stefan) and Tang (Ae Pattawan), if given the chance, give my best, chase if necessary and at least give a fight for that love. I always wonder, why there are Ivan (CJ Reyes), in this world, whom who can't tell you directly to your face that they're not happy with your relationship instead they just leave you hanging without any traces. No messages, no goodbyes, no whatsoever to answer all your "why's" and "what if's". My heart crushed when Ivan left Red.

The only consolation Paul and Red has, they're both torn between the one they love and the one who love them (I remember KZ Tandingan's song, "Mahal Ko o Mahal Ako").

When Tang's story's untold, the one who quietly wait, that was the first tears drops to my checks. I don't know. I can somehow felt his pain of being always there to someone you love (in this case, his grandfather who suffered from Alzheimer's Disease) but keep on looking the younger him.

When Ivan showed up, the one who got away, and heard his side of the story, I'm still not convinced. Maybe because we have different way of coping ourselves in the situation. Even I already knew why he left, I'm still mad at him. I can't accept his self-centered reasons. Oh gosh, why I'm so affected to this? Is this my story? Seriously?

Quote/question that I liked: "Who got more pain, the one went away or the one who is left behind?"

Verdict: Rating 4/5

Ms Girlie and Encef

Doctor Strange [2016] Courtesy of Nuffnang Philippines and Cadbury Dairy Milk

October 27, 2016

Cinema 2, Shang Sineplex, Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City

Definitely, watching a movie for free is just awesome. This was my second FREE Movie courtesy of Nuffnang Philippines, this time together with Cadbury Dairy Milk, for being one of the 50 lucky bloggers in their blog contest. My first movie experience with them was in November 20, 2014, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 in Newport Cinema, Resorts World Manila.

Because of my previous experience from them, I kinda expect a lot this time. Meaning I was expecting for free chocolates before/after the movie. Boom, they exceeded my expectations. They gave us all 3 Christmas Flavors: Cadbury Dairy Milk Black Forest (165g), Cadbury Dairy Milk French Vanilla (180g) and Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate Mousse (180g). Wow, how can I complain to that? Just thank you guys. Thank you Nuffnang and very much thank you to Cadbury Dairy Milk for the generosity.

About the movie, I liked it. From being arrogant Doctor (Benedict Cumberbatch) to a mystic arts Master, cool! His journey of finding the cure to his precious hands, after the car accident, which he consider life. He became obsessed to go back to his life until knew the story of Jonathon Pangborn, a paraplegic who mysteriously able to walk again, which brought him to a total different world. I just don't like the action in this film. Very lame action execution compare to other Marvel's produced films but overall, I liked it.

By the way, my date to this event was still Ms Girlie. And oh, I need to mention this, Ms Girlie won a PHP600 GC in their instagram contest using the hashtag #FreeTheJoy #CadburyChristmas. Congrats Ms Girl.