Getting to know a genius: Da Vinci – the Genius exhibit

Photo courtesy of The Mind Museum

What does it take to be the world's greatest genius?

For Leonardo Da Vinci, it is being a painter, sculptor, military architect, aquatic engineer, anatomist, musician, mathematician, inventor, and writer ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

Meet Hello Kitty in her Christmas Village!

It’s the purr-fect time of the year to meet Hello Kitty as she spreads yuletide cheers to kids of all ages in her own village!

Welcome to Hello Kitty Village!

Lee Min Ho Experience

Over ten thousand fans flocked the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Nov. 16 for the much-awaited meet-and-greet event of Korean superstar, Lee Min Ho. 

Lee Min Ho as he watches the video entries of his fans. (c) Alex Gazmen 

DIY: The Lady Gaga Skeleton Make-up

Halloween is fast approaching and it will not be complete without some spooky celebration. Companies, neighborhoods, and even malls are throwing out Halloween parties where everyone is entitled to dress up with their "horrific" yet cool costumes and make-ups.

This year was my first-time to organize and attend a company Halloween party. Since I'm not into spending money for an expensive costume (now you know that I'm a bit kuripot. haha), I chose Lady Gaga's skeleton-inspired make-up from her music video "Born this Way" as my character for the party. Using only black liquid eye liner and eye shadow to my face, here's what I look like. Thanks to my office buddy Mina for making this possible!

Want to achieve this look? Here's what you'll need:
1. Liquid eye liner (4ml will suffice)
2. Black eye shadow
3. Corporate attire/tuxedo
4. Wig (if you want an authentic the lady Gaga look). But you can just ponytail your hair on one side to look "horribly gorgeous". haha.  

For complete instructions how to achieve this look, click HERE. More related videos are posted on YouTube.

Happy Halloween! :)

Korean heartthrob Lee Min Ho to visit Manila in November

(c) Bench official website

UPDATE (October 30): Now is your chance to see Lee Min Ho up close as Bench released its "Benchsetter Fun Meet: Lee Min Ho Mall Tour Meet & Greet Pass" last October 24. The promo entitles each lucky customer to have an autorgraph and photo-op with Boys Over Flowers lead star on November 18 for every single receipt purchase of P2,000 worth of any Bench items.  In its official website, Bench said a total 50 "picks" per participating stores will be made available for the fans. (see full promo mechanics) 

Movie Review: This Guy’s In Love With U, Mare

After the phenomenal success of Praybeyt Benjamin, Direk Wenn V. Deramas is back with another box-office bid in the newest comedy film of Star Cinema titled "This Guy’s In Love With U, Mare" starring box-office trio Vice Ganda, Toni Gonzaga and Luis Manzano.

Released last October 10 in cinemas nationwide, the film tackles the complexity of modern relationships by going beyond the mainstream man-woman romance into a gay-man-woman love triangle story of Lester (Vice), Gemma (Toni), Mike (Luis).

Movie Review: Crazy Little Thing Called Love

It’s been two years since the first time I watched the movie “A little Thing Called Love” via YouTube. In June 2011, TV network giant ABS-CBN gained the exclusive right to air the Tagalog-sub movie on Philippine national television. For this year, it's been airing over and over again.

UP clinches 3-peat UAAP CDC championship tilt

The UP Pep Squad (photo courtesy of Yahoo! News)

The University of the Philippines defended its title as the UAAP Samsung Cheerdance champion for three years in a row on Saturday, tying the eight-time record of the University of Santo Tomas in competition’s history.

Tigers Pep Rally 2012

Tiger Pep Rally official ticket [upper box] (c) Marian P.

FOUR DAYS before the much awaited UAAP Season 75 Cheerdance Competition at the SM MOA Arena, Thomasians were certainly the first to witness the upcoming performance of the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe (SDT), the University's official dance troupe, during the annual Tigers Pep Rally last Sept. 18 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

Movie Review: The Reunion

The Reunion Cast (photo courtesy of rodmagaru.com)

PAYING HOMAGE to the iconic music of the country’s legendary rock band Eraserheads on the big screen, Star Cinema comes with a barkada drama-comedy film “The Reunion” starring Kapamilya actors, Xian Lim, Enchong Dee, Enrique Gil and Kean Cipriano.

In the brink of extinction: the Philippine Cockatoo

The Philippine Cockatoo
image courtesy of aviancompanions.com

THE PHILIPPINE cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), known for its yellow-red colored vent and ability to imitate the human voice is now facing threat of losing its population.

Sometimes called the Red-vented cockatoo or Kalangay in Tagalog, this bird is formerly endemic around the Philippine archipelago particularly in the islands of Palawan, Tawitawi Masbate and Mindanao. But its number began to decline rapidly at the onset of 1990s and is listed as “critically endangered” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

A house pet

In an interview with Mr. Anson Tagtag,ecosystem specialist at the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), he said the major threats for the species’ survival include its potential for pet trade, habitat destruction and persecution. 

Confessions of a recent graduate: JOB HUNTING

Looking for a job??? Did not know where to start??? While I was still struggling to find my first job, I can say that I have felt all sorts of emotions that my mind can conceive --- from the nerve-wracking exams to heart-racing interviews. 

At the middle of the journey, here are my three important realizations about job hunting for recent grads:

Blazer is in: Turn this corporate clothing into a refreshing smart casual look!

image: one of my trail-BLAZER collection

Who says that blazer is only a cream-on-top in female corporate attire?

These past few weeks, I have been experimenting on my personal style and I found out that putting on a blazer during an ordinary malling habit can give me a stylish smart casual look --- wearing only a shirt, capri pants, and doll shoes!

An elbow-length colored blazers radiate the professional look in you and are suitable for those who always want to look decent and classy. Blazers with stripes or checkered embellishments are also good complements to your shirts or blouses that have been scurrying to go out of your closet for years! (yes, you may turn your old shirts and blouses into a new look with this kind of mix and match!)

You can buy these fashionable blazers for as low as Php330 in tiangges around you!

The ROAD [trip]

The ROAD [trip]
Starring: Becarios de Santo Tomas Training Board '11-'12
Edited by: yours truly... :)

My first mini movie using Adobe After Effects
link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zeeE95Ewh4k

Today's Debut Traditions

Image from: http://quinntheprincess.deviantart.com/

by Marian P.
 
ABOUT A WEEK ago, I was invited to my friend’s debut in a posh condominium in Quezon City. The theme was Lady Gaga and everyone in the clubhouse (around 40 of them) was clad in their black party dress – except me.

Laudable "laude" distinctions

Image from Forbes.com

TO MARCH wearing a toga, to go up the stage with the tassel on the mortar board being turned from one side to another, and to finally receive the diploma bearing your name and academic degree are undeniably the best moments in every college graduation. And graduating with a Latin honor is an icing on the cake.

The Narrative of Adele's "Someone Like You" music video

Snapshot of Adele from her music video, "Someone Like You" via YouTube

THERE ARE SOME people who find refuge in expressing their feelings through music – and British singer-songwriter Adele is one of them. The crooner’s own songs mirror her painful experiences with love; in her lyrics, she is able to retell her story and all the emotions evoked – bitterness, sadness, and loneliness.

Caricature as an Art: What is it all about?

A caricature of myself via
Caricature Make Pro application

I spent one afternoon whiling away the time creating an artistic portrait of myself using a caricature-maker application in my smartphone device. But what exactly is caricature and how it started?

Caricature, is a portrait of a person that exaggerates certain features in order to "express the essence of that person and still make the subject easily identifiable." It came from the Italian word, caricare which means "to load." Thus, caricature was "loading" the subject with much meaning as possible - it is not a distortion but rather an exaggeration.

Meow!

Our cat, "Mimi" photo by: Marian P.

Learning photography is fun and exciting!

When I first held my own Sony DSLR (a very special gift from my elder sister), I immediately used it to capture almost everything that catches my eyes.

One my first subjects or “model” is our cute cat, “Mimi.”

It took me almost an hour to get my very first digital (and so far the best) cat picture. I followed Mimi around the house and when she finally cried, “Meow!” facing the lens of the camera I immediately released the shutter button. And look! this is the result of my labor. :)

And I quote: “Photography convey meanings even without the spoken words.” -M.P.

Velada Tomasina: A journey to the past

by Marian P.

The University of Santo Tomas admin staff in their Period Costumes (c) OSA

PRIOR TO THE GRAND Neocentennial celebration of the University of Santo Tomas, Thomasians relived the old UST in Intramuros as they wore their 19^th century-inspired Period Costumes in a living tableau dubbed as “Velada Tomasina” last January 25. Administrators, faculties and students flocked at the Plaza Mayor and in front of Miguel de Benavides statue as the historical marker proclaiming UST as the “National Historical Landmark” was laid down.
Life-size standies of renowned Thomasian alumni and Philippine heroes such as Jose Rizal and Apolinario Mabini were also found at the Plaza Mayor where students, alumni and guests can took pictures. Completing the Hispanic setting were the kalesas which allowed students to have a quick tour around the Quadricentennial Park.