Resto Review: Glenn 50's Diner, Baguio City

The cold street of Leonard Wood features a number of good places to chillax (chill & relax) in Baguio, Philippines. But among the pubs & restos comes the most delightful surprise: Glenn 50's Diner.

Glenn 50's Diner brings people back to the past. The staff's uniform is 50's-inspired; the walls are made alive by posters of classic movies & all-time favorite Hollywood celebrities; the 50's music make you wanna literally yell in happiness while eating; and the chairs & tables make the experience very nostalgic. 

The food will remain as its best asset. Everything on the menu is surely worth giving a try. Just make sure you have lots of space to fill in that tummy because a serving for one can satisfy two. 

What's most delightful about this resto is the price. Here, we found out that the pocket does not have to suffer to gain an awesome dining experience. For similar restos in the Metro, that is difficult to prove. 

This resto deserves a trophy for it does not just satisfy the tummy; it gives people a very unique and wonderful feeling of living in those days which, for most of us, just exist on TV. 

My Take: ★★★★★

If one of these days you manage to visit Baguio City, make sure you allot at least one meal to spend in Glenn 50's Diner for a satisfying blast to the past!

THE PANCAKE SANDWICH
with AVOCADO SHAKE

Movie Review: Maleficent

Angelina Jolie makes a stunning comeback in Disney's Maleficent.

Last year, we discovered the story of the huntsman in Snow White & the Huntsman; we also took a glimpse of the evil queen in Mirror Mirror. This year, Disney brings us the story of Maleficent, the evil witch in the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty.

I have not seen Sleeping Beauty in full length so I cannot make any comparison of the cartoon with this one. I've been reading mixed reviews on this film; some expressing utter disappointment. Below are unbiased observations on this craze with a very limited fan-base.

Straight to the point, if they did not cast Angelina Jolie for the role, this movie won't deserve all the attention it is getting. Jolie brought the Yin & the Yang in Maleficent very much alive. All other members of the cast are forgettable.

There are moments that will make you smile, the kind of smile you give to a stranger. A polite smile, a smirk. It doesn't even try to give its audience a good laugh (I think it doesn't intend to). But in the end, I think  the film is successful in trying to relay the message that EVERY SAINT HAS A PAST & EVERY SINNER HAS A FUTURE (or the other way around for that matter).

Disney surely is experimenting a lot lately. They are exploring possibilities & are aggressive about playing with different elements. They were successful in shooting right through the hoop for most attempts (like Frozen); I'm not sure, though, if they are happy with the target they hit with Maleficent. 

The best reason why I'm thankful for this movie is that it was able to send a magical welcome hug to the Lips we all have missed.

My Take: ★★☆☆☆

Disclaimer: Not a character from Guardians of the Galaxy.
(c) hollywoodreporter,com

Movie Review: X-Men Days of Future Past

Following the applauded X-Men First Class, avid fans & frustrated mutants are set for another satisfying adventure in Days of Future Past.

Wolverine is sent 50 (or so) years ago in the attempt of endangered mutants to save their kind. The goal is to stop Raven (Mystique) from killing Bolivar Trask, whose death had sparked the hunting, and eventually the end of the X-Men.

Many fans clamored in delight after seeing Days of Future Past. Sure enough, this addition to the X-Men chain topped the rest of its predecessors. 

Director Bryan Singer was able to balance brain & muscle with the alternating fight scenes & necessary conversations. Opening the movie with the terrifying image of improved sentinels surely set the expectations high. Some viewers, though, may not appreciate the long chit-chats between the young Professor X and Magneto. 

The winning piece in this film might be the idea of showing the world who Mystique really is. One can not be blamed if he thinks this was supposed to be Origins: Mystique. Thanks to Jennifer Lawrence, of course, for spicing up the screen & giving justice to the cold-blooded, warm-hearted Mystique. 

There was nothing special with the visual effects, like the previous X-Men films. Except maybe for that "very quick" scene somewhere in the middle. I am not very sure if the absence of blood helped the film or made us feel that there was something missing. Otherwise, the effects were A-okay.

It is almost impossible for fans not to be satisfied with how Days of Future Past ended. It somehow was able to give the X-Men franchise a very strong boost to remind the world that they still exist. I just don't know if it was enough to bring back the excitement that most people had for it before.

My Take: ★★★★☆ 

BREAK IT DOWN!
(c) liveforfilms.com

LOVE and SACRIFICE

Love and Sacrifice. Put in one word, MOTHER.


"When God Created Mothers"

When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into His sixth day of "overtime" when the angel appeared and said. "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one." 

And God said, "Have you read the specs on this order?" She has to be completely washable, but not plastic. Have 180 moveable parts...all replaceable. Run on black coffee and leftovers. Have a lap that disappears when she stands up. A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair. And six pairs of hands." 

The angel shook her head slowly and said. "Six pairs of hands.... no way." 

It's not the hands that are causing me problems," God remarked, "it's the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have." 

That's on the standard model?" asked the angel. God nodded. 

One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, 'What are you kids doing in there?' when she already knows. Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn't but what she has to know, and of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say. 'I understand and I love you' without so much as uttering a word." 

God," said the angel touching his sleeve gently, "Get some rest tomorrow...." 

I can't," said God, "I'm so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick...can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger...and can get a nine year old to stand under a shower." 

The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. "It's too soft," she sighed. 

But tough!" said God excitedly. "You can imagine what this mother can do or endure." 

Can it think?" 

Not only can it think, but it can reason and compromise," said the Creator. 

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. 

There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told You that You were trying to put too much into this model." 

It's not a leak," said the Lord, "It's a tear." 

What's it for?" 

It's for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride." 

You are a genius, " said the angel. 

Somberly, God said, "I didn't put it there.” 

- Erma Bombeck

CBD Plaza Hotel, Naga City, Philippines

CBD Plaza Hotel is located near the fully urbanized area of Naga City in the Bicol region.

Strategically positioned near SM City Naga and literally in front of the bus terminal, this hotel has one of the strongest locations in the region. CBD Plaza Hotel has a dedicated airport shuttle service for guests who travel via plane. However, the hotel can use a friendlier staff who'd be willing to give wider smiles to arriving guests.

CBD Hotel needs some serious reminders on hotel service; rooms were not well-cleaned for new guests; the resourcefulness for old towels, bed sheets, and pillows is not appreciated; bathroom facilities can use some upgrading. Points, though, for the well-ventilated room and a window through which sunlight can greet you a good morning.

CBD Hotel boasts for its unbeatable location, but that's about it for this hotel. They do not have an indoor cafe. Everything has a fee: from hot water (for tea/coffee) to WI-fi connection. If you can settle for an average experience amidst the hot Bicol weather, then it's safe for you to stay here. Otherwise, it is recommended to look for a better and more exciting haven.

CBD PLAZA HOTEL: ★★☆☆☆


Contact Details:
Website: http://cbdplazahotel.com/
Mobile: (0922) 881 0735 / (0917) 556 6609
Naga: (054) 472 0318 / (054) 811 2318
Manila: (02) 359 7007

Queen Margarette Hotel, Philippines

Located at the heart of Lucena City, Quezon, Queen Margarette Hotel (Downtown) is a peaceful haven with a modern twist.

As an addition to the original Queen Margarette Hotel, its downtown branch lives up to its reputation. Looking at the establishment from the busy streets of Lucena City, QMHD does not look any more special than nearby hotels. With a basement parking that could really use a major renovation, guests would initially lower their expectations.

As we entered the hotel though, the humble corridors of QMHD seems to become more inviting with its friendly staff. There was a solid Wi-Fi connection for guests to enjoy. Checking in, one could only get pleased with the modern-inspired rooms. The cable television had an excellent signal, the room design was just right, and perhaps the bathroom is its best feature.

Located at the 2nd floor, the buffet breakfast was very satisfying. It gives the audience a nice view of the city and lets them enjoy sumptuous dishes. QMHD is one of the best places where tourists can have a relaxing and stress-free stay.

VISIT THEIR WEBSITE: www.queenmargarettehotel.com

Movie Review: On the Job (OTJ)

On the Job is one of the best Filipino films that I have ever seen, if not the best one this year. 

You know that OTJ will not be an ordinary film just by the trailer. Filipino trailers rarely assure the audience of its international standard in just a couple of minutes, but OTJ did just that. Directed by veteran Erik Matti and packed with experienced actors, it is but too tempting to see action hit Philippine cinemas in the nick of time. 

The casting was nothing else but a genius call to put such good actors together in OTJ. From epic stars like Joel Torre, Leo Martinez, Michael de Mesa, Rosana Roces, and William Martinez to rising ones like Empress and Gerald Anderson, it was sure that acting will not be a problem. Angel Aquino and Joey Marquez are the best support to the awesome performance of lead actor Piolo Pascual. No doubt on the expertise of director Erik Matti, to whom Philippine cinema owes a standing ovation for putting the genre back again. Effects were high caliber, with one scene building up the next; not mentioning the cool intro. Im not an IT expert, but Im guessing that the HD camera did so much to improve the quality of this film. 

I'm sure that a lot of you would prefer to see Hollywood flicks with too familiar scenes than risk it with OTJ. But let me tell you that watching this film will be one of the smartest things you can do for the Filipino film industry. We need more films like this if we want to raise the bar higher, if we want to make a statement that we have a place in the international screen. 

image from imageshack

On the Job made that statement for us, along with the underrated films that many of us never saw. But more that the film itself, In the end, On the Job forces us to realize something that we often neglect or fail to see: the ugly truth, that we live in a society where a hope is a partner of helplessness, where corruption lurks just beneath low bridges, and where death is just around the corner. 

MY TAKE: 5 out of 5 Stars!