Sun-Star Weekend Magainze

Geek is now chic, as Jigs Arquiza finds out firsthand from the ladies who brought intellectual nightlife to Cebu.

[email protected], February 5, 2011

wheels

3Black is Beautiful

movies

4The Rite

Quiz Queens

Sun.Star Weekend | Saturday , February 5, 20112C

cover story

RALPH RHODDEN C. CAVERO Graphic Designer

CHERRY ANN LIM Managing Editor, Special Pages and FeaturesJIGS ARQUIZA Editor CLINT HOLTON P. POTESTAS Writer

And it all started because two friends, Leica Cruz and Jewel Jalandoni, had nothing else better to do one night.

“It all came about because of sheer boredom,” confesses Jewel. Living in Manila for a year, she used to participate in quiz-themed nights held in bars in the capital city and found it an interesting diversion. Upon Jewel’s return to Cebu, she got together with her good friend Leica and broached the subject to her.

Agreeing on the concept, Jewel and Leica looked for a suitable venue

Quiz QueensJewel Jalandoni, Leica Cruz and Alexis Yap.

A typical Trivia Night session at Alejandro’s.

Sun.Star Weekend | Saturday , February 5, 2011 3C

wheels

Black is beautifulto try out the idea. The pair approached Alexis Yap, a popular TV show host and the proprietor of Alejandro’s Filipino Restaurant, to discuss details. Intrigued by the idea, Alexis consented to having several sessions held at Alejandro’s, and on February 10, 2010, the first Cebu Trivia Night was held, with Alexis as the Quizmaster.

According to Leica, “We’ve actually made Trivia Night bigger here in Cebu than it is in Manila,” referring to the response the theme night has garnered. And it is true: from a once-a-week thing at Alejandro’s held every Wednesday, Cebu Trivia Night is now held two other times a week, Tuesdays at The Joker’s Arms in A.S. Fortuna and Thursdays at Luxx at VUDU at the Crossroads Arcade in Banilad. And oh, that’s not counting alternate Saturday afternoons at 93rd and 1st Bar at the fourth level of Ayala Center overlooking The Terraces, and the occasional Friday night session at the Garden Area of The Terraces. Yep, it’s gotten to be that big, and it seems to be growing even bigger.

“We’re overwhelmed at the response to Cebu Trivia Night,” Leica and Jewel exclaim, adding “We never thought it would become this popular!” The two then explain that they’ve been asked by several companies and even government agencies to hold Trivia Nights at their respective parties. Aside from that, plans are underway to bring Trivia Night to Bacolod and Cagayan de Oro, having received inquiries from establishments in those cities on how to host their own Trivia Nights.

With geekdom seemingly the “IN” thing nowadays because of Trivia Night, there’s no shame anymore in being a nerd. “We’ve established a community of geeks!” Jewel proudly proclaims, with Leica elaborating “Before, it was the “cool” people who went out at night and partied. Now, the geeks are doing the same thing, and having a lot of fun!”

And have fun the geeks do, as the Trivia Night regulars remark. “We deepen our sense of camaraderie through clean fun,” declares Team Moss, who consistently place high in the rankings. For Group 12, also a top-ranked team, “Pitting your knowledge of useful and useless stuff against others is very challenging!” The much-feared Lady Gaga’s say practically the same thing: “We love the sense of community!” On the other hand, the very competitive Team Mixed Nuts join Trivia Night because “We’re here to unwind from a heavy work day.”

Whatever your reason for joining, one’s thing’s definitely sure. You’ll have a great time battling the best brains in town, but do remember these two words when you’re all set to show your answer: “Think carefully!”

German automaker Porsche is expanding their lineup for the 2011 model year with a limited run of the popular 911 sports car. Called the Carrera Black Edition, the car comes in basic black, with basalt black metallic as an option for the convertible. The Black Edition sports 19-inch Turbo II two-tone wheels, with a machined aluminum finish on the outside and a darker argent color on the inside areas.

Continuing with the color concept, interiors of the special-edition Carrera comprise of black sport seats with leather inserts, with the option of a full leather interior. A badge on the glovebox cover states the exclusivity of the car, with its production number in plain view. The interiors are trimmed in aluminum, contrasting with the overall color.

A 13-speaker Bose sound system powered by a seven-channel amplifier comes standard, as well as other tech stuff like GPS navigation and a universal audio interface, making it possible to use your iPod together with the car’s sounds system.

The engine remains the same, a 3.6 liter boxer engine giving out 345 horsepower, coupled to a six-speed manual tranny or a PDK seven-speed gearbox. Zero-to-sixty mph is said to be 4.9 seconds for the manual, with the seven-speed PDK clocking in at 4.7. Top speed is rumored to be in the 180-mph region, which is pretty much standard for the typical 911.

Other options include the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), with the option of the PASM sports chassis for the coupe, which lowers the bodywork by 20 millimeters. The Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake system is also available.

FROM WWW.LEFTLANESNEWS.COM


movies

IMAGES FROM THE INTERNET

Anthony Hopkins classes up “The Rite,” as you can imagine he would most every situation. But even his other-

worldly powers can only make this overly familiar demonic possession thriller engaging for so long.

Despite the ads that would suggest otherwise, Hopkins is actually a supporting player here. The centre of the film is Colin O’Donoghue, making his confident, impressive feature debut as Michael Kovak, an aspiring Catholic priest suffering a spiritual crisis.

Following his mother’s death, Michael joined his father (Rutger Hauer) in the family mortuary business. Swedish director Mikael Hafstrom (“Evil,” ‘’1408”) details the painstaking process of cleaning and preparing a body for a funeral with precise, clear-eyed detail, which makes it seem even creepier. Still, Michael is obviously a caring and conscientious young man, and it makes sense that he would be interested in tending to others through the church. Trouble is, he’s not sure what he believes.

Michael Petroni’s script, “suggested by” a novel that was “inspired by” actual events, is surprisingly reasonable and even-tempered with its discussions about the nature of faith. For a while, it is neither hyperbolic nor preachy, but open to all possibilities and levels of devotion – or lack thereof. All of this intelligent set-up, as well as the moody, atmospheric way Hafstrom takes advantage of locations in Rome and Budapest, make the over-the-top climax feel like even more of a letdown.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.Michael doubts himself, but his mentor at

the seminary (Toby Jones) sees the potential

in him, and sends him off to Rome to study exorcisms with Hopkins’ character, the infamously unorthodox Father Lucas. After witnessing the master’s methods, we – like Michael – are left wondering what’s real and what’s just mere theatrics. (Last summer’s “The Last Exorcism” daringly explored the same notion.)

In the middle of purging a demon from a pregnant teen’s body, Father Lucas’ iPhone rings – and he takes the call. He knowingly jokes about spinning heads and pea soup. He also pulls off a little sleight of hand to assuage a troubled boy who claims he’s been seeing visions of a mule with burning red eyes. Hopkins makes the character charming, almost irresistible, even as he begins to show signs that he might not be so trustworthy.

“The Rite” makes its own turn – from a film that’s smart and suspenseful to one that feels hackneyed and overwrought. The pregnant teen contorts her body in impossible ways and curses in languages she doesn’t even know. Michael begins to wonder whether he’s seeing and hearing things, which he bounces off a journalist (Alice Braga) who has befriended him while working on a piece about exorcisms.

And inevitably, even old, reliable Father Lucas starts behaving, um, a little strangely. As we know from his indelible turns as Hannibal Lecter, Hopkins can be frightening enough all on his own, just standing there delivering his lines. He doesn’t need any technological trickery and he certainly doesn’t need his voice enhanced in any way. Hafstrom apparently didn’t think so, though, and overwhelms what might have been a disturbing, final showdown between good and evil. (AP)


audiosyncracyshort reviews

IMAGES FROM THE INTERNET

No Strings Attached“No Strings Attached” begins with an

intriguing premise: A guy and a girl agree to have sex wherever they want, whenever they want, without all those pesky emotions getting in the way. This is apparently what the kids these days, with their rock ‘n’ roll music and their video games, refer to as being “friends with benefits.” What’s intriguing about it is that the girl in the equation, a young doctor played by Natalie Portman, is the one who suggests this arrangement, and the guy, an aspiring TV writer played by Ashton Kutcher, is the one who breaks the rules and falls in love. It’s a reversal of traditional gender roles, and an indication that we might be in for something fresh, daring and different. Except, we’re not. (AP)

The MechanicIt’s probably blasphemy to even think

this, much less say it out loud, but here goes: The remake of “The Mechanic” starring Jason Statham is better than the 1972 original starring Charles Bronson – and Statham is better in the lead role than Bronson was. So there. Now, “The Mechanic” may not have been one of Bronson’s stronger films during this era but it has achieved a certain following among genre fans. In retrospect it was a bit languid, it meandered here and there with its groovy vibe – although it did feature a breathtakingly wordless, 15-minute opening as Bronson’s assassin character laid out the works for an elaborate kill in a seedy, downtown Los Angeles apartment building. (AP)

The latest effort from Eric Benet is titled “Lost in Time,” and we can only imagine that the crooner is alluding to the disappearance of his “sexy.”

The 44-year-old Benet got off to a great start with first single, “Sometimes I Cry,” using his butterscotch vocals to narrate the shaky first steps of life after a break-up. Unfortunately, there’s not much else like it on the disc, heavy with retro soul.

Benet puts his falsetto to work on the saccharin sweet “Always a Reason.” But it, like the album’s title track, has the previously silky R&B singer sounding like the leader of a Temptations cover band. Benet hustles alongside Chrisette Michele on the disco-ready, flute-inflected “Take It.” And he’s outdone by the O’Jay’s Eddie Levert on the cool “Paid,” which has the worldly sophistication and sound of the legendary funk-soul group’s 1972 hit “Backstabbers.” He also has a sweet song with his daughter India on “Summer Love.”

Vocally, Benet still has undeniable chops, and musically, the production is spot-on on “Lost in Time.” But the singer, who was cooing about “Chocolate Legs” just two years ago, has a style and voice that seems better suited — and more believable — set in the present.

Eric Benet “Lost in Time” (Reprise)

CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: The old school vibe is strong, but not over-powering, on the breezy “Stir It Up.”

After almost 3 decades of recording all-original and all-Filipino

music, Nonoy Zuniga comes full circle with an album aptly called

Beginnings.

The Doctor of Love’s 14th studio album and the very first that

contains all covers of 11 choice cuts, Beginnings is about the music

he was singing in the early days of his career. “The Harder I Try, a

1972 hit by The Free Movement is one of the most requested songs

during my days with the Family Birth Control band. It is also one of

my favorites,” he tells writer Pocholo Concepcion.

Each song has a personal story, and Cebuanos will have the rare

privilege to listen to Nonoy himself spin an intimate yarn in the best

season to sing love songs: Valentine’s. Bringing his own brand of

music to the Queen City of the South, Nonoy Zuniga’s Love Without

Time proves that the genre- and age- defying quality of his hits will

be the perfect pre-Valentine’s gift for his Southern fans.

On February 11, at 7pm at the Cebu International Convention

Center (CICC), Love Without Time unfolds the many sides of the

classic OPM balladeer with his karaoke staples (like the Nonoy

Zuniga signature Kumusta Ka) as well as bring you on a lyric

journey to his musical, well, Beginnings.

(Tickets to Love Without Time available at the Ayala, Parkmall and SM customer service booths, and also at the CICC. Prices are at Php 1,000, 500 and 300 to benefit the Church of the Blessed Beato PedroCalungsod Parish of Cantabaco, Toledo City, Cebu and The Daughters of St. Theresa ofValladolid, Carcar, Cebu Inc. Love Without Time is brought to you by ALCORDO ADVERTISING, E-Travel, Global Power Corporation, Loyola Consolidated Plans, Pepsi-Cola, Didang Delicious Masareal/Lamac Multi-purpose Cooperative, Avenue Plaza Hotel, Carmen Copper Corporation, Sun.Star Cebu, MOR Radio, and ABS-CBN, and Radisson Blu hotel)

Nonoy Zuniga launches new album in Cebu!Today, Saturday, experience a festive celebration

of Chinese food and culture at the 1st Annual Xin Nian: Cebu Chinese New Year Festival 2011 at the Ayala Center Terraces from 6 p.m. onwards.

Have a taste of authentic Chinese delicacies at the exotic street food festival and witness captivating live performances of the auspicious lion dance and ribbon dancing. Be mesmerized by presentations showcasing Cebu talents and a fashion show featuring the private collection of Ms. Elizabeth Gan Go featuring Chinese Dynasty era costumes. Discover your luck this Lunar New Year of the Rabbit with fortune telling or learn traditional Chinese calligraphy. To bring in more luck, donate to the money tree and get a chance to win a roundtrip ticket for one to Hong Kong courtesy of Cathay Pacific, among other exciting prizes. Proceeds of the money tree will be for the benefit of the Children’s Hour. All this in just one festive event for the whole family.

Participating members of the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) include Cebu Hilton Resort & Spa, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino, Golden Valley, Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort & Spa, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, Montebello Villa Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu, Phil School of Culinary Arts and the Cebu City Marriott Hotel. Other establishments include downtown institutions Snowsheen Restaurant, Betty’s Bakeshop, Cebu Lumpia House, De Luxe Hopia Bakery and Groceries, Beka Bakeshop, Julmer Food Ventures and Kwong Bee Sausage Factory.

A project of the Cebu City Government through the

Cebu City Tourism Commission (CCTC) and in cooperation with HRRAC, Xin Nian is set to be a yearly event to highlight the Chinese New Year. It is the first project under CCTC’s “What’s New in Old Cebu” campaign, a drive to introduce new events to the city to further encourage and attract local and foreign tourists to visit Cebu. This event is open to the public and also brought to you by Ayala Center Cebu, Pepsi and Cathay Pacific Airways.

Celebrate Xin Nian at The Terraces!


grinlight

feature

Movies to watch on Valentine

My dearest wife is always going on and on and ON about NOT making a fuss over her on Valentine’s Day. She repeats that it’s the thought that counts.

Well, I put a lot of thought into the gifts from previous February 14ths but she didn’t quite take to any of them like I assumed she would. Here’s my list - see what you think:

1. Brand new mop and bucket - I was thinking it would be fun to see what colour the floor was because I couldn’t remember.

2. Romantic dinner at fast food restaurant - I was thinking that she might like to go inside for a change instead of fetching dinner at the drive through.

3. Leftover chocolates from last year - I was thinking of how proud she’d be of me for not wasting food. She’s been nagging me for years to recycle.

4. Midnight moped ride through the park - I was thinking that I’m getting too old to be peddling on the bike.

5. A dozen roses printed on high quality photo paper - I was thinking these would last a lifetime instead of just a week.

6. A 45 second back massage - I was thinking any longer than 45 seconds and she might think I was interested in something else.

7. Windows 7 - I was thinking how proud she would be to be a part of the technology crowd.

Valentine is fast approaching, and here’s something to get you guys out there prepared.

Valentine’s Day list

Valentine’s Day is coming up in a few days, and in case you and your significant other aren’t in the mood to experience the hassle of the Valentine’s Day crush, why not just stay at home, lay like broccoli, and have a movie marathon? Here are some nice movies to watch on Valentine’s Day.

Casablanca – “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine,” Richard Blaine said of his one-time love, Ilsa Lund. Let this movie walk into your life, and fall in love with what most people consider one of the greatest love stories of all time.

Pretty Woman – “In case I forget to tell you later, I had a really good time tonight,” Vivian Ward says to Edward Lewis, and if you and your date watch this movie, the two of you are sure to have a really good time.

Titanic – “I’m the king of the world!” Jack Dawson said, and maybe, just maybe, your girl will make you feel the same way after watching this.

50 First Dates – “I don’t know who you are, Henry... but I dream about you almost every night.” Lucy Whitmore said to Henry Roth, and this movie just might get your girl to do the same about you.

10 Things I Hate About You – “Mostly I hate the way I don’t hate you. Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.” so Kat Stratford tells Patrick Verona, and if you’ve got even half a mind, you’d want your girl to hate you this way.


books

TEXT AND IMAGES FROM WWW.FULLYBOOKEDONLINE.COM AND THE WEB

Got something to share with us? Sun.Star Weekend invites readers to contribute original, unpublished poems and essays or commentaries about funny or memorable moments in your life.

Please email your contributions to: [email protected]

49 Gen. Sepulveda Street, CebuTel. No (032) 255-0105 & 412-5551

Fax No. (032) 412-5552Email: [email protected]

website: www.palazzopensionne.net

BED & BREAKFAST

crossline

scribblings

IMAGE FROM THE INTERNET

You were never mineThat is certain.But at that instantMy eyes found yoursAnd they touched like specks of sandThe world is suddenly emptied of doubts

And on that split second That the world froze for usI shiver with the understandingThat maybe you belonged to meIn another universeIn another lifetimeIn another momentJust... not today.

Not TodayBy Ion Mae Villar

For the few who have considered the white walls of a medical institution as their second home, where they take care of the ailing for eight hours, be it in the fast-paced and critical emergency situations, or just in the station, giving monotonous medications, there is nothing, perhaps nothing more out of the ordinary than those inflicted with the disease correlated to love.

The lack of love is a disease, that is. Where gambler mama cried for repentance to her 12-year old daughter after having found her tied by a rope up on their house’s ceiling, semi-conscious and cyanotic, whom she had hurt physically just two hours ago. Or the unfortunate teenager who was hanging on for dear life after being shot by to-whom-it-may-concern bullets on a cold, drizzling night. As well as another man, bleeding, after having been mauled to death by his blood brothers nga “ni-enter.”

The need for love is a disease, that is. Where a diabetic old man with a swelling left foot at Bed 15 cried out “Dili naka ganahan nako? Kwarta nalang jud imong sige ug pangayuon?” (Don’t you like me anymore? Is money all you ever want?) to his 30-something girlfriend every afternoon, but still gave her a chance to change ways. Or the pretty girl who drank a bottle of

bubbling shampoo after a big fight with her boyfriend, yet found him at her bedside, holding her hand, giving her tender loving care.

An antidote is imperative. And you wish (oh yes, you just wish!) that those who succumbed to such maladies could encounter without ado its phenomenal after-effects. Like the worried husband at Bed 20 who tightly embraced his once-disoriented and restless wife in the middle of the night when she finally recognized him, reassuring her with “Ma, ako intawn ni” (Ma, it’s me!). Or perhaps, our dearest (yes, our dearest!) at Bed 1, bloated and sweaty who held his wife’s hand while saying “Salamat sa tanan” (Thank you for everything.) in a whisper just before he took his last breath.

And with those long (or sometimes brief) encounters with strangers (and some strangely familiar few), those uncanny coincidences and turn of events that foretold why, indeed, the greatest disease isn’t medical but emotional, the needs of the heart, we come to terms with the soft parts of ourselves, who, like any other, are predisposed to ailments or not, would want that panacea. That capsule. That tablet. That teaspoonful. That fundamental need for love, over the counter.

Love, Over the CounterBy: Candy Gale T. Manching

Deep in the walls of a witches’ cottage lays an ancient magical kitchen. Dangling over that kitchen’s cauldron, pinched between the fingers of two witches, is a toad. And the Toad has no idea how she got there, and no memory of even her name. All she knows is she doesn’t think she was always a Toad, or that she’s ever been here before. Determined to recover her memories she sets out on a journey to the oracle, and along the way picks up a rag-tag team of friends: an iron-handed imp, a carnivorous fairy, and a few friendly locals.

But the Kitchen won’t make it easy. It is pitch black, infinite, and impossible to navigate, a living maze. Hiding in dark corners are beastly, starving things. Worse yet are the Witches themselves, who have sent a procession of horrific, deadly monsters on her trail. With some courage and wisdom, the Toad just might find herself yet-and with that knowledge, the power to defeat the mighty Witches.

Filled with forty stunning pencil illustrations from the author, the Witches’ Kitchen is a rich, well-imagined fantasy setting unlike any other.

The Witches’Kitchenby Allen Williams


peeps (people, events and places)

DJ Chris Garcia in CebuA nominee for best resident DJ at the Nightclub

& Bar Awards in the United States, Las Vegas-based DJ Chris Garcia made his debut in the Philippine club scene right here in Cebu’s very own Luxx at VUDU over at Banilad last Saturday, January 22. As usual, VUDU was packed with the regular VUDUphiles and people looking to have a great time. The night peaked when DJ Chris Garcia played his hits “In de Guetto” and “The Rhythm of the Night”, taking the crowd’s enjoyment at a higher level.

Facts about Valentine’s Day1. The modern day celebration of Valentines Day is

believed to begin in France and England.2. Cupid (symbol for Roman God of love), doves, love

birds, roses, hearts and arrows are all symbols of the Valentine’s Day celebration.

3. Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine’s Day around 498 A.D.

4. In Great Britain, Valentine’s Day began to be celebrated around seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes.

5. In Medieval times, girls ate bizarre foods on St Valentine’s Day to dream of their future spouse.

6. There was a belief in the Middle Ages that the first unmarried person (of the opposite sex) you met on the morning of St. Valentine’s Day would become your spouse.

7. The first Valentine gift was sent by Duke of Orleans to his wife, after he was captured in 1415.

8. 73% of Valentine Day flowers are bought by men, whereas women buy only 23% of Valentine flowers.

9. Around 3% of pet owners prefer to give Valentine gifts to their pets, as they are more grateful than humans.

10. In olden times, some people believed that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine’s Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.

11. The heart is the most common symbol of romantic love. Ancient cultures believed the human soul lived in the heart and its red color is though to be the most romantic.

12. The red rose was the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. Since red stands for strong feelings, red rose is a flower of love.

13. The first Valentine’s Day box of chocolates was introduced by Richard Cadbury in 1868.

14. In Wales, wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on Valentine’s Day. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favorite Valentine decorations on the wooden spoons that meant, “You unlock my heart!”

DJ Chris Garcia spinning the night away at Luxx at VUDU.

Michael Johnson Kong, Jonel Beltran , Ryan Oliver San Luis, Alexis Armand Bendero and the gang enjoying DJ Chris Myk’s beat.

Francis Victor Espina III, Joshy Gorne and Carlo Brit Tumulak.

DJ Chris Garcia with VUDU’s Joseph Bontilao. Pretty faces Nadia Oblad and Paria Heydarzadeh. Valerie Sharpe and Becky Thompson.

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