The Rich Man's Daughter - A Twist on the Filipino Drama

First and foremost I'm not much for drama, especially Filipino drama.  As I have told mom a million times, "It es TOOO DRAHHHH-MAHHH-TEEK".  When I say drama, I mean everyone is messing with each other's someone and ends in a shooting, a fire, backstabbing, someone coming back to life. It's like DYNASTY and DALLAS of the 80's...  It's soap opera dramatic.  

So I didn't come across this drama because I was looking to watch a drama.  The draw is the main characters, Jade and Althea, and their "forbidden" love.  It's the first time a Filipino TV show has centered on a lesbian pairing.  And I say pairing for good reason... The couple-dom is complicated from the get go, as this is a DRAMA!

From the title, The Rich Man's Daughter is Jade, who is dating David, but falls for a girl during her brother's wedding.  Oh by the way, Jade outed her other brother Paul, who is shamed and stripped of all social outlets.  Jade is the jewel of the family because she's how her parents, who were originally shunned some 24 years ago, got back into good graces when she was born...

And the above is all the setup!

Look this thing is gonna play out in 13 weeks, starting back from May 11 and it runs every weekday for about 30 minutes.  Fortunately, TRMD Videos on www.dailymotion.com provides subtitles.  Otherwise you have to depend on recaps, for us English only speakers.

TRMD Pilot - Episode 1 (1/5) (English Subbed) by TRMDvideos
I'm hooked for many reasons, but the initial hook was definitely Glaiza De Castro and Rhian Ramos.  They're beautiful no doubt, but their chemistry is on fire.  Unfortunately Filipino censors may never allow a kiss to happen, so you get a lot of eyes, music, forehead / nose touching, and caressing, but the kiss is still to be missed.  It does make for a good build up, for sure.

Another complicated character is definitely Paul... Love him, hate him?

Then there's the whole pride thing built into Filipino Chinese families. I grew up in the USA and both sides of my Filipino-ness are pretty chill when it comes to pride and "name-saving".  I understand it, but the extremes of the dad and the grandpa... AUGH... Makes you want to gouge their eyes out... It is so awful... The sad part is that I wouldn't be surprised if those events occur...

The unfortunate construct of tradition is how tradition, honor and pride taint the whole point of family... love and support.

Well if you want to punch the screen and really care about some very complicated family issues, especially for Filipino families, then watch this show.

The twist may not just be the LGBT issues that this show addresses.  The "twisted" may just be in how our cultural and societal expectations impose ill will on good people - gay, straight or whatever.


Glaiza and Rhian are awesome in their roles!  Talented and beautiful.  They both honor the LGBT community in their very compassionate portrayals.  Love is Love...  and you have to give them tons of praise for not only taking on the roles, but giving people a voice.

The Last Five Years - Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan

Watched The Last Five Years.  This poetic musical about the growth and decay of a relationship through song... There was no happy ending, just a commentary of the ebbs and flows of love, dreams and yearning.  I'm not entirely sure who's "fault" the end of the relationship is.  I guess as with many, it is both.  The relationships that work out are the ones indebted to the committed partnership.  The relationships that do not are the ones indebted to selfish preoccupations.  I may be oversimplifying what a commitment is, but isn't it really that simple?  Commitment is selfless yet equal.  One of the two in decay, ruins the commitment.  Loved the music and loved Anna Kendrick's voice.  Jeremy Jordan is super talented as well.  

Daily Daze - May 27, 2015

Thought of the Day
This quote inspired me.  Strong women make all women stronger.  I think women because of their complexities and natural wanting to protect and nurture are the most fierce in our societies.  That can work for and against women.  Our fierceness can keep us from growing, overly protective of what we have or know.  When we finally allow for that raw innate ability to multitask and apply it to nurturing and protecting the greater good, only then can we all prevail.  Unfortunately, that ferocity of being tends to mark a specific and enclosed territory.  We look at other women as threats, rather than as our teammates.  There is a huge difference in the emotional quotient of a woman from a man. The EQ is what throws a logical camaraderie into a hell bent vengeful catfight.  There are multitudes of books that speak to this.  The quote sums it up best.  To be strong is to avoid the pitfalls of "marking our territory" and seeking to build ourselves up through other's failures and shortcomings.   Standing on the mound of lose lose is far shorter than standing on the Mt Everest of the win-win.  I don't only believe in building up women alone.  I think we should always seek to build each other up.  With women, however, it is ever more important to show a tangible care and lift up.  There are too many societal norms that tear women down.  Avoid the cattiness, avoid the backstabbing jealousy... Avoid being territorial.  It's amazing how much care it takes to move mountains.

On the Day

Skipped all of yesterday because I was sick... I was feeling dead to the world... Slept in with Nyquil.  Lead into Wednesday was more of the cough and eck.  NyQuil just forces me to sleep and rest, I feel way better after since I'm not tossing and turning.  It's hump day... Wednesday.  Since I was sick, I was perusing Instagram and came across a few different things. 

Happy Birthday to Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes of TLC.  TLC has been in my ear for the past month since attending their concert, so she was on everyone's minds and Instagrams.  My favorite TLC dancer, Maasa, posted a cool pic with her wide receiver left eye mark and @Duchess365 draws up a beautiful depiction of Left Eye.

Daily Daze - May 25, 2015

Thought of the Day

The truth will always hurt someone.  

Strangely, I learned that watching Bruce Jenner deal with his transition and the special on E with the Khardashians.  He has had this secret forever.  His kids want to be in the know... But he has been holding secret mode forever.  The kids can't understand why he can't share all the details about his transition.  Then there is Bruce who doesn't want to hurt anyone.  Truth is easy to say but hard to live with and live by. 

Reality TV is always a little petty... And gets to this strange voyeuristic part of who we are as humans... But it is these real life stories under the surface that can change a world view.  I grew up knowing Bruce Jenner as Olympic Gold medalist  of the 1976 decathlon.  He is the man on the Wheaties box.  

What is truth?  It is not mine, it is not yours.  It is.  Let it be, let it go.  What you do and do not know... For who is to say there is no right nor wrong there is just what is.

Daily Daze - May 24, 2015

Though of the Day

Choice... decision.  Choices are the options.  Once you make a decision the ripples are set forth in reality.  For it is not the stone that is tossed, it is the stone that is chosen which determines the impact.  Choose wisely, little pebbles or heavy rocks... To skip, sink or float.

On the Day

Awoke to congestion, rested the da watching East Los High.  Cool show.

Daily Daze - May 23, 2015

Thought of the Day

Moving through this life is never a solo thing.  Some of the toughest lessons are only survivable when you have support.  The invisible hand of  love and hope from family and friends provides that lift.  Remember to say thanks!  Living a life with gratitude, humility and respect for those who love, hope and pray for you is key to surviving the trials and tribulations set before you.  

On the Day

Workout, clean house, movie and my fave tweets a thanks to me... Good day! 😍

Filharmonic - Represent Philippines with Harmony!

Watched Pitch Perfect 2 and learned about this group!  http://www.thefilharmonic.com

You won't be disappointed if you love acapella and fun music.  

Check out their Filharmonic on YouTube site...

Daily Daze - May 22, 2015

Thought of the Day

Living with higher expectations means the fall is greater.  So do you forgo the yearning to be bolder, stronger, faster so that you can move farther, smarter and leave a legacy that lasts forever... Only to replace it with complacency, passivity and doubt?  Fall, live... Pain and joy are opposites on the frequency of life.  As felt in the beat of a heart, in the rhythm of your pulse, the pain and the joy cannot exist without the other in this life.  So live, endure, move on and move strong... Have faith in God, have hope in more than humanity, live with love.  

On the Day

It's a Friday before Memorial Day weekend.  The office was a bit slow and coming off a 2 day training session, I was tired.  Slogged through a drizzle of a day but had a good lunch at Nordstrom Cafe.  Enjoyed a good solid workout with Megan, Courtney and Amanda while listening to some classic rock.  Dinner with JDub and now I'm watching a Hulu special called "East Los High".  So far pretty interesting, twist on the MTV crowd, but solid.

Daily Daze - May 21, 2015

Thought of the Day:
Own who you are.
Establish who you want to be.
Determine who you want to have around.


On the Day:

Getting cultured is the key.  Michelle introduced to a bit of the East LA in her.  She loves this town and managed to give Justin and I some insight.  The fun started with a run back to the Grand Central Market to pick up papusa mapusas and horchata... For one, Michelle was so excited to jump out of the car and pick up her order... She jumped out 2 blocks too soon... Yeah... Then Justin and I had to kill some time, by driving 5 blocks North, 3 blocks West 2 blocks South, 4 blocks East... hahah Just kidding.. We drove in a gigantic circle only to take a good minute staring at the darn Chevy Volts driver window controls only to realize that the damned UNLOCK button is on the central dash... #EpicDesignFail.  

After papusas, we end up in East LA, AL MERCADITO... When you come from a diverse and pretty mixed in place like San Diego, LA can get a bit intimidating for us suburban beachy keen sheltered folks...  And although the place doesn't deny... Justin put it best... But before the quote of the day, driving around LA in stop and go... gets ya a bit dizzified.  Hence the following conversation

Michelle:  "Do you guys want to just stay in the car?"

Annavic:  "Yeah, I'm feeling dizzy... "

Justin:  "I'm feeling, er, a little to Asian."

ROFL, LOL... There's a reason working with these yahoos is so fun.  

Well Michelle did not disappoint with getting AUTENTICO #MEXICANCHURROS... #CHURROS are just not the same from anywhere else.  I am convinced this place has the best, perfectly balanced crispy to chewy churro!

Off to the traffic... and more TRAFFIC... And oh.. we are now in Monterey Park... Let's go to the mall to kill time... Fortunately we ate a bit at BJ's with Michelle's friend and historical "lush" stories...  The education of Justin continues during dinner after almost hearing the intriguing history of Michelle.. Almost means... Susie couldn't say what she wanted to say because we would never be able to undo what JDub hears... hahahaha

Back on the road and stuck on the San Clemente to San Diego corridor... but danced to Janet, rapped to Sugar Hill gang, broadway duets and just enjoyed a conversation around DEVASTATION "suicidal" music lists... We all have them... a DEVASTATING occurrence matched with the best music that you shouldn't be listening to but you want to wallow in your pain, so you do anyway list.  

In the end, nothing profound, lots of traffic, and always entertaining.

Daily Daze - May 20, 2015

Thought of the Day... 
What's your 30 second elevator speech?  Would you sell yourself short, overindulge in the delusion of your grandeur, limit your potential with overtly focused but short sighted future OR own your being and be enthused in that nature.

Here's my 30 second speech:  I love to play.  I love to tinker with ideas, thoughts and my imagination.  I want to engage in word play and love the challenge of brain games.  I am a kinesthetic learner who loves the hand's on approach to solving problems even when they are not so physical concepts.  I use analogies to bring bearing to my understanding of new information.  I teach so that I can learn.  I innovate to enable and enhance other people's lives.  I provide shifts in perspective so both of us can gain new depth to this world of experiments and experience.  I learn when you learn... I exercise every part of me from head to toe, from heart to soul, from mind to body, inside and out.  Choosing to make every choice count...

On the Day
Hangin' in LA for work, but having fun in downtown.  First rest stop, the Westin Bonaventure.  This place is an adventure.  It's a beautiful building with awesome beds.  It has been featured in several movies including one of my favorites True Lies with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis.  The elevators are always fun to travel.  

Went to dinner at Wokano, a cool Asian fusion restaurant and had a very good Cantaloupe cocktail, chased by a wonderful asian inspired side salad, miso soup and white fish with asparagus... YUM!!!  Ran around town and got some Ingress points, but also found some fun photo ops.  

Ended the night chillin' at the hotel lounge talking Justin's ears off as we finished up with dessert, Tiramisu, and a Bailey's cappuccino.. Another YUM!

Awesome Dance Energy: Maasa Ishihara

It was on the TLC tip literally that I came across her dancing.  She is a dancer for TLC as part of The Main Event tour - summer 2015  Awesome tour with TLC and NKOTB.  So the music alone makes you wanna get up and dance.

But when a dancer can hit it and you just can't forget it, you can't help but ask question "Who is that?"  Maasa Ishihara just has that WOW factor when she dances. Call me impressed.  She is awesome!

It was definitely a joy to watch TLC and the whole dance crew.  The icing on the cake was getting introduced to someone to watch out for on the dancing scene.  Best words to describe how she dances... SMOOTH, HARD, SWEET, EXPLOSIVE, CONTROLLED, RAW, FINE, POWERFUL, PASSIONATE, NATURAL, SHARP, JOY... AUGH I can go on and on...

You can find her dancing in my concert footage down below!  She's danced in videos by Neyo, Taj Mowry, Nikki Minaj, Alyxx Dionne w/ Jason Derulo.  No doubt that you'll find her in ever more videos.
TLC:  The Main Event May 11, 2015 - San Diego

YouTube: Stitchy Daze

Daily Daze - May 19, 2015

The dread of LA LA... Grateful I live in SD's Heaven

There is some dread in going to work in LA.  I'm just a San Diegan who enjoys the easy go lucky, heaven like haven that San Diego offers.  LA is way to hustle bustle for me.  It was clearly apparent when my co-workers and I enjoyed a meeting at the boss' house in Carlsbad.  Her home was immaculate and cozy, but it was the sunny day that swept across the back patio that made this meeting way more enjoyable.  During the meeting, I said I wish I could work outside, on my computer, everyday.  They really should invest in more patios and decks.  The cubicle hell of office space is no way to spend 40-50 hours per week.  If you're lucky, you can at least leave work there.  Unfortunately, I'm not one of the lucky ones.  At least if and when I work at home, my deck can find me thinking away.

San Diego is amazing.  Some may find it too chill because they enjoy the hustle.  My heart can't take the hustle and intensity therein.  I don't necessarily want to live longer, but happier.  When you can appreciate the piece of heaven tucked away in the Southwest corner of these United States and call it home, you have to realize how lucky you are... Even the worst of places can get the sun to shine on it...

There is no place like home... And if heaven were a place on earth.. I would vote for SD to be that place.

Daily Daze - May 18, 2015

Topic 1 - Being There... 
em·pa·thy

ˈempəTHē/

noun

1.  The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

com·pas·sion

kəmˈpaSHən/

noun

1. sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.

   
   

So even if you have empathy and compassion, it is an entirely different thing to act on it appropriately.  If you really think about it, the problem, the issues and the sympathy are not directed to you.  So what do you do when someone you care for is hurting?  What do you do when you want to reach out, but you don't want to dig too deep?  Such the quandary.  The truth is you turn inwardly and search for how you would want to be handled and cared for.  However, projecting that truth onto someone else probably won't work.  We're different.  So what do you do?  You feel empathy and you are compassionate, but what does it look like?  And who are we trying to help?

Simple reality:
*  Let the person know you are there and care
*  Open your arms as widely as possible, but allow them to walk in
*  Hold them when they need to be held
*  Encourage them when they need to be challenged

We can't protect each other from pain.  We can only help to endure, heal and recover from the pain.

Topic 2 - Being Square... or rectangle or circle or <<fill in shape>>
Finding someone else is really all about acknowledging one's self
Had a fun conversation which led to a simple idea

*  Know who you are right now - be open to acknowledge your successes, failures, bright lights and dim moments
*  Know who you want to be - see your future self, so that you can endure all the challenges which will get you there.
*  Know who you want to be surrounded by - see your family and friends

I basically thought... if you at least got these things in mind, the "RIGHT PERSON" will find their way to you.

Knowing who you are now with all the flaws, allows you to be the most real person to whomever you are introducing yourself to...
Knowing who you want to be, allows you to accept the challenges that well intentioned people will lay before you to move you in that direction
Knowing who you want in your life is the true destination.  In that circle is where you want "the one" to be.

It's funny how we get so stressed, depressed and obsessed with wishing on a star.  When all along the star is waiting to break through inside of you.  When you live your life with your ideals and your God given being... amazing people will come into and out of your life.

At least it's fun to think you have control somewhere in this world...

Stitch's Great Escape - My pre YouTube Video!

Yes, there was a world before YouTube.  Making videos took weeks with the best Mac.  The rendering times were atrocious and copying stuff from mini DV tapes... AUGH!  I did it out of pure love for the video that I watched over and over.  This was what I created in those primitive days.

I love Taylor Swift... Check out "Bad Blood"

Her music is just wow... And this collage video is just cool.  So hot, so cool.. so damn.. Just watch.

Daily Daze - May 17, 2015

Dancing to some throwback tunes
To sing along and move along to the grooves
A scratch, a mix, some rhythm, some blues
Old school boom but with all the same attitudes

In every beat, bass and sound
All alone and all around
Music moving through my mind
Forcing my body to unwind

A little throwback action can do
Inspired to relive my youth
Even still impressed to live life unbound
Keeping solid in the music I re-found

To find joy in a simple melody
To find true love in harmony
To just percolate to the pound
That boom boom boom pow

Singing at the top  of my lungs
No one in sight, it's all for fun
Then you break out your rap game
And you know it's insane

Dancing is for the soul
Singing is for the mind
Music is for the body
As we rock, roll, sway in time.

Anna Kendrick, Filharmonic and the James Corden

I was impressed by all of the above. I loved this riff off to kick off another Pitch Perfect movie... If you don't know who Anna Kendrick is... ummm... I didn't know there was a LATE LATE show... but that James Corden can sing. And I love how I got introduced to Filharmonic ... play on words yes... because they are a Filipino apace group. Super talented... Loved it..

Platonic Solid by Melinda Stephan

A short film... Discovery is a really interesting thing to me.  I've always known me.  I've just had issues with my own personal acceptance of that knowledge.  Living and how things work out for folks is the definition of journey.  Destination is not the story.  The bumps and obstacles are what make the destination worthy of a story.

Simple and sweet... Check it out!  Give some props to Melinda Stephan for a story well put.



platonic solid from Melinda Stephan on Vimeo.

Reality Changers Scholarship Presentation

Attending an SDGE sponsored event to support Reality Changers.  

TLC on The Main Event Tour 2015 - Compilation Video Done

I had the awe inspiring pleasure to watch TLC live in Anaheim on May 2, 2015 and San Diego on May 11, 2015.  I was blown away by the memories of some of the greatest hits in R&B, Hip Hop and Pop.  TLC embraces what it means to be a woman and what it means to be empowered by that privilege.  Tionne "TBoz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas and the powerful memory of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes makes this trio forever inspiring.

This concert brings home some of my roots that I have forgotten.  It's not just a throwback concert... It's a soul revival for who I was and I have always wanted to be as an adult.  TLC music brings you home and carries you forward.  Much love to TLC,  the TLC family of fans, dancers and crew that bring these concerts to life.

A Pitch Perfect 2 Friday Night

I don't do Friday nights typically.  However with assigned seating it makes it way more doable.  Post workout, went to movies with Courtney and Amanda, plush seats at the theater reclining and all.  Pre movie dinner with Pozookie (yikes) at BJ's.

Note it rained in San Diego the last day and a half, much needed water.  However, the sun broke through as it was setting.

Pitch Perfect 2 - Aca Awesome

It's always tough to follow up a breakout hit movie.  They did this sequel justice.  Cool music, awesome acapella, funny funny funny.  Anna Kendrick always impresses, Rebel Wilson is unabashed, Britney Snow and the rest of the crew brought the fun back.  Hailey Stanfield was a new edition but a good edition...  This song definitely sticks with you as well.

Shout out to the Filharmonics who are a Filipino acapella group who represent... Basically it was good enough for me to download the soundtrack and Filharmonics album plus share the video to Flashlight.

Check it out!

May 11, 2015 NKOTB and TLC again in San Diego

Fabulous show!

Happy Mother's Day

Hanging with the parental.  Dinner and a movie.  Ate at Venga Venga in Otay Ranch Mall, then Hot Pursuit with Sofia Vergara and Reese Witherspoon.  A fun evening with the crazy that made my life... Love my mom and dad even though they tend to be a bit cray.

Wipeout SD 2015 - High Rollers

Can't beat a great day of obstacles and fun with friends.

NKOTB and TLC: The Main Event 2015 @Anaheim Honda Center

This was an amazing show!  Hit it off right by going with my friends Rana and Michelle. It was like a concert dream come true.  I love NKOTB and I love TLC!!!  I grew up listening to their music, but more importantly I probably learned a lot from Hangin' Tough and not chasing Waterfalls.  All I can say is that I didn't realize how much watching them meant to me, until it happened!  So I have to say I'll be loving you (NKOTB and TLC) forever!

Loved the show so much... I'll be watching in San Diego as well!

Awesome music with awesome peeps!