Hachi is an Akita owned by a Japanese Professor. Every morning, he would watch his master leave for work from the front door, then wait for him at the train station when he comes home. One night, the professor was not on the train–he had suffered a stroke and never made it home.

For 10 years, Hachi continued to wait for him, every night at the train station, until his own death.

This dog’s loyalty amazes me. I’m watching this movie, even if it means I’ll be crying my eyes out in the moviehouse. Trailer pa lang, naiiyak na ko, hehehe.

You can watch the English trailer here.

Today I feel, unnaturally calm. And lonely.

Darling, are we hitting the highway soon?

I remember being creeped out by Thriller and Smooth Criminal, loving Billy Jean, and singing along to Black or White.

Even my little brother and sister, who were both born years after MJ was swarmed with controversies, loved the King of Pop. They’d watch the DVD of his MTVs every morning. At 8am, our TV would be blaring songs like Beat It, Remember The Time, and Heal The World.

from here.

This morning, I found out Michael Jackson passed away due to cardiac arrest. I thought it was some sort of Internet prank. Because honestly,  he was one of those stars who I never thought would die. Akala ko makikilala pa sya ng mga magiging anak ko.

People can criticize Michael Jackson in a lot of ways. Yes, he molests kiddies. He takes drugs. And his wax doll looks more real than him (lol).

But his musical legacy? That one, you can’t criticize.

RIP, Michael Jackson. You’ll always be remembered.

I LOVE Photobooths, but this one’s the best of them all.

And another. Same words, different color scheme.

Laveet!

No explanation needed. LOL-ing at you, though.

The girl who played the part is Brittany Ashton Holmes. When the movie was released in 1994, she was only five years old. I did some web surfing, wondering how she looks now.

This is her, 15 years after the film.

Can you say HOT? Hee.

Carl Fredricksen tied hundreds of balloons to his house to make it fly to South America, a promise he made to his late wife Ellie.

When we came back from the province, we were both dying to watch the movie. Especially because some friends have raved about seeing it online already. Thanks to pirated DVDs, we got to watch it. Hee. Malabo, pero pwede na. That’s how addicted we are to the movie.

The verdict? The movie was excellent. Our long wait was worth it.

I am too lazy today, so I’ll skip the summary (wiki nalang, LOL). The movie is a mix of comedy and adventure, with a bit of drama thrown in. What makes it interesting are the main characters, the most unlikely mix of heroes imaginable: Carl Fredricksen, a grumpy, adventure-seeking old man; Russell, an overly-enthusiastic and chubby Wilderness scout who accidentally tags along; Dug, a talking dog who’s not-so bright, but very sweet and loyal; and Kevin (named by Russell), a colorful and exotic bird, who’s being hunted by the villain, (another old man) Charles Muntz.

Throw in a pack of talking dogs, a beautiful Venezuelan setting, and plenty of hilarious wisecracks, and you’ve got the best Pixar movie ever made (yes, I even found it more delightful than Bolt, Finding Nemo or Toy Story).

This is Alpha, Muntz's pet. He looks mean, but he will make you LOL in the movie. Hee.

You’ll laugh, cry, and be thrilled all at the same time. It’s an adventure film both kiddies and adults will love.

Whatever my expectations were from Up, it delivered. I love it.

Oh, and because the boyfriend and I are huge Up fans, here’s a quick fan art he made (the original is pinned to my office cube) :

Cute cute nya eh!

I am excited for Up to be released in theaters. I want to watch it on digital 3D. Again and again. Hee.

10. When everyone is speaking in Pangalatok around you, and you can’t understand a single word, you can’t help but feel a bit out of place. And out of sorts. The boyfriend cheered me up and told me not to feel bad. Anyway if things work out, I might end up speaking (or, at least, understanding) the language. LOL.

If things work out, I'll understand everything they talk about. Hee.

9. Caloy looked so darn cute when he was a kid. I’ll post pictures as soon as I get my hands on them, har har!

8. Little kitties aren’t so bad after all. I’ve been a dog lover all my life, but after playing with Caloy’s family’s pet kitty Tisay, I found a new liking for kitties.

She's deaf, but she's a LOLcat.

I wonder if Choi-choi will mind if I bring one home.

"Pusa ba yan, Ate Lein??? PUSA??"

7. If you let me live in Alaminos, I will become a blimp. Srsly. We eat every few hours, and the food is sooo darn good. Pancit malabon, sinigang, salad, crabs, shrimp, mussels, that sweet dessert I had at Kuya Ciano’s party… Mmmm, heaven. Lutongbahay is really the best.

6. I could eat foods I don’t like after all. One is papaitan. It tastes, well, good. But only when cooked the Ferrer family way. I don’t eat lamang loob, but the boyfriend was sweet enough to fish out bits of beef. I found it yummy. The same goes for bagoong and dayap. I don’t like bagoong much (except when it’s paired with manggang hilaw), but Nanay urged me to try it. I did, and I loved it. Caloy told me they call it “Padas”. Squeeze some sweet-smelling dayap over it, and you have the perfect dip for daing na bangus. Mmmm. Nangangasim na ko.

5. Frogs scare the living sh*t out of me. I was about to freshen up when I saw a big bullfrog leaping… Gah. I freaked out. So much for trying to be a probinsyana. LOL.

NOOOOOOOO!!! GET IT AWAY FROM MEEEE!!!

4. I find it gratifying and heartwarming when the boyfriend’s nephews and nieces call me “tita”. Even though I’m not. Not yet.

They're sweet kids.

3. The Hundred Islands is wonderful. The boyfriend told me that it wanted to surprise me, reason why I had to wait so long before I can see it (I know he was kidding). But yes, it did surprise me. In a very good way. I was so bitin when the boat sailed back to shore.

2. I want to be with Caloy. Although we won’t be rushing off to get married anytime soon. LOL. The right time for that will come. Right now, what we can do is wait and enjoy being with each other. And love, love, love.

1. I am so coming back.

Kung ikaw yan at ang crushness mo, mamahalin mo rin ang ulan. LOL.

So, hello rainy season.

*clip from the Korean film, The Classic. I looove this movie.