Moana The Musical [Review]

Moana a bubbly fair skinned girl 16 years of age lives in the island of Montanuwi somewhere in Oceania where the reef is teeming with seafood and the land blesses them with livestock, coconut and crops. As the village chief's daughter she is privileged to get a chicken as pet. When the produce becomes scarce they think of alternative sources of food. She always cling to her grandmother who lulls her to sleep with the legend of Dafete the creator of heaven and earth who nourishes humans.

The Demi God Maui known for mischiefs and strife decided he steals the heart of Dafete so he can create on his own. He pulls islands out of the bottom of the sea and lassoes the sun so that the days be longer. His body is a tapestry of works and conquests. However a malevolent God known as Tekar punishes him with lava fireballs. Maui became isolated on the island.

Moana jumped on a canoe to sail beyond the reef but was met with big waves. Brave as she is she was shipwrecked backed to the island. She tells her father they got to sail away but he was adamant that they stay. Truth is he cannot sail if his life depends on it. Grandma knows this so she sends Moana to the cave of the ancestors. Inside it are canoes, boats, ships, oars. They were voyagers the ancients told them in a vision. The food scarcity becomes worse. The reef was overfished and the farm either saturated with saltwater or became deserts. Desertification happens to the soil due to overfarming the soil is devoid of nutrients. It is now urgent for Moana to help her village.

With newfound gusto Moana sets out to sail with her pet chicken. She would look for Maui the one who can tell them where Dafete lives and restore her heart. Dafete's heart was kept by her Grandma passed through generations of safe-keeping to be given to the chosen one. Moana has found Maui on a faraway island. He is definitely is just a man with extra-ordinary skills. Big, strong, wily and mobile. But he is lost without his choice weapon the hook made of cast-iron. He lives on the fruits and vegetables he gathers. Reluctantly he agrees to take Moana to see Dafete but first Maui needs his hook in case he encounters the hostile Tekar. His clue they would find it at the bottom of the ocean where Sponge Bob Squarepants lives. He collects shiny things. Moana distracts the crab while Maui recovers his weapon. Alas the hook was no match for the crab's steely claws. In exchange for their freedom Moana hands the crab the heart of Dafete.

Dejected Maui frowns that he lost his guile. Moana has given the fake heart but how would he fight the lava monster Tekar. Now they are being attacked by a pirate ship Captain Jack Sparrow at the helm. He took a liking to Moana's chicken. Moana fiercely send them back to their ship. Maui knows she protects her loved ones but he cannot help her in the quest. Not without his hook. He bids Moana adieu.

Moana sailed on for Maui has taught her how to sail. She has a weapon nobody knows. Tekar is the nurturing God Dafete! The God turned bad when Maui stole her heart. If she can find a way to tell Tekar that Maui is sorry for what he did she can restore her heart. Tekar was still spewing lava from a distance. Out of nowhere, Maui in the form of a bird tries to take on Tekar. He tweets to the God. Tekar has accepted his apologies and allows Moana to put her heart in place. Dafete has come back! The God blesses Moana and fashioned a new steel hook for Maui. They bid each other goodbye.

At Montanuwi Moana comes home to see that the fishes have come back and the land has replenished itself.

Ma-yi: The Land of Nine Kingdoms

Ma-yi is a large mass of land in a forgotten world. Some 11,000 years ago the North Pole is the United Kingdom and Ireland while Australia is the South Pole. Ma-yi is an island continent bigger than Australia. Mount Apo is the highest peak while the foot of the mountain range nestles at the Marianas Trench. The nine kingdoms that encompass the Ma-yin power extends up to East Asia which was near the equator. The ninth kingdom is Siam which is derived from the Ma-yin language Siyam which means nine or ninth. An asteroid has hit the earth that causes its rotation to destabilize. The world has come to be what it is now.

The Mayins practise Hinduism, Buddhism and Animism. The tri-metropolis of Luzon (Lusong, Song Dynasty), Visayas and Mindanao is the seat of the Mayin power. Other kingdoms to the west and east are: Brunei, Palau and Zealandia (the supposed submerged continent near New Zealand). Source: Philboxing

The Scent Of The Green Papaya 1992 [Movie Review]

The year was 1951 in Saigon, Vietnam. It was hot but the heat was bearable. Mui a servant girl at age ten has lost her father three years ago and has to help her family with their finances. The household has an irresponsible master and a kind mistress. Time and again the master has left off with their savings to spend on women. The mistress welcomes him home wholeheartedly whenever he does so. The last time he steals the jewelry from the safe he has a heart attack. The mistress lovingly tends to him as he died. There was an old servant who showed Mui the way. When money was scarce they eat the green papayas grown at their backyard.

Ten years later Mui was twenty years old. The mistress has passed their clothing and embroidery business to one of her sons who has a wise wife. She says they raise livestock at their compound and let go of Mui. The mistress was distressed cause she reminds her of her daughter who passed away.

Mui was sent to a friend of theirs who is an eligible bachelor. The musician lives alone and was kinda wealthy. She was supple. They were kind of set up but he has a fiancee. You know women can seduce without them noticing so they fell for each other. The fiancee calmly gives back the engagement ring after smashing the place. The musician gives Mui a book that tells of the green and yellow papayas. He taught her to read and write. Then she goes to pick the green papaya and cook for her husband.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars. The green papaya is the symbol of trying times. The musician knows he can be disowned by his family, friends and business partners by the rejection of his fiancee so he teaches Mui so she can up her status. They believe they can do it. I noticed that they julienne the green papaya but after few scratches from the surface they throw the rest of the papaya away. We eat all the green papaya here you know.

Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin 1992 [Movie Review]

Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin (That's Why You Go Away) is a poignant tale of love and deceit. Raul (Richard Gomez) and Stella (Gretchen Barretto) are sweethearts who grew up in a poor fishing village. They struggle to make ends meet as Raul's father is a notorious gambler while Stella's sickly mother dreams of riches so she despises Raul. Their lives took a turn when Raul's father gambled away their house and fishing boat. Raul pleads at the gambling host to reconsider but he was denied. He started a melee and killed him in self defense. Raul now a fugitive tried to get Stella to elope but she has her mother to take care of. Raul goes into hiding in Palawan where his boating skills did not go unnoticed. Jaime (Johnny Delgado) is a big player in the industry. He has legit business while he buys politicians and moonlights as a drug dealer. In an eventful ambush Raul saved Jaime's life and was taken into his inner circle. One day they go to Jaime's house where Raul found out that Stella has married the big man. They made forbidden love and was discovered by the bodyguard Brixio (Jess Lapid Jr.) The bittersweet story ends in the nipa hut at a desolate place in San Mateo, Rizal. Raul kills Jaime and his hoods as the nipa hut burned. When daybreak came Raul and a wounded Stella walks toward the sunrise.

I love the story okay but the screenplay can be improved. I love the performances by the actors and actresses. I can understand that Jaime entrusted Raul his wife Stella. It was him who saved his life. They could of developed their life at the village and how Jaime met Stella. How they married and Stella's life. How could they be allowed a separate chalet? Stella was supposed to be with her bestfriend Lisa (Shirley Fuentes). A pillow talk with her cousins Chona (Mutya Crisostomo), Betchay (Precious Hipolito) and Nikki (Karen Timbol) was in order. I would love to see how Brixio trained Raul in guns and martial arts. I can also understand that Stella knows where Raul is being held prisoner. They probably frequented the safehouse.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars. Raul and Stella might have been childhood sweethearts but she claims to love Jaime which was some time after Raul has gone away. Thank God i was not Raul. He has committed a capital crime and should be imprisoned. You know guys if you ask me there wouldn't be a second love if you did not forget the first love. Neither there will be third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh... Love is perennial as the grass my friend. Strive to be happy.

Taking Care of the Homeless

The Homeless People are those not capable of supporting themselves nor live independently so they need help. They have no family, neglected or abandoned. They can be old and young as babies. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is the government arm who help them but there are Non Government Organizations (NGOs) who help in their own way. There are also private individuals who help in whatever way they can.

Their programs should eventually make the homeless a vital member of society. One initiative that is worth emulating is the Villar Sipag Foundation a brainchild of Senator Cynthia Villar that alleviates poverty in the communities with livelihood programs and skills training and seminars.

UAAP Season 80 Women's Volleyball Eliminations First Round Power Rankings

1. DLSU Lady Spikers
I give the number one ranking to DLSU because they are the defending champions. The key is for the girls to accept their roles veterans and newcomers alike to contribute even if it means playing reduced minutes.

2. NU Lady Bulldogs

3. FEU Lady Tamaraws

4. ADMU Lady Eagles

5. ADU Lady Falcons

6. UST Golden Tigresses

7. UP Lady Maroons

8. UE Lady Warriors

UAAP Season 80 Women's Volleyball

As the season goes on, teams should look back at the goals they set. Are you going for the championship or are you in a rebuilding phase? What is your system? Are you going for player development? The best way to motivate players aside from lovelife and family is by money. You play good in college you get hired as professionals playing the game you love and getting paid handsomely for it. I have devised a new substitution pattern. Every set is 25 points unless it gets extended so i play my starters from 0-10 points. The idea is for the subs to contribute in the important parts of the game so they should add to the lead or rally the deficit from points 11-16. The finishing lineup plays the points 17-25.

1. Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons

The Lady Falcons has to bank on Gemma Galanza's heroics to edge FEU yesterday. They are now at an even 1-1 slate. Good things happened when Mylene Paat was moved as MB to OPP her natural position. In fact Paat comes off the bench at Cignal to replace Jovelyn Gonzaga and she sometimes upstage her. But being a starting OPP is something Paat must work on. Soyud as fans claim can play the MB so Dacoron should take her under her wing and she'll be fine as substitute player. Anyway in my opinion a team needs 10 competitive players in their rotation. Lea-Ann Perez is undersized at the MB position but she has the skills. Drop balls. What does an MB do to drop balls? Work on reflexes. Help the MBs too. Emnas has done a good setting job. Permentilla should work on accuracy. Who else will step up for the Lady Falcons?

2. Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Lady Eagles

Bea de Leon the MB is today's Player of the Game in their first win. Her game is alright but she gets blocked a lot. She needs to read the defense and vary her attack. Aside from spiking, make floaters/lobs and sliced shots. Their MB2 Maddie Madayag is also a decent blocker. As i have said MBs should improve their reflex motions on the hands and feet. Refer to my twitter for the reflex trainer. Jhoana Louisse Maraguinot has not received enough passes yesterday. Probably that was the game plan. If not i'm calling you out Deanna Wong. It is okay to get blocked. When a teammate gets blocked the best leaders would let themselves get blocked, brushes it off and play again. Kat Tolentino is a tall OH which makes her a target of spikes. Which eases the burden on the libero Dani Ravena. I suggest you do 10,000 egg rolls. You know to get rid of vertigo. Jules Samonte is fearless. Ponggay Gaston is a spark on and off the bench - a role that she must always personify. Who else will defend the floor for the Lady Eagles?

3. De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers

I do not see any team in the league stopping DLSU. At least in the first round of the eliminations. They have ice water in their veins developed from their championship titles. This season Kim Kianna Dy looks to lead DLSU to another championship ring while Majoy Baron, Desiree Cheng, Aduke Ogunsanya and Tin Tiamzon provide the firepower. Dawn Macandili is her usual busybody self. Michelle Cobb should rise to the pressure of being the setter of the defending champions.

4. Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws

FEU looks good on paper but they need composure to gut it out with the better teams. Ha Bernadette Pons is magic. FEU's floor defense is holding up but they need to step up their blocking. Otherwise the floor defense can be overworked. They seem to have found the right combination. Chin Chin Basas, Negrito, Guinoo, Domingo and substitute players Cayuna.

5. National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs

Watch out for NU as their rotation becomes solid. I know its easy to look good against a lowly team like UE but games like this boosts your confidence. NU played not to lose against FEU and they lost. I would't say overconfident but they trying out new plays bringing in new players in the rotation. As it was Paran's absence in the first set has NU's defense wobbly. Drop shots after drop shots were dropped on them with Urdas and the bigs the primary targets. This said this was a welcome loss as NU will have time to address their weakness. Singh and Doromal need to step up to help Jaja Santiago, Jasmine Nabor, Sato, Paran, Urdas, Ponce and the rest.

6. University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses

UST playing without EJ Laure and the addition of OH Milena Alessandrini has them adjusting. They have short MBs Shannen Palec, Tin Francisco, Caitlyn Viray their best blocker. The disadvantage in that is their second, third, fourth jumps wouldn't be as high or as quick as their first jump. But if they summon their fighting spirit and timing that would even up the competition. Cherry Rondina is a scoring machine but she has to improve her defense - at the net and the floor defense. Carla Sandoval is a more defensive OPP but her offense needs to improve. Make floaters okay. Milena Alessandrini no doubt is a gem. Alina Bicar should take charge. Who knows one game can bring them back to their groove.

7. University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors

Shaya Adorador can hold his own as a starter for Generika. UE turns a new leaf with a new coach in Rod Roque. Outgoing Coach Francis Vicente would be invaluable as President of Volleyball Operations due to his savvy and knowledge. Me-ann Mendrez is the co-captain of this team. She should hit harder though. Their setter should set up the MBs as well so as to be unpredictable. I know Baliton is the captain playing as an MB now. But she is a trained setter. I'll play her as setter but she needs conditioning to get the lift for blocking and help in the floor defense too. Seth Rodriguez is their best MB while Mikaela Lopez should get the lift too. I'm glad Kat Arado has gotten her groove back. Judith Abil is a breath of fresh air. She needs variation in her attacks - spikes, floaters, you get the idea.

8. University of the Philippines (UP) lady Maroons

I'm impressed with UP on how they dig and receive during warmups so they just gotta get used to the pressure. Make heady plays on defense to pump the offense. Make heady plays on offense to pump the defense. Make it work. Tots Carlos needs to stop her jump serves to conserve her energy. The purpose of the serve is to score aces or to force easy overs. Her jump serve does not do that. Other than that Carlos is the most feared spiker this year. Speaking of serves Molde, Buitre and Layug has them scoring easy points. Their blocking needs improvement while they wait for Ramos.

Fantasy Volleyball

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen as discussed i have analyzed the stat sheets and i have come up with comments and suggestions. As you can see UST won over UE 3 sets to none 25-17, 25-15, 25-21. UST scored on 40 spikes, 6 blocks, 3 service points and 16 opponent errors for a total of 75 points while UE gets 27 spikes, 3 blocks, 7 service points and 16 opponent errors for a total of 53 points.

However the spikes and digs does not add up. UST has 105 Attempted Spikes as compared to UE's 107 Attempted Digs. That is why we have to break down the categories to balance the equations. These Spikes can be separated into Spikes that can be dug and Easy Overs that can be received. You dig the spikes. We consider the Serves as a Reception stat even though there are spike serves. So Easy Overs and Serves can be received. The block is unique in Volleyball that it is both an offensive and defensive move. Let us consider that you dig the blocks.

Spikes Made + Spikes Dug + Spiking Errors = Spikes Attempts.

Yes i used to burn the midnight oil in Fantasy Basketball that is why i want the same in Fantasy Volleyball. Those guys my main men Jim Park, Dennis Scott, Brent Barry, Topex Robinson, Goomboo and the Tumeke Club.

Easy Overs
Made + Received + Errors = Attempts

Serves Made + Received + Errors = Attempts

Blocks Made + Blocks Dug + Blocking Errors = Block Attempts

Digs, Receptions and Sets are non-point stats. We can call Excellent Sets simply as Assists.

NCAA Season 93 Women's Volleyball Individual Awards

In no particular order, the candidates are:

Best Middle Blocker

Lourdes Clemente, Mary Anne Esguerra, Andrea Marzan, Joyce Sta. Rita, Rachel Austero, Ranya Musa, Cesca Racraquin, Shyra Mae Umandal, Yvette Tongco

Best Outside Hitter

Klarisa Abriam, Nieza Viray, Regine Arocha, Necole Ebuen, Cindy Imbo

Best Opposite Hitter

Jiezela Viray, Karen Montojo, Jovielyn Prado, Nikka Dalisay, Daurene Santos, Bien Juanillo, Ladeisheen Magbanua

Best Setter

Pauline Cardiente

Best Libero

Sigrid Racraquin, Glyka Mariz Medina

Best Scorer

Shola Alvarez

Best Server
Nicole Frando
(I noticed that setters have the best service game)

Most likely to be drafted to the pros (the above mentioned players are given)

Faith Torres (basically the Letran team has potential), Marites Pablo, Hershey Llorente

*Of course there might be gems that i missed, wish the NCAA has a second round elamanations. I look forward to seeing these girls play again in pocket tournaments or in the PVL Collegiate Conference.

By pocket tournaments i mean schools can organize blitz tournaments in their locality. Say Letran, Mapua and Lyceum can battle for the Intramuros Cup. We the PLM do not have a team yet so they can invite teams across the Manila City Hall - Adamson, RTU, TUP and PNU. The Taft Volleyball Cup can include DLSU, CSB, PWU, PCU and so on. The Morayta Volleyball Club can include FEU, UE, UST, NU, JRU, AU, SBC, SSC, CEU, etcetera. The Diliman Cup can include UP, ADMU and NEU. They can invite San Lorenzo University to join. You get the idea.

Spotted PUP students watching the NCAA, they have a large student base i know. Did you know their Pangkat Kawayan musical group tours around the world to promote PUP and the Philippines? They are akin to special athletes.

Organizing The Philippine Leagues

Okay my opinion is that San Beda College should not join the UAAP or any other NCAA schools for that matter should not be conduits. Instead the leagues should strengthen themselves. As i have suggested an Elite Eight at the playoff rounds is more enticing as the winners go on to the Final Four. I know the UAAP has only eight member universities that is why they have to expand to at least ten. The University of Asia and the Pacific has long been rumored to join the club so why not next year? International schools will no doubt add spice to the UAAP, NCAA, NCRAA, UCBL, etc. Not to mention the Christian schools and public schools. Aside from the UA&P, i am curious whether these schools are up to UAAP standards - iAcademy, CIE British School, Enderun Colleges, Southville International School, Brent International School and Faith Academy. Notable foreign players who played in the UAAP are University of the Philippines' Robson Bornancin and Ateneo's Kirk Long. However they are not allowed to play in the PBA as they enforce Jus Sanguinis the law of the blood as opposed to Jus Soli the law of the soil. I wonder whether the new league Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League will the footsteps of the Metropolitan Basketball Association. The MBA has allowed foreigners who were born in the Philippines to play here re: Alex Compton, who played for a Division 1 NCAA School.  

Make Volleyball Great Again

I've seen volleyball action from the pros to the amateurs. The UAAP, AVC, PVL, PSL, NCAA and even the high schoolers in the Cherifer Volleyball Cup at the Robinson's Place Manila. So i gotta say i have developed in my mind prototype players in their respective positions. I wouldn't say height is an advantage but all things being equal a tall good team will beat a small good team.

Middle Blockers/Hitters should be six feet and more. Since they jump a lot, a smaller MB will be exhausted in all the jumping. So these MBs at the college level they can be converted when they turn pros.

Opposite Hitters should be explosive.

Open Hitters/Utility are the players in the two (2) position but OppH can also be utilities. The team benefits with the players' presence where it be offense or defense so the player rotates to the backrow seamlessly. In short they are well rounded players.

Setters should be able to assist. Others skills should be extra. Over time they develop floor defense, blocking and a serviceable serve.

Liberos can be good at receiving and digging that is why teams have two liberos. When one is off you try the other one.

Specialists are players skilled in a particular skill thus it is strategic when they are inserted as pinch hitters - backrow defender that is not a libero, monster blocker, service ace, etc.

This said i have suggestions to make the game more exciting:

1. Extend the setpoint from 25 to 30 ideally at the playoff rounds.

2. Let the players use props. Case in point, baseball players can hang in the overhang to catch the baseball and prevent a homerun. It can be dangerous i know when players can use the props as a springboard but as trained athletes they should be able to adjust.

3. Limitless substitutions are necessary to make use of bench players