INTERMISSION NUMBER: Philippine Idol's Drae Ybanez

Would somebody tell me why Drae was the first to be eliminated in Philippine Idol Finals?

Pero seryoso, paminsan-minsan naiisip ko kung ano kaya kung nag-aral ako sa all-boys school na 'yon noong high school? Kaka-graduate ko lang ng elementarya sa paaralang inilagak ko mula kinder at tinanong ako ng mga magulang ko kung gusto ko raw lumipat ng school, at siyempre isa sa options ang pag-aralin ako sa all-boys school. Ang sabi ko huwag na lang.

Bakit? Kasi gusto kong maabutang maitayo ang swimming pool sa aking school.

Malamang kung napadpad ako sa San Beda noong high school ako, malamang reyna ako doon. Ang laman ng pantasya ng bawat binata.

Hoy! Hindi ako basta-bastang hadadera. Girl ito, neh! Actually, daig ko pa ang gerl sa ugali. Daig ko pa noon ang kanilan hinhin at lambot.

At malamang kung nag-high school ako sa San Beda, malamang nakilala ko siya nang mas maaga. Malamang naipakita niya sa akin kung gaano niya ako minahal nang hindi natatakot na baka kastiguhin siya ng lipunan. Malamang naglampungan na kami nang maraming beses at siguradong mas nanaisin niyang ma-dyug ako kesa sa mga kyokpok na nakilala niya.

Punyetang swimming pool kasi.

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INTERMISSION NUMBER: Atlantika Music Video

Atlantika is an upcoming fantasy series on GMA. Here's a music video of the show, which made me curious on watching it. It looked soooo beautiful for a Philippine TV show.

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RANDOM HOT MEN: Cosmopolitan Philippines Bachelor Bash 2006 (Men Galore!)

I'm telling you. This event has never been catered to girls. Cosmo Bachelor Bash is created for the gays' satisfaction.

And instead of hiring elusive celebrities and models who back out on the last minute, Cosmopolitan organized a massive go-see featuring average guys with above-average looks. Doctors, call center agents, grad students, you name it, there are bound to be the hotties and they were all housed in one roof.

Again, all for gays' satisfaction. Enjoy!

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BOW DOWN AND WORSHIP MY FOOTNOTES

1) Maruja Radio is temporarily unavailable, mostly due to my fault. I forgot to log-in to my myfilehut account within 30 days, so...zzzt...all of the files are gone. Will update the radio as soon as possible with new tracks.

2) Check out my newest recommendation. Enter the Laughter is not your ordinary mommy blog. It's a funny way of looking at life.

That is why I have decided to post at least a Tagalog entry on my posts. Taray, 'di ba?

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THE TOKEN TAGALOG POST: Tagtuyot

Ang sarap makalanghap ng lalake. Kaya naman minsan hindi ko mapigilan ang aking sariling makipagsikiskan sa kasuluk-sulukan ng Maynila para lang makabili--o maka-TY, ganda ko kasi--ng lalake.

Kaya lang, sa sobrang bisi-bisihan ko sa aking mga trabaho, nawala na ang oras ko para sa mga panandaliang sarap. Kung tutuusin, nakakasawa rin naman.

Lagi kong iniisip kung magkakaroon kaya ng lalakeng nakalaan para sa akin. Yun bang mamahalin ako higit sa pagmamahal ko sa sarili. Naku, mukhang malabo 'yun. Feeling ko kasi, hindi naman ako basta-basta makakahanap ng ganoong mhin kung saan lang. Sabi ko nga sa sarili ko, "You can't find love at such a random place."

Hay...sana nga may makilala ako, o baka naman kilala ko na?

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INTERMISSION NUMBER: Let's Cheer to That!

I didn't get to watch this year's UAAP Cheerdance Competition because I attended a family affair last week. I was delighted when I read my sister's text message saying that Salinggawi Dance Troupe of my alma mater University of Santo Tomas won for the fifth time in a row, and eighth time overall! It took me days for me to watch the videos on Youtube and Salinggawi truly deserves the title.

Congratulations to the Great Salinggawi Dance Troupe! You truly are the pride of our school!

Also, congratulations to Far Eastern University Cheering Squad for winning second place. I have always believed that you guys are the true threat of our squad.

Did I miss anybody? I guess not.

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BLOG LIFE: Encantadia Writer to Asiatic Neil: Sue me!

I recently received a comment from one of the writers of Encantadia, a popular fantasy TV series in the Philippines. Apparently, my site was linked to a forum and it discussed about the issue of plagiarism that Asiatic Neil pointed out.

To give you a refresher, I posted an entry about my very short stint as an aspiring film writer, only to be dropped off from the line-up and later learned that one of my concepts became a working project for the film company. Click here to know more about it.

Asiatic Neil posted a comment that he said was a perfect example of what happened to me, and it involved Encantadia.

Anyway, here's what writer Suzette Doctolero had to say about the issue.

"I am the concept developer and headwriter of Encantadia. I have never been to CvSU o kahit sa LaSalle Dasma. Ni hindi rin ako naging judge sa alinmang pakontes nila. Ni wala rin akong nakakausap na student from both school. So is this a joke? Tsismis (Rumors)? Or tall tale lang? Because nakakasira ng reputasyon ito lalo na at pinag-uusapan na ito sa PEX (at sinagot ko na).

My take, fan ng enca ang sinasabi mong friend mo at para magpa-impressed sa iyo, sinabi niyang ninakaw sa kanya ang ideya. At taga abs na pala siya now?

I will not ask you his name, but pls tell him na alam ko na ang akusasyon niya and pls tell him to stop taking credit for something na di niya ginawa or kung ipipilit niya.. magdemanda siya.. and i am more than willing to face him in court.

Masakit manakawan. Pero masakit din na maakusahan. Parehong krimen iyon sa mata nating mga writers.

Also, nalulungkot ako at nakaranas na pala ang blogger ng site na ito na manakawan. I remember one BS ng GMA na galing din sa ABS at sinabing nanakawan din siya ng concept ng movie outfit ng ABS. Baka magkakilala kayo? I wish hindi ka magsawang magsulat."

(I have never been to CvSU or to La Salle Dasmarinas. I was never even became a judge of any of their competitions. And I don't know any student from both schools. Is this a joke? Rumor? Or simply a tall tale? Because this definitely destroy one's reputation especially that it is being discussed in PEX--PinoyExchange.com--which I already answered.

I think that your friend is a fan of Encantadia and in order to impress you, he told you that his idea was stolen from it. And he works in ABS-CBN now?

I will not ask you his name, but please tell him that I am aware of the accusation and stop taking credit from something that he wasn't involved in. If he insists, he could just sue me, and I'd be more than willing to face him in court.

It hurts to have your idea stolen by others, but it equally hurts to be accused wrongfully. These are both crimes among us writers.

And I am deeply hurt to learn that the writer of this blog had his idea stolen. I remember one BS [?} who works in GMA Network who used to work in ABS-CBN. He said his concept was stolen by ABS-CBN's movie outfit. Maybe you know each other? And I hope you won't stop writing.)

Thank you for taking time to comment. It is quite a long time for someone to react over this issue.

Anyway, I hope Asiatic Neil would tell his friend about this. Would you be willing to answer?

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INTERMISSION NUMBER: Philippine Idol Girls

I have always believed that the girl semi-finalists in Philippine Idol are way better than the boys. I was proven right.

Last week, I got lucky to have tickets to watch Philippine Idol live. So, with my sister and her boyfriend in tow, we went to SM Megamall to witness this latest TV phenomenon.

We were in for a treat! These girls are the most talented bunch!

Now, I want my international readers to play a game. There are three videos here, only one of them is in the finals while the other two had to go through a Wildcard Round (the results of which will be announced later).

First up is Pow Chavez, who is openly lesbian. She sings a classic Filipino love song "Ikaw Lamang" (Only You).

Next up is Mau Marcelo who sings "Sweet Love" by Anita Baker.

And finally, my bet Ira Marasigan singing "Mr. Melody."

Now, can you guess who got in? Just leave a comment.

For more Philippine Idol videos, just look at my youtube account "empressmaruja", or to "idolfanatic", "simoncowell26" and "shadowhide" for full episode videos.

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RANDOM HOT MEN: More of Twilight Dancers

The country's censors board (who disguises themselves as a "ratings board") has just given "Twilight Dancers" a rating of Triple-X. I think that's absurd.

Empress Maruja rates Twilight Dancers Triple-A: Absolutely Astonishing and Appetizing!

Feast your eyes on these...

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BOW DOWN AND WORSHIP MY FOOTNOTES

1) Guess what? It's my birthday today! Care for a birthday gift? :)

2) Also, Maruja Recommends is now open! If you want your site to get recommended, just leave a comment here and I'll review each and every site. Thanks!

Happy birthday to me...happy birthday to me...

Boy, working in two different industries created some kind of extremes on me.

Read on...

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WORK LIFE: MINORITY REPORT

My nightly outsourcing job is about a month old and it feels so tiresome. No, it's not that I don't like the job at all (I mean, why would I complain about a job that pays me a hefty sum?). It's just that, after 3 weeks, I have yet to make friends in the workplace.

My persona in the nightly workplace is a shy, timid writer who sits by the corner of the room typing endlessly on the computer.

But why am I afraid to make friends? Am I not supposed to be the cheerful, humorous, out-of-this-world fag hag? Answer is, the environment in the workplace is prtty much unfamiliar to me up to now. For one, most of the workers are men. Straight men. I am supposed to deal with straight men with a little coy and a little brushing the hair to show my ears, but hey, you are not supposed to flirt with your co-workers.

Especially if you are the only one of two gays in the workplace.

Result is that the Empress is so socially miserable at nighttime. He takes his meals alone, types on the computer with his headphones on while listening to dance music through YM (wishing that his Saturday nights are that upbeat), conferring to his supervisor on some work-related issues.

I know, I know I'm supposed to be the one to break the ice in times like this, but what am I supposed to talke to them? That I don't smoke (which would probably turn off most of the workmates)? That I religiously watch Philippine Idol (which I am not ashamed of, thank you very much)? That I like boys?

Sigh...I think it would probably take long before I have any form of social life on that company.

But the workplace has its quirks, since most of the employes are men. One time the place was totally quiet, then all of a sudden a group of guys protested, "Bryan farted! Bryan farted!"

Another officemate would play one song ("Binibining Sexy") over and over on his PC speakers until we all would laugh at first and eventually all of our ears would bleed.

So, yeah, it's pretty much fun. I just don't know how to be in that kind of fun.

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WORK LIFE: SURVIVOR FOR KIDS

The children's show that I work on has, again, undergone shuffling of its hosts. This would have been the fourth time our executive producer did so, more than Destiny's Child eliminated and added and eliminated its members.

Unlike the previous switcheroos that had got to do with overaged hosts and weak hosting, our EP decided to drop two of our show's five hosts because a potential sponsor says so.

And you know what's major? One of the eliminated hosts is a niece of her friend. Let's call the kid Bianca.

I can't blame our EP for such a move. The show needs to survive, and in the process our children's show become some sort of Survivor, wherein almost no one is immuned for elimination.

The elimination happened right smack at the show's second year anniversary. The team set up a party for the hosts and some of the viewers (and I didn't know that there ARE people watching our show). It was filled with great catered food and some sponsored food from Gardenia Bread and McDonald's.

Telling them about the bad news while celebrating is not a good thing, but what can I do? I'm not running the show alone.

Anyway, days later some of my TV colleagues discussed, among other things, the stolen McDonald's hamburgers during the party. A whole box of burgers went kaput...gone; that along with toy giveaways from McDo and other food items. We were so frustrated since the fast food is supposed to be for the production team who didn't each much since we are organizing the party and there was an extreme shortage of toys that were supposed to be given away to the kids present at the celebration.

One of my workmates said that it was Bianca's mother who was spotted hoarding the toys and foodstuff into their vehicle while we were partying.

Hearing that, I exclaimed: "Is eliminating Bianca from the show a karma for hoarding all the food?"

We all giggled.

I do admit that I was sad that Bianca had to go, really. I think she was the most improved among the hosts. But the one thing I didn't like about her is not exactly her per se.

Every shoot, she brings her whole family in. As in always. The first time I got into the show, and that was on a field location, Bianca brought her mother, father, little brother, even her aunt and her two crying children. At first I thought all they wanted was an all-expense paid vacation, and I can't complain since Bianca is supposed to be "untouchable", her being a niece of the EP's good friend.

Since then, it has become a norm for our shoot, despite our efforts to enforce a "one child, one parent" policy. Bianca's mother would always say that the little brother would cry and whine when his sister is away for the shoot, that's why they always have to bring him in (including the father).

Since Bianca's family clearly violated the rule, I couldn't blame other hosts whenever they bring their siblings and other relatives in the shoot.

Oh well, at least it's all over. The tribe has spoken.

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TV LIFE: THE BEST AND THE WORST

Watching the Top 12 Men's performance of Philippine Idol is a great experience, although how I wished King Daddy managed to get some passes for us to watch in live.

Anyway, the Top 4 Men in the voting poll would automatically get in the Top 12 Finalists. I am so glad that one of my male bets, Paul Andrae Ybanez, got in. I think he was the best performer that night.

But then again, I thought Philippine Idol had it version of Vote for the Worst, since the obviously-worst candidates got in the Finals. I was flaming mad when I heard about it. Grrr...I guess their respective social networks won.

Here's proof.

I understood why Reymond Sajor got in: sympathy votes.

Still, I prefer watching Philippine Idol rather than Pinoy Dream Academy (the local version of the defunct The One). My sister flipped the channel and all we saw is a concert about cats, dogs, chickens, and monkeys.

I'm not kidding. All of the contestants were dressed in animal costumes and sang songs about cats, dogs, chickens, and monkeys. How degrading.

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RANDOM HOT MEN: ALVIN ALFONSO

Everytime I see him on TV, model Alvin Alfonso always have that humorous aura around him. I ever I would give him my patented blowjob, he would probably be laughing (in a good way).

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BOW DOWN AND WORSHIP MY FOOTNOTES

1) Man! The power went off while I'm finishing my blog. Now I have to rush this and buy quickie dinner for my siblings to feast on. And eventually, I'd be late for my night shift. Grrr...

2) Congratulations to my dear friend JV Almazan for winning in this year's Carlos Palanca Awards, which is the Philippine version of the literary Pulitzer Prize. His one-act play in Filipino won second prize! Also, my Filipino professor back in college (Mr. Eros Atalia) won first prize in his entry for Filipino short story! Wow! Now I feel frustrated for not joining this year. I'd better be sure to join next time, and nail it!

3) Don't forget to visit Philippine Idol Updates, your source for everything Philippine Idol. Shameless plug...hihi!

4) My sincere condolences to my TV workmate Arniel (our head writer). His father passed away this morning. Let's pause a while and pray for his repose.