Bourne Legacy Movie Review

If you thought that Jeremy Renner is the new Jason Bourne---you're mistaken!  

Though the title of this movie was taken from the Bourne  novel, the story of the movie is nothing like the book and except for a news by-line---Jason Bourne is not even in the movie.  The movie's catch phrase "there was never just one" is a give away that this was not a Jason Bourne movie. This I found confusing.    Where does Jason Bourne fit in the scheme of things?  Apparently, the story follows the last movie Bourne Ultimatum where Jason Bourne exposes Operation Treadstone and Blackbriar and the aftershocks of this event.

Jeremy Renner plays a CIA operative who is part of an experimental program that aims to make super spies.  This program is put in jeopardy by the Treadstone and Blackbriar fiasco and orders to terminate the agents and the scientists involved was put in play.  Aaron Cross and Dr. Marta Shiering (played by Rachel Weisz) survive extermination and here begins their adventure.

My wife and I were suppose to attend the premier showing of this film at the Mall of Asia last August 8 but the bad weather did not permit us to go.  So I invite my wife on a movie date for some chilax time on a Friday night.  Well, everyone it seemed had the same thought and the SM Mega Mall cinemas were packed!  I'm sure that fact that the film's final sequence, which was filmed in Manila, had its influence with the overwhelming reception.  The collective "ahhhhs" when the first mention of MANILA was very noticeable.

The build up to the story's climax was nicely paced; however, everything suddenly went down from there and the film ended lacking in closure.  In other words---BITIN!  Well, I guess this is the beginning of another franchise in the making.  

I hope that the next sequel to this movie would be able to properly tie up the loose ends and please---don't Bourne in the title if you're not putting him as an active part of the script!

Happy weekend everyone!

Stand-off at the Panatag Shoal

The Philippines and China stand-off at the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal has been hogging the news since last month and it has put Filipinos on edge.  Can the Philippines stand up to China's bullying?  Does the Philippines ready to escalate this to the next level?

Legally, the Panatag Shoal is within the Philippines' territorial boundaries.  China's claim is based on historical account dating back to 1279.

Panatag Shoal is within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone which extends to 200 nautical miles from the territorial baseline.  With the shoal 137 nautical mile from the baseline of Palauig, Zambales means that the Philippines have legal rights.

The Philippine government already recommended that the matter be elevated to the International Tribunal for the Laws of the Seas as provided in Article XV of the United Nations Convention of the Laws of the Sea but the Chinese government rejected this in favor of bilateral discussions---where China can bully the Philippines.  The rejection of the Philippines' banana export to China claiming quality control issues is one such power play.  

The Philippines has no real navy to provoke a military confrontation but if push comes to shove they can always invoke the mutual protection treaty with the United States.  Just like calling your big brother to put the bully in place.

I don't like this deal either but with the lack of Philippine military resources to protect against foreign aggression the Philippine government can only swallow their pride and hide behind an ally's protection.  

FHM Philippines May 2012 Cover Girl: Arianny Celeste

After appearing fully clothed at the Hot Imports Night Manila here are images of Arianny Celeste that will surely overwrite those boring memories!

Typhoon Ondoy Devastates Manila!

Manila and its nearby provinces was left in shambles after Typhoon Ondoy exited the country. The amount of rainfall surpassed Typhoon Katrina which hit New Orleans in 2005. In the last 24 hours, Ondoy dumped 455 millimeters of rain in Quezon City along compared to 250 millimeters brought by Typhoon Katrina!

I'm thankful to God for having spared our area from the floods and is praying for those who lost their homes and loved ones.

Sharing with you this prayer for those still in the midst of this calamity:

God of mercy,you know the secrets of all human hearts,for you
know who is just and you forgive the repentant sinner.Hear my prayer in the
midst of destruction;give me patience and hope,so that under your protection and
with you as my guide,I may one day be reunited with my family and friendsin
peace, tranquility, and love.Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Sorry State of Philippine Politics

I don't know Mar Roxas personally but based on what media has presented him to me, he seems to be a good person. I had the chance to meet him 3 years ago during Jollibee's annual convention when no other than our company president stood by him from table to table. Even then he was down to earth. Accomodating questions and shaking hands. If he had pursued his presidential bid, would I have voted for him? I don't think so (my apologies Errol).

Being president of a country not only entail good intentions but most importantly---doing what needs to be done. Mr. Roxas may have good intentions but I don't think he is capable of steering the country towards economic reform and stability. Again, my view is colored by my perception. I say, blame it to his lame ad campaign (Errol, if you're any part of that---my apologies!). For me it was too much drama bordering on the absurd! Question is: Why does it have to be this way? Whatever happened to simply telling the voting population what he did or accomplished as a public servant? And so I did my research and found out that Mr. Roxas actually has a stellar carreer as a public servant---authoring bills that benefit education and consumer protection.

The other day, Mar relinquished his bid for the presidency in lieu of Noynoy Aquino. What prompted him to step down? Is Noynoy a better candidate? In terms of track record, I don't think so(try researching on Noynoy's political accomplishments and tell me if you'll vote for him). I tend to agree with Dick Gordon when he said that "leadership is earned and not inherited". Unfortunately, Philippine politics is a game of perception. He who has the most POGI points wins! Plain and simple popularity contest!

Now why does this kind of political climate prevail in our country? It's not that we're easily cajoled but given the majority of the voting population belongs to the C-D-E class media plays a big role in molding a candidate's "attractiveness".

My former perception of Mar Roxas was biased by his commercial. If I had not validated by doing research, that perception would have stuck! Many of the Filipinos from the lower rung of society don't have access to the internet and rely heavily on media for information. Hence, come election time, media mileage is critical. Half of the battle is won there. How else do you think Erap won the 1998 elections? Definitely NOT with his brains! Poging-pogi kasi sya sa media e!

In my opinion, we can negate this situation by holding mandatory debates among candidates---broadcasted in both tv and radio. Do away with on-site campaigning---para wala ng bayaran! Let the candidates joust on existing socio-economic issues and how they plan to address them. This way, the people will know who's talking bullshit!

For me, a president should be righteous, has a genuine love for servitude, knows how is it to be poor, has a clear vision on how to steer the country towards economic recovery and has the cajones to stand up for the betterment of the nation.

How I wish Ramon Magsaysay was still alive!