In the year 2001, the world of researching information on the internet was perhaps changed forever with the launch of a free-content online encyclopedia, the words of which could be openly edited. So began the age of Wikipedia, a time when answers to questions were easily reachable at the tap of a keyboard, to information…
Hainan is an island and the southernmost province of the People’s Republic of China. In olden days the Chinese people traditionally believed that Hainan was the world’s southernmost landmass, and its southernmost shore was called the Tian-ya Hai-jiao (edge of Heaven, corner of Sea), deemed a place of exile for Imperial Dynasty officials that fell…
The next epic installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in on its way to theaters next week with “Avengers: Infinity War”, but the other face of the Marvel movie experience is not to be left behind either. That is “Deadpool 2”, sequel to the surprise 2016 hit “anti”-superhero film starring Ryan Reynolds as the nigh…
When it was opened in 1973, the San Juanico Bridge connecting the islands of Samar and Leyte in the Visayas was a wonder for Filipino motorists. It was a long bridge that went over a body of saltwater (granted, one of the narrowest straits in the world) to join two landmasses to facilitate land transportation.…
There is absolutely no doubt that Amazon is one of the largest online retailing platforms in the whole world, and that it is patronized by so many people who shop on the internet that it is sometimes negatively described by detractors as a monopoly in everything but name. But while many online denizens could say…
There is less than a month left before the Cannes Film Festival takes off, and preparation details are being publicized as time passes. The latest development announced for the event appears to be timed just right to put a positive spin on Cannes in light of recent happenings that are souring the film fest atmosphere.…
The time period for summer blockbuster films is almost upon us, and this 2018 the selections are among the most potentially box-office breaking movies yet to arrive in cinemas. No less than two superhero films, one modern-day sci-fi adventure and a space opera western are all vying for ticket sales. When sorted out on a…
It has been almost half a month since Warner Bros. and Amblin Entertainment’s “Ready Player One” started coming into cinemas worldwide. In that time the geek culture-centric sci-fi adventure film has had a global box office take of $475 million, and is now the 4th highest-grossing movie of 2018 (at least until the MCU strikes…
The matter of Boracay and the impending mandatory closure of its various business establishments to make time for a six-month period of environmental rehabilitation has been a contentious issue for many involved. The struggle between those trying to realize President Duterte’s directive of cleaning up the island he had called a “cesspool”, and those who…
Almost two years ago, in late 2016, the music world may have been in the mood to drop their collective jaws when news came that singer-songwriter Bob Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, the first songwriter to become a Nobel Laureate. Granted, he was credited as “poet” where his songs were concerned, but…
One has to applaud the brilliant yet childlike and playful creative minds at Nintendo for their lineup of interestingly popular videogame concepts. It was they who kick-started the direction-motion-sensing control scheme thing with its remote controller in 2006, and in 2017 they blurred the line between home console and portable with its hybrid Switch system.…
In 1987 Stanley Kubrick’s war film “Full Metal Jacket” premiered in cinemas to critical and audience acclaim. One of the highlights of the movie, set during the Vietnam War, is the character of Marine drill instructor, Gunnery Sgt. Hartmann, portrayed by retired Marine Sergeant R. Lee Ermey. His performance became the standard by which all…
