Without having to go to the malls, I know that the games shops all over UAE have gone crazy again. With thousands of gamers waiting for their turn to buy Starcraft 2: Wings of Liberty, I doubt if the shops can cater to all the fans waiting patiently outside their respective shops. I was surprised that the part 2 have more number of fans all around the world. I can see that these people are particularly after the campaign and the story. Well, the multiplayer gameplay comes after of course.

Back at the old times when the original Starcraft 1 and its expansion Broodwars was still a big hit in almost all internet cafes in Davao City, I would always play with 2 of my friends against random team of customers. Zerg was my favorite race, next to it was the Protoss. It all depends actually with what our rival would choose as their race. And my all time favorite map was Big Game Hunters.

I can’t wait to get my hands on this game. But I’m rather more excited with the release of Diablo III. Which will be sometime next year. Hope it’ll be sooner than I expect.

While I’m still in my not-so-blogging-mood, for some reason I keep on watching war movies. Female soldiers usually catches my attention and it’s so amazing when you see them in action. GI Jane is sometimes what they call them. Imagine ladies who can disassemble and assemble a high calibre rifle in a matter of seconds, fearlessly plant high explosive bombs, work in a command centre or even join the ranks of dangerous missions. These ladies makes me feel less about myself more. Being snappy and all while I’m a whimp who can even jog half a mile. Or ask my wife, I can’t even walk a quarter mile. LOL.

Today’s story is about crowned Ms. England who also turned out to be a frontline in Afghanistan war. A 22-year old british soldier and a beauty pageant, Lance Corporal Katrina Hodge. Pretty amazing huh? Why not check out after the huge jump and let’s get explosive!

Lance Corporal Katrina Hodge, a British Army soldier and a part-time model who also made it to Miss England. She was dubbed as a “Combat Barbie” because, well obviously of how she looks. Her nickname was a result of her showing up for boot camp dressed head to toe in pink and carrying pink suitcases. Katrina Hodge is 22-years-old and is in the Royal Anglian Regiment. She is currently based at Frimley Park Hospital in Camberley. She is a military clerk with The Adjutant General’s Corps.

Ms. Hodge says she hopes the exposure she is getting through the Miss England pageant will show others that you don’t have to be ‘butch’ to join the Army and will encourage other women to join.  But there’s a lot more to her than her than what the image of ‘Barbie’ might conjure up in someone’s mind. She apparently is quite capable of holding her own in the rough world of rough men in combat.

She was deployed to Basra, Iraq in 2005 when she was just 18-years-old. Regardless of her nickname, no one under estimates her courage and skills following an incident in which she was able to grab two (YES, TWO!) rifles from an insurgent who was holding herself and other members of her regiment at gunpoint. She received a commendation for her bravery.

It’s not just all about the action, imagine a young lady in her early age enduring all the rough and tough trainings in the world of combat. Now tell me, with beautiful soldiers like her, who needs a bodyguard? STEP ASIDE PERVS! LOL

Few weeks ago, I posted my advanced announcement regarding the fight’s streaming. There was a misunderstanding between me and my streaming provider regarding the bandwidth issue and credits. And there are couple more of reasons they came up with and I didn’t really want to hear everything.

What about the Boxing Match? Oh yes, I didn’t forget it. LOL. Check it out after the big jump.

Here are the streamings I have found so far. If none of them are working, it means it’s currently bombarded with viewers so just be patient. Have fun guys!

STREAMING ONE
STREAMING TWO
STREAMING TWO

Around 10 days ago, I posted a Pinoy Trailer, Apokalipto that contained special effects similar to famous new 3D games. In connection to that, I am sharing a sequel to the trailer. If you guys liked the first installation to the series, I’m pretty sure you’ll love this one too (or more!). So check out the video after the break.

In my younger years (well, technically I’m still young since I’m only 27) I used to watch the NBA. I started following NBA games since 1992 and back then I was a Chicago Bulls fan. I’ve seen Michael Jordan retire and came back with his gravity defying moves. Also, I play basketball as a past time. Well, that was when I haven’t discovered the Internet yet.
After school I would also rush home just to watch PBA games, a local basketball league here in the Philippines. In my room, I have a collection of Michael Jordan posters as well as his action figures. When I was on my second year in high school, I even used to play in a league in our subdivision in Cebu.

Gone are those days when I could still jump and reach the basketball ring. I blame the Internet. LOL. Around year 2000, when Internet was still a luxury to everyone, I started losing track of NBA and PBA games. My addiction to internet chatting such as Freetel, Telnet and mIRC killed my passion for basketball. Funny thing, when I tried playing basketball way back year 2005, I can’t even reach the backboard of the basketball ring. No more three point shots and jump shots for me. And worst of all, last year 2008 when I was in Dubai, I didn’t last for more than10 minutes. And that’s a one on one with my brother in law. So from there, I started accepting the fact that basketball isn’t for me anymore.

When I saw the news in TV, I immediately rushed to check the internet about this event. Oh my god! It’s real. The NBA legends are here to play…with the PBA ALL STARS! Ticketed to play are two-time slam dunk champion Dominique Wilkins, 49, 7-1 center Vlade Divac, 41, crossover killer Tim Hardaway, 43, and 16-year veteran Robert Horry, 38. The visitors will be coached by another legend Lenny Wilkens with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as a “celebrity assistant.” At first I thought I saw Will Smith, later on I recognized it was Robert Horry. Adding visual impact and kinetic energy to the historic moment will be the high-flying New Jersey Nets Dunkin’ Divas and Nets’ mascot Sly the Silver Fox.

And as for the PBA lineup, it includes Alvin Patrimonio, Allan Caidic, Ronnie Magsanoc, Benjie Paras, and Kenneth Duremdes. I can’t wait to watch this exhibition game which is about to be written in the history of sports here in Philippines, and all over the world.

Tickets for the first-ever NBA Asia Challenge are now on sale at Ticketnet outlets at SM Malls, or online at www.ticketnet.com.ph.  Ticket prices are at P2,640 (Patron), P2112 (Lower Box), P1320 (Upper Box A), P792 (Upper Box B) and P264 (General Admission).

Word is out. Disney is bagging Marvel after that $4billion deal which happened just a week ago bringing characters such as Iron Man and Spider-Man into the family of Mickey Mouse and Toy Story. Even the creator of Spider-Man, Stan Lee, was also excited after that marriage. But the said deal was expected to finalize before the end of the year.

Anyway, while I was also reading some other articles, a friend of mine gave me this image and made me laugh real hard.

And after getting an idea from a friend’s original spoofed Xmen picture, I made my own version. Well, I don’t think the “original” beast would want to lose his job anyway. So…

Speaking of new flicks, I recently dropped by youtube and saw this amazing Pinoy video. It’s obviously 3d game inspired. Not only 3d inspired, the true message is yet to be revealed. I just wonder who made this movie and what it’s all about but all I know, based from the effects, it’s one hell of ride!

Bagong Sigla

The shadow effects reminds me of Prince of Persia. The little girl’s shadow looks like a witch from Left 4 Dead and the guy in red hood looks similarly with Alex Mercer of Prototype.

A week ago, Wowowee host, Willie Revillame, apologized to the public and the Aquinos after ordering the removal of the live streaming of former President Corazon ‘Cory’ Aquino’s funeral procession from his noon time slot. Since then, the issue became hotter and as the word was out, the public, specially those who supported the Aquinos,  became even more angrier. It became the word on the streets, forums and even in blogs!
Last August 10, the aftermath to all the flames came out: Willie Revillame is on ‘indefinite’ leave. Below is the news feed from ABS-CBNnews.com:

MANILA – Willie Revillame is on leave “indefinitely” in the wake of the controversy generated by his order to cut the simultaneous live broadcast of the procession of President Corazon Aquino’s remains from his noontime show last August 3. “Yes, naka-leave [siya]. From his (Revillame) own text [message] to me, indefinitely. Indefinitely, can be two days or three days,” Bong Osorio, head of ABS-CBN’s corporate communications, told abs-cbnNEWS.com in a phone interview. In an interview with the entertainment website, Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP), Johnny Manahan, a Star Magic executive, said Revillame “has been asked to go on leave” beginning Monday, August 10. Revillame, YES! magazine’s most powerful entertainer, has been conspicuously absent from his show since Saturday.  His female co-hosts, Mariel Rodriguez, Pokwang, Valerie Concepcion and RR Enriquez, have taken over “Wowowee” in his absence.  “He feels isolated and beleaguered… I don’t know when he will be back. Maybe, he will soldier on and do the two-week leave, or again, he may be back next week. Meanwhile, he has a real time to rest, be alone, and contemplate the future,” Manahan told PEP.  Manahan defended Revillame from critics who have lashed at the host for being “arrogant.” Contrary to criticisms, the Star Magic executive said the “Wowowee” host is “simple, compassionate and a pushover.” Manahan also pointed out that the “Wowowee” host would never disrespect the late former president and her family.  Manahan admitted though that Revillame did not carefully choose his words when he ordered a stop to the live broadcast. The live broadcast showed the transfer of Mrs. Aquino’s body to Manila Cathedral from La Salle Green Hills on August 3, prompting an irked Revillame to have it cut.   Revillame explained that it was inappropriate to broadcast the funeral procession while they were having fun inside the studio. Revillame’s action last Monday drew instant criticism from various quarters, particularly in various online forums. On August 4, Revillame publicly apologized, but said he was standing by his decision to have the simultaneous broadcast removed on air.  He also disclosed that he had asked ABS-CBN entertainment production head Linggit Tan to remove it, and that he only blew his top when he saw the broadcast again on the screen. He also said that he never meant to offend people. He said his only intention was to give respect and make the occasion a solemn one. Osorio, meanwhile, said Revillame has already “apologized and the Aquino family has accepted it.” -Reyma Buan-Deveza, abs-cbnNEWS.com

<RANT MODE ON>

Ok let me just throw a few of my opinions on the following quotes:

Manahan defended Revillame from critics who have lashed at the host for being “arrogant.”

If he’s not arrogantly speaking, what then?

Manahan also pointed out that the “Wowowee” host would never disrespect the late former president and her family.

In my own understanding, being bothered by the live funeral of the former president to the point of arrogantly asking to cut the live broadcast to proceed making Filipinos happy while on the other hand the so-called-Filipinos are actually contemplating and weeping. Think of it, a person will obviously die only once and this person for the record freed the television company from the grip of dictatorship; where they were able to freely broadcast in the airways once more.

Manahan admitted though that Revillame did not carefully choose his words when he ordered a stop to the live broadcast.

What’s said is said. The damage has been done. You can’t possibly make a lot of Filipinos believe it was unintentional, judging by the way you talked.

So after all, it was just arrogantly unintentional? LOL

<RANT MODE OFF>

This post is around 3 days late but it’s now or never. That’s because I don’t usually watch TV or I missed the news in the Internet. Anyway, news is around the country that Wowowee host Willie Revillame apologized on his noon time show after thousands of people drew their criticisms for ordering the removal of the live streaming of former President Corazon ‘Cory’ Aquino’s funeral procession from his noon time slot.

He also apologized to the Aquino family and to the network (ABS-CBN) management “for hurting their feelings.” Willie added that his request to stop the inserted video was really “a sign of love and respect for Tita Cory.”

He further explained that it was unappropriate to broadcast it since Wowowee was supposed to be a fun and lively show. Making the country happy would be very difficult for him if he’s seeing the casket of Mrs. Aquino. “Di po maganda. Nagsasaya kami dito habang nagluluksa ang sambayanang Pilipino. ‘Di ko magagampanan ang pagpapatawa habang ipinapakita ang libing ng dating presidente.” (It’s not good for us to have fun here while the whole country grieves. I cannot make people laugh at the same time that this part of the funeral of the funeral of our former president is being shown.)

In my own understanding, can’t the show at least pay its respect to the person who once again gave freedom to media and press 23 years ago? The show can go on for a long time and this rarely happens. This is not even the time for having fun and to make other people happy. What would the Aquinos think of your idea of making people laugh while the entire family is grieving?