Grace, I'll Never Get Tired Of Grace

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:4, 5, 8, 9 NIV)

(Credit: 

http://wendymayo1.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/gods-grace-in-hands.jpg)

One thing I have recently learned is that when the bible repeats something, you better listen and take it in. Ephesians 2:8 is one of the first things you learn as a Christian and even if I have been one for years! I continue to learm from it and the paragraph where Paul mentions it.

The first part of Ephesians 2 shows us how much we need to be saved from what we naturally are. If you could not relate to it, please tell me your secret. Verse 4 shows us how we are saved and Paul continues by mentioning that it is by grace. Through this grace, we are seated with Christ by God.

I'm sure you've seen or heard that when you share a seat, you win a friend. We rarely seat with someone we don't know. In foodcourts, you ask the person that was at the table first if space may be shared. But by grace, it is God Himself who seats us with Christ and allows us every blessing that He has for Christ!

Still, by grace, Paul reiterates and adds that it is not what we could do that gives us salvation, it is by what God offers us. And with this offer, there is an assurance of the great plan He has for our lives.

Just remember that it is an offer. Salvation is available, if we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior.

She'll Be A Classic

I know it's so ideal but I just know that she's going to be classic. This is that song I'd love to sing to her. But I have to purchase a Cadillac first.

Lyrics:
"Classic"

Hey! Where's the drum?

Tony:
Ooh girl you’re shining
Like a 5th avenue diamond
And they don’t make you like they used to
You’re never going out of style

Ooh pretty baby
This world might have gone crazy
The way you saved me,
Who could blame me
When I just wanna make you smile

Hook:
I wanna thrill you like Michael
I wanna kiss you like Prince
Let’s get it on like Marvin Gaye
Like Hathaway write a song for you like this

Chorus:
You’re over my head
I’m out of my mind
Thinking I was born in the wrong time
One of a kind, living in a world gone plastic
Baby you’re so classic
Baby you’re so classic
Baby you,
Baby you’re so classic

Four dozen of roses
Anything for you to notice
All the way to serenade you
Doing it Sinatra style

Ima pick you up in a Cadillac
Like a gentleman bringin' glamour back
Keep it real to real in the way I feel
I could walk you down the aisle

Hook:
I wanna thrill you like Michael
I wanna kiss you like Prince
Let’s get it on like Marvin Gaye
Like Hathaway write a song for you like this

Chorus:
You're over my head
I’m out of my mind
Thinking I was born in the wrong time
Let's start the rewind, everything is so throwback age (I kinda like it like it)
Out of my league
Old school chic
Like a movie star
From the silver screen
One of a kind living in a world gone plastic
Baby you’re so classic
Baby you’re so classic
Baby you’re so classic

Malcolm:
Baby you’re class and baby you're sick
I never met a girl like you ever til we met
A star in the 40’s, centrefold in the 50’s
Got me tripping out like the sixties
Hippies Queen of the discotheque
A 70’s dream and an 80’s best
Hepburn, Beyoncé, Marilyn Manson
Girl you’re timeless, just so classic

Chorus:
You're over my head I’m out of my mind
Thinking I was born in the wrong time
Let's start the rewind, everything is so throwback age (I kinda like it like it)
Out of my league
Old school chic
Like a movie star
From the silver screen
You’re one of a kind living in a world gone plastic
Baby you’re so classic
Baby you’re so classic
Baby you’re so classic

posted from Bloggeroid

Salvation Required

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8, 9 NIV)

Growing up, I generally hated "evil" things and was seen to be mostly a good guy by my peers. "Wicked" was the last thing I would describe myself then so I felt that when I die, I deserve to go to Heaven. I'd stay in Purgatory maybe for a while but then eventually, I'll reach Heaven. I wasn't really scared of going to Hell then.

Most of the time, if guilt crept in, I'd just do something "good" and then just feel good after. Paranoia may creep in to think if I should do more, just to make sure. Now, I know why that happens.

It's simple, I can't save myself from my self. By instinct, I would always choose things to preserve my being. And that paranoia is there because no matter how many good things I do, I can't have a complete sense of peace.

Original Sin has found its way in me the moment I was born. And even if you don't understand or believe in it, can you relate with the paranoia or have you had that inner voice experience?

In whatever way you make sense of things, God's Truth is found in Ephesians 2:8, 9. I can only be saved from my sinful nature by accepting this gift from God. I don't deserve it, but His Grace He has extended to me. The condition is for me to believe in it, through faith, and to accept Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. It is a gift, it is not by what I have done, not by what i can do.

SM Aura, Beyond 3D

Saw this tweet today:

Rocky Sunico (@rgsunico) tweeted at 6:32 PM on Sun, Jun 16, 2013:
SM Aura keeps finding new ways of living up to its name - like this indoor waterfall! RT @wackyalitaptap http://t.co/VodKAIGUho

Here's the picture:


I'm not sure if the picture is true as it seems to have been deleted. But if it is, it is a level up from my past post.

posted from Bloggeroid

Despicable Me 2: Minion Rush is Out!

Earlier today, I got a notification from Facebook that got me curious because it wasn't a Candy Crush request. My friend in Thailand, Chad, invited me to download Minion Rush! Saw the teaser from Gameloft and you know I like them Minions!


Already downloadable on Google Play. I assume it's also available on the AppStore

It was only about 11MB but I was disappointed just a tiny bit when I had to wait more for it to download 23MB more to load.



You play as a Minion who wants to be the Minion of the Year by running around Gru's Lab and all around a residential area.





Controls are similar to Subway Surfers where tilting comes into play from time to time via power ups and some parts of the endless track. Short boss battles also pop up and a new villain named Meena is introduced in the game.


The old nemesis


"Meena"

Overall, it is not the usual runner. Numerous gameplay quick switches are made to keep you on your toes and a secret disco room is very rewarding. Yes, I suggest that you download it.

Until I find the graphic online, I'm using this screenshot as my wallpaper:

posted from Bloggeroid

Will the Yellow Brick Road Lead to Manila Next Year?

Wicked Poster for the Gershwin Theater Staging

Ever since Idina and Kristin, I am sure that Filipino theater fans have been wanting to see Wicked staged in Manila, and the Petition to bring Wicked in Manila Facebook Page seems to have the latest scoop on developments. Here's a screenshot of what gave us renewed hope on Wicked in Manila:

Original, Shareable Link

This was followed by Sarah Caballero's post on what seems to be pictures of the program:

Original, Shareable Link

The program reads: 

"Perfomance Date

End of January to Early March 2014

6 Weeks"  

"Venue

Main Theater

Cultural Center of the Philippines"

"Total Capacity

90,000"

The official CCP website states that the theater can seat 1,821 guests at a time. If the total capacity is 90,000, does that mean that there would be about 50 performances in 6 weeks for Wicked?

In any case, be sure to also check out @wickedinmanila to view more updates.

Still taking every bit of news with a grain of salt. Let's just wait for the rumored press release on August for hopefully, official announcements.

[Prison Dance(r)] of the Steel Bars

I've recently come across another Grade A film as assessed by the Cinema Evaluation Board entitled "Dance of the Steel Bars."

I viewed the trailer...

...and noticed that it had a really great cast. Particularly, Direk Joey Paras.

I had a bit of a problem though. It reminded me too much of a web series that was released December last year, Prison Dancer.

(From PrisonDancer.com)

Both were inspired by the dancing inmates of Cebu and both have great Filipino talent but some characters and conflicts may be similar. At this point, I am quite partial to what I have already seen and I am a fan of musicals. In any case, with the success of Prison Dancer on You Tube and on stage...

(Also from PrisonDancer.com)

I hope Dance of the Steel Bars would carry the same greatness when it screens at SM Cinemas on June 12. While waiting for the date, chew on the first episode of Prison Dancer here:

Dirty Dancing Cancelled

Heard that Dirty Dancing this July was cancelled by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions.


(Promotional poster used earlier this year.)

Tried checking TicketWorld's website and it seems that the lack of the Dirty Dancing page there confirms the cancellation.

If you have bought a ticket already, you better call TicketWorld at 8919999 or email tickets@ticketworld.com.ph to coordinate your options.

posted from Bloggeroid

Gates of Atlantis...SM Aura

People keep talking about a description of a fictional work but I think I have struck gold with my discovery at SM Aura.

I knew it was going to be traffic but my dad insisted that we visit SM's newest structure. It is brand new so I expected much from it. Sarah Jessica Parker cut the ribbon when it the SM Store opened recently.


(Picture not mine.)

Stories of severe traffic and news of still closed stores followed. Still, I was optimistic.

Yes, traffic was bad and it was raining hard. We noticed that their out-of-proportion video wall was closed, maybe it was a precaution. Several walls still had some sort of packaging. So we entered the parking lot at a snail's pace. We got to the 2nd basement and we were welcomed by a new attraction, a reverse fountain!



And this was not the only one. We got up to the mall and several employees were mopping the center of the ground floor. Before that, we witnessed how it would be inside the mall with the lights off while on the escalator. We experienced two power interruptions within 5 minutes.





There was another reverse fountain there. And still yet several more around the mall. Not all stores were open yet and almost all the food outlets were flooded with people. Unfortunately, too, we could net get to the Sky Garden.

An uncredited pic circulated in Twitter that the parking area was actually already flooded. We left at about 5pm so I can't confirm. The worst I saw was a forming river.



It was the first time my dad walked out to the mall and we evacuated to Glorietta.

If this brand new mall is an indication of how SM's quality is, soon we'll discover more mythical gates. And they just might rename their Taguig mall to SM Aqua.

posted from Bloggeroid

Fely J's Sweet Side

Tequila Chocolate Obsession


Sikreto ni Maria Clara


Canonigo with Mango Balls

posted from Bloggeroid

Nihonbashitei NIght!

Every month, three of my friends and I go to a restaurant where we haven't been before. Tonight, we ventured to Nihonbashi Tei along Arnaiz St., Makati City, right in front of Legaspi Columns.

 Nigiri Sushi (P350)

 California Maki (P220)

Half serving of Una Jyu. (P550 for the whole serving) fre

Most of you have probably already gone here or maybe you frequent the place. I highly recommend it for authentic Japanese food that doesn't drill a hole on your wallet. The price is cheaper than Sugi and you won't really hang out there but it did meet my food quality expectations. Better be early if you don't want to be on the waiting list as we've noticed it got full quickly. Our group got there at about 7pm and even before we were halfway through our meal, the place was already packed. It's a 4 out of 5 for this place.

2 Women and a Naked Statue

Still on the topic of the SAG Awards, I just have to share the acceptance speeches of 2 of my favorite women, Jennifer Lawrence and Anne Hathaway.

Yes, something goes wrong with Jennifer's dress and Anne isn't as eloquent as she usually us but I really appreciate how these speeches are so real compared to ones from other award shows. They also both started on when they got their SAG card. Maybe I should make it one of my life goals to get one.

SAG Awards 2013

The SAG Awards was one awards nighy that I wouldn't have noticed if not for Twitter. I practically didn't know anything about it this year, except that Anne Curtis-Smith received an invite.

They say it's one of those Oscar predictors but you be the judge. Here's the list of winners:

Outstanding Ensemble in a Motion Picture: "Argo"
Outstanding Male Actor in a Leading Role: Daniel Day-Lewis, "Lincoln"
Outstanding Female Actor in a Leading Role: Jennifer Lawrence, "Silver Linings Playbook"
Outstanding Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Tommy Lee Jones, "Lincoln"
Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Anne Hathaway, "Les Miserables"
Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series: "Downton Abbey"
Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series: Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"
Outstanding Female Actor in a Drama Series: Claire Danes, "Homeland"
Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series: "Modern Family"
Outstanding Male Actor in a Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"
Outstanding Female Actor in a Comedy Series: Tina Fey, "30 Rock"
Outstanding Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries: Kevin Costner, "Hatfields & McCoys"
Outstanding Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries: Julianne Moore, "Game Change"
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture: "Skyfall"
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a TV Series: "Game of Thrones"

posted from Bloggeroid

Never Thought The 90s Would Still Be Relevant

Internet Explorer is doing it right! It's biggest target demographic is taking it right in the childhood in a good way. Just click on the link if you grew up in the 90s, take a trip and say "Hi!" to a dear old friend!

After watching this, I realized how I could relate to the whole commercial. That's how Western my childhood was.

(Re)Start, With Gratitude

I've always believed that the best way to start something is with gratitude. For one to be able to start, that in itself entails events that creates the actual starting point. For this reboot of my blogging life, acknowledgement is in order for Miguel Gangoso, a Graphics and Illustrations Artist of Brownsugar Productions. I know the design is not worthy of what they do but my avatar was done by Miguel.

That's a panda eating some pan de sal. Yes, my name is Saul, and Pan de Saul is actually a play of panda, pan de sal, and Saul. An officemate called me "Panda" because I reminded her of Po from Kung Fu Panda. That was when the second movie was released and it just got stuck. Pan de sal, is a staple food item and this blog would be my daily repository of thoughts, musings, discoveries. Just check back daily and watch the site evolve. Thank you, and thank you in advance!