April Playlist

It's summer time! 

And it has become a habit of me to listen to Pop/Club mix music to give a summer vibe. 

It's fun to listen to these fun and light music while you're having a long trip or vacation. 

I will not be putting some descriptions about these songs since most are chosen by random.

Here's my April Playlist:

1. Avicii - The Nights

The Nights is taken from Avicii's second album "Stories".

Try to listen to this song while lying under the sun!

2. Chris Brown ft. Usher & Rick Ross - New Flame

New Flame is taken from Chris Brown's album "X".

Man, a collab of Chris Brown and Usher!

3. Foster the People - Best Friend

Best Friend is taken from their album "Supermodel".

Discovered this song through a Summer Playlist blog last year.

4. Sia - Chandelier (Cover by Leroy Sanchez)

This is a cover version of Sia's Chandelier.

Probably the best cover of the song! Love it!

5. Chase Coy - If the Moon Fell Down Tonight

If the Moon Fell Down Tonight is taken from the album "Look How Far We've Come".

This is an exception from this playlist. Such a beautiful song!

Well, you could listen to this while stargazing.

Book Review: Since You've Been Gone

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Category/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

My Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  (5 out of 5 stars)

Synopsis:  

The Pre-Sloane Emily didn't go to parties, she barely talked to guys, she didn't do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend—the one who yanks you out of your shell. 

But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just… disappears. No note. No calls. No texts. No Sloane. There’s just a random to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-selected-definitely-bizarre-tasks that Emily would never try… unless they could lead back to her best friend.
Apple Picking at Night? Okay, easy enough.
Dance until Dawn? Sure. Why not?
Kiss a Stranger? Um... 
Getting through Sloane’s list would mean a lot of firsts. But Emily has this whole unexpected summer ahead of her, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected) to check things off. Who knows what she’ll find?
Go Skinny Dipping? Wait ... what?

My Thoughts:

I was on a huge reading slump for quite a while and this book got me out of it. I'm so glad I finally picked this up! I was just really waiting for the right mood to read this. The book lives up the hype. I honestly thought that I wouldn't like this book, but it turned out differently. I loved it!

The characters are just so likable. 

The book is about finding oneself and being your self without being too much dependent with others. Emily (main protagonist) put a stand on herself as not just being "Sloane's best friend" but "Emily Hughes". Everyone knows her as being the girl who's always with Sloane. She didn't have her own identity or even a lot of friends. But everything changed when Sloane left. 

This is definitely one of the best summer contemporary reads!

After reading this book, give your best friend a hug!

I recommend this:

To everyone who loves contemporary and looking for a feel-good read

Where Flowers Bloom

Flowers

Roses are red, violets are blue
Whenever I see them I don't feel so blue

Waterlilies, Daffodils and Marigold

See all the wonders untold

Oh flowers, flowers so hard to be

For you are all so lovely to see

Save the flowers to brighten the land

And each lend a helping hand 

Photos taken at Calaruega, Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas

Last April 9, 2015

Such a beautiful place. A paradise.

March Playlist

It's been a while since I last posted a blog. I've been quite occupied and busy the past week/s. But I'm back with my March Playlist. Time flies really fast. I couldn't believe that one month has already passed since I started this blog.

Anyway, here are the top songs I listened to during March:

1. Birdy - Wings

'Wings' the first single from Birdy's new album 'Fire Within' released September 2013.

This song gives me nostalgia. 

I heard it once played on MTV then I kept on playing it on my phone since then.

I'm still hoping that Birdy would release a new album.

2. The Script - No Good in Goodbye

No Good in Goodbye is taken from their new album "No Sound Without Silence".

The Script is one of my favorite bands of all time!

I love their songs. For the First Time is my favorite!

The meaning of this song is just so heartbreaking.

This music video is kinda cool too.

3. Sam Smith - I'm Not The Only One

I'm Not The Only One is taken from his debut album "In the Lonely Hour".

It was just recently when I started listening to Sam Smith's music.

Yes, I've known him and have heard Stay With Me several times before. 

And I was like, "Nah, not my kind of music."

But I didn't know his songs were really good until I listened to this!

He's like a male version of Adele for me.

4. Imagine Dragons - It's Time

It's Time is an EP by Imagine Dragons, released on March 12, 2011.

Probably the best song of Imagine Dragons aside from Demons.

I just love the beat of this music!

5. James Blunt - You're Beautiful

You're Beautiful is taken from the album "Moon Landing".

Now, this song is kinda personal for me.

This makes me sad really. What a beautiful song it is.

It really reminds me a lot of some of my personal experiences. 

So, I think that what makes me love this song.

There's This Guy

I never believed in love at first sight. I never understand why people say they were already in love with a person they just met. How could you say you love a person you barely know? How could you tell if he or she is the "one" if it's just their name you know about them? How could you act like you know them if you only have just interacted through social networks?

Some people tell it's not love. It's rather infatuation. But how do we really know the difference between the two? I'm not here to tell you how because even I didn't really know much about these things. And would you still even bother when you are already in a state of feeling ecstatic emotions towards someone? The thing is, my mind has been rioting about this. It's not the kind of thought that you could rationalize. It's more than that because it involves a lot of our emotions. There could be an endless answers when it comes to this kinds of matter, unless you experience it yourself.

And so, there's this guy... There's this guy I only once met.

You know that feeling when you dreamed a good dream that when you wake up, you couldn't remember what really happened in that dream? You just know it's beautiful. That's the same feeling I had when I met this guy. It was in a very unexpected and awkward way. But "that moment" was like reliving those good dream. You may not always remember every detail about it, but you know deep down it's beautiful.

I'm not saying I already fell in love with that guy. I know, it's not love at first sight.

But how do you explain that "connection" I felt? It's as if there was this tiny little string that was instantly attached to him and me. That in just a blink of an eye, you already felt connected. I thought maybe it was just a simple attraction. But I know better than that.

It has been a month already but I couldn't stop thinking about it. I just recently discovered that he was somewhat part of my past. I don't know, a sign maybe? But that's another thing I don't usually believe in. I'm not even sure if he still remembers me. Did he feel the same way?

This broad concept of love /infatuation still amazes me. I'm no expert on this and only have a little experience to share but I can tell... it's magical. This is my hopeless-romantic side speaking.

Beautiful boy, wherever you are...

Concert Scene: Ed Sheeran in Manila

"This is honestly the best reception I've ever received." – Ed Sheeran

The British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran finally had its first ever concert in the country held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena last Thursday, March 12, 2015. All of the Filipino Sheerios’ senses came to life as they witnessed the most unforgettable performance of the very talented Ed Sheeran!

Ed Sheeran is known as the “One-Man Band”, so it only takes his guitar and microphone to make the crowd go wild.  The arena was filled with the non-stop screams and soaring cheers of the crowd.

The concert was one of my most anticipated events of this year. Another one crossed out on my bucket list!

I’ve been a fan of Ed Sheeran since his first album came out. I was easily captured by his lovely voice and his talent in songwriting is incomparable. I was so glad when they announced that Ed Sheeran is coming to the Philippines! He’s been on the most-wanted concert list of Filipinos for years.

Since it’s his first time to have a concert here in our country, several songs from his previous album (Plus) were also performed. Well, I love the songs from his previous album! Kiss Me and Autumn Leaves are my favorites. While his second album is as good as the first, I still can’t help but choose a favorite between the two (Plus and Multiply).

Here are the songs included in his Multiply Tour:

1.       I’m a Mess

2.       Lego House

3.       Don’t/Nina

4.       Drunk

5.       Take it Back/Superstition

6.       One/Photograph

7.       Bloodstream

8.       Tenerife Sea

9.       Thinking Out Loud

10.   I See Fire

11.   A Team

12.   Give Me Love

13.   You Need Me, I Don’t Need You

14.   Sing

Some songs he performed are actually not included in his official list like Kiss Me, Feeling Good, No Diggity, Fancy and All of the Stars. Since he was so overwhelmed by the crowd’s roar and Filipino fans, he performed a bonus song All of the Stars (not included in his album but in The Fault in Our Stars Soundtrack). Unfortunately, my personal favorite Afire Love and One from his latest album were not performed.

                                                                                      

Although many lost their sanity when Ed Sheeran started singing Thinking Out Loud, I lost mine when he sang Give Me Love and Kiss Me. His heart-stopping performance of Thinking Out Loud was probably the song highlight of the night. The crowd couldn’t stop screaming and singing along by this phenomenal hit single. I couldn’t even hear the song clearly. But I think that’s the one thing Ed Sheeran likes about the Filipino fans.

Of course, he couldn’t perform all night. He had to say goodbye (technically he did not). But he said during the concert, “I don’t wanna leave the Philippines.” He’s grown attached to the fans!

If I could just live up in those moments everyday, I would. I love him and I’ll continue to support his music no matter what. Cheers for more of his albums and concerts to look forward to!

Some photos taken during the concert:

Most Anticipated Movies of 2015

Are you a movie junkie?

A film buff?

 Well, then grab a popcorn and take your best comfortable seat as I am about to tell you my most anticipated movie releases this year.

Whatever you may call it, as long as you love watching movies, 

this one is for you.

Here are my top 10 most anticipated movies this year:

(arranged based on the initial release dates)

1.       Cinderella

Initial release date: March 12, 2015 (Philippines)

Premise:  

After her father unexpectedly dies, young Ella (Lily James) finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and stepsisters, who reduce her to scullery maid. Despite her circumstances, she refuses to despair. An invitation to a palace ball gives Ella hope that she might reunite with the dashing stranger (Richard Madden) she met in the woods, but her stepmother prevents her from going. Help arrives in the form of a kindly beggar woman who has a magic touch for ordinary things.

My thoughts:

I’ve always wanted to watch a fairy tale retelling movie like this. I’ve watched several movies before like Maleficent, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White and the Huntsman, Jack the Giant Slayer, and Hansel and Gretel. Cinderella was my favorite when I was a kid so I’m really excited to watch this.

Fact: Prince Charming was played by Richard Madden a.k.a. Robb Stark in A Game of Thrones series.

2.      The Divergent Series: Insurgent

Initial release date: March 18, 2015 (Philippines)

Premise:

The Divergent Series: Insurgent raises the stakes for Tris as she searches for allies and answers in the ruins of a futuristic Chicago. Tris (Woodley) and Four (James) are now fugitives on the run, hunted by Jeanine (Winslet), the leader of the power-hungry Erudite elite. Racing against time, they must find out what Tris’s family sacrificed their lives to protect, and why the Erudite leaders will do anything to stop them. Haunted by her past choices but desperate to protect the ones she loves, Tris, with Four at her side, faces one impossible challenge after another as they unlock the truth about the past and ultimately the future of their world.

My thoughts:

Divergent was a kick-ass movie like the book itself. It’s been so long since I last read this trilogy so I can’t remember what Insurgent is really about. One thing I love about this trilogy is that it is action-packed. The world-building is just really good, not just any other typical young-adult drama.

Fact: After cutting her hair for the role of Hazel Grace Lancaster for The Fault in Our Stars, Shailene Woodley decided she did not want to wear a wig for Insurgent. In the book, Tris does cut her hair but not as short as seen in the movie.

3.       Avengers: Age of Ultron

Initial release date: April 22, 2015 (Philippines)

Premise:

When Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) jumpstarts a dormant peacekeeping program, things go terribly awry, forcing him, Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and the rest of the Avengers to reassemble. As the fate of Earth hangs in the balance, the team is put to the ultimate test as they battle Ultron (James Spader), a technological terror hell-bent on human extinction. Along the way, they encounter two mysterious and powerful newcomers, Pietro and Wanda Maximoff.

My thoughts:

And yes, we’’ll be seeing more of Tony Stark and the other superheroes in this second Avengers movie. I’m not really an avid fan of the Marvel comics. I only know comic superheroes that appear in the movies so I cannot tell you much about it. But I really, really like superhero movies so I’m definitely gonna watch out for this.

Fact: The trailer was viewed 34 million times in the first 24 hours after it was released. This broke the record that was previously held by Iron Man 3.

4.       Pitch Perfect 2

Initial release date: May 13, 2015 (Philippines)

Premise:

Collegiate a cappella group, the Barden Bellas, enter into an international competition that no American team has ever won.

My thoughts:

This is going to be so much fun! I loved the first movie and the actors’ different versions of songs. The songs went viral and now everyone knows it and sings it. Plus, who doesn’t love Fat Amy? That adorable quirky little chic! I’m excited for the new song versions they’re gonna make. Another feel-good movie to look forward to!

Fact: Rebel Wilson publicly stated she wanted Demi Lovato to have a role as one of the Bellas, and even made her an offer, though Demi Lovato chose to focus on her music and tour commitments at the time.

5.       Insidious: Chapter 3

Initial release date: May 29, 2015 (Philippines)

Premise:

A prequel set before the haunting of the Lambert family that reveals how gifted psychic Elise Rainier reluctantly agrees to use her ability to contact the dead in order to help a teenage girl who has been targeted by a dangerous supernatural entity.

My thoughts:

I love horror movies! This is one of the most well-plotted horror movies I have ever watched. You know some horror movies are just so crappy you’d end up laughing instead of being terrified. Insidious is not only just thrilling and scary but has a great story about this astral projection.

Fact: It features a new family but still has characters from the first two movies in it; such as Specs.

6.       Jurassic World

Initial release date: June 10, 2015 (Philippines)

Premise:

Twenty-two years after the events of Jurassic Park, Isla Nublar, an island located off Central America's Pacific Coast, near Costa Rica, now features a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, Jurassic World, as originally envisioned by John Hammond. This new park is owned by the Masrani Global Corporation, but attendance has been declining due to the lack of new attractions. Owen Grady (Chris Pratt), a member of the park's on-site staff, conducts behavioral research on the Velociraptors. At the corporation's request, the park's geneticists create the Indominus Rex, a genetically modified hybrid dinosaur, to boost visitor attendance but it soon breaks loose and runs wild throughout the park, forcing the staff to consider extreme measures to stop it.

My thoughts:

It has been a little while since the last Jurassic Park movie was released. It was again one of my favorites when I was in elementary. This new Jurassic World movie has so much difference with previous ones in terms of technicalities. I mean, the film effects and everything is far better than before.

Fact: The logistics of Spielberg’s original plans to bring the dinosaurs to life were inspired by the Universal Studios “King Kong Encounter” ride.

7.       Minions

Initial release date: July 8, 2015 (Philippines)

Premise:

Minions Stuart, Kevin and Bob are recruited by Scarlet Overkill, a super-villain who, alongside her inventor husband Herb, hatches a plot to take over the world.

My thoughts:

After I watched Despicable Me, I have grown to love each and every character. How could you not? Minions are the most adorable characters I have ever seen! They’re just so funny and I sometimes wish they were real. You’d think that this is just a movie for kids, I say no. I am going to watch it no matter what.

Fact: In this movie, some of the Minion’s languages are from real languages all over the world. I even heard “Tara tropa!” in the trailer. It means “let’s go!” in Filipino.

8.       Paper Towns

Initial release date: July 24, 2015 (USA)
Premise:A young man and his four friends embark upon the road trip of their lives to find the missing girl next door.

My thoughts:This is a book to movie adaptaion. Paper Towns is my favorite John Green book. I know, most people preferred The Fault in Our Stars as their favorite. But I find this story much more interesting and mysterious than his other books. I just hope this would not turn as overrated as The Fault in Our Stars.

Fact: Paper Towns is a second John Green book to be adapted into a film, both starring Nat Wolff a.k.a. Isaac in The Fault in Our Stars.

9.       The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

Initial release date: November 20, 2015 (Philippines)

Premise:

Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) faces mortal traps, deadly enemies and moral choices when she and her closest friends leave District 13 to launch an assassination attempt on President Snow (Donald Sutherland).

My thoughts: Fans of the Hunger Games series are really dying to see this. Well, the first part of Mockingjay was obviously a cliff-hanger! To be honest, Mockingjay Part 1 was my least favorite among the other first two movies. The actions scenes and best parts are in Mockingjay Part 2 so I think it would be a fantastic conclusion to the trilogy.

Fact: Josh Hutcherson was one of the protagonists in the movie Zathura.

10.       Dark Places

Initial release date: (Unknown, 2015)

Premise:

Set in a farming town in Kansas, Dark Places follows Libby Day (Charlize Theron), the only surviving witness of a horrific massacre that took her mother and sisters. Believing the slaughter to be the work of a Satanic cult, Libby testifies in court against her own brother. 25 years after the murder, she remains haunted by the gruesome violence of her past when she meets a group of amateur investigators who call themselves 'The Kill Club.' Looking to satisfy their morbid curiosity, the group begins their own inquiry about the case, believing Libby's brother innocent. In order to help them, Libby must unearth painful memories of the event, and learn that her past may not be what it seems.

My thoughts:

Another mystery thriller that will surely blow our minds! Gillian Flynn is known for her twisted and mind-boggling stories like Gone Girl. Dark Places was her debut novel, though I haven’t read it. But one thing’s for sure: if it was written by Gillian Flynn, you’d have to brace yourself for the most brilliant plot twist ever.

Fact: Gillian Flynn is one of the only Authors to have her debut books turned into movies. Her other books are Gone Girl and Sharp Objects.

February Playlist

These are the songs I listened to for the month of February. I only included songs on my recently played list. Well, thanks to Spotify for letting me listen to and discover some of these songs! It's hard to put all of the songs in here so I just picked the top 5 that I loved listening to during the month.

February is the love month so we almost always hear love songs playing everywhere.

But that's the thing, I didn't set up a "love song" theme to go along with Valentine's.

Plus, I don't usually listen to those kinds of songs.

Since March has just started, it's still not too late to post my February Playlist.

I'm planning on making this a monthly blog so I could show my favorite music each month.

Anyway, here are the top 5 songs:

1. The 1975 - Settle Down

Settle Down is taken from The 1975's self-titled debut album.

I love this band! Their songs are kinda upbeat and perfect for mood boosters.

This is my other favorite from their album, aside from Girls.

2. Bastille - Oblivion

Oblivion is taken from Bastille's album "All This Bad Blood".

Now, this song is a little bit different from Bastille's other singles. 

(You'd notice that on the beat and the tune.)

Also, the girl on the video was played by Sophie Turner a.k.a. Sansa Stark from

A Game of Thrones.

Isn't she lovely?

3. Coldplay - O (Fly On)

O is taken from Coldplay's album "Ghost Stories".

I listen to this song every freakin' single day! There's just something about Coldplay's

music that you'd get addicted to it.

I even tried to play and make a piano cover of this song. I'm obsessed like that.

4. Ed Sheeran - Tenerife Sea

Tenerife Sea is taken from Ed Sheeran's album "Multiply".
My, my, my a Sheeran song!

You'd get surprised If you would not see an Ed Sheeran song in here. I'm an avid fan

of Ed and I've been listening to his songs for years now. Rumors say that Ed Sheeran wrote 

this song for his best friend, Taylor Swift, as he is secretly in love with her.

Some would not have known Ed Sheeran existing if it wasn't for the phenomenal hit

Thinking Out Loud. Everyone loves him now and he has become even more 

popular. I don't think I like the idea.

5. Ellie Goulding - Love Me Like You Do

Love Me Like You Do is taken from Fifty Shades of Grey movie soundtrack.

I don't know much about Ellie and her songs, I have only heard two: Burn and Beating Heart.

But hell, I don't care, I love this song! I'm on LSS with this one. 

I still haven't seen the movie, though.

So, that has been my playlist for February! What are your favorite songs of the month?