Bah Humbug!

Hamster Reanimator

We can has a hammie zombies?

We can has a hammie zombies!

Herbert West, eat your heart out.


Thanks to Luis for pointing this out.

Guesting on Rock Ed Radio Tonight!

If you're near a radio tonight, tune in to NU107 at 8pm for Rock Ed Radio. The topic is Nightmare Before Christmas and I'm guesting along with Rhyan Carlos, horror movie director. My guess is that we're going to talk about all things to be sacred of this holiday season. Like that commie Santa Claus and his brainwashed worker elves for example.

In other news, here's an early review of the Philippine Genre Stories horror issue on the ABS News website. Yay! As for the actual issue itself, it'll be out soon, giving us ample time to build it up for you so that once ithits the shelves, you absolutely, positively must buy one for each member of your barangay and their dentists. A better Christmas gift you cannot find elsewhere, di ba, KYu? :)

Too much coffee me

I have officially had too much caffeine today.

I never really believed that Coke contained caffeine (at least the kind that bothered me) until today, after having drank two big glasses of ice cold Coke washed down with some French pressed Benguet coffee. Now I'm all jittery. And watching the complete third series of Black Books doesn't help either. Now my thoughts have an Irish accent I have the urge to open a bookshop just so I can chase customers out.

Oh look, a dead badger!

You'd Better Be at the QLE!

Where will you be tomorrow evening?

The only correct answer to that question is at the QLE Awards in Route 196!

Ang wala sa QLE, panget! :D

How to Deal with Rejection

Love hurts, but sometimes, rejections stings ever worse.

Especially for a writer.

Here's one way to deal with it.

Have fun! :D

Sad News: Marky Cielo dies and Hitler was a nice guy

Marky Cielo is now in the big dance hall in the sky.The Starstruck 3 winner was found dead this morning. As of this writing, his cause of death is still unknown. Why am I writing about Marky? Because he was nice and genuinely talented. One of the few young stars out there who didn't have to make pa-cute to get noticed. His only flaw may have been that he wasn't born tisoy enough to get noticed more, but that's not his fault. Rest in peace, Marky.

In other news, some guy said that Hitler was nice. Well, to him anyway. Of course, the media cut out the rest of his statement (where he condemns the Nazis) and ran with the interesting parts. After all, why air something straight if you can sensationalize it a bit?

Would you rent an apartment that might be haunted by a famous ghost?

Because apparently, no one wants to rent the one Heath Ledger died in.

somehow, I think the going price is more of a deterrent than the threat of having to share it with bad vibes or an otherworldly tenant.

New Free Press Cover Out on Monday... and a link with live eats

Here's the Free Press' new design. I never thought I'd say this but... don't you just love VP Noli de Castro's puppydog eyes?

Seriously, I like that they're revamping their covers, keeping it classic and dignified yet modern.

Monday will be Mother Mary's birthday, but it will also mark a change in the Philippines Free Press' cover, courtesy of Erwin Romulo and Juan Caguicla.

Inside, find excellent bathroom reading material courtesy of Tad Ermitanio, Alexis Tioseco, Gang Badoy, the incredibly handsome Luis Katigbak, and more!

So fall in line and grab a copy next week. You know you want to.


In other news, here's a link to some of the most disturbing videos I've ever seen. Live fugu gutting? A plateful of crawling tentacles and... cassava! Come... dine with death. No salmon mousse here.

Oversharing

Because you can never have too clean a monitor...

And from Luis,

Because everything should taste like bacon.

You're welcome.

The Philippines Free Press Gets a Makeover

The Philippines Free Press, a venerable institution that just turned 100 this year (Haaaaapy berdey toooo youuuuu!) has also undergone a makeover. Yes, there is no shame in getting botoxed, facelifted and airbrushed in one's old age. In this case, the makeover was done courtesy of elite tatooed superhero photographer Juan Caguicla.

Aaaaaand gracing the new cover layout is none other than VP Nolin de Castro. I have no idea what for though, I make it a point not to follow politics, unless it involves Ate Vi running for office.

I don't have anything in this issue though. I think my article on Philipp Tampus, all around nice guy and one of the final 3 in Project Runway Philippines came out in the issue before it.

In other news, Andrew Drilon just sent me the drafts for Waking the Dead and I have to say, I love them! Luis does too! They're simple, yet freaky, but in a subtle way, sort of like the few peaceful moments before the psycho killer brings the knife down on your unuspecting back. It's better than I imagined it would be (and given Andrew's illustrious (yes, pun intended) career, I imagined lots). I cant wait to see the rest of the illustrations.

Tyler Durden voted greatest movie character of all time

I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Fight Club's Tyler Durden (played by Brad Pitt), so imagine my glee when he was voted greatest movie character of all time in a poll by Empire magazine, beating Darth Vader, who came in 2nd and Heath Ledger's Joker, who came in third.

Alien's Ellen Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver), the only woman in the list, came in 9th.

Gina Catacutan's Family Tree

Remember ruthless Rakista's rock manager Gina Catacutan? The woman who reduced popular rock band Spongecola to a bunch of whimpering puppies?

Well, her type isn't new. Turns out rock managers have traditionally had the souls of rottweilers, at the expense of the talents they handle. They're great at taking unknowns to new heights of uber-popularity, and even better at siphoning their earnings.

Mental Floss blog has a list of 10 ruthless rock managers. See if their killer instinct matches -- or exceeds -- Ginas!

The Art and Science of Freelancing

Was part of a panel of lecturers who shared their real world experienced to some English majors in the DECL. Luis and I were both there as representatives from the tribe of freelancing. I think I managed to depress everyone with the grim realities of the trade like the long lonely hours and the fluctuating paycheck. At the same time, I also told them about the rewards such an arrangement can bring (your own hours, no boss), as long as getting rich isn't your first priority.

Funny how things flow together. I got an e-mail from someone who apparently follows my GMA Column (now I'm pressured to update more often, hehe) and who was asking for tips on stating out as a freelancer. I e-mailed her back some tips but as soon as I can think of more, I'll probably post it in my column.