We were able to watch RPG Metanoia at Robinsons Galleria last December 30, 2010. RPG Metanoia is the Philippine’s first full-length 3D animated film, and it is an official entry to the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival. This movie is a joint production of Star Cinema, AmbientMedia and Thaumatrope.


Synopsis of the Movie:

The story revolves around an 11-year-old boy named Nico who is an avid online gamer. In reality, Nico has low self-esteem and he only gets his guts from playing the MMORPG (Massively Multi-players Online Role Playing Game) called Metanoia. He becomes a totally different person when he plays Metanoia: fast, agile and armed with a magic yoyo.

One day, the Metanoia network becomes infected with a virus that affects not only the whole Internet but most computers/servers and the minds of Metanoia gamers worldwide. Nico, his friends and the non-infected players had to stop the virus from dominating the online and offline world. This is where Nico gets to unleash the hero in him.

What I Like about the Movie

Aside from the world-class quality of this 3D animated movie that makes me really proud to be a Filipino, this film also encourages the youth to go out and play taguan (hide-and-seek), patintero, tumbang preso, etc. with friends rather than stay glued to the computer screen all day playing online games. The movie also highlights the importance of teamwork, camaraderie and family. Most importantly, it teaches a person to believe in his/her own talents and abilities and to feel good about oneself.

We really enjoyed the movie! Our little boy intently watched the film too. He was able to relate to the movie because like Nico, my son also plays online games. I think that’s what makes the movie interesting for him.

Incidentally, RPG Metanoia is rated General Patronage by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board and graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Board.

Death is a topic we’d like to avoid because it is something we don’t want to happen to us or any member of our family and even to our friends. Death is something unavoidable, however. The loss of a loved one is not only emotionally devastating but financially crippling as well. Planning ahead for such an occurrence is vital, therefore.

When we received a call in December 2007 that my father-in-law died, I was actually worried for my husband. You see, he’s an only son and he has no other immediate relatives here. That meant he had to shoulder all the funeral expenses alone. It was a good thing that my husband purchased a Burial Insurance for his father a few years ago.

All we had to do was call the insurance agency’s branch in Cebu and notify them of my father-in-law’s whereabouts. They took care of everything. We had to pay for my father-in-law’s cremation, however, because that wasn’t part of our insurance policy. We would have incurred great debts for the funeral services for my father-in-law if not for that Seniors Burial Insurance that my husband bought earlier.

One important lesson we learned from this experience is this: We have to prepare for the inevitable. Getting insurance from GEICO or any insurance company for that matter is a good thing after all.

Who would have thought that a place of tranquillity lies in the midst of a bustling metropolis? We’ve lived in Mandaluyong for three years before moving to our condo unit here in Pasig. In those three years, I have never set foot on The Legend Villas, which is so close to our studio apartment then. Now, I regret not having explored the city and not having experienced the fine amenities and services of this elegant hotel. I’ve only learned about The Legend Villas when we had our mommy bloggers’ Christmas party there last December 11, 2010.


Photo courtesy of The Legend Villas website
We occupied an Executive Suite, which has the following amenities: a spacious bedroom with jacuzzi, a dining area and a living area with cable TV. The place was perfect for our cowboy party theme because of its rustic and homey feel. An overnight stay in the Executive Suite costs Php7,700.00 for two people with buffet breakfast.








Incidentally, The Legend Villas is 100% Filipino-owned. Their comforting amenities and friendly service will really make guests feel at home. They also have function rooms that are ideal for holding meetings and seminars or banquet socials. Guests can also enjoy the high-speed Wi-Fi Internet connection in the hotel, which can be accessed for FREE in the room and public areas. They also have swimming pool, outdoor jacuzzi, business center and fitness gym.


Lola Maria Coffee Shop


Banahaw Ballroom


Swimming pool


Lanai
Photos courtesy of The Legend Villas website
The Legend Villas is currently having a holiday room sale that offers 40% to 50% off on all rooms starting December 18 and 60% off on Villa or Team Suite starting on December 24.


Check out their website to know more about their ongoing promos, and you can call or visit The Legend Villas for inquiries or reservations. Reservations can also be done online.

The Legend Villas
60 Pioneer corner Madison Streets, Mandaluyong City 1550, Philippines
Telephone: (632) 633-1501 to 10
Facsimile: (632) 632-0845
Website: www.legendvillas.com.ph

Central Reservations
Official Web Reservation System: http://www.valuehunter.com.ph/
Telephone: (632) 702-2700 to 04
Facsimile: (632) 638-9255 and (632) 702-2780
E-mail: customercare@legendhotels.com.ph
Website: www.legendhotels.com.ph

Let me start 2011 with a list of things I’m thankful for in the past year. I never expected 2010 to be a better year than 2009 in terms of finances, but it was. I remember in 2009, I had to ask my bosses to give me half of my 13th month pay middle of that year because we simply had so many expenses with the little boy then on his second year of preschool and my husband still paying for our 1-bedroom condo unit here in Ortigas. Honestly, I’m not able to help much in our family expenses because a huge part of my monthly salary goes to my parents’ medications, and I’m glad that my husband understands.

Without further ado, here’s a list of things I’m grateful for in 2010:

1. I attended more blog events last year and met wonderful people and friends in the process.
2. My blog got approved by PayU2Blog which gave multiple writing tasks regularly. That meant extra income for me.
3. My son graduated from Nursery and became a Pre-Kindergartner last year.
4. Pensive Thoughts had a blog makeover courtesy of Kaye.
5. I became part of BC Bloggers and Mommy Bloggers Club.
6. My mother underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) in June. We never thought we’d be able to pay for her surgery, but we did through the help of friends and the loan my husband took out from his office.
7. Justin’s photo was seen on the NIDO 3+ See the Difference Billboard Photos near Boni Avenue and at SM North Edsa last September 15 to 17, 2010.
8. We were able to buy a new laptop that my husband and my son now share. I have the old HP laptop all to myself.
9. My bosses gave me a salary increase during the last quarter of 2010.
10. We were able to visit Boracay for the very first time in November 2010.
11. I attended my first ever Mommy Bloggers’ Christmas Party last year.
12. We had a great Christmas celebration with my family on December 25, 2010.

Overall, 2010 has been a good year for us, and we hope 2011 would be even better.

How about you? What are you thankful for in 2010?