Autumn in My Heart Filming Site

This is a drama that my mom and I usually watch everyday in primetime years ago. I know this drama made the Filipinos cry! It’s a love story one will never forget.

For summary: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumn_in_My_Heart#Synopsis

For the first time, in this drama, I was amazed with Moon Geun Young’s acting. She was really young back then and now she still looks younger. She’s my favorite Korean actress.

I did not expect this trip to the filming site of Autumn in My Heart. It was never written in our iterinary. I was surprised. It never crossed my mind that I will be in a filming site of a HUGE DRAMA. I thought that I will be just seeing these places on postcards.

SQUIDS!

 GIF of the Changing Color Tree

The Lake

It was a lovely autumn season when we arrived in Korea. The wind is quite colder than I expected. I really feel like I am in a different country because I already wear the boots that my aunt gave me. I really love the weather in Sokcho.

KDU was really big. Our room is really cute. It really suits for students.

We rested and after few hours of sleep we interacted with the English College’s students. These students were Koreans who studies the English Language. Their teacher is Miss Gwen, the one I mentioned before this post. The students really tried to communicate with us. We now have friends.

After our small interaction with our newly acquainted friends, we strolled and we went to the lake. I just like calling it “The Lake.”

The Lake is located few steps away of the girls dormitory. I was awed with what I’ve seen. It was amazing. I can really say that God is really good! He created this wonderful place.

If I am a movie director, this place is really the place! It’s quite dramatic because the autumn leaves started to change and fall and the place was really quiet. The main actors can reminisce in this place. 

 Candid! :) We're interacting with Tommy!

 CAS-mates

Alice ^^ One of our Korean friends.

The Lake.

Paparapapa...Saranghe!

As we arrived at Incheon’s BIG and WIDE Airport, my beloved adviser /English professor/ mentor/ one of my inspirations/ my mommy at school, Miss Gwen welcomed us with Dr.Lee and Miss Shan, an alumna of my dear St. Paul University-Manila. I already noticed Miss Gwen in the outskirts of Koreans waiting at the Arrival Area. I haven’t seen her for quite sometime and she hugged me and the others. We exchanged our dollars to won and lo and behold I feel like I won the lottery, I have 250,000+++ Won. Well it’s nothing. ^^ The value is not really high because you cannot buy anything worth 500 won but a can of soda.

While on our way to the school...I feel this kind of dejavu... I dreamed before this Korea-tour started...I already dream about this place...I never knew or even imagine that ONE DAY I will be here in this very place...

We rode the bus of the University that we will practically staying, Kyungdong University. Well, Kyungdong University (KDU) is located at Sokcho, Gangwon-do, South Korea. KDU is almost 2-3 hours drive. First thing’s first. I slept at the bus. Actually, I find a hard time sleeping at the bus and it was very nostalgic because the upholstery of the bus is really similar to the upholstery of the bus that I was riding when I’m commuting from home to school and vice versa.

We stopped for breakfast in their MCDONALDS! Yes, McDonalds. I always encounter McDonalds. Breakfast at McDonalds Hong-Kong 3 years ago, Dinner at McDonalds Macau last year, Breakfast at McDonald’s Cebu last year, and ALMOST EVERYDAY LUNCH AT MCDONALD’S ROBINSON’S PLACE ERMITA MANILA LAST SEMESTER. ^^ I honestly wanted to eat at McDonalds than to suffer. Their HASHBROWN is better than ours! Their pancakes were great too!

BELIEVE IT OR NOT THIS MCDO IS LOCATED IN SOUTH KOREA ^^ I honestly remembered Sheldon Cooper of the Big Bang Theory wearing this kind of fashion. Long sleeves with shirt on top. ^^

The weather was really nice. It was cold and I’m loving it.

KDU was like a place where they shoot these academe-scenes in Korean dramas. It was really huge. The facilities were really awesome. It’s like Shinhwa University in the Korean drama Boys Before Flowers. (Although the real location of Shinhwa University or should I say Keimyung University was in Daegu, South Korea). We stayed in the girl’s dormitory for a while to rest.

Here's a glimpse of KDU...

Who will not be in love with this school? MIND YOU(again) this is just their University Library. 

(I’ll share our trip to the KDU Lake and the Endless Love: Autumn in My Heart Filming Site TOMORROW!) 

Thousands of Feet Above the Sky Before I Debark to the Land of Morning Calm

December 15, 2011

Two months ago, in this very time of this very day, I am standing at the check-in counter to check my luggage in because in two hours time I will be going to the land of the morning calm, South Korea.

This trip was the most-awaited trip because thought I will be seeing South Korea only in television shows. I am sort of a fan of Korean dramas (I even have a research paper about Hallyu Wave).  This trip was headed by our college. I was with our Dean and my College of Arts and Sciences –mates.

Let me tell you something about my trip to South Korea two months ago. This blog can be soooo detailed so readers can imagine my story.

I’ll share some pictures too! ^^

(As if you care...) This was me (my luggage, my bag, and many things) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal One, preparing to check-in ^^ I wore our program shirt and long sleeves because they say that IT WAS COLD IN SOUTH KOREA. ^^ I don't really have a great fashion sense so don't mind my outfit.

I like to share something about the airbus that we rode that time. Korean Air Flight No. ______ Manila to Incheon Airport. The aircraft was really comfortable and clean, unlike the other airplane that I rode. The cabin crew were really like superstars (for me!)! They were really beautiful. They have oval-shaped face, small slanted eyes, pointed nose, small beautiful lips, porcelain skin, tower-like height, and petite figure. What I like about this cabin crew was their uniform. For me, it was really neat and HAUTE-COUTURE! In all airlines, Korean Air has the most beautiful uniform and flight attendant!

Check this Article for Korean Air's Uniform: http://www.zimbio.com/Gianfranco+Ferre/articles/40/Korean+Air+Stewardess+Uniform+Fashion

To tell you honestly, I was not really a fan of spicy foods but knowing Korea be it North Korea or South Korea, I know that my heavenly tongue will never escape the spicy kick in their food. I already accepted their culture (the spicy food and whatever). Something happened to me when I ate spicy food. To make the long story short I AM ALLERGIC IN SPICY FOODS. I can eat it as long as the spiciness is “tolerable.”

And yes this is my breakfast. Juice, Jeju Water, Fruits, Bread and Butter, and the 2nd option.

Hours before we arrive at Incheon Airport, our breakfast is served. Stewardess asked me something and I forgot that. I just say “(I just chose the 2nd option), but not spicy.” Later did I know that my food was spicy. I know the food is delicious because my eyes already ate it before my mouth did. I just ate the fruits and drank the juice.

While I am thousands of feet above the sky I watched Monte Carlo and I just slept. When I woke up I was still in my very spot watching Monte Carlo when Leighton Meester, Selena Gomez and Kate Cassidy were at the Eiffel Tower. I decided to play the games at the LCD in front of me. As I search for games, lo and behold, my favorite Tetris was there. I played for few rounds and then my game was automatically paused when the flight attendant said “We are now arriving at Incheon Airport.”

I didn't even noticed the time... ^^

Itaewon Murder Case (Movie)

To tell you guys honestly, I watched this movie because of Jang Geun Suk (he was my favorite Korean actor!).  I watched the movie because JANG GEUN SUK SPEAKS ENGLISH! His accent was so smooth, even though he was the villain. Jang Geun Suk was perfect! The intonation and accentuation of every line was great (I learned these stuffs from my Speech and Oral Communication class).

This movie is based on true to life story of a homicide happened in Burger King, Itaewon, Seoul, South Korea. The case was still unsolved at the moment I watched the film.

The summary goes like this:

A college student named Jong-pil Jo (played by my other favorite Korean actor, Song Joongki) was quite drunk in the movie and he got with an argument with some youth in a fast food chain in Itaewon, Seoul, South Korea.  The homicide took place in the fast food chain’s bathroom. Jong-pil Jo was stabbed nine (9) times in the chest and in the neck, while peeing. The fast food chain was closed for months for the investigation. Two teenagers went out the bathroom with blood all-over their clothes.

The primary suspects were two Korean-Americans namely Pearson, 17, (played by MY favorite Jang Geun Suk) and Alex ,18,(Seung-hwan Shin). The suspects were blaming one another.  

The prosecutor (played by Jeong Jin Yeong) was really upset in the things happening. He talked with both parties (Alex and Pearson) but the two was pin pointing each other.

The two suspects were freed because of lack of evidence. Alex appealed his conviction and by the help of his lawyer and his father, he was cleared in all charges filed against him. Pearson was also pardoned.

To make the long story short, the two suspects were freed because of lack of evidence.  

My Insights:

Itaewon is a well-liked place in Seoul by foreigners because of its very active night life. I also found out that the Philippine Embassy is also located somewhere in Itaewon.

Before watching the movie:

I feel so excited because I will see Jang Geun Suk delivering English lines.

While watching the movie:

I realized that Song Joong Ki was a part of that movie.
I love the story flow. The flashbacks and the pinpointing were also amazing.

After watching the movie:

I feel bad about the unresolved case. I feel sad because of the murder happened to an innocent college boy (I’m now referring to the real people here not the actors who played in the story). I wonder WHY teenagers go to jail although they are just actually one year older than real age (ex. I am 17 years old today; in Korea I am 18 years old).


Good job Jang Geun Suk (I hope you read this!) you can’t be a suspect because of your innocent face. Your acting was really good! I guess you really have the lawyer and the police’s sympathy. You were teary-eyed and you show your innocent face and that even made me think that Alex is the killer. Although you smiled devilishly in the last few clips of the movie.

After watching the movie I BEGIN GOOGLING ABOUT THIS CASE. I BEGIN TO FEEL INTERESTED IN THIS CASE. (THE TRUTH behind this unsolved case.) 


What I’ve learned:

In Criminal Psychology, the moment when the suspect ALREADY see the BLOOD of the victim, there is a tendency that the suspect will FORGET the killing that he have done that’s why during investigations they tend to deny and even make a story.

Example (based on the movie): (I feel that my grammar is really wrong, and it seems that people will not understand my point). I’ll just use the names that they used in the movie.

IF Pearson stabbed Jong-pil Jo nine times in the neck and chest, OBVIOUSLY, BLOOD will come out. Pearson will OBVIOUSLY SEE the blood the moment he STAB Jong-pil Jo. After SEEING the blood there is this TENDENCY that Pearson might FORGET everything that he had done to Jong-pil Jo.

AND IF … Alex did the stabbing… JUST CHANGE “PEARSON” to “ALEX” in the sentence above.

I wish this thing made sense. And that's WHY they kept pin pointing each other. 

I've found out in the net that PEARSON (the one played by Jang Geun Suk) was now in jail because he is the TRUE murderer of this crime. I just can't find the link of it in the Internet. 

Itaewon is known primarily for its many restaurants serving international dishes, a market selling discounted goods, bars, and popular tourist destinations like Insadong & Seoul Tower. (http://asianmediawiki.com/Where_the_Truth_Lies)

Articles about the Itaewon Homicide:

TIME (http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1954633,00.html)

KOREA TIMES (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2011/10/164_96958.html)

From a BLOGGER (http://www.rjkoehler.com/2011/10/12/97-itaewon-murder-case-suspect-faces-extradition/)

BEYOND HOLLYWOOD (http://www.beyondhollywood.com/the-case-of-itaewon-homicide-2009-movie-review/)

Here is the trailer of "Itaewon Murder Case" 2009

^____________^

Enjoy.

I hope you'll watch the movie too, it will take an hour or two. 

Rawr! (A Visit to Monster Radio RX 93.1)

Little Miss Paulinian

in Monster Radio RX 93.1, 

the No.1 FM Station in the Philippines

This is my first time to go to a place where I am not really sure where I’m going. Good thing I have God. ^^

And so the following is about our journey to Monster Radio RX 93.1 radio station in Ortigas.

Honestly, I am not a big fan of radio. I just listen to the radio if I am travelling with my family to the province or I am perhaps travelling alone and the bus turns its radio on instead of the television.

When I went to this radio station I realized that being in the radio industry is challenging yet fun.  I think it is fun because the DJs were so accommodating. 

Let's begin: This is our round table discussion. Uhmmm technically it is not round. =) I'm trying to give humor in my blog so laugh. ^^

<<<<<I'm with DJs Gino and Chico (obviously). As you see, I am really having a great time talking (not interviewing formally) with these two. The interview for our major subject went really smooth and casual. I really can't stop laughing. 

This is our group picture with the two DJs. 

(L-R) Eunick, Nicole, Yours truly, DJ Gigi, DJ Chichi, Eunice and Val. 

We gave them our university baller as a token. I hope that they appreciated it. I'm not really thinking that they'll use it. We should have prepared something. >>>>

<<<With the other COOL DJs. (L-R) Valerie, DJ Jude, Yours truly, DJ Karen, Eunick, Eunice, DJ Rico, Nicole and Jestine. It was taken inside the radio booth near the audio board. 

I guess these trophies speak for itself. Even though I am not a huge fan of radio I can really see that RX is really No.1 in the Philippines. I saw the rest of the golden doves in and out of the radio booth. 

<<<<He is DJ Jude. He is serious (I guess. Sorry for judging you mentally). I guess he is not really talkative to people like us. He is nice. 

This is the sexy and super nice DJ Karen. She really looked like Zhang Ziyi. Lately did I also know that she is an FHM cover girl. Sweet voice. Pretty face. Sexy body. I guess she is my long lost sister. 

This dude is DJ Rico Robles. He is really cool! He asked us: "So do you guys drink?" and I was like (in my mind) hey dude I'm sober. And we sway our heads and he said "F*ck yeah". I find that cool! Lately did I know that he was a Pinoy Big Brother Alum. :)

RX 93.1 DJs are good....good-looking and they have a good...good voice! Heavenly voice. Angelic face. I always wonder why "MONSTER"?

this is my group

 The DJs while on-air

Outside the station :)

I realized 2 things like: 

I need to come out inside my shell. I feel really awkward when I began the interview with a dead air. 

This is not just an assignment but an exposure. I never knew what will my life be. As of now I wanted to work in the academe but with this experience I'm thinking... (I don't really have a good voice and I KNOW IT REQUIRES PRACTICE so I CAN! I ALWAYS CAN!)

(I guess this blog is improving. Look at the way I fix the photos.) 

♥♥♥Dawn

Good Morning to our listeners today. I'm DJ Dawn :) 

Enchanted Kingdom 14 Years After

First stop was the FLYING FIESTA. I felt like flying (literally). I saw this machine in Lotte World last time when I went to Seoul but the only difference was...The ride in Lotte World like a TREE while this is like i-dont-know-what-to-call-it. (AND the machine in LW is [i'll be redundant] MORE SAFER).

 Second was REALTO, we watched Happy Feet and I was not really happy about it. Walking in this part of the theme park felt like I was out of the Philippines. I felt like I was in somewhere else in the States BUT HOTTER.

 This is my good friend, Dome. 

 (L-R) Me, Alindoggie and Shobe while waiting for our turn in Rio Grande Rapids

 (L-R) Goddess, Nethie, Alindoggie and Me 

 Greenwich...Am I in Connecticut? 

 DOME and I

 (L-R) Cess, Dome and Jomil in RIO GRANDE RAPIDS

 UP UP and A WAY!!!!!!!!

 Unfortunately, I haven't rode that thing. =( 

 Plants vs. Zombies 

 Mick and I in UP UP and a WAY

 (Thank you Cess for this picture) Dome feeling the breeze!

 Cess and the Carousel ^^

 Fountain

 Swan Lake and Ferris Wheel

 I was about to go home... ^^

 This was EK 14 years ago

 This was EK 14 years ago 

 ME!

 ME again! (at Flying Fiesta)

 This was EK 14 years ago (THAT kid was me)

One of the machines that I enjoyed...I forgot the name! ^^ 

 My Highschool friends

 My First time to ride a carousel

October 27, 2011 was definitely a day to remember because after 14 years I made it again to Enchanted Kingdom (EK). A piece of information to everyone who is reading this blessed blog, Enchanted Kingdom is a theme park in the Philippines, located at Sta. Rosa, Laguna (few hours away from Manila) and the theme park is celebrating its 16^th anniversary this year.

I never hesitated to go with my highschool friends. They planned this EK thing for quite a while and they still don’t know WHEN this event will happen.  I saw the Event on Facebook while I was in Seoul, Korea and they’re still planning the date of the said event. I just suggested moving it on the 27^th of October than 21^st of October. I suggested a date because I will depart Korea by 21^st (did you get my point?).

Seeing Enchanted Kingdom from afar made me frown because its colors were not that vibrant. It’s like food; if my food is pale I really lose my appetite. Comparing food to EK, the painting of the walls was pale. There were few trees.

I just forget everything about the park’s THEN and NOW but I just focus on my own happiness ^^

First stop was the FLYING FIESTA.

Second was REALTO, we watched Happy Feet and I was not really happy about it.

Third was the ANCHOR’S AWAY, which made my knees tremble.

We ate lunch.

Fourth was the RIO GRANDE RAPIDS (THE BEST!)

Fifth was UP UP and AWAY

Sixth was the GRAND CAROUSEL and it was my first time to rode a carousel!

Seventh was the SWAN LAKE (FUN!)

Last was FLYING FIESTA, again

Riding the van without aircon was fun if you have friends with you. The noisiness of your high school friends was really priceless.  I think this EK Event was one of the most memorable days in my life, this event was one of the best part of my sembreak. Thanks to my friends!

Note: SORRY FOR THE UNORGANIZED PICTURES! ^^ They got mixed up and don't even know what to do. Sorry ^^