The Oscar goes to...

Personal Opinion: I bet, Brokeback Mountain will bring the bacon home, so to speak. It will be their night of Best Picture, Best Actor(Heath Ledger), Best Director(Ang Lee), Best Screenplay, Best Movie Theme. What I'm ambivalent is the Best Supporting Actor(Jake Gylenhaal) and the Best Supporting Actress(Michell Williams) part.

Academy Awards® for outstanding film achievements of 2005 will be presented on Sunday, March 5, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland® and televised live by the ABC Television Network.


Performance by an actor in a leading role
Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)
Terrence Howard in “Hustle & Flow” (Paramount Classics, MTV Films and New Deal Entertainment)
Heath Ledger in “Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
Joaquin Phoenix in “Walk the Line” (20th Century Fox)
David Strathairn in “Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
George Clooney in “Syriana” (Warner Bros.)
Matt Dillon in “Crash” (Lions Gate)
Paul Giamatti in “Cinderella Man” (Universal and Miramax)
Jake Gyllenhaal in “Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
William Hurt in “A History of Violence” (New Line)

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Judi Dench in “Mrs. Henderson Presents” (The Weinstein Company)
Felicity Huffman in “Transamerica” (The Weinstein Company and IFC Films)
Keira Knightley in “Pride & Prejudice” (Focus Features)
Charlize Theron in “North Country” (Warner Bros.)
Reese Witherspoon in “Walk the Line” (20th Century Fox)

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Amy Adams in “Junebug” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Catherine Keener in “Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)
Frances McDormand in “North Country” (Warner Bros.)
Rachel Weisz in “The Constant Gardener” (Focus Features)
Michelle Williams in “Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)

Best animated feature film of the year
“Howl’s Moving Castle” (Buena Vista)
Hayao Miyazaki
“Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride” (Warner Bros.)
Tim Burton and Mike Johnson
“Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit” (DreamWorks Animation SKG)
Nick Park and Steve Box

Achievement in art direction
“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)
Art Direction: Jim Bissell
Set Decoration: Jan Pascale
“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” (Warner Bros.)
Art Direction: Stuart Craig
Set Decoration: Stephenie McMillan
“King Kong” (Universal)
Art Direction: Grant Major
Set Decoration: Dan Hennah and Simon Bright
“Memoirs of a Geisha” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Art Direction: John Myhre
Set Decoration: Gretchen Rau
“Pride & Prejudice” (Focus Features)
Art Direction: Sarah Greenwood
Set Decoration: Katie Spencer

Achievement in cinematography
“Batman Begins” (Warner Bros.)
Wally Pfister
“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
Rodrigo Prieto
“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)
Robert Elswit
“Memoirs of a Geisha” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Dion Beebe
“The New World” (New Line)
Emmanuel Lubezki

Achievement in costume design
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (Warner Bros.)
Gabriella Pescucci
“Memoirs of a Geisha” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Colleen Atwood
“Mrs. Henderson Presents” (The Weinstein Company)
Sandy Powell
“Pride & Prejudice” (Focus Features)
Jacqueline Durran
“Walk the Line” (20th Century Fox)
Arianne Phillips

Achievement in directing
“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
Ang Lee
“Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)
Bennett Miller
“Crash” (Lions Gate)
Paul Haggis
“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)
George Clooney
“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks)
Steven Spielberg

Best documentary feature
“Darwin’s Nightmare” (International Film Circuit)
A Mille et Une Production
Hubert Sauper
“Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room” (Magnolia Pictures)
An HDNet Films Production
Alex Gibney and Jason Kliot
“March of the Penguins” (Warner Independent Pictures)
A Bonne Pioche Production
Luc Jacquet and Yves Darondeau
“Murderball” (THINKFilm)
An Eat Films Production
Henry-Alex Rubin and Dana Adam Shapiro
“Street Fight”
A Marshall Curry Production
Marshall Curry

Best documentary short subject
“The Death of Kevin Carter: Casualty of the Bang Bang Club”
A Dan Krauss Production
Dan Krauss
“God Sleeps in Rwanda”
An Acquaro/Sherman Production
Kimberlee Acquaro and Stacy Sherman
“The Mushroom Club”
A Farallon Films Production
Steven Okazaki
“A Note of Triumph: The Golden Age of Norman Corwin”
A NomaFilms Production
Corinne Marrinan and Eric Simonson

Achievement in film editing
“Cinderella Man” (Universal and Miramax)
Mike Hill and Dan Hanley
“The Constant Gardener” (Focus Features)
Claire Simpson
“Crash” (Lions Gate)
Hughes Winborne
“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks)
Michael Kahn
“Walk the Line” (20th Century Fox)
Michael McCusker

Best foreign language film of the year
“Don’t Tell”
A Cattleya/Rai Cinema Production
Italy
“Joyeux Noël”
A Nord-Ouest Production
France
“Paradise Now”
An Augustus Film Production
Palestine
“Sophie Scholl - The Final Days”
A Goldkind Filmproduktion and Broth Film Production
Germany
“Tsotsi”
A Moviworld Production
South Africa

Achievement in makeup
“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”
(Buena Vista)
Howard Berger and Tami Lane
“Cinderella Man”
(Universal and Miramax)
David Leroy Anderson and Lance Anderson
“Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith”
(20th Century Fox)
Dave Elsey and Nikki Gooley

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features) Gustavo Santaolalla
“The Constant Gardener” (Focus Features) Alberto Iglesias
“Memoirs of a Geisha” (Sony Pictures Releasing) John Williams
“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks) John Williams
“Pride & Prejudice” (Focus Features) Dario Marianelli

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
“In the Deep” from “Crash” (Lions Gate)
Music by Kathleen “Bird” York and Michael Becker
Lyric by Kathleen “Bird” York
“It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” from“Hustle & Flow” (Paramount Classics, MTV Films and New Deal Entertainment)
Music and Lyric by Jordan Houston, Cedric Coleman and Paul Beauregard
“Travelin’ Thru” from “Transamerica” (The Weinstein Company and IFC Films)
Music and Lyric by Dolly Parton

Best motion picture of the year
“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
A River Road Entertainment Production
Diana Ossana and James Schamus, Producers
“Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)
An A-Line Pictures/Cooper’s Town/ Infinity Media Production
Caroline Baron, William Vince and Michael Ohoven, Producers
“Crash” (Lions Gate)
A Bob Yari/DEJ/Blackfriar’s Bridge/ Harris Company/ApolloProscreen GmbH & Co./Bull’s Eye Entertainment Production
Paul Haggis and Cathy Schulman, Producers
“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)
A Good Night Good Luck LLC Production
Grant Heslov, Producer
“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks)
A Universal Pictures/DreamWorks Pictures Production
Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg and Barry Mendel, Producers

Best animated short film
“Badgered”
A National Film and Television School Production
Sharon Colman
“The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Conversation”
A John Canemaker Production
John Canemaker and Peggy Stern
“The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello” (Monster Distributes)
A 3D Films Production
Anthony Lucas
“9”
A Shane Acker Production
Shane Acker
“One Man Band”
A Pixar Animation Studios Production
Andrew Jimenez and Mark Andrews

Best live action short film
“Ausreisser (The Runaway)”
A Hamburg Media School, Filmwerkstatt Production
Ulrike Grote
“Cashback” (The British Film Institute)
A Left Turn Films Production
Sean Ellis and Lene Bausager
“The Last Farm”
A Zik Zak Filmworks Production
Rúnar Rúnarsson and Thor S. Sigurjónsson
“Our Time Is Up”
A Station B Production
Rob Pearlstein and Pia Clemente
“Six Shooter” (Sundance Film Channel)
A Missing in Action Films and Funny Farm Films Production
Martin McDonagh

Achievement in sound editing
“King Kong” (Universal) Mike Hopkins and Ethan Van der Ryn
“Memoirs of a Geisha” (Sony Pictures Releasing) Wylie Stateman
“War of the Worlds” (Paramount and DreamWorks) Richard King

Achievement in sound mixing
“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” (Buena Vista)
Terry Porter, Dean A. Zupancic and Tony Johnson
“King Kong” (Universal)
Christopher Boyes, Michael Semanick, Michael Hedges and Hammond Peek
“Memoirs of a Geisha” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Kevin O’Connell, Greg P. Russell, Rick Kline and John Pritchett
“Walk the Line” (20th Century Fox)
Paul Massey, D.M. Hemphill and Peter F. Kurland
“War of the Worlds” (Paramount and DreamWorks)
Andy Nelson, Anna Behlmer and Ronald Judkins

Achievement in visual effects
“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” (Buena Vista)
Dean Wright, Bill Westenhofer, Jim Berney and Scott Farrar
“King Kong” (Universal)
Joe Letteri, Brian Van’t Hul, Christian Rivers and Richard Taylor
“War of the Worlds” (Paramount and DreamWorks)
Dennis Muren, Pablo Helman, Randy Dutra and Daniel Sudick

Adapted screenplay
“Brokeback Mountain” (Focus Features)
Screenplay by Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana
“Capote” (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)
Screenplay by Dan Futterman
“The Constant Gardener” (Focus Features)
Screenplay by Jeffrey Caine
“A History of Violence” (New Line)
Screenplay by Josh Olson
“Munich” (Universal and DreamWorks)
Screenplay by Tony Kushner and Eric Roth

Original screenplay
“Crash” (Lions Gate)
Screenplay by Paul Haggis & Bobby Moresco
Story by Paul Haggis
“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (Warner Independent Pictures)
Screenplay by George Clooney & Grant Heslov
“Match Point” (DreamWorks)
Written by Woody Allen
“The Squid and the Whale” (Samuel Goldwyn Films and Sony Pictures Releasing)
Written by Noah Baumbach
“Syriana” (Warner Bros.)
Written by Stephen Gaghan

Swimming has always been my passion.

When you look at me now, you're looking on my complexion years back when I was a teen. I have become darker and darker for so much swimming. I hope to compete someday.

Mabuhay

In consonance with the Centennial Celebration of Filipino Migration to Hawaii and California (1906-2006), let me put the faces of people who in their own ways have made me proud to be "PINOY".



Lea Salonga
1991 Tony Awardee for Miss Saigon(Broadway, NYC) and Sir Lawrence Olivier Awardee(West End, London)
Singing voice of Mulan for Reflection and Princess Jasmine for A Whole New World (Film Versions)
Lea has been famous as a child star in Manila, Philippines.



Monique Lhuillier
Academy Awards most sought couturier of our time. She hails from Cebu, Philippines. She designed the wedding gowns of Britney Spears and Lea Salonga.



Lou Diamond Philips
Hollywood Actor
Famous for his films: La Bamba and Bats to name a few. He was born and raised in Pampanga, Philippines.


Tia Carrere is a Hollywood actress and was last seen as the voice of Nani in Lilo and Stitch. She was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Jasmine Trias is well known for being the top 2 of American Idol Season 3. She was from Mililani, Hawaii and one of the top TV and print ad endorsers in Manila, Philippines. On this photo, Jasmine is shown side by side with the President of the Philippines, her excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.


Camille Velasco is also a Finalist in American Idol Season 3. She was born in Manila, Philippines and moved to Maui, Hawaii to reside.


Paeng Nepomuceno is a 4x World Champion in Bowling.


Manny Pacquiao
World's Bantam Weight Champion. He just defeated Erik Morales of Mexico in their recently concluded fight in Las Vegas last Jan. 21, 2006.



Another World Champion Boxer is Brian Villoria of Waipahu, Hawaii. He represented the USA but draped himself with the Philipppine Flag after winning in respect to his Filipino Ancestry.



Who would think that this Black Eyed Peas Member is a Filipino from Pampanga, Philippines and moved to US when he was 14. He is no other than Allan Pineda Lindo.


Madame Josie Natori is a well-respected fashion designer in Manhattan and the CEO of Natori Group of Companies.

Another Blessing

I am happy to say that I was just accepted to be a member of the THE NATIONAL SCHOLARS HONOR SOCIETY. I received the acceptance letter yesterday from their headquarters in Bartlett Illinois.

Thank you Jesus for another recognition under my belt.

Bravo...

A very marvelous and decent masterpiece. Winner of 4 Golden Globe Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Original Song. I bet, this will make it to the Academy Awards but the list of nominations will not be announced til Jan.31st. It was not just purely made to entertain. A very unique story that capture the human heart of passion, sacrifice, hope and regret that happen to us all regardless of sexual affinity. When you watch the movie, you do not only see Heath Ledger and Jake Gylenhaal in action; you go beyond their exterior that what you see is the representation of every human being within us.

BRAVO...

Me at 24

A Lesson Learned from 2005

With my flair in striking a repartee to different types of people lead me to having a tendency of being so extra friendly. Eversince, I have learned how to play the cards of other people and admittedly was indiscriminate when it comes to choosing friends and acquaintances because my leadership skills and political potential call for it. But now, I realized that there are a ballpark figure of 7 billion people in the world and it's gonna be rigorous on my mental and emotional capacity to go beyond knowing them one by one, so to speak. Well my point is, I'd rather have a few friends whom I consider the creme ala creme than to have tons to worry about. I carry such special people on my bossom as a talcum powder inside a tin can. When you betrayed me and I let go of you, even the slightest pinch to pick you up would be the hardest thing to do than if you were a pebble. To reiterate, I can be so extra friendly but I could harldy be forgiving. I guess that's where the balance of good and evil come in. That is why I only kept my presence felt to those I care about. Even if you're in Timbuktu and Vanuatu, you'll still hear a word from me. I will always reach out and go the extra mile. Having that said, I guess my tongue needs a scabbard.

2006: The Year I Own

Year of the Dog

1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006

People born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other people¡¦s confidence because they know how to keep secrets. But Dog People are somewhat selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric. They care little for wealth, yet somehow always seem to have money. They can be cold emotionally and sometimes distant at parties. They can find fault with many things and are noted for their sharp tongues. Dog people make good leaders. They are compatible with those born in the Years of the Horse, Tiger, and Rabbit.

THE WATER DOG 1922 AND 1982


These Dogs have great foresight and are well-educated on many different things. This quality helps them appreciate other points of view, making them quite flexible and liberal. They are easygoing, but this can cause them to be too spendthrift with money and less loyal with friends. Still, because of their flexible natures and their ability to appreciate difference, these Dogs always have friends and are usually popular people.

DOGS MAKE EXCELLENT:

Nurses
Interior decorators
Counselors
Priests
Politicians
Judges
Clerks
Police officers
Psychiatrists
Scientists
Teachers
Professors

Dogs are so easy to get along with and generally have a ton of friends. They are supportive and calming and make exceptional friends. They don’t hold grudges or bear any bad feelings towards anyone who has treated them respectfully and justly. Dogs are excellent listeners, offering an ear to anyone in need. They are held in high regard by their friends and are loyal, honest friends.

Compatible Friends

Best Friends: Tigers and Horses

Mortal Enemy: Dragons

CAPRICORN DOG (Jan. 8)

Efficient and responsible, these Dogs take tasks very seriously. They are perfectionists who have hearts f gold.