Cafe Melrose » My Girl

My Girl: Episode 10 With Subtitles OUT!

cafemelrose — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 20:28:26 +0000

Watch Episode 10 Now!

Thank you as always to the Sub-I-Mo-Eh subbing team. Don’t forget to show them your thanks!

You can find the latest subbed episodes on the right navigation of their site. Happy drama watching!

Lobo & My Girl Friday: Magdayao Steps Up Her Game, but Nina Jose Doesn’t

cafemelrose — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 08:24:39 +0000

Lobo

Shaina Magdayao as Gabby

People that either quietly lurk or participate in my blog entries would know how many times I have shown my disappointment with Shaina Magdayao in the beginning and middle of Lobo. However, I have got to give the girl some props! In Friday night’s episode, during the scene where she shot Silva, in my opinion, was probably the best performance she has ever given. Ever in Lobo (because her MMK episode still reigns).

That little “absence” from Lobo helped everyone because not only did Gabby’s leave let Noah and Lyka further develop their relationship, it also gave Shaina Magdayao the opportunity to really step up and develop her character (that is, if she did go to workshops during that time).

Let me lay out the scene for you:

As Noah, Alec, and Rodolfo goes off to save Lady Elle, Gabby was left as the sniper shooter, so that if or when there was a time she had a clear shot of Silva, she can end his treachery then and there at the cemetery. So when she did have the opportunity to do so, flashbacks of her childhood suddenly crept up, reminding her of how Silva saved her from the poverty that has affected so many in the Philippines. As a child, she had competition for left-over food from the trash bins and didn’t have anyone to take care of her. So in comes Silva, bearing food, promising safety, a place to sleep, a future! All this so that he could use her in his revenge against the Waya, which I don’t think she’s realized yet.

It takes a while for Gabby to pull the trigger, and believe me, I was shouting at her to do so! But at the same time, I could not help but feel some sort of sadness for her. From her agony of whether to shoot or not to shoot, one could see that Gabby really saw Silva as her father figure — it’s just sad to know that the only love she could find was from this horrible monster. Seriously, Lobo crew, get Shain–Ooops, I mean Gabby–with A(Geoff)lec already.

Overall, I bought the whole scene — her tears, her obvious distress in deciding whether to kill Silva, the whirl of emotions construed on her face, and all of this mixed with the flashbacks = brilliant. Great job, Shaina. Seriously.

My Girl

Nina Jose as Annika and Gerald Anderson as Julian

Though I gave praises for Team Magdayao, I can’t do the same for Team Nina Jose. I understand she may be new to the whole acting biz, but her playing Annika isn’t working. Friday’s episode was supposed to be an opportunity for Nina to shine, yet she unfortunately wasn’t able to really nail the scenes she were in.

In the elevator scene with Julian, her professing her love for him was just not executed well — the scene wasn’t believable and in my opinion, it was in how she delivered her lines. Her voice was annoyingly needy which, I felt, didn’t compliment the emotions she was trying to convey on her face. It was like I was just watching someone deliver lines from a paper, rather than them actually identifying the persona, making it their own, and then portraying it. Then there were some pauses she made as if she were trying to her remember her lines (or Julian’s name — yeah, Nina, I saw that).

Later, when Annika was drunk because Julian said that they were over, she started shouting and screaming like a little 6-year-old that didn’t get her ice-cream, which got real annoying fast. Not to mention, was Nina trying to flaunt her breasts during this scene, or is it a hidden rule that all actresses that act drunk have to keep bowing down to the camera to show the goods?

What I keep questioning is how Nina Jose landed this role when there’s so many other actresses from ABS-CBN that could have so easily fit in Annika’s shoes. Was it because she was also in PBBTE with Gerald and Kim and there was a love triangle that I didn’t hear about (thanks ABS-CBN for not showing PBB, PBBTE, and PBB Celebrity shows on TFC)?

However, Nina Jose is here now and it’s not like Annika can go to Belo and get cosmetic surgery and another actress suddenly takes her place. Just like Shaina Magdayao’s amazing transformation, I’m leaving a flicker of hope for Nina because I at least have to give her a break, considering she’s new meat whereas The Kimerald have Sana Maulit Muli (or Chances as it’s called in Taiwan), a few shows and series here and there, two movies, and numerous performances under their belt.

All in all, though I seem harsh on this girl, I’m really hoping she’ll step up in her game as Shaina Magdayao has and that we’ll be able to really see what she can do.

My Girl: Episode 9 (ALL Subbed) OUT!

cafemelrose — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:25:55 +0000

Watch Episode 9 (Thursday’s Episode)!

Remember to give some props to the subbers. Without them, you wouldn’t be able to really enjoy My Girl (well, unless, you speak Tagalog, but that’s a whole different story heh).

To watch past subtitled episodes via overstream, visit:

Ace19 (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday episodes) and Otchosais (Tuesday and Thursday episodes)

Also, visit their new home @ blogspot:

Sub-I-Mo-Eh

You can find the latest subbed episodes on the right navigation of their site. Happy drama watching!

Lobo is “A Must Watch” | My Girl Ep. 8 Complete, Ep. 9 Tomorrow

cafemelrose — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:00:55 +0000

I wasn’t able to post updates yesterday because WordPress on my PC was being a paiiiiiin. Anyways, it’s all good now since I’m on the laptop.

Let’s begin!

Lobo

Watch Episode 92 NOW! (No Subs)

AND OF COURSE, not to forget:

In respect to Lobo, its creators, cast, and crew, you can buy Volume 1 (currently out of stock) & 2 (AVAILABLE!) of Lobo @ StarryStarry store for $13.99 each. Just search for “Lobo” at StarryStarry(dot)com.

A Few Thoughts

Today’s episode, in my opinion, was very enjoyable.

Here we finally have Noah and his friends helping the lobo clan defeat Silva for one cause: to save Lyka. In some way, General Leon’s last mission in his life is finally being satisfied.

I am so glad the writers for Lobo decided to finally have Noah see the truth and have him fight with the good guys — seriously, this should be taken as a lesson to other upcoming or current dramas: don’t start a problem in the story, then have the main characters be at each other’s necks for what seems like weeks because you’re just prolonging the annoyance! We, as viewers, find it actually satisfying when the story sometimes goes our way. And that’s why Lobo is so different from all the other teleseryes I’ve seen — we, as viewers, are actually being listened to (yep, we know you Lobo employees lurk)!

With Lobo, we have an incredible story that we can analyze to no end, actors that give their all, and now I actually do feel that we, as viewers of the show, are a part of it also. We’re really in it, contributing, analyzing, and enjoying the ride, and all of this is happening while we’re all in different parts of the world, no less! So to the Lobo cast and crew, you’re doing a great job and I can’t wait for the finale. Also, don’t stop reading our threads!

To join, visit the Lobo thread at PinoyExchange.com.

On Gabby and Alec

Though I’ve been pretty much criticizing Shaina Magdayao’s portrayal of Gabby for the duration of the series, I have to show my satisfaction with her scene last night, when she finally told Noah her love for him. This whole time I’ve been bouncing back and forth trying to narrow who Gabby really is, and last night, I finally got it: she’s not the tough soldier I thought she was trying to portray before, but rather, in the inside, she’s just a little pup wanting to be loved that was forced to join the world of the Luna in order to survive the poverty she faced as a child. Could that be why she loves Noah so much, because he can be the rock she can lean on? Let’s face it, Gabby isn’t the hard-hearted, straight-face kind of girl, but rather, she’s very emotional and that’s already affected her as a soldier.

For now, and I think the majority of the “Wolfies” from the Lobo thread at PEx can agree with me when I say that Gabby should at least be given another chance at the love she so needs. And the main contender I have in mind is no other than Alec. Did anyone capture the sheer chemistry between these two when they went head to head with each other? John Pratts, be afraid, be very afraid! Seriously, kudos to whoever cast Geoff Eigenmann in this series — it’s probably the best character I’ve seen him play yet!

My Girl

Watch Episode 8 (Yesterday’s Episode) Now!

[LINK REMOVED - Go to the Navigation on the Right]

Don’t forget to thank the subbing team. They’re probably the only team I know subbing this series (and probably the only Filipino series subbed on a continuous basis). Also, today’s episode, episode 9, will be uploaded and subbed tomorrow. So, until then!

Happy drama watching!

My Girl, EP 7 (W/EngSubs) Complete | Lobo, Still Rockin’ (Do Not Miss!)

cafemelrose — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 21:09:02 +0000

Watch Episode 7 Now!

[LINK REMOVED - Go to the Navigation on the Right]

Remember to give some thanks to the subbing team! Also, unlike dramas from other countries, dramas from the Philippines usually run 30 minutes (w/ commercials) everyday (and this show just started on May 26, 2008!). So, if you liked it, be sure to keep visiting for updates!

How damn good is this show getting? Seriously, watch Episode 90 NOW (90 already? Whoah!).

AND OF COURSE, not to forget:

Philippine My Girl: Episode 6 with Eng Subs OUT Now

cafemelrose — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 23:52:36 +0000

Watch Episode 6 Now!

[LINK REMOVED - Go to the Navigation on the Right]

Thank you to the following: ace19, othchosais, and kcruz108 of SUB-I-MO-EH (a word play on “Sabi mo eh”), for subtitling these videos (and giving me permission to share them with you guys!).

Philippine My Girl: Episodes 1-5 with English Subtitles OUT

cafemelrose — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:45 +0000

L2R: Nina Jose (as Annika), Gerald Anderson (as Julian), Kim Chiu (as Jasmine), and Enchong Dee (as Niko)

Episodes 1-5 with English (soft) subtitles of the Philippine version of My Girl are up! So you guys can watch them now before the new week of episodes starts again on Monday. Thanks for all your hard work otchosais from overstream (and thank you for subbing some Fated to Love You episodes as well!) and also xenia93 from crunchyroll.

Click here for the rest (1-5) of the episodes with English subtitles.

[LINK REMOVED - Go to the Navigation on the Right]

Happy drama watching!

P.S. – Hopefully the subs for FTLY will come out soon — I’m excited indeed!

Philippines’ “My Girl” Episodes 1 & 2 w/ English Subtitles

cafemelrose — Fri, 30 May 2008 04:41:21 +0000

(credit goes to PEx member, myworld25)

Fancy watching the Philippine remake of Korea’s My Girl? You can now watch it with English subtitles!

[LINK REMOVED - Go to the Navigation on the Right]

Thank you to the person who’s worked hard on subtitling the first two episodes. Otchosais from Overstream.net had 3 episodes up, but the big man got a hold of it.

After watching today’s episode on TFC (that’s right, I’m a subscriber!), I’ve come to realize that Enchong Dee is damn fine. And you know what? I’m actually enjoying this drama — it’s hilarious.

In other Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson news, it also seems that their first drama, Sana Maulit Muli, which was renamed to Chances in Taiwan, became a hit in that country. Click here for the full article from Starmometer.com.

I’m glad that these two were able to enter a foreign market successfully because I can actually see Filipino drama making its way between the other “Asian Dramas”. However, from the number of forums that I visited today (just to find a picture of “My Girl” for this entry), I am so disappointed in the way some Filipinos all out put down the show (they weren’t from the PEx forum). Their comments are filled with rants about how the Philippines lack in originality, the country is copying other shows, et cetera. It’s like it never occurred to them that remaking shows from other countries has been done for years, yet they bash the Philippines for ABS-CBN’s My Girl while praising other countries that have done the same. So I really got to get this off my chest: If you don’t like show, then simply flip the channel! You don’t have to embarrass your own country — it just makes you look like a traitor to the rest of the other Filipinos and the drama-watching population. It would’ve been fine if they brought some constructive criticism about the show and its actors, but instead, they just all out bash the show just because the Philippines has been making remakes which (and I quote) “…proves that FILIPINOS lack ORIGINALITY!!!!!!” That has since been mentally noted in my “Most Ignorant List”.

You would think that I’d have less patriotism for the Philippines since I’m actually from the US, but from what I’ve seen tonight, even a “Fil-Am” like me has more pride than these Filipino “citizens” I’ve mentioned.

Oh yeah, and another thing. To ABS-CBN and GMA, this is purely business. They knew that the Asian and Mexican drama markets were booming, so simply, they just hopped on the gravy train as well.

Enough said. Good night!

edit

I found Preview magazine’s new cover featuring (from Left to Right) Maja Salvador, Rhian Ramos, Yasmien Kurdi, and Kim Chiu. (Credit goes to PEx member, boy_kapuso007). I just wanted to share it because I can’t believe how much Kim Chiu looks so different (in a good way), so much older — hell, I don’t even know if I should be using the word, “mature”, for her.

Anyways, the cover features Kapamilya and Kapuso together, which is fantastic. I love Maja, Yasmien, and Kim, and though I have yet to really see Rhian shine, I think she’s pretty all right.

Thoughts on Philippines’ “My Girl”: Hit or Miss?

cafemelrose — Tue, 27 May 2008 01:38:50 +0000

Although I watched My Girl early in the morning (on YouTube) because of my excitement, I got to watch it again on TFC before Lobo. While re-watching the thirty-minute episode without my earlier anxiety and thrill, I got to really sit down and discover the bits where the pilot episode was lacking.

Remember, I have never watched Korea’s My Girl, so these comments are purely directed at the Philippine version.

Jose Rizal, Where Exactly Are You?

Let me first start with the episode’s discontinuity of the story. I went to the Philippines just last March and visited Luneta and Jose Rizal myself (for the first time!) and as I recall, Rizal isn’t in Subic for goodness sakes. Considering it’s the first episode and we don’t really know much about Jasmine’s tour guide business, it would have been really helpful if the show explained where exactly Jasmine and her father were living because they were showing the tourists Luneta one day, but then had to get them to Subic’s airport the next day, as opposed to just going to NAIA.

Master’s Degree? You’ve GOT to be Kidding!

What really got me laughing in disbelief was when Julian’s grandfather stated to his colleagues that Julian was at the top of his class in Harvard while taking his Master’s degree. I completely didn’t catch this on my first time watching the episode, but thank goodness I did on my second watch because it’s vital when it comes to interpreting Julian’s age. Here in the US, it takes 2 years or more to finish graduate school on top of the five (it’s not four anymore) years it takes to complete a Bachelor’s. I thought the writers opted to interpret that Julian was a lot younger than his Korean counterpart? No way, by physical appearance alone, would Gerald Anderson (at his age) pass as a grad student. Hell, they should have just stated that he was on his last year taking up his Bachelor’s — that would have been more believable.

Oh, Come On!

This may have happened in the original My Girl, but I found this incredibly dumb: Jasmine and her father just won P300,000 and talks about it loudly in front of everyone to hear. Obviously, the two men with the motorcycle grabs the bag filled with money and drives away with it. Oh. Come. On. I can’t believe this really happened in the original (if it did). -_-

I’m Tired of the Crying

Before I forget, I thought that the beginning of the series was going to be happy and cheery-like (as stated by Gerald Anderson himself!), yet instead, we get about 60% (as a PEx member stated) of drama! I loved the opening scene because I thought that, finally, Philippine drama was starting to veer away from sad scenes and that we’ll get an enjoyable product. Instead, we are shown Jasmine’s hilarious day as a tour guide, but after about a short 2-3 minutes of that, the scene changes to Julian crying because his grandfather just got a heart attack. Thats what I’ve noticed with Philippine dramas (ABS-CBN & GMA!) — they’re always changing from one scene to another and back which really gets annoying because it leaves us hanging. One minute I’m laughing because of Kim Chiu and Cathy Gonzaga, the next, I’m affected by the melodrama of Gerald Anderson and his character’s family. Goodness. -_-

—————–

However, “OA” or Not, I Still Enjoyed It

Surprisingly, with all these little annoying tidbits, I still found the pilot episode enjoyable, mainly due to Kim Chiu’s performance and of course, Cathy Gonzaga’s supportive role. From the blogs and comments I’ve read on PEx and WordPress, some find that Kim’s acting was over-the-top and somewhat cheesy. I have to disagree — I found her character very likable and funny, with just the right amount of outrageousness, especially when she was trying her best to delay the flight that the tourists had to catch at Subic’s airport.

Then there’s Cathy Gonzaga’s character and her Filipino brother, Jeffrey, that only speaks Mandarin (that right there is hilarious enough!). These two add even more outrageousness on top of Kim, which I really loved. I don’t think a show can go wrong with Cathy Gonzaga in it — her type of comedic acting is never “OA” and I’ve never questioned it. However and whatever way she gets ready for her roles, she’s doing it right!

As for Gerald Anderson, when I first didn’t hear his character’s grandfather say that he was taking his Master’s, I thought the actor was doing fine. However, when I did hear about the whole age thing, it completely changed everything. Gerald needs to step up his game in the “How to Act Older” department because he needs a certain aura that states that he’s all man, not a puny teenager. However, my favorite part of Gerald’s acting in tonight’s episode was how his character reacted to his grandfather’s sudden heart attack — I actually bought it. Gerald just needs a more mature look, packed with an even more mature personality, and it’ll be all good. Hell, that’s what workshops are for, right?

Aside from the characters, I enjoyed how the episode was filmed and edited. It had more “bounce” and it felt like we were a fly on the wall watching the characters. For instance, when Jasmine was adding up their debts and crying softly, her father comes in to talk to her and when he leaves, we watch from the ceiling, as if we just happened to be there and took notice. My favorite moments that exhibited this would be the ones with Cathy where we really see her facial expressions — hilarious! In addition, I loved how they incorporated more background music to accompany the scene on hand — it added more comical flare to the funny scenes which I have always enjoyed whenever I watched Korean or Taiwan dramas. This was a good call!

All in all, would I watch episode two? You sure bet I would! There may be some sad scenes up ahead, but because there’s a whole lot more of hilarious ones, I’ll gladly anticipate the next episode.

Tira! Tira! Philippines’ “My Girl” Episode 1 OUT!

cafemelrose — Mon, 26 May 2008 16:55:49 +0000

Good morning! So far, Kim Chiu’s performance has been hilarious and as for Gerald Anderson, he ain’t so bad actually. Make sure not to compare the remake to the original when it comes to Kim and Gerald’s ages because the show purposely made their characters younger — which is fine since I don’t think these two blooming teens would be able to pull off playing adults anyway (they’re no Bea Alonzo!). If you’re loyal to the original, you don’t have to watch, but you also have the choice to sit back and just enjoy it.

Happy drama watching!