Triple Threat Tuesday – Lobo, Marimar, & They Kiss Again

Lobo

Today’s episode of Lobo turned in second to the episode where Noah finds out that Lyka is his childhood friend, Ulay. The episode begins with Lyka jumping out of bed at the sight of her bedroom becoming a flower boutique. heh Not knowing what to do with all those flowers, she gives them to her co-workers, all the while, confused on who knew about this certain wish of hers on her “wishlist”.

Her best friend (and secret guardian), Trixie, helps her in discovering who is her secret admirer. This is one of the many aspects I like about Lobo and where the writers got it right. I absolutely love how Trixie and Lyka are when they’re together. Maybe it’s the nostalgic Filipina in me or I just really find them quite entertaining. Trixie’s character sometimes makes me wish I had my own “mare”. 🙂 With them two, the story doesn’t seem all too serious and takes on a more fun and cheeky approach.

Moving on, Trixie leads Lyka into how Noah could be the admirer. However, Lyka just pipes up that Noah may have a twin, which would explain why he has two differing personalities. hah Oh, how I love Lyka’s excuses.

Long story short, it was Noah who freaking sneaked into her room and bombarded her with flowers. How sweet and stalkerish Noah can be. 🙂 hah The episode’s packed with cute glances, nakakakilig actions, and fun conversations.

Aside from their love story, we are also taken into what’s currently happening to Nessa, Lyka’s mom. Since Nessa hasn’t been taking the pills the Luna organization gives her to stabilize her lobo instincts, Nessa was able to break free during one of her once in two weeks outting. Here’s to hoping she’s able to successfully escape from the compound.

In other serious news, Gabby confronts Noah on his feelings for Lyka. Noah admits that he’s JJ and Lyka is indeed his friend from the past, Ulay. I don’t know about you, but my initial thoughts were, “Oh shit.” The Luna already knows that Nessa has a child and it won’t take long until they put two and two together.

In the Abangan scenes, Lyka confronts Noah (so many confrontations! lol) about her wish list and her secret admirer, but we all know that he’s not going to say squat. Freaking Gabby got to him, that’s why. All in all, is anyone else excited for when Lyka changes fur? I know, I am. hah

Marimar

I think I can openly say how this show has left all intelligence and has boarded a plane to the Bermuda Triangle. In fact, they’ve landed there already and have built a campfire. Strangely, they’re still able to give us daily footage of their stupidity.

I can’t even make myself watch the first few parts and have been going straight to the episode’s end for months now. I’ve been watching Marimar ever since she became Bella Aldama, but mind you, I watched the older episodes on YouTube. I should have taken it as a sign when Marimar (when she was “mang mang”):

1. Got left behind by Sergio who went to Macau
2. Was alone and pregnant (thanks Sergio)
3. Was thrown out like garbage (thanks Angelika)
4. Had her face thrown into mud to get Angelika’s bracelet (thanks Angelika)
5. Was thrown into jail for putting her face in mud to get Angelika’s bracelet, only to have her arrested for supposedly stealing it (thanks Angelika)
6. Had her grandparents die in a house fire (thanks Angelika)
7. Was shot at
8. Fell down a steep cliff, after being shot at
9. Had to fend for herself and unborn Cruzita (by sleeping on streets and eating food in garbage)
10. Got shot at again (thanks Natalia)

That concludes Season 1 of Marimar. See, I was able to watch all of that AND I watched all the parts of the episodes. At that time I was cheering on for Marimar and hoping to see her and Sergio get back together. Not to forget, I also loved it when Sergio and her were stuck on that island. I tell you, THEY SHOULD HAVE NEVER LEFT.

Onto Season 2. I loved the beginning when Marimar, turned Bella, came back from the US to get an education (remember this word). Rodolfo was a big pain in the ass though. However, Sergio trying to prove that Bella was in fact Marimar was exciting, especially when the truth came out. The whole ordeal was a little slow in some points and I should have taken that as even a bigger hint of what crap will happen next after the truth was out.

During the time Marimar became Bella and her and Sergio got back together, this is what happened:

1. Marimar finds out that her marriage to Sergio was a sham (thanks Sergio)
2. Marimar almost marries Rodolfo
3. Marimar gets kidnapped for the first time
4. Marimar gets shot at, again (thanks Rodolfo)
5. All the while there were tears, miscommunication, and confusion — all they had to freaking do was sit down and talk things out!!!

SO WHEN WE ALL THOUGHT that Marimar and Sergio were going to live happily ever after, after the whole Rodolfo ordeal, this is when the show just comes crashing down:

1. Angelika becomes Marimar’s long lost sister (thanks GMA and Marimar writers for prolonging the freaking story)
2. Marimar became dumb again (like she never went to the US to get an education) and accepts Angelika as a sister after Angelika “saved” her life
3. CRUZITA gets stuck in a fire and almost becomes brain damaged
4. Tia Esperanza is murdered (thanks Angelika… WILL YOU DIE ALREADY!)
5. Marimar is the prime suspect for something she didn’t do, again
6. CRUZITA falls into a freaking hole
7. Sergio gets back with Angelika so she doesn’t give the police the weapon for Tia Esperanza’s murder (Marimar’s letter opener)
8. Marimar is devastated and drinks
9. CRUZITA is taken away by child services after they find bruises on her (thanks Angelika, thanks drunk Marimar)
10. Marimar gets kidnapped, again.
11. Marimar is shot at, again (thanks Marimar’s bodyguard)
12. Marimar almost gets buried thoroughly and loses oxygen
13. Everyone thinks Marimar is dead, again

And in today’s episode, Angelika finds out that Marimar’s death was all an act because Renato paid Nicandro and Diego to help Marimar out, so she gives the police the evidence. Now Sergio and Marimar (with Cruzita) have purchased a ticket to Hong Kong (how funny) so that they could get away. What brings our blood to boiling point (it’s been everyday), is that in the Abangan scenes, the police catches up to Marimar and Sergio at the airport.

Gah, we just can’t get a freaking break!!!!! Someone kill Angelika already — Sergio, Renato, Diego, Marimar all had chances to do so. They could’ve strangled her, poisoned her, shot her, pushed her onto a freeway (or a highway in other countries)…

They Kiss Again

I had Lobo become first for it’s a great show and They Kiss Again as last because the episode from Sunday was what we’ve all been waiting for. Here’s a little background as to why we’ve been waiting:

Qi Tai, one of the practicing nurses and classmate in Xiang Qin’s nursing department has started to like her after he sees how poorly Zhi Shu treats her. The whole ordeal started when the Jiang family goes to vacation and Xiang Qin brings along her classmates. Zhi Shu, who has already suspected that Qi Tai likes Xiang Qin, further becomes angry and does not talk nor look at her. The married couple have a fight while on vacation. Long story short (and after two weeks in our time), Zhi Shu realizes that he’s actually just jealous because of the closeness Qi Tai and Xiang Qin have, with the help of Ah Jin.

So in Sunday’s episode, I was balling with tears. The episode starts off with Jiang Mama reminding Xiang Qin that it was her and Zhi Shu’s second year anniversary. Xiang Qin then goes up to tell Zhi Shu about it and the party Mama is planning. He just replies that there’s no need for a party because they’re not happy anyway. Xiang Qin leaves and closes the door, all the while crying behind it. She then screams at Zhi Shu all her feelings: she loves him wholeheartedly and it seems like he doesn’t love her, so why did he marry her? Such a sad scene, but it was great that Xiang Qin told him that — knock some sense into Zhi Shu! lol

The scene proceeds to the cafeteria. Ah Jin overhears Qi Tai professing his love to Xiang Qin again and telling her to divorce Zhi Shu. Ah Jin runs to get Zhi Shu, and a now bruised Zhi Shu (Xiang Qin’s father knocked some sense into him as well!) tells Qi Tai that he needs Xiang Qin in his life because without her he’s not able to be himself. Basically, in a nutshell, Xiang Qin completes him. Xiang Qin hugs Zhi Shu and they make up. Poor homewrecker, Qi Tai. lol

When Xiang Qin and Zhi Shu get home, they’re holding hands and being all lovey-dovey. We love it! You have to watch it for yourselves people!

Also, Chun Mei has a complication with her pregnancy because of all the stress she’s been having over Ah Bu and his mother. But in the end, Ah Bu and Chun Mei patch things up together and Chun Mei replies that they’ll have to work on being parents.

By the end of the episode, Xiang Qin and Zhi Shu miss their anniversary party because they headed off to have their own party, alone, together. So sweet! They then get home and tell Mama what happened to Chun Mei. Mama forgives them and tells them to hurry upstairs so they can start on making their own baby! lol

The next scene is hilarious and you guys just have to watch it: Zhi Shu strips. lol

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There’s a major difference between Taiwan and Filipino dramas. From the past dramas ABS-CBN and GMA have come up with, they’re usually filled with tears, headaches, high blood pressures, and cycles — the stories are always repeating themselves, taking on past roles. It’s like we’re watching the same plot, but just packed with a different name. Whereas, with Taiwan dramas, even Korean and Japanese soaps, there’s always a fun factor and wit. I’m not going to say that every drama coming from those countries have been 100% great, but there have been many many hit dramas from them.

However, I think it’s safe to say that ABS-CBN has taken a different leap with Lobo. At first I didn’t think that such a titled drama would work — come on, LOBO. I was thinking about bouncing air-inflated kick balls. And the trailer for the drama: come on, WOLVES? I thought ABS-CBN went off to the looney bin again, them with their “special” effects (GMA isn’t too off from that mark either). Boy, was I wrong. I can wholeheartedly say that Lobo is great and is getting even better as the daily episodes keep coming. We have a plot filled with mystery and intrigue, kilig moments at no end, and fun and well-rounded actors and actresses. I’m truly excited when Lyka will become a lobo, especially when she finds out that she’s the strongest Waya (remember her million Can of X? lol).

Though, I do have to applaud both ABS-CBN and GMA — they have been kicking it up a notch ever since I subscribed to TFC and GMAPinoyTV back in October 2006. Right now, GMA is surviving by a thread because of Marimar, and that’s only because they have viewers that are loyal to the network and show. However, on YouTube, the loyalists are starting to wonder about the writers and director’s sanity when it comes to the show. I truly hope the writers can save Marimar — it was such a great story to begin with, but with all the twists and turns and loopedy-loops, hell, I feel like I’m on a roller coaster that never ends. So Marimar employees, if you ever read this, I know it’s an amazing task to build up a plot on top of Mexico’s original story and I applaud you for making it a Philippine hit. Not to forget, the hard work you guys have endured to bring us viewers excitement and thrill. But, I am sad to say, the story has just gone overboard and it’s been that way for a long while now.

Lobo writers, I hope that with the two-three years it took you guys to develop your plot, I am seriously hoping that the show doesn’t take a quantum leap into the unknown.

With that said, happy drama viewing everyone!

Regine Hops on a Train to ABS-CBN?

It has been the latest buzz going around Pilipinowood that “Asia’s Songbird” aka Regine Velasquez may be moving to ABS-CBN to do a Filipino version of Betty La Fea.

Imagine my face when the news hit me: OMG.

I feel that all the “bigger” stars from GMA are suddenly flocking to the other side of the fence, which I do not mind at all. However, if I were a “Kapuso”, I think I’d be threatened as well, considering their stars are dwindling in numbers.

I’ve been going around YouTube ever since the whole “Angel Locsin Moving to ABS-CBN” controversy took place, and from experience, let me tell you, it is not a pretty sight. Therefore, before I go any further, I urge that anyone that holds loyalty to being a “Kapamilya” or a “Kapuso”, please do not bring any of your ignorant comments here.

Moving on, apparently the network war includes television viewers! We have people fighting over ratings, actors and actresses, those who got P500 in groceries, hats, and… umbrellas. Umbrellas, people!

I would be deeply embarassed, ashamed, and saddened if the Philippines went into sudden martial law because of…

wait for it…

a civil war between two rivaling TELEVISION STATIONS.

Now that that I got it out of my system, let us return to the matter at hand – Regine Velasquez.

First of all, I think she’s a mature figure to play Betty. As much as I loved Regine during her Do Re Mi days, Betty wouldn’t suit her. A different contender that might fit the bill would probably be Bea Alonzo. Mind you, I’ve only been able to watch the US version of Betty La Fea, so I’ll be comparing Bea to America Ferrera. Anyone remember Now That I Have You, starring Bea alongside Mr. John Lloyd? Bea’s “Betsy” in that film would help her transformation to becoming Betty. Or to make a long story short: Betty | Betsy | Bea. See the similarity? *cough* Me and my “jokes”.

Overall, I think Regine would do fine in ABS-CBN. I haven’t seen her do a film or TV show for GMA, with the exception to hosting SOP. ABS-CBN would immediately pack Regine with work. For those saying she’s only doing it for the money, then you’re one right mofo. However, you’re probably tied into the idea that Regine is just a money-grabbing actress. Being an actress is just another job, and why does a person have a job? To pay bills. If you don’t pay ’em, then you’ll be swimming in debt. She’s just any other person out there trying to make ends meet. So I don’t have any quams about that issue.

You can watch Regine’s interview with Boy Abunda on The Buzz:

Noah Becomes A Stalker (EP 20, Now W/ Pictures!)

Following from yesterday, Lyka’s kuya, Anton, is accepted into the Luna program. They take him to the viewing room of Lyka’s mother, but the window into her room suddenly becomes a two-way mirror instead. Anton then sees a worker give the head scientist a syringe filled with some substance… which basically means he’s going to steal it. Why the hell has he been making so many tests anyway? I think I missed something during the time he was found shaking as a little boy in the woods — the time when Lyka’s mother was taken by the Luna and Noah’s father died falling. This is what happens when I fast forward too much. -_-

The next scene shows Noah watching Lyka as she’s working. Can anyone say, “stalker”? 🙂 On the other hand, it seems from Lyka’s face of annoyance, she’s not so keen on having him hover over her. Noah then reminds her that it’s late and that she has to get home. Cue a kilig moment – he brings her home and stops her before she gets to the front door, saying, “Tell JJ that I’ll take care of you.” (aww)

Lyka goes inside and hears the echoes of Anton’s panting and whimpering in pain. He injected the syringe he stole earlier into his arm. As she goes to him, her Aunt scolds her again.

Later that night, Lyka prays to her stone, while Noah watches her from outside her window. My goodness, this is bordering on stalking! Lyka tells JJ that she can see his soul in Noah; that she can feel him in Noah. (If only Lyka would see and feel him outside looking at her through her window! hah) Meanwhile, Noah is saying his thanks to God for bringing Lyka back to him. He also repeats that he’ll take care of her and that he’ll make her feel how important she is to him. He leaves with, “Goodnight Ulay.”

Anton then comes into Lyka’s room. Lyka then asks why she’s never seen him court a girl and asks him when actions becomes flirting. Which, she should have not done. This gives Anton the idea that there’s a certain someone that’s hovering over Lyka. He replies that the guy should do what’s right and go up to the house to formally introduce himself. Also, did anyone else think that Anton’s whole smiling-thinking-Lyka-likes him smile look weird to anyone? I cringed when I saw him smile like that. lol

The next day, Noah is jogging and runs into Gabby. Gabby typically asks Noah what’s going on between him and Lyka and the usual 21 questions. Noah insists that Lyka has no knowledge to what’s going in the behind-the-scenes at the House of Elle.

Later that morning, Noah picks up Lyka from her house to bring her to work. When he drops her off at her desk, Lyka recognizes that Noah has the same mole as JJ. She then asks him, “Are you JJ?” She brushes off the question, saying that it’s impossible.

Lyka further tells Noah that he and JJ are way different from each other.

Noah: How is JJ like anyway?

Lyka: He’s kulit (persistent) and madaldal (talks too much).

Noah: Well, what about me?

Lyka: You’re not makulit or madaldal.

Noah: What else about JJ?

Lyka: Gentle. Sweet.

Noah: How about me?

Lyka: UNgentle. So it’s impossible that you’d be JJ.

Noah: (His face is evident that he’s hurt)

Lyka: Hey! Hey! It was just a joke!

My heart melted when I saw the hurt look on his face. haha

In the next scene, Lyka tells Trixie about how confusing Noah is, considering that Noah once told her that they should be “professional”.

Back to Noah’s voyuer layer, Noah is watching Lyka on the security camera again. He then proceeds to tell her that he’s sorry that there’s such a big difference between him and JJ. He says, “This new Noah; he’s not so bad. He can take care of you. He can be kulit so he can make you happy, just like JJ did.”

Gabby, the usual moment-killer she is, comes in and Noah pretends not to be watching Lyka. Gabby hands him documents she’s found on Lyka and Noah storms out because he said he didn’t want them to investigate Lyka.

The next day, Noah brings Lyka her resignation letter and asks her to quit the House of Elle.

She thinks he’s joking but he insures her that he isn’t. Gabby then comes in and hears Lyka ask Noah why he wants her to resign. End episode.

In the Abangan scenes, we are shown Lyka’s mother again. She grabs a hold of one of the scientists and next, we see alarms going off. Meanwhile, Lyka is at Selina Argos’ laboratory again, but this time, something is wrong while she’s on the table. Noah, feeling that something is up, heads inside Argos’ house and is moments away from seeing what’s happening.

My thoughts: From this episode, one can tell that Lyka is both annoyed and confused by Noah. It reminds me of how I am also when it comes to the courting game. However, when that same person you’re preying upon starts to do the same thing to you, it gets annoying. Even Lyka admitted to Noah if whether he’s only doing the same things she’s done to him to make her annoyed. haha

Also, what is up with Anton being his own lab rat? Did Lyka’s mom bite him as a kid or something? I really do think I missed something here… Anyways, until Monday again everyone!

P.S. – To those who have not seen the sequel to Taiwan’s It Started With A Kiss, called They Kiss Again, you guys can go to Overstream.net. Just use the search engine there. The show airs every Sunday in Taiwan, while the subber (aka gloriaw) usually finishes subbing the episode on the following Monday.

My Heart’s Inflating For “Lobo” (EP 19)

Today’s episode of ABS-CBN’s rising teleserye hit, Lobo, was probably the most nakakakilig. The episode immediately begins where yesterday’s episode ended. Noah finds Lyka’s half of the stone necklace he always wears. But before the episode goes into kilig mode, we are forced to follow Lyka into Selina Argos’ laboratory, which I don’t mind, since we are diving into more of Lyka’s true self, as a Waya.

Selina then sprays some substance in the air that makes Lyka fall asleep (which I thought was pretty cool… haha reminded me of “Febreeze”) and does a number of tests on her. Meanwhile, Lyka’s kuya accepts the offer from the Luna.

Lyka awakens and Selina gives her the same speech Lady Elle did – “Lyka, you’re working very hard and should rest a bit.” IF ONLY everyone had the same treatment! hah Anyways, Lyka goes into the restroom and finds that she’s missing her “JJ” aka the stone necklace and heads for the car.

Meanwhile, Noah discovers that Lyka is actually his childhood best friend, Ulay. Lyka sees that Noah found “JJ” and begins to kiss the stone. Noah calls her by her childhood name, but instead of an, “Oh my God, how did you know that was my name?!” reaction, Lyka reminds him that her name is Lyka. This confusion is later explained when Lyka begins to tell the story between her and JJ, and how little she remembers of the day she lost both her Mom and her best friend, considering she was pretty young then.

All the while, one cannot refuse to have their heart melt when looking at Fafa Piolo, with his face ready to burst into emotion. The best part of that scene is when Noah gets a call from Gabby and tells her that he knows and is absolutely sure that Lyka has nothing to do with their mission. His face is just ready to burst and with what? Tears of joy? Disbelief? I don’t know, but it was one heck of an emotion.

On the way back to House of Elle, Noah stops the car and has Lyka get out. He brings her to some deserted road (all of a sudden) and confesses that he’s actually JJ. Lyka has tears of joy and they hug. And the story is ove. The end.
NOT. Both fortunately and unfortunately, it’s only a dream. In actuality, Noah and Lyka are in the car, and he wakes up from that dream. Meanwhile, Lyka has her own dream of JJ and when the little boy leaves, Noah comes into picture. She then wakes up calling Noah, JJ.

The scene then switches to the elevator at the House of Elle. Noah reaches out for Lyka’s hand and holds hit as they exit the elevator. Oh my Lord!

Meanwhile, Selina Argos calls Manolo and tells him of Lyka’s unique number of “Can X” (?), by which the number of “Can X” determines the strength of a lobo. A regular human-lobo has about 40,000-50,000 Can X, a Waya guardian has 80,000-100,000 Can X, and the most strongest of them all, Lady Elle has 150,000 to 200,000 Can X. She then proceeds to give us the major news: Lyka has over a million Can X.

I don’t know about you, but that’s freaking way too much for a person and seems unbelievable (in addition to the whole “What the hell is Can X?”, wolves turning into humans, the story in itself… *cough* okay, I’ll shut up now with my side comments haha). I would’ve believed it if Lyka had 500,000 of this Can X, but anything over that, SHE’S ONE HELL of a walking Can of X. haha All in all, I actually like how the story is slowly developing Lyka’s persona as a lobo, especially this whole Can X business. It was the “over a million” part that got me in disbelief.

In the next scene, Lyka is seen holding her hand — the one Noah held. Unknown to her, and Noah being the voyuer he is, Noah is watching her have her kilig moment (AS SO ARE WE!) on the security camera video. There’s a few things he says her, which I will have to ask someone to translate for me, since my Tagalog is mainly conversational. Anyways, while stroking Lyka’s face on the video screen, he says, “…di lang hawak kamay gagawin ko sayo. Yayapusin kita ng todong todo…” (written by shtupnlstn from youtube) Damn, my face was buried into my shirt by then! Not just because of kilig, but also of embarrassment. Hell, I would be like, “DAMN! That’s hot and I feel slightly flustered because… well, WOW,” if Piolo said that to me. haha

In the next scene, Noah brings Lyka food since he sees that all she’s eating is crackers. Anyways, as Lyka is reaching out for another cracker while looking at the computer screen, Noah sits EXACTLY where her hand would land for the crackers. She instead touches Noah’s leg, close to another area, you know, the region where leg meets *cough* groin aka Area 51. People watching at home are probably having a heart attack at the sheer “OMG, Lyka almost touched Noah’s *ahem”. hah Also, Gabby sees Noah and Lyka feeding each other. Noah’s in trouble now!

In the Aabangan scene, Lyka hears her kuya panting, that being because he injected some unknown substance again. In another scene, Noah tells Lyka to quit House of Elle. Will she, or will she not? That is a question left to be answered tomorrow my friends!

P.S. – She probably won’t quit House of Elle.