The Misadventures of Mel Beckham

The End

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:05:00 +0000

Yes. I have decided to end this blog.

I think I've shared enough of everything.

And I am tired.

Thank you very much for the wonderful time.

I will miss you all.

But as the famous Smashing Pumpkins hit says; "The end is the beginning is the end."

See you soon.

The Red Carpet

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 09:34:00 +0000

Over the past few years of watching awards shows, I’ve always considered the arrivals on the red carpet more important than the main show itself.

As far as my memory is concern, there are looks that are so memorable I can’t forget them like it was just yesterday.

Charing.

Here are my Fifteen Most Memorable Red Carpet Looks over the years, in random order.

Julia Roberts in Valentino, 2001 Oscars

Nicole Kidman in Dior, 1997 Oscars

Reese Witherspoon in Nina Ricci, 2007 Oscars

Jennifer Lopez in Versace, 2000 Grammys

Oprah Winfrey in Vera Wang, 2005 Oscars

Eva Mendes in Dior, 2009 Golden Globes

Halle Berry in Elie Saab, 2002 Oscars

Madonna in Olivier Theyskens, 1999 Oscars

Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive, 2009 Oscars

Cate Blanchett in Valentino, 2004 Oscars

Tilda Swinton in Haider Ackerman, 2010 Golden Globes

Natalie Portman in Lanvin, 2005 Oscars

Cameron Diaz in Chanel, 2009 Golden Globes

Beyonce Knowles in Elie Saab, 2007 Golden Globes

Hilary Swank in Guy Laroche, 2005 Oscars

What do you think?

Did I miss anyone?

Melanophobic

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 03:27:00 +0000

Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. (Wikipedia)

Pinoys put much value on skin colour, particularly the fair skin.

Check out the volume of the market focused on skin whitening.

Check out the majority of movie actors/actresses who are mestizas/mestizos.

Check out FHM magazine's recent issue.

It shows Bela Padilla "Stepping Out of the Shadows", in the middle surrounded by dark-skinned models.

Why, I ask.

Does being dark-skinned mean you are in the shadows? It implies the superiority of fair-skinned Bela among the dark-skinned models because they are in or THE shadows. FHM can use other forms of portrayal or interpretation of their concept of stepping out of the shadows rather than using models intentionally made up too look black. You can highlight Bela by blurring everyone around her, or using black and white tones on the background, anything but this!

As a result of the negative feedback they received after uploading the said photo of the cover on their Facebook fanpage, FHM Philippines released this statement:

On Saturday, February 25, we uploaded the March issue with Bela Padilla on the cover on our Facebook page. Just hours later, a slew of comments on the supposed "racism" of the cover image and cover line flooded the magazine page, prompting the editorial team to re-examine the cover so that we could put into context its execution and assuage the concerns of our readers and non-readers as well who've weighed in on the issue. noypistuff
We took all the points into consideration and have decided to take the side of sensitivity.
When FHM hits the stands in March it will have a different cover. We deem this to be the most prudent move in the light of the confusion over the previous cover execution.
We apologize and thank those who have raised their points. We apologize to Bela Padilla for any distress this may have caused her. In our pursuit to come up with edgier covers, we will strive to be more sensitive next time.

In that case, thank you Summit Media for realising your mistake.

Oscars 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 08:57:00 +0000

I hate this year’s Oscars.

Almost everybody is well dressed. There is little room for fashion critics to bash a worst-dressed celebrity, making the show a bit boring.

Congratulations to all the winners, totally deserved. Although I was rooting for Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close for Best Picture. I have not seen The Artist and since it was named best movie, I guess I really need to watch that silent feature.

Meryl Streep was the biggest winner of the night, winning the Best Actress Oscar for her excellent performance as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. She wore this gold Lanvin dress, with matching gold accessories.

Anyway, on to the most important part. Here are my choices for Best Dressed at the Oscars.

Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad

Penelope Cruz in Armani Prive

Glenn Close in Zac Posen

Cameron Diaz in Gucci

Rooney Mara in Givenchy

Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab

Tina Fey in Carolina Herrera

Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli

Viola Davis in Vera Wang

and

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

And since there’s no worst dressed for me this year, here are my list for my Least Favourite Looks.

Sandra Bullock in Marchesa

Maya Rudolph in Johanna Johnson

Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen

Melissa Leo in Marc Bouwer

Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford

What do you think?

Which look is your choice for best and worst?

And please, Sacha Baron Cohen, really? Not funny at all.

You are beyond worst.

Meanwhile, my favourite moment of the night was when Best Adapted Screenplay winner Jim Rash mimicked Angelina Jolie's pose after she presented the said award.

Hilarious!

Ewan ko lang kung natuwa doon si Ate Angge.

Bipolar Cycle

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:14:00 +0000

I know I promised to no longer watch or blog about America's Next Top Model because of the result from the last cycle, but I can't stop myself from typing.

Charot.

Honestly, I'm excited about the upcoming cycle, a.k.a.

America's Next Top Model: British Invasion.

I just found the title bizarre cosidering half of the contestants are British.

The seven British contestants are actually alumni from Britain's Next Top Model while the seven American contestants are new recruits.

Also, we will no longer see Andre Leon Talley from the judging panel. Replacing him is publicist Kelly Cutrone.

This cycle will also feature Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino in the premiere episode.

America's Next Top Model: British Invasion will premiere in the Philippines on March 5th, 8PM on ETC.

San Pedro

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:58:00 +0000

We have another Filipino Catholic saint.

Last February 18, Pope Benedict XVI officially announced that Blessed Pedro Calungsod will be canonized on October 21, 2012. More than twelve years after he was beatified in March 2000 by Pope John Paul II.

Those to be canonized on October 21 along with Calungsod are Jacques Berthieu, a French martyr and priest of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits); Giovanni Battista Piamarta, an Italian priest and founder of the Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth and of the Congregation of the Humble Sister Servants of the Lord; Maria del Carmen, a Spanish founder of the Conceptionist Missionary Sisters of Teaching; Maria Anna Cope, a German religious of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in Syracuse; Kateri Tekakwitha, an American laywoman, and Anna Schaffer, a German laywoman. (Inquirer)

Although he was born in Leon, Iloilo, his major shrine is the Archdiocesan Shrine of Blessed Pedro Calungsod located in Cebu City.

He is the patron saint for the Filipino youth, Catechumens, altar boys, the Philippines, Overseas Filipino Workers, Guam, and Cebuanos.

Going Greek

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:20:00 +0000

Next month, I will be attending Ate Beng’s big 50th birthday party.

She's based in Germany but went home late last year to celebrate her birthday here.

The problem is, I still have nothing to wear to Ate Beng's birthday.

The original theme of the party was Victorian but last month, it was changed to Grecian.

I already have a Victorian look in my mind but I’m having a hard time realizing the said look so I’m glad that the theme was scrapped and changed into something easier and accessible. Mahirap ang Victorian theme noh, unless I come to the party as a peasant. Effortless lang.

Charing.

Anyway, my fashion designer friend Ronnie who made this winning look at last year’s Moda Mindanaw,

has designed a look for me to wear at the party.

As much as possible, I don’t want to wear something very formal because I want to wear short shorts and these wedges to the event.

Hello? Greece is the home of the Olympics noh so it’s okay to wear sneakers to the Grecian-themed party. I think. Hahaha!

Well, I just hope Ate Beng will not impose the strictly formal dress code on me. If not, I'd probably ask Ronnie to make it formal-looking and less casual para papasukin pa rin ako sa event despite the sneakers. Hahaha!

Ate Beng, I’m so excited to see your birthday gown!

I hope my friends from Barrio Siete will attend the big event too.

Change

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:54:00 +0000

I am changing.

That’s some of the complaints I got from a few people around me. They say madali daw akong mapikon lately. At the office, I get easily irritated daw at the small things like when something is missing at my table, like a note pad or a ballpen.

At the mall, I complain a lot about strolling, waiting for friends to arrive at the meeting place, and queue at the counter.

Well first of all, I hate late comers.

Kung dati kaya kong maghintay up to an hour for friends to arrive, ngayon I do not have the patience to wait. 5-10 minutes late is acceptable but beyond that is a waste of precious time. I remember last Christmas reunion with the gays, I was the first to arrive at the location before going to the beach. After waiting for 45 minutes, I went home and slept. Considering the time I have on my day-off, I want to maximise it and not waste any second as much as possible. I got too many things to do, yet so little time.

For the record, Sunday is the only day for myself. The rest of the week, I work and I’m on call. Even on holidays.

Ganyan ang buhay ng mga katulong.

In terms of going out on a Saturday night, I’ve minimised it. Kung noon hindi ko pinapalampas ang Sabado nights without dancing at a local bar or getting drunk, ngayon I’m done with it. I even consider hanging out in a cafe with friends sitting and talking over coffee a waste of time and money. Not very productive at all. I’d rather have takeout dinner, and read a book to sleep.

Siguro, people around me should stop complaining about the changes I’ve been making during these past few weeks (or maybe months). Talagang natural lang na magbago ang tao lalo na kung tumatanda. I can’t stop ageing. It’s a natural thing.

Perhaps what they can do is change their old ways too. Especially wasting other people’s time and wasting their money on these mundane things.

Bad Assumption

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:35:00 +0000

(Note: This post is written by my elder sister Rhoda.)

My siblings and I went to then Assumption School of Davao, now Assumption College of Davao.

It was 1980’s, the height of insurgencies. We had “Yellow Fridays” where we all wore yellow in support of Ninoy Aquino’s death. We had rallies, prayer vigils, programs, and supported the masses. We were all in elementary then, all 4 of us. Some of us understood what this hullabaloo was about, some did not. The late Jun Pala was the frontrunner in all the radio announcers and journalists who called the school as “komunista” but we, the students and whole school body were undeterred.

The fight continued.

We experienced fear when rallyists, went into a stampede and rushed inside the school to seek safety. We had bomb threats, prompting our parents and “sundo” to pick us from school. Sometimes our classes were suspended because of bomb threats too and that was fun, unscheduled school holiday! We were taught to lock our classrooms and place ourselves against the farthest corner of the classroom in such cases. We saw our school principal holding a shotgun ready to defend the students. We saw the guards running around trying to protect us, we saw our teachers, school personnel and nuns, who showed fear but more determination to continue fighting for justice. We were taught to pray a lot and use solidarity in prayers.

Now, more than 25 years later, my daughter is studying in the same school.

Most of my friends asked me why, “'Di ba mga aktibista yan sila?” To which I answer “Then, it’s a good thing that my daughter will learn how to fight for something that she believes.”

Personally, I don’t think that a school which strongly supports the masses will automatically produce an activist.

Passing the school every now and then, I see streamers and tarpaulins. There was the streamer calling for justice for Rebelyn Pitao (daughter of an NPA leader Commander Parago, abducted, tortured, raped and murdered in 2009).

Now, there is a streamer for Father Fausto “Fr. Pops” Tentorio, the Italian priest killed by a gunman inside his church’s compound in Arakan, North Cotabato in October last year.

This streamer reads:

"STOP THE KILLING OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS UNDER OPLAN BAYANIHAN"

I never knew that this simple streamer will prompt Col. Leopoldo Galon, the spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), to call the streamer, a “malicious propaganda” against the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

He said, “We appeal to the school administrator to tear down this propaganda material as soon as possible,” said Galon in a text message to reporters. “If not, we will direct our appeal to all parents or guardians to think twice before re-enrolling their children next school year in this academic institution that allows the spreading of false information about the AFP and helps the cause of propagandists of the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National.” He added, “Assumption College of Davao still hosts malicious propaganda against the AFP. More than a month after a special team of NBI investigators nabbed Jimmy Ato, the huge tarpaulin streamer still hangs on the front fence of Assumption College of Davao.”

Sister Julieta Encarnacion, an official of the Assumption, said that the arrest of a suspect does not mean that the case is closed. “The suspect’s statements and testimonies must be carefully evaluated and verified. Any development following the arrest may be an attempt by the authorities to fan off the growing movement condemning the state and the military’s accountability,”

I would like to address Col. Galon.

Do you have children? If so, how would you feel if the school where your children are going is labeled as a communist sympathizer/supporter?

Isn’t this a form of discrimination and harassment not just to the school but to our children as well? Our children are innocent victims here, they cannot defend themselves, so as a parent, I will defend my child.

We, the parents and guardians are not ignorant; we have our own initiative in deciding where to send our children. Campaigning or as you put it “appealing” to us to think twice, only serves to put you and the whole Armed Forces of the Philippines into a bad light.

The Assumption College of Davao, with the Parents-Teachers Association was unanimous that the best way to fight you is to ignore you. After this, after I have said my piece, I will ignore you.

Whitney

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:05:00 +0000

When I was barely 8, I joined a singing competition in our neighbourhood.

I sang Whitney Houston’s “One Moment In Time”. I did not know of her at that time but that song was my favourite hence it was the piece that I chose to sing. I won that competition, and that started my "singing career". Whenever I am told to sing at school or at a family gathering, I always choose Whitney Houston’s songs (or ABBA's).

Whitney was my first influence in music. Her singing prowess and style is unmatched.

She is one of a kind.

There may be good and excellent singers out there but Whitney is exceptional and influential. Her rendition of The Star Spangled Banner at the SuperBowl is the best performance of the national anthem of the United States.

Thank you Whitney Houston for your music and for your life.

You will always live in our hearts.

I will always love you.

Karl Who?

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:40:00 +0000

After sweeping six out of the six nominations at the recently concluded Grammy Awards including Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Album of the Year,

Adele appears on the cover of the March 2012 issue of US Vogue.

Earlier this month, Karl Lagerfeld caused a commotion after calling the Grammy winner "a little too fat." Of course, the award-winning Adele reacted with class, saying, "I've never wanted to look like models on the covers of magazines. I represent the majority of women and I'm very proud of that." (Refinery29)

Here's another shot of Adele in a hot number showing her fabulous curves.

Thank you Anna Wintour for a wonderful choice on the cover.

It's Over Barbie

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:23:00 +0000

From Greenpeace International:

We all know that break ups are hard. Especially when they involve secrets – like the shameful secret that broke up Barbie and Ken back in June: she had destroyed rainforest in her toy packaging. Her manufacturer, Mattel, was using products from Asia Pulp and Paper (APP), a pulp and paper company notorious for destroying Indonesian rainforests, including the habitat of the endangered Sumatran tiger. Ken was understandably distraught.

It wasn’t pretty. But all the drama that followed: Ken’s shocking interview, a public Twitter feud between the former couple, inappropriate photos of Barbie with a chainsaw, over 500,000 emails sent by you to Mattel – all of it has a silver lining. It helped bring the continuing destruction of Indonesia’s rainforests for pulp and paper out into the open and forced action.

Mattel recognized it couldn’t allow its supply chains to include products coming from deforestation and that toy packaging shouldn’t come at the costs of rainforests and tiger habitat. That was made very clear by the strong response from people all over the world to the revelation that Barbie was wrapped up in rainforest destruction. Today Mattel has brought closure to the couple’s drama by dropping deforestation: releasing a global policy that will keep rainforest destruction out of its supply chains.

As the largest toy company in the world, their new policy sends a message to other companies that to be a responsible business you must be vigilant about keeping deforestation out of your products. As part of its new commitments, Mattel has instructed its suppliers to avoid wood fiber from controversial sources, including companies “that are known to be involved in deforestation”. Their policy also aims to increase the amount of recycled paper used in their business, as well as to boost the use of wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Now that you know Mattel and Barbie have committed to dropping deforestation – you probably have only one thing on your mind. Will Barbie and Ken get back together? We don’t want to speculate – but couldn’t help but notice that hostilities between the couple have ceased.

As you can imagine, the public airing of Barbie’s dirty deforestation laundry was so traumatic that everyone involved probably needs some time to heal. Hopefully in time Barbie and Ken will be able to look back and appreciate that their painful breakup was a necessary trauma. It has led to Mattel taking action against deforestation, adding to the pressure from other companies - among them Nestlé, Unilever and Carrefour, who are also taking action on these issues. These companies are committing to removing deforestation from their supply chains and from their products. And that is worth some tears.

What does Mattel’s commitment mean for the rainforests and the habitat of the Sumatran tiger? It means that APP is paying a heavy price for continuing to rely on destroying rainforests for pulp and paper by losing another high profile customer. People don’t want to buy products that come from deforestation, and right now companies that want to be deforestation-free can’t use APP products. Asia Pulp and Paper has to face these realities and change. APP’s sister company, palm oil supplier Golden Agri Resources, has already shown that this change is possible by making strong commitments to stop deforestation.

This hasn’t happened yet with APP. We saw the tragic costs of how APP operates when we reported on the death of a Sumatran tiger on the border of an APP owned concession. In the last two weeks the Greenpeace tiger eye tour has been documenting continued forest destruction by APP.

Our activists have exposed APP’s persistent attempts to greenwash its image and pass itself off as a company that cares and acts responsibly towards the environment. As long as APP continues to put its efforts into marketing campaigns that cover up the truth, rather than changing its practices – we’ll continue to expose the truth. And we know you’ll be there with us. Your support is important to keeping attention on the plight of Indonesia’s rainforests - the habitat of endangered animals like the Sumatran tiger – THANK YOU!

Gong Xi Fa Cai

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:16:00 +0000

From Greenpeace:

It is said that in the Year of the Water Dragon progressive movements will gain momentum across the globe. Energy conservation and green energy-producing technologies as well as initiatives to help curb global warming and protect marine life and our oceans will meet with great success in this new lunar year.

To celebrate the Year of the Water Dragon, simply purchase Greenpeace’s Angpao envelopes and know that you are helping to create a greener, more peaceful future.

Each envelope you purchase will have a gift card signaling that you have given a donation of at least Php100 to Greenpeace.

What a wonderful way to start the new year!

To place your orders, please drop me an email at nhelyn.rondeja@greenpeace.org. You can also give us a call at 332.1807 local 107. But be quick – only a limited number of stocks are available!

Greenpeace Southeast Asia (Philippines)
Room 301 JGS Building, #30 Scout Tuason Street,
1103 Quezon City, the Philippines
Tel: +632.332.1807
Fax: +632.332.1806

The Prodigal Friend

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:57:00 +0000

I have never been friendly.

Not that I have a bad attitude, I just don’t like people in general.

I hate crowds.

And I hate to be in a situation where I’m not familiar with the people around.

I am not sociable. I think I’m just good at blending in, or I’ve perfected myself to be an exceptional wallflower at any event or party.

I have almost 600 friends on Facebook but I only consider a hundred to be ‘real’.
The rest are just acquaintances and friends of friends and reel friends.

In this set of ‘real’ friends, there are only 4 of them that I can call my best friends. Those that knew me from head to toe, up to my soul.

There’s the fashion designer, the call boy, the prostitute and the drug pusher.

The fashion designer and I knew each other since high school. Even though we’ve not been communicating on a daily basis, I can always count on him. We rarely see each other because of the distance and our busy schedules but whenever we see each other, parang kahapon lang kami huling nag-usap. He’s a real friend because no matter how bad the choices I’ve made in the past, he was always there to support and I’ve proven it many times.

The call boy. Well, he’s not my original best friend but when the place was sort of vacated, he was the one who filled the position. He’s the person I lean on to physically and emotionally when something goes wrong. We communicate regularly, like everyday , except during the last few weeks. If there’s one person in this world that I’d text or call kapag may mga nangyayari sa aking buhay, be it good or bad, it would be the call boy.

The prostitute and the drug pusher are also two of my best friends. We also communicate regularly but only see each other once in a while. Even though our friendship is a long-distance relationship, we always spend quality time every time we’re together especially on long holidays like Christmas and holy week. Whenever we’re together, there’s never a dull moment because these two are more luka-luka than me.

But aside from these four, I actually have another best friend.

Let me call him, the teacher.

Before I started blogging a few years ago, the teacher was my best friend. My closest of all, compared to the ones I’ve mentioned above.

We’re always together on weekends, night and day hanggang kinabukasan, just a few hours shy from work on a Monday. We knew each other very well that we sometimes end each other’s sentences. No weekend is complete without seeing each other. When I decided to shave my head, the teacher also shaved his head para mas maganda daw kami tingnan kung magkasama. We were like brothers, I mean sisters. In fact, I think we would spend more time together than our family during those times.

So what went wrong?

Because I had to choose between him and the friendship that I had and treasured, more than the relationship between the two of us. I ended our friendship for the sake of others.

We’ve got no communication for more than five years, I think. Or more. We’ve seen each other on two separate occasions but we never talked. We just nodded and that’s all. Talking to him was just awkward.

Looking back, I think my decision then was a big mistake. Really.

Last year when a friend of ours made a Facebook page exclusively for us gays who came from the university we went to, we found ourselves exchanging messages. Then I invited him to attend the party/reunion we organised for Christmas.

When the day of the party finally came, we were able to talk but everything was just casual and informal. No heart to heart talk, no reminiscing of the past. It was still a little bit awkward but our conversation’s a lot of improvement from our past meetings. What I love about it though, was that we were finally back together. Communication lines are now wide open and we talk via BBM or twitter almost everyday.

I am so happy to have ended 2011 with a new beginning.

Thank you so much bes for coming back into my life.

By the way, did I ever say sorry?

Well, it doesn’t matter. I know you’ve forgiven me na.

What are friends for ‘di ba?

Oh Nicki

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:15:00 +0000

Nicki Minaj's Superbass was released eons ago but I just learned to admire the song after it was used at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show late last year.

When Nicki came into the limelight a few years ago, she was just another artist trying to make a mark by dressing up flambouyantly to get attention. Another Grace Jones wannabe. But the good thing about her is the fact that she can rap.

Over the past few days, I've been trying to learn Superbass. Not that I'm trying to impress a guy who has great admiration for hiphop but I just think that learning this song is a feat.

Mahirap i-memorise, much more kantahin ang lecheng kantang 'to. It's a tongue twister to the nth level.

And as of today, I have completely memorised Superbass. I consider it my first biggest accomplishment for 2012.

Hahaha!

Last weekend, my friend Edz took a video of me singing the first verse of Superbass and it's on his Facebook wall. I might post the video on Youtube but I'm having second thoughts because I look fat in there.

Meanwhile, if you're planning to memorise Superbass, here's the complete lyrics.

This one is for the boys with the boomin' system
Top down, AC with the coolin' system
When he come up in the club, he be blazin' up
Got stacks on deck like he savin' up
And he ill, he real, he might got a deal
He pop bottles and he got the right kind of build
He cold, he dope, he might sell coke
He always in the air, but he never fly coach
He a muthafuckin trip, trip, sailor of the ship, ship
When he make it drip, drip kiss him on the lip, lip
That's the kind of dude I was lookin' for
And yes you'll get slapped if you're lookin' ho

I said, excuse me you're a hell of a guy
I mean my, my, my, my you're like pelican fly
I mean, you're so shy and I'm loving your tie
You're like slicker than the guy with the thing on his eye, oh
Yes I did, yes I did
Somebody please tell him who the eff I is
I am Nicki Minaj, I mack them dudes up
Back coupes up, and chuck the deuce up

Boy you got my heartbeat runnin' away
Beating like a drum and it's coming your way
Can't you hear that boom, badoom, boom
Boom, badoom, boom bass?
He got that super bass
Boom, badoom, boom
Boom, badoom, boom bass
Yeah that's that super bass
Boom, badoom, boom
Boom, badoom, boom, he got that super bass
Boom, badoom, boom
Boom, badoom, boom, yeah that's that super bass

This one is for the boys in the Polos
Entrepreneur niggas in the moguls
He could ball with the crew, he could solo
But I think I like him better when he dolo
And I think I like him better with the fitted cap on
He ain't even gotta try to put the mac on
He just gotta give me that look, when he give me that look
Then the panties comin' off, off, unh
Excuse me, you're a hell of a guy
You know I really got a thing for American guys
I mean, sigh, sickenin' eyes
I can tell that you're in touch with your feminine side, oh

Yes I did, yes I did
Somebody please tell him who the eff I is
I am Nicki Minaj, I mack them dudes up
Back coupes up, and chuck the deuce up

Boy you got my heartbeat runnin' away
Beating like a drum and it's coming your way
Can't you hear that boom, badoom, boom
Boom, badoom, boom bass?
He got that super bass
Boom, badoom, boom
Boom, badoom, boom bass
Yeah that's that super bass
Boom, badoom, boom
Boom, badoom, boom, he got that super bass
Boom, badoom, boom
Boom, badoom, boom, yeah that's that super bass

See I need you in my life for me to stay
No, no, no, no, no I know you'll stay
No, no, no, no, no don't go away
Boy you got my heartbeat runnin' away
Don't you hear that heartbeat comin' your way?
Oh it be like, boom, badoom, boom
Boom, badoom, boom bass
Can't you hear that boom, badoom, boom
Boom, badoom, boom bass?

Boy you got my heartbeat runnin' away
Beating like a drum and it's coming your way
Can't you hear that boom, badoom, boom
Boom, badoom, boom bass?
He got that super bass
Boom, badoom, boom
Boom, badoom, boom bass
Yeah that's that super bass
Boom, badoom, boom
Boom, badoom, boom, he got that super bass
Boom, badoom, boom
Boom, badoom, boom, yeah that's that super bass.

College Bitch

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:55:00 +0000

This morning my sister texted me to read the Facebook status of a schoolmate who is now in Canada, which caused a little chaos within our circle of friends and schoolmates.

This was her Facebook status:

(click photo to enlarge)

"hahahahaha natatawa ako sa mga ibang taong nasa pinas at napaka OA ng mga status dito sa facebook kami nga na nasa abroad wala lang.. pwede ba relax and be yourself. at sa mga ibang taong nandito sa abroad perte ang mga pictures oi unsa nakalitan mo na naka abot mo dri sa abroad?? hahaha pagmata!!!"

The last two sentences in vernacular, translates to:

"...at sa mga ibang taong nandito sa abroad grabe ang mga pictures parang nabigla dahil nakapag-abroad?? hahaha gising!"

What can you say?

Weight Loss Tea

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:21:00 +0000

I've been trying to lose weight for a very long time but I always gain it back.

I'm not complaining though because it is so much better to eat especially when there's an occasion. Weight loss has not been my option for a very long time and I've already embrace my being plus-sized.

But it's not bad if we lose a couple of pounds (or more) because let's face it, it's so much healthier if we're not obese, right.

Anyway, I've tried lots of method to loss weight without exercise because I'm too tamad to go to a gym to sweat or do something physical. So far, the weight loss techniques that I've tried has been mostly effective.

This summer, the girls and I are planning to go to the beach so I really need to be beach-ready.

I want to lose at least 20 lbs. before the holy week.

My friend Mei gave this weight loss herb tea from Healthy Options as a Christmas gift last year.

It's from Republic of Tea and this one is called Get Lost. It's an herb tea for weight control with organic rooibos, tropical banana leaf, cinnamon and carob which satisfy the appetite, providing craving control. Carob and gymnema leaves help to tame your sweet tooth and the urge to indulge. It's certified organic, caffeine and sugar free!

So far, I've been drinking it before every meal and it makes me lose my appetite.

Most teas are nakakasuka especially the local blends but this one is delicious. It's got cinnamon so it adds to the flavour and the smell.

Over the last two weeks, I've lost approximately 4 lbs. so I guess it's effective.

This also comes in a smaller tin with 6 tea bags inside.

Available at all Healthy Options stores.

Five Queens

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:48:00 +0000

The Oscars is fast approaching and the nominees have been announced.

As usual, there are some surprise nominees and a few snobs.

I’d like to focus on the Best Actress category which I think has the nominees with the most talent in many years, I just wish they weren’t pitted on the same year.

Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady

Viola Davis in The Help

Rooney Mara in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Glenn Close in Albert Nobbs

Michelle Williams in My Week With Marilyn

Honestly, I have not seen the respective performances of these actors in the said movies but I really love them all. I want them all to win.

Meryl deserved this because she’s been nominated for the same category many times especially within the last five years. I think it’s time she win an Oscar for this category.

Viola, because I like her in many of her movies. I actually saw the trailer of The Help and I think she's exceptional. Trailer pa yan ha.

Rooney I think is a newcomer with a promise. Not only does she have the acting skills but a very distinct sense of style too.

Lola Glenn also deserve to win because she also has been nominated many times but hasn't won an Oscar yet. It's about time na rin siguro noh!

I also would like to see Michelle bring home the Oscar. I think she should've won for Brokeback Mountain because she did an exemplary performance in that film.

Meanwhile, I am so disappointed that my favourite and my early prediction to be a frontrunner in this race is not nominated.

Tilda Swinton in We Need To Talk About Kevin.

Tilda's been robbed!

Sana man lang she'll present an award so that we can still see her again wearing a wonderful Haider Ackerman ensemble.

At least kahit doon man lang, winner na for sure Si Manay Tilda!

In Vogue

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 11:21:00 +0000

This is the February 2012 US Vogue cover, featuring country darling Taylor Swift.

Compare the cover to the other February 2012 Vogue editions all over the world.

British Vogue

Vogue Italia

Nippon Vogue

Vogue Australia

Vogue China

Russian Vogue

Vogue Espana

Vogue Portugal

Korean Vogue

and Vogue Paris

The American edition has always been too commercial compared to its other counterparts. Always an actor or a singer, never a working model on the cover.

Indeed Kate Moss appeared on the cover last year but the main reason was because she got married.

When will we ever see a real working model on the cover of American Vogue?

'Pag wala na siguro si Lola Anna.

Project 1

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:42:00 +0000

Project Runway All-Stars has finally aired.

It was scheduled to air last November but due to conflicting scheduling, it was postponed.

Host Angela Lindvall is promising while judges Georgina Chapman and Isaac Mizrahi is not as nasty and critical like Heidi, Nina or Michael Kors but I like them all.

Marie Claire editor-in-chief Joanna Coles lack Tim Gunn’s charisma. Her critique leans more on how editorial can the finished garment will look like compared to Tim’s focus on the design and execution of the look.

So far, two episodes has aired and two designers are already gone. Elisa from Season 4 was the first to say goodbye, while Sweet-P, also from Season 4 was eliminated in episode 2.

Challenge 1 winner was Rami. His plaid look made of materials found in a $.99 store inspired by one of his creations.

Challenge 2 winner was Austin. A red carpet look for the opera.

Based on the performances of the designers during the two challenges, I can see that this is going to be a tough competition.

My prediction for the designers that will make it to fashion week are:

Rami, Mondo, Jerell, Mila and Austin.

But you'll never know, because it's too early to tell.

Who's your bet?

Impeach Men

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:36:00 +0000

The impeachment case against Chief Justice Renato Corona has started last Monday.

So far, it’s still a boring hearing since the prosecution and the defense has yet to battle. Day 1 was for the prosecution panel while Day 2 was just disappointing. Going to the impeachment court and saying you are not ready to present the evidences and witnesses is similar going to war without proper ammunitions.

Nakakaloka and nakakahiya ang prosecution panel. Day 2 goes to the defense team.

Meanwhile, enough of the politics.

I am only watching this impeachment hearing because it’s relevant and we should know what the hell is going on in this country. The justice system is so screwed because court employees are defending a leader that is so corrupt. No wonder walang pagbabago ang sistema ng hustisya sa ating bansa.

Anyway, on to the most important part of this impeachment hearing.

Men.

This is probably the last place where we can find good looking men but surprisingly, may mga gwapo din naman palang pulitiko and abugado involved in the impeachment hearing.

As of Day 2, I have spotted three good looking men. One is a lawyer from the defense panel, while two are congress representatives representing the prosecution team.

They are:

Atty. Tranquil Gervacio S. Salvador III

Defense panel lawyer, Dean of the Law School of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay (PLP)

Oh 'di ba, parang hearthrob lang kung mag-pose si Attorney!

Atty. Juan Edgardo M. Angara

Lawyer and Congress representative from the lone district of Aurora

This picture doesn't give him justice. Mas babyface siya sa TV.

and

Atty. Romero Federico Saenz Quimbo

Lawyer and Congress representative from the 2nd district of Marikina

You should hear him speak. Solid at may authority. He reminds me of Atty. Adel Tamano.

Of the three, I find Rep. Quimbo the most handsome and sexiest.

Agree?

Sana araw-araw may airtime sila palagi.

In this ugly proceedings against the highest official of the Supreme Court, a few doses of eye candy wouldn't hurt.

The Globes 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:37:00 +0000

George Clooney winning Best Actor-Drama is not surprising.

Meryl Streep winning Best Actress-Drama is a little bit surprising considering the other nominees for the said category but she definitely deserved the award. Anyone of them winning the award is fine with me.

Anyway, the REAL winners for the Golden Globes 2012 are these 10 women.

10. Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang

9. Emma Stone in Lanvin

8. Salma Hayek in Gucci

7. Michelle Williams in Jason Wu

6. Kate Beckinsale in Roberto Cavalli

5. Lea Michele in Marchesa

4. Charlize Theron in Dior

3. Paula Patton in Monique Lhuillier

2. Elle Macpherson in Zac Posen

And the best dressed of the 2012 Golden Globes is.....

1. Tilda Swinton in Haider Ackermann

Go Tilda! Hindi ka man nanalo ngayon, winner ka pa rin sa style department.

Don't worry, there's still the Oscars.

Birds

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:36:00 +0000

Birds of the same feather, flock together.

Birds of the same feather, makes a good feather duster.

Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are.

These are my friends.....

.....and no matter what people say about us,

I don't care.

Because we're the happiest bunch of all.

I love them forever.

Where Children Sleep

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:21:00 +0000

Jamie is nine years old. He lives in a top-floor apartment on Fifth Avenue in New York.

His parents also own luxury homes in Spain and in the Hamptons on Long Island. He has a younger brother and sister who are twins. In his spare time, apart from playing the cello and kickball, Jamie likes to study his finances on the Citibank website. He would like to be a lawyer like his father.

Home for this four-year old boy and his family is a mattress in a field on the outskirts of Rome, Italy.

The family came from Romania by bus, after begging on the streets for money to pay for their tickets. When they first arrived in Rome, they camped in a tent, but the police threw them off the site because they were trespassing and did not have the correct documents.

Kaya is four years old. She lives with her parents in a small apartment in Tokyo, Japan.

Kaya's bedroom is every little girl's dream. It is lined from floor to ceiling with clothes and dolls. Kaya's mother makes all of Kaya's dresses. Her friends love to come around to try on her clothes. When she goes to school, however, she has to wear a school uniform.

Indira lives with her parents, brother and sister near Kathmandu, Nepal.

Her house has only one room, with one bed and one mattress. At bedtime, the children share the mattress on the floor. Indira is seven and has worked at the local granite quarry since she was three. The family is very poor so everyone has to work. She also attends school, which is a 30-minute walk away.

Those are just four stories in this book.

Where Children Sleep by James Mollison are stories of diverse children around the world, told through portraits and pictures of their bedrooms.

The book is written and presented for an audience of 9-13 year olds intended to interest and engage children in the details of the lives of other children around the world, and the social issues affecting them, while also being a serious photographic essay for an adult audience.

Words and photos by James Mollison

I want this book.

Threat

noreply@blogger.com (Mel Beckham) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:55:00 +0000

I am a Roman Catholic since birth.

Everything I do is based on this Christian faith.

When the Pope said in a statement yesterday that gay marriage is a threat to humanity, I was deeply hurt and disappointed.

Ganun na ba ka-sama ang tingin ng Catholic faith sa atin to the extent of calling the union of two people in love as a threat to humanity?

To think that I pray for the Pope every day, ito pala ang tingin niya sa gay people.

I am not questioning my faith in God but honestly, I am questioning the people who is in-charge of this religion.

Just last Christmas, my father and I had a talk about my grandparents (his parents) who I thought belong to the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Turns out, only my grandmother is SDA while lolo is actually an atheist. Daddy said lolo used to be a Catholic when he was younger but turned his back against Catholicism after the death of my great grandmother who was refused blessing by the local church for reasons I will not divulge.

Anyway, I think the Pope is just unfair.

Gays are nothing extraordinary. The only difference is the love shared by two people of same gender. What’s wrong with that? How was he able to conclude that two people of same gender and in love, leads to the doom of humanity.

Perhaps the Pope should consider cleaning his own backyard first before minding the lives of people who wants nothing in this world but acceptance and understanding.

Whatever happened to the priests who are pedophiles.

Priests who are rapists.

Priests who are married and has children.

Priests who are unmarried and has children.

Priests who have sex regularly. And sometimes pay for it.

Corrupt priests.

The Vatican might want to address those things and make a statement because those are real threats to the Catholic faith.

Talk about hypocrisy.