CandyMag.Com

My little nephew and I bond by singing along to Disney songs (he pretends he’s Troy while I play the part of Gabriella or Chad), watching their hit movies (I’ve seen Cars a million times), and catching their funny shows on TV. Speaking of TV, I’m actually excited for December to come around because the Disney Channel has so many surprises in store for kids and kids at heart!

Beginning December 15 (Monday) at 5:30 pm, join mischievous twins Zack and Cody Sprouse in their brand-new show, The Suite Life on Deck. This time around, they board a luxury passenger cruise liner owned by London Tipton’s (Brenda Song) dad. London is actually one of my favorite characters because she reminds me so much of Paris Hilton, the real-life personality she was supposedly patterned after.

As a special treat, December 25 will be packed with Christmas-themed episodes of awesome shows such as Kim Possible, Phineaes and Ferb, and Lilo & Stich! You can even watch High School Musical 2: Around the World featuring behind-the-scenes interviews and music videos performed by internationally-known artists.

Then, join the party on New Year’s Eve as the cast of Camp Rock shows you their hip-hop dance moves with the channel premiere of Camp Rock Freestyle Jam (I think Alyson Stoner is a wicked dancer!) at 7:30 pm. Then the party continues at 9:30 pm with the Jonas Brothers’ live concert in London. Squeal!

The Disney Channel just keeps on giving, don’t you think?

Advance Merry Christmas!
Mimi

Confession: I tried smoking for the first time when I was in second year high school. I was on a night out with my cousins and they dared me to try it. Since they were older than me (they were in 4th year at the time) and I didn’t want to seem like a baby, I tried it. Though I felt pressured, I have to admit a small part of me was also curious. What would it taste like? Would I cough and choke? Or would I look cool and sophisticated like those glamorous women in the movies?

My cousins made me try a few varieties. I hated the taste. It was like having ash in my mouth! I brushed my teeth several times when I got home, but when I woke up the next morning, the taste was still there!

I didn’t smoke another cigarette after that… until I got to college and peer pressure got the best of me again. Almost everyone at college parties was smoking, so when somebody offered me a stick, I didn’t refuse. Luckily, I never picked up the habit. It was all for show.

Last weekend, I flew to Boracay to attend “Glamour, Smoke and Mirrors: A Seminar on Women, Media and Tobacco.” I met an amazing bunch of passionate, inspiring women who are committed to the campaign against smoking. I learned a lot of things about smoking that shocked me. I always knew it was dangerous to our health, but I had no idea just how dangerous. For instance, did you know that tobacco has more than 4,000 toxic chemical compounds (read: ammonia, ascetic acid, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and more) and more than 40 cancer-causing agents? It affects your skin, your lungs, your heart, your teeth, your reproductive system, and basically your whole body! It’s a drug addiction. It may look cool while you’re young, but as you get older, the negative effects will slowly sink in.

Even if you don’t smoke, this issue affects you too—not only because second-hand smoke is 5 times more poisonous than mainstream smoke, but also because smoking can kill the people you love most. Veteran actress Boots Anson Roa shared about how devastated she was when her father and husband, who were heavy smokers, died from smoking-related diseases.

Now that I am older (and hopefully wiser), I no longer give in to peer pressure. My friends no longer sit beside me when they smoke because I can tell them now that I don’t like it. I will also be the first to give them a stern lecture against smoking—but only because I love them and don’t want anything bad to happen to them.

There is so much more to be said about this issue. Let’s talk about it! (I will write more about it in Candy mag too!) Do you smoke? Why or why not? Check out what other teens have said about smoking and speak your mind in TeenTalk!

Your anti-smoking Ate,
Angel

Giving in to my healthier-than-tobacco addiction—chocolate!

Enjoying a smoke-free morning by the beach and the poolside at Boracay Tropics Resort

Disclaimer: I have never read any of the books so I pretty much have no idea what Twilight is all about—except for the fact that a human and a vampire fall in love with each other.

With that said, I actually enjoyed the movie, which the Candy Girls and I watched last night. I’d bug Mim once in a while to ask, “Who’s that?” Hahaha, but overall, I think it’s a movie anyone would enjoy whether or not they’ve read the book. I, for one, am intrigued and just might pick up the book one of these days. After all, I have a bunch of fans to borrow books from (ahemMargauxahemStephieahemMelahemSabel).

Here's the whole gang decked out in black in front of the cast of Twilight. Well, a poster of them, anyway.

(more…)

photo courtesy of Sony BMG Music Entertainment

Muling tikman ang isang gabi ng kanilang harana at walang humpay na ligaya. Gusto mo bang sumama?, the teaser for the Eraserheads Reunion concert movie premiere said. I won’t claim to be a hardcore E-Heads fan who can sing along to all their songs and rattle off all their singles and albums (I was in grade school at the height of their fame, and was more interested in all-girl groups and pop boy bands with cute members—YIKES, I know), but I did grow up hearing them on the radio and listening to my guy buds raving about their latest hits during recess. Plus, with the drama during the aftermath of the concert, I was more than a little intrigued.

And so Mimi, Macy, Roch, and I headed to Megamall last night to catch the premiere of the Eraserheads Reunion Concert: The Movie, where a red carpet, an eager crowd, and an atmosphere buzzing with excitement welcomed us. Watching the movie—from the countdown on the big screen, to the opening strains of “Alapaap,” to the montage of photos of fans, friends, and music supporters, to the sound of the entire Fort Bonifacio Open Field singing along to “With A Smile,” to that final shot of Ely onstage after the last song, to the way they chose “Para Sa Masa” for the closing credits (almost everything about it, actually)—gave me goosebumps, and I can only imagine how it must have felt like for everyone who was actually there to witness music history that night in August.

So whether you’re a huge fan of the country’s biggest and most influential band ever, or simply someone who appreciates an awesome performance, be sure to catch this show when it hits your favorite theaters starting tomorrow, November 26. For Eraserheads live music downloads, text EHEADS to 3456 or visit wap.smart.com.ph/eheads live on your mobile phone, exclusively for Smart subscribers.

Wala bang part two?,
Marla

I read my November horoscope somewhere and it said this month I’d be having more gloomy days than usual. The funny thing is, it’s already the 24th of the month today, and I can honestly say my November wasn’t all gloom and doom. In fact, it wasn’t bad at all. Check out what had me smiling all month long:
1) Hanging with my nieces.
That’s Sophia on the left, who’s every bit the lady. That’s Anika on the right. She’s only 6 but she’s such a ham! Whenever she visits, it feels like a tornado has come and gone. Look at her solo pic—she’s one millimeter away from having a wardrobe malfunction!


2) Surprise gifts from co-workers.
Koko, who handles Summit’s tween titles like K-Zone and Total Girl, surprised me with a sheet of Stickeroni puppy stickers. The one on the side super looks like my dog when he was a baby! And then just today, I saw a box of super nice notecards on my desk—with my name on it! Turns out it was a gift from Lissa of Town and Country. All the cards had Shih Tzus on them!


3) New things.
I know it’s superficial to be into having new things all the time, and the happiness you get from them is short-lived. But that doesn’t mean standing tall in my new pumps, or packing my lunch in my new lunch bag won’t put a smile on my face!


4) Sharing sweets.
We had our cover shoot last week, and during a quick break, the Candy Eds and I trooped to a fancy deli and bought chocolate (of all things!). Mimi liked this Swiss Army bar I got. I love the packaging, and the fact that it says “survival portion” on the label! Haha! The other week, I also had fro-yo with my guy. I’m glad it’s finally catching on here in Manila. Often, I crave yogurt more than ice cream.


5) Driving around town with my pups.
It’s really the highlight of their day whenever they go on a car ride, and I’m more than happy to treat them to one. Here they are crowding in front of my phone cam, all big eyes and noses, and furry paws!