I was lucky enough to see one of his concerts in New Jersey in 2006—right after he released the Future Sex Love Sounds album. I watched with my older sister, and we were screaming our lungs out the whole time. It was an awesome show! JT is really one of the best performers I’ve ever seen live. I love how you can see that he’s just having fun on stage.

Timbaland also came out during that concert—he and JT make a great duo! Here’s a video I took of a cool mix they did of “Promiscuous Girl” and “Sexy Back.” Please excuse my shaky hand and screaming. Hehe.

I can’t describe how excited I am to watch their concert here! How can you go wrong with all these amazing artists in 1 night?  My sisters and I bought tickets as soon as we found out about it. All 3 of us are ENORMOUS Justin fans and are praying that we get to meet him somehow. We’ve already been rehearsing our “what-if-I-get-to-meet-JT” lines. Hehe. I still can’t think of anything that sounds original though. Any suggestions?

Leave a comment if you’re a JT fan like me! Hope to see you at the concert on March 27! Wheeeeeeee!

Love,
Margaux

On March 11-12, 2010, athletes from all over the Philippines trooped to the Philsports Arena to participate in the National Athletics Games. But these are no ordinary athletes—they’re special!

Being “special” means having an intellectual disability, such as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism, and Down syndrome (DS). The Special Olympics is a worldwide organization with over three million registered athletes from 170 countries. Their mission is to show the world that intellectually disabled persons are not inferior—that they are indeed special individuals who deserve our love and acceptance.

I witnessed this for myself when I attended the Special Olympics National Games last week. The athletes were driven, focused, and best of all, they were just having fun (they had impromptu dance-offs in between games!). They had events like standing long jump, shot put, and running. Some of them could run even faster than me!

In the Philippines, they have about 10,500 members. In the 2007 Special Olympics World Games held in Shanghai, China, the Philippines sent 51 athletes and came home with 52 medals—nine of which were gold! National Program Director Alex Babst says, “In all these competitions, the Filipino intellectually challenged athlete has proven that he is not a failure. We’re really showcasing our athletes because we want to show our community that through sports they have the ability to succeed, to do their best, and to become winners.”

So what does it really mean to be special? I think it’s about being patient, accepting others for who they are, reaching out, giving your all (whether it’s in sports or any other passion you may have), and simply living in the moment.

To learn more, be a volunteer, or be an advocate for special kids, log on to www.sophilippines.org or contact Tan Doroin at 0917-8668616.
It’ll change your life in a positive way, I promise.

Feeling special,
Angel

A year later, I was dancing Nelly’s “Ride Wit’ Me” onstage, proud to call myself a member of the UP StreetDance Club. I have a lot of good memories with the org. I developed my marketing skills when I became part of the team tasked to look for sponsors for the concert. I upped my dancing—learned how to do basic breakdance (I can do a six-step, alba, and a double arm planche). I met friends who’ve remained dear to me until now.

So nine years after I joined The Club, I jumped at the chance to be part of the Alumni number. We only started learning the routine last January, but I’m super proud to say, we did a mighty good job:

I had a lot of fun and was thrilled that the Candy team was in the audience that night! They even made a sign for me. So sweet!

Do you love dancing? Check out the summer workshops at Groove Central. They have some of the best instructors you can ever learn from. Visit Groove Central on Facebook or Multiply to know more.

Just dance,
Macy

I’m super excited to hit the water this year. Haven’t been to the beach in ages! Can’t wait till I go in April. Want to see the beach towel I’ll be using?

I’m also thinking of using their new tote from their Garden Collection for my baon and water jug.

I’m kind of too old for it (okay a lot old), but I figure if it puts a smile on my face, why not use it, right? I’m also loving the wallet from their Stained Glass Collection (to go with my beach towel!) and their plush toy (flowered feet! kind of look like my dog’s paws) and diary (with a tiny lock! so cute) from the Garden Collection, but I have to draw the line somewhere. They’re enough to make me wish I were a kid again!

All Hello Kitty items are available at Gift Gate.

Five years ago, I first joined the Candy team! Check out this old photo of me with Parokya ni Edgar at the Candy Rap Awards in March 2005—just one week after I first started working. Back then, I was a bright, wide-eyed, straight-haired gal just a year out of college and learning as much as I could on my first job. Today, I’m no longer straight-haired nor fresh out of college, but I can say that I am still enjoying myself and learning every day!

Four years ago, I became someone’s girlfriend. This was taken during our climb of Mt. Kinabalu, Malaysia in March 2006—about a week after Roland and I got together. I had liked some guys before him but either I was too terrified to take the plunge or things just didn’t work out. With Roland, things somehow fell into place. Some people say that being committed to someone limits who you are and what you can do, but that’s not always the case. I think being in a good relationship will allow you to grow, flourish, and be the best version of yourself.

When I look back on the past five years with Candy and the past four years with Roland, I feel so blessed for having been in two long-term relationships that have brought me so many exciting adventures, challenges that helped me to grow, love, laughter, and lifelong friendships.

So what anniversaries are you looking forward to celebrating this year? Let’s drink to that!

Cheers,
Angel

Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland (1972)

The feel of the film is such a classic. I like the scene when she was falling from the rabbit hole. Different from all other versions, she was falling like she was just floating. She was even talking! It just feels a little weird that Alice looks older than she should be.

Alice in Wonderland (1985)

This is my favorite! This version has 2 parts and was actually shown on TV. Did you see the Jabberwocky? Funny that it scares me like hell when I was a kid knowing it’s only a mascot. It’s a little “trippy” but really cute.

Hallmark’s Alice in Wonderland (1999)

This gave a modern approach to the story but didn’t lose the essential details of the original version. I love the colors they used in the film and the quirkiness of the characters.

Tim Burton’s version was ok and the characters (especially The Queen) were really entertaining but his approach focused more on the Jabberwocky. It would’ve been better if they gave importance to the journey to Wonderland rather than fighting with the dragon.

What do you guys think? Share your thoughts!

<3,
Roch

Which would be a real disaster since I have been thinking of food and not much else this whole day. Well, okay, I was also looking forward to Web Editor Macy’s dance concert on Friday, but I was also wondering where my guy and I would have our yummy dinner date afterwards. Yup, food on the brain.

Which is why I am actually torturing myself by posting these photos here and now. Meet the meat that’s been on my mind all day on this hungry, hardworking Tuesday. If you ever feel the urge to feed the hungry, send me a couple of these Greenwich babies pronto. Let it be your good deed for the day. Please address to Mia Custodio, Candy Magazine, 6th Floor, Cybergate Tower 3, Pioneer Avenue, Mandaluyong. Grazie!

P.S. If you have money for only one, let it be the lasagna. Please.

Greenwich’s Meatball Spaghetti

Greenwich’s New Lasagna

Greenwich’s Three-Cheese and Sausage Macaroni

Fast forward to several years later, and the EDSA revolution is a distant memory, Bettina is a nurse, Lucas is struggling with a job he hates and the burden of dreams left unfulfilled, and Lucas’s mother is spending what little money she has to communicate with her husband through a bogus spirit questor.

The Red Shoes, a movie under Unitel Productions, promises to change the way you see the Philippine film industry. And with its unconventional, original story, amazing cinematography, and world-class acting, it definitely lives up to this promise. Starring Marvin Agustin, Nikki Gil, Tessie Tomas, and Tirso Cruz III, this movie will make you laugh and cry, like most local romance-dramas you’ve seen. But perhaps more importantly, it will make you listen, and think, and understand. It will make you want to discuss the various themes and metaphors with your friends. It will make you want to look up the history of People Power, and travel the Philippines to further appreciate its beauty—a beauty this film captures perfectly and poetically. It will make you fall in love, not just with that special boy or girl, but with your family, your community, and your country. This movie will make you proud to be Filipino, not just because it was conceptualized and produced here, but because it shows how much love and generosity and forgiveness we, as a nation, are truly capable of.

During the presscon, Nikki Gil invited everyone to see the film, then “write about it, blog about it, talk about it, tweet about it.” And I couldn’t agree more. This is the kind of movie you’d want to see more than once—the kind of movie you’d want to tell your friends, family, and even total strangers about.

Some of you might say, all this hype for a local movie about a pair of shoes? I suggest you watch it when it hits cinemas on Wednesday, March 10. And then you can let me know what you think.

Big hugs,
Marla

1. The Colorful Characters. In this movie, you’ll once again meet the motley of unique and interesting characters you loved in the original book. Aside from Alice (played by Mia Wasikowska), there’s the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Cheshire Cat, the White Rabbit, and more.

2. The Battle of Good versus Evil. Who doesn’t love a good action flick? In the movie, the mean, big-headed Red Queen (played to a creepy tee by Helena Bonham Carter) challenges the kind, gentle White Queen (Anne Hathaway) for the Wonderland crown. See how Alice plays her part in this battle!

3. It’s all about girl power. Aside from the fact that there are two queens (and no kings) in Wonderland, I found it really cool how Alice refused to let others dictate what she should do and believe in. Instead of following social conventions, she forged her own path and lived her life the way she thought was best for her.

4. Achieving the impossible. I loved how Alice “believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” From growing taller by eating a piece of cake to slaying evil creatures, Alice proves that you can do anything you set your mind to!

5. It’s in 3D! The movie watching experience just hasn’t been the same since the invention of 3D technology. Try watching it in the new Shang Digital Cinema—the first in the country to make use of XpanD active 3D glasses, to enhance your cinematic pleasure.

So what are you waiting for? Go watch Alice in Wonderland and let me know what you think!

Mad as the Mad Hatter,
Angel

You can own this limited edition Asus Eee PC 1008P for only P25,900. Visit Octagon Megamall, Complink SM MoA, Villman North EDSA, and Accent Micro Park Square Makati to see it in the flesh. It also comes in coffee brown (for the boys).

What gadgets are you salivating over these days?
Mimi