GRAMMY AWARDS 2022: ABBA Doesn't Need a Grammy to Cement their Legendary Status But They are my Pick for ROTY

 

ABBA does not need a Grammy to cement their legendary status, but since the Academy included them in the nominees for Record of the Year - my vote goes to them, as a reward for ALL ALL ALL the beautiful records they have given to humankind and ALL ALL ALL the joy those songs have brought to the lives of multiple generations already.

Actually, it's a toss up between their record and the record of this year's most nominated artist, newcomer Jon Batiste, whose Freedom has such a positive vibe and is so distinctive, that it deserves this award.

Although many of this year's nominees are big hits in America, they are not big hits in my personal countdown - just showing the IMMENSE age gap already showing between what the kids now listen to - and what the OLDER generation is listening to - when it comes to new music.  More on that in another article.

For now, let us join in the excitement of the Grammys 2022 and find out who the Academy votes for for ROTY.

David Archuleta Tops my FABE International Top 10 Countdown for the Third Time This Year

 

David Archuleta tops my FABE International Top 10 countdown this week for the third time this year -

#1 What a Wonderful Way to End a Crazy Year (#2)

       David Archuleta

#2 Shot in the  Dark (#3)

       John Mayer

#3 All I Want (#8)

    Olivia Rodrigo

#4 Anywhere Away From Here  (#4)

     Rag 'n Bone Man / P!nk

#5 One of Dem Nights (#8)

     Moneybagg Yo / Jhene Aiko

#6 Blue & Grey (#9)

      BTS

#7 Money (#10)

       Michael Kiwanuka / Tom Misch       

 #8 Oxytocin (NEW)

      Billie Eilish

#9 Breathe Deeper (NEW)

     Tame Impala

#10 When It's This Good (NEW)

       Mykal Kilgore

Wilbert Ross Gets Her Very First #1 Song in my FABE OPM Top 10 Countdown

Wilbert Ross gets his very first number one song in my FABE OPM Top 10 countdown.

Here are my ten favorite OPM songs for the week ending November 26, 2021 -

#1 Di Ko Alam (#2)

     Wilbert Ross

#2 Di Kawalan (#3)

     Maymay Entrata    

#3 Palayo (#4)

     Felip

#4 Crazy (#7)

     James Reid / CARELESS

#5 Teknik (#5)

     Shanti Dope / DJ Buddah

#6 Di Ko Man  (#8)

     Ferdinand Aragon

#7 Dungaw (#10)

     Adie

#8 Baliw  (NEW)

     SUD

#9  Born to Win (NEW)

      BINI

#10 Labis-labis  (NEW)

       Sponge Cola 

Justin Bieber For the 2022 Grammy's Album of the Year

 The only two albums I haven't listened to in this year's nominees for Grammy Album of the Year are Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga's 'Love for Sale' and Jon Batiste's 'We Are'.

It could still change my pick eventually after I listen to both of them, but I am quite satisfied with the nominees the members have chosen this year.  

The members have actually chosen some of the most successful albums of 2021.

I would not be surprised if the members chose H.E.R.'s Back of my Mind as the winner.  It took me sometime to warm up to her music but she does grow on you.  In fact, she just had her first number one song in my personal countdown list (she was just a guest of Jhene Aiko) and she may soon get another #1, this time, collaborating with Moneybagg Yo.

My sentimental favorite is Justin Bieber's Justice because it's the first album this year which I truly loved and I love more than 90% of the album.  The only thing I hate there is that gospel song.  Pop celebrities singing about Jesus Christ? Please.......

A close second is Olivia Rodrigo's 'Sour'. I love confessional albums and so does the Grammy's.  There is a long list of winners and nominees where the album mirrored the singer's personal life.  I just don't know if the membership would choose another Taylor Swift clone.

For fun, I would choose Lil Nas X's 'Montero'.  I am gay so  I should vote for a gay man's album.  Unfortunately, I am the Queen Elizabeth gay - boring, unexciting, does not push boundaries.  And I do not see myself kissing and cavorting with the devil.  However, it is a very exciting album to listen to, and should court love from some voters.

Billie Eilish's 'Happier Than Ever' is quite uneven and while it does have some high moments for me like Oxytocin, it is quite easy to doze off while listening to the album.

Doja Cat's 'Her Planet' is a fun listen but not exactly groundbreaking.

Just wait for my thoughts on Jon Batiste and Bennett and Gaga.  They might still change my mind.

TV SERIES REVIEW: What I Like about the TV series 'Van Helsing'

 I just finished watching all the seasons of the Canadian horror TV series Van Helsing - and I am sad.  I enjoyed every single episode of the series 

Book Review: Anne Tyler's 'The Amateur Marriage' A Close-up Examination of a 'Perfect' Couple

How often do we look at other couples and conclude that they are 'perfect' for each other - maybe because of how 'compatible' they look, or how their looks complement each other.

On the outside, Pauline and Michael look like the 'perfect' couple - both goodlooking and in the onset - looking so in love with each other.

However, Anne Tyler shows that which is often true in many marriages - that these outward signs are just mirages - and that the truth is - as the statistics are wont to show - half of these 'perfect' couples are heading to splitsville - and often end up with each spouse - wondering what made them fall in love with the other - in the first place.

I have always loved how Tyler shows these intimate portraits of imperfect families - of people wrapped up in themselves - they fail to see what the other members of their family really needs from them.

There is a major event that happens in the middle of the novel which really tests Michael and Pauline's marriage and for sometime they cope - but they soon realize that living with each other is hopeless.

The novel focuses mostly on the couple but it is interesting how their children and their grandchildren also come into play and influence the story.

I really enjoyed reading this as I love intimate novels of couples and imperfect families.  I admire how Anne Tyler keeps making it fresh novel after novel.

 

Bringing More Development to Oroquieta and Ozamiz

I had a fun short vacation in Misamis Occidental - in the cities of Ozamiz and Oroquieta.  It was more like a business trip really and in that short time, I was able to come up with some suggestions on how development can quickly come to these second and third tier cities and make them really competitive against other more developed neighboring cities like Cagayan de Oro.

Since my businesses are mainly online, the Internet speed of the province still has to be improved immensely.  I had difficulty doing my downloading and putting ads since the process kept fluctuating and it took ages to post something.  Also, as the night deepened, it was almost impossible to do any work online.  If the Internet companies there can only make it faster, like Metro Manila fast - the province can invite more businesses which have online presence.  

I was even mulling on putting a satellite office there, since rent and wages are very reasonable, but the Internet speed is just too slow to do any work.  I hope that can be fixed immediately.

Another problem area is the electricity which keeps fluctuating.  Brownouts happen sporadically so many establishments had generators.  That would be extra gastos for businessmen like me who do not need that extra expense.  One had to stay in a hotel with a generator, otherwise, one had to sleep in darkness or not get any work done - which can piss off any businessman.

Infrastructure is ok and it was quick to travel to and fro both cities.  There is a daily flight to Manila and there are buses north and south of the cities.  The roads are also well-maintained so if logistics is your business, it would be no problem.

As for the people, I think one can find capable people there who can do 'mind work' like writing and content writing.  As long as they are trainable, there would be no problem.

Anyhow, these are just some of my suggestions on how development can push the province and its cities to get more businesses to put up shop there.

 

BOOK REVIEW: Red, White, and Royal Blue is a Fluffy Royal Romp of Two Princes

I am currently watching the Netflix series The Crown and I am captivated by the lives of the royals of the House of Windsor and all the complications they have had to deal with due to the rigid rules of the court.

This book, will most likely be talking about one of the Windsors as well, since one of the main characters is a British royal.  It presents an interesting proposition where the prince of the royal family falls in love with the first son of the American president.

Talk about the complications of a transatlantic love affair.

I guess that is the reason why my niece, Laura, asked me to buy the book which I read later on.  I was intrigued by that proposition.  

In the beginning, it did appear to be interesting, with all the complications both houses have had to deal with. I did have difficulty reading it because I am still adjusting to how young people talk nowadays, which is not in complete sentences, but in gadget speak, with iterations and abbreviations and texts full of what is supposed to be screen images of their 'dialogues'.

It may be fun for young people but it can be the Egyptian hieroglyphs for anyone 40 years old and above, reading the book.

But I plodded on and got some enjoyment from it.  However, this is a book for juveniles, so everything just remains light and fluffy and no major transatlantic blunder happens that could appear to be gripping.

As my niece says, the last 50 pages are a bit of a downer because the climax is as to be expected which takes away the fun of earlier higher expectations.

However, twists to this scenario can still be added and it would be interesting to find out how a more 'sick' writer can make the love affair of the two princes be more interesting, be more challenging, be more bloody even, LOL.

Juveniles with open minds should read this.  Adults over 40, hmmmm, read at your own risk. 

 

TONY'S MOVIE REVIEW: A Quiet Place 2 Loses A Bit of Its Bite

 

Just like Don't Breathe and its sequel, Don't Breathe 2 - A Quiet Place 2 loses a bit of its bite as the novelty of the original movie is now more clear to us and as viewers, we have learned how the protagonists can successfully deal with the monsters in the film.

However, this does not say that the director John Krasinski and his wife Emily Blunt do not deliver the goods.  The movie is as edgy and riveting as the original, it's just that, as the audience, we are already familiar with the workings of the monsters that our hearts don't go on overdrive like that great birth scene of the original movie.

Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the film, especially the last 30 minutes when Krasinski again utilizes the juxtaposition of the scenes of the different major characters - creating those knots in our stomachs as we watch each character find ways to save themselves from death.

There are new twists in the movie as Krasinski adds novel obstacles in the way adding more suspense and the great editing adds to the sense of urgency or dread, as the case may be.         

This movie was rereleased when the theaters here in Manila reopened and it should be seen in a big screen as opposed to a gadget.  It's a jolt and scare movie that is perfect for a huge canvas so go and see it in the theater, if you can.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Saweetie and Jhene Aiko Top my FABE International Top 10 Countdown

Saweetie and Jhene Aiko both get their very first number 1 song in my FABE International Top 10 countdown this week, as Back to the Streets, move up to the top spot.

Here are my ten favorite songs by international artists for the week ending November 19, 2021 -

#1 Back to the Streets (#2)

       Jhene Aiko / Saweetie

#2 What a Wonderful Way to End a Crazy Year (#3)

       David Archuleta

#3 Shot in the  Dark (#4)

       John Mayer

#4 Anywhere Away From Here  (#5)

     Rag 'n Bone Man / P!nk

#5 To the Bone (#6)

     Pamungkas

#6 Lo Inverti (#7)

     Myke Towers / Milky Woods

#7 One of Dem Nights (#9)

     Moneybagg Yo / Jhene Aiko

#8 All I Want (#10)

       Olivia Rodrigo

#9 Blue & Grey (NEW)

      BTS

#10 Money (NEW)

       Michael Kiwanuka / Tom Misch       

 

DENY Gets Her Very First #1 Song in my FABE OPM Top 10 countdown

 

DENY gets her very first number one song in my FABE OPM Top 10 countdown this week, as Gusto With Ya moves to the top spot.

Here are my ten favorite OPM songs for the week ending November 19, 2021 -

#1 Gusto With Ya (#2)

      DENY

#2 Di Ko Alam (#3)

       Wilbert Ross

#3 Di Kawalan (#4)

       Maymay Entrata    

#4 Crazy (#5)

       James Reid / CARELESS

#5 Palayo (#6)

       Felip

#6 Di Ko Man  (#9)

       Ferdinand Aragon

#7 Teknik (#7)

     Shanti Dope / DJ Buddah

#8 Sigurado  (#8)

     Zack Tabudlo

#9 Pasalubong (#10)

       Ben&Ben / Moira dela Torre

#10 Dungaw (NEW)

       Adie

Trisha Denise Gets Her Very First Number Song in my FABE OPM Top 10 Countdown

 

Singer-songwriter Trisha Denise gets her very first number song in my FABE OPM Top 10 Countdown, as 'Mahalin' moves to the top spot.  This is also her very first top 10 song.

Here are my ten favorite songs by Pinoy artists for the week ending November 12, 2021 -

#1 Mahalin (#2)

       Trisha Denise

#2 Gusto With Ya (#3)

      DENY

#3 Di Ko Alam (#4)

       Wilbert Ross

#4 Di Kawalan (#5)

       Maymay Entrata    

#5 Crazy (#6)

       James Reid / CARELESS

#6 Palayo (#7)

       Felip

#7 Teknik (#8)

     Shanti Dope / DJ Buddah

#8 Sigurado  (#9)

     Zack Tabudlo

#9 Di Ko Man  (#10)

       Ferdinand Aragon

#10 Pasalubong (NEW)

       Ben&Ben / Moira dela Torre

The Communards Get Their Third #1 Hit in My FABE International Top 10 Countdown

 

The Communards spring a surprise number #1 in my FABE International Top 10 countdown with a 36-year old song.

The poignant 'For A Friend' zooms to the top, making it their third #1 song.

Here are my ten favorite songs by international artists for the week ending November 12, 2021 -

#1 For a Friend (#6)

    The Communards

#2 Back to the Streets (#2)

       Jhene Aiko / Saweetie

#3 What a Wonderful Way to End a Crazy Year (#3)

       David Archuleta

#4 Shot in the  Dark (#4)

       John Mayer

#5 Anywhere Away From Here  (#5)

     Rag 'n Bone Man / P!nk

#6 To the Bone (#9)

     Pamungkas

#7 Lo Inverti (#10)

        Myke Towers / Milky Woods

#8 Champagne Night (NEW)

      Lady A

#9 One of Dem Nights (NEW)

     Moneybagg Yo / Jhene Aiko

#10 All I Want (NEW)

       Olivia Rodrigo       

How a Monster of a Character Became an Unexpected Hero For Me

 In the past decade, I was just cruising through my life, enjoying the fruits of my labor and basically just having the best time of my life. 

Then fate started throwing some curve balls which I just lamely hit back but had catastrophic consequences in my life which is slowly unfolding as I am writing this.

I thought people were basically decent, but I realized now that there are evil people out there, out to get you, hating you, just because - and they can destroy your life, something which I did not watch out for.

So anyhow, when all these shit hit the fan and started wrecking my life slowly, I was in desperate need of a 'hero', a template whom I could pattern my actions after - to fight back against all these bad shit being thrown at me.

Interestingly, it was an anti-hero from a TV show called Breaking Bad, named Walter White that kinda made me see the world in a different light.  I am Walter White in some ways but I have built some strong foundations on values and ethics that have stopped me from going WW all the way.

However, there are parts of WW that I want to emulate since I think that is where I am weak at.  First of it is his unwillingness to back down from a fight.  I have never been confrontational, and I have always sought the first peaceful resolution of any problem I am faced with.  I wish I had the gumption to fight if I need to.

Second, I learned that it is not always good to be the nice guy always, especially when you deal with evil people.  I haven't taken matters in my own hands but I have decided to just give it all back to God, through divine justice, which I think is a more satisfying way of getting back at bad people.  I have observed how karmic forces have brought down other people and my belief on it extends to how I would have wanted to deal with people who have given me sorrow - and with no way for me to fight back.

Third, I admire Walter White for always standing his ground and never giving up on solving a problem - thinking out of the box always - and coming out with a solution, and very creative ones at that.  I like that truck with a magnet, or the meticulous ways that he did to get rid of Fring.  I do not like the parts though where he had to kill people or poison children - that is the Heisenberg in him that had to do that.

I don't think I have his huge ego and I wouldn't say no to people offering me money for my medical expenses. I believe that we should not turn down generosity.

But for all his flaws and the gradual descent of his character to evilness, one thing I have learned is to always use your talent to benefit others.  W.W.'s character is really brilliant but by deciding to use it in an illegal and harmful trade - he may never get legit respect from ordinary people.

In a way, I am learning from his mistakes and his flaws, but I will always go for his never-back-down attitude - and I love that monologue where he emphasized that it is all about him lol.  Sometimes I have to protect me from people who enjoy my downfall.

Allmo$t Score Their Second Number 1 Song in my FABE OPM Top 10 Countdown

 

The Pinoy rap group Allmo$t get their second number 1 hit in my FABE OPM Top 10 countdown.

Here are my ten favorite songs by OPM acts for the week ending November 5, 2021 -

#1 Sasamahan Kita (#2)

       Jom / Crakky / ALLMO$T

#2 Mahalin (#3)

       Trisha Denise

#3 Gusto With Ya (#4)

      DENY

#4 Di Ko Alam (#5)

       Wilbert Ross

#5 Di Kawalan (#6)

       Maymay Entrata    

#6 Crazy (#10)

       James Reid / CARELESS

#7 Palayo (#7)

       Felip

#7 Teknik (#8)

     Shanti Dope / DJ Buddah

#9 Sigurado  (#9)

     Zack Tabudlo

#10 Di Ko Man  (NEW)

       Ferdinand Aragon

The Vamps Post Five Number 1 Songs in 2021 in my FABE International Top 10 Countdown

 

The British group, The Vamps, gets their fifth consecutive #1 song in my Fabe International Top 10 countdown this week with 'Nothing on You', making them the act with the most #1 songs in my countdown this year.

Here are my ten favorite songs by international acts for the week ending November 5, 2021 -

#1 Nothing But You (#2)

       The Vamps

#2 Back to the Streets (#3)

       Jhene Aiko / Saweetie

#3 What a Wonderful Way to End a Crazy Year (#4)

       David Archuleta

#4 Shot in the  Dark (#5)

       John Mayer

#5 Anywhere Away From Here  (#6)

     Rag 'n Bone Man / P!nk

#6 For a Friend (#8)

    The Communards

#7 New Angel (#9)

     Niall Horan

#8 ex I Never Had (#10)

       LANY

#9 To the Bone (NEW)

     Pamungkas

#10 Lo Inverti (NEW)

        Myke Towers / Milky Woods       

MOVIE REVIEW: The French Sensibilities of the Sex Scenes in 'A Girl + A Guy'

 

This movie has so many sex scenes and full frontals that it seems like the one who pitched this movie to Dondon Monteverde described it as "Scorpio Nights meets the Millennials".

If you're from my generation, I am sure you know how steamy the sex scenes in Scorpio Nights were - and how integral they were to the story.  It was an adultery story and those scenes just made adultery seem so tempting yet so forbidden.

Well, the Orestes Ojeda or Daniel Fernando, or Anna Marie Gutierrez in this movie have been transformed to today's 20++ generation characters in modern jobs with more money and bigger dreams than the security guard and housewife of that 80's classic Peque Gallaga movie.

That Erik Matti directed this shows how much influence Gallaga has had on him.  Finally, an adult-themed local movie that is not squeamish with sex scenes.  The French do it in all their movies so why can't we.

I guess I am mostly talking about the sex scenes in the movie because I admit I got lost in the dialogue and script as the movie is a bit long for me.  If the editor just got 30 minutes from it, maybe make it more compact, the impact of the movie would have been more visceral and searing.

And we wouldn't have waited so long for something we knew would already happen (eventually, after all the hullaballoo, the boy gets girl storyline).  Nothing wrong with it, yun lang, ang haba ng paghihintay, too many extra scenes LOL

Anyhow, I assure you there are a lot of babes in this movie and they do look hot and not retoke so they really look sexy.  As for the guys, I wrote about them in another article LOL - https://tonyfabelous.blogspot.com/2021/11/my-baes-for-2021.html

If I were you, just tune out the crying and wailing break up script of the actors and just zoom in the sex scenes.  At least somebody's going to get some tonight.

MY BAE'S FOR 2021

 

Like everyone else, 2021 has been a weird year in terms of watching new bae's come out of the woodwork.  With most of the local and foreign entertainment industry still battling the lockdowns during this pandemic, it has taken me almost the year-end to come up with the bae's that kinda made my loins aflutter for this year.

I just do this for fun so that I get to know, at least the names, of the guys that I encounter on film or TV that attracts my fancy.  This is also to confimr to myself that I am not dead yet down there. 

 I think it is very important that as we age, that we don't let our libidos age!  Otherwise, we would be no different from zombies - living dead baga!

Anyway, 2021 did start with a big bang for me as Keann Johnson appeared in 'The Boy Foretold by the Stars', a BL-themed movie that came out earlier this year.  I am actually surprised that Keann's star hasn't exploded yet considering how well he can act and his amazing screen presence.

With his clothes on, he already looks hot, just imagine the picture above!  Anyhow, I did meet him in SM and he was gracious enough to have a picture with him.  I even set an interview with him for my blog but the lockdown in March happened and ayun, di natuloy.  I still hope to talk to him soon, especially now that life is slowly returning to normal.

Yesterday, I saw the Erik Matti movie 'A Girl + A Guy' and one of the protagonists in the movie is Rob Gomez, who I later read, is a member of the extensive Estrada-Ejercito acting clan, with both his parents being actors.

His natural talent does show on screen as he looks effortless in all his scenes, whether they be raunchy sex scenes or dramatic moments.  Also, he is not drop dead gorgeous but he has that sex appeal which many cute actors do not have.  I think it is his puppy eyes that makes one 'fall' for him - or at least the characters in his movie.

He is definitely an actor to look forward to in 2022.

There is another actor in 'A Girl + A Guy' that caught my fancy.  His name is Rosh Barman and he plays a supporting role in the movie - although with that sex scene - it would be hard no to remember him LOL I do hope to see him in future films as there seems to be a lot of new guys coming up who can actually act.  

Well, there are only four guys in my list and I hope to come up with more.  Anyhow, there is only one foreigner on the list and I saw him in the movie 'Night Teeth'.  His name is Jorge Lendeborg Jr. and he's the reason why that movie, although a boring dud, was watchable.  I couldn't just get my eyes off Jorge.  Look at those eyes!!  I don't know why he still does not have that many roles in Hollywood and I don't know if Night Teeth will help him get more roles, but it would be great to see more of him in the future!

 

Getting Ready for the Biggest Battle of My Life

I am currently planning a trip to the home province of my parents, sincerely hoping that this trip would help solve a major thorn on my side, as I get ready to fight the biggest battle of my life.

No, I am not dying of any disease.  However, if this trip does not bear any immediate results or at least, show any positive developments, I will end up in jail between now and June next year - a fate I am looking forward with constant dread.

However, as I have been watching the TV shows Breaking Bad and Ozark lately, I have mustered enough gumption and confidence to face these 'impossible problems' that have been dropped on my lap with the same resolve as Walter White and Marty Byrde, the two main characters of those TV shows.                                                                                                                                        For some strange reason, every time the shit hits the fan and starts falling on me, my first reaction would be - "What would Walter White do?" or "What would Marty Byrde do?"  These characters have been able to solve every hair-brained problem and by using their clever nature, they found unusual solutions to deal with the 'problem'.

These TV characters are not exactly paragons of virtue, but what I can tell you (if you don't watch these TV shows) is that these guys NEVER GIVE UP.  And they never let people trample on them.  No problem is hard enough to faze them.

That is currently the attitude I have right now. I want this confidence and positivity to come out when I need them, as I talk to key people in the province.  I am putting all my trust in God.  I am willing to do the work, I hope I get to raise the money I need to finally settle this.

Wish me luck and I am writing this just to get this off my chest.  I have been receiving toxic news lately and I want to shake that loser attitude off.  I want to be battle ready.

To avoid jail, I have to raise a HUGE amount of money - which would have been easier if times were normal - but with the pandemic - it has been very difficult to raise the funds as many of the normal debtors aren't releasing any cash.

So I have to go to my Papa's province to sell off my inheritance, with the hopes that I do find a buyer or buyers and finally settle this problem.

I am just hoping there are still some people who are loaded enough to invest on land during this pandemic.  The mother of Laura's friend sold off her island for a good amount of moolah during the pandemic, so I am hoping, a similar type of buyer or investor will come out to help me offload five of these properties.

While my siblings will have a windfall, at least I will have my freedom.  That would at least load off a lot OFF my chest!

 

Movie Review: Nobody Sleeps in the Woods Tonight the Sequel and Its Philosophical Monster

 

The sequel of Nobody Sleeps in the Woods Tonight starts off like its predecessor - scary, violent, and with a monster tearing limbs off human beings - like for sport.  That's exactly what I expected and that is what I got!

I was wondering though when a 'twist' might happen, hoping that all that weird monster s**t will have something interesting to offer.  A movie viewer can only bear multiple human decapitations or body mutilations before it becomes trite and boring.

Interestingly, this movie just offers that 'twist' and it happens in the last 30 minutes.  This is the first time I've seen a horror movie where the monster waxes philosophical.  The monster is still there but it's like the thing is schizo - with a Dr. Jekyll - Mr. Hyde thing going on. 

Too bad the director or the writer did not explore that part more.  Or maybe, they are reserving it for Part 3!  

Genius!