I didn't realize I have writer's block until I decided to write a few entries in my blog. Well, one of the ways I know of getting over said block is to keep writing, even if it doesn't make sense, although one can hope it does. I sure hope so. One of the things that keep popping up into mind, which reminds me to install a pop-up blocker up there, is the socio-economic status of most of my fellow Filipinos. Everything revolves around money, and I can't fault them for that simply because my world revolves around it too, though not as tight of a grip it has on others. The truth is, the Philippines is a poor country. Most of the people live in sub-humane conditions. More people are out begging in the streets if statistics are compared year-over-year. There are a number of possible causes as to why the country's condition continues to deteriorate. One of the ones I can think of is overpopulation. The city is bursting at the seams with too many people. But then again, you can't fault people for that. The Filipinos' favorite line quoted from scripture is "go forth and multiply." And with a predominantly Catholic country that encourages sex, well, you can't argue with that. The meaning of morality, however, is lost. The Church might be partially to blame for this as they keep a firm stand on contraception. And please, don't get me started with abortion. Also, people can't help it. We're humans. We will fuck. And fuck the consequences, it feels good. It's a fact, AND a truth. But the consequences are real, like unemployment, overcrowding, and poverty. The more people you have in one place, the more the place needs to scale to provide for those people. Also, the more people there is, the more garbage gets produced, the more plastic gets manufactured, disposed improperly, and impacts the fucking environment. So essentially, I'm not blaming people for fucking around with the devil-may-care attitude towards un/wanted pregnancies and STDs. Let their genitals fall off, see if I care. And people who want big families with no particular plan on how to raise them is, in Baddie's words, "just begging for some face-kicking." Yes, people are stupid. No exceptions. It's a fact, AND a truth. But some people are more stupid than others. Like those people who voted AND will be voting again for the same dickhole that had his hand caught in the cookie jar. I'm looking at you, Erap supporters. The solution I am proposing is for politicians to have a heart transplant. Get a new heart with responsibility, accountability, and transparency bundled in. I heard the price was half-off. It now only costs half a moral sense. Also, you get a free moral compass if you buy now. Promo ends just the moment before you realize you're going to die. Seriously, though, here's what I think would help, if not solve, the Philippines's problems with unemployment and poverty. (Fuck overcrowding. I like brushing up to greasy, sweaty, smelly men in public transportation.) And this would also help make the country a little bit greener in the end. Recycling Plant. Two words that might get some of the shit done on the epic to-do list for the country's improvement, and might be noticed by other countries and be used as a revenue-generating model for other developing countries. So how does this work? I'll tell you how. Fuck. I've been watching too much of Craig Ferguson lately that I'm starting to think like him. Bad or not, I don't mind. So it works like this. You get someone to fund the government... wait... I think it just failed there. Oh fuck it. Since this is my blog, entries can be fictional. So in my world, which has cheap gadgets and without a corrupt government official, other entities, sentient beings or otherwise, will provide funding to the government to build a big-ass recycling plant. This will provide jobs for the construction industry. And why stop at just one plant. When it picks up and is self-sustaining, construct more recycling plants as needed. By the country or by the world, it doesn't matter. People will still be consuming stuff, dumping stuff, etc. These stuff need recycling. To motivate people to segregate trash for recycling and proper disposal, every one who does just that gets thru the day without being kicked in the face. Good enough? No? Okay. Everyone who does this will get to kick those who didn't in the face. How's that for motivation? *wink* Of course, plants need workers. And no, robots shouldn't be employed to simplify the process. No offense to the future robot overlords, but this is self-preservation, nothing personal. Besides, people are becoming overweight anyway. Humans need the exercise. So employ as many hobos as needed, even the coffee machine guy. Salaries will be paid commensurate to the amount of work output. No executives here with bloated salaries and "special" bonuses. Fuck you and your status fuckin quo. For this to work, scientists will have to come up with a way on properly disposing both biodegradable and recyclable stuff. I heard plastics can be made into carpets. Whatever, just make something from crap. Investors should also foot the bill on this one. Now, why will investors put their money on something without getting guaranteed of a return on their investment? How about I put my foot up their ass? No? Too much extortion? Okay. Well, whatever is recycled should be sold to some other industry. This is where the marketing industry comes in. This should create a positive cash flow simply because the raw materials / recyclables costs next to nothing. Investment returns are assured. The question is how soon. Outside my world, if this plan ever came this far, there is no return of investment. Aren't you glad you're in my world? This plan addresses some of the employment deficit, hopes to alleviate poverty, and make the country a little cleaner, greener. This plan is not new, but in my world, it works. My world looks better than the real one. If only the government would start listening to its people instead of their own voice, things would be a lot different. Hey, Noynoy, Villar, and other presidentiables (except Erap)! Are you listening?!

Although there are websites that review movies, seldom have I found a website that reviews movie houses, especially in the Philippines. I've seen movies in different movie houses, some of which I often come back to because of the place, other times, of accessibility. There are many factors to consider in reviewing a movie house, or a cinema house, or a theater, or whatever politically correct name it should be referred to, but for all intents and purposes, I'm going to call it a cinema, since a theater is for plays, ballets, and operas, and a movie house may refer to the cinemas and the mall outside it, or simply a house made of movies. But call it with whatever floats your boat. Greenbelt 1 Cinemas, Makati City One of the oldest stomping grounds for kids in high school and college, this cinema has evolved in many ways, from a simple movie house, to one of a series of malls with specialty shops. First time I watched a movie here was when I was in high school, which was in the late 80s. They have remodeled the mall and cinemas since then. Now, there are better and nicer chairs that are very comfy, and the price is not too steep, an inexpensive way to escape reality. Leg room is ample enough for most tall people. Getting a ticket is easy but you have to take the escalator or stairs to go to the cinema itself as the ticket booth is at the ground floor whereas the cinema is at the second. I wouldn't mind making this my regular cinema to watch my highly-anticipated movies. The only downside is that there are only two cinemas inside this movie house. It kinda limits your options. Whatever movie you choose to watch, you'll be comfortable and won't regret paying the price of admission. Jologs encounter probability: 4 out of 10 Greenbelt 3 Cinemas, Makati City A somewhat better version of the Greenbelt 1 Cinemas, these cinemas are equipped with nicer chairs and can accomodate more people. Leg room is about the same. Digital sound has become a standard in cinemas, such as THX, SDDS, DTS, etc. Price is a bit higher, though, than Greenbelt 1 cinemas, but I fail to see the difference. I don't see why I should be paying more for a different ambiance when all I want to pay for is to be comfortable while watching a movie. In the dark. Where I won't be appreciating the ambiance, anyway. Jologs encounter probability: 3 out of 10 Glorietta 1 Cinemas, Makati City Formerly Quad cinemas, these cinemas are almost as old as Greenbelt 1's and has undergone the same evolution as Greenbelt 1. But it has a lower Jologs encounter probability rating because they moved to Glorietta 4. Jologs encounter probability: 3 out of 10 Glorietta 4 Cinemas, Makati City Chairs are comfortable, and much like the ones used in Greenbelt 3 cinemas. Again, digital surround sound is a standard. Jologs encounter probability: 4 out of 10 Robinsons Galleria Cinemas, Pasig City It's been quite a while since I last saw a movie at this mall, but I always enjoyed going there, and the seats are nice. When Glorietta and Greenbelt were refurbishing their cinemas with new chairs, Galleria already had them. That's all I can say about it. Jologs encounter probability: 4 out of 10 Robinsons Place Ermita Cinemas, Manila When this mall was new, the cinemas were great. However, they were neglected and were in disarray for a while. There was this weird smell you only...smell...with old cinemas. Good thing the Midtown wing was opened, which housed three more cinemas that are at par with the Makati cinemas. I'm hoping it stays that way. Jologs encounter probability: 6 out of 10 Gateway Cinemas 1 - 9, Cubao, Quezon City Nice chairs, good sound, and ample seating capacity, Gateway cinemas are much alike Glorietta 4 cinemas. Jologs encounter probability: 5 out of 10 Gateway Cinema 10, Cubao, Quezon City If you're the type of person who can't watch a movie without a comfortable chair, Gateway's Cinema 10 has you covered. Aside from a limited 40 person seating capacity, digital surround sound, and free and unlimited popcorn and soda, this cinema has La-Z-Boy chairs. And if you're not in the mood for popcorn and soda, they have a snack menu to choose from, for a fee. Only downside for this cinema is the price. But if it's exclusivity you want, this is the cinema for you. Jologs encounter probability: 1 out of 10 Waltermart Cinemas, Makati City A sleeper hit, if there ever was one for cinemas. Same price as the Greenbelt 1 cinemas, but better chairs with folding armrests. What's better is that it is closer to my place than the Greenbelt 1 cinemas. Only downside I can think of is that they open late, and only 4 or 5 screenings per movie. Jologs encounter probability: 4 out of 10 The Promenade Cinemas, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan I'm having mixed feelings with this cinema. It has high-backed reclining chairs with folding armrests, which is the same chair used in the United States cinemas I've been to, that I'm sure I also saw in other cinemas but forgot where it was, but not in the previously mentioned cinemas above. The price makes it even greater as it is also in the same ballpark as the Greenbelt 1 and Waltermart Cinemas. What prevented me from making this cinema my favorite is the fact that there were pieces of gum stuck underneath the folding armrests, which my shirt fell victim to. It reflects the people who watch movies there, and it casts a bad light on them. Jologs encounter probability: 5 out of 10 SM Mall of Asia Cinemas 1 - 6, Pasay City Let's see, leg room isn't ample enough that you bump your knees at the back of the chairs in front of you every time you slouch, comfort level is at an all-time low, chairs aren't really comfortable because of the lack of ample leg room, and the crowd you're with isn't really a crowd you'd want to associate yourself with outside the cinema. But, seating is always reserved. Obviously, this isn't my favorite place to see a movie, but I did see a number of movies simply because I had no choice, the commander-in-chief said so. Many a time have I shushed people for talking too loudly, with their cellphone or themselves, in this moviehouse. It would be a miracle if you don't hear a cellphone going off for a text message during a movie. Jologs encounter probability: 8 out of 10 Although I wanted to for a long time, I still haven't seen a movie in IMAX. And there are new cinemas at Cash & Carry that I would also like to try, although I think it wouldn't have any difference compared with Waltermart's or Greenbelt 1's. Location, however, will always be a factor when choosing where to watch a movie. And of course, the movie itself, if it is screening at your chosen moviehouse. On a post script note, the Jologs encounter probability is just a made up rating. The closer it is to 10, the more likely you'll be sitting beside someone talking loudly on their cellphone or amongst themselves, as if they were in their own living room, which means you would be pissed off watching the movie, missing out on the whole experience of the story because you were shushing left and right at the inconsiderate people around you. Those insolent pricks.