Cinemas Today: Four Reasons Why People Do not Go to Movies Anymore

“Movies are so rarely great art that if we cannot appreciate great trash, we have very little reason to be interested in them.” –Pauline Kael

The movie culture is dying.

While there are weekends and perhaps opening nights wherein we see long queues, it is ever so rarely and if they are there, it means a new blockbuster is showing in town. It is undeniable that streaming websites such as Netflix and Hulu contributed to the progressive decline in movie attendance. After all, why pay an exorbitant amount for a single movie when you only pay a meager sum to access a movie library with diverse titles? However, rising cinema tickets and streaming services are not the only two reasons why cinephiles turn away from the movie theater. Much like anything else, a multitude of factors have caused the further deterioration of movies and as a result, diminished the entire movie experience. Back in the day, Saturdays were made for children matinees, summers had several blockbusters and there was always a rainy day screenings. Unfortunately, the modern day movie-goer has perhaps become rather cynical in his or her selection of movies as all of these once-considered cinema staples are now obsolete. Instead, they have been replaced by blockbuster after blockbuster which in turn, would cause the Cineplex to play the same title for an opening weekend---and constrains people to relegate to home media for the lack of options. Do not get me wrong, blockbusters still feed the cinema business and keep it afloat. However, a series of blockbusters do not really give movie-goers a wide movie-selection for which they can refine their film preferences with. Indeed, movies have gone mainstream and resultantly stale insomuch that it affects those who consume them. In any case, if you have found yourself planning your next movie weekend and are currently scouring the Glorietta Cinema Schedule, here are a few of the interesting facts why not a lot of people might share your weekend plans:

Rising movie prices

Back in the day, an elementary student’s daily allowance would be enough to pay for one movie. Indeed, going to the cinemas was not so much of an expense back then with tickets costing us less than a hundred pesos. Theaters were lenient on what food you can bring as well even going as far to allowing patrons to bring their rice meals inside. However, those are all things in the past. A movie excursion nowadays, thanks to ballooning movie budgets and more expensive projection equipment, is significantly more expensive. Features like IMAX and 3D screenings would even set you back further and for posh screenings such as Director’s Theater and the like, you would be charged even more. In sum, this is to say that going to the movies is an exorbitant expense and if you made a habit out of it (together with your family nonetheless), it can already be considered a small luxury.

Inconsiderate movie goers

Everywhere we go, we encounter people with no regard for others and atrocious manners. However, there is no other place more saturated with rude and impolite people than the cinema. It seems like the skyrocketing movie ticket prices do nothing to deter this type of audience and it can really dampen your entire movie experience. Back in the day, movie screenings had a strict policy in admitting small children after a certain hour. Today, it seems like all that would bar children from attending movies is the MTRCB rating. Unfortunately, these little tots can be quite the nuisance in movie theaters—particularly if they get rather restless. They get impatient and as a result would scream, cry and just be an overall distraction from the film. The same can be said for adults who, at their age, should have known better. For this reason, an adult’s disregard for common courtesy would be even more aggravating than a child’s. They talk on their phones or incessantly keep it lit much to the distraction of others. People have grown so accustomed to seeing movies at home that they seem to have given up on all sense of good manners. In any case, it does nothing to elevate your movie experience which brings us to the point: Why spend a lot just to jostle with other movie patrons who have absolutely no regard for common decency?

Home media

With the rise of re-releases of popular movies, home media has become mainstream with more and more people opting to wait a bit rather than spend money and time to go to the theater. After all, it seems more economic to buy a movie release you can repeatedly watch rather than go to a one-time screening. However, even then, movie attendance was still at an all-time high. It was not until the advent of internet streaming services such as Netflix, Iflix, Hulu and the like that the cinema industry took a serious blow. That, in conjunction to the constant piracy of just-released films has caused movie ticket sales to plummet in some areas. After all, with the rising movie prices coupled with rude movie patrons, it would make so much more sense for your pockets to just simply pay an annual fee than pay for a one-time screening.

The internet

No doubt, the internet has contributed to the steady decline of movie ticket sales. Much as television once eroded the standard movie-going audience, the internet has largely kept people at home. The World Wide Web is rife with entertainment options that are not as linear as simply watching a movie. It gave rise to a new kind of audience that is perhaps, a bit more discriminating that the movie patrons back in the day. Today, the internet gives them a vast selection of movies and on top of that, games as well. With the internet being a competition to be reckoned with, cinemas can potentially see a further drop in attendance.

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Shop and Save: Four Ingenious Ways to Save on Your Grocery Expenses

“Groceries became a revelation: the people coming out with food. It is all like a great ceremony, and the whole drudgery of shopping has become my inspiration.”-Corita Kent

Groceries take up a significant chunk of our monthly expenses and with the rising cost of shopping goods today, that expense will inevitably increase.

Unfortunately, if you are constrained to a strict monthly budget or if the results of the inflation rate are getting to you, it can be rather difficult to fill your grocery cart with all of your shopping needs. However, when the rising cost of groceries becomes a rather pressing problem, you need to understand the difference between the items that are absolutely necessary and the ones that are considered luxury. Furthermore, you would also need to rethink your spending and budgeting habits insomuch that you do not live from paycheck to paycheck and allocate enough of what you earn for savings.

In any case, one of the best avenues for having a better leverage on your finances is to manage your grocery expenses and give your grocery shopping a strategic approach. In any case, if you have been looking for ways to mitigate your grocery expenses, here are some of the ingenious tips you can keep in mind before you visit the supermarket aisles in Ayala CenterMakati or your preferred grocer:

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            1.)    Take advantage of sales

An excellent way to save money on grocery expenses is to take advantage of discount items. More often than not, the grocery would have a few items that would be marked down per week so be sure to include those instead of going for the full-priced ones. However, be sure that these are items that you would use almost immediately or at least within the week. More often than not, items would be marked down because they need to be disposed of immediately. Alternatively, you can shop during a grocery sale and stock up on items you know you would be using quite often. Meat can be stored up until three months in the freezer and would still be safe to use. Other items such as dish-washing liquid, detergents and other products would have a longer shelf life. In this regard, you might be able to stock up more on those items. Be sure to be a little meticulous about the amount of produce you buy. Remember, vegetables have a short shelf life so be sure that anything you shop, you can consume within the week.

      2.)    Have a price book

A price book is generally a listing of all comparable grocery products across all nearby grocery shopping centers with their corresponding prices. You can create this yourself by listing down the price of the goods you have shopped for in one particular grocery shop and then compare it with the others should that you would know which store sells the cheapest grocery items. Similarly, you can track sales patters so that you would know when the best time to stock up on a particular item is. Keeping tabs on sales and listing down prices would enable you to determine how much you can potentially save and how much you really are saving every single time you do your grocery shopping. Furthermore, it helps you make better choices as to which grocery shop you should patronize.

      3.)    Have a list when doing groceries

This should go without saying, but you should never go grocery shopping without a list. Having a list keeps you from putting grocery items into your cart arbitrarily. Moreover, it helps you from making return trips to the grocery store because you have forgotten to buy an item. In this regard, you should create a list of household items you would need to shop for. Buy everything that you have listed on it and stick to it. Anything that is not written in the list should not be included. Having this list would not only save you money, it would save you time as well.

      4.)    Plan your menus

Planning your menus gives you an idea of what grocery items you are going to need for the week instead of just randomly putting shopping goods into your cart. With this in mind, plan your menus a week or even a month in advance so that you would know which items to stock up and take advantage of bulk buying opportunities. Similarly, planning menus for the week would prevent you from eating out too much. To save time, you can cook your main dishes in a single day and reheat them as the week progresses which can be very helpful on days wherein you do not have any time to cook or simply do not feel like cooking at all. However, if planning your menu is way too much of a hassle, you can always go online and look for similar sample menus.  

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Philippine Living: Four Reasons Why Filipinos Love Shopping

“We used to build civilizations. Now we build shopping malls.”-Bill Bryson

There has never been any doubt about the Filipinos love for their shopping malls. After all, who else has come up with the term “malling” other than the Filipino themselves?

With the myriad of shopping malls peppered across the country—each one promising to offer its
patrons something a little different than the last—these malls are hailed and recognized as cities of their own. A true testament to a Filipino’s unique obsession with shopping malls is not only hinged the fact that the Philippines has some of the world’s biggest shopping malls and districts (from SM Shopping Districts to Circuit Makati Mall), but also in the direct observation of how an average Filipino’s weekend seems to involve going to the mall for one reason or another.

But to what reason can we truly attribute this general fascination (and at times, fixation) to these cathedrals of consumerism? Why do Filipinos have a proclivity for spending their downtime at the mall more than any other place? Is it because of their incessant penchant to shop? Or because they wish to emulate their western neighbors in their love and flair for shopping? Well, while shopping malls are not as revered and celebrated in western countries as they are in the Philippines, these western countries do not exactly have humid weather all year long which would constrain its locals to stay indoors. In this regard, Filipinos have grown to love their shopping malls insomuch that they can even spend the entire day in there. Apart from the temperature controlled environment, malls also serve as a social outlet as they are likely to bump into people they know there (because again, everyone seems to love the mall!). The Philippines is known for its hot weather, and in metropolitan cities such as Manila, you would be hard-pressed for activities to do either because it is blazing hot or raining hard outside. Furthermore, you can do pretty much anything and everything in Philippine shopping malls whether that may be trying out to ice-skate, bowl or catching a late night flick. Although having shopping malls in almost every nook and cranny in the city might be taken as a sign of progress, it could also mean the gradual decline of cultural centers such as museums—so having a string of them might not be so good after all.

So, why does an average Filipino love the mall so much? And how have this corrugated structures become a highlight to their weekends? Well, the reasons below might enlighten you as to why:

1.) Ease of convenience

Back in the day, a trip to the mall would involve packing everyone into the car and be driving to it. However, with a myriad of malls peppered across the country, it might be easier and far more convenient to walk instead of taking the car. Moreover, as most malls are now strategically placed near condos and offices, they are made even more accessible to everyone.

2.) They have it all in one roof

Shopping malls go above and beyond to ensure that they provide the best experience to their shoppers possible. In this regard, they are more than just your ordinary shopping mall, and you can, in fact, do everything you wish and need to in one mall—given that it provides all the services and activities you are looking for. Today, most shopping malls have partnered up with local government agencies such as LTO and Philhealth rendering the mall as a one-stop place for everything you might need.

3.) Experience mini-concerts

Apart from yearly sales and events, malls entice people to favor their malls the best by hosting free roadshows, events, and even mini-concerts. To ensure an influx of people and potential customers  would be coming in, they would often invite esteemed individuals and even musicians and celebrities who you can get to see for free! It mutually benefits the invited guest, and the mall as the guest might be promoting something while the mall can expect hordes upon hordes of fans and possibly potential shoppers who wish to take a glimpse of their esteemed invited guest.

4.) Attend mass

The Philippines is a devoutly Catholic country, and as a result, many of the locals are deeply religious. To ensure that the shopping mall would be a guaranteed destination for religious individuals, malls have scheduled masses on Sundays with hourly intervals—depending on the mall. Some malls would even hold novenas and First Friday masses. In this regard, families who wish to spend their mornings in worship would not need to go to two destinations and just spend their day in one place. After the mass, they can easily attend a movie or eat at their favorite restaurant which would be located in the general vicinity.


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Unique Dates: Four Unconventional Date Ideas for Valentine’s Day

“Dating with no intent to marry is like going to the grocery store with no money. You either leave unhappy or take something that is not yours.” –Jefferson Bethke

It is that specific time of the year where guys are pressured into thinking of a memorable night—a Valentine’s Date night that would rival their last one. To some, Valentine’s Day is merely a capitalist movement or a marketing ploy designed to get individuals in relationships to spend more on the rather romantic holiday. However, as Valentine’s Day is rather a ubiquitous occasion celebrated by couples globally, this rather bitter and cynical sentiment does nothing to deter ever amorous couples.

But if you wish to come up with a fantastic, memorable and great idea that does not only involve going to the movies and having dinner, then we have you covered. Whether you wish to see a popular band play in a concert venue in Makati or wish to try something else new, here are some of the best ideas of how you can spend a romantic and sweet night on February fourteen:

 1.)    Ride a hot air balloon together

Take your date to new heights—literally. If you have always wanted something rather unconventional to do, why not book an early Valentine’s date and spend it in the skies with your amour at Omni Aviation Complex? This year the balloon fiesta is held from February 8 to 11 which gives you four days of aviation goodness—and four chances to score passes. Enjoy an uninterrupted time talking to your sweetie while you are amidst the clouds and you are bound to give him or her some of the most memorable memories she will ever have in her life.

 2.)    Try the Inflatable Island Philippines

By now, you have already probably heard about the Inflatable Island Philippines. Since its opening, it has been trending and dominating social media platforms ever since and more and more people have always wanted to go. If you and your date are water babies, you will definitely love their Valentine’s Day promotion. From the Valentine’s Day itself to the eighteenth of February, you only need to pay for one pass and you get to bring your date for absolutely free! Frolic in the water and enjoy the biggest floating playground in the Philippines. If you wish to give your sweetie an experience unlike any other, this should definitely be on your list of considerations.

 3.)    Go on epic ghost tours

Push the boundaries and go for something a little more unorthodox during the day  of love and go on a ghost tour. Sure, it may not exactly be the lovey-dovey norm most couples are used to during the romantic holiday, but it definitely gives you some worthwhile memories to reminisce about. Moreover, it gives you a lot of openings to flirt and physically interact with your date. After all, if your partner is easily scared, you can expect them to run into your arms or even jump into them for most of the time. Book a tour with the Intramuros Ghost Walk or simply visit all of the infamous haunted places in Baguio and it will definitely make for a memorable date.

 4.)    Fire a gun

Channel all the work week’s stress in firing a gun at Tough Guys Shooting Range in Cubao. For an affordable fee of P888 pesos, you and your sweetie can fire twenty-eight bullets of your chosen gun. If you do not have a date, not to worry! You can even ask your bitter single friend to fire some shots at the shooting range as well. So long as you come as a pair, you can avail of their promo. After you have consumed all of your ammo, you can finish it up with firing arrows this time at the Gandiva Archery or simply enjoy an afternoon of skating. 

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Crossing the Street in Style: Pedestrian Lane Arts in Makati

“Art is an evolutionary act. The shape of art and its role in society is constantly changing. At no point is art static. There are no rules.”-Raymond Salvatore Harmon 

While roads are necessary to get from one point to another, they are often overlooked by the very pedestrians that use them.

After all, they seem to be nothing more than inconsequential installations made to ensure vehicles of all sorts can pass by. However, one should keep in mind that although roads are primarily made to serve cars, it also helps pedestrians and in this regard, several pedestrian lanes are peppered along significant roadworks. If you have been cruising around or taking a stroll around Makati (particularly in areas in Circuit Makati), you are bound to notice the fantastic pedestrian art. Circuit Makati has taken it upon themselves to ensure that individuals who would rather walk than drive will readily see how the city has injected a bit of personality into their pedestrian lanes.

Of course, street art is rather prevalent in Metro Manila but among them is an exciting mishmash of graffiti and nonsensical vandalism. What you get to peruse in Circuit Makati, however, is so much more different than the street art in Manila. It is an eclectic fusion of functionality and design that is sure to amaze and entrance onlookers and visitors. One of these street arts is the piano and 3-D floating lane located right across Riverfront Drive and another one that has a giant-sized Pac-Man in West Gala. As these pedestrian lane arts dominate the area, they have been making rounds on social media and even on the news. In fact, social media enthusiasts and constant news feed updaters will find that some of these installations and pedestrian arts are ideal for peppering your Instagram feed.

Although this is quite common in places abroad, it is quite an innovative feat here in the Philippines as it can be found nowhere else in the nation as of writing—apart from Makati City that is. Road engineers and road safety analysts have accurately surmised that these designs are effective not only in capturing the eye of pedestrians but also in highlighting safety features. Furthermore, it is an excellent way to add character to a particular area in an estate. Very much unlike the graffiti and usual vandalism found in dilapidated and dingy parts of the neighborhood, this street art initiative was established after Sherwin Saavedra, the estate manager of Circuit Makati noticed that pedestrians would neglect to use pedestrian lanes despite all efforts in installing typical ones. It has come to his attention that if he made use of more visual ones that are appealing to the eyes, he might grab their attention better and as a result, further his endeavors in pedestrian safety. Floating pedestrian lanes were somewhat of a challenge according to Saavedra as they were the pioneers of this kind of project.

Moreover, the project was made even more challenging considering that a 3D effect was essential to make it look the way it should upon project completion. However, after several trials and errors, they were able to finish the project the way they wish to finish it.

Today, apart from the readily visible and observable design changes made to the pedestrian lanes, Circuit Makati patrons are now seen to be more proactive when it comes to pedestrian safety by using these same zanily designed pedestrian lanes whenever they make their way across the street.
And all in good time, as apart from providing pedestrian safety, it advertently delivers a safety message to pedestrians all over the country owing to its wide social media and news coverage.

With this in mind, one can be assured about the fantastic things they can expect from Circuit Makati—from having its patron’s safety at the forefront of their minds to ensuring their road safety.

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The 3 Best Things About Music Festivals

“It is not love for music, it is passion, and it goes beyond liking, and beyond a hobby, it is a way of living…music is essential for my life.”-Armin Van Buuren

It has been said where words fail, music speaks. In this regard, a lot of individuals have a proclivity for listening to music to lose themselves in the melodious beats and rhythmic tunes. Today, individuals who share the same passion would fondly converge in music festivals where music is regarded as simply just one aspect of the entire experience. The music festival scene may capitalize itself on the various music artists it features, but nowadays attending one goes beyond just going for the music. Today, however, music festivals are less about the music and more about the overall experience which would include the people, the ambiance, and the scenery. Seasoned music festival goers are already aware that such events would encompass more than just the music itself, but to the uninitiated, it might be a bit much and overwhelming to take in. However, everyone will be pleased to know that each festival is unique in its own way and there are individual aspects embraced in each festival that would significantly influence you as an attendee.

It might be a reach for some, but attending one gives you magical memories and a meaningful experience in more ways than one. So, if you have thought of attending a music festival (Circuit Makati has one this October), here are some of the things you can look forward to:

1.)    Musical Discovery

Music festivals are excellent avenues for discovering new music that you would soon come to love. Without a doubt, some artists and producers would choose to debut some of their tracks only in these festivals as this is the prime time for DJ’s to be producing and releasing new material. In this regard, audiences are given a sample of what they can expect in the future. However, do note that not all of the songs debuted in the festival will make it to mainstream media. After all, some artists would prefer to do some experimenting during this time and see how well the crowd receives it.

2.)    Feeling of unity

You may be just one out of thousands, but do know that unity is an incredibly important aspect when it comes to any music festival. Being surrounded by that many people in a singular setting all cheering to or singing the same song can truly be life-changing and it allows you to channel your own passion with the unified and collected energy. When hordes upon hordes of people converge to experience the exact same thing, it gives you that profound realization that maybe in one way or another, we are all connected. This very same feeling delivers a sense of solidarity and realness.

3.)    Community 

Being in a place where most people share the same passion as you do would inevitably result in unexpected kinship and friendships between you and other fellow festival goers. Moreover, most of these festival-goers are from overseas and are easily distinguishable from the rest based on the flags they drape on themselves. This communal vibe is strong and unlike any other in such a way that it gives you a brief glimpse of what their culture is like and how this part of the world enjoys your kind of music. Music festival goers from overseas are known for taking pride in their countries as evidenced by the flags they raise high above themselves in mosh pits and as they chant and sing along to their favorite tracks.

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Makati City 101: Ten (10) Fun Facts and Trivia About Makati City

This three-part series aims to give insight about all the basic things you need to know about Makati, Philippines – the facts, fun things you can do here and some of its historical and tourist attractions. First up, top ten (10) trivia you may or may not know about the city.

1. Financial district center of the Philippines. This is where you’ll find the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). As a host of 55 embassies, Makati City is an important center for international affairs as well.

2. Used to be called San Pedro de Macati. The place was known as San Pedro de Macati during the Spanish era. “Makati” originated from the Tagalog word “kati” which means tide. This primarily refers to the rise and ebb of the tide of Pasig River which is one of the major rivers in the country. The tidal estuary is actually situated on its northern border.

3. Municipality to City. It became independent in 1670 as a full-time municipality and was converted to a highly urbanized city through Republic Act 7854 on January 2, 1995. It has around 113,500 households with an average household size of 4.5.

4. Home of the world’s largest photo mosaic. Having 34,560 photos, local toothpaste maker Close Up put up the structure which reportedly surpassed the previous record held by UK.

5. Google HQ. On January 23, 2013, the search giant officially announced the opening of its fifth representative office in the South Asian region. The PH base will be located in Makati.

6. One of Asia’s Top Building. The 33-storey Zuellig Building, positioned at the intersection of Makati Ave and Paseo de Roxas, has been chosen as one of the top three buildings in the “Best Office and Business Development” category of the internationally renowned MIPIM Asia Awards. This is the first high-rise project in the Philippines awarded with a gold pre-certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Core and Shell) program of the US Green Building Council.

7. Guinness World Record’s Biggest Fashion Show. On November 29, 2012, the city hosted a record-breaking fashion show dubbed “Move to the Vibe of Glorietta” where 2,255 professional and amateur models walked the five ramps. Brands showcased include Bench, Penshoppe, Stores Specialists Inc., Mango, Folded & Hung and Lacoste.

8. One of the world’s best hotels. Makati Shangri-la made it to the best 500 hotels for 2013 by New York-based travel magazine Travel+Leisure. As one of the most recommended travel destination in the Philippines, Makati Shangri-la got a rating of 88.97. This is the latest award gathered by the 5-star hotel.

9. First large-scale “lifestyle playground” in PH. On January 15, 2013, the 21-hectare Circuit Makati was unveiled as the first and only large-scale development in the country hosting three distinct family-oriented entertainment venues. It will feature Circuit Theatre which is seen to provide a different sensory experience through state-of-the-art audio and visual entertainment; Central Walkway that will cross the entire length of the district, highlighted by a distinct water feature flanked by an array of retail and leisure shops; and Globe Circuit Events Ground, which will be an outdoor venue for street plays, festivals, fashion shows and outdoor exhibits.

10. First Local Milk Bank in PH. On March 5, 2013, the Makati City government formally opened the first milk bank to be run by a local government in the country. Mothers who wish to donate milk can just walk in. A donor can produce up to 600 ml each in one milk-letting session. If properly stored, the donated milk can have a shelf life of up to a year.

On the next post, check out the fun things you can do in Makati City.