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 Instead, they have been replaced by blockbuster after blockbuster which in turn, would cause the Cineplex to play the same title for an opening weekend---and constrains people to relegate to home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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Movie Magic: Five Ways to Improve Your Cinematic Experience

"People do not go to the movies to get the news, people do not go to the movies to learn a lesson. People go to the movie to get an emotional experience."-Micahel Shannon

With the rising popularity of streaming apps and websites such as Netflix and the like, it is a wonder at all why people still go to the movies. Why do people even watch movies? Moreover, what is it about a film that amplifies a moviegoer's experience? While true enough, cinemas provide the perfect and most conducive avenue of which movies are to be viewed; there are some factors that can truly elevate one's viewing experience. These set of techniques are varied and useful insomuch that you would be convinced that there is no other way to enjoy a cinematic release than in the movie house alone. So, before heading out to the Circuit Makati Cinema for the next blockbuster, here are some of the things you can think of doing to bring your cinematic experience to the next level:

1.) Book your movie tickets online

One of the most frustrating things about watching movies is queuing up to buy your tickets. This is even more infuriating when you see a blockbuster with the movie queues longer and the ticket counters full. To avoid such a scenario, book your ticket online. Furthermore, you should book them in advance to ensure that you can select the best seats in the cinema. In this way, when you arrive at the mall, all you would have to do is buy yourself some movie snacks and wait for your movie schedule to start.

2.) Get settled in early

Apart from getting to see sneak previews and theatrical trailers, getting settled in early mitigates the chances of you disrupting other moviegoers who have already settled in before you. There is nothing more galling that enjoying the movie only to have someone block your view as they get settled in their seat as soon as the movie is starting or when the movie has long started. In this regard, be sure to arrive at least thirty minutes before your scheduled movie is to begin. Besides, coming early means you would not miss any part of the movie at all.

3.) Be app savvy

Rotten Tomatoes and Click the City are rudimentary apps in the smartphone of any seasoned moviegoer. However, take it up a notch and instead of more movie review and schedule apps, go for apps that would actually prove useful to you while you are in the movies. New innovative apps such as Runpee would let you know when the perfect time to use the bathroom is. This is particularly useful for long movies and individuals with heavy bladders. In any case, the app would feature every film that is currently showing in theaters and would highlight long-winded scenes that are not precisely crucial to the plot. With this app, you would not be missing any major plot twists, comedic scenes, thrilling action sequences and the like when you have to go and relieve yourself.

4.) Choose your seats carefully

Where you seat yourself plays a pivotal role in your cinematic experience insomuch that strategically seating yourself can contribute to how well or how bad you would enjoy your movie. While where you sit is a matter of personal preference, some seats in the movie house are better than the rest, and for this reason, you need to book and select your seats ahead of everyone else by booking them online. If you want clean and crisp audio, you should situate yourself in the center of the theater as it has been found that audio technicians check the sound about two-thirds of the way back and in the center of the auditorium. However, if you are someone who frequently uses the bathroom even for an hour-long movie, you might want to sit on the corners to avoid distracting anyone should you need to get up and relieve yourself in the comfort room.

5.) Do not be afraid to walk out

Although this mostly depends on the cinema, you can usually swap tickets if you are about twenty to thirty minutes into a movie and realize that you do not like it. However, this is a pure case to case basis, so it might be best if you asked the movie attendant if they have this policy before booking your ticket.


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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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Shop Smarter: Five Ingenious Tips to Keep in Mind during Mall Sales

“Admit it, we all feel cool when we walk around the mall with tons of shopping bags in our arms.”-
Author Unknown

Sale (n.) a fashionista’s favorite four letter word.

Shopping malls have been around for years. In some countries, they are regarded as little more than simply cathedrals of consumerism. In the Philippines however, these structures are viewed as more than the answer to our retail needs. For some, it has become somewhat like a second home. Malls in the Philippines such as the Circuit Makati Mall and the like come with various attractions such as cinemas, restaurants, nightclubs, bars and even activity and entertainment centers. In this regard, mall developers hope to generate more revenue by appealing to a wider variety of individuals.

However, there has never been any doubt that one of the tried and tested methods to have people patronize and purchase products from a particular mall is to conduct a mall-wide sale. Indeed, whenever a sale happens, you can expect a crowd of shoppers and patrons to arrive by the droves. This influx of shoppers is mainly precipitated by bargain deals. In this regard, some malls can expect shoppers to arrive even before opening hours. If you wish to shop on a projected sale one of these months, know that it takes so much more than just arriving at the mall on time to get the best bargains and deals. If you wish to make the most out of your shopping excursion, here are some of the tips to keep in mind:

1.) Do your research

Before you start planning what to buy, it is highly recommended that you do your research before the actual day of the sale itself. Note that many brands would be participating during the sale and your research would help you identify what these brands would be. Furthermore, some brands might be a little detailed as to the terms of their sale such as which items would be included and whether or not there would be promo deals. If you did your research beforehand, you would effectively be able to narrow down your options and make the most out of your time shopping.

2.) List it down

One of the excellent ways to shop and ensure you stay within your budget is to shop with a list. Make this list beforehand so that you can mitigate the possibility of impulse shopping. In this regard, you would also be able to delineate your reasons for buying a particular item. Sure, an item you are looking to buy might be on sale, but do you really need it? Or are you just buying it because it is half off? Making a list will help you be smarter about what you put into your cart during sale day. Prepare this list beforehand, note down all the items you wish and need to buy and prioritize them.

3.) Arrive early

One of the most annoying things about shopping during mall sales is having to contend with long queues. That and looking for an available parking space once you arrive at the mall. To address this, be sure to come early—if possible before opening hours. Apart from getting the best parking spot and not having to queue up, arriving early means you get first dibs on deals and items on sale. Whenever possible, try to arrive on the first day of the mall-wide sale and try to get there before opening hours.

4.) Take your time

No one is clocking you, so there is no need to be pressured about finishing up your shopping within a specified time limit. Take your time, peruse the aisles and look for the best deals. Do not immediately throw everything into your cart just because it has the world SALE plastered on it. Be as discerning about your purchases as you would be when they are not on sale. Remember, you are simply shopping which is not time-sensitive at all. So relax, and take your time. Just enjoy browsing racks and aisles and do not forget to hunt for the best bargain!

5.) Compare

Remember, the first item you pick up is not always the cheapest. However, that does not mean that the next item you will come by would also be the best. In this regard, be sure to look around and make some comparisons. You might think you have landed the best offer and deal now, but you might end up regretting that decision later when you find out that the next store sells the same item for much cheaper.

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