Game of Thrones (HBO): Season 2/Episode 9

2.9 Blackwater

The Lannisters prepare for Stannis’ impending attack of King’s Landing. Led by Davos, Stannis’ navy is met by just one ship from the opposing side. Leaking with wildfire, the lone ship is then shot with a flaming arrow, causing a massive explosion that envelops majority of the armada with green flame. But this does not deter them. As the remaining ships approach the dock, a siege by land ensues. Cersei takes insurance in the form of poison. She drowns herself in alcohol while waiting for the outcome of the battle. Joffrey marches with his troops, but chickens out when the main gate is just about to fall. He leaves a representative for the king to accompany his uncle before he retreats to his chambers. Left without a choice, Tyrion leads the battle and manages to boost army morale, but ends up being slashed in the face. As he loses consciousness, Tywin Lannister and Ser Loras Tyrell come to the rescue, forcing Stannis to back down and retreat for the time being. The Lannisters live another day.

Every Breath U Take

♣♣♣/♣♣♣♣♣

Majoy (Angelica Panganiban) is a hopeless romantic who believes in signs on which her life decisions are mainly based. On the contrary, Leo (Piolo Pascual) does not believe in such a trivial thing.  His mantra in life is to get ahead of everyone even if it meant breaking someone’s heart or stealing someone’s parking space. When the two cross paths, he is in it for play. She thinks he is the one, until their overtly contrived romance gets sabotaged by lunatic third parties who all seem to have come straight from some mental institution.

When you see this movie you would recognize an attempt to bring in something else to the story aside from the usual rom-com fare. The mere existence of the lunatics (siblings Smokey Manoloto, Joross Gamboa, Carlos Agassi, Wendy Valdez, +Ryan Bang) is a clear proof that they are aiming for an ensemble comedy with a tongue-in-cheek treatment, or something to that effect. The sad thing is that this attempt proves to be ineffective and goes head to head with the romance angle, which makes the movie seem as though it is lost in the director's struggle to find balance between the two.

Game of Thrones (HBO): Season 2/Episode 8

2.8 The Prince of Winterfell

Seeing him more valuable alive than dead, Catelyn frees Jaime and tasks Brienne of bringing him back to King’s Landing in exchange for her daughters. When Robb finds out, he orders his men to guard his mother 24/7. Tyrion says that Joffrey must fight with his men in the battlefield, a suggestion Cersei is not very fond of. She tells him that she has his whore hostage. Upon seeing her, Tyrion finds out that it is not Shae, but plays along anyway to fool his sister. Arya intends for her assassin to kill Tywin before he could attack her brother’s camp, but Tywin marches before she could find him. She then asks him to help them escape, or she will name him as her third and last name. True enough, they walk out of Harrenhal unscathed that evening. Ser Jorah begs Daenerys to flee with him on a ship headed to Astapor, but she refuses to leave her dragons. She instead asks him to bring her to the House of the Undying. Yara arrives at Winterfell and chastises Theon for killing the two Stark boys. She tells him that she has come to bring him back home, but he insists that Winterfell is his. Maester Luwin (Donald Sumpter) sees Osha lurking around the walls and discovers that Bran and Rickon are both alive and well.

[BATANGAS] Budget and Itinerary

SUNDAY: May 20, 2012

Bus (Buendia - Bauan Diversion) - 125.00

Jeep (Bauan Diversion - Mabini) - 35.00

Tricycle (Mabini - Philpan Divers 110/2) - 55.00

Registration (Philpan Divers) - 20.00

Balayan View (Late Lunch) - 171.00

Tricycle (Philpan Divers - Mabini 190/2) - 95.00

Jeep (Mabini - Bauan Diversion) - 35.00

Bus (Bauan Diversion - Buendia) - 157.00

Total - PhP693.00

[MABINI] Of Leg Cramps and Piggy Spines

Gulugod Baboy pertains to the ridges formed by this particular mountain which resembles those of a pig’s spine. There are three main summits, each one having a unique view of surrounding islands and bodies of water. Located in Mabini in Batangas, this place is a popular overnight camping destination regardless of season, as one local resident would like to claim. It takes more than three hours to reach from Metro Manila if you will be using public transportation, which would most likely be a combination of bus, jeep, and tricycle, on top of the one hour and a half hike you are bound to make.

Game of Thrones (HBO): Season 2/Episode 7

2.7 A Man Without Honor

Ygritte wouldn’t stop teasing Jon Snow about his vow of celibacy. In the end, she escapes and he’s surrounded by Wildlings. Daenerys demands the return of her dragons. Pyat Pree (Ian Hanmore) the warlock admits that he has them, and that she would soon be joining them at the House of the Undying. Xaro reveals his connivance with the warlock, before the latter multiplies and slaughters the other members of the Thirteen. Sansa menstruates for the first time and tries to hide it but Cersei still finds out and offers her sincere womanly advice. Tyrion warns her sister about Stannis’ impending attack and how they would all fall if Joffrey could not be controlled. Cersei tells him that it must be the punishment for her incestuous relationship with Jaime. Jaime manages to escape before being captured again, with everyone in the camp wanting his head. Theon wakes up on an empty bed and with bad news regarding Osha’s escape along with Bran, Rickon, and Hodor. He later goes on to find them, and returns to Winterfell presenting the bodies of two charred children.

Game of Thrones (HBO): Season 2/Episode 6

2.6 The Old Gods and the New

Theon captures Winterfell. He tells Bran to surrender and ask his people to obey him if they don’t want to get hurt. He executes one of the lords to earn legitimacy. Osha seduces him with the intention of getting Bran and Rickon out of the castle. Robb finds out about it and almost goes back north, but is advised to continue their winning war against the Lannisters. Roose Bolton (Michael McElhatton) offers to have his bastard son retake Winterfell instead. The Night’s Watch are attacked by Wildlings, one of whom, Ygritte (Rose Leslie), survives. Jon Snow is tasked to behead her, but he just could not do it. Petyr visits Tywin in Harrenhal and almost discovers Arya’s true identity. Arya steals a letter containing Lannister battle strategy and gets caught by one of the guards. She gives her assassin her second of three names just in time before he could tell Tywin about her mistake. Myrcella is shipped to Dorne for marriage. As the Lannisters go back after seeing her off, they are attacked by an angry mob and Sansa is almost killed. In Qarth, Daenerys continues to find someone who would lend her ships, but to no avail. She comes back to find her guest house ransacked, her Dothraki horde killed, and her dragons gone.