All Set to WOW: The Cosmopolitan Bachelor Bash 2011

The Cosmopolitan Bachelor Bash 2011, the most anticipated event of the avid readers of the Cosmopolitan magazine, will be staged tomorrow September 15, 2011 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. The theme for this year is Hamptons-slash-nautical. (Well, hello there shaider..haha)

69 swoon-worthy bachelors who will show what they got on the said show. Led by the 10 celebrity centerfolds ( Neil Etheridge, Phil Younghusband, Enzo Pineda, Anton del Rosario, Ahron Villena, Aly Borromeo, Ejay Falcon, James Younghusband, Paulo Avelino, Hideo Muraoka, and Enrique Gil) featured on the Cosmo Men supplement of the 2011 issue of the magazine. Check out their names below:)

Abs Abdelkader, 26, model
Pao Alarcon, 20, student
Kent Albano, 21, model
Mark Alejandro, 25, modelCedric Aranda, 23, model
Riz Bawani, 21, modelJaco Benin, 20, artist/student
Vince Bueno, 22, singer/producer/writer
Benedict Campos, 22, TV/theater actor
Sebastian Castro , 21, artist/painterKevin Cisco, 20, singer/songwriter/VJ
Vince Ching, 17, studentManuel Chua, Jr., 30, actor
Rodjun Cruz, 23, actor
Sean David, 23, actor/model
Rafael Davila, 19, student
Gino dela Pena, 23, host/actor
Kevin Donnelly, 18, student
Paul Drake, 20, artist/athlete
Derek, Espinosa, 18, model
Neil Etheridge, 21, athleteNico Fabian, 24, student
Martin Flores, 22, Med studentGreg Galang, 23, student
Charles Gerardo, 24, model
Mark Go, 23, model/architect
Diego Gonzalez, 27, veterenarian/model
Paolo Gonzalez, 26, realtor/entrepreneur/actor
Simon Greatwich, 23, athlete
Albert Guinto, 27, modelAlex Vega Hidalgo, 23, model
Mark Hutchinson, 24, model/dancer
Nat Keifer, 26, model
Daniel Lambert, 22, model
Fred Lazaro, 24, flight attendant
Mark Lee, 21, student

Vin Lentejas, 23, model
Mark Lopez, 22, model
Mike Luakian, 27, consultant/stock trader
Maui Lumba, student/model
Kerwin Lu, 23, businessmanMaicon Machado, 20, model
Migs Magisan, 22, student
Allan Maiate, 23, model
Kevin Mangilit, 22, studentLucky Mercado, 21, actor
Felix Mitre, 22, modelMiggy Morales, 26, advertising practitioner
Enrique Nor, 23, student/modelNoypistuff, 23, businessman
Rodrigo Oliviera, 24, model
Patrick O'Neill, 19, student
Alex Pain, 25, model
Tylor Perry, 24, model
Dex Quindoza, 22, actor/modelDerick Ramos, 30, analyst
Marc Ritz, 22, student
Joe Rivera, 25, entrepreneurJohn Daryl Rose, 23, student/athlete
Arnold Santillan, 24, model
Carlo Sawit, 22, model/councilor
Gerard Sison, 22, model
Chris Soria, 19, artist/performer
Kyle Sparks, 19, student/model
Markki Stroem, 23, student/singer
Jovic Susim, 18, actor/model/student Mike Tan, 24, TV/movie actorGeoff Taylor, 24, singer/actor
Andre Vidensio, 27, model

 Sugod tayo dini mga beks!!  :D

Pahiyas Festival 2011 : Schedule of Activities

Colorful and Festive – these words may well describe the highly-anticipated Pahiyas Festival of Lucban, Quezon. Every 15th day of May, all roads lead to this humble town situated at the foot of the majestic Mt. Banahaw.

Schedule of Activities

May 8 

9 AM - Duathlon (Bicyle and Marathon)
8 PM - Championship Match – Mayor’s Basketball Cup
 

May 9

9 AM – Juego de Anillo
 

May 10

9 AM – Larong Pinoy ‘Carrera de Bao’ (A relay using improvised footgear made of coconut shell)
 

May 11

9 AM – “Tapas Ko, Kayod Mo’ (Coconut Harvesting, Skinning and Shredding Relay)

8 PM – Championship Match – Mayor’s Basketball Cup
 

May 12  

2 PM – Lucban Longganisa Festival (A Relay on the Longest Tie of Lucban’s Famous Longganisa)
7 PM – Mutya ng Lucban 2011 Coronation Night
 

May 13 

8 AM – Medical Mission
2 PM – “Lalahan ng Buntal” ( A Weaving of Buntal Relay)
7 PM – Ginoong Lucban 2011 (Body-building Competition)
 

May 14 

1 PM – Gayak Carosa Float Parade (Carriage being pulled by Carabaos are decorated with the many products of Lucban Farmers)
7PM – Live Band Entertainment
 

May 15 – Pahiyas Festival Grand Parade 2011
 
How to get there:

• From Cubao Quezon City, and in Pasay City (either Taft Avenue corner Buendia or at Pasay Rotonda), you can ride buses to Lucena City, fare is around P 300.00. At Lucena Central Transport Terminal, transfer to a jeepney or bus going to Lucban (even those going to Sta. Cruz, Laguna) Fare is around P30.00 per person.

For more details for the upcoming Festival, you may contact:
Mr. Dhounne Mata

Municipal Tourism Officer

Lucban, Quezon

Moblie Number: (+63) – 917-560-1731

Telefax Number: (042) – 540- 4887 

http://choosephils.com

Like it's always summer with Make Your Own Havaianas 2011!

Havaianas takes pride in presenting you with the Make Your Own Havaianas (MYOH) event year after year! This year, MYOH uses a bigger venue to present gorgeous new designs that spark your wanderlust. The new designs pay homage to the fashion capitals of the world – so now, Havaianas can truly be your ultimate travel companion to your dream destination!

 

Save the dates! May 12-16, 2011 See you at the Rockwell Tent :D

http://myoh.havaianasphilippines.com/

Skyathon Beach Run 2011

Running is without a doubt one of the best cardiovascular and calorie burning exercises around. If you're tired of running on a stationary treadmill and want to experience the sun and sweet smell of the ocean, why not take your running to the shoreline?  Besides being pleasant, beach running offers the advantage of burning more calories due to the uneven terrain of the sand which also helps to tone leg and calf muscles.

These are what I and my friends discovered and learned in the country's first eco-friendly race: the Boracay Skyathon Beach Run 2011:)

Early to Bed, Early to RISE.
Very self-explanatory. Haha. The problem with holding events very early in the morning (especially in Boracay) is that most tourists have very limited time, which they usually spend partying until sunrise. We didn’t really start on time, but who minded? What's important is that we finished and had a blast:)

this is the day..

Start Slowly.
If you're new to running in sand, start slowly and cut your workout distance by at least thirty percent for the first week. Soft sand gives your leg and calf muscles a tougher workout and can result in considerable muscle soreness. Gradually work up to your usual speed and distance. You'll discover that jogging in soft sand can be hard work!

slowly but surely

enjoying the view

 



ALWAYS Protect Your Skin.
When running on the beach, you'll be exposed to direct sunlight and light reflected off the water. This increases the potential for sunburns, sun damage, and, potentially, skin cancers. Before running apply generous amounts of sunscreen to all exposed body parts. Look for a waterproof or sports strength sunblock since you'll be sweating and can lose your layer of protection quickly. (Highly recommended: sunplay SPF 130 lotion)

Sunplay is a brand of sunscreen or sunblock lotion which contains a Japan "Watery Liquid" formulation that is light, mild, non-greasy and smooth on the skin. It is also non-comedogenic (does not clog pores). Sunplay sunscreen lotion protects against harmful UVA & UVB rays.

Run When the Tide is Low Along the Shoreline.
It's more difficult to run on soft sand. You can alleviate this problem by running on the beach when the tide is low along the shoreline and the sand is wet and more firmly packed. This can help to reduce soreness as well as reduce your risk of injury.

Running in the Morning (by the Beach) is truly "da BEST".
You'll have a more pleasant experience if you run in the early morning hours before the temperature rises. The solitude of an early morning run in the cool, salty air can be an excellent stress reliever. Not only is an early morning run therapeutic to the body, it also helps to soothe the mind.

 

Squammy's review:

• Route:  The main difficulty of the course was the unevenness of the shoreline. Except in places where the tide had packed sand flat, we would be slipping on soft sand, or running on a canted surface angling down toward the water. Lalo na sa Elizalde part. Ang hirap pero masaya :)
• Package and Freebies: Love the singlet! Love the finisher's medal! Our loot bags were given after the run and nobody went home empty-handed. The packed breakfast (a choice between longsilog and tocilog) was a delicious ending to our race. 

Kudos Organizers! Congrats finishers! :)

Lenten Traditions in the Philippines

Catholicism is the religion of of majority of people in the Philippines. Colonized by Spain for 300 years, they were greatly influenced in many aspects of their life, including religion. Many of their practices came from their colonizers, and perhaps modified to their own culture and taste. Modern time has done a great deal to contribute to change, but many still try to practice and let these religious traditions thrive.

Lenten celebration in the Philippines is a conglomeration of quaint Christian and paganistic practices that are found nowhere else in the world. Some are breathtaking and exciting as they are charming and so distinctively Filipino that they are a source of wonderment for any tourist.

For Filipinos, these customs show their love for their faith and their culture. Aside from believing that these would help them atone for their sins, these practices are their unique way of expressing their religious beliefs and values. 

LINGGO NG PALASPAS
Palm Sunday of the Catholic Holy Week is ushered with a widely- practiced ritual; parishioners wave palm fronds, locally called palaspas, in the air, mimicking the crowd that met Christ upon his return to Jerusalem. Blessings, prayers and Sunday mass follows, in affirmation of the religious nature of this age-old custom.

VISITA IGLESIA

If you want to stay in the city during Lent, do as the locals do and try one of their favorite Holy Week rituals on a Maundy Thursday—the Visita Iglesia, where they visit seven churches in a single evening.

Why seven? The roots of this tradition come from an early Christian practice of visiting the seven great basilicas of Rome. Manila has a long list of old churches dating back to the Spanish regime, now considered as priceless cultural heritage sites.

The Catholic church is keeping up with technology nowadays, they launched Visita Iglesia online. Visita Iglesia online can be accessed through CBCP’s website, http://cbcponline.net/visitaiglesia/, it features seven churches that one can visit with audio recordings of prayers and the stations of the cross. This is very helpful especially for OFWs who want to continue the Visita Iglesia tradition even if they are abroad.

FLAGELLANTS

They scourge themselves in a somewhat paganistic manner considered medieval by many. This is done by stripping themselves naked from the waist up, walking barefooted under a midday sun and flagging themselves bloody with ropes and broken pieces of glass attached with strings to bamboo sticks. They do this as a means of atonement of their sins. It is a sort of retribution of their offenses and human weaknesses for past favor such as after going through some crisis or danger in their lives. This is commonly practiced in the provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac, Rizal and practically all over the Tagalog region.

PABASA

It's a family affair with the cooperation of relatives and neighbors. Others do these twenty four hours daily within the seven days of singing and reading of the Passion and Death taken from the verses of the Bible. Foods and drinks are being served to the singers.

BLACK NAZARENE

A century-old black statue in Quiapo, sculptured in Mexico during the Galleon Trade era, considered miraculous by devotees is brought out for procession every Good Friday. The statue is borne on the shoulders of male devotees in a slow, difficult procession around the narrow streets of the district, a score of men struggle to keep the image moving on. Thousands more try to muscle their way to touch the Nazarene as if carried by a powerful tide in an ocean of humanity.

MORIONES FESTIVALS

Marinduque Island is famous and known throughout the world. No one could recall its beginning but old folks claimed it started since time immemorial. Usually it is held in the plazas of Boac and Gasan. The towns present a spectacular pageant wherein people are dressed like Roman soldiers to commemorate the beheading of Longinos. The festivities have a Mardigras atmosphere.

  

SIETE PALABRAS

All radio stations throughout the nation are being sponsored by religious groups to air the reading of the "Siete Palabras" (Seven Last Words). There are series of speakers depicting the life of Jesus Christ and of course in different versions but the same meaning. Aglipayans, Episcopalians and Roman Catholics do this simultaneously.

BALA-AN BUKID

Guimaras landmark, a huge white cross overlooking the City of Iloilo, a favorite pilgrimage venue of Visayan people.

HUGE 14th STATION

In Iguig, Tuguegarao oversized station of the cross at the hillside outside the centuries old church with a beautiful facade.

14 STATIONS OF THE CROSS

At the grotto of Lourdes in Novaliches, Quezon City the devotees, thousands of them, come during the Holy Week as a pilgrimage at the Calvary built with the fourteen stations of the Cross, life size, zigzagging at the hillside.

AMULETS HUNTERS

In Sipalay, Negros Occidental, it is a day for Herbolarios searching for anting-anting in unexplored caves on Good Friday.

FORTY FIVE STATUES

In Paete, Laguna procession of 45 statues beautifully decorated "carrozas" depicting the life of our Lord. Also in Siquijor, an island on the southern tip of Cebu, is well known for its Good Friday procession. Huge centuries-old statue fully decorated with fresh flowers.

CENACULOS

It is held in the Philippine Cultural Center sponsored by the Department of Tourism. Cast of characters include popular movie stars. In Taguig, Rizal they popularize the modern version of "Jesus Christ Superstar" reshown at the Fort Santiago Amphitheater for the benefit of Manilans. In Mexico, Pampanga and also Dinalupihan in Bataan there is one who actually had himself nailed to a cross for his "crucifixion" simulating Christ's passion as best as he painfully can.

PAGTALTAL SA JORDAN

In the Visayan region, we have now the famous "Ang PAGTALTAL SA JORDAN" in the island province of Guimaras. A reenactment of our Lord's sufferings on the way to the Calvary held every Good Friday at the Municipal grounds. For the last years, it was attended by dignitaries from America, Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Canada, and thousands of tourists from European and Asian countries. Jordan town is widely known as the "GOLGOTHA" of the Philippines.

SALUBONG

Easter Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection of Christ. At  four o'clock in the morning, Filipinos do a salubong ceremony commemorating how the Virgin Mary met her son Jesus who has come back to life. Her image will be brought to the image of the Christ at the local church. Flower petals will be rained down on them.  Everyone is happy that Jesus is alive again and that the world is back right. On Easter day, grocery stores re-open and you can buy food.

During the entire Lenten period, the Church offers us God's Word with particular abundance. By meditating and internalizing the Word in order to live it every day, we learn a precious and irreplaceable form of prayer; by attentively listening to God, who continues to speak to our hearts, we nourish the itinerary of faith initiated on the day of our Baptism. A blessed and meaningful lenten to all!

Mark your calendar. On March 19th, a full Moon of rare size and beauty will rise in the east at sunset :)

event It's a super "perigee moon"--the biggest in almost 20 years.

"The last full Moon so big and close to Earth occurred in March of 1993," says Geoff Chester of the US Naval Observatory in Washington DC. "I'd say it's worth a look."

Full Moons vary in size because of the oval shape of the Moon's orbit. It is an ellipse with one side (perigee) about 50,000 km closer to Earth than the other (apogee): diagram. Nearby perigee moons are about 14% bigger and 30% brighter than lesser moons that occur on the apogee side of the Moon's orbit.

"The full Moon of March 19th occurs less than one hour away from perigee--a near-perfect coincidence¹ that happens only 18 years or so," adds Chester.

A perigee full Moon brings with it extra-high "perigean tides," but this is nothing to worry about, according to NOAA. In most places, lunar gravity at perigee pulls tide waters only a few centimeters (an inch or so) higher than usual. Local geography can amplify the effect to about 15 centimeters (six inches)--not exactly a great flood.

The Moon looks extra-big when it is beaming through foreground objects--a.k.a. "the Moon illusion."

Indeed, contrary to some reports circulating the Internet, perigee Moons do not trigger natural disasters. The "super moon" of March 1983, for instance, passed without incident. And an almost-super Moon in Dec. 2008 also proved harmless.

Okay, the Moon is 14% bigger than usual, but can you really tell the difference? It's tricky. There are no rulers floating in the sky to measure lunar diameters. Hanging high overhead with no reference points to provide a sense of scale, one full Moon can seem much like any other.

The best time to look is when the Moon is near the horizon. That is when illusion mixes with reality to produce a truly stunning view. For reasons not fully understood by astronomers or psychologists, low-hanging Moons look unnaturally large when they beam through trees, buildings and other foreground objects. On March 19th, why not let the "Moon illusion" amplify a full Moon that's extra-big to begin with? The swollen orb rising in the east at sunset may seem so nearby, you can almost reach out and touch it.

Don't bother. Even a super perigee Moon is still 356,577 km away. That is, it turns out, a distance of rare beauty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1yalg_Apdw

Lenten season starts, today is Ash Wednesday.

On this day all the faithful according to ancient custom are exhorted to approach the altar before the beginning of Mass, and there the priest, dipping his thumb into ashes previously blessed, marks the forehead — or in case of clerics upon the place of the tonsure — of each the sign of the cross, saying the words: 

“Remember man that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return.”

The Ash Wednesday is observed by fasting, abstinence from meat, and repentance—a day of contemplating one’s transgressions.

The princes' Pinay nanny invited to Royal wedding

Balitang Bonggang Bongga: Prince William and Harry's former Filipino nanny, Araceli "Lillie" Piccio, has received an invitation to the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29 (UK time), reports The Philippine Star.

Piccio and her plus one are invited to the much-awaited ceremony at the Westminster Abbey in the UK, according to The Philippine Star columnist Ricky Lo, who cited Piccio's sister and Bacolod paper columnist Nimfa "Buddai" Piccio.

Piccio, called "Miss Lillie" by the late Lady Diana, served in the royal household for eight years until a few months after Lady Diana died in 1997, reports The Philippine Star. According to her sister, a 15-year-old Prince William told Piccio when she left, "When I get married, I will take you back." 

A nurse from Bacolod, Piccio is now working for a different employer in London. According to The Philippine Star, she was the first Filipina employed by the royal family. She used to spend Mondays to Saturdays at the Royal Apartment in London.

About 1,800 invitations to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s April 29 wedding were put in the mail at the end of last week. (Yes, EIGHTEEN HUNDRED!) Wanna see what they look like?!

I’d bet the paper is heavier than a dinner plate, but overall I think they’re super-boring. I’m partial to more casual wedding invitations, but if you’re having a fancy, over-the-top wedding—and you’re going to be becoming a freaking princess!—I think the occasion calls for at least a script font! 

I mean, except for the golden monogram, it looks like the royal wedding invite could’ve been designed in Word! I’m sure there are all sorts of royal laws and regulations dictating what the invites had to look like, but these just seem SO un-special. (may bitterness lang..sorry naman)

The pics below, plus a short bio of Kate, were added to the official royal wedding site today:)

Kate, 3, on holiday in the Lake District.

Kate, 4, with her sister, Pippa, and their dad. (Hello, Mr. Middleton!)

5-year-old Kate in the U.K.

Kate in June 2005 at Saint Andrews University graduation.

Kate and Wills at their college graduation.

To summarize the pictures: Kate = cute. Sister = cute. Dad = hot.

Is it me, or do Kate and Wills kind of look like they work for a catering company in that last shot? :P

And You Thought the Oscar Show Was Bad?

I would like to congratulate all the deserving Winners of the Academy..

Actor in a Leading Role

• Colin Firth in “The King's Speech”

Actor in a Supporting Role

• Christian Bale in “The Fighter”

Actress in a Leading Role

• Natalie Portman in “Black Swan”

Actress in a Supporting Role

• Melissa Leo in “The Fighter”

Animated Feature Film

• “Toy Story 3” Lee Unkrich

Art Direction

• “Alice in Wonderland”
  Production Design: Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration: Karen O'Hara

Cinematography

• “Inception” Wally Pfister

Costume Design

• “Alice in Wonderland” Colleen Atwood

Directing

• “The King's Speech” Tom Hooper

Documentary (Feature)

• “Inside Job” Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs

Documentary (Short Subject)

• “Strangers No More” Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon

Film Editing

• “The Social Network” Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter

Foreign Language Film

• “In a Better World” Denmark

Makeup

• “The Wolfman” Rick Baker and Dave Elsey

Music (Original Score)

• “The Social Network” Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Music (Original Song)

• “We Belong Together” from “Toy Story 3" Music and Lyric by Randy Newman

Best Picture

• “The King's Speech” Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin, Producers

Short Film (Animated)

• “The Lost Thing” Shaun Tan and Andrew Ruhemann

Short Film (Live Action)

• “God of Love” Luke Matheny

Sound Editing

• “Inception” Richard King

Sound Mixing

• “Inception” Lora Hirschberg, Gary A. Rizzo and Ed Novick

Visual Effects

• “Inception” Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley and Peter Bebb

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

• “The Social Network” Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin

Writing (Original Screenplay)

• “The King's Speech” Screenplay by David Seidler 

Worst Oscars Ever? E!Online summed up everything the Oscars are NOT supposed to be: clunky, amateurish, and pretty much lacking in actual entertainment value for those of us not picking up awards.

Worst Moment of the Pre-Show: Sitting through the ABC countdown chatfest, which featured the biggest stars in the world and still managed to be really boring. Stop that!

Best Moment of the Opening: The two montages opening the show were one too many, but as we are fans of (a) Inception; (b) host-inserted award show videos; and (c) Alec Baldwin and Morgan Freeman; we will give this part a pass, mainly because we have a sick feeling that the whole thing about to go downhill from here...

Worst Moment of the Opening: Realizing that James Franco and Anne Hathaway actually were going to keep hosting through the whole thing and it wasn't all an Inception dream. Blame Hugh Jackman for making us think all good actors must be good hosts.

Worst Segue: One minute Hathaway is yelling something about lesbians and then...

Biggest WTF: And then Tom Hanks comes talking about Gone With the Wind...which already won, we're fairly sure. Like 60 years ago.

Best Save: Kirk Douglas isn't the obvious choice for a show aiming at a younger demographic, but the screen idol proved that his charm is undiminished, though the show did seem to get sidetracked by his antics.

Worst Takeaway, Part One: For all the talk about Melissa Leo turning off voters with her personal For Your Consideration ad, she not only won, but she probably ensured that next year we'll see more of them.

Worst Takeaway, Part Two: Oh, and that they'll keep using the dump button to bleep out inadvertent cursing.

Best Written Speeches: A tie. Social Network's Aaron Sorkin and King's Speech scribe David Seidler offered up wry, well-written speeches, which just got us wishing they'd been around to help out with this telecast.


Best Quip: "That's gross," said the divine Cate Blanchett, while presenting the make-up award to The Wolfman. We already love her, but she wins geek points for knowing the sci-fi term for "Excellent work."

Best Star-Making Performance: Luke Matheny's vibrant, funny speech for Live Action Short Film was not only a jolt of energy for the show, but it made us want to watch whatever he does next. And really if you're going to be charming, it's probably not a bad idea to do it in a roomful of film executives.

Latest Entrance: Billy Crystal showed up and got a standing ovation, both for his past hosting work and in hopes he might stay and host the rest of this one.

Biggest Disconnect: Maybe we missed the memo, but for a show that was supposed to draw in the youth, it seemed to rely on old folks for its best bits.

Best (Delayed) Comeback: Robert Downey Jr. may have seemed a little prickly at the Golden Globes when Ricky Gervais made a stale joke about his past mishaps, but he and Jude Law managed to mine his past for a funny bit on stage.

Second Best (Delayed) Comeback: Christian Bale's sly allusion to his own infamous f-bomb barrage while mentioning costar Leo's bleep-worthy moment.

Best Musical Performance: As much as Florence Welch and Gwyneth Paltrow were terrific, Randy Newman not only got a deserved Best Song win but he gave a drily comic speech that killed.

Best Mom: Tom Hooper won for The King's Speech, and then told how his mother basically found The King's Speech for him. Isn't that like a mom: First, she finds where you left your bookbag, then she finds you an Oscar-winning script.

Worst in Translation: In of the night's best moments, Russell Brand delivered a delightfully incorrect translation of what Helen Mirren was saying in French while introducing the Best Foreign Language Film award.
Best Host: Sandra Bullock delivered the goods while introducing the Best Actor nominees, making the whole thing seem fun and funny and unpretentious. Everything that this night wasn't, but could have been.

Worst Surprise: When Oprah Winfrey came out, you could tell everyone was hoping that they'd find an Oscar under their chair.

Best Firth Place Finish: "I have a feeling my career has just peaked," Colin Firth, who gave a charming, gracious speech that  belied the fact that him winning was kind of a lock.

The Oscars were bad. (Or so I've heard and read).   James Franco and Anne Hathaway were terrible. Franco appeared to be uninterested in what was going on and monotone, Anne was like a giddy schoolgirl with so much energy but did not know what to do with it. Not funny at all. Please bring back Billy Crystal or Alec Baldwin, someone who is funny and can tell a story or two. The host needs to be someone with much more experience in the business.  The show could be better in a lot of ways because the stage was really grand and over the top. I liked Sandra Bullock, maybe she could host next year's Oscar awards? :)