This is a collection of my favorite controversial videos and award-winning films, both American and foreign films. I do not own these movies, so if you have any copyright issues, let me know and I will be glad to delete it in this blog. If you like this blog, please feel free to share it with your friends and perhaps you can buy me a cup of coffee.
I saw this movie, when it was first release. I enjoyed it very much. The following is a review that I have recently read in my Facebook Page and love sharing it with you.
"Call Me by Your Name (2017), directed by Luca Guadagnino, is a masterpiece of tenderness, longing, and the aching beauty of first love. Set in the sun-drenched countryside of northern Italy during the summer of 1983, the film immerses viewers in a world where time seems to slow, allowing every glance, touch, and word to carry profound weight.
The story follows Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalamet), a precocious 17-year-old navigating the complexities of adolescence. His life takes an unexpected turn when his family welcomes Oliver (Armie Hammer), a charismatic graduate student, for a summer residency. What begins as subtle tension between Elio and Oliver gradually unfolds into a love story that is both tender and devastatingly raw.
Chalamet delivers a performance that is nothing short of extraordinary. His portrayal of Elio’s inner turmoil and quiet yearning feels heartbreakingly authentic, particularly in the film's final moments, where his silent grief lingers long after the credits roll. Hammer’s Oliver, meanwhile, is magnetic and enigmatic, embodying the fleeting intensity of a summer romance.
Guadagnino’s direction transforms the lush Italian setting into a character of its own, with every frame exuding warmth, sensuality, and nostalgia. The film's dialogue, adapted from André Aciman’s novel, is lyrical yet natural, capturing the intimacy of stolen moments. Sufjan Stevens’ haunting soundtrack amplifies the emotional resonance, particularly the track Mystery of Love, which feels like a poetic extension of the narrative.
Call Me by Your Name is more than a love story; it is an ode to vulnerability, the impermanence of joy, and the bittersweet pain of memory. It leaves you longing for the simplicity of youth while reminding you of the courage it takes to love fully, even in the face of inevitable loss. It’s a film that lingers, a tender whisper etched into the soul".
While Cleaning out my closet the other day, I found the following old photos of my younger years.
Pleasant Memories, Indeed!
The above is our Bublegram Photo with a Lighted Base ( Me and Macrine (RIP). Macrine and I had been married for over 63 years, Macrine joined her Creator on August 10, 2020.
My First Winter in the US- December, 1959 in Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania
The David B Katague Family with My Mother-in-law ( RIP-Elena Nieva Jambalos), Chicago, Illinois, 1963. From Left to Right: Me, Dodie, Dinah, Macrine with David E ( both RIP) and Elena Nieva Jambalos(RIP).
The David B Katague Clan- Kansas City Missouri, 1966. From Left to Right Dinah, me, David E III, Macrine with Ditas in her lap and Dodie.
University of the Philippines Student Catholic Action, (UPSCA). Liberal Arts Chapter with Fr, John Delaney, S.J. (RIP). 1954
The University of the Philippines Students Catholic Action- Central Council, 1953
Meanwhile Here are the Suggested Ideal Times to Eat:
Lastly, In September 1948, one of the most intriguing Marian apparitions in the Philippines took place at the Carmelite Monastery in Lipa. A young novice, Sister Teresita Castillo, claimed she was praying in the convent garden when a radiant lady appeared, floating on a cloud. This mysterious figure, dressed in white and holding a golden rosary, introduced herself as the "Lady Mediatrix of All Grace."
Over the course of fifteen apparitions, a shower of rose petals allegedly fell, with images of Jesus, Mary, and other biblical scenes miraculously appearing on them. The apparition stirred intense devotion and widespread attention.
However, in the 1950s, Sister Teresing faced immense criticism and left the convent. An initial investigation dismissed the apparition as “non-supernatural,” but a twist came decades later. A bishop reportedly confessed on his deathbed that he was pressured to sign a dismissal of the apparition. In light of this, the case was reopened in 1991, leaving the phenomenon and its true nature an ongoing mystery.
Have a Blessed Sunday, Every One. Be Kind to One Another!
Just recently, I took photos of Batman and Robin playing with each other. It reminded me of the word Bromance. Both Batman and Robin are male-neutered cats, so loving each other is an example of a cat bromance. Here are several photos I took.
So what is Bromance?: A bromance is a very close and non-sexual relationship between two or more men. It is an exceptionally tight, affectional, homosocial male bonding relationship exceeding that of usual friendship, and is distinguished from normal friendship by a particularly high level of emotional intimacy.
Meanwhile here's and example of a bromance that is famous and shaped political history in the US.
The president and his vice president were two of the closest in recent memory.REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
It is hard to find a more famous bromance than the one between former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Biden.
After competing for the Democratic nomination in 2008, Obama chose Biden to join him on the ticket as his vice president.
From runs and walks around the White House to laughing over sharing meals and playing golf, the two were constantly seen together over their eight years in office. They even made friendship bracelets for each other to wear.
Before leaving office, Obama delivered the eulogy at the funeral of Biden's son, Beau. He also presented Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in a surprise ceremony.
When the Bidens' planned to sell their house in order to help their son's family during his illness, Obama offered to cover the mortgage and give Biden the money.
Former first lady Michelle Obama once said that her husband and Biden "really love one another."
After leaving office, Obama said he "gained a brother" in Biden. "I don't like him, I love him," Biden said of Obama.
Her are references of other political bromances, in arts and in entertainment world.
Another bromance is between Abraham Lincoln and Josha Speed, that change the course of American history. In 1837 Lincoln moved to Springfield to practise law and met Joshua Speed. They shared a bed for four years. “No two men were ever more intimate,” is how Speed summarised their relationship. Just how intimate is a touchy subject among scholars.
Food for Thought: Will Trump and Putin be another famous bromance in history?
Or Trump and Elon Musk? I doubt it! They will just used each other when both are benefited for Power and Money. I predict that Trump and Musk bromance will end before the end of 2025, when the economy will turn for the worst and Musk loses money because of Trump's tariff on imported goods from China and other countries and other policies.
This is the 15th article on my blog series about the Philippines and Filipino-Americans in connection with Filipino-American History Month here in the US
1. BRUNO MARS
Bruno Mars or born as Peter Gene Hernandez is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, musician, and as we have seen a dancer. It doesn’t get bigger than this superstar. The Uptown funk and Just the way you are singer’s mother is Bernadette San Pedro Bayot Hernandez, a Filipina from Cebu. She passed away in 2013 because of a brain aneurysm.
2. VANESSA HUDGENS
Vanessa is an actress and a singer. Our favorite Gabriela Montez of High School Musical and now our favorite trio in the Princess switch is half Filipina thanks to her mom Gina Guanco. Her mother Gina is from Manila while her father was of Irish, French and Native American descent. She has always been proud of her Filipino roots as well.
3. OLIVIA RODRIGO
This rising pop star is only 18, but is making waves in the music industry. Her songs “Driver’s License,” “Deja Vu,” have been trending everywhere. Olivia is of Filipino heritage as her father is Filipino-American. She has also stated that her great-grandfather moved from the Philippines to the US as a teenager and her family follows Filipino traditions and cuisine.
4. BELLA POARCH
Bella Poarch is pure Filipino indeed as she was born in the Philippines and adopted by an American family as a child. Interesting fact is she joined the U.S. Navy when she was 18 and served for four years, before becoming a social media star. Her edgy pop song “Build a Bitch” have made headlines and gone viral as well.
5. JACOB BATALON
Born Jacob Batalon in Hawaii, to Filipino parents, Ned of Spiderman no way home is a pure Filipino. His Filipina mother, who has always supported his dreams, is Eva Andres who is originally from Pangasinan here in the Philippines.
6. NICOLE SCHERZINGER
Nicole is an American born Nicole Prascovia Elikolani Valiente is a singer, actress, and television personality raised in Hawaii. She was the lead singer of the sexy beautiful group of pussycat dolls who became one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. She was their lead vocalist and her father is Alfonso Valiente which is of Filipino descent. She takes pride in being Filipino and have even performed at the Global Filipino Music Festival.
7. HAILEE STEINFELD
Hailee is an actress and a singer. Emily junk in Pitch perfect 2, Kate Bishop in the new marvel series, The Hawkeye and Emily Dickinson in the tb series Dickinson. Her maternal grandfather, Ricardo Domasin, was half Filipino who hails from Panglao, Bohol. She even said in an interview “I have Filipino blood in me and I’m so proud of that”.
8. DAVE BAUTISTA
Dave is an American actor and former professional wrestler. We know his as Drax of the Guardians of the Galaxy and six-time world champion WWE wrestler “Batista”. His father is Filipino, Michael Bautista. He is proud to be a Filipino and even brought Adobo on set of the Guardians which he recalls everyone wiped out.
9. ENRIQUE IGLESIAS
Enrique is a singer and a song writer. He has become one of the best-selling Latin music artists in history. Pure Hot Latino? No, this sexy pop star is half Filipino. His father is Julio Iglesias who married the beautiful Manila socialite and magazine journalist Isabel Preysler. She is a Filipina mestiza with Spanish ancestry.
10. GABRIELLA SARMIENTO WILSON (H.E.R.)
H.E.R., whose real name is Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, is an R&B singer. She has become one of the most established and most awarded Filipino-American artists with four Grammys under her belt and top-charting songs like “Best Part” and “Damage.” She was born to a Filipino mother.
Meanwhile Here is the List of Filipino-American Executives in the Biden Administration. My daughter, Ditas Macrine Katague is on the list as Associate Director of Communications, Bureau of Census, Department of Commerce.
My Patio and Bougainvillas in Bloom. Photo Taken_ October 26, 2024 at THD💜.
💜THD is an active senior living community in downtown Walnut Creek, CA. Currently it has about 130 senior residents housed in 4 buildings with 147 apartment units. There is an in-house restaurant ( Newton's) and a Cinema. There is a small gym, yoga studio, small library and two meeting rooms. However, there is no Hall or Room that could be rented by residents for private parties ( birthday etc..) that could accommodate more than 50 attendees. THD has 47 employees (some are part time) and a Garage for Residents and Guests for Parking. THD has been awarded the Best For Senior Living Award for 2023 and 2024 by the Place for Mom organization.
I am the only Filipino-American Resident in this Senior Community. It is owned privately and hopefully will not be sold to a mega corporation for Senior living in the near future. This is my 17th month residency here and I am very happy with my living environment. Of course, there is no perfect place in the World and I believe THD and its employees are trying to do their jobs to the best of their abilities to enhance the residents well being and sense of belonging during the last stage of our lives. But again there is always room for improvement. Suggestions for improvement have been posted in my previous blogs.
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1. BRUNO MARS
