It was a delayed holidays present to myself, but it was well worth the wait. Clara’s debut album finally reached my hands – which was a little overdue actually. I was supposed to grab this way back December 1 when she held her solo performance (albeit with Charles Tan) at the Music Museum – but they ran out of stock! Luckily, they offered to have one shipped “in the next few days”. Days turned to weeks and turned to a month – until last Friday, I received a claim slip for a package that has just been shipped. Without a doubt in my mind, it had to be this.
The art in the cover (no pun intended) is very… hmm, how I say this, Clara-like? It featured some of the instruments the talented gal can play. I’m just wondering why her world famous guitar wasn’t in the box art. In any case, the CD package contained a lyric book and a little note to all her fans – which is extra nice! I could imagine her actually saying those words having met her in person, and I could tell that she really meant it.
After listening to all the songs a couple of times, I must say that there is something that is being overshadowed by her enchanting voice – and that is – the lyrics of the songs, especially Fool’s Gold and Dear Daphne. I’m not quite sure if she’s the one writing them, but I believe she does. These two instantly became my favorite in the list (along with Heartstrings), and it’s easy to tell why:
This is absolutely stunning! What a return for the Suikoden title. Too bad the original series has been long dead. I guess I’ll never know the story between Pesmerga and Yuber *sigh*.
From the previous clips, Konami said that this one will involve more “wars and political factions”, so that’s a good sign! Also, the characters per party returned to 6! The gameplay footage in the video shows great 3D animation, so there’s really a lot of hype in this game. Now all we need to do is to pray to the gaming gods that this be localized or else… Well, I can’t really think of an alternative choice.
The game will be released in Japan on February 9, 2012 for the PSP platform.
It might be a bit late, but hey, better late than never!
I wish you all had a cracking, festive season of holidays! Enjoy what little remains of the year and keep your head up for a 2012 that’s full of promises and hope!
On another note, Fate/Zero Season 1 has just ended in a supposedly-bang-but-instead-a-ufotable-expected-cliffhanger. ufotable did the Fate series a justice. Though I am hugely favorable of F/Z, I guess F/SN has its own charms as well. F/SN started as a visual novel, so it was quite easier to convert it to anime, unlike F/Z which started as a light novel (please correct me on this one). Again, Baka-Tsuki has fully translated the novel in English, so if you want to read it, follow this link.
F/Z has a great cast which are very likable. The story is engrossing and I can’t wait to read the novel myself. The animation is simply stunning, with favorable music here and there. The OP and ED however are stand-outs! To those followers, I am a huge critic of the OPs and EDs being used in a series, and I felt that Memoria and oath sign are just perfect.
Being a novel originally, I understand where all the dialogue are coming from, instead of the most awaited duel scenes among the servants. If you are still new to the Fate series, again, it’s never too late. You might want to watch F/SN first before F/Z so that things won’t be.. uhm.. how should I say this — anticlimactic?
Anyway, Season 2 starts on April 2012. Mark that on your calendars, folks!
As for other news, Carnival Phantasm will have a 12-minute special – Fate/Prototype which is somewhat a spin-off of F/SN. For more details, you may read here.
I would like to have a full-blown series of Fate with a male Saber class! May it be, Fate/Extra, Fate/Apocrypha, Fate/Zero, Fate/Stay Night, every Saber is a female. We need a male swordie!
Anyway, that’s enough ranting. Happy new year to all!
A myriad of ways of how one can help the victims of Typhoon Sendong in Northern Mindanao.
WHAT: Relief goods drop-off
WHERE: My Place Residence Hall Katipunan (near KFC)
WHEN: Ongoing until Monday night, Dec. 19
ORG/CONTACT PERSON: Sendong Relief Operations/Reynald Reyes (09167262483)
HOW: Donate relief goods: blankets, clothing, food, etc.
WHAT: Cash assistance for relief and recovery efforts
WHERE: n/a
WHEN: Ongoing
ORG/CONTACT PERSON: Philippine National Red Cross
HOW: Text REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart) or make a donation at any Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop nationwide
WHAT: Relief goods drop-off for Cagayan de Oro Victims
WHERE: Enderun Colleges, McKinley Hill, Taguig City
WHEN: Ongoing
ORG/CONTACT PERSON: The Enderun Community Drive
HOW: Donate off bottled water, ready to eat food (i.e. crackers, biscuits, cookies, packaged buns/cakes), juices, milk, canned goods, medicines at the drop-off point.
WHAT: Relief goods drop-off
WHERE: Mercato Centrale Tent (The Fort) and Suderno (beside makati med)
WHEN: Ongoing until 3AM Dec. 18, or 7am-2pm the following day Dec. 19
ORG/CONTACT PERSON: Mercato Centrale
HOW: Donate relief goods at the drop-off points.
WHAT: Surgical support for calamity victims
WHERE: ECs in calamity affected areas
WHEN: Ongoing
ORG/CONTACT PERSON: Philippine College of Surgeons- Northern Mindanao Chapter/Klarizza Simbulan (09173045037)
HOW: If you know of anyone who has surgical needs due to the calamity, contact Klarizza.
WHAT: Cash donations
WHERE: n/a
WHEN: Ongoing
ORG/CONTACT PERSON: Iligan City Government
HOW: Deposit monetary donations at DBP Iligan City Account Name: City Treasurer’s Office Iligan City, Trust Fund # 0820-016201-030
WHAT: Cash donations for Iligan City victims
WHERE: n/a
WHEN: Ongoing
ORG/CONTACT PERSON: Rei Lena Maranda (09052665014)
HOW: Deposit cash donations at
Account name: Association of IIT Alumni Foundation Inc.
Bank: BDO – Iligan Quezon Avenue Branch
Account No: 003120169026
WHAT: Relief goods drop-off/Relief goods repacking/Monetary donations
WHERE: Sagip Kapamilya, ABS-CBN Foundation, Mo. Ignacia cor. Eugenio Lopez St., Quezon City or ABS-CBN Cagayan de Oro, Barangay Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City or ABS-CBN Davao, Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City
WHEN: Ongoing
ORG/CONTACT PERSON: Sagip Kapamilya, ABS-CBN Foundation/Faizza Tanggol (09175323249)
HOW: (1) Volunteer; (2) Donating relief goods (clothing, blankets, food, etc.); (3) Donate cash thru the ff:
(a) BDO Peso Account
Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
Account Number: 39301-14199
Swift Code: BNORPHMM
Again, it was another sad day for us Filipinos, who had to suffer these types of calamities amidst all the tough times we’ve all been going through. My heart flows out to the family of Crystal Padilla, one of our batch mates, and all others who have been traumatized by the, once again, unprecedented aftermath.
Here is from one TV advertisement in Japan, directed by Makoto Shinkai.
I don’t know how to explain it but even if I hadn’t known who the director was, I am still convinced it was only Makoto Shinkai who can create such artistry.
On a side note, I still haven’t seen Hoshi O Ou Kodomo. That makes me a sad man..
It has been a very disappointing year by my standards. Not only does the quantity of posts decreased, but so as the quality. This is quite a problem. I can’t believe I’m having a hard time to think of a post when about 3 to 4 years ago, I would easily find time and a topic to rant about.
Anyway, what’s done is done. Let’s just get back up on our feet and welcome an encouraging 2012. More music, more anime, and more life experiences could all be translated to writings. I’m looking forward to the rejuvenation!
Happy 4th birthday to my blog. Thanks for always being there! Cheers!
My blog’s birthday is actually December 5, 2007. Soooo, yeah, I’m a little late. XD
It’s official, Final Fantasy Type-0 will be released outside of Japan. The news comes from the Final Fantasy Type-0 Ultimania, which comes out in Japan tomorrow.
Snippets from the book’s interview leaked onto the Internet, including a tidbit about an international release. Square Enix is already working on one.
Final Fantasy Type-0 was released for PSP on October 27 in Japan. Square Enix has been pretty fast with localized versions. Dissidia 012[duodecim]: Final Fantasy was released the same month and Final Fantasy XIII-2 has a one month delay. Tabata’s last title, The 3rd Birthday, had a three month gap between Japan and the West.
As of now, I could not find any source on the internet yet, but I’ve heard from Imagine-Nation (NHK) that Prince of Tennis will get its sequel soon. I believe the manga is already ongoing but the anime won’t be here earlier than the first month of next year. The manga will still be published in Weekly Shounen Jump, 週刊少年ジャンプ!
As an overview, the whole team will face all other schools from across Japan – one that will include some sort of qualifiers in which Ryoma will eventually lose. Yes, that is a cold-hearted spoiler, the way it has been said in the show. I might as well share it to you.
