Evel Knievel is Gone

The name synonymous to death defying, motorcycle flying stunts belongs to a mortal after all.

Evel Knievel died at 69 years of age, according to his website. He will forever be an icon with his red white & blue jumpsuit, inspiring daredevils of every age.

Read more from CNN.com. Photo courtesy of voormeryem.punt.ml.

The Spice Girls are back!

After babies, husbands, and unsuccessful solo careers, Posh, Scary, Sporty, baby & Ginger are kicking off their World Tour concert at Vancouver! Wow, talk about a 90's revival.

I was one of those Spice girls fanatics when they broke into the entertainment scene with "Wannabe", but honestly, the excitement of their reunion hasn't hit me yet. I guess seeing them perform together again will get me all hyped about it.

Read more about it from Reuters.com. Photos courtesy of communities.canada.com and aceshowbiz.com.

When Britney & Justin were young and innocent

I stumbled upon this old video of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake singing and dancing their hearts out at the Mickey Mouse Club. Man, her voice was pretty big and solid for such a young girl. The dancing, though cheesy, was pretty impressive. Of course, Justin was also showing signs of future stardom too. Maybe a bit awkward, but definitely talented.

After watching this, you wonder what happened to that sweet Southern girl who really loved to perform for the fans? Both of them had it then, but only Justin seems to still be at it.

If she could manage to equal Justin's current passion for music (like the Mickey Mouse club days) then there's hope for her. Post her bald-breakdown, undie-less with Paris, and unfit momma phase of course. Who knows, she just might surprise us one of these days (hopefully it's not because of another loser guy in tow!) Let's hope she gets her career (hopefully her life!) back on track. It's no fun dissing Brit (and she was so cute back then).

Photos courtesy of oilzine.com and riddleman.net.

Pulling the plug on Angels and Demons

Tom Hanks is going to wait much longer before work on the movie, "Angels and Demons" starts. The prequel to "Da Vinci Code" was slated for a December 2008 release, but this won't be possible with the standoff on the WGA strike. Reportedly, Akiva Goldsman's screenplay adaptation is not ready. Read more from Reuters.com.

Hmm, could this be an act of God?
Photos courtesy of cinemagazine.ch and audiobooksonline.com.

80s Hottie Phoebe Cates

I remember back in the late 80's when the movie "Date with an Angel" was shown. It wasn't a great movie, in fact you could call it boring. What made it a hit though were the stunning women in the cast.

While most may remember Emmanuel Beart who played the angel, Phoebe Cates was in the movie too - as the girl engaged to the guy who fell in love with the angel.

The thing is though, Phoebe didn't shine in the film, like the sexy, stunning beauty she's known for. To her defense, I think it was her short hair and understated look that made it so - a far cry from her usual look that made many teen guys crazy.

I beg to differ with those who said that Phoebe was no match for Emmanuel. Ask any guy who's seen Paradise or Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and they'll tell you a thing or two. Besides, when you remember the 80s, Phoebe Cates is definitely one of the prettiest and sexiest actresses during that decade.

Fast forward...she's married to Kevin Kline since 1989, with 2 lovely kids Greta & Owen. She's been out of the limelight to focus on her family, while attending benefits and hosting dinner parties with her celebrity friends. Find out more from celebritywonder.com.

By the way, Phoebe is also a businesswoman, running a boutique called Blue Tree in Madison Avenue, New York City.

Photos courtesy of dawgsports.com, blogs.tampabay.com, ashleymorris.typepad.com and bundlesofjoy.org.

Where's Jamie Walters now?

Back in the early 90's, I was one of those young girls who had a mad crush on Jamie Walters. He was this James Dean look-alike, who sang the #1 hit song "How Do You Talk to an Angel" in 1992 as part of the band and TV show "Heights". Though this was short lived, he moved on to star in "Beverly Hills 90210" as the bad boy in Tori Spelling's life. After dating Drew Barrymore which led to an engagement that fell through, he seems to have disappeared from the limelight.


That is, until I came across this E feature on Jamie in 2006. Turns out he's doing a much more noble role helping save people in real life. He doesn't look like the same hunk of a star nowadays, but I think his bravery and dedication to his wife and daughters pretty much overshadows that.
Watch this clip from You tube.
Photos courtesy of side2.no and musik.tdconline.dk.

The Mystery behind Horror Writer Poe

Edgar Allan Poe, born on January 19, 1809, is one of most famous American authors, widely regarded for his tales of mystery and macabre. I first came across his work thanks to a morbid classmate in 6th grade who decided to recite "Annabel Lee." While his work was written more than a century ago, his work still brings shivers in this day and age. Here are excerpts from the said piece:

For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams Of the beautiful Annabel Lee; And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes Of the beautiful Annabel Lee; And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side Of my darling -my darling -my life and my bride, In the sepulchre there by the sea - In her tomb by the sounding sea.


Edgar Allan Poe became quite famous after the success of "The Raven and other poems" in 1845. He continued to write critical essays, short stories and poems in later years. Yet for all his genius as a writer, he generally lived a very unhappy life. He lost his parents at a young age, and was adopted by a wealthy businessman whom he became estranged with because financial disagreements (some say unsettled gambling debts). He married his young cousin Virginia, but lost her to an illness after only 10 years of marriage. Read more about his life from The Literature Network and Poe Museum.

After succumbing to a drinking problem because of his woes, he was mysteriously found on a street in a sorry state, and brought unconscious to Washington College Hospital. He died shortly after on Oct. 7, 1849. Reposts cite that he was insane, but there were various speculations on the cause of his death from murder, rabies, to alcoholism.


Now however, there is a new theory thanks to Matthew Pearl, author of The Poe Shadow. After doing 3 years of research, he believes he uncovered proof that Poe had a brain tumor. This would explain the strange hallucinations and lapsing in and out of consciousness. Read more about it here from Guardian Unlimited.

In the end, there will always have an air of mystery wrapped around his name and his short life. People will find it hard to forget his chilling words and tales of the night, as captured by his greatest work:

And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door; And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadows on the floor; And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor Shall be lifted--nevermore!

Photos from baddict.wordpress.com, foothilltheatre.org, art-shrines.com, and crissimon.wordpress.com.

Remembering the Sound of Music

I'm taking a break from writing about someone who passed on. Ironically it's Nov. 1, and in the Philippines, this is a holiday for visiting the graveyard of loved ones. This time though, I've decided to remember one of the movies that made such an impression on me about 20 years ago.

I was in 6th grade the first time I watched "The Sound of Music". Top billed by great actors and singers like Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, this is one movie that will always put a smile on an otherwise cynical face. With Oscar Hammerstein II & Richard Rodgers' wonderful songs, plus respected director Robert Wise at the helm, it's a very pleasant nostalgic trip that childhood memories should be made of.

I think that the simple story coupled with beautiful music from the movie sealed its place as one of the great classics. True, it may be the typical plot (governess falls for the widower who's the father of the children she cares for), but it's hard not to love the songs and moments that best express life's most relevant highlights...from falling in love, betrayal, building trust, and protecting one's family to survive. If I were a critic, I'd give it 5 stars, no matter how cheesy it may sound. I think we need more movies that make life seem a little bit better.

To give credit to the topnotch cast, here's a list of their names and roles, courtesy of Yahoo Movies and Sound of Music.com:

Julie Andrews - Maria
Christopher Plummer - Captain Georg von Trapp
Eleanor Parker - Baroness
Richard Haydn - Max Detweiler
Charmian Carr - Liesl
Heather Menzies - Louisa
Nicholas Hammond - Friedrich
Duane Chase - Kurt
Angela Cartwright - Brigitta
Debbie Turner - Marta
Kym Karath - Gretl
Daniel Truhitte - Rolfe Gruber
Peggy Wood - the Mother Abbess
Anna Lee - Sister Margaretta
Portia Nelson - Sister Berthe


Photos from the film from Yahoo Movies.

11 Deaths from Glorietta Blast

Last night, the eleventh victim to lose his life was named as Ricardo Petras. He was a cashier at the Replay Clothing Store.

Jee Ann de Gracia, Nino Vidamo and Maureen de Leon were three friends who wanted to have lunch and discuss their plans for the future.

Anthony Marius Arroyo was a seaman bound for Germany, buying clothes with his wife.

Janine Marcos was a dean's lister in school who just happened to pass by the mall on her way home.


You can read more about them at Inquirer. net by clicking here.

It's so sad how life is just stripped away violently. How people can become so evil and think that they have the right to determine how short someone else should live. All for some supposedly meaningful cause, that has nothing to do with the innocent.

We come to realize more and more how these victims were simple, ordinary people. Most of them were breadwinners, not at all rich - just trying to provide the best that they could for their families.

Let's always remember these men and women, and pray that their families find peace despite these devastating times. That justice still has a place in this country.

Updates on the Glorietta Bombing

The video is from ABS-CBN network's report last night. This is not a post on the loss of a beloved celebrity, but of real individuals who were affected by an unforgettably sad moment in the country.

Yesterday at around 1:30 pm, there was a major explosion in Glorietta 2, one of the busiest malls in Makati city. The blast reportedly originated from the Luk Yuen restaurant at the ground floor, but the extent of the damage is shocking. The roof burst open, escalators destroyed, some people missing. The latest report is that RDX, the main component of C4, was found in the site. Read this for more details.

This is another indication that security measures have to be improved in public places, especially in malls, which are frequented by families and office workers. Glorietta, being one of the most popular Ayala malls has already been hit by a bomb 7 years ago. This time however, it's worse as fatalities occurred. Just today, the explosion officially claimed 10 lives. Inquirer.net released the list of injured and dead victims. As of 11:30pm, those who lost their lives were identified as Jose Allan de Jesus, Liza Marquez, Lester Peregrina, Janine Marcos, Anthony Marius Arroyo, Maria Celeste Cruz, Jae Ann de Gracia, Cesar Nino Vedano, Rainier Tan and just recently, Maureen de Leon.

Hopefully the ones responsible for this will be put to justice. Today, ABS-CBN reported that the Rajah Sulayman Movement (RSM) has claimed responsibility for it, but the government has yet to determine if this is true. Let's continue to pray for the safety of the Filipinos.

TLC's loss is irreplaceable : Lisa Lopes

It was in April 2002 when the tragic news broke out. Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, one of the members of the R&B and hip hop trio TLC, died in a car crash. Her car spun out of control, as she was traveling in Honduras. She was only 30 years old.

Lisa was known as the rapper and most outspoken member of the group. They had tremendous hits like Creep, Waterfalls, and No Scrubs. Despite the squabbles between the members and their label, TLC will always be one of the most successful and awarded female tandems in music history. They will always be my favorite group. To read more, click here, courtesy of MTV. Photo from img2.timeinc.net.

Sweet Grumpy Old Man: Walter Matthau

Walter Matthau is one great actor who really made his mark in Hollywood. Since I was born in the 70's, I know him from his latter movies movies like Grumpy Old Men, Dennis the Menace, and Hanging Up...but I loved him best in I.Q. as the great genius Albert Einstein. He was a wonderful comedian, but few people from my generation know that he was also an awarded actor and host. He won an Oscar for best supporting actor in "The Fortune Cookie" in 1966, and hosted the 48th and 55th Academy Awards. Mr. Matthau will surely make a lot more people laugh as his movies play on. For more links on Walter Matthau, click here.

Brandon Lee :Death at The Crow

Brandon Lee was interesting simply because he was Bruce Lee's kid. Plus, admittedly he was a better-looking version of his dad. It's strange that even if I vaguely recall his past stints, he always made a big impression on me. The only movie that I remember him doing is "The Crow," the very film where he suffered an accident and died so suddenly. How abrupt? This was 17 friggin' days before he was gonna marry his fiance!

Seems like there's some kind of curse on the Lee family which is an old rumor, with father and son both dying so young. And right before they were to reach new heights of fame. Or could it be the fact that starring in a dark flick is linked to sudden death? Call it coincidence, but this is so similar to what happened to singer Aaliyah, who also died after filming a horror movie"Queen of the "Damned". Maybe up and coming actors should steer clear from this sort of thing, just to play safe!

After "The Crow", everyone was saying that Brandon would've been the next big action hero, but sadly he didn't get the chance. He'll at least be immortalized as a young, mysterious, & talented martial artist & actor. Click here to read more about him.

The Birth of Celebrities In Memoriam

Whether you're from Asia like me, from Greece or the Middle East, chances are that at least one celebrity has touched your life. I'm talking about the few unforgettable people who've made us smile, cry, enraged, or blissfully happy. And when they pass on, there's some sort of loss that we feel, be it a pinch in the heart, or a hit-and-run moment that feels like a ten-wheeler came by. I want to remember these celebrities because they've become part of memories that admittedly, shape our life in some way.

Last month, a Philippine actor who's considered to be one of the local legends in entertainment, died at 72. His name is Ramon Zamora. In my desire to express my condolences and memories of him, I made the mistake of posting in the wrong online guest book! The sad part is that there was no other venue to do this. And that's when I realized that we should have a place to share our sentiments in memory of these great people.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about glorifying actors or obsessing over them. I simply want to recall them for the good, light, funny or surprising ways that made an impact on us , on a personal level. To see the good in these celebrities who have sacrificed their privacy to make us happy even for just an hour or two. A movie, a song, a TV show, a poem, a play - these come alive because of the men and women who sang, acted, wrote, or danced their way to our hearts.

So here it is. This is your chance to pay tribute and share a few words to the celebrity who's made a dent in your life. If you have somebody in mind whom you want to be featured here, email me at aprilimmy@yahoo.com. Write a line or two and perhaps a picture to remember them by.

I'm starting with Ramon Zamora, posting his film during the 70's. He started as a simple stunt man, to become one of the most unforgettable comedians and action stars in his generation. Known as the Bruce Lee of the Philippines, I'll always remember him as one of the characters who made me laugh at his Adolf impersonations, and amazed at his prowess in martial arts. Goodbye and God bless Mr. Zamora!