Otaku Moments: 20 Day Hana Yori Dango challenge

Yet another Blog Challenge. I've done the Sailor Moon and the Disney Princess challenge..it was fun to get things out there that I wanted to do another challenge. A questionnaire on a topic I really love. Hana Yori Dango.

Here is the 20 Day Hana Yori Dango Challenge but as always I'll do this in one go:

1. Who is your most favorite F4 member?

Isn't it obvious? Of course Domyouji Tsukasa. I liked the manga/anime for the first time about 10 years ago? And I love the mangaka for making his hair curly, that just adds to his charm.

2. Who would win in a fight -- Tsukasa or Soujirou?

Well, Tsukasa is one heck of a fighter so I think he would win, but I guess Soujirou will give him the challege.

3. Who do you think can pick up more girls -- Soujirou or Akira?

Personally I think its Soujirou. Akira has a more matured taste. Soujirou's pheromones are reeking so I guess it would be him.

4. Who would do better in a math test -- Tsukasa or Rui?

I would definitely say Rui hands down. He may be the bum type but I think among them he is the smartest.

5. What do you think would have happened to Tsukasa if he had never met Tsukushi?

I think he would be still doing his old, arrogant ways or maybe worse. He could be arranged to be married to a young lady that couldn't handle him. I guess I couldn't imagine the situation if they hadn't met.

6. Most favorite OST among all the Hana Yori Dango adaptations?

"The Flavor of Life" by Utada Hikaru. Hana Yori Dango Returns. ♥

7. Which character in Hana Yori Dango should you cosplay as and why?

I would most likely say Makino Tsukushi (as I have the same hairstyle right now), but I would love to cosplay as Shigeru. That would be fun.

8. If the F4 were normal guys and not from rich families, do you think they would still be really popular among girls?

If they still have their good looks, I think they will still be popular among girls. *ahem* the 4 bishounen of Yamato Nadeshiko Shichihenge *ahem*

9. Which character in Hana Yori Dango would you want to trade lives with for a day?

Hanazawa Rui. I want to look at the world in his sleepy, dazed eyes. ^^

10. What do you think Tsukasa’s dad looks like?

He looks a bit like him, older but with much more gentler eyes. The eyes Tsukasa has when he is looking at Tsukushi.

11. Who do you think had a more lonelier childhoodー Tsukasa or Sojirou?

Well, Soujirou's childhood was lonely but at least he had Sara. I think Tsukasa's lonelier.

12. What is your ranking in terms of looks for the F4?

My ranking (I'm biased)

1. Domyouji Tsukasa

2. Nishikado Soujirou

3. Hanazawa Rui

4. Mimasaka Akira

13. Most useless character in the whole of Hana Yori Dango.

I think the 3 ladies in Eitoku. They are there for the filler stories.

14. Which F4 member has the most coolest house/room?

Domyouji Tsukasa's house is so big...so many rooms. o_O

15. Which F4 member has the best fashion sense?

Nishikado Soujirou. ^^

16. Who do you think is the smartest (academically) in the F4?

I previously said that Hanazawa Rui may be the smartest but I think Nishikado Soujirou is too.

17. Tsukasa with straight or curly hair?

curly hair! most definitely. That is part of his charm. ♥

18. Most evil Kaede Domyouji tactic to break up Tsukasa and Tsukushi?

Telling everyone on Tsukasa's birthday that he has a fiancee.

19. People always call Tsukushi fatー do you think it’s true? (I personally think she’s skinny)

She is skinny! Too skinny~

20. How did you know about Hana Yori Dango? 

About 12 or 10 years ago a Taiwanese drama named Meteor Garden broke the record in the Philippines. I was curious, I liked the story but wasn't personally a follower of the drama or the artists portraying the characters and I was right, I loved the manga and anime way better.

These are the things you do when you are bummed out: answer a blog challenge. ^^

Youko Kamio has done a great job. I wish to have all 37 volumes.

My first Japanese crush

It's no secret among my circle of friends (especially in high school) that I loved animes/manga since elementary. My longing to go to Japan and maybe feel the winter season or walk under the sakura trees was even stronger during my high school days. Well Dianne preferably wanted to go to Korea, like I wanted Denmark and she wanted Paris (but that's another story).

I just realized that my first Japanese crush was Matsu-Jun (Matsumoto Jun) of Arashi. I first had a crush on him when he appeared in Gokusen 1 as Shin Sawada in the year 2002 or was it 2003? Apparently that is where my best friend Dianne started to have a crush with Oguri Shun.

Oguri Shun and Matsu-Jun in Gokusen

And since I loved the Hana Yori Dango manga and anime (my last post). Imagine my happiness when I found out that Matsu-Jun would play my favorite HYD character, Domyouji. (♥_♥) And Dianne was happy to see Oguri Shun again.

Though today I have crushes like:

Hiroshi Tamaki who I first saw in Nodame Cantabile as Chiki Shinichi

Ikuta Toma as Nakatsu in Hana Kimi, he also played Junpei in HYD Returns

Mukai Osamu as Shinobu in Mei-chan no Shitsuji, he also played the playboy character in Nodame Cantabile

I'll still never forget him, Matsu-Jun = ♥. Though he has the cold persona in Arashi (maybe that's his selling point as an idol) maybe he isn't like that in real life. (saw many behind the scenes of his dramas).

 Our crushes (Oguri Shun and Matsu-Jun)

and our weird FB convo

the best HYD version

and their last shot together

9 whole years of crushing over you and maybe more, still on the lay-low. No regrets. ♥

My life as a fangirl: The road to THE ALIVE GALAXY TOUR Manila 2012

It was announced last May that the Philippines is included in the list of countries in the Big Bang Alive Galaxy tour. The prices was announced around June or July. I couldn’t even contain my subtle fan girl self. Me and my best friend Dianne vowed that we would be in the same seat as we had in 2NE1’s “The Party”

These were the official ticket prices:

OFFICIAL Ticket Prices:

VIP 1 & 2 (Reserved Seating) - Php 13,200

VIP 3 (Standing) - Php 10,560

Lower Box A (Reserved Seating) - Php 7,920

Lower Box B (Reserved Seating) - Php 6,870

Upper Box (Reserved Seating) - Php 3,700

General Admission (Free Seating) - Php 1,060 

BUT…..

Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances *sobs* my plan was pushed back a lot. A LOT. 

SO……

Last October 12, my sister Marionbought the General Admission ticket for both of us. After all it would be unfortunate if my crown stick wouldn't be waved in the actual concert right? ^^ Better that than no ticket at all.

OKAY….

OCTOBER 22, 2012 MONDAY (D-2)

Stalked twitter because I can’t be at the airport but I did participate in the  #MABUHAYBIGBANG hashtag. It was a trending topic and the timeline was moving too fast.  I, too felt like I was there at NAIA even though I'm just at home. While stalking the timeline, I'm listening to Big Bang songs (solo, group, subunit) songs in shuffle mode. Full of positive vibes right now. Big Bang arriving at Manila, VIPs screaming...I think the next few days will be an amazing race (stalker mode). My timeline is so fast! The stalking VIPs thought that they will be staying at Midas Hotel but that would be the dancers and staff. They are staying at EDSA Shangrila.

#MABUHAYBIGBANG Philippines trends peaked at #2; Worldwide peaked at #3

The flight details:

FLIGHT CI 703 TAIPEI - MANILA STA: 15:30 ETA: 15:32 BELT3 STATUS: A R R I V E D

Big Bang in Shangrila Hotel EDSA (cr: @WLD_PA twitter)

There was a rumor that YG would be having a surprise. What is it?

OCTOBER 23, 2012 TUESDAY (D-1)

The surprise: Dara flew in from Korea to watch Big Bang Alive Tour in the Philippines. *fan girl self can’t take it anymore*

OCTOBER 24, 2012 (D-DAY)

My subtle fan girl self couldn’t contain the feels. It’s like I’m back being a teenager again. Seriously, these boys make me go mad.

Here are the highlights (and ramblings) of the amazing day:

Getting ready for a FANTASTIC BABY~ This night will be ONE OF A KIND~

On the way to MOA Arena, listening to my fave song in the "One of a Kind" mini-album: "Finally"

·         Seriously, I woke up at 4AM in the morning, my sister Marion didn’t turn off the light! She was on her way to her duty. *but I know I was just excited*

·        Woke up again late. I should get ready because since I only have the General Admission ticket, I need to be in line early. Ate early lunch.

·         Got to the venue at 1PM there were many people in line!

People in line

·         There were booths by Jeju Air, Samsung Galaxy.

·         Big Bang official merchandise booth. I want everything! But no moolah *forever crying*

·         There were 7 lines (shuffled) they told that it would be filtered upon going in. I was in line number 3

·         Made friends with VIPs in the line while waiting for my sister. Shout out to Roma and Penny (@ romaisvip @socallmepenny)

·         Big Bang arrived in their cars and everyone got craaaaaazy~ (Get your crayon~ Get your crayon~) but I stayed in line mahirap na

·         Waited in line for almost 6 hours. This is the first time this happened to me.

·         We were supposed to go in at 6PM (all concerts are like this) because concerts usually start at 8PM

·         Mhay Ghad! It was already 6:30PM and we were still waiting in line.

·         When they announced that they are now opening the gates, everyone went craaaaaaaaaaaazy~ STAMPEDE MODE ON. I swear, there was no more line. I was just going with the flow.

·         It started to rain but it was so hot. Daig pa namin Divisoria!

·         It took about 7:15PM before we got in. I feel sorry to the ones at the back since they would probably miss the first part of the concert. If it would be like this, they should’ve let people in, 5PM.

·         Me and my sister Marion ran up all the way to the 5th floor since our seats were free seating. Need to get good ones.

Got our seats

And yea~ we were this high up~~

Anxiously waiting...

SETLIST: (yes I did jot it down in my phone in between the hype)

• Alive (intro)
• Tonight
• Hands Up
• Fantastic Baby
• How Gee
• Stupid Liar
• TALK WITH AUDIENCE (Ri, Bae, Dae)
• Knockout (Jiyong, Tabi)
• High High (Jiyong, Tabi)
• Strong Baby (Ri)
• What Can I Do? (Ri)
• Gara Gara Go
• Number 1
• Café
• TALK WITH AUDIENCE (BIG BANG)
• Crayon/One of a Kind (snippet with beat box)
• Bad Boy
• Blue
• Love Song
• Monster
• Feeling
• Only Look at Me (Bae)
• Wedding Dress (Bae)
• Wings (Dae)
• Haru Haru
• TALK WITH AUDIENCE (BIG BANG)
• Lies
• Last Farewell 

The farewell before the encore

ENCORE:

• Heaven
• Bad Boy
• Fantastic Baby
• Feeling

Concert highlights:

• They were playing random Big Bang MVs such as “Bad Boy” and the crowd favorite “Fantastic Baby” everybody was wild. MVs pa lang yan!
• We were seated at the left side (if you are facing the stage) and I think Jiyong and Bae peeked that the crowd from our side went wild.
• THE. BEST. INTRO. EVER. OMEEEGALLYGOSH~I love all their album intros but this song, especially the extended one really reeled me in deeper. Maybe because of the positivity from everything they went through.

Big Bang in Manila

• They each appeared in a pod singing the Alive intro. They looked like they were from outer space. Goosebumps all over. BEST. PROPS. EVER.
• “Mabuhay Big Bang mission” in “Tonight”? FAILED The crowd was so busy screaming.

Let's get this party started

• They sang HANDS UP! After Fantastic Baby, that is my favorite live performance ever.
• “Mission Fantastic Baby” in “Fantastic Baby”? SORT OF FAILEDbecause there were still crown sticks and crown head bands twinkling BUT the crowd went wild during the performance. A BIG PARTY. BOOMSHAKALAKA MOMENTS.
• Although I love “High High” I especially loved “Knockout” been singing the chorus loudly the whole time. I hope the persons next to me will forgive me. Tough I’ve been seeing them taking glances at me. Maybe I looked like a crazed fan girl. Keber.

GTOP making everyone high~ high~

• When it was Baby Ri’s turn for his solo, my crazy panda girl sister (yes Marion, I’m looking at you) was fangirling so much.

courtesy of a certain panda girl sister

• They sang “Gara Gara Go” and yes I indeed became a crazed fan girl once again. I know the lyrics. SANG. EVERY. WORD. (even the rap part)
• They sang “Café” *sobs* this is my favorite song in the Tonight mini-album.
• They did a snippet of Jiyong’s “Crayon” and “One of a Kind” I couldn’t make it out but I think it was Bae who was doing the beat box or Tabi.
• “Mission Blue” in “Blue”? SORT OF FAILED But I did open my Blue light though. The others did forget to turn off their crown sticks and their glowing crown head bands. But when I look at it, it looked like the night sky with twinkling lights so it was all good. It was puuuuurrty.
• They did the “Monster” Japan dance where Bae was held high. They were laughing the whole time though. Turns out, Dae and Jiyong did lay down but the others didn’t. Such pranksters.

Caught on cam! Jiyong and Dae being pranked in Monster

• After Bae sang “Wedding Dress”, he looked at the audience and slowly ripped off his white shirt ala Incredible Hulk style. YES, Bae fangirls…he was NEKKID. Ovaries exploded.

Nekkid Bae, Bae fangirls its time for your ovaries to explode.

• Dae sang his solo entitled “Wings” I was screaming the whole time. Sorry Jiyong, I do love you but Dae got my attention that night. He was so hyper. He was looking at the audience the whole time. Dancing, twirling, and jumping. He is so happy that his smile is so genuine. You can feel him glowing. It’s a pity though, he wasn’t in his wings. I sang YEAH~ YEAH~

Dae spreading his wings

• Everybody sang the acoustic version of “Haru Haru”.They were sitting in a chair and just feeling the breeze? Not quite. A quiet version was not done because the fans were screaming for dear life, me included. That was the first Korean Big Bang song I memorized. I knew every word. I sang like there’s no tomorrow. I can see them smiling the whole time it’s like they were overwhelmed. It was quite emotional. I swear, they didn’t sing the chorus. Why bother singing it when the audience is singing for you right? That gave me goosebumps. It made me teary-eyed. I honestly saw through the monitor that Jiyong was kinda teary-eyed? I think all of them were. Baby Ri was even doing the sing some more sign.
• After the “Haru Haru” main song. Bae did an encore chorus. Maybe they wanted to hear the audience one more time. They held their mics up high and everyone sang. Still having goosebumps. BEST. HARU HARU. LIVE. PERFORMANCE. EVER.

This is my fave haru haru picture. Its my wallpaper right now. Marion, you're such a pro. OHOHOHO~

Haru Haru moments

cr: puching27 YT. We didn't have fancam for this because we were too busy singing.

• Seungri once again talked to the audience. I think everyone did. I couldn’t make out what they were saying (as I was screaming the whole time) but I did make out that he loves the Philippines and that they will definitely be back. (I’ll be waiting). They were thanking everyone the whole time. Ri even said that we have a great voice, better than him. Of course Baby Ri, we sing all the time. And I mean all the time. All occasions. Magic Sing in every home, maybe that’s our motto. BEST. AUDIENCE. EVER.

cr: siJONESSAni YT

• Bae sang out “Do you want more?” for the encore. The crowd was screaming “We want more~” Even the band waved their crown sticks that the audience followed their lead. LOL~
• In the encore they sang 4 songs. That was a long one. “Heaven”,“Bad Boy”, “Fantastic Baby” and “Feeling”.
• Before singing “Bad Boy” they meant to go back backstage. Bae even playfully pushed the wall as if saying “Even the stage doesn’t want us to leave the audience” Then he said “We can’t leave you like this”
• A fan gave Baby Ri a panda plushie. When singing the part “Sorry, I’m a bad boy...” he was giving the mic to the panda like he was saying “Sing, my general of the panda army…SING!” He was taking videos and pictures of it the whole time.

Baby Ri and his panda plushie

• When they sang “Fantastic Baby” again. The crowd went wild for the nth time. It was a big party. It looked like we weren’t tired at all and could do this the whole night. Dae didn’t even sing his part the audience did it for him. That is when Ri and Jiyong shoot with their Samsung S3 phone. Ri had his panda, Jiyong poured one bottle of water at Dae which he did shrug it off to the audience (lucky). I think Bae kicked Ri’s panda…poor Ri.
• Tabi wore a pink head band and danced the night away. Choom TOP style or was it Bingu TOP? He shrugged off his cool image and did bring out his real one. That’s how we party.
• Dae saying “Mahal Ko Kayo” I love you too!
• They kept on saying “Mahal Ko Kayo” and “Salamat” the whole time.
• That beautiful angelic Daesung smile~ I just can’t… *tears*
• Is it just me or the audience is Tabi-biased? I swear, whenever Tabi sings his part the 80% of the audience go wild. (yes, Dianne…I know you are one of them) Maybe that’s why he wasn’t his usual cold self. His inner BINGU TOP came out. I am Jiyong-Dae biased so… but I did scream when he was in BINGU mode.

Heya Tabi fans...Bingu TOP in the house

• Someone threw a yellow bra on stage WUT? o_O
• Jiyong said “Paalam. Salamat. Mahal Ko Kayo”
• Dae said “Salamat. Mahal Ko Kayo”
• Baby Ri said “Salamat. Mahal Ko Kayo”
• Bae waved goodbye pulled Tabi as he was going in and told him to say goodbye to the audience. Little BINGU TOP did a dance. Was that the shuffle or what. OH~ Tabi, you crack me up. Shed off that cold image and stay that way forever.
• The concert itself was a screamfest from the intro till the encore…but the loudest cheer went to...“Fantastic Baby”

RANT: The organizers should’ve made it orderly like putting up lanes for the lines like in Araneta Coliseum. I swear it wasn’t like this in 2NE1’s “The Party” Con.  Lesson learned guys. Next time we know what to do. I’m not saying that it was purely the organizers fault; the fans are also to be blamed BUT STILL next time SANA MAAYOS NA. Nakakahiya naman kung ma-label tayong pinakamagulo sa pila.

OCTOBER 25, 2012 (THE AFTERMATH)

My shoulders are throbbing, my legs are tired and my voice is raspy. It was like I was on stage doing the concert with them. I sang every song. No break. Sheesh. But it was fun and sooooo worth it. I’m still on cloud 9. The concert was exactly one month before my birthday and I’m still on a high. Probably.

Big Bang departed the Philippines to head off for Malaysia. They stayed for 4 days. Not bad. The only regret? No presscon. Oh well~ you can’t have it all. Maybe instead of the presscon YG gave them the day off; well they needed that. So~ Malaysian VIPs, it’s your time to shine!

I’ve said this over and over again. “Lollipop” (with 2NE1) got me interested (because of a certain someone *ahem*Dianne *ahem*. “My Heaven” Japanese version made its way. “A Fool’s Only Tears” got me hooked. That was my beginning and the rest is history. As for my biases?Jiyong got me interested in “Lollipop” and I loved him more in “My Heaven”. I wasn’t attracted to Daesung at first…calling him chaka, those were the black days and it lasted for maybe a week (yes, Dianne. If you are reading this, laugh and say I told you so.) but when I heard his heavenly voice in “A Fool’s Only Tears” and his solo song “Uso Bonda” plus saw Family Outing, I loved him. GDae. Whatever, I do love them all. Now I’m in…hook, line and sinker. Proud VIP for nearly 4 years and probably more in the future. Until Whenever.

The aftermath

That was Fantastic Baby.That night was One of a Kind. Still in my Beautiful Hangover.
I'm lucky to come out the concert..Still Alive. A little dazed, but ALIVE.

20 Day Disney Princess Challenge

I know, I know. I'm kinda bored and just wanted to blog about random stuff...saw this at tumblr and heck, I could give this a try.

Instead of waiting for 20 Days to finish this post, I'm going to do this in one shot. So here it goes:

20 Day Disney Princess Challenge:

Day 1: The Princess you adore most

I absolutely adore Ariel from The Little Mermaid. She is the epitome of daughters bravely defying their fathers. Not that I say its cool. She is a risk-taker and that voice is amazing. Jodi Benson is one of my favorite Disney voice actors. Did I mention I love her? Makes me wanna sing that instrumental "Part of your World" when she got her voice back.

Day 2: The Princess you like least

No offense to Snow White fans but she is too a damsel in distress for my taste. Though I love Snow White in the series "Once Upon A Time" (that's another story). She's too sweet for my taste and loves love a little too much.

Day 3: The Princess you relate to most

I relate to Belle of Beauty and the Beast mainly because of her love for books. She adores them and makes a habit out of it, like me.

Day 4: The Sidekick you wish you had

Flounder from The Little Mermaid. I loved how he is so loyal to Ariel even though she makes the dumbest risks but she never tattletales her to Sebastian.

Day 5: The best friend you wish you could hangout with

I wish Mulan to be that best friend. She's a risk taker, wouldn't back down to anything and a loyal friend. So yea~ (by the way after Ariel, she's my second favorite)

Day 6: The prince you wish loved you 

Not exactly a prince but Shang from Mulan makes my heart race. Seriously. Especially the part in the first movie where he sang "Be a Man" (one of my favorite Disney OSTs)

Day 7: The parents you wish raised you

I would love to be part of their quirky little family. Mulan's parents are cool most especially her grandma. She's a perky one.

Day 8: The castle you wish you live in

I would say Beast's castle in Beauty and the Beast in a heartbeat. That library makes my heart swell. That would be heaven for me.

 Day 9: The town you wished you live in

I want to live in Belle's town, they've got everything. Even that narcissistic Gaston plus the amazing part is, everyone sings!

Day 10: The dress you wish you owned

I love Mulan's clothing when she fights. It's super comfy and ready for battle unlike all the Disney princesses frilly, balloon-y dresses.

Day 11: The voice you wish you had

Ariel's voice! No doubt, Ariel's voice. If I were that crazy I'll work like Ursula too just to sing the perfect "Part of your World"

Day 12: Two princesses you think are best friends

This is not because of Lea Salonga, voice actor of the two Disney princesses (well, that too) but I would think Mulan and Jasmine will hit it off. They are both spunky and very opinionated.

Day 13: Two princesses you think detest each other

Mulan and Snow White. It's not that I'm debunking the possibility of becoming friends but I think their way of living wouldn't jive. Snow White is too girly and too in love while Mulan is opinionated. They are completely opposites but hey, we may never know.

Day 14: Two sidekicks who could make a great duo

I'm all for Mushu and Cricket. Whenever they are together, everything explodes and bursts into heaps of laughter.

Day 15: Two princes who would make best buds

I honestly think its going to be Shang and Flynn Rider. Maybe they could even get tips on how to get along with their spunky ladies.

Day 16: The scene that always makes you cry

This is when Mulan sings "Reflection". This always makes me sad, the emotions are overwhelming.

Day 17: The scene that always makes you cheer

In Tangled, when they are singing amidst the lanters everywhere, its too breathtaking.

Day 18: The scene that always makes you cringe

In Snow White, there was this forest scene where she runs around screaming. Personally, I thought the scene was ridiculous. Especially her screaming and falling like a helpless person. Learn to be brave, Snow.

Day 19: The story you wish was your life

Aside from swimming all day in the depths of the ocean, I would like to have Ariel's life. Though she had everything, she still did chase after her dreams and took a risk.

Day 20: The movie you love the most

The Little Mermaid. Need I say more? I love this move since I can remember. Second is Mulan. *cues singing "Part of your World"*

I may be 25 years of age but Disney still brings out that child in me. I grew up watching these Disney princesses and it felt good revisiting them.

When's it my turn?
Wouldn't I love, love to explore that world up above?
Out of the sea
Wish I could be
Part of that world