Off to the Philippines (and an Internets-Less Provincial World!)

It’s that time of year again! My family and I are flying to the Philippines.

And that means I’m going to not only be internets-less, but I’m going to be missing some big TV in the next month while I’m away, disconnected.

It starts with The Amazing Race 22 finale next week. Though I do hope the provincial cable system still carries AXN, that way we’ll still be able to watch the finale. I won’t be able to post anything, maybe a tweet or two, but at least I won’t have to wait until June to watch.

I’ll be missing what should be big developments on Kamen Rider Wizard and Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger.

But speaking of finales, I’ll be missing the season finales of Grimm and Supernatural as well the series finale of The Office.

The finale I’m most anxious to hurry back home to watch though will be Nine – Nine Time Travels. It’s been such an amazing drama, I can’t wait to see what twists they have for the final episodes.

So for the next month, I’ll have to settle for Filipino network television. Eek. I’ve actually spent the last year with no Filipino TV and that’s the topic of one of the several posts I’ve got queued up for the next couple of weeks.

Hopefully some Tagalized Korean dramas will help a little.

So anyway, see you all in a month (or whenever I’m lucky enough to get the internets hook up).

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My (Awesome!) Year Without Filipino Television

There is no doubt ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel has become a major part of the lives of Filipinos around the world. TFC as well as GMA’s Pinoy TV and the newly launched Kapatid TV5, have become ways to connect to and enjoy life back home in the Philippines while also introducing background and culture to younger generations of Filipinos.

My family had only first subscribed to The Filipino Channel in 2005. Before that, we had relied on KTSF, Channel 26 in the Bay Area for the nightly TV Patrol newscasts and the occasional comedy or Maalaala Mo Kaya episode on Saturdays. Continue reading

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So What’s the Big Deal About Power Rangers RPM?

You have to be a die-hard Power Rangers fan to know a season called RPM even existed. Even (so-called) fans never heard of it.

But for a season that was meant to be Power Rangers‘ last gasp and a season that didn’t even air on television in half the country, RPM has drawn a lot of praise and is held in very high regard by fans who actually saw it. For some, it is a standard they’d like to see Power Rangers hold up. For many, it was a different style and approach that was great to watch. Continue reading

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Review: 2011′s Winnie the Pooh a Wonderfully Whimsical New Classic

TYPE OF REVIEW : GOOD OL’ REVIEW
Very minor spoilers, but nothing to take away from the experience of watching the film.

Winnie the Pooh and the gang from the Hundred Acre Wood will always hold a special place in my heart.

Memories of growing up with that silly old bear will stay with me forever and hopefully, I’ll be able to create some great memories with Pooh and friends for my own children some day. Continue reading

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Recap: Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger, Brave/Episode 9 – So Strong! Pteraidenoh

Kyoryuger 9

Dogold is anxious to fight the Kyoryugers now! and Chaos says maybe it’s time to reveal Pteragordon’s true power.

Down in the Spirit Base, Torin explains how Pteragordon is the Ten Great Zyudenryu’s cornerstone for attacking, sort of like a captain in a raid. His partner was KyoryuGold who was killed by Chaos and Dogold. Torin blames himself. Continue reading

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Recap: Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger Brave/Episode 8 – Where Am I? Get Through the Maze

Kyoryuger 8

The Kyoryugers are at Tiger Boy and a little bored without Nobu’s old man gags. Continue reading

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Recap: Supernatural, Episode 8.20 – Pac-Man Fever

Supernatural 820

Dean wakes up in 1951 to a military compound full of dead people and a monster. Continue reading

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Recap: Kamen Rider Wizard, Episode 31 – Tears

Kamen Rider Wizard 31

Kosuke and Legion get spit out of the Underworld and Haruto can feel his magic is gone. Continue reading

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Recap: The Amazing Race 22, Episode 9 – “I thought you were the cat police.”


Recap: The Amazing Race 22, Episode 9 – The Ultimate Fun House

The Amazing Race 22 Episode 9 The Amazing Race 22 Episode 9 The Amazing Race 22 Episode 9
The Amazing Race 22 Episode 9 The Amazing Race 22 Episode 9 The Amazing Race 22 Episode 9

Teams touched their way to Berlin where they fell before having to wrap letters around themselves and making sure trains stayed on track. Which team will trip their way out of the Race on the 9th Leg of the 9-time Emmy award winning The Amazing Race?

Find out with full recap, photos, stats and more at
bit.ly/dryedmangoezamazingrace

Watch the full episode at CBS.com/amazing
Or download episodes to keep at
The Amazing Race, Season 22 - The Amazing Race or at

Plus, The Amazing Race on DVD!


JUST ANNOUNCED!
The Amazing Race 10 and The Amazing Race All-Stars are coming to DVD!
Pre-order now, exclusively on

Also available, seasons 1-9! of The Amazing Race exclusively from .

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Recap: Kamen Rider Wizard, Episode 30 – The Day Magic Disappeared

Kamen Rider Wizard Episode 30

Sora happily wants to free Naito from the chains, but the man says he’s not Naito… he’s Phantom Legion. Continue reading

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Recap: Grimm, Episode 2.18 – “Is it getting hot in here? … What the hell!?”

“The Demon came home, and he declared that the air was not clear. ‘I smell the flesh of man.’”

Grimm 218 Grimm 218

While a geologist is documenting some sort of rupture up on Mt. Hood, she gets attacked by some Wesen, but manages to get away. In the city, the precinct is wishing Hank a happy vacation, his first in four years.

Meanwhile, Juliette continues having hallucinations of multiple Nicks. She runs out of the house and hopes to drive off, but Nick appears in the passenger seat. Trying to get him to disappear, she crashes into a parked car. Continue reading

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Recap: The Amazing Race 22, Episode 8 – “I can’t do both of these sleds and your ass.”


Recap: The Amazing Race 22, Episode 8 – My Cheese is Out of Control

The Amazing Race 22, Episode 8 The Amazing Race 22, Episode 8 The Amazing Race 22, Episode 8
The Amazing Race 22, Episode 8 The Amazing Race 22, Episode 8 The Amazing Race 22, Episode 8

The teams are snowbound when they travel to Switzerland. After hanging 10,000 feet in the air, teams must keep it low when they have to try and control some familiar wheels of cheese. Which team will end up rolling their way out of the Race on the 8th Leg of the 9-time Emmy award winning The Amazing Race?

Find out with full recap, photos, stats and more at
bit.ly/dryedmangoezamazingrace

Watch the full episode at CBS.com/amazing
Or download episodes to keep at
The Amazing Race, Season 22 - The Amazing Race or at

Plus, The Amazing Race on DVD!


JUST ANNOUNCED!
The Amazing Race 10 and The Amazing Race All-Stars are coming to DVD!
Pre-order now, exclusively on

Also available, seasons 1-9! of The Amazing Race exclusively from .

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Review: Whisper of the Heart‘s Nostalgic Warmth and Charm

TYPE OF REVIEW : GOOD OL’ REVIEW
As a film review, no spoilers.

Watching From Up on Poppy Hill last week had me falling in love; a sincerely nostalgic and beautifully presented film from Studio Ghibli.

Reading up on what everyone else said about the film afterwards, I saw many comparing the film (fondly) to another Ghibli film, Whisper of the Heart.

So of course, I needed to watch it myself. And as I feel after every Studio Ghibli or Miyazaki film I watch, I cherished every minute of it. Continue reading

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Check-in Review: tvN’s Mind-Blowing, Thought Provoking Nine: Nine Time Travels – And We’re Only Halfway!

Nine Time Travels

TYPE OF REVIEW : CHECK-IN REVIEW
HUGE HUGE SPOILERS!
For the non-spoilery First Impression Review, click here.

I rarely do Check-in Reviews unless I’m really passionate about the development of a show, good or bad, midway through.

But tvN’s Nine: Nine Time Travels has become more than I ever thought possible when I first started it. And it’s been an amazing, no, incredible 10 episodes so far. Continue reading

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Recap: Kamen Rider Wizard, Episode 29 – The Evolving Wild Beast

Haruto uses Drago Time to help get Nakamoto to safety and Sora off of Kosuke. Everyone’s back at the shop. Nakamoto listens as Shunpei and Rinko point out that Kosuke will die when his magical energy runs out since he can’t eat anything without the belt. Continue reading

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