I was among the hundreds of thousands–or probably millions–of Harry Potter fans in the Philippines that trooped to the movie houses to watch “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” on its first showing day last Wednesday, November 21. The theater I went in was jam-packed. Good thing I went to see the movie alone; I did not have to worry about looking for two or three vacant seats. I was lucky enough to get a seat from where I had a good view of the movie screen. The movie was loyal to the book. It was really great seeing it as if you are reading it directly from the book. The members of the cast were convincing. They performed so well. Daniel didn’t seem to act at all. It’s like he’s just playing his own character. Hmmm, must stop here–I am not really a movie reviewer, you know. To those who haven’t seen the movie yet, what are you waiting for?

Some news bits:

• Philip Medel, the self-confessed killer of Nida Blanca today retracted his statements. In an emotional outburst during the preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice, he claimed he was abducted, tortured and was forced to take responsibility for the November 7 murder of the veteran actress. Medel also cleared Blanca’s husband, Rod Lauren Strunk, whom he earlier identified as the mastermind.
• Due to “extreme depression”, former actress and beauty queen Ma. Theresa Carlson jumped to her death 2 a.m. today from the 23rd Floor of the Platinum 2000 Condominium in Greenhills, San Juan. Carlson was reportedly a battered wife. Her husband is former Ilocos Norte Congressman Rodolfo Farinas. She reportedly went to Malacanang last night to see the President and show her some very important video tapes. (Just some coincidences: Nida Blanca and Ma. Theresa were both killed in Greenhills; In the Blanca murder, there were also tapes involved–the state casino had to review their video tapes to determine if Blanca was indeed there before she was killed.)
• An ecstatic President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is back from what her people describe as a “successful trip” from the United States. Will the US military bases be back?Abangan!
• Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao Governor Nur Misuari is now a fugitive. He is reportedly in Malaysia already. Earlier this week, suspected Misuari followers attacked a military camp in Jolo.