"Amplifire:Risky but Fun"

"Amplifire:Risky but Fun"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Amplifire seems like a risky proposition. With a 1/1 for a 4 mana costing element it seems like a simply shock could ruin your plans. 

Of course I am not going to look at the plans being spoiled but at the probability that you could create something monstrous and get to be someone in the head with it.

So I have a Xenagos EDH deck that is full or really really big creatures and with both the god and Amplifire in play I hope to pull off the following sequence:

1) Amplifire let's you reveal cards from the top of your library to reveal an Emrakul...or as my friends and I call it Newrakul(because the oldrakul is banned in EDH). Amplifire now becomes a 24/24 GIANT Elemental!!! 

2) When you attack and use Xenagos's ability on the 24/24 GIANT Elemental!!!(Why am I yelling?) It then becomes a 48/48 SUPER GIANT Elemental!!! (Still yelling). 

3) And just when your opponents think you are done. You cast Fling to throw your massive Amplifire to hopefully finish off an opponent.

And yet this might not happen with a well timed Lightning Strike or Shock.

Well a guy can dream.

"Searching: It pays to know your daughter's password"

"Searching: It pays to know your daughter's password"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Plot:

A Father finds himself in a desperate attempt to find his daughter after she does not come home from a study session.

In a race against time he must trace back the actions that his own daughter took using social media and other applications that she was one. 

The Good:

The story is pretty much told by a computer screen and it is quite creative that the story of how the family started with one profile on a computer then ends up with just the Father and daughter after the mother dies of cancer.

Shown through video clips , google searches and profile pages one bit of a time. And I guess a lot of people could relate to this content as more and more stories can be gleaned by the things on one computer.

There is also a lot of foreshadowing used in these pages.One that gave me a sick pleasure of noticing and gave me the right answer to the question: Is Megan Alive?"

The Bad:

Debra Messing plays a serious role her as a Detective who volunteers for the investigation in the hopes that she could cover up the sin of her son. While I understand the mothers love part she still became the baddie of this particular film.

The Ugly:

Social Media. And People who have no idea of what the hell they are saying.

There was a scene when the news broke out of Meghan's disappearance of people blaming the father because "This kind of thing starts at home". Some even produced a meme of the Dad as Father of the year in sarcastic comment that he could just let his only daughter go missing.

Then there are those pathetic attention seeking types who all of a sudden hold , Prayer Vigils , Cry on Vlogs that Meghan is their best friend and those who join in the search for her "Because it seemed like the right thing to do." All for the likes and approval of others on social media. They do not do it out of the goodness of their own hearts but to increase their stock in social media goodness. The proof of this is that when they are asked about Meghan earlier in the film they all go  "She is not really my friend" or "I don't really know her that well."

Conclusion:

Searching is a unique movie with a wonderful presentation that has a great pace as all of the clues are pieced together to finally find what the father was searching for.

"3 things I have seen this week March 2019:Returning to Summoners War Edition"

"3 things I have seen this week March 2019:Returning to Summoners War Edition"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

It has been awhile since I last played this game. I have grown tired of it and eventually deleted it from my phone and moved on to other games. I have put it more than 3 years in this account and I never thought that I would play it again. One of the things that frustrated me in the game was my progress in it. I felt that I was stagnant. And was not able to continue with my changing situations and priorities. 

1) From Pauper to King!

I had to start from the beginning and for awhile I did not want to log in since I thought that I would deleted my other account associated with my social media account.

I continued till I was comfortable with my progress but it was slow going despite knowing what monsters to keep and what monsters to feed the other to grow stronger.

I finally got the guts to log in and lo and behold got access to my old account with it's 100 strong monsters , most of whom were Level 6 or more. Millions in Money , Crystals and Runes. From Struggling to have complete teams again. From Pauper to King.

2) Continuing Progress

One of the things that I checked on was the reason for my lack of progress and saw that I have not been able to maximize the things that I should have. Runes that were still stuck in level 12 or 13. Incorrect Rune builds for creatures that would have helped me. The none priority of buff buildings using Glory points.There was still ways to go. Monsters to level and runes to acquire. It gave me a renewed zeal to play.

3) Elation of Trials

In my quest to go beyond level 50 of Trial of Ascension I have poured in money(in game money only) to build my current team and it paid off since I was able to automatically go past beyond 50 and thus another hurdle has been passed. 

It is on to automatic 70 but this time I know what I need to do. There is much work to be done but now there is a direction to all of it.

"Changing his mind"

"Changing his mind"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

V stood in the middle of the crowd and he could not help but think about these humans that were racing past him. To school , to work , to their deaths. All sped on without knowing that their lives sooner or later would not matter in the greater scheme of things.

He entered the convenience store and wanted to choose a drink. For some reason the door of the shelves holding the drinks seemed really massive today. He had his choice from Alcoholic beverages to Coffee. From Children's drinks to drinks from other countries that he had not tried before. He wanted to reach out but found that making a choice seemed overwhelming. He stood there for a minute until a polite voice asked him to move.

"Oh.I'm sorry. I was wondering what to get today."

The owner of the light voice smiled. It depends on what kind of day you are having I guess. Is it a good or bad one? Or both or none?"

"A little of the 4." V said amused that this person who didn't even know him was able to ask those in quick succession.

"Well. I have the thing just for that." 

And V watched as the girl took out 2 Banana Milks and handed one to him. 

"It might not lighten your mood but this usually does the trick for me when I am in the same space."

V took the Banana Milk and thanked the girl who turned around to go to the counter.

"Don't bother paying. I got this one. But if you want to pay me back I can be here tomorrow again. Same time."

"Uh...Ok then. I promise to choose something for you tomorrow then. Thanks."

"It is ok. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day for you. I better go on ahead or I'll be late."

"Wait. I didn't get your name."

"Maybe if you aren't spacing out tomorrow I'd give it to you. Till then. See ya."

V was left in the store looking at the Banana Milk in his hand. Maybe Someone can make decisions that leave lasting marks after all. He took a sip of the drink and looked forward to being here tomorrow.

"Momoland - I'm so Hot MV reaction:Still Momoland"

"Momoland - I'm so Hot MV reaction:Still Momoland"

by:

The Vole

Momoland recently came back with I'm So Hot and it features horns. Lots and lots of horns which is going to be the same formula they will go for probably for a couple more come backs in the future.

The formula of Horns , danceable tunes , wicked raps has worked for them so far and there is a huge following that will eat up this particular product from Momoland.

This comeback JooE is still taking the center spot with the promotion of the now much prettier Hyebin who is finally allowed to support longer hair. Yeonwoo looks even more lovely and taller with her shorter hair. Nancy has kept visual charms but I expect more from this maknae who seems to have not improved. And there is a big need for her to be more than she was last come back. There are rumors that the other girls have been given more prominent roles because Nancy did not lose weight before this come back.

Who knows but the black on her seems like an indication that they want her to be a bit slimmer in the MV. However they did a close up In and Out version of this song with them changing into various outfits and Nancy seems fit to me. Or maybe they want her to be as skinny as the others.

I expect I'm so hot to be heard all this summer in the jeepneys of Manila. Momoland is sticking to their formula and it might just prove more successful than they think.

"Usbong"

"Usbong"

ni:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I

Hinahabol ang hininga sa ilalim ng araw

Tumitingin sa mga bagay na di naman mahahabol

Nagdarasal sa kanya pero wala naman mga tugon

Nakikinig na lang sa hangin at ang kunyaring bulong

II

Di kinakaya ang init at ngayon ay pipikit

Isasauli ang sarili at di lang sa saglit

Panandalian lang dito ang sabi ng iba

Doon na , doon na sa ibayong yun ako pupunta

III

Di na aasa sa mga pangakong dinala ng hangin

Nahawakan lang saglit pero parang buhangin

Naglaho ang sabing aahon sa lahat ng dinaanan

At ngayon lugmok pa din sa pait ng nakaraan

IV

Tumigil ang taas baba ng dibdib dito sa init

nawalan ng buhay at unti unting lumamig

Nagpaalam sa mga di nakikitang tala

Niyakap ng mga taong nakita lang sa ala ala.

UHG QC. Central Ave. QC. March 22 2019. 6:26am

"Everglow - Bon Bon Chocolat MV reaction:Something old and borrowed yet totally new"

"Everglow - Bon Bon Chocolat MV reaction:Something old and borrowed yet totally new"

by:

The Vole

Everglow has been catching my interest since they came out with several dance videos before their debut. Source Music has done a good job of promoting the rookie girl group ,some of which took part in Produce 48. 

Everglow and Bon Bon Chocolat is an addictive mix. It is true that Kpop is always a blend of potent music and Stone Music has done a great job in creating this catchy song. All at once you can hear familiar RnB , Trapbeats and EDM. While my daughter has been kidding that it has the same timing sa Black Pinks Ddu Ddu Ddu I can hear a little bit of Izone as well and there is that bridge part at the end where the girls sample a little bit Arianna Grandes sync vocalization in Thank you next. That part layered with the beat drop going all to the end is one of the best parts of this song.

I guess I am too old and there are several moves in this the choreo that remind me of other groups like LoonA and Itzy. That Crown move for example and even some elements of Oh My girls dances incorporated here. I am not saying that this is plagiarism in fact one of the things that I like about this song is that I can predict it and it follows the things that I expect it to (Or at least in this genre of music).

Everglow is talented. Their Visuals , Song and Dance should be able to get them the attention that they need. They actually have another addictive dance track called Moon that is both pleasing to the ears as well. It  also helps that they have a Chair choreo in it that is Reminiscent of Oh My Girls Real World dance. Only I think this one is more daring and refined.

I will be watching for Everglow and I hope that Source Music will continue to promote them properly.

"Midweek Magic 2019 #14:The Night of the Vampire Zombies"

"Midweek Magic 2019 #14:The Night of the Vampire Zombies"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I was genuinely surprised when Yo asked me in our group chat:

"Doc Andiyan ka na ba sa Clinic?"

It had been weeks since anyone actually asked that question and I was finding myself not bringing my current experiments decks since no one was able to play with me anyway.

This night was different and it was full of fun and horrible ways a vampire can turn into a zombie. It was the Rakdos colored vampire deck led by Olivia Voldraren against my Dimir colored Persistent Petitioners with The Scarab God as commander. 

There was always the threat of Olivia turning other creatures into vampires and then swaying them to go on her side. If the mana was right. In one particular game I was milling Yo early and already had a huge Consuming Aberration out as well as The Scarab God and a Persistent Petitioner on the battlefield.

Yo tried to nab the Consuming Aberration from me but I responded by Reanimating a Voldaren Pariah via the Scarab Gods ability essentially turning it into a Zombie Vampire in the process. When this 4/4 token arrived on the battlefield I then sacrificed 3 other creatures to it. Knowing that I would be able to get my Commander back on the next end turn. 

I wondered with this token would flip though and I wondered if it's flip ETB would trigger. During that night though Yo and I did not notice so in essence he lost all of his creatures too because when the Voldaren Pariah flips target opponent sacrifice's 3 creatures.It was a very strong effect. And one that gave me an advantage. I was able to win this match because of it.

I would succumb to the stealing vampires 3-2 though for the rest of the nights clinic gaming.

"Wish"

"Wish"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I

Oh how I wish that my hands were steel

So that they cannot take you away

And I will be here for you as always

Stronger and faster than your foes.

II

If I cannot protect

Then what does that make me?

A failure beyond compare

Would you hate me then?

III

Oh how I wish my heart was steel

So that I cannot feel these

But I am human

Pierced heart and all.

Optum , Quezon City. March 2 2019. 4:35am

"Will Tibalt be Better?"

"Will Tibalt be Better?"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Ever since the announcement for the War of the Spark came out I am eagerly awaiting for the reincarnation of Tibalt. I do hope that they give us a a much better version of this guy. #JusticeforTibalt. I have been scratching my head on how to use the only 2 mana planeswalker in MTG. I gave up. Maybe this time he can have decent abilities. Maybe a Rakdox aligned theme wont be half as bad. Come on WoTC give us a better Tibalt.

I have this ongoing joke with friends about this PLaneswalker. The Tibalt Trifecta. If you open your PR Kit and your PR Foil is Tibalt and one of the packs you rip into also happens to contain a Rare Tibalt(Hopefully they wont crap mythic us with him) but then you see a foil at the end and lo and behold! A Normal Foil Tibalt! The Trifecta of pain!

Oh well. I have really have to go so I will just be on the look out for any more news on the upcoming War of the Sparks.

"Midweek Magic 2019 #13: The Simic came to play"

"Midweek Magic 2019 #13: The Simic came to play"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

It was almost a month of no magic and 3 weeks of not buying anything Magic related. With the way things have been going the first quarter of the year had been busy for everyone and had simply had no time to play or at least meet to play.

Yo had been able to make time and it was the end of the playing drought as Pir and Toothy went to square off with the much feared Jeleva , Scourge of Nephalia.

Having recently heard that Yo retired his Kruphix Simic deck it seemed that my own new Simic deck wanted some revenge. #JusticeforKruphix. And that was done via 2 wins in  games. The lone win for Jeleva was one of those singularly consistent combos of Demonic Consultation and Laboratory Maniac.

The Simic via Pir and Toothy just brute forced it's way. An Acidic Slime destroyed a Blue Black land on Jeleva's side which made the Grixis deck a Mono blue one! And despite the threats of Counters and Mass Bounce the Simic Monsters kept on appearing one by one. 

I did not have enough time to go for a Simic Ascendancy like I wanted since both of my favorite Hydra's showed up. The Khalni and Primordial  Hydra just went ahead and made the team heavy with counters and withered Yo's life total to zero in no time.

It was a short 3 rounds of game play but satisfying since it was the first games in almost a month. And Justice for Kruphix has been served.

"Time"

"Time"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I

Little Nabi fly over me

Dont't land , Don't greet me

Little Nabi let me

Let me admire your beauty

II

Flutter those wings

and let me fade further

I will and always be

will be able to love you forever

III

Little Nabi fly away

I will be here to stay

Awaiting the next pass

Awaiting for that day.

Optum , Quezon City. March 2 2019. 4:33am

"War of the Spark: The Final Showdown...for some."

"War of the Spark: The Final Showdown...for some."

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

36 planeswalkers enter a plane

Some to court their own deaths

At the hands of a dragon

whose power has gone Ablaze

There is much speculation about who will live and who will die in this upcoming battle royale with the Big Baddie Nicol Bolas. Characters die all the time and Characters move on to the next challenge. Maybe even Phyrexia next! 

What bothers me a bit is the way that they will be rolling out all of these planeswalkers. There will be one in every pack! The attraction of planeswalkers is that not everyone can have them. Only a handful ever do and normally just one or two in a given plane. This one in every pack. It seems like Planeswalkers will be like Full Art Zendikar Lands...or Wastes...or tokens! Hmmmmm. I am still waiting for the official word about how WoTC will pull this off.

"3 things I have seen this week March 2019:Eksenang Hemo dialysis"

"3 things I have seen this week March 2019:Eksenang Hemo dialysis"

by

Virgilio F.De leon Jr.MD

There are things in life that inspire you and give you moment to pause and though there are many stories about heart ache in the hospital system in our country I am happy to see these 3 scenes as I am on duty. Stories of love and sadness that surpass adversity and even one that wells with more sadness.

1) The Teacher

- Has 2 kids who wait for her after school. Their routine on certain times of the week is to be with her as she undergoes her dialysis. And you can see them sitting with each other . Waiting patiently and they excitedly go to her when her 4 hour cycle is almost done.

2) The lovers.

- It is hard to be young and to know that you would have to undergo dialysis for the rest of your life. I have a 25 year old patient who has cramps from time to time and I think one of the times she feels better is when her boyfriend comes in and massages her legs during these times. Sometimes things suck but it is sucks less when you have someone to massage your cramping feet.

3) The Old man

One of the things that I notice is an old man who seems to come in on his own at times.He usually is seated with the machine that is farthest from everyone. He seems to have no children or even a significant other to assist him in this time and it makes me sad that he has reached this old age. He fights to be alive but in an existence that I do not wish on myself. Hoowell. I don't like ending in sad notes but that guy just affects me.

(My last duty I saw the guys wife stand by him. I just didn't think she was his wife.So he was not alone.And that makes me glad."

"Yayoi Daimon - Niodachi in the heel MV reaction: Unexpectedly Good!"

"Yayoi Daimon - Niodachi in the heel MV reaction: Unexpectedly Good!"

by:

The Vole

Yayoi Daimon is someone who I do not expect to see in the Japanese music scene. A bold , sexy rapper who is unabashadly growling and threatening. When one thinks of Japanese music you primarily you have your Jpop Idols and your Utada Hikarus or Namie Amuro's. Almost all of Japanese music is aimed at Japanese people but when you see someone like Yayoi you cannot help but feel that the Japanese are actually branching out into territory that they have not touched before. 

I was watching a group called Banana Lemon that is decidedly Japanese but oozes with western rap music influences. Yayoi is another side of Japanese rap , sexy and menacing. Someone like Niki Minaj or Nikee Heaton. While the latter two Western artists are no doubt sexy Yayoi adds to the fact that she is conquering a market devoid of these particular figures. That is if you do not factor in Kpop and I believe that artists like Yayoi is a response to Kpop  , K -rap dominance in the region. I mean Giant Pink and Yayoi can be played side by side and you feel the same vibes coming off each other.

Strong , confident and unashamedly sexy.

"The Wish"

"The Wish"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

It was another day of the same things. Not that it was something that he would be complaining about. For someone who spent 10 years in total silence in the dark without going mad these past few weeks seemed almost calming. Of course he knew that there were things that were happening all around him but he was not inclined to do anything about it.

The windows of the house remained closed. He did not need to eat or bathe so the room was relatively clean. Too clean for someone who was not out and about for this amount of time.

His talons remained ever vigilant guarding him in a respective distance.If the nights were hard on him they would not have any idea of it. She would have some idea though. She would know and probably not care about it. He tried not to say her name. He knew she would appear if he did. Too late.

"Oh but I do." Came the voice in his head.It still seemed odd when she would speak to him this way. "Don't act all surprised. You awaken this power in me and expect me to close it?"

V sighed and knew she was right.

"Don't do the silent thing in your mind V. Oh and you are retreating to a Mind Palace are you?"

V would often do so when attacked or had unwanted things in his head. YuuA was becoming more and more annoying as she intruded in these days. He had erected these defenses mainly to guard against Jisun , Death Dragons can also kill you in your sleep. And once against Linnie as she tried to assault his mind to avenge what she thought was her dead brother. 

V sat in a couch that he had made in his mind. And YuuA promptly appeared casually beside him on the couch. "You think I can't  just come in here? How cute."

V stood up to leave but YuuA grabbed his hand and held him in place. He could easily break free but found that she was not even holding on that tight.

"Still not talking to me?" She said in the light melodic voice of hers. "You haven't even come to visit me once."

"How can I visit you when you wished me away from you?"

"Aha! I finally got you to talk to me."

"And it won't make a difference."

"Really? Have you forgotten who else is a Creation Dragon in this room?"

"You."

"Good. Now make a wish."

"What makes you wish that I would make one. I have been enjoying my time alone."

"Really?" YuuA hugged V and kissed him on the neck. "Dont tell me you didn't enjoy that?"

V had stayed silent which only made the girl more playful. Clutching at his mid section and running her hand over his hair.

"Enough YuuA. It was good that you wished me away. I can live out my days like this. I only have a month anyway and I have done all that I could."

"We haven't had a family yet. We have not lived our lives together. We don't have children to pass on my beauty and your....uh...talents."

V would usually laugh at the chide , knowing that she was goading him into an insult match but today he just didnt feel like it.

"There are things that you can have in this world and there are things that you cannot. Being with me forever is one of those things."

"Is that supposed to be a riddle for me to solve now?" YuuA raised one of her eyebrows and pouted. 

"Not a riddle. Something I just thought that you should know. Some things are hopelessly out of reach. Some time people should be careful what they wish for. And you just made a wish that would have to live with the rest of your immortal life."

"Serra the Benevolent: Before the Phyrexian Oil!"

"Serra the Benevolent: Before the Phyrexian Oil!"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Anyone who has played magic in it's early days have heard about the crowd favorite Serra Angels and their 4/4 flying Vigilant ways. I have a

Beta for my daughters Angel EDH deck. I always thought that there was a creative space for Serra herself as a planeswalker and then one weekend while I was browsing lazily this shows up in my feed.

Serra Herself and I focused on that second ability so bad. Serra creating her iconic angels! And so another piece for my Mono White Angel EDH deck emerges.

At 4 mana and 4 loyalty Serra the Benevolent wants you to play with a lot of flying creatures on your early turns. Spirits , Angels , Sprites , Kami's you name it. For as long as it flies it will fly in this deck.

Her first ability gives each flying creature you control a +1/+1 stat boost. Like that Global Enchantment...Sorry my age is showing....Enchantment that gives a permanent +1/+1 stat boost to creatures with flying.

If you don't have a flying creature or any creature when you cast Serra the Benevolent then feel free to create one. A 4/4 beacon of beauty. I can't wait for the tokens on this one or I might create one myself.

And what about Serra the Benevolents last ability? Well have you heard of the card wordship? The very same one which works well with Cho-Manno , Pariah and Mother of Runes? Or any indestructible creature with a Lightning Greaves on it.

Yup. Worship Serra and her emblem says damage that would reduce your life total to less than 1 reduces it to one instead. You survive burnings. You survive life loss. You worship , you live.

The Angelic planeswalker has now come. I cant wait for the other token producing PW's that will be coming from this set or are they going to be something else.

"Midweek Magic 2019 #12:Wasted by Wastes"

"Midweek Magic 2019 #12:Wasted by Wastes"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

There are often times that a single even can ruin all of your evil plans. Such was the case when I had been excitedly trying to play out a Kozilek , The Great Distortion who had just been in my hand for the whole time.

I was playing my Azusa Mono green deck and it was something that I think my wife would be happy to see since I was putting her card gift to me into good use. So the plan was to replenish my hand and play more abusively than normal. I already have more than enough lands in play to be able to cast the Eldrazi Titan and so I did until Mark mentioned the 2 colorless mana in the beginning of this cards mana cost.

In my excitement to play the card I had forgotten to notice those 2 diamond symbols that they now associate with colorless mana producing lands as exemplified by Wastes from Battle for Zendikar. I was upset that I would not be able to replenish my hand and probably finish the game with Azusa already in play.

I had All the forests I needed but not a single colorless mana producing land. Talk about being wasted by Wastes. Sigh.

In the ensuing turn Mark was able to catch and eventually beat me in that game. Notice to sell: Temple of the False God looks really good just about now.

"Drifting"

"Drifting"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I

Space is that distance

when you receive my thoughts of you

I tell you some things

that you might be able to miss

II

And I hope that you get them

because I never understand myself

And when I look for something else

When I am all alone like this

III

I try to sit it out

but thoughts of you come about

And they disturb me more when I sleep

So I wake and they just disturb me

IV

Space where no one can hear

Me screaming your name in the void

and I stare down into the darkness

hoping maybe that you are not there

V

So I just keep looking for you

and I still don't know

Maybe I can stop these thoughts

Maybe I ought to.

Optum , Quezon City. March 2 2019. 2:26am

"3 things I have seen this week March 2019:The Walking Dead in World War Z."

"3 things I have seen this week March 2019:The Walking Dead in World War Z."

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

While I was preparing for work my wife put in World War Z as a background of sorts as she worked. And there were things there that I thought were similar to the Walking Dead. And I don't know if the movie was trolling the series or paying homage to it but I did see a couple of things that were the same here.

1) "Atlanta house that Gerry stays in"

In the opening of the movie where they were portraying that Gerry has a normal family life , the camera focuses on his house which looks a little bit like the House Morgan lived in when he was still in Atlanta. Or maybe it is just me. I have to check.

2) "The RV from TWD"

When all hell was breaking lose Gerry managed to steal an RV and this RV looked like the same make and model as the RV that we would see in the first seasons of the walking dead.

3) "Zombies."

The Fast Zombies here are also similar to the zombies in the Fear the walking dead. Fresh and still running.

"Trei - Gravity MV reaction: Hitting all the right notes"

"Trei - Gravity MV reaction: Hitting all the right notes"

by:

The Vole

I often do not get impressed by boy groups when I first listen to them but Trei seemed to hit the right chords with me.Probably because this song has the basics down. The group has one main vocal and two talented rappers which is always a plus for me.

It has strumming guitars with no trap beats and features complexity even to the last parts. In fact I would recommend listening to the last 22 seconds of the song for that sudden delicious part where the bass line slides into the closing. It hits your ears and you just cant get it out of your mind. I have been listening to this for awhile now. I honestly find this song more interesting than the more highly anticipated Crown from TxT. Oh well. Sad for these boys that they will be overshadowed by the rookies who have the support of the big companies. Itzy and TxT will be splitting things between them.

One of my friends told me that they seem to be awful in their live stages but this MV is enough for me to give them a listen and to add to my ever growing playlist.

"The Challenge"

"The Challenge"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

V watched YuuA devour the food on the table at a much faster rate than the servers could refill the food. Looking at her petite , slim frame one would wonder where all the food was going once she swallowed it. She was barely chewing and V could understand why. It was the end of promotions and this is the 4th year that he had been treating her like this.

"You might want to slow down." V said as she handed her another plate of dumplings. The sight of her eating was gathering a curious crowd.

"I am not slowing down for anything. Thank you very much." YuuA answered in between mouthfuls of the hot dumplings.

"When did you develop such a invulnerable mouth. Those things are burning hot."

"Not to an idol who has not eaten anything for 3 weeks straight they aren't." The servers looked panicked at the rate YuuA was going. V did warn them that he would pay for everything but should his wife complain that there was not enough food to fill her the owner would have to forfeit the bill. The Owner of the restaurant now diverted two more servers to their table. And was ordering two more to cook more meat on a grill table nearby the couple. It was their shops reputation at stake here.

One of the servers whispered to the Store owners ear and a sudden shock momentarily took over his face. V could hear the words clear. "The food stores are nearly out sir. Should we wake someone in the ware house to deliver more food?" V had to smile at this comment. YuuA had been on an eating spree since the end of promotions and the shops around  this place was feeling her particular gluttony attacking them. 

V was simply sipping a glass of cold water as he looked on at the piles of empty plates and bowls that were being cleared but continually piled on at even greater speed. 

"That girl has an inhuman appetite." The owner whispered in disbelief. "At this rate I will be ruined."

And when V handed YuuA another bowl she gave off a most satisfying burp and lifted her head. She gave her flat tummy a pat and V was the only one who could tell that there was a slight bulge to it. To the owners eye and all the servers her tummy looked the same as when she had entered. 

"That was satisfying." She said.The owner and all the servers gave a collective sigh of relief and the onlookers was all but in awe of the feat. "Not on to dessert."

"Wha...what?" The owner stammered. And he began to shout orders once more to bring up all the sweet things that they had.

V laughed a little and continued drinking his glass of cold water.

"Cabal Therapist: Hurting your mind"

"Cabal Therapist: Hurting your mind"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

"Doc may kilala ka bang Therapist?"

"Meron kaso you won't like him."

"Why?"

"He is kinda Creepy. Good for your back. Not so much for your mind."

And so I imagine my patients asking me for this guy. I don't have his card so I probably won't refer to him anyway.

Of course it is a different matter in magic. I do see the Cabal Therapist on my side of the board literally causing headaches for my opponents.And them discarding cards in the process. Bwahahaaha

I recently made a Shadowborne Apostle deck and with all the degenerate things that it can already do I see the Cabal Therapist coming in and making things a lot more difficult on my opponents.

So every upkeep the Cabal Therapist demands a creature sacrifice. A small price to pay and there is always a willing Apostle for the task. It is a small price especially when Shirei , Shizo's care taker would just return the said Apostle back into the battlefield to do some more Demon Summonings at the end of an opponents Turn.

But on to the Cabal Therapist. Well he works really good by allowing you to name an nonland card and an opponent discards all cards with that name. Even in the EDH setting where you think this is ineffective(unless an opponent is running Relentless Rats or Persistent Petitioners) you still have the advantage of seeing a target opponents hand and deciding what to do in your future actions. 

See a board wipe? You might want to hold off on the creatures going down. See a Land D? Hold on to your lands. See a counter? Time to bait it. Or wait for your next upkeep and name that card you just saw to make them discard it.

Psychologically a players would want to play this big effect card otherwise Cabal Therapist would simply Therapy it out of his hand. This creates a little more pressure and where an advantage does not really translate into one.

"Midweek Magic 2019 #11 - Nikya of the Old ways:A History of Gruulness"

"Midweek Magic 2019 #11 - Nikya of the Old ways:A History of Gruulness"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

It is always a pleasure to play with my brother from another mother Mark Abude and this one session we had he would again showcase a deck that I have wanted to do. And this one had Nikya of the old ways as commander. It didn't surprise me much as Mark has show an affinity to centaurs(He used to have Stonebrow deck) , Gruul colors and very bad beatdown decks. As in you feel bad that you were beaten down. Hahahahhaha

His old Omnath deck would be the basis for my own Omnath deck. And from there I would make my other Gruul decks such as the Radha  Land D deck , Xenagos Pump Aggro deck. I was hoping to beat him to the punch in developing a Nikya of the old ways deck but he beat me to it again and he beat me with the deck.

I am still in the process of making my own Nikya deck now that I already have 2 of these legendary creatures. It might improve some of my existing Gruul decks that are always on top of my Aggro rankings.

And now on to more deck development. 

"Left with Ashes"

"Left with Ashes"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I

The thing with fire

is sometimes you need to deal with the ashes

And Ashes are you left me with

Ashes and Ashes and nothing less but Ashes

II

And it sounds like I have nothing

but I have all that I need

A Phoenix needs nothing more than this

and the nothing becomes something indeed

III

Reversing what the fire left

and rising from the wastes

Soaring high and alive

Till the next mighty burn

Sykes 500 Centrum , Shaw , Mandaluyong City. March 1 2019 10:53am

"3 things I have seen this week March 2019:Eksenang Bangko Edition"

"3 things I have seen this week March 2019:Eksenang Bangko Edition"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

When one is adulting like paying bills and saving it is inevitable that you would have a day for your bank. My wife and I call this our Bank Run. And no we do not rob banks , we simply pay our bills and put in our savings. In our Bank Run this week I managed to observe these things.

1) "Ito kausapin mo!!!!!!"

In our 2nd Bank we arrived to the scene of a woman screaming at the teller and pleading to her to get the phone in her hands.

Of course we had no idea what the deal with the woman was but it seemed like later when we got to overhear her she wanted the teller to talk to someone who seemed to be approving a check.

2) "The Camouflage Couple"

I am not a fashionista nor will I ever pretend to understand why people wear the things that they wear. And so while waiting for our number to be called in a certain bank in walked in an older couple(mid to late 50's) who seem to be sporting camouflage prints.

The guy had a camo hat and short and white shirts. His wife wore a pair of camo leggings and a floral blouse. I don't know how that floral blouse worked with the camo leggings.

Anyway I whispered to my wife that they were wearing the wrong kind of camo for this bank operation. There was no foliage in sight to blend into. My wife giggled.

3) "Gintong Carioca!"

One of my favorite merienda is the Carioca that we would buy in our favorite kakanin vendor in BBB. For this trip we were stuck in the bank and being a little hungry I talked to the Nanay who was selling right outside the bank so that I can have a little snack.

I wanted to help out since the Nanay seemed to be so hard working. I was a bit disappointed to find that the Cariocas she was selling was 3 times that normal price and was even tasteless to boot! Sigh. My sense of Charity cost me this time.

Hoooowell. Maybe next Bank Run I would run into more interesting things.

"R.Tee X Anda - What are you waiting for MV reaction: Return of the Tall One."

"R.Tee X Anda - What are you waiting for MV reaction: Return of the Tall One."

by:

The Vole

Anda is back. All 5'8 of her sexiness is on display in this new MV. I missed the Anda of old where she could play off being sexy and playful at the same time. The last songs she had seemed a bit well sad. Although it was hailed that her collaborations with Primary really allowed her to show all her ranges I was still a bit unimpressed by them though I do love Primary and Anda both. Of course someone from YG's Black label took notice of the tall one and with that small stint in Seungri's MV last year she was officially an official member of the Black Label. I have waited for what image they would give her and I hoped it was the Anda of Old and I was delighted by this new song and MV 

I like her better here. Check out the performance video where you can get treated to the invigorated Anda who dances and smiles again. If YG's Black Label can do this for her then I am looking forward to what they have done to Somi. 

The MV focuses on Anda waking in what seems to be a facility where she is cloned and experimented on. And well if there are a few things that world needs is a sexy , smiling Anda. I look forward to more of her work under the Black Label and I am crossing all my fingers in hoping that Seungri's scandal will not hamper all of the blossoming careers under YG's camp.

Here is to hoping we will see Anda more.

"Not All Smiles"

"Not All Smiles"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Yejin was looking at the would be Queens. Jisun, Kayz , Solhyun , Minhee and the human girl YuuA. Of all the names on the list it was the last one that she began to hate the most. While V had taken one of these She-dragons as would be brides in his long life , it was the human that had always gotten a strong hold on him. The last 60 years of his life was spent trying to find her and despite the best efforts of the Yuu and the Tiger clan Yejin had failed in securing V. 

"That human female will pay dearly." Yejin whispered to herself as she prepared for todays stage.

"Which human?" someone said behind Yejin and there was that unmistakable melodic tone that she had learned through her surveillance. It was YuuA.

"Ah... I am studying for a play. Mr. Park has gotten us all sorts of work lately."

"Good for you. Mr. Kim had such trouble getting us work in the beginning. At least with Mr. Park you can be sure that there won't be a let up of work."

Yejin was dumbfounded at the human girls attitude toward work. "Are you a workaholic YuuA-shi?"

"I guess you could say that. V once said that it was one of those things that he liked about me. I never let up." YuuA looked at the small cue cards she was holding. Practicing lines in her head as she talked to Yejin.

"The V I knew was lazy but always came up with creative ways to kill his...I mean solve his problems."

"I am pretty sure you know that V doesn't kill anymore."

Yeejin was surprised at this. If this human knows the vow V had taken then she would know about her identity. 

"I don't know what you mean."

YuuA smiled and stepped a little bit closer to Yejin. And even if she was a dragon she could not help but draw back from the smaller woman. She could not understand it but her body was retracting from what it perceived to be dangerous.

"Listen to me Yejin. I have managed to survive all the other would be Queens these past 4 years and I know it when someone wants to move on V again. Now that all the other houses have failed it is only logical to deduce that the only major house left are the Tigers.  I have met your brothers. They are as beautiful and as charming as you. I understand that my V had lived among you in his earlier years and that your brothers all want you to be ready for him. However they were not counting on me to appear.And reappear. I hope you understand that when it comes to him I am not all smiles and this human frame is not as weak as you assume."

Yejin swallowed involuntarily at the threat.

"Don't test me young one. All the other Queens have seen what I can do.And while it might be tempting for you to use all of those deadly spikes that you have well kept hidden in your body , I would suggest that you think of the consequences of those actions for you and your members. I am still the Princess of the Yuu. And you are a Yuu collaborator. Imagine what would happen to that alliance should you mistakenly injure the princess of the clan you have desperately wanted to make a deal with."

Yejin looked away.

"There. I am so glad we settled that. And for the record V isn't much of a loss. He snores and is ill-tempered when he does not have sleep."

"Who is ill-tempered?" V said as he joined the two women back stage.

"You." YuuA said without batting an eyelash. "You want to contradict that?"

"I am ill tempered when I have had no sleep."

"That is what I said to our Yejin here."

Yejin bowed deeply to V and excused herself.

"Will you stop bullying your hoobaes?"

"You know my policy on delusional she-dragons trying to take you from me right?"

V chuckled. "All too well. But Yejin is a child. You are not even in the same power level."

"Well as long as she knows her place with you she won't get to experience that difference in power level."

"Aren't we a little possessive?"

"You don't want me to?"

V laughed a little bit more. "I just want you to be a little less threatening." V kissed YuuA on the cheeks. "Now go out there and wow them with your hosting."

"Thanks for waiting for me."

"I had no choice."

YuuA glared but smiled a couple of seconds later. V watched from the shadows as the show went on.

"We will Remember You Christine Silawan"

"We will Remember You Christine Silawan"

by:

Virgilio F.De leon Jr.MD

As the father of a 13 year old my heart was filled with concern when I read of the recent news on my news feed about a pretty 16 year old who was raped and then had the skin of her face torn off so that people would not recognize her.

One could ask what kind of animals would be able to do this? This triggered the case for reexamining Capital Punishment and the resumption of the war on drugs. Surely no sane person could have done this. Desperation leads to madness and these people might have thought it was clever to conceal their crime in this manner.

It bothers me that this has happened in our country and it bothers me that despite suspects there is no one who has been apprehended on this girls behalf. I can only imagine the anguish of this teens parents as they try to live with the memory of what has happened to her. 

Life is fleeting and the world is still full of dangers. My 13 year old will grow up and will be able to make her decisions on her own when the time comes but for now she will be under our protection and guidance and when the time comes she will be strong in knowing how not to share the same fate. 

We will remember you.