Confessions Of A Shopaholic?

I was suppose to write this blog two weeks ago,when I watched Confessions Of A Shopaholic starring Isla Fisher (pronounced with a silent 's') over at Robinson's Movieworld Ermita, the New Wing called "Midtown". 

It was kind of funny but predictable. Already in her 30's, Isla Fisher plays Rebecca Bloomwood, reminded me of other previous movies that almost had the same story. But she is really hot. Girl loses job, gets a new job, a new wardrobe, a love interest and then falls in love with the cute boss.

Has anyone heard about Bridget Jones Diary? Or how about Legally Blond? Similar story lines different actresses. But the main focus here is her uncontrollable urge to use her credit cards. Maxing out all her credit cards for a debt worth a little over $16,000 Usd Dollars converted to Php Philippine Pesos would be a little over P 775,000 . Whoa, thats already a new car.

Buying signature brands like Prada, Gucci, Dolce Gabana just to name a few, would really set you back by that much. A bag here of one of those designer brands cost 30 to 50K. I would'nt be surprised at all.

Looking back I had my own share of credit card problem a few years ago. I started in 1996 or 97, with just one plastic. Then suddenly it became 4 credit cards. But I never had a situation when I maxed out, I knew how much my spending power is.

At first you feel empowered to have your own credit card at such a young age and you could literally buy or pay for anything you want and just sign. You go to any store open your wallet and ask do you accept cards? It was this certain level where you feel you could purchase anything even when you don't have that money at all. Everyone at that certain point in your life was young and stupid. 

I went on a shopping spree, bought some stuff sometimes I really never needed. Then when the bill came it was like a nightmare. How can I pay for all these? So they had this scheme where you can have your credit card bill payed by another credit card company. But you have to get a new card from them and pay the easy or lite way. 

So in no time I was just paying the bills and before I knew it all of my monthly salary ends up with the credit cards. With the high interest sometimes you wished you never purchased the thing or had the balance transfered. 

So one by one I had to stop this madness. It has to end. Some friends told me they never payed their bill or just dissappeared. You won't go to jail for that matter, they would never spend this much on lawyers and collectors for a small amount.

But I had a conscience, so I payed up and settled the bill. 

I remembered the scene when Isla was being stalked already by the bill collector. It never did came to that point but I had the fear of that, there was this law firm that called me up and he was intimidating me. He yelled at me, he was psyching me out and I also had the fear of going to jail. But these guys are really good at what they do, I almost wanted to see him face to face and punch him in the nose when I have the oppurtunity.

So they made a deal that if I payed this amount they would'nt charge interest anymore. But it was a one time deal meaning I have to settle the amount right away. Not partial payments but the amount in full at a discounted rate.

So now I'm credit card debt free. I only check out the sales and discounted prices. For major purchases I make sure that its zero interest free. THE LESSON HERE IS NEVER BUY ANYTHING WHEN YOU DONT HAVE THE MONEY.

I like the scene when she was breaking the ice on her frozen credit card, talk about freezing your assets. He-he. All in all it was a feel good movie, the opening scene it was kind of weird.

She was probably 7 or 8 years old when she first saw a lady using plastic "magic cards"for purchasing an item. She made a pact that one day she will also have a credit card of her own. 

By the way I don't use credit cards anymore. More of like debit cards if you dont have the dough its no. 

Remembering the Master Rapper

It was a weekend last Friday heard it over the news and read it on the papers that the "Mouth", "Man from Manila", "Master Rapper", or just plainly as "Kiko" Francis Magalona past away at the age of 44. Hard to believe, it was just like yesterday first time I saw saw him visit the station doing a radio tour. I was star struck, I was a fan since I was in highschool.

Who could forget the early 90's, he was skinny wearing spandex and high cut Reeboks, when he first started the revolution of Pinoy Rap with his debut album "Yo". With hits like "Mga Kababayan", "Gotta Letcha Know", "Cold Summer Nights" and a whole lot more. Before the likes of Andrew E., Michael V., (Yes, it was old school that time all their surnames were wipe out with just a letter)came out both now actors, comedians,and paved the way for other hip hop artist.

He was promoting his album that time "Happy Battle", inspired by the Tekken CGI Characters. With him in the cover with a Bruce Lee like outfit. He was with his kids that time the whole family behind supporting him. Too bad that time I did'nt have a camera with me. He was game, most of the time for the interview. During this time he was already experimenting with a different sound far different from his previous albums.

I did remember like asking him why the sudden change? He told me that as an artist they should never feel like shying away from the different genres. Although almost leaning to the sound of the Beastie Boys, sometime soon he did a spoof of a Beastie Boys song.

He did a lot of collaborations with artist like the Eraserheads, Gloc-9, Parokya ni Edgar, just to name a few. He was an actor first (who could forget the Ninja Kids)before he became a rapper, ZJ(Zone Jock), then a producer, host, a VJ (the oldest I think in his 30's for MTV), and he also came out with a clothing line.

I had an oppurtunity to host a mall show for him over at SM Bicutan in 2004 or 2005. He remembered me, that's what I like about him. Especially people who appreciate and support his music. So I thought he was like finished with the whole gig, but I was about to say thank you to all the sponsors and our audience. He interrupted me and said "You wanna join me", although I did had some second thoughts of jamming that time but I said man"its your show". He was getting ready for an encore, he has this charisma for the audience to love him and his music. So I reintroduced him once again and he had some artist from his stable that he called on to join him.

Every sunday we had a radio program called of the "Best of Pinoy Pop", were we play all OPM songs and I never fail to play a Francis M. song . Until someone took my copy of his "Best Hits Album", I have one in cassette and CD. I guess everyone knows good music is equal to Francis M. What I really like about him is that he was always nationalistic, he always believe in the Filipino Talent. Even in his own clothing line, mas mahal dapat yun pinoy. He was like a vampire he never aged since the 80's, the time when Ninja Kids came out.

Last sunday, I had a flashback, I was in Subic for the weekend for an event. In the van it was a radio station 96.7 K-Lite doing a Francis M. tribute,playing all of his hits from the "Yo" album til Kaleidoscope World from "Freeman". I almost shed a tear when it finally sink in, we wont be seeing him anymore in "Eat Bulaga". Gone but not forgotten he will always be remembered.


All in all, man there is no doubt youre still No.1 in our hearts and minds. The Father of Pinoy Rap. You're now a Freeman.