Happy Holidays With Willy Wonka

          Christmas has passed once again but still we are on a holiday vacation mode. After getting hooked with the cartoon character SpongeBob now I am back as a fan of Willy Wonka. Wonka's character and the story was memorable for me because I remember seeing the classic film on tv, the one starring Gene Wilder. It's really very hard to get Willy Wonka's themed items now.  I'm fortunate because Converse launched their limited edition bag and shoes. I was able to grab a Willy Wonka bag and I matched it also with my new Keds shoes that is similar with its color. December is the best month for me not only its Christmas, the birth of our Lord Jesus, St. Nicholas as Santa Claus and of course its I and my husband birth month. So December is always favorite month.

This December I was able to buy Wonka related items online from toy figures like Funko Pop and Soda, books and chocolate related things. Why chocolate? Because Willy Wonka is the best chocolate maker out there! So burgundy will be my new favorite color. The movie Wonka which was shown this December starring Timothee Chalamet's costume is in that color. But of course Johnny Depp's Wonka and Gene Wilder's portrayal is also close to my heart. I once cosplayed as Wonka in our office 2011, imitating Depp's Willy Wonka version. I think really this time I have found the character that I will like constantly and no more obsession with other tv or cartoon character. Is just Willy Wonka will be my happy pill for a long time! Cheers!

The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!

                   I enjoy watching musicals. During my highschool years, our school let us watch a musical about popular Filipino folktales. During my college days for our English project our class produced a musical, Joseph the Dreamer, I played as the Pharaoh here. I still remember a few of my lines. As an adult I had the chance to watch a real play at Solaire Resort, The Phantom of the Opera which I really enjoyed. 

I just finished watching The SpongeBob Musical (tv special) today. When I started watching it last week, I find it not that interesting because SpongeBob was a human here and not a sponge. The actor who played SpongeBob is Ethan Slayer. Danny Skinner played the role of Patrick Star, Lilli Cooper played the role of Sandy Cheeks, Nick Blemire played the role of Plankton, Stephanie Hsu played the role of Karen Plankton,  Carlos Lopez played the role of Eugene Krabs,  Emmy Raver-Lampman played the role of Mr. Krabs daughter, Pearl, Jason Michael Snow as Patchy the Pirate, Gaelen Gilliland as The Mayor, Kelvin Moon Loh as the reporter Perch Perkins, Abby Smith as Mrs. Puff,  Mark Ledbetter as Old Man Jenkins, Allan Washington as Larry the Lobster, Curtis Holbrook, L'ogan J'ones and JC Schuste as the rock band The Electric Skates, Oneika Philips, John Rua, Lauralun McClelland, Robert Taylor Jr. as the Sardine Corps and of course, my most favorite character in SpongeBob SquarePants cartoons and also here in this musical is Squidward Tentacles, played by Gavin Lee. His costume here is amazing as a human he has an extra set of legs. He also has a nice hair color sort of blue green. Tom Kenny voiced (pre-recorded) Gary the Snail. 

Spoilers here, I just want to say better watch out for the performance of Squidward here. It is one of the highlights of the musical for a fan like me. I so love his costumes. I really can see myself in his character that's why I like Squidward. So on point! I included in this post a screen shot of his performance. You better see this tv musical special if you are really a true SpongeBobians/SquarePantisan. I also like one of the songs from the musical, entitled Bikini Bottom day. So if you have not seen this, you better watch it now! 

Mcdonald's Happy Meal Malaysia SpongeBob SquarePants

           Now, I am going loco over SpongeBob SquarePants. Oh! Pardon me! I am so late in appreciating this cartoon that is aired by Nickelodeon. 

This week I received my Mcdonald's SpongeBob SquarePants toy that I ordered online and it came from Malaysia. The selling price is also expensive. I posted it on my Tik Tok account and YouTube. The toy was well crafted. My toy is Squidward and his Tiki house. There are stickers included and cardboard with design that you can put on the toy. Instructions are of course included. The toy costs approximately around $5. It is already expensive. Anyway, since this was launched already in 2021 and it is hard to find nowadays. 

Why do I like Squidward Tentacles? Because I can see part of my personality in his character shown in the cartoons. He is interested in arts and music like me. He plays the clarinet and paints. He is also serious and grumpy like me! So I was really amused when I find out about his personality. I plan to collect all the 10 character sets even if its a pricey. Life is short we should be happy in any way as long as we are not hurting or taking advantage of someone. There are many ways to be happy just like what SpongeBob says, "Use your imagination!"

SpongeBob SquarePants SpongeBobian/SquarePantisan

          Hi y'all! It has been a hectic week! I am still here at the office waiting for my hubby to wrap up his work. I'm done for the day we processed a lot of new cases today! Thank God we finished a bit on time. Anyway, this month of October is really special for me, I mean for my husband and I, since this is the month that we got married in one of the oldest and grandest church in Manila, Manila Cathedral (Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception). 

Anyway, this month I have decided that this will be dedicated to SpongeBob SquarePants. Yes! After going loco over Peanuts and Snoopy in 2017 now in the year 2023 maybe this will also be my last obsession over a cartoon character. 

I admit when I saw SpongeBob showing on TV before I was not hooked immediately. I am not a lover of water because I do not know how to swim. But when I re-watched SpongeBob: Out of Water movie I really appreciated it. Watching SpongeBob is a stress reliever for me and a way to escape the life's harsh reality. You can see from the photo that I shared here, this is just a bit of all the SpongeBob related things that I bought this month. My most favorite is the collaboration between Vans and SpongeBob. They launched the collaboration in 2021. I already have a cartoon themed sneakers before. In 2017, I also bought Vans sneakers because they featured Peanuts by Charles Schulz. I also love the customized t-shirts, pajamas, tote bag, comics (according to the seller, the comics is rare here in the Philippines) etc. I cannot find a nice flask with a SpongeBob design so I just customized my 14oz AquaFlask with a waterproof sticker of SpongeBob peeking. But the best ever aside from the sneakers is the collaboration of Careline, a local cosmetic brand. They launched SpongeBob collection of blushes with the corresponding SpongeBob characters. 

I love all the characters in SpongeBob, but I like Squidward Tentacles (because our personality is alike) the best and Patrick is also funny! Why do I like SpongeBob the best? Because he has a sunshiny personality and he is full of optimism. Even if he fails, he does not easily give up. Even if he has the most menial job, he put his 100% on it. He is the best fry cook at Krusty Krab Burger, that's why they always have a lot of patrons. 

SpongeBob SquarePants Movies

           So this September, I had another obsession with this long-time cartoon character. Who doesn't know SpongeBob SquarePants? I got interested with this cartoon when I saw a local make-up brand launched their SpongeBob themed products. I confess that I was not that hooked with this cartoon when I saw it on tv. I actually thought that SpongeBob is a living cheese because he has holes o his body like a Swiss cheese. So these past few days I binged watch the SpongeBob movies. There are 3 movies that came out. One in 2004, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, 2015 The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water and in The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run in 2020. 

Before I go on discussing these movies, every SpongeBob SquarePants lovers should know who is the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants. Just like we all know that Peanuts gang was created by the late Charles M. Schulz. I also got addicted with Peanuts before and I bought a few Peanuts themed items, from Vans shoes to bags and toy figures etc. The creator of SpongeBob SquarePants was the late Stephen McDannell Hillenburg he was an American animator. As a child he was already fascinated with the ocean. He studied at the California Institute of Arts to pursue a career in animation. According to Wikipedia in 1994, he began developong The Intertidal Zone character and concepts for what became SpongeBob SquarePants. He also directed The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie in 2004. Sadly, he died in November 26, 2018 due to ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Many fans missed the old SpongeBob SquarePants and they cannot avoid commenting and comparing SpongeBob SquarePants back then and the SpongeBob SquarePants now. 

Back to my commentary with regard to the 3 SpongeBob SquarePants movies. The movie in 2004 has a nice story plot wherein SpongeBob is aiming to be promoted as a manager in the new branch of Krusty Krab. I will not spoil the rest of the plot but what I like about this movie is to never give up on your dreams and true friends will  be there to help you. The next movie was released in 2015. I already saw this movie before. I was not that enthusiastic before, as I am right now in watching it. I actually enjoyed the movie. The plot of the story is about his frenemy Plankton and the rest of the SpongeBob gang unite to get the secret formula of Krabby patty from the pirate, Burger Beard. The last SpongeBob SquarePants movie was released on 2020. Another daring adventure for SpongeBob and his best friend Patrick as they embark on a journey to Poseidon's turf called Atlantic kingdom to rescue his beloved pet snail, named Gary. I like the special participation of the popular Hollywood actor Keannu Reeves in this movie, he plays the character of sage. In 2004 another popular actor from Baywatch tv series, David Hasselhoff plays a cameo role in the movie. All of the three movies were all enjoyable to watch. If you are SpongeBob SquarePants lover like me or a starting fan also like me, then you better watch these movies. I am very sure you will fall in love with the cuteness and coolness of this movie. 

Careline x Spongebob

 Last month, I found out that Careline collaborated with Spongebob and they came up with Spongebob make-up collection. Who doesn't love this square thing with googly eyes and lives in a pineapple house located at the Bikini bottom. I am already an adult but I still love to watch the show. Spongebob runs on Netflix today. When I saw that they have a pr kit of their product which is the liquid blush, I told myself that I will buy my own soon! I admit that the pr kit is quite expensive. So I waited for their sale. Finally, I have it! 

The Careline x Spongebob pr kit comes in a really nice box that has Spongebob's image and of course it is yellow. The collections comes with 4 blushes, a highlighter and a contour. Each items is packaged beautifully. The regular price of the kit is 2,549 Philippine Pesos. Currently it is on sale on Shopee and Lazada. Careline is under the Ever Bilena family. 

I love the packaging! The blush, highlighter and contour has a character image on the packaging box. Spongebob's shade is called Girly girl, Patrick's is Pink Patricia, Gary's shade is called Shell Pink and Mr. Crab's shade is called Red Ahoy. The contour box has a character of Sandy and for the highlighter, Pearl it is! The blushes are very pigmented, as they say a little goes a long way. These products are also infused with Vitamin E which we all know is an antioxidant and also Hyaluronic acid which reduces wrinkles and lines. Hyaluronic acid also helps wound to heal faster and reduces scarring. Not only you get to enhance your beauty with these products but you also benefit from the added skincare ingredients. You're hitting two birds with one stone!

From all the reviews that I have seen online, everyone really loves this collection. Aside from the products that I mentioned, they also have Spongebob blush, eyeliner, eyeshadow, and eyebrow soap and setting spray.  If you are a fan of Spongebob you got to have this collection! Buy, try and unlock your imagination! 

Ever Bilena and Ever Bilena Serum Tinted Lip Balm

            I admit it, when it comes to Philippine brand cosmetics there are a few names that I trust. I am familiar with Ever Bilena brand because it has been a household name in the 80's and during that time I think it is the only local make-up that exists. I am also familiar with Avon cosmetics which is also popular but this is not a Filipino brand. I admit that whenever I hear the brand Ever Bilena before I am not that enthusiastic since it is locally made. We are more impressed by foreign cosmetics and we tend to look down on local made ones. But nowadays local cosmetics is close and at par with foreign brands. The brand name according to "Filipinknow", "bile" the Chinese term for beautiful and "na", the world for lady. so Ever Bilena means, ever beautiful lady.

Ever Bilena was founded by Mr. Dioceldo Sy. Watching his interview on Chinoy tv made me admire the man more. He is dubbed as the "father of Philippine make-up". His grandfather started selling pomade during the Japanese occupation. Anyway, fast-forward to now, Ever Bilena has 1,203 retails stores nationwide. We have a stigma on local make-up brand that maybe it is of poor quality. But here I am, I have tested and used local brand cosmetics and I can say some of them are good! 

Ever Bilena has also a few sister brands (ranging from cosmetics, detergents, cosmetics and skin-care) namely Ara Colours, Blackwater, Blustar, Careline, Ever Organics, Hello Glow, Hyaloo and Spotlight. 

This time I have tried Ever Bilena's Serum Tinted Lip Balm with EXO's Chanyeol as their ambassador. Personally, this is the first ever tintep lip balm. I bought two out of their 4 shades. I chose Naked which is more natural looking for everyday wear and Toast of New York, a little darker shade that Naked. I like this shade out of the two. I have also tried other cosmetic products from their sister brands like Careline and Spotlight. I love their Eyeliner Duo Stamp from Careline and Spotlight Marble Blush in Premiere Shade. 

If you have not tried any of their make-up, I say you should! They produce good and affordable cosmetics without hurting your pockets. Give it a try and you won't be disappointed!