Shh-Boom / Kokak on TV5'S Star Confessions [30 March 2011 / Wednesday, after Mga Nagbabagang Bulaklak]

Rachel Lobangco, more popularly known as "Shh-Boom" in the memorable San Miguel Beer tv commercial and as the titular character in her hit debut movie "Kokak," reveals intimate and private details about herself [from feeling abandoned as a child, to being ridiculed and lacking confidence for being dusky, to her rise to stardom, to becoming a household name], her tabloid-worthy loves and heartaches, her painful journey back to near-obscurity, her passion for fire-dancing, and the salvation she has found in her daughter.

Rachel "Shh-Boom / Kokak" Lobangco makes her confession on 30 March 2011 / Wednesday after Mga Nagbabagang Bulaklak on TV5's Star Confessions.

On Smallville, Tiara and Brain Tumor

Okay, before I say anything let me first make it clear that I like Smallville. I discovered it [or maybe, it discovered me... Somebody saaaaave meh!...] a few weeks ago. I thought of writing down thoughts on each ep I finished, but I realized right away that I couldn't keep it.

But there's always an exception. For Smallville, it's Season 4, Episode 18.

The homoerotic [not-so-] undertone between Lex and Clark was pretty obvious from the pilot. I mean, Clark doesn't get to kiss Lana [the love of his live] until much much later in the series. Actually, I'm not sure if he gets to kiss her in the 1st season. As it turns out, the very first person he liplocks with in the series is an LL, but it's neither Lana Lang nor Lois Lane. It's Lex Luthor.

And just when I thought Smallville couldn't get any gay-er, Clark Kent suddenly snatches Chloe Sullivan's prom queen tiara, and says "This is my crown, bitch!"


Whew! What is that?

Oh, well, I got to give it to whoever is responsible for this particular ep. It's one of the best eps of Smallville. It's absolutely funny. It's as if it's not taking itself too seriously.

And since I'm at it already, why shut up now?

One of my favorite characters in this series, surprisingly, is Martha Kent [Annette O'Toole] who played Lana Lang in Superman III. Her Freaky Friday moment is the highlight of this ep. And she's not only good, she's a babe. A lot prettier than her younger co-stars.


My next fave is Chloe Sullivan. Fine, she's not as conventionally sexy as Lana, but she's pretty, too, and smart and she's been in love with Clark for as long as god-knows-when. And she's funny and can take care of herself. And she's not as hung up.


And the last in the list would be Lois Lane. Not really because I know she'd end up with Clark in the end. But because I like the way the two of them banter all the time. And so far she seems unaffected by Clark's kryptonian charms.

As for Lana, I don't know. After the 1st two seasons, I find it hard to root for her anymore. Daming hangup sa buhay! And when she suspects one person lies to her--or forgets to tell her--about something, she automatically goes amok. All of a sudden, it's irrelevant whether the same people almost die to save her ass. And what's this thing about Clark telling her his secrets? Why? Does she really think Clark is keeping things from her? If she thinks so, then, she must have an idea what it is. Most of the time, when people want you to tell them your secret, it's only to confirm what they already know.

And so what if Clark has secrets? Is she expecting him to tell her everything every time? Pretty freaky for a girlfriend, I must say.


And earlier in the ep she tells Clark she's not going to the prom. Then, toward the last 30 secs, she shows up. All dolled up. Hmm, well, maybe she's just the type of girl who has a dress ready for special occasions such as this. And maybe her hair is usually like this whenever she steps out of the shower.


Last couple of things: Lionel and Lex Luthor fight all the time. Can get a little tiring sometimes. Seriously, they have to get a room and get it over with. I know it's... ewww. But, hey, a lot of people got hurt already.

And finally, every time Clark has to save Lana or Lex, they have to be unconscious. I'm seriously afraid for their health. Buti 'di pa naaalog 'yung mga utak nila. I won't be surprised if the series finale is with all of them dead dahil sa brain tumor.

In the end, I must say I really love this series.
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one of the millions of reasons why i don't--but must--watch tv

i just want to share with everyone this message i posted on our m.a. class mailing list.


MEDIO MEDIA: last meeting, when i said i didn't watch tv, i didn't mean it to come off rude. i grew up in a quite remote and backward little barrio in pulilan, bulacan. and the whole village didn't have electricity until i was about 8 or 9 years old. every siesta time, my mother would let us listen to radio dramas: mga mata ni anghelita, etc to put us to sleep, and gabi ng lagim, ito kaya'y totoo, etc (with sabatini fernandez, estrella kuenzler, etc) before we go to bed at night.

finally, when electricity came, so did tv, karaoke, etc. and it changed our lives. we were thrilled. i was addicted to afternoon animes (voltes v, grendizer, daimos, etc). in fact, i was so hooked to these animes that when marcos banned it (because he thought it was too violent for kids. duh! marcos condemning violence?) my friends and i retaliated by cursing him. that was probably the very first time i ever got involved in politics.

until i went to high school and rpn 9 (is it still rpn?) went 24/7. i was so glued to tv that i actually faked making assignments so i could stay and sleep in the sala. and all i was watching the whole time was replays of the gods must be crazy 1, 2, 3 and 4. they aired all four every night. and i watched cathy santillan reporting every night. needless to say, i lost a lot of precious sleep while i was growing up. probably the reason why hindi ako tumangkad. yup, i'm blaming tv for that.

that's why right now, i don't watch tv anymore. several years ago, i bought a tv set and i had cable. i thought i was all grown up and i could control my tv-watching habits. but it turned out it wasn't true. then i modified it a bit and told myself i'd just let tv in the background while i was reading or writing (those who write and/or work at home must know this). but it wasn't true either. so when it conked out last year, i tried very hard to resist the temptation of having it repaired or replaced. and now i am slowly rehabilitating myself, and recovering what's left of my humanity--kidding. i mean, i am trying to re-channel my time, energy and creativity to other worthwhile tasks. (and then comes internet... haaay, it's a never ending struggle.)

anyway, my point is that (yup, i may have a point) tv is highly addictive. i realized that when an individual abuses tv, it's actually tv that's abusing him/her. especially now that all the stations have gotten very competitive and they want dominance over each other (ratings-wise, not necessarily content- or value-wise), they're not satisfied with making unsuspecting preys not *change the dial.* they want them to tune in to their respective channels and get hooked.

probably it also helped that i worked in some tv shows of most local channels. i was part of the illusion-making process. i knew some of the tricks and how they did it. my first disappointment was when some years ago, i was told by my superior that they were giving me certain assignments because i knew how to make the subjects (drum roll) cry. that was when i realized that what i was doing was wrong, unethical and abusive. and i had an epiphany after that conversation: everything on tv is fake. they're there to make us laugh and cry and buy the shampoos and detergent bars paying for their prodcost (can i be more cliché?).

i admit that i will have to be involved in media--either as part of the team that produces the content or as a viewer--to make my observations (and bashings--kidding) as accurate as possible. i know that we can't and mustn't separate ourselves from this phenomenon if we are to make sensible conclusions--as media practitioners, students, critics, scholars and as individuals living in a world where media continue to evolve to suit our wants and the needs of the people who run them.

but we all know that already. so i'll just shut up.


Click the pix to go to their respective sources.

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