Charles Dickens' 200th birthday: Google remembers the novelist with a doodle

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It's Charles Dickens' 200th birthday, so here that I am joyfully see the cute animated google doodle and  Google remembers the novelist with a ... doodle!  Today marks the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens' birthday , born February 7, 1812. To celebrate the life and works of one of the world's greatest storytellers, the Google doodle team created this fantastic celebratory doodle.

Charles John Huffam Dickens  was novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature’s most iconic novels. 

The Doodle features characters from his literary works and his famous novels, including Oliver Twist, David Copperfield and Great Expectations.

The British author wrote several novels during his lifetime including classics like A Tale of Two Cities and Nicholas Nickleby. Most of his novels focused on the hardships faced by the poor and working class during industrial revolution.

Born on Feb. 7 1812 in Landport, England, Charles John Huffam Dickens grew in tough, working-class conditions. At age 12, after his father was thrown into a debtors’ prison, he was forced to work at a blacking factory.

Starting his career as a journalist, Dickens eventually started writing literary prose, which was published in monthly installments before being released as books.

Dickens was also a philanthropist; together with Angela Burdett Coutts he founded the Urania Cottage, a home for “fallen” women, helping them learn to read and write.

Dickens died from the consequences of a stroke in his home on June 8, 1870. His last words were, reportedly, “Be natural my children. For the writer that is natural has fulfilled all the rules of art.”

Here are some of Dickens' novels and Christmas books. 

Novels : 

The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club (Monthly serial, April 1836 to November 1837)[92]

The Adventures of Oliver Twist (Monthly serial in Bentley’s Miscellany, February 1837 to April 1839)

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (Monthly serial, April 1838 to October 1839)

The Old Curiosity Shop (Weekly serial in Master Humphrey’s Clock, 25 April 1840, to 6 February 1841)

Barnaby Rudge: A Tale of the Riots of ‘Eighty (Weekly serial in Master Humphrey’s Clock, 13 February 1841, to 27 November 1841)

The Christmas books:
A Christmas Carol (1843)
The Chimes (1844)
The Cricket on the Hearth (1845)
The Battle of Life (1846)
The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain (1848)
The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit (Monthly serial, January 1843 to July 1844)

If you want to know more about him, check out : Wikipedia 

The Vow

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Can once in a lifetime find a second chance?

The Vow is the story of a newlywed couple recovers from a car accident that puts the wife in a coma. Waking up with severe memory loss, her husband endeavors to win her heart again.

Paige and Leo (Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum) are a happy newlywed couple whose lives are changed by a car accident that puts Paige in a coma. Waking up with severe memory loss, Paige has no memory of Leo, a confusing relationship with her parents (Sam Neill and Jessica Lange), and an ex-fiancé (Scott Speedman) she may still have feelings for. Despite these complications, Leo endeavors to win her heart again and rebuild their marriage.

THE VOW,   based on a true love story is this Valentine season's ultimate romantic movie opens nationwide on February 10.

Starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams, Sam Neill, Scott Speedman and Jessica Lange.

The Vow is directed by Michael Sucsy,  story by Stuart Sender. Screenplay byAbby Kohn & Marc Silverstein and Jason Katims and produced by Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber, Jonathan Glickman and Paul Taublieb.

These two stars  are the veteran of romantic tearjerkers especially Channing Tatum  in "Dear John" and Rachel McAdams  in "The Notebook." These movies are my favorite romance love movies. And here, The Vow will be the love movie to watch this Valentines! ♥♥♥

Here are some romantic movie quotes:

Leo:  I vow to love you, and no matter what challenges might carry us apart, we will always find a way back to each other.

Leo :  Life's all about moments of impact, and how they change our lives forever. But what if one day you could no longer remember any of them?

Paige :  Coming home to a life I don't know, that's a lot to take in.

Paige: "I vow to help you love life, to always hold you with tenderness and to have the patience that love

demands. To speak when words are needed and to share the silence when they're not, and to live within the warmth of your heart -- and always call it home."

Leo: "I vow to seriously love you, in all your forms, now and forever. I promise to never forget that this is a once in a lifetime love."

Paige: "I hope one day I can love the way that you love me."

Leo: "You figured it out once -- you'll do it again."

Check this : http://www.thevow-movie.net/

Valentine music with the Masters : REX SMITH, LEA SALONGA, KEVYN LETTAU AND DINGDONG & RACHEL AT VENICE PIAZZA

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Venice Piazza presents Valentine Music with the Masters!

Enjoy Valentine’s with LIVE performances by

Rex Smith – February 12, 2012, 7pm

Dingdong Avanzado & Rachel Alejandro  – February 14, 2012, 7pm

Kevyn Lettau – February 18, 2012, 8pm

Lea Salonga – February 26, 2012 7pm

See more info at https://www.facebook.com/VenicePiazza

The Search Is On For The Next Binibining Pilipinas Titleholders

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The search for the most beautiful women in the Philippines is on. Bb. Pilipinas recently announced in a press  launch that the presentation of qualified applicants will be on February 9. The finals night will be on April 15.

The announcement was formally made in a press launch held at the Gateway Suites last February 2. Present to officially open the search were Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) chair Stella Marquez Araneta, reigning Binibining Pilipinas titleholders Shamcey Supsup, Dianne Necio, and Isabella Manjon together with the pageant sponsors.

The past two years saw the Philippines reclaiming its lofty position as the beauty capital of Asia with back to back top five finishes at the prestigious Miss Universe pageant. Apart from Miss Universe-Philippines Shamcey Supsup’s top five finish at the Miss Universe Pageant in Sao Paulo,  Brazil, Bb. Pilipinas-International Dianne Necio landed a spot in the semifinals and won Miss Internet Popularity at the 2011 Miss International Pageant.Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism Isabella Manjon also won the Miss Charity award at the 2011 Miss Tourism Queen International.

With the strong showing of Shamcey Supsup, Dianne Necio, and Isabella Manjon in prestigious international beauty tilts last year, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) now calls on single Filipinas age 17 to 25 years old to take a crack at becoming the next Filipina pride. Application to the Binibining Pilipinas 2012 pageant is now open to interested single ladies ages 17 to 25 years old, with Filipino citizenship, at least 5 feet 6 inches tall, at least a high school graduate, and of good moral character. Application forms may be downloaded from the Bb. Pilipinas official website, www.bbpilipinas.com.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to apply in person. Aside from the accomplished application form, the other requirements include: original birth certificate (authenticated by the National Statistics Office), certified true copy of high school diploma, Philippine passport (if any), close-up and full body photos, and written consent from parents (if under 18 years old). Applications are accepted from Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm at the BPCI office in the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Launched in 1964, the Binibining Pilipinas pageant has become the biggest and most anticipated beauty event participated in by hundreds of aspirants from all over the country. After a rigorous selection process, the exceptional ladies who exemplify the true Filipina beauty, whose innate poise, grace and intelligence set them apart from the rest, is crowned Miss Universe Philippines, Binibining Pilipinas International, and Binibining Pilipinas Tourism respectively.

Winners of the celebrated beauty titles serve as official Philippine representatives to the most renowned international pageants. They will be joining Gloria Diaz, Miss Universe 1969; Margie Moran, Miss Universe 1973;Aurora Pijuan, Miss International 1970; Melanie Marquez, Miss International 1979; Ruffa Gutierrez, Miss World 2nd Princess 1993; Miriam Quiambao, Miss Universe 1st Runner-up 1999; Precious Lara Quigaman, Miss International 2005; Maria Venus Raj, Miss Universe 4th Runner-up 2010; and Shamcey Supsup, Miss Universe 3rd Runner-up 2011 in an impressive roster of beauty queens that the illustrious pageant has produced.


Bb. Pilipinas 2012 Media Launch

J. Edgar

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Based on the life of J. Edgar Hoover, the man often credited with making the FBI what it is today: an efficient, crime-fighting organization shrouded in secrecy. Hoover founded the organization in 1935 and remained director until his death in 1972. 

As the face of law enforcement in America for almost 50 years, J. Edgar Hoover was feared and admired, reviled and revered. But behind closed doors, he held secrets that would have destroyed his image, his career and his life. This is a drama movie that explores the public and private life of one of the most powerful, controversial and enigmatic figures of the 20th century.

J. Edgar is directed by Clint Eastwood and written by Dustin Lance Black. 

Leonardo DiCaprio now makes his first-everClint Eastwood-directed film with Warner Bros.‘ controversial drama “J. Edgar.” For his portrayal of J. Edgar Hoover, DiCaprio has been nominated for Best Actor at the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a favorite to earn the same honor at the Oscars.

A towering figure in American history, J. Edgar Hoover devoted himself to public service, essentially putting aside any personal relationships he might have wanted to have for what he considered to be the greater good. As one who served to gain authority as well as the public’s adoration, he saw his opportunity to achieve both by positioning himself as a supreme crime-fighting figure, a hero of the populace.

DiCaprio said “I think what allowed me to really get a real sense of Hoover I was portraying was that, at its heart, ours is a story about the person inside. Lots of stories have been told about the man, but I feel that his relationships with [close friend] Clyde Tolson, [secretary] Helen Gandy and his mother really forged who he was for the entirety of his life and career. That was what compelled me to go to work every day, and it’s what I hope will intrigue people as they watch the movie.”

Also in the movie is Armie Hammer who play as Clyde Tolson, the fierce ‘lover’ of J. Edgar. They have scenes together that will either shock you or secretly admire. Don’t miss out the most emotionally-charged scene of the movie wherein J. Edgar and Clyde Tolson almost broke up.

J. Edgar stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Judi Dench, Armie Hammer, Josh Lucas, Damon Herriman, Ken Howard, Jeffrey Donovan, Ed Westwick, Stephen Root. Under the direction of Clint Eastwood.