InnovAsian: Celebrating the Year of the Dragon

Because dragons are too mainstream... :) 

Asians are asians... Paving way to InnovAsian. Celebrating it the right way.

As they say, China does not look forward to the future. It creates the future. And now that their New Year has come, it is but right to give a show of what they have done for the world for the past year.

The staggering Olympic Stadium of China.

The great 20th century sinologist, Joseph Needham, once drew up a list of 24 technical innovations brought from China to the West. They ranged from gunpowder and the wheelbarrow to printing, cast iron, the magnetic compass and the chain suspension bridge. By 1600 the torch of innovation had passed to the West.

However, according to a new report examining Chinese innovation, some of this progress flatters to deceive: R&D spending is still low as a share of GDP per capita and far lower than the OECD average. Consider also the number of researchers in China, which while second in the world only to the US, is still very low for China compared to OECD countries, given the size of the country’s labour force. Chinese researchers may have contributed 6.5% of research articles to scientific publications in 2004, up from just 2% a decade earlier, and are second after the US in nanotechnology research publishing, for instance, but their innovation system still shoots below potential.

More fundamentally, there is a difference between being a leader in R&D and leading a truly innovative, modern society. It is a gap China must now bridge.

But even so these innovations and lapses at hand, China still proves to be one of the best countries there is.

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Dragons - It is their Year

A dragon is a legendary creature. All legendary stories about Chinese dragons are from the sky, which means heaven in China. The image of dragon is blurred, misty, mystic, occulted, noble and untouchable. For China, it is the symbol of power from heaven. The Chinese emperor was considered the son of heaven. An emperor has the authority to send command to Dragons. One Chinese story mentioned an emperor killed a dragon in his dream. After 581 AD, Chinese emperors began to wear imperial robes with dragon symbols. During the Ching Dynasty (1644-1911 AD), the dragon can be seen everywhere on the roofs, doors, pillars, bridges, utensils in the forbidden city. The most powerful dragon is the five-clawed dragon. It appears only on the yellow imperial robe. Because of this, Dragon is one of most auspicious animals in China.

They say that Dragon has nine sons. People didn't know too much about the Nine Dragons until Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). However, there is more than one version of the Nine Dragons story. One story is the following.

The Dragon sent its nine sons to help the first emperor of Ming Dynasty to conquer China. After completing the mission, nine dragons were preparing their journey to return to heaven. But the emperor wanted them to continue to help the Ming Dynasty. The nine dragons wouldn't stay and the emperor couldn't stop them. However, the emperor decided to play a trick on the most powerful dragon, the 6th son. He tricked the sixth dragon son to carry a magic stele with a carved inscription, which could suppress any ghost, spirit or evil creature. The 6th dragon couldn't move under the magic stele, and all of his other brothers wouldn't leave without him. However, they wouldn't work for the emperor anymore. They decided to no longer show their dragon identities and turned themselves into evil creatures. Since then, the nine dragons have stayed in China.

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 Since it is the year of the Dragon for this Chinese New Year, it is expected that a lot would turn out to be different this time of the year. As usual, Feng Shui will surely predict some lucky pots for Chinese and the like out there.

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Testing Your Affinity to the Water Dragon

 

Rat: Dragon year 2012 is the harbinger of luck for the Rat. All you would need to do is to recognize the right moment and then without any fear venture out since the lucky stars are on your side. It is of utmost importance for you to have the right lucky charm on you. This will save you from the influence of the illness star. It also, will replenish your chi essence and you will be able to acquire the 24 mountains’ lucky energy. Remember though good luck and feng shui only is not enough, you would need to work hard and be strong to come out a winner on the other end.

The cycle of the Chinese Zodiac with its representations.

Ox: Dragon year is a lucky year for the Ox. It is also a year when the star of future progress is here for you. Making it easy for you to make further progress on the work you may have initiated in the previous years. You must make use of this brilliant opportunity and get done what needs to be done. The only thing you must make sure is to be more agreeable and 2012 will undoubtedly be a year of good fortune and success.

Tiger: Dragon year like the previous year is an auspicious year for the Tiger. You will continue to benefit from chi energy and would still be in a zone being guarded by the cosmic forces. It is year when you will be able accumulate riches and have a stronger financial foundation for the times to come. The best course of action for you is to focus on building your finances and not to be marred by the negative forces aiming to bring you down.

Rabbit: Luck is in store for the Rabbit in year 2012. It is going to be a year where the hardships of the last year come to an end. Dragon brings strength and energy your way. You have emerged stronger at the end of the last year. All you need to do now is get busy, capture the positive energy of the year and direct it towards the achievement of your targets. You are definitely going to find more love and be more self assured, successful and happier than ever before.

Dragon: 2012 is your year and this gives you the added advantage that no one else has. It is a year bringing success and some possible failures your way. Successes are going to be a source of hope and consolation for you. One thing you must remember when facing a difficult situation, is to keep the long term plans in your mind and keep on forging ahead. You could receive a boost of support from the third dimension feng shui.

Snake: You are strong and confident due to the successes in the last two years. 2012 may be the time to slow down a bit and enjoy the charms and positive vibes of the Dragon year. You need to plan on having a celebration of some sort, be it the arrival of a new baby or a marriage or a birthday party. This celebration will assist you in defeating the five yellow misfortunes.

Horse: Dragon year promises to be an adventurous and successful year for the Horse. Feng shui winds will bring luck, helping you achieve your goals. It is also a year where you will be more established and will be recognized, honoured and respected by all those around you.

Sheep: 2012 will be a year of accomplishment for the sheep. It promises all that is good, to those who are ready. Chi essence in your case is not very strong and this leads to lower self esteem and confidence. You must defeat negativity as it makes you more aggressive and temperamental. It also stresses out those who are close to you. Be more at peace with yourself, trust your intuition and be original and the result will be a happy and successful you.

Monkey: Dragon year brings the opportunity to lay foundation of future ventures. You must figure out your future path, assemble all your assets and get ready.  You are going to see a change in your work as well as coworkers. You are going to be a more self assured and reenergized you, who is hopeful and ready to embrace success. However, you must remember to be patient and wait for all the puzzle pieces to fall into place.

Rooster: The Rooster will enjoy greater wealth and strength brought to it by the Dragon. The chi essence and life forces are available in abundance like never before and promise you a very successful new year. Anticipate a year filled with new adventures and prosperity. You must concentrate on your ability to succeed and this will steer you away from any possible worrisome scenarios created by your friends.

Dog: The dog enters 2012 successfully after overcoming many challenges in the last year. You are going to find that the chi essence is not abundant but the lady luck is still around. All you need to do is to follow your instincts, trust in your ability to make decisions and be brave. Your relationships will be under some strain but remember you must be ready and willing to take risk to establish long term friendships.

Boar: The Dragon year brings good fortune to the Dog and sets them for a good year ahead. Feng shui winds could be troublesome but you are protected. You can reinforce your life force with metal and earth may add power to your chi essence. You are set for success, if this elemental balance is achieved. Be self assured, be patient, know what you want from life and nothing will stop you from achieving your goals.

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Regardless of the signs, the Chinese New Year Feng Shui and Calendar are just means to guide us the to the path of right and sane thinking. Always do remember that the lives people still choose will be definitive than these guides.

Kung Hei Fat Choi! 

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Asians are asians... Paving way to InnovAsian. Celebrating it the right way.

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Dancing with the Dragons out there. Realizes that it is fake. Enjoy the Chinese New Year fellow 9gaggers and readers!

 

I am a pretty dragon... No, no you are not! 

 

seems legit to me. :) 

 

 

Conceiving Bequest : The Philippines' Bourne Legacy

It was a good movie after ALL.

 

 

"The shooting is here in the Philippines... and the credits go to the Philippines."

Perhaps it is one of the most celebrated movies of all time - in the Philippine context, to be exact. It is a good timing and a blessing as well for the Philippines because a mega-budget Hollywood film was to shoot here - and all credits to the exact places were to be attributed to the country itself.

The second installment of Gilroy's masterpiece.

The Bourne Legacy is to be starred by Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz, of which Renner is the main star. Succeeding Matt Damon who first played the lead role on the first installment, Renner really had to live up with the grandeur of the first film.

Manila has a history of being used to portray other cities: It served as Jakarta in Peter Weir’s 1982 drama “The Year of Living Dangerously,” Bangkok in Jonathan Kaplan’s 1999 thriller “Brokedown Palace,” and Panama City in Showtime’s 2000 biopic “Noriega: God’s Favorite.”

“Legacy,” however, will be the first notable Hollywood movie to represent the capital as itself. Action scenes including a helicopter hovering above the financial district and a long car chase through a major thoroughfare are to be shot in the city, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. The production will also film in Palawan, an island province known for its pristine beaches and tropical rain forests.

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Why Damon was off for the Legacy Ultimatum...

  

Legacy will feature a new protagonist that, like Bourne, is a covert government agent that was trained (or rather, brainwashed) to become an assassin by the government and likely played a role in either Operation Treadstone (from The Bourne Identity) or Blackbriar (from The Bourne Ultimatum). The fourth Bourne film – which will not contain any plot elements from Eric Lustbader’s novel of the same name – is not a reboot, as it both continues the storyline developed in the first three movies and acts to “expand the franchise mythology” by shifting its focus away from Jason Bourne himself.

Gilroy told Deadline that he “couldn’t imagine trying to replace [Damon as Bourne]“ and that the Jason Bourne character himself is still very much alive in Legacy. While Damon essentially closed the door on his involvement with Bourne 4 earlier this year, he could easily return for a later film – assuming that Bourne Legacy does well enough, financially speaking, to justify a fifth movie.

Another chance for Damon's Legacy.

Ultimatum nicely wrapped up the main plot threads introduced in the previous two Bourne movies and was both the most financially successful and critically-acclaimed of the first three pics in the franchise. Gilroy is already up against the wall to deliver a fourth Bourne movie that either matches or exceeds the quality of its predecessor – not to mention that a lot of moviegoers will likely take a pass on Legacy solely because Damon will not be back.

Is Gilroy up to the challenge? He proved himself to be both a solid screenwriter and director with his Oscar-nominated pic Michael Clayton back in 2007 – not to mention that he has been involved with the Bourne franchise since the very beginning. Bourne 4 will require someone with the technical prowess to mix engaging action sequences with drama, so Gilroy will be in mostly untested territory with his next directorial effort.

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Malacañang acknowledged [the expectation that tourist dollars might follow] on Tuesday when Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda welcomed the filming of the movie here since “it will be a boost to tourism.”

Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino added that the decision to shoot a major Hollywood movie in Manila also shows it is safe to visit the Philippines.

According to various media reports, scenes will be shot in Metro Manila and the island of Palawan which is noted for its pristine beaches and natural landscape. Apart from Ayala Avenue in Makati City, however, many of the planned film locations in the Metro are not exactly noted for their physical beauty. Included in the reported itinerary are some public markets, narrow alley ways in the older more decrepit parts of Manila, and the infamous Navotas City Fish Port. Some buildings were even modified to make them “look older”.

Obviously, the nature of the Philippine capital as the quintessential Third World megalopolis is the key essence of Manila’s contribution to the setting of Bourne Legacy. Juxtaposed against its other location, the pristine scenery of Palawan, the Philippines’ place in the scheme of Bourne highlights the reality of the country — a nation of stark contrasts: extreme ugliness and breathtaking beauty with not much of note (at least to a film producer) in between. (Source: Get Real Philippines)

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The Bourne Legacy arrives in Manila 

- CBSNews

MANILA, Philippines — Officials say the cast and crew of the Hollywood action thriller "The Bourne Legacy" have arrived and will start shooting a portion of the film in the Philippine capital on Wednesday.

The fourth of the blockbuster "Bourne" series based on the spy novels of Robert Ludlum will be shot around the Philippines for a month. It stars Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton but not Matt Damon, the star of first three "Bourne" films.

Francis Tolentino, head of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, said Tuesday he is fielding 120 crowd control personnel to assist traffic enforcers during the first day of shooting in Manila's Malate tourist district.

President Benigno Aquino III's spokesman Edwin Lacierda says the movie will boost tourism and provide jobs.

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The Bourne Legacy Plot  

(Click to read)

Manila - Pasay Rotonda. Best traffic and chasing scenes.

It really is more fun in the Philippines as this Bourne Legacy Mania strikes the Metro at its 3 month escapade towards the finishing of the scenes. From the spotlights and glimpses of true Hollywood actors and actresses, the Philippines really is making a deal in this mega-movie debut.

"The shooting is here in the Philippines... and the credits go to the Philippines." 

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Spying on the movie set like a PRO. Enjoy the shooting days and the epic movie of the Bourne Legacy fellow 9gaggers and reader.

Because we like it watching the taping and the actual stunts like a pro.

seems legit to me. :)

 

End of the Seat for the End of the World: 2012 Movies

Yes, yes. Dudes share the pain.

Life is not like the movies at all . . . or is it?

Kapow! The Batman days.

 
After countless years of developing the proper technology to relay the fantasy world into real 2D or 3D scope, humans have never been resting to prove that movies can be elevated into newer echelons. Successful though this race of intelligent beings in fabricating this work of art and imagination.

From old school movies - that will surely make a good chuckle in retrospect, to hardcore high-definition movies, the movie industry has never been the dame. Back in the golden days where movies where tinted black and white up until now that every color in the known universe has been used to paint the perfect scenes and now, 3D movie watching and streaming - innovations through the technical of the industry.

Each day and night, movies here and there keep on streaming on HBO. Newer, if not old school, and the evolution of the movie screen can surely be spotted by majority of the viewers from different ages. Nonetheless, one could say that just like biological creatures striving and thriving in an ecosystem, it is expected that movies will, more likely so, evolve.

Who does not know the caped crusader of Gotham?

From the technical of various movies down to the storyline, one could not doubt that the movies nowadays are far different from those of the times where grandparents were able to boogie on a Saturday night. It is kind of a let down, on hindsight how movies are degraded from the quality of the stories found on morbid but enlightening dramas and sequels of the Renaissance days.


The movies from way back then have stories that are unable to be surmounted by the best 3D there is. Though the movies of today are stronger in definition and are quite lasting these days where fantasies are a boon to the mind and the society, these old movies still make a mark in the industry.

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From the Old to the New

 Top 100 Films of All-Time

Because one never leaves the realm of fantasy...

1. Avatar (2009)
2. Titanic (1997)
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011)
4. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
5. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
6. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
7. Toy Story 3 (2010)
8. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
9. Alice in Wonderland (2010)
10. The Dark Knight (2008)
11. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
12. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)
13. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 (2010)
14. The Lion King (1994)
15. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
16. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
17. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
18. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
19. Shrek 2 (2004)
20. Jurassic Park (1993)
21. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
22. Spider-Man 3 (2007)
23. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)
24. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
25. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
26. Finding Nemo (2003)
27. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
28. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
29. Inception (2010)
30. Spider-Man (2002)
31. Independence Day (1996)
32. Shrek the Third (2007)
33. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
34.  E. T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
35. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
36. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
37.  Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
38. 2012 (2009)
39. The Da Vinci Code (2006)
40. Shrek Forever After (2010)
41. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
42. The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
43. Up (2009)
44. The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)
45. Transformers (2007)
46. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)
47. Forrest Gump (1994)
48. The Sixth Sense (1999)
49. Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)
50. Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006)
51. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
52. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
53. Kung Fu Panda (2008)
54. The Incredibles (2004)
55. Fast Five (2011)
56. Hancock (2008)
57. Iron Man 2 (2010)
58. Ratatouille (2007)
59. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
60. The Passion of the Christ (2004)
61. Mamma Mia! (2008)
62. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)
63. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1 (2011)
64. Casino Royale (2006)
65. War of the Worlds (2005)
66. Tangled (2010)
67. Men in Black (1997)
68. Quantum of Solace (2008)
69. I Am Legend (2007)
70. Iron Man (2008)
71. The Hangover Part II (2011)
72. Night at the Museum (2006)
73. The Smurfs (2011)
74. Armageddon (1998)
75. Cars 2 (2011)
76. King Kong (2005)
77. Mission: Impossible II (2000)
78. The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
79. Despicable Me (2010)
80. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
81. Madagascar (2005)
82. The Simpsons Movie (2007)
83. Monsters, Inc. (2001)
84. Sherlock Holmes (2009)
85. WALL·E (2008)
86. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
87. Meet the Fockers (2004)
88. Ghost (1990)
89. Aladdin (1992)
90. Troy (2004)
91. How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
92. Twister (1996)
93. Clash of the Titans (2010)
94. Angels & Demons (2009)
95. Toy Story 2 (1999)
96. Rio (2011)
97. Bruce Almighty (2003)
98. Shrek (2001)
99. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
100. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

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Top picks by the Dudes and 9gag poll.

The year 2011 has been quite a blast for both movie goers and movie producers. For in fact, every year has its own movies to die for and watch. And now the year has gone to a sure end, another year of great expectations arise.

Quite a petrifying post with regards to the Mayans prediction of the 2012 doomsday, the line up of the list of movies are here.

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Watching Movies Like A Boss

Proud to be on Doomsday with these Movies...

Because these movies are sure hits this 2012.

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The Epic 1981 Clash of the Titans - Level: Grandmom

The public has seen a lot of movies to mention for this coming January and the rest of the year. But perhaps one of the most celebrated, as the dudes rate it, is the installment of Clash of the Titans. The classic 1981 hit film was a sure hit, not to mention its fabled graphics though it is oblivious in this modern age.

It was resurrected by the Hollywood filmmakers making it a grosser last 2010. The effects were grueling cool and the storyline was much more than that of the original. It was a perfect end-movie for 2010 and was surely making its way this 2012.

QUICK FACTS

Ray Harryhausen used the special effects technique of stop motion animation to create the various creatures in Clash of the Titans. Harryhausen was also co-producer of the film, and retired from filmmaking shortly after the movie was released, making this his last main feature film. Despite the mechanical owl Bubo's similarities to the droid R2-D2 of the 1977 film Star Wars, Harryhausen claimed that Bubo was created before Star Wars was released.

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Think You're Cool?

The Pick of the 2012's Upcoming Movies

Wrath of the Titans

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PLOT

The famed Clash of the Titans that made justice with its 1981 sister movie.

A decade after his heroic defeat of the monstrous Kraken, Perseus—the demigod son of Zeus—is attempting to live a quieter life as a village fisherman and the sole parent to his 10-year old son, Helius. Meanwhile, a struggle for supremacy rages between the gods and the Titans. Dangerously weakened by humanity's lack of devotion, the gods are losing control of the imprisoned Titans and their ferocious leader, Kronos, father of the long-ruling brothers Zeus, Hades and Poseidon. The triumvirate had overthrown their powerful father long ago, leaving him to rot in the gloomy abyss of Tartarus, a dungeon that lies deep within the cavernous underworld. Perseus cannot ignore his true calling when Hades, along with Zeus' godly son, Ares (Edgar Ramírez), switch loyalty and make a deal with Kronos to capture Zeus. The Titans' strength grows stronger as Zeus' remaining godly powers are siphoned, and hell is unleashed on earth. Enlisting the help of the warrior Queen Andromeda (Rosamund Pike), Poseidon's demigod son, Argenor (Toby Kebbell), and fallen god Hephaestus (Bill Nighy), Perseus bravely embarks on a treacherous quest into the underworld to rescue Zeus, overthrow the Titans and save mankind. 

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Aside from counting the days before the clock of extinction explodes before our very eyes, try seeing these must see movies first. One will never know how the real world coincide with another dimension of our minds. And since the dudes are still in festive moods, provided here is the full link with regards to the latest news and updates of the years movies - as well as the dates and original production dates so one can route the date of showing on specific countries. Check me out - I'm counting down

 

Life is not like the movies at all . . . or is it?

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Eating and watching and waiting for these cool movies like a pro! Enjoy watching and streaming fellow 9gaggers and readers.

Forever alone in the cinemas with the popcorn. Level: Doomsday.

seems legit to me. :D