Insights From a Goddess 1st Anniversary Special: Sirene by Binibining Mia

 

A fan art of Sirene and Nikolas Barrida swimming

on the underwater together. (C) I Love You Since 1892

Facebook page.

Happy first anniversary to the recently added segment of Yona's Blog, Insights From a Goddess! To commemorate this tropica-shiny occasion, let's try something different and go homegrown this time as I have to do my impressions and insights about a very epicly romantic and historical fictional tale (or tail, as what we say) from Binibining Mia, the best-selling Filipina Wattpad-based author behind I Love You Since 1892.

Sirene, as the title says so, was first released on the Wattpad format on November 15, 2017 and completed on July 10, 2018. A book adaptation was just published last year by ABS-CBN Books, covering the first eight chapters plus the prologue.

Set between the Commonwealth and the World War II periods in the Philippines, the story will be centered around the titular mermaid Sirene, who has the power of the legendary pearl of the western part of the country, and the notorious young swindler-turned-celebrated semi-immortal war veteran, Nikolas Barrida, in an extraordinary but risky quest for the 1,000-year old sacred possession while dealing with the war itself, the Japanese occupation, and a forbidden but ever immortal love that stood the test of time and beyond.

As someone who adores the merfolk culture since childhood and is still geeking over history especially WWII, I have to say that Sirene quickly won on me because of the amazing, breath-taking and heart-wrenching scenes, plus interesting trivias on the things that I'm familiar with and have never seen before. But without giving spoilers, it's basically The Little Mermaid meets Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch (minus the singing though, but with the mermaid kingdoms), Golden Kamuy (Kolas is basically like Saiji Sugimoto, also an immortal, with a bit twist of Kaito Domoto from the former aforementioned show yet in WWII version), Dyesebel (on forbidden love between a human and a mermaid) and Legend of the Blue Sea (mermaids that can erase one's memories) with various mermaid legends of PH and some countries.

Also, I like how Ms. Mia conceptualized the four mermaids and their kingdoms situated in four provinces and it's pretty interesting that these are from her imagination, which quickly reminds me of the ones in Pichi. Spot on!

The two-part time skip epilogue, which both set during the early days of the PH's Third Republic and two years after the People Power Revolution, creates something powerful and unique but at the same time has a bittersweet, tearjerking end. I felt so gutted when it was Nikolas' time to end his lifelong suffering and reunited with the one he loved by becoming a pearl. But at the same time, fill with happiness because both he and Sirene would be reunited to the edge of the universe where they were no longer a human and a mermaid. Another thing you should watch out for is the little girl that Nikolas saved from the evil fishermen named Sophie and the hows on miraculously retaining her memories with the lovers on the first part of the epilogue.

Overall, another amazing masterpiece to watch out for but another interesting story everyone should read whether in both formats. I swear, you're gonna love it so much regardless until the end.

The blogger's personal copy of the first Sirene

book adaptation

What do you think about Sirene and her immortalized love with Nikolas? How did you find the combination between World War II, specifically the Japanese occupation in the Philippines, and the merfolk culture into something unique yet extraordinary historical fiction story? Lemme know in the comments box, on my FB page or my Twitter @goddessyk13!

Shameless plugging: Get a copy of the first Sirene book adaptation for only PHP150 at all National Bookstore outlets in the Philippines or order online via Shopee and Lazada! Also, don't forget to follow Binibining Mia's official social media accounts and Wattpad page!

Bonus:

The blogger's personal freebie art cards of Juanito,

Leandro and Madre Olivia from I Love You Since 1892

The Goddess' Playlist: "Add the Berry to My Big Love"

Happy New Year, lads, and welcome to my first blog entry for 2021! How's the celebration and rest days? I'm sure you deserve a wonderful time with your fam and friends before going back to the crappiest game in the whole freaking universe known as reality.

And for our first offering, I'm gonna discuss "Add the Berry to My Big Love" by Karen Miyama, who is best known for voicing Ichika Usami aka Cure Whip from KiraKira PreCure A La Mode.

First heard in the season's pilot episode, the song was fully released on April 26, 2017 as part of its first sweet etude character single featuring Whip herself, and also included in the second vocal and vocal best albums of the season.

I have to say nothing can describe this song but it's just too catchy but jolly! Other than that, it's also enjoyable and shown about Ichika's passion in making sweets.

Anyway if you wanna memorize and sing-along to the lyrics then here you go!

Romaji:

Beriberī daisuki min'na ni todoketai

Taruto shūkurīmu shifon tiramisu

Ichiban shōtokēki☆

Kirari karafuru kaori afureru

Hapi❤suītsu taimu

Tabete wandafuru kokoro hajikeru

Fuwafuwa no fushigi

Omoide wo (tsunagu) tedzukuri no (kizuna)

Aka shiro kīro no yume tsukurou

Kirakira wo tsumekonda kono kimochi meshiagare

Kogete mo megezu ni hoippu・suteppu・janpu!

Oishī nette egao ga mitai kara ganbareru

Shonbori suponji mo goaikyō de

Kurīmu tappuri dekorēshon

Beriberī daisuki min'na ni todoketai

Kyandī kyarameru suware mirufīyu

Ichiban shōtokēki☆

Dajare pawafuru suberu zukkokeru

Maji, choi tsurai

Nakama hātofuru yaruki minagiru

Yūjō no reshipi

Mazekonda (kosei) fukuranda (yūki)

Issho ni on'naji yume tsukurou

Arenji wa mugendai kono pawā goran are

Pinchi mo karei ni hoippu・suteppu・janpu!

Oishī nette egao wo zenryoku de mamoru tame

Jama suru yatsura wa yurusanai

Chikara awasete dekorēshon

Atafuta maze maze kurukuru dekiagari

Hekondari (gakkari) nayamu tabi (ittsumo)

Genki wo kureta no wa mai・suītsu❤

Kirakira wo makiagete watashi rashiku susumu yo

Ashita e mukatte hoippu・suteppu・janpu!

Oishī nette egao ga mitai kara ganbareru

Shonbori suponji mo goaikyō de

Mainichi suteki ni dekorēshon

Beriberī daisuki min'na ni todoketai

Taruto shūkurīmu

Shifon tiramisu

Ichiban shōtokēki☆

Japanese:

ベリベリー　ダイスキ　みんなに届けたい

タルト　シュークリーム　シフォン　ティラミス

イチバン　ショートケーキ☆

キラリ　カラフル　香りあふれる

ハピ❤スイーツタイム

食べてワンダフル　心はじける

ふわふわの不思議

思い出を（つなぐ）手作りの（きずな）

あかしろ　きいろの夢　作ろう

キラキラを詰め込んだ　この気持ち召し上がれ

焦げてもめげずにホイップ・ステップ・ジャンプ！

美味しいねって笑顔が見たいから頑張れる

しょんぼりスポンジもご愛嬌で

クリームたっぷりデコレーション

ベリベリー　ダイスキ　みんなに届けたい

キャンディー　キャラメル　スワレ　ミルフィーユ

イチバン　ショートケーキ☆

ダジャレ　パワフル　スべる　ずっこける

マジ、ちょいつらい

仲間　ハートフル　やる気みなぎる

友情のレシピ

混ぜ込んだ（個性）膨らんだ（勇気）

一緒におんなじ夢　作ろう

アレンジは無限大　このパワーご覧あれ

ピンチも華麗にホイップ・ステップ・ジャンプ！

美味しいねって笑顔を全力で守るため

邪魔するやつらは許さない

力あわせて　デコレーション

あたふた　まぜまぜ　くるくる　できあがり

凹んだり（ガッカリ）悩むたび（いっつも）

元気をくれたのは　マイ・スイーツ❤

キラキラを巻き上げて私らしく進むよ

明日へ向かってホイップ・ステップ・ジャンプ！

美味しいねって笑顔が　見たいから頑張れる

しょんぼり　スポンジも　ご愛嬌で

毎日ステキに　デコレーション

ベリベリー　ダイスキ　みんなに　届けたい

タルト　シュークリーム

シフォン　ティラミス

イチバン　ショートケーキ☆

English:

I want this to reach everyone as I love all of these berries too

Some tarts and choux creme, chiffon and tiramisu

But the best is shortcake☆

Overflowing with this bright, colorful fragrance is our

Happy❤sweets time

Eating is so wonderful that it makes my own heart burst

It's such a weird feeling too

These memories will (be connected) and hand made to make (a nice bond)

So let's make our dreams red, white and yellow now

When I bake in the glittering light, go on and eat up all of these feelings

Even if it's burnt, don't be down, just whip・step・jump!

I want to see a lot of smiles so I'll do my best to make it tasty

Even a sponge cake can make it all fun again

With a lot of whip cream to decorate with

I want this to reach everyone as I love all of these berries too

Some candy, caramel swirl and millefeuille

But the best is shortcake☆

A bad joke is powerful enough to knock yourself down

Ouch, that must have hurt

Encouraging your fellow friends with those heartfelt comments

Is the recipe for friendship

Mixing all of our (personas) until it swells with (some courage)

Let's make our dreams the same together now

Arranging everything to be infinite with this power that you can see

When you're stuck, just do a brilliant whip・step・jump!

To protect your smile I'll use all of my power to make it extra tasty

I won't allow anyone to disturb us at all

When we combine our powers to decorate, we

Gotta mix it all up in a hurry, spinning and now it's complete

When you feel depressed (disappointed) or really worried (always)

I want to make you happy with my・sweets❤

I roll everything up into the bright, bright light so I can move on by myself

By jumping into tomorrow with a whip・step・jump!

I want to see a lot of smiles so I'll do my best to make it tasty

Even a sponge cake can make it all fun again

Everyday will be awesome if we add decorations

I want this to reach everyone as I love all of these berries too

Some tarts and choux creme

Chiffon and tiramisu

But the best is shortcake☆

And that wraps the very first blog entry of Yona's Blog for 2021 and also, happy birthday to Ichika! I hope she has a wonderful and brilliant day with her fam and friends. Plus, we still really miss the KiraKira Cures so much that's why! Till the next content, lads!

Disabilities Month x 48g 15th Anniversary Special: Let's • La • Appreciate Gabb~!

December is the International Month of Disabilities as well as the 15th anniversary of the biggest idol girl group in this planet (and the universe) that is AKB48. To celebrate these two occasions, I made another appreciation thread but for a real life personality this time for this blog and yeah, I already picked Gabb Skribikin aka my current kami oshi from MNL48!

Precisely wise, not only she breaks barriers and stereotypical boundaries in the idol industry - giving that she has a hearing impairment on the right ear - but also smashes every performance for her awesome talents and everyone's hearts for being marupok, plus her evolution from a cutie lad to a pretty ikemen during her more than two-year stint in the 48g! Moreover, she has been part of the group's senbatsu for the singles "Aitakatta Gustong Makita," "Pag-Ibig Fortune Cookie," "Ikaw ang Melody," "High Tension" and "RIVER," whom she also has been the center for the latter two with the current one being double centered alongside Abby Trinidad. 

In addition to those aforementioned, Gabb was also one of the delegates in the first AKB48 Asia Fest which held in Bangkok, Thailand in 2019 together with the other seven of the Emenel members and all the Asian 48 groups as well as making her first acting stint on Ipaglaban Mo last June alongside Sheki Arzaga and the soon-to-be graduated Sela Guia.

With all the mixed stuff happened in the first few days of the RIVER era in Emenel, including the 3rd General Election prelim results, and much like the one with Cure Grace on my Insights From a Goddess (and Mates) section, I interviewed some of the fans who are Gabb oshis through a roundtable Q & A and here are their responses:

Q1. Why do you love Gabb?

@_ilovegabrielle (Twitter):

AQL (@aql48, Twitter):

Christian Quilala (Facebook):

Q2. What's your most memorable moment from her (can be from attended events, related content etc)?

ILG:

AQL:

CQ:

Q3. How do you discover Gabb in the first place and what's your first impression about her?

ILG:

AQL:

CQ:

Q4. What's your message to Gabb and to the Emenel girls?

ILG:

AQL:

CQ:

A big thanks to Janille Garcia, Von Adler and Christian Quilala for making this small but brilliant Gabb appreciation collab project possible! Anyway for those who didn't make it, then no worries because all the four questions provided are in this special blog! Comment down your answers here, on my FB page or my Twitter @goddessyk13! Until the next blog and I send to you all a very Merry Christmas, fam!

My Doctor Who Merchandise Collection (So Far)

Happy Doctor Who Day, everyone! And to celebrate its 57th anniversary, I decided to do a two-part special blog post about my merch collection and my related content engagements in the franchise. So yep, let me do the former first!

Ever since I entered the Doctor Who universe in 2018, I was wondering that I could start collecting various merchandise from the show, so I decided to save some extra budget first and later, engage in freelanced craft and taking two different jobs to have those. To me, it really fulfilled my wish of having those all thanks to my hardwork in a short span of time while in the fandom.

Anyway, I'm going to share my merchandises that I collected so far from the show:

My first official merch: Doctor Who Magazine Issue 532 ft Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill as the featured cover, pre-ordered from Filbars.

Two 13s and a recon Dalek Funko Pops, also pre-ordered from Filbars.

A Cybus Cyberman pop-up figure, bought

from Xmas ToyCon 2019 Day 3.

DWM Issue 532 ft the late Jon Pertwee as

the featured cover, bought from Booksale

Walter Mart EDSA.

13th Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver (Se7en20

version), bought from Geekerie.

And here's myself as 13 with her sonic from last February's charity shoot!

Latest addition, a 13 LEGO figure that I bought from Shoppee!

PS. Salamat (Thank you), Shoppee!

I'm also decided that I will collect more Who merchs in the future, of course it'll depend on the availed budget and time though.

And that's part one of my two-part special post for Doctor Who Day! I will continue this with my related content engagments on the next post! What did you think of my collection so far? Also, did you have your own Who merchandises collection already? Share them on the comment section below, on my FB page or my Twitter @goddessyk13!

Insights From a Goddess (and Mates): Why Do We Love Cure Grace?

It has been another huge shock and overwhelmed moment for the fans of the Pretty Cure Series these past few days, aside from the scans and leaks of course, when its incumbent lead heroine, Nodoka Hanadera aka Cure Grace (voiced by Aoi Yuuki) from Healin' Good, had succumbed into sickness once more due to the Mega Part inserted by Daruizen (voiced by Mutsumi Tamura) at the end of season's episode 27 aired last October 4, also the birthday of the incumbent third member Hinata Hiramitsu aka Cure Sparkle. The aforementioned stuff caused widespread of mixed emotions both in real life and online, and several theories about what would happen to Grace herself in the next episodes. Later, we learned that Daruizen was actually the parasite born from a MegaByogen that infected Nodokacchi years before the season started as revealed in episode 28 aired a week after.

In response to these turning events which resulted to have a sophomore edition of Insights From a Goddess, Yona's Blog will be exclusively conducting its very first PreCure-related collaboration project with some fans from different sides of planet Earth to show their unconditional love and appreciation for Nodokacchi/Grace, and to give insights about her so far through a hot-seat thread.

Yonacchi: Why do you love Nodokacchi/Grace?

Hibiki (@precuredolphin): I like Nodoka for being a breath of fresh air in the franchise! She's not your usual genki leader (and they're great too!) and she has an interesting backstory, regarding her illness!!!

Reza Maulana (@RezaMaulana98): I love Nodokacchi because she's a unique Pink Cure! She's very reserved, which contrasts with the usual genki Pinks and her past illness gives her a very intriguing backstory.

WLT (@357p): Not only I like her, but love her as well. I think she has her own charm and she shows it very clearly throughout the show, not only as Nodoka but also as Grace. She is just an amazing character and I'm glad that she's the leader of the Healin' Good team. She came with something new that was never shown before in PreCure and I will not lie, I want more episodes which focuses not only on her illness but mostly on her arc.

yuuri_nikiforov0520: I love Nodoka/Grace because she is full of bravery and also has a never give up spirit. Though she was ill in her childhood, she still wants to help others in need. She is also a girl who treasures friendship and is willing to help Asumi to learn how to survive in the human world. In her Cure form, she is powerful and fearless.

UnbannedRescueCat (@UnbannedC): Ever since ep 1, I really liked Nodoka's initiative and drive. Her being a sickly girl, and working her way to become healthier, was also an admirable quality.

Julien C. Parze (@juliencparze03): I love Cure Grace because even though she has dealt with many things in her life, she has been able to overcome them. She is very brave, considerate of others, and loves all of her friends and family and would do anything to protect them.

Ayam Zantuy (@Ayam_Zantuy): I loved her because I really loved her design and personality, and also her eyes style is pretty, it was a dark color but blended well with the nature theme.

Y: Do you any cool and not-so cool moments from her?

H: Not cool, more or less amusing. But when she tried transforming with Nyatoran and failed. Or when she dressed up in kendo protective gear to face Daruizen in ep 2. Ah that was funny.

And a cool moment, in ep 10, when she got a bit reckless fighting that Megabyogen to protect the artwork. I loved how she created a sword. Omg that was pretty cool and badass!!! I'm very worried for her now though considering her illness is back thanks to Daruizen.

RM: Cool moments? Definitely ep 10, when she used the cherry Element Bottle to generate a sword out of anger. XD Not-so cool moments... I guess THAT scene from ep 27? I know it's technically more Daruizen than Nodoka, but in a not so cool way it would fit Nodoka too I guess.

Wing on the other hand, shows us these two pics - one from the Star Twinkle finale episode when Grace made a cameo there and the other was from the very first Healin' Good episode when she made an actual debut and fight as the newest Cure leader.

W: I don't know if you can use these pics for any purpose, but I thought she looked cool here.

Y: No problem dude, it's also counted! Okay, tsugi (next)!

YuN: For the cool moments, it will be some battle scenes from Grace which reminded me of characters that are voiced by Aoi Yuuki such as Madoka Kaname (Puella Magi Madoka Magica) and Hibiki Tachibana (Symphogear). On the other hand, I don't see any not-so cool moments from Nodoka because different episodes help fans to know her character development and also a way to better understand the leader.

URC: There were some episodes where Nodoka was eager to try new things. (Different sports clubs, food, and other activities with her friends.) I can appreciate her trying to do everything, considering she spent most of her life in the hospital. Even her lying to her parents to cover for Asumi was adorable! I can't really recall a time Nodoka didn't impress me or was uncool. But she has been reckless and let her emotion get the better of her, but it goes to show how loyal and emphatic she is.

JCP: Not that I can think of, only good things really.

AZ: She have amazing character development than the others, but I wished we got to know more about her past than just she was a sick child, there must be an Easter egg of it.

Y: We all know that each season and lead seiyuu tenure in the Cure series has its own hits and misses. But how can you describe about Aoi Yuuki's tenure in the show so far?

H: I think Aoi Yuuki was a great choice for Nodoka! She's very good at her calm characters, her voice is very soothing so she suits her very well! Her performance has been amazing! I think she has done such a great job with the light hearted moments and then the really serious moments. Take for example, in ep 2 when Nodoka made up with Rabirin. Yuuki knew how to convey the emotions Nodoka would be feeling in that moment!

RM: It's so cool to see such a big name like Aoi Yuuki voicing the lead of a PreCure season. She played her role as Nodoka very well, her song with Rabirin is one of my favorites from the Vocal Album, and she also showed a lot of the love for the franchise too! Really can't wait for more from her on both Healin' Good and the films.

W: I think she been doing a really good job so far and I can't wait for what she has more in store for us, as far what I can see then we will get the Healin' Good Cures' power-ups really soon and I can't wait to see them in action, and of course the weapon too.

YuN: Yuuki has mentioned she is a fan of the Cure series and it can be seen that she can present Nodoka with voice acting skills. Episode 2 has a touching scene that Nodoka tells Rabirin she had illness in the past and it shows the seiyuu's acting skills can influence fans, and it just like Nodoka talking to them. As for the battle parts, Yuuki can also let the fans feel the excitement and hot-blooded atmosphere they experienced in shounen manga and anime when they look at them, and by hearing Grace's voice. Overall, she has presented an all-rounded way in the anime.

URC: Yuuki has loads of experience as a VA, and has done a lot of children's anime. What surprises me is her dedication. I've recently heard she was doing children book readings for kids in quarantine, inspired by another person's good will. So yeah, I do think she fits the bill of being a PreCure VA.

JCP: I describe her as a very serious person who seems very dedicated to voicing Nodoka and overall is a great voice actress and fits her character's role very well!

AZ: For me, she's doing great in voice acting and character expressions, with that she can make the characters lovable even it's a villain.

Y: We're down to our final question, mi amigos! Do you have any message for our amazing Grace as well as Yuuki?

H: Hmm yeah! Nodoka, you get fight through the pain that has been inflicted on you!!! Don't stop being yourself, and I can't wait to see the rest of your journey with Rabirin and the others!

As for Aoi Yuuki, I'm thrilled to hear her voicing a Cure this time around! She's doing a marvelous job as our beloved Nodoka and I hope she keeps it up!!!

RM: To Grace, continue to be an amazing and unique pink Cure as I'm looking forward to see more of your backstory!

To Yuuki-san, thank you for the work that you have done as Cure Grace! It's certainly an unique achievement for you to become the lead heroine in 3 different magical girl franchises and I'm looking forward to more stuffs that you will do as Nodoka and Grace!

W: Keep fighting to the end and stay happy always.

YuN: You're a pink Cure heroine full of leadership. Although you're in danger and may get ill again, you should believe that love and friendship can cure the illness.

URC: GANBARE, CURE GRACE! GANBARE, YUUKI-SAN! I'm rooting for you both!

JC: I would tell Nodokacchi to hang in there and continue to heal the earth, and tell Yuuki-san to continue being a great voice actor and to continue bringing joy to people.

AZ: Have a nice day and thank you for making the series enjoyable!

Y: Thank you guys so much for taking your time to make this Cure-related collab project possible on this small but twincool blog of mine! Let's hope that we're gonna do another one in the future~!

H: Yeaaah! We should! Thanks for letting me take part!

RM: Oh I'm so looking forward for it! Thank you for approaching me for this!

W: Sure thing~!

YuN: *does a heart sign*

URC: No problemo! *does a thumb up and the same goes to AZ*

Of course, this first-ever PreCure-related collab project in more than won't be completed without giving insights and showing appreciation to Nodokacchi/Grace so far from the author herself! This says 'em all in a podcast-styled, audio-only special video which is already posted on my Facebook page.

Yona Kuromatoki's Interactive Podcast Episode 1: Why Do We Love Cure Grace?

Also, here are some Grace fan arts from some fans and artists!

© Pocholo Arino (private dm via Messenger)

© UnbannedRescueCat (@UnbannedC on Twitter)

© WTD (@357p on Twitter)

Now it's YOUR turn to show unconditional love and appreciation to our amazing leader of the Healin' Good team by just answering four simple questions:

1. Why do you love Nodokacchi/Grace?

2. Do you have any cool and not-so cool moments from her?

3. How can you describe about Aoi Yuuki's tenure in the Cure series so far?

4. Do have any message to our amazing Grace as well as her seiyuu?

That concludes the special sophomore edition of Insights From a Goddess! As always comment below here, on my FB page or on my Twitter @goddessyk13.