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Pexels Hey there, fellow "bakasyonista"! Let me take you on an exciting journey from the Pearl of the Orient, the Philippines, to the captivating Land of the Rising Sun, Japan! Now, you might wonder how I made this dream trip happen. Well, let me spill the beans and share with you all the requirements to travel to Japan from the Philippines. Planning the Adventure It all started with a desire to immerse myself in the beauty of Japan. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene temples in Kyoto, I knew this journey would be unforgettable. Before I could hop on a plane, I had to get my paperwork in order. Traveling to Japan for the first time can be intimidating, especially with the numerous requirements you need to comply with. It doesn't help that there are horror stories circulating about Philippine immigration, NAIA airport shutdowns, and flight cancellations. However, don...

Screen Grab from Amazon The Horror of Dolores Roach, an Amazon Original Series based on the popular Gimlet podcast, offers viewers a contemporary and macabre take on the Sweeney Todd story. With its themes of love, betrayal, survival, and cannibalism, the show has all the ingredients for a compelling and thrilling narrative. However, despite its potential, the series ultimately falls short in its execution and fails to fully explore its intriguing premise. The story revolves around Dolores Roach played by Justina Machado, she was recently released from prison after serving 16 years. Returning to a dramatically gentrified Washington Heights with nothing but $200 and the clothes on her back ($200 is better than nothing), Dolores finds solace in reuniting with her old stoner friend, Luis. Seeking stability, Dolores starts offering massages for cash in the basement of Luis' dilapidated storefront, Empanada Loca, her only connection to her past. As Dolores faces threats to her newfound ...

⭐⭐⭐ Insidious: The Red Door marks the fifth installment in the long-running horror franchise initiated by James Wan and Leigh Whannell. As a fan of the series, I approached this film with a mix of excitement and skepticism, having found the previous entries to be hit or miss. However, I'm happy to report that this latest addition manages to recapture some of the franchise's original charm and delivers a thrilling experience. The story revolves around the Lambert family, who must confront their demons from the "Further" once again. Directed by Patrick Wilson, who also stars in the film, The Red Door focuses primarily on Dalton (Ty Simpkins), the son of Josh Lambert (Wilson), as he heads off to college and finds himself reliving the nightmarish experiences that haunted his family in the past. One of the strengths of Insidious: The Red Door lies in its ability to delve into the psychological consequences of the previous movies. It acknowledges and builds upon the events ...

 Leigh Howard and the Ghosts of Simmons-Pierce Manor Paperback Leigh Howard and the Ghosts of Simmons-Pierce Manor, written by Shawn M Warner, is a captivating entry in the teen fiction mystery genre. With a unique blend of suspense, supernatural elements, and heartfelt emotions, this book takes readers on an exhilarating journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. The story revolves around Leigh, a young girl whose life is shattered when her parents are tragically murdered. Orphaned and grappling with grief, Leigh finds herself in the company of newfound wealthy relatives she never knew existed. Adjusting to her new surroundings proves challenging, but she refuses to let go of her determination to unravel the mystery surrounding her parents' deaths. As the police investigation hits a dead end, Leigh takes matters into her own hands, teaming up with her teenaged cousin and an intriguing ghost with multiple personalities. With unwavering determination, Leigh embarks on a quest ...

The Favor by Nora Murphy 🙶Leah and McKenna have never met, though they have parallel lives. They don’t — ever — find themselves in the same train carriage or meet accidentally at the gym or the coffee shop. They don’t — ever — discuss their problems and find common ground. They don’t — ever — acknowledge to each other that although their lives have all the trappings of success, wealth and happiness, they are, in fact, trapped. Leah understands that what’s inside a home can be far more dangerous than what’s outside. So when she notices someone else who may be starting down the same path she’s on, she pays attention. She watches over McKenna from afar. Until one night she sees more than she bargained for. Leah knows she can’t save herself, but perhaps she can save McKenna. Leah and McKenna have never met. But they will.🙷 My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 I love this book! It grabbed me from the first page and didn't let go until the end. This for me is one of those edge-of-your-seat suspense t...

The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf 🙶True crime writer Wylie Lark doesn’t mind being snowed in at the isolated farmhouse where she’s retreated to write her new book. A cozy fire, complete silence. It would be perfect, if not for the fact that decades earlier, at this very house, two people were murdered in cold blood and a girl disappeared without a trace.  As the storm worsens, Wylie finds herself trapped inside the house, haunted by the secrets contained within its walls—haunted by secrets of her own. Then she discovers a small child in the snow just outside. After bringing the child inside for warmth and safety, she begins to search for answers. But soon it becomes clear that the farmhouse isn’t as isolated as she thought, and someone is willing to do anything to find them.🙷 My Rating: 🌟🌟/5 I would say that this book started off okay. It's dark and atmospheric, just the way I like my thrillers. Halfway through however, I started losing interest and almost DNFe...

  Hurt by Tabitha Suzuma 🙶At seventeen, Matheo Walsh is Britain’s most promising diving champion. He is wealthy, popular - and there's Lola, the girlfriend of his dreams. But then there was that weekend. A weekend he cannot bring himself to remember. All he knows is that what happened has changed him. Mathéo is faced with the most devastating choice of his life. Keep his secret, and put those closest to him in terrible danger. Or confess, and lose Lola for ever.🙷 My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Tabitha Suzuma tends to gravitate toward taboo and sensitive subject matter. Often heart-breaking and hauntingly sad, her stories aren't always the easiest to take in. When I finished reading Forbidden, I remember crying myself to sleep and then feeling down and empty for the next several days. I felt that way with Hurt too, however I have to agree with the growing consensus that Forbidden is the better novel. That said, I think Hurt is beautifully written. Lots of pretty words it's like rea...

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer 🙶Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.🙷 My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 With a string of hot jerks and helpless heroines with possible masochistic tendencies, I'm just about to lose hope and re-assess my taste in fiction. But Cinder is a breath of fresh air. I love, love this book! I put off rea...