THE imposing clock tower at the Palace of Westminster is known as Big Ben. The etymology of Big Ben all came about when it was named after the bell inside the clock tower. It is also known as the Great Bell. It was called Big Ben because the architect of the clock tower is named Ben. His full name is actually Benjamin Hall, who also happens to be an English knight. Knights in England as we know are so honored that they are accorded privileges such as naming edifices after them. It was actually a Member of the Parliament who institutionalized the nickname in honor of a co-knight.

Big Ben and the clock tower of course first came into being and was inaugurated in October 22, 1834. For decades after that, it has already been the subject of pop culture the world over but most notably in British literature. The most recent reference to Big Ben was in the movie Jumper. In the movie, Jumper was standing in front of the clock itself hoisting an umbrella because it was raining in London at the time. He was enjoying the view of London while standing near the top of the tower. In the last installment of Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Big Ben was featured as Harry Potter and his co-wizards zoomed past it and over the River Thames via brooms. Of course, Big Ben was also featured in V for Vendetta and in that movie, Big Ben was under the management of a Nazi authoritarian government. It was destroyed by the rebels in the movie. In the doomsday movie Independence Day, Big Ben was being destroyed. It was likewise destroyed in the doomsday spoof Mars Attacks! as well as in the movie The War of the Worlds. In the British production Flood, Big Ben was swept away in a surge of water from the River Thames. When the whole of post-apocalyptic London was attacked by a virus in 28 Days Later, Big Ben was featured as a nostalgic structure standing among the ruins. In the film Reign of Fire with Matthew McConaughey, Big Ben was devoured by dragons. Jeez, if only we are to follow all literatures referencing Big Ben as true, then Big Ben would have been mauled time and again. Imagine it being eaten by a dragon! Lol!

If you are vacationing right here in London, it is advisable to visit Big Ben at night because it is fully illuminated. Maintained by the House of Parliament, the House of Parliament spends thousands of pounds each season to replace the lights at Big Ben according to the occasion, the most spectacular of which occurring during Christmas.

AT 39, she is still single and very much lovely. England-born Naomi Watts may not be available anymore for Valentines because she is already living in with fellow actor Liev Schrieber and even have a son already but that doesn’t mean I’ll stop admiring her. Right now, I’m a Hawaiian exchange student at the University of London taking up a degree in international relations. I’m currently a freshman here and I’ll be stuck here for seven more academic semesters. Sadly, I cannot go back to Oahu and spend time with my Chinese girlfriend there so I’ll just be here in London renting Naomi Watts movies.

The first movie that I saw Naomi Watts in it is The Ring. She was a perfect screamer in that Gore Verbinski-megged movie and she even followed it up with a role that makes her scream some more – that in Peter Jackson’s King Kong. Lately, I have seen her in Eastern Promises which explores the fictional dark side of London. Her chemistry with star Viggo Mortensen clicks.

Speaking of London, I love it the way it is portrayed unconventionally in movies. In Eastern Promises, London is portrayed as a haven for the Russian mob. There’s one scene in the movie which takes place at one of the bath houses for men in London. There was violence at the bath house but certainly, it is not the reality happening in London bath houses today. I may even go to the exact bath house later this week which is featured in the movie.

The other movie which portrays London unconventionally is V for Vendetta. The movie, from the Wachowski brothers, explores the possibility of the Germans winning World War II and London and the whole of England was ruled as an authoritarian state. London of 2008 in the movie looks dark and everybody is afraid of Scotland Yard.

There are certainly lots of happenings here in London during Valentines Day. But there is no exotic tradition here because London is a melting pot of sorts just like New York. On Valentines Day itself, there will be a trance party at Sound 1 in Leicester Square. Temperatures will definitely heat up as girls are expected to come in their skimpiest attire and booze is free-flowing around with humongous discounts because it’s Valentines evening of course. The entrance fee is pegged at 10 pounds only. Party there starts at 10 p.m. when everything is already flaring up. But as early as 8 p.m., Ill be trooping first at Holloway Road because there will be a speed dating party there. Every single male or female is allowed to have a maximum of 25 dates on the table and on the dance floor in two hours. If you want to bring your date outside of the club, that’s at your own risk of course. For the more conservative ones, you may not want to miss a Billie Holiday concert at Jazz Café.

LONDON has lots to offer in 2008. So if you are given an all-expense two-week break by your employer, then demand from them that you’ll go to London any time of the year. One of the things that you’ll admire in London is their sense of art appreciation. After all, the city is the capital of the country which was once upon a time one of the world’s greatest superpowers. In fact, London has a whole university dedicated to propagating its culture. It may not have its own cuisine and the food staple there may be the generic Western one but London has lots of contributions in other art fields. It is also currently pursuing London art awareness through all its British embassies worldwide. All embassies of Britain have their own branch of the British Council which oversees student exchanges for the London University of the Arts.

Some of the programs offered at the London University of the Arts include short courses which may last from three days to two weeks and three months to three years leading to an associate degree. There are also long-term courses offered leading to a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree and even a doctorate. Among the short courses offered at the London University of the Arts include the following – textile design, printmaking, Adobe InDesign, ceramics, architecture, interior design, technical drawing, 3D modeling, acting, anatomical drawing, storyboarding, how to build a jewelry business, etching, embroidery, silkscreen printing, travel photography, painting, event management, QuarkXPress, film makeup, maternity wear design, graphics, cartooning and many more. As one can read it, one will know that these programs are as diverse as they can be. In short, there is no such thing as being bored here in London. Everybody here is gay and happy.

But if you like pop culture, there’s one English movie I recommend that you’ll see – Atonement. Atonement follows the story of a 13-year-old boy who was condemned for committing a crime he didn’t commit. He was only expiated during his early adulthood. The movie is a London masterpiece since it is being directed by a British director, the same one who megged the critically-acclaimed Pride and Prejudice which also starred Keira Knightley. Other London-based movie directors who made a mark in world film success last year were Danny Boyle who made the sci-fi thriller Sunshine and of courser Paul Greengrass who already directed the critically-acclaimed films United 93 and Sunday Bloody Sunday but of course is better known as the director of the 2007 megahit Bourne Ultimatum.

It’s not just in the arts that Londoners love. They also love boxing as well. Londoner Amir Khan is expected to take on Australian Gairy St. Clair for the Commonwealth lightweight title next month in Sydney. This will be a wonderful night since Khan has never been defeated and he already has 12 knockouts in his glory. Boxing and art? Hmm…I find that a very interesting combination.