BACK HOME, BACK AGAIN

After getting so nervous of my first trip after my pneumonia, I passed with flying colors. Woo-hoo! I enjoyed it immensely, even if I had to walk everyday under the scorching sun, up and down and around hills and rivers.

For now, quick highlights. Gotta go soon kasi.

I saw the quarter moon and mercury kiss the mountains.
The Tagakaulu children were wonderful. My short stay there made me fall in love with them immediately.
Met a very wise and kind person, Kuya Julie (yes his name is Julie).

Details to follow.

But I had a manicure right after I got down the bus. When I got home, ordered Shakey's Special and mojos.

LEA SALONGA'S WEDDING made be believe in true love again. Nothing in a wedding moves me as much as a man crying from intense joy of being together with the woman he wants to be with for the rest of his life.

The chiongsam gowns of the bridesmaids were a nice touch.

LAST SAMURAI

I neither like nor dislike Tom Cruise. When trailer of the Last Samurai was being shown months ago, I had no intention of watching it. But after good reviews from friends abroad, I decided to give it a try. And I'm glad I did. I respect this movie.

Tom Cruise was lost in the movie. His superstar status got drowned with the richness of the story. And indeed, Ken Watanabe did a great performance here. No wonder he won a nomination. More than the war itself, I am particularly moved by the discipline and honor of the Samurai. Of how even at war, there is a code of honor and a respect of the enemy. I guess, if one does not respect his enemy, it would be his own downfall.

Even when I was small I have always been fascinated by ninjas and kung fu. Then I realized something with the Last Samurai. I want to be a child of the good old days. Where anybody can be a warrior (any male anyway). Where there is discipline and craftsmanship and honor and respect of whatever it is that one does.

Which led me further into something else. I just realized how beautiful Asian culture is. For a woman, it may be full of constraint. But there is much to learn in the old ways. Just like what the emperor said in Last Samurai, "we can not turn our backs to who we are."

* * *

I shall be away for a week to go to Malita. Honestly, I'm a bit nervous. I pray I am recuperated enough to endure five days of walking, riding and monitoring. Pray with me, please.

MOUNTAIN VIEW

As a little kid in Pampanga, I often enjoyed the stories our school bus driver told us. And one of them was the lady in Mt. Arayat. Mt. Arayat would often impose itself on us every morning on the way to school There was this white spot on its side. And that was what Kuya Lino’s story was about. Many days I would look at the white spot and wonder if the lady of Arayat was still living there.

When I was living in Calapan City, every morning I would wake up to the sound of clucking chickens and a barking dog. All three of us Jesuit Volunteers would immediately go outside the house and take a look at Mt. Halcon. Yup, every morning we are given a spectacular view of the fourth highest mountain in the Philippines, and the most difficult climb (I have heard). After a rainfall, I’d count how many waterfalls are visible from where we are… I’ve seen like five. Imagine how huge those falls were to be seen so far away! Mt. Halcon for me then was a constant reminder of what a masterful craftsman God was.

During the time I was living in Pangantucan, Bukidnon, every morning and afternoon we would see Mt. Kalatungan. Not that any of us had a choice, it loomed large over our school. But I didn’t mind. During the first three months of our stay, I would wave to it and whisper “Jimmy, Jope! Kamusta na kayo?” Two of our batchmates were assigned on the other side of the mountain. Two years later, I was finally able to go to Mt. Kalatungan and take a 30-second dip in the coldest falls I have ever been to.

Now, every morning when I go to work I am greeted by Mt. Apo. Now that its starting to get warmer, the mountain is more visible now. It’s spectacular. It was only just last week I realized how beautiful it was. When I was still new here I kept thinking of Mt. Halcon when I saw it. Not Apo has started to charm me. Kang calls him Pogi. I agree.

PARTING WITH “DIFFERENT SEASONS”

I have read the last of the novella compilation of Stephen King, “The Breathing Method.” Though it wasn’t a horror story, as Stephen King was making his way to the ending he scared me. Fortunately, the character had half his mind to be intuitive enough to ask the possible destructive question. Which allowed me to breathe a sigh of relief.

Sigh. It was a wonderful journey with Stephen King. The afterword he wrote was quite amusing. He admitted to not being a literary genius (so not true though) since he just writes simply. At the end of his afterword he said he hoped the reader likes the stories because they are special to him. Dude, I did not just like it, I LOVED IT! (well except for “Apt Pupil”, there was too much perversion for my sensibilities)

There are a lot of his stories I have not read. He is such a prolific writer. There is Cujo, Carrie (his first book), Salem’s Lot… But these would be stories I have to read in broad daylight. Though I was able to survive Christine reading it in sixth grade at ten in the evening while my mom and dad were out and everybody else was asleep. I do want to look for Firestarter because I loved the movie (Drew Barrymore when she was twelve!)

Do you remember the cast of “Stand By Me” (from “The Body”)?
Wil Wheaton (who was part of Star Trek: Next Generation and one of the main characters in “Toy Soldiers” [where Sean Astin played the lead character]).
River Phoenix! (What a loss. may his soul rest in peace.)
Cory Feldman (remember “Lost Boys”? One of my favorite movies, too.).
Jerry O’ Connell (“Sliders,” “Jerry Maguire”).
These boys were just twelve years old then!
And then supporting cast was Kiefer Sutherland (who at his late teens was already an effective contrabida!),
John Cusack (can I faint now?)
and Richard Dreyfuss.

And for now, I shall part with Stephen King and move on to a presumptuous read of Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl.

supposed to be yesterday's post

SOUTH KOREA ON TODAY’S INQUIRER

Since I took care of the choir from South Korea during the International Choralfest, I have been quite fascinated with them. When I was still in Manila, I often watched Arirang Channel. Including their soap operas and sitcoms. It was in Korean but there were English subtitles in the end

I even studied writing and reading their alphabet. I actually learned but I can’t understand what I read. One of the articles stated that Koreans were really quite hospitable. My own experience of them attests to that.

Anyway, one of the Lifestyle sections on Inquirer features South Korea and one of their pop stars. And of course, Samsung phones.

If you notice the trend in horror movies nowadays, there has been several Korean movies that are being shown in the country. The Grudge, The Phone and this other one I forgot the title. Unfortunately, I did not have the courage to watch it alone.

DILEMMA

I went to Gaisano Mall to purchase several copies of a dictionary for the schools we are sponsoring. Before I went to business, I snooped around the mall first.

Sale! Sale! Sale! Red tags and banners closet girls like me fret as they unleash the female instinct-to-shop within. Unfortunately, I gave way to looking around. My first stop was straight to the Converse section. I looked for red, hi-cut Chuck Taylors. To no avail. Then I looked at the Fila store. There was this pair of rubber shoes that was selling for less than P1,200. And I was in-like with it! But I am torn.

The Red Chucks was something I have been lusting for since first year college (that would make it 10 years!) but never got to buying since I know my mom would never get off my case buying such an impractical pair of shoes. Given that it was her money I would be spending, she had the right to be.

On the other hand, my two-year old Reeboks is still okay and still comfortable. Except a rat chewed off the some rubber parts of the shoe making the shoes look… well, uh… ratty. So I have a feeling I need a new pair of decent rubber shoes. But then the kuripot side of me insists that my Reeboks can still serve me for a long time and that I like it that way anyway.

So do I buy the Chucks I have always been wanting or the cheap Fila running shoes which somehow I feel would be the better purchase? I am tempted to buy both (but I’m saving for something else). Something tells me that the Chucks can wait.

What do you think? Help.

SHAME ON ME

I said a couple blogs back that I will not buy another book for the next three months. Well, I saw Bookshop (a second-hand bookstore) in Gaisano Mall. I knew I shouldn’t even have bothered to go there after the book hoarding I did just last Saturday. But this girl just couldn’t help herself.. I checked out the Stephen King novels they had. Still at 120 bucks. It will always be there. So I skipped it. Just skimmed through the place, without effort to really look.

UNFORTUNATELY, I saw “Invisible Man.” The one by Ralph Ellison. This was my book report for my Western Literature class back in sophomore year. Of which I was given an A for the great report (I think I deserved it) I made. The book I read was my teacher’s copy.

Suddenly, I see a rare copy quiet among the John Le Carre and J.A. Jance novels. Calling out to me. You can’t find me anywhere else, it said to me. And I believed it. So I bought it. For 45 bucks. Not bad.

Can’t help it. I love used books. I really do. The tiny print.. The cracks along the spine. The dog-eared pages. The names of the previous owners written on the first page. The cheap cost. The hidden history I will never discover. Yup, used old books are the best.

I broke my word. Shame on me. *silly, happy grin*

REFLECTIONS ON “THE BODY”

If you have read my previous blog you can see the first paragraph of this particular Stephen King story. Honestly, I find it one of the most beautiful and most honest set of words I have read. And reading through the whole story… I can entirely relate with what Gordie Lachance had to say.

Somewhere in the middle of the story, he talks about seeing a deer in the middle of the forest and how that scene saves him from every major difficulty he has to go through in life. He describes his encounter with the deer and the end of it he says, it didn’t quite turn out the way he wanted it to sound. And repeats saying, “The most important things are the hardest to say, words diminish them.”

And I totally understand what he means. We always have those moments when we are so excited about something and try to tell someone about it, and it ends up becoming a trivial thing. Of how others can not see what you are seeing.

And that is not necessarily a bad thing, but sometimes, it can be a really sad thing.

Gah. It’s so hard to explain. If you do come across Stephen King’s “Different Seasons” compilation of short stories, go get it. It’s worth the read. Most likely you will find it in used bookstores. Please read it so you can share how I feel.

***
For my Sleepless Nights followers. Hehehe! How pretentious of me.

FROM THE BODY, a not-so short story by Stephen King

The most important things are the hardest things to say. They are the things you get ashamed of, because words diminish them – words shrink things that seemed limitless when they were in your head to no more than living size when they’re brought out. But it’s more than that, isn’t it? The most important things lie too close to wherever your secret heart is buried, like landmarks to a treasure your enemies would love to steal away. And you may make revelations that cost you dearly only to have people look at you in a funny way, not understanding what you’ve said at all, or why you thought it was so important that you almost cried while you were saying it. That’s the worst, I think. When the secret stays locked within not for want of a teller but for want of an understanding ear.

ANOTHER LOOK AT LOTR

I watched “The Return of the King” for the second time yesterday. There was less breathlessness and edge of the seat moments. But I was still in awe. Unfortunately though, people kept getting up and blocking my view. A lot of times I lost my momentum. Grsh.

Anyway, there were several things I forgot to say in my last entry.

Many critics proclaim the third installment to be the best among the three. Honestly though, visually, the first and the second have a lot more to offer. The imagination it took to create the world of the Shire, Lothlorien and Rivendell, and the Battle of Moria… those were truly visual spectacles in the first movie. The Battle of Isengard, the inside of Fangorn forest, the Battle at Helm’s Deep… those were feast for the eyes too. I am sure there are a lot more that I forget. ROTK does not have the same amount of visual spectacle the other two have.

But the true beauty of the third movie isn’t in the technicals but rather the story itself. Of course, it would not hold without the other two. But here, this is where CHARACTERS finally make their mark. Finally, the Hobbits who are the true heroes of the story, wherever they may be - Minas Tirith, Rohan or Mordor - show their true value in the history of Middle Earth. The movie shows what it means to hope against hope. It shows the true meaning of friendship as both seen in the duo of Merry and Pippin, and Frodo and Sam. ROTK shows what it is like to be truly corrupted by power through Gollum and Frodo and Denethor. ROTK is the most emotional among the three LOTR installments.

Almost every thirty minutes, my heart would get squeezed by a moment. The parting of Merry and Pippin, the death of Theoden, Denethor driving Faramir to his death, Faramir and his soldiers leaving for the futile retaking of Osgiliath, the Josh Groban moment of Pippin (my second favorit hobbit because he is so mischievous) when Denthor asks him to sing, and many Sam and Frodo moments especially the Pieta scence (where he says “I can not carry your burden for you, but I can carry you.”), the corruption of Frodo, and the leaving from Middle Earth. I wanted to cry along with the Hobbits because like them, I will not see Frodo nor Ganadalf in another story again.

It is the end of the legend of the Lord of the Rings, the legend that Peter Jackson has given a rebirth, too. It has been five years (the first two years was when the news of the production of LOTR came about) of anticipation, great expectations which were always met. Sigh. Good thing Spider Man 2 and Harry Potter 3 is coming soon. Hopefully, there will be a brave soul who would be willing to translate the remaining HP series into a movie (though that would be a real challenge).

Anyway… other little things in the movie:

The Eagles save the day! Go Ateneo. Hehehe! But yes, Archers did their part, too. A movie where Archers and Eagles work together.

No one who were in the movie house with me noticed that Legolas was still counting. I was the only one who laughed. Those two were still counting!

The girls screamed when Legolas came out during Frodo’s waking and Aragorn’s crowning. Girls! Contain yourself. No, I didn’t scream with them. But I did like his attire. And his crown (did the people know that he is an Elven Prince?).

I wanted to punch the high school kid who kept heckling during the movie when Eowyn faces Aragorn. Keeps shouting “Arwen!” Then when the four hobbits were together he said, “F4” in a loud voice. I couldn’t help myself, “sh! Respeto puwede!” That shut him up.

Aragorn was so adorable when he took a deep breath before facing the crowd during his coronation. Little things like that make the movie even better.

I just love the scoring of the movie. Whenever there was a winning battle, you could feel the hope soaring in your heart. The one they used when the Fellowship passed by the rocks one by one, in the first trailer of LOTR. You remember?

Tama na… there really is so much to rave about.

KILL BILL

Not a lot of people liked it. Some think it is too gory. And so do I. But I liked it. Maybe people who didn’t like it were expecting a deep story. Uh, hello? Did you see the trailer. It was mostly gore. So gore you should expect!

The storyline is dry. But the fight scenes were cool! I just closed my eyes during the part where Black Mamba deals with Buck the Fuck. It’s just too real, something I could do if I go berserk. Otherwise, the sword-slashing and butt-kicking I endured because that would need choreaography.

The use of animation was also genius. I liked the touch. The animation style reminded me of those gory Anime stories.

And don’t you thing Lucy Liu looked so sexy and pretty in that picture?!

Quentin Tarantino never was a straight storyteller. Remember Pulp Fiction? I might be saying too much already for those who haven’t seen it.

By the way, my brother says there are a lot of moments where Quentin pays tribute to Bruce Lee. Uma’s costume with her fight with Lucy was Bruce Lee’s costume for his last movie. Also, the “Green Hornet” theme played a lot.

BOOK BINGE 2

There is a bookfest in Victoria Plaza from Jan 16-31. I went there last Saturday. Whoa! My heart went bump, bump at the sight of all the books. I like second hand books, not only because they are cheap, but there is a sense of history reading a book that has been read by someone else already. Somehow it carries a secret history with it.

Anyways, guess how much I paid for the 15 books? 693.50! Wonderful, ain’t it!

The books are:
1. The BFG by Roald Dahl (it’s Big Friendly Giant and not big fucking gun)
2. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
3. The Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum (I have four Oz books and read three others)
4. Peter Pan by JM Barrie (I lost my other one)
5-7. The Last Three of the Narnia Chronicles by CS Lewis (but I can’t read it yet because I don’t have the other four)
8. I forgot the title but it’s a collection of famous poems
9. Pride and Prejudice (who wrote this again?)
10. For Whom the Bell Tolls by Earnest Hemingway (it will only be my second hemingway book. I got the The Sun Also Rises also on sale years ago)

The rest that I got, I am hoping to read but I am not sure I will be able to. I am trying to re-learn my Philo again. They are pretentious books for me, honestly. I hope they don’t rot without being read.
11. Man’s search for meaning by Victor Frankl
12. The Great Dialogues of Plato
13. Why we can’t wait by Martin Luther King, Jr.
14. The Pocket Acquinas

I forgot the last book!

I saw some other books I liked like several Grisham ,Stephen King, Erich Seagal, Erma Bombeck, and Richard Back novels, The Color Purple, Charlie and the Glass Elevator, The Chosen and I am like Clay by Chaim Potok. Plus old Judy Blume pre-teen books (I used to have but it got drowned and would want to build up again!). Unfortunately, my conscience tells me it would be too much to buy everything in one go. Maybe March would be another good time to buy from another Book Sale.

I SAW CHRIST IN SAM

Finally, I was able to watch "The Return of the King." If I were in full health, I would have watched it first day of showing. But since I wasn't, it was just now that I allowed myself.

Anyway... Peter Jackson is a master film maker. As Tolkien is a master story teller. The LOTR trilogy was a hard read. Oftentimes, I just skimmed through parts which contained the gory details of battles. But otherwise, he created a masterpiece. LOTR wasn't part of the 100 best books of the century for nothing.

And Peter Jackson was able to translate Tolkien's masterpiece into his own. His own visual storytelling, the choosing of what and not to include, is a challenge in itself. He may irk the die-hard LOTR book fans, instead he has won their admiration.

The whole time I was watching the movie, I was mesmerized. As the past two have done. It has kept me on the edge of my seat, unmoving for several moments (causing my arm to fall asleep!), breathless for seconds and teary-eyed for most part of the movie.

Beautiful. The movie was beautiful. And there are just too many great characters to pick from.
Gandalf for his wisdom.
Legolas for his grace and fighting skills. And looks.
Gimli for being the underdog.
Aragorn for being a pillar of courage.

But I have to say I love Eowyn, Gollum and the hobbits, especially Sam.

Gollum... merely for the wonderful portrayal of Andy Serkis. He did well in showing how it is to be corrupted by power. And scary, too.

Eowyn. My ideal girl. Arwen may be beautiful. But Eowyn knows how it is to love. Not for Aragorn, but for her father, for her friends. And yes, that wonderful one-liner with the Nazgul king, "I am not a man." Love that. Since Two Towers, Eowyn has already endeared herself to me.

Too bad though, those who have not read the book see her as a loser because the movie was not able to establish the development between Faramir and Eowyn.

The hobbits. Those little creatures showed what true friendship means. No matter what, no matter how scared or small you feel, with enough heart and love, you can do anything. They stuck with each other through the end. Merry for Pippin. Pippin for Merry. Sam for Frodo.

And Sam. I wish to be like Sam. To be that kind of friend. Even if shooed away, still follows closely and saves you in time of trouble. It was at that moment when he said, "I may not be able to carry your burden but I can carry you." that I saw him as Christ. Reminded me of "Footprints in the Sand." And when Frodo was at the edge, he goes, "do not let go." Just as Christ would.

The Lord of the Rings was a wonderful three year journey. Something I looked forward to every end of the year. I feel sadness knowing that this is the lost. And hope that Peter Jackson accepts the directorial job for "the Hobbit." Though that would be far lighter than the LOTR trilogy.

As the elves, Bilbo, Gandalf and Frodo sail on, so shall those three movies be a legend both in film history and literature.

Peter Jackson, thanks for creating a masterpiece that have touched our hearts (and earned you a hefty bonus!).

UNANG LABAS

I am actually going out tonight. Because a friend from Manila is coming over. Friends are more important than Ranma. But I promise to myself I will go home by ten. I will be a good girl. Ulk. This will be hard.

FINGERS CROSSED

Internally, I feel I'm getting better everyday. Though I still have coughs and colds. Hopefully, I am in full health by January 26, my re-scheduled visit to Malita. If by next week I am clear of any ailments, I would be scheduling visits to Cotabato and Lanao del Sur. It doesn't stop there. We are hoping to have 25 new communities to partner with for next school year. So I have to work double time looking for the right POs and NGOs to work with.

Wish me luck and good health.

RANMA 1/2

Now that I have imposed on myself an exile from all gimmicks for the next two weeks, my constant companion every 7-8 PM is Ranma 1/2. Back in college, blockmates and I would troop to Kage's apartment and watch OAVs (original animated videos) of Ranma 1/2.

Those showing on AXN are new, episodes I haven't seen. And finally Ranma and Akane are slowly, slowly getting nudged out of their denial for their love for each other. It still remains the funniest anime I have seen (next would be Tenchi Muyo's Universe and Cooking Master Boy). Favorite episode for now would the one with the magical cherry cake. Kilig! And cool fighting.

Other companions would be: Lizzie Maguire, That's so Raven, Sana'y Wala nang Wakas, It Might Be You. Like I have said, I am jologs and proud of it.

Phoenix Channel on Home Cable here in Davao is great too. They have shown Jerry Maguire, Hero, Malena, etc. Nice movie list. No repeats so far though. :(

BOOK BINGE

Due to my sickness, I have been looking for a book to keep me company because I don't want to go out at night yet. I wanted something mushy and sweet or something kiddie. Something easy to read. But I couldn't find the right book.

While I was poring through this second-hand books place in SM Davao, I came across Stephen King novels. I have always loved Stephen King. He scares the hell out of me with his stories. I couldn't watch the movie The Shining because I am always reminded of what I read in the book. His charm is he never ends his scary stories. There is always the possibility they will come back. Just like in Christine.

I have the Skeleton Crew in Manila. And one of my favorite stories was the one where there was this guy who could make puppets and control the real people with them. He had an obsession with a girl. And he did stuff. No rape, okay. Just scary obssessive stuff.

The best movies also came from his books like The Shawshank Redemption, Firestarter, my all time favorite Stand by Me and The Green Mile.

And guess what! I found the book where the the short stories of Shawshank and Stand by Me were based from. At first I didn't want to buy it. But then... after another round I couldn't find the Chaim Potok book I hid (The Chosen) so I decided to get Different Seasons and another Stephen King book. Forgot the title, but it is about a twelve-year old boy.

Once I started reading Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption, I couldn't put it down. If I wasn't so concerned with my health, I would have stayed up until twelve! But I am going to be kind with my body so I read only until ten.

Stephen King rules!

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Last Saturday, I have finally come across the famous KINI ROGERS of Davao. I have been hearing about it since last year but it was only last Saturday that I saw it.

Yesterday, Breakfast also did a feature of the many interesting names here in Davao.
ISDAbest where you can find the freshest fishes (I've seen this).
Mallengke which is both mall and palengke (so easy to spot!).
Bill Gets Internet Shop. Nyahaha! Haven't seen this though.

These are places I saw naman.
Harry Cutter. I saw this two years ago so I don't know if this still exists.
Hurry Cutter, Panlaban kay Harry. Pero I wouldn't want to go there for a haircut!

From other places in the Philippines (from my JVP biyahe):
Hair Force One (salon)
"If your business has no sign, it's a sign of monkey business." (tag line of a sign company)

I forgot na the others. Pero Pinoy ingenuity at its best!

BACK TO WORK

I did go to work last Tuesday but ended up sicker Wednesday. After two doctors and several tests, my x-ray indicates pneumonia. Argh. Quint, my JVP partner, told me that it was an illness due to neglect. I guess he is right. I promise to take better care of my body.

At least now that I am back to work, I don't feel so weak as the last time I tried. There is still the occasional headache and drowsiness but I am functioning. Hopefully, I will be in tip-top shape soon so I can get to watch "Return of the King." Yeah, I have been advised not to go to moviehouses yet because it is a haven for germs. People with pneumonia are more prone to getting sick easily. So... pray that I get well. I miss Gollum!

And more importantly, I have several monitoring visits that are pending! Kakahiya naman sa partners namin!

HODGE-PODGE

There are no fireworks in Davao. Bawal! So it was all quiet. That is what I miss about Manila. I don't like the ones that just make loud sounds. I love fireworks that burst into a million little colored lights in the sky. Though whenever I think about how many thousands of pesos you literally burn, I feel less sad about it. Still... I wish we had sparklers at least.

I can taste the digestive acids in my mouth. Blech. No fun. Can't wait to lie down already but my mom is still in the parlor. I wonder how many minutes it is already? My joints hurt as a result of my viral infection. When I took a bath kanina, the itch was so terrible. It was like being bitten by several ants at the same time. That was a form of torture in old Filipino times. Believe me, it ain't fun!

HOLIDAYS

Quite uneventful really. Just spent most of my time watching Film Fest entries. It's relatively better than the previous years. But still lacks enough good material to be truly a film festival.

Hay. Been sick. I don't like being sick. I had to cancel my field work from today to the 12th. My body is so dependent on medicines the past few days. The worse thing about it is, I have red blotches all over my body. At first I thought I had developed a reaction to the sun because it all came out after I went to the beach. Luckily, said the doctor, it is the result of a viral infection. Been having sore throat for two weeks already. So my job is not at stake. Whew! But I do have to avoid a lot of foods. As in the only thing I can eat is meat. Everything else is a no-no. That would be harder for me when I visit communities. Tsk. So much for integration.

I do feel a bit better now.