Saturday 30 July 2011
Urban jungle
Well...since I'll be returning to the corporate world on the first day of the next month (thank goodness!), I thought it best to revise the header image to reflect my view of daylight as of recent.
I obviously can't draw. XD
Tuesday 26 July 2011
Opposites
I was at Wendy's in Greenbelt. I was quietly taking a bite on my BMM and poking at their "natural" fries. Being the kind of person who loves reading food labels, I learned why it was natural: potato skin on, cooked in zero trans fat oil, seasoned with sea salt. Interesting. Mine needed a pinch more of the last detail. My eyes were alternating between a book I was reading on project management and the people walking outside the restaurant. The weather was dismal. The would be no sun for a few days.
A tall lady crossed my side of the restaurant. She was thin, the kind of lady that Mango loves - a size 0 body. She sat down at the far end of our side. She was heavily covered with a good-looking trench and skinny jeans. She unwrapped a burger, took a plastic knife and gingerly cut it in half. She took one half with a tissue and set it aside, the other half she carefully wrapped again and placed it on another side. Her fries (like mine), she poked at, then ate one or two pieces, then left the rest untouched. She focused on consuming the halved burger.
A few minutes later, a guy sauntered to our side, adjacent to Size 0 Lady. When my eyes wandered off from my book I saw on his tray four hamburger de luxes, one order of spaghetti and a biggie-sized drink. I thought at first that the food was for two people, but the single drink order made me think otherwise. His body build was large, but not so much that he was obese. I maintained my stance that he ordered for two. I went back to my book.
Later, I saw that Size 0 Lady already consumed her half burger. There were still fries on her tray, but she wasn't touching it. She stood up and went to the counter, then returned with a plastic bag. To my left, I heard a sound that was like someo clucking their tongue. When I saw where it was coming from, it was from Biggie Guy, who was consuming his spaghetti as fast as it probably took for him to order all of his food. He was eating with his mouth open, smacking his lips at every possible interval.
Size 0 Lady's head was down, her tapered fingers clutched around her cellphone. In front of her North Face paper bag was the plastic bag she asked from the counter. The other burger half and the natural fries were now in it. My gaze returned to Biggie Guy. He was on to his first hamburger.
I realized I still had iced tea left. I sipped it, making sure to indulge every gulp since it was seldom that I go to Wendy's. I tried to concentrate on my project management book, but I couldn't help but hear Biggie Guy's lip-smacking just two feet away from me.
I reached for the fries container and took the last few underseasoned pieces. I looked slightly to my left. Biggie Guy just finished his second hamburger, and was on to the third. My eyes widened at the gastronomical feat, yet I couldn't help but appreciate how neatly folded and arranged the used hamburger wrappers were by his side, how the spaghetti styrofoam box was closed shut sitting at the far end, and as he unwrapped the third burger, he took the top bun and made sure that the ketchup was spread evenly over. He worked on it with the knife, spreading it just to be perfectly sure. He placed it back, and eats it.
I realized my meal was finished. Not wanting to be late for my 4PM appointment, I wiped my mouth with the single sheet of tissue I was given. I took my wallet and checked how many bills I had left, then shoved the receipt in it. I saw Size 0 Lady stand up and leave, her medium-sized drink that was over half full was left alone at her table.
I stood up and made my exit. "Thank you Ma'am! Come again!" I tilted my head back and said thank you to the people at the counter.
Even when I left, I could still hear him smacking his lips.
A tall lady crossed my side of the restaurant. She was thin, the kind of lady that Mango loves - a size 0 body. She sat down at the far end of our side. She was heavily covered with a good-looking trench and skinny jeans. She unwrapped a burger, took a plastic knife and gingerly cut it in half. She took one half with a tissue and set it aside, the other half she carefully wrapped again and placed it on another side. Her fries (like mine), she poked at, then ate one or two pieces, then left the rest untouched. She focused on consuming the halved burger.
A few minutes later, a guy sauntered to our side, adjacent to Size 0 Lady. When my eyes wandered off from my book I saw on his tray four hamburger de luxes, one order of spaghetti and a biggie-sized drink. I thought at first that the food was for two people, but the single drink order made me think otherwise. His body build was large, but not so much that he was obese. I maintained my stance that he ordered for two. I went back to my book.
Later, I saw that Size 0 Lady already consumed her half burger. There were still fries on her tray, but she wasn't touching it. She stood up and went to the counter, then returned with a plastic bag. To my left, I heard a sound that was like someo clucking their tongue. When I saw where it was coming from, it was from Biggie Guy, who was consuming his spaghetti as fast as it probably took for him to order all of his food. He was eating with his mouth open, smacking his lips at every possible interval.
Size 0 Lady's head was down, her tapered fingers clutched around her cellphone. In front of her North Face paper bag was the plastic bag she asked from the counter. The other burger half and the natural fries were now in it. My gaze returned to Biggie Guy. He was on to his first hamburger.
I realized I still had iced tea left. I sipped it, making sure to indulge every gulp since it was seldom that I go to Wendy's. I tried to concentrate on my project management book, but I couldn't help but hear Biggie Guy's lip-smacking just two feet away from me.
I reached for the fries container and took the last few underseasoned pieces. I looked slightly to my left. Biggie Guy just finished his second hamburger, and was on to the third. My eyes widened at the gastronomical feat, yet I couldn't help but appreciate how neatly folded and arranged the used hamburger wrappers were by his side, how the spaghetti styrofoam box was closed shut sitting at the far end, and as he unwrapped the third burger, he took the top bun and made sure that the ketchup was spread evenly over. He worked on it with the knife, spreading it just to be perfectly sure. He placed it back, and eats it.
I realized my meal was finished. Not wanting to be late for my 4PM appointment, I wiped my mouth with the single sheet of tissue I was given. I took my wallet and checked how many bills I had left, then shoved the receipt in it. I saw Size 0 Lady stand up and leave, her medium-sized drink that was over half full was left alone at her table.
I stood up and made my exit. "Thank you Ma'am! Come again!" I tilted my head back and said thank you to the people at the counter.
Even when I left, I could still hear him smacking his lips.
Thursday 21 July 2011
What is unseen is eternal
My first Cinemalaya movie was Astig in 2009. It was mind-blowing. It was the kind of movie that I was looking for in Philippine cinema, an industry that is dogged with commercialism and predictable formulae that bring in the much needed buck. It acknowledged that the Filipino moviegoer can think. If you've known me for a while, you know I never watch Filipino movies. You can say that I hate the commercialized ones, and I won't deny it. Most of them are insulting to the intellect. The first Filipino movie that I watched was Jose Rizal, and that was followed ten years later by Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo. (I was dragged into it, so yeah...)
This picture here is the "makeshift" Excel spreadsheet at HQ, which shows which movies are on at what time and at what venue. One of the jobs of the volunteer is to change the signs outside the theaters to the title of the next flick. Other jobs include manning their RFID system, which is a pilot project of the CCP. At times we were also assigned to sell merchandise.
Did I abuse my perks? Not really. Out of my three days as a volunteer, I only got to watch three films: Shorts A, Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa, and Amok. I will get to those films later.
I had a conversation with one of the employees of CCP during my duty at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. He asked about me, if I was a student, where I lived, and why I volunteered.
"I like Cinemalaya movies," I said. "They're my type of sine."
"Why?"
"Well," I said. "I ... don't really watch Filipino movies. As much as possible, I don't." I tried to laugh it off, but it didn't change the seriousness of my answer. "They're too commercialized."
"Well, that's true." The employee said after a brief pause. "What kind of movies do you like, anyway?"
I smiled. "I like sad endings."
"Really?"
"Yeah, or endings that are sort of hanging, but will make you think. I like that sort of thing. I don't like happy endings."
"Really? Why? What's with happy endings?"
Yeah, what's with happy endings anyway? I pondered on the question; it wasn't enough that I said it was a personal preference. "I...think...there's nothing wrong with happy endings. We're all in search of that happy ending, whatever it means to us. But the reality is, we have to go through many tough times in order to reach that 'happy ending'. I think most of the commercialized movies that we have neglect that. They aren't real."
He nodded. "I get what you mean. So you're saying that the reality of our situation isn't being shown in most of the movies that we have here, and that is why you don't like it."
"Yeah," I said. "And what sucks is that it's movies that are formula-based that make so much money, but that isn't reality. It's a form of escape."
"Well, you cannot blame them." The employee told me. "It's what sells. And with the kind of people who see those movies, they'd like to see something that lightens their spirits."
"I know," I sighed. "A lot of people are hand-to-mouth in here...but that shouldn't stop us from making films that are like these."
"I'm curious, what made you decide to like movies with sad endings?"
That's a good question. I paused and thought for a while, searching for that turning point. "The Lion King," I answered. "Okay, it's a Disney movie, so it obviously ends happily, but what made me love that movie was because Mufasa died, and when that happened it made me cry.
"Until now I still get teary-eyed when it gets to that scene, but I realized that what was in front of me was reality. People do sacrifice their lives for the sake of other people. Death is inevitable. It was sad, and yet it was real."
If you haven't watched any Cinemalaya flick and are still undecided on what to watch, here are my recommendations:
The cinematography is awesome. A lot of the shots gave me goosebumps. What was even more gripping was the poetry, most enthralling was the poetry coupled with music. Ye gads, it was beautiful. I'd buy a soundtrack of this movie if ever one came out.
If gay flicks aren't your thing (as in you're the type who would storm out of the movie house at the slightest hint of gay love), my suggestion is to keep an open mind. In my opinion, the same thing could have happened to a boy and a girl (or even girl x girl), but gender isn't really the point of the movie, nor is gay pride. It is, for me - simply put - an unlikely love story.
Shorts A is also good (didn't watch Shorts B, but a lot of people have been telling me that Shorts A is better). My favorites in Shorts A were Samarito, Every Other Time, and Nino Bonito.
The major feat of this movie - for me, at least - was that it was shot in Pasay Rotonda. That area is chaotic, like I rarely go down the road there for fear of my life. How do you even shoot a movie there? For the execution of this seemingly impossible feat I give it two thumbs up.
The movie had its own fair share of tragedies, of reconciliation (mother and daughter, guy and his fake Levi's), and humor (oh this you have to find out for yourself!).
However, the part of me that loves the written word makes me prefer Sayaw than this movie. I'm not so much of a fan of action movies to begin with; having said that, this movie, nevertheless, was a real treat.
This film had the hottest actors. If you'd like some eyecandy, this is the movie for you. Eugene Domingo's performance here was quite something. I don't know how real the ending was (don't want to spoil)...but if it was real then much kudos to her. I wouldn't do that for the life of me.
I also think I saw someone in this movie whom I've seen before. Like...during Sundays, specifically. O___o I could be wrong, you know.
So much for Cinemalaya! This thing here will be happening real soon:
I GOT TIX TO THE BROOKE FRASER LIVE GIG ON AUGUST!
(I own the frontmost ticket, all the rest aren't mine XD)
There's definitely a price to pay for something like this that happens once in a blue moon. I swore I'll watch a Brooke Fraser concert in Manila. Now that it's going to happen, even if I am a professional bum, I got myself a reserved seat. It will be worth it. It's for a good cause. I will get to see Manang Brooke. It's all good.
Wednesday 13 July 2011
小さな痛みさえ愛しくて
Even a little pain is lovely.
I am alive, ergo I will blog.
--- --- ---
Hello new hair. This here happened the day after I (finally) confirmed that I did not pass the audition. I'm glad that I have short hair again. That means less time to fix, less product, less fuss, less damaged ends.
I wish that my hair had the type of curls that had meaning. Mine just curls, end of story. It doesn't fulfill any aesthetic purpose whatsoever. Getting a digital perm will be GADAWFUL for my budget. Getting a perm will mean telephone cord-like curls, which isn't what I want. Plus, the whole notion of getting a major treatment like that is something that I'm not too keen of at the moment, since my hair is still recovering from that super awful rebond of 2008.
--- --- ---
In one of my interviews of recent, I was asked if I have Chinese roots. I smiled at my interviewer and replied, "My official answer is no, I don't have Chinese ancestors. But in my head I try to make up stories where in I have Chinese ancestors who mingled with my actual mestizo and mestiza great-grandparents, just for fun."
She must have thought that I was whack. But that was better than telling her that I sometimes fantasize that I was adopted. WAHAHAHAHAHA.
--- --- ---
I am officially a Cinemalaya volunteer. *huge grin*
When I saw the ad on Tumblr that CCP was looking for volunteers, I thought I'm jobless, so what the heck? I should give it a shot. My first Cinemalaya was 2009 (I watched Astig), and I'm not a film buff in any shape or form. Nevertheless, I got a spot (a much-coveted one at that, apparently).
What are the perks, you may ask? I get to watch the films for free provided that it's not during my shift. I also get a shirt and a shiny certificate from the CCP. Oh, before I forget - I got a tour of the CCP, which costs Php200 plus. Yup. Volunteer work is fantastic.
What totally made my day yesterday was when I got to see the CCP Main Theater, aka the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. It had the old theater smell to it, and was all kinds of awesome, for many great performances of the Broadway kind (among other epic productions) were staged here. Usually you'd have to pay a huge sum of money to be able to sit as a patron. Yesterday, I got to stand on the stage of this theater because I was accepted as a volunteer. Oh the joy.
As part of my break-in, I have to attend the opening of the festival, which is happening Friday at 4PM. Since I have class on that day I'll only be able to stay until 5:30 PM max, then go back to DLSU for Stat class. One of my assignments is also to familiarize myself with all the movies in the festival (together with screenings), which is pretty tough.
I haven't decided yet what movies I'll watch. I've been told that Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank is good, as well as Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa, so those are on my list. But if I may be totally honest, I'm looking for a movie that is as provocative as Astig. Yup, provocative is a good way to describe it. XD Recommendations would be nice though.
That's it for now. Until the next one, then. =D If you're bored, I recommend that you look at my progress with the handwriting meme thus far at Tumblr.
I am alive, ergo I will blog.
Hello new hair. This here happened the day after I (finally) confirmed that I did not pass the audition. I'm glad that I have short hair again. That means less time to fix, less product, less fuss, less damaged ends.
I wish that my hair had the type of curls that had meaning. Mine just curls, end of story. It doesn't fulfill any aesthetic purpose whatsoever. Getting a digital perm will be GADAWFUL for my budget. Getting a perm will mean telephone cord-like curls, which isn't what I want. Plus, the whole notion of getting a major treatment like that is something that I'm not too keen of at the moment, since my hair is still recovering from that super awful rebond of 2008.
In one of my interviews of recent, I was asked if I have Chinese roots. I smiled at my interviewer and replied, "My official answer is no, I don't have Chinese ancestors. But in my head I try to make up stories where in I have Chinese ancestors who mingled with my actual mestizo and mestiza great-grandparents, just for fun."
She must have thought that I was whack. But that was better than telling her that I sometimes fantasize that I was adopted. WAHAHAHAHAHA.
I am officially a Cinemalaya volunteer. *huge grin*
When I saw the ad on Tumblr that CCP was looking for volunteers, I thought I'm jobless, so what the heck? I should give it a shot. My first Cinemalaya was 2009 (I watched Astig), and I'm not a film buff in any shape or form. Nevertheless, I got a spot (a much-coveted one at that, apparently).
What are the perks, you may ask? I get to watch the films for free provided that it's not during my shift. I also get a shirt and a shiny certificate from the CCP. Oh, before I forget - I got a tour of the CCP, which costs Php200 plus. Yup. Volunteer work is fantastic.
What totally made my day yesterday was when I got to see the CCP Main Theater, aka the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. It had the old theater smell to it, and was all kinds of awesome, for many great performances of the Broadway kind (among other epic productions) were staged here. Usually you'd have to pay a huge sum of money to be able to sit as a patron. Yesterday, I got to stand on the stage of this theater because I was accepted as a volunteer. Oh the joy.
As part of my break-in, I have to attend the opening of the festival, which is happening Friday at 4PM. Since I have class on that day I'll only be able to stay until 5:30 PM max, then go back to DLSU for Stat class. One of my assignments is also to familiarize myself with all the movies in the festival (together with screenings), which is pretty tough.
I haven't decided yet what movies I'll watch. I've been told that Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank is good, as well as Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa, so those are on my list. But if I may be totally honest, I'm looking for a movie that is as provocative as Astig. Yup, provocative is a good way to describe it. XD Recommendations would be nice though.
That's it for now. Until the next one, then. =D If you're bored, I recommend that you look at my progress with the handwriting meme thus far at Tumblr.
Thursday 7 July 2011
Dreams do come true
No, I'm not talking about the type of dream where you meet your showbiz/boyband crush for x number of years in person, or you get married with your first love from high school. I'm talking about dreams that you have at night.
There have been many times when I've dreamt about stuff that actually happens in real life. Like, I dream about being in a certain situation in a specific place in a specific time of day. Then, weeks/months later, I have this undeniable feeling of deja vu, and I realize that the same happening appeared in my dream.
It gets creepier. I dream about death, like I dream that people will die soon. And my "batting average", if you will, is nearly spot on. I won't go there, cause I rather find it very confounding. XD If you're an X fangirl, you could say that I'm sort of the likes of Hinoto - a yumemi.
Anyway, this whole "dreamseeing" business is basically the foundation for the main purpose of this post - the long-awaited update on the audition that I went to last June 18.
Last week, I dreamt that I didn't pass. It was the kind of dream that had the same theme, thickness and certainty as with the other dreams I've had of the imminent future. If you follow my tweets, I've been lamenting on the lack of updates (I've been told that the results would be released by month-end). But when the dream came, I knew that I had to accept the inevitable.
Then tonight, I finally got an email from the organizers of the audition. I won't deny that I had a tiny sliver of hope left that I snagged a role. So, with bated breath, I opened the email. Text follows below:
There have been many times when I've dreamt about stuff that actually happens in real life. Like, I dream about being in a certain situation in a specific place in a specific time of day. Then, weeks/months later, I have this undeniable feeling of deja vu, and I realize that the same happening appeared in my dream.
It gets creepier. I dream about death, like I dream that people will die soon. And my "batting average", if you will, is nearly spot on. I won't go there, cause I rather find it very confounding. XD If you're an X fangirl, you could say that I'm sort of the likes of Hinoto - a yumemi.
Anyway, this whole "dreamseeing" business is basically the foundation for the main purpose of this post - the long-awaited update on the audition that I went to last June 18.
Last week, I dreamt that I didn't pass. It was the kind of dream that had the same theme, thickness and certainty as with the other dreams I've had of the imminent future. If you follow my tweets, I've been lamenting on the lack of updates (I've been told that the results would be released by month-end). But when the dream came, I knew that I had to accept the inevitable.
Then tonight, I finally got an email from the organizers of the audition. I won't deny that I had a tiny sliver of hope left that I snagged a role. So, with bated breath, I opened the email. Text follows below:
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