“Kahit sa patalim kumapit,

Isang tuka, isang kahig

Mga kamay na may bahid ng galit…

Kasama sa buhay na minana

Ay ang maling akala

Na ang taliwas kung minsan ay tama…”

-Hari ng Tondo (Gloc 9 feat Denise)

Manila Kingpin MMFF poster

On what turned out to be the most controversial film which marked the end of 2011, Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story is worth every bit of publicity it deserves.

It may have raised a million eyebrows when it won as the Best Picture for the 37th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), an award-giving body which has since been overshadowed by politics and the superficiality of such, but it does that not stop me from giving it the credit it is due.

Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story has brought back my respect to the Filipino Film Industry.

It revived the caliber of old films which have set the standards of a great Filipino film in the making. To name a few: Sister Stella L, Oro Plata Mata, and Tinimbang ka, Ngunit Kulang.

I have not lived to see the films mentioned above, nor have I been able to watch the original story played by former President Erap Estrada, but education, knowledge, and the wide range of films I have watched convinced me that Manila Kingpin is a film made with so much expertise, creativity, and meaning.

I must give credit to the Director, Tikoy Aguiluz, for a job which is really well done. He may be embattled up until now because of production issues but that does not make him less of a decision-maker and an artist.

Surface-level moviegoers who label themselves as “critics” may well-judge the fact that the film was shown in black and white from start to finish. But what color would justify any film that is branded as a classic?

The elements of the film are well-designed. With the mere butt of cigarette in its last throw of smoke signifying the end of a rule, a life. With the slow spinning of a wheel remembering how life could turn into a very slow motion and end up in death, in nothingness. With the breaking of the glass signifying how frail the thread of friendship has become after the poison of treachery.

The actors have been chosen quite well. Biases to my most respected actor in the Philippine Film Industry, Jorge Estregan, who lead the film for the first time but whose caliber has been sown from the antagonist roles he perfected in the past.

Kudos as well to the actors who are consistently the best in portraying roles like they were most real in the context: John Regala, my revered Pinoy villain; Ping Medina, whose emotions are always intense and artistic; and Ronnie Lazaro, whose films are always with meaning and heartfelt lessons that any layman can fully understand.

But looking deeper on what has really made the film as excellent as I imagined it to be is the undeniable fact that it has presented a classic which is still quite true in our times.

I have not lived in Tondo, but the place is marked by rich stories of how the masses survived amidst the rotten system ruining the very fibers of a just society. It is in Tondo that I believe one could really see what has become of the Philippines because of selfishness and greed of those in power.

Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story is so far unmatched by any recent local film. Its lessons are rooted deep down the roots of Filipino bravery and pride.

Violence is not always the best option. But in a system which serves only a few, it is a necessity – just as a Revolution.

While removing my make-up from the party I attended last night, I started thinking of how painful it is to be a woman. And quite surprisingly, I have thought of so many reasons.

1.) Dysmenorrhea

2.) Giving birth

3.) Losing virginity

4.) Plucking

5.) Waxing

6.) Corsette

7.) Push-up bra

8.) Pony tails

9.) Binders

10.) High-heeled stilettos

11.) Piercings

12.) Running or Jumping w/o wired bra

13.) BEING PHYSICALLY ABUSED, HURT, MOLESTED

These pains are almost 100 % unique to women. Less than 5 % of men experienced such pains. On some items, it is even impossible for them to have gone through these.

Some pains may be very superficial (i.e. pony tails, stilettos). But that is exactly how superficial most societies are, labeling what’s beautiful and all that.

I am not saying women are supreme or better than men especially in consideration of pains. Men do undergo pains as well (e.g. circumcision in most countries).

What I am saying is that there are so many unnecessary pains that women experience every single day.

According to a study of The Centers for Disease and Control and the National Institute of Justice, 1 out of 4 women has experienced domestic violence. Quite alarmingly, it has also been noted that 1 out of 5 college women has been raped once.

Enough said, the pains of a woman are serious. From the minute details of grooming up to the gross crime of rape, the world must RECONSIDER. Are you treating your woman fair enough?

Who does not get tired of a system which only serves a few and rejects the interest of the many? Who does not want to change the fact that in this country, the rich becomes a lot richer every single day and the poor ultimately becomes poorer by the second? Who does not get disappointed of the news informing the public of price increases in the common commodities, necessities, and even in the cost of education?

Till when will we suffer?

Till when will we just keep quiet while our innate rights are being stepped on?

Till when will we just sit and do nothing?

It is no use keeping mum this time. It is time to step up, gather up, CAMP OUT!

MENDIOLA CAMP-OUT

Occupy PH is a consolidation of efforts of all aware and concerned Filipino citizens. It is a unity forged by the common understanding that anyone can get fed up by how the system treats its people, by how the system ruins every fiber of hope that the country can still escape the stranglehold of imperialism, feudalism, and capitalism. It is a conjoined thrust for change that the world has come to know in the recent times.

Occupy PH! Camp Out in Mendiola! December 6… Mark the date… It is only the beginning.

www.campoutph.com

#sawangsawa

#campoutph

I believe it is my first ever Tagalog title in this site. It means, “We are just waiting for the right time to return – (local term for monsters in the Philippines, one that can fly, that can penetrate the ground, which can shape-shift, has super strength, and all that freaking super powers).

But I must give CREDIT to the imagination of Filipinos – all weaved in the outstanding folklore of the Aswang. You are not a Filipino if you have never heard of it, or know a kind of it. Yes, there are many kinds of it (manananggal, sigbin, kapre). And yes, I’ll bet my life you are a fake if you claim that you are a Filipino if you do not have knowledge about the famous Aswang.

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Aswang, however, was said to be a woven story of natives way back then when the Spaniards came to colonize the Philippines. Backward, or I should say simple, as the lives of the native Filipinos back then, they have been so creative in protecting their territories by forging stories of flesh-eating, man-like animals (cannibals, in some degree) present in their small towns, or barrios.

In fact, one of the famous stories I have heard when I was a young child was that of the notorious Tenyente Gimo. It was said that he cooks the gall and the intestines, and the heart, and what not of his enemies. He is a barrio chieftain who messes up with anyone who tries to disrupt the peacefulness of his barrio, in folklore it says Capiz in Panay Island or Dumanggas in Iloilo Province.

Moreover, young kids all over the Philippines in the late 90s have locked on their doors, stayed inside the houses, and crept incessantly under their pillows in order to protect themselves from the blood-sucking, child-eating Maria Labo, a woman who has gone out of her mind and was known to cook kids she kidnapped from anywhere.

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But what reminds me of Aswang? I can remember the stories of my oh-so-superstitious mother (something I admit I have grown accustomed with and is still practicing now – oh the backwardness of it!) — from the black cat which turns into a monster at night and you die when it passes by your front, the cut head of a priest or the grains of rice that will appear from your bruises when they are not given first aid since malunggay, an herbal medicine, is not applied, and the sound of the tiktik (half-bodied, blood-sucking, baby-eating lovely woman) which is louder when it’s far and softer when it’s near to the old man/ woman who pulls you on the bridge and calls you his/her daughter but only intends to throw you off the height (which really happened to my sister).

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I decided to give space on this one because of last night’s “misfortune”. I have somehow programmed my heart and mind that I will watch my long-awaited hot pussy cat-favorite cartoon character-Puss in Boots. But because of a silly decision to toss coin over it and the movie Aswang, I ended up by no means watching Aswang, last… full… show…

Here are some of the astonishing, somehow frustrating, but all the while hilarious bloopers of this modern time remake of Peque Gallaga’s film:

1.) Ang aswang sa baryo, may cutix (The Aswang in a barrio has its nails polished)

2.) Aguak is a kind of Aswang; it can pass through the ground, convert itself into a bat and fly, walk freely in day light, and can beat the crap out of anyone because of its super strength! (talk about omnipotent)

3.) Ang 500 php bill nga galapta sa dalan, paon sang Aguak (Aguak uses paper bills as trap for its prey)

4.) Stay on the stone if you are chased by an Aguak, it can only penetrate land (so, how about the barrios which were not “blessed” of roads, Aguak-ridden?)

5.) A man can put a 15php hair clip on the hair of a woman he likes on the first time they meet (beats me!)

6.) May aswang sa Pampanga (There is Aswang in Pampanga)

7.) An Aguak always wears long sleeves/ warmers

8.) An Aguak hardly takes a bath or changes clothes, they penetrate the soil anyway

9.) The young child, who was caught by an Aguak and pulled below the ground, emerged clean and tidy and her blouse is still as white as snow

10.) LANDLORDS ARE MONSTERS, LITERALLY!!!

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There goes my 150php.

But seriously, I must give credit to the Production Team of this modern Aswang film.

The cinematography was astounding!

The setting was perfect, well-thought of.

The special effects are actually total breakthroughs, more of that should have been better.

The lighting and the shots were genius, complemented by the amazing musical score.

The folklore, which is purely Pinoy, was captured – kudos to that.

HOWEVER, there is really something wrong with the story line. It was okay, but not a WOW. I must say that the actors/ actresses who played the Aguaks are really great. But the kids and the goons from Manila are… never mind.

And with this said, when’s the best time to return?

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There are always opportunities for people who strive to have the best in life. In fact, the possibilities are endless. But who are we to say that some opportunities only happen once in a lifetime? No one would really know.

It has been a dilemma for me these past few months. Things changed primarily because of an unmet expectation. Instead of proceeding to law school, which was planned since time immemorial, I chose to live independently and earn for myself. The fulfillment of not asking money from parents and spending for everything instead is priceless. But it doesn’t stop me from pondering once again, am I in the right place?

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It’s true that the most “lost” people in every batch are those who graduated with “laude” after their names. The questions are overwhelming…

Am I in the right place?

Should I go for something better?

Is my future any brighter?

Maybe, something out there is much bigger?

Where do I go next?

Hawaii is just waiting. Everything good, everything fine — tempting… But even if I am mentally prepared, I am nowhere near “emotionally-ready”. I can’t leave yet, not now, not yet…

www.google.com/images-hawaii

Japan is a haven of the world’s best technology and best innovations. It is proudly Asian and it boosts of so many great things to offer. It is pretty sad though that people started having doubts on visiting Japan since the issue of radiation from Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant has been made public. It is also quite alarming that the idea of people, every time they hear of “Japan”, is something devastated because of the earthquake which claimed many lives early this year.

I’d love to go to Japan, for a tour. It doesn’t help that the value of Japanese currency, Yen, is sky high these days though. But if I get free tickets to Japan, I’ll grab every opportunity I’d get to pack my things and fly to the Land of the Rising Sun.

There are three reasons why I’d love to go to Japan.

HISTORY. Japan’s history is as rich as the technology that it boasts of. As a Filipino, I feel in a lot of ways connected to Japan because of the influence it has left in the Philippines after a brief period of colonization in the recent past. More over, Japan is home to many temples which hold witness to the struggles and wars won over because of discipline and loyalty, traits that are uniquely Japanese.

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http://www.google.com.ph/imgres

 FOOD. Bento, or Japanese lunch box, is such a favorite. It is a lovely combination of great food cooked and prepared to perfection. Knowing the culture of Japanese way of cooking, Japanese food is cooked using only the finest and freshest ingredients. My all-time favorites are sushi and shrimp tempura.

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http://www.google.com.ph/imgres

PEOPLE. Japanese people are awesomely polite. I have had many Japanese students in the International School where I work and the Japanese English tutorials that I had. 98% of the students I had are well-mannered. Yes, 98% because I cannot say all, I’d have to be honest. But generally, Japanese students are very sweet and they are also very eager to learn. They bring with them the culture that has made Japan strong and unprecedented over these years.

http://www.google.com.ph/imgres

http://www.google.com.ph/imgres

GIVE ME FREE TICKETS AND I’LL FLY TO JAPAN…

I’ll fly to Japan because of its history.

I’ll fly to Japan because of its food.

I’ll fly to Japan because of its people.

I’ll fly to Japan because it is the Land of the Rising Sun.

In this country where the minimum wage is not even half the decent amount needed to sustain a person (what more a breadwinner of a family), what is to expect?

There are 4.3 million professionals who are unemployed in the Philippines, and if I will add the number of skilled workers and technical laborers, you might be disillusioned.

Also as bad as being unemployed is the frustration of the underemployed, which comprises more than the statistics of the former. This is a depressing fact that people, even with meager salaries which reach only the minimum wage, should live with.

These realities have lead to what is more problematic, a lifestyle of the bourgeoisie.  It is when workers live only for a day, spending up to the last centavo as quick as the sun sets in the west.

It may be totally understandable when workers do live one day at a time and spend up all the day’s hard work at the end of the day if they have a family to feed and children to bring to school.

We cannot blame workers if they do not have spare money for emergencies or savings for the rainy days because the money they earn may not even be enough for daily expenses.

But what is not tolerable is the fact that many emerging young professionals develop this habit called “Kayod on Weekdays, Party on Weekends”. It is when they work so hard during the weekdays and spend up all their earnings on weekends. Where? It is not even on food, or savings, or donations to the poor and the needy. It is for themselves, for their leisure, for their fun, for their pleasure and for their reluctance to deny the reality that life is actually hard. These young professionals leave the hassles of the week for a “panandaliang aliw” or a quick taste of pleasure.

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This concept of “Kayod on Weekdays, Party on Weekends” is very viral especially to fresh graduates who earned their first paychecks. This is also very rampant among young professionals who have no responsibilities to their families, or so they claimed.

However, this “disease” is actually more serious that just the thought of wasting all the money for a quick taste of pleasure on weekends. This is actually reflective of what the system dictates – which is not taking full responsibility of our actions.

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There is a future for everyone, but that future is not necessarily hopeful anymore. That future is becoming bleak.

With the advent of not taking full responsibility of our actions, as how the system dictates and as how most influential people in the Philippines do, then there must be a black hole awaiting to suck up the future and hopes of our nation.

“Kayod on Weekdays, Party on Weekends” is an irresponsible lifestyle that even I, am guilty of.

Instead of wasting all our money for a senseless spree or a drunk-up party, why don’t we take active roles in a systematic change of the rotten system which drains up our fiber of hopes?

We can start by listening to the news from the radio, or watching current events on TV, or reading about the country in the national dailies. Maximize the power of media. Equip yourself with knowledge.

Then start analyzing history and relate it to the current events. What are the root causes of the problems causing us not to take responsibility of our actions?

Fight it out with cause-oriented groups. Involve yourself.  Take a stand. Make a difference!

http://www.google.com.ph/imgres?q=take+a+stand

But the first thing you must do is to cancel that party schedule on Friday night… I just did…

RAISE YOUR FISTS NOT TO PARTY BUT TO FIGHT THE ROTTEN SYSTEM!

http://www.google.com.ph/imgres?q=take+a+stand

Food has always been my best friend. And I’m sure most of you would consider it your best bud, too. Who wouldn’t? It is a basic necessity for us to live. It is a good reward for us if we have done something great. It is a treat we share with the people we love hanging out with. It is basically a part of our lives.

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No one survives without food. It is an intrinsic need. But oftentimes, it becomes more than just a basic need. It becomes an obsession. Obsession, that in a lot of ways, ends up really bad, like obesity. Perhaps you do not see yourself as someone obese as of this moment, lucky you. Or maybe you think you are victimized already because you have grown so much weight. But do not fret, even healthy looking people (sexy in general) may have so many issues, too.

Believe me, there is just a lot more to food obsession which meets the eye. Let me share with you insights on how I perceive being thin or fat because I will admit that I am one of those suffering from severe food obsession.

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When I was thin:

-I can lie flat on the floor and escape through the base of the cyclone which guards our high school campus – very convenient to sneak out.

-I can wear a two-piece bikini anytime in swimming pools and beaches, as well as don a catwoman costume in college during school days – showing up so much skin.

-I can eat three cups of rice per meal, three meals a day, and two heavy snacks in between because I do not become fat – good metabolism.

-I can wear almost anything because it comes with my physique and it is easy to carry any fashion – experimental and in.

When I was fat:

-People tell me that I am happy and contented with my boy friend because I do not anymore have to impress other men with my looks – fat people are assumed to be happy.

-I can keep up with all the stressful, time-consuming tasks without having to eat because I do not feel hungry – many stored fats.

-I can use up my money to eat anything I want because I am not anymore conscious of how I look like – enjoying food all the more.

-Many people assume that I am already stable and rich because I may have so much money to buy food – it takes money to become fat.

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Thus, there are actually a lot of ways how to perceive being fat and being thin. But at the end of the day, it’s all about SELF-IMAGE.

How we see ourselves depend on our self-image. How we perceive ourselves depend on our self-respect. You may think you’re too fat or you’re too thin to get someone to appreciate you. But you should really start to appreciate yourself first. You may think you’re too fat or you’re too thin to be beautiful. But look at yourself in the mirror first, beauty is not only about our body or our face, it is about the goodness in our entire being which resonates in our outside appearance.

Who cares about how media is trying to portray beauty? For as long as we  really know ourselves and for as long as we know that there is much more to life than curves in the right places, we will stay happy.

Food is not just a necessity. It can make us fat or thin, and God knows what else. It is something everyone should enjoy, no exceptions. So forget how beauty is perceived, you may gain weight and you do not have to defend why.

I know you’d like it yummy, so get yummy now!

A year ago, at the heat of the 2010 election, I was in a hot spot of the country’s best news and public affairs arena. I knew exactly what happened in almost every important area of the Philippines. I had every grasp and understanding of how important it is for the Filipinos to replace the rotten, sunken, mud-splashed, blood-stained (and all the disgusting adjectives I know) Arroyo administration. The hopes and dreams of every Filipino were at its peak in that very moment.

Today, a year has passed since that momentous time of hope. Today, the Filipinos know better. And they know very well that their lives never became better. They know very well that the person they brought to power has been a total failure. And their hopes and dreams? Shattered.

Hugas Kamay?

What has P-Noy done in a year of being the country’s president?

Worsen the human rights violations.

Placed in position his shooting partners and ex-classmates.

Renewed in new forms the anti-people policies of Arroyo, e.g. Oplan Bantay Laya = Oplan Bayanihan.

Juggled at least five women and dumped several of them, or that’s how the news made it appear.

Silenced his sister Kris Aquino in ways more than one.

Started a conflict with the church, re: excommunication vs tax evasion because of RH Bill.

Allowed the conflict of his team in Malacanang, re: communication and territorial divisions.

Created jobs with less than minimum wage for pay.

Now, what has P-Noy missed to do?

Solve the long dispute on land and give the farmers what is rightfully theirs in Hacienda Luisita.

Clear out the corrupt government officials in his office.

File a case against Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and make her accountable for all the senseless bloodshed and gross corruption in her regime.

Provide decent jobs for the Filipinos in the country.

Prioritize education budget as what he promised in his election campaign agenda.

And sorry but I just have to say this – quit his smoking habits for this is such a bad example for the youth.

I believe I have said a lot. This is what I saw. You may see things in a different perspective, I’ll let you be.

But for as long as I see street children hurrying up in garbage cans to look for food and braving the rain without slippers and umbrella, P-Noy FAILED.

For as long as I know a lot of my excellent batchmates who graduated with honors jobless and hopeless in this system, P-Noy FAILED.

For as long as I hear random people from the streets talking about how miserable they are because they can’t even feed their families at least twice a day, P-noy FAILED.

For as long as I don’t see Arroyo pay for her crimes, P-Noy FAILED.

For as long as justice has not been served to those who deserve it, P-Noy FAILED.

He only passed in one thing, though. P-Noy PASSED in FAILING the Filipino people.

For most companies, the payday of employees falls at the end of the month. And this is one of the days when payrolls are about to be distributed. But what is the significance of this day when it is just like any other payday?

For one, this is the end of the month where most fresh graduates of Batch 2011 realize that they are not anymore in school this June.

Fresh graduates will come to the full realization at this very point of time that they do not have any more allowances to rely on from their parents, that they are not anymore safe in the comforts of their past classrooms, and that they are already or supposed to be a part of this dangerous, weak-eater real world.

With realization comes both thankfulness (rarely) and grimace. Thankfulness for the very few who happened to land in a decent job with a decent pay (by decent, I mean just enough to sustain till the next payday for talking about the possibility of more is just to ambitious and too good to be true). Grimace for most who, well yes, found a job but the job is not what they expected or the job can hardly sustain the real cost of living. Grimace for having a job that is not even deserved given the credentials that have been hardly worked for. And grimace most especially to the majority who were not able to find ANY job because of the lack of opportunities.  

Demand for Wage Increase by Anakbayan, Philippines

Yes, very unfortunate but true. There is more grimace than thankfulness for Batch 2011.

Next off, this day is remarkable to the Aquino administration. Tomorrow will mark the first year of P-Noy’s presidency. But the administration still yet has a lot to prove. The living conditions of the Filipinos have never improved in any aspect there could possibly be to judge. The Philippine goverment is still stained by the consistent accusations of graft and corruption. The government officials are still deemed incompetent because most of them are only P-Noy’s ex-classmates and shooting partners, they do not have credentials to back them up and make them deserve their posts. The cases of abuse by the police and military are still very rampant – torture, rape, and gross neglect of duty.

Photo Courtesy of Anakbayan, Philippines

Lastly, this day is significant to the majority of the Filipino workforce who, after a year of hoping for change, still didn’t feel any in the rotten Philippine system. This is a day when most Filipino workers receive their salary for the month, the 12th month that they have hoped in vain for an increase or for any other added compensation they have long deserved. This is the day when most Filipino workers plan what to do with their meager salaries and desperately attempt to do all means possible to make them last just until the next payday. This is a day when all hopes for education for themselves or for their children have proved futile. This is a day of frustration, a day just before they placed in power the President they hoped to alleviate their poorness and hunger a year ago.

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This is just another payday. But there’s more to this day than meets the naked eye.

This is a day of frustration, a day of defeat for the P-Noy administration.