I was never really a fan of wholesome family films. Furthermore, i had this thing against filipino movies (most) because every time i watched them, they always had the same theme. Some were even worse especially those slapstick comedy flicks. But my perception suddenly changed when I saw Magnifico. It had some of the elements of a typical pinoy movie but at the same time, it also had substance in it. I didn't really expect to be moved by it. The movie reminded me of Pay It Forward. A kid who was genuinely nice trying to help others by doing random little things. Magnifico gets the best of you through its meaningful and emotional content. I was really touched when he started going out of his way just to take her little sister to the carnival. It showed love and service for others. You rarely see movies like that nowadays moreover in real life. In our society today, people tend to be selfish and have this mentality of serving themselves first before others. I find it kinda tragic how bad things happen to good people.
I think that Maginifico is a brilliant movie that can teach people good moral values. Best thing that I learned from it is that you don't have to do kind deeds to others while expecting something in return (or if you owe someone something). A little good deed will go a long way.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
utopia
The first few things that come into people's minds when they first read the title of this story is of lost boys, pirates and neverneverland. Everyone has probably heard of the tale of peter pan; a boy who never wanted to grow up, who goes through adventures of having a fairy as a sidekick, flying endlessly across the mountains and seas, fending off pirates and becoming the hero of the day.
When i was younger, i used to believe that this could be all real. Not exactly the same but of angel dust that would enable me to have special abilities, of pirate ships and indians (although i prefer the cowboy and indian rivalry better), of never having to grow up and just being carefree.
All of these were my fantasy. But as i grew up, hopes faded, expectations dissipate, reality kicked in.
The Tale of the Spinster and Peter Pan is about a lady who has a dull routine life and starts having a fascination with a band member. Her imagination starts playing with her as she then starts comparing the guy to peter pan. In the end, her expectations were shattered when the guy finally approached her. So much for a fantasy.
When i was younger, i used to believe that this could be all real. Not exactly the same but of angel dust that would enable me to have special abilities, of pirate ships and indians (although i prefer the cowboy and indian rivalry better), of never having to grow up and just being carefree.
All of these were my fantasy. But as i grew up, hopes faded, expectations dissipate, reality kicked in.
The Tale of the Spinster and Peter Pan is about a lady who has a dull routine life and starts having a fascination with a band member. Her imagination starts playing with her as she then starts comparing the guy to peter pan. In the end, her expectations were shattered when the guy finally approached her. So much for a fantasy.
something different
Out of all the stories that i've read for this class, Smaller and Smaller Circles turned out to be the most interesting novel for me. it certainly set itself apart from the rest by being the only filipino novel that used crime fiction as its genre. It's like The Order (heath ledger) meets CSI. Like those old Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books that I used to read when I was younger.
The story is basically about two priests trying to solve the murders that revolve around the payatas area. I won't be summarizing it or telling the whole thing again in my own words cause its not really the purpose of this blog. What happened to personal opinions and thoughts on the subject? How we interpret the story? Why did we have discussions if in the end, we were only gonna summarize it? You people should know the story already because we've been discussing it in class and we were required to do so (sorry yall. go figure). Anyway yeah.. As i've said, it's a good book but there are parts of it which could've been improved. Let's start with the good -- The idea of using priests as the protagonists of the story is just brilliant. Like kick ass soldiers of God doing good deeds, helping save the world. How the whole thing is relative to what has been happening lately (not so but there are some points). It's like CSI: Quezon City.. How cool is that? I mean who doesn't like watching CSI right? The monologues. It added a little more mystery into it and they're catchy too.
Now on to the needs improvement part.. The story revolves around investigations, therefore hints and clues are provided. It could've had a little more spunk into it. Half-way through the book, you already have a good idea on who it is. The writer gave it away too early. She could've at least added more characters as possible suspects. A couple of more details on them. Secondly, the chapter about the lives of the victims families. It was way too long. It's hella dragging and sad in a way. It's purpose is probably for the readers to empathize and what not but really, we can only have so much of it. It's crime fiction, not sad pity me drama. It may seem like I'm being an ass and all but you have to agree that that part was long.
In the end, it was all worth reading. A brilliant book by a Filipino writer. Unexpectedly witty and funny in a twisted way. Made me appreciate Filipino literature more (i'm just not exposed to it).=p
The story is basically about two priests trying to solve the murders that revolve around the payatas area. I won't be summarizing it or telling the whole thing again in my own words cause its not really the purpose of this blog. What happened to personal opinions and thoughts on the subject? How we interpret the story? Why did we have discussions if in the end, we were only gonna summarize it? You people should know the story already because we've been discussing it in class and we were required to do so (sorry yall. go figure). Anyway yeah.. As i've said, it's a good book but there are parts of it which could've been improved. Let's start with the good -- The idea of using priests as the protagonists of the story is just brilliant. Like kick ass soldiers of God doing good deeds, helping save the world. How the whole thing is relative to what has been happening lately (not so but there are some points). It's like CSI: Quezon City.. How cool is that? I mean who doesn't like watching CSI right? The monologues. It added a little more mystery into it and they're catchy too.
Now on to the needs improvement part.. The story revolves around investigations, therefore hints and clues are provided. It could've had a little more spunk into it. Half-way through the book, you already have a good idea on who it is. The writer gave it away too early. She could've at least added more characters as possible suspects. A couple of more details on them. Secondly, the chapter about the lives of the victims families. It was way too long. It's hella dragging and sad in a way. It's purpose is probably for the readers to empathize and what not but really, we can only have so much of it. It's crime fiction, not sad pity me drama. It may seem like I'm being an ass and all but you have to agree that that part was long.
In the end, it was all worth reading. A brilliant book by a Filipino writer. Unexpectedly witty and funny in a twisted way. Made me appreciate Filipino literature more (i'm just not exposed to it).=p
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
document
How ironic is it that friends can easily talk about almost anything under the sun but when it comes to matters of the heart, the words just seem to escape us? They say that communication is key to a healthy relationship. Yet we fear that what we say may not be enough or that the pressure of the moment will cause the words to come out differently. So we resort to paper, where supposedly, we can organize our thoughts and review them before we send them out.
The only thing is, communication doesn't only involve words. it needs intent, which facial expressions and intonation can provide. The document may have shown the power of communication in the sense that it had the characters assessing their feelings. But that's simply what it was: a catalyst. The real work is yet to be had.
Letters are sweet. Letters are revealing. But nothing beats looking into the other person's eyes and watching their little gestures -- the twitch of the eyes, the biting of the lips, the pace of their breaths -- reveal more than any set of words can ever say.
The only thing is, communication doesn't only involve words. it needs intent, which facial expressions and intonation can provide. The document may have shown the power of communication in the sense that it had the characters assessing their feelings. But that's simply what it was: a catalyst. The real work is yet to be had.
Letters are sweet. Letters are revealing. But nothing beats looking into the other person's eyes and watching their little gestures -- the twitch of the eyes, the biting of the lips, the pace of their breaths -- reveal more than any set of words can ever say.
youth of the nation
Everybody wants the image you've got for sale. Traits such as looks, personality, confidence and the like are all accounted for. This is what people fancy. To have the total package. Just like in beauty pageants. If you have these desirable traits, then you're already made. Some people might disagree to this but if you look at it closely, there's plausibility in it.
As we discussed generations, these things came into my mind. People in the provinces join beauty contests because it can give them a better life. A better future. A pretty "nene" from a poor family, having nothing but looks and a little personality, is given a little more attention and care so that she can one day bring her family out of strife (not all the time but in most cases). In generations, the main character had some of these traits. Although she may not have used them in a pageant, she still used them to her advantage (in a sad crazy messed up way). She showed courage in going through a horrific experience and used her looks (and body) to get her father out of jail. In the end, her efforts are neglected by her father which caused her to snap and kill him. Going through a traumatic and dreadful experience is no joke. Nobody wants to go through what the girl experienced in the story. Raised in right way but used (and abused) in the wrong way. Because of what she had to go through, maybe she didn't have any other option except murder. I completely disagree to what she did and i think that she wasted her gifts and that she will never be the same again. It's also weird that she seemed fine after committing the crime which made me think that she's nuts.
I decided to use this point of view because of the title of the story. When people mention generations, you think of the future. you think of your legacy. They say that we are the only ones who can make a change but after reading the story, you also realize that there are other obstacles that mislead you into the wrong direction.
As we discussed generations, these things came into my mind. People in the provinces join beauty contests because it can give them a better life. A better future. A pretty "nene" from a poor family, having nothing but looks and a little personality, is given a little more attention and care so that she can one day bring her family out of strife (not all the time but in most cases). In generations, the main character had some of these traits. Although she may not have used them in a pageant, she still used them to her advantage (in a sad crazy messed up way). She showed courage in going through a horrific experience and used her looks (and body) to get her father out of jail. In the end, her efforts are neglected by her father which caused her to snap and kill him. Going through a traumatic and dreadful experience is no joke. Nobody wants to go through what the girl experienced in the story. Raised in right way but used (and abused) in the wrong way. Because of what she had to go through, maybe she didn't have any other option except murder. I completely disagree to what she did and i think that she wasted her gifts and that she will never be the same again. It's also weird that she seemed fine after committing the crime which made me think that she's nuts.
I decided to use this point of view because of the title of the story. When people mention generations, you think of the future. you think of your legacy. They say that we are the only ones who can make a change but after reading the story, you also realize that there are other obstacles that mislead you into the wrong direction.
games
People tend to do crazy things when it comes to love. Having to deal with emotions can easily cloud judgments. It also has something to do with putting yourself in vulnerable position. As an individual, It's easier to accept mistakes knowing full well that you put yourself in that situation. But when others are involved, it becomes a whole different story. you supposedly put your trust in someone else without ever having control over how his/her mistakes can affect you. This is the basic dilemma in any relationship. What people fail to realize though is that despite being involved, you still have control over your vulnerability. It's not what you feel that makes relationships work. It's what you do that matters. Obviously, This girl in Games let her heart rule her mind too much.
to be trusted is a greater feat than to be loved.
to be trusted is a greater feat than to be loved.
magnificence
Appearances are often deceiving. even the best of us have ulterior motives. This story teaches us about trust. we are always being reminded to trust no one. That the only people that you can trust is family. In magnificence, we can see that both these statements hold true. A bus driver,who is also a good friend of the family decides to visit and teach the 2 kids. As the story unfolds, we find out that he has hidden agendas (what a sicko!). Mother's intuition kicks in and realizes what's going on. Like what any mother would do, she protects her kids and sends them up while she confronts the bus driver. After all has been said and done, the mother comforts her kids and reassures their security.
It's easy to say that we trust someone but we must also show that we deserve it. Trust is something that is earned. I think that when you have learned to trust someone, you have also learned to love them.
In addition, i'll say that there's no greater love than a mother's love for her children. it's unconditional.
It's easy to say that we trust someone but we must also show that we deserve it. Trust is something that is earned. I think that when you have learned to trust someone, you have also learned to love them.
In addition, i'll say that there's no greater love than a mother's love for her children. it's unconditional.
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