A look at the past MMFF controversies

The 36th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is over. As in past Christmases,   this event promises celebration and competition, all for the benefit of our movie industry. The winners were proclaimed three days after the festival opened last Dec. 25 and once again they had some funny choices. It is only the year, the faces and the names of participants to the annual Metro Manila Film Festival that change, but the essence and politics of the event remain the same. Controversies and issues have been rocking the MMFF, year in and year out. It’s the struggle to perfection that makes the difference.

Now, Philippines has been affixed to the title to signify a never-ending tension and contradiction among classes, interests and motives in this commercial event hiding as an art venue. Winners are now based partly on the box-office receipts and not merely on the film’s merits. It is really all about money, money, and money. Going back to its history, the festival was founded on year 1975 and in the past 36 years, it was only in 1994 that there was no Best Picture winner. It is also interesting to note that in 2006, Enteng Kabisote 3 won Best Picture award besting the well-made Star Cinema comedy Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo. It is just one of the most controversial years in the history of the film fest. Assuming the Metro Manila Film Festival is a commercial festival, there is nothing wrong with it. Because we all know that aside from being an art, moviemaking is an industry. It is a business. However we should not forget that this event has its objective to showcase outstanding Filipino movies. We should improve it by allowing only quality film who passes the standard of the board.

When Glee goes Gaga

The Glee goes gaga episode was definitely one of my favourite hours of the entire season one. I had no idea that it would be so emotional or that I would be so emotional. Seriously, I think lots of Glee lovers out there shed major tears during theatricality. But the episode also had several shiver-inducing performances and laughs. I think that is why it was so phenomenal: it does what Glee does best which is combining comedy, music, and emotional truths.

 This episode just made me realized that I am a Dionysian or I am more of the Emotional side response. I felt glad and enthusiast after seeing the episode. I cannot stop having this “LSS” mode or the Last Song Syndrome. It was amazing and enticing. I had chills and my eyes welled up. The songs and scene were so loaded with pain, joy and full emotions. All I wanted is to sing the songs they used to sing and mimic their choreography. Dance like Lady gaga, Rachel or Shelby. I crave more for their performance and try to surf that certain episode in YouTube. Perhaps another thing that prove to me that I am a Dionysian is that I never asked myself about the undoubtedly relationship between Kurt and Finn. I do not think I have seen a show on television tackle a gay/straight relationship so delicately and honestly, but still I never asked about it and just merely accepted that glee idea. But after figuring out of my response, I think I should balance my Dionysian side over my Apollonian side or the Critical side. I should take a look and understand the things that are happening in the scene, ask like is that really applicable in reality or is that really happening.

Blog as the Fifth State

 As the world continues to revolve, Globalization also does. We have to admit that globalization is here to stay with its various effects like the enhancement of technology. But this is not the subject of this argument. There is something that technologies turn our lives connected and free individuals, that we can always speak our minds and express our thoughts. Something that I like to call the fifth estate. I am talking about the blogs.           

Blogs came from the word web log. Blogs usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, description of events, news on particular subjects, others function as more personal online diaries. If people have access to a computer and the internet, they can promulgate their ideas without the use of money and not needing any credentials. Blogs allows us to communicate worldwide, anywhere, and anytime with any topics we want to. It can be politics, economics, academics, spiritual, or just a plain practical one. Bloggers don’t limit age. Adults and youths can blow up their thoughts on a certain topic. This result to the most important contribution- the increased of many citizens level of engagement in the political process. The blogospheres also serves as the watchdog on media, challenging stories, and suggesting stories that are being missed. Not because these stories are insignificant but are too politically loaded. Bloggers can criticize leaders and policies, they can organize protest and campaigns that can change the world. Blogs now, are becoming more influential. It can alter the perception of another individual. It can change decisions and behaviors.           

Blogs are tangible manifestation of the central fact of universe: everything is connected. It offers no separation between people in every country and in every status. Over time, blogs will continue to connect us.

Anne Frank Diary

(ok this is sooo old file just wanna post it here :) )

In her diary, she describes how a typical teenage girl was incredibly emotional. Anne recorded and point out the circumstances where the sentiments was such that they were always overshadowed by their immense fear in hiding. Everyday of their life since they came into hiding they can never feel safe. They live like a prisoner. But this girl really has a good heart. She still feels lucky that they were alive. In the first few diary entries, Anne although afraid, does not really realize the extreme danger she is in. And as weeks and years goes by, she fills her diary page after page with detailed about their daily life hiding in the annex. Though people have the same nationality, it is our human nature to feel self centered. This is done when Mr. Van Daan steal food for his family. This is also emphasize when they were betrayed by thief that causes them to get caught. Her diary stresses that in a child-mind, death is not a big issue. But as she matures, she begins to conceive the level of danger felt by the adults, and there her fear increases.  For the past two years living with intense fear, the family still taken away and sent also to the concentration camps where lots of Jews died

Up to now, Anne Frank is the most discussed Jewish victim of the holocaust. Her diary has become one of the worlds most widely read books, and has been the basis for the several plays and films.

Operation Pedring

Adamson University as a partner of people for social development helped people who are in need especially to those who have been affected by climate change that bought calamities to the country.

Filipinos felt a sense of déjà vu when typhoon Pedring hit Metro Manila and the country’s Northern provinces last September 26 that reminded them of how typhoons Ondoy ravaged many cities few years ago. Heavy Rain and robust wind triggered flood the whole place particularlyand worstly in Bulacan. Many areas there are still flooded especially the town of Calumpit and in fact, waters have risen after typhoon ‘Pedring’ left. This, according to local officials and residents, can only be blamed on the massive release of water from the Ipo and Angat dams both of which are in Bulacan. Residents of the flood-ravaged town are starting to run low on food and drinking water supply. This brought action to Jes Nilo.

Jes Nilo is the president of Calumpit Home Owners Associatons (CHOA) and opportunely a student of AdU of good governance for social development called for help in Adamson University Integrated Community Extension Services (ICES) that key in the doors and inform government agencies that would aid the town in relocating the affected residents and also the one who called the Office of the Vice President.  AdU also sent some relief goods to Calumpit North Ville 9 and comprise a network that would help the town. AdU talked to Sister Edith, one of the heads of La Consolacion College to be part of this operation. They will be the station outside Metro Manila that will receive all the relief goods and donations intend for the Calumpit residence.

Now, there have been 30 relocation sites in north and south ville some of these are in Laguna, Cavite, Bulacan, and Rizal. AdU in the said operation supported 500 000 households and still continue assisting the maiming area by sending students to help them, give them food, and to sympathize to what happened.

In this age when our country lie in front of calamities, Adamson University constantly in hand for helping others is now becoming a culture. As a Catholic school we hope that our patron Saint Vincent de Paul is indeed happy for the University in enduring what he has started in helping others long ago.

Time Travel

              It’s been 3 years now since I moved here in Manila particularly in Balic Balic (G. Tuazon) Sampaloc but never wondered about the history of our apartment. Like when was it built? Why was it built? Who owned it? What happened to the people who lived here? What it was used for?  Are there any dastardly deeds or dramatic events that went on under its roof? Or, my perennial favourite question as a child, does it have any secret tunnels or cubbyholes? Whether I was forced to do this Research assignment, to look for documentation for historic status or are just plain inquisitive, tracing a property's history and learning about the people who have lived there can be also a fascinating and fulfilling project.

          I began searching by looking closely at the building, the type of construction, the materials used in construction, the shape of the roofline, the placement of the windows for clues about its age. But apparently the apartment was obviously a newly build one. No traces of old soul walls. I walked around the property looking for obvious alterations or additions to the building as well as roadways, paths, trees, fences and other features but I got no hint in it.

 Then I decided to go to the Barangay Hall to ask some people. I found out that Sampaloc is primarily a residential and educational center. That’s why there are a lot of apartment, dorm and bed spacers edifice here. “Sampaloc” is the native tagalong dialect word which means Tamarind fruit, perhaps tamarind trees used to grow in this area.  While the “balic balic” got its name from a version can be called dead end story. The long road Calle Balic balic (G. Tuazon) stretches from the poblacion of Sampaloc and way up to the hills of Sampaloc which was a dead end. People had nowhere else to go back but “Balic balic:” (to go back). There is no certainty when was calle “balic balic” built but the old maps of Manila circa 1890’s shows calle balic balic cemetery on its left side. Back then in 70’s Balic balic was a really a residential place but of course houses are built with rattan and bamboos. And it is hard to track down the address because house numbering only began in the 18th century.

Now to know exactly what can be the past issues of our apartment I made my mind up to go and asked the owner of the building, Mrs. Raquel. The lot was sold to them early in 2006 by the Selgia family who is now living in the Italy. The place and streets was still the same according to them except the apartment they built here and the people that go in and out.  By the time they got the lot Mrs. Raquel and her husband decided to build the apartment which I am now residing. It is a four storey building and according to her before we lodge in the 3^rd floor some students occupied the place already. But they left it so we were able to dwell in the place in the year 2009.  The apartment was occupied by students like us in the first, second and fourth floor. I got also the chance to mingle with them during the acquaintance party throw by Mrs Raquel.

To go deeper in my research I asked them about the place. According to her they really wanted to buy a lot and build an apartment near in the University belt where students always finds a place to stay while studying here in Manila and Balic balic, Sampaloc is the perfect place. With all the research I obtain I can now serenely settle, reside in our apartment without thinking any absurd thoughts about the area.

Drowning Beautiful

Sometimes an artist creates something so beautifully simple that it takes your breath away…. literally. (hack line – couldn’t help it) Artist Jason de Caires Taylor creates life-size cement sculptures of people and submerges them into the waters of South America. As time passes the sculptures become part of the underwater landscape and slowly become artificial reefs ripe with marine life. The process of experiencing artwork out of a traditional gallery and underwater is described with intimately vivid detail on his site. Absolutely incredible execution merging art, life and the wild seas into an ever-evolving textured aesthetic that will hopefully stand the test of time. Although, I wouldn’t hold our breath. (Dammit! I did it again) Wow.