Happy 3

I love you more, Gret. HAPPY 3RD ANNIVERSARY :-*

Atonement

atone●ment \n\ 1: reparation for an offense 2: act of making amends for a wrong

Pride and Prejudice intrigued me after this movie. Not that Atonement is a sequel of the former, but how Director Joe Wright selected, adopted and translated novels into magnificent films. Pride and Prejudice could definitely possess similar magic because Wright worked with the same team in Atonement, that is wondrously cinematic, original by plot and musical thrill and immaculately faithful to the title's essence (I haven't read McEwan's novel. so, the book-film analysis is far clear in this review).

In either way, the story, artfully supplemented with form, is superbly exceptional. Its one of the rare films that carries an enigmatic spell, leaving you reflecting for days or weeks: What are my mistakes, sins, offenses? What are my acts, responses to correct, amend my mistakes, sins, offenses? What are my.....atonements?

Well, the world is full of recycled atonements and preachy resolutions, but this movie offers you a fresh and inspiring one. It is a film that literally freezes you-thanks to postcard scenes, James McAvoy and Keira Kneightly's powerful strikes of acting (notably, in the library, coffee house) and lucid situationers of war.

I never watch films twice, but this one made me. Atonement will be my spiritual chant to continually do "acts of kindness" along with my and other imperfections?



Watch it before retreats and year-ends.

Eastern Promises

Set in London, "history of violence" director David Cronenberg films about Russian mafia activities. But unlike most gangster and organized crime films, this was focused on one of its poor victims-a 14 year old girl, violently raped and died with a tragic pregnancy.

Though the girl tragedy was not visually narrated, the morbid brutality was portrayed in other mafia activities to asymmetrically show the viewers how the girl could had suffered. More gruesome than the series of headshots in The Departed and the storm of bullets slashing every soldier in the Saving Private Ryan, death became more painful with simple laceration. The killings could have been more cruel if the girl tragedy was exposed in full. Instead, plain vocal narration of the girl was intersected in diary readings and silent instances to moderate the viciousness of violence. Truly, Cronenberg knows violence, even at its mildest state.

There too was a good twist in the story but it was a regular one.

In sum, the movie was good. Though not equally blockbuster, it took off my nocturnal lethargy and plans to watch History of Violence.

Dont Hate Hate

i hate hate. hating turns you to what you hate.
hate your mother, then you become her;
hate Mondays and the day will always trail you;
hate a friend, then you start acting like him/her;
hate the world and youd live with hate;

but i wont hate hate. it is such a baggage.

BEST OF 2007

These are 2007 best - or rather the most memorable, given my early Alzheimer. A random list of events, people and things that "significantly transformed and defined" me. It's a selfish list that moved me to be more selfless, patriot, envisioning, appreciative, motivated!

1. TRAVEL to Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi, Lanao and Maguindanao... enriched more of my appreciation on islamiic faith, Mindanao culture and wonders. This made me a more proud Mindanaon (and almost a muslim convert)
2. TRAVEL to Singapore and Carlos Celdran...made me a more proud Pinoy...and honestly not the other way around. 3.Mama and Achi reconciliation... truly relieved and refreshed my family life. This is the best good news and i say, always believe in prayers.
4. OUR (Greta and I) SMALL (and sometimes TEARFUL) TALKS... led us to grand discoveries about each other that made my relationship with Greta stronger (emphasis: stronger). Greta would forever compose my year-end list. She is my life, next to God. Thank God, i have her. :-D
5. ULTIMATE FRISBEE: 1) Boracay Open. Real fun! best described this beach tournament. I would never forget this "hot" getaway, though I did miss scribbling this at a first write-draft (how dare I?). Real fun, that enumerating them is a real tall order. To my teammates, I still wanted to play with you on the next Open. 2) Davao Disc Squad. Though continuosly drenched with controversial murmurs, this second local frisbee team faithfully enlarged the disc community in Davao.
6. VIRGIN PEOPLE (Mishi, Air, Fran, Bianca, Mae An and Kat). This group of happy, beautiful and never less sophisticated women brought in happier friendship. Though rarely meeting, they excessively share happiness. So, they really deserved passing the nursing exam, flying off the country, winning photo contests and having a boyfriend.
7. BJA or the Barangay Justice Advocates... inspired me more to work for peace and live for peace.
8. MOVING IN A NEW FLAT AND BUILDING MY OWN HOUSE... motivated me to risk and plan more and practically believing more on God, who has never left me for 13 adolescent independent years.
9. NEW FRIENDS from the art and music scenes - Monci, Joseph, Mark, Iggy, current ARTCO and Plastic Butter. They all kept me hooked to what i am really passionate of. Most importantly, they shun newer career and business potentials, where my current profession and passion would work in pair.
10. THE INCONVENIENT TRUTH and Al Gore...reinvented me to be an active steward of Earth and i am having fun rejecting plastics in groceries, fastfoods and stores.

Reaching the "perfect" 10 never was a conscious plan but this year-ender turned to be consistent with my enlightenment-2007 was "perfect".

Her and His Story

Then there's the internet. Almost everyone suddenly becomes (want to be) a storyteller. Visually, literary, even musically. It has its dark side, but the surge is practically good news from the cloud. It made everyone read and write events, ideas and lessons that make up human history and evolution. A milestone that provides reminder of mistakes, more learning and vision.

Doers say, "talk is ka-cheapan", but why does the world keep on talking?

PHILIPPINES WOULD STILL BE MY HOME AND IT IS AS LIVEABLE (OR YET BETTER) AS SINGAPORE

Singapore has a very efficient transport system, real clean, green, safe and liveable environment. “Grabeeeeee!” You would never be late and lost in the lion city, even if you are a rural native. The city FASTLY transports and CLEARLY directs you to any place, worry-free. “Far” is immaterial in the city because trains, buses and taxis could take you in a calculated time. And there are no traffics because the number of private cars is regulated. Households are taxed more when they own cars. Elders won’t even need a guide to complete the city tour in 2-3 days because the longest ride is only 30 minutes. Maps and directions are everywhere and people (not just locals) are so helpful and courteous. “Nakakaputang-ina ka sa bait nila.”They would offer their train/bus seats, help you buy your train fare, change your S$100 to pay exact bus fares and return your lost bags.

Public transport fares are strictly regulated with electronic taxi metering, bus and taxi receipt and train fare card machines, thereby, freeing tourists and regular commuters from scrupulous taxi drivers from high-charging.

The city is so clean, you won’t even dare spitting. Not that there are millions of street-sweepers and garbage collectors. Singaporeans are discipline not to litter. And note this: NO FLIES, NO MOSQUITOES, despite being in a tropic. Though some areas are also flooded, you could actually swim and snorkel in the floodwater.

The city (including the town center) is real green with sufficient open spaces, trees and habitats for fresher air and wildlife. Heavy forests and lakes are literally visible in the city, not in the suburb. They too are accessible to residents. In fact, some subdivisions and housing villages are across the heavy greeneries. What is best, the greeneries are declared protected areas.

Buildings and communities with historical and cultural values were well-preserved and integrated in the modern city like Chinatown, Little India, City Hall, Old Parliament, Supreme Court, bridges, etc. They never were eyesores to tourists.

More, the city is safe, not technically crime-free. You can loosely display your bling-blings and gizmos in public places without any fears of theft.

Singapore is more than liveable, it is Utopia. And I am travelling back. Greta is even planning to work and settle in the city. But the city would just be my holiday city.

PHILIPPINES WOULD STILL BE MY HOME AND IT IS AS LIVEABLE AS (OR BETTER YET) SINGAPORE.

In general view, a household saves SD1,623 after averagely spending its month income of SD4,867 to household needs and wants worth at SD3,244. Among 5 income groups, 3 (middle to highest 20%) subsisted with savings ranging from SD582-SD6,632.

Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhyyy….. substantial saving plus a liveable environment - What a fucking life! And convincing me to move in the city would honestly be unnecessary. The city is indeed perfect especially for migrants, tourists and foreigners like Filipinos.

Achtung, baby! But the figures were just for ONE-PERSON HOUSEHOLD. Life for most Singaporean family of 4-5 members is a totally different story. Since most 2 of its members are earners, household income could double to SD9,734 and possibly, saving too at SD3,246. And since there are 4 members in the family, household expenditure expands four-folds to SD12,976, leaving the household with SD3,242 deficit.

Isn’t it poverty, in general view?

YES! IT IS! Just… LIKE…. in the Philippines. And even worse.. in micro perspective.

The said expanded household expenditure is primarily an expenditure of an “earning”, not “schooling”, one-person household. Thereby, the expenditure – or rather the deficit - could swell more with its 2 more dependent schooling members.

To make more things clearer for Filipinos who die to go out, not only in Singapore. Most workers work 12-16 hours a day, 6-7 days a week because of heavily “demanding” work and to earn extra, which still is not enough. If by chance you are granted a day-off, you either spend it still to a “demanding” work or rest, and not to family day-outs/movie/holiday.

Yes! The city may give you Singapore dollars (SD 1 = PhP30) and lesser income tax (2 of 10), but you spend in “costly” Singapore dollars. Singapore may be one of the most liveable city. But it is not providing the residents and workers the TIME TO ENJOY the environment they developed and income they earned.

Most Filipinos may economically be impoverished but, at least, we still managed to laugh, smile, enjoy time and celebrate life, making us the second happiest people in the world next to Indians. And we should be proud of that! We should start priding ourselves (we’re happier), our beaches (not man-made), our rich marine life (we’ll sure have a better Underwater/Ocean Park), our fiestas (we’re more sociable and free-spirited), our Christmas (we have merrier holidays), our families (we’re more bonded)…our Filipino culture.

STAY and let us work forward. Let us capitalize on our brand of “happiness” similar to Tibetans because, I think, it should be the brand of development. Well, I think, it is already because scientists are now exploring the science of happiness.

With innate “happyness”, our work towards a more “developed” country would then be lesser compared to other nations. Let alone our governance and system if they end unrepairable.

What is wealth, if it results to higher suicide rates (Japan). What is wealth if elders are left un-nurse (Singapore). What is wealth, if it cannot provide happiness (1^st World countries).

“Right now, we are leaving the country in droves because we think there is no future here. But the Philippines has so much hope (and promise)”. I certainly agreed with Carlos Celdran’s recounts.