On the steps I've taken to make life at past age 40 more meaningful, purposeful. Occasional rants & raves, too. And I've since, then, discovered by being with many teams that I'm taking lead primarily to accomplish goals I've selfishly set for myself and which I constantly & creatively peddle to my teammates LOL
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Strength training is integral to the overall upkeep of the state of your health. It's even a must that you do strength training as you grow older, or else, your muscles will die sooner. I take all the chance to work out so I'll have a stronger body, at least. I'm seeing, too, that to do this is never easy. And I dislike getting complimented for being strong, which could have been a result of my genes and my constant efforts to work out whenever I can. This is true even if the compliment is delivered sincerely and coming from a good person who delivers the line in a non-malicious tone. I know I'm strong and I enjoy, still, being one. I know this strength won't last my lifetime, and since I'm still relatively young (and I take time to take care of myself), I remain strong. This post was inspired by thoughts that came to me while helping out in moving and throwing away items like queen size mattresses, mattress boxes, cabinets, bookcases and the like from the third floor apartment in the house where I live. My landlord, who is also one of my roommates, owns the building and was unable to get help from those he contacted on Craigslist.org to help out. I can understand why those guys won't help out. This kind of work sucks. And no matter how big the payment amount for such types of work, you don't feel compensated well. And what's very annoying about it is that the one who used to live there probably planned things out to turn this way---she knew it would take more efforts other than hers and her close friends to bring those heavy stuff from that upper floor apartment. It's a common behavior I've been noticing from people who have led relatively privileged lives and who have no appreciation for real, physical hard work (hence, they choose to do other types of jobs and in the process, look down on jobs that call for physical strength to be completed every work day). You'd see people who have been mainly leveraging their relative strengths to make money (and make a living in the process). And you can't help but see the contempt from others who despise these types of work just to make a living. Other than the measly pay rates given to these people, you must have noticed how these people are just considered mere additional materials so certain despicable projects would be finished? No wonder people who are in the various trades like to get themselves unionized whenever they get the chance----leaders and influential take advantage whenever they get the chance. It's how the system has worked ever since. Of course, you can always say it has to be done with a good team, especially with heavy works like these that need the combined strengths of persons so the project would be completed. But who, really, appreciates that? Such work can only appreciated if done with majority of the members who volunteer from a community (or a small group, or a neighborhood), with every one giving share without getting paid money-wise when the project is over.
For now, I rather keep my strength and use it to help out whenever I get the chance or whenever I'm asked to provide help. You don't need to pay me but keep in mind that I reserve the right to refuse to handle works that I dislike doing. Just say 'thank you' and keep away from complimenting me for my strength. This strength always has to be seen in the context of time, and its main purpose in making me lead a beautiful, meaningful every day life in this part of the whole wide universe.
SHAMELESS PLUGS:
Thank you for checking this posting out. Being in a capitalist country, I will take this opportunity, too, to share my stakes in various business engagements I currently find my self in. You may check these stakes I have here in whatever manner available to you (given changes in procedures we have from time to time), copy and paste them on your browser (if that works for you), and be more than curious with plenty of other things out there. Thank you again.
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Open your Fidelity broker's account, too (I got one, too!): https://fidelity.app.link/e/iy3f8YYfbCb
I also have an account with Interactive Brokers, where I mostly buy shares that are not easy to acquire thru the usual other brokers' sites; you can open your own account there, too (and I will earn a USD 200 if you do, thank you!): https://ibkr.com/referral/jerome597
And for anything online shopping that you may be always on the lookout for, especially on bestselling products and priced best, check this: https://amzn.to/3qlanEM
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I have been using supplements as part of my healthcare regimen, and they work well for me. And I get them from my own online store. Here's the link for you to check and explore:
(WHEN YOU BUY OR SUBSCRIBE THROUGH SOME OF MY LINKS I SHARE HERE, I MAY MAKE A COMMISSION. THANK YOU! THEY WILL GO A LONG WAY IN HELPING ME CREATE AND SHARE THESE CREATIONS HERE. THANK YOU, AGAIN.)
I've been living in Staten Island for over 4 years now, and on the overall, the experience has been pleasant. I'm adventurous and I like different events happening all at the same time, personally and in all those situations surrounding me wherever I go. However, that's not happening in Staten Island all the time, which, if you've lived in Staten Island, is an understatement. If you like such a dynamic situation, you can find such to be happening in the boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. I'm not that familiar with the Bronx, although I have many business partners who live and work there. The situation there is different, in the sense that the Bronx is actually part of mainland USA, which is unlike all the other boroughs of NYC that are all found in different islands. And I have to add that I find the Bronx to be interesting, too, just like the rest of NYC.
But it's not good experiencing from others I've met who have been dismissive of Staten Island, for one reason or another. It's as if people here live in the boondocks. Actually, that's partly true. The boondocks here, to say things more positively, would afford you the highest elevated views of the Atlantic Ocean. Staten Island has hills with elevation levels that give residents fabulous views normally not seen on regular TV shows. I just shake my head whenever some people I've met have notions on SI that reveal how limited their thoughts about NYC; their notions are amusing.
However, I've lived in the Stapleton neighborhood of Staten Island, so whatever views and notions I've had about this borough (SI) has been primarily based on what I've seen in my neck of the woods. I've grown to love being in this borough, honestly. A lot can be desired by someone like me, especially because I get to visit the other boroughs a lot of times every week. For example, I've noticed there's really no Chinatown here in SI, which is not true with the other boroughs. And I'd love to have more subway infrastructure put in place here in SI.
I know SI is really located some distance from Manhattan, although it's close enough to Brooklyn, which I supposed was the reason why Brooklyn and SI are linked physically mainly through the Verrazano Bridge. And given the fact the New York City (NYC) is really Manhattan-centric, there's really no way that SI could be physically linked any time soon with Manhattan, unless the politicians decide to finance the construction of a train system like the PATH (that connects Manhattan and Jersey City) now. Oh, well, that's the ideal, but I believe it won't be happening anytime soon (I hope I'm mistaken). In the meantime, I do hope the northshore commuter's rail system here in SI will start running again; I've been seeing parts of it along the western side of SI but they're not functioning as of now. I can also wish that a light railway could be built from SI to New Jersey. This will really go a long way in getting more businesses relocating themselves here in SI, which can result to more prosperity in this borough.
I'm grateful that developments are now taking place here in SI, a preview of which you can read in the link at the start of this posting. I'm excited to talk about these to every body in my network. Of course, they're usually surprised, especially if they've not heard much about SI except when Sandy visited and killed SI residents who lived a few blocks from each other. They're not even aware that SI's at least 3 times bigger than the over-rated Manhattan Island. I guess, I'll start using 'Staten' rather than 'Staten Island' to help de-emphasize in other people's awareness that this borough is found in an island, which is just the same as that of Manhattan that is actually located, too, in a much smaller island.
SHAMELESS PLUGS:
Thank you for checking this posting out. Being in a capitalist country, I will take this opportunity, too, to share my stakes in various business engagements I currently find my self in. You may check these stakes I have here in whatever manner available to you (given changes in procedures we have from time to time), copy and paste them on your browser (if that works for you), and be more than curious with plenty of other things out there. Thank you again.
Invest in REAL ESTATE: https://fundrise.com/r/eo9x3
Get a FREE STOCK: https://join.robinhood.com/jeromeb846
Open your Fidelity broker's account, too (I got one, too!): https://fidelity.app.link/e/iy3f8YYfbCb
I also have an account with Interactive Brokers, where I mostly buy shares that are not easy to acquire thru the usual other brokers' sites; you can open your own account there, too (and I will earn a USD 200 if you do, thank you!): https://ibkr.com/referral/jerome597
And for anything online shopping that you may be always on the lookout for, especially on bestselling products and priced best, check this: https://amzn.to/3qlanEM
I also have a chain of online stores thru a franchise system, please feel free to check it out: https://affiliate.shop.com/join/register?referralEmail=dyerohmeb@gmail.com&referralPublisherID=AP3060300
I have been using supplements as part of my healthcare regimen, and they work well for me. And I get them from my own online store. Here's the link for you to check and explore:
(WHEN YOU BUY OR SUBSCRIBE THROUGH SOME OF MY LINKS I SHARE HERE, I MAY MAKE A COMMISSION. THANK YOU! THEY WILL GO A LONG WAY IN HELPING ME CREATE AND SHARE THESE CREATIONS HERE. THANK YOU, AGAIN.)
We're told there was ice a week ago when they were here; winter is slowly saying its goodbye for now.
A section of the Hudson River in Cold Spring; Beacon (the next town) is toward the right side of the picture
one of the many ponds we saw along the trail
West Point is where that island-like land formation shown in this picture
Jeff E & myself; Jeff's the one who shared the pictures here from his phonecamera
sleepy, tired me!
I finally
made it with other members of Sundance Outdoor Adventure Society again one weekend and this time it's at Mt Taurus in Cold Spring. With 8 others in that trip, I felt safe and
confident that I would complete the day hike even if I barely slept the night
before because I had to be in a farewell party at a friend's house in Queens. I
managed to wake up early enough and was soon waiting for my friend Jeff E (who shared all the pictures I've in this blog posting) whose reminder text to me the
night before I only got to read at the Grand Central Terminal. I was soon
chatting earnestly with another Sundance member, Robert (who I learned later, had
been to the Philippines) as we waited for other members to arrive.
Thankfully, the
hike was uneventful in the sense that nothing untoward happened. My state of
mind during the hike was sluggish (it must be the red wine, the good food, the
ecstatic singing, the company I had the pleasure of sharing the previous night).
I was even telling Jeff E that I felt like I was attracting some bad elements
that I feared would in turn hurt me--I felt no confidence in crossing one of
the streams we faced along the trail and had my left shoe getting wet. I then
proceeded to say my usual personal invocations to myself, and thankfully
nothing as or more worst came about.
We were soon
at the spot close to the peak before noon where we gathered and had lunch
together. I delighted at the exchange and the chance to listen to mini-stories
from others who joined the hike as we rested, and took time to
enjoy the marvelous 360-degree view before us. I heard from someone that the island-like
land formation along the Hudson River belongs to the famous West Point Military
Academy site. I also took notice of a number of other hikers, some of whom had
their huge dogs joining and playing with them.
We were also
figuring out the outlines of NYC's familiar skyline of tall structures--I do hope then
that we were correct with what our eyes could figure out. A powerful pair of
binoculars would have easily confirmed this. The rest of the trail leading to
the descent after lunch time could be considered easy, relatively. This can be particularly true
if one's used to hiking on many occasions before (which I did myself when I was
younger) and still relatively fit and healthy. I also recall having a kinda
lengthy chat with Ron, who's a theater teacher, while the group's pursuing the trail, which gave me the
opportunity to practice ideas that have been churning in my mind lately about
my other works.
Most of us
joined an early dinner at the Depot, which I understand used to be the train
station in Cold Spring. The conversation flowed in wonderfully amidst the
rolling of huge trains every now and then at least 8 feet away from the table
where our group was gathered. The temperature was soon dropping and I felt
chilly. As we walked back to the train station, I promised myself I'll join
another trip with these enthusiastic fellows as soon as my schedule will allow
it.
My Notes on the free film screenings at the Philippine Consulate in NYC
NEW YORK – The Philippine Consulate General New York, in cooperation with the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), coordinating producer Vince Nebrida, and Xoom.com proudly presents “Sinehan sa Summer 2009:‘Bayani’”, a once-a-week free screening of films starting on the 2nd of July and ending on the 3rd of September 2009. All Filipino films will have English sub-titles. Date Film & synopsis Thurs- 02 Jul Opening Night 6:30 pm
Great Raid – (2005) As Gen. Douglas MacArthur made good on a pledge that he would return to the Philippines, over 500 American soldiers were being held in Cabanatuan, a notoriously brutal prisoner of war camp. Lt. Col. Henry Mucci (Benjamin Bratt) was appointed to lead the Sixth Ranger Battalion on a mission 30 miles behind enemy lines to infiltrate Cabanatuan and liberate the American prisoners. Directed by John Dahl.
Starring Benjamin Bratt, James Franco, Connie Nielsen, Cesar Montano, Rez Cortes
My Notes: Didn't see this as I was in other events available in the city; I heard from other viewers I met at the Consulate tonight that this was one "good movie."
Directed by Edward Dmytryk. Starring John Wayne, Anthony Quinn
My Notes: This movie was certainly a huge revelation particularly to those born in the late 60s like myself, though prior to seeing it, I was feeling squeaky as nobody among my other friends would like to see this film with me. Actually, I didn't know that this would be shown tonight, I just thought I have to watch these movies being shown at the Consulate as I've not seen Filipino movies for some time now.
It's refreshing to see a Hollywood produced movie on the Philippines after a long while now, considering that Hollywood production nowadays are mostly done in countries other than the Philippines (though certainly, parts of a movie in production may be done or completed in the Philippines but not necessarily given outright credit. I know this for a fact for certain big blockbuster animated movies.). It's also very refreshing to hear Tagalog actually used in a movie done by foreigners, and I felt OK listening to the actors not using a different accent or tone just to please those not comfortable with spoken English with Filipino accent. Come on guys, Filipinos speak English in the Philippines in its own peculiar accent, as it's part and parcel of the American heritage, the Philippines being part of the US until the end of WWII.
It's strange seeing this movie here in NYC, of all places, and with at least 10 other moviegoers at the Philippine Consulate. It's great these movies are being offered to those interested. It's also great to know that John Wayne actually did movies that show the Philippines in them (I've always seen him in movies depicting cowboys). I was told by my friend Bart Rosenberg that there's actually another John Wayne movie where he's sexier (in military outfits) doing fighting scenes in the Philippines ("They Were Expendable") which he also thought was "a very accurate film by Hollywood standards."
I also take personal interest on films depicting WWII in the Philippines as my paternal grandfather died during the war, being a soldier. I was told by my late father that he died when the jeepney he was driving hit a landmine, instantly killing him and another officer.
Wed-15 Jul 6:30 pm Sakay Р(1993) A dramatic retelling of the life of Macario Sakay Рa Katipunero, he fought alongside Andres Bonifacio during the Philippine Revolution of 1896, until his capture near the end of the Philippine-American War. He was granted amnesty and was freed after 4 July 1902, and formed the Nacionalista Party. After his party was banned under Sedition laws, he once again took arms and, in April 1904, he proclaimed himself President and established his own government called the Rep̼blika ng Katagalugan (Tagalog Republic) in opposition to U.S. colonial rule. After a false promise of amnesty, he surrendered on July 14, 1906, and was later executed by hanging.
Directed by Raymond Red, starring Julio Diaz, Techie Agbayani and Pen Medina
“Sakay” the film won the 1994 FAMAS Award for Best art direction, for both Danny Red and Raymond Red.
My Notes: I'm delighted to see that there's a bigger number of viewers tonight. I felt awkward but later on had fun seeing actors depicting heroes on screen wearing their hair long. It has become a personal experience to me, then, as I wear long hair myself (which I realize annoys certain people, but at the same time, attracts attention from more people to me for some unclear reason).
The film's gorgeously designed and art directed----given the limits (which I believe is true for most films) on budget, I'm greatly impressed by the efforts of the filmmakers to present this movie in the most authentic setting they could muster and find about for the total viewing experience of the moviegoer. I'm also amazed that such movie like gets to be ever produced. And I'm also more surprised that I know a big number of people who have seen this movie years ago, and I've failed to go out of my way to watch it (when I was still in the Philippines). It's not the easiest movie to watch, as it's tackling about sensitive and still rather fresh issues that creep into one's mind when reading and hearing about the American occupation in the Philippines (I can surmise that the US government, particularly its military forces, have learned a lot from its exposure, including bad ones, in colonizing the Philippines at the turn of 20th century. And these lessons gained have been the basis of much improved strategies and tactics being used in the current wars where the US is involved).
Thurs–23 Jul 6:30 pm
The Forgotten War (Korean War) – (2009) Is an independent film produced by Smoke and Mirrors Entertainment about the Philippine participation in the Korean War. The film recounts the stories from the four (4) Battalion Combat Teams (BCTs) sent to Korea under the United Nations Command. They were known as the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEPTOK). The film recreates important battle scenes and shares the stories of the soldiers finding courage, dedication, strength, and love as they faced adversities amidst the tragic backdrop of war.
Starring: Arnold Reyes (playing the young Fidel V. Ramos), Baron Geisler, Yul Servo, Kyla Lapus, Lance Raymundo, Mikee Lee, Mcoy Fundales, among others.
Directed by Carlo Cruz
My Notes: I was a bit undecided whether to watch this film tonight as the rains have continued to pour before the 6:30pm screening. But the thought that this could be a good opportunity for me to watch another indie movie that's recently made and shown in the Philippines prevailed in me. The audience that gathered to watch the movie tonight was not as big compared with last week.
I like to give much applause for joined efforts combined together to make this film. You seldom actually see movies made about the subject matter (Philippine participation in the Korean War in the 1950s); that's considered "very brave." Still, I'm not as impressed over the finished product; certain things were amiss. It has the feel of a "made-for-TV-movie" with docu materials added into it. I just wonder why all the soldiers (from the lowest rank to the officers) were not sporting military haircut. And why add a romantic angle towards the end? It then looked like mixed and matched, making the movie looked like it's making big attempts to please everyone, though I have a feeling the reason could be to make the whole subject matter lighter to follow. But it's odd that I found it funny to see that the attempts made were to highlight how strongly linked the Philippines and South Korea are as nations (perhaps this will include North Korea in due time). Plus there was an ingenious way of citing what happened to those war heroes (including a love match that happened during the Korean War, and still continuing in another mode by venturing into the restaurant business that still thrives somewhere in Jupiter Street in Makati. I'm just amused at how certain small trivia could get into the picture, thus muddling what the whole film was all about LOL).
Wed–05 Aug 6:30 pm
Corregidor – (1943) shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, an American doctor and his staff on Corregidor try to treat the sick, injured and wounded as troops desperately try to beat back a ferocious Japanese attack. The film starts as a love story but becomes a story of the horrors of war as the Japanese lay siege upon Corregidor.
Directed by William Nigh. Starring: Otto Kruger, Elissa Landi, Donald Woods, Frank Jenks
My Notes: This movie didn't interest me much, mainly because it looked like a propaganda movie. But it's got some interesting storyline that was not well developed: a man who was willing to give up his recent marriage so that his wife could be with her former beau with whom she's still very much in love. As shown in the movie, the story turned out to be a bit off and uninspired, and I knew I've seen better stories even from made-for-TV movies. But there were interesting footages including the kamikaze planes by the Japanese when they were invading and bombarding parts of the Philippines during WWII. The copy during the screening was bad, with its sound a bit garbled. I was happy I got to see parts of the movie on YouTube which I copy-pasted here; please feel free to watch (I think watching this film here is even a better experience than the one we viewers tonight had). I noted there were several older men who looked like veterans who were in the audience.
I've been to Corregidor one time during one unplanned visit, when I joined some friends who invited me the last minute. It turned out to be a great place to visit---it's feels like holy ground. What the Americans have built in the island before the war could have been very impressive, judging from the ruins. I also remember seeing a lighthouse, which is really pretty and picturesque.
Thurs–13 Aug 6:30 pm
Paraiso – (2007) A Pilgrimage of Hope, a Response to Heroism, a Pledge of Honor.
Three inspiring true-to life Gawad Kalinga stories weaved in a powerful movie trilogy that promises to change your life. The Trilogy: Umiyak Man ang Langit (Even if Heaven Cries) is based on Jocelyn’s life experience, having lost loved ones in the mudslides of St. Bernard, Leyte. The story captures the pain, the internal struggles and the healing that takes place when faced with life-changing events. Ang Kapatid Kong Si Elvis (My Brother Elvis) is centered on a boy who ate pebbles to satisfy his hunger and a GK volunteer’s family who adopted him as their own. The story captures the challenges and rewards of being involved with GK. Marie, is a story on how tragic loss is transformed into a living legacy and a new beginning. Marie Rose Abad perished in the twin tower tragedy of 9/11. Rudy Abad honors his wife with a living legacy
Starring: Cesar Montano, Maricel Soriano, Ricky Davao, Robert Arevalo, Carmi Martin Michael V. and Lilia Dizon
My Notes: I was excited to watch on a bigger screen a more recent movie starring actors whom I'm still familiar with, having been away for over 3 years now (as of this writing) from the Philippines. I was still in the Philippines when that tragedy at Liloan, Leyte happened. I was not aware it was THAT bad; I'm grateful they made a movie out of it. I could not help but feel so sad watching the episode on the Liloan tragedy (I actually got to meet some people who were from that place back in the Philippines years before it happened, and I wonder where could they be now. Maybe they, or their loved ones perished in the tragedy).
The second episode's stylishly directed, cheerful in perspective (although it tackles how poverty drives some children to eat rocks, yes, real rocks), and made more fun to watch. This is perhaps to help make the experience of watching this trilogy lighter (it's just simply sad, overall---who wants to be seeing portrayals of tragedy, poverty, powerlessness in movies that merely just reflect what seemingly are very ordinary but largely being escaped from, at least for a moment, by people when they watch "happier" shows on TV and the big screen?). It's cute, and humorous, and definitely more visually interesting because of the production design that went with it. I enjoyed watching the play of colors in the houses shown in this episode, including the dog house!
The third episode's again heartbreaking, and more familiar, with myself based here in NYC. But it's wee bit dramatized than needed (just like episode 1). Perhaps, this is to make the movie more appealing to the tastes of the usual viewer (but who's a typical viewer, really?). It's about a woman who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Her husband, who's a Philippine native, made a brave effort, despite extreme grief, to build a legacy in her memory by helping out in providing houses to poverty-stricken people back in the Philippines. It's got wonderful, hopeful tone, that makes one ponder about these circumstances in life in the context of what you still have now.
On the overall, I'm happier having watched this movie, even if it's got more gloomy depictions of scenes from real life (but what can you do? these things really happened, and still happening).
Thurs–20 Aug 6:30 pm
Baler – (2008) In 1898, a band of Spanish soldiers heroically defended Baler (which would later be the capital municipality of Aurora in 1951) against Filipino forces for 337 long and grueling days. The battle, now referred to as the Siege of Baler, is the setting of a forbidden love between a Spanish-Indio soldier and Filipina lass who lived at the end of the 19th century. Directed by Mark Meilly, the movie swept 10 of 21 trophies in the 2008 Metro Manila Film Fest,; starring Anne Curtis and Jericho Rosales.
My Notes: Thanks for the YouTube vids that I embedded here. There's just a missing part that was not included in Video 1. It showed integral scenes about what happened to the former chief of the Spanish military forces then in Baler. In those not-shown scenes, we would see that the Spanish Officer chose instead to commit suicide than to be captured by the revolutionaries who were then surrounding him. Indeed, for him, there was no honorable way but to give up one's life.
I'm simply impressed by this stylishly crafted movie behind what took place in the last contingent of the Spaniards who refused to surrender to the revolutionary forces that were representing the nascent Philippine republic in 1898. It's one of the best re-telling of one good story on what happened in during the Philippine revolution. I've always been curious what happened during those revolutionary periods in Philippines history.
For the benefit of showing another perspective, I'm also copy-pasting here the movie "Los Ultimos de Filipinas" for your consideration.
Thurs–27 Aug 6:30 pm
Inang Yaya – (2007) Because Norma must work in the city, she has to leave behind her daughter Ruby in the province with her mother. But when nobody can look after Ruby anymore, Norma has no choice but to bring Ruby to live with her in the house of her employers and the latter's daughter Louise. There, Norma must try to balance who she devotes her attention to: her own daughter or her ward? Directed by Pablo Biglangawa and Veronica Velasco
My Notes: This is an unusual movie among the other movies included in this roster. We don't usually think of househelpers as "heroes" but public policy dictates that we elevate them to a pedestal, given stereotyped ideas about them found in almost all available media. We actually make fun of them, as they're usually beneath our respective social status. As mentioned also by the Philippine Consulate - NYC's Cultural Attache, they're our "modern heroes," with special mention to those who would still have to go abroad to find domestic jobs that are expected to pay better because of foreign money translation advantages.
But what's more interesting about this movie is that the heroine chose to stay in the Philippines rather than accept the offer of her handlers to join them when they had to move to Singapore. She would rather give up her job where she got so attached to her ward, and spend time taking care of her own child. This is a very revolutionary twist, so to say, and for this, this movie has to be applauded for presenting a more positive and faithful approach on how regular folks would most probably decide if given the chance to go abroad just to work, earn better, but without the rest of their beloved family members. And also, as shown in the characters of "bosses" who had to move abroad when offered better assignments, it's always those who have the advantages in terms of wealth, education, and social background who are expected to move to foreign shores just as to maximize their potentials. Local conditions as they are, would never suffice. I just wonder when the time would come that such "advantages" would be distributed more equitably to majority of the sectors of Philippine society --- only the best leaders, national and local, who are in positions of power, authority and influence, and whose hearts and interests really represent those of ordinary folks like "househelpers" will make this possibility a reality. It will surely happen, one of these days...
Thurs–03 Sep 6:30 pm
Bayani – (1992) Set during the war of Independence from Spanish colonial rule in the late 19th century, the story centers on the life of Andres Bonifacio, founder of the Katipunan and outstanding leader of the 1986 revolution against Spain. The film focuses on Bonifacio’s internal conflicts amidst the factionalism rocking the Katipunan movement. Directed by Raymond Red, starring Julio Diaz, John Arcilla and Ronnie Lazaro
My Notes: At the last day of "Sinehan sa Summer 2009: "Bayani," the Philippine Consulate in NYC, in true Filipino fashion provided yummy snack food to all attendees. There were easily around 40 people who attended this last screening; I was with two other friends I'd be seeing in events once in a while outside of the Consulate.
As to this movie, I have found it to be rather disturbing. After going home, I did some search on the material to add to this posting update. There's none, or I must have not exhausted the pages online. I settled instead on embedding here YouTube vids on GMA's I-Witness documentaries, where they also featured short vids about Raymond Red's Bayani. I'm actually getting more intrigued by the stories. The idea, that Bonifacio is actually the first Philippine President, deserves more closer look and consideration. I wonder what would have happened with Philippine politics if Bonifacio indeed turned out to be its first President? Will the authorities, specifically the Philippine Congress, to be advised by the National Historical Institute, and other institutions, display extra ordinary leadership by finally declaring that Andres Bonifacio is indeed the Philippines' first president? There was obvious rigging that took place during the elections held during the Tejeros Convention. I remember reading about the story from my history book in elementary grades that was written by Agoncillo. There were disturbing parts of the story that have to be investigated and researched on. Apart from the fact that we can again say that "politics is (always) local," some misgivings, grievances during the proceeding in the Tejeros Convention still cry out to be given notice, and appreciated in the light of what's has been happening nowadays. Will something like this ever happen again, anyway? Anyway, we can always have great dreams.
A friend emailed me this with a greeting about the Philippines' 111th Independence Day. After some moments of indecisiveness, I finally decided to work on this post here, using the material as the post's major element. Would you care to hear more from me about this?
THE ZEN OF SARCASM
01. Do not walk ahead of me for I may not follow. Do not walk behind me for I may not lead. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me alone.
02. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and leaky tire.
03. It is always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it. 04. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted. 05. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else. 06. Never test the depth of the water with both feet. 07. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.
08. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.
09. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is probably not for you. 10. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day .
11. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably a wise investment.
12. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
13. Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.
14. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
15. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.
16. A closed mouth gathers no foot. 17. Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
18. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.
19. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.
20. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
21. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
AND
22. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
