paolo's pen

A stash of NU107

2010-11-07T20:34:00.008+08:00

Goodbye.

(More.)

Goin' back

2010-08-27T11:33:00.000+08:00

R.I.P. Harvey Pekar

2010-07-13T12:19:00.003+08:00

Now geeking out

2010-07-12T18:14:00.002+08:00

paolo's pad

My heroes

2010-07-12T18:07:00.002+08:00

(Note: Last April, I joined Philippine Star's writing contest entitled "My Icon, My Hero." I lost. Here's my entry.)

My icons, my heroes
by Paolo B. Maligaya

It must be anger. Anger and frustration. An overwhelming sense of injustice and feeling of frustration against systems in place and the way they’re run that they feel the need to actively do something about it? Prestige? (Maybe not.)

Or is it plain old love for country?

I’ve always wondered what motivates people to give up their time and source of livelihood to do volunteer work. Being a part of the secretariat team of a volunteer organization like the National Citizen’s Movement for Free Elections or NAMFREL, I am witness to people showing up to perform difficult tasks for which the only form of remuneration is a free lunch, an ID, or the occasional reimbursement of transportation expenses. I’ve met people saying, “okay I’ll be here at 8am tomorrow because I need to make calls to the provincial coordinators and finish a report by evening,” and our reaction would be, “you’ll do that?”

The job of a NAMFREL volunteer is not simple. In fact, it can be complex depending on the kind of work a person does for the organization, which also depends on the set of skills he/she brings to the table.

Take for example a provincial coordinator. This person could be a teacher, a local businessman, a professor, a pastor, a priest, a nun, a housewife, or a second generation volunteer who “inherited” the position from her father, making good on their family’s commitment to free and fair elections. This coordinator would have to convince other people in their area to join his cause, either to be municipal or precinct volunteers, or to help out in logistics and communication. If he lives in a province like Tawi-Tawi or Palawan, this means that he has to travel by land, water, and air to organize volunteers in the different areas, paying for transportation out of their own pockets since the measly (as is often the case) seed money from the national office has not been deposited yet. To augment the expense, he or she has to count on the spirit of bayanihan among Filipinos through sourcing funds from local businesses in his area, often only using his face, track record, and the promise of commitment to uphold fairness in the coming election to secure the much-needed donation.

The job can be perilous. As somebody who has vowed to work for a clean conduct of the electoral process, a NAMFREL volunteer is a target for anybody who would want to disrupt the honest conduct of the process. NAMFREL volunteers have been killed in the line of duty, people like Rodrigo Ponce, Neoldino Del Corro, Abdulhak Balabadan, and others who died while doing what they feel they should do, which is to protect the ballot.

I go back to my question: but why?

I have experienced becoming a NAMFREL volunteer myself. In 2007, I took a leave of absence (without pay) for two weeks from a relatively higher-paying job to volunteer in the national headquarters in La Salle Greenhills. I was met by incredulous stares from colleagues who asked, but why? To be at the other end of this question, frankly I did not know what to say. I may have mumbled something about duty to country or whatever, but the truth was, I didn’t know for sure. Like those Americans who trooped to New York City to donate blood after 9/11, I just felt it was something that I had to do, something that needs to be done, and we could not put words into it. Just.

It’s probably this mishmash of clear yet ambiguous reasons why people have continued to offer themselves to something that they think is bigger than them, but they feel they have to be part of.

The reality is, an election in the Philippines is not just an election, in the way the dictionary or even the UN defines it. For many Filipinos, an election is not simply this party vs. that party (the fact is the Philippines still doesn’t have a mature political party system). For them, it’s more like good vs. evil. How else to explain the heavy presence of bishops, priests, and nuns in the polling precincts, counting centers, and in assemblies? (Do you really expect the priests and nuns to stay idle when they see their flock being cheated, oppressed, or beaten to death?)

For ordinary Filipinos, an election could be a wind of change, a new start, food for the family, the kids finally finishing college, a higher paying job, a way out of this misery. Anything but a mere process of some people getting a bigger number of votes, getting proclaimed as winner, fireworks and cheers. An election in the Philippines is a new lease on life.

The typical NAMFREL volunteer is not a politics geek. He doesn’t go around town thinking that, oh I’m doing this because the political situation in the country is like this or like that or oh I’m doing this because I want to contribute to the democratic process. They do it because they feel deep inside that for some reason, they need to do it, but couldn’t articulate it through words or grand statements about democracy or whatever ideology. More than its national leaders and known supporters, the organization is fueled by nameless, faceless citizens who want nothing more than a decent life but feel they have to actively do something to make it happen. The spirit of volunteerism is exactly that -- a spirit. It’s an invisible force that fuels people into action. You may kill the person, but not the spirit. Which means individual personages don’t define an organization. That is why, when there were some people who tried to discredit NAMFREL by saying that its national leaders are supposedly partisan, it was a slap in the face to its thousands of volunteers. In their provinces, cities, towns, barangays, families, NAMFREL is not the guy in the office in Manila. In their places, they are NAMFREL. And no, you cannot put them down and make them go away.

The NAMFREL volunteer movement is a concrete example of democracy in action, of people coming together by their own free will to strengthen the foundations of their country. People empowering themselves because they feel it is their responsibility as citizens to safeguard the democratic processes of their nation. The movement has inspired and continues to inspire other countries, not just in Asia but around the world, to organize themselves to protect or uphold democratic values. Above all, this national movement of citizens refutes once and for all that Filipinos are “indolent” as the Spanish claimed during their time; Filipinos are a hardworking people who works for their freedom harder.

NGO workers in the country generally don’t earn much, having limited resources for salary and supplies. There’s a feeling among us that it’s unfair that we get paid too little for what we contribute to the country.

But then we come face to face with our volunteers whom we serve and who work harder and contribute more to our cause, but does it for free, and we feel humbled. Along with other ordinary folks like Batangueña public school teacher Filomena Tatlonghari who was killed while protecting a ballot box from snatchers, NAMFREL volunteers use their very own bodies to defend democracy, and they do not ask anything in return after a day’s work other than an honest election process, and perhaps a better life. That is why more than the prominent figures in this country’s history, the unsung, nameless, faceless volunteers of NAMFREL are my icons, my heroes.

Pacman is 30!

2010-05-22T00:03:00.006+08:00

30 years of bam-bam-bam-bambabam-bambabam

2010-05-21T23:52:00.001+08:00

NAMFREL Call for Volunteers - Maging BANTAY NG BAYAN!

2010-04-12T12:59:00.003+08:00

Dear NAMFREL volunteers and friends:

We only have 28 days to go before we elect our country's next president. If you've decided to be non-partisan for this election and would like to be involved in Namfrel's Bantay ng Bayan activities, please sign-up now HERE. We need volunteer field election monitors, encoders, writers, researchers, analysts, admin and logistics persons all over the country.

Please encourage your family, friends, and school/professional organization to join you in this cause by signing up as well.

May we also request if you could post the following blurb as your Facebook or Twitter status at least once a week (or as often as you wish!) leading up to election day:

*NAMFREL is now accepting volunteers: 09279611524 / 09193389344 / 4847590 / 4704151 / www.namfrel.com.ph / volunteer@namfrel.com.ph*

Donations are also welcome.

To receive regular election updates, please join www.facebook.com/namfrel

Thank you and we hope to see you soon.

The NAMFREL National Secretariat Team

You are needed now more than ever.

2010-03-26T20:34:00.005+08:00

Volunteer HERE

Kurosawa 100

2010-03-23T21:53:00.002+08:00

I wanna be your sushi ba!

2010-03-01T12:19:00.002+08:00

I caught Shonen Knife's one-night-only show last Saturday at the Mall of Asia grounds as part of the Japan Foundation's Nihonggo Week. For those of you who are not familiar with the band, or who thought their debut was that Powerpuff Girls song, Shonen Knife of Osaka, Japan have been around since 1982 (you HAVE to listen to their lo-fi debut Minna Tanoshiku. It's a classic!). They are considered icons of indie rock, and have made instant fans out of bands like Sonic Youth and Nirvana in the late '80s. What I love about Shonen Knife is, like the Ramones, they never changed their sound: this burst of punk, pop, grunge, ska -- and since they're Japanese -- an almost dangerous level of unbridled joy and cuteness. Only lead singer/guitarist Naoko Yamano remains of the original lineup (she of that chirpy voice shouting "Sushi ba!" and "toppof the worl" and "banana cheeps!" in some of their legendary singles). It's been almost 30 years since 1982, and like the Rolling Stones before them, I'm pretty sure they'll have generations shouting back "Konnichiwa" at them for as long as they live.

See photos from the concert HERE.

Videos I took:

No accreditation needed to be good citizens

2010-03-01T10:15:00.003+08:00

I have not been able to blog as much as I want to, not just because of Facebook, but more importantly, because I actually have work to do. I'm back with the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) since October, and yes, despite the election commission's refusal to grant us an accreditation on their own terms, NAMFREL is going ahead to participate in the coming Philippine presidential election, automated or not, accreditation or not.

Read another statement HERE.

One thing. I take offense with the Comelec calling two of NAMFREL's leaders as "partisan," simply because they allegedly spoke out against two Philippine presidents, well before this election period when they're both running as candidates. What is partisanship anyway? I think one is partisan when he/she publicly favors a certain candidate in words and action. However, to speak out against elected government officials who are not doing a good job and who at the same time are consuming our tax money, I think that's not partisanship. To seek accountability from elected leaders is not partisanship. That is good citizenship.

Become a NAMFREL volunteer. Sign up HERE.

The collectors

2010-03-01T10:05:00.005+08:00

Finally got to watch the absorbing documentary "Herb and Dorothy," about the Vogels, a now-senior charming Manhattan couple who, despite living a modest life (she a former librarian, he a high school dropout) have amassed one of the most important collection of modern art in America. Since the '60s, they would visit artists' homes and handpick works that catch their eyes, and usually pay in installment (but in cash), sometimes in kind (like when they paid for an artwork by babysitting the artists' cat). The couple would then bring the artworks back to their tiny apartment, put them up on their walls, ceiling, bathroom, under the bed -- every nook and cranny taken up by art -- in boxes, folders, cloth, etc. The Vogels pick art based on what they see as beautiful, the kind of people who would declare a piece of rope stapled on a wall as "art." Time seems to agree with the Vogels as many of the artists they have befriended and collected went on to become famous. The art that they have collected is now worth millions of dollars, but the wonderful thing is they have no intention to sell a single piece, and instead, they are having their collection exhibited by museums in all fifty states for free, their way of bringing art back to regular people like them, but who have chosen to live modestly for art. At heart, the documentary, as well as the Vogel's lives, is not just about love for art -- which for the Vogels is well above any cash to be made from their possessions -- but about collecting, to have what takes their fancy, even at the expense of comfort or convenience. Almost like religion.

Which reminds me, jeez, I have a lot of STUFF and I certainly need a bigger space, like a warehouse to allow my stuff to breathe (this still doesn't include the stuff I have in the province). I can't help but think, if anybody would want to curate the junk that I have amassed all these years, perhaps he or she could come up with a traveling exhibition of:

a. my spending habits - I have kept about 90% of all receipts I ever got since college, for what reason, I still don't know
b. an alternate history of the Arlegui section of Quiapo - no explanation needed
c. a decent overview of quasi-cultural events of Manila with stress on film festivals - since I don't throw away leaflets and handouts of events
d. the trinketization of traditional culture - lots of kitschy souvenirs from all over, with a serious amount of wayangs from Indonesia; some of them are still in their wrappers
e. second-hand or new books (never read) acquired because "they're there and I might not see them again EVER if I don't buy them now"

I need professional help, or more shelves.

Rest in peace, J.D. Salinger

2010-01-29T06:16:00.007+08:00

"I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in a big field of rye and all. ... Thousands of kids, and nobody big at all, nobody big but me. And I'm standing on the edge of this crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to come and catch them. If they start to fall ... and don't look where they're going. That's all I'd do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all."

TIME magazine's 1961 cover story on J.D. Salinger

1951 New York Times review of The Catcher In The Rye; another Times review

Dead Caulfields, a site dedicated to Salinger and his work

Two stories: Slight Rebellion Off Madison and A Perfect Day for Bananafish

Daily Telegraph obituary

New York Times obituary

Introducing the iPad

2010-01-28T03:34:00.010+08:00

Click HERE to see more images from the Engadget live blog.

Read about the specs HERE.

The inability to multitask with this first-generation iPad is a bummer. So is the absence of a camera and USB ports (the camera I can do without, but no USB ports? It would mean I'd need to buy more accessories from Apple just to connect stuff to it, more things to carry in my backpack already full of laptop and cellphone accoutrements -- my MagSafe power adapter alone is already too heavy).

But would I want to buy it? Yes, but perhaps not this edition. It looks really sleek, though. Like me, most people madly anticipating this tablet was a bit disappointed due to the absence of rumored specs. Many also took issue with the Apple team's breathless pronouncements of the iPad being a "magical" product. "No it's not, it's just an oversized iPod," they say. That was also my first impression. However, two days after the launch, I'm beginning to see that Steve Jobs may be correct.

Ok, so as an e-reader it's going to be top-notch, and has the potential to revolutionize the publishing industry with the iBooks. It will be using e-books in the epub format, which is good news especially for literature buffs since a lot of classics can now be downloaded for free in this format from websites such as Project Gutenberg. However, I'm still not sure whether I'd like to pay for content that I can get now for free, such as newspaper and magazine articles, no matter how cool the user interface will be. Game recaps and videos of photo shoots I can do without. If Apple and the publishing houses really want people to actually pay for their online editions, they have to come up with content that is NOT yet being legally offered for free right now, otherwise people will feel it's a scam.

For me, I can imagine it being useful in note-taking, though really I still prefer to use pen and paper. However, I think the iPad would be very useful in blogging, just turn it on and type away (I can't really say the same thing about laptops, which are heavier and not as fast.)

As a device to watch movies, I'm not too thrilled by its screen format, plus the fact that if you want to watch stuff in it, you'd have to download them to the iPad (mostly from Apple). I like downloading free, high-definition trailers though from iTunes, so this would be a good device to drown in Tron Legacy's coolness before it hits the theaters in December.

However, like the iPod Touch and the iPhone, the iPad is a platform. It can be anything you want it to be, depending on what App you're using.

I see the iPad not just as the ultimate device for consuming content. I also see it as a very high-tech wide, flat surface, and THAT's what makes it different from any other hand-held device or laptop out there. I can definitely see people using the iPad to learn how to play instruments, like keyboards (and bongos?). Turntablism. For families and friends, the iPad could be the high-tech upgrade of board games: chess, trivial pursuit, scrabble. What about 3-D technology? If they could find a way to make 3-D images or holograms rise up from its surface, who knows what media monster it could turn into.

The iPad certainly will be a very useful tool for work. I can imagine people using it for checklists in monitoring in, say, factories and hospitals. Architects and engineers will certainly find it useful, so are court transcribers and waiters in high-end restaurants. The iPad can be high-tech sketchpads for designers, a digital script board for actors, a tool to save paper. No smartphones or laptops can do these things right now.

Perhaps Steve Jobs has already foreseen these possibilities as to be driven to declare that the iPad is "magical."

I believe him. I want one.

Team Conan

2010-01-14T00:20:00.000+08:00

Lest I forget

2010-01-07T14:36:00.006+08:00

Thanks very much to thingsweforget.blogspot.com for handcrafting this very APT message and for actually mailing it to me all the way from Singapore! Gonna send you something back soon. Cheers!

Lost daze

2009-12-28T10:08:00.004+08:00

It's been a while since I actually wrote something on this blog.

I blame Facebook.

I finally came to the conclusion that, yes, people write to be able to express something. And when I say "write," it doesn't necessarily mean actual paragraphs or even complete sentences. "Write" meaning "to express." No need for further explanations, just to voice out an opinion, an outburst, catharsis. (The same can be said about singing, hence bad karaoke).

The need to be heard.

And Facebook satisfies that need. Be it a single word, or a phrase, or a grammatically incorrect sentence followed by a barrage of punctuation marks, or a photo, or, (my favorite) a link that somehow lets us "reveal" or hint at what we want to say, filling up our Facebook statuses satisfies our very basic need to say something or make a point, to no one in particular.

To whom really? Our Facebook friends? Or just some of them? Hoping to elicit a response from them? To catch their attention? To show off that we know certain things and they don't? To advocate an issue? To make yourself seem cooler than you really are? Because we don't have anything better to do? Perhaps all of these at some point.

Hmm, it could also be that I'm using Facebook as an excuse for my laziness to actually write something. Face it, if you're not really into it, blogging can be a pain. All the clicking and opening of tabs and copying and pasting of codes, etc., it's certainly more complicated that updating a Facebook status.

I can't promise that from now on I'm gonna be more diligent in updating this blog and dramatically cut the time I spend on Facebook, but, I'll try. Hmm, I don't even know if anybody even cares whether I blog or not, if people actually read my posts. Hello, anybody there?

Since the last time I actually wrote something, many things have happened that normally I would have reacted to or written about at length. I'm going to list them here, and since I don't really feel like making up for lost time, I'm just going to comment on them, Facebook style, as I might have written them when these things happened.

1. I went to Afghanistan.

Paolo Maligaya thinks that what we all know about Afghanistan and its people from western media is, not really inaccurate, but grossly incomplete.

2. Corazon Aquino died.

Paolo Maligaya Cory.

3. Carlo J. Caparas chosen to receive a National Artist award.

Paolo Maligaya As Jessica Z. has said, it was so funny I forgot to laugh.

4. Afghans held their election.

Paolo Maligaya Good morning Afghanistan! It's election day.

5. I spent a week in Dubai.

Paolo Maligaya thinks that, thousands of years from now, when our android descendants start digging the Earth's ruins, they're going to dig up the storied lost city of Dubai and conclude that it was one of mankind's greatest technological achievements, until it all melted away because of the unbearable HEAT!

6. I bought a Mac.

Paolo Maligaya ay umanib na sa kulto ng mansanas. Hail our master Steve Jobs.

7. Noynoy Aquino threw hat in the ring.

Paolo Maligaya Somebody needs a make-over.

8. I resigned from my teaching job.

Paolo Maligaya Finally!

9. I became part of Namfrel again.

Paolo Maligaya loves his job very much.

10. I started working in Makati.

Paolo Maligaya never thought he's going to like working in Makati, with its numerous cheap eats and ubiquitous coffee shops.

11. Ondoy flooded Manila.

Paolo Maligaya Lampas-GMA na daw ang baha!

Paolo Maligaya All the taxes siphoned off us workers and they couldn't even buy decent rubber boats!

12. Pepeng flooded Northern Luzon.

Paolo Maligaya What's next?!

13. Aspiring candidates took advantage of the situation.

Paolo Maligaya Wow. Amazing. Ang kakapal ng mukha n'yo.

14. Donations to the government were not promptly delivered to typhoon victims.

Paolo Maligaya Somebody's mounting a campaign...

15. Gloria Arroyo spent more time helping people in Pampanga than anywhere else.

Paolo Maligaya As I was saying...

16. People swamped Comelec offices to register at the last minute.

Paolo Maligaya Trust the Pinoys to go out three days before the deadline and complain that the government is inefficient.

17. Cinemanila 2009 held.

Paolo Maligaya thinks this is the worst Cinemanila ever!

18. Obama got a Nobel Peace Prize.

Paolo Maligaya thinks Obama deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. Perhaps the reason why many people were outraged that the award was given to him "prematurely" is because they think the Nobel Peace Prize is some sort of lifetime achievement award. It isn't, c'mon look it up. It turned into some sort of lifetime achievement award because nobody seems to deserve the prize as it was originally intended in every year it is given. Well this year it's different.

19. Rio de Janeiro chosen as host city for 2016 Olympics.

Paolo Maligaya wants to be in Rio in 2016!

20. The Eraserheads' "Circus" turned 15.

Paolo Maligaya is putting off his long-planned, teary eyed tribute to the Eraserheads to a later time due to procrastination. Aaaargh!

21. Sesame Street celebrated 40th anniversary.

Paolo Maligaya grew up in Sesame Street. Thank God one of my first favorite words was "agua" and not "Wowowee."

22. I became addicted to Starbucks "cappuccino-venti-2 Splenda."

Paolo Maligaya is fat but wide awake.

23. I started to seriously desire a BlackBerry.

Paolo Maligaya desperately wants to be a BlackBerry! Aaaaargh!

24. Pacquiao officially became a boxing legend.

Paolo Maligaya OK so you're the best, but do I really have to see you and your mother everywhere?

25. Cracks started appearing on my Mac out of nowhere.

Paolo Maligaya is distraught. So it's true!? I still love you Apple, but what the heck is wrong with your MacBook white?? It's not as if I'm the first one to experience this. On the internet, it seems that this has been a known problem for years!?

26. People started declaring their intention to run for office.

Paolo Maligaya cannot really comment.

27. Farmers, gays, and overseas workers disqualified from joining next year's party-list elections.

Paolo Maligaya Because dubious organizations and questionable foundations are the truly marginalized sectors in the Philippines, it seems.

28. 57 people massacred by the Ampatuans in Maguindanao.

Paolo Maligaya is speechless.

29. Gloria Arroyo declared martial law in Maguindanao.

Paolo Maligaya I didn't know the Ampatuans were "rebels"? You mean all along they've been planning a rebellion against the government? How can the masters be rebels at the same time? We are educated people. Huwag naman sanang masyadong insultuhin ang pag-iisip namin!

30. Gloria Arroyo didn't show her face from when the massacre happened until even after the martial law was lifted.

Paolo Maligaya Where is our President? Where are you when we need you? Show your face. We demand accountability. As long as we are paying taxes and you and your government are consuming all of it, we demand answers to our questions.

31. Congressmen seemed to agree with Arroyo.

Paolo Maligaya _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ n'yo!

32. Efren Penaflorida chosen as CNN Hero of the Year.

Paolo Maligaya participated in mass internet voting LIKE THE REST OF THE FILIPINO DIASPORA to assert the GREATNESS OF THE FILIPINO RACE, as usual (in between voting for Miss Photogenic in international beauty pageants). World domination, here we come?

33. "Avatar" opened.

Paolo Maligaya has just seen James Cameron's "Avatar" on IMAX 3D. Hollywood spent almost $500 million on a mind-blowing movie...about ecology. It's probably the best thing about it.

34. Christmas came.

Paolo Maligaya Bah! Humbug!

Happy 20th Birthday, The Simpsons!

2009-12-17T00:38:00.002+08:00

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees for 2010

2009-12-16T10:02:00.005+08:00

R.I.P. Johnny Delgado

2009-11-20T11:47:00.003+08:00

Many young-ish people would remember Johnny Delgado as the character actor who usually played dad in movies like Tanging Yaman and countless TV dramas. I'd always remember him though as one of the Bad Bananas (along with Jay Ilagan, Christopher De Leon, and Edgar Mortiz), and as the Japanese guy fighting with Armida Siguion-Reyna in Mike de Leon's riotous classic "Kakabakaba Ka Ba?"

"Pulo hapon, pulo hapon, ako sawa na kinig!" Not quite.

Bye Johnny.

Fierce

2009-11-16T17:13:00.001+08:00

Manny Pacquiao, Filipino, the #1 boxer in the world, superstar.

Happy 40th Birthday Sesame Street!

2009-11-10T09:42:00.005+08:00

Watch some more (ok, more than a hundred) of my favorite Sesame Street moments here:http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=CE87738442069E41

Berlin Wall 20

2009-11-09T11:32:00.010+08:00

Free as the wind blows

2009-10-15T10:03:00.004+08:00

This blog supports efforts to curb

climate change.

Blog Action Day vs. Climate Change, October 15, 2009

http://www.blogactionday.org/

Cory.

2009-08-01T23:04:00.002+08:00

Corazon Aquino

1933 - 2009

When land is life

2009-07-22T12:08:00.008+08:00

As I write this, I've just come out of a screening of acclaimed documentarian Ditsi Carolino's latest work, "Lupang Hinarang," at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. The film -- still a work-in-progress -- tells about the plight of two groups of farmers in the Philippines: the first from Negros Oriental, who held a hunger strike in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform until they're granted access to part of the hacienda they work in that the law says belongs to them; the second, the group from Sumilao, Bukidnon who did the unthinkable by walking for 60 days until they reach Manila, to ask the president herself that the land they were tilling be given to them (again as the law prescribes) before it is turned into a piggery by San Miguel Corporation. Though both events took place two years ago, their stories are still unfinished; in the film, their stories end tragically, and indeed, tragedy has struck the farmers even after the events captured in the current version of the film.

In both stories, one thing is very clear: the farmers were willing to die for their land. This is something that most of us, including myself, will probably never fully understand, to risk life for something like a hectare of soil. The thing is, besides the clothes on their backs, the only thing they really have is land. In the film, it is also clear that the farmers did it not for themselves, but for their children, maybe because they knew that the land for which they have given sweat, tears, and blood, is the only thing they could leave their kids.

Watching Carolino's latest film is a very cathartic experience, in which emotions are expressed in all their nakedness. Suddenly, the artifice in storytelling that beset many movies that are showcased even in festivals like the Cinemalaya just fall away when confronted with a film like Carolino's, whose previous films include "Bunso" (which I have not seen) and the excellent "Riles." It is also to Carolino's credit that the film got/is being made: with no funding and no certainty that the film would ever be finished, she just grabbed her camera and jumped right in when she learned of the farmers' plight, simply because she believed their story deserved to be captured and told. And what stories theirs are.

I've always maintained the belief that the ability to create art and to have the resources to do so is power, and to not use them to advance either a cause or the art form is a waste of said resources and a lost opportunity. In both respects, Carolino and her film stands taller than everybody else.

Know more about Lupang Hinarang and how you can help: http://www.lupanghinarang.com/

* * * * *

I've not seen two of the competing films in the fifth edition of the Cinemalaya. As if that would stop me from ranking my favorites in order of preference:

1) Ang Panggagahasa Kay Fe (Alvin B. Yapan)
2) Sanglaan (Milo Sogueco)
3) Last Supper No.3 (Veronica Velasco & Jinky Laurel)
4) Dinig Sana Kita (Mike Sandejas)
5) 24K (Ana Agabin)
6) Nerseri (Vic Acedillo, Jr.)
7) Astig (GB Sampedro)
8) Engkwentro (Pepe Diokno)

Next stop:

2009-07-21T10:26:00.002+08:00

1984: The year of pop

2009-07-09T11:04:00.038+08:00

Where were you in 1984? Were you in college? In high school? Or in elementary school perhaps, just like me? A yuppie? Heck, even if you were not born yet, if you just remotely happen to like pop music, there's no way you could have escaped 1984.

For 1984 was the year of pop. If there's one single year that plotted the course of popular music of the '80s and beyond, this was it. The year left no doubt who would define the music of the decade -- a triumvirate the like of which has never been seen again -- whose influence on pop culture extends to this very day. You'd be surprised to learn that most of the songs that you associate with the '80s were actually released in 1984, eternal reminders of our youth, or at least of that last '80s-themed movie you saw or that last '80s-themed party you went to.

Though the album Thriller was released in 1982, it was in 1984 that Michael Jackson cemented his reputation as the King of Pop. Christmas 1983 saw the release of the Thriller video. But just in the first quarter of 1984, Michael: officially released "Thriller" as the last single off the album; saw Thriller certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest-selling album ever; infamously burned his hair and scalp while making that Pepsi commercial; won 8 Grammys including record and album of the year; and was the subject of a TIME cover illustrated by Andy Warhol. Later in the year he got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and had the then-largest-grossing tour ever with The Jacksons. Definitely not shabby.

Madonna released her debut album in 1983, its popularity carried over to the following year with the release of the classic singles "Lucky Star" and "Borderline." But it was in September of 1984, at the first-ever MTV Video Music Awards (in which The Cars' groundbreaking "You Might Think" video won the top award) when the world truly first took notice of Madonna, when she writhed onstage wearing a wedding dress. Her second album and smash single Like A Virgin was released a few weeks later, accompanied by that video shot in Venice, Italy.

Michael Jackson may have ensured his status as the King of Pop, and Madonna may have proven to be the most enduring, but there's no doubt who owned 1984. In 1984, the world turned purple with the release of Prince and the Revolution's Purple Rain, arguably the year's best album and an instant classic. Out of the album -- a melding of hot funk, rock, and polished pop -- came tumbling classic after classic: from the first single "When Doves Cry," to "Let's Go Crazy," "Take Me With U," "I Would Die 4 U," to the live recording of the ballad "Purple Rain." The album, and the accompanying hit movie, established Prince not just as a star, but also arguably rock's finest frontman, and a songwriting genius, not to mention being pop's most enigmatic and prolific.

Apart from the triumvirate of Prince, Madonna, and Michael Jackson, 1984 saw a multitude of artists release their signature hits: Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time," Bruce Springsteen's "Born In The U.S.A." and "Dancing In The Dark," Van Halen's "Jump," Billy Idol's "Eyes Without A Face," INXS' "Original Sin," Phil Collins' "Against All Odds," and Sade's "Smooth Operator."

1984 also saw one of the best musical comebacks ever, when Tina Turner strutted onto MTV in high heels, denim jacket, tight leather skirt, and that hair with the hit "What's Love Got To Do With It," inspiring a hundred thousand drag queens the world over to do the same. The year also showcased the staying power of several acts, most noteworthy of which were Lionel Richie (with a bunch of singles from the best-selling album of his career, winning the Grammy album of the year award in 1985), Chaka Khan with "I Feel For You," Paul McCartney with "No More Lonely Nights," and Queen with the anthem "Radio Ga Ga." Speaking of comebacks and staying power, 1984 also saw the release of Bob Marley and the Wailers' posthumous classic compilation Legend, introducing Marley and his music to a new generation, and the album eventually proving to be everyone's favorite entry-level initiation to reggae and Jamaican music.

Hip-hop was still at its formative stage and would not gain mainstream acceptance until two years later with Run-D.M.C. and the Beastie Boys, but in 1984, one of hip-hop's most enduring classic -- Grandmaster Melle Mel's "White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)," an anti-drug anthem -- filled the airwaves in America and Europe.

But not all the pop that the world consumed voraciously came from America, for 1984 was also the peak year of the so-called Second British Invasion (the first being in the '60s), not seen again until the rise of Britpop in the mid-'90s. Leading the pack were the golden boys of MTV -- Duran Duran -- who unleashed "The Reflex" and "The Wild Boys" to the world in 1984. Culture Club memorably burst onto the scene, led by a cross-dresser in shockingly red hair and kabuki make-up whom I really thought was a woman until I read the name ("Why is her name Boy George?"), prancing across TV screens with "Karma Chameleon," "Miss Me Blind," "Mistake No. 3," and "The War Song." The Police released "King of Pain" off Synchronicity, won the Grammy song of the year award for "Every Breath You Take," then broke up. Wham! (George Michael and that other guy) told us to wake them up before we go-go, then also unleashed the immortal "Careless Whisper" and "Last Christmas." Eurythmics gave us "Here Comes The Rain Again." Depeche Mode came out with "Somebody," "People Are People," and "Master and Servant." Tears For Fears made us "Shout." Spandau Ballet, The Cure, and Bananarama all had new singles. The Smiths came out with their self-titled album and told the world that they're miserable now (but when was Morrissey not?). U2 uplifted us with "Pride (In The Name of Love)." And before the year ended, Bob Geldof of The Boomtown Rats had corralled most of them in a studio as Band Aid to sing the second British invasion's glorious anthem, "Do They Know It's Christmas?," which directly spawned 1985's similarly stellar (if inferior) "We Are The World" by USA for Africa, as well as the defining concert of the '80s -- Live Aid -- the crowning glory of which was Queen's set, with Freddie Mercury leading a sea of people through "Radio Ga Ga."

(But where was rock during this time of boys in make-up and hairspray and ladies who looked like drag queens? In America and the U.K., hardcore punk and post-punk were still in full swing, and alternative rock was taking roots, with memorable releases from bands such as the Minutemen, Hüsker Dü, The Replacements, Minor Threat, Meat Puppets, R.E.M., Dead Can Dance, This Mortal Coil, and Cocteau Twins. In the last quarter of 1984, Tommy Tanchangco formed the hardcore label Twisted Red Cross in the Philippines, releasing tape compilations the following year featuring bands such as Urban Bandits, Wuds, Betrayed, Dead Ends, and Ethnic Faces.)

By 1984, barely three years after it was founded, MTV had already become the taste maker when it came to music consumption, with bands wanting to be in it, not only to be heard but to be seen. Suddenly, singers had to be attractive, fit, young, and trendy. Along with radio, MTV gave exposure in 1984 not just to established acts, but most especially to memorable one-hit wonders that the '80s have become known for, like Frankie Goes To Hollywood's "Relax," The Psychedelic Furs' "The Ghost In You," Dead or Alive's "You Spin Me 'Round (Like A Record)," Shannon's "Let The Music Play," Sheila E.'s "The Glamorous Life," Robin Gibb's "Boys Do Fall In Love," Talk Talk's "It's My Life," Thompson Twins' "Hold Me Now," Torch's remake of "(Build Me Up) Buttercup," and Nena's "99 Luftballons." The first MTV generation bought music in droves, mostly in cassette form. At that time, cassettes had already been outselling vinyl due to the popularity and portability of boom boxes and the Sony Walkman. In the same year, CDs were first manufactured in America.

In Asia and Latin America, 1984 also signaled the start of Menudo-mania, with the boy band from Puerto Rico (featuring lead Robby Rosa and later on new member Ricky Martin) releasing hugely popular singles within the year such as "Like A Cannonball" and "If You're Not Here (By My Side)."

In the Philippines, the youth culture zeitgeist of 1984 was not only ignited by American and British acts. In the same year, the movie Bagets was released, featuring a popular teenage cast, and the soundtrack spawning not only Raymond Lauchengco's "So It's You" and "Farewell," but most especially "Growing Up" by Gary Valenciano, who had another hit that year with "Reachin' Out" from the movie Hot Shots. (Gary V. would go on to become the country's very own Michael Jackson, releasing hit songs and albums and routinely selling out venues for his energy-packed concerts). Bagets also sparked a fashion craze in the country, when teenagers and kids started wearing clothes in primary and secondary colors like the characters in the movie (I certainly remember wearing shirts and short pants in a combination of red, yellow, blue and green, sometimes with the Bagets logo).

Whoa, what a year! There may come a time when a year like 1984 might come our way again -- a rare moment when talent, mass appeal, positivity, youth, and commerce aligned -- but I certainly doubt it. In the meantime, let's hit the boom box and say happy 25th birthday to the hits of 1984.

Happy 30th birthday Walkman!

2009-07-01T07:56:00.004+08:00

Roll out!

2009-06-29T12:56:00.004+08:00

Cybertron Philippines
Transformers toy exhibit
Taken on June 28, 2009
SM Megamall

(Click on any image to see more photos)

A stash of Michael

2009-06-29T10:35:00.003+08:00

My Michael Jackson stuff. I was surprised.

Appreciation: the "Thriller" video

2009-06-29T08:39:00.012+08:00

The truth is, "Thriller" isn't my favorite Michael Jackson video (that would be "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"), not because it's not good (quite the opposite!) but because it still gives me the creeps. I'm definitely not a huge fan of horror movies, except zombie and vampire movies, and whenever I chance upon the Thriller video on MTV at night, I quickly change the channel.

I saw the premiere of Thriller on local TV sometime around Christmas 1983 (if I'm not mistaken) with my teenage cousins. At that time, I did not remember the choreography or the song; instead, what I remembered most was Michael Jackson's fake werewolf eyes at the end, with Vincent Price's maniacal laughter in the background. It did not help that there were scenes of chases and monsters breaking into a house and other stuff that scared me as a seven year old.

Director John Landis said in an interview that the Thriller video was a "vanity project," not being part of any marketing plan for the album that didn't need any extra marketing. When the video was released, the Thriller album had already been in stores and selling like crazy for more than a year. Believe it or not, the song 'Thriller" was already the seventh single from the album, a strange song about a horror movie whose funk is as polished as it is dirty. The director also said that Michael Jackson wanted to do the video after seeing Landis' "An American Werewolf In London." Michael and Landis did something different with the video: it was actually more like a short film than a "promo" for a song, with the same muddy cinematography as the horror flicks so much in vogue at that time (which, along with Elmer Bernstein's additional musical score, just made it scarier). After "Thriller," music videos became longer and more ambitious, with storylines to boot. (Right. Blame "Thriller" for "November Rain.") Not only is the video an out-and-out horror film; like the song with its inspired Vincent Price cameo, the video is also a tribute to the horror movies made by Hammer films in the 50's and 60's, some posters of which appear in the cinema lobby in the video.

Never mind all those details. The thing that really made the video a cultural landmark was the choreography by Michael Peters and Jackson. That extended dance break in the middle where Michael is fully made up as a zombie? Pota, that's hand-down the coolest dance sequence ever captured in a music video. As Tyra Banks might say, that was totally FIERCE. That was the sequence that spawned a lot of copycats, inspired Regal Films in the '80s to put dance numbers in their movies, and turned Bollywood into the dance showcase that it is now, not to mention the Goli Mar and prison Thriller YouTube sensations, and countless Thriller dance-offs in wedding parties, high school reunions, and 80's-themed parties. Even if Michael Jackson had stopped making records after Thriller, that bit right there would still have ensured his immortality.

I already had the Thriller album before the eponymous single was released. "Billie Jean" was a huge hit, but the the only thing I remember about "Billie Jean" when I was a kid was the way Michael's path in the video would light up when he steps on it. I'm pretty sure I only started reaching for the Thriller tape after I had watched the Thriller music video, which was in constant play in local music video programs, and widely imitated in noon-time variety shows. In a way, the Thriller video, adjudged the Best Music Video of the '80s in numerous polls, was what made Michael Michael: the red-jacketed icon with the scary eyes and the moves to end all dance moves, the Michael the world loved and what it had just lost.

The video:

Why I'll never forget Michael Jackson

2009-06-26T15:46:00.012+08:00

The Jackson 5's hits

The Jackson 5 Christmas Album

Got To Be There

The Jackson 5 - Never Can Say Goodbye

The Wiz - Ease On Down The Road

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

Rock With You

Michael does the Moonwalk at Motown 25

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

Billie Jean

Thriller

P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)

Human Nature

Smooth Criminal

Man In The Mirror

Black or White

In The Closet

Michael.

2009-06-26T10:58:00.014+08:00

I don't think the twentysomethings and below truly know who the world just lost today. Anyone born around the time of the "Bad" and, uhm, the "Dangerous" albums will never truly grasp why Michael Jackson mattered. The Michael they knew was the suddenly-white-skinned guy with the funny nose, scary face, and the controversies -- from his sexuality to vitiligo to child molestation to his "fatherhood" to baby dangling to bankruptcy and other nutty behavior. To them he was Janet's older brother, the crazy guy at the Neverland ranch, the burka-wearing lunatic with the Spiderman-masked kids, that old guy idolized by Britney and Justin, the has-been clinging to past glories. That fart who claims he is the "King of Pop" like, wtf? :-(

Go to your favorite entertainment or news website and read the coverage, because his achievements and significance in entertaiment, culture, and black history are just too many to mention here. The fact is, his claim that he was the King of Pop was justified. The younger generation can never fathom what that meant, so I'll try to explain: put together at their peak the popularity and ubiquity of Alanis, Leo, Britney, BSB, N*Sync, High School Musical, the Jonas Brothers and that Twilight guy, and they will still not measure up to Michael Jackson around the time of "Thriller," when he was everywhere, a force of nature, a cultural phenomenon whose appeal transcended nationalities, color, and age. He was on MTV, on our cassette players and turntables, bedroom walls, pins on our shirts, stickers on our notebooks and lunchboxes. People copied his moves, his style, and he seriously helped shape the music of the '80s, the art of the music video, and the emergence of hip-hop into the mainstream. Millions stayed up to watch world premieres of his videos, new singles on the radio. His appearances were events. Remember that time when the Beatles claimed they were bigger than Jesus? Michael was bigger than the Beatles.

I was about six when Michael was the hottest thing on TV and the radio. I remember watching the premiere of the Thriller video with my teenage cousins. If I'm not mistaken, there was even a Michael Jackson dance-alike contest on Eat Bulaga. My brother and I would put medals and pieces of colored cloth on our shirts and dance in front of the TV imitating Michael. One time I almost got into serious trouble for attempting to filch a stick of gum from a vendor outside our school (the gum included a free Michael Jackson card).

Of course I also got a cassette copy of the Thriller album. As a boy, songs like "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," "P.Y.T.," and of course "Billie Jean" became the soundtrack of my life at that time. One day I got the shock of my life when I saw my younger brother taping over "Billie Jean," singing "Dear Mama" (the theme song for a Regal movie showing that time) in front of the cassette recorder. Playing back the tape, I also heard my father convincing my brother to, was it to take a bath or to eat, I don't remember exactly. And I think there was also me shouting and turning off the machine. Well, my father's dead and my brother has gotten married and probably doesn't remember this incident. But the tape has survived, kept in a box at home, the memories alive like Michael and his music will forever be.

(PBA09qr16s11)

Goodnight angel.

2009-06-26T08:11:00.001+08:00

Farrah Fawcett
1947 - 2009

Fête de la Musique Manila 2009

2009-06-22T08:45:00.018+08:00

I still feel a bit exhausted after attending the Fête de la Musique in Metrowalk last Saturday, from mid-afternoon till midnight. It's my fault actually, since I decided to not stay put in one place and tried to go to all the designated venues within Metrowalk. The huge rock stage was in the oh-so-far-away parking lot, where thousands of "panks" converged as if the god of "pank" called for a convention. The other big stage was in the center of Metrowalk where pop/alternative bands played.

The jazz, blues, electronica/goth/new wave, reggae/ska, hip-hop/R 'n B, and world music bands played in clubs and bars within Metrowalk.

Best of these venues: the Elbow Room, which had the blues bands. I swear I could have stayed here all night, with their cozy and squeaky clean interiors, the crowd, and the aircon that actually seemed to work that night. A glass of red wine here though cost me almost the price of the bottle at the supermarket, but frankly I didn't mind. It's just too bad I missed The Bembol Rockers since I was doing the rounds of bars and schedules were not followed.

The absolute worst of the venues: hands down Love to Laugh (is it a comedy club?) which hosted the reggae/ska bands. The place defines the word "tiny" as it was so small and so narrow that I thought it was no wider than the corridor outside. What's worse, they even asked for a cover charge from those who wished to enter. I pitied the reggae nuts and skinheads outside (who outnumbered the guys able to get in) who had to content themselves looking through the glass walls of the club, and it may be spring in Paris but it's still summer in Manila so it was scorching even at night. I mean, c'mon, you cannot hold a reggae/ska gig in a place like that. Where should the rude bwayz and girls pogo and skank?

Aruba hosted the jazz acts. Very strict dress code here and they really refused to let people in when the place was already getting uncomfortably full. When a bunch of people got out, finally they let me in. But of course those people would go out; SinoSikat had just finished their lone set and I was greeted by an empty stage. I also managed to squeeze into Metro Phi which hosted the new wave/goth/electronica acts. The place was alarmingly packed, but the music was hot!

I initially planned to just stay at the world music stage. Not so much of a stage, more like a veranda. I don't understand why among all the venues, Yoohoo (or Pulp magazine) did not provide any special lighting for this gig. The bands played in the dark! With acts like Kadangyan and Brigada, the place was truly bound to get crowded so when I decided to go out for a while and decided to go back, the gates were already closed because the place was already full.

Memo to Pulp: should you decide to sponsor this thing again next year (and maybe you should because it was a huge success what with the huge turnout), please PLEASE have another big stage to showcase the reggae/ska and world music bands. I'm sure their loyal followers wouldn't mind mixing it up with one another, and you have done it before. And isn't Fête de la Musique supposedly a showcase for bands like them?

(Click on any image to see more photos.)

On CNN iReport:

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-277663

A short clip of Unitiima's performance:

A short clip of Kadangyan's performance:

The keyboard is the new pen

2009-06-19T22:30:00.007+08:00

...and the pen has always been mightier than the sword.

2nd Facebook Eyeball vs. Con-Ass
Menu, Metrowalk, Pasig City
June 19, 2009

(Click on any image to see more photos.)

On CNN iReport:

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-275569

Join the Cause: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/293075/26989942?m=6d54c0aa

TindigNation

2009-06-11T08:28:00.012+08:00

Rally Against Con-Ass
Ayala Avenue, Makati City
June 10, 2009

(Click on any image to see more photos.)

On CNN iReport:

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-269479

Happy 75th Birthday Donald Duck!

2009-06-11T08:25:00.002+08:00

The difficult part

2009-06-08T08:52:00.003+08:00

(An international election monitoring organization asked for a writing sample on the topic of Philippine elections. This was it.)

The good news is that, unlike many of its Asian neighbors, the Philippines has long transcended most of the traditional challenges faced by prospective voters that many international treaties and agreements have set to eradicate. With the exception of several areas in Mindanao and the mountain regions where religious and tribal gaps remain strong, the country, at least most of it, has almost no problem as to the participation of every gender, age, and economic class during elections.

However, the bad news is that, though the Philippines has long embraced modern/Western views and methods regarding citizen participation in nation-building, the country seems to have devolved into a cautionary tale of a democracy gone haywire. The country has long been criticized by some of its neighbors (particularly Singapore) for having a democracy that is too freewheeling and rambunctious. This is difficult to accept but they may have a point. Most of us Filipinos are very outspoken and are very much aware of our rights as citizens, but many people think that we sometimes go overboard in upholding them. For example, while the world hailed the first EDSA revolt of 1986 as oppressed citizens fighting back, the same people frowned upon the second EDSA revolt of 2001 as “mob rule,” a “bad habit.”

Throughout our history, Filipinos have withstood foreign invasions, slavery, natural calamities, man-made disasters, even our own governments. Because of this, Filipinos have developed a strong outer shell, a resilient attitude towards difficult challenges. This is good because we feel positive that we can take anything thrown our way.

However, the evil twin of this resilience is an attitude of many Filipinos that rules are there to be gotten around or to be broken. Many people do not trust the government (they cannot be blamed) and have accepted the idea that the system is corrupt, and that rules and regulations are there to con them, so let's buck the system and give it to the one in power! In government agencies, many rank and file employees have no qualms committing petty graft and corruption in the belief that their higher-ups are doing the same – with much more money (plus the knowledge that they can't get fired from their jobs). Sadly, this cavalier attitude towards rules and laws has led to the debasement of political processes in the country, not excluding those pertaining to elections. Laws, rules and their technicalities are being used and twisted by lawmakers to basically get what they want, for their personal ends. Right now, the biggest issue in the country is the possibility that no elections will happen in 2010, because lawmakers allied with the President ganged to railroad a bill making possible the changing of the Constitution, which could enable them to extend their terms of office.

The people’s acceptance that the system is corrupt has also led to apathy. Many Filipinos have become willing players to political shenanigans during election time. There is a pervasive attitude that “whoever wins, the government is going to remain corrupt, so let’s just cash in.” Poverty remains a key player during elections, and of course, many politicians are really not too keen on eradicating it, when during campaign season, a hundred pesos or a bag of rice can easily secure votes, especially in the slums.

Poverty also breeds ignorance. Celebrities with dubious administrative potential routinely win elections in the Philippines. Entertain the masses, shake their hands, and they’ll vote for you. The poor and ignorant are easily sweet-talked by politicians, that they’ll vote for the first person who promises them uplift from poverty and misery, however hollow the promise rings.

So can these all be fixed? It will be an extremely difficult and long process, but I still believe it can be done. As may be obvious by now, simple election observation or even performance monitoring (though they would help) are not enough. It will be a huge undertaking that should include improving the laws of the land, the educational system, but most importantly, the way people think of themselves and their country. The government should lead this effort, but first we need a truly good leader; not just somebody with sterling credentials and potential but with a strong political will to change the country for the better. That’s probably the easy part. The most difficult part is for the people to change themselves and how they see themselves as citizens of the country. Follow simple rules. Think for the common good. Volunteer. It is difficult to break bad habits and to remove the burdens of history. The process will take decades at least, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Silence vs. Con-Ass

2009-06-08T08:19:00.008+08:00

RockEd Sunday Silence against Con-Ass
June 7, 2009
Baywalk, Manila

(More photos.)

Happy 25th birthday Tetris!

2009-06-04T19:37:00.004+08:00

And who hasn't dreamt of these falling blocks after a day of playing Tetris?!?

Tiananmen 20

2009-06-04T08:28:00.005+08:00

About the Tiananmen protests and massacre.
TIME Magazine cover story 1989.

The shame of the nation

2009-06-04T07:46:00.011+08:00

On Tuesday night, majority of the members of the Philippine House of Representatives approved House Resolution no. 1109, railroading the convening of a constituent assembly to change the Philippine Constitution.

You might say, "so what?" The Constitution is the rock of this country. It is the basis for everything, all the laws, your livelihood, your lifestyle, everything. Once you open it up for tinkering, nobody really knows how (or what) it, or WE, will end up (with). Granted, our present Constitution is not perfect. However, this is not the right time to change it -- not when a Presidential election is on the horizon and the temptation to extend the terms of office of whoever is in power is very strong -- and these are not the right people to do it. To put it simply, do you really trust our present government to decide on this extremely important endeavor? NO, not this present bunch of "administrators."

This brazen attempt by our so-called representatives to put this very important task into their hands is a travesty of democracy. They must be stopped.

The names of the following people appear in House Resolution no. 1109 (approval last Tuesday was through viva voce vote). Is your representative one of them? As a citizen, you have the right to express your displeasure and disapproval of said action of YOUR representative, and he or she has no choice but to listen to YOU because people like you put him where he or she is and is giving him the money to enjoy his or her privileged life. Write letters. Send e-mails. Organize meetings and symposia. Attend mass demonstrations.

It's your country and it's your life. What are you gonna do?

ABANTE, BIENVENIDO M. “BENNY” 6TH District Pandacan
ABLAN, ROQUE R. JR Ilocos Norte, 1st District
AGBAYANI, VICTOR AGUEDO E. Pangasinan, 2nd District
AGYAO, MANUEL, S Kalinga Province
ALBANO (III), RODOLFO T. Isabela, 1st District
ALFELOR, FELIX R. JR. 4th District, Camarines Sur
ALMARIO, THELMA Z. Davao Oriental, 2nd District
ALVAREZ, ANTONIO C. Palawan 1st District
ALVAREZ, GENARO RAFAEL M. JR. Negros Occidental, 6th District
AMANTE, EDELMIRO A. Agusan Del Norte, 2nd District
AMATONG, ROMMEL C. Compostela Valley, 2nd District
ANGPING, MARIA ZENAIDA B. Manila, 3rd District
ANTONINO, RODOLFO W. Nueva Ecija, 4th District
APOSTOL, TRINIDAD G. Leyte, 2nd District
AQUINO, JOSE S. (II) 1st District Agusan del Norte
ARAGO, MARIA EVITA R. 3rd district, Laguna
ARBISON, A MUNIR M. Sulu 2nd District
ARENAS, MA. RACHEL J. Pangasinan, 3rd District
ARROYO, DIOSDADO M. Camarines Sur, 1st District
ARROYO, IGNACIO T. 5th district Negros Occidental
ARROYO, JUAN MIGUEL M. 2nd District of Pampanga
BAGATSING, AMADO S. Manila 5th district
BALINDONG, PANGALIAN M. Lanao del Sur, 2nd District
BARZAGA, ELPIDIO F. JR. Cavite, 2nd District
BAUTISTA, FRANKLIN P. Davao Del Sur, 2nd District
BELMONTE, VICENTE F. JR. Lanao del Norte, 1st District
BICHARA, AL FRANCIS C. Albay, 2nd District
BIRON, FERJENEL G. Iloilo, 4th District
BONDOC, ANNA YORK P. Pampanga 4th District
BONOAN-DAVID, MA. THERESA B. Manila, 4th District
BRAVO, NARCISO R. JR. Masbate, 1st District
BRIONES, NICANOR M. AGAP Party list
BUHAIN, EILEEN ERMITA Batangas, 1st District
BULUT, ELIAS C. JR. Apayao Lone District
CAGAS (IV), MARC DOUGLAS C. Davao Del Sur, 1st District
CAJAYON, MARY MITZI L. Caloocan, 2nd District
CAJES, ROBERTO C. Bohol, 2nd District
CARI, CARMEN L. Leyte, 5th District
CASTRO, FREDENIL H. Capiz, 2nd District
CELESTE, ARTHUR F. Pangasinan, 1st District
CERILLES, ANTONIO H. Zamboanga Del Sur, 2nd District
CHATTO, EDGARDO M. Bohol, 1st District
CHONG, GLENN A. Biliran, Lone District
CHUNG-LAO, SOLOMON R. Ifugai, Lone District
CLARETE, MARINA C. Misamis Occidental, 1st District
CODILLA, EUFROCINO M. SR. Leyte, 4th District
COJUANCO, MARK O. Pangasinan, 5th District
COQUILA, TEODULO M. Eastern Samar, Lone District
CRISOLOGO, VINCENT P. Quezon City, 1st District
CUA, JUNIE E. Quirino, Lone District
CUENCO, ANTONIO V. Cebu City, 2nd District
DANGWA, SAMUEL M. Benguet, Lone District
DATUMANONG, SIMEON A. Maguindanao, Lone District
Dayanghirang, Nelson L. Davao Oriental, 1st District
DAZA, NANETTE C. Quezon City, 4th District
DAZA, PAUL R. Northern Samar, 1st District
DE GUZMAN, DEL R. Marikina City, 2nd District
DEFENSOR, ARTHUR D. SR. Iloilo, 3rd District
DEFENSOR, MATIAS V. JR. Quezon City, 3rd District
DEL MAR, RAUL V. Cebu City, 1st District
DIASNES, CARLO OLIVER D. (MD) Batanes, Lone District
DIMAPORO, ABDULLAH D. Lanao Del Norte, 2nd District
DOMOGAN, MAURICIO G. Baguio, Lone District
DUAVIT, MICHAEL JOHN R. Rizal, 1st District
DUENAS, HENRY M. JR. Taguig, 2nd District (2nd Councilor District)
DUMARPA, FAYSAH MRP. Lanao del Sur, 1st District
DUMPIT, THOMAS L. JR. La Union, 2nd District
DURANO (IV), RAMON H. 5th District, Cebu
ECLEO, GLENDA B. Dinagat Islands, Lone District
EMANO, YEVGENY VICENTE B. Misamis Oriental, 2nd District
ENVERGA, WILFRIDO MARK M. Quezon, 1st District
ESTRELLA, CONRADO M. (III) Pangasinan, 6th District
ESTRELLA, ROBERT RAYMUND M. ABONO Party List
FERRER, JEFFREY P. Negros Occidental, 4th District
GARAY, FLORENCIO C. Surigao Del Sur, 2nd District
GARCIA, ALBERT S. Bataan, 2nd District.
GARCIA, PABLO JOHN F. Cebu, 3rd District
GARCIA, PABLO P. Cebu, 2nd District
GARCIA, VINCENT J. Davao City, 2nd District
GARIN, JANETTE L. Iloilo, 1st District
GATCHALIAN, REXLON T. Valenzuela City, 1st District
GATLABAYAN, ANGELITO C. Antipolo City, 2nd District
GO, ARNULFO F. Sultan Kudarat, 2nd District
GONZALES, AURELIO D. JR. Pampanga 3rd District
GONZALES, RAUL T. JR. Ilo ilo City
GULLAS, EDUARDO R. Cebu, 1st District
GUNIGUNDO, MAGTANGGOL T. Valenzuela City 2nd District
HOFER, DULCE ANN K. Zamboanga Sibugay, 2nd District
JAAFAR, NUR G. Tawi-Tawi, Lone District
JALA, ADAM RELSON L. Bohol, 3rd District
JALOSJOS, CESAR G. Zamboanga del Norte, 3rd District
JALOSJOS-CARREON, CECILIA G. Zamboanga del Norte, 1st District
JIKIRI, YUSOP H. Sulu, 1st District
KHO, ANTONIO T. Masbate, 2nd District
LABADLABAD, ROSENDO S. Zamboanga del Norte, 2nd District
LACSON, JOSE CARLOS V. Negros Occidental, 3rd District
LAGDAMEO, ANTONIO F. JR. Davao del Norte, 2nd District
LAPUS, JECI A. Tarlac, 3rd District
LAZATIN, CARMELO F. Pampanga, 1st District
LIM, RENO G. Albay, 3rd District
LOPEZ, JAIME C. Manila, 2nd District
MADRONA, ELEANORA JESUS F. Romblon, Lone District
MAGSAYSAY, MARIA MILAGROS H. Zambales, 1st District
MALAPITAN, OSCAR G. Caloocan, 1st District
MAMBA, MANUEL N. Cagayan, 3rd District
MANGUDADATU, DATU PAKUNG S. Sultan Kudarat,
MARANON, ALFREDO D. III Negros Occidental, 2nd District
MATUGAS, FRANCISCO T. Surigao del Norte, 1st District
MENDOZA, MARK LEANDRO L. Batangas, 4th District
MERCADO, ROGER G. Southern Leyte, Lone District
MIRAFLORES, FLORENCIO T. Aklan, Lone District
NAVA, JOAQUIN CARLOS RAHMAN A. (MD) Guimaras, Lone District
NICOLAS, REYLINA G. Bulacan, 4th District
NOGRALES, PROSPERO C. Davao City, 1st District
OLAñO, ARREL R. Davao Del Norte, 1st District
ONG, EMIL L. Northern Samar, 2nd District
ORTEGA, VICTOR FRANCISCO C. La Union, 1st District
PABLO, ERNESTO C. APEC Party List
PANCHO, PEDRO M. Bulacan, 2nd District
PANCRUDO, CANDIDO P. JR. Bukidnon, 1st District
PICHAY, PHILIP A. Surigao Del Sur, 1st District
PIñOL, BERNARDO F. JR. North Cotabato, 2nd District
PUNO, ROBERTO V. Antipolo City, 1st District
RAMIRO, HERMINIA M. Misamis Occidental, 2nd District
REMULLA, JESUS CRISPIN C. Cavite, 3rd District
REYES, CARMELITA O. Marinduque, Lone District
REYES, VICTORIA H. Batangas, 3rd District
ROBES, ARTURO G. San Jose Del Monte City, Lone District
Rodriguez-Zaldarriaga, Adelina Rizal, 2nd District
ROMAN, HERMINIA B. Bataan, 1st District
ROMARATE, GUILLERMO A. JR. Surigao del Norte, 2nd District
ROMUALDEZ, FERDINAND MARTIN G. Leyte, 1st District
ROMUALDO, PEDRO Camiguin, Lone District
ROMULO, ROMAN T. Pasig City, Lone District
ROXAS, JOSE ANTONIO F. Pasay City
SALIMBANGON, BENHUR L. Cebu, 4th District
SALVACION JR., ANDRES D. Leyte, 3rd District
SAN LUIS, EDGAR S. Laguna, 4th District
SANDOVAL, ALVIN S. Malabon-Navotas, Lone District
SANTIAGO, JOSEPH A. Catanduanes, Lone District
SANTIAGO, NARCISO D. (III) ARC Party List
SEACHON-LANETE, RIZALINA L. 3rd district of Masbate
SEARES-LUNA, CECILIA M. Abra, Lone District
SILVERIO, LORNA C. Bulacan, 3rd District
SINGSON, ERIC D. Ilocos Sur, 2nd District
SINGSON, RONALD V. Ilocos Sur, 1st District
SOLIS, JOSE G. Sorsogon, 2nd District
SOON-RUIZ, NERISSA CORAZON Cebu, 6th District
SUAREZ, DANILO E. Quezon, 3rd District
SUSANO, MARY ANN L. Quezon City, 2nd District
SY-ALVARADO, MA. VICTORIA R. Bulacan, 1st District
SYJUCO, JUDY J. 2nd Dsitrict, Iloilo
TALINO-MENDOZA, EMMYLOU J. North Cotabato, 1st District
TAN, SHAREE ANN T. Samar, 2nd District
TEODORO, MARCELINO R. Marikina City, 1st District
TEODORO, MONICA LOUISSE PRIETO Tarlac, 1st District
TEVES, PRYDE HENRY A. Negros Oriental, 3rd District
TUPAS, NEIL C. JR. Iloilo, 5th District
UNGAB, ISIDRO T. Davao City, 3rd District
UY, EDWIN C. Isabela, 2nd District
UY, REYNALDO S. Samar, 1st District
UY, ROLANDO A. Cagayan De Oro City, Lone District
VALDEZ, EDGAR L. APEC Party List
VALENCIA, RODOLFO G. Oriental Mindoro, 1st District
VARGAS, FLORENCIO L. Cagayan, 2nd District
VILLAFUERTE, LUIS R. Camarines Sur, 2nd District
VILLAROSA, MA. AMELITA C. Occidental Mindoro, Lone District
VIOLAGO, JOSEPH GILBERT F. Nueva Ecija, 2nd District
YAP, JOSE V. Tarlac, 2nd District
YU, VICTOR J. Zamboanga Del Sur, 1st District
ZAMORA, MANUEL E. 1st District, Compostela Valley
ZIALCITA, EDUARDO C. Parañaque, 1st District

Conan's back!

2009-06-03T07:46:00.004+08:00

http://www.tonightshowwithconanobrien.com/video/clips/cold-open-of-the-first-show/1116061/

Glad to see Conan (and Max Weinberg and LaBamba) on TV again. And a not-so-good bye bye to Jay Leno. I thought he was deeply unfunny.

Aklat ng Himala

2009-06-01T08:50:00.006+08:00

Launch of the special edition of Ricky Lee's "Si Tatang at Mga Himala ng Ating Panahon."

Click on any image to see more photos.

(Click on any image to see more photos)

Tagulaylay ng naaagnas na bangkay

2009-05-29T18:01:00.003+08:00

Itapon mo na lamang ang aking bangkay sa bangin,
Doon sa may kumpol ng mga puno ng aroma,
Nang ang pagsabit ko roo'y lubos na pigain,
Ang dugo mula sa aking katawan,
At matigmak ang buhanginan ng aking katas,
Nang ako'y may matawag na akin, sa wakas.

Sa umaga'y matatanaw ang araw, gaya ng mga umagang napanaginipan,
Kaulayaw ang hanging amihan, at ang tilamsik ng maamong alon sa dalampasigan,
Tulad ng luha sa pisnging bunsod ng pangangarap.
Matutunton ng uwak sa tanghaling tapat, pati na nang mga hantik,
Ang bawat kirot ng kanilang kagat, ay pagdaop ng palad,
Kinasadlakan ko'y tanggap, mga kaibiga't kapatid.
Sa gabi'y mga tala, nakatungo, nakamasid,
Sila'y luluha, iluluha ang buhay na binawi ng araw,
Ibabalik sa aking tuyong balat, didiligin ng pait
ang naaagnas na laman.

Ano'ng halaga ng buhay kung hindi maialay,
Sa dahilan ng paggising, sa laman ng diwa,
Sa tinatangi't dinadakila.
Ano ba ang paghinga kung hindi, ang pagbunyi sa bawat araw,
Na ika'y makasama, na ika'y makaulayaw.
Tamis ng pangarap, pangako ng pag-asa,
Ang mundo ay atin, Diyos ay mapagpala.
Ngunit ang tadhana'y mapait,
Tanikalang malupit, kaligayahang ipinagkait.
'Pag ang pag-asa'y namatay, ano pa'ng halaga ng buhay,
Kaluluwa'y nakaratay, isang buhay na bangkay.

Aking ipinanalangin, sa Diyos na mapagpala,
Bago ko gilitin, ang ugat at ang dila,
Mapurol na itak, malamig sa paghawak,
Ako'y ilapit mo, sa tinatangi't dinadakila.

Maliwanag na tala,
Uwak sa iyong bintana,
Langgam sa iyong binti,
Dampi ng hangin sa iyong pisngi't labi.
Tinik ng aroma,
Buhangin sa iyong paa,
Araw na naghahari,
Alo'ng bumabati.
Wakas,
panimula,
ngiti,
pighati,
Kamatayan,
kaligayahan,
magkasama,
Magpakailanman.

paolo maligaya

R.I.P.

2009-05-19T17:27:00.005+08:00

daddy.

Salamat sa musika, sa pagmamahal sa plaka at stereo, sa cha-cha at tango, kay Anastacio Mamaril at Perez Prado, sa vintage glasses at kamisetang retro, sa pinakamasarap na menudo, sa duyan sa ilalim ng puno ng chico. Sa pag-inspire for better or worse ng potential future creative output. Sa mga what were at what could have been. Sa mga sinabi at 'di sinabi. Sa mga iba't ibang emosyon. May you rest in peace.

(PBA09s114oro)

The carnival begins

2009-05-11T15:46:00.010+08:00

Philippine election season is now officially on! Open your eyes, clean your ears, gear up, and start placing your bets.

NGOs fight vote-buying

MANILA, Philippines—With 12 months to go before the next elections, veteran community organizers and development workers across the country launched a nationwide movement on Sunday to get rid of vote-buying.

The ChangePolitics Movement, which includes former Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, will map out the “vote-buying vulnerable areas” so that NGOs could pour their resources there and eliminate the scourge of Philippine politics. (MORE)

Comelec: 2010 poll automation still on

MANILA, Philippines - Poll automation in 2010 would push through even with the disqualification of firms bidding to provide automated counting machines (ACMs), the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday.

Comelec Chairman Jose Melo junked calls to consider partial automation or use P1.2 billion worth of ACMs purchased from the controversial Mega Pacific Consortium (MPC) for the 2004 elections. (MORE)

Arroyo still hopeful of automated 2010 polls - Ermita

MANILA, Philippines – Despite the disqualification of all bidders for the automated polls in 2010, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo remains hopeful that the forthcoming elections would be fully automated, a senior Palace official said Monday.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is banking on Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair Jose Melo’s assurance that the poll body would resolve the disqualification of all seven bidders. (MORE)

Youth voters need to register again for 2010

MANILA, Philippines-- Youth voters who registered during the 2007 Sangguniang Kabataan (Youth Council, SK) elections should register again with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) if they want to vote in the 2010 elections, an election official said.

Filipinos aged 15 to17 years old may have registered for SK elections but this registration does not make them “qualified for regular elections,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said. (MORE)

Comelec OKs 4,751 absentee voters

MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Elections on Monday announced that its Resident Election Registration Boards (RERB) of the Committee on Overseas Absentee Voting (COAV) has approved the applications for registration of only 4,751 such voters, way off its one million target for the 2010 elections.

In a statement released to the media, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the poll body is still confident about meeting its target with the help of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat (OAVS) and overseas Filipino workers’ (OFW) groups worldwide. (MORE)

ABS-CBN launches Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo: Ako ang Simula

Long before any slick ad campaign or Barack Obama, I set out to change my world. My inspiration was Mahatma Gandhi, who simply said: “Be the change you want to see.” My world was the Philippines, journalism and ABS-CBN in particular.

For a long time, I had a love-hate relationship with the Philippines. I love being Filipino but hated the inefficiency, the lack of standards, the acceptance of mediocrity, our situational ethics, our systems of patronage, and our often unjust justice system. Sometimes, when things don’t work, you hate that which you love. (MORE)

iBlog5 Postscript - of Mobile Blogging and the Elections

At iBlog5 yesterday, it was an “old friend” reunion of sorts getting re-acquainted face-to-face with JM Tuazon.

You see, JM and I first met as volunteers of NAMFREL in the 2004 elections. JM and I had maintained an online interaction through the years via email or through each other’s blogs.

Wow, it’s been 5 years since our NAMFREL days in 2004. And now we’re 365+1 days before the next election in 2010. (MORE)

More election updates: http://www.namfrel.com.ph/news/localnews.htm

62e Festival de Cannes

2009-05-11T13:45:00.009+08:00

Here are some of the films competing for the Palme d'Or at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival (May 13-24, 2009). This year's jury is headed by French actress Isabelle Huppert.

Broken Embraces (Pedro Almodovar)

Bright Star (Jane Campion)

Taking Woodstock (Ang Lee)

Thirst (Park Chan-wook)

Inglourious Basterds (Quentin Tarantino)

Vengeance (Johnnie To)

Antichrist (Lars von Trier)

Complete list of films that will compete for the Palme d'Or.

A l'origine by Xavier Giannoli
Antichrist by Lars von Trier
Bright Star by Jane Campion
Fish Tank by Andrea Arnold
Inglourious Basterds by Quentin Tarantino
Kinatay by Brillante Mendoza
Looking for Eric by Ken Loach
Les herbes folles by Alain Resnais
Los abrazos rotos by Pedro Almodóvar
Map of the Sounds of Tokyo by Isabel Coixet
Un prophète by Jacques Audiard
Soudain le vide by Gaspar Noé
Spring Fever by Lou Ye
Taking Woodstock by Ang Lee
Thirst by Park Chan-wook
The Time That Remains by Elia Suleiman
Vengeance by Johnnie To
Vincere by Marco Bellocchio
Visages by Tsai Ming-liang
The White Ribbon by Michael Haneke

Basagan ng mukha

2009-05-09T14:17:00.004+08:00

Gusto kong marinig ang lagitik ng iyong panga sa
pagtama ng aking kamao,
At pag sinapo ko ito't ika'y iniuntog ng matunog sa
semento'y gusto kong makita,
Kung ang pagsirit ng dugo mula sa iyong sentido ay
pakaliwa o pakanan.
Magmakaawa ka man sa garalgal mong boses na parang
asong ulol na bagong kapon,
Ang sagot ay tadyak, hanggang ang aking talampaka'y
maramdaman ang pagbakli ng iyong mga tadyang.
Ano't nakukuha mo pang ngumisi,
Katulad ng pagngisi ng nakabuka mong balat.
Gusto kong naisin mo pa ang hapdi ng tundos ng
mahabang karayom sa pagtahi nito,
Sa halip na ang hagupit ng aking poot sa
pasa-pasa mong dibdib at sikmura.
Hindi ko alam na kaya palang umabot,
ng iyong dila sa lupa nang patalikod,
Pilipit tulad ng iyong ngayo'y mga walang buhay na kamay
at ang nasira mong tapang.
At habang sakmal ko ang iyong leeg, pilitin mong isama
sa iyong hirap na hininga,
Magmakaawa ka, magmakaawa ka.
Ngunit walang makaririnig kundi ako,
at ang nagdurugo mong mga tenga.

paolo maligaya

(PBA095pp29r4)

The better to see you with my dear

2009-05-07T12:46:00.005+08:00

I'm not really sure what came over me that I became obsessed with owning one of those oversized, authentic vintage eyeglasses from the late '70s and early '80s, a la Dindo Fernando in those Viva movies, or Ninoy Aquino, or well, anybody with glasses at that time. I trawled the internet for info on where in Manila I could get one, and even went to all the optical shops in Robinsons Galleria and SM Megamall, to no avail. My best bet was looking in those neighborhood optical shops that have been there forever, but I figured I might lose my interest in the thing before I could ever find one.

Finally, after a longish search, I found a mine of shockingly inexpensive, unused authentic vintage frames in one shop at a flea market somewhere in the metro, exactly the ones I wanted! I immediately bought two, and went straight to my optometrist to put prescription lenses on one of them. (Note: if you're wearing prescription, don't throw away your old pair just yet. The optometrist would tell you that prescription lenses fit for old, oversized frames just aren't available anymore. They can put the lenses in your oversized vintage frames, but the grade or something won't be "centered" or something. So I suggest, if you're currently laboring through Victor Hugo or Dostoevsky or Infinite Jest, stick with the old pair; if you're going out, put on the welder's mask.

Fancy a frame? Send me your e-mail address and I'll tell you where to get the booty. Now, time to re-enact those cop shows!

50 Years: The 400 Blows

2009-05-04T12:21:00.007+08:00

Francois Truffaut's classic is one of my most favorite movies ever, and certainly my favorite French film. Like The Catcher In the Rye's Holden Caulfield, Antoine Doinel is one character I am very fond of and sort of identified with.

Senses of Cinema
The New York Times

Roger Ebert
TIME

Three from Brocka

2009-04-29T18:03:00.022+08:00

To commemorate the 70th birth anniversary of Philippine National Artist for Film Lino Brocka, the CCP screened his first three movies last Saturday, April 25, at the CCP Dream Theater. Billed as "Remembering Brocka: Realities/Rarities," the event offered a truly rare glimpse into the then-budding artistry of Brocka, who would eventually create more significant works that are still influencing Filipino filmmakers to this day.

Brocka's first film, "Wanted: Perfect Mother" (1969), is said to be a commercially-motivated move for the director, who at that time was already active in theater. Adapted by Brocka from a Mars Ravelo comic, Perfect Mother served as Brocka's calling card. And who wouldn't have called back after watching the movie? Though admittedly a partial rip-off of The Sound of Music, "Wanted: Perfect Mother" is a well-written and well-acted entertaining yarn about a father and his four kids' search for the perfect woman after the mother was killed in an accident. The top-notch cast includes Dante Rivero, Boots Anson-Roa, Liza Lorena, Caridad Sanchez, a very cute Snooky in her first movie, Gina Alajar, and über kontrabida Etang Discher. But the star of this movie is the first-time director, who tried to elevate this otherwise generic romp into a movie where every laugh is well-earned. In any other Filipino movie from the same era, the husband trying to reconnect with a former governess after not seeing each other for a long time would be a cheap excuse for a resolution. In "Wanted: Perfect Mother," when Dante Rivero calls Boots Anson-Roa in Canada and tries to woo her back to the country, we feel their happiness and wish the best for them. Why? Because Brocka made us feel that way, by taking us on an emotional journey with the characters. After the movie's over, you'd probably want to go on the journey again.

I didn't know that "Santiago" (1970) stars Fernando Poe, Jr. I'm always wary of watching FPJ's films because they're usually more like vehicles for Poe's persona than honest-to-goodness movies. I shouldn't have worried. Let's just say that in his second movie, Lino Brocka won over the king of Philippine movies. "Santiago" may even be regarded as a minor classic waiting to be rediscovered. In it, Poe plays a guerrilla fighter during World War II, who finds out too late that there were innocent people (women, children, elderly) inside an abandoned Japanese camp that he helped blow up. Racked with guilt and disillusionment with the resistance movement, he abandons the fight and flees to a small town, where he is ostracized by the townsfolk because he reminds them of their sons who had to leave their families behind to fight the Japanese. FPJ was FPJ, but after watching the movie, people would remember not how many Japanese soldiers he killed and how he did it or how he looked, but how truly good an actor he was when given great material to work with. Granted, the story doesn't really stray too far from typical FPJ fare, but the little-something-extra here is Brocka, who weaves the story with great skill (which can't be said of most of FPJ's bakbakan films), and shows confidence in staging huge scenes with dozens of extras and other technical considerations (if still a bit crude). If "Wanted: Perfect Mother" was the calling card, "Santiago" brought Brocka through the door, and serves as the earliest manifestation of Brocka as filmmaker-activist, capable of shaping people's ideas through his art.

The best among the three films shown at the retrospective was "Tubog Sa Ginto" (1971). In the movie, Eddie Garcia plays a closeted homosexual who tries to hide his true identity from his wife and son. Another adaptation of a Mars Ravelo comic, it is a story of struggle, deception, and ultimately tragedy, that for the first time showcased Brocka as a masterful director. While in his two earlier movies, some scenes were--to be honest--handled clumsily, in this movie, everything comes together perfectly. The cast, which also includes Lolita Rodriguez, Jay Ilagan, and Mario O'Hara, are just perfection. And whoever says that Brocka was not as humorous as Bernal should watch this movie; it has scenes that rival the best of Bernal and Gosiengfiao in the camp department. I'm not sure whether it's just Brocka or if it's quite the norm in early '70s Philippine cinema, but the bold colors, the tight shots, even the theme of the movie suggest the works of American '50s director Douglas Sirk, not unlike Todd Haynes' 2002 similarly-themed Sirk tribute, "Far From Heaven." In that film, a woman discovers that her husband is having an affair with another man, and is herself ostracized by the community for having a relationship with a black man. In "Tubog Sa Ginto," the characters are similarly so trapped in society's expectations and in their web of lies, that not even death can liberate them from their mise-en-scène, down to the last frame of the movie.

These three films should not be used in any way to judge the totality of Lino Brocka's contributions to Philippine cinema. Brocka went on to revisit the themes in these movies to create stronger pieces of work--like Insiang, Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang, Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag, and Macho Dancer--certified classics that continue to inspire and influence Filipino filmmakers to this day.

However, the flip side to this is that Brocka's body of work has so dominated the consciousness of young Filipino filmmakers that everyone seems to be wanting to be the next Brocka, in their choice of themes, in their choice of milieu. They will all probably fail if they hinge their work solely on aping aspects of Brocka's because what made Brocka's films the way they are were Brocka's intellect and the richness of his personal experiences, and his way of translating them into art, and not really his decision to locate his classics in slums. I agree with what Boots Anson-Roa said in the forum held before the last screening, that our young filmmakers should find their own voice. Like, why be the next Brocka when you can be the first you? Granted, as shown by the retrospective, that it takes at least three movies for a filmmaker to be able to do that. Philippine independent cinema is enabling young filmmakers to find their voice. That is why despite the travelogues in disguise, the film school art projects, the "gritty" hand-held cinematography, the head-scratching pa-profound effects, and the criss-crossing tongues of current Philippine independent cinema, we keep watching, in the hope that we will find not the next Brocka, but the next filmmaker that will hopefully inspire a thousand others to pick up a camera and shoot.

Walang "kung anu-anong shit"

2009-04-28T18:13:00.015+08:00

"Hay! Men! Ang Blog ng mga Tunay na Lalake" is hand-down one of the most hilarious and shockingly smart things I've ever seen on the internet, wherein (an) anonymous author(s) evaluates a who's who in Philippine pop culture whether they're "tunay na lalaki" (real man) or "'di tunay na lalaki," (not real man) based on their own "Manifesto ng Tunay na Lalake." (And don't fail to read the comments also, especially if the subject of the entry drops in and chimes in, just like a very sport Apa Ongpin).

Clearly tongue-in-cheek (no?), it's endless fun, and it's updated faster than your friends can post quiz results in Facebook! Not for people with no sense of irony.

Manifesto ng Tunay na Lalake

Ang tunay na lalake ay di natutulog.
Ang tunay na lalake ay di nagte-text-back, maliban na lang kung papasahan ng load. Gayunpaman, laging malabo ang kanyang mga sagot.
Ang tunay na lalake ay laging may extra rice.
Ang tunay na lalake ay hindi vegetarian.
Ang tunay na lalake ay walang abs.
Ang tunay na lalake ay hindi sumasayaw.
Ang tunay na lalake ay umaamin ng pagkakamali sa kapwa tunay na lalake.
Ang tunay na lalake ay laging may tae sa brief.
Ang tunay na lalake ay di naghuhugas ng pinagkainan o nagliligpit ng kanyang mga gamit dahil may babaeng gagawa noon para sa kanya. Mas lalong nagiging tunay ang pagkalalake kung di niya kilala o di niya maalala ang pangalan ng babae.
Ang tunay na lalake ay di nagsisimba.

http://tunaynalalake.blogspot.com/

Paraluman

2009-04-28T10:44:00.007+08:00

1923-2009

Cool, still

2009-04-27T18:22:00.003+08:00

Celebrating its 40th year this year, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) remains the country's premiere venue for showcasing up and coming Filipino artists. In between movies at the Lino Brocka retrospective last Saturday, and with Joy Division blasting in my ears, I walked through the galleries and took snapshots of the pieces that spoke to me (hehehe, is it even allowed? There weren't any signs.). Hey, when was the last time you visited the CCP? It's still worth the trek after all these years, and admission is still free.

(Click on any image to see more photos.)

Aliwan paradise

2009-04-27T18:09:00.002+08:00

Here are some snaps from "Aliwan Fiesta 2009" held at the vicinity of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) last Saturday, April 25. Aliwan Fiesta is an annual, one-stop showcase of the different street dancing festivals held throughout the archipelago. Click on any image to see more photos.

(Click on any image to see more photos.)

Vote for the country, vote for you

2009-04-24T14:35:00.010+08:00

Stick these pins on your shirt or your bags (or wherever you wish), or give them away to friends and family, to encourage people, especially first-time voters, to participate in the 2010 Philippine presidential elections. To vote is to exercise your right as citizens, and it's one of the easiest ways to participate in nation-building.

You may get your pins from the Ayala Young Leaders office, or you may drop them a line at (02) 752-1065, text them at (0917) 511-7354, or send a message to mildred.ople@gmail.com.

Crazy day for gays and Jews

2009-04-21T07:06:00.005+08:00

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ruffles feathers at the UN anti-racism conference in Geneva.

Meanwhile, in Vegas...

I guess next time UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon plans on having Mr. Ahmadinejad, he's not going to send an invite to Perez Hilton.

Mga panahon ng himala

2009-04-18T13:31:00.019+08:00

Next month, respected and multi-awarded Philippine writer Ricky Lee is reissuing his 1988 anthology, "Si Tatang at mga Himala ng Ating Panahon." The news of Ricky's latest endeavor prompted me to head to my kangkungan to exhume my old copy of the book, which I bought from National Bookstore almost 15 years ago, when I was still in college and my dream to become a filmmaker was still in fever pitch.

The collection is a showcase of Ricky's skills not just as a screenwriter, but as a writer, period. There are about 20 articles in the book, a collection of short stories, magazine features, interviews, and a screenplay, revolving around roughly three themes.

The earliest works in the anthology are very political in nature. "Dapithapon ng Isang Mesiyas," "Pagtatapos," "Ang Mahabang Maikling Buhay ni Kumander Tangkad," "Si Tatang, " and "Servando Magdamag" are all sturdy political stuff, and the truly wonderful thing about them is the fact that he wrote them all when he was a teenager, which says tons about Ricky Lee as a young man, and where he is coming from as an artist.

The articles in the book that many people might find most fascinating are those in which Ricky focuses his attention to Manila's underbelly, using his eyes like how a documentary filmmaker would use a hand-held camera: probing, non-judgmental, but almost loving. These articles, written in a crisp, colloquial Tagalog (his trademark) that dares you to ignore it, are an endless parade of midnight souls, of prostitutes and pimps, and other creatures of the night, like characters from a Fellini phantasmagoria or a Lou Reed song. "Umusad man ang gabi't walang iwang customer ay may pag-asa pa rin sila. Pagsara ng bar alas dos ng umaga'y pupunta sila lahat sa Luneta upang salubungin ang umaga. Naroroon silang lahat tuwing madaling araw, mga call boys at call girls galing sa iba't ibang bars at night clubs, akala mo'y nagpatawag ng kombensyon ang patron saint ng mga puta...Naririto ang kanilang pamilya, ito ang kanilang buhay. Di magtatagal ay lalabas ang araw, sisikatan ang lahat, walang pinipili, mga puta man o hindi, CP at CB at CG, mga stowaway, biktima at nambibiktima, saanman ang teritoryo, lahat nang wala sa bahay, mga batang lansangan." Reminiscent of that last scene in Ishmael Bernal's "Manila By Night," in which the creatures of the night end up in Luneta park at dawn to welcome another day.

But of course. The articles in this anthology drank from the same teats of anger, frustration, heartbreak, and unrest that nourished those great Filipino films from the late '70s and early '80s. Sometimes I forget that he wrote many of them.

However, my favorite articles in the anthology are those in which Ricky Lee proves that he is not only a great fictionist and political writer, but also a great chronicler of Philippine showbiz and the movie industry. Aside from Ricky's distinctive voice as an artist, I think they are what make this anthology more special than other literary anthologies out there, and what sets Ricky apart from other "serious" Philippine writers. I truly believe that there should be more books written about Philippine movies and showbiz, perhaps the most colorful there is in this part of the world. Where's our own "The Kid Stays In The Picture" or "Easy Riders, Raging Bulls"? Where are the definitive biographies on Brocka and Bernal, of early Philippine cinema, of Sampaguita and LVN studios and even Mother Lily? "Manila By Night" alone deserves its own book, as well as the body of work of Joey Gosiengfiao (that's going to be a bestseller). And frankly, I'd line up to buy an anthology of vintage chismis from the pages of Orig and Kislap magazines. You can have your anthologies of Palanca award-winning works and the poetry of so and so, but when I was growing up in the '80s, ordinary people cared only about what's in those magazines or in Liwayway, back when movies were EVENTS: the glory days of theater tours and palengke tours, of premiere nights at New Frontier Theater, Kuya Germs' baratilyos, and those giant hand-painted movie billboards in Cubao wherein everybody looked fat. Before cellphones and PEP, huge swaths of Philippine rainforest were destroyed for paper so that people can write about and read about artistas and their shenanigans. Respect.

Among Ricky Lee's film work, nothing towers above "Himala," the acclaimed Ishmael Bernal movie, the screenplay of which is the centerpiece of the anthology. Not only do we get to see Nora Aunor's famous lines in print, Ricky also includes anecdotes on the writing of the screenplay and the making of the film, like how the cast and crew were unaware throughout the shoot that a crazed woman was imprisoned by her husband in one of the rooms of the house that stood as Elsa's residence. (I have my own Himala story: when I first saw it in a festival in SM during the World Cinema Centennial Celebration, the reels were not in correct order, so it was like watching Pulp Fiction. A deconstruction!)

But perhaps the biggest miracle in the creation of Himala was that the producers gave Ricky Lee total creative control in writing it. Imagine if they didn't.

My favorite article in the book is "1976: Isang Taon ng Kadaldalan at Kabuluhan." It was the year I was born. According to Ricky, it was "ang pinakamadaldal na taon sa pelikulang Pilipino" when everybody had something to say about Philippine movies. It was the year in which Brocka's "Maynila Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag" took home all the awards, and the year the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino and the UP Film Center were established. But most especially, it was the year of classic Filipino films: the controversial "Sakada," the inscrutable "Nunal Sa Tubig," "Insiang," "Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon," Ligaw na Bulaklak," "Itim," "Minsa'y Isang Gamu-Gamo," and Mario O' Hara's "Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos" (which, after snooping around in the microfilm division of the UP Main Library eons ago, I found out was the movie playing in Manila's theaters the week I was born). But apart from all this heady stuff, it was a year of sex in Philippine movies. "Dinumog ang mga basang kamiseta't masisikip na jockey at nang maglabasan ng sinehan ang kalalakiha'y nagpadamihan ng nakita. Saang sinehan naligong mas bold si Alma Moreno? Si Vilma Santos nga ba ang nakahubad na itinali ni Eddie Garcia sa Mga Reynang Walang Trono, binuhusan ng gatas kondensada at pinadilan sa pusa?" Seriously, where is the time machine parked?

If you're a Filipino guy and you were born in the late '70s, you probably got compared a lot to child actor Niño Muhlach. I sure was. "Ay kamukha ni Niño!" "Pakurot sa pisngi, parang pisngi ni Niño Muhlach!" My cheeks still feel numb. Muhlach was a megastar at the age of four. According to him, he probably made 90 films when he was a kid. In his book, Ricky Lee gives us two articles on Niño, one when he was at the height of his popularity, and one when he was already an awkward teenager with career prospects a big question mark. Such is the life of former child actors. It would be fascinating to read a third article on Niño, after the drug problems and other dramas and his success in the food business. I once saw Niño Muhlach in person while I was waiting for a jeepney to Philcoa in front of his ensaymada store in N. Domingo in San Juan. I'm not sure if I was starstruck, but I pretended not to see him. Somehow I got the feeling that he wanted to be recognized. But no one was looking.

I grew up in a small picturesque town in the province, which, especially in the '80s, was a favorite of movie outfits for location shootings. Word travels fast in a small town; a neighbor of a neighbor can tell somebody on the street that there's a location shoot at such and such place with so and so actors and almost instantly, we kids would be running towards the area as if relief goods had been air dropped in the Sahara. The artistas usually stayed in this white house in the plaza owned by somebody who worked for Regal films (he later won as konsehal because of his popularity among the townspeople), and there we would be at his window, our small hands grasping tightly the window grilles and stepping on his plants to see what the movie gods have sent us to gawk at this time. I remember seeing Liza Lorena through those windows. Isabel Granada. An exotic-looking Aiko Melendez when she was 14. Our childhood was peppered with moviestar sightings: a "bloodied" Rudy Fernandez on a balcony, Tony Santos Sr. sleeping on a folding chair in the plaza, Anita Linda, Richard Gomez on horseback, Maricel and Gabby outside our movie theater, Snooky waving at us while being made up in my aunt's panciteria. There was even a Hong Kong martial arts movie when our town was transformed into medieval China! When "Tagos ng Dugo" was being partly shot in our town during fiesta season, we were at the perya one night and were just instructed to turn our backs so that Strawberry (years before her unfortunate demise), playing a young Vilma Santos, could walk by as the cameras rolled. And I could still hear Maryo J. De Los Reyes shouting "direct yourself!" at his assistant director at five in the morning (yes, we were already up and watching before we prepared for school) because fake blood spurted improperly from Zoren Legazpi's chest.

And then there were the crew. The alalays. The tagatimpla-ng-kapes. The smelly guys with the cables. The ones who used to tell us kids to step back or shut the hell up. "Ang mga maliliit na tao" whose lives and pains Ricky Lee was able to capture in one of the articles. Ricky treats his subjects--whatever their status in life--and the minutiae of their existence, with compassion and humanity. "...'Di sila puwedeng mapagod. Ang artista kapag inaantok, bibigyan ng kuwarto at ng treinta minutos. Ang maliliit na tao, bibigyan ng masamang tingin." "'Pantasya ko nga,' sabi ng isang crew, 'balang araw me pelikulang ipalalabas, and nakalagay, A Film By, saka hindi pangalan ng direktor ang kadugtong kundi mga pangalan namin.' Dahil pelikula rin naman nila ito. Kasama rin naman dito ang pawis at dugo nila."

"Iyon ang panahon ng bomba. Batuta Ni Drakula. Saging Ni Pacing. Hayok. Uhaw. The Bold and the Beauties. Sa mga titulo lang ay alam mo na kung anong mga kababalaghan ang nagsisirko. Ako'y Dayukdok. Apoy Ng Kaligayahan. Playgirls In The Night. May isang titulo'y Gutom, di naaprubahan ng censors, para makalusot ay pinalitan ng Diyos Ko, Patawarin Mo Po Ako, Ako'y Nagu-GUTOM!" Oh yes. Every other decade or so, the Philippine movie industry goes through a phase wherein it churns out a lot of softcore (sometimes hardcore) flicks that the public would always lap up, including a bevy of starry-eyed starlets willing to shed their camisoles for a few turns on the spotlight. Its first golden era was in the '70s, when said movies dominated people's imaginations, perhaps to forget the political and social upheavals happening in the country at that time. One actress that came out of these movies was Yvonne, whom Ricky Lee brilliantly profiles in the collection. "May mga artistang kapag kinausap, sasagot ng magalang pero ang isipan ay nasa susunod nang appointment, kausap ka pa ng katawan pero iniwan ka na ng isipan. Hindi ganito si Yvonne...Kapapanalo lang niya ng Best Supporting Actress sa Urian Awards para sa kanyang papel bilang putang kaibigan ni Alma Moreno sa Ligay Na Bulaklak." "'Alam mo, mahal, di sana talaga ako pupunta sa Urian dahil ang mga kalaban ko'y mahuhusay - h'wag na nating sabihing mabibigat dahil n'ong sabihin kong mabibigat e nagtawanan ang mga tao."

Right after reading the article, I was like, I want to meet this person. I do not know Yvonne. I don't recall her name from my childhood. I wonder where she is now. I got introduced to her through the article. Who is she? (Or was she?) I wonder if I ever saw her pictures before, if not on TV perhaps in my aunt's dog-eared copy of Liwayway. Could I have seen her pictures before and didn't know it was her? In my town there used to be a movie theater. From what I hear, it even used to be a vaudeville theater before the war. In the early '80s, it would show from time to time bomba flicks, the promo photos for which would be plastered on the walls of the theater lobby like wallpaper, with naked bodies on top of one another like donuts in a donut shop. Was Yvonne in those pictures? I wouldn't know. It was also a time of Dolphy movies. Of Joey de Leon in drag. Of Panchito and his flaring nostrils. It was a time of double features, when we could get in for free because my uncle knew the owner. When people could smoke in the theaters, eat banana-cue, no air conditioning, and the smell of piss everywhere. It was a time of unbridled joy, when we could enter the heavy maroon curtains into this dark chamber and expected to be entertained. And we all were. But everything has an end. Just last year, I went home and saw the once magnificent movie theater of our childhood, torn down, its pieces scattered on the ground like shattered movie dreams.

"Si Tatang Si Tatang at mga Himala ng Ating Panahon" isn't just a showcase of Ricky Lee's prowess as a screenwriter, fictionist, and chronicler. It is also a rare glimpse into a world that simply doesn't exist anymore.

(PBA09sn6745n )

It is never too late

2009-04-16T07:35:00.010+08:00

Articles:
Here's why we love Susan Boyle
Just who is the singer Susan Boyle?

Kuwaresma

2009-04-14T07:50:00.008+08:00

Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday, Easter midnight
(April 9-12, 2009)
Taal, Batangas, Philippines

(Click on any image to see more photos from my hometown)

Branded for life

2009-04-06T11:34:00.010+08:00

My birthday-Christmas-New Year's-Valentine's-Easter gift to myself, etched for eternity by Ricky Sta. Ana's Skinworkz studio. I have a feeling this could be the start of a new relationship with my skin (darn it, Miami Ink!).

Now for the geeky part: This reads "malaya" ("free") in baybayin (later known as alibata), the ancient Filipino way of writing. I know the message is a bit corny, but it's an ideal, a truth, that I truly believe in. Anyway, not many people know that there were many variations of baybayin, used by Filipinos before the arrival of the Spaniards, who then successfully erased it from the face of the Earth (well, ha ha, not entirely; a handful of minority groups in the Philippines still use variations of it). So which variation to use? The first character, "ma," I took from the variation used to write "Doctrina Christiana," regarded as the first book ever published in the Philippines, in 1593, used by the Spaniards to Christianize the "indios" (who of course could only read and write in baybayin). The second character, "la," is a modern variation/interpretation circa early 20th century, which I chose over the others for its simplicity. And since I'm a proud Batangueño, the third character, "ya," is the closest I could find to a variation used in the province of Batangas, when it was still called Kumintang, circa late 18th century (I hail from the town of Taal, which used to be called Bonbon, and was the capital of the province).

So it seems that, in spite of the funky tats, I am, in fact, a nerd. I think I should put glasses on them.

Happy Holi!

2009-04-06T10:17:00.009+08:00

(3.23.08)

Holi is the full-moon springtime festival of colors celebrated in India, Nepal, and neighboring countries. On this day, people come out and throw colored powder and douse each other with water. Some use water guns to spray each other with colored water. (Air can relate because in Thailand they also use water guns on New Year's Day). This year the Holi falls on March 22 (Saturday). According to Mukti, the "hilly people" of Nepal celebrate it on this day, while the Terai people (and the people of India) celebrate it the day after. We're in the Terai, but since a lot of hilly people have settled here, we were guaranteed to see some action.

We had a deadline for our preliminary report at 7pm, so we set out early in the morning to give us enough time to finish writing after lunch. Yep, we decided to watch the festival, and possibly participate as well (Air wore a plain shirt and jogging pants, just in case. I did not intend to join so I didn't dress down.) Mukti said Butwal would be the best place to find people doing the Holi, so we drove for almost an hour from the Hokke hotel in Lumbini to reach Rupandehi's biggest city.

Upon reaching Butwal, we first stopped at a store selling colored powder. There were kids throwing powder at each other and splashing each other with water. Air immediately joined the kids, running around like crazy. Air was so into it that in no time she looked like a huge mess, her shirt and pants (and hair) wet with colored water. I managed to avoid the powder. I just wasn't in the mood. The people were laughing and clapping as Air ran after the kids (and vice versa). Good thing I asked the hotel for a clear plastic bag to cover my camera with because I knew it could get wet.

After that, we drove further until we reached the hills. It was my first sight of Siddhartha Highway, a scenic route that is almost 200 kilometers long that weaves through several districts including Palpa and finally Pokhara (more on them in later entries). We came upon a group of young people who had set up a road block. They wanted to put Holi powder on us and to ask for donations. They were friendly, if a bit stubborn about the donations. We tried to shake them off until Mukti asked for 10 rupees. Air opened her window and threw powder at one of the guys and they laughed. Another group involving old folks wearing colorful clothes sang and danced for us, and even asked Air to join them.

As we went on, we were stopped by at least three more groups asking for money. It seems they were really letting nobody pass without getting money, although I saw a guy in a motorcycle just zoom past. I got irritated and nearly lost my cool. I thought, hey, you cannot coerce people into giving you money. I mean, in the Philippines, people also do this, but not this much, certainly not a few minutes apart in the same highway. And a no is a no. And I know that this seems to be common in Nepal. I feel it's like institutionalized coercion. Young cadres of the Maoist party of Nepal have been known to block roads and trekking trails to ask for specific amounts (I read they even issue receipts, and if you don't pay, well the next collector will ask to see your receipt, so if you can't produce one, then you have to pay him).

We stopped at a roadside teahouse at the edge of a cliff. The air was crisp and the view amazing, reminding me of Tagaytay in the Philippines. There were other tea shops around, selling yummy-looking food. The place seemed a popular stop for buses and other travelers. At the side of the road, an ancient-looking water spout shaped like a lion's head gave out water continuously, where people washed their hands and faces.

On the way to the city, we were stopped again several times by groups asking for money. I got so irritated that I just closed my window and paid no attention, pretending to understand what I was trying to read. I don't know if it's because of the age gap, but I was also a bit upset that Air seemed to be so into this merrymaking that I felt my blood rushed to my head when some green Holi powder flew into my direction when she was trying to horse around with some of the people outside. I didn't mean to be rude, but all I could think about was finishing our report and not getting powder on my clothes. I swore Holi's not my favorite festival in the world.

We made it back to Hokke at around 1 pm. After taking a shower and putting on fresh clothes, we started with our report. I felt we took too much time already so we had to work.

Around 3:30 pm, there was a knock on the door. We were being invited by the hotel staff to eat something at their quarters to celebrate the Holi. Air and I looked at each other and said, okay, 10 minutes, because we're in a hurry.

Upon reaching the quarters at the back of the hotel, we were immediately met by a bucket of cold water and several pairs of hands putting Holi powder on my face! Nyaarrgh! And I'd just taken a shower and was wearing a new, white shirt!?! I was definitely taken aback, not just by how messy I now looked, but also by how happy everyone seemed, which was infectious. It's not unlike when Filipinos celebrate the feast of St. John the Baptist and people just go nuts splashing water at everybody, all with a sense of fun. I tried to escape from more buckets of water and more Holi, to no avail. Air started running around doing the same to everybody. My camera got wet so I gave it to one of the staff to put it somewhere dry. After several more minutes of craziness, we were given delicious food and drinks and posed for group photos. Air thought the celebration was the perfect ice breaker: after that, they were no longer faceless hotel staff. They became our friends. And my new white shirt, now soiled with colorful Holi powder, will remain unwashed for eternity, the perfect souvenir of this unbelievable day.

The celebration didn't end there. In the evening, after e-mailing Kathmandu our report at 7:30 pm, we were invited to join the staff for drinks and music. Under the full moon, we ate Nepalese snacks and drank whiskey and San Miguel beer (go Pinoy!). The staff also invited a group of senior Japanese pilgrims and a couple of Russian guys who were also staying at the hotel. One of the staff, Sachindra (Sachin for short) -- who tends the hotel shop and who strangely looks Spanish because of his Caucasian features (he is a Newari, from the city of Patan; more on that later) -- started singing some Nepali songs with his guitar. He said he plays with his friends in a band in Kathmandu. But to my horror, he called me and asked me to sing something. Yikes, I don't really sing in public in the Philippines, certainly not with Japanese and Russian people around. He gave me a "songhits" with Nepali and English songs. I knew one song there, the Beatles' "And I Love Her," so I mustered up the courage to sing that, which surprisingly went ok. Next to sing was a couple of Japanese ladies, and then it was dancing time, with the cooks and the gardeners giving their all, Bollywood style!

After a quick tour of the kitchen (where they gave us more food), I sneaked back to our room at around 10:30 to call it a night. Mukti and Bhimji followed. Mukti was worried about Air being left alone with the other guys at the party. I told Mukti that I'm sure Air will be fine and I didn't think anybody would do anything bad to her. (You see, Nepalis retreat to their homes quite early, with shops closing at around seven. And women certainly don't stay out late, unlike where Air and I are from where people start coming to clubs at 11 pm. Although Mukti may have had a point, as I learned the next morning that some of the guys got drunk). I appreciate Mukti's concern, but maybe he's just not used to young women staying out late. Air meanwhile thought Mukti acted weird.

(Click on any image to see more photos.)

Lunacy

2009-04-06T10:09:00.003+08:00

How do you deal with a crazy person?

You can't!

For anyone vaguely familiar with Korean culture, two things are as clear as day: First, North Korea is not going to listen to any foreigner, unless it greatly benefits financially from said foreigner. Second, North Korea will probably blink only if its main benefactor, China (and Russia? and Iran?), will completely cut off financial support to its ideological ally. However, for anyone vaguely familiar with China's modern history, one thing is also as clear as day: that's not going to happen!

In the meantime, the situation in the region (and that includes all of us Asians) is more unstable than ever, a crazy man holding our sense of security and peace of mind hostage.

God save the Queen

2009-04-06T09:51:00.007+08:00

On his first trip to Europe as president, Barack Obama visited Queen Elizabeth II and gave her an iPod. An iPod! Pre-loaded with Broadway tunes. The woman lives in London. Didn't they think that show tunes must be coming out of her nose by now? I'm pretty sure she hasn't recovered from that bombastic Andrew Lloyd Webber royal celebration a decade ago.

Click on the CD cover to hear snippets of those songs, that theoretically she's currently listening to as she stares lovingly at the family jewels.

In the spirit of the season...

2009-03-23T17:26:00.003+08:00

Take out the sandals, polish the headresses, wave the coconut leaves, and get set for the Lenten Costume Extravaganza movie marathon!

What you need:

1. Food and drinks - lots of them!
2. Tissue - for your tears (from laughter from watching some of the movies)
3. Medicine - for the inevitable headache
4. A good excuse - to not go to work after
5. THESE 10 MOVIES:

CLEOPATRA
(Joseph L. Mankiewicz, 1963)

The costumes! The gargantuan sets! The stupendous grand entrance to Rome! Elizabeth Taylor inside a carpet! I challenge you to sit through this movie with a straight face!

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
(Cecil B. DeMille, 1956)
"Get your stinking paws off me you damn, dirty..." oops, wrong movie. Moses parts the Red Sea. 'Nuff said!

SPARTACUS
(Stanley Kubrick, 1960)

BEN-HUR
(William Wyler, 1959)
The chariot race alone is worth the price of the admission.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
(Norman Jewison, 1973)
In which a bunch of hippies get high on drugs then stage a musical in the desert.

THE LIFE OF BRIAN
(Terry Jones, 1979)
Classic romp from the Monty Python gang.

BEN-HUR
(Fred Niblo, et al, 1925)
A much better film than the 1959 version. But then again, it doesn't have Charlton Heston. (Watch the whole movie here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqI8hwTTN54&feature=PlayList&p=FED1E7A3ECE05BF1&index=0&playnext=1)

QUO VADIS
(Mervyn LeRoy, Anthony Mann, 1951)

THE ROBE
(Henry Koster, 1953)
"Victor Mature." That name is right up there with "Afrika Bambaataa" and "Iñigo Montoya."

GLADIATOR
(Ridley Scott, 2000)
Almost didn't make it for taking themselves too seriously. Whatever, Russel Crowe. You're in a skirt, dodging CGI tigers!

Suggested alternative Lenten/Holy Week/ summer movie marathon programs:

PROGRAM A: Himala / Itim / Kisapmata / Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang / Nunal Sa Tubig / Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag / batch '81 / Moral / Sister Stella L. / Oro, Plata, Mata

PROGRAM B: Grease / My Girl / Stand By Me / Forrest Gump / Lost In Yonkers / The Royal Tenenbaums / Do The Right Thing / Lilo & Stitch / 50 First dates / Meatballs

Kapilvastu

2009-03-21T12:38:00.006+08:00

(3.23.08)

We stayed in Lumbini to do observation work in the district of Kapilvastu. We wanted to stay in Taulihawa, the center of the district, but there's just no suitable accommodation available. A local observer suggested that we rent a house instead, but we thought it's too much of a hassle since we'll be staying in the district for several days only. So we decided to just stay in the Hokke hotel, which is about 17 kms (45 minutes) away from Taulihawa.

Compared to Bhairahawa, Taulihawa looks very rural. There is a small commercial area where basic necessities are sold. There are also several shops selling traditional clothes. I bought myself a complete Madhesi get-up: a long-sleeved shirt that extends down to my knees, white drawstring long pants, and a white cotton scarf (which Fernanda really liked so I also bought her one). Air had a field day buying an armful of colorful dresses from a sidewalk stall, she attracted the attention of a crowd of guys of all ages. I noticed that people were selling by the gram powders of different colors. People usually use this for the tika (that red or yellow dot on the foreheads of Indians and Nepalis), but now they're buying it in bundles in preparation for a certain festival.

We also noticed this donkey in the town center. No, he doesn't do anything, he just stands there. Sometimes we see him in the shade, but still just standing there, with eyes closed. Very funny.

One of the funniest sights was a "school bus" being pulled by a rickshaw (or to be exact, a "school rickshaw"), which looked like a small cage, but with children inside instead of chickens!

Kapilvastu is also said to be a significant place for Buddhism because this was the Buddha's hometown, where he grew up before he got his calling. There are supposed to be archaeological sites near Taulihawa but we have not been able to look for them due to lack of time.

(Click on any image to see more photos.)

At peace in Hokke

2009-03-21T11:36:00.007+08:00

(3.20.08)

The Lumbini Hokke Hotel is located right smack inside the Lumbini Development Zone, a huge, generously funded Buddhist complex (in Rupandehi, Nepal), which is (or will be) probably to Buddhism what the Holy See is to Catholicism. The hotel is in the northern part of the Zone, a stone's throw away from the World Peace Pagoda (more on the Development Zone in a later entry). A room in Hokke is not cheap, but since budget permits it, we took two rooms, one for Air, and one for us guys. We got a discounted price, the NGO price. Hokke has a strange pricing system: a room is priced less if more people will share it (Air's room, though smaller, is actually a bit more expensive); you pay less if you're a Buddhist pilgrim, but you pay more if you're from the US or Europe (which means you'll probably get the best deal if you're an Asian pilgrim with a group). Come to think of it, maybe all hotel rooms should be priced this way.

There are only 16 rooms in Hokke, which come in two styles: the Western style, and the Japanese style. Of course we took Japanese-style rooms. It was love at first sight. The rooms are immaculately designed, and very comfortable. In other words, you know where your money goes. My first reaction upon seeing our room was, where's my camera? Tatami floors, sliding paper panels, minimalistic furnishings. They even provide Japanese robes for all guests, and complimentary green tea. A Japanese bath is also available for free use by tour groups.

The grounds are well-kept, and the ambiance nothing short of tranquil, perfectly suited to Lumbini. There are ponds at one side, a prayer and meditation area at the back. Just outside the grounds is a crane sanctuary. Two beautiful peacocks roam freely in the grounds, especially in the morning when they make the strangest sound, like a cross between a truck horn and a really loud fart!

The hotel is also supposedly known for its Japanese dishes, but I've not tried them because they're probably very expensive. The fabulous complimentary continental breakfast is enough proof that they serve immaculate food. They even bake their own bread.

(The Hokke is my favorite hotel in Nepal, and the staff are some of my favorite people in the country.)

(Click on any image to see more photos.)

Isko/Iska

2009-03-21T11:28:00.005+08:00

Another Facebook tag.

1. ANONG STUDENT NUMBER MO? 93-16168

2. NAKAPASA KA BA OR WAITLISTED? sa kasamaang-palad, waitlisted (see no.4 and 5)

3. PAANO MO NALAMAN ANG ENTRANCE EXAM RESULT? sinabi sa akin ng pinsan ko who was already in UP. sa halip na matuwa, kinabahan ako dahil sa mga kuwento nya about UP ROTC!

4. ANO ANG FIRST CHOICE MO NA COURSE? Business Administration

5. SECOND CHOICE? Business Administration and Accountancy (I did not know what I was doing)

6. ANO COURSE NATAPOS MO? Tourism (or according to many, Turiiiiisiiiim.) But before that, English major ako. Frankly, medyo nagsisisi ako at sa Tourism ako nag-shift. I was 17, and at that time, I really did not know what to do with my life. I only realized what I really want to do nung nagtatrabaho na ako. I think I should have taken Political Science or Anthropology. If only I could go back in time...

7. NAG-SHIFT KA BA? see no.6. At that time, I was seriously considering taking up Film, pero nung time na yun, wala pang digital. We just couldn't afford that.

8. CHINITO/CHINITA KA BA? yes, if I squeeze my face enough

9. NAKAPAG-DORM KA BA? hindi! I wish I did. Sana na-experience ko hindi maligo dahil walang tubig sa Kalayaan!

10. NAKA UNO KA BA? yes, sa Thesis.

11. NAGKA-3? twice, sa Math 17 at Accounting! I got a 4, but I was able to turn it into a 2 by taking the subject again. But I never got a 5.

12. LAGI KA BANG PUMAPASOK SA KLASE? yes. Although sa likod ng notebook ko meron akong chart kung naka-ilang absent na ako per class. Di dapat lumampas ng tatlong beses. Umaabsent ako pag may magandang sine sa SM!

13. MAY SCHOLARSHIP KA BA? STFAP

14. ILANG UNITS NA ANG NAIPASA MO? everything

15. NANGARAP KA BANG MAGING CUM LAUDE? amazingly, hindi. I wish I did. At that time, wala sa akin yung magka-honor. One of the reasons why I want to go back to UP is to sort of correct that. I think I'm capable of doing a lot better.

16. KELAN KA NAGTAPOS? 1997

17. FAVE PROF? Winnie Monsod sa Econ, Prof. Rodriguez sa AIT, and that really cool lady who made us listen to the Beatles sa Humanities

18. WORST TEACHER: I had this professor sa Kasaysayan. This old-ish guy who smoked a lot in class. Plus, our class was at 7am, and he had this really low voice. We just wanted to sleep!

19. FAVE SUBJECT: Humanities II, Economics

20. WORST SUBJECT: all the Math subjects, Chemistry, etc.

21. FAVE BUILDING: the Main Library

22. PABORITONG KAINAN: Beach House, and also that burger place sa Vinzons. Anybody still remember Green House? All the ulam there tasted the same dahil lahat "sinasabawan" ng gravy nila na nag-iisang klase. Second sem na nang nakapasok ako sa Casaa. Never ako nakakain sa Co-op.

23. NOONG ESTUDYANTE KA PA MAGKANO BA ANG BINABAYAD MO SA JEEP? P1.25 sa Ikot, P1.50 regular fare

24. LAGI KA BA SA LIBRARY? lagi. When I had free time, nandun ako, either Main Lib or AIT lib. Since elementary, close ako sa mga librarians, even when my classmates hated them for being too strict

25. NAGPUNTA KA BA SA CLINIC NUN? nung medical exam lang prior to entering UP. Ang sabi ng iba, hindi pa sila pumapasok ng UP, na-harass na sila, kasi pinaghubad at pinatuwad sila during the medical exam!

26. MAY CRUSH KA BA SA CAMPUS? yes, blockmate ko. ganda nya. she's now married.

27. ANU-ANO ANG MGA NAGING PE MO? Social dance, PE 1, bowling. I waited till my senior year para kunin ang marksmanship. In demand yun, at pag-senior ka, priority ka. Pucha, hindi in-offer nung graduating na ako, bumagsak ako sa Philippine games!

28. KAMUSTA NAMAN ANG BLOCK NYO? we got along well. English majors kami; many of them went on to become lawyers

29. MEMORIZE MO BA ANG ALMA MATER SONG? ngayon yung umpisa na lang

30. MEMBER KA BA NG VARSITY TEAM? duh

31. NAKA-PERFECT KA NA BA NG EXAM? I think so

32. DITO KA BA NATUTONG UMINOM NG BEER? no. never hung out with anybody in UP while I was studying there. Pathetic no? Wala akong org (well, I had for a short time, before the org ceased to exist). I nearly joined Kontra-Gapi, but my blockmates did not show up para samahan ako. So I just went home that afternoon. Kainis!

33. NAHULI KA BANG NAKIKIPAGLAMPUNGAN SA SUNKEN GARDEN? no. Pero memorable syempre ang Sunken Garden, not just because of ROTC, but because dun lagi ako sa grandstand pumupunta noon para manigarilyo. I didn't want anybody to see me smoking. I felt really guilty.

34. SAAN PINAKAMASARAP ANG FISHBALL? Anywhere in UP

35. ANONG BATTALION MO NUNG ROTC? Charlie, then Alpha, Infantry. Hated ROTC, but a day after our last day of training, na-miss ko sya. I still see some fellow former cadets every now and then, usually sa malls. (I see one on TV, another one plays in a band.) I don't know their names (except the popular ones), pero di ko malilimutan ang mga mukha nila. We shared a past, parang Vietnam veterans!

36. ANO PABORITO MONG MERYENDA SA UP? yung pritong lumpia na nilalako ng mga ale sa bilao

37. NAIKOT MO NA BA ANG ACAD OVAL? hello, ROTC

38. INULAN KA BA NUNG UMATTEND KA NG UNIVERSITY GRADUATION? hindi. medyo mainit nun

39. ANO ANG PINAKAGRABENG PILANG NAPUNTAHAN MO? there was a time na if you want to sign-up for a class, you had to be there either really early morning or the night before

40. KUNG MAY QUOTE KA PARA SA UP, ANO ITO? wala akong maisip

The Best Movies: 2000-2009 (updated list)

2009-03-14T11:08:00.026+08:00

The ‘10s and ‘20s are fondly remembered for Chaplin; German Expressionist films; other masterpieces of the silent era (from Murnau, Eisenstein, Griffith, Lang, Dreyer, Flaherty, etc.); the first Hollywood superstars such as Rudolph Valentino, Buster Keaton, Douglas Fairbanks Sr., Lon Chaney, and Lilian Gish; and the arrival of sound. The ‘30s for glittering Depression-era musicals, family films, screwball comedies, and Disney. The ‘40s for film noir, Westerns, WWII propaganda and morality tales. The ‘50s for Hitchcock, Kurosawa, Italian neorealism, the rise of other world cinema, and Cold War-paranoia sci-fi flicks. The ‘60s for Technicolor epics, youth-oriented pop films, and French New Wave. The ‘70s for its maverick directors (Altman, Allen, Scorsese, Polanski, Coppola, Spielberg, Lucas, Bertolucci, De Palma, Lumet, Pakula, etc.) The ‘80s for modern summer blockbusters and teen flicks. The ‘90s for indie filmmaking, East Asian cinema (Zhang Yimou, Wong Kar-Wai, Ang Lee, etc.), and the rise of CGI. What will this film decade be remembered for?

This is an update of an entry I originally posted three years ago. Below is a running list of movies in alphabetical order that I will eventually rank and post again around this time next year. Of course there are still a lot of great movies from this decade that I simply have not seen (example: the works of Lav Diaz), that's why they're not here. If there are some other movies you think are missing, hmmm, maybe I just didn't like them that much (A Beautiful who? Mystic what?). Eventually, I will also be providing a list of what I think were the best performances, memorable characters, scenes/sequences, and technical achievements.

I would like to think that this is a good starting point to appreciate the cinema of this decade. Pretentious! Watch, or re-watch, these movies and tell me what you think.

24-Hour Party People (Michael Winterbottom, 2002) Web: http://www.partypeoplemovie.com/

28 Days Later (Danny Boyle, 2002) Web: http://www2.foxsearchlight.com/28dayslater/main.php?deeplink=

4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days (Cristian Mungiu, 2007) Web: http://www.4months3weeksand2days.com/blog/index.php

800 Balas (Alex de la Iglesia, 2002) Web: http://www.clubcultura.com/clubcine/clubcineastas/delaiglesia/800balasoficial/

9/11 (James Hanlon, Rob Klug, Gedeon Naudet, Jules Naudet, 2002) Web: http://www.amazon.com/11-Filmmakers-Commemorative-Tony-Benatatos/dp/B00006B1HI

A History of Violence (David Cronenberg, 2005) Web: http://www.historyofviolence.com/

A.I. Artificial Intelligence (Steven Spielberg, 2001) Web: http://www.warnerbros.co.uk/video/ai/index.html

Adaptation (Spike Jonze, 2002) Web: http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/adaptation-superbit/index.html

Amelie (Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 2001) Web: http://www.die-fabelhafte-welt-der-amelie.de/

American Psycho (Mary Harron, 2000) Web: http://homevideo.universalstudios.com/americanpsycho/

American Splendor (Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini, 2003) Web: http://www.americansplendormovie.com/main.html

An Inconvenient Truth (Davis Guggenheim, 2006) Web: http://www.climatecrisis.net/

Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (Aureus Solito, 2005) Web: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pagdadalaga_ni_maximo_oliveros/; http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0479506/

Apocalypto (Mel Gibson, 2006) Web: http://video.movies.go.com/apocalypto/

Arisan! (Nia Di Nata, 2003) Web: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/03/29/nia-dinata-all-it-takes-courage.html

Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner) (Zacharias Kunuk, 2001) Web: http://atanarjuat.com/

Avatar (James Cameron, 2009) Web: http://www.avatarmovie.com/

Baadasssss! (Mario Van Peebles, 2003) Web: http://www.sonyclassics.com/badass/

Bad Education (Pedro Almodovar, 2004) Web: http://www.sonyclassics.com/badeducation/

Batman Begins (Christopher Nolan, 2005) Web: http://www2.warnerbros.com/batmanbegins/index.html

Battle For Haditha (Nick Broomfield, 2007) Web: http://www.surreal-films.com/haditha/

Battle Royale (Kinji Fukasaku, 2000) Web: http://www.battleroyalefilm.net/

Before Sunset (Richard Linklater, 2004) Web: http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040702/REVIEWS/407020312/1023

Belleville Rendezvous (The Triplets of Belleville) (Sylvain Chomet, 2003) Web: http://www.sonyclassics.com/triplets/

Best In Show (Christopher Guest, 2000) Web: http://bestinshowonline.warnerbros.com/

Black Book (Paul Verhoeven, 2006) Web: http://www.sonyclassics.com/blackbook/

Bloody Sunday (Paul Greengrass, 2002) Web: http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/review/1813

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (Larry Charles, 2006) Web: http://www.boratonline.co.uk/

Born Into Brothels (Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman, 2004) Web: http://kids-with-cameras.org/bornintobrothels/film.php

Bowling For Columbine (Michael Moore, 2002) Web: http://www.michaelmoore.com/books-films/facts/bowling-columbine

Brokeback Mountain (Ang Lee, 2005) Web: http://www.brokebackmountain.com/

Bus 174 (Jose Padilha, Felipe Lacerda, 2002) Web: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0340468/

Caché (Hidden) (Michael Haneke, 2005) Web: http://www.sonyclassics.com/cache/

Camp (Todd Graff, 2003) Web: http://www.futuremovies.co.uk/filmmaking.asp?ID=46

Capturing The Friedmans (Andrew Jarecki, 2003) Web: http://www.capturingthefriedmans.com/main.html

Cars (John Lasseter, 2006) Web: http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/animatedfilms/cars/

Casino Royale (Martin Campbell, 2006) Web: http://www.sonypictures.co.uk/movies/casinoroyale/index.html

Cast Away (Robert Zemeckis, 2000) Web: http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/films.php?id=2574

Catch Me If You Can (Steven Spielberg, 2002) Web: http://www.dreamworks.com/catchthem/jump2.html

Chicago (Rob Marshall, 2002) Web: http://www.miramax.com/chicago/

Chicken Run (Peter Lord, Nick Park, 2000) Web: http://www.aardman.com/features/released-features/chicken-run/

Children of Men (Alfonso Cuaron, 2006) Web: http://www.childrenofmen.net/

Children Underground (Edet Belzberg, 2001) Web: http://www.indiewire.com/article/interview_edet_belzbergs_children_underground_brings_the_lives_of_romanian_/

Chuck & Buck (Miguel Arteta, 2000) Web: http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9803E1D61F38F937A25754C0A9669C8B63

Chunhyang (Im Kwon-taek, 2000) Web: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/chunhyang/

Cinderella Man (Ron Howard, 2005) Web: http://www.cinderellamanmovie.com/index.php

City of God (Fernando Meirelles, Katia Lund, 2002) Web: http://cidadededeus.globo.com/

Curse of the Golden Flower (Zhang Yimou, 2006) Web: http://www.sonyclassics.com/curseofthegoldenflower/

Dark Days (Marc Singer, 2000) Web: http://www.palmpictures.com/film/dark-days.php

Dave Chapelle's Block Party (Michel Gondry, 2005) Web: http://www.chappellesblockparty.com/

Deliver Us From Evil (Amy Berg, 2006) Web: http://www.deliverusfromevilthemovie.com/index_flash.php

Devdas (Sanjay Leela Bhansali, 2002) Web: http://devdas.indiatimes.com/

District 9 (Neill Blomkamp, 2009) Web: http://www.d-9.com/

Dogtown and Z-Boys (Stacy Peralta, 2001) Web: http://www.sonyclassics.com/dogtown/

Dogville (Lars Von Trier, 2003) Web: http://www.iconmovies.co.uk/dogville/

Donnie Darko (Richard Kelly, 2001) Web: http://www.donniedarkofilm.com/

Downfall (Oliver Hirschbiegel, 2004) Web: http://www.downfallthefilm.com/

Elf (Jon Favreau, 2003) Web: http://movies.about.com/cs/elf/a/elfjonfavreau.htm

Erin Brockovich (Steven Soderbergh, 2000) Web: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0195685/

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Michel Gondry, 2004) Web: http://www.eternalsunshine.com/

Fahrenheit 9/11 (Michael Moore, 2004) Web: http://www.fahrenheit911.com/

Fantasia 2000 (Eric Goldberg, et al, 2000) Web: http://www.awn.com/mag/issue4.08/4.08pages/schifffantasia.php3

Fantastic Mr. Fox (Wes Anderson, 2009) Web: http://www.fantasticmrfoxmovie.com/

Far From Heaven (Todd Haynes, 2002) Web: http://www.farfromheavenmovie.com/

Finding Nemo (Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich, 2003) Web: http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/animatedfilms/findingnemo/index2.html

Frost/Nixon (Ron Howard, 2008) Web: http://www.frostnixon.net/

Gangs of New York (Martin Scorsese, 2002) Web: http://urbanography.com/5_points/

Ghost World (Terry Zwigoff, 2001) Web: http://www.ghostworld-themovie.com/

Gladiator (Ridley Scott, 2000) Web: http://www.uky.edu/AS/Classics/gladiator.html

Gran Torino (Clint Eastwood, 2008) Web: http://www.thegrantorino.com/

Grindhouse: Planet Terror and Death Proof (Robert Rodriguez & Quentin Tarantino, 2007) Web: http://www.grindhousemovie.net/

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Alfonso Cuaron, 2004) Web: http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/

Hedwig and the Angry Inch (John Cameron Mitchell, 2001) Web: http://www.get-hed.com/

Hellboy II: The Golden Army (Guillermo Del Toro, 2008) Web: http://www.hellboymovie.com/

Hero (Zhang Yimou, 2002) Web: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0299977/

High Fidelity (Stephen Frears, 2000) Web: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0146882/

Hot Fuzz (Edgar Wright, 2007) Web: http://www.hotfuzz.com/

Hotel Rwanda (Terry George, 2004) Web: http://www.unitedartists.com/hotelrwanda/intro.html

House of Sand and Fog (Vadim Perelman, 2003) Web: http://www.dreamworks.com/houseofsandandfog/

Howl’s Moving Castle (Hayao Miyazaki, 2004) Web: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/castle/

I Am Legend (Francis Lawrence, 2007) Web: http://iamlegend.warnerbros.com/

In America (Jim Sheridan, 2002) Web: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/inamerica/

In the Mood for Love (Wong Kar-Wai, 2000) Web: http://www.wkw-inthemoodforlove.com/

In This World (Michael Winterbottom, 2002) Web: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/3591961/The-best-British-film-of-my-lifetime.html

Infernal Affairs (Wai Keung Laum Siu Fai Mak, 2002) Web: http://www.tfmdistribution.com/infernalaffairs/

Inglourious Basterds (Quentin Tarantino, 2009) Web: http://www.inglouriousbasterds-movie.com/

Inland Empire (David Lynch, 2006) Web: http://www.inlandempirecinema.com/

Jarhead (Sam Mendes, 2005) Web: http://www.jarheadmovie.com/

Jay (Francis Xavier Pasion, 2008) Web: http://oggsmoggs.blogspot.com/2008/07/jay-2008.html

Kandahar (Mohsen Makhmalbaf, 2001) Web: http://www.makhmalbaf.com/movies.php?m=10

Kekexili (Mountain Patrol) (Chuan Lu, 2004) Web: http://nationalgeographic.com/mountainpatrol/

Kill Bill Vols. 1 & 2 (Quentin Tarantino, 2003-2004) Web: http://www.tarantino.info/wiki/index.php/Kill_Bill_References_Guide; http://www.tfmdistribution.fr/killbill/

King Kong (Peter Jackson, 2005) Web: http://www.kongisking.net/

Knocked Up (Judd Apatow, 2007) Web: http://www.knockedupmovie.com/

Kubrador (Jeffrey Jeturian, 2006) Web: http://tornandfrayed.typepad.com/tornandfrayed/2006/08/kubrador.html

Kung-Fu Hustle (Stephen Chow, 2004) Web: http://www.kungfuhustle.com/

L'Enfant (Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne) Web: http://www.sonyclassics.com/thechild/

Lagaan (Ashutosh Gowariker, 2001) Web: http://www.lagaan.com/

Let The Right One In (Tomas Alfredson, 2008) Web: http://www.lettherightoneinmovie.com/

Letters From Iwo Jima (Clint Eastwood, 2006) Web: http://wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/iwojima-movies/

Lost In La Mancha (Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe, 2002) Web: http://www.smart.co.uk/lostinlamancha/

Lost In Translation (Sofia Coppola, 2003) Web: http://www.lost-in-translation.com/

Lupang Hinarang (Ditsi Carolino, 2009) Web: http://www.lupanghinarang.com/

Man On Wire (James Marsh, 2008) Web: http://manonwire.com/

March of the Penguins (Luc Jacquet, 2005) Web: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/marchofthepenguins/

Maria Full of Grace (Joshua Marston, 2004) Web: http://www.mariafullofgrace.com/

Marie Antoinette (Sofia Coppola, 2006) Web: http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/marieantoinette/index.html

Marooned In Iraq (Bahman Ghobadi, 2002) Web: http://filmsufi.blogspot.com/2008/08/marooned-in-iraq-bahman-ghobadi-2002.html

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (Peter Weir, 2003) Web: http://www.inquiry.net/patrol/training/movies.htm

Match Point (Woody Allen, 2005) Web: http://www.matchpoint.dreamworks.com/

Mean Creek (Jacob Aaron Estes) Web: http://www.meancreekmovie.com/

Memento (Christopher Nolan, 2000) Web: http://www.otnemem.com/

Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky, 2004) Web: http://www.ugo.com/channels/music/features/metallica_somekindofmonster/

Milk (Gus Van Sant, 2008) Web: http://www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/milk/

Minority Report (Steven Spielberg, 2002) Web: http://www.foxjapan.com/movies/minority/index.html

Moolaadé (Ousmane Sembene, 2004) Web: http://www.seanax.com/2008/03/01/ousmane-sembene-godfather-of-black-african-cinema/

Moulin Rouge (Baz Luhrmann, 2001) Web: http://www.bazthegreatsite.com/moulinrouge.htm

Mulholland Drive (David Lynch, 2001) Web: http://www.mulholland-drive.net/

Munich (Steven Spielberg, 2005) Web: http://www.munichmovie.com/

Murderball (Henry Alex Rubin and Dana Adam Shapiro, 2005) Web: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/murderball/21013/main

My Winnipeg (Guy Maddin, 2007) Web: http://www.mywinnipeg.co.uk/

No Country For Old Men (Joel and Ethan Coen, 2007) Web: http://video.movies.go.com/nocountryforoldmen/

No End In Sight (Charles Ferguson, 2007) Web: http://www.noendinsightmovie.com/

No Man’s Land (Danis Tanovic, 2001) Web: http://www.unitedartists.com/nomansland/

Ocean's Trilogy (Steven Soderbergh, 2001-2007) Web: http://oceans11.warnerbros.com/main_noflash.html

Oldboy (Park Chan-Wook, 2003) Web: http://www.mandiapple.com/snowblood/oldboy.htm

Oliver Twist (Roman Polanski, 2005) Web: www.sonypictures.com/movies/olivertwist/

One Hour Photo (Mark Romanek, 2002) Web: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/onehourphoto/

Osama (Siddiq Barmak, 2003) Web: http://www.osamamovie.com/

Pan's Labyrinth (Guillermo del Toro, 2006) Web: http://www.panslabyrinth.com/

Paradise Now (Hany Abu-Assad, 2005) Web: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise_Now

Pauline & Paulette (Lieven Debrauwer, 2001) Web: http://www.sonyclassics.com/paulineandpaulette/

Pisay (Auraeus Solito, 2007) Web: http://www.pisaythemovie.com.ph/

Ponyo On The Cliff By The Sea (Hayao Miyazaki, 2008) Web: http://www.ghibli.jp/ponyo/

Ratatouille (Brad Bird, 2007) Web: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/ratatouille/

Requiem For A Dream (Darren Aronofsky, 2000) Web: http://www.reelviews.net/movies/r/requiem_dream.html

Riles (Ditsi Carolino, 2003) Web: http://www.pinoyfilm.com/riles-a-movie-executed-to-perfection

Rize (David LaChapelle, 2005) Web: http://www.lachapellestudio.com/film/rize/

Russian Ark (Alexander Sokurov, 2002) Web: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/cinema/features/russian-ark.shtml

Saraband (Ingmar Bergman, 2003) Web: http://www.sonyclassics.com/saraband/

Scratch (Doug Pray, 2001) Web: http://www.metrofilms.com/scratch/platine1.html

Secret Ballot (Babak Payami, 2001) Web: http://ferdyonfilms.com/2008/11/secret-ballot-raye-makhfi-2001.php

Sexy Beast (Jonathan Glazer, 2000) Web: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0203119/

Shattered Glass (Billy Ray, 2003) Web: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0323944/

Shrek 2 (Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury, Conrad Vernon, 2004) Web: http://www.shrek2.com/

Sideways (Alexander Payne, 2004) Web: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/sideways/

Sin City (Robert Rodriguez with Quentin Tarantino, 2005) Web: http://video.movies.go.com/sincity/

Slumdog Millionaire (Danny Boyle, 2008) Web: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/slumdogmillionaire/

Spellbound (Jeffrey Blitz, 2002) Web: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0334405/

Spider-Man 2 (Sam Raimi, 2004) Web: http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/spider-man2/index.html

Spirited Away (Hayao Miyazaki, 2001) Web: http://www.spiritedaway.com.au/

Standard Operating Procedure (Errol Morris, 2008) Web: http://www.sonyclassics.com/standardoperatingprocedure/

Star Wars Episode VI: The Revenge of the Sith (George Lucas, 2005) Web: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0121766/

Startup.Com (Chris Hagedus and Jehane Noujaim, 2001) Web: http://www.documentaryfilms.net/Reviews/StartUp/

A State of Mind (Daniel Gordon, 2004) Web: http://www.astateofmind.co.uk/

Super Size Me (Morgan Spurlock, 2004) Web: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390521/combined

Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (Park Chan-Wook, 2005) Web: http://www.lady-vengeance.de/

Syndromes and A Century (Apichatpong Weerasethakul, 2006) Web: http://www.kickthemachine.com/works/Syndromes.html

Synecdoche, New York (Charlie Kaufman, 2008) Web: http://www.sonyclassics.com/synecdocheny/

Tae Guk Gi (The Brotherhood of War) (Kang Je-gyu, 2004) Web: http://www.haro-online.com/movies/taegukgi.html

Talk To Her (Pedro Almodovar, 2002) Web: http://www.sonyclassics.com/talktoher/

Tarnation (Jonathan Caouette, 2003) Web: http://jonathancaouette.blogspot.com/

Taxi To The Dark Side (Alex Gibney, 2007) Web: http://www.taxitothedarkside.co.uk/

Team America: World Police (Trey Parker, 2004) Web: http://www.teamamerica.com/

The Best of Youth (Marco Tullio Giordana, 2003) Web: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/best_of_youth/

The Bourne Trilogy (Doug Liman, Paul Greengrass, 2002-2007) Web: http://www.thebourneultimatum.com/

The Constant Gardener (Fernando Meirelles, 2005) Web: http://www.theconstantgardener.com/

The Count of Monte Cristo (Kevin Reynolds, 2002) Web: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0245844/

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (David Fincher, 2008) Web: http://www.benjaminbutton.com/

The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan, 2008) Web: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468569/officialsites

The Departed (Martin Scorsese, 2006) Web: http://thedeparted.warnerbros.com/

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Julian Schnabel, 2007) Web: http://video.movies.go.com/thedivingbellandthebutterfly/main.html

The Fog of War (Errol Morris, 2003) Web: http://www.sonyclassics.com/fogofwar/

The Gleaners and I (Agnes Varda, 2000) Web: http://www.zeitgeistfilms.com/film.php?directoryname=gleanersandi&mode=filmmaker

The Incredible Hulk (Louis Leterrier, 2008) Web: http://incrediblehulk.marvel.com/

The Incredibles (Brad Bird, 2005) Web: http://www.pixar.com/featurefilms/incredibles/ ; http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/animatedfilms/incredibles/

The Lives of Others (Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, 2006) Web: http://www.sonyclassics.com/thelivesofothers/

The Lord of the Rings (Peter Jackson, 2001-2003) Web: http://www.lordoftherings.net/

The Man Without A Past (Aki Kaurismaki, 2002) Web: http://www.sonyclassics.com/manwithoutapast/index_flash.html

The New World (Terrence Malick, 2005) Web: http://www.thenewworldmovie.com/

The Passion of the Christ (Mel Gibson, 2004) Web: http://www.thepassionofthechrist.com/

The Pianist (Roman Polanski, 2002) Web: http://www.thepianistmovie.com/

The Queen (Stephen Frears, 2006) Web: http://www.thequeen-movie.com/

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (Kim Bartley and Donnacha O'Briain, 2003) Web: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/storyville/chavez.shtml

The Road to Guantanamo (Michael Winterbottom, 2006) Web: http://www.roadtoguantanamomovie.com/

The Royal Tenenbaums (Wes Anderson, 2001) Web: http://www.royaltenenbaums.com/

The School of Rock (Richard Linklater, 2003) Web: http://www.schoolofrockmovie.com/

The Syrian Bride (Eran Riklis, 2004) Web: http://www.syrianbride.com/

The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (Tommy Lee Jones, 2005) Web: http://www.sonyclassics.com/threeburials/

The War Tapes (Deborah Scranton, 2006) Web: http://www.thewartapes.com/the_film/

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (Judy Irving, 2003) Web: http://www.wildparrotsfilm.com/

The Wrestler (Darren Aronofsky, 2008) Web: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/thewrestler/

There Will Be Blood (Paul Thomas Anderson, 2007) Web: http://www.bvimovies.com/fr/twbb/

Tony Takitani (Jun Ichikawa, 2004) Web: http://www.tonytakitani.com/

Touching The Void (Kevin Macdonald, 2003) Web: http://www.haro-online.com/movies/touching_the_void.html

Traffic (Steven Soderbergh, 2000) Web: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181865/

Tropa de Elite (Jose Padilha, 2007) Web: http://www.tropadeeliteofilme.com.br/

Tribu (Jim Libiran, 2007) Web: http://jimdiamond.multiply.com/

Tsotsi (Gavin Hood, 2005) Web: http://www.tsotsi.com/english/index.php

Tuhog (Jeffrey Jeturian, 2001) Web: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0291530/

Tulad ng Dati (Mike Sandejas, 2006) Web: http://www.thedawn.ph/

Tulpan (Sergei Dvortsevoy, 2008) Web: http://www.zeitgeistfilms.com/tulpan/

U-Carmen eKhayelitsha (Mark Dornford-May, 2005) Web: http://www.u-carmen.co.za/home.htm

Unbreakable (M. Night Shyamalan, 2000) Web: http://www.mnight.com/unbreakable

Under The Sand (Francois Ozon, 2000) Web: http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/review/2138/

United 93 (Paul Greengrass, 2006) Web: http://www.flight93.net/

V For Vendetta (James McTeigue, 2006) Web: http://vforvendetta.warnerbros.com/

Volver (Pedro Almodovar, 2006) Web: http://www.sonyclassics.com/volver/

Waking Life (Richard Linklater, 2001) Web: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/wakinglife/

Wall-E (Andrew Stanton, 2008) Web: http://adisney.go.com/disneyvideos/animatedfilms/wall-e/

When The Levees Broke (Spike Lee, 2006) Web: http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/whentheleveesbroke/?ntrack_para1=leftnav_category6_show0

Wonder Boys (Curtis Hanson, 2000) Web: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0185014/

Y Tu Mama Tambien (Alfonso Cuaron, 2001) Web: http://www.mgm.com/title_title.do?title_star=YTUMAMAT ; http://dir.salon.com/story/ent/movies/review/2002/03/15/y_tu_mama/index.html

Yi Yi (A One and A Two...) (Edward Yang, 2000) Web: http://www.combustiblecelluloid.com/yiyi.shtml

Zatoichi (Takeshi Kitano, 2003) Web: http://office-kitano.co.jp/zatoichi/

Zodiac (David Fincher, 2007) Web: http://www.zodiacmovie.com/

The hour that changed my life

2009-03-10T10:51:00.005+08:00

The title above came from a regular feature that Manila's Pulp magazine used to have, in which musicians listed down the songs most special to them. Yes, albums are just half the story of our lives in music. Many great songs just weren't contained in great albums (best example: most Motown artists and most Filipino artists). And more than artistic creations, songs are time capsules that will always take us back to those moments that changed our lives, or at least made us appreciate our lives more.

Okay, that paragraph was waaay cornier that I expected it would be. Here are 20 of those songs in order of preference. They're here either because they're just simply great, or they make me emotional, or they remind me of specific really happy times, or all of the above. I'm surprised that most of them are Filipino songs; maybe they just mean more to me than the best of Dylan and Lennon-McCartney.

1. The Hustle - Van McCoy & The Soul City Symphony
2. Sa Ugoy ng Duyan - Lea Salonga
3. Manila - Hotdog
4. Heaven Give Me Words - Propaganda
5. Perfect - True Faith
6. Cry For Help - Rick Astley
7. Magsimula Ka - Leo Valdez
8. S'werte S'werte Lang - Joel Navarro
9. Gold (12-inch mix) - Spandau Ballet
10. Borderline - Madonna
11. Comfort In Your Strangeness - Cynthia Alexander (I die a little every time)
12. Pure Imagination - Gene Wilder (from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory")
13. Bongga Ka 'Day - Hotdog
14. Nais Ko - Basil Valdez
15. God Only Knows - The Beach Boys
16. Dancing In The Dark - Bruce Springsteen
17. Torpedo - Eraserheads
18. With A Smile - Eraserheads
19. Blue Jeans - Apo Hiking Society
20. Kahimanawari - Pinikpikan

The next hour

As - Stevie Wonder
Batang-Bata - Apo Hiking Society
Concrete Jungle - The Wailers
Daughter - Pearl Jam
Friend of Mine - Odette Quesada
Happiness - from "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown!"
Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles
High School - Sharon Cuneta
I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika - Hajji Alejandro
Kuwentong Looban - Binky Lampano
Mad Mathematical World - The Jerks
Manggagawa - Rody Vera
Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) - Marvin Gaye
Nessun Dorma (1990) - Luciano Pavarotti
Ngayon at Kailanman - Basil Valdez
A Samba Song - Bong Peñera
Think - Aretha Franklin
'Wag Mo Na Sanang Isipin - Gary Valenciano

I'm pretty sure that's more than an hour (Kashmir, hello?)

Top 15 albums

2009-03-09T16:10:00.021+08:00

Yet another Facebook meme that I couldn't resist!

"Think of 15 albums that had such a profound effect on you they changed your life or the way you looked at it. They sucked you in and took you over for days, weeks, months, years. These are the albums that you can use to identify time, places, people, emotions. These are the albums that no matter what they were thought of musically, shaped your world."

Now list down your own top 15 and tag people.

1. Circus - Eraserheads

2. Cutterpillow - Eraserheads

3. ultraelectromagneticpop! - Eraserheads

4. Mga Awit ng Tanod-Lupa - Joey Ayala at Ang Bagong Lumad

5. Cha-Cha In Motion - Anastacio Mamaril and His Orchestra

6. Non-Stop Dancing 1976 - James Last

7. A Touch of Tabasco - Rosemary Clooney & Perez Prado

8. Getz/Gilberto - Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Astrud Gilberto

9. The Velvet Underground & Nico - The Velvet Underground & Nico

10. Jesus Christ Superstar

11. The Imaculate Collection - Madonna

12. Graceland - Paul Simon

13. Trans-Europe Express - Kraftwerk

14. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye

15. Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys

Runners-up: Rent (Original Broadway Cast); Purple Rain (Prince & The Revolution); Put3Ska (Put3Ska); Stars (Simply Red); 10 of Another Kind! (Various Artists); Tough Hits (Tito, Vic & Joey); Smokey Mountain (Smokey Mountain); Kind of Blue (Miles Davis)

A passage to India

2009-03-07T13:37:00.010+08:00

(3.19.08)

Nepal's most popular border crossing to India is in Bhairahawa, in the village of Sunauli about 10 minutes from the city center. We decided to go there on a lark late in the afternoon to check the area out, after a trip to Butwal, Rupandehi's biggest commercial area (more on Butwal later). Nepal shares a porous border with India, meaning citizens of both countries can come and go as they please without documents. This is the reason why the Terai is very India, because there are many Indians who have chosen to live here, plus the fact that the Terai used to be part of India, before Nepal became the nation that it is now. In fact, one can be forgiven to think that Nepal is still part of the subcontinent. Turn on the TV and you'll see Bollywood and Indian channels. Look at the people, their physical features, the way they dress. Most Nepalis can understand and speak Hindi. Indian currency is accepted in Nepal, and Nepalese currency accepted in certain parts of India. Hinduism. The caste system. The food, the cows and goats. And the current Indian Idol, Prashant Tamang, is Nepali.

The Terai has many problems unique to it because of its proximity to India. Several Indian terrorist groups sow fear in the Terai, and they reportedly operate from across the border. At least three of these groups have threatened to kill (or might have already done so) candidates and party members, and even observers for reasons I still don't know.

(Then there is the problem of the Madhes. The Madhesis claim to be the original inhabitants of the Terai, with strong ties to Indians. From what I've understood, they want the Terai to be a separate state, complaining that they have suffered discrimination from the hill peoples of Nepal who have descended on the Terai for greener pastures. The Terai is a strip of fertile flat land from east to west, where approximately 50% of Nepal's population currently reside. They started settling in the Terai some time in the 1950s if I'm not mistaken, when the area became a safe place to live in after the government did some serious fumigation to drive away malarial mosquitoes. Up to that point, most of the settlers in the area are the Tharus, a group of Southeast Asian-looking people who are said to have a natural immunity to malaria. They can still be found in some of the most rural of villages in the Terai, living in their traditional mud huts. We've met some of them, and it's actually quite cool inside them huts.)

Less than a kilometer from the border crossing, Mukti advised us to close the car windows, hide our cameras, and not to say anything. I think the idea was, if we would act natural, nobody would notice that we were actually foreigners. We can probably pass as Nepalis and cross the border without problem, but we did not want to take any chances and jeopardize our stature as international observers.

There's a big possibility that we won't be allowed to cross, but really, all I could think about was stepping on Indian soil, my dream country, visited on a lark one afternoon.

We parked the car a few meters from the border, just close enough to take a photo (sshh.) of the Welcome To India sign. Wow. Can I just run from here? Mukti got off the car and crossed the border to talk to the border police about the possibility of letting us in since we are international observers. Bless Mukti. He did it! He got permission for us to go in, but on two conditions: we can only go in for a short distance, and strictly no cameras.

Our car started to go in. The place was chaotic. Lots of trucks coming in and going out. Cars, vans, rickshaws packed with people and their belongings. Small shops everywhere selling Indian stuff: textile, food, newspapers, household goods, underwear! The noise. The density of people. I was loving every minute of it. I was really tempted to whip out my camera but Mukti kept reminding us that we were given a special favor, a privilege, so we better not break the rules. Sucks. We drove for a kilometer into India. (Into India!) How I wish we could drive further. A short distance from here, there's a bus that could take people to New Delhi in less than 24 hours. My fantasy was to make a side trip either to Tibet or to New Delhi after the mission, and also to visit Agra where the Taj Mahal is. But Tibet is an impossibility, and I read that it takes forever to get an Indian visa in Nepal. The best way to get a visa to India is to get it from one's own country, for bureucratic reasons. We were already far from the Indian police (whom I like to refer to as the Bollywood police with their big bellies, funny mustaches, and greenish brown uniforms, just like in the movies!), so I asked Mukti again if I can just take one picture; he agreed, and I managed to shoot a bajaj, proof that we did cross the border as there are no bajajs in Nepal.

At this point, all I could think about was to get off the car, plant my feet on Indian soil, and maybe kiss the ground. We went back to the border crossing, put on our observer IDs, and felt the ground on our feet. I'm in India! Let's shop. Air promptly disappeared into one of the textile shops. I hung around for a while in the shop but there was nothing for me there. In fact, it seems that all the shops here do not have traditional Indian stuff for guys. All the textile shops cater to women, with so many varieties of textile for saris, and accessories like bangles, bracelets, bindis, and the like. Finally, I saw a shop selling scarves similar to what the Indian men in their bicycles wear. I bought two. There was also a store selling Indian shoes. I've always wanted to have a pair of those Mughal-style shoes with curls at the toes. Yep, finally I got one, a little too big for me though, but it was the closest one and it's either I buy it or go back to Nepal with only two Indian scarves.

We were looking for Bhimji and the car and realized that he had parked at the Nepal side, so we started walking towards the gate. The prospect of just walking into another country thrilled me. Just before actually crossing, yep, I whipped out my camera with Mukti's approval and took photos of us under the Welcome To Nepal sign. (We also took photos of illegal Maoist campaign propaganda, but more on that later.)

And just like that, it was all over.

(More photos.)