Simply Amazing

"Things are not complicated, my child. They are never and they never were. It's what you do that makes them complicated."

-Taken from

"CROSSROADS: Love and All That's Left"

by MJ Mariano

It has long been in my mind that this is very true. Now that I finally have the opportunity to make a composition out of this, I might as well grab the situation and make good use of it. XD

Every thing is simple. That's how it is. What's complicated is actually us because it's kind of programmed in us to make things complicated. You may say that it is some what our nature.

For instance, people who have misunderstanding will keep on explaining their sides that eventually leads to an argument which will involve shouting. Where in fact, a brief explanation will do, then end it by saying sorry (all of you people involved!). Our pride will keep us like this because many of us won't admit that some things are our fault. The usual  "It's their fault!" drives people to be so stubborn.

In a school set up, some students will make activities more difficult when you can easily finish them fast and simple. I get the point that some will really exert so much effort to have a good quality output (because I'm one of them ;P) but some people doesn't take into consideration the capabilities of their members (not me any more because I know how to divide labor according to capacity). My standards are high, but I know how to adapt to this kind of situation. I do this simply because I want them to learn... that they should not depend on others always. But, you see? It's also my nature to make things complicated. Hahaha! XD Nevertheless, I BELIEVE IN THE BEAUTY OF SIMPLICITY because that is how I work most of the time - individually.

There are a lot more scenarios like this but I will not tell them one by one. It might be better if you guys will reflect on it.

Some people may be happy from a simple thing. In Filipino, 'mababaw ang kaligayahan.' I am like that because I know how to appreciate the simple things. As Sherlock Holmes says (my favorite quote as well), "It has long been an axiom of mine that the simple things are infinitely the most important." because at the end of the day, after all, every thing is simply amazing.:))

Masining na Pagpapahayag

Kung ako ay nag-enroll na lamang sa iisang klase, mas dadali ang pamumuhay ko. Pero marami ang nagtatanong, bakit nga ba pinili ko pang maging "irregular?"

Marami akong bagay na isinasaisip bago ko gawin ang kung anuman ang nais ko. Mukhang mahirap, oo. Pero para sa akin, sa paglipas ng bawat araw, dumadali rin ang lahat.

Ngayong isa na akong "irregular student," mas marami pa akong bagay na natututuhan. Napag-alaman ko na rin na kahit kailan, mukhang walang gagawa sa akin ng mga bagay na nagawa ko na para sa mga irregular students. Marahil ay hindi ko na kailangan iyon dahil kaya ko rin namang tumayo mag-isa, pero habang nasa ganito akong kalagayan, mas lubos kong naiintindihan at nauunawaan ang hirap na dinaranas ng dati kong mga kaklase.

Sa kasalukuyan, masaya ako dahil may mga bago na akong kaibigan. Masaya silang lahat kasama. Hindi ko na rin masyadong nararamdamang irreg ako. :))

Para sagutin ang katanungan, pinili kong maging irreg dahil gusto kong maranasan at makita mismo ng sarili kong mga mata ang buhay sa ganitong anggulo. :D

Not For Sale

I FEEL SO WEAK...

My eyes are watery; my body is aching; I feel defeated.

I just finished reading a friend's short story. It reminded me a lot of Saw - the brutality of it. But he is just a kid. A lot of things is to learn from the story, I just hope it's not happening in reality.

I like the way it was written. From a third person point of view, a narration is made. Not the usual narration I read that describes the scenario, a narration that seems to tell the character what to do. It's new to me. It's the first that I encountered one, I believe.

Poor Boy's Pain is really painful. As I was in the middle, I cannot continue reading anymore. What pushed me and kept me going on is my determination to see how it will end. I'm glad to say I found hope. I was happy that he was able to come to his senses. No matter what happens, it is your family that's your starting point, and no matter where you are, you can always return to your home base.

Philippines is a country wherein poverty is an issue. I am thankful that my family is not poor, and equally not rich. We're just in the middle, average. In spite of that, it is unavoidable that there are times when I myself experience poverty in this family. Having no money is very difficult, it immobilized me. I cannot move because I cannot go some place else, I can even buy neither what I need nor what I want.

His case, of course, is a lot worse than mine. He's not properly educated so he doesn't have enough knowledge of how other people are capable of using the likes of him. He took the bait because after all of his experiences in that tunnel, he longed to taste a good life. He kept his dignity, I liked it. But it seems that he was inconsistent of being a good child when he decided not to go back to his family and do whatever it takes to stay in that luxurious room. His charge were fingernails, hair, skin, and eyeballs to be able to stay there.

The ending was very smart and turning. The character I knew from the beginning of the story has finally returned, and he realized that despite a lot of hunger and pain, he is not for sale.

We Will Survive

"French films are not commonly recognized."

This is some of Mr. Martin Macalintal's words before the movie was played. He is from the Embassy of France to the Philippines who accompanied Director Stephane Rybojad to promote the film in SM Mall of Asia.

Special Forces is a film about a French journalist who was kidnapped in Afghanistan.*  The word journalist is present, but the story is mainly about the special forces, a military team sent out to rescue Elsa and return her safely to her land.

Some brutality were depicted. There were murders. Those scenes reminded me of Maguindanao Massacre. It was so cruel. That's one reason I felt some tears around my eyes. But, primarily, all was because of those men who gave themselves willingly to distract or hold the enemy off for the safety of the others.

I have friends who are taking AB Journalism. I was with one when I watched the film. We can relate to all that has happened in the movie because we are aware that it is part of life in media. Only two were left on my batch in Lyceum. Unlike in first year, second year, and fourth year college. They are also few. But compared to our batch, it is considered plenty. It may somehow be recognized as the normal count because only a few take Journalism in LPU. I salute those who choose to take and stay in Journalism.

From a viewpoint of someone who watched for appreciation, I always admire how courageous journalists are to pursue the truth. I will never wish, or even think, that the main character will die in the end. The movie was also her story. Moreover, if she died, everything those soldiers did will be for nothing.

From a stand of someone who watched to critique the camera angles and shots and those alike, I'm sorry to disappoint you, I did not care. I did not take mental notes. After learning all those stuff in production classes, my friends and I looked, from that moment on, at how every scene is executed, how the scene was shown, etc. But I believe, they are not always to be applied, most especially when one merely watches for the sake of entertainment. For this film, I was more after what would happen next because of the action and the drama than all the preparation done for the movie.

Those soldiers made a lot of sacrifices, even at the cost of their lives, just to fulfill their duty. They know what they've signed up for when they decided to join.

That's why I, as well, will not shift on any other courses. I know that there are some dangers attached to the career I've chosen to pursue, but this is my choice. This is what I want. This was given to me. I will not back down; I will not quit. I know what I've signed up for.

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*http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1656192/

I Have a K.I.T.* of Good Friends

Year 2006 ended a chapter of our lives and started a new one. We're no longer kids. We're done with our elementary days and we're on with our high school life.

Now, six years have gone by and it's 2012. We're already college students. Time flew so fast that we didn't even get a chance to have a get together back when we were in high school. And the reunion we've been planning for so long has finally come true... with plenty of surprises.

Who knew that we even have to prepare a dance? It was kind of hard but the important thing is that we enjoyed the moment... together with the celebration of Kyle's 18th birthday. :))

It was only in this time that we were able to have pictures again after a long time. A lot of stories were reminisced and a lot of stories have been told; there's even a continuation. Seeing one another showed us that we grew up a lot from the small people who used to tease one another, smash some classmates, run around the classroom, make a lot of noise while the teacher's not around and a lot more. We are now pursuing a degree in which in the near future, we can consider ourselves professionals. :D

That's the thing with elementary peers. You may not have constant communication at first, but in the end, you will still know them. At one point, time will come that you will see each other again and you will know how much others have grown. "Dati, ganito 'yan. Ngayon, ito na sya." You will see how much others have improved. And I feel very proud of all of them. :))

It's just kind of sad that not all was able to come. It might have been a lot more fun.

Nevertheless, the company of each other is still comforting. Now's the part where we will continuously Keep In Touch. :))

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*K.I.T.
1. a group of persons or things
( http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kit )
2. an acronym for Keep In Touch ;)

That AWKWARD Moment...

Some scenes and languages are not suitable

for very young audiences.

Parental guidance is advised.

I didn't expect the pilot episode to open like that. They are still in high school. That's not normal here in the Philippines. I'm not saying that it's really a normal scenario for them, what I mean is, after all, they are in and from a liberal country, and we are in and from a conservative one.

I like the weird sense of humor though, and sometimes the exaggeration. Of course, the annoying line of Sadie, "You're welcome."

Jenna's parents are very supportive , most especially her dad. But, there was this awkward moment at the season finale where she might have discovered who wrote and sent her the letter that either helped or ruined her life, something to look forward to in season two.

Nevertheless, I will always be part of Team Jake. Boys will be boys, and girls will be girls. But in a relationship,  it is always important to define it or else, you will have no direction, and the quality for a relationship guy is found in... none other than JAKE!!!

In the show, there are two guys who portray different personalities of men. Jake: a smart, outgoing class president; a sensitive guy with a heart of gold.* The other is Matty: popular, athletic, handsome, insecure.* Among the two, I can relate more with Jake and I will always admire his being gentleman. As for Matty, I will never like the way how he treats Jenna. And of course, Jenna, Jenna, Jenna, That Girl Daily? From Invisible Girl Daily? Really? Whatever! I hate you for pushing yourself too hard onto someone who's not the type to totally make you happy. In my opinion, you deserve Jake.

But never underestimate the power of the production team! It is them who decides how to run the story. We might not know, in the end, maybe, Jenna and Matty will be together. I hate the thought. There's still the possibility that she will go with Jake. We'll never know. Let's just keep on watching and see what will happen. :P
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*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awkward.

The Dark Night No Longer Exists

Now that I am a college student, there are so many days that I come home late, may it be due to night classes, school projects, or work. Majority of it, I walk instead of ride a tricycle.

Most nights, midnights, or mornings (like 1 am) are terrifying because of the dogs I encounter along the way, but I manage. But, there was this certain night that I got nervous for as I was about to enter a dark shortcut, near our house already, a man who was sitting in front of a closed store stood up and I saw him walk towards my direction. As I move forward, I heard footsteps, just few paces behind me. Even as I got out of the shortcut, you may say I'm paranoid, I thought that he was following me. I tried to stay calm, but my heart beat fast and I made my steps far apart with increasing speed. When I entered our gate, that's when I moved really fast to get inside the house. This is still a time when we had no street lights.

Some details are forgotten as they slowly slip from my mind as time pass by, like "when this was exactly?" Or "what did I do and think as I entered our street?" "Was he still following me?" "Did he pass our house as  if he was going the same way?" But I am sure that this was a night when I got home from work.

After a reported stealing some days ago, a light post (without a light from ages ago) was given light (finally!). It's just right beside our house. So, the dark night no longer exists. But I believe that if I come to decide to walk again instead of take a ride, some parts of the road will still be lurking in darkness.

The light post only took half of my worry...