Quote

From The International (2009) starring Clive Owen and Naomi Watts.

"Sometimes the hardest thing in life is knowing which bridge to cross and which one to burn."

Goodbye and Thank You, President Cory.

I am of nonexistence when Martial Law ruled the land, when Ninoy Aquino was assassinated, and a small baby when Mrs. Corazon Aquino took the challenge to fight on democracy and restore the rule of law in the then dictator-led Philippines. I grew to know about Tita Cory - a woman, a mother of her children and of the nation, an optimist, fighter, and a leader. I knew that she bravely took the mantle of battling tyranny and risk an awful lot of possibilities to fight for what her late husband have always believed in - to end oppression by the Marcoses, and fight for freedom. She has always been a beacon of hope for the nation, a soft voice of moral dignity, and an icon of democracy. Kind yet of an iron core, simple and yet of extraordinary quality, a soft voice and yet of thundering influence. That was Cory in my eyes. She fought for what she believes is right, no matter how difficult that is.

To you, President Corazon Aquino, you surely will be missed.

Caregiver

This Sharon Cuneta-starrer movie Caregiver is a heart-touching and a very warm movie for the entire (Filipino) family. Its story is founded in Filipino culture that is family-oriented as opposed to West's individualistic society. Shown in 2008, this movie is the type that won't get old in the coming years. It is very representative of Filipinos - our struggle as a nation, our fears, aspirations and hopes, our regrets, the exodus of Filipino professionals and our family that is shaken by immigration.

Though not of cinematic excellence, Caregiver shows that even simple movies as it is can still make the message across and bring up the emotions. Story-wise it is of intelligent scheme, and it is very timely for the current status of the Philippines as one of the top migrant nations of the world. With actors and a team of high calibre, Caregiver touches the soul within. It brings light to imminent depression and degradation of Filipinos in foreign lands. It succumbs successfuly powerful emotions that envoke reality, family values, spirituality, a sense of community, the price of right choices, love, hope, and a sense of being Filipinos.

Ms Cuneta and other staff have played their roles fairly - not too bad or otherwise. They have never really made a point to make something grand- and that is safe enough for everyone. Nonetheless, the movie and everything about it just brings about melancholy and nostalgia in me and in most Filipinos.

Cheers. I have never thought I would love the movie. I was wrong.

February 14, My Birthday

Today is my birthday, though, I don't know for sure how a year had passed with not so much exciting events. I Know I was quite bored for the year that was, but, on second thought, it was a refreshing and very personal year with not much to do. You know, staying home, unemployed, baby sitting my sister's 2 wonderful kids which I love doing (btw), going to church, meeting and hating some people along the way, and changing myself into a better person or maybe just being the same when I know it's alright to be that way (huh, do i make sense?) lol

Today is my birthday and these days are my waiting days. I mean, I am happy today and yet there is fear that the year ahead would be not so much great. My Visa is expected to come out by next week, and hopefully that would be granted, after all the hard work and money spent on it. Only God knows how I eagerly wanted it.

And so today, I am praying and hoping that the days ahead of me would be brighter - that the sun will shine as bright as it could be for I don't anymore want the gloomy days of rain and the loneliness that kills my souls. And here's crossing my fingers to another land where I will seek my fortune and maybe my life.

Happy birthday to me and I know I am happy and will be in the days to come. I bid goodbye to a young ego and embrace the realities of adulthood. (The photo is not just me, the camera makes tricks again lol)

Is it really Christmas?

Today is December 24th. I am alone facing the white computer screen, reading an e-book someone I don't know sent me, and listening to Silver Bells through Yahoo! Music Launch Cast. Isn't it today the busiest day of December (well, aside from the New Year's Eve)? After all, it's Christmas Eve, where almost everyone is busy preparing for midnight snacks and gift-giving when midnight strikes. Well, maybe I am an exemption, my family is. It my 22 years of existence it seems absurd for others to know that we didn't celebrate Christmas every December 24th. We don't have noche buena, we don't do gift-giving, we don't go to simbang gabi (we're traditional Baptist), it seems nothing at all. I didn't expect something grand every December 24th, it's something ordinary at least for me. That's why it took me aback when I realized that we're supposed to have keso de bola, noche buena and what-not. I think we're weird, but Christmas for us is not so well-celebrated. This is weird - I just realized so after thorough thinking.

2008 is not my year, same as with the previous one. I felt dangerously bored and it made my life my own personal hell, mind you. But then there is always something to be thankful for despite the lack of excitement. I took and passed NCLEX-RN, and I am on my way waiting for my US Visa (I am counting four long years before it gets approved, mind you). Nonetheless, I am happy at the prospect that I have gone a big leap ahead.

Tonight I bore myself reading the second book of Stephanie Meyer - New Moon. I am not the romantic kind, but after I hated watching the movie, I realized I ought to give the book a try. The book managed to bore me at times, but what can I do. I'm stuck in my room with nothing to do.

And so, Merry Christmas to me! Weird.