What is BRISINGR?

This is related to my June 30th post about Brisngr, the upcoming third installation of the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini. I am quite ecstatic at the thought that it will be available come September 20. Quite familiar, the title somehow itched my brains at what it is, and so eager that I was, looked for it. And, lo, what I found is that Brisngr is actually mentioned in the first book, Eragon. It was first mentioned in the part where Brom and Eragon traveled in search of the Raz'ac who killed his uncle. It is the word used by Brom to summon fire to light the firewoods. It was deemphasized until the next few chapters where Eragon and Brom met a group of Urgals at Yazuaz, where the villagers were killed and piled like a mountain. Brom was then hurt and Eragon couldn't think of something to defend themselves in this life-and-death situation. He was like transformed into someone, given the circumstance, and just mentioned Brisngr and let go of that single arrow, and it's as if there was an energy coming from him that brought about a blue fire, powerful and strong that killed the target and the rest of the enemy. That was, in fact, magic!

In that chapter, Revelation at Yazuac, it states:

He stood tall and straight, all fear gone, He raised his bow smoothly.... The energy inside him burned at an unbearable level. He had to release it, or it would consume him. A word suddenly leapt unbidden to his lips. he shot, yelling, "Brisingr!"

The arrow hissed through the air, glowing with a crackling blue light.... A blue shock wave blasted out of the monster's head, killing the other Urgal instantly. It had reached Eragon before he had time to react, and it passed through him without harm, dissipating against the houses.

Now it comes to mind, what Brisingr really is. In the next chapter, Brom gave a vague or incomplete explanation as to what it is. I bet this will be completely revealed come September 20. Here's crossing my fingers to that. Anyway, Brom explained that "Brsingr is from an acient language that all living things used to speak. However, it was forgotten over time and went unspoken for eons in Algaesia, until the elves brought it back over the sea. They taught it to the other races, who used it for making and doing powerful things. The language has a name foe everything, if you can find it." Further, Brom explained that it is "the basis for all power. The language describes the true nature of things, not the superficial aspects that everyone sees. For example, fire is called brisingr. Not only is that a name for fire, it is the name for fire. If you are strong enough, you can use brisingr to direct fire to do whatever you will."

Those are the things basically explained the upcoming book. it somehow gives me clues as to what the book may be, but then those I have formulated were quite wild guesses. I remember in the second book, the Eldest, it mentioned the appearance of Murtagh, a close relative of Galbotrix, the evil king, and maybe related by blood to Eragon as well. I am not so sure about that, though. However, Murtagh in the end was forced to pledge allegiance to Galbotrix because he was forced to do so with the use of the ancient language. Remember that no one can lie or make and break promises when one pledged it in the ancient language - it will kill. SO for now, I'm only waiting for the third book. I hope it would be quite as interesting as the Eldest or better yet surpass it. So, that's it: I now know what Brisingr means. (conceited laughter here)

Photo credit: Starpulse.com

Nostalgia in the net

I didn't have much to do tonight. So to kick time off, I got to surf the net, chat with online friends and did some googling on random things. As usual, I went to see sites like TIME.com, inquirer.net, blogger.com, friendster.com, flickr.com, yahoo and gmail to check on updates and possible correspondence. Something in my mind makes me feel nostalgic and so I typed in the google bar the university I graduated from, typed in job postings for nurses and, I don't know for some unknown reasons I typed in Compassion Philippines. FYI, I have been a sponsored child since school-age until I earned my bachelor's degree. That means, you get to go to school with them paying for your tuition and giving you stipends on everything you need plus a strong fiber of support for everything that you may need. Back to the story, I clicked in the third entry in the google list, that is http://taylorrobinson.blogspot.com/2008/06/compassion-philippines.html, which had the video about Compassion Philippines. It was interesting as it presented how Compassion touches lives and even changes lives in Christ's name, I can pretty well relate as I was (and still am) part of it. It's a wonderful short video that talks about the impact of Compassion in the Philippines. It so happens that I know these people in the video too. Have a look at it below.

And that leads me to remember one of my favoritest promise in the Bible.

Compassion - LDP Philippines

Saturday's thought

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)

Isn't that wonderful? :-)

RAFAEL NADAL WON!!!

I expected Rafael Nadal to win this year's Wimbledon, and yes, he finally won his first Wimbledon after an incredibly tough fight with six consecutive Wimbledon title holder, Roger Federer. Nadal couldn't forgive himself if he lost another finals this year, considering that he almost grabbed the title the previous year. This Spanish player is sure humble and just ecstatic about the championship. After the last pitch of his opponent's ball that signals his victory, Nadal just lied down the court, shook hands with the Swiss opponent, and, real and crazy, went up the stadium and went to his family and supporters. He then greeted the members of the his country's royal family who are present. Real great!

When asked by a BBC reporter about his victory, Nadal replied in a light Spanish accent, "It's impossible to explain what I felt in that moment but I'm very, very happy. It is a dream to play on this court, my favourite tournament, but to win I never imagined."

He even emphasized that Federer is still the number one player in Wimbledon. Very civil (insert laughter here).

Federer, on the other hand, felt dejected after being replaced by Nadal. He said, "(The rain) didn't make it easier but you have to expect the worst and he is the worst opponent on the best court. It's a pity I couldn't win it but I'll be back next year." We'll see what Federer has to offer in next year's Wimbledon. I know he'll be back with revenge and that would the fierciest, I guess. That makes next year's Wimbledon even more exciting.

Well, that's sports. Sometimes you win and you lose. What matters is that you did what you can offer knowing that at the end of the day, you wouldn't find yourself saying that you could have done better. Do I make sense?

After all the Wimbledon hype, I say congratulations to my recent favorite, Rafael Nadal, for winning the Wimbledon Men's Final after the longest Wimbledon men's singles final ever after four hours, 48 minutes.

Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships were held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, England.



Photo credit: http://www.zimbio.com

Academic stupidity, anyone?

This is a late reaction, I know, since I only found this out, I think it is well worth sharing. As I was surfing the nth time through the (crazy-lay-out and wait-till-kingdom-come-until-it's-updated) website of the Weekly Sillimanian, the official publication of Silliman University, I saw a familiar scene. To my dismay, still it's not updated! However, one thing I noticed on the left side: there is a link, a downloadable PDF that states 2008 issue volume 14. Just like a hungry animal, I clicked.

I thought it would be the latest issue. Heaven, I pray. Just so to orient myself, I cast my glance to the lower right corner of computer screen that says it's Saturday, July 5, 2008. After a couple of minutes of downloading, lo and behold, that PDF issue is dated March 5, 2008, and that's exactly five months ago. I was disappointed, though, I was still eager to read on the news. What caught my attention is a small portion from page 6 with a headline LETTER TO THE EDITOR From a concerned educator. Bewildered, I went on reading. It's actually an open letter that seeks to point out the "academic stupidity" in SU Elementary Department: that a English teacher requires his/her students to copy fairy tales, myths, bible stories, etc in cursive writing so as to instill discipline, improve penmanship, and to understand the difference between these types of stories. I thought to myself this is downright crazy, let alone SU School of Basic Education, is known in its holistic approach to educate the young minds or so I thought, and what is shocking is that the sender is no less than National Artist for Literature Dr. Edith L. Tiempo, a formidable icon in Philippine literature and an English teacher herself. Whatta.. Have a read for yourself:

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

For the Weekly Sillimanian:
Certain questionable concerns need our quick attention, and if they involve problems that affect the well-being of a group of people, they need even more immediate rectifying.
Our elementary school in Silliman presents such a problem. I am informed that the fourth grade pupils, in their class in English, are given an assignment that is not only very impracticable and improper for that grade level but absurd and an exercise in academic stupidity. In connection with seven types of stories—bible stories, biographies, fables,fairy tales, legends, myths, and parables—the pupils in their class in English are assigned to choose two selections for each of the seven story-types (a total of 14 stories) – and copy each of the 14 stories in their handwriting on clean sheets of bond paper without making a single error on every sheet. The idea of cursively copying 14 stories, to begin with, is bizarre and of no worthwhile use whatsoever. It seems that the justification for the weird assignment is 1) to improve penmanship, 2) teach them to follow instructions, and 3) to distinguish the differences in the seven story-types. Would simply copying 14 stories accomplish such an unfitting set of requirements?
I don’t mind declaring that, as National Artist Literature, and an English teacher myself, I am outragedand distressed by this assignment and expect that it be quickly rescinded in place of a more fitting one for the fourth grade level.

Edith L. Tiempo, Ph.D.,
National Artist for Literature
Director, Silliman University National Writers Workshop

This proves that in order to preserve excellence(just like freedom), the price of vigilance has to be paid.


You can read the entire tWS issue here.

Leah Salonga's new PDI column

Yeah, true. Leah Salonga, theatre actor and celebrity, will have a weekly entertainment column called Back Story in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (www.inquirer.net). Why I blog about this is that because I know Leah is capable of such a wonderful offer. She maintains a blog through multiply.com and I find it interesting and a worthwhile read since I first visited it. Check out her first article as PDI's columnist here.

Is China Olympics ready?

The Beijing Olympics is a mess. I don't why but I have this strange feeling that the event would be as complicated and controversial as the host country. (Remember) the Taliban rebellion, cases of human abuses, protests, and a hell of accusations makes me think that China isn't ready (read:deserving) after all. Latest of them is algae growth off the coastal city of Qingdao (the venue for the Olympic sailing events). It covers a third of the entire Olympic course for the event. How is that? Very timely for the games, huh? I don't know how the Olympics officials would figure this out. One thing I know: This is nature's revenge at its toll in here.

Photo credit: TIME.com

(some parts of) The Call

Just because every thing's changing
Doesn't mean it's never
Been this way before

All you can do is try to know
Who your friends are
As you head off to the war

Now we're back to the beginning
It's just a feeling and now one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget

You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say good bye

My amateur take on ABSCBN's late night shows

I watched ABS CBN last night until I fell asleep. I watched Pinoy Dream Academy, then the new Japanese series, Artificial Beauty, Bandila, and Harapan with Korina Sanchez and Ted Failon. I have made a pseudo-analysis to these programs. Well. Check this out.

In contrast to Pinoy Idol, PDA has the vitality of a reality show and the credibility of mentors and jurors. I would say that Mr. Cayabyab (the head master of PDA) obviously has the edge over Ogie Alcasid. PDA is much more interesting and diverse. Production-wise, my nod goes to PDA. I think Pinoy Idol sometimes becomes too boring for me to keep glued in my set. That’s it. ;-)

Artificial Beauty is so so so funny. You guys should watch it once. The Japanese lead is a beauty to behold and the character she portrays is interestingly entertaining and C-R-A-Z-Y. Well, it’s about an-ugly-duckling-turned-into-a-swan lady’s fairytale. With the help of science (read: Dr. Belo) she has skinned out her old “ugly” self, undergone the most complicated series of aesthetic surgeries, and returned home wearing a different face, literally. I can’t say everything here but I guess Artificial Beauty would be a sure click. Yeah, sure thing, I have something to watch in ABSCBN every weeknight.

Bandila, anchored by Korina Sanchez, Henry Omaga-Diaz, and Ces Drilon, is topnotch. I love their comprehensive scoops of late night news, though, not that comprehensive and fast paced as that of CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360. Bandila is very Pinoy and I just love it since its very first broadcast. The fact that Bandila outsmarted other foreign news programs and consequently became a finalist in the International Emmy Awards (by The International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences) is amazing!

The new Harapan by Korina Sancez and Ted Failon is a new commentary/debate/analysis type that ABSCBN offers. I thought it’s about serious analysis and debate. It turned out that I was wrong. Apparently, Tamabalan tackles hard news and issues, yet it provides them in a way that is comic and light. I’m surprised to see Korina Sanchez uttering words I have never expected her to say, and she responds to Ted in a very informal way. Very tambay, I say. That was one hell of a mess, I guess. But, on the other hand, it paves the way of current affairs to get into the general public: current affairs aren’t just for the elite; so, maybe, this is a strategy to get rid of the typical Juan de la Cruz’s apathy to national issues at hand. I don’t like it this time, though. We’ll see a few months from now.