Personally, I think the second greatest invention of all time is the cell phone. (This is next to the computer, of course). Nowadays, being updated on what’s happening to a friend in distant shores is as simple as sending an instant text message that will be received in real time. Text messages brought me closer to friends. Across the miles, SMS are creative ways of saying hi, instrumental in bringing the essence of good news that would have taken a long time were it discussed via a landline phone, and patching things up with friends after a heated discussion. (These are what I can recall from the top of my head).
There are times when a friend and I, who resides abroad, have heated arguments through SMS. Usually, we just let each other cool down and communicate when we have better dispositions. This can take as short as one day or as long as three months, depending on the issues we disagreed on. However, lately, the pattern has grown old, at least for me. We’ve fallen into this situation countless times. There are instances when we argue about the same issue over and over again. The new aspect of the arguments is the different characters involved.
Some say we don’t see eye-to-eye on most topics because that person has low EQ (emotional quotient). It actually makes sense. I sometimes find it hard to explain the most basic concepts of friendship to that person. The effort to keep the friendship is there, at least on his part. He tries his best for us to reconcile but I have given up on the thought that we will have a mature friendship with the passing of time. Come to think of it, we never really got along well even when we were in the same country. I sincerely feel that mere SMS can’t repair our damaged friendship.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
My Latest "Advocacy"
I attended the Singles for Christ Christian Life Program (SFC CLP) last Friday. Usually, attendees stay after the session to interact with each other. Since I was in Cinemalaya the day before, I couldn’t help but share my latest “advocacy” to support Philippine digital cinema.
I told them to try seeing Philippine digital cinema films because I personally saw their quality. I suppose there will always be films of poorer quality but because they have already been selected from a pool of choices, they are few and far between. On the whole, the event was very organized. Even Laurice Guillen commented that this is even better than the first Cinemalaya held last year.
This is not my first time to “support an advocacy.” In the past, I was obsessed with the environment because of all the flooding in Metro Manila every time heavy rains occur. Then I attended a forum about the sorry state of Philippine tourism. I personally became a “local tourist” with my friends who enjoyed the outdoors as well.
After a while, my friend and I enjoyed watching stage plays especially when Lea Salonga acted in the lead role. To say that I watched stage plays weekly was not an exaggeration then. Now, it’s Philippine independent digital cinema. I honestly don’t know how long I will have this advocacy. All I know is, more independent filmmakers continue to produce good movies and since me and my friends are movie buffs, this is a chance to enjoy seeing movies while supporting a worthwhile cause.
I told them to try seeing Philippine digital cinema films because I personally saw their quality. I suppose there will always be films of poorer quality but because they have already been selected from a pool of choices, they are few and far between. On the whole, the event was very organized. Even Laurice Guillen commented that this is even better than the first Cinemalaya held last year.
This is not my first time to “support an advocacy.” In the past, I was obsessed with the environment because of all the flooding in Metro Manila every time heavy rains occur. Then I attended a forum about the sorry state of Philippine tourism. I personally became a “local tourist” with my friends who enjoyed the outdoors as well.
After a while, my friend and I enjoyed watching stage plays especially when Lea Salonga acted in the lead role. To say that I watched stage plays weekly was not an exaggeration then. Now, it’s Philippine independent digital cinema. I honestly don’t know how long I will have this advocacy. All I know is, more independent filmmakers continue to produce good movies and since me and my friends are movie buffs, this is a chance to enjoy seeing movies while supporting a worthwhile cause.
The 2nd Cinemalaya: Philippine Independent Film Festival 2006
Cinemalaya was established to “discover, encourage and honor the cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity, and to invigorate the Philippine film industry by developing a new breed of Filipino filmmakers.” For these reasons, Cinemalaya also has a Congress which explores the various issues and aspects of independent filmmaking by looking back to its past to serve as guidelines in mapping out directions into the future. This year, the Congress is entitled, Back to the Future: The State and Prospects of the Independent Film.
Cinemalaya Congress Director Nicanor G. Tiongson’s Opening Remarks kept up with the theme. He mentioned the resolution formulated last year and gave an overview of what to expect in this year’s discussions. This was helpful to me because this is my first time to attend the Congress. I read the flier about Cinemalaya which was a good teaser but his speech captured the essence of Cinemalaya well. Keynote Speaker Roger Garcia’s speech was about the rationale behind the various international film festivals. He mentioned Asian cinema trends, landmark Philippine films which were acclaimed internationally and the importance of the retrospective perspective in evaluating history in order to come up with systematic ways on how Asian, or Philippine films for that matter, can break into global markets better. His lively speech was humorous and witty.
The scheduled congresses for the day followed and it was kicked off by the panel on Tales of the Auteurs: The State of Independence. The three (3) panelists were Director Yam Laranas, Director Briccio Santos and Screenwriter Armando Lao. In the open forum, Santos answered the questions well and gave the most feasible solutions to the concerns raised. Lao could improve on his speaking skills but as I went over my notes, I realized that his answers made sense. Laranas, however, was asked several times to explain most of the matters he discussed in his speech. When Director Marilou Diaz-Abaya gave her insights on Laranas’ replies, I suppose some people in the audience saw it as Abaya criticizing Laranas. However, what the audience should remember is that Abaya was speaking from her more than 20 years’ experience in the movie industry, in contrast to Laranas’ ten years.
Still, the highlight of the Cinemalaya is the films shown. I watched Tulad ng Dati, Saan Nagtatago si Happiness and Mudraks. It was apparent in both Saan Nagtatago si Happiness and Mudraks that the filmmakers could have a hard time marketing the movies in the mainstream. In Happiness, the theme of the story is about a middle-aged man looking for his mother. I did not like it much because it left several matters unsettled. For example Darling Lavinia was talking to Andy Bais about leaving the place while pulling a bag of belongings. The scene was interrupted by the emergence of Ricky Davao with a knife wound. The story ended without providing the answers to the questions, Was Darling Lavinia able to leave the place? and Did Ricky Davao survive? On the other hand, Mudraks showed the importance of both individuals’ background in compatibility as lifetime partners. It was apparent in the movie that the script was well-written.
Of the three, I had a hard time justifying why Tulad ng Dati could not be shown in the mainstream. The answer came to me days afterwards. The plot was about The Dawn, a famous rock band in the 80s. Hence, it catered to a certain age group, probably between 30 and 45, who enjoy band music which could mean a small targeted audience bringing in low profits, if any at all, should it be shown in the mainstream.
Mainstream media presents formulaic films to ensure profit. In the process, filmmakers who want to try other kinds of stories and presentations organized themselves to have a venue where they could show their creativity. Cinemalaya was established to “discover, encourage and honor the cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers, and to invigorate the Philippine film industry by developing a new breed of Filipino filmmakers.” The new breed of Philippine independent filmmakers showed that given the chance, they can produce quality films as well. However, they need to have a dialogue with the veterans in the industry so that they will know what works and what doesn’t work in Philippine filmmaking. The veterans can impart their insights gained through years of experience while the newbies can share their concerns and industry experiences as well. The veterans’ years of experience can serve as guidelines in mapping out directions for a better future for Philippine cinema.
Cinemalaya Congress Director Nicanor G. Tiongson’s Opening Remarks kept up with the theme. He mentioned the resolution formulated last year and gave an overview of what to expect in this year’s discussions. This was helpful to me because this is my first time to attend the Congress. I read the flier about Cinemalaya which was a good teaser but his speech captured the essence of Cinemalaya well. Keynote Speaker Roger Garcia’s speech was about the rationale behind the various international film festivals. He mentioned Asian cinema trends, landmark Philippine films which were acclaimed internationally and the importance of the retrospective perspective in evaluating history in order to come up with systematic ways on how Asian, or Philippine films for that matter, can break into global markets better. His lively speech was humorous and witty.
The scheduled congresses for the day followed and it was kicked off by the panel on Tales of the Auteurs: The State of Independence. The three (3) panelists were Director Yam Laranas, Director Briccio Santos and Screenwriter Armando Lao. In the open forum, Santos answered the questions well and gave the most feasible solutions to the concerns raised. Lao could improve on his speaking skills but as I went over my notes, I realized that his answers made sense. Laranas, however, was asked several times to explain most of the matters he discussed in his speech. When Director Marilou Diaz-Abaya gave her insights on Laranas’ replies, I suppose some people in the audience saw it as Abaya criticizing Laranas. However, what the audience should remember is that Abaya was speaking from her more than 20 years’ experience in the movie industry, in contrast to Laranas’ ten years.
Still, the highlight of the Cinemalaya is the films shown. I watched Tulad ng Dati, Saan Nagtatago si Happiness and Mudraks. It was apparent in both Saan Nagtatago si Happiness and Mudraks that the filmmakers could have a hard time marketing the movies in the mainstream. In Happiness, the theme of the story is about a middle-aged man looking for his mother. I did not like it much because it left several matters unsettled. For example Darling Lavinia was talking to Andy Bais about leaving the place while pulling a bag of belongings. The scene was interrupted by the emergence of Ricky Davao with a knife wound. The story ended without providing the answers to the questions, Was Darling Lavinia able to leave the place? and Did Ricky Davao survive? On the other hand, Mudraks showed the importance of both individuals’ background in compatibility as lifetime partners. It was apparent in the movie that the script was well-written.
Of the three, I had a hard time justifying why Tulad ng Dati could not be shown in the mainstream. The answer came to me days afterwards. The plot was about The Dawn, a famous rock band in the 80s. Hence, it catered to a certain age group, probably between 30 and 45, who enjoy band music which could mean a small targeted audience bringing in low profits, if any at all, should it be shown in the mainstream.
Mainstream media presents formulaic films to ensure profit. In the process, filmmakers who want to try other kinds of stories and presentations organized themselves to have a venue where they could show their creativity. Cinemalaya was established to “discover, encourage and honor the cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers, and to invigorate the Philippine film industry by developing a new breed of Filipino filmmakers.” The new breed of Philippine independent filmmakers showed that given the chance, they can produce quality films as well. However, they need to have a dialogue with the veterans in the industry so that they will know what works and what doesn’t work in Philippine filmmaking. The veterans can impart their insights gained through years of experience while the newbies can share their concerns and industry experiences as well. The veterans’ years of experience can serve as guidelines in mapping out directions for a better future for Philippine cinema.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Technology and its Effects
This is a paper I wrote in one of my classes.
Recombinant Architecture
When I searched the Internet for the definition of recombinant, the top results were from the medical field. The Web site www.antigenics.com defines recombinant as “a process involved in genetic recombination that gives rise to offspring that have combinations of genes different from those of either parent.” This is the very essence of recombinant architecture in the information technology field where most physical structures have been replaced by bits and bytes, e.g., from bookstores to bitstores, from stacks to servers, from work to net-work, from home to @home, among others. These shifts arose from the need to accommodate more information and to establish connections regardless of time and space.
McLuhan’s global village where “technology gradually creates a totally new human environment” ingeniously captures this phenomenon. As long as a computer is hooked up to the Internet, we can let our fingers “[cursors] do the walking” (Yellow Pages). Technology also helps maximize physical spaces as “all that is solid melts into air” and as the “world turns into an electronic stage,” said William Mitchell in Recombinant Architecture.
A good example of this is how bookstores have dedicated store spaces for bitstores. Digitized information accessible online and those in compact disks (CDs) have replaced printed books. For retailers, this means reduced shelf spaces, for customers, this provides access to a much wider selection. This is also true for university libraries which are accessible outside campus through professor/student accounts. When one needs copies of voluminous information, downloading chapters has become fast and easy. As Mitchell said, “being online may soon become a more important mark of community membership than being in residence.”
This is the same reasoning for the establishment of Globex as claimed by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Chairman, “[This is a way] to extend our market around the globe across borders and time zones.” Thus, work has shifted to net-work. Employees of a wired business establishment “almost never have to visit the home office.” At present, “business arrangements [that] demand good computing and telecommunications environments rather than large, permanent home offices.”
Even our homes now evolve to accommodate these changes. In the words of W. Mitchell, “[B]ox-busting house plans now bids to become the most powerful organizer of domestic spaces and activities.” This is in compliance with Vitruvius’ principle of architectural decorum which he wrote around 1 BC, “appropriateness of form to purpose and status.”
Outside of the field of architecture, the same principle holds true to this date. More information is accessible online, thus, it is more convenient to have online memberships than to be physically present to talk with colleagues. As a result, face-to-face interactions have been greatly reduced due to good computing and telecommunications environments. “The new technology is diminishing the role for human participants” as observed by financial market players. Shopping which used to be the “chance to mingle with fellow citizens” occurs less frequently and is actually a thing of the past to a good number of “wired” people as information has been digitized.
The proliferation of digitized information arose from the need to accommodate more information. In the process, recombinant architecture came into play and enabled the shift to bits and bytes replacing physical structures. We now “see offspring that have combinations of genes different from those of either parent.” Bookstores have turned into bitstores, stacks have been replaced by servers, work has evolved into net-work, being at home can now fittingly be referred to as being @home. We have truly established connections regardless of time and space.
Recombinant Architecture
When I searched the Internet for the definition of recombinant, the top results were from the medical field. The Web site www.antigenics.com defines recombinant as “a process involved in genetic recombination that gives rise to offspring that have combinations of genes different from those of either parent.” This is the very essence of recombinant architecture in the information technology field where most physical structures have been replaced by bits and bytes, e.g., from bookstores to bitstores, from stacks to servers, from work to net-work, from home to @home, among others. These shifts arose from the need to accommodate more information and to establish connections regardless of time and space.
McLuhan’s global village where “technology gradually creates a totally new human environment” ingeniously captures this phenomenon. As long as a computer is hooked up to the Internet, we can let our fingers “[cursors] do the walking” (Yellow Pages). Technology also helps maximize physical spaces as “all that is solid melts into air” and as the “world turns into an electronic stage,” said William Mitchell in Recombinant Architecture.
A good example of this is how bookstores have dedicated store spaces for bitstores. Digitized information accessible online and those in compact disks (CDs) have replaced printed books. For retailers, this means reduced shelf spaces, for customers, this provides access to a much wider selection. This is also true for university libraries which are accessible outside campus through professor/student accounts. When one needs copies of voluminous information, downloading chapters has become fast and easy. As Mitchell said, “being online may soon become a more important mark of community membership than being in residence.”
This is the same reasoning for the establishment of Globex as claimed by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Chairman, “[This is a way] to extend our market around the globe across borders and time zones.” Thus, work has shifted to net-work. Employees of a wired business establishment “almost never have to visit the home office.” At present, “business arrangements [that] demand good computing and telecommunications environments rather than large, permanent home offices.”
Even our homes now evolve to accommodate these changes. In the words of W. Mitchell, “[B]ox-busting house plans now bids to become the most powerful organizer of domestic spaces and activities.” This is in compliance with Vitruvius’ principle of architectural decorum which he wrote around 1 BC, “appropriateness of form to purpose and status.”
Outside of the field of architecture, the same principle holds true to this date. More information is accessible online, thus, it is more convenient to have online memberships than to be physically present to talk with colleagues. As a result, face-to-face interactions have been greatly reduced due to good computing and telecommunications environments. “The new technology is diminishing the role for human participants” as observed by financial market players. Shopping which used to be the “chance to mingle with fellow citizens” occurs less frequently and is actually a thing of the past to a good number of “wired” people as information has been digitized.
The proliferation of digitized information arose from the need to accommodate more information. In the process, recombinant architecture came into play and enabled the shift to bits and bytes replacing physical structures. We now “see offspring that have combinations of genes different from those of either parent.” Bookstores have turned into bitstores, stacks have been replaced by servers, work has evolved into net-work, being at home can now fittingly be referred to as being @home. We have truly established connections regardless of time and space.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Chatting with Friends
One of the things I don’t have time for is chatting with friends because as I mentioned in my previous posts, I am very busy. I don’t mean the impersonal chatting through YM, MSN Messenger or AOL Messenger. I’m referring to phone chatting.
I remember the time I could talk for 2 hours on the phone at one sitting. (Yes, this is short compared to my 4 hour phone calls back in high school.) I just want to update my friends on my activities and know the things my friends are busy with.
For me, talking to a friend on the phone is very relaxing and enjoyable. They provide new perceptive on things I cannot understand. They tell me to act my age when I overreact to certain people and issues. They make me laugh with them, and most of the times, at myself too.
Reminiscing is definitely part of most of our conversations. But, as life has taught me, looking back is always good because it gives me perspective on how I was before, how I am now and a little glimpse of how I may act/react in the future.
So now, this is what I do with the rare free time I have, chat with friends and update my blog.
I remember the time I could talk for 2 hours on the phone at one sitting. (Yes, this is short compared to my 4 hour phone calls back in high school.) I just want to update my friends on my activities and know the things my friends are busy with.
For me, talking to a friend on the phone is very relaxing and enjoyable. They provide new perceptive on things I cannot understand. They tell me to act my age when I overreact to certain people and issues. They make me laugh with them, and most of the times, at myself too.
Reminiscing is definitely part of most of our conversations. But, as life has taught me, looking back is always good because it gives me perspective on how I was before, how I am now and a little glimpse of how I may act/react in the future.
So now, this is what I do with the rare free time I have, chat with friends and update my blog.
Another Regular Activity for Me
On top of graduate school, I took on another regular activity. I joined Singles for Christ (SFC) Archers, as its flash banner said, GodStruck 2!
I should have been part of the first batch last year but I couldn’t because I had a very active social life back then. I even had an argument with my friend who was doing her best to convince me to join SFC. I never really liked doing things I don’t wanna do :)
During that time, I actually chose who to join among my friends, after office. Back then, I had to learn to turn down gimmick invites so I could have complete sleep and just laze around the house even for just a day. That lifestyle of mine lasted for almost a year. After that, I felt that I was so drained of energy, I turned down all gimmicks altogether.
After a while, with no regular after office activity, I looked back on the things I put off. I suddenly remembered that I could join SFC. So I inquired with my friend about it. She told me I’d be among the first to know when it resumes. I waited, then graduate school came. This took care of all of my so-called free time.
Call it perfect timing! My friend informed me that SFC was starting soon. I wanted to back out once again but felt that I couldn’t do it to my friend again. I talked to my other friends about it and was surprised to find out that two stopped attending after the second session. That aroused my curiosity and decided to attend the first two sessions, at least. Besides, I had a feeling that if I don’t join now, I wouldn’t be able to join ever.
So I attended the orientation last Friday, July 15. Based on the topic discussed, I could hazard an accurate guess on the reason one of my friends didn’t push through with it.
As for me, I was overwhelmed by the personality of the people who were full-pledged members already. Don’t get me wrong because I really felt that they were genuine and sincere but I wouldn’t have been surprised had they grown wings and gotten halos with golden auras! No kidding! They were such sweet people, to say the least.
When I was still talking myself into joining it, I thought the only way I can actually finish is to take it one session at a time. Since I have already started it, I also might as well finish. Maybe I wouldn’t be as ideal a person as they are but I hope some of their goodness rubs off on me eventually.
I should have been part of the first batch last year but I couldn’t because I had a very active social life back then. I even had an argument with my friend who was doing her best to convince me to join SFC. I never really liked doing things I don’t wanna do :)
During that time, I actually chose who to join among my friends, after office. Back then, I had to learn to turn down gimmick invites so I could have complete sleep and just laze around the house even for just a day. That lifestyle of mine lasted for almost a year. After that, I felt that I was so drained of energy, I turned down all gimmicks altogether.
After a while, with no regular after office activity, I looked back on the things I put off. I suddenly remembered that I could join SFC. So I inquired with my friend about it. She told me I’d be among the first to know when it resumes. I waited, then graduate school came. This took care of all of my so-called free time.
Call it perfect timing! My friend informed me that SFC was starting soon. I wanted to back out once again but felt that I couldn’t do it to my friend again. I talked to my other friends about it and was surprised to find out that two stopped attending after the second session. That aroused my curiosity and decided to attend the first two sessions, at least. Besides, I had a feeling that if I don’t join now, I wouldn’t be able to join ever.
So I attended the orientation last Friday, July 15. Based on the topic discussed, I could hazard an accurate guess on the reason one of my friends didn’t push through with it.
As for me, I was overwhelmed by the personality of the people who were full-pledged members already. Don’t get me wrong because I really felt that they were genuine and sincere but I wouldn’t have been surprised had they grown wings and gotten halos with golden auras! No kidding! They were such sweet people, to say the least.
When I was still talking myself into joining it, I thought the only way I can actually finish is to take it one session at a time. Since I have already started it, I also might as well finish. Maybe I wouldn’t be as ideal a person as they are but I hope some of their goodness rubs off on me eventually.
I'm Back in School
I can’t believe I have free time in my hands now. So, I’ll just update you with what I’m busy with.
Towards the end of summer, I was actually excited to go back to school. Presently, I am taking up MA in Communication major in Applied Media Studies at the De La Salle University. Why I enrolled is another story. :)
At the start, I was awed by the names of the professors when I got to know them! One was a Fulbright scholar with postgraduate degrees earned at the Stanford University and Columbia University’s Teachers College, and the other one is hailed as one of the greatest Filipino writers now!
To say that it was the start of a hectic academic life is an understatement! In both subjects, the first question was “What is the thesis statement?” Now, 10 weeks into the first trimester, I have lost track of how many times I have heard it. One subject required reading 150-200 pages a week to come up with a reaction paper 2 pages long, double spaced 12 points Times New Roman. Now, the names McLuhan, Adorno, Horkheimer, Marcuse, Kellner, Mattleart, among others, march in my mind in my sleep.
In spite of this, I can honestly say that I am enjoying being a working student. One reason is the class is small, just 15 students. They area all OK. Nobody minds if some of the questions we ask are no-brainers, mainly because we are graduates of different degrees. What one may have studied in the past may be a completely new thing to another.
One challenge I face is organizing a group meeting for just three people. Since all of us are working and our offices are far from each other’s we learned to set our priorities straight so we can work on a requirement, our beloved final project.
Overall, the first trimester of graduate school is fun, challenging, exciting, sometimes humiliating, and rewarding, but definitely worth all the effort and time.
Towards the end of summer, I was actually excited to go back to school. Presently, I am taking up MA in Communication major in Applied Media Studies at the De La Salle University. Why I enrolled is another story. :)
At the start, I was awed by the names of the professors when I got to know them! One was a Fulbright scholar with postgraduate degrees earned at the Stanford University and Columbia University’s Teachers College, and the other one is hailed as one of the greatest Filipino writers now!
To say that it was the start of a hectic academic life is an understatement! In both subjects, the first question was “What is the thesis statement?” Now, 10 weeks into the first trimester, I have lost track of how many times I have heard it. One subject required reading 150-200 pages a week to come up with a reaction paper 2 pages long, double spaced 12 points Times New Roman. Now, the names McLuhan, Adorno, Horkheimer, Marcuse, Kellner, Mattleart, among others, march in my mind in my sleep.
In spite of this, I can honestly say that I am enjoying being a working student. One reason is the class is small, just 15 students. They area all OK. Nobody minds if some of the questions we ask are no-brainers, mainly because we are graduates of different degrees. What one may have studied in the past may be a completely new thing to another.
One challenge I face is organizing a group meeting for just three people. Since all of us are working and our offices are far from each other’s we learned to set our priorities straight so we can work on a requirement, our beloved final project.
Overall, the first trimester of graduate school is fun, challenging, exciting, sometimes humiliating, and rewarding, but definitely worth all the effort and time.
Monday, July 17, 2006
An Interview with Pablo S. Gomez
Have I neglected posting here :) I'm currently very busy with graduate school. I have weekly deadlines that take up all my time... Anyway, here's an interview I did with Pablo S. Gomez in compliance with a class requirement.
Pablo S. Gomez is considered as one of the greatest comics writers in the Philippines. His career started in the Golden Age of Philippine Comics. According to an Internet article, he is also the most prolific Filipino comics writer of all times having written more than 200 comics novels, the record once held by Mars Ravelo (Source: http://pilipinokomiks.blogspot.com/2005/12/pablo-s-gomez-komiks-writer.html). His works include Agila ng Maynila, Petrang Kabayo, Machete and Kampanerang Kuba, among others. (Source: http://poll.imdb.com/name/nm1045417/). He is fondly called Mang Pabling in the entertainment industry.
Pablo S. Gomez is considered as one of the greatest comics writers in the Philippines. His career started in the Golden Age of Philippine Comics. According to an Internet article, he is also the most prolific Filipino comics writer of all times having written more than 200 comics novels, the record once held by Mars Ravelo (Source: http://pilipinokomiks.blogspot.com/2005/12/pablo-s-gomez-komiks-writer.html). His works include Agila ng Maynila, Petrang Kabayo, Machete and Kampanerang Kuba, among others. (Source: http://poll.imdb.com/name/nm1045417/). He is fondly called Mang Pabling in the entertainment industry.
Precious Anne (PALT): Kelan po kayo nagsimula magsulat?
PSG: During that time ang idol ko nun si Mars Ravelo at saka tatay ni Doy, si Clodualdo del Mundo.
PSG: Si Clodualdo del Mundo ang sumulat ng Prinsipe Amante. Actually, I was in high school 1949, graduating ako 1950 sa Jose Abad Santos High School. Naging guest namin si Clodualdo del Mundo. When he talked, sabi ko sa sarili ko, one day, I will be like him.
PALT: Bakit po kayo na-inspire sa father ni Doc Doy?
PSG: I really wanted to be a writer. So when I was already graduating in high school, sumulat ako sa Roces Publication, sa Tagalog Classics. Nung mabasa nila yong letter, binigyan ako ng sample ng script. Pag-aralan ko daw. The next day, I was there with the script already. After one week, tinawagan nila ako, they asked me if I wanted to work with them. Kaya fourth year high school ako, nagtatrabaho na ako sa kanila. Ang kasama ko nun si Clodualdo del Mundo, editor sya.
PSG: Ayaw ng father ko. Wala daw yumayaman sa pagsusulat. Pero hindi naman ako nagtatago sa father ko pag nagsusulat ako. Deep inside alam kong gusto din nya. But ironically, yumaman ako. Pero yong mother ko ok sa kanya. I was able to give her everything before she passed on.
PALT: Paano po kayo nagsisimula magsulat?PSG: If you want to be a writer, kailangan tsismoso ka. Kailangan paglakad mo, open ang ears mo naririnig mo lahat. Ang mata mo malikot nakikita mo lahat. Tapos ang mga napakinggan mo, paghahalu-haluin mo yon.
PSG: I’ve been telling young writers na to have a good story. there should be a part of yesterday, a part of today and a part of tomorrow. Ngayon ang kinukuha nilang writers, puro bata. Ang alam lang nila yong today. They do not know what happened yesterday. Kaya iba ang story, iba ang takbo.
Kaya dapat makipag-usap sa mga matatanda. Kasi ang mga matatanda, masasabi nila ano ba ang uso noon, ano ba ang kaibahan sa ngayon. Bukas, anong ie-expect mo? Kaya dapat, pag may nagsusulat ngayon, pagtutulungan ng bata at matanda.
PALT: Naka-vintage typewriter pa rin po kayo hanggang ngayon.
PSG: Oo kasi I’ve been using it for 50 years now. Dalawa pa nga o. Everyday, ginagamit ko. So nung nauso na yong computer, nag-aral naman ako. Primero yong electronic typewriter. May nagregalo sa akin, mga kapatid ko. Hindi ako masiyahan dahil silent at dapat dahan-dahan, kaya pinamigay ko. So after ilang years, nauso ang computer, nag-aral din ako. After namang kumuha ako ng course dun, hindi ako matuto, yon bang basic lang. I don’t feel comfortable doing it dahil tahimik din. Ang hinahanap ko ang ingay ng makinilya at ang lakas ng power ng kamay ko kasi for 50 years nga, yon ang ginagamit ko. So nung nauso ang computer, ang ginawa ko, minamakinilya ko, tapos pinako-computer ko na lang.
PALT:
PSG: Hindi para pag dinala ko sa publication, kasi pag may mga nagpapagawa, pinagtatawanan ako. Kasi kako at my age, sandali na lang ako magsusulat, siguro naman hindi na ako kailangan pang mag-aral ng computer. Kasi at home talaga ako sa lumang makinilya. Ang stories ko lumalabas pag ito ang ginagamit ko. Music to my ears ang ingay nya.
PALT: Nag-establish po kayo ng publishing house.
PSG: Kasi, when you become a writer, during that time, 1950s, golden era ng komiks nun, talagang komiks ang bumubuhay sa lahat. Pag naging successful writer ka, ang first thing na papasok sa isip mo is magtatayo din ako ng publication. That’s what I did. So I put up PSG Publishing House, nilabas ko yong United Komiks. Saan mo nakita yan?
PALT: Nakita ko po sa Internet.
PSG: Nakalagay ba sa Internet yan? Hindi kasi ako marunong mag-internet.
PALT: Wala po kayong e-mail?
PSG: Ginawan yata ako ng apo ko. cheeseroll yata ang e-mail ko. Wala akong kahilig-hilig dyan sa internet. Siguro these are modern ways. Siguro pag talagang matanda ka na, nagsa-shy away ka na sa modern ways. Dun ka na lang sa tabi, nakatingin ka na lang. I don’t want to learn anymore. Pagod na ako ng katatrabaho. Ibigay na yan sa mga kabataan. Siguro I’ll just look.
PALT: Ni-research ko po kayo sa internet. Kayo po ang nag-mentor kay Alex Niño.
PSG: Yeah, I was the one who gave the break to Alex Niño. Ayaw tanggapin ng mga illustrators yan. Kasi daw masyadong modern but when I saw his work, kinuha ko sya. I gave him a chance. Then he became famous, naging number 1 sya. Ngayon sa Amerika number 1 sya. Sinasabi nya sa mga write-up nya, utang daw nya sa akin yong tagumpay nya. Kinikilala nya na ako ang nagbigay sa kanya ng break.
(Alex Niño is a successful Filipino writer of DC Comics. One of his most famous works is the Tarzan strip.)
The same din with other people na natulungan ko, mga artistang natulungan ko, sina Joseph Estrada, Fernand Poe, Jr., Susan Roces, Dante Rivero, Dindo Fernando.
PALT: Ano pong events sa Philippine history ang nagkaron ng greatest impact sa career nyo?
PSG: Bumagsak ako sa Martial Law. When Martial Law was declared, ang komiks noon, natigil lahat. Marami silang pinahinto. Lahat ng komiks, dadalhin mo sa Crame. They will evaluate it, if you really want to publish or not. So because of that, namatay ang komiks. By the time na bumalik ako sa publication ng mawala na ang Martial Law, bagsak na ang komiks. So I was forced to sell my publication.
PALT: So ano pong ginawa nyo nung bumagsak na ang komiks?
PSG: E di nag-apply na naman ako as a writer sa ibang komiks publications. Matatawa ka nga dahil nung naga-apply ako ang ina-apply-an ko mga dati kong empleyado. Sila ang nakaupo dun, tapos ako ang naga-apply, nakapila ako kasama ko yong ibang writers.
PALT: Ano naman po ang best opportunity sa pagsusulat in contrast sa Martial Law na na-suppress po kayo?
PSG: I was able to prove that I can be a publisher, na naging popular ang mga komiks ko. Then ang Roces Publications kinuha lahat ng empleyado ko, from the guard up to the manager. Ibig sabihin nun well-run ang publications ko. Tapos pinagbili ko ang rights ng 3 komiks ko sa kanila.
PALT: Sa information technology at sa nursing, may tinatawag po silang brain drain. Naga-abroad po sila.
PSG: Oo. In fact, I was already offered to work in
PALT: Sabi po kasi dito sa research ko, may oval bed daw po kayong bigay ni Susan Roces. Nakatago daw po dun yong mga sinulat nyong hindi pa nalalabas. Ano pong balak nyo dun?
PSG: Oo. Totoo. Ngayon, binabalikan ko. Tinutuloy-tuloy ko pagsulat. Binibili ng ABS-CBN. Kelan lang lumabas ang Kampanerang Kuba at Mga Anghel na Walang Langit. Mga old stories ko na yon na naging pera pa ulit. Ngayon yong Komiks every Saturday. Bumili sila sa akin ng 60 stories.
PALT: Sa mga awards nyo po, may favorite po ba kayo?
PSG: Wala. Hindi naman ako mataas na tao. Eton gang mga awards ko, ayoko i-display. Sinabihan lang ako ni Susan Roces na kelan ko daw ba ikakabit yan, pag wala na ako? So ikinabit ko na. Tutal sabi ko, pag wala na ako itatago na ng mga kapatid ko yan. Hinihingi ng UP Museum yan. Ilang beses na ako sinulatan, sabi ko “Teka muna!”
Wala na din kasi ako space. Ang dami ko na ngang sinunog na mga sulat ko kasi wala na akong mapagtaguan.
PALT: Are you in favor of censorship po?
PSG: Nothing wrong kasi ang sine-censor nila yong mga talagang hindi pa dapat makita ng mga bata. Palagay ko, dapat talaga may censorship aside from classification.
PALT: Palagay nyo po, how can the government encourage writers para dumami ang writers natin dito sa Pilipinas?
PSG: They have never done that pa. Dapat magtayo sila ng publication ng komiks, whatever, kasi ang buhay ng tao nasa komiks. Kasi, actually, komiks was number 1 during the 60s hanggang sa 80s. Even the politicians believed in it, even mga taga-probinsya tanungin mo sila they learn Tagalog from komiks. Kaya pag may elections, marami komiks kasi they reach the barrios.
Humina ang komiks kasi unang-una, nagkaroon ng brain drain, yang sinasabi mo. Ang mga top illustrators katulad nina Alex Niño, they are in the States already.
Tapos bukod sa brain drain, nagkaroon ng iba-ibang klase ng entertainment. Merong cable TV, meron ng mga internet. Ang kabataan, dun naloloko ngayon. It’s not the comics anymore. At saka ang mga illustrators natin biglang nawala. Ang mga baguhan ngayon ang drawing na nila mga cartoons, kaya hindi na nabibili ang komiks. Pero I don’t believe mamamatay yan. Mahina ngayon. Siguro given enough time. Kasi part of culture yan.
PALT: Sa mga writers po ngayon, meron po ba kayong nakikitang gusto nyong i-mentor? Bakit po? Dahil po ba wala kayong nakikitaan ng mga passion?
PSG: Wala pa akong nakikitang gusto kong i-mentor. Wala na kasi komiks ngayon, hindi mo makita ang sulat nila. Nasa period tayo ngayon na parang hindi katulad noon na ang writers talagang kalat na kalat.
PALT: Sa palagay nyo po, ano po ang personal characteristics na best assets nyo, na nandyan kayo ngayon, na magaganda mga kwento nyo?
PSG: Siguro talagang in-born yan, na nakatakda ako dun. Siguro talagang naka-linya ako sa ganun. There are so many writers na hindi naman inabot ang inabot ko.
PALT: Ano po ang best achievement nyo as a writer?
PSG: Siguro ang best achievement ko as a writer, marami akong natulungan na nabigyan ko ng pangalan. Ako ang katulong nila sa tagumpay nila.
PALT: So ano po ang advice nyo sa mga aspiring young writers ngayon?
Thursday, May 18, 2006
The Art of Receiving
The ability to be self-sufficient can be very potent to one who has experienced it fairly recently. At least in my case When the money I earned was enough to consistently finance my needs and small perks every now and then, I slowly started guarding myself from seeking another person’s assistance in most cases, not just financially.
I didn’t know that I was turning into a “mayabang” person. (When I think about it, a shy person and an arrogant person both look like snobs, on the outside. But that’s another story.) I felt that I had to guard my so-called newfound independence fiercely. I tended to shy away from seeking my friends’ help in any way.
My limp taught me a very valuable lesson… the ART OF RECEIVING. At the start, I was annoyed that they kept on asking me what’s wrong with my foot. This is in spite of the fact that they are just concerned about me, i.e., if I felt any pain at all and if I wanted somebody, anybody to accompany me to a doctor.
With the growing number of important lessons life has been teaching me recently, it took me record time to realize that people will not offer anything if they are not sincere. I should be thankful that God has showered me with several well-meaning family and sincere friends who can provide the support I need. Sincere friends who care enough to tactfully tell it to me straight that my limp is getting worse. Well-meaning friends who literally go out of their way to provide assistance to me.
I will never exchange the deep concern in their eyes and the caring tone of their voice when they check up on me. Truly, the best things in life are free.
I didn’t know that I was turning into a “mayabang” person. (When I think about it, a shy person and an arrogant person both look like snobs, on the outside. But that’s another story.) I felt that I had to guard my so-called newfound independence fiercely. I tended to shy away from seeking my friends’ help in any way.
My limp taught me a very valuable lesson… the ART OF RECEIVING. At the start, I was annoyed that they kept on asking me what’s wrong with my foot. This is in spite of the fact that they are just concerned about me, i.e., if I felt any pain at all and if I wanted somebody, anybody to accompany me to a doctor.
With the growing number of important lessons life has been teaching me recently, it took me record time to realize that people will not offer anything if they are not sincere. I should be thankful that God has showered me with several well-meaning family and sincere friends who can provide the support I need. Sincere friends who care enough to tactfully tell it to me straight that my limp is getting worse. Well-meaning friends who literally go out of their way to provide assistance to me.
I will never exchange the deep concern in their eyes and the caring tone of their voice when they check up on me. Truly, the best things in life are free.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Me and My Limp
I now recall why I was hesitant to create my blog. I knew that I couldn’t commit myself to update it regularly. Also, I consider myself a very private person who likes to confide to few selected friends the latest things I’ve been doing.
Just for the record, nobody twisted my arm to make me write something personal
In December, 2005, I felt that my walk changed. My walk suddenly became uneven. I ignored it because I thought it would go away. January of this year, I was actually limping. I continued to ignore it till early March. Then my friends who walked behind me started commenting that I walked differently. They even described it as funny. I was not offended because I could see the genuine concern in their eyes.
I waited to have it checked right before Holy Week, when the doctors I needed also took their long vacations! By this time, I was getting worried. One other reason I wanted to have it checked then was, it was putting a strain on my knee and hip bone. It hurt when I got tired from too much walking.
I was first referred to an orthopedic. He tested my leg’s flexibility (placed it everywhere) and made me walk on tiptoe. He gladly pronounced that as far as his specialization is concerned, nothing’s wrong with me. I didn’t know whether to be glad or sad. Glad because I thought I would undergo cementing procedures. Sad because if my bone is intact (Thank God!) what’ wrong with my gait? He told me that I should have it checked by an acupuncturist or a neurologist!
I opted to have it checked by a neurologist first. The neurologist had more interesting tests. He checked my eyes with a penlight, used a doctor’s hammer on my elbows and knees, and even tickled the bottom of my feet just to test their nerves. He had a very interesting recommendation. He enumerated a list of the things I should do:
1. I shouldn’t tire myself.
2. Stress is a no-no!
3. I shouldn’t take in soft drinks when my bed time nears.
4. I shouldn’t drink coffee!
Talk about test of will power! I cannot function well in the morning and after lunch until I drink my 1 mug of coffee.
5. I should be in bed by 10 p.m.!
This made all my friends laugh. They know that I do not go to bed earlier than 12 m.n. When I do, I expect to be awake around 2 or 3 a.m.
I have been following all these items to the letter for more than a week now. Still, my walk hasn’t improved.
I’m thinking having my foot checked by a manghihilot. My dear Lola, mother and her sisters think this is as simple as being nabati. They said, I’m so fond of going on out-of-town trips. I sincerely hope that this is the case and eventually, my walk will be corrected without medical procedures.
Just for the record, nobody twisted my arm to make me write something personal
In December, 2005, I felt that my walk changed. My walk suddenly became uneven. I ignored it because I thought it would go away. January of this year, I was actually limping. I continued to ignore it till early March. Then my friends who walked behind me started commenting that I walked differently. They even described it as funny. I was not offended because I could see the genuine concern in their eyes.
I waited to have it checked right before Holy Week, when the doctors I needed also took their long vacations! By this time, I was getting worried. One other reason I wanted to have it checked then was, it was putting a strain on my knee and hip bone. It hurt when I got tired from too much walking.
I was first referred to an orthopedic. He tested my leg’s flexibility (placed it everywhere) and made me walk on tiptoe. He gladly pronounced that as far as his specialization is concerned, nothing’s wrong with me. I didn’t know whether to be glad or sad. Glad because I thought I would undergo cementing procedures. Sad because if my bone is intact (Thank God!) what’ wrong with my gait? He told me that I should have it checked by an acupuncturist or a neurologist!
I opted to have it checked by a neurologist first. The neurologist had more interesting tests. He checked my eyes with a penlight, used a doctor’s hammer on my elbows and knees, and even tickled the bottom of my feet just to test their nerves. He had a very interesting recommendation. He enumerated a list of the things I should do:
1. I shouldn’t tire myself.
2. Stress is a no-no!
3. I shouldn’t take in soft drinks when my bed time nears.
4. I shouldn’t drink coffee!
Talk about test of will power! I cannot function well in the morning and after lunch until I drink my 1 mug of coffee.
5. I should be in bed by 10 p.m.!
This made all my friends laugh. They know that I do not go to bed earlier than 12 m.n. When I do, I expect to be awake around 2 or 3 a.m.
I have been following all these items to the letter for more than a week now. Still, my walk hasn’t improved.
I’m thinking having my foot checked by a manghihilot. My dear Lola, mother and her sisters think this is as simple as being nabati. They said, I’m so fond of going on out-of-town trips. I sincerely hope that this is the case and eventually, my walk will be corrected without medical procedures.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Empowering Desires
I went on a very enlightening retreat in the first week of March. One of my issues was that I felt I had no motivation in the last two years.
I remember a period in my life when I had no free time but didn’t feel tired. This was because I knew what I wanted and how to get it. Everything came so easily for me. There were even times when events favored my circumstances without conscious effort on my part.
In the retreat, I complained that I want to aspire for a goal but can’t see anything worth my time and energy. My wise retreat master told me that it could be because I don’t want to get disappointed at this point in my life. It struck me right at the core.
She gave me three activities that guided me to set worthwhile goals.
- The power of imagination
This is simply seeing in my mind how I want the future to look like. It could be as simple as lying down on a blanket in a wide open field with cool breeze all around. I could be there contentedly assessing the circumstances of my life.
- Listing my goals
This entails drawing a heart and putting in it a list of all the things that would truly make me happy. I was surprised to find out that the things I really hoped for are not that many and are actually easy to achieve.
- Envisioning the future
This requires writing a letter to the person I am most comfortable with dated in the future, preferably around 10 years from now, looking back. In my case, this is my best friend. I told my best friend my status in life by then, the things that kept me busy in that time frame.
After I accomplished all three, I had a new perspective in life. I had a long-term goal and was able to formulate plans on how to achieve them. I discovered the desires that gave me direction, motivated and empowered me.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Ask and You Shall Receive
Below is the homily shared by Fr. Rafael at the PGP Chapel of DLSU in October 6, 2005. The Gospel was Luke 11:5-13. Part of the Gospel was “Ask and you shall receive...” Fr. Rafael writes his homilies in a diary.
There was a time in my life when I could not believe what I just read:
“Ask and you shall receive.”
I prayed fervently but I didn’t get what I asked for. I knocked and I found nothing but a closed door. I was really disappointed and I didn’t want to pray anymore as well as attend masses. Why am I here saying this mass? It is because God didn’t answer my prayers.
If God gave me the beautiful girl I asked to be my wife, I will not be here.
If He gave me the opportunity to continue my engineering course abroad, I will not be here.
If He didn’t allow me to experience many unfortunate events and failures, I will not be here.
This means God knows better than I know what is best for me. Of course, what is best is His plan of providing a shepherd for His flock.
I realized that many of my prayers are selfish prayers. I found out that St. James was right. He said in his letter James 4:2-3:
“You cannot get what you want because you didn’t pray. But even when you do pray, your prayers are not answered because you pray/ask for selfish reasons.”
Then how should I pray? What should I ask for? I will pray a prayer asking and asking, seeking and knocking but let God decide what is best for me and His plans. Jesus says:
“If you who are wicked know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him?”
So keep on asking and praying. But if the answer is “No”, never be upset. God has another good plan. Don’t hang up, just hang on.
I asked God to take away my habit.
God said no. It is not for Me to take it away
but for you to give it up.
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said no. Patience is a by-product of tribulations
It isn’t granted. It is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said no. I give you blessings.
Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain. God said no.
Suffering and pains draw you closer to Me.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said no. I give you life so you can enjoy all things.
Living in the Future
Most of us believe that we are molded by our past. However, in most cases, we live in the FUTURE.
For example, a professional is going on a 2-week vacation after working for 6 straight months. The week prior to the vacation itself, she is doing her job happily, preparing to leave everything in order. Her happy disposition is observed by her office mates. They all comment that she is so easy to work with, at her best element, even. She replies that she is looking forward to her vacation away from the pressures of everyday city life.
What kept her going the week prior to her vacation was the thought that she would spend 2 whole weeks in a tourist destination. For 2 whole weeks, she could get up at the time she wanted to, do all the things she always wanted to do but never had the time, and spend the all time she wanted to with people she liked. She was, in fact, living in the FUTURE.
The first week of her vacation was as she dreamed, planned and imagined. Her face glowed with joy.
All of this changed as she was into the second week of her vacation. Every now and then, she would remember her stressful city life, i.e., waking up before the sun rises, resignedly waiting to reach the office during the morning rush hour, dealing with difficult clients, and the list goes on. She was actually gloomy 3 days prior to going back to the office. Again, in the last 3 days of her vacation, she was living in the FUTURE.
Another example of this is the person who had been unintentionally offended by a friend. The person might think that things would happen again and opt to distance herself from the concerned person. A classic example of living in the future.
This goes without saying that we should learn from our mistakes and those committed by people around us. The trick is knowing how to wittingly balance being cautious and LIVING IN THE FUTURE.
For example, a professional is going on a 2-week vacation after working for 6 straight months. The week prior to the vacation itself, she is doing her job happily, preparing to leave everything in order. Her happy disposition is observed by her office mates. They all comment that she is so easy to work with, at her best element, even. She replies that she is looking forward to her vacation away from the pressures of everyday city life.
What kept her going the week prior to her vacation was the thought that she would spend 2 whole weeks in a tourist destination. For 2 whole weeks, she could get up at the time she wanted to, do all the things she always wanted to do but never had the time, and spend the all time she wanted to with people she liked. She was, in fact, living in the FUTURE.
The first week of her vacation was as she dreamed, planned and imagined. Her face glowed with joy.
All of this changed as she was into the second week of her vacation. Every now and then, she would remember her stressful city life, i.e., waking up before the sun rises, resignedly waiting to reach the office during the morning rush hour, dealing with difficult clients, and the list goes on. She was actually gloomy 3 days prior to going back to the office. Again, in the last 3 days of her vacation, she was living in the FUTURE.
Another example of this is the person who had been unintentionally offended by a friend. The person might think that things would happen again and opt to distance herself from the concerned person. A classic example of living in the future.
This goes without saying that we should learn from our mistakes and those committed by people around us. The trick is knowing how to wittingly balance being cautious and LIVING IN THE FUTURE.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Letting Go… Emptying
We’ve heard it all before. Whenever the New Year comes, we should let go of all of the negativities we have in our hearts. This is so we can have a fresh start. What surprised me was the homily of the priest in the New Year’s mass I attended.
He said that we should also let of ALL of the GOOD things that happened to us in the past year. He mentioned that if we rest on our laurels, so to speak, we would tend to lay back and stop aiming to achieve something better. Should we hold on to the good things in our life, we would hinder our growth process and never reach our full potentials. It makes sense right?
He said that we should also let of ALL of the GOOD things that happened to us in the past year. He mentioned that if we rest on our laurels, so to speak, we would tend to lay back and stop aiming to achieve something better. Should we hold on to the good things in our life, we would hinder our growth process and never reach our full potentials. It makes sense right?
If we empty ourselves from time to time, we become receptive to fresh ideas. If we empty ourselves, we leave more room for improvement. If we empty ourselves, we leave ourselves open to have our inner viewpoint be rearranged.
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