Finale

Art Appreciation

I might not have been able to watch Mga Ama, Mga Anak live in the Cultural Center of the Philippines but I know that plays like these should always be treasured in our hearts.

In the future, when I can finally manage my time for myself well, I envision to grow an appreciation for the arts. This includes watching plays, ballet and visiting museums. At present, as I focus on my academics, I hope I get to squeeze a few amounts of art appreciation to be a truly well-rounded student.

Mga Ama, Mga Anak ticket

Reading is Succeeding

I fondly remember that I made a poem entitled Reading is Succeeding way back in grade school. This was the time when I was thinking of what I wanted to be when I grow up. I did suggest to myself that I can become a writer, but fast forward to today, I am a Statistics major.

Though Lumbay ng Dila and Please Look After Mom are two very different novels, there are unique parts in which I can relate to.

The former can definitely pass as a Filipino teen flick novel. The latter, on the other hand, had a more serious setting.

Lumbay ng Dila ni Genevieve L. Asenjo

Lumbay ng Dila was able to help me in realizing that I am actually capable of doing anything and that at the end I can be such an empowered woman. In addition, the modern feel of the novel made it so relatable. It was truly awesome to discover these types of Filipino books because not only can they tap on your being a Filipino but they make you even prouder.

"Most of the time, gusto nating malaman kung ano nga ba ang nangyari, ano nga ba ang totoo, only to be disappointed. Hanggang mag-give up tayo sa tao who always happens to be a loved one."

This profound statement by Stephen not only made Sadyah think hard but also moved me to reconsider my relationship with my loved ones. Personally, in our family, it has not always been a secret-free environment. As I grew up, I eventually uncovered things that were made secret to me. An example is my mom's sickness. I never knew anything about it until it was really obvious already. At the end of it all, I understood that the truth might have been kept hidden only to protect myself and my feelings.

Please Look After Mom by Kyung- Sook Shin

On the other hand, while Lumbay ng Dila had a lighter feel, Please Look After Mom definitely had a constant serious tone. It moved me not only to be reminded of my mom, but also take care after my Dad and the rest of the family. It still amazes me how books like these make me assess myself regarding the conflicts presented in the book. Ultimately, my resolutions after reading this book is to spend more time with my Papa and to always value family.

"How could you only do what you like? There are things you have to do whether you like it or not. If you only do what you like, who's going to do what you don't like?"

This response of Mom made me think of how selfless mothers actually are. They may not like working in the kitchen; but, in the name of family, they will eventually love it. My Mama is actually a great example of this. She told me on how her first few months of being a mom was. She was working and upon reaching home, she had to check up on the kitchen and prepare hearty meals for the rest of the family. Though it was already tiring, she had to do it whether she liked it or not. For all the small things that eventually led to the big ones, I thank you, Mama, for being the best!

I may not have chosen to be a writer, but one thing's for sure. I still see how reading is indeed succeeding thus I vow never to stop enjoying this and living in this moment.

We Don't Know How to Say Goodbye by Anna Akhmatova

We don't know how to say goodbye.

We wander all over, shoulder to shoulder.

It is already starting to get dark.

You're thoughtful, and I remain quiet.

Let's go inside a church, and watch

A baptism, a wedding, a funeral.

Why can't we live like that?

Let's leave, not looking at each other.

Or, let us sit in the cemetery.

Quiet in the trampled snow.

And watch you trace with a stick,

Places where we will always be together.

This was the poem I recited in class.

Who's That Girl: Anna Akhmatova

After high school, I never thought I would be given the chance to recite a poem in class. However, through HUMALIT, I once again did. And not only did I do so, but I also got to know more about Anna Akhmatova, my chosen poet.

Anna Akhmatova

Here are 5 key things about Anna:

1. She had several love interests.
2. She was an Acmeist poet (meaning she chose concrete versus vague).
3. She was a law student.
4. She did not abandon her country in times of hardship.
5. She is arguably the greatest Russian woman poet.

I particularly like that she was a female law student who eventually decided to pursue literature. This is something close to me because I want to take up law someday too.

More on Anna's Early Life:

1.  She was born Anna Gorenko into an upper-class family in Ukraine in 1889
2.  She was forced to take a pen name.
3. She attended law school.
4. She married Nikolai Gumilev, a poet.
5. Nikolai traveled and left Anna alone.
6. Nikolai and Anna had a son named Lev.
7. Anna married twice more.

Nikolai Gumilev, Lev Gumilev and Anna Akhmatova

1. 
   

Young, Wild and Free

Sam and Suzy both embody young, wild and free. It's a wonderful life, what we have. Had Sam and Suzy decided to stick with what is expected of them as kids, then they wouldn't be able to discover the miracle of life. 

In contrast, I was a good kid. Always and forever, I'd like to think. I was on my 16 years when I entered college. High school was a pretty great 4-years for me-- academics and extra-curricular activities-wise. College is not entirely the same because of the former, sadly. 

As the kid who always had things figured out-- from cause to effect, the thought of growing up never really scared me. I was actually excited for it. I'd like to think college was the era when I did not completely adhere to status quo. Sure, I still study so hard and engage in a lot of extra-curricular activities, but it was in applying the concept of you only live once (yolo), that I truly grew. 

Among others, that decision to grow up and to break free is ultimately on the hands of one's self. I believe this was manifested when Sam and Suzy, after all the love letters, decided to run away.

Photo from IMDb

Young but not entirely innocent was their love. Hiking, camping and fishing together while engaging in couple-y activities was the first revelation that they were not juvenile. However, just like any movie, I think love is depicted as easy, that it can conquer all so long as the boy and the girl are together. As much as I'd like to believe in that, movies like this make me believe that love is indeed just... plain easy. On the other hand, loss of innocence was already shown when Suzy injures one of the scouts even with just the use of scissors.

In the end, when Sharp ultimately tells Sam that he wants to be the kid's legal guardian, I thought Sam's future would finally be guided. On a personal note, I think having parents who love you so much most definitely makes life wonderful.

Sam painting Moonrise Kingdom in the end represents that he wants to take charge or paint his future. In this light, one of the most significant themes of the film is to make your life. While it takes a whole day for moonrise, it also takes experiences for a great future. This beach which Sam renamed symbolizes how he plans to also revolutionize the way he will continue to live. Unlike the elders, Sam and Suzy clearly understands that they are here not to be a follower but to make their own lives.
Indeed, there is so much depth in Sam and Suzy's young minds.

Unlike James Joyce's Araby protagonist, Sam was aggressive and would directly go after what he wants.

Sam, Suzy and I practically share the same principles in life. However, while they live in fiction, I live in the real world and have to be better.

P.S. When I found out Roman Coppola was one of the writers, I was excited because I've watched films (e.g. Marie Antoinette) by her sister Sofia Coppola which are definitely my favorites!

Here's a song that inspires me to own this life!

Young, Wild and Free by Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg feat. Bruno Mars

xx,
Pat

Redefined EDM

Since grade school, I've grown an appreciation for electronic dance music (EDM). It exudes such  young but sophisticated tunes. However, in the late 1990s or early 2000s, it was mostly just about DJs creating their sounds.

Today it is redefined. Lyrics with such wonderful meaning are now found in EDM. 

Sharing to you one of my current favorites.

Thanks Krewella for this redefinition!

xx, Pat 

On Location

Though I have stayed in Manila (specifically Paranaque) for the most part of my 17 years, here are some places I deem close to my heart--

1. Place of Birth: Bacolod, Negros Occidental

City of Smiles. My mom's parents and siblings and most of their children live here. This is forever my comfort place. 

2. Place of Growing Up & Place of Residence: Paranaque City, Metro Manila

Don't you just love the South? Well, I love Southern Metro Manila. I'm eternally grateful I grew up here.

3. Place of Joy: Boracay, Aklan

While I've only been here in 2009 with my cousins, I actually plan to buy a house here. The beach (not to mention Bora's white sand) is one of many that makes me appreciate how wonderful life is.

4. Place of Sorrow: Manila Memorial Park

Needless to say, a lot of loved ones are here.

5. Place of Dream: Manhattan, New York and Santorini, Greece

Aaaaah the former-- my sweetest New York. I've always wanted to live here. I love how life makes you seize every moment here! Here's to going here on my twenties!

The latter, on the other hand, is actually the physical opposite of New York. Santorini is practically a beach and basically for relaxation. Certainly a beaut!

Ily Ny. My desktop picture. *Ty Tumblr!

6. Place of Belonging: De La Salle University
Thank you, La Salle, for accepting me and making me feel home. I don't think I'd have it any other way!

xx, 

Pat