I Am The Fool

From spiffy's blog, I saw this and found my own.

You are The Fool

The Fool is the card of infinite possibilities. The bag on the staff indicates that he has all he need to do or be anything he wants, he has only to stop and unpack. He is on his way to a brand new beginning. But the card carries a little bark of warning as well. Stop daydreaming and fantasising and watch your step, lest you fall and end up looking the fool.


If only I know what stuff to unpack. May I gain the knowledge to know what I truly want and the wisdom to choose what I truly need. . .

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Patawa Uli!

From the '70s, punta naman tayo sa '80s. . .

Memorable '80s TV Quotable Quotes & BooBoos


Nap Gutierrez interviewing Manilyn Reynes in Movie Magazine:
Nap: Saan ka movie outfit nakakontrata?
Manilyn: So far, hindi ko naman pinoproblema ang mga wardrobes ko kasi ex-deal
naman, eh.
***
Jullie Yap Daza guesting on Vilma!:
Jullie: O, Vi, nag-guest na ko dito sa show. Ikaw, kailan ka naman mag-ge-guest sa
show ko?
Vilma: Alam mo naman, Tita Jullie, busy kami ni Ralph sa pag-a-arrange ng kasal
namin. Siguro pagkatapos na lang ng marriage!

***
Celia Rodriguez: If I were to compare the stars of my era with the star discoveries of Dr. Rey Dela Cruz, it would be like placing the Taj Majal of India side by side with a
Volkswagen.(Grabe! Di ko ma-dig ang comparison nito!)

***Rita Gomez, as one of the judges in a Bb. Pilipinas pageant, asking question to a candidate (who was Maria Isabel Lopez, incidentally):
Rita: Here's your question, hija: Are you still a virgin?
Maria Isabel: If I say I still am, can I bring home the crown tonight?
Rita: Good answer! Maria Isabel: What about you, Ma'am, are you still a virgin?
Rita: Hija I have 5 children with 5 different fathers, what do you call that, Immaculate Conception?!
(Ayos! Na-sopla ka, no? Smart-smartan kasi, eh! Gleng-gleng talaga ni Ms. Rita!)

***
Vilma Santos: Ang ganda ng gospel number na yon, napaka-enlighting. Teka magpupunas lang ako, I'm sweatening.(Totoo ba ang mga quotable quotes na ito, Ate Vi?)

***
Vilma: Thank you, Lucky, for the flowers! Where did they came from?(Si Ate Vi, humahataw talaga!)
***
Margie Moran during the 1973 Miss Universe was asked about the difference between being Miss Universe and a Filipina:Margie: Being Miss Universe is like having a birthstone, you may lose it. Being a
Filipina is like having a birthmark, it's forever.(Taray-tarayan! Although sa sensya ngayon, di na applicable ang sagot niya. Hahaha!)
***
Babette Villaruel: Successful naman ang libing ng nanay ko.(At ano naman ang unsuccessful na libing? Pag tumanggi ang bangkay?!)

***
Vic Sotto: Ano sa mukha mo ang pinaka-asset mo?Mr. Pogi contestant: Sa tingin ko ang pinaka-asset ko sa mukha ko ay ugali! Mabait kasi ako, eh.
(Matalinong bata!)

***
She's Got the Look contestant: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen! I am Ma. Rosario Liboon, I come from the beautiful city of Pangasinan. . .City!

***
Another She's Got the Look contestant: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen! I am Carmelita Hernandez, I come from Pasay City and I want to be a medicine!(Ambitious ito! Winner talaga!)

***
Edu Manzano: So who's to blame?
Vilma: Excuse me, it's not my fault anymore. It's your fault anymore!(Uy, si Ate Vi, wish maging comediene!)

***
Overheard from a girl na galit na galit sa kararating na boyfriend sa Starbucks:My God you're so late. Where did you. . . Where have you. . . Where do you. . . Saan ka ba galing???

***
Host: Which do you prefer: blonde or dumb?
Girl: Dumb na lang. At least hindi ako mapagkakamalang blonde!(Ay, ang dumb nga!)

***
Dessa, in a Regine Velasquez concert, sang a "birit" song. After the number, Regine enters:
Dessa: O kala mo ikaw lang ang mataas ang boses. Kaya mo yun?
Regine: Eh ano ngayon, maganda ka ba?(Joke un, sympre! Pero seryoso si Regine! Hahaha!)

***
Sabrina M makes taray to Osang in a talk show:
Sabrina: At least hindi naman ako katulad ng iba diyan na retokado ang boobs.
Osang: Hoy Sabrina, oo nga itong boobs ko retokado. Pero at least ang ngipin ko hindi pustiso tulad ng sa yo! Ooops huwag kang magagalit baka malaglag yan sa sahig!
(Ito na ang mga cheapanggas ng show biz!)

***
Nadia Montenegro: I am inviting all the televiewers to watch our movie 14 Going Steady on the twenty-twoth of November. . ." (Ganun?!)

***Nadia: Sana po'y panoorin natin ang The Life Story Of Julie Vega. Alam kong masaya si Julie ngayon dahil it's just around the corner.(Ginawa bang X-mas spirit si Julie? Asus!)

***
Melanie Marquez: I am not an addict. I am the victims!

***
Host: "Ano ba ang pinaka-favorite mong movie lately, Melanie?"
Melanie: "Maganda yung kay Emma Thompson at Kate Winslet, yung Simple and Simplicity.(Baka naman Sense and Sensibility po.)

***
Miss Gay Philippines candidate: "Magandang Tanghali po, ako po si Luzviminda Cortez mula sa Camarines Sur, sumalangit na po ang inyong kaluluwa!"

***
Apa Ongpin: Which of the five senses could you do without?
Filipina contestant: My eyes. Apa: Why?Filipina contestant: Because I've got beautiful eyes. (with matching sultry look) (Zoolander, ikaw ba 'to?)

***
Host: What place in the Philippines would you boast about? Calendar Girl contestant: Bocaue.Host: What about Bocaue? What's in it to boast about?Contestant: Why, the Bocaue rice terraces, of course!
(Onga naman!)

***
Reporter: Mark Anthony, ang cute-cute mo! You've got rosy cheeks just like your mom!Mark Anthony Fernandez: S'yempre, it runs to the blood, eh." (Mana talaga ito sa ina! Walang duda!)

***
Boy Abunda: O Melanie, paano na ang showbiz career mo ngayong nagmo-mormon ka na?
Melanie: Ah, okay lang yan, Boy, kasi matagal na rin akong semi-retarded. (Hindi nga? Talaga?)

***
Kuya Germs: Are you already married?
98 Degrees member: No, i'm still single.
Kuya Germs: Wow! Imagine that! What a koynseedense! Three years ago, you are here, you are single. I am here, I am single. Now, three years after, you are still here, you are still single. I am still here, I am still single! It's anbeeleebabol! (Grabe talaga, ano?!)

***
Leonardo Litton and Rodel Velayo, guesting on Keep On Dancing
Charlene Gonzales: Hi Leonardo! Hi Rodel! Welcome to Keep On Dancing!
Leonardo Litton: Welcome din po!

***
Eto bloopers sa now defunct game show na GoBingo!

Question: Saan sinusuot ang basketball jersey?
Answer: Sa paa

Question: Anung nationality ng sanggol na may amang Filipino Catholic at Protestanteng Ina?
Answer: American

Question: Ano ang ginagamit ng mga Eskimo sa halikan?
Answer: Dila

Question: Ilan ang paa ng pilay na pusa?
Answer: Tatlo

Question: Hindi ito boob, hindi ito tube, pero tinatawag ng iba na boob tube. Ano ito?
Answer: Bra

Question: Anong bukol ang makikita sa leeg ng mga lalaki
Answer: Kiss mark

Question: Ano sa Tagalog ang asul?
Answer: Blue

Question: May dalawang baboy sa kulungan. Tumalon ang isa. Ilan ang paa ng isang baboy?
Answer: Dalawa pa rin

Question: Sa anong bansa nakatira ang mga Hindu?
Answer: Hindunesia

Question: Ano ang isinusuot ng taong walang buhok?
Answer: Kalbo

Question: Ano ang kasunod ng kidlat?
Answer: Sunog
Question: Para saan ang anti-dandruff shampoo?
Answer: Kuto

Question: Kung manicure sa kamay, ano ang sa paa?
Answer: Kuko

Question: Ano ang nasa gitna ng donut?
Answer: Palaman

Question: What is the capital of the Philippines?
Answer: P

Also read: Patawa!

Buhaying Muli

Recently, I have acquired some old OPMs that I grew up listening to. Kaya naman "jologs to the max" ang naging playlist ko. Pero care ko! These were the songs that I fell in love with and helped me go through my adolescent phase. When I get to listen to some of them, may kirot sa puso bigla. I don't remember the reason for the said feeling pero andun 'yung tinge of pain, happiness, sadness, or whatever it is. It is the opposite of what Joey Albert used to sing, "I remember the feeling but not the reason behind it." Magkagayon man, masayang balik-balikan ang nakaraan dahil alam mong, kahit pa masakit ang pinagdaanan mo, it is something safe and secure. Nalampasan mo, eh. Unlike the present and the future that seem uncertain and unclear. Hay, ganyan talaga when you get to reach a certain age in your life. You can't help but reminisce the old days.

Anyway, because I can't find some memorable songs on the net that I have on cassettes, I'd rather convert them myself into digital recording. Hindi na rin naman sila kasi mabibili sa market. Saka kaysa naman mabulok lang sila sa box, buti pang mapakinabangan ko muna sila. Buti na lang na we still have a working cassette player. Medyo palyado na ang mga buttons dahil hindi na nila ginagampanan ang dapat ay trabaho nila: play button stops, stop button plays, etc. Hi-tech, di ba? Ngayon ay kailangan ko na lang halungkatin ang mga box para makahanap ng tapes na pwedeng i-convert. Then, I need to buy a stereo audio cable that would be connected to the player onto my PC. Finally, I have to get the needed softwares for conversion. Tapos, enjoy to death na lang ako sa pakikinig! Mabubuhay muli ang ibang albums ni Manilyn (I got the first three already!), first album ever ni Janno sa Viva Records, Elvis and James OST, Keempee's only album, some Sharon songs not available on the market, amongst others. Grabe! Excited na ko! Sana lang ay magawa ko nga ng walang hassle.

Putek! I have so many things that I want to do at di ko alam kung alin ang sisimulan. Gusto ko ring mag-Korean-movie marathon (just bought 18 titles recently!). Wish ko lang magawa ko lahat kahit andyan ang pending character biography and back story ng storyline ko na hindi ko matapos-tapos.

P.S. If you want to know what's in my playlist and acquire some rare songs, just visit my Multiply site. To be able to download them, you need to have a Multiply account that you update once in a while and be part of my contact group.

"Hey You!" at MSN

Inspired by Live Earth, Madonna has written a new song titled "Hey You," which is available exclusively on MSN, free of charge, for seven days. "Hey You" was produced by Pharrell Williams and Madonna and recorded in London. Madonna will perform "Hey You" as one of the headliners for Live Earth U.K., joining the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Genesis, the Beastie Boys and other performers at Wembley Stadium in London on July 7, as part of the 24-hour, seven-continent Live Earth concert series.

As the exclusive online destination for Live Earth, MSN is pleased to offer this song in conjunction with Madonna and is proud to donate 25 cents for each of the first 1 million downloads to the Alliance for Climate Protection, in support of Live Earth.

Get the song here.

What I Didn't Know About Myself

These days, I'm interviewing girl friends to help me with my characterization on the story that I'd be writing throughout my CDG training. The questions are very personal and I'm glad that they trust me with such intimate details in their lives. It just goes to show that we truly treat each other as good friends. What's best about it is that I get to learn more about them and understand their psyches as women and human beings.

Unexpectedly though, there was something that I learned about me from a friend. She hasn't shared it with anyone until the night I chatted with her, and honestly speaking, I don't remember any of it. I had a different recollection during the night that she mentioned, that happened 11 years ago.

Here's the excerpt of that conversation (some names are with held to protect their privacies):

JE: kala ko nga liligawan mo ko eh
JE: kasi nga minamanyak mo ko
JE: nung nalasing ka
JD: really?
JE: oo
JD: totoo?
JE: oo
JD: kelan?
JE: bday mo
JD: 3rd yr?
JE: tapos pilit mo ko niyayakap
JD: ay 4th yr un
JE: hindi
JE: ewan ko kung ano yr
JD: nukaba! im so into RL kaya
JE: gaga hindi
JE: nakahiga kasi ako
JE: then tumabi ka sa akin
JE: tapos yakap mo ko
JE: dead ma ako coz nakainom din ako
JE: tapos yung kamay mo
JE: makasalanan
JE: no joke
JD: lasing na nga ako nun
JD: un ata ung pinainom ako nina peng na chaser ay alak din
JE: tama
JE: yun nga
JD: then di ko na matandaan lahat
JD: nakatulog na ko
JE: hindi ako makasigaw coz bahay mo
JD: paggcng ko si RL lang ang naalala kong katabi ko
JE: yes
JE: kasi nga umalis ako
JD: ah ok
JE: you were smelling my hair
JD: sorry! di ko knows un
JE: and kissing my nape
JD: syet! di ako lesbyana
JE: no joke
JD: putek! ginawa ko un?
JE: oo
JE: tapos yakap mo ko
JE: nakahiga tayo
JE: kala ko papatong ka eh
JE: eh lasing din ako
JD: omg! di ko talaga maalala
JE: hindi ako masyado makakilos
JD: buti na lang nangyari sa tin
JE: buti na lang ako
JE: type mo ko dati?
JE: crush?
JD: ndi eh
JE: never?
JD: RL lang talaga
JE: malandi ka
JE: you even asked me out
JE: tapos di mo ko type
JD: si mau ata nililigawan ko nun
JE: si mau nga
JD: o un
JD: i asked u out?
JE: pero u asked me out
JD: when
JE: sa galleria
JE: pero pucha
JE: kasama natin si RL
JE: pucha
JD: ah.. cuz of RL un
JE: bakla ka pala talaga
JD: hahaha
JE: oo
JE: pero RL asked me out after that
JD: we are piolo-rica-sam pala

. . .

JE: ikaw nga dyan tigasin ka
JD: no ka ba?! naalala mo ba ung naging gf ko? si evie?
JE: ano?
JE: yung hindi ka maka score?
JD: korek
JD: di ko talaga feel
JD: kahit she's all over me
JD: well siguro dahil wala ring emotional attachment
JE: hindi kasi sya pretty
JE: eh bat sakin
JE: you're all over me
JD: eh lasing nga no
JE: kahit andyan lang si RL dati
JD: di ko maalala talaga
JE: hindi rin
JE: type mo ko talaga
JE: nagkataon lang gay ka
JE: kaya ayaw mo aminin
JD: bakit? nafeel mo ba kung tinigasan ako?
JE: oo
JE: kaya nga tumayo ako at lumipat
JD: really?!
JE: kala ko nga po papatong ka
JD: ay putik talaga! kaloka yan ah
JD: so pag lasing pala pwede
JD: hahaha
JE: korek
JE: tigasin ka nga eh
JE: pero hindi ko alam na gay ka nun
JD: wala naman akong sinabihan na gay ako eh... di pa ko out nun
JE: oo nga
JD: kinuwento mo yan sa iba?
JE: hindi
JE: sa yo lang
JE: pero nakita nun ni WC
JE: kaya lang sobra lasing din sya
JE: sabi nya lang
JE: akala lang ni WC ata
JE: may consent ako
JE: kasi natawa sya
JD: kakatawa nga
JD: nu ba un

So there you go, friends! Isa pala akong "closeted heterosexual!" My mom would rejoice if she learns this information. Hahaha!

Vote Wisely!

Don't give her another chance! Photo by Munskie of Pinoy DVD

Mataray!

I don't really watch Hiram Na Mukha series but when I saw the TV ad last night, I knew that I want to see it. I don't remember if this scene was in the original story/movie but I'd consider this "classic!" Taray-tarayan talaga ang eksena. Ito ang uri ng eksenang mapapapalakpak ka matapos mo siyang mapanood.

Ang nakaraan muna bago sa sumusunod na eksena. Taong-unggoy ang tawag kina Carissa (Heart Evangelista) at sa kanyang ina (Sharmaine Centenera) dahil sa pagkakahawig nila sa mga unggoy. Dumanas sila ng matinding hirap at pangungutya sa mga tao, lalo na kay Kapitana (Marissa Delgado) na tumuring sa kanila bilang salot sa bayan.

Fast forward, she meets Dr. Hugo Roldan (TJ Trinidad), a famous plastic surgeon. Healing a broken heart, he vowed to make Carissa his masterpiece by making her look like his late wife. So after the operation, they pretended to be husband and wife.

Nagkaroon ng karamdaman ang ina ni Carissa when Carissa left their house. Bumubuti na sana subalit lumala ito ng sabihin sa kanya ni Kapitana na patay na si Carissa.

Kinabukasan, ninais ni Carissa na ipakita at ipagmalaki ang bago niyang anyo sa kanyang ina. Dinalaw niya ito sa kanilang tirahan. Ngunit naabutan niyang nakahiga ang ina at mahinang-mahina, halos walang buhay.

***

Matapos malaman ni Carissa ang kondisyon ng ina at ang pinanggalingan nito bago lumama ang kondisyon, tinungo niya ang dati nilang tinitirahan. Bibisitahin niya si Kapitana bilang Alicia.

Sakay ng kanyang magarbong sasakyan, bababa siya rito. Pagtitinginan siya ng taong bayan.

Kapitana:
Sino ka?

Alicia:
Hindi mo ba ako nakilala?

Tatanggalin ni Alicia ang kanyang salamin.

Alicia:
Ako si Alicia Roldan.

Kapitana:
Ano pa ba ang ginagawa mo rito? Akala ko ba ay wala na kayong planong kunin ang lupang ito?

Alicia:
Hindi ako nagpunta rito dahil sa lupa. Wala akong pakiaalam sa lupang ito.

Kapitana:
Kung gayon, ano ang kailangan mo?

Ngingiti si Alicia na may halong pangungutya.

Alicia:
Halika. Lumapit ka rito.

Unti-unting lalapit si Kapitana.

Alicia:
Lapit pa.

Lalapit pa si Kapitana.

Alicia:
Lapit pa.

Ngingiti si Kapitana. Lalapit pa siya kay Alicia. Sasampalin ni Alicia si Kapitana. Magugulat ang taong-bayan. Gaganti si Kapitana ngunit pipigilin siya ng mga bodyguards ni Alicia.

Kapitana:
Walang hiya ka! Bakit mo ginagawa ito sa 'kin? Ano ba ang kailangan mo?

Lalapitan ni Alicia si Jim, ang anak na lalaki ni Kapitana.

Alicia:
Hindi mo ba ipagtatanggol ang nanay mo? Duwag ka pa rin ba, Jim?

Titingnan ni Alicia ang mga tao.

Alicia:
Sino ang gusto ng pera?

Ilalabas ni Alicia ang pera niya.

Taong-bayan:
Ako! Ako!

Alicia:
Ito isang libo, bugbugin n'yo si Jim!

Lalapitan ng kalalakihan si Jim at bubugbugin.

Alicia:
Ito isang libo, sampalin n'yo si Shirley!

Babae:
(lumapit kay Shirley)
Kahit walang bayad, sasampalin ko 'yan!

Alicia:
Sino gusto ng pera?

Hahagis ni Alicia ang perang hawak niya.

Alicia:
Ito ang pera! Bugbugin n'yo si Kapitana!

Magkakagulo ang mga tao. May kukuha ng pera. May mananakit kay Kapitana at sa dalawa niyang anak.

Titingan lamang ni Alicia ang paligid. Lalakad siya papunta sa kanyang magarang sasakyan. Isusuot niya ang salamin at sasakay sa kotse.

***

You go, girl! ;)

Ito ang isa sa mga eksenang inaabangan ng mga manonood. It is where the api-apihang protagonist stands up for herself/himself and prove to the world that she/he has survived and weathered the storm. It is where she/he'd feel vindicated and truimphant. It is a "belat" moment.

In real life, it seldom happens. Kadalasan, kapag napagtagumpayan na ng api ang mga kaapihan, ibang tao na siya -- mas buo, mas maligaya, thus, no need for revenge. At kadalasan, dahil sa tagal ng pag-ikot ng gulong sa itaas, once it does, you forget about the feeling of hate and pain for the people who mistreated you. You remember them and what they did, but not the feeling. Hence, deadma na sa paghihiganti. Besides, it'd be better to let them suffer in silence. Di mo na kailangan ipamukha ang tagumpay mo kung obvious na obvious naman na isa kang success! Taas-kilay ka na lang!

Life Is Still Fair?

I admit, I feel shitty about the uncertainty of my professional life. Frustration just engulfs the whole of me. As I told Acy in one of our chats, it is difficult to start from scratch. It gets you to question your worth, whether you really deserve to be where you are at the moment. It makes you feel insecure, especially when you get to see people (and friends) getting ahead of you. It forces you to (re-)evaluate yourself in terms of how you deal with life, in general.

"Darating din ang time natin," Acy said. Although I am looking forward to that day, can we just forward to the day where we're doing good and skip the dirty parts? Oh, yes, we need to experience the lows to achieve the best in the highs, but how many lows should one get into before self-fulfillment? How many tears do one has to shed before achieving that one great smile? How many wrong turns does one has to cross to get to the right path?

When can I be found?

However, may mga nagsasabi nga, to feel that you're still fortunate enough, look at your surroundings. Ilang tao ba ang walang makain bago ka magreklamo na hindi mo mabili ang gusto mong kainin? Ilang tao ba ang walang matinong maisuot bago mo isiping wala kang bagong damit? How many people are struggling to live because of a disease before you think of ending your life? The intensity of each of our problems may be different from one another but it pays to see the world outside your boundaries. It makes you feel that your still doing OK despite all the hard ships you're facing.

Saka sino ba naman ang hindi mag-iisip na life is still fair when Paris Hilton will go to jail? Kahit pa 45 days lang 'yun, it is worth saying, "Serves the b*tch right!"

Life is still fair when the news broke out that this aktres-aktresan turned host turned model tuned beauty queen turned socialite is separating with her Turkish-billionaire husband? You can't have it all, girl! Sabagay, you have already proven that life is fair when you showed us that you can't act! Kinailagan mo ngang magnenok ng award, di ba?

Good looks, confidence, money, boyfriend. He seems to have it all until he was rejected by the company where he set his eyes on working. Could it be over confidence on your part? Or could be as simple as they said, no opening yet? But think of it this way, life is telling you to be humble. Mayabang ka, eh. Matapobre. Hindi dahil mapera ka ay pwede mo ng matahin ang mga mababa sa 'yo. The world doesn't revolve around you, gurl. In fact, did you ever think if the world is lucky to have you around?

I know that it is bad smiling about other people's misfortunes. But these are the things that would make you feel na hindi ka nag-iisa at hindi ka pinagkakaisahan ng mundo. Mayro'n pa rin naman pala siyang tinatapik sa balikat at binabatukan bukod sa 'yo.

Pero kung iisipin mong maigi, parang di pa rin patas. Kahit na dagukan sila, mapera pa rin sila! Paris would still be heiress of the Hiltons kahit ilang taon pa siyang makulong. The separated beauty queen would receive a divorce settlement in case the separation pushes through. The "eye-poor" gay guy could still apply for a different job. Sabi niya nga, sa credentials lang niya, marami na ang magkakadarapang kunin siya. Aside from that, he still has money para ipagmalaki sa mga taong wala.

Kaya pakiusap ko sana sa buhay, iba naman muna ang pansinin mo. 'Wag puro ako, pwede?

Life Is Wonderful
Jason Mraz

It takes a crane to build a crane
It takes two floors to make a story
It takes an egg to make a hen
It takes a hen to make an egg
There is no end to what I'm saying.

It takes a thought to make a word
And it takes some words to make an action
It takes some work to make it work
It takes some good to make it hurt
It takes some bad for satisfaction.

La la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Al la la la la.

It takes a night to make it dawn
And it takes a day to make you yawn brother
And it takes some old to make you young
It takes some cold to know the sun
It takes the one to have the other.

And it takes no time to fall in love
But it takes you years to know what love is
It takes some fears to make you trust
It takes those tears to make it rust
It takes the dust to have it polished.

Ha la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la la la life is so full of
Ah la la la la la la life is so rough
Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle
Ah la la la la la la life is our love
Ah la la la la la.

It takes some silence to make sound
It takes a loss before you found it
And it takes a road to go nowhere
It takes a toll to make you care
It takes a hole to make a mountain.

Ah la la la la la la life is wonderful
Ah la la la la la la life goes full circle
Ha la la la la la life is wonderful
Ha la la la la la life is meaningful
Ha la la la la la life is wonderful
Ha la la la la la life it is...so... wonderful
It is so meaningful
It is so wonderful
It is meaningful
It is wonderful
It is meaningful
It goes full circle
Wonderful
Meaningful
Full circle
Wonderful.

This Will Do For Now

I'm letting this song express my feelings at the moment since I can't write about it, not this time anyway.



Me
Paula Cole featuring Junior Reid
(from The Other Sister Soundtrack)

I am not the person who is singing
I am the silent one inside
I am not the one who laughs at people's jokes
I just pacify their egos.
I am not my house, my car, my songs
They are only just stops along my way
I am like the winter
I'm a dark cold female
With a golden ring of wisdom in my cave.

Chorus:
And it is me who is my enemy
Me who beats me up
Me who makes the monsters
Me who strips my confidence.

I am carrying my voice
I am carrying my heart
I am carrying my rhythm
I am carrying my prayers.
But you can't kill my spirit
It's soaring and it's strong.
Like a mountain
I'll go on and on.
But when my wings are folded
The brightly colored moth
Blends into the dirt into the ground.

Chorus

And it's me who's too weak
And it's me who's too shy
To ask for the thing I love.
And it's me who's too weak
And it's me who's too shy
To ask for the thing I love.
That I love (6x)

I am walking on the bridge
I am over the water
And I'm scared as hell
But I know there's something better
Yes I know there's something better
Yes I know, yes I know, yes I know.

That I love
But it's me
And it's me
But it's me.

So It Began

Our first training session began on April 29, 2007 (followed by the Welcome party the other night) with the basics on characterization as our first lesson. Our head training officer then was JP Abellera (writer of the upcoming Regine-Piolo starrer, Paano Kita Iibigin, among others) who discussed the concept of characterization to the so-called "circle of being (COB)." COB is the point where a character experiences a siginificant event in his life that would later become a motivating factor for him to pursue a goal in life.

Aside from COB, what I learned the most that day was that there is almost always one protagonist in a story, no matter how many the characters are (except for movies with multiple protagonists and stories). There is one character whose goal would be bigger than the rest. With that, he'd be the lead protagonist in the story.

Kaya naman bigla akong nalito sa pinasa kong kwento that day. Na-realize ko tuloy na marami pang kulang sa kwentong nasa isip ko, in terms of its storyline. Wala pa talaga akong exact conflict for my characters although I already have a conclusion on my mind. The whys and the hows to lead to the goal are what I need to develop. Naiisip ko tuloy na ipagpaliban muna ang kwento at mag-focus sa isa ko pang kwento na mas buo at detalyado na sa isip ko. However, everytime I get to talk to Acy about it, na-eexcite ako. She seems to be pretty into it as much as I do. But it'd be one tough work, I must admit. It'd be a dream project. Matapos ko lang isulat, happy na ko. It'd be my ode to the Sharonians and Maricelians na talaga namang loyal hanggang ngayon. Some sort of testament to what a "true fan" is all about. Aside from that, para kay Mega, s'ympre. One of my biggest desires is to work with her or write something that has to do with her. Kung hindi man ito 'yun, sana something better could come along.

Anyway, before we started the discussion, we saw The Graduate, hence the poster above. It is a movie that I have been wanting to see these last few months. Gusto ko siya mapanood sa DVD but I haven't got the chance of buying due to financial restraints since I prefer the Region 1 version. Kung may maa-avail pang Special Edition, the better.

The Graduate is a fine piece of film that is character-driven. Being 40 years old, classic na siyang maituturing. Yet the conflict in it is universal and timeless. It is about Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) who, after college, becomes confused on which path to take: the never ending road to further education or to practice what was learned in all years of his education. On the night of his party, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft) offered him some adventure - an adventure that he took which led him to knowing what he truly wants in life. Or is it really what he wanted?

As the confused, undecided young man, Benjamin is a picture of perfection to anyone who has travelled the same road. Very typical (not stereotypical) of men who is in the same age. JP asked us which character in the film do we relate to. Of course, most of the time, audience relate to the main protagonist in the film. Who would be caught dead relating to the villain or the anti-hero? However, I find Mrs. Robinson more fascinating than Benjamin.

As I've said, Ben is typical. Because we became confused or undecided in some point in our lives (or is still is), we know and feel what he is going through. He need not tell his life story just so we could understand his predicament. But Mrs. Robinson is a mystery, a puzzle of some sort. I can't help wondering who she really was. What pushed her into seducing Ben? Did she like him even before he graduated? Did she just wait for the right time to pounce on him? Was it her first time? Has she done it before? Sa mga anak din ba ng mga kaibigan niya? If it was the her first time, why did she choose Ben? What is it in Ben that struck her chord? As what Ben asked her, what happened to her and Mr. Robinson? Why did she react badly when she learned that Ben and her daughter, Elaine, were dating? Was she jealous or she just wanted to keep Ben to herself? Sex lang ba habol niya kay Ben or is she (afraid of) falling for him?

You see, Mrs. Robinson is a multi-dimensional character. There's more to her than meets the eye. But like Ben, we would never know what's inside her head and heart. She'd just remain an adventure that was never truly explored and understood. Mas masarap himay-himayin ang mga karakter na tulad ng sa kanya.



Well, anyway, for those who haven't seen the film, I suggest that you watch it. If not for its cinematic gem, see it for the excellent performance of the great Anne! For those who have, second or third viewing won't hurt. Classics are meant to be enjoyed over and over again.

As a bonus, you can download the soundtrack of the film through my Multiply account. I had the original CD on my possession for quite some time now but never truly listened to it. Soundtracks are best served after watching the films they were based on.

Enjoy! ;)

Notes: Mike Nichols directed this film. See another film of his, Closer, which has the most flawed characters on screen yet so human. Like The Graduate, it also boasts of superb performances from its lead cast.

Rumor Has It was sort of based on The Graduate. The story takes off from there. It follows the life of Sarah (Jennifer Aniston), the daughter of Jocelyn (supposed Elaine from The Graduate) and the grand daughter of Katharine (Shirley Maclaine, Mrs. Robinson), who is finding herself and the path she needs to take. Her search brought her to Earl (Kevin Costner, Ben Braddock) who helped her find her way. Mas naintindihan ko 'to ngayon (when I saw it on HBO this time) now that I have seen The Graduate.

The Other Sister, one of my favorite films, also paid homage to The Graduate, where the song above was taken.

Sabi ni Biboy kamukha ko raw si Dustin. Hmm. . .

Initiation

On April 27, 2007, Star Cinema's Creative Development Group (CDG) Team gave us a "Welcome Party" that would be our initiation to the scriptwriting world. Kriz had prepared two games for us to get acquainted with the rest of the group. The first game was an adaptation of Eat Bulaga's "Pinoy Henyo." (Yes, you are not transported in GMA. Nasa ABS-CBN pa rin kayo, mga kaibigan.) Titles of Star Cinema movies (from 2000-2006) were pasted on our backs, Basic CDG, together with the Advance. We had to guess the titles by asking some pertinent question regarding them that was answerable by yes or no. It took a while before I was able to guess mine but I did, with thanks to Nori who is a huge Piolo fan. It was Dreamboy.


That's Nori in the middle

The second game was called the "Doll Game." Ay, kalowkah siya! Team-up ng isang Basic at Advance (mine was Raz, one of the writers of You Got Me). The object of the game was to follow whatever the Doll Master (or should I say witch?) would do to the (voodoo) doll (pasayawin man o tusuk-tusukin ng karayom o ihagis-hagis sa ere!).

From one Doll Master to another, JP (in red shirt) to Joelian (in overall)

Kulelat sina Egg at Francis (the other writer of You Got Me), so they won. Gulo 'no? Pa'no ba naman maski si Kriz just decided on who the winners would be while the game was going on. Hehehe. Anyway, t'was fun!

Last two teams: Egg & Francis, and Anj & Jerrey

After the games, welcome speeches were given by the team headed by Ms. Amor and Ms. Tammy. Then, off we went. Past 9 PM na 'yun and we still had a 9 AM session the next day.

Pero s'ympre, bago umalis, mawawala ba naman ang group picture?

(L-R) Ms. Amor, JP, me, Nori, Egg, Jenny, Jerrey (center) Von

Thank you, guys, for a very warm welcome!


More pictures here

The Boyfriend Trouser

This one is seriously funny! Man, it would totally suck having to come out like this to your family. ;)


Here's the original Gap commercial with the ever cutie Patrick Wilson (of Little Children, Phantom of the Opera, and HBO's Angels in America) and the ugh (!) Claire Danes (hated her ever since her comment about the Philippines after filming Brokedown Palace, but loved her terribly in the TV series My So-Called Life):