Why “Ondoy” Mattered to Me

Sept. 26, 2009 – It was past midnight of Friday when I went home. I’ve been to Lanie’s house to satisfy my weekly card game habit with my friends Ninay and Ryan. It was a rainy evening, and Lanie is already complaining about the slow pace of her barbeque stand. Thanks to Icket and friends who bought two bottles of Gran Matador, she was able to fill her next day’s coffer.

Rain continued to pour that early morning of Saturday and I have a feeling that classes will be suspended. However, I did not take chances, so I readied my clothes for the next day, just in case there will be classes. The cold weather became victorious over my perennial insomnia. I went to bed and fell into deep slumber.

The message alert tone of my mobile phone woke me up at 8:00 in the morning. 7 text messages, all coming from unidentified senders. They were my students, asking me if there are classes. I looked outside my window, and the rain the night before was as heavy as that day. I diligently replied to them one by one, explaining that I am not the one who declares if classes are suspended and they have to wait for the news on CHED’s announcement of suspension of classes. I texted Mr. Rubio, and he said classes will push thru (though he texted me again after an hour, saying that Dr. Sumaya has declared suspension of TUA classes).

I went back to sleep, unmindful of what’s happening outside. Only when I went out for lunch did I find the damage it has brought to our community. All exit points from our street are flooded, some knee-deep, some up to bust. At one point, I thought of going back to K-1^st (I was driving then), but then I will not be able to take my lunch if I will just walk because the rain then is pounding the roof of my car. I just settled to a nearby Pares House.

In the afternoon, my bestfriend Ronn texted me, inviting me to walk around while bathing in rain (rarampa). I heeded his invitation, and there we saw how the cars in Jimenez floated in the waters  while people, who are now walking because no sane taxi driver will bring them to these areas, managed to cross the overflowing bridge with the help of a rope and Quezon City rescue team. The dip in Kamuning Road between K-D and K-E was filled with flood water, that I guess the deepest point is neck-deep.

In the evening, I realized the damage it has done in Marikina, Cainta, Pasig and other areas. And the rest is history.

Why Ondoy mattered to me?

For many years, I haven’t experienced natural calamity. The last one is when I was in Second Year High School, when Typhoon Rosing slammed my hometown Quezon Province and the whole town of Gumaca submerged in bust-deep flood. I thought tragedies like this happen only in television. But I was wrong. This is different. With Ondoy, the victims are my friends, my students, people I know very well.

I can’t imagine the fears that MY FRIENDS have conquered when water began to rise beyond their capacity to manage.

I can’t imagine what they felt when MY FRIENDS saw their belongings being washed away by murky waters.

I can’t imagine what MY FRIENDS experienced while letting the night pass in their roofs, unmindful of the coldness and wetness of the weather.

I can’t imagine that MY FRIENDS experienced this traumatic event in their lives.

Ondoy mattered to me because the victims are my FRIENDS. They are not strangers in television. They are my FRIENDS.

Movie Review: In My Life

If there is one Filipino actor I admire the most, it would be John Lloyd Cruz. At a very young age, he has already created a niche in the show business as one of the most bankable actors of Philippine Cinema. Personally, I like him because I can relate with his personality: serious, dedicated to work, and very professional. In fact, we have little similarities with our physical features, including our thinning hair line despite our young age.

Few months ago, rumours spread that the young actor will be doing a movie with the Star for All Season, Ms. Vilma Santos, and he will play a gay man’s role. I was excited with this development. I would love to see how Mr. Cruz justifies the role of the oppressed gender. Besides, Vilma Santos is a personal favourite of my mom (may she rest in peace). With this movie, my reunion with mom will somehow materialize with our personal favourites immortalized in the silver screen.

Months passed and the days of waiting finally came to an end when Star Cinema finally released the movie in theatres last Sept. 16, 2009. If it not for work, I would have lined up in cinemas on the first day and be one of the firsts to watch this most talked-about movie of the year. Luckily, the diminutive president declared Monday as national holiday in observance of Ramadan so I got a chance to watch the movie.

I was not satisfied with the movie. Maybe I expected too much from the actors, as they received praises from showbiz personalities like Boy Abunda, and good reviews in newspapers. I haven’t heard a single negative comment from authorities, or maybe Star Cinema was able to manage them and keep them from the public. Or maybe film critics lost their senses of what is good and what is not and was just carried away by the powerhouse cast of the movie.

Story-wise, they have a good storyline: a legally-separated mother with nowhere to go when her children grew up and lived their own lives. But along the way, I found some inconsistencies. Correct if I am wrong but didn’t the landlady asked for her house rent when she’s supposed to own the house, as her only “inheritance” from her ex-husband? Maybe I am wrong. Maybe I did not pay attention to the movie and got carried away by my thinking. But I also cannot help but reflect on how bad she speaks English when she is supposedly a high school librarian cum ex-teacher. Is this reflective of how bad our education system is? Then why highlight in a movie? People will think that it is normal to have librarians and teachers, who are at least a college graduate, who doesn’t even know how to formulate a complete English sentence.

And where is the Filipino value of respect for others when John Lloyd (Noel in the movie) slapped Vilma’s (Shirley Templo) face in the movie, a woman almost twice as your age? Have we ever imagined slapping our mother’s face? His gayness in the movie will never justify this act of disrespect because even in real life, gays do think that they are still men (especially John Lloyd’s character here is a paminta) and they will never fight back with women, no matter how sad and emotional they are. Exchange of chilied words are okay, but not the physically act of hurting somebody. Producers can easily justify the scene, and what about those who think that it is okay to slap an older woman’s face because John Lloyd and Vilma did it in In My Life?

Probably, the most grievous flaw in the movie is when Noel married Shirley just to stabilize his shaky immigration status in the United States (implied). Marriage is a very sacred thing. Marriage is something solemn and should not be used for personal gains or convenience. But the movie rationalized this act, as if telling us to become TNTs and marry an American citizen and divorce them after two years, when we already have green cards. Yes it happens in real life but it should not be put in movies because this is very dangerous and subject to misinterpretation. I think MTRCB should also look at the wrong values portrayed in movies.

On John Lloyd’s acting, as well as Vilma’s, they did very well. I laughed with her witty lines, I sympathized with his melancholic feelings. But Luis (Mark in the movie) still has to prove himself. I don’t like his acting, especially when he was crying in the park with Vilma. It’s very unnatural and emotions were held. If he just gave it in, if would be better. If I were the writer of the movie, it would be good to explore the character of Mark, a well-accomplished yuppie who, in spite of his achievements, was not given proper attention and merit from his parents, or mother, simply because he was gay. Sadly, it was just said, not shown in In My Life.

John Lloyd and Luis’ gay relationship was not well established. There are missing elements, and sex is one good way of showing it (though I doubt if Luis and Lloydie will accept the role if there is an intimate scene). Their “kissing scene” was very, very short, and was given so much publicity but actually it’s nothing.

These are my personal views and actors’ fanatics should not take this against me. I am just sharing these because I want our movie industry to prosper and be laden with values that are truly reflective of the Filipino society. Comments are welcome. Thanks for reading.

Iloilo Travelouge – ACMC National Conference

Last August 26 – 30, I went to Iloilo City to attend and co-organize the Asian Congress for Media and Communication National Conference which was sponsored by University of the Philippines in the Visayas and West Visayas State University. The conference was held at Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center, where I also stayed. I am not going to give the details of the conference, but instead will focus on the side trips of the Iloilo stay.

The conference made me busy for the first three days of my stay so took the chance of roaming around on the last day since my flight is scheduled at 5:20 pm.

I first went to Jaro Cathedral, the seat of the Iloilo Archdiocese. The cathedral is made of creamy limestone and its belfry is separated from the main church, it is at the other side of the street. Since it’s Sunday, a lot of people are flocking at the church which hindered me from taking pictures inside. Instead, I went to the centuries-old image outside, the Nuestra Senora de Candelaria which according to Prof. Edel Subong of WVSU, is very miraculous. After that, I crossed the street to see the belfry. In the belfry is a big park called Graciano Lopez- Jaena park, named after a writer and nationalist who was hailed from Iloilo. I also took pictures of vendors lined up along the avenue selling hot rice cakes. The Biscocho House is just around the corner so I also took the chance of buying pasalubongs for my friends and relatives in Manila. After that, I went back to Hotel Sarabia to pack my things and be ready for the Miag-ao trip with Rachel and other officers of ACMC.

Soon I went back to Jaro church, our meeting place and after few minutes, went to Miag-ao, Iloilo where the famous UNESCO declared Heritage church is. After one hour, we reached Miag-ao and took pictures of the beautiful church.

After few minutes of praying the rosary and picture-taking, we headed back to Iloilo City and packed our things. We passed by another church, the Molo Cathedral which is equally beautiful. We headed back to Manila safe and sound.

If given a chance to go back to Iloilo, I definitely will. A day is not enough to see the beauty of the antique houses, churches and cemeteries. Plus, the biscocho is very good…

Bad Dreams… Very Bad Dreams…

Last night, I slept very late. Guess it was around 4:00 am already. And I had a very bad dream.

The setting is on the beach. It’s like I am with some friends and I felt out of place so I joined another friend who came to our cottage, got a bottle of brandy, and went to the house of his friends few meters away. On our way, there are a lot of broken glasses in the sand and soil. And I walked barefoot. When we reached the house of his friend, we met dogs, and I was bitten by one of the dogs in my left arm. The I saw the younger brother of somebody who used to be special in my life. After few chats, I decided to leave. I drove my car but the road is very muddy and I got stuck for some time. That’s the time when I realized I was dreaming and woke up.

I am bothered with its meanings. I already searched the internet and all the meanings it conveyed are negative. For example, walking on broken glass means I will be experiencing heartaches and pain. The rough car drive means my ability to handle changes. Mud means I will be involved in a messy situation, and walking on it means I am weighed down by the situation or problem. Sea or beach symbolizes a major change in my life. And the dog biting me means I lost my ability to balance life’s aspects.

It is really depressing. Hope nothing of these will come true…

My Parents’ Ruby Anniversary

Today is Mom and Dad’s wedding anniversary. They were married exactly 40 years ago in a lowly church in the sleepy town of Macalelon, Quezon. My mom was five months pregnant then with Ate Ethel. As I saw it in their lone wedding picture, nothing is grandiose about this very important event in their life. My mom is just wearing a simple knee-length white gown and a white veil while dad is sporting a simple barong tagalog. Dad is three years younger than mom. And according to her, he was a fine-looking man during his younger years.

The relationship went on smoothly, with of course some ups and downs in their lives. They yielded 5 children, the second and the fourth died when they were still babies, while the middle child was taken away when she was 21 years old after being involved in a freak vehicular accident. The writer is the youngest, born after 13 years of marriage.

Life was difficult then. The couple lived in a literal bahay-kubo made of pawid, anahaw and kawayan. I was very young then, I don’t understand poverty yet. The couple, who are teachers by profession, augment their monthly income by selling ice candy, mani, yema, and ceramics to pupils and co-workers. My dad is also engaged in coconut farming.

Soon life became better to them. My dad’s 1960s motorcycle was changed to an owner-type jeepney. We transferred to a more decent house, now made of concrete and galvanized iron. They were able to send Ate Ethel to College in Manila, and Ate Mhy, though she wasn’t able to finish her college studies, landed a good job in a multinational company.

Prosperity continued, but took away some important lives. Ate Mhy died unexpectedly in a vehicular accident in C5 Makati. And my mom followed her after a year. I was fifteen then.

Life went on for me, my sister, and dad. Dad met another woman who never left him when he suffered from two consecutive brainstrokes. Ate Ethel is happily married, with two grown up kids, the eldest is about to graduate from college. And here I am, a struggling college educator who has, somehow, made a name in the field of communication education.

They were not as fortunate as other couples who have seen their gold or diamond anniversaries. But this is one relationship that I know will leave a lasting legacy to the lives of the people they have touched in some ways.

Happy Anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Cantal!

TRAVELOGUE: Arana’t Baluarte Festival

May 15, 2009 , Gumaca, Quezon Province.

As early as February, my fellow faculty in the university and I have plans of road-tripping to Bicol, passing by my hometown Gumaca, Quezon first to experience the Arana’t Baluarte Festival on May 15 before proceeding to Bicolandia. But weather did not permit us to pursue our plan. Rainy season came ahead of time. The plan was aborted.

Realizing that I have plans of going home on the 15th, my close friend Marc, a clinical instructor from Calapan City, signified his intention to join me in my way back home. And on the early morning of May 15, together with my eldest nephew CJ, we drove 200 kilometers south of Manila to watch the Arana’t Baluarte Festival of Gumaca, Quezon.

We left Makati (where I picked up CJ) at around 4:45 am. The journey went on smoothly except when we reached Sariaya, Quezon, one of the 4 town of Quezon that celebrate the thanksgiving feast to San Isidro Labrador. We were grid-locked in traffic jam so we decided to find another way. The less-travelled road seems like going to the slopes of the majestic Banahaw until we found our way back to civilization. We passed the dreaded bitukang manok of Quezon until we reached Gumaca. We took a rest first and went back to town proper at 3:00 pm and joined the town officials and guests in visiting each Baluarte.

Arana’t Baluarte Festival of Gumaca, Quezon started since time immemorial but gained popularity during the eraly part of 2000 because of the strong drive of public officials to develop tourism industry in the locality. It is being done in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. Baluartes (bamboo arch) are erected in every corner of streets in the town proper and decorated with Aranas (bamboo chandeliers) filled with vegetables, fruits, and other agricultural produce. When the image of San Isidro pass by in the afternoon procession, the produce are dropped to the expectors, creating a friendly chaos in the streets.

We stayed for one more day before going home to Manila.

Prawn and Mango Salad

May 5, 2009 – Baang Coffee Tomas Morato. Laziness has set in. I am in an unofficial leave given by my dean as a reward to the days I came to school last month to assist the enrollment of students. It has been five days since I felt worthless. I thought when somebody is just sitting down and receives a semi-handsome pay for doing nothing is a great idea. But I proved my self wrong. The past five days are the most boring days of my life. I do nothing but to sleep, eat, and sleep, giving me more pounds in my belly. Pusoy helped to ease my boredom in some ways, but it’s not everyday that you have friends who will play with you. I planned of re-enrolling in gym, or boxing, but my salary is not enough to sustain such activity. I got a lot of bills to pay, particularly my credit card. So that’s what I do right now, stare at people passing by in coffee shops like this (Baang) and seize the opportunity for free wifi.
I really wish I can get some drive to make the things I’ve planned work. Maybe all I need is inspiration…. hayyy…

By the way, the prawns and mango salad is delicious.

Kung Bakit Sumasama ang Loob Ko…

Nitong mga nakaraang gabi, dumadalas ang aking mga panaginip. Kung anu-ano ang aking mga napapaniginipan. Mayroong ikinakasal raw ako ng sapilitan, may pagkakataong nasa military service raw ako, at kagabi nga, nakikipag-basag-ulo daw ako sa mga inupahang mamamatay-tao ng isang kaaway.

Naniniwala ako na malaki ang bahaging ginagampanan ng panaginip sa ating buhay. Ang mga bagay-bagay at saloobing hindi natin mailabas sa katotohanan ay sa panaginip nagkakaroon ng pagkakataong kumawala. Sabi nga ng isang dream anayst na nakausap ko, ang bayolente kong karakter sa panaginip ay ang mga sama ng loob kong hindi ko mailabas-labas kapag ako ay nasa kamalayan.

Sa mga pagkakataong ako’y nananaginip, nais kong maibahagi ito sa mga taong naging bahagi ng aking buhay-pagtulog kahit sa konting sandali. Layon kong maiparating sa kanila ang detalye, at mabigyan ng babala, kung sakali man, sa kung anumang panganib ang nakatakdang dumating. Nakasasama lang ng loob na may mga taong naiiba ang interpretasyon sa aking mga mensahe. Wala akong makitang dahilan upang magkaroon ng inseguridad ang ilang indibidwal kung ibahagi ko man ito sa mga taong malalapit sa kanila, lalo pa nga’t kasal na sila. Totoong naging bahagi ng aking buhay, matagal na panahon na ang nakararaan, ang taong aking napanaginipan, subalit nais ko lamang linawin na wala akong balak agawin ang sinuman, o sirain ang isang relasyon, o bigyan ng problema ang mag-asawa para sa hindi ko mawaring kapakinabangan. Masama ang loob ko dahil ito pala ang iniisip ng taong naging mahalaga rin sa akin sa loob ng ilang taon.

Wala kamaing masamang tinapay. Wala akong atraso sa kanya at sa pamilya nya. Nais ko lang naman maging magkaibigan ulit kami, “for old time’s sake,” ika nga, makilala ang kanyang naging kabiyak, maging ninong sa kanilang magiging anak, kung sakali man. Dahil silang mga naging mahalaga sa akin, sa ilang bahagi ng aking buhay, ay itinuturing kong kaibigan sa habambuhay.

Pipilitin kong unawain ang sitwasyong kinatatayuan nya ngayon. Sana nga ay maging masaya siya at sa pagkakataong ito, pinagsisihan ko na nagkaroon pa ulit kami ng komunikasyon, dahil kung ayaw na pala niyang magambala, sana sa alaala ko na lang siya namalagi at hindi na sumama ang loob ko.

Back from Boracay

The CAS faculty of Trinity University of Asia went to Boracay last March 28 to April 1, 2009. We are on a tight budget and we only took the RORO route instead of plane. Nonetheless, we enjoyed our Boracay experience.

Wanted: Video Editing and Photography Part-time Instructor

Trinity University of Asia’s Department of Media Studies is currently looking for one (1) instructor for photography and video editing for First Semester, School Year 2009-2010. Applicant must meet the following criteria:

Educational Qualification: Master’s Degree Holder in Communication or allied field or MA units with at least five years professional experience.

With knowledge in the following areas: Adobe Premier, Final-cut Pro, Macintosh and Linear Editing. Knowledge in sound editing is also expected. Must know the aesthetics of photography, with knowledge in developing and printing black and white pictures, altering images through Photoshop, and capable of producing and teaching exhibit-quality photos. Must have good communication and teaching skills, knows how to write syllabus and other paper requirements, with patience in dealing with average college students, and must develop harmonious relationship with students and superiors.

Schedule is twice a week in a one and a half hour session between 7:30 am to 9:00 pm. Partner days are Monday-Thursday, Tuesday-Friday, and Wednesday-Saturday.

Salary is per hour, and depends on the rate of the applicant which is based on his educational qualification. More or less, MA degree holder is P215/hour.

If you think you are qualified, e-mail your resume to dlcantaljr@tua.edu.ph and I will scrutinize your qualifications and make the necessary recommendations to the dean.

Open until the position is filled.