TWO DAYS FOR SIX YEARS

With the coming of the sembreak I was able to face one of the more pressing issues in life today, registering for the upcoming 2010 elections.

If it was up to me I would gladly sacrifice my right of suffrage just to escape the hellish line of registration. But it’s not just up to me, I owe it to the rest of the Filipino people. Now having the passion to be registered for the sake of my country’s wellbeing is quite different from braving the actual registration process.

After 19 hours stretched over a span of three days of waiting in line that could have encircled the world over twice, I was finally able to get that coveted step of registration: the biometrics.

Believe it or not I actually started registration back in summer when the Comelec (Commission on Elections) setup a satellite registration venue at our village. The first six hours of my labor was spent just on getting the actual registration form and having my name validated and so on. I was rescheduled for my biometrics on July, but being the student that I am, I wasn’t able to come since the day was in conflict with my class schedule.

Come sembreak I was finally able to fall in line at the city hall for my biometrics. But after ten hours of waiting I was yet again rescheduled. Thankfully my dad came with me that day, and thankfully a sort of uprising happened among the other people in line. When 5pm came only 400 people will be accepted, the guards made the mistake of giving people false hopes, so when the guard closed the gates at around 7 (the reg was supposed to be closed by 9), people became restless and started shouting and mobbing the gate. Thankfully my dad was among those who calmed down the people by speaking with the head honcho and asking him to device a system that will enable those rescheduled for the next day (such as myself) to be assured of a different and separate line with a biometric machine all to ourselves.

The next day, arriving at around seven in the morning, I was shocked to see a single line twice as long as the line I had the day before. And it was only seven! So my dad yet again spoke with the head honcho and only then and there did they put into action the system my dad suggested.

Two lines instead of a single snaking hell line were implemented. One for the people who were in line the day before and rescheduled for today, the other was for the new souls set to suffer in limbo. The system worked, as the office was able to accommodate the two batches at the same time without raising the ire of any party. And so my dad was the hero for the day.

After three hours of waiting I finally got my biometric scan and all, and am now a proud registered voter. After all that grueling physical, mental, psychological trauma, I was finally able to be free of that line. It was so long you could have met someone while in line, built a relationship with that person, fought with the person, and have a clean break-up, all while in line.

Now that I’m free of the registration, it is time to assure the freedom of the Filipino people for the next six years by making the right choice come Election Day in 2010.

OUR LADY OF COFFEE

In hues of brown and paisley dreams, Sunshine Plata creates beauty of surreal themes using caffeinated beans.

Actually she uses instant coffee more than brewed coffee from beans. But you get the picture: a petite artist who paints using coffee.

Mother and Child: (Clockwise) The artist with her mother, A mother and child fairy painting, An Our Lady version, and Diwata.

Addicted artist

Sunshine’s caffeine addiction started when she saw a 19^th century signature made with coffee displayed at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum. The artist within her, stimulated perhaps by the invigorating prowess of coffee, woke up and her relationship with coffee as a painting medium has since then prospered.

Initially a psychology student at the University of Sto. Tomas, Sunshine shifted to fine arts in her second year after realizing her love for art. “Kahit ako noon, di ako naniniwala na kayang mabuhay sa art (Even I used to believe that you can’t live on art). [It is about] letting out positive energy. Financial aspect will follow,” she said. And follow it did.

After her very first exhibition, LSD (look, smell, discover) Trip by Caffeine, which was sponsored by Nescafe, her peculiar art has gained renown from all over. She was able to sell 27 of her 33 paintings during the exhibit, and sold the remaining—by an interesting twist of fate—to Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Her works have also been exhibited at Times Square in New York for the Martha Stewart Show.

During her more bitter coffee moments as she struggled to present her art to the world, she recounted when she tried to exhibit at the art galleries in SM Megamall. “None of them wanted to exhibit my art kasi di daw (because it is not a) legitimate medium. Wow ang lupet naman nun, ganun ba karepulsive trabaho ko (that is harsh, are my works really that repulsive)?” she laughingly reminisced.

The author with the artist and her prized "Diwata"

Fairy by heart

“I used to want to be a fairy,” the youthful Sunshine said. An avid fan of Thumbelina for her freedom to explore new things, Sunshine reflects her surreal views and her sprightly character in her many works.

Many of her subjects are of cutesy fairies or beautiful diwatas. Her favorite piece, Diwata, has already been seen in other countries and was her third work to gain international recognition. She saw her tragically drowning during a very vivid dream. Ever the positive one, she decided “If you’re going to drown, you should drown in style.”

What sets her apart however from other coffee artists, like the ones in Cordillera, are her intricate paisley designs and patterns. No design is ever repeated as she does the time-consuming detailing spontaneously. Sometimes she even surprises herself.

Catholic in spirit

Apart from the surrealism of the fairy world, Sunshine also paints a lot of religious themes, particularly Our Lady. In many of her works what might be mistaken as an ordinary portrait of a woman is actually a version of our Holy Mother.  An example is her Our Lady of Japan which features the Virgin Mother with the Child Jesus in a kimono garb complete with a Japanese landscape background.

Her catholic upbringing has also brought her to teach art classes to underprivileged children. Not having gone to art school herself, Sunshine understands the importance of having a support system to pursue your art. “When love and skill work together, you create a masterpiece. After that comes greater turns,” she said.

Exploring beyond the coffeemaker

Coffee, with its many invigorating properties, is a complex medium to work with. Paintings done with it only lasts for 75 years, shorter compared to paintings made with oil or acrylic, but longer than other non-traditional painting media used by “radical” artists nowadays like chocolate or tea.

Her framing is also done in different way. Enough space must be placed in between the painting and the glass to prevent moisture from causing fungal growth in the canvass.

It does have its perks though, particularly in its affordability. Sunshine just needs tap water and a few pack of instant coffee and she is ready to paint. For lighter hues less coffee is diluted in more water and vice versa for darker hues.

“In the future I plan to use mixed media, to provide evolution, or dabble with watercolor,” she said. “Ang dami-daming may kape, pwede din nilang gawin,” she added.

“At this point I’m fulfilled already, kaso hindi pa rin perfect (but still not perfect). At this point I can’t ask for anything more.” Asked if she will go to portraiture, “I can’t do portraits, I’m planning to learn, I might not give the person justice.”

Though she believes that art is politicized and it is a battle of the fittest, her attitude is “take it or leave it.” She tries to distance herself from the negativity many young artists show in their works nowadays.

“Kapag nagpaka-gory, magpapanggap lang ako, baka tumagal lang ung painting. Sana sumasaya sila. (If I create something gory, I will only be untrue to my art, it might take too long to finish. I hope they become happy)” She jokingly adds “Maybe, kapag naconsume na ako ng dark side (If the dark side consumes me).”

LA SUPER LAST SUPPER!

Bureaucrazy.

I won’t be surprised if one of these days a person would run amok because of the craziness of our bureaucratic system. The system is filled with so much red tape, I’m surprised our government buildings are not colored red. The system is so slow, I’m surprised a wormhole in the fabric of time hadn’t opened up and swallowed them yet.

Left: the film's protagonist C: his hunky assistant R: one of the Last Suppers being considered for a corned beef advertisement

Last night I was able to watch the Cinemalaya 5’s Best Picture: the comedic tale of Last Supper No. 3. I would like to place emphasis on how other universities suck, because UP unlike them, has again sponsored the re-showing of these year’s Cinemalaya entries. Hurrah for liberal education! Hurrah for freedom of the UP Film Institute! Hurrah for me being a UP student! Sucks to be you other university students!

Anyway.

Last Supper No. 3 is about the riveting tale of a gay production assistant who loses a measly Last Supper tapestry and the series of unfortunate bureaucratic events which escalated after that. The comic attack of the film on one of the biggest problems of our country is effective and will indeed send you in a laughing fit. But after laughing so hard from all the Murphy’s Law (everything that can go wrong, WILL go wrong) action that is happening in the screen, the movie will make you think: why do we even have this sort of problem?

The bone of contention: Last Supper No.3

The bureaucracy is supposed to bring order by presenting a system which works and functions for the convenience of the people. But oftentimes this is not the case. Long lines, frustrating employees, dilapidated structures, fucked-up justice system, no wonder people are not fans of the prospect of entering a government building.

For what it is worth, the film deserves to win for one important aspect: it provides a refreshing take on an important but already mundanely-perceived subject. Plus Maricel Soriano and Ricky Davao made cameos. Plus it is far better than the dizzying darkness of Engkwentro.

By the way it is based on a true story.

Literally.

WATCH OUT FOR THE WATCHMEN

“I’m not locked in here with you. You’re locked in here with me.” – Rorschach

Watchmen has got to be my most awaited movie of all time. Ever since I read the graphic novel last December (Ana Tan you have my utmost gratitude for introducing me to this wonderful piece of graphic literature…hayup! Tigas mo ‘tol!) and found out that the movie will be coming out soon, the vision of finally seeing the members of the defunct crime-busting group in live action—living and breathing—never left my mind.

The Watchmen are not your average superheroes. Spiderman, Batman, the Fantastic Four and all the X-men mutants would pale in comparison compared to these guys. They may not have superhuman powers brought about by a radioactive spider, genes, or vat of nuclear waste, but they have the most kick-ass moves and the most awe-inspiring twisted-ness only Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons can provide.

Unlike many print-to-film adaptations, the movie stayed true to the graphic novel for the most part…that is until the end. The alien monster made by the kidnapped artisans was an important element excluded from the ending part. The film made it look like Dr. Manhattan was framed by Ozymandias for the New York catastrophe. Perhaps that creative decision was made to prevent those who haven’t read the novel from being lost in translation. The whole back story of the kidnapped artists was omitted, so it would only make sense that the monster octopus thingy would also be omitted. Besides, the film was already three hours long, no one needs another LOTR wannabe.

For what it is worth, the movie was beautifully made. The opening montage showing juxtaposed scenes of the Minutemen’s demise and the birth of the Watchmen was so beautiful yet still comprehensive. The more controversial issues of gender preference were made more graphic than the novel’s presentation like Ozymandias’ gayness or the Baroness’ lesbianism.

Speaking of graphic, the film was filled to the brim with blatant sexual assertions. Dangling, glowing blue dick anyone? How about a nipple exposure? How about two scenes with nipple exposures (make that three if we will include the nipples in Ozymandias’ costume…disturbingly similar to that Batman and Robin costume…*shivers)? Oh, and was it just me or was that a wooden phallus displayed beside the Comedian’s TV? Even the nose of Richard Nixon looked phallic after seeing all that dangling blue dicks. Then of course there is Silk Spectre and Nite Owl making love like they have never made love inside a floating airship before. Nite Owl’s butt exposure is a scene best shown in ink and paper.

“You continuously refuse to see things from my perspective” – Dr. Manhattan

Some things kind of disappointed me though. The portrayal of Dr. Manhattan lacked power. He was like an atomic bomb missing a few atoms. I mean, what’s up with the high pitched voice man?! Don’t get me started on that Mars scene too. Then there is Ozymandias. Fake German accent, fake nipples, fake hairstyle, need I say more? Thank god Bubastis was fierce. I am happy though that they did Rorschach justice. The swinging CR door was a nice touch to the Big Figure’s excruciating death scene. They even made his face more bearable compared to the novel. His death scene was also magnifique! The bloody snow angel was so iconic.

So that was how Watchmen fared in the silver screen. It was great but not that magnificent. It was cool. Some parts were creepy, but that only adds to the allure Watchmen brings.

CALCULATING KIRI

“You indecent bitch!” – Sesang

The last night of the UP Sarswela Festival 2009 was the only performance I was able to watch among the lineup of various “modernized” sarswelas. The sarswela or zarzuela originated from Spain. It is a satire of sorts which involves dialogue, music, and dance often with comic relief. The sarswelas presented in the festival were tweaked a little to represent the changing paradigm of modern times.

 

            “Ang Kiri” (I am not sure with the translation, but from what I understood from the play it can be translated to a scarlet woman or a ‘malandi’ in the Filipino language…please correct me if I’m wrong) is a story of finding love only to lose it forever. It is about our never ending search for the right person who will complete us…only to lose that person to another.

 

            Sesang is a beautiful and charming woman admired by many and gossiped about by all. Amidst her opulent lifestyle and many suitors who shower her with gifts and admiration, she remains “loyal” only to Don Ramon for one reason—financial security.

 

            That is until she met the provincial boy Jacinto. His innocence and pure intentions to love someone as “impure” as Sesang, caused the scarlet woman to fall for him despite all odds. Unfortunately for Sesang, Jacinto is also in love with Pilar, his first love from the province and her seamstress.

 

            And so the vicious cycle of torn love, misery and loneliness begins.

 

            But there is of course comic relief in the persona of Sesang’s fat, obnoxious, gay butler Amboy. He who extorts money from her many suitors to get both master and servant the comfortable life they want. He who is supposedly the only other person who is able to enter her room. He who is her most trusted keeper of her secrets. He who left her once her money is all gone.

 

            Then there is Pepe. Her poet friend. Her friend who loves her more than a friend. Her friend who is willing to love her despite her fixation with Jacinto. Her friend whom she would rather not have than become a lover.

 

            Last of course is Jacinto. The puritan lover. He who does not seek riches but is given many by Sesang. He who cannot fight for Sesang because his mother disapproves of her. He who leaves her when she needed him most. He who easily forgot her when part of her died when she lost him.

 

            I pity Sesang. All she wanted was to be loved. While it might be true that she also wanted the richness the world has to offer, she was only seeking compensation for the “love” she has given to the many men who rumpled her sheets. The men who wanted her but not needed her.

 

            There is a Sesang in all of us. We give. They take. We need. They take it away. Then we are left alone again. There will always be an Amboy, a Pepe, or a Jacinto in our lives. It is up to us who we want to stay.

 

But sooner or later they will still leave us.

SLUM DAWG

Are Bollywood dance numbers groovier than our local movie dance numbers?

            A. Bollywood numbers are Austin Power groovy

            B. Pinoy dance numbers are Vilma Santos groovy

            C. Only Jean Agor dance moves are groovy

            D. It is written…in this blog

 

Watching the 81st Academy Awards or Oscars is not a priority for me. Despite the event being televised all over the different TV stations, the red carpet fashion being prophesized, and the after-Oscar parties being planned, I had no desire to watch it whatsoever.

But the desire to see the organ-less male figure holding a sword overwhelmed me. Am I glad I did.

 

Hugh Jackman’s one-man opening number was just hilarious in an Australian-playing-an-Australian-in-a-movie-called-Australia kind of way. His song number about the big films nominated for best picture was just crazy, and the ending “Wolverine” stretch was just hilarious.

 

But I’m not about to rave about the rest of what transpired in the Oscars (which was uneventful after the opening number save for the time the audience gasped when the camera panned to Angelina Jolie while Jennifer Aniston was presenting), I am here to rave about the best picture for the 81st Oscars: Slumdog Millionaire.

 

Danny Boyle’s masterpiece about an Indian “slumdog” who tried his luck in the Indian version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” to find fortune, love, and ultimately his destiny, is a compelling and inspiring feel-good movie. Despite the film being produced by the Brits (insert funny British accent), one cannot deny the fact that SM is a Bollywood-inspired film, and as such, MUST include a dance number.

 

The dance number at the end was so groovy I just had to download the song used for it. Every time I play it, I cannot help but imagine Dev Patel and Freida Pinto shaking what their mommas gave them. Just when I thought it can’t get any better…it did. While searching for that dance song, I stumbled upon the Pussycat Dolls version of the song which is as danceable as the original but sexier and spicier (remember that Indian movie, Queen of Spices?), and because I am a good person who loves to share good music, I am uploading the PCD version of the song Jai Ho! Hohohoho!

 

Anyway, back to the movie.

 

The social commentaries on poverty, superficial “economic development” and the brutal nature of the underworld are in front and center in this film. It is funny how the state of poverty-stricken Mumbai is very much the same with that of Manila. The slums, the religious tension, the rising call centers, the orphaned beggars, the singing blind beggars, the various syndicates, prostitution, we have all those in Manila…and even more. If that film was filmed in Manila and not in Mumbai, it would have been more colorful! Heck, even our local films have dance numbers in them! Instead of doing it in a train station, they can do it at the MRT or LRT.

 

The portrayal of India as a Third World underclass nation was of course met with negative reactions from many patriotic Indians as well as “India’s biggest superstar” Amitabh Bachchan himself, who was also portrayed in the film.

 

Well whatever you may think about the film, I believe it’s a good film which portrays realities which may be too harsh to handle, but are very much true. These realities however are not limited to just developing countries like India or the Philippines. Even the best nations of the Western World have thriving underworlds, which are—more often than not—even more dangerous than the underworlds of developing nations.

 

At least developing nations have an excuse for a thriving underworld industry: they are poor and in need of money to survive.

 

The underworld industry of more developed countries are just plain greedy.

 

EVOL IS LOVE SPELLED BACKWARDS

Being the random person that I am, I decided to do something completely different this past Valentines. I don’t usually do mushy stuff, primarily because I don’t have anyone to do it to, but this year I decided to do something completely un-Jean-ish. I gave love.

In the form of chocolaty goodness.

I gave the precious apples of MCO—Cherrie, Kea, Ivy—and the golden apple herself Ana heart-shaped chocolate lollipops with their names on it to celebrate their singleness amidst the day of crazy loving.

Technically it wasn’t Valentines yet, but Cupid has a lot to do and has so little time.

So I kneeled before the bitches and showered them with my “undying devotion”. Now why the hell would I do that? Because I believe in charity. These people don’t have anyone to give them gifts on Valentines, so I became their Valentine. Good karma will of course happen and so I will have my Valentine the next time around too.

I never do anything without an ulterior motive folks…hahahaha (evil laugh!)

And so the day transpired and the night came.

Along with Jedd (Boy JJ—Jumping Jedd…you know what I’m talking about), Bikay (Girl Habulin ng Bobo), Rach (Vice Chair Lasengga), Kea (Girl with Red Obi Pimped to Robert), and Robert (Bikay’s friend who was forcibly pimped to Kea) we had the time of our lives by drinking Red Horse at the Sunken Garden.

By the time Bikay and I went inside to watch Love Rage 3 (presented by Pan Xenia Fraternity, Adelfe Enu Crea Sorority, UP Cursor, UP Circuit, Enchanted Kingdom, Penshoppe, Watsons, and Bacchus), everybody else were about to go home…coz they were already tipsy! Hahahaha! I had the last laugh because even though I drank the most number of beers, I was still relatively sober. Ang lakas pa ng loob ni Jedd na makipagpustahan na lasing na ako! Eat my shorts! Hahaha!

Anyway, inside the concert, which by the way sucked because it was stopped around 1 am due to the JJ’s (Jumping Jologs) repeated fence trashing and brick throwing, nothing much happened. Performances by Bamboo, Sugarfree, Urbandub, Kjwan, Itchyworms, Greyhoundz, Razorback, Typecast, Moonstar88, Silent Sanctuary, Kitchie Nadal, Stonefree, Mayonnaise, Cambio, Hilera, Soapdish, Giniling Festival, De Lara, Valley of Chrome, Fuse, Zelle, Salamin, Fuerzza, Chubibo, Top Junk, Intolerant, Menaya, Playphonics, Sopiz, Kelevra and many more, were all short and unfab. I totally wasted my 90 bucks.

Good thing the fireworks display was great and I was able to take good pics.

So that was how I celebrated the day of hearts: by fucking with people’s minds and drinking booze. Some things never change like Chuck Bass’ womanizing and my evol bitchin.

 

DEAR B…

Love has a quota. Out of five people only one will be happy in love. Four will never be truly happy. At least according to Lucas’ theory of love.
I was never a fan of love.
Love hurts. Love is tanga. Love is for the weak.
But it is such a magical concept: one of the better neuro-chemical sensations which our hypothalamus brings about.
And so in this month of broken hearts, single-awareness and capitalistic gain through chocolates, hearts, and cupids, I bring you my first ever Valentine blog!
Reading Ricky Lee’s fictional novel, Para Kay B (O Kung Paano Dinevastate ng Pag-ibig ang 4 out of 5 sa Atin), is a far cry from the usual love story read by your maid under her sheets every night. It explores the aches, the pains, the excitement and anticlimactic endings love brings. It explores the love of a memory, forbidden love, the hardship of not knowing how to love, love with the same sex, and of course the ever tragic fatuous love. There is no happy ending, no prince charming, no happily ever after. Just ilusyonadang frogs.

I won’t ruin your day by providing a synopsis of the novel. Read it yourself. It will be worth it. Besides I’m not in the mood of summarizing a book’s worth of concepts. It is a compelling read. Well, at least for me. I don’t usually read books.

Lee’s characters are so real, so surreal, you see them. It is a paradox of reality and literary genius. It is like watching an unfolding telenovela filled with so many twists, turns, and tragic stories, it makes “A Walk to Remember” look like a feel-good movie.

I especially loved Erica’s story, the girl from Maldiaga who doesn’t know how to love. Sandra’s was just plain sad. A certified capital “S”. The other stories were okay, but those two really stuck to the core of my being. Favorite characters are a different side though. I love AJ from Ester’s story. His witty lines and positive outlook provides much needed comic relief. Lucas is a great guy to have in someone’s life…sans the emo-ness regarding Bessie.

To give you a taste of Para Kay B’s artistic genius, I will share some of the more striking quotes the book has to offer:

“For my love transcends boundaries and reaches out to the unloved, the unsure, and the unloving.” – Bessie

“Hindi kita papatulan, dahil ‘yang pekpek mo pakawala! Isa siyang pekpek na me pakpak! Isa kang 100% certified pokpok! Sa tatlong salitang iyan lang masa-summarize ang buong existence mo—pekpek, pakpak, pokpok!” – Ester kay Bessie

“Di man ako kasingganda ng mga Nanay n’yo, di man ako kasingkinis ng mga Ate n’yo, h’wag kayong pakaksiguro dahil isa lang naman ako sa mga pinatuwad ng Tatay at Kuya n’yo!” – AJ