Still on Freedom

Most schools open today, a supposed National Holiday. But since our Independence day was moved a day earlier to prevent it from being sandwiched in between two working days, we're all expected to be the slaves of whatever institution or company we "serve" even on this special day.

I deem it timely to post an essay which I wrote as commissioned by my Playwriting class instructor back in college, probably for him to know something about us.

And, on my last semester in college, this I allowed him to know...

Prison? School? What’s The Difference?

I have never been to prison but I have been to school.

If you think that my statement is purely non sequitur, I suggest that you think again. Prison and school have more things in common than most people believe. I myself am not sure if it is because of our so-called original sin why we are sentenced to attend school or if it is because we are born savages that is why we are required to enter an institution that will tame us. Whatever it is, the unwritten law—the one strongly imposed by society—which says, all of us should attend school, thinks of us as criminals who badly need rehabilitation. And, we are left with no other choice but to disregard such accusation and go to school.

Prison and school do not rhyme but, sometimes, they sound the same to me. They have numerous similarities which I am going to try to point out the best way that I can. The same as in prison, there is a time frame set for one’s stay in school. The length of time one is required to serve may vary depending on one’s performance. Being good will mean a shorter time of freedom deprivation. A behavior that defies “being good” will result to a longer sentence. If you are still confused and still cannot grasp my point, consider this analogy: Acceleration is to school as parole is to prison. Now, if you behave poorly, you are bound to get a demerit. In school, you will fail and repeat your class, while in prison that means another unwanted year or two added to your stay in the penitentiary.

The steward of the savage individuals in school and of the detained lawbreakers is another thing. They are more popularly known as teachers and wardens, respectively. Students and prisoners are compelled to please their temporary guardians. If they like you, it will be easier for you to get out. If they do not like you, you will be together longer and the relationship will simply be hellish.

Being the social individuals that we are, we can view school or prison as a venue to build friendships or enmity among classmates or inmates. A harmonious and pleasant bond with the people around you makes life fun, enlightening and stress-free. On the other hand, a hostile relationship with others characterized by rivalry, defamation, and occasional cat fights will make life more exciting and entertaining. These two “theories” which I have just bravely come up with holds true in school and prison—I think.

Both school and prison are not there just to tame you. They are there to impart ideologies which you never thought you would adhere to. When you enter both, you are turned into mere robots which passively accept programs set by the “bosses.” In the end, you either consciously or unconsciously imbibe the principles the institution you enter into advocates.

Probably one of the best things school and prison have in common is the people’s opinion and feelings towards them. Students most of the time hate school while prisoners have a logical aversion to prison cells. The bottom line is: they both want to get out as soon as possible.


I have never been to prison but I have been to school. I had been good and I had been bad that is why my stay turned out longer than it was supposed to be. I had teachers whom I pleased which made my stay pleasant. I had teachers who did not particularly like me and they made life suck worse that it usually does. In a “restricted” environment, I found friends who made me forget that I am under some kind of a rehabilitation program (I think the term reformatting is more applicable). I never made enemies but there were some people who were not so nice which allowed me to balance my sunny disposition with my “unsunny” disposition. Being in school for 17 years permitted me to acquire knowledge which I would not have gotten somewhere else. It goes without saying that I had allowed myself to become a passive robot at several points in my life. But that is besides the point.

Why is school like prison?

Because I had tried running away from it but it came after me. That explains why I am still here. However, I would like to believe that I have already served my time.

After being good for the past years, I am preparing myself to scream: “Laya na ako!”

Discombobulating

One minute I was buying my birthday gift for my godson, the next minute my godson’s mom was texting me not to come to the party since it was raining crazy in their place. She mentioned the possibility of flood. I rested my case. I don’t like flood. I can swim but I don’t like flood.

* * *

I was heading my way home when I passed by the cinema. I checked the schedule of Pirates of The Caribbean: At World’s End. Bara-bing! I figured, I was meant to watch it so I bought one ticket and found myself a perfect spot amongst the empty seats.

I did it again. Watch a movie all by myself. No big fuss there but I have to say I’m getting used to it.

If you are in search of clarity, the third sequel to the Pirates film is not the best movie to see. I kept on wondering if I would have understood the movie more if I did some research prior to entering the theater. Then I remembered I was out to relax. And researching to understand a film would defeat the purpose of relaxing. In any case, the film was entertaining—at least those parts which I understood.

* * *

In the middle of my solitary movie “fun,” my godson’s mom texted me again to inform me that the rain had stopped and it was in fact sunny. She said that I can come over if wanted to. But I’ve already committed myself to Johnny Depp and company so I said “pass” to my godson’s first birthday party. I'm blaming the weather.

* * *

Nichi commissioned me to go back to Toy Kingdom to check out something. Then I decided window toy shopping can be a material for my blog. Hence I’ve come up with another of my list for this month, my birthday month.

Toys I Like which I CAN Live Without:

1. Lego. Lots of them. Enough to allow me construct houses. Mini houses.




2. Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. Aren’t they cute? You can even dress them up as Star Wars characters or as Spiderman!




3. Light Saber. The more realistic it looks, the more appealing it is to me.




4. Rotating projector nightlight. I don’t know what it is called exactly but it’s cool. The rotating projector nightlight will fill your room with stars or animals—depending on the design you choose. Good for people who are afraid of the dark.


5. Taboo. It’s some sort of a word board game. It may be fun to play.




6. Woody. Since I have Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head on my list, I might as well add Woody, the big one, the one with a real pull-string mechanism. Cute!




7. Water guns. They come in different sizes. Perfect defense against hot-headed people!

I’m done at seven. Seven toys a (nearly) 27-year-old person finds interesting to own. It’s a bit of a mystery that even I can’t seem to outgrow them.

* * *

We live in a confusing, if not confused, world. As if the indecisive weather is not enough, we all have to contend with human creation that leaves us perplexed: Movies that hardly make sense but should, otherwise something may be wrong with us; and toys which are ideally intended for kids but no normal kid could possibly afford to buy.

7 days before 27

This was how my day was like exactly a week before I turn 27.

Wake up when the sun has been shinning brightly for quite a while. Meaning I woke up too late to go to work on time. I opted to go on a half day instead of being tardy.

The half day I spent at home flew fast in front of the PC where I was able to write a single piece.

* * *

Prepared myself to put on my contacts before leaving the house for work. And what do you know? My left lens is ripped!

So much for having a “normal” vision.

Crap! Just when I can’t afford to buy a new one, the one I have gets torn.

* * *

Sat beside a family acquaintance on the jeepney I rode to work. Family acquaintance tried to initiate an exchange of pleasantries. The following chitchat commenced:

Family Acquaintance: Nanganak na ang ate mo?

Me: Hindi pa po. Sa October pa.

FA: Ahh—(smiles) E ikaw kelan susunod.

Me (Looks away from the FA; mutters): Wala ngang jowa…

FA (Pushes the question): Kelan ka?

Me (Looks at FA and feigns a pathetic smile): Matagal pa po.

We all know that what I meant by “Matagal pa po” was “Asa pa kayo?!”

* * *

Work goes as usual which makes it less and less interesting.

(Now I’m admitting how bored I am.)

* * *

Work isn’t all that good at times but, I have to admit, my officemates aren’t bad at all.

I went out to have dinner with them along with former officemates.



At McDonalds.

Fun but rather quick.

* * *

Go do some errands. Bought spices to be brought to the better country I have never been to.

* * *

Hang for a while longer and exchange life’s updates with a friend.

* * *

Go home. Face the PC. Nurture life in the web.

* * *

Lie down and sleep.

* * *

Actually the day was no different from most days. Except this one had more highlights, mostly immature ones. Really.

I badly need to do SOMETHING some time soon.

Asar Talo

Sa front seat ng FX ako napaupo kaninang pagkagaling ko sa opisina. Napansin ko ang sticker na nakadikit sa glove compartment:



Hindi ko napigilan ang aking sarili.

Ako: (Sa driver) Seryoso kayo dyan?

Driver: (Tatawa-tawa) Chick naman kayo, ah.

Ako: Oo nga pero paano kung may lalaking umupo dito.

Driver: Patama na lang sa kanya yan. Asar talo.

Natraffic kami dahil may kotseng humarang sa break na lilikuan namin. Nainip si Driver bumaba at kinatok ang kotseng nakabara. Bumalik si Driver sa FX. Bigo. Nanatiling nakabara ang kotse sa harapan namin.

Kinwento ni Driver na bading yung nagda-drive ng kotse. Ayaw na daw i-maneuver nung bading yung kotse niya dahil mahihirapan siya. Bad trip si Driver. Stuck kami.

Naisip ko, “Asar talo pala, ha?”

**Salamat, Deney, sa picture!

How To Lose a “Guy” in 10 Seconds

* Late posting is intentional to guarantee limited readership.

I guess the title says it all. Here are seven sets of lines you can use.

You’re gonna tell me about your Jesus stuff.
I’ll laugh.
You’ll be hurt.
I’ll feel guilty.

It won’t work!

* * *

But you’re too pretty!
You wear more make-up than I do.

It won’t work!

* * *

Dude,
You’re beyond weird.
You’re creepy.

It won’t work.

* * *

You’re not even nice.
And I know what you want in general.
You won’t get that thing in general from me.

I promise you,
It won’t work.

* * *

You’re cute.
But I’m not gay!

It won’t work.

* * *

Go back to school, man!
You don’t even know how to spell.

It won’t work!

* * *

You’re a wimp.

It won’t work.

My Favorite Movies

I feel that I owe a greater force a write up for a section in the Philippine Star called My Favorite Movie. And although I had my attempts to make a piece worthy of publication, I can’t get past paragraph one. I may be once again procrastinating greatness the way I’m doing with my most coveted Palanca dream.

Naughty, naughty me!

Since it is my birthday month, I’ve decided to fill the days I refuse to contemplate on matters that are of greater importance to humanity with lists of my favorite things. Ergo, as my title states, today I shall share my favorite movies of all time (at least those I can remember right now). Note that they don’t come in a particular order.




Spanglish. I have to restrain myself from pulling Adam Sandler out of our TV set to hug him every time I watch this film. He has never been lovelier than in Spanglish! Plus the good thing in this movie is the way the characters are built. The makers of this film really loved their characters—they were disturbed and flawed yet a viewer gets to appreciate and understand the characters despite how they behave. A lot of elements found in this film are also fun to deconstruct! (Ok, that’s the geek me talking!)





Alfie. Nope, it’s not just Jude Law I like in this film but the whole presentation itself. Each scene shown in this movie is well thought and is picture perfect. From the charming characters in the foreground to the graffiti wall in the background—it’s a visual and mental feast! Once you’re done digesting what you see, there’s always the plot which will compel you to think, “what’s it all about?” And “it” won’t be limited to the movie alone, that I assure you.





With Honors. Melodrama yet hits me right where it should. Whenever one gets lost in pursuit of perfection, there’s always With Honors to keep you grounded. It teaches us that the world does not revolve around the pseudo trophy we are eyeing for and that we cannot find a shortcut to the golden cup by kissing ass. Success is sweetest if we worked our hearts off and if we were able to look around us and do some good deeds along the way. Just as Simon says, “Joy. Ache.” Love. Life. Success. All full of joy and ache, joy and ache. But we don’t have to end up as losers because of the “ache.”





A League of Their Own. Baseball. Women. Sisters. Three elements of the movie that appeal to me. A League of their Own makes me want to become a good ball player for the fun of it and to piss off men out there who’d think women can’t. Women issues make me want to become a real-life activist. And sister matters make me ponder if I completely suck at this sister business more than I acknowledge.





The Matrix. Probably is the coolest movie of all. I like the action, the costumes and the concept. The makers of The Matrix are cunning in that they were able to challenge, in their effective cryptic way, several institutions and norms in our society that usually tend to dictate how we humans should be. And I don’t think they spurred any controversies by doing so unlike the Da Vinci Code which made an awfully empty noise. Just try not to concentrate on the Sleeping-Beauty kiss in the end so as not to spoil the movie.





Moulin Rouge. This movie is entertainment. Believe me that I understand my self completely when I say that Moulin Rouge is a celebration of what post modern is. I can imagine everyone in this production having fun while doing their job. I don’t usually like musicals but I’m willing to make exceptions for Moulin Rouge. The visual and auditory spectacle this film features makes watching it for the Nth time worth one’s while.





Heart and Souls. I dig the unfinished business thing and this movie was able to explore it while keeping everything light. Each of us has a Julia, Penny, Milo and Harrison within. Heart and Souls reminds us that our times are a-ticking and so there is no point in postponing the things we ought to do the way these four souls did. They are lucky they had Thomas Kenneth Railey to do things for them. We may not share the chance that had been given them so carpe diem!





Wimbledon. Suddenly tennis became sexy! Wimbledon introduces us to an athlete who’s at the last days of his career. Then we see more of this player outside the court. Then we learn to love him. I’ve always wondered how athletes think and Wimbledon just reveals what’s inside an athlete’s mind. This movie is more than just a love story; it is all about how one proves himself by being committed to his so-called passion.





Dyesebel. Yep! A Filipino movie. There’s a mermaid in this movie and she’s Pinay! How can I not like that? Dyesebel probably is the best Filipino mermaid movie there is. Plus this movie captures the 90s fashion as Alice Dixon, the actress who played Dyesebel, becomes a model in the course of the movie. “Special effects” is not bad considering the time when this film was done.





X-Men. My childhood cartoon heroes coming to life is one real movie magic! This time, the characters gain more depth as we see more of them in the flesh. Good casting and special effects are just two of this movie’s selling points. X-men also deals with issues on discrimination which make it matter. Over all, X-men is a classic, at least in its genre.




I may never get tired of watching these ten movies over and over again. That probably is my basis for having them as my favorite. I can see them for a thousandth time and yet the punch lines will still make me laugh and the plot lines will still reveal something new. Yes I did not choose them based on some scholarly film critic way which therefore make them a selection from the heart.

Blessings Instead of Sheep

To start off my birthday month, I choose to acknowledge everyone who has supported my People Power for Nichi drive.

To date we have gathered a total of Php 5,890.00 (0.19%), a far cry from the Php 3.1M goal (excluding the pre and post transplant costs) but it is nonetheless appreciated!

The 0.19% of Nichi’s Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) cost was made possible by five people whose identities I’d rather leave up to a more powerful being to recognize. To these friends and strangers who have elevated themselves to friends, my whole family’s thanks are with you. We pray that you all be blessed for your charitable hearts.

Also, a month ago, Nichi and I received a handmade greeting card and a cheque from an angel in England. The thought and effort in sending the card and cheque touched our hearts so much that I don’t mind that none of my banks would change the cheque into Peso. To this day, I’ve been holding on to the card where the cheque is still inserted. And although, I work in a greeting card company I REALLY appreciate the homemade card that came all the way from our angel in England. (NOTE TO THE ANGEL: I’m sorry I haven’t pursued the PAYPAL you suggested for easier money transfer. I have to admit that my cyberphobia gets to me despite this blog and all. I’m still looking for someone here to explain to me how it works.)

I am also grateful for everyone who has helped me spread the word: those who forwarded my emails to those within their network of friends, those who spread Nichi’s story to the best they can, and to those who have re-posted my cry for help in their respective blogs. Here’s a quick roll call:

Faith
LeeSun
Charlene
Dessie
Bluepanjeet
and
Pinoy Blogosphere – the one that has helped me reach more people.

(If I failed to include you in the roll, please notify me :-))

A Pinoy couple, who was the relative of a friend, living in California has also been helping us find people to support Nichi’s supposed Bone Marrow Transplant. The couple has tapped a community, their Christian Community, to pray for Nichi’s healing. Tito, Tita, you know who you are, thank you! Thank you!

A website for Nichi’s cause has also been put up by Tito and Tita’s relative. Our special thanks go to her.

Several doctors have also generously shared their knowledge and opinions about Nichi’s case. We thank them for keeping their hearts intact in treating and checking my brother. May they be blessed for being more than just men and women of science to Nichi!

More people have helped us raise funds, pray, spread the word, and find doctors whose opinions are precious to us. My whole family is grateful for everything you are doing for us. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

I would like to end by posting the MTV dad prepared showing some of just the few medical procedures Nichi has been through for the past year.



Had it not for hearts who so willingly loved cared for my brother, having Nichi around to this day may not have been possible. Thank you for being His instruments in keeping our Nichi alive!