| Tuesday, February 21, 2006 |
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I was talking to my sister about a story my friend told me when she was still in the food industry, about putting up a corner in the resto where a certain individual talks to different guests about various topics and calling the corner "Conversations with *certain individual's name*".
Funny concept. But when I told my sister about it, she was almost tempted to do that at our store. It'll be me or her, though, talking to the guests about nothing,
anything and everything. It'll be fun and uit'll be a great way to get to know our guests. I think the only problem will be if the guests will like the idea.
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I was in ATC last Friday and was able to catch two new movies.
First up was Brokeback Mountain starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal and directed by Ang Lee. I am such a big fan of Ang Lee and I was not going to pass up watching this movie. I tell you, it's really hard when you have strong expectations from a movie because 8 times out of 10, you will be disappointed. I tried so hard to make sense of the whole movie, which is hard not to because it was terribly simple, and to just enjoy it. But how can you enjoy a movie that is so anti-climactic? It's really sad because all the actors were exceptional. It was the
perfect vehicle for them to come out of their shell, especially for Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway, who played the cowboys' wives. And in the end, you ask
yourself, what have I learned from this movie? Hmm... That sheep should never be left alone in the woods at night? That my business is my business and is not yours?
That fishing trips are not what you think they are?
****SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!!****
Ang Lee loves characted-driven stories and Brokeback Mountain is one but you gotta have a story, too. It's supposed to be a movie about two gay comboys living in
1960s America where everybody did not understand and shunned the gay lifestyle. But it was never clear in the film that society shunned the gay lifestyle. But the
only indication of this was near the end when something terrible happened to one of the characters. And when one of the wives left one of the characters. Or when
their recruiter implied that they found a way to entertain themselves while taking care of the sheeps.
Ennis and Jack had to hide their lifestyle and relationship. But from who? Their wives? Their families? We can see that. But who else? Was there anyone else?
Who was it?
Maybe I just need to watch it again, you know? So I can really watch it with an open mind. But if this is it, then I'm just terribly disappointed. And if this winds as Best Picture at the Oscars, well, it will be travesty.
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The second movie that I watched was the Close-Up movie for Valentines, Close To You starring John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo and Sam Milby and directed by Cathy Garcia-
Molina.
Let me just start off by saying that I wasn't expecting this movie to be a fullhouse at ATC but it was! And there was even a line outside the cinema waiting to go in!
I wasn't in the mood for the other movies that time so I decided to watch this movie since some people said it was a very good movie that was really light and funny.
And it really was. John Lloyd was particularly good here. He was the perfect best friend to Marianne (Bea Alonzo). All the acting looked and felt so natural. And
it also helped that a lot of people can relate to the story in so many ways.
The story was well-written. The progression between scenes never felt stifled or pilit. Everything in its own time. And the lines! The lines were so
funny!
I'd definitely watch this again! In a way, it's still the typical romantic comedy but, unlike the other Pinoy romantic comedies, it didn't try to become someone else.
It just told it like it is which is always better.
***
Next up on my Movies To Watch list is Syriana, Munich, Capote, Nanny McPhee, Nasaan Si Francis? and Fearless.
Ack! I hope I have enough money to watch all those!Labels: life, movies |
posted by Jax @ 8:49:00 PM   |
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| Thursday, February 16, 2006 |
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I was watching The David Letterman Show a couple of days ago with Senator John McCain as guest and I was quite disturbed about his takeon the Muslims' reactions to the controversial cartoons published in a Danish newspaper. Hesaid some newspapers in the Middle East have also depicted Americans through cartoons in an
offensive way. But they (Americans) do not react to this because of freedom of the press and freedom of speech and all that. I'm sure some did react but not the way the Muslims did.
I disagree, though.
There may be freedom of speech but everything has a limit. I honestly believe that this (the cartoons of Muhammad depicted as a terrorist) overstepped its boundaries. If it were any other person, it would have classified as freedom ofspeech. But they (the Danish newspaper) desecrated the image of the Muslim prophet. No wonder the Muslims reacted that way. It would have been similar to people creating a cartoon of Jesus as a masochist or a torturer. It desecrates His image.
I am not saying that the Muslim's very violent reaction is right. But people do have to understand that what happened was not a meredepiction of a race of people, but a desecration of a religion. I may not like some of the Muslim teachings but religion is religion. They have their beliefs that they have held sacred. And for someone to come in like that and tear it apart because of freedom of speech is quite unforgivable.
The Danish newspaper involved must realize that they are at fault. They didn't just insult a race, they insulted the very Prophet that they worship and rever. They need to listen to the reason for the reactions. This time, freedom of speech cannot save them. The Muslim people also needs to realize that maybe all the other people do not know why they are reacting that way. Instead of resorting to violence, they must find a way to voice out their side with the people listening to them.
Because as long as we don't make any effort to listen, we can never have peace.
***
I do not understand Philippine justice. What more do they want? ABS-CBN has already taken all responsibility for what happened at the ULTRA. They've paid for a lot already. They've given money to the victims' families, helped out with the hospital bills of the injured, continued to cooperate with the government. I think they've suspended the show for now. But it seems like Task Force: ULTRA is not satisfied with it. It's like they're out to get revenge on them or something.
I'm not saying that what ABS-CBN did is already enough. They do need to realize that, being a television network, they have to start acting
responsibly to their audience. They have to start acting knowing that their audience will do everything that they say.
But it does seem like Task Force: ULTRA is just trying to build an even bigger fire when the flame has already been extinguished. ABS-CBN should
have made things more secure and organized. But they've tried to do something about it.
I don't see the government helping the victims out. As far as I know, a lot of private organizations have helped out but they seem to be too busy trying to point all the blame to ABS-CBN. They say "certain sponsors" should
stop pointing fingers and take responsibility for what happened. And yet it seems as if they're the ones who are still pointing fingers.
I am not affiliated with ABS-CBN in any way. Nor am I a member of any anti-government organization. It just frustrates me that one party tells another to do this when they, intentionally or unintentionally still do the
same thing themselves.
***
The ULTRA incident is a clear example of the state of the Philippines right now. Admittedly, there are several well-off families and individuals here.
But they only account for about 1/3 of the entire Philippine population. Around 70% of the population still lives on or below the poverty line.
This is why they look forward to shows like Wowowee because of the promise of riches and comfortable living. Promises that have come true.
Can you say the same for the government?
As an employer, I will do my share to help them out. But as an individual, I ask the government, where are the promises you have made? Why do they remain broken?
People do not even ask to be rich. They just ask to be able to live comfortably, to not worry that they might not be able to wake to a new morning, that when they sleep, they might not wake up. They just ask to be able to put food on their table,
a roof over their heads, clothes to keep them warm, education to teach them. But none of this can even be guaranteed to everyone. This is their right, isn't it? Then why can't everyone get it?
I am not saying though that I do not have faults. I have been selfish and I have been self-centered. But I do help out and I don't make promises I can't keep.
It just frustrates me that PGMA keeps saying that she's doing a lot and everything has improved. But, like Sen. Mar Roxas said, I don't feel it.
I don't. Really, I don't.
Depressing, I know. Sometimes, it's just hard to pretend that everything's okay when it's not.Labels: human rights, justice, politics |
| posted by Jax @ 1:40:00 AM |
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| Monday, February 06, 2006 |
| KAPE-YESTA! |
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By now, I think, a lot of you know about the stampede at ULTRA last Saturday that left almost a hundred people dead and hundreds wounded. It was tragic and no one wanted that to happen.
All we can really offer right now is help and prayers.
I really don't like the fact that other people are looking for something or someone to blame it on. We can all speculate as much as we want but we will really never know the exact reason or reasons for this.
But it is quite sad, though, to note how desperate Filipinos now have become. PGMA knows about this incident. I hope she realizes the Philippines needs help and starts taking more action.
***
I've been talking to my friend, who's a fellow writer. And we've been talking about the present times. And how it's so hard to live ideally now. It's really a good thing that I have my work to fall back on because we all know writing doesn't pay that well. I mean, I do intend to have a big family and if I don't have a stable job, what will I be able to feed them with?
How did we ever reach this point?
Goodness.Labels: mocha blends tagaytay |
| posted by Jax @ 12:14:00 AM |
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| Wednesday, February 01, 2006 |
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I'd like to write down senseless stuff because I just want to give my mind a break. But I simply can't do that. I'd like to write down happy stuff but I don't have the energy for that. I miss my family more than ever but I can't just drop everything right now.
Sometimes, there's just so much about life that you never know where to start.
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We are now gearing up for the FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF MOCHA BLENDS TAGAYTAY this February 18 and 19, 2006! We have several plans lined up and I hope all you guys can go.Labels: life |
| posted by Jax @ 2:28:00 AM |
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