Waking Moment

Is one’s life only but a dream – a recurring nightmare that simply has no end? Don’t you just wish that there are certain moments in your life that you could just bring to a halt and re-do all over again with knowledge of disastrous effects if you make a certain choice? What if you experience a certain jolt and wake-up and realize that you’re still eighteen and haven’t finished college yet, when you could clearly remember that before you felt that jolt you were on your thirties? You have dreamt the next twelve years of your life.

Think for a moment what your life would have been if you made a different choice sometime in your past. Would you still end up in the same place or situation you are now? Would your life be better off or be more pathetic? Would you be just as fulfilled or be just as unsatisfied?

As for me, had I not accepted the job offering here in Singapore: I probably would have gone to another country, or maybe be also here in Singapore but arriving later than 2000, or I might still be single in the Philippines, not earning much and kicking myself for not accepting that offer or even daring to get out of the country. Here’s another one: had I chosen that company which is about to start the SAP application over the company that is about to start using AS/400, I probably am earning a lot more than what I am earning now. What would have become of me had I chosen to stop my studies after my Dad died? I probably am a huge disappointment to him and a humongous burden to my Mom.

Nevertheless, life has neither rewind buttons nor click wheels to hover your finger with; it’s in steady play mode which you couldn’t pause and only stops when you’re at the end of your road.

The New Year is up ahead. It’s about time to do some renewal (if you haven’t done so this Christmas).

I wish you all a prosperous new year!

Entering a new world through an old wardrobe

My family watched the first instalment of The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, on Christmas day. I’ve been waiting for this film since I’ve heard the news that they’re shooting the first book on C.S. Lewis’ famous children’s book series. I have not read the books then, but after reading the sixth Harry Potter, Half-Blood Prince, I bought the compiled version of the Chronicles of Narnia.

In C. S. Lewis’ timeless adventure, we’ll see how the four Pevensie siblings stumble upon the magical world of Narnia, where animals talk and winter never ends, through an old wardrobe in a country home of an old professor. They would then meet Aslan, the untamed lion, whom the White Witch fears and revered by Narnians.

This is not a Lord of the Rings movie, as what the viewer might expect after seeing the fast-paced trailer with sweeping landscapes and great battle scenes. The world of Narnia was created wonderfully by Weta Studios with the same craftsmanship they did in the Lord of the Rings movies. The monsters or creatures under the witch’s wing are so ugly and some are even scarier than the Orcs. This army, however, reminded me so such of the Uruk-hais of Saruman and Sauron’s minions. Shooting this film in New Zealand made the over-all look like a copy of Peter Jackson’s films, even the final battle scene between the White Witch and the supporters of Aslan rang too much of the grandeur of what we have already seen in the Two Towers and The Return of the King. I wouldn’t be surprised if I see Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli running through those rocks and meet Eomer and his army.

The moviemakers might have been aiming for the splendour of the Lord of Rings, but one problem got really in the way in terms of the story. Whereas, Peter Jackson tried to re-tell the story of Tolkien for cinema, this movie of C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was like an illustrated copy of the book – the dialogues were exactly lifted and the characters; it followed the book religiously; the film adaptation didn’t add anything new to the story itself. The only thing that you won’t see in the book was the first part – the war scene and at the train station – after seeing that, I thought that this was going to be a different experience from reading the book, but I was completely wrong; from then on, it was like the entire book was the movie’s script.

I know that the book is short and mainly aimed for kids; but targeting this movie as a kid’s movie was a huge mistake. The fan-base of this series of books aren’t kids anymore (they were first published after the second world war!). Presenting this in movie form was supposed to introduce this old series to whole new set of readers (like me); but this film didn’t do it’s job right. With the whole world of Narnia already laid out in the seven books, the filmmakers could have further expounded on that. Being a kid’s book, there isn’t much of a character development and that’s plain dull if you watch it on film. Like what I have said in my previous post (after reading the first five books), the four kids in this story are a bit superficial and bland and this showed up in the movie as well; the characters weren’t given any depth at all, even the White Witch Jadis (Tilda Swinton) and Aslan the lion.

The girl Georgie Henley, who portrayed Lucy Pevensie, was fantastic and showed so much promise as an actor. The other scenes, however, have no such drama. Edmund (Skandar Keynes) was supposed to be a fantastic character, because he was the only one in there who has changed, but the viewers couldn’t feel it. The coronation of the two Daughters of Eve and the two Sons of Adam as kings and queens of Narnia were so bland and impersonal and reminded me of the ending scene on the Phantom Menace (Star Wars Episode I). This was supposed to be the summit of the film and the turning point for the entire series; King Peter (William Moseley) of Cair Paravel will forever be mentioned with the same reverence as Aslan himself, but you don’t feel that. Speaking of Peter, I think this young actor is hot. I don’t know what is it with me and young, pretty boys.

Not that I totally abhor this film adaptation, there are good things that needs pointing out, too. The visuals are stunning almost as the same levels as in Lord of the Rings; the animation of computer-generated characters was seamlessly done – amazing (I like the beavers very much and the humour added to them – they even have more depth than the human characters!). I also liked the foreshadowing of the hunt for the white stag when Lucy was having tea with Mr. Tumnus.

Is the The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe a biblical allegory? If you’re a Christian and have not seen the allusions to Jesus Christ in this film, I don’t know which version of the Bible you have been reading. Just wait for the Magician’s Nephew (if they ever plan of filming that); it will smack you in the face.

I’ve compared this film to the Lord of the Rings a lot, but – oh, well – the books then were also compared so many times. The authors, Lewis and Tolkien were very good friends and belong to a small society called the Inklings; Tolkien isn’t a big fan of Lewis storytelling style, and Lewis isn’t a huge Middle-Earth fan, either. These two series of books share fan-base, but I doubt if the fans of Peter Jackson’s films will turn out to be great fans of this Narnia film version.

The most wonderful time of the year

The shopping malls are filled with busy shoppers; the stores are decorated with holiday trimmings; the carols could be heard all through out the centre; there are long lines at the payment counters – even at the gift wrapping counter; columns and columns of chocolates from around the world abound in the grocery section; it is that time of the year again when Christians celebrate the joyous holiday season of Christmas.

Is that all there is to it? Is Christmas just all about Santa Claus, trees with blinking lights, presents, hams, carols, feasts or crackers? I do hope that amidst the frenzy of the holiday rush we never forget the true meaning of Christmas – the heart of it all –, which is Christ.

So, when you pick-up that gift for a friend, say a prayer for that person; when you queue-up for gift wrapping, say a prayer for the person at that busy counter; when you receive a gift, say a prayer for the person who gave you one; when you partake in a feast, say a little prayer for the people who prepared the food. A single line of prayer – just a “thank you for a wonderful friend” or “bless their family, Lord” can go a long way.

Happy Christmas to everyone!

The King is Kong

I have finally seen Peter Jackson’s latest film, King Kong. As for my take on how does this rate against all the other movies ever made, I’m a little mixed up: story wise, it’s great; the effects are brilliant; the characters are wonderful (so as the ape); the setting is awesome; but I’m not going to say, “it is the greatest movie ever!”

This is a story of man’s never-ending quest for mysteries – the insatiable thirst for the unknown – and his response to the revelation of an equivocal unknown. So, here is a movie director/producer, who has heard of an island that was uncharted and unexplored, carrying along his movie crew for a production of a film that has never been shot before; little did they knew that they were up for an adventure and scare of a lifetime.

This island was not actually unknown to some – only that only a handful survived to tell their tale. It’s a ferocious world that has to be sealed with walls and all I can say is that it is a lost world better than Jurassic Park’s sequel. The dense forestation is creepy and further enhanced by the creatures living within it.

The group of people in Weta Digital, who awed us with the fantastic special effects in Lord of the Rings, further up the ante in the science of the movie magic. The movie is visually awesome! I love the dinosaur stampede – reminiscent of the Mumakil attack in The Return of the King, but even better. The royal rumble between the big ape and the T-rexes was equally a feast in the eye of a movie person.

Each of the characters was great, and, most of all, the persona behind the 25-foot tall ape; though I can’t say they were correctly casted. I can accept Adrien Brody as a playwright; but as a hero who rescues the girl, I think not. Jack Black’s character is so devious but I simply can’t shake-off the image that he was Shallow Hal. Naomi Watts simply glowed on the screen as the damsel who cared for her captor. I take my hats off (if I ever wear a hat) to Andy Serkis, together with the graphic artists, who gave King Kong a personality. It was so believable; every twitch of his nose, every wrinkling of his brow, the opening of his huge mouth, the glint in his eyes, they are all realistic and so convincing, which made the audiences connect with this monster emotionally.

I only have one pet peeve with this movie: why must it be three hours long? There are scenes that could be shortened or parts that need not be included. I could sit through a three-hour-forty-five-minutes long Lord of the Rings or even a three-hour Harry Potter movie (which the producers dare not try to venture into) but three hours of a humongous ape (actually he wasn’t in the first thirty minutes) is such a stretch. I actually dozed off during that scene at the top of the Empire State building for probably a minute – twice. I hope we won’t get an extended version on the DVD (there are scenes in the trailer which were taken off the theatrical release), because if you watch it at home, you’ll probably go to sleep after King Kong was captured and never get to learn the ending.

This film, however, is the perfect example why we go to the movies: to see things we don't regularly see in real life for a small price of a single ticket.

Nothing happens by chance, my friend... No such thing as luck

I’m not a person who has luck at raffle draws, except if it’s a draw wherein everybody wins – even in that, I don’t win the major prizes. When it comes to games, my team don’t normally win either. Last Saturday was a different day; an anomaly perhaps. I have never ever felt that lucky in my entire life.

It all started the Wednesday before that when I was busy reviewing the list of clues of all the codes used in our Kris Kringle. Every year (for three years now) in Maybank, for our exchange gifts we all have codes we keep dearly to ourselves. Each week, we give out a clue pertaining to our code together with a little gift to our babies; this clue, however, is broadcasted to everyone. The main aim is that during the revelation day, each one has a shot at guessing all the codes. This time, last Thursday was the dateline for the submission of our guesses. Whoever has the most correct answers win; if by chance that there’s a tie, the person who sent the answers earlier gets the prize. This is a high stake competition, for the main prize is an iPod (maybe not new, but is from a generous person who regularly updates his techno gears); so, the competition is fierce. Some codes can be easy to guess, while others are excruciatingly hard; aside from that, the selection list has bogus codes (8 out of 30). People, who have the time, gave gifts to their babies and therefore revealing that that code is a possible answer. Just imagine the pain that not all of them gave gifts? It’s a good thing for the receiver, because his code could never be on the radar of possible answers; most especially, if he gives hard clues.

It’s Wednesday and everyone is cramming to get their answers right. There are those who even formed alliances and shared to each other their take on each code – explaining each clue (even giving ridiculous reasons just so it could fit into the code). I was having a problem with three sets of clues because my list of possible answers is one code short; and I can’t think of any code that would fit to one set of clues. But lo and behold, one generous Mommy/Daddy gave a set of gifts to his/her baby on that fateful day (maybe just to spite that person); thus, revealing another code that was not on my list. From then on, I was able to match all the clues with their corresponding codes. In another twist of fate, one person approached me at the end of the day so that we could share answers. Luckily for me (unfortunately for him), he gave me his code (one of the hardest to identify). I actually have guessed it right but it was purely based on pure elimination (the only set of clues without any answer and the code without any corresponding clues). So, I went home that Wednesday night with a smile on my face (I didn’t reveal my code to anyone, of course) knowing full well that I got all the codes sitting neatly with their corresponding clues. All that was left to do was a few googling to confirm my answers. And so, at 2 am Thursday, I confidently sent my entry thru email to our game master.

You don’t know the sleuthing I have to go through just to get those codes right. I guess all the “reading between the lines” in the Harry Potter books helped. And sometimes being such a conniving bitch helps, too. I know my code could be guessed by elimination, but fate was on my side, for another set of clues can fairly point to my code as well. There are a few clues that can’t be explained, of course; but if you’ve got five or six clues out of twelve fitting in one code, it’s definitely a go. So what I did was hammer on that. I pretended that I don’t have a clue on who is Monsters, Inc (that’s my code) either; then stir them into that other set of clues and gave logical explanations on how they could fit into my code.

By Thursday afternoon, when all the entries got in, our Game Master released the set of bogus codes; from there, I was able to tell that I’m on the right track, and that that iPod is within my grasp. Then came the Saturday party, and little did I know that my winning streak was still on its high gear. On the first game of the day, I knew that I’m not gonna be raking any prizes except for that raffle draw where everyone wins and that Guess the Code contest (I may not win the grand prize, but there’s the second and third place to hope for). Wheels started turning again when I became part of the team that made a ridiculous Santa with a humongous head and looks like an elf and won. In the Taboo game, I know we were dreadful (I know I am); but having luck in my pocket, our opponent spouted taboo words like a whistling kettle and giving us points instead.

Then the ever awaited Game Ka Na Ba? started, and I knew then that I can never ever enter the big eight for you need to guess 1980s songs from lyrics given by the game master. I’m not good in music trivia – in any decade. I tried hard though to recall those years when I was but a young lad. The six slots were already filled and the game master blurted the lyrics of my favourite Michael Jackson ballad, I Just Can’t Stop Loving You. You guess it right, I got in. First category I picked is movies, and I named the six Bagets cast members out of eight possible answers. The second category was countries beginning with T (picked by the opponent); I only bid three, he said he could name four. I called his bid and knew right away that I’m out in the running when he named the first country that’s not on my easy list of countries. But by heavens! To my surprise he was only able to give three, and so I moved on up the ladder. Last and final challenge was to name the presidents of Singapore. I said I could only name one and was completely bluffing the whole time because I could not even recall the name of the current one – much more even pronounce it correctly; my opponent was even looking at a piece of Singapore dollar, where you can find the image and name of the first president. So when he said he could name two, I relented and surrendered all hope of ever winning the contest. Again, by goodness! He was only able to name one correct answer. So I won the other coveted iPod prize for that day.

The revelation of the codes came and my answers were confirmed that they were indeed all right. The third placer got one code wrong; then the game master announced that the second placer got the perfect score (I knew it was me for there were others who submitted their entries way ahead of me). But then it was another name that was called, so I got that other iPod again. Finally, the best in character costume, where I also won third place for the Mike Wazowski eye made by Josh’s nanny, Che-Che.

It was a huge horde and my family and I went home with a huge smile on our faces as Mike has.



We must believe in luck. For how else can we explain the success of those we don't like? – Jean Cocteau

Every little thing she does is magic

He’d seen her chomp her food, wiggle her nose, stroke her hair hundreds of time – even thousands; yet why is watching her now gives him such an overwhelming feeling? Everything she does now is permeated with greater meaning; every move is precious, accompanying a welling-up feeling inside him.

He wanted her. To grab her. Feel her. And taste her.

Then it ebbs away.

But then it wells up again whenever she chomps her food, or wiggles her nose or strokes her hair.

Don’t judge my brother; he is not a book

I have seen the trailer of Peter Jackson’s latest film, King Kong; from it, I can’t really say that I’m excited to watch it. But, hey, like books we can’t simply judge a movie from its teasers; take The Village, for example: the trailer was great and it looked scary, but the entire film was a total disappointment. Nevertheless, I trust Peter Jackson, for he is one filmmaker who tells great stories (Lord of the Rings, people!). Trailers, however, could give viewers the wrong impressions. This film, in particular, has a trailer that is aiming to awe and shock the audiences about the monsters you’ll see in the film, the spectacular actions, and the splendid special effects; however, what is not shown in the heart and soul of the entire film: the character development.

Based on the premier showings of King Kong, critics are lauding that this is another box office hit and that the movie is great. This is not another monster movie or the big ape the king of the jungle either; there is more to the movie than that. It’s been said that the movie works in various levels: a lot of action, humour, best special effects, and most importantly, the relationship between the beauty and the beast is believable.

I have not seen the entire 1933 original version, though I’ve seen some bits of it; and now, I am wondering what Peter Jackson took from this favourite movie of his. I’m looking forward to the awesome gorilla brought to life by Andy Serkis and the special effects team who gave us the schizophrenic Gollum.

King Kong opens today.

The sky is falling!

I watched the latest Disney animated film Chicken Little at the theater with my son, Josh. He became a fan after he saw that diminutive chick dance in its trailer during the Batman Begins showing. Since then, whenever it is shown on TV, he’ll try to dance with the chick, which is quite often, as most of the time our television is tuned-in to the Disney channel.

The movie starts off with the widespread panic Chicken Little caused when he mistakes a falling acorn for a piece of the sky. In the hopes of reviving his reputation from the embarrassing chaos he cause and winning back the respect of his father, the young man chicken joins the town’s baseball team. With a great deal of luck, Chicken Little led his team to victory and finally redeems himself. Happy times, however, don’t last for long, for he was hit again on the head by a piece of the sky. This time the sky is really falling! Enlisting the help of his friends: Runt of the Litter, Abby Mallard (aka Ugly Duckling), and Fish Out of Water, they tried to save the day without sending the town into a frenzy.

The film’s story is an outtake from the classic British children’s tale and was further twisted: what if the sky is really falling. This is the first attempt of Disney to produce a computer-generated animated feature without Pixar. It may have solid laughs that could amuse a small child, but hardly any humour aimed for grownups, which made Pixar’s The Incredibles and Dreamworks’ Shrek huge blockbuster hits – clicking effortlessly on all levels. One could sense how forced this movie is – trying for a universal appeal, which I believe made it fell flat on its face. Young kids may go giddy on the first two-thirds of the movie but would later turn freaked out when it changes into a junior War of the Worlds.

It still delivered the Disney essentials: comedy, adventure, and music; there are, however, only a few original songs in the soundtrack unlike most Disney animated features. The visuals are fantastic! It’s funny in some ways, but not something one would consider a classic to watch over and over in your DVD player. Could it because the story is just too simple or not a sturdy children’s tale that needs retelling?

Tackiness can go a long way

How would you categorize a person who hates an artist but likes her songs? I don’t like Britney Spears voice because – need I explain it? – it’s not the greatest (not even the best – synthesized) out there. I like her as a performer, though; she’s a great dancer, got a nice face and nice bod (pre-marriage). I simply like her songs because they’ve got good melodies and are danceable and the videos may be tacky and raunchy, but, hey, they’re nice to look at.

So, is she an artist? For me, she isn’t; a performer or entertainer, maybe. As to acting, heaven forbid! I’m glad that Crossroads flunked in the box-office, because her acting was flat even in her videos.

My favourite Britney song is Overprotected, and I bet guys are closet fans of I’m a Slave 4 U; for who would find that bawdy video and hearing Ms. Spears give an orgasmic purr and saying “I’m a slave for you”?

It's only with great vulgarity that you can achieve real refinement, only out of bawdy that you can get tenderness. – Lawrence Durrell

Clipped wings

Oh gee! Why would one feel so out of reach if he doesn’t have an Internet connection? Back in the days when they use typewriters in the office, people never felt that way. In my new job, I don’t have Internet access nor my email can send outside correspondences; so I felt like I am out of the loop. It’s not that I depend on the access at the workplace to connect to the World Wide Web – I have a connection at home – it’s just that, when at home I have to attend to other things that would require me to stay away from the PC station.

During the times that there isn’t any internet, did people ever felt they were out of touch, uninformed, or isolated? Well, there’s only the television then and the good-old telephone – it doesn’t even have to be a mobile one. Why then in this age, when most people have earbuds stuck in their ears with music blasting from their iPods, phones or PDAs not giving a damn of what goes around in their place, people care so much about having an internet connection so that they can connect with their friends from far flung places? Has the little world that surrounds them became so constricting, aloof, impersonal that the only way to feel is to connect with someone from a far off place?

Maybe in some instances, it is; but life here in my new job is light and the people are warm. Maybe in another week or so, I can soon be acclimated to this new change.

Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who with their soul encourages another person to be brave and true. – Charles Dickens

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Then came the princess

Almost twenty years ago, my Mom surprised us with the news that she’s pregnant. I was a huge news because, well, my brother is ten and I’m already… Oh! You thought I’m going to divulge my age then so you could do your maths. All right, to spare you the calculation, I’m thirty-one, which makes me twelve around that time. Just imagine, a middle-aged couple with two kids entering their teens, and here comes another one. What a great shock! My brother and I never thought that we could have another sibling again.

When my Mom returned home to San Jose a week after giving birth in Quezon City Medical Center (we were all born there), we were so excited as we waited for them at the airport. I couldn’t believe that I have a baby sister – my very own breathing, little doll! And, of course, she became the darling of everyone.

My Mom gave her the name Renee Joyce. Renee was taken from my Dad’s old nickname, Rene; while Joyce because she’s born in December. She was supposed to have Nenee for her nickname, but my Mom changed her mind because I might turn into a Nene. My Dad lovingly calls her Poponggay (ask me not where he got that) or Pops or Pongay for short. We even named our pet parrots while we were staying in Puerto Princesa with endearing nicknames. But now, she’s either RJ or Buday (ask me not about this one, too).

Well, imagine now; she just turned nineteen yesterday. Our little girl has grown up. Gone was the tyke whom I would buy clothes from Cinderella and one who would wear the little costumes I had sewn and piece together. She’s a courageous young woman like my Mom; more than I am.



To RJ: You may not remember the times you have spent with Dad, you were barely five when he left; you’re always with him wherever he goes – always sitting on the front passenger’s seit of his car. He might be gone, but he’s with you all the time. Mom, Kuya Gie and I may not be there always, but Dad is and he’s just a whisper away. We love you.

Happy birthday!

Another birthday greeting

Buday, Happy Birthday!

The best thing you've got going for you is individuality

My new work has begun. The work area given to me isn’t the best, but heck! it’s far better than the slums we had to make do with in UOB. I just have to learn to adapt to the freakin’ stinking wonderful smell that emits from my cubicle mate. My PC is pretty fast – way, way faster than my old PC in FITAS team (Dell computer, Pentium 4, 256 RAM, 30Gb HD, Windows XP Prof), but the sad part is that I can’t customize my wallpaper and screensaver. Ugh! I can’t see my baby Potter. Now, I was thinking of putting my poster here if I can’t find a way to customize my desktop.

What do you think?

All greatness of character is dependent on individuality. The man who has no other existence than that which he partakes in common with all around him, will never have any other than an existence of mediocrity. – James F. Cooper

Midnight, and the clock strikes, then we pig out

That’s that the Noche Buena, a traditional Filipino Christmas eve; misa de gallo comes first, of course. I love these midnight holiday feasts; I know that Christmas is twenty-four days far from now, and New Year is about a month, but I can’t help but start planning on what to put on our table during those coming overindulging moments.

I will again miss the Purefoods Fiesta hams, so the only way make-up for that is by ordering an even bigger ham from Cold Storage. I think they offer the best hams here in Singapore, aside from the preposterously priced hams from hotels. So I made a choice yesterday between these four good-looking, succulent, weight-gaining pieces of meat and placed my order. With that already set, I think I’m already halfway through my preparation – as they say in our country: “It’s not Christmas if you don't have a ham on your table.”