The Dreamers

"When your'e supposed to be careful you never are. 

When its time for you to be care-free, you hold back"

Future Sounds

I think once in a while its pretty healthy to write about things you're looking forward to when it comes to the future. I look at all the crappy schoolwork I have waiting for me at home. Thinking about all the things I want to do in the not-so distant (I say not-so distant because life is short) future - and its the only motivation that gets me to sit down and fight through all the school work.

This term Ive been learning how to layout magazines or newsletters. (maybe I can post some here when I'm done!) Last term we learned about film. I really like my course. I like what I'm learning. with that said, I really need to focus on finding where it is my course will lead me. Communication Arts has a lot of tracks.

I look at all the billboards in the expressway and I realize that I dont really want to do advertising or marketing. I mean I'm sure theres fulfillment to be found in that line of work, but I think I'd rather try out a career in photo journalism or writing. Maybe thats just me. When I think about success all I could picture is just a lot of things I want to create. I want to write a novel, I want to fall into my art, I want to dive into philosophy, I never want to stop learning. Yet all the things I want are pretty risky - Its not really the formula for a stable and safe career, but this post isn't about that.

If we're talking about just pure "hey gen, so where are you going with all of this?" thats the only thought that gets me excited. The thought of creating something, the thought of breaking away. I feel like I have so much to translate and express that I just dont want to die without even trying. I get excited when I'm in a creative environment. I get excited when you have a problem that only creativity or imagination can solve.

I want to learn so much about the world, the whole world. I look out into the sky and I find myself smiling inside thinking that its the same sky that wraps around us all. How under that same sky there are people who are hungry, people who are greedy, people who are in love, people who are praying, trees growing, waves rippling, grounds quaking, tides breaking, etc etc.    

when i feel this way, I just cant help but feel so driven and so inspired. I dont even think about having a family and kids or whatever (but i think were too young for that anyway). All I want now when I think of the future is to just be in it. Completely there and feeling completely alive because I'm doing something I love or creating something worth while. I hope I end up fighting for all the things I believe in, and fighting against all the things that make this world an ugly place. I never want to encourage violence, insensitivity, vanity. I guess you could say I have a lot of ideals. I hope I can find a way to frame them into reality.

beh

I feel so bombarded by social networking sites. I don't like staying on them too long because its tiring and unreal. We choose profile pictures or statuses as if it will define us or show the world who we truly are, but if you think about it, it never really matters. These sites are just white screens where we can rub off our projections. You think you can know a person through this projection. You look at their wall, you judge their pictures, but in the end that isn't really who that person is. We've turned into a pretty obsessive bunch of folk - watching each other with telescope computer screens.

20 years ago, people would never limit themselves this way. So many people want a million likes. Not all do, but I'm just saying for some - and its sad because its this whole new platform for people to be insecure or arrogant or whatever. and whats the worst part? its not even real. You think this is your social life, but really theres nothing life-like about it.

 It's funny because this is supposed to make us more connected - this was the whole point of the information age. Yet I dont know. I think were all lonelier than we've ever been. We seldom bother getting to know a person more than what we can pick up in their pages. Deep conversation was the information age's biggest casualty. why bother when everything is already public. All the "information" you need is there. Everyone is airing out their dirty laundry. yum.

 But it does have its uses: school work and the like. Still, there are some things you wish you didn't have access to anymore. so easily, so instantly.

Everything is just too fast, and yet nothing is happening. Why do we try to swim deep in a pool so shallow? These are just some of the things that make me wish I was born in a different era.

hello, curtis

burp

Lately I've been wanting to be more quiet. Its not like I'm sad or anything (I say this cause some people would think quiet = sad). I don't want to be rude to anyone. Its not like having a conversation with them is the worst thing, it's nothing personal. I just like the quiet.

I know I talk too much. I notice that the more uncomfortable I am with a situation, the more I succumb to useless blabber. I ramble a lot and it can get pretty embarrassing sometimes. Well its okay though. I'm sure each person has their own little personality glitches they have to live with.  

I guess its just nice to be in a situation where you can just be, and its the most natural thing in the world that you're just there and there's nothing you need to say. It just comes. you dont think. Youre just there with a nice soft blanket of quiet. Not that I dont enjoy talking to people, I do..I mean its okay.  

quiet isn't boring nor awkward, neither is it some exaggerated otherworldly epic beautiful thing. it's just nice. Sometimes its all you need. 

Song for the Day

Something About Us (Studio Version) by BTS

One More Chance!

Lately I've been so inspired by the Local Indie film scene. Damn it I love FILIPINO FILMS. I friggin love it! mabuhay Pilipinas!!

So when it comes to Filipino films, I used to be just like many Filipinos. Thinking how failed our film industry was - how were so tired of "actors" turned political personalities, the distorted realities, the doting love scenes that seem to never end, the complete raping of a story-line. "Filipino movies suck" - the common reaction I'd get from people when I'd mention Filipino movies.

i hate this movie.

Yet I want to share a few things that have changed my mind about filipino films. This is a countdown, just like in 2001 when we'd watch the myx daily top ten. so the arrangement is least impact to greatest impact. lets start with number 5..


#5 John Lloyd Cruz

• I know people may think this is the weirdest thing. (Now that I think about it, this should probably no. 28 or something - maybe im just looking for reasons to google him? Haha!) How could John Lloyd make me like the indie film scene more? when he's so mainstream?  but I like John Lloyd Cruz. Why? because he's weird, baduy, he looks like a baby when he cries and well, hes chubby. John Lloyd was the first leading man of my time to be different in this way. Guys aren't always buff nor smooth - and i found it refreshing that Philippine cinema recognized that. It was probably just some marketing strategy, but I didn't mind. In high school I'd watch One More Chance, laugh and get kilig. I didnt think I'd ever feel this way after Rico Yan's passing. I felt excited about these cheesy movies. HAHA and I actually started enjoying Filipino movies again.

#4 Brillante Mendoza and Kidlat Tahimik 

• These two are brilliant directors. They are 100% filipino. Both embraced their art whole-heartedly. I learned from my film class that Brillante Mendoza actually won best director at the Cannes film festival (against Inglorious Basterds. woo!) Kidlat Tahimik had his film shown all over the world, even having the rights of one of his films bought by Francis Ford Copolla. I have yet to see either of these award winning films (its so hard to find a copy!), but i can't wait. Maybe you'd think, why would this be a reason to love filipino cinema if you havent even seen the film?

Brillante Mendoza

My point with this number is, If people from other countries can recognize our artists, why can't we? There's a secret world that is filipino film - and it is beautiful. If youre the kind of person who thought Filipino movies would never get anywhere, well I hope this gets you excited.

Kidlat Tahimik and his favorite get-up, no matter the country or climate condition

#3 Ang Huling El Bimbo 

• This music video stuck with me since the first moment I saw it. now i watch it whenever I feel like I need inspiration for my course. This video was directed by Aureus Solito, whos movie Busong made it to the Cannes film festival this year. I love this video because its so honest and truthful. through my growing up, this film made me see how much potential Philippine Cinema had. (well this was before I learned about the golden ages and the like) it gave me hope.

watch the full version here-->    http://vimeo.com/8800666

#2 Cinemalaya 

• It was my first time to watch films from Cinemalaya this year. If Huling El Bimbo was my first taste of Filipino film making genius, then Cinemalaya was the buffet. Ive watched Isda, Zombadings, Rakenroll and ang Babae sa Septic Tank. I'll never forget watching Babae sa Septic Tank, and having the audience laugh and clap during each scene. I felt like from becoming strangers, we became friends around a campfire. it was such a beautiful feeling, to laugh with a stranger, to be a part of something bigger. 

#1 Lino Brocka

• This sealed the deal for me. Filipino cinema will forever be drilled into my soul because of this one director. I saw "Tinimbang ka Ngunit Kulang" and it changed my life. "Lino Brocka" was a name that was familiar. I never thought his work would mean so much to me (well because no one ever really told me why he was so famous)- I couldn't be more wrong. He made this film at a time when the Philippines was going through tough political situations, and censorship was rampant. While most people can be sad about the roses having thorns, Lino Brocka showed everyone how it was to rejoice that the thorns have roses. He is wonderful. 

hello, christopher de leon!

I know we cant blame our industry for making crappy mainstream films..they always use the masses as an excuse - how they need to make money, so they sell out. I don't believe in that though. I don't believe the masses can't appreciate a good film. A good film is one that can make a person feel human. Are they suggesting that poverty masks people from appreciating art? it doesnt make sense to me.

I feel like ive found a secret treasure chest. what i want anyone who reads this to remember is Filipino films arent worth loving just because they're Filipino. They're worth loving because they're a class of their own. No matter the country, we have been recognized because we have created something beautiful. Ive gotten so much hope from just watching these movies - not just hope for the country, but just hope for life in general. After all, life can get pretty ugly..and here we have starving artists who dare to create, who dare to be different, who dare to defy. Is there anything more real than that?

Now I watch foreign films and I find myself laughing, comparing them to filipino movies I love, and how they can never replace the work of these brilliant filmmakers. When I  interviewed Mr. Aureus Solito for my film class finals, he told me this: 

"We are on the verge of a Golden Age of Philippine Cinema."

if that is true, I hope we don't miss it. I hope you give it one more chance :)