Yes, hundreds were stranded along the streets of Metro Manila that were halted by a storm named Falcon. Yes, hundred were forced to evacuate from their homes as the rains refused to stop (some of friends, included), yes, more than a dozen people have yet to be found.
But last Thursday was a different experience for me. I have set the number of modes of transportation I have used in one day.
Let me count the ways.
From Home to Pasong Tamo: Private Car
From Pasong Tamo to Greenbelt: Jeepney
From Greenbelt to Office: Walk
From Office to valley One: Taxi
From Valley One to Parañaque RTC (and back): Tricycle
From Valley One to Baclaran: FX
From Baclaran to Ayala: Bus
From Ayala to Office: Walk
From Office back Home: Bus
And the rain kept pounding as I transfer form one mode to the next.
With this kind of adventure, why would I need my very own car? Well, at least not for now…
Monday, June 27, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Why?
The difficulty in answering questions is the sincerity of what sounds will come out of your mouth. More so when the question is sincere in itself. This is the same reason i find it difficult to answer any question about film. i can say that i have been watching films since i was very young, but film appreciation probably started only two years ago, when i started looking at films differently.
I always bought the philosophy that film is a form of escape, but not anymore, i now know that not all films let you escape. Only the Summer Hollywood Blockbuster can do that, and probably the same reason why it is popular to begin with.
This love for watching films took me beyond escaping, it led me to myself. This is where the difficulty in answering questions on film. It feels like i am bearing my entire soul if i do so. Same reason why i refuse to write about movies.
No, i do not think it’s selfishness. Its the apprehension that stems from being judged, not by the way i write, for i know i am no writer, but by the content in what i write. The constant struggle to be right when you write. i do not think its egoism, at least not on my part, my fear is that i have to small of a voice that my being wrong is what is expected. i do not think i have anything to contribute, this is what i have to hurdle. And i will start by answering the question…
Why do i love Cinema?
The easiest answer i could give is that it is in my blood, my Lolo was the biggest movie fan i know. He would be watching movies every week, this was in the pre-WWII, very few cinemas and even fewer access, but he was able to watch on a weekly basis and he would write it down in his diary (which i found only recently) sometimes, he will even go to Manila to watch those big budgeted Cinerama and Cinemascope films that are only available there. oh, did i mention they were poor and was only making ends meet with difficulty? The things i do today pales in comparison to everything he did before. And i am very proud of him for that. My mother would tell me stories that in December the entire family would go to Manila for some Christmas Shopping and what else, Movie Watching, the entire family would watch big studio films like Casablanca, An Affair to Remember, Ben-Hur, Lawrence of Arabia, and Gone with the Wind. His love for films was passed on to my mother who was (and still is) the biggest fan of Vilma Santos. (her fondness of her was passed on to me) She is a retired elementary school teacher and a very strict one, but i found out that when she was in college, in Philippine Normal College (now University) she would cut class to watch movies in Escolta.
It was also passed on to my aunt (mother’s sister) who would watch films with us. But no, we rarely see cartoons back then, we would be watching John Hughes movies. She allowed me to watch movies with sex scenes, toilet humor, killing, blood, nudity and everything in between, she wouldn’t even fast forward through pumping scenes, or murder, or the skinning scene in The Silence of the Lambs.
I guess that is one major contributor in my maturity as a film goer. but unfortunately got lost when i was in high school. i blame hormones, peer pressure and Hollywood.
My Lolo was diagnosed with Colon Cancer (and eventually died from it) my aunt from United States would be sending VHS tapes, to indulge my Lolo in his favorite pastime and started our first collection of films. And was able to Pulp Fiction, Silence of the Lambs, Indecent Proposal, Star Wars, Godfather, Sound of Music and Wizard of Oz.
Unfortunately, i was not able to meet my Lolo. (affectionately called Tatay in our family) He died in June 1982, 6 months before my mother got married to my dad.
I watch movies so i can keep this family tradition alive. In respect and in gratitude for exposing his family to the greatest hobby/interest of all. FILMS!
I always bought the philosophy that film is a form of escape, but not anymore, i now know that not all films let you escape. Only the Summer Hollywood Blockbuster can do that, and probably the same reason why it is popular to begin with.
This love for watching films took me beyond escaping, it led me to myself. This is where the difficulty in answering questions on film. It feels like i am bearing my entire soul if i do so. Same reason why i refuse to write about movies.
No, i do not think it’s selfishness. Its the apprehension that stems from being judged, not by the way i write, for i know i am no writer, but by the content in what i write. The constant struggle to be right when you write. i do not think its egoism, at least not on my part, my fear is that i have to small of a voice that my being wrong is what is expected. i do not think i have anything to contribute, this is what i have to hurdle. And i will start by answering the question…
Why do i love Cinema?
The easiest answer i could give is that it is in my blood, my Lolo was the biggest movie fan i know. He would be watching movies every week, this was in the pre-WWII, very few cinemas and even fewer access, but he was able to watch on a weekly basis and he would write it down in his diary (which i found only recently) sometimes, he will even go to Manila to watch those big budgeted Cinerama and Cinemascope films that are only available there. oh, did i mention they were poor and was only making ends meet with difficulty? The things i do today pales in comparison to everything he did before. And i am very proud of him for that. My mother would tell me stories that in December the entire family would go to Manila for some Christmas Shopping and what else, Movie Watching, the entire family would watch big studio films like Casablanca, An Affair to Remember, Ben-Hur, Lawrence of Arabia, and Gone with the Wind. His love for films was passed on to my mother who was (and still is) the biggest fan of Vilma Santos. (her fondness of her was passed on to me) She is a retired elementary school teacher and a very strict one, but i found out that when she was in college, in Philippine Normal College (now University) she would cut class to watch movies in Escolta.
It was also passed on to my aunt (mother’s sister) who would watch films with us. But no, we rarely see cartoons back then, we would be watching John Hughes movies. She allowed me to watch movies with sex scenes, toilet humor, killing, blood, nudity and everything in between, she wouldn’t even fast forward through pumping scenes, or murder, or the skinning scene in The Silence of the Lambs.
I guess that is one major contributor in my maturity as a film goer. but unfortunately got lost when i was in high school. i blame hormones, peer pressure and Hollywood.
My Lolo was diagnosed with Colon Cancer (and eventually died from it) my aunt from United States would be sending VHS tapes, to indulge my Lolo in his favorite pastime and started our first collection of films. And was able to Pulp Fiction, Silence of the Lambs, Indecent Proposal, Star Wars, Godfather, Sound of Music and Wizard of Oz.
Unfortunately, i was not able to meet my Lolo. (affectionately called Tatay in our family) He died in June 1982, 6 months before my mother got married to my dad.
I watch movies so i can keep this family tradition alive. In respect and in gratitude for exposing his family to the greatest hobby/interest of all. FILMS!
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