my LAST entry for litfili ^_^

Anyway, I would like share some of my insights about the movie MAGNIFICO. The first time I saw it, I really cried [ang bigat sa puso!! T_T] but the second time around [LITFILI CLASS] I just formulated some insights about some symbols presented in the movie. Like the Rubik’s cube. For me, it symbolizes their life. For them, their life is full of problems that are hard to solve. But what they don’t know is that, there’s a simple formula to solve of it… Fortitude and Patience…Like the Rubik’s cube, you can’t match the colors in an instant. You need time and patience to understand how to put them together. Second is the Magnifico. In class we discussed Magnifico is somehow like Jesus Christ. I agree on that because somehow, he became the instrument to cleanse everybody’s heart. ^^; he’s like the light in every one’s life esp. to his mother who feels like she’s carrying the whole world. That movie was very good movie to discuss in class because there are plenty of insights to share.

Anyway, This kind of communication helps a lot. Because of blog, we can write freely and interact with other people in a form of giving out insights from what we’ve wrote and comments. Giving out comments let the writers to explore more and write more because he/she feels that somehow, someone have even a little time to check out his/her works. ^^; I enjoyed this kind of activity^_^ CIAO!

blog entry no.8^_^

Chick lit…The first time I read “Getting Better” I thought that its target readers are women. It’s more on women’s issue for me because in the story, we saw three different women with three different features and characteristics. Based on I’ve read about chick lit, it features hip, stylish female protagonists, usually in their twenties and thirties, in urban settings [wikipedia]. The common setting of a chick lit is on industry that usually women are into, like advertising and fashion industry. In Getting Better, Sex and the City were mentioned. I think it is relevant because some of the characters on that show was slightly similar with the female characters in Getting Better especially Samantha of Sex and the City…she’s like Janice. For me the story catches the idea of the genre but I think Filipino writers must add some twist that is unusual that would show a real Pinoy stuff.

Info you may wanna read: The term was introduced by Cris Mazza and Jeffrey DeShell as an ironic title for their edited anthology Chick Lit: Post-feminist Fiction, published in 1995. The genre was defined as a type of post-feminist or second-wave feminism that went beyond female-as-victim to include fiction that covered the breadth of female experiences, including love, courtship and gender. The collection emphasized experimental work, including violent, perverse and sexual themes. [wikipedia]

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Crime Fiction…At first I was impressed because we have writers who writes such literary works. But after some chapters, my interest falls down… It’s like the author was spoon-feed the readers so much… That’s why it gets boring for me… It’s like some chapters became irrelevant because we already know what will happened. But the first 10 chapters catches the idea of a crime fiction… the elements are there…(should I call it elements???) like there’s a crime, of course the criminal who has a past that pushed him to do the crime and the investigator/tion. I like how the murderer kills the children (kaka-amaze lang…) because it is very unusual. For me it’s something interesting. The author catches the attention of the readers o read more because of that. At first I thought Arcinas was the killer because of what he did to Carding. The scene in the dental clinic was somehow a bit of give away because the readers already know that the suspect was from there. All in all for me, the novel, from trying to reach the genre of crime fiction suddenly fall down to i-don’t-know genre because of too much information and trying hard too much in making the novel interesting… but I didn’t work for some of us.

blog entry# 07 ^_^

Generations made me realized how blessed I am to be born in this generation. 1960’s -early1980’s was a blast for many Filipinos. Children of that generation had experienced such misery that affects their innocence and way of living. In our class discussion, I can’t forget the story that Ms. Dianne told us about the minors who sells their body just to have money to buy drugs for their parents. Take note… they are “minors”. I was shocked because I can’t believe that it really happens. I come up with a question to myself… Are the parents of the children thinks about the future of their children? Or they just don’t care as long as they have their vise. Are they aware that they were the one who leads their children to do immoral stuff? Like in the case of the girl in the story…she gave herself to bail her father…but…she actually killed him afterwards… WHY?! Yes, she hated him but after giving out herself to the soldiers just to free his father…she just did it? *headache* I can’t blame her… maybe it’s because of the emotions on her heart that wanted to burst out and the environment that she grew up with… But definitely… it’s still not right…

blog entry# 06 ^_^

Fantasy – Reality…

We people love to create an imaginary world wherein everything is so perfect… In reality, for me, we can have a perfect world. Because the term “perfect” for me is like “satisfaction”. As long as I am happy and satisfied, I can say that my life is perfect. We can’t avoid trials, we can’t avoid pain… But we can face it^_^ Some of us were just anxious to explore the real world because we’re afraid of disappointments and imperfections. Like in the story of Documents. The guy who I named “Miguel” is afraid to think that he’s already in love with his friend that I named “Camille” .[peace tau amistoso ^_^]… I don’t know how will I characterized Miguel but I think that he’s so weird because he can’t accept the fact that there’s this feeling that he want to avoid. I don’t know why… LOSER! Ehehe..joke.. I think the story that Camille wrote was about her losing hope… She said she’s fading… she thought that Miguel saw her and feel the same thing…but NO.. that’s how I understood the story…. Miguel is just afraid to face the reality because he don’t know what to do about it. I don’t know if he just respects their friendship like “hindi kami talo…” or just…….. I don’t know… *headache*

In Hidalgo’s story, I think the girl had been alienated because the scenario in the bar was different. Because of her, being so O.C, she was shocked when she saw a different world in just a snap. There was this guy whom she saw as a nice one… a gentle one… just a guy who loves performing energetically [I think] so when the guy approached her, booom! Back to reality… I think, she reacted like that because she’s expecting something else. The guy seems so “maangas” so I think she never expected that. His Peterpan was just a fantasy. She must accept the fact that she this is the real world. I’ve once experienced being alienated. When I first enter the college world, I’ve met different people with different lifestyle and culture. At first I thought of living my self and be a different person. But I didn’t. I just accept the fact that this is just the first step toward the real world…my future. I can’t fulfill my dreams if I wouldn’t live in this kind of world. I’m so happy that I’m still standing tall and getting ready for my future… I’ve realized that I must learn how to adjust or give way to other people and I must not fell afraid to face the reality. ^_^ Why not make our world of fantasy a real world? Besides, it’s just one step away right?^_^

blog entry# 05 ^_^

There are so many similarities and differences between the past generation and today’s generation’s culture and values. First, relation between parents and children. In the past, the parents set up their children to someone whom they knew would give their children good life. [Fix marriage]. The parents are the one who sets the standards of their ideal in-laws. Today, parents still interfere in choosing the future husband or wife of their children but the final decision would still come from their children. It doesn’t matter if their future in-laws are rich or not, as long as their children are happy, they would give them the approval.
Second, boy and girl relationship. Boy and girl relationship starts in the courting stage. In the past, the guys do the “panunuyo” to win the girls hand. The guy must do everything so that the girl’s parents approve him. Today, guys just give girls flowers and chocolates and other stuff. Sometimes, a simple text messages and 24/7 phone call would do. That’s why some won’t believe in courting. It is replaced by the so called “getting-to-know stage”. It’s so easy for guys to have a girlfriend today. Sometimes, guys have two girlfriends or three. One month is enough for them to win the girl’s heart. So easy. [Wag mag-deny guys!...and girls…=p] [Share lang… My boyfriend and I didn’t have this formal courting stage… as is formal…?? We’re like just bestfriends ganon… almost 10 months din yon… It’s good because we know each other very well before we officially turned our relationship to the next level…Now, we’re together (as gf-bf) for 3years and I’m happy because we’re learning from each other everyday… Even others are saying that the 3rd year is the “at risk” stage of the relationship, we don’t mind because we know we’re serious about this relationship and it’s normal for us to fight but we consider it as another lesson for both of us and a blessing because it makes our relationship strong and healthy. ^_^]
Third, the wedding. The “pamamanhikan” still exist in today’s generation where in the guy, together with his parents go to the house of the girl to meet the girl’s parents and talk about the wedding. In Batangas, after the “pamamanhikan”, there’s a week long celebration (like fiesta…) esp. if the guy is from Manila. It is held a week before the wedding. The tradition in the past are still practiced today esp. in provinces. Like the in the reception, when the couple start the traditional dance, the ninongs and ninangs and the other relatives pin bills to the couple. Maybe the only difference is wedding outside the church are so in today. Like garden wedding, beach wedding…
Fourth, after marriage relationship. This stage is full of responsibilities. The men are still the head of the family. In the past, they are the one who only works to feed his family and the women just stay at home and do the household chores and take care of the children. Today, both men and women work outside their home. Sometimes, they switch, the woman works, the man stays at home. Women can now dominate men. YAHOO!!! But still letz face it, we’re not as physically strong as men. ^_^ Even though women can now do the jobs to men, some of it are still for men. So let’s don’t push ourselves to do those stuff….^_^

blog entry# 04 ^_^

Love in the Cornhusks… The Corral…
These stories made me realized that we,
women of today’s generation were so blessed.
Blessed in a way that we are free…
We can decide on our own with no boundaries
as big as the past generations.

In 1940’s- 1950’s, women lives in a marginal
life. Full of borders, limits… They make
decisions but they are not happy about it.
It is because they don’t have a choice
but to go with the flow. They don’t have
enough power to stand out unlike men.
Men, that time and until now, are the
head of the family so they have all the
power to rule. Women back then are just
like baby makers. At the early age, they
get married…After that…They would produce as
many kids they can. They are not allowed
to work outside because it is the duty of men.
So what would the women do? Get pregnant then
take care of her kids. They believe that
their kids are their future. There are some
families want their eldest child or majority
of their children are boys. It is because
they want their name to be carried generation
to generation.

But today, without us women, men can’t live.
Women are now the breadwinners. Some men are
now the one who take care of their children…
Women can now do what men can do and men can
do what women can do also.^_^

Back in 1940’s-1950’s again, social status is
one criteria on choosing the right one. It is
like a typical Pinoy movie that has a dialogue
like… “Hindi tayo bagay… mayaman ka…mahirap
lang ako..” or “langit ka..lupa ako”
hehehehe…^_^ diba???

The social status is very important
esp. on the guys’ case. A high class man
is required to marry a high class woman.
It’s for their business and for their future…
(DAW..) So I think, that time… a man and a
woman gets married to satisfy their parents and
just for the sake of their names and businesses.
Like in “The Corral”, Pilar don’t have a choice
but pick Mr. Perfecto because she don’t
have a future if she would pick Gregorio. O_o

Relationships today are not like the 1940’s type.
Maybe because men and women of today’s generation can
now both choose the right person to marry…the one they
truly loved. [Kaya nga “for better or for worst” diba???]
It’s so unfair if our parents would choose our partners
just to make their business big. DUH?! That’s why I’m
so against “fix marriages”. I wonder why some Filipinos
still do that. I’m so thankful because my mom and my
boyfriend’s parents respect us. Because in fix marriage,
it’s like you are made to be sold like a whore. Sorry
for the term but yah… a whore… @_@

So I guess that’s it… We all have the rights to
decide on our own. We don’t need to depend on other
people. But of course, we need to think a thousand
times before we decide and do “the move”. *_*

blog entry# 03 ^_^

Back when I was 10, I had my first crush. It’s not like “crush crushan” thing. That time, I thought that I am already in love. Every break time, I always go to the basket ball court to look for my crush and watch him as he plays. ^_^

One day, I let him sign on my autograph book. There’s a question..”How’s your crush?” He wrote down “Judy”… I feel like my heart was broke into pieces when I saw it. He knew that I had a crush on him and he shows he likes me too. But after I found it out, he’s not my crush anymore… Well that’s childhood…

Like in the story “the Bread Of Salt”, the 14 y/o boy felt the same way as I am… It is so shameful for me because I thought he’s going to write my name. In the boy’s case, he was embarrassed because they met at the wrong time… at the wrong situation. For me, it is not LOVE… it’s INFATUATION… it’s temporary… it’s just it… not obsession (according to Martin,,,the reporter..;p). I don’t see any trace that the boy was obsessed with Aida. He’s just so imaginative. He loves the feeling of being inspired because of his attraction to Aida. And hello…he’s just a boy… Maybe it’s his first time to have a crush…^_^ It is normal though…

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We Filipinos esp. women want to be loved, to be respected, and to be adored. Adored, meaning, we want our man to love us intensely…deeply…with all their heart and soul. That is why marriage is sacred. It unifies a man and a woman who loves each other. Then there’s what we call…SEX. I believe that it is the greatest gift of a woman to the man they loved.

In the story Summer Solstice of Nick Juaquin, there’s a big issue between men and women. The women do their rituals to show who they really are like Donya Lupeng. In my opinion, way back then, women are so tired being a wife. They just stay at home, watch their kids…They are not allowed to go out and linger outside. Unlike now, women are tasked to go to work because if they don’t, she can’t feed her family. Men and women today are more or less equal. Equal because both can be the bread winner. Women can now do what men can do before. We are more liberated now. Back to the story, it seems like Donya Lupeng want to show her husband that she needs something. She wants her husband to adore her. She wants Don Paeng to see her as a goddess who gives him anything he wants; happiness…pleasure…love… She doesn’t want to be just an ordinary wife like after marriage and gave birth…she’s nothing.

I agree that a man wants his wife to be more aggressive than him in bed because it shows that his wife is his property…his treasure… In return, a man must truly value it by showing more respect and love to his wife. Thus, we Filipinos treat marriage and sex as a symbol of unconditional love. ^_^ Sex is not meant to be planned. It has to be spontaneous to show the real meaning of love… A man and a woman do it because of love…not because of lust ^_^

2nd blog entry^_^

In my own opinion, the mat symbolized each and every hand of the family members. The three children suffered from illness and die in the mat. The mat carried them all the way. It means that the family members give their care and support up to the last minute of their love one’s life. The father took so much time to let go because he is guilty of not showing his love and care physically because of distance, lack of time and communication. Maybe that time, when he went home, he saw that his daughter was already lying on the coffin. It is the hardest feeling ever because he can’t do anything. Money can't bring his children's life back.

Filipino fathers are like him. They work hard to feed his family. That’s why seeing his family specially his children suffering and dying leaves a big scar in his heart. Men don’t show off their deepest feelings. Even though they suffered from loneliness, they still managed to be strong. They don’t want to look weak. That’s why when they have a chance to let it all off…they really break it all out. They are like a strong rock that suddenly breaks off because of force.

Men are not like that now. They’re becoming more open because the issue of them being a rock is being more talked. Ladies of this generation are more concerned about the issue. I myself encourage my boyfriend to open his personal problems to me so that he won’t feel heavy inside. I allow him to cry infront of me because I don’t want him to just keep all the loneliness he feels inside. I know the feeling. It’s so heavy. This story is more realistic than divide by two because it’s still happening. In the case of our OFWs. In divide by two, it seems that, it shows that the characters are so desperate with each other. They have this past that ends without a closure. It is like, their attention was divided by two because they can’t help but discuss each other's life.

blog entry no.1^_^

Valuing the family is the most important practice of Filipino people.

For me, Arguilla and Bolusan did a great description about how

Filipinos value their family.

In “My Father goes to court” by Bolusan, I think that the narrator’s

father is not “pilosopo”. In my own opinion, his father wants to show

that he can defend himself and do a simple solution for a simple problem.

I think the rich family doesn’t know how to use their wealth properly.

All they do is to eat, and do stuff inside their home that’s why the kids

are not that healthy. Maybe they don’t even talk to each other inside their

house. Unlike the narrator’s family, even though they only have the aroma

of their neighbor’s food, they try to enjoy it and take it as a blessing.

Like us Filipinos, we enjoy every bit of what we have. We even give or share

to other people the blessings that we receive in our everyday lives. Like what

my friend said “Isusubo mo na nga’t lahat, ibibigay mo pa sa kanya…” and

“Makita ko lang na busog kayo, busog na rin ako…”. We enjoy sacrificing for

the sake of our family and loved ones.

Back to the story, the father wants his children to see him as a great dad;

a strong dad that can always defend his family. This kind of family really

portrays typical Filipino families. In spite of problems, we still have time to

laugh. Staying in the corner of the room with a liter of tears going out our eyes

won’t help in solving problems. It would just give us more problems like health or psychological problems.^_^

In “How my brother Leon brought a wife”, for me, Leon and Maria were

just engaged. It seems like it is the first time that Leon introduced Maria to his

family. That time, parents are really strict in choosing their in-laws. It is so

unethical if they get married with out the blessing of their parents. The title

itself said “A WIFE”, in my interpretation, Leon brought an ideal wife. Maria

is an ideal wife that his family would approve. Until now, parents still interfere

in choosing the right one for their children. They want the best life for their

children. They make sure that their future in-laws would cope with their

practices and values to avoid future conflicts. That’s why Leon’s father

ask Maria’s initial reaction about Labang and their way home.

About Baldo, I still believe that his age is 10. A teenager doesn’t react

that way when other said “Good boy…” or a person praise his good job.

Only kids would feel that their heart sang and take note…he is a boy not

a girl…^_^ even tough he is very descriptive and detailed, it doesn’t mean

he’s not a kid anymore. Baldo was like that because like other said, maybe

he is attached to his brother so much so he want to make sure that Leon

did a good decision in choosing Maria. He tries to monitor every single

move of Maria so that he would know her attitude right away and discover

why Leon chooses her.^_^ . That’s my opinion… And in fact, boys live in

rural area of that generation gets married at the age of 16. At the early age of

8, boys are trained. They help their fathers in the field. So I’m not that

surprised that Baldo described Maria that way. And one more thing, Baldo

seemed to grab attention by keeps on telling story about Labang. ^_^ And

a little boy always do that. A teenager is more manly and shy so they want

to remain quiet especially if they’re with a sweet couple.