An Interesting Turn of Events

It's funny how things are playing out. First I watch Band of Brothers. Over the 5 or so days it takes me to finish the series, war is often the setting of my thoughts. I do a post on it, and now we're shooting a military wedding.

My friend's best friend is going to marry a Captain in the Philippine Army. We met the couple along with the wedding planner earlier this afternoon for a quick pre-production, and although I'm more than used to soldiers, it just seemed a bit surreal interacting with the groom and his Malaysian friend (who in turn was a Major in the Malaysian Army) while they were in full uniform. My recent immersion in the exploits of Easy Company during the second World War probably contributed to that.

In other news, a huge congratulations to my 2 buddies Diego and Fonta for getting their shots in Digital Photographer Philippines! They did some great stuff with the DLSU athletes, which has been getting quite a bit of attention lately.

Band of Brothers

Having just recently finished watching the tv miniseries Band of Brothers, I found myself today musing yet again about war and all that it entails. Being one who finds war strangely fascinating, I dream of photographing a war one day - preferably one involving Filipinos.

As much as I value the relative peace our country comfortably offers, as well as the lives of our countrymen, I find a certain...shall I say glory, or shine to war that inexorably attracts me - beyond the glamorous filter that Hollywood places on what is.

I suppose that should we indeed find ourselves in the unfortunate position of having to defend our motherland from invaders, I would want to volunteer to fight. Ika nga, "Lupang Hinirang, duyan ka ng magiting. Sa manlulupig, di ka pasisiil." Imagine the thrill of taking national interests in your own hands, fighting for every inch to drive out one who would have your land and life. Imagine your elation when you succeed in doing so, the drum beats of "This is the Hour" resounding through your head.

What a day that would be.

Or perhaps I'm just looking for that adrenaline rush.

SCTEX

I found this photo sitting dormant deep in the recesses of my archives. This was taken last June 10, on the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, at approximately 100 kph.

As part of my work back then, I would travel to and from Subic quite a lot. Now what I've experienced in Subic, Olongapo, and the surrounding towns would fill up a whole new book of tales in itself, but one of the real pleasures I've had in travelling to Subic would be the SCTEX.

One of the newest highways in the Philippines, the SCTEX also happens to be (in my opinion) the most scenic. It has three main exits - Subic, Clark, and Tarlac (hence the name) - and the view sharply changes from one point to the other. Going to Subic from Clark, you're left agape as mountain after mountain looms over you, made even more majestic by the sun's highlights. Head the other direction to Tarlac, and you'll find yourself amidst field after field, with nary a man-made structure in sight.

And once in a while, you'll get that eyeful that will make you want to...well, stick your head out of the driver's window at 100kph with a camera in one hand, and wild abandon in the other.

Objects

I found this comic strip through a shared link from my brother. Not that I'm sexist, but I couldn't help but stifle a laugh.


Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net

River Wild

Despite the 17-hour shoot, the deluge that made quick work of our City's drainage system, a 4-hour car ride that was only supposed to take 10 minutes, and city streets turned into raging rapids (quite literally), I managed to have a decent day. I suppose the fact that our shoot was for a restaurant that has such delicious food (with which they fed us continuously) helped a bit.

I hope my friends over in the easily flooded areas managed to keep themselves high and dry, though.

This used to be a street in our village. Notice the lamp post being sucked into the vortex of doom.

When I Ruled The World

I recently stumbled upon an alternative video to one of my favorite songs of late: Viva La Vida



Although not as cinematographically stunning, I somehow prefer it to the other, actor-focused video. I especially enjoyed how Chris Martin, playing the deposed king in the song, turns and smiles as he sees his bandmates humming together behind him, knowing that as abandoned as he feels, some people still do follow him.

This small segment at the end truly emphasized in me the value of encouragement. At times, even the most determined fighters lose their motivation, their drive to continue the faith. As one who has felt the humiliating sting of falling from grace (as I am sure everyone else has at one point), I know that there is nothing like a kind word of encouragement to lift my spirits and keep me on the straight and narrow, reminding me that that for which I fight is indeed well worth fighting for.





Oh, and eat your heart out, Burger King.

Correr

Listening to music and daydreaming while running has never been so fulfilling.  For the 30 minutes to an hour that you're killing yourself out in the unforgiving road, you are also magically transported to another world, one of your creation, lost in the swirl of your music and your thoughts.

As you take off, the magic begins. For the first moment, you're the star striker of Liverpool with ninety thousand fans shouting you on with fervor, singing that you'll never walk alone.
Suddenly, the tone shifts.  You are now a king fallen from grace, speaking about how seas would use to rise when you gave the word but now you sweep the streets you used to own.
As you slowly rise from your laments, darkness suddenly falls.  You are atop a tall tower, clad in a jet black robe and a red cape swaying slowly with the nighttime breeze.  The princess has the whole town seeking your name, vowing no sleep until it is obtained in her quest to avoid what she perceives to be a lifetime of servitude to you, he who would be her husband by morn.  You slowly smile with a confidence unmatched as you command the night to vanish and the stars to retreat, knowing that by dawn your kiss will dissolve the silence that makes her yours.

The trance continues until the end of your journey.  You awaken to reality ever so exhausted and gasping for air, yet bearing that twinkle in your eye as the last glimmer of your Terabithia slowly fades away, always ready to return for as long as that imaginative fire still burns bright within you.

I never wanted an iPod, but ever since I purchased one I have never regretted a single moment with it.

*NB: The beautiful photo above is not mine. Apologies, random Flickr user. I promise you I am not making money out of this photo.

Of Sausages and Noodles

Today turned out unexpectedly well.

After a client meeting which turned out much better than planned, I headed to the Peninsula Manila with Diego for the celebration of their 33rd Anniversary where we were to meet with Fonta, Ina, Lynn, Tin, Cris, and Marie.  The Manila Pen, as it is fondly called, marked this auspicious occasion by selling at their original 1976 prices the three menu items which have been present since Day One, namely the Halo-Halo, Pancit Luglug, and Schublig.  The 1976 prices being Php33 per dish, it was a no-brainer.

As I foresaw, the line was insufferably long.  The estimated 2.5-hour wait left me questioning the worth of the dinner we were about to have.  To make matters worse, Ina had class to attend and Lynn had two meetings.

Three Schubligs and 1 Pancit Luglug (and about 2lbs worth of fries) later however, I found myself thinking that everything that happened after that point made the grueling wait outside in the sticky, humid Makati air seem like a mere trifle. I enjoyed the food and ambiance (as evidenced by the 9 hours we spent there), I met new friends, and I had quite the....interesting conversation that night.

I still say, what a way to spend the day.

The Dust of the World

As I sift through my virtual photoalbum, I chance upon a photo taken last July during the pre-production for the CSFI Shoot.  It's a shot of the Philippine Flag at the House of Representatives, taken just as the sun was slowly retiring.

The image of the solitary flag brings about a sudden rush of patriotism for me.  My mind wanders through the many times this has happened in the past.  I think of all my independence day trips to Luneta. I remember all the highly-charged political discussions I've had with different people. I remember the essay into which I poured my heart and soul for my Jose Rizal class during my third year in college (thanks to one of the most inspiring professors I've known).


As this flash flood of amor patriae slowly ebbs, two thoughts linger.  The first is of Elias' dying breaths as he lay by the riverbanks, looking into the bewildered eyes of a boy whose mother and little brother had just died most horrible deaths.  He said, "I die without seeing the dawn brighten over my native land! You, who have it to see, welcome it -- and forget not those who have fallen during the night!"


I wonder, will I live to see the Philippines I long to see? Or am I doomed to perpetually bear witness to the evils and cancers that I believe beset our nation?


My second thought is of a line from Jonathan Larson's semi-autobiographic play, Tick, Tick...Boom!  At the play's finale, the main character sings 
"What does it take to wake up a generation? How can you make someone take off and fly? If we don't wake up and shake up the nation, we'll eat the dust of the world wondering why."


Isn't this already what is happening?

A New Toy

I recently made a trip down to the hardware store to buy, amongst other things, a bolo for the house, and....I ended up overdoing it.

Meet my new sword.  It resembles a falchion, but without the handguard.  Victims so far are 2 Langka branches and one banana.  Also, apart from your usual housework, you can use it:

- To protect yourself in case someone attacks you with an icepick (imagine the look on the guy's face when you suddenly brandish a magnificent blade to counter his puny little toothpick)
- To keep street kids from being super kulit (stroke it and glare, and voila they're gone!)
- In really really vain photoshoots
- To freak everyone else out at the table when carving your steak
- As a really unique fashion statement

Hmmm what else can I do with this? Think, think.