dare to bear

from: Landmark, Jellybean and Divi

Just in case you're interested: I am currently loving the shoulder bare tops. I am planning to buy dresses and tops with large back and side cutouts like the photos below, but I don't know what undergarment to wear! Haha. #firstworldproblem

from itlooksgoodtome.com

Serious, Men

If time and beauty have been proven relative, why not one’s genius. 

Albert Einstein says that a period in time is not absolute furthermore we often hear that charm is in the eyes of the beholder.  And yes, genius, is another matter that can also be verified relative.

Joseph Manu affirms the theory of relativity in his award-winning debut novel “Serious Men.”

It is a comical and witty satire on India’s caste system and the banality of one’s life while incorporating themes on religion, science, and philosophy. 

The novel anchors on Ayyan Mani’s dream of uplifting his family’s life as dalits, the second to the lowest in the caste system, next to the untouchables. Mani works as a clerk in a Science Research Institute where the Brahmins study the Bing Bang Theory and the Artificial Intelligence. Brahmins are the highest stature in India’s society.  

Mani’s ambitious desire to challenge the triviality of his life and be better than his dalit friends pushed him to package his son Adi as a boy genius. He may be smart but too far to be another Einstein. Considering that Adi is a semi-deaf, his mother taught that he would never make a name in the society because of his defect. Manni never wanted to deceive anybody—he just wanted his housewife to have something to be proud, he wanted Adi to feel good about himself, and he only wanted to have a happy family despite their stature as dalits. 
 

And so starts the witty and comical connivance between Manni and Adi.  To appear a genius, always blurt out seemingly innocent yet profound questions during class discussions, Manni told his son. Thus, Adi would always ask his teacher questions regarding philosophy, mathematics, religion, or whatever Manni has picked up during his work in the science institute like, what is our purpose in life and why is the sky blue. 

Adi’s apparent brilliance landed him a chance to participate in a quiz bee, but the problem arises on his ability to win the contest, or at least answer one question. Manni knew that Adi could not answer any question so he decided to eavesdrop during the finalization of the questions. Too bad, he has only heard three questions.  

During the course of the contest, Manni told Adi to answer out loud and to cut off the emcee in midsentence, so he could appear too eager to respond to the questions (the only three questions he knows) and thus be disqualified and asked to leave the room. He may have not won but his short appearance gained him a page in the newspaper. 

But before anyone can detect their treachery, Manni told his son to stop projecting his ‘genius image.’ 

But imminent circumstances led the father and son to yet again, played the geniuses until the end of the story. (Spoiler) 

Though the book cover may be taken at face-value as something side-splitting, Joseph Manu’s “Serious Men” is indeed a grave storytelling on India’s culture and the banality of life, not only in India but around the world.

perks of the perks of being a wallflower

Stephen Chbosky’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is one of the movie-tie-in-fictions that I liked even more when translated to a 120-minute episode.

Chbosyky’s was just another coming-of-age novels that I read two years ago, I could not even help but compare it with the “Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger.

However, the movie was able to adopt the essential parts of the book and inject exciting scenes and dialogues that added flare and flair to the original version.

Lorgan Lerman, Esra Miller, and Emma Watson furthermore brought to life the characters of Charlie, Patrick, and Sam.

The film taught me the value of living in the moment and savoring each instant—because days just seem to just pass us by.

"There are people who forget what it’s like to be 16 when they turn 17. I know these will all be stories someday. And our pictures will become old photographs. We’ll all become somebody’s mom or dad.But right now these moments are not stories. This is happening, I am here and I am looking at her. And she is so beautiful. I can see it. This one moment when you know you’re not a sad story. You are alive, and you stand up and see the lights on the buildings and everything that makes you wonder. And you’re listening to that song and that drive with the people you love most in this world. And in this moment I swear, we are infinite.”

 

                                                                          – Perks of Being a Wallflower

The quotation above, if my memory serves me right, was not in the novel, which made me love the film more than the book because those are my favorite lines! 

I guess it’s wrong to generalize that movies degrade and damage the concept of the paperbacks. 

from tumblr

Starry, starry politics

Politics has become more fun in the Philippines ever since stars and starlets have lost their shine.

Philippine artists after all have fall backs in case their popularity in TV guestings, shows, and movies wane down—they can opt to run for any seat in the local or national government.  And who knows, they might revive their fame in a different arena.

The Commission on Elections opened its gate for a five-day filing of candidacy for those aiming to grab a seat, or in most cases, regain power, come 2013 elections.

“We practice democracy, everyone can enter politics.”

This has become the mantra of those who want to “help the country in their own way.” And lo and behold! 

Stars, incumbent politicians, akin to the incumbent politicians, and first-timers lined up in Intramuros to file their candidacy, tagging along their families (to show that they have happy household), and famous friends for an extra audience impact.

Waning  and wandering stars

Stars turned politicians have one thing in common aside from “wanting to help the country,” they are obsolescent, or becoming one.  So instead of bumming around, why not try their luck on serving the people.

Rama (from pinoygossipboy.com)

Annabelle Rama, Imelda Papin, Aga Muhlach, Alfred Vargas,  Christopher de Leon,  Alma Moreno,  Joey Marquez, and Victor Wood are among the roster of stars who are to run in the 2013 elections.

If ever, they will join other local stars who have wandered in public service and found a new niche: Angelica Jones, Board Member in Laguna, Dan Fernandez, Vice Governor of Laguna, Herbert Bautista, Quezon City Mayor,  Isko Moreno, Manila Vice Mayor, and Senators Lito Lapid and Bong Revilla among others.

Winning factors

Aside from the ability to draw huge crowd during campaign rallies, the skill to imprint an aspirant’s name in the minds of his/her voters is a major factor in one’s public service career. And the aspiring local stars have an edge to that—their faces and names (although they are laos na)still  ring a bell to the masses. 

The majority of the voting population in the Philippines is composed of the marginalized sector, the less and uneducated ones and those who will be easily get star-struck and be swayed if Aga Muhlach showed his megawatt smile with cute dimples and say: “I am asking your vote for the coming election.” Right there and then, this star struck voter will said yes, regardless if Muhlach knows anything about public service, laws, re-enactment and passage of bills and regulations.

The capacity to form witty campaign jingles and catchy platforms are sure tickets to win a position in the government. Remember, Prospero Pichay with his “Pichay, itanim sa senado”? Too bad he didn’t make it to the Senate. It turned out, he lacked ‘face-value’. Below is a “handbook” for aspiring candidates, be sure to take note the most important factors! 

Anatomy of a wanna-be:

ü                                         Filipino citizen

ü                                         Able to read and write

ü                                         Registered voter of the province/district running for

ü                                         Residency: 

o   Senator- not less than two years

o   Congressman, Governor, Mayor- not less than a year

ü                                         Age:

o   Senator- at least 35 years old

o   Congressman- at least 25 years old

o   Governor- at least 23 years old

o   Mayor- at least 21 years old

       MOST IMPORTANTLY:

ü                              Huge amount of money to spare for campaign paraphernalia

ü                              Pleasing personality

ü                              Good public speaking

ü                              LSS-able jingle campaign

ü                              Can stand to shake hands and make beso to voters

ü                             Is willing to stay under the scorching heat and be ready to get a tan

ü                             Can draw a crowd

But the question still remains, WHAT DO THE STARS KNOW ABOUT POLITICS? They may win in the election, which happens most of the time, but what will they do after winning?

Trending topic

Joining and eventually winning a government seat seem to be the next logical move of those “waning and wandering stars and starlets.”

And this trend of shifting careers has been seen effective since many local artists bag positions hence, I think that this trend will continue on until voters learn their errors and eventually get fed up by the bandwagon. 

It all boils down to the hands of the voters.

Another yesterday

Random, rants, and ravings

I terribly miss school, sembreak, and class suspensions.

I want to write, write, and write…

I want to enroll and graduate again.

I miss the comfort of school.

I miss my friends.

I miss my classmates and our classrooms.

I miss AB and UST.

I want to constantly learn.

I want to achieve and do big.

I want do simultaneous jobs.

I want to contribute what I know and leave a mark on earth.

Give me back my mojo!

Life constantly moves fast and one thing you know, it will be another yesterday. Today will not wait for you so better keep up!

Our time will come...