• Paddington •

Paddington! 

Paddington (2014)
Directed by: Paul King

"After a deadly earthquake destroys his home in Peruvian rainforest, a young bear (Ben Whishaw) makes his way to England in search of a new home. The bear, dubbed "Paddington" for the london train station, finds shelter with the family of Henry (Hugh Bonneville) and Mary Brown (Sally Hawkins). Although Paddington's amazement at urban living soon endears him to the Browns, someone else has her eye on him: Taxidermist Millicent Clyde (Nicole Kidman) has designs on the rare bear and his hide."                    

A Film by: Paul King

The morning we were at the AVR I didn't know what to expect and boy, was I glad. Ms. Elize put on the dvd and and the projector complied. The movie started with what seemed like a film of the past with the sepia-toned screen and black dots appearing everywhere when along showed a man. An explorer who's travelled all the way to the jungles of Peru. There he met two lovely bears, Pastuzo and Lucy. He showed fascination for the two creatures after seeing signs of being civilized. He then introduced many things to the bears until the time came when he had to pack his bags and leave. *Blast from the past scene 

ends*

There entered Paddington.

Paddington, a small and loveable cub was raised by his aunt and uncle. Due to catastrophic events, he was forced to leave the comforts of his home and find refuge in the great land of  London. 

I liked this movie very much because it certainly has been a while since I last watched a film starring an animated character with such a nicely-written plot. I can't say it was the same with films then because I can't recall anything similar to it. Paddington certainly knows how to make a crowd laugh especially because of his naivete and effort not to commit mistakes that lead to such disasters. His misfortunes, really, had me covering my eyes with surprise, pity and embarrassment but it was nothing compared to how much time I had laughing and smiling because of his adorable nature.

Paddington (2014)
Directed by: Paul King

• The 2016 APC College Week •

Balloons by the entrance. 

Food stands on the parking lot. 

Banners here and there. 

(c) APC RAM Page
APC College Week Highlights 2016

(c) APC Ram Page
APC College Week Highlights 2016

It's been five days since APC College week took place and as a freshman, this was something new to me. Although back in my school we've had events like this before, it was my first as a college student. The student councils (or whatnot) prepared cool things to keep the students' minds occupied.

There were games, challenges, talks, pageants and contests. I would've enjoyed the week more, however, if I actually stayed for each show but I couldn't. 

Out of everything that happened in the week, I was only able to watch 2 games and that of which were Men's Volleyball. 

I'd like to comment on the preparation, execution and "run" of the week. 

It was awesome. Awesome in a way that it was nice to see APC get pumped up for a week. 

It was okay. Although I said APC was pumped up, it was all because of decorations not from the students in charge of the mini happenings. 

It got old too fast. I guess five days are a little bit too much for a small school such as APC. I honestly expected a lot. Things that would have probably made APC shine. 

It needed more than just a spark. They should have at least cranked up the energy bar to a hundred. The school still looked like classes were going on (even if some were) they should have thought of making the school's atmosphere a little different than what it usually is. 

COLOR AND LOTS OF IT. I get that there were balloons and all but having a little bit more of color would have added life for the whole week. 

Attention-getters. APC is a home for brilliant students, right? It wouldn't have killed them to have asked students weeks or so before for what they would like to see during the college week. Because sometimes, reaching out to the students is better than having only a group run things. 

• SANA DATI: The most frustrating movie I've EVER watched •

"Andrea is about to marry a man she does not love when a mysterious guest arrives and reminds her of the man she truly loves." 

A Film by: Jerrold Tarog

This movie has scored a 7.8/10 rating in IMDb (In Filipino standards, I'm assuming) and might I add that it deserved that high of a rating. Although an indie film, this movie proves that the imprinted signature cliché Filipino films we have may finally have a cure to its disease of corniness.

Now, I don't watch Filipino films for a reason and I'd rather not say as it will cause quite a stir on my stand on patriotism but Sana Dati had definitely caught my attention. 

It wasn't like other Filipino movies because it tells the story well; as if a narrator was reading to his audience. 

The camera placement, SFX, theme surprised me as they weren't "crappy" unlike others films'.

The movie confused me so much because at first I wasn't sure who or what the movie was about. Who were they talking about, why was she and Dennis flirting so much and why did she have such an annoying best friend? Of course I got my answers after watching and I say, I'm impressed.

I was moved because she was hurt. She was in such depth after losing a loved one, so much so, she was almost suicidal. Although she had a different way of getting over everything, she just couldn't forget him. (or not until the last scene, at least)

This movie made me feel different afterwards because I was driven back and forth to the thought of whether or not I'll be as crazy and out of myself as Andrea was after Andrew's passing. She touched me in a way I've never felt before because I know that falling in love is inevitable. Once you're in, there's no way out and that scares me. But this movie taught me not to be. It was of love, loss and letting go. By far the most interesting Filipino film I've laid my eyes upon.

• One of a Kind: Jon Santos •

Jon Santos was in my school last week and I wasn't there for the show.

So I will just blog things about him that I've found in the internet. 

Jonathan Adriano Santos was born on January 18, 1966. More popularly known as Jon Santos, is a Filipino comedian, actor, and impersonator who has done more than 50 different impersonations such as Ate Vi and Juan Flavor, probably two of his most famous impersonations. He is one of the three Philippine show business personalities (the other two being Maila Gumila and Amanda Griffin) who have Argawanon blood.

He is intelligent. 

He graduated University of the Philippines in 1987, was set to teach high school economics but ended up entering the comedy industry. He decided to try comedy writing for  TV and live stand-up comedy for a year.  "Around the last three sems ng aking Eco sa UP, I was already doing support roles in the live shows of Willie Nepomuceno and Tessie Tomas."

He is happily married to West Stewart. 

Which he kept secret at first because he values his privacy. 

West proposed to Jon after dating less than a year. West was originally based in San Francisco, USA before heading to the Philippines. They then travelled to Toronto, Canada to get hitched in front of a judge. 

They met in a party in a friend's house. 

You can't help but not miss that spark in his smile when is asked about his love life. Good for Jon!

He is a hit in the country.

Jon is included in the top 10 best comedian-impersonators in the Philippines that is why so many have been asking him to perform in front of a very large audience which he declines because he prefers smaller and more intimate venues like the Teatrino Greenhills where he is a regular. 

"Ever since I’ve entered the comedy profession, I’ve always preferred small venues. Yun ang nakasanayan ko na [That's what I've been used to].

"Gusto ko yung nakikita ko agad ang audience. I want to know kung bored na ba sila kaya kailangan ibahin ko na ang routineko." (I want to see the audience right away. I want to know if they're bored so I have to change my routine.)"

Jon is not only a great comedian but is also loving, humble and kind. He truly is one of a kind. 

• No More Smoking in Asia Pacific College •

There's a spot opposite to the entrance of the school made for students waiting for the shuttle.

It doesn't serve its purpose.

But it does serve as a smoking area to the stressed and nicotine-hungry individuals who also go to Asia Pacific College.

Now for years, the same slogans have been spread through the internet. NO SMOKING.
Some establishments do not even welcome the vice when some, however, do. Time and time again, people still try to send the message: SMOKING KILLS, out there. But to no luck, advocacy groups'  ideas get shut down. Although the world is aware of its consequences, we do nothing about it. After every fight put up about the subject, to this day, the tobacco industry does not falter.

Enters this doohickey.

ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES 

Now this little stick is usually the thing you see in-between the fingers of  the 'cool kids', the 'transitioning from cigarette use', the 'you don't know my story' and the 'this is safer than real cigarettes' people.

THIS little gadget is what causes all the vapor in the same area I was talking about earlier. It has different flavors and scents to it which is a tad bit different to the traditional cigarette but it still kills as much. Although there are claims that this is a safer alternative, there are still rumors that there is a very dangerous chemical found in the liquid which they put into the electronic cigarettes for flavor that actually causes Cancer.




Why should Asia Pacific College discourage its students, staff or employees from cigarette smoking? 

Well, for one, if the school really cares about the welfare of its goers then they should prohibit ANYTHING they know is as lethal as killing people internally. First hand smoking is as deadly as second hand smoking.

Asia Pacific College is one of the few schools that let their students express themselves freely to the extent that they allow us to come to school with eye-catching hair colors, tattoos and attention-stealing clothes. But this little problem is too much and should be dealt with by the school's head.

But, like the rest of the world, we know what we're doing, we know its consequences yet we do nothing.

I'm just really looking forward to a smoke-free environment. And by environment, I mean school.

I would really appreciate not developing cancer because of my school's carelessness. Thank you.

• Rio Almo •

Virgilio Senadren- Almario a.k.a Rio Almo

 is a Filipino artist, poet, critic, translator, editor, teacher, cultural manager, a National Artist of the Philippines and currently serves as the chairman of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF).

                                                                                    

-Wikipedia

He is known for many of his poems. Namely: Oriental, Sanaysay sa Sining, Korido sa Kalunos-lunos na Kapalaran ng Dilis, etc.

I've read only two of his poems. Both of which came from "Muli sa Kandungan ng Lupa" (Heartland) :

Mariquita

Because of her,

You will never forget that mole of an islandOn the green face of a placid sea.                                                Mariquita,Most giving, most guileless allure of brown skin,Sparkling scent of sweet rice and anise.What sorcery was there in her kiss—Waking memory’s seeds when we most unwanted,When we’re buried in the fragrance of a foreign breast.You say you were an innocent when first enticedBy the tiny stings of her love.   And, too, it was she drove youTo your long and endless wandering.What weed have you eatenFrom the wild of her belly dark and grim?
Friend, what a child you are in your longing,And you call her Native Land.

and

Typhoons

The typhoons’ episodes of terror are yearly:

Berserk wind and shattered glass

Streaming from the mouths of a thousand serpents,

Smoke of dark crystal billowing

From beyond the ancient shoulders of the bristling land.

The heavens crawl with crackling electricity

And the verdicts of thunder are without forgiveness or pity.

There were nights

When we were children watching

And listening for the keening

And whiplash of wet, demented monsters:

Turning wildly they tore every roof,

They toppled and smashed every wall and post;

The drains and canals choked,

The distressed bamboo begged for mercy.

We shut our eyes

At the final rumbling rape

Of our prostrate crops, the helpless land.

Tightly we shut our eyes,

Tightly, ever tightly…

Only to wonder in the morning

What power of sun expunged

And expelled these armies of the night. 

I've noticed that he is passionate. He expresses his admiration, criticism, and passion through his work. He displays them gracefully and honest. Being a literary and critic, publisher, cultural administrator, academic he is without a doubt a treasure to the country. 

I may not be familiar with his other works of literature but I can honestly say that just by reading two of his pieces I am amazed.