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Showing posts with label rEvIEw. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rEvIEw. Show all posts

'gApO (At IsAng pUtIng pIlIpInO, sA mUndO ng mgA AmErIkAnOng kUlAy brOwn)

Saturday, February 18, 2012 | Labels: , ,

Ang Gapo ay ang unang aklat na isinulat ni Lualhati Bautista.

Ito ay kwento ng apat na tauhan na sumasalamin sa buhay ng mga kababayan nating Pilipino noong panahon na ang base military ng Amerika ay nasa ating bansa pa.

Si Michael Taylor Jr. ay  isang G.I. (Government issue) baby. Matapos maanakan ng isang puting amerikano ang kangyang ina bumalik na sa Amerika si Michael Taylor Sr. at hindi na muling nagpakita pa sa kanila. Ito ang nagging dahilan para magalit si Mike sa mga Kano. Madalas ang galit nya ay dinadaan nya na lamang sa mga kinakanta nya sa Freedom Pad kung saan sya ay tumutugtog gabi-gabi.
Si Modesto, isang trabahador sa base. Madalas syang nasa Freedom Pad, inuubos ang pera sa pag-inom dahil nais makalimot sa mga pang-aapi sa kanya sa base. Kung tawagin sya ng kanyang boss ay Yard Bird o ibon na nag-aantay lamang ng mga tira-tira. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit ayaw nyang dito magtrabaho ang kanyang anak. Sa labas kasi ay pinagyayabang nya na hindi sya nagpapaapi sa mga kano pero ang totoo ay kayan-kayanan sya ng mga ito. Ngunit nagpumilit ang kanyang anak at ng malaman nya mula dito na nabunyag na ang kanyang lihim. Napahiya sya sa kanyang anak higi't lalo sa kanyang sarili. Nung tinawag ulit syang yard bird ng kanyang amo ay nagpanting ang kanyang tainga at umalma na sya. Ito ang naging dahilan upang pagtulungan sya hanggang mapatay dahil sa palo ng tubo. Ninais syang ipagtanggol ng kaibigan  na si William Smith. Isang Kano na nakapag-asawa ng Pinay, ngunit ito ay dinismiss sa kanyang trabaho at pinabalik sa Amerika ng opisyal ng base. Dahil dito hindi nabigyan ng katarungan ang pagkamatay ni Desto.
Si Ali, ay isang bakla na maykaya sa buhay at madalas maghanap ng mapipick-up sa Freedom Bar. Sya ang nag-aalaga sa kanyang pamangkin na lumaki sa States. Nang makilala nyang isang nya si Richard Halloay, isang kano akala nya ay may isang lalaki na na magmamahal ng tapat sa isang katulad nya. Huli na ng malaman nya na kakutsaba pala ito ng kasambahay nyang si Igna. Nang mahuli nya ang dalawa na nililimas ang kaha de yero nya, pinagtulungan syang gulpihin ng mga ito.
Kasama ni Mike sa bahay ang kaibigan ng kanyang ina na si Magda. Isang hostess sa Freedom Pad kung saan tumutugtog si Mike. Kung si Mike ay galit sa Kano, si Magda naman ay humaling sa kahit anong bagay na stateside. Isa sya sa mga kababaihang nangangarap na makasilo ng isang kano para matupad ang pangarap na makapunta sa Estados Unidos. Nung makilala nya si Steve Taylor akala nya ay matutupad na ang kanyang pangarap. Ngunit nung malaman ni Steve na sya ay nagdadalang-tao iniwan din sya nito. Pinagtapat na may pamilya na syang naiwan sa Amerika.
Naging kaibigan ni Mike si Steve kaya akala ng huli ay maiintindihan ni Mike ang sitwasyon nya. Pero nagbalik kay Mike ang nangyari sa kanyang ina, ang sarili nyang sitwasyon, ang naranasang pang-aapi sa mga kaibigan nyang si Desto at Ali, at ngayon ay si Magda nagdilim ang paningin ni Mike. Hinampas nya ngkanyang gitara si Steve hanggang sa mapatay nya ito. Nakulong si Mike pero hindi nya pinagsisisihan ang ginawa nya. Hindi ipinalaglag ni Magda ang pingabubuntis nya at balak nya itong pangalanang Michael Taylor III.
Ang sakit na ito ng Gapo ay sakit pa rin hanggang ngayon ng mga Pilipino. Ang mangarap manirahan sa ibang bansa lalo na sa Estados Unidos. Mapapatunayan ito sa haba ng pila sa US embassy sa Maynila araw-araw. Mahilig tayo buumili ng mga pagkain at gamit na stateside. Kahit gaano pa kamahal basta stateside, kahit mgakautang-utang pa! Ang paguna sa mga kustomer na banyaga dahil umaasa sa malaking tip samantalang binabalewala ang mga kababayan. At ang madalas ko talagang napapansin, basta nakarinig tayo ng nagiinggles, humahanga na kagad tayo kahit walang laman ang sinasabi basta ingles bilib kagad tayo. 
Kolonyalismo! Sa 300 taon na pananakop sa atin ng mga Kastila, sumunod ang mga kano at Hapon tapos ang pakikipagkaibigan kuno natin sa mga kano masyado na tayong nasanay magpasakop sa iba. Hospitable daw tayo kaya kinakanlong natin ang lahat na gustong sumakop at abusihin ang bansa natin. Maraming mga Magda pa ang nabubuhay ngayon. Naghahanap ng isang anak ni Uncle Sam na magaahon sa kanya sa putik para dalhin sya lugar na umuulan ng niyebe. Pero meron pa ring mga Modesto at Mike Taylor Jr. na lalaban at hindi papaapi sa mga dayuhan.

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Posted by ako si LEN anak ni Mang Jose

mOnEybAll

Thursday, December 01, 2011 | Labels: ,


Just finished watching the latest film of Brad Pitt, the “MoneyBall” which is based on a true story. I’ve been a sucker for the underdogs, so what can I say? I love the film!!!
I don’t know anything about baseball but I am an avid fan of an underdog so watching the film kinda makes me think about my favorite sports team Ginebra.  The losing streak, the disappointments, the wish of winning at least one more game and the bliss of finally realizing that dream… those are the things that the underdogs are always going through.
And what I also love about the film is the guts of Billy Beane (Brad Pitt). Putting up a team of undervalued players that has potential which was criticized by most sports analysts and jeopardizing his career. But he still stand firm on what he believes despite of the losing streak his team is having. He feel that time will come his strategy will work. And it did work! After so many losses, his team finally won a game. Not just once but twenty times!!!
Seems like there’s no stopping them… but they failed to win the elimination. Many factors might have contributed to this. Their team is new and may still not be used to fighting the veterans, or maybe fatigue has finally caught up on them. But just like what Peter pointed out on the video he made Billy watched, they didn’t lose. They won because they were able to change the system. They did something unthinkable!
On the last part of the film, Billy was listening to her daughter’s cd singing the song “the Show”. He was trying to decide if he will accept the offer by the red sox. But it shows on the credits that he stayed with Oakland’s and still awaiting that win for the elims. Just like what the song is trying to say...
♪♫♪I know I've got to let it go and just enjoy the show
Just enjoy the show, just enjoy the show♪♫♪

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Posted by ako si LEN anak ni Mang Jose

Of mIcE And mEn

Saturday, November 26, 2011 | Labels: ,

Lennie Small and George Milton have one dream… which is to have a little house and a couple of acres with cows, pigs and vegetable patch. They have a pact to look after each other. Before they could turn this into reality they need to find a job. So off they went to a ranch in Soledad to work as a buckler.
They came in a day too late because the bus driver dropped them off a little too far from their destination which the Boss didn’t like a bit. They were showed to their beds by Candy, an old man who lost one of his hands in a farm accident and works as a swamper in the ranch.  He has an old dog that is almost blind and has a stinking smell.

Lennie although being a big guy thinks like a child. George is the one who watched over him when his Aunt Clara died. They’ve been travelling together since then. Lennie likes to pet things like mice but always ended up killing them. This unusual habit of him always gives them trouble which has been the reason why they lose their previous job. So, George ordered Lennie to behave himself or else he won’t allow him to pet a rabbit they got their own farm. He also told Lennie to stay away from Curley and his wife whom he regards both as bad news. Curley is proud man being the Boss’ son and also a light weight. He is a short guy that is why he dislikes big guys like Lennie so much. Curley’s wife likes to get attention from the Ranch workers. She often comes to the bunkhouse making an excuse to look for Curley. 
They also met the other ranch workers. Slim is the skinner whom the other ranch men have the utmost respect. Whatever he says were law to the guys. He has a dog that just gave birth to nine puppies, four of these he drowned. Hearing this Lennie urged George to asked Slim to give him at least on puppy which Slim didn’t object to. Excited, Lennie stayed on the stable to pet his new puppy. Carlson, one of the ranch workers is also interested with the puppies. He asked Slim if he could give Candy one so the latter can get rid of his old dog because he cannot take the smell of Candy’s dog anymore. He even volunteered to kill the dog himself to take it out of its misery by shooting a gun right at the back of its head. Candy, at first was reluctant but getting no support from the other guys consented to it. Crook, a Negro who works as a stable man, came to fetch Slim so they could put tar on a mule’s injured foot. Carlson and Lennie came back to the bunkhouse. Afterwards, Curley came in looking for his wife. When he found out that Slim was not there too he went looking for him in the stable. Whit and Carlson thinking that they might witness a scene went out to follow Curley. 
Candy, George and Lennie were left on the bunkhouse. George warned Lennie again to behave himself. They once again talked about their plan which Candy overheard. Candy offered his savings to them if they would include them in their plan. George told him that this with be a secret and he should not tell anyone about it. Then Slim, Curley and the other guys came back. Slim was really upset with Curley for suspecting him that he was with Curley’s wife. Curley was explaining to Slim when he noticed Lennie, still happy about the conversation he had with George and Candy, smiling.  He went after Lennie and started throwing punches at the guy. George ordered Lennie to fight back. Lennie got hold of one of Curley’s hand and crushed almost every bone in it. He didn’t let go until George ordered him to. Carlson drove Curley to the hospital after Slim made him agreed that he will tell everyone that his hand got caught in the machine. Lennie was really scared but George assured him that it was not his fault.
One day, while George and the other guys were in the whorehouse, Lennie went to Crooks room. Crook, being a Negro has his own room that is why he is not used to having visitors. Realizing that Lennie cannot be drove out of his room he let him in. While they were talking, Candy showed up looking for Lennie. He wants to tell him something about the land they are planning to buy. When Crook learned about this he told Candy if he could ask George to include them on their plan too. Afterwards, Curley’s wife came in too looking for Curley which Candy and Crook didn’t like. They tried to drive her away and only left when Candy says that he heard the other guys returned. George came looking for Lennie and got angry when he found out that Candy and Lennie have been talking about their plans to Crook. Then he ordered the two to leave at once before they all get into trouble. Crook told Candy to forget about what he said to him earlier.
Then one Sunday afternoon, while the others are playing horseshoes, Lennie is in the stable holding his dead puppy in his arms. Knowing that George will get mad at him, Lennie was really scared. Curley’s wife came inside the stable. Lennie throw hay over the puppy to cover it up but the woman already saw it. She sat beside Lennie and tell story about her past. When Lennie told her that he didn’t want to kill the puppy, he just like to pet things, she let him touch his hair. While Lennie was stroking her hair he gets too eagerly not knowing she’s hurting the girl. Curley’s wife tried to get away from Lennie but he got scared so instead of letting her go he hold on to her more and covered the girl’s mouth to keep her from screaming until accidentally he broke her neck which caused her death.
Seeing the lifeless girl, Lennie knew he did a bad thing. He remembered what George told him on their way to Salinas. If he get into trouble he have to return to the bush and wait there until George come for him. So he left, carrying the dead puppy with him. Candy went to the stable to look for Lennie. There he found Curley’s wife dead, lying on the hay. He went out to fetch George. George knowing that Lennie did this told Candy to get the guys but not to tell them that George already knew about the incident. When Curley knew about his wife death he gets really angry and suspected that Lennie killed her. They went out to look for Lennie. George knowing where Lennie is hiding was the first to find him. Lennie was so scared because he is sure that George is angry at him. George tells him that he is not mad and asked Lennie to look across the river while he tells him about their plans. While doing this he take out Carlson’s gun and aimed it at the back of Lennie’s head. He fired the gun and Lennie dropped dead beaside him. Curley, Slim and Carlson came rushing to him. He made them think that he killed Lennie out of self defence. Only Slim knew that he did it out of love.

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Posted by ako si LEN anak ni Mang Jose

hArUkI mUrAkAmI, hIs fIrst nOvEl (thE rEvIEw(?)) And An AttEmpt tO wrItE (AgAIn!)...

Tuesday, November 08, 2011 | Labels: , , ,

This is the first time I read a novel by Haruki Murakami. I always see his book on the shelf of the nearby bookstore I frequently visit but I never did borrow one. Then I chance upon his name on one of the blog I read recently. I became curious and search for him on-line. Luckily, I was able to download all his works.

“There’s no such thing as perfect writing.  Just like there’s no such thing as perfect despair.”


This is the first line on his the first novel he wrote “Hear the Wind Sing”. Maybe every writer or those who, like me, aspires to be one suffers the same problem. Always attempting to write a perfect story but only ends up writing nothing.


Writer’s Block! I always hear this among writers. No matter how hard they try to rack their brains out, they cannot come up with a single word to write. Maybe it is not that they can’t think of anything to write. Maybe it is because they have all these thoughts and feelings inside them that they cannot find the exact words to express it.


Writers need to be inspired and constantly motivated to come up with a good story. But I don’t think there’s a writer out there who would praise their own work. They are their own critic and for them their work is ain’t that good enough. They would make a lot of revisions before finally settling with what they think would be acceptable to their readers.


But writers are the fans of their own works too. They write with convictions… they write only things that they believe and feel that is real… even if it is only real for them. The first person they want to entertain with their work is their own self. When they read their work and realize that their feeling is not in sync with what they have written, then they have failed. It’s either they will abandon the project forever or re-write it until they are satisfied with what they are reading.


I can’t truly say that I want to become a writer. I just want to express my feelings and my thoughts through writing. And I want the story of my life to be perfectly written. But Murakami thought me one thing, that writing is a fun process. You can do anything with a pen and paper in your hand (or a laptop). You can create your own world, change it according to your whim. If it feels good… what’s the problem?
I’m no writer and I’m no critic. I can only tell some of my friends to read a certain book because I enjoyed it a lot. But I cannot tell them how it was beautifully written or if the writer sucks! I can only see that most authors have their own patterns in writing. And I cannot say that my observations on their work are correct.


So, what can I say about the first novel of Murakami “Hear the Wind Sing (Kaze no uta o kike)”? It was his first attempt at writing so maybe he just wrote whatever comes to his mind at that time. Without a particular direction, it starts with one story then go to another one. Non-linear? Some parts will make your eyebrow crease a little. There are characters in the story I didn’t quite follow. Maybe it is part of the mystery… or maybe only intelligent people would know it. I like the part where the main character and he’s sort-of leading lady were talking about their zodiac signs. I wonder if in his latter works, Murakami would speak of being a Capricorn. Is he as obsessed as I am? Like a true blue Capricornian?


Did I like it? I like most part of it, I’m confused with the others. They say if you have read other books of Murakami, the first novel is must read! Not because it was well written, but more of understanding the writer himself. Reading his first work made me crave for more. Can’t wait to read his other works. Maybe I would get to know the man more and would remind me that writing is fun!

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Posted by ako si LEN anak ni Mang Jose

clOUdy wIth A chAncE Of mEAtbAlls

Sunday, November 06, 2011 | Labels: , ,

Imagine if you could order your food straight from heaven… You will wake up one day and you will see your lawn filled with different flavors of ice cream you could ever have. Instead of stars falling on the sky, steaks of different sizes are falling on your roof.

Manna from heaven… this must be where the movie was based from.  Cloudy with a chance of meatball makes my mouth water with all the food that Flint Lockwood and his machine made. Watching it made me think that it would be nice if food would really fall from heaven. It can feed all the people in Somalia. No more kids with skinny bones, big empty eyes and flat chest that looks like their bones wants to come out from their flesh. Mothers will not have to worry on what to cook everyday or how poor families would make their meager meals enough for a group of ten.

There will be enough food for everyone! Actually, in the film there is so much food to feed the whole town. But just like in the time of Moses, people were never satisfied. They want more!  They want a variety of food every day. Greediness, dissatisfaction… it always the cause of the downfall of men.

Sometimes I wonder why birds and other animals survive even if no one is feeding them. The only reason I can think of is that God is the one who is feeding them. And I remember this passage from the bible:

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? – Matthew 6:26”

God gave us everything to survive and he is still providing us everything that e need up to now. We are just too busy complaining and asking for more that we didn’t realize it. And even if we realize it all we do is just sit around and wait for the blessings to come pouring in. If everything is given to us in a silver platter we stop working. The same happen to the Mayor in the film… he gets really big from eating too much and not doing any work. God is truly wise for teaching us the value of food. If we don’t work, we don’t eat. Maybe all people should follow this philosophy instead of depending on others for their survival.

So what is the story telling us? God has not abandoned us. He still showers us Manna from heaven. It may not be in the form of food but in people like Flint. God has given each of us talent that is unique from everyone else. We all have something in us that we can contribute to the world to make our situations better. It is up to us on how to improve it and hopefully once we realized our part we will make use of it and not abuse it.

Maybe food won’t come falling down from the sky but it still good to know that God is still showering us with blessings… more than we can ever hope for.

So tomorrow’s weather forecast… CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SUN! *^_^

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