Kimberly Pasquin's Chronological Log

End of the World

2010-03-18T06:31:00.000-07:00

The Core, Twister, The Day After Tomorrow, Dante's Peak, Deep Impact. Movie marathon about disasters of different forms.

After watching these movies, I came to think... is the end of the world really possible? After watching all those, depression is what I felt. I keep on insisting to myself that those movies were fictions. These are things that are impossible to happen and it was just created by the imagination of the minds.

Sunday, 7 March 2010, 8:30 pm
I was with my brother Kleiff, my brothers girlfriend Jade, and Sedrick, my brother's so-called assistant. I am going back to my apartment in the city so I will not be late for tomorrows event. I will be attending the University's career talk at St. Julian's Academy in Janiuay. To make sure that we will not run out of gas, we pass by a store selling bottled fuel for all the gas stations were already closed.

I was just sitting at the back seat. I looked up and saw the clear sky making all stars visible. I spotted one star and saw that it was twinkling so bright. I even concluded that it is a planet. I moved my sight to another star and saw the same. I rolled my eyeballs to all the stars that my sight can scope and really, all of them were twinkling. What a wonderful creation God has made. I was so amazed and I mentioned it to them. My brother looked up and agreed with a smile. Her girlfriend gave me a doubtful look. Yes, she saw that all the stars were twinkling and she responded some scientific explanations. She said that stars twinkle because of too much heat. It twinkles when it grows too hot. She said, there's really something
wrong with the universe and she believes in the end of the world. Fear hovered me. I just hope and pray that these are not factors that might affect and destroy our beloved cosmos.

One night, I get to chat with Mr. Israel Malasa regarding this matter. Here is a part of our conversation.
Kimberly
good eve sir,. hows ur day?
11:22pmIsrael
hi. i'm fine. how about you?
11:23pmKimberly
fine too sir,. a little bit tired,. we had career talk in some high schools,.
and it's too hot
11:26pmIsrael
blame it on the weather...
11:26pmKimberly
have u notice the stars? there's something wrong
11:30pmIsrael
nope. i'm in the newsroom... what's with them?
11:30pmKimberly
they're twinkling so bright,. its like, all of them,, thats unusual
11:31pmIsrael
i'll take a look later when i get out of office...
you don't have any school assignments today, do you?
11:32pmKimberly
stars twinkle when they get too hot..
nope sir,. we dont have class during mondays
11:34pmIsrael
it must be the atmosphere... there are a few clouds out there during this time of the year...
11:35pmKimberly
possible,. i fear they might explode any time,. all of em
lol
11:37pmIsrael
if they do... they are a million light years away from us... too far to do any significant damage. you should fear if our own sun expands and turns into a super-nova... then all of life--as we know it--will cease to exist
11:38pmKimberly
is that possible?
11:38pmIsrael
that the stars will collapse? yes.
11:39pmKimberly
that the sun will turn into a super nova?
11:39pmIsrael
they form a supernova, so says the scientists. their damage could be catastrophic in a system near them.
yes... in the future... once our yellow sun ages and dies...
all stars will extinguish... in good time
11:41pmIsrael
but the time our sun consumes its last remaining energy... our bodies would have turned to dust long before it explodes...
11:42pmKimberly
end of then world huh,. im getting paranoid,. maybe because of the movies that iv watched ,. alll about disasters
11:42pmIsrael
blame it on the 2012 movie...
the earth shifted its axis during the last quake in chile... it shortened our days so says a research
11:45pmKimberly
the core,.. the day after tomorrow..twister,. dantes peak, deep impact,... horrible movies,. made me depressed for some days
Israel
it's just a hollywood flick... a producer's creation...
11:48pmKimberly
it might be possible sir,. ryt?
11:50pmIsrael
we cannot tell....
it might... i repeat "might."
Today
12:00amKimberly
ok sir,. thanks for that enlightenment,.. have a good night,.^^
it was nice talking tyou
12:01amIsrael
good night...
just don't watch too many movies...
12:02amKimberly
lol,. good advice sir,. ok,. ^^

Ruffa- Kris Walk Out Issue

2010-03-09T05:20:00.000-08:00

Kris Aquino made Ruffa Gutierrez walk out of The Buzz Show last Sunday, March 7. The actress-host walked out in the middle of the show because of some offending statements said by Kris regarding her transferring of network. Ruffa was obviously affected making her cry and with her mother to the rescue, texted her not to go back to the said show. Some time after, the mother Annabelle Rama was seen being interviewed in another talk show, Showbiz Central. She commented on how Kris Aquino deeply affected her daughters innervation regarding the network transferring and even joined Noynoy Aquino, Kris' brother in the issue.

The defense made by Anabelle Rama depicts a lot of motherly love but the way it was expressed is somewhat over reacting. Based on her statements, it was shown the hatred that she felt not just to Kris Aquino but also to her brother. She even gave the public reasons for them not to vote Noynoy in the upcoming 2010 election which is obviously too personal for that matter.

On the other hand, Kris gave her apologies to Ruffa for whatever it is that offended her. She humbled her self to make it public but also defended her brother's side who was involved in the issue where actually is completely innocent. Emphasizing of being an advocate of democracy, Kris stated her points vividly siding with her brother. True that anyone is given the right to vote for whoever they choose.

March 9, Tuesday, Ruffa was interviewed about the said issue and revealed her side. She appreciated the apology and accepted it. She even pointed it out that it was not a walk out, rather, she chose not to go back to the show bacause she cannot stop crying.Somehow, they have been good friends and the both of them are considering that. On the flip side, Anabelle Rama was also the one who told Ruffa to make peace with Kris because she acknowledged the effort of Kris reaching out.

Those things really happen to relationships. This is not a very good example but then it has something good in it. They are in one industry and have already established a bond of friendship. Reaching out and humbling your self down when admitting faults actually does not lower your dignity as a person.

EDITORIAL - Containing the flu

2010-03-09T04:49:00.000-08:00

(The Philippine Star) Updated June 07, 2009 12:00 AM

After two students diagnosed with Influenza A(H1N1) prompted a 10-day suspension of classes at De la Salle University in Manila, several universities have postponed for a week their school opening as a precautionary measure. The postponement gives school authorities more time to prepare the proper response in case anyone in the school is diagnosed with the potentially deadly flu.

With a vaccine still months away, the best that can be done at this point is for everyone to follow guidelines laid down by health experts in detecting the flu. Anyone who has just arrived from an overseas trip, even if the flight merely transited through a country where A(H1N1) cases have been reported, but who did not register any fever upon arrival at the airport must still be on alert for several days for symptoms such as a persistent cough, cold or sore throat. If any symptom emerges, a doctor must be consulted immediately for possible referral to A(H1N1) experts.

Similar precautionary measures must be adopted by anyone who has come in close contact with any of the confirmed cases of A(H1N1) in the Philippines. The new flu strain, which has infected nearly 20,000 people and killed over 100 in 66 countries, can manifest itself even after nearly two weeks following infection. Though the flu does not seem to be spreading in the Philippines as rapidly as in other countries, certain quarters fear a spike when all schools open within the month.

Schools and offices cannot be shut down while pharmaceutical giants rush the production of a vaccine. Mexico City, which has suffered the highest number of infections and deaths, contained the spread through a massive shutdown, but this lasted only for a few days. In the absence of a vaccine, some people are opting for ordinary anti-flu shots to boost their immune system. Some precautionary measures could help, such as sanitizing schools and workplaces. Confronting this health hazard requires civic responsibility. If you suspect you have the flu, do everything to prevent its spread.

Football Capital of the Philippines

2010-03-07T22:34:00.000-08:00

Barotac Nuevo: “Football Capital of the Philippines.”

Football is the most preferred sport of the town, contrast to other places in the country who would always prefer basketball. Standing its title, International Football Competitions are also held in this small town. Kleiff Ian Pasquin, a member of the 2005 Philippine Football Team, a true Barotacnon narrated his experience in playing outside the country. He and his colleagues first played in Cambodia. He was the only Barotacnon who was chosen to play. In his experience in their training in Ateneo de Manila, “Majority of their players there are Barotacnons. Coach even said that in other schools, there were also a lot of Ilonggo football players,” he stated.

The football field is situated just beside the plaza and it is visited by a lot of football enthusiasts. The Philippines once attempted to get the title of the Guinness Longest Football Game Played and it was held in Barotac Nuevo. The players were all from there. They played straight for two days breaking Australia’s record.

The town is conducting trainings for children, boys and girls who are interested in the said sport. They are supporting these youth who are soon to be the next generation who will continue the legacy of the town in the sports who gave it so much fame and prominence.

(Towns Background)
Barotac Nuevo is a third-class municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. It is approximately 75minutes jeepney trip from the City of Iloilo. The town proper is a junction to the town of Pototan, Anilao, Dingle, and Dumanggas. It is composed of 29 Baranggays and the primary spoken language here is Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a.

Just like any other towns, Barotac Nuevo has its own history. The word Barotac is from a Spanish word baro which means mud as well as the last syllable tac, from lutac. The second word Nuevo is from the word new. According to its natives, there was once a horse called Tamasak, a pure white stallion known for its strength, in the stead of one Don Simon, and who was offered much if he could sell it to Manuel Gonzales de Aguilar, the Governor General of the country at that time. Don Simon eventually sold Tamasak. But not for money, but for title, and separation from the town of Dumangas, which it was just a smaller section thereof. The barrio once known as Mulatac now stands the town of Barotac Nuevo.

References: www.wikipedia.com

Bring Me to Life (Part 2)

2010-03-01T21:31:00.000-08:00

It is so hot, I am sweating and it's so noisy. I opened my eyes, "Where am I? What is this place?!" The sky is clowdy and there were sparks of lightning with thunders after show.

I saw a crowd walking towards me. They look like soldiers, dirty soldiers. They were looking at me from head to toe. I do not recognize any of them. A man, strongly built, wearing an armor vest, all black and gladiator sandals, advanced in front of me. All of their outfits looked the same just like in the movie 200. He told me to just stay close to him and so I did. He talked to different individuals in different languages on that crowd.

Everything there is weird. I followed as he said and whenever there is a chance, I am trying to ask him where am I. He does not give a damn answering any of my questions. He then approached a man asking him if he had caught enough. The man answered,"I guess Mort. Good enough to fill the stomachs of this doomed." He ended that with a sarcastic laugh. "Oh my God! I'm in hell!... So, Mort is your name?" I asked still following him as he walk, "Where are we going?" and, I cannot believe what was before my eyes. "Holy cow!" I uttered. There were hundreds, no, thousands of dead wild pigs. I cried, sobbed like a little girl so scared, and the a gong clanged. The people roared running towards the dead beasts. They eat them like there is no tomorrow. It's as if it's so delicious and to think, It was uncooked. "What kind of people are you?!" I asked Mort with my voice shaking. I was still crying. Finally, he faced me. He is gripping my arms! His face is changing and there were little horns spouting out his forehead. I wanted to scream but there was no voice commi8ng out. His face wrinkled and turned so, so ugly! I got so scared. He is developing sharp fangs! He leaned his ugly face close to mine. I closed my eyes, "Oh God! Help me please," I prayed. I can smell his odorous breath. He roared so loud and... and...

I woke up. Thank God it was just a dream. I continued crying. I'm still scared and my heart is pounding fast. I prayed again, "Thank you God for saving me. I may not been that good but I know you love me. I can feel it so deep. Thanks for letting me wake up. I am sorry for my faults and failures. Thanks also for, not getting tired of saving me. Yes, I know it is only you who can do that." I tried to go back to sleep but I can't. I still can's get over with it. It was a bad dream, a nightmare and I am thankful that I was still able to open my eyes to see the real wonderful world. Well, that dream is too bad to be true.

"Only a God can save us."
-Religious Education 102

Bring Me to Life (Part 1)

2010-03-01T04:52:00.000-08:00

One gloomy afternoon, I was walking on the cement steps started from outside our previous house. I do not know why I was there. I was with a friend. She kept tightly holding to my arms as we go near a man-in-white standing in front of the sugarcane plantation in our place. His right hand is placed in a little boy's shoulder just beside him. That little boy, he is so innocent as I may say. The man-in-white, wait! I recognized him!

I kept on forcing my mind to give me the correct idea about his identity. That time, it was so hard to think. I kept on thinking. My friend, she is anxious and I can see it in her."Satan!" I screamed. I don't know why I came to think of that. He is a man of fair complexion, dressed in white, some kind of short-bearded. His hair are like colors of that of corns, short, and a little bit curvy on the back part.He seems nice, real nice. He was talking to the young boy as if he was his son. "He is not Satan," my friend objected.I still insisted,"I don't know how I came to that conclusion. All I know is that, I know he is Satan! It is him, the prince of darkness in disguise."

I trembled realizing that I was walking towards him and I'm so close. I fear him since I was little for I know he is bad and he punishes bad kids and that he is angry at those little children who are fond of crying.. When I get back into the scene, I dragged my friend away from where that man is. We entered the nearest house. It was just a small house owned by an old single lady. We pushed the door so hard and we entered. I know that was rude and we are trespassing. My friend took a seat still trying to catch her breath. I was trying to check if someone is in there so I said "hello" over and over again expecting someone to respond but there was complete silence. So, I decided to go back to the sala. I heard my friend's voice talking to someone. I felt a bit nervous so I took a peep. It gave me a relief seeing my uncle having chat with my friend. I joined them and I remembered the reason why we were there. Curiously, I asked Uncle Dodz if he believe in Satan. He do believe in Satan. I did not bother to ask him the reason why he found us there. "So uncle, have you seen..." I did not finished my second question. I am trembling, my heart is palpitating. Cold sweats are coming outside my skin pores.He is there! Satan is there! I just blinked my eyes and he is already there sitting beside my uncle. I screamed so loud, my friend stood beside me. She can see him too and now she believes me. My uncle still does not understand what was happening. "Satan is beside you! He is beside you!" That was the last thing I remembered I have said...

Iloilo: Villar's Province...to be?

2010-02-21T02:28:00.000-08:00

Nationalista Party led by their presidential candidate Manny Villar, visited Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo on February 18, 2010 aiming to get the support of the Barotacnons.

Manny Villar accompanied by Congressman Ferjenel Biron, Barotac Nuevo Mayor Hernan Biron Sr. along with other mayors of the 4th District of Iloilo gathered in the plaza of Barotac Nuevo, dominated the talk. This was part of the campaign of the Nationalista Party to promote publicity of their group and gain more voters for the upcoming 2010 Election. The caucus started from 11 in the morning and ended at 1 pm. There were estimated 600 people with different perspectives who attended the said program.

Villar in his platform presentation said that he will make Barotac Nuevo as the prime economic driver of the province. Also, he swore that he will make Iloilo as his own province and align developments for the place. He chose Iloilo for he said his parents are it's natives and he is not belonged to any province so far and indeed, it is a promising section. In this goal, Cong. Biron gave his full support to Villar.

One of the spectators Rosalie Tabay, a teacher from Barotac Nuevo National Comprehensive High School commented, "I still do not believe that he will going to fulfill all that." For her, though Villar presented his platforms and promises perfectly, "He is just like any other politicians."

RELEVANCE OF THE TEMPTATIONS OF JESUS TO THE PRESENT AND CURRENT EVENTS

2010-02-12T05:27:00.000-08:00

THE FIRST TEMPTATION. (Stone to bread) Jesus fasted for 40 days making him very hungry. He never gave in to the temptation though He was craving for it. In the present, there are so many cases of stealing and robbery and their primary reason why they commit such offense is to feed their hungry stomach most especially of their children. But, there are still people who chose to be in the right path. They find other legal ways to give solutions to their problems like finding right jobs to support their families.

THE SECOND TEMPTATION. (Pinnacle of the temple) Jesus’ divinity was tested by the devil but then, He was again able to manage. He knew in Himself what He really is and has just proven His wisdom. Bearing the fact that our world becomes more crucial, we are confronted with a lot of not so good options. Justice for example, if you have money, you can buy it in just a blink of an eye. The richer the person is, the more favor he gets from the society. To prove that these big guns are superior, they get to bribe other people in exchange of what they want even if it is only for their own benefits. This people who were like puppets lose their dignity in exchange for let us say a good sum of money. With it, they also lose their integrity and identity, but is it worth it? This shows how they defeat their purpose of existence.

THE THIRD TEMPTATION. (Mountain) Jesus was tempted with all the riches of the world but then, He still stands with His claim of being faithful and loyal to the Father. One relevance to this is Efren Peñaflorida. He won as the CNN Hero and went home with most likely 5 million pesos. This achievement was brought by his undying love and concern for our needy and less privileged youth. The amount he received was still spent for the children’s welfare. He is contented with what he already have and didn’t gave in to the temptations of wealth. Contrary to this are those people who trade their soul for money and richness. Our corrupt government officials who were so greedy and even claim the money intended for the progress of our country, were so weak and easily, they buy in to the temptations of this luxury, though to think they are respected and trusted.
“No one will be tempted until they allowed the circumstances to do so.”

Dagyang to the Max! (Part 1)

2010-02-02T19:24:00.000-08:00

A festival of Ilonggos depicting their culture and practices- DINAGYANG as the whole world knows it. A tourist attraction for the city of Iloilo.It is a day of fun and excitement. You can witness the competition of different tribes picturing their various ways of life and living with the intention of giving honor to our beloved Sto. Nino.

Dinagyang Festival is something that i look forward to every year. I trade my time for home just to stay in the city and celebrate. Well, what is a week of enjoyment? This festival is indeed awesome.

This festival is not just a competition between different tribes but also, obviously of different television networks. Each is trying to cover the event perfectly in the best angle they could get. They are sending their top chart artists to entertain the audience and guests. All of their programs were successful because of the undying support of their fans and the hardworking staffs behind the set- up.

Speaking of fans well, I'm one of them. I've been a certified Kapamilya (by a chance I also watch Kapuso shows). I'm always on the go, just to meet mu admired celebrity.

A lot of sweat and perspiration are...

Break- Up?! Try Again... With Friendship.

2010-01-10T00:27:00.000-08:00

It started out with "friends lang kami," and ended up with "friends na lang kami." So, can ex's really be friends after the break-up? Well, I say, it depends upon the status. The status that I'm talking about is the process and the way how the couples decided to end up the relationship. At some point, the main reason is also considerable why the bond and feelings they've shared for some time must be ended. If the break-up ended so fine and there is unity in the decision made, then there is no reason for the ex-couple to hate each other and reject the friendship offered by chances. Then again, if the separation was brought by so many speculations, misunderstandings, infidelities, and either one or both parties have been affected with the reason not worth it, then, the decision to be casual people with each other is a blameless prejudice.

My answer in the above statement is practically based on my own experiences. From those experience, the key word is FORGIVENESS. When you learn to forgive, then you take risks of opening again so many opportunities that have been blocked by fear. We also have to respect the innervation of each individual. There are also instances wherein, they learned to forgive but choose to be back to strangers with each other. But then, somehow, even before the presence of the intimate relationship, they were also once friends and they started up with being friends. So I say, it won't kill to try again... with friendship.

A Light in the Dark (Reflection on the movie LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL)

2010-01-03T04:09:00.000-08:00

Our lives became meaningful because of those people who love us and support us all throughout. “Life is Beautiful” is a striking movie. In here, a lot of sacrifices are made. An effort of a man to win the girl that he truly loves was recognizable, a lady who turned her back from her mother just to follow her true happiness, and the endeavor of a couple just to make their son happy and safe.

Throughout the movie, the characters were bound not to be free. There are those people who oppress them. That’s a fact of life that is hard to breakout from but we have choices- to stand up and fight or just let them do the thing. Because of this, there’s a great possibility for people to feel absurd but then they chose not to. For example, though Guido is distance away from Dora, he still finds ways to express his feelings to the woman he loves. Another is, when their son get involved, Guido as a father, never lets his son feel afraid and hurt. He covered all the pains that he is suffering for the sake of his son- the same as what God did for us. Thus, love can conquer all the agonies and torments.

Death is nothingness but then, in some ways it can also be beneficial. There are times in which we see the value of a person when they’re already gone and by this, the memory of that person will remain and be cherished by the people who love him until the time they meet again. Death from nothingness can be turned into something. Everything depends on your will.

Ecstasy from Dark “My Path to Healing, Happiness, and Peace”

2009-12-24T04:02:00.000-08:00

For so many years of residing in this excruciating world, many hitches have come my way. Though the outside portrays a gleeful icon, but inside is a heart that bleeds. At times or should I say most of the time, I am that kind of person. Problems and predicaments have never been absent. In any aspect of circumstances, it is always present. For a college freshman student like me, PRESSURE, STRESS, LONGING FOR LOVED ONES, POOR HEALTH, CROWD EXPECTATIONS are just some basic conflicts; basic as it is but is hard to tackle. One thing I’m afraid most is REJECTION. People can’t be what they are for they are afraid that they might be rejected and their so called “friends” can’t accept them for who they really are. I’ve also encountered INFIDELITY in a relationship not only on the other but on both sides. For some cost, it brought too much pain. For this problem, what matters most I guess is ‘understanding.’ For if both of you know the insights of each other, you will be free to express what you really feel and bridge all the gaps and lapses.

For the matter of REJECTION, yes! That word might sound agonistic for because of that word, I’m forcing myself to do what I don’t want to do just for the sake of ‘good impression.’ Just can’t imagine how painful it is to my being. I learned to cope with this problem by trying to express my true emotions process by process still considering other people’s opinion. As time goes by, I just realize that whoever I am, there are still those who can stand by my side till the end. As I can say now, ‘fear of rejection’ is just a psychological problem. To solve this, the answer is just within us.

In school, PRESSURE, STRESS and CROWD EXPECTATIONS can be handled by learning to balance ‘time.’ I guess this is the most important. If I got limited time, I make sure that before the deadline, I’ve done working on the most important things, but still, there are times in which I don’t know what to do first and just stay at one side and let my brain function- to my own bump, I’ve realized that I’ve done nothing. I guess I have to do more reflections on this to reach a better and more peaceful mind.

CROWD EXPECTATION is also just a psychological problem. There was a time where all I did was to make other people happy, impress them and do what pleases them. At one point I came to ask myself, “Am I happy for making others happy?” one side of me says yes but the other is imposing no. Yes because I feel like I’m paying back their efforts and satisfying their suppositions. No because I know I can do more for myself if not because of them but then I tried to balance both. I got some bad and good feedbacks. Though some are negative but I’m happy. I feel like I did something great for myself.

POOR HEALTH. I just can’t escape from this tiny thing. Tiny for some reasons that there’s something worst than this. I guess this was brought by my own recklessness- staying up late at night, and stressing myself by thinking so much of my failures. Then again, I believe that this would heal if I handle things accordingly and properly my way so I can be happier.

LONGING FOR LOVED ONES. Studying here in SPUI was not just an easy endeavor for it is a choice that made me separate from my loved ones especially my parents and my grandma. Though it’s hard to find time going home, I still give effort to visit every week for I know it isn’t just me longing for them but them longing for me too. Seeing them happy makes me happier.

Being free from ailment, sickness, evil, ending conflicts, reconciling and having a pure soul is being HEALED. Upon healing, a person experiences the state of heaven and is exposed to PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT giving that person all the reasons to be totally HAPPY!

I Can Ba Journalist

2009-12-13T03:16:00.000-08:00

My hand can sway to the rhythm of music life brings. It can touch souls enveloped by angst of deprivation. Yes, I can be a journalist!

This present world is so messed up with untidy political issues and we people still, is in great innocence of what’s happening around us. Journalism is a great instrument to reach out the real world. By this essence, we were able to get to be aware of the darkness lurking in the reality of this crucial cosmos. We get to be in touch with the everyday revealing scenarios that without seeing the news, we cannot believe are possible.

Our society is bombarded with a lot of different problems. Given that its problem is our problem too for we are in it and if we know nothing, then there’s nothing we can do about it. For us to be knowledgeable, we have to read a lot. Thanks to these writers who were able to share their wisdoms and insights to the hungry public. They are the instruments for awakening the sleeping minds of the society. They were the one treating the craving for knowledge of these innocent crowds. The defiance they are facing is not a tongue-in-cheek but then, because of love, they were even willing to surrender their own lives for the job that makes them happy and gave them the real meaning of life. With the thought that they have once made contribution to benefit and uplift the comprehension of the population is more than enough payment for the struggles and sufferings they have made. Indeed, journalism is one great way to change the world.

Journalists take great deal of risks and as the job calls, I would be very willing to do so too. Entering the world of journalism is a decision I made out of compassion, serenity and bliss. I am aware that this would require so much of my time. Before, I usually spend my time doing things that would fulfill my happiness but then again, I came into realization that my status is real different now. I am already a grown- up, more mature and my eyes are very wide open with the veracity of restrictions life is constantly endowed with. I guess this is the right time for me to put some more character in my being. This essence that I am looking for will probably be served by my passion for writing. Through this, I can change the world. It is a noble profession and beyond the obscurity concealing its name, I know there’s still grandeur and allurement on the flip side. I know I can. I can write therefore I can say, I … can be a journalist!

Concealed Reality (critical essay about the Movie American Dreamz)

2009-12-05T23:25:00.000-08:00

Media has invaded the world with its captivating grandeurs and mesmerizing proposals. It renders too much allurement that no one can resist! It gives us every information we need to the point that we already entrusted our everyday lifestyle to it. Leisure time is usually spent outdoors playing different interesting games but now, majority prefers to just stay inside their houses, seat in their comfortable couch, serve themselves with some chips, turn on the televisions and give full attention to their favorite shows.

People usually start their day reading the latest news in periodicals. In the movie “American Dreamz,” for the re-elect President Joseph Stanton (Dennis Quaid), it is tormenting to open the newspaper after four years of being uncorrupted by negative contents of broadsheets. Political and issues on terrorism confronted him causing to his nervous breakdown. In this situation exemplified, it is visibly shown how media affects our whole realities and by it being covered up makes us persons aboveboard.

American Dreamz is a fantastic movie written by Paul Weitz. In this movie, it was shown how the show is being manipulated, designed to the viewer’s appetite. Things that are exposed are only those that are interesting to people. They even change details to make it more appealing. For entertainment, it is very well appreciated but for the sense of reality, to those who are not aware, it might seem to be real but for those who know, it’s on the contrary. The crowd gets confused on what to believe in. Another strikithing is that, even their personal lives get to be edited.

Reality in its essence means resemblance to what is real. People usually get hysterical in everything they’ve seen that they can relate to their own experiences. There are so many shows produced to be shown on televisions and their primary aim is to hook advertisers. Nowadays, numerous reality shows have invaded the international small screen. Story writers try to come up with something that would interest majority of the audience. As time goes by, they were also able to adapt with advancements of society and to the variations of their viewer’s tastes. Reality shows came up successfully that meets the purpose of their contractors- to sell. Back to the meaning of “reality show,” it is something that is unscripted and the whole views should happen unpretentiously, but, does reality shows really depict reality or somewhat, it’s just kind of scripted like any other stories? In the movie, Sally (Mandy Moore) was one of the few who were chosen to be the contestants in American Dreamz, a wildly popular singing contest in which private details of the contestant’s lives were revealed. She has this ex- boyfriend William (Chris Klein) who is madly in- love with her and to get the crowd’s sympathy, she made them believe that she too loves her boyfriend. They might be able to win the viewer’s preference but then again, the truth there is, they are not the same real persons that the crowd learned to love. In the last part wherein William proposed to Sally, her mother even suggested to make it on the finals to catch more the audiences’ sympathy. They were making this for Sally to get the sure win. The sincerity of this meaningful event was degraded. Worst is that, Sally really don’t like the idea of getting married but for the sake of winning, she’s doing it.

At times, dignity of the person is being exchanged with money. Some think that being chosen to be in that program is a real great thing and so, they make themselves as the director’s little puppet and follow everything to the extent that they are changing the real person in them. Because of the prize, they forgot who they really are and pretend to be someone who is actually not them. For the big guns behind all these, in times of scouting for talents, which is one of the earliest steps, they already have their qualifications. They match people who were of different personalities that seem to add spice on the program they are on. Of course, given that it is well needed for the programs to become more interesting and appealing to the eyes. Because of the “behind the scene realities” revealed by the movie “American Dreamz,” watchers get to be a little confuse on what the real thing is, but then most of the crowd doesn’t really care at all as long as the entertainment goes on.

Different people got different perspectives and that is another reality that we have to boldly accept. Each of us lives our own lives. What is incomprehensible is that, technically we are given individual life to live but why do people keep on getting through with other’s business? That’s a real cancer of the society that is hard to escape from. With these interventions, there are times wherein we get to be more involved and be carried away with others and we forget to tackle our own struggles first. By these examples, we were able to visibly see how we allow media to get into our lives and affect the whole being of each and everyone of us. This is a clear media invasion. It has brought so much influence with us and will be bringing a lot more in the days, weeks, months and years to come. The modern world revolves around it… and so do we.

Happy Ending Realities

2009-11-17T15:30:00.000-08:00

Why do we love happy endings? Since we were young we are exposed to a lot of fairytales like Cinderella, Barbie, Snow White, Rapunzel, and etc., and we know that fairytales aren’t fairytales until they come up with happy endings.

Every man wishes to have their princesses and every ladies wants to meet their prince charmings. Seems like a perfect enchantment when you found the person you will spend the rest of your life with, right? But, does this requires magic or a fairy godmother who would turn a pauper into a stunning fabulous princess to make the man of her dreams fall in love with her?

Well, as we know “avada cadabra,” “bibbidi babbidi boo,” “magic magic…” do not exist in real life. Don’t lose hope cause even without our magic wands, still we can come up with our own magic. Putting smiles on others faces by making good things for them is magic. Eating great and delicious foods cooked by our special someone is magic. Being able to open your eyes after a long night sleep is magic, so making someone fall for us is never impossible. We never know, he/she might be just the person behind us.

Why do we cry at happy endings? Lies! “Tears of happiness” are just made up by our illusions. We weep not because we are upset, but because dreadful feelings are stirred up inside us at the moment of a happy ending. We cry at the endings of happy movies because they conjure up an idealized world of kindness and love that we once, as children, believed possible. Children do not usually cry because they are not yet disillusioned about their own possibilities. For grownups, well that’s actually really depressing!

Wait! So much with that… Novels. On televisions, Koreanovelas, Asianovelas and other foreign novelas are popular specially in some specific regions in Asia. Televiewers keep eyes and updates on them and missing just one episode makes them go crazy. Why? Because they are after the thrills brought by these so called “antagonists”. They add spices to the story but then again, happy endings prevail. Without happy endings, people won’t be interested in tragical endings.

“If we’re not after happiness, what exactly are we striving for? "

Cell Phone Madness!

2009-11-17T04:52:00.000-08:00

"To be happy in this world, first you need a cell phone and then you need an airplane. Then you're truly wireless."
- Ted Turner

Existence of cellular phones brought so much indulgence and addiction to our whole beings.

Fact! I myself can't live without my cellphone. We are in the world of modern technologies with new fashioned facilities. Everyone is dying to get the latest trendy stuffs to get the impression of being "in" and not being outdated that can make one feel obsolete.

Cellphone is a very suitable example. Majority of the population have cellphones and just here in the Philippines, studies shown that we are spending so much for our phone expenses practically on loads. Not only that, Philippine population as of July 2009 reached 97, 976, 603 and just by getting more or less 50 million Filipino phone subscribers, in a day, they were able to send a remarkable 1.39 billion text messages that made the Philippines get the title of being the "Text Messaging Capital of the World." Isn't that great?! Well, I don't think so. I noticed that a lot of people trade the money intended to buy food for load and that makes them suffer from hunger. Now, is it right to put all the blames on our corrupt government officials when actually, in some instance, we are the one doing the crimes on ourselves? Ponder on that.