The long overdue grief for Behn Cervantes

It's been a year since the persistent shouting stopped. The voice that used to resonate the entire space of wherever the owner is, whether Bahay ng Alumni or Araneta Colisuem or even inside the church beside a convent. Back then, I wished the shouting would stop, but now that it did, I knew I would crave for that shouting once more. That shouting snaps me out of dreamland and pricks the bubble around me. That shouting made me stronger to face reality.

Here's the picture from the first time we worked together. I was a complete neophyte, yet you gave me a chance. You proved that opportunities are available to people who never gave up, so I never did. To you, money, fame, beauty don't matter. It's the willingness, the commitment, the passion. When arts is gradually plagued by the commercialization, you stood true to its form. Named artists are treated equally with the newest member of the group. An athlete can be a performer in your stage and a performer can be fired when they're late. That's one of the things I admire about you. When everyone is working their way of pleasing others to be pleased, you do the exact opposite. It's not pleasing, it's gaining respect. And that's how you earned mine.

It is an understatement to say that I learned so much from you. I'm half a century younger and I was never in one of your classes, yet I believe I have gained so much from you than any other theatre class. You instilled in me a better taste in films, deciphering clearer what is good acting or directing and what is not. Needless to say, I have dramatically changed my perspective in cinema and theatre. Yes, I am still struggling to be better but your guidance boosted me a deal advantaged head-start.

There are so many things I admire about you. You lived a simple life. You mix friends and family. You have a tough shell and a soft core. You lived with your principles and integrity. There are moments when I thought if I could live the life you led. I always have this amazing future dreamt every night and day, yet you looked like you are living yours. In the world where people in your breadth are measured in terms of productivity and commercial value, you maintained to produce less yet with quality that will outrank blockbuster hits combined. When something is wrong, you speak out loud, moving the bloodstream of the society to effect the change. 

You have rubbed so much ideas and principles in my life. Speak your mind. Write what you think. Care for the nation and the oppressed. Treat everyone equally. Instill nationalism. Theatre of the mass, as you would always put it. I've never been more aware and concerned about the nation, government, politics and current affairs than I am now. We are not just another voice shouting "Makibaka!". There's a reason behind everything we say, and we say it because it needs to be heard. You taught me that.

Photo credit: Dolfin Manila by Joseph Olfindo

Many feared you. I will not hide that most of the times, I really do. You make work very arduous sometimes. I will admit that I almost quit when you made me change my hair 4 times to make it look professional or when you shouted at me about something personal. But fear is like a rite of passage. Fear establishes belief and faith. I won't forget that time you called me to say you're sorry. It melted my heart, especially with the very determined and proud way you said it. The mix that demands respect yet elicits apology. People who were not able to know you more because of too much fear that led to avoidance missed half of their lives. In truth, you are very strict because you wanted to maintain professionalism and creativity. After work, you're like one of the gang, exchanging jokes (like "cheers and tibols" and the "We Three Kings" song), drinking and eating and singing like buddies. You like shopping in ukay-ukay with us, travelling to great sights, visiting friends and watching classic movies. You'd invite us to your house just to have dinner (partake of an authentic dish of spaghetti) and discuss future projects. If people had not feared you too much, they'd know the purpose of the fear - and they'll learn to embrace it.

Only few know about your honorable causes and your heartfelt missions. Arts, for you, has a massive positive effect on people. With singing and acting, you were able to combine compassion and arts. There was not a single project you had in mind that hasn't had nobility and dedication in it. "If you don't get excited about what you do, don't do it," as you would say. Above all, even without you knowing it, you used arts to propel the goodness of the Lord ecumenically. 

Photo credit: Dolfin Manila by Joseph Olfindo

Even with just five years of working with you, I am proud and privileged to say that I am one of the few who stayed, learned and got to know you beyond theatre. I am proud I conquered the fear and listened to the true meaning of the persistent shouting. It was a difficult experience working with you but those are rewarded with good times and valuable lessons. Just like every one who went under your tutelage, I've grown to be a better thespian and a better person.

One of the memories of you that I will always treasure: We were in Tagaytay and both of us were the first ones to wake up. You decided to jog with me across the serene subdivision overlooking pineapple farms. You opened up to me a personal issue like I was a very close friend. I treasured the trust, like you believed I am not a teenager who may have an immature point of view. Actually, you never treated me as if I'm just a young boy. Work is work and your expectations from me are way beyond my age. You've given me responsibilities beyond the capacity of my maturity. Yet, I managed through. Thank you for your persistent shouting.

As if that wasn't enough, you made possible two of the most important milestones in my life, among other things. First, you wrote a newspaper feature article about me. In your column where you write about anything - from your favorite actors and movies to everyday antics to national issues - you wrote an article about my life. You made me feel proud and grateful for myself. Those kind words are incomparable. I have a long standing problem with recognition way back primary school days. I believe I do so much but don't get recognized enough. That what made me a consistent pursuer and achiever; I always felt that what I do is not enough. That I have to break records and boundaries everyday. Your article put me in a momentous introspect. 

And for nominating me for a university alumnus award was something I would never even think of. But you made it possible. All those hardwork in the past two decades that I thought weren't enough came through with that recognition. To be on stage with the country's luminaries and leaders (and being the youngest among them) was a, however cliche, half-of-my-life experience. I wasn't able to experience college fully like a normal college student, but I gained much, much more than any person of my age. To that, I will endlessly thank you.

Photo credit: Dolfin Manila by Joseph Olfindo

This was our last project together. And aptly so because you made me do everything there is in a theatre piece: stage manager, narrator, actor, director. As exhausting as it was, all of it was very rewarding. I should have perceived that that project will be the last as for the first time in seven decades, you took a bow at curtain call. Your final bow.

I hope your system of work ethic and professionalism can be made as a teaching for performing arts, may it be on stage or on camera, or even in real life. Everyone has equal chances: whatever your face or body looks like, whatever is your performing background, however famous or wealthy or important you are. Then commitment and passion filter those who deserve. You would talk to a staff like you would talk to the chief. You would shout at the president like you would shot at the stage hand.

Had I known this would be the last project, I would've cherished every rehearsal. I would've recorded every moment of it. I would even have impersonated you in front of you during breaks. I would've tried to learn more.

Photo credit: Dolfin Manila by Joseph Olfindo

We were with you until the end that's why the news wasn't surprising for us. And as if poetry was not enough in your life, you left near the day you were born. For people who haven't seen you for a long time were crying when they saw you on wheelchair or in the hospital or even after you left. I will admit that I haven't shed a tear yet and I never attended your wake, except when they finally buried you. And even then, I did not cry. It's not out of being strong or being proud. With the little time given to get to know you, I know this is what you wanted. I know you are in peace and not suffering anymore. And I can't visit you during your last days. I want to remember you shouting at the company at the top of your voice. I want to remember you defending us when people around are taking the heat on us. I want to remember you strong enough to push the photographer half your age when he's in your way. I want to remember you laughing at our jokes and telling yours like it's a personal performance. I want to remember you singing in the middle of the road. I want to remember you alive and strong.

It must've been selfish of me but I can't deal with loss, detachment and change that easily. I wish to cope with the way I know, however long. And thus, this long overdue eulogy.

You are the true embodiment of a National Artist, one who offered most of his life and body of work to the development and showcase of Philippine arts at its highest quality. Whether or not you would be conferred or even nominated to be a National Artist, by its very definition, you are already one. You are a National Artist and the pioneer of theatre for the mass.

And on a personal note, you have a great deal of importance in my life, of who I am now. I grieved inside as a mentor left me. I'm also grieving for the nation as it lost a true gem of theatre and nationalism. Yet, I am calm knowing that you will be forever immortalized by your mentees and their respective mentees. I will miss you. I will miss the persistent shouting. It wouldn't be long till we will do our next project.

Confessions of an average awesome guy

An article as food for thought...

Type kita. Ako ang unang pangalan sa tabi ng puso sa lahat ng Instagram posts mo. Combo ang retweet at favorite ko sa tweets mo. Tambay ako ng Facebook profile mo. Silently, tagatawa ako sa mga korni mong knock-knock joke posts. Ewan ko, parang ang dali-daling i-like ang posts mo, kahit emoticon lang. Di pa naman ako umaabot sa mga papansing "Nakauwi ka na ba?" texts. Hindi naman ako sobrang pa-obvious. Iisipan ko ng rason para i-text ka araw-araw. Yung tipong parang "by the way" lang pero "usap naman tayo"-text talaga. In this way, feeling ko stronger yung connection natin.

Ok, parang creepy stalker na ang description ko niyan. Ang totoo, close friends tayo. Di naman yung level na first choice mo kong share-an ng BFF fries, pero we have occasional personal talks. In a group of friends ba. Siyempre, di mo alam na secretly, nagsa-somersault ang puso ko pag kausap ka. Leche kasi, ang ganda mo, kinikilig pati mga dahon. Parang fragile ang personality at dating mo. Sobrang amo ng face mo; makakalimutan yung utang ng Pilipinas, titigan ka lang. Kaya di ko nga maintindihan kung bakit assholes yung nagugustuhan mo. Pinapaiyak ka or lolokohin ka or di ka mamahalin nang todo, yung way na deserve mo. Average lang. Di special.

Tinanong naman kita: ano ba talaga gusto mo sa lalaki? Actually, madami na kong tinanong niyan at halos pare-pareho kayo ng sinasabi: 1)hindi kayo tumitingin sa itsura, 2)matalino at may sense kausap, 3)may sense of humor, 4)dependable/honest/faithful/(insert abstract positive attribute here), 5)di kayo tumitingin sa yaman, basta masipag/maparaan at kaya kang alagaan, among others. Eh katarantaduhan naman pala yang mga standards na yan eh. Bakit yung last boyfriend mo na hawig ni Richard Guttierez na akalang fairies ang mga Gypsies, tumagal ka ng 2 years? Madalas pa kayong mag-away niyan ha. (A little secret lang, 2 weeks before kayo magbreak, tinanong niya ko kung tungkol daw ba sa Africa yung Hunger Games.) Yung ex mong may kotse at condo pero nagpapadeliver ng ulam araw-araw at nagpapalaba at nagpapaplantsa sa nanay niya? 1 year din yun, on and off, plus free tutorials sa assignments niya. At yung isa na kamukha ni Daniel Padilla na may mga babaeng kasindami ng na-link kay Robin Padilla? Pati yung MU mong ginawa kang punching bag for 2 years, nasa championship na ba siya?

Nagstandards ka pa. Ako lahat yung dinescribe mo eh. Pero ako yung kabaligtaran ng dating history mo. Oo, alam ko mayroon kayong happy moments. Pero yun yung operative word: mayroon. Minsanan lang? Pag trip lang niya? Pag nilagnat lang siya? Wag ka na mag-rason na lahat ng relationships dumaraan talaga sa ups and downs. Saan dumaan yung sa inyo: sa roller coaster na may loops na kasindami ng isla ng Pilipinas? Malaking difference ng "mayroong happy moments" sa "happy na mayroong tampuhan". Hindi yung World War every week.

Sabi nga nila, mahirap sabihin kapag totoo. Di ko masabi sayo. Saan ako lulugar sa itsura ng mga exes mo? It shouldn't get in the way, pero yun yung lumalabas eh. Nagiging reality yung song ni Andrew E. Nagrereklamo ka na walang matinong lalaki, yet you fall with the next good-looking doofus around. Pag may matinong liligaw o magpapahangin o even magpapakilala sayo, either friendzoned o hookzoned. Di sa nagbubuhat ng sariling bangko pero kung ako lang, di ko makakalimutan birthday mo or monthsary natin. Buong araw akong magreresearch para mapasaya ka kinabukasan. Di ako magiging jejemon at boring. Makikinig ako, mananahimik pag kailangan. At higit sa lahat, mamahalin kita. Dahil di pa man ako nabibigyan ng chance, yun na ang alam kong gawin.

Kaya nung nakita kita kanina, may kasamang bago, sabay-sabay ang roll eyes, gasp at heartpain pang. Holding hands. Daig pa yung namatay si Gwen sa Spiderman 2 at pagkawala ng MH370 combined. A month ago lang, sabi mo, gusto mo na ng matinong lalaki, yung papasa sa listahan ng standards mo. Pagod ka na. Gusto mo na yung pangmatagalan. Eh yun na naman eh. Coco Martin nga itsura, Remy Martin lang naman laman ng utak. Ni hindi mo nga siya makausap with foreign politics or TV series or kahit anong interests mo. Kailan pa naging si Fidel Ramos ang pinatalsik sa EDSA I? Tinanong nga niya ako kung nabalik ba sa zoo yung Wolf of Wall Street.

So stick ka na sa choices mo. Ganun na siguro ang resolution dito. Sorry kung ganito yung tono nito. Sobrang naiinis lang ako; hindi sayo kundi sa mundo. Sa society at sa standards nito. Sa media at sa mga judger na tao. Sa psyche na nagpapatakbo sa pagpili ng housemates sa PBB. Sa pretentious right that trumps just. Sorry rin kung dito ko dinaan. Hindi dahil wala akong lakas ng loob na aminin sayo. Choice mo rin naman na hindi pansinin eh. Yung ibang guys, ibili ka lang ng drink sa bar or hingin number mo, may gusto na sayo. May boyfriend material appraisal ka kaagad. Ako, naka-ilang dinner treats at hatid sa bahay na, candidate pa rin ng Lotlot & friends.

For me, subukan kong mag-move on. Maaaring di ko maaalis yung feelings. Maaaring habambuhay akong aasa, ala Ted kay Robin. Pero susubukan ko. Mahirap din umibig sa tanga - makes me more tanga. Sobrang funny kasi di siya nakakatawa. Dumaan yung relationship na ako lang nakakaalam. Ok lang. Kung sakali naman, pag nakita tayo ng mga tao together, tipong "doesn't make sense" ang reaksyon. I don't blame you. Ganun talaga ang society. Pero my two cents worth lang, kung pagod ka na talaga at yung standards mo talaga ang gusto mo, ipaglaban mo kahit sa sarili mo. And it will be worth it, sigurado ako.

TV: How I Met Your Mother

Before you Go On (sorry, Matthew Perry), if you haven't watched the series finale, then it's up to you. :)

It's over. It took 9 years for a really talkative father to tell the tale to his children of how he met their mother. Alongside was a raucus of a gang of 5.

Crafted creatively, HIMYM veered slightly away from the regular telling of sitcoms. Working on a framework of memory and storytelling, the show was able to employ a lot of flashbacks and flashforwards and play around with it. It's not the usual linear storyline. Kudos to creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas. The sense of bending the timeline in storytelling is somewhat brave and fresh; and using that to make the story more creative and unpredictable is commendable. So is Pamela Fryman for directing most of the show's best episodes and for keeping the craziness of the creators alive.

Now that it is over, it's kinda hard to see the cast apart from each other. The catch in starring in a long-running TV series (especially sitcom) is that the TV character can't seemed to be separated from the actor. In Afternoon Delight, Josh Radnor is still Ted Mosby with slight deeper acting. Jason Segel is dirtier Marshall Eriksen in upcoming Sex Tape. Cobie Smulders successfully created an action-filled character in Captain America and Avengers, but will still be Robin Scherbatsky in my mind. Neil Patrick Harris is a different case. Having accomplished character roles on stage (Rent, Sweeney Todd, etc.) and on TV (Doogie Howser, MD), he may be the first to shed Barney Stinson (especially when everyone knows he's gay). And Alyson Hannigan became from "that girl in American Pie" to "Lilypad" Lily Aldrin.

Bays and Thomas were also successful in developing the characters (highlighted in an episode where Ted Mosby comforts Robin Scherbatsky and ends up saying that what they are now are the better dopplegangers of themselves) aided, of course, by the great acting. While Segel has a workable knack for comedy, I believe he would do better in serious roles (based from his performance in the episodes where his father died) so I'm pretty excited to see him play David Foster Wallace in biopic The End of the Tour. So is Radnor although I believe he and Smulders performed the least among the five, having some moments yet not consistent. Harris was quite the scene-stealer throughout the show. He can play a good support but he also knows how to take control of the scenes. Hannigan is ready for better serious roles, as well. All of the cast are actually honed, in one way or another, by the show to handle better roles - a feat that most sitcoms can't do. This is another deviation of the show from the mainstream sitcoms. They added the flavor of emotions and nostalgia in their storytelling model of plot. There are moments in the episodes when it gets reminiscing or heartwarming to stress emotions; these are the moments when serious acting comes in to play.

The show was able to make a lot of contributions to pop culture, mostly provided by Harris's character. Also, most parts hit closer to home as Bays and Thomas tackle day-to-day situations of friendship and romance - their perfect recipe that I think what made the show successful. Award-wise though, it would be expected the show won't get any nods. Acting, directing and writing pretty much focused on the storytelling for the benefit of the audience.

But acting-wise, Cristin Milioti stood out. With her brief appearances, she has the most natural acting, most adept comedic antics and never came second to the gang in group scenes.

It must be heartbreaking, but the show had to end the logical way it did and here's why. They had the ending material from the start where the children finally figured out why their father has sat them down to tell the story, meaning the creators had the ending in mind from the very beginning in case the show got cancelled. In an interview, the creators said that at the end of the first season, where Ted Mosby told his children "That's how I met your Aunt Robin", they made it such as to end the probable "will-they-or-won't-they" situation between Ted and Robin, like Ross and Rachel's in Friends. Sadly, it ended in the same situation. But the ending of the first season where it established the lost possibility of Robin as the mother paves the way that the plot will go with finding out who the mother was.

The creators did not expect the show to be successful and to last very long. This is proven by creating the character of Victoria, Ted's first girlfriend in the show, as a back-up mother in case the show got cancelled. But it went on for 9 seasons and the suspense for finding out the mother's identity built, making it very integral to the show than planned. So when they introduced the mother, it seemed harder to stick to the original ending. Having waiting for eight years to finally materialize the character of the mother but then having to make Ted and Robin end up together is really hard and I believe most of the fans of the show wouldn't appreciate it. Plus, Milioti and Radnor have this great chemistry, credit goes mostly to Milioti's acting. They have better chemistry than Radnor and Smulders. That supposed to be first kiss of Tracy and Ted in "Gary Blauman" was the sweetest kiss in the series. But all TV series has to end with a bang and series of twists always, or the show would be more disappointing.

So they stuck to the ending. They took less episodes for Milioti to appear in the final season (after all, the show stars the gang of 5) yet making each as romantic as possible to make it more like a reminiscing than a storytelling. In "Vesuvius", I think it was foreshadowed that the Mother will die when she said "What mother is going to miss her daughter's wedding?" which reduced Ted to tears. But as to not spoil the ending, they kept all revelations and the scenes leading to their original ending in the last episode and tried to make it as sensible as possible.

The ending is a series of flashforwards to make it not sudden. First step was to break Barney and Robin and the most sensible reason was their similarities, the same reason they broke up the first time. After all, Barney's character should end up with a girl with stronger personality (which is shown by his two longest relationships, Nora and Quinn) than him. They made Robin's character, after the divorce, travel a lot to give way for Ted and Tracy romance and so as to give a justified timeline for Ted and Robin's reunited romance. Then they gave Barney a love child with three-fold reasons: to evolve Barney's character, to have another big moment without Robin, and to lower possibilities of Barney and Robin. Yet, the mother of the child wasn't revealed to keep the story to the cast and to still have the possibility of Barney and Robin ending up together. Then finally reveal that the Mother has died to end up with the original ending.

The ending may not be appreciated by most fans but that's the logical way to end given the circumstances and without forcing the story more than it is. I particularly liked the part in "Gary Blauman" when they showed what happened to other guest characters. But so with the other sitcoms, the ending must have twists and "happy ending". Friends has Ross and Rachel's relationship tumble back and forth until the very last episode when they ended up together. Cheers reunited Sam and Diane in the last episode after the latter's absence in the show for 6 years and although they ended parting ways, the show hinted that they will come back to each other. Mad About You had a final twist where Paul and Jamie are actually related. Yet on the very last episode, all things ended well and they ended up happily ever after.

Nevertheless, looking at HIMYM in its entirety, it became a part of the history and our lives (for a frame of reference, I was just 2nd year high school student when the show started). Telling stories closer to our lives, the show reflected and guided everyday situations. I, myself, have picked up some from the show. Overall, it was a quite experience and I hope future sitcoms would pick the good things and improve the bad things on the show. And that's how I met How I Met Your Mother.

Film: Her

There are two ways how to watch Oscar-nominated films: 1) pre-Oscars to predict the winners and 2) post-Oscars to confirm the winners. I like the latter. :)

Her's only win in the Oscar, Original Screenplay, is the category where the film has won other awards. The description for the film is it is a story in which a man falls in love with a computer and is marketed as a love story. The boulderdash and incomprehensible irony screams. It is not something you would want to watch. Kinda lame and sad, like those real people who really do. Yet, after winning Oscars, might as well give it a shot.

I saw why after watching the film. Among the entries, Her has the most novel storyline. It has the prefect balance of depth, entertainment and quality. It is not epic material but it is not a dumb, in-your-face film. It's just right. Although, it disrupted the the psyche and cliche of love stories. It brought deepness and connection better than the usuals.

Set in the near-future, kinda advanced metropolis, Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) is a lonely, introvert guy who got recently separated with his wife Catherine (Rooney Mara). He works at a handwritten letter service where they write letters for people. He came across an ad for OS1, an operating system that provides an advanced artificial intelligence who can process, talk, and think like humans and develops the personality by aggregated information from humans. Theodore got one in the name of Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson). The relationship deepened as Samantha goes beyond being programmed.

Spike Jonze really outdid himself. For a first time of solo screenwriting, he made such a good start. The story actually is what made the film worthwhile but the script is exquisite. It is natural and easy to follow, with a little cheesiness (well, which love story doesn't have?) that in some unknowable way, hit straight to the feelings. I find myself laughing in some parts. The ending led me to so many questions that went unexplained, but like love, it is best not to know everything in the end. The geek talk has been kept to minimum, if not none. Jonze focused on the love story, despite the call for explanations on the process of the OS. The script is not to highfalutin or magnanimous yet not too simple. Again, just right. It may have not won awards in different aspects, but I believe this will be a film that will be remembered.

Another good thing is that Jonze also directed the film. Most of the good films are written and directed by the same person. One can tell the story the way it was supposed to be when being written. His direction was within standards, although a lot more coordination must be enhanced for him to have a statuette himself. Cinematography and scoring-wise, it was not outstanding. The music did not match the loneliness the scenes called for. The composed songs, however, were good. Editing was good, it kept itself consistent to a theme. I like the mute scenes that simulate memories. Sound editing helped keep the film classy.

To keep with the 2025 era, and to lead the story to the reveal of the OS, the film made so many references to technology: such as voice-activated devices, 3D desktop interface, etc. Also the production design made it a bit more futuristic starting from the elevator to interior design. Make-up and costume failed at some areas, though. It became a hybrid of 80s and the future with the costume design.

Joaquin Phoenix deserves a praise in his acting. I can feel the awkwardness and loneliness in his character, may it be speaking or not. He could improve in nuances, though. Scarlett Johansson has never been sexier than ever. She added spice to the film with her bedroom voice that made one yearn for the scenes with her. It must be hard to be acting when you are not exactly in the scene but she managed to successfully. Hands down, Phoenix and Johansson's love scene - best love scene ever. :) Notable was Rooney Mara, who in brief moments, stole some scenes with her charm and acting. Sadly, Amy Adams took a step back in this film, which provided as a good support. Coming from Doubt, I was hoping for more.

Yeah, Her is worth your time and dime. It is the love story that will leave an ache even after watching even if you never saw the leading lady. For single people who's been single for a long time, this is it. A preview to the future. Falling in love with your computer sounds sad and crazy but everyone who falls in love is crazy - the only allowable amount of insanity for everyone.

Film: Frozen

I rarely watch animated films. I have to make sure, if it's animated, it will serve me its best purpose: to entertain the child in me. While the child in me is also critical when it comes to filmmaking, I give it a shot to watch animated films with a pure childish heart. I haven't failed so far with my selection of animated films; well, most of them are Oscar winner or nominee. I've enjoyed Hayao Miyazaki's films, especially Spirited Away. Disney-Pixar, no matter what everyone - including myself - says about the company, still makes the best animated films. Not always, though.

So when Frozen came, I had doubts watching it. I did not enjoy Tangled and Brave that much and I think this might be of the same line. Yet, there had been a big hoopla on the film's original song, Let It Go, so as the other songs. The film has also won in Golden Globe, BAFTA and Critics' Choice, so as the song. The film and the song got nods from the Academy.

So I watched it and thank God I did. Disney did not fail me. Noticeable is the great screenplay by Jennifer Lee. Although it's animated, and usually for kids, the script was not forced. The lines were fresh and not cliche. The storyline is not your usual fairy tales. I love that the film's romantic angle is just right and the film has centered on sisterhood love. Nothing was out of place and the plot was very fluid. While watching though, I thought Olaf the snowman was just a deus ex machina and was not really necessary. Yet, the snowman was made value-adding to the script. Even some of the witty antics was from him. Though, Disney has resorted back to its recipe of lead love team (or couple of persons) with a team of talking or moving animals or creatures.

The characters were really given a big thought. It's hard to create a story for two strong heroines and with almost no villain. Yet the film made sense. Anna and Elsa are two different princesses. I like the fact that the girl characters are not made to be your usual fairy-tale princesses. It was enjoyable as a child and as a moviegoer.

For me, the most outstanding part of the film were the songs composed by husband-and-wife songwriting team Robert and Kristen Lopez. My favorite are the arrangements of "First Time in Forever". I particularly love the counterpoint parts. Of course, among the voice actors, laudable are Idina Menzel (Elsa) and Kristen Bell (Anna). All the songs are actually great and fresh. The better version of Let It Go (as opposed to the one in the closing credits) sung by Menzel in the film has been garnering awards from different award-giving bodies. I think, being the only song closer to pop rather than broadway, the song was composed to have a signature song. Nonetheless, it's terrific. And it's trending because it sings of a feeling few composers would write about: loneliness - a feeling most people now can relate to.

I loved the ending. It really warmed my heart. For a film titled "Frozen", warmth can be felt through the story. I say it's worth your time and dime.

Forecast: It will win Oscars for the Original Song and maybe for the Animated Feature. Remember, Skyfall by Adele won over Suddenly by Claude-Michel Schonberg because Adele was new and Skyfall was in the billboard already.

Name Game

Ok. I'm two years away from the academe but it will not stop me from being concerned.

Henry Sy Sr. has built a conglomerate from a shoe store. Juggling between the first and second spot, he's considered the richest man in the country. Of Chinese descent, Sy has ventured into malls, real estate, cinema and many more. From what started as a small name in Manila is now seen in more than 70 locations nationwide. Yes, you may clap.

The UP Professionals School, being erected in Taguig, aims to house educational programs on an advanced level. It will be a new melting pot of knowledge that may prove UP's premiership once more. Considered as the state university, UP is technically still a public school - the veracity of which is washed down by private investments and purchases from private entities like the Ayala group. Nevertheless, keeping that aside, no one can question the brand of education UP gives and the institution has produced alumni who became institutions themselves.

Last year, Henry Sy Sr., through SM Investments, bought a majority of shares of National University. Also, a building was erected on what used to be a field on De La Salle University-Manila - named after him. Now, the UP Board of Regents has agreed in naming UP Professional Schools after the business giant. After the infamous renaming of UP College of Business Administration after Ceasar Virata, it seems naming buildings has been a trend and issue to the academe.

How do we name a building or a landmark? There are really no guidebooks to that. Name it anything you want, if you solely own it. One of the issues in renaming UPCBA is that the university is still owned by the government and is therefore owned by the public. Law provision talks about the legality of naming a public building after someone without due process. Yet, the UP BoR approved it. No question on the process done.

Another reason is that Ceasar Virata is a known crony of Ferdinand Marcos during his reign. UP, which symbolized the seat of activism and anti-Marcos - even had the famous Barikada -, is now naming one of its buildings after a cabinet member of the very person it resisted in the 70s.

So how do we really name a building? For me, it's like branding. You name it for the reason that the name will represent the building - what it is and what is it for. Dr. Fe del Mundo Hospital is no doubt should be an institution of pediatrics. Philippine General Hospital should be the hospital that caters to all Filipinos. Vinzons Hall in UP is aptly named after the young Wenceslao Vinzons. It's hard to see a Henry Sy Sr. School when in fact, he doesn't represent an institution of education. It's like naming a hospital after our current president or a multimillion highway after the father of a president.

It's sad that if you don't have the money or the power, you will never get your name immortalized, no matter how you yourself is already an institution. Very few of our educational institutions are named after real educational institutions. Same is true with other industries.

In a third world country like ours, the few have the wealth, the power and the influence. We get what we do not deserve.

Film: Gravity

I did not like to add this to my Oscars list to watch before the awards because, well, it appeals to me as too commercial and has a thin storyline - an astronaut floats and struggles to get back to Earth. I actually got surprised when it got nods from the Academy and Golden Globe, more so when it won. When it recently won in BAFTA major awards, I decided to give it a shot.

After I watched it, my assumptions were pretty much correct. It has a simple storyline, small cast and forced screenplay, making it not an epic material. Yet, I see why it's receiving nods from the award-giving bodies. The execution made it outstanding.

I particularly liked the cinematography. Those long standing, continuous shots are fabulous. It was consistent and I imagine, it was hard to produce. Though, this may seem boring to other movie goers, these shots made me feel closer to the situation.

I'm actually not a fan of Alfonso Cuaron. I only watched Y Tu Mama Tambien and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and they were not outstanding directing-wise. I guess this would be his first piece of achievement in directing. The direction made the film worthwhile.

Acting-wise, laudable was Sandra Bullock who played a first-timer in space Dr. Ryan Stone who struggled to return safely to Earth after orbiting space debris from Russian satellites hit their location. She was good but not outstanding to win awards. It's the common excellent Sandra Bullock acting. But it's noteworthy that she's been in the film for 100% of it and the difficulty in acting she endured on a simulated zero gravity environment.

The music editing was ok. The shifts to vacuum space sound are abrupt, adding to the edginess of the film. The scoring however was ordinary. The script was forced to have a deep dramatic effect and most of the lines are cliche. Thanks to directing, the suspense was kept.

There are some inconsistencies with respect to scientific facts and astronaut protocols. Nevertheless, it's moot since the film is not a documentary.

If you're into space, this could be something for you but it's not worth so much of your time and dime.

Forecast: It may give Alfonso Cuaron his Oscars but other than that, there's a slim chance for other aspects.

Theatre: Rak of Aegis

No, this is not a parody of a Tom Cruise-starrer film. This original musical play has an identity of rock on its own. I got the chance to watch it, thanks to the complimentary ticket of a dear friend.

The band Aegis has been a part of Filipino culture since they started making hits. Actually, I realized that more after I watched the play - so many karaoke stations and pirated music stores have played the songs of Aegis. With their distinct husky voice and "birit" notes, the band was able to create their signature sound and was able to penetrate the masses.

It is not uncommon to create musical plays based on the songs of a band. Mamma Mia! was based on the music Swedish group Abba. Locally, Sa Wakas was based on the songs of Sugarfree. Iconic as the Aegis is, much is expected from a musical based on their songs.

The first thing that will catch your attention when you enter PETA theatre is the unique set design.

There is an actual floodwater in the middle of the stage full with makeshift slum houses. There's a boat, patterened to commonly seen mode of transportation in perennially flooded areas such as Malabon, attached to a dolly trail to traverse across the waters. A set of screens hang in the middle that goes up and down. The screens have been utilized fully in the play as part of the story. Since the theatre is very intimate, the set was perfect. From afar, it really resembles the slums in Malabon and Navotas. When I learned who designed it, it was no surprise that it was Mio Infante. It was a fresh take on set designing, making the set an actor on its own right.

The story takes place in a flooded slum neighborhood of Brgy. Venecia (inspired by the architectural layout of Venice) whose main livelihood is making shoes. I believe the story is based on the Typhoon Ondoy situation in Marikina. Aileen (played by Aicelle Santos) dreams of rising into fame via Internet. She made one by singing in the midst of the flood. As she rises to fame, the flood became an attraction and paradoxically the thing that can get the barangay out of their poor situation. Brgy. Capt. Mary Jane (played by Kailila Aguilos) quipped the irony in the line "Ang salbabida nating baha, lumulubog na."

The story was very close to the hearts of the people. Laudable was the script by Liza Magtoto, the tone of which is resembling the masses, which again is the most relatable segment for the Aegis band. There's a lot of references to pop culture, but then again it's the language the masses speak. The jokes were obvious and spoonfed but the acting and delivery made it funnier as well. The only thing maybe is that it came as a common Filipino ending where suddenly, everyone's happy. But again, if you're speaking the language of the masses, that's the way to go.

There was never a dull moment in the play. The ensemble acting of the cast kept up the show always energized, may it be a dramatic or comedic scene. They made it very natural that you can almost see the real situation it was patterned to. For me, Kailila Aguilos stood out as the Brgy. Captain. She knows her nuances and has the singing voice closest to that of Aegis. She alternates for Isay Alvarez. Aicelle Santos came to me as a surprise. She became better in acting, very quick and natural. Another scene stealer is the actor that played Tolits. He really studied the role and his quips were the funniest. Vocally, the mother role, Mercy (which coincidentally is the name of one of the members of Aegis) stood out with her aria-like solo. The ensemble had their own moments which contributed to the life of the play.


The musical disrupted the mainstream of musical play. The usuals are full non-repetitive songs with lavish production numbers and grand endings. The music in Rak of Aegis was arranged like the sing-alongs at home or in the neighborhood. The songs were reprised in some parts with changed lyrics. And most of the endings is not the usual high note bang. They were arranged to be solemn when needed. My favorite of the songs was the arrangement for "Gumising na tayo". Aegis made a number of hit songs yet very limited. The writer and the music arranger played with it by using the limited and applicable songs and rounding them up around the play. Although, Aegis is known for their high notes and rock songs. I was hoping to hear more of that.

I also liked the witty pre-show announcements tailor-fit to the play. It made me try not to sing-along or I would have to sing Halik two octaves higher. Also, it's a musical play not a karaoke. :)

Overall, it's not actually a miss-half-of-your-life experience yet it's a show worth your time and dime. Go catch them until March 9.

Film: Saving Mr. Banks & August: Osage County

I know. I know. It's a little late for this review but since the road to Oscars has started, it's nice to catch all the nominees before Ellen DeGeneres and the Academy award them.

Saving Mr. Banks is not actually nominated for Oscars but I'm a big fan of films with historical accounts and English actors. While watching it, I realized why it was snubbed by the award bodies. The whole storyline is intertwined with two timelines: P.L.Travers's (author of Mary Poppins) travel to Hollywood as she goes through the process of birthing the film adaptation of her children's book and her chilhood memory of her father. The way the film was edited is to make the two stories merge as one justifies the other. The flashback scenes are treated the same which I think was very bold. Although, this I think is a weak point from critics' standpoint. The flow of the story may seem to be a bit confusing. The only part I think it worked is in Travers Goff's (P.L. Travers/Helen's father) bank speech which is also Mr. Banks's recitation in the book (and turned into a song for the Mary Poppins film).

Production design and Make-up were laudable for keeping the film in its time, from cars to Disneyland and for making the characters look as close to real thing as possible. Cinematography offered some fresh shots like the pears in the pool but the entire film was presented like any other film.

Tom Hanks made a good impression as Walt Disney. The ensemble contributed to conflicts. But for me, laudable were Paul Giamatti (as Ralph the chauffeur) and Emma Thompson (as P.L.Travers). Paul was sincere and a good support. Emma has been one of my favorites. I can say this is not her best but her portrayal is excellent. She knows how to take the scene.

Another part I like is when they played the original records of P.L.Travers's conversation with Sherman brothers and the screenwriter in the ending credits.

The film stood by the truth of the events, although some were inferred. But this restricted excitement to build up in the film. The best point of the film was when Walt Disney flew to England to talk with P.L.Travers again and revealed why he thinks the author is very stingy about her book. Mary Poppins's story is loosely based on her life and that Mr. Banks is based on her own father, Travers Goff. She took his name as her penname.

If you are a writer or fascinated by one, this film would be of your interest. Nevertheless, the film is worth your time and dime.

August: Osage County is Meryl Streep's comeback to big screen after Iron Lady. I'm particularly excited about this because of, well, Meryl Streep. The story is based on a play about a mother who lost her husband and had her family - 3 daughters, sister and their respective families - come back home to find him, only to find out that he killed himself. It's a dark dramedy that revolves around how the family managed their conflicts and started to learn about each other's lives after the death of Beverly Weston (the father played bg Sam Shepard).

Cinematography again was ordinary. The positive thing maybe was there's not much panning, although it's been done before. The film's strengths are the screenplay and acting. The script was so natural and fluid. Nothing was forced. Yet, in its simplicity, the script continuously surprised me. Meryl and Julia Roberts are nominated for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively at Oscars and Golden Globes, although they both lost at the latter. Nevertheless, my admiration for Meryl Streep grew with this film. She knows how to use nuances and no matter what emotion, she can keep the character and accent. She played very well Violet Weston. Julia, as her daughter Barbara, took her highlights as well, especially the catfish and the final argument scenes. But from the way I see it, it's a collective acting prowess from the ensemble that made it very life-like. Personally, Julianne Nicholson, as the shy youngest daughter of Violet, Abby and Abigail Breslin, as Barbara's 14-year old daughter, Jean took my attention.

The long scene at the funeral dinner was my highlight. The seemingly bipolar monologue of Meryl, the build up of conflict between her and Julia, the spurs of comedic parts - it's a rollercoaster of scenes that was natural and easy to follow. Actually, the whole film is a rollercoaster worth your time and dime.

The film's deep so if you're sure you can follow things like this, go ahead.

Prediction: Meryl and Julia will not win at the Oscars. Meryl just won last year and Julia is in strict competition.