Unbounded

Melts my heart everytime. =)

Buenas noches. You have been following me for three blocks now stranger. Now if you promise to cease this dogged pursuit, and leave me to my musings, then I shall tell you how tonight’s night of cultural appreciation day went.


¿Qué películas ponen? (What’s on at the cinema?)

Today has been a day of arts, culture, and taste. We started the day by getting lost whilst going to Instituto Cervantes. Little did we know, until arriving 15 minutes before 6pm that the Instituto had moved from St. Scholastica’s College to its present abode in Kalaw, Manila.

We were then met with a jewel of an institute, situated literally in the middle of the hustle and bustle, not to mention the deteriorating metropolis with modern architecture - but maintaining classical Hispanic elements like high ceilings, big windows, and a courtyard.


http://manila.cervantes.es/Cultura/Fichas/Ficha45951_23_2.htm

Tonight’s film screening was Inconscientes, a Freudian comedy set in the 1913’s. It was a delightfully entertaining movie. But what deserves high praise, evident in the number of local awards it won was the tight scriptwriting. People with Psychology backgrounds would definitely get to appreciate this film more as it involves phallic fixation, a little bit of turn of the century European scientific history, and a quasi historical moment when Freud gave a symposium about his then new book, Totem and Taboo. This is important as it set the climax for the plot of the film. So much as not to completely divulge into the whole summary of the film, I’d like to end it here and leave this part with a recommendation for everyone to watch this one. It’s well worth it. Hell, we saw it for free.


¿Puede recomendarnos algún buen restaurante de aquí? (Can you recommend a good local restaurant?)

With nothing better to do on a Saturday night since the film ended at an awkward time (8+ pm. We ditched our evening meetings), we then decided on a whim to have dinner in the first cliché Spanish restaurant that came into our mind. Where else cold it be, but in Alba. Time for a little Spanish decadence.


Mind you, this is my first time to try out this restaurant, and great to say, my first time was an enjoyable one. Lighting was low but not to dark that you wouldn’t see the menu, the service people were very hospitable, food was good (though I’d prefer to spend just as much for a dinner in Serendra, or that date place in Parañaque. Somehow, the thought of upscale dining in Makati’s red light district takes away some of the fun), and to top it off, a mariachi band to serenade the guests.

To reiterate, tonight has been a very enjoyable evening of arts, culture, and taste. Who says you have to spend a lot to enjoy life? Who says you have to go out of the country to enjoy life? I’m already looking forward to the next “cultural bonding”.

But most importantly, it’s the people who you spend these immersions with that make the while. It’d be great if you guys can go next time.

¿Hasta la vista, e deseo que pasa una Fiesta el Sto. Niño!

“Now, no matter what the mullah teaches, there is only one sin, only one. And that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of theft. Do you understand that?”

“No, Baba jan,” I said, desperately wishing I did. I didn’t want to disappoint him again. […]

“When you kill a man, you steal a life,” Baba said. “You steal his wife’s right to a husband; rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone’s right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness. Do you see?” […]

“There is no act more wretched than stealing, Amir,” Baba said. “A man who takes what’s not his to take, be it a life or a loaf of naan… I spit on such a man. And if I ever cross paths with him, God help him. Do you understand?” […]

“Yes Baba.”*

To consider one’s crowning achievement by obnoxious condescending behavior serve no value adding purpose to humanity, and is actually detrimental. For all sins are essentially corollaries of theft, and for theft - selfishness, know-it-all conduct is of no exempt.

Such crass act steals someone else’s right to have an equitable time to express one’s thoughts and affects; to speak, to learn, to ask, and to make mistakes.

Such crass act steals someone else’s right to attention; to be listened, to be questioned, and to be made right.

Finally, and most importantly, such crass act steal someone else’s right to be respected, for such a behavior, places one in the position being above all the others. That intangible right for equal treatment is selfishly disrespected.

If theft, and in its core, taking, is its sin, then giving, or more importantly, selfless giving be its virtue.

Giving without asking for anything in return; giving, not for the sake of giving, but for nurturing; giving for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or others’ growth.

People should learn to be more giving. People should appreciate the intent, act, and meaning of selfless giving. People should equally receive graciously with these in mind.

*****

*On a totally unrelated note to my post, the above quote came from The Kite Runner. And with that, thank you Yanna for my Christmas gift. I like it very much. =)

Chrissy and I were enthusiastically talking about this book about a week before you gave it and it’s supposed to be the number one of my ‘to buy’ list. Let me make up to you someday for my crappy gift =)

So, as he was minding his own business that rainy Saturday afternoon, and more so the dreary hours, for his meeting, he passed by along the north gate corridor. A faint but quaint woman’s voice from behind called out his name and beckoned him.

Why, when he turned his head around, he immediately recognized the voice that followed him was a close blockmate of his back in undergraduate college. Hi’s and hellos were then exchanged and short catching ups. This Saturday’s turning out to be not so much a mundane experience after all.

But, what struck through his fragile mind, and quite frankly, disturbed him was the news that he got from her that another blockmate of his (her ex-boyfriend in fact) will become a father in a couple of moons from now. Imagine that. He even remembered that blockmate of his was about one and a half years younger than him.

Then, before the evening ended, as he was minding his own business again, trying to craft a piece into writing, he chanced upon another friend of his, back when he did his undergraduate practicum, in a social networking site. That friend of his, much to his shock, will also become a mother, in a few months from now. Imagine that. He then remembered distinctly that blockmate of his was also about a year and half younger than him.

Now, as much as he wants to be happy for his two friends, who are both twenty one years young as this is being put into writing, will become parents by the next quarter, soon to be celebrating whatever miracle (however they would like to define it) they would soon gaze into and embrace, it bothered him; it distraught him. What about his two other friends?

Whatever happened to Chastity and Values?

And I thought I was going to sneak away tonight...

Oh, what a glorious night! Every face I see is a memory. It may not be a perfect memory, but a memory to cherish still. Sometimes we've had our ups and downs, but we're all together, and you're mine, for a night.

And of course, I'm going to break precedence and tell you my one wish: that you would have a life where you can wake up one morning and say, "I don't want anything more."

Love unconditionally, and make every decision an opportunity for growth.

...2007, doesn't it go by in a blink? Thus tonight, to the world and to you, I say, "Thank you, and Happy New Year!".

For a good few minutes, all darkness surrendered to the poignant words of Rico Abelardo. And I too, surrender myself to the preeminence of what he so effortlessly expressed.

Needless to say, this moved me almost to tears. So let me share to you tonight the following poem.


Mangyari Lamang
Rico Abelardo

Mangyari lamang ay tumayo ang mga nagmamahal
Nang makita ng lahat ang mukha ng pag-ibig
Ipamalas ang tamis ng malalim na pagkakaunawaan
Sa mga malabo ang paningin.

Mangyari lamang ay tumayo rin ang mga nagmahal at nasawi
Nang makita ng lahat ang mga sugat ng isang bayani
Ipadama ang pait ng kabiguan habang ipinagbubunyi
Ang walang katulad na kagitingan ng isang nagtaya.

Mangyari lamang ay tumayo ang mga nangangambang magmahal
Nang makita ng lahat ang kilos ng isang bata
Ipamalas ang katapatan ng damdamin
Na pilit ikukubli ng pusong lumaki sa mga engkanto at diwata.

Mangyari lamang ay tumayo ang mga nagmahal, minahal at iniwan ngunit handa pa ring magmahal Nang makita ng lahat ang yaman ng karanasan
Ipamalas ang katotohanang nasaksihan
Nang maging makahulugan ang mga paghagulgol sa dilim.

At sa mga nanatiling nakaupo,
Mangyari lamang ay dahan-dahang umalis papalabas sa nakangangang pinto
Umuwi na kayo at sumbatan ang mga magulang
Na nagpalaki ng isang halimaw!

At sa lahat ng naiwang nakatayo,
Mangyari lamang ay hagkan ang isa't isa at yakapin ang mga sugatan
Mabuhay tayong lahat na nagsisikap na makabalik sa ating pinagmulan
Manatiling masaya at higit sa lahat magpatuloy sa pagmamahal.


*****

Good evening my dirty little city, it’s nice to be back.

Tonight will be a little different – no mushy entries, just pressing issues.

From the point of view of someone who’s born a Roman Catholic, who traces his roots in Mindanao, who was schooled in an Evangelist Protestant primary and secondary institution, whose father is a practicing Buddhist, and of course, was proselytized in college, being pious means just as much as being confused. So, for the sake of this entry, I’d like to better orient myself at the moment as a non-denominational Christian.

Now, can we talk about your religious convictions?

You know, it’s been a while since my mum pulled and nagged me to accompany her to go to Quiapo, and I miss that. I miss going to the mass with her (and get dizzy while in the middle of the service since there’s poor air circulation), buy red candles and red wax figurines for my late grandparents, shop around for the cheapest vegetables, and browse around at the newest collection of pirated media. Basically, I miss being immersed in that gritty masa (common people) environment.

Commuting to Tutuban, Divisoria Mall, 168 (which I have to embarrassingly admit that I haven’t been there yet) don’t count.

I also cannot stop reminisce about this instant message conversation that I had with a particularly interesting and articulate friend (whose name I’m not mentioning) about her religious beliefs, her ambitions, as well as her frustrations, and our opinions on what’s going around with the community. She’s a very devout Christian - kind, good spirited, and very eloquent. She writes, and she’s the type of gal that’ll leave you feeling good every time you think of not only her, but also of the abstract thought of how she thinks (i.e. depth of personality). And of course, definitely one who you would be proud to be bringing to dinner with your parents.

So as not to digress, since I’m getting carried away, part of our conversation was on… yup, you’ve guessed it, That national cry for 700,000 homes in 7,000 sites in 7 years.

Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against the organization per se. In fact, I’m all for it. It’s a very ambitious vision and it tries to reach its goal nobly - In theory.

I volunteered myself to help build a home once.

I was an eager child then, eyes gleaming with youthful vigor, ready to make a difference in the world. Armed with my semi-leftist mentality, I went into this program orientation.

Needless to say, my expectations of philosophy sharing, exchanging, and were raped when I was initially confronted with a prayer session. Worship songs, zealous members passionately exclaiming their love for the Lord, and sharing of secrets.

My turn came. Because of my background, I was not familiar with any Catholic prayers/rituals so I hesitated. I mentioned my background to them and that I’m a little reserved when it comes to this (I’m a Roman Catholic but I’m not comfortable with sharing to them then), and I’d prefer to orient myself as a non-denominational Christian at that time. This was frowned. The youth leader insinuatingly bashed the Evangelist Protestants by saying being a Roman Catholic is so much more fun.

Let’s pause for a while. Where the hell’s the orientation? I definitely did not volunteer myself for this.

Now mind you, the problem that I’m pointing out is the people that make up the organization, not the organization. This is definitely the unfortunate case for our school chapter as the organization is under care by our YFC group. Again, a victim of the situation.

I wouldn’t be surprised if there aren’t that many volunteers from the Muslim, nor from the Protestant community. I, based on my personal experience would definitely not choose to be affiliated to one organization wherein the environment would frown upon you if you were different. On the other hand, I would be pessimistically surprised if these charismatic youth leaders (with their blind, half-wit donkey followers) would attempt to approach the “marginalized” religious community and invite them to have a healthy supercommunity of people towards a common good.

I'm sorry. Is that too harsh an observation for you? Does that sound too much like the truth?

I have the utmost respect towards my fellow unrepresented for not making a fuss about it, and seeing everything from a good light. Huge respect to them.

In all honesty, Meloto’s bold vision of selfless dedication to our fellow countrymen is something we should support. In fact, I’m urging all you people with nothing better to do, or to all you people with time to spare, to give a little of your time, to give a little heart, to give a helping hand, to build. Not only of houses, but homes, communities, and most importantly, a better future.

The humble idea unfortunately is skewed and more so blurred because it’s dripped with religious bias. But understanding where he came from, that his background was religious in the first place, I guess we all have to contend with its “original sin”.

Just be smart enough to understand the core value of the community building organization and discern what activities are relevant/irrelevant.

To end, a quote from HL Mencken comes into mind: “The trouble with Communism is the Communists, just as the trouble with Christianity is the Christians”.