Tadhana?: Reflection on Heneral Luna

I tried to remember the last time I both enjoyed a movie yet feel terrible after. Let me explain below.

I'm not a film critic. The last review I made for a film was during my dearly-departed undergraduate years. I do enjoy the technical aspects of a film: the aesthetics (cinematography/photography), the pace, the score... but without thinking much about it. I'm more inclined to view the whole as a package, because... Here's a confession: I watch movies for recreation. I rather not overthink things. But more often than not, I believe movies ought to do more: they should make the audience think. There's something more to moving pictures.

I'm glad that I got to watch Jerrold Tarog's Heneral Luna. Social media was filled with praise for the film. In case the reader is averse to local films, this is a welcome disappointment to the usual gibberish that is mainstream Philippine cinema. Against the backdrop of the usual romance-drama-comedy and blockbusters, there is actual artistic and creative talent in this film. I am happily surprised that it is enjoying an extended run, being a historical piece.

Pasensya pala, nag-i-Ingles ako sa sarili kong bayan.

hyposyncrasy

Awesome Blog Challenge # 05: hyposyncrasy

hypocrisy + idiosyncrasy = hyposyncrasy

Never mind the attempt to coin a new term. A Filipino idiosyncrasy might just be our penchant for deflecting blame, so...

What if we apply the hatred we have for corrupt governance, wickedness of our supposed protectors of justice, and all-around grave misconducts of public figures to ourselves, in our most private corruptions?

Waterproof

Awesome Blog Challenge #02: Waterproof

The rainy season has started. For what it's worth I already had two flood-wading experiences, much thanks to the consistently terrible Espana drainage system. And just this morning I tried heading to the office since I left my laptop for safety, since it was raining last night. Let's just say a gushing river, Araneta Avenue in normal days, stopped me from continuing in my quest. Treading through murky waters provide the much needed sense of mystery that breaks the banality of everyday life.

I remember a motto printed onto a shirt, right after (if I am not mistaken) typhoon Ondoy almost five years ago:

"The Filipino spirit is waterproof."

Convincingly halted by Araneta Ave. River 

I am not certain if the shirt was being sold for a cause. I think it was. It's nice, actually. The motto, I mean. Sounds nice, feels nice. Oddly enough, it's always relevant, as the country is a usual client of torrential rains and of typhoons (around 20 per year according to studies). Being an active participant and observer in disaster operations after the super typhoon Haiyan, all I can say is that those who help, sacrificially, are worthy of commendation. And those who survive profoundly find some semblance of joy despite the deluge. It is as if, they are waterproof.

Yet something is off. I think I will not find myself alone in sensing that something is a bit off. All this fine-sounding one-liners feel like a consolation prize. To be sure, character is tested, tempered, and tried in desperate situations. Twenty typhoons a year is not a joke. But there is such a thing as capacity building, risk mitigation, and all sorts of preventive activities. The sense of mystery returns: just what is it that keeps us from failing to learn from previous tragedies? Why are there close-to-nothing improvements? If there is, it is devoid of any discernible system. The improvements in Espana, for example, has made our situation worse. Since they tried to augment parts of it, our location has become the flood basin. Apparently, no one has taken into account that into the plan. (Or was it the plan all along?)

The country should not be surprised if the people keep on complaining about the flooding situation. However, if those in rule would want to change things they must remember that doing the same thing, or nothing at all, over and over again and expecting different results is insanity. The Filipino spirit may be waterproof, but hopefully, foolproof as well.

Better Late Than Never

It might be the most convenient thing to say “better late than never”, especially since Filipinos are known infamously for the Filipino time. While I do not condone the practice it is appropriate for an entry about the recently concluded midterm elections. Much has been said already, much regret expressed, and much celebration (I would assume) from the winning candidates and the people who are extremely "blessed" just by being closely acquainted with them. A simple life philosophy: "Follow the money."

My aim is to just offer a thought, and I hope a little optimism. I am of the persuasion that there could be, perhaps, an end to the general regret that Filipinos feel after the elections. But as to not want to delude myself and to anyone who would be reading this: let me mention that I have just participated in the past two national elections. Experience is not on my side, which could be the fuel of some of my hopefulness.

Evolve

Do Christians need to "evolve"?

I found myself asking this question while reading this article, citing an evangelical pastor being dis-invited from the US Presidential Ceremony benediction. The pastor in question, Louie Giglio, of Passion Conference fame, has been invited by the presidential committee due to his rather passionate battle against human trafficking. Yes, I deliberately used "passionate". However, as the committee found out from one of his sermons of 20 years prior, he had "backwards" notions against the issue of same-sex unions, of which they thoroughly disagreed. They deemed that a person of his beliefs does not typify what the President wants.

The issue touches on how a Christian should think of matters now being made highly relevant and seemingly important in society, among others like "Why get an evangelical pastor who believes that sin is sin, no matter how sensitized it is, and while sin is sin, that there is a Redeemer for sinners who repent and believe in Him, and that this Redeemer not only washes and forgives them, but grants them new life and empowers them to loving obedience and persevering faith?" Mohler's article points this out more beautifully and succinctly than I can dream of. Moving along, the issue is raised in the American context, and to be fair, might only be relevant to the post-Christian Western societies. I find it hard, however, to imagine that these same concerns not making their waves into this country. These issues are highly sensitized, and get considerable publicity. As for their publicity, I do not just mean the news. Isn't it amazing that we get more and more characters in movies and televisions imbibing these popular views? Nearly half a year ago, I found myself observing a rally promoting and supporting same-sex relationships, in my beloved campus no less. While that might be a small-scale expression, what we have in our teleseryes and movies are more powerful carriers of their message. If you are not of the teleserye-watching kind, US series' have more blatant characters. They are usually written well. While their perspective and lifestyle are clearly representations of the issues in question, we tend to overlook that because they are usually the funny, easily relatable types. They veer us away, successfully, from the issues at hand.

I will not deal with the specific issues at the mean time. This is more of assessment, rather than straight-up contention. Mainly the reason is that I am not an expert on such things. I have yet to spend considerable time studying them one by one, or at least reading, what seems to be primary resources. (If I am allowed to be excused, I am still adjusting to my new full time work. Barely a month in! But I am enjoying it.) While I can make preliminary opinions of same-sex unions, divorce, the RH bill and etc., it would be an injustice to how these issues mean to society at the legislative and practical levels. These issues have great impact, and deserves, at the very least, to be treated seriously. For example, it is a good thing that the dreaded anti-cybercrime law is under a necessary 120-day suspension. It definitely needs revisions. I believe discussions will resume later this month, and one can only hope for propriety. Crowdsourcing, which I think is necessary, is the way it is going. But I digress.

Back to the question: it assumes that the Christian worldview needs to be tweaked in order to answer the pressing issues of the day. However, is the Christian worldview lacking in answering such issues? In the article the Christian worldview, while not lacking an answer to the issue, is deemed backwards. The historical and biblical worldview has become outdated. There is a seeming need to "evolve", to progress in our thinking of such issues. One may argue that we need to evolve since we are facing newer realities now; we did not know back then what we know now. Are the issues posed in society new realities, new problems that we must overcome? Do we need newer laws to reflect what is the utopian dream, the perfect human society? I heard someone said that "laws don't just represent the realities, laws also represent aspirations." The pressing issues of the day ask for new laws to legalize their respective propositions, making them not just norms but somehow, aspirations. Do we aspire for a society where abortions, divorce, and all manner of "newer" realities are the norm? Is this the highest form of human society? I am but asking.

Plainly, my answer to the question is "no". It is my firm belief that the Christian worldview is able to answer what life should be like. It is not because the Christian is superior, but because the Lord of the Universe is. It is God who has clearly defined what human life is for, and where it finds its deepest expression, meaning, and satisfaction. It is God's aim for men and women to not find their joy in something less, but in the best. If anything, Christians must indeed "evolve" but not dismantling or tweaking away at truth. Rather, we must "evolve" into being more God-entranced, more Christ-centered, and more Spirit-filled in our thinking and lifestyle. There is an ever present need to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the Lord. The pressing issues are only pressing, not because they are new, but because our minds might have been dulled and lulled. Serious matters demand serious answers, and the Christian has resources for just that. If it is backwards to hold on to clearly defined truth, then I'm more than willing to be the hardest man to convince. O, that we might recover wisdom.

I Hope Not To Be Jailed For This

The hottest topic in the Philippines at the moment is the controversial RA 10175 also called the "Anti-Cyber Crime Law". Social networking sites are flooded with opinions and rants against this law. I have read what other people thought about the cyber-crime law. But I have yet to read the full text of the law, so I suspend any judgment yet. (I will be finished, at this rate, tomorrow. I hope not to be jailed for a following post about assessing the said law.)

But a few observations and reflections on this current situation:

1. What's good in this whole situation is that the Filipino people are educating themselves and voicing their opinion. News programs are even handing out their opinions about the law. The full-text of the law is also available online so that people have proper access. The Philippines ranks high above in the global list of active social media users. I am hoping that people use the Internet to learn more about what they are voicing out against.

2. Most of the opinions that I have read so far are negative. From my observation, the flak is against the provision on libel. From the Revised Penal Code (Title 13, Chapter 1, Art. 353 || c/o ChanRobles.com):

Art. 353. Definition of libel. — A libel is public and malicious imputation of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status, or circumstance tending to cause the dishonor, discredit, or contempt of a natural or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead.

Art. 355. Libel means by writings or similar means. — A libel committed by means of writing, printing, lithography, engraving, radio, phonograph, painting, theatrical exhibition, cinematographic exhibition, or any similar means, shall be punished by prision correccional in its minimum and medium periods or a fine ranging from 200 to 6,000 pesos, or both, in addition to the civil action which may be brought by the offended party.

(A simple search of the term "libel" in the full text of RA 10175 yields only two results. It appeals to the definition of libel in the Revised Penal Code Art. 355. I posted Art. 353 because it goes together with Art. 355 but the whole chapter on libel is a necessary read.)

Pwede namang umangal. But let's be responsible and reasonable. Part of being responsible for what we say, with regards to libel, is to bring evidence and facts against the person incited against. Unchecked motives are the worst. Freedom of expression is not a license for the irresponsible use of words or actions.

[ADDENDUM: A friend observed, "Cybercrime simply put is bawal na officially ang hacking and libel online. Nothing new really." I share her sentiment.]

3. Everything can be misread, or misunderstood. To correct this, we must properly understand the context of what we read. So I will read the full text of the Anti-Cyber Crime Law before I voice any opinion against or for it. Not because I feel that I am better than everyone else, but this is the responsible thing to do.

But reading alone does not guarantee anything. A person who has the ability to read may not have the ability to properly comprehend what he is reading. He may read it aloud beautifully, but he may never come to understanding what he has just said. We must be able to put two propositions together. (I remember the reading comprehension exercises I had during high school. My thanks to my MaSci English teachers.)

But I fear that even with proper context, even with good reading comprehension skills, may mga magrereklamo pa rin talaga. Well and good, if they are convinced of the correctness of their position. But some people berate something just because they feel like it. Or specifically, they feel strongly against anything they do not like, regardless of its truth and benefit. (Further reflections soon.)

Dead Language

Inisip ko kanina kung darating ba ang panahong ang wikang Ingles ay magiging "dead language". Ang "dead language" ay isang wikang wala nang gumagamit sa pang-araw-araw na pakikipagtalastasan. Ginagamit na lamang ang wikang ito sa mga bihira o natatanging pag-aaral. Mapapalitan kaya ang Ingles bilang pangunahing wikang ginagamit sa pandaigdigang pag-uusap?

Pinagbulay-bulayan ko lamang dahil nagkaroon ng panahon na ang mga wikang Griyego at Latin ang mga pangunahing wikang ginamit ng mga sinaunang lipunan upang sila ay magkaintindihan. Sa kasalukuyan, ang wikang Ingles ang may hawak ng ganitong karangalan. Ang pag-aaral ng wikang Ingles ay nararapat, lalo na't mahalaga ang pakikipagtalastasan sa ibang mga tao at kultura. Hindi ko sinasabing dalubhasa ako sa paggamit ng Ingles, ngunit tingin ko ay sapat ang aking kaalaman upang maibahagi ang anumang gusto kong ibahagi gamit ang wikang ito.


Lumipad ang aking pag-iisip na malamang ay mas maunang mamatay ang paggamit ng Filipino kaysa Ingles. Sa kadahilanang ito kaya sinusubukan ko muling pag-aralan at gamitin ang Filipino, kasama pa ng ibang wika sa Pilipinas. Kung papansinin ko kung paano ako mag-isip, kaya ko itong gawin sa Filipino at Ingles. Napansin ko ring mas sanay akong magsaulo ng konsepto kung uunahin ko itong ispin/isalin muna sa Filipino. Gayon pa man, ang huli kong pormal na pagsusulat at pag-aaral sa Filipino ay walong taon na ang nakakalipas, sa aking kursong Panitikang Pilipino.

Tinuro sa atin noon na ang Pilipinas ay sagana sa mga likas na yaman. Tingin ko kasama na rito ang wika. Para sa isang taong gustong manirahan, magkapamilya, maglingkod at tumanda sa labas ng Maynila, ikinahihiya kong wala akong ibang alam na wikang likas sa Pilipinas (liban sa Filipino). Nauna pa akong matuto ng Nihongo.

May mga kilala akong mga Pilipinong nakatira sa Pilipinas na hindi magaling sa paggamit ng wikang Filipino (kahit na sa pagkaalala ko ay itinuturo ito sa mga paaralan). May mga kilala rin akong mas gustong gamitin ang wikang Ingles. Hindi ito patama sa kanila. Tingin ko ay palatandaan lang ito ng globalization. Ngunit para sa akin ay isa itong malungkot na katotohanan. Sana ay magkaroon ng pantay na pagtingin sa Ingles at Filipino, o anumang wikang gagamitin sa susunod na mga panahon. Sabi nga nila ay mabilis matuto ang mga Pilipino ng ibang wika at madali silang maging mahusay dito. Sana ay maging sariwa ang paggamit ng Filipino sa mga diskusyon at diskurso. Sana ay hindi maging "dead language" ang Filipino at iba pang mga wikang likas sa Pilipinas.