Ending 1998 in Tawangan

By Chito Razon
This article will help relive the moments in Tawangan, a 4-day expedition in the Cordilleras after Christmas of 1998 when we were all in our shining moments.  It was an "alpine" climb (by tropical standards" in the highest points in Luzon participated by 29 trekkers mainly from our club, the PAL Mountaineering Club. 8 from the Loyola Mountaineering Club attached their team to us.

Climb covered 3 mountains-Mt. Panatoan (2,422 M ASL), Mt. Pulag (2,922 M ASL), and Mt. Babadak (2,589 M ASL). To reach the jump-off point, we took an 8-hour bus ride to Baguio and another 6-hour jeepney ride in the mountainous roads of Benguet. I headed a group of 10 members, most of which are professionals. Apru Apruebo led the Balagbag Boys which included Lex E.; Barry Barcelo led a group of mostly members including Christine Medina. Romy Valdez, our EL was with the Balagbag Boys. Average temperature was 12°C, manageable if not for the intermittent rains and gusty winds.

Tawangan is a test of equipment and the human spirit. Like how our dry fit outfits, chairs, stoves, leak and wind proof parkas and tents can withstand the forces for three days.  It’s a test on how long we can hold on without touching alcohol for 4 days. How our body can survive the cold, wind and rain for 2 days. How we open new friendships and deepen current ones. How we manage ourselves in fatal and critical moments. Gladly in Tawangan-Pulag, we passed them all. Now we know why this privilege to appreciate Pulag via Tawangan is only for a limited few.  We trekked for 4 hours on the first day, 9 hours on the 2nd day, 5 hours on the 3rd day and 4 hours on the last day.

A major climb feels like a summation climb. The Ballay walk and the hanging bridges remind me of Ugu, Sagada and Kabayan.  The trek to the schoolhouse is like the Natib trek without the humid air. Lunch at the lake is a Lake Venado setting of Apo. A most impactful scene for me was the walk on the rice terraces amidst the fog with two mountain peaks at the background. You can’t escape the crossing at the last of the 5 hanging bridges where the mighty river was gushing in all the white steam against the backdrop of trees with flowering petals. Walk in the clear running stream is like the Majajay trail.  The lunch at the river is the Gabaldon river crossing done with the Loyola Mountaineers. Second day is San Cristobal and Banahaw rolled into one. Last day is undoubtedly Pulag.

The walk to the plateau where running water shared your boots in the trail was like my first Pulag 5 years ago during a storm. That is why I said I always have to face Pulag prepared.

During the solitary moments in the trail when the temperature was dropping, I said some prayers, both for myself and for all of you that I committed to do so in my Christmas cards to you. I said thanks for the good health, the good fortune, the strong family support and the company of friends. I also asked the sacred mountain to clarify my personal and professional directions for the coming years.  The Cordillera mountain is powerful enough to grant me that.

It was a most fulfilling week, a good summary of all the climbs for the year. I did not experience any fatigue nor shortness of breath.  Our 9 meals were well planned, slept an average of 7 hours in the camp, would knock off at 9 and wake up at 4 or 5 in the morning.  I only felt tired when I boarded the bus in Baguio to go back to Manila dawn of 31st December to reach Manila before New Year.  After breakfast in the house at 7 AM, I was soundly and deeply asleep for the next 6 hours, enough recharge to meet the New Year.

Happy 1999.

Shining moments in the expedition:

- The wash up with a view at the Palancha arranged by TJ and Jojo Ramos

 - Drying up tents and other wet stuff at the Palancha grassland with a great view

 - Jeeps on time at the pick up station arranged by Mitch and Romy at a fair price

 - Presence of guests Larry and TJ. Larry recorded schedule and highlights

 - The sentimental weather from the grassland to the Ranger station perfect for muni-muni

 - The fine Plateau weather at breakfast time perfect for cooking but not long enough to cover packing

 - The fine Plateau weather at dinner time perfect for cooking but not long enough to cover eating

 - The assault to the peak led by Apru and the Balagbag boys with winds pulling them down to the ravine but completed somehow with the Loyola climbers

 - The reformed, detached Balagbag Boys during the trek

- Lex Evangelista humbly sweeping, Gerry Balignasa ably assisting

 - The shortened distance between the 2nd day camp to the Plateau to Romy’s surprise and to our delight

 - The cold, windy and rainy weather nearing the Pulag Mountain range

 - Black garbage bags, clear backpack bags generating heat while in motion

 - The hot water prepared from an MSR Expedition of TJ at the Plateau campsite at the height of the strong winds and rain. What presence of mind!

 - Tents that wouldn’t leak, tents that can be set-up and dismantled so quickly when rains and wind batter the campsite. Perhaps all including the Loyola Mountaineers’ Coleman held on.

 - The team spirit evident in all groupings

 - Meal schedules followed to the letter with surprisingly top quality taste

 - Perfect rice all throughout the expedition

 - Water all the way

 - The dip at the cold river

 - Photo coverage of Ching, Danny, Mitch, Lex, Christine, TJ

 - Emil saved from falling down the ravine

 - Mitch saved from slipping in the white wild river

 - Loyola male climbers Gabby, Gabby, Nick, Harry, Caloy shaping up and getting stronger each day

 - Loyola female climbers Ching, Jenny and Jaja relating with the group

 - Freeman’s and Subs fighting or frightening spirits

 - Cartoons talk of Jojoy, Emil and TJ

 - The shortened trail between Coral and Plateau

 - The rice terraces against the series of mountain peaks

 - Rope tied shoes of Barry and Ching

 - More equis than checks from the Balagbag Boys

 - The shortcut to the emergency campsite

 - Apru and Christine’s excellent choice of campsite for the 2nd day

- Emil and Barry’s tarp

 - Reunion of Jojoy, Barry and Emil

- Christine’s pacing, matched by Larry’s

 - Apo boys reunion-Orly, Jojo, Jerry, Art, Mitch, Chito. Loyd, Dulce and Russell were at the Baguio bus terminal

- Art’s Baguio accommodation for his teammates Cooking area the corridor of the Tawangan Elementary School

 - Freedom to snore at the Tawangan Elementary School classroom

 - Lunch at the Lake on the first day reminiscent of Lake Venado

 - Lunch at the river on the 2nd day reminiscent of Kabayan River

 - Trail foods on the 3rd day providing heat to the body

 - Presence of mind in tent setting, trail blazing

 - Popcorn during socials, adobo on the big dinner night by Mitch, vegetable in oyster sauce by TJ, pears in cream on the 2nd dinner, apple in the elfin forest waiting shed, chorizo, dried seafood of Juno

 - 3 working stoves, 3 clean cooksets per group

- Bonsai at the Plateau water source

- Moss in the alpine forest trees
- Limatic and Larry’s violent reaction to Limatic
-The baboy damo family
- The no-show muddy trail at the Coral compensated by the all water trail to Pulag
- The all-reliable, ever dependable “reformed” Balagbag Boys
 - Jojo Ramos’ map and compass reading
- Barry’s professional group
- Loyola Mountaineers determination
- Chito’s organized, discipline and equipped group
- Juno’s fatherly presence, TJ’s vigor and strong feel for outdoor survival, Danny’s endless initiatives, Mitch’s open accommodations, and Chito’s quiet presence
 - Close to a thousand and five hundred pesos expense almost a week of togetherness
 Romy’s confidence and cool disposition

What gift has the Cordillera’s given you? Guests Larry and TJ received them, I don’t know if they realize it.  Orly, Apru and Jojo were reminded of their physical limitations, Jerry, isolation. Emil and again Mitch were reminded of their life.  Mitch got a gift. even before the climb. Sub, Mokie and Freeman perhaps got the biggest package. Barry, Christine, Jojoy, Art, Lex, Danny, Juno, Jojo, Ching, Jenny, Jaja, Gabby, Gabby, Caloy, Harry, Nick surely got theirs.  Romy will get what is due him for bringing all of us there.

Ruby G. of Meralco MC crafted a fitting tribute to our climb.  “I should say there’s a lot of value in a well-prepared climb. Instead of having to struggle against the forces of nature (which we already knew would extend no mercy!), we can calmly delve deep into our core for that intimate conversation with our soul-to give thanks for all our blessings and pray for enlightenment and guidance.  Standing as a mere speck in the vastness and overwhelming magnificence of the Cordillera Mountains, one can’t help reflect on one’s worth, fate, and purpose in this life. I understand some of us climb not merely to explore the mountains but to explore our inner selves.”

Photos by Mitch Soria and Ching-I-Wang

Sweet Child of Mine

Climbing Mount Apo in ’97

Seryoso sa simula

Tahimik lang sa akwal na akyatan

Tamang tama ang lamig,

Halos walang init, walang ulan

Lahat ay pinarating sa tuktukan

Pero huwag ka, pagkababa, wild na wild ang pagdiriwang

Ginunita ang ganda ng kanyang pinakita, ang mga puno, Lake, buwan, mga bituin, ang peak at sa mga kasamahang climbers

Iyan ang Mount Apo, King of the Mountains

 Mount Apo got the respect due its stature as the highest mountain from us. We came prepared and behaved. Two pre-climbs facilitated by E.L. Russel Aguinaldo with the support of other members Noel Rebuelta, Mayan Gutierrez and operations manager Elmer Cabotage paved the way for a well-paced, well-managed event as planned for 32 climbers and eventually down to 25.  The 4-day trek via Kidapawan starting Wednesday 27 August noontime ending 30 August noontime showed us the grandeur that is Apo. We were treated to a visual feast of flower-lined trail, cool clear rushing Marbel River waters, therapeutic and refreshing Mainit waters on our first day. As we ascended to Lake Venado, we were welcomed by giant trees wrapped around with moss and the 87º rock climb.

At the Lake, the sky was clear and the stars were sparkling bright. Highlight to me was the awesome Lake Venado scene at 3 a.m. at a chilling 5º Celsius.Peeping from the tent, you can see fog floating at the lake and the moon topping at the fog-like a giant ice cream float with a white nata de coco on top. The ultimate of course was the expansive and open peak in bright, unobstructed panoramic view of the whole of Mindanao. At 7:30 in the morning 29 August, we were the tallest human beings on top of the Philippine soil.

 All these experiences merely set the stage for the persons in us. And it was the best in us. Like the “Von Trapp” family group of Ruel Manito, Allene Gutierrez, Nelia Pallorina, Loyd Alcaraz, Orly Amolar and Jerry Balignasa. Ang grupong malakas! Malakas ang climbers, malakas sa lamunan, malakas sa tagayan, malakas magbigayan, malakas magkodakahan, malakas sa buto’t balat, malakas sa sayawan. Higit sa lahat malakas sa pasensyahan. Madalas nga lang ang palitan ang mga nanay. Nangunguna sa tagayan, sa trail at sa sayawan.  Frequent visitor si Russel dito para sa tsinelas.

There is the quiet and low profile group of Mitch Soria, Chito Razon, Ann David, Joy dela Dingco, Hilbert Lim and Dennis Reyes. Syempre sino ang may influensya dito? Beneath the quiet profile are the excitement in their inductee’s lives. A clean-shaven Brutus emerging as Tetey in Lake Venado with a female date from the other mountaineering group. Kaya lang he suffered a cut. He also eventually lost his cookset cover at Lake Mainit, his fork somewhere and his date at Lake Mainit dahil inunahan ni Noel sa campsite ang ibang grupo. Tetey eventually earned them all back in the form of a big heavy stone in the final cardiac assault to the PNOC HQ. Dennis, our Red Cross lecturer and PT expert taught himself his own lesson. He sprained his foot. Our reluctant team leader Mitch may not know it but he held together the biggest group in the expedition including this satellite trio. Mayan Gutierrez, Noel Rebuelta, Butch Ballesteros.  Like the group it attached itself to, the trio was behaved, quiet and concerned (?). Truly, they were the silent organizers-handling funds, relating with the government, making jeep arrangements, certificates and itinerary, check ins and luggage and other things when our TL declared he has done his mission for us. But the drama that happened inside their North Face tent was beyond us all. All season kasi.  Meron bang nangyari?

Foto by Norbert Calderon

What can we say about the trio of Norbert Calderon, Marlaw Ragudo, Marlon Paguila? It is a more than self-contained group that can carry everybody’s pack and feed everyone. Originally planned for a group of 7, they were down to 3 on the actual expedition but the food allocation remained the same. Lahat ipinamigay sa sumunod na Davaeño climbers na nawalan ng gamit. Lahat pimamimigay sa mga kasama huwag lang ang gin at ang Sprite! This group has two simple dreams. To climb Mt. Apo and to climb Mt. Halcon. So far, they’ve covered half of their goal. Norbert, our favorite and most generous photographer, also a returning climber and Halfcon survivor has reached 1 1/2.  Ang grupong nagexpress ng “This one goes out to the one I love!” Inampon din nila ang bagong grupong nawalan ng gamit sa ibaba.

Then there is the group of Joshua Vizcarra, Beng Reyes, Jonathan “Jojo” Almedilia which was forever on tutorial from Joshua on how to walk.  Kung hindi sila nangunguna, sila ay nahuhuli! It’s also called the triangle group.  J and B? B and J? J and J? Sagot ni Jonathan, hindi na po!

Russel Aguinaldo, Art Guanlao, Ato Gonzales, Aldrin Galang topped as the leading group. It is the EL and LQ group. Agawan hindi sa tubig, pagkain, gamit, babae, lalaki o silya kundi sa tsinelas. Russssseellllllllllll, ang tsinelas ko! ang sigaw sa madaling araw, araw-araw. Dinner for 2 ang spaghetti nilang isang bandehado-good for 2 days. Breakfast for 2 ang tsamporado nila-good for Philippines 2, two thousand. Nagadopt kina Ato at Aldrin kasi iniwan silang poor ng mga kasama nila.  No food, no bread but with garbage. May orange juice naman.

Trek was honored with the presence of PAL MC ex-president Joey Quimpo in the company of Jojo Sindayen, Benjie Lara, Leomax Reyes, Glenn Imperial, Lolita Ramos, Sikorsky Delena. What can we say but thank you for the guidance, the seniority, the fun, yabang and company. What can a PALMC climb be without them?

Posted at  Cadbury Roadtrip Entry on FB

Salamat kay EL Russel, sa lahat ng members, sa mga inductees (Jerry, Orly, Beng, Marlon, Marlaw, Jojo, Hilbert, Dennis, Aldrin), sa ating mga porters, kina Uncle Sam at tatlo pang sumasakit ang balikat sa bigay na pinabuhat, kina Uncle Jack Chin, Sikorsky, Dr. Nonoy Tan at kay kaibigang Tanny Wenceslao na naghahanap pa rin kay Art sa Paradise Island (ok lang sana nagkita naman tayo sa Annie’s.) Kay Eugene Montallana for the ticket arrangements. Sa lahat ng nagpahiram ng gamit at pera.  Sabi naman ni EL sa ating dasal, “lahat po ng ito ay galing sa inyo Buong Maykapal.”

Mt. Apo showered us with its magic before, during and after the climb. Despite the impending storm, we proceeded. Land travel delays did not stop us. Trek weather was perfect. And look at our Sabado night! Bakit nga ba ganoon ang Annie’s night natin?  Woooo, sweet child of mine aaaaiiiinnn.

The climb was not easy, neither was it that difficult. But it was Apo. That’s why it presented itself to us like a dream as we sang in the song “parang kailan lang, ang mga pangarap ko ay kayhirap abutin.” With our bonding and fine company, we were proudly declaring “. . . tatanda at lilipas din ako ngunit mayroon awiting, iiwanan sa aking alaala, dahil minsan tayo ay nagkasama.”

Kita-kita tayo uli!

Participants:

 * EL-Russel Aguinaldo, Art Guanlao, Ato Gonzalez, Aldrin Galang

 * TL-Ruel Manito, Allene Gutierrez, Nelia Pallorina, Loyd Alcaraz, Orly Amolar, Jerry Balignasa

 * TL-Mitch Soria, Noel, Rebuelta, Chito Razon, Ann David, Joy dela Dingco, Hilbert Lim, Dennis Reyes. Mayan Gutierrez, Butch Ballesteros

 * TL-Joshua Vizcarra, Beng Reyes, Jonathan “Jojo” Almedilia

 * Joey Quimpo, Jojo Sindayen, Benjie Lara, Leomax Reyes, Glenn Imperial, Lolita Ramos, Sikorsky Delena

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8/19/13, 7:54 PM Most heard Pilipino words on TV (last word syndrome): Nagmistulang. Lumikas. Humupa. (Seemed like. Evacuate. Recede).  From the morning news. Humagupit-Beat hard repeatedly.  Ragasa- Impetuous.  Lumusong-Descend.  Walang humpay-Unceasing attack.  Hinakayat-Trickling of water.  Nanalasa-Impetuous wind.  Rumaragsa-Deluge.  Delubyo-Disaster, great amount of rainfall.  Pumalaot-Get in the middle.  Manaka-naka-Intermittent.  Di-matinag-Unmovable.  From the late night news over State of the Nation. Mga salitang nadagdag sa bokabolaryo ko mula sa news TV habang nagsabay ang Habagat at si Maring sa Luzon na nagdulot ng matinding baha sa Kamaynilaan at sa probinsya ng Bataan, Rizal, Laguna at Cavite.

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Electrifying You Pay My Rent

“You’ve got the looks, I’ve got the brains, let’s make lots of money”.  Never has this song become more relevant than now.  Thank you for reminding that this is still an option two decades after, Pet Shop Boys.  During our J. Walter Thompson and Ace Saatchi days, it was all fun, all work and never about money. Those were the days when "we were never boring" with the music of the PSB at the background.

The Electric Pet Shop Boys concert at the Araneta Coliseum was electrifying. Araneta was converted into a lights and sounds spectacle. Neil Tennant's distinct voice was given body with a superior audio system. It brought back memories of their Discography even if a handful was interpreted on their 1st visit to the Philippines.


But "it’s a sin, father forgive me" I cannot relate to the new electric techno pop songs. It validated that it takes some exposure for one to relate to new songs despite their catchy tunes and meaningful lyrics. Familiar songs particularly by the Pet Shop Boys have strong associations with events, persons or symbols in the past. New songs still need to intrude into your life, if ever you pay notice eventually given the clutter all around. Appreciation may come in due time.

To complete my experience  after the 1 ½ hour concert, I played their Discography Album from  West End, Love Comes Quickly, Opportunities, Suburbia, It's a Sin, What Have I Done to Deserve This, Rent, Always on My Mind, Heart, Domino Dancing, Left To My Own Devices, It's Alright, So Hard, Being Boring, Where the Streets Have No Name, Jealousy to Was It Worth It?

"Was it worth it?" certainly, after all the duo is an icon symbolizing English Electronic Pop having sold over 50 million records. Their music will "always be on my mind." And thanks for the upgrade, "what did I do to deserve this?"

Viewing Reviewing Writing Posting

Writing reviews of entries to the Cinemalaya 2013 Film Festival

View the film
Frame the point of view
scribble on a computer generated receipt
Get the facts right
Transfer written notes in Iphone
Review. Edit
Upload in Facebook and Blog
View the next available movie

(Puedeng isulat habang nakapila o nagmimirienda o naghihintay ng LRT.)

Maraming magagandang pelikula.
Ang galing ng Pilipino filmmaker.
Ang daming mahusay magsulat tungkol sa pelikula.
Ang sarap magsulat at mabasa!

Isa sa dahilan kung bakit proud ka maging Pilipino, dahil sa pelikulang Pilipino!

Cinemalaya. Freeing the Mainstream from its Own Norms

Sana Dati from the Master Digital Storyteller. Jerrold Tarog is a master digital storyteller who establishes, builds up, reveals and closes with an impression. He presents a non-linear story in a structure in Sana Dati. The writer-director-musician-technical in one is a master of his craft choosing an appropriate cast, confident of his technique in staging and teasing to delivering a message to move the viewer.

All the elements in spite of the complexities are neatly woven together as cohesive. The character Dennis Ceasario portrayed by Paulo Avelino covered and uncovered a civil wedding and preparation mainly to "remember the bride." A man can identify and look up to Dennis’ character-intense, insightful, cool, confident, family driven, appealing and a loving brother. A woman (Lovi Poe) can easily fall for such a character. Line why he does what he does said by Dennis “gusto lang kita makilala” is a giveaway on how this story on closure ends when the credit rolled.


Quick Change jolted my sensibilities.  Subject on collagen injection on transsexuals is new to me. Syringe injected in the buttocks is tolerable but when done in the face made me squirm on my theater seat.  Practitioner has no medical training. At the early stage of the story, collagen put on form and curves.  As the plot develops, it was evolving as a new type of addiction, decay and eventually death. Practice when discontinued is taken over relatively easily by another enterprising transsexual. Quick Change, a Cinemalaya entry of Director Eduardo Roy, Jr. added another dimension to the medium. It did not entertain nor informed nor imitated life but jolted the senses with forthcoming realities. Sadly, this experience is already a reality and right now evolving in our midst but we are not aware of. Quick Change expanded further my liberal outlook.

Debosyon.  Obsession with icon and Catholic ritual challenged by myth, paganism and relationship. Narrated well (in poetry and music), technically supported most impactful for me are the devotees' grand procession and the language of Ina, Bicol and the authentic nature scene, the mountains.

Written in Bicolano which sets up the tone, it is engaging even to a native Tagalog. Someone with attachment to nature and a devotee can relate well with Debosyon by Alvin Yapan. When nature and prayers collide, heaven opens up.  Mythical!

I am a fan of Alvin not as a cinema goer yet but as a radio listener. As a guro, he story tells well his hurdles when he worked on his first film Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Paa. Tuned in at DZUP 1602 AM months ago, he with partner Alemberg Ang kept us glued on the radio listening to how the film was created. In that interview, it was acknowledged that the movie put Paulo and Rocco in the limelight. Alvin expressed wanting to work with them again but may not be possible already. Even that remote wish was granted with Debosyon.

Everyone is in transit.  The Cinemalaya movie of Hannah Espia explores the individual and collective lives of Filipinos working in Israel closely immersed with the Israeli’s culture.

Movie deep dives into the struggles, angst, insecurities and even some joys of hiding in a foreign land by a single father, separated mother, young child, daughter and a distant relative.

Transit moves because of the excellent acting of Ping Medina, Irma Aldawan, Marc Justine Alvarez as the young Joshua complemented by everyone else in the cast Israeli’s included. Each of the three projected big moments: father's pain of interrogation, mother's  disappointment with the daughter and son's fear of discovery. The Filipino actor’s proficiency in the use of the foreign language Hebrew adds to the fluidity and mystery of the technically well-crafted movie.

As Transit is a journey, it is paralleled with a dramatic Hebrew tale of a thin soldier continuing with his search for the rainbow after setbacks in the struggle. Soldier can choose to be swallowed or to search for the rainbow. Gladly, Moises plans to come back to Tel Aviv still searching for the rainbow rather than being swallowed after bringing home his deported 4 year old son Joshua.

Amor Y Muerte, Love and Death by Cesar Evangelista. When push comes to shove, your native

affiliation prevails. The snake eating the rat, casting, language, visualization, carnal scenes, storytelling, voice characterization effectively seeded to me the messages of obsession with colonialism, paganism, sex and ego. Be careful with colonizers. “They are not one of us!” is the natives’ battle cry. Amor y Muerte has a bold theme executed well.

When I saw the photos of Spanish Friar, Kuya Manzano, he is not as tall and powerful as he was projected in the movie, Adrian Sebastian as Apitong is dashing and not as native and Althea Vega as Amor is not as innocent but maybe a hottie.  I was made to believe that Markkie Stroem is Spanish but in truth is Fil-Nowegian. Amor transformed them well!

Nueve as a Movie lifted from a Docu. A digital movie interpretation of a true story inspired from an audio-visual documentary aired on local non-prime network. Facts were researched from real life interview of the victim and members of the family. A mother at 9, raped by her own father whose mother was raped too by the same man. The story in itself, a taboo is shocking defying all social norms. Docu aired on TV is provocative and informative eliciting strong reaction on senselessness. The movie, shot indie style allowing cinematic and AV capture has not come close to the reactions on the docu and the idea.

Are some elements wanting? Am I too exposed to the story? Is the material so sensitive the interest of the victim, an underage was protected? Or is it my bias? I’ve seen the documentary on GMA News TV, deeply moved by the courage of the girl on how she is coping and empathized with pain she has been going through via narration, interview and intimate video coverage. The movie, despite the reenactment by big stars, cinematic attributes and the projection of the rural site as picture perfect cannot truly come close to the agony when one has come that close to the real protagonist even just on TV. Nueve is a creation of Director Joseph Israel Laban, an award winning documentarist.



Ekstra. They wrote in Twitter "Ekstraordinary ang lead players citing Vilma Santos, Cherry Gil, Pilar

Grabbed from Ekstra Foto

Pilapil and the big stars" in bit roles  I retweeted and wrote "Ekstrahusay sina Marlon Rivera as Direck, Vincent de Jesus as the Assistant Director and Ruby as the Line Producer." I pay tribute to the three as truly, they are the extras in Jeffrey Jeturian's film where the leads are performed by known celebrities. Because of their sterling performances portraying the roles of Director, Production Manager and Line Producer, it diverts my attention to these professionals as the unsung heroes of cinema production.  Direk, PM and LP bear the pressure of deadline, quality output and acceptability to the production’s stakeholders who may not share the same points-of-view. Along with the Ekstras, they are the ones we owe our tribute to.

Purok 7 written and directed by Carlo Obispo pictures the simple joy of a rural farm living-toiling the soil, drawing water from a pump, walking in the woods, interacting with other purok-mates and appreciating the social core unit of a family, sister and brother without a mother and an absentee father. The company of a sister (Diana portrayed by Krystle Valentino) and Julian (Miggs Cuarderno) is more than enough joy.  Basic shelter in a hut in an isolated farmland is provided for with staple food in abundance and a sense of belonging to a community. Even done daily, it was not humdrum for the two. Diana and Julian who are separated from their OSW mother, a victim of drug carrier penalty and a father who attached himself to someone else have been surviving on their own.

Purok 7 captures in motion and in sound the enjoyment in doing farm chores: picking mangoes, fishing for frogs, taking a shower, preparing and eating their meals, reaping appreciation, falling for a city boy and watching town plaza dancing. Rural living is periodically going to the feria for the customized and mobile carnival rides and attractions.

Their enjoyment of simple life is set however against a backdrop of a grim reality of mother to be executed in a foreign land, father to father another child from a strange townmate and an apathetic government.

Diana and Julian will survive because Purok with the members of the community molded them well, independent, resilient, family-centered, sensitive and above all, human.

Film as a medium for social commentary. That is what Rekorder recorded well. From the point of

view of a 21 year old filmmaker comfortable with the digital medium, Rekorder, a film by Mikhail Red makes a social commentary on what is wrong with the city and how day-in day-out it is slowly decaying. Rekorder offers no concrete solution as Maven appropriately put to life by Ronnie Quizon, eventually became weaker emotionally, morally and physically.  Hope is implied through the use of the medium itself when the digital medium in outdated and evolving form is used to report and to reveal perpetrators.

To make a sound commentary, one must have personally experienced disillusionment. To document it for broadcast, one must be proficient with the new medium. Without a doubt, Mikhail has both as he delivered a strong message. -Chito R.

Before Midnight and Cycle

My favorite radio show Tropang Radyo over DZUP reviewed today the movie series Before Sunset and Before Midnight which is basically an engaging conversation in Europe of Jesse (Ethan) and Julie (Celine).

Starting with a chance encounter in a train, they again met twice after 9 years.

The message to me is in those short encounters and conversations, we connected. But in reality there is a cycle with rough edges to face until the loop ends. All the "Befores" signal to us that we all are transients and passing through as we have destined lives and destination to live that may be independent of each others'. That is how midnight frames the cycle.

Thanks Katropang Jane and Dex for letting me recall that bringing me back to 2004 and transporting me to now in an hour.

Started as a text message after listening to the discussion and review over 1602AM, expanded to a Tweet and eventually emailed as a short blog article.

Conversations from Before Sunrise . . .
Celine: Memory is a wonderful thing, if you don't have to deal with the past.
Jesse: Yeah, you’re right. I guess a memory is never finished, as long as you're alive

Celine: I guess when you're young...you just believe there'll be many people with whom you'll connect with. Later in life you realize it only happens a few times

Gift of Presence

There are people that come in and out of our lives at work, in school and at play. To some, I too come in and out of their influence and circle.

In my personal vision I declared decades ago, I stated "I can get in and out of adventure for as long as I have a place to come home to and move up and around again."

For now, it is retreating back home to prepare for the next possibilities. Personally, I express my thanks for the enriching moments and the gifts of your presence.

Some people enter our lives like deer, slipping in and out of the woods.

They touch our earth and as we step to look at them they disappear as quietly as they came.
But you feel blessed for having experienced their gentle presence.
 "Presence" by Joan Metzner

Conversations

At a hidden coffee shop in Marikina

Over the weekend, with colleagues after field work, we had an interesting conversation in an outlet that initially could not be located but eventually found. After settling down tucked on a corner that rainy evening, even the strong rains could not hamper the insights I gathered that night.

Two important insights I picked up in dealing with a group are: One is communication is important. Not just communicating but connecting. Secondly, leadership to what drives us to reach a valuable goal faster.

My personal learning from the conversation are "it is unlocking that one critical hurdle to drive associates to be motivated" and to be the lead, "pivoting success on the current No. 1." There is a reality of getting discouraged derailing us. What puts up back on track is the clarity of our end state to be successful.

It validated to me that each of us have our ways to be successful. But what is important is the way to our own dreams, a destination that is personally meaningful and valuable to us. I believe all of us are capable of attaining them.

Happy Saturday! Salamat sa salad, inumin, sakay at paanyaya. Saan ang susunod?

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What I use when relating with challenging persons-the art of tiempo 1st then the art of kambyo (heard
over DZUP 1602am).

Tiempo is the equivalence of Consideration in 7 Habits and Connect in Collaboration for Value. Kambyo is courage in 7H and the Create/Align in C4V. As tiempo and kambyo is an art, the balancing part is up to the person.

Play it well and it will drive you to the dream state of your life.

Thoughts in Mind

• Seeing through freshly recruited sales associates and team leads transform to a performing unit
• Experiencing change myself
• After having discovered what I accomplished, designing the dream of the immediate tomorrow
• Checkpoint against the originally stated 7 Habits' Personal Mission
• Advocacy work of unlocking a person with a roadmap to realize their full potential
• Value of connecting not just communication and leading not just for a result but for an important task
• Friendship and expressions as currencies other than power, wealth, knowledge, acceptance
• The balance of the year

Gratefully Happy

Gratefully happy this Easter Week
Sharing on coping with challenges and letdowns

The last 8 months have been trying times both personally and professionally. It is not business as usual in our work place. Our company has been going through a transition where new owners with their version of business model to apply to the organization will result in structural change. Drastic changes have been put in place starting January 2013.

Related to work but for the family, I am working on a project initiated by my parents as early as year 2006 involving the government and farmers which has been forever under process for less than a decade. I am targeting to complete it by 1st quarter of 2013.

On a level very close to me, my parents are in their mid 80’s. I want them to live their lives to the fullest. At their age, health issues are perennially a concern.

I’ve been coping so far with these letdowns through my spirituality and personal leadership.

In every opportunity where I can pray or hear mass, I pray for my intentions following a simple formula of prayer; give praise, give thanks, ask for forgiveness and ask for favor and guidance (Pagpuri, Pasasalamat, Patawad, Paghingi). The favors and guidance I consistently ask for are good health for my parents and me, processing the family project, providing me and my family with the resources to coast through the day-to-day needs comfortably and lastly to bless and protect the members of my family, close relatives and friends.

Consciously, I apply a personal leadership concept which I have embraced as a guiding principle. I am sharing it as it has worked well for me mainly for the technical and professional tasks.

“Leaders have an important task guided by a plan with not enough time to complete. They are fact-based measured by a handful of controlling objectives. When faced with a quasi crisis, reserves show up to complete the task. Leaders look to the future with optimism.

Learning is an added knowledge manifested in a behavior.  Behavior repeatedly done becomes a habit. Habit extended over time is embedded as a personal value.”

The crises I am faced with are quasi.

•          There is still work to do. I am involved in the pilot projects of the new owners.

•          Parents are coping with their ailment and are gaining strength for full recovery.

•          Slowly still slowly, the project is moving bringing to closure concretely closer to the targeted deadline.

•          Resources are coming in. Relatives and friends are around. And indeed reserves show up making me hurdle life’s setbacks both on and personal and professional level. Medical experts are there generously and compassionately applying their expertise with dedication to heal ably supported by capable and gentle medical support staff. Each one of them is an angel coming to rescue during trying moments.

•          A great deal of the reserves comes from various sources to which I and our family are grateful for.

As I survive these crises, I also learned in the past an effective way to deal with with greater challenges: extend kindness and goodness to others. These secrets I intend to continue as I still look to the future with optimism.

Overcoming these letdowns and quoting from the Easter Message said at the Gesu by Fr. Jett Villarin, “Let us therefore be gratefully happy.”

“How shall our happiness be grown from gratefulness? Simply by acknowledging that everything, all that we see around us, all this is gift. Life is gift. We did not ask for life. It was just given us. Even this terrifying freedom that allows us to mean our choices, some of which hurt us, this freedom is gift. That is what gifts are all about: they are not bought or even deserved. They are just given gratis (i.e. freely) ex abundantia cordis, out of the abundance of the heart of the giver.”

Happy Easter!

My comment to Bam Alegre Wholly Week blog article. Bam is a GMA TV news reporter who speaks and writes in English and Pilipino. He is an active Twitter. Bam is product of the UP CMC.

My view on Holy Week is a reverse of penitence. As an urban worker, time spent at work is in a way my sacrifice looking forward to  Holy Week as my redemption. During my active extreme adventure days, extended weekends were spent travelling, communing with nature, escaping but not forgetting at the end of the Lenten season to be gratefully happy for work and the play.

For you as a broadcast journalist, it seems work and play are one.  

Happy Easter!

Visita Iglesia via Mass Transport

 Gesu along Katipunan st.

If only MRT and LRT 1 and 2 operate normally during the Holy Week, I can design a novel Visita Iglesia that combines riding and walking without the hassle of parking and the possibility of covering the most populated and historical churches. Imagine a Visita Iglesia using LRT2 to cover Quiapo Church, San Sebastian Church, San Beda Benedictine Abbey Church, Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Our Lady of Victories (Cannon Rd. via B. G. Belmonte), Sta Clara Monastery (Katipunan), Gesu among others.

Route to Our Lady of Victories and
Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Image of Blessed Pedro Calungsod

Via MRT, I can think of Our Lady of Perpetual Chuch (Baclaran Church), Don Bosco along Pasong Tamo, Sto. Nino de la Paz Greenbelt Chapel, Sanctuario de San Antonio (Fobres Park), Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mary Queen of Peace EDSA Shrine along Ortigas Ave. and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church along Scout Ybardolaza in Kamuning.

The Holy Week allows us to reflect on sufferings we all go through with the promise of redemption. Visita Iglesia in Manila opens us to the many churches giving support that God is accessible and truly does not turn us away.

Here is to a meaningful Holy Week.