A Silent Night at the Park

'Tis the season to be merry once again, and while the crowds rush to the malls, bazaars, and outdoor markets to find good bargains for their last~minute Christmas shopping, I have chosen to go the opposite direction for the time being, to refuse to give in to the tyranny of the urgent and instead take things in stride and enjoy a few moments of quiet solitude. But where on earth at this time of the year can one find momentary refuge and respite from the madding crowd and crash commercialism of the city?

 

 

The Nativity scene at Liwanag Park, Meralco Complex

 

Fairybook houses at Liwanag Park

Coming home from work one night, I felt a nagging desire to avoid the same daily route of familiar streets and buildings. So I decided to take a walk around Ortigas Center, hoping to find a place where I could just sit quietly on a bench and refresh both my body and mind under the moonlit sky.

Read more in the article A CLEAN, WELL~LIGHTED PLACE AT CHRISTMAS published in Manila Bulletin on December 18, 2012.

Looking for the Perfect Christmas Tree

A proverbial saying goes, “Thou shall know the tree by its fruit.” But when it comes to Christmas trees, you will know them by their themes and trimmings.

The author by the white, web~like Christmas tree at Rustans

As a child I would know that the Christmas season has officially begun, at least in our home, when the parts of the family Christmas tree are taken out of the closet and reassembled in layer upon layer of artificial pine tree branches, as though my siblings and I were putting together old pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. And when the tree has finally taken shape, we would then begin what for me was the most challenging part of the whole process~decorating the tree with everything that sparkles, dazzles, and glitters! From Christmas balls, bells, stars, and angels to candy canes and stockings of myriad colors, textures, and sizes. My father would then deck the whole tree with lights, and we would hold our breath as we waited for the most exciting spectacle to ever grace our humble abode: our own little Christmas tree all lit up to spread holiday cheer in our hearts.

Through the years that's what a Christmas tree has meant to me: a sense of togetherness and harmony of family as well as a source of pure, childlike joy and excitement. To me, any place with a Christmas tree becomes a wonderland.

So, with a few more days to go before the year's most joyful day arrives, I went on a Christmas tree journey around the city in search of new impressions and interpretations of the quintessential Christmas tree of our time. Hence, it was a road map lined not with street signs but with Christmas trimmings, a travel guide dotted not with famous sites to see, but with spectacular lights to capture.

 

 

Read more in the article OH CHRISTMAS TREES! published in Manila Bulletin on December 16, 2012.

 

 

 

Restoring and Revisiting "Himala" After 30 Years

It was during the 1982 Metro Manila Film Festival when I first saw the movie “Himala.” I remember traveling from the province to Manila just to catch the year's biggest film event. Of course, the only reason I went out of my way was to see Nora Aunor in her much~talked~ about role as a visionary faith healer in an epic film destined to change the course of the history of Philippine cinema.

Today, 30 years later, “Himala” continues to work wonders in film circles here and abroad . Indeed, it has reached a global stature no other Filipino film has ever achieved. In 2008, it was voted as CNN APSA Viewer's Choice Award for Best Asia~Pacific Film of All Time, besting Akira Kurosawa's “Seven Samurai” and Ang Lee's “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” And just recently, Himala's restored version premiered at the 69^th Venice Film Festival in its “Venizia Classici” program along with other restored world cinema classics such as “Chimes at Midnight” by Orson Welles and “Fanny and Alexander” by Ingmar Bergman.

Ricky Lee's "Sa Puso ng Himala" launched
during the premier of the digitally restored "Himala"

Last Dec. 4^th, I had the rare privilege of watching this digitally restored version at a special screening during the Cinema One Originals Festival held at the Shangri~la Cineplex. Prior to its screening, I joined the long queue of people waiting to get a copy of Ricky Lee”s latest coffe table book “Sa Puso ng Himala” which was being launched in time for the restored film classic's Philippine premier. Written to commemorate Himala's 30^th anniversary, “Sa Puso ng Himala” gives an insider look at the stories behind the production aspects of filming Himala as told by its cast and crew, including Ricky Lee (script writer), Nora Aunor (as Elsa), Spanky Manikan (as Orly), Laura Centeno (as Chayong), Joel Lamangan (as casting director and priest), among others.

Read more in the article "FILIPINO FILM CLASSIC 'HIMALA' REVISITED" published in Manila Bulletin on December 10, 2012.

Food Galore in Chinatown!

Of all the places in Manila, Binondo holds a sentimental spot in my heart for two reasons. Not only was it my gateway to the city life as a country boy pursuing higher education in the capital city, but it also opened the door to my first experience of Chinese culture.

A "kalesa" on Ongpin Street, Binondo, Manila

 

Having lived in my uncle's house on Camba Street in Binondo in the early 80's, I could still remember the typical daily life in this Chinese community as I saw it through its bustling street scenes: sidewalk vendors selling fresh produce, store after store of general merchandise, jewelry shops, warehouses, calesas making a pleasant sound of the horses' footfalls, churches and temples, Chinese schools, and old men and women speaking in a foreign language. Yes, I have explored and experienced Binondo's exotic smells, sights, and sounds, everything except its tastes. Regrettably, for one reason or another, I never had the chance to venture into a gastronomic journey of Manila's Chinatown.

Recently, after almost thirty years, I decided to make a homecoming journey back to this city of rich cultural heritage, but this time through the kitchen doors of hole-in-the-wall eateries and greasy spoons in one of Manila's most exciting and affordable dining destinations.

(Read more in the article IT'S CHOW TO GO, BINONDO! which appeared in Manila Bulletin on December 2, 2012. )

Writing in Style: My First Article in a Travel Mag

As I continue to spread my wings as a writer, the Lord has opened door after door of new opportunities for me to channel my creative energy through the different media available to us today.

I owe this life-changing, lifestyle-altering career break to a travel writing contest sponsored by Manila Bulletin, in which my travel piece "My Own Private Batanes" won. And the rest is history that's still in the making.

This month, I am breaking a new ground as a contributor for Travel Plus magazine. More aptly, I'm turning a new page, literally, as I segue from the newsprint of a national broadsheet to the glossy pages of a national lifestyle magazine.  But of course, no medium is inferior or superior to another. For a writer is still a writer by any medium of his choice, whether through the social media, newspapers, magazines, or books. And the more media through which the writer finds creative expression, the bigger the prospect of reaching a wider audience. In other words, the more the merrier!

My first travel magazine article, however, is not a travel story, but a review of the recently-concluded CINE EUROPA 15.

So, dear readers, I hope you can grab a copy of the November-January 2013 issue of TRAVEL PLUS at your favorite newstands. Happy reading!

Nov.-Jan.2013 issue of TRAVEL PLUS

Cordillera: One For The Road

Before working as a volunteer in Maldives, I took the chance to explore the Cordilleras as a backpacker, without any specific itinerary other than to visit Banaue, Batad, and Sagada for the first time.

More than just being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this mountainous region in Northern Luzon promises a journey where the wonders of nature blend perfectly with the living culture of its indigenous people.

The complete story of that milestone journey, IN THE CRADLE OF CORDILLERAS appeared in Manila Bulletin on Nov.25, 2012.




An Igorot woman with child
(Photo by Tanini Cruz)

Manila: A Destination on the Rise

The year 2012 has been a banner year not only for Philippine tourism, but also for the Philippine economy.

Just recently,  Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper during his state visit in the Philippines called our country "a rising tiger economy" in Asia. Then, just this week, IMF managing director Christine Lagarde announced, "the Philippines is probably the only country of which we have increased the growth forecast as opposed to other places in the world where we actually decreased our forecast." That is certainly a big pat on the back of every Juan.

And as if those recent international accolades were not enough, another good news for our country, but this time on the tourism front, gave Pinoys more reasons to cheer. An international travel website, Trip Advisor, has named Manila among 2012's  TOP 10 ASIAN DESTINATIONS ON THE RISE. Describing Manila as "historic and modern, rich and poor," it cites the walled city of Intramuros as one of the city's historic highlights, and its exciting nightlife filled with sleepless nights.




Manila in the Mood
(Photo Source: Metro Sense)

Here's the complete list of Trip Advisor's Top 12 Asian Destinations on the Rise in 2012:

1. Jakarta, Indonesia
2. Kathmandu, Nepal
3. Calcutta, India
4. MANILA, PHILIPPINES
5. Bangalore, India
6. Luang Prabang, Laos
7. Phnom Penh, Cambodia
8. Chiang Mai, Thailand
9. Kobe, Japan
10, Osaka, Japan


With all these great developments happening in our economy and tourism, I say things are really looking up, and it seems time has finally dawned on the Philippines to shine.

CNNGo Goes To Manila !

Last night I happened to catch CNNGo, a travel documentary that features great cities around the world. And guess what,  the episode featured the food and art scenes of Manila as well as Taal volcano in Tagaytay.

Read the full article "CNNGo Goes To Manila!" published in Manila Bulletin on November 18, 2012.

The simmering crater lake of Taal volcano
(Photo credit: www.tourism-philippines.com)

To view the complete episode, visit CNNGo Manila. Enjoy!

Lessons Learned from a Train Mishap: A Survivor's Story

Last Oct. 25 my friends and I were bound for Bicol on board the PNR train for a weekend escape. Little did we know that it would turn out to be an escape from death.

In the article Horror Ride on Bicol Express published in Manila Bulletin on Nov.3, I recounted the story of our horrifying experience that made us realize that sometimes in our journey, we never get to reach our destination.

Danger Ahead: Boarding the PNR train

A Weekend with James Bond: License to Kill Time

When you have nothing better to do on a weekend, you get bored, and when you have nothing better to do on a LONG weekend, you get bored to death. That is why when my sister invited me to go to the movies last Friday, I dropped everything (that means, my laptop, a book I'm reading, a DVD, and everything else that helps me kill time) for this golden opportunity (my sister always treats me to the movies, among other things--love you sis!) How can I refuse such a tempting invitation? Oh, I'm only human.

Photo credit: www.skyfalltrailer.com

Of course, the choice of movie to watch is crucial. (I'm a movie reviewer, remember?) But given the roster of films currently showing this week, which is below par as far as my taste is concerned, I opted to go, or fall, for "Skyfall"- the latest James Bond movie starring Daniel Craig.

I had no expectations of being entertained, thrilled, or even stimulated by James Bond. Frankly, I don't give a hoot for action movies. But since I found myself sitting right on the first row of the cinema (who ever invented reserved seating system? ) I might as well stay wide awake at least for the next one and a half hours.

And stay awake I did throughout the entire film that lasted 2 and a half hours! Unprecedented. The reason? The film at least succeeds in stimulating my senses with well-choreographed action scenes set in elegant backdrop of its exotic locations very common in a James Bond film. My favorite is the elevator scene in a Shanghai hotel where Bond is dragged all the way up to the rooftop. Another is the casino scene, this time in mystical Macau, where Bond meets Bond girl, and the next scene, of course, is the bed scene. The girl's presence on screen is so hot it fires up all testosterone inside the cinema!

But it's not the Bond girl that actually steals the whole show, but Javier Bardem who plays the psychotic ex- secret agent who is out to destroy MI6 and its matriarch, M, played by Judi Dench. His dramatic entrance, stepping out of the elevator and walking towards Bond while telling the story of two rats, is simply enthralling. But nothing beats the homoerotic repartee between Bond and Bardem. Could it be that Bond has subconscious homosexual desires? Something filmmakers should look into for future Bond films.

For his part, Daniel Craig as Bond is perfectly cut-out for the role. He is intense, stylish, and masculine. No wonder I saw many women in the beeline at the box office! And when he sheds some tears in the final scene, it made Bond a more vulnerable and sympathetic character. Who says boys, even big boys, don't cry?

Perhaps the biggest plus factor of the movie is the brilliant acting ensemble: Craig, Bardem, Dench, and Albert Finney. Each has his/ her shining moment in the film, delivering those witty lines that are very British in humor and candor.

Finally, the credit goes to its Oscar-winning director, Sam Mendes (American Beauty) for transforming Bond into a more human character, and reviving the old-fashioned art of war that involves less technology and more strategy.

All of these make "Skyfall" a classy movie you should not miss, all for the old-fashioned fun of it!

Backpacker Travels Around the Philippines in 100 Days

Last July I had the opportunity to interview a blogger and backpacker who recently completed his epic journey around the country in 100 days on a shoestring budget.

Learn more about his adventures and travel tips for backpackers out there who are looking for off-the-beaten destinations for the ultimate travel experience in the article "Around PH in 100 Days"   published in Manila Bulletin on October 28, 2012.

Image taken from the published article in Manila Bulletin

Hot Off The Grill: Latin American Street Food Sizzles at "Brasas"

( The following post, originally entitled "A Taste of Latin American Street Life and Culture," has been  published in Manila Bulletin on Nov. 1, 2012. )

Imagine yourself dining in the streets of Havana, Bogota, Lima, Medellin, and Santiago. Walk into a magical realm of the senses as you savor all the flavors, music, and culture of South America, then finally utter these words in amazement: “Delicioso! Apetitoso! Agradable!”

These are some of the impressions stirred in my imagination upon looking at the graffiti-inspired interiors of a new and flaming hot Latin American grill resto called “Brasas.”

 

 

Hand-painted drawings on the wall

The news of the latest and “hottest” grill restaurant in town has spread like wildfire (just like the red hot flames in its logo) as it opened recently at the Podium in Ortigas Center. “Brasas” specializes in Latin American street food, by far the only one of its kind in this part of the city.

“We wanted a place where people could enjoy simple, delicious food in a casual, fun setting, so we came up with the idea of street food and quick service,” said Karla Soliman-Licuanan, Marketing Director of Brasas.

 

 

A casual and cozy ambiance

 

“Brasas” got its name from the Spanish word that means “flaming hot coals,” over which most of its meals are grilled to perfection. Inspired by the ubiquitous street food in Colombia (as can be seen from a drawing on the wall showing a man fanning flames over a grill), the typical “Brasas” menu consists of picadas (appetizers), salads, soup, sandwiches, and of course the “Brasas” main course: the Latin classics, grilled wraps, and rice platters.

 

Latin American grilled classics

“Our menu is really crafted around Carne Asada - a popular Latin American street dish. Our version features thinly sliced meat (your choice of beef, chicken or pork) marinated in lime, cilantro and spices, charcoal grilled and serves as the main ingredient of our key offerings of grilled wraps, rice platters and salads, “ Soliman-Licuanan added.

According to Brasas' Colombian head chef Nathaly Montoya, Brasas is the perfect place, a “parche,” ( a slang term which means a cool and trendy place) for those grilled-food lovers who have a penchant for not so spicy but rich flavors which characterize the classic Latin American cuisine.



Brasas pulled pork sandwich

“The traditional Latin American food is very rich in flavors. The pleasant smell and taste of herbs such as origano, thyme, lime, and cilantro are always present in every Latin American dish,” Montoya said.

 

 

Colombian head chef in the kitchen

 

Among these traditional dishes from the Hispanic world served hot off the Brasas grill are the Pastel de Choclo from Chile, a kind of beef stew topped with corn; Puerco Asado from Cuba, roasted pork belly with vegetables, rice, and beans; Lomo Saltado from Peru, sauteed sirloin strips with tomatoes, onions, and fries; Patacones from Colombia, crispy plantain (“saba” banana) chips with smoked pulled pork and tomato salsa; Arepas, a typical Colombian pancake made of corn; and the charcoal-grilled meat with patacones, slaw, and yellow rice with Chimichurri sauce from Argentina. For beverages, Guarapo from Colombia tops the list. Guarapo is made from sugarcane juice, muddled mint and lemon.




Chicken rice platter

But not all dishes or drinks at Brasas are classically Latin American. There are fusions of Mexican and Western, such as the grilled wraps consisting of charcol-grilled meat, tortilla, tomato salsa, roasted bellpeppers, and sauteed onions with Chipotle sauce. The Lomo Saltado, although originally from Peru, has Asian flavors such as soy sauce, ginger, and vinegar. “It's very similar to the 'bistek Tagalog' (Filipino beef steak),” Montoya quipped. 

 

 

             Grilled beef wrap

“We have experimented on some of our recipes to add a twist and variety to our predominantly Latin American menu. This way, we hope to somehow satisfy every palate, or maybe create a new one,“ Montoya explained.

For instance, since there is no tea in Latin America, Brasas concocts its version of “Latin iced tea,” made from freshly brewed passion fruit, a very common fruit in South America.

Another example of its creative infusion of Hispanic ingredients is “Brasacolada,” a spin-off from pinacolada with mango, strawberry, pineapple, and coconut milk.

Latin American-inspired interiors

Graffiti  on the wall

Aside from its authentic Latin American street food, Brasas also offers a casual and cozy setting perfect for informal yet friendly gatherings. The hand-painted drawings and grafitti on the red and black wall create impressions of a vibrant street scene as well as a carefree and laid-back mood that is so typical of Latin American lifestyle. Spanish slang expressions such as “Q'ubo” (“What's up?”) and “Parche” and welcome greetings such as “Hola!” and “Bienvenido!” inadvertently offer diners a crash course on basic Spanish. So, if Spanish is the lingua franca here at Brasas, then Latina Americana is its comida buena!



Contemporary design



"Hola! Bienvenido!"

And while waiting for my patacones and a cold glass of guarapo to be served, I might as well read a few pages from Gabriel Garcia Marquez' “One Hundred Years of Solitude” right here at Brasas where my romance with the Latin American street culture begins.

_______________________________________________________________

Brasas is located at the 5^th level, The Podium, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

On Writing My First Book

The following post was originally published in Manila Bulletin  on its Arts and Culture page dated October 22, 2012. 

How does one leave a lasting legacy? I remember a quote of unknown source that says there are three ways to leave a legacy in the world: 1) by having a child, 2) by planting a tree, and 3) by writing a book.

(Photo credit: thecreativepenn.com)

The first option is out of the question, as I am still single, unless I go looking for a surrogate mother to bear my child. Besides, the chance of getting a psychopathic egg donor scares me out of my wits. The second one, planting a tree, sounds much easier as I have always been an advocate of a greener earth. But I would rather leave that to those with the green thumb. As for me, I have always wanted to write my first book, not so much to leave a legacy as to fulfill a lifelong dream of being a best-selling and award-winning author.

That dream began when my first poems were published in a national magazine a few years after I graduated from the university. I said to myself, if I could write more poems, then perhaps sooner or later I could turn it into a book of poetry.

But even if the first published poems were followed by more published poems in the same magazine, my dream book did not pan out. It seemed God had other plans for my writing career.

In a way, that led to long years of drought and doubt as a writer. I would still write a few poems here and there, but none of them ever saw print nor the light of day. During this time, I focused all my energy on teaching, and as the years wore on I had become so acquainted with this newfound vocation I came to believe that teaching, not writing, was my true calling. I even pursued a teaching career abroad and a postgraduate degree in teaching.

But I had a date with destiny in June of 2009. A colleague of mine at Manila Japanese School asked me if I was interested in writing a Literature textbook for high school. At first I thought she was pulling my leg. But when she showed me her own manuscripts, I began to be fascinated with the idea. It was as if something in me had been reawakened.

After my initial meeting with representatives from Ephesians Publishing, I had nothing on my mind but to begin the enormous task of conceptualizing, planning and organizing the content of an English textbook aimed at private high schools. Together with my co-author and friend, I spent long hours day and night, weekdays and weekends, typing away at my PC like a mad man consumed with a raging passion for words.

Wrting a textbook involves my expertise in both teaching and writing. My postgraduate degree and years of teaching experience have guided me in the pedagogical aspect of the writing process. On the other hand, my love for literature served as a beacon of light, my inspiration in selecting the literary works to be included in the textbook. Hence, the collection was a very personal choice representing the great masters of both western and Asian literatures: Hans Christian Andersen, Walt Whitman, Ryunosuke Akutagawa, Guy de Maupassant, Leo Tolstoy, Anton Chekhov as well as Nobel Prize-winning authors such as Rabindranath Tagore and Gabriela Mistral.

The textbook has four major themes: passion for life, living justly with others, man and nature, and globalization. The reading selections were also chosen based on these themes. But the most challenging part was drawing specific lessons and skills from these selections. In fact, even the grammar aspect had to be taken out of the passages. This way, the textbook seeks to provide a holistic and integrated approach to learning language and literary skills.

After three years, the book is finally out and is currently being used in selected private schools nationwide. Entitled Breaking Grounds Through English, it paves the way for new innovations in teaching literature in the classroom.

Many years had slipped by before my dream of writing a book was realized. Although it's not a book of poetry as I had intended my debut book to be. Nor was it published by a leading publishing house in the country. In fact, it did not even have a book launching to formally and officially welcome me into the literary limelight (I must confess I have this guilty pleasure of imagining myself signing my autograph on my book launching!). Just the same, I am grateful that with this book, I am leaving a legacy somehow, in the hope that it will help cultivate in the young and future generation a lifetime passion for reading.

"Kung Mangarap Ka't Magising": What Filipino Romantic Movies Used To Be

As a child growing up in the 70s, I lived in a household where Filipino films reigned supreme. So early on I developed a deep appreciation for classic Filipino films: from the black-and-white drama/romance movies of LVN (the era of Rogelio de la Rosa and Rosa Rosal) , the sing-and-dance/comedy/fantasy of Sampaguita pictures (the era of Dolphy and Susan Roces), to what is arguably known as the golden age of Philippine cinema-the 70s. This period saw the unraveling of great storytellers such as Eddie Romero, Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal, Mario O'hara and Mike de Leon.

Photo Credit: "Kung Mngarap Ka't Magising"

 

One of my all-time favorite Filipino movies is Mike de Leon's "Kung Mangarap Ka't Magising." Filmed in Baguio and Sagada in 1977, it's the coming-of-age story of a young college student, Joey (Christopher de Leon) who has lost all sense of direction and meaning in life, waking up every morning to the same old day that went before: fruitless, senseless, lifeless. He's a carefree kind of guy who just bums around with his friends. The only thing that inspires him is music. The problem is, he has yet to finish writing a song, which turns out to be the movie's theme song, and the theme song of his awakening (hence, it's called "Joey's Theme", one of the reasons why I also love this film!)

Then Joey meets Ana (Hilda Koronel) and she immediately sweeps him off his feet. A very sweet friendship develops between the two. All of a sudden Joey's world is turned upside down, and his mornings are never the same again. It seems he's finally found the inspiration to complete his song.

But the inspiration soon turns into disillusion when he learns that Ana is married and has a child.

Photo Credit: "Kung Mangarap Ka't Magising"

This is one movie I keep falling in love with everytime I see it. Or perhaps, it makes you want to fall in love all over again. For one thing, it's a very light-hearted film that breaks away from the typical mushy and cheesy stuff that Filipino love stories are made of. Mike de Leon brilliantly explores the real world of a down-and-out juvenile and creates a down-to-earth and heartwarming love story void of grand illusions and fantasies. The screenplay, which de Leon co-wrote with Rey Santayana, comes out so refreshing, resonating with the life and promise of youth which is really the central theme of the movie. Add to that the brilliant performances of the two main actors who simply strike magic on screen. Who can ever forget the famous scene where Joey and Ana are walking and smiling in the rain in beautiful Sagada? Up to now, whenever I am in Sagada or see its images, I remember and imagine this scene, reliving the memory of a movie that changed the way I look at romantic Filipino movies.

Watch the film's sweetest and funniest moments in these video clips from Youtube. (The entire film is also available in series or parts on Youtube.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPqKaj420wg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v83FhB7xgB0&feature=relmfu

"Rebecca": Hitchcock's Classic Film Noir Was Ahead Of Its Time

Tonight I was in the mood for a classic suspense thriller (Is it because the Halloween spirit is in the air? ) Anyway, I checked out Alfred Hitchcock's long list of film credits on Youtube. I have already seen some of Hitchcock's masterpieces, including "Vertigo" and "Psycho" countless times, but it was my first time to watch this 1940s Hitchcock film that won the Academy Awards for Best Picture.
(A little trivia: "Rebecca" is the only film in Oscar history that won Best Picture but none in the acting, directing, and writing categories--something that made me really wonder.)

The film, which stars Sir Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine,  begins with a narration from Daphne du Murier's novel of the same title: "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again."

Manderley is the major setting, and symbolism,  of this gothic tale of love haunted by the shadows and secrets of the past. A rich widower Maxim de Winter (Laurence Olivier), marries a naive young girl (Joan Fontaine) and settles in Manderley, which houses spirits-dead and alive-that are threatened by the happy marriage. Both the house and the people living in it remain in the shadow of the memory of Mrs. Rebecca de Winter, whose death continues to be felt by the people she left behind.The scenes that follow will take you literally to Manderlay's closets and forbidden rooms full of skeletons and dark secrets.

Quite interestingly, Rebecca's physical image and the name of Joan Fontaine's character are unknown, creating the contrast between the two female characters: Rebecca is a person with a name but without a face, whereas the other has a face but has no name. One is dead, but her memory lingers on, while the other is still living but is almost forgotten.

Here are some of the most powerful and memorable scenes from this vintage Hitchcock classic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md5DtabHoqU&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxO68PacfxE&feature=relmfu


I cannot forget the stern and eerie look on the housekeeper's face (played superbly by Judith Anderson) as the moonlight illuminates it in the dark. Hitchcock, in fact, employs this technique many times throughout the movie, as if carrying a torchlight to probe into the darkness of the human psyche.

Seventy two years later, the film continues to attract and astound thousands of modern viewers (as indicated by the number of views on Youtube). Like the fictitious Manderley, "Rebecca" will continue to haunt us even if it's burnt down to ashes.

Here's to the good old movies that make us continuously marvel at the gift of creative genius in the likes of Alfred Hitchcock.

Old Poems Lost and Found

As I was trying to reorganize my old stuff- piles of paper, dusty books, old photos-I stumbled upon a collection of old poems I wrote ages ago. They were among the early poems I wrote and published in the Philippine Graphic magazine. And so here they are coming back to life and seeing the digital light for the first time...

Original Version with Artwork

GUIMARAS

by Alvin Bulaong Cruz

Human breath is held,
human thought weighs
like sand in an eternity
of the moment when man
and sea hold each other
as Time holds the sand.

One flows into the other.

In this equilibrium of
weight and silence all
is heard and nothing falls.

Lying on the shore with
outstretched arms like
Jesus crucified, my body
is the fall of silence
on the sea's sun-kissed
lips, and the sea is one
big human thought that
weighs heavy on my floating
mind.

Before the wave breaks
to erase my traces I say
my last words:

How can eternity last but
a moment?

O Jesus put an end
to this endless human thought
that weighs us empty.


IMAGINARY LOOKING GLASS

by Alvin Bulaong Cruz


Nothing exists that
we cannot see
through the imaginary
looking glass.

Unlike ordinary mirrors
here nothing looks
the same way twice.

It is this mirror,
always a mirror without
our face, that keeps
staring back at us.



FORGETFULNESS

by Alvin Bulaong Cruz


What has long been said
remains unsaid in our
forgetfulness, in the
long-forgotten silence
that dares not speak its
name: the memory of our
non-existence.



FOREVER

by Alvin Bulaong Cruz


To dream once and lose
that dream many times over

to break your life
into tiny bits of hope
like a day that ends
with stars,

eternal promises of what
remains,

to keep forever from going on

The Golden Years: A Tribute To My Parents

Last Sept. 29, my parents held their 50^th wedding anniversary celebration at a hotel in Quezon City. They renewed their vows in  a mass held at the poolside of the hotel. It was drizzling but the whole ceremony was solemn and nostalgic. With my three siblings and their spouses, together  with a few close friends and relatives witnessing the renewal of vows, I tried to imagine their wedding 50 years ago. How fortunate for us children to witness this once-in-a-lifetime moment in the lives of our beloved parents.

The Wedding Invite

                                                              

It was a well-attended event. Most of those who came are relatives from Malolos, Bulacan- our hometown. My mother's longtime friends from La Suerte where she used to work also graced the affair. A very special guest, my uncle Tito Tab from Canada, was one of the biggest  surprises. He came with his wife Tita Opay and gave a short speech during the reception.

My brother Benjie did a great job in hosting and entertaining the wedding guests with all his funny anecdotes and witty spiels only he could pull off with resounding success. He elicited laughter every time he threw those punchlines. 

The Wedding Venue

                                                              

A good friend of ours, Goody, sang a couple of songs -”Ikaw” and “April Love”-my parents' theme song.

A special AVP prepared by my nieces Jackie and Gia briefly chronicled  our family history through pictures and music. Watching this, I felt quite old but it also reminded me that we've gone through a lot of good times and bad times together. It also showed the expansion of the Cruz family tree as my brothers and sister began to build their own family. 

The Renewal of Vows

                                                            

The Wedding Cake

                                                             

Finally, all of the four children, including myself, each gave a speech as a tribute to our parents. Benjie spoke on the dark period in the family when my mom suffered a stroke in 2001. Bernard reminisced his childhood growing up in Manila in the early 70s, and looked back at the beginning of his dream to be an architect upon seeing the construnction of our first home in Malolos. Pinky narrated her experiences when Mama lived in America in the early 90s and Tatay took on the responsibility as a hands-on father. For my part, I shared about how we learned to be independent at a time when both my parents were working and struggling to make both ends meet. Yet in spite of that, it is to my parents' credit that the four of us overcame the odds and managed not only to succeed but to make a difference in our lives.

“Congratulations on your golden year, Mama and Tatay. You have made us proud to have you as our parents because you have done a great job in raising a family that's sticking it out together through thick and thin. Thank you for all the love you have shared through the years, even though most of the time I was not worth it. Your love will be the legacy for many generations of Cruzes to come We love you both very much.”