I just watched Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith last night with Kuki, and it was a satisfying way to end the Star Wars series.
SOME SPOILERS AHEAD...
THE BAD: Dialogue really isn't George Lucas' strong point, especially during the dramatic scenes between Anakin and Padme. I can't help but wince sometimes when they deliver their lines. But to be fair, there are some good lines. Although there are also inconsistencies in what some characters are saying. Like one time when Anakin says his loyalty is to the "Republic," then a few minutes later in the same scene he refers to it as the "Empire."
THE GOOD: Good fight scenes, and the much-hyped lightsaber duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan intercut with Yoda's duel with Palpatine is great to watch.
RANDOM THOUGHTS:
I'm disappointed in General Grievous, who's supposed to be a badass (as seen in Cartoon Network's CLONE WARS) but it seems Obi-Wan didn't have much difficulty in defeating him.
Man, these Jedi love to chop off hands!
While watching the movie, i was quite unconvinced with the way Anakin turned to the Dark Side. it seemed too quick. But then I realized that he had been under Palpatine's wing for quite some time, so the seeds were already planted some time ago.
Padme's death was a letdown, seeing as how she gave up on living because she thought Anakin was lost to her forever. Hey, what about your kids, huh!? Didn't you consider fighting to live for them??!?!
Obi-Wan is more of a badass fighter than he lets on.
Same goes for Yoda.
I guess Chewbacca must be pretty old, huh? He's an adult in this episode, so that must mean he's about middle-aged by the time A NEW HOPE comes around.
The part where Darth Vader weeps for Padme is kinda cliché, but it works in establishing what a tragedy his life has become, and makes you feel sympathetic for him by the time of his redemption in RETURN OF THE JEDI.
So what did they do to all the clones? Were the Stormtroopers still clones of Jango Fett? Most of them (almost all, excluding the ones killed in battle) were pretty much still alive when the movie ended. Is this why Boba Fett never takes off his helmet?
Threepio and Artoo being mind-wiped explains why they don't remember Obi-Wan and everything that has gone before, but why doesn't Darth Vader remember them, seein as how Anakin actually BUILT Threepio?
Artoo is a joy to watch, as always. He is one kick-ass droid.
I guess that's all my thoughts on Episode III for now. Watch this movie. You'll be leaving the theater wanting to watch the original trilogy all over again.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
I am a Catholic. I am a Christian. And I stay that way because this is where I'm happy.
I don't know why some of the other Christian sects continually bash Catholics. They say a good number of us are non-practicing Catholics, thta many of us are what you would consider "lapsed Catholics." But when you think it through, the reason why so many Catholics are like that is because we number billions in the world. I can say the same about some people I know who are Baptists or Protestants or whatever who don't practice their faith, too. The only reason Catholics are singled out is because there are many of us.
And unlike some of the other religious faiths (like two Christian sects on TV who've been taking potshots at one another recently), the Catholic Church doesn't say anything about our other Christian brothers.
And Churches on Sundays are almost always full. That's a sign that many people still practice their faith.
And so it's with conviction that I say... I am proud to be Catholic.
I don't know why some of the other Christian sects continually bash Catholics. They say a good number of us are non-practicing Catholics, thta many of us are what you would consider "lapsed Catholics." But when you think it through, the reason why so many Catholics are like that is because we number billions in the world. I can say the same about some people I know who are Baptists or Protestants or whatever who don't practice their faith, too. The only reason Catholics are singled out is because there are many of us.
And unlike some of the other religious faiths (like two Christian sects on TV who've been taking potshots at one another recently), the Catholic Church doesn't say anything about our other Christian brothers.
And Churches on Sundays are almost always full. That's a sign that many people still practice their faith.
And so it's with conviction that I say... I am proud to be Catholic.
Subject: A Korean Student's Essay on the Philippines
My Short Essay about the Philippines
Jaeyoun Kim
September 2003
Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines. Do you really think the corruption is the problem of the Philippines? I do not think so. I strongly believe that the problem is the lack of love for the Philippines.
Let me first talk about my country, Korea. It might help you understand my point. After the Korean War, South Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world. Koreans had to start from scratch because entire country was destroyed completely after the Korean War, and we had no natural resources.
Koreans used to talk about the Philippines, for Filipinos were very rich in Asia. We envy Filipinos. Koreans really wanted to be well off like Filipinos. Many Koreans died of famine. My father's brother also died because of famine.
Korean government was awfully corrupt and is still very corrupt beyond your imagination, but Korea was able to develop dramatically because Koreans really did their best for the common good with their heart burning with patriotism. Koreans did not work just for themselves but also for their neighborhood and country. Education inspired young men with the spirit of patriotism.
40 years ago, President Park took over the government to reform Korea. He tried to borrow money from other countries, but it was not possible to get a loan and attract a foreign investment because the economy situation of South Korea was so bad. Korea had only three factories. So, President Park sent many mine workers and nurses to Germany so that they could send money to Korea to build a factory. They had to go through a horrible experience. In 1964, President Park visited Germany to borrow money. Hundred of Koreans in Germany came to the airport to welcome him and cried there as they saw the President Park. They asked to him, "President, when can we be well off?" That was the only question everyone asked to him. President Park cried with them and promised them that Korea would be well off if everyone works hard for Korea, and the President of Germany got the strong impression on them and lent money to Korea. So, President Park was able to build many factories in Korea.
He always asked Koreans to love their country from their heart. Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USA came back to Korea to help developing country because they wanted their country to be well off.
Though they received very small salary, they did their best for Korea. They always hoped that their children would live in well off country.
My parents always brought me to the places where poor and physically handicapped people live. They wanted me to understand their life and help them. I also worked for Catholic Church when I was in the army. The only thing I learned from Catholic Church was that we have to love our neighborhood. And I have loved my neighborhood.
Have you cried for the Philippines? I have cried for my country several times. I also cried for the Philippines because of so many poor people. I have been to the New Bilibid prison. What made me sad in the prison were the prisoners who do not have any love for their country. They go to mass and work for Church. They pray everyday. However, they do not love the Philippines. I talked to two prisoners at the maximum security compound, and both of them said that they would leave the Philippines right after they are released from the prison. They said that they would start a new life in other countries and never come back to the Philippines.
Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that we were able to share our wealth with our neighborhood. The owners of factory and company were distributed their profit to their employees fairly so that employees could buy what they needed and saved money for the future and their children.
When I was in Korea, I had a very strong faith and wanted to be a priest. However, when I came to the Philippines, I completely lost my
faith. I was very confused when I saw many unbelievable situations in the Philippines. Street kids always make me sad, and I see them
everyday. The Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia, but there are too many poor people here. People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing has been changed. My parents came to the Philippines last week and saw this situation. They told me that Korea was much poorer than the present Philippines when they were young. They are so sorry that there so many beggars and street kids. When we went to Pasangjan, I forced my parents to take a boat because it would fun. However, they were not happy after taking a boat. They said that they would not take the boat again because they were sympathized the boat men, for the boat men were very poor and had a small frame. Most of people just took a boat and enjoyed it. But my parents did not enjoy it because of love for them.
My mother who has been working for Catholic Church since I was very young told me that if we just go to mass without changing ourselves, we are not Catholic indeed. Faith should come with action. She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good things for them because all of us are same and have received a great love from God.
I want Filipinos love their neighborhood and country as much as they love God so that the Philippines will be well off. I am sure that love
is the keyword which Filipinos should remember. We cannot change the sinful structure at once. It should start from person. Love must start in everybody in a small scale and have to grow. A lot of things happen if we open up to love. Let's put away our prejudices and look at our worries with our new eyes. I discover that every person is worthy to be loved. Trust in love, because it makes changes possible. Love changes you and me. It changes people, contexts and relationships. It changes the world.
Please love your neighborhood and country. Jesus Christ said that whatever we do to others we do to Him. In the Philippines, there is God who are abused and abandoned. There is God who is crying for love. If you have a child, teach them how to love the Philippines. Teach them why they have to love their neighborhood and country.
You already know that God also will be very happy if you love others. That's all I really want to ask you Filipinos.
Now i will second her/his curiousity. Is the Philippines worth crying for.......
Who will shed tears for the Motherland
Who will lend a hand to lift her spirit,
to hold the lonely Flag that symbolize her name
My Short Essay about the Philippines
Jaeyoun Kim
September 2003
Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines. Do you really think the corruption is the problem of the Philippines? I do not think so. I strongly believe that the problem is the lack of love for the Philippines.
Let me first talk about my country, Korea. It might help you understand my point. After the Korean War, South Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world. Koreans had to start from scratch because entire country was destroyed completely after the Korean War, and we had no natural resources.
Koreans used to talk about the Philippines, for Filipinos were very rich in Asia. We envy Filipinos. Koreans really wanted to be well off like Filipinos. Many Koreans died of famine. My father's brother also died because of famine.
Korean government was awfully corrupt and is still very corrupt beyond your imagination, but Korea was able to develop dramatically because Koreans really did their best for the common good with their heart burning with patriotism. Koreans did not work just for themselves but also for their neighborhood and country. Education inspired young men with the spirit of patriotism.
40 years ago, President Park took over the government to reform Korea. He tried to borrow money from other countries, but it was not possible to get a loan and attract a foreign investment because the economy situation of South Korea was so bad. Korea had only three factories. So, President Park sent many mine workers and nurses to Germany so that they could send money to Korea to build a factory. They had to go through a horrible experience. In 1964, President Park visited Germany to borrow money. Hundred of Koreans in Germany came to the airport to welcome him and cried there as they saw the President Park. They asked to him, "President, when can we be well off?" That was the only question everyone asked to him. President Park cried with them and promised them that Korea would be well off if everyone works hard for Korea, and the President of Germany got the strong impression on them and lent money to Korea. So, President Park was able to build many factories in Korea.
He always asked Koreans to love their country from their heart. Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USA came back to Korea to help developing country because they wanted their country to be well off.
Though they received very small salary, they did their best for Korea. They always hoped that their children would live in well off country.
My parents always brought me to the places where poor and physically handicapped people live. They wanted me to understand their life and help them. I also worked for Catholic Church when I was in the army. The only thing I learned from Catholic Church was that we have to love our neighborhood. And I have loved my neighborhood.
Have you cried for the Philippines? I have cried for my country several times. I also cried for the Philippines because of so many poor people. I have been to the New Bilibid prison. What made me sad in the prison were the prisoners who do not have any love for their country. They go to mass and work for Church. They pray everyday. However, they do not love the Philippines. I talked to two prisoners at the maximum security compound, and both of them said that they would leave the Philippines right after they are released from the prison. They said that they would start a new life in other countries and never come back to the Philippines.
Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that we were able to share our wealth with our neighborhood. The owners of factory and company were distributed their profit to their employees fairly so that employees could buy what they needed and saved money for the future and their children.
When I was in Korea, I had a very strong faith and wanted to be a priest. However, when I came to the Philippines, I completely lost my
faith. I was very confused when I saw many unbelievable situations in the Philippines. Street kids always make me sad, and I see them
everyday. The Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia, but there are too many poor people here. People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing has been changed. My parents came to the Philippines last week and saw this situation. They told me that Korea was much poorer than the present Philippines when they were young. They are so sorry that there so many beggars and street kids. When we went to Pasangjan, I forced my parents to take a boat because it would fun. However, they were not happy after taking a boat. They said that they would not take the boat again because they were sympathized the boat men, for the boat men were very poor and had a small frame. Most of people just took a boat and enjoyed it. But my parents did not enjoy it because of love for them.
My mother who has been working for Catholic Church since I was very young told me that if we just go to mass without changing ourselves, we are not Catholic indeed. Faith should come with action. She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good things for them because all of us are same and have received a great love from God.
I want Filipinos love their neighborhood and country as much as they love God so that the Philippines will be well off. I am sure that love
is the keyword which Filipinos should remember. We cannot change the sinful structure at once. It should start from person. Love must start in everybody in a small scale and have to grow. A lot of things happen if we open up to love. Let's put away our prejudices and look at our worries with our new eyes. I discover that every person is worthy to be loved. Trust in love, because it makes changes possible. Love changes you and me. It changes people, contexts and relationships. It changes the world.
Please love your neighborhood and country. Jesus Christ said that whatever we do to others we do to Him. In the Philippines, there is God who are abused and abandoned. There is God who is crying for love. If you have a child, teach them how to love the Philippines. Teach them why they have to love their neighborhood and country.
You already know that God also will be very happy if you love others. That's all I really want to ask you Filipinos.
Now i will second her/his curiousity. Is the Philippines worth crying for.......
Who will shed tears for the Motherland
Who will lend a hand to lift her spirit,
to hold the lonely Flag that symbolize her name
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Christians - by Maya Angelou
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!
Friday, April 01, 2005
Just found this on the DC message boards, and it sums up what I also felt after reading COUNTDOWN...
posted by ladymoondancer...
"What infuriates me is that I've extrapolated from the advance reviews that now they are retconning Max's "evilness" as reason for the supposed "weakness" (i.e., no members who could tote planets around) and light-heartedness of the JLI era.
I'm so angry. They took a venerated series about friendship, comraderie, and laughter, the series that said, "Life's screwed up, but you've got to laugh," and they systematically assaulted it, picking off the characters one by one before attacking the very premise, the very core of the JLI.
This is where people get it wrong: Giffen didn't "make jokes" out of the characters. Making a joke out of them would be having Ice turn evil and then die, so the League would be tragic, or murdering and retroactively raping Sue Dibny, so Elongated Man would have angst, or killing off Ted and skewing Max, so that . . . what? So that they can show how much "more realistic" it is to live in a world of pain and betrayal rather than friendship and hope?
There's a joke in there, all right. Too bad it's not funny."
Yep. That's what DC did to some of it's fans. they took a well-loved era of the JUSTICE LEAGUE and tainted it with all the "grim 'n gritty" stuff that seem to permeate everything nowadays.
COUNTDOWN isn't a bad story. Truth to tell, it's a very good one. But something that DC (and Marvel, for that matter) have to realize is that fans also OWN these characters, at least emotionally. A particular level of emotional attachment exists between reader and character, however fictional that character might be.
Man, I'm still depressed.
posted by ladymoondancer...
"What infuriates me is that I've extrapolated from the advance reviews that now they are retconning Max's "evilness" as reason for the supposed "weakness" (i.e., no members who could tote planets around) and light-heartedness of the JLI era.
I'm so angry. They took a venerated series about friendship, comraderie, and laughter, the series that said, "Life's screwed up, but you've got to laugh," and they systematically assaulted it, picking off the characters one by one before attacking the very premise, the very core of the JLI.
This is where people get it wrong: Giffen didn't "make jokes" out of the characters. Making a joke out of them would be having Ice turn evil and then die, so the League would be tragic, or murdering and retroactively raping Sue Dibny, so Elongated Man would have angst, or killing off Ted and skewing Max, so that . . . what? So that they can show how much "more realistic" it is to live in a world of pain and betrayal rather than friendship and hope?
There's a joke in there, all right. Too bad it's not funny."
Yep. That's what DC did to some of it's fans. they took a well-loved era of the JUSTICE LEAGUE and tainted it with all the "grim 'n gritty" stuff that seem to permeate everything nowadays.
COUNTDOWN isn't a bad story. Truth to tell, it's a very good one. But something that DC (and Marvel, for that matter) have to realize is that fans also OWN these characters, at least emotionally. A particular level of emotional attachment exists between reader and character, however fictional that character might be.
Man, I'm still depressed.
BLUE BEETLE IS DEAD.
Just read DC's COUNTDOWN TO INFINITE CRISIS. I was hoping Ted Kord, The Blue Beetle, would just be injured, but not killed. But a gunshot to your brain is definitely dead.
Now i know this is comics, and dead people come back to life all the time in them. But I just don't see any resurrection story believable enough to satisfy me. Hell, Oliver (Green Arrow) Queen's resurrection left a bad taste in my mouth.
BLUE BEETLE IS DEAD. And I'm so damn depressed.
Just read DC's COUNTDOWN TO INFINITE CRISIS. I was hoping Ted Kord, The Blue Beetle, would just be injured, but not killed. But a gunshot to your brain is definitely dead.
Now i know this is comics, and dead people come back to life all the time in them. But I just don't see any resurrection story believable enough to satisfy me. Hell, Oliver (Green Arrow) Queen's resurrection left a bad taste in my mouth.
BLUE BEETLE IS DEAD. And I'm so damn depressed.
Monday, March 21, 2005
I don't kow who authored this, but it's something to think about...
Misplaced Priorities can Mislead a Nation
"He who can take no interest in what is small will take false interest in what is great."
John Ruskin
Jasmine Trias visited the Philippines very recently. Everyone was agog waiting to welcome her. The excitement was remarkable as the media and many of our "kababayans"flocked to the airport to see her. This scenario is typical of Filipinos. Sadly, it reflects our country's misplaced priorities.
Contest of the Mind.
Another young girl came back to the country just a couple of weeks ago. Her name is Faye (not her real name for very sensitive reasons). Unknown to her countrymen, this eleven year old girl brought honor to the Philippines. She represented the country in the Intercontinental Science Quiz Net in Australia. Out of 57 countries represented, Faye garnered First Place for the Philippines. Germany came in second while the United States came in third.
In stark contrast to the hooplah extended to Jasmine Trias, Faye's arrival did not make any noise. Not a peep.
In an earlier competition, "Mathematics for the Young Asians" in Indonesia, Faye also came out in the Top Five. But just like the Australian event, this feat did not receive any recognition in our country at all.
Our interests seem to be set on other "priorities." We are more interested in promoting celebrity guests instead of educational and intellectual pursuits. Indirectly and quite obviously we are teaching our children that development of the external image takes priority over educational achievement.
Faye's story is inspiring. She comes from a broken family. Her father falsely claimed that he was unmarried when he married her mom. When her mom found out, she decided to raise up her daughter alone.
Despite the difficulty, Faye in no way used it as an excuse for complacency in her studies. In grade school, she was a consistent honor student. She took every academic requirement as a challenge. And she delivered. At one time, she submitted a project thesis in Australia that won "The Best Physics and Science Award". The award qualified the Philippines to be one of the top 10 countries that would compete in Australia, among the 57 countries that joined.
Considering her family's financial constraints, she and her mom asked help from our government for their trip to Australia to claim the "Best Physics" award and to join the Science competition. They saw this challenge as a rare opportunity offered to Faye and her country, considering that only two Asian countries qualified - Japan and the Philippines. Unfortunately, our government had other priorities.
Mother and daughter then tried to ask help from individual senators and congressmen. All turned them
down except for one who was willing to help, on condition that Faye should give public credit to the senator for supporting her even in the earlier competitions she joined. Out of integrity, the mother could not accede to this arrangement. Thus no outside help was found.
Faced with this situation, Faye and her mom took out all their savings and went out of their way to secure by themselves the additional finances needed. The only driving force behind them was their desire to give honor to God and to the Philippines.
With the little resources they had, they went to Australia on September 17, 2004 for the competition. They claimed the trophy and cash award for the "Best Physics" thesis Faye submitted in Sidney and then flew to Brisbane for the quiz competition.
No kababayan welcomed them in Australia except for a kind Filipina they met in the plane who assisted them. As they were checking in at a hotel, the "kind" Filipina who volunteered to help them disappeared taking with her Faye's and her mother's bags, passports, and plane tickets. At that point, they literally had nothing left except for the few pieces of clothes and their faith in God. They had to sell the extra clothes left to be able to buy food.
In need once again, they sought help from some of the Filipino officials in Australia but to no avail. Oddly, the Filipino officials there were too busy with other priorities, not minding to help a young girl and a mother who had no other desire but to bring honor to our country.
Given a budget for only a one night stay at the hotel, mother and daughter had to check out the following day. Leaving their luggage on deposit and without money for transportation fare, they decided to walk two kilometers to the competition venue on their native Filipino costumes.
If walking a two kilometer distance was bad enough, how much more would be walking the distance on their native costume along the highways of Australia!
Upon arrival at the competition site, Faye and her mom were very surprised when they discovered that the delegates from each of the other countries were well supported by a band, a cheering squad, and a flag, while Faye only had her mother and the anxiety of lost passports and plane tickets. Worse, representatives of each country were required to decorate their booths.
With only the three-piece costume they had on, Faye and her mom were even more surprised when the organizing committee awarded their booth as "The Most Creative" booth.
In the early part of the competition, Japan, Brazil and Spain were eliminated. As the only Asian country left to compete against six Western nations, the Philippines was cheered on by Japan. Faye was
encouraged by her Japanese cheering squad, but in her heart, how she wished that she had her own countrymen to cheer her on.
When Faye finally won first place and Philippines national anthem was being played, she prayed silently thanking God for making her a Filipina. Despite all the painful experiences she had with her country, her priorities did not waver. A Japanese diplomat was the one who helped Faye and her mom to secure temporary pass so they could return to the Philippines. The money they won was just enough for their fare back home and their temporary passport. When Faye was relating this story before a crowd, she said, " Let us love our nation, for nobody else will."
Faye did not allow her painful experiences to tear down her loyalty to her country. She is not a celebrity but a servant out to serve her fellow Filipino.
A Small Way to Greatness.
Our concept of leadership in this country is pitifully skewed. We mistakenly think that leadership is about "lording" it over other people. Christ corrected this distorted thinking when he said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you, instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all - Mark 10:42-44
Sadly, we are far from the precept of this truth. It is no surprise then that we have a dearth of real
leaders in this country-leaders who would set the nation's interests above their own. In the same way, our concept of citizenship is damaged. Those seeking for social good for themselves are never willing to grant the same good to others. Hence it is common for us hear stories of Filipinos who take advantage of their fellow citizens. We want to be served, but we are unwilling to serve.
We dream of becoming like Jasmine Trias. We want our children to be like her. We would rather spend on
things that would make us look good instead of things that would make us grow in character. We prefer stardom glitter over service-oriented endeavors.
Quite the contrary, Faye spend sleepless nights studying to win the competition because she knows her priorities. Unlike Jasmine Trias, Faye did not receive a hero's welcome when she cam back, but, young as she is, she keeps calling on Filipinos to love the Philippines because every Filipino is a valuable gift of God.
Life, really is not a matter of intelligence but a matter of setting our priorities right. The question is, what's our focus on "grand" things that make us superficial or on simple things that lead us to greatness?
Faye's story reminds us all to look within ourselves. This eleven year old girl could have complained to the media, but she did not. She went out of her own small way to bring greatness to this land.
Right priorities grant us wisdom. When properly set, priorities point us to the right people we need to invest in, the right use of our energy, the right resources to draw from, and the right endeavors support.
From the words of Faye's mother, " We all wanted to win, but success is not measured through by merely winning. It is measured through our hearts, if it is truly attuned with God all the time. It is all that really matters for we have only an Audience of One. Whatever we have achieved, big or small, remember one thing: it is for God and God alone. The King of the Kingdom of a higher world.
Misplaced Priorities can Mislead a Nation
"He who can take no interest in what is small will take false interest in what is great."
John Ruskin
Jasmine Trias visited the Philippines very recently. Everyone was agog waiting to welcome her. The excitement was remarkable as the media and many of our "kababayans"flocked to the airport to see her. This scenario is typical of Filipinos. Sadly, it reflects our country's misplaced priorities.
Contest of the Mind.
Another young girl came back to the country just a couple of weeks ago. Her name is Faye (not her real name for very sensitive reasons). Unknown to her countrymen, this eleven year old girl brought honor to the Philippines. She represented the country in the Intercontinental Science Quiz Net in Australia. Out of 57 countries represented, Faye garnered First Place for the Philippines. Germany came in second while the United States came in third.
In stark contrast to the hooplah extended to Jasmine Trias, Faye's arrival did not make any noise. Not a peep.
In an earlier competition, "Mathematics for the Young Asians" in Indonesia, Faye also came out in the Top Five. But just like the Australian event, this feat did not receive any recognition in our country at all.
Our interests seem to be set on other "priorities." We are more interested in promoting celebrity guests instead of educational and intellectual pursuits. Indirectly and quite obviously we are teaching our children that development of the external image takes priority over educational achievement.
Faye's story is inspiring. She comes from a broken family. Her father falsely claimed that he was unmarried when he married her mom. When her mom found out, she decided to raise up her daughter alone.
Despite the difficulty, Faye in no way used it as an excuse for complacency in her studies. In grade school, she was a consistent honor student. She took every academic requirement as a challenge. And she delivered. At one time, she submitted a project thesis in Australia that won "The Best Physics and Science Award". The award qualified the Philippines to be one of the top 10 countries that would compete in Australia, among the 57 countries that joined.
Considering her family's financial constraints, she and her mom asked help from our government for their trip to Australia to claim the "Best Physics" award and to join the Science competition. They saw this challenge as a rare opportunity offered to Faye and her country, considering that only two Asian countries qualified - Japan and the Philippines. Unfortunately, our government had other priorities.
Mother and daughter then tried to ask help from individual senators and congressmen. All turned them
down except for one who was willing to help, on condition that Faye should give public credit to the senator for supporting her even in the earlier competitions she joined. Out of integrity, the mother could not accede to this arrangement. Thus no outside help was found.
Faced with this situation, Faye and her mom took out all their savings and went out of their way to secure by themselves the additional finances needed. The only driving force behind them was their desire to give honor to God and to the Philippines.
With the little resources they had, they went to Australia on September 17, 2004 for the competition. They claimed the trophy and cash award for the "Best Physics" thesis Faye submitted in Sidney and then flew to Brisbane for the quiz competition.
No kababayan welcomed them in Australia except for a kind Filipina they met in the plane who assisted them. As they were checking in at a hotel, the "kind" Filipina who volunteered to help them disappeared taking with her Faye's and her mother's bags, passports, and plane tickets. At that point, they literally had nothing left except for the few pieces of clothes and their faith in God. They had to sell the extra clothes left to be able to buy food.
In need once again, they sought help from some of the Filipino officials in Australia but to no avail. Oddly, the Filipino officials there were too busy with other priorities, not minding to help a young girl and a mother who had no other desire but to bring honor to our country.
Given a budget for only a one night stay at the hotel, mother and daughter had to check out the following day. Leaving their luggage on deposit and without money for transportation fare, they decided to walk two kilometers to the competition venue on their native Filipino costumes.
If walking a two kilometer distance was bad enough, how much more would be walking the distance on their native costume along the highways of Australia!
Upon arrival at the competition site, Faye and her mom were very surprised when they discovered that the delegates from each of the other countries were well supported by a band, a cheering squad, and a flag, while Faye only had her mother and the anxiety of lost passports and plane tickets. Worse, representatives of each country were required to decorate their booths.
With only the three-piece costume they had on, Faye and her mom were even more surprised when the organizing committee awarded their booth as "The Most Creative" booth.
In the early part of the competition, Japan, Brazil and Spain were eliminated. As the only Asian country left to compete against six Western nations, the Philippines was cheered on by Japan. Faye was
encouraged by her Japanese cheering squad, but in her heart, how she wished that she had her own countrymen to cheer her on.
When Faye finally won first place and Philippines national anthem was being played, she prayed silently thanking God for making her a Filipina. Despite all the painful experiences she had with her country, her priorities did not waver. A Japanese diplomat was the one who helped Faye and her mom to secure temporary pass so they could return to the Philippines. The money they won was just enough for their fare back home and their temporary passport. When Faye was relating this story before a crowd, she said, " Let us love our nation, for nobody else will."
Faye did not allow her painful experiences to tear down her loyalty to her country. She is not a celebrity but a servant out to serve her fellow Filipino.
A Small Way to Greatness.
Our concept of leadership in this country is pitifully skewed. We mistakenly think that leadership is about "lording" it over other people. Christ corrected this distorted thinking when he said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you, instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all - Mark 10:42-44
Sadly, we are far from the precept of this truth. It is no surprise then that we have a dearth of real
leaders in this country-leaders who would set the nation's interests above their own. In the same way, our concept of citizenship is damaged. Those seeking for social good for themselves are never willing to grant the same good to others. Hence it is common for us hear stories of Filipinos who take advantage of their fellow citizens. We want to be served, but we are unwilling to serve.
We dream of becoming like Jasmine Trias. We want our children to be like her. We would rather spend on
things that would make us look good instead of things that would make us grow in character. We prefer stardom glitter over service-oriented endeavors.
Quite the contrary, Faye spend sleepless nights studying to win the competition because she knows her priorities. Unlike Jasmine Trias, Faye did not receive a hero's welcome when she cam back, but, young as she is, she keeps calling on Filipinos to love the Philippines because every Filipino is a valuable gift of God.
Life, really is not a matter of intelligence but a matter of setting our priorities right. The question is, what's our focus on "grand" things that make us superficial or on simple things that lead us to greatness?
Faye's story reminds us all to look within ourselves. This eleven year old girl could have complained to the media, but she did not. She went out of her own small way to bring greatness to this land.
Right priorities grant us wisdom. When properly set, priorities point us to the right people we need to invest in, the right use of our energy, the right resources to draw from, and the right endeavors support.
From the words of Faye's mother, " We all wanted to win, but success is not measured through by merely winning. It is measured through our hearts, if it is truly attuned with God all the time. It is all that really matters for we have only an Audience of One. Whatever we have achieved, big or small, remember one thing: it is for God and God alone. The King of the Kingdom of a higher world.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
I'M ALLIIIIIVVEE!!!!!
Well, barely. This January has been a hectic one at work. But strangely enough, it's been okay. My one gripe is I'm spending less time with Jade and Kuki, but I make it up on weekends.
So, why the sudden urge to blog again? Truth to tell, I just wanted to plug an online comic strip by Jonas Diego, titled GRAPHIC DETAIL. Make with the clicky and see what it's all about.
That's it. Gotta go! See ya next time!
Well, barely. This January has been a hectic one at work. But strangely enough, it's been okay. My one gripe is I'm spending less time with Jade and Kuki, but I make it up on weekends.
So, why the sudden urge to blog again? Truth to tell, I just wanted to plug an online comic strip by Jonas Diego, titled GRAPHIC DETAIL. Make with the clicky and see what it's all about.
That's it. Gotta go! See ya next time!
Friday, August 13, 2004
Budjette Tan e-mailed me this story he wrote for Emily Abrera, the chairman emeritus of their ad agency. I'm sure anyone who's working or ever worked in an advertising agency will get a kick out of this...
PROJ: LEGEND
The scene opens in the creatives‚ brainstorm room.
It is 2:43 in the morning. The art director and the copywriter have gotten all too familiar with the four corners of that little room.
The copywriter pushes aside the empty boxes of pizza and finds the creative brief.
He reads the advertising objective: TO INSPIRE NATIONALISM IN THE FILIPINO PEOPLE.
Desired consumer response: I AM PROUD TO BE PINOY.
The copywriter takes a long, slow drag from his cigarette and finally says: EH KUNG GUMAWA TAYO NG SUPER HERO?
The art director wakes up. A super hero? A SUPER HERO!!!
They begin to sketch and doodle.
Our hero should be gwaping, should look very Pinoy... not tisoy. Yeah! Kayummangi! But with a nice nose, grew up in the province, schooled in the city, his parents were farmers... who were killed by rebels... And then he saves an old man... An old woman... A diwata! Who gives him an anting anting ... A sword... A gun ... Bullet proof bracelets... He can fly... He's invulnerable.... He's as strong as a hundred men... And we shall call him...
Ummm
Ummm
Ummm
At which point the creative director stumbles in and asks what they have.
They tell her everything up until the part of the UMMM, UMMM, UMMM
So what's his name? Asks the CD.
How about CAPTAIN ALAMAT?! Says the copywriter
The CD shakes her head. No... How about KAPITAN ALAMAT! That's Kapitan with a K!
I like it! says the art director.
The copywriter grumbles and lights another cigarette.
So, they present their idea to client, the powers that be, they who really run the country.
Client buys into the idea: to fund the creation and launch of the Philippines first full-fledged super-hero, but...
But they have a limited budget, says the AE. They can only afford to give him flight, strength, and invulnerability. If we give him heat vision or any other sort of vision we‚ll have to make him 50% invulnerable. And he can only be as strong as a 7.5 men.
How can he be 50% invulnerable? Asks the CD. Oh ok... no super vision.
The AE turns to the art director and says, And client wants to have the color green on the costume.
Green?! Asks the AD.
To symbolize nature. Answers the AE.
AD: His main color motif is red! If you make his cape green he'll look like a Christmas mantle.
AE: But client is a big nature lover. He wants green.
Ok, says the art director. Maybe the trimmings of the cape can be green.
And so they cast for their hero and organize his activation... HIS BIG LAUNCH!
Agency arranges for a major mall to be held hostage by terrorists during a midnight sale and that's where the hero makes his debut!
KAPITAN ALAMAT defeats the terrorists! And he's a big hit!
They hold a press con where KAPITAN ALAMAT will say his tagline-- his call to action for the Filipino people.
In the control booth, the copywriter awaits for the hero to say his copy. It‚s only three words long but said the right way it will be as powerful and popular as the tagline JUST DO IT.
So the hero goes up to the mike and says... words that are nowhere near what the copywriter wrote.
The copywriter almost chokes on his cigarette. What happened to my words! My precious words!
The AE looks up from the Contact Report and says, Um, client had it changed at the last minute. You were out for a smoke, so I wrote it. hehhehehe
At that point, the copywriter quit smoking.
Agency arranged for more activation events. They made the hero fight...
kidnappers
bankrobbers
and
cellphone snatchers
All of which was covered by media.
But after all that, the hero's popularity rating began to dip.
So, they made him go after the NPA, the Abu Sayyaf, and even Tim Yap. There was a slight spike in his rating, but it began to dip again.
What was wrong with their campaign?
While chewing on a lollipop stick, the copywriter blurts out: EH KUNG BIGYAN NATIN SIYA NG KALABAN!
An arch enemy! An adversary! A competitor!
So they doodle and sketch and cast and get approval from client for a super-villain with heat vision, super breath, and sparklingly white teeth.
Activation was set to coincide with the EDSA celebration.
According to the script (which the copywriter made sure had not been changed) the villain will attack the hero during the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new fly-over.
According to the script, the villain will hit the hero ten times; after which the hero will recover and defeat the villain in front of the cameras.
And after getting hit ten times, the hero gets hit ten more times. 20! 30! A hundred times more!
That's not in the script! Yells the copywriter!
AE looks up from the Contact Report and says, That's not in the Contact Report!
What they didn't know was the guy they cast for the role of the villain was the fall-back talent for the hero and he really, really wanted that role and was really, really mad that he didn't get it.
And in front of the cameras and the entire Filipino nation, the villain kills the hero with his heat vision, rips off the logo from the hero's chest and puts it on his chest.
At which point the entire crowd on EDSA starts to rally against the villain. The villain --disappointed that his adoring public does not like him-- flies away and becomes a governor somewhere in the province.
In the weeks that followed, media bombards us with images of the fallen Katipan and that's when the hero's popularity rating begins to skyrocket.
The copywriter throws away his lollipop and says "Well, there you go-- the campaign is a success."
A new creative brief comes in, a new job order, and the team goes back to brainstorm.
It is 2:44 in the morning.
The art director and the copywriter have gotten all too familiar with the four corners of that little room.
The copywriter takes a long, slow drag from his cigarette and finally says: EH KUNG GUMAWA TAYO NG BABAE NA SUPER HERO?
THE END
PROJ: LEGEND
The scene opens in the creatives‚ brainstorm room.
It is 2:43 in the morning. The art director and the copywriter have gotten all too familiar with the four corners of that little room.
The copywriter pushes aside the empty boxes of pizza and finds the creative brief.
He reads the advertising objective: TO INSPIRE NATIONALISM IN THE FILIPINO PEOPLE.
Desired consumer response: I AM PROUD TO BE PINOY.
The copywriter takes a long, slow drag from his cigarette and finally says: EH KUNG GUMAWA TAYO NG SUPER HERO?
The art director wakes up. A super hero? A SUPER HERO!!!
They begin to sketch and doodle.
Our hero should be gwaping, should look very Pinoy... not tisoy. Yeah! Kayummangi! But with a nice nose, grew up in the province, schooled in the city, his parents were farmers... who were killed by rebels... And then he saves an old man... An old woman... A diwata! Who gives him an anting anting ... A sword... A gun ... Bullet proof bracelets... He can fly... He's invulnerable.... He's as strong as a hundred men... And we shall call him...
Ummm
Ummm
Ummm
At which point the creative director stumbles in and asks what they have.
They tell her everything up until the part of the UMMM, UMMM, UMMM
So what's his name? Asks the CD.
How about CAPTAIN ALAMAT?! Says the copywriter
The CD shakes her head. No... How about KAPITAN ALAMAT! That's Kapitan with a K!
I like it! says the art director.
The copywriter grumbles and lights another cigarette.
So, they present their idea to client, the powers that be, they who really run the country.
Client buys into the idea: to fund the creation and launch of the Philippines first full-fledged super-hero, but...
But they have a limited budget, says the AE. They can only afford to give him flight, strength, and invulnerability. If we give him heat vision or any other sort of vision we‚ll have to make him 50% invulnerable. And he can only be as strong as a 7.5 men.
How can he be 50% invulnerable? Asks the CD. Oh ok... no super vision.
The AE turns to the art director and says, And client wants to have the color green on the costume.
Green?! Asks the AD.
To symbolize nature. Answers the AE.
AD: His main color motif is red! If you make his cape green he'll look like a Christmas mantle.
AE: But client is a big nature lover. He wants green.
Ok, says the art director. Maybe the trimmings of the cape can be green.
And so they cast for their hero and organize his activation... HIS BIG LAUNCH!
Agency arranges for a major mall to be held hostage by terrorists during a midnight sale and that's where the hero makes his debut!
KAPITAN ALAMAT defeats the terrorists! And he's a big hit!
They hold a press con where KAPITAN ALAMAT will say his tagline-- his call to action for the Filipino people.
In the control booth, the copywriter awaits for the hero to say his copy. It‚s only three words long but said the right way it will be as powerful and popular as the tagline JUST DO IT.
So the hero goes up to the mike and says... words that are nowhere near what the copywriter wrote.
The copywriter almost chokes on his cigarette. What happened to my words! My precious words!
The AE looks up from the Contact Report and says, Um, client had it changed at the last minute. You were out for a smoke, so I wrote it. hehhehehe
At that point, the copywriter quit smoking.
Agency arranged for more activation events. They made the hero fight...
kidnappers
bankrobbers
and
cellphone snatchers
All of which was covered by media.
But after all that, the hero's popularity rating began to dip.
So, they made him go after the NPA, the Abu Sayyaf, and even Tim Yap. There was a slight spike in his rating, but it began to dip again.
What was wrong with their campaign?
While chewing on a lollipop stick, the copywriter blurts out: EH KUNG BIGYAN NATIN SIYA NG KALABAN!
An arch enemy! An adversary! A competitor!
So they doodle and sketch and cast and get approval from client for a super-villain with heat vision, super breath, and sparklingly white teeth.
Activation was set to coincide with the EDSA celebration.
According to the script (which the copywriter made sure had not been changed) the villain will attack the hero during the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new fly-over.
According to the script, the villain will hit the hero ten times; after which the hero will recover and defeat the villain in front of the cameras.
And after getting hit ten times, the hero gets hit ten more times. 20! 30! A hundred times more!
That's not in the script! Yells the copywriter!
AE looks up from the Contact Report and says, That's not in the Contact Report!
What they didn't know was the guy they cast for the role of the villain was the fall-back talent for the hero and he really, really wanted that role and was really, really mad that he didn't get it.
And in front of the cameras and the entire Filipino nation, the villain kills the hero with his heat vision, rips off the logo from the hero's chest and puts it on his chest.
At which point the entire crowd on EDSA starts to rally against the villain. The villain --disappointed that his adoring public does not like him-- flies away and becomes a governor somewhere in the province.
In the weeks that followed, media bombards us with images of the fallen Katipan and that's when the hero's popularity rating begins to skyrocket.
The copywriter throws away his lollipop and says "Well, there you go-- the campaign is a success."
A new creative brief comes in, a new job order, and the team goes back to brainstorm.
It is 2:44 in the morning.
The art director and the copywriter have gotten all too familiar with the four corners of that little room.
The copywriter takes a long, slow drag from his cigarette and finally says: EH KUNG GUMAWA TAYO NG BABAE NA SUPER HERO?
THE END
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