Speckles n Spectrum

This is an exact replica of the post card sold then that we submitted as projects for Sibika and Kultura or Hekasi.

José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda WAS my childhood hero next to my father. He had been an inspiration when it comes to my studies THEN. I think most kids back then admire him most because his portrait is in every classrooms and almost every school has a monument honoring him and his life was introduced and taught to kids as early as kindergarten (picture and name at least.)

I still remember when I was in 2nd Grade having a regular night time session of memorizing and learning 10 words from a specific letter in the alphabet. Let's say this Monday 10 words from letter A, tomorrow 10 from B, next 10 from C and so on. It was just my idea and my parents didn't even know about it. They were even wondering why I'm always with our bulky dictionary the whole time I'm at home even while watching TV.

But don't ask me now for I've never succeeded. Hay like reading all the books and learning a new language I gave up, I'm too young to waste my life racing with a polymath. I realized that when I reached high school so I wasted my time somewhere, on something different but I still love reading yet not so much that it had to be the center of my life.

Hey, this should be about Rizal not me. Sorry I forgot, got carried away on the nostalgia... haha.

So Rizal or "Pepe" as called by his family is the Philippines National Hero. (see wiki) The seventh child with 10 siblings, 9 of whom were girls. A son of Francisco Mercado Rizal, a farmer and Teodora Alonzo y Quintos both from distinguished families.

Indeed Rizal is a genius of his time, the Tagalog Hamlet. He can rival Shakespeare with his works and may be even more.

 "A versatile genius, he was an architect, artists, businessman, cartoonist, educator, economist, ethnologist, scientific farmer, historian, inventor, journalist, linguist, musician, mythologist, nationalist, naturalist, novelist, opthalmic surgeon, poet, propagandist, psychologist, scientist, sculptor, sociologist, and theologian."

(see Jose Rizal: A Biographical Sketch)


I was able to memorize his biography then because of the projects in grade school and it paved my way to reach the Regional Press-Conference as a feature writer just writing about him. Yep, we have a great team along with my favorite teacher/coach Mrs. Clavo. That's why I heart Rizal that much those times but then Andres Bonifacio life came in full blown in high school and gossips and controversies encircled Rizal's life in college. He's still my hero but only next to Andres...


Andres Tormes, haha joke that's my lolo's name. (Oops don't visit me now, just suddenly remember you Tatay. Name recall that's about it. Peace! P.S. When are you all going to fetch me? lol)




Additional readings: 


Genius has no country. It blossoms everywhere. Genius is like the light, the air. It is the heritage of all.


To live is to be among men, and to be among men is to struggle, a struggle not only with them but with oneself; with their passions, but also with one's own.


Filipinos don't realize that victory is the child of struggle, that joy blossoms from suffering, and redemption is a product of sacrifice.


The tyranny of some is possible only through the cowardice of others.


The world laughs at another man's pain.


He who would love much has also much to suffer.


I go where there are no slaves, hangmen or oppressors;


Where faith does not kill; where the one who reigns is God.

( see quotes by Jose Rizal)




I borrowed the title from this essay:

Rizal is the spirit of contradiction; a soul that dreads the revolution, although deep down desires it.

Miguel de Unamuno, philosopher-writer, in his essay "Rizal, the Tagalog Hamlet", in Rizal: Contrary Essays (1990)

By the way, Yo Lolo Jose, Happy 150th bday and in case you're still too busy up there you're a pretty cool icon now!

Po joins forces with a group of new kung-fu masters to take on an old enemy with a deadly new weapon.

Director: Jennifer Yuh
Writers: Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger
Stars: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie and Jackie Chan
Language: English
Release Date: 25 May 2011 (Philippines)
Also Known As: Кунг-фу Панда 2

Taglines: Ska2oosh!

Genres: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family
Rated: USA - PG; Phil - G (MTRCB)

Source: IMDb
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Another great movie for the whole family Kung Fu Panda 2. The return of Jack Black as Po this time as a dragon warrior with the Furious Five defending the Valley of Peace and from someone who'd want to destroy China and Kung Fu forever.

I don't know why I can't remember the first movie so I can't have any comparison. Maybe it wasn't too good perhaps?

Anyways, this movie is for the whole family for the story isn't made just for kids but there's something for everyone too. I love how it centers with Po's finding his inner peace, about family and friendship. He was now the dragon warrior loved by all and yet his memories of his mother and a symbol haunts him thus he realized in this movie that he was adopted.

This movie has a heart, it will make you laugh but then it never made me cry though there's a few touching moments but not too dramatic to let you shed tears. Am a lost for words here so just help yourself up and go enjoy the movie yourself.

Trivia

The character of Master Croc, voiced by Jean-Claude Van Damme, late in the movie performs a signature move of Van Dammme's. As he leaps onto the boat Master Croc lands in a wide split position, a characteristic Van-Damme move. 


A few lines I like from the movie:

Po: I know it's not something a hardcore would understand... 

Tigress: The hardcore do understand... but I can't bear to see a friend die. 

You can chain my body but you can never chain my warrior spirit!

Your story may not have such a happy beginning but that doesn't make you who you are it is the rest of your story who you choose to be.

What's step 2? Honestly I didnt think I'll make it this far.

You gotta let go that stuff from the past coz it just doesn't matter the only thing that matters is what you choose to be now.

Edit:
I slept it through and now I knew why am such speechless about this movie... hehe. It's because I can actually identify with Po. Not about being a hero thing but about the being a dragon warrior am more like a warrior of my own destiny, clumsy, big, childish, and silly. My cousin who lives in Brisbane teased me about being the Kung Fu Panda of the Philippines and as usual I'm low gets so I just thought it's about the size and silliness now I know it was about finding the inner peace.  Maybe it's more about that. I don't want to ask him to explain because knowing my silly cousin I won't get a decent answer. Am gonna settle for that idea but then if it's really the size his talking about I don't mind Pandas are cute lol.

Here's another story from revisiting my Alma mater (see "Time you enjoy wasting isn't wasted time.")

I actually major in extra curricular activities, minor in bumming or loitering around... haha. I didn't choose my course and I rebel by venturing into other things that interest me more like organizations, sports and people. Although I had to balance things out just enough to maintain my partial scholarship or else I'll be out of school for lack of money to afford a decent education.

My having a very photographic memory then make it all possible for me to have an easy breezy student life. I think I'm more street smart than book smart for I seldom read my textbooks though I love to read anything except those. I solely rely in common sense, class discussions and actual teachers' lessons unless I've been absent for a while and I need to catch up but then there's always my classmates' notebooks hehe.

This is actually my fave spot but before there were piles of boxes and sacks of books cluttered here, that's why I got the whole space on my own. Plus a nice view...

But I am truly a bookworm, a lover of books. I love the smell of it and the texture. I love reading anything from newspaper, magazines, encyclopedia to billboards and signage or even vandals. I remember when I was seven years old any elder who's accompanying me walking downtown of Naga City was pestered that they have to wait for me because I was reading all the signage of the stores and all the written stuff in the street. But I don't think I've read enough. There's still a lot more to read... frustrating.

When I am alone in the school my hang out has always been the library. I went first at the second floor to read newspapers from back to cover (weird but I read newspapers backwards.) Then I stay for hours in a corner at the third floor of O'Brien Library reading books.




It was examination week and my class for that day starts at 9:00am but as usual I was super late because of I don't really know why my scooter fracked up almost always during important days. (It was a very old scooter I understand that. It's a Yamaha V50 bought by my father in 1992 just imagine that and I went in college in 2001 - 2005 so yeah very vintage. But during ordinary days it's all fine I even drove it to Mt. Isarog that's why I am raging when it has to stop during very important occasions.)

My late sister with our scooter in 1992.

Therefore as a result I am 30 minutes late but then I know my teacher hated me already for being late almost every session. I had my tuition receipt but then my teacher wanted a permit. I paid my tuition as early as possible when permits weren't release yet so was a receipt enough? No. Oh, ok.

I went back to the cashier and as usual I have to fall in line. I almost wanted to just go home. The buildings aren't that closed enough and my classroom was on the third floor and I have to wear a hot skirt uniform in a very hot day because it is required during exam week and therefore it came along with a high heeled shoes, darn.

Got my permit and I rushed back to the third floor and I only have 30 minutes left to finish the exam, wow! And the insult was I even finish faster than some of my classmates and I got the highest score. Shoot me now but I am not bluffing or saying this because I have a big head and boasting. It's the frakkin' truth. I was even surprise too, one mistake, not bad for a 30-minute time frame.

But I'm still disappointed because I miss the easiest question and it's all because I was absent the day it was discussed, darn!

How it actually happened? Photographic memory. When I am taking a test it's like I have a big manuscript or notebook all written in the board. I can actually remember where it was exactly written in the board when it was discussed or on what part of my classmates notebook or book I've read it. It's like I'm scanning things in my brain for stock memories. Besides for that particular exam the teacher used the same questions given in the previous quizzes and used a sort of code in the answers. That's why once I figured the pattern for the answers it's a lot easier to choose the correct answers.

I wish I still have that photographic memory now. My gadgets ruined it especially my laptop. I rely heavily to its memory rather than my own. I felt like a gadget too, thinking I've no more disk space and I have better things to fill my memories than educational facts. But somehow it still work with certain things that's why I stop watching scary and disgusting things because it gets stuck in my head like forever that sometimes I can't even manage to close my eyes even in the shower. Yeah, that's how bad I get scared though I like the suspense of horror movies yet it's the aftermath that I can't handle well.

Photographic memory + vivid imagination = disaster and paranoia

So better drop it.

As we where malling or store hopping in Iriga City last Saturday after a visit to Bigg's Diner we ended up discovering this very helpful feet protector at LCC.


FlexGel is another innovation from Burlington's BioFresh.

FlexGel Footcare Solutions!

FlexGel is made of unique formulated, extremely soft and stretchable S.E.B.S that helps absorb shock, relieves pressure and shearing force. It is highly stretchable in all directions and prevents pressure sore from repeat rubbing. 

FlexGel acts like a second skin as it has similar property of human soft tissue, so it is completely safe and does not cause allergies. It also kills germs that cause bad odor.

Protect your feet today, because a healthy feet is a happy feet!


Source: BioFresh Facebook Page 


There are 15 types of FlexGel available for specific foot problems and one may combine up to five kinds of FlexGel at a time.



Comfortable Insole
Heel Cradle
Heel Cushion
Arch Support
Forefoot Cushion
Forefoot Cushion (HAV)
Heel Wedge
Heel Protector
Bunion Protector
HAV Separator
Bunionette Protector
Toe Cap
Toe Protector
Toe Separator
Forefoot Cushion


We got these two:

FlexGel Comfortable Insole help relieve forefoot pressure, heel pain due to long hours of standing and walking. You apply it underneath the plantar foot on the shoe.

FlexGel Forefoot Cushion relieves forefoot pain, help absorbs forefoot pressure and reduce the chances to have callus. You apply it on the 1st and 2nd toe covering the callus plantar forefoot before wearing socks.

 My mum needs the insole badly because of a diabetes foot complications and I need the cushion so I can wear heels without my weight hurting my feet. The product description is all true to itself it really is very effective in absorbing shock, relieving pressure and the shearing force plus it's antimicrobial.

Now we can all wear our favorite footwear again and again minus the pain and the smell. Yehey!

I found out that there's SofiGel too, a foot care cushion that is invisible, ultra slim, safe and suitable for all kinds of footwear. I think that's what I need for sandals but I'm okay now with the cushion. 


For more info just visit burlingtonphils.com

And I'm extra happy that Ryan Bang is the newest endorser of the brand BioFresh... he's such a funny guy...

I couldn't think of any better title than quoting Bertrand Russell's “Time you enjoy wasting isn't wasted time”  for my yesterday's happening. I was supposed to attend a NO TO MINING IN PLALAWAN Signature Campaign but alas! the booth hasn't been set-up and therefore nothing to do but waste time.

Instead of being upset and start grumbling like an eight-year old I manage to focus more on positive things. I think this is what I do best for most part of my life, seeing beauty midst the disappointments. Yeah that other quote too which is becoming one of my favorites:

 "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, It's about learning to dance in the rain" --- anonymous

So I did dance in the rain except it wasn't really rain. It was easy for I'm now the type that if I were stuck, let's say in Afghanistan I'm going to go sightseeing and  take it as a photo op and maybe learn and investigate or write about how to live the terrorist way or the Bin Laden way... hehe or take it as a good time to catch up on my reading.

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Am going to break this story in a few blog entries for there just too many things to talk about so here's the first installment. Yay, am like J.K. Rowling now wahahaha, there's part 1 and part 2 and so on... (you wish aby!)

The question is will I get the same enthusiasm to continue this after another day? No clue but hope so, crossing my fingers now.
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My visit wasn't really wasted for I am very much happy that at such a long time I'm back again in my Alma mater. This time I'm no longer camera shy so picture-taking it is! I've visited all my favorite places to hang out then. I was even amazed that a few people still remember me after six years of being a graduate, WOW! Yeah just Wow! I'm so amazed and grateful for that.

I'll share a few stories why oh why out of the thousands students who passes this gate years and years the guard has recognized me. Simply because I'm a frakkin' law breaker, oh ok don't be exagge just broken a few rules here and there... hehe.

I'm a notorious driver meaning I don't have a gate pass sticker yet I always manage to get in the campus with my scooter and off the speed limits. When I'm in the mood for some kicks I drive in places where scooters aren't supposed to be running. I used to park in a place where it isn't allowed (says who I've seen a few motorcycles parked there too?) and therefore my day almost always ends up in the guard house claiming my scooter that they've impounded. Then I won't do it for a few days then back to normal again after a few more days or I just managed to find another hiding place for my scooter but still inside the campus... bahaha.

Then there's the not in uniform days and wearing slippers almost all the time and the "I forgot my I.D." darn thing.

They say familiarity breeds contempt but it's the other way around for me. I get my way out of sticky situations because of regular encounters with these guys. Oops wait for dirty minds, everything was casual and  platonic (I was a tomboy then so we're all friends.) I didn't date or talk to anyone of them more than 30 minutes or so and the longest chit chat is still about me begging for them to let me off the hook for my no sticker, illegally parked scooter... hehe.


Then there's Tiya where I got my halo, rice with dinuguan toppings. Too bad she's not selling anything like that now because things are getting pricey and she couldn't afford to sell food that cheap now, according to her. But there's still dinuguan available and I had my taste of her lumpia once again and betamax in the next stall. Woohoo I felt like I'm college again. Too bad the sago drinks are no longer here too.

Somehow some things will never change like the warmth of people and the memories brought by everyone and the places we've been. But for the rest I guess...

... time really changes things and truly they just come and go.

It's all like a wheel, one day you're up, the next you're down.

Like a switch, one day you're on, the next you're off.

Like fame, one day you're in, the next you're out.

Like fashion, one day you're hip, the next you're sloppy.

Like movies, one day you're block buster, the next you're flop.

Like twitter, one day you're trending, the next who are you then?

Very inevitable.

Hay CHANGE, why is it the only constant thing is you?