myklvncnt

Da Vinci Code

2006-05-17T09:15:00.000+08:00

There’s been a lot of buzz lately about the opening of the Da Vinci Code. People are making such a big fuss over it that I began thinking if there was something wrong with me for being so nonchalant. I’ve read the book a couple of years ago and I enjoyed it, though not as much as the author’s previous book, Angels and Demons. I’ve always been partial to conspiracy theories and the possibility that Jesus could have a descendant was intriguing, although the possibility that there was a love angle between Mary Magdalene and Jesus was nothing new (remember The Last Temptation of Christ?). The fact that the book never claimed to be based on fact and didn’t back up its claims with the necessary references adds to my confusion about all the fuss over it.

Am I that bad a Catholic that I’m willing to entertain the possibility that Jesus could have been more human than we’re allowed to believe? Would having a child make Jesus less of what He is?

Several groups here in the Philippines are petitioning to stop the showing this movie. Censorship – the bane of the individual’s freedom of choice. When will these people stop trying to think for the majority? Do they really believe that they know what’s good for us? Are they that perfect that they have the moral ascendancy to judge what’s right or what’s not? I don’t claim to be free of bias against certain movies and music (definitely), but I don’t tell people what to watch, or, in this case, not to watch. When will these people let the Filipino think and choose for themselves? I’d like to think that I’m not the only one with this view.

I thought I was digressing when my post shifted towards censorship, but I guess my flow of thinking was on track. A lot of people with disagree with me on this, and a whole lot more will hate me for this, but I just have to say it. Could it be possible that the Bible as we know it has been “edited” by people who thought they knew what was best for us? How else could you explain the fact that the contents of the Dead Sea Scrolls were never made public? I don’t claim to be an expert on this topic but you can’t discount the possibility that certain segments inconsistent with what the Church prescribes could have been edited out. I don’t claim to have any proof of this. All I’m asking is that we keep our minds open lest we turn into the book burning mob we abhor so much.

Awakenings

2006-05-10T09:09:00.000+08:00

On the way to work this morning, I heard Sandwich’s Sugod on the radio. It wasn’t my usual station but one of those pop stations who try to outwit each other with their catchphrases. Alam nyo na yun. I wasn’t a bit surprised to hear it on that particular station and it got me thinking about the recent resurgence of the Pinoy rock scene.

The Pinoy rock scene has never died, it was always on the edge of the mainstream and was just waiting for the right time, or the right catalyst, to strike. I may be wrong but I think it was Kitchie Nadal that broke through the barrier covering the conservative ears of the majority. With the success of her album, record companies remembered that rock also has a following and could be a lucrative investment. Kitchie’s album isn’t that groundbreaking, but it got the message across that Pinoy rock is alive and kicking and ultimately great to sing along to (we’ve got “Lovers in Paris” to thank for that).

With Kitchie’s mainstream success it wasn’t too long for Pinoy rock to rule the airwaves once again. Hale and Orange and Lemons lorded over the deep, sensitive faction while the more aggressive Sponge Cola and 6 CycleMind ruled with the teenagers boiling over with angst. Kamikazee’s Narda is now the national anthem of everybody from 3 year olds to congressmen wanting to impress their nubile mistresses with their eclectic taste in music.

For someone like me with 90% of my audio CD collection from the local rock scene, the recent interest in Pinoy rock has been both exciting and amusing. It’s been a running joke between my wife and I to let people listen to Kamikazee’s Tsinelas right after listening to the acoustic version of Narda. It’s a good thing I lost my earlier attitude towards people who listen to Pinoy rock without getting what it was all about; the people who don’t give a flying fish about the evolution of this music and only want to hear what was new and “cool”. Respect their influences man! Ooops… looks like something of that attitude remains.

What excites me is that these bands who have been around for years are finally getting the audience and the acclaim they deserve. Sandwich has been my favorite local band since I heard Butterfly Carnival almost a decade ago. Surprisingly, if my memory serves me right, Sugod is their first crossover hit. The funny thing is they got this hit when they went indie.
If this trend continues, maybe we’ll finally see the end of those singers whose only talent is singing somebody else’s songs. Let me stop this post before I get started. I’m saving all my angst for another post.

Thoughts about religion

2006-05-06T08:48:00.000+08:00

I’ve been fooling around with those blog polls and I thought it might be fun to try it out for myself. The topic might seem a little deep or trivial depending on how you look at it but it’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time (I know… I know… I’ve really got to stop thinking about these things).

The way I see it religion by itself is not a bad thing. It’s one of the things that make us human. It’s when your religion promotes discrimination against non-believers that problems start. I don’t want to generalize, but you’ve got to admit that conflicts arising from religious differences are not that rare. Being a Catholic, the Crusades and the Inquisition are events that I’d gladly forget. Granted, not all conflicts are the product of religious differences. Most are caused by regional or racial disputes. But these are things that we can’t do anything about. You can’t choose to be born a certain race in a certain place can you? Religion, on the other hand, is supposed to be a choice. I use the word suppose because, in the majority of cases, religion isn’t a choice, it’s something you inherit. What I’m thinking of is that not a few conflicts can be avoided if we are to be without religion.

Religion is a lot of things to a lot of people and would be next to impossible to do without. I admit that I would have a hard time giving up my faith since it is something that gives me strength and hope. But it would be nice to live in John Lennon’s world: “Imagine all those people, living life in peace…”

It's been a long time

2006-05-03T08:36:00.000+08:00

It's been almost a month since my last post. Things have been pretty hectic at work and I spend all my free time at home playing The Sims. Actually, I don't have the slightest idea of what I want to write about. Just typing to pass the time and relax. Stream of consciousness stuff. I guess most people write this way but this is the first time I'm actually trying it out. I guess I'm kinda scared of how this post will turn out since my train of thought isn't exactly what you'd call a train, more like a roller coaster.

This is what I was afraid of... this post is going nowhere real fast. I'm just wasting precious time I could have spent working. And yet, I'm still going. What could be driving me to do this? Is something deep in my subconscious mind trying to voice out my innermost thoughts? Is a 7th century monk chanelling through me to contact his descendants to finally give light to all the fracas about the Da Vinci Code?

Aaargh... this uncertainty is driving me nuts! I have to stop writing. NOW!

Still... writing... Can't..... stop....

What will happen next? Will myklvncnt finally succumb to the temptation of blogging during office hours? Will he crack like a ripe watermelon? Will he write yet another book challenging the Da Vinci Code? Find out in the next post.

What now MTV?

2006-04-15T12:22:00.000+08:00

The marketing power of MTV can’t be dismissed. It has the power to make or break an aspiring artist. In the years before music videos, all a musician had to have was a great song and a little luck to make it big. Now, you can’t get an audience without having a nifty music video played in heavy rotation on MTV. Sometimes it feels like having great looks and a great video is given more importance than being able to sing well.

Reality check! Let’s rephrase that sentence: “Looks are more important than talent, period.”

Let’s face it, if you’re watching a music video you want a visual feast, not someone who looks like an extra in a B-movie about zombies. But since when has great songwriting been about looks? Isn’t it all about melodies that grab you and lyrics that touch you? The problem is; the music industry has become so intertwined with MTV that it’s hard for a musician to make it without having a music video.

The music video is an excellent medium for expression; aural and visual stimulation at it’s best. But taking advantage of this medium for mass consumer appeal has got to stop. If we are to support an artist, let it be because of talent and not looks. If it’s looks you have, then be a model. I feel saddened by the fact that the next Beatles could already be out there but unable to get a contract because they’re not photogenic; or the next Elvis Presley rejected by a record company because he lives a boring life. Marketing musicians as if they were products have to stop.

“The new and improved Britney, now with larger boobs and an even more interesting social life”!

At the rate things are going, this is the new status quo. I can only hope that the next big thing looks better than they sound.

If only life was this easy

2006-04-15T10:22:00.000+08:00

I've been playing The Sims 2 with my wife for the last couple of days and it's pretty obvious that we're completely addicted to it. It even got to the point that we talk about our Sims as if they were real people, planning out their daily lives and giving each other high fives when they get promoted or do something extraordinary. There is something inordinately satisfying about having your Sims live out their dreams; to have a baby, to get an A+, to get married. Even such mundane things such as having cereal for breakfast or being kissed creates an impact on your Sim that is gratifying. You get to connect with your Sim in ways not usually found in games. You feel their emotions.

Another aspect of the game my wife and I loved was building the house and buying all sorts of furniture and appliances for it. Play this game and believe me; the interior designer and architect in you will claw it's way out and take over for the duration of the game. The inevitable question will ultimately pop up and grab you by the throat: "Will pink curtains clash with the green carpet?"

The prospect of living another life seems to be the driving force behind this game; a life that, while not perfect, could be considered an approximation of the life we want. Life as a Sim is as close to real life as can be; you need to eat, to sleep, to take baths. One of the things I like most is having to take a bath after working out. Forget to take a bath and a stinking green vapor follows you around, and nobody else wants to get near you.

While this game is uncomfortably akin to real life it's also miles apart from the life we live in other aspects. There is a well defined rule in your Sim's life: "Hard work pays off". You have to spend time and effort working on your skills in order to advance well in the game. But, unlike in real life, all your hard work will pay off as you get promoted based on your skills.

If only life was this easy.

Seeds of dissent

2006-03-13T20:19:00.000+08:00

I just got back from renewing my driver's license at the local LTO. Saying it was tiring would be a gross understatement. I spent the better part of my day sweating and swearing at anyone who seems to be in a position of authority. The system was outdated and inefficient, typical government agency, which got me thinking; is there something wrong about expecting better service from government agencies? Most Filipinos have grown to expect, if not accept, lousy and slow service from agencies like these. They might not like it, but they are resigned to the fact that expecting fast and efficient service is like asking for Madame Auring to tell the media her true age.

Still not called. Dammit! I've been sitting here for more than an hour! How could these people around me stay so calm? Am I the only one with better things to do than sit, sweat and be angry? Maybe this was the high point of their day? With these thoughts running through my head, I began to harbor thoughts best voiced out over shots of lambanog with insurgents. Every single delay added a few more persons to my personal hit list. The thought of Madame Auring almost caused me to snap.

Thankfully, my name was called just before I lost it. Too bad... It would have been a blast to run around shouting "Kill Madame Auring, Kill! Kill!" while waving my hands over my head. The media hype would have been tremendous. I went over to the window and finally got my drivers license. I glanced at it and wasn't the bit surprised at the way I looked. My face reflected all the hassles I went through that day. I certainly looked like someone who would run around shouting "Kill Madame Auring, Kill! Kill!".

A sudden jolt of enlightenment hit me...

This is the reason why nobody looks good in their drivers licenses...

On the way home I started thinking again. Maybe it was heatstroke or dehydration; but I had the feeling that seeds of dissent are planted not while discussing politics with somebody whose name starts with "Ka", but while caught in the bureaucratic web of red tape that threatens to strangle you each and every time you had to deal with the government. It is while waiting in line for a loan that comes out of your own pocket, it is while being treated like you had the IQ of a 5 year old by someone whose salary you pay for with taxes, it is the farmer going hungry when he is shortchanged by the agency whose job is to protect his interests, it is while caught in traffic caused by a grandstanding politician's program that these seeds of dissent are planted and take root in your heart and mind.

Ideals won't put food on your table. Machiavelli and Marx might as well be Pugo and Pugak to most Filipinos. It is not their ideas that push Filipinos to question the government. It is the frontliners of government agencies that give face to the inneficiency, the callousness, the total apathy of the government to it's constituents. The same constituents who exercised their right to suffrage to put these same people in power. Yet, the blame can not be put on these frontliners, they are also victims of the system. Grossly underpaid and overworked, they probably share the sentiments of the suffering majority. They are merely symptoms of the cancer that is crippling our nation.

I don't have a clear idea of how to remedy this situation. But, someone, please find a cure...

Amidst the chaos

2006-02-25T11:37:00.000+08:00

Amidst the chaos of a supposed coup and the uncertainty of being under a state of national emergency, I declare to the world, at the risk of being ridiculed and called a romantic fool, that I am proud to be a Filipino.

Prof. Randy David, an esteemed professor at the University of the Philippines was arrested yesterday while heading a peaceful, albeit confrontational, rally. The arrest was made after Pres. Arroyo declared a state of national emergency after paranoia set in due to a supposed coup attempt. The president declared void the permits of all the rallies to be held today in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution. Prof. David was charged with inciting to sedition and quietly went with his captors. He was released when the charges against him were deemed unjustified. Upon his release, he was interviewed by a media station and, contrary to what I was expecting to hear, expressed himself succinctly with no trace of indignation or alarm. He merely stated that he was dismayed at the fact that a few years ago, during the same celebration, the same people who had congregated at the EDSA Shrine put Pres. Arroyo were she is today when they overthrew then president Estrada. I was taken by Prof. David’s calm and level headed statement. It was not a statement you would expect from someone who had just been arrested. He even expressed joy that his wife had come to bring him food as he was already hungry and a certain amusement at what it felt like to be arrested.

The way in which he handled the situation with stoic logic untainted by personal agenda and without the vocal pyrotechnics employed by people who think they are above the law made me realize that there is hope yet for the Filipino. Here was a man who only wanted what was the best for the Filipino. And he displayed a very Filipino trait which was his attachment to his family. Yes, there might be chaos in the streets, he might have been arrested for voicing out his principles, but all it took was his family’s presence for him to be happy.

It seems kind of shallow and naïve to be touched by this display, but it has touched me. Touched me in a way that rekindled my belief that Filipinos have what it takes. What it takes to endure years of oppression and still come out smiling in the end. It might not be now and it might not even be in my lifetime, but the Filipino will go on. Go on with only the best interest of his loved ones and his country; go on with a determination that will never waver; go on for the sake of the next generation; and in the end the Filipino will triumph. And years, even decades, before that happens I shout out to the world “I’m proud to be Pinoy!”

Muslim cartoons

2006-02-24T20:30:00.000+08:00

The reactions of our Islam brothers to the cartoons from Denmark have certainly grabbed the headlines of every major newspaper in most countries. The overwhelming opinion of non-Muslims is that the actions of Muslim extremists and moderates alike are an “over-reaction”. They scratch their heads and wonder what kind of savages could justify violence or even killings in the name of Islam. While I vehemently disagree with the methods the Muslims have adopted in their quest for “justice”, I also try to understand where they’re coming from. We try to comprehend what could drive them to use such extreme measures without realizing that other religions (most notably Catholicism) have used the same methods only a few centuries ago(anybody remember the Crusades, maybe the Inquisition?).

Christianity has changed gradually to become more tolerant of other religions, even though we still have break-away groups whose main purpose, at least to me, is to bash other religions. The followers of Islam have remained true to their faith up to the present. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing is not up to me to decide. The point I’m trying to make is that there is a certain dignity in a people who have not made any concessions when it comes to their belief. While it’s true that a number of extremists have fabricated their own twisted view of the Koran, it’s still remarkable that the majority of Muslims stand fast in defending what they believe to be an attack on their faith. I don’t see too many Catholics defending their beliefs for fear of being made fun of.

I myself don’t know what I’m trying to drive at. All I know is that we should not blame Islam per se as the sole provoking factor in this escalating mess, we should look beyond religion and concentrate instead on the people who are using these Muslims “passionate dedication” (redundant but it gets the point across) to their faith as a means to further their personal causes. These people who use the religious zeal of their flocks for political leverage should be the focus of the world’s indignation.

Where my genes came from 2

2006-02-21T12:35:00.000+08:00

This is a recent painting by my mother, Pilar Bleza Milambiling, who paints for pleasure. She started painting just a few years ago. She has attended a few workshops, but, for the most part, is self taught (with a few suggestions from my father, my brother and I). She has always had an inclination towards the arts but pursued a career in journalism instead. She was once the foreign news editor for Balita but she also dabbled in fiction and had a couple of short stories published in Liwayway, one of the most respected tagalog magazines. She started painting religously when she resigned and makes it a point to have a new painting finished every two weeks.

Where my genes came from

2006-02-21T12:22:00.000+08:00

This is a drawing by my father, Tito Milambiling, who is an editorial cartoonist. He used to do the editorial cartoons for the daily paper Balita, one of the first tabloids in the Philippines, if my memory serves me right. He was the one who influenced me into taking up Fine Arts at UP Diliman. Sadly, it wasn't meant for me. He also does comic strips until today. He is also one of the founders of SKP (Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas) the foremost cartoonist society in the Philippines. My brother posts some of his earlier strips in his blog at Aha Hule Komiks Online.

Civilization IV

2006-01-27T15:16:00.000+08:00

I just bought a Civilization IV cd last week. I have yet to play it but I'm kinda worried if my PC can handle it. Which got me thinking about why having the latest, most expensive video card has become a prerequisite if you want to play the newest games. You could go the way of the console but you would still need to upgrade to the next-gen versions if you want to play the "coolest" games. Call me paranoid, but I see a something disturbing here; an alarming trend of consumerism fueled by the blinding pace in which technology has advanced in the last decade. And it’s not just limited to video games either. Consumer electronics like mobile phones, PDA’s, portable music devices and the like have become necessities for most people. This is quite remarkable considering that a few years ago it was a luxury only a select few could afford.

Is it a conscious effort by the major electronic companies to flood us with these gadgets? Are their marketing skills so good as to convince the consumer that he/she can’t live without having these toys? For toys are exactly what they are. Do we really need to have a PDA in order to remind us what to buy at the grocery? Whatever happened to the good old paper and pencil? On a more alarming note, do people today have a need to fill up the emptiness in their lives with the latest Nokia? I don’t claim to be free from these wants like everybody else. I want a 52-inch plasma TV like any other hot-blooded male out there; I want a DSL connection for faster downloads; I can’t wait for the PS3 to come out so I can act out my frustrations in real time. Hell, I’m writing a blog for crying out loud. What I’m trying to say is that technology per se isn’t all bad, but it isn’t all good either. The internet created a curious paradox in the fact that it had the power to bring people who are continents apart closer while at the same time the power to create a barrier between the people closest to you. Confused? Try imagining someone playing Counter Strike over the Net against someone from another country. Got it? Now imagine his reaction when his mother calls him to have dinner. Point made.

There is no doubt that technology has made our lives a whole lot easier. I can’t imagine not having my mobile phone with me at all times. I even wonder how I’ve managed for so long without it. This is something that I still have to figure out. If I’ve managed to get by without a phone for more than half of my life, why can’t I survive a day without it now? Has circumstances changed that much over a decade that what was once a next to worthless luxury is now a basic necessity? Has the big companies deviously manipulated the market to the point that they can dictate what we need? I dread the day when the basic necessities of food, clothing and shelter gets lumped together with connectivity, having the latest 4G phone, and having a bad-ass rep on Xbox Live.

I know that this is a topic that needs expert analysis, not a pseudo-social commentary by this so-called “writer”. Somebody please enlighten this hapless soul, or at the very least provide me with a decent enough video card so that I can play with Civilization IV instead of over analyzing our civilization.

Aha Hule Komiks Online

2006-01-27T11:00:00.000+08:00

My bro got a blog of his own. He's a comic artist and you can see his work in the Manila Bulletin everyday. He's the one who inherited the artistic genes from our dad (Tito Milambiling) who is one of the founding members of SKP (Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas), the foremost organization of cartoonists in the Philippines. Check out his blog at Aha Hule Komiks Online.

If you wanna make your momma proud

2005-12-21T13:04:00.000+08:00

The state of music in the Philippines has been confusing me for a while now. On one hand we’ve got great new bands like Up Dharma Down, Fuseboxx, and Pedicab who confidently push the boundaries of pinoy music without alienating their listeners. Yet on the other hand we’ve got bands whose playlist consists of 134 covers (remakes, they like to call it) and 1 original song.

I’ve got nothing about doing covers of bands that influenced you and your music. But there is something terribly wrong with coming out with an album of covers when you have yet to prove the worth of your own songs. I don’t agree with calling their songs remakes, a remake is a song done your way, injected with your own distinct style. These are just songs copied note for note. What is more alarming is that people fall all over themselves trying to buy these albums. Some people even have the temerity to call these bands great. Another thing that raises my hackles is that these albums are filed under OPM (Original Pilipino Music). What’s so original about doing covers?

Are Filipinos so scared of change that they’re willing to sacrifice originality for familiarity? We’re known across Asia as excellent musicians. Our notoriety as musicians is that we can cover a song in excruciating detail, “plakado”. While there’s nothing wrong with this, isn’t it about time that we also come to be known as excellent songwriters? We have no shortage of great songwriters, Cynthia Alexander and Gary Granada immediately come to mind. The crossover success of Kitchie Nadal, Rivermaya and Bamboo also prove that you can be both original and popular. You might blame the music companies for the dearth of clone music that’s ruling the airwaves. But marketing can only get you so far, in the end it’s still the consumer who decides what gets played. Isn’t it about time that we take our music seriously? Is it so hard to give a little more thought about the music you listen to? The movie industry has had this epiphany a few years back with the advent of indie films and it’s refreshing to see the quality of Filipino movies out today.

Music was created to soothe the soul and nourish the heart. It was meant to convey the most abstract feelings of the songwriter. How truthfully can you sing someone else’s emotions? Let’s support musicians who sing their own songs. Let's make OPM original again.

Boracay Pics

2005-12-20T16:26:00.000+08:00

The most memorable sunset I've ever had the privelege to experience. Courtesy of our Boracay vacation. The complete package comes with the caress of the ocean breeze on your cheek and the sound of waves breaking upon the shore.

Anniversary

2005-12-16T11:03:00.000+08:00

Today's our first wedding anniversary. Too bad we couldn't be together on this day. I just want the world to know how much I love you and how much you mean to me. When I met you, it was as if I was looking at the world through new eyes. I began to appreciate little things that I ignored before; the sound of birds as I wake up in the morning, the beads of dew in the grass, the way the rays of the sun pass through a spider web. It was as if I was seeing everything for the first time. And then we got married. It was everything I had dreamed of. Waking up lying next to you in the morning, your face being the last thing I saw before I slept. Watching TV and doing nothing but enjoy each others company. It was pure bliss, and it still is. I love you Aileen, and I want nothing but to spend the rest of my life with you. Happy Anniversary.

Wheel of Time

2005-12-15T15:26:00.000+08:00

This was something I wrote a while back. Entered it in a contest about favorite books in a local newspaper. Sadly, it didn't win. Read it, maybe you have better taste than the judges.

There have been times I’ve asked myself what my favorite book was. Was it the book I enjoyed the most? The book which has made the greatest impact on my life? The book I used as a pillow whenever I wanted to take a nap? These questions consumed me. It led to many sleepless nights (especially when I couldn’t find a good book for a pillow). Then it occurred to me one afternoon while I was arguing with my wife about Rand, Nynaeve, Elayne and Mat. My wife was bugging me to tell her what’s going to happen to Rand and Elayne. “Magkakatuluyan ba sila?” she asked. I tried changing the topic but she persisted until I gave in, by making up a wild story that included a ménage a trois (that’s a story I’m afraid I can’t tell you). “This is the book I’m going to write about!” I thought. I would write about these characters from the Wheel of Time series (not the threesome of course) who have crept into the very fabric of our lives. This might not seem be the best gauge to decide a favorite book, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. And it’s a whole lot better than deciding your favorite book based on how comfortable it is to use as a pillow though I’ve slept on The Dragon Reborn once or twice (it’s not what you think, pervert!).
You’re probably wondering what it is about the Wheel of Time that would have this effect on me and my wife. Either that or you’re wondering what’s wrong with me. Well, whatever. Most of you have probably heard of an old trilogy called The Lord of the Rings (somebody told me that it was quite popular in the sixties). Robert Jordan, the Wheel of Time’s author, like most other fantasy writers, definitely read it. “Aaah… a book about elves and dwarves” you’re probably saying. Well not exactly and, YES, I like to use the word ‘probably’ a lot. But I digress. The Wheel of Time is a fantasy in the sense that it takes place in another world and there is some sort of magic involved. But that’s just the setting. The real beauty of the books in the series is in the convoluted storyline and the painstaking attention to characterization and cultural details. It’s the little details that lure you into Robert Jordan’s vibrant world and make you want to stay there.
Let’s start with the characters. Most of the books I’ve read had me empathizing with one or two characters, but that’s it. Rarely have I read a book wherein I empathize with so many characters, but in the Wheel of Time I do. I cry with the characters and I die with them. Yes, there is death. And in Robert Jordan’s world, it’s permanent. No rising from the grave here (uhrmm… Gandalf). Excuse me, I had this thing stuck in my throat. I think it was a hobbit. As I was saying, before I was so rudely infringing on copyrights, you really care about the characters in the Wheel of Time. As you travel with them on their journey, it’s like seeing your pamangkins grow up before your eyes. You experience them getting more mature and see the consequences of the decisions they make as their priorities change. The characterization is complex, but not too complex to be inaccessible. What I’m trying to get at is that Robert Jordan has breathed life into each character in the series. The characters are as real as they get.
Take Rand for instance, he started out as a shy, quiet, country boy. But by the middle of the series he has become a cold, calculating man with a giant chip on his shoulder. And the transition, while not that unusual, is not forced. I’ve seen what he went through and though I may not like with what he has become, I understand the reasons for being the way he is. It may sound corny, but I actually felt his pain every time a girl died because of who he was and what he is.
The women of the Wheel of Time are another matter. While not exactly a feminist, Robert Jordan certainly took gender sensitivity classes. I had to check whether the author really was a man midway through the first book. The women in the series are strong, and not merely the lawn ornaments they usually are in fantasy novels. Yet they still manage to be feminine enough for me to actually have a crush on one of them (Liandrin, but don’t tell my wife). Where can you find a woman stab a trolloc (a half-animal, half-human beast) and think about whether she looks good in a particular dress on the same page? And where else can a woman with the title Daughter of the Nine Moons be a little brat? In Middle-Earth? I think not.
Then there is the matter of cultural detail. You could drown in the richness of detail in Robert Jordan’s world. Each region, each race, has its own peculiar customs and traditions. Take the Domani women for instance who use their womanliness (no, it’s not a woman who makes linis) to get what they want. The sea-folk bare their breasts when they reach the open sea (just think about it, no tan lines!) And the Aiel, the stone-faced, stone-hearted Aiel. They’ve been away from the other races for so long they might as well be from another planet. They’ve even forgotten about their past by choice. And the way they take a bath gives new meaning to the term hothouse. The tinkers are what I like to think of as pacifist gypsies. They follow the Way of the Leaf which if everybody adopted would surely bring about the much answered (in beauty pageants) but never attained “world peace” (I kid you not!).
Let’s get to the meaty part, the story. The plot is not exactly original. I mean how original can you get without going back in time and stealing Tolkien’s manuscript? But Robert Jordan does serve up an appetizing dish. In case you’re wondering about the adjectives (meaty, appetizing, dish) it’s past 8 PM and I’m getting hungry. But I digress again. Robert Jordan manages to hold the attention of the reader through ten books as of writing. The pace is as far from Ludlum as it gets but the meandering subplots make for a more satisfying read. You get caught up in the stories revolving around the characters like drunken moths to a flame. But that doesn’t mean that the main plot is given less attention. I could still recall the rising excitement that I felt as prophecies about the Dragon Reborn were fulfilled in an excruciatingly slow progression.
The driving plotline behind the books is the series of events that lead up to the Last Battle, or Tarman Gaidon. Things get more complicated along the way as sub-plots intertwine in ways that made me wish I’ve paid more attention to the knot tying lessons I slept through during my boyscout days (“this can’t be of any use to me when I grow up”, if only I’d known!). Speaking of knots, let me explain the ‘magic’ in the Wheel of Time. The basis of all the ‘magic’ in Robert Jordan’s world is Saidin and Saidar which might be likened to Yin and Yang, the male and female sources of energy (you might be asking what knots have to do with magic, believe me that was not a lame excuse for a segue). The manner of wielding these forces, channeling, are as different as men are from women. Certain characters, Aes Sedai, can weave (weave = knots, see? I wasn’t kidding) these forces to create a fireball, or maybe lightning bolts, even gateways (and this was not in Cubao). Most of the people who channel are women (probably because they attended Home Economics classes). Men who can channel are doomed to go mad (probably because of the taunting from people, “oh look, that man can weave such a delicate pattern”). You’re probably thinking how come I’m making fun of the book. Or maybe you’re counting the number of times I’ve used ‘probably’. First, I’m not making fun of the book. I love the series and can’t wait for book eleven which I’m told is about to be released. This is just the way I usually write, and think. Second, I’ve used the word ‘probably’ nine times. Ok, ok, enough with the lame jokes already. It’s time to get serious. The Wheel of Time is a great series no matter what I write about it. If you’re a fan of fantasy and have lots of time for reading, I recommend getting a copy of the first book, if it doesn’t get you hooked, don’t blame me. To each his own I always say. Reading the series has made me a much better person than I was before. I learned not to say “Blood and bloody ashes” every time I got singed by balefire, I finally learned how to pronounce Nynaeve’s name (that’s what the glossary is for, apparently) and I also have a flatter stomach now (wait, that’s from going to the gym). You’ll have to excuse me. I’ve been waiting for book eleven so long I’m going nuts. In ending I would like to use the words of another favorite writer of mine, Manix Abrera, to describe the Wheel of Time “ASTEEEG!”.

Boracay

2005-12-15T11:32:00.000+08:00

Just got back from Boracay a few weeks ago with my wife. It was amazing. Too bad it was raining most of the time we were there. We spent 3 nights there and I can't think of a better way to spend time.

The beach was exquisite, the consistency and color of the sand reminiscent of powdered milk. My wife was so enthralled by the sand she just had to take some home with us. The water was so clear you could see the fish on the bottom even in chest deep water. Locals and tourists alike couldn't seem to get enough of the beach, splashing about and sunbathing even though it was raining slightly. The view during sunset was nothing but spectacular, my wife and I had a field day taking pictures from all imaginable angles. The sun seemed to melt and flow into the sea as sailboats floated lazily by. This moment, however fleeting, was enough reason for our trip as far as I was concerned. Of course, the day was only starting in Boracay's point of view. As the last rays of the sun faded away, dots of light started appearing along the beachfront. By the time it was totally dark, the number of people appeared to have doubled. We decided to take a break and have some coffee. Imagine taking a sip of your favorite brew with the cool ocean breeze caressing your cheek and the sound of breaking waves soothing your ears. Heaven on earth.

I'll try to post the pictures as soon as I get the chance.

Fuseboxx

2005-12-14T18:56:00.000+08:00

I just had to write about this band. In case you haven't heard of them before, it's because they've just come out with their first album. As far as I know, they're the first prog rock band to come out with an album in the Philippines (please don't hesitate to correct me if I'm wrong). They're also one of the most technically proficient local bands I've come across. Their music, while being true to it's progressive roots, is not that hard to appreciate. Even an ear untrained to the nuances of prog rock will admit that they sound good. In fact, they sound better than good, especially when the vocals kick in. Their vocalist, Abby, has a voice that soothes the soul. Even while the rest of the band is busy ego-tripping with complicated arrangements done at warp speed, you can't help but feel relaxed when she sings. It's probably this balance that makes Fuseboxx's music effective. It's easy to get lost in the convoluted stop-start and complex time signatures of most prog rock bands, but Abby's voice provides an anchor upon which to hold on to as it soars above the controlled cacophony of the band. The rest of the band are no slouches either, as attested by the fact that they won the Red Horse Battle of the Bands. This band has discipline and it's most obvious in the restraint they show. They never succumb to the temptation to fill up every song with scorching solos. With their degree of talent, it would have been an easy trap to fall into. This restraint just shows how mature they are as a band and as musicians.

If you will allow me to wax poetic... the structure of their songs are a metaphor for life... however complicated and unpredictable life is, there is always something beautiful to hold on to. You just have to look(or in this case, listen) hard enough and it's bound to be there.

First time

2005-12-14T15:50:00.000+08:00

This is my first time to blog. I really don't know what to write about. I'm a frustrated writer and a frustrating writer. Most of the time, I'm the only one who can understand what I'm writing about. I guess it's the weird way my mind works sometime. It's like when I was in highschool. I would solve problems in algebra or physics using my own way. I'd get the correct answer but if I tried to explain how I got the answer I would end up confusing whoever it was I was explaining it to. I guess what makes perfect sense to me could very well be a bunch of nonsense to someone else. Well, that's it for now. Got to get back to work.