Elegant Ranting

I heard ‘Silent Night’ and rushed to the telly. What I saw was a wonderful rendition by the Pop-classic group, Il Divo. My fave member is Swiss tenor, Urs Bühler. So, Josh Groban, step aside!

Their voice is positively beautiful. Check out their album.

I was lucky enough to be assigned to plan our Chrismas ball, which was yesterday. Aside from the usual merriment, I made sure we did something for our least fortunate friends, and so, I arranged for some humanitarian work. Rather than buying each other pricey gifts, I thought that we should all bring stuff that we could donate to charity.

Let’s not forget that Christmas is, after all, about giving. And, who needs our generosity more but the poor. Have a Merry Christmas.

I’m beyond ecstatic as yesterday, Dec. 16, 2005, 3:40pm at the F-511 building, I personally met the main actors of the movie ‘Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros.’

JR Valentin and Nathan Lopez along with crew from the movie’s post-production came over to visit the school. I was hoping that the Director, Solito, and the Writer, Yamamoto, came as well, but it’s all good.

Nathan is a typical non-showbiz kid with his timid honesty. When I asked him what he thought he and Maxi had in common, he simply answered that they’re both kids… both fall in love. He did say that he’s used to faking gay in school for fun, so acting it wasn’t entirely new to him.

I must say that the tall and elegantly-nosed JR was very articulate. I asked him how he emotionally prepared himself for his first gay love encounter, with a kid no less. He said the cast and crew helped out a lot. He also said a few other nice things but I was too caught up in a daze that my mind went into ‘dream’ mode. Nathan and he were comfortable with each other so acting wasn’t very difficult.

As a matter of fact, I did not ask any ditsy questions, like do you work-out or can you show us your abs. JR’s performance really did improve since ‘Bridal Shower’ and he’s probably going places.

The film is really about a family sticking with each other against all odds, the challenges of adolescence, and a man’s dignity in his line of work. Not at all camp. The movie uses Maxi (the 12-year-old gay kid) as a medium to luminously narrate the beautiful story penned by Michiko Yamamoto, the same talent behind the story Magnifico.

Let’s support meaningful, Pinoy indi films, WATCH IT!

Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros

Aureaus Solito

It’s one of the winning entries of the Cinemalaya festival of new, independent filmmakers, is so full of the human and the humane. Any cinematic flaw may be easily forgiven by the moviegoer. Some scenes may be jarring due to lack of transition or unintentionally dark, but the audience is gently guided through the journey of an adolescent. You may even notice Victor putting on pants only to be followed by a shot of him wearing shorts instead in the same scene.

The adolescent Maximo is adorable in that he quietly (but with pizzaz) goes to market, cooks meals for his father and two older brothers as a matter of course, cleans the house, mends torn clothing, washes and irons their clothes, runs errands for them, etc. He does his daily chores without a grudge. He is teased by some street toughies, but as a rule, nobody in his poor neighborhood seems to mind his "queerness." It was depicted as it would be in real life. Maximo is not really ostracized. In fact, he often goes out with his barkada , composed of gay teenagers like him, to play and to watch movies in a small video rental shop.

As a teener, Maximo is on the throes of awakening. One day, he meets a handsome and kind policeman, Victor, who saves Maximo from a bully about to rape him. A friendship develops, until Maximo’s brother is hunted down for a murder, and Victor is assigned to catch Maximo’s brother. Tension builds up within the family when the father and the brothers, who firmly stick by one another, order Maximo to cut off his ties with Victor. As violence and suspense ensue, Maximo is torn between his love for Victor and his loyalty to his family.

What makes Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros a great film is that the light treatment of its subject matter does not distract neither the filmmaker nor the moviegoer from the theme of understanding and survival. The world, however unjust, contains people who are willing to change and stop violence. Doing everything in your power to improve yourself is actually possible. (Marra Lanot, Eat My Words)

It’s not so much of a gay film as we know gay films, though its a love story between a young boy and Victor, but the most compelling aspect of the film is the love which is strong in the Oliveros household. It’s warm, real, unpretantious and adventurous. It’s a brillant film.

Go and watch it!

                      Name: Alberto CisollaTeam: ItaliaHeight: 197 cm.Weight: 86 kg.Eyes: BlueBirthdate: Oct 10, 1977Description: "Gorgeous"I was watching the World Volleyball pre-finals when I first caught sight of this Italian delicacy. His approach to the net is amazing and the wollop is superb. He still has a lot to learn from senior team mate Masterangelo, clearly a  powerful player, but his skill is excellent nonetheless. Other team mate Alessandro Fei is great with the blocks, but Cisello commands the offensives. They beat Egypt three sets in a row. Italia is 2nd in the world volleyball ranks; Brazil remains No. 1.

A Big Congratulations to Jeffrey "The Icon" Cedungog and Gladys Hornido for winning the Mindanao Week of Peace Extemporaneous Dialogue Competition.

Jepong (right, with Claire) is truly talented.

The competition was held at the Ateneo de Davao University field on the 30th of November, 2005. The highly respectable Fr. Allejo SJ, Fr. Samson SJ and Atty. Racho-Baldovino were in attendance.

You go, girl! Represent!

    Before everything else, allow me to comment on the film, ‘Slow Motion.’ I believe I’ve seen more riveting performances from roadkill. Seaweed has more authentic emotions in them. My point is that I was distracted by the mediocre performances of the ‘actors’ that I almost missed the message of the film. The message is very true to me since I too belong to a sexuality minority (if there is such a word.) Yet, I am still unimpressed, how much more the heterosexuals which it should reach?

      I do, however, appreciate the message of the film and what it wishes to communicate to the masses. The attempt to create a medium that would help educate the Filipinos is a positive step towards understanding, and ultimately acceptance and equality.

      The first problem of closeted homosexuals is that they themselves do not fully understand their sexuality. They are usually concerned because they feel that they are unnatural and that what they feel towards the same sex is wrong. This is all rooted in the still predominant discursive formations on gender roles. The ideas of what things are supposed to be prevent them from embracing what they are.

      Not being able to understand yourself limits your capability find your identity. This is all due to the societal pressure of following what has been the norm. When you think that what your trying to understand within yourself is wrong then the drive to this fuller understanding is thwarted all together.

      The question of ‘what am I?’ precedes the question of ’should I come out?’ Coming out can only occur if in the first place you are sure of what you are and find your individuality.

      The second problem of closeted homosexuals in school, home or society as a whole is how their peers, family and neighbours would react upon knowledge of their homosexuality. Social acceptance is very crucial during these years so the concern is very imminent. The fear of denial, isolation, ridicule and rejection is a scary reality to them.

      Gay bashing has become ordinary in our schools. This is true because homosexuality in these early years are often seen as an issue too sensitive to thoroughly understand. Homosexuality is, in effect, easily dismissed as something camp, even silly. Everybody denies the issue and just wishes it will go away.

      But sexual discrimination is a reality and should be addressed early on. I have realised from attending the Pink Festival that sexuality itself is an obscurity for homosexuals and heterosexuals alike. I already know so much about homosexuality so what I learned from the festival is more on why heterosexuals irk at the thought of homosexuality.

      By observing the reactions of the viewers, I deduced that dissent or discomfort on homosexuality stems from the general obscurity of sexuality itself. They are uncomfortable at the sight of dildos which simulate penises, even when they looked perfectly natural. The Filipinos are uncomfortable with sexuality as a whole, and more so about something as alien to them as the concept of homosexuality.

      The schools should teach acceptance and beauty in variety at an early stage. They should be taught about not judging people, and when they are old enough, they should be educated about homosexuality. Homosexuality should be talked about intellectually and openly, and not as if a taboo issue.

Our formative years are always spent on finding gratification and getting what we want to feel happy. But as we reach adulthood, things change.

We tend to go into things that we can relate to, to find comfort and a sense of meaning. Some people immerse themselves in theatre and some in sports. And in this place that we consider our niche we strive to be the best at it and perhaps get some distinction in the field.

Its good to strive for the best in this chosen interest. But, this is not an end in itself. Use these experiences in bigger things, like real life, and enrich your wisdom from what you’ve learned in all the experiences (if any.)

Sometimes we try too hard to succeed in this chosen field that we forget the initial reason for getting there, which is just to have something to belong to and to learn. Some become jaded and their world becomes smaller and confined to this preoccupation. This often happens when we fail to crate a balance in our interests like having a viable alternative hobby or other good friends.

Its a sad thing when we cannot find fulfillment anywhere else anymore because we don’t have anything else.

The world is a big ball of experiences. Go out and explore it. It has so much to offer, things beyond your (limited) imagination. Find meaning in other things for they all have a lesson to teach you. Happiness is not confined in a small group. Wisdom is not confined in one has-been. Listen to the sounds surrounding you and not just focus in one frog’s monotonous croak. Hear the melody of the world and find true happiness. Do not dwell in dark, sad places and company. Listen for the happier side of life. It’s a beautiful song.

Set yourself free!

My infatuation to Stanislav has doubled. He’s so dreamy.

Saw Harry Potter today and the little girl inside me is very excited. I believe Viktor Krum in the movie is positively gorgeous. I guess I go for the dark-ish guy with an incredibly athletic physique; and the accent me love. I totally lost 10 IQ points staring at him.

I kinda wanted to see how Fleur defeated her dragon and the rest of the Champions too (esp. Viktor). And why is it that Fleur, being the only woman in the contest, is portrayed as a fumbling damsel in distress? Its sexism. And I didn’t see the dancing thingy that they were supposed to do at the start of the international quidditch thing. There were no leprechauns and Salem withches in the movie, nor elves clamoring.

Cho’s role was almost uneventful. The mermaid song was fabulous. Mertyl is a bitch. Ralph Fiennes was great.

Daniel Radcliffe is certainly beautiful. He looks absolutely dreamy at his MTV screen interview.