I’m Still Here

We’ve gone through alot but we’re still here in this stinkhole we call as the office. I got all emo when I saw the pics from last night taken by Jomer with his Canon IXUS 980 IS. I remember nearly 4 years ago I had a picture with Penny in that same spot. Me sporting my haircut done by John from David’s. She, had chubby cheeks back then. I guess you know you’re friends with someone if you can bitch out at them and still manage to not move out of the workplace because you know that you can’t be at any other place than around them. Let’s grow old together my Sykes crew.

Moi, Tyn, Pheng, Joms, Roel and Bon

My first legit frontal head shot. I love!!!

Pheng and Moi pulling a Charo Ronquillo. 

Today The Office. Tomorrow, The Tyra Show!

Our department is well known in the office for staging crazy FISHes (Fun In a Short Hour). In observance of the Chinese New Year (this post is soo old) we had a China-Doll dress me up. I used Heidi as my model to wear my National Bookstore sponsored ensemble. Made of 100% combustible material.

Calling Project Runway Philippines…

P.S. I was the one holding her sash. She and the uber fierce crepe paper top was awarded 1st Runner up. Nawt Bahhd!  

Gran Torino: A Clint Eastwood Classic

Of course it got nominations and great reviews but I have to ask why no major award for the self-produced and directed Gran Torino of Sir Clint Eastwood. Has the critics gotten tired of him playing the old wise man roles. The way he plays with spiritual themes. The way he coaches protagonists in the stories that he create.

Gran Torino touches on racial, domestic and old people issues. The story is well paced. It follows the life of a Korean War veteran who likes to call people names — prick, gooks, toad and spooks (to name a few). I was constantly checking out the seek bar at the bottom of my Windows Media Player just to get an idea when will the story jump the shark. However, I soon realized this is Eastwood’s way of immersing you in the film, slowly but surely. Eastwood’s character found itself initially pissed with his Hmong neighbors. They are depicted in the movie as a clannish, foodie and traditional set of immigrants. He particularly touched on the accidental friendship that his character made with a local Hmong boy named Thao.

Thao was asked by the Asian gang that wants to take him in, to get Walt’s vintage Gran Torino (it’s actually a car), as part of their initiation process. Thao fails after Walt caught him at gun point. Thao’s mother asked Walt to let Thao work for him for a couple of days to make amends.

A number of times Eastwood’s character saves Thao and his sister. Until, one day, after avenging Thao from the gang who mugged him on his way home from work, Thao’s house was stormed with gunshots. Revenge was inevitable as Walt is already a family to his Hmong neighbors. However, Sue, Thao’s sister, gets home half dead after being assaulted and raped by the gang. Walt blamed himself for the violence reigning in Thao’s family.

He went up to the gang’s place. He condemned the member for the crimes they do to their own people. He motions out his usual invisible gun. As he was reaching for his lighter in his coat pocket he was shot multiple times by the gang members. Police reports said he didn’t bring any weapon that night. He was just really reaching for his lighter.

He died. However, many witnessed the murder. All of the gang members were put behind bars.

I started watching the film having a clear idea, or so I thought how the story would develop. True, it didn’t offer anything new. But the movie reminded us that living and dying, though exact opposites can work hand in hand for the common good. He died so that the entire Hmong community can live in relative peace. Tears surprisingly welled up down my face as Thao drove with Daisy (Walt’s dog) in the Gran Torino that he inherited from Walt.

It didn’t offer anything new BUT Clint Eastwood reminds his viewer time and again of the values that today’s society seem to slowly forget. Family, racial tolerance, friendship and love.

The priest, who was requested by Walt’s wife to make him do confession, said that many who are like him, headstrong and free-thinking men, who confessed their sins and asked for forgiveness found peace afterwards. When Walt died after finally going for a confession with that priest, he truly has found peace.

Critic’s nods may not be enough to get it a Golden Globes or Oscars; I understand this now, because Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino is in a league of its own. I think this is a great film and my Best Movie of the year.

January 11, 2009

It has been my resolve not to celebrate my birthday after this. I’m now 25 and will be for the rest of my life! Thanks to Justin, Aleli, Kharmey, Bo, Joms, Pheng, TJ, Jeff for a currazy night. Happy Birthday Mike (January 13)! It was a rockin party. Hopin that 2009 will be as much fun as that moonlit night at Sam’s place. 

It was a fiber-rich party - fries, fried chicken, salsa and chips, salad. Oh vodka and bacardi too.

(L-R) Mikey, Joms, Bo, Me, Pheng and Justin.

Aleli and Moi. 

My zits would always wanna show up on big ocassions. Kharmey (blue girl). 

Thanks Pheng! 

Fears!

Make Palawan Subterranian River Numero Uno!!!

The New 7 Wonders of Nature released the nominees that made it to the second phase of their global online voting and the Puerto Princesa Subterranian River made it!!!

The Philippines topped the first phase with Palawan’s Subterranian River.  Tubbataha Reef made it to top 4 and Bohol’s Chocolate Hills placed 5th. Unfortunately, in the second phase of the selection process, the N7W officials can only select 1 finalist from 1 country. So, I’m calling ALL Filipinos to vote once more. Vote with no let up this time. This is one way of putting the Philippines in the world scene in the field tourism. We can’t rely on Manny Pacquiao and Charice Pempengco all the time right?The main attraction of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is its 8.2 kilometer underground river which winds through a cave before it streams down to the South China Sea. The lower section of the river is dependent on tidal influences. At the cave’s entrance, you are welcomed with a clear lagoon surrounded by trees growing to the water’s edge. There are also animals inhabiting near the cave such as monkeys, squirrels and large monitor lizards. The park also boasts of rocky mountains with amazing large limestone formations running from north to south. (www.wowparadisephilippines.com)

Log on at  New 7 Wonders of Nature and vote for Palawan’s Subterranian River. It’s a once in a lifetime endeavour that ALL Filipinos should be part of. You can vote multiple times but you need to submit 1 email address each time you do. 

Vote Vote Vote!!! Here’s some photos of our country’s lone entry for the New Seven Nature Wonders of the world.