Thursday, December 24, 2020

All Aboard the Holiday Express!

Christmas is sadder—not because of the reasons you think


As the sound of laughters fade,

and greetings stop,

you quietly retreat in your room

looking at its ceiling

seeing nothing;

feeling nothing;

only thinking: Christmas is sadder

not because of the reasons you think

not because of this pandemic 

nor the satire of people imitating 

the last sounds of the dying, 

decaying memories just because of 

an angered gun-holder

beholder of bursting birse


Being intrigued: Christmas is sadder

not because of the reasons you think

not because of failed states, 

nor temporary people

who betray consistencies of

your beloved good mornings 

nor that temporary bliss

that delay promises 


As the sound of laughters fade,

and greetings stop,

Christmas is sadder

not because you devoted too much time to the idea that everything will eventually be okay

it’s too big yet too little 

not enough really— getting frustrated of the little things;

covering shifts;

saving up for that brand new product;

pestering your siblings;

demanding accountability;

savoring your hard-earned money;

condemning merciless killings;

creating dissenting opinions;

having a losing streak;

not finishing requirements;

not being loved back;

dealing with grief;

battling worsening anxieties;

bothering those who are not being bothered;

Christmas was and is


Christmas was a barrier

that’s why it’s sadder

because it’s the only time

that you don’t bother thinking of these

 

Alas! It is better— if Christmas makes you forget

then I only wish for you to remember 

you always needed a stopover 

so you can continue struggling in order to progress 

but struggle better

and progress nonetheless 



Wednesday, April 29, 2020

On Irony, Acceptance, and the Films that come along with it


Disclaimer: this does not intend to sound privileged (as it may seem) I know there are numerous people suffering immensely and "blogging" is not the best solution to help alleviate the most unprecedented predicament our country and the world is facing right now. But I guess it's better than saying nothing at all. So please, by all means, be considerate.

Fetch me some Fe, will you?

Do you know a person who is so religious that even in the most unconventional manner, he/she would preach just to advance his/her belief? But, in the most frustrating situation, he/she is the same person who turns out to be so quiet when it comes to hearing news about killing and violation of basic human rights? 

What about a person who does not want to be dictated when it comes to his/her own decisions? Is he/she the same person who would dictate you how or how not to interpret a certain statement given by the authorities?

Here’s another one, maybe you know of someone who justifies ‘injustices’ blatantly given to the underrepresented? Is he/she the one who acts aggravated, full-level-pissed-off-innuendo-enraged individual when he/she does not receive proper support or treatment by the government?

No? I guess these people only exist in our imaginations then? Think again. If your boat is a big as mine, I sure hope we are cruising the same ocean. I meant, I don’t necessarily want you to be on the same boat, I just want you to follow my path.

I'm starting to believe that Irony is reality that governs this world. Not even Novelty nor any universal law developed by the greatest minds in history. You see, this is the problem. I know a lot of people who would easily give in to believing that nothing is wrong if you just follow the rules given. Well, technically, that is correct. But what about if the same rules no longer define the main purpose of its existence? How about that? Can you now see the irony in it?

The Father of Grisha Jaeger you hated but subconsciously embodied

I recently finished watching this colossal (get it?) franchise of an anime, Attack on Titan and it really, really changed my perspective on watching series, more so, the genre of anime. I mean, yes, I might be a few years late from this hype but I think its charm will remain timeless.

Okay, so let’s fast forward to season 3 and talk about the fascinating reveal of “The Subjects of Ymir” and all its conspiracy. For the fans of the show, you know by heart what I am talking about. Yes, the not-so-big reveal of this century-old secret in the forsaken world where Titans causally eat humans, not for food reasons, but…for fun. Take note, I am only speaking for the animated series because I never read the manga, yet. Stop bashing me.

Alright, sorry. Do you all remember that fu***r of a father Grisha had? In case you didn’t know, his own daughter was mercilessly killed by the “police” letting her be attacked by dogs. Yes, that person is the same person who chose to shut up and listen to authorities rather than to act furiously and say something back to the people who run the government, or what’s left of it in that manner.

Now, there are a lot of individuals who embody Grisha’s father. That, is in and of itself, bad. But ladies and gentlemen, if you hated that fu***r and you remained neutral or sided with the recent wrongdoings of the government, you perfectly gone full circle in drinking that Fe you have inside you. That’s even worse. How ironic, am I right?

I know, this is fiction and no way in this world human-eating-for-fun Titans exists. But that’s the beauty of films and series, right? It transports us into a different world (that is Escapism. The thing you feel when you are immersed watching a quality movie) and then lets us go back to our real world to apply what we have learned when we have escaped for two hours and a half. I mean, if you only watch a movie so you can finally devour the snack you’ve always wanted, then, it’s a shame. I guess my point is, stop being so neutral with whatever’s happening, man. Or woman.

We hated Regina George, but did we really?
           
Okay, now on with some chick-flick classic in the early 2000s when Lindsay Lohan’s career was still stable. You all know the story, right? Mean Girls was such a hallmark of a movie that it basically described what a typical high-school would be like. With some casual bus-hitting accidents from time to time.

My actual takeaway from this is not really about fighting against those mean girls that kept bothering you your whole life (when you’re in high-school) it’s about not giving a fu** about them and just living on with what you really love to do. So, you can’t sit with them. Well, boo-hoo. What’s the big deal, honey?

Did we really hate Regina George, or did we secretly see ourselves in the way she acted all throughout the movie? Yes, you’re right. We can never be not judgmental. It’s as if the whole point of the movie is to acknowledge the fact that have been Reginas at some point in our lives, and it so much hurt us that we cannot be as beautiful as Rachel McAdams, but in a sense, we have always been waiting for that real transformation that we need: to eradicate validation as a norm for acceptance.

Validation, in an aspect suitable for you then, is so overrated. The true person who deserve the crown, is the one who never needs it. The one, who will never need it.

We will eventually be infinite, like Charlie, Sam, and Patrick

Oh, wow. This movie is just so beautiful. It’s a masterpiece in our time and it will transcend for future viewers who will eventually get tired of teen angst and occasional weird hormones. Although I don’t think there is a right age to watch this movie, I best believe that it should be watched around the time you feel profound at the same time lost. So 18-23, I guess? Fair warning: it may also cause some triggers for mental health issues, but I think the beauty of it is that it was not over acknowledged nor under acknowledged.

The thing is, for those of who watched it, aside from the fact that maybe you’re too focused on how much of a hottie Ezra Miller or Emma Watson is (or both; depending on your preference) and the same fact that Logan Lerman’s awkwardness made you fall in love with awkward boys or made you want to be the same awkward boy is so chaotic and profound at the same time.

The movie does not only tell a story; it also directs you to be part of each chapter. The consistencies made you believe that when movies are too relatable, they are not automatically designed to make you feel miserable or paranoid.

Maybe the ‘friend’ Charlie was talking to was unconsciously sent to himself, or to Patrick, or to Sam, or even to Maria Elizabeth. But, eventually, if, or when you can come to your senses, best believe that is, or was rather written for you, the reader and the watcher.

The Quarantine has just begun, so must you.

Eventually, we’ll be in our beds again. Thinking of the most wicked thoughts we can have. But for formalities sake, I hope you have a good sleep.