Shaded

My friends were here last night. It has become a Sunday thing since my operation and I kinda miss it when they don't come over when they have other things/errands to do. It used to be in time for dinner but they were a little late last night. But they came.

They came with the sample ballot. My friend's mom is a teacher and I guess they must have started their seminars/briefings or whatever for the upcoming elections, which to date, is just 42 days away.

Here is the heading of the sample ballot:

The instructions are clear. We will never miss it because it is in Filipino.

Shade the oval. This took me back to high school days of NCEE where I heard many students failed the exam because they did not follow the instructions. Now, this isn't an exam wherein if we fail, we get ourselves affected and only ourselves. This time, it's one vote... one vote less or one vote more for a candidate to win or lose his most dreaded seat. One vote less or one vote more for the person who will rule our country, who will change our country's future. You might say I am thinking too much, but isn't it true?

Anyway.

My friend said this is the most important thing: "Di baleng kulang, huwag lang sobra," referring to the number of candidates for those seats that require more than one person.

I really hope this works.

Singkil

I couldn't remember when I got fascinated by this dance. But what I know is that I fell in love with it the moment I saw it in grade school.

About a week ago, I had the chance to see it again. We were accidentally informed that a cultural presentation was scheduled that day. We had absolutely no idea what was in store for us but off we went for the sole reason that my sister and I's god daughter has a number.

There is such an elegance that I see whenever I see this dance. It didn't change as I grew older. I realized it that night. The performers here are still on grade school and I feel awed that the cultural dance were taught to them and will be on their blood as they grow old. I feel that our culture has to be cultivated so that it may continue to be known to our future generations.

Rated

A few weeks ago, they released this video on the internet as part of the campaign AmBisyon 2010.

Then there was a showcase of Filipino directors like Brilliante Mendoza and Jeffrey Jeturian. They both have videos featured.

Yesterday, on twitter, I read that these video, along with Jeturian's were given an X rating by the MTRCB. So, I went to back-read my FB (and discovered I posted it March 5) and searched for the video to see it again. I actually did post it on my FB with some kind of excitement because I find the video on a positive light. I know it shows poverty. But just like Brillante said, it's what he sees and that's the reality.

I don't see anything wrong about the video. The scenes are true and as real as they can be. The music? Full of hope. FULL OF HOPE. It is actually inviting the youth (and all of us) to start the change.

The board said that video is injurious to the image of our country. I don't see how.

The song is not actually about the scene. But as Brillante puts it, if you will just simply interpret the song, it is somewhat elementary. He was (oh so) right about that.

Perhaps, the board saw it this way: since the song was in the Filipino language, the whole world will not understand, so they'd probably just rely on the scenes. I think it would be good to put subtitle and review it and pass it.

School

Just a random shot from one of my morning walks. These kids were ready for a pose when they saw me taking a photo of this view I posted recently. And I asked them if I could take their picture, and they eagerly posed quite candidly.

It's The Moment that Matters

I decided to have a late walk so that I can get not only a good exercise but a good amount of sunshine as well. The funny thing is, I woke up to a cloudy day with a very refreshing amount of shower as I started getting out of our house. I was thinking of going out but studied my instinct, which told me it won't get harder.

I was thinking twice whether I should or shouldn't bring my camera. But I wouldn't want to miss the opportunity of a flat light just in case one picture-moment springs out. And something did. I've been passing by this place for about a week or more already. I see this house, kinda like it but couldn't take a shot because sunrise is at it's back, giving me the old against-the-light photo thing. And this morning gave me the chance.

Then, I went home, took my breakfast and check my online things. I looked that this album posted by a friend and this picture caught my eye. I know that, for some, it won't pass the quality because it's a little blurred. But then, I just find it a one perfect-moment photograph. Then, I thought, "Sometimes it's not the quality of the picture, but the message it's trying to convey or the thoughts of the one who took the shot."