I don't know if they are really hammerhead sharks, but many of my friends say these are hammerhead sharks. We have them in a small cemented aquarium cum pond. We have three of them and they have been sharing their glorious lives with us for more than five years.

From a fist size to that big a basin to fit, they are really huge now and we are wondering if they could still fit our small aquarium/pond made especially for them.

We have plenty of pets with us, I once posted our dogs, and we also have pigeons. We had two hamsters and guinea pigs but they all died just early January because of the unpredictable hot at noon and cold at night weather. We also have hens, but these fishes are the ones who were able to stand with us for a long time, aside from our dogs.

This too, is my favorite among our pets. Although I do not have the time to feed them, but I always love to watch them swim to and fro and they erase my weariness every time I peek on them.

If Mordsith has her Casper, what is your comfort pet?

Movies... and a Lot More Movies

The Oscars just went by, and I love the movies they have presented, some of which I have not had the chance to watch yet, but will do soon, very very soon.

This post is not a tag, but I just want to share to you the many movies I have loved and will love watching repeatedly.

Of different genre, different stars, offering different modes of comfort to the watcher, but I love them all. These are just some on my LOVE list, some of which are movie titles I have already forgotten but when re-played over HBO, I can only stop and stay in front of the TV to finish it off, no matter how busy I am.

These movies have captured my heart in a different level for me to be featuring them here, some of you may agree but some may find the movie too low a quality or too sappy to have made me cry or laugh, but hey, to each his own. ;-)

So here goes my list, in no particular order.

I was in college when I saw this film and this made cry. Today, we celebrate our Independence Day! Whoa, and goosebumps started growing in my arms.


Madagascar made me laugh on the first movie, and truly made me teary-eyed (not really cry, because I was with the kids) on the second movie, it's about three friends and their adventures and misadventures in the jungle. Click here to read my review on the movie.


This my kids and I love to watch over and over again. I am just sure that you too would agree, this is just so HILARIOUS, Ice Age sequels are. watch out for Ice Age 3!

Of course, who wouldn't love the Panda who is just so big to become part of the Five? My kids were enjoying this over their popcorn and soda, and so did we. Haha.

City of Angels makes me teary-eyed even if I watch it over and over again. I don't know why this movie tugs at my heartstring so much. I just love Meg Ryan and Nicholas Cage together.
"Why is my Reflection someone I don't know?"... Goes the song in Mulan, a song truly piercing the heart, sang by Lea Salonga, and truly speaking for Mulan, who wants to do whatever she can just to save the place she and her family has been defending for.

I was in the ending part of my high school when this movie got the best of me. Nice storyline, very cool actors and actresses, very timely also for my graduation in high school.

I cannot help but share this to you, but this one is a classic but I tell you, you will love this film.

Q:Why did you do it?
A: Because I love you.

That is how it happened at the ending part, the Cutting Edge is one love story I will never forget, it's one of those movies that give you the kilig factor, and makes you fall in love all over again. Sigh...

This one is a favorite of mine! Patch Adams is a doctor-comedian who loves to make people laugh and cures the sick through laughing, um, not really laughing, but making you feel positive despite the illness you have. A lovely story. I particularly love the part when Patch recites a sonnet (Sonnet XVII) written by Pablo Neruda....

I don't love you as if you were the salt-rose, topaz
or arrow of carnations that propagate fire:
I love you as certain dark things are loved,
secretly, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that doesn't bloom and carries
hidden within itself the light of those flowers,
and thanks to your love, darkly in my body
lives the dense fragrance that rises from the earth.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where,
I love you simply, without problems or pride:
I love you in this way because I don't know any other way of loving

but this, in which there is no I or you,
so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand,
so intimate that when I fall asleep it is your eyes that close.

I love Brave heart, we should. It's a classic novel turned into a movie and portrayed the brave heart of one trying to defend a country to the grave.

Air Force One is a film we didn't have plans of watching but we did, way back in college. Me and my two boardmates were just planning of doing "pamalengke" but ended up going downhill to the city to make "pamalengke" because the stores near us were all closed. Sadly, we realized we were the only ones doing the pamalengke because it was a "holiday". We decided to do "pamalengke" sa grocery store at Gaisano, and ended up watching this film instead. And if I may add, we went home with nothing but "balut" (cook fertilized duck egg) in our hands.


Oh, who doesn't love Stinky and Stretchy and Fatso! And Casper, the Friendly ghost! I love Christinna Ricci here and the movie is just lovely that I cried...
Forrest Gump, life is like a box of chocolates. True, I love this movie. Very nice storyline and the lesson you learn from it is just valuable.

The romantic tragedy, Titanic is a movie filled with so much love "at first sight" portrayed by Leonardo di Caprio and the newly crowned best actress in the Oscars KDate Winslet.

Oh, read the book first in order to understand Bridges of Madison County. I just love this film.

The Laugh of my entire life, Go Big Green! Remember the goat-kissing? Haha. This movie spells
F-U-N!

And this one is a treasure. You have to watch this baseball game film. I assure you, this is a must-see.

Well, aside from these movies, I also love a lot lot more, You've Got Mail, IQ, Waterworld, The Oceans 11,12, 13, The Godfather, The Harry Potter Series, Music and Lyrics, High School Musical, The Nutty Professor, and a lot more.

Oh movies, I wish I have all the time in the world just to watch, watch and watch!

Now, what's your favorite? Do share!

HOT? or Not?

Lately, I haven't been going out of our house, except when I go to the office, do some errands, or visit the malls. I just don't feel like going out because the HEAT is killing me. It's scorching HOT outside and my migraine is killing me whenever the excruciating HEAT is ON!

While it is true that trees give us shade and provide us with what we basically need and that is oxygen, people in the MMDA seem not to notice this fact.

I have never been to Manila for a long long time, and I don't know how bad it has come. I can only imagine myself hustling on the walks because of the heavy traffic, and anxious that MMDA will catch me jaywalking even if I'm on the right track.

If there's one thing I hate about the MMDA, it has come to this point that they cut trees because of the traffic. They prefer to be giving priority to the widening of roads, because according to them, trees must not be in roads.

In Hongkong, recent news is that air pollution is at its worst in that big city. The industrialization has taken the best of HK, especially the environment. The news provides that more than 2,000 people and residents have been hospitalized in 2008 due to the unclean air that the residents are breathing in.

But Manila has trees, i mean had trees that could have blocked out too much carbon dioxide released in the atmosphere. They could have provided more oxygen and absorbed the carbon dioxide that vehicles are adding to the now dirty air of Luzon. Whether they are misplaced in road walks, they are still trees, and must not be pulled out, cut out or whatever MMDA wants to do with them. I heard they wouldn't be replacing them either because they are so called "misplaced trees".

I pity the MMDA, they are much in love with pink than with green which is the natural color for a good and healthy environment.

So what's there to do? No trees for the shade, not enough oxygen in the roads. I guess we just better visit the malls and eat:


Ok, yummy isn't it? And satisfyingly refreshing! Ahhh, sarap ng halu-halo.

*NB.

Huwag pahuhuli sa MMDA habang kumakain nito, baka pati ito matanggal sa menu ng mga restos.

Where is Humanity?

Let me just share to you what the Civil Code says about humanity. Highlighted texts were given some "thoughts" by the owner of this site, and is solely my two cents on this particular issue.

Art. 19. Every person must, in the exercise of his rights and in the performance of his duties, act with justice, give everyone his due, and observe honesty and good faith.

* Did they really act with just justice in the exercise of their rights and in the performance of their duties? Did they give the men what is due them? Were they in good faith when they killed them?

It was not justice! They were not even condemned as such, they were supposed to be heard before they were killed, they were supposed to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. But they're dead now, who can cry out to the heavens and hear them out and listen to what they have to say. For Pete's sake, it was something else, ahhh, murder?

Art. 20. Every person who, contrary to law, willfully or negligently causes damage to another, shall indemnify the latter for the same.

*Let's say they willfully caused damaged to other people, must they be indemnified just like that?

Art. 21. Any person who willfully causes loss or injury to another in a manner that is contrary to morals, good customs or public policy shall compensate the latter for the damage.

Art. 22. Every person who through an act of performance by another, or any other means, acquires or comes into possession of something at the expense of the latter without just or legal ground, shall return the same to him.

*Okey, they got the car, they were carnappers, so they must pay. Is killing a form of payment? Call me very humane when it comes to them, but this is very troublesome. I had my eyes glued on the TV for the whole time it was aired and I am just so disappointed at what the police have done to them, I'd call the police so heartless, they had to shoot once, ok, I guess to stop the car and warn the suspects, but to pull them out of the car and shoot them outrightly is one thing close to murder.

Art. 23. Even when an act or event causing damage to another's property was not due to the fault or negligence of the defendant, the latter shall be liable for indemnity if through the act or event he was benefited.

Art. 24. In all contractual, property or other relations, when one of the parties is at a disadvantage on account of his moral dependence, ignorance, indigence, mental weakness, tender age or other handicap, the courts must be vigilant for his protection.

Art. 25. Thoughtless extravagance in expenses for pleasure or display during a period of acute public want or emergency may be stopped by order of the courts at the instance of any government or private charitable institution.

Art. 26. Every person shall respect the dignity, personality, privacy and peace of mind of his neighbors and other persons. The following and similar acts, though they may not constitute a criminal offense, shall produce a cause of action for damages, prevention and other relief:

(1) Prying into the privacy of another's residence:

(2) Meddling with or disturbing the private life or family relations of another;

(3) Intriguing to cause another to be alienated from his friends;

(4) Vexing or humiliating another on account of his religious beliefs, lowly station in life, place of birth, physical defect, or other personal condition.

Art. 27. Any person suffering material or moral loss because a public servant or employee refuses or neglects, without just cause, to perform his official duty may file an action for damages and other relief against he latter, without prejudice to any disciplinary administrative action that may be taken.

Art. 28. Unfair competition in agricultural, commercial or industrial enterprises or in labor through the use of force, intimidation, deceit, machination or any other unjust, oppressive or highhanded method shall give rise to a right of action by the person who thereby suffers damage.

Art. 29. When the accused in a criminal prosecution is acquitted on the ground that his guilt has not been proved beyond reasonable doubt, a civil action for damages for the same act or omission may be instituted. Such action requires only a preponderance of evidence. Upon motion of the defendant, the court may require the plaintiff to file a bond to answer for damages in case the complaint should be found to be malicious.

If in a criminal case the judgment of acquittal is based upon reasonable doubt, the court shall so declare. In the absence of any declaration to that effect, it may be inferred from the text of the decision whether or not the acquittal is due to that ground.

Art. 30. When a separate civil action is brought to demand civil liability arising from a criminal offense, and no criminal proceedings are instituted during the pendency of the civil case, a preponderance of evidence shall likewise be sufficient to prove the act complained of.

Art. 31. When the civil action is based on an obligation not arising from the act or omission complained of as a felony, such civil action may proceed independently of the criminal proceedings and regardless of the result of the latter.

Art. 32. Any public officer or employee, or any private individual, who directly or indirectly obstructs, defeats, violates or in any manner impedes or impairs any of the following rights and liberties of another person shall be liable to the latter for damages:

(1) Freedom of religion;

(2) Freedom of speech;

(3) Freedom to write for the press or to maintain a periodical publication;

(4) Freedom from arbitrary or illegal detention;

(5) Freedom of suffrage;

(6) The right against deprivation of property without due process of law;

(7) The right to a just compensation when private property is taken for public use;

(8) The right to the equal protection of the laws;

* The Law provides that, we all have the equal protection of the law. Or NOT. They were simple shot. Without. Any. Hearing.

The policemen involved in this case were supposed to protect, but they were the ones who sabotaged this law. They were not protectors in this instance. They were exterminators.

(9) The right to be secure in one's person, house, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures;

(10) The liberty of abode and of changing the same;

(11) The privacy of communication and correspondence;

(12) The right to become a member of associations or societies for purposes not contrary to law;

(13) The right to take part in a peaceable assembly to petition the government for redress of grievances;

(14) The right to be free from involuntary servitude in any form;

(15) The right of the accused against excessive bail;

(16) The right of the accused to be heard by himself and counsel, to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him, to have a speedy and public trial, to meet the witnesses face to face, and to have compulsory process to secure the attendance of witness in his behalf;

* Enough said, of course, they can be heard no more. They won't have the benefit of being informed of the accusation against them, they no longer will get any speedy trial. They're dead.

(17) Freedom from being compelled to be a witness against one's self, or from being forced to confess guilt, or from being induced by a promise of immunity or reward to make such confession, except when the person confessing becomes a State witness;

(18) Freedom from excessive fines, or cruel and unusual punishment, unless the same is imposed or inflicted in accordance with a statute which has not been judicially declared unconstitutional; and

(19) Freedom of access to the courts.

In any of the cases referred to in this article, whether or not the defendant's act or omission constitutes a criminal offense, the aggrieved party has a right to commence an entirely separate and distinct civil action for damages, and for other relief. Such civil action shall proceed independently of any criminal prosecution (if the latter be instituted), and mat be proved by a preponderance of evidence.

The indemnity shall include moral damages. Exemplary damages may also be adjudicated.

The responsibility herein set forth is not demandable from a judge unless his act or omission constitutes a violation of the Penal Code or other penal statute.

Art. 33. In cases of defamation, fraud, and physical injuries a civil action for damages, entirely separate and distinct from the criminal action, may be brought by the injured party. Such civil action shall proceed independently of the criminal prosecution, and shall require only a preponderance of evidence.

Art. 34. When a member of a city or municipal police force refuses or fails to render aid or protection to any person in case of danger to life or property, such peace officer shall be primarily liable for damages, and the city or municipality shall be subsidiarily responsible therefor. The civil action herein recognized shall be independent of any criminal proceedings, and a preponderance of evidence shall suffice to support such action.

* They better reason right, or else, justice be upon them too. If killing other people as a means of revenge is what you call justice, then, I don't know what JUSTICE will mean to younger generations.

See, they were supposed to render aid or protection. In this case, the policemen were the dangers closing in on the victims.

*****

Somebody please enlighten me on this one, but I just think this was JUST NEVER RIGHT!

Indulgence

Hello everyone, for the time being, I am so engrossed in work that I have nothing to share to you except this:

Ahhh, indulgence!

Tell me, who doesn't love chocolates?

The Valentine's Date

I am not really a super fan of him, not until Saturday.

When I met him, I thought of sloppy old love songs I hear on the FM stations, and I even thought of bringing my Ipod just in case he fails to meet my expectations. I was born a rock'en roll fan, and mushy love songs are somewhat in the seconds and thirds on my list, but he made me love it. He made me change my mind. And sloppy old love songs are lovable, this he made me realize.

Not only because of his voice, and his singing, but because of the awesome band he was with. Oh come on, I couldn't get a better band than what he brought, I was amazed! They were oh-so superb!

David Pomeranz Concerts are a must-see!

The songs have their own story and they tug the heartstrings. Every song I listened to were very nice, they were all worth listening to. And they make you realize what magic love can bring.

Take me to your heart
Show me where to start
Let me play the part of your first love
All the stars are right
Every wish is ours tonight, my love
Pity those who wait
Trusting love to fate
Finding out too late that they've lost it
Never letting go
They will never know the ways of love

(Got to Believe in Magic)


I was a man of conviction
Itchin' in pure over-drive
Burning both ends of the candle
Searching for meaning in life
Until that one night when it happened
You took my soul by surprise
And suddenly I knew the answer
There in the blue of your eyes
I learned it all from you.

(I Learned It All From You)

Doctor, my woman
Is comin' back home late today
Could you maybe give me somethin'?
'Cause the feeling is gone and I must get it back right away
Before she sees that I've been
Up, down, tryin' to get the feeling again
All around, tryin' to get the feeling again
The one that made me shiver
Make my knees start to quiver
Every time she walks in

And I've looked high, low
Everywhere I possibly can
But there's just no tryin' to get the feelin' again
It seemed to disappear as fast as it came

Read ev'ry book
Looked
Through every meditation and poem
Just to bring home
That old sweet sensation
But it ain't no use to me
To try to get that feeling again

Where did it run to?
I thought I'd done all that I could
Just to keep the love burnin'

I've been up, down
Tryin' to get the feeling again.

(Trying to Get the Feeling)

We're the king and queen of hearts
Hold me when the music starts
All my dreams come true
When I dance with you
Promise me you're mine tonight
I won't wait in line tonight
While the lights are low
I'll never let you go.

(King and Queen of Hearts)

If you walked away from me today
I am sure that who you were going to
Would feel the way that I do
Baby it's you
Who fills up my life
And if you walked away from me today
Never to return until the journey
That you made had ended
I know you planned it
Just to fill up my life

Fill my life
Till now
No one's been able to show me how
To fill my life like you
You are the woman who taught me to

(If You Walked Away)

I believed in fairy tales
In magic spells and wishing wells
And pirate sails
And once I thought I'd never fall in love
That shows how much I knew
I believed in Superman
In Santa Claus, the world of Oz
And wonderland
But one by one those fantasies have failed
While you keep shining through
I still believe in you

(I Still Believe in You)

There are nights
When I can't help but cry
And I wonder why
You had to leave me
Why did it have to end so soon
When you said that you
Would never leave me?
Tell me, where did I go wrong?
What did I do to make you
Change your mind completely?
When I thought
This love would never end
But if this love's not ours to have
I'll let it go with your goodbye

(Tell Me)

Here we stand today
Like we always dreamed
Starting out our live together
Night is in your eyes
Love is in our hearts
I can't believe you really mine forever

I feel rehearse in for this moment in all my life
So don't act surprise
If the feelings start to carry me away


On this day
I promise forever
On this day
I surrendered my heart
Here I stand take my hand
And I will follow every word that i say
On this day

(On This Day)

And on that day, I was in love, very much in love, with my hubby and David Pomeranz songs. And what do you know, my Ipod is overflowing with his songs! Haha.

How did your Valentine's Day go?

I Love the Way You Love ME

To The Love of My Life

There are no words I can think of, to let you know how much I love you. I think words are not enough to let you know how happy I am to have you in my life. I may not be that perfect but I sure am glad that everything in you compliments the lacking in me. It's always the truth, you complete me, and I just love you the way you are.

I cannot think of anything best to offer you, but this song really expresses it all.

I Love the Way You Love ME

I like the feel of your name on my lips
And I like the sound of your sweet gentle kiss
The way that your fingers run through my hair
And how your scent lingers even when you're not here


And I like the way your eyes dance when you laugh
And how you enjoy your two-hour bath
And how you've convinced me to dance in the rain
With everyone watching like we were insane.


But I love the way you love me
Strong and wild, slow and easy
Heart and soul so completely
I love the way you love me.


And I like the sound of old R 'n' B
And you roll your eyes when I'm sloppily off key
And I like the innocent way that you cry
At sappy old movies you've seen thousands of times.

And I could list a million things
I love to like about you
But they could all come down to one reason
I could never live without you.


Happy Heart's Day Everyone!

I have, I have not...

Mordsith, thank you for this tag, I sure had a fun time doing this!

1. Have you ever been on TV?

I don't think so, I am not that giddy at seeing myself on TV.

2. Have you ever sung in public?

Yes, yes. When I was in my younger years, I used to sing for our church, I also became worship leader, I dunno what's with my voice that they picked me?

3. Have you ever dyed your hair blond?

Nope, never. And I'm warning you, just don't touch my hair. Pangit na nga, dadagdagan niyo pa ang kapangitan, hahaha.

4. Have you ever eaten frog legs?

Yes, and very masarap. I tasted it because it was my Dad who cooked it. Tastes like chicken...

5. Have you ever received a present that you really hated?

I don't think I did, but if ever I'd be given, I'll thank him whoever he is for the most-hated-gift.

6. Have you ever walked into a lamp post?

Into a lamp post no, but in a clear glass of an establishment, yes. It was so clear that I thought I could just enter without any delays, then Boom! My forehead soon got a big bump. Ngyawks, sa Jollibee SM Davao yun, kakahiya. That time kasi, I was driven with "stufidety." Hehe...

7. Have you ever cooked a meal by yourself for more than 15 people?

Oh yeah, to more than 15 pa, I love to cook for other people especially during parties, knowing my life's stories, who do you think will cook for us here during parties? Hehe, and they say I'm good at it. Naks, nagyabang pa, hehe.

8. Have you ever fallen or stumbled in front of others?

Stumbled, yes, but didn't really fall. Pero mas shameful yung nabangga sa clear glass, promise.

9. Have you ever done volunteer work?

Oh yeah, and I so love it. I love to do volunteer works, wag lang mag voluntarily donate blood.


The tag must circulate the blogosphere, and so I am tagging three, Blue Rose, KG and Garando, you three are IT! Enjoy the tag guys!

The Birthday that Was

I woke up early that day to prepare for the big day, you think I was having a bash or anything? No, I had other plans and that is for us to visit our house in La Cassandra.

3 days before that, we went to a big mall here in Gensan and took advantage of the clearance sale that they were having, my impulsive wallet starts itching to buy cabinets and wardrobes for our house. And so we did. I had them delivered on my birthday.

And these are the purchases I got!

the Master's bedroom wardrobe
original price: P8, 695
sale price: P6, 956

these are my kids' clothes shelf
I bought two of this beauties, one for each of them.
original price: P2, 365
sale price: P1, 892

our TV rack, (TV soon to come, teehee!)
original price: P1, 795
sale price: P1, 436

All of our purchases only cost us P12, 176. It could have cost us P15, 220. It was such a steal! So happy birthday to me, and that was what made me happy indeed!

At the end of the day, we just passed through Chicken Hauz and bought a box of garlic chicken, some orders of Pancit Canton, and voila! We stuffed our empty stomachs. It was a nice birthday treat from the hubby. Thank you so much!

The next day was our schedule to watch Benjamin Button's life and after the movie date Hubby and I had, we went home and was surprised by this:

a birthday surprise from Luzon

I was actually very surprised, I was coursing through all the adhesive tapes looking for the sender's name, until I got through the contents and there it was, the card which bore the sender's name, Jeanny.

Chocolate-y goodness

The sweetest and my closest blogger-friend and fellow Aquarian Jeanny sent me these goodies. Oh how I love chocolates, and what's more, Snickers! Whoa there! Chocolates, I love you for surprising me this way Jeanny! Thank you very much. And it's her birthday this 15th too, and what's good is that, she's having a birthday giveaway! Go visit her place and greet her! She's Startin' a New Life on her new age. You might want to try your luck in her Moleskin giveaway!

And just yesterday, I still got another gift from a fellow bibliophile, Sir Gilbert. He gave me this.

Go on, google it. You will love the contents of this book, it is very interesting. Thanks Sir Gilbert! He writes very interesting stories and I love to visit his place everyday. He is one cool writer. Please hop over to his place and pay him a visit.

So that's it! That's what made happy during my birthday. Happy happy indeed! And to all of you who greeted me thru SMS, comments section and my CBox, maraming salamat po. May God bless you richly.

I Got Curious...Too

Two days ago, a blogger friend and fellow bookworm Sir Gilbert sent me a pdf file of the newest movie hitting the cinemas this week, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald, written in 1921.


I immediately went home to read the short story since I love reading stories before watching their film versions. And since I was so busy with lots of things during my birthday (will share in my next post), hubby and I decided to watch the movie just after that big day. In as much as I loved the book story, the film was even lovelier. I enjoyed the almost 3 hours run of the film, and cried when the story tugged the heartstrings.

Some noticeable changes that I saw were also placed here in a review by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

*****

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

Loosely based on F. Scot Fitzgerald’s short story, tells a somewhat similar tale, but the difference is the “disability”—Benjamin ages backwards as he journeys through life.

He begins life with one foot on the grave and then grows “younger” over the years, passing middle life, adolescence, childhood, and finally, infancy.

Daisy (Cate Blanchett) is on her deathbed in a hospital in New Orleans, as hurricane Katrina approaches in 2005. She asks her daughter Caroline (Julia Ormond), to read to her the diary written by Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt). From this point on, the story is then told from the perspective of Benjamin and in his own voice.

Benjamin is born “under unusual circumstances.” Although newborn, he has the physical appearance of an 80-year-old man. Horrified by the sight of his son, his father, Thomas (Jason Flemying), abandons him on the doorstep of a retirement home where he is adopted by Queenie (Taraji Henson), who also gives him her name.

Over the course of time, Benjamin “grows younger” and also meets his first love, a young girl named Daisy, whose grandmother lives in the elderly home. Eventually the two part ways as Benjamin goes on to work on the tugboat of Captain Mike (Jared Harris). He becomes younger as each year passes and goes on a colorful journey that involves having an affair with Elizabeth Abbott (Tilda Swinton), whose husband is a British spy; maintaining a close relationship with Thomas, who later reveals that he is his father; and also participating in World War II with Captain Mike.

Upon returning home from the war, Benjamin rekindles his romance with Daisy. But they face a greater challenge of never being able to grow old together as they age in opposite directions.

Curious changes

Directed by David Fincher and written by Eric Roth (who wrote “Forrest Gump”), the movie adaptation is significantly different from Fitzgerald’s short story. However, this does not hinder the way that Benjamin’s reverse-aging story is beautifully told.

In the original story, Benjamin is not abandoned but reluctantly raised by his father, Roger. The setting is also changed, from a 19th century Baltimore in the story to New Orleans in the movie.

Moreover, Benjamin’s characterization in the film is nothing short of amazing. From an old man becoming a 25-year-old charmer, Pitt delivers beautifully. The only thing peculiar about Pitt’s role is that it is difficult to imagine him portraying a man in his mid-twenties sans the boyish-wavy hair and the digital effects on his face.

On the other hand, Blanchett’s Daisy radiates beauty, leaving no doubt as to why Benjamin continues to pursue her despite her aging, making it appear that she’s really his life’s quest and nothing else.

But the original story is significantly different. In the film, Benjamin swears to Daisy that he would continue to love her even as he grows “younger” and as she grows older. This is highlighted in the film when Benjamin, chronologically aged 60-plus but looks 20, shares a passionate night with the elderly Daisy. In Fitzgerald’s story, as Benjamin grows younger, he becomes less attracted to his beau and wife, whose name is Hildegarde. As a “young” man, he would constantly leave his old wife most of the time to party and flirt with younger women, who share the same age as his youthful looks. In other words, the original story depicts a more human Benjamin, one who gives in to worldly temptations.

In the story, too, Benjamin grows up in different circumstances. He goes to Harvard, plays college football, and gets married, among others. Also in the short story, Benjamin is already talking, acting and dressing like an adult a couple of hours after he was born.

The characterization of his father in the original story and the film also differ dramatically. If the film portrays a father who hated his son’s physical appearance but shows remorse in the end, the original story, on the other hand, depicts a father who raises Benjamin but nonetheless forces him to act according to his chronological age.

Although the original short story is only roughly 11 chapters long, the plot in the film is protracted into a magnificent two-and-a-half-hour epic that features several picturesque scenes with Benjamin—experiencing his “first time” at the age of 20 even though he looks no less than 65, then later riding a motorcycle at the age of 50 but with the ruggedly handsome looks of a young adult.

Perhaps one drawback in the film is that it shows one too many scenes involving Caroline and Daisy in the hospital where the former reads out Benjamin’s diary. It somehow makes viewers disconnected from the main plot, which is Benjamin’s backward fate.

Nevertheless, it’s a rare and charming plot—the premise of aging backwards, intertwined with love between two people who are growing old in opposite directions—it’s about the wonders of time, old age and frailty, and above all, love’s transcendence.

*****

I say read it, and believe in the power of the human mind.
Watch it, and believe in the power of love.

A true evidence of the quote: Love transcends all differences, even ages.

Happy, it's so nice to be happy!

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to, cry if I want to, hahaha! Nope, i won't cry, but thanks be to God for the added year in my life.

And for the moment, let me share to you what I got as an early birthday and Valentine's gift. This is in connection with the David Pomeranz post I shared with you recently. Please click here to see what I got!

Happy, it's so nice to be happy!

Another year to make it 5 long years!

I am a product of a state university. I graduated my Bachelor's degree in 1999, and during that time, my family was still struggling financially. I still remember when my parents could only afford to send me to school with P300 weekly allowance, all IN, bus fare, food, school projects. My parents lived an hour's drive from Gensan, and the university campus is 30 minutes away from the city. Bus fare then was P30, jeep fares P5. I went home on weekends so I get a total gross of P200. How I managed that P200 is a question to me as well. I could eat, have snacks with friends, and still buy my precious cassette tape collections. I struggled with my four years in college. My parents struggled very much. We were 4, 2 were in college at the same university, 1 graduating in high school and 1 still a baby.

My four years were spent in serious studying. My schedule overflowed with school activities, organization meetings, and my gardening. 4 years and I thought it was too long and agonizing for my folks. I felt their struggle, I felt their pain every time they place their hands on their near-empty pockets.

I still remember my graduation in Mindanao State University (MSU), one does not know he is a graduate until he gets that slip of paper telling you you graduated. And that slip of paper can only be released after Baccalaureate Mass, usually the day prior to graduation. I can never forget that day when my Mom pinned me my Student Leadership Award medal, yet, i was unsure if I could ever go up the stage again the next day.

Hours after the pinning, my slip of paper came, and I immediately went to the city to phone my mom, tears in my eyes, telling them their firstborn is graduating. I know I made them proud. Their painstaking efforts were rewarded.

And why can't the government realize that? Four years is already long. How much more is another year in college? According to the news, they are starting off with Nursing, and later Education courses and then AB courses. Yes, as easy as AB courses can be covered within 3 years, the CHED has issued a statement informing universities of their plan to add another year in college.

According to them, this won't be an additional expense on the parts of the students because the additional year will be subtracted from the number of units they are currently getting. I say yes, this additional year, is additional BURDEN. The longer the length of time ads up, the more expenses they will incur. Who will be affected the most: PARENTS.

Why can't they just upgrade the quality of education and not the quantity of the years college will be spent. Another year is such a waste of the precious time when our students could be using that time to help earn for the family. I don't know about you but I think 4 years is long enough, except I guess for tough courses like Engineering, which is already 5 years, Accountancy and other BS degrees. But for Education and AB courses, oh noes! It is not practical. And they said it was mandatory, bah!

I don't know what their rationale is for doing this, but i think it is giving the parents another blow of headache. Just this morning, the cabinet has rejected this proposal by the PTFE, but they were unsure of what CHED has to say.

I don't know about you, but this is what I think.

Burger! Buger!

Burger! Burger! That was the chant I got in my comments section last Friday after I have posted about the new toys I got for this year.

Last Thursday, Ric and I were invited to join a blogger's night sponsored by Genee's Resto and Bariles Republic. A newly opened resto and tambayan by yuppies in Gensan, Genee's welcomes you with this wide format picture depicting the cultures, festivities, places and faces of the Generals as we are more commonly called.


Genee's is this friendly tuna, General Santos City is proud to be a highly tuna-industry location and we serve the best tuna products from sashimi to tuna belly and canned tuna.

While here, we were able to take pictures of the place and enjoyed a sumptuous meal prepared by the resto.

the Genee counter

An aerial view of Gensan will make you wonder where in this map-like image are you located. Being a boomtown Gensan, buildings have been rising to and fro and what's more, the latest is the expected rise of Robinson's Galleria and SM City Gensan.

Genee's, of course, starts with the letter G, of which this piece of furniture is patterned. I love it. It is so comfy. It makes me want an S-shaped chair too.

Geee, so G!

I can hear you now. Burger! Burger!

So, here's some burgers and foodie goodies I would like to share with you all.

Their specialty is this package meal at a measly P40.00. Grilled bangus and chicken wings, a cup of rice, and some vegetable pickles. Very affordable, light in the pocket. The chicken was cool and yummy, my grilled bangus just got a little charred but other orders were fine though.

Hubby came back last Friday to have some snacks and do away with some Internet connection, this place is wifi ready so many yuppies, students and even oldies come here to unfold laptops and enjoy the good food.

What surprised me is this Red Iced Tea, which made me ask for more. This super satisfying and thirst-quenching beverage is a must-try. I dunno what is in it, but it is never like the usual tea you get when ordering at other fastfood restos.

I love their ice cream, super delicious. I forgot to take picture of the halu-halo but it was very fulfilling. I love the ube and the leche flan included in it. If you want to satisfy your sugar-craving, you can have halu-halo.

And here's us, the Soccsargen bloggers, enjoying the night away.

enjoying the sumptuous dinner

It was a cool thing that we were able to meet each other in person, that we were able to bond and talk about what's happening in our city and blog about each activity Gensan has. Well, in order for tourists to come and visit us, despite the bombings and the bad publicity this has caused us.

And here's US! The SOCCSarGen Bloggers. It's a nice feeling that we are united with the blogosphere and the Internet. It felt as though we knew each other inside and out , that's because we were reading each other's life's stories!

NB* This is not a paid advertisement.