The Art of Dissing The MRT

3/21/2014 1:25:54 AM

Ayan na. May nagngitngit na sa galit.

Sino? Siya lang naman, na may pinost na selfie at may mala-plakard o fansign na remark. At ang mga salita ay napakasimple: “Gago kayo, MRT!”

Post by Angelo V. Suarez.

Siya na isang personalidad na eksperto sa aspeto ng literatura (kung sakaling hindi mo alam, isang beses ay nnanalo siya sa mga patimpalak sa literatura na kung tawagin ay Palanca awards), na may angas at bayag kung makapagsalita ng alinmang naiisip at nararamdaman niya; kaya naman pala ganun na lang ang istilo niya kung makapaglahad ng pagkagalit at dismaya e no?

Siya na maituturing na isang ‘tunay na lalake,’ dahil sa kahanga-hanga niyang gawain. Oo (at hindi ako sarcastic), nakakahanga naman talaga ang ginawa niya, dahil sa pang-isnab naman ng MRT Facebook page sa kanya (eh kung di ka ba naman may pagkasira eh, bakit ka nga naman kasi magpapaskil ng isang problema sa pamamagitan ng sobrang ‘no holds barred’ na pamamaraan).

Ayos lang yan, hindi para makakuha siya ng maraming followers, kundi mas okay na rin ang ginawa niyang pagpapaskil ng problema sa sarili niyang timeline dahil sa simpleng dahilan lamang: you express your own.

Ibig sabihin, wala pa ring mas magandang venue para sabihin ang nais mong sabihin kesa sa sarili mong profile sa Facebook. At least, walang magreregulate, o walang eepal.

Tama, isang tunay na lalakeng maituturing ang mamang ito. Dahil aminin man natin o hindi: wala (kung hindi ‘bibihira’) na lang ang mga nilalang na may kakayahan na maglahad ng buong tapang o angas at talaga namang… matindi ang pinapatamaan. Hindi madali ang ginawa niya, lalo na sa panahon ngayon na ang isang malulutong na sentinmyento niya ay sentimyento rin ng nakararami na hindi na matiis ang sobra-sobrang pasakit na dala ng mahahabang pila ng MRT.

Hindi madali ang ginawa nya sa panahon na sobrang radical at medieval mag-isip ang tao – yung tipo na mas pahahalagahan pa nila ang tingin sa kanila ng iba kesa sa pagmamahal sa sarili nila. Oo, hindi ito madali lalo na kung ikaw yung tipong makabasa lang ng isang kritisismo ukol sa iyo ay naglulupasay ka na (tol, sa ayaw at sa gusto natin, lahat tayo ay nagiging biktima ng kritisismo ng iba).

Hindi ito talaga madali, dahil sa panahon na sobrang kalmado at diplomatiko tayo sa pagharap ng suliranin, baka nakakalimot din tayo – na nasasaktan din tayo at napupuno, tulad na lang niya.

Aba’y mantakin mo naman kasi ha? Ang pila sa North Avenue, umaabot na hanggang malapit sa flyover ng EDSA-Quezon Avenue; samantalang ang nasa Quezon Avenue naman ay halos aabot na sa comppund ng ABS-CBN ang pila! Mas mahaba pa ito kung ikukumpara sa mga istasyon tulad ng sa Cubao (na mala-impyerno ang aura kapag daytime – as in yung tipong five minutes ka lang nakapila ay tatagatak na ang pawis mo).

At isang beses nga, napabus na lang ako kesa sa maghintay at ngumanga dala ng pila dun na umabot na sa baba ng mga pedestrian overpass ng Farmers.

Isama mo pa ang pagkakataon na halos aabutin ka pa ng limang tren bago ka pa makasakay ng tuluyan (sa kaso ko dati, yan ang dahilan kung bakit nalate pa ako ng bonggang-bongga; tama, sa ganyang senaryo mismo, at tingin ko, pati ibang tao ay naranasan din ito).

Pero balik tayo sa kuwento niya: ikaw ba naman kasi ang mabagot sa sinapit ng mga tulad niya eh. Tatlong oras na nasa Ayala station, isang oras na nakapila sa platform at ganun din sa concourse. Tapos tila sumablay pa kamo daw ang Public Address (PA) Announcer nila sa pagaanunsyo ng mga progreso ng tren.

Ito nga lang ang problema: nababagot na tayo lahat-lahat and yet sumasakay pa rin tayo sa ganun. Eh para naman nating niloloko ang sarili natin nito, ano po?

Parang ganun nga, pero sa totoo lang kasi: no choice na eh. Sa panahon na puno na rin ang MRT, ganun din naman ang mga bus at jeepney. Samahan mo pa ng malalang sitwasyon ng trapiko sa mga pangunahing kalsada sa Kamaynilaan. Talaga namang maituturing na nasa rush hour ang karamihan.

At hindi ito masosolusyunan ng ganun-ganun lamang. Nasa tao na rin kasi yan eh.

Pero minsan naiisip ko: di kaya dala rin ito ng pag-ayaw natin sa pagtaas ng pasahe? Oo, ayaw nga itaas ang pasahe kaya ang resulta ay ganito: mahabang pila, at mala-sardinas na sitwasyon sa loob ng tren.

Ngunit sa kabilang banda kasi, hindi rin garantiya na magkakaroon ng ginhawa ang mga pasahero eh. Lalo na’t nagiging lugar din ito ng mga pandurukot ng ilang mapagsamantala.

Hindi kaya nahaharap tayo sa isang katotohanan na dumarami lang talaga ang mga tao na sa ibig na makatipid sila sa pasahe ay sumasakay sila sa mga pampasaherong tren tulad ng MRT? Sa paglipas ng mga taon kasi ay tumataas ang numero ng mga taong sumasakay dito. Hindi pa yata kabilang dyan yung mga nagra-round trip (na obviously ay bawal din, pero ‘asa’ anyway).

Kumbaga sa law of economics, mas mataas ang demand kesa sa supply. Kaya either way, nagkakaroon tayo ng problema. ‘Scarcity’ yan, kung tama ang aking pagkakaalala. Maaring kumikita ang MRT, pero ito ang mas masaklap nga lang: mas malaki ang halaga ng subsidiya ng gobyerno kesa sa binabayad natin mismo. Lugi bang maituturing? Ewan ko.

Pero sa panahon kasi na nakakabagot nga naman ang maghintay ng mas mahabang pila at sumakay sa malasiksikang sasakyan. Sabagay naman kasi, uso naman ang mahahabang tren tulad ng LRT 2 eh. Saka isa pa, nagkakaaberya na rin ang mga riles nito.

Di kaya na-overworked? Hmmm….

Pero nevertheless, ang concern ng mamang ito ay nagpatunay lang kung gaano nga naman kapangit ang serbisyo ng MRT sa panahon ngayon (siguro, kung may exemption dito, yun ay sa mga oras na pasara na sila as in chambahan ka na lang makakapansin ng ganito).

Teka, balita raw ay kailangan pa yatang ma-media ang hinaing ng mamang ito para lang mapansin ng pamunuan ng MRT. At tinago lang daw nila (admin ng FB ng MRT3) pala ang post niya. Tsk.

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions

Lookback: WrestleMania 29's Triple Main Event

3/15/2014 3:31:50 PM

It’s only few weeks before the wrestling’s biggest stage will take centerstage at the huge venue the Big Easy peeps known as the Superdome.

And much as I am expressing my dismay on my local TV channel for not airing the WWE’s flagship program RAW, the only thing I can do at the moment is to do a flashback review: and I am talking about the three huge main cards of the WWE WrestleMania 29 held at the Metlife Stadium in New Jersey last year.

http://www.thewrestlingmania.com/

I remember, I used to be on the multi-tasking mode then when my ultimate-fave-but-now-defunct Studio 23 aired its Philippine telecast during that one fateful Wednesday night of April. I was working in front of my computer, and at the same time – was watching the 240-minute event (you do the math, please?) on my Cherry Mobile phone (yes, I’m proud to say that. U mad?). At that time, I was a team leader in my graveyard shift (10 p.m. – 6 a.m.) which did not really had much problem with me.

And what more can I say? Aside from those 80,676 patrons from East Rutherford whom witnessed this event, which is considered as the second largest all-time Wrestlemania event in terms of attendance?

But only three things really stuck my mind. What are those?

THE UNDERTAKER VS. CM PUNK |
DISRESPECTING THE STREAK

First: The Undertaker versus CM Punk match. The so-called ‘Deadman’ did not have any single defeat in two decades of Wrestlemania matches. But after few months of feuding with the so-called “Best in the World,” the rivalry intensifies even higher due to the death of William Moody, known popularly as the “oh yeeeeesss” chant-maker Paul Bearer.

WrestleMania 29 - The Undertaker vs... by chainarongikeda

It was during one RAW episode when the Undertaker led the WWE in paving its tribute to the 58-year old ‘unique’ manager (as chairman VinceMcMahon describes it). Until a huge act of disrespect came along. And… you guess that right, it was Punk and his advocate – whose also a ‘Paul’ by first stage name.

But fast forward to April 7 evening (the real Wrestlemania event before the S23 broadcast it in the PH shores), the dead man wants respect. But Punk did not want to do so. And the straight edge superstar went even beyond expectation in his aim to deliver that “1” in a 20 and 1 record.

But with that one fiery look (more than a tiger nor even a zombie), the old school wrestler was totally got the hand in the game, and he got his 21^st win in the same number of battles.

I called it ‘disrespecting the streak,’ but honestly, after reviewing the match during one Saturday midnight, damn it’s not just the streak. It’s the term itself – disrespect. And the Death Valley-native totally avenged the humiliation he got from his last nemesis.

Now, he is about to face Brock Lesnar, (which by the way, is another Paul Heyman talent). The question now is can the Beast destroy the Dead? Or will the Deadman tame the Beast Incarnate?

I only saw the match for fewer times; but I think it will be the match of the night… if we’re talking about the level of emotion here. Actually, another huge Wrestlemania match came close (by a very slim margin) to the Undertaker-CM Punk tussle.

TRIPLE H VS. BROCK LESNAR |BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION

Triple H vs Brock Lesnar Wrestlemania 29 No... by anthonywalker24

And I am talking about Brock Lesnar versus Triple H. The Hunter wanted revenge as his anger level brought the demon in him after suffering broken arm injuries for twice, as well as for Shawn Michaels and even sending to Vince McMahon to a hospital stretcher which requires him to have a hip-replacement surgery. All that came from only one man, err, beast (should I say)… and that’s Lesnar for you.

And it went even brutal with that so-called ‘no holds barred match.’ After those steel steps, barricade, steel chair and sledge hammer shots, it was the now-COO who won the game. For 38-something minutes full of gross-like action.

I think I can call it the match of the night for being ‘too ugly.’ It’s also too personal. But maybe, some bits  of predictability was present in the storyline.

JOHN CENA VS. THE ROCK FOR THE WWE CHAMPIONSHIP |CHAMPIONSHIP AND REDEMPTION 

The championship match between John Cena and Dwayne “The Rock’ Johnson seemed to be much souring, considering that Tock has been the people’s champ, and Cena, though always a fan favorite, was tagged as the ‘heel,’ after suffering huge blows in the past year (2012). Cena lost to the Rock twice in the same stage before their ’13 face-off. And even the ‘U Can’t See Me’ superstar has been on the verge of pulling a comeback following his Royal Rumble triumph, still he’s been owned in terms of history book records.

The Rock vs John Cena  Wrestlamania 29  WWE... by markinho-inter2011

It was the battle of popularity. The Rock may ended up conceding the match after being pin-falled by Cena, but it also gave fans something they forget when they watch such wrestling matches: sportsmanship. Seeing them shaking hands and praising each other despite trash-talking their hatred on each other is just proving to you that even in the world of sports entertainment, where one must act like a more alpha male than the other to be entertaining, it’s still a sport. Yes, wrestling is still a sport after all.

Maybe, I’ll do a recall more on Wrestlemania 28 matches soon if I had time. But I recommend their promo soundtrack which is titled "Civil Twilight," a track made by the band Letters from the Sky.

But if you asked me, I think we should see the upcoming matches the same way as how the Wrestlemania 29 really rolled. Some of the pay-per-view fans have been ended up in dismay after series of matches did not met their expectations. Like Orton taking the W via the Authority’s distraction against The Big Show in the Survivor Series, Batista defeating an emerging Samoan wrestler Roman Reignin the Royal Rumble, and just recently, the Elimination Chamber which Cena lost to another Wyatts’ distraction, as well as Daniel Bryan’s to the disrupting element known as the Kane, the WWE director of operations.

Now, if you asked me? Nah, I can’t tell which wrestler should win or go home in April. Maybe we’ll tackle that soon.

Before I leave you all guys, here's a bit of rumors-slash-news (depending on how would you perceive this thing; I just got it from the internet):

ABS-CBN has its contract with the WWE expired, according to an unknown source. The agreement between the Philippine television network and the Connecticut-based sports entertainment promotion has reached its two-year agreement.

Well, so we should not wonder why after the finale of WWE Tough Enough, we had not seen any clip from any of their four programs slated on their UHF channel ABS-CBN Sports + Action. Let's just hope FOX Philippines will carry over the RAW and other programs as well as the Philippine primetime telecast of WWE Wrestlemania XXX!

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions

E-Libel Strikes Again!

2/22/2014 1:50:10 PM

(re-updated: 03/19/2014 5:03 PM - Ilang linggo na ang nakalipas ay nagbigay na ng hatol ang Supreme Court sa isyu ng Republic Act 10175 o ang Cybercrime Protection Act of 2012. Ilan sa mga probisyon ay dineklarang un-consitutional, samantalang ang ilan rin sa mga ito ay idineklarang 'constitutional,' kabilang na riyan ang kontrobersiyal na probisyon na nagsasaklaw sa online libel)

O ayan na. Nagdesisyon na.

At legal nga daw ang e-libel.

Kaso, ano na mangyayari? Marami bang masasawatang mga gago sa modernong lipunan?

Nah, duda ako. Seryoso, with all due respect sa mga tagahukom at mga kups na gumawa ng section 4 ng RA 10175.

Pero sa totoo lang, ang paninirang puri talaga ay isang malaking paglabag sa batas-kriminal. Magsalita ka lang ng panlalait, at hindi nya ito talaga nagustuhan (yung tipong mas malala pa sa pagkapikon ang reaksyon niya), maasunto ka na.

Pero leche talaga, okay na sana eh. May mali lang siguro. May mabgilang-ngailan

.

Don’t get me wrong. Katulad nung sinasabi ko sa kasagsagan ng argumento nito noon, I’m all for Cybercrime law, except sa libel provision clause. Kasi isipin mo ‘to: ang salita ay may mapaglarong kahulugan. Maaring mapikon ka pag binasa mo ang isang nakakairita naming kumento, samanatalang sa iba naman ay hindi. Sa madaling sabi, magkakaiba tayo ng pag-unawa.

Maaring sabihin ko na “ang gago mo talaga,” sa isang tropa ko sa thread ng Facebook niya na pabiro obviously at naintindihan niya yun, pero pag hindi naintindihan ng sinumang kupal at biglang sumabat ng “hoy! E-libel yan ah!” ay obvisouly, patay kang bat aka sa puntong ito. Maari mong sabihin na “EH PUTANGINA, IKAW PALA YUNG TUNAY NA GAGO EH! SABAT KA NANG SABAT SA USAPAN NA MAY USAPAN!” Pero dahil sa batas na ito ay possible ka nga bang makasuhan kagad nun?

Di rin saksakan ng pagkasiraulo yun no? (dapat may batas din sa mga taong nambabasag ng trip ng may trip. As in e-malicious mischief o e-sabotage)

Pero balik tayo sa usapan. Okay sana ang cybercrime, kung kaya naman ito masawatan ang mga kaso ng prostitusyin sa internet, pati ang cyber-bullying. Ito nga lang ang problema, gaano katindi ang magiging basehan dapat para mapatunayan na libellous ang isang post o hindi? Pag may nagreklamo lang ba?

Actually, kung salita lang ang usapan, maaring maimanipula lang ito ng tao eh. Katulad ng sinabi ko kanina, iba-ibang tono, ibig sabihin, iba rin ang pag-unawa.

Maliban pa yan sa kasabihan na ‘iba ang panlalait sa nagsasabi ng katotohanan.’ Siyempre, iba talaga yun, depende na nga lang ito sa kung paano mo sinasabi ang mga bagay-bagay.

Kung ako ang tatanungin siguro, kailangan madefine kung ano ang libellous sa hindi. Dahil sa malamang, yan din ang ikinatatakot ng marami.

Freedom of speech? Absoulte ba yun? Ako sasabihin ko, sa mababaw na pag-unawa, oo. Dahil lahat naman tayo ay may kapabilidad na sabihin ang anuman nais natin, napag-isipan man yan o bugso lang ng damdamin, o napagutusan ka lamang na basahin.

Pero sa malalimang perspektibo, hindi. Siguro, dala ba ng mindset natin? Yung ating tinatawag ng ‘konsiderasyon’ sa kapwa? Maari. Dahil tulad ng kasabihan, hindi lahat ng biro, nakakatuwa. Pag ikaw ang tinamaan ng slapstick, maiinis ka, unless nasa comedy bar ka (dun hindi ka pwedeng mapikon or else, sisipain ka palabas ng venue).

Masyado na yata tayong paliguy-ligoy dito at baka mainis na sa atin yung mga tao. Pero, yun nga lang ba ang problema sa cybercrime law? Di lang. marami ngang nadeclare na constitutional, marami din naman yung nasa kabaligtaran.

Mapipigilan ba nito ang mga blog? Definitely, hindi. Siguro, magiging tame yung mga sobrang harsh at sobrang brutal magpost. Pero maniwala ka, hindi nito masusupil ang blogging industry.

Siguro, maganda na amyendahan ang batas na ito. Maaring di to kayang unawain ng lahat, pero pag ikaw ay minsan nabiktima ng krimen sa pamamagitn ng internet, baka pustahan, ikaw pa ang manguna sa panawagan sa cybercrime bill.

Basta, yung libel clause, pakiayos at pakiexplain nga ng maayos para mahal kayo ni Donya Ina.

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions

LATE Two Minutes!

3/16/2014 2:32:27 PM

"Judging a man's character should be based on weighing his good and bad sides, AND CERTAINLY NOT on neatness and perfection."

 

Bago ang lahat... mali ba ang pamagat ko? Dapat ba ay 'Late BY or LATE FOR Two Minutes?' Actually, mas mali ka. Magbasa ka muna kasi bago ka mag-react kung bakit LATE ang nakalagay sa halip na 'LAST TWO MINUTES' (At P.S.: hindi ako coliseum barker sa PBA para sumigaw niyan).

May isang hindi magandang balita: hindi siya nakagraduate.

Siya ba? OO, siya nga.

Photo credits: RAPPLER

Aba, wag kang magtatatawa d’yan. Akala mo ba nagpapakasarcastic o nangto-troll ako?

‘De seryosong usapan muna tayo.Ano nga ba kasi ang kasalanan ng nag-iisang Aldrin Jeff Cudia, ang first class cadet ng PMA at kabilang sana sa mga nagmartsa kaninang umaga sa Baguio bilang takda ng kanilang pagtatapos sa Philippine Military Academy?

Na-late lang daw kasi sa isang klase niya ng dalawang minuto.

Aba, leche? Two minutes lang siyang na-late? Na-dismiss kagad siya sa serbisyo?

OO nga.

Anak na pating naman! Paano naman nangyari yun? Parang wala namng due process yan o ni pinagbigyan siya ng pagkakataon magpaliwanag.

Sa ganung mga perspektibo, mukha nga. Pero nagsinungaling pa daw siya, ayon sa mga nakakataas sa kanya. Hindi pinaniwalaan ang dahilan niya.

Dahil lang sa pagsisinungaling? OO. Babaw ba? Mukha lang siyang mababaw pag una mong pakinggan.

Pero ang mas masaklap, napakalalim nito, dahil ayon sa Honor Code nila ay isa sa mga malalaking paglabag sa alintuntuning ito ay ang pagsisinungaling. Kung sa ating normal na buhay ay okay lang magsinungaling (aminin na natin na kahit sa opisina, eskwelahan  bahay, at kahit sa kanto ka lang tumambay ay may maririnig kang ganito), sa mga seryosong institusyon na tulad ng PMA ay hindi.

At kahit ang argumento na ‘nagkamali lang siya sa kanyang pagre-reasoning’ ay tila sinungaling na sa koklyusyon ng mga taga-Honor Committee.

Ito nga lang nakapagtataka: sapat nga bang basehan ito para patawan siya ng dishonorable dismissal? Ewan. Malabo din kasi eh.

Sinasabi na may mga spekulasyon daw na pinagkaisahan siya. Pero mayroon din na nindi raw unanimous ang pagboto sa paghatol sa kanya ng naturang suspension, taliwas sa mga naunang report.

Pero either way kasi… tangina, ang saklap naman nun. OO, masaklap talaga. Kasi isipin mo ha? Nang dahil sa pagiging late, ay kaya pala nitong sirain ang kinabukasan mo. I mean, literally.

Sabagay, kung nagpapahalaga ka nga naman kasi ng oras ay hindi ka male-late. O kung kundisyon ang utak mo na gumawa ng mga gawain ng maaga para hindi ka malate.

Ganun sana. Kaso hindi araw-araw ay pasko eh. At iba ang kaso ni Cudia dito.

Dahil diyan, dismissed na siya, at kahit umapela pa siya sa Pangulo at magpasa ng TRO sa Supreme Court (mga bagay na ginawa niya last week), samahan mo pa ng apela sa social media mula sa kanyang mga kamang-anak, ay tila hindi napatinag nito ang desiyon ng  pamunuan ng academya.

Sa madaling sabi, hindi nga siya nakagraduate.

Maaring mababaw lang ang balitang ito pag sinubaybayan mo siya. Pero kahit magsimpatya pa tayo aky Cudia, ito ang masaklap na aral para sa lahat: ang oras ay importante. Time is gold, ika nga (wag mo nang haluan ng karugtong na mga salitang … ‘when watching porn.’ Hindi ako nagpapatawa dito, mga p’re).

At isa pa: kailanman ay isang mabigat na pagkakamali ang magsinungaling. Kahit hindi ka relihiyoso, kasalanan pa rin na maituturing ito sa mata ng kapwa mo at laban sa natural na kabaitan ng tao.

As much as naaawa ako sa sinapit ng taong ito, kaso yan din ang realidad eh: Masyadong harsh.

Siguro, mas okay na pagbigyan ang apela na muling buksan ang kaso niya, para malaman talaga kung tama ba ang hatol sa kanya o baka naman ay nagkamali ang pagdesisyon ng committee sa kanya.

Seryoso, sayang ang isang tulad niya oh. Ang taas ng potensyal sa seribsyo, sa katalinuhan at karakter (kung ang basehan mo ng paghusga ay napaka-perpekto, aba, walang karapatan na humusga ang isang tulad mo dahil in reality ay lahat tayo ay nagkakamali, lahat tayo ay pumapalya sa ugali. Nasa pagtimbang yan, at wala sa kung gaano siya kalinis).

Seriously speaking, may he get the justice he deserve, bagay siguro na ang tanging makakalaam either nasa itaas, o sa mga taong may konsensya.

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions

Expanded Throwback Weekend

‎03/‎08/‎2014 08:06:46 AM

When old school library just expanded their franchise, just like Magic 89.9 did. Yes, the thing we know as "Saturday Slam" is now slamming to even greater heights, if we're taking about the timeline of hits here.

I've always been a fan of the contemporary music, specifically the late 70s to early 2000s (which sparked my interest on tuning in to another station with the similar programming during Wednesdays).

I've been a fan of the radio station's Saturday programming. And they're not just about the 90s musical stuff, but also went beyond it. I mean their playlist now covers the early part of the very first Y2k decade.

Ain't a bad thing, considering they are now holding an edge over their old school counterpart that way, in terms of putting up a music playlist.

That actually changed my scheduled habit on radio listening, since I used to listen on the comic duo of MBC's Papa Jack (90.7 Love Radio) and Chico Loco (101.1 Yes FM), the 5AM news cast on Radyo5, and even the 90s counterpart at Mellow 947. All that was changed, though it mean that I had another option to listen to whenever I wanted to (I'm not hating on the previous weekend stuff anyway).

Perhaps, the 2000-2003 era was the time where I haven't even tried giving a shit to CHR radio, since I only started digging in to that type when I first get hooked up with the WTM on 2004.

Either way, nah, it's justa  good old ride. At some point before, I even used an old radio-cassette device similar to Sony's 'Walkman' (correct me if I'm wrong, but the brand that I had with that time was 'Aiwa') while listening at the MRT on a Saturday afternoon just to... you know, travel, have a chill time along the road with some kind of 90s music.

Believe me, folks. That was great. Thanks to the likes of Magic's Saturday Slam.

Author: slickmaster | ©2014 september twenty-eight productions

Flick Review: Bob Ong's ABNKKBSNPLAko?! the Movie

03/‎14/‎2014 12:32:47 AM

I can only express my insights on the movie adaptation of that Bob Ong book in two words: as both 'entertaining' and 'disappointment.'

Yes, it is entertaining because of some antics and factors which appear to be natural in our daily lives.

And, (oh no) disappointing because on a slighter-than-above-superficial level, the movie focused on the romance more than the school-ish aspect itself

Why did I say so? If you looked on the entire book first, you'll realize my primary reason: it became one of the numerous book-to-movie-adaptation failures in recent history.

Well, obviously that's a marketing tactic if you ask me why should you put the ladies like Andi Eigenmann and Meg Imperial for the cast which already comprised by Jericho Rosales and Vandolph Quizon.

And count the love-team factor involving Roberto and his unnamed 'Special Someone' right there (and seriously, it's quite tricky that Andi's character was still unnamed, at the end of the flick eh?).

I first saw its trailer on one of the VIVA-produced channels. And apparently, their Top 10 trailer seemed enough to persuade me. The problem though, is the several factors on the project itself.

As much as I like the numerous flashback devices used in the film, I thought the execution could have been a better one. But don't you just love the idea of recalling these nostalgic materials either? I loved that part, 'coz it simply reminds me of my old days as a student. Those FLAMES, SOS, spirit of the pen... nah, which mattered actually.

However, I still doubt that a 'love team' factor should really be a compulsory to this one. Bob Ong has been selling most of his books without making any such implications on it. In fact, he only relied on three things: his personal experience, society events (I can't tell the current word since everything bound in the books was already 'past'), and comical antics. In addition, the latter two were even enough to earn him six-digit-numbered published copies.

Because it was during our 'high school stage' where we first experience romance and heartbreak? (Hey, count me out, by the way; since I only experienced things like that when I was about to enter college anyway)

Well, maybe, but come on...

The comedy antics in this flick come naturally though. As if I haven't seen any slapstick materials executed just to crack a joke. But seriously, I'd prefer this rather than the present trend where we need to roll a newspaper like a baseball bat, slam it on your friend's head (of course, the upper one), and laugh like it's your last day.

And comparing this film to the other local movies? I still can tell that Bob Ong's ABNKKBSNPlaKo?!'s still a 'standout' among them all; considering that for like 9 times out of 10, the Philippine commercially-produced movies are nothing but bunch of "airheads, no-brainers, and garbage." Hey, count these romantic movies in the list, too.

The problem though is that, timing' seemed to take its toll on them. I wondered why it appeared like they rush to finish the entire picture. And they scheduled it on a post-Valentine's Day period? I think that’s a bad strategy, considering that most movie patrons are still preferring those love-themed flicks than the other.

Maybe if they let their fans wait for a bit longer, the film will be much appreciated (even for a bit) 'cause there are scenes which aren't been made in its total perfection; especially if we're talking about editing here.

Jericho Rosales is a good actor here. Though I also believe (especially it's supposedly an intellectual wit-driven flick) that the likes of Ramon Bautista can handle the job either... or should I say, even "better." However, Rosales' way of narrating several Bob Ong scriptures in the flick is 'music to my ears.' Yes, as if I'm imagining like a real Bob Ong has spoken (but only, on that part).

Vandolph, on the other hand... well, I've got nothing much to say, aside from the fact that his lines has been speaking the very deepest of them all. Think about it, as if you're listening to your parent who, then, is scolding you. It may be annoying, but it really has sense.

About Andi? Hmm... I am still wondering, is this lady does not even get baptized? I know, I loved movies which made me think even more, but we're all looking for answers somewhere out there anyway.

And... holy smoke, is it me or is just Meg Imperial's kinda hot? Hahaha! Okay, seriously speaking. If you asked me to compare the two ladies, I'll pick the latter. Anyway, I think it's kinda fair when she hoisted the role of Portia, a tomboy-character yet damn foxy lady. Nah, does it count? I'd rather reiterate some ideas before everything goes bias shit here.

Going back to the flick, the upside of Bob Ong's first book-to-movie adaptation is that there are some lessons in the movie which targets everyone. Like 'your family will be there in times when you need somebody to talk to,' or 'you should not be ashamed of who you are,' or a lot more. Something I can't tell you here for more (since I think I've reached the length enough).

The soundtracks can be real shit sometimes; but hey, I'd prefer listening to these tracks than... (Do I have to drop names here anyway?)

Overall, it's almost a good intellectual choice, only if:

First, they focused on the much-needed factors (friendship, studies, family) more than the romantic ones (something you can only recognize at the flick's 'current' era and not thru its flashback devices.'

Second, the marketing should have made its timing better. I do believe this flick would have unleashed its more potential should the showing had took place in either graduation days or summer vacation. I also thought that kids would definitely love this should the said scenario pushes through.

That's another saddening thing to notice; 

Third, the depth factor should not have been overshadowed by 'fun.' Rappler was right when they described the movie thru its analysis title itself - 'Fun Overtakes Depth.' And that's really a problem nowadays where film executives have been failed in balancing entertainment satisfaction thru means of providing worthy ideas with the weight of making money. Of course, if you're a businessman, for nine times out of ten, you will prefer to make money more than the other choice. It was the said tactic which actually resulted into disappointment on the moviegoers' part.

And last but not the least; the message seems like sorely lacked. I mean the author's real "message" conveyed by the book. In lieu with that, the movie also lacked substance as its result. If you read the book, you will understand the reason. Others may berate like "come on, slick. It's always been like that!" But the thing is, "at least, if other book-to-movie sequels lacked parts, the main point was there," something in contrast. Good thing though, the flick has this 'bag of tricks.'

I have also red several movie reviews prior to making my own statement. And things turn out, they were right either. Well, let me reiterate that: 'PARTLY RIGHT.'

For the entire 80 minute-stretch, I think the book has a lot more to tell than the airtime allotted. It's true that the flick should earn that 'everything movie of the year' title (since neither recent-produced mainstream has achieved such).

But again, I can only tell two words: 'wasted potential.' 

Still... I would recommend this.

The verdict: 6.6

Author: slickmaster | (c) 2014 september twenty-eight productions

I-Ban Ang Mga Teleserye!

3/13/2014 9:14:02 PM

May usap-usapan. Actually, hindi, naging balita na pala siya: isang mambabatas raw ay nagpapanukala na i-ban ang mga Koreanovela sa sirkulasyon ng Philippine television.

Teka, ano kamo? I-ban ang mga teleserye na mula sa Korea? Nung una tong pumutok noong nakaraang buwan ay napa-PM sa Facebook ang isang college friend ko sa kanyang pagkainis. Hindi naman siguro sa kangang pagiging K-Pop, ano, pero ano naman ang punto para i-ban ang mga teleserye na galing sa South Korea?

Unfavorable time slot daw sabi ni Buhay representative Lito Atienza. Sa paglipana raw kasi ng mga ‘to, nawawala na raw ang mga lokal na teleserye sa Pilipinas.

Ha? Weh? Di nga?

Kaya sa panukala niyang House Bill 3839, ipinagbabawal nito ang pagsasahimpapawid ng mga Koreanovela, Mexicanovela, Chinovela at iba pang mga teleserye na gawa ng mga banyaga sa pagitan ng alas-sais hanggang ika-sampu ng gabi.

Ganun? OO, ganun nga.

Patawa naman yata ‘to masyado. Di ko alam kung nasusubaybayan niya ang istilo ng programming sa primetime TV o dahil sa matumal din sa dating ang kanyang teleserye (pero still hindi ako panig sa alinmang channel). Pero kung tutuusin kasi, kung papansinin ang progam line-up ng alinman sa tatlong higanteng TV network sa Pilipinas, mas mapapansin na tila wala naman yatang umeere na foreign-based telenovela sa mga ganung oras. Kung meron man, isa lang.

In fact, outnumbered na kaya ng mga Pinoy na teleserye  ang mga foreign counterparts nito, mula umaga hanggang gabi.

Pero... anak ng puta naman. Wala naman bang mas matinong batas na dapat pang ipanukala sa panahon ngayon?

Kasi kung ibaban lang din naman ang mga Koreanovela o kung anek-anek na teleserye na gawa ng mga banyaga, might as well na i-ban na lang din ang paggawa ng mga teleserye mula sa atin mismo!

Tama. Dagok ba sa mga talent, director at writer ‘to? Maari, pero leche. Sobrang nega na ng lipunan, at ang dapat kailangan ng tao kung gusto nila maentertain ay ang mga tinatawag na sitcom. Nase-stress ka na nga sa mga nangyari sa ‘yo sa trabaho, pati na rin sa mga pangyayari sa kaliwa’t kanang kanto, and yet papatol ka pa sa stress na hatid ng telenovela?

LECHE. Lokohin mo nga ako. At least dun mas nahahasa ang tao kung paano tawanan ang problema at kung paano ito haharapin na kahit papaano ay mas magaan (kahit kaunti lang).

Oo, i-ban ang mga tekeserye dahil sa mga aral nito na naglalayon lang na turuan ang mga kabataan na lumandi na lang sa halip na mag-aral. Isama mo na rin ang katotohanan na okay lang gumawa ng marahas, basta, sa ngalan ng pag-ibig ha?

I-ban pala mga koreanovela ha? Eh kung mas okay pang i-ban nga ang mga local na teleserye eh. Isipin mo, nang dahil dito kaya mas nauuso pa ang magtalakan sa halip na magtrabaho. Kaya si Inday nakatutok na lang sa TV sa halip na magsaing o alagaan ang baby, o kung anu-anong gawaing bahay na di pa natatapos.

Pang-relax ba? Paano ka marerelax kung bigla mong masambit na “PUTANGINANG KONTRABIDANG “TO! SARAP PATAYIN EH!” matapos mo siyang mapanood na pinapahirapan ang pobreng bida? Nakakastress pa kaya yun kesa sa iniisp mo no?

Oo, i-ban ang mga teleserye, lalo na’t gaya-gaya lang din ang approach at istilo nito mula sa mga banyaga. Yung (insert name local of TV series program here)? Asus, parang fairy tale lang din na pangbata yan eh.

 I-ban ang mga teleserye nang dahil sa kanila, mas maraming tinatamad pumasok sa eskwelahan, mas maraming nalelate, natatraffic, at tanghali na kung gumising.

I-ban ang mga teleserye lalo na yung nagtretrend sa Twitter. Ang daming mas kapaki-pakinbang na bagay na dapat magtrend sa social media e napili pa ang mga bugok na to?

I-ban ang mga teleserye dahil sa buhay ng maraming nagkakandaleche-lecheng nilalang sa kasalukuyan.

Wag lang yung Koreanovela, isama mo na rin ang kabuuan.

Yan pala gusto mo ha?

Tandaan: (photo courtesy of my Instagram account)

Author: slickmaster | (c) 2014 september twenty-eight productions