A bit off-topic, but
this would probably be my last blog post mainly fueled by academic
requirements. And I know by now you might be thinking "And I should care because...?"
I hope my readers aspire to get on my level of niceness, really.
The
four years I spent on college taught me a lot on the "realities" of
the art production industry. That we, as a nation, are still pretty much pushing for, and therefore dominated by, a conservative, conventional, conforming look at art-making (whether
it be movies, music, literature, visual arts).
I'm not sure if I just happened
to go to a university where professors frown upon a radical approach on the arts
but judging from numerous university film festivals I've gone on (I wrote the draft of this blog while on one, frankly), students are still limited by
the traditional boundaries the mainstream imposes.
I'm not saying this is wrong, but it's just so... unprogressive. The same kind of stuff has been fed to us literally for decades and to see the young generation to seemingly continue the trend is just saddening.
And this is not to say it's their fault. I'm going on a limb here, but believe me when I say that this assumption is based from my share of experiences as well: These students are either not pushed to their limits by their educators, or deliberately bound by their teachers themselves to stick to the "good ol' tried-and-tested" look at art-making.
Let me tell you, I've had my fair share of that.
So anyway, the point of this blog is this: I'm hoping for a day
that we teach the youth that there is more to art than kilig, drama, and
happiness, that there is more to the minds of the youth than what their schools
are giving them credit for.
And really, we are so much more than being aspirants of 1.0 grades.
It's been a fun four years. Count me in on the jobless pool.
CONCEPT: The karaoke is
on full blast, intro riff of Buko starts. A karaoke aficionado says "Ugh, that's so jejemon!" Everyone groans.
PLOT TWIST: I pretend to groan along.
"Ha ha, I agree. Truly, the worst song since Boom Tarat Tarat."
Look, I never really got why people hated Buko. It's catchy, the vocalist is okay, the lyrics could be less cheesy but it's not
THAT awful to make everyone act as if their ears are bleeding when the infamous
"tiw tiw tiw tiw tiw" drones on.
But
this entry is beyond Buko and beyond the mainstream OPM. Today I'd like to tackle a phenomenon i'd like to call: the bandwagon hate.
Let's get one thing
clear: there's nothing Filipino netizens love more than ganging up on an issue,
criticizing the hell out of it, therefore causing their ego to blow up (which
we all know cures acne, tuberculosis, and eczema, which is obviously why
so many people do it).
There's this particular kind of sadness I get when I see Filipinos do this, which I can only describe as similar to the sense of
hopelessness that I get whenever I watch Willie Revillame's shows. And this may be
due to the fact that bandwagon hate is rooted from a problem that has been an
age-old issue not only in the Philippines but literally all around the globe:
close-mindedness.
Here's a fun exercise you and your family can enjoy: Find a movie review shared on Facebook that is written by a Filipino which harshly criticizes a mainstream local film. Grab a popcorn, and go to the comments section.
(Now, you have the perfect activity for when you're bored and could use some little anger in your system)
Seriously, Filipinos are SO good at blurring the boundaries between factual (or even moral) debates with personal attacks. And through years of perusing the Web, I think I finally came up with how to rebut the Filipino way:
State why the opposite party is wrong.
Now, garnish the argument with a physical attack based on the person's profile picture and/or cover photo.
End the comment by telling the person that no other opinion is acceptable but yours.
Get cured from acne.
We laugh at him, he laughs at our acne.
We let prejudice rule our final judgement which harms not
only the subject of our criticism but also on our perception of the world. As Murakami put it:
"If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking."
Dare to
investigate, probe deeper, and broaden your horizon. Dare to liberate yourself
from the dictations of public opinions, and have a more meaningful, tasteful,
and healthy view of the world. I know this sounds like an Orwellian propaganda
but seriously, Buko isn't THAT bad.
I want to introduce you, readers, to my currently most favorite YouTube channel: YourMovieSucks.
Why, you ask? Let this movie review speak for itself.
After days of rummaging through YMS' reviews, one can't help but be amazed with how observant and thorough the reviewer is. If you have watched the video above, I hope I wasn't alone when I couldn't help but chuckle at how obliterated Unfriended was. And mind you, that's just Part 1 of 2 of his review.
Anyway, I've learned a lot from the channel on how to get more out of the movie experience and while I don't necessarily agree with every opinion YMS has, I look forward to applying a similar way of observation in my future watching experiences.
And that was when the thought hit me. If I were to be as meticulous and thorough with mainstream Filipino films, would I even get to enjoy a single one?
Don't get me wrong. I have watched a handful of local films that amazed me and I firmly believe that Filipino artists are more than capable in making tasteful and inventive crafts.
If that's the case, then what am I even yapping about?
The author's selfie #NoFilter #WokeUpLikeThis
A few weeks ago, I've read a thought-provoking article written by the controversial (and so far with the most kickass speech on MMFF so far) director Erik Matti which tackled about the need for compromise when it comes to marketability of a film in the pursuit of artistic progression in Philippine cinema.
"I wish for film workers to devote their knowledge and expertise to not just making a living but to mainly making something memorable. It has become all about the paycheck and not about doing excellent work. I wish for them to stop doing five projects all at the same time so they can focus on what matters to them most. This is a tough thing to ask from a Third World country and from an industry that doesn’t pay much, but I still wish for this."
My point is, it's not that filmmakers refuse to make inventive and tasteful films, it's just that the majority of Filipino audience (AKA people who buy the movie tickets) are still at a level where they're unwilling to take risks when it comes to movies they pay for, therefore going to those "tried and tested" (AKA heavily recycled) romantic flicks where they perhaps can find some post-worthy #Hugot lines.
And this, my dear readers, is where the problem lies. It propagates a culture where the audience "supports" films that are shat for the mere sake of endorsements and rising actors' exposure. It encourages a system where Filipinos are fed with nothing but shallow, unbelievably predictable films that aspire nothing more than to reap as much revenue as possible.
But as much as I hate to admit it, the entertainment industry, like pretty much everything else on earth, IS a business and no businessman wants a venture to fail. Hence the beginning of a vicious cycle.
One can only hope that there come a day when Filipinos actually get tired of shitty films and go take risks with watching films. As Matti put it:
"I wish that the audience would take risks in the films they go out to see. Let’s watch romantic comedies all we want. But let’s also watch other things. Documentaries, scary movies, sad movies, weird movies, shocking movies. Films are not just about feeling good or being charmed or falling in love. Films are also about getting angry, feeling terrified and frustrated. It is also about feelings of loss, of uncertainty, of thrills and awe. Films are about so many other things, too, other than just fun and love. I wish that you let films surprise you and not just give you what you always expect of it."
The crowd does not lead, it follows. Let's breed a healthy culture wherein we support and promote films that deserve attention. Let's endorse artistry in the country, and not get too swallowed up by the vile cycle of commercialism.
I don't like pineapples. And really, the only way to make me like pineapples is to feed me nothing but pineapples until I say, "You know what, pineapples are maybe probably fine I guess kinda" and succumb to a life enriched with vitamin C and manganese. Ugh. Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against pineapple-loving people (they come in handy when eating Hawaiian pizza) and I so BADLY wish I have the palate to not cringe whenever forced to eat them. But here's the thing: I didn't loathe pineapples as a kid. Heck, I don't mind having an itchy tongue for a whole day if it means I get to eat all the pineapples I want. But I guess one day I found out how amazing tangerines (dalanghita) are and never ever looked back. And by "never ever looked back," I mean I found it hard to imagine that there existed a phase in my life that I, a full-time tangerine fanatic, can stomach pineapples.
I doubt this pineapple gives a damn though.
Now here's what I want you to do: Replace "pineapples" with "mainstream Philippine television" and "tangerines" with "foreign and/or indie films" you basically get my whole take on the state of television. *Not totally applicable to some parts, but you get it. My readers are smart.
In a nutshell: Palatable only when I was still a naive mofo. Seriously, the only reason I see why Filipino TV watchers never get tired of the repetitive, unoriginal, ultra-mega-f*cking cheesy (sorry but that's just how it is) teleseryes is because they have no other choice. In all local channels, you won't see a teleserye that has no rich-boy-poor girl (or vice versa) tandem who hates each other at first but of course falls madly in love 5 episodes later. At least one of the protagonists would have a missing-in-action parent, and at some point, either or both of them would get kidnapped. Why? Because Philippine television. And advertisements. It baffles me how repetitive shows with BEYOND POOR script and acting can rake in that much retentive audience. Are Filipinos really that bored? I hope those people are just having their pineapple phase, and move on to demand better quality shows to encourage diversity and art within the show business.
In lieu of the impending Valentine's day, this blog post would be about a band that is very close to my (and perhaps every Filipino's) heart: the Eraserheads. First off, let's set one thing straight: as legendary as they are, the Eheads is still an underrated band. Seriously. And I say this only because for the fact that for every Eheads song that you put on a pedestal, another equally good piece gets overshadowed. This is why today, I give you my Top 10 Underrated Eraserheads Songs: 1. Shake Yer Head
Aside from the feel-good vibe Shake Yer Head gives, this has got to be the most relatable song I have heard/would hear in my lifetime (I'm Too Sexy excluded). Similar to Hey Jay, this is yet another one of the band's testament against the highly-conservative Filipino culture, thus solidifying their position as the 90's "F-you-conservatives!" icon. 2. Peace It Together
There's this famous saying that the fastest way to make you hate a song is to set it as your alarm. Peace It Together proved that wrong. Need I say more? *I like to think of Peace It Together as the Bohemian Rhapsody of the 'Heads. You just can't bring yourself to not jam along whenever this comes up. 3. Kailan
If ever anyone needs proof of just how versatile Eheads is, slap this link to their faces. This is an in-your-face, pure, unadulterated romantic love song from the band, which is worlds away from their usual edgy, pop-rock hits. 4. Tamagotchi Baby
Be sure you're alone when you listen to this, the riffs are so good it's pornographic. *also, am I alone when I think the song's about sex toys? 5. Wishing Wells
This is one of my absolute favorites from the 'Heads simply because I fell in love with the lyrics. I also find it adorable that the whole vibe of the song gives off this bright, light-hearted feel--making it cohesive with the fairytale universe the song talks about. 6. Slo Mo
Ah, Raymund. I think this might be the one and only "rap" song of the 'Heads and I'm so glad the band chose him to sing this. From how laidback the music is, Raymund performed the lyrics in just a way that it provides a stark contrast with its accompaniment. 7. Fill Her
Fill Her, for me, is the equivalence of the Beatles' Blackbird. Short and sweet in all forms, this song is perfect for Sunday afternoon siestas or for when you're pretending to be in a music video on car rides. 8. How Far Will U Go
Similar to Sa Tollgate, How Far Will U Go is the perfect song for road trips with your barkada or put in on repeat for when you need a ceaseless motivator when jogging (Ely would ask "How far will you go?" for about 20 times in 3 minutes). 9. Tama Ka
It's no secret that Buddy is my favorite Eraserhead, not only because he can really work his bass, but also because of his underrated singing prowess (I hope it's not that obvious that I like underrated stuff). Sino Sa Atin and Fabulous Baker Boy are other pieces Buddy sang and, I don't care if I'm being biased, I loved those just as much. 10. Finetime
Similar to why I really liked Shake Yer Head, I fell in love with Fine Time because of how relatable it is. Aside from that (and the really light and catchy tune), subtle love songs are one of my weaknesses and this song is one perfect example. HONORARY MENTIONS (because holy crap that list was hard to make): Sino Sa Atin, Poorman's Grave, Balikbayan Box, Hard to Believe, Fruitcake, Easy Ka Lang, Andalusian Dog, Milk and Money, Tikman **PERSONAL EXCERPT: Last night, me and my friends went to UP Fair's Freefall and Tanya Markova (also one of my favorite bands) sang a bit of Alapaap. Let me just say, more than a decade after the Eraserheads disbandment, they're still very much alive even in today's youth. *Ransom Collective also sang Ang Huling El Bimbo, by the way. Even during last year's UP Fair, it never failed to amaze me how astounding the 'Heads' effect is on the crowd. There's a certain high that a unified singing crowd gives, and it's one of those things that makes me wish I was born during their heyday.
Don't get me wrong, it's not that I didn't enjoy the reading experience. In fact, I was so immersed with the book that I read the whole thing while on public transport (this may be the first time I have to thank the traffic for making this feat possible) and yes, I had to hold back a few feels on some parts.
i wish i looked this cool while i was reading this
Recommend this to... Readers looking for a light read executed in a unique style. True to the essence of its title, the novel is both brief (with loads of loose ends and unanswered questions in each chapter) yet can still give you all the right feels in the right moments. However...Plot-wise, I wouldn't say Si has the most moving storyline nor the most developed characters and I have to admit, some parts felt a bit stretched. However, as previously stated, it's Bob Ong's style that made up for these shortcomings. From the Memento-ish format to the very delightful choice of words, plus the fact that the style of narration is very far from the subtle Bob Ong Filipinos have come to love, this was truly a refreshing experience for his readers, new or old-timers. The novel managed to become both blatant with its "in-your-face" dialogues, and at the same time ominous with its unanswered questions. And that, to me, makes a good read. Overall: 3.5 out of 5 snowflakes.
In a nutshell: Sixty-six is an action-packed graphic novel about Celestino Cabal, a 66-year old loving husband and father who one day discovers that he has super-strength, bullet-resistant skin (taking the expression "makunat na ang balat" to a whole new level), and basically the ability to singlehandedly fight crime. In two words: Wrinkly Superman. The makers of the book, both aesthetically and linguistically, have more than successfully made Sixty Six feel like a movie you can tangibly carry. Most importantly, it genuinely caught the essence of the Filipino culture in its art, dialogues, and plot itself. It's a perfect mix of action, drama, humor, and pure, unadulterated awesomeness. Anyway my point is: do yourself a favor and JUST READ THIS ALREADY. Recommend this to: EVERYONE. Seriously, this is not a drill. Go save some money, buy the book, thank me later. However... *light spoilers ahead* readers on the lookout for satisfying endings and perfectly-tied plots, do NOT torture yourself with this. This first installment left nothing but so much questions that you'd wish Russell Molina would just whisper to you what would happen in the next book.
I dare you to finish Sixty Six without having any similar reactions.
The only thing I can really complain about the book is that it felt too short. But then again, most incredible pieces of literature are. Now to the fun part. I'm nowhere near a comics expert nor a seasoned art critic, but let me just say that the artist, Ian Sta. Maria, did an amazing job with the illustrations and layout. I found myself in awe even more when I knew that this was a first both for Russell (with writing for comics) and Ian (with illustrating for this type of genre), probably because every aspect has worked so well together. Every character was lovable, especially the protagonist. Aside from the fact that he looks like my tatay (one of the many reasons why I'm so carried away with the book), perhaps it was because there's not a single flaw on his personality (yet) and you get this certain satisfaction from seeing the underdog kick some ass. Sometimes literally. There's also Tino's wife, Aura, who I daresay to be the major trigger of the "feels" in the book. And there's Donat, who might probably be the boldest barangay tanod ever. It was also amazing how with simple letters alone, the authors have managed to make the readers feel attached to Ella, Tino's daughter, even though she was barely shown in the book. Overall: 5 out of 5 pancit noodles.
