Same Old New Year in this Today's Plastic World

Same Old New Year in this Today's Plastic World

(And how some people still yearning 

for a new yet meaning world this New Year)

At first, this person conveys greetings this start of 2015. And like any other year, 2015 means a new start for everyone: new dreams, new challenges, new gadgets, new shows, new claptraps being vented all from January to December in the name of pleasure and enjoyment.

Can't deny it since it's true, knowing that everyone has waited for this since past few months, looking at every update, preparing, saving time and effort in order to gain at its possible time, be it movies, gadgets, dance steps, anything that is trendy like any other year this person and others concerned has sought through.

And inconveniently speaking, most are for the sake of impression, in a way those who brought acoustic guitars eventually gave up the following year and lately brought ukeleles for the sake of trend than for the love of music. Come to think of this, ukeleles and acoustic guitars are all the same string instruments, and this person believe that there are those afforded to play, make music, express as they enjoy using those string instruments, but how about the others driven by the trend, especially after last year's buying of varsity jackets, are they really serious or like any other year of throwing it away for another? 

Sorry for being inconvenient especially those who afforded to say words such as "choice", that has becoming a code word for unbridled spending for a mere material benefit especially after being enticed to buy in order to get in. Same styles for clothing and apparel coming from different well-known brands, all for profit from those entities trying to "maintain prestige"; and in movies, seeing same genres coming from different priducers especially those trying to win a pseudo-national prize. That oftentimes marred by scandals, if not criticisms coming from the concerned. 

To sum it all, the plastic world has won according to the late Letov. 2015 is like any other year full of something new, but whatever everyone says, still these same everyone still sees and feels same old problems. The problem is this: people chose not to understand these, worse, trying to be intentionally ignorant as they escape from these inconvenient realities, be it poverty, corruption, injustice, people care less about these least they enjoy these new sorts of things in this plastic world Letov has been saidth in his song. This plastic world called modernity continues to rule over everyone's lives and mindsets. Substituting reality for an illusion, of having state of the art this and that, a thriving populace whose mantra is work, buy, consume throughout the year. And in this 2015, it will always be like any other year, same old plastic changes, new trends and words to vent with, while at the same time, new scandals meant to be forgotten, new protests likely to be assailed in the name of illusory peace, new bullshit to be expressed. 

And these bullshit, protest, is coming from those people who had really demand a breakthrough out of their still struggling yet genuine hopes in this present day plastic world: all for a real social change, for a genuine application of social justice, for a realisation of an aspiration, far from what the system and its outlets has vented throughout the year. 

They want something new in this year, yet more than what is being depicted, they want a year where both material and spiritual wealth united all to create a healthy living whole. For a better individual, for a better community. And if possible, they will do by any means to the point of having their lives be sacrificed.

That's all, and С ноьвим годом. A Struggling yet Enjoying new year to all.

Reaffirming a Quixotic ideal

Reaffirming a Quixotic Ideal

A message for Rizal Day

Well, ever since people celebrated his martyrdom at Bagumbayan in 1896, Jose Rizal has represented a race willing to assert dreams and aspirations of his own land and race.

These dreams and aspirations, mostly in a form of writeups and discoveries of his own work, has showed how the Filipino as capable of enjoying its own self-government, what more of its own independence, in order to enjoy its hard work, of uniting material and spiritual wealth to create a healthy well-being, both the individual as well as its own society.

However, Jose Rizal was and is, more than a person; like all others who proved how great the Philippines is, is one of those who represented the quixotic ideal of the Filipino people. Rizal loved the Filipino nation more than his life. Rizal loved the independence of the Philippines more than his own independence, and with His death on the altar of freedom at Bagumbayan comes the dream and hope and warm beating of his heart shared by such other heroes as Gregorio H. del Pilar, Malvar, Mabini, and others.

However, despite years passed, of gaining independence, of facing tyrants, and enduring decades old hardships, Rizal's ideal remains quixotic as long as those who afforded to babble his ideas, aspirations, even his example, are in fact same as the corrupt friars and opportunistic men of the cloth during his period.

And regardless of having known for his contributions, be it in the field of medicine, science, engineering, literature, his life's work remains unfinished, and its up to the Filipino people to take that arduous, decades-old task.

And that task is more than what the system has stubbornly insisted. Not also wonder that out of patriotism and social awareness, there are those willing to set fires against an existing yet dilapidated social order. True that the country needs a long term process of reform, renewal, revolution. Rizal's dream to realise an aspiration comes a reaffirmation and assertion of a nation longing to stand up on its own feet, willing to confront the enemies and slanderers of one's homeland. 

Anyways, there may be people who treats Rizal as a person worthy of veneration; however, not all appreciates his word, such as having a nation that shelters the despot or the slave.

That's all.

"Feels Trip at West Ave."

"Feels Trip at West Ave."

Background:

This poem was made on the same day during the event this person has participated with in a bar. Whilst drinking beer and listening to other's poems, rants, and summarising their featured works, he was making this work.

More friends more strangers

Gather at Black Kings late than never

Seeing some acquaintances yet going to eat first

Miso ramen so expensive but can't withstand hunger or thirst

Hearing statements, poems and feelings

Seeing pictures of people, nudes, young masses

Then a friend did not give me gift as promised weeks ago

Nevermind for the event's enough a gift, so why should not I go?

At the counter had to buy a bottle of beer

Pale pilsen, old school, like dad and his peers

While listening to their words drinking, here making a writeup to finish

Of Würtzbach and Maykel, Yankees and the once Vanquished

Then after long came I stood at the stage

Showing drawings, some hurting feelings, realtalk to fill the page

Poetries full of pasts likely to call mistakes

If not last lantern parade, or even rainy day feels

And deep inside as if trying to be Limonov
Of Grazhdanskaya Oborona and the late Egor Letov
For the reality of having hell being described in the poems
And the promise of Heaven to those being sown

Then came along two old men

Legend as others say but trying to low profile as they can

Some young end smiling noticing who are they then

Such as one who after seeing pictures, discounts has offered to them

But as they left later, this person seems feeling alone

Yes there may be friends around Black King's but most busy along

The sound of Imago often makes past memories prolong

As everyone listens if not singing to their song

And as I go home after I just find nevermind

The important is to meet them, and say the poems enough to understand

But in the end they only hear is my realtalk, some left and quite sorry if it feels rage

Obviously it is not even enough to fill the page

Making Nativity "Native-ity"

Making Nativity "Native-ity"

Inspired by western depictions of that Middle Eastern event, Filipino artists seemed inspired, and compelled to create depictions that reflects Christian faith in a Filipino setting such as those of a romanticised peasantry.

Likely being made in the mid-20th century, these artworks featured Filipino peasant attire, be it the straw hat or the Salakot, the Camisa de Chino and Peasant Trousers for men, as well as Kamison for women along with the veil reflecting the peasant wife's image as those of the Virgin Mary.

Besides those of the Carabao, Goats, Chickens, took place of the Sheep and Horses. Bethlehem became a barrio, and the Manger be situated at the tenant's stables where animals gathered to see the blessed couple taking care of the young Christ.

To add further cultural flavour of the isles, the so-called "Three Wise Men" or "Three Kings" seemed represented by those who represent the three major island groups of the Philippines: An Ifugao chieftain representing Luzon, a Visayan Cabeza representing Visayas, and a Moro Vizier representing Mindanao. These three prominent beings expressed reverence to the newborn King as they offered Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh, that symbolises Christ as King, God, and Man. 

Quite nice to see the Nativity, or rather say "Native-ity" as it features biblical characters as "idealised" typical Filipinos. From the peasant-like setting to those of the "Three Kings" as Cordilleran chieftains or Moro viziers, the artists wanted to show that in a Christian country like the Philippines, they also want to show to the world that not all paintings depicting the Nativity has to be "western-centric" such as those from the Louvre or the National Museum of Art. 

Furthermore, the Nativity in the Filipino setting also showed the Filipino's yearness for Unity and Peace; but for this person's take, and maybe through the eyes of these artists involved in those artworks, that Unity and Peace is being rooted from Justice, as represented by the newborn Christ. 

"Peace, Land, Bread, Justice"

"Peace, Land, Bread, Justice"

A Christmas Message

"Peace, Land, Bread, Justice." These are the basic words most poor people would ought to say this yuletide season. 

Commonly heard during protests as well as from various statements this person hath read, it seems that these calls aren't been given seriously, amidst press releases and "actions" likely to be called pretentions if not realisations in this present order enough to call "repressive" and "unjust".

And although most readers may find it haggard, especially with such serious words related to activism and even social revolution, this statement is posted at a right time, for this season is not meant just to celebrate, but to act for the love of God, family, country, fellowmen. And it is more than just what is commonly depicted on TV, Movie, Internet, or heard in the Radio. 

For according to Delmar Taclibon, he noticed the reality that is contrary to what is ideally seen especially in this season. True that everyone missed their love ones yet sometimes forgetting them as most confined to their wealth, comfort, what more of power and greed. 

Worse, having the reality of trampling rights of its own fellowmen, ignoring their rights against the actually existing terrorisms of poverty, social injstice, exploitation, abuse, callouseness, of having a system tainted by arrogant governance, mismanagement, crime, corruption, and others that further sink everyone including this person, and this country he belongs as well, down to the abyss of nowhere.

Come to think of this: what if God is a caroler who wears shabby clothes, will you give food, gifts, or just leave unnoticed? What if God is amongst the farmer, the worker, the student who clamour for peace, land, bread and justice, will you heed the call or nevermind about it claiming it has nothing to do with one's fantasy? The reality of having Christmas equating to those of consumerism with pretentions of being virtuous whilst not seriously heeding their statements and even putting shame those who call for what is just has really forgotten the words Christ has taught to its desciples such as serving the people, of sharing wealth equally, of bring justice to those who really desired. 

Or rather say, no wonder why one calls this event a "Merry Crisis and a Happy new Fear."

Anyways, in this so-called season of forgiveness, sharing, giving, these attributes related to Christmas should be more than what is commonly depicted in movies and TV commercials. Charity should become solidarity, and love has to be boundless, selfless as everyone really desire for words such as those attributed to this season, if not the virtue that makes Christians Christ-like. 

And hope that their simple call such as Peace, Land, Bread, and Justice be realised. 

Merry Christmas to all.

How a statement from a "Beauty Queen" comes a series of different Interpretations and criticism

How a statement from a "Beauty Queen"

comes a series of different Interpretations and criticism

(or how Pia Alonzo Würtzbach's statement
easily identified with reaffirming Yankee relations in the Philippines)

Source: Philippine Collegian

At first, this person congratulate ms. Pia Alonzo Würtzbach for winning the 2015 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant at Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Her victory is a fine moment for the Filipino people who ceaselessly supported her bid for the crown.

However, despite her victory, it seems that her position, coming from her answer (as stated in the picture above), regarding the presence of United States Armed Forces in the Philippines is reflective of the sentiments of those who are unaware, intentionally or not, of the countless abuses and violence done by these forces, as well as its domestic counterpart, especially against Filipino women, children, communities, and even the environmenr on the pretense of security and stability.

To most people, her statement be justified on the pretext of the growing tremor with China. Along with a series of cold war-era rherotic and showbiz patriotism, it seems that the people who dare to criticise Würtzbach's statement leads to red tagging, harassment, rather than discourse to resolve different opinions regarding her statement.

Otherwise, those who create "counterstatements" on those who criticise Würtzbach's statement subjectively thinking that the pageant has nothing to do with foreign policy nor even politics, disregarding the fact that there are certain questions that are politically tainted in nature. After all, it is a beauty contest, and it has nothing to do with topics controversial in nature, if not Würtzbach speaks on her own statement according to them.

But for this person's take, her statement is also open to interpretations different from the officially accepted one of "totally reaffirming subservience of the Filipino to the Anglo-Saxon". For according to professor Maykel Andrada of the University of the Philippines, it is History that provide Pia Wurtzbach's answers in regards to US-Philippine relations. And it is full of irony, if not subversive or even parodical.

According to Andrada, he stated that After Würtzbach stated that the Philippines "have always had friendly relations", she stated that the United States had occupied the country and remained its colony from 1898 to 1946; and that is through McKinley's "Benevolent Assimilation" that is commonly studied in mainstream Philippine history, Würtzbach may have studied history quite well that the so-called friend was once a coloniser.

Secondly, Colonial Mentality has been revealed in her statement, given that American culture has also been Philippines's own for generations. Being described then and now as Brown Americans, having White supremacy as basis for beauty, having English as superior language for the learned, as well as Hollywood and its "Star System" for movies past and present. That somehow made the Philippine popular culture technically an annex of American culture, while those of its neighbours remained clinging to its own rooted yet modernised culture such as those of Indonesia and Malaysia (that was also colonised by the British and Dutch).

And lastly, the Philippines is a Neocolony, or even a Semicolony, through her statement that Americans are always welcome in the Philippines. It seemed quite general in referring to these "Americans", whether it is a "Tourist" looking for fine beaches, "Investor" seeking future markets, and even a "Soldier" known treating the Philippines as a "Rest and "Recreation" site. 

True indeed that Filipinos are "Friendly" towards to the American people due to long colonial and neocolonial relations between two countries. But with these Americans describing themselves as "Powerful", "Rich", "Progressive" in front of its vassals and being internalised as such, these words are enough to make the Philippines dependent in their aid rather than rolling its own sleeve and stand on its own to assert its independence. 

"Justice and Humanity" as its "basis" for occupying the Philippines

And yet, contrary to what most people thinks of as "affirmative", Würtzbach did not answer if she is in favor of US military presence in the country. Maybe she's intelligent enough to evade an answer in front of the American audience, particularly the sponsors who had made the Pageant well-known. For on the first place, who owns that beauty pageant such as "Miss Universe"? And obviously, that question is more of a "begging one" that can be answered simply by a "Yes" or "No."

But anyways, Würtzbach statement is open for interpretations, be it talking about the Americans whom afforded to solidarise the struggling Filipino people, supported its ideals and aspirations at the expense of being censored or imprisoned, or the Camouflaged men who once babbled "benevolent assimilation", "freedom", and "democracy". But the problem is that most people chose not to think deeply about her statement and instead merely nod as if enough for a good answer.

And if one afforded to criticise or reinterpret the statement other than the "official" one, they start to cry with a series of red tags and other whining rants, worse, attacking activists and other patriots out of "showbiz patriotism".

At first, it may sound offending about her statement, and once this person even think that "Antonio Luna should brought life to tell that the Philippines is a virgin yearning for a whore's love"; but since other activists (like Jose Maria Sison) has afforded to reinterpret Würtzbach's statement such as focusing on amicable relationships between American and Filipino people than those of governments (including the armed forces), this person would say that her statement is likely to open for interpretations. Remember: Mark Twain of Tom Sawyer was against American colonisation, that Jane Fonda visited the Philippines and met activists, that David Fagen defected and joined the Philippine revolutionaries, yet these people are Americans. 

After all, in a nation easily colonised by modern gadgets and promises of democracy and freedom, the Philippines has easily forgotten its heritage, its patriotism, save those meant for tourism. Pia Würtzbach may be right in her statement, but on the other hand, given that no one afforded to think critically and instead nod about Uncle Sam's right to interfere in someone else's business as its former colony, she showed that hers is a country of overdressed monkeys, an American experiment that created a generation of helpless "brown Americans" crying for the big white man.

People may have watched Heneral Luna and other movies featuring heroes just few months ago, memorising every phrase and even making fan art out of it; but then it easily forgets it altogether thinking that all is but history and meant to be forgotten. Yes, meant to be knowing that it has nothing to do with the current state of themselves as individuals, what more of a society that is less interested in statecraft and more of consumerism. Is this what independence and freedom the Philippines had after 1946? In 1946 there's still a generation of struggling patriots trying to assert that the revolution remains unfinished, while this coming 2016 what you see is a generation of whining kids becoming assholes thinking that to forget is divine.

You may call those who adhere in the ideals of the pasts with red tagging or any other bullshit, but in the end, it makes the name caller more of a marionette of a dying "republic".

Again, cheers to Würtzbach, but there are those who desired victory, a victory for Filipino Nationalism, a victory for the Filipino people and its realisation of an aspiration from an unfinished revolution.

"Lantern Parade 2015"

"Lantern Parade 2015"

No pictures at all,

Feels trip to the core

Despite seeing friends

Still alone and no more

Waiting for text messages

Running looking for loading stations

Yet still most can't reply

If not telling tomorrow or next time

Sitting alone at the cab

Listening Boutros while looking at others

Trying myself to stave off the feels

Creeping in my mind

Then the rector is gone

His feet gone bad from walking

He went to a corner

Till not seen till he messaged later

Sudden rain and cold coffee

And going home via taxi

Only to be reprimanded at home through a threat

That for next week "or else you can't get home to rest"