It's not that I don't appreciate what you do. I do. And God knows I'd give up anything in the world just to feel the way you make me (feel). It's just that I want US to do more. I want us to do better.
I appreciate that you enjoy spending time with me. But I'd appreciate it more if you enjoy spending time with me alone, as much as you enjoy spending time with me when we are with others as well.
I want to hear your your plans. Your plans about us. Me only assuming that you're thinking what I'm thinking hurts me especially when I spring out an idea and then you go quiet all of a sudden. I want to hear an assurance. Not simply the assurance that you will not leave me. We're passed that. I want to hear your plans with me in it. I just feel it's a bit selfish that you make certain plans that involves yourself alone.
I want to go places too. I want to buy a lot of material things as well. But can't we do these together? Can you make out a plan for this?
You're ok. We're ok. But you can do better than this.WE can do better than all of this.
The horror trilogy, Shake Rattle and Roll XI comes back this year to probably attempt to redeem itself from last year. This time, they are equipped with the likes of Maja Salvador, Ruffa Guttierez, and Jennica Garcia. This year's trilogy is composed of Diablo, Ukay-Ukay, and Lamang-Lupa.
Diablo
Claire (Maja Salvador) is a young interim doctor in a provincial hospital. Once, she encountered a female patient who is suspected of carrying a deadly flu virus. Afterward, she began to experience demonic visions, eventually, one demon entered her and began to take control of her. Claire's aunt (Gina Alajar) brings her to Father Ronnie (Mark Anthony Fernandez).
I found it hard to read the title when it was first flashed on the screen. But then again it must have been my eyesight (I was the only one in our group who read the title as "Bilbil" anyway) This was probably my favorite among the three. The ending, however was too abrupt for me though. But I think Maja did a good job and, well Gina Alajar is Gina Alajar, 'nuf said.
Ukay-Ukay
Kayla (Ruffa Gutierrez) and Harold (Zoren Legaspi) are soon to be married. One day, Kayla takes hold of an old gown, which is seemingly unused for years. Shortly after the gown was bought, tragic events followed. Kayla and Harold must fight the spirit that possessed the gown before they can plan their wedding.
John "Sweet" Lapus was the favorite by the crowd when we watched it. He was really funny. It was a pity his exposure in the movie was minimal. It would have been better if he main-casted the segment. In my honest opinion, I think Ruffa should rethink going back to the movies. Not in the horror movies at least.
If there is any in the story, this was the only story which had lines we kept repeating over and over even after a movie. It was a good laugh. Funny thing is that it was suppose to scare the audience.
Lamang-Lupa
The story revolved on a group of friends who decided to camp on a dense and remote forest. Little do they know, the forest is home to a clan of ferocious "Lamang-lupa". The said creatures weren't like the usual elves, tikbalang or kapre. They were vicious. Close to the likes of aswang.
I think this was sloppily done. It appeared to be a filler in the whole movie. Yes. It makes you jump off your feet in some scenes, but it was not hair-raising. It was not something that will linger in your sleep. It was like a Gimik, Click, TGIS, or G-Mik shot outdoors for their holloween special.
Overall, I think the only story that lived up to its promise was the first story. As the movie progresses, the excitement died down. Had it not been for the company and the thought of wasting money by not finishing the movie, I would have stepped out. There were actors who stood up. There were those you'd wish were somebody else.
I give it three stars but only because Maja Salvador's did a good job.
I find it hard to let go. Thats probably the reason why I still keep candy wrappers that goes back to kindergarten and “happy weekend” notes from elementary.
It's probably the same reason why my closet is full of old clothes, empty perfume bottles, and broken toys. It's probably the same reason why I still stay where I am. I hate being left behind as much as I hate leaving.
I guess it's the disadvantage of being a keeper. I hold on too tight that I forget that sometimes letting go of something I have at hand means setting myself free as well.
A person once asked me what is one thing that I am most frustrated about. That time I said I had none. But in reality I can think of a number.
I wanted to be a lead vocalist in a band. That bad-ass character image. Notorious.
I wanted to be a renowned writer. Yes. Just like JK Rowling.
I wanted to be a researcher. Sociology. I miss it.
I wanted to be an educator. Noble and prestigious.
But I did not want the disappointments that came with them. I abhor failure. My insecurities eat me. And I guess, that alone is the biggest frustration I have.
I’ve always thought love is infinite. No boundaries. No ultimatum. That’s why sometimes it’s almost unfair. When one puts finality in it; when one puts a cork on it, it ceases to grow. It becomes unchallenging. It becomes unlove.
Maybe the love I thought was a fairytale. As always. I should have outgrown my fantasies. I should have not believed in the make-believe stories. I would have not been disappointed much. It would have not hurt me much. Not this much, at least.
It’s true what they say, you know. What you don’t know won’t hurt you. Because when I knew, it pained me. You know what almost killed me? It’s when you said it as-a-matter-of-factly. As if you slapped me across the face. Yes. You were clueless as always. But I didn’t want to explain. You’re words were simple. And harsh. Simply harsh. They were not threatening. As you say too yourself. They were final.
The fairytale weaver is back. But this time, she knows her fairytales are only fairytales. And so she bleeds.
(Super) Typhoon Santi not only said Hi to me today but, in fact, kissed me.
They say that when you are about to die your life flashes in front you. Well, not for me I guess. I didn't see any flashes. Maybe because I only realized that I could have died after surviving it. So I guess had I died then, I'd be one of those ghosts who didn't know their already dead. A naive ghost.
When I saw Joy's shaken face. When I looked at Rachelle's teary eyes. It was only then I realized that my heart was pounding fast. My body was shaken. My eyes were teary. I was scared as hell as my friends were, or at least my body felt my fear, because it took me a while to realize it and for it to sink in. But then I heard John Sion's unstoppable laughter. We were still alive. I was alive. And yes. For a moment , I thought we may really be invincible. I never understood why John Sion kept on laughing (Well, I did think he may have really lost it and with strong winds such as what we had encountered, it may have gone in his head and blew away the little sanity he had), as he held on to Joy while Joy held on to a tree, and; as me and Rachelle held on to some steel fence (or something like that, I don't know what they're called).
After a near death experience and proving to ourselves that we may actually be invincible (or stupidly lucky), we still had the promised McDo breakfast. Afterall, survivors need to be fed.
After a number of stories and shared laughters over breakfast I looked outside. Santi had gone. He kissed me and it scared me. The skies were again clear again.
Sunny in fact. As if nothing happened. As if his kiss of death never occured in the first place. But I can still taste it and there is no taste comparable to it. Tasteless yet unforgettable and above all regrettable.
I am never kissing you ever again.
I have always seen my Lola as a very strong woman. Having been widowed at quite an early age, if I may say, and being left with six children, must have been more than tough. My mom has constantly reminded of these ventures in their life and how Lola has always made ends meet. At a very young age, I have built a picture of what a really strong woman Lola Unor is. My mother has bragged and nagged about it all the time. I remember her saying, "Nung panahon namin.... (blah blah), si Lola mo... (blah blah). Kaya tingnan mo kami ngayon? Mararating ba namin to kung hindi dahil sa lola mo?" I have always found it irritating. Irritating until the day I found out she's gone.
I'm one of the apos that Lola took care of. She taught me lot and embarassed me a lot too. She used to say, "Wag ka magtitira ng pagkain sa plato, masama yon..." but then, when she is not looking I would throw the food in the garbage, just like in comedy sit-coms and cartoons. As grew older, she still constantly nags me about a lot of things, "Tulungan mo nga nanay mo sa bahay..." or stuff like, "Magpakababae ka nga, para kang barako kumilos!" I was young. Most of the time, I took her words negatively and I'd just leave grudgingly. But right now, I'd give anything to hear her nag at me again.
When I was in college, I used to live in a dorm. Every Sunday afternoon, I would go to my auntie's house because her daughter and I went to the same University. And it never fails, Lola will always be on the front porch. Then she would smile at me and ask, "Anong ulam niyo?" Before we leave for Los Banos (that was were we attended college), she would say, "Ruzel, may saging nga pala don. Kunin mo na," or "Sayang walang saging." Those were the times when I would ask myself if Lola thinks I'm a monkey. Monkey or not, I will always look for those bananas that she keeps giving me.
As one of her few immediate apos who was gifted with a singing voice, she always requested for me to sing for her. She would offer several bribes from candy to money. Most of the time, I refuse and again walk away to avoid the subject. In rare occasions, when I mustered the guts to sing, I never miss her face in crowd. She appears never to blink or even look away. She just sits with the crowd, never taking her eyes off of me. Smiling. Smiling proudly. Yes. My Lola is one of my most avid fans. I will miss her face in the crowd when I sing. I will miss her proud smile.
If there is one thing in my life that I am regretting, it will probably be not being able to spend much time with Lola during the last days of her life... And that is something I have to live for the rest of my life...
Once again, even as you depart from us, you have taught me another valuable lesson, Lola. To not take anything for granted. I'm sorry it took me this long to learn it....
Lola Unor did not live a long life. She lived a GREAT long life. A toast to a very strong woman.