Phantom of the Opera

“If I am the phantom, it is because man's hatred has made me so. If I am to be saved it is because your love redeems me.”

― Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera is originally a novel by a French writer named Gaston Leroux. The story is about an Opera singer Christine triumphs at the gala on the night of the old managers' retirement. Her old childhood friend, Raoul, hears her sing and recalls his love for Christine. At this time, there are rumors of a phantom living at the Opera and he makes himself known to the managers through letters and malevolent acts. Some time after the gala, the Paris Opera performs Faust, with the prima donna Carlotta playing the lead, against the Phantom's wishes. During the performance, Carlotta loses her voice and the grand chandelier plummets into the audience.

Christine is kidnapped by the phantom and is taken to his home in the cellars of the Opera where he reveals his true identity to her simply as Erik, though not his real name. He plans to keep her there for a few days, hoping she will come to love him. But she causes Erik to change his plans when she unmasks him and, to the horror of both, beholds his noseless, lipless, sunken-eyed face which resembles a skull dried up by the centuries, covered in yellowed dead flesh. Fearing that she will leave him, he decides to keep her with him forever, but when Christine requests release after two weeks, he agrees on condition that she wear his ring and be faithful to him.

               I highly recommend for people to watch this movie because I am not sure if there are still people acting this novel. It is indeed romantic in its own way and I can say that the movie really got into me. Especially whenever Christine sings magnificently, I keep on having goosebumps.

Public speaking competition

"Not to speak one's thought is slavery."

- Euripides

               Speak Sense Season 2: A Public Speaking Competition was held last November 27, 2015 at the APC Auditorium. Students from different schools came representing their respective school competed for their school’s glory. The theme of the event is “Whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times, it’s the only time we’ve got.” The competition was tight and every school did their best to perform their hearts out. I can see that they really practiced it long enough to master it. On the performance proper, it is now up to them how they can serve their prepared piece for us.

               The winner of the competition was a girl who told us about her broken family and how she managed to escape the suicide urges. I really can’t relate on depressed people but after she delivered her piece, I was struck by strong emotions and felt sad. I finally understood how they feel which is scary for some people especially me because I can’t imagine myself being a depressed person. The delivery of her piece was very good and I she deserves to win.

               Kudos to performers who entertained us with such beautiful pieces!

Media literacy

What is media literacy and how is it essential in a person's life?

     According to medialiteracyproject.org, "Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media. Media literate youth and adults are better able to understand the complex messages we receive from television, radio, Internet, newspapers, magazines, books, billboards, video games, music, and all other forms of media." It helps us to be aware of our modern technologies. I was struck by what Ms. Lian Buan said during her talk saying, “There are no bad stories, only bad story tellers.” It is true in so many ways because all stories are actually good, it just depends on how it is told.

     There are many advantages and disadvantages of modern technology and one of the advantages is being able to pick up knowledge in an instant. The opposite side of it is that, not all knowledge you get from the internet is all proven to be true. Some “facts” are not really facts at all. Another advantage is you can express your freedom of speech in social medias to let people know what’s on your mind, what’s your opinion about a certain incident, event, or any topic. On the other hand, the disadvantage of it is that you can disrespect, dishonour or even bully other people through the internet by saying profane words, harsh word, and other negative words.

     This seminar taught me the do’s and don’ts when using any type of media that can be seen by the public. It help me realize that we all my think before we click or pause before we post. I highly recommend this seminar to be recognized by other schools as well so they may be taught proper media literacy.

National Election

Vote wisely because every vote counts!

The elections in the Philippines have several types. The president, vice-president, and the senators are elected for a six-year term, while the members of the House of Representatives, governors, vice-governors, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board members), mayors, vice-mayors, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod/members of the Sangguniang Bayan (city/municipal councilors), barangay officials, and the members of the Sangguniang Kabataan (youth councilors) are elected to serve for a three-year term.

Many of us know that choosing a leader is very important because not only that he will represent our nation but also lead our country to become better. We should not be blinded by their political advertisements, infeasible projects, and plastic attitudes. Instead, we should open our eyes and realize what they have done in our country (if old time candidate) and be aware of their works (if first time candidate).

In our Halalan 2016, I am in between of voting Duterte or Miriam because I am still scrutinizing their capabilities. On the other hand, we should not be dependent on our leader too much because change starts with the people. We should also not blame them for everything. I am certain to say that the reason for unemployment for us Filipinos is that we are lazy to find a job. We always wait for the government to give us jobs instead of initiating to find one.

Live. Die. Repeat.

“I wouldn’t change a thing because all my past experiences, good and bad, made me who I am today.”

Edge of tomorrow is a 2014 American science fiction film starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt. Doug Liman directed the film based on a screenplay adapted from the 2004 Japanese light novel All You Need Is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. The film takes place in a future where Earth is invaded by an alien race. The epic action of "Edge of Tomorrow" unfolds in a near future in which an alien race has hit the Earth in an unrelenting assault, unbeatable by any military unit in the world. Major William Cage (Tom Cruise) is an officer who has never seen a day of combat when he is unceremoniously dropped into what amounts to a suicide mission. 

I enjoyed it a lot. It’s my kind of movie: sci-fi alien-blasting action with a smart plot that delivers satisfyingly on an intriguing premise. First, and most obviously, the storyline assumes that time travel is possible.

This movie made me re-think what my purpose in life is.

Ricardo M. de Ungria

Filipino poet, Ricardo M. de Ungria earned his A.B. Literature from the De La Salle University, and later obtained an M.F.A. in the Creative Arts from the Washington University in Missouri, U.S.A in 1990. He is a founding member of the Philippine Literary Arts Council (PLAC) and the Unyon ng mga Manunulat ng Pilipinas (UMPIL). He is an associate professor of the U.P. Institute of Creative Writing; the incumbent Chancellor of the U.P. Mindanao; and the Head of the Committee on Literary Arts under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

His works are:

· R+A+D+I+O (1986)

·   Decimal Places (1991)

·   Passionate Patience: Ten Filipino Poets on the Writing of Their Poems (1995)

· Catfish Surviving in Little Schools (1996)

·    The Likhaan Anthology of Poetry and Fiction (1996)

·    Pidgin Levitations (2004)

·    m'mry wire (2014)

He was also awarded:

·    Academy of American Poets Prize

·    Saint Louis Poetry Annual Contest

·    Florida State University's State Street Poetry Contest

·    Manila Critics' Circle

·    Palanca Awards

·    CCP Verse-Writing Contest

·    Philippine Free Press Awards