Archive for 2012

"Crafty" 'cause it's deceiving. Who'd know there's a fascinating place of peculiar finds and catalogs along that narrow road in Quezon City? Lucky, curious ones. And "crafty" 'cause it's an arts and craft fair. Hihi.

The logotype gate.
Photo from 10a Alabama
Facebook page.

A friend and I tried to catch before it opened on the first day of the fair last July. Exhibit owners and salespeople were just starting to set up their wares and populate the place with quirky little decors and exotic trinkets from God knows where.

Met up with good friend Noreen Bautista, director at social venture Jacinto and Lirio bags, whose youthful passion, hard work and love for her country drove her to become among today's movers in the country's social entrepreneurship scene.

She appeared at the fair to showcase the latest product line of her company: Journals made of water lilies, the signature native material of Jacinto and Lirio creations. It's called "water lily leather," by the way, and that's legit. Needless to say, innovative and resourceful.

Inside the big house at 10a Alabama. Every space and corner has something curious to behold.

Noreen Bautista poses with Jacinto and Lirio journals.

Journals made of water lily leather.

Noreen's stall was among those other interesting sites at 10a Alabama. There were vintage items, handmade accessories, colorful prints, postmodern displays, lots of dust (literally), an outpouring of creativity, resourcefulness and rare talents.

What's amazing with crafted items is they're devoid of that commercial, industrial feel, miles away from the texture of China-made products we've grown so used to. Every item in this fair bears a stamp closer to our humanity, as if each has been borne from the heart. And well, people, that's what makes art.

An illustration on canvas sitting by the window.

Postcards, anyone? Each is one-of-a-kind.

Recycled notebooks, covered in anyone's favorite slice of pop culture. I'm the last person to be
fond of A Clockwork Orange though. Blech, no thanks.

Some of this blog's most popular posts are those on roundup of films shown or upcoming. Proves again how lists are the most eye-catching content produced online, just look at the success of Listverse and the immense popularity of publications' special list issues such as the Time 100, National Geographic's Best Photos or Forbes' Celebrity 100 (where J.Lo dethrones Oprah as top this year) and so on.

So it's July, halfway through the year. We haven't had a notable, save for maybe the overrated buster The Avengers and the morally mediocre The Hunger Games. Have I missed anything? Anyway, doesn't matter, here's a list of the next films to watch this year:

The Dark Knight Rises (July)

So producers have successfully looped director Christopher Nolan into the Bruce Wayne franchise again after giving him a shot at a film where he could artistically call the shots. Inception wound up a surprising smash success, and in this stylistic (and box office) league is The Dark Knight Rises to hit the theaters this month.

The Magic of Belle Isle (independent | limited)

The feel of this movie may remind one of The Bucket List or About Schmidt because of its self-finding storyline. Morgan Freeman stars as a wheeled ex-author who moves into a small town whose dwellers help him redefine and find again his love for his abandoned craft. Some previewers have commented though that its subtle, romantic undertones might be a potential turn-off. So watch and stick to the main plot.

The Well-Digger's Daughter (foreign release | original title: La Fille Du Puisatier)

Still of Daniel Auteuil and Astrid Bergès-Frisbey in The Well Digger's Daughter

A French family drama set in World War II, The Well-Digger's Daughter (remade from Marcel Pagnol's 1940 version) demonstrates how a family braves life's tides together. This film has been released last year in Europe, but only now can worldwide audiences enjoy it in selected big screens. Lifted from the classic tale, expect this movie to remind you why French cinema has a refreshing charm in telling stories, exploring characters and moving audiences with its wisdom-driven plots.

Samsara (documentary | limited)

Perhaps out of all the films listed in this post, this the one I'm most excited about. Samsara, which literally means "the eternal cycle of birth, suffering and death" in Sanskrit, covers five years, 25 countries, a kaleidoscope of color and culture in 7.1 surround sound and 70mm film. Sounds Greek to you? Just another way of saying that even if it doesn't make a lot of plot-driven sense, it's worth watching just for its attempt. But watch out for its (probable) new age / zen suggestions.

A writer from Soundsite.org says, "Samsara is instantly one of the most visually-stunning films in the history of cinema is reason enough to cherish it, but Fricke and co-editor Mark Magidson achieve truly profound juxtapositions, brimming with meaning and emotion. It sounds preposterous, but it's true: In 99 minutes, Samsara achieves something approaching a comprehensive portrait of the totality of human experience. If you're even remotely fond of being alive, Samsara is not to be missed."

The Odd Life of Timothy Green (August)

Photo by Phil Bray – © Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Sure, this will not be a critical favorite, but for its interesting plot line and, well, Jennifer Garner(!) paired with Darth Vader's half-brother--I mean, actor Joel Edgerton--it's worth your shot. "A childless couple bury a box in their backyard, containing all of their wishes for an infant. Soon, a child is born, though Timothy Green is not all that he appears." See how Owen Lars, I mean Mr. Edgerton, still sports that Tatooine costume in this screencap.

The Bourne Legacy (August)

New Bourne lead Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross crosses life events adapted from Robert Ludlum's novels. Matched with a-listers Edward Norton and Rachel Weisz and filmed partially in the streets of Manila, The Bourne Legacy will surely be a hit, at least among those interested to see what Renner does wearing the big shoes of Jason Bourne main man Matt Damon.

The Words (September)

Bradley Cooper, whose popularity shot from TV-show Alias sub-star to in-demand leading man, stars as a ~~struggling~~ desperate writer who also shoots to immediate fame after the release of "his" novel. The work, however, was not written by him, and he lives under threat of being discovered a fraud. This should be a promising (though potentially complicated) drama that involves family, relationships, professional ethics and personal aspirations.

Hotel Translyvania (September)

Adam Sandler lends his voice to Count Dracula, the owner of a mysterious resort staffed by quaint creatures lifted from classic horror lit. A boy discovers this remote area and falls in love with the Count's teen daughter voiced by Selena Gomez. By its plot alone, I feel this is another minor animated feature that won't even make waves nor buzz. But hey, it's family entertainment. We need more of such these days.

Middle of Nowhere (October | limited)

A still from Sundance entry Middle of Nowhere directed by Ava DuVernay.

So this is an indie, and it better be. By being such the grit and simplicity are retained without the commercially-driven compromises in its plot. A husband is sentenced behind bars for 8 years. His wife quits a potential medical career to look after him while incarcerated. It's not the ideal marriage, obviously, but the couple works their way to persevere, which leads to "a journey of self-discovery," the official summary says.

I've been trying to design a publication the whole day, and I recall over and over in my head what Picasso once said: "Inspiration exists when it finds you working."

Photo from Moillusions. Source: http://bit.ly/lZiM5z

Inspiration is at the very least an emotion that prepares one to create. Rocky emotions blended in artistic zeal have not only tainted otherwise bright palettes applied on canvas, but have driven artistic geniuses to go all loony that some took their own lives. No need to repeat the famous "Vincent" story.

Now, we don't want that here. First, I'm not an artistic genius. And, well, it's just another publication. And this post isn't about me:

One of the most inspiring stories on art I've ever heard is about the great Michelangelo, whom critics and scholars throughout history have judged to have had a dark and gloomy approach to his work on the Sistine Chapel.

After 400 years, the Vatican and art organizations started a sweeping campaign to sweep the Chapel and rid centuries-old soot off its ceilings and pillars. They discovered the maestro did use bright, lively colors for the world famous scenes, and not dismal and drab shades like people have come to believe for hundreds of years. (Read more about the historic Sistine restoration.)

They suddenly began saying Michelangelo did see the Gospel as carrying the messages of hope and faith and love. He saw in these scenes brightness and joy and exalted God for his creation. Oh what a contrast with how they judged his intentions before.

It is amazing what art tools can do. They can either create beauty emanating from inside, or they can lead someone to a foreboding demise. That is because too many times artists have let their emotions take the better of them. And so the fallacy of the century is to blame it all on art and the pressure to create, when the tricks are plain simple:

"Remember your first love—how much you enjoyed creating as a child. If you ever lose that sense of joy, you will need to reflect on why you lost that spark. Of course, the craft of expression takes much “dying to self” and much discipline." --Makoto Fujimura's letter to young artists

"Not all are called to be artists in the specific sense of the term. Yet, as Genesis has it, all men and women are entrusted with the task of crafting their own life: in a certain sense, they are to make of it a work of art, a masterpiece." --Pope John Paul II's Letter to Artists

"Take your work seriously, take the business of your craft seriously, but don’t take yourself seriously. People who do are laughed at." --#The50 Things Every Creative Should Know

I'm blogging about this today, one with the rest of the cyber world because a film, 30 minutes long, has spurred me to do so. If you've been following this blog for some time now, you've probably noticed what's written on its sidebar:

The only way to really change society is through culture ... it's not through force, it's not through armies, it's not through politics (but) through freedom.

An Invisible Children volunteer. Photo from their Facebook page.

And this freedom is granted by education, and education starts with pieces of information transformed into ideas that inspire virtue and value within every individual. Elsewhere, in one of the dearest digital and community projects I got involved in, we wrote:

Cinema as a tool for change ...

To say that the American-produced video Kony 2012 (embedded below) is viral is an understatement. It has attracted over 80 million views over the last couple of weeks. With overwhelming media attention, it brought a local African issue--Uganda's hot criminal Joseph Kony--into the consciousness of the world. The Invisible Children, the cause behind the vid, has become immensely visible. That is PR success no matter how you see it.

The campaign's Lobby Day event. Photo from
their Facebook page.

When the world's eyes are at you, (the harshest) criticisms are inevitable. People picked at the cause's intentions, they investigated on their funds, they assessed their political agenda. They called it all sorts of names from US supremacy to a White Man's Burden type of propaganda. Some Ugandans felt they were treated as "pets" by the campaign. And sure, less discerning Gen-Yers went with it so easily, stopped at watching the video and liked their Facebook page, taking from it a feel-good sentiment for being somehow part of the cause.

At the same time, I think what Jason Russell and the Invisible Children have done is precisely to change the world through culture. Every sort of change, after all, draws in some scoffs and eyebrow-raising. Just observe how angry Facebook users get every time Zuckerburg and company flesh out new layout and features. But without such, Facebook has already ended up like Friendster instead of being the biggest internet entity in the whole wide world (and the world wide web).

But is the anti-Kony cause change for the better? Hard to objectively assess its political or social impact without going through a slew of academic studies. But we can readily give an answer to that by looking at individuals transformed by the sense of purpose, by thinking of others and by going beyond themselves:

The organisers of Invisible Children are young, they are passionate and unlike the millions who have sat at their desks like me and watched the film, they have got off their behinds and done something to change the world. And they have taught other charities a big lesson in awareness, and how to spread it. -- Alex Perrottet

It’s a sign that there are many people in the world who care deeply about the troubles of others, about righting wrongs, and about remedying injustices and improving the lot of others less fortunate than themselves. -- Nicole van Heerden

For me (and I believe many others), this suddenly lifts the restraints I’ve felt in supporting a ‘lost cause’, and suddenly, I feel determined in achieving a unified goal and assurance that success is achievable by my small showcase of support. --Lyndre

If you ask me, that is change through education, through freedom. It's the kind of change each one of us needs.

"The best you can offer a child is by letting them be independent and that (is by) providing education," Invisible Children Uganda director Jolly Okot said. #

Be it for work or quasi-work, traveling remains an uncomfortable task for nook nerds like me. But there's a lot to relish from the chore: the cozy company, the rare and glorious food, the Pinterest-worthy takes and the distinct experience undocumented by even the most brilliant books.

The Pasig City Museum is just across the Pasig Cathedral.

So this is my last travel post for this bunch after having traversed the country back and forth last February, and I'll end with something near. You know what they say when people desire to see places far and wide even when they haven't gone to their own backyard? I lived in Angono, Rizal for 14 years, and it's easily the most artistic town in the country. But it took me to live in Quezon City before I went to see what my hometown has to behold.

Now I dwell in Pasig, and I don't want to make the same mistake. So my friends and I set aside a day to explore, well, our own "backyard."

The Pasig River is perhaps the most popular attribute of the city. Albeit notorious, it played quite a role in history especially in its healthier days. Today, there's more to see in the city that the highly polluted river should be dropped off the list. The Cathedral is the first instinctive stop for many, and for obvious reasons. The church, after all, is that which history revolved around somehow, literally and figuratively.

Inside the Pasig Cathedral dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.

My friends Maycee and Kim paused before the image of St. Josemaria, (pictured on wall)
the saint of ordinary life, in the Cathedral.

We went around the Cathedral's grounds to look for the graves of the missionaries who started the faith in the town. Instead, we found a maze of a cemetery, with wall after wall of graves. We stopped at a corner when we realized it was where those who died in their childhood were buried.

Graves of infants and children. Some even passed away a few days after birth.

If Ronald were alive, he'd just be a year older than I am. His fate was to live for
just a few days. In many ways, he's fortunate. But the rest of us have to face our earthly mission with
a smile and a passionate love for life.

We challenged ourselves to look for the oldest recorded house in the city, and our amateur research brought us to this street where this Spanish-era type residence is located. Supposing it's some sort of a tourist spot or a museum, we knocked on its huge door and asked to be allowed in.

The owner looked at us puzzled. "This is a private house, you know!" But we couldn't be let down, this is a historical site, after all! So we just posed for photos in front of it while the resident watched our antics from the second floor.

Supposedly the oldest house in Pasig.

And then we went to a real museum. For a local historical museum, Pasig City's is relatively well-maintained and boasts of a valuable collection of artifacts. It also currently houses a painting exhibit on the life of Jose Rizal by local contemporary artists.

Former business tycoon and city major Don Fortunato Concepcion (he's fortunate, indeed) built the place, previously the Concepcion Mansion, in 1937 and then seized by the Japanese during the war and turned the house into a detention center. Please don't imagine blood and gore at this point. As a symbolic act, the triumphant Americans hoisted their flag atop its tower to mark the liberation day of Pasig on February 19, 1945.

I'm probably boring you with all these details. Just to say that the museum is really old, and people died there, and so it's worth visiting!

The Pasig City Museum is an elderly mansion traditionally owned by the Concepcion Family who sold the property to the local government. It was then transformed into an educational site bearing pieces from the city's history.

As usual, the museum doesn't allow its guests to take photos inside. And c'mon, it's the 21st century!
Tourism is promoted best with photos. That's a nice lobby though, don't you think?

Done pretending we're really that cultured, we proceeded to Tiendesitas for lunch and dog-watching. The little critters, of course, were a bit smelly but they jumped around and wagged their tails upon meeting us, and who could resist?

Tiendesitas Food Village. Photo filed under Wikipedia Commons, CC BY-SA.

Off to dessert! We rode to social venture Briggy Hall for milk tea and chocolate. I still don't get the entire concept of the place even after reading about it on Inquirer, which says it's a community cafe and "not your ordinary food stop." But whatever it really is, as long as it's originally Filipino, it's worth checking out. #

Sisters Lira and Kim Cahucom enjoying their Moon Leaf tea at Briggy Hall.

Tasteful packaging design made some products at Briggy Hall look imported and prized.

Graphic design can really make our local products, which are already of high quality, be globally
desired.

All photos by Camille Diola, unless otherwise stated. Please cite Creative Commons license for use.

The Dark Knight Rises (July)

The Magic of Belle Isle (independent | limited)

The Well-Digger's Daughter (foreign release | original title: La Fille Du Puisatier)

Samsara (documentary | limited)

The Odd Life of Timothy Green (August)

The Bourne Legacy (August)

The Words (September)

Hotel Translyvania (September)

Middle of Nowhere (October | limited)

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