It’s Independence Day weekend and for those who will be staying home (like me) during the long weekend, I am recommending the films below. They are all foreign films (not if you’re Japanese or Korean). I have them as part of my tiny DVD collection. They aren’t new. They’re about at least 3 years old already and I’m guessing that most of my readers have not seen them yet. I’m a huge fan of martial arts films especially the ninja and samurai. That’s not the only reason why I’m recommmending them, however. These films possess deeper meaning. I have found those meanings in my own perception. It’s up to you to find for yourself.
I will recommend more films later on.
SHINOBI — The movie contains one of the greatest fight scenes ever shown on film. The hero and heroin possess amazing powers and the fit the actors portraying the characters. Probably one aspect of the movie that made me love it is the cinematography. Amazing, amazing, amazing.
AZUMI I — The first of the two. The history of Azumi; how she became. An excellent display of swordplay. I’m a huge fan of the ways of samurai. I’m a man who adores perfection through simplicity and the samurai way of life is that. Simple, precise, perfect. The pretty face of Azumi is a plus.
AZUMI II — The second installation. The continuation of Azumi’s journey towards cleansing. Aagain, contains a great display of swordplay. Unlike most sequels, this one did not disappoint me. Azumi still looking good especially with a cloak (that’s when she really kicks ass).
SHADOWLESS SWORD — This is a Korean film that I can proudly recommend. Korean films are becoming better and could probably replace Hollywood. The film contains another excellent display of swordplay. A must see.
July 4th, 2008
Readiness and Disaster Management are the recent issues in the Philippines. PAGASA claims that there was a breakdown in the structural aspect of their readiness program during typhoon Frank. There is no such thing as readiness. Nature is uncontrolled that’s why most of us thrive to be unnatural. The only thing a forecast can do is minimize casualties; it’s not a prevention. I guess it’s a readiness to be killed for the dead. I’m a huge fan of the natural and I missed one good nature loving during the typhoon. I miss the days back home when we encounter annual typhoon visits. It’s exhilarating. Now most of you will definitely say that it’s insensitive of me to be thinking that way after many people lost their lives. Sorry to disappoint you, but that’s what we call “natural death”. Sooner or later you’ll die, so why not give your life to something that gave and is giving you life and not to some illness caused by the artificial or ambitions. I want to die with nature’s help or during my sleep. That way there’s nobody to blame for my death.
Disaster Management — I’ve nothing on this one. I don’t have the luxury to think about helping the victims. If it was me, I’d look at this as a rebirth and reset my life. I would disappear and live life anew. I’ve been waiting for something like this to happen to me; especially when I’m traveling by plane. I always wish my plane crashes in an inhabited island so that if I survived, I’d live in solitude. Did I just digress?
June 30th, 2008
Winnipeg, Manitoba — It’s been a while since my last entry and here I am full of expectations for this one. I don’t like Canadians. I have been solid about that for years now. I don’t like them politically, culturally and throw in also economically.
Canadians have been unsubtle about their (except for the Prime Minister I guess) dislike of the United States of America. Canada envelopes the northern part of the US and they are well protected by the US militarily from three directions. Instead of gratitude for this, the Canadians think that what the (US)Americans are doing to keep a civilize world is plain wrong. They are too idealistic for their own good.
Now let’s talk about idealism for Canada. Canada uses two languages — English (British, not [US]American) and French. That means that they are bounded to the British and the French who discovered their neck of the woods. Essentially, Canada has no independence so they should just shut their mouths about the United States and get their shit together first to get away from their monarchs. Trivially, Canada has no president. Instead they have a prime minister because they still recognize the monarchs thousands of miles away in the land called the United Kingdom. If you ask Canadians why they don’t exist as a Republic, they would tell you that they are sentimental about the presence of the monarchy. A stupid thing to say for a could-be-sovereign country.
Culturally, I dislike their attitudes. (US)Americans are liberal, but they at least have manners. Canadians lack courtesy, hospitality and other good manners. Canadians will confirm this. They think they are high up in the food chain to be looking down on people. Here’s a stereotype: if you meet a rude Caucasian in the States, most likely he’s from Canada. One more piece of observation: Canadians look alike. I would like to post pictures, but I won’t. When you visit Canada, pick one face and you’ll find many of them like that…pick the ones with ’stache.
If (US)Americans complain so much about taxes, go to Canada and you’ll wish you can bring your taxes from the States. Generally, they have two taxes: GST (federal) and PST (provincial). Total tax could reach 15% - 20% of your purchase. That’s too much. They even have AST (accommodation) and a GST is also taken from that AST. So if you stay in a hotel, they will charge you two taxes plus an accommodation tax plus another tax off that accommodation tax. What they mean to say is that “pay us double, foo!”
I think that about covers my dislike for Canada and its people. However, I LOVE the music they make. I will also attempt to photographically compare the four provinces I visited when I get back, so watch out for that my dear readers.
June 26th, 2008
A (pretty much) summary of my technical encounter with Directv technical support specialists. I am a technical support specialist myself and I know the feeling. Sometimes I just give up on problems because it’s difficult talking to someone on the other end when they are doing something different you’re asking them to do. It’s difficult being blind because that’s how you feel when you are supporting someone over the phone.
Continue Reading June 13th, 2008
A pure democratic state is defined to be a state of the people, for the people, and by the people. Obviously, this form of government is inexistent therefore I’m not talking government politics in this entry. I’m speaking of Pinoy Idol (Philippines’ installation of “… Idol” reality show). This kind of contest shouldn’t be allowed in a country where text messaging is a way of life, not a necessity. “… Idol” is a singing contest where the winner is decided by the masses. I am not saying that voting in an installation like the American Idol has a 1-1 vote/person ratio, but the sampling is closer to the actual number. In the Philippines, one out of five texter could (a hypothesis) vote at least 100 times for his contestant and that clearly manipulates the curve which then yields a non-democratic politics. What’s worst is that (again I’m hypothesizing) the multi-voting texter does not know about the talent. However, that doesn’t matter because as far as the show is concerned, they are just counting the number of text votes.
Why am I getting so hyped up about this? I have been hyped up about this, but I’m only writing about this now. Last night, the viewers eliminated deserving candidates and kept mediocre talents. The judges even agreed with my thoughts. I know that one of them will eventually win, but if the deserving candidates are not permitted to compete (because they were kicked out) then what’s the using of discovering new talents. The viewers who care about a talent are left frustrated because the majority of viewers who don’t know what a talent is voted out the talented ones. Eventually, the show will have talents that aren’t up to par. The show must start rigging the votes. It’s nothing new in the Philippines anyway.
I’m done criticizing the system, now it’s time to criticize some contestants…
Sue Ellen - you’re a trying hard fashionista. If it doesn’t suit you however trendy the dress is, don’t wear it. I’m begging you in the name of all Ilonggos.
JJ - You should have been sacked this week, but I guess you’re too pretty for that.
Jeni - Excellent performance this week, but I’m worried you’re only restricted to a genre. If ever you’re voted out, make a jazz album and make sure to write your original music.
Ram - You have to be original, but keep rocking! I hope you win the shit.
Topher - Nice voice, but work on the image.
Warren - Be original; love the voice.
Obviously, I don’t pay attention to the girls. I want the contestants to ROCK and the boys are the only ones capable of doing that in the current season. I can’t sing, but I yap a lot, don’t I? Get used to it!
June 9th, 2008
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