You're the ONE (that I want)

I may not come across as the type to day dream about Mr. Right, but like the majority of the female species, I also have painted the picture of my ideal guy. I am not looking for Mr. Perfect. Nor am I looking for someone to sweep me off my feet to a happily ever after. I am, however, looking for someone that compliments my personality - someone that is like me in ways that will make the relationship work yet different enough that will make the relationship interesting. And after a time of not looking at all (or refusing to look), I am finally ready to meet the guy. So who is he?

1) The awkwardly charming Chinese look:
Yes, from a physical standpoint, I have a type. I don't go for the hottest guys around. I am into Chinese looking men with boyish charms - lanky, awkward and seemingly shy. Kindly see peg below (too bad, he's taken)

2) He is Smart
 He doesn't have to have a collection of medals to show for. He does have to be knowledgeable about current events, be it politics or showbiz. We just have to be able to talk about different topics.

 3) He has to Speak Well
 Not only does he have to get his subject-verb agreement right, he has to be able to carry a conversation   well.

4) He has to be Successful in his career and is passionate about what he does
A guy who is passionate about what he does is just so sexy

5) He has to be Quietly Confident
I can only tolerate arrogance so much. But I do want to be with someone confident and self-aware, someone who does not get intimidated by my personality. It's a partnership, not a powerplay. That and confidence is just so sexy.

6) He has to Love the People that I Love
I want to be with  a guy who sincerely loves my family and friends, not endure them because he's with me.

7) He has to be Patient
I am not the most patient. I get irritated easily. So I need someone whose patience doesn't dry up easily or else we're going to explode.

8) He has to Love Traveling
I want to be able to see the world with him and go home together.

9) He has to have his values intact
We don't have to have the same set of values. But I do want someone who believes in his morals and stand by them.

10) He has to Respect Everyone
I can never be with  bigot who selectively respects people.

11) He has to be Funny
I love a guy who can make me laugh.

12) He has to be Sweet
I don't need grand gestures. I don't need the big ROMANCE. I do need someone who will hold my hands and hug me after a hard day's work. I need someone who will curl up by my side on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I need someone to tell me I'm pretty when I'm feeling anything but. I need someone to tell me he loves me just because he feels like saying so.

13) He has to be Committed
It can't be a short-term thing. If we're going to be together, he has to be there for the long haul.

UNPRETTY

In the fairytale, the ugly duckling eventually turned into a swan. What the story left out is that most of the
time, the swan didn't stop feeling like an ugly duckling.

Lesson From Argo: Sometimes, the Best Bad Idea is All You Need

I have not been this tensed in a movie house since Inception. I was, literally, at the edge of my seat the entire 2 hours. By the time the airplane took off, I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Here's the clincher: I know how the story would end even before it began. Like the Titanic and Apollo 13, I have read about the Argo a while back. But reading it as a matter of fact and witnessing it unfold scene by scene and emotion by emotion are two very different things. The film is so brilliant that it goes beyond retelling of an important part of history. It transported the audience to that frightening era and actually made us feel like we were part of it. Argo was an emotional roller coaster ride in as much as it was a historical journey making it a complete cinematic experience. And it is an experience I would not forget in a really long time.

Fact Meets Fiction

Argo is a true to life story about the rescue of 6 Americans during the Iran hostage crisis in the late '70s. When the deposed sha'h fled to the US, the Iranian revolutionaries waged war against America. They marched to the US embassy and held the 52 US workers hostage. 6 managed to escape and hid at the Canadian ambassador's house. Fearing of what the Iranians will do once they got wind of the refugees' whereabouts, the US government crafted a plan to get the Americans out of Tehran. Posing as a Hollywood producer, Exfiltration specialist Tom Mendez headed to Iran for a location check for his fake movie, Argo (A Star Wars rip off). His real mission: get the 6 Americans, provide them fake identities, pass them off as production crew and get them back to US soil (hopefully, alive). It was a plot so incredulous it could only happen in the movies. And it kind of did. But only after it panned out in real life. Because believe it or not, that's how it happened. 

What I like about Argo is how it was able to take this piece of history and turn it to a gripping story about people. While the sociopolitical background of the time made for a conflicted and conflicting setting, it didn't overshadow the characters in the movie. At the end of the day, I think it's humanness of the film that really brought it to life. Argo really delved into the personalities of these characters and tapped into their emotions that the hostage crisis became so much more than just an event that happened in the past. Predominantly, it became a story of fear: fear of being caught, fear of not being able to go home, fear of dying. Then came the multitude of different emotions felt by all the individuals. It became about Tom's moral dilemma when he was instructed to abort the mission and leave the hostages behind. It became about Jack's (Tom's supervisor) anger and guilt when he had to call Tom and make him go home. It became about Mark's regret for bringing his wife to Iran. It became about Jordan's will to survive. It also morphed into a story of trust, a story of commitment, a story of heroism. This gamut of feelings combined with the tension felt all throughout the film is so overwhelming and so overpowering, you can't help but be moved, shaken even. I know I was.

A Little Bit of Fear, A Little Bit of Hope and A Dash of Humor n Between

Another thing I liked about Argo is how it played off of fear and hope and how it was able to switch between the 2 emotions so brilliantly. Just when you think they're going to get caught, someone comes up with an idea that keeps them alive. Then just wen you think they're going to make it, something happens that changes everything completely. This seesaw between fear and hope is what keeps the audience on their toes.  What's going to happen next? Is someone going to die? Will they make it in time? These are the questions we find ourselves asking even if we already know the answer. 

But in true great storytelling fashion, Argo was able to inject a bit of humor in the film to balance the emotion overload. I really liked how John Goodman and Alan Arkin seamlessly brought the Hollywood satire amidst the political theme and the personal conflicts. It didn't feel forced or out of line. Given the circumstance, it actually felt appropriate, required even. And it gave the audience that much needed break from the emotional turmoil. The witty barb, the tongue & cheek quips and the sharp dialogues also helped ease the tension a bit, or at least enough to prepare us for the next scene. 

Argo's box-office success can be credited to good timing, great actors and excellent script. But I think what makes it special is the sincerity in its storytelling, the raw emotions it invokes in us and the way it made us view history a bit differently. 

A movie as special as Argo comes few and far between. So if you haven't seen it yet, please see it. 

500 Days of Summer: The Greatest Non-Love Story of All Time

500 Days of Summer has all the ingredients of a successful romantic comedy: charming lead stars, romantic setting and a great soundtrack. Only it isn't. As a matter of fact, it's everything but. There is no happily ever after, no grand proclamation of love and no earth-shattering kiss towards the end. This movie is about the disintegration of a relationship (or non-relationship). Sometimes it's happy, but mostly it's sad. There's pain, anger and bitterness. It's the kind of movie that should make you leave the cinema emotionally drained and depressed. Only it doesn't. It makes you look at love a little differently, yes. But oddly enough, it doesn't make you want to fall in love any less.

While 500 Days of Summer is not a love story, it is a story about love. What I really like about the movie is that it presents love in its totality. It goes beyond the fairy-tale endings, the sappy cliches and the romanticized presentation of love. It deals with everything else Pretty Woman and Notting Hill left out:

People fall in love. People fall out of love. And sometimes people never fall in love at all.
Sometimes you fall in love with the wrong person. Sometime life gets in the way.
Not every relationship lasts. 

Harsh? Yes. But it's a dose of reality that we all have to learn. Let's admit it. At one point, we were all like Tom (Some of us still are.) We had this grand but misconstrued notion of love. We had it all panned out in our heads, our versions of finding the one and how everything would just fall into place. While it's very romantic, it's also very unreal. The truth is love can be tough. Love is a constant work. Love hurts. I think it is only when we acknowledge these facts and accept them that we can be truly in love. After all, love is not just about the good. It comes with the bad and the weird.

500 Days of Summer also taught us another important lesson about love: love for oneself. There is more to life than constantly searching for the one. Love is not about finding the right person to complete us. Love means finding yourself and being complete on your own. Love doesn't always have to involve another person. Sometimes YOU is enough.

Lastly, 500 Days of Summer tells us that there is life after love has gone. Be it finding our Autumn or being content with being alone for the moment, we will move on. We will go back to our feet. We will look at the world differently. We will be happy again.

Of Photoshop, Youtube and Angels in Lingerie

Photoshop magic, media overload and angels strutting down the runway have all helped frame the concept of being sexy. And just like the airbrushed images of models plastered all over the magazines and billboards, our perception of what sexy ought to be is alarmingly skewed. Being sexy is not about being a size zero or a perfect 36-24-36. Sexiness is not measured in terms of weight or vital stats. It's all about the attitude.

You're sexy when you feel comfortable in you're own skin. It's when you feel confident in your cut-off jeans and oversized shirt as you are self-assured when you're in stilettos and that little black dress. It's when you look at the mirror, acknowledge your flaws and smile, "fuck it. Perfection is overrated anyway."

You're sexy when you live life in your own terms and by your own rules. It's when you walk with your head held high (despite what others say) because you know who you are and that's all that matters. It's when you refuse to listen to anyone who tries to tell you how you should dress, what to eat and who to become.

You're sexy when you are unafraid to speak your mind. It's when you say what you want to say. It's when you voice out your opinions and defend your beliefs, unabashed.

You're sexy when you are fearless.

You're sexy when you are free.

You're sexy when you say you're sexy.

Playing Dress-up

I do not consider myself a fashionista. But I am very conscious of how I look and what I wear. I am not the  type to wear whatever is there (unless I'm uber lazy). I like to take my time and try out a variety of outfits before I decide. To help me keep up with the latest trends and styles, I visit fashion blogs. I read fashion magazines and I look to celebrities for inspiration. Below are some of my style muse:

1. Emma Watson

I like Emma during her Harry Potter days but her post-Hermione look just made me love her all the more. The pixie cut, the androgynous look and the over-all chicness - Emma Watson has definitely grown up. Having recently chopped off my hair, I find myself looking to her style for balancing that edgy yet feminine fashion.

2. Nicole Richie

Nobody pulls off the whole Bohemian feel quite like Nicole Richie does. From the flowing maxi skirt, the larger-than-life accessories and the stylish headbands, she is the ultimate Boho-chic. And as a fan of gypsy skirts and oversized maxi-dresses, I go to Nicole's fashion tumblr to get tips on how to get that Bohemian vibe.

3. Nina Dobrev

Nina Dobrev is a style chameleon. She can be feminine, she can be casual, she can be a tomboy, she can be elegant and she is going to look amazing no matter what. The versatility of her style is what inspires me to try and be different once in a while.

4. Kristen Stewart

It's not so much Kristen's actual style but the principle behind it that I really like. Being a no-nonsense kind of girl, Kristen has no qualms in stepping out wearing acid wash jeans, oversized shirts, with unkempt hair to match. This carefree (and careless) attitude towards fashion is something I am trying (trying being the operative word) to ease myself into.

5. Audrey Hepburn

Who doesn't look up to Audrey Hepburn as a style icon? Ever the leading lady, everything Audrey Hepburn wears is with a touch of class. She's always kept together from the up'do hair down to the pearl necklace. Her simple yet elegant look is always my go-to principle.

The Evolution of Me

Age: 4

Chubby cheeks, Chinky eyed and non existend eye lids. Yep this is me. And before you judge, suspender was the IN thing during the '90s!

 Age: 17 going on 18

If I remember correctly, this is a couple of days before my 18th birthday. (Obviously, I haven't discovered the concept of plucking)

Age: 21

Year: 2003. Place: somewhere in Timog. Event: Grad Pic photoshoot. I was going for sexy and fierce.

Age: 22

Is it just me or do I actually look younger?

Age: 25

When I was in my early 20's, I was so mad because I look younger than my age. Afraid not to be taken seriously by the corporate world, I did everything I could to look more matured. But as I age, I   am starting to appreciate my young-ish looks and is quite thankful for it. 

Age: 26  (Around August)

Don't you just love synthetic hair? It gives you that more approachable and conservative look without the hassle of having to maintain an actual hair! I. LOVE. IT.

Age: 26 (A week ago)

Because, while I think having long & curly locks are great, I will forever be partial to shorter hair. 

It's fun. It's edgy. And it's more chic.

Lesson of this story: It doesn't matter if you're 26 as long as you don't look a day over 20.

Shhhhh.....

This government's stupidity is not something new. But it doesn't make it any more acceptable. It's disappointing that the oppressive Cybercrime Act has been approved under the watch of a president whose only claim to political fame is his parents' heroic battle for freedom. It's nothing short of hypocritical that the politicians who enacted the law are the most active ones in utilizing all social networks possible to purport their agenda. It's downright insulting that a country who is finally beginning to find its voice is being threatened into silence once again. But what infuriates me the most is that the people who swore to preserve and protect our freedom  are now the very people that curtail it.

In defense of their self-righteousness, these politicians dare ask, "people post things that are painful. Is that what you consider freedom? People write statements that are borderline offensive. Is that what you call freedom?" Dear senators and Mr. President, the answer is simple: YES. Freedom of speech isn't limited to saying the right things or writing polite messages. It's not about what I say, it's the fact that I have a say. Freedom of speech allows me to say what I want to say in whichever medium I choose. It is my right to post FUCK YOU in my wall as much as it is your right to answer with Go to HELL. You see, freedom of speech (and every other form of freedom for that matter) isn't a half-baked right. It doesn't discriminate based on intent and content. It doesn't favor the righteous few. Yes, we say things that are disagreeable to some. Yes, we say things that can be offensive. But such is the nature and the dynamic of freedom long before we discovered the world wide web. Believe me, it will stay that way long after the computer is rendered obsolete.

Here is another fact about freedom that you, dear politicians, have to understand. Freedom isn't a right that you can bend at will. It's not something you support when it's to your advantage then discard when it stopped serving your purpose. When the internet was bombarded with the demand for Corona's resignation and when people all over facebook were calling the former chief justice names, you did not flinch. As a matter of fact, you even praised the netizens for demonstrating freedom and exercising our right to speak up. But when tables have turned and we started criticizing your governance, suddenly we're way out of line and must be censored. Remember that you are tasked to protect our freedom not manipulate it.

We are all in agreement that freedom (as in all other rights) comes with responsibility. It is not an all-access pass to guilt-free land. If you want to teach us that lesson then let us face the consequences of our words and actions. But do not take our right to speak away. It's ironic that as this ridiculous act is passed with ease, the senator proven to plagiarize did not even get a slap on the hand. What does this say about our country? That it's perfectly okay to copy another's idea but it's punishable to voice out our own? And while this law has been approved without amendments, the RH bill, a bill that will help women and the children, is still up for revision. What message are we sending out? That it's okay to suffer in silence but it's unacceptable to speak up? And we dare call this country the Land of the Free.
 
 
 

Business as Usual: An Open Letter to the Corporate World

"It's nothing personal. It's purely business," you say. That's complete BS. To you, maybe. But to the people whose livelihood you took, whose future you made uncertain and whose world you just turned upside down, it's very personal. The least you can do is afford them the courtesy they deserve. Accept they're hurting. Acknowledge your role in it. Reach out and make them feel you once cared (you did right?). I get it that it's a business decision. But I'd like to believe that in this corporate jungle of cost-benefit analyses, margins for profit and sound investments, values like loyalty, hard work and leadership still count for something.

"It's nothing personal. It's purely business," you keep on saying. Funny, isn't it? A while back  you were telling a totally different story to these very same people. "We're more than just a business. We're a family." Whatever happened to that? Or did they miss out on the terms and conditions? Conditions that state us being a family is only up until a clash of interest is reached, in which case you will put yours above theirs, their lives be damned.

"It's nothing personal. It's purely business," you harp on. Still you demand commitment, loyalty and trust. Still you manage to look at them in the eyes and smile. Still you stand in front and make a 10-minute speech on how much you care.

Yes this is a direct attack to your character (or lack thereof). This is a challenge to your leadership. This is a statement to your callousness. But no worries, it's nothing personal. It's purely business.

The Woman Behind the Podium

"When you've worked hard, done well and walked through the doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you. You reach back, and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed." - Michelle Obama

She's a woman of class and substance. I want to be like her when I grow up

Blush

I don't easily blush. But he's succeeded in making my cheeks scarlet red thrice now. The first time was when he introduced himself. All he did was hold out his hand and say his name. He's cute but not a head turner. He's doesn't stand out in a crowd and is not the most fashionable guy out there. But there's something about him that just gets to me. He has that subtle air of confidence. He looks very self-assured. No, he's not arrogant. He's just comfortable in his own skin, I guess. And it shows; the way he stands, the way he talks and just the way he carries himself. He's also very funny in that self-deprecating and endearing way. There's also an air of mystery about him. He looks every bit of a nice guy at first glance but at the same time, his witty quips and his crazy stories make you think he's not as nice as he seems to be. And that intrigues me.

The second time he made me blush was when we bumped into each other, literally. I was hurriedly going out to make an emergency call when he came out of nowhere. Before I knew it, there was a thud. He politely apologized and I just nodded, not taking my eyes off my phone. Because if I did, I wouldn't be able to look away. That  and the fact that if I looked at him, he'd see my pink-tainted cheeks. He just has that effect on me.

The third time he made me blush was when he said goodbye in a meeting. He had to run to another commitment so he had to leave early. Truth be told, I didn't even notice him saying so because I was busy checking the documents his team submitted. Then all of a sudden he tapped my shoulder and said, "alis na 'ko ha." Strengthening my resolve, I looked up and waved goodbye. But inside I was burning. He just took the effort to say goodbye. That made my day :)

I haven't acted like this since high school. But I really don't care. Judge me if you want. Everyone's entitled to a dose of immaturity every once in a while. And while I'm at this giddy state, I can only hope that I make him blush too.

My Kind of Love

A wise man once said, "There are only two kinds of love: the wrong kind and the right one." I beg to differ. Love is too colorful and too multi-dimensional to be reduced into these categories. As a matter of fact, I would go as far and say that I don't think such dichotomy exists in love. Sure, there's a love that works and a love that breaks. There's a love that lasts and a love that ends. But there's no wrong or right love. The heart wants what the heart wants. And the heart feels what the heart feels. We can't judge that.

But if I were to classify love, this is how I'd do it:

First Love: Experiencing anything for the first time is exhilarating. It's scary and special all at the same time: First kiss, first touch, first I love you. Because everything is so new, every sense is heightened. Every emotion is magnified. Joy becomes ecstasy. Pain becomes torture. We will probably never believe in the innocence and magic of love as the first time we fell for it. This is probably why this is the love we always remember and the love we always try to recapture.

Peter Pan Love: The love that never quite grew up. Peter Pan love carries with it all the youthful exuberance of first love but it's petty and immature. Peter Pan love refuses to acknowledge the more serious aspect of love like responsibility, compromise and patience - stuff that makes love work and last.

Summer Love: Summer is a season for play with nothing but sun, sweat and skin. This is what summer love is all about. It's sensual. It's fun. It's careless. We leave everything behind and throw ourselves into the moment. We do what we want to do, all consequences be damned. But just like the season, summer love is fleeting. Sooner or later, we have to go back to the real world. But as temporary as it is, summer love is the kind of love that never fails to make us smile.

Friday Love: Friday love is brimming with possibilities. The excitement comes not from love itself but from the anticipation of it. There's mystique in Friday love. What's next? Where are we off to? It doesn't matter if the actual result is underwhelming, the thought of everything that could have happened is enough to last us through another week

Mirage Love: It looks like love. It tastes like love. It even feels like love. Only it isn't. It's funny how we mistake every intense emotion to be love. We misconstrue infatuation as love. We interchange lust with love. Sometimes we even think hate is love. Until one day we realize that we are not in love. We never were.

Drug Love: It's explosive. It's intoxicating. And it's a disaster waiting to happen. This is the kind of love we feel when we fall for someone who's the right kind of wrong. This love is so dysfunctional, it leaves everyone wondering if we'll even make it alive. When it's good, it's pure bliss. When it's bad, it's utter hell. We bring out the best in each other. The only problem is, more often than not, we bring out the worst.

The love that sticks: It's not perfect. It may not even be the love you dream of. But for some reason it works. It makes you smile. It makes you cry. It makes you mad. But more importantly, it makes you want to  keep it working.

See? Love is many things. But it's never wrong or right.

Dear Prague...

I haven't even met you yet and I'm already smitten. Who wouldn't be charmed? You have a glorious aristocratic heritage, a colorful political history and a fascinating culture that inspired the likes of Mozart and Kafka. And quite frankly, I just love the way your name rolls off of my tongue.Prague. See?

I can't wait to meet you on a summer morning. I imagine myself hopping down a train in my sundress ready to bask in your beauty. I will cross Charles Bridge, stand in awe of the majestic Prague Castle and explore the Old Town. I will visit every quaint shop there is and once I get tired, I shall sit by the fountain of the Town Square. In the afternoon, after visiting museums and galleries and street exhibits, I will drink tea in one of the little coffee shops, watching life unfold right before my eyes. Then at nightfall, I shall witness the city come to life as lights illuminate every building and every vista. I will probably end up dancing with the locals at the Palace Akropolis and enjoy a bottle or two (maybe even three) of  the world famous Pilnser Urquell. Then I will go back to my hotel and be more than content to do everything again the next day. Just the very though makes me giggle with excitement.

Soon Prague...soon. Pockej na Me!

Laughing and Loving

It's a collection of love stories except none of them have anything to do with love. Laughter and Forgetting will always be my favorite Kundera book but Laughable Loves come in close second. It's a book that uses the idea of love to mock, well, the idea of love. Or rather our (mis)interpretation of it. As the different short stories suggest, we seem to have a habit of calling every  intense emotion we feel love. We mistake infatuation as love. We misconstrue lust for love. We even think anger, guilt and insecurity to be love sometimes! And we pursue this perceived love with such passion (to the point of insanity even) either because we are so certain it's real or because we desperately want it to be . Either way, it's quite funny.

Read the stories; some are simple, others are crazy but they're all laughable! 

I'm a Woman. And I Support RH Bill

There are causes I deeply care and feel strongly about, RH Bill is one of them. Yes, I'm a woman. And yes, I support the RH Bill. Let me explain why:

It's time we pass a comprehensive bill about "other" family issues
It's grossly inaccurate to say we don't need the RH Bill because we do not have a population problem. Looking at the overwhelming gamut of statistics, we know that's not the case. Furthermore assuming, but not conceding such statement is  actually true, the RH Bill goes beyond population management. It addresses family education, parental choices, access to better health facilities and women's health & empowerment - issues that have been ignored for far too long. We cannot afford to continuously look the other way and pretend these issues don't exist. If we are to move forward as a nation, it's time we address these realities and act on them.

Women must have a say on what happens to their bodies
Here's one harsh truth: rape happens even within marriage. Women (particularly among the urban poor) are being forced by their husbands to have sex out of "duty". How many unwanted pregnancies have resulted from such? Let's admit it, for a country who claims equality between men and women, women still have very little say on what goes on in a marriage, more so, with their bodies. Here's another harsh truth: 11 Filipinas die of childbirth every day due to poor health care. Women put their life at risk each time they get pregnant. This entitles them to have strong opinions on the matter, don't you think? Passing the RH Bill empowers her to have control over their body and to have a choice on planning their family. We belong to a society that have always honored mothers. Let's go past the lip service and pay them our highest respect by giving them a stronger voice. We owe them, at least, that.

RH Bill will not tear our moral and social fibers to shreds
I do not believe that RH Bill will lead the Philippines into a Sodom and Gomorrah lifestyle as others paint it to be. For one, the RH Bill will not inject a completely foreign concept. Condoms and pills are readily available in clinics, drugstores and hospitals. What the RH Bill simply does is make it accessible to the poor - to the people that need them the most. Secondly, RH Bill clearly distinguishes between contraception and abortion. The bill, itself, says that abortion is an act punishable by law. What it does push forward is the medical and psychological treatment for women post-abortion which I think is humane and necessary. Instead of treating these women as pariahs of society, why not help them through the ordeal? Thirdly, it's unfair to compare RH Bill to China's One Child Policy. RH Bill does not inhibit or limit the number of children a family ought to have. On the contrary, RH Bill respects and supports a family's choice. Should couples want a big family, the choice is theirs to make. In the same manner, should couples want a small family the choice is also theirs. It encourages, not discourages, a family's freedom. Lastly, I can't help but ask: if pillars of our country are doing such a good job in preserving the moral fibers of our society, we wouldn't be here, would we? Yet, here we are.

The separation of church and society must be upheld
It's easy for the church to rise to the pulpit and preach what is moral and not. After all that's their job. The same cannot be said for the state. The state is responsible for running a nation and in ensuring its people's well-being. It takes more than pedantry to do that. Difficult decisions have to be made. Tough shots have to be called. Not everyone will agree but the state has to do what will be good for the majority. After all, it does not kowtow to one sector. The state is accountable to all Filipinos.

On August 7, Congress will not only vote for the RH Bill's fate. Congress will vote on the future of women's health, the future of the Filipino family and the future of the Philippines as a nation and as a people. I can only hope they choose to do the right thing.

I Just Fell in Love with (Not One, Not Two) but Three Idiots

It may have been a story about 3 Idiots but it was certainly one of the most intelligent movies I have ever watched. What I initially thought to be a cross between The Hangover and Harold & Kumar turned out to be a heartwarming tale of education, family, friendship, love and optimism. It made me laugh so hard and cry just as much. It was compelling. It was honest. It was adorable.

Farhan, Raju and Roncho are such distinct characters; charming in their unique ways. Farhan is the ever-obedient son, forced to take up engineering even if his passion is wildlife photography. Raju is the overly religious student who sees college as a golden ticket to better life. Roncho is a genius man-child who views the world with such simple & innocent eyes. Theirs is a friendship born out of the necessity to survive the gruesome demands of college life. But what began as male bromance over engineering, pranks and beers soon became brotherly love as they help each other through fears, disappointments and suicide. It was so refreshing to see 3 young men hug & cry for and with each other. See, real men are not afraid to show their emotions!

But what really endeared me to the movie is the storytelling. It's not your typical college movie. Nor is it your melodramatic genre.  3 Idiots is a well-balanced plot between normal concerns students deal with and the more serious issues they (and the rest of society) face. It's not thoughtless comedy but it's not Shakespearean tragedy either. I like how both light & heavy themes are weaved together and craftily laid out with lighthearted humor, witty exchange of banters and heartfelt scenes. It makes you laugh. It makes you cry. It makes you think. But most importantly, it makes you want to feel good.

To students, see the movie and learn: Pursue excellence and success will follow, pants down.
To teachers, see the movie and remember: You're teaching humans, not machines.
To people in love, see the movie and go: Find someone that makes your heart go Zoobi Doobi Poom Para
To friends, see the movie and discover: Friendship is being idiots together.
To parents, see the movie and support: Your children to become whoever they want to be.

To everyone, go see the movie and realize: this heart scares easily so you have to trick it. However big the problem is, say ALL is WELL. (It may not solve the problem, but it gives you the courage to face it).