x films, anyone?
I eagerly rushed my way to the CSSP AVR to view the last film for our Anthropology class for this sem. Since the title of what we were supposed to watch was “In the Realm of the Senses”, my mind was set to watch some wholesome, educational and comprehensive documentary about the human body.
When I opened the door, the film had already begun. The room was dimly lit with the overhead projector as its only source of light. I found myself seated in the third row and was shocked to be greeted by a scene wherein a woman had stripped bottoms, showing off his pubic hair to an old, dirty man.
I thought I was in a Pan Pil 19/Sexuality class. But no, I’m in the right class. My Anthro prof was there and so were my classmates. I’m in the right class but I didn’t imagine that we would be watching something like that.
The film was actually about Sada, originally a maid working in a household, who eventually became married to her Master, Kichi San (as a concubine). At first, Sada was just a follower to what pleases his master but when they got married, eventually, Sada harnessed power to overcome Kichi San. To sum everything up, since I don’t find it comfortable reviewing the film thoroughly, Sada was addicted to sex and so was Kichi. Everywhere they would have sex. Every moment of their lives wouldn’t be complete without them having sex. They would do it in their backyard, in their room…basically they would do it anywhere not minding those who witness their sexual act. There were even times when they can’t control their urge to have sex so they do it even with other partners—from a male toddler to an old grandmother.
The scenes were so disgusting. Had I known that attendance was optional, I wouldn’t have attended the film showing. The film was plain yucky, disgusting… gross.. eeewww.. But luckily, I was able to survive the hour and a half duration of the film. But before I survived the film, I had to see the most disgusting part of it, which was the last scene—while Sada’s husband was sleeping naked, she sliced up his penis. Again, it was plain disgusting. Yucky. There was no single scene that I enjoyed. I can’t even understand why people can stand watching X-rated movies repeatedly. And oh, by the way, it was actually a true story in Japan in the late 1930s (war period).
But nonetheless, I’m glad that at least I had already been exposed to films like those. (Hindi na ako ignorante). Because films like those have deeper meanings other than that of nudity. According to my prof, the director of the film was put on trial for violating Japanese laws regarding films and movies. I’m not sure what happened to the director, but all I know was that he intentionally made that film to let the Japanese government realize which was more violent: war or sex? Why wouldn’t the government allow pornographic films shown in public when they would allow films about war to be shown? There’s a deeper political implication behind the film. Something I have to ponder on (pero hindi muna ngayon, babangon muna ako mula sa traumang ito).
They say, here in UP, we would become used to films like those. Sabi ni Ayen, mamamanhid daw kami sooner or later sa mga sensitive na bagay na tulad nun. Well, I guess it’s true, because we discuss sensitive issues in our subjects, especially those under the Arts and Humanities domain.
For now, I just hope that the thought of disgust for having watched that film would slowly fade. I hope that the next time I see films like those I wouldn’t be horrified anymore; rather I would be more mature and open-minded enough to understand the deeper meanings embedded behind films we often label as immoral and offensive to one’s integrity.
Easy Essays | Comment (1)The smile that launched a thousand ships
I wasn’t expecting this to happen. But it did. It just did some few minutes ago. Thanks to my very good friend. Pluto.
Pluto and I had an early supper together. As usual, we talked about our acads, the Silliman Spirit and the UP Pride. After eating we went to the lobby of the dorm and sat on one of the red chairs there.
Then, *somebody* passed by. Knowing that I have a “crush” on *somebody*, Pluto summoned him and introduced him to me. As he was approaching near Pluto ang I, I looked at him. I looked for his trademark—the necklace made up of wooden beads. And it was under the collar of his red and gray polo. Then, I surveyed through his face. His face was bright with his tantalizing and deep-set eyes and overwhelming smile. That’s the first time I received a beautiful carve from his lips. It was just so overpowering; so inspiring. I felt my blood rushing through my cheeks. Then, Pluto introduced me to another friend, to somehow cover-up the obvious fact that I have a crush on *somebody*. Unfortunately, *somebody* left so soon. I looked for him but I guess he already went to the boys’ wing.
Right now, I’m still in high spirits. Everytime *somebody’s* smile flashes on my mind, I feel so inspired and enlightened, making me want to go back to the moment he gave out that melting smile. I don’t know what would happen next. I doubt if he would recognize me when we meet around. Would he smile back at me when I smile at him one of these days? I hope so… But whatever happens, I’m sure I’d never forget that once in my life, I was greeted by an effortlessly enlightening smile from *somebody*.
[Sept 29, 2005; after supper]
it's a sunny day | Comment (0)FICTION
MIDNIGHT MELODY
The lights went off and the room became dim. My roommate went out for an overnight visit to her kin. It’s one of my solitary moments once again in the cozy space of G-205. Suddenly, a girl’s silhouette appeared by the window side. I’m not alone, I realized.
I’m glad I didn’t freak out, otherwise I wouldn’t have known a new friend–a new person to share my life with.
She approached me and held my hand. The faceless shadow seemed so warm and so gentle; she made me feel secure. I sensed a touch of a friend–a friend who’ll love me and share her journey with me.
Moments later, a soft whisper flew in the cool air of the room–a whisper that blew a lukewarm breeze around my body as if a woolen blanket hugging me inside a hut amidst a nippy night. The whisper mumbled words foreign to me like a chant embedded in a tranquil melody. She was singing like a mother lulling her baby to slumber. Later on, I found myself humming with her; my voice as calm as an enchanted lake.
I asked her, "What brought you here?".
"Music," she replied with a soft voice like that of a little child, "I came here to sing you the melody we both have been longing to hear, hoping that you would take time to sing with me. Coz people these days, those in the streets, in the marketplace, in schools, and in offices hear but don’t listen to what I sing. They are too busy to listen to the melody life has in store for them. They don’t even have time to sing for themselves. And that makes their life out of tune."
Then, she continued the melody. I hummed with her until I fall asleep.
When I woke up, I looked for her but my new friend left no trace of where she might have gone. She was real, I know. She wasn’t a dream.
Just as I quit searching for her and sat on my bed, I felt the same lukewarm air that comfortably t embraced me last night. With optimism, I told myself, "She will be back. I know she’s nowhere but here, not so far from me. Soon, we would hum our song again. We would hum it together until everyone hears and listens; until the whole world sings the song that would make everyone’s lives in tune again."
Then, I started to hum the melody my new friend had taught me.
Creative Writing by Eleiza | Comment (0)everything goes…
Kagabi, merong season ender yung sportsfest namin sa kalayaan. para siyang closing program ng season I ng dorm intramurals. kaya yun, may program at disco all the way from 8pm to 2am.
Tapos, edi kagabi, dahil food com ako, tumulong muna ako magserve ng food bago magdisco. tos yun, may nakilala akong cute sa foodcom.. *secret* yung name nya tos taga *secret* sya. he’s kind. he’s easy to converse with. at cute pa sya.. buti na lang food com ako.. or else di kami magkakakilala.
Tapos yun, edi lumayas na ako sa mess hall nung bandang 11pm kasi naman may exam pa ako kinabukasan. kaya, pag-alis ko dun, naggroup study kami nina aura at maurice sa stairs ng 2nd-3rd floor. Di ko namamalayan na habang nagrereview kami e nakatulog ako.. buti na lang nagising pa ako para icontinue yung pag-aaral. tapos by around 2am, di na talaga namin kinaya, antok na talaga kami, kaya natulog na kami.
Natulog ako ng 2am at nagising ng 6:30am. 4.5 hours of sleep? well, it’s normal in UP. particularly in kalayaan residence hall. pero as much as possible, ayoko ng puyatan. anyway, i took the 9-11am exam (not the 10-12nn) kasi plano ko manood ng cheering sa araneta.
pero too bad, hindi nakabili ng tiket si jo sa araneta mismo. kasi naman ang haba2x ng pila. tapos yung mga tikets kasi na binebenta dito sa UP, puro gen ad. i wonder why gen ad lang ang nireserve nila para sa UP students? dahil ba stereotyped ang mga UP studs na kuripot? hehehe..
and so, i decided na wag na lang manood. next time na lang kami magbobonding uli nina ate bam at tine. di na nga rin nanood sila klang kaya gumala na lang sila ni nikes sa may uste area para bisitahin yung mga hayskul classmates nila.
kaya sa tv na lang kami nanood ng cheering. buti na lang malaki yung tv sa kalai. siksikan nga lang. pero ok lang dahil may seat naman ako kahit papaano, thanks to those gentlemen who offered me a seat. feel ko naman! hehe..
anyway, asteeg yung moves ng UP! galing! kaso, may konting sablay nga lang. nonetheless, it was o superb one. likewise, ganda din nung sa feu, malinis yung stunts nila at sabay-sabay. At syempre, ung sa ust salinggawi, as expected maganda ung kanila. galing nga nila eh. ang linis, walang sablay, at yung dun sa last part, asteeg talaga! So, no wonder, UST ang champion (grand slam na ata sila); 2nd and UP naming mahal at 3rd ang FEU. (=
UP FIGHT! galing tlga ng pep ng skul ko. hehe.. wala lang.. ang saya ko lang. sana next year, UP naman ang magchampion. oh well, may araw din sila. (=
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BTW, ang cute pala talaga ni joseph yeo. wala lang, nanood kasi kami ni tina ng up vs dlsu sa blue eagle gym. dun kami nakaupo 2 rows sa likod ng up players. ang neat pala tingnan ni marvin cruz sa personal. (= sayang, talo sila.. sayang, wala ng pag-asa maka final 4 ang UP.. huhuhu.. anyway, happy pa rin ako..
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Naaalala ko nga pala si Ayen. asteeg talaga yung gurl na yun. inemail ba naman talaga si Manix Abrera. palibhasa kiko machine fanatic eh. and she’s turning me into one din! hehe.. pinapabasa kasi nya sakin yung mga comics ni manix. in fairness nakakarelate ksi kami, kasi UP based yung comics nya. asteeg tlga! kahit korny yung iba, nakakatawa.. promise!
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next wednesday na pala ang last meeting namin sa bowling. huhuhu. =( malapit na rin ang finals. Preenlistment na nga eh. Kaya eto ako, naghahanap ng kukuning mga GE.siguro i’l get Kas 1, Eng 1, Comm 3 at Physics 10 or MBB, gusto ko rin sana kumuha ng Econ 11 para maging prof ko si Prof Sicat or Prof Monsod. oh.. excited na ako mag sem break.. uwi ako dumaguete.. hopefully… tapos next sem, … oh well, kamusta naman ako? hindi pa nga kami nagffinals eto na akong nagloolook forward to the next sem.. hehehe..
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Magshishift ba ako or tatapusin ko ang BS Math? Well, marami naman kasing job opportunities sa BS Math pero feeling ko hindi ko matake yung buong stay ko sa college, puro math. ngeks! i’m planning to shift to industrial engineering or business economics. ano kaya? ewan.. ay basta, kung anong kakayanin, edi yun.. kahit anong course basta dito ako sa diliman maggraduate, oks na.. wala nang problema. (=
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i love socio 10! napakainformative at nakakaenlighten ng mind yung mga discussions.. how much more kaya kung si randy david yung kinuha kong prof? edi super asteeg na tlga nung class na yun..hehhe..
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anyway, m22log na muna ako.. bukas church pa. tapos monday uli, back to business.. i mean, back to skul… oh well, so much for long exams. may libro at final paper pa akong isusulat for panpil19, long exam sa anthro. Ayoko na sana magfinals sa mga GE ko.. pls.pls.. gusto ko sana math 60 na lang ang ififinals ko..wish ko lang exempted ako sa Nat Sci at Anthro na finals.. (=
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eto, matutulog na tlga ako.. kung mababasa nyo to, Gud nyt ma! nyt justin! nyt gerald! nyt billy, lady, laxalt… (= miss yah! tca!
Easy Essays | Comment (1)