BEA ALONZO, DANNY TREJO Film 1521: The Quest for Love and Freedom in Theaters this June 5th

We just got to watch 1521, an epic, historical, drama about what transpired in that year... and the love between Diwata (played by noted actress Bea Alonzo) and  Enrique (Hector David Jr., who did Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, and Power Rangers Samurai, Megaforce).

The film also includes Danny Trejo (who plays Magellan), and while the romantic relationship between the two is fiction, the historic part was a tell all from a Philippine point of view (contrary to Western depictions). 

1521 also talked lengthily about Lapu Lapu (Michael Copon) and his state, of how Spain and its forces got beat at the Battle of Mactan. This was set to also showcase his heroism, and how he was considered the first one in the country. Veteran Character Actor Vic Romano was quite a presence playing Udong, the brother of Diwata who will be fighting for the honor of his family. Bea Alonzo also did an excellent job in this project, she didn't shortchange things as the role really asks a lot from her. She delivered. Though much of Danny Trejo's dialogue went to Enrique (who is also the interpreter), the time he spent in the film was made with his presence felt. Though you won't be hating on him much as Magellan. You'll appreciate him even more with the battles, a favorite thing he did in the filming process.

Watching this on screen was certainly different because much of the language used is English aside from the small Cebuano done in between. Photography and post production must have done really serious work because the quality is amazing. Lapu Lapu and royalty in the film depicted how we already had a system prior to Spanish conquistadors landing on Philippine shores. I dread the ones shown in Western shows as if we lived in jungles and cave dwellers, something this could correct in context. 

Here's the producer giving a message before the screening:

Though not much of a tearjerker, you'll love the historic content and the love story of Diwata and Enrique. It's entertaining, and having the Hollywood film shown in theaters would certainly make you so proud being a Filipino. I think that alone could be the reason, but you've got a throng of world class actors as additional purpose to watch it. It comes out in theaters this June 5th, and will be distributed by Viva Films.

This should be sent to streaming platforms, but I'd say, it was quite a nice experience to see it on the silver screen. You definitely should do that!

#SANAOIL Event Mounted: Artistic Fight for Sovereignty

We've been on our toes (even more recently) as Filipinos when it comes to the obvious bullying and tyrannical try of other countries to own what properly belongs to us at the West Philippine sea. No surprise, a non-profit org called Pinoy Aksyon (Pilipino Aksyon for Governance and the Environment) together with KM64 (a writers collective) just recently came out with #SanaOil  (a performance event) to better inform us about what's happening out there through songs, dance, spoken poetry showcasing their different talents while giving focus to the cause. 

One of the activities include Spoken Word Slam Competition which talks about how we have sole proprietorship of not just the body of water, but the riches of the sea and everything underneath it #TubigatLangis. It was a time to hone speech for showcasing patriotism and a sensible call for action. KM64 artists also did "sabayang bigkas" with groups like Kalipaya Theater Group, YT famous Jong Madaliday, Fifty Per Hour, the Tanghalang Bagong Sibol (theater and dance company), Chiang Lion and Dragon Dancers, Hype, Justine Taller and the one and only Dalaygon Queen Lady Morgana of RPDRPH.

PinoyAksyon wants #SanaOil to become just the start in order to make Filipinos become part of more efforts through innate freedom of expression, environmental care, and the importance of the country's sovereignty. 

We need to have active participation now because we can't just stand around and do nothing while they continue to bully us. 

Philippine Airlines does up to 70% OFF Flights!

Spent an evening with PAL as they promised me that I'll love this news. I could sense it is because as soon as I took photos, the signs says it all!

"Thank you for taking time to join is this evening. 2018 is off to a good start, we are still busy enhancing our services, to our goal to be one of the world's best. In the next months we will have more Airbus assets, have non stop flights to more places in the world and get more routes inside the Philippines as well. We have regional hubs in Cebu, international flights from Bohol to Korea, there's more to come like destinations in the US, India, Europe and elsewhere. Our services come from the heart of the Filipino, this is our turn to give back. On Filipino Independence Day we will spread some details later tonight, welcome to our 4star flights around the world!" - Jaime Bautista COO and President of PAL

On May 28, PAL will have their Independence Day Seat Sale. According to Ria Domingo "This is our 120th Independence Day so we are giving you the Freedom to choose where to go. From May 28-June 3, you can have 299 pesos base fare or about 70% OFF on selected flights. Our Airbus 350 can fly you to New York non stop. The travel period is up until December, til the end of the year for international flights. All in all, we'll have 27 new planes and they can bring you to Airbus 321 and Airbus 350 flights, again, you have to tell your friends!"

So yes! This only means you can book fr today until June 3, 2018 and enjoy 70% off on flights. Travel period is perfect as it spans from July 1 to December 31 for local and December 12 for international. Japan, New York, Sydney? Cross it out your bucketlist please!

Do it now!

KUMAGCOW

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Come Out For Love: The 2014 Metro Manila Pride March

We all have LGBT friends. Yesterday when I was in an event, I heard from a man seating in front of me reading aloud a text message he received anonymously, apparently containing some really ridiculous notions about the PINK Film Festival Trinoma, Quezon City and how it will turn the place into Sodom and Gomorrah if they don't stop it from showing films that contain things discussing LGBT on it. They've been fighting for years now, even straight people are supporting them, because ultimately they are seeing them as people, without prejudice to what color, shape or form they are. 

Unfortunately, there are still ignorant ones who ridiculously think spreading hate is the solution. We all want to fight for equality in the workplace, at home, and community - and that goes the same with the LGBT sector, they don't want special treatment, they just want what you and I are getting. Yesterday, whilst some government officials were undergoing HIV tests - it kind of struck a cord on me to think how many people are still getting that stigma, either from what they learn from backward thinking folks, or merely not understanding the whole problem at hand. There are a lot of things that contributed to HIV but most of it is because of unprotected thingy. 

Tonight, while I was going home from watching Chicago, I met a friend while heading to my place. He's part of the LGBT community and is part of the organizers of this year's pride march. Their theme this year is "Come Out For Love: The 2014 Metro Manila Pride March" and they're in need of support from everyone, LGBT or not, crooked or straight, to head onto Malate in Manila at 2PM. Please register at their event page here and invite yourself, your peers to support the cause. Their build up will start at 2PM and the march will start at 4PM today December 6 (TYPHOON OR NOT, RAIN OR SHINE, THEY HAVE A RAINBOW). All they need is your presence and support. A worthy cause I might add. Think of your friends, all those who have been part of the LGBT community and have done a great deal of good for you. This might be a nice way to give back. 

For more details please check their Pride March 2014 details here.

For more information about their event:

Metro Manila Pride

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://metromanilapride.com/

Exemplary Social Media Practices for Public Service

Social Media has become quite a tool for public and private entities. In the last US election alone, there have been remarkable scientific studies over influences, mentions and popularity verified and supported with analytics technology so one can see or even in a way predict the one to get the presidency. The technology as become quite advanced that they actually use listening tools and see a direct correlation with the outcome and they have not been able to see This goes the same with the use of social media with public and private services. Whilst private companies keep mum on most situations (to keep their name spotless), the public sector in the Philippines has quite efficiently made better use of it by harnessing these channels and making it more efficient to deliver news, personal views, opinions and updates all in real time.

Take JV Ejercito for example. When a fire broke out in San Juan City a couple of years ago (I think it was the one in N.Domingo), he directly appealed for what was needed and made sure everyone was informed of the situation. It was easy to ask for additional firetrucks, supplies and issue statements to media even if he was too busy working on it. He took time working with his team, assessing the situation and tell the people what they were up for. It was easier and he could tell right then and there what everyone had to do. He also got his posts cross posted on Facebook so whichever medium was being used by his constituents, they had first hand information from the Mayor himself. Yes, you might think it's a dangerous feat to have the person himself and not the assistant/secretary to do the responses but he made it a point to make engagements very personal. Wouldn't you want to know what your local government official is doing all these years in office perhaps? Exactly! His Klout score is high; and the social influence he gets off that is something to admire. Klout has its own way of computing for influence across different social media channels and if you continuously have high ratings on this alone, you know how your message runs across to other people vis-à-vis constituents.  

He's also an avid supporter of the FOI (Freedom of Information) bill and he has said his sentiments quite a lot. This includes how important it is to give the public more access to records of government transactions but still have it in line with constitutional guarantees of freedom for information. Now that is a necessity for every single one of us; of course including netizens. Our opinions matter; and if the laws of the land do not protect you or anyone in particular who publishes it here or online then what constitutional guarantee do we have at all? Understanding how the world works nowadays prove to be a little complicated for most of the old ones in the government (don't get me wrong but there are a lot of them right?) who only thinks of ineffective policies of the yesteryear's constitution. I wouldn't want to name names because you probably know who they are. Just like JV Ejercito, MMDA is doing one heck of a great job at this department.If you see anyone close to their interactions and efforts across the web, then it's probably worth to get to know them better.

We ought to choose those who only know how important and effective how social media is at this day and time. It's our generation, and we need it now more than ever. The Philippines deserve all the nice things it's been achieving; and I wouldn't want to see it go to waste because we'll just fall back again on deaf ears and not those who listen and take time to answer the people directly. If we harness this medium and have that efficiently be used for the greater good of the people, we'll have a better country; and a better version of ourselves in the long run. Wouldn't that be a cool Philippines?

The Real Freedom

The world has been full of wars in its quest for ultimate freedom. Every country, race and nationality succumbs to the thought of having their people in a free state. I was moved when I watched a Political Activist Video about a young man who tore apart his own passport in India and declared himself free from the bondage society makes. In a civilized world, we are all bound to the country we live in and only thrive within its laws because it is the norm. We conform to what our forefathers have agreed upon in the past and live to each standard that was made as the laws of the land. But then where is the freedom they asked for? Where is the freedom they all fought for?

I ask this question myself every now and then but to tell you the truth, the answer is pretty hard to digest. It all boils down to answer questions "HOW" we could achieve freedom. It is a tall order for ordinary people I know because like you in the US or people like me in the Philippines, we all have our stories and struggles on how we achieved our grown understanding of freedom. Is this the real freedom we hoped for? Is it the freedom that countless lives fought for in wars here and elsewhere in the globe? If your answer is YES then you have freedom, but if not then you have to find it. I remember GANDHI once said that "Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes" so if you do not try to get that real freedom this man in the video sought for; then that is the struggle you have to go through in order to get it.

Learning the lessons and living the life meant for each person in this world is the freedom I choose. If it was only that simple for each one of us, then there would not be that much chaos in this world. We would have fewer things to worry about. We just need to do our share in getting this world to be better than when we found it. That is the only way we can say we have achieved freedom.