A halo (also known as a nimbus, aureole, glory, or gloriole) is a ring of light that surrounds a person in art. They have been used in the iconography of many religions to indicate holy or sacred figures, and have at various periods also been used in images of rulers or heroes. In, among other religions, Hellenistic Greek, Roman, Buddhist and Christian sacred art, sacred persons may be depicted with a halo in the form of a golden, yellow or white circular glow around the head, or around the whole body, this last often called a mandorla.
In popular piety, this practice has led to the literal belief that saints have visible haloes around their heads, rather than it be understood as a metaphorical representation. Some faithful believe the halo to be equivalent to the aura of some Eastern religions, and as with the latter, believe that haloes are visible to those with perception. Of the many stories about saints, some reports claimed that a saint was literally glowing.
Finally! I have finished downloading the Chinese movie Permanent Residence:
Ivan (Sean Li) has been searching an answer to a lifetime question: Where will we be after the present life? On the way, he went thru a difficult passion with Windson (Osman Hung), a straight guy, made a longtime friendship with Josh (Jackie Chow), a Palestinian, experienced the death of his beloved elderly, witness the wedding of his brother (Yu Hong Lao) and the birth of a nephew. Eventually he designed a permanent residence at his own soil to host all his love ones for the next life, in case there is any, while his friend Josh created a home at the Dead Sea for those not so much loved.
Permanent Residence explores, in complete abandon and full nudity, the life story of a young man who pursues an impossible love with his straight boyfriend and contemplates on the mortality of his loved ones. Permanent Residence exudes a deep understanding and sensibility towards the important issues involved in loving, living and dying.
High school grad photo. Possible also that this was her grad photo after she finished her vocational class.
I'm not sure kung bakit sa bubong ng bahay siya nagpa-picture. Pwede naman sa garden.
When I saw this photo, I thought she joined the Miss Linggas Dayat contest. Hindi raw. The gown was her project for her vocational class. Her batch modeled their own works. I saw this gown pa noon in its splendour, bago mangatngat ng mga daga.
I rode to meet you: dreams like living beings swarmed around me and the moon on my right side followed me, burning.
I rode back: everything changed. My soul in love was sad and the moon on my left side trailed me without hope.
To such endless impressions we poets give ourselves absolutely, making, in silence, omen of mere event, until the world reflects the deepest needs of the soul.
Ang ganda kasing diversion ng mga nobela niya. Hindi ung usual na binabasa kong poetry books. Ung mga akda niya, may langkap ng science, thriller, suspense. Nosebleed man ako sa halos lahat ng terms, na nakakatuwang isipin na sa panahon ngayon, parang wala ng imposible sa mga sinasabi niyang hi-tech gadgets sa mga kuwento. Parang lahat, posible na, at baka nagawa na ng mga imbentor.
I particularly like his novel "Rising Sun." Iba ung approach niya dito, kaiba sa mga naunang nabasa ko nang libro niya. Nagulat ako kasi nagustuhan ko itong libro, to think na nagdadalawang-isip pa ako nung binili ko ito. Mukha kasing hindi maganda ang plot. Detective novel kasi, at hindi sci-fi thriller katulad ng Sphere at Lost World.
Hindi ko pa natatapos basahin itong nobelang ito, at talagang napupuyat ako dahil dito. Hehe.
The book is an essay on aesthetics, a Japanese reflection about architecture, jade, food, toilets and space in buildings. Tanizaki thought about the concussion between the shadows of traditional Japanese interiors and the brilliant light of modernization of everything.
Was able to get a copy of Mary Oliver's Blue Pastures yesterday.
This book is composed of 15 luminous prose pieces about nature, writing, and about the poet. She hailed Walt Whitman as the brother Oliver did not have, and she denounced everything about cuteness ("we are, none of us, cute").
The place was bustling with noise and life. Children
with their parents abound in the area. The balloon vendor was too busy peddling
his colorful balloons: some children, accompanied by their patient mothers,
were taking turns buying.
The air was filled with noise: children laughing; occasional
shouts and hysteric from mothers with naughty children, shrieks from animals,
especially the giant elephant.
The giant elephant was such a zoo favorite. People
crowded its cage, busy ogling at the might animal, while it curled its very
long nose to pick up nuts from the cage floor. Once or twice it scratched its
own back with that very long nose. The gentle and regular movement of the very
big ears. The nibbling of its big mouth.
It was here that he told her that they would meet, for the first time. She had met her
weeks ago, he approached her quietly inside a packed bus, and asked for her
name.
"Marina."
He told her she must mean the sea. He immediately said that
his family has a house near the Gulfo de Lingayen. "Maybe we have met
before," she shyly said. "I am from the same place." She
actually meant the same province, the province of Pangasinan, but it was a very
big province and his name did not sound too familiar to her. But the world was
too big, and yet they met on that packed bus on her way home.
And now they would meet here, for the first time,
inside the Manila Zoo. Not that this was their first actual meeting, she told herself, but she could not make up
her mind that today would be their very first date. She shivered on the idea.
She must admit that she was bit too early to arrive on
the venue. Not that she was too eager, she said to herself, but she hated to be
late on meetings. It is close to 10, he might arrive soon.
One child shouted at the elephant, and other children joined the hysteria. They would want to see the elephant balance on a ball, just
like on the cartoons. But there was no ball inside the cage, and the elephant
seemed to ignore everyone. It appeared to be too lazy. Perhaps another day for the giant.
She glanced at her watch. He's late! Beads of sweat started to appear on her nose. She kept
glancing on her watch. And then he appeared from the crowd. This man! She twitched her nose. He was late.
He gave her a big smile, which melted her irritation
away. "Thank you for coming," he said.
"The elephant is my favorite animal, by the way," she quietly
replied.
November 12 is also the feast day of San Diego de Alcala. It is fiesta time in Polo, Valenzuela.
Malaking bahagi ng aking pagkabata ang simbahan ng San Diego de Alcala sa Polo.
Mayroon kasing palaruan ang simbahan. May mga higante silang slides na color-coordinated (Pink sa babae, blue sa lalaki, green sa mga batang bading. Joke lang!). Sa ilalim ng mga slide, ay malaking pool na puno ng mga isda. Kahit kulay lumot na ang pool (or pond), aninag pa rin namin ang makukulay na mga isda. Nag-i-speculate pa nga kami dati na may napakalaking isda na lumalangoy sa pool. Hula namin, isang shark!
May mga swing din, na tuwang-tuwa kami kapag itinutulak na kami ng malakas ni Daddy. Nung medyo malaki-laki na ako, kinakaya ko na na tumayo sa swing at kumapit sa kord nitong bakal.
Sa loob din ng palaruan, may isang badminto court at tennis court. Tinatanaw lang namin ang tennis court mula sa mga bakal na bakod. Dinig na dinig namin kapag tumatama na ang bola sa tennis rack, at sesenyas na ang mamang nakaupo sa napakataas na upuan na umiskor ang kabilang side. Siyempre, di ko pa alam ibig sabihin nun.
Sa badminton court naman na bakal din ang nagsisilbing pader na parang chicken coop, bihira ang may naglalaro. Ginagawa kasing garahe un ng mga karo ng mga santo. Tsaka laging naka-lock ang pinto ng badminto court kaya di kami nagagawa dun.
Katabi ng badminton court ang lugawan. Ayan, pinipilit pa namin sina Daddy para kumain kami dito. Para sa akin noon, sila ang may pinakamasarap na lugaw sa buong mundo! Pero bihira kaming kumain dito. Nagtitipid kasi sina Daddy. Magagalit pa sila pag kinulit namin na gumawi kami sa lugawan.
***
Malaki na ang ipinagbago ng Simbahan ng Polo. Parang lumiit ang simbahan! Pero siguro, lumaki lang ako, tumanda... Nawala ang mahika ng pagiging higanteng lugar ng simbahan. Siguro din dahil sa labis na pagtataas ng mga kalsada sa Polo, na laging binabaha all-year-round.
Wala na ang playground. Naging parochial school na ito. Wala na ang badminton court at napalitan na ito ng isang gusali ng paaralan.
Wala na ang lugawan.
Nandun pa rin ang tennis court pero hindi na ito makikita mula sa playground ng simbahan.
Nandun pa rin ang mga slide. Ngunit wala ng mga batang nagpapadulas doon. May mga tanda na kasing malapit na ang mga itong magkabitak-bitak.
***
I realized kanina, na the parochial school retained the gates of the playground. I recognized the old arch, na ngayon ay natatakpan na ang kalahati ng mga halamang ligaw. I would love to take a picture of it, pero something weird happened.
Comelec bars gays in House on grounds of ‘immorality’
By Kristine L. Alave Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, Philippines — Once more with feeling.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has dismissed a petition of Ang Ladlad, a gay organization seeking congressional representation in the May elections as a party-list group, saying it “tolerates immorality.”
In an eight-page resolution dated Nov. 11, the Comelec’s Second Division said Ang Ladlad’s petition “must fail” despite the group’s fulfillment of poll requirements, because the practice of homosexuality offends morals.
Homosexuality is also against Christian and Muslim faiths, it said.
The Comelec division is headed by Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer, with Commissioners Elias Yusoph and Lucenito Tagle as members.
Citing the teachings of Lehman Strauss, an American Bible teacher, the Comelec said the principles of Ang Ladlad were a threat to young Filipinos.
“Should this commission grant the petition, we will be exposing our youth to an environment that does not conform to the teachings of our faith,” the resolution said.
“As an agency of the government, ours too is the state’s avowed duty under Section 13, Article II of the Constitution, to protect our youth from moral and spiritual degradation,” it added.
A similar petition to participate in the 2007 balloting was also rejected on grounds the group did not have a national presence, a requirement for party-list accreditation.
The resolution released Thursday said the decision was not a condemnation of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. “We cannot compromise the well-being of the greater number of our people, especially the youth,” it said.
‘Intellectually bankrupt’
Ang Ladlad leader Danton Remoto, a professor at Ateneo de Manila University, slammed the ruling for being “intellectually bankrupt.”
“The decision of the very old men showed painfully obsolete ideas about homosexuality,” Remoto said. “This is the 21st century and there should be human rights for all.”
Remoto said his group, which has 22,000 members nationwide, would file a motion for reconsideration. If it is rejected, he said he would go to the Supreme Court.
To date, the Filipino boxing superstar is the first boxer to win seven world titles in seven different weight divisions.
Pacquiao had won the 2009 ESPY Awards for the Best Fighter category, beating fellow boxer Shane Mosley and Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter Lyoto Machida.
Pacquiao was included by Forbes Magazine in its annual Celebrity 100 list for the year 2009. Forbes also listed Pacquiao as the world's sixth highest-paid athlete, with a total of $40 million from the second half of 2008 to the first half of 2009.
Pacquiao has been included by Time Magazine as one of the world's most influential people for the year 2009, for his exploits in boxing and his influence among the Filipino people.
What if umamin si Pacquiao na bakla pala siya, will everything change? If this is the case, will the COMELEC consider him as an immoral candidate if he runs for a political position?
Lalabas na ang love poetry book ni Mark Angeles na Patikim!
Mura lang ang presyo. 180 pesos isa, pero kung three copies ang bibilhin, ang total amount ay magiging 500 pesos na lang. 40 pesos din ang discount. Mainam na pang-Christmas gift ang libro para sa mga loved ones.
(CNN) -- Efren Peñaflorida, who started a "pushcart classroom" in the Philippines to bring education to poor children as an alternative to gang membership, has been named the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year. More here.
"Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry. Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need.
"So to each and every person inside in this theater and for those who are watching at home, the hero in you is waiting to be unleashed. Serve, serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve. As I always tell to my co-volunteers ... you are the change that you dream as I am the change that I dream and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be. Mabuhay!"
About the group he started
Dynamic Teen Company (DTC) is a group of concerned young people with a mission of making a small yet significant difference in other people’s lives, particularly the small children in slum areas who have no access to education, basic hygiene and sometimes, even love from their families. The group was founded in August 1997 by four teenagers from Cavite National High School. The initial group made up of around 20 members started as a friendship club which aimed to divert the attention of students from joining violent gangs and notorious fraternities that were thriving on the campus. Their major platform then was to cater youth awareness projects, talent and self development activities, and community services. Today, the group holds different activities to address these issues.
Accomplishments
The fruits of their labor are slowly being reaped as former drug users and petty thieves who were reformed through their projects are now also serving as volunteers. Former scavengers are now in school and are helping to raise funds. Some of the children who remain unschooled are now able to read and write. DTC was able to reach thousands of children through their Mind Your Rights (MY RIGHTS) campaign and through their health-literacy work.
In 2007, they launched the “WE ARE THE CHANGE” campaign to inspire people to be the catalyst for change – in what they want to see in their home, community and the world we live in. For they believe that real change happens when we begin to touch one soul and change one heart at a time.
*Lifted from their official website. Know more about this amazing group here.
Natutuwa ako para kay Mark Angeles na nagbebenta na ng kaniyang Patikim. Matagal na sanang nailabas ang libro niyang ito kung hindi lang nagkaproblema sa gustong mag-publish. After too much time contemplating, siya na mismo ang nag-publish ng kaniyang akda. Ngayon nga ay nagbebenta na siya, me kaakibat pang good cause.
Sa ngayon ay nawiwindang ako sa pag-aayos/pagbubuo ng manuskritong ipapakatay ipapabasa sa ilang miyembro ng Pinoypoets (pramis, nothing new grand sa manuskritong ito). Dagdag pa dito ang pustahan namin ni Xam na gumawa ng sampung bagong tula para sa taong ito. Ang matatalo ay manlilibre sa grupo. Gayong nakatutuwa na tapos ko ng bunuin ang sampung bagong tula na ito (yehey! yehey!), iilan lang ang maisasama kong mga tula sa binubuo kong koleksyon.
Hay hay sidhay. Napapalibutan na nga ako ng mga librong binabasa. Hindi ko na sila naibabalik sa kanilang maayos na pagkakasalansan. Parang Smokey Mountain ng mga libro ang kuwarto ko.
***
Noon sa lilim nito tayo madalas maglaro Lagi kang gumuguhit ng mga taong may malalapad na pakpak Hindi mga anghel Mga taong uwak
***
Ano ang pangalan ng pighati?
***
Ikinalulungkot kong sabihin na wala na, sinukuan na kita. Hindi mo man lang ako napapanaginipan.
Madalas mo man akong banggitin, subalit hungkag ang iyong inilalaan na kahulugan.
Unti-unti akong naglalandas palabas ng iyong kamalayan, hindi mo man lang namalayan.
Sapagkat inaakala mong napupuspos ang iyong labi ng kahiwagaan, hindi mo na pinangalanan akong nananalig sa iyo tuwina.
Charles Dickens' timeless tale of an old
miser who must face Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet-to-Come
as rein-visioned by Robert Zemeckis and staring Jim Carrey.
UPDATE: Veteran British actress Julie Walters won Best Actress (story here). Pero kahit na. To be one of the nominees is already an achievement. Galingan pa sa pag-arte!
There is a buzz about what Angel Locsin wore at the Emmy's. Bjork again?
11 November 2009, Pasay City – The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Literary Arts Division will launch Ani 35, The Pinoy as Asian issue, on November 26, 2009, 6:00 p.m., at the CCP Ramp with some of the featured authors reading from their works.
“Ani 35 is devoted to writings by Filipinos on their interaction with other Asian peoples and cultures. This may be interpreted as a response to the call of Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera, National Artist, on the need to reconnect with Southeast Asian literary tradition if we are to survive in this age of globalization,” Herminio S. Beltran, Jr., Literary Arts Division chief and editor of the publication, wrote in the Introduction. “We hope this will inspire the birthing of mechanisms and eventually practices in the Philippine literary/publishing world that will start off a more dynamic interaction among Filipino writers and their counterparts in the Asian continent,” Beltran continued.
Ani 35 features 54 authors who contributed for three sections: poetry; prose (essay and fiction) based on the The Pinoy as Asian theme and; Malayang Haraya for poetry and prose contributions outside the theme.
The 54 authors included in Ani 35 are Mark Angeles, Lilia F. Antonio, G. Mae Aquino, Genevieve L. Asenjo, Abdon M. Balde, Jr., Janet Tauro Batuigas, Gil Beltran, Herminio S. Beltran, Jr., Kristoffer Berse, Jaime Jesus Borlagdan, Raymond Calbay, Catherine Candano, Nonon V. Carandang, Christoffer Mitch Cerda, Joey Stephanie Chua, Kristian S. Cordero, Genaro R. Gojo Cruz, Carlomar Arcangel Daoana, Arvin Tiong Ello, Dennis Espada, Rogerick Fontanilla Fernandez, Reparado Galos III, Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, Joscephine Gomez, Malou Jacob, Ferdinand Pisigan Jarin, Karla Javier, Phillip Kimpo, Jr., Ed Nelson R. Labao, Gexter Ocampo Lacambra, Erwin C. Lareza, Jeffrey A. Lubang, Glenn Sevilla Mas, Perry C. Mangilaya, Noahlyn Maranan, Francisco Arias Monteseña, Ruth V. Mostrales, Victor Emmanuel Nadera, Jose Velando Ogatis-I, Wilhelmina S. Orozco, H. Francisco V. Peñones, Jr., Scott Magkachi Sabóy, Judith Balares Salamat, Edgar Calabia Samar, Louie Jon A. Sanchez, Soliman Agulto Santos, Dinah Roma-Sianturi, Rakki E. Sison-Buban, Jason Tabinas, Vincent Lester G. Tan, Dolores R. Taylan, Rosario Torres-Yu, Betty Uy-Regala, and Camilo M. Villanueva, Jr.
For issues of Ani, please contact the CCP Marketing Department at 551-7930 or 832-11-25 locals 1800 to 1808. For authors who want to contribute for the next issue of Ani, please contact the CCP Literary Arts Division at 832-11-25 locals 1706 and 1707, or email aniyearbook@yahoo.com.
