Reading is not my thing since I am lazy to read work especially when I am not interested with the topic. But, one moment in my life changed my views about reading when I was still in junior year. My friend brought his book to school entitled, Titser, written by a Filipino author during the 1950s, named Liwayway A. Arceo. It was published on 1995 I do not know what happened but the life story of the character in the novel touched me.
The novel is about a teacher named, Amelita. She is being compared by her mother, Aling Rosa because all her other four children graduated with "titles," and does not see teacher as being a profession. Her mother does not want her to be a teacher because she only teaches in a province and do not get enough salary. Aling Rosa went to Manila because she was pissed by the attitude of Amelita of choosing Mauro, a public school teacher, over Osmundo who owns a hacienda. In the end of the story, even if they are not in good state, Amelita still cares for her mother unlike her other siblings who did not care about their mother.
After reading this book, I started reading other inspirational books such my all-time favorite, Tuesdays with Morrie. I advise the book-readers to read this Filipino-made book because it can help us understand the nature of teacher as a profession and why do they act in different ways. The theme of the book for me is that, following your what you want is the best way to achieve your dreams.
In my perspective, teachers are one of the most hardworking professionals because even if they do not get large salaries they still continue to work for them to share their knowledge for future generations. This is the reason why I admire teachers.
"Teaching creates all other professions" - Anonymous
SOURCES:
Goodreads Inc. (1995). Titser. Retrieved on December 05, 2013
Filipinos are known for being strong, hard worker, and of course ATHLETIC. We always want to fight for what is right but in sports, we always fight because we want to win and we want to be the best that we can be for ourselves, and for our nation as well.
BASKETBALL
The Philippines is fund of playing sports, basketball to be specific. We had our own professional league which is the Philippine Basketball Association which was founded on the 9th of April, 1975 at Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
With the likes of Alvin Patrimonio, Marlou Aquino, Benjie Paras, Johnny Abbarientos, Jojo Lastimos, Allan Caidic, Samboy Lim, Jaworski, and many other Filipino basketball legends and teams such as the two prominent teams from 70s to 80s were the Crispa Redmanizers and Toyota Super Corollas, they made our country to be more a basketball-oriented nation.
Last August 1 to 11, 2013, the Philippines hosted the FIBA Asia Championships that will serve as a qualifying round for the 2014 FIBA World Championships that will be held in Spain. The Philippines started strong before losing their third game against Chinese Taipei. The national team advanced to the second round and won their next three games which helped them to have fight in the Semi-Finals against a strong and tall South Korean team. Our team won the game and that made them qualified for the Finals. However, the Philippines lost to Iran in the Finals. Fortunately, the top two teams in the tournament will have a slot in the upcoming World Championships next year The team is composed of PBA players and a naturalized player. The team was lead by an experienced coach, Chot Reyes. After finishing second place the team rose 11 places in the world rankings and now #34.
interAKTV. (2013). FIBA Asia championship: Gilas Pilipinas vesus South Korea highlights [Video file]. Retrieved on November 28, 2013 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVBXrjvb9Qg
FOOTBALL
The Philippine football rose into occasion during the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup when the Philippines defeated the defending champions Vietnam from 2 goals to nil (2-0), and drew versus Singapore with the last minute goal from Chris Greatwich (1-1). Their last group stage match against Myanmar was a goalless draw and that send them to the Semis-finals but lost to the eventual champions, Indonesia with a 3-1 win on aggregate.
In the 2011, the Philippines qualified for the second round of the qualifier after winning 5-1 over Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, the team failed to execute their skills against the experienced team of Kuwait in the next round which won 5-1.
The National Football Team is currently ranked #133 in the world, the highest rank that our national team reached. The team is currently composed of Filipino-foreigner bloods. They are a big boost to the team however, in football it is important to have home-grown players for better communication and team chemistry. We are known as the Philippine Azkals (Street Dogs).
AFFSuzukiCup. (2010). AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 group b Singapore vs Philippines [Video file].
"Music can change the world because it can change people" - Bono, Main Vocalist of U2
Nowadays, we Filipinos always want to hear foreign music from well-known international artists such as Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, and Fall Out Boy. I listen to foreign songs most of the time, to be honest. This makes me sad in a way that some of our fellow countrymen, including me, tend to choose them over our very own artists, and music. However, OPM is still the best for me because of Eraserheads. I guess every Filipino know them. I was in grade one when I started listening to the Beatles who are known for their chemistry and songs. My favorite song of the said band is "All Together Now," since it was the first song I heard from their album, the Yellow Submarine because my dad is a fan of them during that time. But, I got bored with their music since I always listen to it almost everyday when I come home from school. After three years, when I was in grade four, I decided to listen to Original Pilipino Music for my ear to hear some good songs made by Filipinos. Eraserheads or E-heads was a Filipino rock band formed during the 1990s with four members all from the State University namely, Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro. However, there were some issues that their lead vocalist, Ely, started recording his own songs, and Marasigan already had his second band and recording separately from the group too. Halfway the year 2002, for some unknown reasons, Buendia left the band. Eraserbands are also known as the Beatles of the Philippines. My three most favorite songs from their bands are Ang Huling El Bimbo, Pare Ko, and With a Smile. After the band broke-up, on March 7, 2009 they held their Final Set concert. According to Ely, they are not doing this for the MONEY but for the fans who remained loyal through the years.
- I find this song creepy because of its music video and the lyrics. It is a story of a man who had a childhood crush but did not tell it to her. When they got older, the man heard a news that her childhood lover passed a way in a tragic way in a means of hit and run. What makes it much creepier is when the body of a woman rose from dead leaves. But, I still listen to this because it reminds me of my childhood days.
EraserheadsVEVO. (2009). Ang huling el bimbo [Video file]. Retrieved on December 01, 2013
- This song is a funny one for me because it is a story of a guy who has feelings for a college girl but he was not able to tell it to her because he was torpe - term used to guys who cannot tell their true feelings to a girl. This song was covered by Spongecola and Parokya ni Edgar which are two of the best bands in the Philippine Music Industry in the 2000s, until now.
Criss, M. (2009). Pare ko [Video file]. Retrieved on December 01, 2013
WITH A SMILE 1994, Circus - This song is the most memorable of my three most favorite songs because during my last year in high school, our class performed this in front of the whole high school department. It also makes me smile especially when I am feeling down because hearing this song makes me feel comfortable and smiling means positive progress and it gives me a great feeling.
EraserheadsVEVO. (2009). With a smile [Video file]. Retrieved on December 01, 2013
*Currently, Ely Buendia is with his own band named, Pupil; Raimund Marasigan has Sandwich; Buddy Zabala performs for the Dawn; and Marcus Adoro's Markus Highway
If it is possible, I wish that I could see them perform together again in a big stage.
As we all know, politics is a dirty nature in such a way that when the politicians' power and authority are being questioned they have the tendency to use their inner evil that they have just to stay in position. The 2013 movie, starred by Gerald Anderson, Joel Torre, and Piolo Pascual, entitled, “OTJ: On the Job,” was directed by Erik Matti which also a writer. The said movie is classified under three genres namely, action, crime, and drama. The context of the film was shot in the Metro Manila area of the Philippines. The movie was produced mainly by Star Cinema, as part of their 20th year anniversary presentation, in partnership with Reality Entertainment. The film is about the story of the lives of two prisoners who are hired by the so-called “Mam Thelma,” to finish the people who were asked to kill by the wealthy and corrupt politicians.
ABSCBNOnline. (2013). On the Job full trailer [Video file].
GERALD ANDERSON – Daniel Benitez: The boastful, young,
and aggressive hired killer named, Daniel Benitez is one of the two protagonists
at the same time antagonist. He is the “back-up” as well as the “trainee” of
Tatang. He was in a relationship with his girlfriend, Diana (Dawn Jimenez) and
asked her to live together without learning that he was a hired killer.
JOEL TORRE – “Tatang”: Tatang is the veteran hired-killer who trained Daniel how to kill people in different ways. He is the other person who acts as the protagonist and antagonist at the same time. Tatang killed Mon in the end of the film, whom his wife, Lolet, had an affair with. His daughter, Tina, was a law student and at first, did not have any idea that her father was a prisoner and a killer. Tatang was granted a parole however, knowing that he has no
family to go home to anymore, he killed Daniel before he left the cell. As a
result, he goes back immediately to the jail again and continued his life as a
killer to earn money doing the same thing all over again.
PIOLO PASCUAL – Atty. Francis Coronel, Jr.:Francis is the husband of Nicky (Shaina
Magdayao) an NBI agent, who was asked to work for his father-in-law, Cong.
Manrique (Michael de Mesa). He traced the death of his father only to find out
that General Pacheco (Leo Martinez) was the master mind behind it. He was asked to be killed by the said
general in order for them to keep their “good boy image.”
OTJl On the Job (c) Star Cinema
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
1. OTJ became part of the 2013 Cannes International Film
Festival in France from 15 May to 26 May.
2. OTJ was also screened during the 2013 Puchon
International Fantastic Film held in Bucheon, South Korea, where the film won
the Jury’s Choice Prize and Joel Torre was awarded as the best actor.
3. Icelandic director Baltasar Kormakur plans a US
adaptation of the movie to be released worldwide.
4. Matti plans to make a sequel of the said movie.
OVERALL:
I am proud to be a Filipino because of this movie since it
was shown in international film festival. I would rate the movie 10 out of 10
because of the outstanding performances of the actors. In my perspective, the
film is great because it shows the reality of the politics and it features how
wild, crazy, and dirty the politics is. The film could help the people to think
twice and vote wisely in the future elections and know their “bets” more.
SOURCES:
Fleming, M., Jr. (2013). Cannes: Well Go USA lands n.a. rights to 'On the Job' - Deadline.
Food is one of the three main basic human needs together with shelter and clothing. It gives us energy that we need throughout the day. In the Philippines, there is a food that has already been part of the culture and tradition for years since this food was discovered and is called, Sisig.
Photo owned by Ibyang
Sizzling Sisig is a Filipino Dish that was invented by Lucia Cunanan also known as "Aling Lucing" who originated from Pampanga Province. It is usually attached with the word sizzling because it is served on a sizzling plate. The so-called national sensation food is mostly made up of pig's ears, face, and its liver. Sisig is always present in the menus of almost all the restaurants especially of the bars, because according to some drinkers, it is the best pulutan (appetizer) while one is drinking, that even foreigners loved the taste of it.
I started eating Sisig back when I was ten years old. At first, I did not want to eat it because I only eat food from Jollibee since it was my favorite. But, I was wrong; I had my first taste of the said dish when my family was almost done and they left only a small portion of it. Admittedly, I regretted not trying it before it was "cleared away" by the spoons of family members. Since that time, I promised myself that I will always order Sisig wherever I will go in the restaurants in the Philippines, whether it is Pork, Tuna, etc. Now, every time I go out with my friends, it is already usual for us to order minimum of three Sizzling Sisig and maximum of how much can our stomach afford. Although, Sisig is delicious and really addicting; always remember that we should always eat healthy food.
SOURCES:
Estrella, S. (2013, August 6). Sisig: The tragic history behind our favorite pulutan. Retrieved October 18, 2013 from http://www.pepper.ph/the-history-of-sisig/
Ibyang. (2010, June 4). Recipe: Pork Sisig. Retrieved October 18, 2013 from http://awifescharmedlife.blogspot.com/2010/06/my-husband-and-i-sometimes-miss-night.html
The Philippines is a very diverse country that celebrates its great uniqueness. From the skin color of the Filipinos to the rich culture and traditions that we live by, our country truly is one of a kind. I am Juan, and this is Kayumanggi Treasures - the blog that will bring you closer to the treasures of the Land of the Kayumanggis.
I am currently taking up Bachelor of Arts - Major in European Studies in a premier university here in the Philipines. After three years, I plan to take Legal Management as my Master's Degree.
Sports has always been my passion - football, to be specific. I always feel comfortable when playing football because I get to meet a lot of people, friends and enemies alike. Aside from that, it is also a great way to exercise with my fellow players. Unfortunately, due to personal commitments, I have been inconsistent in attending trainings with the team.
"DON'T EVER UNDERESTIMATE THE HEART OF A CHAMPION"
- Rudy Tomjanovich
The quote above stated by retired NBA player and coach Rudy Tomjanovich pretty much says what type of guy I am - optimistic and determined.
