Wala Nga Bang Forever?

                       Let me give my few cents about this very heart-warming film, "Walang Forever".   You see, with the Metro Manila Film Fest (MMFF) ruling over the cinemas for the entire holidays, patronizing local films and critiquing them is now an enjoyable past-time. 

                     "Walang Forever", which bagged the  "Best Picture Award", stars Jericho Rosales and Jennylyn Mercado.  Among the movies I watched, this one struck me, so far,  because the concept that got the movie rolling is about the life of a script writer (a famed writer of popular rom-com movies) ... a profession I fantasize about, yes, honestly!  There are lazy days, even now, when I simply day dream about my "what ifs" and picture what could have been in the other roads I abandoned.  Writing, broadcasting, TV hosting and singing (nawwh, just a joke!) are among the wild dreams I draw around stories of "what could have been".  As they often say so, it is with the unknown when the imagination of a hopeless romantic runs the wildest to inspire  #kilig and #iyakpamore stories.  Laughters, tears, joys, trials, love and losses ... are always the main characters of the "movies in my mind".

                And so, this movie is relatable to me, not because of the “forever theme” (seriously?!) but more for the twist that the “writer writes about her life” while she earns her living & fame from it and, then, in the process, achieves her sense of security & survival.  If I am not who I am now, then, yes, that!  could have been… almost … possibly … the kind of life I would be writing about, too.

             Oftenly, as a frustrated writer, I wondered what runs true in the mind of my co-writers.  When they write fiction, is it really fiction?  When they write about themselves, are their stories authentically theirs or a figment of their subconscious? And when they go through the so-called "writer's block" (which I am experiencing now), are they truly losing the muse of their passion or are they simply unlearning things about themselves?

             But, this is what I tell you, my friends, in a writer’s mind, the answer to the question about “forever” is infinite!  In this particular award-winning film about Mia (Jennylyn Mercado) and Ethan (Jericho Rosales), “wala daw forever” (oh my, am I a big spoiler here?). 

             But, let me tell you more.  Any other writer can put a continuity to it and prove “forever is forever and it may be true”.  It just depends on how one’s fingers would tap the keyboard longer and dance the story around more. 

            But for me, I still like to believe “meron ngang forever” … and I challenge myself to write my own story down soon…

           But , for now, do watch the movie, folks! It's a tear-jerking one that will bring lightness and joy.  I'm glad it won the highest award among all the MMFF films.  Kudos to "Walang Forever" film-writers!

 

           I bet you, if you take time and buy your tickets now,  you'll certainly fall in love with Ethan, the romantic.  And you'll definitely be proud with Mia, the writer, the lover, the fighter. 

            And, at the end, like me, “you’ll wish there is forever ….”   

 

Frustrated Writer,

Rox

On "Second Chance"

           

          Today, I had a wonderful “Me” time.  For the very first time, I did something different!  Sshhhh, I watched a movie all ALONE!!!  Never in my entire life have I done this!  But I laughed, sobbed, romantically got thrilled, and allowed all emotions to run free.  Simply because I know I was just with ME ;-).

"A Second Chance", starred by John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo, better know as "Popoy & Basya" in the said movie,  is about the 7-year itch of a couple.  It depicts the tiring predictabilities of a supposedly settled life.  It speaks of the day-to-day challenges of sharing a life with someone.  The difficulties of pursuing a common dream when you have different ways of doing,  of showing emotions or care, of deciding for two of you, of understanding, of giving-in, of forgiving.  It talks of the usual dutiful routine which breeds a boring familiarity.  The complacency that robs off romance, laughter, and lightness in a relationship.  Then, there’s the issue of dwindling trust about finances, parenting, third parties and endless confusing behavior of exhaustion.  But there’s about friendship as well that promises comfort.  Then, of all the what ifs which suddenly resurface when cowardice begins to creep in and one concocts a fairytale ending to escape.  At the end, there’s just the reality that it takes only one to break the ties.  And the oftenly disregarded truth, after the “I do”, that  “loving” is really not an emotion.  But a daily courage to embrace “what is” … with all the good and with all the bad. 

Circumstances in the story are entirely different but I related well with each of them.  I smiled and cried with the characters.  I agreed a lot of times.  I believed them … And as I understood their predicaments, I also got thankful more and more with my own LOVESTORY.

It is a good film.  And because I was alone, I allowed emotions freely and it was a liberating experience.  All women should try a moment like this ;-)!

Then, I hurried off to pick up my son in school.  And after which, my Mom & daughter who enjoyed an afternoon  shopping spree.  We all had a great snacks together.  Of course, as one of those so-called regular things, or would I say hubby duty (?), Dad called to check on our day, too.  Again, it wasn’t just me once more.

I breathed and smiled…

Tomorrow, I face my realities again.  Oh well, as the movie reinforced, this is what “loving” is all about … an everyday will to embrace “what is”… all its good … and all its bad.

Holy Week Refuge

"I hold the rosary and say my prayers, bead per bead. I glance at the second hand, every now and then. I have been up from 12 midnight to these wee hours. I closely watch her breathing and do my personal vigil. 

And she cries, "I want to go home...". I continue to touch her forehead and assure her of my prayers.

 Yes, she must make it through this ordeal ... until the sun rises.  Oh, by then, my Lord, has also risen ;-)"

 My family is a devout Catholic. As such, during Catholic events, like Christmas or Holy Week, "Staycation" is always the destination. As much as possible, we don't go far or indulge ourselves in any other recreational activities (not that there is anything wrong with that!) but we were raised up believing this is our solemn time for JESUS. Hence, family stays together, prays together and attends whatever church activities there would be. It is our devotion to be simple, humble, reflective and prayerful at times like this.

There would always be time to explore the beauty of life ... but Holy Week, and like the others marked in the Church Calendar, should be a sacred time of the year for GOD.

But, this year, I never thought my Holy Week would be this solemn and reflective ... in ASIAN HOSPITAL.  Since the onset of the Holy Week, my daughter, Trisha, was admitted for "almost dehydration" and week-long fever. When I signed the admission slip, I resigned myself that this will be our HOLY WEEK REFUGE.

Day by day, the waiting unfolded. Dengue was ruled out; typhoid fever was ruled out next; viral infection was closest to diagnosis ... then a certain respiratory bacteria (oh my, I never had good memory for high falutin medical terms) got her in, according to the doctor.  Now, it is her 7th day and we have been counting hours since her temperature was registered "normal". 

 

If she makes it through in the morning this way, we may finally be allowed to go home ... exactly on "Easter Sunday" --- "Ang Pasko ng Pagkabuhay".

 

And so the Holy Week passed by. No "Bisita Iglesia"; "No Washing of the Feet"; "No Blessing of Fire and Water".  But one thing did come true -- a personal communication with God.

 

A week to silently commemorate his passion as I give my daughter sponge bath ;-).  A week to thank him for the resources he continuously sends us to take care of her.  A week of family bonding and praying. 

 

Most of all, a week of renewing hope and trust in HIM.

 

You, Lord, do always touch and speak to us in varying special ways.  "This may be a blessing in disguise again" and, hence, "like your own mother, Mary, I surrender all to YOU...as always!"

 

For tomorrow, I know, we will be FINE & WELL & FREE to REJOICE ... for this is the ultimate message of your "HOLY RISEN DAY".

 

Happy Easter to All!

 

 

Rox

 

Bikram Yoga and Me

https://www.facebook.com/exst.rvasquez

 

It has been three days straight now since I, together with my husband and daughter, have been attending Bikram Yoga at its Alabang Branch.  We took advantage of the P1,000 fee (per person) for 10 consecutive sessions.  Since such seemed a convenient exercise over the long week-end, we gave it a shot.  And, "thank God", the experience had been awesome, so far!

 

But being such a reflective person as I am, I cannot help but relate every meaning of my yoga postures to life's principles and allowed all the "breathing moments "as reflection-time as well.

 

Thus, may I share what I learned or "re-learned", so far:

 

1. How Do You Know When You Are Ready for Something?

 

   When your knees are not locked in, not yet straight, and still shaking, then, you are not yet READY to charge.  Be patient.  Stay calm and listen to what your body is saying.  It will tell you exactly IF the right moment " to change" has come.  

 

   Now, isn't this what we should always remember before we plunge ourselves to any life-changing decision?

 

2.  Is there a difference between QUALITY & QUANTITY?

 

    Nawwh.  "Quality is determined by the quantity of dedication you put to a movement", Betty, the instructress said.

 

   That got me thinking.  I've always believed the two words are two worlds apart.  But, my Yoga posture, just reminded me that these words may be not entirely the same, but, certainly, they determine one another.

 

   Quality is achieved when there is enough dedication or commitment you exert in one's endeavour.  Isn't that quantity in itself?

 

   Quantity, on the other hand, when adequate & sincerely rendered, redounds to a favorable and / or acceptable output.  Tell me, isn't that quality as well?

 

   Yeah, food for thought, indeed!

3.  How Can You Prepare Yourself To Charge Or Change?

"Breathe the right way". "Through your nose, inhale good, exhale well". "Listen & feel the air rushing in & out". "Allow your heartbeat to slow down with the right breath".  Your mind, after, will be able to take control.

Simple and practical, right? As I pondered on that, I remembered moments of "nervousness" when I had to close my eyes and allowed good breathing to start. I did not know scientifically then why I always did this act to save my sanity. But I can tell one thing... it always worked!  Whenever I internalized my breathing, the act never failed to relax my brain cells which, somehow, always helped me relax my body, my hand, my voice. Thus, whenever I had to deliver a speech or take the front-line, that has been my special way to "pocket" the "unwanted shivers".

With my Yoga exercise, I realized more how "simple breathing" can console one's disturbances, indeed!
 

4.  When you are losing breath, STOP! Be kind to your body. Relax & let good grasp of air fill your lungs....BUT, NEVER STOP TOO LONG!

 

"Pushing yourself too hard will harm your body".  It may lead to uneasy panting or unnecessary body injury.  Come to think of it, what a good analogy this is about our life-race, at most times.  Depression, fatigue, burnt-out and "loss of social connection" always lead to physical, mental and, worst, spiritual dysfunction.  So, "STOP" is the simple, magic word.  And, yet, "it is so difficult to do such ... even if we know it is the only way to be rescued". 

 

In the Yoga session, I have learned, once again, that it is "I" who must decide and strongly desire SELF-REJUVENATION.  No one and no circumstance will decide such for my own sake.  Otherwise, I waive my right to live longer.  "Pathetic", if we fail to realize this on time.

 

But here's the "next priceless realization". "Don't pause so looooooong".  Too much rest may lead to boredom, loss of worthiness, blurriness of life's purpose, destruction of skills and commitment ... and, then, "Heaven forbids", atrophy.

4.  When you feel like giving up, FOCUS.  Look straight in the mirror and see that ONE BEAUTIFUL PERSON you are doing this exercise for.

During Yoga, one need not be conscious of the others. The center of attention is SELF - the beautiful union of mind and body.

 

Aha, self-romanticism, inspiring, for me!  There are two words that struck me in this wonderful thought --- FOCUS ON SELF, my beautiful self.

It's not new.  It's not philosophical.  It only means "just the right amount" of self-love.  The kind that will make you believe in yourself, trust yourself, enjoy yourself ... so that you can give just a bit more for others. 

 

When we lose our way in this world (and no one is spared from this truth!), we must not forget that there is one great "instrument" GOD has given us ... ourselves.  But, sometimes, we tend to give up when we lose the people or the material things we cling on for support.  Sometimes, we do fail to remember how easily we should depend on the innate beauty & strength within us.

 

Thus, while doing the "Warrior Pose", I looked staright at my body in the mirror and I told myself silently, "I can do this.  Must do this. Will do this more".  Oh well, as a neophyte, I still saw the legs trembling with my weight.  Guess, I haven't mastered the "art of balancing" yet.  "It will take time", the instructress said.

 

But I loved how my body was coping with the challenge, even if I was shaking & sweating all over.  I was completely awed by the courage my stand projected.  It was a "liberating!" posture.  It was exhilarating.

 

Yes, my knees, probably, weren't locked-in yet.  But I believe, I believe, that  the "woman in the mirror", in time, WILL BEGIN TO CHARGE majestically!

 

Faith in God, Faith in Me ... Faith in Life!

Rox