Why the 90’s children have to watch Titanic in 3D

When Titanic was first shown in silver screen in 1997, I assume, we, the early 90s children, were just about four to seven years old way back then. And we are the ones who did not actually watch it in movie houses! Instead, we’ve seen Titanic for the first time either in a free TV premiere in a local TV station or by playing the bulky three VHS-tape set of the movie in our VHS players at home. And if your chance happens to be the latter, I hope you can still remember the red Ferrari VHS rewinder.

The question is, why do we have to watch Titanic in 3D this April?

The big deal is not how it will be shown once more—whether in 2D, 3D or in iMax. But the big deal here is that the reviewing of Titanic is a good chance for us, former kiddos, to feel what Titanic really has to offer and to bring us back the nostalgia now that we are in our bidding-gooddbye-teenhood years.

So grab your tickets now and set your eyes as one of the biggest ships ever made in the world witness a confession of true endless love and a timeless journey.

Amor Patria: A Review of Gawad Kalinga Founder Tony Meloto's 'Builder of Dreams'

 “When your dreams came true, you are great. But if others’ dreams came true because of you, you are noble.”

Gawad Kalinga Founder Tony Meloto's Builder of Dreams

In a third world country like the Philippines it is undeniable that negative political and social issues are prevalent, as well as the intricate challenges faced by Filipinos all left undone; and indeed, “transforming leaders” are needed for they bear the good heart enriched with volunteerism and love for others. These are those people who are propelled into meaningful actions and purposes. Despite the fact that a united prayer can make this all settled, Gawad Kalinga founder Antonio “Tony” Meloto proved doing more than this can make everything better.

As Tony Meloto’s living revolves over his life as an entrepreneur and a Couples for Christ servant, being a loving father of five and a caring Lolo of three grandchildren, he felt the need to do something that could make the slum-dwellers’ life better. He desired to mold his ideals and goals into something that would benefit larger groups of Filipino people. And one of his ways in order to achieve this is to write the book “Builder of Dreams” which he dedicated to Ninoy and Cory because their nationalism has inspired him since 1986; when democracy was restored in the country.

The “Builder of Dreams” is “about faith of common believers who choose to act rather than to preach, about citizens wanting to correct what has been corrupted rather than blame, about people who chose hope over cynicism by planting their dreams on the ground and learning to do it with others.”  Through this book, Tony Meloto had reflected what patriotism and good deeds are truly all about. The book embodied the hope of Filipinos who dreamt better times after living as second class citizens within 400 years. It definitely emerged the Filipino spirit and unleashed its greatness. The book also recognized the growing armies of Filipinos who vowed to bring the dream together.

                His primary goal is to revive what was lost and to bring the best out of it. He narrated how his efforts created the very first Gawad Kalinga village. It transformed the ever known Bagong Silang in Caloocan City into a neighborhood that endowed new, safe, and attractive homes for the needy; unlike how it looked like before— where gangsters, young and old, and crimes sickened the place. He shared how his actions paved way for the rehabilitation of the youth who had led wayward lives. His movement blossomed; adults learned acceptable ways of earning money and the kids who were once crime-makers decided to go to school. “There was no blueprint, no road map and no budget when we ventured into unknown territory, just a lot of faith, a strong intuition and the conscience to do what was good and right; the impulse to act and the instinct to survive.”

                The book sparked hope and consciousness as this country is a gift from God. It identified proper recognition of who the real character is and who will support him on the play of his objective. “The government is not our enemy; neither is business or rich landowners or, the criminals in the urban slums, and the rebels in the countryside. Poverty is our enemy, along with all the evils that cause it—the peaceful way to vanish this is to discover winning formula where rich and poor benefit from caring and sharing.”

                Tony Meloto has never been a fictional-story-writer or even a superb novel author; but his writing style is real good. It caught souls that will soon embolden nobility. Each word reflected how reality looks like. It helped readers to understand what Philippines has to be and how Filipinos should be. Sharing real life stories in the book also helped Meloto in his pursuance of his aspirations and beliefs.

                In this book, Tony also revealed his heart-melting sacrifices just for the accomplishment of his vision. Sacrifices not only in his own self, but as well to his family, friends and the usual society he’s living with; the parameter where true-blooded Filipinos dwell. And these encumbrances caused him to attain what he was aiming for.

                “In writing this book, I remember with fondness the friends I have lost along the way. I carry the burden of losing people I treasured, in exchange for the friendship to the poor. The fault is mine, but the gain is mine as well. In time we will be wiser and we will gain our friendship so nothing is lost at all.”

Gawad Kalinga villages in the Philippines. 

                The three major steps in the attainment of the goal— Social Justice, Social Artistry and Social Progress, as designed by Meloto’s Builders of Dreams, are therefore the key steps to help every Filipino for major survival and to make a big leap on our journey way back home—to a greater country that we are proud of and with the people that we loved and always will.

Never stop hoping for our country,

Don’t stop caring for our people,

Demand greatness from yourself as a Filipino,

Inspire greatness in other Filipinos.

Minamahal kita, Pilipinas!

Gustatory Delight: The Baby Back Ribs of Johanna’s Grille

Johanna’s Grill is located at the heart of Batangas City— along P. Burgos street where most of commercial establishments around the city are located.

The restaurant is classical Filipino-themed. What I like about their resto are the very eye-catching Capiz windowpanes and chandeliers.

Their specialty— their own version of fall-off-the-bones Baby Back Ribs with garlic rice and corn kernels! Something to die for, really. Their version of this American recipe is really tender, fairly spicy and very tasty. This is something you have to try for yourself!

Their homemade sweet Blueberry cheesecake is also remarkable!

Way to the Cross the Caleruega way!

Get close to nature, get closer to God!

Doing Way of the Cross is one of the well-known traditions done by most Filipinos during Lenten season. This activity remembers the final hours of Jesus; this is also a devotion commemorating the Passion.


In our family, the stations of the cross is a kind of a "must-thing" which have to be done every year. It's more of a tradition and definitely became a routine in the clan. It is our own way of showing repentance and sacrifice; which I believe, are the sole schemes of Lenten Season.


This year, we're lucky to do the stations of the cross at Caleruega. This is a house of prayer and renewal located at Nasugbu, Batangas. With almost one and a half hour road drive from Batangas City, one can reach the cool, atmospheric Barangay Kaylaway, Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas where Caleruega is located. This place is perfect for retreats, recollections, prayer workshops, children/youth camps, marriage and family celebration venue, seminars, and agricultural, environmental and camaraderie-promoting activities. 

These are the unique views and infrastractures which can be seen at Caleruega:

The Transfiguration Chapel

The Transfiguration Chapel

With a European-inspired architecture, this chapel in Caleruega, situated at the top of a hill with Renaissance-themed stained glass portraying the Lord Jesus Christ, is a perfect location for solemn Christian activities.

Ifugao-themed Stations to the Cross

I remembered when we first stepped to the place, no one among the members of the family thought that the Ifugao carvings hanged along the roadside garden of the place was Caleruega's own rendition of the stations to the Cross. The stations have sculptures depicting the fourteen scenarios of Lord's sufferings with Ifugao characters-- wearing G strings and more of a Filipinoish-scheme.

Hanging Bridge

Though not situated above a deep creek or any high elevation, the hanging bridge in Caleruega is more than enough to add excitement and funny-thrill in a Christian and quiet setting.

Shrine at the top of the Hill

The trek going to the shrine.

The shrine above the hill.

The overlooking view.

Lenten season is about sacrifices. And taking the trek going to the shrine at the top of a hill can be a simple sacrifice. With the dusty wind and sand-like soil, and with the scorching heat, it is indeed a challenge to reach the shrine and pray-- overlooking a wonderful view.

Aside from these, Caleruega also offers nature-friendly environment with its colorful and eye-catching flowering plants gazing along the gardens and in some pathways. There are also numerous ponds which habitate gigantic golden fishes which became one of the attractions of the place. Moreover, Caleruega also offers a clean environment, which can be a manifestation that the thirty pesos, collected  as an entrace fee for the marvelous place, is spent well.

Caleruega is indeed a nature friendly environment!

Before leaving the place, I promised to myself that I will come back to Caleruega because it's a perfect gettaway to refrain ourselves and our minds from stressful activities in school and at work. It can also be a perfect avenue to find tranquility and to skip the huzzle and buzzle the busy city environment offer.

Forgive me for this. But I can say, I really enjoyed my Caleruega trip!
Happy Easter guys! =]

STREETLIGHT

Click on photo for better quality/resolution

TITLE: Streetlight

PHOTO BY: Louie Florentine

LOCATION: Along the streets of Batangas City, Philippines

A Creed for the Future Engineers

I cant believe that next academic year, I'll be on my third year in the Engineering course. My option of taking it up is now or never, everything of uncertainty, wasnt sure if it's for me or not. My thing is that, I'll make a try and if it works, then go on. Never had I thought that I can make it this slight-far. And look where I am now! But I came this through not only because of my own efforts; not only of my parents', but also because of the effort and inspiration imparted to me by those "common strangers." Those people who always helped me in most of my setbacks for the past two years. 

Maybe this can serve as my material of appreciation for each and everyone of them. For treating me rightly, and if not, for making me learn my lessons. 

Well I'm talking about my classmates for the past two years being on the General Engineering course. For others, the engineer-hopefuls; but for me, the future engineers. They are the ones who stood by my side for every sunrise and goodbyes, and who never looked at me as how I became, but to how I really am. These are the "common strangers." The strangers whom I had never been afraid of talking to. The strangers who not only helped me, but also inspired me, taught me life lessons, brought me to an infinite bliss, and loved me. Well, "loved" is not a good term, because if not for all, then some, may continue to love me.

I am so lucky meeting these people and spending two academic years with them. Our journey to being what we want to be is still quite far.Two years is only the beginning. More brain whacking exams to take and more cups of coffee to drink and to be with while studying until dawn. More group study thingy and more stressful days and nights. More unexpected things that might, and eventually, happen. But if to face with a curve on the face, just like what we did, things will not only be accomplished, but will be successfully done. 

To my dearest friends and classmates, Thank you, good luck, and God bless us all.

LETTERS TO JULIET: A Story of Second Chances

Letters to Juliet (2010) starring Amanda Seyfried and Chris Egan.

Letters to Juliet is movie which attested that true love knows no age, no time, no expiration and no boundaries.

This movie is not an ordinary love story film. It offers something more special and extraordinary. With a European love story-inspired theme, this romantic film confined a quixotic idealism for one hour and 45 minutes.

However, the movie’s start is a bit boring. But after a while until the end, it can glue your attention and all. Amanda Seyfried did an excellent job. For me, she did a better performance compared to her act on Dear John. Her lush tandem with Christopher Egan (Charlie) is quite stirring but I think can be better. The locations where the movie was shot were awesome and moving. It added more “romantic ambiance” while watching the film.

Quite the reverse, my negative points is: it is a kind of cliché in this genre that an engaged lady will meet another man; and at the end, she and the newly met guy will live happily. How come it just goes like that! J

But after all, Letters to Juliet is good. The morals it posed can really apply to real life. That patience is really a virtue and we should never quit more especially when it is our heart that desires the thing we want. Another is that being true to yourself can make things better than what we assume how it should be by covering some of our qualities and not showing our real character. Truth will always bring the best out of all circumstances.

Some scenes from Letters to Juliet