The Golden Compass

I think mr. pullman (the writer of the books) is attacking the way the church used to be, like in the galilean age, when heresy was punishable by death, and what is now known as truth was shunted to retain the church’s power. note I don’t capitalize church here because the manipulative and power-mongering ways of old don’t deserve capitalization.

If you watch this movie from the point of view of a neutral with no idea that there’s religious connotation, then you realize its more of a story of the triumph of free will over submission; not sin over piousness, or the devil over God. And I can guarantee you have all seen movies where an atheist had some creative input.

True Christians would never attack free will, but a bloated, powerful church might use God to do such things as remove free will, like the magisterium wishes.

And Lord Azreal wants to kill the Authority (only passingly alluded to as God, more rather the generic “supreme being”) because it is the only solution he can think up. An extreme solution (probably symbolic) for an extreme problem.

I personally am a Christian and was not offended by this film because I have an open mind, and try to understand things before I ignore them.

And how come you guys that slandered this movie used cursing words? A little hypocritical?

And where’s the allusion to Christ? He’s usually subject of criticism of the Christian faith.

Other than that, pretty good movie, with a few good action scenes and a good message, though perhaps not suitable for children (my only criticism of mr. pullman). That message is not the theme of the story - it is the challenge to think freely, which too few of us do.

Flowers...Dreams...Faith...

It is madness... to hate all roses because you got scratched with one thorn... to give up on your dreams because one didn't come true... to loose faith n prayers because one was not answered... to give up on your efforts because one of them failed... to condemn all your friends because one betrayed you... not to believe in love because someone was unfaithful or didn't love you back... to throw away all your chances to be happy because you didn't succed on the first attempt.

I hope that as you go in your way, you didn't give into madness... remembering always another chance may come up, another friend, a new love, a renewed strength... be persistent!

Look for happiness in everyday. the sure path to failure is to give up.. this is often through failure that future success come. we just need to keep trying.

A Letter from Bebang

Her name is Bebang, a registered nurse in L.A. who brought her mother there for some much-needed medical treatment. Unfortunately, her Nanay did not survive. In order to save from further expenses, however, Bebang decided to stay in LA and just send her deceased mother’s remains back to the Philippines.

Back home, and as soon as the coffin arrived, family members noticed that dead Nanay’s face was fixed tightly on the glass like it was picture-framed. So they opened the coffin in order to re-position the corpse. To their surprise, a letter was stapled on Nanay’s chest. The following was its content:

Mahal kong tatay at mga kapatid:

Pasensya na kayo at hindi ko nasamahan ang nanay sa pag-uwi riyan sa Pilipinas dahil napakamahal ng pamasahe. Ang gastos ko pa lang sa kanya ay mahigit $10,000 na. Ayoko nang isipin pa ang eksaktong halaga. Anyway, ipinadala ko kasama ni nanay ang mga sumusunod…

Nasa likod ni nanay ang dalawampu’t apat na karne-norte at isang dosenang Spam. Ang Adidas na suot ni nanay ay para kay tatay. Ang limang pares ng de-goma ay nasa loob ng dalawang asul na Jansport na backpack na inuunan ni nanay. Tig-iisa kayo.

Ang iba’t-ibang klase ng tsokolate at candy ay nasa puwetan ni nanay. Para sa mga bata ito. Bahala na kayong magparte-parte. Sana’y hindi natunaw. Ang Pokemon stuffed toy na yapos-yapos ni nanay ay para sa bunso ni ate. Gift ko sa first birthday ng bata. Ang itim na Esprit bag ay para kay Nene.

Ate, nasa loob ng bag ang pictures ni inay, Japanese version ng Pokemon trading cards at stickers. “Suot ni nanay ang tatlong Ralph Lauren, apat na Gap at dalawang Old Navy t-shirts. Ang isa ay para kay Kuya at tig-iisa ang mga pamangkin ko. Maisusuot ninyo ang mga ‘yan sa fiesta.

Suot din ni inay ang anim na panty hose at tatlong warmer para sa mga dalaga kong pamangkin. Isuot nyo sa party.May isang dosenang NBA caps sa may paanan ni nanay. Para sa inyo, itay, kuya, dikong, Tiyo Romy. Bigyan nyo na rin ng tig-isa ‘yung mga pamangkin ko at ‘yong isa ay kay Pareng Tulume.

Ang tig-da-dalawang pares ng Nike wristband at knee caps na suot-suot din ni nanay ay para sa mga anak mo, Diko, na nagba-basketball. Tig-da-dalawang ream ng Marlboro lights at Winston Red ang nasa pagitan ng mga hita ni nanay.

Apat na jars ng Skippy Peanut Butter, dalawang dishwashing liquid, isang Kiwi glass cleaner at tig-aanim na Colgate at Aqua Fresh ang nakasiksik sa kili-kili ni nanay. Hati-hati na kayo, huwag mag-aagawan.

Isang dosenang Wonder Bra (Victoria’s Secret ata ang tatak) gustong-gusto ni Tiya Iskang society natin, suot-suot din ni nanay. Alam kong inaasam-asam nyo ‘yan, tiya. Anim na lipstick lang ang kasya sa bra. Ang Rolex na bilin-bilin mo tatay, suot-suot ni nanay. Nakatakip sa Nike na wristband. Kunin mo agad, Itay.

May isinisik akong zip-loc sa bunganga ni Inay na naglalaman ng $759 dollars. Hindi na ako nakatakbo sa ATM. Puede na siguro sa libing iyon.

Iyong tong na makokolekta, i-time deposit niyo, Kuya, para pag namatay si Tatay may pambili na ng ataul. Ang hikaw, singsing at kuwintas (na may nakakabit pang anim na nail cutters) nagustong-gusto mo, ditse, ay suot suot din ni nanay. Kunin mo na rin agad, ditse. Ibigay mo ang isang nailcutter kay Jay bakla sa kanto.

Tanggalin niyo ang bulak sa ilong ng inay, may isiniksik ako 3 diyamante sa bawat butas. Ibangon niyo lang si inay at tiyak na malalaglag na ang mga iyon. Konting alog lang siguro ng ulo.

Marami pa sana akong ipaglalalagay kaya lang, baka mag-excess at si nanay pa ang maiwan. Basta parte-parte kayo, tatay, kuya, ate, dikong, ditse. Para sa inyo lahat ito. Bahala na kayo kay nanay. Pamimisahan ko na lang siya rito.

Balitaan ninyo na lang ako pagkatapos ng libing. Alam ni ate ang email ko. Paki-double check ang lista kung walang nawala sa mga ipinadala ko.

Nagmamahal,
Bebang

This classic tale was originally seen in an article from Jeanne Tan Te of Sun Star Iloilo, and was taken from Jalex’s blog, which in turn was taken from JC Mae’s blog. I decided to post this since I thoroughly enjoyed reading it a long time ago, and I wanted to share it with those who haven’t read it yet.

merry xmas

merry christmas to you all!!!