my dad’s teenage days

It’s such a shame that I didn’t get to bring a nicer camera. I took this mobile photo from the fourth floor of the National Museum. After having my Spanish classes moved to another schedule, I visited the museum on a whim. Seeing this view made me want to dive into it. I don’t know… There’s just something really beautiful about all the fire trees that are in bloom.

I just learned how to drive to the Taft area on my own because I will be attending Spanish classes somewhere there. There’s just so much to see and to appreciate in that place. It makes me feel bad that many of us tend to take for granted the culture and history of a place just because it will always be there. I remember my trip to the States last year. I was so excited to see and to go around New York. My cousin told me that they haven’t really done that even if they live in that area.  I guess it’s also embarrassing to be a tourist in your own home. The irony is almost shocking. We wake up in the same city every day but we never get to really see it because we never try. Even though I have to drive 1-2 hours from my house to Kalaw, I really don’t mind because I’ll be near the National Museum, Binondo and Intramuros.

Akala ng lahat, gaganap si Coco Martin bilang Noynoy Aquino sa pelikulang ‘to pero hindi pala. Nagpanggap siyang journalist para matulungan ang pamilya niya. Kung sa una wala pa yung utak at puso niya sa trabaho, habang mas nakilala niya si Noynoy at ang mga adhikain niya para sa bayan, unti-unting nagbago ang buhay niya.

Sabi sa patalastas, A daw ang rating nito. Para sa’kin, B siguro dahil yung gustong sabihin ng pelikula eh madali namang maintindihan. Hindi lang maayos yung pagpapahiwatig nito at kulang pa ang pagtatahi ng mga kuwento sa pagitan ng mga tauhan. Masyadong malakas ang build-up ng ginagawang proyekto ni Noy pero mahina ang kinahantungan marahil dahil hindi napag-ugnay sa huli ang nangyari sa trabaho niya at sa pamilya niya.

Kahit maaari pang higpitan ang kuwento, masasabi ko na ang pinaka-importante ay pinakita nito ang punto de bista ng masa sa pagboto. Paglabas ko ng sinehan, pakiramdam ko tuloy na ang yabang ko dahil masyado nating minaliit ang desisyon ng mga masa noong nakaraang eleksyon. Kinainisan ko na kumagat ang marami sa pangako ni Villar o ni Erap dahil parang nagpapaloko lang sila. Pero kung tutuusin, hindi mo sila mahuhusgahan hanggang hindi ikaw ang pumasan ng pinapasan nila. Iba ang rason nila dahil iba ang buhay nila at ito ang pinakikita ng pelikula.

This is how happy and haggard we were in our self-proclaimed Manila Day. More pictures to follow!

Yesterday morning, I was watching t.v. in my room when my Dad called my landline phone. It seemed urgent because he said that he texted and misscalled me twice. He asked me if I wanted to go to the Apo Hiking Socity farewell concert later that day. I couldn’t believe my ears! I have always wanted to see them live but I don’t know anyone else who would be interested. This seriously is a dream come true for me. Apo is very important to me because their songs remind me of my childhood. Whenever my family would go to Lucena, Quezon, my dad would play his Apo tapes or CDs and they would play over and over again. I know a lot of their songs by heart.

Another thing I really love about Apo is how proudly Filipino they and their songs are, although a lot are in English. They remind me of why I love my country so much. I don’t remember who said it and what the question was but one of them said that he wanted their songs to be the soundtrack of people’s lives. You know what, they truly are. From teenage years to fatherhood,family to friendship and relationships to breakups. Their songs speak so eloquently about the life of a Filipino—or of any person for that matter.

This new female trio opened the show and amidst one of their songs, Bituin Escalante pops out of nowhere! It was such a treat for me to see her live as well and the song she sang, “Bato sa Buhangin,” is one of my all-time favorites! A while later, Apo came in and did what they do best. In my whole life, I have only attended two other concerts and this automatically tops my list. They were such a pleasure to watch because of their dusty humor, their talent and the feeling that they really love what they are doing. My favorite songs of Apo are “American Junk” “Show Me A Smile” “When I Met You” and “Nakapagtataka.” Young bands paid tribute to them a few years back but the covers were still no match to sitting there, watching them live and the irony of their old songs making me feel younger. The emcee promised that we were in for a long show and it was true. The whole thing lasted for at least three hours and I could have stayed for more.

Today and tomorrow are the last shows. I feel nostalgic already!