Letter to a Friend

Dear Nico,

           How are you? I hope you and your family are in good condition. It’s been a long time since I saw you. And this is my first time to write a letter especially to a friend not here in the Philippines.

            There are so many things happened here since you left. Last Feb. 6-10, 2012, we celebrated the CBA week. It has been really fun. As you noticed, it is not CBEA anymore but rather it is CBA. This week was very happy and you know that right, because for BSA students this week is quite a way to relax and of course to enjoy.

             Anyway, what do you do at this moment? What keeps you busy Nico? Are you studying? Do you find your school comfortable as well? I hope you’re doing great and enjoying your stay there in Australia. And I’m looking forward to see you soon.

              I just wish that we are together right now but we have different path, but through this letter I know that we’re still close like the old days. I will wait for your reply. Take care and God bless you and your family.

                                                                                     

                                                                                                      Warm regards,

                                                                                                       Camille  

MURO-AMI (Reaction)

The story of Muro Ami will make a great impact on the viewers, it has not only touched the heart of the people but I believe it will lead to strengthening of laws about illegal fishing and will consider child labor for revision. The real situation of our country that depicted in the film is the fact that we cannot deny that poverty drives the people go beyond the boundaries. Its like “kapit sa patalim” whether the parents of the children are aware or not, about the child labor law, I guess for them muro ami (reef hunting) is a way of life, a tradition, a culture, a way of survival. 

This movie has many attribute that make the movie itself a good one and can be proud of, especially its story which is based on the reality in the country and of course the creation of movie itself. The awareness that brought to our countrymen and perhaps to the world may open the eyes of the people that though, we have child labor law, the government should think again and revise the same law for lack of alternative and benefits for the children that they forbid to work since they offer nothing for their living. Say for instance, scholarship or providing jobs for their parents. This movie is a quality film that elevated the Philippine movie industry into Hollywood level that can compete into world class film festival. This creates an opportunity for our country to be known internationally.

Another awareness that was stirred up here and got the attention of the nature’s lovers, is that our country is rich in marine natural resources that are being spoiled by a lot of illegal fishing particularly the muro-ami system that directly damaging the corals and even the dynamite that kills thousand of young fishes in a single blast. In this way, the people become aware of the conduct of this some fisherman because of this film hopefully, it may help the immediate apprehension of the law breakers.

My overall impression about the movie was even though the movie has been exaggerated in some part, but generally it is one the best movie in the Philippines, it has a wonderful cinematography specially the underwater scene, all characters were fit for their role and have done a good job for the success of the film. The place is perfectly suited for story as well as the ship. The movie portrays a realistic scenario of the people that make a living entirely out of the sea. The supporting actors just like Pen Medina, Jhon Hilario and Rebecca Lusterio have played their part well that made the director justified for his award. 

HINILAWOD (Parody Revision)

         

         Long time ago, there is a kingdom where all the god and goddesses lived together. The goddess of the eastern sky Alunsina, also known as Laun Sina, in that time reached maidenhood. All the unmarried gods of the different domains of the universe have given a test to prove their love to Alunsina. But, Alunsina chose one of the soldier of the kingdom, he is Paubari.

         Before they will discover by others, they decided to go in a place far from the kingdom. Suklang Malayon, best friend of Alunsina, help the two to escape so their plan become successful. Paubari and Alunsina experience so many difficulties but they were able to conquer it by the power of their love.

After several months Alunsina became pregnant, but her condition is not like the normal pregnant women because she is a goddess and apparently Paubari is a mortal so their child will get a blood of a half mortal and a half god.

          Paubari and Alunsina was shocked when Alunsina delivered a set of triplets. They were all healthy. When they become older, Labaw Donddon, the eldest of the three, took a journey to find the woman who he will going to marry. He fights to all dangers and purse to his goal and finally he met the woman he loves and asked her to marry him. After the marriage they stay in the house given by Paubari as a gift to the new couple.

          At that time, Ginudulong, brother of Labaw, also decided to find his future wife. Because for him, he is in the right age so Paubari and Alunsina give their blessing to their son. In the journey of Ginudulong, he encounter a fight between a farmer and a land owner, he help in solving their problem and because Ginudulong is wise he ask for the return. He told the two to find him a woman that the can marry. The land owner has a daughter named Sinilangin. When Ginudulong met Sinilangin, he felt a love at first sight. After their wedding they stay in the place of the land owner which is the father in Sinilangin.

          On the other hand, Busod, the youngest among the three, does not take any journey, what he do is he teach the people in the community. As a result, the people chose him to be the leader of their community. All of them became happy and live their lives together with their love one.

MGA BUKAD HA MAYO kan Eduardo Makabenta

WARAY:

Magpapakaruruyag ngan pinili,

burak ngan tsampaka, marol nga hamili,

rosas, asusenas. Rosal nga mahambot

ngan nagangalimwag sa hangin talambot,

an ira alimyon abot ha hirayo…

Magpakawiwili nga bukad ha Mayo.

Bukad nga kadam’an luob an at’ tuna,

magpakabibihag ha panhunahuna,

may walingwaling ngan may mga manan-aw

nga makalipay ha mata pagtan-aw

may sangyaw, may diri, may masarayo,

magdamit Malaya, di’ bukad ha Mayo.

Inin tarukanga nga labi kahayaw

ha pagkakaaga daw na naparayaw,

bis’an kalatsutsi, bisan surangga,

may hamo’t may dagway nga sadang ibangga:

di’na mapakadto lain nga ibayo,

damo an bukad ta ha bulan ha Mayo.

Magpakadilain nga kabukaranan,

di na kinahangalan ngatanan ngaranan;

may bukad hin kahoy, may bukad nga buhi

nga say rayandayan hinin kinabuhi;

bukad nga nasunog sugad han kalayo,

hinin kasingkasing, kun bulan ha Mayo.

TAGALOG:

Magugustuhan 'pag pinili,

Burak at tsampaka, marol na namili,

Rosas, asusenas. rosal na mahambot

ay sumasama sa hangin sa lambot.

Ang kanilang amoy abot sa malayo

Nakawiwiwling bulaklak ng Mayo.

Noon ang bulaklak na nakatanim sa lupa,

na nakabibihag ng kasipan,

May waling-waling at meron ding manan-aw

na nakapagpapasaya ng matang paningin

May dasal, may hindi, may lalayo,

magdamit malaya, at hindi bulaklak ng Mayo.

Itong saraduhan sa labi na nakawala

sa umaga daw ay nakapagpapasayaw,

Kahit kalatsutsi, at kahit surangga,

May amoy at katas na sadyang ibangga,

Hindi na nagpapakita kahit saan mang dako,

Marami ang bulaklak sa buwan ng Mayo.

Iba't ibang mga bulaklak

Lahat hindi napangalanan,

May bulakla sa kahoy, may bulaklak sa buhay

na katulad nitong kabuhayan,

Bulaklak na nasunog ng apoy,

Nitong puso kahit buwan ng Mayo.

ENGLISH:

You will love it if you choose

Burak and champaka, Marol that suiting

Roses, asuzenas, rosal that soft

Their fragrance that reach far

I love the flowers of May.

Before, the flowers are still planted

It already captures the mind

We have waling-waling as well as manan-aw,

that brings glisten to our vision

There is prayer while there is not; don't go far

Dress freely or not for the flowers of May.

The closure on the lips are there,

Every morning, you can dance everywhere

Even calachuchi, neither surangga,

A scent and sap that tends to allure

You will never see like this whenever you go,

Full of flowers on May.

Different flowers
You can't name all
There in the woods; there in life
This is for a living
Flowers that burnt in fire
In every heart, on the flowers of May.

“Every month of May, there is what we called “Flores de Mayo.”These are done by beautiful ladies walking and they have used different flowers for their arko and for their bouquet. Flowers to be used are selected carefully. They symbolize many things and selecting the right flower becomes more attractive to the judgemental eyes of the people watching it. It also gives beauty to the lady that uses the flower as her design in her arko. The beauty of those flowers that we have seen during the month of May is really priceless.”