PCPGTVSFA's Glory

                All winners bring home the trophy, the pride and the recognition but sometimes the losers get to bring home those too. During the Drum and Bugle Competition in the Municipality of Bien Unido, the Pres. Carlos P. Garcia Technical Vocational School of Fisheries and Arts’ Drum and Lyre Corps wasn’t able to bring home the bacon but with us tonight are the trophy of grace, the pride of glory and the recognition of resiliency. In this sense, no one actually loses. (Feeling lang gyud nako, feeler baya ko)

                 I would like to dedicate this whole post to the glorious metamorphosis of the Pres. Carlos P. Garcia Technical Vocational School of Fisheries and Arts’ Drum and Lyre Corps Family. The hardwork, the seemingly endless whines, and the financial sighs finally paid off. Over the years, our family is branded as the underdogs who forced our way to the stage even with empty courage and pockets. Today, a whole new fighter face was unveiled.  Contrary to our former presentations, this year, we have shaken the enemy’s core and left our countless critics awed and dumbfounded. This year we placed the damn in  the phrase a DAMN GOOD FIGHT. Today, we are no longer the team mocked as “cheap” “palumag apil unya maot” and “taga CPG nanggi Tsinelas”. Today we are the “ AYAW’G KUMPYANSA MUBIHAG PA NI”. Today we walked away not with the trophy but with that sense of fulfilment that we are not just the words our critics clothe us. We are no longer at the mercy of any school. We are no longer the caterpillar sulking in the cocoon of inferiorities. We are now the threat, the bomb, the grenade--- the new face of competition. Our version 2.0 is already a rewarding phenomenon for us and all thanks to the people behind it.

The rivalry between the competing schools, HCA and PCPGTVSFA is as perennial as the grass. Notwithstanding the current work I am in, a part of me will always be an HCAnian. I would like to congratulate Holy Child Academy for winning the Drum and Bugle Corps  Competition. I, myself, is a true blue HCAnian and a part of my heart is cheering for the success of the family. Your achievement is also the achievement of our souls who once competed in this fast-paced and incredible competition. The honor and glory is always relative for us who are true born HCAnians. In short, my loyalist self is dancing with the rhythm of your momentous reign again. In the arena of drums, lyres, and dances, your flag waves for all of us, your children Mark Jory Paredes ( Flagbearer, 2007-2010), Mary Cecille Auxtero (Majorette) and Mary Cielo A. Padillo (Flagbearer, 2008-2009).

P.S. The updated version of our family is a dream realized with the help of the people who have supported us financially. I cannot name each and everyone but we are grateful for the aid that these people have showered to us. Aside from the sponsors, I would also like to mention and highlight the brilliance of my good friend, Mark Jory Paredes and the perseverance and dedication of my sister, Mary Cecille Auxtero. God knows how many squabbles and over-the-meal fights we had these past few weeks.

               

               

Unwrapping of Bohemian Rhapsody

Unwrapping Bohemian Rhapsody

  Bohemian Rhapsody is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury. Freddie defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound. They reach unparalleled success, but in an unexpected turn Freddie, surrounded by darker influences, shuns Queen in pursuit of his solo career. Having suffered greatly without the collaboration of Queen, Freddie manages to reunite with his bandmates just in time for Live Aid. While bravely facing a recent AIDS diagnosis, Freddie leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music. Queen cements a legacy that continues to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day

-Fox Movies

             

  “Is this the real life? or Is this just fantasy?” It is a fitting question regarding the biographical film Bohemian Rhapsody. Are we going to get the facts? Or will it be heavily filtered? Behind all the dramas and replacements in the making of the film, amidst arguments as to what should be the focus of the film, the production have presented a safe and non-scandalous narration of Freddie Mercury’s life and the making of the legendary band, Queen. The film is an 8 out 10. Despite the spectacular performance of Rami Malek (Freddie Mercury), the weak points were in the montage of events and the angle of what story should be told. It seemed like a page of each chapter was taken, placed together and created a surface level of narration.

Casting is on point

                The casting director did a splendid job in choosing the actors to play the members of the Queen. Rami Malek who played Freddie has given his best shot in his portrayal. Ben Hardy who played Roger Taylor, Joseph Mazello who played John Deacon, and Gwilym Lee who played Brian May in the film were the spitting look-alikes of the original members. Their portrayals were so on point that during the Live Aid Concert in1985 I cannot see any hint of Malek and the rest of the cast. It was really mind-whacking! Aside from that, that acts, gestures, dance moves were copied exactly as to how it happened during that fateful LiveAid concert.

        

   The debaucheries of Freddie was subtly shown in the film as per request of May and Taylor. The progression of Queen’s success is very smooth, the band’s struggle to break free from conventions were given less attention. Less emphasis was also given to Jim Hutton whose order of appearance never really happened in real life. I find the scene of Freddie confessing to Mary Austin that he is bisexual as not impactful. In that momentum day of the Live Aid Concert, I think there is dumping of scenes because Freddie has to look for Jim Hutton, then introduced Jim to his family and proceeded to rock the Wimbley Stadium. He has to do lots of things in one day. According to the film crew and directors, it was hard to sum up the greatness of Freddie and the Band into a 2 hour movie.

          Freddie's disease which took his life was not also thoroughly shown. In real life, he was tested twice. On the second test, he had the disease. It was as if Freddie had faced AIDS alone when in real life, Jim never left his side.

Why you should watch it?

                As a 90’s kid, I have heard of the rock anthems like Bohemian Rhapsody, We are the Champions, We Will Rock You and others but never had I dug on the artists behind it. The film had opened a new door for me to appreciate the majesty of Queen. After watching the film, for sure you might want to go to Youtube and rape the replay button in some of Queen’s performances or go on a scavenger hunt for more videos of Freddie Mercury like I did. The film has this hooking phenomenon that will make you want more. In short, the film is addicting!

              My favorite part of the movie is when Freddie went to see the doctor. As he passed by a patient who also had the disease, the patient sang "Ayyoo". In response, Freddie sang "Ayyoo". It was as if they were confirming that no one is alone in fighting the disease.

  I am recommending you to watch this film because Malek is great in here. The film will not only captivate your ears but will also leave a scar in your heart because we lost a legend. It would even leave you to wondering why are we born in a generation without Freddie? To sum up, the film is real (despite the wrong timeline), it may seem like a fantasy but I guess that’s the art of Bohemian Rhapsody.Truth is in question but it’s always in tune.

Sources:

https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=Bohemian+Rhapsody+photos&rlz=1C1GCEA_enPH817PH817&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=EtDEPKnshib4JM%253A%252C6LRZfDtraUri6M%252C_&usg=AI4_-kQwkhZcAwckqBU1mS-9vzFPKbh8Zw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwim85ThgP7eAhVUVH0KHWnDDcsQ9QEwBXoECAIQDg#imgrc=p0D1jluTG9ETjM:

https://www.foxmovies.com/movies/bohemian-rhapsody

911

If one day, you finally heed the call of your wrist and decided to make a heaven out of your slit.

If one day, you have neated all of your clothes and prepared all your notes.

If one day, you have drown yourself and made tiny bubbles of help

If one day, you have pulled the trigger and finally silenced the voices in your head

If that day comes, 

If it will come,

May your spirit stay and your violet-bruised body be the remnants of an unsaid story.

May you hear cries and laments that will hopefully quench the hunger of your soul.

May you go over the 2am conversations we had and let me know why wasn’t it enough?

May you read the words I have woven as your epitaph.

“To the weary soul I know, I love you. In that great space, may love find you too”

May you forgive me...

Forgive me for sending you gifts instead of asking how are you.

Forgive me for depriving you of the right to be depressed just because I think your problem is less.

Forgive me for trying to fix you when all you wanted was to shred a part of you.

Forgive me for injecting you positivity when all you needed was serenity...

to be calm amidst all qualms

to be at peace while everything else is in pieces

to be accepted while everything else is coated. 

And if one day, if it’s my turn to leave the earth and meet the Creator I have avoided

I’ll ask a favor before He sends me to a hell or a cave full of unsaved.

For the last time, I’d like Him to grant me the favor of meeting you.

so that I can finally ask what I have never ask,

How are you?

What are you feeling today?

I’m glad I met you!

I appreciate you!

We need you!

I Still Have Your Loveletters

I still have your love letters by the way.

Enveloped with the love I can still give until today.

I still read them as if we didn’t mutter our goobyes and curse each other every night.

I tucked them gently closer to my chest and try to reminsce all the memories we thought can outstand the rest.

 I still have your love letters by the way

though I have seen you across the street with somebody,

You changed your status to in a relationship today

You have never bothered greeting me on my birthday 

and have seenzoned all my messages on a Christmas Day.

But who cares?h

I have your love letters anyway. 

I still have your love letters by the way

though you never talked to me 

we never patched things like it should be

we let the wolves howl our longings to the moon

and you never move an inch in your hate throne.

Nevertheless, your loveletters are still at home.

Each night, I read them again and again

mouthing every word as if freshly spoken, 

remembering a shadow who once promised his love never be shaken

and shaming oneself for the desperate waiting.

Until that time when grief has spent itself,

regrets become jokes in private,

pains no longer hide in the closet,

I’ll keep the loveletters waiting for just one final visit.

Work of Love

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.
                                 -Christian, Moulin Rouge
  
   In our great search of love, we can meet different people. There are people who we vowed to marry someday but we didn't. There are people who promised us to be their bride but ended up keeping other women's girdle. And there are just people who appeared in the story and just made a chapter of you and me. That is Gly-Gly's story!


         I met Glendaleine Obena in Blessed Trinity College. We used to work together and we used to do stuffs together (Not allowed to mention). The chemistry is just so natural that we ended up calling each other "Babes". I have seen her blushed, get hurt and finally get married. Now, to celebrate friendship and also to update this blog, I'm giving you some of the shots during their Prenup Session.
                                                                                                                                                                 

          Our photo locations are mostly in Bien Unido. First location was in Swan Lake located at Liberty, Bien Unido, Bohol and second location was in Tikang-kang Beach Resort, still in Bien Unido. It was not a thoroughly planned Prenup session. On June 11,2016, she informed me that they have crossed off  Prenuptials from the list because there were no available photographers. I was alarmed. Since I'm a maniac when it comes to these stuffs. I volunteered to be their photographer (such confidence) and even told her that I'll look for the location, props and of course, wardrobes. Because of my confidence and undying love for Gly-Gly, I prepared the stuffs to be used.

        And on June 12, 2016, we made these shots....

A woman is like a flower. She will bloom when taken care of.

We are in our happiest state when we are with the person we love and respect
 Credits to Juvelyn Teves for the letters.

The secret of a happy marriage is finding the right person.
You know they're right if you love to be with them all the time. Julia Child

This is my favorite shot in the first location. 

Second Location shots.....

Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.
- Julia Child

Marriage is not about age; it's about finding the right person.
Sophia Bush

No caption Pure Beauty appreciation 

Finding the right person can be so hard that often, when a person finally finds someone she or he is comfortable with, she or he just makes it work.
Chirlane McCray

My favorite shot is......

          I would like to thank Gly-gly for the friendship. To Juvelyn Teves, Thank you for the props and help! To Christian Melencion, Thank you for gearing up for the photoshoot. To my sister, Michelle, Thank you for the wardrobe.

Love is not something we have to work for, search for and worry for. It'll come eventually and it will be the most magical thing in the world.

Love,
Cielo

Pen and Pain

For months, 

I have stopped writing because I don’t want your shadow to linger in my verses. 

I don’t want my pen to shout for your name in the middle of my pages. 

I don’t want your presence to be rejoiced in my lines.

I don’t want to hear your laughter in any of my rhymes

I don’t want my metaphor to be hugged by your assuring arms.

or be enchanted with your manly charms.

I don’t want my punctuations to mark your kisses and trace your edges.

I don’t want my letters to spell itself and reminisce how your eyes calm my senses.

I don’t want my persona to narrate how magical it felt when you kissed me under the stars, in between the walls. 

and

how lost I was when you left and   finally closed the door. 

I don’t know when will I scribble again, or love the smell of the ink in my pen.

But for now, 

Let me smell like beer and coil my self in the room with the silence of my healing and the echoes of your leaving.