Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Prince of Persia: A Drawing

Style/Mood: Prince of Persia, Desert Warrior
Tools: Tablet, Photoshop and Camera
Hours: 1.5 hrs















This was supposed to be an underwater scene, but then I can't stop creating lighting effects...must stop!!!! argghh!



Monday, September 15, 2008

Remembrance: A Fiction

It was solid black as the wave splashed through the shore. The sound of the silent rain was tolerable against her ears, and the cold damp sand was making millions of tiny pressure against her bare feet. She never took notice of the young lovers who passed by nor the fishermen trying to get the early morning catch. She was still as the wet boulders around here.

In her time, she was walking with the woman she love. They were talking about the dark clouds, about the beach -- and then they weren't talking at all. But it was a fruitful conversation, healthy for their young souls. They smiled and laughed every once in a while, as they find they're wordless humor.

Then it began to rain. Both of them looked up as if asking for more water. Silently, the older woman smiled at her daughter. It was time to go.

Then slowly she opened her eyes and she knew her mom will always be there: in the beach, in the rain and in her heart.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Mama Mary's Birthday: A Jas Story

Jody told me a funny story about Jas today. Our son, hurriedly getting out of the class, excitely shouted "BIRTHDAY NI MAMA MARY NGAYON !!!!!." Jody was curious on why Jas was a bit ecstatic - and she got the answer as they walk away from the class room. My son quickly asked his mom " Saan ang birthday party mama?"

Jody laughed and answered "Sa heaven"

Sunday, September 7, 2008

How Santa Died

We called him Santa, resembling Father Christmas. His hair formed a bush of disarray. His often pouted mouth hidden underneath the gray mustache. His small cold eyes peering under the spectacles. He was perfect for the role -- But he lived a life not even close to the saint.

He drank liquor like water - 1 Rhum every meal, and a red horse in between. He wore an unclean sando and shorts everyday; though he seemed to have enough money to buy him a decent meal and boose to last the whole day (Some said it came from his military pension) He muttered curses complaining about his joint pains and muscle aches. He cursed and

often made fun of other customers in the "Bat Stop". He even made fun of our group, often referring to us as the "One very HAppy group!" with a bash of sarcastic laughter. He was grumpier than most old men I knew - probably because he was a foreigner living in a place strange to him. It was a common scene that we ignore his annoying insults everyday. And yet he spent his days the way it was for 5 years.

He drove a very old blue car from home to the Bat Stop all the time. The car reminds me of Fred Flinstone's car since there was a big hole on the chasis, big enough for Santa's feet.

But today was different. His blue car was silently parked near the Bat Stop. He was nowhere nearby, and his table was empty.

We were greeted by the lady server. "Wala na si Daddy, Chokolate" I didn't get the comment at first. It was only when we were seated that the comment sunk in. They called him Daddy since he was generous to the servers in Bat Stop. He gave daily tips and even shared sweets - candies and chocolates...very much like a Santa to them.

Santa died from stroke - obviously from loneliness and alcohol. I was numb hearing the news. We weren't close after all, and despite our privacy, he was too eager to made fun of us before. But nothing made sense now.

I pity him for living a life he knew would end the way it did. I pity him, since he died alone - and no relatives would even claim his body for a proper funeral. I pity him until the end.

May he find his peace somewhere some time above the mortal life we live in.

Monday, September 1, 2008

How I might have broken the E-heads

This is a narcissistic and write-up of a conspiracy theorist who is way out of his mind. So read away while you've got a chance :)

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It was in my third year in UP Diliman that I got the chance to be up,close and personal with the e-heads: I was part of a group who would interview the band. It was a simple requirement in a comm III (speech) subject.

I remember spending cash for preparing and faxing questionnaire to the band. It nearly ate my 1 month allowance. But it was worth the try, since Karin, the band manager then, arranged a short meeting after one of the band's gig. She only asked us not to dwell on topics about the band's college years. Apparently the band members were a bit sensitive about not being able to pursue their college courses - or maybe they just don't want to talk about old times.

Equipped with a tape recorder and a questionnaire, we headed into the gig simply like 5 students lost between doing a homework and partying at a bar. Karin was kind enough to let us in, 2 songs before the show ended.

We settled on one of the tables and ordered liquor so as to drown our nervousness. It was surreal seeing the Eraserheads as they perform "Huling El Bimbo" just a few inches away. It wasn't the first time I saw the band perform, but it would be my first time to talk to them -- and wasn't just merely a short talk for an autograph or a picture.

The show ended, and it was our signal to move to the room where Ely, Marcus, Lemon and Buddy were taking a break. Karin introduced us, and upon saying Comm III class from UP, they all smiled probably knowing the feeling of taking the subject. We switched on the recorder, passed along the questionnaire, and we waited turns for our questions.

The questions were simple enough and easily answerable, like "what are the music influences..blah blah" - and Ely was actually getting annoyed with it; Marcus was silently listening for his bandmates' comments; Lemon was laconic; Buddy was the only one answering with most information. The band was tired as it seems.

After the last question Ely asked whether we would like to ask more questions. We were supposed to stick with the script as promised, but curiosity got the best of me. I raised my hand the way a student recite in class. "Heto para kay Raimund..." then I stammered and stuttered eating my words, but I was able to ask him anyway "...Wala bang problem na may ibang band [Sandwich] ka and tapos nasa eraserheads ka pa rin?" Both Ely and Raimund were quick to react "Wala.. wala". "Mas maraming pera mas masaya di ba?" Lemon teased us followed by a short laughter -- and what followed was dead silence: almost too silent for awkwardness.

We took pictures after that, and Buddy was kind enough to remain behind to talk to us, wishing us well with the paper. He even asked for our colleges and provided UP stories of his own.

Months after our interview, Eraserheads got disbanded. And something with that interview made me think that they're probably losing the strong bonds among them. Maybe they got tired with the rock-and-roll life anymore. I'd like to think otherwise.

As for our paper, well we got a fairly good grade out of it.