ελπίδα, πίστη, αγάπη - books

Society Issues

noreply@blogspirit.com (JenShinrai) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 11:37:00 +0800

Society, wherever you may be, is corrupted. But it doesn't always have to be the government who should be blamed.

I just finished reading F. Sionil Jose's Ermita. Such a poignant novel! I'd like to quote the author himself when his novel has been translated into Korean. “This novel is more of a metaphor about the prostitution of Filipinos and the decay of our society. The story has a universal theme because all over the world many people are prostitutes without knowing it." I have bookmarked some quotes in the novel but I haven't posted them online. Not yet.

Another society issue that perturbs me, though it has done so before, is the injustice to the natives of the land, be it here in the Philippines or abroad. I just finished watching the nineteenth episode of CSI: NY season 5. It upsets me everytime I hear or know that natives have been deprived of their rights.

I appreciate how CSI: NY features issues in the society. There was another episode where they featured an issue about an e-waste dumpsite in China. I can't remember the name of the place but it was definitely loathesome. This is a link in National Geographic's website. It has no connection with the CSI: NY episode.

As for present issues, I cannot elaborate each of those that I know. I quite have a short memory. But there's this thing about a Guantanamo prison in Cuba. I don't really have any idea about this issue, but I will do my research. Having watched Prison Break changed my way of thinking towards inmates. Guilty or not, it is not right to throw any prejudice to any of them. NGC will feature it tomorrow, 05 April 2009. I can't wait to watch it.

We live in a rotten world but that doesn't justify any negligence to these issues, as well as to those I have not mentioned. And before I forget, Darfur is still in malady.

I never worry about action, but only inaction. Churchill 101.

The Dark Arena

noreply@blogspirit.com (JenShinrai) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:48:00 +0800

I set this day as deadline for reading The Dark Arena, and I am glad that I made it. I finished reading the novel at 01:57 this morning.

I am not sure what to say about this novel. I've already read two Mario Puzo novels before. This one is the third. Compared to the previous novels I've read, The Godfather and Fools Die, The Dark Arena didn't give me the entertainment I wanted and got when I read the other novels.

There were good insights from the book. I'd even say Mario Puzo, as an outsider, was able to tell Germany's relationship to the Jews, as well as with America.

6/10

Mood: Annoyed
Music: Van Morrison - It's Alright

The Haj

noreply@blogspirit.com (JenShinrai) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:18:22 +0800

Be warned, this book may ignite racial discrimination.

The story is about Haj Ibrahim al Soukori al Wahhabi, a Muslim tribe leader living in Aqbat Jabar in the Palestine, who was caught in a conundrum between his ancient Arab roots and the Jews.

It covers what happened in Palestine before, during and after the declaration of the State of Israel. It's not a hardcore historical book. It's fiction. Think of Noli Me Tangere. It's like that. Maybe more.

The Arabs do not acknowledge the State of Israel and treats the Jews as the infidels of the infidels. They believe they have been deprived of their rightful place, the Palestine. But the Jews are, and will always be, hospitable to them. The Arabs refuse to believe that. Any Muslim Arab who will acknowledge the kindness of the Jews will be treated as traitor.

Also, the neighbouring Arab nations of Israel refuse to let the Palestinian refugees settle or live in their countries. They want the world to see how "badly" these refugees are treated. They want the sympathy of the world. They want the Arabs' hatred to the Jews keep on burning.

When the refugees were offered with help, especially from the U.N., they took advantage of it. They did nothing to help and improve their communities, or so called refugee camps. They love to hate the Jews.

I'm still in touched with the book. That's no opinion. It did annoy me that I could almost loathe such foolishness of the Arabs (in the book), ~~which might be projected to the real Arabs~~. I could've hated the Arabs and Muslims for this, but there's a greater "force" in this, which they are victims. And I know reasonable Muslims, one of them is my godmother. I refuse to hate.

Humanity was the last thing of the minds of the Syrians and Egyptians.
Perpetuation of hatred was the first, and in that they have succeeded.
--Haj Ibrahim

However, no revolution has ever come from the Arab people, only coups, holy wars and assassinations.
--Gideon Asch, Jewish friend of Haj Ibrahim

Teamwork requires trust. There is no trust among us.
We pride in ourselves on our potency. In truth, we are impotent.
--Haj Ibrahim

This may not be a book for entertainment, but it's a good book if you want to "see" and "know" what is happening between the Jews and the Arabs. There is truth in this book.

It's quite complicated so I'll just insert this link.

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

noreply@blogspirit.com (JenShinrai) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:31:09 +0800

I was done reading this book two days ago but I didn't know what to say. I'm still pondering about the strange case.. Whenever I think of it, I sometimes get the chill, the anxiety that our mind is such an ocean- deep and mysterious.

Of course it is fiction and I know better that the phenomenon enshrouding Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde doesn't happen in real life. But the strange case, in an implied manner, of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde might also be a problem of most individuals.

It's a classic. It's a good book. Should I recommend it? I'd say yes to those who are interested with people and the way they think, and perhaps the way they act.

People always wear masks.

Anino ng Kahapon

noreply@blogspirit.com (JenShinrai) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 23:48:21 +0800

Katatapos ko lamang magbasa ng isang klasikong nobelang Tagalog at aking napagtanto na ang mga akda na may magagandang wakas ay nagbibigay sa akin ng lubos na kaaliwan. May kalungkutan mang hatid ang mga pangyayari, lalo na yaong umiikot sa kasukdulan, ng kuwento ay napapawi rin agad kapag aking napaghihinuha na may magandang mangyayari sa mga tauhan. Tunay nga na ang pag-asa ay nakakapawi sa anumang pagkakabagabag ng puso't isipan.

Sa huling akda na aking binasa, na siya ko ring tinutukoy na klasikong nobela, ay hindi naiwasan ang pagtulo ng mga luha bunga ng pagkakaunawa sa nararamdaman ng mga tauhan, lalo na sa mga pagkakataong tila sumaklob na ang langit sa lupa.

Sa simula'y puno ng pagkayamot ang aking nararamdaman sa pagbabasa subalit nang maglaon ay naging malapit din sa aking puso ang kuwento. Kaya ngayon ay aking masasabi na sa simula ma'y kinamuhian, sa huli ay minahal din... ang akda na katatapos ko lamang basahin.

Music: Martina McBride - I Love You

As You Like It

noreply@blogspirit.com (JenShinrai) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:24:00 +0800

Love is merely a madness.
--ROSALIND, Act III Scene ii

I love the humour in this comedy. Nay, I talk not about one of the four humours of man. The exchange of conversations was so amusing, especially those inolving Rosalind.

My favourite characters are Rosalind and the Clown. As I was reading this comedy, Rosalind reminded me so much of Rosalie Lillian Hale. Aye, their names sound alike. But also, they seem to have similar attitudes. I was actually picturing Rosalie Hale in mind while reading.

As You Like It is the second Shakespeare work I've read. The first was Macbeth, which I also highly favour. I'd love to read more Shakespeare comedies and tragedies.

Music: Lenny Kravitz - Again
Mood: Obsessed with anything classic

Something learned from a book..

noreply@blogspirit.com (JenShinrai) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:50:10 +0800

I read Cold Case again. Started and finished it yesterday. The first time I read it was two years ago. I'm glad I read it again because I've missed some details before.

Gillespie described Parrish as someone who doesn't know how to use her emotions. That struck me. I've always been eager to know myself. Talk about Johari Window. My case is different though. Ugh! There are really still plenty of things to know about myself. I am aware of my emotions, but not all of course. It's just that there are times when I have to pause and think of what and how to respond. I'm having a hard time explaining this. -_-

To make it simple, I prefer to act with logic. I guess that explains it all. Hopefully.

Music:
Vivaldi - La Primavera

Induced Paranoia and Panic Attack

noreply@blogspirit.com (JenShinrai) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:40:00 +0800

I've been quite preoccupied early today about what to do with this day. I didn't want to have any idle time, because I'm bloody good at it. I decided to get on with the day and accomplish some tasks. Hopefully.

Went to school to have some documents signed but the person I needed was not around. I have to be back on Thursday. Fine. I just went to our Library to make some "review" for the NLE. After a few hours of stay there, Joan manic joined me. We even ate lunch together.

Am no longer used to late night home-arrivals so I left earlier. While on jeep, I've been wondering what's with Market! Market! because something somewhere inside my brain was telling me that I have planned to go to this place. Well, I realized that I wanted to see some movies. I went to Video City and rented Panic Room. I just finished watching it. Awesome. I got carried away by some scenes. I am including Panic Room in my favourite movie list.

I am not going to make my review today for Panic Room. It's getting late and I need my good night sleep.

By the way, I haven't mentioned here that I already finished reading Breaking Dawn. It was Friday, 7, a weekend a half ago. No comments yet. Been quite busy lately.

Time to retire from the day now. I am going to school tomorrow for our CHD Rationalization. I hope the sun won't rise like hell. I am really having a hard time dealing with heat.

Music:
Jaci Velasquez - Imagine Me Without You

A Twilight Cause

noreply@blogspirit.com (JenShinrai) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 14:56:00 +0800

Yesterday was such a nice day. First, Ate Tere kept her "promise" to treat me and my friends with Krispy Kreme Donuts. I may not be fond of this product but it was really thoughful of her. I'm not into sweet stuff. It sometimes make me literally sick. By the way, Ate Tere also gave me a Krispy Kreme canister. =)

After our Final Coaching for the NLE, some of my friends invited me to come with them to attend Victory Youth Fellowship. I decided not to come this time. I already had other plans. I was planning to attend Twilight Takes Back the Night, and I wanted to execute the plan. =p

When I got to Fully Booked, BHS, I was one of the few people who arrived first. We're around five, I guess. Oh well, it was just past five. Excited? I wonder. Haha!

The event was actually for the awareness of women's rights against abuse and violation. Well, we all have our means..

There were raffles and games and some self-defense/offense techniques and other stuff. It was fun. I actually joined two games, the first and the last. Hmm... That reminds me of the question I had to answer: What's your favourite book in the Twilight saga? My answer was "The first and the last."

The prizes were cool. Really cool! They were giving *lost count* pairs of movie passes for Twilight. Awesome. I wasn't able to win during the first game, but I thank God our group won during the last game, which was a charade. They gave each of us a pair of movie passes and books. Some were able to have a back-to-back movie poster.

The movie passes may be availed on 6th December, but it's still good because I was thinking of watching the movie at least twice. Haha! I was just hoping that I'd be able to have a movie pass for the premiere night on 25th November. Anyways, thank you so much Twilight Coven Philippines, VIVA Philippines, Fully Booked, and all the other sponsors!

Also, it was nice meeting some of the members of the Twilight Coven Philippines and other Twilighters. ^_^

Music:
Collective Soul - Tremble for My Beloved

hi5.com

noreply@blogspirit.com (JenShinrai) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:59:00 +0800

I was checking my account in hi5.com when I found out that I have posted 55 blog entries since I made an account. Well, it's now 56 entries. I've PrintScreened some of the entries so I can post them here. I'm being sentimental. XD

I've also realized that I made no entry in the year of 2007. Oh well, that was the time that I had forgotten my account details in hi5.com.

By the way, I should remind myself to rent and watch the following movies:
In the Land of Women
Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang
Speak
Thirteen

Music:
Mercy Me - I Can Only Imagine