#PaalamVinny

Last night was personally the most important despedida for me to attend this year. The departure of a good friend for his studies abroad. Such things used to be sadder, when leaving the country actually created distance. But it is wrong to think that such a life change will not change a person.

Some of the highlights last night

• Burgis na Juvenalia set
• Allan Lumba lookalike
• Ciudad-Outerhope (Ciu-dope!)
• Soulz Limitation / Equinox cover of Spice Girls' Stop
• Beer. Jaeger. Beer. Jaeger

All my friends. Did not realize that our friendship overlap, was such. 

One friend asked: parang mawawala ka ng kapatid? I said, no. But I think the answer is probably yes.

Another friend, not as close, asked: So how do you know Vinny? I found it funny. Where to begin?

Summer Hours

The Summer Hours / L'heure d'Ete

Before the start of the film, Olivier Assayas spoke to the audience in the theater. While this film is not autobiographical -- he shared -- I thought about my mother while making this film. It felt like an   invitation from the director to look at his film with a more personal eye, and to think about our own dear families.

*  * *

The movie unfolds simply, but it is a multi-layered exposition, almost documentary, on family memories. The perfect French matriarch -- elegant, lovely, warm, intelligent and strong -- is the repository of it all. Helene knows everything about the major artistic figure of the family, Paul Berthier. She knows her uncle's history, his artwork, his network of artist friends, and the provenance and value of all paintings, sculpture, books, furniture, and objects d'art that her uncle collected during his life. They are more than just catalogued or listed in ledgers; they are thoroughly embedded in the daily life of the family's summer home outside Paris.   

And since these objects have been present (or loomed over) the lives of the family for so long, when Helene suddenly passes, it is difficult to decide what to do with them. What should be sold, kept, donated, auctioned? Ultimately, what is of value and who determines what is of value? A lot of the burden seems to fall to the eldest son, Frederic and much of the movie's development falls from his conversations with his siblings Adrienne and Jeremie, who have effectively left France to make their lives elsewhere in the world. 

  

The film is a little unusual in that none of these trying conversations are particularly heated or emotional. They are always civil, but I give credit to Assayas at how he subtly teases out how each of the children's lives and values are different from that of Helene's. At first there seems to be no issue or blame on the final decisions the three siblings come up with, but two powerful characters in the movie give the viewer at least some pause. First is the longtime housekeeper, Eloise, who is the strongest argument for keeping the past together. Second is Frederic's daughter, who at first seems to disdain the past, but in fact has deep feelings for it. Neither character is part of any decision on what to do with the summer house, but their quiet sadness, particularly Eloise's, argues if any of this was fair to begin with.

* * *

The movie is a treat, and unfolds rather than progresses towards a conclusion. At approximately 1hr and 40 mins, it is just the right length. 

Dir. Olivier Assayas

Cast. Charles Berling, Juliette Binoche, Jeremie Renier, Edith Scob, Isabelle Sadoyan, Alice de Lencquesaing.

Le Chat

The cat's name is Skywise, but Monika thought his name was Skywalk.

I almost didn't go to this party. I had fallen asleep already, and I would have probably gone straight through till the next morning. But I got a phone call and a couple of texts.

We drank beers and rum cokes, and snacked on red rock chips, marty's chicharon veg chips, and granny goose tortilla chips. Some smoked and smoked up.

Bobby joined the party through Skype. He cooked pesto pasta in his purple sweater and a beanie. Everyone seemed to have plans to visit Berlin in 2013, like David and Mic. But Kathy G wants to go in September, and I would want to join in as well that early.

Happy Birthday, Mike. Don't worry you're in good shape.

30 to 31 was a bit crap. 31 to 32 is better.

Summer

St. Peter and Paul's Church

Makati is older than most of us realize. The church of St. Peter and Paul in the picture above looks like an unremarkable church, the type you see all over the city, but it's older than the usual. Perhaps not the actual structure, but the site has been a place of worship for Christians for 392 years. The tradition of Christianity in this part of town is long, deep, and you wonder how far into the future will it continue.

Jojo and I visited this place, on its mention by Cherie. She writes well about churches and other old places she knows of and has visited since she was a young girl.

La Traviata and La Modele

I gave away tickets to La Traviata to two friends. It was a wonderful experience, they tell me. The soprano was amazing. The music was riveting. They were the best seats in the house. I am very happy that it was experienced by arguably the two of the most cultured people I know (of my general age range).

I had no idea that the tickets and show were both of such high quality. I don't know how to thank my aunt properly (she gave me the tickets). Normally a profuse thank you would suffice for her, but I didn't watch the show myself. I just realized that she was even willing to give me a few more tickets pa. I am pretty impressed with the whole thing.

I will have to figure this out over the next couple of days.

* * *

My boss is out the whole week, but I have plans to take control of what I'm going to do -- it's all rather exciting. I have to thank my colleague for passing to me such a good modeling resource. I feel it has empowered me to do things that I would not have confidence of doing. . .that's a powerful and amazing thing.

* * *

Album Leaf lulling me to bed

A Move Out Request & 7 Wonders

I spoke to Nori this weekend, and I was a bit sad to tell him that my sister wanted to stay in the flat, and that in effect, I would like him to leave. He is a good flatmate and I didn't want to give him any aggravation. But I have to think about what is also best for me and my sister. I hope that by giving him enough notice (more than 3 months), that he will be okay with this arrangement. What mitigates things is that he was also thinking about whether he would be moving on or not. However, I feel that I've narrowed down his options.

Spent the weekend playing A LOT of 7 wonders. It was nice going to Benj's apartment (where we played on Sunday) in Forbestown Heights. . .and I have to say that I like the scale of the neighborhood near Burgos Circle. It's actually very live-able there. The establishments nearby are interesting enough AND the neighborhood definitely tilts young. I think I will have to look into actually moving to that area. There is new construction going on.

Listening to Album leaf. Slowing down my pace so that I can get a deep sleep. I hope that it works somehow. It has made writing this entry a bit more peaceful, and I do find myself getting drowsy. Good Night.

die Angst

Anxiety is. . .generated when one feels impending judgment on you. But isn't it more important that you trust on your own judgment, and you are faithful to what you know is right? Anxiety . . . is borne of a story you told yourself, a story you do not like. What is this story? How many times have you told it to yourself, and then just as quickly change it, before going back to the original one? Do we have to keep on moving into different narratives. . .a cycle that keeps us to a certain place.

I love you na

"I love you na!" I get anxious when I hear that from new acquaintances. I would like to tell them, please realize that I am also an awful person with a "stick up my ass", as a good friend recently told me. Please tolerate me first, then realize that I am a decent person, rather than like me and then be disappointed.

I imagine this complex invites all types of collateral damage.

* * *

I discovered that I have a friend who does not watch TV, nor listen to radio. . .nor read magazines, nor read newspapers and rarely surfs the net. I'm Jealous. gusto kong gayahin. Media Diet.

Talamitam

When friends ask me if there is a nearby mountain they could trek up, I am at a loss to recommend one. Most of the mountains I've climbed are selected as part of training climbs, so the trails are difficult and require more preparation in terms of training and equipment, than is practical for someone who just wants to climb a mountain for a day trip.

After this past weekend though, I now have one mountain I can recommend. Mt. Talamitam can be summitted in two hours, and the effort is rewarded by a great view of the Batangas area. The jump off point is off the KM 73 marker of the national road in Tagaytay. You can park your car at a secure place (at the front yard of a gentleman whom we call Tata Nic), and then one heads towards the foot of the mountain after paying 25 pesos at the nearby community area where climbers register. After a climb all morning, and taking lots of pictures, you can reward yourself with food in Tagaytay.

* * *

I climbed this week as part of a group are doing tune up climbs before heading to Snow Mountain in Taiwan. The group consisted of Niel and his family, his two officemates Boom and Mac, and AMCI folk Jason, Kat, Lykka, Ian and Teejay. We had a ton of fun. Next time, we will climb the relatively nearby mountain Batulao, 'coz aside from Niel and Teejay, the AMCI folk skipped climbing what was originally part of the itinerary.

* * *
After getting into a good climb, such as the one yesterday, one starts thinking already of what else is out there to explore. It can easily become a big addiction.

The Abrera Family

The gentleman on the rightmost of the right photo is Uncle Jaimito. He has a tweety bird tattoo on his chest. He recently helped us kick out some loud-mouthed property encroachers in Busuanga. The fourth lady seated is Aunt Lourdes. I had no idea that she looked that fierce in the 1960s.

The lady sitting solo on the left photo is Aunt Monina.

* * *

I find striking the photo evidence that show the the cultural collateral damage that took place in the late 60s, early 70s, when people, our families, decided no longer to dress in tailored dress and suits.

* * *

We were the hosts this year of the family reunion.