Mysteries of the Freemasons

This is a 2006 documentary film on the Freemasons aired over at the History Channel. The film starts with the story of Hiram, the greatest Freemason, who stood against ignorance, fanaticism and tyranny. this formed part of the rituals and traditions of the modern Freemasons.

The film also shows the connections of Freemasons to Christianity, the Knight Templars, Satanism, George Washington, Sir Isaac Newton, Solomon’s Temple and the conspiracy theory – of bringing the world into a new order.

In the documentary, it is shown that when the cornerstone for the capitol of the United States, George Washington performed a Masonic ritual that involves maize (representing abundance), oil (representing peace) and wine (representing happiness). Find out how the Freemasons are involved in the theory that a certain group of people is trying to control the US and the world. How did the Masonic scholars go about these seemingly flawless claims?

Paano Ko Sasabihin?

It’s good when something fresh is taken out of the shelves of writers and turn it into a movie. Paano Ko Sasabihin? is a story about love beyond spoken words. Starring Erich Gonzales as Erhyl and Enchong Dee as Mike, the two characters dwell in the notion that love is all about understanding. As long as two people understands each other, love finds its way.

But is it enough when love is not expressed verbally? Is it really hard when you cannot tell the one you love about your feelings? What if you can talk but do not have the courage to tell your feelings? Are you just wasting your God-given gift of speech? Does love really need to be talked about – or better left with actions?

Spartacus: Gods Of The Arena

This is the prequel of the series as the scenes took place before those in Season 1. So let us just tag it as Season 0.5. Don’t worry, all the raw fight sequences, blood showers and steamy sex scenes are still present. If you are conservative, then give yourself caveats from not-so-usual scenes like girl-to-girl awesomeness, gladiator bromance and exaggerated-toga-party-like orgies. Some of the notable subplots include:

(a) gladiator fights in an improvised arena
(b) entrance of Gaia, who introduces new forms of sexuality and sensuality in the House of Batiatus
(c) evolution of Melitta’s faithfulness to her husband Oenomaus and secret affection for Gannicus
(d) key roles played by Syrians in the era of gladiators
(e) slave trading, slave-like status of gladiators and discrimination even in the low levels of society (for instance, among the gladiators)

One more spoiler/warning: human sex organs appear from time to time. Don’t watch it if you are still in the same roof with your parents. Kindly don’t blame me if you get caught playing back the sex scenes again and again and again.

Never Let Me Go

How would you feel if you learn that the reason for all the special treatments while you were still young is for you to donate your vital organs upon maturity? How would you feel if your life is predestined to be short? How much more if you learn this while you were still young?

These are the questions that could probably be aroused in you while and after watching the film. Starring Keira Knightley as Ruth, Carey Mulligan as Kathy and Andrew Garfield as Tommy, this drama film drives into our notions about life and how to prolong and make it worthy no matter how very short it is. At the beginning, I thought the film is all about love and some angles of it viewed in three directions. But I was perfectly wrong. There is more to the three lead characters who were students from Hailsham. It is revealed by one of the guardians of the school that they were just meant to be organ donors, and will never have the chance to go to America or be a teacher.

When the three of them were sent to a farm for maturity, they started thinking about their existence and how other people emerged to be wiser than them about life. Ruth and Tommy continued on with their romance with Kathy on the side as their ever-loyal friend.

Hold on to your seat as they cope up with the “completion” stage of their lives. Well, I never thought this film as heavy as a boulder from heaven crashing into a poor wild ivy.

Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins From Outer Space

Yeah… just because it is Halloween!!

Hurrah! Another fun movie with the gang. Susan, Dr Cockroach, Missing Link, BOB, and Insectosaurus embark on a journey for their heroic responsibilities. They have to fight a new ally of the aliens – a Mutant Pumpkin!!

If you love the movie, you will surely love this.

I Miss Someone-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named

Harry Potter has He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. So I decided to make my own Someone-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

Mid-2009. Manila is still the same. But I have changed my job. And I am planning to relocate because I am slowly but surely falling on the claws of depression. I am sad. I am unhappy. Because I miss Someone-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

We had a while of talking. We had an hour or two of drink. We had a night of tale. And after a year, I still miss Someone-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

Pipes and Buddies

Street thugs are powerful because of their ammos and connections. Just mention buddies and pipes and they will go a long way. Nothing beats them in the process.

Pipes are hollow cylinders used for conveying materials or as structural components. With its portability and lightweight feature, it has become popular in street battles to inflict heavy damage. It does not necessarily perish opponent’s life, but will surely infuse trauma. However, pipes are negated if buddies are limited.

Buddies do provide stronger defense and fiercer attack.

Holding On

I was standing at the edge of the cliff again for the n^th time, when I caught a leaf falling from the raintree. I watched how it swayed and danced gracefully with the wind before it lay flat on the grasses. I saw her coming, but she took a turn at the last street. My shoulders got trapped in the voluntary downfall activity of my emotions.

How many times have I dreamt of her? More than what you had with your dream house. How many times did she save me from loneliness? Much more than the times you spent chewing those chocolate bars of different names. How many times did she keep me on track? More than what those feel-good movies did to you. Do I miss her? If you can find me eyeing her in front of the computer with a poker face, then probably you know how I feel.

I have to step backward. I might see her going back to where we were.

Love: Lost and Almost Found

I was trying to fit in the crowd when an extraordinary smile beamed across the crowd, amidst the development happening in the world. That smile tried to communicate with the beat of my heart, in the strictest sense of the process. It happened in just a click… and pooff!! There goes the start of something new.

We started smoothly. She came. I came. She saw the potential in us. I saw the glowing glory between us.

We conquered boundaries.

We did things together. We were happy. We saturated our existence. I did not notice that we were already hanging on the cliff of impossibility. We tried to hang on. I tried, I know. But I realised that she might not want to hold on. I gave up… first. The moment I let go, that was the time when it came to my mind that I was too weak. Too brittle for her.

I lost her.

When I reached the ground from falling, there was a woman sitting on top of one of the stones standing beside the river. I went near to her to drink because I noticed that the water below her feet was sparkling like crystal. I sat beside her. I smiled.

I saw her. I came to know her. But she never saw me. She never wanted me near her. I never conquered the moment with her.

I woke up. I sat. It was all but a dream, a tale of love – lost and almost found.

Child Hero: ARIS CANOY ESPINOSA

Aris Canoy Espinosa was a 13-year-old Boy Scout from the Lanao del Norte (the Philippines) Council.

At around 1440 hours on January 30, 1994, a hand grenade was being played like a toy by some boys. When it was accidentally dropped near young children playing rubber bands, he jumped and covered the grenade with his body to protect those innocent children. When the hand grenade exploded, it caused his untimely death.

Truly, Aris was a young boy, but not an ordinary one… he has a big heart. At his very young age, he exemplified a deed not everyone can do. Because of this gallantry, he was awarded th Gold Medal of Honour by the National Court of Honour of the Boy Scout of the Philippines.