Point-Of-View: Spaghetti Western Trilogy/ The Man With No Name

Note: Some of the words are meant to be italicized, but since there's some malfunction on the site while I was copying my draft and retyping it here, I only used bold or underlines on the words (and some are not ) to save time.

The 50s, the 60s, the 70s… eras of the rising cowboy TV series and movies, where you watch real men saddled up on their horses taking care of business, cigar-smoking, wine drinking, guns and ropes, and cowboy hats and boots, and deserts, and saloons, and wanted posters are everywhere.

Regarding this, yours truly, must admit that I only heard a “few” about the Western. Not totally very few, but it is too few for those who knows a lot about it. I heard it from Bone Thugs’ Ghetto Cowboy and saw one cowboy on The Toy Story (Woody), yet what lured me into these cowboy stuffs is Clint Eastwood.

Actually, the first Clint Eastwood movie I’ve watched was Gran Torino, very far from the cowboy characters where he first started with. Being a fan eventually lead me to watching The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. I heard the song first on an album my father played, I never knew it actually came from a movie.

So, I started off with the descending chronological order of the movies in watching. First, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, next A Few Dollars More, and lastly, A Fistful of Dollars.

The following are my sound review about the three movies, starting off with the first among the trilogy: A Fistful of Dollars.

A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS (1964)

Which is faster: a pistol or a rifle?

That is one of the things that this first installment of the trilogy got in store. The Man with No Name (Clint Eastwood) suddenly appears at San Miguel, took a drink and stays at the town where people only get rich from two things: liquor and guns. You either leave the town rich or dead.

What’s more reason that number two is so significant in this town? It’s got two bosses— the Baxters and the Rojos. These rival clans kept the town imbalanced. Why not? The one wants peace, even peace through violence, and the other wants violence for self-profit.

With the Rojos over there, and the Baxters over here, the Man with No Name decides to stay in the middle. Could he still stay in his position if the two clans joined forces? Or was the merge just a fraud to cover up a crime? Watch out on how he outsmarts the gringos and saves a family in danger of being separated for good.

Rate: 5/5

For me, the whole plot of the movie is well-written, deliciously Western especially with some Spanish in the dialogues, the whole set-up is so Western, not a thing out of place, even the features of the casts fits for the Western people.

Their performance in the movie is clean, impressive, wasn’t overly dramatic but still touches the emotion there is in the movie, although personally, there is not that much emotion in the movie but simply wits. How the Man with No Name outsmarts the rivaling clans is really, really cunning.

If emotions in the movie were to be discussed, yes, there is a sting in me when I watch Marisol and Julio’s situation (the couple in the movie), and a stronger sting in my heart watching Mrs. Baxter curse the Rojos as they are being murdered during the fire— a curse so full of bitterness, pain and wrath all mixed in the persona of the black veiled woman who always appear so calm, steady and no visible emotions. There are parts where you’ll feel the sting if you looked at the scene in depth, such as a friend’s loyalty, a longing for a loved one, a sacrificial love… the movie has these.

It is intriguing what the Man with No Name’s past is. For in the movie, he said it himself to Marisol and Julio that he knows someone who has been in their situation too, which, for certain, that person is the Man with No Name himself.

I have no complaints in this movie, in fact, not a scene gave me a moment of boredom or dullness. It is action-packed, merciless killing and bloodshed and fighting, but it has a heart in scenes which has sense of humor, and emotions that are mostly deeply rooted from pain and misery. But most of all, the smart arrangement of the movie’s story and how smart the Man with No Name is, those really impressed me.

FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE (1965)

Two after one man.

The Man with No Name returns for the second movie of the Spaghetti Western Trilogy: For a Few Dollars More.

“Where life had no value, death, sometimes, had its price. That is why the bounty killers appeared.”

What’s a man got to do to earn more dollars? Of course, the usual bounty hunting it is for the Man with No Name, but this time, killing has to do not just with the money as Angel Eyes came to the scene to join our nameless cowboy. Simply put, the Man with No Name wants the dollars, Colonel Douglas Mortimer a.k.a Angel Eyes wants vengeance.

It is a brotherly vengeance for Angel Eyes— whose brother-in-law was murdered and sister was almost raped but decided to suicide— that drove him to set off and hunt their murderer, a wanted man named "El Indio" that the Man with No Name-- Monco, is also after to earn a few dollars more.

But the two, with the heating bank robbery scheme of the man they are after, decides to join forces in order to pin him down dead, and his group— dead or alive.

A bank robbery, betrayals, pretense and vengeance— these and more are in store in this Western movie.

Rate: 4/5

The plot and its twists are amazing, but a bit too predictable for me. Although how the betrayal of each member of the bandits amazed me. What made Angel Eyes’ intention unpredictable is that it was not made mention of, not a single clue was given, that it was to avenge the death of his sister. As for the Man with No Name, it is predictable that he is out to hunt and use his wits and guts for the money. But still, it is well-written, I admire the great timing that each scene has, including the right timing for the lead characters to meet and the coincidences that binds them together to set on the mission with each other.

In comparison with the first movie, there is less emotion on the second Spaghetti Western movie. It is an eye-opener on how wild the wild, wild West is— power by position, power tripping, crimes, violence, even violence against women and prostitution, bounty killing, vengeance... But then, there is a strong emotional impact on the movie on the scene that flashbacks the death of Angel Eyes’ sister— the feelings of jealousy, envy, desire to kill, lust, surprising pain and desire to die.

But these did not make me love the trilogy any less. It still has the elements of impressive wits and guts, action, some scenes are funny (Clint Eastwood’s visit with the old man who lives by the railroad) and of course, it is as Western as it should be.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (1966)

It takes one man for a fistful of dollars, two to earn a few dollars more, and three for more money and a wild, wild, West experience.

The trilogy’s last film, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly has made its remarkable masterpiece experience for its viewers, sealing the Spaghetti Western movies’ last entry closed excellently.

Among the three, the third movie surely made a huge impact and it is what people remember most in the trilogy up to this day.

It is the continuation of the adventure of the Man with No Name (played by Clint Eastwood) who has to earn dollars for a living. Even a sinner has a guardian angel, something we can relate to Angel Eyes’ dialogue in the film, and so, the Man with No Name— a.k.a Blondie— serves as Tuco’s guardian angel for a split of their earnings.

But then, all gets mixed up when Blondie breaks off the deal. Now Tuco’s on a hunt for revenge to kill him!

Until the two, under not-so-favorable-circumstances, has to work together to find Bill Carson’s money to have it for themselves, of course! Tuco knows the cementery, Blondie knows the name of the grave. Too bad they have to deal with Angel Eyes to get Bill Carson’s money too!

Rate: 5/5

First of all, I admire the plot and its twists. There is really an adventure on the third movie for the characters are led to many places, from the ordinary Western setting in the presence of wanted criminals being hunted, hangings and saloons, they have been into different camps and civil battles as captives then as dynamite planters, and finally, the graveyard where the hunt for money begins and the battle for it ends there too.

As usual, Blondie used his gun, guts and wits to win the game. It is what I admired about him the most, that cunning, smart-ass he is. The three lead characters are representations of three kinds of people that you mostly meet— the good, the bad and the ugly, of course! Can you determine who the good people are? Who the bad ones are? Who are those with ugly personalities? This movie might give you some clue!

Saddle up and ride on the action, the thrill and excitement of this suspense adventure that leaves you clueless of what’s going to happen next.

OVER-ALL REVIEW:

These insights and ratings about the movies are based on my own point-of-view or opinion. I highly recommend this movie for Western movie fans, of course. But then, these are also like a mind game for its viewers, so it does not always promise to be lively and kill anyone else every now and then— that’s where the suspense resides so be patient somehow.

One more thing, I have noticed that the movies have the same actors who play a role in one film, different from the role they played on the previous movie. Take Tuco’s brother on The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Pablito as an example and his role on For A Few Dollars More as a thief. Of course, it is impossible that he used to be a thief then changed his name and became a priest since it is mentioned in TGTBATU that Pablito Ramirez had been also sent away from his family to study for his priesthood. But hey! Isn't that a good strategy to for the movie to save on their budget, or let's say they must have targeted to be a low-budgeted film in order to earn bigger than their expenses? Now that sounds really wise! Another example of this instance is also "El Indio" in For a Few Dollars More and Ramon Rojo in A Fistful of Dollars.

Anyways, no need to be confused by that, since, in the movies, you will never be really confused about these. In fact, as a viewer you might give less attention to it.

Comparing among the three, it is easier to follow the track of the story line of A Fistful of Dollars, beautifully made and more emotional. If it is about A Few Dollars More, then you will be satisfied by how action-packed it is, there are no such sappy moments and the charisma of Angel Eyes and the Man with No Name, and their team-up is really strong in this second movie of the trilogy. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, forever a remarkable product of the Western movies, is stuffed with values, emotions, actions and truly an adventure film full of unpredictability and a touch of nostalgia from its scenes that seemed to be rooted from a part of American history.

Source of Photos: Google Images

Featured: MBY Books

Suddenly, I felt the need to put up a new business. Simply because, I feel like the house is crowded by books that I don't read anymore and I think it's taking up too much space for my other books, and so MBY Books is born!

So attention, lover of books!

MBY Books sells second-hand books in their good condition. The pricing depends on their rarity (are these books hard to find on bookstores?), original and recent purchase price given by the bookstore sells it, transportation fee and its condition (is it still  in good shape or looking a little bit too much of a second-hand?).

There are variety of books to choose from: Sweet Valley High, Precious Hearts Romances pocketbooks, some children's books like The Witch, Anne Rice's and more, more, more!

And surprise! MBY Books does not just sell their books, they might also buy your books! A collector of R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike books, this page also announces that anyone with those books can sell it to them! Purchase is not guaranteed though but has to be negotiated.

Just like the page, browse the books they sell and pick the ones you like, PM them to confirm purchase and negotiate the meeting place, and it's done! You only have to meet up and pay and the book is all yours!

Interested? Go to the page now! Here at https://www.facebook.com/MBYBooksLPC
Note: Meet-ups are at Las Pinas City, Philippines area only.

(c) AnamarieSoya/OriginalAS

Point-Of-View: Friendships and Honesty

One thing admirable about friendships is that you can be honest with each other without feeling uncomfortable or scared. There is a point that this kind of honesty gets on your nerves, but there is also a point when unfortunately (and unexpectedly), it becomes disrespectful.

Those are the kind of honesty that are admirable if delivered well. If you were concerned with the person then your honesty may hurt but you will be very careful not to add an edge on the honesty sword that you'll stab on that person. It is just like how a  mother would scold her child about a misconduct than tie him upside down and hit him with a paddle so he won't do it again.

Simple as that.
But since this is about honesty in terms of friendship, we have to look at it on another perspective.

You have first to figure out if this person is really honest, it takes time and proper observation, which you are able to do on the first stages of your friendship, and which you can only finalize a conclusion is the friendship lasts longer than expected or when it ends.

Source: Movatar.com

Now, the tricky part here is how they deliver honesty. Nicely or not. If nicely, that friend may either express concern or display weakness. If not, that friend may seem really sure about his/her observations or what he is saying, either wants to see the change regarding that honesty immediately (ex. You're having a hard time moving and breathing because you are so overweight, you look like a pig! How many times do I have to tell you to get some exercise!")

Another tricky part here is if their honesty really intends to help, or if they are using this as a back-up to justify their wants to insult you, belittle you, discourage you, disrespect you, or criticize you. Why would some other people want that? I don't know.

For some reason, I do love honesty but be careful on how you deliver it. You must be honest, but be careful who you are hurting, and remember that it's your friend you are talking to.

Your honesty must display concern (if you really are concerned), and not be just because you want to enjoy yourself with the benefit you'll get from  it.

There is a difference between: "What kind of grades are that? You should study hard, you fool! Don't just fuck around, will you? Get your ass up and do your school works!" and, "You're so stupid, look at you, your grades are better at scuba diving than you! Know what? You are so stupid you probably don't have anything inside that brain of yours to make you graduate from your course! You are so dumb and stupid and I bet your brain gets toasted everytime you try to think hard!"

See how honesty should work?

P.S. Forgive me for using cursing words. Just being my good, 'ol straight talking, sharp-tongued writer.

Featured: Man's Best Friend

A dog is a man's best friend.

These lines are way too common you probably thought you are having ear worm for hearing this a couple of times especially coming from dog lovers. It is hard to explain the special connection that links dogs to humans; how these animals could love their human friends a whole lot more than themselves, and how humans can love them almost as equally as they do.

We heard stories about this kind of relationships between men and dogs, stories of their amazing friendship, how each become a part of each other's families and lives, as well, stories of how the other rescued the other from either accident or loneliness... such special things.

Reading this certain blog on Robyn Arouty tugged my heartstrings. Not in a way that because it is really dramatic or too tragic or effectively written and photographed (but maybe that helped to overflow my emotions), but simply because it gave me an insight on what there is in a dog's mind before he actually dies.

You can see it for yourselves in this link: http://www.robynarouty.com/i-died-today

It made me miss my boy a lot more. He just died three days ago, but oh, how I miss his barking. Some people may think that this kind of binding between a dog and a human is too exaggerated. I even react like that sometimes when I watch people on TV who spend too much money for sending their dogs on spas or buying them some cute outfits, but then, I simply understand the feeling to be so attached to these pets, treating them a part of your family, like a brother or your own baby.... That feeling that shall remain all along with the memories you shared together.

Point-Of-View: No Exception to the Rule

Since I was in my elementary days I have been an aspiring writer.
I started off inventing my own magazines, own news paper, and love stories, of  course (for such a young age!). I have always loved reading stories, therefore, if I were to get hooked on writing, well, the initial hobby made it inevitable for me to be lead in this writing hobby.

My writing improved and improved. When it comes to the English grammar, I found myself comfortable with it (and fluent) since I also practice speaking it so often since I was a kid. Tagalog is my native language, so I don't have much problem with it either. Moreover, I have been a school paper writer during elementary and high school.

But I don't know. Sometimes, the desire to go with the trend, to be appealing to the mass or to please readers, I began to forget the rules in writing.

It actually started off during the rising popularity of the Wattpad website. I found different kinds of writers there, but majority of them wrote kind of a little different from what I have seen.

Some used emoticons, improper spacing, wrong grammar, improper use of punctuation marks, etc. And most of them wrote on first person POV! To tell the truth, it seemed fun to me. I am very open to things that are new to me and experimental too, so I also adapted that style on one of my stories (just one story), and unbelievably, it had a lot of read and votes than my formally written stories. Why did I do that? Because of pressure, I guess. Envy, I guess. I desired to be heard, to lure people to read my story, to gain the appreciation I need to motivate myself to write. I let the people motivate me and not my inspirations.

Still, I don't know why I felt uncomfortable with it. So I usually bounce back to my old and own way of writing, and one Wattpad writer commented, appreciating that he still found a writer who follows the rules when it comes to writing.

It was flattering, I saw his point on how important it is to follow the rules in writing. Not just that you are expressing your ideas in a story in a proper way, but it also is a visible proof of the quality of your work. As a writer, it matters to avoid typos, use the proper punctuation marks and the right grammar.

Some may think that being a writer is a gift, a talent. But as for me, it's the imagination that is a gift. Writing is a matter of practice, a skill to enhance to be able to reach a lot of people with your words. But then again, there are no exceptions to the rule.

With that, I learned to be my real self when I write. Rules in writing? They will always be important to me. It helped me not to let the pressure change my style, nor go with the trend when I don't have to.

For being a writer, you are not just responsible with the message your story gives to its readers, but the quality of your work is in your own writing's presentation grammar-wise, and the right punctuation marks.

The trends may fade away, but not the rule.

Point-Of-View: Change Versus Revelation

This is just my opinion. It is up to you to believe it or not. Nevertheless, I will still share it, whether you'll believe it or not. *wink*

Here's how my FB post goes last November 14:

I may find it hard to explain my side, because no one told me this. No one taught me this. I had to realize it by myself. Everything that happens is not a change but a revelation. For me, a change is just something that you call on things that transformed into something which is different from what it used to be. For a very long time, I believed that the world is changing. Until I realized it wasn't.

We tend to think that a person changes. I used to believe that too. But believe me, sweetie, no one changes. All of us lead to the same path-- death. It is not a change but a cycle that happens to everyone. It is a revelation once we figured out how a person dies-- by murder, accident, illness, old age... Something that you discover is a revelation, isn't it? Something you do not expect.

I was wrong when I said that change is always an expected thing. I was wrong, sweetie. We call revelation a change because we see what we used to see in its different form. But it is a revelation, for you finally revealed that that thing isn't what it seems to be as it is!

If I am a good person and I became evil-- is that a change to you? Does it mean for one instance that I am already purely evil? Will it ever occur to you that it is just a revelation that I can be evil and did not really change?

If I became evil, would you think that I changed? Will you ever forget that even the evilest person in the world has a heart that cares but only for those they chose to care for?

They say, experience changes a person.
Do we really change? Or is it just a revelation of who we really are? When your lover dies, do you rejoice? Then that proves you never loved her at all. Do you feel suffering? That that proves you truly loved her.

Isn't it a revelation?

Afterwards, do you move on with your life? That reveals that you have hope in your heart to live. Or do you feel suicidal? Then that reveals you have a great weakness at coping with it.

Sweetie, this is just my point of view. The reason I stopped believing in change is because-- I haven't changed (physically, probably).

So what's your say? Don't be shy to comment it out. Be peaceful though. We are entitled to have different or contradicting opinions and what we have to do is just share respect about it.

Point-Of-View: Happy 15th

Today isn't really the typical thing to do when celebrating. Instead of a planned stroll, worry-less chatting, getting that bunny and playing House of the Dead, we found ourselves feet-soaked on mud, squeezed on by loads of people under the rain and sleepy on the rides. Nevertheless, this feels more than the best from what we planned, isn't it? #Happy15th

Point-Of-View: I'll Be Lovin' You Long Time by Mariah Carey

Because #TheElusiveChanteuse has finally arrived here in the Philippines, what else can I do but tribute this post to my all-time-favorite diva, Mariah Carey! Welcome to the Phils for #TheElusiveChanteuseShow Mimi!

One of my favorite MC songs.

Featured: What Makes a Relationship Strong?

Matters about love has been a universal part of conversations worldwide, starting from guiding teenagers how to face it into sharing a love advice or an experience about it.

I may include myself among those people who looked up to love with such respect and expectations too but not totally a hopeless romantic. It must be in a romance writer's blood too, to hunger for love, write down her aspirations of what a perfect relationship should be.

Well, that is until I have to stop writing romance stories because yes, I fell into a deep hole called love. And I don't know. That should have inspired me more to write romantic stuff but it didn't. Maybe it's because how I experience love is different from imagining a love story.

And every part of a love story is how the couple maintains it, keeps the relationship going strong.

Giving our loved one's happiness is based on loving them for who they are.

That's what caught my attention last night when I read this tabloid article. This will take a long while to read so, please bear with me. I am also telling you that this will be worth your while to read. Here's what the article says:

Madali lang suwertehin sa love life. Unang-una, hanapin mo ang isang taong ka-compatible mo at pangalawa, isipin mo at piliting ibigay ang mga bagay na magpapaligaya sa iyong kasuyo. Sa ganyang paraan sa love life at sa pakikipagrelasyon, susuwertehin ka.

 It is easy to be fortunate in terms of love life. First of all, look for a person you are compatible with and second, think and work hard to give all the things that will make your lover happy. In this way, you will be lucky with your love life and relationships.

'Yung unang pormula, madali lang masunod 'yan... Pero 'yung pangalawang pormula ang mahirap gawin, mahirap gawin dahil ang tao kapag umiibig at nagmamahal, sa umpisa lang marunong magparaya at magsakripisyo alang-alang sa kanyang kasuyo.

The first formula is easy to follow... But the second formula is hard to do, hard to do because when a person loves, they only know how to give way and sacrifice at the start.

Sa halip, kadalasan sa bandang huli, imbes na ang isipin ay ang ikaliligaya ng kanyang kapareha, ang mas pinahahalagahan niya ay ang ikaliligaya ng sarili niya.

Instead, in the end, instead of giving a thought of their partner's happiness, they give more importance on their own happiness.

'Ika nga, nangyayaring gan'un dahil likas na possessive o makasarili ang isang tao. Dahil dito, dahil kusang nawala ang pagmamahal sa kapwa, sa halip, ang pumapalit ay ang pagmamahal sa sarili na kung tawagin ay "possessive love", roon din sa puntong 'yun, unti-unting gumuguho ang dating masaya pa naman sanang relasyon hanggang sa tuluyang mauwi sa paghihiwalay at pagluha.

As it was said, that happens because humans are naturally possessive or selfish. Because of this, because their love fades, instead it was replaced by self-love that is called "possessive love", and at that point, what used to be a happy relationship shatters until it leads to separation and tears.

Hinihigpitan mo kasi ang iyong kasuyo at gusto mong laging sumunod sa lahat ng nais mo. Nawala ang "pagkatao ng iyong kasuyo at tuluyang nabura" dahil sobrang makasarili ang pagmamahal mo, sa iyong girlfriend, sa iyong boyfriend o sa iyong asawa. "Bakit mo iniwan ang mister mo?" Ang tanong ng tsismosang kapitbahay sa kanyang kumare. "Paano lasenggo siya," ang sagot ng kausap.

Because you are being too strict with your lover and you want to be always obeyed on whatever you want. Your love has lost their identity and completely erased it because your love towards your girlfriend, your boyfriend or your spouse is too selfish. "Why did you leave your husband?" a gossip neighbor asks her friend. "He's an alcoholic," was the reply.

Tama nga naman, ano naman ang mahihita mo sa isang lasenggong mister? Nakita mo, kaya iniwan nitong si misis ang kanyang mister dahil lasenggo, nasaan ang pagmamahal diyan, hindi ba't wala? Sa halip, ang mahal pala nitong si misis ay ang matitino at mabubuting pagkatao ng kanyang asawa pero kapag ang kanyang asawa ay sumama o pumangit na ang dating magandang ugali sa pagtikular at naging lasenggo na, wala na siyang mahihita sa pakikisama sa taong ito, iietsapuwera at iiwan na siya? Sa simpleng lohika tama, bakit ka magtitiis sa isang lasenggong asawa?

It's right, what will you get from an alcoholic husband? You see, that's why this wife left her husband because he is alcoholic, where is the love in that, there's none, right? Instead, this wife only loves the good and sane personalities of her spouse but when he turns bad or there is something wrong with what used to be his good characteristics, in particular, becomes an alcoholic, she won't get anything from getting along with this person, would she just dump and leave him? In a simple logic this is right, why would you endure being with an alcoholic spouse?

Pero sa malalim na katuturan ng salitang "pag-ibig", lumalabas na ang mahal mo ay ang sarili mo dahil kapag mabait, mabuti, mahusay at matinong mister ang asawa mo, sino ba naman ang makikinabang sa ganitong mga positibong pag-uugali ng isang tao? Eh, 'di ikaw din.

But in a deep meaning of the word "love", it appears that you just love yourself because if a good, kind, great and sane man becomes your husband, who benefits from these positive traits of a person? Of course, you.

Tama ang sinasabi nating, dahil nakikinabang ka sa relasyon ninyo ng mahal mo, ang karelasyon mo ay mahal mo, pero kapag wala ka nang pakinabang sa isang relasyon, hindi mo na mahal ang karelasyon mo. Sino ngayon ang niloloko mo?

It is right what we are trying to say that because you benefit from your relationship with your loved one, you love who you are in a relationship with, but when you do not benefit from a relationship, you don't love who you are in a relationship with anymore. Who  are you trying to fool now?

Sarili mo. Kasi nagmamahal ka lang sa "pakinabang at mapapala" pero hindi mo kayang magmahal kapag wala ng pakinabang at wala ka ng mapapala. Nasaan ang tunay na pag-ibig sa ganu'ng sitwasyon? Ganu'n ba ang sinasabi ninyong pagmamahal? Nagmamahal lang kayo dahil pinakikinabangan ninyo ang isang tao, ngunit, kapag ang isang tao ay wala nang pakinabang, hindi n'yo na rin ito mahal?

Yourself. Because you only love for "benefit and what you'll get" but you can't love when you don't get any benefit or anything from it. Where is true love in that situation? Is that the love you are talking about? You only love for what benefit you'll get from the person, but, when that person becomes useless, you don't love them anymore?

Sa matuling salita, hindi 'yung taong 'yun ang mahal ninyo kundi ang sarili ninyo. Dahil 'yung boyfriend mo, 'yung girlfriend mo o 'yung asawa mo, ginawa mo lang na parang "bagay", kapag may pakinabang, iniingatan, kapag 'yung "bagay" na 'yun ay nawalan na ng pakinabang, itatapon na siya sa basurahan. Wala na kasi siyang kuwenta.

In short, you don't love that person but yourself. Because your boyfriend, your girlfriend or spouse, you treated them like an "object", when useful, you take care of it, when that "object" becomes useless, throw it in the trash. Because it is already worthless.

Madaling magmahal ng mister na laging nagbibigay ng intrega, siyempre, maraming pera si misis.

It is easy to love a husband who always give their salary, of course, the wife will have a lot of money.

Madaling magmahal ng mister na kung umuwi ay sa tamang oras at may pasalubong siyempre, mamayang gabi ay maligaya silang dalawa sa kama at masaya silang magkakainan ng pasalubong ni mister.

It is easy to love a husband who comes home on time with goods or treats of course, [then] later in the night, they will be happy in bed and will happily eat the treats or goods that the husband brought home.

Pero kapag wala ng maibigay si mister na salapi dahil kulang na sa kanya ang kanyang buwanang suweldo, mamahalin pa kaya si mister? Kapag si mister ay gabi na kung umuwi at halos wala na ring pasalubong, ano sa palagay mo, karapat-dapat pa bang mahalin ang ganyang klase ng asawa?

But if the husband has no money to give because he is too short with his monthly salary, will he still be loved? If the husband came home late without any goods or treats, what do you think, is that kind of spouse still deserving to be loved?

Ako na ang sasagot, mukhang hindi na, kasi nga wala na tayong pakinabang sa taong 'yun? Gan'un ba ang sinasabi ninyong pagmamahal?

I will answer, I think not anymore, because we won't get any benefit from that person? Is that what you call love?

Sa maikling salita, huwag kang magtataka kung bakit lubhang kakaunti lamang ang bilang ng mga taong pinapalad sa love  life, lalo na sa pag-aasawa dahil ang totoong dahilan niyan, kakaunti lang talaga ang mga taong marunong magmahal.

In short, don't be surprised why there is only very few who are lucky in their love life, especially in marital relationships because the real reason is there is only very few who really knows how to love.

Sila ang mga tao na may busilak na puso na may kakayahang magpadama ng isang dalisay at wagas na pag-ibig sa kanilang kapwa ng walang hinihintay na kapalit.

These are the people with kind hearts with the ability to make their fellow feel a pure and true love without asking for anything in return.

Sabi nga ng isang Russian proverb, "Love me black as I am, when I am white everyone will love me."

As a Russian proverb says, "Love me black as I am, when I am white everyone will love me."

Nagmamahal ka ng mabuti at mabait na tao, anong kuwentang pagmamahal 'yun, samantalang napakaraming nagmamahal sa gan'ung uri ng tao?

You are loving a good and kind person, what use is that kind of love, there are so many who loves that kind of person too?

Ang tunay at wagas na pagmamahal ay mahalin mo ang mga masasama at mga pangit, walang nagmamahal sa kanila, ikaw lang. 'Yun ang tunay at wagas na pag-ibig.

A true love is when you love the evil and the ugly, no one loves them, only you. That is true love.

May pakinabang ka man o wala sa iyong kasuyo, sa iyong boyfriend, sa iyong girlfriend o sa iyong asawa, dapat mahalin mo, anuman ang uri ng pagkatao niya., dapat mahalin mo pa rin, masama man ang ugali niya, mahalin mo pa rin dahil sa ganu'ng uri ng pag-ibig magbubunyi ang mga anghel sa langit, mananatiling buo ang mag-anak at tunay na magiging maligaya ang pamilya.

Whether you benefit or not from your lover, your boyfriend, your girlfriend or your spouse, love them, whatever kind of personality they have, you should still love them, even if they have bad characteristics, love them still because the angels in heaven rejoice in that kind of love, the clan stays together and the family will be truly happy.

At ikaw namang walang kuwentang tao, magpasalamat ka at magpakatino na dahil sa kabila ng kawalanghiyaan mo, mahal ka pa rin ng girlfriend mo,  mahal ka pa rin ng boyfriend mo, mahal ka pa rin ng asawa mo.

And you worthless person, be thankful and be good because in spite of your evilness, your girlfriend still loves you, your boyfriend still loves you, your spouse still loves you.

Ito marahil ang tamang oras upang magbago ka at mahalin ng lubos ang iyong asawa at iyong pamilya.

This must be the right time for you to change and truly love your spouse and family.



This came from Maestro Honorio Ong's "Kapalaran Ayon Sa Inyong Numero" (Destiny Based on Your Number) column in Bulgar tabloid newspaper entitled "Para sa medyo inaalat ang buhay pag-ibig: Sikreto ng Matatag na Pagsasama ng mga Nagmamahalan" (For those who are unfortunate with their love life: Secret to a Strong Relationship of Lovers)

This article is actually a respond to one of their texter's messages asking for an advice on how to have a happy relationship as she gives her birthdate (the numbers that will be used by the author as a basis on giving his predictions.)

I wasn't exactly a believer of fortunetellers or their predictions, although the Zodiac Signs interest me somehow (anyway, that's a different story) and so, I am just hooked on reading a lot until the title caught my interest. I started wondering what will this author say, what advice did he give for a long-lasting, strong relationship?

And from what I have read, I found myself agreeing to it.

That is true love in a real sense. You are not in a true-love-established relationship if you are only there for the benefit you'll get from it. You are not in love with the person in that case but only with yourself. You only think about yourself, of what will be good for you, even if that puts your lover on the line.

Those who truly love and knows how to love realizes that. Maybe what I read from the Daily Bread published (way back 2010 or 2009?) is right: Those who love are losers.

Because you do not love to get something, to win something that will benefit you.

Sources:
Google Images
Ong, Maestro Honorio, Para sa medyo inaalat ang buhay-pag-ibig: Sikreto ng Matatag na Pagsasama ng mga Nagmamahalan, Kapalaran Ayon sa Inyong Numero, Bulgar, Year 22, No. 326, October 27, 2014

Point-Of-View: Rhapsody

This is one of my original poems-- Rhapsody. It is the happiest poem I've written so it's been a favorite since I mostly write about blunt honesty and heartaches.

In this poem, I am trying to make a statement of how love feels like in aspects mostly positive but also seems some negative side of it which just sounds a positive sign of being in love. (Well, you decide if I delivered it right.)

RHAPSODY

rhap·so·dy ˈrapsədē/ noun   1. an effusively enthusiastic or ecstatic expression of feeling.

No rhyming, no same syllables at the end
Just an enthusiastic feeling wanting to be freed
And the butterflies just fluttered
Cannot lift me but they lingered. 

And the little voices are mute
Oh and do I find it cute?
If the dark skies glitter with raindrops
And there is scarcity in teardrops. 

Cute is not the word
May I ask the world?
Bet their answer
Differ from one another. 

Do they feel the warmth that night
Defeat the chill being hugged tight?
Do they feel the smooth slide
Against the friction, oh, it's been a while. 

And do they feel the wanting
To turn around, go dancing?
Do they feel the tears attempting
To fall out of the overwhelming feeling? 

Do they feel the jump in every threat
And so blessed in every breath?
Do they feel happy in isolation
reminiscing memories that one cannot mention. 

Do they feel the rush in every meeting
And the blush in every feeling
And the crush in every departing
And the freedom of loving
And the gift of choosing? 

Do they feel the day, embrace the sunlight
Grab the day with a smile so bright?
In sickness and in health
None to make the feelings melt. 

And if it does, it just flows
Through the veins, who know?
To the heart it goes
And all around all the time, after glow. 

No music to relate but to match
The feelings overflowing so much
Can't express in any other way
But so rhapsodic to show anyway. 

I gave my strength and weakness
Enveloped myself in sadness
Revealed myself in gladness
No contentment beyond the stress. 

Too inflated to compress
So my hands can't find her peace
And my mind wants to impress
You, disturb your peace. 

And this will take a long while to finish
So rhapsodic but to finish
This is what all of it brings me
The feeling of rhapsody.

(c)  OriginalAS / (c) AnamarieSoya
Source of Picture: Google Images

Featured: The Dark Origins

In this post, I will be featuring videos of CreepyMcPasta Plays about dark origins of parts of our childhood-- fairytales and nursery rhymes.

No, I didn't mean to ruin your childhood but if you crave to hear/watch something creepy before the upcoming Halloween, I am hoping these Youtube videos will satisfy it.


Top 10 Fairy Tale Dark Origins

Maybe, not all you see is what is seems. Which Disney fairytales or stories are not what you thought it is? All may have a happy ending, but you never know yet the terrifying side of these stories-- a mermaid who turned to a seafoam, sisters who cut off their toes and heels, a necrophiliac prince, a prince jumping off a tower, a molested sleeping princess, the absence of a savior in Red Riding Hood and more gore, murder and violence that are fortunately kids are unaware of.

Top 10 Nursery Rhyme Dark Origins

Are you aware of what nursery rhyme you sing to your kids or siblings or you sing yourself in your childhood? Ever dared to figure out what they really mean? What their origin is? You might be surprised.

Who is Humpty Dumpty? Who are the three blind mice? What's in Mary's garden? Discover tales of a dark part of history, possible murder plots, country rivalries and others which are more than you can imagine.

Source: CreepyMcPasta Plays on Youtube, Google Images

Point-Of-View: Writing in a New Genre, Improvisations & Conditioning

Elaborating genres I've written like:"...teenage love..."

To tell the truth, I've been hungering for months to write a new story again. Just last night, I re-read an old story I wrote on FB notes and decided to polish it a bit then post! Ta-da! I didn't have so much expectations about it since it's one of my very amature works.

Now, I am still trying to condition my mind to write something new. I have written typical high school love stories, May-December affair, non-May-December affair, teenage love, adult love, a little bit of sensual themes and innocent ones, suspense, action, romance, comedy, paranormal... yes, I've been through those already.

"Maybe I should try writing a fantasy story..."

Maybe I should try writing a fantasy story, but I am already committed to writing a paranormal story for a manga with my guy. I guess, I will reach the goal, after all, paranormal could touch the fantasy genre I was talking about. Uh, I know I should start doing it already but I am putting my mind in condition.

How do you put your mind in condition to write?

I already made a playlist to inspire me to write the theme of this story; I already downloaded pictures too to give me an insight on how to improvise the looks of the character; and I also did research for background... now, just a little more improvisation.

Improvisation is good right? I mean, you take a look at one's idea and find a way to originate your own out of it. But of course, it is rightfully our responsibility as writers to give out credit to our writing influences or inspirations (which I am always willing to do when I do adopt a concept of someone else).

So, I have also prepared a story plot. In fact, my brain has traveled way too far I already have an idea for the second book of this story I already committed myself to write.

Now I just need a little tap on my shoulder to get this started. (I will let my conscience do that for me.)


Source of pictures: Google Images

Point-Of-View: Judges 19:22-30

Just found this story in Listverse years ago, which really made me so curious and so ,discussed it with one of my best friends.

7. A very disturbing tale“Found in: Judges 19:22-30 Within the Bible, one occasionally finds stories so horrible, one can wonder what their purpose is. Not only is this story utterly bizarre, but it is also absolutely disgusting. A man and his concubine are wandering the streets when they decide to seek shelter for the night, and find a man kind enough to let them stay. That night however, a group of men turn up at the door and demand to see the guest so that they may have sex with him. The owner is unwilling to let his male lodger be raped and so offers up his virgin daughter instead. However, this is still not good enough for the men, so the owner offers them his guest’s concubine and the men accept. The men brutally rape the woman and leave her on the doorstep where she bleeds to death. If that is not enough, when she is found by her husband, he chops her up into twelve pieces which he sends to each of the twelve tribes of Israel. The moral of this story? I would hope none.”

Me and my bestfriend ended up with the idea that this has a moral lesson.

Well, it’s not maybe a moral lesson but it has a meaningful message.

As far as what we have understood from this story, the lodge owner represents God, the virgin daughter represents Jesus Christ, as it is said, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son” He have made Jesus sacrifice to save us from our sins.

However this is not good enough for the men, means although God have sacrificed his life, some people did not stop doing sins or crime and therefore, we ended up still guessing what does the concubine in the story represents. But we already have the idea that the sending of the 12 pieces to 12 tribes of Israel means distribution of something... hmm I guess we still need to work out with our idea about it.

I don’t always believe that there are some parts of the Bible that is meaningless or has no purpose. And so I was trying to decipher the other stories that’s sort of so puzzling ..

Point-Of-View: Learned from Bizzy

This time, I fell to a decision that I'd rather put all of it in this note than going all flood quotes on my wall hahaha :D

Bizzy Bone, (Real Name: Bryon McCane) is one of the members of the Grammy-awarded rap group, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. I've been a fan of BTNH for quite some time (counting... almost three years!) and so, I learned a lot of things with their songs especially the words in there. Their delivery of the lyrics are smooth or rough but nevertheless, matches the mood or setting of the story of the song that they want to express.

I think I'll make notes about Kray, Lay, Flesh and Wish too. But I better admit, my favorite Bone is Bizzy and here's a list of all that I learned from Bizzy, in random order from different songs. (I know I cannot make a perfect list but here it goes haha!)

1. "I don't even need you. I am too cold, I cough without the flu." - Bizzy Bone, So Cool

** Sometimes, for a person at the peak of his success, he goes through trials, affected by the wrongs done to them by people they used to trust or those who belittled them. The struggle taught him to be strong, to fight until that comes close as being numb or insensitive to pain, mercy. Or maybe one can't be insensitive, but at least, cold... careful with revealing what they really feel inside or letting people in into their lives.

2. " I still think about the struggles of my younger days, of my younger age, younger ways, plenty things..." - Bizzy Bone, So Cool

** We cannot avoid reminiscing the past. Like never. We may change how we feel toward it, how we think about it, how we understand the situations we've been through but we always take a little peak, looking back a little to refresh everything we went through and what we learned from them. Going back to the past and living in the past has differences with looking back to the past. And we remember all the things we did, every mistake we did. It is our younger version because we mature when we learned from our experiences.

3. " I am not guilty! I am not guilty! I am not guilty! I plead freedom of speech, liberation to reach each and every child out there, to teach my dawgs, I'm strong! I'm bold!" - Bizzy Bone, Social Studies

** This explains it already. The importance of freedom of speech.

4. "They don't know me... They don't even know me... how can I fake ya'll, shake ya'll, break ya'll?" - Bizzy Bone, Beauty (You Just A Rose)

** Real Talk: People have the guts to judge us without even knowing who we really are.

5. "Baby, you got to realize that these young mothaf**kas that you got yourselves rollin' with, these little niggas don't know anything about loyalty." - Bizzy Bone, Dear Layzie

** You always get to have deep concerns for your best friend. Best, true friend. Not only in times they leave you, but also because of the people around them that seems suspicious.

6. "How could you just ride with 'em? Ain't you smelling something funny?" - Bizzy Bone, Dear Layzie

**  Friendships goes through trials. And all you can do is speak (or even rap about it) to make them realize something... that there's something wrong going on.

7. "Yes, we rock for the Lord." - Bizzy Bone, This Is Why I'm Hot

** No one else comes first than the Lord.

8. "Friends? Heh. Friends come and go, I already learned that shit. Even through death or money issues or- You know, I mean, just time and space. Family, sometimes your biggest enemies. You know, shit. Shit." - I Understand, Bizzy Bone

** It is inevitable that important people in our lives come and go, or go against us. The best thing we can come up doing is to soul search, make a fresh start in life and become better. Not exactly for these people, but also for ourselves. But we can only do this for ourselves if we have people or situations that will motivate us to do so.

9. "What are you going through? What are you going through? If you only knew. (Nobody can stop me) What are you going through? What are you going through? If you only knew." - Bizzy Bone, Nobody Can Stop Me

** Inspirational song in so many levels. It lifts you up in a sense that we are reminded that no matter how hard we go through in life, we should also think that many other people goes through the same or maybe worse struggles with us and that should not stop us to go on living our lives the best way we could. We may carry heavy problems, but if we only knew that other people goes through the same thing, we should then show that this won't stop us. Anyway, Bizzy put some had situations in his life in the lyrics of these songs, giving a share that he also goes through the tough times like we do, and he advises to us what he did, not letting those trials stop him.

10. "Real women recognize real men, this is true." - Bizzy Bone, Don't Ask Me Why

** Actually, the whole song makes sense. The whole song gives us a lesson on leaving a relationship that doesn't work for us. It includes leaving all the things that will only remind you of the relationship because it will only "mess up the mood". Maybe this is a prideful move for the guys (and girls, since Bizzy noted in the song that this also goes for the women too) but this just teaches a lesson that when you've had enough, don't deprive yourself of the happiness and freedom that both of you deserves but can't find in each other's arms anymore. Go out of the door.

11. "...you know, if I love unconditional, this the residual, world individual..." - Bizzy Bone, I Need You

** Sometimes we search for somebody to love us with a promise to love them unconditionally too.

12. "There's always something you gotta give up. If you want everything you want." - Bizzy Bone, Can't Give It Up (BTNH song)

** Well, it's true in some situations.

13. "You don't know me, don't tell me you love me!" - Bizzy Bone, Can't Give It Up

** Well, we just know when people are being a pretend to us (or by the way we treat us) and we know it because we know that they don't know who we really are. Or maybe this is also a little warning that they don't know us so they cannot convince us too easy with what they tell us.

14. "We get the hustle on the spring, fall. In the summer, winter months we gonna praise Jesus!" - Bizzy Bone, Rebirth (BTNH song)

** The line says it all.

15.  "Looking at death with the last of my breath. Follow, follow my kids but don't sin in my steps." - Bizzy Bone, Thug Luv

** I don't know if my interpretation is right, but I learned out of here that we are all taking the path towards being good, but Bizzy seemed to make failures, and so advises we should not make mistakes we'd truly regret or make the same mistakes that he did.

16. "When the worse comes to worst, I'mma get down and dirty!" - Bizzy Bone, Money, Money (BTNH song)

** This is what we call having this fighting spirit. Things can get tough so we have to do every means to win versus the challenges of life. It intends to test your strength by bringing you down. You only get  to rise up to prove you can.

17. "Give me the strength, God, I got whipped." - Bizzy Bone, Determination (BTNH song)

** Sounds like a prayer. And we never forget to also ask Him for help.

18. "Never confuse, better to move, ride and do it." - Bizzy Bone, Determination (BTNH song)

** What are your goals? Focus on it! Don't let life mess up your concentration and confuse you. Better know how to live your life and stick to it. In everything you do, any career, any mission, any task, just focus on it, take a little ride or go with the flow and just do it!

Source: My Own FB Notes

Featured: You & Me by Martine Kindermans

"You & Me"

Martine Kindermans

(English Text by Sasha Quinton)

Definitely one of my favorite poems in a children's book. :)

All we need is you and me,
to be as happy as can be.
And no matter where we go,
I will always love you so.

We could cross the oceans wide
to see what's on the other side.
We could play upon the beach
and dream of stars within our reach.

Then rest beneath the tallest tree
for all we need is you and me.
So many places to discover,
step by step we guide each other.

And no matter what we meet,
we'll always land upon our feet.
We stand together, strong and tall-
you are my love, my live, my all.

And when we're back home safe, you'll know,
that no mater where we go...
to be as happy as can be,
all we need is you and me.

Wattpad Work: To Love, To Write

First of all, I am so thankful to unknown9701 for making this cover.
The cover really satisfied me for it is almost exactly what I was looking for my Wattpad work: To Love, To Write-- a compilation of free verse poems that I've written.

You may check it out here: To Love, ToWrite

Wattpad Work: Tied

One of the poems in my newly completed poem compilation, To Love, To Write is "Tied".
In this poem, my little flashbacks helped me illustrate it into a metaphor of getting committed by getting tied.

Another world I stepped upon
And here I am still tied on where I came from
Tied from there to my heart
And how it hurts to cut it off
When I have to. 

For I recall the pain it gives
When he tugs the line
Pulls the line
Harder til my heart almost squeeze. 

I was never led by suicidal thoughts
But everyone saw me alive
But dead inside
And I walk like it, talk like it, act like it. 

And I found you here
And there and all around
But I still have the remaining rope
Knotted around my heart. 

I went here and there
And all around
Asked for help to set it free
But it is still knotted around my heart. 

Until you had me loose
To tie me into you
And again
I felt it again. 

That I am alive inside
And I talk like it, walk like it, act like it
Until you pull and tug
How it hurts. 

But as long as I feel alive
I'll be afraid to die
And I won't let it die.

(c) OriginalAS / (c)AnamarieSoya