Sandboarding and windmills – these were actually the only things that we had in mind when we planned to visit Ilocos Norte. But the province exudes more than the adventure it promised. Far beyond the adrenaline, we got more than what we bargained for – unexpected lessons in history, taste of hearty dishes, immersion with locals, and memories to keep for a lifetime.
The Philippines is blessed with a number of mountains that provide verdant views at the top. Here are some of the Filipino movies that will help you trace back your personal experience with the mountains – the struggles, reflections, friendship fostered, and simple joys – and fuel your interest to climb once again.
We all have our fair share of stories of being stood up by friends who committed to join a trip then backs out the last minute. But what happens if the one who invited you does not show up on the day of the trip and you are already in the meet-up place? Would you push through with the plan or… go back home?
We are truly missing the mountains extra these days – the breath of fresh air, bewitching view of sunrise, relaxing panorama of sunset behind those rolling hills, and spellbinding sea of clouds. But worry no more. Here are some of the epic hiking documentaries of the Philippine’s most renowned mountains destinations that we can binge-watch.
Once upon a time, my boss told me that I need an alpha to tame me so that I could get married. I believe otherwise. I don’t need an alpha. In a world of patriarchs, it’s difficult to be a woman. But this drama pointed out how a single woman could create ripples into others. To empower others to makes choices for themselves – to choose themselves first – denying society of what it wants to dictate. The World of Married Couple helps us reevaluate the women around us, the decisions that they have to make, and the struggles they silently battled with.
Ang Huling El Bimbo tells the timeless tragic story of the song itself made relevant with socio-political issues chronicled through the cleverly pieced together tunes of Eraserheads. It follows the joyful years of four friends – Joy, Hector, Anthony, and Emman – back in college and the ugly and unresolved issues they had over the years.
Tokyo Ghoul became such a massive hit that in three years after it was adapted as an animated series, it was released as a live-action film. Yet it took another three years before I got to watch it – probably even more if quarantine didn’t happen.
It’s totally out of context to talk about museums and history in these daunting times. Of traditional drama and biopics. But when my mind becomes a battlefield of existential pandemic anxiety, I always try to look further and deviate. I try to imagine how the future would look back on this trying time of history – the lockdowns, community quarantine, social distancing, and frontliners. I know were no longer the same people after this.
At this time and age, when everything must be driven by logic and common sense, it is rather difficult to fathom Jeong-ho and his decisions. You’ll never understand passion unless you have. How many Jeong-ho’s have been forsaken by society just because they don’t adhere to the constrained standards of success? Artists. Musicians. Poets. Writers. Performers. Even professionals who are having a hard time growing because their ideas are rather off than the rest. Visionaries. People who do otherwise of the bandwagon.
We have all been made to believe in that adage that ‘if we are meant to stay we’ve grown roots instead of feet’ yet here we are, stuck in our homes, waiting for the better days to come.
But if the mountains have taught us to keep moving, it also taught us to persevere and do all means to survive through unprecedented times. And it these moments when we are susceptible to anxieties, let us all remember how we have been honed by the mountains to be able to get through these tough times.
Dakilanglaagan 