A worthwhile journey with Huck -- "The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn" Book Review

by: Uel Ceballos

I first saw “The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn” in animation when I was 7 or 8 years old. That was back in 90’s when such animated TV program was being aired every morning. I followed Huck’s adventure on television together with other animations like “Little Women”, “Princess Sarah”, “Remy”, and a lot of other more. “The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn” was one of my favorites; I do really love Huck, his character and his passion for adventure. I would love to see that same animation again but I just didn’t know where to find it. Being young then, I only saw the story as simply the fun escapade of a young boy who traveled his way on a raft and met a lot of different persons along his journey. Until now that picture of Huck with his straw hat covering his face while he was lying in all comfort to the branch of a tree is still marked vividly on my memory. Huck’s adventure is something that I will never ever outgrow.

I never fully understand the deeper message of its story until I finally read its novel written by Mark Twain. This classic literature is something that is worth a million times of reading because of its significant themes, cool delivery, and amusing conversations. When I started reading on the first few pages I began to wonder that something might be wrong with my copy because the words and sentences seemed odd and wrong (English language is not my mother tongue thus I’m only familiar with the standard version) until I realized that the book is written all throughout in vernacular English and that never diminish my enjoyment of the novel. This new language experience had in fact amazed me that along my reading I was finally getting used to it as if I’d been there in that same place once and I’m all too familiar with their native way of speaking.

The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn was a sequel to Mark Twain’s The Adventure of Tom Sawyer. The Adventure of Huck told the story of Huck’s exciting journey as he escaped his alcoholic father by faking his own death (this part was really amazing, the way that Huck made it appeared like he was murdered by a trespasser on their cabin). While moving his way on the river through the canoe that he happened to find, he reunited with Jim who was a runaway slave. Another good thing that you would love about Huck is his good heart, though he was white and Jim was black and there were lots of instances that Huck thought bad of himself for keeping a runaway slave, still Huck never surrender Jim because he knew that all Jim wanted is just to be free. Jim was not a bad guy and Huck knew that very well as Jim also stood as his guardian along their voyage. Their friendship grew deeper and as you follow along their journey you would be entertained by their witty debates and arguments.

As a child, one will see this novel as a fun and exciting story of a quest that is equipped with moral lessons about friendship, adventure, and worthwhile childhood. Reading it as a grown up is another thing, because one will definitely see this book of Mark Twain as a parody of the American moral system back in the 19^th century wherein Huck was caught up in his era’s social climate. One of the major themes that were being explored in the novel was the issue of slavery which was interconnected with racism. In here one would find out how things were for black people like Jim during that era in the America and probably in other parts of the world; how the blacks were treated inhumanely, being traded and seen as unintelligent and unimportant. This novel had garnered numbers of criticisms, accusing Mark Twain for being racist because he used in here the word “nigger”, had made fun of Jim’s superstitions and beliefs, and made Jim followed passively to whatever Huck and Tom (Tom Sawyer appeared in the latter part of the story to help Huck on his plans) wanted him to do even though the things were obviously ridiculous and nonsense. In my opinion, I didn’t see Mark Twain that way, I believed he was just reflecting the real scenarios through this novel of his – he used “nigger” because that was the way then that most white people addressed the black, and he made Jim followed to Huck and Tom because the black people then knows better than to go against any white folks even though those white people are their closest friends. Meaning, Mark Twain just wrote the book as exactly as what he thought the society was looked like. 

Another theme issue that was being explored here is the feud between families and clans that still exists nowadays in a modern way. This is one of the most sensitive issues that are quite unfit for a young to see or read about. There was a part in the story wherein Huck had lived with a very rich but generous family but this family was in feud with another family for already a long period of time. The rest of what happened is left for you to read and find out but that was really one piece of the story that made me feel so heavy and depressed for Huck’s part. Lots of things come along Huck and Jim’s journey including the “Duke” and “King” who had made Huck’s adventure more thrilling. I came to love not only Huck here but Jim as well for his good intentions and sincere care for Huckleberry Finn.

The novel with its heavy social issues is indeed unhealthy for young minds to read – colloquial words, violence, harsh social environment – but the story of Huck minus those heavy issues is quite perfect to encourage the youth to explore life and get themselves out in the box! 

Another thing that also amazed me about this book is the way that Mark Twain used a young character and exposed him to various social issues that are all beyond his young mind to fully comprehend. In spite of this, Mark Twain found his way to resolve Huck’s supposedly-for-adults conflicts by using the boy’s pure and innocent conscience and that’s really the most admirable part in the story. Such plot technique which was somehow similar to Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird set the awkward situation of using young characters in a story and have them directly experience and feel the impact of weighty social issues – some may see this as quite harsh for a literary publication but let’s not forget the fact that such events are what really happen in reality, there’s no use denying it even in literature.

For this novel that is full of controversy but still gaining more respect and fame as years go by, I’ll drink on it with perfect 10 Cups of Latte! Cheers to Huckleberry Finn!!!

Dekada 70 Movie Review

by: Uel Ceballos

“ Ang mga kamay daw na nag-uugoy ng duyan ay mga kamay na nagpapaikot ng mundo, sapagkat iyon ang mga kamay na umaakay sa sanggol. Hanggang sa matuto siyang lumakad at maglikot, tumuklas at magtanong at mangatwiran. Hanggang sa lumaki siya at maging ganap na mamayan ng kanyang bansa. Pero ang may-ari ng kamay na nag-uugoy ng duyan ay mamayan din ng kanyang bayan, hindi siya dapat manatili lang sa maliit na silid, sapagkat nananahan din siya sa daigdig, ang kanyang mga kamay ay di lang para sa pag-uugoy ng duyan kundi para din tumulong magtawid sa bangka ng pagbabago” (It was said that the hands that sway the crib are the hands that control the world, because those are the hands that guide the young until such a time that he will learn to walk and move around, explore and ask questions and reason out to justify his own actions. Until such a time that he grows up and becomes a full citizen of his own country. But the owner of the hands that sway the crib is also a citizen of her nation, she must not stay only in a small room, because she also lives in the same world, and her hands are not just for cradling but also for paddling the boat across the water that will help make the difference to her country.”)

-- Dekada ‘70

Opening in such lines with Amanda Bartolome (played by Vilma Santos) shown rallying among the crowd, one would think that the movie is all about the political issues during the 70’s era. Well it really was, but it was more than just tackling and demonstrating the 1970 decade wherein Ferdinand Marcos was in the peak of his political power.

Dekada ’70 is all about parenting and the challenges that are entailed with it, of which is considered to be the hardest job that you could ever imagine in the whole wide world. The film was based from the highly praised novel with the same title, written by Filipino author, Lualhati Bautista. The ensemble casts was led by premiere actor and actress, Christopher De Leon and Vilma Santos together with Piolo Pascual, Marvin Agustin, Carlos Agassi and Danilo Barrios. It garnered numbers of nominations and awards and regarded to be one of the best Filipino Films that were ever produced.

The story revolved in the middle class family of Julian and Amanda Bartolome, whose marriage was blessed with five broods. You would see here how the children had matured from being innocent and playful to being full grown-up men. The movie depicted here the way that Julian and Amanda raised their children and how they managed to do it in times of political chaos and social rebellion. The country’s president then, Ferdinand Marcos, had declared Martial Law and his dictatorship form of government had caused implications to Amanda’s family. Her first born son Jules (Piolo Pascual) became an activist and soon joined the underground movement where he earned one of the highest positions. The third son (Eman) grew to be a writer who at such times has produced numbers of banned articles. Ironically, while the two brothers (Jules and Eman) were on the same page of their social beliefs believing that Marcos was a puppet to the American government and implementing capitalism and fascism, their other brother Gani (Carlos Agassi) had entered the US Navy and served under the white people. Their parents supported them all the way to whatever they decided to do for their lives, even though they found it the hardest to do on Jules’ case, they still worked their way to accept their first son’s risky choices.

Lualhati Bautista clearly described here what it was like to live in the era that was tainted by the blood of military violence, suppression of the freedom to express, and the greediness of people for money and power.  Moreover, the author had nailed here the painstaking process that all parents experience as they watch their children reach adulthood, as they begin to lose the power to control their children’s decision and action, and let them go out on their own no matter how dangerous the road their offsprings are planning to traverse. As parents, all that they can do is watch over their grown up children, let them fly wherever they wanted to, pray for their safety, and receive them in open arms when they finally come back home even though they have left before without a single word. The film had quite shown us the unconditional love of parents to their children and it was indeed very touching, making us think of our own family in one way or another.

Dekada 70 is fully informative of what happened during the Marcos era, of which the accounts were focused on the effects it had to the civilians such as in Amanda’s family. The story had also exposed the kind of torturing that was suffered by the suspected members of the underground movement as shown to Jules and his friend Billie’s case. Dekada 70 had fiercely touched the viewers of its vivid depiction of the 1970’s condition wherein the society was forcefully and brutally ruled by the military power vested upon the executive branch. Lualhati had done something in the story that would surely twist your heart in writhing sympathy for the Bartolome Family. Chito Roño had executed Lualhati’s writings into a great film artwork that told an important part of the Philippine’s history – the 70’s era that marked another of the Filipinos’ struggle and bravery towards freedom. Aside from the political issues that were covered by the story, Dekada 70 had also touched the issues of women’s rights, highlighting the women’s slow but eventual rise to their status’ level.

This is a must-see movie for Filipino people of all ages and walks of life because Dekada 70 not only discussed political matters but greatly presented as well the important role that each family plays for the society. All homes consist of parents and children, parents are responsible for what kind of persons that their children will grow up into. The persons that their children will become in the future will soon become the parts of the society’s new generation… and in time they will have their own family too … the hands that rock the crib of the children are the same hands that cradle the nation, and the hands that cradle the nation are the same hands that hold the world…parents must know that their responsibilities are not only confined to the future of their children but to the future of the world as well.

For this movie that linked me to that one important era of my country’s history, I’ll drink to it with 10 Espresso Shots! Cheers to Top Filipino Film!

https://www.facebook.com/Now-Brewing-539673826127554/?ref=hl

Heaven is for REAL: Book Review ~ by Benj Ramos

Would you believe a child if he tells you that he saw Jesus, God, John the Baptist and Gabriel from his 3-minute trip to heaven? Surely you think he got it from his Sunday school lessons, but guess what? He was 4 years old who couldn’t even read or write at the time. Would you still buy it?

Nope, Colton Burpo didn't dream about it, well at least according to his father Todd Burpo who wrote the book. Though some might be doubtful Colton experienced it. Two reasons why the book looks believable -- 1. Kids dont lie, 2. There is no better testimony coming from a near-death-experience.

Heaven Is For Real is a testimony that heaven is indeed for real. As a Christian, i believe that God can use whoever, whenever and wherever to become a living witness of His power. However, do not expect a crossing to the sea or God talking from a burning bush in this book.

Colton has no idea what heaven looks like. It was described in a child perspective primarily focused on colors and visuals. You know how sometimes we wake up from a dream and suddenly we can't remember a thing. But after sometime we remember when the situation calls for it, and it comes out details after details. Dejavu.

I have dreamt of heaven and hell but the setting is purely from the stereotypical everything-is-white and everybody-has-wings-and-halo. Influence of media. However, reading Heaven is For Real and imagining what Colton Burpo says makes you say, 'that i haven’t seen before'.

The first part of the story is quite dragging. A normal family day visiting a zoo while taking pictures with the animals. Suddenly little Burpo felt an unusual stomach ache. Then he vomited and was brought to the hospital. Then came his journey to heaven.

As the chapters unfold, it gets.exciting. Each chapter offers something new. Revelations after revelations. It's like discovering heaven little by little. 

Non-believers can treat the book as a good story to read. Some of us enjoy vampire and wizard stories but it doesn’t mean that we believe it. Look at it as if you are listening to a kid's experience in Disneyland. It won’t hurt you. Hoax or not, my fear is that this might lead people to believe in heaven and God instead of getting that motivation by reading the Bible. 

The motion picture for it is in 2014. Let’s see how it fairs.

I give 9 cups of latte. The book is a journey. Enjoy and listen.

Wag the Dog ~ so who's the tail and who's the dog?

by: Uel Ceballos

Opening in an idiomatic expression about “tail wagging the dog”, the film had foreshadowed the exploration of manipulation and control that would be pretty much evident on the following scenes. “Wag the Dog” was a black comedy film that sardonically made jests of the serious matters in politics, of which have placed the people involved in the matter of life and death. It starred by two of the greatest actors in Hollywood, Robert De Niro who played as the spin doctor and Dustin Hoffman who did the role of a film producer. The story was focused on the president whom face was never showed in the camera and all the diversion that his team was doing just to distract the public from the sex scandal issue that he had gotten into.

Conrad Brean (De Niro) had to switch the attention of the public in a matter of days before the election day arrive thus he came up with this idea of creating a fake war with Albania and in able to artistically maneuver it as real as it had to appear, he found creative resource from the Hollywood film producer, Stanley Motss (Hoffman). Why did it have to be Albania? What have they done with them? The plain answer was nothing, they have done nothing FOR them and that was Brean’s reason for using Albania for the faked war that he had brewed – such a dark fact that by just doing nothing, your nation could be a subject to someone’s idea of faked war was already worth of wondering.

The film was luxuriantly stuffed with humors – a mind and eye opening farce about what could be the most real drill in the world of media and politics of which majority of the public are unsuspicious and unaware of. De Niro and Hoffman really did a great chemistry here, with Hoffman showing once again his knack for comedy business. I burst laughing my heart out because the dialogues were hard-hitting to the issues being targeted and the deliverances of the main actors were just so perfectly amusing. In able to get the message, you would have to be all ears in their exchanges of conversations, and as a viewer you got to watch, listen and digest all at the same time what were being shown to you by the movie. You got to develop a complete common sense so you could grasp the message that this film was trying to inculcate on you.

The plot was a completely amazing turns of events, from Hoffman gathering his talents, them planning the Act 1 and Act 2, to the music composer complaining ‘bout the difficulties in rhyming Albanian, the big deal issue on whether the talent “Albanian” girl should hold a dog or a cat (they settled on a white Calico cat) while she was trying to escape her smoldering village after the “terrorists” have attacked, up towards to the event that they ended with an insane convict to play as their “hero” of the “war”.

It would be a privilege for the viewers to see the passionate Hollywood producer Motss did his masterpiece, which he considered to be his greatest work ever. Motss even produced music compositions that served poignantly to earn the sympathy of the public and got them immersed on the expected “effect” of war of which the Albania had declared with their country. The use of music, the manipulation of media, the maneuvering of events, the anticipated outcome of events – these were all in the control of the few people who were trying to turn the things upside down and place back the vote favors to the incumbent president of the state.

Now after watching this, things might have somehow changed your way of thinking. The film had demonstrated in one way or another how the people, the masses, were being influenced and (at some certain points) manipulated by the media; and how the people of higher ranks and capacities were taking advantages of it to control the turns and twists of events. You would certainly see the media and the politics at its most deceiving and controlling acts after seeing this full of brain and wits movie. So, better check on this now. 

Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me -- Movie Review

by: Uel Ceballos

The title itself quite explained already what to expect from this film, but "Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me" was more than just a sexy movie that starred two college students who got into a complicated set-up of relationship. The film was based from the bestselling novel of Eros Atalia with the same title "Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me". Many have loved the book because of the effortless wits that were incorporated with Eros’ unique language in romance style of writing. Moreover, the story was richly nourished with issues that concerned the various areas of societies – all looked upon through the perspective of Karl Vladimir Lennon J. Villalobos, a young blossoming lad who possessed an exceptional character and intellect that often ignited the sparks of argument between him and his college professors. 

Also known as Intoy, Karl had this unrestrained curiosity about things that happened and existed around him. He never really disapproved but the frank questions he asked (for his desire to fully understand) often challenged the concreteness of the majority’s beliefs particularly in the areas of religion, norms, feminism, sanity, and human perception of right and wrong.

The story as a book was a real page-turner; as a movie, well I’d dare say it was intellectually comical, sexily rousing and competitively satirical. Intoy and Jen’s ups and downs were not really set apart from what was happening in today’s generation. The youth’s playful exploration as they intersected with one another’s life, the equivalent consequences of their actions, their responses on such consequences – all of it demonstrated the youths' adventure in a bigger picture; that they are often driven to certain actions (out of several stimuli), and the environment (inclusive of all the elements therein) reacted to their actions with the equal level of intensity and their first initiative then is to react back to it -- more of being subjective and less of being objective and then so on. The action-reaction process would soon tired them out ‘til they ended drop-dead confused and wondering on what they have done wrong to earn such a painstaking process of growing up.  

It was shown through Intoy and Jen, wherein they were trapped in this overpowering emotion which they were both trying to win over, but then in the end the swell of emotion would get unstoppable like a storm surge that is likely to wash away what has been started. For certain, "Ligo Na U Lapit Na Me" will make you laugh, stirred and sympathize with the main characters of the story, also, it would leave a hole opening on your consciousness wherein some wisps of wondering would surely seep through your senses like the sun’s finger lights entering through the roof’s cracks.

The movie casting was absolutely perfect. Mercedes Cabral was well-fitted for Jen’s playful and seducing character,and Edgar Allan Guzman while too good-looking for the description of Intoy’s physique had perfectly justified the nature of Intoy’s soul character. The treatment with its series of voice over that spoke for what Intoy had in mind in the particular moment, the witty musical scoring that spiced up the temperament of each scene, the certain instances that Intoy was breaking the fourth wall and directly facing the camera to talk to the audiences, the fast-pace sequences all complemented with one another to deliver a fully entertaining and mind-boggling film.

For this movie that never lacks the wit, the wisdom and the sumptuous offerings of life … I’ll give it 8 Espresso Shots! Cheers!

Ligo na U, Lapit na Me – Emo ka ba? Pwes basahin mo ito! By Lyn Bungar

Photo courtesy of goodreads.com

Ang akdang ito ni Eros Atalia ang kasa-kasama ko sa mga panahong nagmumuni-muni ako sa mga bagay-bagay sa aking buhay. Isa ito sa dalawang aklat na ibinigay sa akin na hindi ko pa napagtatangkaang buklatin at basahin. Napagpasiyahan kong itigil muna ang pagbabasa ng e-books at bigyang pansin ang mga aklat na nasasalat.

Umikot ang istorya sa lihim na pag-ibig ni Intoy kay Jen na nagsimula lamang sa paglalaro ng dalawa sa apoy. At patuloy pang nagpaikot-ikot sa mga nakakatuwang biro, dayalogo at mga hinuha ni Intoy sa iba’t ibang bagay na may kinalaman sa buhay at walang buhay.

Gumamit ang awtor ng matatalim na salita, bulgar at walang-hiya. Ngunit hindi nakakasugat, nakakagulat ngunit sa huli’y mas nanamnamin at kapapanabikan ang mga salitang bibitawan ng pangunahing tauhan. Mapagbiro ngunit may laman. Nangungusap at hindi basta-basta nagkukuwento lamang. Mapapangiti, maguguluhan at masasabik ka sa mga pakikipagsapalaran ni Intoy sa eskuwelahan, magulang, kapitbahay, kay Jen at sa sarili.

Ang Ligo na U, Lapit na Me ay hindi tulad ng nakasanayan ko nang Pilipinong panitikan noong ako’y nasa hayskul. Dinaan ng awtor sa biro ang mga issue o usapin na ako mismo’y hindi malaman kung seseryosohin ko nga ito o hindi. Ang mga biro ay hindi nagkukubli sa mga salitang nakagawian na o mas tanggap ng nakararami. Imumulat ka nito sa totoong mundo o pangyayari sa pamamagitan ng di mapagpanggap na mga salita.

Kung ikaw ay pinagdaraanan sa buhay na kahit ano pa man, ito ang babasahing para sa iyo (maliban sa banal na salita at encouraging posts sa FB wall mo). Matatawa ka at makakalimutan mo panandalian ang mga sanhi ng iyong kalungkutan sa pamamagitan ng mga problemang ihahain ni Intoy, not to mention ang kanyang mga karanasan sa pagiging ganap na lalaki. Ipapaalala nito na ang buhay ay buhay dahil may pagdurusa, kalungkutan at kasawian. Na may mga tanong at pagtatapos na hindi na dapat hinahanapan ng kasagutan o pagwawakas dahil ang buhay ay patuloy na paglalakbay. Sa kabila nito, sabik akong mabasa ang pangalawang aklat!

Pinapatawan ko ang panulat na ito ni Eros Atalia ng walong tasang latte. At paniguradong mas-aabangan ko pa ang mga akda niya.

LA VIE EN ROSE: The extraordinary life of Edith Piaf and the astounding portrayal of Marion Cotillard ~ by: Uel Ceballos

I’m not French; I’m not even a Westerner though I’m somehow familiar with a bit of their cultures where the credits of my knowledge go to the movies I’ve come to watch. To top it all I knew very less of the Western people especially the French (except of the historical figures that were included in our lessons back at school), but this biographical movie of Edith Piaf, her most recognizable specialty on chanson realiste genre, and the rest of extraordinary events in her life really got me bonded on my seat (while holding a cup of coffee as usual). As I stirred my favorite beverage, the film stirred up as well the curiosity in me to know more about the intricate details of the French music, history, and their most known and influential customs there.

La Vie En Rose opened with a stage performance of already feeble Edith, singing at New York, at the age of 44. Everything that greeted me on that first two minutes of the film – the terrifying music intro, the melodious voice of Edith in her somber deliverance of lyrics, the musical theatre in its warm color scheme, and the cutting of frame to the shot of ambulance and men rushing in – quiet impressed upon me the nature of the scenes that are about to come for the rest of two hours.

If you want to see Paris in its early decades of the 20^th century, then this film is a must-see for you. The movie told the life of Edith Piaf, one of France’s greatly celebrated international divas whose life story was a blend of troubling twist and turn, love, fame, success and health betrayal. Her life was shown from her childhood which was spent on the street while her mother sung, busking for coins to the last days of her life, frail and sick. We would see here how her younger years were exposed to the impoverished way of life, until her mother left her to her maternal grandmother to pursue singing career. Edith then was so innocent and sick ‘til her father fetched her and left her to her paternal grandmother, who ran and managed a brothel. After the hostile street environment, Edith was then transferred to another place that opened her up to the cruel and undignified trade of prostitution.

Edith’s story had depicted as well the destitution issues of Paris at that time. Though she was harshly challenged by life in her early years, Edith never lacked the good people who supported and helped her to get through all the fate’s adversities. She got Titine who influenced Edith on her religion and undying devotion to St. Therese, Momone who was Edith’s sister by heart, and the rest of people including her entourage who stayed with her from her celebrity fame to the downfall of her health that eventually drew the last breath on her frail and weakly hunched body.

Edith’s rise to international fame from being a street crooner was not an easy trail. Edith reached the peak of success with the image of broken, wretched and toughly challenged woman beneath the fancy celebrity clothes and sophisticated make ups. But like anyone else, Edith dealt with it in every best imaginable way possible. She developed the character of a happy woman with frenzied endeavor to crack laughter in the crowd, just so to generate entertainments in spite of the disasters and ill-fated events that happened in her life. She has had lovers and husbands but Edith was loyally and faithfully married to nothing else but to singing. There was a part in the film where Edith said that if she wasn’t singing then she would not be living in this world at all. Edith Piaf was the existence of a singer that wasn’t made, but a singer that was born.

The film was approached in a series of flashbacks to Edith's earlier life, a sequence of random frames of Edith in her various ages, situations, and periods in life. The editing treatment had the tendency to confuse on which of Edith life situations being shown had happened first since the chronicles were arranged in no particular order of its occurrences.

The film has really got me mixed up as I watched the story revealed right there before my eyes. This is the most sensitively and psychologically bothering film I’ve seen after the “Hilary and Jackie” – the life of celebrated virtuoso, devastated by traumas, past events, health betrayal and love. Edith was emotionally and mentally ravaged not of morphine and alcohol but of the certain events in her life that made her seek refuge in getting drunk and drugged. However, despite of it all she never lose her faith and still clung to it up to the last days of her life.

No wonder that “La Vie En Rose” had successfully gained numerous awards including the Academy Award for Best Actress that was given to Marion Cotillard. Marion Cotillard’s portrayal of Edith Piaf was superbly justified, from the physique to the psychological and emotional embodiment of Edith’s characters – everything was just so next to perfection. Marion didn’t just portray Edith Piaf but she had actually given herself away and put Edith’s soul inside her!

For this scrupulously made film that depicted the life of remarkable personality through the exceptional portrayal by one of the finest French actresses, I’ll give it a perfect rate of 10 Espresso Shots!