My New Comfort Zone

Before acrophobia took over

In the past six years, I had been coddled by the comforts of the media industry's lifestyle beat, especially when it comes to traveling. 

Whenever I joined media familiarization tours, even if it involved  trekking in the outdoors, we, the writers and bloggers, would always be well taken care of. Porters would be hired to carry our stuff, personnel would be ready to hand us drinks, and modes of transportation would be present at any given moment. 

That's how babied media could be at the times. Unfortunately, others get used to it to the point that they demand all the privileges when that should never be the case. (But that's another topic altogether that I'd rather not discuss.) 

And so I wouldn't blame my best friend for telling me, "That's not you bes," after seeing this photo I shared over Instagram: 

(Photos from Ms. Weng)

That's me learning the basics of ropemanship and applying it in an actual scenario: which was to cross a gushing river during rainy weather with an emergency harness. The training was led by Sir Rick, our co-founder and leader of Random Act of Kindness (RAK). It was held at Daraitan River in Sitio Manggahan in Tanay, Rizal where our group organized an outreach for the marginalized community and Dumagat tribe the day before. (Read Finding Meaning in the Mountains-Part 1)

With half a day to spend at the remote village snaked by the river, RAK members decided to spend for ropemanship. Sir Rick first showed us how to properly cross a river without any ropes while sharing tips and tricks to our survival. Of course, it looked easy but I highly doubted it was. And then, he tied a line from the two sides of the river. This was were rope harness tied to us would be connected. 

Thanks to peer pressure, I came third in line. What happened surprised us all. Because of the continuous rains (the weather was bad even before we got at Sitio Manggahan), the water in middle part already reached my chest, I actually got swept away by the strong current. But thanks to our safety line, I was safe, haha. Yay, it worked! 

Still, I had to be semi-rescued because I couldn't stand anymore and finish the task on my own. About three came to me and two held the rope steady. 

It was well documented you see: 

Ready, steady

About to be swept away!

All of them to the rescue!

The only time Sir Alex did not bully me. But he went back to it right after we got back to land. 

When I returned to the rest of RAK, what do I get? Bullying! As always, we just made it a laughing matter. And all was good afterward especially with the shot of lambanog to warm the body. 

The week before that, we climbed Mt. Daraitan to raise funds for the community outreach and that too proved very challenging to the sheltered lifestyle journalist that I was. 


For the first time in my entire traveling life, I experienced the most number of falls I could ever had. Funny, in the beginning of the descent, I was even boastful for saving myself a couple of times from slipping thanks to my quick reflexes. This proved to be useless on the last hour of the four-hour descent because of the ruthless trail--muddy and slippery as fuck. Add to that my exhausted and lampa legs. I was a disaster. Haha. 

Muddy and slippery as fuck

Slip here, fall there. Landing on my butt, stopping the fall with my hands. At one point, my left hand without gloves landed on a sharp stone cutting it. I was bleeding and I needed to get a first aid. Hoho. On another instance, I landed with my right arm planting on the soil. I froze on the ground and thought oh God, hope I did not dislocate my arm. Thankfully, I did not. 

"Maisusulat ko pa," I would tell Sir Rick and my best friend Xerlyn, as well as the local guide. The four of us in the tail of the pack. 

We also went off trail and had to cross a narrow cliff. I almost slipped here too. But no worries, I was well assisted. 

All the time, our destination which was the Daraitan River at the foot of the mountain could be heard flowing with might as if we were getting nearer but we weren't! What a tease.

But as what life does not cease teaching us, it was never about the falls but how one got back up on his/her feet after. So on zombie mode, I did finish the hike. I was covered in mud and sweat combined and sure looked nothing like a lifestyle journalist.  

Yet, I felt as if I belonged there, in the great outdoors. In time, I will make it my new comfort zone. 

Finding Meaning in the Mountains - Part 1

Exhausted, I went to bed, closed my eyes, and tried to sleep. Half-conscious, half dreaming, the memories of the day that just transpired flashed in my mind. It was a blur of browns and greens, the colors of the earth and trees, of the mountain I just hiked. 

Normally, this only happened to me after movies that I took by heart. It could only mean that said mountain made the same impact, perhaps even greater.  

At the summit of Mt. Daraitan

It was Tanay, Rizal's Mt. Daraitan, standing at approximately 739 meters above sea level. Supposedly, it was categorized as a minor climb but totally did not felt that way to me. It was my first serious hike and it was also the toughest. 

Nevertheless, I was not one to complain because despite feeling dead from the physical pain, I felt so much more alive from the unforgettable gain. 

Because unlike most of the commercial climbs I bet you have joined to "get away from the city" and instead "get close to Mother Earth while"--and all other similar cliches--this particular journey to Mt. Daraitan was mainly for a good cause. 

The colors of the mountain

Held last December 11, Sunday, it was one the last fund-raising climb of Random Act of Kindness, or RAK, for the year 2016. RAK is a group of mountaineers slash volunteers hailing from different sectors of the society. 

Only on my second adventure with the group, I had been enlightened ten-fold about "mountaineering" and all the responsibilities it entailed. It was never just about reaching the summit, taking selfies, and saying "I conquered Mt. Daraitan (or any other mountain)." 

Sir Rick of RAK lives and breathes mountains

Because as RAK co-founder and leader Frederick "Rick" Laping said with conviction, "You can't conquer a mountain because the mountains had been there before you. And you can't conquer a mountain because the mountains will outlast you." 

What you are allowed to say is you conquered your fears, or you conquered yourself in reaching the summit and returning safe. Sir Rick further imparted to the hike's participants. 

There were over 10 of us plus three more RAK members Tupe, Alex, Paul and Daiana, who were savoring the steaming lomi after the tiring hike, while taking by heart valuable lessons from a man who had courted and loved the mountains for two decades already. 

The group at the summit

From this immersion came the awareness that many mountains in the Philippines served as ancestral domains of indigenous peoples, the rightful dwellers who most often lacked access to basic needs like shelter, clothing, food and light. 

Thus, RAK was born from the desire to do one random act of kindness at a time. Whether to extend a helping hand to remote, mountainous communities, or to protect and preserve the environment through clean-up drives, or promoting clean, renewable energy, among others. 

Sir Rick points to where the last outreach program of RAK for 2016 is to be held

So how to does RAK do all this? We go back to the non-profit organization's fundraising climbs which are open to all who wish to follow and support RAK's above-mentioned outreach programs. Of which, the culmination for 2016 was recently held on December 17 at Sitio Manggahan in Brgy. Daraitan (yes where the mountain was). 

I also took part in the said event and for two consecutive weekends, found new meaning in the mountains. 

To be continued in Part 2. 

***
For now let's take a look at photos from the Mt. Daraitan fund-raising climb with RAK. 

Don't be fooled by the seriousness of this entry because RAK is composed of a bunch of goofies and bullies, led by this trio, Rick, Alex and Kris (or RAK). Genius! 

Had to stop on my track just to capture this tiny beauties. 

There was also grotto deep in the mountain.

Sir Rick with the local tour guides in the background

Happy and funny faces at Station 2. 

My best friend and travel buddy Xerlyn and I at the summit, the very spot that confirmed my fear of heights. 

She, on the other hand, had no problem whatsoever and kept bugging me to take her photos. 

But truly, such a scenic view. 

Is this a challenge? Yak hane!

(ALL PHOTOS ARE MINE)

'Child' not 'Doctor'; 'Apocalypse' not 'Strange'

I want to shut up about this (I do not want to be "panira") but I will express myself nonetheless because I believe this needs to be shared. 

Last Saturday, October 29, I took Mama to the cinema to watch the Filipino independent film "Apocalypse Child," which was first shown last year at the QCinema film festival. That was amidst a majority of cinemagoers rooting for "Doctor Strange," the major Marvel movie starring Benedict Cumberbatch! Mr. Cumberbatch's match, Sid Lucero who I daresay is as believable and as effective as an actor. 

And so, there we were, lined up at the senior citizen lane (Mama perks haha). I clearly told the SM Megamall box office attendant, "Two tickets for 'Apocalypse Child.'"

"For 7:40 (p.m.) po?" she asked back. 

"Uh, 7:50." I said coz the screening time for Apocalypse Child at Cinema 1 indicated so. 

"Pili na po kayong seats."

I looked at the screen and I thought to myself, WHOA! 

Out of 600 seats, more than half are already occupied. Namromlema pa ako dahil hindi na maganda seats namin ni Mama. 

Could it be true that "Apocalypse Child's" online marketing worked? Could it be possible that the little child actually gave the Marvel giant a good fight? And could it be really, really happening: Filipinos now cared about locally produced films, the ones that actually made sense? 

No, no and a big NO!

The box office attendant apparently assumed that I came to see "Doctor Strange" because, obviously, everybody was! (If I remembered correctly, 8 out of Megamall's 12 cinemas were screening the Marvel film.) So, she got us tickets to the 7:40 p.m. showing of "Doctor Strange." Kaya pala!

OK, I admit. I was also stupid for not looking at the tickets handed to me. (Food was the next thing in my mind, haha). I only realized the mistake when Mama and I were already entrance of Cinema 1, "Apocalypse Child" to play in 5 minutes. 

As I inserted the automated cards that came with the tickets, it got churned out so naturally, I asked the entrance personnel, "Ate bakit nilabas?"

She looked at my tickets and answered, "Ma'am 'Doctor Strange' po ang tickets nyo."

"Ha! Hindi, sabi ko 'Apocalypse Child' e!" 

A woman beside her, who was wearing a Sinag Maynila T-shirt (which made me assume she was there for 'Apocalypse Child'), then told the personnel: "Papalitan mo na lang." 

"Sige," I agreed and then before the confused SM Megamall employee left to the ticket booths, "Paano yong seat number namin?"

"Ma'am kahit saan, konti lang naman ang tao." 

Upon entering the cinema, all my hopes were shattered. I could count in my fingers the few Filipinos watching "Apocalypse Child." 

What was I imagining really when I saw that half-filled cinema in the ticket booth screen? By then I should've already noticed something was wrong.  

Of course, Filipinos would choose a well-budgeted foreign film over an independently produced film even if it was their OWN. 

I'm not saying don't watch Marvel films. I myself will be watching "Doctor Strange" in the big screen. 

All I'm appealing is that, if you could spend P250 for a Hollywood movie that would surely rake millions of dollars, why not spare P250 for a Pinoy indie that would probably never even earn back half of its budget spent.

You'll be surprised, you'll also get your money's worth. Maybe not in entertainment value but in enlightenment value. And that is what we need badly today in our society! 

(Willingly spending P250 over Star Cinema rom-coms are of another breed. I rather not go into that.)

As of this writing, "Apocalypse Child" would probably be pulled out from cinemas already after only a week-long slot, at the most! You can't blame the businessmen entirely. Sadyang Hindi sapat 'yong nanonood e. Parehong olats ang pelikula at ang sinehan. 

Pero ang pinaka-talo, ang mga mamayang Pilipinong hindi marunong tumangkilik ng sariling likhang sining. 

***
But here comes the panira part, which is now entirely my fault. 

I expected too much from "Apocalypse Child" after seeing rave reviews from the likes of directors Erik Matti ("On the Job") and Jerrold Tarog ("Heneral Luna"). Also, it had won important awards namely Best Picture and Best Director for Mario Cornejo at QCinema awards last year. 

I believe the film deserve all the love and trophies it had received so far. The film was a subtle kind of beautiful with nuanced acting close to perfection. Montejo brought out the best in his cast namely Sid Lucero, Annicka Dolonius (Best Supporting Actress, QCinema), Ana Abad-Santos (Best Supporting Actress, Gawad Urian), Gwen Zamora, RK Bagatsing and Archie Alemania. The acting, for me, really is the best part of the film. 

But it is not enough. And I'm not being a critic here. I just want to be honest with my feelings or "lack" thereof. How so? I simply did not feel something new from "Apocalypse Child." 

Sex, drugs, love and little politics are a tried and tested formula in the big screen. Only for this time, the formula is set among the crashing waves of Baler. 

Unfortunately again, even Baler is not new to me. I've personally seen it's charm with my own two eyes. 

And so for the verdict, let me recall what I told a friend who asked me if it's worth watching in the big screen. 

50-50. 

50 percent for "Apocalypse Child" and 50 percent for independent Philippine cinema. 

So go watch it if its still miraculously showing after reading this. 

P.S. Please don't hate me. 

(All photos from Apocalypse Child on Facebook.)

Mars Ravelo, Komiks, and Arts

This entire month, I had been craving for a dose of arts in my life. I've been dreaming of going up to Angono, Rizal to visit the many museums of the Philippines' Arts Capital; as well as planning a return trip to Angono's sister town, Antipolo, where the Pinto Arts Museum is located. 

Unfortunately, hectic October couldn't allow even just one of the two to happen. 

But when I least expected it, I ran into an art exhibit last October 15, Saturday. 

That day, I was covering Day 1 of the Asia Pacific leg of Travel Blog Exchange, which was hosted by the Philippines for the first time. The event was held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City. 

After the official business, I walked toward Roxas Boulevard and passed by the nearby Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Along the ground driveway, there were tarpaulins of ongoing shows and programs. 

And there it was, the poster of "Mars Ravelo Reinterpreted," an exhibit marking the Filipino comic artist's birth centennary. It was staged by the CCP with the support of the Ravelo family. 

The participating artists

A true legend, Ravelo continues to touch the lives of today's generation. His creations and characters come to life up in TV shows and movies. Darna, Dyesebel, Lastikman, and Captain Barbell are just some his heroes and heroines that have become household names. 

The exhibit is no different as it also aims to "present the continuing legacy and influence of his work in Philippine culture and society." But at the same time, it is different for it showcases the creativity of Filipino artists who were tapped to "move from and into different styles and mediums, applying 'komiks' sensibilities without losing their distinct personalities." (CCP) 


And I was ecstatic to see familiar names in the list of participating artists. Leeroy New and Dex Fernandez are two contemporary Filipino artists that I had been following through social media for more than years now. The works of Kris Abrigo I also recently encountered. 

I was curious to see how they, and the others, would, pay tribute to someone as iconic and legendary as Mars Ravelo. 

Upon entering the CCP's Main Gallery, I was first greeted by a collection of memorabilia documenting the career of Ravelo. It was a prelude of sort. 

There was a timeline detailing his early days, as well as his latest works. His family also lent personal items like a script of Captain Barbell, and a vintage typewriter--both probably utilized by Ravelo himself. 
Also aplenty were first-ever printed editions of Ravelo's different comics. I bet this would delight comic collectors and lovers if they ever visited the exhibit. 

After the brief familiariazation and history lesson, it was time to see the actual artworks which included paintings, murals, mixed media and installations. 

An early favorite of mine was "D for Divinity" (2016) by Ernest Concepcion. Made of oil and enamel on gypsum canvas, it is a reimagining of Darna--humanized but divine. The iconic Pinay superhero had her arms raised as if she was on a campaign trail. Her nemesis surrounding her but not quite succeeding in defeating her. Look closely and you see her soul escaping her. Why, I wondered?

'D for Divinity'

Another popular female protagonist of Ravelo is Dyesebel, whom generations of Pinays once dreamed of becoming. In the exhibit, the mermaid came to life in a brass sculpture on a stainless steel base by Jonas Roces. The 2016 work of art seemed to leap out of the depths of the ocean, her figure--body, hair, tail and face, detailed subtlety but beautifully.

Sculpted Dysebel in brass

A different interpretation of Dyesebel is painted by R.M de Leon. His 2009 acrylic on paper showed the mermaid splattered on the ground and surrounded by flies and insects! "Malansa na?" I couldn't help but ask this time around, proving that art raises discourse. 

Dysebel painted on canvas

And then there were the abovementioned contemporary artists who had made names for themselves in local and global scales. 

Fernandez, the man behind Garapata, lent his signature art that had already became a brand coveted in other parts of Asia like Japan and Korea.

A portion of the mural "Ipe, Engot at si Garapata"

The Garapata was incorporated into Ravelo's 1940s character, Ipe. First printed in Buhay Pilipino, Ipe told the lives of two servants, the elder Ipe and younger Engot who serves as the annoying sidekick of the former. 

Fernandez's mural, which was popping with colors, was titled "Ipe, Engot at si Garapata."

And then there was New, famous for his out-of-this-world installation art. He had exhibited in different parts of the Philippines and the world. 

In Mars Ravelo Reinterpreted, he chose an early comics, "Flash Bomba" that chronicled tragedy of Roldan who got crippled by polio. However, he regained his legs and more through a deal with the Tiklabang. Thus, Flash Bomba was born. 

Flash Bombas with skulls

New's "Still Life with Two Flash Bombas" include two life-sized Flash Bombas made with multiple colorful, tiny and plastic baby toys. At their foot, four skulls made of the same material were scattered--which for me overshadowed the Flash Bombas. 


The younger Abrigo was also chosen for the exhibit. I had known of this promising muralist back in my days at The Manila Times after my former lifestyle section colleague wrote a feature on him. 

Abrigo's 'History of Halimaw'

Abrigo made two artworks, one acrylic on canvas, the other acrylic on wood, both of which are about Gog, a lesser known work of Ravelo, about monsters and brains. But despite the morbidity of the story, Abrigo's reinterpretation breathed of youthfulness and vibrancy, with colorful geometric and typography. 

Another personal favorite was the masterpiece of Jericho Vamenta called "Kwentong Labada ni Gorio at Tekla" (acrylic, oil pastel, and oil paint on canvas, 2016). As the titled suggested, it was about Ravelo's "Gorio and Tekla," first serialized in the 1950s. 

A personal favorite by Jericho Vamenta

The painting was a picture perfect depiction of the Filipino society's mister and misis, bickering because misis in a tapis had tons of laundry while mister on briefs had a cockfight to attend to. The way I saw it, Tekla was the typical nagging wife while Gorio was the hopeless under the saya. 

A unique piece was Mariano Ching's "Untitled" for the unique Ravelo character, Facifica Falayfay, the gay persona of Pacifico who hailed from a macho family. The acrylic and pyrogpraph on wood portrayed how Facifica's heart was colored differently. 

Mariano Ching's uses pyrography on this piece

Also part of the exhibit is a flat latex mural by Ang Gerilya painted at the wall just across the main gallery. Called "Tagapagligtas," it aptly honored the heroic deeds of iconic superhero, Captain Barbell. 

A Captain Barbell mural at the walls of CCP

Ravelo's direct, living descendants namely his daughter Rita and son Rex also contributed to the exhibit by showcasing their works that are heavily influenced by their father. 

Rita Ravelo-dela Cruz, the fourth daughter, for example had framed drafts of her comic strip "Kikay Okay," which came out at "Art Manila Quarterly," a publication by The Manila Times in the 2000s. Kikay Okay is the extension of Rita, a mischievous girl character by his father. Kikay is the daughter of Rita. 

The funny antics of Kikay Okay

The CCP writes, "Ravelo-dela Cruz's style is an epitome of Mars' original illustrations, the revival of Pinoy komiks essence and her father's drawing style . . The Kikay Okay series is a reflection of a love and admiration of her father's legacy."

Meanwhile, her brother Rex exhibited "Tinapa Literature," a drawing of his father's works repurposed as pambalot (wrapper) for tinapa (smoked fish)--reminiscing the golden era of komiks when it became a huge part of the Filipinos' everyday life. 

And while there may be a steady production of local comics today but Mars Ravelo Reinterpreted makes one hope for the full resurgence of komiks in the Filipino culture. 

Comics is for all ages

Self-portrait at the "Bondying" installation

When Bullet went ‘slow’

Seated at the center of Route 196’s tiny stage, the singer-songwriter began tuning his guitar and in between this meticulous ceremony, he asked the few remaining people if they were already tired or if they were still OK.

It’s almost 3 a.m.

Perhaps, he meant to tell it to himself. He came from a long gig at a different venue also in Quezon City.

But regardless, he managed to give the intimate crowd a heartfelt show. He was a natural named Bullet Dumas.

He sings—and talks

Dumas told the few ones—around 20 or so of them—who waited for him that they can sit on the floor if they felt like it.

“Ako ang (mag)-cool down ng gabi ninyo (I will cool down your night),” said the closing act of “The Rest is Noise 14” live gig last September 10 at Route 196. It was staged by Vandals on the Wall, one of the leading producers in the local indie music scene today.

And then right after performing his first song “Ikaw,” he sought the comments of the audience if he came too loud for them. “Hindi ba crispy (ang tunog)?”

“Crisp!” someone from the crowd kindly corrected.

“Crispy. Masarap kasi e!” he answered heartily eliciting laughter from everyone.  That was just the first of many witty and funny adlibs thrown all throughout his performance.

He also explained each song, whether who it was written for, or why the lyrics were written as such. And that all that he played were different from the ones played at his earlier gig.

In another honest instance, the artist asked everyone if they had a pair of scissors. One of his tuning pegs was damaged from overuse that he wanted to just cut off the guitar string.

Obviously frustrated by the dilemma, Dumas kept apologizing despite noting, “Sabi nila, hindi daw dapat mag-sorry (ang artist) sa stage (They say, artists shouldn’t be saying sorry while on stage).

“Sorry.”

His avid listeners who regularly follow his gigs would know that this was the usual Dumas: an engaging kind of talkative.

He always had a way with words, which was even more evident in his songwriting.

Slow set

With a set of slow songs in mind for the gathering deep into the night, Dumas played a beautiful medley of three songs beginning with “Awit at Liriko,” a micro-song about pretty much what the title was.

The second titled “Pahinang Ito” was something personal for it was written for his late mother. He put on the shoe of a friend who saw her friend’s name in the obituary.

It was about loss but the requiem was nothing but tragic. He sang how one obituary can be ordinary to most but for that friend, the fonts were so beautiful. Just like the beautiful soul that was now lost.

“These songs usually take long to finish and oftentimes result in numerous versions before it is good to go. I tend to let the songs ‘ripen’ by themselves. I critique my work a lot that’s why my music writing takes a lot of time,” he expressed in an artist biography written by the Francis “Brew” Reyes, Filipino music legend.

In the same story, he admitted that “love—or the lack of it” was also a favorite theme in his songs. Just like that song where he hummed “La la la la” in the beginning only to be replaced by “Malala na” in the end.

Different folk

Google published articles about him online and many have likened him to some of the Philippines’ most distinguished folk artists namely Joey Ayala, Gary Granada, and Cynthia Alexander.

But Dumas’ folk was progressive and contemporary. In an article posted at manila.coconuts.co, his style was described to be filled with “nice guitar chops, unusual time measurements, different vocal phrasings, and random tunings.”

And although his set for The Rest is Noise 14 was described as slow, his unique sound—produced by only two machines: his vocal chords and acoustic guitar—still came through.

Even Coldplay’s “The Scientist” was stripped of its originality and became distinctly Dumas: raw.

This was even obvious in “Two Thirds Sensible,” which was erratic just like his other upbeat and fast songs. It was actually a deviation from the previously played songs because according to him, he could not remember playing his original choice.

“Nasira ‘yong slow set ko. Nagpapaka-Johnoy Danao pa naman ako (My slow set was ruined. Just when I’m trying to be Johnoy Danao)!”

(Danao is fellow acoustic artist and good friend of his. Together with Ebe Dancel, a mainstream singer-songwriter, the trio is collectively known as 3D.)

But he had to make do. It did not matter what song, no one complained.

Still the humbled performer, he looked everyone in the eye and said his thanks before firing away like speeding bullet. 

(Photos are mine and taken using Fujifilm X-E1)