Para kay B at para kay Guy

My balikbayan kumare just arrived back here in Sydney, fresh from her month-long PI visit. She called me up to say that I have a gift package from my sister and that I could get it anytime from her place. I was expecting the package. Inside it, there supposed to be a book, secured for me by a dear friend during the book launching last year. It's a precious copy because it has the author's signature and a dedication so I cannot risk to lose it in the mail. I had to wait for someone to personally carry it when he/she brings it to Sydney. It was a long wait but the timing couldn't have been more perfect.

It's Valentine's week and for 2 days, a book of 5 love stories filled my train journey. I was determined to finish reading before Valentine's day, which I did. The book? It's Para Kay B (o kung paano dinevastate ng pag-ibig ang 4 out of 5 sa atin), the first book novel of award winning scriptwriter Mr. Ricky Lee.

I have watched some of the movies that Mr. Ricky wrote the scripts of (including of course the most famous Himala) and I was sort of expecting a similar style in his first novel with serious theme and mysterious dialogue. But then, it may turn out to be a little different too so as not to pre-empt things, I avoided reading reviews from the internet. I also didn't read the comments printed on the book itself until I finished it. However, txt message has no warning so I had to read it. It was from my sister in PI (who had the first read). She said that she liked the book and couldn't put it down as she was intrigued to know kung sino si "B". I jokingly sent a reply txt, "It must be u" (my sister's name is Beth). "Corni mo", txt nya ulit. "Matagal na", reply ko ulit.

Reading the first few pages of Irene, Ang Unang Kuwento made me pause for a few minutes. "Si Mr. Ricky nga ba ang sumulat nito?" Maganda but different indeed. To start with, Taglish as in talagang conversational Taglish ang ginamit nyang medium. Nowadays, seldom that anyone hears pure English or pure Tagalog lines in a conversation so the use of mixed English-Tagalog is perfectly honest. Totoong-totoo tuloy ang pag-bitiw ng dialog ng mga characters. There are a lot of witty lines. May mga "x-rated" na salita rin and in Tagalog pa (Whoah!). Reading it felt almost the same as saying it. Natatawa at nagugulat ako habang nagbabasa. I didn't care kung mapagkamalan akong baliw ng katabi ko sa tren. hahaha I will always remember Tatlong "K" at Tatlong "P". And those characters? I can imagine them to be so real or to come to life in the big screen. They are not the goody-goody type. All of them are flawed at marami ding hang-ups (in love and war) which again is depicting reality.

Supposedly, the book is about love and the theory that 4 out of 5 will be devastated by it. And only 1 (yes, only 1!) will have an honest-to-goodness happy ending. How's that for a devastating ratio? Well, I guess the "4" can find consolation on the thought that they belong to the majority ey?

How the 5 stories were weaved together (almost seamless) is brilliant. Socio-political issues and showbusiness graced more than a few pages (It's Ricky Lee so no surprises there!). There's definitely more about the book than proving the veracity of the devastating theory. Each of the 5 stories will ask different questions and different readers will have different answers.

Summing it all up, the book is entertaining, funny and truly enjoyable to read. So...is the "devastating" theory true or not? Which story/ies had the happy ending? Better read the book now and find out...

Some quotable quotes from the book:- Tatlong K: kabog, kilig, kirot. Kapag naramdaman ibig sabihin umiibig ka.
- Tatlong P: p_kp_k, pakpak, pokpok. Mga salitang ginamit para i-summarize ang buong existence ng isa sa mga characters.
- Ang napakaraming uri ng pag-ibig at nagmamahal (p. 36 - 39)
- Petal Attractions! pangalan ng flower shop.
- Ang writer sa Pilipinas walang nagbabasa, walang rumerespeto at walang pera! (for sure, hindi ito si Ricky Lee)
- Pahabol ni Mr. Ricky: Kapag nagsusulat ako, nagpapahinga ako. (Please Mr. Ricky, magpahinga pa po kayo nang magpahinga para marami pa kaming mabasa na magaganda at makabuluhang mga istorya)

Para kay Guy
So...what does Ate Guy have to do with Ricky Lee's first novel? None really except for the special dedication on my copy of the book that says: Para kay B, at para kay Guy! Imagine my surprise when I read that! Very sweet! Obviously, Mr. Ricky knew then that I am a Noranian. Sincere thanks to a Noranian friend who told Mr. Ricky that I am eagerly waiting for his Nora Aunor biography.

If nothing else, the dedication proved again the friendly connection between Mr. Ricky and Ate Guy. From the Himala days (when he insisted that only Nora Aunor was to play the role of Elsa), Mr. Ricky has always been an ardent supporter of Ate Guy (and vice-versa). Up to this day, the two maintain a true friendship which is based on mutual respect (career and personal wise). When others don't give a hoot, Mr. Ricky will come out in defense of Ate Guy. He also lends support to projects/events which aim to promote the artistry of Nora Aunor. Thank you, Mr. Ricky Lee.

Come to think of it, hindi nga kaya naisip ni Mr. Ricky si Ate Guy sa papel ni "B"? Posible ito dahil si "B" ay magaling din umarte.

Ohhh, I remember something now. There's a small trace of Ate Guy in the book. One of the main characters "Irene" who has a photographic memory uttered famous movie lines, 2 of which were "Walang Himala!" and "My brother is not a pig!". No need to say who made these lines famous and in which movies they were from, right?

"Aswang"
The second novel to be released is "Aswang" - a political satire. Merong connect ito kay Ate Guy kasi isang pulis na Noranian ang isa sa mga characters. Hmmm...interesting...I can't wait to read it.

Triple Filter Test

True test of friendship? Let's begin with the Triple Filter Test...

"Long time ago in ancient Greece, there was a man named Socrates who was highly knowledgeable and an esteemed philosopher. He was approached by a fellow one day. That person told Socrates that he has some information to tell him about his friend. Before he could even start talking about his friend, Socrates told him to take a test known as the Triple Filter Test.

The first test was the filter of truth. Socrates asked him if the information he had was the truth. The person said that he had just heard it on the way and was not sure if it was the absolute truth. The second filter was that of Goodness. He asked if the information was regarding anything good about his friend. The man said it was actually the opposite. The third filter was that of Usefulness. Socrates asked if the information was useful to him in any way. The man replied in the negative.

Socrates then replied that when the information regarding a friend is not true, good or useful, then why it should be conveyed at all. The moral of the story is that you may always participate in loose gossip, but when it comes to your friends it is just not worth it. You know your friends better than others. So you must avoid talking behind the back of your dearest friends. It only leads to strained relations and shows that you are not reliable or trustworthy as a friend."

A pleasant journey through Nora's music

More than 2 years ago when I wrote this post in our Nora egroup.

Jul 3, 2006 - posted in The Original Nora Aunor Yahoogroup

I just received the copy of Superstar 40th Anniversary CD Collection which I ordered online. I skimmed through the selection and noted that it was varied, but mostly ballad. There are old popular English songs, "Manila Sound" and classic Tagalog love songs. Straight away, I imported the songs to my Ipod. I vowed to listen to every song from start to end. I figure it will take me a few train rides to get through the 3 CDs. This morning whilst on my train ride to work, I chose to listen to the Tagalog songs first. My train rides used to be a non-event…same time, same scenery, even the same people I travel with. It has become my everyday routine I don't even notice how I get from one station to the next. Forget about what other people say that these mp3s are robbing off the opportunity to get people to talk to each other and be mindful of each other. I can do the talking some other time. For now and more train rides later, I will close my eyes and enjoy the solitude with music to my ears.

And what a feast of great music I had! The Tagalog songs are beautiful...the Kundiman-like, Tagalog love songs...even my all time favourite "Ang Pipit" is glorious. "Luha at Halakhak" with the short but full of emotion narration must not be missed. The "Daigdig ng Pangarap" duet with Rico J. proves versatility in singing the second voice.

Nora Aunor is truly gifted and I believe it now more than ever when people say that she was well in front of the crowd when God showered us with amazing talents… I'd say she was even in front of the new generation singers we have today and future generations to come… a Filipino treasure to behold. Nora's voice has this unexplained brilliance, her diction is so perfect I can hear and understand every word, even in the lowest of notes. Most of all, I feel each song, it speaks to the heart. Nora cruised through the songs and I just have to let go and I am on my very pleasant journey.

Fast forward to present time...

Additional songs filled my Ipod to almost full capacity but I am reserving precious space for the 10 original composition in Nora's new CD album titled "Habang Panahon". My lovely friend from the US is sending me the CD, signed by Ate Guy herself. Wow! I wait with much anticipation (and not a lot of patience) for that extra special pleasant journey when I will listen to the sweet serenade of the Golden Voice once more.

Familiar but strange

'Left home 2 minutes later than usual. 'Had to beat the red light to make up for lost time. 'Parked the card hurriedly somewhere close to the station, then began my running exercise for the day. Huffin' and puffin' I reached the platform. Right on the dot at 8:31am, the train that will bring me to work (in the City ie. Sydney) has arrived. I took an empty window seat - the usual sunny side on the top level of the train carriage (no. 3 from the tail end of the total 8 carriages). Slowly, gradually the breathing went back to normal. I could feel the right leg was a bit sore. Did I pull the same muscle again? Never mind, 40 minutes of train ride and it will get better. I was just so glad to make it on time. I can't afford to miss the train today, an important (boring?) morning meeting awaits at work.

I quickly surveyed the carriage. The Asian looking pregnant lady was seated comfortably biting a sandwich for breakfast. She must be in her 7th month now (more or less). A few months back and I didn't even know she is pregnant. She'll give birth in spring, then I probably won't see her in the train until next summer, that is if she ever goes back to work again.

The senior man (he must be in mid to late 70s) was engrossed in reading today's newspaper. He always does. Sometimes he will end up sitting on the same seat as I am. Then I will find myself glancing over to read the headlines at least. He gets off at the Central station, one platform before mine. I wonder what he does going to the City each morning. He can't be doing regular paid work, can he?

The Chinese lady was seated beside her son. The son who's probably in Year 8 or 9 will get off at the station after next. He goes to the all boys Catholic High School not far from the train station. After a hug and a kiss from his Mom (not usual for a Chinese I thought so), the son gets off. The Mom continues the journey with a nap. Could be a long journey. I get off before her. I see her with her eyes closed still. I hope she doesn't miss her stop.

There are more familiar faces. I call them the "regulars". Then, the "part-timers". A blind lady with a guide dog I see every Tuesday. A handicap man in a wheelchair I see every Thursday. The look-alike twin pretty teenage girls who go to University, I see them every Wednesday and Friday. They are my co-train riders. I see them at least once each week. We don't speak to each other, not even Hi, Hello or Good morning but we get used to seeing one another (er except for the blind lady) and like me, they probably take notice also if someone's gone amiss. For months, even years we bumped into each other almost everyday and yet we don't know each other, not a single name. We sit in the train and we do our own thing.

Familiar yet so strange...very strange...