Hainrihi's Discoveries: May 2010

Thoughts on "Shrek Forever After"

7:57 PM

"Shrek" has been one of my favorite movies for the past decade and I have grown to love it with every sequel that was shown. So, I made sure that Marc and I were going to watch the final chapter. We planned to watch it in a regular cinema in Eastwood, but we were parked in the new mall and Ultra 7 was full already. The only cinema with "Shrek" there was in 3D, so we decided to watch it there. Having heard that it would be the final chapter, I did not have high expectations for it...and I was right not to. I was left satisfied on the story, as well as watching it on 3D and it was sad to see that it truly was the final "Shrek" movie.

"Shrek Forever After" is the final movie of the "Shrek" series. The main character, Shrek, wished that for just one day, he would feel like the ogre he was before he rescued Fiona from the tower----where people were scared of him and he could have all the time he wanted without any responsibilities of being a father and a husband. But when he signed a deal with Rumpelstiltskin for him to give that day, everything turned out wrong and needs to fix it before he disappears from the world---forever.

The movie is about solving some other problems and issues that were not yet shown in the prequels, and one of them is when Shrek felt somethings that can be felt by anybody, especially when we are burdened by many responsibilities. He became selfish and wanted to escape because he was scared to face these responsibilities---to the point that he didn't think of his wife and kids anymore. And when they were gone, that's when he realized that he missed them and wished they were back. While we do not have magic and real Rumpelstiltskins in our lives, most of us experience this feeling, thus take our loved ones for granted. We just realize that we love them so much when they are gone.

It is a very family-friendly movie that left me sad and teary knowing that it was the last "Shrek" movie and I will truly miss Shrek, Fiona, Donkey and, of course, Puss---which I grown to love the last decade. The fact that the ogres and the animals teach us humans the values of love and family makes the movie and the prequels very worthwhile to watch.

Lastly, it is through "Shrek" that I learned to love cats (Thank you Puss in Boots!). I learned that they can be lovable too if you take care of them. Now, we have a total of 7 cats in our house and I always make sure to pet or talk to them whenever I get home from work.

I'm going to miss all the "Shrek" characters and they will surely be on my hearts and memories. This is one movie animation that I want my kids to watch in the future.

Now, I just can't wait for the "Puss in Boots" movie, which will be shown either on 2011 or 2012. And yes, it will still be voiced by Antonio Banderas (oh, he is so adorable). According to Antonio Banderas in his interview with Ellen Degeneres, the story will revolve around Puss "back when he was still a little kitty cat, until he became a sword-fighting cat". Awww....I'm pretty sure people are going to watch it. I mean, who can't say no to that eyes? so cute....can't wait! :)

2010 Philippine Elections

Thoughts on the upcoming 2010 Elections tomorrow

7:09 PM

In less than 12 hours, voters from all over the country will flock to their precincts to vote for a new president after a decade of PGMA reign. Election 2010 is going to be a historic and memorable elections, no matter what the results will be. And the good thing (or the bad thing?) about these elections is we actually can't predict what will happen in these elections. That's either exciting or nerve-wracking for us.

For five months, I have been thinking on who to vote for. I had to research each and every candidate in terms of their qualifications, track record on public service, things they have done, etc. Heck, I even volunteered to be a Researcher for one of the candidates in GMA 7's "Kandidato" because I was so impressed by his track record. And talking and having lunch with him without the camera was actually inspiring and has led me to actually vote for him.

Then I resigned from GMA7 because of one of the reasons that I REALLY want to vote instead of being assigned to another place and cover the voting process in that place. Yes, I may be one of the front-runners for one of the most historic elections to ever happen in the Philippines. But then, nothing can stop me from voting and I know that I will never be able to vote if I'm in the media. In other words, I love to vote.

Of course, there were times when I had the inkling to change my vote and go for the one who is more popular. It was a struggle for me because I wanted to stick to the original. Plus, there were other aspects that led me to want to vote for the most popular. That four months were my struggling months in who to vote.

Finally, last May 7, 2010, Friday, I do not know if I can call it divine intervention or something, but it just suddenly struck me who I NOW want to vote. I was so decided already that I placed stickers of that candidate in my room, as well as other paraphernalia. Some of you may know, some may not. But all I can say is I am proud of my vote and I cannot wait to wake up at 6:00 in the morning tomorrow and go to my precinct to cast my vote.

And also, I made a cheat sheet already from the National to Local Candidates so I won't have to take long to look for their names. Have you made your cheat sheet already? If not, then do one now.

I am excited, at the same time, nervous for tomorrow's elections. What about you? What do you feel?

baptism

Picking the right ninongs and ninangs for your child

10:11 PM

I wrote this article for an assignment and I want to share my thoughts on getting ninongs and ninangs (godparents) for baptism, which is very important in a child's life. Here it is:

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Picking the Right Ninongs and Ninangs for Your Child

By Erin Joan C. Yang

For a first-time mother, the first event in your child’s life that you would worry is baptism. This is one of the most important church sacraments because a baby is welcomed in the Christian world. And one of the important aspects in baptism is getting godparents.

Also known as "ninongs" and "ninangs" in the Philippines, godparents serve as the "second parents” who guide the child in the Christian world. They are the ones who will help the parents' child grow.

However, most baptisms are not this way because parents tend to pick godparents that are mostly popular or rich---people who would most likely give gifts to their child during special occasions (birthdays, Christmas, etc). In other words, godparents have been known to be bearers of gifts rather than being “second parents”. This should not be the case.

If parents want the best for their child, they must remember the following in choosing godparents:

o Consider people who give credence to the solemnity of baptism and know the meaning of it.

o It is better to pick godparents who have been your close friends or relatives, not the popular or rich people who you just met a few months ago. These are the people who you've known for years and believe that they can help your child in different aspects. Godparents could be your best friends, brothers/sisters, or cousins.

o Yes, godparents will give gifts to their godchildren on special occasions, but that’s just the minor part. Godparents should also make their presence felt in most of the child’s life, if not always. At least they are making an effort to communicate with you so that he/she can see their godchildren even if there is no special occasion. It may not show now, but when the child grows up, he or she will be very thankful to have responsible godparents who care about him.

o Godparents are people that you can truly trust. If ever anything happens to you, they will be there to take care of your child.

It does not matter if the number of your child’s godparents are four pairs or fourteen pairs. What's important is they are responsible and deserving ninongs and ninangs who will care for your child’s life and will always be there whether they are needed or not.