pingkian-supremo-blog

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not history-related but i kinda have to spread the word

The Problem With Geek Elitism (and why I can’t sleep well at night)

Why Geek Elitism is Bad for Everyone

This particular concern has been bothering me for days when I should be turning to other things and focusing my energies on something else. But it’s sort of have been a long time coming, and while I try my best to be forgiving, gracious, and generally un-bothered, this time, the matter has gone ahead to break my heart since it involves people dear to me like family.

The title says it all. In a world where politics and hierarchies are as normal as the sun rising everyday, it’s very VERY unsettling that such would penetrate a space which should otherwise be a safe haven, especially when judgment for being a geek alone has been rampant years ago. “These people are adults, what the heck are they attending those convention things, running around in costumes, collecting toys and books and comics, doing kidstuff, should they be more responsible with their lives, etc etc” as though having such hobbies (because they are hobbies like coin collecting or traveling), no matter how quirky, has their own stigma.

All of a sudden (or maybe in a slow boil), we have “Geek Levels,” from being “fake” to being “zOMG THIS FANDOM IS MY LIFE, FITE ME.” All of a sudden everyone who’s encountered the uncalled-for Hierarchy System of Geekery found themselves quick to defend their level of geekiness, asking for forgiveness for not being geeky enough, or wondering how other geeks gauge their own level: if it’s Sh*t Tier or Mid Tier of Elder God Tier. Some might be already pretty sure they’re geeks or immersed enough in the culture, but in a bat of an eye, there are doubts, there are feelings of inadequacy, with perhaps nagging thoughts of, Maybe I wasn’t part of the last geek shindig because I was Shit Tier. Maybe THEY’RE part of the latest geek shindig because they’re Elder God Tier. Thoughts which should be non-issues in the first place begin to haunt and infest the least suspecting of hearts and minds.

Media is so accessible these days: from Netflix series episodes to a dozen craft companies manufacturing T-shirts and other merchandise to express one’s fandom. It’s so EASY to BANDWAGON. And I must put it out there: SO WHAT if there are bandwagoners? In this era of instant gratification and over-stimulation, one can drop something as soon as it’s picked up, depending on a certain bandwagon’s impression on them. Some jump into it for attention, yes. Some jump into it for validation, but there are also those to jump into bandwagons to HAVE FUN. There is no one set and solid reason, and one can say that the best takeaway of having jumped the bandwagon in the first place is that the fandom made a strong impression enough for them to STAY even if the hype has long gone. Sometimes aficionados are born from simply getting into a bandwagon out of the reasons I mentioned above or more. That’s why my hipster mind (LOL) sometimes cringes when franchises such as Harry Potter, etc. are now called “part of POPULAR culture.” It’s no longer a niche or a pastime/lifestyle of the losers and the weird. It’s become something acceptable (and mainstream!) in spite of everything.

We all have personal reasons to despise fakers or deceivers or injustices. But that’s besides the point. Being a geek is an idiosyncrasy as it is: your family and other social circles may or have had condemned you for being “geek.” So it’s only the saddest thing when geeks pick at other geeks for various reasons, when at the end of the day, all we want from the very beginning is acceptance, a place of no judgment.

Geeks are also human, and human weakness is a given. But hey, geekiness is a wisdom in itself, but that somehow doesn’t make us more or lesser than “normal people.” We are simply different, and whether it’s a good or bad thing, is entirely up to us.

When you find yourself having the urge to prove to another geek on how geeky you really are: DON’T. YOU DON’T EVEN HAVE TO in the first place. We don’t shove our geekiness to people’s faces. GEEKING OUT ISN’T A CONTEST (with the exception of being in Geek Fight or Trivia Night but eh humor me here). IT SHOULDN’T BE. Good geeks, bad geeks, terrible geeks, fake geeks, famewhore geeks—replace “geeks” with “humans” and know first and foremost what we are since Day 0 of our lives on earth.

Now, if there are those who use “geek status” for nefarious reasons—that’s another story. But how we deal with them is only as good as how we conduct ourselves, lest we emerge as the villains instead.

More than a decade ago, the geek community was about having a SAFE HAVEN from the persecution of “non-geeks.” Geeks are geeks are geeks, whether you’ve read three volumes or ten volumes, or fifty. If in your heart you know you are a geek, don’t let anyone say otherwise. Note to self as well, since I have never felt so doubtful and cornered in my life about something so valuable to me—the geekiness and the geek community; and it breaks my heart that a haven which has gotten me though growing pains and college bullying is now becoming a place of festering ill-will. I HOPE GEEK ELITISM WILL END. Because whatever “level of geek” a person is, that may be their level of comfort, a level that may have saved their lives, a level which presently brings them happiness. It may not be a high level (but let’s please do away with levels), but it’s a level significant to them, so who are we to take that away?

I want my safe haven back. That is all. This message is for everyone, to and for all my geek friends, all my sweet weirdos, all my strange darlings.

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event poster for las flores was done by me thank you

Oh sorry about that. :) Thought it was Det. Hehe will change it. Thanks :)

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Last year, the film “Heneral Luna” made such a great impact among its viewers, especially the youth, which inspired many an artist and meme-maker, and these have gone viral. The actors and actresses have become even bigger hits in their own right. One such actors is the esteemed John Arcilla, who played the fallen General Antonio Luna himself. He has seen how the film has indeed inspired a lot of young people, and it moved him greatly. “Heneral Luna” fans call themselves Lunaticos, and in that light, Mr. Arcilla helped create an online group for fans of the film who would want to continue its message and influence, the Los Lunaticos Bravos.

John Arcilla, the “Heneral,” had a dream.

He is lesser known to have co-founded Capable Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization which seeks to bring out the best in the people they help. John Arcilla, known as “Tatay” (Dad) or “Papa Bear” (JUST SO CUTE!) by his “anaks,” (children) has always had a giving heart, and has always been open to advocacy. Acting is his way of giving, and through Heneral Luna, he has achieved something extraordinary. He knew what the film had kindled in people’s hearts had to be sustained, even after the film and beyond the hype.

He saw great talent among his “anaks.” The writing, the visual arts, the performing arts... he saves a lot of these works in his phone to remind him how much he admires the Lunaticos. He wanted to give an avenue to his “anaks” to further express all these... he loves his children like how an indulgent father would.

So he decided to provide these avenues with the help of the Los Lunaticos Bravos’ moderators for its talented members.  Firstly, he helped organize LOVE NATION, an afternoon of poetry to celebrate the “love month” of February. It was both for romantic love and love of country, and despite the small gathering, we were grateful that it was a success.

Now, another event is on its way, in celebration of the “Flower Month” of May: “Las Flores Valerosas de Filipinas.” First and foremost, it’s to celebrate the power of women of history and mythology. There will be a parade of costumed muses, performances, and photo ops with some of the “Heneral Luna” cast we are hoping to invite (and we hope that they will attend! :) )

Tatay himself had spoken with the National Parks Development Committee so they can sponsor a venue for the Los Lunaticos Bravos to celebrate their talents in line with the theme in a MUCH bigger way. He wasn’t doing it for himself--he was doing it for us, his “anaks.” Imagine: Rizal Park as our venue! We have tables, we have a stage, a sound system... we only need to bring ourselves, and food for potluck. Admission is free. In fact, we are quite spoiled by Papa Bear. 

We will come together to enjoy. Bring our art, bring our spoken word poetry, bring the spirit which first brought all of us together when “Heneral Luna” first hit theaters in 2015.

We aren’t about to let a dream of celebrating our talents which “Heneral Luna,” camaraderie, and love of country have brought together die slowly because we think the hype is gone, or “Heneral Luna” isn’t “cool” anymore, or because we’re back to our old routine as if we have never been touched by a film which is one of those that woke the film industry up as well.

“Las Flores Valerosas de Filipinas” is Tatay’s gift to us... and we should try our best to give back. Join the parade in colorful costumes! One can bring together a costume in a week with enough focus, even on a budget. Join the art exhibit... we have so much talent for the world to see (because “Las Flores” will have media coverage)! 

That said, here is the event page once more: Las Flores Valerosas de Filipinas. RSVP. Bring friends and family. Sign up for the parade and art exhibit! This is something that shouldn’t be taken for granted. :)

Tatay John Arcilla’s dream is a good dream. It is selfless, and full of promise. It can be our dream, too. Let us have hearts for such dreams ignited by “Heneral Luna” and beyond once more.  *event poster by @jebmonge :)

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1896: A Mix for the Children of the Revolution

“He tore up his cedula, they followed suit. That was one way of leading them to a point where there would be no more turning back.”

— Nick Joaquin, A Question of Heroes

I. THE SPARK 01. Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Lorde 02. Which Witch, Florence + the Machine 03. Things We Lost in the Fire, Bastille

II. THE FIRE 04. Some Nights, Fun. 05. Warriors, Imagine Dragons 06. Heartlines, Florence + the Machine 07. Crystals, Of Monsters and Men 08. My Blood, Ellie Goulding

III. THE ASHES 09. Icarus, Bastille 010. Fallen, Imagine Dragons 011. Breath of Life, Florence + the Machine 012. Viva La Vida, Coldplay

In the eyes of the tyrant it may had been a futile rebellion. And yet history, the one who governs all, knows what it truly was. [LISTEN]

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This kid knows his priorities hahaha EJ, you da real MVP 

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JOINNNN USSSSSS YESSS YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO

YES YOU READ THAT RIGHT! Papa Bear John Arcilla wants YOU to share and express your love for Inang Bayan with us on the 28th!

February is known as the “love month” since Valentines Day falls on the 14th. Meanwhile, Mr. John Arcilla has something in store for the Lunaticos, and suggested a more solemn but exciting spin to celebrate love month: a mini poetry-reading and art festival entitled, “LOVE NATION.”

One thing that brings Los Lunaticos Bravos together is our admiration and love for the film “Heneral Luna” and the patriotic principles of the movie. With a dose of bohemian flare, LOVE NATION will adapt a theme on expressing the ups and downs of love, as well as love of country and fellow Filipinos through original poem compositions and artwork.

Moreover, a contest will be held for those who can produce their best poems and their best artwork. More details will be released soon, but there will be on-the-spot categories. So as early as now, think of something patriotic, romantic, or both, that will inspire your work!

If you’re not yet part of the group Los Lunaticos Bravos, please don’t hesitate to approach the moderators/event-organizers (@ruscano @dettsu @trixenthenerdqueen @pingkian-supremo) so we can add you up, and for you to see the complete details and mechanics of the event here.

We need more participants for this, and if you know someone who can contribute as well, let us know! Most people from the fandom will be there with Tatay John, so let this be another chance for a meet-up and get-together!

For further inquiries, you may send any of the moderators a private message here on Tumblr or via the event’s email address: llb.moderators@gmail.com. Hoping to see you there!

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this will probably be one of my “apps you can’t live without 2016″

Because my friends are enablers and I’m sick anyway so I can’t go out huhu but at least we have this now!

Bayani Atsume prints and stickers will be available at our table at Komiket this Feb 20, 2016!!!

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Still working on my Modern World Time Travel AU about these guys. It’s crack but i’ve worked hard on its tagalog version lolol

These 4 Katipuneros are my main characters

Such dweebs

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there’s always that one member of da squad

i know, i know. i’ll do it for you:

kating why

ctto

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it’s not just fandom. it’s family.

we can be different, run our lives and worry about adulting for some of us, but at the end of the day, we realize that we’ve made friends for life

here’s to twenty, thirty, forty fifty sixty i dunno lol MORE years celebrating what HENERAL LUNA began. 

Actually this is an open letter to the Heneral Luna Fandom :)

I would like to take the time to thank every single one of you guys.

All the people I have met in this fandom. The friends I have made.

The experiences I’ve went through. Basta thankyou all.

Nagsimula to as an obsession, a small group of friends and I just obsessing over the masterpiece called Heneral Luna. A movie that sparked the nationalistic side in me and woke up the history-loving grade schooler inside of me.

I must admit, I did stop going to college due to depression and suicidal tendencies. Had 2 suicide attempts in 2015. And I’m currently at home, suffering from verbal and physical abuse from both my grandfather and mother. My grandmother was the only person I could lean on, because my dad was busy taking care of my brothers. College has driven me to madness and I was stuck in a rut for two whole years, stuck in courses I didn’t like. Being shoved into places I didn’t want to go.

I was lost, almost dead.

Then one day, while I was skipping class, I decided to watch this film, with what’s left of my baon. Also I met some students from San Sebastian that day and we’re pretty tight up to now.

When the film ended, I was a mess. In tears.

I needed to vent all my feelings out, my (then) boyfriend didn’t help, he seemed disinterested so I went to facebook to scream all my feelings out.

Then my fandom friends shared the same sentiments and BOOM, that’s where the bond started.

It started with a groupchat with my amigas  @henantonioluna @ruscaryosep @shuerrleshirley and @theresse95 @pingkian-supremo. Just us goofing around, sharing fangirl shit. Talking trash. Just the normal fan squad activities.

Then I discovered the fandom, wherein I rebooted my 3-year-old Tumblr account that was solely for hipster/teenage angst shit.

I started reblogging through the tags. Enjoying the gifs, the fanart, the fics.

Started with the innocent and history-centric ones, then I made my way into hell with the smut and crackfics.

Then I started creating my own material, and everyone appreciated it.

I was deep in the fandom. Being both a Ruscat and a Joven stan.

I fell in-love with the fandom. They felt like family to me.

Then the UPD Screening happened and we were all hyped, we started a Chatzy groupchat to talk about meetups before the said and everything went KABOOOOM!

I met more fandom friends and our small FB Groupchat grew bigger, adding more members to our crazy family.

There was @anditoakoparamagkasala who was the sweetest little bug.

@d-artist-freude THE TALENTED AND BLESSED ARTIST/SINNER.

@ruscasalanan the beshie that I bought my tickets from AHHAHA.

@cflolia aka @askaphroulette​ WHO WAS THE SMOLEST CHILD IN THE WORLD. ALWAYS PROTECT.

and @baepilar​ WHO BECAME MY PARTNER IN CRIME, MY SISTER AND MY BAE. (I proposed to her in the Chatzy group with an Ensaymada.) She’s the bitch mango pie to my apple pie ala mode. (Oo Jollibee stan po sya habang McDo Loyalist ako)

And then the UPD Screening happened and we all know what happened to me. Insa-Avelino stan naman ako. I was all-out trash for him it was embarrassing.

I also met my smol bebi @ruscano​ aka SELYA ANG DIWATA NG MGA UPUAN.

After that, I just engaged in a lot of fandom stuff.

Not everything was happy after that screening. My boyfriend broke up with me for being too involved with the fandom with the words:

“I’M DONE I’M PUTTING MY FOOT DOWN I’M BREAKING UP WITH YOU”

and just leaving my life, like that.

And to be honest, I’ve never felt so free and happy.

After that break-up a lot of doors opened up for me.

A lot of meetups, a lot of celeb-encounters.

I felt like I had a whole new family with this fandom.

Then came one of the best weekends of my life, December 18, 19 and 20.

Reasons? Star Wars and the Heneral Luna DVD Launch AND @benxalves​‘ meet and greet (I already made another post about that so yeah)

The best part was just getting to meet my idols. Chatting with them and getting to see my babies be adorable for one or two nights.

Then came papa John and his group chat, thanks to the great @pj-palits​

Then he organized this dinner that just felt unreal. I felt happy and blessed, eating and chatting with Papa John (fricking) Arcilla.

And I just felt elated. Just so blessed. All those suicidal thoughts just flew away. All that hate I got for the past few years just didn’t matter anymore.

Meeting my idols just made me realize that I do have something to stand for. I still have a reason to remain on this Earth.

I owe a lot to the people I’ve met in this fandom. (naming a few like: @theflyingbluepanda @en-sam-malas @outliketricks @dettsu @bangskeletariat @anak-ng-heneral @bams-boleyn @half-night-fox @imbartbum @joven-hernando @spectrum296 @9ri @gresca-ensaymada and whole lot more!)

I owe a lot to Direk Tarrog, for directing this amazing film.

To the cast, FOR EXECUTING YOUR ROLES SO BEAUTIFULLY.

To Papa John Arcilla, for being the best dad any baby bear could wish for,

To Tito Mon Confiado, for being such a cool tito, and for inspiring me to reach my theatrical dreams.

To Sir Epy Quizon for shattering my being with your gratitude.

To Paulo Avelino, for making me fall in-love again kahit MASAKIT LECHE KA HAHAHAHHAHAHAH

To Alex Medina for teaching me that it’s okay to be chill, because kapag wala kang chill, galit ka, at kapag lagi kang galit, isa kang HATEDOG.

To Joem Bascon for blessing us all with your cheeks.

To Arron Villaflor for being my smol baby and the most adorable antagonist on TV.

To Mylene Dizon for being a Q U E E N.

To Archie Alemania for being the ultimate DAD/KUYA goals ever. And for making me smile with every update.

To Benjamin Alves (hehe) for being the dream guy that I wished for 5 years ago and shattering me with your words and ughghghhhhhh.

To everyone who made the movie possible. Thankyou. Just THANKYOU.

AND TO THE LOVING AND DEEP PITS OF HELL I CALL THE HENERAL LUNA/HENERAL MOON FANDOM. I LOVE YOU ALL AND THANKS FOR MAKING THIS SMALL CLOWN PRINCESS OF CRIME BELIEVE THAT THERE IS SOME GOOD LEFT IN THIS WORLD, YOU JUST HAVE TO DIG DEEO ENOUGH TO FIND IT.

xoxox~ Meagan aka Trixen aka Ex-wife ni Avelino aka. Future wife ni Sapida ;)

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Revolution 1896 x Terminator aesthetic

all those reds

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I’ve viewed the profile of this Anton Dulce; he appears to be an “activist.” He posts “relevant issues” about the country that mostly involve taking the fight to the streets It’s sad to think that some such people who “take fights to the streets” see themselves above those who serve their country in other, more peaceful ways. This guy believes himself nationalistic, yet has quite a nasty attitude towards his countrymen. That is certainly not patriotism and he is kidding himself, sadly.

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One thing that most Filipinos are scared of is death. All the folk “pamahiin” about death by impulse is designed to avoid an untimely or gruesome death. For us, death is ominous, signaled by forces we couldn’t control, thus the urge to do pamahiin. Baka sakaling totoo. Pamahiin gives the illusion of control in halting the coming of death or diverting it elsewhere and leave us unscathed. Death, however, is an inevitable outcome. All of us would eventually end there, in the dust, in the ground six feet under. Contrast this to Jose Rizal. In all the recorded accounts, death for Rizal was a constant companion. One does remember the story his mother told him in his younger years–of the stubborn moth who never listened to the mother moth to never to go near the fire-lit lamp. When the young moth flickered and burned to death, the lesson was very clear: not to disobey the advice of your mother. But for Rizal, he only gasped in wonder, “But the flame was beautiful.” Even the Rizal biographer Leon Ma. Guerrero confirmed Rizal’s somewhat love for death. But not just any other death, but one that is glorious, heroic and redemptive. Yes many historians would say that even at a young age, Rizal had that “sense of destiny.” Whether the stories we could collect from the oral snippets passed down to the Rizal family to this day may be true, one can indeed glean through numerous sources and writings that Rizal was never scared of death. If anything, he would not even imagine of someone suffering or dying in his place. Rizal, when he was in Spain on June 20, 1892, heard of the sufferings of his family and those Filipinos who tried to publish his writings:

I cannot go on living knowing that so many suffer unjust persecution because of me; I cannot go on living when I see my brother and sisters and their numerous families hunted down like criminals; I would rather face death and gladly give my life to free so many innocents from such unjust persecution.

And so he decided to go home. He was ready to die. Expecting that he’d die that year, he continued in his letter, one of the most heartfelt lines Rizal ever wrote to the nation he would seek to emancipate:

I have always loved my poor country and I am sure I shall love her to the last moment if men should prove unjust to me; my future, my life, my joys, I have sacrificed all for love of her. By my fate what it may, I shall die blessing her and wishing for her the dawn of her redemption. Publish these letters after my death.

Guerrero noted that what happened instead was an anti-climax. When Rizal returned to the country, still under Spain’s iron grip, he was exiled instead to Dapitan. The biographer noted:

He had returned to his country ready, almost eager to defend and die for his convictions. Instead he had been bundled off in the dead of night to the edge of nowhere. Nobody even tried to poison him! …And here he was, very much alive, a liberator who could not liberate himself… It was almost an anti-climax not to have been shot.

This incessant wish to somehow offer his life for the country was finally fulfilled on that fateful day of December 30, 1896. Rizal was unjustly charged by the Spanish authorities with treason of the highest degree, and the sentence was death. Those who have perpetrated that claim that Rizal recanted and retracted all of his writings before his execution out of fear of hell makes their claim absurd and inconsistent with all that he wrote and what he was willing to die for. This man would not budge even if a friar threatened him with all the fiery judgments they could conjure. And this was precisely the very reason why the Katipunan and that generation of 1896 rose up in his name. People today would commit anachronism and encase him in his social strata, or make the mistake of entrapping him under the narrow-minded concept of his being an assimilationist, but his legacy as attested by historical documents transcended social lines, and his concept that freedom must be attained by first deserving it remains timeless and apt to our times. One of the beautiful lines of Rizal’s last poem goes:

Oh how beautiful to fall to give you flight To die under your sky and in your enchanted land forever sleep

Indeed, how beautiful. This obscure historian joins the entire nation once again in honoring him, a practice that dates back to the first Rizal Day of the Republica Filipina under Aguinaldo on December 30, 1898. Rizal, we remember you. Our hearts stand half-mast. *Photo taken at the Rizal Museum in Fort Santiago, Intramuros. The exhibit recreated the room where the trial of Rizal was held, designed by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Note the insignia of the Spanish Empire.

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There is a country that is ruled by wickedness and cruelty; the laws are worthless and what prevails is the rule of the mighty. And yet this country is sacrificing its blood and life for the honor and glory of its rulers, just to be called brother or child. Its wealth, life and honor are at the disposal of people with evil desires. For more than three centuries it has suffered hardship and wearisome deceit: a record not of tolerant benevolence, but of callous neglect. This country is ours; this chronicle of oppression is ours. A country full of suffering, to the extent of slavery. Oh Philippines! How wretched you are! Oh country of our birth! Had she wanted you to progress, she would have given you advantages over other peoples; had she desired your welfare, she would have treated you like a favored child. But you have not been treated like this. You have been persecuted; you have suffered despicable punishments and grave injustices. [To Spain:] One by one your children are accusing you; here too you despise the very being of those who cannot answer back or protest that honor is being stained. Great and certain is the honor to be accorded to those who devote their hearts and souls to their country, because they are prepared to leave their parents, brothers and sisters, spouses, children and friends, to forsake their own interests and wealth, and to disregard the hardship ahead. Their single goal, their single thought, is the betterment of the land of their birth. And therefore to my beloved brothers Gomez, Burgos and Zamora, who were reviled for their absolute devotion to the Philippines, our country, and to those who are now being sent to isolated places, punished, and dying in exile, we dedicate our hearts and lives in solidarity under a great and resolute Katipunan, which is now constituted to wrench this our country from the rapacious claws of the Spaniards and from the enslavement and hardship they inflict upon us in pursuit of their desire to succor and benefit themselves. We should not believe the honeyed words about being guided and tutored; we have been invited to observe the reality by our brave and beloved brother Mr. Rizal, who desires the welfare and education of the country most earnestly, but who has now been exiled by the malefactors. Whereas the most important, most abundantly honorable and sublime duties of any enlightened power are to defend her country, to safeguard its welfare, to expend riches, blood and even life for her country, brothers and children in order that they are not oppressed and enslaved by another ruler. Whereas the Creator does not mandate any one of His creations to oppress and trample on another. Whereas to defend and love one’s country is not a crime, especially if she is suffocated and enslaved by her rulers, as is happening now. Whereas a people whose interests, needs and true and genuine desires are under relentless attack has just cause to bring down the leaders or rulers who behave in such a way, and that if this eventuality arrives it is not lawless or traitorous, but the defense of true reason, and a revolt against the flame of hardship. Whereas no Laws have been passed or justification given for the confiscation of anything that is not hers, and that we are the true owners of this land, it is just for us to demand the return of what has been borrowed, for us to govern these Islands. We do not need the intervention or direction of people from other lands, because if that happens, like now, the result is frustration, humiliation, enslavement, and slaughter.

From a foundational document of the Katipunan dated August 1892 entitled “Kasaysayan.” The said document was written in Tagalog cipher (monoalphabetic substitution cipher) and served as the raison d'tre of the Katipunan, the secret organization in the late 19th century Philippines that began the Philippine Revolution against Spain. Historians are not yet sure who wrote these words, but the authenticity of the document comes from the fact that it was one of the documents that came into Spanish hands upon the discovery of the Katipunan. In the light of the pork barrel case, the first paragraph is strangely familiar, don’t you think? English translation source here. (via indiohistorian)

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[El Nolibusterismo Character Aesthetics] 6/???

Crispin {Noli Me Tangere]

“Dinig ni Basilio ang pagpapalahaw ng kapatid. Pero, wala siyang magawa, naiwan itong parang tulala. Ang bawat pagsampal ng sakristan kay Crispin ay sinusundan ng masakit na pagdaing. Nanlaki ang mata at nakuyom ni Basilio ang kanyang palad sa sinapit ng kapatid.”

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history films then were considered too academic and boring. i’m pretty sure a lot of students didn’t look forward to the reaction papers they had to write on these films required by their school because hey history

and then something happened; in about three years’ time, historical films and television series were released one after another. however, it was not until “heneral luna” did history films claim the spotlight which we can say is overdue

however, this is what i’m curious about, and this is what i also fear: 

is there such a thing as an over-saturation of historical/biopic films and series? will people one day get sick and tired and move on to the next big thing? perhaps it’s once again dystopian sci-fi? or it’s back to those fantasy films with bossing or kap as the lead? or most very likely it’s back to the safety net of rom-coms and horror films? okay so i have mmff in mind does that even count lol

or will this be a staple genre which would be celebrated five years hence, twenty years hence? will people still care for a new historical film after next year? there are more films on the way: tarog’s del pilar and quezon films, the rumored mabini film, and perhaps many more than are still in the works and under wraps.

perhaps i’m expressing these musings coz of my own agenda: it also involves a personal dream of mine, which is to see a full-length jacinto film through (make no mistake, i’m pretty excited for the upcoming docu-film). now i don’t know yet when or how that would happen, but if it will happen some years down the road, would people still be interested? i have other heroes in mind: miguel malvar, gabriela silang, marcelo del pilar... all these heroes more or less operating in the same era. sort of like how each superhero operates in the marvel universe

i think the only consolation i have now is that such films are automatically made legacy, whether they become blockbuster hits or not. with k to 12 happening and the teaching of philippine history made secondary if not shoved aside, will we be needing these films more than ever, or will they become obsolete and irrelevant eventually?

these films need continuous support... and not just because “heneral luna” made philippine history big. will fans ever get tired of marvel or dc, for instance? some outgrow them, but many... don’t. i’m wishing it’s the same for the historical film genre.

[pingkian-supremo-blog]

Andres Bonifacio Aesthetic

Secret Santa present for @askaphroulette. Maligayang Pasko amigo!