The Wheel and Axle

Archive for November, 2016

True Heroes

by on Nov.30, 2016, under Society

Now, more than ever, it’s imperative that we remember what true heroes are: selfless people willing to die (and, often, who did die) for their country and their fellowmen.

A selfish mass-murdering plunderer will never be a true hero, no matter how certain people try to spin it, and today, on Bonifacio Day, we must remember that the sacrifices of true heroes like Andres Bonifacio must never be marred by the underserving demagogues who seek to elevate themselves in their utter hubris and vile arrogance.

We will fight on for our true heroes. Always.

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Regaining Good Taste

by on Nov.29, 2016, under Film & TV

This year, finally after such a long time, the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) shifts back its focus to actual quality films rather than mere commercial fare. Of course, the final judgment on the quality of the films will happen once they are shown, but a quick glance at the list of eight films that made the cut shows an array of out-of-the-box choices that hasn’t been seen in the festival in a couple of decades.

You see, at some point in the last ten to twenty years, the MMFF became a mere money-making venture, quality be damned. I have no idea at what point this change towards blatant commercialization happened, but it was definitely a contributing factor to the deterioration of quality film-making in the country. This is not to say there have been no good MMFF films in the last decade or so because there certainly have been. However, the garbage has far exceeded the diamonds when it came to the MMFF in recent years.

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You can’t stop the beat.

by on Nov.28, 2016, under Film & TV, Music & Theater

My favorite musical makes a comeback in a different way on December 7th (US time), proving that you truly can never ever stop the beat.

Shake and shimmy, baby!

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An Invasion! is coming…

by on Nov.27, 2016, under Film & TV, Geeky

Super Friends?

… to the DC CW Universe.

This coming week, the annual Arrowverse crossover will now span four shows: Supergirl, Flash, Arrow, and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.

Well, 3.10 shows if the level of the Supergirl show’s involvement is really just at the end of that episode.

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Proud Mary

by on Nov.26, 2016, under Music & Theater

Simply the best.

Can you believe it?

She’s 77 today!

That voice!

The fab hair!

Those legs!

A prouder Mary, she couldn’t possibly be.

She’s indeed simply the best!

And we wouldn’t have her any other way.

Happy birthday, Tina Turner!

Keep rolling!

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Komikon Goodies

by on Nov.25, 2016, under Geeky, Literature

Wondie and Spidey!

Last Saturday, I dropped by Komikon 2016.

My plan was to just pick up a pre-ordered, limited edition signed hardbound copy of The Origin of Zuma. The origin of this iconic Filipino monster has never been told, and when the social media page of legendary creator Jim Fernandez announced the story would now be released, I had to have it. I grew up watching those Zuma movies, and I loved them (and they always scared the shit out of me).

In any case, my basic plan to just get my copy went down the drain because I ended up – as usual – hoarding more than I expected. That, and I also met other creators that I didn’t get a chance to meet last time, including another legend – Hal Santiago, Jim’s collaborator and Zuma artist.

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I want me some.

by on Nov.24, 2016, under Film & TV, Queer

Ellen, true to form and to our absolute delight, continues to be the only lesbian I know who loves to serve some hot beef. Now I definitely have a craving for some tasty Peruvian… food.

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That’s one heck of a Poké Ball, Newt.

by on Nov.23, 2016, under Film & TV, Geeky

Newt Scamander’s suitcase is the largest Poké Ball in the world, and it’s best that you go and see him use it grandly as he goes around 1920s New York trying to catch some rather Fantastic Beasts, indeed.

All this, plus a rather powerful metaphor and discourse around the very real horrors of child abuse and what its impact can be.

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Thirteenth Month Debacle

by on Nov.22, 2016, under Snark, Society

Let’s do Taglish para mas intense!

Warning: actual facts and sources cited, so kung fact-resistant ka, baka lagnatin o magkarashes ka sa post na ‘to. Uminom ka muna ng Bioflu o anti-histamine before daring to read.

Para sa mga bobong uninformed at hindi marunong magresearch:

1. Ferdinand Marcos did sign a 13th month pay decree on 16 December 1975… but this applied only to employees who were earning less than Php1,000.00 a month at that time.

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How are true heroes buried?

by on Nov.21, 2016, under Society

With dignity, honor, and overwhelming love from the populace.

Funeral March: Ramon Magsaysay

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