UP on a Sunday

I was in UP today to attend the 3rd session of a Basic Scriptwriting workshop at the UP Film Institute. Classes are held at the Videotheque part of the building, the area facing Quezon Hall. Today, we started past 1pm and was supposed to end at 4pm, but class was interesting and we extended until 6pm.

On my way out and walking towards a waiting shed across Quezon Hall, I bumped into an old friend while he was with some artists (some I knew from UP) for a weekend longboarding hang-out. I chatted with him for a few minutes and asked how he was doing with his art and exhibits. Glad to know that he’s busy with group shows until the end of the year. It was really getting dark now, so we said our goodbyes.

I decided to catch a cab in front of the Bahay ng Alumni, so I had to walk back from in front of the College of Music and then walk on the road between the Music Building and UP Theater. There were still a lot of people jogging and walking alone, in pairs or in groups. Some cyclists were sitting on their bikes, having a conversation and probably waiting for a decision on where to go next.

I realized I missed hanging out in UP, walking around and enjoying the place. Sometimes my friends and I would go all the way here from Katipunan to take our evening walks. I used to live inside the campus for 4 years. This place really became  home to me.

Walking back guided by yellow lights from streetlamps on the road between the College of Music and UP Theater, I saw a guy (most likely a student) playing an interesting looking musical instrument at the side of the Music building. With only a wire fence between me and him, I stayed for some minutes to listen to him practice. He was playing an Erhu, a Chinese fiddle. After a short break from playing, I asked if I could take his picture because it seemed like a rare occurrence and he gamely said yes.

I really had a great day today, so I walked away feeling light with music surrounding the cool October night.

Relationships According to Harry & Sally

Harry Burns: Would you like to have dinner?… Just friends.

Sally Albright: I thought you didn’t believe men and women could be friends.

Harry Burns: When did I say that?

Sally Albright: On the ride to New York.

Harry Burns: No, no, no, I never said that… Yes, that’s right, they can’t be friends. Unless both of them are involved with other people, then they can…

This is an amendment to the earlier rule. If the two people are in relationships, the pressure of possible involvement is lifted… That doesn’t work either, because what happens then is, the person you’re involved with can’t understand why you need to be friends with the person you’re just friends with.

Like it means something is missing from the relationship and why do you have to go outside to get it? And when you say “No, no, no it’s not true, nothing is missing from the relationship,” the person you’re involved with then accuses you of being secretly attracted to the person you’re just friends with, which you probably are.

I mean, come on, who the hell are we kidding, let’s face it. Which brings us back to the earlier rule before the amendment, which is men and women can’t be friends.

Quotes from the 1989 movie, “When Harry Met Sally”

(screenshot from the movie where Meg Ryan fakes her orgasm at a diner)

***

I love this movie. Every New Year’s Eve in our old house along Nancy St., my sisters and I sit in front of the TV, glued to RPN 9 as they played this yearly tradition. It has all the ingredients of a wonderful movie about love and relationships – it’s set in New York, it has great conversations, jazz music in the background, and happy endings. It explores “the rules” in dating and love, and then pulls the rug from under you.

***

In the past weeks, we’ve been having discussions in the office on how men and women think when it comes to relationships. It’s quite interesting really, because there are insights that I have learned from my friends. Some points I find valid, others absurd. Sometimes, I wish I can give advice…but I don’t know, it depends on the context or the situation.

I even asked my older sister her opinion on how guys should act around girls they want to date. Here is great advice, “Quit the stylistics.” No need for trying to be someone you’re not. Women are all for guys who are comfortable being themselves. Self-awareness is sexy.

So, if you really really like someone, just go for it! And maybe it’s fine to ask friends from time to time if you’re doing OK – and not making a complete fool of yourself ofcourse.

The Journey

I took this photo early this year. This is on the road that cuts through Tarlac or Pangasinan. I remember looking at the moon, and to me it seemed like it was watching us until we were out of sight.  It may seem a bit eerie, but riding on the back seat of the car with a long road ahead of home, it kept me still and calm.

For this Baguio trip with other members of our clan,  my younger sister flew in from Boracay to join us for the long weekend. We all had the best time ever. My cousins and I went out to a jazz bar named Overtones. The band playing that night was amazing! After that, we walked around Session Road looking for a midnight snack. I think we ended up in Volante (?), this sort of 24-hour pizza place.

I will always love Baguio. I have a lot of amazing memories there.

***

With news of Baguio and other places in northern Luzon submerged because of the recent typhoon, please please, I hope that more people survive and are carried out to safety. People can only take so much pain. I pray that spirits are not broken.

***

Here is a poem by Mary Oliver that I’ve been meaning to post for a long time. Nothing feels as great as knowing yourself and being true to that.

The Journey

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice–
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do–
determined to save
the only life you could save.

by Mary Oliver