Change of Plans

Last September 25, 2017 I wrote a personal post about giving birth to Luke, taking some down time and what it was like being a new mom. I thought that I would be back to work by October 23, 2017 (and hence back to regular programming) by then but it seems that the universe has other plans. 

About a week when I was due back to work, I was rushed to the ER because of vomiting and loss of appetite. One of the ER doctors noticed something strange about my pulse rate. After a chest ultrasound, they found that I have an enlarged heart. Apparently my gestational hypertension (high blood when pregnant) brought stress on my heart, which in turn caused my heart to grow larger. (I would get blood pressure readings as high as 180/110). 

I stayed in the hospital as they tried to manage my increased heart rate. I missed Thor: Ragnarok press screening and eventually my scheduled return to work. The weeks that followed was me trying to deal with an onslaught of symptoms, which I had no idea why there manifesting. I would be in and out of the ER as I tried to deal with loss of appetite, difficulty of breathing, LBM, hot flushes, chest pains, body malaise and swelling. I lost a lot of weight during this time, going back to my college days where in I weighed about 90lbs. I could feel my rib cage again :( all those pounds I worked so hard to put on for the past years were suddenly non-existent.  

During this time, Luke was staying with my mom, he would stay with us, when it was Paul's days off. I was miserable. I would get bouts of anxiety, waking up in the dark, sweating and I having difficulty in breathing. During my low points, I would scratch myself all over my legs leading to ugly scars and I would pick at the scabs. They're just dark patches on my legs now, slowly healing, I would like to think that I'm slowly healing too. Slowly getting used to living with "heart failure" but let's save that for another personal blog post. 

Physically, I could no longer do the things I was able to. Climbing up the stairs was already difficult for me. One of the things I liked about working in Eastwood, was that I could walk from one end to the next. In my present condition, I couldn't do much walking anymore. Taking public transportation was also a challenge, getting up on jeepneys (and their already stressful driving experience) would certainly carry a toll on my heart. 

Once my doctor, errr..my Cardiologist rather, prescribed a number of different meds I felt better. There was a week, where in I was so energetic, I wanted to do so many things. I ended up reviving my old oDesk (now Up Work) account and doing some freelance writing. Once my body got used to the meds, I settled to having good days and bad days. Some days I felt completely normal, like I could do whatever and anything I wanted, but then things would turn for the worse and my heart and chest would hurt, I would be weak and have no appetite. The next week months was learning to be familiar with the extent of what my heart could take. I figured that if my heart was not okay, I would exhibit all the symptoms I felt before. 

I would spend the rest of 2017 on house arrest, staying in our room and taking care of Luke. It was a big change of plans from what I originally thought I would be doing (you know, back to work, back to regular programming and all) and if you knew me, you'd know I hate any change in plans. But such is life and you just learn to roll with the punches (even if it was a sucker punch out of nowhere).  

Until now, I'm still trying to figure things out and I don't know how much this will change me, or my life. I know I want to make the best out of everything and my present health condition will certainly make it a challenge but then again if it was easy, then it won't be worth it-right?  

#LivingWithHeartFailure

Opinion: Why People Shouldn't Hate On "Batman V Superman"

In recent years, 'Superhero Movies' have saturated the market, think about it- two Spider-Man reboots, which equals to five films. Five X-Men movies, which could be categorized with another movie -'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly', then of course we have 'The Wolverine' movies, I still loathe 'Origins' so much. Then of course we have two 'Avengers' ensemble movies, three 'Iron-Man' movies, two 'Captain America' Movies, two 'Thor' movies, three 'Fantastic Four' movies-which no one seems to get right. I can't even remember if Edward Norton did two 'Hulk' movies. (The husband reminded me that Norton did one and Eric Bana did the other one) Of course we also have the surprise hit 'Guardians of the Galaxy', 'Ant-Man' and the record breaking 'Deadpool'. All of these Marvel properties have created a new genre of movies something kids can follow and enjoy and something the adults don't have to wrap their head around too much. 

Then of course we have the DC Properties which have been releasing 'Batman' and 'Superman' movies way back in the 70's and 80's. Kids may not remember an Adonis like Christopher Reeve as Superman in 1978 or that Gene Hackman played Lex Luthor once. Of course who can forget that even before Micheal Keaton's Oscar-winning performance as "Birdman" he once out on the cape and cowl in a memorable 1992 'Batman Returns' with the equally talented Danny Devito as The Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman. Keaton also took on "Batman" in the 1989 movie, with Jack Nicholson as "The Joker". Of course, we have Nolan's 'The Dark Knight' trilogy, offering impressive performances from Christian Bale as Batman and of course, Heath Ledger as The Joker. 

The Trinity: Superman and Batman are joined by Wonder Woman in her cinematic debut. 

So you see, there is a whole lot of history here, which makes Batman V Superman more than just what critics have been strongly suggesting. When you look at the grand scheme of things, the film has been a long time coming, with two of the most iconic superheroes finally coming face to face, not to mention the debut of Wonder Woman, after more than 70 years. 

The movie wasn't perfect, there were story telling flaws, plot holes and a pacing problem (I gave it an 8/10 in my review) but considering the rich source material, Snyder and the team, did the best that they could. You can say that DC is playing catch up to Marvel and maybe it is, given that Justice League is coming up, as well as the other origin films but to say that the movie is bad as it was, would be unfair. A lot of people who saw the movie, failed to grasp the greater scheme of things. Nothing is to put it 'simple' in superhero films, it is not a simple 'plot' anymore. Especially considering the cross overs and that they even tackle time travel and multiverse. Perhaps with the  birth of the superhero film genre, we have also created a new genre, new rules when it comes to plot and story telling. 

Not saying that all superhero movies will have these to hide behind from, there are still really bad movies out there (Wolverine: Origins, Fantastic Four) but Batman V Superman is not among them. 

The late Christopher Reeve as 'Superman' (1978). 

I came across an article that explains that Knightmare sequence, you may read it, just so you can get an idea of the bigger and grander scheme of things. Click here. Warning, it is littered with spoilers, don't read if you haven't seen the movie yet. 

Critics didn't like the film when they saw it; which is something that I don't agree with. You might say its because I'm a 'geek' or because I'm a 'fan' because I am - both, so you might say that I am biased and maybe in someways, I am but what people don't stop to consider is the big picture. Sometimes they get caught up in the details and because of that, fail to enjoy the movie. 

Michael Keaton as Batman (1989 and 1992). 

Kids might not get it maybe because they're not supposed to and that's okay, maybe in a few years they will. After they do their research, watch the old movies or start reading the comics. You see, all these superhero movies are just a spec in a larger mythology and something that a movie, even one that is two hours long cannot simply cram. They will do what they can, they will do their best but it won't be enough, it never will be. 

The film was not made for everybody but it was definitely made for the fans, fans who have long waited to witness these two complex and iconic heroes, stand toe-to-toe and face-to-face with each other. While chatting up with my cousin about the film, we talked about how the audiences probably have no idea that their fathers, uncles and grandfathers would have loved to have seen the film and that big 'gladiator match'. There's a lot of history here, these characters have been around for almost 80 years and sometimes we forget that. In the bigger picture, Batman V Superman will just be a notch in their rich discography. 

Taking on Jessica Jones

As a self proclaimed writer, I always like challenging myself, you know, really writing something. I feel alive when the words are quickly forming in my head and rushing to get either on paper or online. There are times when I just need to write for the sake of it, just to get a post up, just because I need to. So when my Managing Editor assigned me to write about the new Marvel-Netflix series Jessica Jones, I was both excited and a bit apprehensive.

Excited, because I love every opportunity to get to put on my writing hat on and really get the juices flowing. Apprehensive because the series is critically acclaimed with every critic writing about it. People I look up to are either already done with the series or are currently watching it and have been raving about it on social media. So yes, writing about my opinions was a bit nerve wrecking.

I didn't want to come across as naive or silly in my thoughts and opinions of the series and I guess that's what had me staring at a black paper longer than usual.

In the end, once inspiration hit, the words came and I was able to fill up one page, then another, and another and before I knew it, I was done!

You can check out my Jessica Jones write up on www.flipgeeks.com 

or you can click on the link here.     

What The Eraserheads' New Songs Mean in today's Music Industry

When The Eraserheads defined the alternative scene back in the early 90's I was too young to appreciate their music but I grew up surrounded by older cousins who listened to them. So their music was always playing in the background as a much younger me pretended to be Sailor Moon battling evil using a pink wand with bejeweled hearts and wings.

Years later when I was in College an was surrounded with my "Senpais" (Upperclassmen/Predecessors) AKA much older colleagues- Paul included in the College publication (school newspaper) they would always be playing their music in the office (Gin Blossoms, Mr. Big, Stone Temple Pilots, Slipknot) and of course The Eraserheads were never far behind, especially with the release of the Ultraelectro Magnetic Pop tribute album which of course also featured OPM's finest covering Eraserheads hits. The tribute album served as a bridge for me to admire OPM artists at that time, such as Imago, Barbie Almalbis, Kitchie Nadal, Sugarfree, 6 Cycle Mind, and of course to renew my admiration for The Eraserheads as well. 

Now, six years later after graduating College and after beginning  this crusade of mine of writing about OPM (started about a year ago) The Eraserheads are once again, shaking the OPM scene by coming out with two brand new songs over a decade after their last single! was released in such an unconventional way! -releasing a CD with the two songs, in the September issue of Esquire Philippines magazine. 

The band could have made much more money if the songs were release let's say through a telco company and with the many music apps out there today, releasing the two songs exclusively through an app would have been a gold mine. I bet that the two new songs being released in a "Magasin" (pun intended) was a punch to the gut for the Telco giants, but for them it wasn't about the money, it was about the music. 

"Looking for Ligaya in London" - Esquire Philippines September 2014
Photo by Jake Verzosa

In case you didn't know the two songs were released without the backing of any record label, as heard on the Jam 88.3 guesting of Esquire Editor-in-chief Erwin Romulo where the two songs were first heard. It was just something that they wanted to do, they were practically giving the song away, like a proverbial high five to the fans and supporters. 

So now that The Eraserheads have answered the question: What would they sound like in 2014? How does all of this fall in today's OPM scene? 

Are the songs "Sabado" and "1995" only for their old fans - you know those who have been with them all those years ago, who like them now have children and families of their own? 

How does the two songs and the fact that an OPM great such as them is still making music play into the new generation of OPM listeners who have Social Media and music sharing sites  at the tips of their fingertips? 

Looking through my timeline at any time of the day you will easily find the younger generation of music lovers proclaiming their love and affection for foreign acts and artists. I have no qualms about these kids since I know most of them and I'm very happy to say that they also show the same passion and fervor for local acts. 

What gets me and it's gets me real bad is the mentality of some kids who think that just because it's OPM it's "baduy". Whenever I encounter people like this, I want to strangle them. I've been to foreign concerts with OPM bands as the opening acts and I've heard people shouting things like: 

"We didn't come here to see you!" 

"Get off the stage! We want to see (name of Foreign band) 

Whenever I encounter people like that I want to dump beer on their heads! (much to Paul's dismay coz he says it's his beer) I mean seriously show some respect man! 

Which brings us back to the Eheads surprising and teasing come back (of sorts). 

Looking Beyond: Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno

"Huli man at magaling, maihahabol din." 

It is never too late to offer anything that is good. 

With this Filipino saying in mind, I am writing this review of mine, of Rurouni Kenshin Kyoto Inferno; despite having all of the Spoiler Free reviews out there or despite having all the movie reviews out there - period. Every since getting the opportunity to view films in special advanced screenings, I have always made it a point to come out with a movie review as soon as possible, I mean isn't that what all bloggers aim for? A movie review after a movie has already been showing for days would be 'mudada' or useless. Especially one that has received so much media coverage as Kyoto Inferno and to think that the first movie would not have even seen the light of day in any cinema in the Philippines, were it not for the continued support of it's avid fans. 

And so I am writing this as an avid fan, I am writing this as that blogger that I was when the first movie came out, I am writing this not just to say that the movie was amazing and you should all see it because every other writer, blogger and movie critique has already said that. 

As the title above says, this piece is geared more to be (or at least I think that it is shaping up to be) an essay of sorts, yes I was the type of student who worked hard on my essays, often burning the midnight oil and forming callouses on my fingers. Yes, kids, during my time (High School) essays were written by hand, with pen, on paper-shocking. 

So with this warning and caution, I proceed with this essay in the hopes that you, oh dear reader will see it with me through the end. 

It is already Sunday as I am writing this, Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno has already been in cinemas every since Wednesday, and of course anyone who has been planning to see it, probably already has and as I have already mentioned this piece is more of an essay so spoilers will be over the place. 

I thought that reviewing Kyoto Inferno which is the first part of a two-movie sequel (the second being Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends, which comes out next month) would be difficult to review as a single entity or movie since it is just one part of a two movie sequel. 

Although not having a 'conclusion' that will let you sleep peacefully at night Kyoto Inferno on it's own stands as a single entity and is filled with overwhelming themes of peace, hope, despair, revenge,that I have understood at some level the meaning behind the movie tag line "Feel the Future" 

The Children, The Children!

There are two scenes in the movie that tugged at my heart strings the same way, I was crying throughout the movie, my husband kept on bonking me at the head every time he would hear me stifle a sniffle, I was crying so much you'd think that I was watching a drama instead of an action movie. 

In these two scenes were so much tears were shed, Kenshin goes out on a limb to save the future- that is it say, children. One, is a young boy whose family is killed as collateral damage in Shishio's own private resort (hot springs) village. Praise to Sato Takeru's portrayal of Kenshin as you can see him transform thoughout the movie, becoming more somber and determined to stop Shishio as he comes face to face with the carnage, violence and death that Shishio's plans have wrought. 

He stops a young boy as he is urged on by his (cowardly) villagers to take revenge on the men that killed his parents, consumed with grief and hate the young boy lets out a cry of anguish as he is about to stab one of the men who killed and hung his family but before the dagger lands, Kenshin stops him in time. He says: "Do not spoil these little hands, soon they will become big hands and you should use them to protect your family-just like your brother did." (I'm just recalling the lines from memory, sorry if it's not exact) that was such a powerful scene for me, as you are watching this you see the violence and you think that what is playing before your eyes is too awful and too unspeakable to be true but then at the back of your mind and deep down in your heart, you know that there are children being beheaded and young children being turned into soldiers. You know that there are still wars in other countries being fought and so many innocent children are caught in the cross fire. 

In yet another scene where Kenshin risks his life to save a baby, he is taunted by his opponent, by asking if he would lay down his life for one child. Kenshin says that "yes- he would, as the children are the future, the future of an era he has fought for". In yet another powerful line in the movie, the sword maker Arai Shakku says that the swords that he create are not for his son's time but for the peace of his child after' (or something to that extent). It had me thinking, what kind of world are we leaving our children and future generations to live in? Is there any real peace even without war? What about the everyday wars and struggles that we face? How do we face them?

How A Bottle Of Coke Made Me Cry

Last Tuesday, I was feeling a bit down and depressed. The 'blue' bug bit me and thoughts of hopelessness were swimming in my head and gnawing at my heart, like a festering wound that never heals. I was walking around like the world was on my shoulders. 

At work I decided to take a look at the Pantry and at the corner of my eye I saw 250ml Coke bottles for sale in the ref. I thought, Hey- Why. Not? (I have hyperacidity and shouldn't be having coke in the first place) I picked one out of the ref and as I was in line to pay for it- I saw that it was a Share A Coke Bottle and with all the names it had to be my Daddy's first name! 

For those of you who don't know my Dad passed away when I was 10 years old, and I'm a Daddy's girl and a big cry baby so anything that reminds me of my Dad will definitely bring the tears coming in. I can just imagine the surprise of the lunch lady as my eyes no doubtedly started tearing up. 

I got my Coke drinking habits from my Dad, he's a big Coke drinker and he passed that on to me and unfortunately that resulted in Hyperacidity :p 

Seeing that Share A Coke With Rene label made me feel like I was drinking that Coke with my Dad and telling him all of my troubles and heartaches. It reminded me that despite all the troubles and challenges my Dad was there to remind me that everything was going to be okay and he was able to do that through a bottle of Coke. I'm so happy that after all this time he's still looking out for us. 

A couple of days ago I saw this Share a Coke with Ben collage- and I thought Awwwww poor Spider-Man :( and I never thought it would happen to me. 

Disclaimer: Coca Cola Philippines didn't ask me to write this. I'm writing this blog post from a personal perspective.