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people go but how they left always stays

Rupi Kaur, Milk and Honey

Welcome to our small blog where you can read a stories and get movie recommendations.

---Please do enjoy your stay and don’t forget to wash your hands every now and then!

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Till We See Each Other Soon, I guess? (Personal Narrative)

March 13, 2020, Friday, it was the day where we the grade 12 students will showcase our talents on the stage of Saint Francis Academy, our last dance to bid goodbye to our alma mater. Everyone was doing their best in helping one another, helping in fitting in with the different costumes, fixing the girls hair, hyping the boys up and making each other pretty and presentable. I felt giddy and pressured because I was the one who put on make up to my fellow classmates but thankfully, I finished it quickly. Upon watching the different performances I felt bittersweet because it was our last day as Seniors in SFA. 

After some time or so, it was already our turn in performing on stage. My hands are cold as ice and pale as a paper, I kept biting my lips because of the anxiety that I felt, completely forgetting that I was wearing a dark red lipstick. 

We dance through the loud music and I completely zoned out even though I am performing but thank god I didn’t faint. We dance passionately even though we just practiced for a short amount of time, we still want to deliver a good performance and a memorable mark in our school. Which was really successful because we received good feedback from our teachers and especially to the grade 11 HUMSS. It was really fulfilling and satisfying because our hardwork was paid off and appreciated.

But we still have one week in school so that we can take our final exams and pass the requirements for our clearance but on March 15, 2020, a Sunday, the school announced that we are not going back to school due to the corona virus that is occurring. Our final examinations were cancelled and we don’t have the final date for our graduation which was really heart breaking for me because I waited for six years for that event, it is basically one of my dreams to be able to graduate highschool so that I can proceed to the next challenge of my life, which is college. 

I felt like my whole world crumbled as they announced that, I didn’t even say a proper goodbye to my teachers,classmates and friends. It was really emotional for me. I am just praying and hoping that I will be able to bid proper goodbyes to those people who are important to me in school, to see my classmates’ smiling faces and to feel their warmth and comfort. I want to thank them personally for being part of my life and to be able to say sorry to those people whom I hurt, unintentionally and intentionally. I just want to see them one last time and maybe hang out with them one last time too.   

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Literary Journalism

It was past 4 in the morning and the sun was ready to rise. The streets were very peaceful as the town people were still resting. We already planned that day to travel early in order to for us to arrive on our said time. The heavy wind welcomed us as we enter the mountainous area in Naga City. All we could hear are the loud cool breeze that touches our bare skin. We started to talked about our first destination, Virgen de la Regla National Shrine.

Nuestra Señora de la Regla de Cebu was also known in Cebu aside from Santo Niño de Cebu, it is another devotion that flourished the island that pilgrims visit through the centuries in times of great need. During our visit there, there were numerous people who also came over to offer their prayers and offer some gifts. We stayed inside the church for about an hour to offer our prayer especially for our Lola’s health that time. We did the pictures takings and stuff. After that, we stayed outside to overview the whole church and as we rested our minds there, someone told us about the miraculous Virgin and its history. The town people said that it was called ‘Our Lady of the Rule’ that was place in the altar of Lapu-Lapu City Church. It was plated there that the brown Madonna holds the infant Jesus in a form of offering and showing as if she is presenting the Child Jesus to the people and telling them to worship the Son of God. The Virgin is richly vested which are given by the devotees as a sign of of gratitude to the answered prayers through her intercession.

I was mesmerized by the shrine and the story of the Virgin. It was very inspiring reading those miracles that were written in cemented wall beside her image. Looking back to our journey there was very unforgettable experience to me because we had a bonding together with our family and relatives. We also shared our personal experiences that were advised by our parents. After we visited the pilgrimage, we planned to have our lunch in restaurant distance in the shrine. There, was beautiful scenery that the whole city was seen and the other side was a beach or resort. We expected that it was the cheapest restaurant but then after we ate, we were shocked how dollar those foods are.

Hence, it was a great experience being there and hopefully we can visit there again. It was not just for prayer intentions but also it can also be a place to recollect or reflect.

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DOLITTLE: Movie Critique

The movie “DOLITTLE” (also referred to as The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle) is a 2020 American fantasy adventure film directed by Stephen Gaghan. Dr. John Dolittle lives in solitude behind high walls of his lush manor in 19-century England. His only companionship comes from an array of exotic animals that he speaks to on a daily basis. But when young Queen Victoria becomes gravely ill, the eccentric doctor and his furry friends embark on an epic adventure to a mythical island to find a cure.

Dolittle movie entertained the young viewers enough as the plot of the story was arranged properly, the character was fit in their role, the animation was satisfying as well as the matching of voice of the animals and the dabbers In this movie, it is very interesting as how I read the short preview. The writer was very creative as he showed the point of view on the possibility that a person can talk to animals. The line was very humorous and sometimes rude. It depicts to the idea that everyone have the capacity to grow as they met new faces along their way and also it shows heaviness of the line to be more realistic in order to the readers believe. The story line was very funny and interesting that can catch young viewers’ attention. It has moral lesson to learn that no matter what your state of living, according to the movie, the boy was in the family of animal hunter and as he grows his father taught him to hunt but as he was trying to catch the squirrel he pity for it. And starting that day, he was engage to animals and started to communicate them. The hidden motivation was also shown as the characters get through their challenges and overcome fears.

Though Dolittle movie give an interesting idea, the movie also presents the weaknesses of it. I have noticed that other lines were rude and disrespectful. The plot was fine but it only attract to the young viewer. The movie was very harsh, it was seen their how aggressive the antagonist to get the position of the Queen. I can suggest that, may be it was presented their point of view of the hunter and not just the Doctor, but overall it was very fun.

https://youtu.be/zjm6rDgKNMY

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Movie Critique: Corpse Bride

The movie Corpse Bride is a stop-motion animated musical fantasy film that was released on 2005 and it was directed by Tim Burton and Mike Johnson. Upon watching the film, I learned a bunch of things which are, (1) be confident (2) get to know the people whom you like first (3) don’t be desperate (4) to not be scared of the dead and (5) True love waits.

So the first one, be confident, I noticed it that it was somewhat of a theme in the movie because Victor Vandort(voiced by Johnny Depp) is an awkward, timid and shy young man and also Emily, the corpse bride(voiced by Helena Bonham Carter) was jealous of Victoria(voiced by Emily Watson), the love interest of Victor because of her being alive. Victor didn’t see his worth because of his parents, pressuring him to do things that he is not okay with. People around him kept on pressuring him to do things properly and do things according to plan without even knowing opinions about it. I can see him that he is very closed in terms of expressing his feelings to others but after some time in the movie, he gained confidence in himself. Realizing his purpose in the land of the living. For Emily, she was jealous of Victoria because of her being alive, looks and having a heart that beats. She was insecure of Victoria because Victor chose her, disregarding the fact that Emily herself is special and one of a kind. Throwing all the good deeds she has, talents and skills that she has just because of one girl. I think most people that are watching the movie can somewhat relate to Emily in that one certain scene that she sang about being jealous of Victoria.

 Second, get to know the people whom you like first! Don’t rush things just because they are good looking and good in delivering with their words of promise and sweet nothings. Don’t trust them so quickly eventhough they confessed their love for you, just like how Emily fall for the anatagonist Lord Barkist. She was easily swooned by him because of his words that he will marry her and give her everything she ever wanted. Emily didn’t listened to her father’s warning that Lord Barkist was for her, she didn’t listened to him and with that she ran away with Lord Barkist that lead her to her death.

 Third, don’t be desperate, Lord Berkins, the antagonist of the movie, is a desperate and money hungry character. He crashed Victoria and Victor’s practice ceremony and invited himself into Victoria’s house. He was a proud character that only wants someone’s money, luring rich and love sick young maidens just to letch off them. He was the one who killed Emily, the one who made a promise to the poor maiden, killing her and stealing all of her jewels and possesions. He married Victoria because he was thinking that her family has thousands and thousands of money but in the end Victoria said to him that their family doesn’t have any money left and that’s why her family arranged a marriage to the family of Victor. Furious, he almost killed Victor inside the church but Emily stood up for him.

 Fourth, don’t be afraid or scared of the dead, the movie showed the contrast of land of the living and the land of the dead. Tim Burton shows the land of the living to be gloomy, dim, gray, boring and almost lifeless where as in the lland of the dead, all of them are happy, jolly, always singing and is filled with life and colors. Towards the end of the movie, Victor announces to all of the “people” in the land of the dead that he will marry Emily in the land of the living where he will perform somewhat of a ritual to be with Emily forever. Upon hearing this, all of them shouted with joy and praise the couple, wishing them a good luck and happy life. They made a huge cake and a huge feast for all of them.

In reaching the land of the living, all of the “living humans” were scared of them because they were all bones and decaying bodies but over time, the living humans recognized their departed loved ones and with that they reunite one last time.

 And lastly, true love waits, Emily was a hopeless romantic and I cannot blame her for being like that. Her dream is to be able to walk on an aisle, wearing a long white dress and a lovely husband that is waiting for her at the altar. Most of us are like Emily herself, dreaming of our one true love and dreaming for a family of our own but the only downside of Emily is that she easily believed and fell in love with the wrong person. If only Emily waited for the right time, who knows, she would have her dream wedding and a person that loves her truly.

The movie Corpse Bride is such a classic to anyone who have watched it. It displays so many meanings and messages to the viewers which I am sure lot of them can relate if they dig deeper to the movie. Tim Burton’s art style of his movies can be deceiving, odd and creepy but if you watch them you will get lots heart felt moments just like the movie Corpse Bride.

https://youtu.be/_tpLNUI9rQU

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TESTIMONIO

This testimony is from my mother story of oppression:

I was the fourth child out of ten in our siblings, since we lived in the mountainous part here in Balamban. Our main source of food and livelihood of my father was “kaingin-farming” and “raha". I could say that we were at our lowest point, my older sister and I need to help in order for us to survive. Even at the very young age, I have mastered the work like a breadwinner in the family. Early in the morning before the sun rises we were already in the farm working because we cannot go to school if we were unable to work. Before, “batilis” leaves could be sell in a kilogram and it was one of our way of earning, even I really hate going into the forest to get “batilis leaves” aside from it was still so early and cold, I am also afraid of caterpillars. But then I got no choice because I can’t go to school if O will let fear and laziness win over me . One of the rule of my parents especially my father that even until now is in my system,“kung wala moy agi, walay eskwela”. They have a very native way of perceiving regarding education, that its not really necessary in one's life as long as you know how to read and write then you are already capable enough to live with no deception. Hence, I beg to disagree on their belief and I am more than willing to study and finish a degree even if I have to work and work.

Since then I believe that education can save us from this kind of poverty. I know that we had differ perception with my parents and the sad part about this is that I could never go against their will. Every time my mother gave birth to a new born child my younger sisters and brother, we are obliged not to attend classes because I will be the one to take care of my mother. Every year same thing that happen, my older sisters and I take turns in leaving class just to take care of my mother. It was like in a week we will be able to attend class once or twice it would be a miracle if we could go thrice in a week. It would be given that I was behind of the lessons that sometimes I lost interest in going to class, whats the point? Every time I would listen to the teacher I can’t seem to comprehend to what she was teaching back then. Then I would have thought to myself, if I was able to attend to class everyday, I could catch up. That if I don’t need to be absent just to look for my siblings or help carry the batilis leaves and raja on the lower part area for us to earn, I could catch up , I could even be one of those top achievers in class! But unfortunately I was born to help and work like a carabao. I was born and have a parents that their happiness was not for my academic excellence and awards but for my help in our means of living.

At a very young age, I thought to myself how world so unfair looking at those girls on my age could study. How fortunate they were, to study and passed every year because in my case and my siblings sometimes we cant pass not because we failed academically but because of our absence. Hence, I graduated elementary when I was already 18 years old since there was also years that I need to stop studying and focus helping my family. Even if my age was older enough to attend high school, it was not an hinder for me to still study I was so hopeful when I ask my father that I want to pursue in my secondary education, "Pa muskwela ko ug high school" I asked my father even if I was sweating bullets while he was chopping firewood. "Pagpuyo Julia, nakahuman naka ug elementary husto nana nga grado para dili ka malimbungan." he replied not even looking at me. "Pero pa ganahan ko muskwela--" "Giingnan husto na lage nang graduha nimo, unsa pamay eskwelahon nga wala may nadatu anang eskwela naa bitaw nakahuman ug eskwela diha o nangaminyo ra gihapon mao nang ikaw pagpuyo ug panrabaho nalang!" he cut me off. I was so devastated on that because that was always their argument that education could never make your life better. My rights for education that time was totally wreck.

As per to their want, I applied for work in the city as a housemaid, sales clerk and many other rackets just to earn. That was also the time when I also really need to work and support my younger siblings on their studies because as a older sister, its fine for me that I was unable to achieve a degree at least I could also help my younger siblings. But I guess we have same fate but I am thankful that thy are still able to be a high school level I think its enough at that time to have a nice work. Until I got married and had four children, even though I am just a housewife and have an illness I am working hard to support the needs of my children especially their education. I striving hard to send my child to a good school and finish their desired degree and able to work in a pleasant workplace. That they will not experience what I have experience before. Now, I am proud to say that my two daughter had their own work and my third child is about to graduate in Senior High School and want to take up the course of education. For me , I may had experience a lot of suffering but it taught me well on how I should discipline my children.

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MOVIE CRITIQUE OF MALEFICENT: THE MISTRESS OF EVIL

In the Disney movie, Sleeping beauty wherein Princess Aurora was cursed to sleep forever and never wake up. From that point of view in the story no one knows who is that Mistress that curse the young Aurora and why she was cursed, viewer’s perception is that it’s only normal to have an antagonist in a movie and a common one in Disney movie. However, a coin has two sides meaning there should be a reason why that Mistress has curse the young princess.

The film Maleficent: Mistress of evil is a sequel to the Disney movie sleeping beauty starred by Angelina Jolie. It presents the point of view of the antagonist name as Maleficent. The recently released film was a massive success, one of the major reasons that Disney live-action remake is now a genre unto itself. The film was directed by Joachim Ronning, lacks the bite if the first, there are interesting bits within the film that are entertaining but they always don’t fit together. Having set up this potentially juicy conflict, and having detailed a scenario that would put it front-and-center while deepening Maleficent’s relationship with her human goddaughter Aurora (Ellie Fanning). The new film picks up five years after the event of Maleficent. Aurora became the Queen of Moors, inhabited by various magical creatures and the home of Maleficent herself. Prince Phillips has finally worked up to the nerve to ask the hand of Aurora and marry him. Hence, it is also the time to meet the families of each other to discuss the wedding preparation. Maleficent was reluctant to attend the family dinner but she has always a soft spot for Aurora and she can’t say no to her, so despite that she has largely distrust of humans, tries her best but things eventually go about as bad as possible that it led to the possibility of war between humans and fairies. Jolie leans into her character’s wounded journey but not emotionally since she was shot. She seems more distant this time around, perhaps because her character is not now motivated by an emotional betrayal but a physical attack. When she retaliates, the edge is dulled as her actions seem justified in an act of self-defense against those who stuck her first.

The movie is good it has themes but it also fails as it has the potential to be. As Indiewire states, there just not as important as they want to be. It failed to highlight the face off of the Queen Ingrith and Maleficent against each other. Nonetheless, Maleficent is less the Mistress of evil than her poster would suggest. She is more like the misunderstood victim as she was in the original.

https://youtu.be/n0OFH4xpPr4

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Mary, Marry Me: Movie Critique

Mary marry me is a romantic comedy film in one of the Metro Manila Film Festival 2018 2018 directed by RC Delos Reyes that Reyes puts up the tandem of Gonzaga sisters in a feel-good family film. The movie brings a lot of fun, love, and sisterly rivalry—bound to touch the hearts of families. The film brings real-life sisters Toni and Alex Gonzaga in their first movie together. Romantic comedy film is a movie that deals with love focusing on a lighthearted and in a humorous ways on the development of a romantic relationship.

The movie entitled ‘Mary, Marry Me’ is all about family and sisterhood. It tells the story of Mary Jane (Toni Gonzaga), and her younger sister Mary Anne (Alex) who is set to marry the former’s ex-boyfriend of Mary Jane, Pete (Sam Milby). Despite the initial unwillingness, Mary Jane’s commitment to make up to her sister has enabled her to set aside her discomfort with her ex-boyfriend as she agrees to plan their wedding. With all set for the wedding, Mary Jane has to face everything in spite of her own hesitations, while facing her own issues with her sister.

The movie really showed how Alex and Toni is somehow some scene are based on real life. Their dialogue is like an actual dialogue. It shows how they treat each other. The way they talk and their activities are the same in real life. Sam Milby completes the movie. It was nice when putting Sam Milby because it adds some kilig moments. Sam Milby and Toni Gonzaga brings the chemistry of their past loveteam.

In the movie Mary Marry Me, there are also elements that are displeasing just like its cinematography. Some scene has a bad cinematography. Some scene are not suitable for young adults. Some of their actions are not suitable for young viewers because it can destroy the innocent mind of the viewers. There are also scenes and dialogue that are not realistic.

Despite its displeasing elements it also has its appealing factors. Some of the elements of a romantic comedy film is present in the movie. Some of these are the happy ending factor. All the characters in the movie has a happy ending. The movie creates an unforgettable, relatable, likable character. It gives an all-around to supplement laughter to the audience. Most of all it has a life lesson to be apply after watching the movie. The movie is not just about the laughs, it is also filled with lesson about family, love, and forgiveness. You will leave the movie theater filled with realizations that at the end of the day, a family’s love can withstand everything.

The overall feel of the movie is pleasing to the senses. Its engaging mix of humor and drama makes it easy to take while concentrating on the values of family. It is emotionally heartfelt through and through. It touches the heart of the Filipino family and it would make you fall in love with yours more. Romantic movies are a result of the writer's imagination that brings out the creativity and beautiful memories that we can keep and we will keep on believing in the power of love, truth, and trust.

Local movies are very interesting to watch with. We should appreciate more local films to promote and encourage the development of nationality. Also, to give them morale to make even better productions. So, we should support local productions and popularize our country. For every movie, you can be filled with lesson.

I was not born into luxury. As a child, I have been through a lot of hard work because my parents have no permanent job and their pay is sometimes not enough to meet our needs. Sometimes I help them with their work to lessen their stress from work. We are five siblings in particular. All of us are studying and sometimes the money that my parents earned is not enough to sustain our living. Sometimes we even borrow from the neighborhood just for us to have something to eat. We also don't have a permanent home. Sometimes we even relocate place to places until we reached the house of my grandfather, the father of my father. We have suffered a lot when we stayed with our relatives. But as we lived there they treated us differently when our parents left us because they were looking for a living. We are not treated properly just like when they eat delicious food they will not give us they even hiding it from us. We are also the one cleaning their house. That is why we have some hatred towards their family. When our parents know we have moved into my grandma's house, the mother of my mother.

As we moved to my grandmother’s house they don't have wealth but they accept us and treated us fairly. In there we have been able to build a small house that is suitable for the seven of us. That’s where we lived and grow up. But as we grow up there is still time that we are not able to eat properly because we don’t have much money. So, my parents searched for different sidelines to add to our daily income because their earnings are enough for our daily needs. As I grow up and see our status I always keep in mind to study hard to help them and to make them proud despite our situation. I always thought that someday we will rise from our current situation. When I reached grade 3, my two older siblings both went to college together and thankfully we are blessed because my father was able to go abroad and be able to send some money to provide for our daily needs and education. At that time it is really hard to sustain for our education because they don’t have a permanent job and their salary is not that enough and all of us are studying, my two older sibling will enter college and the other will proceed in high school and I am still in elementary that is why we are so blessed that my father were given an opportunity to work in abroad. But his life there was not easy because he had an accident there and he was not able to send some money, so we also worked hard here. Thankfully, we were again blessed for the hailing of my father and because we were able to buy some land that we can invest on.

But living a luxury life did not last. Like other families, we also have a fight that leads to physical fight and sometimes some of them run away from home. When my father came got from abroad, our savings were depleted because we thought my two older sibling can be able to graduate in college but because of some mistake in school work they cannot be able to graduate on time and the remaining three of us are still studying so we are forced to sell our house and land which is built to an easy access area and moved to our land not far from the placed we used to live in. In there my mother was the one who supported our family because my father cannot go back abroad because they had finished their work there and he could not be accepted in any more work here because of his age.

When there are problem at the work of my mother they decided to sell some fish and because we don’t have much money we borrow some money for my generous uncle to start a business and thankfully they lend us. Thank God many buy some fish on us and we can bring home enough money to sustain our daily needs. Thankfully, we don’t have to worry about money, food and a house to live. Sometimes my aunts are jealous of what we have got. It was because of God's mercy that the fish has bring enough money in our family and my two older siblings were able to graduate in college. Because of the hard work and perseverance of my parents and a blessing from God, we have life that we don’t anymore have to worry about money, food, and house unlike of what we used to. To repay to their hard work, I will do good for my study for their hard work will not be wasted.

Poverty is not a barrier to live an average life. Be persistent and work hard to raise yourself and you will not fall into poverty forever. There is no one to be blame that we have live a miserable life and we are poor. It is our decision whether we want to rise from poverty or continue to fall into poverty. It is up to us to decide what to do with our lives. We should not let anyone dictate what we can reach and we should not only go with the flow of life on where it can lead us. As they say “kung may tiyaga may nilaga.” But if you are very hardworking you will have more to gain in life.

https://youtu.be/_EP2nhHLQZ4

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The Perilous Coronavirus

In the year 2019-2020 Coronavirus outbreak has alarmed millions of people around the world. It affects millions of lives around the world because of the infection that attached to human beings. Coronaviruses is a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. It is a type of virus that can cause disease. This newly identified virus has cause outbreak on the respiratory illness of a person. Coronavirus also known as COVID-19 originated in China. Although health officials are still tracing the exact source of this coronavirus, some assumptions though it may be connected to a seafood market in Wuhan, China. Some people who visited the market developed viral pneumonia caused by coronavirus. Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.

Coronavirus has been worse and now being spread across the globe. It affects millions of people by being infected by the virus and it can easily pass on to other people who are in close contact with those infected. Those who travel around the said infected area bring fear to the people when they return to their country. There are sign of a person being infected. Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, and cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.

Through the days our country has also been infected by this said virus. Filipinos has fear for their lives. Now, many Filipinos have been infected by this virus and caused the lockdown of the airport and all the city around Metro Manila. Many people have been suffering from this lockdown because no one can go outside their houses but many appeal because they have nothing to eat that is why many still going outside their house to find food to eat. But the government has found a solution in this one in order to stop the spreading of the virus. And those infected are being quarantine in order to find a cure in it and cannot any more spread the virus. There are hundreds of people who are infected and also many has died. They died maybe because they have some illness or they have a poor immune system.

There are reports that the virus has already reach Cebu that is why many are alarmed and many were panicking. And now the Cebu has been lockdown. You can rarely see people going outside of their houses. The class has been suspended as well as some works. But many still disagree because they want to make a living to sustain their daily needs.

Now, Balamban has been in red alert level 2 meaning it will soon be lockdown as well. Many has already been ready and has been on panic buying even alcohols are also being consumed.

There is no cure yet on this virus. But there are ways on preventing from spreading this virus. Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

There is still an ongoing investigation to determine more about this outbreak. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available. Doctors treated the patient who has been infected by these viruses and scientists already find cure in this said virus. But since they haven’t found yet any cure we must stay at home and avoid going to a crowded place and have close contact with another person. It’s better to be safe than risking our life into death.

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Travelogue in Bohol

BOHOL is located in central Philippines southeast of Cebu and southwest of Leyte. It is an oval-shaped island, 411,726 hectares big, surrounded by 73 islets. Bohol became a province on March 10, 1917 by virtue of Republic Act N. 2711. Its capital city, Tagbilaran, became a city on July 1, 1966 through RA 4660. It is home to the late President Carlos P. Garcia, the fourth president of the Republic (1957-1960). Bohol has 47 municipalities, 1,114 barangays, besides Tagbilaran. This city is 630 kilometers from Manila and 72 kilometers from Cebu.

You’ve never heard of Bohol? What?? You’re probably not Filipino then. Bohol is located in the Visayas, a 2-hour boat ride away from Cebu. It’s the 10th largest island in the Philippines. Okay, that might not be interesting enough for you. So let me tell you that its extraordinary attractions make Bohol is a fun place that has so much to offer!

BOHOL has everything you’re dreaming of…

People come here for the white beaches and beautiful nature with its diverse wildlife. The world class diving, waterfalls and hundreds of caves for spelunking. And they come for the incredible history along with its colonial Spanish churches. I’m only scratching the surface.

I mainly came for 3 reasons: the beautiful beaches, the magnificent Chocolate Hills, and the cute Tarsiers! Ofcourse you’ll find plenty of beautiful beaches in the Philippines, so Let’s focus on the hills and the Tarsiers first!

THE CHOCOLATE HILLS

Let’s start with the Chocolate Hills, the greatest pride of Bohol. Basically it’s a strange group of oddly shaped hills, a lot of hills. There are more than 1000. It’s not easy to describe the place; it’s like a piece of art. An unbelievable scenery. I felt like being on the set of a science fiction movie. They look extremely surreal. It’s hard to believe that the Chocolate Hills are not man-made.

They’re a natural wonder, and personally, I think they look like giant boobs.

No offense. I mean that in a good way. However, you probably noticed that the Chocolate Hills are covered with green grass. So, where is the name coming from? Good question. The hills turn brownish during the dry season. That’s why they call them the Chocolate Hills because…yes… chocolate is mostly brown.

Even today, scientists aren’t able to figure out how the Chocolate Hills were formed. However it was, this strange earth formation looks truly fascinating for sure.

Almost as impressive as the Chocolate Hills itself were the people posing and doing performances in front of the hills to get extremely memorable pictures. Very amusing. I should have taken some shots of that.

Shouldn’t forget to mention, there is a bell on top of the highest hill. Ring the bell after making a wish. Let’s see if my dream come true. No I won’t tell you here. That’s bad luck!

THE PHILIPPPINE TARSIER

Let’s talk about those cuddly Tarsiers. Sweetest creature ever! Like a mix of a monkey and a rat . . . or bat? Whatever, it’s easy to fall in love with them. Those tiny Tarsiers are sleeping all day, only getting active at night to find food. Their head can rotate 180 degrees. The Tarsier is small, like a human fist, but it has extremely huge eyes which make it look like Gizmo from gremlins

You might wanna pick one from the tree and keep it as a pet because this little furry thing is such a cure creature.

Don’t even think about it. I’m serious, please don’t take them home. And don’t cuddle with them either!!

They’re actually pretty bizarre animals. If they’re getting stressed (probably from rude tourists being loud or taking photos of them with flash) they tend to commit suicide. The tarsier will hit his head against something until it dies. No joke! They are very sensitive to noises and light, so you better be very cautious around them. Here a few more shots… aren’t they gorgeous?

BEACHES AND ISLANDS

Bohol is surrounded by more than 50 Islands, including Panglao Island, which is one of the most visited tourist destination in the Philippines. The most popular and developed place in panglao Island is Alona Beach, a 1.5Kilometer long stretch line with coconut palm trees. The place is truly beautiful with its white sandy beach and crystal clear water. There is fantastic snorkeling in Panglao and you can find a reef right in front of Alona Beach

Bohol and Panglao are connected by two bridges, so it’s easy to get there.

With a coastline of more than 250 kilometers you can expect some awesome beaches. One of my highlights was definitely a trip to Virgin Island, a C-shaped Island with a long white powdery sand bar. The pristine Island is 20 minutes away by boat from Panglao.

There is not much to do there; just buy a fresh coconut, try some sea urchins and wander around the long sand bar. Or do sun bathing, relax, get a tan and take photos that will make your friends jealous for sure.

One of my tricycle drivers told me the other day that Bohol exports its sand to other beaches in the world. Apparently, the sand on the Island is of such a high quality that it is some of the best in the world.

We stayed for 3 days in Hennan Beach Resort (I lost my pictures), together with my family we were so blessed that we’ve been there. We decided that , sooner or later we will be coming back to Bohol in the coming days. Because Bohol has a lot of tourist stop. We would like to travel it around.

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Stories

Literary Journalism

Personal Narrative

Reflective Essay

Testimonio

Travelogue

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Movie Critiques

Midnight Sun

Corpse Bride

Mary, Marry Me

Dolittle

Maleficent:The Mistress Of Evil

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Movie Critique: Midnight Sun

Midnight Sun is a love story movie. In Midnight Sun, a deadly illness inspires a gilded fairy tail. This tour of high school heartbreak follows Katie (Bella Thorne), a wide-eyed teenager who has xeroderma pigmentosum, a condition that renders her dangerously sensitive to ultraviolet light. Although xeroderma pigmentosum is actually disease, Midnight Sun forgoes realism, exaggerating the risks of Katie’s illness to portray even the slightest exposure to sunlight as a cause of fatal neurodegeneration.

Because of here condition, Katie is isolated from her adoring father (Rob Riggle), who tries to keep his daughter’s confinement cozy. Though neither Katie nor Midnight Sun seems disturbed by the paternalism of her circumstances, most fairy tales revolve around a prince, not a parent, and accordingly, both Katie and the film idealize romance.

So from the safety of her ultraviolet-light-resistant bedroom window, Katie daydreams about puppy love as if she were a princess in a tower. Every day, she waits for the same boy, Charlie (Patrick Schwarzenegger), to roll by on his skateboard. When this saint of the Seattle suburbs stumbles upon Katie busking near the local train station one evening, he falls in love at first sight. They begin to see each other only at night, and Katie conceals her illness, despite her father’s warnings. Like the sun, the potential for disaster inevitably rises.

Under the limp direction of Scott Speer, Midnight Sun suffocates its sentimental script, portraying passion without wonder, sacrifice without ecstasy. Charlie professes his devotion with a plastered smile and dead eyes. Katie writes love songs that are forgotten the moment she stops singing,. Lacking both the romantic chemistry and the directional panache that might justify its life-or-death stakes, Midnight Sun is a medical melodrama in need of resuscitation.

https://youtu.be/fEskVQgtwaI