ninarances15

[ninarances15]

[ninarances15]

Here's a website where Palestine GoFundMes are vetted and shared that you can send out to people. The url is gazafunds.com

Easy to use and simple. Just share the site whenever someone asks for GFMs for Palestine.

[ninarances15]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

THE WORLD WOULD THINK THE END OF DAYS HAD COME

[ninarances15]

Only Forestella and Day6 can make "Despacito" sound good and make me like it, tbh.

me: of course I was paying attention

my brain:

[ninarances15]

Someone mentioned that when the guard started to laugh in this scene, it's actually the cameraman losing it.

[ninarances15]

if i saw 4 dudes with ugly bowlcuts walking down the street id just assume it was the beatles

[ninarances15]

Recently, I’ve been watching a Philippine drama for the first time in a very long time which is a surprise to me as well, but nevertheless a good one.

I’ve been faithful to my “one drama per year” rule for the last few years, but I’ll make an exception for this one as that was originally set for K dramas to make time for more important things and to increase my productivity as I grew busier in the last 3-4 years. I’m definitely not the same 13-year-old K drama camper that I used to be. Those who are no strangers to K dramalandia know that they produce a lot of dramas every year, which are in all respects, good and interesting. At the end of the day, it all depends on the genre that you enjoy watching.

That aside, I found myself marathoning episodes of GMA’s “Maria Clara at Ibarra” these past few days. It piqued my interest after watching the trailers for having the elements that I’m looking for in a drama.

For one, it is based on “Noli Me Tangere” which from Latin is translated as “Touch Me Not”, the first published novel of the late and great national hero of the Philippines, Dr. Jose Rizal, which touches on the injustices of the state and the church during the Spanish colonial area.

When I was in high school, I spent a year reading and studying this novel and another year with “El Filibusterismo” meaning “Reign of Terror” which is the sequel. Yes, it was compulsory during my time and I remember a lot of classmates hating it, but as an avid reader, I didn’t mind it too much. As a kid, I developed an interest in literature—legends, folk tales, novels, poems, and epics from many different parts of the world including my own. I liked to immerse myself in stories and tales and spent a lot of time in libraries and nooks reading my favorite stories.

Second, it’s based on history which I won’t deny, as boring as it seems, is my favorite subject. I’ve loved history since I was young. I have a Papa and a brother who both do so it’s definitely the subject of a lot of our discussions at home. 😂 The drama takes you back to the Philippines in the 1800s, which is the setting of the original novel, during the Spanish colonial era. The story might be familiar to most people, but for the benefit of those who aren’t, it centers on lovers Maria Clara and Crisostomo Ibarra who grew up together and are engaged to be married. The latter returns after studying in Europe for seven years and learns about the untimely death of his father and the mystery that surrounds it. He also uncovers the power struggle between the societal classes as well as secrets while rekindling his relationship with the former.

The drama, however, injects a twist in the story in the person of a modern (and same name) 21st century Maria Clara also known as Klay, a nursing student by day and hospitality worker at night who suddenly finds herself waking up in the setting of the book that she is reading and just like any other good story, hijinks ensue. There, she meets the characters of the book and learns about the story chapter by chapter as it unfolds. There you go, element number 3—fantasy.

I like that the drama is truthful to the novel except the twist part and is historically accurate in presenting the architecture, clothing, language, customs, and codes of conduct during that significant part of the country’s history. We all love a good historical drama, and I appreciate the educational value that this is bringing to many of the youth who may have taken this for granted in this modern day and age. Very timely after the controversial “history is chismis” (gossip) remark by a certain young actress, but is another story in itself which I won’t be talking about in this post. 😂

I like that it celebrates Dr. Jose Rizal’s work whom I admire for his wit and grit. I have appreciated him more after spending a unit in college studying his life, passion, works, and achievements and even went to visit his house in Dapitan when I was younger. He was a doctor, teacher, prolific writer, poet, mathematician, inventor, engineer, surveyor, humanitarian, philanthropist, champion of human rights, and forerunner of independence among many other titles—a multifaceted individual. I basically spent my whole life studying about him. 💪🏻

The casting is also on point from the lead actors to the supporting ones. They definitely picked a good Padre Damaso and Salvi. Grrr! I used to hate him in the original book and I still loathe him after all these years. The look in his face irks me. 😂 The casting is wonderful. The writing is engaging. The cinematography and locations are stunning. In addition, I’m relearning my Spanish and Filipino again which is good. 🙌🏻 The latter is not my first language and I’ve always made a conscious effort to improve on it, although I’ve been speaking and writing the language all my life. Another round of plus points for bringing forth and highlighting the importance and significance of (learning) languages which is something I am passionate about.

Hearing stories about the recent increase in sales of both Noli and El Fili in Philippine bookstores following the warm reception of the drama is heartwarming. It’s something I’ve always wanted to see and read about in this lifetime. I still have my copies of these books in my parents house. They may be old and worn out, but I’d definitely encourage the future generation to read it. I’d be more than happy to lend or give these away to my nieces, nephews, or godchildren provided that they look after them and the rest of my books so they can live and be immortalized forever. 📚

The original book discusses the injustices and cruelties experienced by the poor and disadvantaged at the time of the Spanish colonial period. In addition, it also talks about the various societal issues and challenges that the old, young, and women faced. By the time this and its second book was published, it faced a lot of backlash and banning from the government and the Catholic church which ultimately led to Rizal’s demise. He was excommunicated, exiled, eventually assassinated, and died a hero while fighting for independence.

Then, there’s the palpable chemistry between the leads which I’m totally on board with as I do like a good laugh from time to time. 😂

At this point, I am unsure if the drama is going to touch on the second book which is darker as compared to the first one, but I am definitely in for the ride ahead. 🙌🏻 For the first time in a long time, I am watching a PH drama and a GMA one at that. Both Jinggoy Estrada and Robin Padilla in the senate will hopefully stop winging about the proposed ban on K dramas in the country to increase the patronage of local content. I meant, if they were as creative, interesting, and well-taught off as this, why wouldn’t the general public watch and support it? We stan and support dramas that promote history, literature, culture, the arts and other disciplines, and our identity (in my case as a Filipino) regardless of where we were born or where we are now and our mixed herritage and inter-racial influences as a people. I could probably go on about this, but that’s another story altogether. 😂

To Filipinos who are looking at reconnecting to parts of their herritage/ancestry, history, Rizal and his works, or for just a good drama to pass the time, I highly recommend MCI. From creativity to cinematography, storytelling, and execution (drum roll🥁🪘), we have a winner right here.

[ninarances15]

crisostomo "pinsan ni klay" ibarra

[ninarances15]

I love how Germany, Italy, and Japan went from planning battle strategies to comparing each other’s own versions of Furby.

[ninarances15]

[ninarances15]

@ivomitrainbows​

Guys. This is very important

Go to google and type in "cat"

Now tap this button.

You're welcome.

[ninarances15]

@ivomitrainbows​ I misread this as “This song is about sucking cocaine from your dick.”

[ninarances15]

I'm illiterate

[ninarances15]

You’re welcome😊

Kinda reminds me of you, now that I found out you’re an MCR fan. @ivomitrainbows

[ninarances15]

Kinda reminds me of you, now that I found out you’re an MCR fan. @ivomitrainbows

[ninarances15]

@ivomitrainbows Dude’s never been more Canadian😂😂

the cutest lumberjack (trans.)

[ninarances15]

From what I know, the Addams are pretty generous when it comes to money. It reminds me of that episode from the 1964 sitcom, where two thieves broke into their home and Gomez just placed money in their bag. And in the 1991 film, someone pointed out that the Addams were more devastated about Fester ‘betraying’ them, than they are about losing their home (though, the got it back in the end).

me when we start eating billionaires and i have to kill gomez addams