#agua covered Liberty

[goldlightsaber]

No Country for Old Men

No Country for Old Men doesn't really need my praise, given that it won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor and several other awards. But I'm here to give it anyway! It is truly a work of art. Over a decade old and it has stood the test of time as a gripping thriller. Warning: this review is a bit all over the place, but I covered the bits I liked best!

The Big Bad

Javier Bardem. Where do I begin with him? I could watch this man clean up gunshot wounds in a cheap motel room for hours. It was so fascinating to see him work -- even if a lot of that work was brutal, cold-blooded, psychopathic murder. Watching him was like watching a true crime documentary. He felt real and chilled me to the core.

I commend the script for all its cleverness, but especially the intentionality behind Anton Chigurh's dialogue. I have never seen more unusual, rhythmic dialogue. What stuck in my head was his relentless way of asking questions. "Where does he work?" he asks the trailer park management lady. She tells him she can't tell him. Again, he asks, "Where does he work?" She tells him again, more firmly, that she can't reveal the information. In the same monotone, he asks for a third time, "Where does he work?" He puts on no charm. He does not bribe or threaten. He asks questions straight. He disguises himself as --but does not claim to be-- something he's not. He pretends to be a cop; a man stranded on the road; a hotel guess. People believe what he only appears to be. They make something of him, something recognizable, so that they know how to interact with him. Except slowly, through dialogue, he reveals to them his true, sadistic nature. And no one wants to believe it. Often the people he speaks with are dumbfounded, stammering out "Sir?" and "I don't understand." It doesn't dawn on them until its too late that he is someone they should run from. It's ironic, really. The goodwill and trust of other people is his bread and butter -- it's what allows him to extract information without force (at least at first) and to obtain all the resources he needs. There's a Southern hospitality theme that runs throughout. Many of the Texans he runs into offer him help -- little do they know that, with Anton Chigurh, it will likely cost them their lives. Everyone is a means to an end unless they are the end -- the person he means to kill.

Don't even get me started on his weapon of choice. It looks like he's carrying around an oxygen tank. It even gives him a misleading look of frailty -- like he might be using it to survive despite it not being attached to his person. If he was carrying around a gun, people might run in the other direction. But, seeing a captive bolt stunner, people are often just confused (I had to look up what it was called) -- and that's part of his genius too.

Yet he's tone deaf. He is easily irritated by small talk, seeming not to understand its point (award for most extreme introvert like, ever?). He nearly killed a gas station worker seemingly because of the small talk. A hint at his disturbed, unusual mind. As I mentioned earlier, he always cuts to the chase -- no fluff. He will get what he needs now, or else. Unless you're lucky and the coin toss flips in your favor. Or there are too many witnesses nearby. But rest assured -- there is no escaping this man. As Woody Harrelson's character, Wills, asks Llewelyn: "You've seen him, and you're not dead?"

Subverting Expectations

With a crime movie, you hope the good guy lives and the cops catch the killers, or that at least one of the two things happen. Nope! Not that simple with a Coen brothers film. Llewelyn is a law-breaking and a "street smart" guy but has a golden heart. He's empathetic (like when the "agua" man hung over his conscience) and only shoots people when he needs to -- Anton Chigurh is his foil, in that sense. Even though his resourcefulness and quick thinking gets him out of trouble for the majority of the film, he is suddenly killed by the Mexican cartel. We don't see it happen, we only see the drug dealers fleeing the scene and the aftermath. It comes minutes after a flirty motel patron tells Llewelyn that, whatever is coming, Llewelyn will never see it coming. And he doesn't. And neither does the audience, for that matter. With Llewelyn seemingly gearing up to fight Chigurh, I expected the two of them to have a showdown over the money. Llewelyn's death was sudden and abrupt. He didn't go out with guns blazing. He didn't get to showcase his strength. For all the times he has healed from injuries, Llewelyn--likable, honorable--still dies.

The sheriff retires -- he doesn't manage to track down Chigurh or anyone else for that matter. To him, Chigurh is a "ghost." The sheriff, at the end of the movie, describes himself as "ummatched," and that is underwhelming too. You fully expect -- or I did, based on previous crime thriller movies-- for some sort of justice to be served, for someone to be caught and locked away, but Chigurh is alive and free at the end of the movie and so are all the anonymous players of the drug cartels working these deals. There was no justice. Not for Llewelyn, not for his wife, not for all the collateral damage.

A Brilliant Script

Speaking of Llewelyn's wife! I loved her last show of defiance in the face of Chigurh. She was shocked but not surprised. Surely, his appearance scared her, but she knew death was coming for her -- and she didn't give Chigurh the liberty of making her death her responsibility. He was fully accountable -- and she made that clear. Was it a foolish choice? I don't know. It did leave me thinking for a while -- what would I do in the situation? The coin toss is the greatest mercy Chigurh is capable of bestowing on anyone. He is a Harvey Dent without a grudge. She chooses not to participate in the game and he kills her. I asked myself: were I in that situation, would I have chosen not to play? There were two options: she plays and has a 50% chance of living. She doesn't play, and she will, for certain, die. She chooses the latter. Is that bravery? I think so. It's certainly strength of character. She is principled in a wholly other way than Chigurh. I feel that I would have wanted to "call it" -- give myself a chance at living. But even that phrasing is misleading. No matter the "choice," Chigurh is the real judge, jury and executioner. And he chooses to kill. Always.

When he exits Carla Jean's house, I found myself wondering what had happened. In the first few seconds of the scene, it isn't yet clear whether he killed her. What follows is one of the more brilliant, subtle moments of the film: Chigurh checks the bottoms of his shoes. We know from an earlier scene that he takes care to keep them clean from the carnage of his crimes, and so, we also know he was checking to see if Carla Jean's blood had spilt on them. He murdered her.

The Ending

I have not yet uncovered the symbolic significance of the car crash, but I can try to take a guess. The car crash brutally injures Chigurh, breaking his arm and God knows what else. It is a random accident, not someone intentionally trying to kill him. Two boys who were riding their bikes behind him approaching Chigurh, who is sitting on the sidewalk, seriously injured. The boys offer him help only out of goodwill. But then he offers them money for one of their shirts, which they initially reject until he insists they take it. Is the symbolism in that? Of yet-uncorrupted youth starkly contrasted with his total evil? In offering them a large sum of money, is he corrupting them to think of life transactionally? As he walks away, the boys argue about splitting the money and he is no longer their concern -- greed is on their mind but only because he brought up money in the first place. (I feel like I cheated on this one because I read somewhere how the movie is about the rising forces of evil in the world that are hard to defeat -- hence the sheriff is unable to defeat them). Will this start them down the path of chasing money and power? Who knows. Maybe.

Overall: a movie I couldn't look away from except to run to the bathroom. I could watch hours of Javier Bardem in this role just sitting. Or eating. But preferably treating his own wounds.

Watch if: you're a fan of Ozark (TV show); or Fargo (movie or TV show).

[mikkalaia]

SLU PSYCHOLOGY CLASS OF 2015; BATCH PROPHECY (SIDEDISH NOT INCLUDED)

SLU Psychology Class of 2015 Batch Prophecy

PS special side dish not included. To be served on your majestic mint condition YearBook copy. So be excited humans!

June 25, 2025

5:47 AM — Tahiti Time. As the sun radiates through the curtain lace. I woke up to the buzzing and throbbing in my head, and I’m still in the red dress I wore from last night. What did happen that night? I turned to my side table and saw a newly published book entitled “A Nomadic Entrepreneur’s Travels and Lifestyle” by Mikka Alaia Nalupa and a half filled glass of wine -still I’ve manage to stand up, and take a deep breathe and have one last look at the mile-long stretch of powder-white sand sloping gently into a shallow emerald lagoon of Bora Bora before I go back to the Philippines for our Class Gala on the 27th -exactly ten years ago from marching out of our college lives and into our own realities and fantasies. My flight’s four hours away, and I’ll be flying for thirteen hours more or less. And my bag’s already packed with the things I need for my wandering life.

8: 23 AM — It was still early. I decided to grab a cup of earl grey on my way out to the airport -while waiting for my tea I took a copy of their company pamphlet, upon reading I discovered that Minie Dimag Bagyan owns this café and she has been expanding her coffee business worldwide. After I got my tea, I walked a few blocks to hail a cab. And on my ride to the airport, I heard Mary Helen Tupong anchoring the morning news on an international radio station. The news was on; Karol Manalo‘s life as a time traveler and on her recent time travel to have tea with Queen Elizabeth II, Daniel Andrada on being the first Filipino muggle born to ever catch the flying snitch in the newest edition of the Nimbus broomstick at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and Ulysses Dalog for being the first psychologist to transcend his consciousness to the digital world. After the morning news the driver changed the radio station, a rap song started playing and it was Lesley Christopher Bautista dropping rhymes on the radio until I arrive at the airport.

9:19 AM — Still early for my flight. I took the liberty of roaming around the airport looking for a magazine stand to get something to read while I’m on my 13hr flight. While browsing through all the foreign magazines a familiar face caught my sight on a cover of a well known magazine –Michelle Viray along side Jane Lennie Basco and Jaffey Mherca Cantor who are all wearing the latest ready to wear clothing line by Araceli Ronquillo. I was becoming a lot more curious about the magazine, so I flipped through the first few pages and I came across Ashley Gail Taron‘s name as the Senior Chief Editor of the magazine. I decided to grab a copy for myself. 10:13 AM— I was comfortably seated in the business class carriage of a Luxury Jet Plane owned by Adrianne Jane Amboni and piloted by Mary Chile Pasquin. The plane started to smoothly rise above the ground and glide through the gentle wind and clouds. I put my glasses on and started flipping through the magazine. Upon reading I found out that a lot of my batch mates were featured in this month’s issue; Nina Sarah Sarmiento a now renowned interior designer has been styling homes and mansions for the rich and famous, namely, Terence Fender Bania-ao, Zarah May Laroya, Rachel Lopez, Marjorie Madlon, Riza Cha-i Padcayan, and Ariane Joy Patacsil.  

During the flight, they showed a film that claims to be the top-grosser for the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. It was a pleasant surprise to discover that the leading stars were Kasmir Dumpit a now Broadway artist and Ben Jan Rusby Nativadad a big time Theater Actor. It was no surprise that the film was conducted by an up-and-coming indie filmmaker and director Rafael Handiong Kapuno. During the credit, the OST was sang by Roland Milan a Broadway singer/actor and an Executive Finance Manager. It was nice to see all my performing batch mates in one project doing what they do best.

The trip was tedious and had to stopover in Osaka for a connecting flight to Hong Kong. I was feeling a bit bored in the airport so I held my phone out to check my Facebook Feeds. I saw that Gino Daniel Abalos‘s just checked-in in Indonesia for the 38th SEA Games. Albertino Miguel Dimasupil just posted a group picture with Jenina Marie Manalo and Mary Ann Masliyan fresh from the Euro NASCAR Circuit. Sheila Natalie Juyag just changed her display picture of her riding a giraffe in the Africa. Annie Timbangan just shared an Instagram picture from her shopping spree in Europe. And I just received an event invite from Jazel Robert Ramos‘ Christian Rock Concert Tour in Malaysia for next month I accepted the invite right away.

While boarding on, I came across Ferry Anne Aquino, Camille Anne Arizo, Marriel Bautista, Sunshine Kristine Ray Lopez, Pamela Singh Cudhail, Arlene Caasi and Charina Caluwag who are boarding to their last stop from their grand Asian tour. I was able to catch up with them for a little while and told me tales about our other batch mates I missed while I was away. I learned that Donne Patrick Valbuena is currently building his mini basketball league with his kids. They also showed me a new volume of a manga comic about Karen Sarvito‘s anime travels, which Myne Bullan illustrated here in Japan. They also told me that Marinette Andal, Kyla Pauline Babon, Nove Kathleen Corsino and Divine Grace Ullalim are now registered physicians in a private hospital working along side with Leandra Edano, Divimae Lumaguey, Chelsea Claudine Mendoza who pursued Psychiatric Care, Jezreetila Wayasen and Maureen Mae Aro as the hospital’s certified Psychologist. We bid our goodbyes for now and promised to catch up some more and went on to our separate flights.

While heading to my seat I noticed some familiar faces, It was April Grace Bandonil working on her computer, and was on the phone scheduling a business meeting with Aiza Pearl Balingao also a business tycoon in the field of science. A few seats behind her was Beatrice Erica Popa a now Literary Archeologist who was studying two old copies of manuscripts. And three seats from the rear of the business class carriage was Mark Onia flipping through a magazine on “mysterious places to go to” he seems to have just arrived from a tomb raiding spree based on his “Indiana-Jones-like” get up. I carried on to my seat and thought to myself that I could catch up with them on the reunion itself. -Feeling nostalgic about coming together and hearing a lot of stories, and catching up, I put on my earphones and listened to my most recent favorite songs composed by Murphy Liswid, performed by Lemuel Botiwey on the drums, John Paulo Aguas on the lead guitar, Tyrone Dan Rullan on the back vocals and bass, and Mainne Vhe Jamison as the lead vocals. I was asleep for the whole flight and when I woke up I was already in Bangkok.

I’m on my last connect flight to the Philippines. The trip was sort of long, so I dilly dallied at the airport lobby. I saw Shirley Lingaling and Jarlene Parraexchanging stories of how exciting was bungee jumping and sky diving at Macau. I went to find a seat and grabbed an international newspaper. For the international headline news, Linda Tokyas together with Maria Jonah Catacutan, Marjorie Donato, Alyssa Gabot, Karina Magno, Julianne Tabanand Guillian Venturozo are the first group of female astronauts sent by NASA to set foot on the moon and take flight across the Milky Way. While flipping through the travel and lifestyle section I found out that Marwin Teniosodedicated his traveling in conquering mountain tops. And Rubie Borbon was also featured on the same page, talking about his latest travel to Milan for the Fashion Week. In the entertainment section, I came across a large print of Clarize Deewaii Balutoc and Dickson Ray Kimmakim holding an Oscar Best Actor award from a motion picture they both starred in. And on the business section, Sheena Marie Tayaban a now shareholder of all the biggest companies in the world. Heading on to my last flight, I saw Jan Vincent Angeles and his fiancé, Nicole Gerome Arellano and Lenny Catiyan who are traveling with their families, and Ruth Micah Celi with her cute kids and dashing husband boarding on the same fight back home. They all came from a holiday vacation and are all heading back just as I am.

June 26,2025 3:18 AM — Manila Time. I finally arrived at NAIA with 2 connect flights. I was fatigued, but I was used to the jet lag, I made my way to the Information Center and I was delighted to see Michelle Anne Basilio who also just arrived from her stay in Paris, France. We said our goodbyes for now and saved all the catching up for tomorrow’s big event. My driver picked me up in a luxurious car hired by my company. It was the newest model manufactured by Mei Arra Roberta Rosuello‘s Automotive company. She was not only able to buy her family cars, but owned a company as well. Upon arriving, I checked into the grandest 5 star Luxury Resort Hotel Casino in the capital owned by a big time business savvy Justine Ross Bañares and two grand lottery winners Jayson Rodel Javier and Rhemielyn Belen.

On my way to the penthouse, I stood in the lift for a long while since it was located on the top level. I enjoyed the elevator music which was an instrumental of strings played and composed by Christopher Evangelista. I settled my bag on the carpeted floor and I launched myself into bed, I turned the TV on -A rerun of Bryan Stephen Briones and Abigail Irang hosting their own food and travel show, for this special segment they traveled to an island owned by no other but Chiara Angelica Castro, featuring Clay Glaiza Idos‘s beach resort that serves Jolibee Fast Food. And for the next show, It was Precious Sharizz Bautista‘s food tasting show and for this episode she is going take a bite of one of Chef Gordon Ramsay’s gourmet dish. Finally feeling rested and relaxed I fell asleep right away. 9:48 AM —I woke up to the morning news. Charissa Jose, now on her 2nd term as the president of the Philippines honored the countries top secret service agents Chelsea Anne Gabriel and Rebecca Galvan for capturing an international terrorist. Suddenly Feeling famish about the news I got ready to get breakfast down at the Hotel’s in-house restaurant. I requested for the chef’s special and the restaurant’s executive chef, Caryl Aloida Retuta, personally served my meal. After I ate and chatted with Carly. I decided to go for a walk, after a few blocks away, I looked up and there I saw a billboard of Dave Jeremy Tan, Patricia Nicole Alcaraz, Moranda Black, Myleen Epie, Lyra Anne Lopez, Jessica Valerie Julian and Shanine Denice Sison who are now members of the United Nations doing humanitarian works and their campaign to end poverty. I then grabbed a cab to visit one of the largest library in the world. Surprisingly, it was owned by Jeane Caridad Supnet. Upon entering at the receiving lounge, there was a book promotion and reading of Novy Galletes and Mary Rose Garcia they authored and I can hear Novy reading an excerpt from her new novel. Not wanting to disturb her reading I went straight to the classic section and found Patricia May Alcarazstanding by the book shelves reading.

Everywhere I look was already a reunion waiting to happen. I was unintentionally surrounded by the outstanding works and dreams of my former batch mates. I decided to grab a cup of tea to calm myself from all the excitement. Upon ordering, April Alyssa Alarin who took a sabbatical leave from her high-paying profession to work as a cashier for fun, took my order. We took the chance to exchange stories about our male batch mate while no one was ordering yet. She told me that Brandon Capuyan, Mark Kevin Damasco Ty, Jan Michael Vincent Escosio, Franiel Lamadrid, Kevin Massagan and Rafael Alvin Tugade who are now living the dream of having a lavish, contented and happy life, and as being well respected professionals. She also showed me on her Instagram feed a picture of Darren Jedrick Mejiaand Mark Anthony Gabriel captioned “Finally graduating in flying colors with their 3rd Bachelors Degree Course” and she double tapped that picture. A new costumer was heading the counter and it was a pleasure to see Sarah Faith Bannay a now guidance counselor at one of the largest universities in the country together with Zarah Jane De Gollo a well respected lawyer in a prestigious law firm are simply dropping by to grab a cup of coffee before heading back to their workplaces. I gave out a faint smile as I made my way out of the coffee shop, I was in a state of ecstasy as my batch mates shared our lives and experiences, and I too have learned a thing or two not just about living a successful life but also living an ecstatic one.

June 27, 2015 6: 13 PM— The night of the Class Gala. I don’t know why, or what but I was both feeling extremely nervous and excited, and it was a feeling that was both familiar and distant. Only I cannot hide my wide smile. I made my way up to the Ballroom where the big event will be held, I was able to share the lift with Angelica Figuero, Kimberly Joyce Langagan, Jocel Ivy Peña, Ma. Cristina Peralta, and Rowena Sibaya who are in the middle of their chats about their South American travel, showing pictures on their phone to each other and giving tips and recommendations on the go-to places to see. I also had the privilege to walk alongside Monica Margarette Molina, who just recently opened her private dental firm, Marion Nicole Rodillas a now modern Mother Theresa, Aleli Langgaman an American citizen living in NY with her family, Ferleen Caluza a famous dancer/choreographer who has been working with international artist, and Lea Sibaya a now chief police officer, heading the same direction.

As I entered the Ballroom I was surprised to suddenly see Jemima Sawey and Briverlyn Jane Atuan who casually apparated their way in. The night took off in a whirlwind of warm hi’s, hello’s and how are you’s. I was overwhelmed to see everyone in one place after 10 years, I decided to grab a drink at the bar. There I saw a group of well dressed ladies hold in their cocktails are Xhachelle Ruiz, Marleen Ilagan, Marjyl Patacsil, Candice De Castro, Florence Raiza Gonzales and Charmaine Jimday Tan sharing stories about their lavish world tours and are planning to travel all together. I pave my way to the a far end table and sitting were, Brian Nicole Ruaro who were sharing his experience with the divine, Kurvin Kindipan & Allan Dave Tacay on their journey to awesomeness, Jose Nicolo Genilo‘s life and day as a superhero, Donna May Baliton talking about living her dreams, Denice Mae Cordero sharing her thoughts on happiness, Kenny Hanna Damaslog about hearing songs from the people’s heart, Joanne Legiralde sharing her search for meaning and actually finding it, Evamarish Dyquianco speaking how it would be really nice to give God a hi-five when you reached heaven and Jara Eunice Hernandez‘s on her finally discovering her ultimate dream. Overhearing them talk about something abstract and insuperable as if it was within reach and something feasible made me giggle inside. I was glad to know that it was possible to attain your dreams into your reality.

Before serving our well plated dinner, Elaine Fatima Simon a Nobel Peace Prize winner for her unique method of bringing people together through her witty inspirational talks, gives out one of her famous motivational speeches to the whole Batch. After the dinner, the mingling continued. Phoebe Eguiaand Prynces Fae Valdez are now neighbors and living in a mansion and owning luxurious cars. I caught Shanesse Avery Garcia and Niña Rica Valeroso still eating and chatting since they’ve always been a lover of food. On the table to the right front was Denise De Padua sharing how happy she is with her stable life, Desiree Gonzales a now successful professional in her chosen field, Michelle Hafalla a family woman with a stable career and a happy family, Ma. Cristina Tamio a now boss of her own business establishment and happily living with her own family.

And on the table farther to the left side of the stage was Eloise Amor Culimay, Karleen Depolio, Larysa Malecdan, Jenny Grace Mercado, Eloiza Kaye Payap-a, Harnice Joyce Santos and Zenith Faye Litac showing each other pictures of their continental travels around the world from Europe, North and South America, Africa, Australia and Asia, they’ve gone to them all leaving their mark an collecting souvenir on every country they go to. A few tables back are a group of lovely ladies that seems to be talking about something deep that includes existential themes, which sits, Emee Lize Mamuyac sharing her achievements to the people who sits on the same table, Jovelle Kaye Navarrete showing pictures of her fangirling moments with her favorite artist, Wendy Paragas shares her dreams and has been working on it to bring forth in her reality, Marian Reiko Rimando already found what she has been longing for and Klaudyne Rose Yango is now living a happy life that God has planned for her.

11: 53 PM — The night flew by so effortlessly and quickly as my batch mates reached their dreams and fantasies. We reminisced about our college years and compared ourselves back then to who we were and who are now. Exchanges of stories of success, struggles and getting back up for that fall. I can’t believe that the night was finally over and it will be another 10 years or so to have another gathering like this. the night ended with goodbyes and swapping of contacts and what not. Each promised to keep in touch via email, call, sms, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, you name it they got it. As I close the door to my hotel room I could help but feel blessed to be surrounded by passionate and eager dream catchers. as I close my eyes I whisper a little thank you my alma mater, for harboring our Christian spirit, competence, creativity and social involvement.

June 28,2015

6:15 — Amsterdam time. Finally back to living our dreams in reality. —the end—

PS all information are credited to the graduates’ ultimate dreams. No pun intended.

Inspired by my High School Batch Prophecy