Koreans, Pinoys, and Sandara Park (Okay, Let’s Put in Hero, too)

I watched an old Hero Angeles-Sandara Park movie called “Can This Be Love?” and it was surprisingly not bad. (Well, I’m also quite easy to please when it comes to movies.) The story revolved around a Korean girl studying English in the Philippines, and a young man getting a nursing degree to pursue that American dream. Sounds familiar? Maybe that’s why I was able to sit through the 100-minute film in ten 10-minute installments on YouTube—-it reflected too much my own college days.

 

It was 2004 when the Koreans came to my school. I would like to say I didn’t laugh, or smirk, or raise an eyebrow at their permed hair, the bright contrasting colors of their outfits, their shirts worn one on top of another in the sweltering Philippine weather, and their pointy-toed kitten-heel pumps that nobody would dare to wear with our boring, plaid school uniform, but I remember the conversations all too well. In the movie, Sandara was walking alone when a group of girls loudly talked about her. “Look at what she’s wearing,” one of them remarked, “It’s like she’s going to dance on TV.” Laughter ensued, and so did taunts of “Koreans go home.”

 

Flashback: One girl walking to school, wearing a colorful blouse with puffed sleeves paired with tapered black jeans, toting a hot pink purse. Her hair cascading in giant curls and her eyes shielded by oversized sunglasses. Laughter among my friends. One of them remarking “She’s got to be Korean.”

 

How long before all the kids—including myself—started dressing up like the Koreans who were teased so much, I don’t know.

 

It was also 2004 when the so-called Nursing Boom was felt in my university, and three quarters of the 11 000 enrollees in the first semester were all future nurses, most of them with the hopes of working in the United States. A scene from the movie made me smile. Sandara and Hero were forced to share a table at lunchtime. She asked him, “What are you taking up?”

 

“Nursing.” He replied.

“Lahat kayo nursing!” she said. (All of you are taking up nursing!)

“Kasi yun ang in demand,” he answered. (Because it’s in demand.)

 

 

The sudden population explosion that semester led to a confusion in room assignments and we non-nursing students had to have classes in the oddest of places—the gym, the chapel, under some tree. (This fact made its way to my humble college newspaper column which was probably the beginning of all the administrative trouble I got myself into.)

 

 

Back to the movie—Sandara’s wallet was skillfully nicked by a female thief while she was grocery shopping. As she was about to pay and she realized her money was gone, the unsympathetic cashier called her stupid. A friend was luckily in the same place, and her boyfriend paid for Sandara’s purchases. As they got out of the store, Sandara’s friend said “I told you to be careful. There are so many pickpockets here!”

 

Which was painfully true.

 

How embarrassing it was, when the 14-year-old Korean girl whom I was tutoring in college told me that at first she didn’t want to go to the Philippines. She was afraid of the stories she had heard—that ours is a country of thieves and con men. Flabbergasted, I simply warned her not to go out alone. Her unmistakeable features not to mention her obviously pricey clothes can make her an easy target.

 

It was exactly what Sandara’s character in the movie wrote in her term paper—an honest observation of the Filipinos from the point of view of a Korean who has only experienced bad things so far. The typist tasked to encode her work (of course, that is Hero) was angered by the truths in the paper that he said “The one who wrote this is definitely Korean. Who else is this bad in English? If she doesn’t like the Filipinos then she should just go back to where she came from.”

 

Of course, as with any Loveteam-based movie the two eventually fell in love, despite the initial hate and cultural differences.

 

Hero Angeles’ relatives are scattered all over the globe, and as they were reunitedin the Philippines  on the birthday of their grandmother, they all shared their stories, unnecessarily emphasizing their new countries and jobs there. One aunt who has a degree in Nutrition is proud to be working as chambermaid in London, one other aunt yaks about Japan and her Japanese husband. They all advise Hero to study hard so he could go to America. Sandara listens to all of these with a distressed look.

 

“Please just bear with my family, it’s just that we don’t see each other that much. Look at us, we are all over the world.” Hero told Sandara.

“And you left Grandma here?” she asked.

 

That scene somehow hurt.

 

 

 

 Can This Be Love? is something that’s okay to watch on a boring weekend with nothing else to do. The script was actually not as lame as I expected it to be, and the acting didn’t make me cringe. Above all, you’ll be poked and prodded with the little scenes that mirror the average Pinoy setting. (Sandara Park running away from Hero and falling into a hole in the ground. C’mon, where else would there be holes in the ground without barricades or warning signs? Yay’ Manila!)

 

 

And with Sandara making her debut in Korea as a pop act, I expect her projects here in the Philippines to be dug up by netizens. They will find Can This Be Love?, conveniently subtitled in English, and I can’t wait to know what they have to say.

My Most Beautiful List Part 2

I like beautiful women—really. When I see one I surreptitiously point her out to my friends and say “Look, she’s so pretty!” I just find it easier to appreciate than to find fault.

Here’s my second list of favorite beauties. It occured to me that the women I pick out are usually categorized into three:

 

Piercing eyes, high cheekbones, and an over-all “matapang” look

 

Gong Li (China)

I first took notice of this Chinese actress in the movie adaptation of a well-loved novel, Memoirs of a Geisha. Her protrayal of the antagonist Hatsumomo was met with positive reviews. In the movie she stood out to me the most, overshadowing other Asian superstars Zhang Ziyi and Michelle Yeoh.

 

Gong Li as Hatsumomo, Memoirs of a Geisha, 2005

 

Park Si Yeon (South Korea)

I spotted her in the K-drama My Girl where she played a supporting role. She was the second runner up in the 2000 Miss Korea pageant.

 

 

Son Dam Bi (South Korea)

This South Korean popstar made waves in 2008 with her highly popular chair dance and the catchy song “Crazy.” She looks so much like Park Si Yeon, right?

 

 

Taylor Swift (USA)

The first time I saw her on Myx the local music channel much like MTV, I had to stop on my tracks, sigh, and blurt out “Ang gandaaaaa niyaaaaa!!!!” (She’s sooooooo beautiful!) That was her music video of the song Love Story I chanced upon, and for a moment I had to slap myself and wonder loudly: Oh no!!!! Am I having another girl-crush?

 

Jodi Santamaria (Philippines)

Since my choices in this list seem to be from all over the world, I thought maybe I should add a Pinay here. It was hard choosing because although there are many beautiful Filipina celebritites, very few have that kind of look that leaves it mark. With much thought I remembered a young actress I liked when I was a kid, Jodi Santamaria, and although now she is mostly just seen in milk commercials, her face is still very much unforgettable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cute as Dolls

 

 

Ginnifer Goodwin (USA)

After watching the movie He’s Just Not That Into You, I don’t know how many times I kept saying “That girl is so cute,” referring to the character Gigi played by Ginnifer Goodwin. Here’s Gigi and her mostly purple outfits in the movie:

 

 

Agnes Monica (Indonesia)

I first saw her perform when she represented her country at 2008 Asia Song Festival held in Seoul, South Korea. She’s like the Britney Spears of Indonesia.

 

 

Keri Lynn Pratt (USA)

I have seen her many times playing minor roles in different TV programs, including House and CSI, but I didn’t know who she was. She is cute as a doll and her voice is tiny. With luck I found her again playing another minor role in the movie America’s Sweethearts, and finally got her name.

 

 

 

 

 

Serene, Angelic Faces

Nakama Yukie (Japan)

She played the creepy, crawling Sadako in The Ring :Zero, prequel to the sensational Japanese horror movie The Ring. Watch the movie—her face is so beautiful and angelic, but she would later turn into your worst nightmare.

 

 

Song Hye Kyo (South Korea)

She became popular in the Philippines because of her character in the drama Full House. With plastic surgery being rampant in Korean entertainment, Song Hye Kyo is well known as one of the industry’s natural beauties.

 

 

 

There you go, my top ten as of the moment. Feel free to share your favorites!

Hero

 

I first saw his name on a sheet of paper tacked to a bulletin board at the World Vision kiosk in Rustan’s—-me and my compulsion to read whatever I see posted, wherever. As I was waiting for the young, timid-looking WV volunteer to finish writing my receipt with his shaky hand, the story of a certain Efren Penaflorida Jr. and his Kariton Klasrum caught my eye. Named as one of the CNN Heroes for 2009, this former WV sponsored child’s story moved me to tears. The once lowly kariton (pushcart,) a symbol of poverty, has been transformed into an instrument of change and development.

 

 

 

 

 

My heart flip-flapping, my breath coming in deep, long draws, I found myself reading just about every online article about him and his group, the Dynamic Teen Company (DTC.) With education inaccessible to many poor children in slum areas, Efren and his youth volunteers’ efforts to reach them is truly commendable.

 

 

 

 

We are the change that we need, as the DTC slogan goes. I was suddenly reminded of a team-building activity we had just last week at the office, wherein we were asked to pick seemingly simple but really tricky questions from a box that we were supposed to answer. This was what I got:

 

If you went to the future and you learned that the only way to stop all wars is for every single person in the world to take up juggling, what would you do with this information?

 

 

My beauty-pageant answer:

 

I believe that this knowledge should be put into action. The first step for me is to learn how to juggle, because whatever change I want to see effected in the world, it would always have to begin with me. (“I, thank you!” Wave, Wave)

 

 

 

Change we need.

We are the change.

 

As I was also looking for quotes to put up there in my profile box, I came across an old post wherein I wrote:

 

“I remember my 19-year-old self only too well, when I was overly idealistic, and I had big dreams of changing the world.” ~May 29, 2008

 

 

When I think of it, my dreams—though not as big as before—are still here, in my heart. I have tamed them down to achievable goals and I’m inching my way to accomplishing them. Efren was sixteen years old when he realized what he can do (and actually did it!) for the world. So I guess 23-and-a-half isn’t so bad. Yes, I’m up to something.

Teacher Kat On A Mission

Last Sunday, April 5,  I joined Lifeline Foundation’s Barangay Medical and Wellness Outreach in Alabang, Muntinlupa. Our targets were the barangay health workers (BHW) and other barangay employees of Metro Manila’s southernmost city. A BHW, as defined in Section 3 of the Republic Act 7883, is a person who has undergone training programs under any accredited government and non-government organization and who voluntarily renders primarily health care services in the community. This is Lifeline’s way of giving back to those people who tirelessly serve the community.

 

I recently joined Lifeline and although I volunteered for activities that have something to do with children and the youth, I was invited to join the medical mission by Ms. Betty Romero, Lifeline’s deputy director. We merely corresponded by e-mail and at exactly 8am that Saturday, at the parking lot of McDonald’s Alabang Town Center, I was surprised to see many smiling people wearing Lifeline shirts. I am impressed, more than anything else, by people who come on time. Betty was the one with the biggest smile, and when she introduced me to the others, saying “Everybody, this is Kat,” I was greeted by a loud, yet warm, “Hi Kat!” by every single person there.

 

 

After a short briefing and more introductions of other volunteers, we all proceeded to the barangay hall of Alabang, where, outside, at the Liwasan ng mga Bayani Park, the set-up was already complete. BHWs in their respective uniforms were lined up for the prostate cancer and cervical cancer seminar.

 

I was given a black Lifeline shirt and after changing, my first task was to go among the seated BHWs and talk to people. We gave out pamphlets and talked to people about how their health and over-all wellness lies in their hands. At the arrival of the speakers for the seminar, I exited with the others to be given futher instructions. The children of the BHWs were all taken to another area where they played games and did arts and crafts as their parents learned about cancer.

 

The BHWs were then brought in groups of twenty to the medical mission area. There I functioned as an usherrette, helping people to go through entire process—first at the nurses station, then to any one of the doctors present, and finally to the pharmacy.

 

Amidst the heat and noise of many people under one tent, I managed to have the time of my life. I walked with old ladies and carried bags for them, as they stepped on the weighing scale. I answered people’s questions of what to do next and where to go. I exchanged smiles, then names, with my fellow volunteers, whom I was already chatting happily with after the first hundred or so BHWs have gone past us. The Lifeline people were most especially nice, and I was asked many times how I was doing.

 

Everybody was busy yet happy, sweaty yet smiling, tired yet fulfilled. At the end of the morning we were able to help more that 400 BHWs and barangay employees, as Betty announced, and this announcement was greeted with loud, triumphant applause. And more reasons for celebrating? The Jollibee branch across the street gave us free lunch!

 

The Lifeline Team. Can't find me? I didn't unfold my blood red fan for nothing!

 

 

I was simply amused how some of the volunteers joined the mission after seeing Lifeline only on the internet. They were not asked by friends and they came there not knowing anybody. And so, I would like my blog to be an instrument in getting more people to help.

 

If you are a doctor, nurse, or dentist living within Metro Manila or nearby provinces, Lifeline will have a medical mission for the Mangyans on May 29, Friday, at Puerto Galera.

 

If you are not a medical practitioner, you can still join us and your presence will be very much needed and appreciated.

 

You can visit http://ineedalifeline.org for more information about our mission, vision, and activities. You can fill out the volunteer form there.

 

If you’re quite shy, well, you can tag along with me. Drop me a message at katrina.carneo@yahoo.com

Many thanks to fellow Lifeliner Daniel Steven Trinidad for all the pictures used above.

A Night at BoNa Coffee

Forever searching for a place to hang out until morning, my girls and I finally had a chance to visit BoNa Coffee Company’s Mall of Asia branch last Friday night. It offered—more than anything else—its cozy interior, relaxing music, high-backed booths, and velvety ottomans for our tired, overworked bodies, that we may sit back and do what we love best: Talk.

Many times we had to be ushered out of other restaurants and coffee shops at around 2am, just when the conversations are getting better. BNCC is open 24 hours a day, their smiling baristas serving their low-fat, low-calorie but heavenly concoctions. With the help of Mike, the cheerful man of the bar, Kei chose the Skinny Latte, while I opted for the Skinny Mocha Latte. Des and Leizl ordered the same. We also ordered sandwiches: Tuna Wasabi for Kei, Buddha Belly for me, and Robust Roast Beef Sandwiches for both Des and Leizl.

When the sandwiches were served, we simultaneously said “Humongous,” our favorite word of the moment. The sandwiches really are filling and well-worth your money.

Kei's Tuna Wasabi Sandwich

My Buddha Belly sandwich was overflowing with shreds of crab meat, sweet ripe mangoes, some black olives, and a whole lotta greens. It was healthy and yummy and it took a while to finish it. Des and Leizl couldn’t finish theirs at all (really humongous!~) and happily took home their sandwich halves in brown BoNa paper bags.

Our resident chef-slash-restaurateur Kei admired the Indian ambience, noting the Buddha murals and the high ceiling. She commented on how such a place would be a hit in the middle of Makati, with Ayala’s call centers galore. BoNa’s orange velvet chairs invite one to just sink in, and get lost in the online world, with the store offering free WiFi. On one corner of the store stands an old-fashioned oven where their luscious muffins are baked. We were in luck as that night a batch was being baked, and the smell was simply enticing.

Asked about her coffee, Kei said “This is real latte.” Even I, who is not a coffee drinker, enjoyed my bittersweet tall cup, once I had the heart to ruin the beautiful floral pattern on the foam.

Leizl, however, had to squint her eyes with every sip of her latte, as she was no coffee drinker and just happened to order the wrong drink. Good thing my BoNa Boy Ferdie was there, who took Leizl’s cup and came back with an improved latte to suit my friend’s sweet tooth. Later on I asked and he said he fixed it up with some mysterious ingredient called amaretto, which I had to google the meaning of. Me and my kitchen/cooking nescience.

Feeling stuffed and happy, we put our feet up and talked for hours. This is the good life—a nice homey place with your favorite people in the world, with all the freedom to enjoy the art of conversation.

We are hoping for a BoNa branch in the Ayala area really soon.

Field Trip

Two Saturdays ago I, together with three other teachers and our respective students went on an educational trip, sponsored by the mission seminary where I work part time. Our first stop was a Nestle ice cream factory, where our students—one Brazillian, one Korean, and two Indonesian priests—got to choose whatever kind and flavor they liked, and got to practice their English in transacting with the poor, rattled cashier. Who wouldn’t be, when your customers talk at the same time in a confusion of accents.

Next was the Malacanang Palace, the residence of the President of this country, but we were not allowed to enter. Gone were the days when the common people were free to just walk in and look around, and maybe catch the president and have a chat.

We then proceeded to the National Shrine of St. Michael and the Archangels, the pictures of which I posted here.

After that, we went to the historical Intramuros for our appointment at the Light and Sound Museum that I had been aching to go to for a long time. Pardon the dark pictures (well, the whole place was dark.) For 100 pesos, you can get an hour-long journey from the pre-colonial Philippines up to Aguinaldo’s declaration of independence, with special attention and a considerable amount of time devoted to Jose Rizal. The story is presented with dramatic voice-overs, dialogues, moving mannequins, sculptures, dioramas, and lcd screens.

Of course, I couldn’t resist getting this picture taken:

HEY JEALOUSY!

I recently discovered Gin Blossoms and had fallen in love. This is me trying to sing Hey Jealousy although I couldn’t hit the low notes.

Eclipse on January 26th

Reading the morning paper, I found two things to look forward to: first, the Eraserheads reunion concert Part 2 on March 7th, and second , the annular solar eclipse to occur this month, on the 26th, coincidental with the Lunar New Year.

 

The geek in me thoroughly excited, I spent the afternoon refreshing my forgotten grade five Science and Health lesson on eclipses. What is an annular solar eclipse anyway?

 

In movies we always see eclipses, the kind wherein the moon sends a perfectly bright day into darkness. That,  as you all well know, is a total solar eclipse and the last time such a phenomenon occured in the Philippines, I was barely three years old and had not yet developed a liking for such geekiness learning experiences. That was in the morning March 18, 1988, when Southern Mindanao went pitch black for a totalof 3 minutes and 22 seconds. Check it out here.

 

During a total solar eclipse, the moon completely covers up the sun at maximum phase.

 

 

On June 11, 2002 a partial solar eclipse roused people out of their beds at the unholy hour of 5am to view the spectacle which lasted for an hour and thirty-seven minutes.  For some reason, I was one of the Juan Tamads probably in dreamland when this happened.

(I can’t remember where I might have been at that time, and actually I don’t remember much from 2002 because that was the year of the FIRST LOVE, if you know what I mean.)

Here’s a nice photo of that event:

Partial Solar Eclipse, Philippines

 

Now, on Monday, we will get to experience an annular solar eclipse. The moon will still get in between the earth and the sun, but it won’t be able to cover up the sun completely. If you are located within the path of annularity, you will get to see this:

 

During an annular solar eclipse, a ring of light surrounds the moon at maximum phase.

 

But since here in the Philippines, we’re not in the most convenient location, what we’ll get to see is this:

 

 Cool, eh?

 That will start at 4:55 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (PST), and the maximum phase will occur at 5:51 p.m. PST.

 

For those who will go out and see this, remember these safety measures.

 

For my readers in other countries (naks!), here are the areas where the eclipse will be visible:

For the January 26, 2009 Annular Solar Eclipse. The red dot indicates the path of annularity.