A Decade After: 9/11 A Celebration of Life

I am currently watching the reading of names of the 9/11 victims in New York city as I am writing this blog, I cannot help but be sad and shed genuine tears for the loss of innocent lives. I am reflecting a little bit as each of their surviving family members and friends were reading their names and saying short remarks about how they were missed, and some are even asking them for guidance from heaven. It tears my heart especially when the kids were reading the names of their moms, dads, aunts and uncles who were killed on that tragic day ten years ago. I could just imagine that they were still young kids at that time and some were still in their mom's womb. Yesterday I watched the solemn ceremony from Shanksville, PA where the brave American passengers stopped the terrorists from attacking the White House in DC.

I know that this infamous event changed us, it changed America and the whole world but for what it's worth I believe that it made America a much more stronger nation. This event brought the best in Americans particularly New Yorkers. It also made us aware that heroes and genuine friends live among us. They were the ones who gave up their lives so we may live and they are those that sacrificed their lives on the Shanksville plane crash. Bravo to the first responders of the FDNY, NYPD, religious clergy, EMS and ordinary people who acted with strong zeal and courage to help save lives that day!!! You will never be forgotten.

My blog today would like to condole with the loss of these innocent and good lives and yet I would also like on a much bigger scale to CELEBRATE THE LIFE of these victims (World Trade Center, Shanksville crash and the Pentagon). Life because I believe that each of the victims inspired us to be brave and to be always mindful how precious life is and that ordinary people can be heroes. I know that they are in a good place and I know that they will be with us forever. Let us respectfully mourn their loss, let us say a prayer and celebrate their life through their memories. God bless all of us!!!

PICTURE: For this article I used a photo of white flowers. I like the immaculate white flowers to symbolize purity and peace, life and hope and inspiration from the the victims of 9/11.

Photo: White Flowers of 9/11
Photographer: Alvin de la Pena

Where Were You on Sept. 11th, 2001?

Where were you on Sept. 11th, 2001? Needless to say most of you know what happened on this very sad day in the history of the US. Allow me to share what my day was on 9/11/01.

It was a beautiful sunny Tuesday morning and just like any ordinary working day, I woke up about 7AM and as usual got ready with my boring morning rituals, went out my apartment on my way to work. I am coming from Queens, NY on my way to Manhattan. I took the R subway train and got off at 23rd St. station at 5th Ave. On my way up from the subway I see the public standing and their gaze nailed at the two burning towers in front of them. The World Trade Center aka the Twin Towers were burning in front of me. I was shocked and couldn't believe how come the two buildings were burning at the same time, must be electrical or human accident that caused it, but deep in my gut I knew that something was wrong...very wrong.

I still went on walking four more blocks to work, as soon as I got to the office I asked my co-workers what really happened with the Twin Towers, and they told me that it was a terrorist attack by which the terrorists used two planes to attack each of the two buildings. I felt sadness and anger and of being helpless. The collapse of the two towers really was the darkest, when you know that no one can be saved in the buildings and that you instantly know that the first responders were killed.

I ended up staying in the office until 6PM when the local news announced that all tunnels and subways were opened again after being shut for hours. With a heavy and sad heart I went home reflecting and visualizing how the people inside the burning towers were feeling at the height of this crazy man-made disaster. And as the day ended and in the weeks and even months to come I always say a prayer for those who perished and for their families.

Where were you on Sept. 11th, 2001?

21st Century China: Cinema

I would say that I am an "on and off" Chinese movie afficionado. For the most part I particulary do not watch Chinese movies unless they are advertised and marketed smartly convincing me that they are worth watching.  A few I have seen are of course are the vintage Jackie Chan movies and a few more Chinese martial arts movie when I was still living in the Philippines as a teen into my 20's. I also watched one Chinese American produced movie and of course an American movie produced and directed by Sir Run Run Shaw, the famous Shanghai born internationally reknowned filmmaker.

But since the early 90's Chinese cinema has been showing better quality movies which is not about martial arts at all, although I should say that their martial arts movies that are fictionally or sometimes historically based on old China are in my opinion, are the best ones...especially if the main actors are China's big stars. In general I like Chinese action movies.

The report coming from CRIenglish.com on January 2011says:
"The year 2010 saw China's filmmaking industry continue to flourish. The country made about 500 films in 2010, ranking only after Bollywood and Hollywood in terms of annual film output. China's 2010 box office revenue reached a historical high at 10 billion yuan (about US$1.5 billion), rising 61 percent from the year before. That has prompted media prediction that China would overtake Japan, the current second largest film market, by 2015."

Well that says it all, maybe in the near future we will be able to use the word Chinawood or Chiwood?

Photo Credit: Poster of Wong Kar Wai's film "The Grandmasters"

21st Century China: Contemporary Art

I like the way how Chinese modern or contemporary art is evolving and how China's new generation of artists are experimenting and trying to move away from traditional Chinese art. There is nothing wrong with traditional art, but I believe local artists should think more outside the box.

I did check some photos of Chinese art of the 21st century and I find some of them amusing, colorful, simplistic and others boring. Some are so stylized, others realistic, some are almost bordering between graffiti and a rough black and white sketch on paper and some are so animated like a Japanese anime' in technicolor. Far different from traditional Chinese art where one can feel the serenity and grace of the illustration of a Chinese maiden, a breed of horses running wildly, peaks of hills and mountains or a goldfish in a still pond and far from the sculpture of a Buddha, a tree made of jade, a serene goddess with flowing mantle, etc., etc.


Modern Chinese art is catching very quick with Western style and gaining much attention in the international art scene. I just hope that the Chinese governmant will not censor their artists too much to the point of detaining them. Long live the Chinese artists, long live China!


Photo Credit: Giant Ants. Accelerate: Chinese Contemporary Art Exhibition
Photographer: Singartsam
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30754835@N02/

Photo Credit: Ling Jian 12
Photographer: Nikolaus Ellrodt
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/56518650@N06/with/5848586989/

21st Century China: Architecture

China's architecture in its key cities like Beijing and Shanghai is continuing to change the infrastructure's landcape. The start of the 21st century saw the rising and contruction of modern architecture in the old cities of this country. Trying to be one with the changes in the modern world the country opened its doors to work with building designers, architectural firms and engineers from Europe and the US.

I personally think that this decision is good for China and I like the design of the modern architecture, though sometimes it is too modern that the imprint of Chinese culture cannot be seen or be felt in the physical appearance of the infrastucture. Perhaps that is the same sentiment that some of China's younger generation are lamenting that the architectural design is too modern and too Western that it did not even reflect the blueprint of Chinese culture and architecture.

The following ten projects that pushed the boundaries of China's architectural status quo since 2002 are The Commune in Beijing, Beijing International Airport, Shanghai Worl Financial Center, National Aquatics Centre in Beijing, CCTV in Beijing, Linked Hybrid Housing in Beijing, Dongatan Eco City in Dongtan, Beijing National Stadium, Donghai Bridge and the National Grand Theater in Beijing to name a few.

Photo Credit: CCTV Building, Beijing
Photographer: Nathaniel McMahon
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nathaniel-mcmahon/

Photo Credit: Bird's Nest, Bejing
Photographer: FatBoyRoy
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatboyroy/

21st Century China: Fashion

With everything going global and China being exposed to a lot more influences from the West...one thing is for sure, that the young generation of Chinese will be more open to the trends of Europe and the US. One area of global influence will be in fashion. New Chinese fashion designers (surprisingly most of them are educated in Western countries) are presenting their style which are heavily inspired by European fashion.

I personally think that if China's fashion industry will be steered in the right direction the country will be one of the major fashion capitals in Asia next to Japan and it also has a strong potential to be one of the world's fashion trendsetters making Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai its local fashion hubs.

Below are some pictures from Beijing Fashion Week held in 2010. Judge for yourselves how fast China's 21st century high fashion is taking shape.

Photo Credit to Photographer: Feng Li for Getty Images/AsiaPac

Should Celebs Act Badly?



Can You Name Them?

 Ah celebrities, most people look up to them, follow them, emulate them and some people take it too seriously to the point of stalking them. Celebrities in the world of cinema/theatre, music/arts, politics, fashion and sports are so powerful that when these same famous people commit human mistakes and fall from grace, us ordinary people have mixed emotions - some of us vicariously enjoy the "ride" that they go through when they fall from their pedestal or we might feel their pain just because we are one of their fans. Whatever it is we should always remember that they are regular people too experiencing the same emotions, addictions and demons we have in our regular lives. Unfortunately, their lives are magnified a hundred times than ours which makes it more interesting for the ordinary people to follow the events of their lives as it unfolds in media.

For this blog what I would like to point out is that why can't these celebrities contain themselves and behave well in their private lives and in the public eye. They MUST know that a thousand or more people look up to them as role models, as inspiration perhaps. It is sad that sometimes these famous and rich people enjoy the attention they receive in the midst of their bad behavior. One celeb I used to admire as she was on her way to the top was Lindsay Lohan but like any other dumb celebrities when she got to the pinnacle of her career that was when she lived a life of stupidity by doing stupid things. One or two mistakes is fine but to commit the same mistakes the third time or more is unacceptable. It is funny to think that most of these famous people are adults doing and practicing juvenille stupidity...you know stupid stuffs that adolescents and late teens do. Such a shame!

On the one hand I believe that there are more responsible celebrities who understand their standing in society and in the world. I commend these celebrities because they are aware that acting badly will impress wrong things to people and their fans. Some of these celebrities worth looking up to are Gloria Estefan, Orlando Bloom, Matt Damon, Leonardo di Caprio, Mary J. Blige, Celine Dion, Meryl Streep, Michael J. Fox, Dianne Sawyer, Charlie Rose, Kate Blanchet etc...to name a few. The names I just mentioned are famous people who are both stellar in name and attitude, inspiring and world class. Perhaps you can fill in the names of celebs that are quite notorious for behaving badly. Leave a comment and let me know. :)

Too Much Reality is Hazardous to Your Health

The end of the 20th century in television history saw the rise of reality TV shows. Gone were the days when most television shows were scripted and featured well-known actors for lead and supporting roles. As we all know reality shows feature famous, infamous and virtual unknowns who would like to taste the so called "15 minutes of fame."

I think reality TV is part of our modern culture. With the advent of the internet and advanced global communication technology the world became smaller. I guess people got tired of watching too much fantasy television and are now more interested in watching real life and events as they unfold in front of their television sets and computer screens. I personally like reality TV depending on the type of show. Clean talent competition shows, non-trashy talk shows, relevant documentary shows, true-to-life crime and drama shows are the type of reality television shows I like.

Unfortunately there are also reality TV shows whose main concern is to "dish out the dirt" amongst its cast, glorify decadence, sloth, greed and perhaps all seven deadly sins. There are also reality shows that desensitize us to violence and too much sexual behavior and just plain bad behavior. This is really sad because the theme of these reality shows breaks the fiber of our values and negatively influence the younger generation. The trashy actions and foul language that some reality so-called stars show off (whether scripted or not) impress negative things on children and teenagers, and even in some adults.

I hope children born in the age of reality TV grow up with good manners and right values just like how their grandparents and parents were raised, free from the trash of reality TV but then again I might be wrong, perhaps too much reality TV will open their eyes on what they should not be when they grow up, perhaps younger people are much wiser and they know what is acting and what is reality in reality TV, perhaps I should advice you to be selective of the type of reality shows you should be watching and warn you that too much reality TV may be hazardous to your mental, moral, social, etc. health. You tell me!

Photo: Reality TV Graffiti
Photographer: Dean
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/leunix/

Racism is Ugly

According to the dictionary Racism or Racialism means:

1. the belief that races have distinctive cultural characteristics determined by hereditary factors and that this endows some races with an intrinsic superiority over others

2. abusive or aggressive behaviour towards members of another race on the basis of such a belief

Reading and understanding the two given meanings of racism, however one "wraps their head" around it, the meaning is still negative. Others may not be affected by its meaning but I personally feel that the racism is a very condescending act.

Is there racism selling these dolls? Dark skin dolls put on sale and lighter skin dolls still at $5.93. You judge.

This is another social issue that mankind struggled throughout generations for thousands of years. From generations of long time ago people of superior civilization would always try to conquer another race and impose their creed and their culture to "erase" the customs of the conquered race. In the early 20th century until now, we still experience this atrocious act in different forms and shape - from deadly genocide (Hitler against the European Jews, the Rwanda genocide in the early 90's, Saddam against the Kurds, Ku Klux Klan, Skinheads against people of ethnic races, "blacks vs whites", etc. and the list will never end) to softer versions (like name calling and stereotyping - John Galliano vs. Jewish couple, Imus vs. the African American female basketball team and a few more).

I admit that it is not always easy stereotyping each race and sometimes we even judge the person based on the color of their skin without even fully knowing them, we also fall on what I call "subconscious racism" where we sometimes generalize different races and categorize them in funny ways, some examples - all Asians eat rice and all Hispanics eat beans, African Americans love greasy fried chicken, etc. they may sound non-offensive, but still not cool. Why can't we just live without name calling? Why can't we just unite? Is it because one is rich and one is less fortunate? Is it that I live in this fashionable side of town and you live in the projects? Is it because my skin is lighter than your dark skin? is it because your parents drive a cool topdown and mine owns a simple sedan? I can ask lots of questions about differences but I believe what each of us should strive for is to learn how to stop our negative racial "urges" against each other. Let us stop and listen to ourselves before we act out or talk racially disgusting remarks about our fellowmen. I know I am guilty of this sometimes but I try to calm myself and really, really do my best to just shut-up and think of the best about people. On the flipside I have experienced a few incidents where I was the person being offended, it does hurt sometimes but I just turn my back.

That said let's pray and hope that we all live happy together as one race, the human race!

Photo: Racism in Walmart
Photo Courtesy: Alinaalonge070 from FailPost.com

Stop Being A Bully !!!

Anti-Bullying Campaign Poster

For today I would like to post this short blog about my opinion on bullying and the BULLIES! Bullying for me is one of the most stupid acts that anyone can do. Obviously it is not productive, it doesn't do anything good to the bully and for the person being bullied. It is a negative and non-productive energy. I also think that parents should be the very first people who should and must educate their children at a young age against bullying and how to confront a bully, and how to address the situation and tell the appropriate authorities. I believe that parents must always include the bullying issue when they talk to their children. After all children are the reflection of their parent's beliefs and values.

As for the the bullies out there, I can only tell you one thing STOP being a bully! I personally believe bullies are ego and power trippers who can only beat and take people who are not as big as they are physically plus most bullies stick together in groups because I know and I am sure that they cannot bully just by themselves because they are cowards. Most bullies hate themselves, are jealous of others and frustrated with their life and mostly unloved at home. Technically, I believe that a bully, truly only bullies himself.

As for those who think they are being bullied (hard as it may seem to do) you must expose the bullies to proper authorities, learn to stand up against these losers and live your life!

Photo: BullyingUK Campaign Poster
Photo Credit: BullyingUK
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bullyinguk/

Libya on the Edge



2011 Libyan Revolution Poster



For the past two weeks I have been following the Libyan events. Like with Tunisia and Egypt and the other countries of Northern Africa and the Middle East, the revolution in Libya is much more violent as the days go by. The last time I heard from the news there were more than a dozen people killed by Moammar Ghadafi's army and upon writing this blog there has been reportedly hundreds more killed. The Libyan people are tired of his socialist style government - the people need change, enough is enough and they like to get rid of dictatorship.

Like any other dictator Ghadafi has been in power for a very long time. That is 41 years of rule. He ruled this Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab country with terror and fear. Ghadafi staged a coup d'etat in 1969 overthrowing King Idris and putting Crown Prince Hassan under house arrest. He abolished the monarchy and proclaimed the new Libyan Arab Republic. Unfortunately his reign is synonymous with terrorism and corruption. His government is not only involved in local terrorism but also in international terrorism, one of which his name was involved with is the Lockerbie bombing of PanAm flight 103 wherein 270 people were killed.

At this point we are hoping that democracy will prevail. It will be a long and difficult struggle to depose a ruler who rooted himself and his legion for 41 years but I believe with people power things might just be possible to topple this dictatorship. Us in the free world wish the Libyan people find the freedom they are searching for. Good luck Libya and may your people find the true, honest and clean leadership soon.

Photo: 2011 Libyan Revolution Poster
Photographer: Yusuf Muhammad
Photo Link:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/scape14897/

1986 Philippine People's Power Revolution

Millions of people at EDSA Highway calling for Marcos to step down

The resignation of Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak is victory to the Egyptian people, I truly believe that the Egyptian revolution showed us democracy at work. It did force the end of the 30 year authoritarian rule.

This event in Egypt reminded me of the same revolution that happened in the Philippines 25 years ago. I was there when it happened and it was an event that shook Philippine politics (for awhile) and made Filipinos proud. This event as most people know is the People's Power Revolution which ended 21 years of the Marcos regime. The administration of President Marcos (together with his wife Imelda Marcos) was marred with corruption, nepotism, despotism and human rights violation. The regime saw the development of infrastructure and construction of great highways throughout the Philippines but amidst all of this the lavish lifestyle and corruption of the political elite was getting too much whilst the country's poverty and economy is sinking. This aggravated the Filipinos and most especially the assasination of the late Senator Benigno Aquino nailed its toll on the Marcos administration. Aquino was considered by the Filipinos to be the best politician to replace Marcos. The people's revolution was also set in motion when the president's Defense Secretary Juan Enrile and General Fidel Ramos started a coup d'etat to overthrow the Marcos government.

It was a great revolution. It lasted from Feb. 22-25, 1986 and is still considered to be one of the most peaceful and bloodless revolution. The military, the Catholic church, and the Filipino people, rich or poor were all united in their objective - to end the 21 years of Marcos dictatorship. In the end Marcos and his family fled and left the country through the help of the United States. The country hailed their new president, in fact the Philippine's first female president and her name is Corazon Aquino...and the rest is history.

Tunisian Revolution 2010-2011



Tunisians demanding the ouster of President Ben Ali

 The revolution of the Tunisian people is also one of the major events that happened end of 2010 and ended when its president, President Ben Ali who ruled the country for 24 years was finally ousted mid January 2011. It was good news that the revolution ended just over a month. Again as it is with all types of government whose presidents had ruled for more than 15-20 plus years, the people of these countries will come to a point when they will protest "enough is enough." They will demand for a new president and a new administration. Unfortunately most presidents who rule a country for a long period of time are usually intoxicated by their power and eventually that is when corruption within their administration starts.

In Tunisia the people's demonstration is about government corruption, the lavish lifestyle and illicit business deals of the presidency including the president's wife and family, unemployment, food inflation, freedom of speech and poor living conditions. The incident that greatly instigated the revolution was the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi (dousing himself with flammable liquid and setting himself on fire). He did this because a policewoman who confiscated his unlicensed vegetable cart fined him a day's wage. The policewoman also slapped and spit on his face and insulted his deceased father. Humiliated he went to the provincial headquarters in Sidi Bouzid to complain only to find out he was to be ignored by local officials. After an hour Mohamed Bouazizi came back to the provincial headquarters and set himself on fire. This incident outraged the Tunisian people (even more) who in the first place are really unhappy with their government. The coming days and weeks to come saw an intense Tunisian Revolution. The revolution demanding the ouster of its president, a change of administration and a better Tunisia. Sadly some people committed suicide to protest against the government, violent clashes between the Tunisian military and civilians occurred, looting and some civil unrest amongst the Tunisians. Finally on Jan. 14th, President Ben Ali fled the country to Malta. Presently, the government of Tunisia is slowly rebuilding their government. We must all hope for a better future for Tunisia and its people.

Once again it shows us that presidents are public servants of their country. Any ruling party should be fair and should only stay in power for the duration mandated by their constitution. Yes I know...i know it is wishful thinking but that is what we can hope for, unfortunately not all governments and ruling parties are the same.

Photo Credit: Tunisian Protest
Photographer: Khaled Abdelmoumen
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rais58/

Egyptian Revolution 2011 - In Progress



Egyptian men praying for a peaceful revolution

It has been two months since I last posted, it is not always easy to post and blog but I figured that people, though they may not be regular followers of this blogsite are checking it every now and then and I owe it to them or to you the readers (especially to some journalists from India who encouraged me to keep blogging)to keep this blog active for as long as I have the means to write.

Anyway the latest issue that I am following is the Egyptian revolution of 2011. I am not a political type of person (in fact, in my opinion politics is one of the boring subjects ever) but I am closely following the development of events presently happening in Egypt. Personally, I like the idea that the Egyptian people are standing up and are voicing their dislike to the authoritarian-type government that has been ruling the country for thirty-years, aside from the very long regime reports of corruption and nepotism are also allegedly happening.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has been in power this long and in fairness to him he has done great things for his country and has played a big role in Arab-Israeli peace relations but sometimes there comes a time when all good things should come to an end and I think this is it...the people are tired of his government and they need change. A change for a better Egypt for the 21st century. Perhaps a new leader will be better than Mubarak, (besides Mubarak has done enough for the country so he should now move on and give others parties a chance), what angers the people is that Mubarak is reportedly grooming his son to be the next president and this is not right at all. If the allegations are true then this is nepotism or maybe he would just like to make a dynasty just like the Egyptian pharaos of long ago. Other complaints about his administration is the economy of the country, corruption and jailing of his political opponents.

Sign says: No negotiations, No talks, until Mubarak Leaves!

Hopefully, Mubarak will concede to the wishes of the people and set up a fair-and-square election. I hope this mess ends up peacefully without any bloodshed or civil war amongst the people and most of all I hope no element of radical Islamic ideals will be able to penetrate and influence the good ideals of the Egyptian people. In the meantime let us pray and wait.

Photo Credits: Egyptian Men Praying for Peaceful Revolution and No Negotiations
Photographer: Iman Mosaad
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/imosaad/