Trending: #CareersinNursing

Before I continue, let me share to you an experience that I had when I was hospitalized a months ago. There was this nurse who’s really kind, and he’d talk to me every time he’d go to my room. Then at one point, he asked that most awaited question, “saan ka nag-aaral?” Of course I feel a little proud to say, “UP Manila” (I was still weak because of my fever). Then he asked, “anong course mo?”. Then I instantly said, “Nursing”. You know at that point I felt excited. Because at the back of my mind he might say, “wow, talaga? Nursing ka? Tapos sa UP Manila pa? Edi matalino ka?” But NO. Instead, he replied, “Talaga? Nursing ka? O, welcome! Welcome sa mga UNEMPLOYED.” I was shocked. Shocking, but true. Right there and then, I realized that even if we are what they call the “cream of the crop”, the “iskolar ng bayan”, now that we've already graduated, we will inevitably be part of that unwanted sector of the population… the unemployed. No matter how beautiful you try to pronounce it, you’re still UNEMPLOYED... JOBLESS... UNPRODUCTIVE… SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T CONTRIBUTE TO THE WELLNESS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THIS COUNTRY. And what’s worse, until now, most of us still don't know what to do now that we've graduated and taken the nursing licensure exam. This kind nurse even asked me, “Pag ba graduate ng UP, deretso na sa PGH?” With the PGH entrance exam in mind (which unfortunately not all UPCN graduates are able to pass recently), I replied, “No”. Then he said, “Ahhh. Siguro nga. Yung mga nakakapasok lang agad dun ay yung mga ‘anak ng Diyos’.” Initially, I thought that what he was talking about are those who are super intelligent. But later did I realized that what he pertains to as “anak ng Dyos” are those who have excellent internal support system, or in layman’s term, “yung may kapit”.

Increasing number of Nursing graduates in the Philippines

I don’t know if that is true or not, but what I believe to be true is the fact that we, new graduates of nursing, will be facing a new challenge, and that is to find a job or a career. There are about 160,000 to 200,000 unemployed and underemployed registered Filipino nurses in the country, according to the Professional Regulatory Commission. And year by year, this number increases as new nursing graduates enter the workforce. Now we can say that this unemployment and underemployment in nursing is TRENDING in the Philippines.

Call Centers in the Philippines

So the question that you can ask now to your formspring and twitter friends is WHAT DO WE DO NOW? WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? Well, I have a few suggestions that I can give you based on the trends that I have seen over the years. About two years ago, the Department of Labor and Employment or DOLE has observed a trend in nursing graduates wherein a huge number of them started venturing in unrelated fields specifically as call center agents. As holistic as we are, we do not find any difficulty in relating with people from all walks of life, so being a call center agent isn’t that much of a bad choice! One more, just last year, it is brought to our attention the case of forced volunteerism, wherein Non-Employee Registered Nurses work in a hospital (either government or private), with similar workloads and responsibilities of employed staff, for the premise of, but not limited to: receiving Training/Volunteer Certificates, and increased chances of being hired. They are either unpaid, insufficiently paid, or worse required to pay a fee to render Nursing services. So if you’re willing to spend a large sum of money in order to get that small chance of getting hired or having that satisfaction of making yourself believe that you’re not unemployed, then this path is for you. These are but the sad truths that we are yet to face. Sad… but TRENDING. But I ask you, will you be part of this trend?

Only a few of us know that nursing isn’t just about being a part of the ward, or working as a community nurse. Much more than what we are taught here at the college, nursing offers us a wide range of fields and specializations where we can excel at, a few of which our guest panelists will be talking about today. But believe me, not everyone knows this. I believe that nurses nowadays end up unemployed or underemployed, not because they don’t have a choice… but because they do not know their choices in the first place.

I challenge you now. What path will you take? Will you be contented and be part of the current trend in the Philippines, and blame those who are “anak ng Diyos” for your failures, or will you be part of something bigger and will you set your own WORLDWIDE TREND?

WOMEN of TODAY = MEN of YESTERDAY? Transgenders in Miss Universe

Sa isang beauty pageant...
Host: How can you describe the women of TODAY?
Contestant: The WOMEN of TODAY, are the MEN of YESTERDAY!

Until now, I can't help but be amused with this joke. But if we would think about it, numerous members of the gay community cross-dress and make themselves beautiful. Some would even undergo surgical operations to "convert" themselves to the sex that they aspire. They are what you call TRANSGENDERS. Mind you, a lot of them even look more beautiful than real women. You wouldn't even think that they're gay unless you hear them speak with their bass to baritone voice. Most often, you will see them in gay pageants in several barangays during feasts, wearing their extravagant feathery costumes, introducing themselves with quotes and lines that most people will find rather funny and highly amusing. Yes, somehow, this turned into a sort of entertainment during barangay feasts.

I never actually thought that members of LGBT would actually join a prestigious beauty pageant, one exclusive for women for that matter.

Just a few days ago, the Miss Universe committee announced that their rules will  allow transgenders to join the pageant in 2013. This is due to Jenna Talackova's case, a Canadian contestant, that was disqualified due to not being "naturally-born" woman. But apparently, all her legal documents and IDs indicate that she's a woman, after her surgical gender re-assignment when she was still 19 years old.

(From Reuters)

This decision by the committee excited local transgenders. Well, of course they'd be excited! Imagine, they will have the chance to become THE Ms. Universe. Well, that is if the Bb. Pilipinas committee will allow it to happen. There are different, perhaps contradicting opinions from each side. Of course the LGBT committee would actively advocate for it to happen. But negative remarks against the idea is inevitable. Especially from the church.

Looking at it closely, this will be one big step for what they clamor: gender equality and gay rights. With this, they will also be given equal opportunities. But personally, I think it shouldn't be pursued.

First of all, Philippines is not ready for the big change. Yes, let us say that there are a LOT of gays here in the country, but the citizens are far from accepting their growing community yet. Filipinos tend to think rigidly. Especially that most Filipinos are Roman Catholic. Definitely, the church would then oppose anything that promotes homosexual nature, and consequently, most devout Filipinos would illogically follow them. My point is, if ever transgenders will be allowed to join the Binibining Pilipinas, many would go against it. Come to think of it, do you think that those guys that are always excited to watch the girls walk on the ramp with their sexy bikinis will still be happy if they have to scrutinize each contestant if she has a REAL vagina or not?

Secondly, I find their advocacy to gay rights as inappropriately too much. I have nothing against them. In fact, I'm for them, but there are certain limitations to what we want. In my philosophy, whatever God gave to you, you have to treasure and accept it with all your heart. If He created you with a penis, you have to value that. I always believed that you can still love someone of the same sex. Love is a right everyone has, for it comes in different forms. You don't have to have your genitals removed or replaced just to make yourself believe that you can already love a man, just because you look like a woman. Well, it's all been done, they underwent the operation already. It's their choice. But for me, I think it's too much that they'll still ask to be a part of something that is meant for women in the first place. Miss Universe is for REAL women. It's called MISS Universe for a reason. Much more the BINIBINING Pilipinas. If they want, perhaps they can pursue an international beauty pageant for gays.

That is just my humble opinion. In the end, all of these are just titles that celebrate one's beauty. What matters most is the heart, be it of a boy, a girl or both, it doesn't matter. As long as you know who you really are, you don't have to wear a crown and a sash just to make the whole world to see your real beauty.

References:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/apr/10/miss-universe-transgender-contestants
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/254614/showbiz/miriam-quiambao-no-to-transgender-women-in-miss-u

Si IKAW at AKO: Plastic ban, earth hour and hotdogs

Ikaw: Uyyy, ano yan? Pasalubong ba yang nakikita ko? Para sa akin ba yan?

Ako: Teka lang, kakarating ko pa nga lang, etong bitbit ko na agad ang tinignan mo. Hotdog sandwich, galing 7-eleven.

Ikaw: Ahh. Hotdog. Gusto ko nyan. Mahilig ako sa hotdog e.

Ako: (laugh)

Ikaw: Anong nakakatawa? (laugh) Ikaw ah, kung anu-anong iniisip mo. Pero hindi nga, para sakin ba yan?

Ako: Syempre hindi. Sa kapatid ko 'to. Nanghihingi ng pasalubong. Dahil daw kasi ako yung nahuling umuwi ng bahay, dapat bumili ako ng pasalubong para sa kanya. Kahapon kasi binilhan nya ko ng Cornetto disc. Favorite ko pa naman yun. I think it's better than Magnum.

Ikaw: Ikaw na. Ikaw na ang dakilang kapatid. (laugh)

Ako: Hindi naman. Tsaka balita ko National Siblings day kahapon. Anyway, nakakatuwa talaga. Tignan mo 'to oh (shows paper bag containing the hotdog sandwich)

Ikaw: Oh. Sa 7-eleven yan? Pati pala 7-eleven wala na ring plastic. Akala ko sa SM Molino (malapit na SM sa amin) lang "no plastic" na, pati pala sa 7-eleven.

Ako: Yeah. As I've heard, may plastic/styro ban na sa buong Bacoor. Ang nice diba? Una ko 'tong naexperience noon sa Alabang. Kaya pag namimili kami, lagi kaming nagdadala ng reusable bags na gawa sa tela. Apparently, naging hit na rin sya sa ibang lugar. Katulad na lang ng Bacoor. I bet nagpapasakit lang yang mga governor at iba pang officials sa mga lugar na yan.

Ikaw: Nagpapasikat man o hindi, the point is, it's good for the environment. In compared sa plastic, mas mabilis naman mag-decompose ang paper. And personally, mas cute tignan kapag naglalakad sa na brown paper bags ang hawak mo. Parang sa States lang.

Ako: Kaso ang hirap bitbitin. Kaya nga maganda na meron kang dala-dala lagi na bag, or something just to hold those brown paper bags. Lalo na pag grocery. Imagine those na nag-go-grocery na commute lang. They have to carry all those brown paper bag, with the risk of it breaking etc. Mas matibay naman kasi talaga ang plastic. But anyway, wala naman akong naririnig na nagrereklamo. The thought of being environmentalist seem to excite most people.

Ikaw: Ahh, in speaking of which, nag-join ka ba dun sa Earth Hour? Yung magpapatay ng ilaw for one hour?

Ako: Hindi. (laugh). Hindi namin namalayan. We were so busy with what we're doing na hindi namin namalayan tapos na pala ang Earth Hour. Oh well, lahat naman ng kapitbahay namin, nakabukas pa rin ang ilaw. So I guess hindi rin nila namalayan. Ang pinakamaganda kasing gawin ng mga nagpapatupad nyan ay effective dissemination of information. Dati naman nakakasali kami. Grabe kasi mag-advertise sa TV, sa malls, sa internet etc. Ngayon, kung hindi pa ako dumaan ng SM at nakita ang karatula sa entrance ng parking lot, hindi ko pa malalaman na Earth Hour pala. Parang ganun.

Ikaw: Sabagay. O sige. Aalis na ako. Hindi naman pala para sa akin ang hotdog na yan. Maghahanap na lang ako ng ibang hotdog dyan sa tabi-tabi.

Ako: Sige, good luck friend!

-end-

http://www.rmnnews.com/beta/news/regional/27751-plastic-at-styrofoam-ban-na-rin-sa-bacoor-cavite.html

Accusations against the vain girl on the cross: I think it's too much

(From Interaksyon TV5)

And so, it goes viral. The tourists who took turns for a picture with a cross spreads like wild fire over social networking sites, which Christians deemed blasphemous. Common comments of those who've seen the pictures would be "dapat ipako na lang yan" or "hindi na nila ginalang yung krus".


But personally, over naman yung ibang accusations against dun sa nagpapicture sa krus. Wala naman silang masamang intention of offending us. They're just VAIN and CREATIVE. Just like most of us.


Yes, it's true that what they did was wrong based on our religion, but we don't have to give out remarks like "ipako na yan!" By doing so, we transform to the very people during Jesus' time that throw rocks to criminals, or even to those who actually shouted for Christ's crucifixion just because he "allegedly pretended to be the Messiah" which obviously offended their culture at that time. 


Pwede namang pagsabihan na lang ng maayos para hindi na nila uulitin. But by making it viral over the net, and adding very-negative-comments-like-it-came-from-a-perfect-person, we grab their chance of redeeming themselves and somehow "crucify" them the cyber way.


Hindi naman lahat nang nakita ko na comments ay katulad ng nasabi sa itaas. Some are actually level-headed enough to see what is happening. Katulad nga nang isang nabasa ko, lahat ng kasalanan daw ay pantay-pantay. Kung tinutuligsa natin ang mga ganito ng sobra-sobra, ibalik natin ang tanong: would we react the same way to those who cheated? to those who practice promiscuity? to those who says bad words? I don't think so. Dahil nga siguro Holy Week noong lumabas ang issue na ito, most people acted na parang nagpapakabanal sila, so over sila sa pagtuligsa sa ganitong "kabastusan".


Let us always remember, all of us are sinners. We don't have any rights to condemn other people, wishing them harm by any means. True, these tourists' posing at the cross may be far, far less sinful than doing or even wishing harm to others.

Miss na kita

Kislap ng gabi’y nabalot ng kadiliman
Kung mata ng puso’y pilit na tatakpan
Habang ika’y iniisip, umaapaw ang kasiyahan
Wari’y ang iyong ngiti, aking nasulyapan

Ang puso nananabik sa haplos ng salita mong masarap
Katawan ay nangungulila sa mainit mong yakap
Ilang araw, ilang linggo, kailan ang susunod na sulyap?
Sa iyo, O anghel na bumaba mula sa alapaap

Sa aking paglalakbay patungong tahanan
Ikaw ay laging naririto sa aking isipan
Ang iyong ngiti, ang iyong labi, kahit ang iyong katatawanan
Malamang sa mais mong biro, kailanma’y di pagsasawaan

Sa iyong pag-iisa, ako’y iyong alalahanin
Sana ako nasa tabi mo upang ikaw ay makapiling
Pulo, dagat, kahit ilang milya pa ang layo ng pagitan natin
Sa pagnanais na makasama ka, dagat ay sisisirin, langit ay liliparin, lupa ma’y tatakbuhin

Going abroad = Happiness? It's more fun in the Philippines!

"Mag-aabroad ka ba?"

Yan ang madalas na tanong sa akin ng mga tao gawa nang gagraduate na ako this April. (please, pag-graduate-in mo na ako!!). Dahil nga Nursing ang course ko, a lot, especially relatives, are expecting na mag-aabroad ako one way or another. But what are the benefits of going abroad? Is there a downside with pursuing it?

My question was answered while on my way home this morning from a mall near us.

May mga matatanda kasing naguusap. I bet they're total strangers, pero I don't know, it's easy for old people to initiate a conversation with strangers. And the funny thing is, everytime, they'd brag about their children, grandchildren, and relative's  achievements. So eto na nga, nagyayabangan sila subtly ng mga trabaho ng mga anak at kamag-anak nila. Kesyo yung isang anak, dentista o nurse sa states, MALAKI ANG SWELDO. Yung isa namang kakilala, dating working student, nagtrabaho sa talyer, at ngayon nasa Saudi, MALAKI ANG SWELDO. Yung isang anak na dentista o doktor ata, wala pa sa abroad, pinipilit na ng magulang, kasi nga MALAKI ANG SWELDO.

So I guess it boils down to the fact na pag andun ka sa ibang bansa, kahit saan pa siguro, malaki ang sweldo mo. Sabi pa naman nung lolo na madaldal sa jeep kanina, basta medical related madaling makakuha ng trabaho, mataas sweldo, sure ang trabaho. Good for me, pero honestly, as I see it, hindi madaling makakuha ng trabaho ang mga tulad kong would-be nurse, lalo na kung iisa ka lang sa libo-libong karayom sa dayami (well, buti na lang kami'y mga ginintuang karayom, madaling makita. Haha. I need not explain why).

So gets ko na, malaki naman talaga ang sweldo. At sa panahon ngayon na taghirap at lahat na lang ng presyo ay nagtataas, money is a must. Pero kahit ganun pa man, they still mentioned, "mahirap ang mabuhay sa ibang bansa." But why? Hindi ba marami silang pera dun? Bakit sila nahihirapan? Well, that's easy to answer, gawa nang marami akong kamag-anak na tumitira na sa states…

MALUNGKOT. 

Yeah, malungkot sa states lalo na kung mag-isa ka lang. Malamig, wala kang kakilala, wala kang karamay sa problema. Maswerte ka na nga lang kung may Pinoy community doon na pwede mong katsismisan at kakwentuhan ng pinoy pick-up line (seriously, meron bang natatawas sa english na pickup line?). Kaya nga they try their best na ma-petition na ang kanilang pamilya. Una, magaan na buhay para sa mga mahal sa buhay, at pangalawa, hindi na sila malulungkot. Sabi nga nung lolo kanina, "mas masayang mamuhay sa Pilipinas. Sa buong mundo, Pilipinas ang pinaka-masaya."

Why you ask? Coz it's our nature to be happy. Madaanan ng bagyo, madaanan ng baha, ng lindol, ng sunog, sooner or later, tatawa pa rin ang mga Pinoy. Makakita nga lang ng camera sa TV, kakaway na yan, abot tenga ang ngiti. Because in these times of extreme stress, We Filipinos turn to humor and happiness with our loved ones in order to regain ourselves and to strengthen our hope. Na kahit ano pa man ang mangyari sa buhay, kesyo masama o maganda, at the end of the day, we can always prove that...

HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE.

So is going abroad. It's all up to you kung pupunta ka ng abroad. Just be happy with what you choose :)

Let me tell you a story of a friend that I just met
Who turned my whole world upside down which I tried so hard to set
The way we met may not have been ideal, but yes I am still glad
Coz I am able to meet someone as awesome as this lad


In a spark, my heart felt comfortable, I really don't know why
Though the first time that our eyes have met, I admit that I was shy
He has a cool sense of fashion, with pretty colored plains and strokes
He makes things seem less complicated with his not-so-corny jokes


He treats me as his younger brother, for me it's something new
I've always wanted a kuya, who'd sincerely care for you
But then it started changing, my heart would then beat so fast
Up to the point that my heart pulls me, from the pictures of my past


I never thought that this will happen, I'm sure I never did
For me to treat him as more than a friend, I fear to where it'll lead
Yes I admit I started to like him, perhaps from the very start
That even just for one whole day, I don't want us to be far apart


We'd talk within few minutes to hours in just one day
I'm overflowing with happiness, with this to God I pray
That he'll be safe as always, joyful as can be
For him to follow his heart's desires, so that he will feel free


In spite of all these feelings, his happiness matters most
I'll support him in his very best, as well as in his worst
I'll listen to his stories, his own love stories for a while
and though it slightly pains my heart, I'll listen with a smile


I hope that nothing changes, after this simple poem is told
He'll always be my kuya, my bestfriend, I shall forever hold
I gathered all my courage, just to say my feelings true
and let me say this personally, that beloved friend is YOU 


---- My Love Confession

12 Hours

When you’re wide awake under the sunshine bright,
I’m off to bed, huggging my pillow tight
When I close my eyes, you open yours
And I’ll dream of you tonight, of course

They say love and distance don’t really match
But it will, if someone like you means so much
And even though the two of us are hours apart,
You’ll always be inside my heart

(An affection long forgotten)

Learning LOVE

Before, I usually get annoyed knowing that almost all songs played in the radio are love songs. Love is perhaps the most overrated topic of all. From songs to poems, and even t-shirt designs, there's the word LOVE. I actually got a WTF face after seeing that my professor, while teaching pain management in critical care nursing suddenly correlated love in the topic. What is wrong with everyone? Is love everything in this world already? I don't understand. Well, I didn't.

They say that experience is the best teacher of all. I definitely agree. There are some things that vicarious learning alone will not teach you. And it's the best things in life that only first-hand experience will be able to teach you. I may sound cheesy but the word that I always argue about is one of those things that experience teaches best. LOVE.

It is when you start loving that all love songs makes sense.
It is when you start loving when poetic lines of pink and red spontaneously leave your lips.
It is when you start loving when you suddenly want to wear t-shirts bearing love quotes or even couple shirts.
It is when you start loving when you try to incorporate love in every subject in class.
It is when you start loving when you finally understand what it is.

and it is when I started loving that I suddenly felt free.

I think I sounded cheesy enough. Love can make you do a lot of things you can never imagine... that includes spending just to send a handwritten letter to someone 974.16 kilometers away from you. But nahhh, let's not talk about the details. What's important is the gist of this entry... love.

Maybe my former self will slap me in the face telling me I shouldn't be posting this erroneous blog entry (much more love someone I shouldn't be in loved with. *laugh*). Before, I disliked using the word for it sounds so cheap. But just in this short post, I used it 21 times. Well, what can I say, I'm in love... my former self wasn't. That makes the difference.

64 Cents Worth

Have you ever tried giving out money to total strangers?
This short video (a classmate's project) is based on a true story of a janitor in the University of the Philippines who unconditionally gives out part of his savings to rightful students who are in need of tuition fee. See how his kind advocacy changed the life of others.

"Turn on a light... One light can make a difference"


credits: STS Summer 2011. Edited by Henri Igna. Directed by Silver Lisondra

Frutti FroYo

Today's a food trip day. Me, my mom, and my brother went to Alabang to buy some groceries, and well, eat. And in the heart of Alabang, a heaven lies... a heaven for sweet tooths like me. And that heaven's name is FRUTTI FROYO.

So what's so special about this place? Well, first things first, it sells frozen yogurt. Maybe that's where they got the Fro (frozen) Yo (yogurt) part of their store's name. Nice, isn't it? But it's name isn't the only thing special about this. I have tasted a lot of frozen yogurt, but so far, I'm proud to say that this is by far the best.

It does not only provide delicious froyos, but it gives a UNIQUE yogurt experience! Well, you see, you're the one who will customize the yogurt! Yup, you heard it right. You choose the flavor of yogurt... you choose which toppings to put... and you choose how much of these goodies to get! With a price of Php18 per ounce, it's not bad at all. Just be careful with how much you get, or you might pay a pretty pricey cup of yogurt.

Toppings Dispenser

Here's the good part: there are a LOT of ingredients to choose from. First, the yogurt ranges to almost eight flavors! Familiar with soft ice cream machines? Well, the yogurt machines are pretty much the same. You can even swirl some flavors. The toppings, on the other hand, are placed in glass cylindrical stuff with a faucet-like contraption at the bottom, which you'll twist to have the toppings sprinkle over your yogurt (sorry, I'm not really good at describing things). I think we can simply call it... toppings dispenser! There are chocolate chips, marshmallows, sprinkles, various nuts and more! Fruit lovers will also enjoy the center island with a variety of fruits ranging from strawberries and bluberries to mangoes and my favorite, nata de coco (ok, it isn't a fruit.. but it tastes nice). They also have syrups to add for a finishing touch!

So what did I order? A chocolate-lychee-fruit medley-coconut-green apple-vanilla flavored yogurt, topped with strawberries, nata de coco, cherries, brownie bites, sprinkles, chocolate chips and marshmallows, with dark chocolate syrup on top. Now that tasted really nice and sweet. Even my cough can't stop me! I paid around Php150 for my small cup of bliss.

I'm sure I'll go back again. Sorry, I wasn't able to ask what time they close, but I think it's pretty late or it might even be open 24 hours, can't tell. You should try too :)

For more information, you might wanna look at their FB page: http://www.facebook.com/fruttifroyo
>>> seriously, did they paid me to advertise? Nope. I'm doing this coz I love Frutti FroYo~


photo sources: Frutti FroYo's FB page

Parasitology Today: Directly Transmitted Diseases

I remember us doing this video for a project in Parasitology, back in 2009. We present to you four of the most common directly-transmitted parasites: enterobius, scabies, head lice and pubic lice. Know what they are and what to do to keep them away.

Directly transmitted parasitic infections are transmitted, well, directly. Most of the time they are transmitted through skin contact or sharing personal belongings such as combs and caps.

--> I just started using After effects when I made this video. A total newbie... well, until now. Sorry for the poor quality

Top 8 Most effective settings for horror stories/movies in the Philippines

Lahat ata ng tao, mahilig sa THRILL. One way or another, people try to search that feeling of excitement, that feeling of my-heart-is-beating-so-fast. Some people would venture into prohibited acts such as vices, crimes and porn. Others would be more adventurous and try on daredevil sports such as bungee jumping and rock climbing. Amusement park rides like roller coasters are well-known too, although I wouldn't really try them (I'm tachophobic). But what I believe to be the best THRILLer of all are horror/suspense movies.

Na-feel niyo na ba yun? Na habang nanunuod ka ng isang horror movie, everything seems to be normal, tapos biglang may lalabas sa screen na makakapag-patalon sa puso mo. I hate that feeling, pero hinahanap-hanap ko sya. Maybe that's why I love horror movies. Most of the time, I would go to the movies with my family, and we'll watch the latest horror movie... I still remember one time, we would be watching a suspense movie. Before we entered the cinema, I prepared myself that I will be watching a suspense movie. I internalized that feeling of fear so that it would be more effective. Then suddenly, when we opened that big door into the theater, a woman comes out. I jumped in surprise! (actually, I even shouted... but in a lighter voice. ahhh~). She was actually the theater lady (the one who gets the tickets from us). She laughed!!! I ended up having my eyes half-open while watching so I won't get surprised when something scary appears. But what makes these horror movies effectively horrifying? Well, of course, the villain. May it be a ghost, a demon or a blood-thirsty serial killer, the way he/she/it conducts himself, the way he act and especially the way he looks makes the whole movie either scary or boring. But aside from that fact, I think that what makes these flicks effective are the settings or places the story happens.

My TOP 8 Most Effective Settings for  Horror movies/stories in the Philippines

8. Cemetery

A place where the deceased are buried. Of course people would think it as a scary place and quickly associate it with paranormal phenomenon. It is a well-known notion that ghosts and apparitions are quite numerous in this burial ground. What makes this effective as a horror setting is the ambiance. Syempre ba naman, kung may mga krus sa paligid mo at mga nitso, nakakatakot talaga. Samahan mo pa ng fog...

Para sa akin, mas effective yung typical na sementeryo sa mga baryo at probinsya. Either yung mga sementeryo kung saan hindi pantay-pantay yung laki ng mga nitso at makipot ang daanan, or yung nakatusok lang yung krus sa lupa tapos tabi-tabi sila. Mas nakakatakot yun kasi ang hirap tumakbo kapag masikip yung daanan. I don't think it would be that scary if something happens in a high-end cemetery, one with beautifully aligned tombstones in bermuda grass. Masyadong sosyal at malinis para isipan nang nakakatakot.

Pero hinuli ko sya sa ranking kasi gasgas na gasgas na sya. I've watched A LOT of Pinoy movies na ginawa sa sementeryo. At dahil nga over the years, this place has been used for horror movies, feeling ko nakondisyon na ang tao na kapag nakakakita na ng mga krus sa lupa at mga lapida, merong magaganap na nakakatakot. Yes, the ambiance is scary, but it becomes too predictable. Malamang may zombie dyan. Yung tipong lalabas yung kamay nung patay sa lupa tapos isa-isa silang babangon at hahabulin yung bida. Old school horror  movie, but it's still quite effective, so I placed it on my list. It's classic. Just make sure walang squatters dun sa cemetery, nakakawala ng ambiance pag bigla na lang may sumigaw, "Sweetheart! Kumain ka na?" o kaya "Nay, pakamot ng likod!!!"


7. School

Narinig niyo na ba yung ganitong kwento: "alam niyo ba yung school natin, nung wala pang nakatayo dito at puro damuhan pa, binabagsakan daw ng na-salvage... tapos ginawa syang sementeryo. Pagkatapos ng ilang taon, tinayuan sya ng ospital. Pero dahil nga maraming nagpaparamdam, giniba na lang yung ospital, at ngayon, tinayuan sya ng paaralan."


Basic na siguro yung tsismis na yan. Parang lahat ata ng lumang school sa Pilipinas, either dating sementeryo o kaya dating ospital. Kaya daw may nagpaparamdam. I can still remember, andami ding horror stories sa school namin dati. May mga multo daw, kesyo nanay na hinahanap yung anak, o kaya naman may batang babae na sumisilip sa bintana ng classroom. May time pa nga na may nakakita daw na doppleganger ng principal namin na naglalakad  sa pasilyo at may hawak na kutsilyo. The scary stories themselves, passed on from students to students, makes this place a good setting for horror. Wild kasi ang imagination ng mga bata, kaya ang sarap pag-trip-an using these stories.

As what I've said, what makes this setting effective is because the students are susceptible. Bata pa kasi, madaling matakot. But they also have this curiosity, na kapag may nagsabing may nakakatakot sa ganitong lugar, sama-sama pa silang pupunta dun. Sama-sama rin naman silang sisigaw sa takot pag may nakita man sila. Nakakatakot din kasi yung idea na pumapasok ka everyday sa school, tapos malalaman mong hindi lang studyante ang nasa class room niyo. Nakakatakot din kasi yung corridors, lalo na sa areas na madilim.

Usually, ang nagpaparamdam daw sa ganitong setting ay mga namatay na estudyante na gusto pang mag-aral, o kung Catholic school, paring pugot ang ulo. In other scenarios, may monster na makikipaghabulan sa'yo throughout the school. But the bottomline, teachers and students ang victims. Duhh..

What makes this less effective is the students themselves. Masyado kasing busy sa school para magisip ng kababalaghan. Yung mga nagkakalat ng nakakatakot na kwento, sila yung mga walang magawa sa  buhay dahil panay bagsak ang grades. Tsk tsk tsk...


6. Apartment/Dormitory

Imagine this: You're away from your family because you have to study in a far place. You're alone in the dormitory when you feel something cold in the air. Someone whispers into your ear, but no one is there with you...

Ok, hindi masyadong nakakatakot ang guided imagery ko, but I'm sure you would agree how scary dormitories are. Lalo na yung mga lumang apartment. Mas nakakatakot pa kapag mag-isa ka lang sa kwarto, or worse, someone not seen is sitting right beside you while you read this blog. Marami na rin akong naririnig na kwento about apartments. For example, may parang nag-pi-ping pong sa upper floor kapag gabi kahit wala naman, o kaya may nagpapakitang babaeng nakaputi sa kubeta. I can't really expound more on this subject kasi hindi ko pa na-try tumira sa apartment or dormitory. At ayaw ko. The ambiance is too scary for me. Madilim, tahimik... a perfect scene for horror stories. And the fact na you're away from your family, wala kang shoulder to cry on or whatsoever.

One effectively scary thing about apartments is that you don't know what happened in each room before you occupy it. Paano kung may nagpakamatay pala dun, for example, yung kama pala na hinihigaan mo kapag gabi, ginawa palang tungtungan nung nagbigting occupant before you. O kaya naman may krimen na nangyari dun where in yung student ay sinaksak nang paulit-ulit nang isang magnanakaw, at ngayon, ang kaluluwa niya na sabik na bumalik sa eskwela ay nakikisabay sa pag-review mo sa exam.

Don't be scared, just focus on your studies. At least you don't have to travel to and from school.


5. Hospitals

As a would-be nurse, I don't really advocate horror movies that uses hospitals as settings. Because, for one thing, dun din ako magta-trabaho in the future. Hospitals has  been one of the favorite settings for ghost stories since time immemorial. Syempre ba naman, araw-araw may namamatay sa isang ospital. And take note, they come in various ages and backgrounds. But the scariest part of it is the ghost's assumed appearance. Ewan ko lang ah, pero dahil nga ospital yun, at puro may sakit yung mga namamatay, I think the ghosts would not appear as beautiful as they used to be. Siguro may sunog sa mukha, o kaya putol ang mga paa, and things like that. Hindi pa naman ako nakakakita ng multo sa PGH, and I don't dream of seeing one.

A hospital, especially something as big and as poor as PGH, has so many features that make it a very effective  spot for horror stories. The color of the walls of a hospital tends to be monochromatic, most of the time white. This makes an ambiance of dullness and somehow it renders your senses to be more sensitive. In my opinion, you can easily see something move in the corner of your eye when everything around you is plain white, rather than when there's a palette of color everywhere. Another thing is the atmosphere of sadness and despair. Some of the patients in a hospital are nearing death and so the negative atmosphere around attracts spirits and whatever. Nakakatakot din kapag tig-i-isa ng kuwarto. Baka pag-gising mo na lang, may nakatayo na dun sa paanan ng kama mo... o kaya may naghahabol ng mana na magiinject na air bubble sa swero mo. hihihi

Sa tingin ko, ang lugar na pinakamadalas pangyarihan ng nakakatakot sa isang ospital ay ang morge at ang elevator. Given na siguro na nakakatakot ang morge, kasi dito muna tumatambay yung mga namatay sa mga ward. Ang alam ko, dito rin ginagawa yung autopsy, kaya madalas may mga kwento-kwento na habang nag-a-autopsy daw yung isang doktor, bigla na lang gumalaw yung bangkay, o kaya yung kwento wherein nalaglag yung ballpen nung doktor, tapos nung pinulot nya, pagtingin nya sa harap nya, nakatayo na yung ino-autopsy nya. At ang pinaka-ayaw ko sa lahat, yung elevator ng ospital. Buti na lang may elevator boy o girl na pumipindot dun sa floors, e pano kung mag-isa ka lang? Mabuti nga kung mag-isa ka lang, e paano kung may nakisabay sa'yo na naka-puti, tapos nakita mo, may "tag" sya sa kamay. You know what happens next...


4. Old abandoned buildings

Nung pumunta kami ng Baguio, hindi namin pinalampas ang pagkakataon at pumunta kami sa Diplomat hotel. True to the stories, creepy nga yung lugar. Walang tao, tahimik... Umaga nung pumunta kami, so we don't really expect something scary to happen. Kaka-ulan lang din nung mga panahong iyon kaya maraming puddles of water sa first floor. Pag-akyat sa second floor, ganun din, walang tao, tahimik and the walls doesn't have paint. Pero sa mga kwarto, may mga vandalisms. The Diplomat hotel, sitting on top of Dominican hill, used to be a rest house and seminary back in 1911. Nung World war II daw, maraming pinugutang madre at pari dito kaya siguro maraming nagpapakitang multo na walang ulo sa hotel kapag gabi. Although the ruins is off-limits at night, people living nearby are often disturbed by banging of doors and windows, clattering of dishes and screaming, agonizing voices. The Diplomat hotel is open to visitors from 8am to 6pm, but the caretaker does not let people beyond the time because surely, they would see what they are looking for.

Old abandoned buildings are perfect for ghost stories. Dahil walang ilaw, madilim at malamig kapag gabi, simple shadows would really creep you out. At dahil sobrang tahimik sa isang lumang gusali, madali mong maririnig ang mga kalampog mula sa malayo. The long, unrecalled history of a place is an additional factor, because you never know what happened in that building. Maganda rin syang gamitin sa isang thriller/suspense flick. Usually, maghahabulan dun sa isang lumang building yung killer at biktima nya. Magtatago yung biktima sa sulok at tatakpan ang kanyang bibig upang pigilan ang pag-iyak at pagsigaw. Typical na siguro ang scene na ganito. Effective kasi. Nakaka-thrill tuwing may ganung eksena.

Ang hindi ko lang maintindihan ay kung bakit laging may pumupunta sa ganitong lugar. Maybe they're looking for fun. Well, actually, nage-gets ko naman kasi yun din yung dahilan namin kung bakit kami namasyal sa Diplomat... The THRILL of seeing a real ghost. It's just scary and fascinating at the same time how much stories and accounts have been witnessed by the cold, stone walls of Diplomat hotel


3. Restrooms

Have you ever heard about the story of bloody mary? Wherein you have to face a mirror in the middle of the night and say "bloody mary" three times, then you will see the person you will love, or the face of the devil... or how about the story of a guy who went to take a bath in a public shower, then he felt something tapping his forehead. Then when he asked the guard about what happened in the cubicle, the guard said that someone hanged himself in that same cubicle, and the thing that tapped his forehead is the ghost's feet! Isa pang kwento ay yung babaeng estudyante na nagbanyo sa school nila ng gabi. Habang nakatingin sya sa salamin, may lumitaw na demonyo at tinitigan sya ng masama. Nagdasal ang bata ng "Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with you..." at biglang sumigaw ang demonyo, "HOLY MARY MOTHER OF GOD, PRAY FOR US SINNERS...". Scary. But what's similar between them? Yes, they all happened in the restroom.

Napakarami na sigurong kwento at horror movies na nangyari sa restroom. Laging may ganung scene wherein gumagamit ka ng restroom at nakikipag-commune with nature, at bigla na lang may duguang kamay na dudungaw mula sa kabilang cubicle. O kaya naman ang mas madalas na kwento kung saan habang naghuhugas ka ng kamay, at pagtingin mo sa salamin, may babaeng nakatayo sa likod mo at nakatitig ng masama sa'yo. Epic na siguro yung mga ganitong kwento. May napanuod ako sa T.V. before na kinuwento ng isang singer/comedienne na habang umiihi sya sa c.r., may kumakanta sa kabilang stall... at sinabayan niya pa! Nang pagkalabas niya, nalaman niyang, wala palang ibang tao sa banyo.

So what makes this essential place an effective setting for scary story? Based on my stories above, the main feature of a restroom that makes it scary is the MIRROR! Ang sabi nila, ang salamin daw ang parang portal ng spirit realm to our world. Kaya maraming nagpapakita sa mga salamin. E sa mga public c.r., ang lalaki ng salamin! Isa pang feature ng banyo ay yung hiwa-hiwalay na cubicle. Dahil nga separated ang cubicles at may pinto pa, we don't really know who's using the cubicle next to you. Isa pa sigurong dahilan ay dahil hindi naman tambayan ang banyo. Bihira lang pumunta ang mga tao dito. Maliban na lang sa mga malls, kung saan napakaraming gumagamit, doon, hindi na nakakatakot. Pero kung ang kubetang pupuntahan mo ay yung pipitsugin at maduduming palikuran sa tabi ng mga sinehan sa Recto, either makakita ka ng multo o kaya naman mga taong nagmimilagro.


2. Forested province

Perhaps the most used setting for old Filipino horror movies. Ang mga gubat sa probinsya. Philippine horror does not only showcase ghosts, but moreover, the ones more popular are monsters and elementals such as aswang, manananggal, tikbalang, kapre, engkanto etc. And always, these creatures of the dark live in the forest or some shanty in the middle of the woods. The usual story goes like this: may magkakaibigan na naka-van at mamamasyal sa isang malayong probinsya. Pero mawawala sila sa daan at kung kelan gabi na, tsaka masisiraan ang makina. Madalas, mapapadpad sila sa isang lumang bahay na wala man lang kapitbahay at kalapit lang ang gubat. At dito magsisimula ang gabi ng lagim.

I've placed this second on my list because it represents the majority of classic Filipino horror movies. Mahilig kasi tayong mga Pinoy sa mga nilalang tulad ng engkanto, kaya madalas sa probinsya nangyayari ang mga kababalaghan, and more often than not, sa isang madilim at masukal na gubat. Dito rin nagbunga ang mga pamahiin ng mga matatanda sa probinsya tulad ng pagbaligtad ng damit mo kapag nawawala ka sa daan etc. And what makes these stories in the province frightening is that these creatures can actually harm you! Feeling ko naman kasi ang ghosts, tatakutin ka lang. But in the stories depicted by our ancestors regarding the aswangs and mangkukulam, they can actually hurt or even eat you.

Madalas din sa mga kwento, these creatures of the dark appear as beautiful ladies, but behind that fair skin is a monstrous appearance. O kaya naman pag umaga, nagpapanggap silang magagandang dalaga na nagtitinda ng longanisa. Ngunit sa gabi, nagpapahid sila ng langis sa katawan at napuputol sa kalahati ang kanilang baywang. Ang napansin ko lang sa mga Pinoy horror movies na nangyayari sa gubat, may isang mamamatay sa mga  bida. At dahil nga akala nila, nawala lang yung kaibigan nila, mag-hihiwa-hiwalay sila at iisa-isahin silang patayin ng monster. Usually din, may isang myembro ng barkada na babaeng iyakin at laging nagyayaya na umuwi na, habang may isang guy na ubod ng tapang na ayaw umalis hanggang hindi nila nahahanap ang kasama nila. I wonder how this kind of movie will work out if these two characters exchange places. Yung lalake yung iyak ng iyak, tapos yung babae yung bida na magtatapang-tapangan.

What makes this setting very effective is the mere fact that you're outside the coverage of civilization. Walang tutulong sa'yo kung sakaling may mangyari. And you are lost in the first place. Malamang sa malamang, mawawala ka sa loob ng gubat habang nakikipagtaguan sa mga engkanto na syempre, mahahanap ka rin. The trees also give an additional spooky effect because you will have a difficulty in running around, and you don't know where the killer will be coming from.

But don't worry. Horror movies such as this always ends up having the monster dead with one boy and one girl as survivors. Maganda na lang kung malalaman sa huli na buhay pa pala yung engkanto.


1. Your own house

And the top on my list... your own house! This very fact makes this place the most effective setting for horror stories. In my opinion, a horror movie or story becomes effective when it makes its audience scared for several days just by remembering the story. Kaya para sa akin, nakakatakot pag ang setting ng horror movie ay simpleng bahay lang, kasi parang nakikita mo yung sarili mo sa kwento everytime you move about in your house. Lahat na ata ng parte ng bahay, pwedeng gawing setting ng horror story.

Nakakatakot kapag sinabi ng kapitbahay niyo na may naririnig silang nagsasaya sa dis oras ng gabi sa bahay niyo kahit wala kayo sa bahay... o kaya naman may mga nakikitang anino na nakatayo sa sala nyo. The restroom is no exception. Naaalala ko, nung nagkwento sa akin yung kaklase ko nung elementary na habang nasa banyo daw sya, may nakita syang duguang kamay sa maliit na bintana nung kubeta nila. Hanggang ngayon, kinikilabutan pa rin ako tuwing naaalala ko yun at nasa banyo ako. There were times na ayaw ko tumingin sa salamin ng c.r. namin everytime maghihilamos ako kasi natatakot ako na baka may babae sa likod ko pagharap ko sa salamin.

I hate it when the scene of a horror movie happens in the bedroom. Yun na nga lang yung place where you can rest, tapos may nakakatakot pa na mangyayari. The most epic example ay yung pagkagising mo, may nakatayo sa paanan ng kama mo, or worse, katabi mo mismo, face to face pa kayo. Mabuti kung nakahiga sya, e paano kung nakalutang siya sa ere at kaharap mo habang nakahiga ka sa kama? Lagi ko ring hinihigpitan ang kapit sa kumot ko sa takot na anytime, may humila ng kumot from the foot of the bed. Nung bata din ako, lagi kong binabaluktot ang binti ko, kasi baka pag inunat ko sya, may biglang humila sa paa ko at kaladkarin ako.

Kadalasan, yung mga nakakatakot na pelikula about houses ay umiikot sa isang sumpa. Usually, the ancestral house that they inherited holds a deep secret, perhaps of a curse, or a murder. O kaya naman may specific na bagay or furniture sa bahay na may kababalaghan like a bed or a cabinet.

There was one time, habang nagrereview ako sa sala, it was about 2:30 in the morning. Bigla na lang nagbukas yung radio sa kusina in full volume! It really scared the crap out of me. What scared me most is when I tried to turn it off, and it won't. I have to unplug it just for it to stop.

The idea that you are not safe, even in your own house, makes this the most effective setting for horror stories. The human mind is creative, and it can incorporate frightening stories in any part of the house: beds, garden, restrooms, stairs, television, christmas tree, ba gua, and even refrigerators! The possibilities are endless, and so is the horror...


Photo sources: various blogs and internet sources

Typical Filipino Teleserye Formulas

Mara-Clara, Mula sa Puso, Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin and Kristine

Aside from the fact that all of these are products of the creative minds in ABS-CBN, what these words or phrases share in common is that they're all teleseryes. I think a lot would agree that these teleseryes have indeed become a part of the evening habit of most of us Filipinos, especially the graying generation. Dahil dito sa mga teleserye na 'to, natutunan nating tumawa, umiyak at mag-inarte. I can still remember myself watching "Mula sa Puso" back then, and being sad with the death of Rico Yan. Bagay na bagay pa naman sila ni Claudine! But anyway, somehow, I've become bored with Filipino teleseryes. With the birth of technology and globalization, new forms of drama such as koreanovelas and jdoramas have invaded the Philippines. Even if we don't understand they're language, subtitles or almost-fail dubbing has brought us closer to their culture and celebrities. Pero bakit nga ba medyo nabawasan na ang nagkakagusto sa local teledrama? It's not about the language my friends, no, I think we are not enticed by the foreign tongue. Ang problema kasi, masyado na naging predictable ang Filipino teledramas.

So allow me to discuss some of the most typical teleserye plots in television.

1. "Nagkapalit kami"
As what they say, "Ang Mara Clara ang ina ng mga teleserye". True, Mara Clara has indeed paved the way for teleseryes. And I think what enticed the Filipinos with Mara and Clara is the plot itself. Dalawang tao na magkakapalit ng posisyon. Usually, yung isa naging mahirap at laging pinapahirapan ng kanyang pamilya, at yung isa naman naging mayaman na nakukuha ang lahat ng gusto. But the twist is, one should be in place of the other. But unfortunately, it hasn't became a twist anymore, lalo na kung marami nang similar plots na lumabas with the same theme. Pero one thing is for sure... kadalasan, at the end, malalaman din ng lahat ang katotohanan. Similar din ang theme na 'to sa mga magkakamukhang bida. May dalawang bida na magkamukha, usually, isang mayaman at isang mahirap, tapos magkakapalit sila ng posisyon at iibigin nila ang taong makikilala nila sa buhay ng kamukha nila.

2. "Ang nawawalang eredera"
Ito siguro yung theme na pinaka-kinaiinisan ko. The typical flow of story, may isang anak-mayamang bata na mawawalay sa pamilya, at pagkatapos ng isang aksidente (maaaring sunog, o kaya naman sasakyan na sumabog o nahulog sa bangin), mawawalay ang bata sa kanyang pamilya. Usually than often, the child will be raised in a poor, loving family (pero kadalasan din, may isang myembro ng pamilya na magmamalupit sa kanya, pwedeng lasenggerong tatay, lasenggerang nanay, o lasenggerang lola na mahilig sa mahjong... basta mahilig sa alak). Sa pagdating ng takdang panahon, malalaman niya ang katotohanan. Pero yung twist na ayaw-na-ayaw ko, may isang tao na magpapanggap bilang siya upang makuha ang mana na dapat sa kanya. Naiinis talaga ako pag may nagpapanggap! Ang nakakainis lang, sa sobrang bait ng bida, hindi na niya ipaglalaban ng husto ang kanyang karapatan. Hahayaan na lang niyang tapak-tapakan siya ng impostora.

3. "Sino ako?"
Ang pinaka-gasgas na theme sa balat ng lupa!!! AMNESIA. Yan na lang ba ang sakit sa mundo? Bakit lahat na lang nang bida nawawalan ng ala-ala? Pwede naman siyang magkaroon ng AIDS, pressure ulcer o kaya Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation... Pero at least, mas flexible ang ganitong theme, pwede siyang i-apply sa iba pang plots. For example, pwede siyang i-apply sa nabanggit ko sa itaas. Pwedeng nagka-amnesia yung bida after an accident, tapos hindi niya maaalala na mayaman pala siya! And the villains would make sure that she won't remember at all, or at least dispatch her before it happens. Another application: After an explosion, everyone would think that the protagonist is dead, but it happens that she is actually alive! and with amnesia! How unlucky can she get? What's more unlucky? Yung magkaka-amnesia ka tapos yung kukupkop sa'yong doktor na taga-hanga mo ay papaniwalain kang ikaw ang kanyang asawa, at pipigilan ka niyang malaman ang katotohanan sa pamamagitan ng pagtago sa'yo sa isang malayong lugar at pag-hi-hire ng isang katulong na magbabantay sa bawat kilos mo.

4. "Bida-Kontrabida"
Bago lang ang theme na 'to, but it's popularity has been growing in the modern times. Siguro kasi, nagsasawa na ang Pilipino sa masyadong mabait na bida. They want something better, they want someone fiercer. And there came forth the Bida-kontrabidas. Ang mga bida na gumagawa ng masama. Kakaibang theme pero effective. Para naman makita natin side ng mga kontrabida. I think this is a good theme because we are able to see the reasons why these villains do their evil stuff. Lahat ng bagay may rason. Pero what I don't like is the pattern wherein the bida-kontrabida must always have to be a sexy, beautiful girl wearing sexy clothes and a red lipstick. Feeling ko, masyado nang nafocus sa face value ang mga pinoy. Bakit, maganda lang ba ang pwedeng maging bida? At pang-aakit lang ba ang pwedeng gawing paraan upang makapag-palaganap ng kasamaan, in a BIDA-ful way? Sana may bida-kontrabida na pangit. hihihihi.

5. "Ang panget na superhero"
In the not-so-far past of Pinoy teleseryes, the usual themes are quite realistic, focusing on actual things that happen. But with the birth of computer graphics and multimedia arts, the so called fantaseryes or telefantasya has flourished the Filipino primetime television. Masyado nang nahilig ang pinoy sa kathang-isip, to the point na halos lahat ng primetime show sa isang tv station ay puro fantasy, maliban na lang sa isang dubbed koreanovela sa bandang dulo. I can understand them, because I think these out-of-the-world themes became a venue for the stressed Filipino to be unstressed, and for them to make-believe that the impossible can actually happen, even for half an hour. Winner na winner 'to sa mga bata. Pero ang hindi ko maintindihan ay kung bakit ang superhero na pagkalakas-lakas at super talino, kapag sa normal na buhay, ay kadalasang mahirap, may peklat sa mukha, o kaya naman pilay na naka-saklay. At kadalasan, nakuha nila ang powers nila dahil tumulong sila sa isang matandang babae na diwata pala, o kaya naman nakapulot ng pirasong bakal at bigla na lang may maririnig na boses na magsasabing, "ikaw ay itinakda". Hindi na rin ako nagtataka. This kind of plot brings a moral lesson that whatever flaws you have in your appearance, your kindness and inner beauty will always matter at the end... Understandable naman ang part na kung saan, naging superhero sila dahil tumulong sila sa isang tao. Pero mahirap lang ba ang mabait? Panget lang ba ang mabait? At lahat ba ng pilay, may busilak na kalooban? I think Filipinos have to change that notion that those who are the underdogs will always be nice. Sana i-consider din nila na magkaroon ng superhero na pag sa likod ng maskara, ay ubod ng ganda, mayaman at may magandang pamilya. Yeah, kung gusto niyo maging realistic ang palabas niyo, lubos-lubusin niyo na. Tutal, life is unfair talaga, may iilang tao na nakukuha ang lahat ng maganda sa mundo.

6. "Tiyang, wag po!"
Villains would always be a part of a teleserye. Kung walang kontrabida, walang bida. Their spice always brings the color and flavor in a pinoy teleserye. But based on my observation, kadalasan ang kontrabida, yung malapit sa'yo. Maaaring kamag-anak tulad ng tiyahin, lola, o kaya step-mother. Yes, kadalasan nga babae. Ewan ko, magaling siguro tumawa ng evil ang babae. High pitch. Nakakatakot. But what's scarier is that you and this villain is actually sleeping under the same roof! Be close to your friends, but your enemies closer. E pano kung pareho kayo ng tahanan diba? Super close na kayo! The usual reason why these kontrabidas assault the bida (usually a child) is because they want to use them to become richer, or perhaps to have every inheritance entitled to the protagonist. And yeah, kadalasan nga, either magaling sumampal or magaling tumawa ng evil yung kontrabida. It has become a requirement. Imagine a kontrabida na mahiyain at mahinhin. Baka yung bida pa yung sumapak sa kanya. At kapag mayaman ang kontrabida, payat... pag mahirap, mataba. I guess that's just the way it is. Tingin mula ulo hanggang paa, at tatawa ng malakas, sabay sabi, "MGA HAMPASLUPAAA!" Sweet... sabay sampal o kaya tapon ng juice sa mukha.

7. "Tubig at langis"
Isa pa siguro sa pinaka-gasgas na teleserye theme. Halos lahat ng teleserye, may ganitong tema. Langit ka, lupa ako. Tayo'y tubig at langis. Mayaman ka, mahirap lang ako. Pangit ka, maganda ako (parang ang sagwang pakinggan nun, parang panlalait), . What's the bottomline? Dalawang tao na kahit magkaiba sa maraming bagay, na kahit ang buong mundo ay tutol sa kanilang pagsasama... sa huli ay magkakatuluyan pa rin.

One example is the cityboy-probinsyana plot. May isang manilenyo na mapapadpad sa probinsya. Sa una, ayaw niya na pumunta dun, pero nang makilala niya ang isang maganda, mayumi at inosenteng babae na kadalasa'y anak ng tauhan, magkakagusto siya dito. Magliligawan sila at maghahabulan sa dayami at pilapil. Ngunit ang city girl na may gusto kay lalake ay malalaman ang nangyari at gagawin niya ang lahat upang masira ang buhay ni probinsyana.

Another example: ang typical amo at chimay love team. Feel na feel siguro panuorin ng mga maid ang ganitong theme. Magkakagusto ang amo sa kanilang katulong at ang unang-unang tatanggi... ang kanyang mama. Hahamakin nila ang lahat upang makamit ang wagas na pagmamahalan. Madalas din 'tong theme ng mga pocket book. I think the makers of these teleserye are really intelligent. They try to find out what composes the majority of the population bago gumawa ng teleserye. Oo nga naman, para bumenta. But I think this plot, even if used over and over again, does not fail to make our hearts wonder and be joyful. I think everyone is obsessed with the idea of true love despite everything.

8. "The happy ending"
Believe me, almost every teleserye found in Filipino archives have good ending. Either the two couples, who have experienced every hardships and challenges, will end up in a grand wedding, or mamamatay ang kontrabida dahil nabaril ng bida, o kaya nahulog mula sa abandonadong gusali at nakaladkad ng sasakyan.

Syempre, ito na nga lang ang time ng mga pinoy para libangin ang sarili nila, tapos bad ending pa. What they want is that everytime they reminisce a teleserye, they would remember something happy at the end. Understandable naman, on my view. Pero kadalasan kasi, it suppresses the creativity of Filipino writers. They always think that they should enclose themselves in a rainbow box of happy endings. Ito yung isang teleserye formula na nagudyok sa akin para ibigin ang dramang banyaga. Foreign, especially Asian, dramas offer a variety of twists and conclusions. Mahilig kasi ako sa bitter sweet endings, something that you will really remember, not because of wedding bells and true love's kiss, but because of painful partings and unrequited love. Mas mahapdi sa puso, kaya mas may tatak.


These are only a few of the many patterns found in a typical Filipino teleserye. But no matter how typical these teleseryes are, they will always be part of our culture. It has given us opportunities to express our self through crying, lauging and getting over-excited, with the bidas and kontrabidas. It has given us lessons on how to effectively laugh and slap like a kontrabida, aside from the memorable evil quotes. It has given us values in life, that no matter what happens to us, there will always be hope and promise of a happy ending. But more than that, teleseryes have somehow, given us identity as Filipinos. Emotional, loving and optimistic Filipinos.

Taglish forever

Globalization has indeed swept the world by storm. With the advent of the internet, it is even inevitable for us not to have interaction with people from different countries. I, for one, has friends in USA and in Thailand (we are friends in facebook, but they don't know me at all). And so, we have come to realize that clinging to our own comfort zone and insisting that we should only speak in Filipino (my native language) is bullshit. You'll definitely become a loser, and that's it... What's worse, is the birth of TAGLISH, the offspring of the expressive Tagalog, and the straight-forward English. People would even persecute these people for sounding weird and inappropriately sophisticated.

E ANO NGAYON? Kung mas masaya ba mag-Taglish e. Perhaps, I am proud to say that I love speaking in appropriate Taglish. I've mentioned the word "appropriate" because I try to separate the two languages in different sentences. Yun lang naman ata ang problema ng iilan sa atin. Yung tipong sa iisang sentence, nag-iinterchange ang ingles at tagalog, yun bang ginagamit ng mga konyo. "O, where na you? Dito na me. Let's make inom-inom the kape, it's making less init na kasi with the aircon everywhere"... ampota, nakakainis. (excuse my french. I get over-excited). Ok lang naman yung pa-isa-isang salita tulad ng "sentence" o kaya "interchange" kasi ang hirap isalin sa English nun e. I believe that as long as the sentence is nice to hear, it's already fine. And the speaker must also remember that he/she must adjust to whoever he is speaking to. E paano kung hilaw na bangus yang kausap mo, ta-taglish-taglish ka, e di sinapak ka na nun diba?

I firmly believe that those who can speak Taglish in a good way are intelligent and talented individuals. They know the responsibility of using the complex language. Alam nila kung kelan gagamitin ang Tagalog at English. Alam nila kung ano ang pinagkaiba ng dalawa, at hindi yung pinaghahalo-halo lang.

But of course, as what I've said, we should be aware of the context of where we use language. Kung formal letter yan, syempre hindi pwede ang Taglish. Pero kung katulad lang naman nito, BLOG, o kaya naman comment sa facebook, ang arte naman ng dating mo kapag todo english ka sa comment, kung alam mo namang kapitbahay mo lang yung ini-i-stalk mo... o kaya naman parang ang makaluma kapag super tagalog ang comment mo. Try mo rin kaya magpaka-makata sa twitter, tignan natin kung magkasya yan sa 140 characters.

So why am I writing a blog about this? Somehow, as what I've said in my introductory paragraph, I have come to realize the importance of speaking in English in international site such as blogger. Yes, I do understand that when I use English as my mode of communication, more people will understand what I wanted to say. But at the same time, I've realized, what is the use of having a lot of people able to understand you, if you yourself cannot express your thoughts in its fullest potential? Siguro, kasalanan ko na rin na nagpa-alila ako sa kagandahan ng taglish. Pero tapos na yun e. I have already inculcated APPROPRIATE taglish as my medium for conversation. Gusto ko kasi sa blog, parang kinakausap mo lang yung readers mo. So I've decided that yes, in spite of the globalization ravaging the whole world, I intend to remain as what I used to be. English in one sentence, Tagalog in another... I guess that's just how it will be. At least the words can flow freely from my mind to my fingers... to the keyboard... to the screen... to the internet... to your screen... to your eyes... blah blah blah.

I'm sorry to say to my fans worldwide (if there are any) that I will be inserting tagalog statements every now and then in my blog. It puts my mind at ease, not thinking of having a perfectly english blog post.

Speak Taglish.
Be yourself.
Wehhhh.

10 Tips to fun and healthy lifestyle - for Filipinos

Credits:
Content - Group G, Batch 2012, University of the Philippines Manila, College of Nursing
Design - Me

Miracle verification: its process and validity

Back when I was in third year high school, my history teacher told us her experience when she needed to decide between two difficult choices. She needs to decide whether to stay here in the Philippines with her relatives, or take an offer to go to Japan to teach. What she did was that she asked for a sign from God, that if someone taps her shoulder while she prays, she would stay here in the country. Surprisingly, a priest tapped her shoulder while she was praying by the church in a comforting manner. The sign that she asked was granted. Many are able to relate to this kind of scenario. We often ask for these "signs" to test whether God is really with us. Humans really are hungry for "signs".

Sto. Niño de Providencia
credits: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Often, these "signs" appear as miracles. From time to time, you would see on television various reports saying that a miracle occurred. In 1998, there was a report about a miraculous oil from Sto. Niño de Providencia in Las Piñas. Witnesses say that they were "miraculously" cured by the oil. But I wonder… if there's a speaking, burning stove in our house, can it be a miracle? What if Hitler was raised from the dead, can it be a miraculous sign? What is a miracle? And how can we know if something's a miracle?

What is a miracle?

A miracle is generally defined as an event in the Human world that is out of its established order and is only possible with intervention of divine power (Webster's). It also means "a wonderful thing" when used in Latin. Three Greek words can be derived from "miracle" to describe its nature: "tereta", "dynamis" and "semeion" (Driscoll, 1911).

"Tereta" literally means "wonders". A miracle is a phenomenon that runs against, and often unexplainable, by the laws of nature. That is why usually, miracles bring a feeling of amazement. It is the  opposite to "natural". "Natural" according to Augustine in his De Trinitate, is when "things happen in a continuous kind of river of ever-flowing succession, passing by a regular and beaten track" (Houston, 1994, p.9).

"Dynamis" means "power". Miracles are supernatural because it is produced, not by natural powers, but of divine one. It is used by God to show His power over nature (Driscoll, 1911). Miracles can only be performed by God. Given that an event opposed the natural order of things, it is not enough to call it a miracle. Anything that is performed by an angel or other celestial bodies cannot be considered as a miracle. That is why miracles are sometimes associated with magic. Magic, as described by Aquinas in his Summa Theologiae, are caused by intellectual substances such as demons. Magicians induce these substances to their bidding by using intellectual signs in the form of invocations and commands addressed to intellectual substances (Houston, 1994).

Lastly, "Semeia" generally means "sign". The purpose of miracles is to manifest God's glory. It must be worthy of holiness, goodness, and justice of God, and conductive to the true good of men (Driscoll, 1911). Would you call it a miracle if neon pink lightning struck your house down or if plants suddenly speak and praise the name of the devil?

From these natures of miracles, we can deduce the following: (1) A miracle runs against the laws of nature and should be unexplainable, (2) A miracle can only be performed by God, and lastly, (3) a miracle must have a positive outcome such as conversion of religion or construction of a church. Given these definitions, the next question would be how does the Catholic Church verify if a reported miracle is real? And if there is a process of verifying miracles, is it valid enough?

How are miracles verified?

Monsignor Michele Di Ruberto, the undersecretary of the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints, works hundreds of red-bound books in his office, each a would-be miracle. His occupation is needed for approving and naming saints. If miracles in the intercession of the candidate saint happened years after his death, he would be beatified and called  blessed. One more miracle would be needed for him to be canonized to become a saint (Cassily, 1942).

Last March 2000, there was a report about a "weeping" statue of Sta. Monica in Basilica del Sto. Niño. People gathered to see the miraculous image. But it turned out that the tears were just painted by an artist to better portray the image of a weeping saint (Tenchavez, 2000). This is one of the numerous examples of a fake miracle. From psychic healers to perverted lickers, some people are ready to fool others by promising a cure, of course in exchange for some bucks. With an important role in Sainthood, and with people dreaming to become rich saints, miracles should be thoroughly validated.

According to Patrick Theillier, the Director of Shrine's Medical Office in Lourdes, France, the scientific aspect should be distinguished from the spiritual aspect. Miracle reports, specifically what we call "healing miracles" are heavily scrutinized and examined by experts of the involved field. Di Ruberto has access to a group of 60, covering all medical branches. These medical rationalists should attest that it surpasses their scope of knowledge. Pope Benedict XIV established seven criteria in verifying "healing miracles". First, the illness should be serious and will inevitably lead to death. Second, the illness must be organic or is caused by an accident. Third, it should be incurable. Fourth, the "healing" should be sudden. Fifth, the "healing" should also be instantaneous. Sixth, the renewal of function must be total, and lastly, the recovery must be lasting (Zenit, 2004).

The patient must also recognize the spiritual meaning of the event. The incident will go through a panel of theologians to determine if it was a result of prayer. Lastly, the outcome of the incident must be positive or it should manifest the goodness of God (Zenit, 2004).

With his essay, "On miracles," David Hume believed that miracle reports should be heavily scrutinized, as what the current process do. He said that any reports should not be accepted readily but to believe it not to be true. Additionally, evidences for and against the miraculous incident should be weighed. We should believe a report only if its falsehood would be more unfavourable than its validity (Houston, 1994).

Aside from the definition that a miracle works against the laws of nature, Hume presents additional qualification in verifying miracle reports. These qualifications focus, not on the miracle, but on the witnesses. There should be a great number of eye witnesses and their character should be reliable. The matter of delivery must also be taken into consideration. The witnesses' stand should be consistent. The existence of personal motives is also important, whether they have their own interests to maintain in saying what they do. And of course, the content of their statements (Houston, 2004).

For centuries, the Vatican have been using this method. But is it valid enough? For a test to be accurate, it should be valid. Validity refers to the extent to which the test measures or predicts what it is supposed to (Mejico, 2004). In this case, does the current process filter out effectively genuine miracles from not?

Is the verification process valid?

The process of verifying miracles by the Church, in some ways, can be considered valid. By weighing the evidences for the miraculous incident and the scrutiny of scientific experts from the medical field, it tests whether that event really runs against natural occurrence. Likewise, the criteria established by Pope Benedict XIV determine the occurrence of a miracle based on the definition stated earlier. Miracle is defined as an event opposing natural order of things (Houston, 1994). If a person is suffering from an incurable and fatal disease, and he suddenly recovers with no trace of the illness, then we can say that the event opposed the "natural" path that the patient should have taken.

Somehow, the process also validates if an incident is a work of God. The miracle report should go through a panel of theologians to determine if the 'miracle' was a result of prayer (Zenit, 2004). If it does result from prayer, it is assumed that God "granted" the prayer and performed the mriacle.

But analyzing the procedures, we can see several flaws in it, making the process less valide. First, the procedure cannot ensure that all domains of a miracle can be touched. The "unexplainable" aspect and the consequence of a miracle can be seen through the naked eye; but, it is not the case with its other definition. Miracles can only be performed by God (Houston, 1994). In testing whether it resulted from prayer, God's participation is only "assumed".

The assurance of future events also explains why the process is less valid. The healing of the patient involved must be lasting (Zenit, 2004). But there is no assurance that the disease will not return after days, months or even years. That means the examiners should still observe the patient as long as she lives. If this will be taken into consideration, then the whole verification process may take a lifetime! Another criterion is that the illness cannot be cured by other treatments (Zenit, 2004). But in the future, there is a possibility of creating a cure for that specific disease. Likewise, miracles are labelled "unexplainable" and "amazing" because our human knowledge cannot explain the phenomenon (Hospers, 1997). But thousands of years to come, a possibility of human knowledge reaching the unthinkable may happen. Just like hundreds of years ago, going to space was just a dream. If ever a cure can be discovered, will the Church remove the already-proven miracles from the list?

Hume's additional qualification should be added to the criteria of the church. The whole process only tackled the event that happened. It is also important for the authorities to know the side of the witnesses in order to see the miracle from all perspectives.

Lastly, miracle claims are inevitably subjective (Hospers, 1997). From the person involved, to the witnesses, from the doctors inspecting to theologians, even the process itself, all may perform subjectively. For one, it may be a miracle, to other it is not. This causes an error to the unanimity and consistency of the reports. If a plague killed a hundred people except for an individual, his family and friends will call it a miracle. But will the families of those who died also call it a miracle?

The process of verifying miracles observed by the Catholic Church is invalid. It does not accurately determine the miracle's occurrence from all domains. The possibility of future events may alter some of the factors, making the verification process difficult, or frankly, impossible. The procedures are not enough to view the incident from all points, and the essence of subjectivity makes the whole process less valid.

The method is not valid enough to determine "genuine" miracles from fake ones. It would be very difficult or even impossible to do so. We can readily measure the miracle's "physical" properties, but its "spiritual" essence is already dependent on the spectators. The method may not be valid, but the favourable outcome, which is an uplift of one's faith, is what's important.

A speaking, burning stove and Hitler's revival… I can never know whether I can call it a miracle. It may be, it may be not. But miracles are mere signs anyway. Which miracles are real? Only heaven knows.

Bakit mabilis magdiscuss ang ibang professors

"To write is futile with an overly excited professor."

Not only me, but I believe majority of the studentry of UP Manila will agree how annoying excited professors are. Excited to have an exam, excited to put the students on the edge of despair, and the most common, professors who are excited to discuss and push the ENTER button during powerpoint presentations.

Just imagine... Nakaupo ka sa silya mo at nakikinig sa teacher. Hawak mo ang itim na g-tec na pinakaiingatan mo. Binilisan mo ang pagsulat mo the moment na lumabas ang slide on "remedies for diarrhea". Fulfilled na fulfilled ka pa nang masulat mo yung DIARRHEA in all-caps, Arial font na pagkaganda-ganda, tapos pagtingin mo sa harap, nilipat na ng professor sa "signs and symptoms of constipation".

Tae.

Kung pwede mo lang ibato ang ballpen mo sa professor at sabihing, "ma'am, wait!" Pero hindi. Una, magagalit ang teacher. Pangalawa, G-tec yun. Sayang ang 80 pesos.

Pero bakit nga ba laging nagmamadali ang mga teacher sa pagdidiscuss ng mga lessons? Siguro, sa sobrang dami ng holiday, masyado nang naiwan ang klase sa dapat pag-aralan. Pwede namang nagtae yung teacher kaya hindi siya nakapasok ng mga nakaraang araw. Wait, what's with shits? Hindi ko na nga gagamitin ang feces bilang example, ang baho pakinggan. :D

Hindi kaya may hinahabol silang date? I think reasonable naman yun. Minsan na nga lang nila napagbibigyan ang uhaw nilang love life, ipagkakait pa natin sa kanila? Baka matulad sila sa mga teacher na tumandang dalaga dahil sa pagmamahal sa profession nila. Kelangan i-unwind natin ang sarili natin from time to time. Hindi lang mga students pero mga professors din.

On a deeper note, pwede ring hindi successful ang oral stage nila nung bata pa sila. According to Sigmund Freud, may psychosexual stages daw ang human development, una na nga dito ang oral stage. He stated that when a certain stage wasn't successfully finished due to some factors, manifestations related to it may appear in the future. For example, the oral stage pertains to infanthood. The baby's hunger must be satisfied at all cost. If not, manifestations associated with his/her mouth may appear such as being talkative or gluttonous. Kaya siguro masyado mabilis magdiscuss ang mga teachers, hindi sila masyado napapakain nung baby pa sila. Kawawa naman sila...

Sabi ng mga matatanda, pag malikot ang isang bata, may bulate daw sa puwet. Pag mabilis bang magsalita, ibig sabihin may bulate sa bibig? Ewww…

Female ascaris
source: Wikipedia

According to our most sought after, Wikipedia, Ascaris lumbricoides are parasitic nematode worms known as the "giant intestinal roundworms". They usually infest humans because of poor sanitation. The females can actually reach up to an average of 20 - 35 cm, pretty much longer than a 12-inch ruler. The size is just the tip of the iceberg. In worst case scenarios, LOTS of ascaris worms may actually have a party in your intestines, even causing bowel obstruction. And the moment you drink medications to kill them, they'll try to get out of your body in every exit possible. Believe me, you don't want to know what "every exit" means.

It also says that Ascariasis or ascaris infestation is systemic in nature. Worms migrate to other parts of the body, perhaps the liver or the lungs. Hindi kaya sa mga teachers, nagmimigrate sa fingers kaya mabilis silang pumindot ng powerpoint slides? Kawawa din yung mga students sa harap, baka matalsikan ng ascaris habang nagdidiscuss yung prof.

No matter what their reasons are, it's up to us students on how to adapt. Dumaan din sila sa pagiging estudyante so I guess it's our turn to work hard. Let's just supplement our notes with sufficient readings. Tsaka maniwala ako sa'yo kung nakikinig ka talaga. In the end, tayo pa rin talaga ang maghihirap.

Tae.

When vampires bite the silver screen

"I'm flesh and blood, but not human. I haven't been human for two hundred years."
--Louis (Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles, 1994)

Pale skin, sharp fangs, undead and drinks blood… seems familiar? Of course! Seeing someone with these characteristics surely means that you're looking at a vampire.

Vampires are described differently across cultures. In Transylvanian tales, they are described as having pale skin and long fingernails. Bulgarian vampires are said to have only one nostril. Some have more than unique descriptions such as vampires attacking only while naked and vampires that wore high-heeled shoes, as described in Moravian and Albanian folklore respectively. In modern times, vampires are described as having pale complexion, sharp fangs that they use for biting their victims, superhuman capabilities and somewhat immortal lives. They are thought to be killed only by exposing them to sunlight, making them drink blood from corpses, or driving a stake through their heart. Perhaps, the modern vampire is the most famous, with people being greatly influenced by media and literary works.

Because of their attributes, vampires have created mass hysteria among people during the early times, as early as Egyptian dynasties. They associated vampirism with demonic possession, thus terrorized people in the past. Even several pathological diseases, such as tuberculosis, bubonic plague and rabies, and grave digging, are being mistaken for vampirism. But the real question is do vampires really exist? In reality, no. But they do exist in a place that all of us probably know…

HOLLYWOOD

Vampires, being a dominant figure of horror films, inspired a lot of fictional movies in Hollywood. I guess everyone will agree that the most famous vampire-based-character is Bram Stoker's "Dracula".

Dracula

Like all vampires, Dracula comes to life each night to suck the blood of the living. As he pursues his victims, he is, in turn, pursued by Jonathan Harker. Harker is convinced by a Dr. Van Helsing that the only way to stop Dracula is to find the coffin that conceals him during the day and drive a stake through his heart. Harker discovers the coffin and Dracula is destroyed. (McNally, 1997)

Since Bram Stoker's infamous novel, the name "Dracula" has been associated with vampires already. Because of this, Dracula inspired a lot of films about him. The number of films that have been made in reference to Dracula have reached 649, according to the Internet Movie Database. There are almost 200 movies that feature Dracula, second to the most numerous, Sherlock Holmes. Dracula, having pale skin and being a suave, charismatic villain, became the standard for modern vampires.

The very first film, Nosferatu eine Symphony des Grauens ("Nosferatu: a Symphony of Horror") is a silent movie, directed by F.W. Murnau in 1922. In the story, Count Dracula is changed to Count Orlok (literally meaning "fright"). Because of this, Murnau was sued for Copyright infringement by the Stoker estate.

One of the most famous adaptations of the story is Browning's classical film, "Dracula" starring Bela Lugosi in 1931. In 2000, the United States Library of Congress deemed the film as "culturally significant" and so, preserved.

Several films about Dracula were made up to the present which includes Wes Craven's "Dracula 2000" and an animated film by Warner Brothers, "The Batman vs Dracula" in the year 2005. Dracula also appeared in other, less accepted genres. Surprisingly, there is a soft-core, lesbian, pornographic and semi-parodical film with an all-female cast that was shown in 2005 with the title, "Lust for Dracula".

Wesley Snipes, Blade

Because of these "Dracula" films, where some became box-office hit and high-grossing movies, more vampire-themed films were produced in which some became very well-known. In 1998, Norrington directed "Blade", a comics-based film starring Wesley Snipes. In 2002, its sequel, "Blade II" was shown and lastly, "Blade: Trinity" in 2004. On the same year, "Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles" was shown in the big screen, being a film wherein the protagonist is a vampire. The movie starred Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Antonio Banderas and Kirsten Dunst. Not long after, its indirect sequel, "Queen of the Damned" was shown. The "Underworld" series, with Kate Beckinsale for the leading role, also became popular as the movie series inserted "Lycans" or werewolves, their rival clan, in the plotline.

Van Helsing

Vampire-hunters became known as well. Perhaps the most famous is the one that hunts Dracula himself. Van Helsing. A film about this infamous character, "Van Helsing" was shown in 2005 starring Hugh Jackman as the title role. Likewise, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" became popular among the youth, when its film led to the production of a hit TV series with the same title starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, as well as its spin-off, "Angel".

But somehow, vampires have lost its frightful touch at present. With the birth of the "Twilight" saga by Stephanie Meyer in 2005, people started to view the night creatures as more positive , more appealing and perhaps, sexier  than the blood-lust figures of the medieval times. The novel has emphasized that these vampires, hungry for human  blood, also have the capacity to enjoy a romantic date with their seventeen-year old prey.

These films have affected how people see vampires. In the medieval times, vampires were regarded with terror and often caused mass hysteria. But presently, vampires are regarded as fictional character alone, a mere option for a Halloween costume. Some westerners even used the "vampire look" as a fashion statement.

According to literature, Jonathan Harker successfully destroyed the said "Father" of all vampires, Dracula. Perhaps, we will never known if vampires really do exist. But we should still be careful, especially while watching these films. We never know, they might just be lurking in the darkness, ready to steal your popcorn and bid you a sweet, deep, goodnight kiss.