"Big Magic" (part 1/2)

"Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear" by Elizabeth Gilbert (author of the sensational memoir "Eat, Pray, Love")
Non-fiction, self-help, motivational
(c) 2015

Here are my favorite lessons from the first three chapters of Liz Gilbert's inspiring book:

I. COURAGE

• The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them. The hunt to uncover those jewels--that's CREATIVE LIVING. The courage to go on the hunt is what separates a mundane existence from a more ENCHANTED one. The often surprising result of that hunt is the BIG MAGIC.
• "Argue for your limitations and you get to keep them." 
• Creativity is a path for the BRAVE but it's not a path for the FEARLESS.

II. ENCHANTMENT

• While the TORMENTED ARTIST throws a temper tantrum, the MUSE sits quietly  in a corner of the studio, patiently waiting for him to calm down and sober up so everyone can get back to work. 
• Ideas are alive. Ideas seek the most available human collaborator. Ideas have a conscious will. Ideas do move from soul to soul. Ideas will always try to seek the swiftest and most efficient conduit to the earth.
• An Idea is stubborn. It refuses to stop searching until it has found an equally stubborn collaborator. 
• If you show up for work day after day, you just might get lucky enough some random morning to burst right into bloom. 
• The Romans believed that an exceptionally gifted person WAS NOT a genuis but HAD a genius. It's a subtle but important distinction (being vs.having). This way, the vulnerable human ego is protected from the corrupting influence of praise and from the corrosive effects of shame. 
• "Just write anything and put it out there with reckless abandon" - Ralph Ellison

III. PERMISSION

• Golden Rule in the Gilbert household: If you're supporting yourself financially and you're not bothering anyone else, then you're free to do whatever you want with your life.
• You want to write a book? Make a song? Direct a movie? Decorate pottery? Learn a dance? Explore a new land? Do it. Who cares? It's your birthright as a human being, so do it with a cheerful heart. Let inspiration lead you wherever it wants to lead you. For most of history, people just made things, and they didn't make such a big freaking deal out of it. 
• I'll tell you who I am. I am a child of God, just like anyone else. I am a constituent of this universe. I have a right to be here. I have a right to my own voice and a right to my own vision. I have a right to collaborate with creativity, because I myself am a product and consequence of Creation. I'm on a mission of artistic liberation.
• If you're working on your craft every day on your own, with steady discipline and love, then you are already for real as a creator. You don't need to pay anybody to affirm that for you.
• Editors could reject me all they wanted but I wasn't going anywhere. I plan to stick around. 
• Smile sweetly and suggest--as politely as you possible can--that they go make their own fucking art. Then stubbornly continue making yours.

I'm currently in the fifth chapter of the book. I'll share with you my new learnings on a new blog :)

Cry

Go ahead and cry if you must, if you think you should, if you think it’s about time but remember to stop and think. Ensure that there is learning for every tear-shedding moment. It can be a life-changing epiphany or a simple thought; “Tears make the eyes look fresh.”

Cry when it hurts, when it’s almost or absolutely unbearable. Cry when you can’t contain your laughter. Cry because you crave attention, long for affection, or seek forgiveness. Cry when you had to painfully forget someone or when he or she easily ignores you.

Cry and talk to someone but don’t feel guilty when you cry without letting anyone know. Cry and make sounds. Cry when it’s true. If you can’t help it, wail. If you can control it, sob. If it hurts deep within, weep. Cry when you think it’s proper. Cry even if it’s awkward. Don’t be ashamed for no one is immune to the emotional vulnerability that forces, compels, invites, or surprises us to cry. We were all born crying. Those who didn’t were not the brave ones. We fought our way out here crying—that was how we announced our being.

Cry regardless of who you are. Cry because you’re a girl. Cry because that’s what makes a man. Cry because you’re gay and prove to people that you’re either lame or your stronger than most for showing your emotions. Cry to show sympathy. Cry as if you have one.

Cry when you’re happy and cry when you’re not. Cry when you’re honest, cry to play pretend. Crying has become stereotypically associated with weakness that it’s a convenient excuse or defense, regardless of the circumstance.

Cry to be understood or cry when no one bothers to understand you at all. Cry when you wish you could just disappear from this orderless world.

Cry once a year, once a month, or every two weeks. It’s reassuring to know that your tears will never run out, anyway.

Cry in the movies. Let the tears drop on your book. Cry and bend on the couch, comforting yourself that the world is safer with just you and your good old childhood blanket. Cry while singing a song. Cry to award speeches. Cry while watching the US president. Cry for the victims of extrajudicial killings.

Cry to clear your mind. Cry when you’ve just figured out a way out of a complicated problem. Cry to celebrate, commemorate, create, and communicate. Cry and walk out or cry in a corner.

Cry to surprise yourself or your loved ones. Cry to reveal what’s long been hidden. Cry because you care. Cry when you can give nothing else including care.

Cry and learn from it or cry because you can’t seem to get the lesson from the same situation. As an actor, cry to impress. As a child, cry to express. Adults, cry and be strong by being weak, first. Depressed? Cry to release. Mourning? Cry to accept.

Cry for now but not forever. It’s good but not without a burden. Cry when you can’t think properly or when you’re writing with so much pain.

Do yourself a favor. Cry. Cry and be forgiving—to your downs, your past, and your shortcomings. Cry and be welcoming—to changes and new beginnings. Cry when you succeed.

There’s too much happening that drowns you in life. When you can’t find the right words to express what you’re feeling along the way, three letters are okay. Cry anyway.

National Arts Month 2017

Here is how I celebrated February, or for the gladness of artists and art enthusiasts, the National Arts Month.

Last Full Show: Danilo Dalena Retrospective

Filipino mixed media artist Danilo Dalena returned to the Cultural Center of the Philippines after a 26-year hiatus with his paintings, drawings, sculpture, and installations "referencing unseemly acts and antics in seedy movie houses." 

Curators Claro Ramirez, Jr. and Eileen Ramirez added that, "While loosely taking on the structure of cinema with establishing sequences, transitions, freeze frames, and denouements, LFS is posited as a grand unfolding rather than definitive account."

Noli Me Tangere: The Opera

National hero Jose Rizal's one-half of world renowned political novels revisited the CCP after decades courtesy of J&S Productions Inc., in cooperation with Ayala Foundation. It was written by the late Filipino National Artists Felipe de Leon (music) and Guillermo Tolentino (libretto in Filipino.) 

I was fortunate to watch it for free together with my best friend. The actors who portrayed Ibarra and Maria Clara committed to their parts and hit all the right notes but not as much as Sisa's actress was. She blew everyone away! I wish some brave souls would develop her own storyline/spinoff. 

BitterXSweet Tour at Ayala Museum

For the first time, I got a chance to be a museum tour guide! Finally I ticked it off my bucket list thanks to Ayala Museum's volunteer program. I was the tour guide in the "bitter" part of the Valentine's edition tour where I walked about 10 guests to different dioramas depicting the painful moments in our history (i.e. Trade with Chinese and the Chinese Massacre, Sultan Kudarat's Defense, Jose Rizal's love stories, Gen. Antonio Luna's assassination, the Japanese Occupation and Death March.)

Escolta Block Party

I dragged a good friend to spend the night partying at Escolta, considered to be the Queen

Street of Manila in days past. It was a great partying with a lovely and inclusive community. We had sausage and beer while dancing the night away. Heck, I used Facebook Live more than I should or ever will. There were also art shops and DIY merchandise to take home as souvenirs. 

Artist Talk: Natee Utarit

Another perk of being an Ayala Museum volunteer is to get exclusive access to artist talks. That's how I met Thai contemporary artist Natee Utarit whose works heavily represent his criticisms of Western art and its influence on Eastern Art. Rightfully so, the elements in his towering paintings featured in "Optimism is Ridiculous: The Altarpieces" are a mix of Christian and Buddhism symbols.

Art Fair Philippines 2017

This year promised to be the biggest yet with four floors of galleries and unsurprisingly, bigger areas for National Book Store and Bench. For better or worse, it has become uncontrollably crowded, making you wish that they would move to a bigger venue next year.

The biggest reveal of the night was meeting world renowned Filipino (glass) sculptor Ramon Orlina in his exhibit. Unlike his goof friend BenCab, he wasn't a snob. 

Casa Manila Tour

Another good friend accompanied me in Intramuros where we toured a heritage house, Casa Manila. The interiors and exteriors were (obviously) Spanish-inspired but it was nice to learn that ceramics from Japan and China, and furniture (i.e. chandeliers) from the rest of Europe also adorned the house.

Interestingly in the receiving area, connecting rooms were allotted for the old maid and a visiting relative (guest room) who was often a single man. We couldn't help but be intrigued with the 'could-have-beens' and 'have-beens' in those adjoining rooms during the old times! *wink*

Manila Transitio

Manila's prodigal son Carlos Celdran and his tourism group, Walk This Way, initiated a lovely community gathering at Baluarte de San Diego in Intramuros (beside my alma mater PLM) which included a do-as-you-please itinerary. 

Highlights of the night included Kundiman concert atop the Baluarte, burning of Chinese wishing papers (a confusing part of the night,) and the performance of Tres Marias, a lovely group of OPM icons Lolita Carbon, Bayang Barrios, and Cookie Chua. Think People Power anniversary celebration without the hate and with all the picnic baskets.

In all, my February weekends have been restless but I didn't complain. And I never will. For sure I won't schedule any out-of-town or out-of-country trips for succeeding Nat'l Arts Month!

Lisa Macuja's 'Tutu' Cents

I had the pleasure of listening to Philippines' Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde when she shared her success story to college students last month.

As expected, her journey to the center of the stage was not smooth-sailing. At 14, she knew she wanted to pursue ballet (contrary to her parents desires.) She convinced them to give her two years to complete ballet training in communist Russia. If that didn't work out, she promised to return here and attend formal school.

"Like starting in arithmetic and getting thrown to calculus," was how she recalled her beginnings in ballet. Being the only neophyte among advanced European students, she said that her teacher cried in frustration, "they gave me a monkey from the Philippines."

When she returned home at 16, Lisa said she wasn't casted in her first production but she knew better than to cry. Looking back, she said that situation made her "work even harder." 

Fast forward to 2017 when Lisa has officially retired from ballet but still actively runs Ballet Manila.

Through all those years, here is how Lisa sums up her journey:

• Follow your heart, it will never leave you astray
• Ask yourself, "What am I willing to sacrifice?" Be willing to pay the price of your dreams
• When you wake up in the morning and you don't look forward to what you're doing that day, it's time to quit
• Sustain and maintain even after you have achieved so much
• Writers leave behind books; singers, songs; composers, score; artists, paintings; photographers, photographs. Dancers leave behind a memory--that moment when they are on stage. They perfect a moment without even saying a word
• There was a time when I wanted to give up the performance but there was never a time that I felt I wanted to give up ballet
• Follow Malcolm Gladwell's 10,000 hour rule. You need to dedicate at least 10,000 hours of your life to achieve mastery in a field.

Aside from being a world renowned performer, Lisa is also a generous life coach. With her toes on point and numb from pain, she is willing to share life lessons that she picked up along the way. This 'storyteller on toes' knows that pain will cease and will give way to a perfect performance.

Ricky Lee's "Sampung Tulong sa Pagsusulat"

My Ricky Lee books. Two of them are signed, the rest are waiting to be

In "Now Showing: Masterclass," guest master Ricky Lee shared anecdotes from his childhood (spent in Daet, Camarines Norte,) his beginnings as a writer, background on political activism, and a snapshot of 'making it' in the industry as hundreds of students, fans, and creatives crowded the cinema for 3 hours of learning and inspiration.

Among his noteworthy lessons is the "Sampung Tulong sa Pagsusulat" for aspiring and practicing writers:

1. Tanggalin mo ang nakaharang na screen (social media, internet, other forms of media)
2. Find solitude (dahil ang ingay na ng mundo ngayon)
3. Magbasa ka (dahil walang manunulat na hindi nagbabasa)
4. Patayin mo ang sarili mo ('wag pagsalitain ang personality sa iyong mga karakter. Mawala ka bilang tao sa istorya mo)
5. Tanggapin mo ang kahon (rules, conventions,) saka mo banggain.
- While freedom is good, constraint is also helpful
6. Magkaroon ka ng ritwal. Si Ricky Lee, hindi nagsusulat 'pag nasa mood. Nagsusulat siya para mapunta sa mood
7. Keep a journal para masulatan ng mga ideya
8. Magpatulong ka sa mga kaibigan at hingin ang kanilang opinyon
9. Umalis ka sa comfort zone mo, at
10. Magsulat ka para magbuo

One of the reasons why I admire sir Ricky is because of his principle, "Habang natututo ako, gusto ko ibinabahagi ko rin 'yun sa iba." This, coming from a celebrated screenwriter/author/playwright who has probably earned and received most awards that befit a living legend.

His humility and undying openness for learning and collaboration makes him a standout in a close-knit literary industry. He makes himself approachable* and he'll make you feel like he sincerely wants to know and help you.

Case in point: In 2011, I asked him for a special autograph because I wanted to be a writer. Despite enduring hours of book signing and picture taking, he took a moment to write these words:

"Dear Ross, never give up on your desire to write. Just write as yourself, from your heart, not wanting to be like others but just your unique self!"

Tell me if you think it's wrong to adore this man! :)

*Before the show ended he told the audience we can ask for his cellphone number and exchange notes. Ikaw na lang talaga ang mahihiya.

Lakbay Lokal: Laguna

For our annual get together, my bond brothers and I went to Laguna to spend a day with mother nature. It was the first time that we ditched the familiar cityscape in favor of a thrilling and novel reunion.

We trekked to and swam in Bukal Falls in Majayjay; had dinner in Liliw; and went back to Manila from San Pablo. 

Here is our itinerary (indicated fee/pax unless otherwise stated):

MAJAYJAY, LAGUNA

8AM-11AM
Ride a JAC Liner bus in Buendia going to Sta. Cruz, Laguna.
Php140
11AM-1130AM
Take a tricycle from Sta. Cruz to Majayjay Jeep Terminal.
Php25
1130AM-1230PM
Ride a jeepney going to Brgy. Bukal, inside Majayjay municipal proper.
Php34
1230PM-1245PM
Take a tricycle going to the drop off point/entrance to Bukal Falls.
Php20
1245PM-130PM
(Optional) Have lunch at Angelina's Garden (in front of the entrance to the Falls.)
Eating is not allowed within the Falls so it's important to fill your stomach prior the trek.
Php60 up
130PM-2PM
Trek to Bukal Falls.
(Optional) Take a tricycle to save at least 10 minutes of walking!
Php300 - tour guide fee per group
Php50 - life vest (recommended for non-swimmers)
Php20 - environmental fee
Php10 - for the tricycle ride
2PM-330PM
Swim and enjoy the cold, 15-feet water of Bukal Falls. You can take longer.
NO COST FOR SUCH AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE!
330PM-4PM
Head back to drop off point
The tricycle shortcut is still available for only Php10 
4PM-5PM
Shower and freshen up
FREE!

Cost - Php470 minimum

Bukal Falls

Bugans 2016

James, Derick, me

None of us is a swimmer

After swimming in Bukal Falls, your group can do whatever you please. In our case, we opted to maximize our time and visit another place in Laguna. 

LILIW, LAGUNA

5PM-520PM
Take a tricycle from Majayjay going to Liliw, Laguna
Php30 
520PM-540PM
Visit St. John the Baptist Church and its surrounding tsinelas shops
Church visit is FREE.
Additional cost will, of course, depend on your tsinelas purchase.
540PM-730PM
Grab your dinner at the popular White House Pavilion. They offer Filipino and Japanese cuisine.
Php1,000 up for a group of 3--complete and filling meal!

St. John the Baptist Church, Liliw, Laguna

Sto. Nino

Aaarrrggghhh Crispy Pata! for Php498

Beef Kare-Kare for Php398

There is a 645PM cut off time for jeepneys in Liliw, Laguna to transport you back to Sta. Cruz. Since we didn't make the cut off time (because our dinner was so good!), we had to find another route!  

SAN PABLO, LAGUNA

730PM-830PM
Ride a jeepney going to San Pablo city
Php35
830PM-835PM
Take a tricycle from San Pablo city proper going to the bus terminal bound for Manila
Php20
845PM-12PM
Ride a bus back to Manila (either via Buendia or Cubao)
Php127

Lakbay Lokal: My 2016 in Travel

While I'm glad that 2016 will soon end (and take away the negative stories that plagued it,) it will leave me with some good moments to cherish.

It brought me to new places and allowed me to revisit familiar ones.

APRIL: Holy Week tour in Bataan and Corregidor
My high school friends stayed in Abucay, Bataan to observe the Holy Week celebrations on that part of the province.

We also took the time to visit the historical Corregidor Island (and its War Museum), Balanga Cathedral, Abucay Church, Balanga WWII Museum, and of course, Mt. Samat in Pilar, Bataan.

Read more about our Bataan and Corregidor trip HERE.

Facade of Balanga Church

Facade of Bataan WWII Museum inside an elementary school compound

Abucay Church glows on the eve of Easter Sunday

MAY: Trek to Mt. Pamitinan, Rodriguez, Rizal
Few days before my 25th birthday, I thought that I wanted to hike a mountain to literally "thank the heavens" for my life thus far. I invited my closest friends to a trek to Mt. Pamitinan and enjoyed my prelude to #QuarterLifeNoCrisis. 

JUNE: Day trip in Tagaytay
On my day off from work, my best friend and I roamed around Tagaytay City where we visited Museo Orlina which houses the glass sculpture masterpieces of celebrated Filipino artist Ramon Orlina. We had a filling lunch at Dreamland Arts & Crafts Cafe. In the afternoon, we visited the Guiness World Record-holder Puzzle Mansion with its confusing alleyways of local and international puzzles owned by the late Gina Gil Lacuna. We had dinner at the cozy Java Jazz Coffee Shop then capped off the night with a whole body massage! 


Read more about our Tagaytay trip HERE.

at Dreamland

at Java Jazz

SEPTEMBER: Day trips in Puerto Princesa, and El Nido, Palawan
Because I did not have an international trip this year, I thought that I would maximize our 3-day company outing as it was also my first time to visit the majestic province of Palawan! Straight from the airport and after having breakfast at Haim Chicken Inato, selected officemates and I headed on to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park for a guided tour inside one of the New7Wonders of Nature--the Underground River! On the way back to Aziza Hotel, we made a detour to Karst Mountain Elephant Cave, a 2-time pit stop in The Amazing Race. 

the view to the river's entrance

We were up early on Day 2 for a 6-hour road trip to the pristine beaches of El Nido. We paid for an island hopping tour and visited 7 Commando Beach, Small Lagoon at Minilok Island, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and finally the Big Lagoon.

at 7 Commando Beach. Look at that hues of blue, green, and brown!

inside the Small Lagoon

still at the Small Lagoon

It was my first time to: 1) kayak, 2) drive a large motor boat, and 3) free dive in saltwater so I would say, it was well worth the trip (and the cost!)

NOVEMBER: Day trip in Cebu City, Cebu
Third time's the charm. For my third consecutive business trip in Cebu this year, I finally squeezed in enough time to visit at least two known tourist attractions in the city--the Basilica Minore Del Sto. Nino (including the museum adjacent to it) and Magellan's Cross. 

I had enough energy to burn as I feasted on Garlic Shrimp, Pineapple Rice, and Fresh Coconut while dining al fresco at Shaka Hawaiian Restaurant in the middle of Cebu IT Park.

Facade of Sto. Nino de Cebu Basilica

at Shake Hawaiian Restaurant

DECEMBER: Barkada (+Solo) trip in Baguio City, Mountain Province
My best friend had the similar idea for her birthday so she invited us to hike Mt. Ulap in Itogon, Benguet. Sadly I wasn't able to join them because I just recovered from a viral exanthem.

We enjoyed a weekend eating at Pizza Volante and Good Taste Restaurant, biking at Burnham Park, playing inside its amusement park, and stopping by Baguio Cathedral. After that I had two days by myself so I visited Baguio Museum, and ate at Cafe by the Ruins and Oh My Gulay!

I also revisited my go-to places like Mt. Cloud Bookshop, Glen 50s Diner (in its new location,) and the Pink Sisters Convent and Chapel. 

"Ole Nick's Open Face Tuna:" Nick Joaquin's instructions to the cook: butter the bread, spread flaked tuna evenly over the buttered surface, dip in beaten egg and fry in even MORE butter"

"Bandilang Pula" - mountain rice, vegetables in season, mongolian sauce, tofu, and omelette

Facade of Baguio Museum where a mummy inside a wooden coffin is in permanent display

Facade of Baguio Cathedral along Session Road