Author Ann Rice Leaves "Christianity"

Here is the full story.

This is quite timely, since I had just discussed Christianity with my DGMEDIA class yesterday. A few of my students have come up with innovative Christian-themed concepts for their Game Design theses and much as I usually refuse to discuss my spirituality in class, it couldn't be helped. I did tell them that my spiritual convictions should not be something that they should follow just because I said so. I wanted them to think for themselves and love within the realms of their beliefs, the way I sometimes question many atheists and Christians alike while marveling at the differences brought about by human nature.

Anyway, our panelist, Jerome Assuncion, calls himself a progressive Catholic. I told him that I am a Christian but I do not wish to belong to a sect. Ann Rice's decision actually reflect the same line of thinking. I don't think she actually left Christianity; she has a profound relationship with Jesus Christ. I think what she left is the hypocrisy of it all: the constant hatred of things that cannot be understood by the unlearned (anti-gay, anti-feminist etc.). When you reflect about the life of Christ, you would notice that he was a trailblazer who tried to obliterate the oppressive religious conditions of his time. He sat with the outcasts and the "sinners" without trying to change them. Instead, he inspired them with his wisdom -- wisdom that brought about real healing. As a former student, Jeiel Aranal, put it: "Jesus Christ was a radical humanist."

Those oppressive religious conditions are back with a vengeance and I have no doubt that if Christ were to live during this time, the churches that have declared him God would be the very first ones to cast stones. The world is filled with judgment. But I guess that is the nature of human beings, really. (Why do you think we're the only species that seem to have hastened the world's death? We are inherently destructive.)

We are trapped in a vicious cycle. People organize structures that will be destroyed by trailblazers then the trailblazers themselves will inadvertently organize new structures that will be debunked by future trailblazers. (LOL. My boss Robert and I actually discussed this in one of our art theory sessions at his office.) It's our nature. We evolve. We are constantly moving. When we cease to question, we lose the ability to intellectualize and we turn into drones agreeing to everything that religious leaders say. Obviously, Jesus Christ was no drone. He questioned, evolved and constantly moved.

But I suppose, only those who have the passion for deeper learning will understand this. Comparative Literature and Comparative Religion majors have already written so many essays on this: Many (not all) teachings of Christianity are actually against the teachings of Christ.

Going back to Ann Rice, I said, "Good luck!" when she first announced that she was denouncing her vampire stories. I thought that if she lived a great deal longer, her decision will begin to eat at her insides. I understand that her decade-long foray into "Christianity" was an intellectual move. Her vampire stories are backed by heavy research.  She found Christ in that research. She thought that she could have a deeper connection to him if she joined "his flock". (I'm putting quotation marks there because I remember historical documents that spoke of false prophets leading the church. I'm thinking, those false prophets have been sitting there since Peter died and their followers are now the anti-gay, anti-women etc.) Her Catholic novels are beautifully written because these are just as well-researched as her previous publications.

But of course, I knew she wouldn't last because no well-researched scholar could bear living in a world of sweeping statements and hasty generalizations.

I have nothing against call centers, but we're running an art school...

Yesterday, I got a call from a call center HR representative and she asked me about one of our graduates (at the APC School of Multimedia Arts). I know the alumnus' work habits because he had been my student and had been very diligent. I remember that he'd consult with me about his projects even outside class hours. Though working on his design portfolio had been quite a daunting task, he had exhibited the kind of determination I find rare in students these days. As an educator, I appreciate hard work and smart workers.

As the school's Assistant Director, however, I am very keen on how effective our instructional systems are. I look at the process flows and make sure that both the faculty members and students are delivering well. This means that if I really take my job seriously, I'd be concentrating on providing the industry with the best creative talents our school has to offer.

You can imagine how stumped I was when the agent suddenly asked, "Would you recommend him for work at a call center?"

It took me a few seconds to compose my thoughts then I answered with as much honesty as I could muster: "You have to understand that we're running an art school. I wouldn't recommend any of our graduates to work in any unrelated field because we would want them to use the degrees they've attained." Then I proceeded to enumerate his list of sterling qualities.

Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against call centers. I understand that like OFWs, call center agents have tremendously alleviated our country's growing economic pains. It's just that if I see our graduates working in any other field besides the creative, it makes me question our system. Have we not effectively nurtured their talents? Have we not done enough to improve their skills? Have we driven them so hard that they'd get so sick of the arts? Or did the students enter our school without knowing what they were getting into and then realizing in the end that this wasn't what they wanted?

Of course, I'd still be happy for them wherever they decide to go. A good educator knows that if she provides the proper foundations, her students will grow in leaps in bounds. No matter which path they eventually decide to take.  One graduate even became a flight attendant, one of the jobs I would have wanted for myself if I weren't such a shorty. Another one got into real estate and seems very happy with it. Still, transitions like these make you wonder...

And this is why I am in constant dialogue with our alumni.

Image credits:
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/

Beyond Bath Organics at The Manila Hotel Spa

My sister and I were invited to the Beyond Bath Organics launch which was held at The Manila Hotel Spa last July 27, 2010. Alex and I are a strange duo. She's a fashion blogger (even though she's actually a multimedia artist) and I usually cover art exhibits (even though my top Google entry is about a beauty product), so it's quite  rare for us to be at the same event.

We were welcomed by a curiously dressed attendant. I badly wanted to take a photo of him -- I thought his outfit was adorable -- but I felt a bit shy. I was also absent-minded enough to forget Shin-Chan2 at home, so I was at the mercy of Alex's Canon 30D (dSLR). I could probably work better with her kit lens, but she had brought along her 50mm lens (f/1.8 II).

Anyway, the moment we entered The Manila Hotel Spa lounge, I gasped at the interiors. It was so Filipino! I'm guessing most of the furniture were made of rattan and hard wood.

There were basins and baskets of Beyond Bath's different lines and they were arranged so neatly. Incidentally, I was recovering from fever and a whiff of the products (or maybe it was the awe) had me feeling so much better.

We were later led into a small room, where foot massages usually take place, and GlobalXChange Corporation's representatives explained what Beyond Bath Organics is all about. Okay, I'll spare everyone the nosebleed-inducing list of natural ingredients and just concentrate on the magic words that certainly piqued my interest: "Free of paraben, mineral oil and alcohol." The brand is certified organic by Greentech, which is one of Europe's authorities in natural and organic cosmetics. Furthermore, Beyond Bath has partnered with Bantay Kalikasan in preserving the La Mesa forest. That tidbit had me applauding the team behind this.

Beyond Bath Organics will be exclusively distributed by the A.S. Watson Group, which means that these are going to be super affordable and highly accessible. I've frequently lamented on how organic products are not only expensive, but also difficult to find. Well, that will no longer be a problem since Watsons is everywhere.

It was emphasized that Beyond Bath products are supposed to make bathing a leisurely ritual. Three regimens were introduced: the Stress-busting Sunflower, Perk-Me-Up Energizing Grapefruit and the Stimulating and Lightening Nature Glow. Everything smelled great and Jared de Guzman, Watsons Brand Manager, assured me that none of the notes used here are synthetic. This means that whatever it is that I smell, it's the natural scent of the fruits.

After the brief seminar, we were given refreshments (grapefruit and orange juices) and then led to a room with two beds. They were nice enough to put me and my sister in one room with two female attendants. Again, I was awed by the beauty of its interiors. Even the lavatories looked like you could actually dine in them. Seriously!

The women left us alone so we could shower and change into our robes, but Alex and I spent most of that time taking photos. Two pictures above is where I had my feet scrubbed and massaged with the Beyond Bath Grapefruit Rejuvenating Sugared Body Scrub. My sister, who sat across me, had the same service.

Uh, yeah...can you tell I really loved the interiors?

Anyway, after the relaxing foot scrub, we were prepped nicely on the bed and were given an hour-long full body massage. That was a heavenly experience. Not only were the attendants very pleasant, the grapefruit's scent also wafted gently around my senses. I felt the aches and pains slowly ease away.

When we were done, the attendants excused themselves so that Alex and I could change back. They returned with fruits and tea a few minutes later.

Halfway through the refreshments, we were told that a buffet was waiting for us at the Ginza Restaurant. I turned to my sister and said, "Uh, I don't think we should finish all of these if we want more room for that buffet."

Ginza is The Manila Hotel's Japanese restaurant. The buffet feast, however, was composed of Chinese, Japanese and French dishes. I'm not complaining, though. The food was pretty good.

This is my frustrated attempt at mastering Alex's 30D. I couldn't get the depth of field I wanted. I was blurring parts I didn't want blurred and sharpening parts I thought weren't that important. (Staring at these is making me awfully hungry again, though.)

Ah dessert! I've always been partial to tarts and French pastries. Actually, there were more selections at the buffet table but I had finished off my plate before I remembered to take photographs. As usual.

Anyhoo, it was a lovely experience overall. I discovered two things: (1) an inexpensive alternative to imported organic products, and (2) that The Manila Hotel's seemingly unappealing exteriors belie the wondrous textures of its newly renovated interiors.

I went home with a bag of Beyond Bath Organics Sunflower line. Pictured here, from left to right: Soothing Hand and Body Lotion, Soothing Soap-Free Body Wash, Soothing Body Butter, Nurturing Conditioner and Nurturing Shampoo. The product description reads: "Relax your mind and body with the fresh scent of sunflower that can give you that sunny and happy feeling. Get transported to endless fields of flowers and blissful summer days."

There are so many things I want to say (and stuff I actually forgot to say), but I'll just lead you over to my sister's blog, since we share the same sentiments about Stratigem's events and some of the ingredients I wanted to question.

Alex wrote about her side of the story here:
http://www.reluctantstylista.com/article/ootd-and-my-beyond-bath-spa-day-at-the-manila-hotel

You can learn more about Beyond Bath Organics here:
http://www.beyond-bath.com

Y The Last Man

From Amazon.com's Product Description:
The series that has taken the US by storm comes to the UK in the first of an all-new Titan graphic novel series! From writer Brian K. Vaughan (Swamp Thing, The Hood) and up and coming artist Pia Guerra comes a view of a dystopian society where suddenly - and without warning - a mysterious plague kills every living creature on the planet with a Y chromosone...in other words, no more men! Except one. Amateur escape artist Yorick Brown has somehow survived. It's now a very different world, and his unique status is far from privileged. If they can't exploit Yorick, the new world powers may just decide his usefulness is at an end! 

I've read Watchmen last year. That was after more than a decade of not touching American comic books. This was followed by Marvel Zombies and finally, Y The Last Man. The last is probably the most intriguing American title I've ever come across, perhaps because it makes me curious to see how artists can imagine a world without men. (I know scientists have already begun to do so...)

Each chapter unearths the most bizarre possibilities -- considering the quirks both genders have -- and I found myself unable to stop. I read all of it in one sitting, dismissing sleep and hardly eating. But before some of you accuse me of being a man-hater (well, I've gotta admit 80% of the straight male population disgust me, the 20% are reserved for my dearest straight male family, friends and favorite artists), I have to tell you that I was rooting for Yorick (and his pet monkey) the entire time. I don't think any graphic novel has ever made my heart race the way this one did.

The Vaughan-Guerra combination is lethal. This is pure creativity released in 10 volumes. Bravo, Vertigo!

My new cellphone looks like a toy calculator...

Last Saturday, coming home from Raphael Pagarigan's Open City exhibit, I had to pass through the dreaded thieves den that Cubao has been known for. En route to MRT from LRT2, my old old cellphone got stolen. The thief may be talented but he went away with the cheapest phone imaginable (though it had a great deal of sentimental value) and missed the more expensive gadgets: Mi-chan2 (Macbook) and Shin-chan2 (Lumix ZS3) are also in my bag. Har har.

Though I had always said I wanted a phone with a good camera -- so that I can sneakily steal shots of the "forbidden" areas I've always wanted to chronicle -- my actual cellphone needs are pretty simple. I just really needed something to text and call with. I may consider myself a geek but I can unplug myself, pick the practical options and let the artist in me breathe.

Besides, who can resist this cutie?

This is the Cherry Mobile P1, it only costs P999 and it looks like a toy calculator. I can hang it around my neck or my pocket, as if it were a key chain, and no one would be the wiser. Besides, what idiotic thief would go after something as cheap as this?

Check out the back:

It's pink and glittery. I actually like the simplicity of its design and its humble features. (Its calculator has square root and I think I can use the laptop to charge the battery, judging from its port. Neat!) Those who remember old school Super Mario Bros. would probably appreciate the MIDI ring tones. Seriously, the meager selection brought back a lot of geeky memories.

Most importantly, it has an alarm clock.

And it's actually a tad smaller than my credit card.

Love it! Love it so much, I'm calling it Chu-Chu (from Xenogears). And it will be a "she".

I also want to thank Globe Telecom for the speedy service. They gave me a new sim with my old number. Just like that! *snap*