Dr. Strange and the Marvelous Michelle Yeoh (2 of 2)

Awesome sauce by James Jean

The very idea of a multiverse is fascinating. Imagine that versions of yourself are scattered out there in different universes living another reality that is different from yours yet somehow, a thread binds you with your many selves. It makes me think that life can be forever. I have been toying with that idea of immortality. Strangely enough, I feel comforted by just thinking about it.

This is how the Daniels presented Evelyn's experience of the multiverse in Everything Everywhere All At Once (EEAO). They have kept this canon, I think, if I go as far back into the many uses of the multiverse in comic books, literature, TV series and movies. 

If Dr. Strange and Scarlet Witch sought to fight evil and reconcile or defeat their own demons in the multiverse, Evelyn's journey into and out of the multiverse was one of acceptance and redemption. What makes her journey illumiating is the use of intertextuality as storytelling. The Daniels borrowed scences, clips, ideas and concepts from many revered works of cinema, layered these into a narrative that perfectly depicts the many facets and possibilities of life and death in the multiverse as seen in Evelyn's story.

Michelle Yeoh delivers a powerful performance. She is very consistent at essaying the premise of the many realities but one common thread across the multiverses. Her interactions with her father, daughter and husband in whatever universe is delivered with nuanced acting there really is no need for long dialogues. At one point in the movie where Evelyn cast a look of longing at Waymond, I wanted to shout, "Oh, Evelyn! I know. I do know!" 

The irreverence in many scenes is funny, sensitive and profound. How can rocks think and reflect on the big ideas of the cosmos and yet, reach out so intimately to each other in its quiet way if being?  Suddenly, I remembered Min Yoongi, every ARMYs' dear SUGA, who once said he wishes to be a rock in his next life. Now that makes sense!

 

The rest of the cast is fantastic too. Jamie Lee Curtis. Ke Huy Quan. Stephanie Hsu and James Hong are all excellent in conveying the complexity of the multiverse. In the end, amidst the struggles in one's personal life and the goal of saving the entire universe, whoever we are and whatever we do one constant thing remains according to Waymond, Evelyn's husband. 

Be kind - which is not an easy thing to do but it is an essential component of human evolution. And for this, EEAO is a gem. It is a movie I didn't think I needed.

DSMM - 4/5 stars

EEAO - 5/5 stars

Dr. Strange and the Marvelous Michelle Yeoh (1 of 2)

So I have seen two movies that made use of the multiverse as a key element in the narrative, Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (Sam Raimi, 2022) and Everything Everywhere All At Once (Daniels, 2022). I enjoyed watching both movies and, like Yet to Come and Run BTS, each serve a purpose and intent of its own.

The allure of DSMM rests on the storyline of its lead character, Dr. Strange who, like any of the Marvel heroes after the rapture, is adjusting and easing into a "new" life. In this universe (the one we know), Dr. Strange is the hero who fought Thanos along side the Avengers. He is still haunted by his failed relationship with Christine and dreams about a battle in a different realm.

When America Chavez jumped into his universe, with a space octopus running after her, Dr. Strange deep dived into the struggle with himself. In the multiverse, he met a few versions of himself who have all succumbed to the darker side of sorcery and magic. The Dr. Strange of universe 616 is the best hero of his many versions not because he refused to use the linits of magic and dabble in the darkness of sorcery but because he used them to defeat the lesser good. 

And this is what I love about Marvel movies. It is unafraid to delve into the gray areas of life and galaxies big and small. It push its heroes to the ground making them dirty and pitiful. In the end, these imperfect heroes are all the more lovable, if not, easier to forgive. They are heroes who get to keep their humanity.

Even Scarlet Witch was for me, a character I empathize with. Grief is something we live with. Vizion's wise words still echo in this movie. Grief is love persevering, he said to Wanda in WandaVision. In DSMM, Wanda hangs on to the last palpable proof of her attachment with Vizion. 

It drove her to madness.

 Again, the movie begs its audience to think about desires; how atatchments can destroy the psyche; and that discernment is difficult because it requires indifference to what matters to us the most. When Dr. Strange told Christine, "I love you in all the multiverses" then went off to save an entire reality, it validates his mastery of light and the dark arts, also the knowledge of his own fallabilities.  

Source of image: https://pin.it/156j6Ps

Spotify Hit List: PRIDE Hits

 I stand by you, my lovelies! I stand by you!

Paulinian EDGE Finally Friday: Kuwentuhan Series with Zarah Gagatiga

Once more, I had the honor and pleasure to be one with Paulinian EDGE "barkada" on their Finally Friday show. We had a good discussion on storytelling and the writing process. I enjoyed talking about my books of course, and giving tips to aspiring writers.

Below is the recorded video of the show. 

You can also click the link to watch the video on Facebook.

Paulinian EDGE: Usapang Kuwentista

 Buhay Kuwentista ang pipiliin sa araw-araw! Maraming salamat, Paulinian EDGE!

Kuwentong Bangtan: Streammer Ahjumma

 

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Writing Life Roundup for June 2022

 And it's June.

What do you know. Half the year is over and soon, it will be the "Ber" months. I am on break from school, which means work is at a pause (yes, my day job) and usually, it is in the summer where I can write more, engage in my advocacies and get back to hobbies that are therapeutic like pottery, collage making and crafts like paper art and cloth art.

All things considered, I am concentraiting on a writing project I signed up for an international publisher. I will be sharing bits and pieces of this project with you, dear readers. For now, here is a list of some good things "yet to come".

1. My Daddy, My One Only, Dear Nanay and Big Sister are in the public libraries of Canada. Super thank you to Mommy Dinah Acedillo-Clemente for sharing a video of Yanyan reading aloud Big Sister. Her video gave me the push to continue on with the R&D of the my new book project. 

2. The STARS Series finally had its verdict from the Department of Education review and evaluation system. It looks like we will need a 180 degree rebranding of the series.

3. A textbook publisher is asking permission for the reprinting of My Daddy, My One and Only. 😁 I already gave them my go signal.

4. I am excited on the release of an anthology where I have a contribution of "letters". Last I heard, it will be launched in the summer. This summer. Damdum-dadum!

5. I accepted an invitation to judge a writing contest on Children's Story Writing. I get to read what young writers are writing about these days. I may be the judge for this competition but I learn from the stories or entries I read as well. 

Like any season, summer is so quick to pass. Like everything else in life, we live in the now and celebrate victories big and small!

Pandemic Poetry: Untitled 2

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Kuwentong Bangtan: Proof

The Bangtan Boys were scrappy in their younger years. But they were honest and sincere. So eager to prove their worth they resolved to be together and to have each other’s back. How they were able to turn challenges and personal struggles into their favor is magic only a Bang Sihyuk can muster.

A decade after, they all look so polished and confident.

Proof is a huge flex. ARMYs are right behind them when they say so.

Based on the content drops from Big Hit since last month, Proof is turning out what ARMY daughter and I have been discussing all along. A retrospective album of Bangtan’s wonder years as well as a hopeful glimpse to a future yet to come.

Big Hit is a master marketer. Telling stories; waxing nostalgia; bridging the past to the present; engaging fans of all ages in all platforms it can cover. Military enlistment is the elephant in the room but who is talking? The comeback album drops tomorrow and Bangtan will have a free live performance streamed on YT on June 13.

This is a very spoiled fandom. Who is complaining?

Pandemic Poetry: Untitled

 

The Lighthouse Diary #40: The Brilliance of Youth

With Dr. Reina Reyes at the Beacon Academy

We had our 10th Commencement Exercise last June 9, 2022. It was a hybrid set up, of course. Many of us, faculty and staff were present on-site attending the graduation rites. We were able to achieve this milestone with grit, resilience and teamwork. 

As in previous years, our invited guest speaker perfectly fits Aristea, the graduating batch's profile and characteristic. Aristea had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Reina Reyes. I first listened to her at the Rizal Library Conference in 2018 where she talked about big data. How numbers and symbols tell stories! How I wished I had a teacher like her growing up.

I was fortunate to whisk her away from the crowd right after the ceremonies. How was that even possible, I can no longer remember. But my heart was bursting with joy to have met her the second time around.

Fan girling over Dr. Reina Reyes. She who validated Einstein gave a very simple but deeply sincere commencement speech. It was smart, sweet and definitely not rocket science.

It was all about gratitude. One can always find it if and when the spirit is willing and open to receiving it.

July 19 is National Children's Book Day

When Books Have No Words

 

Pandemic Poetry: Bunga

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A Young Reader Reads Big Sister

 

Can you teach me how to make a book?

 Let's begin June with a question from a young reader, Ryannah. She loves books and from my observations, her taste and reading choices are varied and diverse!

😊 Start with a character. Do you have a character in mind?

Describe your character. What does he/she/it look like? What does your character love and hate? It’s a strong word, but we need to be real sometimes.

😕What is your character’s problem?

How did your character solve the problem? Did he/she/it get help from someone? If yes, how did your character get the help he/she/it needed?

😁Give your character an ending he/she/it deserves.

Lastly, who are you writing this story for? It’s OK to say that you are writing it for yourself. All authors begin that way.

You can draw pictures for your story if you wish. So, write. Right now! 

Read your story to someone who can give you honest feedback. Make it better and write it again so that you can create a book for your story.

That would be another adventure!

Have fun