Goodbye, 2010!

I think I've had enough of lechon this season but tomorrow, we will still have lechon for our New Year family gettogether. I think I will just concentrate on my uncle's famous kaldereta.

I was thinking that I was able to eat practically all the food I love except kare-kare. Then, suddenly, last night, a family friend gave us kare-kare! She also sent us rellenong manok (stuffed chicken). It was still warm and oh how delicious!

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So, it's the last day of the year. I had only two new year's resolutions if I remember right:

1) To be as loving as I can
2) To do the will of God

I tried to do these two as much as I can but I failed sometimes. Sorry, Lord.

It has been a good year altogether, not great, but good.

...I had a number of marketing research projects which brought some money in. Not enough but still something to give to my mom for expenses.

...I had a relapse of my multiple myeloma but only by 1%.

...I finished reading the Bible.

...I completed a script for a short movie.

...I rekindled friendships.

...I became closer to my mom and son.

...I wrote a book.

...I drew nearer to the Lord.

...I discovered Scrabble in FB.

...I gained friends in FB.

...I watched only one movie outside (with my son) but was able to view several movies at home.

...I think I have improved my writing style.

I grew a year older, hopefully wiser...but always, corny.

Goodbye, 2010! Welcome, 2011!

Funny Movie Last Night, Good Deed Today

I had the good fortune of watching a funny movie last night, entitled "Major Movie Star", starring Jessica Simpson. She plays Megan Valentine, a movie star specializing in comedy who nobody takes seriously, not even her boyfriend (who turns out to be gay and sleeping with her manager). Her uncle spends all her money so she's broke.

So, she decides to join the US Army. But being used to being pampered, she brings her group to all sort of extra trouble. Her training officer hates her and so does most of the other recruits. Megan wants out but she has already signed a contract with the government.

As the movie progresses, Megan gets close to a few other girls. Just when things get cozy, Megan's agent comes to the "rescue", upon discovering that Megan was not given a physical and aptitude exam before signing the contract. She leaves, leaving her new friends bitter.

Megan, now grown up, decides to finish what she started. She does return and finishes with amazing flourish.

And oh, there's a romantic angle with a male training officer. He's cute.

I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Praise God for free good movies on television.
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Today, my mom's "masahista" (masseuse) came. She was saying that her children were begging her for macaroni salad and fruit salad. So, mom and I gave her several ingredients for both salads, plus spaghetti. There was mayonnaise, elbow macaroni, cheese, pickles, pineapple chunks/tidbits, raisins, fruit cocktail, all-purpose cream, condensed milk, spaghetti sauce, and spaghetti pasta. I'm sure her family will be very happy!

It feels good doing a good deed.

Done!

Don't you feel good inside when you have completed something you haven't done for a long time?

Well, yesterday, I finished my screenplay, "Lotto Ticket". It's the trilogy I've been blogging about. Hope my director-friend likes it.

Now, I am inspired to continue my "Mundo ni Minda" script.

Other ideas brewing in my mind are...

..."Inutil" - three abused boys grow up painfully remembering how their parents maltreated them. They are almost destined to failure. Until one of them, the most pathetic, decided to get away from his past and go for success and happiness in life. Of course, not without the encouragement of significant persons.

..."Mag-Ina" - a dramatic comedy of a 80 year old mother and her 50 year old daughter who is sick with a debilitating illness. Thus, instead of the daughter taking care of the mom, the reverse is true. But she makes up for it by making her mom laugh, smile, and help in any way she can.

..."Sinong Dakila?" - about OFWs in different parts of the world and their pains, sorrows as well as the joys and successes that come their way. There is also their family here in the country and their loneliness and sacrifices.

What do you think?
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I'm already in the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians. After that, some short letters then finally, Revelation! Looks like I will be able to meet my Bible-reading deadline, after all. Hurrah!

Scriptwriting

It has been a while since I last wrote a script. The last one was when I joined the Palanca contest for stageplays. I lost. Sniff.

Now, I am writing my lotto trilogy. I was inspired yesterday, I was able to write two out of the three stories in the movie. Problem is, production wise, the movie might be costly because there is a lot of characters in it. Oh well, I will leave that to the director and producer. But as a writer, I try to minimize the cost as much as I can without affecting the impact of the movie.

Money came in today. It went straight to my mom. She was happy that she didn't have to go to the bank to withdraw cash.

My aunt visited us for lunch. We had prawns and lechon. And various desserts. I wasn't hungry and just ate one piece and some honeydew.

An old friend of theirs emailed me and he had a message for my mom and my aunt. They both read the letter and responded to it. I was their secretary.

I was able to contact a good friend of mom through FB. Another great reason for keeping an FB account!

Movies...They Make My Day

Recently, I was able to watch movies (or parts of).

One was "In My Life", starring Vilma Santos, Luis Manzano and John Lloyd Cruz. Ate Vi was spectacular. John Lloyd also performed very well. Luis could do better.

Then, part of "Anastasia", the animated version with Meg Ryan and John Cussack as voice talents. I've always loved Disney films, to this day.

I re-watched "Die Hard" starring Bruce Willis. It's action-packed with enough humor and tender moments.

Today, I viewed part of "Magkaibigan" led by Christopher de Leon and Jinggoy Estrada. The script was excellent, written by Jose Javier Reyes. (I am now inspired to write my script). The movie was a tribute to Rudy "Daboy" Fernandez, who died of cancer.

Which leads me to recall what my doctor said without looking at me. She was looking at my mom. "There is no cure for myeloma".

So, I am a dying person. But Lord knows how many days, months or years I have left. I wonder, what else does God want me to do? As of now, I feel worthless because I am barely earning enough to pay for my medicines. I do enjoy my job but my medical expenses are really so high!

By being on the receiving end, is the Lord teaching me humility? Is He touching people's hearts to reach out to me?

Maybe, before I go, there is some other mission that God wants me to fulfill. Write more books and scripts, perhaps?

Lord, please use me. I am Your willing servant.

Sick on Christmas Eve and Day

I'm sick with colds, cough, and fever.

So ironically, I wasn't able to attend our family Christmas get-together. Too bad!

I didn't want to spread my germs to my nieces and nephews.

Oh well, there is New Year's celebration.

Still Another Party

Last night, I attended yet another party. I didn't have a ride but was very lucky because the guard called a cab for me, and later when going home, I found a cab right away. (The guy I was supposed to hitch with did not join the party. He just came to give his gift to the CEO.)

The theme was Hawaiian. So many wore leis and grass skirts and Hawaiian shirts.

But since the venue was Kowloon, the food was typical Chinese - Nido soup, sweet and sour pork, fried rice, fried chicken, lumpiang shanghai, pancit canton, and buchi.

They made me one of the five judges. There were about 8 groups which performed. Four of which were very good.

There were raffle prizes and give-aways. I received a calendar, notepad, and a towel.

I ordered monggong siopao for mom, two pairs. Her favorite.

I was home before 12 midnight.

What fun!