Before going home this Christmas, my suitor (tehee!! ('0') and I agreed to meet before I went home for the Christmas break. Avatar is the movie that came to my mind. As I was already trying to nap for not to miss the good scenes of the movie on last full show when I remembered I promised a friend to attend her spaghetti party.Oh no! I almost forgot! So I was hesitant to pursue watching Avatar since dinner and videoke after was the plan.
It’s already the start of the holidays, parties here and there, friends did not arrive to the spag party. And since I’ll be going home the next day and surely my suitor will miss me (haha!), so I excused myself for the videoke session. Three friends already watched the movie during the day and they were raving bout it. Worth your time and money, they said. Hmmm…I really need to see it for myself then.
9:45PM. There was already a line in Cinema 3 in NCCC for AVATAR. Young and Young once. It’s a good sign. We got a good seat at the center and after sitting, two kids sat beside us. When the story started to unfold, I was in awe. I can relate to the struggle of the Na’vi, fighting for Pandora and the rich resources they have that the Earth people desperately needs. This is what I have been writing about ancestral domain struggle of indigenous peoples and I am watching it on the big screen!
The time is set on 2154 wherein Earthlings has already used up the resources and is now on the look-out for another sources. Pandora, a moon roughly the same size as Earth contains minerals worth $20 Million per kilo! That’s a lot of money so a corporation is set to conquer it at all costs!
At first they have tried “peaceful” means to ‘subjugate’ the Na’vi’s by ‘educating’ them, teaching them English (reminds me of American's benevolent assimilation..hhmm..). But they could not let them say yes for their project to extract the precious minerals. To do it, they found another brilliant military strategy. By the aid of science, they were able to clone and create mind-controlled avatars that resembles the Na’vi’s in every way.
Here comes Jake Sully (played by Sam Worthington), a paralyzed ex-Marine who tried to fill his brothers’ shoes and wanted to make his own mark; took his brother’s avatar and was encouraged by Col. Miles Quaritch to study the ways of the “savages” and help them to gather information to make a direct and ‘easy’ strategy of extracting the minerals.
Sam Worthington as Jake Sully
In the end, after taking all the necessary lessons to learn the Navi’s ways, Jake learned they are not ‘savages” at all. He fell in love with Neytiri (the daughter of the Navi’s head chief) and was in dilemma to pursue his promise to Col. Quatrich (and Quatrich's promise of new legs for him) and for the Earth people or to fight for The People of Pandora. He was already accepted to the tribe and he's in quandary. Is destroying Pandora will be worth for the new legs? Can he betray The People? The information he gave was used. He betrayed the Na' vis. He regretted it and to repay their good deeds, he led the Navi armies during Col. Quatrich's attack. He even hunt the great dragon and led other Na 'vi hunters for the war.
Good thing, Jake is being supported by other good-natured scientists and pilot (played by Michelle Rodriguez, a Fil-Am actress).
Jake and Neytiri
The minerals is located at the heart of Pandora, under the oldest and ‘Tree of Souls’ that is the source of life of all life forms in the forest. Dr. Grace Agustine, the head researcher and writer of a book about the Na’vis understood the interrelationships of lifeforms in Pandora and tried to stop Parker Selfriedge (Giovanni Ribisi), the corporate guy from destroying the forest. But greed and profit is strong. Military were deployed and attacked the area. But the Na’ vi’s never stop fighting. The Na Vi’s organized the other tribes and fought hard. So many lives were lost. But through The People, The Na’Vi’s strong resistance and unity of tribes and even animals to be affected by the destruction, they won.
Despite the three-hour rolling, there are no boring scenes. The filming of the movie itself was delayed since James Cameron, the director waited for the technology to be perfected. He wanted to use a photo-realistic computer-generated characters by using motion-capture animation technology. The film also used the newly developed stereoscopic camera. And the output is really excellent. The illuminating tree where Eywa (the Na’Vi goddess) and the ancestors reside is spellbinding. It showed a more enhanced cinematography.
The movie has an overt message against extractive industries that caused global climate change. Jame Cameron is an environmentalist and he said in an interview that “industrialist society’ has destroyed societies faster than we are able to identify species. He also referred to the war that United States had waged to Iraq, Vietnam and its colonial period to emphasize the fact that humans have a "terrible history" of "entitlement" in which we "take what we need" from nature and indigenous peoples "and don't give back." (Yahoo Movies interview)
The movie is also a reflection of the struggle of the indigenous peoples and rural communities in the hinterlands of Mindanao. Mining and other ‘development projects” is lnked with militarization and human rights violations; pitting lumads against lumads. The movie also showed the military and corporations cooperation to pursue the destruction. In our case here in Mindanao, this current administration is guilty of using the military in “protecting the interests of the investors”- Oplan Bantay Laya, Investment Defense Force, EastMinCom-AFP, 10th Infantry Division-AFP, and Task Force Gantangan.
I’m thankful for James Cameron- for the visual treat and for mainstreaming social issues like global climate change, human rights violations and indigenous peoples issues on land and mineral resources ownership.
AVATAR is an activist’s dream movie. I strongly recommend it for kids and the kids at heart.
It’s already the start of the holidays, parties here and there, friends did not arrive to the spag party. And since I’ll be going home the next day and surely my suitor will miss me (haha!), so I excused myself for the videoke session. Three friends already watched the movie during the day and they were raving bout it. Worth your time and money, they said. Hmmm…I really need to see it for myself then.
9:45PM. There was already a line in Cinema 3 in NCCC for AVATAR. Young and Young once. It’s a good sign. We got a good seat at the center and after sitting, two kids sat beside us. When the story started to unfold, I was in awe. I can relate to the struggle of the Na’vi, fighting for Pandora and the rich resources they have that the Earth people desperately needs. This is what I have been writing about ancestral domain struggle of indigenous peoples and I am watching it on the big screen!
The time is set on 2154 wherein Earthlings has already used up the resources and is now on the look-out for another sources. Pandora, a moon roughly the same size as Earth contains minerals worth $20 Million per kilo! That’s a lot of money so a corporation is set to conquer it at all costs!
At first they have tried “peaceful” means to ‘subjugate’ the Na’vi’s by ‘educating’ them, teaching them English (reminds me of American's benevolent assimilation..hhmm..). But they could not let them say yes for their project to extract the precious minerals. To do it, they found another brilliant military strategy. By the aid of science, they were able to clone and create mind-controlled avatars that resembles the Na’vi’s in every way.
Here comes Jake Sully (played by Sam Worthington), a paralyzed ex-Marine who tried to fill his brothers’ shoes and wanted to make his own mark; took his brother’s avatar and was encouraged by Col. Miles Quaritch to study the ways of the “savages” and help them to gather information to make a direct and ‘easy’ strategy of extracting the minerals.
Sam Worthington as Jake Sully
In the end, after taking all the necessary lessons to learn the Navi’s ways, Jake learned they are not ‘savages” at all. He fell in love with Neytiri (the daughter of the Navi’s head chief) and was in dilemma to pursue his promise to Col. Quatrich (and Quatrich's promise of new legs for him) and for the Earth people or to fight for The People of Pandora. He was already accepted to the tribe and he's in quandary. Is destroying Pandora will be worth for the new legs? Can he betray The People? The information he gave was used. He betrayed the Na' vis. He regretted it and to repay their good deeds, he led the Navi armies during Col. Quatrich's attack. He even hunt the great dragon and led other Na 'vi hunters for the war.
Good thing, Jake is being supported by other good-natured scientists and pilot (played by Michelle Rodriguez, a Fil-Am actress).
Jake and Neytiri
The minerals is located at the heart of Pandora, under the oldest and ‘Tree of Souls’ that is the source of life of all life forms in the forest. Dr. Grace Agustine, the head researcher and writer of a book about the Na’vis understood the interrelationships of lifeforms in Pandora and tried to stop Parker Selfriedge (Giovanni Ribisi), the corporate guy from destroying the forest. But greed and profit is strong. Military were deployed and attacked the area. But the Na’ vi’s never stop fighting. The Na Vi’s organized the other tribes and fought hard. So many lives were lost. But through The People, The Na’Vi’s strong resistance and unity of tribes and even animals to be affected by the destruction, they won.
Despite the three-hour rolling, there are no boring scenes. The filming of the movie itself was delayed since James Cameron, the director waited for the technology to be perfected. He wanted to use a photo-realistic computer-generated characters by using motion-capture animation technology. The film also used the newly developed stereoscopic camera. And the output is really excellent. The illuminating tree where Eywa (the Na’Vi goddess) and the ancestors reside is spellbinding. It showed a more enhanced cinematography.
"It's this form of pure creation where if you want to move a tree or a mountain or the sky or change the time of day, you have complete control over the elements."
—James Cameron on virtual filmmaking
The movie has an overt message against extractive industries that caused global climate change. Jame Cameron is an environmentalist and he said in an interview that “industrialist society’ has destroyed societies faster than we are able to identify species. He also referred to the war that United States had waged to Iraq, Vietnam and its colonial period to emphasize the fact that humans have a "terrible history" of "entitlement" in which we "take what we need" from nature and indigenous peoples "and don't give back." (Yahoo Movies interview)
The movie is also a reflection of the struggle of the indigenous peoples and rural communities in the hinterlands of Mindanao. Mining and other ‘development projects” is lnked with militarization and human rights violations; pitting lumads against lumads. The movie also showed the military and corporations cooperation to pursue the destruction. In our case here in Mindanao, this current administration is guilty of using the military in “protecting the interests of the investors”- Oplan Bantay Laya, Investment Defense Force, EastMinCom-AFP, 10th Infantry Division-AFP, and Task Force Gantangan.
I’m thankful for James Cameron- for the visual treat and for mainstreaming social issues like global climate change, human rights violations and indigenous peoples issues on land and mineral resources ownership.
AVATAR is an activist’s dream movie. I strongly recommend it for kids and the kids at heart.
It's Christmas season again.
A time to rejuvenate, to spend time with our loved ones and to celebrate the birth of Christ, our redeemer.
And I'm back in my hometown, together with my sister, my aunts and cousins. Enjoying the holidays and babysitting in between! ('0')
I hope you have a wonderful time also with your family. Don't overeat to avoid the bulges. A blessed 2010 for all of us.
See you next year friends!
A time to rejuvenate, to spend time with our loved ones and to celebrate the birth of Christ, our redeemer.
And I'm back in my hometown, together with my sister, my aunts and cousins. Enjoying the holidays and babysitting in between! ('0')
I hope you have a wonderful time also with your family. Don't overeat to avoid the bulges. A blessed 2010 for all of us.
See you next year friends!
Martial Law has been declared in Maguindanao!
We still vividly remembered Proclamation 1021 on September 21, 1972. It's etched on my memory (thanks to my History quizzes) and I assume, to every Filipino who lived through the cruelty and abuse of military power.
The Big Mole in the Universe decided to declare Proclamation No. 1959 putting the Province of Maguindanao in well, martial law. It means suspension of writ of habeaus corpus, meaning anyone can be arrested.
It says that " WHEREAS, R.A. No. 6986 provides that "the crime of rebellion or insurrection is committed by rising publicly and taking arms against the Government for the purpose of xxx depriving the Chief Executive or the Legislature, wholly or partially, of any of their powers or prerogatives.”
The reason is rebellion in the province. And according to the said proclamation, rebellion is defined in RA 6986. The last time we've checked, RA 6986 is entitled "AN ACT ESTABLISHING A HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY DULOP, MUNICIPALITY OF DUMINGAG, PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR, TO BE KNOWN AS THE DULOP HIGH SCHOOL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE"! (thanks to Dean Leonen's very keen eyes).
That's how lousy this government gets.
And to define the 57 massacre as rebellion is Katangahan! Common sense would tell us, rebellion is overthrowing a government, a coup 'd etat. In Article 134 of the Revised penal code,
The Ampatuans were the government, the reigning kings in their little kingdom and abused their prerogatives as representatives of the people. It is the State's weak police powers and the inefficacy of the government who wishes to cover its crimes. By Martial Law after all, is secrecy rather than transparency on investigation of the Ampatuan Massacre. See full text of the Big Mole in the Universe's report on PD 1959.
The Ampatuan Massacre should NEVER be used as a precedent for a national Martial Law. This is a condition setting of sorts. Remember what Fidel Ramos and Enrile had to do in order for Mackoy to be able to legitimize and declare PD 1971? The 'rebellion' was a staged act.A performance.
Now, welcome to 2009! This current administration under the Big Mole in this Universe likes to take a repeat performance perhaps, to cling more in power. To cover 'legally' its direct relation to the Ampatuans that it coddled and now became a monster.
Dean Marvic Leonen asked these questions:
what can a declaration of martial law add to solve the situation based on the alleged factual bases in the report? who are these unverified sources? will martial law provide the environment to investigate how a political clan acquired Department of National Defense and Armed Forces of the Philippines ammunition? what is the voting population of Maguindanao? Had the searches been without a warrant in private property assuring that they are inadmissible in evidence?
We should never let ourselves be deceived by this. Let me also share Dean MArvic Leonen's statement of Proclamation of Martial Law in Maguindanao
Big Mole in the Universe and your Cohorts, NEVER AGAIN!
We still vividly remembered Proclamation 1021 on September 21, 1972. It's etched on my memory (thanks to my History quizzes) and I assume, to every Filipino who lived through the cruelty and abuse of military power.
The Big Mole in the Universe decided to declare Proclamation No. 1959 putting the Province of Maguindanao in well, martial law. It means suspension of writ of habeaus corpus, meaning anyone can be arrested.
It says that " WHEREAS, R.A. No. 6986 provides that "the crime of rebellion or insurrection is committed by rising publicly and taking arms against the Government for the purpose of xxx depriving the Chief Executive or the Legislature, wholly or partially, of any of their powers or prerogatives.”
The reason is rebellion in the province. And according to the said proclamation, rebellion is defined in RA 6986. The last time we've checked, RA 6986 is entitled "AN ACT ESTABLISHING A HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY DULOP, MUNICIPALITY OF DUMINGAG, PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR, TO BE KNOWN AS THE DULOP HIGH SCHOOL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE"! (thanks to Dean Leonen's very keen eyes).
That's how lousy this government gets.
And to define the 57 massacre as rebellion is Katangahan! Common sense would tell us, rebellion is overthrowing a government, a coup 'd etat. In Article 134 of the Revised penal code,
"The crime of rebellion or insurrection is committed by rising publicly and taking arms against the Government for the purpose of removing from the allegiance to said Government or its laws, the territory of the Republic of the Philippines or nay part thereof, of any body of land, naval, or other armed forces, or depriving the chief executive or the legislature, wholly or partially, of any of their powers or prerogatives."
The Ampatuans were the government, the reigning kings in their little kingdom and abused their prerogatives as representatives of the people. It is the State's weak police powers and the inefficacy of the government who wishes to cover its crimes. By Martial Law after all, is secrecy rather than transparency on investigation of the Ampatuan Massacre. See full text of the Big Mole in the Universe's report on PD 1959.
The Ampatuan Massacre should NEVER be used as a precedent for a national Martial Law. This is a condition setting of sorts. Remember what Fidel Ramos and Enrile had to do in order for Mackoy to be able to legitimize and declare PD 1971? The 'rebellion' was a staged act.A performance.
Now, welcome to 2009! This current administration under the Big Mole in this Universe likes to take a repeat performance perhaps, to cling more in power. To cover 'legally' its direct relation to the Ampatuans that it coddled and now became a monster.
Dean Marvic Leonen asked these questions:
what can a declaration of martial law add to solve the situation based on the alleged factual bases in the report? who are these unverified sources? will martial law provide the environment to investigate how a political clan acquired Department of National Defense and Armed Forces of the Philippines ammunition? what is the voting population of Maguindanao? Had the searches been without a warrant in private property assuring that they are inadmissible in evidence?
We should never let ourselves be deceived by this. Let me also share Dean MArvic Leonen's statement of Proclamation of Martial Law in Maguindanao
Martial Law is Not a Substitute for Competent Police Work:
Statement on the Reported Proclamation of Martial Law in Maguindanao
Marvic M.V.F. Leonen
Dean and Professor of Law
University of the Philippines
The heinous massacre of civilians in Ampatuan, Maguindanao deserves competence of the highest order in the gathering, preserving and evaluation of evidence as well as in the subsequent arrest and prosecution of its perpetrators. It should also be the platform for a sober approach that will comprehensively address the issue of private armies of misguided politicians. Any meaningful solution should be led by civilians preferably those who can remain independent of influence from national public officials who have openly declared partisan interests in the upcoming election.
The reported declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao should be assessed in this light as well as in terms of its compliance with the very stringent requirements contained in the 1987 Constitution.
The President should also observe an extraordinary level of transparency and accountability with this declaration. She must clearly demonstrate why martial law needs to be declared. The proclamation of Martial Law can be used as a means to gain unfair advantage in the upcoming elections or as an excuse to declare a failure of elections contrary to the people’s will. The need for transparency and accountability is even more urgent given the unnecessary proclamation from the spokespersons of the Office of the President that the incumbent has remained “friends” with those widely suspected of having committed the atrocities in Mindanao. The need for transparency and accountability is also necessary in the light of the role of the suspected perpetrators in the controversies surrounding the 2004 elections.
Under the 1987 Constitution, martial law can only be declared in cases of invasion or rebellion and only when public safety demands it. Rebellion requires that there is at least a taking up of arms publicly directed against an existing government. Martial law cannot be declared because the state has failed to prevent massive human rights violations by leaders that the national government itself has nurtured. Martial law cannot be proclaimed to cover up the lack of professional competence in the gathering, preservation, evaluation of evidence and in the arrest and detention of the perpetrators. Martial law is also not the proper legal response to the issuance of a writ of amparo in favor of the Ampatuan family.
A report on how the proclamation was executed must be made within 48 hours of its proclamation to both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress must convene within 24 hours after it is proclaimed. Any proclamation of martial law by the President can only have a maximum effectivity of 60 days. This can be revoked (or extended) by Congress. Any revocation by Congress cannot be overturned by the President. In case martial law has been proclaimed, the electoral ambitions of all members of the House of Representatives and the Senate should be put aside so that they can observe their obligations required in the Constitution.
The proclamation of martial law does not supplant the civilian bureaucracy. It does not supplant the operation of the Constitution including its provisions for the protection of individual and collective rights. It does not supplant the operations of local government nor the fact that local governance is subject to existing law. Martial law does not automatically suspend the writ of habeas corpus or justify illegal arrests and detention. In other words, it is not authority for the Commander in Chief or the military to replace civilian government. Certainly, the public should be encouraged to engage the courts should there be any violation of any provision of law or the constitution.
Abuse of executive privilege will only tarnish the memories of those who have been martyred by the violent excesses of misguided public officials. I call for vigilance for competent, transparent, accountable government as well as for the protection of human rights of peoples in Mindanao.
Quezon City, December 5, 2009
Provisions in Article VII of the 1987 Constitution
“Sec. 18. The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion. In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding sixty days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law. Within forty-eight hours from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of writ of habeas corpus, the President shall submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress. The Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its Members in regular or special session, may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which revocation shall not be set aside by the President. Upon the initiative of the President, the Congress may, in the same manner, extend such proclamation or suspension for a period to be determined by the Congress, if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety requires it.
“The Congress, if not in session, shall, within twenty-four hours following such proclamation or suspension, convene in accordance with its rules without any need of a call.
“The Supreme Court may review, in an appropriate proceeding filed by any citizen, the sufficiency of the factual basis of the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or the extension thereof, and must promulgate its decision thereon within thirty days from its filing.
“A state of martial law does not suspend the operation of the Constitution, nor supplant the functioning of the civil courts or the legislative assemblies, nor authorize the conferment of jurisdiction on military courts and agencies over civilians where civil courts are able to function, nor automatically suspend the privilege of the writ.
“The suspension of the privilege of the writ shall apply only to persons judicially charged for rebellion or offenses inherent in or directly connected with the invasion.
“During the suspension of the privilege of the writ, any person thus arrested or detained shall be judicially charged within three days, otherwise he shall be released.”
Big Mole in the Universe and your Cohorts, NEVER AGAIN!
I have made the wrong decisions last year that continued until this year. It was never a good start. As this year is about to end, I realized I have to make a major decision to correct what was wrong.
I said it was wrong since it had caused pain to someone (unintentionally, indirectly) I did not even personally know. I also started to expect, to make demands when everything is still in a blur. And it did hurt me. I was happy, but there were thoughts that keeps nagging me. Happiness is not real if there is pretensions. That's why I decided to end it.
It was hard. I cried. But after a week, I slowly gain confidence and self- respect. I was able to reconnect with that person I did not personally know but somehow know she and I could have been better friends. Slowly, thanks to Facebook. We were able to laugh with our lunacy.
To someone, the friendship remained but in another dimension. In a clean slate.
My mind and heart is at peace. ♥
I said it was wrong since it had caused pain to someone (unintentionally, indirectly) I did not even personally know. I also started to expect, to make demands when everything is still in a blur. And it did hurt me. I was happy, but there were thoughts that keeps nagging me. Happiness is not real if there is pretensions. That's why I decided to end it.
It was hard. I cried. But after a week, I slowly gain confidence and self- respect. I was able to reconnect with that person I did not personally know but somehow know she and I could have been better friends. Slowly, thanks to Facebook. We were able to laugh with our lunacy.
To someone, the friendship remained but in another dimension. In a clean slate.
My mind and heart is at peace. ♥
