Ramblings of an overworked freak

All work and no blog makes a freak dumb.

 

The birth of an empire

It's my latest  addiction.

I just recently set up a marketing and design company, and the operations involved in the process of giving birth to an empire has been occupying most of my free times these days. Well, who wouldn't be addicted to doing a job where you can do the things you are really passionate of everyday?

Everything is running smoothly for now, and I'm glad it is. Otherwise, I don't think I can still handle reporting to work and finishing my masters at the same time. (Yes, it may seem like I'm torturing myself, and sometimes, yes, I do.)

I'm just glad that for now everything is running harmoniously. That's why I'm surviving. Thank god.

Anyway, get to know more about Torrecampo Communications by visiting its humble site.

Here's the URL: www.torrecampocommunications.com

posted by: kookiefreak at 14:26 | link | comments (1) |
torrecampo communications

My mid-year in retrospect

I almost forgot I had a blog. But now that idle times are here again, I decided to update you, my imaginary reader, on the hip happenings in my life.

I promise to keep you entertained. Harharhar.

Two brats in some loser's sorry shell
The year kicked off with yet another sterling event: the Lasallian Schools Press Conference. Everything went fine. The organizers (us!) are great (talk about tooting your own horn), venue: swanky, speakers: awesome,  food: yummy,  etc.

The only problems are these two advisers from other schools (I won't name them).

Adviser 1 was under the weather that time (this I can understand), but the bitch in her (this I definitely can't take) got me irked for three freaking days. You see, this adult sicko requested that her food be delivered to her hotel room because she was sick. I told her I'll try to arrange things for her. A few minutes after, she texted that she'd just be the one to request that her food be sent up to her room. So I went on doing more important tasks that day.

That night she sent me a message that read like this: the worst place to be when you're sick pala is at (name of the institution), you're not feeling well na nga, no food pa...

I angrily responded: What!? (the fuck!--deleted portion. hehehe)

She said sorry after a while, apparently realizing that she was barking at the wrong tree and that she reacted wrongly. In the first place, she wasn't that sick to act like a paralyzed imbecile.

My head-splitting day didn't end there.

The following day, another adviser went to me complaining that the free room we gave them was not as comfy as the paid rooms. I said "What? (expletives muted)  Those are the only  rooms we can provide for those who can not afford to pay the full amount. If they want to transfer to the hotel, they have to pay."

You see, because we wanted more students to learn from the lectures, we searched hard for a place where we can accommodate less privileged students. I even told this adviser that the room will not have an air conditioner unliek the hotel rooms that come with a steep fee.

Her remark really got me steaming mad. These people just can't appreciate a good deed. 

Oh well, good thing  the event was a success. Good thing for them...

And for some fun...
I and some student-journalists went hiking to the scenic Banawe, Sagada and Baguio for a summer to remember.

While shivering most of the times, I got to enjoy the company of this crazy bunch sans the deadline and pressure that our everyday office life bring.

It was also a test of who's toughest, and I (ehem), despite the seniority (hehehe),  emerged as one of the proud survivors. Yabang!

And then the food! Food bingeing was one of the best parts of the trek. After a day's worth of trudging, a fresh veggie meal really energized my body.

I just wish we can have treks like this more often. 'Til the next journey, compadres.

New terrors
I have a new boss, and I don't know why this bully got the work in the first place. I'll tell more about Bully when I resign. Hehehe
 
 

posted by: kookiefreak at 13:23 | link | comments |

When reel and real combine

By Randy C. Torrecampo

  

When Bakekang, a tragic komiks tale about an ambitious but hideous-looking woman, first appeared on the pages of Movie Special Bondying Komiks Entertainment Magazine in newsstands in 1976, it instantly became a hit. From 40,000, the entertainment magazine’s readership quickly rose to 180,000.

Such was the impact of the introduction of a complex female central character on the everyday komiks plate dominated by male protagonists.

The komiks novel’s overwhelming popularity and the ensuing success of its movie version is attributed to the compelling story of a heroine who did not have the requisite good looks of a conventional protagonist.

But for avid komiks readers during that period, the struggles of the ugly Jacoba Magbanua (a.k.a. Bakekang) who dreamt and got what she wanted in life simply thrilled them no end. Bakekang earned the empathy of komiks readers and movie viewers because of her strong personality and unconventional tale.

Apparently, Komiks King Carlo J. Caparas and his fertile imagination scored another triumph from this one-of-a-kind character. Caparas amy have created Bakekang, but some think it is the other way around: Bakekang made Caparas.

Credit is also given to Don Ramon Roces, owner of Atlas Publications and the godfather of Filipino Komiks, for commissioning Caparas to create a character that will address the sensibilities of the ever-growing number of women into reading komiks.

“Back in 1976, inutusan ako ni Don Ramon na gumawa ng female-oriented character, ‘yung susundan ng mga housewife,” Caparas said. “Sa survey kasi noon nalaman nilang maraming babaeng nagbabasa ng komiks. Tutal captured na namin ang male crowd, niligawan naman namin ang female crowd. Gusto nila kasing palakasin ang Bondying na noon ay nasa 40,000 lang ang circulation.”

Caparas thought of an ugly woman who would be loved and hated at the same time because of her dream of becoming somebody, no matter the price.

“Gusto ni Don Ramon ng isang depressing pero fighter na female character kaya nagawa ko si Bakekang,” Caparas shared. “Tragic ang mga nangyayari sa paligid niya: ipinaglihi siya sa unggoy, naging maid siya, tapos nawala pa ang kaniyang anak—hindi niya kasalanan lahat ‘yun. Biktima lang siya ng mga circumstances sa kaniyang buhay.”

Bakekang is the story of an ugly woman who gives birth to a very beautiful girl named Kristal from an American GI by deceptive means.

“Dahil maganda si Kristal, na-discover siya at naging child wonder,” Caparas said. “Lahat ng frustrations ni Bakekang sa buhay, nagkaroon ng katuparan kay Kristal. Naramdaman ni Bakekang na importanteng-importante siya sa mundo tuwing nakikipag-deal siya para sa anak.”

Her daughter eventually becomes very sick because she is overworked. Bakekang then becomes too obsessed with material wealth that some angels decide to take Kristal away from her. Thinking that Kristal is gone forever, Bakekang roams the street carrying a blonde-haired doll she calls Kristal. 

“Pero si Kristal buhay talaga,” Caparas clarified. “Kinuha lang siya ng mga anghel para ilayo kay Bakekang. Hindi mo naman papatayin ang bata kasi wala naman siyang kasalanan. Sa mga istorya ko kasi dapat may justification.”

Because of its overwhelming success, Don Ramon requested Caparas to create a Bakekang komiks sequel entitled Kristal. 

In 1978, HPS Film Productions, Inc. made a movie version of the hit komiks series Bakekang, with the superstar Nora Aunor in the title role.

Other cast members include Perla Bautista, Renato Robles, Subas Herrero, Ruben Tison, Belen Velasco, Ely Roque, and Roma Roces. The movie version is directed by F.H. Constantino (sometimes credited as Fely Constantino) and written by Ramon R. Marcelino.

It introduced Kristal, who was picked among the many who auditioned for the much-coveted role. Al Hudson and Lloyd Burgett played the role of the American GIs.

In the movie version, however, Kristal died. “Para mas magka-impact, pinatay si Kristal,” Caparas shared. “Mas ginawa nilang tragic kasi mas binibili ang tragic stories.”

“Nilagyan din ng dream sequence ‘yung movie version kung saan dumating si Pip, kasi sikat na sakit noon sina Guy and Pip,” he added. “Sa scene na ‘yun, hindi na mukhang unggoy si Bakekang, si Nora Aunor na talaga siya doon.”

Meanwhile, in the TV version that GMA 7 will produce, Bakekang will have not one, but two very beautiful twin girls from a foreigner. Unlike the previous versions, Bakekang’s children will be in their teenage years for the teleserye’s whole run.

Sunshine Dizon will essay the role of Bakekang in the TV version. Lovi Poe is Kristal and Yasmien Kurdi is Charming, both Bakekang’s daughters. Nadine Samonte is Lorraine, Kristal’s rival to fame.

Her daughters will have several leading men, among them Cogie Domingo, Marky Cielo, Dion Ignacio, and Tyron Perez.

Bakekang will also have two leading men: the characters that will be played by Raymart Santiago and Jay Manalo.

There will be four villains, namely Sheryl Cruz as Valeria, and the characters that will be played by Julia Clarete, Iwa Moto, and Gladys Reyes.

Bakekang and Valeria will also fight over the affection of Jay Manalo’s character.

Unlike the komiks version, the TV version will be more wholesome, according to GMA 7.

Bakekang will be directed by Gil Tejada and Khryss Adalia and written by RJ Nuevas and Suzette Doctolero. Caparas will act as creative consultant.

 

The determination of the creator and the character

There is an unmistakable connection between Caparas and his supercharacter Bakekang.

Bakekang used her daughter Kristal to realize her almost wicked frustrations. With her beautiful daughter, Bakekang tried to redeem herself from a world that has been very cruel to her.

Caparas, on the other hand, used his talent to achieve his dreams. With his talent, Caparas breathed life to some of the most memorable komiks characters such as Panday, Totoy Bato, Maestro, Kamandag, Tuklaw, Andres de Saya, Harimanok, Mong, Juan Tornado, Da Hero, Daang Hari, and many more.

Just like Bakekang, Caparas started out dirt poor. He belonged to a poor family with nine children.

“Eleven years old ako nang natigil ako sa pag-aaral at naging utusan ako ng mga farmers sa Valle Verde,” he recalled. “Tuwing magkukuwentuhan sila tungkol sa mga kapre at tikbalang, makikinig lang ako. Doon nagsimulang lumawak ang imahinasyon ko.”

Both Bakekang and Caparas tried their hands in odd jobs. Caparas took on odd jobs: water carrier, boatman ferrying passengers on the Marikina River, construction worker, and factory worker.

He worked as a security guard at the publishing house Carmelo and Bauermann in Makati City, and it was there where he got his education by reading the books that the company printed.

One time, during a violent strike at the publishing house, Caparas got hit with a stray bullet in his heel. With no money for proper medical care, Caparas endured the hardships of an indigent patient at the Philippine General Hospital.

He could not walk for a time and that’s when he wrote his first komiks novel, Citadel. Caparas sold his first novel to Superstar, a komiks published by the Roces Publications. 

From then on, there was no stopping Caparas from creating heroes and crafting stories that eventually took him away from the squalor of poverty.

In about 800 komiks novels, of which 200 were made into movies, Caparas explored the darkest and brightest moments of the Filipino soul. He celebrated the triumphs of the man on the street, his disappointments and his frustrations.

Both victims of life’s harshness, Bakekang and Caparas fought hard to endure the hardships that life throws their way. Sadly, Bakekang’s life ended in a tragic way. Although in some aspects, Bakekang the komiks novel, may be considered a smashing success.

Caparas, meanwhile, is now considered the Komiks King. In the ‘90s, he ventured into the world of massacre films and succeeded immensely.

Several years later, Caparas now lives the high life in posh Alabang and drives a Porsche. Today, he supports the schooling of thousands of children in Pasig and is looking forward to having his novels translated into English.

The National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) recently gave him the Gawad ng Komisyon sa Wika for championing the Filipino language through his numerous komiks novels. He was the first person outside the academe to receive such a distinction. The recognition is traditionally given to literary figures like Nick Joaquin and F. Sionil Jose.

 

The tragedy of the character and the actor

The most striking feature of Nora Aunor is the strange resonance between the plotlines of her movies and the oftentimes, bizarre turn of events in her real life. The same resonance can be told between Nora and Bakekang, one of the roles that the superstar portrayed in the movies.

Born with a hideous face that deprived her of a normal life, Bakekang grew up oppressed. She developed a feisty attitude that made her a fighter. Vowing to gain power and fame that she had always longed for, she schemed to bear a beautiful child.

Nora Aunor, on the other hand, was considered an underdog for a time. She came at a time when mestizos and mestizas lord the screens.

To redeem herself, Bakekang attempts to become impregnated with an American GI. She got her wish and revealed that her grotesqueness was also deep-seated. A miserable soul deranged by ambition, she ruthlessly enslaved her blonde daughter with tragic consequences.

Meanwhile, Nora Aunor banked on her talent to become the superstar that she is. But as she trudged through life, she faced tragic events like reports of deportation from the United States because of an alleged drug possession, the series of romances gone sour, and drug addiction.

We know that in real life, Nora Aunor adopted and raised four Amerasian children and that at the height of Noramania in the early ‘70s; the feverish fans worshipped a blonde doll owned by Nora Aunor, a second chance for her doll-deprived childhood when she was fated instead to run after trains hugging bottles of water to sell.

In the end, Bakekang unravels, wandering aimlessly along the streets of Manila. In the widely popular komiks novel, in which the film was based, the last frame showed Bakekang cradling a worn-out blonde doll she found in a garbage can.

Let’s just hope that the superstar’s life will not end in a tragic way, just like how it did for one of the most unforgettable komiks character that has crossed over to the other media.

posted by: kookiefreak at 18:53 | link | comments |

Back to school!

Seven years--that's how long it took me to finish a college degree.

If you think that will discourage me from studying again, well, guess what, I've just survived my first term in graduate school.

Studying has never really been one that tops my list of priorities, but since I'm a member of the academe and I'm gonna have it for free, I decided to take the plunge. And, yes, it's a requirement for promotion.

So a term has passed, and I can say that I performed real well. (I'm tagged as the nerd of the class. Isn't this enough of a proof?)

Right now, I just want to take it one step at a time. The thought of finishing a masters degree can be overwhelming, you know.  

Good thing, I found good friends who help ease the burden of a masters education. Good thing, too, that I still have the drive to study despite the load that working and starting up a business bring to my everyday sked.

Well, let's see if I can finish this new venture. For now, I think I'll wait for my 3.5 or 4. Taas ng pangarap! 

posted by: kookiefreak at 18:46 | link | comments |

Wow! I never knew I would make an entry to my blog again. You see, I've been very busy the past few days, with several events lined up in my calendar.

Well, it's a good thing I found the time to post a message once again or else I wouldn't know that exciting changes have just happened at the motime site.

I promise to post a blog entry soon. Just pray that I'd have the time.

 

posted by: kookiefreak at 20:15 | link | comments (3) |