Top 10 Movies of 2011

Before we go on to 2012’s jam-packed set of awesome movies (read the previews! watch the trailers!), let’s recognize first the awesome movies of 2011.   And as usual, it’s so hard for me to pick a top 10.  I have enjoyed several movies in 2011 (like every year) and really need to think and recall hard on what among them I had enjoyed the most.      

There are several 2011 movies that I haven’t watched yet that might have been part of this top 10 if I did.  Movies like “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”, “Tinker, Tailor, Spy”, “Tin-tin”, “The Muppets”, and “Hugo” (especially this) are very likely to make my Top 10 if I was able to watch them last year.  Such is always the trouble with movies that were released at the latter part of the year. 

And from among those that I was able to watch but didn’t make the list, “Drive”, “Melancholia”, “A Lincoln Lawyer”, “Source Code”, “Hanna”, “The Ides of March”, “The Rise of the Planet of the Apes”, and “Thor” (the number 11) were the closest in making the top 10. 

After evaluation, these 10 stood out among the rest…

10.) MARGIN CALL

The 10^th spot was a struggle between the reboot of “Planet of the Apes” (a revision of the origin on how the apes were able to take over the planet from the original origin of the continuity) and “Margin Call”.  But I have to give this spot to “Margin Call” since it could be the smartest movie I had watched in 2011. 

Graduating from a business course from college was a plus for me since it allowed me to follow most of the economic machineries involved and discussed in the movie – which was about the 2008 economic collapse in the US.  Actually, it’s not that hard to understand even if you were not familiar with the concepts.  That’s why I like it for being both intelligently technical, but nonetheless generally comprehensible by an average audience.  “Margin Call” is an excellent Wall Street movie and one would appreciate it more if one has some familiarity with the financial world.    

By the way, it was only halfway in the movie that I was able to recognize one of the main characters (the rocket scientist turned trading securities analyst who developed the model that predicted the toxicity of the company’s financial assets) as “Spock” in the “Star Trek” reboot.

9.) REAL STEEL

Ok, the concept of robots fighting for sport isn’t an original idea at all (try Medabots).  In fact, it does happen now in real life, though not as awesome and high-tech as that of “Real Steel”.  Robot fighting is not a unique concept.  Still, the gladiator robot combat scenes in this movie were greatly entertaining.  The story isn’t special and actually quite predictable (it’s quite obvious from the start that the robot Atom’s shadow-boxing mode would be somehow utilized by Hugh Jackman’s ex-boxer character).  But still I can’t help loving it.  It has a beautiful redemption theme.  It has an “underdog” element, which is something we always love.  It has a decent story – predictable and unoriginal but never corny.  It has Hugh Jackman.  But most of all, it’s filled with badass robot fights!

  

8.) ANOTHER EARTH

The movie was about Rhoda Williams, who was when a teenager, due to her irresponsible and careless nature (and fascination of the incoming Another Earth), crashed her car (she was intoxicated) against the car of John Burroughs who had his family with him.  This sent John to a coma and killed his wife and kid.  Rhoda was sent to prison, but being a minor, her identity wasn’t revealed to John.  After getting released from prison, Rhoda desired to “redeem” herself from what she had done by desiring to make John’s life a little bit better.  Aside from this objective, Rhoda also joined an essay contest on which whoever the winner is would be given a spot on the spaceflight to visit the other Earth (SPOILER: She won). 

  

The mirror Earth is of another universe and because of some cosmic incident, the two Earth’s became visible to each other.  The story didn’t really concern much on the mysteries and questions surrounding this phenomenon.  This, like “Melancholia”, wasn’t a straight sci-fi movie but dealt more on the drama and development the characters are dealing with.  The mirror Earth just served as an important backdrop or plot device to the story.  But it was a very interesting backdrop for the story at that.

Plenty of questions were raised from watching the movie, not only the science involved in the meeting of the two Earths and how the mirror Earth will turn out to be, but some philosophical questions as well.  Most of the questions weren’t answered and the movie will leave you in a state of thinking and wonder.

 

7.) HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2

I were only able to go watch in the theater two times in 2011 (both instances in 3-d), first was “Thor” and the second was “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”.  The first instance was not decided by me, it was a treat during our mission trip during the summer.  But the latter was something I decided on watching on a theater.  This HP movie was greatly hyped to be the most epic movie of 2011 by the reviews I read and heard, so I decided to watch it on a theater that I may fully enjoy the movie in the best medium and environment it can present itself. 

My assessment?  Well, for me, just like the HP franchise itself, it was overrated.  But only a bit.  It was still an awesome movie, but the hype created a greater expectation from me than what the movie actually is.  This is actually not the fault of the movie, but of my expectations.  Again, I say that this was an awesome movie.  I actually have to point out that this movie not only is the best HP movie ever made, but the best that came out from the HP franchise… ever.  I had greatly enjoyed everything about it.  The overall story, the necessary variations from the book, the perfect culmination of character developments, and the action sequences.  My favorite Bellatrix Lestrange was, as usual, brilliant.  Voldemort looked the most sinister here compared to what he was in the previous films.  I loved how the Battle of Hogwarths turned out.  The dialogues, lines, and highlight scenes from the book were delivered wonderfully (especially the “Not my daughter, you bitch” part.  Though I kind of find it a bit anti-climatic that the rest were just standing about while Bellatrix and Mrs. Weasley dueled).   

I have to agree with the critics that it was indeed epic.  Whether you love Harry Potter or not, a scholar of the HP mythos or not, had watched the previous movies or not, read the books or not, you will find “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” enjoyable and worth appreciating by its own.     

This would have been rated higher if not for the epilogue.  I never liked the epilogue of the HP story.  Would have been better if the movie didn’t include it.  

6.) FRIGHT NIGHT

Usually, the idea of remakes of beloved movie properties is a bit of a turn-off to movie fans.  “Is Hollywood losing new ideas that they turn to old ones?” is the general thought.

I was able to watch the original “Fright Night” (and its sequel) and I had enjoyed it.  But I have to say I find this one set in the modern age more enjoyable.  The villain (Colin Farrell was just perfect) was nasty and cunning, and is easily hated.  I love the hero’s development also from skeptic, to pathetic scaredy-cat, to badass vampire slayer.  The story was solid and clever from start to end.  The climax alone – the final battle – makes this movie worth watching. 

But most importantly, the best thing about “Fright Night” is we finally have a good vampire movie after all the bad name all this “Twilight” crap gave vampires. 

5.) X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

For extremely die-hard X-Men history purists, the title alone is annoying.  “Those guys aren’t the first class!!!  Cyclops, Jean Greay, Beast, Angel, and Iceman were!”  But even these purists would admit that, disregarding the roster, this X-Men movie rivals X-Men 2 as the best X-Men movie made or even maybe better than X2. 

This is the type of comic book movie that almost digressed on the “super heroey, comic bookey” feel of the comic book it is based on.  It captivates you, not on the formulas that made the comic book it is based on loveable, but by splendid acting and storytelling.  The idea was to not allow the comic book dictate the movie’s identity, but merely let the comic book serve as the property the movie was based upon , end the relationship between movie and comic book there, and let the movie succeed and stand by its own as a movie.  And it worked!

The most interesting aspect of the movie was the depiction and exploration of the early friendship of Charles Xavier (Prof. X) and Eric Lensherr (Magneto) and how their ideals set them in different paths.  There was no Stan Lee cameo here, which was the usual in Marvel Comics’ movies, but I made an audible chuckle during the Wolverine cameo (better than any Stan Lee cameo).    

   

4.) CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER

To date, for me, among the installments from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (the continuity/universe of the movie Avengers), I think “Captain America: The First Avenger” is the best after “Iron Man”.  It had good story-telling and an entertaining premise.  The action sequences were solid.  The origin aspect of the movie didn’t have the feeling of being forced upon the movie (as what’s observed from first installments of a superhero’s movie franchise) but just flowed naturally with the movie and its overall plot.  The villain – the Red Skull – was effective and kudos to Hugo Weaving for that.  The use of the Cosmic Cube – referred to as the Tesseract – as a plot device was a thrill to the Marvel scholars out there, as well as the participation of the Howling Commandos.

As far as characters are concerned, Robert Downey, Jr.’s Iron Man is still MCU’s freshest and best depiction of an Avenger, but Chris Evan’s Captain America is second.  I love how Evans shed the cocky, childish, non-serious, happy-go-lucky characteristics of his Johnny Storm (Human Torch) as he donned the noble, courageous, honorable characteristics of a Captain America.  Evans perfectly depicted the Cap that we perceive to be.  Now Evans will always be Captain America to us, almost making us forget that he was the Human Torch first.
    
Now that the member had been all introduced, I’m very very very much excited for the Avenger movie. 

3.) MONEYBALL

I like “Moneyball” because it gave us a glimpse of the life of a sport team’s general manager.  I found it entertaining to watch the deals, meetings, and other GM duties being conducted. 

“Moneyball” is based on the book of the same name written by Michael Lewis that tells the story of the Oakland Athletics’ amazing 2002 season and their GM Billy Beane (Bradd Pitt).  Beane, with the significant help of his assistant Peter Brand, due to financial constraints, employed an unorthodox method of assembling a competitive team by the use of a complex sabermetric system in analyzing and scouting players. 

Hands down, one of the best sports-themed movies ever made.

2.) WARRIOR

The story of “Warrior” is about two estranged brothers (who are both estranged with their father as well) both entering a big mixed martial arts tournament.  The first was a physics teacher who has trouble with family finances and the second was an AWOL Marine Corps Iraq hero.  And as climax, the brothers would meet in the Finals. 

The MMA fights will satisfy any craving for testosterone-filled violence, but this isn’t a mere mindless action movie as it also contains a gripping story, superb acting, heavy emotion, and touching themes of humanity and reconciliation.  

1.) SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS

There’s no other movie I have enjoyed more than the new Sherlock Holmes movie.  And it’s not because of any bias due to Sherlock Holmes being a favorite fictional character of mine.  In fact, the movie Holmes and Watson, though of the core and important similarities, are different characters from their literary counterparts.   The Holmes in the movie is more prone to tendencies of clumsiness and emotion though he also moves with grace and can be a complete cold thinking machine (which I think the original Holmes was more so), probably a little bit wittier, and do as much action with his brawns as with his brains (compared to the original Holmes).  The Dr. Watson in the movie is a more active sidekick than the original (who was more of a passive observer with a chronicler mentality first), has more initiative, more of a “swashbuckler”, and possesses the greater Holmes’ influenced mental skills. This made the tandem’s movie version more entertaining. 

“Sherlcok Holmes: A Game of Shadows” employed engaging elements of the first movie such as the action choreography that applied “bullet time” techniques, Holmes’ mental simulation of a fight before executing his moves, outrageous and engaging action sequences, well-timed humor, references to the literature,  and mindblowing twists. 

It was great from start to finish.  The events leading to the climax of the movie was nicely done and the climax itself – Holmes and Moriarty’s last face-off – was brilliant.  And the conclusion itself gave great satisfaction.   

I do hope there are more SH movies to come.    

Floodgates... Back in Arcilla Hall...

Three years had passed since we last performed at Arcilla Hall.  Last December 19, we were invited once again to perform at that venue.  Entitled "How Great is Our God", this was another fundraising concert hosted by the same church that invited us three years ago.  Unfortunately, only the first song got videoed because the video camera got its battery depleted.  Again, for the third straight Floodgates video post, instead of guitar, I play keyboards here.  I guess I'm now the regular keyboardist of the band until our keyboardist comes back.

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My All-Time All Laker Team

Just for fun.

  

If I was asked to build a Laker team made up of players who have played for the purple and gold franchise, this is the team I would assemble.  

But first, let me make clear on a few details.  This team is not made up of the top Laker players of all time.  A team made of superstars doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be the best team.  The Dallas Mavericks just recently proved in their Finals series with the Miami Heat the point that a focused, well-disciplined, good-chemistry team can beat even a team made up of superstars.  Before that, the (sigh) Detroit Pistons against the Lakers.  So, this team of mine is made of the Laker superstars that is, in my opinion, the right superstars to build around on and the right Laker role players to create the best Laker team that can be – or, more precisely, one of the best teams that can be created from the rich collection of talents the Laker franchise has ever had through the years.  

Also, this all-Laker team isn’t made up of my most favorite Laker players either, though some – or most – made the cut.  

Another thing, to those players here who have also played for other teams in their careers, when evaluating on adding them to this team, I did not take into consideration their career achievements as a whole but only their peaks as Laker players.

And lastly, screw cap space feasibility...

Now I think that’s all I need to be clear on.  Here we go…

CENTER – Wilt Chamberlain

Now I don’t think “The Big Dipper” is the greatest Laker center ever.  The greatest Laker center ever is hard to determine with the likes of Wilt, Kareem, and Shaq playing for the Lakers during their careers.  Kareem had that sweet unblockable sky-hook and Shaq is actually my favorite Laker center but Wilt is my choice for the center of my Laker team.  

Wilt might or might not have been underrated as a defender prior his Laker years, but when he played as a Laker, he was started to be described as “Russell-like”.  Bill Russel, Wilt’s rival, might had been a (ugh) Celtic but he is, in my opinion, what a center should be.  A center should have a great defensive identity and instinct above anything else.  He should be able to alter shots or make the opponent shoot uncomfortably and then be able to rebound the missed shots.  His defense should spark his team’s offense.  And Russell was great at it.  

Prior to being a Laker, Wilt was known to be a powerful offensive force – being able to score 100 points in one game and average an outrageous 50.4 points a game.  But when Wilt became a Laker, he concentrated more on defense and rebounding and triggering the fastbreaks, just as Russell was doing with the Celtics.  However, though Wilt sacrificed his scoring, he was still an efficient scorer, unlike Russell who never developed an elite offensive game.  Again, for me, a center should be a brilliant, dominant and influential defender above anything else.  But to be a competent offensive threat as well is a big, big bonus.  And Wilt was brilliant at both ends.                          

POWER FORWARD – Pau Gasol

I am part of the few who think that a talented big man like Pau Gasol is a more valuable piece to the Lakers than an explosive point guard like Chris Paul.  I really think it’s premature to trade Pau.  Sure, it’s frustrating to see Pau whenever he transforms to “Ga-soft” last season, especially against Dallas.  But I say, let’s give him another chance.  I’m sure Pau would bounce back this next season.  Let’s not forget how Pau was a major contributor in the Lakers’ back-to-back championships.  There was even a time when we call him the best power forward in the world today.  He is a smart, versatile, and graceful player.  He can rebound and pass well.  There are times he is soft and lacked aggressiveness, but whenever Pau is motivated, he is such a beauty to watch as he works with finesse and intelligence when attacking.  He’s still for me the greatest power forward to play for the Lakers, and thus, he’s the starting power forward on this team.     

    

SMALL FORWARD – James Worthy

James Worthy is the real “King James” since he has the rings to validate his basketball royalty.  Though overshadowed by Magic and Kareem when he played for the Lakers, he was still able to cement his status as a legend.  Worthy was a fast and graceful small forward.  He possessed both the fundamentals and the flare.  He had brilliant footwork and moves that allowed him to explode to the basket.  And he can rebound and pass well, too.  More than that, he also had the invaluable talent of carrying the team to victory.  This was prominently shown in more than one playoff series, which earned him the nickname “Big Game James”.  That’s the difference of our “King James” with that other “King James”.  Our “King James” thrives in big games, while that other “King James” chokes.    

SHOOTING GUARD – Kobe Bryant

Duh.  No-brainer.  I don’t need to do any explaining at all why the Black Mamba is included here.  

I think that even though there are plenty of firepower and star power in this team, Kobe will still see to it that he gets most of touches.  Kobe the gunslinger will always get his points.  And why not?  He’s the most explosive offensive player the Lakers ever had.  Of course, there will also be games when Kobe would lie-low and encourage and create opportunities for his teammates to do most of the scoring.  But when it’s about taking the last shot?  Kobe would always want the ball to be in his hands in the last seconds when the game is on the line.  

Aside from that, being the best perimeter defender in the starting five, he’s going to be the initial defender of the opposing team’s best perimeter player.  

Wait… talking about defense reminds me –  Hmmmm…  I could be wrong in my initial assessment.  We, in fact, already saw Kobe in a basketball team filled with stars – Team “Redeem Team” USA.  And, as we had seen in his stint in Team USA, he actually didn’t take over the offense in that team but concentrated on the defensive end.  He made it nearly impossible for the opposing team’s best scorer to actually score.  And he only took over the scoring when critically needed (i.e. the gold medal game against Spain).  

Maybe that’s how he’ll play instead?  I can’t tell.      

Kobe possesses such a well-rounded talent and a complicated mind that it’s really hard to determine what role he would choose to play in this team.  But no matter what role it is, he’ll always have an unparalleled fire and focus in this team that will rub off to the rest his teammates.  Now, considering the fact that his teammates are actually already among the most competitive players in the game’s history, the energy and the spirit of this team fueled by Kobe would be overwhelming.            

POINT GUARD – Magic Johnson

Again, another no-brainer choice.  Magic is the only one who can properly distribute the ball in this jam-packed team.  We can trust Magic to properly judge when to pass, where to pass, what kind of pass to use, and who to pass to.  He might have some trouble in defending the present’s breed of past point guards (maybe Kobe had to do most of the defending against elite point guards).  But this cut both ways.  Magic’s size will allow him to easily overpower the smaller point guards, which would make it easier for him to score or create scoring opportunities for his teammates.  Aside from that, Magic’s such a brilliant ballhandler that it won’t be easy for an elite point guard’s quick hands to steal the ball from Magic.  

  

BENCH

Lamar Odom

I’m sad to see Lamar go… and the circumstance of his departure makes the mood more saddening.  Anyway, he is, in my opinion, the ideal man that you want to first come out of the bench.  He has such a well-rounded game that he can play any position from 1 to 5.  He can come out of the bench to perform what the team needs in a given moment.  Whether it’s ball movement, rebounding, defense, or scoring, Odom will give it.   

Michael Cooper

Ron Artest (we have yet to see Metta World Peace play) as a Laker brought the perimeter defense that freed Kobe from being the prime defender of the opposing team’s best player.  Ron was also expected to provide some scoring.  This role that Artest played, Michael Cooper can do better.  He also had a scoring game, especially from behind the arc.  Nonetheless, his brilliant defensive game is the main reason he’ll be a significant factor to this team.  The main expectation for him is to come out of the bench to guard the opposing team’s top scorer for most of the game.  

Karl Malone

The Mailman was already past his prime when he joined the Lakers, but he was still strong and effective.  In fact, he’s probably the most consistent Laker in that 04-05 Laker team.  He was a scoring threat and was able to defend the then elite power forwards (i.e. Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett) pretty well.  The Laker Malone would give this team additional toughness and grit.  Karl would bail out Pau whenever the latter’s softness is at its worst.        

Byron Scott

I first considered Eddie Jones as Kobe’s reliever (a reverse of the roles during Kobe’s early years), but I think Byron Scott is the better fit for the team.  Scott was a lethal three-point shooter.  He is maybe even the best pure shooter the franchise ever had.  He would greatly help both in spreading the floor and on the break.                 

Derek Fisher

Because of his legendary clutch plays, I just need to have Fish in this team.  Kobe had made several breathtaking game-winners already but he has yet to make a 0.4 seconds gamewinner.  Fish did.  Laker fans are now frustrated at how ineffective Fish is in guarding younger and faster point guards, but in his prime, Fish was a solid point guard.  He could shoot threes and drive and pass.  But it still comes to his mental toughness and clutch plays that earned him this spot on this team.         

Robert Horry

Horry doesn’t only add more length and toughness to this team, but additional three-point shooting as well.  He might not be the most consistent shooter here, but, like Fish, he had the reputation to knock legendary big shots.  That’s why he’s called “Big Shot Rob (or Bob)”.  His seven rings from stints in three different teams suggest that he knows how to make himself valuable to a championship team.    

Kurt Rambis

We love Rambis, not because of any talent he had, but because of his heart and hustle.  In everything he did, whether it was cheering and waving a towel from the bench to grabbing those loose balls, he gave his all.  This team needs a first class “garbage man” and Rambis is one of the best among these unsung heroes of the game.  Rambis gets a spot here because I know his attitude and heart can light sparks for this team. 

INJURY RESERVES

Tyron Lue

Lue makes it to my all-time all-Laker team because of one fond memory I have of him: he became an Allen Iverson simulation.  During the 2001 NBA Finals, Phil had him play the part of an AI during the team’s practices because he had the same build as Iverson.  Moreover, I also remember that there were times he frustrated AI when he was assigned to guard him during the series.  

Dennis Rodman

I have always loved Dennis’ game.  He was a sort of Kurt Rambis, but with the talent to go with the heart and hustle.  He was a great, flexible and tough defender, and probably the greatest rebounder in the game’s history.  He only played a few games as a Laker, but, for me, that is enough to qualify him to be an addition to this team… at least, as an injury reserve.  How I wish he managed to behave himself and found success when he was a Laker.    

Adam Morrison

Ammo will always be part of any all-Laker team.  

      

COACH – Phil Jackson

I found it hard to choose who between Pat Riley and Phil Jackson should coach this team.  Phil is a cool cat most of the time and knows how to employ psychological warfare.  Riley is, in my opinion, a better motivator and a better manager of rotations and lineup combinations.  Both are smart and successful coaches.  But I still pick Phil because he has more rings than Pat which implies that he is a more proven formula for success.  Moreover, this team I had assembled has the talent to run both the “Showtime” fast break and the triangle offense and I think Phil would find it easier to integrate a “Showtime” fast break to his triangle offense than for Pat to integrate the triangle to his offense.    

Floodgates at ""Voice of the Youth"

BUCEILS-HS Department (where I graduated from high school, by the way) had a concert entitled "Voice of the Youth" last December 13 where the musical talents of some BU high students were showcased.  Our friends from the band SOP was the main attraction of the concert and they invited us for a guest performance.  I played keyboards here and then guitar on the last part.  

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Joy Senior Young People Dance Medley

Joy Church's anniversary last year was the first time we, the senior young people of the church, to showcase our unity in Christ, performed a dance number together.  For Joy Church's 24th Anniversary, we took it to the next level as we presented a dance medley performance (choreographed by Arlene Bemida).  It was a lot of fun.  This could probably be the best dance performance I've ever been part of.  Here's a back-to-back video coverage of our dance:

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Instruction and Sanctification

Time flies fast... The last one, it seems to me, was just very recent... And now it's our cell group's turn again? Anyway, here's another sharing I prepared for our Wednesday night service... 

(RE: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28)

Good evening.

Our text for today is the last part of 1 Thessalonians where Paul, to sum up, leaves last words of instruction and a benediction.  In this passage, there are three types of “What to do?” applications that Paul wanted us to do. 

First, according to verses 12 to 13, is to honor our spiritual mentors – pastors, ministers, cell group leaders, elders, etc. – who bother to pray and nurture us for our spiritual well-being.   In verse 12 also states that admonishing us when we do wrong is part of these spiritual mentors’ job description.  So we should not take it against them when they rebuke us of our wrong-doing because they only do this to take care of our spiritual health. Rather than harboring ill feelings in our hearts against them, we should “hold them in highest regard.  We should be eternally thankful for these God-sent spiritual mentors who effort to take care of our spiritual well-being and bless them always.          

Second, according to verses 14 to 15, is to create a loving and healthy relationship environment with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We should give warnings to each other when we became lazy and disruptive which can affect negatively our work and health as a church.  We should lift the spirits or cheer up those who are weak, discouraged or brokenhearted.  We should defend and take care of the weak among us.  We should be patient with each other, especially those who are our spiritual baby brothers or sisters in Christ.  We should do everything in our power to see to it that no harm shall fall on each other but rather only bring the best for him or her.  In summary, we should encourage and protect each other with dedication, passion, and enthusiasm.  According to pop culture, in Mafia famiglias, they have strong sense of loyalty and “you mess with him, you mess with me” mentality for each other, and as Christians, we should have a stronger bond than Mafia famiglias or any form of brotherhood in this world, because we are made one in Christ!

Third, according to verses 16 to 22, is how to live out our own lives.  We should always rejoice, pray continually, and be thankful in all circumstances.  We should aim to maintain our bodies a favorable place for the Holy Spirit to dwell in.  Hold on to what is good and throw away those who are evil.  This is the life we should live as individuals.    

These might seem very hard instructions to carry out.  Indeed, they are hard.  Alone, we can’t do them at all.  But I am very much encouraged by verse 18b: “for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  God’s will will always happen.  Therefore, if it’s God’s will for us to do these things, then we can certainly do them!  By God’s help we can carry out these instructions for us!

Indeed, alongside these instructions is Paul’s reminder that it is God who fully sanctifies us.  Verse 23 says: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Amen.  God started it in our lives, he will certainly finish it to the end.  We can’t ever in the slightest carry our His instructions and live holy lives by our own.  All credit belongs to God.  It is God who will enable us to carry out His instructions and to live holy lives.  Only God can really make us a holy Bride – to be presented perfect and blameless and worthy before the Bridegroom, to enjoy His presence forever.

And I love to be reminded that this is for sure!  Victory is guaranteed.  As verse 24 says, “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” 

To God be the glory.         

Performances at BU Amphitheater

Joy Church organized a special performance of guests from Korea - a team of professional performers of Korean traditional dances and arts.  It was entitled "We Are One in Christ" and was held at BU Amphitheater last November 4.  Local Joy Church talents also performed some numbers during the event.  Floodgates, the band I am part of, led the praise and worship and performed two special number songs (in this performances, I played keyboard instead of the usual guitar).  And our mime team performed "Sin Chair" once more.  

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Floodgates' Performance In "Hallowed Be Thy Name 5"

"Hallowed Be Thy Name" is an annual Christian concert event spearheaded by Living Water Christian Ministries - Legazpi.  If I get it right, it is held every October 31 of each year to coincide with, or rather, to combat the worldly celebration of Halloween.  This year, our band, Floodgates, was invited to participate.  It was held at Embarcadero de Legazpi, making this our second performance there (our first was last May 2010).  Here was our performance...

  

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Top 10 Skills I Want To Learn

To have a rich variety of skills or talents is an advantage.  The more you have, the more capable you are in a wider scope of life situations.  It also makes you a more interesting person.

I like learning new things. And, though, I have been called “versatile” or “well-rounded” several times already, I still consider myself lacking.  There are still plenty of skills I want to learn.  Among those, here’s the top ten…

 

10.) COMPUTER HACKING

Movies and TV shows heavily romanticized computer hacking.   When depicted by Hollywood, hacking is presented as having the power to take control or manipulate everything with a laptop and light-speed typing skills.  Of course, several of these scenarios or cases depicted are completely absurd.  However, indeed, there is power in hacking in real life.  And I want to learn it, not because I want to have power, but because everything is starting to get centralized on computer technology.  And when the time comes that everything is dependent on or working by computers, the more computer know-how you have, the more competitive and fit you are in such environment.      

9.) COOKING WELL

Who isn’t fond of eating good food?  I, like everyone else, greatly enjoy eating.  And the only thing as good as eating good food is preparing it.  A delicious meal is made more enjoyable by the thought that you were the one who made it.  Thus, I want to be richly adept in the culinary arts – to prepare good food for myself and for others to enjoy.

8.) MAKING ART

When I was a kid, I often draw. And I love looking at art ever since.

I appreciate art, that’s why I know the fact that I’m still lacking in skill.  I envy those who have the talents to create amazing art – painters, sculptors, pencilers, etc.  I want to feel that fulfillment of creating something that will awe and/or cheer people. 

  

7.) PICKING A POCKET

“First, hacking a computer.  Now, picking a pocket?!  You aren’t deciding of becoming a criminal, are you?” you might ask.  No, of course not.  I just think that this skill is pretty cool – to get something from someone’s pocket without him noticing.  To have such quick and graceful hands is a great way to show off.  I should have probably used the term “sleight of hand” instead of “picking pocket” if I’m pertaining to this skill.  The “sleight of hand” is mighty invaluable in performing magic tricks and such… but more so with picking pockets.     

Note: I’m actually also considering adding “picking a lock” in this list.  But that would probably make you pretty suspicious of this list of skills I want to learn.  Besides, I think that the traditional lock-and-key convenience that we have in the present would be very much extinct in the near future.  Thus, the skill of “picking locks” would be inutile. 

6.) UBERMAN SLEEPING

This is going to be probably the longest entry in this list since I need to explain this skill…

We need sleep to refresh us.  But the time spent on sleeping seems to take out a large chunk out of our precious time.  We sleep, by average, around 8 hours a day (the recommended and usual given amount to the question “how much sleep we should get?”).  That’s already a third of our 24-hour day.  So that means we roughly spend a third of our lives sleeping!  It kind of sucks when you think about it: we’ll be sleeping when we’re dead anyway, why does sleep has to take a third of the time we’re alive, too?!

But what if sleeping would only take two hours out of our 24-hour day, and it’ll still be very much enough to refresh us?  Too good to be true?  Well, that’s how the Uberman sleeping schedule works.    

There are 5 stages of sleep.  But the only actual essential stage is the REM (rapid eye movement) stage.  This is the stage where we dream.  This is the stage where we are really being recharged.  The Uberman system aims to skip the other unnecessary 4 stages of sleep and go directly to the REM stage as soon as the eyes are closed.  The Uberman sleeping schedule goes like this: you take 20-minute naps every four hours.  That would give you 6 naps – a total of 2 hours of sleep – each day.  Of course, your brain and body wouldn’t adapt to this schedule quickly.  It would take one or two weeks till the brain and body gets accustomed to it.  During that period, you would definitely feel like crap.  But the idea is, once your brain and body get used to it, you will be able to sleep comfortably on such unorthodox schedule and will be refreshed from the naps because you will experience REM immediately.

Now that is the Uberman way of sleeping.  And I want to learn it. (Note: Some say that it’s a dangerous method though.) 

    

5.) SPEAKING WELL

Like most people, I write better than I speak.  I can organize my thoughts better and have a better command of diction when writing.  So, I prefer prepared speeches than extemporaneous ones.  However, I’m still not extremely good at delivering a prepared speech.  Most of the time during the speech, my eyes are looking down on my written copy.  Instead of using it as a guide, I mostly recite it verbatim.  I don’t want to lose the entire flavor on what I have written.  Of course, a good speaker merely glances at his written copy and maintain eye contact with his audience most of the time.  I want to be like that: to maintain the connection with the audience without sacrificing the entire flavor of the prepared speech.  I want to be able to be articulate my thoughts always; not only by writing, but by speech as well.  Speeches are usually more empathic than writings. 

There is a reason why a batshit Austrian imbecile (it’s a misconception that he’s a genius) like Hitler was able to gain power in Germany.  He might be madman, but he was a charismatic speaker.  I’m not saying I want to be like Hitler, but my point is, more often than not, those that can deliver speeches well are the one gaining leadership, prominence and recognition in history.  Churchill, Lincoln, Luther King, Jr… here are people who, unlike Hitler, used their legendary speaking prowess for the good of many.     

I really want to be good at speaking.  I want to be good at both the prepared speech and the extemporaneous speech.  To rally people with my tongue.  To give encouragement.  To proclaim truth and ideas with clarity and emphasis.  To impact history by words.  I want the skill – no, it’s not just a skill – the power of speech.

  

4.) PLAYING SAXOPHONE

As an amateur musician, I know how to play several instruments.  I’m not saying I am great in playing all of these instruments, but I know how to play them well enough to be able to experience performing with them at least once.  These instruments that I know how to play either belong to the string family or percussion family of musical instruments.  I don’t know how to play any wind instrument.  That’s why the next instrument I really want to learn to play is the saxophone – a wind instrument.  And why the saxophone you ask?  Well, because it is the sexiest sounding instrument there is.  Case study: non-sensual songs like “Careless Whisper” and “The One You Love” (check the lyrics) became “sexy” songs because of their popular saxophone riffs.    

3.) PILOTING A PLANE

I still don’t know how to drive a motorbike or car.  But, I think, eventually, it is very probable I’ll get to that.  But learning how to pilot a plane is a dream of mine since I was small.  I remember that when I was just a toddler – next to being an astronaut – I really wanted to be a fighter plane pilot.  Now, I don’t really dream of piloting planes as a vocation, but piloting a plane (not necessarily a fighter jet, of course) is still something I want to do.  

2.) KRAV MAGA

I consider Krav Maga as the best fighting style there is.  It’s practical and can be learned in just a few months.  Violence is not always the answer.  But as the song and saying goes, “you don’t have to fight to be a man, but, sometimes, you need to fight when you’re a man.”  I want to be equipped and have the confidence that I can go Krav Maga-berserk at any time or as a last result to protect myself and those dear to me from a threat. 

1.) ONLINE TRADING OF SECURITIES

Trading securities is like poker.  It’s risky and rewarding, but not that romantic as pop culture presented.  The reality is, like poker, trading securities involves a lot of math.

I want to have the proper training and knowledge to be able to trade securities via Internet.  Online trading is definitely convenient, since the conventional trading of securities involve leasing a sit on the floor of the Stock Exchange.  With merely logging in, clicking the mouse, I can buy and sell securities for profit at the convenience of being at home. 

Really need somebody to teach me this.  Anybody? Or, if not, you can teach me how to earn through online poker instead.     

Our Cell Group's Dance Number

The "Alegria de Dios" (Joy of God) cell group - consisting of Pastora Joy, Joneil, Basil, and yours truly - performed this fun special dance number in our church.  This was choreographed by Arlene.

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My Sister's First Violin Recital

My sister Wanda, just after less than a month worth of lessons, did her first violin performance for an audience. I got to accompany them by playing keyboard.  Here's the instrumental of a classic hymn:

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Proper Perspective On Debate And Argumentation

"I love argument, I love debate. I don't expect anyone just to sit there and agree with me, that's not their job." - Margaret Thatcher

"I don't debate with liars." - Evo Morales

"Winning an argument in the Internet is like running in the Special Olympics. Even if you win, you're still retarded." - a Youtube comment

There are people who are wary to argue.  Even if they know they are right or have a point, they would rather passively keep their mouth shut.  They think it’s inconvenient.  They think debating and arguing are forms of conflict.  Since they dislike conflicts and/or inconveniences, they avoid debate as much as possible. 

Then, there are people who love to argue everything.  I mean everything.  They would always take the opposing side of what your preferences or opinions are.  It doesn’t matter if they actually believe or feel strongly about the subject matter.  They will just argue for the sake of arguing.    

These people have the wrong idea on what debating and arguing are all about.

Debate or argumentation, if done right, is actually a pretty worthwhile and productive activity.  It’s a great way to exercise one’s mental prowess on logic, knowledge, and wit.  Valuable skills, like grammar, speech, and writing, can be developed as well. 

And it can actually be quite enjoyable. 

Indeed, there is quite a good feeling when you own your opponent.  Winning is sweet, and winning an argument is one of the sweetest victories you can experience in your life.  However, if your prime motivation for beginning or joining a debate is the desire of wanting to win it, or to show how smart or right you are – or, worse, to show how dumb or wrong your opponent is – then it’s better not to debate at all.  For me, debate is a tool of logic, and logic’s objective is to find truth.  Therefore, your main motivation for deciding to argue or debate should be for the TRUTH – to defend, promote, or find what is true. 

That’s why I think the type of debating we encounter in our academic lives misses the point.  I mean a random topic to debate on is given. Then we are assigned – oftentimes, we can’t choose what side we will belong in – on the negative or affirmative side.  Now, what if I don’t concur with the side I am assigned on?  Why would I exert my effort on defending or pushing something I don’t believe in or agree on?  Isn’t that ridiculous?  You might say it’s all for the sake of exercise or learning the proper mechanics of debate.  Well, you know what, I still call it absurd!  No matter how brilliant or excellent the skills, effort, articulation, and organization that I use for that argument, if it’s all for arguing something as ridiculously false like the Earth is flat, they are all meaningless and inutile.  All of those things used for arguing for something that is not true or right are wasted. 

In fact, I would rather “lose” a debating contest as long as I am in the side of truth.      

Of course, there are times that a debate has no objective truths involved, but subjective ones that are dependent on opinions, like “Who will win in a fight?  Batman or Superman?”  It’s still going to be a productive debate but participants should understand the fact that, though objective points can be presented, there is no objective truth to be established as a result and that, in the end, personal opinion and preference would still be the actual determinants, and not how good the arguments are.   However, good arguments still impress and might at least make your opponent respect or acknowledge the merits of your preference.

Debates do not always end in establishing the truth (especially if the parties are not applying the proper philosophy of debating).  Sometimes it can even end with a compromise.  Usually it ends with an “agree to disagree”-result (human beings are stubborn creatures).  And sometimes, you just have to stop, like for instance: a) when after you have already completely exhausted your points and made a concrete case, your opponent still hasn’t agreed with you because you haven’t convinced him or his bias and pride made him stubbornly unyielding, b) you feel the debate is going nowhere since your opponent is just using the same arguments over and over again, or c) your opponent becomes unreasonable or displaying “troll” behavior. 

Debates can easily become emotional.  And when one is debating without the proper philosophy and discipline, he will tend to debate ineffectively when he gets emotional.  He will commit fallacies in his arguments.  His points will be irrelevant.  And he will attack you with insults.  You should be careful from falling into extreme obnoxiousness and rage when debating.  Sure, aggressiveness, sarcasm and humor can be used on debates.  But always keep in mind to be reasonable and civilized.  Attack the issues at hand, attack the points, attack the flaws in the argument, but never ever commit the mistake of attacking your opponent directly. Such low blow won’t prove any point.        

A worthwhile debate is that of a discussion for truth.  That is why we should debate.  Not using the glory of winning as an incentive.  There is no “winner” or “loser”, but the goal of establishing what is true.  Thus, when sometime during the debate you finally realized you are actually wrong and the other side is right, you should humbly and graciously admit you are wrong.  Do not let your pride get the better of you and stubbornly holding on and arguing for what you now know to be wrong.  Do not think that if you yield and admit that you’re wrong, you are the “loser” of the debate.  Again, there should be no “winners” and “losers” in a debate.  If the debate ends in establishing the truth, then the debate is a success.  Truth wins.  Always remember these whenever you decide to argue on something. 

 

By the way, no matter how strong or powerful Superman is, I sincerely believe that Batman can beat him in a fight.  Want to argue about this?  Bring it on.