Despite all these, women are still viewed as the lesser sex by many of us.

In the Bible, Eve was created because God said “it is not good for man to be alone,” which somehow tells us that Eve was created for Adam. Some interpret  it as “for the pleasure” of Adam, others say, “as Adam’s partner and co-equal.”

One quote from the Bible, too many interpretations. One form of creation–the woman–too many arguments.

That, I think, is the reason why Teatro Ambahanon came up with a contemporary ballet production on February 23 and 24 at the KCC Convention Center. The group wanted to discuss the issue through dance in order for the youth, which made up the bulk of its audience, understand it better.

Tecla portrayed stories of women who were caught in situations they are struggling to get out of, all wanting to be understood, respected, and loved.

I would like to share my thoughts on the show.

The overall impact of the show somewhat focused on women as being regarded as sexual objects–that they are for the sexual pleasure of men. The production was loaded with sensual choreography, which, I think, were a little too graphic for college freshmen.

Let me point out some scenes.

In the story of the couple connected by a length of rope, there was a scene where the female dancer touched (accidentally or intended) the male dancer’s private part. The male dancer was wearing a t-back under loose short pants that slipped off a number of times, showing the dancer’s butt.

In the story of Portia, the male dancer wore only his briefs and there had been many scenes suggesting the couple are having sex.

In the later part of the show, the women lay on their backs, both feet wide open and raised. In that position they made a 360-degree rotation. Male students stood up to get a better view of the female dancers’ crotches.

Those were the scenes that elicited excited response from the audience, especially the males. It made me think that the female dancers were, in the process, viewed as sexual objects by the male students. The male dancers, too, were probably in the same situation. It was like trying to deliver a message of abuse by the abusing the messengers themselves.

Well, there should be consent on the part of the dancers. In fact,  they are proud of their performance. But that couldn’t be a basis for saying that they are not abused. The show itself conveys a message that not because you wanted it, you wouldn’t be called a victim.

The women portrayed in the show all chase after their man. They endure being physically, sexually, and emotionally abused all for the love of their man. One participant in the forum that followed the performance commented, “women give sex to get love, while men show love to get sex.” In other words, the women consented the men to abuse them.

On the artistic point of view, Tecla is an excellent work of art. The dancers, the choreographers, the director, and everyone behind the show did a great job. I hope Teatro Ambahanon could come up with more thought-provoking productions in the future.

As a bonus, here’s a video of Teatro’s perfromance in Japan in 2008:

Aside from being an art lover, I am especially interested about the show because a friend of mine, Hanna Theresa Rivas, is part of the cast. She won in last year’s National Modern Dance Competition duo category.

I already got a ticket. It only costs fifty pesos. I hope to see you there.

The show, I believe, is part of Kalilangan 2010’s public offering.  Check out Sir Avel’s Blog.

I got the photos above from Hanna’s FB account.

I CAN’T wait for this school year to be over.

I’m bored. It’s not that I am doing nothing. In fact, I’m doing a handful of activities. The thing is, I’m so bored with all these stuff. I’m so occupied with all these crap that I no longer have time for things that I’d love to do . Ugh.

I want action. I want adventure. I’m tired with all these routines. I want to go on a trek, or,  to just go somewhere else.

I want to read books and to put all my thoughts on paper but I barely have time for any of these and the chaotic setup at home is never conducive for reading and deep thought. I would have to wait for everyone to doze off before I could do my thing.

For now, I’d just have to tame the raging, adventure-seeking outdoorsman in me and wait until the school year ends before I could do what I believe could satiate the hunger of my spirit.

Photo from http://irregularbloggers.wordpress.com

I MUST be in love. She’s always on my mind. She’s the one I’d want to run to whenever the world turns its back on me. I want to spend time with her. I long for her warm embrace. I’d do all that it takes just to be with her.

It feels so good to fall in love, especially if the one you love gives you peace of mind, comfort for your soul, and overflowing happiness.

That’s exactly how I feel whenever I am with my beloved.  Get to know her.

I am doing a lot of things. I make people happy. I am doing my job well and I have good relationships with my superiors and colleagues. I am helping my family and I never gave my parents and my siblings any trouble at all. I have plenty of friends whom I go out with whenever time allows. I am doing my share of work in the church, fulfilling my duties as a Christian. But one thing is definitely missing.

One time, I talked to my students, just casual conversation. I asked them—since they are about to leave the school in a month’s time—if they have learned something from our course. Everyone was smiling; others were thinking deeply.

One student caught my attention. She took out her notes and started reading statements she quoted from me. Here are a few of what she jotted down in her notebook:

• Life is beautiful. You only have to open your eyes to see the beauty in it.
• If you don’t go out of your comfort zones, you only grow old; you won’t grow up.
• Do not live in mediocrity.

Somehow, I’m glad that they took note of this. At least, they would have something to bring with them as they move on to college. It’s a consolation on my part that, somehow, I have touched other peoples’ lives in some little ways.

After talking to them, I went to comfort room and looked at myself in the mirror. What I saw is a sad young man. My eyes suddenly welled with tears, which I quickly wiped away. I told myself to be strong.

Then I remembered what I have always been trying to tell myself: God knows what is best for me. I did not ask God for a job after college. I did not ask him to bring me here and teach in this school, while I was still enjoying my previous job. But God knows His purpose for me. I just always do my best wherever He leads me.

I could always see God’s hand working in my life. He has always been with me. Whenever I strayed, He always uses people and events to lead me back to right path. The unrest that I have experienced recently is all but God’s work, I know. I could hear Him calling me.

The other night, I had a conversation with our pastor. He asked for my confirmation regarding the request that I teach in the Sunday school for young professionals. I said that I have accepted it and that I am only waiting for the go signal to begin.

I knew what has been missing: I have not been prayerful. I have not been introspective. It was only when my life went topsy-turvy that I started to search my soul again.

I AM not bitter.

(I hope that by the end of this post, I have fully convinced myself. Haha.)

Seriously, I have never been loveless because my heart has always been  filled with love — not for a single person but for the humanity as a whole. Haha.

Whaah! This is such a stupid post.

I didn’t know Erik Erikson’s developmental stages is this serious. Ugh. Intimacy vs Isolation. I hate it.

Here’s my list of tips on How-To-Survive February 14:

• Never listen to Smother Me by The Used.
• Change the tones assigned to people who used to be significant and never reply to their greetings or answer their calls. Text them later that you left your phone somewhere else.
• Change your calendar settings.
• Induce temporary amnesia but be sure you’ll go back to your proper state of mind when it’s time to.
• Keep all sharp/hazardous objects out of sight.
• Do your laundry.
• Tell your older sister to spend the day with his husband somewhere else and volunteer to do the babysitting of your nieces.
• Organize a charity event and spend the whole day with the less fortunate so you’ll forget your own misery. Lol.

Happy valentine’s day to everyone who believes in love and loves.

I’M NOT talking about tenses here nor about girlfriends.

I’ve never had a conversation with an online friend quite a long time. Just this afternoon, we had the chance to chat on Facebook.

Our conversation came to a point that he said he doesn’t have a future anymore. He told me that his parents used to tell him to always think about the future but until now, he said, that future hasn’t come.

Then I told him, “What you are today, was once your future. The future you are thinking of today will soon come. That future will become your present, and eventually, your past.”

He only said, “Ang gulo pala ni future” (Mr. Future is such a chaos).

It made me think further that if we only listened to our elders, whose wisdom had been shaped by experience, the future that we have been dreaming of could have been attained by the time that we expect it to be within our reach.

When you think that you haven’t gotten what you have aspired for is because you failed to do what is required to achieve it. You didn’t do what you gotta do because you didn’t fully believe that such a vision could turn into reality.

Time is the only thing that is constant. Although time is relative (dilated) at speeds approaching the speed of light, it certainly doesn’t go backwards. We cannot return to the past except through walking down memory lane. All we can change is the course of our future, which is shaped by the decisions we make today.

If you believe that your future is bleak, then you’d probably be working towards that bleak future, but if you believe that you’ll go big time in the coming days, I’m sure all you’ll be doing today will help you become what you hoped you would be.

Very enticing promo.

Now, it’s already February and Smart still has not updated the Smart Bigtym Buddy List of Winners on their site. I also haven’t seen it aired on TV. I searched on the web also if someone has blogged about having won on the said promo but I found none.

Like many other Smart Subscribers, I’m wondering what could be wrong with the promo. I think we deserve an explanation.

To relieve stress, I drew this simple graphic below before going home this afternoon:

I have a bit of obsession with sun rays these days. In fact, after posting this, I’ll drop by the beach to watch the sun as it meets the western sea.

IN THE last two years, I barely had enough time for introspection. I have been occupied with so many things that I did not notice my emotional and spiritual hunger.

My time had been spent on adjusting to my job and adjusting to life at home. I’ve been away from home since 2003 and it had been quite stressful to be living in a new environment at home.

I had a difficult time facing up to the new challenges. I’ve been living outside my comfort zone for most of the time and I am always treading new grounds. The responsibilities are greater and failing is never an option.

I spent some time by the beach just recently. I wanted to be alone. So, I went to a beach here and thank, God, I was the only person who thought of going there. Well, who would think of the beach when it had been raining in the past weeks.

I just sat by the shore. Meditated for a while. Recalled all the happy moments in my life. Read a book. Grabbed by pen. Scribbled something. How therapeutic had it been!

Now, after a few days at work, I think I want to do it again. I hope I can find time for it again.