Dystopian Fiction: My Reflection

Ok, I know that dystopian fiction is the latest craze for book lovers (like me). There's always something that fascinates the audience about this genre of literature. Whether it's the environment, the characters, and even the way of living in the imaginary world coming alive from the minds of novelists, dystopian fiction never disappoints.

I know what you are asking. What's dystopian fiction? But before I can tell you that, let's read the definition of the word "dystopia".

A dystopia is a community or society, usually fictional, that is in some important way undesirable or frightening. It is the opposite of a utopia. Such societies appear in many works of fiction, particularly in stories set in a speculative future. Dystopias are often characterized by dehumanization, totalitarian governments, environmental disaster, or other characteristics associated with a cataclysmic decline in society. Elements of dystopias may vary from environmental to political and social issues. Dystopian societies have culminated in a broad series of sub-genres of fiction and are often used to raise real-world issues regarding society, environment, politics, religion, psychology, spirituality, or technology that may become present in the future. For this reason, dystopias have taken the form of a multitude of speculations, such as pollution, poverty, societal collapse, political repression, or totalitarianism. - From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia

So there, dystopian fiction is all about enduring the life that is harsh, frightening and cataclysmic, mostly after a major catastrophe or a huge shift in society that defies normality that may be occur in the future.

So far, I have known two famous dystopian series, the Hunger Games Trilogy and the Divergent Series.

The Hunger Games Trilogy, penned by Suzanne Collins, takes place in a post-apocalyptic world of Panem, once part of North America. There's the regal Capitol, and then there are 12 districts which are poor, having to work hard for a living, each with a specialized field of labor. On an appointed day, as punishment for the rebellion mishap, one male and one female from each district will be chosen to become tributes, who will participate in the Hunger Games, a cutthroat competition that requires sheer will and determination to survive.

Then there's the rising star, the Divergent series by Veronica Roth. The story is set in dystopian Chicago, where society is divided into five factions, each with the purpose of cultivating a trait essential to the welfare of humankind: Abnegation, the selfless; Candor, the honest; Amity, the peaceful; Erudite, the intelligent; and Dauntless, the brave. During the ceremony, each sixteen year old must choose the faction that will become his or her way of life from now on, and pass the initiation that follows. If one fails, he or she will face the worst fate: becoming factionless.

For me, what dystopian fiction taught me is that no matter what the circumstances, you have to stay true to yourself, and fight for what you believe in. And that's why I adore Katniss and Tris. Plus, having a partner who will support you (Peeta and Four respectively) is an added bonus.

So, if you haven't tried that genre, it's never too late to start. You may get hooked, trust me. ^^

Real Life: Cybercrime Law - nothing to joke about

Ok, so we have ousted SOPA, PIPA and ACTA, three of the laws that would provide protection from piracy, stealing and cybersex, but at the cost of destroying the freedom of Internet users everywhere.

But sadly, here in the Philippines, the antagonist wins, and it's in the form of the Cybercrime law a.k.a Republic Act No. 10175

http://www.gov.ph/2012/09/12/republic-act-no-10175/

I know that piracy, art thieves and cybersex are such big issues, but this is just so damn ludicrous and over-the-top. I mean, come on, we should just focus on punishing those who run the operations, like the cybersex dens and websites that promote child pornography. Most of us are just enjoying downloading stuff that kills boredom, including episodes of our favorite shows and music, and now, we're going to get thrown to jail, just because of posting and downloading whatever we want??

As Internet users, we have the right to enjoy the services, but there are some customers who just love abusing it. Can't we just arrest the real culprits instead of getting the innocents involved in this mess? Things would be much better that way.

I can sense protests coming up... But for me, no thanks... I just hope the government reconsiders upon hearing the voices of the people and do the right thing.

UPDATE: Just added some interesting pictures. I just wanna share it.

Shared from Sen. TG Guigona's FB page, and yes, I'm with it

Brave words from Sen. Tito Sotto

RIP DILG Sec. Robredo (no joke)

Ok, so today is the death anniversary of P-Noy's dad, Benigno Aquino Jr, who was shot to death in 1981, 5 years before the dictator was ousted from the throne. 

But now, there was another death that shocked the whole Filipino population: the death of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary, Jesse Robredo.

Before that, however, Sec. Robledo had one last wish: to catch the awarding ceremony of his child. That led to his decision to fly using his private plane, Piper Seneca, last Saturday. However, because of several glitches, the plane crashed onto the shores of Masbate. Since then, the search and rescue operations began.

The Filipino communities had prayed for his survival, even through social networking sites, but to no avail. His body was recovered this morning at around 8:15 a.m., inside the fuselage of his destroyed private plane. He was then transfered into a body bag by the Coast Guard.

As of now, his remains were now laid to rest in his beloved hometown, in Naga City.

Yep, such a sad loss indeed. First, the man who sparked a flame to start the EDSA Revolution, and now, a government officer who was never greedy for power or fame and simply doing his job.

May your soul rest in peace, Sec. Robledo.... 

8 tips on writing (from Paulo Coelho's blog)

I just stumbled onto this post as I browsed my Facebook, and I thought it'll be good to spread the message.

Paulo Coelho, one of my favorite authors due to his works, has posted something originating from a blog owned by one of a Filipino blogger. It was composed of the author's 10 tips on writing, and the blogger had commented each one of them. But in Paulo's blog, only 8 of these were shown.

Here are the tips:

On Confidence: You cannot sell your next book by underrating your book that was just published. Be proud of what you have.

On Trust: Trust your reader, don’t try to describe things. Give a hint and they will fulfill this hint with their own imagination.

On Expertise: You cannot take something out of nothing. When you write a book, use your experience.

On Critics: Writers want to please their peers, they want to be recognized. Forget about this. Who cares? You should care to share your soul and not to please other writers.

On Notetaking: If you want to capture ideas, you are lost. You are going to be detached from emotions and forget to live your life. You will be an observer and not a human being living his or her life. Forget taking notes, what important remains what is not important goes away.

On Research: If you overload your book with a lot of research, you are going to be very boring to yourself and to your reader. Books are not there to show how intelligent you are. Books are there to show your soul.

On Writing: I write the book that wants to be written. Behind the first sentence is a thread that takes you to the last.

On Style: Don’t try to innovate storytelling, tell a good story and it is magical. I see people trying to work so much in style, finding different ways to tell the same thing. It’s like fashion. Style is the dress, but the dress does not dictate what is inside the dress.

Well, it's definitely something to live by, since I'm a writer myself. I'll keep those in mind.

I hope other writers will get uplifted by the tips too, so that they can become successful and happy as I am. 

The challenges of being in a relationship

Yesterday, it was official... I now had a boyfriend.


The reactions were various, from shocked to exasperated. My ate advised me to prepare myself for the worst.


I have seen his past, being heartbroken by his past girlfriends before me. I even conversed with his friend whom he usually hangs out in a net cafe in Marikina.


But my worst was when my mom warned me not to go out with him, simply because of one opinion about him: a playboy who would break someone's heart for fun. 


Yes, I had seen so many incidents of love gone wrong, from being coerced to forsake just save oneself's hide, to the ugly break-ups. When being in love with someone, you have to dedicate yourself to allot time with your significant other, even if your schedule's so busy. You have to keep your promise of being faithful, and never cheat on your partner.


More importantly, make sure that the meeting with each other's families will be of less hassle, if not totally smoothly. Tell your partner more about your kin, get used to what they want to see inside you, and prove how much you're willing to take care of him/her. It takes time for them to accept, but hopefully, things will turn around.


I'm the type who is stubborn, yet determined to get what I want, yet I have the heart to accept the imperfection of others. I know he's not handsome, and I know he's childish and quite a pervert (ok, sometimes), but he never cheated, never committed vices and never broke someone's heart. I don't care about his past, because what matters the most is our promise, and that I'll always be there for him, even during the darkest of his days and when the world is against us.


I just hope my family will see that one day, and even his too.


Sorry, it's just something I wanted to let it all out. Feeling a bit sober right now... :(

Spirit Tales: the newest cute MMORPG to take the stage

During one of my Facebook browsing sessions, I stumbled upon bablih’s album about her character together with her husband’s. The album was entitled “Spirit Tales”.

I was like “Hmmm… cute and interesting”. I decided to go to the album, and all I saw were their chibi-looking avatars and their pets, meaning it’s an MMORPG. I immediately asked for the official website, and she gave me the link. That’s when I decided to check it out.

Spirit Tales was developed by KoramGame, the same ones responsible for bringing us Tales of Merlin, Dragon Born Online, Clash of Kingdoms Online and Checkmate. The open beta was launched last May 10, 2012.

Spirit Tales is set in a mystical world where the Southern Tribes are living in harmony away from the warfare. Corrupted by greed, the Northern Tribes clashed for power and riches, and the Southern Tribes evacuated to the last serene haven known as Autumnal Grove. Their last hope for survival lies in the hands of the Glorious Shield, a group of honorable defenders who are willing to risk their lives to regain the right to live in peace.

Upon character creation, you can choose from 6 classes, each with its own unique battle style.

Fighter – the all-around combatant skilled in close-ranged combat. The fighters can also evoke the energy resonating from nature, enhancing their attacks with its fury.

Warrior – the tanker built to defend like a brick wall. The Warrior is blessed with high defense and equips a shield, allowing him or her to take the heat and still remain standing.

Assassin – excelling in stealthy attacks, the Assassin is blessed with quick reflexes and fast speed, allowing him or her to incapacitate opponents quickly without giving them time to react.

Archer – the long-ranged hunter with a keen eye for the target. Wielding a bow, the Archer is all about aiming the perfect strike with the arrow

Sorcerer – the mage class endowed with fire and ice magic. The Sorcerer is capable of tapping the dormant power of the cosmos, allowing him or her to alter the course of battle with devastating spells.

Shaman – the healer/buffer class, the Shaman can cast enhancement magic to aid comrades and recover them from the perils of battle.

Just like any MMORPG, Spirit Tales has some features that make it unique, and here are some:

Spirit Form System – when your character reaches level 10, you can transform into the animal form of your class, known as your Spirit Form. Spirit Form requires Spirit Points (acquired by killing monsters using skills) to retain it, and SP will decrease over time. When your SP reaches zero, you’ll revert back to normal, and you have to replenish it to enable the transformation again.

Pet System – monsters can be captured and tamed to become companions, leveling up alongside you and maturing with you as you take care of them. Both your primary and secondary pets have their own set of skills, such as attacking with you as you fight monsters or bestowing you with buffs. When a pet reaches level 30, they can evolve.

PvP – players craving for some PvP action can enter the Twilight Arena in a 5-vs-5 battle (must be level 40 first to go in). Winners will receive Twilight Tokens, which serve as currency to buy assistance potions and compound recipes.

Did it pique your interest? Then go to the official website, download the client and register!

Trust me, it’ll be fun! ^^

American Idol Season 11: My verdict

EDIT: added a video. Feel free to see it. ^^

Throughout its 11 years of existence, American Idol became one of the most popular reality series worldwide. This season 11, it has become more competitive and fierce, with high standards and expectations. Indeed, the pubic had opened its eyes to the potential of contestants who have competed.

During each performance show, there are highs, such as Jessica’s rendition of “Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston. But there are also lows, such as the feedbacks about the imperfections brought upon by the judges. At the elimination nights, it’s always a heart-stopping moment as fans of each contestant watch in anticipation, hoping that their favorites won’t be eliminated. Everyone had their mouths ajar when Jessica Sanchez was declared the lowest and was in danger of going home. Thankfully, the judges had used their save on her.

Over the course of my viewing sessions in Season 11, my favorites had been eliminated one by one. Jermaine, the soulful gentle giant, was disqualified due to criminal records. I definitely pouted when Heejun was sent packing, and I was pissed when Colton’s dream was dashed, because he’s like the next version of James Durbin. As for Skylar and Shanon, it’s just ok.

The finalists: Philip Philips (left) and Jessica Sanchez (right)

Finally, Jessica Sanchez and Philip Philips were the last ones standing during the grand finale. I kept on hoping that history will be made with Jessica being the first Asian to be victorious on that show. But alas, the opposite happened. Philips became the grand winner. My reaction was indeed similar like last season, when Scotty McCreery was chosen instead of Lauren Alaina.


But at least, mine's not ballistic, compared to the reaction of a young kid shown in the video included in this article.

But let’s not forget that each contestant had put so much effort to make it this far. Sure, I’m disappointed that the Filipina didn’t get the top prize, but Philips deserved it as well. I’m sure the pawnshop he’s working on will soon been jam-packed with customers since he became a renowned star.

All in all, it was one hell of a ride. I hope Season 12 will be awesome as well (and hopefully, to have an Asian winner).

Well, now that it’s over, I must continue on my story projects. Till next time, folks!

Onee-chan, I still miss you - update

Continuation of this.


Until now, I still think about her. Months had passed since the last time I discussed about my older sister. My father sometimes called my relatives to check on her, but no news yet.


Finally, just yesterday, my dad talked to my grandma on the phone. After he hung up, I asked about what happened. He simply told me not to worry, and what he said next definitely shocked me to bits.


My sister is now working as an accountant clerk somewhere in Manila, much better than being a stripper. I was so relieved and happy at the same time.


Now, if only I can see her again...


Onee-chan, I still miss you, but I know you're in good hands now. Best of luck in following your dreams ^^

101 Ways to Leave a Game Show: more than just a casual exit

This show had been premiered in AXN last Wednesday, and I was so hyped about it that I couldn't resist the urge to post it here. From the creators of Wipeout comes this show, surely to knock your socks off.

The game show's logo

101 Ways to Leave a Game Show is an entertainment series that began last June 21, 2011 by ABC, catering to the US viewers. It was shown to all Filipino watchers by Sony Entertainment Company (owner of AXN).

The wacky host, Jeff Sutphen

The mechanics of the game is simple: answer the questions right, and you'll get a shot at winning $50,000. If you get the wrong answer, you're out of the game. But trust me, the way of being eliminated won't be as simple as walking away empty-handed, for it incorporated outrageous and insane styles of exits, exaggerating the punishment one receives for answering the questions wrong.


Take a look at these examples:

Flying high, away from the contest!!!

Waaaaaaaaa!!! I'm blasting off!!!

BOOOM!!! 

See, I told you it'll never involve the usual walking away from the competition. ^^


In the end, the four remaining contestants will face off for the grand prize. Only one will remain on the top while the rest will fall down to the water.


I suggest you watch it, and you'll get my drift. :D


Till next tym, peeps! ^^

Real Life: of graduation and new beginnings

I finished attending my brother's graduation this afternoon, and it brought me back memories. I endured trying not to sleep, just to give respect to the people on stage. As I finally saw him receiving his diploma, I thought of mine, still encased in that red velvet covering with my medium graduation portrait beside it, and even the happy faces of my mom and dad.


We all know that graduation is entitled to the end of elementary / high school / college life and commencement onto a new phase in life. Parents are really happy that their kids finally reaped the fruits of their labor after working hard to pay the tuition fees. For the cream of the crop, especially the valedictorians / magma cum lades and salutatorians / suma cum lades, dedication with extra effort equates to greater rewards. But for the rest, simply having the privilege of getting the diploma would be enough.


But while graduating may be a good thing, it also means saying goodbye to the good times one has with his school peers. Although they may be able to still keep in touch, things will never be the same, especially when going on separate ways.


Never forget the lessons learned during your years of studying, not just the usual subjects, but real ones as well. 


Congrats, graduates! Hats off to all of ya!