A Sun

I was watching a YouTube video essay on the death of the cinema from the diametrically opposite but very nuanced views of Susan Sontag and Martin Scorsese (its death they predicted, nonetheless) when this 2019 Taiwanese movie was mentioned. As it’s a Saturday and I did not want to do anything that had to do with work and be confronted by the dullness of a weekend morning, I searched for the film on Netflix and found this gem. Cinema, argue both Sontag and Scorsese, is a dying art form—the cause of death varies, though; I am uncertain, however, whether to be grateful or not having seen this film on the supposed waning days of cinema. It is not that they do not anymore make beautiful and moving films like this, it’s the fact that we’re flooded with options and recommendations of some indifferent (but very personal) platform algorithm that stories and voices like this movie’s remain unheard until they’re actively unearthed or “discovered.”

The Reconciliation Dinner

The play did not provide a novel solution/resolution to the problem of how one deals with the unraveling of friendships and relationships that resulted from the 2016/2022 elections. Even after watching the play, I still fail to understand how people I thought I knew very well through the years could have voted for Duterte or Marcos, or how they continue to cling on to their beliefs despite the overwhelming evidence before their eyes that Duterte, BBM, and this woman Sara are destroying this nation slowly and well.

And their silence, even active support, only makes this destruction more insidious and thorough.

There were moments of intelligent comedic exchanges—and for these the amount I paid to purchase the tickets was well worth it. The audience laughed hard at these jokes, but it’s apparent that the laughters were tinged with uncertainty, hopelessness, and fear because they know fully well that once they exit Peta Theater, they’ll have to confront the fact that the state of the country is not getting better, and it’s thanks to these Duterte and Marcos supporters.

Eumir

Today we celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the day we plucked Eumir out of his very sad and miserable life in the nearby park.

He was by himself in an abandoned restaurant, about two weeks old, surviving on food scraps left behind by passersby who had taken pity on him. Eumir was then a tiny kitten whose eyes were covered with gunk, had runny nose, and squealed for his mother who left him there to fend for himself.

Had we decided on adopting him two or three days late, he would have completely lost his eyesight or life. Perhaps because of the knowledge that his life now is a result of luck and an inordinate slathering of fortune, Eumir is the best behaved among the five cats in the house. He never figured in any fights and just calmly approaches us whenever he feels like getting a rub or a kiss.

Eumir is always loved.

Good bye, my man Milan

I’ve never understood my fascination for his works and his life. I read all his books and anthologies of essays. I read and reread the Unbearable Lightness of Being a total of 14 times!

Now the guy is gone, and I feel a tinge of emptiness and deep sadness. This guy’s thoughts, nonetheless will live on, akin to an eternal return. I could only hope for a peaceful journey for you, my man Milan.