Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Brokeback Mountain, Bridges of Madison Country, The Crime of Padre Amaro

Movies, considered as today's most popular "textbooks", allow us to engage themes that many still consider taboo or restricted. Our class has had the chance to view three critically-acclaimed motion pictures, all of which explore very sensitive themes. How would you describe each of these films? Which characters do you identify with and why? Which characters did you find repulsive or repugnant and why? What new insights or fresh challenges-- about sexuality, about relationships, and about yourself-- did these movies offer you?

27 comments:

ma beate mantilla hernandez said...

In the Arms of Love?
Movie Review
The Sin of Father Amaro


Looking through the eyes of a young priest, that’s what he was. Father Amarro, a young priest who came to a small town, sent by the Church through the Bishop for an Internship (possibly a short term assignment before bowing to a full pledged vocation). I totally see the human sexuality issue of no matter how far and wide, cognitive and shallow a man could be.

He fell in love with a girl, attracted at some point, Amelia a very active young leader of his parish. This sensual attraction and mutual feeling of love and hate, sex and lush of temporal passion lead him to support and sustain the fire of passion. He has indulged to successive lies in order to fulfill each others hunger for momentary pleasure and sexual expression.

Helplessly indulged, Father Amarro could have seen a good environment for his mentoring and molding hours while doing his immersion or task of being a servant of God. Black politics co-exist in his time of shelter for knowledge and doing theology. The very thought of black politics co-exist even before this time period, it was even those time when the Church started the play of political diagram, remember the time of the dark ages, and the time when the church became the head of the state. The very reason why Dr. Jose Rizal after flaunting the complex state of politics and society had its interchangeable fashion of doing such ended up his life in the hands of the authority.

Moreover, Father Amarro moved the hands of opportunity, putting Amelia to decide on her own, the baby and her own future, excluding himself, he did not think about the implications of their illegitimate acts would bring. He concentrated only on his own pleasure and delight. In effect, he terminated the sacristan (Martin) of their parish who knew about their relationship.

Father Amarro had exposure to some controversial, yet important details and facets of social activity, human reality of frailty and convictions. His constant conversation with another priest who has been involved to community organizing somehow made him think of his own stand, conviction at the some point.

Eventually, His decision to reach the top, having felt the very things that he would be doing as a priest will be a good future for him, made him to deliver the girl to a more dangerous situation.

I was overly touched of that scene when he asked for forgiveness to Amelia, called out to wait for him and uttered the words of forgiveness. It was almost at the point of realization, but until the end part of the story. It was his sin that made him completely consumed of sinfulness. It was a moment that he felt the shame and decided to wash hands of not to become responsible to all of what happened.

Human sexuality in the eyes of socio-economic, psychological, theological paradigm has brought many changes in the effect of human life. Father Amarro, Amelia and other priests involved have displayed their human frailty and issues on human sexuality.

They had moments of need and accepting each others end of human depravity, but it was all over carried by decision and personal conviction. At one point, it made me think about our self resonance of things seen and heard. We are all over carried by our ways and perfection, some may even think it will never happen to me, but we cannot truly hold back the time and space, all I know is that God is forever faithful; sin is everywhere, and everything. Coming back and going through life, it is in Him that we are made strong to fulfill our task, if some Father Amarro come our way, it is also not fitting to throw the dust, life is always unfair. Doing such is a mouthful of disgrace to a brother and more to ourselves, each of us have our own depravity, and we do not earn the right to judge others nor to exclude ourselves from the sin committed by others; we may not know it, that we are already doing it.


Prepared by:
Ma. Beate Mantilla-Hernandez
MDIV Senior

July 28, 2008 5:46 AM


ma beate mantilla hernandez said...
BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY
A Film Review by Ma. Beate Mantilla-Hernandez, RND
for Biblico-Ethical Issues on Human Sexuality

Bridges serve as connection of two different locations; connection marks a good description to relate two different world. I have ultimately felt the need to describe my own connection to Bridges of Madison County. A film of re-showing what life has to take to become fulfilled, to see our hopes, regrets and plans.

Francesca a typical woman of a household, bound to perform daily routine as a mother, housewife and a household keeper. Kept and locked to scenery which made her to move to a limited space in life. She may give her smile if needed but deep on those grin she is deeply wounded of not doing her dream and plans in life.

Carolyn and Michael were the siblings of Francesca and Richard. Born to this life to become part of citizenship, led to portray their role as youngsters who are also driven to become someone someday, have their own family and earn a good income, their lives were also in the brink of broken marriages not until they both read the written unspoken truth of their mothers fate in love and fate in the hope to become a woman who fights for her love which was consumed by life’s standard and value.

Richard the strong man in the house displays timid direction. He is a picture of a partner living the simplicity of life and passion. His relationship with Francesca is smoothly felt by his wife’s description of him, clean and responsible.

Robert a photographer, an artist at his own right. Came to Madison County to do his project for National Geographic, shooting pictures of its beautiful and masterpieces of Bridges. On his road to the county, he was bound to begin a life full of love and passion in a wrong time and place? Meanwhile, Carolyn had to spend a week for her competition and was accompanied by her dad and Michael. Francesca opted to stay home with herself, do the chores and farm with a complete thought of spending the week to be with herself, not knowing that her 4 days will become her life turning and life changing experience with a man who will open a journey with her to bridges of life and decision.

This film is done on a setting with very limited yet profound places to a life of a woman. Francesca lived in a few spaces such as house, backyard, kitchen (where all women spent a lot of time cooking, washing dishes for the family) farm and grocery. A cheap production indeed but it is meant to portray some good important point to Francesca’s life, a very simple and homebound life.

Her four days with Robert of whom she spent after taking him to the route to Roseman Bridge was ever remembering. She felt the love and reason to become a woman of whom she realized she really is, a woman who loved to be loved, caress for a reason, and make love for certainty and not for a responsibility.

The day came when she needed to decide of whether to leave her Madison County life, Carolyn, Michael and Richard, and stay away, go away with Robert. That hand that grasp the car knob to open a decision to leave and haste a life that would make her and complete her.

My dear friends I would want us to come together and picture ourselves to her need of realization, are you going to open the door and off the truck to be with someone whom you felt the need to become someone who is important, filled your life?

I would totally admire her confused yet ready to decide moments because she was completely driven to mark a good life to only not herself but to the entire Johnson family. She was crucial enough by saying “I choose my family”. She has done a mistake by giving herself to a man, she has done mistake by trusting someone to fill her empty county life? But in the end she chooses to be with her children.

Moreover, that life she spent with Richard her husband is a vow she made to the community, to the Lord and to both their parents. Indeed a life for marriage is a work to do. I would still want to feel for Francesca, her decision for Robert an the 4 days are both result for her need of love and importance.

Marriage is a lifetime bridge to travel, we may find times of loose and the fire and heartbeat is nowhere felt and observed, but I think I need to develop it and revisit the feeling again and again to the one same man I presented to God when I entered marriage with him, that no matter how many Robert comes along I will still travel this journey with the man I love. I need to explain this part, I am not against or discriminating Francesca at all, she is a woman of care which resembles our vital requests to our partners in this travel of life. This film articulated our own call to come and go back to our loved ones and begin to travel with good and abiding trust and filling each others must have.

How abut you? Are you going to let Robert in when your husband is there? Are you going to open the knob, off the truck and decide for a lifetime?

September 2, 2008 2:09 AM

Anonymous said...

Of Father Amaro

Ang kuwento ay isang pangkaraniwang tagpo sa buhay ng isang tao at sa isang bahagi ay sa buhay ng isang lingkod ng simbahan. Malinaw at buong inam na ginampanan ng mga artista ang kanilang mga roles kaya sa kabuuan lumabas ang nararapat palitawin sa pelikula, ito ay ang pagsasalamin sa kahinaan ng tao. Ito rin ay sumasalamin sa epekto ng ginagawa nating mga pagpapasya bawat sandali ng ating mga buhay at hindi na kailangan pa ng malalim na teolohiya para ito’y ipaliwanag. Si Padre Amaro ay larawan ng isang taong maraming lihim na itinatago, hindi ipinaliwanag sa pelikula kung ito bang taong ito ay ganoon din ang ginawa sa mga naunang parokyang pinaglingkuran, totoo na siya’y paborito ng obispo at tila ”maliit na obispo” sa kanyang ginawang pagkilos at pagpapasya, ngunit hindi sa lahat ng oras at pagkakataon. Si Padre Amaro rin ay sumasalamin sa isang lipunan na totoong mahina at hindi kayang tumanggi, ni hindi rin marunong pagdating sa pagpapasa. Namatay ang babaeng kanyang nabuntis dahil ayaw niyang panagutan ito at hindi rin siya naging matalino sa pagpapasya. Ang ating lipunan din ay larawan ni Padre Amaro at ng taong kanyang ”minahal” (minahal nga ba?), mahina at madalas hindi ginagamit ang puso sa pagpapasya.

Madison County

Ang mga bridges o mga tulay ay nariyan na sa ating mga buhay bilang mga tao, ang kailangan ay wastong pagpili at pagpapasya. Ang kuwento ay umiikot sa mga tulay na ito, may pasimula at mayroong hangganan, ngunit sa panibagong tulay muli. Ang Madison County ay isang lugar na puno ng mga tulay, ngunit marami ang hindi nakasumpong ng mga tulay na ito, kaya mas pinili ng ibang mga tauhan na manatili sa lulgar na iyon. Bagaman walang pumipigil sa kanila upang magpasya, hindi pa rin nila ito ginawa. Ang Madison County ay bahagi ng isang mas malaking Madison County pa at lahat tayo ay kabahagi nito.

Brokeback Mountain

Ang pelikulang ito ay sumesentro sa ugnayan ng isang lalaki sa kanyang kapwa lalaki, ”nabali” ang likod ng bundok (na madalas sinasabing matatag ang mga bundok, mahirap matinag at tinagin na hindi palagiang totoo). Nabali rin ang sinasabing pundasyon ng lipunang kanilang ginagalawan, ito’y ang mga lalaki ay dapat matapang at hindi umiiyak, hindi mahina. Nagbago ang takbo ng kuwento nang subukan nilang lumabas sa “kahon” ng lipunan at gawin ang idinidikta ng kanilang mga damdamin. Bagaman ang konseptong ay kanluranin, ngunit di ako tiyak kung ito’y hindi nangyari sa mga sinaunang tao ng bansang ito. Ang pelikula ay sumentro sa dalawang lalaki na naging biktima ng kanilang sariling kultura, hindi malaya at laging may hadlang. Ang kanilang ugnayan ay nagwakas na pareho silang malungkot at sawi sa kanilang mga buhay.

Unknown said...

1. The sin of Father Amaro
I think this film helps explain how even men of the cloth can be human. It is a film that will make you think and wonder just how close to the truth this film really is. One cannot deny that this is a well-acted and directed film. Each performer finds the right note between power, passion, and perversion to make their character's actions seem believable, natural and organic.
During I watch this movie I want to identify the characters of a young lady Amelia, daughter of Sanjuanera. She meet a young priest, and handsome, Amaro and fall in love with him. I thinks that She already know the priest was not allowed to marriage a woman. But she love strongly Amaro. She always tried to meet Amaro and persuaded(tempted) him to love her. She didn’t give up her decision. She was also a devoted woman at church activities. Her devotion to the church is seen as admirable by many in the town, however, the fall into temptation by Father Amaro and Amelia did happen very quickly. She stand firmly on her decision and she gave all of her life for her lover Amaro. She don’t care ( afraid) how thing will happen in her future life.
I find the Character of Father Amaro was repulsive or repugnant. Amaro was sent for training to the church of the town of Los Reyes, Aldama, under the supervision of Father Benito, in order to send him later to Rome for further studies. In Los Reyes he meets the devout, innocent and sensuous Amelia, with whom he slowly falls in love, cursing the fate that condemns him to celibacy. Amaro falls for her and they begin a passionate affair. Eventually, Amelia gets pregnant. Amaro heart was filled with fear because of his sin. He don’t want to know his church members and he want to cover his sin. He secretly plan to abortion the pregnant of Amelia. Because of his luxurious desire fulfilling the innocent young woman, Amelia was passed a way. I cannot strongly blame Father Amaro, why? Because he is a man and also he has five-senses. We have a proverb, “Monk also a man.” They also have a desire like an ordinary people.
This movie show us that the reality of every human situation. All of the (living creatures) people in the entire world has a felling. Felling dominated all human minds and actions. In other word, human sexuality controlled human minds and souls. Without sex our love and relationship are not become meaningful. Human sexuality has brought many changes in the effect of human life. In this movie clearly show us that sex controlled human morality. Therefore, we can say that human sexuality is one of the unique and sacred gift of God.

2.BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
After watching this movie, I asked myself, what movie is it? And finally I know that, “that movie is like reality.” Those who say love is only between a male and female. No. it is not true. "Brokeback Mountain" gives a new definition to love. Love is not that happens between two opposite sex. Love is an emotion that we cannot control. It comes out automatically. Doesn't matter about the gender, it's about living happy with the ones you love and those who you love, love you back. Its amazing how this movie has taken on so many important life problems... Including loneliness, and Homosexuality which isn't exactly a problem, but definitely something some men do deal with.. A very hard movie to perfect, but they did it.
I wants to identify the character of Ennis. Ennis seriously tries to live an isolated life with Jack. He tried to forget Jack. Because he fear others knowing about their secret relationship, and just lives his life for the sake of the society. He married Alma, a good women who cannot understand her husband until it is much too late. They have two children. He committed all of his life for his family. Unfortunately, Jack is the one who tries all possible ways for their life together, there are many instances where we are let to know how deeply Ennis loves Jack. For instance, the ever-dull face of Ennis lightens up when he receives a post card from Jack after four years since their first meet. And when they meet, the ever-afraid Ennis is the first one to drag, hug and kiss Jack in an open space with so much passion and love that only who is in love can understand. Both Jack and Ennis carry their loneliness around constantly. I’m amazing that how much love is.
I find the Character of Jack Twist was repulsive or repugnant. After they returned from Brokeback Mountain they have their own wife, children and their own family. But Jack never forget a successful relationship with Ennis. He always tries all possible ways for their life together, he knows that how deeply Ennis loves him. And he sent a post card to Ennis.That reason Ennis and his family(especially his wife and children) relationship and love was broken. They have their own wife and family, but they never received their desire fulfillment from their wife. They fill loneliness.
In one of the scenes, when Jack Twist insists to go to Mexico, Ennis suspects Jack for going to a male prostitute for which Mexico is famous and warns him that if he goes in search of other man, he would kill him. This clearly shows how possessive Ennis is on Jack like any other ordinary couple in real life. It is because of this one for one relationship, their love story gets an epic status. Otherwise, commonly gays are known to be those who bed with anybody just for sex. Also Jack and Ennis never they loose their manliness. In fact, they get into a formal marriage and raise children like any other ordinary man. This further increases the admiration over their relationship.

3. The Bridges of Madison County
The Bridges of Madison County is about these unbelievable life-changing four days of Francesca and Robert. Francesca's husband (Richard) and two children (Michael and Caroline ) are away for four days at the Illinois State Fair, leaving her home alone. Not long after Francesca's family leaves, a photographer who is Robert Kincaid drives up to ask for directions to a covered bridge for pictures. Since the roads are unmarked, she guides him there in person, and the pair end up spending the rest of the day…into the evening…together. They start as friends with an endless capacity for conversation, but less than 24 hours later, they are in love. It's easy to believe that Francesca and Robert's love is deep and special.
I want to identify the Francesca character, she lives on a farm with her middle-aged husband and teenage son and daughter. She is a very good wife and mother for her husband and children, she fulfilled all the family duties. She never listened her favorite song and music, because her children turnoff and plays their favorite song. During the four days of her family's absence, Francesca falls deeply in love with Robert, and he with her. In him, she rediscovers her dreams of the wider world long denied her in rural Iowa. In her, he discovers the personal and emotional commitment that he professes not to need. When Francesca must choose between Robert and her family, Duty, Responsibility and Loyalty battle with the Heart for the outcome. She know she has done a mistake by giving herself to Robert and later she strongly decided to choose her family and give-up her lover Robert.
In this movie all of them are good I don’t know exactly what character are repulsive or repugnant. It is such a wonderful story I could paraphrase the whole thing; but I won't. Just enjoy each moment of their 4 days together which go on forever in their hearts. I think the moral of "THE BRIDGES OF MADSION COUNTY" is to be grateful for every day of our lives. Life is a long-winding road full of joy and sorrow. We must survive the sorrow and truly cherish the joy while at the same time remembering that our decisions affect not only us but our loved ones as well. The ending is magnificent.

Emilio "Jon" Manaois said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Emilio "Jon" Manaois said...

The Crime of Padre Amaro

The Crime of Padre Amaro is a must-see movie because it depicts the reality of the church and society ; of power , money, connivances of church and influential people, media and the like. But the central point of the film is the romance, lust, passion and tragedy of the life of Padre Amaro and Amelia. At first the innocence of them are expressed; Amaro being a young priest and Amelia a devout catholic young, naïve but smart girl of town. It started with a typical crush of a young woman (though attached to her journalist lover named Reuben) to a fine-looking and silent priest; serious and excited to his vocation, focused on piety and ecclesiastical duty.
Padre Benito who happened to be the assigned priest in town was alleged of money laundering Amaro is deeply embarrased and also angered by all of the accusations in Ruben's article - and so, it's possible that he takes up with Amelia as revenge against Ruben. Amelia is also angry at Ruben for printing such filth about Father Benito, and the church. As Ruben and Amelia split, Amaro is able to put the moves on her which he does - and she is, of course, quite interested, as she has crush on him ever since he first arrived. Amaro is able to find a place for the young lovers to meet, and that is at the home of one of the church's aides. He has a severely disabled daughter and the set-up is that Amelia is teaching the catechism to Getsmani, and that in turn, Amaro is secretly teaching Amelia how to become a nun in a local order.
And so, the two end up lovers; sex, desire, lust, denial and revenge all rolled into one. Here comes the plot; Amelia gets pregnant but the young priest rejects it and want the baby aborted. The worst thing happens is when they are about to go to a clinic, Amelia got hemorrhage and died enroute. The most tragic of all is the fact that Amaro still manage to administer funeral service for her as if he has nothing to do with the misery that happened to the girl.
Apparently, this happens in the real life scenario. As a church worker, I encountered such case and I was quite surprise that the present church is not different to the world. Pride, lust, power struggle, bribery, deception also happen in the church where peace, love, equality and righteousness should be our vernacular and action. Where is the church now? Leaders of the church are in the position to make a first step to attain uprightness and justice.


Brokeback Mountain

This is a film different from other Oscar Awarded movies. It is about illicit relationship between same sex partners.
Their story begins in Wyoming in 1963, when Ennis and Jack get a job tending sheep on a mountainside. After some days have passed on the mountain and some whiskey has been drunk, they suddenly and almost violently have sex.
The summer ends and both men go off to the rest of their lives. Ennis marries his sweetheart Alma and Jack, moving to Texas, falls into a marriage with Lureen a rodeo rider with a well-to-do father. They think that what happened on Brokeback Mountain is over, but it is not. For what Ennis and Jack reluctantly come to realize is that, all unawares, they have stumbled into the great love of their lives, with all the problems and complications that implies for themselves and the others in their life.
There are kids, marriages, jobs, nights of drinking, heterosexual flings, in-laws and holidays to celebrate, and they do everything they're expected to do, but numb. Then every so often, they meet back up on the mountain and get to be themselves for a few stolen days.
The situation carries a lot of emotional power, largely because it's so specific and yet undefined. The two guys - cowboys - are in love with each other, but we don't ever quite know if they're in love with each other because they're gay, or if they're gay because they're in love with each other.
In 1963 homosexuality is deeply rejected. Perhaps Jack was killed in the movie due to the shame and repugnance that their relationship brought in the family and society. Until now many societies disallow gayness and lesbianism. The church is the major rejectionist of them. As church worker, I have and I had members who have tendencies to be such. The problem is that their situation is somewhat taboo when members are with them, but when they are not around they keep telling things against the homosexuals. Its like they are accepted but technically rejected. But if not the church, who would understand and accept them? What about the love of God? The love of neighbor that Jesus is teaching about? If the church sometimes accept unrepentant pastor then why we can’t accept people whose basic sole problem is the aspect of their sexuality? If we can accept cancer patients then why can’t we accept gays in regards to the sickness of their sexuality? If we can’t love now, when? If not in church and home, where? And if not us, who?

blessed said...

Sin of Father Amaro

THis is a story of a young and idealistic priest named Father Amaro, who was sent to a small parish church in Los Reyes, Mexico. He was sent there to assist the aging Father Benito in his daily life. Upon arriving at the small town, he discovered that Father Benito and Sanjuanera have a secret relationship. The following day, he had the chance to meet the young Amelia,who happened to be the daughter of Sanjuanera.This 16 year old girl was religiously devoted to the church but her growing attraction to the young father soon entagles her. As the young priest discovers the corruption in that community, and that the church and the corrupted official are old acquaintances, his attraction with young Amelia grows deeper. And soon, they have fallen in love with each other and their passionate sexual relationship has begun. Soon, things around the young priest becomes complicated.He was torn between his devotion (priesthood) and his love (Amelia). He was confused with what is rightheous and unjust.

Honestly, this movie made me angry. Lalo na nang mamatay si Amelia dahil sa pagpapalaglag. Because of shame, ito ang nagtulak sa kanila na gawin ito kahit alam nilang delikado. Sana bago sila nagkaroon ng relationship ay naisip na nila, lalo na si Father Amaro,yung mga bagay na maaaring mangyari between them o yung consequences na maaari nilang kaharapin pagkatapos. Well, that is the reality. Nangyari din at nangyayari din ang mga ganitong pangyayari sa ibang tao o higit sa mga Pastor. Malimit mong maririnig na sila ay tao lang natutukso rin. Ngunit dapat bang gawing excuse ang ganitong kahinaan? Mga nagsasabi pang "ano pa ang gagawin mo kapag mismong palay na ang lumalapit, eh di tukain mo na lang." Pero para sa akin, it's a matter of choice pa rin. Kung yun ang pinili nila, they should have the courage the face the consequences hindi katulad ni Father Amaro. Kung tutuusin, pwedeng sabihin na iyon ay abuse. Dahil si Amelia ay minor ngunit sya ay nasa legal age na. He was in a position kung saan mayroon siyang kapangyarihan. Kung talagang ginusto nya ay maaari naman siyang umiwas...ang sinapit ni Amelia ay labis na nagpalungkot sa akin. At nawa ay hindi sapitin ng iba pang mga dalagitang katulad niya ang nangyari sa kanya.

blessed said...

Bridges of Madison County

Ito ay kwento ng isang tipikal na housewife. Makikita natin dito ang karaniwang nangyayari sa isang babae kapag siya ay nakakapag-asawa - isinasakripisyo nya ang kanyang sariling mga pangarap para sa asawa at kanyang mga anak. Na may mga pagkakataon na ang kanyang sariling identity bilang isang indibidwal ay natatakpan dahil siya ay "asawa na ni ganito" at laging iisipin ang kapakanan ng pamilya. Ngunit makikita rin natin na dumarating talaga ang panahon kung saan hahangarin nya rin ang kanyang sariling kaligayahan katulad ng nangyari kay Franchesca na nagkaroon ng apat na araw na relasyon kay Robert Kincaid habang wala ang kanyang pamilya. Naging mahirap para sa kanilang dalawa ang pagtatapos ng kanilang relasyon ngunit iyon ang kailangang gawin dahil sa ginawa nilang desisyon. Sinasabi ng movie sa mga may-asawa na wag nilang kakalimutan na ang kanilang mga esposa ay isa ring indibidwal na meron ding mga pangarap at inaasam sa buhay. At dapat nilang maipama sa lahat ng panahon na sila ay mahalaga at minamahal. Bilang isang dalaga, nagbigay ito ng inspirasyon sa akin na humanap ng isang asawa na maaaring makaunawa sa aking karapatan at pangarap bilang isang indibidwal at higit sa lahat, bilang isang babae.


Brokeback Mountain

Sabi nga ay mahirap talagang tanggapin kapag ang isang lalaki ay umibig sa isa ring lalaki, lalo na kung ito ay magkaroon pa ng sekswal na relasyon sa kanya. Sabihin na nilang hindi bukas ang aking kaisipan sa mga ganitong bagay ngunit aking paninindigan na HINDI DAPAT MAGKAROON NG GANOONG KLASENG RELASYON ANG DALAWANG PAREHONG LALAKI O BABAE.i have lesbian and gayfriends pero alam nila ang aking panindigan pagdating sa ganitong bagay.
Ngunit paano natin ito iaadress bilang mga manggagawa ng ating mga simbahan? Hahayaan na lang ba natin na sila sa ganitong kalalagayan? Ngunit paano natin sila matutulungan? Mga tanong na madaling sagutin ngunit mahirap gawin. Meron akong nabasang libro na sa paggawa ng isang bagay, nagiging mahirap lamang ito kung hindi natin ginagawa ang unang hakbang. Kaya ang issue na ito, kung meron man sa ating mga simbahan, ay masasagot lamang kung gagawin natin ang unang hakbang. As churchworkers, we should settle first kung ano ang ating sariling pagtingin dito.Ating laging balikan na ang nilikhang tao ng Diyos ay babae't lalaki lamang at wala nang iba pa.

blessed said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

1.THE CRIME OF FATHER AMARO
Father Amarro, a young priest who came to a small town, sent by the Church through the Bishop for an Internship. I totally see the human sexuality issue of no matter how far and wide, cognitive and shallow a man could be. Upon arriving, he sees he has his work cut out for him. Father Benito, his supposed mentor, takes money from drug lords that he launders to help build a hospital in the town. He also has a local woman for personal (as well as sexual) favors. The other priests in the area are just as bad. Corruption and sinning in various forms seem to be quite normal for the inhabitants of Los Reyes.
Gael Garcia Bernal plays an innocent and naive Father Amaro and seems to always wear a frown. It is not often that we see him smile which makes you wonder if he has really found his vocation. He seems to be in a permanent mode of contemplation. Perhaps it is just that this is his first appointment as a priest and it is his anxiety that is overwhelming him. Father Natalio provides aid and comfort to rebel forces fighting a guerilla war with the government. As Amaro tries to help the Bishop with reforms and the parishioners with their spiritual needs, a young girl named Amelia strikes his fancy. She is sexually obsessed with the church, so much so that she confesses to unclean thoughts about Jesus himself. Amaro falls for her and they begin a passionate affair. Eventually, Amelia gets pregnant.
. What we have here is a movie with no moral center, where every character is corrupt on many intricate levels. There are the old fashioned priests, set in their drug money laundering and sanctuary for guerilla warrior ways, blind to their sins but more than happy to condemn the faults of others. There are the local members of the parish, old ladies who steal money from the collection tray and young girls who turn a sexual eye on the icons like hopped up groupies for God. But the worst may be the title character himself. Padre Amaro, the young saving grace reformer, is in actuality a power mad vacuum, able to use a nubile young woman to satisfy his carnal desires as he finks on those within his order who would do the same. He is guilty of committing various immoral acts as a means of achieving power and importance. It was almost at the point of realization, but until the end part of the story. It was his sin that made him completely consumed of sinfulness. It was a moment that he felt the shame and decided to wash hands of not to become responsible to all of what happened.
As for me I can’t support Amaro as he seduces and uses the fundamentalist ingénue Amelia to combat his lustful desire. Also hard to understand and forgive him for the various acts of fornication even though he is a forward thinking young man who can somehow divorce himself from the traditionalistic view of priest celibacy while maintaining a pure connection to his church and its teachings. The excommunication of Father Natalio is meant to outrage us, since he is trying to accomplish his primary mandate as a man of the cloth: preserve and comfort his people. So what if many of them are violent anti-government rebels? Don't they deserve a voice in God's kingdom? For the first half of the film, we champion Amaro in his quest for reform until he gropes the girl in one of the pews and even paying for an abortion that ends up killing Amelia and fights with his mentor Father Benito until he has a heart attack, we are left disoriented and angry.
If the message is that corruption comes in all sizes, then that communication is made loud, clear, and consistently in The Crime of Padre Amaro. It's not breaking the vow of celibacy or aiding the resistance that makes this young minister a hypocrite. Pride and power are all that are needed to aid and abet The Crime of Padre Amaro.

2.BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
The movie ‘Brokback Mountian' is which I think every one need to watch. In fact, it is what the world needed to see. Those who say love is only between a male and female, has not opened their eyes. Love is an emotion that we cannot control. It comes out automatically. When it come doesn't matter about the gender, it's about living happy with the ones you love and those who you love, love you back. This movie has made me cry which I seldom cried in all the movies I've seen. The reason is the truth and the message it's giving to all of us. Instead of the "happily-ever-after" ending or "male and female" relationships, this one took you on a never ending roller coaster with suspense. It wasn't all about "sex". Sure, having sex is a act to show how much you love that person but you need a bond as well for it to work. There was a reason why these two characters had rough times when they got married to their wives. Love was trying to show them that they were meant to be together, yet, the fear of being beaten is much greater, but, that didn't stop the love for the both of them toward each other.
A big sign is when Ennis smiled with a soft look on his face when he saw Jack get out of his truck. Why? It was because of that bond. It's like a bond that nothing can break-even after the one you love is dead. You'll always remember them-no matter what happens. Its amazing how this movie has taken on so many important life problems... Including loneliness, and homosexuality which isn't exactly a problem, but definitely something some men do deal with. Its very hard movie to perfect, but they did it with the fantastic acting from Ledger and Gyllenhaal,
Brokeback Mountain is a beautiful, thought-provoking movie. It stays with you after watching it and hopefully it breaks some boundaries. It doesn't go too far in addressing homosexuality but it goes far enough. It is beautiful but punctuated with the danger of living in the mountains with the wild creatures that make it their home. In truth, no one would ever want to be stuck on Brokeback, not during the storms which come in with nature's brutality. Loneliness is a key theme.The casting is brilliant. It is one of those movies that did everything exactly right. One cannot help but feel sorry for poor Alma, a good woman who cannot understand her husband until it is much too late. Hathaway's character is less involved with her husband than she is with the family business. Both Jack and Enis carry their lonliness around constantly. This movie will stand the test of time. It is brilliantly written, acted, and obviously was much enjoyed by the public.
The love attains its greatness only when it fails. According to me the ‘Brokebact Mountain’ is the strange love stories that I have seen. In all these movies, the obvious impossibility of lovers getting together makes their love more sensitive! It easily earns the sympathy of the audience, when they know that they are obviously going to part away. These two love stories break the convention of love that only a man and woman should fall in love and live together.
"Brokeback Mountain" gives a new definition to love. Love is not that happens between two opposite sex nor the poles attracting each other, but it become the two opposite souls attracting each other. Accidentally, the two souls are males by physical nature in this movie. Jack Twist is an extrovert, bold, freak, and an optimistic whereas Ennis Del mar is introverted who speaks less and keeps all his emotions within himself. When these two characters meet, they slowly discover an unusual emotion that lasts long.
Jack seriously tries to lead an isolated life with Ennis but Ennis due to his family commitments and also due to his fear of others knowing about their secret relationship, just lives his life for the sake of the society. Again their approach to their relationship is extremely different. Though Jack is the one who tries all possible ways for their life together, there are many instances where we are let to know how deeply Ennis loves Jack. Each and every scene and each and every conversation in the movie are important as it spans through 20 years of their life. It neatly tells what just is necessary to be told about this gay couple. The climax is as emotionally moving as it could get. The final visit of Ennis to Jack's room and his findings leaves lot of unanswered questions and unquestionable answers in our mind. Here is a love story that neither fails nor succeeds but lives.
Moreover, I wonder that what could possibly have made such a think bondage between these two guys. It’s against the nature which God made only for between male and female! It is against the teaching of the Scripture which strongly condemn the homosexuality. Any how it is love which cannot be expressed, it can only be felt. In one of the scenes, when Jack Twist insists to go to Mexico, Ennis suspects Jack for going to a male prostitute for which Mexico is famous and warns him that if he goes in search of other man, he would kill him. This clearly shows how possessive Ennis is on Jack because of one for one relationship, their love story gets an epic status. Jack and Ennis never they loose their manliness. Infact, they get into a formal marriage and raise children like any other ordinary man. This further increases the admiration or a new thought over their relationship.
If not for director Ang Lee's sensitive direction and a gripping screenplay, a theme like this would have become just another gay movie. Ang Lee truly deserves his Oscar for direction. He has drawn best possible performances from the two lead actors Heath Ledger (Ennis) and Jack Gyllenhaal (Jack). The camera also has captured the true beauty of vast landscapes, mountains and plains of Wyoming. More than the beauty of the sceneries, it is the tight close-up scenes where the cinematography scores. The shots and angles take us into the psyche of the two characters and make us clearly understand their emotions.

3.BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY
This 1995 film, BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, stars Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep, and was also produced and directed by the former
The Bridges of Madison County is a beautiful film, not only in the way it was photographed, but for the manner through which the characters are revealed to us. Eastwood will not be hurried, choosing a relaxed pace for the unfolding of this romance. The film is about these incredible life-changing four days of Francesca and Robert. The Father and children had left to enter a steer into a fair and Francesca stayed home. Not long after Francesca's family leaves, a photographer who is lost (Robert Kincaid played by Clint Eastwood) drives up to ask for directions to a covered bridge. She tries to tell him but they both get confused because the roads aren't marked. Of course if they would have been, this love story would have never have happened.
Robert, an artist came to Madison County to do his project for National Geographic, shooting pictures of its beautiful and masterpieces of Bridges. On his road to the county, he was bound to begin a life full of love and passion in a wrong time and place? Meanwhile, Carolyn had to spend a week for her competition and was accompanied by her dad and Michael. The mother Francesca opted to stay home with herself, do the chores and farm with a complete thought of spending the week to be with herself, not knowing that her 4 days will become her life turning and life changing experience with a man who will open a journey with her to bridges of life and decision.
This film is done on a setting with very limited yet profound places to a life of a woman. Francesca lived in a few spaces such as house, backyard, kitchen (where all women spent a lot of time cooking, washing dishes for the family) farm and grocery. A cheap production indeed but it is meant to portray some good important point to Francesca’s life, a very simple and homebound life. Her four days with Robert of whom she spent after taking him to the route to Roseman Bridge was ever remembering. She felt the love and reason to become a woman of whom she realized she really is, a woman who loved to be loved, and make love for certainty and not for a responsibility.
The day came when she needed to decide of whether to leave her Madison County life, Carolyn, Michael and Richard, and stay away, go away with Robert. That hand that grasp the car knob to open a decision to leave and haste a life that would make her and complete her. I would still want to feel for Francesca, her decision for Robert an the 4 days are both result for her need of love and importance. Moreover, that life she spent with Richard her husband is a vow she made to the community, to the Lord and to both their parents. Indeed a life for marriage is a work to do.

elsie aquino said...

The sin of Father Amaro

REFLECTION


The film has a great impact in the lives of believers, those are devoted, admire, idolize priest or any servants of God very much. In any denomination devoted picture the leaders of the church as holy, blameless, son of God, they are closer to God. In catholic perspective if sinned and confess to the priest, he has the authority to give punishment and it is by praying, Ibelieved, our father, hail Mary. So the film might cause trouble in the religious life of people, in a sense that the person whom they confess is sinners like them also.
In real life priest are not different from ordinary being, subject to temptation and sin, besides were still here on earth and not perfect, here provokers and tempters were active.
What bothered me in this film, was there’s no repentance happened in all the bad things the fathers done ,they not even seeks God’s forgiveness, nor bothered by their conscience, father amaro was a great pretender. I’m saying this, because on the funeral service he does the activity. In real life seldom this situation happened. In terms of love, I agree that it is but natural feelings; it is God’s gift to everyone, too loved and to be love.
The important is used it with dignity, honour and pride. Father Amaro forsee love as a toy, when it was new he is so aggressive to play but when comes old take it for granted. He is not true on his feelings. The worst scene that hurt me more was his planned to do abortion just to escape his responsibility; he is not worthy to be called Father. Sana, it will not happen in real life.



BRIDGES IN MADISON COUNTY
Reflection

How do we know when true love comes? And when love at first sight arise.
Madison County is a story of Italian lady who got married to an American man; they have two children and lived in a farm of Iowa, a place far from town and city. Meryl Streep plays the role of the housewife in which her times focus on serving her family. I was noticed that she was happy doing her chores, cooking, and gardening fixing everything inside the house. I supposed to say that all her sacrifices is because of her love to her family, though I felt she was bore and tired of her everyday routine.
Everything has changed when a photographer in the character of Clint Eastwood stepped down on time of her longingness and homesickness, at that moment she missed her family away from her for four days, besides missing her parents, friends and relatives far away home. She found a friend, a person to talk with in the presence of Clint Eastwood, that suddenly falls on making love. In American culture ladies celebrate their sensuality unlike Filipino, we did not immediately showed our feelings, and for them making love is a natural movement in their lives. In their four days affair, being together they might know and see their common things in view of life, but I think it is not a basis of proving that what they share together is true love. For me it is an admiration or even a sense of longingness in the woman part because she was already married. Maybe in man’s feelings love been developed, because he really tried to convince Meryl Streep to go with him. What good in the movie was she chose her family sacrificed feelings for their sake? She wrote it in her diary, that it may serve as guide and lesson to her children how important is the welfare of the family, how she loves them. True love is willing to sacrifice, love at first sight willing to give and expect nothing else.




BROKE BACK MOUNTAIN
Reflection

There is no man an island, everybody needs someone, companion, lover and friend. We can’t live by ourselves. The film broke back mountain is a story of two young men, working together as shepherd at the foot of the mountain, where they live, sleep, eat together. They were close to each other, like real brothers. The climate change and even the situation suddenly changed, one winter night the moment of realization comes their way that inner feelings cannot hide anymore. The saying’s happened to them “the best remedy for cold was human jacket”, they both showed the love and caress to each other, like what real lovers felt. I don’t know what to say or to react at that time, but what my mind is murmuring, was that wrong?, who am I to blame nor to judge them, I think what to do is to respect their feelings.
After what had happened, they realized the truth that they are still both men, they separate ways and found themselves falling in love and marrying the opposite sex, I said to myself oh, it’s good, Really God created men for woman. Suddenly the true feelings arouse them ,they miss each other, they tried to be together again, it just happened, when they meet again feelings cannot hide on one corner they expressed the feelings hugged and kiss each other, I said YUCK!!.
There were unusual things occurs in life that hard to understands, to explain like this movie, we cannot measured the love planted in their hearts, that death only separated them, and how much loneliness, longingness his absent affect the other man. All these things are believable and even happened in our times. On my part I admire and respect this kind of feelings and relationship, for who am Ito judged and to condemn them. Only the Creator God knows. The movie is challenging, open my mind in this kind of relationship, to accept, respect, understands and not to blame anyone of having those kind of humanity.

tolitz said...

Joselito G. Ibanez
M. Div. Senior
Reflection Paper in the Film “The Crime of Padre Amaro”

1. How would you describe each of these films?
Ang pelikula ay nagsasaad ng pagsasabuhay ng mga iba-ibang karakter at masasbing isang reyalidad ng buhay.

Sa pelikula na pinamagatang “The Crime of Padre Amaro” ay masasabing kung isa lamang ito sa mga reyalidad ng nakaraang panahon at nananatiling nangyayari maging sa kasalukuyan nating panahon. Karamihan sa mga Simbahan o relihiyong umiiral ngayon na nabuo mula sa Roman Catholic Faith ay meron paring ganitong mga isyu at masasalimuot na kwento. Ang Simbahan o mga taong simbahan na pangunahing nagtuturo ng “moral values” sa lipunan ay kalimitang hindi rin maka-iwas at masangkot sa kriminalidad dahil sa mga “ethical issues and standard” na mismong taong simbahan ay biktima ng patakaran at batas ng simbahan. Katulad sa naging presentasyon ng pelikulang ito, ang hayagang pag sunod sa batas na ipinagtibay ng PAPA sa Roma, at ganun din ang mga di hayag na mga paglabag ng marami sa usapin ng “Celibacy.” Na kung tutuusin ang mas may malaking kontribusyon sa pagkakaroon ng ganitong kriminalidad ay ang Romanong Paniniwala at panukala. At dahil ang karamihan ay nakatali na sa ganitong kasunduan, at mas maimpluwensyang pinapahalagahan ng karamihang mga pari. Dahil sila ay nakatali sa ganitong kostumbre bilang lingkod ng Diyos, ang usapin ng paglilingkod o bokasyon ay mas matimbang dahilan ito upang mapagtakpan ang pagiging iresponsable at takasan ang pananagutang kinahaharap at kinakasangkutan ng karamihan.
Ayon sa Philippine Christian history, karamihan sa seminaryo ng mga Katoliko mula sa panahon ng mga prayle hanggang sa mga sumunod na siglo ay mayroong mga malalalim na balon ng tubig. Natuklasan ito sa panahon na nagkaroon ng “peasant revolt” sa panahon din ito, matapos maagaw ng mga magsasakang rebolusyunaryo ang mga malalawak na lupain, maging ang lupaing kinatitirikan ng simbahan, (ito rin ang taon na sumulpot ang IFI sa pilipinas) natuklasan na karamihan sa mga balong ito ay naglalaman ng mga kalansay ng mga bata. Ayon sa may-akda, ito ay ang mga batang naging biktima ng mga relasyong nabuo sa loob ng seminaryo/kumbento.
Ganun din naman sa ating mga protestante, kahit tayo ay hindi nakapaloob sa ganitong panuntunan at sukatan upang maging lingkod ng Simbahan, hindi tayo nakahiwalay sa kalagayan na meron sila. Marami parin sa kasalukuyan sa mga manggagawa ng simbahan ay sangkot at mayroong mga isyung moral na kinahaharap na kwestiyunable sa ating batayang pananampalatayang kristiyano.
Ang usapin ng awtoridad, tungkulin o posisyon ay nagagamit kalimitang tuntungan ng maraming Lingkod kuno sa mas epektibong pamumuno sa Simbahan. Ngunit dahil narin sa posisyon at awtoridad na meron ang mga lingkod ng Diyos, marami ang nalalasing at nagiging hibang, buang at gahaman upang magamit din itong sandata laban sa mga kaanib na lubusang napalapit, nagtiwala at humanga at ng lumaaon ay naging usapin ito ng mga maling pakikipagrelasyon na kinakasangkutan naman ng maraming manggagawa.
Ang posisyon ay isa sa malaking isyu at kabahagi na ito ng mapang-aping sistemang umiiral sa lipunan, institusyon at simbahan. Ang maling oryentasyon ng pag-gamit ng ibat ibang posisyon at katungkulan sa ating mga manggagawa ng simbahan ay talamak parin hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Ang pag-gamit nito ay naging negatibo at di sa mas maayos na kaparaanan. Sa halip na ito ay magamit upang mas maraming paglilingkod at responsibilidad ang maibigay, kadalasan ay isyu ng erigularidad at usapin ng imoralidad ang kinahahantungan.

2. Which characters do you identify with and why?

”Ang kata-uhan in Padre Amaro.”

“Batid natin na mas mabilis matoto ang isang tao mula sa kanyang mga naging karanasan, nasaksihan at mga halimbawa ipinamalas ng mga taong palagiang nakakasama at palagiang ina-asahan na magiging malaking impluwensya ito at kabahagi ng pagkatuto at kasanayan sa larangan ng buhay.”

Si Padre Amaro ay isa lamang na biktima ng kalakaran ng Simbahang pinaglingkuran nya. Ang komunidad na kinabibilangan nya ay may malaking papel at kontribusyon sa pagkahubog ng kanyang karakter at pagkatao. Kung papaano sya kikilos na akma sa komunidad na kanyang pinaglilingkuran at ginagalawan.
Batid natin na isa sa mga inaasahan ni Padre Amaro na ang mga mentor (nakakatandang Pari) ang magtitiyak ng kanyang maayos na pagkatoto at mga mabuting tagahubog nya bilang mabuting lingkod ng simbahan at ng komunidad . Ngunit sa halip ay kabaliktaran ang naging resulta, dahil ang ilan dito ay hindi rin naging sensitibo sa kanilang ipinakitang halimbawa sa isang katulad nyang baguhan palamang. Batid natin na mas malaking porsyento (makuha-ma adopt) ang systemang kinabibilangan na meron tayo kesa sa mga pinag-aaralan at nababasa lamang. Ang kalakaran sa lipunan o kumunidad ay mas epektibong gamit sa larangan ng pagkatoto ng marami. Batid natin na ang pagtuturo ay naipapakita din sa pamamagitan ng haimbawa. Ang karakter at pagkatao ng isang indibidwal ay bunga lamang ng isang sistemang sumasaklaw at malaking impluwensya sa pang araw-araw na takbo ng buhay nito. At ito ang naging karanasan ni Padre Amaro na isang bagito ngunit mabilis maiangkop ang sarili sa kalakaran ng komunidad na kinapapalooban nya.

“Ang isang maayos na kamatis ay dagliang mahahawa ng mas maraming bulok na kamatis na nakapalibot sa kanya.
Kaya dapat nating tandaan…
“Ang magandang halimbawa ang syang pinaka mabuting turo nating mgagawa” para sa iba.

3. Which characters did you find repulsive or disgusting and why?
Ang karakter ni Padre Natalio. Para sa akin, Si Padre Natalio ay ang may pinaka mahalagang karakter sa kwento. Ang kanyang pananampalataya, pangunguna at malasakit sa kanyang kumunidad ay ang pinaka magandang halimbawa na ipinakita ng kwento. Ang kanyang paglilingkod ay expresyon ng kanyang pagkakilala sa totoong Diyos. Ang Diyos na nakilala nya at nakikita sa kanya ay may pag-ibig, malasakit at mabuting halimbawa sa diwa ng paglilingkod.

4. What new insights or fresh challenges-- about sexuality, about relationships, and about yourself-- did these movies offer you?

Ang bagong kaisipan at pananaw na nakahamon sa akin ay ang maging isang mabuting kapwa-tao mula sa turo ng Panginoong Hesus. Ang kaisipan ng pagiging mabuting kapwa tao ay ang alam kung kasagutan sa naging ugat ng maraming problema at kapabayaan ng maraming karakter sa kwento.
Ang mabuting kapwa-tao ay may mabuting puso, mabuting kaisipan at may pantay na pagpapahalaga sa kapwa tao, at tumugon sa kagyat na pangangailangan ng iba. Ang mabuting tao/kapwa-tao ay di lamang nag didisisyon ayon sa panganga-ilangan ng sarili ngunit ikenokonsidera ang pangnagilangan at kapakanan ng iba at mas nakararami.
At kung ito ay matutunan ng marami, wala na o konti ang usapin ng sirang relasyon dahil inaabuso at may nang abuso, wala o kunti na ang magulong relasyon ng tao sa kapwa tao. Maayos na pamayanan ang ngayon ang umiiral.


Brokeback Mountain,
Sa aking pansariling pagtingin, ang third sex, “ang mga bakla at mga tomboy “ay di na malaking usapin pa, ito ay tanggap ko na.
Ngunit sa bahagi at usapin naman ng relasyon at pakikipagtalik, ako’y medyo hindi handa kung sa papaano ko ito bakahin sa aking sarili upang lubusang matanggap agad ang ganitong relasyon. Hindi ko parin makita ang kongkretong paliwanag sa tanong na kailangan ba talaga nilang makipagtalik sa kaparehong ari? Aaminin ko hindi ako aware sa kanilang kalagayang ito, ganun din sa kanilang mga pisikal na pangangailangan at mga personal na eksplinasyon patungkol sa usapin ng pakikipagtalik sa “kaparehong-ari” na nakaka apekto sa kanilang buhay. Kaya hindi ko maisip na ang “mangyayaring spadahan ng mga titi.” Hindi ko kayang maisip at isipin ang tagisan ng dalawang magkapareho ng lakas ng katawan, ang animo’y labanan ng dalawang sigang aso at pagkatapos may isang mababakla at magpapaubaya.
Sa side naman ng mga gumawa ng pelikulang ito, hinahangaan ko ang kanilang makaktotohanang presentasyon. Although I must say that it was difficult to understand to me that the movie was much more homosexual pornography than it turned out to be, which is why I silly so long to see it. And but the style was artistic and yet somehow... realistic. Ngunit nakakairita naman ang parte at hindi maintindihang istilo ng pagsasalita ni Ennis dahil sa di malinaw na pagbigkas nito ng mga salita, ngunit sa kabila nito marami itong magagandang puntong ipinapakita at mas matingkad nga lamang ang isyu at usapin ng relasyon ng homosexual na hanggang sa wakas ng istorya ay makikitang ang relasyon paring ito ang highlight ng kwento. At ang palagay ko ang ending ang pinaka ikinaiinis at ayaw na parte ng maraming nakapanood nito dahil ito ay ang di pangkaraniwang wakas ng kwento at kalimitang di inaasahan ng lahat ng manonood.
Mahahalintulad ko ito sa isang pagkain na bago sa pan lasa ko at di ko lubusang ma kumbinsi ang aking sarili kung ang pagkain nga bang ito ay tanggap ng aking sikmura at ng buo kung pagkatao. Para sa akin, ito ay isa paring isyu/usapin na kailangan ko pang hanapan ng mga mahahalagang paliwanag at konsiderasyon upang lubusan kung matanggap.
Sa kabilang banda, ang ganitong reyalidad ay may kapareho o pagkakahawig naring karanasan na natin, maging dito sa seminaryo. Batid natin na sa mga susunod pang panahon ito ay magiging malaking usapin na kahaharapin ng lahat ng Iglesya at taong simbahan. Hindi natin maiiwasang kaharapin ang ganitong isyu at usapin sangkot dito ang ating tindig, pagtingin at pang-unawa sa kanila. Ang mabilis na pag lobo ng bilang ng tao sa mundo ay may malaking porsyento din ang paglaki ng bilang bilang mga “third sex” o homosexual.
Ako bilang taong simbahan at bilang manggagawa, alam kung kailangan ko paring mapataas ang aking kamalayan sa ganitong usapin at isyu, kailangan ko parin ang mas marami pang mga impormasyon, pakikipag talakayan sa katulad nila, upang magkaroon ako ng tamang pagkilala at pagtanggap at maging makatarungan ako sa mga kagaya nila.


Bridges of Madison Country,

Ang istoryang ito ay batay sa isang malikhaing kaisipang ni Robert James Waller, ito ay naglalaman ng napaka interesante at mga importanteng usaping dapat pahalagahan. Naniniwala tayo na ang kaisipang meron ang karamihan sa ngayon ay bunga ng mga turo at mga ideyang kanluranin at nakatali sa dimakatotohanang uri ng relasyon ng mag-asawa, o romantic relastionship na dikta lamang at impluwensya ng media at ng mga sikat na mga personalidad at naging panlipunan modelo ng pakikipag relasyon at isa rin sa masasabi nating pandaigdigang kulturang ipinaiiral. At dahil sa mga impluwensyang ito ang ating pagtingin at basehan patungkol sa pag-buo ng relasyon ng mag-asawa ay komplikado at umaayon lamang ito sa kung ano ang naging standard at naging katanggap-tangap sa ating lipunan na impluwensya lamang ng malakolonyal na sistema ng media at kanluraning kaisipan na madalas nating napapanood.
“Naalala ko ang kwento ng mga matatanda sa panahon daw ng 70’s ang ilan sa pinaka sikat at tampok na kinagigiliwang panoorin noon ay ang kwento at ang relasyong Romeo And Juliet. Na alam nating malaki ang naging kontribusyon at impluwensya nito sa mga naging kwento ng pag-ibig sa kapanahunang ito at sa mga sumunod pang yugto ng panahon. Masasabi ko na marami ang gumaya sa kwento ng relasyong ito na tumagal nga at tumanda dahil naging inspirasyon ng pagsasama at marami din naman ang di nakapagtiyaga at nauwi sa maagang paghihiwalay.”

Ngunit ang pelikulang ito na pinamagatang The Bridges of Madison County ay isang matotohanang ang pagsasalarawan ng relasyon ng mag-asawa, ipinapakita nito ang isang relasyong pwedeng mamili at mag desisyon ang mga manonod/audience patungkol sa kalagayan at pagkakaroon ng pamilyang Masaya at ang magkakaibang pakahulugan ng magkarelasyon sa usapin ng pagkakontento. “Happiness and contentment”

Naniniwala ako na mahalaga sa bawat relasyon ang kumunikasyon at konsultasyon upang laging mapag-usapan ang mga mahahalagang parte ng buhay may karelasyon. Mahalagang ikonsedera lagi ang damdamin, mungkahi at mga pangangailangan ng indibidwal, maging sa aspeto man ito ng sekswal at emosyunal, na nakakaapekto ng malaki sa relasyon ng mag-asawa at kaayusan ng tahanan. Ang mga usaping ito ay napakahalaga ayon sa pagkakaintindi ko sa pelikula. Ang pangangailangan sekswal ng asawang si Francesca ay di gaanong nabigyan ng atensyon at pagpapahalaga ng asawang abala naman sa pagtataguyod ng pamilya at nagtatrabaho sa ibang bayan. At dahil sila ay may magkaibang pokus at oryentasyon ng relasyon at pagpapamilya, nagsilbi itong lamat ng kanilang pagsasama. At dahil sa wala na silang panahon na mapag-usapan ang kanilang mga personal na damdamin at pangangailangan, humantong ito sa panibagong pakikipagrelasyon ni Francesca sa taong nag bigay sa kanya ng panahon, ng oras ng atensyon at katugunan sa kanyang pangangailangana sekswal upang muli nyang maramdaman at magising sya sa katotohanang ito na mahalaga ito sa kanyang pagkatao upang maranasan nyang muli ang pagkakontento ng kanyang pagkababae. Naniniwala ako na ang aspetong ito ay naipagkait sa kanya ng kanyang asawa at di naging sensitibo sa kanilang mga personal na pangangailangan, upang hanapin naman nya ito sa iba.

Para sa akin, mahalaga sa isang relasyon lalo na sa mag-asawa ang matugunan ang mga personal na pangangailan ng kapartner, katulad ng usapin ng sex na ang tanging ang inaasahang magbibigay ng satispaksyon sa pangangailang ito ay ang kapartner/asawa at kapag ito ay maipagkait sa isa man sa indibidwal o karelasyon maaring imbitasyon ito upang hanapin sa iba. At pasimula ito upang masira ang pamilya. Ang bawat isa ay kailangang maging responsableng kapartner/asawa at magkapartner sa pagtataguyod sa pangangailangan ng mga anak, tungo sa isang maayos na relasyon at tahanan.

Unknown said...

The Crime of Padre Amaro
The meaning of vocation as it relates to Padre Amaro, comes from the Latin word vocare, which means “to call”.
Padre Amaro utters how about my vocation, when he found out that Amelia is having a child with him. A vocation, then, is what one feels called to do with his or her life. A vocation was part of God’s plan for a person’s life. God called and you responded by gaining the skills necessary to live out that calling. “Whatever your vocation, your calling is to live worthy of the salvation God gives you in Christ Jesus”. Whatever you do, God calls you to live like a child of God and to bring honor to God through your actions. It matters less what you do in life than it does what you do with your life. Padre Amaro does the very wrong thing when he initiated Amelia’s abortion. He must face the consequence. “Hindi matatakpan ang pagkakamali na isa pang pagkakamali.” Sa pangyayari kay Amelia, nasaan ang kanyang magulang? Hindi ba sila naghangad ng katarungan? Sa ginawa ni Padre Amaro, nasaan ang simbahan? Walang hustisyang nakamit ang buhay ni Amelia.

rona said...

The Crime of Padre Amaro Movie Review

I was not shocked of the movie anymore because I already heard about such story before regarding priests and their vocations having the same kind of issues with Padre Amaro. The movie is very much a true to life story. It did open my mind more of this fact that it actually happens not only to priests but to other denomination workers as well. And it is a reality that this is an unending dilemma up to this time.

Padre Amaro is a smart, young priest and a promising one. He actually has the favors for being the bishop’s favorite. He is committed to what he is doing and he shows so much of his passion for being one. Until when he had an affair with Amelia, a young and beautiful woman who has obviously showed her feeling towards him at first.

It is sure that Padre Amaro was really attracted to Amelia. That is why he made it certain to make ways on how they could see each other and love each other in secret. I could say that Padre Amaro has been driven by his emotions as well for having relationship with Amelia to the extent that they enjoyed sex and caressed each other and exchanged sweet nothings. But it is also very firm and definite that Padre Amaro cannot have it open to public. He does not want anyone to know about it but not to his fellow priest who has this kind of situation too who learned about it eventually.

In the case of this movie, reputation is a priority. They make it sure that no one and nothing could ever destroy their reputation for being a priest not only to Father Amaro but also to the other priests who face different other issues as well. And brotherhood among priests is very strong in this movie. You can see how they actually protect each other because it is not only about reputation of a name but the reputation of the Catholic church itself is what they are putting on the line. And only one thing that they don’t want to happen…..shame – shame which will result to a very bad situation not considering those who will be affected or will be victimized by it.

That is what happened to the case of Father Amaro and Amelia…when Amelia got pregnant; Father Amaro did everything in his power to cover and to give solution to the problem. He can’t have a child because that will ruin his vocation as a priest. I felt so much pity for Amelia because she is a victim of love and of dignity – a dignity not for herself but for Father Amaro. It is actually putting her to a situation that the love they are having will not materialize to what she desires to have. And it will never happen.

Being a woman, I of course felt for Amelia. It was like I was feeling her every frustrations and struggle that she was having. And what I did not like is that she has to die without any happiness that she could bring with her. She was not assured of the priest’s love for her. Let’s say that Padre Amaro loved her but not as he loves his vocation. He has been so advantageous of Amelia because she’s only young and vulnerable? That he could control every situation by himself? That is just very patriarchal to me. Amelia died helpless and alone. She did not deserve to even experience that because she only loved a man but unfortunately, she cannot have this man to be with her forever.

I was just so amazed to my bones that Padre Amaro did her funeral. What a cold and a very unloving he was. I can’t just stand the fact that everything that had happened was just all blown to the wind. Amelia did not even get the justice she should get. There were no one to talk about the truth but instead it victimized another innocent man who was the former boyfriend of Amelia. The blame was all to the poor guy.

If I were to direct the movie, I want the ending to be just fair for anyone who were victims. I want the truth to be opened out to the public and have Father Amaro pay for his sins to be fair also with the other priest who was removed from priesthood for being a nationalist. Anyway this movie is not only a movie but a mirror to the reality which is happening also in this country. There are victims who suffer and there are guilty who are living their life normally. There is so much injustice to those who don’t even deserve it. There is so much abuse of power which is diligently used by those who possess them just to cover someone’s fault. These are realities that we see in our world. And there is not enough power which people have to fight against it. And we have to be with them. There are people who are fighting so hard and I want to fight for women’s dignity. Women deserve to be respected and be given pure love. Women deserve to have the happiness and life they desire. And no man can ever take it away from them.


Bridges at the Madison County Movie Review

The Bridges at the Madison County is a movie of love, frustration, unhappiness, desire, and hope of a typical woman, mother and a wife. It is true that every woman has different kind of struggles in life and in different situations. In the case of Francesca, a mother of two college teenagers and a house wife, she has a family but she does not feel the happiness that a mother and wife should have. She is happy to see that her family is living very normally like any other families but she seemed to have a lot of unfulfilled space in her heart.

Francesca portrays a very typical woman in this movie – a mother who does everyday house chores and a wife who serves her husband, until when a stranger photographer came to ask direction from her. That is when her life had changed even for just a little time of experiencing the liberty of being a woman away from the everyday routine as a housewife.

I could say that Francesca was very much aware of those times when she and that stranger man met. She knew what she was doing not thinking if it was wrong or a right thing to do. What she knew is that she was acting like who she really is as a woman.

Francesca made me sympathize with her, maybe because I am a woman too. Although I really don’t know how it is to be in her situation. I sympathize with her for desiring the things she wanted for herself when she was still single. She met and married a man from whom she bore two children with. But she realized that in that marriage everything in her life changed as well. She was like driven away from the things that she wanted to do and the things she wanted to have. It is because the reality is that, marriage is a different phase in everybody’s life. But I believe that marriage should be as happy and fulfilling part in a woman’s life as she was when she was single. She still can achieve the things that she wanted and feel the fulfillment in her heart. She wanted to be whole as a woman. And that was her dilemma.

When that stranger photographer Robert came, she realized many things about herself. Aside from having feelings with this guy, she discovered that she can also have the things which can bring her happiness. She envied Robert for he can do things which he loves to do. Taking photos is his passion. Francesca learned that the desire of her heart to be happy is just fair for her to have even though she has a family to be taken cared of. She learned how love can actually bring a lot of happiness in her heart and that’s what she felt being with Robert. She laughed like she did not laugh in ages. She can be as she actually is. She was very happy and that happiness but sadly will just end in four days.

Even though that event in her life was just temporary, Francesca did the right thing. As what I said earlier, she knew what she was doing. She let herself to act and be as whom she really is in that four days – felt and used liberty she had, loved a man so heartedly and cherished every moment with him… but she made the right decision in the end. She did not go with Robert which will make her leave her family.

As for me, Francesca had been very sad that she actually indulged herself to the wrong thing (which is true for she has a family). I cannot deny the reality that she really did wrong. It is just not fair for her husband and for her children. But it is not only her fault because her family has their fault too on this thing. Her husband seemed to be very busy about life as a family man that he did not notice how sad his wife got. They did not have the moments from which he and his wife enjoyed to do. They were like sucked into a life of having a family and live with it.

I learned essential things from watching this movie. I learned that building relationship everyday with loved ones is very important. Because, no matter how good a relationship started if not working it out everyday will be destroyed in the end.

I remembered a computer game “SIMS” which I really love to play because that game is a life game. Sims are people just like humans who also have basic needs like food, shelter, and love. In that game, a player should fulfill his/her sims’ needs. They need to be fed, sent to school, graduate, get a job, earn money, live a comfortable life with comfortable stuffs in the house made for them… they need to have someone to talk to, companion, build relationship with, marry and have family. These needs have to be always maintained high in percentage because they’ll be sick if hungry, frustrated if not getting what they desire to have or achieve or they will fight with the people around them if not. For example, if an adult male sim established to have 100% relationship with a female sim, get married and have children, they still need to talk, to play, to caress, to kiss, to hug and love each other and meet each other’s needs although they have differences in personalities. Same with their relationship towards their children and friends. It is funny because if they don’t agree with each other’s topic, you can see the minus sign above their heads which means that their relationship level decreases.

That is why humans should be working on to their relationships…everybody. In the case of this movie, that is what is lacking in Francesca’s family. Everybody has fault because they did not seem to reach out each other and open their thoughts and talk about things regarding everything. The percentage of their relationship has gone very low and poor. That is why problems occurred.

God has made man and woman to love each other and cherish each other. It is still very important to have prayer relationships. In Francesca’s situation, at the end of the movie, her children understood her enough that they learned from her and are eager and willing now to fix their own relationships with their own families. For me, that is what’s very important. Family is really important and a very essential part in everybody’s life. I admire my mother for forgiving my father for being unfaithful before. And that is because church people helped her to do so. We were young in that time but my mother said that we were a lot of help for her to overcome that situation. My father is a very good father to us now and I could say that relationships within the family have been restored. This movie is worth watching for.


Brokeback Mountain Movie Review

This movie has actually opened my mind regarding homosexuals. I actually have gay friends before I entered the seminary but it is here where I learned more about them. And it is my gay friend here in UTS who first encouraged me to watch this movie. It was good watching it with him because I asked a lot of questions to him about the movie and relating it to real life situations.

I stand still to my belief regarding homosexuals, but I also love them as they are. I can’t actually fully sympathize with them because I don’t know how it is to be like them. This very close gay friend of mine has been telling his struggles to me regarding his identity as a person. He is sure to be gay indeed. He has some problems with regards to his father. Honestly I did not know how to comfort him because I didn’t know what to say. I just listened to him. His father disliked him for being a gay. But what is important now is that he told me that his father finally accepted him for what he is and actually calling him “hija” and is very proud of him for being a very diligent student in class. He is getting high grades and is a part-time faculty in the same school to where he is attending because he helps in the choir.

In the case of this movie, it helped me to understand my friend. It actually added more on my awareness of their identity as gays, their social life and their relationships. I am relating this movie to my friend so I could reflect more on this movie. For me, I can just understand how gays feel about their situations. They feel the condemnation the most. They feel that they are always being laughed at. I don’t also want these people to feel this way because no one nor straight people deserved to be condemned and be laughed at.

The scene which left me curious is that when the two gays met each other again, and seemed to really long for each others’ hugs and kisses. I actually admire them for being so caring about each other that they understand each others’ problems and inner struggles in life because they have the same identity and they feel what each other feel. And the scene when the other gay died because it is the other gay who felt more grief and loss in his part because they were best friends and really had intimate relationship with each other. It seems like he lost the very important part of his life that no one and nothing could ever replace him.

Personally, I can’t be so much of advocating homosexuals but I want to understand them, and their struggles in life. I still believe that God only made man and woman alone. I don’t want to judge anybody on how they wanted to live their life because for me it is only God who has the right to judge people. What I can do is to love my neighbors and understand them and comfort them as much I can.

Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa Movie Review

Ako ay humanga sa pelikulang ito sapagkat talagang makikita dito ang tunay na kalagayan na nangyayari sa isang tipikal na pamilyang Pilipino. Makikita ang tumpak na pagganap ng bawat isang miyembro ng pamilya. Katulad ng pelikula, marami sa mga pamilyang Pilipino ngayon ang pangalawang ama na siyang tumuturing sa anak ng babae sa unang asawa na parang sarili niyang anak. Napakarami ang ganitong pamilya sa Pilipinas. Ito ay maaaring ang unang asawa ay hindi magkasundo at nariyang maghihiwalay at magkakaroon ng panibagong asawa kasal man o hindi. Kung kaya’t ang mga anak ay nagkakaroon ng pag-aalitan lalo na kapag hindi lingid sa kanila ang kanilang tunay na kalagayan.

Sa sitwasyon ng pamilya sa pelikulang ito, hindi lingid sa mga anak kung sino ang kanilang ama. Mayroong magandang naidulot ito at mayroon din naming hindi magandang naidulot ito sa relasyon ng bawat isa. Ang isang hindi magandang naidulot nito sa kanila ay iyong pag-aasaran ng magkapatid na humahantong sa away ay pag-aalitan. Hindi ito maiiwasan sapagkat sila ay bata pa at talagang dumarating ang ganitong pagkakataon. Katulad na lamang ng eksena kung saan ang magkapatid ay nag-away at pinagdedebatehan nila kung sino sa kanilang mga ama ang mas mahal ng kanilang ina. Nakakatuwa man ngunit ito ay reyalidad nang nangyayari at patuloy na nangyayari sa mga tipikal na pamilyang Pilipino kahit na nga sila ay mayroong iisang ama. Hindi talaga maiwasan ang mga ganitong pag-aasaran sa parte ng mga anak. Ang napansin ko sa pelikulang ito ay hindi pinili ng kanilang ina ang itago ang katotohanan sa kanila. Ipinaliliwanag niya ang mga bagay sa abot ng kanyang makakaya upang maunawaan siya ng kanyang mga anak. Hindi sekreto ang mga bagay na dapat ay talagang nalalaman ng kanyang mga anak at karapatan din naman nilang malaman ang mga iyon.

Ang maganda din naming naidulot nito sa mga bata ay minahal nila ang isa’t isa nang may pagtanggap sa katotohanang sila man ay kalahating magkapatid lamang. Ito ay mapapatunayan doon sa panahong pinili ng lalaking anak ang manatiling makasama ang kanyang ina at kapatid sapagkat mahal na mahal niya sila. Hindi siya sumama sa tunay niyang ama papunta sa ibang bansa dahil mamimiss nya ang kanyang bunsong kapatid.

Kung iisipin, mas gugustuhin ng karamihan sa mga pamilyang Pilipino ang itago ang mga ganitong bagay mula sa mga anak sa kadahilanang hindi pa nila ito lubos na mauunawaan. O ang iba naman ay talagang itatago na lamang ito at huwag nang ipaalam pa.

Mayroon akong kakilala na mayroong eksaktong sitwasyon na tulad sa pelikulang ito. Sila din ay dalawang magkapatid na babae ngunit magkaiba ang ama. Ang unang asawa ng kanilang ina ay kanyang hiniwalayan at kanya ngang kasama na ngayon ang bago niyang minamahal na siya namang ama ng bunsong anak. Hindi rin lingid sa mga anak ang katotohanang iyon. Ang kaibahan nga lang ay makikitang mas pabor ang ina sa bunsong anak. Naitanong ko ito sa kanya kung bakit ganito, ito ay dahil na rin sa pagbabahagi ng panganay na anak sa akin tungkol sa bagay na ito. Marami siyang hinanakit sa kanyang ina, dagdag pa dito ang di matapos na pang-aasar ng kanyang bunsong kapatid nang hindi man lamang sinasaway ng mga magulang. Naisip kong baka makatulong ako sa kalagayang iyon at naging positibo naman ito sa ina sapagkat kaibigan ko sya. Nakita niya din ang kanyang pagkakamaling iyon. At kanyang naibahagi din na iyon ay totoo sapagkat naaalala niya daw ang kanyang unang asawa sa panganay niyang anak. Doon niya napagtanto na walang kinalaman ang anak sa away nila ng kanyang unang asawa.

Sa kalagayang ng pelikulang ito, makikita din ang pagiging maboka ni Vilma. Sinasabi nya talaga ang mga bagay sa tamang termino nito, maging bastos man ito sa pandinig ng iba. Nakita ko ang pagiging malakas niya bilang isang babae. Kaya niyang tumayo at lumaban sa hamon ng buhay gaano man ito kabigat. Maraming hamon ang dumating sa buhay nya, una na dito ang pagharap niya sa kanyang mga anak at ipaliwanag sa kanila ang katotohanang sila ay may magkaibang ama at pag-aaruga sa kanila sa abot ng kanyang makakaya, kasama na ang pagmulat nya sa mga ito sa kalayaang sila ang dapat magdesisyon para sa kanilang sarili. Binigyan niya sila ng kalayaang mag-isip at magpasya kahit na sa murang edad pa sila. Pangalawa, ang muling paghihiwalay nila ng kanyang pangalawang asawa sa kadahilanang mayroon din pala itong kinakasamang iba. Pangatlo, ay ang pagharap sa mga kababaihang mayroong kanya-kanya ding problemang kinakaharap sa kanilang buhay. Hinahangaan ko siya sa pagiging isang malakas na babae. Isa siyang huwaran para sa mga kababaihan. Hindi siya nagpadaig sa mga unos ng buhay. Hindi siya napanghinaan ng loob upang gawin ang mga bagay na makakabuti para sa kanyang pamilya. Itinayo niya ang kanyang sarili nang taas noo. Anuman ang dinanas niya sa buhay at anuman ang naririnig niyang mga salita mula sa ibang tao ay hindi naging dahilan upang siya ay sumuko. Kundi naging matatag siya. At ito ay itinuturo niya sa kanyang mga anak maging doon sa mga iba pang kababaihan. Tunay nga na kapupulutan ito ng aral lalong lalo na ang mga kababaihan.

Emilio "Jon" Manaois said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Emilio "Jon" Manaois said...

Bridges of Madison County

This movie reflects on the simplicity and complicatedness of life. In the rural set up in Iowa, there is a family living in farmlands seemingly no problem at all. The predicament starts when Franchesca (mother) was left alone while the father and two children went far for some important work. In her time of aloneness, Robert a National Geographic photographer arrives to ask her about the direction going to the Bridges of Madison County. With their conversation from her house to the bridges, an aroma of romance started to fragrant. Unconsciously, they become close to each other up to the extent of deeper relationship in four days and beyond!

Basically, the story subverts to the norms of the society especially that their commitment is illicit. Particularly in church, adultery is an iniquity and therefore unaccepted and condemned. It cannot be protected nor defended for relationship outside marriage is foul. In connection, such act happens in reality whether the one who commits is a man or woman. But what makes it worst is the fact that the woman in the movie was the one who fooled around. In our culture such act is more scandalous. Unfortunately, this is the problem with our gender justice issues because of the way we see women far unequal to men. Here in the Philippines there is discrimination in making the laws about adultery and concubinage. According to our constitution a convicted womanizer would suffer and pay less compared to a woman convicted in infidelity.

Marriage is an exclusive contract for the couple because two partners are bond together by God and by law. But In reality, some breaks it due to some reasons; like lacking of communication, abuse and lacking of magic in the eyes of the partner(s). I am not yet married that is why I cannot really tell how marriage is all about and how does it work. Anyhow, marriage should really be thought a million times before someone get into it. Marriage is not a joke-once you get in then it will be your life in perpetuity.

In conclusion, all I can say is that love is without a doubt a mystery like what Rober t says. You cannot really predict whom to love, when to love and how to love. I know one pastor who left his vocation, wife and family for the sake of her love to someone. Just like Robert I just find love indeed a mystery – full of surprises, amazement and wonder.



Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa?


This critically acclaimed film has impacted the truths of real life family scenario where individuals of the family has his/her own predicament and relationship problem with another family member(s). The complexity of having children with different father plus the fact that Lea (the mother) has the dominant and strong-willed attitude makes the story more colorful not mentioning the stubbornness of the two children. When you take a look at the film, observe that the story is serious but it has humorous punch lines that would turn the movie into a funny one. It is really a true Filipino story for it injects humor in a condition when Filipinos are ought to be serious in life. In this film, sex is highly regarded wherein it is already part of relationship struggles of the couple. I just remember the famous line of Lea that goes something like, “Puro na lamang ba pisikal na chukchakan? Hindi ba pwedeng magtalik naman ang kaluluwa?” She means that
she is tired of just physical affection and she wants the real affection that brought by real relationship and not just sex and physical intimacy. She is wanting and needing true love but it seems that this is not her destiny to have and experience genuine relationship.

Her experience of men as her partners make her somewhat subversive in the eyes of the society where as the norm should be she must have/had only one husband and only one father of the children. I really find absurd that when it comes to failed marriage or relationship, most of the time, the one who blames is the man and the one blamed is the woman. In the film, it is apparent that it is impliedly Leah’s fault that is why she is always left by her partner(s). But in fact, I see that majority of the problem comes from men’s irresponsible attitude. Well I’m not defending ladies out there because many too just fool around, but take a look at the real life. What is the cause of family problem? Alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic violence, extra marital affair etc. Who generally does these things? I think that we have serious problem that we have to face in our culture in particular. Chauvinism and sexism is indeed a dilemma in our society because we
males are even proud if we have one wife and three girl friends. Many even brag to their buddies about their sexual experiences with girls whom supposed to be cared for and whom we should protect their dignity. It is not just about feminism here, we are talking about fairness, honesty and justice. We are talking about LIFE that is sacred and must be protected and enhanced by all of us.

In the movie, I like the attitude of Lea. Why? Because she knows the depth of life but manages to overcome her fears, worries and difficulties by being a fighter. Fighter not just in a way that she does no harm but she got the guts in raising her children with dignity and pride, and she has the will to be brave by moving on and looking at the bright side of life. I like her too for she is candid and straightforward if she needs to and tactful when she needs to.

As for me, the real meaning of life is not just about cleanliness, orderliness, happiness, but it is also about struggle. Struggle not in a way that you create conflict by yourself. It is about allowing yourself to be dirty sometimes. There is a commercial that says, “Sorry mom, I got stinky, I God dirty but see I learn,” Our negative experiences just like Lea would add to our life and they teach us to be courageous and to ponder about the Source of life and his works in us. See, though Lea suffered pain, still she overcomes. That’s what we call “grace”. And it only comes from the Author of life.

Unknown said...

Forum reflection
Spirituality and Sexuality:

During the forum the speaker about that related to clergy and layman. To speak about sexuality and spirituality seems to be taboo to many of the culture not only to the Christianity. However, the literatures and the ancient remain such as statues and temples, somehow seem to tell different story.
It is true to say that human sexuality was there from the very beginning of the creation. I also believed that it was created for good purpose and agreed that “sex” is more than just for procreation. It is for love, intimacy, relationship, and entertains our humanness. Or in other word it is to fulfill our desire for pleasure. Humankind have been and always will be seeks for all these love, intimacy, relationship, and pleasures. But now the question of sex being bad or sinful came as the Hellenistic philosophy introduce into Christianity. Ever since this happened, the church has been constantly confronted by the issue.
In fact, from the very beginning sex means for good, but it becomes sin and immorality when it is misuse. Sex is immoral not because it is originated from humankind. Sex is immoral and wrong because devalue humanity. When there is immorality, there is also hatred, envy and jealous and as a result broken relationship in family and community. If there is such, the very purpose of sex failed. Anything is good and not necessarily bad when it is within the limit and border.
Above all, the Scripture tells us to be away from immorality and going further not even to stay with them. The numerous New Testament reference concerning immorality such as divorces, adulteries, fornications, impurity, sensuality etc., (Matt. 5:32; 19:9; Acts 15:20,29; 21:25; I Cor. 5:1; 6:13; 7:2; 10:8; II Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5; I Thess. 4:3; Rev. 2:14,20,21)
When there is so much teaching, one can not ignore the warning of the scripture. The subject should be taught cautiously. The Scripture as the word of God is written so that it is profitable for the body of Christ. We the believer must live in a life of pleasing and for the glory of God. We should tell the truth always. However, we should also tell them the limitation and border, the consequences if misuses the liberty. If we are not able to tell them clearly on the subject, it will bring only confusion. The truth comes along with risk but also bring the live that productive and effective for the goodness of the people.

Presented by
Grace Zungtin Mawi
M.Div senior
September, 18, 2008

tolitz said...

Joselito G. Ibanez
M. Div. Senior
Bata-Bata Paano ka Ginawa?

Ang pelikulang ito ay isa sa mga hinangaan sa Dekada 70. Inilalarawan nito ang pangkaraniwang kwento ng buhay ng karamihang kababaihan sa panahong ito, na ang tanging hangad ay makatagpo ng isang lalakeng totoong magmamahal sa kanya at magpapahalaga sa kanyang pagkatao. Ang pangangailangang sekswal, anak at trabaho ay napaka mahalaga sa buhay nya.


Pelikulang ito, si Leah Bustamante (Vilma Santos) was struggling to raise her two children. What makes it different from other films is the fact that two children have different fathers; the elder being the son of her estranged husband and the youngest being the daughter of her lover. Sa pelikula ipinapakita ang pangkaraniwang kalagayan ng kababaihan na nakatali at dumidepende parin sa patriarchal na lipunan. Sa takbo ng kwento sa pelikulang ito, sa mga naging desisyon ni Leah sa kanyang buhay ay kwestiyunable sa karamihan, una (1) sa kanyang dalawang anak at madalas na nagtatanong kung bakit magkaiba ang kanilang Tatay, at ganun din maging sa pangalawa(2)- sa principal ng skul na pinapasukan ng kanyang mga anak. At sa panahong nagkaroon ng aberya isa sa kanyang anak, ang dalawang tatay ng kanyang mga anak ay pilit syang pinapa- resign sa kanyang trabaho upang maalagaan ang mga anak. Hanggang dumating sa puntong kailangang mamili ang mga bata kung kanino sila dapat tumira, kung sa (tatay ba nila o sa nanay nila). Ito ang pinaka mahirap na sandal at sitwasyon sa isang nanay na tulad ni Leah na nagtaguyod at nagpalaki sa kanyang mga anak at bigla-bigla ay mawawalay ang mga mahal na anak nito.

Ngunit ang kwentong ito ay nagpapahayag ng ideya at mga isyu patungkol sa single parent raising her children, ideal family structure, at sekwalidad ng isang babae, na nakakaapekto at patuloy paring malaking isyu at usapin sa pamilyang Pilipino.
At dahil sa mga pangyayaring ito si Leah ay muling humanap ng isang lalakeng makakasama nya at kayang makaunawa at makatulong sa kanyang mga problema at kahinanan bilang babae (sex).

Sa pang-huli ang kanyang mga anak ay nag desisyon na sila ay mananatili sa kanyang pangangalaga at pagpapalaki. Maging ang prisipal na dati ay negatibo ang pagkakilala sa kanya, at nang malaman nitong si Leah ay nagtatrabaho sa isang NGO at tumutulong sa mga kababaihang nakraranas ng pang aabuso ay naging totoo nya itong kaibigan.

PaKhar said...

The sin of Father Amaro

REFLECTION


The film has a great impact in the lives of believers, those are devoted, admire, idolize priest or any servants of God very much. In any denomination devoted picture the leaders of the church as holy, blameless, son of God, they are closer to God. In catholic perspective if sinned and confess to the priest, he has the authority to give punishment and it is by praying, Ibelieved, our father, hail Mary. So the film might cause trouble in the religious life of people, in a sense that the person whom they confess is sinners like them also.

Father Natalio provides aid and comfort to rebel forces fighting a guerilla war with the government. As Amaro tries to help the Bishop with reforms and the parishioners with their spiritual needs, a young girl named Amelia strikes his fancy. She is sexually obsessed with the church, so much so that she confesses to unclean thoughts about Jesus himself. Amaro falls for her and they begin a passionate affair. Eventually, Amelia gets pregnant.

The most tragic of all is the fact that Amaro still manage to administer funeral service for her as if he has nothing to do with the misery that happened to the girl.
Apparently, this happens in the real life scenario. As a church worker, I encountered such case and I was quite surprise that the present church is not different to the world. Pride, lust, power struggle, bribery, deception also happen in the church where peace, love, equality and righteousness should be our vernacular and action. Where is the church now? Leaders of the church are in the position to make a first step to attain uprightness and justice.

2.
Brokeback Mountain

This is a film different from other Oscar Awarded movies. It is about illicit relationship between same sex partners.
Their story begins in Wyoming in 1963, when Ennis and Jack get a job tending sheep on a mountainside. After some days have passed on the mountain and some whiskey has been drunk, they suddenly and almost violently have sex.

I wants to identify the character of Ennis. Ennis seriously tries to live an isolated life with Jack. He tried to forget Jack. Because he fear others knowing about their secret relationship, and just lives his life for the sake of the society. He married Alma, a good women who cannot understand her husband until it is much too late. They have two children. He committed all of his life for his family. Unfortunately, Jack is the one who tries all possible ways for their life together, there are many instances where we are let to know how deeply Ennis loves Jack. For instance, the ever-dull face of Ennis lightens up when he receives a post card from Jack after four years since their first meet. And when they meet, the ever-afraid Ennis is the first one to drag, hug and kiss Jack in an open space with so much passion and love that only who is in love can understand. Both Jack and Ennis carry their loneliness around constantly. I’m amazing that how much love is.
I find the Character of Jack Twist was repulsive or repugnant. After they returned from Brokeback Mountain they have their own wife, children and their own family. But Jack never forget a successful relationship with Ennis. He always tries all possible ways for their life together, he knows that how deeply Ennis loves him. And he sent a post card to Ennis.That reason Ennis and his family(especially his wife and children) relationship and love was broken. They have their own wife and family, but they never received their desire fulfillment from their wife. They fill loneliness.
In one of the scenes, when Jack Twist insists to go to Mexico, Ennis suspects Jack for going to a male prostitute for which Mexico is famous and warns him that if he goes in search of other man, he would kill him. This clearly shows how possessive Ennis is on Jack like any other ordinary couple in real life. It is because of this one for one relationship, their love story gets an epic status. Otherwise, commonly gays are known to be those who bed with anybody just for sex. Also Jack and Ennis never they loose their manliness. In fact, they get into a formal marriage and raise children like any other ordinary man. This further increases the admiration over their relationship.

3. BRIDGES IN MADISON COUNTY
Reflection

How do we know when true love comes? And when love at first sight arise.
Madison County is a story of Italian lady who got married to an American man; they have two children and lived in a farm of Iowa, a place far from town and city. Meryl Streep plays the role of the housewife in which her times focus on serving her family. I was noticed that she was happy doing her chores, cooking, and gardening fixing everything inside the house. I supposed to say that all her sacrifices is because of her love to her family, though I felt she was bore and tired of her everyday routine.

Marriage is an exclusive contract for the couple because two partners are bond together by God and by law. But In reality, some breaks it due to some reasons; like lacking of communication, abuse and lacking of magic in the eyes of the partner(s). I am not yet married that is why I cannot really tell how marriage is all about and how does it work. Anyhow, marriage should really be thought a million times before someone get into it. Marriage is not a joke-once you get in then it will be your life in perpetuity.

In conclusion, all I can say is that love is without a doubt a mystery like what Rober t says. You cannot really predict whom to love, when to love and how to love. I know one pastor who left his vocation, wife and family for the sake of her love to someone. Just like Robert I just find love indeed a mystery – full of surprises, amazement and wonder.

In American culture ladies celebrate their sensuality unlike Filipino, we did not immediately showed our feelings, and for them making love is a natural movement in their lives. In their four days affair, being together they might know and see their common things in view of life, but I think it is not a basis of proving that what they share together is true love. For me it is an admiration or even a sense of longingness in the woman part because she was already married. Maybe in man’s feelings love been developed, because he really tried to convince Meryl Streep to go with him. What good in the movie was she chose her family sacrificed feelings for their sake? She wrote it in her diary, that it may serve as guide and lesson to her children how important is the welfare of the family, how she loves them. True love is willing to sacrifice, love at first sight willing to give and expect nothing else.

4. Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa?


This critically acclaimed film has impacted the truths of real life family scenario where individuals of the family has his/her own predicament and relationship problem with another family member(s). The complexity of having children with different father plus the fact that Lea (the mother) has the dominant and strong-willed attitude makes the story more colorful not mentioning the stubbornness of the two children. When you take a look at the film, observe that the story is serious but it has humorous punch lines that would turn the movie into a funny one.

Her experience of men as her partners make her somewhat subversive in the eyes of the society where as the norm should be she must have/had only one husband and only one father of the children. I really find absurd that when it comes to failed marriage or relationship, most of the time, the one who blames is the man and the one blamed is the woman. In the film, it is apparent that it is impliedly Leah’s fault that is why she is always left by her partner(s). But in fact, I see that majority of the problem comes from men’s irresponsible attitude. Well I’m not defending ladies out there because many too just fool around, but take a look at the real life.

Who generally does these things? I think that we have serious problem that we have to face in our culture in particular. Chauvinism and sexism is indeed a dilemma in our society because we
males are even proud if we have one wife and three girl friends. Many even brag to their buddies about their sexual experiences with girls whom supposed to be cared for and whom we should protect their dignity. It is not just about feminism here, we are talking about fairness, honesty and justice. We are talking about LIFE that is sacred and must be protected and enhanced by all of us.

In the movie, I like the attitude of Lea. Why? Because she knows the depth of life but manages to overcome her fears, worries and difficulties by being a fighter. Fighter not just in a way that she does no harm but she got the guts in raising her children with dignity and pride, and she has the will to be brave by moving on and looking at the bright side of life. I like her too for she is candid and straightforward if she needs to and tactful when she needs to.

As for me, the real meaning of life is not just about cleanliness, orderliness, happiness, but it is also about struggle. Struggle not in a way that you create conflict by yourself. It is about allowing yourself to be dirty sometimes. There is a commercial that says, “Sorry mom, I got stinky, I God dirty but see I learn,” Our negative experiences just like Lea would add to our life and they teach us to be courageous and to ponder about the Source of life and his works in us. See, though Lea suffered pain, still she overcomes. That’s what we call “grace”. And it only comes from the Author of life.

grace fe said...

Grace Fe F. Inocentes
Bachelor of Theology IV


Film Analysis: BATA BATA PAANO KA GINAWA?

Star studded film ang “bata bata pano ka ginawa”, mahusay ang casting at naportray ng bawat artista ang character na dapt nilang bigyang buhay. Prior to that, this movie serves as a mirror to me. Isang reflection of what is really happening in a family/at sa isang babae. Mahirap magtaguyod ng isang pamilya kung una sa lahat ay hindi fix ang iyong isip at puso sa taong nais mong makasama na habang ine-establish ang pamilyang iyon, vise versa. Ang mga bata ang higit na affected ng hidwaan sa pagitan ng asawa, at ang worst scenario sa pelikulang ito, magkaiba ng tatay ang dalawang anak ni Lea (portrayed by Vilma Santos). It created a deep struggle not only in raising her children but to the kids also. May hatian, may comparison, my level ng pag-ibig. Ngunit infairness to the woman here, maaga palang ay mulat na ang kanyang mga anak sa tunay nilang pagkatao at kung sino ang kanilang tatay. Hindi ito itinago sa kanila.
Ang kasalukuyan pa niyang kinakasama ay wala ring “b”, walang buto na ipaglaban siya sa nanay nito or to decide para maging maayos ang lahat. Although ang ganitong sitwasyon ay nangyayari sa pamilya at dito sa ating bansa sa kasalukuyan, nakita ko kung gaano parin katapang ang isang babae to overcome her personal struggle and giants in life. Mahirap ang maging single parent na may kinakasamang pabigat. Hindi lang pabigat kundi ginagamit ang babae para sa kaligayahan ngunit walang assurance na ibinibigay dito. Parang ang babae ay isang gamit na tagabigay ligaya sa lalaki at kapag hindi na nagfa-function ng mahusay, hindi na kailangan.
Women are worth loving. They also represent the image of God. I realized na ang babae ay isang dynamic person at magaling sa multi tasking. ANG PROBLEMA LAMANG AY HINDI NITO MAGAWANG IPAGLABAN ANG KANYANG KARAPATAN. Ang babae ang siyang nagdadala ng bata sa kanyang sinapupunan sa loob ng 9 na buwan hindi ang lalaki. Ang babae ang siyang makadadama ng hirap at kirot sa panahong hinihintay ang paglabas ng sanggol. Hindi madali ang magdala nito. Magkasama ang katawan at emosyon kung paano patuloy na nabubuo ang isang bata. At paglabas niya sa daigdig, paano siya sasalubungin nito? Nakasasalalay ito sa kamay ng mga magulang.
What encourage me in this film is on how Lea able to surpass these storms. Hindi siya yung tipo ng ina na nagmamando at kumukontrol sa magiging desisyon ng kaniyang mga anak. Pinakita parin niya na sa kabila ng mga mapanghusgang tao sa lipunan, matatag siya at tatayo para sa kanyang mga anak. Ang bata ay dapat protektahan, hindi sila dapat ang mag suffer sa mga naging pagkukulang at desisyon ng magulang.
The Lord always give a second chance, I guess… an endless chance, and ganun din tayo sa ating kapwa. People have their struggle and something that they’re fighting for, and so are we… nilikha ang bata to bring peace and joy sa gitna ng kaguluhan. Pinagtagpo ang ina at ama to provide a shield at maging matibay silang sandigan ng kanilang mga anak.

I will definitely recommend this film to everyone especially to women…




Film Analysis: The Crime of Padre Amaro
When I was reflecting the said film, di ko talaga mapigilang hindi ito isipin for several days. In fairness, I was really affected. Before I decided to become a Pastor, napakataas ng respect ko sa mga church workers, pastors man o priests. In fact, the character played by Father Amaro was the image of an angel for me. Sila yung mga taong ipagkakatiwala mo ang buhay mo kasi malapit sila sa Dios. One of his advantages is that he was a good looking person. Kaya marami talaga ang magkakagusto, like other pastors. Kadalasan, kahit walang itsura yung pastor, marami ang naa-attract at nag aadmire. Sa kanila ibinibigay ang ganap na pagtitiwala ng mga miyembro. Naalala ko pa noon before ako magpunta ng UTS, hangang hanga ako sa mga kapastoran! Kahit nga yung mga less attractive ay nakukuha ang atensyon ko, because for me, they are Godly people, angels that were sent by God to reach out people.
Going back to the film, Amelia was attracted to him. She even confessed her wildest thoughts to the handsome priests. At first, we will observe on how the priests handle himself to control whatever might happen between him and Amelia. It was a sad thing to suppress your feeling for someone, lalo na at bounded by “sacred law”. Ang hirap ng lagay ng mga pari kasi hindi sila pwede mag-asawa. Good for the Pastors naman kaya lang ang lagay kung minsan, nakakapag take advantage din sa tiwala ng ibinibigay sa kanila. I think, hindi lang din simple attraction ang nangyari sa dalawa, mayroon ding pagmamahal na maraming “what if’s”.
They were definitely in love and attracted with each other, and it started the flame between them. Amelia thought that Father Amaro would understand her struggle within herself that’s why she putted her whole trust with him. Parang isang hibla lang ng buhok ang pagitan ng pagkahulog sa pagkakasala at pinili nilang dalawa yun although they are both single. Ang problema lang ay yung vow ni Amaro as a priest at marami syang pangarap sa kanyang tatahakin bilang isang pari. I think that was really a struggling situation for the priest, sana katulad nalang din sila ng mga pastor na pwede mag asawa kaysa sa palihim na gagawa ng alam nilang labag sa kanilang sinumpaan at makakasira ng buhay ng ibang tao. Actually, I was really mad while watching Amelia dying. May choice naman kung tutuusin but Amaro remained to his oath. I mean, pipiliin mo paring humarap sa Dios at sa tao bilang isang lingkod, but behind his angelic image, mayroon siyang pinatay. Babae at bata… di ko talaga maunawaan kung anong pinaglalaban ng pari sa sarili at buhay nya para pagtakpan ang ganung uri ng krimen.
In reality, church workers are trusted by people. Pari man o pastor/diakonesa. Kadalasan, mabilis talagang mag admire ang mga tao lalo na ang kabataan dahil para sa kanila ang pastor o pari ay mga taong malapit sa Dios at magiging gabay nila sa makalangit na pamumuhay. But what I observed in the film, kahabag habag ang ginawa niya sa babae at sa bata. I don’t want to label him as a murderer dahil tao parin siya na nahulog sa ganung bagay. What I realized is yung accountability ng isang individual sa harap ng Panginoon. Church worker ka man o ordinaryong tao. We can hide even our secrets to our fellowmen at kahit sa ating family, maybe for years o hanggang mamatay tayo, pero yung magtago sa kunsensya at awareness that God saw us while doing that, yun ang di natin matatakasan.
I still believe that no matter how sinful we are, God loves us and willing to forgive us. Naisip ko lang na kung bibigyan ko ng ending ang story, I want Amaro to confess what really happened and face the consequences of what he did. Kung pahintulutan man siya o hindi na makapagpatuloy sa kanyang bokasyon, he just have to accept that as part of his mistake. Kaysa sa tuwing haharap siya sa madla, parang sinusunog ang puso niya sa katotohanan. Totoo na talagang nakakahiya ang ganong bagay, may mga ganun ding sitwasyon sa mga simbahan na pinagtatakpan para hindi maging kahiya hiya lalo na kung ang pamilya ay maimpluwensiya at may posisyon sa simbahan. But what we need to realize ay kung ano at paano tayo hahatulan ng Dios kung paano tayo nakitungo sa ating kapwa. Kung tayo ba ay nagdulot din ng karahasan at kawalang katarungan sa kanila. The Lord is a merciful and just, kaya hindi niya pahihintuluan na mabaon lang ang ganitong bagay at hindi mahayag.

Film Analysis: Bridges at Madison County
“A bridge was a structure allowing passage across an obstacle. It serves as connection or something which provide a link”. Sa pamamagitan ng kahulugan ng “tulay”, ay dito ko nais magbigay ng aking repleksiyon. The film offered lots of bridges to connect with the human soul.
Francesca was the image of a typical housewife. She’s a very responsible wife and mother to her children. I saw her life with a boring routine; she has no moment for fun or spending time for self pleasure like going to salon. She really devoted herself to serve her family. The place where they live has no qualities that will engage somebody’s interest. Parang nasa isang lugar ka kung saan ang taong kasama mo lamang bukod sa iyong pamilya ay ang anino mo. Of course, I admired her for being responsible, although she has her own dreams and aspirations in life. Parang ang lahat ng iyon ay nasa kahon na lang at itinago niya sa kanyang puso at isipan. Sa scene ng hapag kainan, kapansin pansin na ang layo ng agwanta ng relasyon niya sa kanyang pamilya. Kung baga sa isa pang pagsasalarawan, halatang siya yung may apron. Kahit music na gusto niyang pakinggan hindi welcomed sa anak niya.
Mas naging malungkot ang buhay niya ng umalis ang kanyang family for 4 days. Actually, her husband asked her to come but she chose to stay. Probably, she has no interest to mingle with people or to be disturbed by some noise of whatever place they will go. Parang na immune na siyang malayo sa kabihasnan.
Now, here comes, a stranger named Robert. Isang photographer sa National Geographic who takes pictures of bridges. Very masculine ang tikas ng lalaki, no wonder magkaroon agad ng attraction si Francesca. Sa layo ng lugar kung saan siya nakatira, akalain mong magiging makulay ng ganun nalamang ang kanyang buhay. Makulay at the same time, very painful talaga.
Nagkaroon ng ibang kulay ng pagkikita nilang dalawa. Sinamahan lang niya si Robert sa Roseman Bridge, nagtuloy tuloy na hanggang invitation sa bahay, nagprovide ng “tulay” si Francesca sa lalaki. Isang tulay na hindi alam ang tatahakin, or we can say na isang tulay na may malabo at masalimuot na patutunguhan. In fairness to Robert, nabigyan niya ng buhay at sigla ang buhay ni Francesca. Isang pakiramdam ng teenager, yun bang may kilig. Nagsimula na siyang mag ayos at maging papansin. Very meaningful bawat araw ang pinagsamahan nila. Kung ibibigay yung meaning, it is more than for 4 days. May malalim na silang naging ugnayan. For a long time, maaring don lamang naranasan ni Francesca ang may makausap tungkol sa kanyang mga pangarap. Isang taong nagkaroon ng interest sa kanyang naiisip at nararamdaman. Isang tao na nakakaunawa at nagpakita ng pagpapahalaga sa kanya bilang isang babae.
I think pareho silang nasa “Altered State of Consciousness”, na nag last for a lifetime. Temporary lost of sanity. Pero mataas parin ang pagpapahalaga ni Francesca sa kanyang asawa at mga anak. Aware si Francesca na mabuti ang kanyang asawa at hindi nito deserved ang iwanan at magsama silang dalawa. Napakahirap ng ganung sitawasyon. Naglalaban ng sarili mong damdamin para sa iyong pamilya at sa isang lalaking minamahal na nakilala for several days. Wala pa ngang one week. Sabi nga ng isa kong malapit na kaibigan, “DIVIDED I’S”.
Good about Francesca, ay naging matatag siya sa kanyang naging choice. Masakit man ito para sa kanyang kalooban. Mataas parin ang lamang ng pamilya sa kanyang pagkatao. I think her husband knows what’s happening siguro hindi nalang pinansin dahil masakit din ang katotohanan kung malalaman niya na ang kanyang asawa ay nagkaroon ng affair at ibang minamahal. Alam din niya ang kanyang naging pagkukulang kaya ito ay humingi din ng tawad sa kanya. What I liked more, ay yung hindi niya hinayaang hindi malaman ito ng kanyang mga anak. At first napakahirap unawain, pero nagbigay ito ng aral sa kanila na mas lalo pang pahalagahan ang kanilang marital life at magwork ito.
Sa film, parang napakadaling intindihin at ijustify, pero mrami parin akong tanong, bakit nagyayari ang ganon? Lalo na sa mag asawa pa? Kung mangyari man ang ganon, paano makakatulong ang taong simbahan para maging bridge sa mga pamilyang nasira dahil sa ganitong mga pangyayari?
Life indeed has great surprises. Maraming mga tulay ang iniuugnay tayo sa iba’t ibang karanasan ng buhay. Ang mga tulay na ito ay maaring magtulak sa atin sa mas maayos na tahakin, at minsan, nagdudulot sa atin ng takot pangamba…
This film calls the attention of husbands and wives. Paano na ang lagay ng construction ng bridge ng inyong marital life? Ito ba ay marupok na at kailangang irepair? Even the bridge that you have established with your children?... Ang lahat ng bagay ay kailangang i-work out lalo na ang pagsasama ng dalawang mag-asawa. Hindi ganoong kabilis na mayayanig ang bridge ng relasyon kung ito ay may matibay na pundasyon. . .
Sabi nga, life is not a matter of chance…. But of “choice”…
Film Analysis: Brokeback Mountain
Candidly speaking, it was a “yucky” film for me at first. I can’t take to see two men making love with each other. Though I have gay friends, parang unjustifiable parin sa akin na magkaroon ng affair ang dalawang lalaki. I have nothing against them kasi yung mga homosexuals na kilala ko ay mga talented and dynamic persons. In fact, may nagiging contribution sila sa church pagdating sa mga designs at arts. Malayang i-confess ng isang tao kung anong tingin nya sa kanyang sarili, but as long as alam din niya kung saan ang parameters nya sa mga bagay specially sa pakikipag relasyon. Sa aking napanood na film, hindi halatang homosexual ang isa sa kanila, kasi pareho silang may itsura at boyfriend material.I guess both of them nga ay gays dahil pumatol yung mas mukang masculin. Masyado pang romantic ang place, ang mga kabundukan at ang lamig ng paligid. Para silang nasa honeymoon.
But prior to that, they have already built a friendship at hindi lamang basta yung trabaho na magpastol ng mga tupa. They have the same interest at paboritong ginagawa sa buhay. Sa una, may self denial at parang may “kadiring” kaisipan ang isa sa kanila. Hindi niya expected na possible yun mangyari lalo’t ikakasal pa siya. Honestly, hindi ako comfortable na Makita o panoorin ang palitan nila ng pag-ibig sa isa’t isa. Ang hirap talagang unawain.
Marahil kaya kahit na nagkaasawa na sila pareho ay hindi nila maiwan iwan yung memories sa kabundukan. Nakakalungkot isipin na hindi enough ang presence nung wife para ma-erase yung mga nangyari doon. The worst part eh yung mahuli ka ng wife mo o ng husband mo na nakikipaghalikan o what so ever sa kapwa mo lalaki/babae. I’m wondering kung bakit at ano ang mayroon sa pagkakaroon ng relasyon sa same sex. Nakasira ito ng magandang pagsasama ng mag-asawa at pamilya. Pati ang mga anak ay nadadamay sa mga pagkakamali. May pamilya ring guston isave, though hindi nagtagumpay yung isa at nakipaghiwalay nalang. It’s really unfair sa part ng wife, na ang karibal mo sa asawa mo ay lalaki.
If I were state the positive side of the film, ito yung friendship na hindi na mawawala. Nakita ko sa mata ng lalaki ang despair sa pagkamatay ng kaibigan. Marami silang pinagsaluhang memories at mga pangarap. If lust o sex lang talaga ang nakapag ugnay sa dalawang ito, I don’t think na ganun siya maaapektuhan. Ang hirap ipaliwanag pero may love sila pareho sa isa’t isa.
My conviction as a Pastor, dapat nating ibukas parin ang pintuan ng mga Iglesya sa mga taong may mga ganitong kasarian, kasi mahal sila ng Dios. Pero ang pahintulutan at itolerate ang ganitong bagay (relasyong hayagan at nakatitisod sa miembro) dapat itong gawan ng aksyon na mayroong pagmamahal. Hindi natin alam ang kanilang struggle at ugat ng lahat. Kaya hwag tayong maging mapanghusga sa kapwa. There are things in this world that we cannot comprehend. And sometimes we labeled it as “hind tama”. .. Sa lhat ng bagay na ating pinipili at ginagawa, sa iisang Dios tayong lahat magsusulit.

This film opened and widens my understanding about homosexuals. They are humans too, and the Lord loves them.

Unknown said...

Gemma F. Cojano
Bachelor of Theology- senior

Reflection Papers: the Sin of Father Amaro

True love it is ready to give up even life for the goog of lovers. Ang pelikulang nakikita ko sa the sin of father of amaro ay isan napakahirap na raelidad sa buhay ng isang katulad ni father amaro. Ang mga kinikilala na mga alagad ng Diyos katulad ni father Amaro na isang kahanga hanga at isang kagalang galang sa komunidad at sa buong mundo, at hindi maiwasan na magkaroon ng isang paghanga sa kanya. Tul;ad ng isang babae na nakaramdam ng pag-ibig sa kanya at nagpapakita ng mitibo sa kanya. Tama lang ban a kanyang pagsamantalahan ang pagkakataon? Bilang isang Pari na kung saan kinikilala naito ang may karapatan na magbigay ng mga kaukulang pagpapatawad sa pamamagitan ng panalanginsa mga taong lumalapit sa kanya upang mag-confess ng kanilang kasalanan ay may karumal-dumal na ginawa sa isang babae na kung saan umiibig sa kanya? Hindi na pigilan ni father Amaro ang kanyang damdamin at tama lang ba kay father Amaro dahil iyon ang ginawa niya? Tunay ba talaga na pag-ibig ang kanyang nararamdaman sa babae? Makikita natin na tuwang tuwa at mahal na mahal niya ang babae. Ngunit para sakin ay hindi tama ang kanyang ginawa una, nagkaroon siya ng kasalanan doon sa kanyang sinumpaan na hindi magkakaroon ng isang pagmamahal sa babae, dahil ito ang Doctrina at paniniwala ng mga Roman Catholic. Niloloko niya ang kanyang sinumpaan at higit sa lahat ang kanyang sarili.
May kasabihan na kung mahal mo ang isang ato ay handa ka na ibigay pati ang iyong buhay. Ngunit kung totoo na ang pag-ibig ang nararamdaman ni Father Amaro sa isang babae hindi niya magagawa na magkaroon ng masyadong mabigat na kasalanan tulad ng pagkabuntis ng babae na iyon humanap ng paraaan na matanggal ang bata para lang matago ang kanilang maling na nagawa. Ngunit hindi pinalad na mabuhay ang bata pati na rin ang ina at nagawa pa niya na maging isang officiating minister sa libing na iyon. Ito ba ang nagagawa nang isang Pag-ibig? Para sakin ito ang maling pag-ibig at tunay na ang alagad ng Diyos ang may maraming pangyayari sa ganito. Si father Amaro ay tinatawag na leafer Father siya ay kinikilala na Pari.
Good leader begin someone allo Bathala to operate at the very heart and soul (puso at diwa) of our pamamahala. Wise leadership values human right ang dignity. Sana mayroon siyang Espiritual and Moral sa lahat nag ito ay: God created us in His image. Treat everyone with respect despite of your community, position, gender, age and other factors.

Norlie guapo said...

THE CRIME OF PADRE AMARO
Movie Reflection by Norlie Vilog

This movie about Principle, Love, Sin and Lust displayed by the main characters mostly are Priests at the movie is very significant to consider for reflection. The Liberation Theology of Padre Natalio, The “Moral” and Practical Theology of Padre Benito, and the idea of Optional Celibacy for Priests by Padre Amaro.

But my major concern here is all about Padre Amaro and Amelia on their relationship of “Love” and “Lust” that led to tragedy at the end of the movie. We cannot deny the fact that all of us human being have our own sexuality. Either we are Priest, Nun, Pastor or whoever we are. And because we have our own sexuality, we have the right and freedom to celebrate it. It’s just happened that sometimes our right and freedom of celebration is bounded by limitations because of the Laws formulate by the society or institution which we belong. Like in the case of Padre Amaro, as a Priest, he is bounded by the Law of the Church on Celibacy and Moral. Therefore it is prohibited for him to marry Amelia for the sake of their love to each other and for their child.

In the case of Padre Amaro, it is an issue of what should be his priority in life after Amelia get pregnant, if he continues pursuing his Priesthood or to marry Amelia and build his own family for them to freely celebrate their sexuality as man and woman. It is proven in the movie that he prioritized his Priesthood, although Amelia got pregnant and tried to convince him to hang up his cassock just like the other Priests they knew who build their own families. And because of this decision of Padre Amaro, with his permission, Amelia tried to convince Ruben (her ex-boyfriend) to marry her to save her integrity as a woman but unfortunately Ruben rejected her. And the last remedy they attempted is abortion, but it failed and caused the death of Amelia and the baby in her womb. For me, it is a very sad and heartrending story.

I remember a tagalog saying which says, “Ang tukso ay parang isang ligaw na aso, minsan mo lang pakainin, babalik-balikan ka hanggang sa tuluyan nang manirahan sa iyong bahay.” This is what happened to Padre Amaro. Actually there are three major temptations for Priests: “Power, Money and Woman.” It is the third temptation where Padre Amaro fell although there were attempts of refusal at the first instance. But when he was not able to control his self because it is natural for him to feel desire for love and sex, he even found a place for them to do their “rituals.” Their “sex activity” not just happened once or twice, it happened many times for they even find another “safer place” when Padre Benito discovered their “first chukchakchenez place.”

Now, my comment to Padre Amaro is this: he did not take the responsibility of what he did to Amelia. In my own conviction, we should always be responsible of the consequences for every action we do and for every word we say. In the case of Padre Amaro, he is a Priest, a Saint, a representative of Jesus. People see him with high regard, with reverence. In this movie, Amelia became a victim of the irresponsibility of Padre Amaro.

What I expected to be the end of the movie is that either Padre Amaro will hang up his cassock and get married to Amelia, or, if Padre Amaro still prioritizes his Priesthood, let their baby be born and enjoy the life given by God. Padre Amaro will just find a place for Amelia and the child and provide their necessities. As a Priest he is able to do that. This choice I think is better than aborting the baby.

We Pastors are luckier than Priests in this aspect for we are free to build our own family at the same time doing our full time ministry in the Church. But this movie doesn’t mean that we are free to do what we want to do. We are still bounded by limitations. For every freedom, there is always a limitation. If the Priests are prohibited to get married, we are also prohibited for polygamic marriage, or sexual relationship outside marriage.

The possibility is this, what if a Pastor will have a child outside marriage, a child from the Pastor’s woman? It is a very difficult situation for me. This happened to a Pastor in our place. The respect and reverence of people to him totally lost, so, he was removed from the ministry and looked for another job. This is a warning for us Pastors and Church Workers and for every Church People to be responsible for every action we do, for every word we say, and to watch every step we make.

Norlie guapo said...

“THE BRIDGES AT MADISON COUNTY”
A Movie Reflection by Norlie Vilog

Bridges are constructed to connect gaps. Gaps maybe cause by river, stream, or any other else. Without bridges, surely there will be dead-end of the roads. For this reason, land travelers can not go on their trip if they wish to go on the other side of the river or stream.

Using bridges as metaphor to human relationship is very complex. For every human relationship, there are bridges, between men and women, husbands and wives, parents and children, or between brothers, sisters or friends. I am thinking the connection of bridges at Madison County to the life of the characters in this movie especially to Francisca.

The bridge connecting Francisca to her husband and her children is the relationship as family. In terms of morality, Francisca in bounded by the law of marriage and family. She has responsibility as wife and mother to her children. It is proven in the movie how she loves her family for she preserved the bridge connected to them until her death. As what she said, “I gave my life to my family.” Proven even the start of the movie how she sacrificed for her family, how she had shown her selfless love to them, even though her family is very insensitive to her feelings as wife and mother.

What is contentious for me in this movie is the affair of Francisca with Robert, a total stranger who went to their house just to ask where a bridge is found. The initiatives he made only for Robert to stay in their house, when she followed him at the bridge, the very tempting dress, the invitations and others until it resulted to their love and sexual relationship. It is a question of morality and unfaithfulness to her family. Her self justification is summarized in her statement that, “I gave my life to my family and I gave what is only left in me to Robert.”

As far as legality and morality is concern, she is prohibited to do such affair like what she did with Robert. She became unfaithful to her husband and children. But sometimes legality and morality standards of society sometimes imprison someone to be happy and enjoy his/her life given by God. This is what happened to Francisca and in this aspect where I can see a hole to justify her on what she did. And I admire her for her decision to preserve her family until the end of her life and not walking at the bridge connecting them with Robert.

After her death, when her children knew this portion of her life, although it was intolerable on their part at the beginning, after they read and understand everything, what happened to their mother became the bridge for them to settle their own family problems. From rejection to acceptance and from annoyance to admiration, the end justifies the means of their mother.

For every relationship, communication is very important, to know what are the true feelings of one another, to avoid hidden conflicts, misunderstandings and so on, in order for every relationship to develop and progress towards maturity, happiness and satisfaction and to celebrate life in its fullness.

Norlie guapo said...

“BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN”
A Movie Reflection by Norlie R. Vilog

This movie displays a homosexual relationship of two men. It is a very unusual movie for me. I am not used to see two men having “chukchakchinezz” to each other, two handsome men with no indication that they are gays if we only see their physical bodies. They are both sheep keeper cowboys (macho image). When I saw them kissing each other, honestly it is very “yakkky” for me, especially on what they did at the tent. If they are longing for a woman on that situation, because as man it is normal to feel “yearn” from time to time, I think it is better for them to just “masturbate” on their own than do what they did.

But what I really appreciate on their relationship is their devotion and “love” to each other when it is developed. Until one of them died, the one left crying remembering him. It signifies how deep the feelings is, even after death.. I doubt if most normal couples have deep devotions as they have, for there are so many normal couples resulted to mess after few years of living together after marriage.

Now, the issue came into my mind is all about homosexuals. Personally, I am not advocating homosexual relationship for such reasons. First, the region where I grew up, as far as I know, despite of the fact that there are gays, the society is generally if not absolutely anti-homosexuals. Even the gays themselves are aware that homosexuality is bad and not accepted to the society. All of them (except those extreme un-church gays) are convinced that what they are doing is immoral. This is the norm existing in our region. Second, Biblically both the Old and New Testament, marriage is intended for a man and a woman. The context of the written Scripture is not concern with homosexuals. Third, practically, the way we created has a common sense. The sex organ of men and sex organ of women are really meant for each other. By reason, for us men, we cannot have our orgasm by just having “swordplay” among our penis. I don’t know about women if they can have orgasm if they just have a “mouth to mouth resuscitation.” And fourth, the means of making a baby. Baby is not produced by two men or two women but by “a productive man a fertile woman.” The egg cell and the sperm cell are joined together to produced life. It is basic in Science.

Although I am not advocating homosexual relationship, I am not judging or condemning those homosexuals because the grace of God is for all human. Gays and Lesbians usually saying that “this is the way we are created by God. It is not our choice.” I think we need to give respect to them. We try to accept them as they are.

Norlie guapo said...

“BATA BATA, PAANO KA GINAWA?”
A Movie Reflection by Norlie R. Vilog

The title of this movie normally connotes malicious scenery. But after watching it, I discovered a deeper sense of the title than what I primarily thought. It means how a child made to be a decent person, to be makatao, maka Diyos at makabayan.

This is a story of a woman (Vilma Santos) who is exploited in different aspects of her life. I said this because: First, she is physically oppressed in the sense that she is solely responsible providing for their necessities. For her children and for her live in partner. In addition to this, she feels abused and maltreated in her relationship with her partner especially during their sex intercourse. Second, she is emotionally oppressed because she was not treated with fairness by her partner and her original husband. Addition to that is her problem in dealing with her children about everything happening in their lives as “family.” Third, she is mentally oppressed in the sense that all her actions seem wrong in the eyes of her partner. She is also morally and socially oppressed because of what happened in her life.

But what is very appreciable in the case of Vilma Santos in this movie is that despite of her complex status; her children loved her and proud of her as their mother. It is proven when they chose to live with her when their fathers attempted to get them away from her. She made her life meaningful in the sight of her children and later in the sight of the society where she lives.
She works on Women’s Crisis Center where women victims of abused are helped in fighting for there rights and freedom. She is a worker in this center, a counselor, and yet she is also a victim. I still remember when she talked to her friend about sex, she said, “ ‘di ba dapat kapag nagtatalik ang lalake at babae ay nagtatalik din ang kanilang kaluluwa?” It is evident here that her sex life is not satisfactory for her. Analyzing these words of her in human condition is very important for me. A person will be fully satisfied and surely reach the “third heaven” if his/her wholeness as a person will concur to each other, physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. It is not only during sexual intercourse but in all what we do. Sometimes there are conflicts inside us, what we think sometimes against of what we feel, or what we do is against our own will. The issue of “divided I” in Paul’s Theology.

Regarding the fathers of her children, these two men especially “Ding” is a picture of an irresponsible and selfish man. As a Filipino and Ilocano, I am still on the side of giving the responsibility to the father with regards to the living of a family. Although we are now advocating equal rights of husband and wife, I still consider the father or husband to be the breadwinner in a family.

Generally for me, it is a good movie for reflection on many issues. Issues in a person, in a family, in a society, in theology, in Psychology and others..

Unknown said...

Madison County:
Si Francesca ay isang ordinaryong maybahay sa isang malayong lugar, may dalawang anak na inaasikaso, at asawang pinagsisilbihan. Siya ang naghahanda ng tahanan, naglilinis, nagluluto, at nagtatanim. Dahil responsibilidad niya kaya obligado siyang gawin ang lahat ng ito sa loob ng kanyang tahanan. Pati ang musikang kanyang kahiligan ay ipinagbabawal. Nakakulong ang buhay ni Francesca sa kaniyang bahay, kay Richard, kay Carolyn at Michael. Isang araw, may dumating na malaking pagbabago, habang nasa kumpetisyon ang mag-aama. Dumating si Robert, isang photographer ng National Geographic at napadako sa lugar ni Francesca. “Opposite poles attracts” si Francesca na nakakulong sa mga gawaing-bahay, si Robert na nagagawa ang lahat ng ibig, may kalayaan para isagawa ang mga naisin niya. Napukaw ni Robert ang tulog na damdamin ni Francesca. Sinabayan niya ang kanyang musika. Sa loob ng apat na araw na pagkakaibigan, nakalaya si Francesca sa pagkakakulong. Naipakita niya na mayroon siyang halaga, na ang buhay may-asawa ay give and take relationship. Hindi lamang sa tahanan nakabase ang isang babae, may kalayaan din siyang gawin ang kanyang mga naisin.
Dumating sa kaisipan na iwanan ni Francesca si Richard. Subalit may kasabihan na hindi matatakpan ng isa pang pagkakamali ang pagkakamali. Batid ni Francesca na mas liligaya siya sa piling ni Robert pero mas ninais niyang makasama ang kaniyang mga anak at si Richard. Ang pagsakripisyo ni Francesca sa kaniyang pansariling kaligayahan ay tunay namang hindi matutumbasan ang kaligayahang madarama sa piling ng mga anak.
Naging magandang alaala ang apat na araw na pagkakaibigan ng dalawang napunan ang kalungkutan. Sa kabila ng saya na naranasan nila, ito’y sapat para manatiling treasures na maaring ipamana sa kaniyang mga anak. May mga Robert na dumarating sa buhay mag-asawa, hindi para manira ng samahan subalit para magturo sa atin na matuto tayong pahalagahan na dinggin ang bawat hinaing ng mga anak, ng asawang lalaki at ng asawang babae. Kailangan ding marinig ang kanilang mga musika at ang kanilang himig ang nawa’y bumago sa ating pananaw na ang mga babae ay hindi makulong sa tahanan lamang, meron din silang nais na magawa sa kanilang buhay.









Brokeback Mountain:
The movie mirrors a friendship between Ennis and Jack in which they lived in a far-flung areas where birds, animals and no human creatures were there. Only Ennis and Jack complement with each other. Sa isang lugar na malayo sa bayan, sa mga tao, pawang mga hayop lamang ang nakikita at nakakasama. Si Ennis at Jack ay mga halimbawa ng homosexual relationship na nakatagpo ng friendship sa gitna ng pangungulila at kalungkutan. I won’t blame their acts; they made it for love and companionship. They both understand and appreciate their feelings.
Ang General Conference ng Methodist Church ay tumututol sa pag-aasawa ng parehong kasarian. Subalit nirerespeto ng simbahan ang kanilang pagkatao, bilang lalang ng Diyos ay nananatili pa rin sila sa “household of God” or reign of God. Para sa akin, babae, lalaki, bakla at tomboy ay may puwang sa kaharian ng Diyos. Hindi ko karapatan na sila ay i-outcast. Malugod ko silang tinatanggap bilang kabahagi ng isang kumunidad. I admire gays and lesbians when it comes to entertainment and for their truthiness.
The Bible says nothing specifically about the homosexual condition but its condemnations of homosexual conduct are explicit. Historically, homosexual behavior was linked with idolatrous cult prostitution (IKi. 14:24; 15:12; 22:46). In Romans 1 Paul condemns homosexual acts, lesbian as well as male, in the same breath as idolatry (vv.23-27), but his theological canvas is broader than that of Leviticus. Instead of treating homosexual behavior as an expression of idolatrous worship, he traces both to the bad exchange fallen man has made in departing from his Creator’s intention (vv.25f). Seen from this angle, every homosexual act is unnatural, not because it cuts across the individual’s natural sexual orientation or infringes OT law, but because it flies in the face of God’s creation scheme for human sexual expression. Practicing homosexuals are included among the unrighteous who will not inherit the reign of God. Paul intended to denounce homosexual conduct but not homosexual people.










Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?
Ang kwento ng isang babae- si Lea bilang ina at manggagawa ng NGO na ipinaglalaban ang karapatan ng mga kababaihan. Si Lea ay may dalawang anak si Ogie at si Maya. Anak niya si Ogie kay Raffy at kay Ding naman si Maya. Sa kabila ng kaniyang trabaho, hindi napabayaan ni Lea ang pagiging ina niya sa kanyang mga anak mula sa pag-aasikaso at pagmamahal. Lea is living with one of her children’s fathers. She is totally independent parent and a woman. Her children are at critical ages and she struggle to provide their needs maintaining her frantic schedule at a woman’s crisis center. Her fidelity to her principles is in danger when her children are caught in an accident and both fathers’ questions her capability as a parent and blame her of neglect. Now she must come to a decision whether to abandon her principles and kowtow to society’s outlook or lose her children to have a good future they yearn for. Lea is a victim of a patriarchal society, where they judge her importance on motherly abilities. She’s oppressed in different aspects of her life. Para sa kaniyang live-in partner Ding lahat ng kaniyang desisyon ay mali gaya ng pagbili ng bisikleta at pagsali ni Maya sa patimpalak. Dumating din sa punto na kinuwestyon nina Raffy at Ding ang pag-aalaga ni Lea sa kaniyang mga anak. Mas mahalaga raw ang trabaho ni Lea kaysa sa kaniyang mga anak. Pati ang principal ng paaralan ay nagtanong at pilit na dinidiktahan pa si Lea kung ano ang tama nitong gawin.
Nais ni Ding at Raffy na kunin ang kanilang mga anak sa pangangalaga ni Lea dahil nga siya’y pabaya. Subalit sa buong kwento makikita natin na ang mga pabaya, iresponsable at makasarili ay sina Ding at Raffy na kung saan nais nilang kunin ang mga bata sa piling ni Lea. Masakit para sa isang ina na mawalay sa kaniyang mga anak. Ang kaniyang damdamin ay hindi man lang pinapahalagahan ng mga lalaking minsan ay nagmahal sa kanya.
Si Lea ay mulat sa usapin ng kababaihan dahil nga siya’y nagtataguyod ng kanilang karapatan. Naging matatag siya sa kabila na siya’y nababagabag na baka mawala ang kaniyang mga anak sa piling niya. Subalit sapat na sa kaniyang mga anak na siya’y karapat-dapat na ina sa kanila. Mga anak mismo ang nagpasya na ang kanilang ina ang karapat-dapat at mas mahal nila. Si Lea ay halimbawa ng mga kababaihan na ramdam niya ang pagbalewala ng mga lalaki sa buhay niya at pati na ng mga tao sa paligid niya ay patuloy pa rin siyang nanindigan at ipinaglaban ang karapatan niya sa kaniyang mga anak. Hinubog niya ang kaniyang mga anak na puno ng pag-aaruga at pagmamahal. Naisalarawan ng pelikula na ang boses ng kababaihan ay dapat mapakinggan at maisakatuparan ang kanilang mga mithiin.

Unknown said...

Human Sexuality
The movie entitled The Bridges of Madison County is a picture of what we called the “love triangle”. It is composed of three persons in a relationship. The couples love each other strongly but unexpectedly another scene of love came brought by the third party, which is the single man, the National Geographic Photographer. The housewife and the photographer fell in love with each other. “Their love begins, unfortunately, it stops in just awhile.
Another movie is entitled Broke back Mountain wherein two young men fell in love with each other while working together in one summer timer on the mountainous places. They also love each other in a wrong place at a wrong time and in the eyes of many, their relationship isn’t acceptable. At first, they didn’t really expect that their relationship will never stay long because for them it was a wrong relationship, only to find out that after being apart from each other, only they realized that they need to love each other. Were they really forced by nature to love or they fell in love because they really feel deep inside them the force to care for each other?
I love the role played by Francesca Johnson in the first movie stated above. It was clearly pictured that she loves her family “yet after meeting the photographer, they won’t want to lose the love they’ve found. While I was watching this movie, it challenges me to accept the reality that “love is indeed a mystery” it is beyond our knowledge, control, wants, and expectations. It’s beyond explanations, it’s beyond our definitions, and it’s beyond our many descriptions. The story is telling me personally that when we feel love we need to express it and when we love we do anything we want just to be happy or else we will regret why we didn’t give our lives a chance to be happy. We all have the freedom to love because we are created to love and to be loved. But behind this fact of freedom to love, we must not forget that we have great responsibilities which are shouldered upon us. For me every relationship is good as long as it will not be abused. Francesca became honest with her love and so with Robert. This shows that love isn’t selfish. They happily shared their real love together even in a very short moment. They didn’t want to lose their love after the days they were together but they need to because Francesca needs her family and because she loves her family, she chose to be with them in spite the hurt she felt while getting apart from Robert. Observing the real situations in our times now, many families were broken because of the irresponsible parents, who are selfish, who only look for their own happiness. Yes, Francesca’s love isn’t selfish, it’s not only for her, or for Robert but also for her family, although it hurts her to be apart from Robert. The fact is when we love we must be ready to be hurt because we don’t really love if we don’t want to be hurt. She loved and stayed with her family for the rest of her life and at the same time she loved and kept deeply within her heart her love and memories with Robert. Francesca was honest too. Love doesn’t lie, we need to be true to ourselves and to our loved ones. Everything was revealed only when she already passed away, but it was not yet too late for her to tell the truth to her beloved children. What is important is she revealed everything without a doubt; it was the true and whole story of her love and Robert. She had a good and honest heart that’s why it is possible for her children to accept and embrace her love story and granted her final request and wish. The true and unlimited love brought and shared by Francesca is pictured out as her ashes thrown out to the bridge fell down on the clear flowing river. For me through this story, there is magic in love.
Going back to the story of Jack and Ennis on the Brokenback Mountain, Ennis is a great lover. He worked out and found ways just to keep in touched with Jack. He sacrificed everything because of his love for Jack and even after the life of Jack on earth still his love for him remains as his memories kept within his heart. Love needs sacrifice and loyalty.
The story isn’t strange in our society today. It is a reality. We see many gays and lesbians around us, in the market, in the shopping malls, and even in our churches. But still they are seeking for belongingness and acceptance. If there is one thing that challenges me most based from the story of Jack and Ennis is that our Christian society must express and provide opportunities for our gays and lesbians to be ministered, to feel they belong and to provide them avenues to minister and to serve in their own simple ways. I believe God loves us all. God cares for all of us.
Homosexuality was a big and an unacceptable issue for me before but as I opened and widen my theology of God’s love for all the creation, I realized that everyone is important and precious being. I don’t have any bad thoughts for the relationship of persons with the same sex as long as they are truly loving each other, caring for each other, helping each other, listening with each other, respecting each other and supporting each other. For me, it is better to build up, support and pray for the love between persons with the same sex than those couples who are not really loving each other and breaking their families after few years of being together.
Realizing that they are the same guy, Jack and Ennis still fight for their love and found ways to be connected to each other for a lifelong and even in the midst of the many challenges, struggles, tragedies, ups and downs; they endured everything because of the power of love. Certainly, there is POWER IN LOVE!

THE CRIME OF PADRE AMARO

“”Fantastic! It is really an eye-opening movie”. It talks about various facets of the priests’ lifestyles and actual activities and affairs. The movie presented the story of a recently ordained priest who was sent to help an aging priest run a small parish church in rural Mexico. Upon arriving at his new destination, there he met a beautiful young woman with a religious passion that borders on obsession. “Quickly, her passion for her faith becomes helplessly entangled in a growing attraction to the new priest. But when the handsome priest crosses the line that separates temptation from sin, he finds himself torn between the divine and the carnal, the righteous and the unjust.”

We can see many unusual things with this movie. But the movie gave me enlightenment on the different realities of the life of people working in the church. Padre Benito was portrayed as a priest with a great heart of helping the people through building a hospital but on the other hand, Benito is with the mother of Amelia and the money he uses for building the hospital came from politicians and drug lords. At the outset of the movie, Padre Amaro shows concern for the people. He spent time with the handicapped daughter of the “sacristan”, but afterwards the priest had his hidden agenda. The place became his meeting place with Amelia. I felt really bad and angry on the portion that Padre Amaro seems to ignore the situation of Amelia. He claimed that “love is a gift” but after all, he did not stood for Amelia. He is one kind of a coward guy because he was afraid of the consequence of what he did. He was afraid to be excommunicated. He is selfish, he didn’t sacrifice for Amelia. She didn’t care about the plight of Amelia instead she pushed her to death. What a crime!

If I admire one of the characters that is Padre Natilo, who was accused of supporting and leading rebels but actually they are not rebels but people who are defenseless. He sincerely works with the poor and oppressed peasants trying to defend themselves from wealthy and powerful people, and the drug lords in the community. He stood with his own principle. He was strong for his mission as a priest in the community where he was working that nobody can stop the beats of his service for the oppressed one, no, not even the bishop. I like the picture of His commitment to serve. He sacrificed his title and connection with the superiors of the church because he knew and he felt from his heart that he was doing right not in the eyes of people but in God’s eyes. He is full of joy and accepts his excommunication in order to remain working with the people whom he cares.

Another issue that the movie is trying to present us is the vow of celibacy in the Roman Catholic tradition. I have seen in the story that because of this vow, Padre Amaro did the wrong thing for Amelia and finally committed a crime. He was preoccupied with the vow he took. He was more concern with what will happen to him if he disobeys the rules than what will happen if he do the right thing for him and Amelia. He didn’t realize that his being coward and selfish will lead him to crime. I hope that through this movie, the Roman Catholics must be challenged to take consideration on the issue of celibacy.

We have our own battles and struggles. This story tells us that church workers are not superhuman beings; they sometimes are fallen in their own weaknesses. The movie shows that “nobody is perfect”.

Unknown said...

Bridges of Madison County

Kung ang tumay na Pag-ibig ang dumating sa isang tao na magkakaroon ng matamis at makabuluhan na relasyon, ito ay hahanap ng paraan na magkakaroon ng panahon na maramdaman ng bawat isa. Sa pelikulang Bridges of Madison County ito ay isang story ng Italian lady na kung saan naka asawa ng isang Amerikano, may dalawang anak at malayo sila sa town. Sinasakripisyo niya ang kanyang sarili sa pag aalaga ng kanyang asawa at anak, at nakalaan ang kanyang oras sa Gawain sa bahay, hanggang sa dumating ang panahon na nagkakahiwalay sila sa loob ng ilang araw.
Sa loob ng apat na araw na kasama niya ang photography doon nag unti – unti na wala ang kanyang damdamin sa kanyang asawa at nagsimulang na developed and kanyang feeling sa isang photographer. Ang kanyang kalungkutan sa kanyang pamilya ay biglang napawi sa pamamagitan ng photographer ay nabigyan ng kasagutan. Sa kanyang asawa hindi na nabigyan ng panahon at nakagugol lamang ang kanyang oras doon sa pag aasikaso sa kanyang pamilya.
Sa isang photographer ay maramdaman niya ang pagkakaiba tulad ng pagtulong sa pagluluto may panahon sa pag uusap sa paglabas. I think sa America or Italian culture lady celebrate their sexuality unlike Filipino culture, we did not immediately showed our feeling ngunit sa kanila ay ok lang ang mga halik na walang kasamang nararamdaman na pag ibig.
Sa loob ng 4 apat na araw ditto na developed ang kanyang feelings dahil sa nararamdaman niya ang kanyang kahalagahan. She need to care to hugging to love to take to help at pagkakaroon ng panahon sa kanyang sarili at ito ay natagpuan niya doon sa isang photographer na kung saan Malaya siyang tumawa.
Ngunit sa kabila nitong matinding damdamin niya sa photographer sinasakripisyo niya ang knayang sarili paaralang sa kanyang mga anak at asawa. Ang nakikita ko ditto kahit sa madaling panahon nabigyan din ng kalayaan at nararamdaman niya ang sandaling kaligayahan.




BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
Napaka hirap na mamuhay na walang kasama. Ang pelikulang ito ay nagbubukas ng aking pananaw sa tunay na damdamin at hanggang ngayon nagtatanong pa rin kung ang mga pangyayaring ito ay tunay ba na pag ibig ang nararamdaman ng bawat isa sa kanila?
Sa panahong gabing iyon habang nandoon sila sa bundok dumating ang panahon ng tag-lamig ng sumiping na ang dalawang iyon naramdaman ng bawat isa sa kanila ang init ng kanilang katawan hanggaat sa may nangyayaring nagpapalabas ng kanilang naramdaman sa bawat isa.
Ang masasabi ko lang na ang isang mainit na pagyakap at mainit na paghalik ang mahigpit na pagyakap ay makapgbigay ng isang kabalaghang damdamin. Sa bawat isa na kung saan itop ang tumutulak sa kanila upang makagawa at makalabas ang kanilang naramdaman sa bawat isa. Ngunit sa mata ang tao at kulturang Pilipino ang ganitong sitwasyon na parehong lalake ay hindi katanggap tanggap sa lipunan, subalit sino ba ako para husgahan sila masasabi ko bang ito ay kasalanan?samantalang hindi naman ako ang may likha ng kanilang damdamin, tapos na nangyayari iyon nagpairal parin ang kanilang konsensya na mali ang kanilang ginagawa. Noong pagdating ng panahon na nagka asawa sila at nagkaroon ng kanilang mga anak.
Ang pagkakaroon nila ng anak sa tingin ko hindi nakapagbigay ng kumpletong kasiyahan sa kanya at may iba siyang hinahanp para masaya siya. Noong lumipas ang panahon nagkakataon na nagkita sila muli hindi nila na pipigilan ang kanilang mga sarili at nagyayakapan at naghahalikan.
Hindi lang naman din nakagwa ng action ang babae doon at hinahayaan sila para sa akin sa halip na ipaglaban niay ang kanyang karapatan bilang isang asawa na nagmamahal, ito ay umiiyak lamang hinayaan niyang magawa ng kanyang asawang lalaki ang kanyang kagustuhan. Noong bumalik ulit sa bundok ang kanilanh kasiyahan at muli nabuhay naman ang nakaraan.
Dahil sa kanilang pagsasama sama na walang ibang iniisip kundi ang kanilang kaligayahan ang sarili at ang mga masasayang ginawa ito ay ang nagpapainit ng kanilang damdamin at samahan, panay kasiyahan ang kanilang nararanasan walang anak at pamilya, ditto na developed ang isang masayang samahan na kung saan hindi nila ginawa sa kanilang mga asawa.
Nakalipas ang panahon, namatay ang kanyang kaamang lalaki, doon na realizd niya na ang kanyang nararamdaman ay may pagkakaiba, kailangan niya hanap hanap niya at sobarng kalungkutan ang kanyang naramdaman.
Aang ating nakikita ay isang pelikulang nagbigay ng pag iisip, tunay nga ba ang kanilang nararamdaman sa bawat isa ito ba ay tunay na pag ibig? Ang kaligayahan sa isang kaisipang ay puwede ba maibigay ng isang parehong lalake o kaya parehonh babae, para sa akin ang pag ibig ay nagsimula at lumago ito sa palaging kasama at pagbigay ng panahon sa bawat isa.

Gemma Cojano
BTh-Senior