My Chinese New Year Experience

I went to Ongpin last Saturday, January 24 particularly to look for some Takeshi Kaneshiro movies. I was with my Mom who I asked to accompany me because I might get lost. Well, we kind of got lost getting to Ongpin.

We continued to walk through the narrow streets of Ongpin. People were everywhere in Binondo, pure Chinese; half- Chinese or non – Chinese. I myself happen to have bought lucky charms. Besides, I’m part Chinese and it’s really nothing new to me as my relatives and my family has been following some Chinese traditions.

Back to what my real purpose in coming to Ongpin, I finally saw the sign of Mei-Ah Vcd Shop. I hurriedly went to the shop and looked for Chinese movies of Takeshi Kaneshiro. Unfortunately, they don’t have Chinese movies. But they do have wide selections of Korean, Taiwanese and Chinese series like in Hidalgo in Quiapo. They also have animes which I love as well and music albums. I may not have bought something but I definitely will come back, besides they sell DVD’s on a lesser price. I ended up buying at the store next to it which I think is another branch of Mei-Ah. Luckily, I saw Golden Bowl; one of Takeshi Kaneshiro’s Japanese series. And I also bought A Moment to Remember and Strawberry on the Shortcake.

I really wanted to see a real dragon dance. I did saw the dragon mascot but they weren’t performing yet because it was still Saturday. I really love the colors around the place. The different colors of boxes of Tikoy, red lanterns, gold and others bright colors of lucky charms. Although my family doesn’t actually follow the Chinese New Year, I like Tikoy very much, I believe in feng shui and lucky charms and I like how Chinese celebrates the New Year uniquely. Because, you see I’m 40% Chinese and 60% Filipino. My Dad is 75% Chinese from his mestiso father and pure Chinese mother. My Mom on the other hand is pure Filipino from Lucban, Quezon. So I really have a taste of the Chinese culture and tradition. During All Soul’s Day, my family lit incenses for our departed elders and we burn the so called Chinese money. And we lit big red candles with dragon designs. This is how we pay respects to our elders.

I’m proud of my Chinese blood, as you know Chinese are known for being patient, persistent and hard working. Chinese are very artsy and we have a very beautiful ancient culture. This must also be the reason why I like Chinese movies particularly that of Mr. Kaneshiro of course. I really love classical Chinese music as well with ethnic instruments which one can never hear in others. It’s just perfectly distinctive. I was really captivated of Shigeru Umebayashi’s score of House of Flying Daggers, one of my favorite movies ever.

The Chinese people, wherever you looked always have that exclusive trait and culture that only them can call their rightful own. Filipinos should learn from them.

God Please Give Me More Time / Precious Time

The series aired its last episode tonight. Starring Takeshi Kaneshiro as Keigo Ishikawa and Kyoko Fukada as Masaki Kano. It tells the story of a 16 year old girl Masaki who sold her body to earn cash to buy a concert ticket of the famous singer – composer Keigo Ishikawa. She’s a die hard fan of Keigo, she even followed his car on the rain to show a banner saying “I love Keigo “. She had a one night stand with Keigo but unfortunately she has already been inflicted with HIV virus from the man she sold her body to.

Eventually, she learned that she’s HIV positive. She develops a close friendship with Keigo from then on. He on the other hand is still haunted by the death of his former girl friend Lisa who died from labor and their child. He remained good close friend to Masaki despite knowing that she’s HIV positive. He continued to motivate her and console her when she needs someone to understand her. In due course, he fell in love with her as well.

Things seemed to be going well. Keigo and Masaki have agreed that she’ll go with him to New York. However, Kaoru (Lisa’s sister) told Masaki that Keigo already left in an earlier flight. Masaki was in deep despair but she went on to live her life without Keigo. After 3 years, Keigo came back to Japan for a tour and saw Masaki again. They rekindled the relationship that was stalled by consequences. What seemed to be a happy moment for the two was wrecked by the news that Masaki’s condition has fully developed into AIDS.

She later on became pregnant of Keigo’s baby. Thus causing more danger to her because the baby might inherit her disease or she might die from labor. The baby was born and they could be any happier but Masaki went into coma. Later on, Masaki regained her some strength and managed to still see Sachi grow and marry Keigo. She died after marrying Keigo leaving him and their daughter Sachi.


This Japanese series is one of the best I’ve ever seen. Not only because it has Takeshi Kaneshiro on the lead. But because it’s so true that you can’t help but feel the same for them. It’s extremely sad and brilliant. I’ve never seen a story like this. So riveting and infectious that I cry almost every time when watching it. I was so affected and I desperately wanted a happy ending for them. But that is not life; it’s not always a happy ending.

I really love how it made the connection between Keigo and Masaki so genuine. The things they had to go through, how far they went to be like this, what’s it like to be in those situations. It melts my heart how love can go ahead of almost everything. It just shows between Keigo and Masaki the way how love should be spoken, heard, or done. And how we should embrace life after a loss and understand that we were actually very blessed.

This made me admire and love Takeshi Kaneshiro a lot more. He perfectly showed an award worthy performance as Keigo. He just had this really enormous strong presence as Keigo. It felt like I was there witnessing a real situation. It felt so real and so melting. He portrayed a very genuine acting that you could almost feel like consoling him right then and there. He was at his best or one of his best in this series. I also commend Kyoko Fukada for displaying immense melancholia as Masaki.

If it was made into a movie, I’m sure it would be critically acclaimed, awarded and a box office hit. I definitely recommend this series and it’s indeed one of the best series ever made or ever graced the television.

Lovers by Kathleen Battle
Soundtrack for the movie House of Flying Daggers

Takeshi Kaneshiro on CNN Talk Asia

Illumination

I took this photo on Dec. 24, 08 inside the church while waiting for the mass to begin. I was with my Mom and my third brother.

It’s pleasant to see the light shining in deep darkness. There’s always something to smile about.

Fisher folks

After the mass, I and my brother went to walk near the sea shore. We went to see if the fishermen were already raking in their harvests.

I remember, we used to have a banca when I was younger. It’s nice seeing people working together for one good cause.

I took this photo on
Dec. 28, 08.

Sad Beginning

I took this picture with my phone from our window on Dec. 28, 08 at 7:06 in the morning. I and my brother were getting ready to attend a mass.

Upset at the Lakeshore

I was on my way home to Claveria on December 20, 2008. I boarded an RCJ bus that will depart at 8:30 PM. I was early when I arrive at the terminal but as usual, the bus left 30 minutes after 8:30 PM. I didn’t actually notice that the air con wasn’t working already. Since I don’t really like the bus to get too cold, I paid no attention.

We were in Pampanga; I don’t exactly know the particular place. The bus stopped at a petron station maybe to fill some gasoline. Unfortunately, we ended up staying there for the next three hours. Then I suddenly felt how hot it was inside the bus so I went out to pee. I went back to the bus and started reading Sputnik Sweetheart but I couldn’t concentrate. I then went on to buy some drink. I sat outside the convenience store and started reading again but I still can’t get myself to focus. I then pulled a chair and placed it under the streetlight. I began reading and it was just perfect. I almost finished the book, leaving only two chapters left but still no sign that we could already leave. Actually, the bus was waiting for another bus to give them some help with the problem. That’s why it’s taking them this long to fix it.

It’s already dawn of December 21 and we were still there. I think it was already 12:00 AM. I closed the book and went to buy a cup of coffee. I sat there just sipping my coffee, looking at the road and the cars passing by leaving us to where we’re left high and dry.

How I met Takeshi Kaneshiro

I met Takeshi Kaneshiro through my third brother who mentioned to me the Zhang Yimou Oscar and Golden Globe nominated movie, House of Flying Daggers. I was aware of the movie but I only knew that Zhang Ziyi is one of the leads. But I haven’t watched the movie so he bought a pirated DVD.

I first saw him in Precious Time, a super hit Japanese tv series and I thought he was that other guy from Meteor Garden, but I was wrong cause he is way way hotter. But he seems really familiar to me. I got hooked on the series and him after watching the 2nd episode. And I even got more in love with him after watching House of Flying Daggers. I love him. I really really love him!

Quintessential Man
Takeshi Kaneshiro

“I’m a free spirit, like the wind always moving.
The wind never thinks too much. “

“A playful wind stops at will. “

“I’m like the wind, I come and go without a trace. “

*****
I just look at him and everything sad goes away.

December 30, 2008

No Show

It’s been a week since I arrived and I haven’t heard or seen any of him. Unlike last year when out of nowhere he and his best friend came to my family house. For what reason,I really don’t have any idea or whatsoever. That was in December 23, 2007. He and Fabio were on a motorcycle. He was absolutely not the one who’s driving ofcourse. Well, I actually didn’t expect him to show up again on the same day since it was really out of the picture.

Saturday, December 27, 2008 – seven of our common classmates / my friends came to my family house. Just to hang around and eat. Since they didn’t attend the alumni homecoming in Trade, they instead came to me. It was only Jacky who attended the homecoming. I actually wanted to attend but what stop me is the thought that I might be seeing him and her there. And another was that, the weather has been really cold and chilly as always.


Rosalie told me that Fabio and he went to Sanchez Mira. Again, for what reason I really don’t want to know. His at his own ever since and it’s got nothing to do with me. We were never actually friends. And that we have really different ideals and principles. To be honest, I practically didn’t expect him to greet me on Christmas Eve, but he did. So I just had to do what I should do and greeted him back.


Teaser for my New Year’s resolution is that I’ll be a no show to any things that he’s involved. And that I hoped he will be a no show to me at all after I’m done with what I owe him.