Reblogged from Orpheuscult75:

(I will write a journal in every fifth of the script covered. This is part 1/5. If  you want to read now about the script, go to the last 6 paragraphs. If you want to read the story behind it, about my miserable and colorful life as an artist start below.)

“Unlearn.”

I’ve always wanted to write a movie script…uhum…a screenplay since when I saw Higher Learning at a student pub at San Francisco State in 1996. I was studying Fine Arts at that time. That movie struck a nerve on me for its …

In any society, the artist has a responsibility. His effectiveness is certainly limited and a painter or writer cannot change the world. But they can keep an essential margin of non-conformity alive. Thanks to them the powerful can never affirm that everyone agrees with their acts. That small difference is important.        — Luis Buñuel

As announced earlier, we will identify 35 to 75 semifinalists of the 2nd Gig Book Storywriting Contest. The 6th and final batch of semifinalists consists of 27 stories, bringing the total number of semifinalists to 65. Here is the complete list, arranged alphabetically by title. The final judging will select 10 winning stories which will be announced on or before 2012 March 31.

A Homecoming Plan For Papa by Ma Cecilia C. de la Rosa

A Lesson From Grandma by Gay Marie M. Francisco  

A Promise To Remain Nice by Jon Espera Royeca  

A Talk With Dad by Jon Espera Royeca

A Tiny Spark Of Hope by Manuel Sebastian B. de la Cruz  

A Tiny Wounded Heart by Jennylyn Salazar Isherwood

A Wish To The Moon And The Gentle Wind Dragons by Raymund Magno Garlítos

Alaminos by Carmen Rosario D. Pérez

Anchor And The Sea by Hernani P. Geronimo

Ate Ela: My Sister, Mother and Father by Minerva Generalao

Badong And His Binoculars by Leilanee Pilar M. Gabriel

Big Slippers by Gay Marie M. Francisco  

Concepcion’s Last Voyage by Al Ponciano R. Datu  

Dadiangas by Carmen Rosario D. Pérez

Dad’s Gifts To Me, Aileen by Georgina C. Solina

Dominic’s Little Story Of Love And Forgiveness by Jennylyn Salazar Isherwood

Enzo’s Change of Heart by Rebecca S. Gerodias

Hello, Tatay! by Genaro R. Gojo Cruz 

Hmmphh! Says Estong by Raechelle Castellon

Homemade by Anna Cristina Llanera-Reyes

I’m Rescuing Santa Claus by Christian Q. Salta  

Ishmael And The Ocean by Franklin P. Andaya

Junior’s Diary by Carlo Baltazar Ventura

Just Like The Hornbill by Katrina C. Vinluan  

Lengleng And The Doll House by Premy Ann G. Beloy

Lifebreak by John Thomas P. Miranda

Lily’s Butterfly by Eric Goden Lomocso

Little Jimmy’s Monthly Journal by Jennylyn Salazar Isherwood

Mac Tan by Carmen Rosario D. Pérez

Magic Box by Liwliwa N. Malabed

Magic Rubber Shoes by Mary Gigi Constantino  

Man Of The Family by Alpha Luz Napatang  

Manuel’s Name by Michaela Sarah G. Deleon

My Dad And I Travel The World by Francesca Cielo M. Ravanes  

My Dad Cooks On The Sea by Rhodora Householder  

My Invisible Dad by Perry C. Mangilaya

My Precious Man by Florlynn L. Bassi  

My Super Father by Shur C. Mangilaya  

Nesto’s New Home by Kathleen Aton-Osias  

Papa And The Pirates by Franklin P. Andaya  

Papa And The Pirates by Romeo A. Solina

Papa’s Treasure by Georgianna Reyes de Vera

Pido’s Dream by Eunice M. Chan

Pirate No Beard by Georgianna Reyes de Vera  

Postcards To Papa by Raissa Claire R. Falgui

Postscript For Pio by Mia Ayroso Buenaventura

Rock Star by Gay Marie M. Francisco

Sailor Moon And The Jeepney by Ruffa J. Sebuc

Smile! by Ira Chloemn B. Daylo

Sonny Boy And The Sun by Jose Dennis C. Teodosio  

Sula, The Sailor’s Child by Catherine Rose G. Torres  

The Captain’s Lost Son by Eric Goden Lomocso  

The Mermaid Sister by Celestine Marie Gaspar Trinidad  

The Sea Prince by Nina Sheryll V. Palad  

The Seafarer’s Glasshouse by Heidi Emily Eusebio-Abad

The Sirens of Sarah by Emerson F. Bengco  

The Story Of Billy The Bully And Mic The Meek by Adrian John O. Ladaga  

The Stranger At My Door by Gail Christiane Te

The Woman In Daddy’s Wallet by Fernando R. Gonzalez

We Grew Up Without A Father by Ariel Gaspi  

What’s Inside A Turtle’s Shell? by Raymond G. Falgui

When Papa Went Away by Irma Arcega Celis

When Would Papa Arrive by Jose Ma. Marko O. Sevilla  

When You Are Away by Bella Charina Alexandra D. Mercado

Will Papa’s Red Truck Ever Come Back? by Weneven Nierra Caberte 

Is it worth it to live in your lies

alone in this crowded room

Is it worth it for me to decide

to hold on

while I’m feeling this silent pain

Oh scarlet fire burning in my eyes

My deadly sin

for finding real love

I swim in the backwaters of impunity

Is it worth it to live in your lies

while I laugh in this crowded room

Is it worth it for me to hide

behind my smiles

this dying soul in the freezing rain

I’m poisoned by my selfish compromise

My fall begins

for playing a game I knew I couldn’t win

Sweet cards of dishonesty

You’ve let me start the move of this foolish game

Knowing that my spoiled heart will get a taste of your honey coated pain

I got your medicine

but it’s all up to me

to cure my vanity

and convince myself

that I love you

In the Arts we are equal

Talent neither favors the rich and poor

neither nationality

nor the color of one’s skin

Only cynical politics sets the barrier

by raising the standard of mediocrity

In the Arts we are equal

One’s gifts are ought to be nurtured

and shared

But modern reality makes it hard for artists

Either they change reality

or let reality change them

But in the Arts we are equal

The Muses don’t want your money, title

nor your social position

You can’t buy inspiration

Warped Elements (watercolor)

Seascape Study (oil pastel)

Orpheus coming back from Hades without Eurydice (oil pastel)

Part 4 of the Novel  (mixed media)

Alone but not lonely  (oil pastel)

Jaded Virginity (oil pastel)

Glacial Rainbow  (oil pastel)

Old Page Unwritten  (oil pastel)

Police sketch of a poet who had abused his license, died, and gone to heaven. His favorite book while living on earth was Flowers of Evil and A Season in Hell.

quick studies in shaded circles (oil pastel)

                                                                              beach sketch (oil pastel and conte crayons)

A Summer Afternoon in Sta. Fe (crayon)

Emo Wanker (oil pastel)

                               A Study of Stephen (acrylic)

                                                                She Who Dwells in the Sacred Temple (oil pastel and conte crayon)

Summer Midnight Thirst (oil pastel)

                                                      2 Strong Hearts (mixed media)

Didto sa kalibutan ko

Gatuyok nga wala diri wala didto

Usahay kusog, kanunay’ng hinay

Bahala na’g hinay basta lang kanunay

Sa mga adlaw magpalabay sa kalaay

Magpahimulos sa panahon sa kalipay

Kinabuhi nga hinay pero wala gidugay

kay simple lang ang kalibutan kong hayahay

Sama sa ligid sa bisikleta

Ligid sa bisikleta

Ligid sa bisikleta

Ligid sa bisikleta

Sa gamay nga byahe ko dili mahibaw-an

nagkalain-laing klase sa mga dalan

Naay bakilid, lugsungon, patag, ug libaong

Pwedeng mopahuway pero di gyud kahunong

Ako ba gyud kaha ang gadagan

o gapuyo lang ba ako sa akong dalan

nga gatindak sa pedal sa akong pagsakay

sa planetang gabyahe sa dakong kawanangan

Nov 11 2011

___

note on third line: It’s actually “Nevermind if slow as long as it’s steady” not “always”. But I’ll keep the word “always” for wordplay though it misses the Cebuano meaning using the same word.

Bicycle Wheel

There in my world

Turning out of here, out of there

Sometimes fast, always slow

Never mind if it’s slow as long as it’s always

Passing boredom in the days

Relishing the times of happiness

Slow life it is but not delayed

cos it’s that simple ― my novel world

Like a bicycle wheel

Bicycle wheel

Bicycle wheel

Bicycle wheel

The different kinds of roads get unpredictable

in my short ride

There are steeps, downhill, plain, and bumpy

Can take a break but can never stop

Am I the one who’s really running

or am I just being stationary in my path,

pedaling in my ride

on the planet traveling in the vast universe

This song is a funeral song not for the dead, but for the living who are too selfish and afraid to accept the universal meaning of life and death.

Minaatay

Kamatayon, angayng saulogon nga malipayon

kay natapos na ang mga pag-antus

kay nagsugod na ang bag-ong kinabuhi

Pero ikaw gahilak nga nag-ampo

kay nipanaw na ang minahal mo sa kinabuhi

Gimahal mo ba siya nga siya pa buhi?

*Nganong ikaw nga namatyan nagkahilas

Nganong ikaw nga namatyan nagkahudas

chorus:

Ayaw’g gamita ang patay

sa drama mo nga way angay

Ayaw’g gamita ang patay

sa isyu mo nga gi-atay

Kamatayon ug kinabuhi walay huwaton

Pero gapadaku ka sa imong importansya

Malinawon ba ang imong konsensya?

Kamatayon, angayng saulogon nga malipayon

Pero ikaw ma-ampoon, magul-anon

sa seremonya sa hakug mong relihiyon

rep. * & chorus

adlib

rep 1st verse as ending

—

note on the English translation of the title:

“Minatay” means corpse, but it can also mean to grieve badly. Adding an extra “a” in the middle is a wordplay joining “minatay” with “atay”(liver). Atay is also a swear word often said as “gi-atay”(sick in the liver). Literally, “Minaatay” means “Sick in the Liver Grieving” or just “Damn Mourning”.

Damn Mourning

Death should be observed joyfully

for the sufferings have ended

for a new life has begun

But you’re crying in your prayers

for your loved one has passed away

Did you love him/her while he/she was still alive?

*Why, since you’ve lost someone, have you become more obscene?

Why, since you’ve lost someone, have you become more Judas?

chorus:

Don’t use the dead in your lousy dramas

Don’t use the dead in your damn issues

Death and life waits for no one

But you’ve bloated up your self-importance

Is peace dwelling in your conscience?

Death should be observed joyfully

But you act prayerful, mournful

in the ceremony of your greedy religion

(photo: sulit.com.ph “…starting your business in the Philippines’ ‘Funeral Home Row’”)

Hoy, musikero nga gara

magpinasweto, papapel, di kamao, pangilaray ug konsepto

kagamay ra sa Cebu

ulo ra sa mga mabaw nga tao

ang gadako niining senaryo

Hoy, manunulat nga binayran

sa pagliso, pamakak, pangilad ikaw nisikat ug nabulahan

Pero wa’y aso’ng makomkom

Mapaso ra gihapon ka’s kamatooran

nga mobangon sa iyang lubnganan

Kay ang kamatooran libre

Di mapalit sa politiko

ug mabaligya sa negosyante

Hoy, pulis nga wa’y hinungdan

nga sige lang gadawat ug soborno

sige’g padako sa imong tiyan

Abusado’ng walay sama

Gadungag-dungag ka lang sa problema

niining katilingbang wa’y hustisya

Hoy, abogado nga simang

gatoo ka’g maka-ikyas ka

sa imong minaro ug mga kaboang

Bitaron ra gihapon ka

paatubangon sa kataohan

sa hukmanan sa balaknon nga hustisya

(Oktobre 16)

Truth

___

The arts and sciences of a given civilization are but summaries of knowledge by their scientists, physicians, engineers, and artists. They are the intellectual bridges who inherited their knowledge from their predecessors, developed them, and passed them to the next generation. When the social structures of that civilization becomes stagnant and deteriorates, the bridges of accidents, chance, and irony of history would come into play.

The ancient Greeks, for example, were critical observers of nature. Born along that long process were the classical philosophies, science, and mathematics applied on their arts and engineering. When Hellenistic civilization began to decline, its knowledge passed on to the Romans in building their coliseums, roads, bridges, aqueducts, etc. Ironically, although the Romans claimed to be the heirs of Greek culture, they had limited success in translating the bulk of Greek writings. Furthermore, studies of Greek science virtually stopped during the fall of the empire. Its fragmented offspring, the Holy Roman Empire, condemned classical knowledge as “pagan heresies”.

Meanwhile in the Near East, Arab scholars had diligently studied the writings the West had forbidden. The result was the flourishing of Islamic science and culture during the time when Europe plunged into the Dark Ages. One can see the complex mathematics used in building Eastern structures from the Mughal temples in India, bridges in Persia, to the Moorish palaces in Alhambra. Western scientists would then later study the books brought into Europe by Arab scholars in the 12th century. That lead to the intellectual revival called the Renaissance.

(planned to be continued)

November 6, 2011

Photo: Si-o-se Pol Bridge by Shahab Maghami