I'm Drunk, I Love You: A Sober Take On Unrequited Love
My favorite scene in JP Habac’s I’m Drunk, I Love You was when Dio (Paulo Avelino) started talking about his insecurities as an aspiring filmmaker, comparing himself with batch mates that were already featured in Young Star. The sound of frustration in Dio’s words clearly established the weight and meaning of it, especially if you’re a young Filipino artist. Carson (Maja Salvador), being the super best friend that she is, immediately turns it into a joke and tells Dio, “Mas bagay ka kasi sa Abante.”
The thing is, I know exactly how Dio feels towards Young Star. The same way I also know how Carson feels towards Dio. Both romantic, both juvenile and silly. I’m Drunk I Love You made me realise, GRADUATE NA TALAGA AKO SA DALAWANG ISSUE NA ‘YAN. But who am I to judge Dio and Carson, they needed to go through those yearnings so they could grow up.
Quirks and Intimacy
Watching I’m Drunk, I Love You felt like tagging along with Carson, Dio and Jason Ty. Fine, isama na natin si Pathy. It was entertaining and funny. The little frienship traditions were engaging — their common love for cheap alcohol and Peter’s Butterball, the love for OPM and the iPod game, and of course, the unparalleled fondness for Bagnet. Although I knew about the quirks, for some reason, I didn’t feel the intimate with Carson and Dio. I felt I was seeing the movie only through Carson’s limited point of view.
I wish I knew why Carson loves Dio so much — beyond Dio being good looking and talented. I wish I knew why Dio suddenly wanted to take up law, even without him explaining it Carson. It can be just between him and me (as the audience). I wish I knew little extra about Pathy, not just about the extra H in her name. Why did Pathy and Dio break up? What did Dio like about Pathy? But Jason Ty definitely felt like a real best friend to me.
Old Trope, New Focus
I’m Drunk, I Love You’s premise is not new. In fact, it utilises a romcom trope that has been recycled for so many years — Reality Bites, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Labs Kita Okey Ka Lang, Close To You, She’s The One — I think I’ve seen most of them. (Obviously, it’s my favorite trope.)
But I’m Drunk, I Love You gives it a fresh take by shifting the focus from the epic goal of winning the guy to the simple task of getting the emotion out of the f*cking way. When Carson admitted her feelings to Dio, it felt at first like a drunken declaration of love. But when she pulled away from Dio’s kisses, she proved to be emotionally sober. Carson knew they were kisses of consolation. (Sabi nga ni Jeff Buckley, “Kiss me out of desire, not out of consolation.”)
Sobering Up
“Huwag kang mag-sorry. Hindi mo kasalanan na hindi mo ako mahal.” Carson told Dio the day after the eventful night.
I’m Drunk, I Love You was not a love story. It was about finally moving forward. And it starts with a making a decision, which ultimately is empowering. In the last scene of the movie, I cried. No, it’s not when Sugarfree’s Burnout started to play. It was when Carson broke into laughter, leaving Dio completely clueless about it. At that moment, I knew she made a decision — to continue being Dio’s best friend, sans the pining and hoping. Carson finally realised that her life, her happiness, is up to her. Carson decided to grow up.
Bataan: A Local Historical Destination
I only knew of Bataan through my lolo’s perennial anecdotes about his experience during the Japanese occupation. He was seven when he and his dad had travel by foot and by boat to seek refuge in Bataan. Sweet potatoes are the only thing they could eat, he’d reiterate. However detailed my lolo’s stories were, Bataan remained to be just a mere setting. No photos nor vivid descriptions of the landscapes that could help me picture how Bataan was actually like.
But last May, Wincy surprised me with a well-planned weekend trip to Bataan. Finally! He already booked the hotel and even prepared an itinerary! My only task was to research where to eat. What I like best about Wincy’s itinerary was that it had a point of view, and some form of narrative that structured the whole trip.
Mt. Samat Shrine aka Dambana Ng Kagitingan
Initially, I thought the shrine would just be a simple giant cross on top of a mountain. When we got there, The Colonnade welcomed us – an Art Deco structure with marble walls and columns, stained glass panes, bronze installations and reliefs by Napoleon Abueva, all immortalising the tragedies and victories of the second World War.
At the corner of the Colonnade, there’s a small museum filled with artifacts. Looking at the weapons, worn out army uniforms and boots, news clippings and propaganda pamphlets felt reminiscent of this:
A quick uphill drive was the Memorial Cross, literally at the summit of Mt. Samat. From up close, the cross seemed more like a tower, clad with reliefs visualising our country’s history, our constant fight for freedom and independence.
Funny Break: When it started drizzling, Wincy and I took it as a cue to leave the shrine and check in our hotel. As I was getting down the Colonnade, I slipped. The soles of my Adidas Gazelles was relatively smooth, without grips. I had no way of controlling my fall – I slid down from the middle until the very last step. I didn’t scream because I didn’t want more people to see me. But a group of titas in a van screamed as they saw the whole ordeal while a distracted Wincy Ong (who was waiting in the car beside the titas) didn’t even see my very own epic “Fall of Bataan”.
On the way to Balanga, installations trailed the road, as if marking specific spots. Intrigued, we slowed down for a bit and discovered these installations were markers of the tragic Bataan Death March. Passing through markers to markers, I felt my sadness transform into a sense of gratitude and honor, realising that many Filipinos fought and died for our independence.
Balanga: Nostalgic Cosmopolitan
We stayed overnight in The Plaza Hotel, which was right at the heart of Balanga. Our room had a view of the town - you’d see the plaza where people gather for concerts and parties, the Balanga Cathedral, the mall, the city hall, and connected to it was the city library. Balanga was like a little Barcelona - a modern cultural center veiled by nostalgic architecture.
Like I mentioned, my only task was to find the right places to eat. Great food was not hard to find in Bataan, especially if you have a friend who actually lives there. Thanks to my good friend Michael, we got to try all these:
- Inside our hotel was a japanese restaurant popular to the locals, Cafe Kyoto.
- Stregato Gelateria is a few minute walk from the hotel. They also serve Italian savory dishes.
- Roberto’s serve good steaks, barbecue and burgers. They also have good coffee and desserts. It’s just across the plaza.
- The Beanery is a well-loved cafe in Bataan. They serve a wide range of coffee drinks (from your usuals to dessert-like frappes), as well as snacks and hearty meals. It’s actually so refreshing to see a local brand thrive over chain cafes.
Exploring Balanga was a perfect slow down to our rather historical and educational day trip.
Wincy enjoying the veranda of Roberto's.
The Case of Rey (Kenobi)
#CjDrawsDay 25: First Manga Studio Drawing of 2016 - Rey (Kenobi)
Months before the premiere of Star Wars Episode VII, Wincy felt so anxious that I seemed so uninterested about the saga. I watched episodes IV, V and VI before but it didn’t stick to my memory. Maybe I was too young or preoccupied withother films. “I’m so sad you wouldn’t watch it with me.” He would say. But I said I’ll still watch it because I am JJ Abrams fan.
Come December, I watched it with Wincy. Sorry, Lucas purists, but I honestly think JJ Abrams turned all the baggage into something brilliant.
We have Rey now. The “girl” that drives Kylo Ren to his emo man-child, Vader fan boy tantrums. She was independent – just like what Han Solo said as he gave her a blaster, “I know you can handle yourself…” And most of all, she isn’t the token girl nor the damsel in distress. My favorite would be “Stop taking my hand!”
JJ Abrams turned almost everyone into intergalactic detectives as the episode concluded, formulated theories about who and where Rey came from. Here’s my bet: She is a Kenobi. Proofs:
- The way she held her lightsaber. I watched Episode VI and III again and noticed the similarities with the way Obi Wan and Rey would turn on their lightsabers as well as their fighting style. The stroke is almost always forward.
- She always seeks higher ground. Both times that Rey was confronted by Kylo Ren (in the forest of Takodana and in the snowy woods of Starkiller Base), Rey would always jump to a higher ground. Now let's review this:
- The Jedi mind trick. This is a signature Kenobi move.
- Her English accent. John Boyega (Finn) is a British actor, yet he has to act with an American accent. But Daisy Ridley (Rey) retained hers.
Here's a good support article from Medium.com, written by Ben Ostrower.
I also think she used to be Luke’s student, together with Kylo Ren. Kylo Ren knows her and very insecure with her. She’s just trying to forget everything.
NudeAudio Move S-Wire Speaker: Portable Fun
Many people say that Christmas will always be fun for the kids. I think it's also fun for the lolas and the Titas of Manila as they get their annual free pass at pointing out your weight or pressuring you for a love life. But for most of us, not-so-children-anymore and not-quite-titas-yet, we are stuck in the long drives to family reunions and last minute shopping.
So maybe as we're stuck in the December traffic, might as well we bring along a little fun - a little music! Me and my good friend, Tats Paman, a sound engineer and audio equipment enthusiast, prepared a video review of NudeAudio Move S-Wired.
Another feature of the NudeAudio Move S-Wired is the Team Play. With its 3.5mm AUX out port, you can plug in another speaker for bigger sound.
Technical Details
- Power Source Type: Battery
- Item Height: 5 inches
- Item Length: 9.5 inches
- Item Weight: 0.22 pounds
- Item Width: 8 inches
SRP - P1,290.00
Available in all Digital Walker, Digital Hub and Beyond The Box branches. Distributed by Digits Trading.
Note: This is a sponsored post.
My History with Wacom
2008, I was about to graduate from college when I bought my first Wacom Pen Tablet, as a Christmas gift for myself. It was the Bamboo Fun model. I remember to have wondered what was the mouse for. But still, the pen tablet was magnificent.
Not until that one time that I dropped my pen and the nib broke. I tried replacing the nib, thanks to the nib donations from my friends. But it didn't work. I didn't want to buy an entirely new Wacom Pen Tablet set since the tablet wasn't broken. And that's when I found Ynzal Marketing, a tech and gadget store that had almost all Wacom products and, thank goodness, spare parts. At that time, they had a Bamboo Fun pen sold separately. And conveniently, Ynzal delivers it to you the next day!
2010, I dropped my pen again and it instantly broke, I figured it was about time to finally get myself a new Wacom set. After all, without the Wacom tablet, I wouldn't be able to do my work and my other projects. So again, I ordered a Wacom set from Ynzal and had it delivered. This time, it was the very sleek and sexy Wacom Bamboo Pen Touch.
I can say that I've done a lot projects with the Bamboo Touch. I love it so much I even put a dymo of my name all over it. Our relationship was almost flawless until its USB cord, which wasn't detachable and designed similar to that of Apple chargers, got crazy on me. There were times that with the slightest touch or movement, the connection will be cut. There were times it won't connect at all. This time, there wasn't any spare part replacement. :-(
So I did what I always did - order from Ynzal. I didn't bother going to the mall and checking stores one by one. Ynzal has all the Wacom thingies I need, at the lowest price. Got myself a Wacom Intuos. It's the cheapest I could get! But how I wish Wacom retained their entry-level Bamboo line. I never really got convinced by the "high tech" extra advanced features of the more expensive Wacom models. Like what I always believed in -- "It's always the Indian, never the pana (bow)."
I ordered last Friday and I got it Saturday morning! Ynzal's super reliable! :-) The new Wacom Intuos reminds me of my first Wacom in terms of design. The USB connectivity is detachable, using a generic USB mini. Which means if ever the USB cord wonks out, I could replace it with a generic one! But I hope the pen is not as easily broken as the Bamboo model.
I was so excited about my new Wacom that I spent most of my Saturday trying it out, getting myself used to the new model. I decided to practice my comic art skills and tried out sketching, inking and coloring, all digitally! Also, lately, I have been obsessed about Cameron Stewart's art style. His digital inking skills are amazing! And I kinda like the new look he gave to the Bat-Girl reboot!
So let me share with you my practice artwork. It's based on one of Ellen Page's still from her movie Whip It, but I tweaked her hair a bit to resemble Emma Stone's new short bob (because I love it). And I changed the wardrobe a bit to look more like the Hurl Scouts' uniform (Ellen Page's roller derby team in Whip It).
I actually tried 3 different applications so I could find the best way to digitally ink my sketch: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop and Manga Studio 5. For inking, based on my research, Cameron Stewart uses Manga Studio 5. So I downloaded a trial version and explored. I must say, the brushes available in the app were great. The feel was almost seamless, just like I was inking using a real pen. However, I think I am more comfortable with how Adobe Illustrator's brushes are snappy and a little corrective. Here's a GIF of the evolution from sketch, ink and color.
And here's the final artwork!
I'm starting to like doing comic art. Hopefully, I develop my own art style and maybe who knows, Wincy and I could come up with a comic series or a graphic novel. :-)
NOTE: This is not a sponsored post for Ynzal Marketing nor Wacom. I've bought all my Wacom tablets from Ynzal (except the Bamboo Fun). I just wanted to write about how efficient and reliable they have been with me through the years. :-)