Day 2: The Gladiator
My favorite movie.
Now that is a lame intro.
When I went to Singapore for a week-long training, the longest time that I was away from home, I tried to look for the 'familiar' during my last days in the city.
I had lunch at Pizza Hut, even if I should be trying the local cuisines. I had the urge to had pizza (one of my comfort foods) because I had to admit, I miss home.
Then there's the flight from Singapore to Manila (about three hours), and though Singapore Airlines made latest films available for viewing, I decided to watch The Gladiator.
It's one of those films I'd watch over and over again if there's a chance.
The synopsis is, the Roman emperor chose General Maximus to take his place (when he dies) instead of passing the crown to his own son, Commodus. Commodus then ordered the death of Maximus and his family.
But he survived and became a gladiator.
The world then saw the greatest battle when the new emperor Commodus challenged Maximus. Commodus died,and Maximus died soon after. He was best the emperor Rome never had.
Oops. I was reminded of Ninoy Aquino, probably the best president the country never had.
Other than its fantastic musical score, the thing I loved best with Gladiator is that the premise of changing Rome didn't lie in Maximus' hands. He died in the end, therefore leaving the fate of Rome in the hands of its people. Whether or not his death will have meaning, he had no idea. (Sounds familiar? This is so like our country.)
The same people who were cheering during the gladiator games were the same ones who weeped when their hero died, shows how easy it is for the majority to sway the people. There were the good and honorable men in the Roman Senate, and the crooked ones. But at time, the people failed to differentiate the two.
I find it amusing, our current political situation looks just about the same as that.
I don't know when I'll get to watch The Gladiator again but I hope it's soon. And maybe years from now when I watch it again, our country might look so much different.
Day 1: Shonda Rhimes
I wanted to do something for my blog for my 24th birthday that I haven't done before. Last year, I wrote about the 23 things that makes me, ME. And I feel that this year should be something more unique than the past.
When June arrives, its either I'm the happiest or I'm emotional. And today when I woke up, I kind of didn't realize at first that it was already June until I checked the time on my phone. And the idea of making 10 blog entries before my 24th birthday hit me. A countdown of sorts.
So I need to write 10 entries about random things.
I was telling my friend Kathy about it, and I told her I already know what the 10th entry will be. And she told me I was like Shonda Rhimes (background: She plans Grey's Anatomy's Season Finale first before planning everything else). Thanks to her, I have a topic, Shonda Rhimes!
Now this is the real countdown entry. Game!
We all have our own idols, people we look up to and admire. We look forward to meeting these people even if it is a very long shot.
I love Shonda first, for creating Grey's Anatomy. The series is just amazing and though there may be ups and downs, the 'voice' was consistent from Season 1 to this day. And I believe that's because of Shonda. Unlike other series, Shonda's way of thinking is unpredictable and spoilers are most of the time wrong.
When Shonda writes, every word has a meaning and every detail is there for a reason. Sometimes, even the characters' clothes had meaning.
I love Shonda because she created Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh). Fans of Grey's Anatomy know how these two grew together as friends and how they matured into adults. When I watch them, I'd always wished I had my own Mer or Cristina but that's another story.
Shonda Rhimes also wrote Princess Diaries 1 where Sandra Oh played the role of a school principal (I don't know if that has something to do with Sandra's stint on Grey's.)
If I had to list my Top 10 fan moments, Shonda's answer to my tweet will make it either to the top or second spot.
Thanks to Twitter to, meeting your idol is not a long shot after all.