Other Stories

Other Stories http://diwanggising.multiply.com/ RE de Leon is a Filipino Novelist and Businessman based in Agoo, La Union in the Philippines. He recently resigned as a professor at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. To learn more about RE de Leon, visit <a href="http://profiles.friendster.com/redeleon"> his friendster account</a> To learn more about the Ma-Yi Novel Trilogy project, please await new updates at <a href="http://pinagbayanan.wordpress.com"> the new Ma-Yi blog page </a> <center><hr="50%"> This site is under heavy construction. Please visit it again for more updates, coming soon. <hr="50%"></hr="50%"></hr="50%"></center> <h3> Why "Other Stories"? </h3> The theme of "other stories" has followed me around since my gradeschool days. (Hence "alternativity" which has been my email avatar since college.) The basic idea is that there are certain stories that have not really found their way into the our society's conversation. These stories (or approaches to stories) rarely find their way into the headlines, dont get discussed in polite conversation, and are only breezed through in university lectures. They are, among others, - the story of a sixth-grade pupil whose intellectual exploration the teacher dismisses as hubris. - the story of an educator who finds he has more questions than answers. - the story of a development advocate who isn't quite convinced he's advocating the right approach to development. - the story of a storyteller in a land where stories are considered distractions from the necessary tasks of daily drudgery. If the list seem's self centered, I'm afraid that's because a writer is limited by his formative experiences. On the other hand, that's the point, isn't it? The entire philosophy of focusing on "Other Stories" is summed up in the act of saying "Hey, look! My story is important too!" Not because I have unusually important stories to tell, but because we all do. In the end, the philosophy of "Other Stories" is about empowerment. My story is important. Your story is important. These other stories that routinely get ignored? They matter. They say the pen has a power that is far greater than the sword. Here's to spreading that power a bit. Here's to... ... the other stories. Fri, 4 Jul 2008 14:42:13 -0000 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 01:15:05 -0000 Other Stories http://images.diwanggising.multiply.com/logo http://diwanggising.multiply.com 100 100 LionCon 2008 Part 2 This collection documents LionCon 2008 Day 3 and the latter half of Day 2. More details to follow, possibly in the blog. :-D Again, for privacy reasons, I have not revealed login names or real names except in the case of Site Administrators and special guests. http://diwanggising.multiply.com/photos/album/16/LionCon_2008_Part_2 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 01:15:05 -0000 LionCon 2008 Part 1 This collection documents LionCon 2008 Day 1 and half of Day 2. More details to follow, possibly in the blog. :-D For privacy reasons, I have not revealed login names or real names except in the case of Site Administrators and special guests. http://diwanggising.multiply.com/photos/album/15/LionCon_2008_Part_1 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:23:31 -0000 Twenty Movies... can you name any of them? Howkey, folks! Another Viral Blog... this time... GUESS THE MOVIE THE QUOTE CAME FROM! :-D Tagged by: Ilia Tag: 1Avril. 2Daisy. 3Dane. 4Fjel. 5Glitch 6Grace Lopez. 7Grace Tan. 8Hazel. 9Heidi. 10Irene Jo 11paging,JEAN BARCENA!!! 12Jeni. 13Kay 14KarenK 15Kim 16Leslee 17Meg 18Mimi. 19Tin Morales. 20Fer. <ol style="font-family: trebuchet ms; text-align: justify; "><li>Pick 15 of your favorite movies. (I picked 20, but I also gave clues. So we're even) </li><li>Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie. </li><li>Post them here for everyone to guess. </li><li>Fill in the film title once it's guessed. </li><li>No Googling/Using IMDb search functions.</li><li>If tagged, you must successfully guess one of my films, or make 3 wrong guesses. :-D hehe. </li></ol> Twenty Films I Love (ALL FILMS ALREADY CORRECTLY GUESSED.) 1 The Shawshank Redemption. (My Favorite Film of All Time-- CORRECTLY GUESSED BY: glitch)  I could see why some of the boys took him for snobby. He had a quiet way about him, a walk and a talk that just wasn't normal around here. He strolled, like a man in a park without a care or a worry ... http://diwanggising.multiply.com/journal/item/91/Twenty_Movies..._can_you_name_any_of_them Thu, 5 Jun 2008 12:51:05 -0000 Screening of the Extended Edition of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe ============================================= WHAT: Private Screening of the Extended Edition of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe WHERE: Mosaic Lounge, Greenbelt One, Makati WHEN: 2:00 PM May 17 2008 ============================================= Are you excited to watch the new Narnia film Prince Caspian? Unfortunately if you're watching it in the Philippines it's been delayed 'till the first week of June. But to help tide you over in your excitement to see the latest Narnia film, we at the Philippine Order of Narnians - the Philippines' first and only community of CS Lewis enthusiasts - are coming up with a little event on the weekend Caspian was supposed to be released in. At 2:00 to 5:00 PM on MAY 17, we'll be showing the EXTENDED EDITION of the first film, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe at MOSAIC LOUNGE in Greenbelt 1, Makati. This extended version of the film, which has scenes put back in it where director Andrew Adamso... http://diwanggising.multiply.com/calendar/item/10005/Screening_of_the_Extended_Edition_of_The_Lion_The_Witch_and_the_Wardrobe Wed, 14 May 2008 03:11:02 -0000 An Apology for Writing (just babbling really... ignore if you like.) An Apology for Writing ... .. . Hi. . .. ... I'm writing tonight on the matter of why exactly I am writing. Overkill, really. I know. But since I'm already so irksomely self-conscious, let me start with an apology. Some people write to entertain... I'm afraid I don't do that. Not much, anyway. Some people write to inform... I could do that but I'm afraid to nowadays. Some people write because they want to sell you toothpaste. Or salvation. Or insurance. Or little toys with wind-up angel wings. Er... I guess I'm not trying to do that here, either... ...although those wind-up angelwings sound cute. ... ... I'm afraid I suspect I mostly write With the same motivations As a teenage vandal. That is, I think I write to say "Rem was here." ... .. . There. ... Sigh... Forgive the indulgence. You don't have to read any of my later work If you feel betrayed already. But I HAD to write that down. It felt like it was the only way to get out of the existential funk I'd been wallowing in since Glorietta. Rem was here. God put Rem here. And in m... http://diwanggising.multiply.com/journal/item/90/An_Apology_for_Writing_just_babbling_really..._ignore_if_you_like. Mon, 5 May 2008 14:19:18 -0000 Powercard V.I.P. Access Sale! Apr 23, '08 4:55 PM Powercard VIP Access Sale An Event Exclusively for POWERCARD holders. April 25 to May 5, 2008 Mechanics: 1. The sale is open to all current Powercard and Powercard Plus loyalty card members. 2. Bring your POWERCARD or POWERCARD PLUS to have access to the cordoned off V.I.P. Sale area. 3. Selected books will be included in the sale. Discounts will be as follows: 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% and 80%. 4. Discounts can be identified by the customers through selected titles that have a "THIS COPY ONLY" sticker that indicates the discounted price of 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% and 80%. 5. The "THIS COPY ONLY" sticker will be placed near the price tag of the book, identifying the discount. 6. Posters will be placed in the store so that customers will be aware of the discount scheme. 7. Participating branches are Powerbooks Greenbelt, Powerbooks Megamall, Powerbooks Trinoma & Powerbooks Alabang. Per DTI-NCR permit # 1376 series of http://diwanggising.multiply.com/calendar/item/10004/Powercard_V.I.P._Access_SaleApr_23_08_455_PM Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:05:12 -0000 Kalikasan, Kalinangan, Kaunlaran: An Earth Day Music & Art Festival Cordillera Coffee together with Kalayaan College & Riverbanks Center celebrates earth day Kalikasan Kalinangan Kaunlaran An Earth Day Music & Art Festival 19-22 April 2008 Riverbanks Center April 19 10:00 am Art Exhibit Opening 4:00 pm Handog sa Kalikasan Sayaw at Sining para sa Kalikasan kasama ang AlunAlun Dance Circle Riverbanks Promenade 6:30 pm PanitiKalikasan Tula para sa Kalikasan kasama sina Vim Nadera, Teo Antonio, at The Partners-in-Rhyme Cordillera Coffee - Marikina April 20 10:00 am - 6:00 pm KapePinta Art Competition Riverbanks Promenade 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Kwentong Kalikasan Storytelling sessions with the Alitaptap Storytellers and Teatro Marikina Riverbanks Promenade April 21 10:00 am FREE Film Showing: An Inconvenient Truth Cordillera Coffee - Marikina 4:00 pm FREE Film Showing: An Inconvenient Truth Riverbanks Food Court April 22 5:00 pm MusiKKKA! Musika para sa Kalikasan,Kalinangan, Kaunlaran Tampok ang ... http://diwanggising.multiply.com/calendar/item/10003/Kalikasan_Kalinangan_Kaunlaran_An_Earth_Day_Music_Art_Festival Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:23:28 -0000 Switchfoot, soundchecking the Prince Caspian OST Song "This is Home" Okay folks, here's an absolute must-hear! This is the first time we're going to hear something from the new Prince Caspian OST, and my, my! It's SWITCHFOOT doing the song! :-D According to NarniaWeb (thanks for the heads up), "'This is Home' which will appear on the Prince Caspian soundtrack and probably in the end movie credits as well. You can hear the first half of the song or so here." Enjoy! http://diwanggising.multiply.com/video/item/6/Switchfoot_soundchecking_the_Prince_Caspian_OST_Song_This_is_Home Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:28:21 -0000 On dreams and scribbles: Pumpkins, apparently being slow, have no desire to be found Oh, the things we write in that place between sleep and awakening! I fell asleep without turning off the computer, woke up sometime in the night with a story concept, and before shutting down the computer, typed this onto a notepad file: We whom the world think lost... have no desire to be found. I suspect this has something to do with Anino, but I am not actually certain.  I'm sure it was a sane thought because I had the presence of mind to open notepad. The reason I suspect this had something to do with Anino is that I had just watched three straight DVDs of Batman The Animated Series (Volume 2 to be exact).  And Batman and Neil Gaiman always sent my brain into the world of Anino. So, yeah, the thought makes some sense after all.  Hehehe. Those of you I've told my "pumpkin" story to know that the same cannot be said about about my "pumpkin" dream. For the benefit of those who do not know that story: I once fell asleep thinking about the nature of poverty and the solutions this... http://diwanggising.multiply.com/journal/item/87/On_dreams_and_scribbles_Pumpkins_apparently_being_slow_have_no_desire_to_be_found Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:28:22 -0000 On Graduating to the "Real" world For comments from the rest of you, here's somethng I posted on a new graduate's blog.I just thought it would be nice to keep a record of it here, and for everybody to be able to add their comments, whether agreeing or disagreeing. My reply: If it helps, you might want to remember that the whole "real world" thingy is a lie. The time you spent learning in school and the time you spent learning at work are equally valid, with the difference being in texture, not in validity. So I've got a two-pronged suggestion. Don't stop learning just because you're no longer in College. and Don't ever let people believe that the person you were in College was less valid than the person who will be working. In the end, WHERE you are doesn't matter. Even who you THINK you are doesn't matter. It's about who God says you are. And that discovery is what life is all about. Stay true to the act of trying to find yourself in God, and life will always be real.  http://diwanggising.multiply.com/journal/item/86/On_Graduating_to_the_Real_world Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:17:34 -0000 The Omega Man Passes (October 4, 1924 – April 5, 2008) It seems I've been posting nothing but birthdays and deaths lately, so I did want to have a more substantial entry for my next blog - and something less somber, perhaps.  But I don't want this moment unremarked-on in my blog, so here goes. <a href="http://diwanggising.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R-iORwoKCroAAAxFHuk1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.diwanggising.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R-iORwoKCroAAAxFHuk1/Annex%20-%20Heston%2C%20Charlton%20%28Ben-Hur%29_02.jpg?et=5%2Bmyy1RZx1peEtTeF377lw&nmid=" border="0"></a>A Legend Passes On Most of us knew him best as Moses in The Ten Commandments (1956), or playing the title role in Ben Hur (1959), which earned him an award for Best Actor that year.  The Science Fiction fans amongst us will fondly remember him from Soylent Green (1973), The Omega Man (1971), and two Planet of the Apes movies. Just yesterday, I was watching the man's performance in Midway (1976). IMDB lists his involvement in 126 movies and television shows, as an actor or behind the scenes. CNN notes that "he was a high-profile supporter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his civil rights movement. He attended King's 1963 March on Washington and stood near the podium as King delivered his "I have a dream" speech." In August 2002, he publicly annou... http://diwanggising.multiply.com/journal/item/84 Sun, 6 Apr 2008 09:10:58 -0000 Ledger would have been 29: gorgeous eyed Bette Davis, Elmer Bernstein, Maya Angelou, Hugo Weaving, Martin Luther King, Arthur Hailey, GMA, Dong Abay, and Kurt Cobain <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R-Zt-QoKCroAAAv3DXQ1"></a><a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R-Zt-QoKCroAAAv3DXQ1"><img style="width: 168px; height: 202px;" class="alignright" src="http://images.diwanggising.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R-Zt-QoKCroAAAv3DXQ1/bettedavis.JPG?et=wjOG1SpiWRg%2B7H1DrNVdGw&nmid=&nmid=89629347" border="0"></a>Bette Davis first opened her beautiful eyes to the world this in 1908.  Can't get the song outa my head. Heath Ledger would have been 29 yesterday.  He was born the same year I was. Hm... obviously my writing is constipated nowadays because I have time to note that: Yesterday (April 4) marked the births of Academy and two-time Golden Globe award winning American film score composer and Ten Commandments composer and Academy and Golden Globe award winner Elmer Bernstein (1922, died 18 August 2004)<a href="http://diwanggising.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R-ZrnwoKCroAAHF@srU1"><img style="width: 160px; height: 231px;" class="alignright" src="http://images.diwanggising.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R-ZrnwoKCroAAHF@srU1/smith.jpg?et=Rbxv8sl1zdxTO%2Bo64q5M%2CA&nmid=&nmid=89629347" border="0"></a> American poet, memoirist, actress and  Civil Rights figure Maya Angelou (1928) SAG-winning English-Australian film, stage and voice actor Hugo Wallace Weaving (1960) Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and SAG Award-nominated Australian-born film actor Heath Andrew Ledger (1979, died January 22, 2008) It also marked the assasination in 1968 of American civil <a href="http://diwanggising.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R-Zt-QoKCroAAAv3DXQ1"></a>rights martyr Martin Luther King, Jr. and the <a href="http://diwanggising.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R-Zt-QoKCroAAAv3DXQ1"></a>introduction 50 years ago (1958) of the peace sign.<a href="http://diwanggising.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R-Zt-QoKCroAAAv3DXQ1"><img style="width: 129px; height: 112px;" class="alignleft" src="http://images.diwanggising.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R-ZzdAoKCroAAHH4SQ01/full-metal-jacket.jpg?et=iH5LT%2BIIjzzrJ%2CclsnOY4g&nmid=" border="0"></a><a href="http://diwanggising.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R-Zt-QoKCroAAAv3DXQ1"></a>  English textile designer... http://diwanggising.multiply.com/journal/item/83/Ledger_would_have_been_29_gorgeous_eyed_Bette_Davis_Elmer_Bernstein_Maya_Angelou_Hugo_Weaving_Martin_Luther_King_Arthur_Hailey_GMA_Dong_Abay_and_Kurt_Cobain Fri, 4 Apr 2008 18:12:22 -0000 The Shape of Things to Come (Lost 4x9) The second part of Lost season 4 finally airs.... can't wait, can't wait,can't wait, can't wait,can't wait, can't wait,can't wait, can't wait,can't wait, can't wait,can't wait, can't wait,can't wait, can't wait. Sun. Sun. Sun. Sun. Sun. Sun. Sun. Sun. Sun. http://diwanggising.multiply.com/calendar/item/10002/The_Shape_of_Things_to_Come_Lost_4x9 Thu, 3 Apr 2008 14:26:02 -0000 George Herbert, Irving Wallace, Gorillaz Cocreator Jamie Hewlett, and Switchfoot Guitarist Drew Shirley Easter Wings, from George Herbert's "The Temple" (1633) Lord, who createdst man in wealth and store, Though foolishly he lost the same, Decaying more and more, Till he became Most poor: With thee O let me rise As larks, harmoniously, And sing this day thy victories: Then shall the fall further the flight in me. Today, April 3, marks the birthdays of : <ul><li><a href="http://diwanggising.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R-PGJAoKCroAAGqK0aQ1"><img class="alignright" src="http://images.diwanggising.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R-PGJAoKCroAAGqK0aQ1/SleepyHollow.jpg?et=wpJN51sDG4DgwAootkeEvA&nmid=" border="0"></a>Washington Irving, American author Best known for his short stories "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle" (1783-1859)</li><li>George Herbert, English poet and orator (1593-1633)</li><li>Jamie Hewlett, English illustrator who created Tank Girl and Gorillaz (1968) </li></ul>Other celebs born on this day include <ul><li>Drew Shirley,guitarist and the newest member of the Switchfoot. (1976)</li><li>Marlon Brando, American actor (1924-2004)</li><li>Doris Day, American actress (1924)</li><li>Alec Baldwin, American actor (1958)</li><li>Eddie Murphy, American actor and comedian (1961</li></ul>It also marks the death of <ul><li>English novelist, playwright and screenwriter Graham Greene (October 2, 1904 – April 3,1991),perhaps best ... http://diwanggising.multiply.com/journal/item/82/George_Herbert_Irving_Wallace_Gorillaz_Cocreator_Jamie_Hewlett_and_Switchfoot_Guitarist_Drew_Shirley Wed, 2 Apr 2008 17:46:34 -0000 Melba Padilla Maggay on Christianity and Culture <img style="width: 154px; height: 240px;" class="alignright" src="http://images.diwanggising.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R-JbMAoKCroAAFS2dV41/filipino100.jpg?et=FW2pb1sYHMh9NJL39W8zhA&nmid=" border="0">A Melba Maggay quote on Christianity to chew on, since I'm somewhat busy for a long blog this week...Perhaps we can just react to this and that will do for my blog for this week. Hehe. This is partly an offshoot from the discussion on Penny's blog.  Since I don't want to introduce an only peripherally related topic there (the post was about "evangelists" who preach on public commuter vehicles), I thought I'd bring it up here. I think it's important for Christians (regardless of denomination) to take up a conversation about what the nature of the gospel of Jesus Christ - what I have heard some leaders call the "core" gospel. That, as opposed to a gospel in which cultural additions are embedded - the kind that says that when an Igorot becomes a Christian and trades animism for Christianity, he must also trade his bahag for a pair of trousers. Thoughts, folks? Hm. Enjoy the quote. :-D  This Maggay booklet (it's really short) is one of my all time favorite essays (?), by the way. -- ... http://diwanggising.multiply.com/journal/item/81/Melba_Padilla_Maggay_on_Christianity_and_Culture Tue, 1 Apr 2008 15:54:27 -0000 Birthdays for 26 March: Robert Frost 1874; Joseph Campbell, 1904; Tennesee Williams, 1914 What a coincidence... I was just talking about Campbell a while ago. The following writers were all born on the 26th of March poet Robert Frost (1874), playwright Tennesee Williams (1914), mythologist Joseph Campbell (1904). I've already cited Frost once this year, so perhaps (while he and I don't often agree on many things, theology in particular) I should quote Joseph Campbell today: <ul><li><a href="http://diwanggising.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R@qPpwoKCroAAH4-yLk1"><img style="width: 132px; height: 173px;" class="alignright" src="http://images.diwanggising.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R@qPpwoKCroAAH4-yLk1/herosjourney2003.jpg?et=AQm9J%2CxrsFfBU5xxMA7WhA&nmid=" border="0"></a>The achievement of the hero is one that he is ready for and it's really a manifestation of his character. It's amusing the way in which the landscape and conditions of the environment match the readiness of the hero. The adventure that he is ready for is the one that he gets ... The adventure evoked a quality of his character that he didn't know he possessed.</li></ul>     -- from Episode 1, Chapter 12 of The Power of Myth (2001) PBS television series, Mystic Fire Video (2001) http://diwanggising.multiply.com/journal/item/80/Birthdays_for_26_March_Robert_Frost_1874_Joseph_Campbell_1904_Tennesee_Williams_1914 Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:59:34 -0000 Help please! (Jungian archetypes) Hi everyone, I had thought to ask for help from only two or three people who have specific specializations in Psych. (Yes, that translates into "I was thinking of asking for professional help...") But then I realized how many educators, writers, and voracious readers there are on my list, and realized asking everybody these questions might bring about some interesting results. Anyway, I'm asking primarily because I discovered I worked my way into a slight writing conundrum.  My Hero and my POV character (storyteller) are exact opposites.  If they weren't both human beings they'd be exact opposites of each other. Now plot-wise, I know what's going to happen. But I'm not completely sold on their banter. And also, I've got one character constantly describing the other character. I'm not sure what his point of view would be. And also... except of course that they're on the same "side", how on earth do I create any kind of bond between them when they have nothing in common to bond over... http://diwanggising.multiply.com/journal/item/79/Help_please_Jungian_archetypes Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:56:18 -0000 At the Very Heart of Good News <h3 style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">I was trying to write something to mark Easter, but I came along this translation and I knew I could not write anything that came any closer to what I wanted to express.  So I'm just posting it.  In this passage, St. Paul is responding to believers in Corinth who were wondering if the resurrection of the dead was something they could believe in.  He responded by explaining that resurrection is at the very core of the Christian message. </h3> <h3 style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">1 Corinthians 15:12-18 (The Message)</h3> <h3 style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); text-align: center;">(Boldface mine)</h3> 12-15 Now, let me ask you something profound yet troubling. If you became believers because you trusted the proclamation that Christ is alive, risen from the dead, how can you let people say that there is no such thing as a resurrection? If there's no resurrection, there's no living Christ. And face it—if there's no resurrection for Christ, everything we've told you is smoke and mirrors, and everything you've staked your life on is smoke and mirrors. Not only that, but we wou... http://diwanggising.multiply.com/journal/item/78/At_the_Very_Heart_of_Good_News Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:27:35 -0000 The google pictures thingy Got this from Alts and Leslee... who sure know how to find time user-uppers. hehe. Answer the questions below, do a Google Image Search with your answer, take a picture from the FIRST PAGE of results. 1.   the age you'll be on your next birthday: 29 <img style="width: 170px; height: 213px;" class="alignmiddleb" src="http://www.warbirdalley.com/images/covers/BoeingB29Superfortress-Pace.jpg" border="0"> 2.   a place you'd like to travel to: Oxford (The Bird and Baby Pub) <img style="width: 438px; height: 579px;" class="alignmiddleb" src="http://oxunc.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/in-front-of-the-eagle-and-child.jpg" border="0"> 3.   your favorite place: UPLB Freedom Park <img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f1/2_freedom_park_and_carillon.jpg" border="0"> 4.   your favorite food: Shake (Salmon) Sashimi <img style="width: 373px; height: 303px;" class="alignmiddleb" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d9/Salmon_rose.jpg" border="0"> 5.   your favorite animal: The Peregrine Falcon <img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/earth/nature/uk/content/images/gallery/1330_falcon_noburban15.jpg" border="0"> 6.   your favorite color: Teton Blue <img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://www.winona.edu/geology/travels/Tetons/shoshokothumb.jpg" border="0"> 7.   first name of your crush: Playing safe: Maita <img style="width: 414px; height: 622px;" class="alignmiddleb" src="http://www.upd.edu.ph/%7Edup/maitaponce.jpg" border="0"> 8.   the town in which you live in: Agoo <img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://cache.virtualtourist.com/517638-Agoo_Postcard-Agoo.jpg" border="0"> 9.   your screen name / nickname: RE de Leon <img style="width: 396px; height: 167px;" class="alignmiddleb" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/alternativity/header.jpg" border="0"> 10.  your first job: Research Assistant, UPLBCDC-Unicef Project (searched for UNICEF Philippines) <img style="width: 470px; height: 351px;" class="alignmiddleb" src="http://children.foreignpolicyblogs.com/files/2007/05/187-02-street-children-philippines-from-hobo-traveler.jpg" border="0"> 11.  a bad habit you have: vague generalizations (i searched for "Make Poverty History") <img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/11/18/bono181106_wideweb__470x294,0.jpg" border="0"> 12.  your worst fear:  a cage... (I searched for "Theoden Wormtongue")  &nbsp... http://diwanggising.multiply.com/journal/item/77/The_google_pictures_thingy Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:02:35 -0000 Finally a Truly Shallow Post? Hm... YES WE CAN! <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R@U60QoKCroAAF21RTU1"></a><a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R@U60QoKCroAAF21RTU1"><img style="width: 190px; height: 242px;" class="alignleft" src="http://images.diwanggising.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R@U60QoKCroAAF21RTU1/mayar_8.jpg?et=ceh1m1ntqd65wKwqVU3Q1A&nmid=&nmid=87511970&nmid=87511970&nmid=87511970&nmid=87511970" border="0"></a>Can we finally get Rem to blog during a shallow moment? Yes we can. I'm posting this because I can't get an image out of my head: Maya Rubin fixing her hair before singing a single line in Hebrew: Kein anu yecholim. Am I actually capable of posting a blog simply because I found a bunch of people I thought were hot? Yes I can. Because yes, we can. Is it possible that all of these hot faces can be found in a single hot video? Yes we can. (Okay, alam kong inappropriate na yung response, but heck. That's the answer anyway because... yes we can.) Do you know where you can see all these really really hot ladies in a 4minute thirty second video? (Plus a lot of hot guys for the ladies whose pics I will not bother to post here?) Figure it out. I know you can, because... Yes we can. (Sana tayo din.) Yes we can.     * Golden Globe Awardee and really hot clone Scarlett Johansson (0:05) <a href="http://diwanggising.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R@U5twoKCroAAF2zQlo1"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.diwanggising.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R@U5twoKCroAAF2zQlo1/scarlett-johansson-06.jpg?et=CsU12xvYVRIo4G049c3Kag&nmid=&nmid=87511970&nmid=87511970&nmid=87511970&nmid=87511970" border="0"></a>    * Grey's Anatomy's "Dr. Addison Montgomery", Kate Walsh - (0:44) <a href="http://diwanggising.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R@U57AoKCroAAF0dKjk1"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.diwanggising.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R@U57AoKCroAAF0dKjk1/kate-walsh-3.jpg?et=uJnP%2BxdmiSU1LUzfuPrL1Q&nmid=&nmid=87511970&nmid=87511970&nmid=87511970&nmid=87511970" border="0"></a>    *... http://diwanggising.multiply.com/journal/item/76/Finally_a_Truly_Shallow_Post_Hm..._YES_WE_CAN Sat, 22 Mar 2008 17:07:05 -0000 The Valley of the Shadow <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R@P4ZwoKCroAAERKq-s1"><img style="width: 296px; height: 195px;" class="alignleft" src="http://images.diwanggising.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R@P4ZwoKCroAAERKq-s1/Starry_Night_Over_the_Rhone.jpg?et=fX4%2CTGkEOWumH0HREgxw1A&nmid=" border="0"></a>I owe a lot to a writer who once wrote a devotional about the 23rd Psalm. He had recently lost a loved one and thus found himself recasting the interpretation of the words a bit, in the process I think, doing great service to others who have experienced loss, and those in their vicinity.  "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." The writer respected the traditional interpretation of the "death" referred to in the psalm being one's own, but also pointed out that those left behind also live in a valley and also live in  a sort shadow.  And in many ways how much more awful that valley of shadow is!  One who has come to terms with the inevitability of one's own death must still contend with the inevitable sucker-punch that is the news of the death of a loved or respected one. For the last two weeks, I have been surrounded by bereavement. Not immediately by death itself - it has thankfully kept its distance - but by the shadow wh... http://diwanggising.multiply.com/journal/item/75/The_Valley_of_the_Shadow Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:10:26 -0000 Arthur Clarke, Inventor of the Satellite , Author of 2001 A Space Odyssey , and Childhood's End, Writes 30 <img style="width: 214px; height: 223px;" class="alignright" src="http://images.diwanggising.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R@D6vwoKCroAAHSrcHE1/arthur_c_clarke_portre.jpg?et=NyYpKU3Uq%2CtFsCcRokzaag&nmid=" border="0">It is with shock and sadness that I must blog on the passing, at age 90, of Arthur C. Clarke, author, Philosopher, and one of the most influential thinkers of our age. He is perhaps best known as the author of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Journey to Rama, and Childhood's End.  It was Clarke who, in his writings first came up with the idea of using artificial satellite to defeat the "line of sight" limitations that had previously limited world communication. Clarke was one of the authors who called attention to the moral and spiritual implications of scientific development, and while I disagree with quite a few of his conclusions I have to respect him as a thinker and philosopher. As you guys probably know by now, Lewis and Tolkien happen to be my favorite modern Author/Philosophers, so I cannot help but be reminded of how Lewis was impressed by Clarke's work, even if he, too, did not share Clarke's conclusions. <img style="width: 149px; height: 154px;" class="alignright" src="http://images.diwanggising.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R@D7MAoKCroAAHCsD1U1/CEnd.jpg?et=uIVE6kHVinfVrdbnYkZZMA&nmid=" border="0">For an interesting look at their views, and the mutual respect they developed fo... http://diwanggising.multiply.com/journal/item/74/Arthur_Clarke_Inventor_of_the_Satellite_Author_of_2001_A_Space_Odyssey_and_Childhoods_End_Writes_30 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:40:47 -0000 7 Harry Potter books, but 8 films <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R9v17QoKCroAABpsbTc1"><img class="alignright" src="http://images.diwanggising.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R9v17QoKCroAABpsbTc1/HP7.jpg?et=%2BRnsCYbsaHtpa3POyiUFIA&nmid=" border="0"></a>Got this off businesswire.com... no time to post properly tonight, but here's an excerpt from the story, off BusinessWire.com Warner Bros. Plans Two-Part Film Adaptation of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” to Be Directed by David Yates March 13, 2008 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures today announced that the screen adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s final book in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, will be released in two parts. The announcement was made by Jeff Robinov, President of Warner Bros. Pictures Group. Robinov also announced that director David Yates, who earlier helmed the 2007 summer blockbuster “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” and is currently in production on “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” will direct “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” This marks the first time any one director will helm more than two releases in the Harry Potter film franchise. In addition, David Heyman, who first ... http://diwanggising.multiply.com/journal/item/73/7_Harry_Potter_books_but_8_films Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:20:41 -0000 Celebrating Pi Day <img style="width: 197px; height: 158px;" class="alignright" src="http://static.flickr.com/56/126435539_0f5fc5cdbc.jpg" border="0">Today is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi_Day">Pi Day</a>! What I mean is Pi the number not Pie the food. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi">Pi</a> is the ratio of the a circle’s circumference to its diameter. The day is selected based on the value of pi after 2 decimal places which is 3.14. Did you know that according to the novel <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0671004107?ie=UTF8&tag=promdigeek-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0671004107">Contact</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=promdigeek-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0671004107" alt="" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" border="0" height="1" width="1"> by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Sagan">Carl Sagan</a>, there is a hidden message in pi on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undecimal">base 11</a>? Credit where credit is due, got this from <a href="http://promdigeek.blogspot.com/2008/03/happy-pi-day.html">Icheb</a>, whom I know through <a href="http://www.newworlds.ph">The New Worlds Alliance</a> and through <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:PINOY">Filipino Wikipedians</a>. And like Icheb says, " Why I celebrate it when it is <a style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Geek_holidays">just for the geeks</a>? Duh, I am one of them. Don’t forget to eat your pie today!" http://diwanggising.multiply.com/journal/item/72/Celebrating_Pi_Day Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:07:36 -0000 Tag: Mika, Mara, Avril, Fjel, Grace (both!), Leslie, Nina C., Thea, Gerika, Yannie, and Ron Tag: Mika, Mara, Avril, Fjel, Grace (both of you!), Leslie, Lynne, Nina C., Thea,  Gerika, Yannie, and Ron Hehe. As usual, my surveys become serious and long. Although you may wish to go straight to the last item on celebrity crushes... Got this from Ilia. SE7EN Seven things that scare you: 1. "A cage. To stay behind bars, until use and old age accept them, and all chance of doing great deeds is gone beyond recalls or desire." (JRR Tolkien) 2. The "Silence of Adam," as Dr L. Crabb puts it - to be unable to speak truth when it comes my time to speak. 3. Not "Remembering God". - to reach a point where I actually think I can live my life without constant reference to God's grace. (It's actually hard, and it actually happens often) 4. Job 2:9 -- (After Job lost everything) His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" 5. Mental Illness 6. If I ever have a daughter... to hear her say Dad, I'm... (I'm not even going to write it) 7. Oh, heights. I'm afraid... http://diwanggising.multiply.com/journal/item/71/Tag_Mika_Mara_Avril_Fjel_Grace_both_Leslie_Nina_C._Thea_Gerika_Yannie_and_Ron Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:43:11 -0000 Miles To Go Before I Sleep... A Little Robert Frost Tonight On this day in 1923, the Robert Frost poem, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," was published in The New Republic. It was Frost's favorite of his own poems, and he called it "my best bid for remembrance." Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound's the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. Source: The Writer's Almanac with Garrison Keillor http://diwanggising.multiply.com/journal/item/70/Miles_To_Go_Before_I_Sleep..._A_Little_Robert_Frost_Tonight Fri, 7 Mar 2008 13:20:11 -0000