Anime 1001 (Beady Eyes and Alternate Dimension Hyperspace Mallet)

Courtesy of zastavki.com
(click here for direct link)

What do you call an oversized in-depth colored beady eyes, pointed button nose, glossy thin lips, wild hair-do and exaggerated body proportions? No, not the typical pets from Facebook. Not the happy fish either. They're commonly hand-drawn, sometimes computer-animated. They're commonly mistaken as cartoons. Well, they're not. They're called Anime.

In the late 80's, I was fond of watching how Dr. Armstrong was abducted by the Boazanians over and over again, literally, every week! I've witnessed Richard and Erika refrained the same lines, "Richard!...Erika!!". Why did I kept on watching them even though they've featured the same episode every single week? EXACTLY! I love watching them! 

Courtesy of  avaxhome.ws

Okay, I sensed eyebrows rising, and some are flabbergasted. As my grandma would always say, "Ang tanda-tanda mo na, nanonood ka pa din ng cartoons? At ang lalaki ng mga bungaga!", (At your age you're still watching cartoons? And their mouths are huge!). And that was the late 90's. I'm already 31 and still fond of watching them. Pretty immature you said? Well, let's tackle and take a look of an in-depth view of these so-called animes ... (not cartoons!), okay, nuff said.

Screenshot courtesy of animeclick.it

For starters, anime was derived from the English term "animation" in katakana as アニメーション (animēshon, pronounced[animeːɕoɴ]). And then finally, the word emerged from the 1970's as it was abbreviated the later called anime.

Anime are particularly not for children only. Its target can be distinguish with its different genres. Josei animes are usually written by woman and are recommended more for woman ages 18+.  Popular examples of these are "Honey and Clover" and "Paradise Kiss". Kodomo animes (or child) animes are more recommended for young children, they are designed for the child's short attention span and usually try to teach a child how to act around people using daily lessons. One of the most notable example is "Doraemon". Kazoku animes are animes that are intended for families. They have no real age range, but its most likely rated something like G or PG (e.g. Howl's Moving Castle).  Mina animes are more of a drama. Example

Dragonball Z courtesy of
 dragonball.wikia.com

 of this is Graveyard of the Fireflies. Seinen anime is a subset of manga that is generally targeted at a 20–30 year old male audiences. The best definition of this is when you've watched Gantz and Akira. Mecha anime tackles robotic armors. Mecha anime is subcatagorized into two. There are Super Robots and Real Robots. Super Robot best describes machine with super power abilities and they are gigantic in size (e.g. Voltes V, Daimos). Real robot on the other hand describes robot with conventional powers and weapons explainable by science (e.g. Gundam, Full Metal Panic and Macross)  Shōujo anime is written for girls ages 10+. They are usually melodramatic stories of romance, usually with a female protagonist. (e.g. Fushigi Yuugi, Sailor Moon, Magic Knight Rayeart and Vampire Knight). Shōunen anime is often written for boys ages 13+. They usually have high action themes, as well as have humorous plots with male protaganists. (e.g. Dragonball Z, Yu Yu Hakusho, Fullmetal Alchemist). Bishoujo anime (Pretty Girl) and Bishounen anime (Pretty Boy) on the other hand are, well, focuses on the same gender genre. Let me give you a hint. They both involves a boy and a girl. Example of Bishounen is Yami no Matsuei. For Bishojo, it's Sailor Uranus of Sailormoon. Last but not the least, there's Hentai anime and Yaoi anime. Hentai is referred to sexually explicit Japanese animations (look for Urotsukidoji and the famous La Blue Girl). While Yaoi ... is... well ... a boys' love. Okay, nuff said.

Mai of King of Fighters
(courtesy of crunchyroll)

Now that I've discussed their types, let's move on to their characteristics. What best describes anime? Let me give you a brief characterization of anime. Anime won't be complete without fully emphasizing their gigantic breasts! If we're talking about Mai (My oh my! Refer to the image on the left), as you can see, the image of Mai's breast was "fully emphasized"! Not only breasts. An anime won't missed out a samurai. Anime with samurais are highly popular! The way they slash and segue, truly describes art! The katana (a single-edged) and tsurugi (a double-edged sword ... pretty familiar eh? Tsurugi ... Hiten Mitsurugi Style?). Moving on, an anime won't be complete without exaggerated long hair. Whether it be black, blonde, blue or yellow, anime won't be mesmerizing without them. And of course, who would forget the sparkly eyes, the anxiety, and a punch that blows them up to kingdom come? The comedy! A good comedy always brings me rolling on the floor. The angels, demons and goddesses! The magic wands! Never miss a wand when beating up deadly enemies. Robots, cyborgs, humanoids, parasites and adroids, and then mixed with a gorgeous hot body. And speaking of an adroid with a hot body, always include pantsu. And when talkin' about supernatural elements, a good anime always involves dragons, elves, fairies and of course, vampires. (One more thing...tentacles...okay, 'nuff said.

Now, let's examine the fabled two. Are cartoons and animes hops on the same track? 

Magic Knight Rayearth with their exaggerated overflowing
hair and in-depth colors (courtesy of kawapaper.com)

To get us started, cartoons are best describe with the Looney Tunes, the Hanna-Barbera, Disney Toons, Nick Jr., most popularized by western countries. Anime on the other hand, albeit derived from the word animation, completely distinct itself when it comes to its complex plot, style, exaggeration and colors.

When I was young, whenever I sit and watch a thirty-minute cartoon program in front of the tele, I would always feel a contentment. Then another cartoon will be telecast. After an hour or two, it would seem like I would became an idiot that will wear a smile every time Bugs Bunny makes an antic with Yosemite Sam. But with Voltes V and Daimos, they've always kept me hanging. And that was the best part. By clinging to it every week, I know that somehow it will lead to something (even after the kanji つづ was shown, I would always finish the ending credit). Could you imagine Fred Flintstone deprived from the love of his sons after being forcibly abducted and held prisoner by an alien race? Pretty nasty isn't it?


Throughout the years, cartoons and animes grew some similarities. A good example of this is Disney's Totally Spies. This anime alike, for me, misleads the genre! Another are Teen Titans and Batman Beyond. Although they were produced and pioneered by Japanese crews, they should not be mistaken as animes. 

Motoko Kusanagi of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone
Complex

I've noticed that some anime lovers, otaku for short, are somehow discriminated. Why? Whenever I watch "The Simpsons" or "Beavis and Butthead" with my friends, they would, for some reason, watch it along with me. But when I change it to Dragonball Z, somebody will make a violent reaction. "Pare lipat mo naman 'yan! Pambata yan e!" (Dude, change the channel! That's kid's stuff!) The innuendo was pretty discriminating. DBZ's complex plot is nothing compare to the common ornamentation of Homer's wisdom! They say that animes are for geeks and nerds. Well I say they aren't. I would considerably stay awake at night while I "nose bleed" over the sophisticated lines of GITS rather than listen to Homer while he persistently nags Bart over and over again.


Same goes to JPops! Whenever Pong (an old friend of mine) and I sing Tookumade by BoA, another friend would say, "Ba't kayo kumakanta ng hapon? Hapon ba kayo?" (Why do you sing Japanese songs? Are you Japanese?). Great Jpop + Great Anime = Heavenly Song! I'm always fond of listening to opening and ending credits of a good anime. They would always complete my playlist.

Well folks, this brings us to my conclusion. Whether it be cartoons or animes, the most important matter is how you stay young at heart, in mind and body. It doesn't matter how old you are or how young you could be. Anime cuts through age barriers. They're for kids at heart. Anime molds your personality. Just remember not to succumb over it (if ever). And don't let hentai devour your mind!

And it's time for my off. Tomorrow I'll strike again. So I say adieu, until then, adios!


(I'm just baffled...where does Akane draws her Mallet? And where does Linch gets her machine guns? Just a thought)


References:
1. Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_sword
     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendo
     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime
     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartoons
   
2. Anilistings - http://anilistings.webs.com/typesofanime.htm

A Father and Son. Anak, Ano'ng Gusto Mo Paglaki? (Son, what do you want when you grow up?)

That was the question my father would always ask. And I will cheerfully say "Gusto ko'ng mag-drawing!" (I wanna draw!). That was the least that I could remember. I was in fond of drawing when I was in kindergarten. Even now.

Whenever I've accomplished a drawing, I'll give it to my mom and she would ask me to write to my dad. The drawing will be slipped together with the letter and will be send via airmail (snailmail not e-mail) to Saudi.

Sometime years ago, back in college I think, he let me show one of my letters to him. I laughed and somehow embarrassed because the wordings are child-like. The letters will always start with the greeting "Dear Daddy, Kumusta kayo daddy. Sana nasa mabuti kayong kalagayan..." (Dear Daddy, How are you daddy. I hope you're in good condition). And then I could still remember the drawing inside the envelope. It was Donatello of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (in colored marker).  And would you believe I even used the tracing technique?

When I stepped elementary, I've read on my horoscope that I could be an engineer, an architect, a painter or a lawyer. And it says that I have a weak in the knee. Then my dad said "Kunin mo Computer Science kasi hindi mo gugustuhing magbuhat ng mabibigat" (Take Computer Science because you wouldn't want to carry heavy things). That figures the weak in the knee. 

One of my drawings during college.

When I finished High School, I said I'll pursue being an artist. I'm gonna take Fine Arts either in Philippine Women's University or University of Santo Tomas. But my dad hindered me for continuing my childhood dream. Instead, he firmly insisted me to take Computer Science. I couldn't do anything. So I did took it.

Titled "Night of the Fireflies"

So here comes College. The first semester was a blast! I couldn't describe it if it was the angst or simply the passion of becoming a college student. I've met new companions, new environment and trends. Reaction papers, the deadlines and the new challenges. It felt like I'm in the right current. "I could embrace this", I said. But that was until I failed a subject. I couldn't put it into words but during those days, something hit me big time. And it hit me pretty bad. I've stopped for a year. I went to Ilocos to settle my mind.

During my stay, I did a lot of thinking. I would sit behind the window, feel grateful about the surroundings, and draw. Then my Aunt saw what I was doing. Then she said "Ba't hindi mo kinuha ang kursong Fine Arts?" (Why didn't you took Fine Arts?). I forgot what my reply was. (I would have scoffed).


I couldn't blame my dad. All he ever wanted was what's best for me.

Years had passed. I graduated college, got a fine job, and granted with a son.

Becoming a father is not an easy task. And somehow I finally understand what my father has gone through.

But how to become a responsible father? To answer this, I've asked some of my colleagues and a friends. Question #1: When your child grew up, what will be the best advice for him? And Question #2: What will you advice to other fathers like you?

Rogel and his son Vince

Rogel, "Wow" for short is a friend and an office-mate of mine.


Answer #1: Dream Big & Believe! Stay humble & Stay away from bad influences.
Answer #2: Be a responsible father and be a good role model to their children.

Sam and his daughter ... Sam (with wife Ems)

Samuel, Sam for short (but I prefer to call his lastname, Cardel) is one of my closest best friend since high school.

Answer #1:  "Kung anu yung naranasan ko hanggang maging isang ama, yun ang maipapayo ko sa kanya kasi mas-magandang ipayo mo sa kanya yung mga 'yun dahil alam mo kung san ka nagkamali at naging tama...and LRT...learn how to Love, Respect, and Trust other people and family and syempre si God." (The experiences I've had until I became a father, from commiting mistakes and getting right back back again would be the best lesson to be given as an advice...and LRT...learn how to Love, Respect, and Trust other people, your family, and most of all God.)

Answer #2: Maipapayo ko sa ibang mga dads...matuto clang makuntento kung anung klaseng family sila meron dahil isa sila sa gumawa nito, hehehehe. (My advice to other dads...they should learn how to be satisfied on the family they've had because they're the ones who's responsible for it.)

James and his son TJ

James or Bords is a friend and a former office-mate.

Answer #1: "Kapag ang anak ko ay lumaki at nagkaisip na, ang mapapayo ko lang sa kanya ay dapat sulitin nya bawat panahon na maging isang mabait , masunurin, mapagmahal na bata at lalo na maging malapit sa ating panginoon katulad namin ng asawa ko." (When my son grew up, my only advice I can give for him is to be a good, polite, kind-hearted child, putting God first rather than everything else, like me and my wife always do.

Answer #2: "Ang mapapayo ko naman sa ibang magulang, ang unang dapat nilang gawin ay magkaroon lagi ng panahon sa pamilya kasama ang ating panginoon. Igabay natin ang ating mga anak sa tamang landas na kung saan maiintindihan nila ang tunay na kahulugan ng buhay. God Bless U all =)". (My advice to other parents, they should always make time for their family and a time for our Lord. Let's guide them to the right path where they could fully understand the true meaning of life.)

Roel and his daughter Icoy

Roel or Oel is a friend and an office-mate.

Answer #1: "Lumaking may takot sa diyos may galang sa magulang at lumaking matalino." (To grow up with fear of God, respect to their parents, and to be bright).

Answer #2: Be a responsible father.

I want my son to become a better me, not to be better than everyone else.

Now, if I'd be given a chance to be young again, and if my father should ask me, I'm not gonna reply with "I wanna be like..." or "I wanna be a...". I'll just say  "Dad, paglaki ko, gusto ko lang nandiriyan pa rin kayo palagi." (Dad, when I grew up, all I want is for you to be always there).

Vigan, Ilocos Sur (Mapan Tayon!)

When I was still little, during the summer, me and my family would always visit Ilocos Sur. During our visit, everyday has always been great. Life at the countryside back then as I recall it was very simple. Every morning we'll feed the chicks (not that kind of chick as my lolo would always say to us Morenos... habulin ng chicks!), watch the hogs as my Auntie Ely feed them, ask our Uncle Boyet to go down the karayan (lake) and do balsing (our term for riding the balsa or bamboo raft in english), visit some relatives I've hardly known, eat a native delicacy like patupat, bibingka and Indian mangoes topped with bagoong  or sukang-iloco.

From left: Frankie (mommy's runner), Jojie (cousin), Auntie
Banjie, our Mom, Lolo Rizal, Okong and Grace (Uweng's
girlfriend)

I remember my Lola Dionisia. Dining for short but me and my brother, Meg, called her Lola Buning before. I can still recall when one time, it was pitched dark in the evening. The only light inside the house was the gasera (gas lamp) and an old yellow light bulb. Everything outside the house is totally dark. And the only sound you'd hear was the tuko (gecko) and kuliglig (crickets). We insisted to watch a T.V. with the nearest neighbor. And the definition of near was like five hundred meters apart! Lola Buning would gather dried coconut leaves on the ground and would lit it using the posporo (match sticks).

Lola Buning died of old age. And we'll always remember her ways, me and my brother. 

As time goes by, every summer, we would still visit Ilocos. Our Lolo Rizal together with her daughter Auntie Ely, her to two sons, Okong and Uweng, would always welcome us with open arms. Our Lolo, even at an old age, is still kicking strong. Recently, he just punched a guy younger than him! And he was drunk that time! My Lolo is a man of principle. He usually drinks but he's not a drunkard. He never smokes as my dad do. 

Recently, we've managed to gather a little family reunion. Although we're not complete, we were still able to celebrate it blissfully. It was a multiple celebration. Together with my dad, mom, my brother and little sister Pam, with my wife and son, and my brother's fiance Jane and their friend Joy, was set on a vacation to Ilocos.  

From top: Bantor, my son Sakarisay

Bantor, what an odd name. As if we never had one! Hahaha. Our Lolo is fond of naming us with unusual nicknames. My brother was named Simaron (a side kick from a radio drama when I was little). My sister was named Akang (named after Okong for possessing a kuntil on their ears). And me, I was given the name of Simatar (a hero also from a radio drama with Simaron). It's kind'a amazing how my Lolo still managed to grant my son, his apo sa tuhod (great grand son), a nickname. He gave the name Sakarisay. 

As we move on, well, celebration was not the only purpose we had in mind while staying at Las-Ud. We've managed to visit ... Vigan! It was my second visit. The first one was back in 2010, when Okong and Jobel got married. This year I drove a 2 hour long trip together with Meg, Jane, Pam, Joy, Ivan (my cousin) and Ruth. Actually, this is my third visit. We went to Vigan this year twice!

Along the way, I remembered the last time we went last year, we've passed by this beach with sand as white as the sands in Boracay. I said, "Hinto muna tayo dito para matingnan natin paligid, para makapagpahinga rin mga paa ko", (Why don't we stop for a moment and appreciate the view. That way, I could rest my feet for a while).

After which, we headed back to the road.

Vigan was great. There's this Mc Donald's food chain that looks like a fine-dining restaurant. 

 

Me and my Brother playing with mini samurai.

Meg pulling a carriage carrying Jane.

My wife, Ruth, carrying a Coke Float.

From left: Pam, Ruth, Me, Joy, Meg and Jane

Shot by manang, us eating empanada special.

Didn't you know that the word Vigan was from a Chinese etymology? During the Spanish Era, the place was a settlement area for Chinese coming from Fujian Province, China. Chinese pronounce it as Bee-Gan which means "Beautiful Shore". Later on called, Vigan! 

Visiting Vigan was one of the best part of my vacation. Buying pasalubongs, tupig, shirts, getting lost on the road, taking pictures along the way, struggling for parking, and of course, carrying load of stuffs.

Aside from strolling around Vigan, back at Las-Ud, we would always love to take a swim in the ocean! Ever since we were a child, the first thing that would come up into our minds is the ocean! We'll ask anybody back then when we were still small because our parents won't let us. We were prohibited to roam around because my Lola and Lolo would always say, "masama ang lumayo ang mga bata lalo na sa ilog saka sa dagat dahil may nangunguha ng mga bata doon!" (It's dangerous for little children where they could not be seen especially at the lake and the ocean because something is snatching little kids when no one is looking at them). That's what they've taught us, so we never did.

Then at night, our Dad or Lolo and Lola would tell us tales about the kapre, aswang, multo, and tikbalangs. My daddy would always talk about my Lolo Simon, my great grand father. He said that my Lolo Simon made a lot of encounters with those creatures.

Sigh. Those were the days.

Now that I'm getting old, I still hope that the fun would stay young. I hope someday my son will experience the feeling of coming home to Ilocos. Because I'll always will. And everytime we come home, I hope we're all still there to go through all the happy things we've always been.

And it's time for my off. Tomorrow I'll strike again. So I say adieu, until then, adios!

The Office (Part II)

Smell like perfume medicine

It's past nine in the morning. Even though people around me seemed extremely active regarding someone else's mistakes from editing the orders, I, on the other hand, busy, gathering my thoughts. Suddenly, it hit me.  Last time, while I was engaged looking at myself in the mirror inside the men's comfort room, a buddy of mine asked this... "Dave, sino sa inyo sa LPI ang may amoy gamot na pabango?".  I was flabbergasted! I was saying it to my colleagues the whole time... amoy pabangong gamot!  (smell of "perfume medicine"). Imagine a perfume, visualize it smelling like a Neo-Aspilet, with alcohol compound and baby cologne, mixed with an aroma of a common cough syrup.  Now do you have a clear smell of that?  Nasty isn't it?!  (That tingling smell will kind'a linger in your brain the whole day). What do you call that person? That's right, T.H.. A Filipino slang for "Trying Hard".

Well, it isn't just the perfumes these T.H. are trying to imitate.  From hair, to clothing style, and even to the way they talk! Man! The way they talk in English is excruciating to my ear. 

A "ngiting-aso" style.

Could somebody tell me what and why does an office-rank should have to do with english-speaking? You're just a member of the commonality before who only spoke of "hi", "hello", "how are you", 'nuff said. And just because the title went up (did it really went up along with the dignity?) you'll suddenly shift to an  english-speaking bastard? (with four words or more!).

It's alright for a Filipino to speak in english if you have the right accent and may not sound like a trying-hard person. But what if a socio-over-confident trying-hard bastard try to speak in english? Imagine an American, trying to impersonate an English man. The American might sound like an American-English-Scottish with Texan accent! Same goes for us. If one T.H. Pinoy tries to speak in english, it may sound excruciating and unbearable to hear if the accent is a mix of english with an Ilocano accent. (No offense to my Ilocano brothers.  I'm an Ilocano too. Just trying to make a point here.).

If you wanna sound like a pa-sosyal, just try not to sound like a T.H. too. If you're saying "meron" before, suddenly shifted to "mern", does that sound like a T.H. to you? The word "para" like "pa-rrrrra", now "ph-ra". Aight? These sudden shifts, are these the effects of an over-confident, self-assurance, ego-boosting, paranoid-android? (scoffs).

An old officemate, slamming hands

on her face saying like ... "in your face!"

(No offense to the girl in the picture)

Let's go to the clothing style. Should I say style? I'm not a fashion police or something but could you imagine a yellow shirt, a maong pants and neon yellow green sneakers? Looks like another T.H.  to me. Probably not...err...not being T.H., but baduy!

Well, this brings us to our conclusion for today.  A piece of advice, don't try too hard...please...I'm begging you. Just be simple and...try not to speak in english if you wouldn't mind. No offense but, it just sounds nasty and awkward to our ear...it's not a music. Be simple on wearing your clothes. Don't imitate somebody else that doesn't fit your style or personality. It just ain't right. About the hair-style, well, nuff said. I think you're geting my point.

Until next time. But for now I say adieu. Tomorrow I'll strike again. So, Adios!

The Office (Part I)

R2D2 trying to imitate a back-stabbing
person (almost)

An office is composed of four corners, four sides. Within the office, you can see the whiteboards, comparative charts, cabinets, etc.  People occupying the office has two sides. The good side, and the bad side. If that's the case, in what manner does hypocrisy falls? I mean, if you're good, you're really good.  You're a trouper, a square shooter, a reliable person, kind hearted, nuff said. And if you're bad, well, you really are.  But hypocrisy? A two sided effine SOAB who lures other individuals by showing their good side, praising you, giving you high opinions, but behind your back, will do exactly the opposite.

An officemate sleeping while
covered with umbrella. (This is
what I called imunity!)

According to Bing.com, hypocrisy is feigned high principles: the false claim to or pretense of having admirable principles, beliefs, or feelings. In tagalog, they're called plastics. And according to Yahoo! Answers, plastics are quite fake looking; the one who's nice and say good things in front of you but does the opposite behind your back.

People who have these characteristics you've currently acquainted or not should be avoided.  And if you inadvertently talked or bumped into them, just smile, say hi, then walk away. If your friend shows sign of this trait, be warned.  They might strike behind your back anytime, or even leave a post on their facebook wall pertaining to you claiming he/she is purely coincidental.

From confirm, to invite, to block this person.  That's how it would be if worst things comes to worst. And the next thing you'll know, they've already invaded your personal space and harassing you in form of malicious comments, posts, shout, or whatever it is, leaving some kind of innuendos along with your work.

There are ways to prevent these kind of people that affects your daily life. You can just ignore them or fall to their indirect hints or tease and fin'lly fall to their trap.  But ask this to yourself...Is it worth the trouble it will cause?

This is just part one.  I'll strike again tomorrow for Part two! But for now it's time to say adieu. It's almost time for my off.  Adios!