Thanks for the reasons to brag.

Because social media taught us a new way to brag...

My Conversation With A Scam Texter, #2

15 Movies That Will Always Stay With Me

1. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

- Why? because Johnny Depp was in it. But seriously, because it was a very good story about somebody being different from everyone else.
- Most memorable scene: that part where [Winona Ryder] was under the ice flakes from Edward's ice sculpture
- How the movie influenced me: the song With These Hands by Tom Jones became my personal anthem:

2. My Girl (1991)

- Most memorable scene : when Vada broke down seeing Thomas' dead body, saying "Where's his glasses? He needs his glasses!"
- How the movie influenced me : I began to like the music of the 1960's.
- Lesson: Don't mess with beehives.



3. The Godfather (Trilogy: 1972, 1974, 1990)

Why? And why not? This is one of the finest movies of all time. The trilogy features Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, and the great Al Pacino.
Most memorable scene: That part where Don Veto Corleone (Marlon Brando) was crying over the death of his son.



4. Annie (1982)

Why? Because it was the first musical I've seen. And I just love Carol Burnett.
Most memorable scene : Annie's excitement as they entered the Radio City Music Hall to see a movie.
How the movie influenced me : It made me want to be alive and bubbly all the time, and suddenly burst into a song in the middle of a conversation.



5. A League of Their Own (1992)

Why? Because any sports enthusiast like me can relate to the scary feeling during the last crucial minutes of a game.
Most memorable scene : the last part, where the real life All American Girls Professional Baseball League alumni, all elderly, played in the field, it was so emotional and nostalgic to me.
How the movie influenced me: it introduced me to Carole King's Now and Forever, which became one of my favorite songs of all time.

6. Schindler's List (1993)

Why?  Because it opened my eyes to the horror that was the Holocaust during WWII.
Most memorable scene : the final scene where the Jewish survivors gathered to thank Oskar Schindler, it made my eyes swell.
How the movie influenced me : I began to read more about history.



7. The English Patient (1996)

Why? Because it's a very well-crafted film about love during a chaotic time. The story-telling is excellent.
Most memorable scene: The part where [Ralph Fiennes] was carrying the dead body of [Kristin Scott Thomas] from the cave.

8. The Hours (2002)

Why? Because the music by Philip Glass was so depressing yet beautiful, it actually added life to the breakdown scenes for Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore.
Most memorable scene : that part where the little boy was trying to run to catch up as his mother went away in a taxi.



9. Kill Bill 1 & 2 (2003, 2004)

Why? Because it could be the best example of revenge, and of ending an "unfinished business". And hey, it's a Quentin Tarantino film.
Most memorable scene: that scene at the Japanese restaurant where [Uma Thurman] sliced every appendage of Oren Ishii's army like she was slicing watermelons, it was crazy and ridiculous but awesome.
How the movie influenced me : I mastered the art of the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique, and I will use it against my enemies someday.



10. Life Of Pi (2012)

Why? Because it's a different take on a ship incident, with incredible cinematography, effects, music, script, and the rest of the package.
Most memorable scene : that part where Pi and the tiger were staring into each other's eyes,  both knowing how helpless and hopeless they have become.
How it influenced me : It gave me a deeper sense of understanding about my faith and existence. And no sir, you can't make me ride a ship with wild animals in it,  no no no.

11. Ghost (1990)

Why? Because, I mean, come on! You got Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore at their sexiest, doing that pottery thing, then making love while Unchained Melody plays on the jukebox. And Whoopi Goldberg was simply at her best.
Most memorable scene : That part where Oda Mae Brown signed the wrong name when she closed her bank account.
Lessons: 1. Don't take what's not yours; 2. You can't take money to your grave; and 3. Your dead grandma could be watching you right now.



12. Life Is Beautiful (1997)

Why? Because it was insanely funny with Roberto Benigni's antics, for the first half, at least, then emotionally disturbing onwards, and enlightening at the end.
Most memorable scene: That part where Guido sneaked to play the song Barcarolle over loud speakers as a form of communication with his wife.
How it influenced me: Buongiorno Principessa became one of my favorite songs from a film.

13. Babe, and Babe: Pig In The City (1995, 1998)

Why? Because Babe is the most adorable pig there has ever been on film (well, that is if we are not thinking of Miss Piggy or Wilbur (from Charlotte's Web). He is naive, gentle,  honest, and he has the kindest heart.
Most memorable scene : that part where Babe was running from the bull terrier in slow motion while The Humming Chorus from Madame Butterfly was playing as background music.
Lesson: Be kind, not because you have to, but because you are.

14. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

Why? Because it perfectly shows the personalities of each character in this beautiful story about a dysfunctional family. Very good story-telling technique.
Most memorable scene: That part where Richie tried to kill himself.



15. The Sound of Music (1965)

Why? Because this movie became the basic foundation of my knowledge in music.
Most memorable scene: That lively part where Maria and the children were having fun as they visited places in and around Austria, while singing Do-re-mi.




John Emmanuel T. Manalo, MD
091114

Thanks to the following for sharing their videos:

https://www.youtube.com/user/JohnVexer : Edward Scissorhands, trailer
https://www.youtube.com/user/director337 : Tom Jones, With These Hands
https://www.youtube.com/user/lilianp93 : My Girl, trailer
https://www.youtube.com/user/choloOnEaster10 : The Godfather, trailer
https://www.youtube.com/user/MistarMuffin : Annie, trailer
https://www.youtube.com/user/MovieSpoilerSite : A League Of Their Own, trailer
https://www.youtube.com/user/RadioAntena1 : Carole King, Now And Forever
https://www.youtube.com/user/Saundatron08 : Schindler's List. trailer
https://www.youtube.com/user/LionsgateVOD : The English Patient, trailer
https://www.youtube.com/user/oldhollywoodtrailers : The Hours, trailer; Babe, trailer
https://www.youtube.com/user/FilmTrailersChannel : Kill Bill, trailer
https://www.youtube.com/user/FoxStarIndia : Life of Pi, trailer
https://www.youtube.com/user/agelesstrailers : Ghost, trailer
https://www.youtube.com/user/robotuku : Life Is Beautiful, trailer
https://www.youtube.com/user/Magdalini2 : Mario Frangoulis, Buongiorno Principessa
https://www.youtube.com/user/zuguidemovietrailers : The Royal Tenenbaums, trailer
https://www.youtube.com/user/BluNewsHD : The Sound Of Music, trailer

Common Mistakes We Make When Using English Words

Once in a while, I encounter friends who use certain words that make me wish I didn't hear them. I am no English major, and I admit I've had my share of blurting out awkwardly constructed sentences.

I could be wrong, but I just want to get this out of my chest. I don't claim to be an authority regarding this, therefore you don't have to follow or believe everything that I will say. It is best for you to conduct your own readings, just to be sure.

Anyway, here is a short list of words/phrases that I have noticed to be commonly used erroneously:


1. Irregardless.

     Technically, there is no such word. But some dictionaries recognize its existence in a regretful tone. Knowing that the prefix "ir-" negates the suffix "-less", I prefer to use "regardless", because the said prefix has no purpose.


2. Cope up.

     Please don't use this, it's very annoying. Instead, just say "cope", or perhaps you mean to say "keep up".

Example:

* I use a strict time table of activities in order to cope with my busy schedule.

* You are a faster runner, I think I cannot keep up with your pace.


3. Taken cared of.

This is wrong, but usually goes unnoticed, that even some journalists commit the mistake of using it. It's easy if you use the present or future tense:

I will take care of you.
In the office, he takes care of the financial matters.
He is taking care of his grandfather.

But trouble arises when subject and predicate are switched:

The water bills are being taken cared of by my sister. [wrong! ]

These are correct:

The water bills are being taken care of by my sister.
You will be taken care of by me.
The financial matters are taken care of by the treasurer.
Don't worry about the laundry. It's already taken care of.


4. Everytime.

Most if not all dictionaries do not recognize the word "everytime". Therefore, the correct way is to separate the two words, "every time". However, many people have been using the combined form even in the titles of songs. And since the English language is always evolving, it is not unlikely that "everytime" will soon be formally accepted. But for the time being, I prefer to use "every time".


5. _____-in-laws. 

The plural form of daughter-in-law is daughters-in-law, not daughter-in-laws. Because you just convert the main noun to its plural form, and leave the prepositional phrase as is. But if you only use in-law, then the plural form is in-laws.


6. Despite of.

I die a little every time I hear this. If you use "despite", there is no need to add "of". Perhaps you are meaning to say "in spite of", which is basically the same. (And oh, by the way, notice how "in spite" is written as two separate words, not one, because the word "inspite" does not appear in dictionaries)

Example:

Bobby finished his task on time, in spite of many distractions he was facing.
Bobby finished his task on time, despite the distractions he was facing.

[Thanks to Ranier Icasiano for suggesting this.]


7. Thanks God!

If you are talking to God, this is okay.  But it gets better if it is written with a comma: "Thanks,  God!".

But if you are using it as an expression, or if you are talking to another person,  drop the s and get rid of the comma, or keep the s and add "to".

Thanks to my friends for helping me out.

Thank God this is finished!


[Thanks, Giji Hagenmuller, for suggesting this.]


And yes, you can share this.

A Most Unusual Weekend (a chronicle of my medical mission in Tacloban)

Chapter 1. A Tragic Day

The Philippines is the most-exposed large country in the world to tropical cyclones. Around 19 tropical cyclones or storms enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility in a typical year and of these usually 6 to 9 make landfall.


On November 2, 2013, a low-pressure area about 425 kilometers east-southeast of Pohnpei in the Pacific Ocean was noted.  Moving through a region favoring tropical cyclogenesis, it became a tropical depression early on November 3. Subsequent intensification resulted into the birth of a tropical storm, named Haiyan on November 4. Tracking generally westward along the southern periphery of a subtropical ridge, rapid intensification ensued by November 5 as a central dense overcast with an embedded eye began developing, hence it was classified as a typhoon later that day. By November 6, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) assigned the storm the local name Yolanda as it approached the Philippines' area of responsibility.

On November 7, Yolanda attained its peak intensity with ten-minute sustained winds of 230 km/h. Six hours later, it was estimated to have attained one-minute sustained winds of 315 km/h (195 mph) and gusts up to 378 km/h (235 mph). In the morning of November 8, typhoon Yolanda made landfall in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, and became known as probably the strongest tropical cyclone to make a landfall on record.



http://weather.com.ph/announcements/super-typhoon-haiyan-yolanda-update-number-007

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoon_Haiyan

Regardless of the statistics, typhoon Yolanda will always be remembered as the most unforgiving natural calamity in the Philippines for the year 2013, and perhaps for all time. 

Chapter 2. The Mission

"Do not bemoan the calamity of tomorrow, for you know not what the new day brings." - The Talmund, c. 190 AD

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/11/20/1258878/mmda-16-metro-manila-cities-adopt-towns-eastern-visayas

Nov 14, 2013, 3:39 pm. My phone rang while I was on my way home from work in Laguna. Dr. Fernando Santos, the hospital administrator of Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Medical Center (PDMMMC, also known as Caloocan City Medical Center), asked me if I would be available for a medical mission in Tacloban, for an indeterminate period of time, "probably up to 5 or 7 days.". 

With that, the words of my mother echoed in my ears, for it was her who once told me: "Whenever you find yourself in a situation where someone needs your help, and you are in a position to help, then by whatever means, do offer yourself to help."

So as I remembered the poor victims of Typhoon Yolanda, without any question or any sign of hesitation, I immediately answered "yes". 

The next day, I was at the Caloocan City Hall, waiting for the caravan to leave for Leyte. We were to go by land, a 16-hour drive towards south.

The team had only 2 doctors. I was with Dr Joseph Celino from the Caloocan Health Department, and a handful of eager male nurses [Jonathan Lagas, Paolo Fano, Arnel Apattad, Rae Kristoffer Rodriguez, and John Ray Obado]. 

Accompanied by some volunteer staff from the city hall and some policemen, we began our journey, not completely aware of what was ahead of us.

Day 2: Nov 16, 2013. We went on a "ro-ro" ride [a local nick-name for a ferry ship that carries wheeled vehicles] from Sorsogon to Samar early that day.

Before dawn, we could see the island of Samar.

The San Juanico Bridge connecting the islands of Samar and Leyte was a refreshing sight late in the afternoon.

The expressions on our faces quickly changed after we crossed the bridge to reach Tacloban City, for we were greeted by a dismal scenario that we have never seen before. I was not prepared for this.

By night time, we passed by the Municipal Hall of Leyte...

... and soon reached the MMDA camp.

The whole island of Leyte was devoid of electricity, so we were happy enough that the camp had generators, which were mostly used for lighting up the place, and for charging our gadgets. At a time like this, multiple extension cords are a treasure. Some local folks even came to us to charge their phones.

For the next precious meals of our lives, we would feast on canned goods and instant noodles, and we defined fine dining like this:

The local water service was not available for washing up, so we used a "poso" (manual water pump) from a nearby building, then we retreated to our first class accommodation.

Chapter 3. The Aftermath

Day 3: Nov 17, 2013. We woke up early, and headed into the city and the neighboring towns.

There were moments when we felt we had enough, and we couldn't look anymore...

... because we knew that for the next few days, this will be the world we will see:

...and this.

People devoted their time and energy to vigilance, trying to find signs of queues for food, water, gasoline, and whatever relief goods they can get.

Day and night.

Rich or poor, they were all equal here. Money lost its value. There was nothing to buy.

While thousands of families were left homeless,

... others were just happy to be alive.


Those who did not have any dead members in their families, they were the lucky ones.

Thousands were much less fortunate.

Typhoon Yolanda killed 5,796 people in the Philippines alone.



Having seen all this, I accepted the possibility that I may be scarred for life.

But no possible amount of sorrow can compare with the tremendous burden of grief on the victims and survivors of the typhoon, as their lives are changed forever from now on.




Chapter 4. To Be Willing To Give

But we came here on a mission.

As doctors and nurses, we did what we did best - to serve, and to give hope.

We were tired, hungry and thirsty, but with so many people waiting, and with so little time, we tried to see and treat as many patients as we can, as fast as we can.

People kept coming, patiently falling in line, rain or shine.

They say that God works in mysterious ways. Jesus fed thousands of people with just a few fish and bread. But believe it or not, by the time we finished our mission, in just two days of work, our census showed that we saw not less than 1,300 patients.

The other members of the team gave relief goods...

...to those who have needs most.

Every smile I saw that day...

... brought torrential joyful tears in my humbled heart.

Chapter 5. For Thy Is The Kingdom

There are times when tragedies such as this would test every man. His courage, his strength, his faith.

I cannot even fathom such nightmare.  I would not want this to be happening again.

Not to myself, not to my family...

...not to this poor country. Not now. Not ever.

But until now, I have been trying to ask myself...

What have I learned from all this?
Have I done enough?
What else could have been done?

Maybe if we just look at the signs, we would know what to do.

This was my first time to visit Tacloban City. But I quickly learned that the survivors of Yolanda are strong.

They are hopeful that after each night, the sun would come. 

That after the rain, there would be a rainbow.

That whatever happens, someone somewhere is watching from a distance.

I believe that an assurance of sound government planning and a continuous flow of support will serve as a spark of hope for the people of this region to move on...

... rebuild...

... and rise again, 

... as we always do...

...as a race, 

... as a people, 

... as a nation.

Chapter 6. The Longest Weekend

"everywhere, life is full of heroism." - Desiderata

Day 5: November 19, 2013. It has been a very long journey. We were all emotionally drained and physically exhausted. 

I'm very glad I got the opportunity to be there. Part of me wanted to stay and do more, the other wanted to go home.

But at the end of it all, we knew that we did something good, something right.

We went to the airport, 

... and saw a mass exodus of evacuees, waiting for C-130 jets to Manila.

We went back home...

... knowing we found new comrades and allies...

... and having a renewed sense of purpose and accomplishment...

 ... but most importantly, finding out that everybody, ...

...absolutely everybody...

... can be a hero.

Mabuhay ang Pilipino! [Long live the Filipino]

John Emmanuel T. Manalo MD

120613

=====

Thanks to the following for their photos and videos:

Rae Kristoffer Rodriguez

Paolo Fano

Luciano Librado Jr.

www.icyclone.com

for more photos:

https://www.facebook.com/lucianojr.librado/media_set?set=a.674736735891622.1073741829.100000659058828&type=3

additional video: 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=675328189165810&set=vb.100000659058828&type=3&theater