AJsubscenes

20/12/2023

Kalesa, Intramuros

19/12/2023

Elle Amber

17/12/2023

Public Diary post #5:

It's nowadays that I realize I'm not going to get any younger. I'm not as nimble as I was nor am I as performing as I am before.

This, however does not stop me from looking forward to getting old as I never gave up on my curiosity in trying out new things.

We often think "We're too old to - this and that" but fact of the matter is, you're never too old until you say you are. You're never too old to stop getting that degree you've always wanted. You're never too old to try that fashion sense you've always wanted to wear. You're never too old to learn the musical instrument you've been curious about. You're never too old to play video games you've been eyeing on. You're never too old to try out a new hobby.

I am happy with where I am mentally. I'm never too old. Are you?

16/12/2023

You don't have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.

- Martin Luther King Jr.

15/12/2023

Pleasant day

14/12/2023

Kalesa blues

13/12/2023

Tour guide

12/12/2023

Malayo pa pero malayo na

11/12/2023

Castaway

07/12/2023

Witheld the test of time.

06/12/2023

Travelling thoughts. Anywhere, everywhere but here.

05/12/2023

"Not bound by blood, but by the shared passion for the open road. "

03/12/2023

Public Diary post #4:

I try to enjoy my life how I want it. Whether wearing a hairpin of a protruding duckling while carrying an eggplant plushie outside, or posting this photo on social media.

At the end of the day, I do what I want without the worry of what others think of me. Why? Because I believe that my confidence comes from how I feel about myself instead of what others feel. Entertaining other people's opinions of you only adds weight to your mental and emotional capacity.

Age is just a number and people are busy with their own thing. You do you.

29/11/2023

We share our sympathies with the great Ma'ali, who despite living a lonely life, brought joy to people of all ages and walks of life.

One cannot imagine living in solitude but Ma'ali taught us to 'show up' despite the unforeseeable events. For him, it was never over until it was truly over but he made sure to see it 'til his very end. You will always have a place in our hearts but we bid you farewell for now and look forward to seeing you on the other side.

Rest in Paradise, Vishwa Ma'ali.

29/11/2023

The only easy day was yesterday. Don't be the person who walks out on yourself.

26/11/2023

Public diary post #3:

As I grow older, I become more appreciative of the little things in life. I admit I was a bit spoiled and often ignored things other children would've only dreamed of receiving. Eventually, I stopped receiving these gifts and now had to work for them.

Nowadays, I go back and enjoy these simple things when I can. Whether eating outside and sharing my favorite order with my friends or visiting that toy in the same aisle section of my favorite toy store.

It's never too late to appreciate. Enjoy it when you can as you'll bring these core memories with you through your darkest times.

21/11/2023

19/11/2023

Public diary post #2

As someone who's been surrounded by paintings my entire life, I grew up indifferent to the art form until I had the chance to see the reputable Spolarium.

Spolarium is one of the most prominent and by far, the biggest painting from the Philippines made by the famous Juan Luna. The painting was created in the 1880s and was submitted to the Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes in Madrid at the time, but now rests in the Museum of Fine Arts in Manila.

Seeing a colossal work of art up close and personal taught me that art is timeless. Art has been there before we were born, and will still be there after we pass away. A true artist's skill lies not only in the precision of using a particular medium but also in foreseeing the importance of their art, and having a better understanding of longevity which can be passed down through generations.

Today, I learned that an artist leaves an imprint of their soul with the mediums they produce. Even after they're long gone, they have succeeded in immortalizing themselves with their every signature work of art.

In the digital age, will we be able to incorporate the same imprint after we're long gone?

14/11/2023

You are your own work of art.

Keep building yourself and find ways to immortalize your work.

13/11/2023

At the end of the day, your partner is your teammate, not your enemy. They're there with the best intentions. Learn how to communicate effectively and always remind them that you're with them every step of the way.

Remember that they need you and trust you the most. No man is an island.

12/11/2023

Horror Movie Review:

Sister Death || Hermana Muerte
5.7 IMDb
79% Rotten Tomatoes

The much-awaited prequel to the film 'Veronica', The premise is about Hermana Narcisa's backstory which led to her introduction in the first film.

I honestly did not expect much about this movie since my expectations were not met prior. The good news is that I was wrong about judging it since this film would now easily fall under my go-to Spanish horror recommendations in the years to come.

From a creative perspective, the 4:3 screen ratio complemented its well-thought symmetrical shots which gave it an aesthetic vibe, all the while sprinkling the white Habit of Novices with contrast and saturated themes that viewers will definitely appreciate.

The film is divided into three chapters, focusing primarily on Narcisa but dissecting each scene to provide appropriate backstories for other characters. The first two start off slow, setting your expectations with underlying questions that eventually circle back to their conclusion.

I can't be any more satisfied with the outcome of its story, considering that an unnerving horror film plants an idea in your brain and capitalizes it at the right moment. At times, I thought of theories that would guess the ending and I wanted the film to be cliche. Fortunately, I was wrong with my predictions and the film ended with a narrative that drew me closer as it can be considered as a work of art.

The film itself is unsettling, reinforcing its theme of "what you can and cannot see" while providing inner conflict with the protagonist. It did not rely on the typical jumpscares but instead, evoked you into an immersion that a true horror is built with a proper presentation.

The only gripe I have is having to read the subtitles to make sure I don't miss any context while trying to peep at the characters' expressions at times.

The movie itself is a modern classic and redeems whatever disappointment you had over the first film. If Wes Anderson was Spanish and created a horror film, this would probably be the closest recommendation you'll ever get.

Would I recommend this film? Hell, yes definitely. Will I watch this film again? Yes but probably dubbed just for fun. Will I pay to see this film? Most definitely.

12/11/2023

Public diary post ahead.

I took this photo in the hopes of being better at photography which I started about three months ago. I wanted to put a good caption for every image I post but after spending some time looking at this picture, I realized that I was fortunate enough to have the time and resources to pursue my passion while others spend their lifetime working to meet the comfort I neglected.

If you're like me who's favored to experience some form of luxury, I'd like you to reflect back to the time you asked for what you have now. I initially started with "I need something-" and nowadays I just tell myself "I want something better-".

Take note of the words 'need' and 'want' where I started with 'needing' and ended with 'wanting'. These two words albeit different, showcase the progress I've made over the years.

What was the point of me sharing this message? It's not bad to 'want' something, but remember that not all people are blessed to share the same sentiments. Take the time to help other people achieve what they 'need' so that they'll also be able to attain what they 'want'.

11/11/2023

Horror Movie Review:

Veronica
6.2 IMDb
88% Rotten Tomatoes

The preceding movie to 'Sister Death', Paco Plaza's 'Veronica' was released in 2017 and was loosely based on the true story of Estefanía Gutiérrez Lázaro's case back in 1991.

I made time to finally watch this last night so I can continue with Sister Death. As someone who's an avid fan of Spanish horrors with the likes of Guillermo Del Toro (The Devil's Backbone, El Orfanato) and Jaume Balagueró (who made the REC franchise together with Plaza), Paco Plaza's Veronica continues the genre with the current quality standards.

Unfortunately for me, the movie was compressed into three days worth of premise leading to its conclusion. This meant that there wasn't enough character development for a few supporting characters and the leading role. The movie had its moments - both from a creative and viewership point of view. However, the movie did not deliver anything outstanding as it may at most, fall under the "above average" category.

Personally, I'm not a fan of possessions as genres like these are difficult to pull off considering the amount of cliche it has. Nonetheless, Plaza made an effort to create an atmospheric horror based on a true story and appealed more to audiences.

The only disappointment I had was the introduction of 'Sister Death' during the film which lacked development. Ideally, I went in as a viewer who had the perspective from 2017 where there was no prequel development at the time, and hoped that the character would play a significant role that led to the movie's success and prequel.

If not for the prequel, this particular supporting character would've been a random flavor in the movie that helped generate the ambiance but had no density. Overall, it's a good horror film to recommend especially if you haven't seen 2023' Sister Death.

Would I recommend it? Yes, it's a decent film. Will I watch this film again? My answer's somewhere between no and maybe. Will I pay to see this film? Only if I haven't seen the trailer.

11/11/2023

Everyone deserves a reward, even yourself for your hard work. Know when to appreciate your work and celebrate your achievements.

Treat yourself.

10/11/2023

Quack.

09/11/2023

We all want to succeed in life but don't forget to stop and learn how to take a rest every once in a while.

Take it easy.

08/11/2023

Some work hard to provide basic necessities like food, shelter, and a future for their loved ones. Learn to appreciate their value and respect the hustle.

07/11/2023

Looking down on things that don't matter misses our chance to appreciate the simple joys and beauty of life. Learn how to view the world from a different perspective. Always look up.

06/11/2023

Remind yourself that failure is not the end but rather, the start of experience. While we may not exactly have the same difficulties, we each have our own paths to take.

Your mind may be your own prison but learn how to set yourself free and allow it to make mistakes which will help you to learn further, Remember why you started.

Keep your chin up and lakad matatag.

06/11/2023

Horror Movie Review:

The Exorcist: Believer
4.9 IMDb
22% Rotten Tomatoes

As the title suggests, it's a loose sequel to the original 1973's, 'The Exorcist'. Unfortunately for this film, it failed to capitalize on its fresh take on the genre, trying to appeal to audiences by bringing one of its iconic characters from the franchise instead of focusing on making a difference.

As saturated as the possession genre can be, the film is predictable and cliche but fun to watch since it has its moments.

The ending might be an acquired taste but personally speaking, I would only recommend this film if you're into the genre or if you're an avid fan of the original since it provided the same atmospheric descent in one's (or for this film, two) demonic possession.

Would I suggest it? If you're bored, sure. But would I re-watch it? No. Would I pay to watch it? nope.

31/10/2023

Part of my goal with my rebranding is to share anything horror I fancy which means I'll also be posting horror movie recommendations from time to time. What a perfect time to start since it's Halloween!

Horror Movie Recommendation:

When Evil Lurks
7.2 IMDb
99% Rotten Tomatoes

I had the opportunity to watch this last night with high hopes after learning that Demián Rugna directed this film. Prior to this, I had the opportunity to see Aterrados (Spanish, 2017) which did not disappoint.

The first time I saw this film's poster, I was about to skip it when I noticed it had high ratings. As someone who's been into horror films for the past two and a half decades, most hidden gems are acquired taste which meant you have to see it to believe it. I would vouch for this one as it has a flavorful touch of atmosphere, dread, and a superb premise which for me, is the basis of a good horror flick.

No cheap jump scares, gruesome scenes, and a well-written Spanish dialogue, all that's packed in 99 minutes.

If you're looking for a good horror film for Halloween, this is it.

28/10/2023

Keep it kool.

Palamig ka muna ng ulo bago ka magdesisyon sa mga bagay bagay. The worst part of an unwanted result is regretting making a poor decision.

27/10/2023

"Traffic nanaman" is often a phrase I hear a lot, especially from people running late over their daily schedules.

The truth of the matter is that some things will always be there. The challenges, opportunities, and problems will always present itself. However, this shouldn't keep you from being your best self and learning from what is already given at any particular time.

As they say, "Always the journey, never the destination".

26/10/2023

One of the things I've learned in life is that no matter the time, you're always there in the 'right' moment.

We're all blessed in our own ways. It's a matter of perspective.

26/10/2023

We all have different paths to take. It's alright to be comfortable with the norm but remind yourself that we're never one step behind from anyone else but our best selves. You do you.

24/10/2023

"Let the children grow up".

This also applies to ourselves regardless of age. Since we increase our worry everyday over what life gives us, don't let the inner child die just because you have responsibilities. Treat yourself to the idea of growing up and having fun along the way.

Flame your passion.

23/10/2023

Met Guy Fawkes.

23/10/2023

Have you recently prayed for your angel's safety? Don't forget to praise the guardians who've blessed you.

https://www.instagram.com/ajsubscenes/

22/10/2023

Here's another re-edit shot from two months ago, but with white borders to avoid instagram's vertical cropping.