Back from Farmers Garden with Bertod and Rayven. Bought three baskets of fresh, white orchids for our family altar and columbary.

Bought the boys a scrumptious lunch at the Parolan bazaar. Alas, no Vigan empanadas this year.

All bullies grow old with sleepless nights and haunted by painful memories.

Good morning, Cubao!

There is no such thing as tedium to the creative.

Good night, Cubao!

The night-shift caregivers ensure that candles continue to be lit through dawn.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with six syllables in your name: Be a person of your word. Do not make promises you cannot keep. A person who breaks promises is essentially not a humble person./

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes: His Last Bow.

October 31, 2023

Halloween Lights On P. Tuazon Boulevard

Your Messenger message:

"Good afternoon Mr. Tony

"Hihingi lang po ako ng VALIDATION sa imprinted ba ito ng memory sa SOUL ko. "Medyo po nakakatawa pakinggan ito pero po Mr. Tony tunay po ito experience. Ang kuwento ko ay nag umpisa ng akoy baby pa! Mr. Tony noong baby pa ako ay may isip na ako medyo nakakatawa pakingan, isip na alam ko yung reality sa Mundo ito pero yung katawang lupa ko ay hndi tugma sa soul ko dahil yung inner self ko yung nag analyze hndi yung utak ng katawang lupa ko Mr. Tony "Isa sa example na naka imprinted sa soul ko pang yayari ay noong baby pa ako ay may bumuhat sa akin na isang entities at alam ko babae sya at naka hood. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya at sya rin ay nakatingin sa akin na may kasamang simple ngiti habang binubuhat ako. "Tapos nilagay nya ako sa ilalim ng papag at alam ko na itoy ilalim ng papag kahit akoy isang baby palang nito. Maayos nya ako nilagay sa ilalim ng papag at After nya ako ilagay sa ilalim ng papag ay kusang pumikit mata ko parang sya ang may gawa na patulugin ako. "And then one time a year's 2x ago nag kuwento nanay ko na noong baby pa raw ako ay nawala daw ako at nag kagulo daw sa bahay kasi nawala daw yung sangol at hinanap daw ako at natagpuan daw ako sa ilalim ng papag ng natutulog. Impossible nahulog daw ako kasi hndi daw umiyak ang sangol at marami unan daw sa paligid ko para hndi ako mahulog. "Umalis lang daw ng ilang minute nanay ko para manood ng pero bago daw nya ako iniwan sa papag ay make sure nya raw ay hndi ako mahuhulog. Pero iba daw ngyari. "Isa sa tanong ko po ay sino po kaya yung entitie bumuhat sa akin at ano ito memory imprinted sa soul ko? Duality po ba ito Mr Tony ng mind with the body??

"Hndi tugma ang soul ko sa body ??

"__________ __ 19__ po ako baka po may kinalaman sa bday?"

My reply:

Hello ____!

First, there is no such thing as a soul being incompatible or mismatched with a body. It is not uncommon for babies to have such sharp and vivid memories, especially if they still retain the memories of their previous lifetimes. 

The female you saw was your main spirit guide, albeit an elemental, who wanted you as her own. If she is still with you in your adult life, she will either:

--prevent you from falling in love with the opposite sex and getting married or
--have a hand in selecting the woman you fall in  love with and marry.

There is, however, nothing to fear. Just live your life with respect for Nature. Your guide will ensure that you develop your talents and become a success.

No, this has nothing to do with your birthday.

Good morning, Cubao!

Front porches are bedecked with holiday lanterns.

Good night, Cubao!

The most exciting part of a holiday is the eve of its eve.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with five syllables in your name: Value those who truly love you. Should you lose them, they can never be replaced with others.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes: His Last Bow.

Pre-Halloween Surprise

The amber man brings me a pressed-amber, butterscotch necklace, plus an unexpected Halloween gift: an antique, silver, Chinese hairpin for my hair.

Amber always feels delicious on my body. It is a healing stone, and is said to cure headaches, alleviate stress, and bring about cleansing and purification. 

I am probably the only man in this country with the biggest collection of amber jewelry.

Good morning, Cubao!

Never sacrifice the happiness of your family for the sake of earning an honor or winning an award.

 Your Messenger message:

"A friends cousin was in _________________ and a woman walked up to her and gave her a message for her mother and her aunt that said "the circle is broken Donna says everything is OK" can you interpret that for me and my friend thank you very much, Toni

"I thought it was very interesting before she gave her the message. She asked for permission to give her the message."

My reply:

Hello ____!

This is what the message means:

The pattern is broken Whatever bound the mother and aunt--be it a pact, a spell, a ritual, or a curse--no longer exists, and everyone involved is free.

Sunday, October 29, 2023

Experimental Bingo Night at M.'s cafe with family and friends. We're now ready to do this once a month.

Your Messenger message:

"Hi Sir Tony. Good evening.

"I would like to ask if you're having anticipatory anxiety or you're so anxious of something bad might happen in the future, sign ba yun na it will happen talaga? Yung malakas ang gut feeling mo. what can I do po so that I wont not attract those bad energy or vision. "Maraming maraming salamat, Sir Tony "

My reply:

Hello ____!

Nine times out of ten the feeling of anxiety comes from your personal situation, usually due to the threat of separation from a loved one or the feeling of being abandoned and alone. Such feelings are usually but not always rooted in a disrupted symbiotic relationship between a mother and her neonate. Ground yourself with a cup of herbal tea, have a massage, or take on an engrossing hobby. But, whatever you do, do NOT take anti-anxiety medication or sleeping pills. Also be extra careful that the unconscious fixation--should there be one--- does not get carried over to your relationships with women.

Good night, Cubao!

Fairies sit on porch swings under the light of the moon.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with six syllables in your name: Be fair to others. If not, they will avoid you and never deal with you again.

Bingo Night meeting with M. and Rayven.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes: His Last Bow.

Wrong: Nagpunta ako sa online.

Right: Nagpunta ako online.

Wrong: Hanapin mo sa online.

Right: Hanapin mo online.

What reporters call a thunderstorm, I call a cloudburst.

All the trees on the compound have been cut down, and my nephew is making preparations to demolish his existing tenement buildings in order to erect a 15-story condominium tower in their place. How many years that will take, I have no idea. A mass exodus of tenants is underway, and a lot of good stuff to be found in the dust bins. One rag picker walked away with three good pairs of shoes and a bag of writing supplies. The scavengers are having their own version of Bilbo Baggins afternoons! 

Good morning, Cubao!

The day begins with a plate of apple slivers.

Good night, Cubao!

After watching horror movies, the den campers snuggle on double-deck beds.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with six syllables in your name: Every day is a beautiful day, but it is always up to you to make it so. At the very least, fill your day with thoughts of the persons you love most.

Still watching One Friday Fights 38 on One Championship Philippines.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes: His Last Bow.

The murder victim sends a reddish-brown butterfly.

When someone sends you a Friend Request using a fake account, the account will have random Posts but no Collections, no videos, and no Shared photos characteristic of that person.

Good day. Cubao!

The day is a pitcher of fresh, coconut juice.

Good night, Cubao!

The nights grow more and more enchanted as Halloween approaches.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with five syllables in your name: Remember that when you ask your father for a fish, he will not give you a serpent. When you ask him for a loaf of bread, he will not give you a rock.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes: His Last Bow.

Our Alexander he Great pendants set in Baguio silver are ready.

Your church will advise you to protect yourself from The Devil, but you also have to protect yourself from The Church.

Good morning, Cubao!

The day is a padded basket of fresh, tropical fruit.

Good night, Cubao!

Fairy trees have crystal wind chimes hanging from their branches.

One Message For One of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with five syllables in your name: Spend money only on good, healthful food. It will reduce your ailments and make you feel better.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes: His Last Bow.

Two electricians finished installing globe lamp covers on our side balcony.

Good morning, Cubao!

The district stretches its limbs at sunrise.

Now on Level 130 of Differences: Online Journey.

Good night, Cubao!

Remember to be kind to everyone who works for you.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with five syllables and you with six syllables in your names: Do not go back to your old ways. Where you are now is infinitely better, and is the right road to happiness.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's _Sherlock Holmes: His Last Bow_.

Your Messenger message:

"Hi Tony,

"True all is well with you! "Sayang our meeting on __________, in __________, and ______, will now have to be moved early next year, as events got in the way. "I just wanted to ask about the gifts you gave me when you came over to ___________, years ago. "For what purpose and how are these used again, please? Now that I’m retiring, I might as well discover more metaphysical pursuits. Maraming salamat! ________"

My reply:

The white pair are called pangil ng kidlat. Hold one in the left hand and the other in the right hand, with the narrow ends pointed outward. They are manifestation stones. They are also for protection.

The black one is called mutya ng kidlat. Just keep it in your room. It absorbs negativity.

All three are allegedly harvested from the insides of trees that were struck by lightning.

Amulets may also have particular messages for one regarding their use. Try placing the white pair under your pillow at night and then record your dreams. Do the same to the black piece another night.

Went jalan-jalan at the center with Bertod. Bought a bottle of chili oil, 13 globe lamp covers, and two bottled candles.

Good morning, Cubao!

The day gnomes take trips to the center.

The King's mother-in-law set our Alexander the Great coins in sterling silver for us. They were too big to be set as rings, that is why I ordered smaller, facsimile coins from ancient Athens--hopefully, those can be made into rings.

Baguio is famous for its silver, among other things, and I am proud to have a silver-set pendant made there.

Good night, Cubao!

It is time to prepare lanterns for the holiday nights.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with four syllables and your with five syllables in your names: What you think is loneliness is merely solitude. Do not equate it with the need to have a romantic relationship or the need to be in love, or it will unnecessarily complicate your life.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes: His Last Bow.

Daw's backpack arrives after a long wait. Now our two youngest kuman thong have backpacks too: a silver wolf's head for Kittibun and a lion's head for Daw.

Your Messenger message:

"Hello po sir Tony.

"Nais ko po sanang humingi ng payo. Ano po ang maaari ko kayang gawin? "Ang mga anak ko po ay laging nagkakasakit "Ngayon po ay nakaconfine naman ang panganay ko dahil sa dengue. "Almost 3yrs ago nadengue rin siya "Ung 2 ko rin pong anak the previous year naconfine din. "Frustrated po ako sa kung paano ko sila iiwas sa mga karamdaman "Sinisikap naman po naming maalagaan sila nàng maayos. "Maraming salamat po sir Tony "God bless po "

My reply:

Hello _________!

Your problems are best solved by:

--consulting a physician

--maintaining a clean house

--feeding your children the right food

--giving your children multivitamins

Retirement is a return to a personal Eden, for one no longer toils and lives by the sweat of his brow.

People continue to be surprised that I have a mind of my own, and that it is something other than what they thought it to be.

Being well-rested is one of the greatest blessings in life.

Good morning, Cubao!

A writer who cannot articulate himself in everyday life is only half an artist.

Good night, Cubao!

The paths to enchanted places are lighted with lanterns.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with five syllables and you with six syllables in your names: Do not overspend from now through December, or you will regret it.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes: His Last Bow.

Facsimiles of coins from ancient Athens.

Now on Level 125 of Differences: Online Journey.

Electrical work done, and I am pleased.

The electrician and his son-in-law reported for work today. We're having two strings of outdoor capiz lamps hung on our side balcony, two outlets installed on Aubrey's east bedroom wall, and a new light installed in Aubrey's bathroom. 

Good morning, Cubao!

Do not splurge using money you borrowed or money you owe others.

Good night, Cubao!

In your dream, you will purchase a house you have never seen in real life.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with six syllables in your name: A loser in one field will always be a winner in another.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes: His Last Bow_.

Circle Line

Watched Malaysia and Singapore's 2023 Circle Line (1:18:40). A subway train goes out of control, crashes into an abandoned tunnel, and goes off the radar in the control room. Among the passengers are a young mother and her little boy. The passengers are besieged by a creature that looms out of the darkness and attacks them.

This production is a Southeast Asian parallel to the 1986 movie _Aliens_ minus the space technology. Like Aliens, it is not so much about monstrous creatures as it is about motherhood. It is as slow-paced, quiet, and dimly lighted as Halfworlds, and, like Halfworlds it holds one's attention as magically as does a Harold Pinter play.

In the end, one mother dies and another mother lives.

Ready for 2024, the year of The Hunter.

I will Post this only once:

--The color combinations of the year are blue and yellow, brown and green.

--It will be a year of pronounced justice and pronounced injustice.

--It will be a year of male friendships.

--Honor your mother fervently.

--We are prohibited from partaking of high-soaring fowl.

--A statuette of an archer in your foyer will protect your house.

--Take care against sharp and pointed weapons.

--Always have clarity of direction.

Back home from lunch out with family at Gateway 2.

Good morning, Cubao!

Value exercise, but also value being still.

Watching One Friday Fights 37 on One Championship Philippines.

Good night, Cubao!

Night chores well done precede a full, cozy, relaxing night.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with six syllables in your name: The man who does not know how to enjoy and appreciate life, soon gets bored with it.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes: His Last Bow.

We Have A Ghost

Watched the USA's 2023 We Have A Ghost (2:07:06). The Presley family purchases a house in Chicago, only to later discover that a ghost named Ernest Scheller resides in the attic. Kevin, the younger of two brothers, befriends the ghost. Together with his next-door neighbor Joy Yoshino, he launches a research on how Ernest died and attempts to help his spirit move on.

At last, here is a rare, wholesome, feel-good, general patronage Halloween movie, except for one thing: like all movies produced in Christian countries, the dialogue is peppered with "Shit!" (which the same Christians pretentiously spell out as "Sh*t!" as though to make the written word incomprehensible). Ironically,  they are the same persons who blur out genitals, nipples, and asses on classical sculpture, oil paintings, and even Barbie dolls, and no one bothers to analyze the Victorian disconnect. 

The movie is also a commentary on how the media and the government intrude on people's personal lives. It ends, though, like an episode out of Ghost Whisperer minus Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Your Messenger message:

"Good day Mr. Tony

"Isang kagabi may experience po ako parang bangungot or astral through dreams. parang kinakain ako ng ibang kumunoy or dimension/portal, hirap explain noon kasi po first time ma experience. na kapag kinain ako ng dimension or portal na ito ay hndi na ako magigising pa. Aware ako need ko labanan at huwag makapasok doon, baka hndi na ako makabalik. "Buti na gising ako pero half awake lang, giving ang Diwali pero hndi agad maigalaw ang katawan. na kapag natulog ako ay kakainin ulit ako sa ng dimension na parang kumunoy. Hndi agad ako makagalaw kahit half awake na ako. Ilang minutes bago ako Nakagalaw at tumayo para mag cr. Mag 3am na yata ito. Buti malakas lang talaga spirits ko After ko mag cr ay hndi muna ako natulog kasi mukha papasok ulit ako doon kapag natulog agad po ako. "Ano po kaya ito Mr. Tony Astral? Ano po kaya ito portal/kumunoy/dimension?

My reply:

My initial reading is that your experience was a result either of bangungot or of sleep paralysis. Avoid heavy snacks and drinking before going to sleep.

It is also possible, however, that your psyche is preparing you for eventual astral journeying. When that actually happens, everything will be smooth and you will have no fear.

Good morning, Cubao!

Money buys happiness, for it takes money to build your best dreams.

One-hour, deep tissue massage. Ended 10:00 PM.

Good night, Cubao!

The house gnomes are preparing for a long trip to a province.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with five and you with six syllables in your names: When your prayer is not answered, ask for something else immediately.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then continuing reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes: His Last Bow.

Happy Birthday to my second eldest grandson, Roi!

Phenomena

Watched Spain's 2023 Phenomena (1:35:06), based on real experiences by the Hepta Group, a media-celebrated, interdisciplinary research team established by Father Pilon that studies all kinds of paranormal phenomena. Its members include principal medium Gloria Palomeque, a seer and a pharmacist; Sagrario, a psychic and a widow; Paz, a video documenter and a grandmother; Gerardo Plana, a physics professor; and Pablo Marimon, Gerardo's student.

Madrid, 1998. After successfully working on a case at Vergara Palace, the team is called to investigate poltergeist phenomena at an antique shop in a theater district. Father Pilon does an initial visit, is attacked by an unseen entity, and is hospitalized. The rest of the group then go to the antique shop to work on this dangerous case.

The movie is an entertaining Halloween screening, but, because of its presentation as a horror story, tends to veer the audience away from the more spiritual aspects of mediumship, especially with many, unwarranted comic moments. Scenes seem to be overdramatized and exaggerated for cinematic purposes, making the events very hard to believe. In the end, everything boils down to the good-versus-evil formula. There are many loopholes as well, the most glaring one being how Gloria was able to enter the basement when it took Sagrario and Paz two attempts to move the heavy cabinet that blocked its entrance.

Lastly, the heavy smoking of the three, middle-aged ladies was quite disturbing, since such things are always magnified on the screen.

Quite fascinating, though, that the Spirit Questors was established in 1996, almost at the same time this group was established in Spain.

Good morning Cubao!

Always record your dreams upon waking.

Good night, Cubao!

The sky fairies hang jack-o-lanterns from the clouds.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with five syllables in your name: There are days and nights on which you will feel abandoned, unloved, and unappreciated. You will have nagging thoughts, sleepless nights, disturbing dreams. Worry not, for this happens to everyone. Be strong. Be resilient.

Do not abandon yourself. Use those moments to improve yourself and improve your status.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes: His Last Bow.

Home for Rent

Watched Thailand's 2023 Home for Rent (2:03:08). Due to their current financial situation, Kwin and Ning Ing are compelled to rent out their house and move into a condo unit. Unbeknownst to Ning, the two persons who rent the house, Dr. Nuch and her mother, Ratree Khemarak, are involved in the performance of dark rituals involving three, seven-year-old girls, one of them Ing, Kwin and Ning's daughter.

The first half of the movie is told from the point of view of Ning, the sequences reminiscent of Roman Polanski's Rosemary's Baby. The second half is shown us from the point of view of Ning's husband, Kwin, and has quite a few surprises. The movie ends with a series of suspenseful twists leading to a bitter-sweet conclusion.

I have always maintained, and I still do, that Thailand produces the best horror movies in Southeast Asia, perhaps because it is a land of many mystical practices. Filipinos will probably never match up to producing movies in this genre because they are constantly restrained by Christian guilt and religious claptrap--the same reason that has always prevented Philippine magic from blossoming to its fullest.  .

Preparing for October 29, 2023: Bingo Night at M.'s cafe!

This is an experimental event and is open only to relatives and next-door neighbors, but we hope to make it regular.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sky is a pane of frosted glass.

Good night, Cubao!

The sentinels always keep vigil through sunrise.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with four syllables in your name: Reinvent yourself after a great loss. Rise like the phoenix. Do not fall back and rely on your old techniques.

Swung by the neighborhood grocery with Rayven.

Now Bertod and Jay are back home from Cavite.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes: His Last Bow, which my youngest sister Sylvia sent me from Sydney.

The Devil on Trial

Watched the USA's 2023 The Devil on Trial (1:21:31), a dramatized documentary of the case of eleven-year-old David Gatzel, who was allegedly possessed by a devil in 1980 in Brookfield, Connecticut. The story is told by David himself, now of senior age, his mother, his brothers Carl and Alan, his sister Debbie, Debbie's boyfriend Arne Cheyenne Johnson, ghost hunters Ed and Lorraine Warren (of The Amityville Horror fame), the Warrens' grandson Chris McKinnell, a Catholic priest, a Russian Orthodox priest, a Connecticut detective, an attorney for the defense, an attorney for the prosecution, and journalists.

The feature is unusual because it not only portrays possession but also diabolic transmigration, i.e. the transfer of the possessing spirit from its initial host to another person. In an effort to save David, Arne Johnson invites the devil to possess him instead--and the devil does so, resulting, five months later, in Arne's killing his boss and landlord Alan Bono.

The time span of the documentary covers August 1980 - November 1981, when the court serves its verdict on the case. The presentation is balanced, on one hand building a case in favor of possession and on the other presenting adequate skepticism on the unfolding of events--David's father and one of his brothers believe that everything was imaginary, and the fact that the Warrens made thousands off the sensational media hype seemed a dubious move.

Yet another possession story in the slew of possession stories on Netflix and off it.

Good morning, Cubao!

The day is a pitcher of fresh coconut juice.

Watched Sweden's 2023 The Conference (1:40:07). Project managers Ingela and Jonas reward their team of municipal employees for their success in obtaining land for the erection of Kolarangen Kopcentrum, a shopping mall. The land, however, was forcibly purchased from Paisson, a farmer, who committed suicide after his farm was torn down. The municipal team attend a retreat at Kolarsjon Holiday Village to participate in a series of team-building exercises. One by one, the holiday village staff members and the municipal employees are murdered by a mysterious killer.

The movie is well-made and entertaining--no stupid dialogue, no non-sequiturs--but is also derivative of earlier movies with similar situations and story lines, such as the 1974 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the 2005 The Wax Museum, and of course, the classic, Agatha Christie Ten Little Niggers a.k.a Ten Little Indians a.k.a  the 1945 And Then There Were None. Its success, though, is in the writers' and the director's creativity in portraying different kinds of deaths, and in giving the movie appropriate closure. The story line is also plausible, based on government land-grabbing, corruption, and the lust for wealth.  

Overall a good screening despite its basic unoriginality.

Good night, Cubao!

The house sentinels report for duty at their stations.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with five and you with six syllables in your names: Control your manic episodes, especially when the moon is full. Sit still. Center yourself. Relax. Take a nap if you can.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Unexpected goodies from Teow Li in Singapore. I love Bee Cheng Hiang pork jerky!

Bertod and Jay are going to Jerico's funeral wake in Cavite this evening. They are staying there overnight. Sent a bag of candy and an envelope containing money to Jerico's family.

Jerico was a former waiter at M.'s cafe. He trained under M. when he was 16, and at 18 went on to work at a bigger restaurant in Tagaytay. I cannot ever forget him, because he was the person who helped me bury phat doog Cerefina.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sun is a golden satellite dish.

The Fall of the House of Usher

Watched all eight episodes of the USA's The Fall of the House of Usher (2023), a modern deconstruction of Edgar Allan Poe's novel incorporating images and quotations from his other works. Roderick Usher and his sister Madeline head Fortunato Pharmaceuticals, a multimillion-dollar enterprise that markets a painkiller called Ligodone. Roderick has sired six children by five different women, all of the children living in extreme luxury. They mysteriously die, one by one--and the series explores the reasons why they did.

This is a well-produced, well-written, well-designed, well-directed, and well-performed movie. The story unfolds in a non-linear manner, but all of the scenes are assembled in such a way that the plot and chronology of events are clear, including the characters and their relationships to one another, in a mere eight episodes--considering that it takes Chinese wuxia 40-60 episodes to accomplish all that. Despite the ultramodern setting and production design, the unique darkness of Edgar Allan Poe comes through, and all episodes are entertaining, if not gruesome, with nary a dull moment.

On the downside, most of the dialogue is verbose, and Poe, perhaps, too frequently over-quoted, especially because Roderick Usher is presented as a Poe alter-ego  The attempt to showcase a multi-racial and multi-gender cast is also an overused remnant of the 20th century, and is, at this point in time, already quite corny. The cinematic template is that of the 1973 movie _Theater of Blood_, which starred Vincent Price, verging on camp, and the audience is compelled to simply wait for the next death to occur and how spectacular it might be. Similar deconstructions have been made before, such as that of Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House" and, of course, Walt Disney's shameless deconstruction of timeless fairy tales.

Oh, there was one continuity glitch. In the episode titled "The Pit and the Pendulum," Freddie Usher zips his fly open and pisses on the floor, then leaves his fly open; Verna even mentions it. Seconds later, though, after he falls on the floor paralyzed, we see that his fly is not open.

Good night, Cubao!

Joss sticks are lit not only for petition but also for thanksgiving.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with six syllables in your name: Moving is not a good idea if it will only separate you from your family. In the end, your will be unhappy and dissatisfied with your new situation..

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Happy Birthday to our eldest kumanthong, Mongkut (2016)!

Good morning, Cubao! 

Bright ideas come into being while one is doing day chores.

12:20 AM. Angelique, Aubrey, and Jazz arrived home safely from the airport.

Good night, Cubao!

It is when you feel you are not being blessed by your spirit guides that they are actually blessing you.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with five syllables in your name: Do not be overly concerned with others' problems. Instead, focus on your own personal difficulties.

Dinner at home with Rayven.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Now on Level 120 of Differences: Online Journey.

Again, I have been declared King of the Hill.

Good morning, Cubao!

The day is the opening scene of a full-length play.

Safe journey, Jerico!

You left too early at 20.

Good night, Cubao!

Light a bottled candle in honor of pleasant memories.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with six syllables in your name: Use your talent to the max. Never be disheartened. You have many appreciative supporters, though they are laid back and silent most of the time.

Dinner at home with Rayven.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Morbius

Watched the USA's 2022 Morbius (1:43:02), the Marvel movie about Dr. Michael Morbius, world's leading authority on blood-borne diseases, who develops artificial blood from the blood of vampire bats in a first and foremost attempt to cure himself. His final experimentation goes wrong and he morphs into a bloodsucking creature, endangering not only himself but also his best friend Milo/Lucian and his partner, Dr, Martine Bancroft. 

This movie garnered bad reviews, most of them pinpointing loopholes in the story and screenplay. I find, however, that all superhero stories do have loopholes. I attribute the panning to Morbius's being an anti-hero, treading the thin line between morality and amorality, plus the refusal of Jared Leto's fans to see him showcased in such a dark role. Indeed, despite everything, Jared Leto is the saving grace of this movie. His expressive eyes, even when they turn into a vampire bat's, dominate the screen, and you could even see him playing the role of Jesus Crist and outshining all of the other actors who played Jesus Christ.

Michael Morbius is what Batman (DC Comics) could have been but fortunately did not become.

Yukiko Taka's birthday (2020)

She didn't grow up to be a phat doog but, instead, a petite doggie.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sun is a yellow galleon traversing the sky.

The Craft: Legacy

Watched the USA's 2020 The Craft: Legacy (1:33:29), apparently a sequel to the 1996 movie The Craft. Both movies follow the same template: a coven of four high school girls experimenting with their powers and leading, perhaps to appease the religious congregation, to a not-so-happy ending. Both movies are the female counterparts of the 1971 The Brotherhood of Satan and its own sequels. 

Young Lily Schachner moves in with her mother Helen, a therapist from New Jersey, to the house of life counselor and author Adam Harrison. On her first day at school she meets three young witches--Tabby, Frankie, and Lourdes--who become interested in her because of her unusual abilities. They cast a spell on one of the school bullies, Timmy Andrews, who eventually falls in love with Lily due to an unwarranted love spell.

 

Like the original, 1996 movie, this one is a short course in Witchcraft 101. While the former was gothic and focused on female supremacy, this one is about the use of magical powers and gender sensitivity. There are interesting special effects, and the performances of Caily Spaeny, at times an Audrey Hepburn look-alike, as Lily and Nicholas Galitzine as Timmy, are truthful; both performers are ten cuts above the other members of the cast, especially those with adult roles, which are not well-handled. 

The screenplay, story, and orchestration of characters are fine through three-fourths of the movie, after which they dwindle into B-Grade--as though the writers could not decide on how to end the movie over the last 15 minutes. As such, the ending is abrupt, illogical, and contrived--and even verges on being risible.

Good night, Cubao!

Soldier gnomes live in underground chambers beneath gardens.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with three syllables in your name: Truer friends are great blessings. They know when you are in need and what makes you happy without your telling them anything.

Dinner at home with Rayven.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Now on Level 116 of Differences: Online Journey.

Kittibun's silver wolf backpack arrives.

The granddaughters have lunch with Teow Li. I asked them to try bak kut teh but for some reason that's not what they're having.

Teow Li meets up with my granddaughters in Singapore.

Home alone again! The granddaughters are spending the weekend in Singapore, and I hope that Teow Li succeeds in meeting with them.

My granddaughters are young adults--28 and 24--but I am still always a nervous wreck whenever they are on travel, including local travel.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sun is a high-powered searchlight in outer space.

Two-hour, deep tissue massage. Ended 11:40 PM.

We do not understand death because we do not understand life.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with flour syllables and you with five syllables in your names: Do not give or lend money to others, no matter how melodramatic their sob stories are. They are only out to fleece you of your money.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Now on Level 111 of Differences: Online Journey.

Won the Star Tournament after Level 110.

Live your life in a heaven of happiness rather than in a hell of hate.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sun is an hourglass with golden sand.

Good night, Cubao!

Pets always snuggle beside braziers  filled with bottled candles.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with seven syllables in your name: Do not take romantic interests in persons at your workplace. Distinguish between compassion and romantic interest. Distinguish between pity and romantic interest.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Reptile

Watched the USA's 2023 Reptile (2:15:51). Realtor Summer Elswick is murdered in a New England house she is preparing for sale. Detective Nichols take on the case. Among the initial suspects are Elswick's partner, her ex-husband, and a vengeful man who claims that Elswick swindled his family out of some property.

This is a quiet, almost Chekhovian, movie. It shows us everyday-life scenes such as dinner dates, poker games, drinking parties, birthday celebrations, and the like while the dark and gruesome events we are not shown occur before, after, and off-camera. The progress of the film is deliberately ambiguous--we in the audience are not allowed to pinpoint the murderer and instead leave ourselves to the mercy of the storyteller. This treatment, however, is the film's interesting asset. It makes everything even more suspenseful toward the end of the film. Thankfully, the ending is clear-cut, provides catharsis, and gives adequate closure to the case.

Yes, there are reptiles among us. 

A man who ages well is truly blessed.

Good morning, Cubao!

Gardens sparkle with pearlescent dew.

Watched Taiwan's 2011 Eye of the Storm (1:59:04). A SARS outbreak occurs in Taipei City Hospital, and the entire complex of buildings is locked down and placed under quarantine. Among the ensemble of characters who are trapped inside is general surgeon Dr. Xia Zheng, who is unable to go home and be with his daughter on her birthday; male nurse Ang Tai-He, who signed up for Doctors Without Borders and is scheduled to leave for Hong Kong; Tai-He's girlfriend, who is a doctor; Yu Zhong Jing, a journalist who sneaks into the hospital to document the extent of the infection; a doctor whose father is terminally ill of cancer; a taxi driver who gets caught in the lockdown; and a little girl who is searching for her mother, Wong Li-Zhen, who is a head nurse at the hospital. The protagonists are tasked to save the lives of those infected with the virus--and to trace the original carrier. 

This is a disaster movie, but, maybe because it was produced more than a decade ago, is ten notches above the slew of pandemic and zombie movies that came to being in its wake. The screenplay and direction are superb. As the film progresses, we become confident that the writers and director have a mastery of medical procedures. Like all movies produced in China and Taiwan, the production design and the editing are fabulous, the crowd scenes well-managed, and the long, trucking shots breathtaking.   

On top of everything, the casting and ensemble acting are highly commendable. There are many emotional scenes, none of them melodramatic. The pace is slow and lyrical, leading to a poignant, low-key ending. The intention is never to scare the audience; it is consistently to showcase the dangers of a virus and the sacrifices many hospital personnel make in the practice of their profession.

Kudos to Edison Wang, Tseng Ching-Hua, and Chloe Xiang for their credible performances. This is a timeless film, not only because of the recent CoVID pandemic that opened the eyes of the world, but simply because it is a real gem of a movie.   

Good night, Cubao!

They watch horror movies, then snuggle in double-deck beds for a cozy night of sleep.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with four syllables in your name: Be more discerning with people. Know their minds through what they say and what they write. Do not judge books by their covers.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Your Messenger message:

"Good morning, sir Tony!

"May I ask how to do your tower of light protection effectively? "I am not sure if I grasped the concept correctly to envision yourself surrounded by white light. "And perhaps can you extend that white light to your family members and kind of make a shield for your home? "Thank you so much for your time and generous guidance. "

My reply:

Thank you for thinking about me, but I am painting and have momentarily lost interest in teaching.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sun is a giant kleig light.

Good night, Cubao!

The breezes blow rumors of war above the rooftops.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with six syllables in your name: Value everything your father passes on to you, for you will eventually pass them on to your son.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Now on Level 110 of Differences: Online Journey.

Lit two bottled candles and red joss sticks at our family altar and columbary on my mother's birthday.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sky is a slice of crystal quartz.

Good night, Cubao!

The sky is always reddish above downtown areas.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with five syllables and you with six syllables in your names: Always drive carefully The year is not yet over, and this is still the year the god of iron feeds on road accidents.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed while continuing watching One Friday Fights 15 on One Championship Philippines.

When others distance themselves from you, it is because they really cannot stand your success.

Good morning, Cubao!

When you show your love for Nature, Nature will show her love for you.

Good night, Cubao!

Look at the trees, for their messages are written on their barks.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with six syllables in your name: Come into your own, but never compare yourself with your colleagues, for they live in different circumstances and have different destinies.

Dinner at homer with Angelique and Jazz; Aubrey asleep after her night shift. We set aside a slice of cake for Rayven, who turned 14 today.

Night chores. My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then watching One Friday Fights 15 on One Championship Philippines.

Back home with Angelique, Aubrey, and Jazz from Angelique's birthday lunch out.

Now the grandchildren are off to the center.

 Good morning, Cubao!

A day of major changes in your favor.

Good night, Cubao!

Keep in mind that all magic has a shelf life.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with five syllables in your name: Always think of ways to improve your business without having to shell out money. That way, you keep your business and you keep your profit.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night for hire.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with Sam Siciliano's Sherlock Holmes.

Now on Level 105 of Differences: Online Journey.

Construction work at home is done and I am extremely pleased, though poorer by tens of thousands.

My next project is to improve the upstairs laundry room. I want to locate a stainless steel sink and a second washing machine there, and perhaps enlarge the full-length window and place a small balcony outside it--a parapet, really. A lot of plumbing and electrical work will be involved.

"What's it all about/
When you sort it out, Alfie?/"

It behooves all students to constantly be aware that an entire world exists outside their university, and that the university is only one stepping stone to that world 

Don't be a starving artist.

Only rich artists can maintain being beautiful.

Eleventh day of construction work at home. The men are painting the upstairs hallway ceiling today.

Laundry pick-up.

Good morning, Cubao!

Never give up pursuing your dreams. Even if you do not attain them, the inspiration and fun they give your life will always be worth it.

Good night, Cubao!

Bottled candles on the floor keep your feet warm.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with six syllables in your name: So far you have been focused on one talent. What are your other talents (for everyone has at least three)? Have you been neglecting them? Shouldn't you exercise them as well and add more dimensions to your life?

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with Sam Siciliano's Sherlock Holmes.

Tenth day of construction work at home. The men are now working on the upstairs hallway ceiling.

Angelique turns 28 today. She was but a one-year-old baby when I established the Spirit Questors in 1996.

Meaning, the original Spirit Questors, then university students, are all in their 50s now. 

Happy 28th Birthday to my eldest granddaughter, Angelique!

My baby! Grandpa loves you!

Good morning, Cubao!

The sky is a pitcher of cool, alkaline water.

Good night, Cubao!

The cicadas sing dirges to the bereaved and to the lonely.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with five syllables in your name: Always be aware of the discrepancy between what you think and what is.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with Sam Siciliano's Sherlock Holmes.

Back from jalan-jalan at the center. Toto drove for me.

Withdrew money from the bank, changed dollars to pesos, paid our electric bills, and sent some money to my younger son Chito.

Retire gainfully, relax, and enjoy the rest of your life.

It is much more fun to die with your diamonds on rather than with your boots on.

October 4, 2016

Thinking then of today. I am even wearing the same shirt.

Good morning, Cubao!

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

Good night, Cubao!

An underground river flows beneath the district.

One Message for One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with six syllables in your name: Start planning your yearend holidays without going overboard. Budget your time, your energy, and your money well. 

 Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then continuing watching One Friday Fights 14 on One Championship Philippines.

The people who come to your book launches/signings and your art exhibits are the same people who will come to your funeral wake.

Your spirit will be very surprised at who will come and who will not come.

The opening notes of muay thai music sound like the opening notes of the theme from Goldfinger.

Good morning, Cubao!

The day is a delightful gift from Nature.

Two-hour, deep tissue massage. Ended 11:00 PM.

Good night, Cubao!

Gnome caregivers are always deployed in pairs.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with five syllables in your name: Google-search, from time to time, the kinds of food that you may eat and not eat.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, then continuing watching One Friday Fights 14.

The granddaughters are finally back home from their three-month stay in a rented condo unit. As I previously Posted, this was mainly an exercise in independence; I have seen, too often, young adults flounder and get lost at sea whenever their parents suddenly die.

I know that they missed their bedrooms a lot--there is nothing, after all, like one's own bedroom. I also hope that they did NOT like condo living. The best abode to me is still a real house, no matter how small, firmly planted on the ground and with well-appointed rooms. Condos, to me, are mere, high-rise columbaries. Not to mention that I always associate them with OFWs and classroom teachers whose idea of high living is living in a condo.

Ninth day of construction work The men are working on the roof deck flooring.

Good morning, Cubao!

The day is a program of significant events.

Good night, Cubao!

The fairies expose their favorite jewelry to moonlight.

One Message For One Of 3,200 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with five syllables in your name: Rest when indisposed, work when completely able. Even the body has seasons like the rains and summer.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: An evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with One Championship Philippines Fights (One Fight Night 14) in Singapore.