In 1891, the French sculptor Auguste Rodin was commissioned by the Society of Men of Letters of France to work on a Balzac figure, in memory of the great French novelist Honoré de Balzac.

 

Rodin spent years and years researching and working in his studio to complete the Balzac monument, and when he was finally finished, unveiled his work for all the world to see:

 

The whole French nation was shocked upon seeing the figure. To them it was not only ugly. It was very ugly.

Ugh!, the French moaned in disgust.

The men who commissioned the work were livid, “B-b-but you couldn’t even recognize Monsieur Balzac’s face!”

Rodin was attacked in the newspapers for his audacity to create this “big blob of a messy shish-kebab” (uhm, the French didn’t really say shish kebab, that’s mine, it’s 3 am and I’m craving shawarma).

Rodin was even accused of subversive behavior for disrespecting the nation’s most beloved scholar.

For those who say — Balzac? DA WHO?! WHO DA HECK IZ DAT? Is he more HAPPENING than J.K. Rowling of Harry Potter classics? Or the author of Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn combined? Huh!

Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

I mean, I know Balzac  (though not personally) and  I have an extensive collection of his works — but that’s only because I have no friends…

 

For the French, Balzac was The One.

 

Victor Hugo’s eulogy for Balzac gave a glimpse of Balzac’s genius in portraying human life:

Body to body he seizes modern society. He ransacked vice, he dissected passion. He searched out and sounded man, soul, heart, entrails, brain,—the abyss that each one has within himself.

 

Our national hero, the great Filipino Jose Rizal, who lived in Europe in the late 19th century carried around Balzac’s books.

 

Rodin would later on admit to being hurt by the negative press he got after his fugly Balzac piece came out.

In defense of his work, Rodin said that he wasn’t trying to be literal with the Balzac figure, but instead made a Balzac that represented his “idea of Balzac” : reflective, spiritual, transcendent– much like a monk.

That’s why he also dressed his Balzac figure in a monk’s garb.

 

(Fun fact: Balzac was far from the ethereal monk Rodin thought he was. Balzac was prone to gluttony, gossiped a lot and was always on the run from his creditors — quite normal, really)

 

Still the men who commissioned the Balzac monument were not convinced.

Rodin was never compensated for his work.

Balzac is my favorite author but I give Rodin a pass. I love Rodin. Though I’m practically art illiterate.

For years my mother’s H.R. Ocampo sketches would hang on top of my headboard. Until one day, I’d had enough and asked her if I could donate those “pieces of scratch papers with doodles on them” to the recycling fair. She almost fell off her seat.

I appreciate people who can talk art like my mom. Because there are very few of those I can truly understand.

Rodin  didn’t deserve the bad press. After all, he was a master artist who really couldn’t be bothered with such mundane stuff as to be politically correct.

Once I was admiring every contour of this 2000 pounds of skillfully chiseled musculature,

The Thinker, Rodin’s most famous work, 

 

I instantly thought, this dude has got to have some superpowers.

Though it was just a hunch.

 

The Thinker is also a man. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

I was just amazed that when Rodin thought of sculpting a masterpiece that would represent his idea of the perfectly enlightened creature,  he thought of a sulky bodybuilder.

Rodin should have adorned The Thinker in silk sari wrap, six-inch stilettos, and a telenovela-inspired Brazilian blowout hairdo, and rename it, The Even Better Thinker.

He he he.

I know, this is the 21st century.

We should no longer be stuck with the men versus women narrative.

It’s archaic and immature!  Really. Men versus women,  it’s pointless.

Just like Batman versus Superman, pointless…

(Oh please, comic book nerds, I’ve had enough of your vile emails, I take  that back now, SRY  — A.)

 

 

 

 

International Women’s Day ♥

International Women’s Day is celebrated on the 8th of March every year. It’s a testament to women’s immense capacity for compassion and strength of purpose throughout his & her-story.

While most of us already enjoy many freedoms — to speak, love and live as we wish– countless women all over the world are still gripped with fear and uncertainty because of the ignorance and hatefulness of others.

There was outrage when environmental activist Berta Cáceres was shot dead in her home in La Esperanza, Honduras in early March. Her family believes there were people who wanted her silenced because of her tireless protests against corporate projects that harm natural resources and indigenous lands.

Much much more needs to be done.

To mark International Women’s Day, I thought I’d make my own list of women who epitomize what women should be and are capable of.

(Note: I will exclude my mama, my greatest female role model, from the list because she will probably complain if her write-up is not a 10,000-word dissertation. He he he. Mom is a patroness of indigenous art. She has been working tirelessly all her life with women in rural communities, providing them with livelihood and a brighter future for their children. She’s also a breast cancer survivor.)

 

Women Who Wow

Hillary Clinton

When Hillary Clinton participated in a youth forum while visiting Manila as the then US Secretary of State, a student leader asked her why America still didn’t have a woman president.

The Philippines  has had two.

Secretary Clinton laughed as if amused by the question but gamely replied, “God knows, I’ve tried!” to thunderous applause.

The magic word there, to me, is try. To try is to make a proactive attempt, venture out into the unknown and put oneself on the line.

Much has been said about Hillary Clinton. Truth is, I’ve read way too many books about Hillary Clinton. I think that’s because the phrase Hillary Clinton sells books. Some people say great things about her, others criticize everything about her. And to me, that’s because she’s out there trying all the time and not in some bunker in the middle of nowhere playing Sudoku (not that that’s really a bad thing once in a while).

But people, even those with the best intentions to better society, tend to end up just talking, clicking and writing blogs (oops I know someone) and not really doing. Hillary Clinton makes us realize that if we want to change something, then we have to just keep on trying.

Anchee Min

The thing with best-selling author Anchee Min is that she uses her words as a weapon. I’m thinking a really sharp kitchen knife, preferably stainless steel. The knife is so special because it is in fact the sharpest knife in the world from Japan that can debone your favorite chicken in 18 seconds! You are in awe of this knife because it allows you to perfect your Galantine dish and yet oddly enough it didn’t cost you much to purchase since it was suddenly offered at 75% off at the home TV shopping network.

But of course it is still a weapon that can slit your fingers (and elsewhere, if you’re less lucky) and you bleed real blood. But you don’t feel any pain. Might you be so numb as not to feel pain?

Maybe. Or maybe your mind is just so caught up somewhere else, somewhere far, very far.

That’s Anchee Min. She’ll wound you, forcibly open you up, raw. Yet you are already in a different state, perhaps a dream?, that you wouldn’t mind, wouldn’t mind at all.

Vandana Shiva

Once you go Vandana Shiva, you never go back. This I can promise you. Hear her speak. Go where ever she has a talk right now. Search on You Tube, Vimeo, if you must. Listen closely to her.

But I prefer watching her  speak in person, because then I could whisper to the wind, softly and with feelings, “It’s Mother Nature herself speaking to me…I want to embrace you all so much…”

And to think I’m not even that poetic. But Vandana Shiva can make anyone sit under a tree the whole day, scribbling haikus. 

Go see her in person. If for once in your life, you want to be moved. 

Gina Lopez

Gina Lopez  could really be the female Mahatma Gandhi. But while Gandhi wore Khadi, Gina Lopez is garbed in exquisite and eco-friendly Piña silk Filipiniana, a symbol of Filipino women’s elegance and strength.

Gina Lopez loves the Philippines, is proud of the Philippines and has sacrificed and is willing to sacrifice more for the Philippines.

When not busy promoting sustainable tourism and conservation of water and forest resources, she goes after culprits of the environment.

These perpetrators of biodiversity loss are involved in mining and coal.

It does get political. But Gina Lopez is unfazed, she can get political too, if she must.

Christiana Figueres

 

It’s one thing to be a diplomat. Then there’s Christiana Figueres at the helm of one of the most auspicious moments of our planet.

The success of the Paris Climate Summit was as much the doings of millions of like-minded people as that of super diplomats like Christiana Figueres whose mastery of the craft has allowed these people to have one powerful voice.

Naomi Klein

Naomi Klein’s writings are often wistful. Perhaps environmentalists are wistful in general, pining for things that could have been, had our love affair with oil, coal and gas not bloomed and lingered.

It’s a good thing that Naomi Klein also writes the truth.

Naomi Klein’s truth-writing adds an impenetrable layer to her wistfulness, and that’s why she’s so formidable.

Anna Meloto-Wilk

Human Nature is a brand I love. I love their Coral lipstick which is always out-of-stock, everyone wants it. They have shampoo that will not sting your eyes and eucalyptus balm for stressful days.

The most awesome thing about Human Nature is not that it grew from a backyard business a few years ago to the multi-million enterprise it is today, but that its business model puts the environment and people’s welfare first.

Ingredients for their personal and beauty care products are sourced locally from producers that don’t use chemicals and pesticides. They also give meaningful work to people in very poor rural areas.

Anna Meloto-Wilk’s Human Nature success is proof that being good can be profitable.

Aung San Suu Kyi

The Lady.

Even Catholics call her that, which is unthinkable since Our Lady is only one, the Virgin Mother.

But Suu Kyi, a mother herself and the matriarch of Burmese people, has also suffered because of her faith, like Mary did.

Suu Kyi was imprisoned in her own country and separated from her family, but she remained steadfast and brave.

She never doubted for once that her people will someday be free.

The whole of Southeast Asia and the rest of the world are now rooting for Suu Kyi and Myanmar to reach their full potential as a free nation.

 

 

 

Thanks to these Women Who Wow for inspiring the world!

 

“Women themselves are so happy, and so beautiful, when they’re strong, that they naturally choose powerful men, even if that power’s so enormous there’s a real risk it could shatter them.”

― Honoré de Balzac, Père Goriot

I thought it’d be great if I also give a quick rundown of Men Who Wow as a tribute to the other half of the sky…

But for now, I’ll go for something that’s close to home: our very own Pinoy men!

Filipino men are some of the most fascinating, ingenious, incredibly hardworking people out there. 

My sister Natasha even married one (Hi Toby!). I won’t.  And a collective sigh of relief just echoed throughout the 7,107 islands of the Philippines. (You’re welcome)

It’s my way of immortalizing Dad whom we lost so early.

I remember Dad used to grill  tease me endlessly about my fascination with the likes of Richard B. from Van Nuys.

Oh my God. Richard B. from Van Nuys.

 

But he would make the introductions himself!

“This is my daughter, Alessandra Marie, she’s —”   my mind would start racing — gorgeous? spirited? amazing?!!!

 

“She’s nice”,  Dad would say beaming.

 

 

I mean, have nothing against the word nice. But it sounded to me like something you would use to describe your pet. Like… Hey, this is Teacup, my hamster, she’s niiice, she won’t nibble through your cereal boxes, promise…

 

 

 

Everything about Richard B. was unforgettable, except for, apparently, his last name.

What was the B. in Richard B.? He wasn’t a rapper like Eazy E or Jay Z or Emin M so it couldn’t have been, just B. I’m thinking now maybe Biscotti, Bisquitti, Batali or something … 

Anyway, Richard B. helped me lose my baby fats during the summer of my 5th grade, by being a phenomenal player of Galaga, the family computer game everyone was raving about!

 

A study in the Journal of Pediatrics said that you actually burn 61 calories per hour by playing video games.

But I doubt that was what made me lose the weight since I wasn’t even particularly good at it.

The truth was Richard B. had crazy gaming tricks, a killer smile,

and got me super thrilled by his sex appeal —  I mean gaming skills — I forgot to eat.

So there we were, two smitten teenyboppers, bonding over Galaga — while the pizza accumulated molds, the fries untouched… Thrifty’s Rocky Road melting  — basically everyone but us thought we were yucky. 

 

When I came back home to enter 6th Grade, nobody recognized me at school, they were all shocked I lost so much weight.

Thanks to Richard B. and his phenomenal Galaga skills.

 

 

 

 

Filipino Men Who Wow

Ideal Filipino

Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle

Spotlight, this year’s Academy Award Winner for Best Picture, delves into the dark side of the clergy. A controversial issue one would expect the Catholic Church to stay silent on. But apparently not the Archbishop of Manila, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle. In fact, years ago, when he was still the Bishop of Imus, he was already discussing this to the press! One of Tagle’s trips to the Vatican was solely dedicated to a comprehensive presentation about his investigations on the matter.

Cardinal Tagle embodies the new Catholic Church that is tolerant but not indulgent, righteous yet compassionate. I think that’s why millions of people are drawn to him and his wisdom. Could Tagle be the first Asian Pope? 

Fidel V. Ramos

The former President of the Philippines just can’t seem to remember my name. Every time I’d do an ambush interview, he would give me a blank stare and call me, “ Teh “. 

I love his candor.

Ramos, like him or not, was one of our best Commanders-in-Chief. Under his leadership, the country managed to remain afloat while the global financial crisis demolished all the other economies elsewhere. He also did a stellar job representing our country to the international community.

After finishing his term, he continued finding solutions to our country’s ills.

Stars Who Rock

Dingdong Dantes

We appreciate celebrities who talk sense, make sense.

Dantes also recently took on climate change as one of his causes.

Jericho Rosales

One of the best (if not the best) actors in the country today.

Daniel Padilla

So young, so hardworking, so popular! Pretty sure he’s on his way to bigger success.

Super Journalists

Howie Severino

Arguably, the best journalist in the country today.

He’s an eco-warrior too!

Nico Baua

From ramp modeling to chasing big syndicates with the NBI as one of our top correspondents, Nico is nonchalant, like all his exclusive stories come naturally. During weekends, he’d pack his gear, head somewhere far to dive or surf. He’s done this so often he’s become a staunch advocate for our oceans!

Kabayan Noli de Castro

Former Philippine Vice President Noli de Castro reinvented broadcast journalism and made it his own. Through his TV Patrol segment KSP or Kabayan Special Patrol,  he continues his work in the field in search of stories he hasn’t yet told. Not an easy feat, given his 40 plus years as one of the country’s most celebrated storytellers. Kabayan gave new meaning to ‘perfectionism’,  and would bode well for aspiring journalists to study and absorb his manners, methods and the meticulousness of his ways.

 Dominic Almelor

Dominic Almelor has long been working hard to fight big miners and irresponsible conglomerates destroying our biodiversity. Wow!                                       

Jiggy Manicad

Check out his book  ‘On the Edge’. I know I will.

Movers and Shakers

Carlo Katigbak

The whole town is abuzz with this young, up-and-coming media stalwart at the helm of giant network ABS-CBN.

Well, Mr. Katigbak may be young but he’s no up-and-coming. He has a corporate leadership record few people can match.

Years ago, as head of Sky Cable, his team launched a metro-wide operation with law enforcement to apprehend residents who steal cable.

Do these things happen only in the Philippines? (Imagine people literally cutting off the cable wires of their neighbors –when they’re away of course–then attaching these to their own TV sets so they can watch TV with more channels for free!)

Our news team went to cover the police operation. It was a typical police operation. But what surprised me (and probably because I didn’t expect it ) was for Mr. Katigbak to actually be on the field under the heat of the sun inspecting damaged cable wires himself.

Lance Gokongwei

Cebu Pacific’s Lance Gokongwei likes to tell this joke he supposedly heard from Virgin’s Richard Branson.

If you want to be a millionaire, he said, own an airline company like me. That’s great, except that he used to be a billionaire. Ha ha ha.

Those who have heard this joke so many times still laugh. They still laugh because they respect Lance Gokongwei, his business acumen and all-around charm.

Ben Chan

I would often say that Ben Chan’s vulgar, almost heretical, marketing style is offensive. But then again, I may just be jealous I’m not “it” enough to be on one of his billboards. So okay, he’s a genius.

Lean Leviste

He’s barely out of his teens, yet he’s already lighting up city after city, province after province — literally — with his own brand of solar technology. Amazing!

Leaders We Need

Bam Aquino

In this picture (below) the internet speed of several countries is compared to animals.

While the US is a soaring eagle and China is a racehorse, the Philippines is a lizard, lagging so far behind, we’re even slower than Laos’ tardy toad.

But don’t worry, Senator Bam Aquino is on it.

Migs Dominguez

When Migs Domiguez was governor of Sarangani, a live granade — you know, the thing that explodes — missed his convoy by a couple of inches during an ambush. Instead of going into hiding, he brought his family to a nearby church and prayed with his people.

It’s heartbreaking how peace always eludes Mindanao. But leaders like Migs Dominguez give us hope.

Sonny Angara

I always say, and I’m not sure why I say it, that Sonny Angara could someday be a great President.

Adel Tamano

I can’t say this enough: Please Atty. Tamano, come back to public life!

 

 

P.S.  Making a list of my ‘likes’ also made me ponder on my ‘dislikes’.  

Ang pinaka ayaw ko pala  talaga sa lahat ay yung sobrang ASSUMING,  hindi naman kagwapuhan.  

And that includes Filipino wannabe actors who’s imagining a relationship with you that’s never going to happen. (e.g. be true to yourself, #NotAllThat but believes otherwise, you get the drift…)

Stay well, kids.

Peace.                                                                             

 

 

 

 

 P.P.S.                                                

Clean Power Revolution 

One of my great takeaways from this whole undertaking that is the Paris Climate Agreement, which by the way is still unfolding, is the realization that while we have made much progress in getting the word out,

we really need some action.

When the Paris Agreement was passed, somebody challenged me, “So what’s your direct action on climate change?”

Direct action?

What does that mean?

direct action

Since English is not my first language, I got very confused.

Does direct action mean literally getting my bare feet on the soil and holding hands with people who experience climate change firsthand?

But that’s all of us!

Or could there be a cultural nuance to the phrase ‘direct action’?

Yes, yes and yes!

Looking forward to our advocacy to finally come to life, will post updates here and elsewhere, of course.

Come join us soon ;P

Cheers!