My Scene of Christmas

Prepin' for Christmas 

 

Few months before December, my mother decorates our living room and dining area. A Christmas tree is usually installed in the corner of our sala. The center table is enhanced by an advent wreath-like décor. Windows and cabinets are ornamented with garlands and poinsettias.  These decorations mark the preparation for the Christmas season. Although, we had been very busy with our family business during this time, we still regard Christmas as our most important occasion of the year.

            During Christmas, there are significant things that bring back the memories my siblings and I had when we were still young. 

            Christmas tree. Never before has this tree been absent. We did not have extra budget for that yet so my mother used alternatives instead. I can still remember when my mother made a small one out of used newspaper and garlands. She did it alone while I was just staring at what she was doing. It was not grand. It was not the typical one. It was very simple. Nevertheless, this reminded us that every year Christmas must be celebrated even in the simplest manner. 

 

 

 

Noche Buena 2012. This group shot was taken an hour after 12.

 

Our Family Tradition

            Another thing I love about Christmas tree is that it always gives me excitement. When a Christmas tree is installed, it is a signal to everyone that we must already buy gifts and place it underneath the tree. I love buying gifts and wrapping them up. Before, the most exciting parts of the gift giving were searching for our names and finally opening presents from our parents with surprise and thrill on our faces. These years, what I felt happy for is that I was the one giving the presents and receiving less but still, I make other children happy. It is very heart-warming to see the smiles of my nieces and younger cousins when they receive their gifts. 

            Also, way back when I was a kid, it is beside the Christmas tree where I was placing my sock and had waited for Santa to put sweets and goodies inside it. Well, this has stopped when we were big enough to receive candies and when I figured out that my parents were the actual Santa Claus. This year, I had passed on the tradition. I taught the kids to put their socks on the tree and wait for 12 midnight for Santa goodies. The most difficult part of it is to sneak out and place the candies without them knowing that it was actually me. Now, I can officially say that I had become Ms.Santa.

            Noche Buena. Since I was young, my mother had trained me how to cook. She just had to give instructions and let me do the rest. This year, we were expecting our relatives coming from the province so, I was the one who cooked all the food for Noche Buena (well, as always). It has always been a tiring day for me but when the guests liked what I cooked, it was all worth it. Because of this, they give me compliments or rather half joke. My ears are actually accustomed and immune to it as they say “pwede ka na mag-asawa.”

 

            In general, these happy memories did happened where we all gather – in the living room.

(Note: This paper was created for our Landscape Architecture class.)

Detective Conan: The Lost Ship in the Sky

Due to busy schedule, I was not able to watch any of Eiga Sai in Shangrila. I just decided to choose other Japanese movie/anime instead. It was Last Sunday, 22^nd of July when my sister and I went to SM MOA, Cineplex to watch Detective Conan, also known as ‘Case Closed’ in the West. This free movie is sponsored by Japan Foundation Manila in accordance with their month-long celebration.

             

We arrived 10 minutes after one in the afternoon (gogo ichiji juuppon). When we got to the movie house, the show has already started and all seats were almost taken. Fortunately, my sister’s friend reserved seats for us.

               

photo courtesy: Embassy of Japan in the Philippines

 Among the previous Conan episodes  I watched before, I can say that the most promising, exciting, romantic, fun and enjoyable movie of my childhood crush- Shinichi Kudo. This movie is entitled ‘The lost ship in the sky.’ Ran, Sonako, Professor Agasa, Detective Kugoro, Conan and the rest of the detective kids were invited to try the first flight of a leisure Japanese airship. This aircraft is a wide-bodied plane which looks like a gigantic horizontal balloon. Inside this, there you can sleep, dine, enjoy, and stay as if you are in a five star hotel.

                 

But before they can enjoy the privilege of having a test flight, they have received rumors that Phantom thief will come to steal the precious stone of the airship - Lady Sky. Not only that. They had been warned that a deadly disease was spreading in the airship as a terrorist group named Red Siamese Cat was coming for revenge.    

               

Later then, they had found out a glass vial with a logo of Red Siamese Cat in the smoking area of the said ship. Few minutes later, several people got infected and had some red rashes on the infected area. An unknown caller phoned to threaten them. Not too long after that, a helicopter came to hijack the whole ship with the aid of inside job. Everyone was taken as hostages except for Conan and the rest of detective kids because they were somewhere exploring the prohibited areas of the ship. Amazingly, Conan was able to detonate the bombs. He was fully equipped with skills, unmatched intelligence and high-tech gadgets. His manly traits made me fall in love with him again haha. コナン君だいすきです！

                

What made the scenes more exciting is that, Phantom Thief came into the scenario. Phantom Kid was one of those people who already knew Conan’s secret. He had to help Conan and the rest of the passengers by pretending that he is the real Shinichi Kudo. Of course, Ran believed him and she was desperately eager to talk to him. On the other side, Conan (the real Shinichi who turned into a Kid) felt jealous of him. His cheeks turn to red when Ai and Phantom Thief talk about Ran. Surely, he won’t let Ran fell in love with the impostor so he reminded Phantom Thief to tell the truth. It’s just that Phantom Thief and Conan had to work hand in hand together. They are both driven by their own purposes – Conan had to save lives and Phantom Thief had to steal the Lady Sky. In the end, the ship and the passengers were saved. The terrorists were arrested. Unfortunately, the Lady Sky was stolen and Phantom Thief was able to escape.

                 

In general, I was greatly satisfied of what I have watched. Gosho Aoyama is really the best anime author for me! His work was really amazing! The sounds used filled the atmosphere with so much emotion that I can hear the reactions of spectators. I felt that I was in a large crowd, enjoying what we were watching. The action scenes were very detailed and were very exciting.  Its story has a lot of twists and is suitable for my preference – a mixture of mystery novel, action, humor, friendship, fiction and love story. I wish to watch more movies like this especially in a Filipino version.