Mga of the Week : August 10, 2010
Vocabulary :
subterfuge - something intended to misrepresent the true nature of an activity.
Quote :
Some people never grow old enough to be mature.
Since nobody made an effort to post a comment on this or maybe, nobody had come across these page, below is
1 = 2 our problem
The equation is still equal if its both sides are treated the same... In this moment, we subtract
3/2 from both sides of the equation...
1 - 3/2 = 2 - 3/2 of which the answer is
-1/2 = 1/2
Again, we will do something on both sides of the equation... This time, we square both...
(-1/2)^2 = (1/2)^2
Then, we have a really equal equation...1/4=1/4This solution, if applied to all numbers, will prove that all numbers are equal. What are being applied here are purely mathematical manipulations following simple theorems and principles.
This is like life. Life, per se, or rather, individuals, are created equal. But somehow, somewhere, a glitch happened and here we are stranded in a place called earth where all seemed to be unfair. Numbers, however, are created to have different values. But, alas, due to some circumstancial facts which a twisted man's mind had created, it has been proven, again and again (because there are so many solutions to this problem) that numbers are equal.
How can this be? Is this real? Are we really living in a real world as we see it today?
Think of the numbers, do you think they are equal? Think of the people on earth, do you think they differ from each other?
The truth is hurting. Especially to those who believe in equality. Only a handful remains of this group. I don't know who they are but they are just lurking somewhere. Kodus to these people for their courage to push for what they believe is true. But this truth is far from reality that really there is no equality in this world (or is there?)
Just like the photos above. One taken from a remote barrio and the other one from an urban center. Is there justice in this divide? I ask, you decide...
If there are any questions or comments about this solution to the problem at hand, you can post it here and maybe we can deliberate it further.
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CastpostSorry for the lighting... A new improved video on this will be uploaded soon.
Isle, Ark and cousin Mykmyk...
Si Kulot - bag-ong gupit...
Si Ark nga maldito...
I can't help but imagine what these kids would look like after twenty more years...
And how would I look like then...
Probably they'll be tall, handsome gentlemen and a pretty lady.
And I will be an old grumpy man with white hair....
These kids will probably have a good life, stable jobs and everything that a parent can wish.
And I'll be a retiree lying in the beach that a man like me can wish.
These will be our wishes and aspirations but then when reality strikes, we cannot really tell (or can we?)
Madam Auring can tell the future but she cannot be sure.
I, myself can read the future through cards and through the palm of the hand. I, once, read the lines on the palm of a lady's hand. She was shocked to find out how I knew about her life. I told her the things which may come and she felt bad. So I told her that these predictions are just guide. If you like what is written in your hand, be sure to make it real. If you don't, make an effort to revert the situation. We met again after a few years and she told me that what I said to her was wrong. But she admitted that she made my remarks then as her inspiration in getting the things that I said would not find her way.
So our life is really in our hands. It depends on the things that we go through, the experience that teach us how to be humble, the mistakes that brings us back to our senses, the successes that pushes as further to find the truth.
As my brother once said... "The thing that happens to ones life at any given time is the best thing that can happen to him.."
For an explanation, please ask him...
In the end, do you believe in the things that I'm saying? Just asking... Hehehe...
According to my instructor in college, If you can prove that one equals two, then all numbers are equal. Numerical rules and theorems may apply.
Post a comment on your way of proving that one equals two... (For those who tried to leave a comment but were unsuccessful, this is your chance... It's already open. I am sorry for the inconvenience...)
I will only be publishing this until Nov. 30, 2005.
If you can get the right solution, there will be no prize but I will always be posting your name and you can have the bragging rights until a new puzzle, test or whatever that I can think of comes off. And then we will have another name on top...
On Dec. 1, 2005, we can have a name up there^...
Good luck...
This picture is an unedited one. I took this myself. My camera may have some technical problems at only this point. All other pictures taken were normal. Somehow, nature restores the balance between reality and what it seems. The separation and concern of mother nature defies all theories of Physics (or does it?)
This is a bit of summary of the recollection at Lanipao Resort last April, 2005. This may be a little bit late but I just want to share it....
A recollection in Lanipao together with my co-employees was a very thrilling experience. It started with the assembly near Aqua Penon where four bottles of Tanduay Junior was taken by the rhum thirsty stomach of about 12 guys waiting for other companions to arrive.
The 86 kilometer journey started at about 9:00 AM traversing the Davao del Norte-Agusan National Highway travelling at about 60 kph. The ride was smooth until we reached Nabunturan where the we stopped for a while to take a good breath and released our already-bottled urine. At about 10:45 AM, we started the trek from Nabunturan to Maragusan, Compostela Valley Province. The first five kilometers was great. And then the thrill every minute bumpy and deadly road ahd just began. The ascent is not that bad but an old tire will shriek at the sight of those pointed rocks. A good two hours was spent in a very describable road network and we were in the heart of Maragusan. A 30 minute break and off we go to the final ascent through limetone and cracked rough road. At about two PM, the view of Lanipao started to relieved us from the undulating and pulsating experience. It was Saturday, the 19 of April, 2005. Lunch was ready in about five minutes and within a 10 minute silence, the table was almost wiped out (we have still other companions behind). Selecting a hut to spend the night with the family was the next number of the program.
Then came the toll of the travel, all parties involved rested in their respective huts. At five o'clock the bell rang for the start of the recollection which lasted an hour. Dinner came next and a good singing with the well-known karavision entertained the women while the men were busy discussing things and eventually settled for a magic experiments.
The next day came as we celebrated the feast of the passover. A mass was heard and breakfast was served. A small chikachika and the group went to the pool with the ever-cooled running water. Singing time was now performed by the boys and again magic was being performed to the amusement of those present. We get to have lunch and the group decided to take another route home. It was a good 68 kilometers more than the route going to Lanipao, but it was another view of breathtaking cliffs and sights, not mentioning the thrill of listening to Bombo Radyo which accounted the blow by blow fight of the Filipino boxing hero, Manny Pacquiao who eventually lost a fighting 12 round to the better Morales.
At 2:30 PM, we stopped by at a beach in San Isidro, Davao Oriental, where we were treated like tourists by thehost family of our friend and companion, Jerry Jone. A few laughs and a sumptous seafoods filled us enough not to get tired, thirsty and sleepy on the way home. The last lap of the trip was met with rain. From Mabini, Comval Province until we reached Panabo, the rain helped our tire not to get hot. It was the rain we all prayed for. The rain so elusive in the last six to seven months which greatly affected the banana production where we all worked with.
The same with dear old Silliman, Lanipao thrives for
the Way,
the Truth and
the Life...
Okay. These are my thoughts on the special of Mr. Erik "Mastermind" Mana. The whole special was supposed to air during the All Souls'/All Saints' Day Nights. But has been postponed due to some technical problems (I am not sure!). I am logging this because I'm hopeful that he will make another special. Thus, I can compare his works.
The two part special was a good leap from the previous special Erik Mana had (Stranger). The first episode focused on some street magic and parlor settings. Strikingly, the three card monte was the most visual of all. His handling of the routine and the patter that goes with it is seamless as far as the audience is considered as can be seen in their faces. Even my friends beside me thought that it was a great trick. Though some cinematic visual effects were used to augment the segments. This is most noted during the "Magic at Home" segment, wherein his hands seem to flash energy (a computer effect). After seeing that part, some of my friends started talking about camera tricks and other video manipulations. So I guess, a magic show which uses these advancement will lessen its magical impact due to some known visual effects.
The theme of the episodes, especially the second one, was ghosts. Everything in that part were about ghosts. Experiments on spirits and ghosts were vastly explored. The striking segment was that of the video tape wherein the figures and drawings created at the setting was seen to have been on the mysterious tape. And the tape goes with the audience as a souvenir. Again, myy friends who were at my house to see the episode, looked at me in awe. The could not understand what happened. The sequence was so scary, some of the ladies shriek with the audience in the boob tube. That was the most visually effective part as far as my visitors were concerned.
As a budding magician, I am quite impressed by the way Mr. Mana handles his experiments. His coolness, soft voice and occasionally speaking in Tagalog added a sense of eerieness for his audience. Even in some hilarious moments, he controlled his emotions. Maybe because he wants to portray the whole episode as a mastermind, controlling other peoples minds. His settings of the experiments were carefully selected to keep movements to a minimum with a maximum impact. A combination of simple moves coupled with a good patter and some patience make way for him.
This two-episode magic special of Erik Mana may prove to be a good start for Philippine magic. It is hoped that this profession will gain ground and some other top magicians will follow suit in creating an aura of magic, even only on TV.
To Mr. Erik Mana, congratulations Sir!!! It's a very good show...
The first episode of Erik Mana's Mastermind Special was aired last Friday, Nov. 11, 2005 at 10:30 PM in ABS-CBN.
He showed a lot of cool stuff from the beginning to the end of the show. His coolness and frigidity added integrity to his mental attitude which is the topic of the special. It was a show of mental ability and strength. His handling of the guests were superb giving full authority to the audience on how an experiment will go.
The three card monte was the most visual of the ones he performed. The other tricks are very good enough especially for the ones (my friends) who were with me. It's nice to see how magic in the Philippines has evolve (is it the word?) from the "peryahan" look into a professional and classy one. I surely would hope that after these two specials, there will be more and more magicians which will be featured during primetime TV.
For the laymen, it will be a big puzzle on how events take place. The subtleness of the moves added to the finesse of handling the audience perfected the art of magic, that is, to entertain people.
I do not personally know Erik Mana. But on the reviews and talks about him in forums and other venues, I can deduce that he is a gifted one and is surely sharing it to the community.
There will be a second part which will be shown tonight, Friday, Nov. 18, 2005, still at 10:30 in ABS-CBN. Please don't fail to watch it. It will take the viewers out of the seats. I will again be recording this second episode.
After the showing of the two episodes, I will be giving my review on the ups and downs of the special, as a layman at first and then as a budding magician.
Till then friends....
The magic bug bit me when I was about seven years old. My Uncleonce showedme a card trick that blew me. I haven't got any idea how he did it. He didn't even cared to tell me even with my constant prodding. Since then, everytime I here that there will be a carnival show in our town, I get excited, hoping to see some magic. It is only in these events that I can see tricks which even if repeated several times, I wouldn't get bored. Magicians are very scarce before, at least for me, who was living in a small town in a far-flung province of Negros Oriental.
I got a tast of how to perform one trick, when my uncle showed me how he did the trick that opened me up. I was already fourteen. Since then, I tried to hold on to that very simple secret. Everytime I can see magic shows, be it in TV or live, I make it a point to ponder and disect what had happened. At times, it all seemed so easy, but when I try doing it, it just didn't fit. In short, I can't get it running.
College days come and go but my magic seemed to be stagnant. I got a few tricks that I discovered but were very simple, a little focus on handling would reveal a method. In TV, Doug Henning filled my heart everytime his show is on air, it doesn't matter if the episodes were rerun and re-issued season after season. Then David Copperfield came. His grand illusions which include vanishing of aircrafts, the statue of Liberty, to name a few, trickled me including my sad bones.
I crave for performance. I was torn between what is real magic and what is not. In the nineties, David Blaine and his magic in your nose, hit the streets. I haven't heard of him until my brother showed me a video. It rekindled my interest in magic. I began to search for books and information which can guide me towards at least knowing the secrets behind. I was not able to find one. Then the internet wave pushed me towards the sea of information. I begin to gather some facts and theories about my faded hobby.
I somehow learned that magic is an art of entertaining wherein natural laws of nature are seemed to be violated and defied. Perception of how things are done is the essence of magic. I am now in the process of learning the theories and history of some magic acts. I am grateful for the internet. It is where I get my stuff, free at times but the best ones are acquired through some cost. I also had the oppurtunity to chat with the best in the business. I met talented Filipino magicians in the likes of Rannie Raymundo, Chubby Flores, Lou Hilario, Doc Ronnie Moraleta, Leo Domapias and Ruther Urquia. I am especially thankful for Chubby. He is guiding me in my quest for magic knowledge. He is a very good friend and a humble one. I'll be eternally thankful for him. Thanks Chub.
Today, another special featuring a Filipino magician, Erik Mana, in a two episode magic special "Mastermind", to be shown in ABS-CBN at 10:30 PM. The other episode will be on Nov. 18, 2005.
What I learned in the few months that I reassembled my long lost hobby is still far from what is to be studied. I will continue to pursue this hobby. It will be known later if I am going to perform in public or not but as of the moment I am in content of showing it to my friends. My relatives will have a good look at it when I go home this Christmas. I have shown them some before but I have since acquired other more interesting things to show them, just for entertainment.
It will be a struggle between reality and what they will see.
Now, this is real. When I came up to create this blog, I only wanted to share the realities of what seems to be but is not. It's because I'm a fan of magic and illusions.
But for this post, I want to share the events and happenings that transpired during my high school days, as rememebered by my batchmates especially Nilo. Here is the link to this wonderful
website.I hope you'll enjoy and smile as you scan through the pages. It's full of high school stuff, only our batch wickedly did. There are also native Tanjay jokes and scenarios only a handful can comprehend.
We will be having a reunion this December 29, 2005 hence the website was created...
Enjoy...
Beautiful Kids. They are.
Beautiful Lady... She is.
Beautiful Girl. Soon.
Beautiful Reality. It is.
It will be here that I would try to squeeze my mind on any subject that I may think is seen by others as hallucinations, illusions or whatever.
Everyone who has access to the technology at hand a few years back, say twenty years ago, would consider this surreal. Technology, especially the Internet, is just a dream a couple of decades ago. When the gossip of internetworking came, it was assumed to be fiction.
As I ponder on things I consider impossible before which are now turning into reality, I cannot wait for the time when we all can fly, that is, individually, like Superman (well, he's still my hero). A dream, perhaps, hallucination, maybe. But is there any limitations now that we already experience the impossible made possible (by any means).
I can only think vaguely of the things which were considered miracles as written on some books I have not read. You see, I only hear of them, from the old generations and from the conversations I overhear when people debate about religion.
The universe is governed by laws, some already discovered, but most have yet to be touched. We studied about the sun going around earth (or does it?). During that time, it was a struggle between reality (the world revolves around the sun) and what is actually seen (the sun travels from east to west hence the sun revolves around the world).
You may consider these, old stories but the thing I'm establishing here is reality. What is it? Is it what we have today? What we see today is perceived as real (or is it?). There is a saying "to see is to believe". Then it was rebuked that not all truth is seen (or was it).
What is happening to the world in terms of terrorism and poverty? Terrorism is almost always in the eye of those in power. Who is powerful is the one who determines who are the terrorists (or are they?). Poverty in Africa or anywhere else is always the cause for some organizations. Yet, it is in this reality that their group receive fundings. They shout for the elimination of poverty yet they are hoping it would continue so that funds will flow. This is reality (or is it?)
Kids nowadays, don't consider themselves lucky because of these advancement in technology. Parents are happy that their kids can read at an early age of two. But isn't this reality, that kids nowadays, no matter what education you give will still go away from the mores and moral standards that their parents proudly possess. How does these kids differ from their parents? The reality is the world is fast revolving and turning that it may come back to its original state long before mankind will realize it (or is it?)
Alchemists before are being considered as witches because of unexplained talents and intelligence. Today any unexplained phenomenon is considered a hoax, an illusion, magic. There are a few claimed miracles here and there, but these too are subjected to tests for authenticity. This is the reason why morality is also scarce nowadays, miracles are also scarce. There are no more mirrors in which the moral community can face. Religious organizations would want to keep these mores intact but its the same institution who are subjecting the population to accept the opposite. We equate population explosion to poverty yet many are still teaching "go to the world and multiply". Isn't this contradictory (or is it?)
Laws are made to be followed. Rules are supposed to serve as guide. Regulations are created for control. Ordinances are promulgated to limit abuse. But these are the ones that are used to defend a wrong motive.
An example... An anti-smoking ordinance which says that an establishment should not tolerate smoking but may have an area for smokers. They get away with it, they have a room for smokers, a whole lot bigger than that of non-smokers. It still follow the law but its purpose is the opposite. This is reality. Anywhere in the world, conflicting laws are present in any county or nation. Just for the power-hungry to have always the law on their side.
Efforts to close the gap between the rich and the poor is futile. These people are the once igniting the ever-widening space. These people are the atheists who thank God for their actions.
We are living on a real world. A world where anything you think can materialize. A planet where a sneeze is considered a blessing. I am sick (or am I?). The world is full of opposites but opposites attract each other. A war is a blow to ones economy yet it strengthens the suppliers pocket. Medicines to cure diseases are created at the expense of other millions who suffer as the guinea pigs.
This is the real world as we see it today. Can it ever change into the world the good spirits cherish? If it were to change, can technology help in the process? How can the internet be a medium for such change? Or are we hallucinating that changes can be achieved for the better? These are the questions that many are pondering, the good use of the net.
Do you dream of the net having a face, an arm, a foot. Everyone is talking about the net, but it cannot be seen, it cannot be touched, it cannot be smelled. Are we just limiting ourselves into believing that the net is just a medium?
Come on, open your mind, open your hearts, be involved, express your thoughts, be a blogger (or would you be?)
This is my first attempt at releasing anything that comes to mind...
