Caught in Twilight

Early this year, I discovered a new book series which appealed to my vampire sensibilities. Unlike the vampire mythology of the Vampire Chronicles and Dracula–this one set itself apart mainly because it erased all existing mythologies on the blood drinkers (no fangs, no shape shifting, they don’t erupt into a bal of fire when they walked into the sun, they don’t fear crosses or garlic)…the vampires were of course stunning, and some of them possess special abilities inherent only to them The most breath taking is Edward Cullen, the hero of the series. The series was called the Twilight Series (divided into four: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn). To further make it interesting Edward falls in love with a mortal, Isabella Swan, his “own brand of heroine”, with a smell that he cannot resist.

I’ll be honest–I am not exactly raving about Twilight and New Moon when I first read it. I felt that Bella is pathetic with her world existing and ceasing with Edward. I don’t understand how someone so cool (supposedly, she’s too cool for Forks, WA). Edward to me is very melodramatic, protective and tortured. Don’t get me wrong, I like Edward Cullen–he reminded me of a young, more tormented Lestat di Lioncourt but with less sexual mystery…but I simply cannot stand Bella and how her world revolves around Edward.

I finished Twilight in one sitting and planned to continue on to New Moon. Then the Twilight movie buzz hit the rest of the world, including the Philippines and everywhere you look there was Edward aka Robert Pattinson embracing Bella aka Kristen Stewart. Twilight boks which used to lay bare on the shelved of Powerbooks and Fully Booked where now selling like hotcakes and I had to scour Glorietta to get my copy of Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. Even an ice cream brand were touting their faces as if they come with the experience of eating the dairy! It was crazy. very, very crazy.

Do not get me wrong, I perfectly understand the buzz, the book is a must-read for teens, not to mention that the person playing Edward evokes “hearthrob, with a capital H”…unwashed hair, endearing accent and an attitude that is still devoid of hollywood bullshit.

So, my sister and I vowed to watch Twilight on its opening (today, 26 Wed) in the Philippines.

But, yesterday–we were lounging on our separate offices (she in Makati, me in Pasay) when we both came across the announcement of an advanced screening at 11PM. Right there and then, we decided–darn it we will watch it tonight, ahead of most people we know.

The thing is–there is already a line, and a mass of excited Twilighters when we arrived at Greenbelt. Apparently, there’s hundreds of people with the same idea as ours.

And so the movie started–my sister and I knew that the women in the audience held their breath during two scenes: when Edward Cullen first graced the screen (he of that pale face, breathtaking eyes and sinfully red lips–I sound like Bella, shit), and when Bella and Edward was at the meadow, trapped in the rocks, accepting their fates, sealed by the lines “..and so the lion fell in love with the lamb”

Oh, maybe hey also held their breath when Edward came under the sun for the first time–he was shining like a statue made of diamonds.

Obviously, I liked the movie–here’s why:

1. It stayed true to the book, there were no annoying changes for “cinema’s sake”

2. The choice of actors who played the characters. My favorites: Alice, Jasper, James, Jacob, Billy and of course, Bella and Edward.

3. The soundtrack–especially during the baseball scene.

4. My favorite scenes: baseball scene, fight scene between James and Edward, the meadow scene especially when Bella and Edward was lying in the meadow, Edward as still as a glowing statue.

5. the freaking, witty lines. Here’s a sample: “It’s adrenaline, they rise up when there’s danger, You can google it…”

I love Twilight. The book, the movie, the culture…

Looking forward to New Moon

Everything is possible

I’ve been glued to CNN for two days now, tracking from the time the US election began…up to the time when Barack Obama was declared the 44th President of the United States.

A lot has been said about this man who brought great hope and spirit to the US. You can see it on how the atmosphere is ripe with the need for change and the yearning for hope each time he appears in front of a crowd.

It was an eerie sight–something I’ve seen countless times on the TV during my two day CNN marathon–people crying, teenagers pumping their fist in the air, a woman jumping while tears of joy streamed from her face. It was all there: the sweet taste of victory, the anticipation for change, the cry and prayers of hope.

For once, I was envious of Americans–and of how they were able to come together as one nation, and collectively, set aside old politics, set aside the color of the skin (which is not the issue at all), to elect someone whom they believe will bring change to their country.

They surely broke the mold.

In doing so, they did not only elected a new leader–the first African-American resident of the White House, but they affirmed that in America, EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE. This is the country where you can dream, and when you fight for that dream, and if you believed in that dream–then it is attainable.

While watching the TV, I can’t help but wonder: can we do that? Can the Filipinos do that? Can we set aside old traditional politics and elect someone which best symbolizes what our country needs.

We need young thinkers, someone who will break the mold, will rally Filipinos into believing that they too, can do something to change the destiny of their nation.

This country also needs someone like John McCain, who was gracious in defeat and a real gentleman even in his most trying hour.

Obviously, I am an Obama fan. But more importantly, I am a believer of change.