30 October 2004

12MN NBC Tent, The Fort

4AM Capone’s DEFTAC Halloween Partee

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/11/CREAM_Halloween_Ball

First off, I want to say Congratulations to Allan Marcus Co for winning the title match against Caloy Baduria!!!! Hail, Hail!

23 October 2004- Saturday started off slow because I woke up at 12nn because of a Friday night gimmick. Marc and I met at 4 PM at Greenbelt and ate merienda at Oody’s. We ordered the usual, Plate 309 [I forget the name of the dish], Green Mango Catfish, Spring Rolls and his favorite, Pandesal with Pandan Dip. After eating, we strolled off to Timezone to play Daytona. Marc wanted to play against me so badly because he wants to redeem himself [nyah nyah] coz he’s been racing badly in the Advance’s track the last few times and in the Beginner’s track, he’s yet to beat me 3 times in 40 games. That day, he still didn’t reach his goal [Tee-hee!] It was almost 6 PM so we head off to Max Brenner to meet up with Sir Mark Nep [who gave us a ride to Casino Filipino for the URCC Event]. On the way there, we were anticipating Allan?s fight. We’ve been praying and our all out support goes to him. We arrived at the venue and fortunately, I was able to sneak in my digital cam inside though it was hard and I had to elude two security guards in the process. I have to say that URCC V was more organized than the last one because they let people in earlier this time. Last time, everything was in disarray as to where we need to go. When we got inside the amphitheater, we saw our DEFTAC Makati friends and sat in their area. Darwin, Gina, Zach, Maricor, Garrick, RJ, Mark Nep and family, Shar and friends, Marcus’ parents, Christian Wong, JM among the crowd. I thought I was sitting next to Keith Martin but it was just another Afro-Am guy that had the same built. The first three fights were SOT [strike only tournament]. We enjoyed watching the next fights although we’re pretty much agitated to see the last four match-ups. My good friend Shar, Allan’s beautiful girlfriend was apprehensive about the match and she couldn’t sit still all throughout the night.

Finally, the main event! Everyone was on their feet! Shar got up and cheered loudly for his guy, chanting his name along with Cor and Gina and just supporting his man on his mission to win. I reserved my vocal cords for this last match and mustering all the courage to shout, I cheered him on and instructed him on what to do. I yelled, “Break his arm!? like a mad man in a prison cell and “Relax, Allan” like I was within his earshot. Allan looked pretty ready for this fight transitioning from one submission move to the next. Caloy was super strong and built like a refrigerator, escaped Allan’s fancy moves. Until he got caught as he ran out of space and Allan secured the armbar. The war was over in 5 minutes. What an excellent match!

Shar and I kept shouting in victory. What a win!!! She was so happy and I was so excited for her and Allan. Shar and I hugged tight and spread the love to Gina and Cor and the rest of the DEFTAC Makati Team who gave their supreme support. I was almost in tears because my energy was so pumped up during the fight. It’s different when you’re friends with the person fighting, like in URCC IV, Darwin Buenaobra fought in a match too and I was geared in high emotions that night.

After the pandemonium died out, the fighters huddled near the ring for pictures and interviews. Marc, JM and I waited for Allan and Shar. I took some pictures and before the interview started, Alvin was motioning for Shar to come over and Allan?s face lit up as he invited his girl over to share his limelight. During the interview, Allan wrapped a familiar arm around Shar, pulled her close and said happily and with so much pride, “This is my belt right here [referring to Shar.]” AAW! Isn’t that so sweet? Cheers to Shar and Allan!!!

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/26/Makati_Gym_DEFTAC

The scuba diving boat leaves behind a couple in the middle of the ocean.  With no one in sight for miles and miles, Suzanne and Daniel turn to each other for strength.  But their strength slowly seeps out from them as sharks start to besiege them and it starts to sink in that they’re treading dangerous waters…

I would have given the movie a 4 but since it’s a bad-vibes movie, it was only a 3.  The cinematography [A general term for all the manipulations of the film strip by the camera in the shooting phase and by the laboratory in the developing phase *mcgrawhill.com] was at par with the Blair witch movie but less wobbly.  The cinematography was effective in presenting the dangers of the blue especially from the view of the castaways.  The camera was also bobbing as Daniel was checking the sharks underneath.  The movie was based on a true story, which made it a real bummer because incidents like this can happen in real life.  Incompetence is absolutely intolerable especially in cases as dire as this.  Why didn’t the crew list down the names instead of just tallying how many people are already on board?  During a tour, names are usually listed down and the tour guide gives a roll call before sightseers toddle off and as soon as they have assembled again.  It should be the case even for small expeditions like that, since scuba diving is a delicate activity.  As I sauntered toward the exit after the movie, I heard a few murmuring, “what a lousy movie.  I didn’t like it.  What was that?!”  The cinematic culture of the Filipinos is perceptible right there.  Filipinos are suckers for movies with happy endings.  Not because a movie ended with a bad note it means it has a bad taste.  I have to disagree that it was a bad film.   

The movie captured the reality that something as stupid as that can happen and it can cost lives.  Sh*t does happen.  That is why we shouldn’t take things for granted and we shouldn’t see things only as it appears on the surface.  I also liked the part where the couple were arguing who’s fault it was that they got stranded and they’ve pulled up every “what ifs” on the card.  That’s reality right there.  We like to blame.  We have 10 fingers and we like to point.  In blaming, we refuse to see our own mistakes/shortcomings.  We decide to take the easier route and pass the buck.   In their case, it was definitely NOT their fault.  Even if they came 5 minutes early [or for the girl, it was too near the due time], or take that they came back 5 minutes late or even an hour delayed, the boat MUST WAIT.  That is SOP as long as everyone isn’t on board yet.  It’s ridiculous to think that if you came back late, you’re going to be left in the middle of the ocean and be forgotten already.  The crew should have exercised utmost DILIGENCE.   In the last few minutes of the movie, somebody said that at least the girl would survive so she can recount their misfortune.  Not having any survivor made it more interesting for me because it means that the writer reconstructed the turmoil as how it could have been.  Same goes with Titanic– no survivors, except for the people who were carted to shore by the few lifeboats that the historical ship provided.  But the ones left to freeze in the night chill of the Atlantic Ocean died.  The writer for the movie had to reconstruct the terrifying experience/occurrence that could have happened.   

3 buckets [of popcorn!]