Rise up, dear Survivor

Dear Survivor,

You've gone through a lot and it's been harder this year.

I know you have struggles, and you almost lost yourself.

You're hurt, you cried, you're wounded, and you fall.

It's all right, you can cry, it's okay to be hurt.

But then, you hunger for more.

Making mistakes enables you to learn.

If you fell down, learn to rise up.

If you cried, learn to wipe them off.

If you're hurt, learn to be stronger.

You always have an option.

You can always choose to be wise, and brave.

Face it, don't be afraid.

Stand up with your limbs, your heart, and your mind.

Pray, it works. Talk to the people who care for you.

Shout it out with all your might.

Release your inner power. Be what you want to be.

Work on it. Be patient.

Be kind to everyone around you, don't be afraid to ask for help.

Comfort them if they need you.

And it will all fall into place, in the perfect time.

I was contemplating myself while I write this poem. 2020 until now has been very hard for many of us. While I think I was privileged compared to many, there are still ups and downs while I look back. There have been the lowest of lows when I whine alone but then I clear my mind. They say that you can see more when your mind is clear, which may be true. So I think that is a great opportunity to fill the clear spaces in my mind -- read more, watch more, eat more. My body's hunger is not just physical, but also for my spirit. Food, entertainment, experience, and prayer enable me to grow.

I wish that I can impart something. I want to take part. I'd like to give my best potential and I want to inspire. I am very thankful for the people who've been there for me. They inspire me to become happy, to do what I am capable of doing.

This post hopes that I can inspire you, dear reader, to reach your potential. I also hope we can help each other to move forward and go up.

This story is an entry to ComCo Southeast Asia’s “Write to Ignite Blogging Project Season 2: Dear Survivor”. The initiative continues to respond to the need of our times, as every story comes a long way during this period of crisis. The initiative aims to pull and collate powerful stories from the Philippine blogging communities to inspire the nation to rise and move forward amidst the difficult situation. The “Write to Ignite Blogging Project” Season 2 is made possible by ComCo Southeast Asia, with Eastern Communications and Jobstreet as co-presenters, with AirAsia and Xiaomi as major sponsors, and with Teleperformance as sponsor.

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The modernized Filipiniana at Kultura Filipino

In this time when more intimate gatherings following strict health protocols have become a trend, it is quite right to dress up and stand up for any occasion. We could still look fun and exciting and appropriate while tracing back to our roots in the modernized look of the Filipiniana that is offered in Kultura Filipino.

 

A cropped terno top worn with slim silk pants . . . Art Deco-inspired black embroidery on a white silk terno top and ruffled skirt . . . an exquisitely embroidered capelet over a red shantung silk gown . . . a playful inabel terno top with pineapple designs. 

The iconic butterfly-sleeved terno gets a fresh new look worn with pants and other modern pieces. Natural materials like pinasilk and jusi are woven by local artisans into stylish pieces with exquisite hand painting and embroidery. Inabel fabric from the Ilocos region is updated with innovative designs.

The collection consists of both classic and modern silhouettes - tops, skirts and dresses that can be worn together or mix and match. Many of the pieces are embroidered or hand-painted by artisans in our partner communities of weavers, embroiderers, farmers and workers, making each unique and a true labor of love. They could have been your Independence Day look, too, this year. Find the whole collection here.

 

Perfect for small intimate events and special occasions, the Modern Filipiniana and Barong Tagalog collection is available at Kultura stores. You can also shop thru our website: www.kulturafilipino.com or thru Call to Deliver 09175174096. Kultura ships here and abroad.

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New seasons and shows at Netflix this July

Watch out for these great titles that have been trending on the digital screen on Netflix this July. Including Alessandra de Rossi's directorial debut, My Amanda, with Piolo Pascual; the beginning of the Joseon zombie apocalypse in Kingdom: Ashin of the North; and the coming of age story in season 2 of Never Have I Ever, produced by Mindy Kaling. Below are the streaming dates on Netflix. 

My Amanda - July 15

Never Have I Ever - July 15

Kingdom: Ashin of the North - July 23

Click on this album or watch the video below for the list of shows and release dates.

 

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Community PAWntries continue to impact in SM Malls

The following SM malls have set up Community PAWntries in the east to help furbabies and parents in continuing the Bayanihan activities in the country. SM City Masinag, SM City San Mateo and SM Center Angono's community pawntries to show everyone that nobody is left behind during the pandemic.

Together with Nutrichunks, hundreds of furbabies were treated and provided with food to retain their health. Pet parents also had an opportunity to have their fur babies checked by veterinarians for their pet’s medical concerns. In SM City Masinag, fur babies also receive their anti-rabies vaccines from the Antipolo City Veterinary Office.

“We are thankful for the turnout of the Community PAWntries in SM. We look forward to continue this activity in the coming months to further inform the communities that SM Malls are pet-friendly and we think of the welfare of their pets because they are part of their families, too,” said Ma-ann Hipol, Group Marketing Manager for SM Supermalls.

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MOVIE REVIEW - Those Who Wish Me Dead

Warner Bros. Pictures' latest suspense action movie, Those Who Wish Me Dead, sets out Angelina Jolie's motherly character and also teaches us some ways of survival in dangers caused by mankind.

Connor (Finn Little) and Hannah (Angelina Jolie) 

As a forest survival expert, Hannah (Jolie) still copes up from the loss of friends from a forest fire tragedy happened a year ago, then a teenage boy Connor (Finn Little) gets himself lost in the woods to find a person who can trust to solve the murder of his father by assassins Jack (Aidan Gillen) and Patrick (Nicholas Hoult). Hannah and Connor needs to deliver a message to expose a big time syndicate which the latter's father has discovered. Protecting Connor became Hannah's primary mission along with escaping from the murderers themselves, but also from a Montana forest fire threatening to consume them all.

Jack (Aiden Gillen) and Patrick (Nicholas Hoult)

Those Who Wish Me Dead did not subtly laid out lots of tricks on how to survive. It really thought us how to escape death - from the air, on land or even underwater. Angelina's character Hannah is tough and affectionate on her connection with Connor and it somewhat released her from desperation from the past tragic incident. You'll really hate Jack and Patrick but I think they're being too exposed to be the assassin.

It is now streaming on HBO Max.

*Images: Warner Bros. Pictures

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BUM names LUNARLIGHTS as newest ambassador

Alternative and pop-rock band LUNARLIGHTS become BUM's newest ambassador. Their music captures the color and adventure of the youth with their relatable songs of purpose and bitter-sweet aspects of love.

LUNARLIGHTS

With BUM's continuing message of channeling the youth's life and dreams with their street apparel for girls and boys, offering a wide array of clothing from tops, bottoms, bags, and now, even facemasks. Their clothes imbibe the fun and playful spirit of youth, while still incorporating a sophisticated flare into the pieces.

Made up of Jose Gasparon (vocals and guitars), Eron Dela Cruz (bassist), Maverick Meneseson (drums), Kit De Galaand (lead guitarist), and Miguel Panganiban (keyboardist), Lunar Lights continues to pursue the dream of sharing their music to the world.

With a growing following to boot, the band has garnered some notable achievements including becoming one of Spotify's Spotlight Artists for 2016, as well as having the Music Videos for their singles "If I'm Wrong" and "T.Y.T." peak at no. 14 on the MYX Pinoy Countdown. They have also been featured several times on major radio stations, including Wish 107.5, GMA 7 Playlist, Magic 89.9, Play FM 95.5and various online platforms.

Lunar Lights is currently signed under Tower of Doom Music. Stream their latest singles "RESTART" and "Kay Dalas" on all digital streaming platforms. You may also follow them on all social media platforms to get the latest updates.

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MOVIE REVIEW - A Quiet Place Part II

In A Quiet Place Part 2, we are following the story of the surviving Abbott family (Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe) from the creatures that threaten the human race with just a pitch of a sound. We are given a backstory of how the alien creatures arrive on earth through a asteroid that hit the planet.

Aside from these creatures, the Abbott family not only fights for survival against the creatures but other unknown elements on their path - and that includes humans. Meeting Emmett (Cillian Murphy) who hides in a bodega has been their refuge as they fight for bigger battles ahead.

Weaving it perfectly with the first movie, we will also get to see Lee (John Krasinski) at the beginning of the movie, the only time when it was still happy before the creatures arrived. We also get to see a closer anatomy of the aliens but what got me thinking was why don't they eat humans but they pierce them with their sharp pointy limbs.

It also great to see that the children grew braver and stronger with what they have to endure as they struggle to survive. References from the old movie like the sound of water was a good escape from the creatures and especially the high pitch vibration which was utilized well to fight them. I still had the surprised look and kept quiet but the jump scares and suspense breaks the silence with A Quiet Place Part 2. There's also an important element that the producers made in a very sensible way -- since the movie involves children, they were not seen firing them for the benefit of the audience.

Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe and Emily Blunt in A Quiet Place Part 2

A Quiet Place Part 2 is now playing in theaters, directed by John Krasinski under Paramount Pictures.

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