"Who MoVed My Cheese?": A Cheesy Review

www.amazon.co.uk

“No cheese? No cheese? Who moved my cheese? It’s not fair!”

When I saw the title, the first impression that came into my mind is that the story is cheesy, talking about a personal property, a cheese rather, being misplaced/displaced. Now the characters, which are rats or mice, are complaining who probably have moved their cheese? And I was partially right, the story is about a thing that you claim, and experienced moving that “cheese” and four characters showing us what to do with that change. Though they are not all mice, and what is surprising is that the one complaining about their cheese is not a mouse, but a man. Enough of the story, I thought the title is attention-catching and capturing, it is really interesting to read.

“It’s … Maze … time!”

And I wasn’t let down, the story is mind-changing and like the Secret Documentary (which I'll be posting too), my perspectives changed because of the book. There are four characters in the story namely Sniff, Scurry, Hem and Haw. Each one of them portrays the “simple and the complex parts of ourselves, regardless of our age, gender, race or nationality.” The two mice, one of them is Sniff, who sniffs out the cheese, or sniffs out the change that easy, and there’s Scurry who takes into action hurriedly, easily adjusted to the “movement of the cheese” and they are our simple versions. The two others, Hem, who is afraid to change because of its pessimistic behavior, and Haw, who later on realized that change might lead to something better therefore adapting into it, are two little persons in the size of a mouse who represent the complex side of humans for they use their brains and humanistic behaviors. I saw myself in all of them, sometimes I am Sniff, sometimes I am Scurry, then became Hem, and then remembered that sometimes I am Haw.

https://erinpetley.com/

My favorite part is when Haw laughed and realized that they are doing it over and over again but nothing better is happening, and then he realized that if he will go out the station he might find his new “Cheese”. I must say that that is the turning point of the story, where Haw realized, “What would you when you weren’t afraid?” which is also my favorite quote in the whole book. For a guy who’s always scared to run things and isn’t confident on everything, this is my quote to ponder. I like also the introductory part where the Maze story was introduced to a certain group of colleagues by a businessman and the near end where the story was deliberated.

http://cronkitehhh.jmc.asu.edu

Dr. Spencer Johnson aesthetically mixed the life lessons and the plot in one good book. He also displayed the emotions and the fear in the story, and I was submerged into that feeling because I was easily attached to the situation of Haw, because I can relate to Haw! So I followed him and accompanied him throughout the maze to see what will happen to him. Will he find his new Cheese? Will he go back to the fearful Haw? What might go in his way? These questions boggling my mind as I read the story seemed to be the questions I am questioning myself. Will I find my type of Cheese? Can I become brave? What might go my way if I will continue to be brave? I salute Dr. Johnson for successfully connecting the story to his audience.

giphy.com

Though the book was more focused on the principles of business, I suggest that it should still be read by all walks of life and all generations, the moral lesson will still be there and would be the same for all who have heard and listened to it (and might as well use ‘watched’ because the story has a YouTube video), that change doesn’t revolve on us, we revolve on change. But, even though it should be read by everyone, the practicality and the applicability of the story is questionable. Yes the story is extracted, and now we enjoy its juice, but the vitamins it has might be more effective to those who need it, get my point?

If I were to give a mark or a score for the book out of five, I think I will give it 4.5 out of five. The lacking 0.5 points may have been there if I was not bored on the near end, when the group of friends are discussing about their lives before, during and after they heard the story. Maybe it was the point that my interest and attention is turning down from the hype of the a-Mazing story. But I highly recommend the story, it was beautifully made to inspire everyone not to be afraid of changes, we could become Sniff, Scurry, and Haw but not Hem all the times.

Let us remember the last reminder of Haw for all of us, that we have to, 

“Move with the Cheese and enjoy it!”

giphy.com

Mo-View (Movie Review) Presents: "Girl, Interrupted"

“How can I even recover when I do not know my disease?” - Susanna

Pretty disturbing, unique, and realistic, that is how I will describe the movie. First, I am so amazed on how the story and the movie was conceptualized and done. I like the “interruptions” happening on the story and on the character. Susanna, the main character, is always distracted on the first part, and if you are not that attentive to the movie you will be lost to the flow of the story. The actress is fitted well on the character – a girl who is not crazy but tries to be one.

http://gifimage.net/

I have loved the story even more when I saw the mental institution, and I said to myself that this will be one unique movie. It will tackle a serious issue about mental illnesses, and I said it will be a unique story because this will not have that typical love story or any gruesome horror. The story is serious and the setting and maybe some of the cast were real as well.  Here, I was exposed to the world of psychiatry, from the patients’ struggles, the workers patience and care, and the experts’ side and opinions. In this movie, I was taught to appreciate those who suffer from such an abnormality, and those who suffer because of them. While watching the therapy sessions, the scene where the patients talk to a psychiatrist, I also wished that I will undergo such. I mean it is a good feeling to talk about anything about you or anything under the sun and knowing someone is listening. Also, I am having doubts on my psychological state as well.

https://gfycat.com/

If you’re a normal person not having such mental illness, it is really hard to understand them. They are complex, unpredictable, and sometimes cranky. You will know the different situations of the characters because Susanna asks them on Georgina, which I knew is a pathological liar. I loved the character of Angelina Jolie, or Lisa, she has the most complex personality amongst other girls. Her entrance in the film is strong and intimidating, and I felt the emotions of Georgina and Susanna when Lisa entered their room, they were both horrified. I also like the part when they sneaked in the office of the psychiatrist to see their personal records. There I was exposed to the possibility that Dr. Potts might be playing their serious situations for them to stay longer in the institution. As he said, economics and psychiatry are two different things. By the way, Susanna was diagnosed for having borderline personality disorder.

https://theblahpolar.wordpress.com/

Like I said, they are complex, you will never know what are they thinking and you can’t read their minds easily. Sometimes they will not drink their “meds”. I am just saddened when Daisy committed suicide. I also like the confrontation part of Lisa and Susanna in their hideout. It has full of emotions and full of hysteria. Lisa’s tears meant something, and I think it is a realization of what really is happening to her.

But even though we have some good reactions regarding the movie, I also observed some negative responses. First things first is the lighting of soooo many cigarettes in the movie. I don’t know, but I think I trained myself to repel to cigarettes, and this movie has them lit from time to time. Is this title “Girl, Inrerrupted” or “Girl, Lighted”, but not that they are burning but because of their cigars. Next is the showering of the winning word “fuck” in the entire film. Wait, am I being wholesome here? These are small, small negative reactions, but the message of the film is more important, I guess.

Again, this movie taught me to accept and love every sort of people because we do not know their back story on why do they do this/that and why are they like that. For these types of “special” people they need consideration and most especially, love. They should feel they were loved and they were heard by someone and they were accepted because that’s their way of coping up or recovering. It could be sneaking around somewhere, or playing the instruments for them because they “feel musical” today, or by speaking to them nicely. Small things can be appreciated by such people.

Favim.com

P.S. I noticed that the names of the characters are similar to those in charge of the production of the movie.

“Obra Maria”: A Medium of our Mother's Undying Love

Before the concept of the “Obra Maria” Art Contest and Exhibit was thought of, it was planned as a Belen-making contest displayed concurrent with the Novena masses for the feast of Immaculate Conception. Issues were raised, including the fact that it’s not yet Christmas season liturgically, and so the 2018 Fiesta Programs Committee, headed by Thoto and Lucy League, agreed to conduct an assemblage art contest and exhibit that, as originally planned, is displayed for nine nights for the parishioners and mass-goers to witness after the masses.

An assemblage art is a form of three-dimensional visual art whose compositions are formed from everyday items, usually called "found objects", either recyclable materials like bottle caps, cardboard box, dried leaves and stems, indigenous materials like tissue papers and spoons, or anything creative enough to be part of a masterpiece like egg shells and used stockings. Many parishioners have appreciated the contest, and now Obra Maria is one of the most anticipated activities for the next Fiesta celebrations.

Obra Maria Youth Ushers

 The contest became open for all BECs within the pastoral care of the parish, and four of the eight BECs joined namely BEC Immaculate Conception, BEC San Martin De Porres, BEC Kaunlaran and BEC Bagong Lipunan ng Crame. It is 50% Judges score, 50% audience votes, and that is why these Obra Marias were displayed during the novena masses, for mass-goers to cast their donations as the audience votes. The higher the audience votes are, the bigger the percentage added to their total scores. There is also the “Online Parishioners Choice Awards” online voting, wherein the photographs of the Obras were posted and the one who gets the most likes, heart reactions and shares win.

BEC Bagong Lipunan ng Crame's "A Mother's Undying Love"

BEC Immaculate Conception's "De Regina's Garden"

BEC San Martin De Porres's "Ina ng Pananampalataya"

BEC Kaunlaran's "Ina"

The unveiling night for the exhibit happened after the first novena mass, November 29, 2017, and our rector, Fr. Aris, led the ceremony by blessing the Obras.

Many people have supported during the exhibit, and a lot were touched by the art works, some were brought to tears by its messages, others praised the idea of a Marian exhibit for it has promoted the devotion to our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. For nine nights, our BECs have faced many challenges and struggles but everything were overcame by the love and devotion to our dearest mother.

The Finals nights came, the judging and the canvassing happened. “I was really touched by the explanations of the artists to their Obra, it was so deep. It made me question my spirituality (laughs). Sana next year maulit ito [exhibit]. This is their way of showing their love for Mama Mary”, said Sr. Icah, one of the judges. The online votes were casted and tallied hours before the contest’s awarding night, during the Parish Fiesta night as well.

Board of judges: Mr Andy Estella, manager of The Boston Gallery

Sr. Jessica Zamudio, PYM Spiritual Director

and Rev Fr Ariston Sison, Cubao Cathedral rector

Canvassing of Audience Votes

Online Parishioners Choice Award

Very first Obra Maria 2017 winner

Unreciprocated Love

(This was written almost two years ago and was featured in shaunalacson.blogspot.com, but now it will be posted here in my own blog)

"Aren’t you tired of experiencing unreciprocated love? You are living for how many years already but you are dying inside for how many times too."

 Three days had past when I posted a status about unreciprocated love. On that day I felt betrayed, well, almost every day I feel that way, that is why I continued the post from the unreciprocated love statement to this: "You are living for how many years already but you are dying inside for how many times too". I am feeling bad whenever someone shows a cold approach on me. I am having self-pity and I tell myself, "I even showed a lot of concern for you! What have I done for you to treat me like that? I was never rude to you and I never treated you like you're worthless but why I am feeling like that to you? I DID EVERTHING JUST TO PLEASE YOU, can't you just return the favor?" You know what, I envied many people who have that person called as a friend whom they can talk to unhesitantly if they have problems or whom they can show their true colors, their trips, weird alter egos and their common interests. I hate to be alone, I hate the feeling of loneliness because I feel like I was swallowed wholly by a dark vortex or time vacuum and I can't free myself by being sucked. That's why I fit in into circles of friends just to fight my fear of being alone. Not just battling against loneliness, I also wanted people to be affectionate and show love towards me, but I am having a hard time getting what I want.

Even the world was colorless, it is joyful.
But me, my world is colorful, yet I just look happy.

But if you'll ask me, am I happy? The answer's NO! I am not alone, granted, but everyday I getting myself numb to the rejection. You can even hear these harsh but true words from them, "Why is he still in our group?", or when they need to eliminate one from the group, someone will say, How about him? Just joking! (But you know he/she really meant it, maybe he/she wanted not to hurt my feelings). As I became emotional questions popped out: Am I really that dumb and numb to still stay even though I don't have such to receive from them? Should I become rude and cold to them too? But that's not what God wanted! Should I go by myself and exit from the group? CAN I DO IT? 

via Giphy

Maybe I was just overthinking? Maybe I am assuming? I hope so (am I that paranoid?), because I thought it's normal for a group to encounter hardships among members, but I can't help it! Because you can notice it if that "friend" is cold only towards me. Is there something wrong in me? To reduce the tensions in my head I asked one of my dear friends (you read it right! Somehow I managed to find people I am comfortable talking with, they're several of them by the way, but I still a bestfriend material) and she enlightened my mind. She shared that in the real world nobody will care for you, it's only you who will be left out in the reality and it's up to you if you will stand up and be courageous to be on your own feet or to drown with your fears pushing you down some more. Nobody will love you more than the love you'll consume for yourself. It's a matter of self-acceptance, self-confidence and self-esteem, and all the compounded words with self- affix in it haha! 

That became my wake up call. For how many times I sought advices and empathy to other people but I don't/can't apply them, and for how many times I also got tired of smiling and concealing my tears and heartbreaks with laughters and joy. It's just now that I fully accepted an advice and it really moved me to change my POV.


DON'T EXPECT OTHERS TO LOVE YOU IF YOU DON'T LOVE YOURSELF FIRST. How can you love others if you can't love yourself? What love are you going to give if you don't have that much amount of love in you?

via rebloggy.com

A Blessed Experience

"The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His name" - Luke 1:49

This is my battle cry during my stay in Zamboanga and also is the theme for the National Youth Day 2017 for five days, starting November 6-10, 2017. For your information, this trip had faced many obstacles for it to push through. Muntik na akong hindi matuloy dahil balak i-schedule ng thesis adviser ko ang final defense namin the same day as the NYD. What will I choose? God and academics, these two are both important, and so I really prayed hard like I've never prayed before, I had put every inch of my faith and trust to God and to Mother Mary and hoped that this NYD journey will start and end smoothly without the fears of the final thesis defense. By the grace of our Lord, my thesis adviser will not be around to conduct defenses and is busy for academic preparations, and this was a GO signal for me to fly and join the delegates of the Diocese of Cubao.

Excited for my first out of Luzon flight. Yey!

Thanks for the safe flight Cebu Pac!

Touchdown, Asia's Latin City, ZAMBOANGA!

The NYD Delegates of the Diocese of Cubao

This has been a defining moment for me, that when you put your faith first and prioritize God above all things, the devil will make a way to distract and unmotivate you, but the Lord will not fail His faithful servant, just like our dearest Mary.

Some of the local delicacies of Zamboanga

Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Archdiocese of Zamboanga

The NYD experience for me have been a faith-maturing and an opportunity for personal growth. NYD Zambo 2017 comprised of an opening mass at their cathedral on the first day, followed by a grand parade, where we get to shout the diocese's cheer "C---UB---AO!!! Cubao 3x!!!", then a cultural and a hospitable welcome during the grand opening night. After that is we get the chance to be with our foster family. Here I met the Herbano family.

Then on the second day morning prayers, animations and plenary talks titled "We Are Flawed" are conducted on the different festival sites, where the talk is about accepting who we are as a person, that we are sinful and we need God to save us, followed by the "NYD Run", their term for breakout sessions, where the jovenes peregrinos (youth pilgrims) are divided into smaller groups and go to different places in Zamboanga city to have seminars and workshops. The run that I have attended for this day is a talk about the millenials. But theres just one problem we have encountered during the run, it was lack of transportation.

With our very "special" friend from Cebu, Jenny!

Thanks to our soldiers who protected us during our stay

Our festival site, Nazareth

Meet Group #32 - (from right to left) Fr. Mandi of Daet, Jong Jong of Cotabato, Ate Mhemhe of Marbel, Jenny of Paadian, Ate Jen of Davao and Paeng of Zamboanga. Insert Dawn of Cebu.

Then after is the Grand Marian procession heading towards Fort Pilar Shrine, where the Lady of the Pillars are venerated and is seating on this semi-Islamic city, ans where we also had mass after the procession. Its a wonderful place, its near the seas, and its an open church, and did I forget that while we are having the procession, it is raining? It brought me back to that time where Pope Francis recently visited the Philippines and it rained heavily. After the mass at the shrine we had a family night where I got to know them even more.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Pillars

Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian of CBCP ECY and Diocese of Bangued

Meet mi Familia et mi Casa, Herbano Family!

Now for the third day, the program is just the same as the second day, theres the morning prayer, animations, where we could dance our favorite animation "La Copa", because it has a Latin beat with engaging steps, perfect to set the energetic mood right, then the second plenary talk titled "We are Good and Gifted" which talks about aside from accepting our flaws, let us also accept our fullness, then the run again, fhis time I attended a workshop about using games as an effective tool in teaching catechesis, then followed by the parish night, or what they call a barrio fiesta.

Our host parish, the oldest church in Mindanao, Saint Ignatius of Loyola Parish

Barrio Fiesta

On our fourth day, the same program was followed, with the third talk titled "We are called to make a difference", wherein we are told that whatever weakness or strength we have, the Lord wants us to make a difference, to become His helpers in changing the world.

The only difference is that on this day, there is no run, but it is followed by a Eucharistic celebration by the boulevard, while the sun is setting and the vintas are displayed (yey for vintas! I dream of seeing one ever since I was little). After is the grand festival night, sort of a culmination for the NYD, because here we will know the next NYD host for 2019, "Muchisimas gracias Zamboanga, bienvenidos Cebu!"

The Youth Cross

Talking about the trip, just a fast fun trivia, ever since I was still a member of the Hail Mary the Queen Children's Choir, which we all know performs and competes internationally, I've been praying to board a local flight out of Luzon, and 5 years later (I'm 20 years old now) this dream came true, also coming to reality is for me to witness the colorful Vintas (but I only saw its color patterns and a small replica vinta, because according to the locals the "real" vinta sails only come out during the Hermosa Festival). I've experienced many firsts, including the event itself and the food and places, plus the hospitable people and their Chavacano language, and so it is truly one thing I will never ever forget as a young servant of God and as a young Filipino citizen.

My last picture of mi familia. Adios and muchisimas gracias!

A selfie with the father of all the Filipino youths, Bishop Jaucian

This National Youth Day taught me many things, let me experience many firsts, and gave me the opportunity to grow more in faith and as a person. In the end, all I can say is, "Muchissimas gracias, Zamboanga!" and, "We are truly blessed, jovenes!"

We are blessed, young people!