I found myself drowned in research work this afternoon at the high school library. Out of my own will. I had hours to waste before the school shuttle came, so I decided to waste it on books. It’s amusing. I find my research very interesting. A comparative thesis on Shakespeare’s Macbeth and the late Philippine despot, President Marcos. Other than that, I’m reading up on Investigating Corruption by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.

You know what, I noted down the names of those many of Marcoses’ cronies. And then I dared myself to find the relatives of these people in my “elitist” school. I’m sure to find a handful. Or probably not.

I’ve been watching DVD’s of different movies I borrowed from my classmate. I borrowed and watched three for the past week and I just want to note them down.

Starting with the worst among the three, definitely the odd movie out, View from the Top. I watched it because I was interested at seeing Gwyneth Paltrow in a comedic role. Although she was still charming, the film disappointed me. It didn’t make me laugh at all (fine, except for that first part when Paltrow panicked on her first airplane flight). I don’t like films that don’t make me feel, think or reflect. It was blah. Bikoy’s rating: 3/10

Double Vision was lent to me because I was asking for something Asian and emotion and/or thought-provoking. The movie didn’t disappoint me. Trying to remember how the movie went right now gives me the creeps, typing up this entry alone in my dark room. It’s very intriguing. Goes beyond scientific crime investigation into mystical and fanatical beliefs in Taoism. Very gory too. It doesn’t get a perfect score for me though. Something’s missing. Bikoy’s rating: 6.5/10

Lastly, The Pianist. Winner of the highest award at Cannes, and three Oscars, I expected a lot from this film. Although in numerous parts, it dragged me to a bore, the film as a whole was fantastic! I thought I was tired of Holocaust documentaries and movies, but no. More than a documentary of the unbelievable horrors of the Holocaust is compelling and gripping true-to-life story of one man who survived one of if not the most horrific periods of human history. Bikoy’s rating: 9/10

I was disappointed at Sen. Loren Legarda after reading this column at the Philippine Daily Inquirer. How can she do this?! The more I don’t admire her anymore (as if I ever did). Am-plastik magsalita, politikong-politiko ang dating.

I fell off my chair a while ago (kidding!) when I saw that Sunday Star was featuring Ma. Imelda “Imee” Marcos. That woman is surely running for senator. Have you seen her posters all over Tandang Sora urging citizens to validate their voter’s registration. I’m fuming. I hope she doesn’t win. How quick can the Filipino forget. I wish I had lived during those times, so I could have the credibility to rant like this.

After hearing mass this morning, we went to Sta. Maria, Bulacan for the christening of the son of the son of my mom’s cousin (phew). I’m bloated. I’m supposed to watch a play at the college tonight as a favor for Kenny, but I lost my ticket and I’m a little lazy to leave the house.

The ACET was certainly more difficult than the UPCAT because of the time pressure.

Remember what I said, that I’d hate to stay in Ateneo because it’s where all (fine, most) these beautiful and wealthy socialites flock to? (Aside from other reasons). Well, on second thought, maybe that was too much of an over-generalization. Yes, I saw a lot of them beautiful people but they weren’t the only ones there. Anybody may hit me now for this unfair assumption.

I still want to go to UP though. Hehe.

After that, I had dinner with some of my gradeschool classmates tonight at some restaurant in Eastwood. I would’ve talked more if only I wasn’t the only guy who attended. Gr, I hate being out of place sometimes. But I had fun.

There were about six grade schoolers in the school shuttle home a while ago who amused me a lot. How cute. They were competing with each other by besting each other with trivia questions mostly about geography. And they weren’t the nerdy type of 4th grader geeks who wear glasses. They were cute little first graders. Haha. They make me remember myself a couple of years back. I can see them growing up just like me. Wahaha. My species are not dying! Wahaha!

I can just cringe at all these preppy people I see who hope to get into Ateneo because of all the socialite soysalan they expect to see. ACET tomorrow. Wish me luck. I hope I get into UP.

For TD Tutoring today, we didn’t lecture our kids. The hallway group of tutors (those who use the hallway of the third floor of one of the buildings in Nangka Elementary School as classrooms), which includes me, decided to conduct a fun academic obstacle course. It was fun. I was sort of like the game master. I held the last piece of the different clues all the groups had to decipher. Kids.