The Millennial Minds

Kung Hei Fat Choi! It’s high time to celebrate and welcome the “Year of the Fire Rooster”.  I suppose many of you are thinking about how we can enjoy and get the full blast of the Chinese New Year. For some, maybe a good bite of a signature dish called “tikoy” would be enough for a while. And there are those adventurous people who are far too committed to the celebration itself, that even trying the most bizarre things in order to feel the authentic spirit of Chinese New Year wouldn’t be a big of a deal for them. Well nonetheless, such few things are how we feel the essence of the prestigious and vibrant Chinese New Year. 

1.         BAD HAIR DAY

Well that’s it! Having your hair washed is considered as taboo as part of the Chinese New Year celebration. It is believed that doing such may also implies ‘washing away’ the good fortune for the whole year. This is because of the identical pronunciation of these Chinese words “发”[fa] or hair and 发财 [facai] which means to make good fortune. Needless to say that hair exacts a prosperous living for the entire year.   But don’t worry; it will only last during the first three days of the Chinese New Year Celebration.

2.         BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND FOR RENT?

Very ridiculous as it seems, right? But in China, in times of celebrating their New Year, demands for renting a boyfriend or girlfriend is also escalating. This is very common for single men and women who are being pressured by their parents to get married as much as possible. The reason behind all this stuff is because it’s barely possible for men and women ages 31 and 33 respectively to get married if they remained single on those ages. Furthermore, it’s in the Chinese culture that they consider unmarried people on those age brackets as an undesirable member of the society, thus forcing them to do so.

3.         NOODLE-LICIOUS START OF THE YEAR.

It’s pretty obvious that most of us had learned the fact that in Chinese culture, eating noodles resembles a staggering “long life”. If you want to make the most of it, cutting the noodles before having it cooked is not a good deal. In that case, you should know the implications if you did the latter.

4.         THE INFATUATION FOR THE “RED COLOR”

From a fastidious and improvised dancing dragon craft,  handy envelopes, well-embellished lanterns and so on, every single decoration that you would spot during the Chinese New Year celebration are all wearing the red color. The big question is—how did it happen? Tracing back the rich history of China, well, this is because of a very famous Chinese legend about a ferocious beast called “nian”. Each year, the latter used to devour innocent villagers and in order to hold the beast back, they revealed any object in red before its eyes. Moreover, they put on some loud noises to scare the beast off too.

The word “nian” also means “year” in Chinese and in relation to a wild beast, year is something to be feared of such as the arrival of sickness, famine, drought and other relevant catastrophes. In order to get rid of the latter, likewise for what the legend said about the beast, Chinese people usually display red decorations everywhere and making loud noises in the form of igniting fire crackers. With these, they can enjoy the entire year in an overloading abundance of good luck.

5.         #THROWBACKMOMENTS NO MORE

When we celebrate a special holiday, it’s in our blood to serve delectable and luscious meals on the table, fill our homes with well-embellished traditional decorations and watch an amusing and splendid fireworks display. But amongst those ecstatic ways of celebrating holidays, an exchange of worthwhile stories in a conversation shouldn’t be kicked out in the bucket list too. And as we’re carried away with the conversation, we tend to reminisce a variety of things that happened in the past—regardless if it’s a good or a bad one.

However, during the celebration of Chinese New Year, it’s not permissible to talk about anything that happened in the past.  People should be exchanging ideas about their future plans instead. Doing so would help them start a very refreshing year and attract positive energy for the whole. Well, if you’re totally conquered by being sentimental, you may resume after the celebration of course.

Above everything else, there are lots of things to know about the Chinese people and how rich their culture is. And these facts would surely give you the “feels” of being a Chinese even just for a day. Aside from the different superstitions and traditions associated to Chinese that we think would give us luck, our fate still depends on our own ways. Let's all look forward on having a Roos-TERRIFIC year ahead of us. Kung Hei Fat ChoI!

Plenty of years had passed since the tradition of celebrating the Chinese New Year started. And a lot of people, Chinese or not, have been captivated by this prestigious celebration of the year. In return, this joyous feeling makes most of us to immerse with the Chinese culture. Well, if you happened to be included in the list, here are the following things that I bet you haven’t learned about the Chinese New Year

By: John Renzon J. Andres

REFERENCES:

https://www.factretriever.com/chinese-new-year-facts

http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/festivals/new-year-facts.htm

http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/festivals/chinese-new-year-history.htm

http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/chinese-new-year

With Talents like Lea Salonga and Rachelle Ann Go, there is no doubt that something about Filipinos connects with the Arts. Theatre in the Philippine scene is flourishing and not a lot of people are aware of it. Being a theatre geek myself I was surprised at the talent and quality at which Filipinos produce theatre and though it isn’t for everyone, it does however provide an experience that heightens the reality we live in and at the same time helps us connect with the purest of emotions and helps us better understand our reality.  It is truly something worth our appreciation and everyone should at least try.

And with that, we I present to you the most exciting upcoming productions early 2017 has to offer.

1.       Noli Me Tangere the Opera

Promise, this year will be different: The Top 5 Most “Gasgas” New Year’s Resolutions

Whenever we welcome a new year, it is traditional for us to think up of a change that we want to happen when the incoming year presents itself. It is a form of self- change, a goal that we want to achieve for self- satisfaction. It varies, but there are commonalities between all New Year’s resolutions; it is possible for an average Juan to do, cheap and will always start on a small scale. And most of the time, these New Year’s resolutions only take effect for a few weeks at least and months at most, and it is common for people to abandon these goals.

 1. Becoming fit and losing weight

A common goal amongst our fellow Pinoy youth, it is usually the goal of single women from the ages of fifteen to thirty. The goal is simple, lose weight and become fit. This resolution comes mostly from the common perspective that being thin and fit attracts physical and sexual attention, which is one of the most sought after things by single women. Execution differs per person, but one thing is usually seen; they always give up midway and forget about the resolution and eat.

 2. Saving up money

This resolution is by far one of the easiest goals; get a bottle or a container, seal it in a way you know that you yourself won’t be able to get pass through, and start dropping coins in the container daily and open it within a pre- determined time. This resolution also has a higher rate of success than most resolutions since it is money related.

3.    I won’t curse this year

Another common favorite amongst the Filipino youth, it is a goal to avoid or reduce the use of curse words for self- gratification. It is common for a Filipino to curse in their everyday lives, be it while having difficulties pumping out fecal waste in the bathroom, after stubbing one’s toe in the corner of furniture, while laughing at a person’s joke or dumbness or even during the height of sexual pleasure. But cursing is highly frowned upon by Filipino elders, since their time practiced strict decency and modicum, and as such, the goal of this resolution is to appease the morals of a person and to look decent in society’s eyes.

 4.    This year, I will make a move on my crush

Common amongst Filipino singles, it is a goal that has three endings; it works and they get together, it fails and the person who did it will become miserable, or it will become an everlasting goal waiting to be done. Usually the goal of men, it’s simply a goal relatable to “be a man and DO IT!” and has a fifty percent chance of working, since boldness and bravery also can be seen as offensive to some women. Though, it is also common amongst women, but their moves are more subtle and is more aimed in making men know that they are interested in them and wants them to ignite the fire.

 5.    I will be good this year

Common, vague and easy, the staple resolution amongst lazy Filipinos who don’t want to aim for anything productive in their bodies or minds, and simply want a resolution that can gratify them in any time of the day. Really? If this is your resolution, come on. You can do better than that.

By: Dennis Mongoc

            

Christmas rush is in the air recently: almost everyday traffic due to Christmas sales, people lining up at department stores with their gifts, Christmas parties everywhere and  door-to-door Christmas carol by kids and kids at heart as well. All of these are just part of why we’re so ecstatic with all the Christmas preparations. Filipino millennials are still fond of completing the 9-day ‘Simbang Gabi’ or dawn Mass. Let’s take a run down of five reasons why we love to attend the Simbang Gabi.

You can always have your puto bumbong and bibingka anytime, but having it during the Christmas season makes it even more delicious and special. It’s like part of your Simbang Gabi routine, after the mass you will automatically look for your favorite puto bumbong and bibingka stall and paired it with hot chocolate or coffee.  

Completing the nine-day Simbang gabi with your ‘bes’ will surely makes it to your #friendshipgoals list. You even plan a theme or matchy-matchy outfit together that is ig-worthy.  Going to Simbang Gabi with your friends is a nice way to connect with God knowing that you can freely share your thoughts to them regarding the message and to reflect together strengthens your friendship and faith even more.

With all the busyness of today’s millennials it’s difficult to get-together with your family. Being with your family during the mass will make you realize how blessed you are at the moment - that you wake up and spend almost 3 hours with your family and God first thing in the morning before you face the challenges at school or at work.

Growing up with this tradition, you are so determined to complete the nine days of Simbang Gabi because you believe that your wish will be granted. Even if you are on your 20s I know that you somehow still take some chances on this, whisphering your wishes to God every mass.

Simbang Gabi is not just part of our tradition, but it is to welcome and celebrate the life of Jesus Christ. This season is not about us. Just like how God gave His son [Jesus Christ] for us, we are here to be reminded and to share this love to others as well. That’s how a merry Christmas should feel and look like, only then we will know the true value of Christmas.

Don’t let the Christmas rush overwhelm you. Be reminded that above all else, we are preparing for the coming of the Lord. Enjoy and have a Blessed Christmas!

By Chesca Rosal

  Change has come, even in the MMFF. This catchy passage perfectly depicts the controversy in which this year’s film fest found itself situated in after the jurors, a group of people who selects the films that will be showcased in the film fest, decided to exclude the films expected to be included in the official entries of the festival.

  Some agreed and some did not. But one thing is for sure, it is undeniable that the film festival has been a big part of our culture.

  Started in 1978, the annual film festival has been showcasing Filipino films that really made the Filipino Christmas much brighter.

  And running from the Christmas Day up until the first week of January of the following year, seeing an MMFF entry has been one of the items in the to-do-list this Christmas of many Filipino families, squads and couples.

  In the past years, MMFF has not just had the hearts of Pinoy audience captured through its films that embody our culture and reflect the Filipino values. The film festival has also been recognizing the artistry of the filmmakers present in each of the film entries.

And in its sixteen years, MMFF has given high recognition to deserving films.

MMFF’s Upshot on Filipino Culture

  MMFF is considered as the classics of Philippine cinema. It has been a part of the Filipino tradition every year. Families go out on a movie date to spend quality time and preserve the bond between the family members; couples enjoy watching and even had some sweet moments while inside the cinema.

  And, the festival has also been a treat for one's self making it a chance to relax. Filipinos choose to watch movies that do not just make them cry, but also make them laugh, dance, scream and sing.

  On the other hand, there are negative comments on the mainstream movies of MMFF. Some say that it does not make people think. They say that the movies do not have substance and deep values. Some would say that it makes people happy but at the end of the movie, there is no deep learning and lesson.

A Big Change

  Now, in the MMFF 2016, it was said that change has come. Mainstream movies are excluded and the spotlight was given to indie movies. Some reacted negatively and some were glad. Vic Sotto, the main character Enteng Kabisote that was a part of MMFF for a decade, said that "nirerespeto ko ang desisyon nila pero hindi nila nirespeto ang panlasa ng mga Pilipino".

  In the upcoming film festival, we're going to witness a new line up of movies with new nature. This includes Vince & Kath & James, Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2, Kabisera, Die Beautiful, Seklusyon, Saving Sally, Sunday Beauty Queen, and Oro.

  Now, let's wait and see, will the new wave of MMFF movies pass the Filipinos' taste? You and I will know.