5/30/2012

Trese Komiks: Last Seen After Midgnight

Last Seen After Midnight (Trese, #4)Last Seen After Midnight by Budjette Tan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was first introduced to Alexandra Trese and her Kambal from a friend of mine who is a fan of Budjette and Kajo, the same guy who fell in love with the metaphor of The Clinic in the Underpass Comics (read his blog here)

He then forwarded me to this blog to get to know Trese better.

She is awesome.

Budjette and Kajo's black-and-white-way of retelling Philippine folklore has a different tone from CLAMP's storytelling of Japanese folklore through Yuuko and her explanations to xxxholic. While Yuuko is considered the witch of dimensions whose own time has stopped, Alexandra, better known as Trese, is considered to be a mandirigmang-babaylan - A warrior and a shaman in one.

I first read this fourth volume while waiting for a friend in Powerbooks, planning to watch Hunger Games with his treat. Last Seen After Midnight introduced me to four cases that Trese handled as the crimes and investigations turned for the weirder, bleaker and darker. And that is the first volume I've read of all her escapades.

At first glimpse of these gothic panels, everything is simply cool. The coolness made me mass-hoard Trese's comic adventure during 2012 Summer Komikon and buy the first three volumes to get to know her better.

While the first thirteen cases are not-so-different from these four cases in the fourth volume, I shall make a different review since they are of different-feel from this one.

Cadena de Amor ended with two stars rating, not because of the cliche case of kidnapping women to be prostitutes abroad, but because of abrupting its ending. The justice was not delivered effectively thus the story hinted that the underworld will seek its balance, in its wicked way. This is not good for kids especially those who are enlightened that the Police/Justice System advocates the rights of the women. For me, it would be much better if the police would shut down the ship's operations, or would arrest the captain.

A Private Collection - ended with three stars . It has a different feel of gang war between creatures of the underworld. This enlightened me that they have human emotions too. What if we encounter an aswang-manananggal-gang-war? What if they battle flesh-for-flesh? Not knowing that the main resaon is the guy who is just enjoying the game of hunting and collecting stuff. Ridiculous as it may be, it made me curious.

Goosebumps! If I was Trese I would lose my cool from seeing Kambal disappear before my very eyes.
By the way, I was introduced the first time to NUNO SA MANHOLE here. HE LOVES SWEETS just as I am. Does this mean...? AHAHAHAHAHAHAH, nevermind.

Wanted Bedspacer is the most alluring story and won me with five stars . The story is totally original. The characterization of Bangungot as a lonesome woman who holds the despair of men - man, that's unique! This gives the reader a wonder what one is feeling if he has the symptoms of suicidal tendencies. This awakens the teenage readers that breaking up is hard to do, heheheheh. And for a Matrona Reader that I am, this is my personal favorite amongs the four cases.

The Fight of the Year ended with four stars since it gives meaning to the parody of our People's Champ Manny Pacquiao. You have to read it to see what I am trying to type in this review (but I do not want to spoil you, since, I guess, this is Budjette and KaJo's treat for you). Plus, the sexy-chic-look of Trese... imagining Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow.

I shall be waiting for Trese's escapades in the next nine volumes, since the creators recently planned to release 13 Trese Komiks. Kudos to Budjette and KaJo for making storytelling of Philippine folklore appeal to the current generation. YAY! :D

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5/24/2012

Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree

The Giving TreeThe Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another short and worthwhile to read. :)
You may refer to this link for the text, but this would be much better if you read it with pictures. :)



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Trina Paulus' Hope For The Flowers

Hope for the Flowers Hope for the Flowers by Trina Paulus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This allegory is totally amazing! Good thing there's a free blog containing this short story. For those who wanted a free read, you may refer to this link.

Review and Reflections:

I was spending my idle time in my office desk. Thinking of something short yet worthwhile to read. I've read some articles about CJ on Trial Drama, Lady Gaga Concert, and Jessica Sanchez's potential to win this season's AI. When I went to this site and a friend rated this five stars, I searched for the free text of this book.

The story started with Mr. Stripe, curious about the pile of caterpillars having the desire to reach the top. During his climb, and in an unexpected moment, he met Ms. Yellow. Both having no idea what lies ahead, they decided to spend time together in the meantime, being with each other and enjoying each other's company. Until one day, boredom came. Mr. Stripe desired more. And so Ms. Yellow let go, respecting his decision - and moving on.

When circumstances led Ms. Yellow into greater heights, she searched for Mr. Stripe. She searched, found, then waited for Mr. Stripe to realize the desires of Ms. Yellow's heart. Then one day, finally, they became the hope for the flowers.

I want to feel the moment when Mr. Stripe met Ms. Yellow. Ms. Yellow was weak and fragile then, yet Mr. Stripe decided to be with her side since being together means being stronger against any challenge. But what if one day, he feels the boredom? the monotony? What if he wants more? With this fragile heart, should I be able to let go and move on without him?

And when I meet him in some distant future, broken and messed-up, will I be able to forgive and forget, and able to help him up?

I may not know these things yet, but I hope one day when I become as iridescent as a butterfly - we would see each other, would help each other, and would be the next hope for these wonderful flowers. :)

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5/22/2012

War and Peace Challenge: A Shelf Item


Okay. This was the rave of the readers from my co-members in Goodreads (The Filipino Group). A speed test on reading to assess if you're quick in catching and immersing yourself from the storyline and able to comprehend the words.

And luckily I got 391 words per minute. Not bad. Yay! :D

And then the next page says:
If you maintained this reading speed, you could read

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy in 25 hours and 2 minutes
 
So, if I can test myself to read this thick book and not sleep for a day and an hour (or two), I can go into the world of this book. I guess the challenge now will be reading this classic novel non-stop. ahahahah, I'd definitely go nuts! -___-


5/02/2012

Rango: The Novel (Screenplay by John Logan)

Rango: The NovelRango: The Novel by Justine Korman Fontes
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I was fortunate to get a hold of this and purchase it at Php10 during a sale in the Powerbooks Shang-rila Mall branch.

Rango is about a once-stranded chameleon in the Mojave Desert. He met Roadkill, who was seeking the magical Spirit of the West to find the precious supply of water in the town of Dirt. He meets Beans who became his escort to the town center.

The Old West town, headed by the Mayor (who holds the remaining water reserves), appointed him as the Sheriff after his accidental fame of beating the outlaw named Bad Bill.

Then everything else was an irony. He blew his first job by letting the thieves got a hold of the town's remaining water reserves. Did he get the chance to redeem himself? Did he become a hero after all this?

What I felt at the time reading this was inexplicably bored. The book lacks the voice of Johnny Depp and Isla Fisher and Alfred Molina as the principal characters. It lacks the comedy due to the lack of descriptive words. After all, I believe this is better seen in a flick, than read in a book.

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