President Manuel Roxas began the tradition of movie nights in Malacañan Palace—something that continued up to the Marcoses’ stay, although those nights were supplemented by pajama parties. Above, via LIFE, President Roxas with family, friends, and colleagues, watching a movie in the State Dining Room—a room that, oddly enough, the Marcos children have described as being haunted by President Roxas himself.
So who’s spending their Friday night at the cinema? (Elaborate chandeliers optional, of course.)
Thank you, Anthony Bourdain. Your books and television lit the fire under my ass and inspired me to travel, write, cook, eat and experience everything. We are all tragically mortal, but that doesn’t have to stop us from having a good time.
”If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. The extent to which you can walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food, it’s a plus for everybody. Open your mind, get up off the couch, move.
I’ve just watched the movie “kingdom of heaven” and in the scene where christians were exiled out of jerusalem, a muslim asked the hero; “if God does not love you then how could you have done all this ?”
Which got me reflecting on my life.. as much as it is human to doubt and question, I have come to reason this: “all our victories and defeats are all of God’s love” there is a reason, a plan, destiny for all of us. in this world where instant communication with gadgets like ipods, iphones,tablets, laptops, asks the questions are we more connected with God ?” Maybe we just need to listen more ?
When I was young maybe in my early teens I didn’t get all or actually most of all I wanted. I never had the coolest Gadgets/toys, hang out with the cool kids, Had a hot girlfriend or even had enough money to go out on a friday night. So as i grew older and got wiser i learned to talk and slide my way into getting things. I worked hard for them late night studying, spending my money on projects and on a darker note I used to sell literary homework (I was good with words) I cheated on some papers, did some projects for the rich kids. Anyways I learned to get what I want, my way. I had to be tough, break some moral or knightly code or something. A little something maybe what you can call renting my soul to the devil (not really sell ! I’m born in a catholic family for crying out loud) anyway so i got the girl, i got the toys, i got the right connections even made true friends along the way.
As the saying goes “there’s a sunshine after the rain” then you can be as sure as f*** thats there’s rain after the sunshine. When things turned south for me, I lost the girl (she broke up with me for being so distant only to find i discovered her with an affair with another douche), Broke/lost my toys and money (money got stolen, gadgets got lcd broken), college came and had a new sets of friends (its hard to fit in when people are generally a lot older than you). I suddenly became powerless. like I was a nobody again. I was angry generally at myself, my ex, people, and a while to HIM. How could He take all that I have ? All that I worked hard for ? I was an angry teen then. In economics class in High-school my teacher taught me that whenever the economy has hit rock bottom there is no-where to go but up. So against everything I still had Hope.
Now I’m 20 years old working as a chef, got a stable income, decent amount of disposable income actually for a kid my age. Have been around the world, had a lot of recognition in culinary school and more blessings my brain cells can’t handle. Though i still have lots to complain about (my staff, not much me time, no gf, not enough money) but i think the things i have to be thankful for outweighs the things i rant about.
My point and in retrospect is this a.) God gave us victories, joys and happiness and he has all the power and right to take it away. b.) NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU EARNED AND DESERVED something DOESNT MAKE IT YOURS, everything is a blessing from God. looking at the big picture where you weigh your personal sins vs all the good things you’ve done. I’m willing to bet the guy on your left ear has that smug on its face. Anyways, God so much Loves us that no how unclean and undeserving we are, He still blesses us. C.) finally what my dad has been trying to teach me all along and is probably a worldly truth it is this: THERE IS STRENGTH IN SURRENDER, often times we hold on to the things we have near and dear to us, problems and and our own crosses to bear, we think we can handle on our own. I believe that it takes more strength to surrender to Him than to Hold it out on your own. I remember a verse on the bible which was turned into a song which made me tear up whenever i hear it “cast your burdens upon me, those who are heavily laden come to me all of you who are tired of carrying heavily loads for the yoke i will give you is easy…something something…and i will give you rest”
Austin, Texas is one of those cities where any excuse to visit is a good one. Any time of year, there’s great music, an ever enlarging and ever more interesting restaurant scene. One of the best food truck environments in the country. Great bars. Nearby, there’s like lakes and nature and shit (so…
