The Karate Kid: A Movie Review

Mr. Han instructing Dre to have shower switch in America to save planet.

Several months ago I downloaded the movie The Karate Kid and was dismayed when I was about to play and watch but there’s no audio in it. I already made several troubleshooting stuff and yet I wasn’t able to play it with the audio that’s why I downloaded it again from the original file. Now it is perfect with subtitle on it. The Karate Kid is a remake of the 1984 movie with the same title. Pat Morita playing Mr. Miyagi was nominated as Best Supporting Actor for Academy Awards during that time while Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso is opposite of Jaden Smith in the 2010 remake.

Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) and his mother move from Detroit to China when his mother was offered a job there. She has a wonderful job, but Dre is not accustomed to life in the new country. He meets a beautiful Chinese who is practicing playing violin at the park for her audition to be accepted in Beijing Academy of Music but he encounters a gang of bullies who makes his life a living hell. This further dampens Dre's spirit as he just wants to go home. He is continually bullied and is afraid to show his face around the high school. Master Li’s students, all of whom train at the local Kung Fu studio, are out to get Dre, who is eager to prove himself courageous and not be scared off by the bullies, but also isn't keen to blindly be punched up by the gang.

Mr. Han cures Dre after he receive beating from the bullies in his school.

Dre manages to talk his way out of some fights, but he is finally cornered by several who belongs to the same Kung Fu school. As Dre is passing out from the beating he sees Mr. Han (played by Jackie Chan), the elderly maintenance man of their apartment, leaps into the fray and save him by outfighting half a dozen Kung Fu teenagers. Dre soon asked Mr. Han to teach him Kung Fu in order to defend himself against the bullies in his school. But Mr. Han teach Kung Fu depends on the reason. Real Kung Fu is for knowledge and defense not to make war but to create peace. Kung Fu and life aren't all about power and strength. It's something deep within your soul that makes you what you are. He said that there are no bad students, only bad teachers.

Together they agreed to proceed to the Kung Fu studio and make peace with the Kung Fu teacher and his students. Master Li (Kung Fu teacher) told Mr. Han to leave the issue to the kids but Mr. Han answered “one is to one, no problem but six to one, that’s too many to ask”. So the two agreed to have the kids fight one to one but during the Open Kung Fu Tournament. Mr. Han asked Master Li to leave Dre alone until the tournament and so they arranged.  Mr. Han told Dre there’s good news and bad news. The good news is the gang will leave him alone while the bad news is he will fight on the Open Kung Fu Tournament. Mr. Han assures Dre to teach him real Kung Fu.

During the first day of training, as Dre gets excited to go on for the Kung Fu practice, he was dismayed since he doesn’t understand what Mr. Han is trying to teach him. Instead of teaching him Kung Fu, he trained him how to put off, put on, drop and pick his jacket. It isn't long before Mr. Han demonstrates how these simple tasks are powerful Kung Fu moves, and Dre becomes exceptionally good at learning about balance, both in life and in Kung Fu. Mr. Han and Dre then developed a father and son like relationship. Dre found out that the wife and daughter of Mr. Han were killed in a car accident.

Seeking revenge for his students' previous loss and Mr. Han’s beating the students, the coach of the opponents of Dre wants to destroy him and Mr. Han anyway he can, no matter what it takes, fighting clean or dirty. The annual Open Kung Fu Tournament, which Dre has entered, is the perfect venue for this retribution. Dre succeeds through all the levels of competition, demonstrating skill and grace, and exercising all the control that Mr. Han has taught him. He advances to the semi-final and final round. In the final round, Dre is matched up against the champions, his foes. Master Li on the other hand instructed his student to break the leg of Dre and so he does as ordered. The boy sprained the leg of Dre so badly. Dre’s opponent was about to declared winner by default but Dre wants to prove that it is possible to win fairly and fights on through the pain. Mr. Han asked Dre why he still wants to fight despite he was already a winner at heart by doing Kung Fu the real way and fighting fairly. He answered that he is still afraid and in order to keep his fear away he must win the tournament. Mr. Han performs a mystical act on Dre's sprained leg, causing the pain to disappear. Still hobbling but determined to win, Dre performs a skillful move to beat his opponent, winning both the championship and the everlasting friendship of Mr. Han. Dre’s opponent accepted the defeat and handed the trophy to Dre by himself.

Cheng breaks the leg of Dre during their final match.

The movie was one of the best I’ve watched. It teaches about life. When you have the determination to win even you gets beat up you have to stand and fight no matter what. And whenever we experience fear inside us, cure that fear by taking action and face the reality. The theme song at the end of the movie (Never Say Never by Justin Bieber) also adds to the awe-inspiring story of the movie and it even made my hair at the back of my neck stands. Indeed, great movie. Two thumbs up Dre and Mr. Han.

Never Say Never

Justin Bieber feat Jaden Smith

Never say never, yeah, yeah

Never ever ever ever oh oh


See i never thought that I could walk through fire

I never thought that I could take the burn

I never had the strength to take it higher

Until I reach the point of no return

And there's just no turnin back

When your heart's under attack

Gonna give everything I have 

It's my destiny



(Chorus)

I will never say never, no no

I will fight

I will fight till forever, to make it right

Whenever you knock me down

I will not stay on the ground

Pick it up

Pick it up

Pick it up 

Pick it up up up

Never say never

(Ne-never say never)x3

(never say it, never never say it)



I never thought that I could feel this power

I never thought that I could feel this free

I'm strong enough to climb the highest tower

And i'm fast enough to run across the sea, oh

Cause there's just no turnin back

When your heart's under attack

Gonna give everything I have 

Cause this is my destiny



(chorus) 



Here we go, guess who Jay Smith and JB, uh huh

I got you little bro, I can handle them, hold up, aight, i can handle them

now he's bigger than me

taller than me

and he's older than me

and stronger than me

and his arms a little bit longer than me

but he ain't on a JB song with me

I be tryin' to chill

maybe trying to side with the thrill

no punn intended was raised by the power of will

like luke with the force if push comes to shove

like kobe in the fourth, ice, water and blood

gotta be the best

and yes, we're the flyest

like david and goliath, i conquered the giant

so now I got the world in my hands

I was born from two stars, so the moon's where I land

I'm gone



(chorus)x2

Visita Iglesia: A Lenten Special

To some it’s abnormal to have a work during holy week but for us who works in a BPO company servicing countries with no Holy Week, there’s no such thing as Lenten Season. But reporting to work on a holiday didn’t hinder me in experiencing Visita Iglesia for the first time in my life. I overheard from the cubicle next to mine an associate asking another associate if he will be doing Visita Iglesia on Holy Thursday. “Yes, but I will do it online”, my office mate replied. It got me curious if there’s an online version of Visita Iglesia and indeed there is. It encourages physically challenged individual and those others who cannot attend Visita Iglesia personally. If a person is capable in doing the Visita Iglesia by visiting seven Catholic churches then the online Visita Iglesia should not be an option.

I texted my sister-in-law and asked what does a “Visita Iglesia” really mean and she answered “to visit seven different Catholic churches, pray and ask for forgiveness.” During that night I decided to do the Visita Iglesia the next day (Holy Friday) and listed seven different Catholic Churches.

Visita Iglesia Stop No. 1: Our Mother of Pertual Help-Baclaran

The National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help (also called the Redemptorist church; popularly known as the Baclaran church) is one of the largest churches in the Philippines. This church draws more devotees than other catholic churches in Metro Manila since it was erected. The church has a seating capacity of 2000 persons, with another 9000 standing (as many as 11,000 people can be inside during Masses). On each Wednesday, seven sessions of the Novena with benediction along with three novena Masses and two sung Masses are held. About 120,000 devotees visit Baclaran each Wednesday to pray the Novena. Far larger crowds attend on the first Wednesday of the month. Devotees arrive from 4:00 am and are still entering the church past midnight. Religious devotees flock to this sanctuary every Wednesday in what has become popularly known as "Baclaran Day", and participate in a novena offered for the Virgin's aid and intercession. An estimated 120,000 devotees are currently affiliated with the shrine.

San Agustin Church in Intramuros

Visita Iglesia Stop No. 2: San Agustin Church-Intramuros

The San Agustin Church is located within Manila's walled city Intramuros. It is the oldest existing stone church in the Philippines. Known as the first religious structure built in the northern Philippine island of Luzon during the Spanish colonization, it is the only surviving building in the country kept intact after Intramuros was burnt to the ground during the liberation of Manila in 1945.

The San Agustin Church is one of the four Philippine churches built during the Spanish colonial period to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the classification "Baroque Churches of the Philippines." Since 1976, it has also been named as a National Historical Landmark in the Philippines

Visita Iglesia Stop No. 3: Manila Cathedral

 Facade of the Manila Cathedral.

 It is located in the Intramuros district of Manila in the Philippines. The cathedral has been damaged and destroyed several times since the original cathedral was built in 1581; the sixth and current incarnation of the cathedral was completed in 1958 and was consecrated as a minor basilica in 1981. It is dedicated to the Patroness of the Philippines, Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. The current Archpriest of the Cathedral is Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales. The first cathedral, made of nipa and bamboo, was constructed in 1581. It was damaged by a typhoon in 1582 and razed by fire in 1583. The second cathedral, which was made of stone, was built in 1592. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1600. Construction of the third cathedral began in 1614. The new structure, consisting of three naves and seven chapels, was blessed in 1614. It was toppled by another earthquake which shook Manila in 1645.

Visita Iglesia Stop No. 4: Quiapo Church

Jesus on His deathbed on Holy Friday.  

Quiapo Church, officially known as Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, is a Roman catholic church located in the District of Quiapo, Manila in the Philippines. Quiapo church is one of the most popular churches in the country.  It is home to the Black Nazarene, a much venerated statue of Jesus Christ which many people believe has miraculous attributes. The Augustinian Recollect Friars brought the image of the Black Nazarene to the Church of San Juan Bautista in Bagumbayan, now part of Luneta/Rizal Park on May 31, 1606. The image was transferred to the bigger Recollect church of San Nicolas de Tolentino in 1608. In 1787, Basilio Sancho de Santas Junta y Rufina, S.P., then Archbishop of Manila, ordered the transfer of the image to the Church of Quiapo.

Visita Iglesia Stop No. 5: UST Church

It’s my first time to enter UST grounds and I found out that UST is also the alma mater of Pres. Manuel L. Quezon aside from our national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal. The catholic church inside the University is a modern one and the  first air-conditioned catholic church I ever attended. It was simple but unlike Quiapo and Manila Cathedral that was crowded with people who are doing the Visita Iglesia, there were only few people here. Maybe this is also the reason why I feel more about the passion of Christ here than that of the other churches I previously visited.

Visita Iglesia No. 6: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Shrine-Cubao

Mama Mary pray for His son when He was crucified.

The church is located at Broadway St. in Cubao. Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmelite Order. The first Carmelites were Christian hermits living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land during the late 12th and early to mid 13th centuries. They built a chapel in the midst of their hermitages which they dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, whom they conceived of in chivalric terms as the "Lady of the place." Since the 15th century, popular devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel has centered on the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel also known as the Brown Scapular, a sacramental associated with promises of Mary's special aid for the salvation of the devoted wearer. Traditionally, Mary is said to have given the Scapular to an early Carmelite named Saint Simon Stock. The liturgical feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is celebrated on 16 July. The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is known to many Catholic faithful as the "scapular feast," associated with the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a devotional sacramental signifying the wearer's consecration to Mary and affiliation with the Carmelite Order. A tradition first attested to in the late 14th century says that Saint Simon Stock, an early prior general of the Carmelite Order, had a vision of the Blesses Virgin Mary in which she gave him the brown Scapular which formed part of the Carmelite habit, promising that those who died wearing the scapular would be saved.

Visita Iglesia No. 7: San Roque Parish Church-Mandaluyong

San Roque Parish is located along Boni Avenue in Mandaluyong. This is where I hear mass every Sunday and this was my last stop. I prefer this church to be my last stop for the Visita Iglesia since it is near to my apartment and it is already a home church to me. I reached few people there praying and it is more quiet and peaceful than the other churches I previously visited. San Roque is the patron of the sick and people with different abilities.

Zealous Zambales: A Summer Youth Camp

Unknown Invitation and The Travel

One warm afternoon as I walk on the street to my way home from the office, I came to pass an ad posted in a Meralco post inviting youth and young professionals for a summer youth camp adventure in Iba, Zambales. I don’t have any idea what will happen on that summer camp but I want adventure, travelling and going to places I never visited before that’s why I am interested to join. I even don’t know who will be attending the camp and despite the fact it’s an unknown invitation, I don’t know if the people I am going to deal with are good and don’t have any personal motives against  me. I get the contact number and email ad yet didn’t contact that person for almost two months. I only did it a week before the scheduled activity and meet with Lowi. Lowi is the organizer of the summer youth camp for the young people in their church. He invited me to join the orientation and introduced me to his fellow youths that he is counselling. As a networker, I already learned to be comfortable in a group of people whether newly introduced or not. As I have said, talking to people is one of my passion, getting to know each of them and being interested in their lives. During that day even it’s my first time to meet with them I was already at ease talking to them.

We agreed to meet by 7am at their church in Arayat Street by Wednesday. Since the bus will arrive at 8am, I took a seat beside a 14yrs old boy and started a conversation while waiting for the bus. I asked him questions like what school he’s attending, if he has friends or family members attending the camp too and many more. He is also a good conversationalist unlike some young people who will not talk to a person they just met the very first time. He is not hesitant to talk with me so I keep our conversation going and I found out he is a first year high school student and the third member among his four siblings.

Lowi reading messages sent to his mobile phone
 from the campers inside the bus during a game.

We went deeper in our tête-à-tête about our private lives and he asked personal questions to me too that I eagerly answered. With that one hour chat, we got to know each other and felt close to each other already. He agreed to seat beside me inside the bus but Lowi said he will be sitting next to me. We boarded the bus by 8am and Lowi started to excite the campers by starting a game. I really admire Lowi’s leadership skills and winning attitude to lead a group of young people and create an impact to their lives. They named their organization the NBI or the New Beginning Impact. They are helping youth ages 9 to 25 to have a worth-living life and to stay on track with God. They offer talent enhancement like playing instruments (guitars, drum etc) to divert the attention of the youth instead of being addicted to drugs, online games and any other bad influence that they can get from the environment nowadays. They are doing this step-by-step since they believe that youths can make a real impact to the world much greater impact against all adults combined. The population of the Philippines consists of 68% of young people or youths ages 13-25 and they can manipulate and run the whole country if stand as one. The only problem is only few have meaning and directions of life while the rest are just playing around and watching. They believe that they are too young to play an important role to the society.

We arrived at Lubao, Pampanga just after 12nn and took our lunch at Double Happiness. The games inside the bus resumed as we continue our trip until we reached our destination in The Highlands in Iba, Zambales by 3pm. The campers were told to make a line under the mango tree while the security personnel scanned our bags and belongings for safety measures. We were advised to surrender any deadly weapons, gadgets and materials prohibited inside the camp. I noticed that there are few Americans around and presumed that these are the missionaries helping the young people. They organized this summer youth camp just the same reason the NBI group of Lowi had.

Campers’ Orientation and Opening Night

The orientation commenced at 5pm and all campers from different places within Metro Manila gathered in an auditorium that can handle thousands of people. The emcee was very funny and witty. He drives the campers’ enthusiasm by welcoming them with an audience participation activity thru groupings and awarding points to the first group who will assembled the fastest. The four groups represented by colours red, blue, orange and green corresponding to Rush, Flash, Push and Dash teams respectively. Our bus, bus 21, clustered to the group of Rush. Dinner was served after the campers’ orientation while opening night and other sessions started by 7pm. We were instructed to have a chant for our group whenever Team Rush is called. Jae and AJ volunteered themselves to lead the Rush Team and together with the help of other Rush leaders, we practiced for our cheer to be presented during the opening night. AJ and Jae had a hard time organizing the big crowd but with determination, the group was able to finish a beautiful chant for our presentation. The group was declared as the winner since they aimed for the winning score of 50,000 points. They gave their best foot forward plus practicing consistently. This is one testimony that when you really aim for the best and you take action, it will be given to you.

Since the summer youth camp started last January, the campers for this batch were already the batch 64 who will undergo the summer youth camp for 24 hours. During the opening night, there were presentations, stage drama, preaching session and rock and roll band. The young people started to jump and dance while the band set to play Hillsong music. The night was awe-inspiring for everyone who attended the event. All people involved in organizing the camp volunteered themselves for the glory of God. These are combination of young people to adult preachers who were leading to the same mission- to help and direct the youths where they should be leading, to involve Christ in their lives and to live the Christian way of life.

 All of us in bus 21 were assigned to the same dorm- dorm 10. There were 12 dorms in the camp exclusive of dorm C. Dorms 1-6 were assigned for girls and the rest for the boys. Lights were off after all the sessions and campers proceed to their respective dorms to sleep. Activities the next day were already set.

Day 2: The Adventure

            We took our breakfast by 6am and I was impressed by the coffee. It’s not branded like the Starbucks but it has the quality and great taste same as the branded coffee sold commercially. That was one of the best coffee I ever tasted. I guess they used fresh milk instead of a creamer and I never found out if I was correct. The announcer at the camp summoned all the campers to gather inside the auditorium and begin the day-2 session. The games to be done that day were previewed from a video clip and everybody were energized as well as excited to undergo the activities. Our team, Rush Team, were positioned first at the mud slide and I was the first to experience the extreme adventure. The second station is the sand transfer wherein you will carry a pale of sand, walk over the bridge with sticky mud under it then transfer the sand to a drum at the other side of the wooden bridge. This was also exciting since you have the chance to be bathed by sticky mud if you fell from the wooden bridge. Lucky I am I was able to cross the bridge without falling.

The third station is more thrilling. It consists of ten throw away wheels suspended five meters above a muck. This game took a lot of time and some of my team mates weren’t able to experience it. While our team mates were busy crossing the other side of the muck, AJ and Jae lead the team cheering our team mates. It was full of fun even in a very hot mid-day sun. The last of the activities is to ride an improvised bamboo boat while the team members paddled their way to cross the lake. Members of this game consist of ten people and they will combine their talents, skills and camaraderie in moving across the other side of the lake. Again, the remaining of the team is cheering our team mates while their on board.

After all the activities has completed, campers were allowed to wash themselves, pack their things and gather to the auditorium for the announcement of winners and final session. Dash Team proclaimed as the winner while our team is the second runner up.

We left the camp by 3pm and another batch of campers is coming in for their 24hours adventure. We had smile in our faces, joys in our hearts and Jesus in our life when we left The Highlands. At the bus, Lowi started the game again and everybody participated. Even we travel for almost 8hrs on our way back to Manila, I assure all the campers enjoyed the activities.

This is the most exciting summer youth camp I ever attended. I am attending summer youth camps in our church when I was still in high school but this event was really full of fun, adventure, enjoyment and as the same time I was able to build relationship to strangers as real close friends. Today, Lowi and I are business partners, buddies and a best of friends with the remaining of the summer youth camp attendees from their church. Thanks to Lowi who introduced and invited me to join his group. We also play table tennis in their church during my spare time.

Their church is located at Arayat St., Brgy. Malamig, Mandaluyong City. Call Lowi for more information 09062726020