Cinematic

Written on Tuesday, June 17th, 2008 at 11:34 am | by Rom

It’s funny how after initially not wanting to talk about it, media now can’t stop hyping up the abduction of Ces Drilon. Here in Voices, most especially, Ding Gagelonia’s constant updates are nothing short of cinematic. Reading through his posts, one can feel a palpable build-up of tension and fear - bordering on hysteria even - worthy of M. Night Shyamalan or even Cloverfield.

It is now the lull…

Come on. If the situation weren’t so friggin serious, I’d be on the floor laughing from the hamminess of it all. Next thing you know, they’ll be eulogizing Ces. Oh wait. RG already did that.

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About The Author: Rom is the writer behind the blog Smoke. In her own words, "I write better when I smoke. Don't ask me to reduce it to a science."

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18 Responses to “Cinematic”

  1. Ding G. Gagelonia on June 17th, 2008 12:12 pm

    The word “cinematic” is interesting, given that real life drama is unfolding.

    “Hamminess”? As MLQ3 would probably say, “de gustibus non est disputandum.”

  2. Rom on June 17th, 2008 12:31 pm

    Ding: as you will

  3. benign0 on June 17th, 2008 12:50 pm

    There are other life dramas going on out there. The only difference is that they are unfolding in quiet and dignified OBSCURITY.

  4. Nick on June 17th, 2008 1:08 pm

    @Rom, in all honesty, maybe, but for Ding and RG these are individuals who know Ces personally. I am not at liberty to say how they handle this situation.

    Just like Cindy Sheehan whose son died in Iraq, we cannot force upon her, how she handles the situation..

    In any case, this is one point of contention, I will have to disagree, not hammy at all..

  5. butch on June 17th, 2008 1:48 pm

    Although the situation is deadly serious, it does have its farcical aspects. Its playing out like a telenovela. Now there’s an “indefinite” extension of the deadline for ransom payment, after all the tension and drama engendered by the kidnapper’s ultimatum. Whoever heard of an indefinite deadline ? Its a bit surreal.

  6. benign0 on June 17th, 2008 2:00 pm

    It’s kinda like “ocular inspection” and “strictly no parking” — as if there is always a gray area in anything dished out by da Pinoy.

    Kung baga, there is no such thing as isang salita in our society or culture.

  7. Ding G. Gagelonia on June 17th, 2008 2:23 pm

    This is where a close reading of the measured use of the term indefinite extension is necessary.
    What rhreat IS NOT BEING SAID? Are we being told that the abductors will hold on to their victims INDEFINITELE?

    The Abu Sayyaf are, of course, in this ‘enterprise’ both for the money (pera-pera lang), and the “cinematic”, albeit “hammy” or “telenovela-ic” value.

    What cannot be debated is the ASG’s ‘track record’ of killing their victims them with extreme, Godless prejudice, as in beheading them. Then we would probably realize why this dark episode is news.

    If news is defined, among other things, by its proximity to us, and if from a ‘zoomed-out’ perspective we and are our society are safe, then the closer news, potentially tragic news, strikes home and heart; when the human poker chips become human shields against oncoming mortar and cannon fire, then perhaps the words empathy and understanding can assume greater meaning.

  8. Ding G. Gagelonia on June 17th, 2008 2:29 pm

    Pardon the typo. But same message. Thanks, as well, Nick, for understanding where RG and yours truly are coming from.

    But more than knowing Ces, sana tayong mga Filipino, kapag buhay ng kapwa Filipino ang nasa kuko ng panganib, wika nga, sa halip na magpa-talinuhan, mag-ambag tayo ng malasakit at tahimik na dasal, kilala man natin o hindi ang biktima. Yun lang po.

  9. Rom on June 17th, 2008 2:50 pm

    Nick: Hammy means ‘affectedly dramatic.’ And “It is now the lull …” fits the bill perfectly.

    Ding: get off your high horse, uncle. just because you’re being criticized (speaking only for myself, of course)doesn’t mean no one else is taking this seriously. As for ‘tahimik na dasal,’ it’s kinda hard to realize that other people are already doing that over the din of the ticking clock.

  10. Ding G. Gagelonia on June 17th, 2008 3:24 pm

    Ok, po. By the way visited your site. Your perspective on Joe Almonte, RAM’s ‘guru’, are thought provoking.

  11. Nick on June 17th, 2008 3:39 pm

    butch does have a good point though, one that I hadn’t realized until that statement.. Indefinite deadline. Haah.

  12. Nick on June 17th, 2008 3:42 pm

    @Rom, “it is now the lull”, I like it actually.

    But, I don’t think it was a lull, but more of a waiting, a silence, and suspense..

  13. Mikey_Liling on June 17th, 2008 4:16 pm

    Indefinite deadline… isn’t it an oxymoron? I bet my bottom dollar it will be a national catchphrase.

  14. Patricio Mangubat on June 17th, 2008 4:33 pm

    I agree with Mikey….there’s no indefinite deadline. It just means there’s no more deadlines.

  15. benign0 on June 17th, 2008 7:29 pm

    kapag buhay ng kapwa Filipino ang nasa kuko ng panganib, wika nga, sa halip na magpa-talinuhan, mag-ambag tayo ng malasakit at tahimik na dasal

    Begging your kind pardon, sir, but isn’t this exactly the kind of thinking that paralyses Pinoy minds in times of crisis?

    We suddenly turn anti-intellectual and regress to a religious stupor whenever a mighty challenges stares us in the face.

  16. Nick on June 17th, 2008 7:44 pm

    @Benign0, we can all be objective, while taking care to be sensitive at the same time.

    I think the issue, in this case is that of sensitivity while still trying to analyze the situation.

    I’m not so sure, Ding is being “anti-intellectual” here since in his posts, there are nuggets of analysis that can be attained.

    In any case, I do see your point,

    And in many cases, sometimes it is the lack of emotion that is the culprit for the lack of memory of many Filipinos to grasp that problems will always rear its ugly head, when we fail to confront it.

    Thus is the case with your own entry into The Philippine Issues Writing Project, of the need to convey to Filipinos about the issue Deforestation, just because we cannot see the full impact, doesn’t mean it is not a problem. Thus, sometimes, emotion can lead to a passionate citizenry to focus its attention into a better understanding, and a better intellectual response, any response.

    In short, and I will reiterate myself, I think what Ding is simply saying, is bring on the analysis and the intellectual pondering, but remember that a little sensitivity goes a long way.

  17. benign0 on June 17th, 2008 8:53 pm

    Nick, I am sensitive — sensitive enough to recognise (obviously I cannot emphasise this enough) that there are people who suffered and dealt with equally horrific circumstances in dignified silence and obscurity. Many of them are people who did not go out and seek danger and only wanted to live in peace — a stark contrast, if I may to the object of what is rapidly becoming not only a circus but a politicised circus (noting Patricio’s take on some people’s senatorial aspirations).

  18. butch on June 18th, 2008 9:59 am

    I agree with Rom. We can be serious without being solemn.

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