It’s amazing how much of this and that fill up our everyday lives. Before you know it you have accumulated all sorts of things whether it be furniture, ballpens (yes, working or not working), information, clothes, shoes (think Imelda). Ask anyone who has to move houses. Unending sorting out, discarding, unhoarding. But, that is life, from my experience. Or maybe someone out there can tell me otherwise. I am open to ideas. But so far, in my relatively mundane and ordinary life, that is what I have realized.
All is not lost though. There is a saving grace. I think that it is alright if you have many things. So long as you take good care of them and can and do use them. And if you don’t use them anymore share or give them to others who can use them. That way you can share the joy that you experienced yourself in using them. At the same time, you are helping the environment. Talk about the “evils” of fast fashion. Think about Zara, allegedly putting out 24 collections yearly, and H&M 12 to 16 collections yearly. This is not to say I am not a Zara fan. I am, unabashedly. (And H & M and Uniqlo and Muji, he he). At this point in my life , though, I now think twice, thrice (or more) before I add to my wardrobe. So much for that. But more of it in the near future.
Speaking of sharing the joy, whether clothes or otherwise, I had written about Kdramas in my last column. And I was so delighted to hear from another Kdrama addict. Thanks to Criselda who shared her own thoughts about some dramas. Of course, who has not seen Descendants of the Sun. If you haven’t, you may want to. Riveting in an Asian way. I believe it was a global hit.
Much more so, the Chinese period drama series Story of Yanxi Palace. Story of Yanxi Palace was supposedly streamed 15 billion times (!!!) in iQiyi, China’s Netflix-like site. It was said to be the most watched online drama in China for 39 consecutive days over the summer of 2018. It was also the most Googled show on earth in 2018!! The 70-episode Story of Yanxi Palace fictionalized the power struggles among the concubines of Emperor Qianlong in the 1700s. I myself could not stop till I finished all 70 episodes. It was interesting and different from the other concubine power play period dramas I had watched. Mainly, because of the creative team’s treatment of the protagonist Wei Ying Luo played marvelously by Chinese actress Wu Jin Yan. The production design is also superb. I understand that the producers spent more on the production design and creative aspects instead of on box-office stars. The series is probably still on You Tube. Or just google it. From what I have heard, they did not use big-time actors and used relatively new ones. No Fan Bing Bings in it. ( I am also a Fan Bing Bing fan though. Watch Empress of China. Fabulous. )
By the way, as an aside, the global success of Yanxi Palace started a wave of Imperial China inspired clothing line in the fashion corridors shortly after. This is probably also why Netflix produced a sort of sequel to it—Yanxi Palace: Princess Adventures. I cannot comment yet on this new series since I have just started watching it. Am still in Episode 2. It seems , so far, like it pales in comparison to the Story of Yanxi Palace. But, as I said, I still have to watch the rest of the episodes.
Back to K drama – if you are watching Chocolate on Netflix. I like it but it seems a bit slow. Also, is it a cooking show or what? I just wish it was a bit faster in pacing. It’s good to make the audience slightly “bitin” now and then, but theirs is a bit too much. Am still watching it though. Haven’t given up. I like Ha Ji Won (Empress Ki, Secret Garden), the actress playing the lead role. And also, I think Yoon Kye Sang, the male lead seems interesting. I have not seen too many works of his.
At the moment am definitely hooked on the following K dramas – Gracious Revenge, Crash Landing on You and Love with Flaws. Find out why when you watch them. They are all still ongoing in South Korea. Gracious and Love with Flaws online (you may want to try Dramacool). Crash Landing on Netflix and online. Or maybe they may not be your cup of tea. To each his own. C’est la vie!
Moving on to other This and Thats – I had a special 2 part article here in Balita titled “Itaas ang Bandera”. It was my way of venting about the meagre and pathetic looking exhibit on the Philippines in a major museum in Toronto. I am sure, though, that the museum would be more than glad to improve or expand it. With the help of the Filipino-Canadians, of course. And, to my delight, I found out they are. So are Ambassador Petronila Garcia and Consul General Orentes Castro. Also, thanks to my indefatigable co-members of the relatively new non-profit Filipino-Canadian organization Filipino Heritage Council of Canada (FHHC), there is a movement to get this going. This is a worthwhile cause which I feel every Filipino-Canadian should be on board. Regardless of differences.
As a finishing touch – let me greet all of you kindred spirits a prosperous and peaceful new year. May we all have our decrees manifested. (Huwag lang yung makakasama sa iba, ha?!)
Ate Tess
comments and suggestions are welcome