Self-Date 01122013

Last week, feeling a bit sick of everyday routine and craving for some fresh cool air, I visited my beloved alma mater with a plan to catch a movie at UPFI at 10am. I arrived 30 minutes late, huffing and puffing from running, only to be disappointed because I was the only one who would be watching at that time and the staff decided to just show the movie at 1pm. I decided to just wait for that time and walked to the back of Bahay ng Alumni, intent on going to Shopping Center and later on to Noon Mass.

Then I saw many people wearing jersey uniform of different colors at the track and field oval. Curious, I stopped for a while and realized that there was a soccer tournament. I asked the girl beside me what was going on and she told me it was an inter-school tournament and that participating schools are med schools, including UP College of Medicine. And boy, was I surprised to find an ex-crush playing for UP there! So I guess he was one of the lucky ones to get into UP Med. I was happy for him.

Watching them play made me miss playing out in the field. I remember back in high school, I was already about to graduate when I was invited to join the soccer team and so I had not savored fully the joy of running against the wind chasing and kicking balls. With my hectic schedule though, I doubt if I will be able to play again soon.

15 minutes before noon, I walked away and headed to the Church of the Risen Lord. Sometimes I wonder why I enjoy more when going to mass alone. When mass ended, I went back to watching soccer then back to UPFI.

And arriving there, I learned that I was still the sole audience. I decided to buy my ticket anyway and told myself, this will be the first time I watch a movie all by myself in a huge theater. Another feather added to my hat LOL. But then again, knowing many ghost stories in UP made me feel scared. When the film started, with Santa Santita’s opening scene of saints with creepy background music, I decided I would leave the theater after 10 minutes IF nobody would come in. At that time, I berated myself for not doing a research first on what the movie is about. I certainly am NOT thrilled nor do I look forward to watching a horror movie all ALONE inside a big dark theater. No! My hear would faint in a matter of seconds.

It’s still a good thing that two women came in shortly and I was relieved. Still it felt lonely to be part of a three-person audience. And I would think again of how indie films fare oh so poorly because people apparently support those stupid but very popular romcoms and horror flicks.

The movie is partially a documentary of women who offer prayers to those very much in need in exchange for money. Angelica Panganiban plays the role of Malen, the daughter of a prayerwoman who cares only for money and does not believe in prayers. She is seen as a promiscuous, materialistic young woman who cannot even support herself. When her mother died, she assumed the role of prayerwoman just to earn money. When her prayers proved to be effective, she learned of her divine mission, was humbled and learned to serve other people with such devotion. This reminds me of Mary Magdalene, a prostitute whose life changed when she met Jesus.

After the movie, the two women approached me. I was happy to have had the chance to chat with them. The older woman was an avid traveler and she gave me lots of helpful tips, encouraging me to go out and see the world. Of course the thing is, I have financial concerns and cannot travel as much as I’d like to. (Though this year, I’m inclined to get the most of my post-acad life and enjoy as much as possible with my hard-earned money.)

I went back to the track and field oval, hoping to see another game before I go home. When I saw again my ex-crush and saw him walking towards where I was, I turned around and ran away, with The Corrs’ lyrics playing in my head “I will run away… I will run away with FROM you, coz I I’m falling in love with you…” Always the coward in matters of the heart. When will I ever learn? Though really, I am so over him now. It’s just that I wanted to save myself my awkward situations.