Tony Perez's Electronic Diary (May 15, 2018

Friday, October 19, 2018

This electronic diary is continued on Tony Perez's Electronic Diary (October 19, 2018 - ) at tonyperezphilippinescyberspacebook41.blogspot.com.

Do not regret expensive mistakes as long as you learned well from them.

When people make money off you, make sure that you get more than your money's worth.

A person who believes that he should keep leveling up frenziedly will only end up feeling like a big failure.

One of the best ways to confront a con artist who knocks on your door is to speak and behave in a manner he does not expect.

When there are no substantial news items, they broadcast foolishness.

Choreographing the transport and installation of Christ Calming The Storm at Maryhill School of Theology.

I have to Post this, that I have more readers when I write in English than when I write in Tagalog, and that, I think, this is a reality for all Filipino writers, whether they like it or not.

Do not make your life a series of public events. Only a commercial center does that to itself.

It is the person who no longer needs to work, rather than the person who must continue working, who is the winner of The Race.

https://tonyperezphilippinescyberspacebook18.blogspot.com/2018/10/at-end-of-each-day-before-going-to-bed.html

Lunch at home with Aubrey. Since their prelims are over, she's going jalan-jalan at the center later. It's a way of discovering what's available and where the good shops are.

Always be in a position to say no.

It has always been my experience that whenever I cosset a friend, he/she comes to believe that I am engineering a serious relationship, and so becomes bitter and disappointed to learn that I am only cosseting a friend.

I don't cosset friends anymore.

Always seek to be original in cyberspace, because it is the astral seedbed of words and phrases that quickly become cliches.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sun is always shaped like your bedroom window.

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Watching NASA's Cassini Mission documentary on National Geographic.

The werewolf crossed the street to the burger stand.

Did you know that...Pazuzu is the King of the Southwest Wind (Habagat)?

Production still from The Exorcist

J. arrived mid-afternoon to walk Keiko Kashigawa and afterward pick up Angelique from her study session at a coffee shop in the center.

Now working on a syllabus for a new playwriting workshop for TheatreWorks Singapore: From Drawings To Drama, From Paintings To Plays.

It was hot and muggy at the center. I couldn't linger as long as I wanted. The annual Christmas bazaar was already being set up in the southwest parking lot. But, no, this is not where I bought our Christmas castle and our Christmas house.

Back from jalan-jalan. Paid our water bill and finally bought that second item on my wish list. It's actually a lighted Christmas house. The first item, which I bought last week, was a lighted Christmas castle. I placed them in storage now, but will take them out to the studio entrance along with our Christmas winter chapel, which we already have, in December.

Swung by a Starbucks branch to see whether they have more of the fabulous Halloween mugs they used to sell years ago, but there still are none and there will probably never be any, as though their management had been completely taken over by a psychofundamentalist.

A few days ago someone signed up to me as a magic student, but I didn't take him in because this is my painting year (March 31, 2018 - March 31, 2019), during which I am painting and at the same time abstaining from all magic, psychism, and the paranormal.

When I do teach magic I teach only hardcore, undiluted magic. That is how I have always taught it and that is how I will always teach it.

Otherwise why teach magic at all?

Last night was Black Label night for me. Liquor does not loosen my tongue. On the contrary, it makes me all the more secretive. I withdraw into myself and all I ever want is to do is go to sleep.

Lunch at home with Aubrey and R. They will be off to university soon, and I on jalan-jalan.

I think what Red October means is that all business establishments will go in the red.

https://tonyperezphilippinescyberspacebook18.blogspot.com/2018/10/dramaturgy-for-theatreworks-singapore_18.html

Halloween Month Message #2: The candidate looks like Quasimodo and will have a similar, tragic, ending.

Fire in the neighborhood--in Barrio Panopio, to be exact--but I don't see any smoke in the sky.

Big breakfast at 9:30 AM, meaning, a late lunch later.

A sunny morning in Cubao.

Watered orchids, a sunflower plant, and an herbal at the studio entrance.

Will probably go jalan-jalan after lunch.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sun is a tube of chrome yellow.

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Aubrey and R. back home from university and dinner out.

Dinner at home with Angelique.

Then watched the ending of Get Out on HBO, which is showing horror movies every night until Halloween.

As your children and grandchildren rise, you must learn how to gently subside.

I like OO-Kun, the blue raccoon.

https://tonyperezphilippinescyberspacebook18.blogspot.com/2018/10/dramaturgy-for-theatreworks-singapore_51.html

Rainfall on Cubao. The perfect time for an afternoon nap.

Finished painting retouch.

Phat Doog Cerefina beats me to siesta.

I have no intentions of sharing my Postings as My Story. My Wall IS my story.

After that heavy breakfast this morning, a very late lunch.

Now the water bill arrived--yet another excuse to go jalan-jalan and buy that second item on my wish list, but I don't feel like doing that today. Maybe after I've finished dramaturging all the TheatreWorks Singapore plays.

A very quiet Wednesday.

Considering a tiny retouch on one of my paintings.

I have only two more play manuscripts to dramaturge: Raemae's and Nanda's.

Today is Chinese Elders Day.

Home alone. Angelique at college and Aubrey at university.

Had a big breakfast this morning.

https://tonyperezphilippinescyberspacebook18.blogspot.com/2018/10/dramaturgy-for-theatreworks-singapore_17.html

Saw Aubrey off to university.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sun is a gold-sequined backpack.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Missing the smell of 1950s plastic balloon.

Jolly helped me set up the huge painting on the easel again.

Aubrey arrived from college and dinner out.

Angelique and J. are now walking Keiko Kashigawa in the driveway.

Eat This!

Kagat: Bite

Sagpang: Attack with one's teeth

Subo: Take into one's mouth

Lulon: Swallow

Ngasab: Pig out

Nguya: Chew

Sipsip: Sip

Dilaan: Lick

Tikman: Taste

Lamon: Devour

Kain: Eat

Ngatngat: Gnaw

Simot: Clean one's plate

Kukot: Eat as is

Namnam: Savor (liquid)

Lasahan: Savor (solid)

Laklak: Gulp

Pangos: Hold with one's teeth

Tuka: Peck

Ngalot: Chew noisily

Ngata: Masticate

Do not keep in storage unused wheelchairs, crutches, and home hospital equipment. Your subconscious will tell you that someone should use them soon in order to make up for the costs.

Two Serpent's eggs are hatching. The young Serpents will slither about before the year ends.

Your body is the best mechanism for conserving the environment. Use it proactively and well.

Dinner at home alone. Then Angelique and J. arrived from a day of studying and dinner out.

As long as you continue being financially stable upon retirement, you can decline all invitations and socializations that:

--will only inconvenience you.
--take up the best part of your day.
--require you to travel long distances.
--imply meeting people you do not like or do not know.
--make you come home late at night.
--involve spending money on others.

Every man he persecutes becomes, in the eyes of the public, a Clint Eastwood, a Tom Cruise, and a Jean-Claude Van Damme.

The more household staff members you have, the richer you look like to others.

The less members, the richer you actually are.

And, with zero members, all you have to be responsible for are yourself and your family.

https://tonyperezphilippinescyberspacebook18.blogspot.com/2018/10/dramaturgy-for-theatreworks-singapore_45.html

Bought more than two kilos of golden mangoes at the Sitio Catacutan fruit stand, then bought five Cricket lighters at D.'s store. I've learned to place one lighter at every altar for candles and joss sticks.

On my way back to our house a young scavenger was picking plastic bottles from the compound trash bin. He asked me for lunch money. I gave him a 20; my spirit guide said that he is the reincarnation of a movie director who died some 16 years ago, and that, under the right circumstances, he will grow up to be yet a more famous movie director. I wondered what kind of karma lay behind this but did not bother to think about it any further.

Lunch at home alone.

Rainfall on Cubao.

https://tonyperezphilippinescyberspacebook18.blogspot.com/2018/10/dramaturgy-for-theatreworks-singapore_16.html

Good morning, Cubao!

The sun is a faceted sardonyx.

Monday, October 15, 2018

Aubrey and R. arrived from university and dinner out.

Dinner at home alone. Then Angelique arrived from college with a take-home dinner.

When you feel like Posting a nasty Comment, go ahead and encode it, then read it, Block it, and delete it.

You will feel so much better afterward--as though you actually Posted the Comment without incriminating yourself in any way.

Never choose a career that relies on quantification. You will surely end up being unhappy.

If you are a painter, contemplate this well: Burnt umber advances, it does not recede.

https://tonyperezphilippinescyberspacebook18.blogspot.com/2018/10/dramaturgy-for-theatreworks-singapore_4.html

Tropical Autumn

The dragon tree sheds leaves on the driveway during an afternoon cloudburst.

The werewolf crossed the street to buy two cups pandan-flavored ice cream.

https://tonyperezphilippinescyberspacebook18.blogspot.com/2018/10/dramaturgy-for-theatreworks-singapore_6.html

https://tonyperezphilippinescyberspacebook18.blogspot.com/2018/10/dramaturgy-for-theatreworks-singapore_15.html

I stopped watching The Walking Dead and The Gifted long ago. Both are comprised of tedious--and sometimes senseless--chases and hunts. To me, the only difference between the two is that the former has zombies and the latter has psychic mutants.

https://tonyperezphilippinescyberspacebook18.blogspot.com/2018/10/dramaturgy-for-theatreworks-singapore.html

Lunch at home alone.

Staying home and not going jalan-jalan. Reading Aswani's play and taking notes.

The carpet cleaner and his assistant arrived to pick up Angelique's bedroom rug for cleaning.

Happy Birthday to my eldest kuman thong, Mongkut!

Good morning, Cubao!

There are bends in the sky as there are bends in rivers and in roads.

Sunday, October 14, 2018

Aubrey arrived home from lunch and dinner out with R.'s family. She bought the series lights for her bedroom.

Now brought out our Halloween lamp and placed it inside the small loggia.

Night delivery arrived.

Angelique is steaming Korean dumplings for dinner tonight.

Waiting for a night delivery.

Back from jalan-jalan. Went shopping and bought Korean food to restock our freezer.

You know who you are: You are suffering from phantom wounds. The Spirit Questors and I should give you a tuob, and October is the right month to do this.

Slept well and long last night. For once this week I didn't have to wait for a delivery or meet someone or go somewhere else in the morning.

Lunch at home with Angelique. Aubrey taking a late lunch with R.'s family.

Glowering skies above Cubao. I need to go jalan-jalan, though.

Our Halloween Witches

Good morning, Cubao!

The sun is our cosmic spotlight.

Saturday, October 13, 2018

The best way to get rid of a trickster spirit is to ignore it completely. Do not talk to it. Do not talk about it. Do not behave as though you were terribly afraid of it. Do not consult anyone about it. Do not melodramatize your situation and make yourself out a victim.

You don't even have to pray or undertake rituals. The spirit will leave you out of sheer exasperation.

Spirits do not like wasting their time.

A flirt, whether male or female, is usually a person who was not given much attention by family members of the opposite sex during childhood.

Received nine play manuscripts for dramaturging from TheatreWorks Singapore, six from participants in this year's workshop and three from participants in last year's workshop: 

"Satamilla" by Aswani Aswi

"Ah Mah Goes Home" by Michelle

"End of the Road" by Pearlyn Chua

"Final Call" by Timothy

"Project X" by Adi Jamaludin

""Kor Kor Cheh Cheh Di Di Mei Mei" by Flora Yeo

"The Book of Mothers" by Eleanor 

"Mixed" by Raemae Kok

"Malavika by Hemang Yadav

Kindly await my comments on my blog _Writing from The Heart_.  After you have polished your manuscripts, let us schedule informal readings of your plays next year--or see if TheatrWorks will finally give your plays staged readings.

About Tony Perez

TONY PEREZ is a creative writer, playwright, poet, lyricist, painter, portraitist, fiber artist, sculptor, game designer, fashion photographer, and psychic journalist and trainer. He is one of the 100 Filipino recipients of the 1898-1998 Centennial Artists Awards of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. His other awards include the 13 Artists of the Philippines, the Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas from the Writers Union of the Philippines, four National Book Awards from the Manila Critics Circle, a FAMAS Award for Best Story, five prizes from the Cultural Center of the Philippines Playwriting Contest, three prizes from the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, the National Fellowship for Drama from the Creative Writing Center of the University of the Philippines, the Irwin Chair in Creative Writing from Ateneo de Manila University, and a prize in photography from the Children’s Museum and Library, Inc.

Among Tony Perez’s plays are "Hoy, Boyet, Tinatawag Ka Na, Hatinggabi Na’y Gising Ka Pa Pala"; Anak ng Araw; "Gabún"; "Alex Antiporda"; "Sierra Lakes"; "Biyernes, 4:00 N.H."; "Sacraments of the Dead"; "The Wayside Café"; Ang Panginoon sa Driod; Isang Pangyayari sa Planas Site; and "Ang Prinsipe Ng Buwan". He wrote the librettos for the musicals Florante at Laura and Sa Pugad ng Adarna for Tanghalang Pilipino and the opera La naval for University of Santo Tomas. His two major drama trilogies are Tatlong Paglalakbay: Tatlong Mahabang Dula ni Tony Perez (Bombita, Biyaheng Timog, Sa North Diversion Road) (University of Santo Tomas Publishing House) and Indakan Ng Mga Puso(Oktubre, Noong Tayo’y Nagmamahalan Pa; Nobyembre, Noong Akala Ko’y Mahal Kita; and Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre?).Biyaheng Timog was produced as A Small Matter of Sacrifice in New York City and as Trip to the South in Singapore, and Sa North Diversion Road, as On The North Diversion Road, in Melbourne, Australia. His mentors in literature and drama were Onofre Pagsanghan, Rolando Tinio, Bienvenido Lumbera, Nicanor Tiongson, Virgilio Almario, Cecile Guidote, Nestor Torre, and Randy Ford. His plays for radio, television, and film were directed by Sonia Roco, Lino Brocka, Lupita Concio, Mitos Villareal, Nick Lizaso, Joey Gosiengfiao, Gil Portes, Maryo de los Reyes, Frank Rivera, and Anton Juan. He was featured in National Geographic/Discovery Channel’s “Psychic Detectives” in their Asian Enigma episode.

Tony Perez’s published books include Albert N.: A Case Study and the five volumes in the Cubao Series titled Cubao 1980 At Iba Pang Mga Katha; Cubao Pagkagat Ng Dilim; Cubao Midnight Express; Eros, Thanatos, Cubao; and Cubao-Kalaw Kalaw-Cubao by Cacho Publishing House. His Anvil Transpersonal Psychology Series includes The Calling: A Transpersonal Adventure; Beings: Encounters of the Spirit Questors with Non-human Entities; The Departed: Encounters of the Spirit Questors with Spirits of the Deceased; A Young Man Cries for Justice beyond His Grave Volume I; Stories of the Moon: Further Adventures of the Spirit Questors; Songs of Sunset: Incantations and Spells by the Spirit Questors; Mga Panibagong Kulam; Mga Panibagong Tawas; Mga Panibagong Orasyon; Mga Panibagong Orasyon sa Magica Cantada; Mga Panibagong Ritwal ng Wicca; Mga Panibagong Kulam sa Pag-ibig, and the new series Maligayang Pagdating sa Sitio Catacutan and Malagim ang Gabi sa Sitio Catacutan. He co-authored a children’s book, Inang Bayan’s New Clothes (Anvil Publishing Inc.) His plays, fiction, poems, original knitting patterns, acrostic puzzles, and illustrations were published in various anthologies, textbooks, and magazines including This Same Sky: A Collection of Poems from around The World (edited by Naomi Shihab Nye, Macmillan Publishing Company), Tenggara 23: Journal of Southeast Asian Literature (Jabatan Persuratan Melayu, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia), New Writing from the Philippines, Volume 33 (Philippine Studies Series), Modern ASEAN Plays: Philippines (edited by Nicanor G. Tiongson, ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information), A Habit of Shores: An Anthology of Poems, 1965-1974 (edited by Gemino H. Abad, Bureau of National and Foreign Information), Building Communication Skills 6 and Gems of Philippine Literature (Department of Education, Culture, and Sports), Rogue Magazine, The Philippine Star, The Philippines Free Press Magazine, The Sunday Times Magazine, Mr. & Ms. Magazine, andWoman’s Home Companion Magazine. Some of his works in Filipino were translated into English and French. He conducts "Writing from The Heart," a creativity workshop in writing, drawing, and drama to beginners and professionals, and especially to underserved audiences such as faculty and students of public schools, community theater groups, the disadvantaged, the disabled, children in conflict with the law, abused women and children, victims of human trafficking, prisoners, gang leaders, drug rehabilitation residents, and people in need of trauma therapy.

In 2013 Mr. Perez decided to post all of his old and new works in cyberspace to make them available to a wider range of people.

Tony Perez’s artworks have been showcased in 21 individual and group art exhibits curated by Marian Pastor Roces, Nonon Padilla, Bobi Villanueva, Judy Sibayan, Lalyn Buncab, Nilo Ilarde, Ernie Patricio and Jun Veloso, Chari Elinzano, Reverend Father Loy Divino (CICM), and Raven Villanueva. Among his art teachers were Araceli Limcaco-Dans, Brenda Fajardo, Virginia Flor Agbayani and Ben-Hur Villanueva of the U.P. College of Fine Arts, Florencio Concepcion and Fernando Sena of The Saturday Group, and Rafael del Casal.

Mr. Perez holds an A.B. in Communications and a Cand. M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Ateneo de Manila University, an M.A. in Religious Studies, magna cum laude, from Maryhill School of Theology in New Manila, and certificates in Publication Design and Production from the Department of Journalism at the University of Wisconsin and Fundamentals of Graphic Design from the University of California at San Francisco. He taught as adjunct lecturer at Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Saint Scholastica’s College, Maryknoll College, and the Philippine High School for the Arts. His master’s thesis, titled Pagsubok sa Ilang: Ikaapat na Mukha ni Satanas was published by Anvil Publishing Inc. in 2005 and was awarded the National Book Award for Theology and Religion by the Manila Critics Circle in 2006.

Mr. Perez has two sons, Nelson I. Miranda and Chito I. Miranda, four granddaughters, Angelique Pearl Miranda, Nielsen Tegelan, Aubrey Rose Miranda, and Chevy Keith Miranda, and one grandson, Chrysler Vince Miranda. His daughters-in-law are Agnes Tegelan and Ivy Vercasion. They live in Cubao, Quezon City, where Mr. Perez has resided since 1955.

Tony Perez's Electronic Diary (May 15, 2018 - October 19, 2018)

Vanitas/Photo by JR Dalisay