Four

I recently watched three Fantastic Four movies, two movies which were shown in the last decade, Fantastic Four and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, and a 1994 "ashcan copy" movie version The Fantastic Four.

This week, I also watched a fourth film, The Time Traveller's Wife, which is a story about a time traveller and his life, and how he managed to visit a girl from her young age, who later on became his wife. The story, in a sense, asks us about out own lives, on how we face our ultimate end. It's somehow touching to see how Henry seems to be conflicted on accepting what is to come, when he sees the number 5 during his daughter's party. It's a movie that will make us think.

So what's with the number four? Nothing much. Except that on a personal note, there were four events which happened to the Philippines or to me and my family specifically which are worth mentioning.

1. The Manila Hostage Crisis - 25 were held hostaged, mostly Hong Kong citizen tourists, some mainland Chinese toursits, Filipino photographers and drivers, by a former senior inspector Rolando Mendoza. He instructed the driver to bring the bus to Quirino Grand Stand, where it stayed until the crisis ended at almost 9PM. Eight people died, Mendoza was killed, and nine others were injured.
2. Maria Venus Raj and Miss Universe 2010 - Maria Venus Raj, the controversial, almost-dethroned Bb. Pilipinas - Universe 2010, made it to the finals as the 4th Runner Up, the first time the Philippines made it back to the top 5 since the turn of the millenium. The last one who made it to the top 5 was Miriam Quiambao in Miss Universe 1999, where she placed as the First Runner Up. Maria Venus Raj's "major major" answer during the Q&A may have cost her the crown, but nonetheless, her placement is already a good thing for Filipinos.
3. Grandmom's 85th Birthday Celebration - My Grandmom from the mother side, Mama Lola as we forndly call her, celebrated her 85th birthday last Saturday. The whole Carbonel Clan was almost complete, with all my grandmom's children except for Sister Vangie who can't go to Manila as she is a contemplative nun, present during the said occasion. Ten out of eleven children present. All 11 of her grandchildren were also present. Celebrating a woman's 85th birthday is quite rare already, and hence it's a momentous occasion for all of us.
4. "Return of the Comeback" - As Smile fondly says, my sister finally came back to Manila! After her 36-day vacation (plus 2 days travel), she's finally back.

This week is filled with mixed emotions. Sadness was felt the whole day last Monday, a mix of happiness and sadness for Maria Venus Raj's win, and on a personal note, happiness for me and my family for the last two events.

I hope next week will be a good one as well.