Arlene Manocot's Blog, page 10

Sunset at Windmill Lausanne

The Windmill Lausanne, Tagaytay
Photo Credit to Mitch E.
Sunset signals the end of the day. It is breathtaking scenery when the sun bids goodbye to the naked eye of every human being. The sun seems to never get tired of showing up in the morning and bidding goodbye in the afternoon. Is it contented with what it does every single day? Does it ever get bored with its routine? 
The sun only rises and sets. 
Some people may have wanted to say goodbye permanently, unlike the sun who keeps on showing up to everyone every morning. These people want to permanently stop showing up to people who may have cared for them or not. 
No one, not even a single human being, asks the sun to rise and set. It is just simply doing its purpose that is embedded in the deepest part of its core. It knows its purpose and it does what needs to be done. 
The sun does not care about the complaints of human beings when it is too hot or too bright as long as it does its job. It focuses on its work and emits the light that is delivered to planet earth for the living things. It is doing exactly what it is made to do. 
There might be less drama if humans work their purpose the way the sun does. Rise. Set. But it is fact that a human being is a very complex kind of creature. The human race is a complicated being.  
It cannot be denied that they are made in the perfect image of the Creator, the masterpiece of His powerful and wonderful hands. He spoke life and the first human was created. He saw the sadness in the human so He gave him a partner. The first human, Adam, is in charge of everything that was created on earth before him. The Creator may have also witnessed tiredness on his face that is why He created a co-steward for all His creations. The second human, Eve, is a partner to co-manage all of the things entrusted to them.  
The complexity inflated when the monumental and wretched encounter occurred in the garden of Eden. A great separation complicates the situation, specifically the relationship, connection, and fellowship humans have with the Creator. The purpose got blurry and confusion was engraved in every human heart. Human's will versus God's will has been going on since immemorial time. The birth of sinful human nature brought destruction to the alignment of will between the Creator and creation.
The existence of a relationship in the face of the earth began between the first human and God. Though the relationship is currently severed which is a big problem for everyone, He extended His grace and gave everyone the only solution, the only One: the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
Patch up things with God only through Jesus! Find the purpose in Him.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.John 15:5

Part 2 soon...

Violet Evergarden will warm up anyone's heart, big time!

All right. Violet Evergarden made me cry, again. This time in its movie version. She made me cry the first time from the series I watched on an online streaming platform. I bet she can also make you cry. Violet is a soldier during the war. She was considered a weapon at such a young age, in her teens maybe. Eventually, she lost her arms at the height of the battle and Gilbert was with her who was equally injured as her. When the war ended, she became an Auto Memory Doll, a job that writes letters for their clients. Using a typewriter which she can carry anywhere she goes, her words brought life to the deepest longing and emotions of human beings a.k.a her clients. 
Around her, peace seems to be existing at the very least, she seems emotionless after the war but it is the total opposite within her. There are raging emotions inside that are difficult for her to understand ever since the supposed death of Major Gilbert Bougainvillea.
Relief flooded all the heartaches I felt because of Violet's predicament when it was presented to my knowledge the fact that he was alive and kicking, though without an eye and an arm. The longing she had for him was intense. I felt it. I wanted to tell her, "I feel you," like I could totally empathize with her, with a character that wasn't even existent in the real world.

I literally sobbed as the confrontation between Violet and Gilbert happened before my eyes. I cried and cried while thinking what the heck Violet! Gilbert!  I shouldn't be weeping like this! It is just an anime movie, no big deal, but as I mentioned I just couldn't help but open the gate of my tear glands and release the tears that were about to burst like a dam filled with water from the surge of rain. 
The elements of the plot hit all the right spots to make me all teary-eyed. They can unlock the gates of your tear glands. So be ready and prepare your heart and mind, and also something to wipe out the tears on your face!
Expect to be teary-eyed and smiling genuinely as Violet warms your heart!  
A season or another movie should be looked forward to. I hope there will be a more vivid telling of what happened between Violet Evergarden and Gilbert Bougainvillea after their heartwarming and long-awaited reunion. But if there isn't, I can say that the plot's resolution of the story is perfect already. I love how the movie ended.   Witness and experience the complexity of human emotions with Violet Evergarden!

Singleness is not a curse

The Iwas Sawi Project is a collaboration of Marcelo Santos III and Rhadson Mendoza. It is my first book from Santos and probably the second book from Mendoza. Written in Taglish, the book caters to the interest of young people, adolescents, or teenagers, and maybe also to everyone who loved and was loved.  
It contains tips and account of their personal experiences about heartbreaks, specifically in the area of romantic relationship. Some of the contents reminded me of the encounter I had with a guy online. It was an unpleasant experience in general. I thought it was all bliss but I was heading in the wrong direction. I was led and willingly complied with whatever happened in the conversation between us. I even wrote poems about him. I am regretting it a little as days pass by after that encounter. I thought I would definitely have pleasant memories about him or the experience, but no, it wasn't.
I was blinded by my selfish desire and almost trudged on the path of no return. Almost. Just almost. I was happy, but whenever I look back on the memories all I can sense is a dark cloud that covered me from the light. Like I got almost separated from the light of the lamp which serves as the navigator of my life. I almost got lost again. 
But I will always be grateful for the light, to the only true light.
The lies and deception of a person even in a virtual setup do not minimize the gravity of its negative impact on the person being lied to or even to the liar himself. It will have its consequences one way or another. It will come after you and no one can stop it. Forgiveness is the only way to move forward while trusting the process.
I learn to forgive myself and others from the One who forgave and redeemed me from everything that dragged me down.  
And now, I am still single at the age of 31 and I am loving it. I am more joyful about the fact that I am single and that can never be rooted alone in my own effort, rather there is great satisfaction coming from the One who can only fill the void inside me. I never thought I could ever be this joyful in this season of my life even if everything isn't perfect or the way I wanted it before because in the first place nothing is ever perfect in this world we live in. 
Despite the imperfection, I am blessed.
Singleness or being single is not a curse, it is never a curse. It is a blessing we all experienced in a season of our lives and for some in the entirety of their lives. A blessing! 
So if you are the type who is not in a relationship right now, has never been in a relationship, or just do not have the intention to be in a relationship romantically, it is totally fine. No judgment! Do your thing, whatever is within your control.
I remember Paul's story and his take on singleness, which I just read a few days ago in the book of 1 Corinthians 7:25-40. I believe it was a reminder from God that singleness is also a blessing because He knows exactly what I was going through the past months and it felt reassuring like there is peace in my heart and mind. 
There is a purpose in our singleness and that alone can bring trust and faith from the One who made us wonderfully. The frustration is fading away and I am enjoying the process more so I am trusting the process because I know that there is someone greater than me who is in control of everything. Forever grateful to Him!
I hope and pray that you get to see your purpose in times of uncertainty because there is also someone who is always certain and will never ever change. He loves and did everything to take you back to Him, and be assured that He still working on you just like what He is doing on me. Focus on Him, you'll never be lost. You will always be found, always. 

Sword of Destiny breathe life into the Warriors of the Ancient China

Sword of Destiny is the only book I finished for November and this is just my second blog post for this month. Things happened and I lost the momentum and now I am trying to get back on track before the year ends. It is only one month to go until the year 2022. Time flies fast, so, so fast. 
Well, I bought this book from the NBS 99 Sale just this year. The book cover got me, the lady with the sword impressed upon me that there was a high possibility to encounter a strong female character in the book and I was never wrong. I did meet not just one, but a few of them matter-of-factly, and I am satisfied.
The story revolves around the hidden Green Destiny Sword of China. This magnificent sword possesses power and strength that would be unbearable to handle even by the strongest warrior ever since the death of its original keeper. It is untamed and has been passed down from generation to generation of warriors. It could be a gift or a curse to anyone who desires to take a hold of it.  
Becoming a warrior entails honor, power, and strength. Through the life of the Iron Way, one can begin the journey of becoming a warrior. It is a difficult path to take, but few prefer to trudge on that road. Men are the ones to walk on this path of becoming a warrior and it is seldom that women choose the Iron Way but even if they do, they are forbidden or judged by their loved ones, the people around them, or just by the mere bystanders, which is something that we can expect by the setting of the story. 
It felt like I was watching a martial arts movie as I read the book. Regret is nowhere to be found after enjoying this book that I picked randomly because of a book sale. Again, satisfied!
You can definitely breathe into the world of ancient China where warriors exist for honor and justice alone. Sword of Destiny is a book for all the martial arts fanatics out there. It is a vivid telling of an adventure only for the brave ones. Meet the warriors that will blow your mind and touch your heart with their gentle strength and prowess. 

The book is written by Justin Hill which he based on the writings of Wang Dulu. You can check out the film adaptation on Netflix, I tried to watch it but I stop when I realized that there was a huge difference at the beginning of the movie and the book. I'm a bit disappointed with the film. Maybe, I'll try to watch it again some other time, see if it isn't bad as I thought, and let the movie justify itself once more. 

Bloodlust takes on White Blood

In a world where humans and vampires co-exist, is peace and harmony a luxury no one can afford?
White Blood is an action-romance-fantasy manhwa by Imrina (임리나). It is a story about an orphan girl named Hayan Park and also a pure blooded vampire. Her dream is to live peacefully with her siblings and father, and as much as possible live like the humans do by hiding the fact that she has the potential to be a danger to the existence of human race. 
Victims of humans-turned-vampires become rampant and authorities are taking actions to prevent any further damage to the fragile race of humans. Eun Tae Hwang is a police detective who works with the Vampire Task Force. Needless to say that he is working double time to catch and probably kill those creatures whose bloodlust can never be satisfied with only one victim. 
Humans are in danger someone needs to act. Someone powerful and strongest to put those bloodcurdling creatures in their proper place. And it seems humans-turned-vampires are the worst kind of beings one would never want to encounter. 
Hayan wants to live in peace but it seems like being a pure blooded vampire will never let her be, and meeting a vampire hunter, Eun Tae, is unlikely to be the best deal she gets to have out of her peaceful life. But one pure blooded vampire versus humans-turned-vampires appears to be more a feasible match for the human race.
---I read it here, you can too. Enjoy!

Ang Mapanakit na si Sis Moira (The Hurtful Sis Moira)

Made with Canva
Music is a companion we all can run to in times of sorrow, victory, joy, and a lot more emotions we can attach to any of our favorite songs. In my song list, the month of July of this year began with songs sang by Moira Dela Torre and some of them were written by her as well. I first heard her from the famous OPM song "Titibo-tibo". I liked the song and still do. It even won the Himig Handog 2017. 

She faded away from my radar when she released songs I couldn't even relate with, songs about love and broken hearts from a romantic relationship. I believed I was not the least interested in those types of genres. The message was just too heavy for me and I lack empathy with the songs since I have never been in a relationship, more like I can sympathize, but empathize, I have to be honest I had not yet reached that level during those days.
Fast forward to 2021, I met Moira Dela Torre for the second time and it was through the song "Paubaya" that was released in early 2020. My workmates had mentioned the song in one of our conversations and how it was so hurtful or mapanakit as they termed it. I brushed off their comment I was not still the least interested in Moira's songs.

Again July came and the "Paubaya" song crushed my heart. I even attempted to make a reaction video and all I did was cry and cry.  I posted the video reaction but decided to remove it right away. haha. I couldn't bear my reaction and how I cried so much. I sobbed. I wept. I even wailed. What a rage of emotions I had that moment!
The music video of the song got me thinking what if I was one of the main characters, either Julia or Josh. Would I be able to handle and process properly the sorrow and grief that are about to take me given the situation? Would I be able to let go of someone I loved so much? Would I surrender so the one I love can be free and happy with some other person? Would I choose a sane decision of letting go of the love I have for him? Would I make it out alive after experiencing such loss?
I was dwelling on those unanswered questions for the first few days of streaming the song. The trilogy, Patawad paalam, Paalam & Patawad featuring I Belong to the Zoo and Ben&Ben also hit me right where it was needed. They were hurtful, like salt put on an open wound. It felt painful. 

The realization that came upon me after the repetitive streaming of the song "Paubaya" is that a person does not surrender the one they love to the other person, instead it is an act of surrendering to the One who knows it all, who is in control of everything. That in one's loss, he or she can gain a lot through God. There is a lot of wisdom to be learned in Moira Dela Torre's songs. 
Her songs seem hurtful because sometimes the truth can cause us pain, so much hurt that sometimes we thought it was something that we can no longer bear. Maybe that is God's way of calling our attention and telling us that now is the time to surrender, to let go and let Him carry the weight for you and me.
3 He heals the brokenhearted    and binds up their wounds.4 He determines the number of the stars;    he gives to all of them their names.5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;    his understanding is beyond measure. Psalm 147:3-5 (ESV)

Avocado Seed with Feelings, Tons of Them

Look at that! I can't believe those healthy and greeny leaves sprouting out of that baby-sturdy stem. haha. I can't help but be amazed by the process and the life of planting a seed and growing it into an actual plant. 
The Avocado seed was from my co-teacher, Ms. Geraldine. At first, I was hesitant to ask her for a seed ever since I saw her posts on Facebook about plants and the jumbo Avocado fruit got my interest as well as the grapes she has at home. She sure has a green thumb, but I think she has two green thumbs. haha. 
I was afraid I wouldn't able to give justice to the life the Avocado seed has, but I was glad I took the courage to ask her even just for a single seed. I wanted the grapevine too, but I felt like it would be too much of me to get that from her for free. haha. Maybe one of these many days, I'll try if there's any post of her about grapes. hehe. 

I also sent my regards to her and the progress of the Avocado seed she generously gave to me. Last July 28 was the monumental day, I bravely planted my feelings for him, este, I mean the Avocado seed with all the hope and faith I could gather within me as I surrender everything to the giver of life. I was not really confident, but I was more hopeful that God would make it possible for the seed to grow and prosper and be a fruitful tree.

I intended to bury my feelings for him since it started to flourish beyond my control and I welcomed that moment of turbulence in my emotions. I thought I could handle it as God as my backup, what bad plan I had. Now, I realized I should have surrendered all the feelings I had towards him to God.     

Falling hard, yes, I was. Like a bullet train headed to one direction and destination where no one even him was waiting for me. He was never there and he never intended to be there. I guess it was just me anticipating the happy ending of the journey we started together. I created a story where I was the one and only sole author, he said we're on the same boat and I thought it was similar to writing on the same page. But we're completely on different rides. He was on the boat, safe from the ocean, while I was on the paper, a sheet of paper, slowly and certainly sinking deep in the unknown depths of the sea. 
I had no one to blame except for myself. I saw it coming, but I ignored the warning. I don't have any regrets, I took the chance and I am still glad I did. It was an experience I explicitly got myself into. And I believe there is a purpose from this encounter with him. No time was wasted. God has already walked before me in this process. Like what I always hear from my brothers and sisters in Christ, we should never neglect to trust the process. I hold on to Romans 8:28 ever since I learned it, it is one of the many promises of God mentioned in the Bible.

Transitioning from this season of my life, I hope to bloom in beauty inside out and be fruitful just like this Avocado plant. I pray it would grow into an actual tree many years from now, tall, sturdy, and abundant in jumbo Avocado fruit. That would be oh so tasty and healthy. 

Lutang Moments & Unanswered Prayers

Are you still waiting for God's answer to your prayer? Are you getting impatient that until now He hasn't answered your prayers for years and years? My recent read might give you some heads up why up until now you feel or think that God hasn't answered your prayer.
The Power of Positive Prayer by John Bisagno is an old Christian book I finished reading two weeks ago. I hope it is not too late to make a review about it because I feel so "lutang" the past two weeks, probably because another school year just began and I am a little busy, overwhelmed, and making adjustments in the first two weeks. My mind felt so disorganized and bombarded by different thoughts and information that came from internal and external sources. It was really a struggle, in the beginning, I even had headaches and there were nights I couldn't even sleep soundly. One thing that helped me get through it every time is my quiet and praying time with the Lord, and also meditating on His words.  
This pocketbook is also a companion during those restless days and nights. Bisagno wrote this book intended for a short read to serve its purpose for those who seek answers for their long-pending prayers to God. He encourages people, especially Christians, to spend more time praying rather than reading his authored book. 
Prayer is a great equalizer to all God's children. All of us can have direct communication with the Lord through prayer. But there are times, and when I say "times" I mean lots of them, when we feel like God doesn't answer our prayers. Even though we pray so hard for it and ask for it, God seems silent. He doesn't give us answer about the thing or person that we want and desire the most. And if we are not careful and mindful of the leading of the Holy Spirit, we might succumb to frustration and impatience in times of His silence and lead us to take the matter into our own hands.
In my Christian walk, I came to understand how God answers our prayers. It can be through reading the Bible, by the people around us, or through circumstances or situations in our lives. There are certain conditions to be met for you to get a big Heavenly Yes, and it is clearly stated in John 15:7: If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 
God answers us with a YES, if we are ready, a NO, if it isn't the best for us, or WAIT if we aren't yet ready. And waiting season can be frustrating sometimes, but I am telling you, I'm telling us, it's all worth it. Trust the process and continue to press on. He is in control and He wants the best for us.

Happy (Book) Birthday Pinuno!

Hey! It's Not About Us is a new book I want to share with all of you. I have posted a blog entry about it already and you can know more about it here.
I just finished formatting the book the other week. I don't know if you're aware, but I also write stories, poetry, and prose aside from writing reviews and other entries here on my blog, and I self-published them, my own written books. hehe. For now, this kind of setup is economical for me and my craft, but of course, I also dream of hiring or having professionals to touch my books but now is not yet the time. 
I would like to share the process before I release a book. I only came up with three simple and basic steps. 
How to Self-Publish Your Book
1. Write your pieceEither you like to write fiction or non-fiction is up to you. You can't publish a book without written works. As for me, writing is an outlet for my emotions and thoughts. It helps me process my feelings most of the time and I also want to write stories that inspire other people. Right now, I haven't written any story like a novel and I have 3 pending series that I must and want to continue, but I haven't, I can't, or maybe I just don't have the right inspiration for those pending works. I've been meaning to finish them, but... just but... I just can't, for now. 
And for my draft, I usually put them on my phone and laptop for offline and on Wattpad for online. The pieces included in this book were written from the year 2020 to 2021.
2. Create Book Covers and Illustrations I use the Canva app and website for book covers and illustrations. Most of the book covers of my books are from Canva, thank you so much Canva! So for my latest book, I got these illustrations and photos from Canva and put a little personal touch, as in super little. haha. On the copyright page of the book is where I put the credits for Canva. Big thanks Canva! Love, love, love!


3. Layout and format your bookUsing Microsoft Word, I format my book with the size 5 by 8, use a font style and size that are pleasing to the eye and also readable. I convert the final document to pdf as an e-book format of the book. 
And now finally, It's Not About Us is out, today, September 14, and free for all of you to download, just click here and get 3 other books for free. Get them all for free on this special day!
Special shout out Pinunong Pablo! Happy Birthday! You and the whole SB19 and your story inspire me to pursue my dream. Thank God, for your lives!
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. ~Ephesians 2:10

When Dimple Met Rishi Everything Went Squishy

When Dimple Met Rishi is my second book from Sandhya Menon, another young adult book with diverse characters and backgrounds. Dimple and Rishi are two young adults meant to be together, at least that's how the author planned them to be.  To be together forever. Kismet.  
This is the longest book I read in a span of half a month. It has 56 chapters plus 1. I never thought I would have the patience and the courage to finish the book even as a reader. Maybe, one of the many reasons I finished this book is that it is engaging in a way that the author made sure that there wasn't any dull moment in any part of it. Though there are some parts that I am quite concerned about, like how straightforward the female lead is when it comes to pre-marital sex. I felt that the author is very intentional in that part since the whole revolting that Dimple is trying to point out exudes feminism. I won't discuss that topic any further than that. If you are comfortable and have the tolerance and understanding to deal with that kind of topic then there's no reason for you not to read this book. This is just me expressing what I felt reading that part of the book.
And mainly, it is about chasing dreams and acting on them as if there is nothing and even no one that could ever stop the characters in the story from realizing those dreams. For sure, we all have dreams just like the characters I met in When Dimple Met Rishi, but somewhere down the road we stopped and decided to forget about them for some reasons only we knew. This book is a tap for you and me to be reminded of that dream of ours, whatever it was. That one dream we desperately wanted to be hidden and forgotten.

It is hard to give up on a dream we are so passionate about, especially if we treated it as if it is the air and the blood that gives us life and reason to exist. But if we have dreams that we happened to let go along the way, don't be in despair forever. It is just a season and it will surely pass too. Whenever I feel hopeless, I try to be reminded of and meditate on one of my favorites and also a famous verse in the Bible which is Jeremiah 29:11. I like to personalize it and I desire that it also gives you hope, a living hope that we all need in this dying world.  
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.