Arlene Manocot's Blog, page 11

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.

It's Not About Us But What If

We humans make plans, but the Lord has the final word. We may think we know what is right, but the Lord is the judge of our motives. Share your plans with the Lord, and you will succeed.Proverbs 16:1‭-‬3 CEV
One of the many struggles of humans is to surrender to God. As if surrendering shows the weakness and flaws in us we always want to forget and hide in the darkest part of our closet. That giving up our rights and entitlement to God would cause such loss of every right of our own humanity. That accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior would take away our freedom and liberty to experience life to the fullest. And a lot more misconceptions about God. All these may appear to be true to us if we do not know the character of our heavenly Father, our One True God, if we don't have a personal intimate relationship, there is a danger of believing all these lies from the enemy. 
But God is gracious and merciful. He let us know what we needed to know and never left the essential wisdom and knowledge unheard of from Him. He uses everything and anything to deliver His will right to our doorstep, yet sometimes we tend to be insensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and most of the time, we are impatient. Yes, we are impatient selfish human beings, and our human nature leads us to compromises, and the worst, causes us to sin. We may have past experiences that hold us back and the trauma is still there, but I assure you based on my encounter with Christ there is nothing more redeeming and liberating than accepting Jesus in our lives, He gives us peace, He is the peace we all need to reconcile us with Father God.
Our existence in this life and in this world is not only for us, not solely for our own selfish gain. There is a greater purpose for everything. It is never just about us. We are designed to cooperate and submit to God's law. We are His workmanship and He already prepared us for good works.
Let me share with you Bible verses from Philippians 3:13-14: Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. These Scriptures always encourage me to continue and be intentional in my walk with Jesus. The Christian life is not easy, I can even imagine my sisters and brothers in Christ right now saying in unison that it is not just hard, it is impossible, and I couldn't agree with them more. 
Now that all have been said and done, I would also like to share with you a story through the chapbook I mentioned from one of my vlogs. Yep, you read it right, I'm releasing a new book this year 2021. It's a poetry and prose collection or some might say it is a thought catalog, but I'd prefer to call it a journey of letting go and let God be God.
I present to you the book cover of It's Not About Us (But What If It's About Us). 

Head Full of Honey in a Passing Mist

It's been a while since I watched TV, probably since the domination of the world wide web and easy access to internet connection among the citizens of the Philippines. I remember during my childhood and adolescence days, TV is the number source of news, gossips, trends, and entertainment. At home, our TV always gave out and reached its capacity, since we always bought surplus goods which fitted within our budget. But nowadays that's no longer the case, we now have Netflix and other free streaming sites, and with just one search and click we can immediately find the show we want to watch. Everything seems so instant. Just like in life, everything seems to be fleeting and in an instant, something or someone important is no more with us. Head Full of Honey is a movie that I watched on TV first time in a while from start to finish with all the commercials in between. There is no denying that the film captured my interest. I was hesitant to watch it because of all the TV advertisements coming our way and felt like it is a waste of time to see those commercials, but I was glad I took the chance of watching it with my mother. 
It is a 2018 American remake of a 2014 German film of the same name. Head Full of Honey is about Amadeus, a widowed grandfather who has Alzheimer's disease. A heartwarming story intended for the whole family, this film served as a tear-jerker that left me and my mother filled with sadness and hope at the same time. Though adventure might not be an initial genre for this movie, I could not help but sense and embraced the hearts of the characters, they felt raw and genuine, even devoid of any counterfeit and forgery. The colorful life of the Nolte's family shows us perfectly the imperfection of life, and how fleeting it can be.
 Teacher: Life is fleeting, like a passing mist.
        It is like trying to catch hold of a breath;
    All vanishes like a vapor; everything is a great vanity.
Ecclesiastes 1:2

We all long to fulfill a purpose in life and once that purpose no longer serves us the way it used to, it is a heavy burden we always want to get off or run away from. If ever we have the chance and ability to make life better and purposeful for other people especially for the ones we love, then it's worth every effort and energy to give your all and never give up on them. For sure, there are times when we want so much to throw everything and say we give up, I've had enough, and it is okay, you can rest and pause but please let's not give up on them, let's us not give up on us. We are all on the same team. That's the essence of life, it is to love others just like how you love yourself through the true source and demonstration of love.  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

Hot, Sosy, Healthy & Beyoutiful

Hot SOS by Solenn Heussaff is a self-help book about fitness and health and beauty. This was a short read book but it took me three days to finish it. Well, I wanted to absorb and imbibe whatever I could learn and unlearn from this little guidebook of Solenn. 
The author Solenn Heussaff is also an actress, make-up artist, painter, and businesswoman.  She has a knack for creativity like she exists to create. I admire women like her. Free-spirited and unapologetic for who she is. I see her as a strong woman. 
The book contains tips and advice, easy-to-follow exercise routines and healthy food recipes. What I enjoyed the most from the book is the Q & A part where it revealed the I am a Sneaky Exerciser which means I work out high with an activity that doesn't seem like a workout at all like a bike ride or weekend with friends. It seems the test is legit because that's so me. You can find the test on pages 132 to 133 if ever you get a copy of the book, or I can take a picture of it for you, and maybe we can DM each other. haha   
The 10 Rules to Live By by Solenn Heussaff is also something that I appreciate from this read. Let me list them down here:Enough with the "I'll do it tomorrow!" Start today!Be active as much as you can. But take a break when you need it.Don't drink your calories.Never, ever compare yourself to anyone.Drink 3 liters of water a day.Always eat breakfast.Surround yourself with only positivity and progress. No room for nega.Eat a rainbow.Sleep like a baby.You'll be reminded of some of the practical ways to living a healthy lifestyle through this book. You may want to see a glimpse of what's inside this book, click here to see.

It is all good to be concerned with our health and how we look, just like how I am right now. hehe. I have never been concerned with myself and how I appear to others more than I do now. I even tried plucking my brows and dying my hair out of my own volition. How's that! Another step towards adulting if I may say. But I must say that we should also take care of the beauty inside all of us that will never fade away, right? And there is where you can find the true you, so be.you.tiful always.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Now I Wonder with So Much Love

From Twinkle, with Love is a young adult book by Sandhya Menon. It is really a thick one and it took me three weeks maybe before I finished it, since I tend to be a polygamist reader sometimes. I bought this one from the nationwide National Book Store Sale last year. It is a hardbound book and got it for only 195 pesos.   
Sandhya Menon generously offers us a sweet love story and an inspiring journey of pursuing your dreams and finding your voice in a world where you feel like the invisible ones. It has multiracial characters which make it relevant and revolting all at the same time. The main characters Twinkle and Sahil are a dynamic couple with all their insecurities in life who took a chance of showing their true self to the ones who matter to them the most. 
There is no single character in this story whom I didn't like. They are just all so lovable and likable, even the bad ones at the beginning of the book. They make the story so welcoming and relevant. They are not just minor characters, they are pieces of a puzzle that perfectly fit the picture. I like how Menon intended to put these individuals together to create a diverse culture in a single plot. 
It is told from such a personal point of view which makes it more heartfelt and sincere. Even though I think I am a little too old to read young adult books, I still enjoy this book, maybe it's just my age that is getting old. haha. 

So don't be afraid to take a chance on your dream and never give up without even trying. 
That's it, From Twinkle, with Love
And here's another reminder to boost that courage and confidence you always have in and through Him.
So always trust the Lord
because he is forever
our mighty rock.
~Isaiah 26:4