Arlene Manocot's Blog, page 15
January 2, 2021
Arlene Reacts: Aladdin (Disney Live-Action Film 2019)

I felt nostalgic as I watched the live-action film Aladdin by Disney. I was excited and felt like there was a bubbly feeling inside me. I was giddy and anticipation overwhelmed me. I was a sucker for Disney movies when I was a kid, who wouldn't. And I have this feeling that the kid who fans over Disney movies is still there somewhere inside me. Though as an adult I read articles and watched Youtube videos that criticized Disney's approach in handling the story where they change something to make it acceptable and appropriate to their young audience. The intention is good, they want to sell a feel-good movie inspired by existing stories that have a different representation. One can never go wrong in choosing a family-oriented and heartwarming movie from my Disney favorite films, and one of them is Aladdin.
I could just scream inwardly when I heard that there would be a remake of Aladdin. I was excited, yet I never intended to watch it in cinemas, how ironic, and I was just waiting for it to stream online. I wondered how the whole team of filmmakers could pull off such a grand production presented in its animated counterpart. I was having my doubts about the ability and capability of Disney to realize such an ambitious project, and also if they would find the right actors to give life to such wonderful characters.
In the first few days of the year 2021, my doubts about the movie were proven completely false. The live-action Aladdin by Disney was gorgeous. They had the right actors for Aladdin, Jasmine, and Genie. They pulled it off. I loved the song and dance routine like it was a musical theater production in the form of a film. It had also expressed firmly the struggle of Princess Jasmine in becoming the next Sultan of their kingdom. I didn't expect that one. I thought it was all just a romantic fling between a thief and a princess and how they could defeat the villain of the story, but it was more than that.
I think we can all identify ourselves with all the characters from Aladdin, Jasmine, Genie, Sultan, Jafar, Hakim, Dalia... at some point in our lives. They are us one way or another. I believe that just like Jasmine, we should not stay silent and go speechless when we are required not to be.
Nevertheless, this is a fun and good-feel movie for the rest of the family. You must watch it!
Arlene Reacts: Weathering with You (Tenki no Ko)

Through this blog, it is my first time reacting to a movie I watched. I thought I should just go for books, but I guessed we could also go get inspiration in movies just like I thought so.
The first film is Weathering With You. I saw posts about this movie for quite some time on one of my social media accounts. I was interested since I heard that the main characters of the animated movie Your Name made a cameo, but my curiosity was not enough to make me want to watch it during those times.
Ever since I was a child I have been fascinated with animated movies and the likes so it is only natural for me to watch this kind of film whenever I find the time to browse the internet and find an interesting film to get myself busy in times of idleness or if I want to have a break from reading books.
Weathering with You or Tenki no Ko is a kind of movie genre that I will definitely get myself into. It is heartwarming, full of drama, and has a sprinkle of romance. I got teary-eyed as I watched an animated film like this. I didn't expect that it was flavored with fantasy I thought it was more like the word 'weather' in the title was something like the struggles that the main characters experienced in their lives as teenagers. In literal meaning, it seems like I was wrong in my assumptions with the title, but in figurative aspects, I guess my assumptions make sense. It's like weathering with you means going through with you or with someone in facing struggles and challenges in life particularly in our society.
I admire how the characters defy the odds in realizing what their hearts desire the most. I had this thought of how I wished I could be brave like them, young as they were, they already determined what they want and what to do. Yet the plot of the story clearly showed the limitations of their desire at its resolution part, and as what the society expects them to behave. They are young and have to answer to the authority which presents the realistic part of the story. There are consequences they have to accept after pursuing their desire while neglecting their safety and without the approval of the people who are in charge of them.
This film burns with passion and warmth despite its rainy and watery season setting almost throughout the movie. Let's keep weathering!
December 30, 2020
Gear up for 2021
Episodes just like this in my life remind me of my humanity, that there is a weakness in me, that I am limited in different aspects, yet I know that I am enough for the purpose He has entrusted me. God has supplied and will supply whatever I need. This is also a loving nudge from God that I must learn to let go of the things I can't control and fully trusting Him that all things will work together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
The year 2021 is not an exemption to the war that has been occurring even before I existed here on earth. A spiritual war has been going on since Satan rebelled against God. And the battleground for this war is our mind, thus we should fill our minds with good thoughts and ideas that edify us towards the kingdom of God.
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ, ~2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV
Living a victorious life is never easy, surely there are times of failure and losses, but He is faithful and Christ is enough. He will bring comfort in our troubled times. He will be with us when we face tribulation in our life. He will not forsake us. The LORD is always with us.
I am in the process of knowing God more and seeking Him to have that personal and intimate relationship. There are times that I waver and neglect my time with Him so I tried to improve some of my habits that will help me in my journey to know and experience Him more. I listed down below some of the materials that help me with this spiritual journey with God:

1. Journal NotebookEver since I decided to become a writer I always tend or prefer to pen down my thoughts and feelings in a notebook, but I was never consistent. Most of the time I just brush off the chances of penning down those thoughts and feelings. But the year 2020 made the difference, I was more determined to utilize my journal notebook in talking my thoughts and feelings with God. Hopefully, 2021 will bring the same determination as I continue to seek more of God.

2. 365-Day / Everyday DevotionalRecently, I began reading the Bible from the beginning, the book of Genesis. I was having trust issues with what the church was telling about Jesus. This was a struggle I opened to my Discipleship Group leader and other members. They prayed for me and gave references for me to watch, read, and meditate upon. Aside from reading the Bible, I thought it would be nice to have this everyday devotional book by Max Lucado.

3. Pens and Highlighters I use Dong-A Fine Tech, they are more affordable than its other competitor. I get the quality I want at a much lower price. It is also refillable. For highlighters, I have ones from Stabilo Boss and Schneider Job collections. I just need the basics for penning down my thoughts and feelings, and sometimes my conversations with God. I also tried writing stories and poems on notebooks, but it appears to me that I am not making any progress right now.

The Armor of God~Ephesians 6:10-1710 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Happy new year! God bless everyone!
Gearing up for 2021
Episodes just like this in my life remind me of my humanity, that there is a weakness in me, that I am limited in different aspects, yet I know that I am enough for the purpose He has entrusted me. God has supplied and will supply whatever I need. This is also a loving nudge from God that I must learn to let go of the things I can't control and fully trusting Him that all things will work together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
The year 2021 is not an exemption to the war that has been occurring even before I existed here on earth. A spiritual war has been going on since Satan rebelled against God. And the battleground for this war is our mind, thus we should fill our minds with good thoughts and ideas that edify us towards the kingdom of God.
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ, ~2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV
Living a victorious life is never easy, surely there are times of failure and losses, but He is faithful and Christ is enough. He will bring comfort in our troubled times. He will be with us when we face tribulation in our life. He will not forsake us. The LORD is always with us.
I am in the process of knowing God more and seeking Him to have that personal and intimate relationship. There are times that I waver and neglect my time with Him so I tried to improve some of my habits that will help me in my journey to know and experience Him more. I listed down below some of the materials that help me with this spiritual journey with God:

1. Journal NotebookEver since I decided to become a writer I always tend or prefer to pen down my thoughts and feelings in a notebook, but I was never consistent. Most of the time I just brush off the chances of penning down those thoughts and feelings. But the year 2020 made the difference, I was more determined to utilize my journal notebook in talking my thoughts and feelings with God. Hopefully, 2021 will bring the same determination as I continue to seek more of God.

2. 365-Day / Everyday DevotionalRecently, I began reading the Bible from the beginning, the book of Genesis. I was having trust issues with what the church was telling about Jesus. This was a struggle I opened to my Discipleship Group leader and other members. They prayed for me and gave references for me to watch, read, and meditate upon. Aside from reading the Bible, I thought it would be nice to have this everyday devotional book by Max Lucado.

3. Pens and Highlighters I use Dong-A Fine Tech, they are more affordable than its other competitor. I get the quality I want at a much lower price. It is also refillable. For highlighters, I have ones from Stabilo Boss and Faber Castle collections. I just need the basics for penning down my thoughts and feelings, and sometimes my conversations with God. I also tried writing stories and poems on notebooks, but it appears to me that I am not making any progress right now.

The Armor of God~Ephesians 6:10-1710 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Happy new year! God bless everyone!
December 28, 2020
Travel Goal in 2020: Romblon?

Where to travel this 2020?
I know that you are also wondering about an answer to this question. Where can we go for our travel goals this 2020? During this time of the pandemic, many of us have already cancelled plans, be it related to our study, career, business, family, and a lot more things. We may feel disappointed by all these, maybe now is not the right time, maybe there is more perfect timing for our plans to happen. We may not understand why, but when it is time all will make sense.
Every year before the year ends, I travel with a friend and as years go by, a friend turned to friends. We are growing and continue recruiting (that sounds so business-like haha). We like to travel for experience and 'feels'. Our experiences may not be always pleasant, but there are always the fun and happy parts of our journey. Seeing and feeling in the breathtaking view of God's wonderful creation is the best experience we can all share together. Meeting and observing people from different places is also a joy for us. We learn from them and from the places we set our foot on. It is a privilege, and we are thankful to God making these opportunities.
This year-end travel has been a ritual going on for five years which started in 2015. Travelling to beautiful places was wishful thinking for us until we decided that 2015 should begin the journey and it went on until 2019. Maybe similar to your circumstance, we also silently decided all together (using our telepathic ability haha) that this year 2020 would make the difference. Not pushing through with our travel plans is for the best, and that is also silently agreed upon by everyone. During this pandemic, a lot of people struggle and we are not excused to those challenges. We can only pray and try our best to help others the best we can. We are limited, but we know God is limitless. He is sovereign and still in control.





This year 2020, we were supposed to go to Romblon, since one of our travel buddies slash colleagues slash friend is from this beautiful place. We are aware of its wonders and beauty through our social media accounts. Photos are posted on the different travel-themed group page on Facebook. We are in awe just by looking at the pictures and we still look forward to seeing Romblon in person, certainly not this year, but we are hopeful this coming 2021.
So our travel goal in 2020 is at the gym (haha), but we will see you soon Romblon!

P.S. The only thing that was not cancelled in my plans for 2020 is my journey with God. To know Him more and deepen my relationship with Him. We may not know what the future brings us, but you be hopeful because He is faithful.
All photographs used in this blog entry are from Arra A.
December 27, 2020
The Jesus Movement by Edward E. Plowman
Because of that incident, I was reminded again of WWJD which stands for What Would Jesus Do. Before jumping to any conclusion, I should ask this question to myself, if not always, at least most of the time. I was impulsive during that time, I thought I had overcome that stronghold. I know that overcoming strongholds needs moment by moment surrendering to Jesus. Every day, we battle with forces unseen. There is a spiritual war that is happening around us, thus we have to be on guard with God's Word.
The Jesus Movement by Edward E. Plowman is a record of accounts of how people in some parts of America got to know Jesus as the solution to all the problems that the human race faces right now. I would like to see a world where we love like Jesus did, care for others how Jesus did, all the things He did while He was here on earth to set an example for all of us, for our sake. I am aware that it is not that simple, I myself have a lot of struggles and have this uncertainty sometimes if I can be Jesus-like. Yet, I have this assurance that in Him everything is possible. That through Him, it is possible to finish this race if I continue to seek His kingdom first. I try to consistently meditate on the Scriptures day and night and do my journal. These are the little things I do so I can stay on the track and run the race He has set for me. I am trying to live a Spirit-filled life because without it continuing the race will be impossible for me. Only through Jesus, I will be able to go on and finish the race. My prayer always is that I will depend on and trust Him in everything, and obey everything He has commanded me. May I always have a heart that seeks only Him. My LORD and Saviour. The Source of my strength.
Satan may be louder, but Jesus is much, much stronger. Jesus lives and has defeated the enemy.
The Great Commission~Matthew 28:16-2016 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”




December 25, 2020
when a good God allows rape by Joy Tan-Chi Mendoza
'I was not rape, why would I buy that kind of book,' these were exactly my thoughts. I didn't experience that grave offense from my violator. I was fine. I am still a virgin. There was no penetration that occurred, so I was really fine to compare to what Joy experience from her offenders. I believed I was on the gentler side of the crime. I believed I should just brush it off and move on with my life as if nothing happened when I was just a child when he touched me. We were family after all. I didn't want to cause an uproar, chaos, or anarchy in our family even though we were not on good terms with some of them, still, I didn't want to make an issue about it. The fact that it happened more than two decades ago and that I didn't have any evidence of the incident left fear in me that no one would believe that it happened to me. I was in denial all those years of my inner struggles.
Years had passed and I grew up with a lot of issues within me, all of them unresolved and unjustified. I never opened to my parents or even to my friends in high school and college, I was ashamed and felt dirty though I continued to thrive. Our family struggled with poverty as they pursued our education, and I didn't want to burden my parents by telling them all my unresolved and unjustified issues within me.
I thought I was still pure. Penetration never occurred. If my memory served me right, it didn't happen. Yet he touched me, and that left an unfamiliar sensation. I desired it, to the point of starving and thirsting for that sensation. Yet I never wanted to let anyone touch me that way, ever again. I felt disgusted just thinking about it, a man touching me. I felt gross, dirty, and frightened. Yet I still desire for that sensation. That thirst continued to grow until my adolescent years all the way to my adulthood. The adolescent years let me discovered that God hated what I was doing to myself during one of the many Bible studies I attended, and I was no longer pure, I was a sinner, I was doomed. God would never forgive me.
I was seeking that One true God in my adolescence, but I kept on sinning. There were times that I felt victorious over that sin yet I always went back to square one every time I gave in to my desire. Yet. Yet, most of the time I gave in and thought that I was a hopeless case, there was no hope for me. I gave up seeking God knowing that I could never win against my earthly desire.
In my adulthood, I felt a little wiser and confident. I had acquired a stable job with a reasonable salary and began to explore the world with a little bit of courage. I had this idea in mind that everything is possible now that I am an adult. I dreamed big and came up with making it big as an author, a writer. I'd like to write stories from my wild imagination. From this writing journey, I discovered that sex is okay from a worldly perspective, but I strongly believed in marriage-before-sex. I kept my chastity and never had a boyfriend.
I was tormented all those years of dealing with my sin and guilt. There were days I was doing fine and there were also days I was a mess. I had episodes of suicidal thoughts every now and then. I was living a double life now that I looked back at it. I was trying so hard pleasing God in my own way, yet I could not even surrender my earthly desire.
At this point in time, I still have struggles but I am no longer alone. I am fighting a good fight with my Savior and Redeemer, the perfecter of my faith, Jesus Christ. He has saved me and forgave all of my sins from the past, present, and future. I no longer running the race on my own strength, but with the strength that is found only in Jesus. He brought me out of the darkness, and shed light on my life.
When a good God allows rape reaffirms that my God is faithful to those who love Him. That my struggles and the pain it caused me are nothing compared to what He has in store for me. He is a faithful and purposeful God.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.~Romans 8:28



December 23, 2020
By the River Piedra I Sat Down & Wept by Paulo Coelho
4 How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill.6 May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you,if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy.
7 Remember, Lord, what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell.“Tear it down,” they cried, “tear it down to its foundations!”8 Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is the one who repays you according to what you have done to us.9 Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.~Psalm 137
By the River Piedra, I sat down and wept. It is a fascinating fact that this same phrase is based on a chapter from the book of Psalm. I still find it interesting that Paulo Coelho entangled his books with the writings in the Bible. All the books I read from him offer a lot of possibilities and wonders in the physical and spiritual world. Though his books are fiction philosophical in nature, it is a delight to devour and be devoured in his fascination with spiritual forces in the physical world. I am both entertained and educated every time I read and finished his books.
By the River Piedra, I sat down and wept. Pilar is me: a girl who had her first love in her childhood days or must I say crushes in my elementary days and a woman who is in denial of the love she still has for the same guy she fell in love with when she was just a child. Well as for me I am a woman who waits for her God's best as of now, after all my conscious effort of doing my way to find the one, I let Him take over and do His way. It was not easy surrendering this desire, I still struggle with letting Him take over this aspect of my life. Yet, I believe He knows better than me, and what's best for me.
By the River Piedra, I sat down and wept. The road to acceptance is never easy same as surrendering. To accept that you cannot do it on your own strength is a sign of weakness in this world and that surrendering is a result of that weakness. Yet, I beg to disagree. Surrendering takes a lot of strength and bravery, again I say, it is never ever easy. But with love everything is possible. That kind of love that surpasses all understanding. That kind of love that brings you peace amidst trouble. The love that can only be found in Him. Pilar accepted and surrendered and fought for her love.
By the River Piedra, I sat down and wept.



December 21, 2020
Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho
I was Maria, I think, some part of me is Maria. She represents us, women, some tiny bit parts of her life in this story, Eleven Minutes, is without a doubt a representation of what we aspire and experience in our lives. When she met Ralf Hart, it made all the difference. The tragedy that was about to fall to Maria vanished upon his existence in her life. He saved her. Just like how she saved him. They compliment each other. In his weakness, she was his strength. In her darkness, he was her light.
This book has mature contents, not to be recommended to young minds who aren't yet ready to face one of the many realities in life, specifically the harsh ones. There is something redemptive in this story, and that is for you to discover once you read and finish this book. This is a love story, the kind of love you can discover in all facets of life.




December 17, 2020
The Beginning
Cleo
This is the end. Finally, I can die, eternally.
Those are the exact thoughts of Eve when she took over my body. Fully taking over my body signals the beginning of the end. She can finally possess the death that has been elusive in her entire existence here on earth. She has been reincarnated over and over again. Repetitively, feeling the pain and suffering caused by the betrayal of Adam.
With Israel and Jesrael's power, they can finally put her to final rest. If all go well, she will sleep for awhile and wait for the rapture and second coming of the King.
"We can finally put her to rest." Israel looks at Eve with pity and regret. "This is the last time they will die."
"If there is no one to intervene," Jesrael warns him.
"Then, we have to stop him, whoever tries to intervene what is planned to him. That is why we are here for." He tries to convince not only her but also himself.
Someone will definitely try to intervene. He always does. He wants them to suffer, all four of them. Adam and Eve, the mortals who were banished from the Garden of Eden, and the two angels who were supposed to be guarding us, Israel and Jesrael. They are in this repetitive cycle of living and dying inside the bodies of the chosen vessels every generation, every time they try to end their misery, that despicable entity always prevails in keeping them from dying, physically. She never understood his purpose of keeping them alive, the endless repetition of reincarnation. Their spirits never sleep, never cease to exist in this cruel world. The pain and suffering continue to haunt their souls.
"We have to stop him or else, our spirit will never rest." Israel's eyes burn with determination as he stands beside the restful body of Eve lying on a comforter.
"You have to stop him, Jesrael, no more playing lukewarm if you don't want to stay here on earth for another millennium."
"Alright! I know that already, don't nag me. I won't fall for his trap this time. And I know that this is our last chance." A bit irritated, she cannot blame Israel for specifically reminding her what might happen if she plays lukewarm. She will not let her feelings for Adam to get in the way of a chance to return to the Creator.
"It's game time."
Eve's eyes open once she heard his voice. It is Ikeda or more like Adam. He is here. His presence suddenly appears without a single hint.
"Why you're late again," Jesrael complains
"I ain't. I've been since you arrived with Eve." He responds casually putting his arm on her shoulders.
Her heart beats as if it is going to burst. Her mind is in chaos, and she cannot even think straight. Her husband is here, the one she loves and cherishes, the flesh of my flesh. She feels power coming out from her body.
Hearing Adam and Jesrael casually talk brings familiar pain inside her, and she hates that. Millenia had passed and she thought she is over with the feeling the night she learned her husband's infidelity. She moved on, that's what she thought so.
"She's awake."
