My Hanfu (Ancient Chinese Costume)

   I love to watch Chinese period dramas. I have seen Ballad of the Desert starring Liu Shi Shi, and the Imperial Doctress. The characters there are shown wearing long loose clothing called Hanfu. I dreamed of wearing one so I decided to buy online. It costs me around a thousand pesos, but it is alright since, the costume that I wore before in our office 'trick or treat' party costs me around the same amount. Also, as a Chinese culture enthusiast this is a must-buy. I chose this beautiful 'silk-like' light blue Hanfu with a flowery design. I like that it has gray tones. I am not that young anymore so I like the formality of the color. I bought this from a seller-online that goes by the nickname suyuer123. This Hanfu came all the way from China. So I think it is authentic. It also comes with accessories. Ancient Chinese-style pins, with a Chinese character keychain for the belt, stickers, free measuring tape, a piece of braided hair lace with a ribbon.This is a two-piece clothing. A jacket, and a long skirt with a belt/sash. Also, I learned from our online Hanfu group in fb, that the top jacket is worn crossover from left to right, and not right over left. I made a mistake before. So this is very important to note.

Today many admirers of this ancient Chinese costume formed a group or an organization. Just check out the popular social network and you'll find many Hanfu, Chinese cosplayers enthusiasts. Now, there is a worldwide trend of people fascinated with this style of clothing. The cheongsam is nice to look at but I think the Hanfu also deserves a place to be appreciated also. While the Japanese have kimonos, and the Koreans have the hanbok. The Chinese people can be proud displaying this beautiful traditional clothing. I included a photo of myself wearing my very own Hanfu. The Hanfu came first before the Manchu style clothing. It also influenced the Japanese, and the Korean style of clothing. For me, the Hanfu is really a beautiful Chinese traditional costume.

Back again at Confucius Institute in Ateneo (Basic Mandarin 3)

   After 3 years, I'm finally back in Confucius Institute at the Ateneo de Manila University. I decided to take up Chinese again because I was positively influenced by my friend, whose Chinese mastery is way, way advanced compared to my level. Anyway, we started our class last week, July 8th. Yesterday, was our 2nd session. This is the 43rd cycle. My batchmates before, I'm sure were pretty much ahead of me because the Basic Mandarin 2 that I took 3 years ago was cycle 30+... something.. I already forgot since it's been a long time. My instructor's name is Priscilla Chang. She originally hails from Taiwan, and from her story, since the start of Confucius Institute Cycle 1,  at the Ateneo de Manila University, she has been teaching until now. My former laoshi (Ms. Joanna Tecson) in Basic Mandarin 2 told me that my teacher now is really kind. Before, I was really having second thoughts if I should continue attending this class. (remember my post before in my Basic Mandarin 2 class, same feelings again) I find this course also difficult. I was not able to practice what I learned before since I didn't have Chinese friends, or someone to practice what I learned. I have a Filipino-Chinese friend (churchmate) but that friend of mine is not that active in texting or replying in Chinese.

Basic Mandarin 2 focuses on conversation, creating sentences, more vocabulary words. Basic Mandarin 3 focuses more on writing. Our first lesson was all about the Chinese strokes, horizontal, vertical, left, right and dot... (heng, shu, pie, na, dian.. etc,) I'm still overwhelmed because I've been on a hiatus with regards to Chinese language study. I tried memorizing them. I even told my laoshi that I'm having a hard time studying the lesson. She encouraged me to study harder. The book that we used is the same as the book that we used in Basic Mandarin 2. (New Practical Chinese Reader - Book I). We review the words that we learn, and I think its a good refresher course for me. I also like the style of my teacher, wherein we review how to say a sentence in Chinese, and then we learn how to write the characters. The number of students enrolled in our class is not that large (8 students) since those who attended in the first day of class moved to another class because this level is way easy for them, and also as suggested by my laoshi. Yesterday's class we did a lot of things. Our teacher brought a book about how to hold the Chinese brush properly, how to write Chinese characters in order, and we also got to try writing with a Chinese brush and sort of a writing mat for practicing writing in Chinese. We also learned how to write Philippines (feilubin), so lengthy! I still haven't bought a notebook for this course. My filchi friend suggested a math notebook. What I did is I just printed the Chinese writing paper (Tian Zi Ge) that I saw online. My teacher said that's okay, she also brought a copy of tian zi ge for my classmates to have it photocopied. A lot of words to remember, hen nan (very difficult)! I'm overwhelmed. I even have a comparison when it comes to learning Chinese.. I feel happy, excited, and nervous. The feeling is similar when you like someone. he!he!he!

For those who are interested in learning Chinese (Mandarin), the course fee for a cycle is P4,500 for the early bird, and P5,000 if you didn't register earlier like me. I already registered on the last week, deadline of payment. Basic Mandarin 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 is offered at Ateneo in Katipunan (courses offered in Katipunan are limited). While in Ateneo Confucius Institute in Makati all Basic Mandarin levels are offered, and they have also Special Topics, and various lessons in Chinese musical instruments are also offered. The new Basic Mandarin textbook 1 is priced at 1,100 now, while the New Practical Chinese Reader books are still priced at P550. Even if its hard studying Chinese, I'll still try my best to learn. If you love something. No regrets! Jia you!

Philippines-China Friendship Club (PCFC)

  I badly wanted to join a Filipino-Chinese or any Chinese studies organization/association or club before. As a Chinese studies and culture enthusiast I wanted to be a part of a solid organization that can help me learn more about China, and wherein I can be considered as part of the family, with the same aspiration as mine. I thoroughly search online and was blessed enough to read about Philippines-China Friendship Club. I was fortunate enough to be able to get in touch with the founding president of that club, a young professional, Mr. Austin Ong. He's an alumnus of the University of the Philippines, and also a master's degree holder from Tsinghua University (China). He has been to a lot of countries, and has been guested in local tv shows here in the Philippines. I have met Sir Austin Ong personally at KAISA this year.

What is Philippines-China Friendship Club all about?

From PCFC website:

It is a friendship club that strives to provide platforms of interactions for Filipino students and young professionals to establish and cultivate life-long friendships with the Chinese.

Objectives of PCFC:
+ To build and to strengthen Filipinos and Chinese friendship through fun and meaningful events.
+ Be a resource for Filipinos to maximize their "China experience".

PCFC also holds meetings, and social gatherings with fellow and like-minded Chinese studies scholars, students, and professionals. (Check out the group photo here about an event that was held in the past, my graphic drawing was also used in the invitation and group page.) I'm also thankful to the founder of PCFC because 2 years ago, I was able to attend the inauguration of Confucius Institute in U.P Diliman. As a former student of Confucius Institute in Ateneo, that was another milestone in my life.

I believe that we can work together for the common good. I hope that the relationship of China and the Philippines will be even more stronger. The relationship of this 2 countries dates far back.

If you are interested in joining the group, you can search for it on Facebook.

(Update: This July 2018, we have available PCFC customized t-shirts. See the photos above. For orders just leave a message here. Thanks!)

In My Reading Room: Broken Mirror (Inside A Chinese Marriage) Aurora Teo Mei Ling

   Finally! I got a copy of this book. This is available only in selected Fully Booked branches. Sad to say, Fully Booked SM North Edsa branch doesn't carry this title. I have to order it from them. The price of the book is around P800+. After some days I received a text from them and I got my own copy. I haven't started reading it but from what I know this is a true story of a woman, and her experiences in marrying a Chinese. I will write a review about this book soon.

Love O2O TV Series 微微一笑很倾城

  I just finished watching Love O2O tv series version. Just check out my past review about the movie version. I have different feelings about the drama and the movie. The drama series lead actor who played Xiao Nai was portrayed by Yang Yang and the lead character named Wei Wei was portrayed by Zheng Shuang. She is also the lead actress in the series Love Weaves Through A Millenium with Jing Boran who played Xiao Nai in the movie version of Love O2O. The summary of this movie is two popular computer science students who are both gamers fall in love with each other.

The drama series goes in-depth with all the characters in Gu Man's novel. I have really enjoyed watching the tv series. In the drama series Wei Wei is portrayed as very feminine, and sweet not like in the movie version wherein Wei Wei is more tomboyish. There are also a lot of kissing scenes in the drama version. I ask myself is that necessary in order to spike the viewership ratings? There are also differences between the story line in the drama and movie. KO was a computer gamer who owns a shop, and not a chef. There's also differences between the character of Cao Guang.

 If you want to know more about the characters in Gu Man's novel, I suggest you watch the series. All in all it has 30 episodes. I think Xiao Nai was played very well by Yang Yang and he is really very handsome. Jing Boran who played Xiao Nai in the movie is okay too, but I think Xiao Nai was played very well by Yang Yang. He also sang the OST of the drama. The characters complement each other very well. Xiao Nai the mysterious, silent type of guy who protects the sweet, smart, frail Wei Wei. The character of Xiao Nai is the ideal man of every girl, a loving and a very protective man over his girl. My favorite scenes are when he took care of Wei Wei when she got sick, and when he fetch her from the get-together party of online RPG players. Both the tv series and the movie is worth-watching. They're both my favorites!

Ice Fantasy 幻城

    I am hooked in this 2016 released Chinese fantasy tv series entitled, Ice Fantasy also known as Huancheng in Mandarin. This Chinese fantasy series is based on Guo Jingming's novel, City of Fantasy. The way I understand the story this world is comprised of three realms. (spoilers ahead). Li Luo a mortal, who is a Guardian of the Realm met Prince Ka Suo. They became close when they went to the mortal realm to obtain the snowflakes from the 6 mortal tribes in order to restore the damage made in the ice kingdom when the Prince of the Fire tribe went there because of an ulterior movie, he mysteriously died because of the black fog, whom we continue to see up to the latter part of the series. They met many characters along the way. The leaders of each tribe, namely the Healer, the Dream master, the leader of the Bear Tribe, Eagle, Spirit and Mermaid Tribe.

This series is also showing, and dubbed in my native language in a local channel. I prefer of course the Chinese version with English subtitles.

I also love all the characters here. I was not attracted to the lead character Prince Ka Suo, but I was more enchanted by his younger brother Ying Kong Shi. I also like the character of the sweet and beautiful mermaid princess named Lan Shang, because I can relate to her character wherein she likes someone but that someone doesn't feel the same way. I also like the Grandma of the Prince Ka Suo. On the later part of the series, we are going to meet an immortal named She Mi who is powerful like Shi exiled on the most harshest part of the immortal land. His great mistake is that he fell in love with a mortal. Li Luo traveled there in order to know how to restore the immortal powers of Prince Ka Suo, she was ordered by the Ice King to go there. Ka Suo lost his immortal powers when he took the Deicide sword which was inhabited by fairies. It is the only sword who can take on the Fire Tribe's power. Anyway I won't tell the whole story here. Now, I know why this novel is a best-seller. I also love the twists and turns of the story. An immortal falling in love with a mortal. Will the Fire tribe, conquer the Ice Tribe? I found out that there is a sequel to this series, it is entitled Ice Fantasy - Destiny.

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(update: I just finished the series this week. (spoilers ahead) I'm just saddened that the leaders of the mortal tribes except for Xing Jiu, former Spirit tribe Queen Dieche, Chao Ya, Huang Tuo and Luna were all killed by the King of Fire of the Ice Tribe. Yuan Ji (the black fog from the start of the series), was an evil immortal who was imprisoned by the Ice Tribe together with all the alliances from all of the other tribes, They made a wish to the veiled Lotus. He also liked Ying Kong Shi's mother, Lotus. Lotus was just adopted by the mermaid tribe, and her parents was originally from the Ice tribe. Ying Kong Shi's father was really Yuan Ji. Also there's a twist Ka Suo was able to make a wish to the veiled Lotus, but one's gains, is also one's loss. Li Luo, Lan Shang, and Ying Kong Shi were all resurrected, and Lan Shang was able to wake up again but they lost their memory, and Lan Shang and Li Luo personality were exchanged. (The appearance is Lan Shang but the memories is from Li Luo, and Li Luo's body but the memories is from Lan Shang). Ka Suo here was killed by the Fire King, and Ying Kong Shi was able to kill the Fire King with the help of Yan Da the fire princess who really likes Ying Kong Shi. Ying Kong Shi's memory came back promised to resurrect Ka Suo this time by getting the Blood Lotus from outside of their realm.So that's why there's a sequel. The setting is the year 2020. Over-all I enjoyed watching this series. I am also excited to see the sequel.

二胡 First Lesson in Erhu (Chinese 2 stringed-fiddle)

Today I had my first lesson in erhu. To play the erhu and own one is one of my Chinese dream. I bought my erhu for around P7000 (seven-thousand) Philippine Pesos. It is a bit expensive. But my teacher says that the price is alright. I bought my erhu from a local online seller whose husband is Filipino-Chinese. My plan originally was to enroll again at Confucius Institute, but this time in Makati because they don't offer the Chinese music course in Katipunan. So I tried looking for an erhu teacher online. I contacted a former student from U.P. Diliman who plays the violin, and is now based in Singapore. She suggested that I try contacting the Music department in U.P. Diliman, and look for Prof. Ongsiako. I searched for this person online, and I found out that they have a music group or ensemble. They perform usually in Chinese events and by request. (You can contact them in Facebook, just search for Kim Hwa Music Ensemble). I contacted them, and they arranged a lesson for me. My erhu teacher is the daughter of Prof. Ongsiako. Ms. Tanya is her name. According to her she has been playing the erhu, since she was 7 years old. She was a guest before in GNN tv show hosted by Mr. Herman Tiu Laurel, wherein she showed her musical prowess.

On to today's happening. My erhu was not yet playable, so the first thing that she did was that she assembled my erhu. She skillfully re-attached the strings to the pegs, and carefully wiped my bow with rosin. While doing that we chatted about my interest in Chinese culture, and I asked her a few questions with regards to the erhu (the price, and the quality of my erhu). She asked me if I have Chinese ancestry, I told her I don't know. I further added, I'm Chinese by heart (because I love the Chinese culture, no pun intended. I am serious about this). This blog proves how much I adore the Chinese culture.

Our first lesson is how to hold the erhu, and the bow properly. She said its similar to holding a chopsticks. I told her I'm not that very good in holding the chopsticks so I was having difficulty holding the bow. I did bow exercises, playing the inner and outer string. The erhu, although it sounds similar with the violin, they differ in many ways. The erhu is a 2 stringed instrument, and it has no visible frets. The bow is secured in place in the middle of the strings. I hope I can play even a simple piece someday.

Parts of the erhu (source: Wikipedia)

Qín tong (琴筒), sound box or resonator body; it is hexagonal (liu jiao, southern), octagonal (ba jiao, northern), or, less commonly, round.
Qín pí/She pí (琴皮/蛇皮), skin, made from python. The python skin gives the erhu its characteristic sound.
Qín gan (琴杆), neck.
Qín tou (琴頭), top or tip of neck, usually a simple curve with a piece of bone or plastic on top, but is sometimes elaborately carved with a dragon's head.
Qín zhou (琴軸). tuning pegs, traditional wooden, or metal machine gear pegs
Qiān jin (千斤), nut, made from string, or, less commonly, a metal hook
Nèi xián (内弦), inside or inner string, usually tuned to D4, nearest to player
Wai xián (外弦), outside or outer string, usually tuned to A4
Qín ma (琴碼), bridge, made from wood
Gong (弓), bow, has screw device to vary bow hair tension
Gong gan (弓杆), bow stick, made from bamboo
Gong máo (弓毛), bow hair, usually white horsehair
Qín diàn (琴墊), pad, a piece of sponge, felt, or cloth placed between the strings and skin below the bridge to improve its sound
Qín tuō (琴托) – base, a piece of wood attached to the bottom of the qín tong to provide a smooth surface on which to rest on the leg

Sound of the Desert (Ballad of the Desert) a.k.a 大漠谣 (Dàmò yáo)

    This is another late post of mine. I have seen this drama a year ago. The alternate name of this drama is  Dàmò yáo, A story of the Wolf Girl. It's about a young orphan named Xiao Yue who was adopted by nomads living in the desert, she also learned to live with the wolves, and she has a special affinity with them. Along the way she meets people who will have a big role to play in her life. Like the handsome, reserved and well-to-do businessman who is the nephew of the Emperor, named Jiu Ye, and the young general who is also good-looking. This is a Chinese historical drama based on the novel by Tong Hua.

I have enjoyed watching this series, even if I skipped some episodes, and rushed to the later part of the series because I was so eager to see the ending. This is another good drama starring Cecilia Liu Shi Shi, her other two dramas that are worth watching are The Imperial Doctress, and the very popular Scarlet Heart 1 and 2. The one thing I can never forget in this drama (spoilers ahead), is the pain of unrequited love. There's this particular scene that I can't help but be teary-eyed because I can really relate to the main character. Xiao Yue's confession of her feelings to Jiu Ye. Same with my experiences before. I did confess to someone I like but my feelings was not reciprocated. I usually like someone and always the other person doesn't feel the same way for me. There will be viewers who will admire Xiao Yue for her bravery, of not being scared to admit her feelings to Jiu Ye. Even if its not the norm, or its not proper for a girl to confess her feelings to a guy, at least she will not regret anything, of not letting the person know how she feels, instead of keeping it all to herself. But now I have a changed of mind, I guess its best to just keep your feelings to yourself so that you will not be hurt. Just wait for the person to tell you if he or she have feelings for you.

So if you have not seen this Chinese drama. I highly recommend it. All the elements are here to get you hooked in watching this, action, romance and drama. Beautifully written. The actors and actresses are great! It's really worth watching. The OST's are good also. I will include one of the OST's link here for you to check out. This is a hauntingly sad song that speaks of the heroine's unrequited feelings for the Jiu Ye. The song mainly speaks of  its best to just give-up, and stop liking/loving this person. Because reality speaks.. you were really not meant to be.

"I thought time might be able to melt your heart, stubbornly believed that one day you will finally wake-up. No matter how I lean close to you... only one person is moved."

   

Double Happiness (Because It is The Love Month)

    This symbol is synonymous with love and can be seen always in Chinese weddings. This symbol represents the Chinese character喜 which reads as 'xi' in mandarin. The double version is pronounced as 'shuang xi'. I'm not really a Chinese language expert but I came to know this through online research. 'Xi', means joy in the English language. This symbol is usually seen during marriage celebration. Following the customs this symbol is often pasted in homes, and even in the matrimonial bed is practiced today. This symbol is believed to be an auspicious one by the Chinese people. The paper cut symbol that is posted around is always color red, since red is considered lucky, and red symbolizes happiness according to the Chinese belief.  For me, when I look at a symbol, it is indeed double, because a person is marrying another person. So they are not going to be single anymore, but double! They have found each other, so the happiness of the person is multiplied twice! This is just my personal opinion with regards to this popular symbol.

Last year I bought a double-happiness necklace from my officemate. I really love it even if I don't believe in charms. For me, this is just a beautiful jewelry that is fit to be worn. According from an article in sanaakosirickylee.wordpress.com , a single man or woman who wants to find their true love can wear this symbol.

(in photo: Chinese couple bobbing heads, with a white-gold Chinese double happiness necklace in the middle).

How did this tradition started?

"A student traveling to the capital to take exams. He falls ill and takes refuge with an herbalist with a beautiful young daughter. They fall in love. As he leaves for exams, she gives him a poetry couplet to match that deals with a natural topic. The young man leaves. He gets the top scores on the exam and meets the emperor. The emperor chats with the young man and asks him to help him complete a poem. His girlfriend's couplet perfectly completes the emperor's poem. The young man is rewarded with a senior government position and the couple can have a gala wedding. To salute their luck they create a wall hanging with the happiness symbol doubled to show everyone their good fortune." (from: luckfactory.com) 

Even if its the end of the love month, February. Let us live life with full of joy, vigor and love. Always stay happy everyone!

Movie Review: To Live

I just watched a Chinese movie recently, another film by Zhang Yimou. I have seen some of his movies and almost always the lead star is the popular Chinese actress Gong Li. This is evident in his previous films which I have seen, The Red Sorghum, and Raise the Red Lantern. The Red Sorghum movie, the way I remember it. It is about the arranged marriage of a young village girl to a rich old man, owner of a distillery. I like the way the movie depicts the provincial way of life. How Chinese life in the rural was like back then. And like most of Zhang’s film, mostly it ends tragically. While Raise the Red Lantern, is another memorable movie for me. (I apologize if I cannot give the full summary of the two movies because I have seen these two movies wayback, years have passed). Moving on, Raise the Red Lantern, reminds me of just one word, concubine. In Chinese period dramas like the Scarlet Heart, the emperor, or his siblings do have concubines. The concubines live in a mansion, they each have their own apartment or house, and if the master spends time with them during the night that is when the lantern is lit up. There is a lot of intrigue in this movie, and what you suspect at first, may not be what it seems. It is also a good movie, even if it doesn't have a happy ending still. Among all of Zhang Yimou's film, I like The Road Home best, the lead actress is Zhang Ziyi. It tells of the love story of a school teacher, and a young village girl. 

Back to my movie review, To Live is a movie that tells of the story of a family in pre and post revolution in China. I am not that knowledgeable about the history of China, from dynasties, up to the present time ruling. But I know a bit about the Chinese civil war, separation of China (Chinese Communist Party) and Taiwan (Chinese Nationalist Party), This movie is about the struggles of a rich man, who is addicted to gambling, and the trials that he and his wife has to endure. This is another bitter-sweet film. The movie is over two hours long, but I didn't get bored watching it. If you want to learn more about the Chinese life, culture and history. The three films that I mentioned are all worth-watching. Grab a popcorn, and your favorite drinks. Enjoy watching!   

新年快乐 Happy New Year!

To all the readers and visitors of this blog of mine, 新年快乐! Xin Nian Kuai Le! Happy Chinese New Year to everyone! Last night I bought some food for my personal celebration of the Chinese New Year. I bought small oranges called kiat-kiat, peanuts, took out the sticky rice cake from our refrigerator. I also bought dumplings and siumai from one my favorite Chinese restaurant Lugang Cafe. The food mentioned aboved are believed to be auspicious, brings good fortune, and luck by the Chinese people. For example the vegetarian dumplings looks like a purse with money inside. The peanuts which are served unshelled symbolizes vitality, and longevity.  The sticky rice cake symbolizes the close-knitness of relationships, especially in the family since its sticky. The kiat-kiat or small oranges symbolizes wealth and fullness, according to what I've read they are often rolled inside the house for attracting good fortune. Other food served during Chinese New Year which are believed to be lucky by the Chinese people is serving whole fish including the head, sticky rice cake (zongzi/machang) which is usually served during the Dragon Boat Festival), and sweets/candies. Here's to a more good year for all of us this 2017! Cheers!