Back to School at Confucius Institute in Ateneo

   Today was my first day of class in Ateneo. I enrolled in Basic Chinese 2. My interest in studying Chinese was put on hold for a decade. I was still in my college days when I studied Chinese in my college university, Centro Escolar University and I took it as a summer course in Languages Internationale. 

   It felt good to be back in school again after a year of not stepping on any school grounds. It was just last year when I finished my Master's degree course in Miriam College, and now I'm back again in Katipunan, and this time in Ateneo. 

   My brain was in a state of shock this morning because after we recited the pinyin, b, p, m, f, etc. We proceeded to counting numbers, and it was not just 1 to 10 but up to 100. It's a good thing I still know how to count in Chinese. After that we learned some vocabulary words with regards to food and drinks. We were also made to recite a tongue twister, 'si shi si', to brush up on our knowledge with regards to the tones. Our professor also taught us the Chinese names for the 12 animals. I must admit I'm also having a hard time with the tonal system of Mandarin. From what I know Mandarin language uses four tones, I guess I should be thankful because in Cantonese its maybe 6 or 7. My classmates also have their textbook with them. I don't have a textbook because I was not aware of what we are going to use. Some of my classmates know each other already because, they have attended the Basic Chinese 1. The textbook that they've used before, they will also use in Basic Chinese 2. We had a lot of fun in our class. I even made a blooper because instead of saying, 'Wo xihuan chi dangao'. (cake), I've said 'dongao', I'm looking forward already for our class next week. After our class I bought the book, and I inquired about my school I.D., according to the staff, Ms.Airen it is not yet finished. I saw that our book was from Beijing Language Cultural University press, wow! That school is really famous for those who want to learn Chinese, I know its impossible for me to study there. Also, the tuition fee is quite pricey. So I'm just contented with the book for now.

   I was pondering while in the classroom, if I should transfer to Basic Chinese 1. I made up my mind that I'll just stay in our class because its a good challenge for me. Besides, I've already studied Chinese before. We are 12 in our class. We have 3 boys and the rest are girls. One of my guy classmate who's older than the rest of us was really funny, his answers were really funny, so we cracked up with laughter. Our laoshi's name is Ms. Maria Joanna Tecson, and her Chinese surname is Chua. She said that she also teaches in Chiang Kai Shek college in Manila. I find her nice and cute.

  Confucius Institute according to Wikipedia is:

   a non-profit public institutions aligned with the Government of the People's Republic of China that aim to promote Chinese language and culture, support local Chinese teaching internationally, and facilitate cultural exchanges. Confucius Institutes are sometimes compared to language and culture promotion organizations such as Britain's British Council, France's Alliance Française and Germany's Goethe-Institut. 

  From what I read, the institution promotes the study of Chinese culture, history, language, music (learning how to play traditional Chinese musical instrument, Guzheng), calligraphy, painting, and martial-arts (tai-chi and qigong). The courses offered in Ateneo are limited only. Their music class is available only in their Makati campus, as well as the other courses that were mentioned.

  So if you want to de-stress, learn something new or just do what you love to do. Like me, a Chinese studies enthusiast. Then I suggest you enroll in Confucius Institute in Ateneo. Let me end this post by quoting Confucius saying.  

"Never be tired of learning, or teaching others." - Confucius

Movie Review: 向左走·向右走 Turn Left, Turn Right

   I was not planning to write another movie review, since my last entry was about the latest film that I have seen. I just felt I need to write a post about this film now, lest I forget about it. I will be busy this coming months, aside from my regular work, I've decided to study Chinese again at Confucius Institute, based inside the campus of Ateneo de Manila University.

   This film was recommended to me by a friend. I wasted no time, and I immediately took the chance to watch this movie. Warning: A bit of spoiler. The scene at the beginning of the movie is a rainy one, and a girl reciting a poem. I'm the type of person who types the characters dialogue if that line is really meaningful. So I searched for the poem and I found out that the title is, "Love at First Sight" written by Wislawa Szymborska. Here is a the first stanza of the poem, 

Both are convinced

that a sudden surge of emotion bound them together.

Beautiful is such a certainty,

but uncertainty is more beautiful still.

   I was hooked immediately for I also like poetry. Ok! I confess, I'm really a mushy, hopeless romantic person. Early this year, I just bought a book of poetry by a famous contemporary writer Lang Leav. 

The movie was based on the story book of Jimmy Liao. The original title was, "A Chance of Sunshine." The movie was a collaboration of Hong-Kong and Singaporean movie makers. It stars, Takeshi Kaneshiro, and Gigi Leung.

    This film will really will get you hooked. They also added 'villainy' characters in the story. Such additions, has made the story even more exciting to watch. There are scenes that really made me cry. I also like the soundtrack of the movie. I also came to know that there's also a tv series, the popular 'Tong Hua' singer, Guang Liang was the one who sang the series' OST. There are also unforgettable quotes from the movie. Here's a translated quote from the movie.

"If two people meet and they both fall in love, that's destiny for sure. If neither loves the other, even if they meet millions of times, it's still not destiny. If one's in love and the other isn't, and the one who's in love grabs on and won't let go while the other just wants to run away, not only is it not destiny... It's pain." - John Liu

    It's obvious that I really like the movie. I also got an idea, to draw the lead characters, and I made it into my social network's cover page. After watching the movie, a question just popped up my head, like what if, 'the one's' just around the corner and you really have no idea. My thinking's somewhat changed now, if we think that each of us has a person that's meant for us, then what about those who are still unattached, those who are still single until now, and those who chose to remain single. I think its unfair to think that way. What I know is certainly, there's a time for everything.

   Below is the OST of the movie, sung by Stephanie Sun. 'Yu Jian' (Encounter).

Movie Review: Confucius

After a Chinese fantasy-action film that I’ve seen, I’ve decided to watch a historical/biographical movie about a famous Chinese figure. I bet everyone else has heard about the name Confucius. In Chinese, 孔夫子 Kong Fu Zi (means Master Kung). He’s the pioneer in making education available to all. No wonder a lot of schools, and institutes were named after him.  If you’ve noticed, my blog’s header design was a saying from Confucius. I’ve decided to put a Chinese saying there, because the theme of this blog is all about Chinese. At first I really have no idea about the life story of Confucius. I thought he was a just a philosopher and a wise teacher. 

The character of Confucius was portrayed by a well-known Chinese action star, Chow Yun Fat. This is the first time that I’ve seen him play a character, that’s mellow, or someone who doesn’t fight with others, or someone who does martial arts. It’s refreshing to see him play a different role. 

I wonder why this movie didn’t make so much noise like the other Hollywood movies. I really liked the scenery, the costume of the characters, and I like just about everything in the movie. It has even a nice OST, “Virtues of the Silent Orchid”, sung by Faye Wong. For a China and Chinese studies enthusiast like me, this movie is a must-see! You’ll know more about Chinese history, and the period where Confucius live. 

I also typed my favourite lines from the movie, or statements that has strucked me the most. So it took me almost half of the day to finish this movie. I also made a drawing, sort of fan art tribute to one of the world’s greatest teacher. Like in one of my shout-outs that I’ve posted before in a social network, “If the Greeks have Plato, and Socrates, so do China. They have Confucius, (and Lao Tzu).” If you haven’t seen this movie I suggest you watch it now. You will have a better understanding of China, the man, his life, his works and the legacy that he left behind. 

Here are some of my favourite lines from the movie, and below I've included the music video, and the English translation of the song.

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My favorite lines from the movie:

Kong Qiu: Minister, benevolence is love towards our fellow men. A ritual murder is still murder, even if it complies with tradition. Lord Shu, you showed benevolence towards a pheasant.  Now I ask you, surely you must also speak up for this wounded boy?

The Zhou code of ethics teaches us to value human life above all. The burial of slaves was practiced in barbarous times. It was outlawed in our dynasty when the Zhou reign commenced. Our kingdom of Lu is the ancient home of the Duke of Zhou, known for its ethics. We should think afresh and abandon outdated traditions.

Gen. Gongshan:  It was Lord Ki Pingzi’s dying wish that those he loved should die with him. It is not cruel to bury this slave. Rather, it demonstrates the Minister’s filial piety! His love for his father!

Kong Qiu: Gen. GongShan I know you served Lord Pingzi for years. I hear he said many times that he could not live without you.

Gen. Gongshan: Right, that’s correct.

Kong Qiu: Given how close you were to him, he must still need you now that he has passed on to the next life. If you were willing to accompany your lord in death, I could not object to you taking this young slave with you. It seems the Gen. is not willing to serve his master beyond the grave. He imposes on others what he will not impose on himself. 

Kong Qiu: "Rotten wood is hard to curve."

 

Kong Qiu: The poem means, “Even while courting a gentleman observes all proprieties.”

"The hardness of the task is the measure of the gentleman."

"Poetry, books, ethics, music , a gentleman must understand all these. Rulers should treat ministers with courtesy, ministers serve rulers with loyalty. Loyalty and filial piety are the keys to humanity and harmony. All professions may prosper. Close to home, attend your parents. Further afield, placate your neighbours. There is also much to learn, including the names of birds, beasts, grasses and trees."

“Only in winter does the pine show its true strength.”

"An official wears his robes of office. But it’s his inner character and spirit which reflect his true mettle."

Kong Qiu:“A pure heart makes a pure shot. ”

 Virtues of the Silent Orchid ❀ (An Ode to Confucius)

Elegant orchid, standing tall with its fragrance spread
Its aroma faint but worshipped by all other surround flowers
If not picked and worn, what sorrow will it be to the orchid?

For days and years, I have travelled far across the land
One who goes far to search for the talented,
Will benefit himself greatly with wisdom and power
When the orchid is picked and worn,
It becomes alive in spirit and radiates its fresh scent

Even during the winter, when the ground is thick with snow and frost,
The orchids’ buds endure the coldness
The proper conduct of a man virtue,
Is the prosperity of his offspring in generations to come