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!

Ju.D's Fruitcake

   This December, while on vacation leave. I had the chance to meet Ms. Ju D. Lao, known as the fruitcake queen of the Philippines. She has been making fruitcakes for over 25 years. She started baking fruitcakes since 1975. The fruitcake recipe that she developed is her original, she wanted to make fruitcakes that would suit the taste of the Filipino palate. I noticed that not everyone likes fruitcake. I guess this is one of the Christmas gifts that some people don't really look forward to.

    I saw the fruitcake queen being interviewed on tv (a feature show in GMA ch.11), and it has been a long time since I last tasted a fruitcake so I've decided to order from her. Before we used to receive a lot of these, but now were fortunate enough if we received one. I ordered by phone, and in the afternoon I was able to pick-up my orders at her place in Greenmeadows Subdivision. You wouldn't miss the house because there's a large banner of Ju.D's fruitcake in front. Lovely place that she got there. Her helper was the one who took my payment, and the one who gave my orders. I really wanted to meet Ms. Ju.D so I asked if I can meet her. I was really glad that the queen of fruitcakes graciously met with me. I had the chance to took a photo of hers. I found out also that she has been interviewed by CNN Philippines. All her cookies were sold out, but I was fortunate enough to get the last pack of her New York Peppermint cookies, I also ordered her Classic fruitcake, and her Golden fruitcake. I also ordered her fruitcake sampler. The box contains 4 flavors (2 pcs. each of her classic fruitcake, golden fruitcake, Ju'D Blue, and Prune, both coffee flavored fruitcake). I have yet to try her Chewy chewkies (fruitcake cookies, no liquor but I heard they're very good), a recipe that she made especially for kids. I also love the packaging of her goodies. You don't need to gift wrap the fruitcakes because the packaging is already beautiful and very presentable. So if you want to order even if it's not the holidays, you can go to #50 Greenmeadows Ave. White Plains, Quezon City. Contact no. is  633-1188.  And truly, like the song of the Eraserheads goes, 'There's a fruitcake for everybody!'

Movie Review: Mano Po 7 'Chinoy'

   Yesterday, since I was on leave from work. My friend and I watched Mano Po 7, Chinoy. When I first saw the trailer I immediately wanted to watch the movie since Richard Yap was the main protagonist in the film. He became one of my favorite actor when I first watched a local drama (Please Be Careful With My Heart), starring him, together with another actress Jodi Santamaria. The cinema was a bit packed when we watched it. I thought that there will be lesser people already since, some days have passed since the initial showing of the movie.

   The film centers around a Filipino-Chinese family again. What made the movie different from the other Mano Po films, is that this film centers on the male character. What I like about the movie is that they really showed some traditions of a typical Chinese family, like during the engagement (ting hun) the soon to be bride is seen walking backwards. According to what I've read the meaning of the bride walking backwards symbolizes avoiding the negative energies in the room, and also so that she will not be able to see her groom. Also, in a huge Chinese banquet it is normal to see a lot of people wearing red. The color red symbolizes good luck, joy and happiness. It is considered an auspicious color for the Chinese people. Another thing that I have liked about the movie is the cinematography, you will be able to see some scenes shot in Taiwan. For me, the story line is a bit predictable. Still, this is a movie worth-watching. We should support our local films, and kudos to Mother Lily Monteverde for making another Filipino-Chinese movie wherein fellow Filipinos can appreaciate, and learn a bit more about the beauty of the Filipino-Chinese culture. Mano Po 7, Chinoy is still showing in cinemas nationwide.