Are We Truly Free?

       The Philippines, A third world country currently under the laws of  the 16th president Rodrigo Duterte. After the election results; there have been a big storm in the media and net community regarding positive and negative feedback regarding his seating in the presidential spot. None can blame those that are against Duterte because of the sudden  flooding of news regarding the Extra- Judicial Killings and the increase of the rallies that occur almost everywhere. Some may say his new laws are for the better and others say that it is just another replay of the old Marcos Era. Aside from the repulsive way and offensive words our current president lets out, Is there really anything we can do? Are we truly free?

      In my honest opinion, I'd say No; The new laws that have been set upon us just made our country much more complicated than it already is. We have more people rallying, We have higher death tolls and issues in need of help are just shunned. How can we rise up from being a third world country if our own government has in-fights and arguments on a seldom basis? 

        As I type this article,I did my research and as far as I go, the news about Philippine politics get more and more disappointing; How can we be free of tyranny if the cabinet itself have their own set of issues such as allegations and fake news? I just hope In the next election, we can discover a new set of senate that can somehow fix the flaws the government has before they can fulfill the flaws of the country. I'd say, people are beginning to forget our history. We created history  for the purpose of reminding us and to help us avoid making the same mistakes; But we're neglecting history, we're stupid enough to repeat the same mistakes we have the chance to avoid.

Art Got Me Out Of My Shell: A Memoir

    

                                 Cosplay screencap-Akibento

    There are many forms of art and it makes us simple humans express ourselves through a variety of styles, media and many more; One of the many art aesthetics that I adore is the Art of Cosplay, What is Cosplay if you ask? Cosplay roots from the words "Costume" and "Play", It is usually known as a practice of dressing up as a character from a movie,game,book, television etc. which originated from Japan. This is no stranger to those that engage themselves in a particular fan-base, Cosplay helps a person devoted to a series or fictional universe express themselves with their own body by dressing up as a character. There are no limits in Cosplay after all. 

    Now my personal experience begins at a rather "rock-bottom start", At a young age I have always developed an admiration towards Cosplay although I have felt as if my past attempts before lacked the quality and that it wasn't 'Good enough'.  And with that mindset for a handful of years until the arrival of year 2017, It was a tough year for me and my family but during the early weeks of summer I had engaged myself with watching anime and getting to know people online that share same interests with me via groups from Facebook; That was when I had met a very good friend of mine, At first we only shared stories and exchanged out passion for Japanese animated shows until she  has invited me to attend a cosplay convention with her; At first I was nervous and I had no idea on what I was supposed to do with the offer, so I declined the offer. But after seeing my potential,she became persistent until I eventually agreed to think about it. I was nervous and a bit afraid when I asked my mother if I could go and much to my surprise, she agreed to let me go attend the convention, saying that it could be a new experience to discover myself.

   It wasn't easy for me however, since I grew up to be timid and a person that lacked self-esteem. Since my friend was experienced with conventions and in cosplay, she offered to help me out with my first convention. Being the excited individual I was, I had saved up cash for entrance tickets and I had also went an extra mile in sewing some parts of my costume for the convention; As I prepare for this event,I start to discover new ways of creating and I discover my inner potential. Days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months until.....Finally the Day of the convention had arrived. 

  I felt the pounding in my chest and the sweat trickle down my body under the many many layers of make up, as I make my way to the event place and I see countless people in various costumes and at first, I thought that they were all way out of my league but then they started asking for my picture too, The fact they recognized my character had my mind blown and made me flattered. I had met the friend that motivated me to attend the con and she is one of the best people I know now. Since that day my passion only grew more and more and I learned to use my new found talent to express myself freely as characters I desire. Cosplay helped me build up the self-esteem I lost in my early days and it made me feel more free and more confident whenever I am dressed up in a costume. That is how Art got me out of my shell.

The World Of Art within the Big Screen

          

        Based on a best-selling novel by Deborah Ellis and nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 90th Oscar Academy Awards; The Animated film "The Breadwinner" has earned over 94% rating from the known critique site Rotten Tomatoes,topping even the Academy's winning Best Feature Film "Shape of Water" with a 2% advance and earning over $228,056 in the Box Office after it's release on December 22,2017. The Breadwinner was directed by Nora Twomey and written by Anita Doron, who were also responsible for bringing "The secret of Kells" and "The Lesser Blessed"  to life; and was produced by "Tomm Moore"  who was the mastermind behind "Song of the Sea" and "The secret of Kells".

           The Breadwinner is about  Parvana, a 11-year-old girl growing up under the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001. When her father is wrongfully arrested, Parvana cuts off her hair and dresses like a boy in order to support her family. Working alongside her friend Shauzia, Parvana discovers a new world of freedom-and danger. With undaunted courage, Parvana draws strength from the fantastical stories she invents, as she embarks on a quest to find her father and reunite her family. Equal parts thrilling and enchanting, The Breadwinner is an inspiring and luminously animated tale about the power of stories to sustain hope and carry us through dark times. The story itself is intriguing enough; with it's subject being about Women Rights and other important matters  as seen in the film but the fluid and creative way of telling the story through it's unique style makes it suitable for all ages to watch and endure in the story. With simplistic animation and a nostalgic way of delivering the message of the story. This makes a mark that even something as simple as Art through animation can strike big, Although films such as the nominated "Boss Baby" and "COCO" have also fluid and smooth forms of 3D art; Films nowadays within the Animation circle produce less and less 2D art that hit the big screen; That is where films such as "The breadwinner" and "Loving Vincent" step in.

Wolf walkers trailer screencap

     Tomm Moore and Cartoon Saloon's unique style is simply majestic and the color combinations give more life and perspective and use elements like lighting and shading to create the picture. 

     Song of the Sea screencap

     Patterns and character variety also helps to give more personality to the art style as well, for example: rounder and more soft designs help give emphasis on showing a more pure and cheerful trait to the character.

     Now moving on to another nominated film for Best Animated Feature "Loving Vincent", Also known as the  world's first fully painted feature film produced by Oscar-winning studios Breakthru Films and Trademark Films; A film made by a collaboration of more than 100 painters from all over the world, creating the 65,000 paintings used to animate the whole film, earning an 84% rating from Rotten Tomatoes. The film is based from the real-life story about the aftermath regarding Vincent VanGogh's unusual death and how life went on after the passing of the painter. Directed by Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman and earning over $6,388,510 in the Box Office.

      Screencap of 'Loving Vincent'

           It is amazing how art can go in such measures of greatness,These films prove that Art is a form of escapism and it can be taken into the next level, making visual pathways to unlock the imagination and creative aesthetic we all yearn for. As we evolve, Art evolves as well; expressing ourselves through a variety of creative acts.

Screencap of 'Loving Vincent'