Third Culture

I was chatting with a friend of mine, and we were updating each other of our locations - although she has been in Mindano for most of her life except for the time she was in Baguio for her studies. So I told her that I am currently based in two places, after having just arrived from a short stint at Aceh, Indonesia, and she said, "a, okay...one migration to another...mabuhay ang mga Third Culture Pips."
I had an inkling on what she meant, but asked her anyway:

clarice: third culture...those who have had experiences with migration...you don't belong to the original nor the present...you create one that is distinct...that's how sociologists term it... it is coined mostly for children of diplomats and missionaries...i think everyone who goes through migration tend to be like that...
LNR: like OFWs... yup.
clarice: ye...

Clark Kent had this idea that the millions of Filipinos abroad - OFWs especially, should have for themselves a separate province - their belonginess to that province is not geographically determined but defined simply because they are outside the Philippines.... a Third Culture - a new Philippines, maybe?

The Filipinos in Banda Aceh would sometimes gather to celebrate some occasion - a despidida, a birthday - and anybody Pinoy is invited - doesn't matter if you know the host or even know what the event is. Just be there, because you are Filipino - and it's a Filipino gathering.

It's nice - when just being Filipino - becomes reason for celebration.

The Count of Monte Cristo

I found a student report that I did not a few years back for Philippine Institutions 100 (P.I. 100). I remember this class well because we had a professor who was quite a character. He was known to pick on his students - and he could be mighty insulting, offending people on purpose. He would lock students out when they are late - or tell them to enter through the windows. He would require us to don formal during our class reports but would ridicule us in front of the class while we stood awkward and uncomfortable in clothes we would never have worn on a school day. He let us memorize "Adios Patria Adorada" as our Finals requirement. Our class and many classes before us expressed hate for him during out of class discussions -- but I'm pretty sure we were very fond of him. Professor Ventura was one of those things that made our UP Baguio life, life at UP Baguio (does that make sense?).

I did a summary on the third part of the Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. Here was how I wrote it:

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO
by Alexandre Dumas
Part III

A SUMMARY

The climax of Edmond Dantes' revenge had commenced. Caderousse, in his attempt to burglarize Monte Cristo's house, is betrayed by his own unwise choice of associations. The dagger was planted by Andrea himself, and Caderousse died believing in God's power upon Edmond's revelation of himself.

Fernand Mondego ended with his reputation thwarted. Abandoned and disowned by his wife and son, he confronted Monte Cristo only to come face to face with his worst fear. After knowing Monte Cristo's identity, Fernand puts a bullet in his head.

Villefort, whose house had become the house of death, proved that his wife was the murderer. He was also put into public humiliation when Andrea revealed the truth about his ancestry. Villefort went back to his residence and witnessed the death of his wife and son. The prucureur du roi, upon knowing the identity of Monte Cristo, ended up mad.

Danglars and his family parted ways. His reputation reduced to that of a bankrupt banker, he escapes from society hoping to acquire a considerable amount of money that does not belong to him. He is purposely taken into captivity by Monte Cristo's own band of bandit friends. In an irony of ironies, brought about by the death of some innocent lives at the course of his revenge, Monte Cristo forgave Danglars and revealed himself. Danglars was allowed free.

The Count of Monte Cristo concludes with the concept of a new beginning. The treasures are now in the hands of Maximillian Morrel and Valentine. Edmond Dantes, the Count of Monte Cristo, left with a new life, and a new love accorded to him by Haydee.

“He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness. We must have felt what is it to die, that we may appreciate the enjoyments of life... Live then, and be happy.... and never forget, that until the day when God deign to reveal the future to man, all human wisdom is contained in these two words – wait and hope.” - Edmond Dantes, The Count of Monte Cristo