Community Mom

I kept on mentioning my father in this journal, when in fact I'm closer to mother. It's not that I have a favorite between parents. I love them both and appreciate them both, but it's my mother whom I turn to when I have something to say or ask about stuff. When there's a problem? I just solve it by myself, ask my partner, or probably seek the help of friends (rarely).

My mother is very personable, outgoing - with the way I see her deal with colleagues, relatives (immediate or distant), and even amongst ourselves in the family. She takes things lightly even if she's carrying the world on top of her endurance-tested shoulders. But all this friendly disposition has changed - heightened, if I may say so.

A couple of years after her early retirement from more than twenty years of employment, she has set up a family business (it opened nearly one year ago). It was an internet shop (we call it a business center and gaming hub) located just a few steps away from home. The internet-using community has been growing and my brother (an online game addict) suggested he would help her in this business. With my mom's learnings from the workplace (systematic operations, cleanliness, customer-orientedness) matched with my brother's knowledge on computers (i.e., gaming and programs), it was a joint effort aimed at perfection. The place is well-lit, accommodating, spacious (from mother's efforts). It had a lot of game offerings, fast speed, and all brand-new computers (brother's ideas). Two other internet shops have closed in the neighborhood as customers flocked to the newly opened shop. My brother actually persuaded a lot of his fellow gamers in the old shop where he used to play to switch and get better service, better features in our family-owned internet shop. All this has a down side - lengthly queues and annoyingly long customer waiting time.

Now enter's mom. Knowing each and every detail of loyal clients every time they chit-chat - their life struggles, dreams, frustrations, and beliefs. This guy's muslim, he doesn't eat pork. This guy gets beaten up by his dad because he stays too long in the internet shop. This guy has an American dad, he wants to go to the States to look for him and ask him why he left him in the Philippines. This girl owns a boutique store in a nearby bazaar, she sells different beauty products for a low price. A lot of females find this guy attractive, I actually think he's cute too - he's also an honor student - he's a work hard play hard person because even if he plays online games for long hours, he still manages to have good grades. I don't like this guy, he brags about his winnings and cheats on the online games. This one's from Iloilo, you can notice it in his accent - and I also greet him in Bisaya sometimes. These three people are friends, they usually go there at ten in the evening and stay there for three hours and go home from the internet shop at one in the morning - sometimes they even drink on the sidestreet to chat about their problems. This guy left their house and packed his bags because his auntie has disowned him - that's why he's very thankful our shop's still open as long as there are customers because he can sleep on the sofa while he waits for the sun to rise and then he goes to school.

And the list goes on. The catalog of personal stories and information build up endlessly at an increasing rate. Her public presence has grown that she knows a good deal of neighborhood gossip that can range from trivial to earth-shattering to life-changing.

But, rather than feel bothered or affected by this, I actually like it. I've always been teasing her that she knows everything about the people in the neighborhood (starting with her shop customers), and she's become very popular (a village celebrity?). Everybody calls her "Tita" (Auntie), and everybody got really comfortable with her presence.

She was never a strict and harsh mom to begin with, so I guess she's really likeable. There are some instances though that if we behaved the same way as those kids, she wouldn't have tolerated it. Some of the teens actually tell her stories with matching cusses and swear words. She never heard such from her own kids - never. But she understands those stories and swear words from her loyal customers - comforts them, lends an ear (or two). She's like a second mother to them - a go-to figure for troubles, problems, internal pain and suffering, even family issues (some are really really sensitive though, like those mentioned above).

The power of relationship-building has paid off in recent events. She has opened, just two months ago, a deli / food shack that is mainly targeted to mothers - with offerings such as sandwiches, pizza, sausages, and beverages appropriate for kids' baon (school snacks). But her first customers weren't the moms. They were the internet kids - just having a fun time together after playing some online games, or an after-school meeting place / hang-out place while queues are unbearable in the internet shop. It's also located very near our house and the internet shop.

The food in the deli is semi-gourmet (sausages are premium, pizza uses mozzarella - not the ordinary / cheddar cheese, sandwiches have hefty fillings - not the economy one-spread types). Right now word has gotten to several moms already and have started ordering from the deli. Though income has been fluctuating day by day, it has been growing one business period after another (it was just today that she got her highest gross sales ever in a day).

About the internet shop, I asked her one time, those teens might not last - they will move out of your business eventually. They would get tired of gaming, get serious in school or have their own jobs when they grow older. That could just be a human phase that you're catering. Her reply was this, "I take care of the children. I know this and that, I know what they like, don't like. I am their friend. They already start playing games - even if they rent the computers much shorter than the teens because they couldn't afford long-playing modes at this time. When they grow older, they're the next batch of hardcore gamers. They will be my eventual source of business". Sounds quite creepy, but very reasonable too.

Yes, some of the gamers' moms have already approached her because it is a serious issue that some of the kids cut class and just spend a lot of time in the internet shop instead of staying at home during the weekends. I've heard her say this several times. "Instead of doing drugs, just being out on the streets or hanging around with outsiders, you know they're just out there to have some fun, a little bit of entertainment. It's safe for you to know they're just around the corner." Well, it does make sense. I would be pretty convinced if I would be any other mom - any other type of mom.

I just like to say that I'm really proud of her. And I know I'll tell her that one of these days. Probably Mothers' Day next year. I'm sure she knows deep inside that's the way I feel anyway, I don't need to say it out loud.

Gustav Holst

A lot of people already know "The Planets Suite", and I'd like to write a lot about it. But I've got myself some of Holst's lesser known works, and I was in for a pleasant treat - fleeting, but pleasant.

The lines are not as memorable as how "The Planets Suite" has moved me, but his other works seem to have made some impression. It's very American / very English - I don't know how to really define it, but it sounds very Western, with touches of trying itself to sound German or Russian. This notion might have been brought about by the fact that Holst has written his music much after the classical greats and still, probably, making an effort to write music similar to those in previous eras. In fact, some of his works are named with the word "Fugal" - and could have been patterned from or inspired by Fugues of the baroque. But these could be all just based on my personal perceptions or reactions to Holst's compositions.

I was able to listen to a couple of March movements, reminds me of an American parade of soldiers. Very representative of what could be played during a triumphant celebration, or while impressing an important political visitor.

But the surprise to me really was his "Short Pianoforte Trio in E Major", especially how the first movement opened itself up. It sounded like a fast-paced Debussy, but with less drama and more motion.

A lot of countryside themes here and there. "Brook Green Suite", "Morris Dance Tunes" (with movements such as "Bean Setting", "Country Gardens"). Again, pleasant to the ear but a little fleeting.

One reason for this slightly out of touch feeling could be due to a hodgepodge of here and there techniques. Some atonal points, a lot of contrapuntal themes, fugal works, some romanticism. I cannot really say there's a distinct identity to some of the suites, even those that are countryside themed. Some are nice to hear, pleasant to experience, but a bit lacking in retention to me.

"St. Paul's Suite" was good too, one of the less forgettable ones. At least there's a line or two in each movement that makes you want to listen to it again. I particularly liked the first movement, "Jig", the most. Very engaging central theme.

There were a lot of power bass strings though, across compositions - great lines for the cello and double bass.

But I think there's no argument - "The Planets Suite" is never fleeting. A monumental piece of music art.

I never paid attention that much to it when I was a child (I just played the cassette tape once and never got to really appreciate it back then). Since Saturn is my favorite planet, I listened to it first. It sounded horrible to me. It sounded gloomy, unattractive - when I thought Saturn should represent beauty, wonder. And then I saw from the track list, "Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age". Very odd. Until now, I don't really get the analogy.

I've been an avid listener of Holst's "The Planets Suite" since I re-opened myself up to the world of classical music. What I used to ignore when I was a youngster is now something that seems hard to forego.

Mars, the Bringer of War
I used to hate this movement. It was just utterly loud for my ears. But then, it's war, isn't it? I guess it really was Holst's intention to make it hateful, filled with wrath. Having listened to it several times, the one part I look forward to the most is the rapid, abrupt glissando of strings towards the end.

Venus, the Bringer of Peace
This used to be sound too soft for me when I heard it, to the point that it actually bored me (this was one of the longer movements). But having listened to it intently, this is now one of my favorites (together with Saturn). Very delicate progression from one musical thought to the next.

Mercury, the Winged Messenger
Less impactful to me than the other movements, but the music suits the description a lot. Quick, innocent, playful.

Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity
Everybody who knows "The Planets Suite" knows this movement a lot. My father pointed this out significantly while we were watching Barcelona Olympics' Opening Ceremony of 1992 on TV. Jupiter on the background, a short presentation of the world's creation on field demonstration. I think what they were showing that moment was the time after water was formed and man was there to establish societies. I really have a hazy memory about the scene. Anyway, Jupiter has one of the catchier tunes in the whole suite, one of the more popular works. I used to like it a lot, but I seem to have overplayed it that it somehow lost some of its charm to me. The brass crescendo on the mid/latter part of the piece never fails, though - that one never lost its charm.

Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age
Okay, I still don't get the analogy but I never saw Saturn as an Old Age planet. I'm now rationalizing that maybe it's covered in icy, painful air that seems to make it gloomy and less attractive compared to other planets. I'm thinking about maturity at this point as well, but I never perceived Saturn to be as commanding as Jupiter (based on size and shape). But I've grown to love this movement. Brings powerful and effective appreciation for the woodwinds and brass. I also love those last few phrases of music. Those spellbinding repetition of notes, taking Saturn away bit by bit. Brilliant use of light percussion.

Uranus, the Magician
A bit of a march-like tune to this piece, which I would like to compare with Mercury in terms of impact. But it does has some adventurous lines after the first few brass notes. There's a feeling of good humor in several parts of the piece. And then regaining some seriousness towards the end.

Neptune, the Mystic
The perfect mixture of winds, strings, percussion to put a touch of mystery into music. Those voices towards the end add a lot to its beauty which is known to a lot of classical music lovers to day. Those last few whispers of music. fading slowly, a gradual fading of Neptune into darkness, with so little known about it in Holst's time.

I have sampled in amazon.com some music by Colin Matthews on his "Pluto, the Renewer", an addendum he composed for "The Planets Suite". Of course, it was a short sample - I didn't get to listen to the whole thing. But from what I've heard, it's hard to imagine a better depiction of Pluto. Non-imposing, firm, but with a little bit of darkness. But this stands for just the first minute or so. What's next would be a trip to the music store to fetch myself a copy of this.

I guess Holst got it right anyway, after Pluto's demotion from a planet to a dwarf status. Matthews made a good effort, though. I was looking for Pluto when I first saw Holst's track list and I must admit I felt a little upset.

The Planets Suite:
Mars, the Bringer of War
Venus, the Bringer of Peace
Mercury, the Winged Messenger
Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity
Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age
Uranus, the Magician
Neptune, the Mystic