So yeah – last weekend before I went to Texas (which would explain the elongated absence) I got a new tattoo. It’s one of those Baybayin tattoos that all twenty/thirtysomething Filipinos get to show that they are Filipino and that they are cool.

Mine says Ti agmúla, agápit, which in Ilocano (a Filipino dialect), it translates to “He who sows, reaps.”

The tattoo also says, “Yeah, I’m Filipino and have somewhat of a grasp of my culture’s history, but in reality, I think it just looks really cool.” I mean, I could claim that I am hardcore Filipino, but I am past that now. I did the whole spoken word militant bullshit. The tattoo is just a way to celebrate my culture and to permanently mark my body with something that helps me also celebrate myself as a human (how profound). Plus, the literal translation is something universal and it makes me feel kind of smart. It’s a mantra that I live by in more ways than one. In reality, I am not that deep. For crying out loud, I just did a fluffy post on Sex and the City.

The design was by this dude Christian Cabuay. He founded PinoyTattoos.com. Another dude by the name of Oey, the owner of Sacred Tattoo in Oakland, actually carved it on to my skin. I interviewed them for an Asian tattoo article I did that ran on Monday. By their powers combined, they created one helluva tattoo that is looks like a flawless piece of art painted on to my skin.

I feel so tough.

Glory Boy Days is a representation of twentysomethings of the 21st century. Directed by Paul Encinas, the movie follows a clan of troublemaking Gen Y’ers (or are they Z’ers? or maybe they are considered the blogging generation…whatever) over the course of 24 hours as they party, complain, makeout, drink, do drugs, bicker and all those other youthful antics.

Focusing most of its energy on Lando (Jared Mendiola), an aspiring filmmaker who goes from party to party while his parents give him shit about his direction in life. I think a lot of people can relate to that.

What I liked: The gritty, raw reality-show esque style captures the attitude of the film very well. The subject matter is definitely alive and well in today’s youth. For the most part, it translates well. Oh yeah, there’s one b-boy scene that amps things up.

What I didn’t like: Most of my attention was on Lando’s story, but it also follows two other characters who’s personalities weren’t strong enough for me to remember. At times, the story got muddled and left me bored and cinematically flaccid. Bottom line: it’s a movie about the semi-wreckless behavior of out-of-college and out-of-work young suburbanites, but it didn’t captivate me enough to actually care about the characters.

My rating: There was an imbalance between execution of content and the visual appeal and because of that I give it a “C+”.

If you’re looking for a happy-go-lucky, lift your spirits type of movie then Santa Mesa is for you! Wait a second, no it isn’t. It’s honestly kind of depressing – but don’t let that dissuade you. Sometimes we need a good cry to make us smile.

The story focuses on Hector (Jacob Shalov). His mother dies and he is forced to move to the Philppines to live with his estranged grandmother, Lita (Angie Ferro) in Santa Mesa, a not-so-glamorous part of Manila.

He doesn’t speak a word of Tagalog and she doesn’t speak any English. That said, things don’t exactly pan out for the best.

Hector starts to explore the streets of the slummy district and befriends a street hustler that looks like a long lost member of Menudo, Miguel (Pierro Rodriguez), an emotionally scarred dreamer Sel (Maria Lopez) and a tough-as-nails mentor Jose (Jaime Tirelli).

There’s laughs. There’s tears. There’s trouble. And there’s more tears. But in the end, it’s a story about the relationship of Hector and his grandmother. More than that, it’s about a boy getting back to his roots.

What I liked: It evokes so much emotion. I connected with it on a “Filipino identity” level, but at the same time I saw it as movie about relationships and how dysfunctional families can do a lot of damage control despite what has happened in the past.

Event though the film is mostly shot in the slums of Manila, there’s something beautiful and peaceful about it. It shows the Philippines in a raw lens, making it a perfect backdrop for the movie.

And finally, I LOVED Angie Ferro as the grandmother. Her portrayal of a hard-on-the-outside-soft-on-the-inside Lita made my heart melt – and it made me miss my grandma. Yes, I am a softie.

What I didn’t like: The “romantic” relationship between Hector and Sel. It wasn’t strong – even if it was just puppy love.

My rating: I give it a “B+” for making me a bawl like a baby.