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That Thing Called Tadhana ♥

I jumped on the bandwagon and watched the much talked about That Thing Called Tadhana just because my brother insisted and just because he actually gave me money to spend. :D Thanks, bro! :)

See, I just came back from a week-long stay in Palawan and I really don't have much money left in my wallet. Saktong pamasahe na lang talaga. :D And so I really thank my brother for this post-Valentine gift. :)

A lot has been said about it, but here's my take: it was good, except for the many unnecessary PI's mentioned all throughout the film. Maybe it's just me but really, it was a big turnoff. 

Nonetheless, the movie was indeed an arrow that pierced through the hearts of moviegoers (I assume), including mine. I enjoyed it and was reminded of valuable lessons about love and life. One of its strongest points is its being raw and real. That's why it's easy for people to relate and understand. Tagos hanggang buto. Especially those scenes in Baguio and Sagada. Napaka-personal lang for I too have a lot of memories in those places. In fact, sa sobrang pagka-relate ko, muntik na akong dumiretso sa EDSA para sumakay ng Victory pa-Baguio. But then I realized, wala na pala akong pamasahe. :p 

Among the many quotable quotes from the beautifully-written script (which, according to sources, would be published soon!), I have listed my top 3 "tagos sa puso" lines. By the way, let me just point out that these are my personal thoughts, based on my personal experiences. No offense meant. :)

Love begets love. :) Photo Credit: Star Cinema

1. "Kung mahal mo, habulin mo, ipaglaban mo. Huwag mong hintaying may humatak sa kanya pabalik sa'yo."
This is an everyday challenge. It's not meant to be done long after your loved one has gone. In the movie, Anthony only realized that he wanted to marry his ex-girlfriend after she had left him. But it was already too late for him to fight for his lost love because the girl was eventually found by someone who was ready to offer her what she had been wanting all along: marriage.

But this statement has a limit. It can only be done up to a certain point. Because in the end, when you have already exhausted all means to fight for love, yet you just can't get it back, you must also be ready to let go and move forward. Clearly, it's just not meant to be.

Mace did everything to win Marco back, but it was only her who was fighting. In love, just like in life, you can never win on your own. The battle must be shared with someone who is also willing and ready to fight for you. :)

I have never questioned God if I was beautiful because I was contented with how I look, except that I'm really striving to gain weight. :D But what I did ask God was if I was worth fighting for, if I was worth pursuing. I have always been a strong, independent woman who never relied on anyone but God and myself. I tried many times to put my faith on people but they would always fail me and I end up carrying all the burdens alone. I have a few good friends with whom I share my deepest sentiments and frustrations, who know everything about me, yet accept me as I am - scars, blemishes, and flaws. Thank God for them. But they, too, have their own lives to lead, and I just can't depend on them all the time. And so I learned how to be independent, to stand on my own, to never have to bother anyone else for my petty concerns. But God created me a woman with certain desires, to be romanced, to be pursued, to be fought for. And when those desires aren't meant, I question God. Thankfully, He would always answer, "Yes, my beloved daughter. You are worth the fight. You are worth pursuing. Just wait and have faith. I know the plans that I have for you, plans for a future you are hoping for." At ang dami ko ng nasabi. :D Sorry, that line was just too personal. :) But the bottom line is just this: be consistent in fighting for love, pursue it while you have it, don't wait 'till it's too late. :)

2. "Wala yan sa tagal ng relasyon niyo. Kung hindi ka na niya mahal, hindi ka na niya mahal."
"But isn't love supposed to last?!" That was my first reaction when I heard this line. But then I realized, only agape love lasts. Eros and philia are ever-changing. That is not to say that they are not love at all, it's just that they're not as strong as agape. Mace's relationship with Marco lasted for eight years, but in all those times that they were together, he never asked her hand for marriage. Maybe, just like Anthony, he wasn't ready yet. But that's exactly the point. Why would anyone enter into a serious relationship without thinking of eventually getting married to their partner? Unfortunately, there are those who remain on the levels of eros and philia and not progress to agape. Unfortunately, there are men (and women) who just wanted a relationship but not a lifelong commitment yet. Thus, they eventually fall out of love.

I'm no expert in relationships but here's what I have learned (and proven to be true): A woman falls in love, then decides to get married. A man decides to get married, then finds a wife. Unless you meet a man who has decided to get married, you will forever be stuck in a stagnant relationship. How long should you wait? Maybe forever. :D So ladies, don't just pray for a lifetime partner, for a husband or a father-material, pray instead for a man who is actually ready for marriage. :) Because again, it's not how long you've been together, if he loves you enough, he will certainly ask you to be his wife and not make you wait for years holding on to empty promises. :)

3. "There are all kinds of love in this world, but never the same love twice."
Yes, this movie made Fitzgerald a little more famous. :D When asked what it takes to move on, Anthony gave several answers including "finding a new love." It's dangerous in a way because it can turn out to be a rebound relationship, especially if the break-up was just a few months old. I guess that's why there's the "three-month rule." But no matter how long it takes you to find a new love, just bear in mind that you will never love and be loved in the same way again. So don't compare. :) Recognize and celebrate each person's uniqueness. Begin with a clean slate. Love like you've never been hurt. Trust like you've never been betrayed. Start fresh. And each time, choose to love more. :)

If there's one scene that summarizes one's journey through life and love, especially if coming from a failed relationship or a major heartbreak (whatever the cause may be), it's when Mace and Anthony had to cross a footbridge and Mace insisted to carry her own luggage: "Mabigat pero kaya. Kaya pero mabagal." And may I just add, "Mabagal pero makakarating din." :)

Let me end with lines from a popular Jordin Sparks' song:
One step at a time, there's no need to rush
It's like learning to fly, or falling in love
It's gonna happen when it's supposed to happen

Because that thing called "tadhana" (fate) is real. :)

♥ Ecclesiastes 3 ♥

At dahil diyan, sabay-sabay nating awitin:

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