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Tribu

I went to CCP with my sis to watch the screening of Tribu, an entry to the Cinemalaya film festival. She was the Production Manager for the film so she had to be there. I, on the other hand, wanted to see her work as well as maybe rub shoulders with the artsy fartsy filmmaking crowd.

Tribu is about Tondo and its street gang culture. Interestingly, the gang culture as portrayed in the film seem to have mirrored US gang culture with rap and hip-hop occupying a big part. This is, according to my sister, actually the reality. In fact, the production team really tried to portray Tondo as accurately as possible. Though I felt that some dialog seem contrived, I suppose it is to establish the fact that the characters have dreams… dreams that are being shattered by poverty and gang violence. Of course, it could have been done more implicitly and less explicitly. Quite a problem with many films. But overall, it is relatively good.

After the screening, I walked around the lobby taking a few photos. It’s just a month since I took a break from playing with my DSLR and man do my photos tonight suck (more than the usual)! I need to go do more shoots.

UPDATE: Tribu won Best Film, Best Actor (Ensemble) and Best Sound. Congratulations sis!

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Jo Avila’s Annual Student and VA Party

Went to Jo Avila‘s Annual Student and VA (Volunteer Assistant which is a term Jo coined) Party last night. The party supposedly roughly coincides with his birthday but I’m not sure exactly when that day is. It was a big affair. A lot of students and VAs came, there was a lot of food (including a whole lechon!) there were booty bags, and lots of giveaways. Izza and Mike showed up which was good since I didn’t see any of my own classmates (actually, Bunso dropped by but then left early). I did get to get to know some students and VAs and we had some interesting conversations. Pretty glad I went.

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Catharsis

Talked to a friend about a major issue that has been bearing down on me. It has always been a thorn on my side but recently, it’s becoming too much of a burden. I am at a crossroad. I needed another perspective just to be sure that I’ll be taking the best path.

So we talked, or rather I mostly talked, ranted, and whined. As a bonus, I was made to see some of my own shortcomings in the scheme of things and some suggestions on maybe making things better.

I don’t pour out often and it felt like a great weight came off my shoulder. Even if it is probably only temporary and I still can’t see which path, it was still pure relief.

And no, I wasn’t drunk.

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you and me

long before you
there was me
then you came
and changed me

now you’re far
i’m me again
don’t you worry
just being me

it wasn’t you
don’t blame you
it was me
and only me

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Douglas McGregor’s XY Theory

There’s this theory by Douglas McGregor on the the fundamental approaches to management:

  • Theory X
    • The average person dislikes work and will avoid it he/she can.
    • Therefore most people must be forced with the threat of punishment to work towards organizational objectives.
    • The average person prefers to be directed; to avoid responsibility; is relatively unambitious, and wants security above all else.
  • Theory Y
    • Effort in work is as natural as work and play.
    • People will apply self-control and self-direction in the pursuit of organizational objectives, without external control or the threat of punishment.
    • Commitment to objectives is a function of rewards associated with their achievement.
    • People usually accept and often seek responsibility.
    • The capacity to use a high degree of imagination, ingenuity and creativity in solving organizational problems is widely, not narrowly, distributed in the population.
    • In industry the intellectual potential of the average person is only partly utilized.

The theory X would require an authoritarian management style. While theory Y would probably require no management at all! However, I think the reality is somewhere in between. People actually want to work for reasons of their own. But not everyone are as mature or capable as theory Y would posit them to be. It thus boils down to the congruence of people’s and the organization’s objectives as well as a level of management intervention appropriate to the maturity and capability of the individuals in the organization. That is the value of the XY Theory (and most other management theories for that matter), it articulates bounds to approaches to management.