The Man from Manila - Episode 3 - Secret Past

Previously…

After learning she was pregnant, Aiyanikka was torn on whether to keep the child or abort it.  She felt so ashamed and disarrayed because of the incident; fortunately the Mysterious figure known as Resgram made sense and persuaded her to make the right decision… to keep the child despite if everything that happened.

Days became weeks and weeks became months, Resgram took care of her and provided almost everything she needed while conceiving.  Aiyanikka seem adopted to her new life, away from the people she knew; though she regrets to be away with her family she is also at peace knowing she can start anew.

Resgram’s place though secluded had a small town nearby, compensating their basic needs to have a simple life. A small market for their food amidst all that nature has to offer them and native healers for basic medical needs, it was enough for them.

Episode 3 – Secret Past

One day after preparing food, she went to Resgram’s room and called her; being aware of his nature she did not wait that long for an answer.  Resgram stepped out of his room after a few minutes “What do you have inside there? Not that I want to enter your room but it’s always lock, and you spent most of your time there.” Resgram smiled “You don’t need to worry on such petty things, let us go and eat.”

“I’ve been here for quite a while now, but still I don’t know anything about you?” Aiyanikka asked while eating. “I really appreciate all your help and generosity; I am deeply touched on your values and your knowledge of things.  But still, I don’t know you.” Resgram smiled and continued eating. “Your really something - you want me to trust you but you don’t seem to trust me.” Aiyanikka stood up to get some more food.  One could see it in her face that she’s disappointed.  Upon returning to the table, she was now quiet.  One can even see how she lost her appetite; He could tell… she’s not as bubbly like when they started.  They have already finished eating and still there was silence.

After lunch, she walked out of the house and went into the nearby tree.  She stayed there in disappointment, holding her tummy she whispered “We owe our life to him, he has been so good but somehow we deserve to know more… the truth.” Little does she know Resgram followed her discreetly and was observing her.  His hearing was strong and could pick-up even her whisper. It was windy, the tree swayed vigorously.  She never noticed him come and go from the treetop.

The next day, He called Aiyanikka to drink some juice “I made this specially for you. Everything you eat is what your child eats. This is specially made to nourish our child.” She was looking outside the window when he called.  She was watching the birds fly across the blue sky, she was looking at the trees outside and field “Do you ever wonder how or why things are around us? Flying birds, growing trees, wind flowing; everything has their place and purpose, everything is a balance to each other.”  Resgram smiled and said “Come and drink this while it’s cold.” He then brought the juice to her as she was gazing at nature in the window. “Everything has a purpose and is a balance to something. Like good and bad, light and darkness, rich and poor.  None is without a purpose, it is up to us on how we will use it and be of significance.” Aiyanikka was astonished not by the wisdom shared but also the fact that Resgram is the one starting the conversation.  “Take the trees for example, they are important as it is, it gives clean air, lumber for construction, a simple shade under the sun and even though all trees have flower and fruit not all can be consumed as food. A tree such as the Coconut is significant to man because it can be harnessed to its optimum use; Food, shade, lumber and more…”

“Do you think I would be significant in anyway? Do you see something valuable my child will contribute to society?” she eagerly asked. “We are in control of whom we will be, specially you – you will mold your child in such a way you want to see him or her in the future.” Aiyanikka smiled “Indeed!” pleased with Resgram’s word of wisdom she asked “Is everything going to be puzzle between you and me? Do I have to figure out everything? Can you at least tell me who you really are?” He took a deep breath and asked “Are you ready to know the truth? How can you promise me things will be ok afterwards?” “Is it that bad?” she replied. “Remember the tree you always go to whenever you’re sad, go there and wait for me.  Let’s talk” confused Aiyanikka did as she was told, even looking back while walking to see if he was following.

Aiyanikka arrived at her favorite tree only to see and to her surprise – Resgram was already there waiting for her. “How did you get here?” she asked. “Tell me, are you ready to know and see more?” he asked. “Yes, I deserve to know the truth” with excitement she said.  Resgram held her hand and moved closer “Put your hand on my waist and hold on” he whispered “Are we going to dance?” she whispered back. “Something like that, please step on me and don’t be afraid” he smiled “Ready?” she was feeling awkward and silly “Ready to dance?” she replied and stepped on him. “I hope you won’t think that I am taking advantage of you.” To her surprise, upon looking around they were already flying, terrified she grabbed Resgram and embraced him “Please don’t let go! What are you?”

“We are known by many names, some worship us as gods, to some we are a myth – but we are here for quite some time now.   A keen observer of your kind, teaching your ancestors technology and have given them the knowledge they seek until now.  My race is known to your kind as the Anunnaki far advance from your kind, we originally came here to mine and conquer your planet for gold, it is a beacon of power and is very precious to us.  Our existence has been in history on many accounts from your bible to the Greek, Norse and Roman mythology.  Your ancestors described our ship as burning chariots in the sky as read in the mythology books.  It was almost described by Enoch in the bible, while in Asia it was called Vimmanas.”

“We have different kinds of powers like flight, speed and strength due to your atmosphere and sun.  We come from a planet with a blue sun, thus we process your solar energy far more efficient than humans.  My ancestors have gone from aggressor to inhabitants; some of us have found love in your people and have chosen to live amongst humanity.” Resgram explained. “How old are you?” She asked, the whole time while he was explaining she was looking in his eyes.  Fragments of Resgram’s memory are somehow flashed inside Aiyanikka’s head.

“I have witnessed my mother’s sorrow when my father left us and became part of the team to explore your planet, until tragedy arose and the ruler of land in our planet took my mother as his wife forcefully.  “I wanted to come here on Earth and face my father, get revenge but I learned differently.  I wanted to know why it was more important to come here and sacrifice our family.  I wanted to know how important gold is for our race that it meant such sacrifice.  After my mother died, it took a while before my father knew what had happened.  It was too late to rebel against our leader; he was a scientist and not a soldier.  I was sent here as a replacement and as a punishment for my father’s action against our government.  I learned the bitter sweet truth of life on your planet; I have wandered secretly and never went back despite orders or rendezvous in Egypt.”

They landed on the summit of the nearest mountain from where they lived. “For now, that is only what I can share, I hope you will still treat me the same way and would not look at me differently” he explained.  “I owe you my life, so does my child. Thank you for being honest and sharing the truth with me.  It is good enough for me, as long as you promise to take care of my child whatever happens and treat it as your own child.  I cannot promise to love you or be emotionally attached, you are more of a father for me – I hope you understand?”

“I do, I will do everything in my powers to protect you and your child”

To be continued…

Copyright njvelasquez 2012

All characters mentioned are all original concepts for this Mini-Series.

The Man from Manila - Episode 2 – An Inconvenient Truth

Previously…

After being saved from a group of rapist by a mysterious figure, the girl was brought to a distant residence in a province where she had been mugged.  In a desperate attempt to save and help the girl recover, the mysterious figure adopts as a native with the girl.

Episode 2 – An Inconvenient Truth

“I have seen this condition and have run some test.  You are truly blessed, despite of everything that had happened….you are of child” said the mysterious figure. “NO! This cannot happen!” the girl shouted. Shouting “NO!” she cried and sobs dropping to a corner restless, in complete disarray from what she had discovered. “I’m a mess, what will happen to me now?  What will my friends and family say to me? I’m a disgrace! How can I live lie this?”

“Please try to calm yourself, do not look at this in such a way, there are bigger reasons and lessons being taught to us in such situation” calmly said the mysterious figure. “You want me to be calm? You want me to look at it differently? How? You couldn’t possibly understand what I feel? You will never understand!” furiously she said.  “I was supposed to be an engineer; I just went to a friend to study.”  The girl again fell in disappointment, restless and sobbed in one corner. “Do not be in vain, I swear to do everything to help and ease whatever pain you are feeling.” The mysterious figure calmly said to her.

“There might still be a way --- I can have this aborted.  I didn’t want any of this to happen; this was never supposed to happen. Yes, if you help me to get this thing off me --- I might still have a chance to live a normal life; maybe I can still pick-up the pieces and get my life back.” Anxiously; the girl explained to the mysterious figure.  She approached him “Please, help me get my life back.” The mysterious figure stoops down and replied “I cannot take a life, just as I have risked my existence to save yours --- I cannot do what you ask of me.” The mysterious figure turned around and calmly “You life does not justify taking your child’s life; to take it and save yours does not make sense.  I saved you because I know you do not deserve such, I am so sorry to acted too late… it was because I myself was afraid.”

Silence broke the conversation, the mysterious figure is torn between what he must do to save both.  He hears voices echoing from his past at random; confused he shakes his head to clear his mind then instinct ushers in… the girl quickly stood-up and ran towards the kitchen. “What’s does she plan to do?” he said to himself, he rushed and followed her in the kitchen as she grabbed a knife and aims to stab herself. In a blink of an eye, he swooped and quickly grabbed her by the hand where she was holding the knife restraining her and another hand from the waist to her back securing she could not stab herself. He held his face near her and whispered “This is not the answer, everything happens for a reason. Stop this madness!”

She slowly opened her hands and dropped the knife as tears slowly run from her eyes. “I should have died; you should have let me died!” She then fainted and dropped in the mysterious figure’s hands.   He lifted her and carried across the house to her room and let her sleep and rest.  He turned around and said to himself “I do not understand why I feel this way and cannot just turn my back from you.” Pigment of the past starts to flash in front of him. “You can do nothing! I will take her and she will be mine!” a distinct voice from his head “No, please…. Have mercy.” Another voice of a woman echo’s in her mind. Like an uncontrollable headache, he shook and held his head like it was being torn apart.  In agony he ran outside; from the clear fields and sky --- there he screamed in pain.  He fell in his knees and looked up in the sky in agony his eyes glowed, his skin changes tone from flesh like to brownish green. Veins are showing up in his hands and his body seem to be changing, boiling deforming his appearance “ARGHHH!!!!!!!!!” his eyes glowed and a bright light seemed to explode from within him, his energy shattered around him like an implosion of aura.

The next day, the girl woke-up and slowly opened her eyes to her surprise she sees him in the room.  “I see you have regain consciousness, how are you?” tears dropped from her eyes and she looked away. “I see you still upset from what had happened.” She closed her eyes, still crying, disappointed in what had happened to her and her current predicament. “Truly you are being thought a bigger lesson in life, something that will strengthen and build who you are once it is overcome. I do not wish you to suffer because of grief but wish to see you drew strength from everything.” The mysterious person is slicing ripe mangoes and had prepared pineapples for her. On a plate beside her bed he said “Here, have some of this… I believe this will help you.  If you like anything, please do not hesitate to ask.” He slowly left the room.  The girl looked and stared at the fruits, again tears run from her eyes to the pillow. She closed her eyes and sat on the bed, looked at the fruits and gently smiled; grabbed a piece and ate.  The mysterious figure was watching from a small gap from the room’s unlocked door, turned around and gently smiled.

Days passed into weeks, the girl never left her room.  He would regularly bring her food, milk every morning and fruits in the afternoon.  The mysterious figure monitored her from her room, making sure she was well and healthy to bear child.  There in his room were different kinds of instruments and device used for scientific purposes such as data gathering, experiments.  The room looked like a laboratory but bizarre like obviously not of this planet. As he walks across the room, it somehow phases to look like an ordinary room. It was a small house on the outside made of nipa hut and bamboo but has a lot of space inside; it was like the house itself was hiding something from everyone else, seemingly and purposely built or placed in a remote area in the province to be unnoticed.

One day, when he was bringing fruits in her room she grabbed his hand and calmly “Why are you doing this? Why do you need to do this?” He looked at her hand; felt that it was more intrigued than scared. “I am a friend.” “It’s been quite a while now since you brought me here and still I do not know who or what you are? Not even a name?” she eloquently inquired. “I must be crazy but where are you from?”  The mysterious figure smiled and poured some juice in the glass “You need not to worry of such insignificant things, what is important is you be healthy and well, both of you.” She looked and held his belly “At least give me a name? You’re asking me to keep this child and always giving me advice in life but not even a name?” He looked at her and said “name” turned around with a smile “Eat your fruits while they are still fresh.” Before he could leave the room she said “I’m Aiyanikka” took a bite of the mango and smiled. “It’s a pleasure to know you Aiyanikka” he smiled as he left the room.

To be continued….

Copyright njvelasquez 2012
All characters mentioned are all original concepts for this Mini-Series.

The Man from Manila - Episode 1 - Unexpected Help

Chapter 1

Episode 1 - Unexpected Help

It was a quiet evening, it was raining a bit and the streets are wet.  A woman was running in an ally disturbed, nervous and afraid. Four men with knives and gun were chasing her.  Sinister smile was upon the men’s face as they cornered the girl in the alley.  “Don’t worry, this will be fun.” One said while holding the knife as he approaches the girl.  “You will enjoy this more than you think!” said the other one as he licked his lips in anticipation. “Better not delay the inevitable, if you resist, things will just go bad. Hehehehehe……” said the biggest among the four.

A mysterious figure is watching from a far, observing what will happen.  The figure felt the need to help the girl, but is hesitant; hesitant to be seen by other, afraid to be harmed. In the shadows, a mere peek at the figure can be seen, glowing like a cat’s eye in the dark.  Something is different with this fellow, he seems not to be afraid of helping but more of being exposed, it’s like he is hiding something.  It seems he doesn’t want to expose himself….. But why?

“No………please….HHEEEEELPPPPPPPPP!” the girl cried.  One of the men grabbed her and kept his mouth shut “Shhhhh…… don’t shout, don’t cry.  See this (while licking at the blade of a knife), stay still or I’ll cut your throat off.” Noise from the side of the wall was made by the hidden figure, quite anxious on how to help.  “Damn cat! Shuu…… get away from here.”

The girl was helpless and four men raped her one at a time while the mysterious figure was trembling as he could not do anything, tears were falling and were crunching his fist in anger.   How can he help without exposing himself? How will he save the girl?

The girl fainted in her distress, almost lifeless one of the men said “What shall we do with her man?” “Nothing we want from her now, might as well kill her so we’ll have no loose ends”  The mysterious figure already torn with guilt heard what the rapist will do, In a desperate attempt he jumped on one of the men.  Grabbing him and lifting him with one hand and stared at the others after removing his cloak.  The men were horrified on what they saw, the glow of its eyes, and the shape of its head. “What are you man?” “Your worst nightmare!” the figure said while its eyes glow in the dark like a cat. He threw the man on the wall, and punched the nearby ally to the wall almost made the wall crumble and the man fractured and wounded.

“Now you’re dead, you piece of shit!” another tries to stab the figure dodging it easily and returning the knife as a blow, fatal the rapist drops on the ground. “You’re a monster! No, you’re a devil!” as the only rapist shouted horribly. “Me? You people were the one who up this upon yourselves. You who have done this with an innocent soul?  An act of crime on your own kind.”  As the mysterious figure stared at the rapist, he started to run in fear and was hit by a fast truck as he crossed the street. “An eye for an eye” the mysterious figure said.

It was then he turned to the girl that was raped, she was with blood and barely with pulse. He picked her up gently and with a blinked of an eye…. Vanished in the shadows and teleported in some kind of space craft, only a blink in the sky was seen as it disappeared.

It was almost a week since the incident; he took care of the girl secretly. Landed in a remote countryside and disguised the ship as a simple “Bahay Kubo” (House made of dried grass and bamboo). Dressed himself like an old man, peasant like; hid as much as possible his appearance as he revived the girl that was raped. When she awoke, she was in shocked, tubes were inserted her directly to the nerves revitalizing her strength. She was clean and was in a place where she does not know.  It was then when the mysterious fellow entered the room “Who are you? Where am I? Why am I here?” the girl said. “Do not worry, you are safe. Something happened but it’s alright now.  You are with a friend, I meant no harm.” Tears, dropped from her eyes.  She stoops down and cried “I know I should thank you for everything but why do I think you should have left me to die?” “There, there now, you should rest whatever happened had passed; what you should be grateful for is that you’re well and alive.” He answered.”Why do you care?” the girl sobs, “You don’t know anything about me, you have no idea what I went through? Maybe I was supposed to die, maybe that was the way I should die!” the girl said as she cried. “Clearly, it is not yet your time to die because you are here and safe.” Injects the sedative “You should rest more, we will talk later when you are ready.”

ONE MONTH LATER…..

The girl when back to the house from the nearby market for some food, smiles and said to the mysterious figure “You are going to like what I will prepare today, Sinigang!” “You know I don’t eat much, fruits will be fine!” said the fellow.  “It’s been almost a month now since I was here; you never eat what I prepare.  I know, I shouldn’t ask but I would really appreciate if you would join me even once.” “Well now, since you’ve been here it’s just now you took the effort in communicating, It’s a good sign.  Ok then, let’s eat.”

While she was preparing food, she suddenly fainted.  The mysterious fellow catches her as she falls.  “Are you ok?” he laid her down gently to the nearby bed.  “You don’t seem to be sick, what else are you feeling?” the girl suddenly vomited.  “What’s wrong with me?” she asked.  “I hope my hunch is incorrect but we need to run some test to confirm.”

“Can you stand or sit at least? I will prepare the food you cooked.” He said. “Let’s eat!”  the girl smiled and with effort tried to relax and join him in the table. “This is nice; it’s been a while since I had this kind of cooking around here.  I hope you get to accept and treat everything that had happened as a challenge from your forefathers. I sense that you will take part on something significant, I sense that you will contribute something great to society” he said.  The girl smiled and ate.

To be continued…

Copyright njvelasquez 2012

All characters mentioned are all original concepts for this Mini-Series.

Transfromers Prime - The Animated Series

TRANSFORMERS PRIME

After the Transformers Movie Trilogy we get the best next thing, or in my opinion better..... The Transformers Prime Animated Series and Toyline.  Now I don't know if everybody agrees, but TF Prime has a more stronger and solid story.  If everybody notices, its written and developed for television but the same guys who made story for the movie... but this time more liberated without Spielberg and Bay - and it's better!

This is initially a 5 part test mini-series to capture TF fans for future venture since the movie is about to close, indeed TF3: Dark of the Moon made tons of money in the box office but we were all disappointed story wise.  Definitely the absence of Megan Fox is a big loss, missing Twins (Skids & Mudflap) that made more screen time than sideswipe and others, this movie totally failed for me being a TF Fan.  Thank God for redeption - Transformers Prime proved to have hard core and solid stories and harked G1, Movie and current evolution in animation and storytelling revitalizes Transformers in a totally new perspective.

For me the most brilliant factor in why TF Prime is so awesome is because we get to hear original voices from the past Peter Cullen and Frank Welker proved once and over again that they own Prime and Megatron's voice.  Peter Cullen's majestic and heroic voice is fitting for Optimus Prime's nobility and leadership and a great contrast to Frank Welker's menacing and treacherous voice an perfect execution for a menacing leader. The result a worldwide hit that spawned hype even here in the Philippines despite there is no local airing of the series.  Its G1 all-over again in a different level, this time with better history.

It was awesome how the previous Transformers Animated provided great characters, animation and story for general audience but TF Prime is for the solid hardcore and who would want to be new fans of this genre.  Characters are pulled from the G1 line except for Bulkhead witch was a favorite in the Transformers animated series. The fact that this is a TV series it's in full CG, yes we had CGs before like the Beastwars series, combination on TF Cybertron, but this......I am in awe.

Character wise I love how this series keeps it to a minimum, no over-casting, no over exposure of characters, all is in balance.  This is true for both Autobots and Decepticons, even the human allies and villains are in good proportion, unlike the previous incarnations it either too much bots minimal human intervention or a lot of human intervention which is unnecessary.

Even for the Decepticon I must say, the concept of having Vehicon Drones are superb, it maintains the army and numbers of the Decepticon but focuses on distinct characters.

The Toyline is great....specially the FIRST EDITIONS.... it was something.  For the main line Robots in Disguise I was disappointed.  I expected better since this is the mass produced line by it didn't turn out that way. I got these Autobots for my personal collection.  I feel these lines which I have are the strength of the line.  I am contemplating on getting the Deceptions but only the main Characters.

Copyright njvelasquez 2012

All characters mentioned and shown are owned by their respective company.
 Transformers and related Characters owned by Hasbro/Takara Tomy and its subsidiaries.
No copyright infringement intended in the creation of this review.

The Amazing Spiderman Preview

Now let's get things straight - Marvel started in the early 2000s the Spiderman Franchise by Director Sam Raime and Actor Tobey Magguire, It was a muti-billion dollar success from the Box Office to the movie merchandise.  This was also our first taste at Toybiz Marvel 6" lines that were top notch. Reboot?

Al lot has been skeptic about this reboot as may are fans of the three previous Spiderman films, for most of the fans they were great movies at they were. My personal favorite was Spiderman II with Doc Ock, storywise it was well written as well as effects, 3Ds and animation were great.  We all had a lot of fun in general with the three movies but were they perfect - definitely not!

I have a lot of high hopes for this one, I was also skeptic of the costume - but final outputs turned out great, the actor Andrew Garfield started as totally off to he might actually pull it off but after seeing this trailer, I'm sold.  THIS IS MY SPIDERMAN!

He is witty here, fast, agile and the web shooters - the first time I saw the web shooters I had goosebumps.  Nice re-interpretation of the Spiderman suit, I think It was taken from the Ultimates. I love the darker tone but still light and bubbly obnoxious web-head we all know from the cartoons and comics

Well, that's the second movie Marvel is giving us this year - no wonder he wasn't in the Avengers, he has a bigger budget for himself for his own movie... Hahahahahha!

Two thumbs up for this, from the preview alone I'm giving it 4/5 Avengers higher because of the total superhero geek mode.  Toys and merchandise are out, its something to look forward to and a movie to be hyped with.

Copyright njvelasquez 2012

All characters mentioned and shown are owned by their respective company.
 Spiderman and related Characters owned by Marvel/Disney and its subsidiaries.
Compliments to YouTube for the video.
No copyright infringement intended in the creation of this review.

The Transformers - More than Meets the Eye

The Transformers - Then and Now

Transformers I would say is the re-incarnation of Super Robot.  In the 70's I believe there was an anime "Macross" or "Revoltech" which featured planes that turn in to robot.  Not to mention the other piloted mecha.  What's interesting about the Transformers is that they are sentient beings... they had life, a mind of their own, set of principles between right and wrong.

I won't say I'm a big follower of all the Transformers franchise or all of the incarnations but G1 holds a special place in my heart.  Aside from the voice of Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime and Frank Welker as Megatron, I was truly amazed on story, the transformation from vehicle to robot and vice-versa. The ultimate catch point then was the toy commercials every episode.  My jaw would literally drop and droll as I wish I could own a toy like that. 

As a kid, I never owned a Transformer toy; we could not afford to buy one.  But like every kid who dreamed of a Voltes V or Superman Toy... I always wanted to have Optimus Prime.  He was up there with Superman, Steve, Keith and other cartoon leaders.

I was one of the poor kids who would put together match boxes and create a truck like Prime or be creative enough to put together an Optimus Prime robot with some glue and sticks; with a help of tons of imagination, I get to play with a Transforming box that I pretend to be Prime.

As I said, I never really followed all of the TF series but I was surely a G1 fan. Among my other favorites were Transformers Cybertron and Beast Wars, these two captured my attention due to the introduction of GCI Animation to TV in a series. It was for me a combination of good story and great animation.  Sadly during this time I have no means and resources to start a collection.  I was one who would frequent the mall's toy section specially when I'm stressed out to check out the new figures that would come out.  It was part of my stress reliever to frequent toys section specially when I was working.

Aside from these TF series, the Transformers movie is what really drove me back, somehow seeing prime in a live-action film had a lot of kick.

I heard a lot of rumor regarding this live-action movie.  It was a bitter sweet moment!  A lot of attention were made, the fuzz of redesign, the sense of being true to G1, even the name of the human counterpart Sam from Spike was an issue. Excitement filled in specially after the Teaser Trailer was released by yahoo. A lot were bickering about how much it changed, I was in awe on how they made the change.

During my childhood is was the amazement of seeing these transforming vehicles turn into robots, from the animation in the 80's to the CGI almost instructional graphics of transformation now a live action movie. During my early 20's i have always been a fan of the engineers that makes the toy.  Here is a cartoon I watch and here it is tangible, transformable and playable within my reach. It was like chess, rubic's cube and lego all together. It was putting together boxes as armor and dorming a vehicle mode when playing.  It was part of every boys childhood.

In the Transformers Movie, you gotta admit the amount of detail they put up with.  And as trend has it for every comic or cartoon inspired movie a toyline supports it, and Transformers did not fail to deliver.  Fascination grew when I was these new toylines, more intricate, more realistic and more complex. I get it, its different from the original cartoons on TV, changes were dramatic but also needed and with basis.

Now with the trend of Transformers growing back and the movie has proved and gave it more hyped for younger generations, I'm back into collecting and hopefully will continue to do so.  A friend once told me "What do you get with all this, its non-sense!" I smiled and said "It's me, i'm in-love with it. My toys is the source of my inner peace. Hahahahhaha....." I'm enjoying collecting with patience and now more focused and guided with direction.

There's one thing I wanna leave to all the readers "COLLECT BE CAUSE YOU LOVE TO, NOT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO." There's no such thing "THE TRUE VALUE OF OUR TOYS IS BASED ON HOW MUCH WE LOVE THE CHARACTER AND HOW IT INFLUENCED US."

God is truly gracious to those who strive and is blessed when there is patience.  My collection grew through time and by the grace that God has given for me to be able to purchase them one at a time.  Now, with the wide influence and impact of collectors, I may not be a key player... but I'm proud to say God has gotten me in the game.

Copyright njvelasquez 2012

All characters mentioned and shown are owned by their respective company.
 Transformers and related Characters owned by Hasbro/Takara Tomy and its subsidiaries.
No copyright infringement intended in the creation of this review.

Toys for the Big Boys - Super Robots

Super Robots - What makes them special?

"I wanna car, chicks dig the car!" Is one of the famous line in the 1997 movie Batman and Robin uttered by Robin in the opening scene. It made me think, "Wow, even superheroes are fascinated with cars, awesome tech you see them making robots or armor like Ironman.  The influence of having that kind of fire power at your side, to pilot, wear or operate is such a surreal dream we all got and was influenced by Japan's Mecca Mania. 

Who would even dare to say they don't know Voltes 5, Voltron, Daimos, Optimus Prime or the Power Rangers.

Growing up in the 80's and 90's is a lot of fun.  We experienced most of things kids nowadays would dream to experience. We had the chance to see how the Cassette Tape evolved into today's MP3, Betamax to BlueRay, Game and Watch to PSP or Nintendo DS, Attari to WII/PS3/Xbox.  we saw the world change right in-front of us.  It was not just defining to our growth but definitive to evolution.

Saturday morning cartoons was composed of Superheroes and Super Robots in an alternate time-slot. It was common to all kids back then to watch these cartoons.  I remember "Shaider - Ang Pulis Pangkalawakan" (Space Sherif) as the first Filipino dubbed sentai then.  Aside from Voltes V and Bioman kids would shout "Vabiloz!" or "Let's volt-in!" and sometimes the chant from Bioman's count "Red 1" and so on and so forth.

I learned from my Grandmother that during Marcos time Voltes V and similar themed anime was banned to be aired in national TV due to the story of rebellion to tyranny.  Since it was Martial Law any hint or related to rebellion is prohibited.

It was in the early 80's where in I watched the Superhero themed cartoons and Transformers, apparently that was about Good and Evil and doesn't invoke rebellion. (To kids - rebellion?)

Anyways, we all loved and wanted to be Richard, pilot of Daimos and have an angel Erika to be our special someone.  It was a robot that not only made you want to have your own robot but learn karate and be a ninja type of guy and have a robot copy all your action moves.

Of course the epitome of all Super Robot Collectors, VOLTES V.  We all wanted to e Steeve Armstrong,  pilot of Cruizer 1 and leader of the Voltes Team. Somehow, he was good looking, sounded great (thanks to the English Dubbed) and fearles.

We all wanted the Godaikin Voltes, we all wanted to have a piece of this toy, we all gathered around someone owning this kind of toy.  I think, aside from the Kenner Superman back then this was the next best thing for me. (Don't judge me guys, I said I was a fan).

We all know the weapons, somehow everything then was voice activated and kids in the neighborhood were shouting "Lazer Sword" then using a stick as a saber, when the tops came in, it was "Ultra Electro Magnetic Top!", man you gotta love our era. It was TV, imagination, Toys and back to imagination.

Now, 30 years later I learned that Voltes V was a rip off due to some company dispute from Combattler V.  I saw a glimpse from YouTube clips of this ancestor of the Voltes Team, I gotta admit, everything looks almost exactly the same with only minimal improvements in favor of Voltes V. Hey, Filipinos are known for being respectful, let's give due credit to Combatler V for paving the way for Voltes V.

Aside from Transformers (Needs a separate review) came Voltron: Defender of the Universe along with a narrator we all knew the voice and love; Peter Cullen. Voltron was an American based mecca with Japanese origins.  This time, its not ships, they were 5 giant robot lions and a story not based on Earth but from a distant galaxy; a different planet.

Simple story, simple action, very American-like animation where-in the narrator would explain the scene as it happens.  It was my first look at robot animals that combine and become one giant robot. And maybe because it was a trend of 5-man-team, this followed in the same tradition. It was the death of a member that captured my attention for this animated super robot aside from the awe in each part being a mechanical lion.

After all has been said and done, its been 30 years. All of these are great parts of my childhood, I would never have wanted to change anything. Everything was perfect the way it was.  God is very kind to have given me the chance to own these precious toys from my childhood.  Seeing them everyday seems like relief, it's like growing younger.  Having these as part of my collection is no status-quo or does not mean I have that luxury. I can never pay back the feeling of being refreshed and hearkened back to my childhood and be able to play and re-live memories.

It is through these toys that I have, I get to share my childhood to my kids. I get to be a kid and play with my kids.  It is through these toys my kids and I get bonded. A bond beyond comprehension, a bond made strong as our childhood collide.

Thanks for taking time in reading my blog.  Hope all of you can support and subscribe. God Bless us all and to God I give back the glory.

Copyright njvelasquez 2012

All characters mentioned and shown are owned by their respective company.
 Voltes V, Combatler V & Daimos and related character is copyrighted and owned by Toei Co and its subsidiaries. Toys are SOC copyright owned by Bandai and its subsidiaries.
Voltron and related Characters owned by Toynami and its subsidiaries.
No copyright infringement intended in the creation of this review.