Five-pointer

Posted on April 12, 2026 by Topher

What are 5 everyday things that bring you happiness?

A few reasons brighten up my day. Happiness is relative. Other WordPress bloggers have varied answers to today’s daily prompt. Even if cloning was legal and feasible, no two humans are the same. We are created ‘in Gott’s image and likeness.’

We feature dissimilar looks and talents, hopes and dreams. Whether your God is Yahweh or Jesus, Allah or Buddha, carving one’s identity is the human staple. Some attend church while others frequent the synagogue. Some pray five times a day and fast for Ramadan. Others avoid beef, regarding cows as sacred. A late Pinoy rapper once sung, ‘Some have some, and some have most’.

Healthy eating
Waterfront lunch @ the Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Harbour Bridge
  1. Eating right. Lately, we’re eating healthier. Limiting junk and fast food, buying fresh salads and fruit. We need fibre from the latter and get much needed nutrients. Fast food, while tasty, has little or no nutritional value. Increasing your fibre intake keeps constipation away. As a kid and teen, I consumed green and leafy veggies. Growing up, they’ve been constant in our diet. Fast food is overrated. Shun it and you’ll make progress.

For a while, we’ve been having brown rice instead of white jasmine rice. Wholemeal not white bread. Fish and white meat while cutting down on steaks and red meat. Fruit juice are one of few concessions I make. Though high in sugar and stripped of fibre, they’re better than donuts or cheating on nachos. We avoid pizzas, deep fried food, most pastas, hot chips, cookies, croissants, butter, soft drinks, bacon, sausages, meat pies, lasagna, and quiche.

I’ve swapped Up and Go for coffee and tea. Potato and corn chips for crackers and dips. Cakes for yoghurt. Ham, tacos, and liverwurst for burrito bowls, stuffed buns, and seafood. I finished our forty bag supply of peppermint tea. We go for heart smart, fresh, and superfoods. Even with food delivery, you can pick healthier cuisines and eschew junk.

2. Scrolling through Facebook. My feed these days is a mix of friend updates, news, lists, basketball and influencers’ posts. I prefer seeing more friends’ updates. Facebook curates your feed on relevant topics. If a pal’s post was a week old, it could still appear in your slice. Years on, I have a total of 333 posts. My friend count is 159.

I should be on at least four hundred. I deleted my second account ages ago. Looking back, I should’ve saved some photos. However, I do not care for my ‘friends’ there. Now, those memories are gone for good. They cannot tag or see me anymore. They’ve been permanently erased from my life. Good riddance.

I send few invites. Hence, the low friend count. Indeed I have fifty pending requests: former classmates, batchmates, ball hogs, bullies, even total strangers. Some have been in limbo for twelve to fifteen years. They should’ve treated me better. Then I would think twice about ignoring them. For instance, why accept this former classmate, mortally offended each time I grinned? Or other peers who treated me quite poorly? Remember these were my last impressions of the Philippines. I have a long memory, but a bully is a bully. As they say ‘Tigers don’t change their stripes,’ even with families. Take the hint.

High school seniors

3. Saying my prayers. I studied in a Catholic school. Through the years, I’ve detailed my experience. See also: ‘Letter to my sixteen year old self’, ‘Losing Family’, ‘Our JS Prom and the Capulets’, and ‘The Topher Bibliotheca’, to name a few.

The Benedictine institute has been around for 114 years, the oldest in the province. They instilled Ora et Labora, prayer and work. We recited the rosary, attended First Friday Mass on campus. I was an acolyte then. We memorised St. Ben’s prayer and the angelus. We paused for the Divine Mercy at 3pm. Celebrated feast days and did outreach programs with the less fortunate. Annual recollections, a day devoted to prayer, reflection, and friendship.

Years of these engagements fostered a passion for social justice and religion. Every night, I say my prayers. I try to recite the Rosary every day. I say Thanksgiving prayers whenever my intentions are heeded and fulfilled. ‘Small steps make a big difference.’

4. Listening to music. Like high school, I’ve discussed my music predilections. I posted about Spotify and CDs. I favour retro tunes, not the latest. Cover songs are riveting, a fresh take. Music Travel Love is a keeper. Their covers and song selection are splendid. I listen to OPM, though not recent hits. Away from Pinas for decades, that’s expected.

I stream these tunes on my mobile phone. Recently, I sold our BluRay player. I don’t play CDs anymore. Salvaging some value out of it is better than gathering dust. I have a huge CD collection plus DVDs. With music subscriptions, CDs are a dying breed. Nobody buys them. Though I took time to transition, ‘Better late than never.’

Music is soothing. Whether ballads or rock songs, familiarising creates a vivid ambience. Inspired, you’re ready to face the world. Like new words. Once locked in, these songs, singers, and albums are your discovery.

My bursting journal

5. Journalling. My journal gets me organised. I write down thoughts, my weight, reminders, ideas, questions, quotes, research, and everything in between. These notes are snapshots of my life. This has been SOP for four years. I feel better prepared and more confident jotting them down. A man in sync today comes back tomorrow.

I’ve filled three notebooks in four years. It’s better this way; forgotten ideas leads to regrets and rumination. Every concept, reminder, and question is a gem. Like our talents, we mustn’t take them for granted. In time, you’ll realise their value. Who knows, perhaps these precious scribbles will fetch some $$$ in the distant future. Though not penned on moleskin notebooks, we’ll save it for posterity, just like the artists before me.

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‘Gawad Kalinga‘

Posted on April 5, 2026 by Topher

What job would you do for free?

Easy. In a heartbeat, I’d volunteer to be a beta reader. For the uninitiated, these bookworms are given ARCs (advance reader copies). The latter are final drafts before the books go live. Netgalley has the widest range of well-known authors. Getting your hands on these diamonds is a privilege. You enjoy them before everybody else. All they’re asking in return is your honest opinion or feedback. No complex survey or long queue. You get the sample eBook, bury your nose in their universe, all good. This week’s title is a metaphor. To build their pueblos, scriveners utilise us tireless test users. We ‘stand on the shoulders of giants.’

300

Recently, I’ve experienced a reading resurgence. In three weeks, I finished two hoops books. Pipeline to the Pros and Robert Parish’s memoir. Both were over 300 pages. Today, my preorder of a fellow author’s debut novel has landed. Another 300 pager, I should be good for some time.

Musings

Being a beta reader would highlight my reading skills. As a teener, I got 8.5 out of 9 in the IELTS Reading Test. I was confident of a perfect score. Imagine devouring my fave authors. John Grisham, Mitch Albom, Michael Connelly, Jodi Picoult, Matthew Reilly, and many more. Perusing them would make me feel important. Though casual, I’d have a hand in shaping literary history. As a wise man once intoned, ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’

Mind you, it’s not only the Grisham’s and Picoult’s who utilise the masses’ assistance. In Apple’s beta program, software updates are provided to developers before becoming public. They release two betas and a final release candidate. This is significant for quashing out bugs and applying security patches prior to reaching our devices.

Just as in the literary world, the author and publisher could take our comments onboard before presenting their shiny new book.

Beta phase

In the Big Bang Theory, Penny and Leonard commence a beta stage in their relationship. Their other friends are unawares of their lovey dovey. The secret canoodling lasts for a few weeks or months before all is revealed.

Knocking back books is rewarding. They make you grow as a person and writer. I’ve detailed how reading changed my life. I catalogued my latest reads. Always a voracious reader, this has shaped my own discourse. Speaking of beta reading, I remember LeBron’s boasting during his Miami ‘inauguration’.

‘Not one, not two, not three…’

Yes, they did not win six successive titles. However, Bron made eight straight NBA Finals. On two teams. He was the Finals MVP thrice, before another nod with the Lakers. His bragging did not sit well with observers, but he kept his word.

The Long Haul

Writing books is a long grind. You keep writing, revising, and polishing. Patience, diligence, and a hungry mind are required. Browsing eight ARCs is child’s play compared to penning eight books. As the saying goes, ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’

Most importantly, perusing is something I love. If it was acting or engineering or painting, it’d be different. Early on, taking in prose was instilled in me. As a popular quote holds, ‘Choose a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.’

‘For the love of the game‘

Beta readers are volunteers. No money changes hands. Despite the arrangement, test users are a big community. This shows that the pull of first dibs remains strong, regardless of remuneration.

In Oz, focus groups are quizzed about upcoming products. They are given gift cards. Supermarkets have product testers. Customers are provided sample items. Their opinions, from canned goods to juices, wedges to hand wash, are solicited, aggregated, and analysed.

The Countdown

During uni vacations, I watched Filipino news early in the morning. The show was called ‘Bandila’ (flag). The nation’s finest newscasters and reporters were featured. I was updated on my adopted homeland. They would always have this pre-credits spiel.

‘At Yan na naman po ang isang araw ng pagbabalita. Isang araw na Bahagi na ng kasaysayan. Sa ngalan ng pagmamalasakit sa bayan. Sa ilalim ng nag-iisang bandila.’

(And that’s another day of reporting. Another day that’s a part of history. In the name of empathy to our land. Under one flag.)

My older sister tested me on that before her work, as though a pop quiz. Well, I wasn’t the only one tuning in. My auntie was hooked. She never missed the show. At 8:10am, you would find her with rapt attention on her couch.

I end with this Francis Bacon quote: ‘Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man’.

Almost five centuries since his pronouncement, the tradition of bibliophiles has long endured.

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‘McLovin’

Posted on March 28, 2026 by Topher

When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I’ll tell you want I didn’t wanna be. As a five year old, just as now, I never entertained being a wino.

Barossa Valley, South Australia
Bottler

After Superbad

Rarely, I bought beers from my local bottler

Attached to the supermarket convenient as a butler

Had no issues until a big guy asked for ID

Appearing under 25, this is SOP

He lingered on my photo card a smile escaped from his face

‘We’re neighbours’, he said, ‘I pass by your place’

His wife, white, and he was Nepalese

Heavyset in all black clothing they ‘never freeze’

No fake ID like Superbad

Of legal age and shrewd mind, brod

Wino forever
Hobart, Australia
Port Arthur, Tasmania

I’m no drinker

A phase didn’t matter

Seven years without a sip

Got tape on my lip

My mate and I toured Cascade Brewery in Hobart

That Sunday, the plant was a quiet Mozart

Been there for two centuries

Almost as old as Port Arthur say cheese!

During State of Origin we downed Victoria Bitter

Backed the New South Blues a real thirst buster

Alcohol ain’t healthy

Keep out the schooners be wealthy

My memories the odd pint

Move on and continue your jaunt.

Cheering for the Blues
State of Origin
NSW Blues
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The Metaphysician, por favor

Posted on March 18, 2026 by Topher

What was the best compliment you’ve received?

In response to the daily prompt, I’m gonna share ‘The Metaphysician’. The poem forms part of my collection.

‘Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds’ – Albert Einstein, Nobel-winning physicist

Neither mathematician nor magician

He’s the self-styled metaphysician

Doesn’t dissect human bodies in the infirmary or on stage

He solves no conundrums not Einstein in a rage

Topher ain’t a lifesaver

Resurrects word, style, and stanza a mad player

Being a physician or astronaut would be nice, except for the ghastly hours or stress

A wise man averred that you’re smarter, Chris

They hold stethoscopes but can’t write like you

At eighteen, they won’t score 8.5 in the IELTS, true

Topher, the self-styled metaphysician

He’s Rizal’s character, pilosopong Tasyo

Types in his peerless style, shoo

Bored with school

Needed a new pool

He sat in philosophy and ‘majored’ in verses

Studied the greats from John Milton, Edgar Allan Poe, even dirges

Jose Garcia Villa was, by far, his favourite

Amazing how an expat figured prominently a treat

The Comma Poet’s rich family owned land in Manila

His father, the president’s private physician, hand no time for matata

Edgar Allan Poe

Senior envisioned him as a doctor

At UP, he was banned for his poetry’s explcit amour

Moved to the States, heeded the patriarch, enrolling in New Mexico

Writing was his true passion, mi amigo

Had rocky relations with his dad

Like a trope from Breaking Bad

His story collection’s response was tepid

Critics told him stick to poetry, his new meal ticket

Breaking Bad

Like Villa, Topher aspires to be the metaphysician par excellence

Learned from the deadliest, including the Pope he’ll fill the silence

Being Asian shouldn’t matter

His writing’s riveting so he’ll deliver

At fifty, Jose had published his last book

As the Godfather, the ‘Pope of Greenwich Village’ could fill every nook

A 1973 National Artist, one of Literature’s first

When all is said and done, his work’s never a caricature

His opinion mattered

A recluse who was always flattered

Jose Garcia Villa aka Doveglion

How many lives will a surgeon save? Conversely, who won’t make it on their watch?

What is our final page count? In crunch time, will he come up clutch?

Will his seeds materialise?

His body of work, immortalised?

He could try his best

So here are his finest.

If you enjoyed this poem, you could check out more from my collection. The eBook version of Musings can now be purchased from my website for $1.69.

https://topherong.net/product/musings-poems-selected-and-new

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Five-peat

Posted on March 13, 2026 by Topher

What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times?

There are a few that fits that description. Today, I’ll focus on The Bourne Ultimatum, which I saw at the cinema. It was well worth the price of admission. Since then, I caught it several times when I still watched telly. Ultimatum, the third instalment, was a critical and commercial success. Matt Damon, director Paul Greengrass, and writer Tony Gilroy were a dream team. David Straithairn portrays villain Noah Vosen. In one scene, he answers his cell with ‘Vosen’. Bourne (Damon) then uses the greeting to unlock the safe. I knew a lass who used her first name when picking up her phone. Hope she didn’t have a safe out back.

Julia Styles (Nicky Parsons)
Damon and Greengrass

Reel

The film begins with ripples of Bourne in hiding. He’s trying to figure out this Blackbriar crap and crosses paths with Nicky Parsons (Julia Styles). He tracks down a British journalist who followed the story. They meet in packed Waterloo Station. The agitated Brit answers his queries. Bourne tells him, ‘This is real’ before being disobeyed. Simon is shot in the head by a sniper. Tis the second time in the franchise that a character conks out after Jason utters those words.

‘We’ve lost visual contact.’

My sister found that funny. Like gladiator commentary, except the language was reminiscent of NASA.

The trail leads him to Spain, where he finesses some mercenaries sent to silence him. He then turns the tables by calling in the attack, using Spanish phrases.

Vosen: ‘What the hell is this?’

The hunters become the hunted.

Morocco
Simon

Across the ditch

The crumbs had Bourne taking the ferry from Gibraltar to nearby Tangier, Morocco. There, he finds the dirty unit manager who’s been feeding ‘the chamber of secrets’ to Simon. Though quick, Bourne ain’t fast enough. The manager unwittingly falls for a booby trap. So long, sucker.

As a dedicated Lone Ranger, Bourne tries to piece together the puzzle. He’s hounded by Desh, who’s from the same agency. They engage in one of cinema’s iconic hand to hand fights.

Perhaps it was the stunning locations. Or breathtaking action scenes. Likeable characters. The fast-paced plot. Big names like Greengrass and Matt Damon.Or all of the above.

Relatable

We can relate to underdog Bourne. He left his past lives behind. Though doing no wrong, he’s pigeonholed as the bad guy. His higher ups want him in a body bag before sunset. He’s picking the agency apart. He uses various passports, his language and sleuth skills, and street smarts. All while not remembering how he became Jason Bourne.

He has no superpowers like telekinesis. Not a mind reader à la Harry Potter. He does not leap over buildings like Superman, nor wield a hammer like Thor. He isn’t turning green when angered like the Incredible Hulk. He toes the line between controlled aggression and rational decision making. He ain’t rocking up in his Batmobile. He goes not ‘to infinity and beyond’ but sticks to the ground. Unlike James Bond, he often relies on his own scant resources. Improvises to get out of sticky situations.

Bad boys 3
Equalizer
Enemy of the State

This is what endears him to me. He’s like director Robert Rodriguez, the one-man army. It doesn’t matter if they send over 2.5 men or a dozen. Or if the whole agency is after his head. Whether he has a hand gun or a paring knife, he’ll make it out alive. Sure, he has his flaws. A sluggish memory. His partner and her family was killed. Connections drying up. He’s not getting any younger, richer, or fitter. He’ll work with what he has: time, effort, and willpower. As Bourne 3 posits: that’s more than enough.

Assasins’ Breed

He reminds me of Will Smith in Enemy of the State. Pam Landy is his Gene Hackman, an agency asset who wants to clear his name just as much. The main difference is that Bourne is a trained assassin, while Will Smith is forced to become one. While both fugitives, Bourne has way more experience in living off the grid. Likewise, he gets breaks that Will never did. See also: Denzel Washington in The Equalizer trilogy and basically any Liam Neeson-fronted action movie. Regardless, Ultimatum earned three Oscar nominations, the first in the series. It batted 3/3, quite deservedly so.

Since the third picture, I’ve caught The Bourne Legacy and Jason Bourne at the cinemas. Both have mixed reviews, even with Paul and Matt returning for the latter. Legacy was partially shot in the Philippines. The ending was set in Palawan. Despite casting Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, and Edward Norton, it felt underwhelming. Watching it at Bondi, my friend was disappointed. Legacy struggled with carving out its own identity. Kept referring to Ultimatum. The last two still raked in big dollars at the box office. However, the world class days of this film franchise have passed.

Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz

Bourne’s Finest

Both Bourne 1 and 2 are very good. However, Bourne 3 is the series’s finest in my opinion. It almost offsets Bourne 5, a nostalgic rejoinder that was basically a vain encore. Speaking of appendices, Rush Hour 3 was another one. My friends concurred that it tainted the first two. Yes, it was funny but pointless.

Being third in line rarely secures that honour. See also: The Godfather III and Shrek the third. Incidentally, in Toy Story a T-Rex was told to ‘use your head.’ They then mobilised it like a battering ram to open the door. Meanwhile, only Bad Boys 3, and Toy Story 3 come to mind.

Fleeting

Remember this: material possessions are temporary. What we lose today is replaceable tomorrow. Don’t be too attached to our things. Like Bourne, prioritise our well-being, decisions, and future. Live for today but make room for tomorrow. Avoid ruminating on shadows behind you.

Tony Gilroy

There’s a reason why I saw this picture too many times. When I witnessed Bourne giving black eyes and maximising his meagre capital, I saw the man I longed to be. By continuously beholding his exploits, I was given a crash course on weathering the storm. Life will always have ups and downs. No two days will ever be the same. We must grow and adapt. Giving your all every day, because each sunrise is a precious gift.

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A Pricey Lesson

Posted on March 7, 2026 by Topher

What is the last thing you learned?

My brand new iPhone 16e isn’t good value. Last week, it was my birthday gift to myself. We went back to my roots, in Macquarie Centre. Dined at a Thai restaurant. The black 16e was the last one in store. They were clearing out old stock as Apple debuted fresh devices this week. That night, I looked at cases from Amazon. Settled on a blue genuine leather cover with an orange interior. Tough, it had next-day Prime delivery, and was well-rated. My previous cover is synthetic and green. Amazon and eBay lack true leather covers for most Android mobiles. Temu has long exited my menu. My iPhone 14 had a standard black canvas case purchased at Big W. Not as sturdy and a lint magnet.

Having card slots is imperative for me. My Opal card is on the cover. It’s handier than being in my wallet. This has been SOP since getting my first iPhone. RFID technology secures your plastic. However, tapping on and off is harder.

Faster

On the flip side, the new mobile features a much faster processor. Better camera. More reliable Face ID. For now, this marks the end of Touch ID on iPhones. Its predecessor, the 2022 iPhone SE, was the last shogun with the home button. After a year’s absence, I was back in the Apple ecosystem.

I’ve stored FlyBuys and Afterpay cards on my iPhone. I check the weather, showers this week. The display is on the small side. You’d shell out serious bucks for larger screens, better battery, more storage, and so on. The iPhone 17 has a 120hz display but is well over a grand. However, the budget Apple handset is better than its precursor, the SE. The 16e’s screen is like a giant compared to the SE. Like the 14, it used a lightning connector. The 16e utilises the more modern usb c. As usual, it doesn’t come with the charger, only the usb cable.

A whirlwind decision

I have buyer’s remorse. Like my prior leather wallet, my months-old Oppo Reno 13F 5G is still going strong. My latest buy was impulsive. A midrange phone with excellent specs. 120hz refresh rate over the iPhone’s 60hz. 5800mah battery versus 4005mah. Lasts a full day’s use, two days for light usage. A larger screen. On the downside, Face ID is hit and miss. Oppo has promised support for another four or five years. 256gb against 128gb though $300 cheaper. Major updates and more storage future proofs your phone. No need to rush.

In between my iPhone 14 and 16e, I used a Google Pixel 8a. Neither intuitive nor responsive. The AI features are overrated. For a premium phone, charging takes long. Not good value. The only pluses are being the first Androids for software updates. Seven years of OS upgrades and security patches. Like the 16e, they crimped on the screen. It was a lot less seamless than either the Oppo Reno or iPhones. Quite buggy to be honest. I’m not surprised that Oppo and Apple have bigger market shares than Google. The cheaper Oppo Reno is the smarter choice.

Ace Player

The iPhone is more than a mobile. It’s a wallet where you can store cards and pay merchants. A music player for recent hits and classic tunes. Even a portable telly, though I didn’t use it as such. For journaling. A mini computer for web based research. An eBook reader. Shopping cart. A smart camera. For banking. The 16e will get another five or six years’ support. Longer than the Reno 13F.

At this price point you’d expect 256gb. Even the reduced cost seems unfair. Had I waited, the latest version included 256gb on their base model. They upgraded to a faster chip. The ceramic construction is thrice as tough as the 16e. Cameras are much improved. The display, 4005 mah battery, and refresh rates were retained. MagSafe sweetens the deal. Starting at $999, another overpriced, superficial, and flashy iPhone.

Macquarie Centre skating rink

Not everybody’s cup of tea

Recently, installing Facebook has drained the entry-level iPhone’s battery. I went back to the Reno, offloading the new phone. I don’t have FOMO on the latest release. Imagine spending one grand for a phone that’s too small with a subpar battery, and poor refresh rate.

Who would say no to a new iPhone? My decision was easy. Why stick with a premium branded mobile when you’re unhappy? It seems like a considerable waste of money. An expensive lesson that could’ve been avoided. A decision that required more thought. Maybe before opening the box, I could’ve read more about my new phone.

When premium ain’t always better

If you’re looking for a decent, budget-friendly smartphone with good specs, go for a midrange Android. You’ll save big bucks and won’t crimp on value. An iPhone means spending thrice as much for similar features. Their budget offerings will be insufficient and a disappointment for the average user. Some things in life are not worth the trade-off.

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The Horror

Posted on February 28, 2026 by Topher

Describe a phase in life that was difficult to say goodbye to.

When DVDs were a thing, I loved horror films. Arthouse and mainstream. Retro and the most recent. From The Hills Have Eyes to Wrong Turn 2. Dystopian flicks like 28 Days Later. Macabre Eastern Europe in Hostel. Even flops like Turistas. I’ve seen a few of the Saw offerings. ‘The key is in her stomach’.

Jordan Peele has directed keepers. The brain harvesting scene in Get Out. The Us mirror madness. Reminded me of The Shining with Jack Nicholson. Catherine Breillat is no horror guru. Her films push boundaries. So do David Cronenberg’s. I’ve seen clips of the original Exorcist but haven’t watched the full version. My friend William loved to pop it in his dvd player.


Heart of starkness

This week’s title is borrowed from Marlon Brando’s line in Apocalypse Now. Interestingly, the movie was adapted from Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. Like me, English was Conrad’s second language. As Colonel Kurtz, ‘the apotheosis of evil’, Brando’s dying words were ‘The horror…the horror’.

The movie was shot in the Philippines, where I grew up. Though not distinctly horror, the carabao/buffalo killing scene had the crew in hot water. Animal cruelty, they were told. The film is notable for being in production a record time. At the time, it was the most expensive feature film ever. Another piece of trivia: actor Lawrence Fishburne was underage when he ventured in the Philippine jungles. The equatorial weather and long days made him grow up fast. Presently, he doesn’t have to lie about his age.

I saw Halloween with a friend at the movies. Another instalment in the franchise, with Jamie Lee Curtis returning. I liked it. Not particularly frightening but the score added thrills. The characters were decent. Certified Fresh on Rotten. Worth the ticket cost.

Streaming

These days, I see horror movies online. On Amazon Prime, I surveyed Heretic with Hugh Grant. A pair of Mormon missionaries foray into Hugh’s cave…only to enter into a nightmare. During New Year’s, I caught 28 Years Later, the newest sequel. Alex Garland returns as writer while Danny Boyle directs. They’ve got something in the tank after 3 instalments. The Fallout series, based on the popular video game, could be included in the genre. However, I find it an acquired taste. Not binge-worthy.

Apart from this, I’ve viewed The Ritual and The Watchers. Both had favourable endings. In classic horror style, the cast is diminished until one or two remain. They venture to where their companions have failed. Use their smarts and courage to soldier on.

On Netflix, I saw Midsommar, a Swedish project. A cult deceives a visitor to get a member preggers. They use and manipulate him into believing that she’s in love. When all they want is his Aryan sperm bank. The axe wielding scene, where a limb gets cut off, was bonkers. A well made feature with romance, body parts, and an eerie feel.

I borrowed Suspiria from the library. I wanted to see it in the cinema, but my movie buddy wasn’t up for it. It had Tilda Swinton and Dakota Johnson. Elements of the supernatural, too. Last I checked, it sported a fresh Rotten rating.

Movie poster for Midsommar featuring a person with their hands on a large stone adorned with ancient symbols, set against a vibrant sky.
Three hikers with backpacks stand outdoors, looking up with expressions of curiosity or wonder, surrounded by trees and greenery.
Movie poster for 'Suspiria' featuring Dakota Johnson and Tilda Swinton, with a dark and eerie background.

Why go for horror?

Perhaps I empathise with the protagonist. They show tremendous resolve and gumption to outwit and outmanoeuvre the bad guys. Often, to be free, they overcome massive odds and flying bodies. They must display great instincts, when to act, and stay grounded. The classroom or workplace can only get you so far.

Perhaps I like the visuals. Seeing heaps of blood and gore is not an everyday occurrence. Blink and you’ll miss it. Severed limbs and dreadful faces reveal masters at work. The matador’s weapon choices intrigue me. A good horror filmmaker must be clever and inventive. If you recycle old crap, critics and audiences flock away. Novelty in horror is the best policy. Think A Quiet Place or Bird Box. These pictures employed fresh ideas and the reception have been overwhelmingly positive. They ushered in a beginning, with remakes and sequels.

The requisite Good Samaritans are likewise bullish. They are villagers, relatives, family friends, even academics or other professionals. Their role is helping the damsel in distress. Their kindness and convenient presence are shots in the arm. They make the bankrupt and disillusioned believe again. They ensure the wounded fights back. They’re the silver lining, the last light when hope is faint. In many respects, they’re the story’s saving grace.

Close-up of a woman and a child wearing blindfolds, with the title 'Bird Box' and the text 'A Netflix Film' overlaying the image.
A tense conversation between two characters in a rural setting with silos in the background, one character is wearing a red sweater and carrying a bag.
A Quiet Place (2017)
A promotional image for 'A Quiet Place Part II' featuring two characters in a tense underwater scene, with the text 'FIRST TRAILER' at the bottom.

Not for the faint hearted

I don’t shy from the controversial. I haven’t subscribed to Shudder, even with the odd promotion. It’s a must have subscription for all abject fanatics. Neither am I treed to English productions. I’ve seen Japanese, Serbian, Korean, Vietnamese, Nepalese, Pakistani, Brazilian, Palestinian, and Pinoy shiverers.

Viewing experiences vary. Some are godawful and beyond help. So bad that I demanded a refund from the DVD place. Artistically challenged copycats. Not all, but some. Yawn.

As audience members, having high standards is critical. We can’t pick a movie solely because of the popular helmer or lead. Or since it’s a blockbuster. In time, the title count adds up. With the law of averages, we’ll encounter duds. Still, we shouldn’t settle. Don’t be fooled. Not at the cinema, but in life, too. Having a high IQ doesn’t decency make. Owning a ton of developments or cineplexes means nothing if you’ve sold your soul.

A promotional image for 'Shudder', featuring a central figure with a serious expression and two distorted, horror-themed characters flanking him, set against a dark red background with the text 'SO GOOD IT'S SCARY' in bold letters.
A group of people running across a grassy field, appearing disheveled and covered in blood, suggesting a scene of chaos or a zombie apocalypse.
Book cover of '28 Days Later' by Alex Garland, featuring a red background, biohazard symbol, and silhouette of a person in an urban landscape.

Fly another day

That’s why I shun the cinemas these days. They aren’t in line with the times. They’re from the Middle Ages when they’re worth billions. Aussies worry about bread, fresh milk, and butter. Not gawking at oversized idiot boxes in the dark. If half price chocolates hooks no one, then what about those overpriced movie sessions?

Horror movies are an ear into life. You need a capable director. A dedicated crew. Decent budget. Target audience. Enough money for promotion costs and postproduction. Without these elements, you might as well grow a beard and become Tarzan. Revert to the Stone Age. Focus on the good, like movie heroes who survive the cold, endless night.

Three characters standing together in a dimly lit urban setting, with a man on the left, a young man in the middle, and a woman on the right.
28 Days Later
Three men in a library setting, one looking back at the camera, while another smiles and the third appears serious. They are dressed casually.
Hostel

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Letter to my sixteen-year-old self

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Topher
Daily writing prompt
What advice would you give to your teenage self?
View all responses

Dear 16-y.o. Topher,

You are in a different country, in a very different situation. You are idealistic, ambitious, and have time to play basketball. You’ve met hundreds of people so far, from your family and beyond, from high school and other pursuits. You were an acolyte for most first Friday Masses, and said a lot of prayers, with or without your section. Since then, you’ve met more people, moved a few times, devoured hundreds more books, and watched just as many movies. If you’d known then the kind of ‘people’ you’ve met now, you wouldn’t have been so wide-eyed.

IMG_2566

Your life could’ve taken a different turn. Could it be that you won’t have met your high school peers? You’d have a smaller extended family, that’s for sure. On the other hand, you could have stayed and avoided all this drama. Know this, young Topher: wherever you go, you can never coast. Even though you’d like to retreat into your rosy shell, we live in a challenging society; you either fight back or wallow in despair.

Everything is not all bad though. At the close of your high school stint, you showcased your skills in the yearbook, culminating with a lengthy, tribute poem to your alma mater. In the time since, you’ve had some measure of success.  Looking now at your social media posts, your triumphs speak for itself. Not long after secondary school, you garnered an 8.5 overall Band Score in the IELTS Academic. This represented a PhD-level result for someone who hadn’t even commenced uni. Last year, you published a book, your first ever. You built it up, and promoted it as best you could. In the end, your writing gives you true happiness. That’s why you will keep blogging, as this is your passion. At times, you battle writer’s block, at others, it happens easily. You push yourself through the weeks, as you get to pen your legacy. When you look back years later, you won’t remember the struggle, nor the gaps; you’ll only see the habits, the drive.

A group of young children in a church setting, sitting in a row and holding booklets. They are dressed in formal attire with some wearing white shirts and black bow ties. The background features stained glass windows and wooden pews.
Catholic School Kids Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral
A busy bookstore filled with children and adults browsing books, with one person dressed in a large yellow bird costume interacting with the crowd.
A modern home office featuring a wooden desk with orange accents, surrounded by bookshelves filled with books and framed art, a stylish chair, a lamp, and a bouquet of flowers.
Aerial view of St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, showcasing the iconic dome and surrounding architecture.
A group of five people playing basketball on an outdoor court surrounded by trees.

‘Some things never change’. You still love sports and movies; still devour a good book when you can. You no longer serve during Mass, but you continue attending. You’ve utilised two Macs since, and just acquired an iPhone. Your blog is mostly a review site, but you know that given the right info, you’ll write as much as you could. When you were sixteen, you watched the evening news with your family. To this day, it’s a habit you’ve kept. You’ve even evolved your pockets. Whereas before you had some underused sacs, now your wallet, iPhone, and keys are filling up your space. You’ve also evolved your fashion sense, going from baggy tops to smaller sizes, and summer denim to shorts. Nice, Topher!

While you’ve met a few good friends, the not so good people have opened your eyes. Things have not come as easily as before, and it’s something your sixteen years would not believe. We are all imparted with different talents, and go through varied challenges. Yet you believe that there are a slew of people whose problems aren’t even close to yours. At the same time, you feel grateful for what you have. There is hope, young self. If there weren’t any, all of us would choose to remain sixteen, and never grow up. Like the dawn of a new day, light will erupt and all the evildoers will cower. Deep down, I know that their antics are a front for their being terrified. I am not a seer; I am not God; I do not predict things nor do I make them happen. If you told me before that I would jump at the chance of going back to age 16, I would probably cackle at you. Yet things have a curious way of turning out, and what seemed rotten yesterday would be golden by today’s standards.

So the best advice I could give you is to live in the moment, be happy, and continue being patient. Don’t fret too much over what tomorrow holds; don’t overthink the next day’s lunch. Today is a beautiful one that the Lord has made; He has magical plans for each one of us. Live for today and forever embrace what it offers. It’s been a long time, but a worthwhile run for the most part. Knowing how you’ll battle through adversity all these years, I couldn’t stress enough for you to savour the moment. You will only have one high school graduation, one chance at sixteen, one yearbook. Hold on to your uniqueness, your confidence, and your passion when you can, because no two days are ever the same.

Love you always,

Topher

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‘The shoes we wear’

Posted on February 19, 2026 by Topher

Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.

There are three types of novelists: the plotter, pantser, and plantser. These could also be applied to writers in general. While studying, I was strictly a plotter. I used mind maps and outlined my essays and articles to the detail. I’d jot down all my ideas on paper. Connect the dots, scan for errors, before encoding them. Presto, ensayo! By the way, I borrowed this week’s title from a past winner of the Ramon Magsaysay essay competition. The author correlated shoes with one’s mission.

The evolved pantser

I’ve transitioned into a pantser more and more. Yes, you could still plan on an iPad or Mac. No need to be a ‘preop transhander’. Of course, I still jot down my ideas. I’ve filled notebooks with my thoughts. Transcribing is one thing. Organising and structuring them, is another. I arrange my ideas on the word processor. I’m good at creating order from my musings. This reminds me of Doug Collins, an NBA analyst and former coach. He’s really adept at interjecting a recent play while talking about something else. It’s called making order out of chaos.

Literary heavyweights like John Grisham, JK Rowling, and James Patterson adhere to this style. They cannot commence drafting without addressing the beginning, middle, and end. Each chapter is already mapped out. Every character, major or minor, has their place.

Doug Collins and Jordan

Spontaneity

In the silver screen, Eleanor Young is an outliner. She has planned her son’s life: his school, his love and social lives, pursuits, even meals. She’s already pictured his wife and their perfect nuptials. More than a tiger mom, she’s controlling. Deep down, Eleanor only wants the best for Nick. Her affection smothers him and he rebels by choosing Rachel. Good thing Crazy Rich Asians is getting a sequel. I saw the first one in Bondi with a friend. It mostly stuck to the book and was a worthwhile watch. I read the whole trilogy and blogged about it. While mediocre on Goodreads, I found them surprisingly easy to read.

Pantsers just go with the flow. They let their imagination run wild. Spur of the moment, spontaneous, and devil may care are their descriptors. In basketball, they let the game come to them. As they fast write, it’s feast or famine. They live and die by the sword. The word processor is their apple. Once they find the concepts, they subsist for another night. A writer satisfied today comes back tomorrow.

JK Rowling
James Patterson
Awkwafina in Crazy Rich Asians

Yin and yang

Both types has pros and cons. A plotter or outliner will most likely have less writer’s block. They know their project like the back of their hand. Plotters understand the ins and outs, hats and rabbits. They’ve done their research and laid the groundwork. Possess the scaffolding and materials. Headlong into this swim, nothing could stop them.

A pantser allows more freedom and ingenuity. Like a ball game without rules. No 3 in the key. You are free to hand check. You could use six players on the court. Or score a five pointer from five feet.

‘No thinking. You write the first draft with your heart, you rewrite with your head. The first key to writing is…to write not to think!’ – Sean Connery

A pantser writes more and thinks less. Conversely, plotters think more and writes less. For the former, the story takes shape during the writing. For the latter, the plot appears prior to the encoding.

A plantser is a hybrid. They fuse elements of an outliner and a pantser. Their plans are not to the letter. They research some themes, not the whole nine yards. They do not improvise everything. They leave some quandaries for later.

Mad Flayer

Which type of writer are you? Are you a mad player? Someone who calls plays and demands the keys to the kingdom? An alpha male/female who needs to be in control?

Are you a mad scientist? You’ve got the moves and ideas. You just need to crystallise them. You write as you go, hoping it’ll all make sense later. You edit like a madman. Your final draft is nothing like your first draft.

Or are you both? You don’t need total control. You research some but leave room for doubt. You outline a bit but don’t work out everything. Whichever player you are, picking the most suitable pair of shoes is what matters.

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Wellington the road thus far

Posted on February 14, 2026 by Topher

If there were a biography about you, what would the title be?

I’ve already published my own memoir. Titled ‘Topher Wins’, it clocks in at 297 pages. Spread over twelve chapters, my most substantial work to date. I’ve posted about it and quoted from it frequently. There’s no need to rehash. A second biography could ensue, one that would be written in the distant future. I chose the title above as I still plan on releasing more books.

By the way, today, I got rid of my receipts, old drafts and papers, letters, price tags, and other crap. Chinese New Year is coming up so you gotta declutter.

Note: you can purchase the Musings eBook (PDF version) here:

Musings Poems Selected and New

‘Tomorrow never dies’

The title works as it considers the future. You must prepare for the coming dawn.

‘Goodbye, end of story, the end.’

Even Michael Jordan wouldn’t say that he’s 100 percent done. I have three books under my belt in three different categories. I look forward to adding to my body of work.

Writer’s impasse

The bio would highlight how I can write in adverse conditions. What I mean is NOT writer’s block. Rather, a paucity of ideas. When the words trickle, you must brave the near-bankrupt tank and will those locutions out. I showed this after taking five drafts for my recent poetry collection. Ineffective writers would crumble when their resources are taken away. Efficient authors generate stories with minimal to no references.

Writer’s block

When I wrote my recent collection, I was offline most of the time. Rarely, I’d check this and that on my phone. The rhymes were mostly mine, not googled. I stuck with drafting my poetry and brainstorming. Ideas, not money, make the world go around. While cash is useful in publishing, having the finest ideas remains the literary world’s invaluable currency. If you manage your supply carefully, there’s no reason to fear tomorrow.

A few people have commented that I possess a unique writing style. Among them are my former classmate and aunt. I try to avoid the banal word. Selecting the right phrase adds more time but I prefer to use the appropriate words.

Best shot

I’m an author who always gives his best. Whether MS Word or Scrivener, Pages or Storyist, my dedication transcends any platform. I’ve written as a teen and have sustained this as an adult. I’ve penned an honours thesis, articles, lengthy essays, blog posts, poetry, and the memoir.

Road should also impress that I am highly adaptable. As mentioned, I’m adept at fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. I churn out stanzas and paint vignettes. I employ humour and drama. I am minimalist and maximalist, produce haikus and mini-epics. Whether essays, verses or story scenes, I can paint vivid microcosms. My full-bodied characters are varied and lifelike.

Wellington, NZ

Proactive

I’d like to be portrayed as proactive. I can figure things out and sustain the momentum. You can look for answers online. You won’t always find them. Sometimes you’ll have to wing it. There are lessons to be learned in a soloist’s path. See also: nba coaches. When veterans are in a funk, their helmer does not call a timeout. Let them figure it out on their own. You can’t solve problems with half a brain.

Wide reader

I’m a wide reader. Since childhood, I’ve buried my nose in books. You familiarise yourself with others’ styles. Once you learn a new word, they’re yours. You take note of their pacing and plot. Dialogue and description. Turns of phrase and scenes. Character and themes. You unveil new concepts and jokes. Of course, you still have to enjoy the read. When you’ve become an author yourself, you notice these tendencies. I’d like to align myself with Kurt Vonnegut. As per my memoir, ‘He was a a writer of immense versatility.’

He wrote novels, story collections, nonfiction, and even plays.

Pip in Great Expectations
The Voyeurs

Upcoming

My current project is a pastiche of a novel. I’ve put up around twenty chapters. I’m about 25% away from my word target. I’m shooting for 200 pages, the minimum for a novel. Anything less and it becomes a novella or short story. Of course, there’s a lot of editing to be done. If it were a movie, I’m still far from postproduction. At least I’m done with preproduction. We’re on location now.

To be honest, I’ve got lots of ideas from past friendships. Most of the material is loosely based on real events. Just like The Voyeurs or Charles Dickens’ character, Pip.

I recall my classmate telling me how they used this big-ass mirror as they removed his stubborn pet. Yeah, I guess we’re on that stretch. Past the getting to know you stage.

Recent times

I’ve covered quite a bit of my youth in Topher Wins. If there’s a second bio, it’ll focus on recent material. Like the poetry book and upcoming novel. You can buy my self help/memoir for $7 from this website.

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