LaSallian

menager e
The
LaSallian
e
ditor’s
note
As the month of October drew to a close, spooky
stories and prayers for the dead took hold of the
nation. Yet now, in the middle of November, fear
somehow still abounds, with people in search
of the next best spooky story or ghost sighting.
Politically, we had our own share of panic and
uncertainty from the recent explosion of Glorietta
and the pardoning of former President Estrada.
However, let us not be overcome by such daunting
emotions. If there’s one emotion that can
counteract all these, it is love. Love is what allows
us to let go of our fears and disregard the possible
perils that may come our way—whether for that
person or hobby which ignites that exhausting but
satisfying passion. That is why for this issue, the
Menagerie decided to stray from the terrifying and
supernatural. To help offset the fear which gets
the best of everyone, this issue will be focusing on
that other four letter word instead.
The Round the Globe subsection sets the mood
right with a vignette on the various aphrodisiacs
available within the university area, where
exactly one can get them, and their side effects.
Our cover story focuses on the disparities and
similarities between love and hate, and how these
two conflicting but equally passionate emotions
manifest themselves in relationships most people
experience. We also have a long feature which
attempts to discover if age is really the most
influential factor in a relationship involving a
much older man and younger woman (and vice
versa). The Lounge features the story behind
most recent fashion craze among Lasallians:
ANIMOISM. Meanwhile, our other long feature
discusses the love many have for brands and the
impact of such brand consciousness. Furthering
the studies on romance is an article comparing the
opposites who play the field of romance: the cynics
vs. the hopeless romantics. Lastly, readers will get
an interesting 25 Cents’ Worth on the absurdities
of cyber relationships and how technology can
never replace developing a relationship face to
face.
Read on and enjoy!
Angela Velasco
Menagerie Editor
credits
COVER CREDITS:
Francisco Garrucho
Johnalene Baylon
FUEL CREDITS:
Beatrice Ong
Kringle Garcia
2 THE LASALLIAN MENAGERIE
LAYOUT:
Carmela Prado
Beatrice Ong
Jeremy Magnaye
Abdul Rafi Onos
r
ant &
RAVE
RE S TA U RA N T
Bellini’s Italian Restaurant
By darcy reburiano
N
othing screams Italian in an Italian
restaurant than an actual Italian
owner running things. That’s exactly
the case with Bellini’s—Mr. Bellini
is actually there, running around
and managing things. More than
the owner’s presence, Bellini’s has
achieved fame in the Cubao area
by providing an exemplary dining
experience.
The restaurant itself is located at
the Cubao Expo, near Gateway Mall
in Araneta, Cubao. It has a homey
ambiance courtesy of walls painted
with Italian landmarks, clippings from
Italian newspapers, and soothing
Italian music. The waiters are very
helpful, and sometimes friendly
enough to teach you a little Italian.
The menu, after all, has its entries
written in Italian, albeit with English
translations.
The food at Bellini’s is very
atmospheric. Ordering Italian staples
of pasta and pizza at Bellini’s is a
different experience: One creates
her own combination of ingredients.
While there are prepared popular
pasta dishes such as carbonara and
pesto, the highlight is choosing
between tomato and white sauces,
fresh and dry pasta, and penne and
angel hair pasta forms. A sumptuous
standout is the Baked Seafood in
Spaghetti in Tomato or White Sauce—
you can really taste the oysters, clams,
and shrimps blended into the sauce.
The pizzas have the usual pepperoni,
vegetarian, and anchovies varieties,
and these varieties can be mixed and
matched. The real winner in the pizza
category is the Bellini’s Four Cheese,
where all four types of cheese can be
tasted distinctly as one bites into its
thin crust.
The main courses are also excellent,
with great textured risotto and richly
sauced meat and fish. Noteworthy
compliments to all courses are the
homemade wines of Bellini’s, with
choice of sweet or red wine. Both
retain a sweet, grapey flavor despite
the alcohol. To finish things off, the
best selling Bellini’s Orange Cake—
moist, absolutely orange-flavored
cake topped with chewy, sugared
orange rinds—is nothing short of
orgasmic.
The prices are reasonable—expect
to spend around P500 to P600 for
two well-fed persons. Bellini’s is an
excellent choice for dates and lunch
outs for yuppies and students alike.
With a great atmosphere, superb
food and an actual Italian, few Italian
restaurants can compare to Bellini’s.
rating
november 2007
RE S TA U RA N T
0
rating
cast Josh Hutcherson, Anna
Sophia Robb, Robert Patrick
rating
by Jose Francisco S. Unson II
ne should not lose hope when in search for great Italian
food but suffering under the burden of a tight budget:
Great Italian cuisine, fortunately, is in more humble places
like Amici Di Don Bosco. Located in Arnaiz Ave. in Makati,
Amici is actually inside the Don Bosco campus, and is for
anybody looking for a lot of bang for their buck.
Amici may lack flashy ads and posh furniture, but this
little restaurant doesn’t need them anyway. All their food
packs wonderful taste and authentic Italian flavor--which
is not surprising, since it’s supposed to have originated
from the humble cookbook of an excellent Italian priest.
Amici’s menu is full of great dishes and wide variety that
the temptation to order five dishes at one time is strong.
Pasta like Spaghetti Vongole E Gamberetti is made with red
wine tomato sauce, béchamel sauce, anchovies, shrimps,
and clams; while Pasta Montanara is home-made spinach
fusilli, Italian sausage, cheese sauce, pepperoni, and salami.
A
Director Gabor Csupo
Amici Di Don Bosco
Tempted? Their great thin crust pizzas will have you on
your knees, with their Four Season pizza loaded with ham,
mushroom, artichoke, and olives; while their Tutta Carne is
a carnivore’s dream, as it’s loaded with sausage, ham, and
spicy salami. You’ll hit the floor come dessert, with their
wide selection of gelato flavors like strawberry, stracciatella
(vanilla with chocolate chips) and pistachio and their
desserts like profiteroles and tiramisu.
Some may not take this humble writer’s opinion in terms
of flavor, so become a believer by making a trip there. One
thing is certain: getting value for your money. All their pastas
are in generous servings good for two people, and the most
expensive pasta they have is only P180. Their pizzas are P250
and good for two to three people, while their gelato is P45
per generous scoop. The price is definitely right.
So should you find yourself hungry, make your way to
Amici. Don’t worry, it’s belissima!
M O V IE
Bridge to Terabithia
By george chan
The talented child actors portrayed their roles excellently.
They captured the heart of the characters with much
exuberance. Someone to note is Bailee Madison for playing
the mature baby sister, May Belle. Expect to talk about the
story and the characters, not the special effects after the
movie.
In addition, the storyline is relatively simple but loveable.
The twist is going to be somewhat unpredictable for those
who haven’t read the novel. There are several songs featured
in the movie which effectively relate to the film,even if they
were sung as a part of the story and not played as background
or transition music.
Overall, the Bridge to Terabithia is an enjoyable film.
Compared to other novel-movie adaptations, it captures the
original in its own content and tone with utmost elegance.
nother one of those book-turned-movie titles, but Bridge to
Terabithia is not one to disappoint.
Jess Aarons (Josh Hutcherson), a country boy with a
lot of problems at an early age who resorts to drawing as an
escape from reality meets Leslie Burke (Anna Sophia Robb).
Because of Leslie’s natural talent to outrun almost anyone,
she rarely gets friends and gets picked on like Jessie. They
get extremely fond of each other and set off looking for their
own place, Terabithia.
With that plot given, it is quite expected that the movie
might turn out to be a Narnia rip-off. One has to expect
special effects because of the fantasy movies in the business.
However Bridge to Terabithia has a lot more to offer than
flashing lights, glitter and transformations.
C D
A
rating
november 2007
Drastic Fantastic
By Gianina Densing
year after bursting into the music scene with her debut
album, Eye to the Telescope, Scottish singer and songwriter
KT Tunstall is back with a fantastic follow-up. Don’t
be intimidated by the glossy cover, on which Tunstall
brandishes a shimmering black guitar like some sort
of rock goddess -- a surprising change from her old
understated, “Sheryl Crow-esque” look. But after a giving
Drastic Fantastic a listen, one will see that there is nothing
very drastic about this makeover at all.
Tunstall shows more pop sensibility this time around,
but at the same time stays true to the folk-rock style that
has made her an overnight sensation. The first single,
“Hold On,” is a rework of the rhythm of her Grammynominated hit, “Black Horse and a Cherry Tree”, but
with a fiery Latin undercurrent. “I Don’t Want You Now”
is easily the catchiest track; coy and sprightly, it skips
perkily along despite being laden with toxic lyrics, making
it a triumphant kiss-off song for a bad ex-boyfriend.
Other standouts include “Little Favours,” “If Only,” and
the lovably self-deprecating “Hopeless,” with the riffs
of the latter two suggestive of ventures into Lilith Fair
territory.
While the upbeat tracks on the collection are very radiofriendly, the slower songs don’t quite make the cut. None
of the ballads seem to match up to the ones on Eye to the
Telescope; “Paper Aeroplane” and “Someday Soon” are
great showcases of Tunstall’s raspy voice, but they don’t
have quite as much grip as they should. Still, one has to
admire her lyricism.
It is clear from the range of the melodies that she
intended to experiment with different personas. “I wanted
to be braver. I wanted to push the musicality,” Tunstall says
of the album. For the most part she succeeds, and shows
both growth and distinction.
All in all, though Drastic Fantastic doesn’t have the
instant hook of its predecessor, and falters slightly in
places, it still deserves, even demands, attention. With just
enough sass to veer from the fatal cookie-cutter pop diva
image that so many female artists succumb to, Tunstall
breezes through her third album with poised savvy.
THE LASALLIAN MENAGERIE 3
Rglobe
ound the
Students of De La Salle University
lead hectic lives, given the trimester
system and all. Such intense focus on
academics of the hardworking and
studious students of the University
often causes them to suffer in their
lovemaki—er, love lives. Sometimes
though, the right food can be the right
“stimulant” to bring back the zest in
students’ romantic pursuits. That
said, this issue of ‘Round the Globe has
scoured the university vicinity for:
APHRODISIACS:
HOW TO COPE WHEN
YOU CAN’T ELOPE
by Sam Modina, George Chan, Darcy Reburiano
honey
Ancient Egyptians may have built the pyramids, but they are
also responsible for “erecting” a different kind of obelisk
with honey. Honey was used by the ancient residents of the
Nile for curing impotence and sterility. Come the medieval
ages, mead was all the rage in Europe as a love drink, and
its main ingredient was fermented honey. Newly-married
couples drank mead before making love, hence the term,
“honeymoon.”
Availability:
Sinangag Express (or preferably, SEx) mixes honey with
its iced tea. Sweepsteak’s and Kenny Rogers’ Roasters also
offer honeyed baby back ribs.
Side effects:
Too much of the sweet stuff can lead to diabetes, which
has a very debilitating symptom: impotence.
photos by william cruz
strawberries
Like the banana and the asparagus, strawberries
owe their “love food” to their shape. Together
with raspberries, they are known as “fruit nipples” in classic erotic literature. Such are their
notoriety as an aphrodisiac that Napoleon’s
chef created for the French emperor Fraises 4
La Cussy--a dessert of strawberries, cream ,and
champagne. It was supposed to endow not only
victory in the battlefield, but also in bed.
Availability:
A nearby 7-11 outlet sells ice creams with strawberry bits in them; likewise the Red Ribbon cake
chop has several items with fresh strawberries
in them.
Side effects:
Too much, and your teeth will turn red. Your
wallet will also suffer, given that strawberries
are expensive in the Philippines.
champagne
image from getty images
asparagus
Wines have traditionally set the mood for romantic dates, but why
champagne? It is sweet compared to most wines, and is “bubbly and
sexy” because it’s seen as a classy drink. Alcohol has been proven to
raise testosterone dramatically, which in turn increases libido,
even in women.
Availability:
Buendia is just a short distance from Vito Cruz,
which has a plethora of wine shops selling a
large variety of champagnes.
Side
Effects:
When the tolerance cap
has been reached, be
prepared to deal with
the symptoms of alcohol intoxication. This
includes lessened
“performance.”
Asparagus easily conjures images of a certain male
body part, hence its status as an aphrodisiac. More
than its phallic shape, asparagus is known to
heighten the senses, which is very useful in
lovemaking. It is also an excellent source of
folic acid, which stimulates the production of
histamines. Histamines, while responsible for
triggering allergic reactions, are responsible for
sexual functions.
Availability:
The nearby Harrison Plaza has a Shopwise grocery
that offers vegetables, including asparagus. The
school canteens also occasionally serve asparagus
soups.
Side Effects:
Eating too much asparagus will cause your pee to
smell like asparagus.
image from googleimages
banana
This fruit, also a well-known phallic
symbol, is rich in nutrients–potassium
and B vitamins–that aid in the production
of sex-inducing hormones. Take your pick
ladies: The Philippines has four major kinds
according to color and size.
Side Effects:
Fruits promote soft bowel movement, but banana is an exception–it has the tendency to
make people constipate when
eaten too much.
Availability:
Desserts like saging con yelo or even some combinations from Cerealicious make this fruit
readily available inside the campus.
chocolate
If it doesn’t make you “invigorated,” it will at least make
you happy. According to 2004 BBC feature
The Science of Chocolate, the luscious candy
contains a natural “lust drug”: Phenylethylamine, which stimulates the
brain’s pleasure centers and is
said to be abundant at the peak of
lovemaking. It is also the culprit
for spurts of feelings of headiness
and romantic intoxications.
Availability:
This food is available throughout
the campus from small candies to
bars to baked confections. If those
don’t suit your taste, there are always
the convenience stores outside DLSU
to go to.
Side Effects:
If it will not heavily tax your wallet, it will definitely tax
you for the bigger-sized clothing you will later buy.
mango
Our national fruit, known as being heart-shaped
and sweet, is apparently known as an aphrodisiac in parts of the world like Southeast
Asia and India. So powerful is its image
as a “lust drug,” that the Eat Something
Sexy website describes how it’s described
as a therapy for increasing virility.
Availability:
One can get a mango fix from fruit
juices to yummy desserts like crepes. In
fact, the fruit is so readily available, one
shouldn’t be surprised that the Philippines’
population is booming.
Side Effects:
Not easy to peel.
november 2007
oyster
image from getty images
This bivalve mollusk has been known as an aphrodisiac by the Romans since the 2nd century.
Some say that its invigorating power is due to its
appearance, resembling the female genitalia.
But Freudian symbolisms aside, oysters do contain vitamins and minerals that energize people.
A 2007 MSNBC article entitled Get turned on with
‘love’ foods says that the shelled food is rich with zinc
and iron, the minerals responsible for the stimulation
of metabolism and oxygenation, respectively.
Availability:
No restaurant or store near DLSU can cater to your oyster
needs, but there’s always Dampa and those seafood restaurants around the area.
Side Effects:
The taste may not be as suitable for others as for some.
ginseng
Ads on TV may have introduced this an aide for those stressfilled nights, but it can also help during “lethargic” ones.
Ginseng has been known as the “old man’s tonic” for the
Chinese for the last 1,000 years. A 2000 CNN article named
Want a love potion? What to know before you try discussed how a
1995 study in the British Pharmacology found how ginseng
extracts known as ginsenosides work parallel to Viagra.
Ginsenosides may increase the release of nitric oxide, the
chemical which Viagra enhances to relaxing the artery walls
for more blood flow.
Availability:
It’s known to be available in energy drinks like I-On or
Bacchus, which can be bought in chain stores outside the
University. Binondo isn’t too far away either. If you’re too
lazy to go outside, try asking the clinic, they just might have
the Revicon Max tablet you’re looking for.
Side Effects:
It will turn you into an over-the-counter drug addict.
truffles
image from googleimages
No, these aren’t the chocolate balls originating from Switzerland. The truffle is a rare mushroom that has a musky scent
and taste, which is said to kindle one’s skin to be sensitive to
touch. Its rarity led to its exorbitant price, at $750
as its cheapest price per kilo. Pigs are said
to track such rarities with their ability to smell the mushrooms
better than dogs.
Availability:
These mushrooms
are absolutely hard
to find and cannot be
cultured, so it has to
be found in the wild.
Side Effects:
That musky scent may
get in the way when
you try to talk. So
much for kissing.
THE LASALLIAN MENAGERIE 5
L FEATURE
ong
C
ompatibility is a process, one that is negotiated
as people go along. Chemistry, its more
combustible cousin, denotes the magic
ingredient of a good relationship; as if the
muse of love will alight on people’s shoulders,
sprinkle fairy dust on them, and suddenly behold
The Perfect Mate while falling under Cupid’s
spell. But dare to imagine this: As a tiny baby
whose language remains incomprehensible to
every grown person and whose peripheries are
marked by the four sides and corners of a crib,
you are already awaited by the supposed love
of your life and lifetime partner who is about to
finish a college degree. Will the ending of this
tale be happily ever after?
Closing in on the
AGE
by Denise Ann Cua, Rochelle Kirstin Santos, Stephanie Alexis Chua
Love operates on more levels than one.
It involves a dauntingly complex interplay of
biology and behavior, and works best with
an attitude of goodwill, faith, and optimism.
Still, as society discreetly dictates the status
quo, sensitivity to the issue of couples’
compatibility may be in and of itself a sign of
trouble—more so with age differences.
Experts weigh in that age doesn’t matter
as long as both male and female consent,
but people have their own perspectives as
regards age differences’ effects on boyfriendgirlfriend relationships, marriage, and family
life. While age is just a number for some, it
could be, for others, an obstacle when looking
for a prospective mate.
Survey results from 90 random Lasallians
revealed that zero to five-year age difference
for couples is the most ideal, while gaps 15
years and above are unacceptable. Those
surveyed generally say that age matters in
6 THE LASALLIAN MENAGERIE
a relationship. Hence, the old cliché “age
doesn’t matter” may be irrelevant. The
survey also suggests that Lasallians value
maturity as the most important element in
relationships, followed by life experiences,
humor and liveliness, age, and social status,
in that order. And since age comes with
experience, wisdom, and maturity, it seems
rather contradictory that a lover with all
of these could be so looked down on if his
partner is five years younger than him. 
Who’s your Daddy?
A man whose arms are wrapped around
a young lady may be deemed pedophilic. An
older woman who holds hands with a lad will
most probably be assumed as a sugar mommy
with a fat bank balance. The terms “sugar
daddy/mommy,” “gold-digger,” and “dirty
old man” (DOM) have grown from society’s
view of “irregular” love relationships because
GAP
artworks by Francis Borromeo
of the large disparity in age.
There are those who believe that
relationships with unusually big age gaps
qualify as pedophilia and often scorn those
who engage in them; though pedophilia
involves adults engaging in sexual activity
with individuals below the age of consent. In
matrimony, some believe that marriage
between two people with more than five years
of age between them would be dysfunctional
in many ways, and most likely end in divorce
or annulment. These notions relate to the
maturity and compatibility of those involved
in the relationship. 
Waltzing with the “Distance”
But though age does have an impact on
a couple’s compatibility, generalizing that
relationships between people with wide
age differences are inherently prone to
misunderstandings and disagreements seems
november 2007
an exaggeration. This is because people tend
to look past age and deal with the real issues
at stake. The problem, however, is that the
present generation’s mentality and actions
differ a lot from those who are a decade—or
more—older. 
Most lasting couples owe their love stories
to similar backgrounds, outlooks, goals, and
attitudes. But absent among the given is one,
which when worked out properly, is another
guarantee to relationship success, and that is
maturity. Quoting from dating advice website
Coopyrite.net, “The maturity of two people
is important in a relationship, regardless of
their age. Maturity does not always relate
to age either. A young person can be more
mature in attitude than an older person for
that matter.” 
Nonetheless, age is still typically used
to gauge one’s maturity. And since age gap
relationships involve a much younger or a
much older mate, a disparity between the
couple’s levels of maturity may occur—
potentially resulting in seemingly endless
arguments, from the trivial to the significant.
The presence of maturity—or the absence,
of it, for that matter--determines how couples
work their way through the many obstructive
twigs and logs scattered all over the forest
of love. 
Younger mature people may actually find
an older mate to be more congenial. Yet as
in any age gap relationships, the preference
for a much older mate should be scrutinized
with great care. Purefoods Chunkee Giants
player James Yap, for instance, tied the
marriage ropes with Kris Aquino, who is 11
years his senior. Despite knowing Aquino
for troublesome relationships, Yap found
her more interesting and mature than other
women his age. However, controversy arose
when Yap was confirmed to be having a
relationship with a younger woman while his
wife was pregnant some months ago. 
When disparate maturity levels of couples
collide rather than complement each other,
the worst-case scenario may actually lead
to feeling as if one is married to his or her
own parent, or wedded to an infuriatingly
unruly kid. Most certainly, no one wants
frequent hair-pulling, shout-filled moments
in a relationship, which is why most people
prefer their partners to be more or less their
equals—not necessarily in terms of age, but in
the degree of maturity. If so, does the truism,
“opposites attract” still apply in present
relationships?
Joie De Vivre Chase
John Santrock stresses in Psychology 7:
“‘Birds of a feather flock together’ also helps to
explain attraction. One of the most powerful
lessons generated by the study of close
november 2007
relationships is that we
like to associate with
people who are similar
to us.” Consensual
validation justifies
the reason behind the
attraction of people
to others who are
comparable in terms of
attitudes and behavior. 
The concept of
consensual validation
also implies that people
want someone with similar
attitudes in a best friend, a
lover, or in someone who’ll
not only listen to doubts
and celebrate triumphs,
but also jump in the car for
impromptu getaways. Most
want to be one-half of a couple
whose personal characteristics
so closely mesh that those in
the relationship remain closely
attached even in the most
unfavorable of circumstances.
      Younger people are
deemed to be livelier than the
traditional and old-fashioned
elder ones; thus, age aligns
with compatibility. But in every
relationship, there are needs that
must be met for it to succeed and
end up in that wishful happily ever after, even
though compatibility seems less than ideal.
Breaking the Walls of Love
Robert J. Sternberg, an American
psychologist and psychometrician, says that
there are three dimensions of love: intimacy,
passion, and commitment. Intimacy is defined
as the emotional feeling of warmth, closeness,
and sharing in a relationship; passion, on
the other hand, is the physical and sexual
attraction. Intimacy and passion may exist
in relationships with wide age gaps, while
commitment, a cognitive appraisal which
has the intent to maintain the relationship
even in the face of problems, may be difficult
for couples with large age differences, as
was recently exemplified by the Aquino-Yap
marriage.
A-B-C to A-G-E
Differences in age, compatibility, and
maturity levels of couples may be important, but
a relationship can still work if the AGE factors
are present to promote intimacy, passion, and
commitment among partners.  Affection,
acceptance, and affinity are the A’s that
foster intimacy. Guarded loyalty, gallant
sacrifice, and growing devotion are the
G’s of commitment. Euphoria, energy, and
excitement
are the E’s for passion.
While the A’s,G’s, and E’s are the ABCs
for the dimensions of love, compatibility,
adoration, and maturity are the building
blocks for AGE. When one of the three is
absent, love may not succeed at all.
The presence of
maturity--or the
absence, of it,
for that matter-determines how
couples work their
way through the
many obstructive
twigs and logs
scattered all over
the forest of love.
THE LASALLIAN MENAGERIE 7
C Story
over
by Gianina Densing, Gerard Avelino, Jabin Landayan
Picture a rose, with the beauty of its lush
red petals arranged in an elaborate pattern,
giving off a sweet but gentle scent. But then,
a rose also has sharp thorns which can prick a
careless, unsuspecting admirer.
A love-hate relationship can be likened to
a deceptively beautiful rose—a relationship
between persons that involve alternating forms
of love and enmity. Love-hate relationships
may easily be misinterpreted as being exclusive
to that of intimate relationships between
two people. But there are other associations
between people that may be considered as
having a love-hate correlation.
Consciously or unconsciously, each person is
involved in some form of a love-hate relationship.
How this ensues is no sophisticated mystery that
the mind should muse, but it is not irrelevant
to understand the what and how of a love-hate
relationship in order to deal with it.
Loves me…Loves me not
So how exactly do love-hate relationships
come into being? Sigmund Freud provides
two concepts that explain the existence of
ambivalent feelings. One is his theory on
defense mechanisms, and the other is his
hypothesis that our lives are primarily rooted
in desires and conflicts experienced during
our infant years.
In Freudian psychoanalytic theory, defense
mechanisms are natural means of protection
that a person employs when faced with danger
or attack. One of these defense mechanisms,
called reaction formation, involves replacing
anxiety-causing emotions with their direct
opposites; thus, when a feeling of love is deemed
unacceptable, it is diffused into hate. One may
take as an example the love-hate relationship
of Jane Austen’s famous characters, Fitzwilliam
Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. Mr. Darcy, who
hails from a wealthy and noble family, refuses
to admit his attraction for Elizabeth because she
is impoverished, and therefore undesirable. In
the beginning of Pride and Prejudice, Darcy treats
Elizabeth condescendingly, only to confess his
love, and his resentment of this love, later into
the novel. Ms. Bennet, for her part, shields
herself from the sting of Darcy’s arrogance by
openly defying him in their encounters. Clearly,
they are attracted to each other, but their social
situations clash; to protect themselves from
the stigma of society, they are initially forced
to suppress their inner passions and substitute
these with external contempt.
Another Freudian notion is that we act on
juvenile wants, and therefore only feel love
for people or things that satisfy these cravings.
Vivienne Valledor of the DLSU Psychology
Department explains: “An infant, for example,
loves someone so long as his or her needs are
artwork by monika
8 THE LASALLIAN MENAGERIE
november 2007
graphics by JV uy
met by that person. As soon as his or her needs
are not met or not met with immediacy, then
the infant feels hatred towards that person.”
“This may then transfer to adult
relationships. When a person meets our
needs, when we feel rewarded, loved or
accepted by someone, then we love them. But
there may be times when we feel neglected or
jealous because of that person–and so we end
up hating them. As this is based on infantile
needs, they are primarily irrational and largely
unconscious,” she added.
But these two theories are just the tip
of the iceberg. There are other ideas that
attempt to rationalize the love-hate paradox
that. Robert Sternberg’s triangular theory of
love proposes that love is composed of three
factors: intimacy (emotional closeness),
commitment (a decision to stay in and
maintain the relationship), and passion
(physical attraction). For instance, a couple
throughout the course of their relationship
may experience a decline of intimacy. This
may result in some form of resentment
developing between them. But then the other
two components would remain, so they stay
together and remain in love.
Aftertaste
A study conducted by Yale researchers
and published in the Journal of Personality
and Social Psychology last May 2006 showed
that individuals involved in relationships
that exhibited ambivalence tend to have low
self-esteem. Participants were first asked to
take the Rosenberg self-esteem inventory,
with the results matched with a series of tests
that required participants to describe their
partners. Those that displayed low self-esteem
had a harder time associating their partners
with either a positive description--such as
caring or kind--or a contrasting one (e.g.
greedy and dishonest).
T h e s t u d y s h o w e d t h a t love-hate
relationships were indeed unhealthy in
fostering coherent and meaningful
associations, let alone be good for the
development of individuals. Yet the underlying
emotional attitude of ambivalence in which
the co-existing contradictory impulses of
love and hate originate form a common
source, and so love and hate are held to be
interdependent—without the other, one
cannot be present.
Not limited to
The unconventional bond also finds its
way between unsuspecting relations, such as
a person and his or her habits or possessions,
or between generally close individuals.
Some forms of addiction may be considered
as love-hate relationships. Addiction to
controlled substances, for example, manifests
extremes of affection, as the addict craves the
ecstasy yet recognizes the harm that seizes
the body. Between persons, the turn-of-thecentury Los Angeles Lakers of the National
Basketball Association had the one of the most
unorthodox love-hate tandems. Kobe Bryant
and Shaquille O’Neal managed to win three
championships together despite dueling each
other to be the team’s alpha-male. The bond
between teacher and student is no exception:
Students dread the professor who gives a mass
of assignments, yet appreciates him or her
because they end up smarter for it anyway.
Another common love-hate notion is
“obligatory friendship,” where bonds are
forged because a person feels indebted to the
other. The first person is forced to coexist with
the other despite resenting him or her over a
past incident. This form of bond is prevalent
in Filipino culture as utang na loob.
Squaring off
With the ambiguity of the concept of
love-hate relationships, there is no fixed
way to determine whether those involved
work it out and stay together or sever ties. “It
depends on a lot of factors: the persons in the
relationship, the object of the love-hate, the
nature of the relationship, [and] the intensity
of the emotions, among others,” observes
Prof. Valledor. The positive implications of
love-hate relationships on individuals may
not necessarily come in the form of happy
endings, but in how people deal with other
relationships later on in life.
Emotions are rarely ever clear-cut: People
are more likely to be shades of gray than
black and white. The only certain way of fully
understanding the intricacies of feelings is for
people to experience these for themselves.
In this regard, it is only when one has
experienced both extremes–love and hate–
that one can truly tell the difference.
The underlying
emotional
attitude of
ambivalence
in which the
co-existing
contradictory
impulses of
love and hate
originate form
a common
source, and so
love and hate
are held to be
interdependentwithout the
other, one
cannot be
present.
ortega
november 2007
THE LASALLIAN MENAGERIE 9
sFEATURE
hort
Romantic Cynicism,
Cynic Romanticism
by Gianina Densing, Aaron Sitosa, Jabin Landayan
T
Graphics by Johnalene Baylon
Dreamy Quixotic
Hopeless romantics adore—and believe—
in fairy tales, and happily-ever-afters. All the
while, they fantasize about having the same
thing happen to them someday. For them,
February 14th should be proclaimed a
worldwide holiday, the day when they get
to celebrate their love for, well, love. They
constantly long and search for “the one” and
are unfailingly optimistic. This may be a good
thing as their good-hearted nature carries
over to other aspects of their life.
Sappy as it may be, hopeless romantics
will never get tired of going out of their way
to appease that special someone. Hopelessly
romantic women are keen on the thrill
of courtship, becoming dreamy-eyed over
thoughts of candlelit dinners and sunsets.
The men on the other hand, are more than
willing to oblige, with some even going to
the lengths of traditional wooing. (Think
woodchopping and water carrying in sepiatoned films.)
The epitome of the hopeless romantic
perhaps is the “martyr” taken after laterrenowned saints of dying for their beliefs.
Ovid’s Pyramus and Thisbe, Mark Antony
and Cleopatra, and the famous Romeo and
Juliet all serve as fine examples of living—or
dying—hopeless romanticism.
Self-confessed Hopeless Romantics
Despite Baron’s* (II-AMG) masculine
physique, he admits to being mushy when
“in love.” He finds pleasure in paying for his
girl’s parking ticket without her knowing it.
10 THE LASALLIAN MENAGERIE
he color of the flowers matter, the cavity-inducing sweet love
songs are the staples of a serenade, and heads are always over
heels when falling in love. Hopeless romantics are those that are
devoted to that sentiment that they claim makes the world go round.
Cynics, on the other hand, are those that more often than not seek
the non-superficial aspects of relationships. Realism is compulsory,
logic is of utmost priority, and practicality is king. Hopeless romantics
and cynics are seemingly the two extremes of ideals when it comes to
that cliché-filled emotion. One begs the question then: Is there such a
reconciliation between the two? Comparing them would surprisingly
reveal much more.
And despite his classes ending at eleven in
the morning, he waits just to see his girl late
in the afternoon.
Rika (I-ISE) believes there is nothing
wrong with being “cheesy.” She lists The
Notebook as one of her favorite movies, and
wishes that its storyline would also happen
to her.
Skeptic Misanthropist
The quintessential cynics, on the other
hand, are wary of love. Their dearest wish
is that the calendar would just skip from
February 13th to February 15ths to avoid all
the syrupy, saccharine drivel that goes on
during that ridiculous day.
It is important to note that the typical
cynic was at one point a hopeless romantic
himself; the only difference being that he
was eventually disillusioned by the emotion.
Jaded and misconstrued of love and all the
clichés attached to it, a cynic is apt to see it as
an ailment or a temporary insanity, curable
by marriage or the removal of the victim
from the influence of the emotion. Another
technique employed by cynics is ignorance.
They believe that if they ignore the feeling,
it will promptly disappear: Romance? Eh?
What’s that?
When it comes to courtship, cynics
become particularly forceful with their beliefs.
When courted, cynical women cling to their
skepticism and dismiss proclamations of love
as folly, doing everything possible to redirect
amorous interests—a la Katherine Minola
from Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.
The same is true for cynical men, except of
course they find women insufferable and
insipid. Accordingly, the poor women they
court reject them, and the cynical men,
in turn, grow more disappointed. And the
vicious cycle continues.
Self-confessed Cynics
Martell* (III-ECE) is a cynic by choice,
not necessarily due to the logic induced by
his engineering background. From a sour
experience in the past, he says he no longer
is easily swayed by emotions. In his opinion,
head-over-heels is just a phrase.
Nelly (II-BS-ECED) claims that it is easier
to be cynical: “Because you expect less, and
you’ll be less disappointed when you don’t
get sunsets, flowers, chocolates.”
Hopeless romantics and cynics do not
come about by genetics or chance, but
rather by choice over past experiences. A
heartbreaking loss or fleeting euphoria
may determine one’s outlook in love. The
similarity between the two is their view of
love being no more than what they aspire to
achieve or avoid. The state of being in-love is
what they base their perceptions on, rather
than the person they regard most.
Picture a protagonist and an antagonist
in a movie. Although they may be considered
opposites of each other, one cannot exist
without the other—a cynic brings out the best
in a hopeless romantic, and vice versa. Cynics
exist to keep hopeless romantics hopeful and
at times remind them that not everything in
the world is made of sugar and spice.
november 2007
25worth
cents’
Rejecting the
No-Faced
Suitor
by ali caronongan
Imagine a relationship where emotions as
typed words reign supreme, where there’s no
physical intimacy, and where commitments are
solidified through a monitor. You chat with
someone until the wee hours of the morning
and arrive at the epiphany that you’re “in
love.” Such is the case with one chatter named
Michelle who found her husband Jonan
through mIRC chatting. “We met online and
chatted fervently,” she narrates in a May 2006
SunStar Iloilo article about cyber relationships.
The couple “exchanged numbers, met, got
married” and have enjoyed marital bliss for
four years and counting. Welcome to the
glorious world of cyber relationships.
The Intention Intersection
Like “real” relationships, the right
circumstances should be created to form a
commitment and provide a sense of direction.
Chatrooms such as Computerflirt.com and
Online4romance.com swarm with singles
fascinated in pursuing relationships with other
people through chat or dating websites. Here,
singles post their interest in finding acquaintances
or commitments. We have certainly seen these
personal ads that go “Hi! Lukin for gf/bf
(insert other whimsical qualifications here)…”
Here, we see the
requirements being
laid down by those
looking to either
“hook-up” or “get
serious”—the
more complex
the prerequisites
are, the better
the chances of
recognizing the
intentions of those
who are interested
in establishing such
relationships. The
november 2007
problem arises when the parties get more
than they bargain for, usually when innocent
acquaintances become cybersex partners.
Miscommunication and the temptation to
explore sexual tendencies even at the loss
of physical intimacy are inevitable. It is risky
to involve one’s self in a relationship devoid
of contact, and the possibilities of masking
one’s identity and intentions within the
realms of cyberspace are plausible.
“Reel” Me In
Involvement in cyber relationships is
similar to fishing: you toss a catchy “line”
and wait for a “catch” to grab it hook, line,
and sinker. The moment you “reel” it in, the
catch is subject to inspection. If it fits what
you’re looking for, it’s a “keeper”; otherwise
you toss it back in the ocean because there
are other “fish in the sea.” Sounds simple?
Sounds twisted.
People are so caught up with this socalled “instant” lifestyle that now, even
commitment can be achieved at the
same rate as snapping one’s finger. The
number of people getting involved in cyber
relationships because of convenience may
sound skeptical. Do they do this out of
convenience? Or cowardice?
One reason why cyber relationships
sound tempting to pursue is because of
man’s need for company. The internet
becomes the immediate answer for those
who ask for immediate intimacy and possibly
a saving grace to those who fear rejection
when it comes to establishing relationships.
And because making a cyber affair is so
quick, ending it is just as immediate and
possibly saving any “breakup blues” that may
transpire. It appears as if people nowadays
want things the “quick and easy” way in
and out. Statistics also prove the Filipinos’
fascination with such, as described in a
May 2006 issue of the SunStar Iloilo, which
reported that five percent or 4.5 million of
the Filipino population use the internet, and
around 0.8 percent utilize it for establishing
cyber relationships. Is this what has become
of the dating scene nowadays? We rely on
forming a relationship online because it is
“easy” and “fast”? As far as I’m concerned,
no relationship was ever established using
insecurity and the express lane.
relationship.
Sure, these success stories may sound
inspiring, but living in an age where girls are
already allowed to make the first move and
the harana has been obliterated, don’t you
think finding a relationship on the internet
sounds, well, desperate? People have long
construed cyber relationships as a form of
deviance, but never have we looked at it as a
“last resort” complex or an answer to finding
“instant romance.”
Thank You, Pandora
Venturing into cyber relationships is
opening Pandora’s Box, shares a testimony
from a thwarted relationship. True enough,
exploring the realm of cyberspace romance
will wreak havoc among those who are not
aware of the ramifications it will produce
brought about by ignorance or mere
curiosity. The internet may be man’s best
invention so far, as it provides us with
answers to our needs, but one has to realize
that not everything is meant to be fulfilled
in cyberspace. And even if reality poses us
with the hardest trials to achieve romance,
it is how we overcome these that measure
our worth of deserving such. Isn’t that, after
all, what relationships are all about in the
first place?
Source:
*Espinosa, Lady Ochel C. “A Cyber Love Affair.”
Sun.Star Iloilo Publishing Inc. 2006. 7 Sept.
2007 < http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/
ilo/2006/05/10/feat/a.cyber.love.affair.html>
photo by Erick jao
Define: Desperate
True enough, reality provides us with
a few cyber relationships that have worked
minus the Hollywood clichés in You’ve
Got Mail. One reason why some cyber
relationships have turned out to be successful
is because of the awareness of both parties
on the repercussions of entering such a
commitment. They are informed of the
risks, and have positively no illusions about
what they getting themselves into. Another
possibility is the clear understanding of the
honest intentions of the individuals and
consensually taking the time in achieving
the goals they have laid down for their
graphics by jeremy magnaye
THE LASALLIAN MENAGERIE 11
TLOUNGE
he
by Marie Beatrice Angeles, Celina Felice, and Anna isabella penales
A
mid the thrill over the players and the victory
achieved by DLSU in this year’s UAAP
Men’s Basketball season, the overwhelming
support shown by the DLSU community took
on a hype of its own. Still, inventiveness was
seventy UAAP seasons delayed. What made
this season distinct from all others--and the
University community unlike other schools--came
in a surprising form: t-shirts. In the sea of people
in Araneta, oversized bright-colored words stood
out: “Revive the ANIMO high,” “Green cohesion
ANIMO nation.” What was this fashion novelty
taking over and who was to be held responsible?
What was this phenomena giving rise to a new
type of school spirit?
Pushing the Limit
The most talked about brand in and out of campus
was ANIMOISM. The name suggested a way of life, an
institution, and a frame of mind, all directed toward the
almighty “Animo.” Thanks to ANIMOISM, Jad Deveza,
BJ Pascual, Princess Barretto, Eizel Nocon, together with
Centro Escolar University (CEU) student James Go and
freshman Bernina Pascual now have their names almost
everywhere because of the rising influence of their tshirts.
Come to think of it, hasn’t any person actually thought
about making stylish shirts that would capture the Animo?
The bookstore and different organizations, after all, make
green and white shirts, but somehow none of those were
different enough to make an impact. The team of six saw
what others didn’t, popularizing House of Holland designs
that visually screamed one statement after another.
Days before the Pep Rally, the team envisioned the
creation of an in-style shirt that would shout “Go La Salle!”
louder than its wearer--devoting six excruciating days and
sacrificing their personal lives, sleeping hours, and even
their studies. Starting from capital doled out by Princess’
mother, they ventured to Quiapo twice to buy materials.
graphics by jeremy Magnaye
12 THE LASALLIAN MENAGERIE
november
november
2007
2007
Trials and errors were faced in creating the
perfect shirt. The printing or photo emulsion
process, for instance, became quite a challenging
task, as they thought, redid, shot ,and printed
their way to success into the wee hours of the
morning. Needless to say, it all paid off: On the
day of the Pep Rally, more than one was wearing
the ANIMOISM brand, thanks to great product
exposure and their good sense of customer
service. Reflecting on their difficulties, Jad firmly
states, “If you want it, you’ll do something about
it.”
Flaunt the Animo, Wear it Proud
The shirts are simple yet appealing. In a
nutshell, the oversized letters effectively state what
ANIMOISM is all about: shouting out that the
Animo lives. With De La Salle’s absence during
the UAAP’s 69th season, the people behind
ANIMOISM thought that many may have lost
their support for the University, and thought
that there was no better way to revive the school
spirit than convey engaging messages in the guise
of t-shirts.
Like the cheers performed during the
basketball games, the shirts convey to the world
at large that the Lasallian community remains
strong and unfazed by all setbacks. And so from
ANIMOISM’s initial four shirt set came more
catchphrases, this time in support of the players
themselves such as “Go with the Flow, Jvee Casio,”
“Give Me Fever, Rico Maierhofer,” and “What’s
Your Flava, Cholo Villanueva,” among others.
Even the coach had his own one that said, “Make
It Happen, Franz Pumaren.” The creators of
ANIMOISM would like to think that somehow,
their shirts were a factor in De La Salle’s UAAP
basketball victory.
Back with a Vengeance
ANIMOISM shirts have brought school spirit
to a whole new level in terms of merchandise:
More than rivalry, the shirts demonstrate that
healthy competition and inventiveness come with
pride in one’s alma mater.
The tees, as mentioned, have become a
household name for both Lasallians and nonLasallians (and have probably inspired similar
shirts among the Ateneo faithful). Having been
featured in national publications and websites,
ANIMOISM has had its share of detractors. A
text brigade was generated by a “fellow Lasallian,”
stating that one of their slogans, “Push the
limit, Animo Spirit,” was redundant, given that
“Animo” means spirit in Latin. Immediately,
they posted an explanation in their Multiply
website that Animo can mean different things,
depending on how the word is used. (San Beda
College and Ateneo de Manila University use the
word Animo to mean “courage,” the traditional
Spanish meaning.) ANIMOISM reasons that “La
Salle” cannot be used in their shirts, because it is
registered, as opposed to Animo, which is being
used by Lasallians to refer to the school. Some
discouraging comments still surfaced after that,
but ANIMOISM remained unmoved. In the end,
they remain students who have prospered through
determination and discipline.
No End in Sight
The UAAP season has already ended, so have
we seen the last of ANIMOISM?
Apparently not. The creators of ANIMOISM
plan to expand their merchandise to hoodies,
graphic shirts, tote bags, and accessories; they
continue to believe that Lasallians will expect their
merchandise to capture the essence of the Animo.
After all, the appreciation of the community is
what keeps them passionate about the business.
To give back to their supporters, a celebration
event is set at the NBC Tent on Nov. 16, entitled
“Green Cohesion.” It will feature a fashion show
of their latest designs, performances from some
of the country’s top bands and DJs, and most
importantly, a victory fete for the University’s
basketball team. As anticipated, entrance will
be free to those wearing their ANIMOISM shirts
(or those with Santugon membership cards). If
not, you can get in for only P50. And they’re not
doing it for profit, as all proceeds will be given
to charity.
The future of ANIMOISM is as daring as the
bold, uppercase words in their shirts. After all, it
attests to the ability of industrious DLSU students
to whip up innovative ideas and still look good
doing it--in this case, literally.
A
The shirts are simple yet
appealing. In a nutshell, the
oversized letters effectively state what
Animoism is all about: shouting out
that the Animo lives.
Photos by Krizia paras and erika serrano
november 2007
THE LASALLIAN MENAGERIE
L FEATURE
ong
by JUSTINE CAMILLE REYES, ROCHELLE KRISTIN SANTOS, AND JEFFREY SALVADO
Brands play a significant role in modern society. In ancient times, social positions and communities were established by bloodlines, family names, and religions.
In today’s world of technology and globalization, it seems that these once lasting
associations have lost much of their basis. One cannot tell what a person is like or immediately assume a person’s social standing from merely looking at one’s family name
or bloodline. Now, in this bustling world of change and progress, one cannot help but
ask: What are the cues from which people can find a sense of connection, and elements
and identities one can relate to? This is what brand names have created in the modern setting—a new standard of measuring one’s personality, status, and even one’s worth through
what is seen in the surface. What does it mean to be judged by what you wear and what you
use, rather than who you are and what you strive to be?
More than rash fad
Because of the emergence of many trends in the world of fashion,
people have seemingly endless choices when it comes to clothing: from
brands A to Z, shoes in all styles and, more importantly, on all price levels.
Walking down any mall in the city can prove that majority of people are
brand conscious in this regard. A shirt is just a shirt, but a logo-slapped
Lacoste shirt takes on a life of its own, turning the wearer into a walking
advertisement—free of charge.
What one wears speaks for the person wearing it. Designer labels have
the ability to create a sense of self-worth by association. On a personal
level, they can temporarily boost the wearer’s self-esteem by creating a connection with a well-known, expensive name. The brand signature represents the wearers and who they hope to be. At the same time, the wearers’
self-worth is elevated by society, or at least by their brand-conscious peers.
* clothing inspired from pictures taken from the internet
14 THE LASALLIAN MENAGERIE
Mystery Unlocked
Being brand-conscious has some psychological impacts on people. More
than simply an awareness or preference for brand names, it comes from the
understanding that brand names have personal relevance or value because
they serve as a signal of functional or symbolic value. The association with
a particular brand can also lead to making connections or cementing friendships with other people. “Brands can create a community based on what
you have in common, and that creates a bond that helps to identify who
you are,” says Michael Solomon, author of Conquering Consumerspace. Buying
any item with a Nike logo, for example, makes some traits seem inherent
within a person; “Just Do It” invokes in its wearers a sense of strength of
will and power that one wants to project to other people.
Brands give people a discernible exterior in which they could base their
judgments about how other people live and what they are like. Thus, one
can be strong by wearing Nike, or become stylish and rich by walking
november 2007
around with a Louis Vuitton bag. This makes people respond more positively
to people with the same outlook on life—creating a bond based on similarities, including taste in clothing.
However, it does not mean that designer- label products and a classy
trade name are necessary for acceptance in a group. “The truth is most
people do not really care. There are still more people who care more for
who you are,” says Ron Resurrecion, a professor from the DLSU Psychology Department. Resurrecion reckons that people’s perceptions
are why consumers prefer branded goods. For instance, people
who wear branded shirts may think that they look better; athletes may perceive that they perform better in a branded pair of
shoes. When people are reinforced internally and externally—more
so when other people notice the change in their aura—they will
continue using and looking at these branded products with high
esteem. Hence, people start to become brand conscious.
A new kind of medication
There are many reasons why people opt to buy designer goods,
whether it’s the quality of the brand, the design, or even the feelings
they give when purchased. A person can have the pleasing but perceived
unattainable characteristics missing in one’s life by just having a piece of
jewelry or clothing that would make others believe otherwise. There is
nothing wrong with this kind of consumer psychology. If one can feel
happiness and security through buying high-end products,, why stop
him or her? However, one must also consider that what people most
likely reflect through material means can also be what they are insecure
and apprehensive about.
The love-hate affair of people with branded goods and signature
products will never end: Love, because these give people qualities and traits
that they are insecure about; hate, because of the pricy consequence that goes
into buying designer brands. Individuals have always had that inherent need to
belong and define themselves by what they own. However, this does not mean
that this is the only way to find one’s true character. Brands can make a person
feel more confident or even project some characteristics for someone, but when
it all boils down to what a person is truly made of, brands are just facades that
appeal to the eye. One cannot determine the depth and quality of another person’s character by merely glancing at his or her clothes and judging the footwear
he or she has on.
In a world that requires people to use masks to hide and protect themselves
from a harsh reality, it is important to perceive not only what one sees and hears,
but also what others do and what they believe in. Only then can one see the real
worth of a person. A person’s true character is built through experiences in dealing with others and revealed in what one does. People may or may not choose to
wear the good clothes, but what really matters is what is underneath those clothes.
We define who we are, not the names on our shirts.
gRAPHICS BY ABDUL RAFI ONOS
november 2007
‘‘
THE LASALLIAN MENAGERIE 15
Fuel by Beatrice Ong and Angle Garcia