In the beginning God created the world. He said: “let there be light, clouds and skies. Let there be water, fire, air and earth.” He created the beings that fly crawls, walks, swims, jumps and runs. He created night and day. In the last day he said “let there be man.” But never did god say “let there be limelight; let there be cameras; let there be music and dance; let there be take one action.” The world has to wait thousand years before the silver screen’s birth. It was only yesterday when Elvis Presley dominates the music charts. It was only yesterday when Manilyn Monroe conquered the world by her charm. In the Philippines, cinema and films has not yet reached its centenary. It was only yesterday when Fernando Poe Jr. first appeared in the golden screen. The pillars of movie and TV are in fact still alive the likes of Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Eddie Garcia, Christopher de Leon, Sharon, Maricel, Gabby and Richard. It is also worth mentioning their successors, Juday, Claudine, Iza, Marvin, Piolo and Ding Dong. And of course the hottest star of today Marian Rivera. It seems like only yesterday when cinema came but now, it seems like it has been there since in time memorial. It became part of man’s existence. For the fanatics, (TV, film) addicts, it became their life; most especially those who are earning or profiting from it. I am not one of those who earns from it, but I am a die hard fanatic of film, cinema and TV shows. I was a media baby, born when TV is not an alien entity in our family and community. It is one of the many factors that mold my being, negatively and positively. But if only I have the power to bring back the past I would do it and I will undo my wrong used of these media instruments. Reality would tell me it is impossible. Mitch Albom in his book For One More Day would tell me “going back to something is harder than what you think.” However, Khaled Hosseini in his novel Kite Runner (now in motion picture) would tell me “there is a way to be good again.” Yes there is. That is why I have a dream; a dream for my (spiritual) children if I will become a spiritual father; a dream for my children if I will become a father of my own family. This dream is inspired by personal experience substantiated by the document “100 years of cinema.”
100 years of cinema is a Catholic Church document on social communication. This document opens our awareness on the effects of cinema and films especially the children. At the sane time it offers exercises, activities with the objective of educating the youth and the children and even the parents on how to get the good out of these products of human genius. In the Didactic element for a constructive interpretation of the content of the motion picture medium, we are given four ways to understand a movie which are as follows: cognitive is the first, it is the understanding and identifying of the characters, from the lead role to the least role; the second is the psychological which is the deeper understanding of the characters role and the values one can learn from them; the third is the sociological which focuses on the environment or setting of the movie as a whole; lastly the general information which is simply the understanding of the film beyond the film. Moreover, cinema and film can also be the vehicle of culture and values. Children youth and adults are the subjects for culture and values inculcation. The value of friendship is being highlighted among the youth and responsibility for the adults. In the last part of the document a glimpse of its history is presented with some ideal ideas about the things that should be presented.
I have a dream for my children. I have a dream and that is for them to enjoy what cinema has to offer. What I want them to get from the cinema are serenity, peace, affection, beauty, truth and goodness. I want them to recognize the beauty and goodness of it, to be critical on what it present and to be at peace and serene every time they confront it of course with the affection of someone (especially parents). Children need guidance for they assimilate things easily. Whatever they hear, see, perceive or realize from a film will affects them and if something is not well understood by them it is dangerous. It will surely affect them as they grow older. They are prone to danger because of their excitement, wonder and irresistible feelings on what they witness on screen. Hence parents, educator pastors are responsible for the education of these children. Now what makes an educator, parent or pastor an effective one? Through my personal experience and my reading of the 100 Years of Cinema I have come out of these following ideas: first, be aware of our responsibility to others especially the children when dealing with cinema. We should be responsible enough to provide suitable films for them where they cannot only enjoy but most of all learn values which they could use in their life. Second, we must never let the children to stay alone in front of the idiot box, when we know they can possibly or accidentally switch on to channels which could trigger them. Third, we should keep them from magazines, pictures which are not proper to their age. Fourth, talk to them; explain to them this reality, its good and bad implication. Fifth, help them to cultivate Christian values by presenting films that discusses our faith or films which centers on Christ. It is good to do these while they are still young. These could become a habit for them; and once it will become a habit they can stand firm from falling on the bad offerings of media. Hence, they will use media properly.
Jesus said “let the children come to me.” Let us assist these children to go to Him. Let us tell them who He is. Let us show them the way going to Him. Let us motivate them to start journeying. At this early stage, let us not abandon them as they travel. But first, let us discover who Christ really is. Let us search the way to Him. Let us understand his commands. Let us go to him. Let his grace be our guidance as we travel to His presence. Media is very strong instrument to preach Jesus to the children of today. This is my dream for the children. This is my dream for my children. And I will do it for them because no one did it for me.
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