How Daniel Day Lewis Inspire Me

June 8-14 Edition

Daniel Day Lewis

My Ideal Day 

On Dress Codes 

My Househusband 

Daniel Day-Lewis has inspired me in so many ways. I find it fascinating how a writer can (and has) become greatly empowered by an actor. It's a tale of two different individuals, each from the other side of the planet.

But I believe that divergent artistic paths comes from and then returns to the same source: a wellspring of creativity and fellowship that, like two rivers, flow through us all.

Daniel has played an Irish paraplegic, an Indian warrior and an American President, among many others. He has been accused during the Salem witch hunts and has terrorized New York at the turn turn of the century. Just like one of this other characters, he is a revolutionary.

His stunning range gave me strength that I'm doing something right. My recent published non-fiction articles were stories on advertising, film, physics, psychology, education, New Age, Jack Canfield, to name a few. I'm waiting to see in print my earlier submissions: on cloning, ancient aliens, mythology, evolution, communicating with the dead, Ramon Magsaysay and shibumi, the Japanese concept of understated elegance.

I even had an article on Abraham Lincoln published in 2009. It was inspired by Doris Kearns Goodwin's A Team of Rivals, from where the film was based. In my 2010 article, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Celebrities," I wrote that Steven Spielberg will direct the film version

He had studied the life of Lincoln. Most people can google even the most minute details. The crucial difference is that he is an actor in a class by himself who will bring an enigma to life. Daniel is a living legend and Lincoln is an icon, and Time got the idea perfectly in their cover story "The World's Greatest Actor Playing The Greatest American President."

Just like most men of unparalleled talents, Daniel is a "bit shy and soft spoken in person," says Time, "endearingly so-but warm and affable and exquisitely courteous." What he had in common with his character is a "thoughtful charisma."

Jared Harris, the son of the late actor Richard Harris and who plays Ulysses Grant, says Daniel's "attention to detail and commitment is truly impressive."

His method is radically unconventional. The final product is absolute perfection that totally shatters all expectations. Daniel creates his roles but stays in character. He's probably the only the actor who does that

I now don't mind if some people think my writings are, well, different from most. What I find even more important is that I do my thing my own way. This is about more than just my career: it's about my integrity as an artist. And this writer has learned that from the greatest actor in the world

My ideal day is waking up at dawn, looking forward to the day knowing I will make a difference. Then going to bed at night with a clear conscience and a sense of fulfillment from seeing that my day has been productive. And in between, just following my passions and not being forced to do things that I don't like. I want to be away from things that don't matter to me. This is what I want my life to be- every single day of my life

As long as you're neat and presentable, what you wear has nothing to do with your competence. It's understandable that food chain crews wear uniforms. But it is ironic and demotivating to be in an American call center that forces its employees to obey a dress code. This rule comes from a narrow-minded Filipino management that wants its ranks filled with conformists.

Only primitive minds think that jeans and sneakers make you less professional

I can relate to Ryan Agoncillo's character Rod. I know how it is to be a bum. In fact, as I write this on May 12, 2013, I'm happily enjoying my new-found freedom from a company that's the complete opposite of Googleplex: low-paying, bureaucratic, hierarchical, rules-oriented, with a paranoidly imposed dress code where sneakers are banned and you get sanctioned if you don't conform to their weekly "theme day" costumes. I also know the feeling of not wanting the people I care about to worry.

So I understand how Rod must have felt when he left his job because they were screwing him. Call it pride, but it's a guy thing. I wouldn't mind if people think I'm down and out because that's when you know who your friends are. But I would never publicly expose how I desperate I am. I told my girlfriend because I can't afford to hide it. Rod obviously can, so he doesn't tell his wife Mia (Judy Ann Santos).

With a touch of serendipity, Mia, a housewife who sells insurance on the side, was rising meteorically to the corporate peak when she took an offer that came just at the right time. So their roles are reversed. Rod's new best friend was their controversial though seemingly scatter-brained neighbor, Aida (Eugene Domingo), a single mom and a kept mistress who seems to live in a world of her own.

Rod finally got the time to bond with his kids and even more important, learns more about himself. Sometimes (and I learned this hard way) when we lose what we think our priority should be, that's when we discover what's truly important in our lives. The best thing that ever happened to Rod was losing his job.

"As long as I keep it straight in my mind who I am and not get that confused with who I'm supposed to be, I think I'll be all right 

~Bob Dylan 

Jonathan Aquino's Journal

I'm humbled to the core by how my life is being guided by mysterious forces that defies my finite mind. I was walking around I.T. Park, wondering what to do. Then I saw a friend, whom I'll call him Mikael Daez to protect his privacy and because he looks like the actor. He was my training classmate in the bureaucratic call center that I just left two weeks ago. Mikael is now with what I'll call Company X. So we hung around in one of the sidewalk tables, drinking iced coffee. He just happens to be there, his apartment, like mine, being stiflingly hot in the day time.

Thanks to that "chance" encounter, I was blessed in a critical way: I learned that I can still get my backpay (he got his) if I process my resignation and clearance; I thought I wouldn't because of a training bond which apparent is only applicable to regular employees.

"Angels brought you here, dude!" I told him. Gosh, I'm so corny, but I believe with absolute conviction that "coincidences" is how Higher Intelligence works.

I'm not insignificant and I'm being cared for. My existence is not just a freak of nature. I can't find the words to show grateful I am. I feel comfort - and peace - beyond understanding

May 13, 2013
11:47 a.m., Monday
Lahug City, City