Princess Leia Rocks. Yes, She Does.

A few weeks ago, while trying to recover from a very eventful weekend, I found myself going home early on a Sunday for some much needed rest and relaxation, and apparently just in time to catch Return of the Jedi showing on Star Movies.

I just have to say: PRINCESS LEIA ROCKS.

Probably risking scorn from the hard-core Trilogy fans, I must say that seeing her hold her own in the company of more intense (and interesting) figures such as Han Solo and Anakin Skywalker, I realized for the first time just how much I wanted to BE LIKE HER. These are a few reasons why:

1) She’s a princess.

What little girl on earth doesn’t DREAM of being a princess? Whether by royal blood, adoption, or by simply claiming royalty, who doesn’t want to be the apple of someone’s eye? And with the flurry of kick-ass princesses cropping up (e.g. Princess Fiona from Shrek), who says fur and fluff are simply for the wimps?

2) She's a tough cookie.

Princess Leia not only helped lead the Rebel Alliance, she was key to many of its victories. It was through Leia that they were able to intercept plans for the original Death Star, and, if Luke was unsucessful in defeating Vader, would be the hope of the galaxy. Plus, did you see her whizz through the forest in Endor on the speeder alongside the Storm Troopers? If I remember correctly, it was Luke who jumped on her speeder. This girl can ride!

One of my favorite scenes in Return of the Jedi was in Jabba’s palace in Tatooine, where she poses as a bounty hunter in order to help rescue Han Solo from his fate as a carbonite wall display. Sigh. See? Even Han Solo needs rescuing sometimes.

She also proved that she could whoop big, mean and disgusting hiney when she strangled Jabba the Hutt with the very chains he bound her by. How’s that for "warrior princess?"

3) She's a babe.

Whether dressed in a highly unflattering white jumpsuit, slave bikini or fatigues, she still manages to come out beautiful and alluring. AND THAT’S NOT EASY.

4) She can carry herself with grace, even on a bad hair day.

There are days when I feel absolutely horrendous. Maybe my hair didn’t dry the right way, or I didn’t dry it at all. Hel-lo, labandera hair! Ever have one of them ugly days? Not Princess Leia though. She carries her cinammon-roll hair with pride. If only..

5) She can be vulnerable.

Forget for a moment that she’s a strong-willed, independent woman. She possesses vulnerability that, while more often masked and scarcely revealed, is evident nonetheless. Remember the scene in Endor, right after Luke tells her she’s his sister? A definite “Hold me!” instance. Don’t we all need that sometimes? To be held and told that everything’s going to be okay? No matter how strong and independent we seem to be, sometimes we need that – admittedly or not.

Another thing: while it’s clear that Princess Leia is perfectly capable of taking care of herself, she still manages to let her man LEAD. (Granted, what woman wouldn’t turn into jelly the minute someone plunks a Han Solo into their vicinity.. I know I would. Hehehe.)

Seriously though, I think it’s important for women to know when to stand their ground and know when to submit and back down. I personally have a hard time backing down. I like to win. I like to come across as tough (kahit kikay). But, see, women weren’t really created to dominate. We SHOULD let the men lead, even if the men themselves are the ones who are hesitant. Us BELIEVING in them, LETTING them take charge - that’s what’s important. Baby steps, diba? We learn to back down, they learn to step up. Things work out better that way. Really.

6) She snagged Han Solo.

Uh, he’s Harrison Ford - scruffy, brazen, and insensitive. Still, deep DEEP down, he’s a GOOD GUY. With good intentions. An unlikely hero who manages to come through at the end. Isn’t that what we hope for anyway? That our men will come through for us?


Not such a silly thing now, is it?

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“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14

I AM a princess. ;)

sentimentally foolish

I’m feeling a bit sentimental today.

I think it’s because I’m sleepy. Waking up at 5:30 isn’t exactly a daily practice, you know? Maybe it’s the travelling to Alabang and back, something I’m no longer used to. Ten years is enough. Haay. Or it could be the revival of my current Broadway fascination (JJ kasi!). Listening to music from The Last Five Years isn’t exactly hoppin’, ya know?

I remember trudging up the familiar steps of St. James the Great, my old sanctuary, where I spent many of my teen years – Antioch meetings, singing with Te Deum, and the gazillion weddings I’ve attended one way or another. There was a certain sense of comfort being there again, after so many years.

I used to think I’d get married in St. James. Hahaha. A far cry from what I envision now.

Do you ever get that feeling? Oddly at home and yet out of place at the same time?

Things are different. St. James is, and probably always will be, a beautiful structure. Despite all the golden embellishments and overly ornate fixtures, it was where I felt most like myself. Now, six years later, me being a little older (hopefully wiser), it leaves me feeling a little distant, detached. Yet I am still strangely drawn to the church, more likely than not because of the numerous memories tied to it.

Seeing my nephew during the confirmation ceremony, at his best behavior and sitting attentively in the pew across mine, I’m moved to tears. It's my (used to be) little nephew’s turn to make his own memories of that beautiful place, as did his parents. Like me. Like so many of us, who, at at one time or another, found solace within the confines of those walls.

They grow up so fast, don't they?

Eep. That’s what happens when you listen to too much Mandy Patinkin.