The Parisian Life (Interior d'un Cafi) (1892)

By Juan Luna
“The Parisian Life” appeals to me the most because it is a painting that could be subjected to many
symbolic interpretations; Biographical correlation states that the woman represents the wife of Luna that
had an affair with another man. I also like that the woman in the painting has geographical likeness to the
mirror image of the Philippine archipelago. Lastly, this painting represents the state of the country that time
during the Spanish regime—the woman as the Philippines being unease while the fancy life as the Western
lifestyle.

Terracotta Army (兵马俑) (210-209 BCE)

Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor: Soldier-and-Horse Funerary Statues
The Terracotta Army is a collection of Terracotta sculptures, a funerary art, whose purpose is to
protect the Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di in the afterlife. Although its material is clay, it fascinates me because
not only one, but an army was made and were arranged by rank and/or roles that guard the tomb of the
emperor. Also, recent studies of the archaeologists reveal that the sculptures were painted with colors
signifying that colorful armors were worn during the First Emperor’s time.

Great Wall of China (万里长城) (220-206 BC)

Qin, Han, and Ming Dynasties
The Great Wall of China is considered one of the greatest wonders of the world, not only because of
its architectural plan, but also because of its historical significance as it was built during the First Emperor’s
regime. It is made of stones, bricks, tampered earth and other materials, for about 2500 years, and crosses
the east-to-west borders of China to protect the empire from the invading Huns of the North at that time.
Personally, I am amazed by how the construction and the history behind such wall—on how it could persist
up to this day and age.
 How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43) (1850)
By Elizabeth Barrett Browning
This Petrarchan Sonnet with 16 lines is one of the most honest and purest poem I have ever read.
With a typical abbaabbacdcdcd-rhyme scheme, Browning wrote this poem for her dearest husband Robert
Browning. She has expressed that even though some ways were unorthodox for some, she does not bother to
cunt the ways on how she truly loved him, and that she knows how to answer her question—How do I love
thee?

Sa Ugoy ng Duyan (1947)

Lyrics by Levi Celerio; Composed by Lucio San Pedro
Sa Ugoy ng Duyan is a Filipino lullaby that is one of my all-time favorites as it creates and emotional
impact to its listeners. The lyrics of the song describes a child longing and describing the comfort and the love
a mother has for her child. As I listen to this song, it reminds me of my childhood and makes me want to go
back to those good old times, to those times wherein I am just an innocent child and under my mother’s
arms—it justifies the longingness of a child for his or her own mother.

Tango (1880s)
Argentina
When it comes to sway movement and/or technique, it reminds me of the dance “Tango.” This dance
is a sensual partner dance that incorporates emotions and fluidity while dancing. It appeals to most viewers
including me due to its complexity and can come in variety of styles such as the traditional Argentinian
Tango or the modified Ballroom Tango that most of us is familiar with. In tango, the steps are typically more
gliding, but can vary widely in timing, speed, and character, and follow no single specific rhythm.
 The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Directed by Frank Darabont
One of the greatest films of all time, “The Shawshank Redemption” entails a story of a banker who
was allegedly sentenced to imprisonment in the Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murder of his wife
and her lover despite his claims of innocence. He has been used by the prison warden as an instrument for a
money laundering. In prison, he met Red whom he became friends with, finding solace and eventual
redemption through acts of common decency. This movie received seven Oscar nominations and two Golden
Globe nominations. The story proves how friendship could surpass tremendous circumstances.

Grease (1971)
By Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey
When it comes to plays and musicals, one of the plays I consider is “Grease” because it follows ten
working-class teenagers as they navigate the complexities of peer pressure, politics, personal core values, and
love. The musical is based around some of the subcultures of 1950s high school America, including the "tough
guy" working-class greasers from which the musical takes its name. The musical is based in the fictional
Rydell High, based in a Chicago Suburb. It is a fun musical that every teenager relates to.
Painting

Theatrical Play
Architectural Structure
Sculpture
Literature
Song
Dance
Film