Social Media wRap: Pixar theory, Aquino, Rowling

MANILA, Philippines — An eventful, emotion-filled week flew by. Here are 10 things we think are notably interesting and worth knowing:

1. Aquino’s Economy   |   Mood meter: Happy

Part of Rappler’s special coverage of President Benigno Aquino III’s State of the Nation Address on July 23 was to gather responses from readers on key points of his speech using the mood meters. The results were a pleasant surprise: majority of readers voted “Happy”. Infographics showing a snapshot of economic growth under the Aquino administration and the 2012 Promises Tracker also made majority of readers happy.

2. The 99th Anniversary of Iglesia ni Cristo   |   Mood meter: Annoyed + Happy

There were heated responses to a recently published infographic about the Iglesia ni Cristo, as the largest entirely indigenous Christian denomination in the Philippines celebrates its 99th anniversary this year. In contrast, people were happy about the 7.5-hectare Philippine Arena, which is set to open in time for its 100th anniversary next year.

3. RH Law Oral Arguments   |   Mood meter: Angry

 

“This is the war that Francisco Tatad declared. He has called every nation with state-sponsored reproductive health programs guilty of genocide, pushing the country—on the off chance he is taken seriously—into the brink of a metaphorical war against the world.” 

Patricia Evangelista’s recent Thought Leaders piece, “Tatad’s Holocaust”, enraged readers and generated fresh discussions on the Reproductive Health Law, with Francisco Tatad’s arguments put in the spotlight. The controversial law remains a cliff-hanger as a third round of oral arguments is scheduled on August 6.

4. The fatal Spanish train crash   |   Mood meter: Sad

“Deadly High Speed” was the headline of El Mundo, a Spanish newspaper, when it reported the July 25 train accident in northwestern Spain that killed 80 passengers and injured more than 140. The train was reportedly traveling at 220 km (136 miles) per hour in an urban zone with a speed limit of 80 kph. As of this writing, the train driver faces an investigation for “alleged crimes of reckless homicide.”

5. CDO blast still a mystery   |   Mood meter: Angry

The Philippines is now on heightened alert after a blast in Cagayan de Oro City left 6 people dead and 48 injured. As of Sunday morning, July 28, the police revealed that they have a cartographic sketch of a possible suspect, but no angle or motive has been determined.

6. The Conjuring: Based on a true story   |   Mood meter: Afraid

New Line Cinema recently released the trailer of its latest horror thriller The Conjuring. Starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, the film tells the story about paranormal investigators called to help a family who encounters a terrifying presence in their New England farmhouse. The film opens in the Philippines on August 21.

7. The Pixar Universe   |   Mood meter: Amused

Do you believe that the characters in all Pixar films are interconnected, and that they exist in just one universe? The Verge recently ran a story about the “Pixar Theory”, an incredibly interesting idea by Jon Negroni speculating that A Bug’s Life takes place in the far future, that Brave explains why animals in the Pixar universe behave like humans sometimes, and other thought-provoking theories from other Pixar movies.

If this doesn’t make you completely intrigued, then you might want to know that Pixar is coming up with a movie with a plot that is entirely different from its previous animated films. The movie’s title is The Inside Out, and it is “told from the perspective of the emotions inside the mind of a little girl.“

8. Minions at the train station?   |   Mood meter: Happy 

Train delays can get frustrating, so Josiah Ng thought of an idea that can lighten up people’s moods at the train station. This reminds us that we can always choose to brighten up our days—all it takes is a little imagination.

9. Film rights for J.K. Rowling’s novel   |   Mood meter: Amused

When Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling revealed that she is the real writer of The Cuckoo’s Calling, published using the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, sales of the crime novel skyrocketed. The Guardian reported that studios are now bidding for the book’s film rights, with Warner Brothers seen as one of the more viable contenders.

10. Who sees the real you?   |   Mood meter: Inspired

SoulPancake recently created a video asking random strangers one simple yet thought-provoking question: Who sees the real you? Listen to their answers, and think about your own.

Did we miss anything? Tell us! Leave your comments below. – Desiree Tan, Rappler.com