Sunday, August 31, 2008

Somewhere Over The Bend

Funny how easy it is to succumb to temptation when one is restless and have nothing else to do. When the need for intimacy arises, not even the disability of not having an online profile would stop a person from desiring what he really seeks.

I was about to log off from my station after publishing a blog entry last night when the thought of checking my favorite chatroom in MIRc came to mind. Nothing has changed in #Salsalan. The old folks might have left, but in their place came a younger generation who were more aggressive and direct in their hook-up practices. It wasn't my intention to join the feast knowing that I deleted my profile in G4M and having no face-pic or body-pic during private conversations will be my greatest disadvantage

So I resolved to observe the age-old posting of ridiculous hook-up advertisements in the chat room.

Suddenly, a familiar chat name posted an advertisement in the main room. He offered massage services and included in his ad was a picture profile, which I immediately recognized as someone I stalked for years. He was my trip and even if I could avail his services early on, it felt like his superiority in appeal would only bring down my confidence. I resolved to create a good impression if I decide to openly seek his expertise and that's what I did for two years. Without his thoughts occasionally peeking inside my head, I will never succeed in my own gym efforts.

So there, his nude and sexy photos filled my computer screen. There's nothing really special about him. He wasn't tall or had a muscular body. He wasn't even good-looking to the standards of many. What caught my attention was his animalistic appeal and his familiar resemblance to a high school friend, who was also my gimik companion until we both met our girlfriends in college.

---

Our transaction did not go well during the first few exchanges of private messages over chat. Maybe he was busy selling himself to other potential clients who were more serious in seeking his services. When asked how much does he charge for a massage, he answered P800. His price was totally beyond my budget, so I sought to ask him to lower his fee. He insisted on his price so I had to think twice whether to get it or not. In between the thoughts of backing out and accepting his bid, there was one thing that kept me reconsidering my decision.

I've gone so far to let this opportunity slip and I may never get the chance to fulfill this goal in the future.

So I waited for a better opportunity to come. I stayed in the chat room until I sensed that his other clients stayed undecided. I can't remember how I was able to open a small talk but my second attempt proved so successful, I was able to lower his price without showing any personal identities before reconsidering his fee.

"Kailangan ko lang talaga ng masahe pare eh. Sakit ng balikat ko kakabuhat ng bar sa gym."

"Talaga? Wow. Stats mo nga po?"

"5'9, semikal, moreno, muscular. Ayos ba?"

"Ayos nga."

"So ano, papamasahe ka pa po ba?"

"Ibaba mo yung presyo mo. Hindi ako makaka-gimik sa Malate pag pinilit mo yung P800 mo."

"Hmmm..." At the back of his mind, probably he was thinking that he will perform his services to someone who's probably as equally marketable as he is. It would still be a win-win situation for him.

"Sige 500 na lang basta walang extra ha?"

"Ayos lang sa akin. Masahe lang hanap ko pare." Had he known my true intentions, he would be extremely flattered if I told him that I longed him for years.

The transaction was immediately done and we met 20 minutes after I left the computer shop in San Andres Bukid. We proceeded to his place in one of the flats along South Superhighway. When we entered the room, I immediately noticed that it was barely furnished. The mattress was spread on the floor and the toiletries were scattered around the sink. He used a Bagua for a mirror and his clothes - clean and dirty hanged on any surface that can support its weight. From the looks of it, he needed a house cleaner and when I was asked to lie face down on his mattress, his pillow reeked of dried sweat.

---

He began his massage by rubbing and stretching the toes of my feet. I do not know what lotion he used, but the whiff of its aroma were more fragrant than the ones used in the massage parlors I checked before. I think he used a lavender oil mixed with alcohol. Between rubbing, squeezing and stretching my legs, we talked about his life. He said he got sponsors to keep him afloat. They gave him allowance for his daily needs and supported him in school. I noticed that there was an extra mattress lying next to his bed and he explained that he shared his apartment with a long-time roommate who goes to his family to spend the weekends.

I wonder if his roommate was a masseur too.

We continued our conversation as his hands made its way toward my hips. I told him that my salary was comparatively smaller than other outsourcing workers and I still live with my family to help them run the house.

"Hindi ako naniniwala sayo. Paano ka makakagimik kung maliit lang ang kinikita mo tapos may sinusuportahan ka pa na pamilya?"

"Matipid naman ako eh tsaka..." I sensed that he was making up stories so I had to make one myself. Strangely, no matter how twisted our facts were, our conversation lead to a much closer relationship that would reward me handsomely long after the massage was over.

Going back to his sponsors, he told me how support from them come and go. It was like he was exploiting these old men because he had the necessary assets to do so. At the end of his piece however, he made a gloomy afterthought that made me think of my place in the scheme of things as well.

"Alam mo kasi, hanggang bata ka pa, marami kang makukuhang sustento sa kanila. Pero magsasawa rin sila... Makakahanap sila ng mas bata sa iyo at kakailanganin mo rin tumayo sa sarili mong mga paa."

There was a sudden silence after he said these words, while his hands moved unopposed toward my arms. At the back of my head, I wondered if it is my destiny to become a sponsor to a younger guy when I grow old too.

"So paanong plano mo?" I asked.

"Tatapusin ko yung course ko sa nursing, tapos bahala na."

His service went on for another half hour. He twisted my limbs, bent my arms and I groaned from the pain whenever he stretched a joint that held my battered muscles together. His hands were good, but his hard methods left me agonizing from pain instead of getting relief from his Shiatsu massage.

As he was reaching for my chest, I looked at his chinito eyes. His gaze were steely and cold-blooded and no matter how he smiled, it felt like his heart was already drowned from cynicism that it could not distinguish a real kindness from a self-serving one. His lean body was drenched in sweat which turned me on a little, and if not for the agreement of staying professional in the course of his service, I would have asked to take off his undies too.

"Ayan tapos na tayo, paano yung extra naman." He said grinning while taking off his undies and exposing his already growing manhood to me.

"Teka diba 500 lang yung pinag-usapan natin?" I protested while he began fondling my chest.

"Madali naman akong kausap eh... okay na yun." Aha! Now I understand why he asked me earlier if I was a top or a bottom and why he made a significant focus on the crevasse of my butt while he massaged that part of my body.

And thus, the attack on the Jomanian homeworld had commenced.

It began with brief and boring foreplay which I tried to prolong by responding favorably to his advances. He groaned whenever I returned the favor by licking his chest or biting his arms, or nibbling his groins. At this point, any pleas for peace would fall into deaf ears for I had already resolved to free my demon armies, and bring down pleasure to the waiting aggressor.

After the foreplay, he stood up and began assaulting my throat. His was so big, it gave me a hard time conquering his power base. He responded to my good graces by trying to suck mine as well. He was a lousy one I tell you, but his efforts were well appreciated. I already got more from what I bargained but it seemed like my power base would get a nuclear strike before the deed was finally over.

"Ei, hindi ko kaya yan pare." He placed himself between my legs while placing a rubber around his missile.

"Kaya mo to. Ikaw pa!" I felt his head enter the tunnel of hell.

"Fuck ang sakit pare, labas mo ulit."

"Ahhh... dahan dahan. Talo ako sa laki mo eh." This time I was strongly protesting, but it seemed like he heard nothing.

When all of it was already inside, he began to move slowly. The grind was excruciating, but the challenge of being torpedoed by something far bigger than the ones I've faced before proved too exciting not to enjoy.

"Labas mo ulit pare, para swak sa susunod na bira mo."

"Ahhhh..."

"Ummmmmm..."

"Tangina dude ang sarap!" His pounding had increasingly become faster, I had to put my arm around his neck to feel him getting deeper into me.

Then I remembered my own style when I get to become the driller. Instead of getting my partner to lie down and pump him with a certain degree of power only gym goers could achieve, I let the receiver sit on mine so that its entirety will fit inside his happy hole.

Such performance happen rarely, but in every moment I get to be the impaler, my impalement is always missed.

"Malapit ka na pare?" I asked the pounder.

"Hindi pa, ikaw lang ang lalabasan ha" Darn, I want us to come together. But who am I to set the ground rules of our bed-war?

For all the times I thought I had become a top, in the face of a more aggressive opponent, I always switch back to the role of being the fuckee. Sometimes, I wonder if being tops and bottoms have something to do with personality. I hope that someday, someone will make a study about this strange phenomenon on sexual roles.

"Malapit na ako dude..." The moment he heard my announcement, his pounding had increased exponentially, something inside me was being filled with air pockets.

"Sige pa, kaya mo pa hah!" I was trying so hard to prolong my climax hoping that the delay would force him to cum as well. However, the non-stop pounding only made me suffer more.

"Ahhhhh..." The surge of pressure made it increasingly harder for me to breathe.

"Tangina.... Heto naaaaah."

With one detonation, it was me who had a nuclear explosion. The rain of white sticky debris was so spectacular, it covered not only the rolling plains of my tummy but also the stiff hills of my chest. He stopped his attacks the moment he felt my breathing became normal. Had he pursued his anal assaults after I surrendered my planet, it will leave me bleeding to death.

The cleaning up and dressing was over in 15 minutes. I revealed that he had another client and that's why he needed to rush things with me. As we descent the steps leading to the main road, I decided to stick with him up until we separate ways in Taft. But he had other plans that night. Instead of proceeding to his next client, he decided to eat his dinner first while I patiently waited for him in one corner.

"Nag-enjoy ka ba sa masahe ko?" He asked.

"Oo naman sobra."

"Sure ka ha, hindi lang yung isa ang nagustuhan mo."

"Peksman." It was a win-win strategy for me too. Had I not get the extra service, I will still be able to flirt freely inside the club.

We talked more about our interest while the jeep speeds toward Taft. I thought that he would still pursue his next client but at the last minute decided to stick with me and with my plans of having a night-out.

At half past midnight, his tour of duty as the masseur was over, while my responsibilities as his companion for the night had just began.

---

-tobecontinued-


Saturday, August 30, 2008

Dark Skies

The sky over Global City must be flooded by searchlights by now, for the Eraserheads reunion concert is about to begin. I can almost hear Ely Buendia opening the band's performance with the song "Ligaya" amidst the thundering cheers of his fans. I should have been there... if not for some unforeseen changes that happened these past few days. Let's just say that I failed to secure a privilege ticket and to get one at Ticketworld would stretch my finances too thinly.

The massive publicity has been made last week and it's too late to take back my announcement at the floor. Therefore, much as it hurts to leave my station this evening, I packed my belongings and informed my colleagues that I have to go and see the concert even without a ticket in hand.

I planned to show up at Fort Bonifacio without a pass waving to the organizers. But the thought of standing in a cold pavement while everyone was raving inside the concert grounds made me realize how pathetic my situation would become. The problem however is that I had nowhere else to go. It was still too early to assault Malate and the sudden changes in my plans this evening made me a little unpredictable in making decisions.

So I headed west towards the direction of Makati without any specific destination in mind.

There were invitations for a hang-out - like the one from Centurion who invited me at his favorite watering hole in Tandang Sora. However, the distance I must cover from Mandaluyong to Quezon City had put me off because no matter how much I'd enjoy his company, the solitary journey back to Manila would be too unbearable to contemplate.

Besides, I have other plans for tonight.

Going home was another option. I could spend the night playing Sims 2, especially now that I got a new add-on pack from Datablitz yesterday. It will be fun living a simulated life, but then I realized that I have the whole week to pretend being a Sim. Why waste a good Saturday night in front of the computer when I could party the night away clubbing in Malate?

The options are truly endless.

Somewhere in San Andres Bukid, I am renting a computer to write this blog entry. A few blocks from here is a place where I can invoke the influence of Kitsune to take command of my wild side. Take one jeepney ride from Taft and I'll find myself in front of Queeriosity Palace or Club Bath in Pasay and I could spend the night addressing my long-deprived sexual needs and go home feeling like a diyosa.

However, it is not libog that makes my Saturday night complete.

I could gratify myself by becoming the person I once was, but such move will leave me hollowed and depressed the whole week. I could head to Sanctuario and get that much needed massage after punishing my muscles for months, but budget constraints may affect my spending ability come the party begins. I could crash into one of my friend's apartment to spend the evening telling stories about each other's lives, but then no one seems available. I do not wish to show up at someone's door without any clear intention in mind.

I could even watch a movie at Robinson's Place but the idea of watching Wall-E alone will only complicate the feeling of sadness.

There are so many ways to spend time waiting, but in my case, I am left with no clear decision at all.

However, to contain my growing restlessness, I will need to impose these limitations:

I will do my best to avoid being physical before the party begins.

I will limit my alcohol intake to a half of what I consumed last week.

I will pursue my solitary wanderings without appearing too pathetic in doing it.

And I will make sure to have a back-up plan next time, instead of relying in only one goal and become frustrated when things do not go according to plan.

Tonight, I will try to weather my aimlessness by staying here in the warm confines of the internet cafe and watch the Obama speech in Youtube.

Hopefully, after some inner reflection at what had happened, I will emerge more equip to handle such situation the next time I find myself on my own.

---

Conducting some transactions with my ultimate crushie masseur over the internet. Will I be able to contain the temptation, ignore my creeping libog and survive this evening in one piece?

Let's see what will happen.

I think I lost.

-tobecontinued-


Friday, August 29, 2008

Standing Ovation

I know there are differences on same-sex marriage, but surely we can agree that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters deserve to visit the person they love in the hospital and to live lives free of discrimination.

---

I know there are those who dismiss such beliefs as happy talk. They claim that our insistence on something larger, something firmer and more honest in our public life is just a Trojan Horse for higher taxes and the abandonment of traditional values. And that's to be expected. Because if you don't have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare voters. If you don't have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone people should run from.

---

You know, this country of ours has more wealth than any nation, but that's not what makes us rich. We have the most powerful military on Earth, but that's not what makes us strong. Our universities and our culture are the envy of the world, but that's not what keeps the world coming to our shores.

Instead, it is that American spirit -- that American promise -- that pushes us forward even when the path is uncertain; that binds us together in spite of our differences; that makes us fix our eye not on what is seen, but what is unseen, that better place around the bend.

---

And it is that promise that 45 years ago today, brought Americans from every corner of this land to stand together on a Mall in Washington, before Lincoln's Memorial, and hear a young preacher from Georgia speak of his dream.

The men and women who gathered there could've heard many things. They could've heard words of anger and discord. They could've been told to succumb to the fear and frustration of so many dreams deferred.

But what the people heard instead -- people of every creed and color, from every walk of life -- is that in America, our destiny is inextricably linked. That together, our dreams can be one.

"We cannot walk alone," the preacher cried. "And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back."


- Barack Obama, "The American Promise"
Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Eyewitness

History must have its own way of calling an eyewitness, for in all those sleepless nights I had endured in the past, last night was the most different. Instead of going through an entire nocturnal phase watching cartoons and news, my body surrendered at half past midnight. I was asleep peacefully, only to awakened three hours later by my own body clock.

Surfing the channels, it was my hope that I would get back to sleep after one hour. However, fate must have different plans. With war going on in Georgia and Russia acknowledging the breakaway states of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, on the other side of the world, something historic was happening. Today, the Americans made history by officially nominating a black minority to the position of the President of the United States of America.

News anchors and political analysts from CNN have already speculated that the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver will be dramatic. I said, "all right, I'm not an American so why bother to watch the live coverage?" So I changed the channel and tune in to Nickelodeon to watch Invader Zim. Daybreak arrived and still I could not sleep. I went out of the house to cast my gaze at the rising sun, watched the neighbor walk their dog and chatted with another neighbor about the sacrifices being made by working people with challenging work schedules.

Back into my room, I opened the TV once again in hopes that war had broken between Russians and the Americans over Georgia. Instead, what I witnessed was the roll call of delegates from different US States casting their vote for Senator Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

"We, the united Democrats from the tiny but beautiful state of Delaware," announced the representative at the podium "home of the great philosopher so and so, and senator so and so, and the great general so and so.." his bragging was actually boring "cast 7 votes for the senator from New York, Hillary Clinton and 14 votes for the next great president of the United States, Barack Obama." The audience cheered and applauded after the state had cast their vote.

When the representatives from the State of Illinois were asked to come out and cast their votes, their speaker simply abstained from the voting. I immediately reacted, "WTF, that's the home state of Obama and they abstained from the voting? That's impossible!"

The roll-call of delegates continued until it was New Mexico's turn to cast their vote. For some reasons, their speaker announced that they yield their votes to Illinois so that their speaker would be asked to cast again their combined votes. As the representative from Illinois spoke, the camera panned towards the audience where the brimming Hillary Clinton was shown arriving at the convention. Almost immediately, the Illinois representative yielded the combined votes of their state and those from New Mexico's to the delegate from New York.

At this point, I knew what was about to happen.

As the speaker from New York spoke, Senator Clinton was at his side. After some brief introductions, the podium was given to Clinton who once again urged her party mates and supporters to stand united against the Republican nominee John McCain. "With eyes firmly fixed on the future, and in the spirit of unity with the goal of victory, with faith in our party and our country, let's declare together with one voice right here, right now that Barack Obama is our candidate and he will be our president." Barack Obama's chief rival in the primaries closed the nomination and elected Obama through acclamation.

"Is there a second," asked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was also the secretary of the convention.

When the 4,400 delegates composed of Whites, Hispanics, Asians and other minorities overwhelmingly affirmed Obama as their choice with thundering cheers, Nancy Pelosi officially adapted the motion and declared the Black Senator from Illinois the Democrat Presidential Candidate for the US 2008 Elections.

So there, I witnessed history as it unfolded right before my eyes.

Being a faithful student of the past, it was a moment I will remember for all time. I know how Blacks were discriminated, separated and threatened with violence just a few generations ago. I know their struggles, sufferings and the movers - from Martin Luther King to Malcom X who gave up their lives so that equality will be given to them. Who would have thought that in less than fifty years after the civil rights movement exploded, a Black person might actually become the most powerful person in the planet.

As O'Jay's Love Train blasted from the arena speakers, you see people of different color crying among the audience. Their eyes flooded with tears, I cannot help but share the jubilation and triumph they must have felt when Obama was declared the candidate of the Democrat party.

For a moment there, I sincerely wished I was an American.

Because major revolutions only happen once in a generation. A history has been made and much I would like to be part of it, I am not sure if the rest of humanity is ready for such changes. I rooted for an Obama-Clinton ticket but it didn't happen. Now the world is watching, with much enthusiasm and hope for changes in the American government.

The fight now is not between progressives and conservatives, or the good or the bad.

It is a struggle for our collective future.

I just wish that in the future, history will claim that goodness had prevailed in our time.

---

People all over the world (Sisters and brothers)
Join hands (join, come on)
Start a love train (ride this train, y'all), love train (Come on)

- O'Jays, Love Train


photos courtesy of CNN

Resistance

The sky was so dark outside, like alien spaceships were about to land*. Yet, instead of heading home to take cover, I made a direct flight from Philcoa to Pasay to help an old friend who's about to move out from his apartment. This old friend, is someone who's been with me since my straight days. We've been buddies and even though we haven't talked for more than a year, one text message from him was enough for me to respond to his call.

I became his kargador, and it doesn't matter if our reunion ended that way. After all, it adds up to my buff-daddy effort which I am seriously undertaking as of this moment.

This old friend of mine was my everything back in our younger days. I was his sidekick. I looked after his back that there were times I reminded him personally of our assignments in class whenever he wasn't around. My home used to be his staging ground when he's in the center of the city and he did sleepovers without the awkwardness that I would surely feel if it would happen today.

We were so close that there were times he did remind me that we're not in a relationship.

But back then, it doesn't matter. I wasn't feeling anything except that I am his ever-loyal friend.

---

I arrived past seven at his place. He was almost finished packing up his belongings and in between eating our dinner, we updated each other's lives. He is currently dating a girl and since he knows about my life way before our other straight friends found out about me, he didn't mind asking about my homosexuality. I find our subject about me quite awkward knowing that he is a straight guy

and as far as I know, when every straight man can be converted, it is not proper for a non-straight to tell openly about his life.

When the time to move began, I showed him what power really meant. I carried his boxes of books and papers which he needed for school; His hiking bag was on my back and his piles of dirty clothes, crumpled inside a trash bag was hanging on my arms. He kept on saying, "sure ka pare, mabigat yan?" to which I proudly responded, "thank God for Eclipse" because in my weaker state, I would have passed out with such heavy baggage.

So I was there for him, like I used to

Just when things get difficult and he needed a helping hand to sort things out.

---

The whole move-out would have been a breeze, had it not for the tension rising inside me. My friend is a good-looking guy. I'm sorry but I can't tell details right now, but back in our younger days, he was the ultimate crush of everyone. Lucky for me, I was his confidant so I knew many things about him that nobody among his admirers knew.

But like I said, things have changed and the friction towards him is something that disturbed me a lot.

Like all guys I know, he loves walking around naked. Even if age has made his tummy a little bigger now, he is still hot enough to get another person's attention. Being someone, whose thoughts about straight men have been twisted by sexual preference, his naked glory distracted me. While lying on the couch with his legs dangling in precarious positions and his undies almost exposed, I cannot help but wonder if he's conveying a message that my gay side would have easily understood. Had our conversation shifted from thoughts about me being homosexual into something more sexual - like his hetero-sexcapades, I would almost certainly read his gestures as provocations.

How sad that this is the legacy left by my own carnal history. After years of experience being with another guy - in a quiet room where anything could happen, I now have this mental fixation that when being left with a half-naked guy in a quiet room - is always a sign of doom.

What's embarrassing about our situation is that most likely, my friend was not aware that his gestures were being read differently. It was an act of hostility even to a non-straight friend he have grown to trust with the passing of time.

Shame on me.

Looking back at that moment where both of us were half-naked, smoking a stick of cigarette while talking about anything under the sun, I could not help but wonder why I felt strange about him. It never happened when Master Z, Roy and I were half naked, drunk and guzzling a bottle of beer while watching a gay porn in our friend's apartment early last year.

Was it because for the first time, now that I'm aware of myself as someone different, did I finally realize that for all the years we have been buddies,

I was always attracted to him?

Pre, nakalimutan mo magchange (ng damit). hehehe. its okei pre. At least may extra gamit ka na dito... Pare, ingat ka at maraming salamat talaga.. kitakits... Bisitahin mo ako ha.

God forbid, no.

---

*Misterhubs' twitter entry.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Magdamagan

The night is still young and so are we.

- Zoe to Mugen
Second Year College

---

Alas Dos

Apat na magkakatropa ang lumabas ng DB Bar sa Congressional Avenue. Sila ay kapwa may tama ng alak salamat sa apat na bucket ng San Miguel beer na kanilang tinungga. Ang dalawa ay napagkasunduang gawing opisyal ang kanilang pag-iibigan. Unang umalis ang binatang kinakati isayaw ang sarili sa dance floor. Sumunod ang pinuno na unang inakala na makakasabay umuwi ang isa sa kanyang mga alaga.

Madilim at walang sasakyan sa kanto ng Quezon Avenue at Agham Road nang bumaba dito ang isa sa mga binata. Ang pinuno naman ay patuloy na binabaybay ang daan na magdadala sa kanya sa Fairview. Ang dalawa ay napagkasunduang magpalipas ng gabi sa isa pa nilang kaibigan.

Na umamin rin ng kanyang pagkagusto sa isa sa mag-syota.

Alas Tres

Nakarating ng Malate ang binatang adik sumayaw. Ang mag-syota naman ay kumain sa isang lugawan malapit sa Espana. Dito rin sila tinagpo ng isa pa nilang kasama na may gusto sa isa. Ang pinuno ay nakarating na ng bahay. Pinipilit man nitong makatulog subalit ang pag-iisip sa isang tao ang pumipigil sa kanya upang mahimbing sa kama.

Alas Kwatro

Habang naglalakad ng pasuray-suray sa dancefloor, biglang dinikit ng isang binibini ang kanyang balakang sa binatang adik sumayaw. Pinatulan ito ng binata kaya't panandalian silang nag-exhibition at nagdirty-dancing sa palibot ng maraming bakla. Natulala ang binata at napaisip: "Babae kaya ang kasayaw ko o isa na namang tranny?" Matangkad kasi ito, mahaba ang buhok at tila may pagka-agresibo gaya ng lalaki. "Baka naman lasing lang kaya matapang." Sa huli, nanaig ang galing ng babae. Napasayaw niya at napaghubad si lalaki.

Ang tatlo ay nag-kwentuhan sa apartment ng isa sa may Morayta. Buong akala ng lahat na may mangyayari, subalit nanaig ang pride ng bawat isa. Walang gustong magpatira at walang gusto makibahagi ng jackpot ng isa. Binalak nilang dumayo sa Malate upang ipagpatuloy ang inuman. Maraming tao. Nagpasya silang tatlo na bumalik na lang ng apartment.

Hindi pa rin makatulog ang pinuno. Binabagabag siya ng kanyang damdamin para sa isang taong hindi na mapapasa-kanya.

Alas Singko

Pasikat na ang araw at pauwi na ang mga gumimik sa Malate. Patuloy pa rin ang pagkwe-kwentuhan ng tatlo sa apartment, samantalang ang binatang adik sumayaw naman ay nagmamadaling makahanap ng kaulayaw sa dance floor. All for the sake of inflating his ego and detaching himself from the events that happened earlier that night. "Kala nila sila lang, kaya ko rin sumabay." bulong nito sa sarili. Nagkita muli sila nang nakasayawan nito ilang buwan na ang nakakaraan. Matino naman ang kanilang pag-uusap, subalit narealize ng binata na maaring isang callboy ang kanyang pinagtripan nang huli silang nag-krus ng landas sa ibabaw ng ledge.

Pagulong-gulong pa rin sa higaan ang pinuno. Hindi pa rin siya makatulog.

Alas Sais

Maliwanag na ang langit. Ang mag-syota na nakitambay sa apartment ng isa nilang katropa ay papauwi na sa kani-kanilang bahay. Hawak kamay sa loob ng bus, pinaramdam nila sa isa't-isa ang pag-iibigan nilang dalawa. Walang nangyari sa buong magdamag, subalit ang kanilang relasyon ay maaring makaapekto sa samahan ng buong grupo.

Nabigo ang binata sa kanyang quest na makahanap ng kalandian sa dance floor. Marami ang naghangad ngunit wala ni isa man sa kanila ang kanyang natipuhan. Just when he was ready to give his number... saka naman walang available... Magsisimula ang bagong linggo gaya ng dati - siya na isang uring mangagawa na maraming dala-dalang pasanin sa mundo; ang mundo na patuloy ang pag-ikot at tila walang pakiealam sa kanya. Matapos kumain ng Pares at apat na pirasong fried siomai sa Bestfriends malapit sa kanyang bahay, kaagad rin itong nakatulog matapos ang isang magdamagang gimik sa piling ng mga tropa at ng sarili.

Sa kabila ng pagiging duguan ng kanyang puso, nakatulog rin sa wakas ang pinuno.

Tripper

We were four in the table. I was seated near the windows, while next to me sat master Centurion. Across our chair, just beyond the blue plastic buckets where the now empty bottles of San Mig Light were once placed sat the new couple. They were two male friends who have girlfriends, but decided to take a shot in having an affair. I wasn't surprised at all when Centurion told me the news. They had been constant text partners for the past two weeks. They also went out a couple of times, and they already confessed to our master their mutual like for each other. The only thing missing was formality.

Anyway, my head was swirling and I needed something to take the alcohol out of my system. The New Wave music spun by the DJ wasn't helping at all - it makes me want to throw up - especially when some artist made a falsetto sound. Inside the bathroom, while digestive remains were pouring forth liberally out of my throat, the music suddenly turned upbeat. Finally, we're getting house music. There's salvation for me after all.

I returned to my seat feeling much better. The lady next to our table was already raising her arms and her torso was already making ripple movements to follow the beat. Her slender, wavy motion caught my attention. She just triggered the clubber in me.

Within minutes I was already following her movements. My head was bouncing to the house music, my arms were half-raised and my torso was already making some ripple movements depending on how hard and tribal the beat was. We looked we silly definitely - drunk and dancing on our chairs. But this dancing, eventually made us notice one another even if we are, literally worlds apart.

"Tangina master, kung dance floor lang ito, kawawa tong tsik saken." Centurion was grinning while I bragged about my feats inside the club.

"Alam mo ang secret para maka-score eh dapat nagsasayaw ka na may libog sa katawan." Tactless, I was short of telling him that I try not to masturbate when I know that I'd be partying when night-time arrives.

So there. The upbeat music made me a little sober and a little bit hornier. The sudden adrenalin rush did the wonders, and since the new couples were secretly exchanging gestures of affirmation to each other - which made me a little jealous - I turned my attention to the lady who was now exchanging glances at me. It was fun to trip with the opposite sex, especially when you know that you're really flirting with a female and not a tranny.

Last night however was a different case. I wasn't just satisfied with just trading glances with someone.

I was willing to show my friends that even if my physical needs exclusively cater to males, I can pass out as a straight guy and can trip with a female.

And trip I did.

As the story goes, I stood up to pick an arm chair from an empty table not far from us. I placed just inches away from the dancing lady, who immediately acknowledged my presence by asking for a light. In fairness, she was quite beautiful when you look at her closer. She's a chinita with a skinny body and wore a black top last night.

"Okay ka pa?" She asked me, while leaning her head closer to mine.

"Yup ayos lang ako." I even made a thumbs up remark to reinforce my state of control.

"Uy crush ka nung isang kasama namin." As if I'd find her interesting. You, babe, already caught my attention.

We exchanged pleasantries and smoked together, while the rest of the boys kept looking at me. I'm not really sure if their reaction bordered on embarrassment, so I asked them never to bring up what happened the next time we see each other.

"Walang magpapaalala ng kahihiyan kong ito ha." I told Centurion after drinking my eight bottle of beer.

The flirting eventually ended up in a fluke. Though I learned that her name was Abby, (and I introduced myself as Mark) we didn't exchange numbers. I learned that no matter how I trip with ladies, it simply wouldn't work. So at 2 in the morning, the four of us guzzled our last bottle of beer and called it a night. After saying my farewell to Abby, I took the first cab who stopped beside me leaving Centurion and the couple to figure how to get home. I had this feeling that someone will go home in the morning with a sore butt.

The house music and the flirting with the tsik left me longing for more. Therefore, I decided to head to my favorite watering hall halfway across the city. It doesn't matter if I would come all the way from the highlands of Tandang Sora, so long as I will settle my score elsewhere, where the dance floor is a familiar territory.

So at 3 am, despite having to take a grueling forty-minute jeep ride from Agham Road to Julio Nakpil in Taft,

I found myself back in Malate.

Friday, August 22, 2008

One Night Stand (Bloom Remix)

Waking up,

scared to realize that freedom is at hand.

Who would have thought

solace may be found in limbo.

---

"Isipin mo na lang ano ang sasabihin ng nanay mo, matapos ka niyang dinala ng siyam na buwan sa sinapupunan kung malalaman niya na sinasayang mo ang buhay at kasiyahan mo sa iisang tao lamang."

- Mami Athena, One Night Stand

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Motherhood

The maid was frantically knocking on my door when I was roused from sleep this morning. She said that mother slipped from her seat while taking a bath. I sprung up from the bed and when I arrived at the bathroom, I found her slumped on the floor. She was visibly shocked at what had happened.

I approached her with eyes half-closed and head still groggy from being rudely awakened earlier. Had the slip happened when I was in full control of my senses, I would be as frantic as the helper who woke me. I bent my legs and leaned closer to clutch my arms around her hips. It was an awkward sight, I tell you, for I was still on my boxers when the slip happened. With a deep breathe, I was able to lift her back to her seat with one pull. The helper who witnessed everything was as relieved as my mother, who was now tucking her tapis around her body.

Going back to bed, I suddenly remembered a friend's entry about motherhood. Indeed how time flies. Twenty six years ago, it was she who carried me inside her tummy despite her disability to lift herself with her two feet.

This morning, it was me who lifted her with my bare hands.

---

My nipples even cracked, but this was no reason to stop. When my baby started crying of hunger, I started crying of pain too. My hubby woke up in the middle of the night several times, witnessing two girls cry. Our baby cried of hunger. I cried of pain. I cried of desperation. I cried because my butt hurt, my vagina was sore, my breasts were painful, my areolas were big and dark, and so was my bellybutton and the skin around it, my abdomen was cramping, my back was aching, I was sleepy, tired, wasted,cold (the engorgement of the breasts goes with fever at times)...

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Yaya | To Live On My Own

I wake up with lunch already set on the table. Menus are thoroughly discussed in the evenings - with me having the privilege to choose the dish because I eat at home only during the day. I could afford to change the sheets every week since laundry is done regularly. The pile of dirty clothes we accumulate at any washday is enough for a family of five. We're only three in the house if you will exclude the servants and the pets in the counting. The water I use to take a bath is always warm. As I gobble my meal, the kettle whistles as it's being heated on the stove. When I feel lazy, it is the maids who go out to buy my needs. They throw out my trash, clean my carpet, wash my dishes and even bring the glass of water when I'm busy watching something on TV. When I don't like to be seen by the neighbors, it is the maids who cover up for me. I'm so privileged that my home life is entirely dependent on our helpers. Without them, I am virtually incapable of looking after myself.

That is why it scares us a lot when the maids hint of leaving the house to return to their families. That is why I'm willing to do the extremes by looking for a second job when our sources of income get threatened by economic factors.

I know some of you might think that we're almost within the borders of abusive treatment of our helpers. After all, the only thing missing is that they call us senyorito and senyorita for the favors we shamelessly sought from them. At times, I could get what I want without raising even my little pinky finger. All I have to do is say:

"Ate..."

In return for their dedication, I believe that our maids are one of the most spoiled in the industry. Had we been richer, they would be treated far better than many of their counterparts in the middle-income family category.

When our relatives in the US sent Balikbayan Boxes full of chocolates last month, it was the maids who received half of the bounty. They shared it with their friends in the compound of course, for they trade everything from bath soaps, toothpaste to leftovers from the neighbor's dining table. We let them dine together in the driveway when they decide to have a shared meal with the neighbors. We let them celebrate their birthdays by throwing a party in the compound with us supplying the drinks, the food, and even the cake they share with us in return. When my mom do her grocery at Puregold, the instant pancit cantons and the can of sardines are at our maid's disposal. They can eat whatever they want as long as they won't take those foods we sought ourselves.

These are just the perks. Our maids are spoiled because it is strictly forbidden for us to shout, become violent or verbally abuse them when they commit errors or not perform our orders. We understand their blunders as part of their natural shortcomings. We let them correct themselves when they are wrong. When they don't realize their errors yet, we let the seasoned helpers do the bidding for us.

I would have said more about the lives of our helpers, but the entry is not about them. It's not about our sheltered existence either. Such subject deserves another entry.

This post is about my realization that no matter how I pride myself by claiming that I can stand on my own and act tough on my own issues; that I can go out and have fun without any company and care in the world, the truth is, my total dependence on other's assistance in home affairs render me helpless in the face of others who live on their own.

So long as I can't:

Wash and iron my own clothes,
Cook my own meal,
Clean my dishes, and my own bathroom.
And take care of myself when I'm sick.

I'd most likely end up a trainwreck once you leave me to survive on my own devices.

This awakening only hit close to home after talking to several friends who actually live and survive without a family or helper nearby. For all the years I denied this vulnerability and believing that everything will remain sheltered, it opened my eyes to the reality that in terms of long-term survival,

I'd be severely crippled,

once I set sail and explore the open seas of my life,

on my own.

---

Thirteen years old pa lang ako, naiiwan na akong mag-isa ng parents ko.

- anon

Monday, August 18, 2008

Dream Journals Sixteen

Maulap pa rin ang langit gaya sa mga nakaraang panaginip.

Tila ba ilang sandali na lang ay bubuhos na naman ang isang napakalakas na ulan. Itong ulan, na nagbibigay-buhay sa uhaw na lupa ay siya ring ulan na nagbibigay pangamba sa aking paggising. Tila ba ito'y nagbabadya ng paparating na panganib o kaya nama'y matinding kalungkutan. Makailang beses na ba akong nanaginip na nakasakay sa jeep habang ito'y naglalakbay sa isang madilim at walang katao-taong kalsada? Makailang beses na ba akong inabutan ng ulan sa aking paglalakbay?

Hindi ko na matandaan kung ilan.

Maraming beses na akong humingi ng isang dapithapon - gaya ng mga dati kong panaginip. Madalas ay nakikita ko ang sarili sa isang mataas na lugar at nakamasid sa malayo. Malawak ang aking natatanaw, at itong kalawakan ang siyang nagbibigay sa akin ng magandang gising sa umaga. Subalit ngayon, laging ulan ang bumabati sa aking pagtulog. Maraming beses ko man hanapin kung ano ang nais nitong ipahiwatig, laging ligalig pa rin ang dala nito sa tuwing ako'y nagigising.

Sa pagkakataong ito, nakita ko ang sarili na naglalakad papunta sa isang bangko. Medyo malabo na ang mga pangyayari, subalit sa aking natatandaan, magwiwithdraw dapat ako ng pera upang ipambili ng mga regalo. Makipot ang daan papasok sa ATM booth at naalala ko na bukas ang fluorescent lamp, kahit maliwanag pa rin sa labas ng bangko. Matapos pindutin ang mga numerong magbibigay access sa aking pin, kasunod nito dapat ay pera ang lalabas. Sa aking pagkamangha, isang pirasong lumang papel ang nilabas ng nasabing ATM.

Nakasulat sa isang purple ink ang mga salitang,

Congratulations! You have won Eight Hundred Thousand Pesos...

Dali-dali akong nagtungko sa loob ng bangko upang isangguni sa Teller ang natanggap na pirasong papel.

"Is this a joke maam? I got this from your ATM" sabay abot ng papel sa teller. Dali-dali niyang tinawag ang manager.

"I'm afraid this is not a joke sir." pangiting sagot sa akin ng manager matapos niyang pag-aralan ang nakasulat. "Congratulations!" Hindi ko na matandaan ang mga sumunod na nangyari.

Sa tuwa, hindi ko alam kung ako'y magtatatalon at magsisisigaw sa loob ng bangko. Ang natatandaan ko lang, dali-dali akong nag-open ng account upang doon ilagak ang perang napanalunan. Habang sinusulat ang aking pangalan at lagda sa application form, naglalaro sa aking isip ang balak kong gawin sa pera.

Hindi ko ito sasabihin sa aking ina. Gugulatin ko na lang siya na meron akong extra cash.

Gusto kong bumili ng pabango. Hugo Boss sana o kaya naman ay Clinique Happy.

Marami pa akong hangad pagkagastusan, subalit hindi ko na ito matandaan.

Except ang pakiramdam na masarap palang manalo ng hindi mo inaasahan...

And just when I thought everything is real.

Nagising ako mula sa panaginip. Tanghali na pala.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Geisha

Para kay PrincheCha Fiona nang minsang ka-text siya habang ako'y nanood ng Memoirs of a Geisha.

The Jomanian rules of Clubbing.


---

1. When nobody invites for an inuman, hang-out or a reunion of some sort, the best course of action is to proceed to Malate when the weekly "gimmick pass" hasn't been used yet.

2. BED is always expensive, while Club Mafia is still a trash. O-Bar is for the fabulous so still, the best watering hole in that side of queerdom is Che'lu.

3. Che'lu has the lousiest dance track list of them all. Not only does the music skips occasionally, they are so obsolete compared to BED/Government standards.

4. However, they have the friendliest clientèle in town. A five minute stay in the dance floor will gain you a new-found "friend." It has been proven many times before.

5. We can flirt with naughty ladies, but we never take them seriously - no matter how gorgeous they are.

6. We can dance with trannies or effeminates, but we never let them touch us. Physical needs command that we seek someone tougher.

7. Therefore, what we seek are the masculines. It doesn't matter if they are goodlooking so long as they have this "animalistic" appeal that we seek.

8. We can dance the way we want, but always put in mind never to take one's clothing, no matter how addictive it is to show one's muscular advantage after a year in the gym.

9. We never talk. We never say "hi," "can we dance," or "you're cute" to get one's attention. Instead, we dance, we look at someone's eyes, we smile and we hold hands. We let them strike first.

10. We never dance with someone who tags his girl friend along the bar, and we never steal guys who already found a partner. We do not want the same crushing situation happen to us.

11. A bottom will always rub their butt against your crotch, while a top, would be glad to rub their crotch against yours. Turn your back from them and they'd be doing a frottage in an instant.

12. Remember that our sole reason for having a solo-flight night out is for us to feel. We can grope, squeeze, dance closely, lean on someone's shoulder and even kiss torridly so long as the partner deserves our affection. We long to be sexual, but rules apply that we can never be.

13. We never entertain people who wants us "to go."

14. After all acts of intimacy has been performed, do remember never to tell one's true name. We never give out our number no matter how promising the prospects are. One worry is enough.

15. Lastly, we never flirt with the taxi driver going home. Such disgraceful act destroys our ego.

These are the rules we must abide. Remember that all we have is just, but a borrowed night.


Yours truly,


The Grand Executor,
Darkstar.

Friday, August 15, 2008

False Alarm

At 61, she should retire, and focus her attention to the concerns of home. But passion runs through her veins, and despite our desire to let her slow down, to do so will weaken her reason to live.

So we let her teach, and take loads of extra subjects in school. To be surrounded by students is her life. As long as her passion will not wilt her, mother may have her way.

But we were wrong. The stress that she takes from work and from other things that does not involve familial concerns had become too much for her body and mind to bear. It resulted to different afflictions of the spirit wearing her body gradually.

This is the cause of her sickness.

I woke up at past 1 today to take advantage of my day off. The sun was up, my room was intensely hot and dried saliva had already left a white patch on my pillow. The moment I got out of bed, my first act was to check my mom who I found lying on her bed. She had just taken a bath and was preparing for the visit to the doctor. Her slow arm movement and sagging face showed her fatigue. It's been three days since she had a decent meal and the thought of hospital had only made her feel uneasy. Check-up was at 3 pm and after receiving some nagging from her, (for getting up late) I went down to eat lunch and take a bath so I can accompany her to the doctor.

In the cold, dimly lit corridor of the Manila Doctor's Medical Arts Building, we waited for her name to be called. The receptionist at the consultant's office was a butch lesbian. She wore a brown polo and a blue jeans, which made her appear more of a bodyguard than a doctor's secretary. Despite her brute appearance, she seemed accommodating. However, her resolve to put rules ahead of compassion made her look stiff and bare - like the four-walled office of the Gastroenterologists.

Mother felt uneasy despite my half-brother's presence. I tagged him along so that when she asks me to buy her needs elsewhere, someone would stay behind. While buying her Gatorade from 7-Eleven a block away from the building, she texted me constantly.

"Anak bilisan mo. D2 na dr. At saka prng su2ka ako." I was still smoking downstairs.

"Anak png 2 n psyente sa loob." Don't worry ma, you can count from one to ten and I'd be there before you say eleven.

Truth is, I never felt my mom so vulnerable. She wanted me near, no matter how I comforted her with folk music playing from my Ipod player that I let her use while I was away.

Finally her name was called and the doctor instructed her to come in. Interview was done to find out the cause of her problem.

"Masakit ba ang tiyan mo?" The doctor asked, as he reclined from his chair. Smiling.

"Medyo doc. Feeling bloated po siya."

The interview went on. At first, mother's story proved too confusing for the doctor to comprehend. Who can blame her, she's simply worried about her condition. However, the doctor's assuring words (and his ability to piece a story together) made my mom more comfortable. In the end, the confusing story gave way to a question and answer portion between the sick and the healer.

"Ilang gamot ang iniinom mo?"

"Mga pito po." Mother stated all her medicines - for her heart, diabetes, arthritis and even the food supplements that she takes everyday. She even took the piles of drug prescription from her bag to convince the doctor that what she's telling is believable.

The interview took around 30 minutes to finish. There was a medical assistant - a resident from one of the doctor's classes who listed down all my mother's complaints as she sat beside the doctor. Before the doctor declared his verdict, Mom was asked to lie down on the couch to check for her blood pressure, while the doctor continued to ask questions which are now directed to me.

[Thank you Doc Magsasaka for the information about the career background of my Mom's doctor. It was an icebreaker.]

"Based from my physical findings, there are several possible causes of your stomach problem madam," the doctor concluded. His verdict gave hints that my mom's condition should not be a cause of alarm. .

"Everything seemed normal and since you complained of other pains that are not connected to your stomach, it appeared that your affliction is stress-related." The moment I heard the words 'stress-related,' a breathe of relief comes off my chest. Meanwhile, my mother's reaction to the pronouncements bordered on puzzlement. She cannot understand why everything appeared normal, when she had always thought that her condition is very serious.

It turned out that the culprit to her constant vomiting was acid gas produced by her stomach. She has always been pestered by hyper acidity ever since we remember. Though the doctor did not cross out the possibility of other, more serious causes, we decided that it would be best to observe my mother's condition for a week before invasive examinations be performed on her body.

On our way home, she admitted that the doctor might be right about one thing. Her stomach problem might probably be related to the stress she's getting from our family business. You see, my dad was heavily indebted when he died. Years after his passing, some of those he owed money still hounds us by casting their eyes on our Sikyu business.

The Sikyu is what keeps our house afloat and to lose this source of income is my mother's biggest nightmare.

"Don't worry Ma. If the business gets into trouble, I wouldn't mind having a second job to keep us afloat." I assured her. It was the same reason when I decided to seek employment elsewhere. I could not afford relying on our family business since its long term survival remains in question.

We arrived home relieved that the check-up didn't end up in a hospital confinement. Thick rain clouds hovered above us, the neighbors were taking down their laundry from the sampayans and the house pets - the dog and the cat showed up near the door to greet my mom's return. Mother remained visibly weak, but no doubt, she was satisfied that everything ended well for all of us.

As the dust of uncertainty somehow settles, my mother's condition remains under close observation.

It is the same uncertainty that drove me back to my hidden sanctuary in Katipunan.

the Santa Clara.

---

"Sa piling ng mga puno, ang ulan ay nagbibigay buhay sa mga uhaw na puso."

- Mugen to Wanderer


Uyayi

Martes ng gabi nang ako'y dumating sa bahay. Unang bungad sa akin ng kasambahay ang balitang maagang umuwi ang aking nanay. Masakit daw ang ulo at tiyan. Lahat ng kanyang kinakain ay sinusuka simula hapon pa lang.

Akala'y nasira lang ang tiyan kaya't ito'y pinagwalang-bahala naming magkapatid. Nang sumunod na araw, masama pa rin ang pakiramdam ng ina. Masakit pa rin ang kanyang ulo, at dala na rin sa patuloy na pagsuka ng kanyang kinakain ay mapapansin mo na ang kanyang panghihina. Dahil sa payo na rin ng doktor na tiyahin, nagpasiya kaming pagpahingahin na lang ang maysakit sa bahay. Hassle rin naman magpatingin sa ospital lalo pa't hindi rin namin alam kung kaninong espesyalista dadalhin ang pasyente.

Kinagabihan ay nagtext ang aking kapatid. Umuwi daw ako ng maaga sapagkat patuloy pa rin ang pagsusuka ng aming nanay. Habang ang jeep na aking sinasakyan ay matuling binabagktas ang kahabaan ng Shaw Boulevard, ang diwa ko naman ay lumilipad patungo sa mga sitwasyon na aking kinakatakutan. Tulala, dumating ako sa bahay na gutom at walang ganang kumain.

Matapos maglinis ng katawan ay dumiretso ako sa kuwarto ng aking nanay. Nakahiga siya sa kama. Matamlay ang kanyang mukha at paudlot-udlot ang pagsasalita. Sa kanyang tabi ay ang aking kapatid na nagbabantay sa kanya. Mata niya'y nakatuon sa TV, subalit gaya ko, marahil ang diwa niya ay pumapainlanlan ring sa ere.

Upang madistract sa aming kinakaharap na pangamba.

Hindi kasi kami sanay sa ganitong sitwasyon.

Simula kasi pagkabata'y laging ang nanay ang naroon sa tuwing kami ay magkakasakit. Ni minsan ay hindi namin siya nakitang ganito kahina o sumusuko sa karamdaman sapagkat dapuan man siya ng lagnat o sipon ay pinipilit pa rin niyang maging matatag upang kami'y hindi mag-alala sa kanyang kinakaharap. Ni minsan ay hindi ko narinig na kanyang sinabi na "hirap na hirap na ako..." bagkus ay lalo siyang nagiging palaban lalo pa't kami ang magbibigas ng ganoong mga kataga sa kanya sa tuwing kami ay nagkakasakit.

Sa kanyang sitwasyon ay lumilitaw ang aming kahinaan anuman ang gawin naming pagiging matigas sa kabila ng kanyang sitwasyon.

Ang unang hinala ko ay Food Poisoning. Nabasa ko kasi na kapag ang isang tao ay nagsusuka ng kanyang kinain ay ibig sabihin nito ay may nakain siyang hindi maganda. Ang suspetsa naman ng kapatid ko ay side effects ng gamot na kanyang iniinom para sa sakit sa balat. Ito rin ang hinala ng duktor na kapatid ng maysakit, sapagkat anumang suka ang gawin ng nanay ko ay hindi ito nilalagnat. Hindi rin naman nanakit ang kanyang tiyan, maliban na lamang kung siya'y gutom na gutom na't kailangan na kumain kahit kaunti.

Kaninang tanghali, gumising akong payapa ang isip at magaan ang katawan. Ito ay sa kabila ng magdamagang puyatan upang bantayan ang aking nanay habang siya'y nahihimbing sa kanyang higaan. Dala ko ang ala-ala ng mga yakap ko sa kanya kagabi, pati na rin ang pagkukumot at pag-aassure na anuman ang mangyari, handa kaming mag-alaga sa kanya. Sa pagbangon sa kama, una kong tinungo ang kanyang kuwarto. Siya ay nakaupo sa tabi ng kama, nakangiti at tila walang karamdamang dinadala. Pinagmamalaki rin niyang hindi na siya nasusuka at higit na marami na ang kanyang nakakain.

Masaya akong pumasok sa trabaho sa paniwalang tuloy-tuloy na ang kanyang paggaling. Pati sa pagsagot sa aming mga kliyente ay makikita ang aking sigla. Noong mga nakaraang araw kasi ay tila ba ako pa ang may kailangan ng payo't pakikiramay at hindi ang mga text users na pinagsisilbihan ko. Sa buhay kasi na pinili ko, kailangan kong maging optimistic, anuman ang dikta ng damdamin sa akin.

Maayos na sana ang lahat. Handa na nga sana akong makipag-inuman kina Mami Athena, matapos itong imbitahan ng aming boss. Subalit, isang oras bago matapos ang trabaho, nakatanggap ako ng text message galing mismo sa aking ina.

"Anak uwi ka maaga. Skt pa rin ulo ko at tiyan. D makakain pero d na nagsusuka."

Makaraan ang isang oras matapos akong makarating ng bahay. Bumalik ang kanyang karamdaman...

Nagpasya kaming magkapatid na bukas ng umaga, ipapasyal ko na ang aking nanay sa doktor.

---

-tobecontinued-

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Deceived

From the Eraserheads Mailing List
Courtesy of Exgroupie


---

Dear All,

I wish to inform everyone that we have confirmed in media today that the Eraserheads will be performing in a one-night only event as part of our Marlboro Red Nation promotions which we have been running for the past two years for our adult smokers. The event will be held on August 30 at the Bonifacio Global City open grounds in Taguig City.

PMPMI supports regulation of the manufacture, marketing and distribution of our products. This is why we supported the passage and implementation of the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.

The event is permitted under the provisions of the law related to promotions. The Eraserheads performance is not a form of sponsorship which is not allowed by the law. PMPMI's participation in the event is not as a sponsor, but as a promoter.

This is an invitation only event, restricted to adults and not open to the general public. Invites to our adult smokers will be distributed exclusively through an age-restricted website which is also permitted under the law. Invitations will also be reserved for our trade and business partners, and selected adult guests.

We acknowledge the interest the event has generated and we will strive to keep everyone updated on the developments.


Best regards,

Chris Nelson
Managing Director, Philip Morris Philippines

---

Unfair.

Why do Phillip Morris have to put up a concert where only a few, selected souls could see a legend reunite and perform live on stage? Why do a tobacco company come up with such a very exclusive promotion, when in fact, their idea might go down in history as the concert of the century?

I simply could not understand why.

I do not even know what purpose such concert would serve when it would not generate enough profits to cover the talent expenses of the performers.

However, my research in Google reveals that Phillip Morris is facing charges from market forces and also from the government for their plans to have an Eraserheads Reunion Concert at the end of the month. It turns out that such move is against the law for a tobacco company is prohibited to sponsor an artist to promote their product.

Even if such event is by invitation only.

It's sad to think that after all the hype and excitement about the reunion concert, no one would get to see the performance in the end. The buzz it produced was so monumental, someone even posted a photo of the ticket only to claim later that it was just a hoax.

So many people deceived.

Despite my imminent surrender to the truth that I would never get an Eraserheads concert ticket, if the event push through despite the controversy it would generate; if Global City would indeed get bathed in spotlight on August 30;

I'd make sure to grace the event with my presence.

This is once in a lifetime moment that I must never miss, and I wouldn't mind sitting in cold pavement or abandoned in the darkness at the Fort's open spaces.

All for the simple reason that I wanted to be there and hear an icon of my generation perform as a group

maybe

for the very last time.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Respite

























Friday, August 8, 2008

It is easy to put words behind these pictures and I wouldn't mind foraging the ends of the earth for the perfect poem to leave lasting colors to these moments.

However, fluid thoughts run dry these days and I prefer the comforts of wordlessness to complement my newfound addiction to silence.

I would have said more, but I'm not ready.
Hesitation steals whatever fruit my mind bears.

However, to convey my deepest gratitude for sharing a pleasant afternoon journey, and for lending back your song to intoxicate our sober muses,

I give back my voice so you wouldn't be alone in your flowering.

Because as we tread the long road ahead; like during the plunge from the sky-clad mountains of Tagaytay back to the smoggy plains of Cavite, only the thoughts of a gleaming Manila Bay, which you could not believe yourself shimmering like gold dust beyond the rolling hills of Imus will make us remember everything.

Until the next time we see each other again D.

Salamat ng marami sa pag-akay.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Freewriting

This is an exercise. I need to do this so that I may regain my soul back. Pardon me if my thoughts are incoherent or my entry will show some grammar lapses for I intend not to edit anything from this post. I would just want to let go, and be as free as time would allow me. You see, I'm being assaulted by heavy emotions lately. Perhaps too much denial and avoidance had taken it's toll on me. I've been preoccupying myself with drinking and running around, that there are times I don't know anymore where I'm heading. I'm being swallowed by my own fear, which I try to keep hidden as much as I can. Am I making sense? I hope I am. I just want to write, but my creative bucket is almost empty. So what do I want to write? My fears? Nah. I just want to play around with words, because they seem to run away from me. There are so many things in my mind right now. I want to catch them all and put them in words but they seem so slippery. I think I'm messed up. My order is breaking apart. Am I dark and brooding? I don't know. I just feel heavy. Everything seems swirling that I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm sinking and I don't know who can pull me up. Last night I was so drunk that I was half-conscious when I arrived home. As a result, I'd declare a tactical retreat from alcohol until next month. I was throwing up the whole time, I thought my guts would come out of my mouth. I don't know what to write. I know that I'm incoherent. I feel weak, battered and to the point of surrender. Do I harbor deadly thoughts? Sometimes I do. Perhaps, I've sunk so low that I can already see death as a good escape. Don't get me wrong. I'm not suicidal. It's just that I don't care anymore when I'd be called. Promise, I won't read this entry like I always do when I post in my blog. Sorry for my heaviness. It's just that I just want to unburden myself. Hopefully, when the shift is over I'd regain my control back. It's just that when he says "I love you," I don't feel it anymore. I don't even reply to his sweet nothings for the sake of replying to it. What else do I want to write. Nothing. This is free writing so I'd say everything that comes to mind. It's a good exercise actually, incoherence, unorder. This is great. Maybe I have to stop now. I don't know when I could write again. This entry is written so you would know I'm okay. I'm struggling. Things are becoming quite challenging. But I've seen worse. I have to stop now. No need to read this entry for I won't read this too. I just want to feel and to know I can still write.

---

Freewriting technique involves continuous writing, usually for a predetermined period of time (often 5, 10, or 15 minutes). Writing is done without regard to spelling, grammar, etc., and no corrections are made. If the writer reaches a point where they cannot think of anything to write, then they write that they cannot think of anything, until they find another line of thought. The writer allows himself or herself to stray off topic, and to just let their thoughts lead them wherever they may.

on second thought, I'd read this entry so I would know what happens when my mood hits rock bottom.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Winner


7:20 pm

With clockwork precision, I made my way from Avenida to Quiapo amidst the teeming mass of humanity rushing to get home. I dodged beggars, swerved vendors selling pirated Dibidis and overtaken pious souls slowly marching towards the Basilica. It was a rush hour, and despite the human bottleneck at the heart of Carriedo, I put up a struggle just to get home before the opening ceremony begins.

The ceremony was spectacular and surprisingly devoid of politics. It showcased the Chinese culture, who invented fireworks, paper and bureaucracy. There were references to Confucius, the Tang Dynasty and the preservation of the environment for the children. Despite my initial judgment that the Athens Games had a stronger impact, the world had already made its verdict: The Beijing Olympic Games is the best show ever. The efforts of thousands to put up a well coordinated presentation had paid off. The Chinese nation must surely be proud of this moment.

What is sad however is that they allowed a single media company have a monopoly over the coverage of the games. I was extremely pissed off when I could not watch it live on CNN or BBC and had to rely on Solar Sports to see it last night. Since the coverage was monopolized, Solar Sports had to pay huge sums of money to have it aired in the country. In return, the local media had to overload it with so many commercials that I saw more product endorsements than delegates marching and waving proudly during the Parade of Nations.

In fact, the Philippine Delegation, where Manny Pacquiao was chosen to be the flag bearer only appeared for ten seconds. Had a spectator been channel surfing during commercial breaks, he would have miss the moment completely.

Despite the setbacks, it was fantastic to see how the Chinese told their story. The light and visual effects were enchanting and the focus on children and cultural diversity was something I never expected from the Chinese. It is arguable to say that everything was done to show a different face to the world knowing that their government has pending human rights violations. But late last night, amidst the song, dance and fireworks that lit the skies of Beijing,

It felt like the world was at peace.

And united by a single event that will go down in history as the best games ever.

---

Photocredits:

AFP
PDI
Reuters

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Olympia

During the Olympic Games a truce or ekecheiria was observed. Three runners known as spondophoroi were sent from Elis to the various participant cities at each set of games to announce the beginning of the truce. During this period armies were forbidden from entering Olympia, wars were suspended and legal disputes and the use of the death penalty were forbidden. The truce was primarily designed to allow athletes and visitors to travel safely to the games, and was for the most part observed, although Thucydides wrote of a situation where the Spartans were forbidden from attending the games and fined 200,000 drachmas for assaulting the city of Lepreum during the period of the ekechiria, claiming that the truce had not yet taken hold

- Wikipedia, Olympics


---

I have vague memories when the Summer Olympics was held in Seoul, South Korea in 1988. All I can recall is that it was held during the day. When the Summer Olympics was held in Barcelona, Spain, San Miguel Campo Carne was the main sponsor of the media coverage here in Manila. I also remember a flamenco dancer performing during the opening ceremony. I haven't seen the games when it was held in Atlanta in 1996. All I know is that it was heavily commercialized and many consider it a flop in Modern Olympic history. I shouted and jumped in front of the TV when the Koreans showed up with a unified flag in Sydney four years later. Thanks to YouTube, I was able to watch the opening ceremony held in Athens four years ago only this evening.

The Olympics is known for its excessive pageantry that showcases the nation who will host the event. It is a source of heavy economic burden for those who decide to undertake its hosting. I once asked my mother if we could one day hold the Olympics here. She only said "not in our lifetime." Now that I am old, I understand what she meant then. Despite these consequences, the Olympics is still an enduring symbol of a dynamic world held together by interlacing five rings that represents unity and diversity. Throughout the years, the Olympics is used for political statements (when countries boycott the games) and it paves the way for social upheavals to happen, such when the host nation showcases its economic supremacy to the world or when the host nation caves in to political pressure and changes to a more democratic form of government.

Tomorrow will be the beginning of another Olympiad, and this time, it is China who will be hosting the largest gathering of nations the world has ever seen. The opening ceremony hasn't begun yet, but from what I've seen in the news these past few days, problems have already made this multi-sport event a publicity nightmare for the Chinese government.

Despite the negative feedback from Beijing, I am set to watch the games tomorrow at 8 pm. With the Greeks gaining critical acclaim for having the best opening ceremonies so far, it will be interesting to find out if the Chinese can match an opening performance worth of their emergence in global affairs.





"Clepydra," 2004 Athens Summer Olympic Games opening ceremony. Nagandahan ako sa sounds, costume at saka sa gracefulness ni Eros kaya pinili kong ito ang maging highlight ng aking mga napanood sa YouTube ngayong gabi.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Orgy

At dahel ti-nag ako ni Mrs. Mel Beckham-Atienza at dahel inaabangan ko ang blog niya, sasagot ako sa meme na ito.

Instructions:
What you are supposed to do.
And please don't spoil the fun.

In short, 'wag kang nega! woot!

Click copy/paste, type in your answers and tag four people in your list. Don't forget to change my answers to the questions with that of your own.

---

(A) Four places I go to over and over:

office
diliman
eclipse
quatro

(B) Four people who email me regularly:

rapidshare
suzanne the lottery girl
tommy and his wonder pills
dr. bennie mandisi, regional director, bank of nigeria

(C) Four of my favourite places to eat:

kowloon house
kfc
bestfriend's tapsihan
kulang ako ng isa. bihira ako kumain sa labas.

(D) Four places you'd rather be:

iceland
batanes
boston
new zealand

(E) Four people I think will respond:

Ron
Odin
Luke
Lance

(F) Four tv shows I could watch over and over again:

invader zim
as told by ginger
yuyu hakusho
gto (great teacher onizuka)

That's all.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Kaladkarin

"Do you want me to drop you off somewhere?"

Tess suggested before she went inside the car to start the engine.

"You can drop me anywhere you want. I can get a ride anywhere. Where are you heading?"

I asked back while slipping inside the passenger seat of her car.

"In Makati, near Pasong Tamo."

Her twang was becoming more obvious, it felt like I'd be recoiling my tongue the whole trip.

"Cool. How about I accompany you there? We can continue our conversation while you're driving." I said smiling.

All for the love of God, all I ever wanted is a joyride.

The Book of Astrology tells that a Sagittarius loves to travel. You can bring him to places as long as his eyes will see something new. I for one believes in what was written in the book. Being an archer myself, I see every journey as an awakening and every destination merely opens a door to another journey.

The trees in Diliman were still singing hymns and praises after the Maroons defeated the Falcons in the UAAP match last week. Everyone was in high spirits, including J.Wendell Capili who even brought bags of Potato chips and bottled water in class just for the occasion. After the reports were done, class was dismissed early. I was in no mood to fly out of the campus with the sun still peeking behind the grayish-blue clouds. So I stayed behind to chill, and perhaps walk around the Sunken Garden which I haven't done ever since I enrolled in the university several years ago.

I was geared to having a solitary stroll, when suddenly, I bumped into a girl classmate who was about to leave the building. She was heading towards the parking lot across the street, but since her car's coding schedule falls on a Tuesday, she had to wait until 7 before she could leave the campus. With nothing else to do, I volunteered to keep her company. After all, it's always better to have someone to hang out with, rather than have a chilly evening all by your lonesome self.

We walked from CAL Building to Katipunan so I can buy a stick of cigarette. Our pace was as slow as a turtle and along the way, we talked about how her aunt died in a fire and the premonitions that happened before the accident. Since we talked about ghosts and other supernatural things, I confessed that my Third Eye seemed to be slightly opened these past few days. I've seen dark shadows disappearing behind thick walls and white silhouettes appearing in peripheral visions whenever I roam around our office building.

It was almost 7 when we returned to the parking lot. We could have parted ways, with me hailing a jeep that would drop me off in Philcoa. But since our conversation was becoming more interesting, (for it jumped from ghosts, to the Bangsamoro Issue, to the NPA's in the provinces and her boyfriend who is an officer in the army) I decided to stick with her as long as time would allow me. After all, rarely do I engage myself in conversations and rarely do I get to meet people who's interesting enough that they'd get me to open my mouth and talk for a change.

I grabbed her offer to drop me off elsewhere. To have a free ride in a brand new car and actually see different places is I think, one of the best things you can get for free. Apologies for my kababawan. The truth is I just miss wandering around the city without actually having to pay for a cab fare.

Going back to Tess, we talked about different things as she drove the car, that I never noticed how fast our journey was: In Katipunan Avenue, we talked about the merits of a country and why not all territories can be independent. She cited East Timor as an example and I had Montenegro as my specimen. Before we changed the subject, I mentioned Kosovo and its unfortunate fate of being suspended in mid-air while the world body debated on its existence as an independent state.

In Eastwood City, US Politics came up as a topic when she opened the subject of some Americans thinking too highly of their country. "The mid-westerners are so notorious about their patriotism, that they actually are xenophobic," she said.

"That is why there's no hope for the US when McCain gets voted to the office. But what can we do, the old guy is more American than Barack Obama?" I commented while looking at the skyscrapers across the street.

From there, the topic jumped to Philippine politics by talking about the recent survey where Joseph Estrada ranks second among the presidential candidates in the 2010 elections. I swear, for a minute or two, Tess fell silent as she drove the entire stretch of C-5 from Rosario to Shaw Boulevard. It was like she could not believe that the ex-president could get elected again. Sensing that the cold spell may last until we reached Makati, I changed the topic by going back to Obama and why I see Mar Roxas as the direct counterpart of the aspiring Democrat president in Philippine politics.

"Well, I can see in his eyes his idealism and vision that every other politician lacks these days."

"Agree. Well, I can live through Korina being the first lady."

"That's plain image building," I rebutted. "Would you really believe that a Mar and Korina wedding would ever be feasible in our lifetime?"

"Korina is a lesbo in disguise..."

I will stop there. The truth is, I had to reveal some open secrets that only PLUs know about our politicians. Even Senator Jamby Madrigal didn't escape my observations. Look at her as she speaks in front of the camera and you will notice how butchy she appears especially when the esteemed senator gets angry. Seriously, that lady has an attitude. She's a fighter. For that alone, I wish that she will get another term in office.

We arrived at the Global City where she drove around in circles until we found ourselves passing by the American Cemetery. For all the times I've been at the Fort, the only exit going back to Makati that I know of is Forbes Park. The wasteland beyond the cemeteries still belongs to the armed forces. To my surprise, there is actually a road that directly courses through the heart of the army base. If I am not mistaken, it's name is McKinley.

While Tess, at first glance is a fragile, mestiza plumpy lady. Her heart and soul belongs to the army. You can never blame her. Her boyfriend is actually a lieutenant in the Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas. As we drove through Fort Bonifacio - the real fort that is, she was pointing left and right to show where the offices of the army are.

"To your right is the intelligence wing of the AFP, while across the street to your left is the main headquarters of the Marines."

"Those condominiums you see below were developed by Megaworld. Half of them are occupied by the bugo-bugo's (PMA Alumni) and it was said that the parking there is so scarce, the homeowners themselves point guns at one another when one steals a parking space from another. As in, kawawa talaga yung mga guards jan." She chuckled as she recalled the incident while driving in the middle of the road.

Suddenly, a motorcycle swerved in front of us. It's driver was not wearing any helmet at all.

"Asshole," she grudgingly blurted.

"What can we do, he's in the military." I was making assumptions from his haircut and angas alone.

Finally, we reached the end of Mckinley Road and found ourselves about to cross the overpass leading to the airport. Below the bridge was the South Expressway, which we always take whenever my family visits our relatives in Paranaque. In all the years I've passed underneath the bridge, I've wondered where do the road above lead to. Does it have a dead end or it goes around in circles until the entrance becomes the exit too?

I only found the answer this evening.

"Alam mo Tess, after 25 years, ngayon ko lang nalaman na tatagos pala ng Global City itong daang ito. Thank you for the road trip."

At that moment, I felt like a kid who had just discovered another geographical mystery that has been hounding me for years. Ever since I could remember, I'd pay close attention to the names of places I see in the maps of Metro Manila to the point that I'd never get lost wherever you throw me. Perhaps, just as Tess has her passion for the Armed Forces, my heart beats in every joy rides where I'd discover new roads and places that open my eyes to a much bigger world. For someone who rarely goes out of the city, this is the closest thing I've got to what others call a long-distance travel experience.

The road trip did not stop near the overpass. Instead of Tess turning right to Pasong Tamo, she drove all the way to NAIA Terminal 3 just for me to see the new airport. She also wanted me to see the Air and Space Museum of the Philippine Air Force, where our obsolete fighter jets are on exhibit. Sadly, I was so giddy the whole time that I forgot to take pictures before we headed back to Makati.

The road trip from Diliman to the NAIA terminal took around an hour. We passed through five cities driving through one main artery. I don't know how much liters of gas it cost her. I just hope that the conversation and the companionship was enough to pay for all her troubles of touring me around.

She dropped me across her apartment near Don Bosco. Her place was big, it seems she comes from a very wealthy family.

I could have hailed a cab going home so I wouldn't appear like a total freeloader. But it seems I haven't had my fill yet. I needed to walk.

So instead of riding a jeep that will cost me P8.50. I took a stroll from Arnaiz to Buendia where the road trip ends and my journey going home begins.