Monday, November 8, 2010

Jonard A.K.A. James

What have I learned lately?

I haven't asked myself this in a while.

For quite sometime now, I have confined myself to the bliss of "married" life that I have forgotten there are still interesting people I could learn something from.

Take the case of Jonard AKA James. He's an entertainer in one of the gay bars here that I met through Phil AKA Venus, not the beauty queen but the fly trap, a friend from work. Phil has a handful of friends working at the bar, thanks to his frequent visits there.

We stayed there for a good four hours until the bar closed. It wasn't until after closing that we got to talk to James. He asked us if he could join in an after-gimmick alcohol hose down that Phil and I already planned before.

I thought James didn't meet his "quota" and as a last ditch effort to hit it, asked us if he could join, expecting something in return for the company he offered. I was right. Almost.

I was right to think that he expected something back from us but I never thought it was the monetary kind he wanted - He wanted understanding. For quite some time I've believed that his kind are like blood suckers, ready to suck (literally and figuratively) the life and money out of us hapless froglettes. I was wrong.

James is so different from the image I set in my mind about male Mary Magdalenes. For one, I thought all have ripped abs and nice toned bodies. He is well, uhh, ordinary. Just like everyone else, he has your typical Filipino height, color and built, and aside from and despite his physical attributes, he has his own points of views, opinions, ideas and dreams.

I admit that I'm one of those who look down on guys like James, but now, I ask myself: Why should I?

Just like me, he scribbles when he feels the urge to. Just like me, he thinks that the work he does is not really the one he's meant to do. Just like me, he feels discriminated, and most of all, just like me, he likes M2M porn! I know this is a lousy attempt at tickling funny bones but over and beyond this, he made me realize that he is just like us all - human.

So what have I learned lately?

I am but just a participant in the stage called life and I am not in the position to judge. You know why? It's because I am not a judge. I am like Venus, the beauty queen, not the fly trap.

I thank you!

Monday, October 25, 2010

I'm Back - May Maisulat Lang

Earlier, I was revisiting my blog. 14 na followers ko! Yey! 86 na lang sing dami na ng followers ng blogsite ng daddy ko!

Much Earlier, I was busy surfing the net for articles and videos on how to sew my own underwear (of all things).

Now, I'm listening to Brian McKnight's "6, 8, 12" na pinapaalala naman sa akin ang pelikulang "Jologs". Pinakita sa pelikula na no matter how everything and everyone seem to be different from each other, there's still that one connection that binds us all.

So ano nga ba ang connection ng mga elemento dito sa sinusulat ko?

Here: Yung gumawa ng video on how to make my own undies has her own blogspot account which then reminded me that I also have my own blogspot space that I haven't updated in approximately six months, eight days, and twelve hours.

Tapos umiral na naman pagka-senti ko going through the lyrics of the song. I felt like this is the perfect song that this online journal would've sung for me kung may buhay lang siya. Unang linya pa lang pamatay na:

Do you ever think about me?

Yes, I do.

Kung may buhay nga si blogspot ko, magtatampo din naman ako sa sinabi nyang

It's been six months, eight days, twelve hours since you went away

Assuming eh. I didn't go away. I won't go away kaya. Nawalan lang ng Internet connection!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Ang Aking Interview sa Miss Gay Barangay

Kaninang umaga ginanap ang preliminary interview ko sa aking pagsabak muli sa mundo ng promotion.

Naalala ko tuloy si Arnold, yung stylist ko sa Salon na pinapagpagupitan ko sa Maynila, noong una niya akong ginupitan.

Arnold: Sir, mukhang bago kayo ah. Bakit niyo po naisipang magpagupit dito?

Me: Kailangan ko kasi maging guwapo, para sa promotion.

Arnold: Ahh! kailan naman po ang biyahe niyo sa Japan?


Hindi ako na-promote. Pero after that, sa kanya na ako lagi nagpapagupit.

Going back to the real "promotion" I'm talking about. I am hoping that the interviewer saw the meeting as I saw it - Well. I believe (pageant na pageant!) that I was able to communicate well what my objectives were and what contributions and knowledge could I impart.

But then again, I am just hoping. I am not expecting. Mahirap na, baka ultimo sa barangay-level eh hindi pa ako manalo.

Friday, April 23, 2010

And the Winner is...

Miss India!

Nak ng! Isa na naman ako sa mga pumalakpak para sa mga nanalo. Sayang ang petroleum jelly sa ngipin ko. I didn't get pass the second round of interviews. Sa ibang paraan ko na lang gagamitin 'tong Jelly ko.

Ito ang kuwento ko. Ang istorya ng limang taong pag-aasam sa mimithing bituin at ningning ng pag akyat sa tinaguriang "Corporate Ladder". Mark Joe - Thank you girl. Huhu!

Kailan kaya ako mapo-promote? Kelan ko kaya maririnig ang cute at napakagandang pangalan ko na isinisigaw sa entablado ng trabaho?

No one knows.

When a door closes, a window opens.

Kakatapos lang ng Miss Philippines.

Di ako tanggap sa Team Lead position.

Kaka-pass lang ni Sup Jod ng Letter of Intent ko.

Buti na lang may Miss Gay Baguio.

Sana this time makuha ko naman ang korona ng Assistant di ba?

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Catching Up

Malapit nang mag-isang buwan nung huling magpost ako sa blog na'to. Mukhang mapapahaba 'tong post na 'to.

McCoi's singing White Christmas in the background. Right in the middle of summer. Parang gustong sabihing hintayin ko na lang ang pasko para sa susunod na post ko.

Sa 28 araw na hindi ako nakapagsulat dito, andami ng nangyari. Felt like I wanted to share a lot but I can't. Andaming pumapasok sa isip ko pero di ko alam kung saan ako magsisimula.

Gusto kong i-share that I'm proud to have helped reduce Manila's population density when I moved here in Baguio. Ayon sa Wikipedia, ang Capital ng Pinas ang may pinakamalaking population density sa mundo. 43,079.5/km2 would you believe? at least sa Baguio, 6,324/km2 lang.

Gusto ko ding ikuwento na masaya ako sa 4-day workweek ko sa trabaho. With it, I got to spend Good Friday sa La Union. First time kong makapag-beach on Holy week.

Nandyan din yung pagmamaganda ko sa opisina when I applied for a higher position when I'm barely qualified (tenure wise). I just had my interview. Nag-iintay na lang ng feedback o e-mail from them. Sana wag muna feedback. Gusto ko pa mainterview uli, pag feedback ang binigay nila, ibig sabihin ligwak agad ako sa fist round of eliminations eh.

Parang pagaent lang ang tingin ko sa mga job interviews at isa ako sa mga contestants na umaasam na manalo. Kaso feeling ko isa lang ako sa mga thank you girls. I have never been promoted, laging eliminated. Hanggang semifinals lang. Sana this time, I'd fit what they're looking for. Sana this time, ako naman ang maging Miss Universe nila.

Which leads me to think about Miss Venus Raj. I support her. She deserves the crown. She worked hard for it. She has the fighting chance sa Miss U. Sayang. Mukhang tama ang mga komentaristang badette na may conflict of interest ang head ng BPCI because she's Colombian.

And speaking of Badettes, naisip ko din na mali ang desisyon ko na wag magparehistro kase hindi ko maiboboto ang Ladlad. Gusto ko sila i-promote. "Equal rights, not special rights". Naalala ko tuloy itong istoryang ito:

An engineering professor is treating her husband, a loan officer, to dinner for finally giving in to her pleas to shave off the scraggly beard he grew on vacation. His favorite restaurant is a casual place where they both feel comfortable in slacks and cotton/polyester-blend golf shirts. But, as always, she wears the gold and pearl pendant he gave her the day her divorce decree was final. They're laughing over their menus because they know he always ends up diving into a giant plate of ribs but she won't be talked into anything more fattening than shrimp.
Quiz: How many biblical prohibitions are they violating? Well, wives are supposed to be 'submissive' to their husbands (I Peter 3:1). And all women are forbidden to teach men (I Timothy 2:12), wear gold or pearls (I Timothy 2:9) or dress in clothing that 'pertains to a man' (Deuteronomy 22:5). Shellfish and pork are definitely out (Leviticus 11:7, 10) as are usury (Deuteronomy 23:19), shaving (Leviticus 19:27) and clothes of more than one fabric (Leviticus 19:19). And since the Bible rarely recognizes divorce, they're committing adultery, which carries the rather harsh penalty of death by stoning (Deuteronomy 22:22).
So why are they having such a good time? Probably because they wouldn't think of worrying about rules that seem absurd, anachronistic or - at best - unrealistic. Yet this same modern-day couple could easily be among the millions of Americans who never hesitate to lean on the Bible to justify their own anti-gay attitudes. by: Deb Price, And Say Hi To Joyce


Maliban sa dami ng gusto ko i-kuwento at pag-usapan, andami ko ding gustong gawin na hindi ko naman masimulan. Hayst! Will someone let me teach how to prioritize?



Saturday, March 13, 2010

A Thirteen-year Habit.

25 days na lang ang taning sa akin ni McCoi sa paninigarilyo ko.

For the past 13 years, smoking has been my constant companion. In sickness and in health. Tama, even in sickness kasa-kasama ko si Marlboro Lights. Minsan, naiisip ko na nakakatulong pa siya sa quick recovery ko from cough and colds. With it, it'd only take me a couple of days to bounce back and be in the pink of health again.

Sa tuwing gigising ako, sigarilyo ang unang hinahanap ng katawan ko. Ganun din sa pagtulog ko, yosi ang huling karamay ko. Mahal ko ang paninigarilyo, at feeling ko mahal din nya ako.

I could still remember the first time I tried smoking. Pinapakita sa TV ang pag-ubo ng mga first-time users. Naalala ko din na ganun din nangyari sa mga barkada ko the first time they tried it. It was never the case for me. Nahilo lang ako. Hindi naging hard sa akin si Marlboro.

Aaminin ko, Love-Hate ang relasyon namin. Makailang beses ko na siyang pinagpalit sa nicotine patches. Dalawang beses na kasi niyang muntik sunugin ang kuwarto ko. Pero dahil hindi ko nalalasahan at mahal si Nicotinell, bumabalik pa din ako kay Marlboro Lights. High maintenance ang kabit. Low maintenance ang orig.

Labintatlong taon. Sa hirap, sa sarap. Sa lungkot, sa ligaya. Yosi ang naging karamay ko. Whenever I'm stressed, I smoke. Whenever I'm excited, I smoke. Whenever I can, I smoke.

Smoking kills.

25 days na lang. Malapit na akong mamatay...



...At muling mabubuhay.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Lipat-Bahay

These are the things I need to buy para sa lilipatang apartment namin ng asawa ko. Andami pa. Pero nakaka-excite.

KITCHEN
plates ( 6pcs max)
glasses
mugs
bowls
kaserola
kaldero
kawali
rice cooker
utensils
blender
fridge
water dispenser
vacuum flask


BATHROOM
timba
tabo
soap holder
mirror

BEDROOM
4 pcs unan
foam

SALA
sala set
curtains
throw pillows
bean bag/ottoman
TV/stand
DVD player


OTHERS
washing machine
hanger
batya
shoe rack
hamper
comb
bench
carpet
cabinet
walis
dust pan
trash bin

Am I missing anything?

Sunday, February 14, 2010

I Shouldn't Have Spent Valentine's With Him, But...

Wag ka na munang pumuntang Maynila.

Tonight we'll discuss the last major topic for the client...

4PM, February 12, Friday. Last day of the workweek. Babalik ako ng Maynila pagkatapos ng training. Walking distance lang ang Gov. Pack bus terminal mula sa PeopleSupport. Walang pumapasok sa utak ko. Must be because it's the last day of the week. Must be because of the Valentine's din. Ito ang unang araw ng mga puso namin ni McCoi. Ito din ang unang Valentine's na hindi kami magkakasama.

The class ended. It's time to go back to Manila to process the long-delayed exit interview with my previous employer. Our HR has already been bugging me for the clearance. I also need to confirm with BIR if the RDO code has been updated. I would be in the capital til the 15th. I have to head back to Manila.

Sa bus, balisa ako. Ayoko sanang iwan ang daddy ko sa Baguio, pero kailangan magtipid, tsaka hindi ko pa siya kayang makitang duguan at bugbog sarado mula sa mga hampas at suntok ng pamilya ko.

Kinalabog na ng kundoktor ang likod ng bus, it's time. At dahil mag aalas dos na ng umaga, halos lahat ng pasahero tulog na. Ako, naglalaro lang ng Tower Defense, nililihis ang isip sa maiiwang kapareha.

Di nagtagal, nasa Marcos Highway na kami. May mamang sumakay, tumabi sa akin. Di din nagtagal bumulong siya, may matulis na bagay akong naramdaman sa tagiliran ko.

Holdap to. Wag kang kikilos.

Napaurong ako. Sumabay ng inday ang mama at tinusok ang ice pick sa akin. Kinuha nya ang phone at wallet ko, tumayo, at pinaalam sa iba pang mga sakay na kailangan niya lahat ng mga gamit namin. Hindi lang pala siya ang magnanakaw. May iba pa pala siyang kasama na nauna ng sumakay sa istasyon.

Sobrang hapdi ng bewang ko. Akala ko wala nang mas kikirot pa sa ma-bottom.

While the thieves were divesting each passenger's belongings, I was writhing in pain, and slowly, my eyes closed. Flashbacks of fond memories came pouring in. I couldn't hear the commotion and panic around me anymore. Everything and everyone became silent.

Mark, tapos na.

Dahan dahan kong iminulat ang mga mata ko. Nakasisilaw ang liwanag.

Mark, tapos na ang training. Gising na. Si Yam. Batchmate ko.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Cynophobia

Isa sa napakaraming traits na gusto ko kay McCoi ay ang kanyang sense of humor. Sabi nila opposites attract. Sa pagkakataong ito, palagay ko tama ang kasabihan. Liban sa panakanakang corny jokes na kinopya ko mula kay greenpinoy, mukha lang yata ang may humor sa katawan at pagkatao ko. Bagay talaga kami ng aking daddy - term of endearment namin.(blush)

I like the way he delivers jokes. Laging may twist. One time, habang umaastang turista sa Burnham, we saw this typical-looking lady walking with her chihuahua na parang baby girl ang attire.

Ay, ang cute naman ng bitch... At ng kanyang dog! Insekyora lang pala ang lola mo sa may-ari. Hehe

Speaking of dogs, may kinalaman din ang mga aso kung bakit madalas magalit sa akin si McCoi.

Sa unang tingin, no one would notice na becky ako. Sa pananalita, maton na maton at walang bahid ng kabakleran. Pero iharap mo sa akin ang isang kumakahol na aso, and you'll realize, bakla nga ako.

Whenever someone behaves in a way we can't understand why, we brush it off but leave a comment like "childhood trauma yan" to at least explain why. At to some extent, tama ito lalo na sa kaso ko na apat na beses nang kinagat ng aso. Hindi ko alam kung bakit paborito ni Putol ang legs ko. Yung una ang pinaka-oh so memorable. Naaalala ko pa ang sakit ng crushed bawang na dumampi sa duguan kong binti.

Going back, bakit nga ba laging nagagalit sa akin si McCoi? For the last four weeks at 1am after work, he's been waiting for me outside the house kasi naglipana ang mga lintek na aso sa labas. May 1 time pa nga na hindi ako bumaba ng taxi kasi naunang mag-intay si River, isang askal na pitbull, sa pinto ng taxi. Naiirita si McCoi kasi hindi ko maovercome ang takot ko sa mga aso. Naiirita siya pero he understands. He wakes up middle of the night to save the damsel in distress - me. Kaya love na love ko daddy ko eh.(blush uli)

Moral of the story? Wala yata. Gusto ko lang i-share ang isa sa mga naiisip ko, ang Cynophobia. The irrational fear of effin' dawgs.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Greener Pasture

"Hello everyone! My name is Mark Joe. For the ladies, you can call me Mark, for the gentlemen, you can call me anytime!"

After four years working in Manila, I'm now back in the City of Pines.

Training for the client with my new employer started a month ago. So far, I'm enjoying the new working environment. There's less stress. Traffic's manageable. I could go out of the house 30 minutes before our shift and still arrive at the office on time, with smoking minutes to spare.

My current employer, Aegis PeopleSupport, made it even easier for me to decide to move back here since I'd be getting the same basic salary with my previous employer.

I may not be getting the same incentives and bonuses with APS, but I believe I'll be better taken cared of here. There's employee regularization! Yey!

So far, the only downside with working here has been the scarcity of eye candy. Proof to this was my new boss' similar observation. My new boss, BTW, is as pamin-becky as me. Baguio's still full of nice places to go to, but where have all the beautiful men gone?!

Even with the lack of nice masculine faces, I wouldn't trade anything for Baguio. Here, everyday is vacation day. And did I mention that I now spend every waking moment with McCoi? What more can I ask for?