Christmas Holidays - Pinoy-style!

You are a certified Filipino if you have done and observed (even ignored) the following at Christmas holidays :

1. On or before December 1, most of us already have a Christmas tree and "parol" (Christmas lantern) decorated at home.

2. Cram for the last hours, doing : gift shopping/wrapping, house cleaning/decorating, menu planning and food buying.

3. Says "patawad" (forgive) to Christmas carolers, upon hearing the first sentence of Christmas song - it simply means I don't have few pennies to spare. Ouch!

4. Hear the Midnight Mass or "Simbang Gabi" in the wee hours of the morning from Dec16-24, with family or friends. Most religiously followed this Filipino tradition...albeit, some stole few minutes of sleep.

5. Realize that clients, bosses and colleagues (some friends and relatives too) are amazingly, amusingly and miraculously bit sweeter or kinder than the usual, when dealt with.

6. Have weekly exchange gifts of small and quirky little "somethings", such as "something long and hard" or "something that you use with your hand"; before the Company's Christmas party.

7. Overuse credit cards to take advantage of Christmas sale in different stores and malls.

8. Haggle more often or learn to haggle ...especially to those people who don't do as such pre-Christmas season.

9. Tend to forgive and to forget (not totally) people who pissed us off for the past few days or weeks...simply because it's Christmas.

10. Note that fruits have become extra abundant ! Though some are not in season yet...
they become astonishingly available in the market....be local or imported!

11. Use firecrackers during New Years eve...as influenced by the Chinese tradition that it helps to keep away the bad vibes of the old year.

12. Ignore and accept sudden price increase or overpricing most of the goods in the market, particularly fresh, produce and canned goods...with or without national/global financial crisis.

13. Forget all kinds of diet regimen...to indulge all the decadent foods that we sometimes eat and drink rarely in a year.

14. Plan for a big family reunion, going to provinces to celebrate holidays with family and relatives.

15. Make an effort that food/menu served on the table are extra special, particularly during "Noche Buena" (Christmas Eve) and "Media Noche" (New Year's Eve)...despite
the financial or economic constraints.

*** Actually, here are just few things that we practiced and observed every Christmas holidays in our country. Though some Pinoys still do such even when they're overseas. Some are good and some are bad or not-so-bad, simply because that's how we really are and how we accept things. Nevertheless, we never fail to realize and accept that Christmas is surely the best time of the year. Time, when we feel richest...because of the perks and bonuses; we feel ottest...because of hours in the salon and dresses for the party; we feel most sociable...because we get to see long lost friends, family and relatives; we feel most generous...because we always make sure that people close in our heart have a gift or even token to show how we love and appreciate them.....and the list goes on.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All!!!

War Is Over (If you want it!)

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!
Be Christian or non-Christian....
I wanted to share this very touching video to all of you...
Kindly click the link below.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8jw-ifqwkM

Close Call

It's been more than a week since I had my brush with Death; wherein I luckily and blessedly eluded.

My brother left for school when he forgot to lock the door. While I, busy with folding our clothes upstairs; did not bother to come down to check the door.

Less than five minutes, after my brother left...I felt a presence in our home...I thought it's my parents who went to Divisoria to buy some stuff for our home. Strangely, I realized that if they are really here...they would have called me, but they didn't. So I decided, to went down to check. As I took my first step down, I found a dark and tall man at the foot of the stairs. He's about to make his way up. Gasping, I asked him who he is and what is he doing in our house. He didn't answer. Instead, he ran. Realizing that he's a thief. I screamed my head off, calling the attention of my neighbors. I even shouted "help" and "magnanakaw" (burglar/thief).

As I reached the foot of the stairs, while him, at our front door near our dining area; he pulled a gun from his clutchbag. Then he pointed the gun at me....roughly with a distance of 4-5 meters away from me. Instantly, I stopped screaming...held my breath...and waited for the gunshot. My God! I simply stand in there and waited for the worst thing to happen...my death. I stared at him. After 3-5 seconds he went out. After few moments, I started screaming again. But I have difficulty of doing so, I felt my heart beating fast in my throat. Letting myself out of our house to see where he went. At this time, my 10 year old neighbor asked me what happened, I simply told him that a man who tried to break-in our home.

Despite of my warning, he went out to check. After a minute, he returned and told me that the guy rode alone in a motorcycle, registered plate numbers were covered. I went back at home to check if something's missing. Fortunately, there was none. It's a good thing that my parents valuables are locked in our cabinets which they usually carry the key with them. By this time, two of my neighbors asked what happened. Then I relayed what exactly happened. One speculated that this thief might have been checking our compound, days before he tried to break in at unholy hour; wherein most of the people are at their offices or school or simply at home taking siesta. Others said that the guy wouldn't dare to break in alone if he's not armed. They say I'm so lucky to elude such trouble. I waited for my parents to break the news and to recieve a lecture, much to my chagrin.

Strange...because all that happened I didn't cried nor resorted to hysterics (which I normally do). But there's a nagging realization and restlessness that can't be put to rest. I suddenly craved to be hugged to ease my nerves. Just a couple of hours, after what happened...my 3 year old neighbor, Kyle was playing with his toy car in front of our home (which he always does). I went to him and asked for a hug, which he did fondly and obligingly . No questions asked, which made me feel better.

Funny....thinking that if I died that day I wouldn't be able to hug li'l Kyle...plans, dreams, wishes and goals that could not accomplish or attain. It made me realize how I took life for granted...I could have been shot with almost negligible chance of survival. It's not yet my time...like what my friends said. But if it is...it would have been such a waste...for I wasn't prepared to die. So I guess, this will take back my drive for life that has been dampened in these past few years.

Another thing, to all people out there...this serves as a warning to be more cautious and alert with our surroundings. Always check the doors if it's locked before you leave the home. Never leave any valuables in places where it can easily be seen by visitors or passersby. Never, ever dare to go after an armed crook who just attempted to hurt or steal you.

I went to church to give thanks to Almighty God for keeping me safe and giving me another chance to live my life as He wanted me to. The lesson learned from this case could have been so costly. I have to prove yet how deserving I am to have this Second Life. I must have done something really good in my 30 years, that He appreciated...Thanks again, God!

Cheers to Second Life!

Final Goodbye

Suddenly reality knocked me out.

This is more wrong than right, I would never be a man's other woman...even if, for me he's "the one". With it, alarm bells rang in my ears...I pushed him but he won't stop, until I stopped responding and held myself stiff...he relented. Stopping for a moment, gasping for breath...he kissed my ear, then hugged me tightly; and murmured that I'm the one for him...It took him years that cost his arranged marriage and forced fatherhood to realize it. It's okay, I said to him, for I too, took me years to understand the reason why I can't have real connection with other men...because to me, he's "the one". I built him up so much in my mind and heart...that I never gave other men a chance to love me as I loved him. I think I have always known that, yet I preferred not to pursue it because it's downright unconventional. Besides, I'm so afraid of loosing the profound, real friendship that we have.

Summoning tons of my guts, I bravely asked him to stay...even for a while...before he left for good. He agreed. As we walked past the gate, passed the door, he reached for me and put my head in his chest, while buried his nose into my hair. My whole being quivered with anticipation. Then the inevitable happened.


(To be continued)

Popcorn Moments : Controversial Films

Here are some of my all-favorite movies that has been politically, socially and religiously controversial in my country...reasons why it was (and still is) more interesting to watch :

Kama Sutra - A Tale of Love - It was Indian produced, English language film. Set in the 16th century India, the story revolves around two women. Tara (Sarita Choudhury), a noble princess, despite of her royal status and privilege is severely threatened with Maya (Indira Varma), a palace servant girl, for having inherent grace and sensuality. Oftenly humiliated in public; Maya gets even with Tara, by seducing her groom, Raj Singh (Naveen Andrews) on her wedding night. But when Maya's treachery is discovered, she is banished from the palace in shame. Forced to wander through the kingdom, she befriended and fell in love with the court sculptor, Jai, who inadvertently unites her with Rasa Devi, the famed teacher of the Kama Sutra. Maya now begins a journey in which she will learn the full lesson of this timeless text.

Brokeback Mountain - Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhal) meet while lining up for employment with local rancher. When they were dispatched to work as sheepherders up on the majestic Brokeback Mountain, they gravitate towards camaraderie then to a deeper intimacy. At summer's end, the two come down from Brokeback and part ways. Four years have passed, both of them are happy to have jobs, marriage and children. They meet up again and in just one moment it is clear that the passage of time has only strengthened the men's attachment. In the years that follow, Ennis and Jack struggle to keep their secret bond alive. They meet up several times annually. Even when they are apart, they face the eternal questions of fidelity, commitment, and trust. Ultimately, the one constant in their lives is a force of nature--love.

*This film was directed by the briliant Ang Lee. It's not your usual gay movie, it's dramatically poignant - the actors are straight men, highlighted their craft by immersing themselves into the characters.

Priest - A young, handsome and traditional Catholic priest, Father Greg Pilkington (Linus Roche), arrives in a small English town to replace an older priest. Doing his duty as a priest; lies, deception, secrets and politics, slowly unraveled. The parish priest, gives a sermon with severe politics...and sleeps with his girfriend in the rectory. While him, a closet gay, he picked up a guy at a bar and become his lover. Suddenly, his world turned upside down when his teenaged parishioner confessed incestuous relationship with her father. Torn to keep a tragic secret in the sanctity of confession, and to help to stop such abuse. He must choose between his faith and exposing the truth, along with his confrontation of his own hidden demons.

*This movie was banned by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, and yet did it didn't stop 2 cinemas from showing this film. Outrage from the various religious groups, particularly by the Catholic priests were issued. As for me, this was the first movie, that I have seen two males French-kissing! Not to mention explicit homosexual sex scenes. Funny, I wasn't even 18 when I watched this...Its seriously depressing subjects, explicit sexual content, dark cinematography and superb character portrayal made this movie highly contoversial. You get more than your money's worth!

A movie that tackled a social taboo and made 12-year-old Brooke Shields a star with this controversial examination of child prostitution in turn-of-the-century New Orleans. Violet (Shields) is the daughter of a prostitute (Susan Sarandon) who works at one of the brothels in New Orleans' legendary red-light district, Storyville. One day photographer Ernest Bellocq (Keith Carradine) arrives at the brothel to take photos of the prostitutes and becomes fascinated with Violet, who is fast approaching her 12th birthday and a subsequent initiation into prostitution. When her mother moves to St. Louis in search of marriage and respectability, Violet determines to marry the much older Bellocq.

*Frankly, when I watched this film it made my skin crawl. No gory stuff here, but it's the free-spirited portrayal of a 12-year-old Violet that made 40+ Samantha Jones so outdated and girlishly innocent. This movie definitely sealed Sheild's place in Hollywood, albeit to

child exploitation.

Last Goodbye

"So how have you been?", is the first thing that I asked, after...what? three years since the last time I saw him. Great. He said. Yeah, great! I said to myself. Married with two adorable sons, owned a small business, expensive house and car. Sweet Life! "I'm glad" is what I responded. But honestly, I'm really not. Of course, as his friend, I'm glad that he's happy or seem to be. Surprisingly, he clutched my hand and said "It's an arranged marriage...My parents wanted me to marry a girl with the same religion as I have". Of course, I said to myself knowing him how he honored his parents' hardship in giving him the best comfortable life he has; he would surely bowed to their wishes. "Of course, I knew that...because you are not the prodigal son...and...So why the melodrama?", is my tease that made him laughed. But quickly, anxiety starts to creep in...I feel my hands starting to get cold. He must have noticed it, gave it a warm and firm squeeze before letting it go, then went on ask about my life. Our conversation lasted longer than the usual; we talked about almost anything as we finished the whole bottle of wine. Then I noticed, it's quarter to midnight; told him that I have to go home to get some rest.

He wouldn't let me ride on a cab, because he's taking me home...as a gentleman should. I laughed at this. I teased him that he changed a bit - for the better. "Of course, I'm gentleman. As my friend, you should have known better.", he retaliated. Stealing a glance, while we drove along the highway.... I realized that he hadn't changed much for the past few years. Same warm, deep-set, dark-brown eyes, that smoldered when angered and lit up when amused. Same firm, broad shoulders that I used to leaned to. Same gentle hands that warmed my own when cold. Same firm and gentle lips that...What the hell am I thinking!

Leaning back as I closed my eyes, and think. For the past seven years, we've been seeing on and off. He's been a friend...of sorts...with little benefits...but that's all. No dates really, we simply hanged out. Talked, discussed and argued about anything and everything - while enjoying pasta, talking over the phone, sending emails and text messages. He's been (sort of) a man in my life...he's my gauge or standard to other guys I dated...and the reason why I'm ...so being freakingly and silently torn!

I must have dozed off for I didn't noticed the car has stopped. We're here, he said. As I slowly opened my eyes, his face is just inches from mine...and did what I hoped and feared. Lingeringly, he touched my lips with his...and slowly opened my mouth and again, closed my eyes. Loving the little shivers in my spine as I reclined to yield his weight. Gradually matching his ardor, I pondered if the night would really end up like this. He's leaving the day after tomorrow to be with his family...and probably would take a lifetime to see him again. If, and only if, we would ever see again. As I see it, this is our farewell..closure of some sort. Adeui to our conversations, laughs, jokes, tears, arguments...friendship...love? He never said he loved me...neither did I to him. The times we discussed about love...is that what we feel for other person. We were quite cautious to use the word love in our conversations. Oftenly, he called me love, sarcastically; when our discourse turned sour, either because I'm too stubborn not to let him win or too upset to listen to his logic.

Suddenly reality knocked me out.

TBC..

Women In My Circle

An old friend sent me this email...which explains how women valued friendship at different stages in her life...

When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of one best friend, and then I started to become a woman. And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up, God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.

Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom.

Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.

One friend will say let's pray together, another let's cry together, another let's fight together, another let's walk away together.

One friend will meet your spiritual need, another your shoe fetish, another your love for movies, another will be with you in your season of confusion, another will be your clarifier, another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life, on whatever the occasion, on whatever the day, or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back, or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself .. those are your best friends!

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, but for many it's wrapped up in several... one from

7th grade, one from high school, several from the college years, a couple from old jobs, several from church, on some days your mother, on some days your neighbor, on others your sisters, and on some days your daughters.

Accent Accident

Amusement or laughter could be such a great relief from all the stress and pressure, we deal on a daily basis, be with your boss, clients and colleagues. Here are some stories that made me remember why our English teachers are so nitty -gritty in getting our word enunciation right...



Real Estate Company
As I answered the phone after a couple of rings :


Me : Good Morning! (my department)
Caller : Good Morning Ma'am, may I speak with (my colleague)?
Me : I'm sorry, she's not around. Would you like to leave a message for her?
Caller : Ma'am, could you please take down these ten numbers.
Me : (Surprised) Ten numbers of what? Jokingly I teased...Hey! are you betting for lotto?
Sorry girl...you dialed the wrong number.
Caller : (in Tagalog) Ma'am...these are the ten numbers given by our client for the completion
of Mr. X's requirements...so that we could get our commission.
Me : (Suddenly understanding what she said, and tried my best not to laugh) Ok..I'll get Mr. X's TIN (taxable income number) # to be given to Miss (my colleague)

That gave me a short laugh...to keep me sane for the rest of the day!



Singapore MRT Station
I was with my three colleagues (2 Singaporean and 1 Filipino), waiting for the train to arrive; while one of my Singaporean Chinese colleague, raved this "yummy spicy chicken wings" that she ate yesterday at the nearby mall. Unfortunately, she forgot the name of the restaurant ...

Me : Really?! At what floor?
Colleague 1 : Floor ? What do you mean floor?
Colleague 2 : I think she's asking what kind of flour, they used.
(I am about to open my mouth and say... Floor? I mean what level, when Colleague 1 quickly answers)
Colleague 1 : Yeah, flour? I don't know what kind of flour they used, but it's sure really good!

As I am about to explain my question, my Filipino colleague gave me the look. A kind of look that says "Don't sweat on it...let it slide". So I reluctantly relented..and said "I see".

Poem

An old beloved friend surprised me with a simple and hearth-felt gift for my birthday...a poem by my name. I hope you're happy wherever you are......

Many people may come and go,

But you're the one I can't let go.

From you, I learned to be true

And be myself as far as I want to

A lot of moment, we spent together

we laugh often and seems we don't care.

We shared our deepest thoughts

even the things that are hard to cope.

Just remember the time we first met

You're so quiet and shy.

But when I tell you some crazy stuff

you shared your smile and it won't stop

And sometimes I wonder why we met

You are true and I like the way you do.

And realized we had a common denominator

that no one can control.

Love is what I feel

For you, who's been so dear.

Your sweetness was so real

No pretention that anyone can bear.

Tongue Twista

Out of my boredom, while reviewing my English grammar... Alas!...my brain grinded and I have created these so-called tongue twista...Frankly, technically it may sound not much of a tongue twister...it may sound a bit of a short, quirky, poesy story...you'd be the judge!



*** Pie made luscious pies
for pie-lovers who solves Pi
Pie of Phi sees her
pies as a pie for a great pie.

*** Kate wait to loose weight, to

find a date on certain date.

So Kate ate on certain date to

loose weight which cost her
great weight on her health.



*** Shaker the Baker
maker of better, thicker creamer.
Order another flower for her
mother, who is her teacher.



*** Wise Weisse lies to wives of the wise,
who used their wiles to be wise as their
wise spouses, whom are not as wise
Wise Weisse thinks.



*** Litton from Mitton wears mitten, while
he eats mutton on a pile of
cotton and buttons.



*** Reaching crest
create zest to Cris
craze to Kirst and
curse to Craig.



*** Leynard wears leotard
is in jeopard with a leopard
who plays card in the
charred yard.



*** Gail carried mail to
sail away from jail.
With her, is a quail who always fail
to fetch a pail much more
her pair.

Simple Truth about Men and Women II

My friend's old email...and my objective observation concerning these matters :

RELATIONSHIPS - When relationship ends, a woman cries her tear ducts dry, yaks on her gfs, writes a poem, hit the bars, raids the shops at malls and goes on a beauty make-over in a month or less. Then goes on with her life. A man only reacts from few months to a year after the break-up (albeit hitting strip joints and dating different women). This is the 3am drunken call he makes to his ex : "I hate you, you ruined my life...Uh baka pwede pa tayo?"

PHONE ATTITUDE - A man uses the phone only if he has something specific to say : " Dude, basketball tomorrow. Gym. 7pm sharp" He delivers a short telegraphic message and hangs up after 6 minutes. Or simply texted messages to his bud with less than 100 charcacters. A woman doesn't need a particular reason to call a friend. She can be with her gfs at work, gym, home or bars almost everyday...and yet call or texted these same friends for hours.

HANDWRITING/EMAILS - Men's chicken-scratch handwriting gives us a headache. In emails, short message will do. Women's letters give men migraine : she uses scented, colored stationaries and colored pens. Red pens if she's pissed off or hints of breaking up. Blue if she's ecstatic. Black, if business-like. Emails : she uses a lot of smileys, fonts, and color.
Big, bold all-caps letters is a plain and simple warning of her mood :P

BODY - Women's magazines have a lot of dressed, semi-naked and naked women on their pages. While men's magazines featured only of naked women; for them, a woman's body is work of art (be made by God or revered plastic surgeons). For women, a semi-naked, well-toned man's body is okey; but a well-toned, stylishly-dressed, confident and good-looking guy is a whole lot more better.

VANITY - Men are vain. They their reflection on mirrors every chance they get. Women will check themselves out on shiny surface : mirrors, store windows, car/van windows, jalousies, tinted/clear glass doors; even in shiny and brand-new pots and casseroles.

EATING OUT - When eating out, men will each throw out large bills, to prove their buying power! No one has smaller bill and some unlucky guy would end up paying just so they can get the heck out. When women dine out, as soon as the check arrives, out comes their calculators in cellphones! Divides the bill equitably, and always do the math by checking the menus, discounts, taxes, payments and change.

Popcorn Moments - Horror Flicks

To all the movie buffs like me ...watching horror films is a sure way to spend your Halloween...albeit visiting graves of loved-ones offering prayers, candles and flowers; spending brief holidays with friends; and getting wasted on Halloween parties.


Listed are my favorite horror films that stole few hours of my sleep :





Sixth Sense - written and directed by M.Night Shayamalan. An astonishing journey of a troubled child (Joel Osment) who can see and communicate ghosts, with a help of a concerned and quite confused child psychologist (Bruce Willis).










Feng Shui - one of the top-grossing Filipino horror films, that rivaled other Asian horror movie hits. A cursed Bagua fell in the hands of hard-working and distraught housewife (Kris Aquino), bringing her improbable luck and numerous and mysterious deaths in the vicinity. Superb cast selection, makes the depiction of this movie engrossing to watch, nothwithstanding of shrieks and shrudder it evokes.










The Unborn - the first ever Thai gothic-horror film (dubbed in Mandarin and subtitled in English) I've seen. It focused on the difficult times of Por, a lowly dope thug; who happens to be visited by a disturbed, avenging soul who seeks for her help.

The Orphanage (El Orfanato) - classified as supernatural horror and directed by the brilliant Guillermo del Torro (Pan's Labyrinth). The movie centers on Laura, having bought the Orphanage where she grew up, for restoration and re-opening to help disabled children. There, her son's peculiar behaviour began and strange occurances happened, unraveling mysteries that threatened the peace she thought her family have.

The Eye - this Pang brothers-directed, Chinese horror film was such a big hit in Asia, that Hollywood aquired for rights to do a remake. A blind woman, Mun, recieves a corneal transplant from an anonymous donor that restores her sight. As she recovers, she began to see strange and otherworldly figures, that deeply disturbed her. With a help of her friend doctor, Mun began a quest will take her to a distant, small village in Thailand to discover, accept and understand her extraordinary sight is indeed a gift.

The Ring (Ringu) - filmed in 1998 in Japan, but shown here in Philippines four years later. Another Asian horror blockbuster copied by Hollywood and still not as good as the original (applause!). Tagged as psychological horror, my preference for Asian horror films started with this movie. The story centres around a video, which once seen causes the viewer to die mysteriously within the space of a week. TV journalist, Reiko is investigating series of strange deaths in the city...only to discover that the cause of it is watching the cursed video tape of vengeful ghost of Sadako, manifesting herself through cathode ray tube (TV screen). Series of frightening events that compromises the life of her son and ex-husband.

Till here ...and let your viewing pleasure begin. Happy Halloween!!!

Strip Club (Mis)Adventure

I have always wanted to go to a strip club. Don't get me wrong, this is simply out of curiousity. I'm neither a perv or a nympho. Actually, it's in my Bucket List, and I'm damn proud of it. Going there for me...is a milestone. Sure as hell, I always get the strangest looks and laughs ever when people ask me about it. But what the hell! It's just so happen that I consider myself to have an open-mind to all this stuff. It really irked me when people would look down on me when I want to do and see something out-of-the-ordinary things, people and ideas; for they have always thought me as "@#$%&*! Naive". Damn! I know myself...they don't so to hell with them.

Anyway, my colleague-friend and I promised ourselves that we'll have a blast by going the a male (of course!) strip club. So we asked around. Some of my colleagues - male and female suggested we go this this and that club because it's fun...great "show"...nice ambience...hot guys...no hard-core stuff..."good for beginners"..etc. A senior male colleague suggested to have a male companion just in case to guide us, never mind I said, we're big girls. So on the "big day", three of my female game colleagues and I hit it, we went to this club called "690", somewhere in Quezon City. We were in a taxi and I surveyed the area first. I said to them "This place is quite creepy"...I mean this is the only Club in the residential area and beside an auto-mechanic shop or talyer. Cigarette and balot vendors are lined up in-front of it. The Club's building is two-storey (with private rooms for sure)...looks like a big apartment converted into a club. No lights outside. You would thought it's closed. Nobody could get out. Thank God !. Manong Taxi Driver was kind enough to ask the security guard for some info. He returned after few minutes, he said that the Club owner changed its name because of police raid a month ago and the show is about to begin...at 9pm. I have a bad vibes of this Club so I suggested to the girls we could look for another one. They readily agreed and off we go. Then as we drove to Timog Ave., Manong Driver liberally suggested some Clubs...some are phony salon...nice resto w/ private shows upstairs...discreet KTVs (I heard that the more discreet clubs have the more hard-core performances). I'm not into such (yet)...I'm a girl..not a gay looking a paid quickie!

Finally, we settled to this notorious club near the prestigious network. Funny, we are the first customers...at 9:15pm! No shows yet they're just setting up for the show. I got a seat from the back; when Angel ,the youngest of us, complained. "Ate, we are not seating at the back, we came here first so we're seating at the front!". Okey then, I said. After changing seats, I noticed other people are pouring in. Surprisingly, I'm expecting bunch of gays, but most of them are girls/women. Some of them, I think are in their teens, others are same age as ours...and of course our tita's or mom's "classmates". Interestingly, I noticed the categories of their customers :

1.Corporate crowd - office workers of women and gay/s that includes their gallant and wild bosses (Dutch treat!)
2.Expats exposed - foreigners usually hush-hush gay businessmen, some brought their local assistants
3.Family pack - most interesting of all, all-female crowd of sisters,cousins,aunts...with a close friend and family driver tagged along..most are balik-bayans.
4.TransFilipina - transvestites looking for their kind of fun.
5.Village People - Macho, macho men! Yeah they're so buffed up, some are more buffed than these strippers.
6.Oldies - mostly elegant and distinguished gentlemen(gays!) and women, bigwigs in the corporate world. They are usually regular patrons and always opted for VIP rooms.
7.Certified Rookies - (Gay and Straight) Men and women who went there simply for experience-sake (like me!). Some are coming-out of the closet gays to test or prove their sexuality.
8.Rich Kids - with money to burn these sophisticated group of friends (mostly women) are just looking for little paid flirts, smooch, caress or more to amuse theirselves for a while

The guys - yeah they're hot. Some of them are aspiring actors and models, looking for big breaks. Or Japayukis (Hosto as they said) who just finished or waiting to renew their contracts. Funny thing, to me...they're prettier than me...sigh. Some looked like my lil brother's barkada, students I guessed. But all, most of them are fair-skinned - mestizos and chinitos. I think less than five are moreno. Too bad, even here, colonial mentality prevails. Some are so proud of their tats...too buffed...too slim. To sum it up they have their signature looks...the bad boy, boy-next door, the officemate, the saint and the funny guy.

Another thing, is the music they played. Funny, the songs you sang in the karaoke or videoke...are their theme..for their sexy dance. I can't imagine a guy gyrating to Bic Runga's "Sway", but holy cow! They did! I was expecting Prince (like what Demi Moore did in "Strip Tease") or some electronica or techno music. Most suggestively touching themselves, others went all-the-way, exposing their package (they need to have a hard-on first at backstage, a friend quips). Some are so shy, they even do the sign of the cross before they danced on-stage (male Mary Magdalene?!). Very few are stoked to do their number. To my amusement, some have this neon-coloured underwear, that's quite a pain in the eye to watch. No strip tease as we expected...you know from fully clothed to no-clothes. My married friend has a trained eye, she told us that this big guy has a small package, that small guy has a big one...ensuing ribald converations or comments from us and near table.

A drink and entrance fee are consumable for few hundreds. Drinks, usually less than a hundred. Quite alright, since most bars operate that way. Food isn't spectacular...I know, this is a strip club...not a fine-dining resto...so I should have leave my sharp tastebuds at home but they could have done better.

So we finished our night with a lot of giggles and laughs...like schoolgirls we have our own crushes on-stage, prattling who's really hot or "gifted", deciding when our next "venture" would be. Little tipsy and more gutsy, as we hailed for taxi..thinking...I have one thing to cross out in my Bucket List. I could come back or not. But I did it...and opened my eye (yeah!) and mind to greater and meaner possibilities.

My Verdict: Alright for beginners like me..for an hour or two is okey..but we need to level-up...I guess a little chat w/ friends will ease the boredom... So I guess if going for strip-club is your thing...find another one. What we've seen is purely eye candy w/ a twist! Also, it proved the fact that women are better sexy dancers than men. harharhar!

Inspiration

My kind (and very generous) aunt gave me a treat - a week-long vacation in Coron and Puerto Princesa, Palawan. As I explored some of the places there, it's good to know that the local government is very conservative about its development. Thus, preserving its pristine natural charm. With it, I'm so inspired to capture it in my photos....


Tip of small mangrove forest at low tide.
















Rocky islets lead to turquoise lake.




A warning sign in the shallow dive site and a small patrol boat to guard their marine turf.















Thicket of trees and bushes covered these hills

The beautiful sunset by the seashore.




It is said to be the most photographed scenery in Palawan. No question why :)


How clearer can it be?































A white-sand beach below...and dense-green above...could be part of Heaven :)




Heaven indeed, for I plan to retire in this place...a very long shot, nevertheless.

Simple Truth about Men and Women

An old friend sent me this email years ago. I know to some it sounds so cliche, but for me it never fail to amuse me. To others, it's simply battle of the sexes...to me they're just plain and simple facts about us...and here how it goes:

MATURITY - Women take maturity faster and earlier. A 16-yr-old female can effectively care for an infant. A 16-yr-old male can make family dog drink Red Horse or Tanduay.
PHOTOGRAPHY - Men take photography very seriously. They shell out thousands for the state-of-the-art cameras and other equipment, and take photography classes. Women bought Kodak instamatics...and end up taking beter pics.
TOYS - Little girls love toys but outgrow them at the age of 11-13. When little boys grow older, their toys just got more expensive, not to mention silly and impractical - mini tvs,car phones,cell phones,air-soft guns,PSP,MP4,Palmtop...and violent video games!
DRESSING-UP - Women will dress-up to go to the mall,salon,parties,weddings,dates and even to the nearest sari-sari store. Men dressed up for Weddings.
TRAVEL - If a man goes on a 7-day trip, he'll packed up for 5 days worth of clothes and will wear some things twice. A woman will pack 21 changes of clothes because she doesn't know what she'll feel like wearing each day.
DIRECTIONS - A female driver gets lost, she stops at gas station,newspaper stand or vendor to ask for directions. While a male driver simply won't. He would ask his gf/mom/sis or female companion to ask the locals for directions. Worse if alone, he'll simply drive around for an hour or two trying a figure way out...not caring if he's wasting oil fuel...with a thought of "I have to get out here...ALIVE!"
HYGIENE - A man has 5-6 items (Toothbrush,toothpaste,soap,shampoo,razor,shaving cream-sometimes none) in the bathroom. A woman as twice of thrice as much...if so vain and very rich..close to a hundred maybe...Bath soaps,shower cream,shampoo(diff.variant),conditioners,moisturizers,facial wash,feminine wash and lotions of diff scent...not to mention some are bought,some are gifts or give-aways..be locally-made or imported.
RESTROOMS - Men use restrooms for purely biological reasons. Women see restrooms as social lounges. Men in restroom will not speak to each other. Women always check each others out. Even women who have never met before will leave restroom giggling together like old friends. And NEVER in history of the world has a man excused himself from a restaurant by saying, "Pare, i gotta pee, wanna join me?".
(bwahahaahhaahahahah!!!!)

MAN AND WOMAN...can't live with one another...can't live without each other!!! (*sigh*...true..true :P)


palm

Happy Birthday

When I was in my early teens, my little brother who just turned 5, made me feel like a jerk. How? When we went to church to pray and light a candle, for his birthday. I asked him what was his birthday wish. He simply said "Happy Birthday". Not satisfied with his answer ,

I explained to him that a "Happy Birthday" is just a simple greeting to a person who celebrates his birthday. While a " birthday wish" is more likely a request of something you dreamed to have, like new toys, new clothes or a trip to the zoo.

Then I asked him again "What's your birthday wish?", and assured him that it's
our little secret. He looked at me, with a little frown in his innocent face and said
"Happy Birthday". Stupidly and confusedly, I said "Don't you really have any other wish at all?". Exasperatedly, he blurted out "Happy Birthday nga eh! Ang kulit mo!"

Funny, this little boy made me feel such a jerk for not understanding what he really wants on his special occassion. In his simple and pure hearth, he simply wanted a happy birthday as his wish. What a shame! It didn't even occur to me that some kid (or teen or even adult) may have all the material things that she/he wanted and needed...yet they feel empty because the parents wouldnt be there to celebrate their birthday with them.

As we left the church, hand in hand, I said to him "Let's hurry to go home, they (family) are waiting for us. Don't forget Mommy made your favorite - spaghetti".

Then he stopped for a moment, looked up to me and beamed "Ate, happy talaga ang birthday ko 'no?"

Looking him straight in the eye, with a clearer mind and a hearthfelt smile, I said "Syempre,

kaya nga Happy Birthday, eh!"

And off we go excitedly.

Not all Oldies are Goodies!

I just got home from a very blissful week in Palawan. Wherein everything is great - beautiful sights, wonderful sound of nature, delicious and healthy food and warm people. Some of the sights are nominated for the World's Wonder of Nature like the majestic Tubbattaha Reef and mysterious Underground River. I can't help but fell for it and made a promise of coming back to the places I've been....in short it's perfect...well, almost. I guess, it's really true the nothing or rather no one is perfect in this world.

On a group, composed of retired couples , students, 2 German guys and me, toured to see the Underground River, we spent 2 1/2 hours of land travel and 15 minutes boat ride. Which I find very "educative" because I get to see the day-to-day scenerio of a typical Palaweño with some info tidbits from our guide.

The tour went sour, since our group were waylaid by a battalion of snotty ****** barangay officials and city councilors , in getting our boat ride for the "Underground River". Our names were already registered, when one of the "Oldies" arrogantly argued with our tour guide that their group ( for me they're a battalion...imagine 200 people wearing the "uniform shirt" with their City logo in it) will have to go first, before us. I just can't believe the nerve of this old man...and his constituents. Though our guide, defended our group's rights....his reason went naught. He went to us and briefly explained the situation, which some of us understand. It means we'll have to wait for another a couple of hours before our turn. I bet those German guys aren't exactly clueless, but simply went with the "flow".

A local Palaweño squealed that these "Oldies" are "Honorary Guests" of a relative of the local politician. Hence, the "First come, First serve" policy was thrashed because of damn pollitics. It made me wonder who really paid their expenses for this "Official Business". The Host or the Guest. Whose fund I mean? It never failed to amaze and amuse me that, we, Filipinos, politicize everything....even the most trivial matters. We breathe, ate and drunk politics. And of course it sucks! Some would think you're such a smarty-pants or a certified hottie if you joined this Game. With this kind of thinking, no wonder we're still a Third World country, tragically.

Anyway, these "Oldies" officials, are of course, as old as our parents or senior bosses. What a shame, most of them (about 70% of them) act or behave as if they were rowdy teenagers. Bickering, littering and smoking are what they did most of the time. Some of them fed the monkeys which is prohibited. Shared green jokes in a loud voice, even when kids of 8 or 6 were around. There was even one woman in her early 40s has a built in mega-phone in her vocal chords. I know that all of us are went there to see the sights, to relax and to have fun. But the etiquette of these "Oldies", simply flew out the window. I just imagined how they are and the office set-up if the were in their territory. One local tourist, quipped " My God, I don't want to grow old like that". Another one said, " I'm not sure if they should be respected, to think they were elders and government officials....I wonder how would they act if they are in higher position"

I was just pondering, that we, Filipinos, are taught at a very young age to respect the elders...aren't we? Such virtue is learned at home from our family, and in school from our teachers and classmates.

For these "Oldies", I think I could be courteous to them...out of Filipino tradition...to be respectful of the elders. For me, courtesy and respect are two different matters. Courtesy is a polite behaviour towards a person because of his position, authority and age. Respect is honor and appreciation regardless of age, sex, race, status and position. These "Oldies" are still worthy of respect, granted that they respect first "other" people around them.