At long last! Nakatapak din sa Vigan! woohoo!  That's 1 out the 20 places I wanna go before 40!  Sabi nga ni Kaye... pwede nang hindi bumalik! hahahaha (sorry for the negative ad here).  At least what we meant was not to have a repeat visit soon.  Probably, once I've exhausted my Pinoy list then I can go back. hahahaha.

How to get there from Manila?
The easiest way: walk in customer sa bus terminals.  There are several trips daily from Cubao via Partas and Dominion.  For ~Php 540 your on your way to Vigan!  By the way, road trip is about 9-10 hours depending on the traffic in Tarlac.

How to get around once there?
1_ by foot - say hello to exercise people
2_ hail a tricycle - short trips should only cost Php 10 per person.  Speaking from experience ito mga pare.  Tinaga kami for Php 40 for a short ride palibhasa we jus arrived from Manila and we don't know our way around yet.
3_ Calesa (the ultimate Vigan experience) - currect rate is Php 150 per hour per Calesa.  This week is their town fiesta so most likely, prices might jack up or something.

What's the weather like?
Surprisingly, it's not humid.  Probably that's the reason Hispanic houses were preserved over the century.  There's no much moisture in the air.  Its just me talking here folks (disclaimer), I might be wrong.  The sun is still burning bright and hot but the air breeze is cool. kewl di ba?

What to bring? (aside from your Vanity kit, personal meds etc.)
1_  a simple map of Vigan in order to identify where to go.  Vigan is practically a small town with parallel and perpendicular streets (in short, in a grid).
2_  Ladies and gents, wear comfy shoes for walking.  You don't want to wear heals or leather soles along a cobble stoned street.
3_  be sure to bring water while you're strolling around the city

Food?
Fast food chains can be found around the plaza, I'd rather save that as the last option though.

For the Vigan experience, well, there's Cafe Leona and Pizza and Pasta Place which serve dishes from Php 120 and up.  Pizza is around Php 200 and up (I think).

Delicacies are available at Tongson's.  A bibingka costs Php 7 per piece (box orders are available too).  Chichacorn at Php 20 and Php 40 (in different flavors).  Empanadita at Php 85 per dozen.  Vigan tsokolate at Php 62 per roll.  Tinubong, kalamay and suka are abundant anywhere you go.

EPL empanada costs Php 25 (special) and Php 5 (regular).  Okoy costs Php 25.  They're located at Plaza Burgos, right across Guess.  Sabayan mo ng softdrink!  Ayos!

How about the famous Vigan Longganisa and Bagnet?
Where else to find the most affordable ones... at the local public market.  Php 80 to Php 90 per dozen of longganisa.  Choose between small and big sizes and dried vs. bagong gawa.  Bagnet costs Php 300 per kilo.  Meat section can be found at the 2nd floor of the market.

How about souvenirs and stuff?
Calle Crisologo is the way!  Furniture, antique stuff, shirts, cellphone holder, magnet.  You'll probably find what' you're looking for along the famous cobble stoned street.

Accommodations:
We stayed at Gordion Inn for 3 nights.  Not bad, actually, bed and breakfast and free WiFi.  hmmm. :D
 
For more options for accommodations, check http://wikitravel.org/en/Vigan#Sleep

A few NDD calls won't hurt to ask about their rates.  Plus most hotels are a few steps away from Calle Crisologo.

What else to see in Vigan aside from old Hispanic houses?
1_  Old Crisologo House (which is now a museum)
2_  Burgos House (aka Ayala Museum)
3_  Bantay Bell tower and St. Augustine Chapel
4_  St. Paul Cathedral (Vigan Cathedral) and its 8 sided bell tower.  (We noticed that it bell tower is separate from the church itself, we wondered why but never asked anyone about it. hahahaha)
5_  Plaza Burgos
6_  Plaza Salcedo
7_  Museo Nuestra Segovia
8_  Paburnayan (clay pottery, which we weren't able to do since we arrived late in the afternoon)
9_  Hidden Garden (for the green thumbs and plant lovers)
10_  Baluarte
11_  Syquia Mansion and Quema House (which we never had the time to visit).

If you're the happy camper and full of energy, a day should be enough to stroll around the city.  For Kaye and I, we took our time: 2 lazy afternoons. Ü

You can always move to other nearby provinces if you want to maximize the trip.  Laoag is just and hour or two away.  Same thing for Baguio and La Union which are a few hours south of the city.

Overall, I think, my four days were well spent.  Now, I'm penniless.  Hahahaha.  Nex stop Corregidor and Hundred Islands!  Can't wait!

Picture layout courtesy of http://www.magmypic.com/

Today is my ninth day of my long leave.  I'm actually down with a cold.  I think I got it from my mom.  Despite of my current condition, I still managed to catch half of Body Jam class today at Fitness First Eastwood.  Oh yes, nakuha pang mag-gym ng lolo mo, hinihingal na nga pero go pa rin.  But after the class, a few pectoral pushes, I decided to call it a day.  Ang hirap huminga eh at giniginaw ako dun.

Went up to the 20/F to meet with Bunny, discussed some CeD matters and submitted my attendance report at baka wala akong swelduhin sa katapusan.

Then had an early dinner with Jeff, Kar and PJ at Pho Hoa (see separate review).  Actually  I wanted to try Ebizu but they were still closed, so was Shanghai Bistro and Pasto.  Kamus!  That's how we ended up at Pho Hoa, but still, it was a good choice.

Started heading home at 6PM but talk about rush hour!  My goodness.  Mabuti na lang hindi naman ako nagmamadali but my runny nose made my 15 minute wait, hell.  O well towel.  Ganun talaga eh.  Parang nung estudyante pa ko, kahit may sakit, kailangang bumyahe eh, wala namang maghahatid at magsusundo at kamusta naman ang matrikula kaya pasok pa rin.  Its like remembering what I was like before... before eTel and before being swamped with work. hahahaha.

Time for drama... syempre, ano pa ang babasahin kung walang twists and turn?
When I got home around sevenish... There she was... my free rider sister.  For those who dont know, I'm the HOF and my sister has been a bum for 4 1/2 years and she's 10 years older than I and my mom is a retired insurance agent.  No food in the table, nothing really moved around the house since I left this morning.  My mom has been busy (again) planting something in our farm (wow farm, parang ang laki ah, bakanting lote lang naman yun sa bundok).  My mom arrived at around nineish.  Going back to my sister.... wala talgang ka-kusa-kusa ang kapatid kong ito... bastos pang magsalita at demanding pa on food.  I handed over my slary to my mom for the bills et al (o yes, kaya ako naghihirap ng madalas eh) then she asked if I wanted anything to eat, she's willing to go out and buy Andoks for dinner and leftovers for tomorrow morning.  My sister simekindof a stormed to our dining area and asked my mother if she was going to eat and added that there were fried kanduli insied the fridge.  She was starring at us as if we killed somebody.  My mother asked her nicely if she wanted anything since she was planning to go out to buy food.  "Dalawang itlog" was her reply.  Nakakinit talaga ng ulo!!!  Anyways...  The reason I applied for a long leave was for me to appreciate who I am, what I have achieved and everything that is around me.  Hell no... eto nanaman po tayo... self ptiy mode.  Hayyy... You work your ass off day in day out and most of the time for 6 or 7 days straight then, being the youngest in the family...  I have to bear the cross of providing for us.  If you'r thinking, why not talk to her or tell her.  Walang epek mga chong...  isa syang bum na makapal ang balat period.  Well..... looking at the brighter side,  God has always been generous in providing what our family needs.  Not too much, not too little.  Just right.  My sister has been my some kindof a problem for years now.  I can't really tell if she's really mentally incapacitated (beacuse of drugs) or it was just her choice to be a total bum.  She can definitely make judgments of her own, complete tasks on her own, she can practically do whatever she want to do and she can also speak.  NagAWOL pa nga yan sa collections last year and had even worked with 2 call centers.  Pero yan sya... knitting day in day out for almost 3 years now.  Patience is a virtue and if I let it affect me, at the end of the day, it is still I that would worry more.  My future may not be as promising as I want it to be but a lot of faith, friends and love from my mother, I know I can definitely pull through.  Life is what we make it, no day but today.

Now, I armed with 3 more rolls of tissue paper for the night.  I just finished one within 9 hours, by the way.  A pack of lozenges, 2 big juice containers, guaifenesin capsules and good 'ol vaporub too will keep me company tonight.  Tomorrow's going to be a big day... hello Vigan!  Kebs kung may sipon!  Hello Vigan pa rin!

Nothing much really.  I'm already bored to be honest... so bored that I spent most of the time sleeping. hehehehehe.

Day 7
Went to the gym and attended Body Jam at the Fort.  Finally, I made it on time.  Its either kasi maago or too late for me. hahahaha.

After that, attended an informal talk by Fergus Crystal by the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines at the 3/F ROX.  I got to meet Michael Lu and Alice Villa-Real in person (whom I've been communicating on line about bird stuff and news).  See separate album for the coverage.

Had dinner at Pancake house in Eastwood then coffee with Ava at Metrowalk until 4 in the morning.

All's well pa naman.

Day 8
I slept the whole day but managed to read 2 chapters of The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren somewhere.










Now I'm wide awake at 1:32 in the morning, no commercial TV available.  what a bummer.  Anyhow, I was able to catch the evening news, Ugly Betty, Coffee Prince, Will and Grace and a few more shows from my back-and-forth channel surfing between 2, 23, 11 and 7:

1.  I'm wishing and hoping that fuzz between ABS-CBN, GMA and Nelsen be over soon.  Laglagan talaga pagdating sa mga balita, updates and even sympathtic commercials on air.  Whatev.  Now, channel 2 is facing charges from DTI about inconsistencies in one of their games at Wowowee.

2.  Candaba Marshland experienced an influx of migratory of birds this year numbering to 17000 compared to its 11000 record in the previous years.  According to the news, we have a new visitor, a Eurasian Spoonbill (photo courtesy of http://www.kenyabirds.org.uk/spoon-e.htm)

Spoonbills are related to ibises and are also, if I'm not mistaken, migratory birds.




3.  Got to watch Ugly Betty and I'm still looking forward what she will look like at the end of the story.  The American adaptation is based on a Latin American series entitled Betty La Fea that was also a hit in the country in 2002.




4.  Today I realized that I missed watching this series.  I remember in college, I used to wait for it every Sunday night before hitting the haystack.  I stopped watching when I started working in a call center.  Sorry naman, but at that time, I can no longer stand watching any American shows.  I had a good laugh watching the episode today. hahahaha.





Writing today's blog made me realize that today didn't turn out that bad after all. Ü

Had lunch at Hap Chan then went on wall climbing with Marce, Julia and Connie at Market Market today.  We were all first timers at kamus naman ang mga kalamnan ko ngayon... I have sore fingers and arms from today's activity.  Binalak ko pang mag-gym after na for obvious reasons, hindi ko na rin nagawa.  Oh by the way, I tried the wall 3 times, hanggang kalahati lang ang kinaya ko. sakit sa kamay eh. huhuhu.

We all watched I Am Legend at 3:50PM at G4.  See my review about the movie.  Three stars lang, sorry naman while sipping Biggie Ice Tea Lite.

Then attended the 6PM service at GCF.  Had dinner at BK and by the way, I bought another book. tsk tsk tsk... like this is my 3rd book and 6th movie for the past 10 days. thank you very much. bow.

pahnga kndn p0..gudnyt. Swtdrms. Ü

If you opened this, FILL IT OUT! Learn 50 things about your friends, and let them learn 50 things about you!

1* Do you like cheese?
- yes

2* Have you ever smoked heroin?
- no

3* Do you own a gun?
- no

4* Your favorite song?
- i dont want to miss a thing

5* Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
- no

6* What do you think of hotdogs?
- bibo hotdog!

7* Favorite Christmas song?
- Silent Night

8* What do you prefer to drink in the morning.
- Motts Apple juice (wow sosy, preference naman ang tinatanong eh)

9* Can you do push ups?
- more of a yes than a no

10* Favorite super-hero?
- X-men

11* What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
- earring

12* Favorite hobby?
- photography and uploading it to my multiply site. hahahaha

13* Secret weapon to get the opposite sex?
- i think it is still unknown to mankind.

14* Do you have A.D.D.?
- huh?

15* What's one trait do you hate about yourself?
- being single? hahahaha

16* Middle Name:
- Marcelo

17* Three thoughts at this exact moment
- a.) my head is aching
  b.) 33 more questions to go
  c.) good night honey. Ü

18* Name 3 things you bought yesterday?
- i watched a movie yesterday and bought Wendy's to go and that's about it.

19* Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?
- water, coffee and coke

20* Current worry right now?
- financial stuff

21* Current hate?
- hate being single? hahahahaha

22* Favorite places?
- my room, the beach and CA!

23* How did you bring in the New Year?
- sleeping. what a bummer

24* Where would you like to go?
- i have 20, check out my blog

25* Name three people who will complete this and return?
- i honestly don't know, but hey, no obligations :p - same comment from yemaboi

26* Do you own flip flops?
- slip ons

27* What shirt are you wearing?
- my Mercury PH jacket and undies. hahahahaha (sori naman, nakapantulog mode na ko eh, malamig nga lang yung AC)

28* Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
- no

29* Can you whistle?
- yes

30* Favorite color/s?
- red, blue, earth tones

31* Would you like to be a pirate?
- i'm already one. hahahaha

32* What songs do you sing in the shower room?
- it depends on my mood.  usually, broadway. hahahaha

33* Favorite girl's name?
- Alexandra

34* Favorite boy's name?
- Dylan Matthew

35* What's in your pocket right now?
- nothin.

36* Last thing that made you laugh?
- nikki ann's reply to my black kiss blog

37* Best bed sheets as a child?
- anything goes

38* Worst injury you've ever had?
- the one that cause me bloody stitches on my right foot

39* Do you love where you live?
- "more of yes than a no" answer too

40* How many computers do you have in your house?
- just the one i'm using now

41* Who is your loudest friend?
- it depends on the the scope and limitation of your definition

42* How many dogs do you have?
- 1

43* Does someone have a crush on you?
- dont know

45* What is your favorite book?
- i love books period.

46* What is your favorite candy?
- chuppa chups

47* Favorite Sports Teams?
- it depends on what sport

48* What song do you want played at your funeral?
- i dont want to think about that right now.

49* What were you doing 12 AM last night?
- sleeping?

50* What is the first thing you thought of when you woke up?
- i can still sleep for half an hour more

Watched a movie today with my friends at Megamall while munching our way through burgers, fries and biggie ice teas.

Tomorrow is fitness day with some CeD folks, can't wait.

Gdnyt dir. Ü

Went to work yesterday morning to check up on some things.  I got a chance to borrow a book also from OD:  Who moved my Cheese? (see my review on a separate entry).  Went home at noon then dozef off under the afternoon shade.

I was expecting to report to work for a meeting but it turned out to be cancelled, yipee!  In short, how did I spend my 4th day of leave?  Well, aside from sleeping, I got to read 2 books:  Who Moved My Cheese? and Prince Caspian.

Day 5 will be movie day with my friends then tomorrow will be wall climbing day with some more friends.  Isn't ti exciting?!!!!

Hahahaha.  catcha later.

Day 2...

Well, i attempted to go to the gym yesterday but wasn't successful there.  I was already there.. as in sa locker room but law and behold, all lockers were occupied.  I waited a good half an hour.  still futile. so i dumped the idea and had myself a haircut instead. hahaha.  I tried out Azta and it went out swell (see my review about the salon).  Moral of the story... dont go to the gym at peak hours. especially at 6PM!

Grabbed dinner at Fazolis by 10:30PM then had black tea latte with Ava 2AM.  nothing much for my 2nd day, but it was still OK.


Day 3...

I received a mail today.  Oh oh.... my 2nd credit card just arrived.  I was half skeptical but excited but I did place for a 2nd one any way. Ü


Went to Avilon Zoo and spent the rest of my afternoon taking pictures (see my album for the pix).

Picture with Sumatran Tiger.  In fairness, malapit lapit naman ang kulay nu buhok ko sa tiger di ba. hahahahah (asa).






Then grabbed dinner at French Baker (to relish good childhood memories with my folks)











(half eaten brownies and Fetuccini carbonara at French Baker Sta. Lucia.  Not in pic, steak sandwich, sa sobrang gutom, hindi ko na nakunan ng picture hahahaha).






Then I bought 2 books to add to my collection.










All's great on my 3rd day.  bukas, work mode muna (nyeh.) hahahahaha.



(mucis courtesy of dess sexy_kuteh)

Yesterday was my 1st day to be "searching for myself"

Let me see what I have accomplished for myself... hmmm...

had lunch with a good friend of mine
went to the gym
watched 2 movies (o yes, marathon ito)

pero....
i attended a meeting at 3AM yesterday and to my surprise.... i have a meeting on Friday at 9AM and at 3Am the next day.... hayyyy... can't have the best of both worlds.

I got this email from a former student of mine.  It was kinda long but it was worth the reading.  I liked how things turned out and that's why I want to share it.

Subject: FW: Twenty Questions ni Juan Ekis

gusto mo ba ng mga storya ng pag-ibig?  yung kakaiba ang tirada sa tema? eto basahin mo.

matutuwa ka Ü

This play won in the palanca awards, dulaang isang yugto category (daw). Twenty Questions Ni Juan Ekis

MGA TAUHAN

Jigs: Fresh grad. Kabarkada ni Yumi. Magtatrabaho bilang researcher sa isang financial firm

Yumi: Commercial Model. Kabarkada ni Jigs. 2 years ahead kay Jigs.

TAGPO

Gabi. Sa isang kwarto ng isang beach resort. Naglalatag ng kumot si Jigs sa sahig habang inaayos ni Yumi ang kanyang higaan.


YUMI: Sige na, Jigs. Huwag ka nang magpaka-gentle man. Naaawa ako sa¹yo e. Tabi na tayo sa kama.

JIGS: Hindi, okay lang ako dito.

YUMI: Huwag ka nang maarte. As if naman re-rapin kita no. Malaki naman itong kama e. Hatiin na lang natin sa gitna.

JIGS: Sure ka?

YUMI: Hindi mo naman siguro ako mamanyakin no?

JIGS: (Matatawa) Okay ka lang?

YUMI: Kung gusto mo, gamitin na lang natin iyang kumot na divider.

JIGS: Good idea.

Isasampay nila ang kumot mula sa kisame para mahati ang kama sa gitna. Magsesettle down ang dalawa. Ilalabas ni Jigs ang libro niya: ³Puppy Love and other Stories² ni F. Sionil Jose. Si Yumi naman ay magpapatugtog ng Japanese Zen Music habang nagsa-zazen.

YUMI: Do you mind?

JIGS: No, go ahead. I¹m just reading.

Magsa-zazen si Yumi. Magbabasa si Jigs. Pareho silang di maka-concentrate. Papatayin ni Yumi ang CD player niya.

YUMI: I can¹t believe our friends.

JIGS: Oo nga e.

YUMI: Dapat ginagawa nila eto sa mga bagong pasok sa barkada o kaya sa bagong...ay oo nga pala. Bagong graduate ka. Congrats.

JIGS: Thanks.

YUMI: So what¹re your plans?

JIGS: Kinukuha akong researcher sa ADB. Kinukuha rin ako ng BPI sa OTP nila.

YUMI: Wow naman. In demand.

JIGS: Di naman masyado. Who the hell invented this tradition anyway?

YUMI: (Matatawa) You won¹t believe it.

JIGS: Ikaw?

YUMI: Malay ko ba na mabibiktima rin ako nito balang-araw.

JIGS: So why did you start it?

YUMI: Wala ka pa sa tropa nun e. Freshman ka pa lang siguro noon. Wala lang. Napagtripan lang namin si Ronald. E may crush siya kay Meg. Noong unang beses magpunta rito ng barkada, sabi ko, magsimula kami ng tradition. Ilo-lottery namin ang pangalan ng mga lalaki at ng mga babae. Kung sino ang mabubunot, silang dalawa ang pagsasamahin sa isang kwarto sa loob ng tatlong araw. And then, we¹ll all see what happens. Pero dinaya namin noon yung kay Ronald at Meg. Puro Ronald at Meg ang mga pangalan na nakalagay sa lottery.

JIGS: (Tatawa) Ang sama ninyo!

YUMI: Kaya nga nakarma na ako e.

JIGS: So is our case, dinaya? O talagang lottery?

YUMI: (Teasing) Ano sa dalawa ang gusto mo?

JIGS: Feeling ko may nagtrip sa¹kin sa barkada e.

YUMI: Excuse me po, dalawa tayong biktima dito. I don¹t see any reason kung bakit tayong dalawa ang sasadyaing biktima this year, unless may crush ka sa¹kin na di ko alam at alam nila (tatawa).

JIGS: Baka ikaw (tatawa).

YUMI: The success rate of this tradition is 100% so far.

JIGS: I was here na the 2nd time. Si Chris at si Cia ang biktima.

YUMI: And last year were Rod and Kay. They¹re getting married kailan? Sa June yata.

JIGS: What do you expect? Ikukulong mo ang isang lalaki at isang babae sa isang kwarto for three days, imposibleng walang mangyari doon!

YUMI: That was exactly my point. (Ngingiti)

JIGS: E kung may madisgrasya?

YUMI: Ano¹ng disgrasya?

JIGS: Alam mo na yun!

Hahawiin ni Yumi ang divider nilang kumot.

YUMI: Ano? Sex? Pa¹no kung magsex sila? Nakakatawa ka naman. Di mo masabi.

JIGS: Ang alin?

YUMI: Ang sex!

JIGS: Hah!

YUMI: Sige nga sabihin mo nga?

JIGS: Para kang tanga. Tumigil ka nga.

YUMI: Shet, Jigs. Graduate ka na totoy ka pa rin!

JIGS: Excuse me?

YUMI: Sabihin mo nga: ³Sex! Sex! Sex! Sex!²

JIGS: Para kang bata, Yumi ha.

YUMI: You used to call me ate Yumi when you were in third year.

JIGS: Well, graduate na po ako, ate Yumi.

Tahimik.

JIGS: Hmmm. I wonder if we¹re gonna last three days.

YUMI: (Teasing) Bakit? Ayaw mo sa¹kin?

Di sasagot si Jigs.

YUMI: We¹re gonna survive this one.

JIGS: What makes you so sure?

YUMI: No offense, Jigs. I honestly find you very attractive pero I¹ve no time for this. Alam mo naman siguro na kaka'

JIGS: Same here.

YUMI: Same here what? Na you find me attractive o you don¹t have time for this? (Matatawa)

Di sasagot si Jigs. Tahimik. Io-on ulit ni Yumi ang CD player at ipagpapatuloy ang zazen. Itatabi ni Jigs ang libro. Nawalan na siya ng ganang magbasa. Pupunta siya sa ref. Bubuksan niya ito.

JIGS: Hah! (Sarcastic) Perfect! Red Wine! How very conducive.

YUMI: May chips ba diyan?

JIGS: Sa awa ng Diyos, may tsibog naman.

Papatayin ni Yumi ang CD player. Tatayo siya at kukuha ng chips sa ibabaw ng ref.

YUMI: Since we¹re gonna be stuck naman with each other for three days, might as well make the best out of it di ba? I-enjoy na lang natin.

JIGS: What do you mean?

YUMI: Get the wine, let¹s have a drink! 50 hours to go na lang and we¹re gonna be the first failure of this tradition.

JIGS: Oo nga. (Kukunin ang wine. Maglalagay sa dalawang baso.) When they chose Cia and Chris, naiintindihan ko pa e. Lalo na sina Rod and Kay. Kung baga, tinulungan lang natin silang umamin sa isa¹t isa. Pero us...

YUMI: Weird ng barkada natin no?

JIGS: To our barkada and our weird traditions!

YUMI: To us, the first failure of this tradition!

Magto-toast sila at iinom.

JIGS: Sige, ate Yumi. Let¹s make our stay here more interesting...

YUMI: What¹s with the ate?

JIGS: Fine...

Bubuksan ni Yumi ang chips. Uupo sila pareho sa sahig para magkwentuhan.

JIGS: Let¹s play twenty questions.

YUMI: Sige! Ano yon?

JIGS: Each of us will have ten questions each. Tatanungin kita, tatanungin mo ako, mga gusto nating malaman sa isa¹t isa. Alternate tayo. Pero the thing here is, you can¹t ask the question that I already asked.

YUMI: That¹s pretty interesting.

JIGS: At bawal magsinungaling.

YUMI: Fair enough. Pero whatever is said inside this room remains in the room. Ok?

JIGS: Of course. You wanna start?

YUMI: No. I want to ask the last question. (Ngingiti at kikindatan si Jigs)

JIGS: Smart move. Game. First question: Ano ang greatest frustration mo sa buhay?

YUMI: Nge. Ang korni naman ng tanong mo. Walang ka-challenge-challenge. Ask me something na mag-iisip naman ako.

JIGS: Simula pa lang e.

YUMI: Sige. Ano nga ba...?

JIGS: Akala ko ba walang ka-challenge-challenge?

YUMI: Wag kang maingay, nag-iisip ako...I¹m a frustrated ballet dancer.

JIGS: Talaga?

YUMI: I took lessons when I was six pero umayaw ako. Wala kasi akong disiplina e. Mas gusto kong makipaglaro sa mga kalaro ko. Pero I really enjoy watching ballet dancers. When I see them dance parati kong naiisip na sana, ako rin. There! Ang dali naman ng tanong mo. Walang thrill.

JIGS: Appetizer lang. Yari ka sa¹kin mamaya.

YUMI: We¹ll see. Ako naman: Did you ever have doubts about your sexuality? I mean, kahit minsan ba, naisip mo na bakla ka?

JIGS: Never.

YUMI: Bilis ng sagot a.

JIGS: Coz I never entertained the idea.

YUMI: Homophobe ka ba?

JIGS: Alternate tayo sa tanungan, di ba?

YUMI: So, not once? Kahit konti? Kahit what if lang?

JIGS: I¹m straight, okay?

YUMI: I¹m not asking if you¹re gay or not. I¹m asking kung...

JIGS: Never nga.

YUMI: We all thought na you were gay. Well at least nung first few months mo sa tropa before you introduced your girlfriend to us.

JIGS: What?! You thought I was gay?!

YUMI: E pa¹no kasi, masyado kang mabait. Ang pogi-pogi mo, pero parang allergic ka sa mga babae. Over ang pagiging gentleman mo. Too good to be true. You have a good body, it seems that you work out pero iniisip namin front mo lang yun. Kadalasan kasi front ng mga bakla ang pagiging maganda ng katawan nila at pagiging sporty...

Tatawa lang si Jigs.

YUMI: So we thought it¹s either that or you were planning to become a priest.

JIGS: What?!

YUMI: Well, you were always this goody-goody person. Pumupunta ka sa chapel. Nangungumpisal, nagsisimba...

JIGS: The way you said it, parang equivalent ang dalawa a.

YUMI: Of course not. I didn¹t mean that!

JIGS: I take my faith seriously. That doesn¹t make me gay!

YUMI: So you did want to become a priest...

JIGS: Hindi rin. Actually, I always wanted to raise a family...and be a father.

Tahimik.

YUMI: So you¹re not gay.

JIGS: No.

YUMI: You never...

JIGS: Ilang beses ka ba ipinanganak? Kulit mo e. It¹s my turn.

YUMI: Homophobe ka no?

JIGS: Hindi kaya!

YUMI: Whatever...

JIGS: Ako na, daya mo naman e.

YUMI: Okay, okay. Shoot me.

JIGS: How do you see yourself five years from now?

YUMI: You expect to win this game? Ang kokorni ng mga tanong mo e.

JIGS: The object of this game is not to win.

YUMI: E ano pa ba?

JIGS: To get to know the other person.

YUMI: Sure. Basta ako, I will win this game. Walang thrill ang isang game kung walang nananalo.

JIGS: Sagot.

YUMI: May time limit ba to? (Tatawa) Wine pa nga.

JIGS: Sabi nga nila: in vino veritas.

Magsasalin si Jigs ng wine.

YUMI: Masarap ang wine, ha? Saan kaya nabili ito? (Iinom) To answer your question, either maging entrepreneur ako, magsisimula ako ng sarili kong botique or bar, o kaya, magiging artista ako sa pelikula.

JIGS: Not bad.

YUMI: Pero mukhang malabo yung stint ko sa movies. Tough ang competition e. Saka mahina ang manager ko. Panay hosting at pictorials ang nakukuhang raket para sa akin. Papalitan ko na nga e. Pag nakaipon ako, baka magtayo na lang ako ng botique.

JIGS: (Magbibiro) Ayaw mo mag-bold?

YUMI: Yuck!

JIGS: Lahat ng gustong mag-artista doon dumadaan.

YUMI: May talent naman ako kahit papano a!

JIGS: Lahat naman ng bold star may talent a! Sa dibdib! (Tatawa)

YUMI: (Hahampasin ng unan si Jigs) Bastos ka talaga! Akala ko goody-goody ka...Hindi ko papatulan ang pagbobold kahit ano¹ng mangyari no! Kahit ganito ako, may respeto pa rin naman ako sa sarili ko.

JIGS: Ganito? Ano¹ng ganito?

Di sasagutin ni Yumi ang tanong.

YUMI: These producers think all the people want is sex, sex, sex! Kaya puro basura ang mga pelikula e. Wine pa nga!

JIGS: (Magsasalin ng wine) Bakit naman botique?

YUMI: Hoy madaya ka na ha? Hindi pa ako lasing. Ako na¹ng magtatanong. Ang korni mo namang magtanong. Bigatan naman natin nang konti...Inom ka muna.

Iinom si Jigs. Magsasalin siya ng bago.

YUMI: Who was your first crush in the barkada?

Tahimik.

YUMI: Haha! Bingo ka no? Bagal mo naman sumagot.

Iinumin ang wine. Magsasalin ng bago.

JIGS: Lalaki o babae?

Tatawa sila pareho.

YUMI: Dapat may time limit ito e.

Tahimik.

JIGS: Hirap naman ng tanong mo.

YUMI: Iyon nga ang maganda e. Para may thrill. As if naman ibo-broadcast ko sa barkada kung sino.

JIGS: Wine pa?

YUMI: Di mo pa sinasagot yung tanong ko, nagtatanong ka na!

Magsasalin ng wine si Jigs kay Yumi.

JIGS: Yung crush ko kasi...siyempre, sino pa ba? E di yung pinakamaganda sa barkada.

YUMI: Nge. Subjective yon no! Para sa¹kin ang pinakagwapo si Joel. Sa babae, si Kay. Para kay Ronald, si Meg...

JIGS: Yung literally na may dating'walang tanung-tanong. Yung kahit sino¹ng tanungin mo sa tropa, objectively, siya ang isasagot.

YUMI: Jigs, twenty questions ang game natin. Hindi guessing game. C¹mon man. Play your own game. Pa¹no na kung truth or dare to e di pahirapan na. Dadalawa na nga lang tayo e.

JIGS: Yung commercial model.

Matitigilan si Yumi.

YUMI: Wine pa nga.

Magsasalin si Jigs. Mag-iisip si Yumi. Iinom. Biglang matatawa.

YUMI: (Tumatawa pa rin) Talaga?

JIGS: Sige, pagtawanan ba?

YUMI: You can say it to my face, I won¹t bite. Bakit hirap na hirap kang sabihin kung sino? Takot kang ma-reject? Parang tanong lang e...Wine pa nga!

JIGS: Okay, 1 point ka na...

YUMI: (Ngiti) Gee...thanks. Flattered naman ako. At kailan naman nangyari ito?

JIGS: Sorry, my turn to ask. (Ngingiti) Who is your crush in the barkada...NOW?

YUMI: E ginaya mo lang yung tanong ko e.

JIGS: Hinde no. May qualifier ako. Ang sabi ko, NOW. Ang tanong mo, first crush ko.

YUMI: Korni pa rin. Alam mo, kung basketball OEto, tambak ka na.

JIGS: Just answer the question.

YUMI: Siyempre wala. I told you, I don¹t have time for these stuff. Kakabreak ko lang di ba?

JIGS: Korni mo namang sumagot.

YUMI: E korni yung tanong e. Pero kung talagang-talagang kailangan kong sumagot...hmmm...teka...sino nga ba? Sino ba¹ng crush material sa barkada? Wala akong maisip e. Ikaw na lang.

JIGS: Yung seryoso naman.

YUMI: Seryoso ako. Ayaw mo yata e. Sige, iba na lang...

JIGS: E napipilitan ka lang e.

YUMI: Uy! Pa¹no ba¹yan? MU na tayo? Crush mo ko, crush kita...yiheee (Tatawa).

JIGS: Dati pa yon no!

YUMI: Ay? Di mo na ko crush? Bakit, na turn-off ka? Ano namang ginawa ko? Tsk. Tsk.

JIGS: Is that your question na?

YUMI: Oy, hinde! Ito naman...di ba pwedeng mag-follow-up?

Iinom ng wine si Jigs.

YUMI: Fine. Here¹s a little juicy question: Describe your first kiss.

JIGS: That¹s not even a question.

YUMI: Arte mo. O: How was your first kiss like?

Matatawa si Jigs.

JIGS: Wet.

YUMI: Yuck!

Magtatawanan sila.

JIGS: Alam mo, aksidente yung first kiss ko. Close kasi kami nung isa kong kaibigan. Pag naggu-goodbye ako sa kanya, parati ko siyang kini-kiss sa noo. E one time, sa gym habang nagpapahinga, nakaupo siya sa sahig. Tinatamad siyang tumayo. So bumaba ako nang konti para halikan siya sa noo kasi pauwi na ako. E siya naman, para maabot ko, medyo tumingala. E sakto, sa lips ko siya nahalikan. Pareho kaming nagulat. Pero di pa kami naghiwalay agad. Weird nga ang feeling e. Parang may glue. Ayaw na namin maghiwalay pareho...

Tawa pa rin si Yumi

YUMI: Awww. Ang sweet naman. Parang sa pelikula. Si Krissy ba OEto?

JIGS: Hindi. Hindi mo siya kilala.

YUMI: So what happened? Nagkatuluyan kayo?

JIGS: Nope.

YUMI: Ha?

JIGS: Ewan ko ba. Complicated kasi yung situation namin e. May boyfriend siya noon. Ako naman, takot pa sa isang relationship. Pero at least, na-discover namin na pareho pala kaming may gusto sa isa¹t isa. Pero hanggang doon na lang.

YUMI: What happened after?

JIGS: We talked about it. We both decided na it wont work. Tapos, bigla na lang, hindi na kami nagkikita. And then, I met you guys, iba na ang barkada ko.

YUMI: Nakakatuwa naman.

JIGS: Ikaw, pa¹no yung first kiss mo?

YUMI: Ikaw ang nagturo sa akin ng game na ito di ba? Bakit ba lagi mong bini-break ang rules? Di mo na pwedeng tanungin yan!

JIGS: Tine-testing ko lang kung lasing ka na. (Iinom ng wine) Okay, naka-warm-up na ako: What was the naughtiest thing you ever did?

YUMI: Yan ang mga tanong! Ano  ba¹ng ibig mong sabihin ng naughty?

JIGS: Bahala kang mag-define.

YUMI: Hmmm...marami e...(matatawa) baka maeskandalo ka.

JIGS: Kanina ayaw mo ng korni. Ngayong medyo exciting naman...

YUMI: Eto na...I had two boyfriends at the same time.

JIGS: (Nagulat) Hala.

YUMI: I was with Joel and Zach at the same time.

JIGS: Yikes. Alam ba ni Joel?

YUMI: Kaya nga kami naghiwalay nun e. Nahuli ako (matatawa).

JIGS: Ano namang pumasok sa kukote mo¹t ginawa mo yon, aber?

YUMI: Nag-eexperiment lang ako. E sa type ko sila pareho e. Ano¹ng magagawa ko? Saka para may thrill. Alam mo yon? Yung patago kang nakikipag-date sa isa para di mahuli. Everyday pa akong nakakalibre, kasi, alternate sila! (Tatawa) Akala n¹yo kayo lang mga lalaki ang pwedeng gumawa no¹n?

JIGS: How can you love two guys at the same time?

YUMI: Who said something about love? Walang kinalaman ang love dun. I was...having fun!

JIGS: Nainlove ka na ba, ever?

YUMI: Nakakailang tanong ka na? It¹s my turn.
 
JIGS: Don¹t you want to answer the question anyway?

YUMI: My turn!

JIGS: Kulang ka pa sa wine. (Tatawa)

Ubos na ang unang wine bottle. Kukuha si Jigs ng isa pa sa ref.

JIGS: Ang bilis nating uminom a.

YUMI: Are you still a virgin?

JIGS: Whoa! Where did that come from?

YUMI: That¹s my fourth question.

JIGS: (Magsasalin ng wine sa mga baso). Ano sa tingin mo?

Ngingiti si Jigs. Tititigan lang siya ni Yumi.

YUMI: Don¹t tell me, wala pang nangyayari sa inyo ni Krissy hanggang ngayon? Ilang taon na ba kayo?

JIGS: Mag-tu-two years na sana next week.

YUMI: So virgin ka pa? I don¹t believe it!

JIGS: Mukha ba akong tarantado?

YUMI: Mukha kang nagpapaiyak ng babae e.

JIGS: Insulto ba yon?

YUMI: Compliment OEyon, tanga.

JIGS: Ah, okay. Thanks.

YUMI: Pero, you mean, you never felt the urge to do it?

JIGS: Alin? Sex?

YUMI: Wow! Nasabi rin niya!

JIGS: Of course I always feel it. Natural lang OEyon sa tao no? Nasa iyo na lang OEyan kung ano¹ng gagawin mo sa urge na yon.

YUMI: E natural naman pala e. Bakit mo pinipigilan? I mean, pag naiihi ka, iihi ka. Pag nagugutom ka, kakain ka. Pareho lang OEyon, di ba?

JIGS: Pag naiihi ka, iihi ka dahil kailangan mong umihi. At hindi ka iihi kahit saan. Pupunta ka sa banyo. Pag nagugutom ka, kakain ka dahil kailangan. At hindi mo kinakain ang lahat ng pagkain na ihain sa iyo. Pag di ka gutom, di ka kakain. Pag di mo gusto yung pagkain, di mo gagalawin. Ang aso, pag may nakitang pagkain diyan, walang tanung-tanong. Lalamon yan.

YUMI: And sex is the same?

JIGS: Lahat ng bagay, nilalagay sa lugar. May context. At least, yun ang nagpaiba sa atin sa aso.

YUMI: Grabe ka namang magsalita. Para mo na ring sinabing lahat ng nakikipagsex, aso ah!

JIGS: Sinasabi ko lang, pag wala sa tamang konteksto, mali.

YUMI: And what is that context?

JIGS: Matanda na tayo. Ayokong maging preachy. Alam na natin OEyan.

Tahimik.

JIGS: Kaso, kahit alam na natin, minsan di pa rin natin ginagawa.

Tahimik.

JIGS: Masarap e. Sino ba¹ng ayaw nun?

Tahimik.

YUMI: (Medyo nairita) So feeling mo santo ka at dapat kang i-congratulate for being a virgin!

JIGS: Sinasabi ko lang ang pinaniniwalaan ko. Ineexplain ko lang kung bakit di ko ginagawa. May kanya-kanya tayong dahilan. Di ko pinipilit kahit kanino ang mga paniniwala ko...No need to get so cross about it, Yumi.

Tahimik.

JIGS: It¹s not about being a virgin or not. It¹s about putting things into their proper places.

YUMI: I¹m not arguing with you.

JIGS: Me neither. I¹m just answering your questions.

Matagal na katahimikan.

Ngingiti si Jigs. Titignan niya si Yumi na medyo nairita sa nakaraang train of conversation nila. Magsasalin siya ng wine para kay Yumi.

JIGS: Nasobrahan ka na yata sa wine e. (Tatawa) You still wanna go on with the game? Nine pa lang tayo, eleven more to go. (Ngingiti)

YUMI: Shoot me.

JIGS: Who was your first lay?

YUMI: (Hahampasin ng unan si Jigs) Ang bastos mo talaga! So inaassume mo na hindi na ako virgin?

JIGS: E sabi mo kasi, walang thrill ang game pag walang nananalo e. So I guess I¹m winning. Saka wala naman akong inimply na ganun a! I¹m just hitting two birds with one stone. Kasi kung virgin ka, e di simple lang ang sagot: wala. Kung hindi naman, e di sino?

YUMI: Ang daya mo.

JIGS: Akala ko ba ayaw mo ng korning tanong.

YUMI: You think I¹ll answer that after giving your sermon, Father Jigs?

JIGS: Ano ka ba? Inexplain ko lang yung personal reasons ko. Kung ano man ang sa iyo, I¹ll respect them as well as I know you respect mine. I¹m no saint. I¹m just trying to get to know you better. (Ngingiti)

YUMI: How do you do that?

JIGS: Alin?

YUMI: I should have walked out on you kanina pa pero the way you say things...parang bumabaliktad sa¹yo...makes you more...charming. Kung ibang tao ka siguro, di na kita kakausapin.

JIGS: You can¹t walk out. We¹re locked here for three days except for meals.

YUMI: So I¹m forced to like you para di masira ang vacation ko. (Ngingiti)

JIGS: You don¹t have to answer my question if you don¹t want.

YUMI: I guess I¹ll be honest with you as you were honest with me...

Tahimik. Iinom ng wine si Yumi.

YUMI: Di mo siya kilala. His name was Robert. He was my first boyfriend. It was Senior Prom Night. Alam mo na...typical senior prom story. Everyone wants to lose it on prom night. Everyone thinks na pag prom night, it was something special. We went out sa hall nang maaga. We made out sa kotse niya. One thing led to the other. Tapos, yun...yun na. We went back just in time for the awarding of the prom queen. Guess what, I won pa. (Mahinang tawa)

JIGS: What was it like?

YUMI: Now that I look back, it isn¹t as special as I thought it was. Pero it was different then. Back then, we were just led by our passions. Alam mo yon? Andun ka na. Hormones raging wild. Passions and Ideals are confused. Akala mo love, yun pala, curious ka lang pala. Akala mo yun na yon. Akala mo you are in-love at lahat ng gawin mo tama. Lahat ng gawin mo perfect. Everything was magical...well, almost.

JIGS: Almost...?

YUMI: Sa next question mo na yan. Ako na.

JIGS: (Pabiro) Wine pa? Kulang ka pa yata e.

YUMI: Nilalasing mo ko no? May balak ka sa¹kin no? (Tatawa)

JIGS: Is that your question? Sasagutin ko na. (Tatawa)

YUMI: Engot. Hindi yon. Here¹s something na curious lang ako. Kasi I¹ve been hearing things...saka you¹ve hinted on it na rin kanina...Are you still with Krissy?

JIGS: Hindi na.

YUMI: Since when?

JIGS: Two, maybe three weeks ago?

YUMI: Sino¹ng nakipag-break?

JIGS: Pareho kami.

YUMI: Why?

JIGS: Maraming dahilan, actually. Naisip na lang namin na it won¹t work. Isa na do¹n, magkaiba kami ng gustong mangyari sa buhay. Magkaiba kami ng mga pinaniniwalaan.

YUMI: Like what?

JIGS: Marami.

YUMI: At ngayon mo lang nalaman iyon after two years with her?

JIGS: People change, Yumi.

Tahimik.

JIGS: Right before graduation, she asked me to move in with her.

YUMI: Talaga?

JIGS: Sabi niya, doon na naman din daw papunta ang relasyon namin. Might as well practice na raw for the real thing. Tutal, she¹s working na naman, ako naman bagong graduate, we should try out na raw living together if it¹ll work for us.

YUMI: Natakot ka sa arrangement?

JIGS: Hindi naman sa natakot. If you love someone, ano pa¹ng ikakatakot mo, di ba?

YUMI: E bakit umayaw ka?

JIGS: It¹s just that, it¹s not my thing.

YUMI: Sabi na nga ba e, bakla ka no? Sinasayang mo ang opportunities! (Matatawa)

JIGS: Hindi ako oportunista. At lalong hindi ako bakla.

YUMI: Fine.

JIGS: Naisip ko lang na hindi pa pala ako handa sa mga ganitong bagay. Wala pa sa isip ko ang gano¹n. Na-shock siguro ako sa reality na iyon na nga ang next step sa relationship namin. I mean, two years of being together and knowing each other, we¹re practically ready to get married, if you know what I mean. Pero I realized, I¹m not ready for any of these. Narealize ko how immature I am. Na iba yung ideals ko two years ago sa ideals ko ngayon. I need to mature some more to get into this thing'I mean, getting married. Diyos ko, ilang taon lang ba ako...

YUMI: Maturity has nothing to do with age.

JIGS: But it has a lot to do with time.

Tahimik.

JIGS: So I thought, bakit kailangan ng practice mode? Ibig sabihin, pag sumablay kami, split na kami? Live like a couple minus the commitment? Pa¹no pag nawala na yung magic? Goodbye na?

Iinom ng wine si Jigs.

JIGS: Kung kasal na, kasal na. Wala nang practice. I think that¹s the real cowardice. Yung i-try muna natin kung it will work kasi takot kayo na baka hindi maging successful ang outcome. Saan na napunta ang excitement ng buhay? Kaya nga kayo in-love, para sabay kayong humarap sa totoong buhay, sa hirap at ginahawa, di ba? (Matatawa) Hindi yung pagpapraktisan muna ninyo para siguradong ginhawa lang.

Magkikibit-balikat lang si Jigs.

YUMI: Are you always like that?

JIGS: Like what?

YUMI: So cerebral in everything. Kahit pagdating sa relationships.

JIGS: Life is too precious para lang daanin sa trial and error.

Ngingiti si Jigs. Tahimik.

YUMI: So, No hard feelings?

JIGS: Friends pa rin kami. She still calls me up nga sa bahay e.

YUMI: That¹s nice.

JIGS: Kayo, bakit kayo nagbreak ni Carlo?

YUMI: That¹s your sixth na ha?

JIGS: Sure.

YUMI: Alam mo, ironic para sa akin yung break-up namin ni Carlo. And the funny thing was, it was about...sex. Uy, sa atin lang ito ha?

JIGS: Of course.

YUMI: Kasi nga, I was looking for that magic nga di ba? I wanted to be in a relationship na special naman. So of all the boyfriends I had, sa kanya lang ako walang sexual relationship. As in nag-aabstain talaga ako. Kasi parang naisip ko, para magkaroon naman ng meaning yung ³making love² di ba? Parang, dapat di mo parating ginagawa, at ginagawa mo lang when you are sincere with yourself and with your partner. So I was investing muna emotionally. And I was actually starting to care about him. Yung, hindi ko na iniisip yung sarili ko. Yung siya lang ang inaalala ko. Akala ko perfect na...

JIGS: Ano¹ng nangyari?

YUMI: Patunayan ko raw na mahal ko siya. Magbigay daw ako ng proof. Pagbigyan ko raw siya. Sabi ko sa kanya, hindi pa ba sapat na proof yon? Na I¹m saving myself for that right moment, that special moment between us? Alam mo¹ng ginawa? Nilayasan ako!

JIGS: You deserve someone better.

YUMI: Talaga!

YUMI: Isipin mo, kung kelan naman I grew tired of meaningless sex, when I¹m looking for the real thing, saka naman mawawala. Ang ironic ng buhay no?

JIGS: That¹s the way we must learn.

YUMI: Alam mo, kung tutuusin, never ko pang na-experience yung tunay na mag make-love. And I had to go all through those relationships para lang ma-realize yun. At least, ngayon, alam ko na ang hinahanap ko.

Iinom ng wine.

YUMI: Ikaw ba, importante sa¹yo na virgin ang mapapangasawa mo? How do you see virginity ba?

JIGS: Alam mo, di ko pa napag-isipan OEyan. Pero now that you¹ve mentioned it...It doesn¹t matter kung virgin ang mapangasawa ko o hindi. Of course I value virginity a lot. I treat it as the only real gift I could give to my wife to be. Imaginin mo na lang di ba, kung wife ko ang una ko. It¹s like the perfect wedding gift I could give to
her. Pero kung siya hindi na virgin, I wouldn¹t care. As long as mahal ko siya. Kasi I don¹t expect her to give me the same gift. I don¹t do something because I expect people to do the same to me. Ibigay niya sa akin ang sarili niya nang buong-buo, sapat na sa akin OEyon. Masaya na ako sa ganoon.

YUMI: (Mapapangiti si Yumi.) You know, that¹s the nicest thing I ever heard from a guy. That¹s why I always enjoy talking to you. You always say the nicest things.

JIGS: Wow. Salamat. E ikaw, is making love to you equal to love?

YUMI: I always took sex and love as opposite ideas. I mean, after the first time na...you know...sa Senior prom. Kasi afterwards, we broke up na ni Robert. Tapos naisip ko, yun na ba yung love? Baka hindi love yung naramdaman ko. Baka napagkamalan ko lang siyang love. I was just after the pleasure of intimacy. And then I felt empty. So empty. That¹s why I wanted to change. I wanted to believe in ³making love.² And I¹m still looking for it. Yung magic. Yung feeling mo, tao ka pala. I never felt that kahit isang beses. Men have penetrated my body but never my soul. And I wanted that. I wanted someone to touch my soul. To ³make love² to my soul through my body. Pero siguro, naging numb na¹ko sa dami ng relasyong pinagdaanan ko. Hindi ko alam kung mararanasan ko pa iyon. That¹s why I envy you.

Tahimik.

YUMI: Sa tingin mo may pag-asa pa ako?

JIGS: You still have your soul...(Ngingiti)

Tahimik.

YUMI: With whom would you want to experience it?

JIGS: Of course, sa asawa ko.

YUMI: I mean, someone in particular. Take it as my seventh question. So give a name.

JIGS: A name? Hindi ko alam. Basta kung sino ang magiging asawa ko.

Tahimik. Magkikibit-balikat si Yumi. Iinom ng wine.

JIGS: Well, I always thought na it was Krissy. And then, it was just gone. Of course I loved her. And I still do. Pero the magic was just gone after we both found out na magkaiba kami ng mga prinsipyo sa buhay.

Tahimik.

JIGS: My turn?

YUMI: Shoot me.

JIGS: Tell me something...a secret. Yung wala kahit isang nakakaalam.

Matagal na katahimikan.

JIGS: You trust me naman di ba?

YUMI: Well, you¹ve earned it, alright.

JIGS: Saka wala akong tinatago sa¹yo. Sinagot ko lahat ng tanong mo as honestly as I could. (Ngingiti)

YUMI: I uhm...

JIGS: Yes...?

YUMI: I need more wine.

Magsasalin si Jigs ng wine.

JIGS: Take your time. We have less than fifty hours to go.

Iinom ng wine si Yumi.

YUMI: I¹ll tell you something no one in the world knows except one other person. And that person probably forgot all about me already.

JIGS: (Pabiro) What? You had sex with a stranger?

YUMI: Ano ka ba?

JIGS: Biro lang. Seryoso na.

YUMI: Promise ha? Hindi ito lalabas.

JIGS: Promise.

YUMI: If this goes out, I will hunt you kahit sa libingan mo. Huhukayin kita at papatayin kita ulit.

JIGS: Mamatay man ako ngayon.

YUMI: Okay...(Pause) I...I was with Joel then... (Magiging mas seryoso ang tono niya) ...and Zach. I wasn¹t really with Zach, I was just going out with him pag wala si Joel, alam mo na...making out and stuff...Well, anyway, I was kinda serious din naman with Joel that time. Joel and I were...you know...doing it. And...

JIGS: And...?

YUMI: Uhm...I...uhm...I got pregnant.

JIGS: What?

Tahimik. Iinom ng wine si Yumi.

YUMI: I uhm...shit. Hindi ko naman talaga ginusto e. Uhm...Two months akong delayed...then I took that test. I found out na buntis nga ako...and Joel found out about Zach (maluha-luha na) and I didn¹t know what to say, you know? Maniniwala ba naman sa akin si Joel na naaliw lang ako kay Zach? Na I didn¹t really love him? Na wala lang iyon? And so he broke up with me and...I..uhm...I was afraid and uhm... (Magsisimula siyang magbreak-down)

JIGS: It¹s okay...

YUMI: I uhm...hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko, Joel left me. I wanted to tell him about the baby to make him come back but I don¹t think he¹d believe me after the thing with Zach...and...my parents are gonna kill me if...shit. (iiyak)

JIGS: (lalapit kay Yumi para i-console ito) Ssshhh...you don¹t have to tell me this if it upsets you...

YUMI: And so I went to a clinic...(hahagulgol) I didn¹t mean to, Jigs. I wasn¹t myself then. And I felt so afraid. So alone...

JIGS: Tahan na. Ssshhh...

Iiyak lang si Yumi kay Jigs. Yayakapin ni Jigs si Yumi.

JIGS: Alam ba to ni Joel?

YUMI: How can I tell him? The only other person na nakakaalam ay yung duktor sa clinic. God...(iiyak) Oh God...

JIGS: It¹s alright...

Hihimasin ni Jigs ang likod ni Yumi. Patatahanin niya ito. Matagal silang nakaganito lang.

Matagal na katahimikan.

YUMI: Can you get me my yosi?

Tatayo si Jigs. Pupunta sa may side table sa tabi ng kama. Kukunin ang Yosi ni Yumi. Magsisindi siya ng isa at iaabot kay Yumi.

YUMI: Thanks...

Matagal na katahimikan.

YUMI: If we were...if we were the last two people on earth, would you consider doing it with me?

JIGS: Doing what?

YUMI: Alam mo na...

JIGS: Alin? (Teasing ngingiti)

YUMI: Gago mo. (Ngingiti)

JIGS: Ngumiti rin.

YUMI: So? Would you?

JIGS: Alin nga? Di mo masabi no? Bakit di mo masabi? (Pagtatawanan si Yumi) Sabihin mo nga: Sex! Sex! Sex! Sex!

YUMI: Shut up nga!

JIGS: That¹s your eight na, ha?

YUMI: I lost count. Answer it.

JIGS: Why not?

Hihithit ng yosi si Yumi. Tahimik. Sasandal si Yumi sa balikat ni Jigs.

JIGS: If you could be something else, what would you be?

YUMI: I dunno...maybe a violin...yeah. Violin siguro.

JIGS: Bakit?

YUMI: I always saw the relationship of a violin and its player as very intimate. Pag tumutugtog ang violinist, ang nakikita ko at naririnig ko, he strokes the soul of the instrument and the instrument penetrates the soul of the player. Para silang nagmi-make love. Di ba? Very sexy, very intimate, very sublime. Di ba? Pareho silang sincere
sa isa¹t isa. Dahil kung hindi sila sincere, walang music na mabubuo. The violin surrenders her body to her player, her whole body and her whole soul, in full trust and sincerity. Di ba, compared to the sound of the other instruments, ang tunog ng violin parang isang naked woman? A naked woman in surrender? I want to be a violin. I want to be stroked in the soul. I want to make sincere music. I want to experience the sound of love.

Tahimik.

JIGS: Lalim nun ah. (Ngingiti)

YUMI: Pa¹no mo malalamang in-love ka na?

JIGS: Paano? I don¹t think there¹s a formula to that. Basta malalaman mo na lang. I mean, ilang beses lang ba nangyari sa akin yon? I¹d like to believe na yun na nga yon...yung kay Krissy...

YUMI: Kwento mo nga...paano mo narealize dati na mahal mo nga si Krissy?

JIGS: Alam mo nakakatawa...korni actually. Babalik na naman ako sa pagiging korni nito e. Di ba ayaw mo sa korni.

YUMI: Sige na. Hindi na kita aasarin.

JIGS: I heard bells.

YUMI: Ano?

JIGS: Seryoso. Bigla na lang, habang nag-uusap kami, may narinig na lang akong bells, tapos music. Ewan ko kung iniimagine ko lang yon pero yun ang nangyari. Nakakatawa nga e. Parang kanta ng Beatles.

YUMI: Seryoso ka ba?

JIGS: O baka naman nagkataon noong oras na yon, may nagkakantahan sa kung saan sa school. Basta may narinig akong bells. Tapos napangiti ako. Pagtingin ko sa mata niya, iba na ang nakikita ko. Hindi ko na siya nakita as kabarkada lang. Biglang parang may magic. Hindi ko ma-explain. Baduy pero ganun. Tapos I just seized the moment. Umamin ako. A week later, kami na.

YUMI: Korni nga. (Matatawa)

JIGS: Korni talagang pakinggan. Pero pag nandun ka na. Pag naranasan mo na, feeling mo, hindi na korni.

Ngingiti si Yumi. Tahimik.

YUMI: Alam mo, may times na parang tunog violin ang boses mo. O lasing lang ako?
 
Tahimik.

JIGS: I¹m into my last question.

Iaangat ni Yumi ang ulo niya.

YUMI: Shoot me. Better make it good.

JIGS: If you were again to be the next victim of this tradition, if you were to be locked up in this room again...who would you want the next guy to be?

YUMI: (Mag-iisip) I want someone whom I could talk to... Yung makukwentuhan ko ng mga sikreto ko. Yung may sense makipag-usap. Yung may laman. The violin player who¹d stroke my strings...not even. Yung mapapatunog niya ang strings ko without even touching them. (Tahimik) Lumuluwag na ang dila ko...kung anu-ano na ang nasasabi ko. (Ngingiti)

Tititigan lang ni Jigs si Yumi. Tahimik.

YUMI: Siyempre yung masarap kausap.

Tahimik. Hindi makatingin si Yumi.

YUMI: Yung kahit habambuhay wala kaming gawin kundi mag-usap... I think it¹s better than making love.

Mapapatingin si Yumi kay Jigs.

YUMI: Gosh I want to kiss you so badly.

Matitigilan siya.

YUMI: I can¹t believe I just said that.

Tahimik. Titignan niya ulit si Jigs.

YUMI: Don¹t you want to kiss me?

Pause. Titignan siya ni Jigs sa mata.

JIGS: Is that your last question?

This is my 1st Saturday night at home since October 2007... you know... rehearsals, parties etc.

Pero, may binyag pa kong pupuntahan bukas! hahahaha!  huling hirit na yata yun!

Today is the last day of the year, a perfect time to express my gratitude to all the folks that have been part of my life this year.

JMT:  Thank you for teaching me how to love again.  I'll always pray for you and Jed's happiness and health.

Maikeru Katsumoto:  Thank you for lending an ear at the time I needed it most.  Thank you for giving me pieces of advice that kept me sane when I was at a lost.

To my bestfriend, Eumir:  Thank you for being around at times that I don’t even know who I was.  Thanks for the support and respect you’ve shown, time you’ve spent and friendship you’ve given.

To my sister, Ava:  Time and again, I’ve said this to you, yet, I’m going to say it anyways.  Thank you for sharing everything with me this past year.  Our muryot moments, coffee breaks, lunch, sabawan portion etc. made us stronger and better by the day.  Kampay!

To my dearest mother:  Thank you for your patience and love you’ve shown through the years.  I know it’s very difficult to be a single parent yet you’ve proven that with a lot of hard work and faith in God, anything and everything is possible.  I could not really image how you’ve endured Mae-Ann’s being (encompassing na ‘to: attitude, bumming around and among others), especially, the past 4 years she’s been living with us.  Talaga namang to the highest level na ang kailangang pagtitimpi.

To IV-Love ’98 (ang mga walang kahilig hilg mag reunion):  Although we’ve lost a family member this year, we stayed strong and close.  Thank you for the memories.  Our lives wouldn’t be complete with out each other.

To CeD:  Thanks for the memories.  Dancing and grinding with everyone is an experience of a lifetime. Quoting Fria, “We will rock the floor and conquer the stage.”  We already did.  Face value pa lang, tiba tiba na. hehehehe.  Cheers to a more productive (and back breaking) 2008!

To my newly found friends from AIG, namely Mog and Melvin, Arianne, Kiko, Jerney and Gerry, Nino, Con, Wendy, Jojo (at sa mga hindi ko na nabanggit):  We really had fun this year; Bora, Bohol… next year: Camiguin!  Thank you for letting me in to your circle.

To Mercury PH Training Team, Cerebro Training, Protax Training, Matrix Training, Vonage TS Training, Eagle Boys, Starfire, Sales, CS, et al.:  This year has been one of the greatest for all of us: sleepless nights/days (depending on what shift you are on), client escalations, never-ending back to back classes.  Thank you for trusting me.  Our team could not have achieved what we have today with out each and everyone’s contribution.

To Mai, Siena, Chester C.:  Thank you for the good times!  Labas naman tayo ulit. hehehe

To T3:  We may not see each other that often but I know that we'll be able to find time soon.  Thanks for the friendship and trust.  I'll see y'all soon (and around).  Ano ng nangyari sa beach trip natin?

To my mentors, Jeanine, Martin, Chris P., Kris P., Claire, Vina, Heather, Liezel:  Thank you for sharing your wisdom.  The me that I know today is partly because of what you’ve taught me.  For that, my deepest thanks to all of you. Ngayon, sa trabaho, kung ano man yan, bring it on! Ü

To my neighbors at the 31/F (Payroll, Finance, OD, Sourcing) and folks from HR, IT, ISS, Security, Reporting, Scorecard etc.:  Salamat din po.

To my online contacts (friendster, multiply, tagged, facebook):  Thanks for the messages and also for reading whatever’s on my page.  The feeling is nice when people visit your profile or site once in a while.  It encourages me to upload something new in my page. Ü

To those whom I failed to name in this blog entry (trust me, it wasn’t intentional):  Thank you for being a part of my life this year.  May our friendship/relationship grow stronger as we start anew in 2008.


This year has been a struggle for me… to find my reason for being.  Maybe soon, I’ll find my true source of happiness.  Copying from a blog of a friend of mine… I am only 26 after all.  I know very little of the ways of the world.

May 2008 bring us more things to look forward to in life and in love. Happy new year to all!

Life is what we make it.  No day but today.

 

"Glory to God in the highest,
      and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

                                                                     Luke 2:14

this past weekend was one of the most challenging yet memorable weekend of my life!

it started Friday night, i woke up at 6PM to prep for work.
went to work as always, nothing really biggy there.
its what's after work where rubber meets the road!

time starts now:
11am, Ava and I logged out then rushed to Zong at the Fort Strip for Lunch with Tata and Boj.  Zong's a five star for me!   Yun nga lang, dehins ko na alam kung saan sila may branch.  I love their Yang Chow rice, salt and peppered pork/ salt and peppered squid and chicken in salted egg (parang ang alat kung kumain ah!). plus may libre pang peanuts as appetizer.   Price is OK, close to any modern Chinese resto out there like Great Bowl and Mr. Choi's.  The ambiance is simple, white with nice furnitures.


2pm, i have to leave Fort and head off to Marikina for my goddaughter's 2nd birthday. 
bought 2 stuffed animals, kissed my friends goodbye and hailed a cab.  i arrived at the party place a few minutes before it started.  the staff were still cleaning the place up.

Li'l pao-pao is now 2 years old. awww. parang kailan lang. hahaha. "nong, wapwap" (ano daw? clap-clap or laptop?) my gudness! hingan ba ko ng laptop for her birthday!  naku 'neng, mag stuff toy ka muna.  her mom wished her to be sexy when she grow's up. her dad wished her to be healthy. ako... spotless scholastic record! hahaha.  Syempre, party ito kaya kainan nanaman o di ba?   the party ended a little before 5pm.  again, i needed to go.  i have 2 more gatherings to attend!  i kissed my inaanak and shook my kumpare and kumare's hand and off I go.

6PM.  still alive after 24 hours.
took a shower while a friend of mine, Dowie, tinker with my PC for their Christmas presentation due the following Monday.  my mom told me that my bestfriend called and was looking for me.  i sent him a short SMS and told him that I can call him up Sunday night instead since I have my day scheduled (or should I say, murderedly busy).

called my friend Mikes at around 7pm and asked him kung pwedeng sabay na kaming pumunta sa gimmik.  i gave him directions how to get to my place since he lives, practically, 10 minutes away. He arrived a few minutes after.  He said that his phone is always on silent mode and he was actually thinking to send me an SMS to ask kung papunta na ko.  he was actually looking at his phone when I called.  talk about mental connection there. left my place shortly, Dowie hailed a jeep bound for Cubao while the 2 of us waited for an Ayala FX.


on our way to Ayala, i told Mikes to be my taga-gising. kamusta naman, biente-cinco oras na po at buhay pa ang diwa! Sure why not he said.  Arrived at McDo PBCom around 8:35PM and waited for other folks to arrive.  met up with cindy then hailed a cab to Jaipur at the Fort.  Fort ulit?  like i was there a couple of hours before?!?! o yes.  talk about being a jet setter.  got there aroung 9:30pm.  Thanks to Julia, she was able to bargain a very good deal with the club owner. Php 550 for drinks, some booze, complete dinner and entrance fee to the club.  we were rockin the house down until 4 in the morning!  pictures of CeD invading Jaipur can be found in this location: http://oka3.multiply.com/photos/album/62/CeD_Gimmick_120807_Jaipur_night
by the way, not in pic are Charlie, Loren and Krystal who arrived around midnight and yours truly who took the picture.


Left Jaipur at 4AM after they changed DJ.  headed to Starbucks with CeD and chatted until morning breaks ! kamus naman di ba! awa ng Dyos, ang taga gising ko, knock out, ako.. hala sige lang!  left the Fort at 6AM.  Hailed a cab with Jenn and Mikes.  Mikes decided to sleep over at the office while Jenn and myself headed home.  I got off at IPI and hailed a jeep after that.  got home at around 7AM.  ang mga adik sa pictures... i-upload ko na daw. K fine.  i was running in slow mo by this time but still got the energy to log in to my multiply account and upload our gimmick pictures.  fell asleep for about an hour and surprisingly was able to drag myself out of bed!  was planning to leave the house at 930am to attend a friend of mine's son's christening in Paranaque.  What? Paranaque? addict ka oka!!!!

Since I was already in slow motion, i was able to leave the house a little before 11AM but the Christening starts at 1130am.  talk about being prompt there!  I sent the parents an SMS stating that i'll be late.  they said to go directly to the reception area.  like i was, hmmm, let me see.  i hailed an Ayala FX, got off at Buendia then hailed a cab to get to Mary Help of Christan's Parish.  I, unknowingly, told the cab driver to take the Sucat exit instead of Bicutan.  In short, lumagpas pa ko and we have to take the service road back to save on toll.  got there at around 12pm and the mass already started.  just in the nick of time!
I asked my friends what time we were leaving the reception.  it was already 3PM and boy, slow motion to the max na talaga.  I actually fell asleep in my friends car on our way back.  Got off at SM Bicutan. with 3 others, we hailed a cab and went our merry (well for me, sleepy) way to Makati.  Got there at 4PM.  hopped into a North bound bus and decided to catch the 6PM church service at GCF.  Got off at Galleria, bought some stuff, actually, i was planning to buy some short pants but was not able to some comfy ones.  Bought a book at the PCBS and attempted to read it while waiting for the service to begin.  i was an hour early you know.   Sleepiness started to sink in.  what the hell, i slouched where i was sitting and dozed off.  sana naman hindi ako humilik!  got up about 5:45PM, when people started to flock to the center. kakahiya naman kung makita nila kong tulog di ba?  i went inside and waited for the service to begin.

I'm so thankful that i was able to attend this Sunday's service, for 3 reasons:  1) i'm still awake, or at least, struggling to be awake. 2) i was able to partake in our communion (after several months) and 3) of all the things to talk about in church ~ ito pang passage na ito! Proverbs 31:10-31.

Pastor Pantoja extended the invitation to everyone who wants to watch this year's Christmas Cantata, scheduled to start at 8pm that same evening.  Its for free anyway... what do you think?  hindi ko na inatendan yun noh! utang na loob, mageexpire na mga mata ko!  After the service, i ran out of the door,  Sorry naman Lord; to get home.  called my bestfriend up and told him i was on my way home and we can talk when i arrive.  Got home around 830pm.  Mir's phone was busy so i waited for him to call me instead.  we talk for a good hour and hit the haystack a little before midnight.

forty eight hours and counting... what a  very creative and tiring way to spend your days off.  the moral of the story, ka-adikan ang ginawa ko! awa ng Dyos, i woke up early the next day for work.

wala lang
walang katuturan as always
im now sitting in front of my PC
typing my not so random thoughts away

episode 1: national detractors
i went home at around 4am today
to my surprise (lagi na lang ako nasu-surprise) there was a swarm of people
at the elevator and escalator lobby in cyber1
its like freaking-day-shift-humantraffic at 4 in the morning
natuwa naman ako actually that there are a lot of yuppies really working
their ass off day in day out
yet there are a lot of spam mail in the internet questioning
what the Philippines has become
it seems that the authors (or may i say national detractors) are focusing
on the wrong things.

episode 2: nagpaka-good samaritan
i hailed a cab this morning to get home and it wasn't really
raining that hard but i had a hard time seeing what was infront of the cab
because of the shady windshield
even the driver confessed that he was having a hard time seeing too
kulang na lang singko ang takbo nain sa highway
kahit na halso abon lang ang ulan
twice na nangyari na ikabig ang manubela to avoid either an
unknowing bystander or a non-living object
sorry manong, no tip for you.
imbis na pa-relak relak lang ako sa taxi.
daig ko pa ang nag espresso frappe with extra shot habang
nagmamaneho ka
i called the cab company when i got home and relayed
the condition of the poor taxi and its chauffeur

epsiode 3: dimsum no more
i had an early dinner at a dimsum fastfood in cyber1 yesterday. kahit alam kong
di ko type ang lasa ng dimsum nila
hala sige, order pa rin ng eat all you can
after 14 pieces. dimsum no more!
dala ng takaw tingin at gutom ito
kakasuya.

episode 4: ola thanksgiving!
happy thanksgiving to all.
dahil dyan, kapatid na ava
tayo'y hindi magkikita at nakaleave pa ako
next week.  which leads mo to the next epi.

episode 5: lando and mina
napipinto kong leave eh baka maunsyame pa
sana hindi na bumagyo at
kamus naman ang panglao island ko?!?!

episode 6: 75th birthday
today's my old man's supposedly 75th birthday
will i still be alive at his supposedly 100th?