Extra Super Special Batchoy with Egg

Traditions

2011-12-25T17:26:00.003+08:00

The Batchoyan does it's yearly tradition. Ladies and gentle batchoys, here is this year's christmas Cantata! Merry Christmas everyone!

And this one from my future 'bana' chos lang! pabay-i lang bala ko. hehehehe

and of course, something from Las Islas Filipinas!

Merry Merry Christmas Batchoy Denizens! Love and light!

Love,
Luis Batchoy

This Selective Amnesia Thing

2011-10-15T03:14:00.004+08:00

I know, I know, I know! I forgot again, and I have no excuses! Maybe I just got lost in the thick of it all, or maybe I haven't been thinking of it as much as I used to. Nevertheless, a milestone is a milestone, so, late as it may seem, let me greet us!

HAPPY 3RD Year Anniversary to us Batchoy Denizens!

The Batchoyan turns three!!!

Three friggin' years! So much has happened! So many things have changed and yet, so many things remain the same. Some people have come and gone and we have taken all the good with the bad. When I back read sometimes, I sigh. How much of me have I revealed to you? Too much, and yet, it feels like none at all. Some entries make me smile as they used to, and some could even make me smile wider than it used to. It has been a wonderful journey so far and I thank all of you for journeying with me - ups, downs, sides and every which way.

I admit it gets harder and harder to churn out entries lately. Maybe it's going back to law school. Maybe it's the other things that occupy my mind. Or maybe, just maybe, its because it feels like there's no one there anymore. The batchoy turns cold without a word from you guys. Show me some lovin and hit that comment button. I know you are still out there because Feedjit says so, but you know, it gives me more reasons to fight the 'tamad' modes!

So now, since its our third year, instead of you giving me a gift, let me give you a gift. It comes in threes, so I need you to click on that comment button and tell me three things you'd like me to write about. I will choose three commentors and will write all three things you ask of me. You know what it's like. 3 wishes. Genie thinggie! Sounds like fun right? SO go! Make the Batchoy Boi happy! Fire away with the comments!

Happy Third everyone! You know what they say. Third time's the Charm!

Ten Sperm Things

2011-10-05T01:58:00.009+08:00

In an article I recently read from shared links on my News Feed in Facebook, this stood out.

Read here

Let us, for a moment set aside the thought that the good Senator's words are full of crap, stupid, and bull. Let us then for a moment, put on our thinking caps and perhaps, see it the same way the Senator does. What if indeed, masturbation is interfering with the natural process of fertilization. What if indeed, it is tantamount to abortion.

Senator Enrile expressed his concern as such:

“And the question that bothers me is… Is the sperm alive? Is the ovum of the woman alive? I have consulted doctors and the answer is yes.

The sperm of a man cannot fertilize any egg, not the egg of a whale, or a lizard, or a bird, or a fish, but only the egg of a woman. And neither can the egg of a woman be fertilized by any other sperm except the sperm of a man, so that these two elements must be together to create life. But each one of them has life. There is no question about that because they have mobility: They move; they develop.”

Very noble then, is the good Senator's intention to protect the 'dignity' of this 'living' organism. As such, here are some conjectures that can normally be arrived at, granting that the sperm, indeed, is a living sentient being.

1. The sperm has feelings and emotions, thus, it is a must for it to be protected and nurtured.

Yes, dear Batchoy denizens, naturally, if the sperm is alive, it is then capable of emotions. Much like we protect plants and animals, we must also protect the sperm, as a living entity. We must make sure it is nurtured and protected.

2. The sperm then, being alive and being a 'future person,' it must be afforded legal personality.

- Never mind that the Civil Code has a different definition of legal personality and when it should be considered in existence. After all, it could easily be revised and replaced with legislative intent for the same purposes. Being a living organism, it must be given full rights. Voting rights, Civil Rights. It must be allowed to be registered and vote, it must be allowed to acquire properties, to be subject of testamentary capacity, to be able to go to school, to be able to earn a decent living, to be secure in its house, papers and personal effects. It may also be elected into office then, or appointed to government service!

3. It must be a subject of a Senate or House Inquiry in aid of legislation.

- Now that the sad state of the Sperm has come into light, it is imperative that our Senate bring an inquiry to improve the status of the Sperm, which has remained in the dark for so long a time. We must conduct extensive study and research and inquire into the sad state of the sperm before the brilliant Senator has discovered it's 'existence.' After all we should be committed to the development and welfare of the least of our brothers and sisters, and every living being! We must invite a 'spokesperm' or a 'represpermative' to shed light to this condition!

4. Associations and NGO's must be formed for the welfare of the Sperm.

- We then must come together and fight for the welfare of the sperm. It should be considered marginalized and hence, we should do our part in protecting the sperm from abuses. We must form associations and People's Organizations for the welfare of the sperm!

5. It should organize, together with other sperm, under one banner, and run for office as a marginalized group under the party list system.

- It is provided for under the party list system, that representation is afforded to the marginalized sector of society, and as such, the sperm and their kind should also be afforded with the same privilege! VOTE FOR SPERM in the next elections!

6. It must have its own religion.

- If it is alive and is to be a future person in itself, then it must care for its soul, and as such, it must have a faith of it's own. Preferably, Catholic!

Further in the debate for the RH Bill, the good Senator also said:

“Well, if the man wants to satisfy himself by manipulating himself alone, if it is only for pleasure, then it interferes with the production of life. That is my belief. That is a matter of faith to me.”

Therefore -

7. Everything that is a matter of faith for a member of the Senate should be given high credence.

- Never mind the doctrine of separation of Church and State! If the Senator feels like legalizing cannibalism, then it should be, because it is a matter of faith! Speaking of cannibalism;

8. Since the sperm is a living entity, the swallowing of it in any form, sexual or otherwise, is considered cannibalism.

-So too is the 'interfering' with the production of life when a woman ovulates every month and has her discharges. It interfered with the meeting of the sperm and the egg and the ovulating woman should be charged accordingly for preventing or failing to cause the production of life. Hence, it should be a law that every egg should be fertilized to produce life, and the ovulating woman should do everything to cause such a union!

9. Therefore, the sperm should be a subject of a UN Convention!

- Knowing now that the sperm is a living organism, it should not only be protected locally, but should be a subject of International importance, hence a summit should be called, and a protocol or a UN Convention on the protection of the same should be pushed. NOW!

And lastly!

10. For purposes of gender equality, the same matters should be undertaken for the egg cells!

- Of course, the feminine counterpart must be equally protected!

Ain't that brilliant? Now, please, give the good Senator an Honoris Causa Degree in Medicine and Theology!

Here is the brilliant Senator! Champion of the Sperm's cause!

ONE SPERM!

Images Courtesy of Google Images

Plus One

2011-08-11T04:28:00.004+08:00

Although I am still in the heavens, there are some earthly matters to take care of, and so I need to somehow come down from my clouds of bliss. To start with, there are the schedules to fix. The midterms exams are coming up and I need to calendar my trip to Manila to make the most of my time there. There are the plane tickets to book, and of course, the attire for the Ceremony. Well, the attire is being taken care of, as tomorrow, my good friend will join me in scouring the city for a suitable ensemble. One more question remains unanswered: who then should be my Palanca 'plus one?'

In laymen's term, the Palanca plus one is the special guest that would accompany an awardee to the ceremonies. Each awardee is given the privilege of bringing along only one guest for the awards night. My first Palanca experience was actually as a 'plus one' of a then significant other, who won an award a year or so ahead of me. When it was my turn to win, we were no longer exactly us. In the years that I have been joining the competition, I might have promised some 'then-significant' others to have the singular distinction of joining me in one of the most splendid night in the life of a writer like me. Too bad however, that the liaisons with these 'then-significant others' did not last us long enough to see me achieve this distinction.

My first 'plus one' was very very special in another way. As loyal denizens would know, I went with my 'almost-wife-sans-the-sex-and-marriage' super girl Charmita. We had a blast then and it was a most wonderful evening. I am not complaining but at a time like this, it is but natural for a sentimental poet to feel the pangs of longing for that special 'plus one' for the night. You know what I'm saying.

This year finds me un-partnered and very much single too, so there is no automatic 'plus one' to share this big triumph with. It would be a very very tricky thing to do to be asking someone from my writer's group to join me that night. Aside from the obvious expenses involved, I do not want to be accused of having 'favorites.' Besides, its not like we can just pick anyone just like that. Every Palanca Award Winner's circle of friends would understand the gravity of being asked to be an awardee's plus one. It's as if you have been shared that distinction of the win too. So now the dilemma. Who to ask to be my plus one?

Hmmmm....

Well you see, it might be plain fantasy or day dreaming, but you know, I also merely day dreamed and fantasized about my Palanca moment, but I must have done something right and someone up there must like me a lot to make it come true. So, you see? You can never can tell says Ara Mina. So let's see the viability. Here goes:

I was thinking, ever since the moment I first saw the raw talents of this person I wanted to ask him to be my plus one. Being a disciple of the arts himself, I know he would understand the immensity of the situation and would perhaps be honored to be my plus one. More so, when I saw him in one of the movies, I was convinced he had to be my next plus one. I have to take him to the Awards Night with me, and wearing this... exactly this!

Then again, maybe he won't be admitted to the Rigodon Ballroom because of strict implementation of the dress code, and I am afraid of the rumors that he is given to a little violence. So, ahmmm... maybe not. Maybe I need someone gentler.

So I thought maybe he should be my plus one. I do not watch much TV so I didn't know him from Adam. Not until recently when I saw him in a Cinemalaya entry. Well, probably, if I was in Eugene Domingo's place and I was asked for a role in a movie with him as producer, I would in fact say the same things:

"Full frontal nudity, check!"

"Death-defying stunts, check!"

"Sex scene with actual penetration, check na check!"

Maybe even if he asks me to swim in a septic tank, I would have been convinced by his sweet smile! And maybe, I would have even said this while floating in shit: "I'm just a boy, floating in front of another boy, asking him to loourve him in return!"

Well, I know he looks the part and the clothes would not be a problem, but you know, the Barong Tagalog is kinda dated. Something more 'cultural'. Maybe, he should be my guest. Yes, him!

Fine that's a long shot I know, and my little crush with him was not even enough to make me vote for him during the last elections. Not to mention the many envious baklitas in the Awards Night that might mob me should I be seen with the guys above. Well, I need some one to defend me. Alam mo na! Baka kalmutin ako ng mga lola nyo sa Palanca. They might bitch-slap me and scratch my delicate Ilonggo skin! I need a hero! So, ok fine! That settles it! He should be my Palanca plus one!

Pramis, wala na talaga akong choice! Baka sya na lang talaga! Napipilitan na talaga ako eh. Hehehe. Hayaan nyo na akong mangarap ano ba!

My my my! Who should it be then? Help me out guys!

Credits:

All Photos grabbed from Google images

By popular demand

2011-08-10T05:06:00.008+08:00

The batchoy boi is ecstatic! Once again, a parcel came in August!

Oh yes, indeed! I will be at the Rigodon Ballroom of the Peninsula Hotel, Manila on September 1, 2011!

Yes, dear denizens. The Board of Judges for this year's Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards have found my entry meritorious enough to win the First Prize in the Filipino Poetry for Children category!

Oh yes, and I will be getting one of those ginormous 'plate-like' medals too! It's kinda ironic how, months before, even years before this happy day, I have always dreamed and fantasized of how it would feel to receive that Palanca 'pinggan' but when the letter finally came and I now actually stand to get one for myself, I seem to not believe I actually won one! I would jokingly tell my friends that my lone certificate from the Palanca Awards 2008 for my 3rd Prize win in the Hiligaynon Short Story category is already lonely on my wall and could use some company. Now, here it is - with a pinggan at that!

Much as I could not describe the incredible feeling the first time I won the Palanca, same goes with this one. It's true what they say that each award brings a thrill of its own. Perhaps I will never ever get used to this feeling - this exhilaration! Now before I get away with myself, let me get to the point of this blogpost. When I shared the news on my Facebook account, my ever supportive friends flooded me with congratulations and well wishes. This added to the sweetness of the triumph, even more than the award itself. One recurring request is for a copy of the winning piece. The entry is a collection of 10 poems for children. I am sure that it will appear on the Palanca website shortly, and since they have publishing consent, I'm afraid there will be 'technicalities' if I jump the gun and publish them online. So, to satisfy my loyal reading public and hordes of fans (Chos lang!) I'd like to give you the title poem of the collection. I believe it has already appeared in its unedited form somewhere in this blog, so let me repost it. Here goes:

AKO ANG BIDA

Ako ang bida.

Ako ang pinakamaganda.

Bago lagi ang damit ko at sapatos.

Sa akin ay wala nang nakakaungos.

Ako ang bida.

Ako ang laging nangunguna.

Mga gamit ko ay mamahalin.

Wala nang tatalo sa akin.

Ako ang bida.

Kinaiinggitan ng iba,

Sikat at pinaguusapan,

Sa buong paaralan.

Liban na lang pag may miting ang PTA

O di kaya ay tuwing Family Day.

Dahil si Nanay, sa ibang bansa nagtatrabaho

Hayun, si Yaya, sinasapawan ang byuti ko.

Thank you so much to all my friends, family and supporters who believed, prayed, wished and hoped with me. This victory is as much yours as it is mine! I love you guys! Oh, and yes, see you in Manila and let he coffee flow! The Batchoy boils over!

To the fragile heart of yours

2011-07-18T02:39:00.009+08:00

Dear Brokenhearted friend,

I know this is a VERY difficult time. I know your pain. I have been there myself a couple of times, and not so very long ago. To be very honest with you, I do not know what to do. Not any better than the time it was my own heart that got broken. Well, actually, my heart is being broken too - by your tears. You see, that is the one thing I can not bear to see - the sight of someone in tears over some stupid uncertainty of loving and the loss it brought when the dreaming ends. What do I say? That there is hope? That somehow, soon enough, the person who broke your heart would come to terms and to proper senses? Really? You wanna hear that? Or do I tell you that you are strong and you can weather this one out? Come on! Haven't you heard that from me enough times already? Will it really make you feel better? Will it really ease the pain? Oh, right! The pain! The excruciating, boundless, incomparable pain! That! Trust me, I know the feeling so well. In fact, when I see your pain escape through your eyes, I feel my own broken heart. I still feel the scars there. Healed up, yes, but then again, the scars still hurt every now and then, especially on long lonely and cold moonlit nights, and when it rains. The scars in fact sometimes do open up with the slightest provocation! Remember that pain, dear. Relish. These are the moments that make you realize how alive you are! The greater the pain, they say, the greater the affirmation of your capacity to love. Blah blah blah, right? All you want right now is for everything to be fine again. To be once more back in those arms you longed to hold you. Really? So, have you thought of other arms out there? Other embraces? Oh, yeah, right, coming from me, that should be hearsay. I know, right! I haven't found those arms myself. Oh, but the journey - the wonderful journey. :)

And so you pick up the pieces. The problem with picking up the pieces, aside from obviously not knowing where and how to start, is the tears that come unbidden. It clouds your vision so you don't see really well, and some pieces are just too sharp. They prick and cut you, and then you bleed all over again. Yes, the pain! Well, you can leave the pieces for a little while, but not too long. Left alone, the pieces might not adhere all too well. We don't want that much gap when piecing them together do we? Oh, and some pieces are too small, they get blown away, so the sooner you get to them, the better chances of piecing them together without so much missing. Well, okay, fine, there will be missing pieces no matter how diligently you scour for them. Yes, you will never be the same. These things change you.

So, what now? After what? Six, seven years? Honestly, I don't have any idea. When my heart got blasted too, after ten years with that shmuck, I got lost too. Does it matter how long really? Well maybe, the longer it took, the harder it will be to be over. I cannot vouch for that. See, I'm a sucker for these things. Even my brief stints hurt as much as the longer ones. That's just me. So let me tell you a secret. You might not need the information now, but trust me, you will find it fun when you get to look back. It was nice being lost. :)

Maybe next time, I will be able to tell you about the wonderful art of falling out of love. You see, it completes the process sometimes. We never can say how we loved well if we do not see how well we fall out of love. After all, we only get one shot at that love which would last us a lifetime. Only one love that would never end. Well, sometimes we don't get a shot at it at all, but that's not my point. Maybe, next time, we can talk of how it is to rediscover yourself after the break up, but not now. You need time to linger - to indulge. Maybe, there will be no next time. See, I can only do so much and sooner or later, I really have to be not there. Friendship is a combination of being there, so that our friends would feel our support, and not being there, so that our friends would know that we are confident enough with their own strengths. Sometimes we need to be left alone, and I believe it is during these times that we are left alone that we grow much.

This is getting to be a long boring drone, and to end it, I can only let you borrow my own mantra for heartbreaks like these. "This, too, shall pass!" Not much of an incantation or a mantra right, but it has worked, tested and proven. This, too, shall pass, my friend. I am quite confident you will be okay in the end. As long as I can, meanwhile, you have my ears. You have my shoulders to cry on, and you have my hugs to at least tide you through. Just a spoonful of sugar, says Mary Poppins, helps the medicine go down, in the most delightful way. Oh, and yes, Kahlil Gibran was sooo right! So love shall crown you, so shall it crucify you. I love you friend. Please be okay soon.

Hugs and Kisses
Luis

Photo Credits: All pictures grabbed from google images

Refuse Medical Attention

2011-06-26T01:10:00.003+08:00

Today was quite a day!

It started out with the happy occasion of my parent's 44th wedding anniversary. Most of the family got together in good spirits for a celebratory lunch. The (grand)kids were also there. When lunch winded down, it was too late and I was too lazy already to go to my next class at 1:00PM, so I decided to stay with my sister at the grill. She had some drinks with some of the boys and I had coffee from nearby Starbucks. Around 6PM, my friend texted me. He was offering me his month old Nokia C6 for only 7,500. I was reluctant for two reasons. One, I just recently upgraded to a Nokia 5800, which I got for 5,000, and secondly, I was waiting in the wings for a cheaper (almost free) deal with another friend for an N7. He said he was kinda pressed to sell his unit because he will be celebrating his birthday tomorrow, and funds were low. I haggled with him, and offered a trade in, which is the usual case. He said he'd get my 5800 for 2,500. I asked him to lower the price to 7,000 and to increase the swao value of my phone to 3,500. Which brings it evens. I'd just add 3,500 for the upgrade. He said, we had a deal at 4,000. Since he was a trusted friend and had good deals previously, plus it was his birthday, I agreed. I asked my older sister if she had cash with her and she agreed to give me the 4,000 I was asking. Perfect. And so we decided to meet at our usual coffee haunt and the exchange took place. So now I have a spanking upgraded unit.

As expected, most of the usual retinue of friends were there at the coffee shop. One of them was a good friend Jarrah, with whom I had a little strain with, days back. No big deal really, just a bit of a crease and I was ready to smooth it over with today. She was asking if we could go grab dinner at Parajan, a local Tapsilog joint. The closest one was along Iznart street, near the YMCA Building. Since Mike, another friend, had a car, we three drove there after my mug of coffee.

I was in the car tinkering with my new phone and as we neared the place, we saw a clump of people gathered at our side of the road. Then we saw two people lying sprawled on the pavements! There was a vehicular accident, and a motorcycle lay some inches away. Instinctively, I scanned for rescue team, Emergency Crew or Red Cross Volunteers but none were in sight. Instinctively, my Medic training kicked in. I got out of the car and assessed the situation to determine what sort of help I could extend. I saw that both men were conscious, though one peed in his pants, and the other was clutching his chest. There was a little blood but I saw there was no need for CPR or any of that emergency care stuff. There were no Emergency Crew in sight, and someone flagged a vacant jeep so both of them could be brought to the nearest public hospital, which was in La Paz district.

I did what little I could to help by making sure they were properly lifted and carried to avoid aggravating any injury that they might have sustained. Since both were conscious, we were able to carefully lift them and got them on the jeep. Since I was mainly the one lifting/carrying both of them, one at a time, I also got into the jeep together with one tanod official to get them to the hospital. The owner of the karaoke joint nearby also followed in his motorbike as he was the one facilitating earlier.

As we arrived, one other ambulance was in the process of unloading a patient. We immediately asked for a stretcher, but it was the waiting time that was stretched instead. We told them we were concerned citizens bringing the victims for medical attention. N0 stretcher were being brought out. After almost an hour, somebody in a red shirt said the ER was fully packed and there were no beds. If we insist, the only place for them would be on the floor. He then suggested we take the two guys elsewhere. It not being our call since after all, upon bringing them in for medical attention, our job is done, and since both victims were conscious, we left it to them to decide. A few minutes later, another ambulance from a nearby town came and the patient was tended to. At first there were reporters doing bit in the hospital who tried making heads or tails of the whole thing, reporting live for the radio.Some half an hour more, a TV Camera and a reporter came and took footages, trying their best to interview the victims. A colleague from the same station I used to work at managed to get a few words from me, which wasn't that much because I really did not know what happened. My only concern was to bring them to the hospital for emergency care. Just like magic, a few more minutes later after the camera started rolling, a stretcher appeared, with a lone orderly. Finally the guy clutching his chest complaining of pain there and hardness of breathing was brought in. The other guy who was ambulatory by then got down the jeep on his own and walked in too.

I am just amazed at how almost blatantly the other hospital employee told us we could not be accommodated, suggesting we take these victims to a different hospital, lying through his teeth about being full and there being no stretchers available. I hated the fact that had these guys been in a more critical condition, the long wait could have been fatal. I hate the fact too, that the hospital, being a public hospital could refuse to admit these guys who were obviously in need of emergency medical attention, just because no folks (read: paying parties) were with them. I also hate it that the News Camera was still needed as some sort of scare-factor before they took out the friggin stretcher and admit these two guys, who most likely are still in the state of shock! Whatever happened to public service, the good samaritan law, and even the oaths that these hospital people swore by?

Finally, when they already got in, I saw a text message from Mike saying they followed me and was there at the parking lot waiting for me. We ended up buying pork barbecue and isaw in front of the hospital in lieu of the supposed Parajan dinner. We ended up taking our dinner and drove to the San Rafael access road and ate our dinner by the side street gutters.

It was one hell of a day, and if you have still not guessed which hospital it was with all the clues then ok, let me tell you. It was at the WVSU-Don Benito Hospital. Whew!

The PhotoTag Incident

2011-05-02T09:51:00.002+08:00

I am taken a bit aback by a recent photo tagging. Someone from my friends list tagged some photos of mine to some of his own friends. I know that Facebook, being a public content and social networking website, it is possible for virtually everyone to view and share content. However, I believe that somehow, I am still entitled to what little privacy the site provides, and that according to my option and election. It may not be a big deal since whatever I post here, I own up to and am not ashamed of. For one, I would not post them if I wasn't. It's just that, sometimes, there are boundaries that need to be drawn. I believe I still exercise caution and selection in the posts I put out and I respect other people's boundaries too so I felt compelled to let that friend know of my concern. Here is the message I sent.

Hi,

I noticed you tagged a few people in one of my albums. While its ok to tag people who might be in a photo in my albums, I can see that you tagged people in one of the photos that has only me in it. Also,I saw that you tagged some other people that I am not even friends with or do not even know. I just like you to know that no matter how public these photos may be, I do not appreciate it that you indiscriminately tag people without my consent. This is a form of invasion of my privacy and a form of disrespect. For now, I have kept the album private to prevent from being tagged. I would appreciate it if you would refrain from doing the same, and if possible, kindly ask me before tagging anyone, especially those who may not have any business seeing those photos, or otherwise, those whom I may not even know. I just want you to know that I am not very happy with that. Thank you very much.

Respectfully

Luis

I edited the privacy of the album so no one else but me will be able to see it for the now. Since the friend was also online at that moment, the friend also promptly replied and apologized explaining that it was mere happiness in seeing the pictures and wanting to share perhaps the confidence and exuberance I exhibited in those photos. I just felt violated that the friend felt entitled to tag and share my photos even with people who I do not even know, nor are in my own friends list. In fairness, the apology was sincere and there was remorse. I said that it was not really a problem but I just felt violated so I had to let the friend know how I felt. Like civilized and educated people that we were, we settled the matter swiftly, humbly and amicably. This led me to a resolution. Maybe it's about time I create a second account for those who are close friends, family relatives and compatriots while maintaining an account for casual acquaintances, friends and the like. While I never before subscribed to such duality, the incident triggered me to rethink this option. After all, I am me, loud and proud. I just felt an unnecessary intrusion and violation of privacy, whatever little boundaries there may be left of it drawn in here. Anyhow, I m glad that the friend took to heart my message and responded in a respectful, apologetic and sincere manner. Now I am really thinking about revamping or creating a second account. Or maybe, just maybe, I was over reacting.

Labor of Love

2011-04-14T02:14:00.008+08:00

Jarrah, Eden Von, Apol, Sheena, Freenie:

Before I start, a few preliminaries is in order.
First, I write this as a labor of love. I have prayed and asked for guidance if this is
the right thing to do.

Second, this is the one time and the only way I know to intervene for you.
Should you take these against me, that is your choice. I shall only do this once
and if this too, fails, then I do not know what else to do.

Third, I have no personal interests whatsoever to the issue. I just can't take it in my heart
to see you degenerate and not get your acts together. I am in no way perfect. I too have my own faults, but if you could only see things the way I see them, perhaps you would understand why I'm trying to save what needs to be saved.

With that dispensed, let me proceed.

How did you guys meet? You met because of one common tie. The craft. I know your practices vary. Some may be even directly contradictory with each other, but that did not stop you from being a cohesive group. I know I am not even your original mentor. I do not even delude myself with the thought that you consider me as one. I am not even an elder. Some of you may have surpassed my practice and some of you I even trust and depend on for high expertise on certain areas. I am not necessarily wiser or better. I am happy with being your 'older brother,' of sorts.

I saw how you bonded together. How you cheered for each others success. How you pained for each others failures. I have seen how you guys grew together, how you stuck it out for each other. How you allowed each other elbow room. Yes there were disagreements, but you always, always found a way to harmonize. You concentrated on your similarities instead of your differences and have always treated each other with love and respect. That is why, for the past ten years, you have been together, still together. Every now and then, someone drops off and out, but you always looked after each others backs. You were there for each other. I do not think that such a friendship naturally occurs. You worked for it. You sacrificed a lot for it. Great friendships don't just happen. You make it happen.

Now it's essential to touch base on the issue at hand. I have heard, overheard and 're-heard' the issue again and again, from all possible perspectives and all the tails that accompanied it, until it became pregnant, giving birth to more and more issues. Naturally, at first I thought it was something you could 'weather off.' I was confident about the bond you guys had. I still hope I am right. I honestly do not care who is right, who is wrong, because honestly, each one of you has a valid point and each one has the right to react the way you did, oh, and yes, each one of you has contributed to the worsening of the situation.

Now, what exactly am I trying to get at or achieve with this? Simple. I want you to simmer down. Please think beyond the box. Think beyond your own petty issues and selfish emotions. I know that is a high and mighty thing to do and a tall order, but if you can just please give it a shot. Okay, fine, what I really want you to do is to just drop it. Drop the issue or with an 's' if you please. It is a deadly train that keeps getting longer and longer. Now if you can just drop it. Just like that.

Of course you can't just do that, can you?

That is why, I want you to take the chance for this Holy Week. If you could remember what lesson 101 is, please try to think back. Meditation. Give it time. Meditate. Purposeful silence and awareness. I know it is easy to say, 'so what, I don't need this friendship'. Yes, you don't need it. I agree. That exactly is your pride speaking. And that is what I call on silence is for. With so much anger, pride and hurt, love is forgotten. Love, after all, speaks in whispers and in soft voices that you have to strain your ears to hear it.

What's in it for me? Nothing. I can continue to be friends with you all in a personal level, devoid of the group or the bond, but it will never be the same. Ten years is an awfully long time invested to waste just like that. I know why you are so angry and hurt. That is because you have loved. You loved each and everyone that this hurt is borne out of a misunderstood love between all of you.

And so I ask you to meditate. Clear your thoughts and your hearts. Only when you have been wiped free of prejudices and burdens that you will be able to successfully come together to thresh out your differences. In fact, when you have achieved illumination and clarity, you would do exactly what I was hoping you would do. Drop everything.

As I have said, this is the one first and last time that I will be intervening for you. If this does not work, then I do not know what else would. I am hoping that you all find it in your heart to feel that bond that all of you have. That strong link. That power of friendship. That brotherhood/sisterhood. Order of the inner circle. Circle. No sides. Equal. Eternal.

As I have said, I may not be the most qualified person to say all these, but I feel that being older, at least age wise, I have to do something before this all end up in rubble and ruins. Exactly because I see the friendship and love that you guys worked so hard to achieve.

With these, I bless thee, all under the moon, the god and the goddess, by the four corners and the realms beyond. Merry we meet, merry, we shall part. Blessed be!

Love and Light,
Uriel Pyreaus Dominus

PS: If you do not see what I see with the words I said, then maybe, just maybe, a picture would say what remains unsaid.

Happy Birthday to me

2011-04-01T06:57:00.004+08:00

The Batchoy Boi turns a year older! Happy Birthday to me!

The party’s over. I had it days before my actual birthday. The few remaining celebration for the day were also over and done with – coffee, dinner and then some. The deluge of text messages trickled about three hours before and those posted on my facebook wall have all been replied to. So I am left to myself. I wanted it this way – for me to be with myself for the remaining hours of my birthday. I wanted to celebrate the last trickles with the most important person in my life – my own self. So there I was at a bar. The band was still playing. I bought a bottle of shandy. I don’t drink really, and I just wanted to take it slow and easy and just be with myself. I stood by the counters sipping my drink. I saw you look at me. You were with your friends. There were six of you. Let’s just say, you were my type; Chubby flubby, fair, chinkiy eyes, cute lips and ahmmm… dimpled cheeks. Just perfect. Except for one thing – your girl's arms were wrapped all over your arms. Oh well. continue listening to the band. You continue staring. I tried catching your stares but you would casually look away when I try to. Your girl clings obliviously.

Inevitably, the band called out my name. They greeted me. How could they not. I’m a band boy. They called me over to jam a song or two. I feel you look at me as I approach the stage. I sang a couple of songs. I’m used to this. As I said, I’m a band boy. I know you were staring at me while I was performing. I could tell. I was looking your way. After my songs, I got back to my spot. You were scribbling something. Then, you handed it to the waiter. Two songs later, I was called back by my band friends. Somebody requested a song, and I was requested to sing it. I was in good moods, so I gladly obliged my friends. I am so sure it was from you. I saw you smiling as I was singing the two songs you requested. Luckily, I knew the songs. When I finished, I was surprised to see a fresh bottle of shandy and a plate of food on the counter. There was also a slice of cake. The waiter informed me it was for me. I said I didn’t order these. He said it’s on the house. I doubt it. This must have come from you. I saw you smile. Your girl still held your hand. I smiled deep inside. Well…Happy Birthday to me.

A few minutes later, your group left. Oh well… about half an hour later, I went to the comfort room. I went inside one of the cubicles. When I finished peeing, you were there inside the room too. No one else was inside. I smiled at you. You smiled back and said ‘Happy Birthday singer boy. Great performance.’ I said ‘thank you, did the food and drink and cake come from you?’ You just smiled. ‘Why are you alone on your birthday?’ you asked. I said I just want to be and asked ‘where’s your friends, I thought you left earlier?’ You looked into my eyes and gave me a warm smile and said ‘Isn’t it obvious why I came back? You looked lonely. No one should be lonely on his birthday night.’ I thought, goodness, I feel thrilled and this is a badly written screenplay of some cheap Pinoy romantic flick. Where the hell were the people who were supposed to come in and use the toilets? This is so contrived! But your chinito eyes, they stir a longing in me. I responded, ‘but your girlfriend…’ I wasn’t able to finish my question because somebody came in. We tried to act casually.

The guy went straight to one cubicle and as soon as the door latched, you grabbed me, hugged me tight and pushed me back into the nearest cubicle. Your eyes danced with mischief as your tongue probed mine. I got instantly stiff. We kissed and kissed and kissed and we heard the door to the cubicle unlock and the main door open and latch close. You grabbed me. We exited the comfort room. I was blinded by the rush and you led me to your parked car. I knew it was crazy but your hands alternated between the shift stick and my crotch. We ended up in a motel and when finally you were about to suck my stiff member, you paused, looked at me with a silly grin and said, ‘happy birthday band boy,’ and you took it all in.

It was wild, it was passionate and you sapped me dry. We did it all over the room - on the bed, in the toilet, in the showers, by the table, and I came all over too - in your mouth, in your palms, on your chest, inside you. Exhaustion got the better of us and we fell asleep. I could remember hearing the telephone ring. It must be the front desk informing us that our time is over. You picked it up. I was waiting for a nudge from you to get up and get dressed but when you put the phone down it was your warm hug enveloping me that I felt. I slipped into blessed exhausted sleep.

I woke up to the warmth in my crotch, and I saw you already mounted and impaled, pumping up and down. Time didn’t matter. There is the urgency of this lust, perhaps the last one, before we finally get dressed and go. When we came, I asked you what time it was. You said it doesn’t matter. You had us booked for the rest of the day. You smiled as you lay down beside me. I grabbed a smoke. Then you nibbled my ears and whispered ‘happy birthday’ I smiled and said, ‘not anymore. My birthday expired last night.’ You smiled and kissed me saying, ‘no, not you. Me. Happy Birthday to me. Today is my birthday.’ I smiled and allowed you to hug me. In a few minutes you fell asleep on my chest. I watched your cute face deep in slumber and I thought to myself. Darn, what’s your name again? I don’t think we ever asked each other that. Oh well, happy birthday. In an hour, I will wake you up by pumping into you! One good turn deserves another.

Lethal Injection

2011-03-30T09:02:00.003+08:00

I am currently listening to the live stream of the on-going coverage of the promulgation of the sentence of the three Filipino OFW's in China. After everything has been said and done, it seems that only a miracle can stop the impending execution by Lethal Injection under the Chinese Laws. Even as early as two weeks back, the Chinese Ambassador has already expressed his regret saying that the Chinese Supreme Court have already a final decision and asked that the Philippine Government respect their laws and procedures. I just can't help but give my two cents worth on the issue as well. Here are my thoughts.

1. It is disappointing how China, and other countries still uses the death penalty by Lethal Injection as capital punishment for crimes. What makes it more disappointing is the fact that China has been a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. China signed the International Instrument on December 12, 1986 and ratified October 4, 1988. Debatable as it is, to my mind, Death by Lethal Injection is a Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading form of punishment.

2. It is also disappointing that there are still Filipinos who are being victimized and used as drug mules by big time syndicates. Whatever happened to the supposed job of governmental agencies to protect OFW's orient them of the dangers they face and other such follow-ups for them to protect them from these dangers.

3. I just wish that the media would give space to the families and allow them to grieve privately. All this media attention seem like a feeding frenzy to me. Media people seemed to have flocked to the family's houses in the hope of getting a 'scoop' or an 'exclusive.' To my mind, this adds to the stress to the families of the said OFW's. The hope of them relenting and not adding burden to the already frayed nerves of the families seem as dark as the chances of the stay of execution for these poor OFW's.

4. Finally, let us move forward from this experience. Let us reexamine the reasons why many Filipinos still brave the dangers, knowing wide awake the risks that they put their own selves through. Let us try to look for solutions to prevent this from happening again and again. Let us then be vigilant and be very cautious with our work abroad. Let us remember and honor the brave men and women of the Philippines who face thousand and one risks and dangers for the sake of their family's betterment. In closing, let us take a minute of silence to offer a prayer for the three OFW's in China and other migrant workers the world over.

Protect our Children

2011-03-29T00:49:00.009+08:00

Before I slept earlier, I reposted a video in my facebook account condemning the beleaguered TV host Willie Revillame of the show Willing Willie on TV5. The said video features a child contestant, six year old jan-jan who was made to dance ala macho dancer gyrating suggestively.

When I woke up, the news has gone viral, with the DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman writing a letter to the TV5 management to refrain from using children this way saying it was clearly a violation of the R.A 7610

I laud the feisty Secretary for acting swiftly on the issue. The MTRCB has also recommended that a panel study the said incident. Meanwhile, TV5 and Willie Revillame have issued apologies and even guested the kid on their latest show with the kids parents saying that they did not feel that the boy was traumatized or abused in any way.

I can not help but express my thoughts on the issue, being a trained Child Rights advocate and paralegal intern at that, trained and immersed on Developmental Legal Issues from the Alternative Law Groups and having completed internship programs from the Children's Legal Bureau.

Here is my piece on the issue:

First and foremost, I have long decried the blatant disregard for good manners and a lack of tact and tasteless tirades of Revillame on National TV. Again and again, he has presented himself as bastos, walang modo and continually put to shame the contestants, the audience and even his own staff in his shows, even before when he was still in ABS CBN. I have stopped watching these shows too.

Secondly, I have long found it abhorrent and loathsome how these shows portray children in very inappropriate roles or portrayals. I have long been indignant and have long held the opinion that making children cry on National TV, for the sake of ratings, getting sympathy for cash or for fame/notoriety is clearly violative of the rights of children to be duly protected and thus constitute a clear violation on the laws pertaining to these protection of the child. I remember an episode where Willie repeatedly asked a child to 'say something' to his father who, allegedly has abandoned them. The child repeatedly said that everything was okay and he had nothing else to say to the absent father, but Revillame kept goading and prodding, which resulted to a tearful message of the child to his absent parent. In my mind, the relieving or the opening of such sensitive issues for a child who has long been trying to forget and get on with life is clearly a form of emotional and psychological abuse at that. In fact, the ridicule he gives are well seen,poking fun at their appearances, and to highlight, sexualities. To subject a child to ridicule because of his apparent effeminacy is clearly a form of abuse and exploitation.

Thirdly, the statement of the parents that no such abuse or trauma was brought about by the incident should be taken with a grain of salt. After all, they were the ones who stand to be benefited with what Jan-jan earned in exchange of his public humiliation, and they too are the ones who will be portrayed evil if found to be amiss and remiss in their rearing and protection of his rights. But of course they will protect themselves and deny such allegations. They too, should be made respondents and party to the exploitation of this kid. Remember that on these issues, the paramount concern should be on 'what is for the best interest of the child,' not what these parents would stand to benefit or lose. Remember too, that matters of these nature are a 'social crime,' hence, people have the obligation to see fit that the rights of the child be protected and to stand up when they see it being violated. Let us also remember that, sad as it may seem, in many cases and even those decided by the courts, it has been proven that sometimes, the parents themselves may not be the most qualified people to protect these rights, and in fact, are the number one violators and exploiters of their very own children.

Fourthly, Willie says that there was no exploitation and they merely wanted to provide entertainment. Further, when he asked the child at a later part why he cried, the kid said that he was merely afraid of basketball star Bonel Balingit, whom Willie called in to stand beside the child. The very act of calling Bonel is already clear abuse. Surely, the intent of such an act is to intimidate the kid. Furthermore, when they saw the child crying, they should have stopped making him do what he was doing and asked the child why he was crying. The belated asking prompts one to think that the child might have been 'coached' already, and his hesitance to say the reason at first must be because he knows that if he, in any way, displease the host, he might not be able to 'win' something in the program. I also agree with Sec. Soliman in an interview aired on Radyo Singko that the mere 'repeated' performance of the child constitutes an abuse or exploitation. To ask the child to do the dance five or six times in the name of entertainment is just too much. He was even placed on an elevated floor that rose up while he was doing his tearful dance.

Finally, I also agree that with this issue, not only Willie or TV5 should be put spot on, but it would also be high time to examine other instances of children being abused on National TV. I agree that little female children should not be asked to dance and gyrate in a suggestive manner seemingly following more mature female sexy stars, or dressed in such manner as well. I agree that when children are being put on the set, the female dancers should also modify their dance steps to make them child-appropriate. In fact, even the courts are modified as per rules when placing a child under the witness stand so as not to create trauma to these poor children whose minds and psychological make-up are fragile and must be protected. I am one with the indignation and condemnation. Let us protect our children and let us not find amusement to the detriment and at the expense of our young ones. Let us be vigilant in protecting those who are not able to protect themselves from the harshness of the world. If we find humor and entertainment in these things, then maybe we should reexamine our entertainment values. Shame on us!

This issue is an indication that we do have a problem in our society. This is bigger than Revillame, or the dancing Jan-jan incident. Let us then take closer looks and be vigilant in reporting analogous cases and please, stop clapping or cheering on children being embarrassed and put in exploitative positions such as these. Let us be discerning and let us remember that these are real, living children, with rights to be protected, and not dolls or toys that exist to provide us with entertainment, pique our curiosities or afford us a laugh or two.

Taralerj!

2011-03-24T04:34:00.002+08:00

Duh! Kumusta naman ang Department of Tourism ng bansa? After launching, or rather attempting to launch the controversial new slogan "Pilipinas Kay Ganda!" which earned a lot of flak from the public and was highly criticized, they pull it off saying it was just on 'test-run.' Well it seems they are gonna bomb out once more. Here is the alleged new 'concept' for the new slogan.

Sabi ng Secretary of Tourism eh sa local tourists daw naka target ang bagong slogan. Nakikita daw nila na dapat palakasin ang domestic tourism at hikayatin pa sila na maglagalag sa buong bansa.

KUMUSTA KA NAMAN TEH?

How elementary could you get? How frustrating!

Una: Why do they insist, in the first place to replace the existing and very successful WOW Philippines campaign? Bakit kailangan palitan samantalang napaka successful nitey at malakas ang dating at recall value?

Pangalawa: Why do they insist on adopting a Tagalog/Filipino slogan? Rasunan pa na domestic ang target teh? Well, kung ganon nga, eh di ba mas epektib ata kung ang kampanya instead of Tara Na! Gawin na lang "WER NA U, HIR NA ME!" di ba? Mas simple, naiintindihan, masa direkta at mas epektibo? WER NA U, HIR NA ME sa DINAGYANG FESTIVAL ILOILO oh dava!

Pangatlo: Kumusta naman ang poster teh? Mas magaling pa yata ang pamangkin ko gumawa ng poster noh! At ang tatlong bata, I'm sure tatawagin nilang sina Luz, Vie, at Min. Wanabet?

Hay naku, kaloka lang. Sa panahon ng digital technological advancements, ito na yun? Ito na talaga teh? Kalurkeibelles! Yun nah!

Asians in the Library

2011-03-17T07:29:00.002+08:00

Kaloka lang ang Alexandra Wallace. Napanood ko sa youtube ang bilat. Nilait lait nya lang naman ang kultura ng mga Asyang. Kesyo daw tiga UCLA sha at nag aaral ng political science. Naiimbey daw sha kumvakit pag weekends eh more ang gorabelles ng mga jumag aneyk ng mga asyang sa apartment at maglalaba ipagsa-shopping, lulutuan at kung anek anek pa ng mga kamag-aneyk ang mga studyanteng Asyang. Eh gaga ka fala, ganun talaga kami teh! Servitude kami teh sa mga familyey gagah!

Tafos, nasa library nga daw sha nag aaral at nung malapit na daw sha magka Epifany eh bigla mag riring ang isang nyelpown at mag kukuda ang isang Asyang. Sabi pa ng bilat. Wooooohhhh!!! Ching Chong Ling Long Ting Tong! Gagang toh! Laitin ba ang lengwahe ng Asyang na mas matanda pa kesa sa markanong lengwahe na hiram hiram lang sa kung sa anek anek na lengwalalur?

Ang pinakanakakaloka, aba, di pa na kuntento ang hitad, at doon na talaga ako na jiniz de belen sa kanyey~ Aba'y pakialaman ba naman ang tsunami! Kesyo na iintindihan daw nya na nagka tsunami kayah lang nakaka disturbances daw sa Epiphany nya! Gaga! Sino ka ba sa kala mo si Chaka Khan na magkaka epiphany ka? Kalokah! Kailangan daw mag ka American manners ang mga Asyang. Gagang toh! Di ko ipupromote ang video nya kasi shinonggal na nya at kinlose ang channel nya pero kalat na sa youtube ang panlalait ng gaga. Instead, in my own way, itrak ang masasabi ko lang. Kung itrak ang mga Asyang na magchi-Ching Chong Ling Long Ting Tong sa library, gagah, magpapatayo ako ng sariling Library ko. Well, Music Library at least. Gagang bilat na toh! Honey you need to get laid. Nandun ang Epiphany na hinahanap mo.

Oh well... itrak na ang mga Asyang na felt ko maka Ching Chong Ling Long Ting Tong sa Library ko. Enjoy Batchoy Denizens. Pakisabuyan ng mainit init na batchoy ang hitad na bilat pag nakita nyo. Please lang!

Nung 2008 ko pa na feature ang Asyang na to kaya nangunguna sha

Love ko ang Song. Love ko na rin sha! Anuver!

Yummy lang sha! Ganda ng song. Atchaka, love nya daw ako. Kaya sha na talaga for now. Hehehehe. Gruff Chubby lang! Woof!

Kaya kay Alexandra Wallace, because I am a nice decent Filipino and Asian that my Mom raised well, with free laundry over the weekends, grocery shopping and all that shit, and growing up talking to my friends without any Ching Chong Ling Long Ting Tong thing, hindi ka pwede sa Library ko letche kah! Peace on the Batchoyan Library. Chos!

Gone

2011-03-16T02:06:00.007+08:00

I feel very very sad. I dunno why I only blog here when I'm sad and I certainly would not want this to be a habit but here I am updating this blog because I'm sad.

Tonight, my photo artist friend Babak Niaraki and I drove around the city to look for subjects to photograph for the pictures for my poetry book. We were looking for doors. Good doors. Solid doors, bamboo doors, battered doors, shattered doors. Basta, doors. We passed by my favorite ruins. This is the Laguda Mansion at Gen. Hughes St., near Colegio del Sagrado Corazon De Jesus. He told me that a new hotel was being constructed, and I didn't realize what he was telling me until I saw that the ruins were gone. Nothing left! Everything was cleared out and the hotel he was telling me about will rise in the same exact spot where the ruins were.

It broke my heart! Gone! Nada! Nothing.

I have always been proud of those ruins. I have always found deep mystery and beauty in those ruins. Remember an old post I wrote about Fort San Pedro, calling the place my secret sanctuary? These ruins are actually somewhere near, and every time I'd go to Fort San Pedro, I would pass by these ruins all the time.

Those ruins have always meant so much for me. I find beauty in the structure. It represented so much for me and it has always been poetic for me. I always told myself that if I had the money, I would buy the property, secure the ruins by checking its structural integrity and augmenting it if needed be or restoring it, then having an open air cafe on it. Now its gone. Razed and bulldozed to the ground. I dunno what else to say. My heart simply bleeds. I feel at a loss.

Here are photos taken from the net of how the ruins looked like.

Credit: Photo above by Marcos Chymera exploreILOILO.com
Suceeding Photos from http://ilonggos.net

I scanned my old friendster account remembering I once posted pictures I took with my cellphone camera. I found two. Only two of them.

Tonight I mourn yet another personal and artistic loss. No more grand photo shoot by the ruins. No more performance poetry sessions to be held there. No more book launch. Goodbye my favorite ruins.

This is it!

2011-02-22T23:24:00.002+08:00

This is it!

I have always been afraid to publish. Mostly because I have been afraid of the discriminating critics. There are times when I even stop myself from submitting to Folios and Anthologies. I don't know, maybe this is the writers version of stage-fright. And then, this year came.

I do not remember anymore how it started. I posted poems on my facebook notes and most of them took on the same vein. Erotica. I am originally a writer in Hiligaynon, and the poems I consider well crafted and those I love best are in the language, but from time to time, I also produce pieces in English and Filipino. The erotic poems are in English. Then, one of the poems I posted was featured in an online website by the Asia Writes Project. This gave me a deep feeling of satisfaction and affirmation as a writer.

As the facebook poem/notes continued to grow, I would often get comments. Why not publish a collection of poetry? As usual, my 'stage-fright' comes up. But this year, I might have overcome this. I decided, this is my year. Finally, I will pursue publication. I will live up to that title I use when I travel abroad. The one I place under 'Occupation' - author.

At this point, I have finished writing the 50 poems that will make up the compilation of the Erotic Poetry, and yes, I also have a working title for the book.

YES! Book! I am braving publishing my first ever Book! Under my own name, solo!

Whew! I feel overwhelmed and excited.

There is no turning back. I just pray that this will go well until the book is finally launched.

What comes next will be editing, reviewing, revising and rewriting the poems if needed. After which, I will meet with my photographer friend Babak Niaraki to brainstorm on the photos for the book. I intend the book to be a coffee table poetry book of sorts, with 50 poems and an accompanying photograph for each poem. Well, technically, since it is Erotica, it will be a bedside table book, then. After this, I am sending the manuscript to my Literary Mother, John Iremil E. Teodoro for further editing and critique. She will also have the honor of writing and Introduction to the Collection. After which, we will then be marketing the Folio to publishers. Whew!

For now, I will celebrate the collection's completion with unrestrained hibernation and a good nights sleep!

Oh by the way, the working title of the book is

"The Unfinished Phoenix Tattoo"
and other poems of Longing, Love and Lust
(Well, mostly, Lust)

Whew! I am ecstatic! Wish me luck Batchoy Denizens and pray
that this pushes through, well up until launching!

Hope Never Dies

2011-02-15T03:45:00.004+08:00

Hope Never Dies

My heart is heavy and burdened tonight and my eyes are blurry with tears.
I turn to the solace I know best. Writing. I admit that I have not posted any updates in this blog for a long time. It is Facebook's fault! It takes most of my time and the poetry folio I am compiling is also taking much of my writing time, but tonight, I come home to the batchoyan. I come home to the comforts of my denizens, who, hopefully are still there, and, as according to my feedjit tool, still continues to check for new posts from me. I am sorry that I come home with a heavy heart. It seems to me that my last few posts are all about one thing. Deaths. Well I'm so sorry that this has to be another one of those.

Her name is Sheila Mae. She is fondly called 'Hope' or 'Hopyang'. She is a cousin. Our moms are sisters. I am older than her by 4 years. She was the closest cousin I ever had in my whole life. We were neighbors. Literally our houses almost share a wall. You could imagine how close that would be. We grew up together. We had a beautiful childhood. Because we lived near the sea, or literally ON the sea, since the back kitchen portion of the house have posts stuck to the sand of the sea itself. We would swim together, play at the vacant portion in front of the chapel in our baranggay. We did lessons and assignments together. Our birthdays are on the same month, she on the 10th of March, I on the 31st. She was Hopiang and I was Manoy Zambo.

Years later, we transferred to where we are living right now. The house is still there, but we are already staying here at our new house. We kinda drifted apart as is what happens when you relocate and then, life gets the better of you. I would still see her at family gatherings such as weddings, funerals, birthdays and the like, and every time, the years melt away just like that. We would find ourselves laughing and chattering away. And oh, now, she has two adorable children. Gab, 5 years old and Alexia 1 year old. Then tonight happened.

She was rushed to the hospital days back when she had severe asthma attacks and simply dropped unconscious. The doctors said she was Dead On Arrival, but due to timely intervention, she was revived. However, she was comatose. We prayed for her. It was a miracle that she was revived, and we believed that the miracle of her waking up from her condition was only a matter of time. She had seizures. We kept hoping and praying, and this morning, I heard the news that she was being transferred to a semi-ward. She had stabilized but she contracted an infection, but she can now be moved out from the Intensive Care Unit.

It was Valentines day and so I went out and had dinner. I had a most lovely and pleasant evening but was aghast to discover upon my logging on to my facebook account that she expired at around 10:00 PM tonight.

The happy childhood memories flooded back to me. I can not help it. The tears kept flowing and flowing and flowing. I will miss her so much.

Yes, the blog title is very true. Hope never dies. She may have gone well and rested in the loving arms of God, but no, she will never die. She will live on forever in my heart, my mind and my memories. Hope, thank you so much for sharing your life with me. Thank you for the wonderful childhood days that would never have been the same without you. I shall cherish them forever. Sad as it may seem, and against my will, I commend your soul to the almighty. Even if I think you are too young at 27, to be already gone. Langga, Manoy Zambo loves you so much. I am sorry if I have not been there when you would have needed me, but surely I will always remember what you said : "Noy, indi mo gid ko ya malipatan kay ngalan ko sigarilyo mo - HOPE! (Noy, you will never forget me because my name is your cigarettes - HOPE). Yes, langga, I will never ever forget you, and yes langga, you will always be my bestest clostest and most favoritest cousin in the whole world. Farewell, Hopyang. You, Hope, will never die! Till we meet again! The seas await us! And then we shall play the games of our childhood days once more. I love you!

2011-01-29T06:56:00.002+08:00

Don't Dare Me!

Makulit ka lang din naman kuya no?

Masaya kang kausap. Masarap kakwentuhan.

Seryosohan. Bastusan. Lahat na!

Kumusta naman sa Roma, bebe?

Hulog ka ng langit at masaya dahil napadpad ka sa batchoyan

Uwi ka na sa Pinas kasi pakasalan mo na ako.

I Love You Ramses Mejia!

At wag ako dinedare magsisisi ka!

Walang burahan to!

Epic F

2011-01-22T17:15:00.004+08:00

And while at it, elsewhere in the lofty halls of Senate, another 'oh so brilliant I am dazed and dazzled' Senator has this to say.

Senate Bill 2639, authored by the highly intelligent Senator Lito Lapid, seeks to regulate and mandate that Billboards be either in English or Filipino only. If it be in a foreign language, it should contain the English or Filipino Translation. He says that signs in other languages 'alienate' the Filipinos. The Senator added, "It is incumbent upon the State to instill and maintain a sense of nationalism among dwellers... We, as Filipinos, should never be subjected to the alienation and seclusion that we are experiencing due to this phenomenon."

Brilliant, right? Now let's start at Binondo and Ongpin, where there is a proliferation of strange calligraphic signs. We don't know that the sign means 'restaurant' right? Or that it means 'internet cafe,' right? Oh and we are sooo alienated! Thank you so much, Senator!

Photo Credits:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.pinoy-ofw.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/lito-lapid.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.pinoy-ofw.com/news/4357-senator-lito-lapid-seeks-50-postal-discount-ofw-families.html&usg=__XDw8Eo-zjAomVM8AU18TO2u9IZQ=&h=320&w=229&sz=16&hl=en&start=4&sig2=dSdq2L5rrQgG-xTKtULWcw&zoom=1&tbnid=TU_zvihNAUaW-M:&tbnh=118&tbnw=84&ei=H6E6TbDMJYK8cJ-P0IUH&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlito%2Blapid%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D579%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1

Winner si Tiyay

2011-01-22T16:17:00.004+08:00

Winner si Tiya'y ko Mirring Lukring

Seeking to ammend Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code, Senate Bill 455 seeks to include all Digital MEdia Practitioners in the Protection afforded by the law.

“With the popularity of blogs and video-sharing websites such as YouTube, there are now a lot of people who regularly post sensitive political commentaries online, with content similar to those traditionally published in newspapers or broadcasted over the television. It is clear that practitioners of the digital media are exposed to the same dangers that print and broadcast media practitioners are exposed to, so they should likewise be given protection by the law,” she said.

Winner ka gid ya Chay! It's only a matter of time, that what I once proposed in this blog become a reality too. The revisiting of other National Laws to include the virtual community online, such as the revising of the Omnibus Elections Code, to include the reality and impact of the cyber community in our political exercise. Mabuhay ka Tiya'y!

Read the downloadable copy of the Bill HERE

Photo Credits:

http://www.coolbuster.net/2011/01/senate-bill-455.html

Like him

2011-01-20T04:07:00.002+08:00

Still in blog hiatus but reading the blogs in my list and being the lurker that I always was, I found a link in one of my blog mates. From my friend Aris of the blog Ako si Aris I got this. Well, vanity is my favorite sin, so I gave it a try.

The result:

I write like
Edgar Allan Poe

I Write Like by Mémoires, journal software. Analyze your writing!

Oh to write like my idol. To write like the Master of the Modern Short Story, father of Suspense and Mystery, Master of the Macabre and Free Verse Poetry!

It tickled my fancy, and gave me my 'happy thought.' Now all I need is pixie dust.

For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams...

Nevermore!

Chos!

Fermentation

2011-01-18T08:44:00.003+08:00

Maybe it's because some things need to be fermented before being dished out.

Maybe it's like poetry. When you grow older in the craft your poetry becomes less hysterical or verbose or loud.

Maybe it's self editorializing. The longer you blog, the more you tend to edit/gag yourself.

Maybe it's laziness. The writing it down gets so tiring that you do not want to bother anymore.

Maybe it's prioritization. There's so much going on yet there is nothing to do.

Maybe, it's maybeline.

For my loyal blog denizens who keep coming back, I'm sorry. My keyboard is on hiatus and the blog posts become harder to churn out. Thanks for sticking it out with the batchoyan. Don'tcha worry. I'm still around, and somethings bound to give in. It's gonna happen, happen someday says Liza Minnelli.

Meanwhile, happy January. I love you all

Solo (Not the song)

2011-01-02T04:22:00.003+08:00

And so, this was how I anticipated the new year.

When I came home, I was glad that one ritual had already been crashed out for me. I start my New Year celebration ritual by whipping my room into shape. Organized shape that is. I was kinda disconcerted to find my room oh so clean it spaced me out! Even the wood floor tiles were buffed and polished! Whoah! I got so disconcerted that I immediately poured out the contents of my trolly bag all askew! More like it! Hehehehe.

After resting a bit, I went out for coffee with some friends, and to buy me my personal gift. This is a yearly ritual for me. During special occasions, such as my birthday, Christmas, New Year, and death anniversary of the latest ex I am mourning as of the moment, I give myself something small yet meaningful. This year, since I managed to pop all the coffee makers I have bought or been given, I decided to buy me a new one. Nothing grand. Just some affordable generic black affair. I also got me coffee grinds, then Panetone from Tinapayan to go with my coffee.

I also bought me some tea light candles, vanilla essence oil, sandalwood incense sticks, a bottle of bubble bath liquid, Chai Spice tea a bouquet of flowers and white taper candles. I also got one pink helium filled balloon. These, except for pillar candle and the balloon, is for one of my new year rituals: a long luxurious bubble bath relaxing in candle light, enveloped by aromatic scents and sipping the tea infusion. I would ransack my closets and hopefully there are some bath salts left from my stash and some bath milk, mineral rocks and lather too. Half of the flowers I arranged into a tall vase so my room would be brighter and well... flowery-er. Half of them, I de-petaled to strew into the bath to make it more, well, spa-ish! Now all that's missing would be a naked chubby chinito Violinist to serenade me. Serenade lang talaga, no sex promise! Well... not until I finish my bath that is hehehehe....

The pillar candle is for my little 'light a candle' for peace ritual. I light it and say a little prayer. Very simple and self-explanatory. The balloon is for my wish release ritual. After writing down my wishes for the new year, I would tie it to a string tied to the balloon. As the new year is ushered in, instead of lighting fire crackers, I would release the balloon to drift towards the heavens!

This year, too, without fail, my little sister Sarah requested me to cook my legendary Spaghetti Carbonara. Before my bath, I made sure it was already done. What got to me was the absence of the usual mess with everyone rushing to and fro and the noises that the holiday spirits bring into the house. Now, it was quieter and more silent. The birds have flown the coop so to speak. It has been quieter already for the past years ever since, one by one, my older siblings have moved to the US of A to live their dreams and raise their families.

Now, it was almost silent. My three younger sibs were nowhere to be found in the house. My little brother is with his wifey and kid. My little sister also with his hubby and kid, and my baby sister, with his boyfie. There was an altercation between baby sis and little sis, and this prompted the exodus.

Although at around 10PM, my older brother, who came home for the Holidays, and little sis came for a visit. I was hopeful that somehow, there would be happy chatter as we usher in the new year later, but I was disappointed when they started bidding goodbye to celebrate their own new years with their own 'families.' Sigh...

And so, there was me, and my mom, my dad, and my mom's sister, who stays with us. Then again, evil as it may seem, I secretly relished the fact that, finally, for the longest time, I am the only one with the privilege of waiting and counting down the new year with our parents. ALL MINE!!! SOLO!!! You see, when you grew up in a brood of seven, you would know what I'm saying. Everyone hogs or competes, or elbows his or her own 'Me' time with the parents. Now, here we are, and I am the one with the singular distinction! AHLAVET! Hehehe...

We took seats on the terrace, the three of us, while we gazed at how the skies were painted with colors and firebursts. As the new year chimed in, we greeted each other, kissed, and hugged, and told each other how we love one another. Again, the SOLO feeling! HAH! ALL TO MYSELF! See, I'm the one left Mom! See, I'm still here DAD! ME! ONLY ME! Smug smug smug! hehehehe... It hit me. So! If this is the pay-off I get for the cosmic shittiness of finding myself still single and unattached, and being the last man standing so to speak among my siblings in the romance department, then it IS one swell pay-off.

And so, Dad raised his glass of Black Label, Mom her champagne,and me, my mug of coffee, to toast the new year!

Here's to A GREAT YEAR Ahead and here's hoping that, in some other aspects, I won't be SOLO for long!

Happy New Year Batchoy Denizens!

Masisisi mo ba ako?

2010-12-28T20:20:00.005+08:00

Kaloka ka lang.

Naaayos mo ang mga sira sirang gamit ko.

Yung laptop ko na dati ay madilim ang display, napaliwanag mo. Yung sana'y malamig ko na pasko, napag init at napa lagablab mo. Ang makulimlim kong buhay ay napapaliwanag mo ng bonggang bongga.
Yung mga halik mo nakakapawi ng mga lungkot at takot ko. Yung yakap mo, nakakapag aalis ng inis at pagod ko.

Yung cell phone ko na matagal ko na hindi magamit dahil ayaw gumana, naayos at napagana mo. Pati ang gutay gutay ko na na mga pinapangarap sa buhay, naipagtatagpi tagpi mo. Yung mga basag basag ko na na mga hinahangad at di na pinaniniwalaan, na iis-is at napapakinang mo ulit.

Ngayon...

Masisisi mo ba ako kung ayaw ko na ikaw pakawalan pa? Na ayaw ko na ikaw ma experience ng iba? Na gusto ko na lang umuwi sa mga yakap at halik mo?

Masisisi mo ba ako kung gustuhin kong sirain na lang ng bonggang bongga ang buhay ko at ipaayos na lang sa yo?

Etchos lang!

Mas sira sira kaya ang buhay mo kesa sa kin hehehehe

Charing kanding nga nag tambling!
Etchos lucos nalumos sa ginamos!

I love you... Puta ka! Magsawa ka sa iba!

Ex-tensions (The after death Chronicles Final Part)

2010-12-27T16:59:00.004+08:00

And so the final piece needs to be written. I really was hesitating to write it, but then, some things just have to come full circle. A lot of things happened in the intervening days and weeks since the first post of the After death chronicles was written. And so it comes down to this.

The second ex to be notified is actually more complex and touchy. If it could have been avoided all together, I would. I left a message in his Facebook account. I left my number and asked him to call me or text me so I could call him. I did not want to just drop the bomb like that on facebook messaging. Things like these need a voice. He replied belatedly with a message confirming if it was indeed me writing him a message. I understand. He's an 'otaku' or a tech geek. He is very wary of spams and scams on line. Besides, after the devastating break up, I imposed a total block and freeze over. No contacts. No news. No whatsoever. I refrained from making online trails that he may be able to follow for at least 18 months to get off his radar. No nothing. Only a few months ago was I surprised to find a friend request on facebook from him.

See, JM was his 'kuma-chan,' remember? Yes, he was THAT ex. Well, then we exchanged a few SMS' and I kept it within JM's parameters. No 'how are you's,' no how's life treating you's, just JM this and that. En route JM's burial he called me. He said he just got off the office and was asking where I was. I told him I was with the funeral caravan. He was asking directions and wanted to go but it was too far for him. See, I never asked him to meet up or whatever. I said what I had to say. That JM was gone, where he lies in state, when the funeral would be, and it would be up to him if he wants to make time and pay his final respects. I have done my job. Whatever he does next is none of my concerns and needs not my involvement in any way.

I was surprised to receive a call from him two days after JM's funeral. What now? He said he wanted to see me. He said it was his last work day for the week. He wanted to have coffee. I hesitated. This has nothing to do with JM. Then again, if it's true that I am over him really, then why fear a meet up. Fine!

And so, Starbuck's 6750 it was. I came before him because, though he works in Makati, he does not know his way around. I am now more geographically and navigationally adept than him in the metro. He said he was coming with a workmate friend. Tsch! Buffer! What a scaredy cat! Afraid to face the batchoy all by himself. Well...

I saw him and friend approach from the other side of the road. He looked a bit unkempt than he used too. Heavier, gruffier, and well... pardon me... dirtier. Tsk! The lover, if he has any, has poor 'hubby keeping skills.'

He approached my table. I stood up. Saw him open his arms wide and I just let myself be swept into his embrace. The world did not really stop like a sappy romantic flick. It was warm, it was nice and tight, and his hands and arms still knew the nooks and crannies of my body for maximum contact. No. No death defying nuclear meltdown. Not until he casually leaned his head sideways and comfortably found the perfect spot on my shoulder, nuzzling my neck with his stubble, just like he used to. Then boom!

Fuck it!

And so, we talked. Why this was so, why such was such. He vehemently denied that the reason for the break up was a third party. They never became them. He said the real reason was that because he chickened out. He got so overwhelmed by our plans. We were literally on the edge and he got afraid to take the plunge. The leap of faith! He chickened out on us.

He went on to tell me how he felt that his life after me was one big melodramatic karma. Misfortunes, one after the other. The only thing that softened the blows was that he felt he deserved everything, for breaking my heart into fragments and smithereens. I felt my cheeks dampen. Too bad, but...

SO I agreed to come home with him. He is living in their family's ancestral house now, good stable job, nice hobbies and more or less more matured and driven life. But! The Luis Karma.
He was on the tail end of a degrading and disintegrating 3-year relationship. Dependency, bad sex and abuse of favors and kindness. The whole clan of the BF was practically living in their house. Bottomline... Bad sex.

When the doors closed we were all over each other. God! He still knows my body. Where to touch me, how to touch me, when to and when not to. Oh yes, there was sex. Mind blowing sex!
Death defying, soul severing, cosmic explosive sex! From the back of the door to the stairs, to the couch, to the showers, to the tub, to bed and beyond. All with the boyfriend and the family in the house and some visiting friends.

He said that his boyfriend's idea to save the bad sex was third wheeling. At first he liked the sexual release but later found it so dirty and started hating himself for it. I would have none of his drama. His situation, his luck, his call. I'm here to just get what I can take. After rounds of sex, while on cool down, he handed me a keychain. In his purry sex-logged voice he asked me to move my things and stay with him here for as long as I need until I get back to my trips for my Dad. How can I say no? Amazing sex? Oh and yes, the boyfriend 'pawed' me too. I consented to it so that if and when we get caught, I'd have a ready slap back. Hello, so you have now become the queen and role model of sexual purity and fidelity? And yes, we did get caught.

Days later, he finally broke up with the boyfriend. He insists that it was a long overdue thing and I had nothing to do with it. Whatever. The set up was perfect. Intimacy, warmth and a blazing Christmas, the I go back to my travels, and then some when I get back. Not until we talked...

Then I realized, I love him. Not with the remnant love or the dying embers rekindled, but with a brand new love for the him that he is right now. You know how love tends to muck up things, right? If this thing was able to survive the cold blast of silence and indifference and the soul sapping drought of no news and no nothing, then this must be something else. This hardy thing must be it!Now I don't want to take what I can get. I want all of it.

But he was not ready for me. He said it was so unfair for me to just drop in and breeze through his life the way I also did six years ago. That he had plans... that he needs time to heal... time to mourn... time to... whatever.

It was not easy. I told him that some people whine, gripe, pray and even coerce for a shot at something. We were so lucky to have been given two shots at it.

Then again... maybe this is really the message of the universe. He has to take his own flights. I have to take mine. Love just muddles it all up.

And one more thing does.

The promise we made that no matter what, he and I will always be there. No getting lost. No news block out. This. For now...

Looks like I made myself another one of those that defies labels or classifications.
Well...
We'll see...

So what are we? I asked. FuBu? Friends with benefits?
He said, "why the need to label."
I replied, "Fine, not FuBu not friends with benefits."
He asked, "what then."
Friends with Privileges.
Yes. Thats new!

He says he's Nelly Fortado's "I'm like a bird."
I said no... you're not a bird. Though you have a very nice one, hehehe. You are a butterfly.

Soar high my butterfly!

Tradition

2010-12-23T17:16:00.005+08:00

In the tradition of Extra Super Special Batchoy With Egg, I proudly present to you a Christmas Cantata. The Batchoy Boi has selected threee Christmas songs for your listening pleasure dear Batchoyan Denizens. Here we go.

Let's start off with a classic Christmas Carol

And now we have something from our very own Islands of the Pinas!

To cap off the cantata, Here is the King himself singing what the Batchoy Boi feels like this Christmas time!

Merry Christmas Batchoyan Denizens. Consider this my humble Christmas present to all of you. May you all be blessed and truly feel the true Christmas Spirit. I love you all!

Video Credits:
youtube

Realizations and an FGD (The After Death Chronicles Part 3)

2010-12-19T20:56:00.005+08:00

With JM's death, I realized a lot of things. Some of them that I already know and am aware of, have been strengthened and renewed. Some of them I have been considering for quite some time and now gracefully accept and adopt while some of them completely unacceptable before, I reconsider and soften up to. Maybe, when people close to us dies, we get to reassess our own lives and we renew the commitments to ourselves to live our lives more, bigger, better, wiser and bolder.In the end, it is not what we have reached but how we reached for them that people would remember most.

I consider myself as someone who hold grudges for a very long time. Forgiving is easy but forgetting is another thing. I realized that in the end, these things really don't matter. What matters is the moments of joy you shared with people.Those who genuinely felt your love and was blessed and touched by your life would remember you with how you changed their lives or made an impact on them. I still have some of my grudges, but most of them that I can not even remember, I have let go. Travel light. Less baggage less worries.

I also realized that no matter how crazy, mad, or unrequited it may seem, people remember you for the love you have shown. I realized that in the end, those who concealed, kept and became scared to show that they care are the saddest people in the world. The love and care that could have been shown will never see the light of day when we are gone. So go! Fall in love in the craziest, maddest and deepest way possible. Follow your heart. It may not always lead you to the right path or not even bring you happiness but it will always lead you back to yourself.

My belief that there is such a thing called too late has also been bolstered - the concept of too late in opposition to the concept of too fast. While we should exercise care and caution, we must not take too long. There is never a more appropriate or perfect time than today. Right here, right now! Later may be too late.

I also confirmed that 'too busy' is such a lame excuse. Too busy to say hi, too busy to call, too busy to reply, too busy to sit down and have coffee, too busy to just let the moment pass us by, too busy... Maybe next time. Such is the paradox of life. While we are too busy for other things, the more important moments just passes us by and we can never have that moment ever again because we were too busy with something else, which, in retrospect, wasn't that important after all.

The most important realization I had was the fact that the fire in me is almost dying and it was a good thing I stopped and noticed it sputter. See, I used to believe that for a shot at happiness everything is worth it. However, past hurts, pains and brushes with the madness that is life has made me more careful, more cautious, thus, making me miss out and not taking those shots. I should have taken the shot with JM. Now he's gone and I will never have that ever again. It doesn't matter that he would have died anyway. Some may argue that it saved me from ton loads of heart aches and pain. Then again, pain is a constant fact. We seem to live life with the purpose of avoiding pain. Sometimes, pain is good for us. Pain makes our poetry beautiful says my mother John Iremil. I realized that I am not what I used to be. I get scared easily. I have more walls - more shields ergo, more issues, more hung-up. There and then I decided to bring out the brave and bold me, proudly declaring that indeed, for a shot at happiness everything is worth it. If I miss, then I will console myself with the fact that at least I took the shot. It could have been 'it.'

Finally, I have renewed my commitment to do whatever it takes, because I realized that people could die lonely, and people could die alone. I don't want that. I will take my chances, and I will not be afraid. Carpe Diem... Seize the day! What's a little hurt and a little pain for that chance at forever?

Now, coincidentally, during one Friday night Bible Study and Support Group of my church MCCQC, we talked about death. The round table discussion question was :"How would you like people to remember you by best when you die." It got me thinking. Honestly, the question sounds simple ala Miss Universe but come to think of it... How indeed?

I was thinking I would like to be remembered by as a good friend, a good person, someone who made me smile/laugh/happy etc etc etc. Then again, wouldn't we all want to be that? I was thinking, I want people to remember me as someone who wrote poems, stories and blogs that made an impact on them. Too lofty perhaps? How about someone who loved with everything he had. Sounds good. Thing is, like it or not, the people who matter to us most would not remember us by the greatness we have achieved. These things are reserved for grandstanders during eulogies. What people remember us by really are those little moments etched in their hearts forever. The small things... So, I ask you batchoy denizens... How would you like to be remembered by best?

Call it vanity, call it egotism or call it a 'I don't feel so great please give me a little pat on the back or a nice warm hug to make me feel better' thing. Let me ask you. How would you best remember me by?

Talk to me!

Photo Credits:
http://www.rindewebsitedesigns.com/buchser/inmemory.html

First Gift

2010-12-16T04:41:00.003+08:00

I am not in the country, and I may not even have a Christmas in the country where I am now.

Therefore I doubt it that I would get any Christmas presents this year. Well not until I get back to the Philippines at least.

However, I got my very first Christmas Gift. The best, perhaps, tonight.

I rode a taxi (taksi) from my hotel in Jakarta to the nearest Starbucks Branch. I brought along my dilapidated laptop.

(The letter A key is non existent, and it is battered here and there) to update my emails and everything online. I know Starbucks here offer absolutely free Wi-Fi access.

Since my laptop is battered, the battery life is less than an hour. I plugged in an outlet but to my dismay, the converter plug I brought along wouldn't fit. Those that they have here are the round plugs. I have a converter but thing is, the plugs are recessed and circular. My converter was square and would not fit into the outlet.

There were two guys beside me who were starting to fix up their stuff. Obviously, they're done with web browsing and ready to call it a day. They saw me, and one of the guys had me borrow his converter. I declined because I saw that they were leaving. I thought I'd just get into an electronics shop (wherever that is, and good luck to the shop attendant's English speaking skills!) the next day to buy me one of those. Facebook could wait.

He said it was okay and he handed me the converter.

After fifteen minutes, I promptly returned the converter. I did not want to abuse the kindness and keep them waiting. They looked tired. Well, cutely tired. Yes, batchoy denizen, the converter plug guy IS chubby!

He said it was okay. They were starting to fix up and ready to leave. I promptly unplugged my laptop charger to return the plug but he smiled at me and said: "It's okay, you can have that. Merry Christmas!"

Imagine my happiness! Not that the converter plug was pricey or anything, but I was touched by the gesture, and from a stranger in a non-Christian country at that! It warmed my heart and I thanked him profusely! I will treasure this first Christmas Gift from an Indonesian Santa Claus. It just goes to show that kindness, love and good cheer knows no religion, nationality or borders.

Terimah Kasi to you Sir. I didn't evem get your name, and Merry Christmas Indeed!

Not So Ghosts of Exes Past (The After Death Chronicles Part 2)

2010-12-14T14:53:00.009+08:00

JM's death brought more than just one ghost to the forefront.

To say that his passing away caused some kind of avalanche in my otherwise placid and boring life is an understatement. Some ghosts of the past came to haunt me as well. With the news and its confirmation, what comes next naturally is telling people that I know of, who might also know him that he is gone so that they too may be able to pay their final respects.

At first I was hesitant. The only two other person I know of and have contacts with in a way are all... well... exes. Before even braving to break the silence, I counseled with my trusted friends if I should do it. They echoed my sentiments that it has to be done, no matter what the frictions in the past I have with the living. After all, it was the Christian thing to do. Let the dead bury the dead so to speak. So I braved the rift.

Let's start with Ex #1. Well, technically, we weren't really exes so to speak. It was, at most, a passionate affair, but see, what makes it awkward is the fact that he was THE BIG CRASH. Doc Oinkie! Remember? The Manic Monday that never came to be? Oh yes! I still have his number. I tried to call. It rang forever. He was not picking up. So I texted.

Batchoy: Hi, Doc. I didn't want to bother you. I did not want to tell you through text, but you are not picking up. I just want you to know that JM passed away. His body lies in state at such and such Memorial Chapels. You might want to pay your final respects.

In a matter of minutes, my phone rang. It was doc. I can hear his soothing voice and my heart, as usual, leaped up to my throat. He has such an effect on me that yes, I must admit, I even had a hard on. Bad Batchoy! The eventual 'interview' ensued. Are you sure, what is the cause of death blah blah blah. And then...

Doc: And how are you?
Luis: (Shit!) I'm fine. No. I'm great! ( And still not able to get past that Monday that never came, you stinkin' lyin' b@st@rd you!) Never better.
Doc: Are you going to the chapel?
Luis: Ahmm, I have been there earlier, that's why I was able to confirm.
Doc: I might go. I want to go. Maybe tonight.
Luis: Please do, Doc.
Doc: Where will you be? Will you be free tonight?
Luis: Ahmmm ( Of course, I will be free if you ask me to be! Stupid!) Let me see.
Doc: I was hoping you'd go when I do. I wanted to see you too!
Luis: (Arggghh!) Sure, let's see what we can arrange. What time will you be going.

And so... I agreed to meet up with him. In the chapels.
Message received

Doc: You know I'm attached, right?
Luis: Yes. What has that got to do with JM?
Doc: Nothing. Just saying.
Luis: Don't sweat it, doc oinkee. I'll see you there.

I made sure he got there ahead of me. I don't wanna be kept waiting. Not this time.

I entered the chapel and saw him instantly. On the front rows near the casket. He was beside an oldish guy. He was chatting with JM's mom. I eyed him cautiously. God, he still looks as good as I remember him to be. And the guy beside him? Well, vanity and pride, my dear.

No contest.

He saw me. He motioned me to come sit beside him. I did a quick feel of my pulse. Surprisingly, no palpitations there. So I sat. Not much of catching up it was. He was very cautious around the boyfriend. Well, what did I expect? The exchange was clipped and careful. He asked me what my liaisons with JM was. If we dated, slept together, and all that jazz. I said yes. He sighed and I caught him whisper. 'Lucky guy!' I countered. 'Dead guy now!' He smiled. 'Still sharp and funny.' I did not want to look into his eyes. I did not want to interpret what I saw as a longing.

I kept checking my pulse. What is wrong with me? I can't seem to feel anything. What? No skip? No jitter? No big brass band? Well....

I left the room to have a ciggie. He followed suit. The boyfriend followed suit. Discomfort followed suit.

The night had to end. They had to get home because they have jobs the next day. I had to get home too. I walked him to the parking lot. Final goodbyes have to be said. I started extending my hand to shake his hands. He took my hand and pulled me to a tight hug. I heard him whisper. I missed you. Take care of yourself.

I thought, yeah, I have to take care of myself. No one does it for me.

I saw them get in to the car and drive away. I replayed the hug. Rechecked my pulse.

No response. NR.

Just like the result of the Elisa Test they did on JM, given his sexual preference and activities, they had to admit and be honest with their selves that such a possibility exists.

NR.

No reaction. Negative.

The way I tested these last few times. I do my Elisa's at least twice a year.

I slowly walked out of the funeral home.

NR

Another ghost exorcised. Another loss. Another grief.

The big crash crashed down!
No more kahuna.
The wave broke and the shore placid in the moonlight.

NR

Goodbye Doc Oinkie.

Photo Credits: http://boingboing.net/2009/10/06/exorcisms-vs-schizop.html

Happy Poet

2010-12-09T23:26:00.002+08:00

Break muna sa nakaka depress na Death Chronicles.

Masaya ang batchoy boi at magandang balita ang natanggap.

One of his poems got featured in a respected literary site and he is just bubbling over with pride and joy.

Thank you so much Asia Writes for the honor. I am humbled guys.

Here is the link to the website.

Kung tamad ka ma click, here's the poem.

Divination

By Luis Batchoy

"The key to unlocking this puzzle

is within you"

- Doriel, mentor of Mistral Isle

Magic the Gathering card 'Divination' flavor text

You told me that the runes were vague

And even the lines in the palm of my hands

Were not enough to ascertain

My destiny, so we moved on

To more arcane tools and methods.

You chuckled when I asked

About crystal balls and visceral castings.

While you lighted your sacred

Candles,

The Feng Shui of your room

Demands we heed the flow of Chi

On your inviting bed.

You must slowly map the moles

In my body with a far more

Efficient hands, than eyes

That won't do well in darkness.

It was not kissing.

It was labiomancy.

As the heat surges

It was obvious we

needed to go Kirilian.

Now we alternate to Reiki

With your gifted palms.

Clamancy in our choral moans and groans

Or were we speaking in tongues?

Tongues, yes, of course

Tongues and dowsing rods.

Bumpology for the bumps on my bodies

Or plainly bumping, humping pumping?

At this point I forget whether we're moving into

Kabbalah, or are we approximating the Kama Sutra?

It doesn't matter as long as

I'm moving into you.

Thus we invented

Sodomancy.

Now we debate if I explode within you

Or if we need the fluids for drimimancy.

Later as we sip coffee and smoke.

We realized that we could have had

Tea instead, for teacup scrying.

Then again, we can always

Go back to your room

And survey the sheets.

There must be omens there.

Or if we feel Karmically bound

To repeat history

Again and again.

We both took out

Our Tarot

Decks.

Photo Credits:

http://gatherer.wizards.com/

Replacement (The After Death Chronicles Part1)

2010-12-06T02:27:00.007+08:00

So he's dead. But it looks like his death caused an avalanche of events and chain reactions so to speak. I'm grappling with them and dealing with them the best I know how. This is the first among some of what happened as a result of his death.

I visited the wake three days in a row. I met the family. The family met me. They were warm, nice and very accommodating. We talked. About him, about me, about him and me. He lead a secret life away from home. He never brought anyone over to the house. Not even workmates, or friends. They know his sexual preference but no more than that. They wished someone would come out and introduce himself to them. I was the only one. The mom was especially warm, more so when she discovered that I was Ilonggo too. He never mentioned that to me. Now I know why he kept on making lambing for me to speak Hiligaynon. I don't know why he never told me his family were Ilonggo's. Both his mom and dad. One was from Bacolod one was from Iloilo.

The last night of the wake, I met a very outspoken and very beautiful aunt of his.

Aunt: Hi, so you are Luis?
Me: Yes, tita.
Aunt: I have heard so much about you. Thanks for coming hijo.
Me: You are welcome tita.
Aunt: Too bad, we met just now and under such sad circumstances. Well at least, now we're acquainted.
Me: Thank you tita and condolence po.
Aunt: Condolence too hijo. You have lost someone too. Welcome to the family. Don't worry. You do not need to be ashamed. We love those whom our nephew loved. We don't care which gender he chose to love. It doesn't matter. As long as he loved.
Me: Thank you tita.
Aunt: We hope to see more of you ok?
Me: Yes po, tita.
Aunt: Tomorrow at the funeral, of course?
Me: Yes tita.

At the funeral, I came a bit early. Two of the closest cousins were there and they were very warm. The black mourning pins came. It was distributed among the family members. I was surprised when his mom called me and gave me a pin. I didn't want to be presumptuous so I kept it in my pockets.

The tita saw me. She asked me to help her pin hers on her dress. Then she noticed I was not wearing one. She asked why I wasn't given one yet. The mom came over and asked where was the pin she gave me. I took it out of my pocket and she got it from me and pinned it on the left side of my shirt.

Everyone was kind to me. They kept patting me, asking if I was okay. I waited until the chapel staff brought out the casket. Everyone started getting into cars and transportation. I went with a sister and his closest cousin. At the funeral, I tried my best not to cry. I did not want to make a scene or draw attention to myself. I wasn't able to help it. I hope I did not bawl out too loudly. Then came the final viewing. The family went first. I did not want to view him one last time. I want to remember him the way I do. He looks so emaciated in his casket I did not want that to be my last image of him. Somebody took my hand and led me to the casket. It was another sister. Then white roses were handed out. I was given one. We were supposed to throw it down the hole when the casket has been lowered. I felt my heart break. I didn't know that it would feel this sad and this heavy.

Then I was handed white balloons. They told me I should have the honor and privilege of letting them go to drift in the afternoon skies. Symbolic of us letting him go and committing him to the heavens up above. I quickly wiped the tears that were trickling down my face. I never dared to take off the dark glasses hiding my eyes. Good bye kumag chan! The family insisted that I ride back to their house with them. I told them before that this was one of the things we fought about. He was adamant in not bringing me home or introducing me to any one of them. I was not able to find a way to decline. When I was at their house, I realized I miss him all the more now that I have seen where he lived. His mom made me promise to keep in touch and visit anytime I wanted. I promised.

Nine days later, I got a text from his mom. She was inviting me for dinner with the family to commemorate the 9th day of this death, and for a despedida party for the sister who was going back to the states. I tried to decline saying I lived a bit far from where the dinner was to be held but she countered by saying they're picking me up. So I went. My heart melted when I arrived and kissed his dad. He had the sweetest smile for me. In his limited range of motion, he tried patting my back. He is a stroke survivor.

Dinner was good. It was nice to see everyone recovering nicely and it was good to see them meet again under lighter circumstances. I smile deep inside when I realized that I'm the odd one out. I know that remembrances are important, but sighed too because I know I'm living on a borrowed time. Sooner or later, we would have to part ways and move on with our own lives. We will run out of remembrances and reasons to meet and get together in memory of him. I was wrong, or so it seems.

After dinner, the younger guys wanted to go videoke. Naturally, I got grabbed along. He was musically gifted and it was inevitable for them to comment that although they never saw us together, we must have made a good pair. We both sing well. I tried brushing it off. Just remembrances. When the gang was slightly liquored up, the close cousin asked me if I knew how to play the piano. I said I do not know how to play any musical instrument. She laughed and said she'd enroll me for lessons. To complete everything. I laughed it off. Not until someone interjected and said, "Oo nga kuya, para kumpleto." Then the cousin said. "It's like this. We lost him, but we gained you. You actually look a bit like him, especially when you laugh and your eyes disappear. Same body type, same sexual preference, same gait, same body structure, same musical gifts, same poetic gifts, same sweetness, same manner of speaking, same manner of dressing, same movements, only more masculine, same wit, same humor. Almost a lot like him." I smiled. Of course, they got my number, my facebook account. I shivered. "Yeah, so much alike. Feels like kuya arranged a replacement for us when he is gone. Basta, from now on, kuya ka na rin namin. Replacement ka na."

We Were Sky and Fire

2010-11-30T08:41:00.003+08:00

We Were Sky and Fire
For John Mark Anthony Lutao
I will miss you forever 'kumag-chan'

Skies are majestic, no matter what time of day.
On dawns, they are resplendent with the first touches of light
They are blue and eternal on fine mornings
And turn fiery red on sunsets
On evenings, they become bedecked by stars
And even its inky blankness invite awe.

Fires can transform no matter how small.
A tiny spark changes you
Slow burning fire gives constant warmth
A steady blaze enervates
And a huge conflagration razes the mightiest of cities.
It's warmth is that which is never forgotten.

Once, you and I were sky.
A vast endless expanse we looked up to.
Stars, yes, we gazed upon.
Sunsets, dawn breaks and all that's in between
But the skies can never be owned.
No matter how we try, we can never hug the expanse.

Once, you and I were fires
From tiny sparks to great smoldering blazes
But what sparks and consumes us
Must turn to ashes, just like our bodies.
Now, please be the vast expanse above me
And the fire will burn forever in my heart.

We loved, and that's what matters most.

Dear JM,

I will try not to be emotional. I will try my very best. Let me say what you have wanted me to say. What you have waited to hear me say. I love you. Yes, I do. Let me tell you why it took me so long to get around to it. You see, ours was not an easy thing. I think, even before friendster came up with that label, we were labeled as such... It's complicated. I meet you in Mirc. It's a chat program online. You were a refreshing chat. None of the usual questions about asl, stat, pic blah blah. You were funny, you were witty, you were a great chat. Except for one thing. When you did trade pictures with me, I recognized you instantly, and I think my rage boiled to ten thousand degrees. You! You @#%Y^U%*&^(*!!! Of course I know who you are! So! That's why you seem to know what tickles my fancy. Because I assume you know me very well. Then again, I thought that if I played my cards right I will get the better of this still, and maybe, just maybe, get that rare revenge moment. Oh yes! Revenge! After all, you happen to be that third party of that ex who really broke my heart into smithereens! How am I so sure? Well, that's how I discovered his infidelity. I saw your pictures saved in his 'hidden files' in his PC, together with your chat logs. Tsk tsk tsk! Now, now! So I kept chatting with you, I kept flirting and I kept playing coy to see at which point I could have my revenge. But you trumped me by admitting you knew me, and saying that for the past few years, you were actually hoping you'd meet me online, or something like that, on an off chance, because you said you wanted to apologize for what happened. Now that was something! I played along. I still wanted my revenge. So we texted. I used to laugh at your silly lines, limp poetic verses which were very cliches. So pathetic I thought. You were consistent, and persistent.

Then I agreed to meet you for coffee the next chance I had to be in Manila. I was still hooked on my moment of revenge. When I was with you, I started feeling myself softening. You were so tender and gentle. You were sweet, and funny, and caring, and kind, and nice, and cute and... well... hot! Exactly my type! My chubby chinito. You were intelligent. You tickled my brains. You made me laugh. You spoke my language. I can't help it. I was beginning to like you. GADAMMIT! Then you hugged me. OH Fuck! I liked the warmth. So when you asked me if I wanted to spend the night together, I could find no objections. Of course I convinced myself that this is part of my revenge. You were great! No, you were amazing! Yes, this is part of my revenge. So we became friends. Okay fine, friends with benefits. Meet ups over coffee, good talk, good times. Now, I was dumbstruck when you said you wanted to take it to the next level. Ahmmmm...

You said you'd court me properly. Complete with roses, chocolates and poetry. I thought, here it is! My moment of revenge! My turn to crush your heart the way that ex crushed mine. Well, you had it coming didn't you? You were party to this crime of heart breaking weren't you? They weren't exactly what I planned to do, but it was playing out nicely. I will say yes to you, then make you fall ever so deep, and then drop you like a hot potato. Just like that! Simple, and evil! Revenge is a dish best served cold, right?

But I couldn't do it. You were so sincere and wonderful and warm and very nice! I long for the walks we had in Malate. The sit downs on the sidewalk in front of Remedios Church. Endless starbucks coffee. That surprise treat for my birthday at Don Henrico's. God! How did you find out I love DH? How do you know exactly when I want a hot or a cold drink in Starbucks? How do you read my mind and moods for such? You were wonderful.

I had to struggle with my own issues. I could not get past the fact that once upon a time, you were an accomplice to the crime of heart breaking! I even told you derisively that from now on, I will be calling you 'kumag-chan.' Knowing from your chat logs with that ex of mine, that he calls you 'kuma-chan', which means bear in Japanese. You did not miss that, and though you laughed at the suggestion, I saw the sadness in your eyes. And so, you became 'kumag-chan.'
But that did not stop the prosaic-poetry-cliche texts, the roses, chocolates and poetry, so to speak.

But I could not get past. You told me you understand. You still wanted us to be friends. The roses, chocolates and poetry did not stop. Then we began drifting. Mostly because we became busy with work. Then I heard you were dating some one, two or three. I respected that. But...
I missed you. I did!

Then, last night... I was checking my long unattended Friendster account. I saw your update. There was a comment there saying you're gone and that your remains lie in state at so and so Memorial Chapel. I could not believe what I was reading! It can't be true! I know you were sickly but, no, this must be a cruel joke!

This morning, I stared at your emaciated body peacefully asleep in that coffin. I had to go to that Memorial Chapel to find out if it's true. I couldn’t stop myself from crying 'kumag-chan!'
Andaya daya mo naman! Nangiiwan ka! Then your sister asked me.

"Kaibigan mo ba si kuya?"

Her eyes begged the real question.
There and 'kumag-chan' the truth dawned upon me. So I answered truthfully.

"Ahmmm, ano po (whispers to sister) ex ko po sya."

She smiled at me. Squeezed my hand.

Brain Viral Encephalitis

Andaya daya mo naman kumag chan.

I love you, kumag-chan. We, loved, that's what matters most. Farewell...

Garuda and a surprise ending

2010-10-11T15:34:00.006+08:00

Fine! I slacked! No amount of apologies or explanations can change that fact so, no, I'm not offering any. I will just shrug my shoulders and pretend that yesterday I had a blogpost... Hehehe

Now where was I?

Oh, yeah, I was telling you, how, I got to this land of Garuda, Banyan trees, and Gudang Garam, right?

Ok, fine, a little back-tracking won't hurt. Well, as you might already know, the Brunei thinggie with our family friend seemed to have flopped. Thing is, I seriously think that she's wasn't all that up front with everything. Harsh and generalizing as it may seem, I think all she wanted was for Mom to cough up more money for her supposed 'business in the land of Bolkiah'. I was just a casualty, but not necessarily road kill. After all, I really did want to leave Manila for a while and get back to Iloilo for a brief period then get back into the groove in the metro

Le Baby Sis

What I did not count on was the amazing connection that I had with my baby sister in the process. Our relationship took to new heights, way far beyond the milky way. For that, I wouldn't change a thing really. She said, I should consider just getting a job in Iloilo.She said, though I will get much less salary in Iloilo, I would rack up much much less expenses, too, thereby, being the more financially sound thing to do! Talk about getting financial advice from my baby sister of only 22. Proud of her! She knows me all too well. She said I was not really saving up or anything to really need a big paying job. She knows I just want my coffee and my poetry. The thing that got me was when she said... and if you leave and work again far from here, you will get burned out again. If you just work in Iloilo, I get to see you everyday! I won't get stuck with the feeling of missing you that much!

One thing led to another and the sabbatical slowly turned into a reintegration. I was bored shitless! I did try to get back into the groove and reconsider a lot o things. One of which is going back to Law School and finally getting my ATTY before my name. I just did not want to decide things out of sheer testicle drying boredom.

The Bora

I did try to find a job or something to that effect. I checked out Boracay's possibilities but then nothing seemed to come up well on that end. I told myself, I'm giving this a window period. Soonest would be by the start of the new year in January, and latest would be after my birthday in March. It then slowly turned into some sort of reintegration with the city I love best. Iloilo. I was just lazing around being the starving (parent-fed, caffeine fortified, nicotine vitaminized) bum poet again. Then it hit me blindside.

The trip with an S

One fine night when I was in and not out there somberly caffeinating myself to poetic greatness, my dad casually dropped the immense possibilities of a business trip he was sorta-kinda financing in a very limited capacity. It was more of a favor for a good friend than an investment. That's why, in a weird sort of way, I love this about my dad. Beneath the tough exterior is an even tougher and fiercely loving heart! The Business Graduate in me heard all sorts of warning bells going off, but I am not to be Wall Street that night. I was just listening son. He said that the lucrative enterprise require he travel along with the main movers all over Asia and with a sigh he said he was not really up to tiring trips all over the Pacific Region. He said he was not what he used to be and he was already tired. Then he casually suggested that it was MY thing, the traveling around, the risque, the business acumen, the quick thinking, the thrill and the big dough pay-off.

He further explained that this is kinda quick deals and all and since I was still a work in progress with my life and what to do with it, it won't hurt to give it a go-see. I gave a non-committal 'uhuh' and the next thing I knew, he was asking for my passport and was to leave two days after. Talk about being SWEPT!

Now, when I met the partners, I was informed albeit sketchily that this would entail trips to Hong Kong, Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali, Thailand, etc etc etc. It was a buy and sell thing, dealing as quick middle man between suppliers all over. Sounded like the biggies to me. Anyhoot, without the benefit of a retraction the deal was sealed and I was supposed to accompany them and learn the ropes along the way and be of whatever help and assistance I could be. So there.

Now, after two days in Hong Kong and a touch down in Jakarta, I am now in Surabaya, wasting precious time meant to be monetized, sitting in the cafe of Widodaren Hotel, sipping Java, while allowing the big beautiful but grisly Garuda Statue to stare at me while I waste my time on line.

I wrote in my facebook status message that in a land of deep mysticism, Banyan trees and Fuchsia Plumeria's (kalachuchi folks!) floating lazily on the gurgling fountain, writing should have been a given, but I think my muse is not keen on the scent of Gudang Garam, hence, poetry is light years away!

In the short span of time I have been on trip, I realized that this really could be it! It spells really big dough. I may need to stop being a Jenglot (that's a vampire creature in Indonesian Folklore) sleep a bit late, wake up early, learn Bahasa, a bit of functional Cantonese, conversational Maranao, go business all the way, and stop thinking about sight seeing, culture and poetry; and I might just be driving my new car when I get back to Iloilo, chuck this functional laptop junk for a Macbook Air, upgrade my phone to a Vertu, and all that jazz.

Me thinks, exciting, indeed! So exciting that I just have to take advantage of the free WiFi in this hotel while my two business partner went out there to monetize their time leaving me to my own devices. Now, now... this is so exciting that I am just dying for a lyric poem about me making a choice among the four Garuda Kings, better yet, Vishnu-me , riding my fiery rainbow plumed Garuda, lapping off the waters of the seas to expose the hidden dragons of commercialization and materialized wealth dreams to score victory in the worldly stage. Well there is a Garuda King named 'Garuda King Free-Of-Will,' maybe I can be that.

I checked my roaming enabled phone while contemplating my options and read again my mother's SMS. "Good luck anak, basi dira ang swerte mo. I love you more and miss you. Halong" (Good luck son, maybe that's where your luck lies. I love you more and miss you. Take Care."

Very very nice sweetened blackmail. Then again, for now, coffee, cigarettes, exchange rates, onward flight bookings, and well, this blog essay. Maybe I need a new Prada Shoes, after all. Meanwhile, google translate is slowly becoming chummy with me.
And the world turns!

Oh the surprise ending??? Well what do you know!!!

We're celebrating two years of Extra Super Special Batchoy With Egg!!!
24 effing months!!! YAIY!!!

Happy 2nd Anniversary Batchoy Denizens!!!

Or should it be...

Bahagia 2nd Anniversary. Selamat untuk kita semua!

WAHOOOOOOOO!!!!

Photo Credits:
http://blog.baliwww.com/guides/769
http://mahamudraofmarpa.blogspot.com/

Plea for Help

2010-09-12T07:39:00.002+08:00

I came across this plea for help in my face book account from my childhood church mates and I am doing what best I can to help them out. If you have anything at all to help them, kindly read through. God Bless all of you!

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter to explain our unfortunate set of circumstances that have caused us to become delinquent on our hospital and medical bills. We have done everything in our power to make ends meet but unfortunately we have fallen short and would like you to consider seeking some financial assistance in your charitable institution. Our number one goal is to save our newborn triplets from a life-threatening health condition which is currently confined in an intensive care unit in one of the hospitals in Iloilo City . These babies are the greatest blessing that we have received from the almighty God above. We understand that we were given a premature bunch of angels since God knows that we are capable of nurturing them to have the life they deserve.

The main reason that caused us to seek some financial assistance is that our doctors recommended our triplets to stay in the hospital for several more months since they were born premature. They may have health problems because their organs did not have enough time to develop. They need special medical care in a neonatal intensive care unit and they will stay there until their organ systems can work on their own.

Soon after having insufficient funds and our income not being nearly enough, we had fallen further and further to our hospital and medical bills. Now, it’s to the point where we cannot afford to pay what is owed to the medical procedures, doctors, and anything that involves procedures at the hospital that is very expensive-especially that we don't have the proper health insurance. At this time we have exhausted all of our income and resources so we are turning to you for help.

Our situation has got better because we have learned about your charitable works and we feel that this action would benefit us both. We would appreciate if you can help us regarding our financial issues so we can keep our babies healthy and to make them experience to live in a wonderful life that was shared by God.

We truly hope that you will consider assisting us and we are very thankful learning that there are still good people who understand the real meaning of life.

This is the telephone number of Iloilo Doctor’s Hospital 337-7702, 337-8648, 337-8649. If you have any inquiries or confirmation about our triplets, you’re free to call the said hospital.

Attached herewith are the pictures a few days after they were born and the latest just a week ago. Two of them are already taken out from the incubators and only one of them is still on critical condition. Thank you for reading this letter.

God Bless You!

Sincerely and Respectfully,

Froilan and Sionnie

for more inquiries please contact:

Froilan (ninoy) : +639192738669

Sionnie: +639198218894

A note on an old Blog post Re: Iloilo Youth Orchestra

2010-08-21T23:11:00.008+08:00

I am writing this entry to clarify things and set records straight. At the outset, I humbly apologize for any inconveniences that might have been caused by that entry or any person/persons that might have been undermined in the process.

Since I am in a place where electricity is not a luxury and internet connections are erratic at its best, I deemed it faster and more timely to write a fresh entry instead of browsing through and going back to entries that may date at least two years back.

Two years ago, I owned and operated an Arts Cafe, 'Kafe Binalaybay'. I envisioned it to be a venue for the arts, independent exhibitions and performances - a sort of hub for the arts in Iloilo City. One of the many friends who were supportive of such an endeavor was Miss Rhea Penaflor, who was a colleague during my college press days, and a staunch advocate and supporter of the arts and local Iloilo talents and culture as well. She mentioned at that time that she is supportive of the Iloilo Youth Orchestra, which she featured and wrote about in one of the local papers in the city, and she mentioned that I might want to invite them to perform in Kafe Binalaybay. She also invited me to come watch them in a benefit dinner concert sometime February. I was enthusiastic for both because I was aware that the IYO was a cause oriented group.

Tonight, she texted me that a certain entry in this blog needs to be rectified as it appears that she 'promised' me a performance of IYO in my cafe. She points out that she does not have any hand or any say at all to IYO's schedules and commitments. At best, what I remember was some sort of teaser that I might be inviting IYO to perform in my cafe, I was thinking that this would serve as an advertising for the group as well. My blog is personal and has no commercial value, and I usually feature groups, persons and organizations which I believe in at no cost in this blog. I too believe in local talents, and those with a cause at that. I tried to search for that entry but since the internet service here is very erratic, it would be a Herculean task as of the moment. Hence this entry.

Foremost, I apologize to whomsoever might have been hurt, offended or undermined by the entry. Rhea's 'promise' was no more than a referral of sorts if and when I should decide to contact IYO and invite them for a performance in my cafe, no more, no less. Though the feature in the blog might be premature, there was no solid promise at all from Miss Rhea for a performance. She, in no way, misrepresented herself as a direct representative of IYO, and nothing definitive came out of that conversation. Perhaps, in my excitement to promote the group as well, I might have overlooked some details as to the management and protocol for contracting the group and again I sincerely apologize if I may have also placed Rhea's number as a contact person in that blog entry. I will also look for that entry and rectify whatever misinformation I might have written in that entry at the soonest time possible, under more privileged circumstances. It never was my intention to undermine any procedure or management protocol this group has, nor was it made to appear that Miss Rhea Penaflor had any say whatsoever with this group's schedules and engagements.

The 'promised' performance never came to pass, as the cafe was inundated by flood waters during typhoon Frank, and inevitably closed down due to the lamentable effects of the typhoon. I reminisce with sadness how my dreams for the cafe have been washed away by the flood waters. If ever this did not happen, for sure, I would have loved to have invited for IYO for a performance in my cafe. I too am a supporter of IYO's cause, and for sure, Miss Rhea would have directed me through the proper channels if this had materialized.

Again, I apologize for any slight, hurt, damage or confusion that that entry might have caused, and I am still hoping that in the near future, I would be able to open and operate another cafe such as Kafe Binalaybay, which the city needs, and should that happen, I would be more than happy to invite and engage IYO for a performance under the proper circumstances. Again, my apologies and Mabuhay to all of us!

From the Land of Safe Harbors
San Vicente, Port Barton, Palawan

Sincerely,

Luis Batchoy

P.S: I have located the entry "It's A Date" posted February 14, 2009, and have made corresponding notes to the entry as well.

God Loves Bakla

2010-07-15T06:59:00.003+08:00

God Loves Bakla

A Book Review/ Reaction/Reflection

By Luis Batchoy MCCQC

Warning: Spoilers ahead

" I am a 43-year-old Filipino gay man currently living in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. In July 2008 I completed a book about my life in the closet, which I hope will help people better understand homosexuality and homosexuals. Raised as a Catholic, I believe that God created me bakla and loves me as bakla. Since coming out of the closet in 2001, I have never been happier or more fulfilled as a person and as a Christian. I have come to realize that the Catholic Church is wrong to condemn homosexuality, which is actually a special grace from God."

- Raymond Alikpala

God Loves Bakla is a memoir written by Raymond Paolo A. Alikpala. At the outset, let me say that I always take memoirs with a grain of salt. I am not so sure how far one can truly look back, remember, be objective and not romanticize or embellish a recollection. This is just however a personal bias I have with memoirs and ‘diary’ type books. For the purposes of being unbiased, let us just take then the author’s word at face value. After all it is his story. This piece is more of a personal reflection or reaction paper rather than a book review. Again, this is just me and my personal biases.

God Loves Bakla is the life story (so far) of the author. How he grew up in a very Catholic Family, was educated in a Catholic School, later on becoming a Lawyer, then a worker in Cambodia, and his struggle with living in the closet, his spirituality (or religiosity for that matter) acceptance of the self and later on, embracing and celebrating his homosexuality, and that proverbial quest for the Holy Grail: finding that one true love. Though the book is centered on the author’s religious and spiritual temperament and how he dealt with his homosexuality, it also touched on issues of national and even international importance. He recalls his own experience of the People Power Revolution and the ouster of the dictator, his struggles academically, his life in the novitiate of the Jesuit order, his expulsion from the novitiate, his work with the refugees in Cambodia, living the gay life in Cambodia and Thailand, his brushes with that love that dares not speak its name, and the eventual ‘happily-ever-after’ moment with his life partner.

Generally, the book is easy to read, and light. The events are chronological in order and the ending satisfying. I must admit though that his story telling could have been more streamlined, and at times the author would go to great lengths in repeatedly saying the same thing over and over again: inconsistency of his sexuality with his faith, his aversion and internalized homophobia, his spiritual/religious gripes - that sometimes borders on diatribe. I understand though that these points are important to him and for him to tell his story and bare his soul to the reader, and eventually make his point. Though I expected a more ‘epiphanic’ revelation from him or to have given or written more on how it was to have finally broken free and come out of the closet, I understand that it could have been a very confusing yet at the same time liberating experience for one who has been cooped up and closeted all his life. The happiness and wonder could have caused him to be less introspective thus glossing over that very particular stage in his life. Then again, this is his life, and this is his story.

I can relate to the author as I was brought up a catholic and educated in a catholic school – to be exact- a Jesuit school myself. My elementary years were in Santa Maria Catholic School (now Ateneo de Iloilo) and I too subscribe to the Jesuit worldview of being ‘men and women for others’ and the motto of ‘Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam’. There were times though that I did not agree to or approve of his decisions, such as him telling of his ‘sin’ to his Novice Master leading to him jeopardizing his Novitiate. He knows for a fact, having been subject to stringent homophobic doctrines that this would possibly spell the end of his ‘religious calling,’ then again, this is his story and his life.

The book is wonderful, and his story, amazing and inspirational. If his being a virgin until the age of 32 is not something to marvel about then I do not know what else could. I even jokingly told Rev. Ceejay that the book is a little less interesting because sex comes at a very late part. Where’s the rough, body convulsing, death defying, world shattering, soul severing sex? But of course that’s just a joke. I may not be in agreement with the author with a few things, but that’s the charm of his story. I do not have to necessarily agree with him, yet the story remains fascinating.

His story is insightful and captivating. It discusses faith, politics, homoeroticism, breaking free and celebrating one’s sexuality. It offers by example, practical advices on coming out, dating and looking for love, the kind of love that dares not speak its name. The book made me think, rationalize, ratiocinate, be depressed, cry, laugh at the absurdity of life and other people, socialize, criticize, sympathize, empathize, celebrate his freedom, romanticized and be thrilled about the prospects of finding my own happily ever after. Again, I can relate with the author as I am a law student too, a developmental worker and a human rights advocate as well. The other thing that fascinates me is how he is able to write in an ‘unlawyerly; fashion. Simply put, he just bares his heart and soul for the world and sundry, complete with pride, ego, fears, joys, aspirations, hopes and dreams.

I hope seeing myself buying truckloads of copies so I can send them to my priest friends who are still hiding behind the cloth, to my lawyer friends who suffer from internalized homophobia, to my openly gay friends, to friends who have dilemmas coming out, and to a whole lot of people whom I believed will be touched and inspired by this book. I congratulate the bravery of the author in coming out with this book. I celebrate with him his acceptance of his sexuality. I romanticize with him his searching and finding his one true love. Incidentally, that specific quote stuck to my mind. He was telling of how he got angry at his partner for making him wait and missing their bus. He said he had been waiting for a whole day, and his partner answered him “I have been waiting for you all my life!” Saccharine!

With a sigh of relief, I told myself... Too bad there wasn't MCCQC yet for him when he was lost. Good thing there is MCCQC now for the rest of us, and him too, should he feel like coming over.
Indeed! GOD LOVES BAKLA!
Come to MCCQC you guys!

Grab a copy. It’s a wonderful read!

For Copies, you may contact MCCQC

Mobile No. 0915.1814963 globe
Hotline: (02) 508.35.23

Credits:

www.godlovesbakla.com

www.godlovesbakla.wordpress.com

Quo Vadis Baclaran?

2010-07-08T05:09:00.004+08:00

It's my friend's last night in Manila.

He did not want to go clubbing. He had enough of coffee. We both don't drink and he did not want dancing. He asked me to take him somewhere interesting. I only thought of one thing. Besides, I also wanted to go visit again that place and to surprise him with the oddities of the place. Unknowingly, I was the one surprised...

I took him to Baclaran. He admitted to me that he has never been there so I was kinda excited. As we turned from Roxas Boulevard to the alley way I knew so well I began to doubt it if I lost my way. Why the streets were clear and the stalls were all on one side. I thought it weird and I kept checking for the land marks I knew should be there, just in case I took the wrong alley. They were there all right, but I still couldn't believe how the place looks vacant and really different.

I went to a shop that I frequent. I know the 'manang' there and I asked what happened. She told me that as soon as the new officials took office, they also stripped the place and drove away the stalls and the sellers there. I had a mixed reaction. Almost 70% of the stalls were no longer there. Even those along the LRT line were also no longer there. The roads looked wide and passable now, but I could only surmise and guess whatever happened to the people who were removed from there. What now of their source of income and livelihood?

My friend saw my concern and the sadness in my face and he asked me if I was alright. I was just thinking about the many families who have been displaced here and where they would be without their livelihood. I know that these are streets and the stalls there are a blight, but I was still caught between feeling for the vendors and the good thing that clearing the place could bring. Does the benefit outweigh the harm done? Is it really a good thing? I can not really readily say because all I know is that the stall vendors there are trying to make a decent and honest living. What now? I was really heartbroken at the sight of the empty streets.

I became doubly sad with the fact that my friend - it being his first time - would never see Baclaran as I saw it. My heart sank and instead of going elsewhere, we headed back home, me very disturbed and with a heavy heart. My friend told me that hopefully, these people were given relocation sites for them to ply their trade. I certainly hope so.

Quo Vadis, Baclaran Vendors?

Photo Credits:

www.manilagateway.com/wp-content/uploads/2010...
farm4.static.flickr.com/3567/3806534703_1d9e
webzoom.freewebs.com/.../Manila05-Market.JPG

Stories From On High... A call for submissions and an entry.

2010-07-04T03:56:00.003+08:00

Part of my Baguio sojourn is meeting up with the wonderful and talented young writers from the Cordillera's; the Ubbog writers group. I was lucky enough to be invited to one of their meet ups, which was mainly the reason for my stay-over after the pride march. They are coming up with a call for entries to commemorate the 20th year of the Baguio earthquake.

You do not need to be a creative writer to submit. A powerful line or two would be enough to show solidarity and a collective remembering. Here is the call for submissions.

Gathering Stories & Weaving Memories: 20 Years After the July 16 Earthquake

Friday, June 18, 2010 at 10:39am

Existence throws us in the middle of paradoxes. Life is renewed at the same instance that death is confirmed, concretely as with the 1990 July 16 Luzon earthquake that hit Baguio hardest. We come together during its anniversary to observe solemnity for losses … but at the same time express jubilation for the triumph of the human spirit over adversities.

As years go by, the commemoration of this tragedy becomes more and more personal. The city now might show no sign of the destruction that crushed almost everything to the ground twenty years ago. But apart from physical restoration and reconstruction, the consciousness and the psyche, too, copes with this shattering experience. It is in these arenas invisible to the eye that imprints of destruction are almost always permanent. This day is most remembered by individuals who survived and lived to tell the story – those whose lives have been forever changed by what happened.

Piecing together written personal accounts of that historical day, we are aiming at collecting strength, celebrating survival, and creating/recreating solidarities. We share painful memories in the thought that things shared become more bearable. We remember losses, create meanings and make sense of human existence. We recount devastating experiences to discover what we have gained and how far we have moved on. We recall images of destruction to see the heroism and humanity manifest within us and the people around us. We revisit moments of ruin and weakness to keep our humility at the same time show how high and enduring our restored and reconstructed inner posts are.

Commemorating the 20th year of July 16 1990 earthquake in the form of an exhibit of stories may not leave a permanent marker in this city like a monument for the lives lost would. We hope that perhaps in this form, we add emphasis on remembering and healing, moving on and letting go.

Those who survive go on living. In this instance we veer away from paradoxes: stories of life reaffirmed and renewed likewise reaffirm and renew other lives.

contact us*email us your stories*
*any language*300 words maximum*
*deadline July 10*memoryweaving@yahoo.com*

And in support, here is my submission.

Tay-og
Para sa mga magkahagugma nga ginlamon sang paglinog sa Baguio
Ni Luis Batchoy

Indi na lang ta magdalagan,
Pagwa diri sa atun nahamtangan.
Dunganan ta na lang ang pagtay-og
Agud mas madasig matapos ang linog.

Indi ta na gid lang ka pag buy-an,
Mas hugot ta pa gid ka nga uyatan.
Halukan agud mapunggan ang pagkawas,
Sing kakugmat sa atun mga lawas.

Akun ka na lang nga dapi-ugan,
Bag-o kita rus-agan sang balibung-an.
Palig-unon agud mapanas ang hadlok nga nabatyagan,
Sa atun pag hirup, nyan masalapuan ang kaluwasan.

Agud sa tion nga ila na makalkal kag ma ukay,
Isugid sang atun nga mga bangkay,
Ang sugilanon sang gugma nga wala'y sarang makatay-og
Bisan pa sang pinakamakusog nga linog.

Yanig
Para sa mga magsing-irog na nilamon ng paglindol sa Baguio
Salin ng may-akda
Ni Luis Batchoy

'Wag na lang tayong tumakbo
Palabas sa kwartong ito.
Ang pagyanig ay atin na lang sabayan
Para matapos ng mas mabilisan.

Hinding hindi na lang kita pakakawalan
Mas mahigpit pa kitang hahawakan.
Hahalikan kita upang mapigilan,
Ang pag apaw ng hindik sa ating mga katawan.

Ikaw ay akin na lang dadaganan,
Bago tayo guhuan ng bubungan.
Palalakasin upang mapawi ang takot na nararamdaman,
Sa ating pagsinta, sakali'y matagpuan ang kaligtasan.

Upang sa oras na kanila nang mahalukay,
Ikukwento ng ating malalamig na mga bangkay,
Ang ating pag-ibig na 'di kayang yanigin,
Pinakamalakas man na lindol, di kayang daigin.

Stories From On High... The Baguio Tough Ten

2010-06-30T04:12:00.021+08:00

It has been a while... Needless to say, the Brunei branch of the Batchoyan is temporarily not gonna be opening soon, and is indefinitely shelved. Anyhoot, I went back to Iloilo ang akun Banwa, and was in a quandary, until a good friend opened up the possibilities of working in Boracay. I said yes, in a heartbeat. Meanwhile, I got back to Manila, to secure my COE's, back pay and all that jazz. While at it, I went home to MCC QC, the House of God, where I am temporarily being held hostage. Should anyone file a writ of Amparo though, I am to be found in Baguio as of press time and I am rediscovering my affair with Baguio. I went with my church to attend, support and march with the rainbow 'coalition' for the Baguio Pride Parade.

As usual, I am brimming with stories to tell. The cold crisp air and the chill makes me lazier than I already am to start with. There are a thousand and one things to tell... from the overwhelming experience of my very first pride march, to the warmth of our rainbow brothers and sisters amidst the crisp air, to my encounters of the Tumboy type, to the memories of the Baguio that I knew. For now, indulge my laziness by allowing my a 'Tough Ten' list.

Baguio is known for 'these and those' to purchase. From strawberries, to flowers, to boys/men/girls/chicks/igorot/dildo ashtrays/man in barrel to the brooms. I will attempt to list my top ten things which requires minimal or no spending at all. Though my mind gets ahead of me in defending that there are skills that allow you to get the boys/men without spending too... Ganda lang! Then again... men are not commodities daw... or are they? Hehehehe. Huwell... here goes!

Tough Ten Reasons Why Baguio

10. Strawberry Taho

Although this costs something, it's really cheap and delightful. I am already a fan of the taho being peddled in Manila and Iloilo, but this one trumps it yet. Its the taho with a special strawberry sauce. Ninang Macmac and I came across this delight while we were strolling along Burnham Park one fine afternoon. The taho, albeit a bit cold was a delish twist to the classic taho with arnibal. At Php15 a cup, it's not bad at all. It makes me wonder if there are strawberry flavored ahmmm.... Hehehehe!

9. Centralized Air Conditioning

I love it how turning on the fan or air con is not the first thing you automatically do the moment you get home or in your room after the day. Though it's not as cold as I remember it to be, it's either Baguio is now more crowded, more heat producing, or I just grew more layers of fat. I am reminded of night strolls in Manhattan by a particularly nippy evening in Baguio. I love how sweat is a distant memory and a rare occurrence. Who needs ice cubes and refrigeration in this place?

8. The Hills are Alive...

I love how the hills and mountainside are ablaze with lights when darkness comes. At certain times, it feels like the mountains glow with an electronic throb from fluorescent veins as electric blood flows deep from the mountains. It seems that the lights grow from all sides and you are surrounded by luminescence and brilliance. It seems like the stars have come to rest on the mountainsides, too lazy to rise and shine in the midnight skies. The sight takes my breath away every time and the romantic in me is stroked, bringing tears to my eyes. I just hope it does not instantly solidify and crystallize.

7. I see skies so blue...

From the sprawling grass carpeting the park grounds to the greens of the flower stalks along the roadside, to magnificent trees and green cloaked mountains to the green of fresh vegetables and fruits in the market stalls, Baguio is indeed the gardens in the sky. I love how everything looks fresh and green around here. The variety of fresh vegetables in the local market is a sight to behold, and cheap, too. A walk in the market makes one wonder if they'd ever get tired of cooking chopsuey, beef broccoli, sauteed mushrooms, Ceasar's or Waldorf salad... errr enough... Im getting hungry na. Here, the skies are bluest, the strawberries are reddest, the roses pinkest, orangest, or what-color-have-you-est! The explosion of colors is a wild kaleidoscope that could easily overload the senses. When night time comes, the stars are brightest too, and at their sparkliest best!

6. The quickest way to a Man's heart is...

Through his pants... joke! Of course, food! Baguio is a gastronomic experience of epic proportions. Why do I say this? Simple! A hot meal is best no matter how cheap or humble. I should say, that perhaps, because of the cold and chill, a simple bowl of mami becomes a serving of heaven on earth. During my first time in Baguio, I arrived at around 4am and the first thing I reached for was a cigarette, and for the first time in my life I thanked the heavens I'm a smoker. The experience is still the same today. I'm not saying that its simply the search for warmth, because Baguio has a lot to offer in culinary excellence. What I'm saying is that in Baguio, a simple hot meal is paradise incarnate. In fact, while together with my church mates at Teacher's Camp, I adored cooking. Well, the stove is hot, and knowing that what I am churning out would give warmth and nourishment makes the effort a labor of love. It would go without saying too, that cheap thrills in the form of street food like 'binatog', 'balut,' 'isaw,' 'kwek-kwek,' 'day-old chick,' and the like also abound. On the flip side and surprisingly, too, Baguio is also the best place to eat frozen delights such as dirty ice cream, halo-halo and 'ice-scramble'. It is fun to note that here, you can hold on to your ice cream cone while leisurely walking without fear of having the ice cream drip on your hand if you take long to eat it.

5. Don't! Don't!

Elsewhere, it's called UK - short for Ukay Ukay. In Baguio, it's called Wagwag... hence the subtitle Don't Don't! I tried to come up with a list that does not involve spending, or is not 'touristy' but this one just has to be in the list. You know what I'm saying, right? You know what UK is right? Best of all, here, you get to do it at night! Oh yes! Hang on to those hard earned cash because you would gladly be forking it over to the wagwag manang or manong for that slightly used Armani Suit, or that A/X jeans, that Versace Jacket, that Prada Boots, that LV clutch; ad infinitum. You know me - I'm a cheapskate and I believe in piracy to a certain extent, hence, I'm a fan, lets go do the Don't Don't!

4. Culture and Arts

Baguio is an artsy fartsy town. I would not be surprised if it follows suit with Vigan being declared as a Heritage Town. The remnants of history and heritage are all over the place. The diversity of culture and arts is apparent and prevalent. Art is not just a fad here. It is a lifestyle. Crafts - traditional, learned or emerging are to be found richly everywhere. All art forms thrive in Baguio - from literature, theater, dance, architecture, visual etc. The range is also from ethnic, tribal, indigenous, folk, post modern, experimental, emergent - name it, Baguio has it, and not only has it, but has it excellently. It is a wonderful experience to see tribal ethnic art being showcased side by side with digital photography, air brush and other more modern art. I did not feel singled out because of my long, curly rakista hair. Instead, I exclaimed "I belong!"

3. A cuppa

Mentioning cigarettes is an inevitable foreshadowing of course, for the second love of my life... Coffee, of course! As already mentioned, here a hot bowl is paradise... how much more coffee? There is a Starbucks branch here in SM City Baguio, but I have yet to lounge there, since there is an abundance of superior Benguet blend to be had elsewhere, and cheaper at that. Sagada also produces excellent coffee. If this is not true love, I do not know what else is!

2. I think that I shall never see...

But of course, the love of my life thrives and is well fueled in Baguio. Poetry of course! The bluest skies, greenest greens, reddest reds... Chill in the air, the search for warmth and all that jazz... Poetry is inevitable, and perhaps, the muse lives atop the mountains, and is closer at hand! In the next few posts, I will be posting poetry that came with the fresh Baguio air. Here, a heartbreak is magnified ten times, and falling in love feels like destiny all the time. Sex is not just sex, and a casual 'booking' becomes a soulmate. I could not explain it really but Baguio induces poetry more than anywhere else, perhaps, rivaled only by the call of the sea on a hot sandy beach. If feeling your aloneliness is too much, there's the Baguio Writers Group or the young poets of Ubbog to keep you company and perhaps even critique your works too.

1. When the moon hits your eye like a big Buko Pie...

Well, what else is new from a hopeless romantic shmuck? Baguio it is, because it probably is one of the best place to fall in lourve! Walk down Session Road hand in hand, stroll Burnham, sip coffee. Romace is in the Baguio air, and sooner than later, you find yourself on a roll, tumbling over the mountains, all the way to Kenon Road, or Marcos Highway, whichever way it takes you.
The cold is always a ready excuse to cuddle and do PDA (Public Display of Affection, gaga! Not your Palm Pilot). Oh and I did say it doesn't matter what sort of love, didn't I? Gay love, Hetero love, Godly love, whatever love... should it be the homolove, no problem. There is the Baguio Pride Network to back that up and keep you together, instead of break you up. Should you decide to tie the knots instead of knotting in ties, then there is MCC Metro Baguio too, to hear you declare to the heavens, the mountains, and even to the bul-ols, your undying love and devotion, and to pronounce you husband and husband or wife and wife! Now, hey you, where are you, and what the F are you waiting for? Come on! Sweep me off my feet! Promise, I'm not that heavy as I look, ya know!

Photo Credits:

www.flickr.com/photos/melovillareal/3311441008/
www.travelpod.com/.../4/1083320601/tpod.html
article.wn.com/.../12/06/Its_colder_in_Baguio/
flickr.com/photos/43138794@N00/15261871
pusakay.blogspot.com/2009/03/shoes-at-ukay-uk...
pinkyshelo.blogspot.com/2009/11/ruby-tuesday-...
jeannycdj.com
www.flickr.com/photos/7294954@N02/2580476438
www.flickr.com/photos/janlendl/3571071475/

Spectrum 2010

2010-06-10T15:00:00.009+08:00

I was invited last night to the opening of "Spectrum 2010", a photography exhibit curated by my very good friend Babak Niaraki. Yes he is the same friend who took my amazing nude photos for his one-man show "NotBlack, Not White" a year back. The exhibit was also held at RED Steakhouse at the Smallville Complex in Mandurriao Iloilo.

There were amazing pictures not only from Iloilo Photographers but also some from outside the country. I met a lot of friends I haven't seen for a long while and the opening night was a huge success. I also got to meet great talents in the field. Here are some pictures I took.Batchoy and Principal Tanoy

Batchoy and The Big Bab Cat

Batchoy and the Jiggernaut

Batchoy and Tito PG "Boyet" Zoluaga

Nagmukha namang kawawa ang aking Hot Pink na Polaroid Digicam sa naglalakihang mga DSLR na bitbit ng mga andun. Hiya hiya din akong mamiktyur dun. Hehehehe. But of all the pics, the one bellow has got to be my favorite. It was done by Dr. Vic Pido, a physician and a long time member and a multi awarded photographer from the Photographic Society of Iloilo. Sabi ko, kung mag papapublish akon ng libro ko, this has got to be the cover, only, rendered in rose, magenta or pink monochrome. I love the lights and shadows, the lines, the movement and the drama of the photo.

So if you happen to be in Iloilo, do drop by Red Steakhouse at the Smallville complex to view more amazing photographs as well as enjoy good food. Ciao!

Third Store soon to Open

2010-05-23T10:43:00.003+08:00

A rolling stone gathers no moss and yes, I'm on a roll!

True enough, after almost ten months in the City of Man, once more, destiny beckons...

The Batchoyan gladly welcomes another chapter and is ecstatic about opening another branch.

Without any bitterness or sadness and with full trust in the Almighty.

Once more, the Batchoy Boi dares defy gravity and soars higher.

The Batchoyan will soon open in the Kingdom of King Hassanal Bolkiah...

Watch me~

Brunei here I come!

Another Poem

2010-05-23T07:54:00.001+08:00

Para sa laki nga tambok kagab-i
Ni Luis Batchoy

Duro gid nga salamat
Kay bangud sa imo mga hikaplos
Sa akun malapad nga dughan
Liwan ko nabatyagan
Nga ayhan ang imo ginasagap
Ang manggad ni Marikudo.
Sa imo mga bibig nga dahak dahak
Nadugos ko liwan ang prutas
Nga daw sa bulawan nga tagipusuon
Sa isla sang Guimaras.
Sing matal-usan ang hugot mo nga kamot
Sang mas hugot mo nga bibig
Sa pakipagambit sa gintunaan
Sang akun lawasnon nga kalipay
Gilayun ako gintubuan sang mga kuyos
Kag nagkayab ako sa kahimayaan
Bisan pa ako dalitan nga gabunan.
Sa akon pagpanigal-ot sa kweba
Nga mas mariit pa sang sa Tarangban
Mayad kay wala ber isa ka binukot nga makahas
Magpamalabag sa akun tinutuyo
Kag liwan nagsigrab sa akun kalawasan
Ining dugo nga ginpanubli
Kay ulang Buyong Humadapnon
Ilabi sa tanan, salamat gid
Kay sa pagbusawak sang kalipay
Nagbusawak man ang tuburan
Sang akun pagpamalaybay
Ano abi kay dirii sa Manila
Maalat ang ulan nga ginabunyag ko
Sa bagtik nga duta sang kamingaw
Duro gid nga salamat sa imo.
Sa imo panglaba nga ginahigugma mo ako
Tulad sang gugma nga gin tagnay ni Tungkong Langit
Kag sa imo gugma, nagatuo ako
Ano gani liwat ngalan mo ah?

Para sa lalaking mataba kagabi
Ni Luis Batchoy

Maraming salamat
Dahil sa iyong mga hikaplos
Sa malapad kong dibdib
Muli kong naramdaman
Na baka ang hinahanap mo
Ay ang kayamanan ni Marikudo
Sa iyong matakaw na mga bibig
Nadugos kong muli ang prutas
Na parang ginintuang puso
Ng isla ng Guimaras.
Nung mapalitan ang mahigpit mong kamay
Ng mas mahigpit mong mga bibig
Sa pakikipagambit sa pinagmumulan
Ng aking makamundong kaligayahan
Agad akong tinubuan ng mga bagwis
At pumailanlang ako sa luwalhati
Kahit pa ako'y isang makalalasong gabunan
Sa aking pagsusumiksik sa kweba
Na mas mariit pa kay sa Tarangban
Buti't walang ni isang binukot na nangahas
Humadlang sa aking minimithi
At muling nagumapoy sa aking katawan
Itong dugong minana pa
Kay Ulang Buyong Humadapnon
At higit sa lahat, salamat
Dahil sa pagbulwak ng kaligayahan
Bumulwak din ang bukal
Ng aking panulaan
Kasi naman, dito sa Maynila
Maalat na ulan ang aking binibinyag
Sa tigang na lupa ng pangungulila
Maraming salamat sa 'yo
Sa iyong pangalaba na iniibig mo ako
Katulad ng pagibig na inaalay ni Tungkong Langit
At sa iyong pagibig sumasaplataya ako
Ano nga ulit ang pangalan mo?

Tula lang

2010-05-19T09:42:00.001+08:00

Bilog Na Hugis Itlog
Ni Luis Batchoy

"May bilog, may bilog na hugis Itlog"
-Sex Bomb Dancers

Ay, kasagad gid ya sa imo
Magsagap tana sang bilog
Nga hugis itlog.
Abaw, kag imo gin itiman
Kag imo gid ginshade
Wala gid nagdamulit
Sa bilog nga hugis itlog.
Ayaw lang lamutaka
Kag kumus-kumusa
Kay basi magkaproblema
Kung atun na isulod
Sa imo pikos masyin.
Gilayun man nga magagwa
Kung ano ang resulta
Sang atun pag piniliay.
Ay abaw, kung amo lang sini
Kanami kag kasulhay
Manami gid magkapiniliay
Kada adlaw
Agud sa kada pag
Binotohay
Sagap sagapun mo liwan
Kag itim-itiman
Kag ishade ang bilog
Ko nga itlog.
Awwww!

Translation by the author:
Bilog Nga Hugis Itlog

"May bilog, may bilog na hugis Itlog"
-Sex Bomb Dancers

Naku, napaka galing mo talaga
Maghanap ng itlog
Na hugis itlog.
Naku, at iyong initiman
At talagang inishade
Walang kalat
Sa bilog na hugis itlog.
Wag mo lang lalamutakin
At kuyumusin
Baka kasi magkaproblema
Kung atin nang ipapasok
Sa iyong pikos masyin.
Agad namang lalabas
Kung ano ang resulta
Ng ating halalan.
Ay naku, kung ganito lang
Kaganda at kginhawa
Masarap talaga maghalalan
Araw araw
Upang sa bawat
Pagboboto
Hahanap hanapin mong muli
At iitim-itiman
At isishhade ang bilog
Kong itlog.
Awwww!

Unfriended

2010-05-10T12:48:00.004+08:00

Election Day, May 10, 2010...

"Today, watch me unleash my
power! Unleash yours too... Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Oh, and by the way,
you PR machines who plan to text me one final message for your
candidates, be warned! It is supposed to be off-campaign and it is a
violation of the Omnibus Election Code and I am serious about reporting
these! Be warned!"

That was how I started my day... by posting the said status in my Facebook Page. To be very honest, it is quite irritating to see how this is true on the very day of the elections. Clearly it does not take much to put two and two together.

Minutes later, I was scanning through the posts I missed and I was doubly pissed. There was a proliferation of very fresh last minute tags and posts with campaign nature. So I changed my status immediately...

That is exactly why we do not progress as a country. Either you are hard headed or simply stupid. It is election day and people still post and tag campaign stuff. I am ashamed to call most of them my friends! YES I MEAN YOU! IDIOT!

I Changed my mind minutes later and softened it a bit to...

That is exactly why we do not progress as a country. Either you are hard headed or simply stupid. It is election day and people still post and tag campaign stuff. I am ashamed to call most of them my friends! YES I MEAN YOU(in plural form)! IDIOT!

As I sifted through the posts, I carefully commented on each post that appears as a campaign of sorts with a very polite note...

Gentle reminder... Today is already election day and it is off-campaign... there may be a violation of the Omnibus Election Code... peace out and have a great day!

Seconds later, most friends either made dedma, made palusot or rectified and apologized thanking me kindly for the reminder... but not for someone...

He sent me a fiery email berating me. Pointing out that first, Social networking sites are not part of the real world covered by the Omnibus Election Code and the proviso on electioneering, stating that it is a personal page. Secondly, that its none of my fucking business what he does in his wall and I can choose to hide them or as he has done, unfriend me and that lastly I too was violating social networking rules by not posting my real name and had double standards.

To which I was a taken aback. Knowing this friend I never expected him to react with such vehement violence. I had high regards and respects for him and consider him a prime intellectual that the reaction was really a shocker coming from him. I calmly replied that it seemed kinda harsh but I respect his reaction and decision, and that although it may not be my real name, but this is my recognized pen name as a writer and is being used by me even when I won an international award, so it is not entirely a false or assumed name. I thank him for personally sending me an email and apologized for whatever ills he might have felt. He then responded that he was 'bastosed' that I had to post a comment on his wall, and it would be better this way because now I would not see his annoying posts and could have called me out on my wall too, but did not do so for lack of tact. I again replied, apologized, thanked him and said that it would have been better if he called me out so I can see my flaws and rectify them. I ended by a sincere apology before the nicks become a deep dent. He did not reply.

Thinking that my status message could really have been too strong, I rephrased it.

That is exactly why we do not progress as a country. Either you are hard headed or simply
stupid. It is election day and people still post and tag campaign
stuff. I am ashamed to call most of them my friends! Then again, that's why we are friends because we can gently remind them and not be taken in ill favor.

I did not even try to point out to him the fallacy of his reasoning. I just apologized and repeatedly said that if it has to come to this, I understand and respect his decision.

Later, I gave up on reminding my friends, no matter how the taggoing and posting continued to proliferate. I started to notice something. All these taggings and posting come from or a majority so to speak, came from supporters of the color of the grasses. That's as far as my page news and history is concerned at least. Somehow I'm happy that my color was silent and did follow the rules, again, from my page nes at least.

It saddened me to think that, just like that, I lost a friend. It saddened me that for all the respect and high regard I had for him, he turned out to be immature and bordered on fanaticism. And so, I relized three things:

One: It is hard to be vigilant and good. You're motives are always in question even if you know in your heart that your only purpose is to be a vanguard of the electoral process.

Two: That we need to redefine, refurbish and make adaptive the laws, in particular, the Omnibus Election Code to reflect the reality of the use of tri-media, such as social networking sites and the like in relation to prohibitions under the law. While it is true that "Nullum crimen, nulla poena sine legis"... there is no crime if there is no law that punishes it, it doesn't take a genius to know that really, these are not merely personal blogs, but also a modern convention that needs to be considered.

And lastly, you can never expect the Spanish Inquisition.

With these said, I wonder how my now unfriended friend would do if -

My presidential candidate wins, he would probably flood the site with conspiracy theories and sad tales of woes and 'dayaan.'

If they win, he will gloat and be encouraged to do the same things again, even if apparently, it is not necessarily right.

Oh well... the toll of being vigilant and social/civic responsibility and responsiveness... I might have lost a friend, but deep inside, I knew I did what I can to make a stand and make a difference and with God's will, I will gain a truly good government under good honest leaders with integrity!

May bilog, may bilog

2010-05-07T07:00:00.011+08:00

I have been really thinking about my choice for president for a very long time. Politics is really not my favorite topic, and when asked, I usually reply with 'pinagiisipan ko pa.' Honestly, I was thinking that I will just let the elections pass and say nothing of my choice in my blog. After reading a lot, researching a lot, weighing things a lot and actually praying a lot, I have made my decision. I have chosen my color.

Admittedly, it was a difficult decision and I must say it pays to wait a while to see how people change styles and show their true colors when subjected to extreme pressures. It also afforded me the chance to listen to other people and see if their logic is sound. I also enjoyed exchanging views with my friends on this topic.

This is just my second time to vote for a president. Sadly, at this point, no one has readily won my heart the way Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago did (although I was not able to vote yet at that time she ran for President) or the late Sen. Raul Roco. I am tempted to simply say why I chose whom I chose but that won't be interesting would it?

My early favorite was Gordon, because of his sterling track record and admirable performance. Then I also liked Nicky Perlas, but this brilliant person whose answers are most impressive just does not have what it takes to be President, sadly, after the fact. Then there's the brilliant Gibo Teodoro who also impressed me with very practical solutions and very solid answers. As for Jamby Madrigal, I am sorry but she is just really really a wild card thing, second only to JC De los Reyes. As for the ex-president Joseph Estrada, well, please do not insult my intellect... pwede ba? Eddie Villanueva for president is another insult on my intelligence. The separation of church and state is a concept that is clear to me even before I entered law school. As for Villar, I have never voted for him ever. Not for Senator, and definitely not for President. With Noynoy Aquino, I too have my misgivings about him. It is as if we are left with a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea. Sadly, my choice is to choose the least evil, so to speak.

After listening to a lot of public forums, a lot of debates, a lot of 'conspiarcy theories', after researching a lot and weighing the pros and the cons, and of course, praying a lot, I have made a decision. It seems that I am yellow!

One of the process I had to go through was to weight the candidates against the negative issues hurled against them and the final straw that proverbially broke the Camel's back is as follows:

Villar: Listening to Prof. Winnie Monsod, who, to start with is someone I admire a lot really convinced me that there were insertions and Villar is guilty with the C5 controversy, but what really broke my heart is Nanay Curing's being used for sad and pathetic emotional campaign. The words of the sister rings loud and clear... "Bakit, nangagamit din naman sila ng nanay ah! Patay na nga eh, ginagamit pa!" I hear you sister... ginagamit nyo nga ang nanay nyo! SHAME!

Gibo: I really did not fall for the Villaroyo sympathy thing and the resignation from Lakas. I see it as a last ditch effort to shake away the shadow of the malignant cancer that is Gloria besetting his candidacy. Tactics, tactics, tactics. So if it is to be believed that Arroyo has left him supportless because she now roots for Villar, they would have removed that one obstacle that hinders his shooting up to the top. Tsk tsk tsk... Sayang, I really like you but I can not get past Gloria's annoinment of you. It's a classic... the 'mother-in-law' problem, right, hon? Chos!

Gordon: The last straw was the 'sue the SWS' thing! It proves the rumors for me that he is a big wimpy kid throwing tantrums when he does not get his way... well... the scary human rights violation in Subic also kinda put me on guard.

Perlas: I just hope you get appointed to a cabinet position. You, sir, are brilliant. Its just not enough. You have failed to capture my trust and confidence.

JC: Why the top spot all of a sudden sir?

Jamby: She is really really cute, like a Pokemon and that's it.

Bro. Eddie: I hold fast to my opinion that a refusal to see the simple truth that there must be a separation of Church and State is plain stupidity, and you being a religious leader is just a turn off. Stay with your flock, sir.

Erap: Oh phuleeze! As I have mentioned above... do not insult my intelligence!

SO that obviously leaves us with Noynoy. Actually, when I kinda latched on to the idea of voting for him, I told my friends that my very biased feeling is that I am choosing him because he is the least among the evils. I felt that should things not go very well, he is the one most easy to make accountable for. If worse comes to worst, he is the easiest to demand accountability from. He has not much to hide behind, unlike Villar with his money and Gibo with his military. Of course I had to grapple with issues against him the top three of which follows.

Hacienda Luisita - I believe he is not simply washing his hands when he said that he owns merely shares. I believe him. HE does not run the show entirely. Why put the blame entirely on him? The yellow ribbon with blood splatters is simply too melodramatic for me. Besides, there is a case already filed in the proper courts, and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty is a sound and necessary facet in a democratic country and in a good justice system. There is no direct link that convinces me of his direct and clear accountability for the Hacienda Luisita issue.

No Legislative Track Record - Did Fidel Ramos have one prior to his presidency? Did Cory Aquino have one? I do not think so. Besides, I am sick and tired of all these political grandstanding and all these inane hearings 'in aid of legislation!' There are a thousand and one useless and inutile laws in the country. We do not need more laws and count bills passed into law. We need substantial implementation. This issue has failed to turn me off.

MAma Papa Legacy - Sister Villar mouthed it. Sino ba ang hindi gumagamit ng nanay? In the political arena, who is not guilty of using, in one way or another, pedigree and lineage? One thing has convinced me that Noynoy is NOT a mere 'legacy rider' - His stand on the RH Bill. Tita Cory has been a known woman of the faith, particularly the catholic faith, and surely would be one with the church's stand. It is refreshing for me to hear him damn the clergy and not care whether they support him or not because of his strong stand on the RH Bill issue. It shows that he is not entirely just a 'mama's bot' and is capable to be his own man!

So yes, I am YELLOW. Though I am not Marian Rivera who is a Psychology, I am Yellow simply because he has the Integrity and I believe in the promise that he represents.

As for my Vice President, I go for Mar. He has the credentials, the political will and the clout to boot. In fact, before he retreated to give way for Noynoy, he already had my nod. I respected him more and got impressed by this selfless act in fact.

As to my Senators, I again will not be able to complete all the slots. I ahev always believed that if I only have three senators, at least I have full trust and full faith in them, so I guess such will be the case this year.

Here are my choices.

- Miriam Defensor Santiago - kailangan pa bang imemorize to?
- Liza Maza - She has my heart
- Kata Inocencio - mukhang brilliant naman, masubukan
- Sergio Osmena III - naiimpress pa ako sa kanya at feel ko kapakipakinabang sya

under consideration:
- Satur Ocampo
- Sonia Roco
- Regalado Maambong
- Jun Lozada

PARYLIST
- Ang Ladlad - for very obvious reasons!

I would have completed my list with my choices for local positions in Iloilo City where I am registered but that would make this already long post even longer. For now, I am letting everyone at large know that I am happy to be Yellow. The more I say it the stronger I feel right about it.

Color me Yellow!

Photo Credits:

philippinesfunwall.wordpress.com
kapehanonline.wordpress.com
sifranzaypinoy.wordpress.com
http://s612.photobucket.com/albums/tt205/Kaya123LOVE/Colour%20Splash/?action=view&current=crayons.jpg&newest=1

Induction

2010-05-06T00:40:00.010+08:00

Tonight I got inducted. There were only a handful of people at MCCQC's chapel. I wouldn't have it any other way anyhow. I am not for big shows you know. There was Moi, Rev CJ, my three beauteous ninangs, the pastor's better half, Ninang Marlon, soon to be Rev. Pastor Venj aka Imee Marcos, and the alluring Macmac aka Jessa Zaragosa. There was 'unofficial' kodaker Miss Chad 'Greta' Richard, MCC Baguio delegate William, Mike Mia, and of course, blogging best buddy sister YJ the Manila Bitch as my very special guest. It was intimate, but it was solemn and meaningful for me, but that's getting ahead of my story. I intend to tell you how wonderful MCCQC is so let me get this right mmmkay?

First of all, yes, I am going to a church, and yes, this is a Christian Church, and again yes, this is an LGBT embracing church. I would not say it is an LGBT church because that would go against the very first tenet of MCC or the Metropolitan Community Churches, which would be inclusiveness... so let me say that it is a church that embraces and has a special ministry for the LGBT's. It all started one fine Tuesday evening while I was on the net. I came across a very thought provoking message to come to a church for LGBT's. Incidentally, they were having a meet the very next night, which happened to be a rest day for me. I have a long-time online friend who once mentioned such a church and I have been wanting to check out what this is all about. So I gave my word to check out what there was.

To be very honest, when the word 'church' presents itself in a conversation, I am nonchalant. I pride myself with being some sort of 'comparativist' when it comes to churches and religion. Though I would say that I am neo-wiccan, catholic, when asked about my religious views I would always say I am spiritual not religious, and I do have a very deep and personal relationship with my God/Goddess, end of conversation. I have been to many a go-see with different religions and I can safely say I am someone with a high regard and respect for all sorts of religious beliefs as holding parts and parcels of truth, seen at varying degrees, interpretations and points of view. For quite some time, I identified myself with the Baha'i faith, exactly because of its major tenet, which is the destruction and elimination of all religious prejudices. It had such an appeal to me, not until I came across a website that lists the major religions and their stand on certain issues. Sadly, the Baha'i faith has a 'reformative' or 'curative' view on homosexuality, of which I do not agree with. Why reform or cure? It is not a disease! Though it looks kindly at 'bisexuality' but to the ends that one has to end up with a woman at least. Well that's still being presumptive, right? And I do not want to believe in a gamble that I would end up with a woman, since I am bisexual, simply because there is an equal chance I'd end up with a guy, too.

And so there I was. At first I was expecting somewhere between a close-knit brotherhood sort of meet up where everyone is in their best behavior, more like a BCBP (Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen of the Philippines), to a highly ceremonial Masonic-like meeting, to a very casual Rotary Club-like fellowship dinner. It turned out to be a worship service. The praise and worship part is nothing new to me. I have attended fundamentalist, pentecostal, baptist, protestant and even charismatic services and this is one feature, where people lift their hands and sway to the worship songs, some ending in speaking in tongues, laughing and crying in the spirit, fainting, and possession by the holy ghost of a church member to speak God's message to the congregation. The most notable difference is that, the pastor was of course speaking in a mixture of English, Tagalog and Baklese to which the congregation of less than ten giggled to. Interesting! The service was mostly catholic and fundamentalist with breaking of the bread, but less the dramatics and ritualism. There was the holy kiss of peace where everyone started making 'beso'... so gay! Lavet! hehehehe Towards the end part, there was a sharing of testimonies or altar call. It sounded more like a status report where members would report where they are at right at this moment, highlighting jobs, family, love life and/or a reaction to the readings earlier read. When I was called to say something I started with the statement that I am not really easily impressed with religious eklavoo, which up to this point is still true, but that, again, is getting ahead of my story.

Now at first, what drew me towards this 'queermunity' is of course the classic 'birds of the same feathers... are the same birds!' Admittedly, I was lonely in Manila, and I did not have a steady supply of friends or activities with them. This is the chance I saw to be with a regular activity, such as the Wednesday Worship and the Sunday Service that I could look forward too. The following weeks, there were 'excursions' to Palawan 1. I saw genuine friendships. I saw caring. I saw responsible stewardship and I saw a 'queermunity' which was in itself marginalized within an already marginalized group. We went to Palawan not just to sing drink and have a good time, but to also spread the word that there is a church here for people like us... grass roots immersion, I should say. I liked the idea!

What finally hooked me in was the church's social action. There were forums on gender equality, linkages with LGBT activism groups and the like... there was even a photographic workshop. These activities appealed a lot to a social responsive me - Human Rights Advocacy, HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns, queer-peer counseling, prison visits... I really really liked!

Then there was the lenten retreat. At first it was to be in Baguio. But of course, that's a really really nice sell-out, but that was because MCC happened to have a sister church in Metro Baguio. Eventually, due to the member's pressing financial difficulty, the retreat was held in Cavite instead. Now I saw that this is not just another excuse to vacay. More so during the seminar, I saw what I wanted to see. This church is a thinking church. A socially responsive church - mulat, nagmumulat, may pakialam, nakikialam, nagpapaalam at nangingialam! Even in the retreat, I expected some sort of indoctrination, but there was none. Pastor CJ called it Experiential Learning. More so, I was never questioned about my beliefs - how I was deeply in love with Mary, that is why I remain calling myself catholic, or how I believe in goddess worship alongside the Christian conviction. No one raised an eyebrow. For the very first time, no one questioned. everyone just listened, and we did not even talk about divinity or such. Simply put, we concentrated on what we have in common, rather than highlighting our differences.

This extends not only in matters of faith, but as well as in matters of social and political convictions. No one raises any eyebrow even if there is a difference in political patronage among members. Even the LGBT groups that the church openly endorses and supports are merely 'default' patronage, and not any one of them, despite being openly for LGBT's, are choked down or smothered upon any one church member. In fact, being openly critical about these groups are encouraged as a means of a look outside the box. No one convinces no body. Everyone and everything is up for grabs, and best of all, I had discussions, instead of debates among the very intelligent church members I happen to strike a conversation with.

This even extends to very personal matters such as the choice to be open and social about their homosexuality and sexual orientations, or the choice to shy away from public eye. Some church members who are very active in the activities within the church can readily opt out florez de mayo, or even the upcoming pride march. I like the love, understanding and support that everyone shows to these members who shy away from public view. It does not diminish one's involvement nor are loyalties questioned. Everything is taken in stride.

This also extends to matters of personal relationship, whether one feels it appropriate to be in an open relationship or in an exclusive set-up. The church does not pass judgments. It just provides gentle reminders done out of love and care. Again, it concentrates on what we have in common, rather than what differences we have. In retrospect, and by way of example, I remember one such commonality - during the lenten retreat, I am proud to have a couple of people agree with me and take a vow that, since we have noted that one source of great pain and sorrow is a failed relationship due to infidelity, we have made a pact not to have a third party, and not to agree to become a third party. It is also comforting to know that I have co-believers in respect and acceptance among us LGBT's. You know - the effems hating the pamhins, the contesera's hating the closetera's, the de buena familias hating the hampaslupas ad infinitum. Finally! A bunch of people who feel like I do - that to each his own! Kanya kanyang gimik yan! You don't have to hate one just because you are not one. That is so counterproductive, and in itself, discriminatory.

For the first time ever, I have told an effem that being bisexual like me means that I still get turned on by tits and pussy, without being met with the requisite 'Owws? Chosera ka!' but with very intelligent and accepting follow up questions. For the first time, no one insists calling me 'mare, sister, atcheng or the likes, and if at all I am called as such, never in a demeaning way. Hey, it's the little things that count most, you know!

And so there I was. Tonight I got inducted. I was asked a few questions, to which I was supposed to answer, regarding my willingness, voluntary will and free desire to be a member, to which I replied, in true baklese fashion...'check' and 'double check!' Then my ninangs were asked in turn a few questions, and not to be outdone, they replied in sincere and earnest 'korak!' 'Flangak!' 'Trulaloo' and 'Yiz!" I am now a member in good standing of the MCCQC. Literally, a member in good standing means my member is good to be put in when it is standing... joke! Hehehehehe! MCCQC is a shiny little place under the sun, where rainbow colored people dwell in the pride and acceptance of their own individuality, under the rays of love, true friendship and Godly care and spiritual growth. Such a love exists here that even a 'pamhin' who at first is kinda bothered that his partner would be a sagala in the Florez de Mayo, would nevertheless, with pride, acceptance and love, be supportive enough, braving stereotypes, to later on be his love's knight in shining armor, in full readiness to defend from bullying and harsh criticisms, even if it be in a fistfight, the love of his life, whom, for the night, becomes a dashing may flower belle. Do not take my word for it though... experience it for yourself.

Did I say that MCC is an international church? Well, it is, and guess what, we pray for our members lovelives, and when God answers our prayers, we do unite them too in holy union as husband and husband, or wife and wife... aint that something?

Text me... I can bring you there one of these days.
Or you can add MCCQC Phils on facebook.

Trust me, it's better than the bars and the little nook and crannies in the dark! You are too beautiful to stay hidden in the dark, dear friend! Let your light shine!

La Fuerza de San Pedro

2010-04-25T20:19:00.004+08:00

One among my many haunts in my beloved beautiful city of Iloilo is this historic Fort known as Fort San Pedro. This was built in 1616 to protect the city from Dutch Invaders and Moro raiders.
When the Fort succumbed to earthquakes and other forces of nature and time, it was then rebuilt as a park.

I grew up in Rizal Street and this was very very close to where I lived. Even before there was Villa Beach or other 'family' places in the city, Fort San Pedro was the place to be. It was a place that served good food with a breathtaking view of the Panay Strait and the lush island of Guimaras, prominently, the mystical Balaan Bukid, or "Holy Mountain" with a cross on top of the mountain that is lighted on night times. The clear waters were also an enjoyable swimming area, as well as fishing spot for hobbyists, enthusiasts, as well as those wanting a fish or two for the meal of the day.

It was also used as an occasional unloading spot of outrigger motorboats from Guimaras. It was also a place where good music used to be featured from the nightly live band playing. The natural beauty and romantic ambiance of the place made it a favorite tryst of lovers who would walk the break water holding hands, sit down on the stone steps or at the nearby 'Rotary Park.' I remember wonderful thoughts of dating girlfriends to watch the sunset, and later on, boyfriends, to wait for the sunrise in this place. I also remember early mornings when our CAT Officers Corps would march to this place to practice 'voice command.'

Soon, it degenerated into a seedy dangerous place, as squatters overrun the place and was avoided specially at night time due to drug addicts, prostitutes, lawless elements, and the 'cheapskates' who would park their tinted cars and do their thing in the darkly lit 'park.' The big waves during storms also smashed the pavements and now, it is in ruins, heavily vandalized, dirty, and avoided by people. One ex-lover commented that he never wanted to go to this place unless I am around, because otherwise, he feels unsafe.

This place is very significant for me. I would come here just to feel the night sea breeze, let my thoughts wander, stare out at the expanse of the sea, gaze at the stars, ponder the full moon, watch the death of the day, or be witness to the birth of a brand new morning. I am aware of the 'dangers' associated with the place, but ironically, I have never felt threatened here, and in fact, I consider this as my 'sanctuary' of sorts. I come here when I am sad, to let the waves drown out my sorrows. I come here when I am happy, to celebrate with the stars. I come here when I am in love, to spin dreams while my hands are laced with another, or our arms draped as human blankets over each others body. I come here when I am brokenhearted to watch the waves bash upon the rocks, like the pain that bashes upon my weary heart. Even before 24hour joints sprouted in the city, I always had Fort San Pedro. My friends know this and they share in my haven every now and then.

This recent 'coming back to Iloilo' would not be complete without a visit to Fort San Pedro to watch the birth of a new day. It breaks my heart to see the deplorable condition that my sanctuary has been reduced to, and I wish in my heart that while the City Government builds better and new places for people to use and enjoy, such as the newest craze in Diversion Road - the Efraim Trenas Avenue, I do hope that they will try to restore Fort San Pedro to its former beauty. Nevertheless, I will still be there tonight. Eden Von, dear friend/disciple/little brother/son/kindred spirit will join me tonight, and like the nocturnal fiends that we are, we shall once again gaze at the stars, the sea and wait for that glorious moment when the sun breaks over the horizon.

One of these days, should you care, you may join me there too...

Photo Credits:

www.Exploreiloilo.com
http://iloveiloilo.freehostia.com/a-view-from-fort-san-pedro/
www.skyscrapercity.com

Spirit

2010-04-22T15:52:00.005+08:00

There I was trying to beat the crippling heat in a coffee shop with an ice cold americano with a friend I haven't seen in ages. My newly operated ear is healing quite nicely that I can actually 'hear' through it already and I am resisting the urge to scratch the itch in my lobes, when I overheard a very irritating blabber.

They were three tables away but I can still hear his blab from my table. He was a bit skinny, a bit makinis, very jologuic and very bakasyonista looking. He was speaking in a mixture of Manhattan twanging English and Imperial Manila Tagalog. And what was this all about you ask?

His unwilling victim is his 'insan', with whom he poured out his litany, hailing his school's superiority. That his school has the best this and that, and that the facilities were this and that, the professors are this and that ad nauseum...

Now, really... I have been to a lot of schools, and while school pride is good, it is at most overrated. After all, to outsiders, any given school for that matter is just another one of those school. Trust me. I know five school songs by heart, including that one which goes hail hail hail.

Now mister bakasyonista went on to better things... or were they? He started talking about his school's fraternities and I jumped a bit. My good friend gave me a smile. He is a fratman and has been trying for the longest time to recruit me. I always rebuff him by saying that I went through high school, college and even law school without a frat and I'm as good as it gets.

During high school. my school was notorious for the many frats it has, and stories abound of how freshmen are being terrorized or recruited by these frats. Well, I went through such unscathed. By my good looks and charm I was befriended by almost all senyores in school. Looking at the fact now, they are all a bunch of sore losers, with kids and back breaking work preceeding their glory days in school.

He said, I did not know what I was missing by not having it. I counter that I know exactly what I am not going through by not having one. Besides, I jokingly tell him that I will only allow myself to be 'initiated' if it would be a way to attain world peace, which, at the rate we are going, is a near impossibility. Besides, I kid him, I refuse to be beaten up shit less by some paddle wielding senior frat man who's IQ is arguably lower than mine. Besides, I have a very low pain threshold, and I bruise easily, so, no, thank you very much.

My friend argues further that this is not just a frat but also a socio-civic group. I tell him that if your idea of a civic group is that which does clean-up programs, medical missions and tree planting activity, then I have a number of groups that do that too, and one of my civic action groups do paralegal services and other developmental legal services. My church does human rights activism and socio-civic actions. My company does that too in the name of corporate responsibility. Why would I join that frat? Stumped as usual, my friend just smiled at me.

Now, back to the bakasyonista, I finally was able to guess correctly which school he goes to. I flip my curly hair back, wipe a sweat and sip my ice cold Americano... well hail hail hail, indeed. I stifled the urge to shut him up for good, by going over to their table and asking him...

"Hi... excuse me, your school's patron is a saint, right?" "Well you know what, that's just a bummer, because my school's patron is the mother of god herself."

Then again, it's so hot, I did not wanna bother!

Foulitikia Atbp.

2010-04-18T03:29:00.012+08:00

At dahil umabsent ako ng bongga, babawi din ako ng bongga!

Dobol feature... parang sine lang. And let me do something I rarely do. Write about foulintikss!

Goodtaym lang to... parang dear ate charo lang...

Parang short note...

Parang...

Letche... ganito yun!

Here are some things for the people running for the ringmaster in this circus of a government that we have. Let me start.

Dear...

Noynoy -

"I Swear it's this BIG! - My lamang in the surveys"

Your mother is the universal tita, so that makes you insan, but that's not my point. What I really like to say is that, win or lose, let insan Krissy take care of recovering your campaign losses: with your penchant for turbocharged answers in public forums and such, you'd be perfect as the Energizer Bunny incarnate! My suggestion is for you to stage a grand last minute wedding. Do a Korina-Mar, insan. Just don't marry Shalani in FAO Schwarz or Toy Kingdom.

Manny -

Take the plunge

Brilliant ads! Catchy Jingle! Love the 'back-mask' thinggie ad! Dear, you have a brilliant media whiz at work! Introduce to us the head of your creative team! We'd love to vote him/her for President! Oh, but I'm sure we would know him/her if you win because for sure, you'd be a fool not to appoint him as Press Secretary! Oh the lovely magical realist tales he/she would spin for you! Suggestion - consider taking acting workshops. They could do more wonders.

Dick -

Iron Dick... errr Iron Chef Dick

What's in a name they say? Everything. Parents should pay close attention to naming their children because a Rose, by any name, is a florist's marketing strategy. Well, if it's true that we are what our names are, I was just wondering... are you really that? A big.... well... Richard? Suggestion - keep Mr. Fernando closer, consider spandex, and highlight your other moniker - the flash?

Brother Eddie -

Neozep lang yan... babangon ka agad!

Putting aside the clear clause of separation of church and state, let me say you are wonderful. When I hear you bare your plans for the country, I await with bated breathe, for you to punctuate your discussion about the economy with a biblical verse and a proposition to change the peso to shekels. The other brother has it bad and he's just endorsing a party-list, you know. The Philippine constitution is verbose and the laws of the land are voluminous. The commandments you know are only ten. Oh and if your vice-president cannot even win the presidency of a school board here in Iloilo, then what chances have you two got as a tandem?Suggestion - try to up the ante with an impassioned fire and brimstone, hand wringing, gut wrenching hair tearing, ash smothering, sackcloth wearing mourning for the state of the Philippine Government... Careful with that ark though. Oh, and learn from Mister Escudero his delectable way with the Tagalog speaking thinggie.

Gibo -

Now wear it properly. As it is without clothes inside!

Hey baby... I mean panyero... Chos! You are really brilliant and all. I love the way you sound so layman considering you are a bar top-notcher even when explaining highly technical points. I like that a lot. I like your points. Very succinct - promising indeed. More or less, I agree with your thoughts and your plan of action. I like you a lot its almost a lot like love. However... I think its a misjoinder of parties darling. Wrong political side, wrong affiliation, wrong vice-president, wrong anointment, wrong ogre godmother. WRONG! If this was the Bar exams, you, my dear, are an elaborate essay answer with distinguishing and jurisprudence worthy of full marks - but to a multiple-choice question. Suggestion - Make them fall truly madly deeply in love with you. After all, when love is involved, it makes something so wrong feel so right, says Toni Gonzaga, and when you throw in the word love, you get away with almost everything. Ask Santa Evita!

Nicky-

Alien? Raise the roof!

Oh Nicky you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind, however, not everyone enjoys listening to a political speech and platform which is the equivalent of a scientific name, or a lecture in the measures of central tendencies. Something is lost in translation dear Nicky, and it's you. Darling it's just so wrong. Suggestion - have you considered how many saplings could have been bought and reforested with the campaign money you poured into this fray?

JC -

Holding it... I mean Holding On to the fight!

So young, so dynamic, so chivalric. With a knighthood from members of the Vatican in the Philippines, it is just plain romantic saga of a young idealistic warrior. So very very -next time na lang ok? The priests who loves you so much can't be blamed. You are the very image of a responsible sakristan-mayor, or a knight of Columbus, or Adoracion Nocturna even. Too bad, Tubid is already the model for Blessed Pedro Calunsod. Suggestion - to speed up the process, pour yourself into research for obscure Filipino Martyrs for the faith. Surely, you would be a very good model for the next Filipino Saint. Make sure though that the person you will help towards canonization is not some Carmelite Nun ok?

Erap -

Ahmmm

There is a big difference between executive clemency and acquittal, sir. You flaunt that your being pardoned proves your innocence. Exoneration of a crime, commutation of sentence or absolute pardon is not the same as being found not guilty. You would understand what I am saying wouldn't you? I think you are very misunderstood, and hence, I do not understand you. Oh and I love your campaign colors. It reminds me of where you are supposed to be. Don't worry, we are far from adopting that black and white striped get-up. Suggestion - Try this mantra: When I grow up, I wanna be like Winnie Monsod!

Jamby -

Jessa? IZATCHU?

Honey, I have saved the best for last. Like you, I do not know how much a kilo of galunggong is. Like you, I too am not into 'itlog na pula,' make mine Century Eggs please. I think you are the best. The very fact that your campaign platform is very solid and singular is a big decisive factor for me - GET MANNY VILLAR! Atta gurl! Suggestion - Psstttt... your then political endorser is also an endorser for a slimming product with L-Carnitine. It's a good addition to the already impressive CV that you have of being a Vegetarian. Maybe she could give you the tips and tricks. However, you did say that you have turned your back when you saw the folly of your ways right? I just hope that when you do, your dress has full beaded design and not the flesh-flash -less thing, mmmkay? If you find it harder to see the folly or your ways this time, don't worry. We are not in a hurry. Meanwhile, you can window shop at a local wet market. Of course you can stay inside your car and look at things through the window. That's why it's called window shopping, right?

Whew! Now if I must say - this is all y0ur fault Chiz! You left me in pain, confusion and suffering, after all I have shown you - after all my love and devotion to you! ETCHOS!
Make that ETCHIZ!

Photo Credits:

philippinesfunwall.wordpress.com
citadel.seitoukai.net/2010/01/24...r-spoof/
www.newsflash.org/2004/02/tl/tl0...2403.htm
www.freemediabuzz.com/Posible-Pa...wala-Ka/
karitoon.com/xoops/modules/extga...d%3D1161
ewsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerhe...esidency
john-carlos-de-los-reyes.politic...os-reyes
wawam.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/p...lection/
ifemoto.blogspot.com/2010/01/ph...07375755

And all that jazz!

2010-04-18T02:32:00.003+08:00

First, some explanation for the absence.

Ten thousand and one things have happened and in the thick of it, I got lost.

I went back to Roxas City for my birthday. The paso's floral arrangement was breathtaking.

Thanks to Sister YJ I now know where the frig Dangwa is. He was able to witness first-hand my life saving baratan skills. Love you sistah!

Then I celebrated my birthday with a very introspective day of silent thankfulness for everything and everyone. Here's to life and all that jazz.

I went back at our house and I am so soft and mushy that all my anger evaporated the moment I saw tears from people's eyes. They genuinely miss me. For all my steam, I just could not bear to be mad any longer. Nevermind the pain or the aggravation says the Spice Girls.

I had my tympanoplasty surgery in Bacolod City, because, of all the inane and BS thing, no anesthesiologist would agree to work with my EENT under my healthcard. They want cash-out and for reimbursement. Talk about easing people's 'pains.'

Then, I opened finally a facebook account and got hooked and had to keep up with the deluge. Join me there. Luis Batchoy is the name.

Now I'm here in a budget class pension because I was not able to catch the last ferry for the day going back to Iloilo because of more BS with my Philhealth. I posted in my FB that this is a love-hate thing that I have with my company and my HMO.

Hate the inutility of it all but love the people who assisted me and did everything they can to assist me. I feel their sincerity in helping - from the HMO rep in Bacolod to the Supervisor, then the HR staff from my company to the staff nurses in the hospital. They were wonderful! I keep thinking how these marvelous people stay stuck in jobs for shitty companies. Thank heavens for the lot of them out there. You guys are the rays of sunshine in a bleak ugly world.

Though I am not paying for it, I checked my bills by force of habit. I noticed that I was billed thrice for Blood typing and clotting time tests. Of course the insanity of the billed prices is a given, but what got me was the thought that if health care in this republic of ours is this costly, why then are they not able to provide decent salaries to our poor and hard working nurses and hospital staff. There was an item there that got me really big. I was billed PHP1,200.00 for rental of a microscope for 3 hours. Get a load of that! Equipment use is even more expensive than what these hard working guys get paid for!

Now I have lost half my tongue's taste buds and it's weird how, when I drink liquid, the flavor is split. It's like drinking two distinct beverage, and it amazes me how the flavor separates - full on the left, nada on the right. My throat is sore due to my being intubated while under sedation, and for the life of me, much as I would like to think in jest, none of the medical staff during my operation is worthy of lascivious thoughts as to how my throat got sore. Blame it on intubation, and that's that.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to upgrade my stove!

Seriously, I missed you guys, but no matter how wonderfully time-wasting facebook would be, it wouldn't stop me from blogging. Not even a restaurant upgrade!

Another Year

2010-03-31T21:54:00.004+08:00

Another wonderful year...

Another great year of learning...

Another one for the road...

Another slice in life's piece of cake...

Here's to happiness, loneliness and all that's in between.

Thanks for all there was, all there is, and all that's yet to be.

A slice, a mug, a poem, and a song of thanks in my heart.

And the beat goes on...

I remain!

Happy Birthday to me!

Photo Credits:

http://www.gizmodiva.com/2007/08/

Excitedness

2010-03-25T21:55:00.007+08:00

I'm kinda Excitedness for a few things. I dunno why but with the way things have been of late, it is not a wonder why these little things cause excitement, or excitedness . Here are a few of them.

Brief Sojourn in Iloilo

I was tempted to say 'going home' to Iloilo, but really, home is where the heart is, and it is a happy circumstance that for the last six months, Manila has been home for me. My heart is where I am at, so Iloilo is not really home. Nevertheless, I'm going back there for the yearly obligation/panata. My bestfriend Bryan's family own a santo that is used during the Good Friday procession in Roxas City, and year after year, eversince I started helping, I have been in charge of decorating the paso for the procession. I can say that countless blessings have been heaped upon me by the good Lord for my sacrifices, including backbreaking work, super pawisan under the lenten sun, cuts, bruises and what nots from the wires and the flowers. Dahil mas mura sa Dangwa ang bulaklak, dito na rin ako mamimili. Goodluck naman sa akin because I will be bringing flowers for the Holy Week kaya nga I'm taking the ro-ro bus. Here's a picture of how I singlehandedly decorated last year's paso. Here are a few pictures of last year's paso. At oo nga pala... di ko alam pumuntang dangwa...help?

Last year it was egg mums, large white anthuriums, dyed in blue chrysanthemums, violet malaysian mums and violet dendrobium orchids that we used. This year, I wanted to use peonies, alstromerias and cymbidiums. Goodluck sa pagbubudget! At wish ko lang matunton ko kung san man yang Dangwa na yan... HELP!

Pretty Peonies... they are also sometimes called Paper Roses

Love the detail on the petals... so fierce

Mukhang mamahalin... sana makamura sa Dangwa at pasok sa budjei

And you guessed it right... pink ang color motiff for the paso this year. Excited much!
Syempre pa, I will be there at least for moreor less one week. Tatambay ulit ako sa kapihan na tinatambayan ko, hahagilapin ang mga bandang jinajaman ko, kakain ng batchoy, seafood, and evrathing. The best thing I'm looking forward to is a dip in the beaches of Panay. I swear, I will go to Guimaras if skeds permit. There is a sliver of sand in my heart that longs for the lick of salty waters. Kung si mother john pa, kailangan maalatan ang buntot ng sirena. Since I'm his 'daughson' namana at nananalaytay din sa dugo ko ang pagkasirenang yun, I am basically a 'sirenette' kaya I need to dip my dorsal fins din every so often. After all, one month ang LOA ko from work kaya naman happiness.

WORK and Tengga sa Bahay

Speaking of work shempre pa, update nga pala. Nag file ako ng immediate resignation ko the last time I went in for work. Sabi naman ng Unit Manager ko, valid naman daw na immediate sya at mawi-waive ang 30 day notice rule dahil nga medical ang rason. Di ba nga meron akong butas sa aking tympanic membrane? Di ko lang mapa opera kasi di sya covered ng HMO dahil pre-existing daw. A great thing happened actually. Instead of accepting m resignation, they gave me a proposal. Papasok ako for at least one more week, then by March 5, pinag fa-file ako ng leave to use up my remaining VL's. Tapos right after, binigyan ako ng LOA for medical reasons for a month, hanggang April 14. Kinagat ko na.

1. makukuha ko na agad ang VL credits ko dahil gagamitin ko.
2. Mareregular pa ako.
3. At dahil naregular nga ako, by then, magagamit ko na ang card ko to cover my tympanoplasty,which I intend to do when I get back from Iloilo.
4. Pwede pa din akong mag stop ng work after the operation kung kinakailangan.
5. Susweldo pa ako for the next cut-off at by the next cut-off's baka makuha ko naman agad ang prime pay na pwedeng mag reflect na sa payroll.

Therefore, tengga ako sa bahay at naka leave lang. No work, no pay. Hehehehe. One more thing is this.Hindi rin ako maklabas labas at maka galagala dahil nga nagtitipid at dahil ampangit ng mga kagat kagat sa balat ko.

Nanganak kasi ang pusa sa kisame namin. Dahil dun, yung mga fleas nila dun sa taas nahuhulog sa amin sa baba. Sobrang kati at sobrang dami kong kagat. Pwede na maglaro ng connect the dots. Para akong nagka tigdas kaya dyahe makipagmeet up. Kahit mainit super jacket orlong sleeves ako. Bwiset! Sarap sunugin ng mga taenang pusang mga yan. I know that these are cat flea bites kasi nangyari na di sakin to before nung nasa LB ako when my ex had this cat din na me mga pulgas. I look so dirty now and I am so sure that I can say goodbye to landian at the beach for this summer. Whew!

CLASH

This one excites me na din. I have seen trailers of the movie. I remember nung bata ako, classic na pelikula to na lagi lagi at paulit ulit na napapanood sa Channel12. IBC. This is the stuff that childhood memories were made of. Dahil jan, I vowed na kahit magastos, this deserves to be watched in the movie houses. Anyone for a movie date?

Finally

Nagulantang ako nung nag check ako ng kalendaryo. Oh to the Em of the GEE!!!
Pramis? Anumpetcha na! Shet! Ilang araw na lang, madadagdagan na naman ang edad ng Batchoy boi. Sana madaming gifts. Hehehehe... kayo jan... me paypal din ako pde din cash!

With all these, I'm so excitedness!

Photo Credits:

http://www.twelve22.org/2007/06/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cumbria/content/image_galleries/july_2005_gardening_gallery.shtml?4
http://www.flower-arrangement-advisor.com/hand-tied-posy-bouquet.html
http://movies.ign.com/dor/objects/41265/clash-of-the-titans/images/clash-of-the-titans-2010-20091211065924947.html

Got Milk?

2010-03-20T04:28:00.005+08:00

I am lactose intolerant, but I love milk. I drink it, I use it on my cereal, I use it on deserts, I cook with it. I love milk. Kaya siguro strong ang bones ko, but then again, it does not change the fact na sasakit at sasakit ang tyan ko after consuming it. Nevertheless, it has never stopped me from loving milk. Parang love. kahit alam mo na pwede kang masaktan in the end, go pa rin ng go. Anyhoot, here's a poem I wrote one time i was waiting for a date. Enjoy...

Lactose Intolerance
Ni Luis Batchoy

Man ang gugma mo, pinalangga
Marimis sa akun panagamsaman
Kag nalangkag gid ako
Matilawan sang akun mga bibig
Ang himpit mo nga paghirup
Bisan pa, pat-ud gid
Nga akun igkalubi
Kag igkaaguntol ang kasakit
Nga halos igkahunos
Sang akun ginhawa
Nyan lubuson ta na gid lang
Ning himaya nga sukon
Kay siguro, indi ko man
Mas ikamatay ang gugma mo
Kung ipaanggid sa kahidlaw
Sang pagkahilayo ko kanimo.

Lactose Intolerance
Ni Luis Batchoy

Ang pag ibig mo kasi, pinalangga
Marimis sa aking panlasa
At kinasasabikan ko talaga
Matikman ng aking mga bibig
Ang marubdob mong pag-ibig
Kahit pang sigurado
Aking ikapamimilipit
At ikaaguntol ang sakit
Na halos ikapupugto
Ng aking hininga
Kaya't lubusin na lang natin
Ang luwalhating ganap
Kasi, siguro hindi ko naman
Mas ikamamatay ang pag-ibig mo
Kung ikukumpara sa pangungulila
Ng pagkakahiwalay ko sa yo.

Photo Credits:

http://hillbuzz.org/2009/01/11/
http://core.com.my/threeds/?p=1067
http://screenrant.com/milk-wolverine-images-rob-6801/

Lourveee

2010-03-14T00:14:00.003+08:00

I know that the balenstayms day is way way way past over and almost ancient history but when I saw these videos... sigh... sweetness much!

Enjoy!

Love the song... love the video

and this montage too...

And this too...

hay...
lourve!

Human Rights, Good News, Bad News

2010-03-13T02:07:00.004+08:00

BAD NEWS First...

Fucking Stupid Hateful Video circulates the net...

Hey there kuya...

Baboy ka tangina mo!

Whoever you are commanding these hapless guys to do what perhaps your sick libido is needing, I hope you die, you pig! Die in the most excruciating and painful manner.

I'm sure you are a closet homosexual with sick perversions.

Did you get a hard on, you bastard?

Do you have dreams of directing your next indie film debut?

People like you make me sick to the very pits of my stomach.

You know what, I do not really advocate hate and violence in my blog, but honestly, I hope that the next time you act upon your hidden desires and pick up someone from the streets to do your kinky and perverted desires, you get to pick a serial killer who would give you fair game.

I can not embed the video, so here is the link

Click HERE

That really made me fuming mad...

Now the GOOD NEWS!

The church I have been attending lately has something good...

Hope you could come and attend this.

Task Force Pride Philippines, the Metropolitan Community Church, and the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP) present: “The Right to Self-Determination”. This is a forum on transgender human rights. This forum will be held on March 13, 2010 (Saturday) at 7:30 PM at the MCC QC Chapel (3F, 56 Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City).

The resource speaker will be Sass Rogando Sasot (Founding Member – STRAP and Communications Officer in Asia – ILGA. The forum will be moderated by Strap Chairwoman Naomi Fontanos.

For more information, visit the STRAP website at http://www.tsphilippines.com

Lafang

2010-03-08T09:14:00.006+08:00

LAFANG

After a succession of uber serious posts, maiba tayo. Para naman medyo Zen na lightness of being ang dating, here’s a light post. Hindi poste ng Meralco gaga! When I relocated here, there were a lot of things that I missed. To say that my life took a 360 degrees turn would perhaps be an understatement, but as they say, some things are bound to take up some other things. I admit I love food and eating. Kiber na na nagiging ‘stocky’ ako, eh masarap kumain eh. Food has always been a passion of mine kaya nangangarap akong makapangasawa ng isang chubby chinitong chef na magdadala ng aking meals in bed. Syempre before the meal, to keep fit and burn calories, eh alam mo na! Bago pa kung saan saan mapunta tong usapan na to here’s 10 of the things na naadik ako of late, in no particular order.

10. Marty’s Cracklin Vegetarian Chicharon Salt and Vinegar Flavor.

Basta gawang Oishi malamang lamang masarap. My classic fave Kirei Chips happens to be from Oishi, too. Liwayway Marketing nga pala ang may gawa and brand name ang Oishi. Sobrang nakaaadik talaga sha. Malutong, malinamnam, as in, masarap. Sabi pa sa packaging, 0g trans fat daw. Healthy daw sha kasi vegetarian at guilt-free. KIBER! Kahit pa best in MSG to, eh masarap eh. Comfort food ko nga sya, habang depress depressan kunyari at alone alone-nan nanunood ng debede, papak ako ng papak. Sa isang upuan lang nakakaubos ata ako ng tatlong malaking ballot 90g packs. Sheesh! Pag nakakakita ako ng stocks (kasi mabilis maubos talaga) ay super pakyaw ako nito kesehodang maghihirap ako pagsakay sa bus pauwi. Naaalarm ako pag konti na lang merong stock sa cupboard ko nito. Marami nga ang naulurkey dito at ang iba nga daw inuulam itey. Di pa naman umabot sa ganung level ang addiction ko ditey. Idadagdag na to sa listahan ng masasarap ng Oishi products, sama na dun ang Sunday’s time na line ng juices nila.

9. Tusok tusok Calamares sa kanto.

Palabas ako minsan ng bahay, nang maamoy ko ang isang sobrang naakagutom na amoy. Hinanap ko ang pinangalinggan at nakita ko ang kariton na may naka deep fried na pusit. Ay naglaway talaga ako pramis! Bago ako malipat sa mid-shift, araw araw akong bumibili at inuulam sya. 3pesos per slice ang presyo kaya deceptive ang murang halaga kasi at one time, nakaubos ako ng 60 pesos worth. Tangina! 20 slices yun. Pag naamoy ko na ang pritong pusit na itey, naglalaway na agad ako. Ito naman yung inuulam ko. Namimiss ko na nga simula nang mag change shift kami kasi di ko na inaabutan ang mamang nagtitinda nito sa kanto eh. Haynax... the simple things in life. Pwera hepa po sana. Hehehehe

8. Tang Strawberry Watermelon Juice.

Ito ang tumalo sa dati kong mahal na Sunday’s Time melon juice. Super labs ko dati yung flavor na yun at nilalagyan ko pa ng gatas kahit lactose intolerant ako. Pero now, may bago na akong mahal. Sobrang refreshing sya talaga, at nakakatanggal ng stress sa buhay, lalo na pag malamig na malamig. Binabaon ko nga sa thermal mug ko sa opis. Sobrang convenient pa ng litro pack. Isasalin mo lang sa baso, dagdagan ng cold water, at voila may heavenly drink ka na. Antaray taray pa ng kulay, as in red na red. Baklush na baklush. Sabagay nga naman, with me, pagdating sa watermelon, talu-talo na. Kasi naman, I love pakwan! Pakwan ka din ba? Kung Oo, eh di I love you! Hehehehe.

7. Nai Cha, Chowking

Ito matagal ko nang labs to. Nasa Capiz pa lang ako, mahal ko na tong drink na to. Kakaiba sya kasi. Bitter bitteran ang kape (na parang ako minsan) nalalasahan ko talaga, with matching pakla ever ng tsaa (na minsan, parang ako din), hahaluan ng creaminess na gatas na yummy (na shempre,obyusli,ako talaga) at manamis namis na caramel syrup ( ay imememorize pa ba na ako din to?), tapos malamig lamig na crushed ice (na minsan din ay akong ako) at malambot at manguya nguyaining seagrass jelly (wait lang, ayoko yatang isiping halamang dagat ako), na nagiging over-all, napaka complicated (Ehem) at sbrang sarap ( naman, ito!) na inumin. Sa sobrang adik ko sa drink na to nag experimento na dati akong gumawa ng sarili kong bersyon sa bahay. Tinawanan ako ng friend ko na manager ng chowking Roxas City na si Elmeko Jude, at sa awa nya, na sana wag sya sisantehin, binigyan nya ako ng sanlitrong parang syrup na yun daw ang sikretong sangkap sa pagkasarap sarap na inuming to. Merong chowking akong nadadaan pauwi, at matapos ang nakakapagod na araw, dumadaan ako para mag take out nito. Hihintayin ko talagang makauwi sa bahay bago sumalampak sa sahig at inumin sya ng dahan dahan. Naging ka text ko na nga ang manager din ng branch na to ng chowking kasi tatlong sunod sunod na gabi akong naubusan dahil nag mid shift nga kami, kaya super disappointed ako. Kinuha ni manager ang number ko para mapagtabihan nya ako kung bibili ako para siguradong meron pag uwi ko. At least, masasabi ko with a pilyo smile pag naguusap usap na “May take home ako kagabi, sobrang sarap nya... hihihihi.”

6. New City 24 Hour Restaurant

Perstaym ko na try dito nung nanlibre si Markie, kapatid nung landlord ni Charmita nung last year na nagmanila ako to receive my palanca award. Since then, na adik na ako sa kainang to, na halos bawat sweldo, kumakain talaga ako ditto, kasama man si Charmita or not. The place is very unassuming. Chinese ang specialty ng restaurant at malapit lang sya sa pad ko, and 24 hours sya kaya pasok sa banga! Pag nakakaramdam ako ng bigla biglaang hunger pangs, sugod agad ako kahit magjijip pa ako papunta dun. Di naman kasi kalayuan, pero ayoko lang maglakad sa kakalsadahan habang nag gugrumble si tya nena. The best thing about them is their pricing. Super masarap na, big servings pa, cheapanggalore pa sya for a restaurant. One of these days, libre nyo ko dun, turo ko senyo kung saan sya!

5. Palm brand corned beef

Sa Iloilo pa lang nadiscover ko na tong brand na to. Medyo may kamahalan sya, kaya pag me andalei lang ako bumibili nito. Masarap sya, as in! Buo ang hibla at super chunky talaga, tapos juicy at unadulterated sya kasi me taba taba pa nga na nasa lata, kaya hello naman sa choles…dedma na. Straight from the lata ko syang kinakain at kung ma gross out man ang kasabayan kong kumakain neto, kiber, buti nga, para walang kahati at di manghingi. Nyekhekhek.

4. Japanese Siomai ng Master Siomai

Duda ko si Kuya Germs ang may ari nito. Master Showmai? Hehehehe. Sa tutoo lang, I am not big with Japanese food na mga hilaw hilaw. Heller! I am a modern man, and cooking has been discovered, invented, and refined for my discriminating tastes. Chos! Kaya nga kahit idol ko sa Iron Chef si Chef Morimoto ayoko syang mapangasawa. Hekhekkhek. Ewan ko nga ba kung bakit nagustuhan ko to. Masarap at tamang sayad lang ang lasa ng Nori wrapper sa siomai na to. Minsan bago pumasok, pagkalabas ko ng tren sa ortigas station, bumibili ako nito kasi merong cart sa station na yun. Malayo pa lang ako, nakasmile na si aleng tindera. Bwenas daw pag ako nakaka bewna mano sa kanya at siguradong madami daw benta sa araw na yun. Choserang ale. Kahit di mo na ko chinichuvaness eh bibili naman talaga ko eh. Sinesales talk pa ako. Hehehehe. Basta masarap sya!

3. Lutong Malabon, kainan sa Guadix sa loob ng Edsa Auto Exchange garage.

Simula nang madiskubre ko ang kainan na to, dito na ako nagla-lunch araw araw. Masarap, lutong bahay at affordable ang kantinang to. Malas lang kasi, nung nag mid-shift ako, alas tres na ako nakaka lunch, pero dahil mabait ang mga bantay at friendly ako, nagpapatabi na ako agad ng pagkain at minsan, tinetext pa nila ako kung anong merong ulam at nakalimutan kong magpa tabi para di ako mauubusan. Masarap ang luto nila, mukhang malinis naman, at shempre dahil friendliness ko na ang mga tao dun, eh marami rami ang servings na tinatabi for me. Pagkatapos kumain, pipili na ako sa menu para bukas. Saya di ba? Syempre walking distance lang sya from the office. Ayan malapit nyo na mahulaan kung saang center ako nagkokolboi… este nagko kolman… Man na pala ako di na boi. Pero masagwa pakinggan no? Kolman… parang ice chest lang… worse, petromax!

2. Leche Flan at Buko Pandan sa Yoo Hoo Metrowalk

Nagkayayaan minsan post shift last day work day for the week and sweldo day ang buong team na kumain sa labas, at uminom inom. Shempre dedma ako sa inom inom. Kumain kami sa YooHoo sa Metrowalk. Okey naman ang pagkain pero ang mas okey ay ang desert! Sobrang sarap nung buko pandan salad as in! Nakalima yata akong serve as in lumantak lantak ever talaga ako. Nung nagkape kami last time with Charm and Iranian friend, buwisit na buwisit ako kasi I was looking forward to the buko pandan, eh ubos na. I setteled for the ¼ slice of Leche Flan. Buti naman at dahil siguro mababa ang expectations ko, pero in fairness, masarap sya. Umorder ulit ako kasi alam ko gusto din ni Charm yun. In fairness masarap talaga! Nakaubos ako ng isa pang one whole lyanera ng leche flan. Juzko! Hello naman diabetes?

1. Silog meals sa isang nameless stall sa Philcoa

Kung wiz budjei para mag New City, this is the next best thing! Paborito ko ang Teriyaki meal nila. Mura lang sya at double rice na. Nasa 60 pesos yata ang isang serve kung di ako nagkakamali. Basta, halos lahat na yata ng silog meals dito natikman at nagustuhan ko. Except lang sa luncheon meat meal at sa hotdog meal na paborito naman ni lola mo Charmita. Kaya lang, sa mga hatinggabi na mag isa akong kumakain dito, great is the temptation na sumakabilang kalye at tuklasin kung ano ang nasa dako pa roon sa paiba ibang kulay na bantayog na patatsulok sa gitna ng kakalsadahang pabilog. Buti naman at di pa ako umaabot sa puntong di ko napigilang tuklasin sa Batibot ang tuwa at ang saya!

Huwell. Ngayon alam nyo na kung saan nauubos ang sahod ko at bakit mamintog mintog ang lolo nyo. Buti na nga lang that I haven’t gotten around to buying me a stove and cooking utensils. Pinagbubulag bulagan ko lang sya, kasi aside from medyo di sya pasok sa budjie at di naman sya praktikal magkaroon, I’m sure mas lalo lang akong mapapalafang ng kug anek anek na maisipan kong iluto. Basta talaga pagkain, hindi ako nagpipigil magkagastos. Kaya nga sa opisina, pag pinaguusapan ang gym gym na yan, flip na lang ako ng kulot na hair sabay sabing, ‘Gosh, is that foreign language or are you speaking in tongues? Gym? What’s that? Aramaic?’ Chos! Ginutom ako sa post na to! Babay na at makalafang... hmmm san kaya maganda?

Photo Credits:
http://www.foodclipart.com/_pages/0511-0803-2517-0662.html
http://zshali.multiply.com/reviews/item/128
http://hoovaloovah.blogspot.com/2009/07/ludos-resto-and-bar.html
http://www.walmart.com/browse/Beverages/Powdered-Drinks-Mixes/_/N-8zb5Zaq90Zaqce/Ne-8z35
http://epey.blogdrive.com/
http://www.ridleypa.com/chinese.html
http://www.fashion-res.com/difference-between-point-cut-and-flat-cut/
http://xelalien.livejournal.com/tag/siomai
http://bigberto.blogspot.com/2007_04_01_archive.html
http://www.foodtrippings.com/casual-dining/any-barbeque-there-yoo-hoo/
http://www.tipidmeals.com/2008/02/tapsi-plus.html