Garuda and a surprise ending

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

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

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

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?

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.

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

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/