Airport

It happened during one of my recent trips back to Manila. Before boarding the plane, I usually go to the restroom to prepare myself for the flight so that I won't have to compete with other passengers for a turn in the lavatory before the plane takes off. So at the pre-departure area, I went to the restroom. On my way to the restroom, I noticed this cute guy seated on one of the front row seats. I just glanced at him and I think he also glanced at me.

Inside the restroom, while I was urinating, I noticed him enter and wash his hands first. He then went to the urinal. I was finished by then and went to the sink to wash my hands. Then I stayed longer to check how I look. He then went to the sink and made his way to the only working faucet--the one I recently used. I glanced at him to acknowledge his presence and to signal that he can take his turn. Then he walked away.

To my surprise, before walking through the door, he asked, "Ilang taon ka na?" to which I asked back, "Are you talking to me?" Then that was the start of a conversation. I answered his question and then asked him the same question. He is one year younger than me. As we made our way out of the restroom, we talked about why we were traveling. I learned that he was from the nearby municipality and just visited his relatives. I wanted to ask his name and number, but I couldn't find the courage to do so. Then he asked, "Can I have your number?" I gave him my phone number and then he asked what my name is. Then I also asked for his name and number. Let's call him L.

Then the call to board came. He asked what my seat number was. I told him I was seated at row 30. I was with a superior that day, so I couldn't let him see me talking to this new guy I just met. As I made my way to the plane, I texted L and told him I was seated on this row and asked for his seat number. He told me he was at row 26.

Inside the plane, I realized we were both on the aisle seats on opposite sides of the plane, and we could see each other from where we were seated. We exchanged smiles once in a while. He also talked to me while waiting for his turn to use the lavatory. Good thing my companion was asleep that time.

When we reached Manila, I was able to spend a little more time with L at NAIA Terminal 3. On our way to the baggage claim area, I asked him where he was going, and he said he was on his way to Manila. On the other hand, I will be going to Quezon City with my superior. While waiting for our baggage, we were exchanging text messages, trying to know more about each other. Then I left ahead of him.

We continued to exchange text messages in the evening upon returning home. However, he left for a one-week trip abroad with his boss last Sunday. His phone was not on roaming though. I hope when he gets back, he would still keep in touch and I hope this could be the start of a new friendship. Or if something better comes out of it, then that would be great. On the other hand, if he won't keep in touch, sorry na lang siya! Hehe. But I'm hoping he will.

Edit (November 4, 2009):
--When he returned we continued to exchange SMS but could not schedule a meetup. We were okay, but it seems he only wants to be friends. Haha. Hay naku, naudlot na naman. :p

Some Random Thoughts

Last Father's Day, I received a call from my Dad. I greeted him, and we talked for a while. He asked me how I was, in terms of work, health, etc. Then he asked me: Are you planning to stay single all your life? (My immediate family knows I'm gay, but so far, only my sister is okay with it. My parents are okay with it as long as I don't act on it. Kumusta naman 'yon di ba?!) I was stunned and speechless. Fortunately, he followed the question with the statement that I should ask God what His plan for me is, etc. So I just replied that I'm doing it. Well, I really am asking God to show me His plan for me, but still I hope He gives me a guy to be my partner, if He wills it. :p I wish I had the strength to tell this to my Dad, but I didn't want to ruin his special day. Still, I'm hoping the day will come that He, along with the rest of my family, would be okay with it.

Just the other day, my colleagues and I were talking about sexuality. I was surprised to learn that one of them was very okay with her friends being gay, and that she was even trying to pair two of them up. I was almost tempted to come out to them that day, but still, I didn't feel like I have to announce it. It has been my decision that in coming out to friends and other people, I must not tell them I'm gay unless they ask. The problem is they don't ask. They didn't even ask me that day. So I'm still stuck in my closet. Anyway, I have a feeling that this colleague of mine will sooner or later ask me, because I think she already saw my gay blog subscriptions more than a year ago when she suddenly used my PC. (so careless, haha. buti na lang RSS feeds lang yung nakita nya at walang kasamang NSFW images). She never asked me about it though. :D Maybe if I add her to my Facebook friends, she would see my fan pages on several gay-themed movies. Haha. And then I would have the chance to come out to her. Or maybe I won't. Bahala na si Batman! :D

Treat Yourself to BARE: A Rock Musical

Starting February 17, 2009, the Ateneo Blue Repertory Company will stage Bare, the rock musical revolving around the story of Jason and Peter, two gay teenagers struggling to find their place in society as they are about to graduate from a Catholic high school.

Jason, the senior class golden boy hides a secret romance with Peter, his roommate. Peter wishes to drop the facade, but this could destroy Jason’s reputation. Ivy’s entrance to the scene makes the situation more complicated, as the popular girl pursues Jason.

Bare is a musical tackling the tensions faced by teenagers struggling to find their identity. With musical direction by Felix Rivera (Musical Director of Blue Rep’s High School Musical) and directed by Ana Abad-Santos (Director of Repertory Philippines’ Hamlet), Bare runs from February 17 to March 7 at the Fine Arts Exhibit Hall, 3/F Gonzaga Hall, Ateneo de Manila University.

With tickets at P200 each, why not give yourself and your friends a post-Valentine treat? For details, contact Alexa Yupangco at 09177220805, or visit http://BareManila.multiply.com. Play dates are as follows:

February 17, Tuesday – 8 PM
February 18, Wednesday – 8 PM
February 19, Thursday – 8 PM
February 20, Friday – 8 PM
February 21, Saturday – 8 PM
February 24, Tuesday – 8 PM
February 25, Wednesday – 8 PM
February 26, Thursday – 8 PM
February 27, Friday – 8 PM
February 28, Saturday – 8 PM
March 3, Tuesday – 8 PM
March 4, Wednesday – 8 PM
March 5, Thursday – 8 PM
March 6, Friday – 8 PM
March 7, Saturday – 8 PM

Updated (February 26, 2009)

No Way! Are You Serious?!

We were on our way to church. I was clad in Barong Tagalog, and so was everybody else (except for the ladies, of course). My Mom seemed excited over what was going to happen. It was not until after a few minutes that I realized we were on our way to a wedding. I wondered whose wedding it was. When we arrived at the church, I found out that the wedding’s motif was yellow. Everything seemed nice. But still, one question bothered me: who’s getting married? Then, it suddenly dawned on me. I was getting married. What?! What the heck was that? As far as I can remember, I’m gay and I had no girlfriend. But no, everything seemed so real. It was really happening. I even knew the name of the girl I was marrying.

I was so shocked and did not know how to react. How could it happen? At that moment, I was already thinking of whether to push through with the wedding, and make my life even more miserable by living a lie, or just abandon the bride and embarrass everyone. I wanted to scream. I felt I was cheated because somehow a wedding was arranged between me and someone without me knowing it until the day of the wedding. I couldn’t breathe. And then...

I was on my bed. I was not wearing any Barong. I was in my room. It was all just a dream...err, a nightmare! Thank God! Whew! What a relief! :p If it had been for real, I would have chosen to be a runaway bride, err... I mean groom.

>>How about you? If in real life you were forced to marry a girl, would you give in?

Eating Out

Nope. This isn't about the movie. Hehe.

I just wanna share what happened last night when I ate at a fast food outlet near our place. I have been at that branch only once and decided not to eat there again because their tofu there really sucks. Last night, however, there was no other open fast food outlet in the area, and I was very hungry and had no time to cook dinner. So I decided to eat at this fast food outlet.

I ordered one meal of breaded pork with rice, and a serving of soup. When I realized that it's taking way too long for my meal to arrive, I asked the service crew about it. I heard the cashier, the store manager, and kitchen crew discussing that my order had already been served minutes ago. It turned out that they gave my order to another group. The service crew got my rice meal from that group's table, and served it to me. What the?! I almost lost control. Annoyed and hungry, I asked him to get me another one from the kitchen as it has already been exposed to others, having been served minutes ago.

Upon finding out that the soup I ordered, which unfortunately was served upon the wrong table was the last they could offer, the manager decided to give me the free soup that usually goes with their meals, and offered me a complimentary serving of another side dish. I also got a refund for the soup which I originally ordered.

While all this was happening, I was really telling myself not to eat at that fast food outlet again, at least not at that branch. I would have complained. But thanks to the store manager, she knew what to do. At least I was satisfied with what I ate.

I was just appalled at how the customers at the other table behaved. I mean, they knew that the food given them was not included in their order, but they did not even inform the crew who served it. The nerve!

Awkward Moment at SM

Last Saturday I bought a DVD of the movie Ang Lihim ni Antonio (Antonio's Secret) at the Record Bar of SM Department Store. I watched it at home, but realized that the disc is damaged because there was a particular frame where the movie pauses for a few seconds and could not be controlled by either the forward or rewind buttons. I was able to finish the movie, but I thought I had to have it replaced to get my money's worth. So last night I went to the record bar to have it replaced.

When I arrived there, the saleslady asked me what the matter was. So I told her what was wrong with the disc. To my surprise she said, "Let's play the movie, and show me where it pauses." What?! I asked her where she plans to play the movie, and she told me she would play it right there, at the TV/DVD Player in the Record Bar in full view of other shoppers. At that moment, the disc being played was still in full volume, so I told her never mind. But she insisted. All this time the disc was with her, and she was about to put it inside the player. I was hesitant. I really wanted to have the disc replaced, and thought maybe it would be alright if she would just mute the volume. But I also didn't want to get embarrassed, so I changed my mind. But she was insisting that we play the movie. Our conversation went like this:

Me: Miss, kailangan pa ba talaga i-play?

SL: Yes, Sir, kasi kailangan naming i-note kung saang particular part yung sinasabi n'yong sira, kasi tatanungin din kami.

Me: Ganun ba? 'Wag na lang.

SL: Hindi, Sir, okay lang. I-play na natin para maituro mo kung nasaan yung sira.

Me: 'Wag na lang kasi nakakahiya. Kitang-kita ng mga dumadaan.

SL: Okay lang yan, Sir, pinanood na rin namin 'yan.

Me: 'Wag na nga, kasi not for the general public yung movie, restricted kaya yan, tsaka diyahe talagang makita yung exact frame kung saan nagha-hang yung movie. Tapos ang lakas lakas pa ng volume n'yo.

SL: Napanood na nga namin yan Sir. Kung gusto nyo, i-play n'yo na lang ulit sa bahay then i-note n'yo yung time code kung saan tumitigil. Tapos ibalik n'yo dito.

Me: Ah, so pwedeng ganun na lang?

SL: Opo, tapos i-play pa rin natin dito.

Me: Ha?! Ipe-play pa rin talaga dito? 'Wag na lang, Miss. Akin na, hindi ko na lang papapalitan. Diyahe talaga eh.

SL: Okay sige po.

And then I left. I was laughing at myself, thinking of what just happened. Oh well, I'd rather keep this disc even with a little damage, than risk being humiliated in front of other shoppers who would have seen the movie playing. Now, for those of you who are curious regarding the exact frame I was talking about, watch the original DVD release and set this time code: 00:22:11. You would know why I didn't agree to play it at the record bar. Hint: the scene involves Antonio (played by Kenjie Garcia) and Nathan (played by Niño Fernandez).

I should have asked them if they have a private viewing room or something. Haha.

It's Over

We both wanted it. When he asked for a cool-off, it gave me time to think things over. In the end I realized I'm better off without him. Two weeks before we talked, I already had a feeling that we are headed for a breakup. I thought it would make things easy. We met last Saturday to talk. We gave our reasons and decided to put an end to our relationship. It was a mutual decision. But moving on could be a difficult thing to do--especially after he told me that he's already seeing someone new. I don't know if it was just my ego that was hurt, but one sure thing is that it hurts to know that it was that easy for him to replace me in his heart. Well, I guess I really am better off without him.