Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Cebu Cutie: Pinoy Pride

SPOTTED

Where: Olympic Village, Ayala Center Cebu

When: Sept. 24, 2011, Night

What: Buying some shoes with (assuming it is) his mommy.

YUMMYGRAPHY

About 5'4"-5'5" .

Probably my age but could be younger since he's with my mother-in-law.

Sporting Pinoy's proud color.

Very handsome! Manly handsome.

Fashion style is somewhere between rock and roll and plain rugged.

I miss him already!
















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Saturday, September 24, 2011

Inside. Outside. Outsiders.




Most of the boarders in our boarding house are out. They went on some sort of religious retreat and will be out for two days.

I'm was inside my room, reading some Robin Hobb. Some of the remaining tenants are just outside, in the study area, talking.

Their topic is interestingly about gayness and he center of their talk is the only open and loud gay among all of the boarders.

They are asking Gay Boarder how he came to be gay and some other stuffs like that. The first questions came from New Roommate and I was disgusted on how homophobic he really was.

"Hindi ka bakla. Lalaki ka!"

He was saying this to someone who acts and speaks as loud as Vice Ganda. Anyone who could've heard this will think of it as just a remark of concern until he followed it up with

"Nakakadiri kaya yun."

"Ginawa ng Diyos ang lalaki para sa babae."

"Hindi ka sasaya."

"May kakilala ako tulad mo pero straight na ngayon kasi lagi ko inuulit sa kanya yung mga sinasabi ko sayo saka binugbog ko. Haha!"

The latter was passed off as a joke but it barely reached my ear as one. Gay Boarder was cool enough to just laugh it all away. For that, I commend him. Some part of me got jealous of GB because he no longer hides who he really is and could come out to the open to defend himself. On my part, it would be futile for to put up a debate without making myself come out of the closet during the process. That's why I just had to write this down.

As NR and GB were talking, there was Self Righteous Religious Girl, butting in the conversation.

"Masarap daw kasi magka-sala kaya ayaw niyang mag bago."

"Hoy! Satanas! Umalis ka sa katawan ni GB! Paki kuha nga yung bible ko. May babasahin lang akong verse."

With SRRG's last remark, I just couldn't take it anymore.

I had to drown their voices with Dishwalla plugged straight to my ears.

It was what they believed, after all. I don't have to like it but I have to respect it.


Photo from here

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Sunday, September 18, 2011

Nothing Like You and I

We spent some time together, walking.
Spent some time just talking
About who we were.

You held my hand so very tightly
And told me what we could be
Dreaming of.

There's nothing like you and I.

We spent some time together drinking.
Spent some time just thinking
About days of joy.

As our hearts started beating faster,
I recalled your laughter
From long ago.

There's nothing like you and I.

We spent some time together crying.
Spent some time just trying
To let each other go.

I held your hand so very tightly
And told you what I would be
Dreaming of.

There's nothing like you and I.

So, why do I
Even try?





Photo from here

Nothing Like You and I, The Perishers



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Thursday, September 15, 2011

Ang Lalaki sa Buhay ni Chekwa


Photo from here



Kung kelan nakita mo na siya.

Ang dream guy mo.

Chinito.

Maputi.

Walang kabahid-bahid.

Walang arte.

Koboy.

Hahalikan ka kahit kaka-yosi mo lang.

Yayakapin ka kahit pawisan ka.

Inaalalayan ka habang bumababa ng hagdan.

Gusto lagi kang ka-text.

Kausap.

Kasama.

Nandun ka sa future plans nya.

Kahit na tigasin eh nilalambing ka.

Kaya lang..

Wala pa silang closure ng girlfriend nya.

May board exam ka pang dapat i-prioritize.

At nasa malayong lugar ka.

Syet!


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Friday, September 09, 2011

Bad Boyfriends



Photo from here

I know we've all had our share of these jerks. I just thought I'd categorize each one of them from my past experiences. Also, if anyone of you are realizing that your partner or you are one of these Bad Boyfriend, you know what to do. edit 9/17/11 Before anyone reacts (or after since it took me days to add this disclaimer), I'm not saying that I'm the poster child for good boyfriends nor have these past guys been totally jerks. We all have bad boyfriends inside of us. It just sucks to find yourself with one who is more inclined to be one. For all you know I could be one in the list.



The Politician

These types are really annoying. Tulad ng mga politiko, ang hilig nilang mag tayo ng billboards tuwing may projects sila. Kasehodang pag fill lang ng isang lubak sa daan, go sa pag lagay ng billboard na mas mahal pa yata ang pagpapa print kesa sa actual project. Whenever these guys do something for you, they make sure you don't forget all their struggles and hardships doing that deed. Even if it is just as simple as accompanying you to the jeepney stop from their houses. Like they just did you a favor. I mean, WTH, aren't they supposed to do that because they are your partners? Including a bunch of other stuffs? Isn't that one of the perks of being in a relationship? Feeling loved and protected without them shoving it in your face?

The Better Half

Literally the better half or atleast they think they are. Ito yung mga partners na tingin nila sa sarili nila ay mas mataas sayo. They think they are smarter than you, good looking than you or more successful than you. Heck, they even think others are better than you! They always contradict, second think or put aside your opinions and ideas like it is as natural to them as breathing. Automatic na. Pero kapag ibang tao ang nag present sakanya ng mga 'yun, agree to the max naman kaagad ang lola! Mahilig din silang makipag "diskusyunan" sayo about some things. Intelligent debate daw. Pero ang totoo they just want to tell you that they are right and you're wrong. Since sila yung mga taong nakatanim sa utak nila na tama sila. Kahit na mas may alam ka. Clearly, they don't trust your voice in the relationship. Better drop this SOAB down the sink hole where he belongs and find someone who appreciates and lifts you up. You deserve that.

The Accountant

Tulad ng Politician, mahilig din itong ipamukha sayo ang mga bagay bagay na hindi naman kailangan pang ipamukha sayo. Unless, of course, they don't really love you that much. Pero nag specialize ang mga ito sa pagbibilang. Pagbibilang lahat ng mga mali mo. These types are awesome, in a twisted way. Grabe ang memory. Yung tipong tandang tanda pa ang pagkakamali mo 2 years ago at bilang bilang kung ilan na lahat ng utang mo from the day you bacame official up to the present. Are these guys keeping a tally book or are they just mentally gifted for remembering your faults? Super convenient nga ang skills nila everytime na may arguements. I-re-recite sayo lahat ng mga pagkukulang mo. Pero ang nakakatawa, parang may amnesia sila sa lahat ng mga bagay na nagawa mong tama. Haaaaay.

The Gravedigger

Like the Accountant, these guys are very talented but they specialize in remembering all your faults when there is an argument. Yung tipong kapag may away, hinahalungkat pati yung mga past sa rifts ninyong dalawa na akala mo ay nabaon na sa lupa dahil nagka sabihan at nagka tanggapan na ng sincere na "I'm sorry." at nag make-up sex na kayo. Pero kapag sumiklab na naman ang mga petty arguments, naghuhukay na naman siya. Kahit wala ka namang ginawa para i-compromise ang "forgive and forget" scenes nyo before, be rest assured that he'll unearth it again and pile it on top of the other dead bodies in front of you. So mas OK na siya nalang ibaon mo. Sa limot. Next!

to be continued

Thursday, September 08, 2011

Labels

Gay ka or Bi?

Huh? Anong klaseng tanong yan? And more importantly, does it matter?

Oo naman. Bi kasi ako at medyo naiilang ako kasama mga gay.

Tulad ng sabi ko, does it matter? Ang bading ay pumatatol sa kapwa lalaki. Ang bisexual, sa parehong lalaki at babae. So ano
Ang common ground nila? Parehas silang pumapatol sa kaparehas nila ng kasarian.


Eh kasi..

Eh kasi baka ang ibig mong sabihin effemenate ba ako or straight acting?

Ah parang ganun nga. So ano ka?

Well, to answer your original question, yes, I am gay. And for someone who calls himself bisexual, I can say that I am, in many ways, more than capable of carrying that label.

Excuse me. Hindi po ako halata.

Hindi ka halatang ano? Gay or Bi? Haha! See? Ikaw mismo nalilito sa mga labels mo.

Ah, bading ka nga. Ang daldal mo eh.

At ikaw hindi? Kung di ka halata, ano ako? Straight? Madaldal ako kasi mas marami akong alam kesa sayo. You are obviously misinformed and you lack knowledge kaya di mo ma-defend sarili mo. Saka please, stop that bisexual shit. Or that discreet crap.

Bisexual po ako. I don't know kung bakit di mo mapaniwalaan and honestly, I don't care about what you think! I've had sex with both men and women.

Ang tanong, ilang babae at ilang lalaki? Baka 1:100 ang ratio mo! Haha! Saka sex? Like that's a good indicator of sexuality. Walang pinipili ang taong libog na libog. Narinig mo na ba kung gano kalamya boses mo? Napansin mo ba kung gaano ka ka-gay wearing those purple pants, black sando topped with a gray off shoulder knitted jacket and white rimmed sunglasses? Feeling Korean? Saka teh, foundation day? Oh, and a cabinet filled with bottles of anti-aging, whitening and other beautification creams? Yeah right.

Huh? LOL! Narinig mo na ba yung term na metrosexual? Ikaw pala tong walang alam eh.

Metrosexual bordering transvestite? LOL!

Che!

Kenfeeeeeermd!



Photo from here
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Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Death is Your Gift

I have noticed for a time now that deaths have been happening around me a lot. Yes, I know that people die everyday but these people are personally or somehow connected to me.

I don't exactly remember who they were but I know that there have been deaths of relatives of people I know earlier this year. I think one was an ex-officemate's and some from casual acquaintances.

It didn't really occur to me back then until there have been a few deaths from my relatives as well.

A second degree aunt. An aunt. A second degree step uncle. A step uncle. A sister.

A fuck buddy's niece. A good friends lolo. A new friend's lolo. An ex officemate's lolo.

All of which are just a few weeks or months apart.

The year haven't even ended and yet I've known and witnessed more deaths than any human being is allowed to bear. I try to shrug this off, but now I fear for the sick ones that I know.

I've only talked to one friend about this but I was saddened by his reaction.

"Naku! Sana hindi ako yung sumunod! Marami pa akong gustong gawin sa buhay!"

I know he meant it as a joke but I could smell fear from his words. He seemed to actually believe that I was like this bringer of death that wrecks havoc to the lives of people around him. I hope it was not the reason why a supposed gang get together was not pushed hard enough into fruition. It's very laughable. Especially when he talks openly about me being just as part of his family as all his blood kins are. But I can't really blame him. Superstitions run deeply in our blood. Especially when we think our lives are at stake. I guess I'd  be expecting some "friends" to suddenly want nothing to do with me when they know about this too.

I'm not really the superstitious type but it just unnerves me to be surrounded by this many deaths. I can't explain it either. Coincidence? Omen? Am I just just more aware of deaths now than before? I don't know.

Now I feel such a freak.


photo from here

Monday, September 05, 2011

Video Scandal

Wala lang.

Gusto ko lang magpaka-controversial.

Magpaka-daring.

Mang-titillate ng inyong senses.

Be prepared, guys.

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Sunday, September 04, 2011

Cebu Pasalubong: Tabo-an Market Adventure

If you're a first timer in Cebu and is wondering where to buy pasalubong for you're relatives back in your hometown or somewhere across the oceans, Tabo-an Market is the place.

Well, it is actually a one stop pasalubong shop for having delicacies ranging from otap, rosquillos, chicharon, bottled bagoong of different kinds, dried mangoes and anythig you can think of when you think of Cebu. Okay, except for lechon.

But what Tabo-an Market is really famous for are the dried fish stores that abound the area with the sought after pasalubong, danggit (rabbit fish), as its flag bearer




Photo from Penfires!

There are many ways to go to Tabo-an Market and it is easier if you know where Colon and Sanciangko streets are or know how to get there. Anyways, you can hail jeepneys with signs and route numbers such as Guadalupe 06A (which passes in front of San Jose Recolletos University), Lahug 04D (passes Cebu Colliseum) or if you're from SM Cebu, you can ride a 10H jeepney. Or anything with Carbon or Tabo-an signages, but ask the driver first, to be sure. All of which goes to or near the market. You'll know if you're near the vicinity when you see a short bridge (don't worry, you'll pass only one). If the jeep does not cross that bridge and turns left, just shout lugar lang or if you're feeling polite, lugar lang, 'ya (cebuano for para and para po manong). Of course, it's more convenient riding a cab but where's the adventure in that?

Jeepney tips are from Penfires!

Being adventurous myself and having my boarding house near Colon and Sanciangko and being armed with only researched knowledge from the internet and having only memorized the area from my map, I decided to walk my way to Tabo-an Market. Oh, if you own a map of Cebu like me, please don't bring it with you or publicly consult it when navigating the streets. Trust me. You don't wanna look too tourist-y.

I took the Sanciangko Street because it is a more direct route compared to Colon. Just follow the street going south and after probably 10-15 minutes (I used University of San Carlos as my benchmark here), you'll see the bridge that I was talking about. Cross it and you're already there! You are now looking at Tabo-an Market! And with that, take a deep breath and smell the air! Turn right from the fork (two roads going left and one going right) because that's where most of the dried goods are. Look for the Tabo-an Dried Fish Dealers Ass'n, Inc. signage. Start there.



Photo from www.pinoyislands.com

I went there at around 7AM to avoid a horde of pasalubong buyers but I guess it was too early since some stalls were just opening and some haven't opened yet. I guess 8AM would be the best time to go there. Nevertheless, even with some closed stores, the variety of dried fish and pasalubong overwhelmed me.



Photo from www.pinoyislands.com

As suggested by other bloggers, I only wore pambahay clothes. That's because the smell of dried fishes there is very strong, it clings to you and your clothes. And that is not an exaggeration.




Photo from www.pinoyislands.com





Photo from Baktin Corporation

I was looking for Nang Aying's stall (as recommended by Baktin Corporation) but I guess she haven't opened yet so I just bought from the nearest open stall. I bought the small, gill-less, unsalted ones (washed with fresh water or tubig tab-ang) because I heard that those are the best ones. Easy to crispy fry and less salty. It was sold at P540.00 per kilo. A far cry from the the P100+ per 100 grams you see in supermarkets and airport kiosks. I bought half a kilo and asked the crew to seal them into five 100 gram packs for easier distribution to friends and relatives.



There are also dried squids, fish bones, fish tocino and others that I don't know the names. I was on a budget so I opted not to ask for their prices. I was only there for two things, danggit and the mango chews.




Yes, mango chews. Well, they're pretty much the same as "the" dried mangoes only without the fibers. Mango chews are basically mango puree mixed with gelatin to be of the same consistency as dried mangoes. They look and taste the same that it could easily be mistaken as the real ones. Believe me. I was fooled big time once. How to tell the difference? Well dried mangoes are fibrous so check if your purchase have hints of fibers in them. Also, mango chews have uniform shape and size (shaped like a mango leaf) and at closer inspection, you can see trapped air bubbles inside. There are those with brands that you see in super markets but I guess their prices, if not just some pesos cheaper, are more or less the same. I was after those unbranded ones which are way cheaper. Okay, they maybe unbranded and packed on clear plastic but I'm pretty sure they are legit. They must have come direct from the factory just by seeing how it was neatly packed and marked with an expiration date in the corner (definitely machine packed and labeled). The tindera told me that the mangoes are distributed by the same guys from 7D Dried Mangoes.



It really pays well to check some stores first before buying. I found out that there could be a P30 difference for a kilo of mango chews from two stores that are just beside each other. I bought one kilo for P350.00 and asked them to repack it into four 250gram packs. The only factory packed are the one kilos. The store just repacks them into 250 and 500 gram denominations so that buyers are presented with different options but I insisted on them repacking my one kilo just to be sure. The other store beside have them for just P320.00 but does not do repackings that's why I bought from the latter. Also, there are these mango chips (about one fourth the size of ordinary mango chews) that are about P50-P100 cheaper but were out of stock. I guess they sell pretty fast because of it's cheaper and bite sized.

It also helps if you have a local with you to do the talking and haggling. I'm pretty sure that the price I got are "haggle-able" but I'm never really good at haggling so I didn't try. Try to also visit some stores before buying to know where the best prices are. One rule of the thumb is that prices on well established stores (located in front of Tabo-an Market, just across the street) are higher because of higher rent and more people tending their spacious stores. Also, the price of dried fishes fluctuates. It depends if there's a full moon and catch is small or if there are festivities like Sinulog.

Equipped with just a handful of cebuano vocabulary, I tried my very best to speak like a local but I think the tinderas I talked to found my bisaya (trying)hard and just spoke to me directly in Tagalog. I was actually laughing at myself when I came out of the store. So much for my local disguise.

Anyways, mission accomplished! Ready for the airport!



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