An unexpected friend

While in Manila during Sarah's Bachelorette's party weekend, I came across two foreigner backpackers who were quite lost in an MRT train station. I offered help simply by telling them they need to go down the north bound station, take the footbridge to get to south bound station bound for Shaw Blvd. station. Before these backpackers could even thank me, I left and walked down the stairs. The white guy suddenly spoke behind my back with in his American accent saying, "Thank you for saving us back there." I simply replied, "No worries. I am heading the same way too. I was on my way to visit Remy in VRP Hospital Mandaluyong that time. I was in a hurry. After boarding the train bound for Boni Station, I saw again those two backpackers I helped missing the train by only 2 minutes short. At least they are okay now.

I am always like that because aside from appreciating and envying backpackers' adventurous life, I also have a high regard for white people. Growing up, we had the kindest white neighbors; Pastor Walter and Mrs. Pauline Routh. Their family were our very first neighbors and they treated us like the own grandchildren as well. I was already in 6th grade when they lefttheir missionary life in Philippines to retire in USA. Even though it may sound a bit weird for others, I honestly imagined myself marrying a white guy. Thank you also HBO and Cinemax for that! In fact, my first love was a white Macedonian guy I met on then Friendster when I was in high school.Unfortunately, before Sash and I could see each other for the first time I suddenly disappeared and dated a real person, a Filipino guy.

After my courtesy call in ABSCBN for my Korean trip, Robi and I went to SM Megamall for a little shopping and lunch with my lawyer friend. Yes, I won a trip for two to Korea thanks to the short essay I submitted last September 30. Once everything has already been settled, I started my journey home. That is where I met him. A lone backpacker with thick European accent was trying to buy a ticket from Supercat bound for Calapan City. He politely asked, "One ticket please for White Beach." I glanced at the boat trips bound for Puerto Galera and uttered to myself, "You're in trouble. No more White Beach trips."

I sat conveniently inside the terminal then realized we still have to wait an hour and a half before the last boat leaves for Calapan. Thirsty. I stood up, fetched my water bottle and headed to the water refilling station when I saw this beautiful stranger again. He looked at my direction and I could see him holding his wrong ticket. I had a feeling he mimicked what I did because he walked past me and also bought a bottled water. He walked in front of me again before he finally sat down on his spot and plugged his earplugs. Pitying the somewhat lost backpacker, I mustered the courage to tap his back and ask few questions.

Me: Hey, are you a backpacker?
Him: Yes. I am. Sorry my English not good.
Me: No problem. Where are you heading to?
Him: White Beach, Oriental Mindoro.
Me: May I check your ticket because I think you bought a wrong one.
Him: Hands over his Supercat ticket. This is for Puerto Galera?
Me: Oh no. You are heading to my city. Wrong ticket. I think they no longer have trips for Puerto Galera.

So that's how our friendship started. I am just amazed at how a simple gesture could have a huge impact on a stranger's life especially those a little worried about their safety. He was thankful that I had put him in perfect conditions even though his trip had been a little deviated to Calapan. I only tried to help a stranger yet I gained a decent, celebrity-looking foreigner friend blessed with tall stature, a beautiful face and blue-gray eyes like Tita Pauline Routh's. And lest not forget, he looks like Nick Carter of Backstreeet Boys during the latter's younger days.

A taste of Manila nightlife

My girlfriend since high school Sarah is getting married this November. For that, my best friends Robi and Lovely decided that we will throw her an unconventional bachelorette's party. Last weekend of October 14, Robi and I went to Manila to schedule our sparty event at Wensha Pasay.

Our sparty went well. We enjoyed the buffet and massage. We opted not to use the jacuzzi and sauna baths since both Robi and Sarah have their monthly periods. Our next destination, clubbing. Malate's Adriatico Square is the place to be. At first we checked Exclusiv but decided to walk towards the circle until we discovered Zzxyxz club. It was a fun experience. The bouncers were proactive. They make sure the party girls dancing on the dance floor are not harassed by other males.

We ordered Weng Weng pitchers, calamares and beers for Lovely's husband. After few shots, Sarah asked me and Lovely to dance with her. Looking at the club, I can tell majority of the party goers were foreigners, mostly Koreans, Japanese and Indians. I forgot how many booze I drank but I am fully aware that I am perfectly okay. Dancing with my girls made me feel better. I have never felt so alive. My love for dancing made me feel confident yet still reserved that night. I know my girls had so much fun as well. There was an incident wherein one drunken Korean tried to hug both me and Sarah, the bouncers went to us right away and assisted us. JayAr also tries to check on us on the dance floor too at times. We felt safe. 

The night ended well. We all danced except Robi, certified tita of Calapan or Manila. I am so proud of my best friend. We had been safe with her and JayAr driving us back to our abodes. I will surely return to that place with my girls. I never knew the somewhat single life with your girls behind your back could feel this good. Some say there are people who go to clubs to get laid, I think not. There are those who simply enjoy a good drink, trance music and dancing their hearts out like me, Sarah and Lovely. 

Chit chatty

When my sister left for Bohol early this month, I felt alone suddenly. Whenever I feel down, I just ask her out to the mall or we just stress-eat out. I miss her a lot but she had to leave to improve her career. Hopefully when she returns she will already be the bank manager in her branch. Since she returned in 2013, I became happy again knowing my sister best friend will always be there for me and will always have my back. When my marriage started to go awry and I have had another bun in the oven, she was there for me, and patiently tended to my then troubled self. I owe her a lot and despite our seldom misunderstandings, we try to fix things quickly because who else would care for each other like sisters do?

I really miss ate. My best friend Robi is also back in Calapan. Ate told me whenever I fell blue I should just visit my best friend too. However, I cannot visit her as often I could with my ate since she is also busy checking her patients in their family optical. We still chat thru facebook and check on each other despite their busy schedules. While lazily browsing some sites, I noticed a sort of friend, wholesome online site where you could sign up to find virtual friends or for dating purposes. I did sign up but specifically mentioned I am only looking for friends. I used my real photo but different username. I used a name I hold dear to my heart. It is a name that I wanted to give Tyler had he been a girl.

Bye bye, cold caller me

For almost 2 years I've worked as a cold caller or as a Lead Generation Specialist for a realty team based in Kitchener and Toronto, Canada. I didn't get the job easily as I have no call center background. After giving birth to Tyler in late 2015, my sister sent me a link which might could allow me to work from home for only 4 hours a day. I submitted my resume, aced the pre qualification exams and bested 83 other applicants in the written and oral interviews. Only 3 of us made it to the training stage, and admittedly, I lag behind the other two since they both have had call center work experience. I extended my training hours and honed my skills in cold calling until I ended up as the only one hired after 2 weeks.

I have been with the company for almost 2 years now. It did reward me with a good pay and has helped me sharpen my English speaking skills since I had to speak in straight English at least 3 hours a day. However, there were also downsides. I gained a lot of weight from lack of sleep, my skin became more oily and prone to pimples which gave me acne scars over my T zone area and most notably, I started having crow's feet, furrows and lines around my eyes! Que horror! I realized I could not handle a straight 8 hr shift despite earning more from such hence I stayed with only 4 hour shift. With as little as 4 hour shift I could earn at least $11.50 a day and still tend to my kids off shift. Everything is going smoothly until my body started to give up from stress and lack of sleep. I normally rouse after only having 3 hours of sleep just to report for work then stay up all day to look after my kids and perform other household chores such as cooking and preparing Evo for school. It was then that I realized that sleep is the most important thing that I need and earning should not be a priority when your total whole being is at risk.

It has been an amazing experience with them and I truly and sincerely wish that I could have done more for my understanding client. It was difficult competing with other cold callers in Canada but I am glad to have had listed a few houses for sale for some of the realtors I worked with. To my team leaders and bosses, thanks and my heartfelt gratitude to all of you. Cheerios!

The Celibate Life

I had late lunch at my mommy friends house last Wednesday. Our group is composed of married moms and we send our little kids to the same school since 2015. I haven't been visible lately and for that I had to make up with them. Chicken noodle soup, pancit canton and peanut butter sandwich were more than enough to fill us all. 

While we were happily eating one of the girls blurted that I am gaining a great deal of weight lately and that she thinks the reason is inactive sex life. Was she a psychic? How did she figure that out? I was not offended and I replied that she's damn right about it. What I did not expect was their reactions. The oldest in our group is around 55 while I am the youngest at 28. They could not believe my lust for intimacy fizzled out too early. Most even shared their lust level was at it's peak during this age. 

I don't feel uncomfortable talking about sex with them. They are all experienced and empowered women who know what they want and how to get it. One of them asked, how can you go on without it? I was even asked questions like what if you watch a lovemaking scene, don't you feel lonely or frustrated? I simply replied, No. I have gone frigid. The next remark I heard was, maybe you are just like a boring doll in bed that's why your husband had to look for someone else. For a while, I felt that I should be offended but I wasn't. These friends of mine are concern and they rather help you come to terms with your problem or find a solution for it.

It's been difficult for me at first, living celibate when my husband still lurks around the area where I eat, breath and sleep in. I tried my best ignoring my needs since we got married but when problem is that big how can one just forget? He is an alcoholic and a womanizer who finds comfort in the company of different women, hoes and average Joes alike. I always had a feeling that he had been used up already that's why whenever I try to seduce him for the deed, he would simply reject me. The hardest part, I always need to ask permission first before I can ride on him. It's like I'm the man and he is the woman in our sex life. No is No. I am not a nympho and I believe my normal hormones have a say in my rare to occasional mood swings in the past as well. 

A year had passed without anything. 

The first few months had been quite tough. I have become irritable with limited patience. On some occasions, I belittle myself saying I no longer look desirable, I'm fat and ugly or I look old already. I felt terrible. I did try to seduce him but to no avail. You can't force yourself to a faggot anyway. I started neglecting myself and felt so much hatred for him. He did this to me. 

One day, I promised myself that I will be contented again especially without that. I will live a celibate life. Since then I focused all my love, attention and devotion to my kids. Not a day goes by that I do not sleep beside Tyler or tend to Evo. I avoided all the romantic movies or racy scenes I would unexpectedly see until I could be able to not feel anything whenever these actors share a passionate kiss or coitus. Online shopping was also a good help. I would rather dress up myself than sulk and look like hell simply because there is something absent in my life. And I'm glad I did it. 

Suite Francaise : Falling in love with the enemy

My growing interest for war romance got me hooked into this film by Sal Dibb based from Irene Nemirovsky's novel of the same name. Set in early 1940s during the occupation of Germans in France, it depicts the beautifully crafted love story between a French villager Lucille Angellier and a German Oberlutnant (Lieutenant) Bruno Van Falk. Amidst the harrowing struggles of the Parisian fleeing to the countryside and the increasing pressure of living closely with their enemies, the villagers learned to get by while Lucille had grown comfortable and fondly in love with her German guest.

This superbly acted war romance boasts of stellar cast and performance by Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams, Matthias Schoenaerts, Academy Award winner Kristin Scott Thomas, Margot Robbie and Sam Riley. 

Already pressured living with her domineering mother in law Madame Angellier while awaiting news about her soldier husband, Angellier's simple life changed when a German officer was billeted in their household. Lt. Bruno Van Falk, a strikingly handsome yet well-mannered German officer, was also smitten with Lucille's beauty and kindness. Even though Lucille tries to ignore Bruno, she finds herself charmed by his subtle wooing, kindly demeanor and their common love for piano music. Oftentimes Lucille would peak through windows and door catching a glimpse of their guest as he plays the piano or pets his adopted dog. It was her love of music that made her speak with Bruno for the first time. It was music that brought them closer together. 

Likewise everyone else in the village have ambivalent responses about living closely with their invaders. An awkward moment showed that after months of not seeing shirtless blokes, French women were instantly glued to the sight of German soldiers bathing by the town square. The women's mothers of course remain hostile and curse their foreign occupants. Benoit Labarrie, Viscount's farmhouse tenant, terribly resents the young German lieutenant billeted in his household. To make matters worse, Lt. Kurt chases after his wife. On the other hand, Madame Angellier's beautiful tenant, Celine, has no compunctions sleeping with an enemy. After Celine was caught by Lucille having sex with their German guest by the woods, Celine firmly explained to her that they are human too just like themselves, and that it was Lucille and her mother in law who threw them out to sleep in a barn in exchange for Leah and her daughter Anna. Meanwhile, Leah, a Parisian refugee is seen to be always fearful whenever she sees German soldiers. While collecting their rent, Lucille sees a frightened Leah when Celine's German soldier lover approaches Leah to ask for soap. The pursuit for Benoit later exposed Leah as a hiding Jew. In an oddly saddening scenario, most townspeople took the German invasion as their opportunity to settle old scores and rifts with their neighbors. 

Even though the romance is somewhat inescapable of contrivances, I cannot help but ship Lucille and Bruno. They just exude with so much chemistry that I find their love story breathtakingly moving. Words of love were not spoken between the two, but with every stare and thoughtful gestures of Bruno towards Lucille, one cannot help but fall for a dashingly handsome and gentleman enemy. It's hard not to fall for Bruno. He may be a Werchmacht lieutenant yet he abhors killing. If he can have it his way, he will not shoot any man at all. One can feel his humanity when Bruno even despised himself after leading the Viscount's execution but then he tried to make amends with Lucille by protecting her up to last minute before he left Bussy.

An additional twist in their story is that the clandestine couple were both bound to a loveless marriage. The air is thick with whispers about Lucille being a collaborator or a German whore. and the fear of them being caught is far too grave. After sharing a passionate kiss and an ephemeral yet steamy sex, Lucille and Bruno suddenly tarted to grow apart. Succumbing to her conscience and silencing her heart, Lucille decided Bruno is nothing like her. Moreover, the surrounding circumstances and their differences made the lovers question if they are really meant for each other. The only assurance Lucille gave Bruno to tell him that she loves him is when she said Bruno's life is precious to her. Bruno on the other hand, helped Lucille and Benoit escape from the checkpoint area.

How I wish the movie had a better ending for this two lovers who finally found something perfect in their lonely lives. It could end in a way like Lucille and Bruno, already divorced to their spouses met again after the war in Paris through an opera concert, rekindle their romance, got married, have kids and lived happily ever after. But war made it difficult to make them foresee a future together. How I wish there really is someone like Bruno Van Falk out there waiting for me. HAHA! I cannot believe I have the hots for a movie actor again!

In addition to Bruno and Lucille's ill fated romance, the movie also showed the amazing human ability to move forward through through resilience and perseverance. In the words of Lucille, though she may have lost her loved one music always bring him back to her.

Bruno comforts Lucille after she finds out that her husband has been having extramarital affairs and a lovechild. 

Amigo - From Philippine-American War

This is the only historical drama film that depicts the Philippine-American era which shaped our history at the turn of the 19th century. After Spain secede the Philippine Islands, the Filipinos were once again subjected to another foreign occupation by the Americans. The Filipinos initially thought the Americans would help deliver them from the 400 year abuse of the Spaniards. However, upon setting foot on the country, the Americans decided to stay colonizing the country again for another 40 years. Being likened to a bad ninong/godfather, it is a love-hate relationship that had started and transpired between the two countries as early as the outbreak of the Philippine-American war. Presumably, this relationship is still visible to date. Aside from showing Filipino resilience and patriotism, this film gives us an insight of how the Americans and Filipinos forged a relationship despite being at war with each other for a time.

Set in 1900, the citizens of the agricultural town of San Isidro in Luzon led by the cabeza del barrio, Rafael Dacanay (Joel Torre) enjoy a quiet afternoon performing their daily routines. Some farmers patiently till the soil while other women busily pound rice stalks; a normal job in barrios. Seen also is Rafael's wife, a devout Catholic taking time to confess her sins committed that day to the imprisoned Spanish friar when all of a sudden, an American regiment raided their town. Led by Colonel Hardacre (Academy Award winner, Chris Cooper) they searched for revolutionists wherein Rafael's son, Juaquinito and a fellow revolutionist (Bembol Roco) narrowly escaped death. In the town square, the subdued townsfolk were to coerced to tell who their cabeza del barrio is. By then, the freed Spanish friar, Fr. Hidalgo (Yul Vasquez) who is also fluent in English pointed to Rafael Dacanay as their cabeza and brother to the captain of local guerillas, Simon (Ronnie Lazaro). Rafael then introduced himself to Lt. Compton (Garret Dillahunt) as amigo, "Soy mun, Amigo." From then on he was called Amigo, the man in charge and accountable of all the affairs of San Isidro.

Garrisoned in San Isidro, Lt. Compton and his group of young men try to win the minds and hearts of its residents while serving the orders of their superior, Col. Hardacre. There were times when the Americans had put pressure on the Filipinos namely when they killed the buffaloes with the idea of preventing the people to transport goods to the revolutionists, when they set guard posts and perimeters that determine how far the people can only go, and lastly, when Lt. Compton particularly ordered Amigo, also a vast rice plantation owner, to plow the fields as well like the other farmers.

Despite the hostilities of war outside the town, the Americans and Filipinos developed a connection. The Americans promised protection for the people and had let them go about their normal lives. Under Lt. Compton's benevolent supervision, the barrio experienced an election of cabeza where the men unanimously voted for Rafael. The election was the townspeople's first taste of democracy which Lt. Compton referred to as the will of the people. In one scene, the young American soldiers talked about their appreciation of Filipina beauty and liquor. It is also hard not to notice Peterson's (Dane DeHaan) admiration and subtle wooing of a timid Filipina girl. Despite language barrier, the two expressed their genuine appreciation of each other's striking beauty with foreign banters and sign languages. Moreover, after a hard day's labor of both the Filipinos and Americans after building a hut for a quarantined old lady, Lt. Compton could not help but notice how the Filipinos still manage to smile which he mentioned as not such a bad thing.

The townspeople were even allowed to celebrate their annual barrio fiesta in honor of San Isidro, the patron saint of the laborers. Both group shared merrymaking, cockfighting or sabong, and dined altogether the food and alcoholic drinks that the Filipinos had prepared. Unbeknownst to everyone, the local guerrillas successfully launched an attack that same week on the supply train of the Americans in another station. An enraged Col. Hardacre roused the townspeople a day after the fiesta then reprimanded Lt. Compton for partying and befriending the natives. This incident pushed Lt. Compton and his men to shift their treatment of the Filipinos to enemies again. Amigo, being a brother to a revolutionist was therefore considered a spy, blamed of the aforementioned incident, and tortured to reveal the guerrillas' location.

In the movie, Rafael tries his best to lead his people under increasingly difficult circumstances. However, no matter what he does his fate is still appears to be leading him to his ultimate doom. Obeying the Americans branded Amigo as a traitor to the revolutionary cause, and almost got him assassinated by a fellow Filipino. On the other hands, spying for the guerrillas would instantly have him executed by the Americans. He struck the middle ground by focusing on his townspeople's needs during these perilous times. Unfortunately, it still did not save him.

After leading around in circles the American regiment en route to capture the revolutionists, the group was ambushed by the latter. "Damn, damn, damn the Filipinos!", the Americans merrily sing shortly before their ambush. With three American soldiers dead and Peterson becoming partly paralyzed from sustained gunshot on the hip, Amigo was incarcerated, and soon after sentenced to death.

In an unfortunate turn of events, what could have saved Amigo's life even to the last minute was sabotaged by his own son, Juaquinito. Juaquinito's saboteur by cutting the communication wire whilst Sta. Clara's American station was sending message of President Aguinaldo's surrender and amnesty for enemies to San Isidro ultimately ended his father's life.

Instead of letting Amigo suffer a painful death from hanging, Lt. Compton swiftly ended Rafael's life by shooting him point blank. The screams of Rafael's wife reverberated behind. Six months later after Amigo's death, his son Juaquinito and the remaining revolutionists surrendered themselves to the Americans and received 30 Mexican coins each in exchange for their Mauser rifles.

The squad shortly before their ambush singing, "Damn, damn, damn the Filipinos."