Tuesday, May 29, 2007

The Legend of the Chorvah

CHORVAH has its etymology from the Greek word cheorvamus meaning "for lack of the right word to say", or "in place of anything you want to express but cannot verbalize". Ibig sabihin pala, siya ay parang "aloha" sa wikang Hawaiiano, which can mean many, many things.

"Chorvah" can be used as:

Noun: "ano" / "kwan" / "or something"

"Ate Glow, kelan yung birthday chorvah ni Big Mike?"
"Hoy, Vicky to, whatcha gonna wear ba? The sporty or the chinese chorvah mo?"

Adjective: used if you want to be polite.

"Ang chorvah naman niyan!"
( So, ano ba? Pangit ba o maganda? Baduy ba or ang arte?)
They will never know what you really mean. How polite!

Verb: can replace any verb

"Chorvah lang ng chorvah!"

Chorvah is such an amazing word, it lets you choose your own adventure. At least you will never be accused of putting words in somebody else's mouth. If you don't have anything to say, or you can't find the right word to say, or you want to say something but you don't know how to say it, just say CHORVAH!

Variations: Chuvah, Chenes, Chenelyn


(this is a repost from a yahoo group)

Monday, May 28, 2007

TriNoma (First Part)

He had been waiting across the street when I got out of the office after our shift.

Wearing a faded jeans, a white hooded shirt and a cap, it is one of the very rare moments when somebody picks me up and patiently waits for me to finish my duties.

Usually, it's the other way around.

The guy is as tall as me. He must be a 5'9er. At first glance, he looks stocky to me. However his big arms and broad shoulders will tell that he's into gym as well. He has a tanned skin which is slightly lighter than mine and small droopy eyes that always look sleepy when you gaze at them. Not bad, especially if you would consider his overall projection which is, by all accounts, twice as masculine as me.

I think he's a good catch.

"So how was your day dude?" He asked me.

"I'm good, a little lazy today." I replied.

We started walking towards the jeepney stop, unsure of a place to go. When we reached the intersection where P and I used to walk together, my impulse told me to turn right and still walk the long broken road going to Shaw Boulevard. I knew my companion was observing me. Obviously, he felt my sadness. For he walked faster to get ahead of me, only to turn back so that he could get my full attention.

"Gusto mo try natin sa Epitome? Let's have fun there," he said.

I just smiled and continued walking. Lately, I'm in no mood to get naughty - except if it was my buddy I am with. With a slight sign of disappointment, his mood became serious again and for the rest of our journey towards the main road, we were not talking.

He never asked where we would be heading. All I know was that he just followed me quietly. In front of the jeep where we had chosen to sit, I saw him glanced at me when I looked at the side mirror. Maybe he was assessing his strategy to reach out to me. Perhaps, he was scanning my hotness factor considering that he's one of the horniest guys that I know.

At the MRT, we remained non-communicative to one other. No one wants to talk and being a guy that does not really talk - a lot, I did not expect him to make the first moves. But I knew he was trying to get close, he just don't know how. There were times he would put his elbow on my shoulder and since it was cool with me, I leaned closer - to let him know that I feel good to what he was doing.

When we arrived at TriNoma, the newest super mall in the city, the first thing we did was to look for an ATM booth. He said it will be his treat, no matter how I insisted to pay our bills. I told him that it was me who invited him to go out, but my pleas only fell to his deaf ears.

Since it was already past 3 pm and both of us had not eaten our lunch yet, we immediately went to the food court. Craving for pasta, I suggested that we should try World's Chicken since they serve the best Fettuccine Alfredo that I know of. He complied immediately since his hunger won't let him complain any longer.

When our order was served, we ate our late-lunch at a table nearby.

Halfway towards finishing our lunch, he suddenly broke the silence by asking me a cryptic question:

"So why did you leave me Joms, I thought I would always be around for you?"

"But I thought you're the one who abandoned me. You left me alone defending myself and my emotions from that last guy I've been attached with," I said, while slicing a large chunk of grilled chicken on my plate.

"Did I? I tried to reach out to you dude, but your emotions were too messed up for me to get close to you. Maybe you didn't want me to intervene in your affairs after your fall-out? Maybe you were enjoying in your own pain, that you never sought me to pull you out so that I could help you move on much easier."

"Yeah I did... I just don't want to get hurt by others anymore. Don't you see that it's useless...?"

"Useless what?" From the tone of his voice, I knew that he was a bit agitated already.

"Nothing... Let's not talk about it right now. What's important is that you're here again," I said.

My companion did not reply after I told him how vital his presence is to me. He just briefly looked into my tired eyes, smiled and went back to emptying his plate full of pasta. He must have sensed that I was too self-absorbed with my own pain to take his suggestions.

After our meal, we didn't stay long at the food court since there were many diners waiting for their turn at the table. We went to the top floor, hoping to see a scenic view at the open-air park over there. Unfortunately, the clouds hung heavy around us so there was nothing really to see. Besides, the landscaping staff were still busy applying finishing touches to the pond and the viewing deck across from where we were standing. After a minute of looking around, we decided to go back and check out the stores in the mall instead.

"Let's go see a movie," I suggested.

"And what movie do you want to see, Joms?" He asked.

"Anything that is feel-good. I need to laugh," I said.

"Then let's watch Shrek 3. Im sure you will find the movie a laugh trip."

So we went to watch that movie. Fortunately it was just about to start and there were still many seats available inside the theater. We picked an isolated area near the screen because we were both nearsighted. I also don't want the other moviegoers to get annoyed the moment I start laughing my heart out.

Shrek 3 was indeed a laughing trip - especially the part where Snow White was making a freakish dance move in order to get the tree-soldiers' attention, while singing in her all-original 1920's voice. Imagine the classic Snow White Disney movie where she sang in the woods and attracted all the furry animals to approach her. Remember the small blue and white birds perching on her shoulders while the squirrels and deers wander around her feet. That was how the scene was like at Shrek 3. Indeed, every critter in the forest and the two tree-soldiers (which looks exactly like the Ents in Lord Of The Rings) suddenly got fascinated at the innocent-looking Snow White.

However, the pleasant mood changes suddenly the moment Snow White's singing voice became raging and powerful. Suddenly, all the furry animals around her became blood-lusty and simultaneously attacked the tree guards by gnawing at their trunks and leaves. For some reasons, that part made me laugh so loud, that even the moviegoers several seats from us suddenly looked at me.

It doesn't matter though, I had fun. For all I know, I rarely laugh that loud. The only other thing that could make me do so is Wanda Ilusyonada's blog.

---

-tobecontinued-

Saturday, May 26, 2007

thief in the house

As i was busy contemplating about my life and whatever happened to my relationship with my ex bf who found a new bf (btw a chaka bf) BITTER!?

no its just charantia! abs bitter herbs! running in my veins pakshet!

i have ignored a major happening in my very own house

here how the story goes

we have a relative who is a very lazy person who stays in our house for some months already

this relative is the grandson of the mother in law of my mommy (as in lola)

technically, he's a very distant relative, but u knw filipinoes, everybody seems to be your relative especially if they are close with the family

my mommy is a very hospitable woman, even though this guy did stole money and jewelry from her back when her late husband (my daddy as in lolo) was still living, that was during the 1980's

she still accepted this guy in our house after 20 years of him not showing up

she gave him a second chance, he needed some help at that time, no money, no house, no job, no family, his son and wife left him and went back to the province

but a thief will always be a thief

at first everything seems to be fine in our house,

"wala namang nawawala"

nita our maid is a very trustworthy person and we have proven that already

this guy however was a stranger to us at all

he is jobless, he always sleep, he even drinks and smokes even in front of my mommy

in fairness to him there are small good things that he had done with us

like being a guard to our gate, receiving calls when were not home, making sure the dogs eat well etc etc

but like what i said sooner or later... the thief will still be a thief

one morning, he asked my mommy for some old clothes, he will go to the province and ask for forgiveness to her wife and son daw! and give those clothes daw?! to our underprivileged relatives as well,

the soft hearted mommy was touched by his supposed to be sincere act of regret so my mommy gathered old clothes and even gave him money for his fare and some food and a small amount of money for his trip

since my mommy trusted him, my mommy told him to go to the third floor and get the clothes that are on the couch

after he picked the clothes which btw he just picked two children t shirts only wherein its supposed to be a big bag, he sped off as quick as flash!

2 weeks after heres the scene in the house

my mommy and cousin are looking for some jewelry that my cousin could wear for the sagala

my cousin is going to attend the biggest santacruzan in makati

ahem! i was once a part of it! i was the reyna emperatriz JOKE!

nah constantino naman hehehehe!

so here it is, my mommy was very definite that she left some jewelry in one of the drawers near the couch

she, nita and my cousin tried to looked for it, as in the whole third floor

but she never found it, then it hit her

could it be him?!

my mommy wanted to believe na its not him but hey who else

alang naman isa sa mga members of the family

plus the fact na he did it before,

benefit of the doubt?! if ur going to ask me, i dont think so, it doesnt apply to this one

the guy has thief records before and he ran like he's not going back at all

my mama (as in mama tlaga) was so mad with my mommy, the jewelries were supposed to be in the vault at the bank

it seems that my mommy didnt inform us that she took some jewelry out of the vault

my mama was very frustrated and mad as hell

now what happened to the thief

well till now he hasnt showed up yet its almost a month already

and i dont think he will do, its going to take another 20 years before he goes back to us

grabe!

he stole worth 20,000 of jewelry, its not about how much it cost but the trust kc

plus the fact that we've been good to him, we gave him food, money for his cigarettes and sometimes i give him some allowance pa

we thought with that goodness you showed him, he will change, but hey he didnt

its all sad,

my mama still doesnt talk with my mommy because of this,

she told my mommy before, not to let this guy live with us for a long time

my mama had the vibes but my mommy wasnt listening

now heres the result

hayyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so bad!

a time to see what’s mine

meng,

Every second of the day is a tasked accomplished by hope, reinforced by the idea of love and what tomorrow holds for us. It’s not wishful thinking, like the first time I saw you that I’ve told myself you’re someone too much to take but I knew I want you right then. Now, I’m so into you and I can’t get enough.

Everytime we are together it might appears that I’m in control, exploding with confidence and know what to do next. But I don’t honestly really know what to do next. Everytime we are apart I feel the relief of being away from you. However, I am soaked up of wanting being with you again.

I love you. This I not say every second or every hour. I’m taking that fact for granted. And this truth could change for I have no reason to know the future. And these words could change because I’m taking it to the next level of loving you.

And if I do have a reason to know the future it would be a question of how things might have been—so that I could change the moment and live to love a man like you for a lifetime.

So I guess it is about time to end this mutual friendship.

And the world hasn’t seen if this will be the greatest finishing act of all but nobody will wonder to care; only again to stand little in the corner of the shadows. Everything could have been a product of an imagination but tell it to me, right in my eyes, say the words I dare not spoken for I have been always scared. I am no longer the same and things won’t be the same for us.

There were those times I don’t believe it could happen to me, but now I find these are the real times I admit I need somebody badly. I can be strong and alone and that you know very well. But do you also know I’m falling for you for a reason and a thousand more reasons. Writing this makes me sober like the day of clouded sky and gentle breezes, unsure what dreams and nights are really made of. Look what you did to me.


warmest hug,

dave




Sunday, May 20, 2007

Just a bit of a laugh.

Just a bit of a laugh.
Actual call centre conversations !!!!!

Customer: "I've been ringing 0700 2300 for two days and can't get through to enquiries, can you help?".
Operator: "Where did you get that number from, sir?".
Customer: "It was on the door to the Travel Centre".
Operator: "Sir, they are our opening hours".

Samsung Electronics

Caller: "Can you give me the telephone number for Jack?"
Operator: "I'm sorry, sir, I don't understand who you are talking about".
Caller: "On page 1, section 5, of the user guide it clearly states that I need to unplug the fax machine from the AC wall socket and telephone Jack before cleaning. Now, can you give me the number for Jack?"
Operator: "I think you mean the telephone point on the wall".


RAC Motoring Services

Caller: "Does your European Breakdown Policy cover me when I am travelling in Australia?"
Operator: " Doesn't the product name give you a clue?"

Caller (enquiring about legal requirements while travelling in France): "If I register my car in France, do I have to change the steering wheel to the other side of the car?"


Directory Enquiries

Caller: "I'd like the number of the Argoed Fish Bar in Cardiff please".
Operator: "I'm sorry, there's no listing. Is the spelling correct?"
Caller: "Well, it used to be called the Bargoed Fish Bar but the 'B' fell off".

Then there was the caller who asked for a knitwear company in Woven.
Operator: "Woven? Are you sure?"
Caller: "Yes. That's what it says on the label; Woven in Scotland".

On another occasion, a man making heavy breathing sounds from a phone box told a worried operator:
"I haven't got a pen, so I'm steaming up the window to write the number on".


Tech Support: "I need you to right-click on the Open Desktop".
Customer: "OK".
Tech Support: "Did you get a pop-up menu?".
Customer: "No".
Tech Support: "OK. Right-Click again. Do you see a pop-up menu?"
Customer: "No".
Tech Support: "OK, sir. Can you tell me what you have done up until this point?".
Customer: "Sure. You told me to write 'click' and I wrote 'click'".


Tech Support: "OK. In the bottom left hand side of the screen, can you see the 'OK' button displayed?"
Customer: "Wow. How can you see my screen from there?"


Caller: "I deleted a file from my PC last week and I have just realised that I need it. If I turn my system clock back two weeks will I have my file back again?".

There's always one. This has got to be one of the funniest things in a long time. I think this guy should have been promoted, not fired. This is a true story from the Word Perfect Helpline, which was transcribed from a recording monitoring the customer care department. Needless to say the Help Desk employee was fired; however, he/she is currently suing the Word Perfect organization for "Termination without Cause".Actual dialogue of a former WordPerfect Customer Support employee.
(Now I know why they record these conversations! ):

Operator: "Ridge Hall, computer assistance; may I help you?"
Caller: "Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect. "
Operator: "What sort of trouble??"
Caller: "Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away."
Operator: "Went away?"
Caller: "They disappeared. "
Operator: "Hmm So what does your screen look like now?"
Caller: "Nothing."
Operator: "Nothing??"
Caller: "It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type."

Operator: "Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out??"
Caller: "How do I tell?"
Operator: "Can you see the C: prompt on the screen??"
Caller: "What's a sea-prompt?"
Operator: "Never mind, can you move your cursor around the screen?"
Caller: "There isn't any cursor: I told you, it won't accept anything I type."
Operator: "Does your monitor have a power indicator??"
Caller: "What's a monitor?"
Operator: "It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells you when it's on??"
Caller: "I don't know."
Operator: "Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that??"
Caller: "Yes, I think so."
Operator: "Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall.
Caller: "Yes, it is."
Operator: "When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one??"
Caller: "No."
Operator: "Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable."
Caller: "Okay, here it is."
Operator: "Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer."
Caller: "I can't reach."
Operator: "Uh huh. Well, can you see if it is??"
Caller: "No."
Operator: "Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over??"
Caller: "Oh, it's not because I don't have the right angle- it's because it's dark."
Operator: "Dark??"
Caller: "Yes - the office light is off, and the only lightI have is coming in from the window."
Operator: "Well, turn on the office light then."
Caller: "I can't."
Operator: "No? Why not??"
Caller: "Because there's a power failure."
Operator: "A power....... .. A power failure? Aha, Okay, we've got it licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing stuff your computer came in??"
Caller: "Well, yes, I keep them in the closet."
Operator: "Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from."
Caller: "Really? Is it that bad?"
Operator: "Yes, I'm afraid it is."
Caller: "Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them??"
Operator: "Tell them you're too $*%ing stupid to own a computer!!!! !

Tips for seducing a straight guy

Galing sa isang SMS

Tips for seducing a straight guy

1. Flatter them, they may not show it but men always want[ed] to have their ego bolstered through praise.

2. Throw naughty jokes about sex when only the two of you are together.

3. Be extra nice and caring.

4. Be generous.

5. Watch a straight porn with him. When lust[s] starts to set him on fire and no woman is in sight [sic], chances are you'll get lucky sister! Even straight guys unconsciously desire an encounter with the [third] same sex.

6. If all else fails, the answer is alcohol in large quantities. Kapag nalasing na siya, ehehe winner ka na!

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Singlehood... Reasons for Seasons

This is a repost from a g4m forum posted by a good friend. His handle is Beta_blocker. This is a February 25, 2005 entry from his blog. Author unknown. But it's worth sharing... Read on!



"People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it
is, you know exactly what to do. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly.

They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support,
to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a Godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason, you need them to be.

Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (any way); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. Thank you for being part of my life."

The Legend of the Three Sexes



"This is why we always find someone to love..."




Do you ever wonder if you really have a soulmate?

Do you ever wonder why there are gays and lesbians?
Don't you ever wonder why some people love their same sex?

Do you ever wonder why some people love their opposite sex?
And do you ever wonder why these love are indestructible?
Why do most people seem to cannot live without someone to love?

And finally, why is it that people do not know what they have until it is gone?

Let me tell you about the Myth of Love...

It was said that before, in the origin of times, there were three sexes; male, female, and androgene. Original humans do not look like how we humans look today. Humans before were said to be twice of each person now, with two heads, two pair of eyes, two pair of lips, four hands, four feet, two bodies, two hearts, and of course two genitals. Then, if the person has two vaginas, that is a female. If the person has two penis, that is a male person. If the person has both the two different organs, a vagina and a penis, then that person is an androgene. They said that androgenes were the most beautiful people among all because they have mostly the best features and characteristics of both the male and the female. Because these people dream of being in heaven, even if they already have the heavens in their selves, they want to experience it even for just a little while. And so they climbed to Mount Olympus. Zeus got furious upon seeing the people going up the mountain. He said, "How dare these immortals climb our wondrous world? And to think I'd let them experience it! Especially now that they do not cherish of what they have!!! " He got so mad that he used his lightning bolts to cut each person in half to make them weaker enough so as not to continue on climbing." The God of Healers healed the wounds of the people cut in half. And from then on, everyone started to look out for their pair the moment they got down from the mountains.

This is why there is the term "soulmates". Their bodies, in which their souls rest, used to be one. Therefore soulmates. They said that this is also the reason why there are people who love their same sex, the gays and lesbians. They are the males and females before. And this also explains why gays are creative, because they are both males before, they tend to concentrate on what they lack. The same thing for lesbians. Because they are both females before, they tend to be strong as not to be underestimated. Androgenes would be equal to male and female lovers. That is why nowadays these couples are the most acceptable, stronger, and the most beautiful among all partners, they have the strength of both males and females. Lovers nowadays, whether gay, lesbian, or male and female couples, are indestructible because they are the pairs before. They are really meant to be. This myth also explains why it is natural for people to just realize the value of the people they love only when they are about to be gone or are already gone. Because this happened even before, and we become weaker without our pair. We realize that we need them, truly love them, and that together, we are stronger. This is also why we kiss.We always try to find the lips wherein ours will fit well. This is also why we like to hold hands with the one we love, to find out if the spaces between their fingers are the spaces where ours used to lay. And finally, this is why we always find someone to love. We always want to complete ourselves... Because we need the strength of the one we love in order to go on with the hardships of life... We need to fill in a missing space... And most of all, because we used to have two hearts.

We need to find the other one.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Isang Maikling Panaginip

May 13, 2007, sometime before 5:30 a.m.

Dinalaw ako ng isang maikling panaginip. Sa panaginip na ito, natutulog daw ako. May katabi akong dalawang lalaki, isa sa kanan at isa sa kaliwa. Lahat kami ay nakatagilid, at nakaharap sa iisang direksyon. Nagulat na lamang ako nang biglang naramdaman ko sa aking likod ang isang matigas na bagay. ____ ng katabi ko. Ang sarap ng pakiramdam. Hinawakan nya ang aking kamay, at nang lilingon na ako para tingnan sya at para magawa na namin ang dapat gawin.... NAGISING AKO!!! Hindi na ako muling nakatulog pa... Bad trip di ba?! Sana isa sa mga gabing ito ay mapanaginipan ko uli yon, at sana, hindi na bitin.

Sunday, May 6, 2007

Tales Of The Firebomb Survivors

I.

Bumaba siya sa kanto ng Shaw at Kalentong, alam kung saan patungo. Upang madagdagan ang kanyang dalang pera, nagwithdraw pa siya sa Banco De Oro, na isang tawid lang mula sa kanyang binabaan. Sa tapat nito ay makikita ang Jollibee kung saan may mga jeep na patungong Punta, Santa Ana. Dito matatagpuan ang kanyang destinasyon. Matapos ang ilang minuto, may humintong jeep at siya ay sumakay dito.


II.

Mahaba-haba rin ang kanyang biyahe upang makarating sa may tulay. Sa Kalentong pa lang, tapat ng Marketplace ay dagsa na ang mga mamimili sa palengke. "Hindi kaya hassle pumunta roon?" tanong ng binata sa kanyang saril. "Bahala na, first time ko to doon pagkataon." Hirit nito sa kanyang sarili.

Bumaba siya sa isang complex bago dumating ng Gabby's ang jeep. Una niyang hinanap ang lugar, ngunit sa kasamaang palad, patay ang mga ilaw nito. Sa tabi ay may videokehan na may nagkakantahang mga GRO at mga tambay na mukhang katulong sa may pintuan. Ang kanyang hinahanap naman ay sarado, mukha atang nalugi na makaraan ang ilang buwan lang nitong pagbubukas.

Kaya't siya ay bumalik upang tumbukin ang ikalawa niyang target. Sa Kalentong rin ito ngunit sa kabilang dako naman. Sumakay siyang muli na jeep na magdadala sa kanya sa Shaw Boulevard. Makarating doon, siya ay naglakad ng kaunti upang sumakay muli ng jeep na magdadala sa kanya sa San Juan.

III.

Sa isang kanto, bago lumiko ang jeep. Napilitan siyang bumaba. Ang binata ay naglakad pa ng ilang metro at sa kanyang tapat ay bumulaga ang isang lumang bahay. Wala itong ilaw at pati ang sign nito ay nakapatay rin. Ikalawang beses na niyang pumunta rito kaya't kahit mukhang sarado ito pagdating sa labas, laging nakabukas ang pintuan nito para sa mga dayong katulad niya.

Ang binata ay tumawid. Hindi nito ininda ang nag-iinumang matatanda na nakatingin sa kanya, isang bahay ang pagitan mula sa kanyang pupuntahan. "Hindi kaya ma-boga ako dito?" Tanong niya sa kanyang sarili? "Sino ang tatawagan ko, sakaling lusubin ito ngayon gabi... bahala na, kelangan ko ng masahe." Sabi nito sa kanyang sarili.

Kaya't siya ay pumasok at naabutan pa ang ilang mga binatilyo na nagkwekwentuhan sa reception area. Ang lahat ay biglang tumayo at napatahimik sa kanyang biglang pagdating.

"Manong, magkano ho ulit?" Tanong niya sa mamang nakaupo sa lamesa. Ang ginoo ay matanda na, ngunit bakas sa kanyang mukha ang kasanayan sa biglang transaksyon na dala ng binata.

"P300" Sagot niya dito.

Matapos magkasundo sa presyo, agad tinuro sa dayo ang isang pader na gawa sa kahoy. Ito ay may maliit na butas kung saan ang binata ay kailangang sumilip at mamili ng magseserbisyo sa kanya. Mahigit pito ang nasa loob. Lahat sila ay nakatayo, mga seryoso at pilit na kinukuha ang atensyon ng binata - na magbabayad ng masahe nila pagdating sa taas. Para silang mga kabayo na ikakarera sa isang paligsahan. Ang iba ay nakasando - lalo na ang mga matipuno. Ang iba naman ay naka-tshirt. Mukha silang mga patpating mga bata na hinugot lang sa may kanto. Mayroong isa, halatang proud sa kanyang moreno at balingkinitang pangangatawan. Hindi man ito kasing bato-bato gaya ng sa iba. Sa kanyang porma pa lang, alam mo nang siya yung tipong mambabalibag sa kama.

Kung titingnan mo sila, para silang mga ordinaryong tambay sa isang skwater di malayo sa lugar. Hindi sila yung tipong nakwekwento sa mga forums o kaya naman ay pinagmamalaki sa mga magazine (maging jologs man ito). Tingin ko nga, ang ilan sa kanila ay maaring gumanap na sa mga "scandal" na binebenta sa Quiapo. Kumbaga, sinanay na sila ng panahon para sa ganitong kalakaran.

Wala pang isang minuto, nakapili na ang binata. Sa kanyang isipan, naglalaban kung kukunin ba niya yung kahawig ni Dominic Ochoa, o yung kaisa-isang barako na walang pang-itaas na suot. "Bahala na, trip lang naman ito." sagot niya sa kanyang sarili. "At least dito, walang personalan... masahe lang." Depensa nito sa kanyang gagawin. Mabilis ang mga sumunod na pangyayari. Nakatayo pa rin at pilit pa ring nang-eenganyo ang mga binata sa kabilang bahagi ng pader, samantalang ang receptionist naman ay halatang kinakabahan... Baka kako umatras ang dayong kliyente, wala na namang kita ang...

"Manong yung nakahubad sa dulo," Sabay biglang turo ng binata sa morenong balingkinitan na napansin niya na kaagad unang silip pa lang niya sa pader.

IV.

Umupo muli ang mga ibang nakatayo, ang napili naman ay nagsukbit ng tuwalya at inabot ang lotion at rubbing alcohol na nasa isang tokador sa tabi ng kanilang pintuan. Tahimik itong lumabas mula sa kanilang maliit na tambayan at inabangan ang binata na papalapit dito.

"Ikaw si James?" tanong ng binata.

"Opo sir," pangiting sagot naman nito. Ang kanyang mukha na ngayon ay gaya sa isang maamong pusa. Siguro dahil ay may kita... at posibleng extra na naman siya.

"Ayus... Ako nga pala si Jerson. Kinagagalak kitang makilala." Pakilala ng binata habang dahan dahan silang umaakyat ng hagdan na magdadala sa kanila sa mga aircon na kwarto sa itaas.

Newly uploaded songs in my iPod as of 07 May 2007

Katharine McPhee - Over It
Alanis Morissette - My Humps
Bone Thugs N Harmony feat Mariah Carey & Bow Wow - Lil Love
Katharine McPhee - Not Ur Girl
Katharine McPhee - Love Story
Alanis Morisette - Dear Prudence
Katharine McPhee - Open Toes
Kavana - Special Kind Of Something
Lisa Loeb - I Do
Lisa Loeb - I Wish
Lisa Loeb - Fools Like Me
Lisa Loeb - Waiting For Wednesday
Lisa Loeb - Truthfully
Lisa Loeb - Stay (I Missed You)
Lisa Loeb - Do You Sleep?
Lisa Loeb - How
Lisa Loeb - Falling in Love
Nelly Furtado - Say It Right
Young Jeezy feat R.Kelly - Go Getta
T-Pain - Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin')
Rihanna feat Jay-Z - Umbrella
Fall Out Boy - Thnks Fr The Mmrs
Lloyd Banks feat Akon - My Town
Maroon 5 - Makes Me Wonder
Omarion - Ice Box
Lloyd - Get It Shawty
Bone Thugs N Harmony feat Akon - I Tried
Daughtry - It's Not Over
Ne-Yo - Because of You
Kaiser Chiefs - Ruby
Jennifer Lopez - Que Hiciste
Hinder - Lips of an Angel
Fall Out Boy - This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race
Hinder - Better Than Me
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Face Down
Lil Mama - Lip Gloss
Linkin Park - What I've Done
Lloyd feat Ashanti - Southside
Nelly Furtado - All Good Things Come To An End
Feist - My Moon My Man
MIMS - This Is Why Im Hot
Lisa Loeb - Let's Forget About It

Saturday, May 5, 2007