Nai Cha

Ako ay isang taong mahilig sa Milk Tea but that is something not everyone knows.

I've heard my friends from church constantly talk about something called Nai Cha. I had no idea what it was until one day, I asked Cora.

Apparently, there's this Milk Tea place pala sa Congressional Avenue which is walking distance from our Village.

It was a Wednesday night when I suddenly had a hankering for Milk Tea so niyaya ko sina Cora na pumunta dun para matikman ko yang Nai Cha na yan.

In fairness, masarap siya. Although one comment I have is about the tapioca they used. Not the best, to be honest.

The price is okay. The large cup costs 75 pesos. It's cheap so pwede na.

The place looks nice naman.

There's this freedom wall thing by the door. Oh by the way dear readers, meet Benja a.k.a. Gwendolyn.

I asked them kung okay lang ba na mag picture-picture ako dun. Keri lang naman daw.

So ayan. My verdict? 4 stars.

I ordered their Pearl Milk Tea. Cora had Oolong which was also good. Best seller daw nila ang Wintermelon but I have yet to taste it. Maybe next time I will.

If you wanna try it, it's in Congressional Avenue just after Tierra Evelina.

High School Friend

One morning in the office, I was busy working when I received a Facebook notification on my phone.

"OMG so sorry wasn't able to set up a get together here. Went to La union 2 weekends in a row then everyday family have something planned for us  So sorry talaga..."

It was a message from my friend Debbie.

"When are you leaving?" I replied.

"Tomorrow morning :("

I was surprised. I thought she would be staying for a few more days.

I gave her a call and made plans to meet up for lunch.

You see, Debbie was my classmate in 4th Year HS when I moved to La Union. We used to be seatmates. I remember the first time we sat together, she read things out loud which drove me nuts. Eventually, I learned to tune it out and we became good friends after.

After graduating from High School, she moved to the US but we still kept in contact through YM, Friendster, and now Facebook.

She arrived here about a month ago for some family thing. Due to schedule conflicts, we couldn't really meet up but when I found out she was leaving the next day, I had to make it a point to see her. I'm not gonna wait another 8 years before I could see this bitch again.

I asked my boss if I could step out for an hour or two. I explained to him why. He said it was fine.

So I hauled my ass to SM Megamall to meet Debbie who was with her husband and in-laws.

When I saw her, I gave her a big hug and the first thing she said to me was ang tangkad ko daw..

Mas gumanda siya. I wanna post our Prom pictures from High School but I won't. The memories of our awkward years should remain where they are. In my computer's hard drive, hidden from the world.

We had lunch at Dad's, which by the way I am never going back to. Horrible story. Let's just say there was something we found in the food that should not have been in there. :|

She said that she'll be back next year for her cousins wedding. Hopefully magkita kami ulit.

As you can all see, one of the reason Debbie and I became friends is that we are both camwhores. And we are proud of it.

Oh and hats off to her, ang gwapo ng asawa niya. I don't know how old he is but he's probably around our age. Mabait siya in fairness saka okay kausap.

By the way, Debbie is also a blogger like me. The bitch has a bigger following than I do because she blogs about beauty, make up, stuff like that, whereas I blog about, you know, my life, my friends, my love life, basically boring stuff :D

So if you wanna visit her blog, visit As Pink As My Juicy.

It was great seeing you Deb. Hopefully magkita tayo pagbalik mo next year :)

An Unforgettable Night

I was on the phone with Gregory.

He was on his way home.

"Don't get mad na" he said.

"I'm not even mad. I'm upset. Very upset."

Earlier that day I received some bad news from someone but at the moment, I cannot mention it here.

"I know you're upset but it's something you can't control. Thing's will turn out for the best, I know it" he said trying to make me feel better.

"I know that. It's actually more on me and my personal issues about it"

"Wait... are you crying?"

"Trying hard not to" I answered, voice cracking as I was trying to hold back my tears.

"Don't cry na. I'm sure things will turn out for the best."

I could not hold it in, I broke down in tears.

"I know, it's just I don't know how to deal with something like this. I can handle anything that life throws at me but something like this, I don't know who to deal with it" I answered in tears.

He tried his best to console me.

I asked him where he was.

"Just arrived. I'm parking na." he answered.

I knew he would have to hang up soon since he was already home.

"Hey! Is the moon out tonight?" he asked.

"I don't know."

"Are you in your room?"

"Yeah I'm sitting on the floor beside my bed" I answered.

"Check out the sky tonight. The stars are really pretty."

He knows that I like looking at the stars, it relaxes me.

"Alright I'll go to the terrace." I said.

I got up and walked towards my terrace.

I opened my door and walked out.

I looked up at the sky and saw that there really were stars out that night and they were beautiful.

I shifted my gaze and was shocked by what I saw.

There he was, standing outside my house.

The light from the streetlamp illuminated him.

There he was standing outside my house wearing a white shirt and his office pants.

He smiled at me.

"Oh my..."

"Open the door" he said.

I rushed downstairs, opened the door and unhooked the lock on the gate.

He gave me a hug and kissed me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I know you needed me" he answered.

We went to my room, lay on my bed and he hugged me.

"Dont be sad na. I'm here naman eh" he said.

My head was on the pillow, I started to tear up again.

"No matter how strong I appear to be, when it comes to things like this, I'm still a child" I said.

"Crying doesn't make you a child. It makes you human."

I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a hug.

"So this is what it feels like when you care for someone. It feels good. I'm here not because I have to. It's because I want to" he said

I looked at him. He looked into my eyes.

"Thank you for being here" I said

"I will always be here for you" he answered.

"I'll always be here for you too"

"I know that. I have no doubts about that" he said.

Then he kissed me.

And in that single moment, I felt so much better.

Because he was there when I needed him the most.

Ang Nasa Desk Ko

Since magkasunod ang rest day ko at ang Independence Day, Wednesday na ako nakabalik sa office.

Pagdating ko sa workstation ko, eto ang tumambad sa akin. Nung una hindi pa nagregister sa akin. It took me about 5 seconds to realize what they were.

Naloka ako ng very slight. Hindi ko inexpect na may ganitong eksena.

Apparently, pakana ni Mariah 'to. A gesture which I found very sweet.

Nakaka touch yung mga message na nakasulat. Lalong tumaba ang aking puso.

Then it donned on me. No matter how much of an ass I am, may mga tao parin pala na nagpapahalaga sa akin.

And it's these people who I will treasure the most.

Akalain niyo yun dear readers, mahal pala talaga ako ng mga friends ko.

A Big Thanks

So if you guys saw my previous post, you'd know that I celebrated my birthday at home with my close friends.

I'm 24 years old now. I-greet niyo naman ako dear readers, may comment section naman diba? hahaha

Like  I previously mentioned, I don't really throw parties at home because I'm worried that some people might not be able to make it since medyo malayo ang mga bahay ng iba.

But I was so happy on how the party turned out. Medyo hindi lang halata nung gabing yun dahil medyo ngarag ako nun. Halos wala akong tulog at pagod ako dahil buong araw kami naghahanda.

But I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who came and made my birthday a really happy one.

To Cora, Andrei, Abbi and Regine, thank you sa pagbalot ng ilang dosenang lumpia mula alas-singko hanggang alas-nuwebe ng umaga.

To Tita Boolie sa pagtimpla ng super sarap na Carbonara sauce. Hindi matatawaran ang iyong galing sa kusina. Martha Stewart ang peg.

To Mariah and Alex, salamat sa pagluto nung ibang food. Lalo na kay Mariah na sa dami ng beses natalsikan nang mantika eh pwede narin iserve kasama nung ibang food.

To Ellaine for coming to the house at 2 in the afternoon dala ang cake na hindi ko manlang natikman. I miss you, you crazy bitch.

To my officemates who chipped in for the big-ass cake na may nakakawindang na message. Thank you so much.

To Mike and Jason who brought the donuts, kahit hindi ko natikaman yung donuts, I'm sure masarap yun.

To Gregory for the Devils Fruit Cake that was actually really good. Thank you because I know you had a hard time choosing what cake to get me. Oh, and thank you for coming into my life hihihi. My friends like you daw.

To everyone else who was there, thank you sa pagpunta.

Seeing everyone there that night, nakakawala ng pagod. It was by far the best birthday party I've had. Being surrounded by my close friends is all I could ask for.

I don't care much about receiving gifts on my birthday dahil sa totoo lang mahirap akong regaluhan since even I don't know what I want, materially speaking.

This is one of the things that money cannot buy.

So again, thank you to everyone who came. Words cannot express how happy I am. I am truly blessed to have you people in my life.

:D

Birthday 2012

Last year, I celebrated my birthday at Gerry's Grill surrounded by my friends. The year before that, it was at Giligans surrounded by my new-found friends.

This year since medyo madami-dami na akong friends, I chose to throw a party at my house. 

We started cooking and preparing at 3AM for the party which was at 7pm. 

By noon, ngarag na kaming lahat. Thank God, apat sa mga ka-choir ko ang tumulong sa akin magdamag. Actually, they did most the work kasi sabi ni Cora wag na daw muna akong tumulong dahil pag alis nila ako lang maiiwan and I need all the strength I have to continue preparing.

Every year, I'm always worried about throwing a party kasi baka konti lang or walang pumunta. Sayang ang pagod. Ang puyat. Ang effort. Ang dugo't pawis na ginamit para sa paghahanda.

I was so happy during the party dahil ang daming pumunta. Even the people I was really worried na hindi makakapunta eh sumulpot sa aking bahay.

This cake was from my officemates. Pagbukas ko ng box galing Goldilocks, hindi ko napigilang tumawa nang makita ko ang nakasulat sa cake. Tambling.

This cake was from Ellaine. Ni hindi ko natikman tong cake na to. Nalingat lang ako, ubos na. Sabi naman nila masarap daw.

This cake was from Gregory. Devil Fruit Cake from Chocolate Kiss. This was actually a really good cake.

Donuts from Krispy Kreme from Mike and Jason.

Here they are waiting for the food.

Birthday wish time. My wish came true actually :D

My choirmates were also in attendance. Well, most of them anyway.

The party was a success. Sulit ang pagod nang lahat nang tumulong sa akin.

I wonder what I'll do next year? Makapag-ipon nga para sa isang bonggang party talaga since it'll be my 25th.

Happy Birthday to me bitches!

Stereotypes and Neophytes

Isang gabi sa bahay, kasama ko ang aking friend na si Cora at isang ka-choir namin na itatago natin sa pangalang Andrei.

"So ano nga? Bading ka ba o hindi?" tanong ni Cora kay Andrei.

Hindi makasagot ng maayos si Andrei.

Ganito kasi, si Cora ang tipo nang tao na kahit lumandi-landi ka sa harapan niya, hangga't hindi niya marinig mula sa bibig mo na ikaw ay isang beks, hindi siya maniniwalang ikaw ay isang beks. It's one of the traits I like about her. Hindi judgmental ang hitad.

Matagal na niya akong tinatanong kung sino ba sa mga ka-choir namin ang mga beks and I have given her my honest opinion but her being her, she wants to hear it from them directly. Besides, those are just my opinions based on what I've observed.

Pansin ko lang, mahina ang gaydar ni Cora which is ironic considering she has a lot of friends who are either gay or in a closet made of glass. Well actually, most are in the closet and are either in denial or just don't want to come clean about it. Which is something I respect by the way. I strongly believe that coming out is the hardest thing a gay man can do. It is something that should not be forced or rushed.

Anyway, because of this, Cora is what I would call a neophyte when it comes to the homo world. In short, her beliefs are somewhat based on stereotypes but I am trying my best to educate her about the whole thing.

"Makapagtanong ka ah!" sabi ko kay Cora dahil napapansin ko na medyo nagiging uncomfortable na si Andrei.

"So bakla ka ba or girl ka na?" Tanong ni Cora kay Andrei.

Si Andrei nagdedeny parin.

I had to interject because it was one of those moments where I found her question to be quite offensive even if it was not directed at me.

"Ano ka ba. Alam mo, hindi lahat ng bading gustong maging babae." I exclaimed.

"So hindi ka nagcrocross-dress?" tanong niya sa akin.

"Mukha ba akong nagcrocross-dress?! Do I look like the type?"

"Hindi naman. Tinatanong lang" sagot niya.

I find it funny when she asks questions like that because there's something so innocent about the way she asks them.

Numerous times in the past I had to explain to her that there are different types of gay men and not all gay men are the same.

I've also had to explain to her countless times that not all gay men like wearing pink. There are some gay men who actually like sports. There are gay men who don't like being labelled. Not all gay men want to be women and so forth and so on.

I think the things I tell her sink in but there are times when she slips and asks a variety of questions or says something, some of which I actually find offensive but I give her my honest answer and in her own way, she learns from it.

I guess it's a good thing that Cora and I became friends so I could open her eyes and educate her about homosexuality because as she's told me a lot of times, pag nagka-anak daw siya, gusto daw niyang maging bading.

Oh diba? Gaano kadalas mo marinig ang isang tao, who is a devout catholic by the way, na gustong maging bading ang anak?

Tambling!

In His Car

We were in his car.

He was holding my hand.

"Why are you smiling?" I asked.

"I'm just happy...really happy..."

I smiled.

He drove on.

We were both silent.

It was almost dawn.

We were out the whole night with his friends.

He introduced me to his friends.

He said I was the guy he was not ashamed to introduce to his friends or family.

He said I was the guy he could be proud of.

He broke the silence.

He looked a bit serious for some reason

"So...I don't have to worry?" he asked.

"About what?"

"That you might find someone else. Someone you have more in common with..."

I smiled and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek.

"Of course not. I'm yours." I said.

"You know I was feeling a bit insecure earlier because you and my friends had so much to talk about. You watch the same shows, read the same books, listen to the same music."

"Awww you're so cute..."

"Stop it" he said blushing a little.

"Listen, you don't have to worry about me finding someone else. I have you. What more can I ask for? Never doubt the feelings I have for you."

He was smiling again.

I like it when he smiles.

He looks like a kid on Christmas morning opening his gift.

He was still holding my hand.

He squeezed it tighter.

"Still, I was feeling insecure kasi you guys had so much to talk about" he said but this time he was laughing.

"You're so cute you know that?" I teased.

"Do not put this on your blog" he suddenly said.

"Of course not" I answered.

:D

SMASH

While going through PerezHilton's site a few months ago, I came across a trailer for something called SMASH. Me being the curious person I am, I played it  and when I saw Katherine McPhee, I thought to myself, 'bleh'.

But the I saw Megan Hilty who happens to be one of my favorite Broadway stars, I knew that I had to watch it because it's not everyday you see a broadway star on TV. So, I rummaged through my regular torrent sites and saw the pilot episode for Smash and as luck would have it, it was available for download.

I immediately fell in love with the first episode and I knew I was going to be hooked on this show when I heard the song 'Let Me Be Your Star'.

The show revolves around the creation of a new Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe, which is initially entitled Marilyn and evolves to become Bombshell after its first workshop. As the production takes shape, everyone involved in it must balance his or her often chaotic personal life with the all-consuming demands of a life in the theatre. The series features original music by composers Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

The show has brought in stars such as Katherine McPhee (not a fan, seriously), Megan Hilty (big fan, seriously), Jack Davenport, Anjelica Huston, Debra Messing and Christian Borle.

The show also has Nick Jonas, Uma Thurman and Bernadette Peters as special guest stars with recurring roles.

Other Broadway stars who've had roles in this show (big or small) are Will Chase from the original cast of RENT; Michelle Federer, Norbert Leo Butz and Analeigh Ashford, all from Wicked. Megan Hilty also had a role in Wicked as Glinda the good.

I like this show because of my love for the musical theater and unlike other shows, most of the songs are original and not just covers although they also cover some famous songs.

Here are some of my favorite songs from the show:









The first season of SMASH is over and while waiting for the second season to air in January 2013, I'll have to settle for the reruns on my media player for now.