I would admit laying low on choir this year provided some respite, as being a full-pledged church singer during Christmas season is no cheesecake. The time off however, was more than made up for by gruelling work demands, but I’m happy to note this Christmas has been a memorable one, most especially my family pulling together and pushing through despite Kuya’s misfortune last month. So here are some photos:

Dec 10: Insider Manila Party at Romulo’s Cafe in Jupiter, Makati. We win some, lose some, and fight with many, but after an entire year of making the factory work, we fully took on the Christmas buzz in a party that’s been since Insider trademark: disarrayed, fumbling and prone to side comments and jeering. With people getting drunk and loveteams being flaunted, it was a huge success.

Still feels like a family reunion!

Still THE loveteam: Bry and Mitch

Cheers and more cheers!

A very rare pic with my boss, Jerome

Dec 17: Thomson Reuters Global World of Wonders at PICC was way better than last year’s Masquerade, thanks to a more conducive venue. Lucky Manzano’s hosting made the ceremony more Pinoy than it has ever been, and Insiders confirming last-minute attendance ensured we were strongly represented. Still no raffle winners though.

Enjoying the TR party crowd

Family portraits, woot!

Dec 17: TR After-Party at 7th High in Boni High Street was where the real smashing party started. It almost didn’t push through, what with hesitations and missed reservations and frantic guest list attempts, but we were blown away by the crowd, the playlist and the endless dancing. Jayson and Bryan spent the night, and there were some suka moments at the CR that woke up Jerwin. I regained party boy status that morning.

Tequila'd

THE loveteam again

Dec 18: Partial Christmas Spring Fling Queen, for lack of imagination, was the designated title of this year’s JIRD party. We had Tom as a guest and witness to our brand of bantering, with some awesome ribs, sidings and milk tea as bonding agents. And exchange gifts galore!

Insert Tep and Ralfh here

Rub Ribs is luurrve

Dec 25: The family’s Eton Centris venture and dinner at Uncle Cheffy’s was the most expensive of the lot, but also one that I worked so very hard for to execute. With the fickleness of my family and the strains my siblings and I went through individually, it was only the kids that made us pull the entire thing off. Which is a rehash from last year, that Christmas for the working yuppies like me is all about enabling the kids to experience whatever the season’s Christmas is.

A real family picture!

Uncle Cheffy's food is superb!

It may be far different from the simple delights and the toned down sights, smells and sounds of my childhood, but nevertheless, it’s one way of saying thank you, because life has still been good.

Here's a cutie: The family that prays together...

The cutest one of all: our darling, Isaiah.

Dessert: Some of my FB posts and Tweets that got some attention during Christmas week:

LSS: “Pasko na naman, o kay tumal ng pera. Paskong nagdaan pinagbabayaran pa!”

Ang pera tuwing pasko parang may nakaabang na taxi: nagmamadaling umalis sa wallet/atm. Ang tao kapag pasko parang na-rape: di mo alam ano nangyari pero nakatulala ka nalang after.

Isasapelikula na ang 13th month pay: “Binudget Ka Ngunit Kulang”.

Happy Holidays!

Having returned from Bangkok (with a Siem Reap-Angkor Wat overnighter on the side) just last week was an emotional roller coaster, the downside coming from home, where I know the pre and post-departure office drama was gonna be vicious–which indeed it proved to be, and the upswings from marveling at a culturally rich country that is Thailand and Cambodia. Far from the metropolitan chic of Hong Kong and the dazzling casinos of Macau, Thailand and Cambodia were more of a deep immersion into the culture, learning something new and drinking in the rawness and the Southeast Asia-ness. Oh, and uber cheap shopping. At Christmastime. Which is why I put off blogging, since I know I’ll prattle on endlessly on the entire itinerary.

So instead, I cooled off, and here are some highlights:

Temples – Thailand being a dominantly Buddhist country, offers a lot of scenic temples, the more popular ones accessible via the Chao Praya boats and ferries. Therese and I spent one day visiting Wat Traimit, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Wat Phra Kaew and the Golden Palace. Braving the heat and my growing mouth-sore (singaw), an unavoidable travel must-have, we trekked from temple to temple, jumping on and off the boats along a thankfully less flooded Chao Praya, and delighted in the fact that our digicam pictures turned up as the temples look in the website pictures.

Wat Arun - Temple of Dawn

Therese with a Reclining Buddha

Golden Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

Chao Praya River

Malls – Siam Center is the central point where most of the trains converge, they have two Sky Trains, one MRT subway, and two airport links, and we experienced none of the Bangkok traffic most tourists are warned against. The malls were very Greenbelt-Boni High, and if anything, I appreciated them only because of their scale and number and grandeur, especially as it’s Christmas season. One thing of note were their fun food courts. They give you a coupon/card upon entry, either to be swiped upon purchase at individual kiosks or pre-loaded with a certain amount and then later on a refund. I guess they don’t allow people who prepare food in their food courts to handle money. Astig.

Roda, Jake and Therese at Central World

Fast food munchies!

Chatuchak and Pratunam – were the main reasons why I snubbed the malls along Siam Central. I included it in the itinerary I prepared prior to departure, only to be taken over by bargain hunts. Chatuchak is like Divisoria but twice the size of MOA’s floor area, while Pratunam’s Platinum Mall is like Greenhills, where you go from 1st to 6th floor and cry at every floor because every stall’s offering reminds you of someone who can wear these clothes, and every men’s store makes your hands itch to grab at least two items, but you can’t because you have limited baggage allowance and even less financial mileage.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

Chai Coffee exhibition!

Going praning at Pratunam

Thai Food – one thing I was able to prove, Bangkok really is a street culture. You can put the malls in some place like Eastwood or Rockwell and there it will fit in nicely, but I can’t imagine Manila with tuk-tuks, moto-motos and delicious, authentic Thai cuisine. The unbelievable part is that the price at the food courts and the streets are almost the same, but the street food tastes way better and offers more value for money. I had Pad Thai, Khao Pad, Papaya Salad, and Bubble Milk Tea, priced so reasonably we always over-order. Back here at home, I had milk tea at Distrito and was almost offended at the PHP100 Wintermelon Milk Tea with pearl. At the streets of Bangkok they cost only 20baht, and they taste better, and even have that machine where they seal the top of the tumblers with plastic covers. I mean, come on, do the Math.

Thai street grub

Cheapay Milk Tea, babeee

During our trip I got told several times I look like Thai, the 18-year old handsome variety, and that tops my list why I love this freely gay country.

Now for some UNESCO World Heritage Site adventure: Angkor Wat

Exhausted from the endless walking around and shopping, Therese and I were 50% decided to just junk the Cambodia leg altogether the night before the very early (4AM) wake up call, that will start our 8-10hour land journey to Aranyaprathet-Poipet borders separating Thailand and Cambodia. We stood our ground and made up a list of reasons why we shouldn’t put off Angkor Wat, among them, we’ve press released already that Angkor Wat is on the itinerary and we don’t want to appear weaklings who fell victims to the lure of Bangkok shopping.

Crossing the border was buwis-buhay!

We were so right. Angkor Wat was majestic, and as my camera batt went out on me after only three hours, I remember thinking that even in its centuries-old ruined state, the Angkor temples still look like God’s grace. The place offered a tranquil, almost unperturbed and eerie vibe, as if time stood still and you can stay there for an hour and go out and it’ll be like a decade later in the real world. In a nutshell: the place creeped me out in a good way. I also remember saying you can strike a pose against anywhere in that place and the pics will come out marvelous; the scenery transforms you, almost makes you vivid. Okay that was weird.

Angkor Wat Temple

Angkor Thom

Ta Phrom

Now Angkor Wat is just a few cartwheels from its town/hub Siem Reap, which is a delightful slice of tourist heaven. Aided by the only friend we made there, our tuk tuk driver named Lai, who made our itinerary, charged us ridiculously cheap rates, brought us to a superb hotel, and was like a coach who demanded we wake up early as the Angkor sunset is a must-see for first-timers, Jake, Therese and I mapped out a solid itinerary and did everything we sought out to do.

Step 1: Early lights out!

Step 2: Catch the sunrise!

Now back to Siem Reap: home of several blocks of tourist heaven, amazing street food, Khmer delicacy, cheap pasalubong, and very tourist-savvy Cambodians, this leg of our journey is almost like an R&R within an R&R, if that’s even possible. Where Thais are snobbish when you converse with in English and tried to bargain, the Cambodians are the opposite: they know how to speak and they know how to sell. I never imagined buying the typical Cambodia-Angkor Wat souvenir shirts for as low as 2 US dollars, but as it’s low season, the sellers are all willing to go wholesale, down sale. Jake didn’t need his superb bargaining skills here, show the slightest hesitation and the sellers will trip over themselves and chase after you to buy. It was heaven.

Siem Reap during low season is bargain heaven!

Fish massage!

I went home exhausted, with a mouth sore as big as a cent, anticipating a brutal day at the office when I return, but it was well worth it. I can’t say anything much anymore, but will end by thanking Therese, Jake and Roda, for making this trip a successful one.

Buh-bye

Cheers to two new countries visited before the year ends, and here’s to plenty of good memories to look back to when pressure at home becomes too unbearable.

17 days to go until Christmas!

Sounds like a nice enough lead to a human interest story contrasting how some men receive blows and then gain glory and millions, against some who undeservedly receive blows in a dirty street, inflicted by alleged drug addicts in the all too familiar case of “napagtripan“. I can even go on and cite some spectator theory on how society loves seeing fights, and eventually evolve to a social commentary on how tolerant (or desensitized?) we’ve become towards aggression, drugs, and small-town drunkards running amok destroying the peace.

But the man, who doesn’t even have an inch of Pacquiao’s boxing talent, happens to be my Kuya, and from here the entire thing becomes horrifyingly real, and ultimately heartbreaking.

Waking up late Sunday afternoon, Pacquiao’s fight a few minutes away, I checked my phone and was greeted with a foreboding 20 missed calls from my Ate, our eldest. Now family calling on weekends is quite normal, but 20, with the earliest at 6AM, made my heart lurch. I sent a quick SMS and she called no later than a minute afterwards. So I knew it was urgent, for one thing. But the chilling conversation made it very clear none of us in the apartment will be watching Pacquiao on TV.

Diche, our youngest, did most of the talking. Shouting, mostly, with my sister-in-law and Mom on the other line. Apparently, my Kuya was knocked unconscious near the bus terminal where he waits daily for his commute to work, and it was God’s providence that one trike driver who chanced upon the crowded mob that morning happened to be their neighbor; who quickly identified my Kuya and brought him to the nearest ER as fast as he could, before rushing over to Kuya’s house.

Kuya got stitches for the wounds and stabs he sustained and was thankfully discharged a few hours later from the ER; but was advised that he will need an ENT Specialist for his throat and neck area. It was horrifying, so unnatural, almost so impossible, that for the first time in a long while, I cried. I cried for one hardworking family guy who painstakingly clawed his way to have a home built for his family, now needing to spend several weeks bedridden and unable to go to work. I cried for my three nieces, who are now afraid to approach the bloodied, bruised, beaten form of their dad, whom they can hardly recognize. I cried because it was not fair and these things never happen to our family.

Kuya's wounds being dressed

Sadly, they do, and the only consolation we have now is that the wounds were not deep, there were no fatal wounds, and barring some scarring and God-forbid infection, he will heal. Amidst the furious and exclusively boxing-related Tweets and wall posts which dominated the social networks yesterday, I sneaked in a brief FB post on what’s happening on our end, and was rewarded by the support and compassion from some friends who saw what I posted. I was expecting one or two, but we got text messages and calls and prayers, and to me, that was enough.

Now I won’t even try to say a plight like my brother’s is the real thing and should eclipse Pacquiao’s efforts to bring glory to the country once more, only that, I really can’t fully grasp the debate on his much-contested victory, against the backdrop of the loss my family suffered on all levels. At least Pacquiao won, and he got lots of money. My Kuya went home scarred, more cash-strapped than ever, and with very slim possibilities of ever extracting justice against his aggressors. More than that, we’re now scared. So where and what time is now safe, and all these questions on safety bordering on paranoia.

So then all we have left is faith, prayers and caution. For the first time this evening, before I left for work, Diche called my Kuya and we were able to hear his voice, he can speak again! Pretty soon we were cracking jokes, and for some reason I advised him against eating bagoong and seafood, and converted the overwhelming relief into more jokes. As far as we’re concerned, the worst is over, and we can now move cautiously forward. Closing pic: our share of the good times.

That's Kuya with the white cap

Everything will be alright.

Some say inspiration comes when least expected; light is found at the end of the tunnel, that a writer writes best when brokenhearted (or puffing on ciggies? I need a citation here); and saging lang ang may puso, and all that shit. I’m blogging because since October 11 (last entry) I’ve neglected this blog and I will hate it a year from now if I allowed November to waste away without actually posting something for posterity.

Who am I kidding? I’m avoiding blogging since the stuff I really want to discuss are too confidential. Tagged under Office/Managerial Plans That Cannot Be Disclosed Because It’s My Job To Keep Mum And Be Trustworthy.

How I love to diss eternally about irate office workers, uncertainties and anxieties brought on by everyday yuppie events filed under corporate drama, and how I would sometimes pause shivering in the middle of the shift and almost scrawl “Get me out of here” across the computer screen. Using my fingernails.

Okay that’s gross. Maybe I’m just anxious because I have an upcoming trip. A huge news I’ve had since early October but that I’ve put off writing down, because to publish is the incriminate, and to put plans into text is to jinx. But what the hell, the way things are, all plans are looking jinxed anyhow, so here goes: I’m off to Bangkok for six days at the end of November! Whoopee! And the flooding has not ceased since and it’s now 80cm deep on some areas and Chao Phraya is near to overflowing, and Chatuchak Weekend Market is virtually kaput, and crocodiles, green mamba snakes and decomposing human legs have reportedly been found amidst the flood. So, yes, boo.

Love of Siam fueled my goal of touring Bangkok during Christmas season, not to mention the almost similar exchange rate, the amazing bargain finds, and the amazing bargain Thai men the country can offer. So it was with a triumphant roar that I jumped in to Therese’s (ex-HSBC officemate) invite to go BKK before December. So hurray for travel plans pushing through when you’ve surrendered all hope; boo for natural disasters getting in the way. Still, I’m praying for at least something dry and solid to walk on, and all reptiles and rodents to be gone by the time I arrive. I wouldn’t want to shop loads and bring home some bacteria-infested rats in the process.

So that’s plaguing my subconscious these past few weeks. The anxiety, the planning, the obsessive RRL on all relevant sites, drawing up an itinerary, and of course that part that hurts most: actually scrimping to replenish my card and have enough shopping money converted to Baht. So help me God.

Office dilemma, aaah. That is a continent on its own. Suffice to say that never have I hated being a Manager at this point in my work history, especially when it requires dashing a few hopes, eroding some expectations and ultimately cutting short a few careers. Still, I’m praying for a casualty-free deliverance, if that were possible, and meanwhile ignites my every work day with puny office humor, mindless bantering, jokes exchanged over dinner breaks, and the comfort of putting forth a strong front amidst work challenges. That’s that.

On sleepless nights, well it’s a given. Only that it’s down to a choice of either obsessing over Thailand, or agonizing over work, so pick your demon for the night is my usual insomniac mantra. Which I usually breeze through via DVD marathons at wee hours of the morning and junk foods; OR a good book and junk foods. Which now gets burned off by this daily routine I’ve started with the dumbbells and some weight-lifting. Inconsequential, but the thought of being fit is sometimes enough.

For now, that’s October and November’s dominant themes: anxiety over agony over uncertainties on money, work and travel.

What I’ve got left is a secure and comforting lovelife, and there’s no denying that it’s been my only salvation and relaxant: today we turn 38 months. Hurray for long terms!

But that exhausting first paragraph being the opening salvo, I’m on a blabber mode, so a few updates to past posts:

1. That additional credit card application is epic fail, with the lot of applications I’ve sent out being ignored (a week is usually a gentle reminder that CC companies might deem me too unstable, cash-strapped or otherwise irresponsible to be able to maintain more than one). Which is sad, because my top reason for trying to get a new one is to ensure immediate confirmation on seat sales, in order to grab next year’s low fare promos. Which is just as well, since:

2. I did manage to book flights online (my first time to do it, as usual) with an OTC payment with a pre-determined expiration date on payment, but sadly, only my grand ambitions at another out-of-the-country trip before the year ends took flight, but not the actual execution. Sched conflict, flight availability, and too poor planning-well being too poor, if it came to that-got in the way. BUT:

3. I have a new Blackberry phone! I’m 27 and my first time to have a postpaid subscription. Yeah, I suck at these things as usual, but I’m easily swayed, and an offer of a free BB provided I agree to a 24-month lock down period where I’m given unlimited surfing powers and more than enough load to last me for 30 days were the prime suspects at making me commit. I’m being eaten whole by all the apps and downloads and the actual marvel that is BBM and OMG wait for this: actually tweeting from a phone, but slowly getting the hang of it.

4. Jerwin signed up for a condo unit near Sucat. Our last week was spent being driven on oculars and model unit viewings, and a tempting 14-month wait before RFO (ready for occupancy) turnover (that’s December 2012 babeee!) along with DMCI’s resort-style execution of their projects clinched the deal. We’re thinking a weekend home while we maintain our Makati apartment, ambisyosa! Provided we save, and not buy anything and scrimp and NOT EAT FOR A YEAR, then all our grand furnishing and decorating plans might actually come true. Check it out: http://www.rhapsodyresidence.com/

5. What’s also new, and this on the funny side, was purchasing my first ever DVD set of Pinoy soap opera. I am now a proud owner of a 4-disc DVD collection of one of Kapamilya’s unforgettable teledramas: Iisa Pa Lamang. Katherine (Claudine), Isadora (Cherry Pie), Scarlett (Angelica Panganiban), and Aura (Susan Roces) breathed life to a Devil-Wears-Prada slash Gossip Girl level of bitching and scheming and killing, so my after-work hours (that’s 3am-7am kiddo) are filled with endless rewinds of memorable lines. Which reminds me, the most recent film I’ve watched with the same brand of bitchy retorts is Star Cinema’s No Other Woman (Anne vs. Christine? Cam Onst, pak na pak!). But nothing beats my JIRD’s favorite killer line. I can do no justice writing about it. Thus:

Have a high-kickin’ week, all!

So, I recently got hold of a copy of the Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Jack Black movie The Holiday, and this is my-for lack of a better term-LMS for the week. There’s an LSS and I have pangs of nostalgia over movies I really like, and Zombadings and Septic Tank aside, the settling in of the -ber months had me in a state of early Yuletide buzz, magnified and exacerbated by the very fictional but sigh-worthy escapism that this somehow old flick brings. What I like most about the film? The idea that there are sometimes very short moments in one’s life where all the pieces fit together snugly, and the stars align to make everything happen serendipitously. Romantic on the upper end and downright cheesy on the lower, I know, but that’s my reading of the film. Go and watch. Oh, and topping my list of reasons why I’m, digging this film is how dashing and cheeky Jude Law is in the movie. 

A few years ago, I was into Love Actually, and last year I cried over Love of Siam, both Christmas stories, so there, I’m mushy during Christmas, and the only thing missing is the cooler weather and the 13th month bonus and I’m all set to kick the Yule buzz into high gear. And with work starting to pile in and several insomniac nights weighing into my psyche, I’m all aching for some holiday release. Pfft. What do I watch at home whenever I’m craving some Awwww-worthy movie catharsis? Keira Knightley in Pride and Prejudice and Drew Barrymore in Ever After. Yup, extreme ewwness.

Oh and speaking of release, dancing has always been one avenue. Which is why I recently jumped at the chance when Doc Shelly, a gradeschool barkada, invited me to a reunion party at Republiq Club in Resorts World Manila. Extremely high-end and uncomfortably mostly standing-up and grinding-room only (since a couch may cost you up to P20,000 for a party of eight pax), I was shocked to realize I’m on courtesy lane and Lifestyles VIP guest list status as it is.

Ready to thump!

Party Rock is in the house tonight...

But then looking around at the ridiculously well-dressed and good looking crowd not caring whether they have a table, a couch or only their high-heeled soles for comfort, I was quickly thrown into the party atmosphere. Highlight of the night was seeing ASAP Fil-Aussie singer Vincent Bueno, grand champion of Musical! Die Show (Musical! The Show), who I’ve been crushing on incessantly.

I’ve recently applied for another credit card, for the simple reason that I go sad whenever I allow exciting online deals and airline seat sales pass me by. I shall bother with paying my long overdue and excessive HSBC card bill in due time, meanwhile I need to have my fill of more online splurging, especially now that Christmas approaches and our gradeschool barkada reunion in Bangkok has been pushed back to Q1 2012. Kids, don’t try being me, at home.

1. Miss Universe 2011 airs in less than seven hours. Shamcey Supsup is one of the stellar UP graduates to grace the Miss Universe stage, with Theresa Lecaros (Who didn’t place) as the most recent in memory. Online polls, predictors and hacklers are wooing Shamcey for a clear win, and the Philippine social network scene has seen to it she tops any online voting (which this year is made crucial by an online poll that secures a semi-finals slot for the winner). The Filipinos have been voting for a decade, surely we will not disappoint this year, when it’s most needed.

Shamcey Supsup, 25, Philippines!

So I say, Go Shamcey! Do better than Venus Raj and bring home the crown. I shall set my alarm for 9am and flip channels impatiently.

2. Back2Back2Black is the UP Pep Squad’s theme for this year’s UAAP Cheerdance Competition, a battle too vigilantly fought not only by the squad through the years of stunts, high-kicks and mind-boggling choreography, but the entire UP community who fights nail and tooth to defend, uphold and edify the undeniable talents of the squad. This year, UP defends its 2010 Champion tilt and takes on the Ka-Diliman theme with a mandate for the community to go black.

Back2back2black!

Makiisa sa ka-Diliman

Grapevine has it the squad will go blonde, clearly wry call for the much conservative competition to dare follow suit. History would tell how not only choreography, but stunts, lifts, and themes pioneered by the UP Pep have been copied (albeit disingenuously) by other squads. Three consecutive years in Araneta and there’s always bound to be a previous UP stunt bound to be copied, and then the UP crowd shall go “Boo” as one and scream its indignation.

Blondes are dumb?! Not in this school!

Yep, that’s how frantic UAAP Cheerdance fever is, and this year, I’m joined not only by Jake but by almost all my Mean Girls gang on our first ever Cheerdance date. The entire metro is abuzz with finding tickets now – legal or scalped, and hopefully if our contacts follow through, we’d have minimal hassle in the tickets area.

3. Andy Whitfield died today. Spartacus (Starz Network’s top-rated show) is no more, but will be replaced by a new Spartacus. Such a sad day that someone so gorgeous should lose it the cancer.

RIP, Andy. *sob

This entry will not indulge at cheesiness, nor will it allow for too lengthy rambling. Some say three years is a long time, and in the world where I live, almost impossible to achieve with minor cuts and bruises. But I’m proud to say we’ve held on and are still very much in love. I can’t even discuss chemistry, recipe for success, and quick tips to a fruitful relationship, for two people seldom spend three years without developing a knack for knowing what the other needs. And it’s funny since at this point, all I can offer by way of advice is simply this: you just do the best you can, and think of the reasons why you love the other.

For me, having someone who doesn’t hover, who spoils me in every which way, and is so patiently indulgent and attuned to my cravings, needs and demands are a major plus. In return I aim to be affectionate, upbeat and funny, the best tools I have in this game. The best compensation I guess, is going home after a tired day of work, and snuggling close to a familiar scent at the wee hours of the night, and being showered with kisses upon waking each morning.

Okay that went mushy overboard. I’ll stop, but as a closing salvo, here’s our favorite song. I sing this every time at the Videoke, not only because I sound better than the original, but because sometimes, things just click and last, and just keeps on getting better.

ILU.

Zombadings

I first saw Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington at its Cinemalaya Gala Premiere in CCP a few months back. Sitting at the topmost gallery of a jam-packed main theater is no mean feat, especially with an adulating crowd comprising not only of fag-lovers, but the cast, crew, support and early Zomba fanatics, who are prone to bursts of applause, jitters and ecstatic exclamations. The energy that night at CCP is an apt response to the delights a film like Zombadings offers. I very seldom share links or post movie-related feeds on social network, but I promoted Zombadings online as soon as I was able to. I was that high.

Now, after another two rounds of Zombadings at Glorietta 4 cinema, Same 10:25pm screening, same seats M23-M26 seats, different company, I can say the high continues. Looking over Twitter and the growing fan base over at the Zombadings FB fan page, I’m almost tempted to reply to complete strangers with “Bleh, napanood ko ang premiere, late reaction kayong lahat!” But I guess with a full house CCP screening, I can’t claim to exclusive rights over that one. So allow me my two-cents on this one, and I promise I’ll try to deviate from the pa-deep, pa-theoretical, pa-technical, the pa-subversive, and the pa-film critic reviews that proliferated online so far.

Simply put, this one delivered the goods. I was intrigued by the title, so a catchy title with easily identifiable beki word like Shokot, and a promising horror angle with the use of Zombadings, check. The curiosity deepens with the clever use of 1: “So there’s a part 2 this early? Is this Harry Potter watashi version?” are immediately asked. And then we go deeper with Remington, who was so succintly, thoroughly, accurately portrayed by Mart Escudero, I was enumerating a list of beki friends who do bekilor the way Mart did in the movie, concluding that therefore his acting is spot-on. I cracked up at the exquisite delivery of “Award”, “Echosera!” and “Bet ko ang bagels!” (Inside I was like, fuck, that’s exactly how I would  do it!), and wondered if I will ever believe Mart in a straight role. Any role with a hint of flamboyance will do; he must know that this level of gay acting is winneur. But I digress.

Story-wise, I tend to agree with the critics (and here I allow a bit of related literature) who deem the entire Zombadings angle a tad unnecessary. Or, they could have been given more prominence, and not relegated as an afterthought. After three runs, I had to admit that the “Maitawid lang angle” came to mind, as if the creators had no choice but to insert a revenge of the killer zombas scene, since it’s already been committed in title. You can feel it in the cinemas as well: the audience went flat during the zomba sequences, as if waiting for the next Remington transformation to emerge. Personally, I would have wanted the Zombadings to be the ones scaring Remington into gayness, as an initial read of the title will suggest, but that’s too essentializing.

 Some friends also didn’t like how the gay empowerment angle was approached, arguing that if the movie’s take was to emancipate, empower and to fight against a macho-dominated social inequality and abuse, then Remington should have been allowed to become fully gay, instead of introducing the straight-dad turned gay angle. But to this end I’m a bit more lenient, owing to the sci-fi horror comedy genre, and the subversions the movie so ingeniously aimed at: why not transfer it to dad Jon Regala, who had to atone for killing Mang Berting, so naturally, he takes on the curse. But to their point that Uge and Kuya Dick should have been given more exposure during the Zomba fight scenes I totally agree with, although I’m inclined to think these two are major stars here playing cameo/support and their contract with the film must have been confined to a few select scenes. At least they were there, and their magnetic screen presence was more than enough.

Some favorites:

• Remington’s toilet scene – at the crux of his transformation is his very obvious lapse into beki language, and when this scene culminated with the famous “Shutanginamels!” I applauded. Yep, three times.
• Remington’s Rainbow Dance – come on, he was bang-in-line in that one. The hip movements, the grinding, the butterfly wrists, the heart choreography was very Bed Malate, very Club Government, very Rainbow Malate (now Club Mafia).
• All of Eugene and Roderick’s scenes – short but up there. Them already! Sila na ang star! The rollerblade and “Charoterang isprikitik” sequences? Palong palo.
• Nar Cabico and Angelina Kanapi (Georgia and Mimi) – watch out, these two are scene stealers! Absolutely hilarious. Hindi nagpatalo. 
• Remington and Jigs’ hagdanan scene – I think this is bekidom’s favorite. Nuff said.

On what it aimed, what the underlying message is, how subversive the drowning out of Daniel Fernando’s gay-hate speech with the fiesta band is, I have no objections to other reviews. Technically (okay one sentence only!) the film could have done with a few tightening (shorten some of the Zomba and Lauren Young scenes, for instance), and the score should have been kept at a minimum to allow the dialogue to be understood. This I realized when it became apparent that audience laughter in Zomba cinemas linger way after the lines were delivered, so more volume.

Overall, a mighty film. In the sense that it offered a fresh take, used relatable gay lingo delivered with panache, and a brilliant actor in the middle to propel the story forward.  The film lingered, I believed; it touched some chords, sparked some beki pixie dust, so everyone’s on a high. Plus people are memorizing the killer lines, so they need to go see it again and again. Hooray for indie films hitting it big with audiences. Hopefully films like this will pique even more crowd curiosity on why indie films are important in the Philippines.

There has to be a “Zombadings 2: Chorvahin sa Kyemelar si Echoserang Frog” or something. Only challenge now, is how to step out of Zombadings 1′s successful shadow and avoid the redundancy a sequel sometimes brings.

It was exhilarating to step out of the country, if only for the grand experience of going through immigration, having the coveted stamps on our passports, and learning to survive via map for directions and broken English/sign language for survival, but Hong Kong proved to be a good spot for newbies Diche and I. Jerwin can be considered semi-newbie, he went to Hong Kong when he was a kid but barely remembers anything, so he added to the series of thrills, body aches, lost in translation, lost in transit stations, and frantic picture taking that we expended.

Chinese and English signs, whew!

While it’s true that Hong Kong is best sought for shopping, we barely store-hopped there; our activities from sun-up to down reserved for Macau on Day 1, Disneyland on Day 2, and Lantau Island on Day 3. We only stop to rest during sleep-time, lathering on Chinese menthol ointments and plasters after showering the grime off our bodies, and enjoying cheap cup noodles in our barely-functional hostel room. But it was fun as hell, and the itinerary, accommodations, and budget we held on to worth recommending to the various people who’ve been sending me Facebook messages since I’ve uploaded the pics, asking how we planned the entire thing.

But first things first, let me tell you that Diche and I studied extensively for the trip: we scoured Pinoy Exchange, Hong Kong for Dummies, Hong Kong Extras, the individual sites for the tourist spots, and even familiarized ourselves on the MTR maps as well as tips on how to deal with HK and Macau people. We had a lot of help, both from the Internet and friends who piled us with advice, plus Hong Kong itself, being a country so easy to navigate, helped us enjoy the entire experience.

Bright, identifiable, easy to find

Macau was our grandeur-entertainment-visual feast experience. A short boat ride from Tsim Sha Tsui ferry terminal where some passengers were trading vomit sessions due to motion sickness, a long and disorganized immigration line, and we were allowed to pass through: Macau and its brilliant hotels inside and out, gold tones, the marble lobbies and the opulence of the entire thing elicited a “Walang wala sa Resorts World” comment from us.

Marble, golden, statuesque and grand

In fact, we kept on saying that the entire trip. “Tae ang NAIA 3 compared sa HKIA”, “Move over Enchanted, Disneyland it is!”, and “Anong sinabi ng Baguio sa bumubugang fog ng Lantau?!” We explored TST that night and started on our first few shopping sprees.

Chinese-Portuguese fusion is luuurve

Disney, as expected, brought me back to the time when I was a young, in-denial fag drawing Disney princesses and memorizing Disney theme songs. I can sing the songs better now, but I quit on the Disney princess obsessions many years back. I cried when Nicolas Cage found the treasure in National Treasure, so imagine how my face bunched up when Rafiki sang the opening salvo to Circle of Life in the Lion King play.

That glorious Circle of Life

Same with the Golden Mickeys, a tribute to Disney hit songs performed Broadway-style. Disney, stage production numbers and lots of singing; I was in bliss. The Disney on Parade and the fireworks finale of course, are staple Disney delights, and they too didn’t disappoint.

Disney on stage

Yehey for grand parades!

Visual spectacle at its brightest

That same night we sampled Mong Kok night market, famous for its bargain super finds and tiangge sellers who will snap at you if you haggle but end up not buying. Same thing if you experience haggling, decide that their final price is expensive, and then walk away. Expect them to literally chase after you and drag you back to their stalls, acquiescing to your budget. I know, because I haggled for a HKD100 rubber belt for HKD50, which the lady insists is offered last at HKD70. When I walked away, she ran after me “Okay, okay fifty!!!” with Giselle shouting back “Forty! Forty! Bakit di mo ginawang HKD40?!” at me. So much for 12AM street bargain theatrics. We should have stuck to eating HK street foods.

A bustling night at Hong Kong

Day 3 saw our forage into cable car territory and possible swooning moments, just to experience Lantau, which I peg as our Chinese heritage experience, with the monasteries, incense burning, martial arts exhibitions, Giant Buddha and the foggy mountainside ambiance et al.

Definitely not Pinas

While Jerwin and Diche were holding on stiffly to the Crystal Cabin railings, I was loving the entire thing and was even lying face-down the glass flooring.

Giant Buddha!

The Giant Buddha steps was a welcome burner to all those calories we must’ve taken on eating street foods, while the chilly view of the mountain with fog blanketing us afforded that tranquility and calm that we missed after a searing Macau walking tour and a playful day spent at Disney.

Po Lin Monastery in gold and red

It was a frantic dash to complete all our pasalubong needs in the afternoon, traversing Hong Kong side and finding it too high-end, only to stick with Nathan Road and the tiangge environment we’ve grown to love. I guess next time I go back I’ll put Ocean Park, a tour of the Hong Kong side, and more time to explore the malls and the shops as next on the itinerary.

Not bad for my first try, eh?