The Meantime Girl

She`s the one you call when you`re bored because she makes you laugh. She`s the one you talk to when you`re feeling down because she`s willing to lend an ear and be a friend. She`s not the one you call when you need a date to your company`s Christmas party, or to go dancing with on a Saturday night. She`s the one you spend time with between girlfriends, before you find `The One`. You know, the one you keep in the MEANTIME.

She`s not one of the guys, not a tomboy, but you don`t look at her as a "real" woman, either. She`s not bitchy enough, moody enough, or sexy enough to be seen in the light. She`s too laid-back, too easily amused by the same things your male buddies are amused by. She`s too understanding, too comfortable. Doesn`t make you feel nervous or excited the way a `real` woman does. But she`s cool, nice and funny, and attractive enough that when you`re lonely and need intimate female companionship, she`ll do just fine.

You don`t have to wine and dine her because she knows the real you already, and you don`t have any facades to keep up, no pretense to preserve. You`re not trying to get anything of substance out of her. She`s not easy, but you know that she cares about you and is attracted to you. And you know that you don`t have to explain yourself or the situation, that she`ll be able to cope with the fact that this isn`t the beginning of a relationship or that there`s any possiblity that you have any real romantic feelings for her.

It won`t bother her that you`ll get up in the morning, put on your pants, say goodbye, and go on a date with the woman you`ve been mooning over for weeks who finally agreed to go out with you. She`ll settle for a goodbye hug and a promise to call her and tell her how the date went. She`s just so cool.. why can`t all women be like that?!

But deep down, if you really think about it (which you probably don`t.. because to you, the situation between the two of you isn`t important enough to merit any real thought) you know that it`s really not fair.

You know that although she would never say it, it hurts her to know that despite all her good points and all the fun you two have, you don`t think she`s good enough to spend any real time with. Sure, it`smostly her fault, because she doesn`t have to give in to your needs - she could really play hard-to-get. Bitch like the rest of them do, if she really wanted to. But you and she both know that she probably couldn`t pull it off. Maybe she`s too short, or a little overweight, or has big birthmark on her forehead, or works at Taco Bell, or just really not that type.

Whatever the reason, somehow life has given her a lot of really great qualities but has left out the ones that men want (or think they want) in a woman. So she remains forever the funny friend, the steadfast companion, the secret lover, and you go on searching for your goddess who will somehow be everything you ever wanted in a woman.

You`ll joke to her that she should be the best man at your wedding, and she`ll laugh and make a joke about a smelly rental tux.

She doesn`t captivate you with her beauty, or open doors with her smile.

Mainly, she blends in with the crowd. She`s safe. She doesn`t want to be the center of attention and turn the heads of everyone in the room. But she wants to turn someone`s head. She wants to be SPECIAL to someone, too. We all do.

She has feelings. She has heart. In fact, she probably has a bigger heart than any woman you`ve ever known because she`s had a front-row seat to The Mess That Is Your Life, and she likes you anyway.

She obviously sees something worthwhile and redeeming in you because although you`ve given her nothing, absolutely no reason to still be around, she is. - Anonymous


just got this from the web, and.. oh well...

Life Cycles

from an email sent by my bro, a very inspiring one, talagang nakakarelate ako

Life cycles

One always has to know when a stage comes to an end.

If we insist on staying longer than the necessary time, we lose the happiness and the meaning of the other stages we have to go through.

Closing cycles, shutting doors, ending chapters - whatever name we give it, what matters is to leave in the past the moments of life that have finished.

Did you lose your job? Has a loving relationship come to an end? Did you leave your parents' house? Gone to live abroad? Has a long-lasting friendship ended all of a sudden? You can spend a long time wondering why this has happened. You can tell yourself you won't take another step until you find out why certain things that were so important and so solid in your life have turned
into dust, just like that.

But such an attitude will be awfully stressing for everyone involved: your parents, your husband or wife, your friends, your children, your sister, everyone will be finishing chapters, turning over new leaves, getting on with life, and they will all feel bad seeing you at a standstill.

None of us can be in the present and the past at the same time, not even when we try to understand the things that happen to us. What has passed will not return: we cannot for ever be children, late adolescents,sons that feel guilt or rancor towards our parents, lovers who day and night relive an affair with someone who has gone away and has not the least intention of coming back.

Things pass, and the best we can do is to let them really go away. That is why it is so important (however painful it may be!) to destroy souvenirs, move, give lots of things away to orphanages, sell or donate the books you have at home. Everything in this visible world is a manifestation of the invisible world, of what is going on in our hearts - and getting rid of certain memories also means making some room for other memories to take their place.

Let things go. Release them. Detach yourself from them. Nobody plays this life with marked cards, so sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. Do not expect anything in return, do not expect your efforts to be appreciated, your genius to be discovered, your love to be understood.
Stop turning on your emotional television to watch the same program over and over again, the one that shows how much you suffered from acertain loss: that is only poisoning you, nothing else.

Nothing is more dangerous than not accepting love relationships that are broken off, work that is promised but there is no starting date, decisions that are always put off waiting for the "ideal moment." Before a new chapter is begun, the old one has to be finished: tell yourself that what has passed will never come back. Remember that there was a time when you could live without that thing or that person - nothing is irreplaceable, a habit is not a need. This may sound so obvious, it may even be difficult, but it is very important.

Closing cycles. Not because of pride, incapacity or arrogance, but simply because that no longer fits your life. Shut the door, change the record, clean the house, shake off the dust.

Stop being who you were, and change into who you are.

some Nice Thoughts To Ponder sent by my kuya


When someone lies to you it teaches you that things are not always as they seem. The truth is often far
beneath the surface. Look beyond the masks people wear if you want to know their heart. And remove your own masks to let people know yours.

When someone steals from you it teaches you that nothing is forever. Always appreciate what you have, for you never know when you might lose it. And never, ever take your friends and family for granted because today is the only guarantee you have.

When someone inflicts an injury upon you it teaches you that the human state is a fragile one. Protect and take care of your body as best you can, it's the only thing you are sure to have for as long as you live.

When someone mocks you it teaches you that no two people are alike. When you encounter people who are different from you, don't judge them by how they look or act; instead base your opinion on the contents of their heart.

When someone breaks your heart it teaches you that loving someone does not always mean that person will love you back. But don't turn your back on love because when you find the right person, the joy that one person brings will make up for all the past hurts put together. Times ten.

When someone holds a grudge against you it teaches you that everyone makes mistakes. When you are wronged, the most virtuous thing you can do is forgive the offender without pretense. Forgiving those who have hurt us is the most difficult and courageous thing Man can do.

When a loved one is unfaithful to you it teaches you that resisting temptation is Man's greatest challenge. Be vigilant in your resistance against all temptation. By doing so you will be rewarded with an enduring sense of satisfaction far greater than the temporary pleasure by which you were tempted.

When someone cheats you, it teaches you that greed is the root of all evil. Aspire to make your dreams come true, no matter how lofty they may be. Do not feel guilty about your success, but never let an obsession with achieving your goals lead you to engage in malevolent activities.

When someone ridicules you it teaches you that nobody is perfect. Accept people for their merits and be tolerant of their flaws. Do not ever reject someone for imperfections over which they have no control.

another inspiring email from ivy

learning about...

I've learned that, no matter what happens or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. You can't appreciate what's good if there are no bad

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.As long as you are alive, there's always a second chance

I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." Work to live, not live to work

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.Having pains is not the same as being pain in the ass.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.An open heart never lies and decides for the good of everyone involved

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But, if you focus on your family, the needs of others, and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.

I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.I know that even if there are times I feel tied, I'll lose my purpose of living if I lose my mom

I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.Life is about learning, through experiences, be it yours or others

a very inspiring email i got from ivy, thanks very much sis :)

PRAISE GOD FOR THE CLOSED DOORS


We need to learn to thank the Lord for closed doors as we do an open door.

The reason God closes doors is because He has not prepared anything over there for us. If he didn't close the wrong door we would never find our way to the right door. Even when we don't realize it, God directs our paths through the closing and opening of doors.

When one door closes, it forces us to change our course. Another door closes, it forces us to change our course yet again. Then finally, we find the open door and walk right into our blessing. But instead of praising God for the closed door (which kept our butt out of trouble), we get upset because we "judge by the appearances." And in our own arrogance, or ignorance, we insist that we know what is right.

We have a very present help in the time of need who is always standing guard. Because He walks ahead of us, He can see trouble down the road and HE sets up road blocks and detours accordingly. But through our lack of wisdom we try to tear down the roadblocks or push aside the detour signs.

Then the minute we get into trouble, we start crying "Lord how could this happen to me?"

We have got to realize that the closed door was a blessing. Didn't He say that "No good thing will He withhold from them that love him?"

If you get terminated from your job - don't be down, instead thank God for the new opportunities that will manifest themselves - it might be a better job, or an opportunity to go to school.

If that man or woman won't return your call - it might not be them, it might be the Lord setting up a roadblock (just let it go).

One time a person had a bank he had been doing business with for many years tell him "NO" for a $10,000 loan. The Lord led him to call another bank. That bank approved a $40,000 loan for him at a lower interest rate
than his own bank had advertised.

I'm so grateful, for the many times God has closed doors to me, just to open them in the most unexpected places.

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way." - Psalm 37:23.

The Mountain top is glorious, but it is in the Valley that I will grow!

Always Remember God gives you . . .

Enough Happiness to keep you Sweet
Enough Trials to keep you Strong Enough
Enough Sorrows to keep you Human
Enough Hope to keep you Happy
Enough Failure to keep you Humble
Enough Success to keep you Eager
Enough Friends to give you Comfort
Enough Wealth to meet your Needs
Enough Enthusiasim to make you look Forward
Enough Faith to banish depression, and
Enough Determination to make each day a better day than the last
Life must be lived forward ... but can only be understood backwards ...

just want to share an inspiring email i received about work and us, workers

WORK and YOU

FIRST:
Don't get the idea that you are ATLAS, carrying the world on your shoulder. The world would go on even without you. Don't take yourself so seriously.

SECOND:
Tell yourself that you like your work. Then it will become a pleasure, not a drudgery. Perhaps you do not need to change your job. Change yourself, and your work will seem different.

THIRD:
Plan your work-work your plan. Lack of system produces that "I'm swamped" feeling.

FOURTH:
Don't try to do everything at once. That is why time is spread out. Operate on what wise advice from the BIBLE. "This one thing I do". (One part at a time, we can accomplish any goal set for ourselves. Today, I will do one small task that will contribute toward the achievement of a life goal.)

FIFTH:
Get a correct mental attitude. Think a job is hard and you will make it hard. Think it easy, and it will tend to become so.

SIXTH:
Become an expert in your work. It is always easier to do a thing right.

SEVENTH:
Practice being relaxed. Easy always does it. Don't press or strain.

EIGHTH:
Do not put off until tomorrow that you can do today. It only makes tomorrow's job harder. It piles up on you. Keep your work on schedule.

NINTH:
At the start of everyday, PRAY about your work. You will get some of your best ideas that way.

TENTH:
Take along your "UNSEEN PARTNERS". It is surprising the load He will take off you. GOD is as much home in offices and shops as in churches. He knows more about your business than you do....

luma na itong email na ito, pero hindi naluluma ang mensaheng nakapaloob..

Jaguar

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar.

He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.

As his car passed, no children appeared.

Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door!

He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown.

The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing?

That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?"

The young boy was apologetic.

"Please, mister...please , I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do," He pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop..." With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car.

"It's my brother," he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up."

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat.

He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts.

A quick look told him everything was going to be okay..

"Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger.

Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar.

The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message "Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!"

God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us.

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

from ivy's email

To Whom It may concern:

There is a difference between being
an acquiantance and being a friend.

First, an acquaintance is someone whose name
you know, whom you see every now
and then, with whom you probably have
something in common, and around whom
you feel comfortable.

It's a person that you can invite to your home
and share things with.
But they are people with whom you wouldn't
share your life, whose actions sometimes
you don't understand because you don't know enough
about them...

On the other hand, a friend is someone you love.
Not that you are "in love" with him or her,
but you care about the person, and you
think about him or her when they are
not there.

Friends are the people of whom you are
reminded when you see something they might
like, and you know this because you know
them so well.

They are the people whose pictures you have
and whose faces are in your head
regardless.

They are the people you see in your mind when
you hear a song on the radio because they
made you go up to the person they like and ask
them to dance with them; or maybe YOU danced
with them, maybe they stepped on your
toes, or just put their head on your shoulder.

They are the people around whom you feel safe
because you know they care about you.
They call just to see how you are doing,
because friends don't need an excuse.

They tell you the truth--the first time--
and you do the same.
You know that if you have a problem, they are
there to listen.

They are the people who won't laugh at you
or hurt you, and if they do hurt you,
they try hard to make it up to you.

They are the people you love, regardless
of whether you realize it.

They are the people with whom you cried
when you got rejected from colleges
and during the last song at prom and
at graduation.

They are the people that when you hug them,
you don't think about how long to hug
and who's going to be the first one to let go.

Maybe they are the people that hold the rings
at your wedding, or maybe they are
the people that give you away at your
wedding, or maybe they are the people
you marry.

They are the people who cry
your wedding because they are happy,
or because they are proud, or because
they are so in love.

They are the people who stop you from
making mistakes and help you when
you do.

They are the people whose hand you
can hold, or you can hug or give them
a kiss and not have it be awkward,
because they understand the things you
do and they love you for them.

They stick with you and stand by you.
They hold your hand.
They watch you live, and you watch them
live, and you learn from them.

Your life is not the same without them.
These are your friends.
How many do you have?

* This is not a chain letter, this is from the heart.
Send it to the people who are your friends,
who used to be your friends,
who need friends,
or just those people who need something

got this from an email, this is so true

Did you know ???

Did you know that when you envy someone, it's because you really like that person?

Did you know that those who appear to be very strong in heart, are real weaklings and most susceptible?

Did you know that those who spend their time protecting others are the ones who really need someone to protect them?

Did you know that the three most difficult things to say are : I love you,Sorry and Help me. The people who say these are those who actually need them or really feel them, and they are the ones you really need to be treasured, because they have said it them.

Did you know that people who occupy themselves by keeping others company or helping others are the ones who actually need your company and help?

Did you know that those who dress in red are more confident in themselves?

Did you know that those who dress in yellow are those that enjoy thier beauty?

Did you know that those who dress in black, are those who want to be unnoticed and need your help and understanding?

Did you know that when you help someone, the help is returned in two folds?

Did you know that those who need more of you are those who did not mention it to you?

Did you know that it's easier to say what you feel in writting than saying it to someone in the face?But did you know that it has more value when you say it in the face?

Did you know that what is most difficult for you to say or do is much more valuable than anything that is valuable that you can buy with money?

Did you know that if you ask for something in faith, your wishes are granted?

Did you know that you can make your dreams come true, like falling in love, becoming rich, staying healthy, if you ask for it by faith, and if you really knew, you'd be surprised by what you could do.

from an email, very timely and applicable to me

The Secret

One day, one friend asked another,

"How is it that you are always so happy?

You have so much energy,

and you never seem to get down."



With her eyes smiling, she said,

"I know the Secret!"

"What secret is that?"

To which she replied,

"I'll tell you all about it,

but you have to promise to

share the Secret with others."



"The Secret is this:

I have learned there is little I can do

in my life that will make me truly happy.

I must depend on God to make

me happy and to meet my needs.

When a need arises in my life,

I have to trust God to supply

according to HIS riches.

I have learned most of the time

I don't need half of what I think I do.

He has never let me down.

Since I learned that 'Secret', I am happy."



The questioner's first thought was,

"That's too simple!"

But upon reflecting over her own life

she recalled how she thought a bigger house

would make her happy, but it didn't!

She thought a better paying job

would make her happy, but it hadn't.

When did she realize her greatest happiness?

Sitting on the floor with her grandchildren,

playing games, eating pizza or reading a story,

a simple gift from God.



Now you know it too!

We can't depend on people to make us happy.

Only GOD in His infinite wisdom can do that.

Trust HIM!

And now I pass the Secret on to you!

So once you get it, what will you do?



YOU have to tell someone the Secret, too!

That GOD in His wisdom will take care of YOU!

But it's not really a secret...

We just have to believe it and do it...

Really trust God!

an email from a man's perspective point of view

75 lessons that MUST be learned in relationships


1. If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away. If
he doesn't want you, nothing can make him stay.

2. Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior.

3. If you have ANY doubt in your mind about a man's
character, leave him alone.

4. Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from
heartache.

5. Stop trying to change yourself for a relationship
that's not meant to be.

6. Don't force an attraction.

7. Slower is better.

8. Never live your life for a man before you find what
makes you truly happy.

9. If a relationship ends because the man was not
treating you as you deserve then heck no you can't "be
friends." A friend wouldn't mistreat a friend.

10. Have faith in God regarding your relationship, but
don't let faith make you stupid. God does things
decent and in order.

11. Don't settle.

12. If you feel like he is stringing you along, then
he probably is.

13. If he keeps changing his mind about the
relationship--take that as a BIG sign that he is
unstable. Do you really want to be with a man like
that?

14. Don't stay because you think "it will get better."
You'll be mad at yourself a year later for staying
when things are not
better.

15. Honorable men take care of their business and
aren't involved in a whole lot of mess.

16. The only person you can control in a relationship
is you.

17. There's only one 'reason' a man dumps you; he
doesn't want you.

18. Avoid men who've got a bunch of children by a
bunch of different women. He didn't marry them when he
got them pregnant,
why would he treat you any differently?

19. You really do have to kiss a few frogs before
finding the prince.

20. Always put yourself and your happiness first.

21. Always have your own set of friends separate from
his.

22. Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you. If
something bothers you, speak up.

23. Like from the show Sex and the City, if he doesn't
call, he just isn't that interested.

24. Be honest and upfront.

25. Know when to cut the cord, don't be strung along.

26. Don't fall for the "I'm confused role". Remove
yourself from the situation to let him figure things
out (but don't wait for him, move on).

27. If you want to have a clue as to how he will treat
you, watch how he treats the WOMEN in his family (not
just mom).

28. There's more than physical abuse, there's
emotional and mental abuse. If he causes any of
them...flee.

29. You cannot change a man's behaviors. Change comes
from within.

30. Don't let him place rules on you that he is not
willing to follow himself -- double-standard.

31. Don't EVER make him feel he is more important than
you are...even if he has more education or in a better
job.

32. Do not make him into a quasi-god. He is a man,
nothing more nothing less.

33. Demand respect and if he can't give it, he can't
have you!

34. Don't compete with other woman, but be aware that
men are attracted to what they see.

35. If you think he is cheating, he probably is.
Confront him right away and if you feel he's lying,
let him go.

36. Actions speak louder than words.

37. Never let a man define who you are.

38. Never rely on a man for compliments, look to
yourself for that.

39. Never borrow someone else's man.

40. If he cheated with you, he'll cheat on you.

41. Just because he says he loves you, doesn't mean
that he won't hurt you and it doesn't mean that you
are meant to be with
him.

42. To use painful hard-won wisdom -- 'get it right'
the next time.

43. Know that you deserve to be the number one person
in the life of the #1 person in your life.

44. Love is a verb ...

45. Learn to give up your lifelong task of trying to
make someone unavailable-available, someone
ungiving-giving, and
someone unloving-loving.

46. A man will only treat you the way you ALLOW him to
treat you.

47. All men are NOT dogs.

48. You should not be the one doing all the bending...compromise is a two way street.

49. If you don't love self...you can't love anyone else.

50. You cannot mend someone else's broken heart.

51. You need time to heal between
relationships...there is nothing cute about
baggage...deal with your issues before pursuing a new
relationship.

52. You should never look for someone to COMPLETE
you...a relationship consists of two WHOLE
individuals...look for someone complementary...not
supplementary.

53. Dating is fun...even if he doesn't turn out to be
Mr. Right.

54. NEVER give more in a relationship than you are
getting out of it.

55. Never become your man's "therapist".

56. When actions and words conflict, believe the
actions. Respond to the actions.

57. A real healthy relationship requires two people.
One person can end it - but it takes two to make it
work.

58. Don't fall for the "I'm not the loving
type"...when a man loves you there is nothing in this
world (within reason) that he
wouldn't do for you.

59. Make him miss you sometimes...when a man always
know where you are, and you're always readily
available to him he takes it for granted.

60. Give him his space...let him go out with his boys,
don't pressure him to spend time with you, You cant
force a man to hang out with you.

61. If you wouldn't allow your daughter to be with him
you shouldn't.

62. Never let a man know everything. He will use it
against you later.

63. Never move into his mother's house.

64. Provide financially for yourself and don't depend
on anyone.

65. Never co-sign for a man.

66. Never believe you have the perfect guy and he is
so innocent.

67. Never spoil your man; let him spoil you.

68. Never let a man mess up your credit.

69. When it's time to let go; let go.

70. Good men should be treated like good men.

71. Don't play games.

72. You can't make a whore into a housewife - or
husband.

73. Don't fully commit to a man who doesn't give you
everything that you need. Keep him in your radar but
get to know others.

74. Compatibility in terms of educational attainment,
values, beliefs, personal and career goals, and
socioeconomic status, are important.

75. Never date a guy who wears colored contacts. :p

from an email

The Gift

A young man thought of buying a gift for his girlfriend. After such deliberation he finally settled into buying a pair of gloves. He asked his sister to accompany him to the ladies shop to make his purchase. His sister bought 2 panties for herself. The two packages were mixed up on the counter so his sister got the gloves. The young man sent the package to his sweetheart not knowing the contents of the package were the 2 panties his sister bought for herself. Together with the package came the note.

Dear Sweetheart,

This gift is to tell you that I am keeping in touch for your birthday. I chose this gift to replace the one I tore during our first date, because since then you have not been in the habit of wearing any when we go out on evenings.

If it had not been for my sister, I would have bought the short one. The saleslady from whom I bought them showed me the pair she was wearing. She told me that she had been wearing them for three consecutive weeks and it had not been soiled at all. It was very soft to touch.

I asked the saleslady to wear it and it looked very nice on her. I do not know your exact size but I thought I am in a better position than any one to guess since I hold yours most of the time.

They will naturally be a little deep to wear and sometimes will have the tendency to smell, so put a little talcum powder before you wear them.

Be sure to keep them off while cleaning for they are liable to shrink. I hope you will accept them with the thought that I gave them to you. Please wear them on Friday evenings so I will always have the pleasure of removing them.

Always,

Honey

P.S. I will look forward to kiss the front as well as the back of them. The saleslady said that the latest style is wearing them unbuttoned to give the carefree look. If they are small, send them back to me so I could stretch them by putting them on mine. Don't forget to put my favorite scent on. I love you....

i just want to share this email that i received last tuesday.. di ko lang naipost dahil mejo bc ang beauty ko..

This play won in the palanca awards, dulaang isang yugto category (daw).
Twenty Questions
Ni Juan Ekis
MGA TAUHAN
Jigs - Fresh grad. Kabarkada ni Yumi. Magtatrabaho bilang researcher sa isang financial firm
Yumi - Commercial Model. Kabarkada ni Jigs. 2 years ahead kay Jigs.
TAGPO
Gabi. Sa isang kwarto ng isang beach resort. Naglalatag ng kumot si Jigs sa sahig habang inaayos ni Yumi ang kanyang higaan.
YUMI Sige na, Jigs. Huwag ka nang magpaka-gentle man. Naaawa ako sa¹yo e. Tabi na tayo sa kama.
JIGS Hindi, okay lang ako dito.
YUMI Huwag ka nang maarte. As if naman re-rapin kita no. Malaki naman itong kama e. Hatiin na lang natin sa gitna.
JIGS Sure ka?
YUMI Hindi mo naman siguro ako mamanyakin no?
JIGS (Matatawa) Okay ka lang?
YUMI Kung gusto mo, gamitin na lang natin iyang kumot na divider.
JIGS Good idea.
Isasampay nila ang kumot mula sa kisame para mahati ang kama sa gitna. Magsesettle down ang dalawa. Ilalabas ni Jigs ang libro niya: ³Puppy Love and other Stories² ni F. Sionil Jose. Si Yumi naman ay magpapatugtog ng Japanese Zen Music habang nagsa-zazen.
YUMI Do you mind?
JIGS No, go ahead. I¹m just reading.
Magsa-zazen si Yumi. Magbabasa si Jigs. Pareho silang di maka-concentrate. Papatayin ni Yumi ang CD player niya.
YUMI I can¹t believe our friends.
JIGS Oo nga e.
YUMI Dapat ginagawa nila ?to sa mga bagong pasok sa barkada o kaya sa bagong...ay oo nga pala. Bagong graduate ka. Congrats.
JIGS Thanks.
YUMI So what¹re your plans?
JIGS Kinukuha akong researcher sa ADB. Kinukuha rin ako ng BPI sa OTP nila.
YUMI Wow naman. In demand.
JIGS Di naman masyado. Who the hell invented this tradition anyway?
YUMI (Matatawa) You won¹t believe it.
JIGS Ikaw?
YUMI Malay ko ba na mabibiktima rin ako nito balang-araw.
JIGS So why did you start it?
YUMI Wala ka pa sa tropa nun e. Freshman ka pa lang siguro noon. Wala lang. Napagtripan lang namin si Ronald. E may crush siya kay Meg. Noong unang beses magpunta rito ng barkada, sabi ko, magsimula kami ng
tradition. Ilo-lottery namin ang pangalan ng mga lalaki at ng mga babae. Kung sino ang mabubunot, silang dalawa ang pagsasamahin sa isang kwarto sa loob ng tatlong araw. And then, we¹ll all see what happens. Pero dinaya namin noon yung kay Ronald at Meg. Puro Ronald at Meg ang mga pangalan na nakalagay sa lottery.
JIGS (Tatawa) Ang sama ninyo!
YUMI Kaya nga nakarma na ako e.
JIGS So is our case, dinaya? O talagang lottery?
YUMI (Teasing) Ano sa dalawa ang gusto mo?
JIGS Feeling ko may nagtrip sa¹kin sa barkada e.
YUMI Excuse me po, dalawa tayong biktima dito. I don¹t see any reason kung bakit tayong dalawa ang sasadyaing biktima this year, unless may crush ka sa¹kin na di ko alam at alam nila (tatawa).
JIGS Baka ikaw (tatawa).
YUMI The success rate of this tradition is 100% so far.
JIGS I was here na the 2nd time. Si Chris at si Cia ang biktima.
YUMI And last year were Rod and Kay. They¹re getting married kailan?
Sa June yata.
JIGS What do you expect? Ikukulong mo ang isang lalaki at isang babae sa isang kwarto for three days, imposibleng walang mangyari doon!
YUMI That was exactly my point. (Ngingiti)
JIGS E kung may madisgrasya?
YUMI Ano¹ng disgrasya?
JIGS Alam mo na ?yun!
Hahawiin ni Yumi ang divider nilang kumot.
YUMI Ano? Sex? Pa¹no kung magsex sila? Nakakatawa ka naman. Di mo masabi.
JIGS Ang alin?
YUMI Ang sex!
JIGS Hah!
YUMI Sige nga sabihin mo nga?
JIGS Para kang tanga. Tumigil ka nga.
YUMI Shet, Jigs. Graduate ka na totoy ka pa rin!
JIGS Excuse me?
YUMI Sabihin mo nga: ³Sex! Sex! Sex! Sex!²
JIGS Para kang bata, Yumi ha.
YUMI You used to call me ate Yumi when you were in third year.
JIGS Well, graduate na po ako, ate Yumi.
Tahimik.
JIGS Hmmm. I wonder if we¹re gonna last three days.
YUMI (Teasing) Bakit? Ayaw mo sa¹kin?
Di sasagot si Jigs.
YUMI We¹re gonna survive this one.
JIGS What makes you so sure?
YUMI No offense, Jigs. I honestly find you very attractive pero I¹ve no time for this. Alam mo naman siguro na kaka'
JIGS Same here.
YUMI Same here what? Na you find me attractive o you don¹t have time for this? (Matatawa)
Di sasagot si Jigs. Tahimik. Io-on ulit ni Yumi ang CD player at ipagpapatuloy ang zazen. Itatabi ni Jigs ang libro. Nawalan na siya ng ganang magbasa. Pupunta siya sa ref. Bubuksan niya ito.
JIGS Hah! (Sarcastic) Perfect! Red Wine! How very conducive.
YUMI May chips ba diyan?
JIGS Sa awa ng Diyos, may tsibog naman.
Papatayin ni Yumi ang CD player. Tatayo siya at kukuha ng chips sa ibabaw ng ref.
YUMI Since we¹re gonna be stuck naman with each other for three days, might as well make the best out of it di ba? I-enjoy na lang natin.
JIGS What do you mean?
YUMI Get the wine, let¹s have a drink! 50 hours to go na lang and we¹re gonna be the first failure of this tradition.
JIGS Oo nga. (Kukunin ang wine. Maglalagay sa dalawang baso.) When they chose Cia and Chris, naiintindihan ko pa e. Lalo na sina Rod and Kay. Kung baga, tinulungan lang natin silang umamin sa isa¹t isa. Pero us...
YUMI Weird ng barkada natin no?
JIGS To our barkada and our weird traditions!
YUMI To us, the first failure of this tradition!
Magto-toast sila at iinom.
JIGS Sige, ate Yumi. Let¹s make our stay here more interesting...
YUMI What¹s with the ate?
JIGS Fine...
Bubuksan ni Yumi ang chips. Uupo sila pareho sa sahig para
magkwentuhan.
JIGS Let¹s play twenty questions.
YUMI Sige! Ano yon?
JIGS Each of us will have ten questions each. Tatanungin kita, tatanungin mo ako, mga gusto nating malaman sa isa¹t isa. Alternate tayo. Pero the thing here is, you can¹t ask the question that I already asked.
YUMI That¹s pretty interesting.
JIGS At bawal magsinungaling.
YUMI Fair enough. Pero whatever is said inside this room remains in the room. Ok?
JIGS Of course. You wanna start?
YUMI No. I want to ask the last question. (Ngingiti at kikindatan si Jigs)
JIGS Smart move. Game. First question: Ano ang greatest frustration mo sa buhay?
YUMI Nge. Ang korni naman ng tanong mo. Walang ka-challenge-challenge. Ask me something na mag-iisip naman ako.
JIGS Simula pa lang e.
YUMI Sige. Ano nga ba...?
JIGS Akala ko ba walang ka-challenge-challenge?
YUMI Wag kang maingay, nag-iisip ako...I¹m a frustrated ballet dancer.
JIGS Talaga?
YUMI I took lessons when I was six pero umayaw ako. Wala kasi akong disiplina e. Mas gusto kong makipaglaro sa mga kalaro ko. Pero I really enjoy watching ballet dancers. When I see them dance parati kong naiisip na sana, ako rin. There! Ang dali naman ng tanong mo. Walang thrill.
JIGS Appetizer lang. Yari ka sa¹kin mamaya.
YUMI We¹ll see. Ako naman: Did you ever have doubts about your sexuality? I mean, kahit minsan ba, naisip mo na bakla ka?
JIGS Never.
YUMI Bilis ng sagot a.
JIGS Coz I never entertained the idea.
YUMI Homophobe ka ba?
JIGS Alternate tayo sa tanungan, di ba?
YUMI So, not once? Kahit konti? Kahit what if lang?
JIGS I¹m straight, okay?
YUMI I¹m not asking if you¹re gay or not. I¹m asking kung...
JIGS Never nga.
YUMI We all thought na you were gay. Well at least nung first few months mo sa tropa before you introduced your girlfriend to us.
JIGS What?! You thought I was gay?!
YUMI E pa¹no kasi, masyado kang mabait. Ang pogi-pogi mo, pero parang allergic ka sa mga babae. Over ang pagiging gentleman mo. Too good to be true. You have a good body, it seems that you work out pero iniisip namin front mo lang yun. Kadalasan kasi front ng mga bakla ang pagiging maganda ng katawan nila at pagiging sporty...
Tatawa lang si Jigs.
YUMI So we thought it¹s either that or you were planning to become a priest.
JIGS What?!
YUMI Well, you were always this goody-goody person. Pumupunta ka sa chapel. Nangungumpisal, nagsisimba...
JIGS The way you said it, parang equivalent ang dalawa a.
YUMI Of course not. I didn¹t mean that!
JIGS I take my faith seriously. That doesn¹t make me gay!
YUMI So you did want to become a priest...
JIGS Hindi rin. Actually, I always wanted to raise a family...and be a father.
Tahimik.
YUMI So you¹re not gay.
JIGS No.
YUMI You never...
JIGS Ilang beses ka ba ipinanganak? Kulit mo e. It¹s my turn.
YUMI Homophobe ka no?
JIGS Hindi kaya!
YUMI Whatever...
JIGS Ako na, daya mo naman e.
YUMI Okay, okay. Shoot me.
JIGS How do you see yourself five years from now?
YUMI You expect to win this game? Ang kokorni ng mga tanong mo e.
JIGS The object of this game is not to win.
YUMI E ano pa ba?
JIGS To get to know the other person.
YUMI Sure. Basta ako, I will win this game. Walang thrill ang isang game kung walang nananalo.
JIGS Sagot.
YUMI May time limit ba ?to? (Tatawa) Wine pa nga.
JIGS Sabi nga nila: in vino veritas.
Magsasalin si Jigs ng wine.
YUMI Masarap ang wine, ha? Saan kaya nabili ito? (Iinom) To answer your question, either maging entrepreneur ako, magsisimula ako ng sarili kong botique or bar, o kaya, magiging artista ako sa pelikula.
JIGS Not bad.
YUMI Pero mukhang malabo yung stint ko sa movies. Tough ang competition e. Saka mahina ang manager ko. Panay hosting at pictorials ang nakukuhang raket para sa akin. Papalitan ko na nga e. Pag nakaipon ako, baka magtayo na lang ako ng botique.
JIGS (Magbibiro) Ayaw mo mag-bold?
YUMI Yuck!
JIGS Lahat ng gustong mag-artista doon dumadaan.
YUMI May talent naman ako kahit papano a!
JIGS Lahat naman ng bold star may talent a! Sa dibdib! (Tatawa)
YUMI (Hahampasin ng unan si Jigs) Bastos ka talaga! Akala ko goody-goody ka..Hindi ko papatulan ang pagbobold kahit ano¹ng mangyari no! Kahit ganito ako, may respeto pa rin naman ako sa sarili ko.
JIGS Ganito? Ano¹ng ganito?
Di sasagutin ni Yumi ang tanong.
YUMI These producers think all the people want is sex, sex, sex! Kaya puro basura ang mga pelikula e. Wine pa nga!
JIGS (Magsasalin ng wine) Bakit naman botique?
YUMI Hoy madaya ka na ha? Hindi pa ako lasing. Ako na¹ng magtatanong. Ang korni mo namang magtanong. Bigatan naman natin nang konti...Inom ka muna.
Iinom si Jigs. Magsasalin siya ng bago.
YUMI Who was your first crush in the barkada?
Tahimik.
YUMI Haha! Bingo ka no? Bagal mo naman sumagot.
Iinumin ang wine. Magsasalin ng bago.
JIGS Lalaki o babae?
Tatawa sila pareho.
YUMI Dapat may time limit ito e.
Tahimik.
JIGS Hirap naman ng tanong mo.
YUMI Iyon nga ang maganda e. Para may thrill. As if naman ibo-broadcast ko sa barkada kung sino.
JIGS Wine pa?
YUMI Di mo pa sinasagot yung tanong ko, nagtatanong ka na!
Magsasalin ng wine si Jigs kay Yumi.
JIGS Yung crush ko kasi...siyempre, sino pa ba? E di yung pinakamaganda sa barkada.
YUMI Nge. Subjective yon no! Para sa¹kin ang pinakagwapo si Joel. Sa babae, si Kay. Para kay Ronald, si Meg...
JIGS Yung literally na may dating'walang tanung-tanong. Yung kahit sino¹ng tanungin mo sa tropa, objectively, siya ang isasagot.
YUMI Jigs, twenty questions ang game natin. Hindi guessing game. C¹mon man. Play your own game. Pa¹no na kung truth or dare to e di pahirapan na. Dadalawa na nga lang tayo e.
JIGS Yung commercial model.
Matitigilan si Yumi.
YUMI Wine pa nga.
Magsasalin si Jigs. Mag-iisip si Yumi. Iinom. Biglang matatawa.
YUMI (Tumatawa pa rin) Talaga?
JIGS Sige, pagtawanan ba?
YUMI You can say it to my face, I won¹t bite. Bakit hirap na hirap kang sabihin kung sino? Takot kang ma-reject? Parang tanong lang e...Wine pa nga!
JIGS Okay, 1 point ka na...
YUMI (Ngiti) Gee...thanks. Flattered naman ako. At kailan naman nangyari ito?
JIGS Sorry, my turn to ask. (Ngingiti) Who is your crush in the barkada...NOW?
YUMI E ginaya mo lang yung tanong ko e.
JIGS Hinde no. May qualifier ako. Ang sabi ko, NOW. Ang tanong mo, first crush ko.
YUMI Korni pa rin. Alam mo, kung basketball ?to, tambak ka na.
JIGS Just answer the question.
YUMI Siyempre wala. I told you, I don¹t have time for these stuff. Kakabreak ko lang di ba?
JIGS Korni mo namang sumagot.
YUMI E korni yung tanong e. Pero kung talagang-talagang kailangan kong sumagot...hmmm...teka...sino nga ba? Sino ba¹ng crush material sa barkada? Wala akong maisip e. Ikaw na lang.
JIGS Yung seryoso naman.
YUMI Seryoso ako. Ayaw mo yata e. Sige, iba na lang...
JIGS E napipilitan ka lang e.
YUMI Uy! Pa¹no ba¹yan? MU na tayo? Crush mo ko, crush kita...yiheee
(Tatawa).
JIGS Dati pa ?yon no!
YUMI Ay? Di mo na ko crush? Bakit, na turn-off ka? Ano namang ginawa ko? Tsk. Tsk.
JIGS Is that your question na?
YUMI Oy, hinde! Ito naman...di ba pwedeng mag-follow-up?
Iinom ng wine si Jigs.
YUMI Fine. Here¹s a little juicy question: Describe your first kiss.
JIGS That¹s not even a question.
YUMI Arte mo. O: How was your first kiss like?
Matatawa si Jigs.
JIGS Wet.
YUMI Yuck!
Magtatawanan sila.
JIGS Alam mo, aksidente yung first kiss ko. Close kasi kami nung isa kong kaibigan. Pag naggu-goodbye ako sa kanya, parati ko siyang kini-kiss sa noo. E one time, sa gym habang nagpapahinga, nakaupo siya sa sahig. Tinatamad siyang tumayo. So bumaba ako nang konti para halikan siya sa noo kasi pauwi na ako. E siya naman, para maabot ko, medyo tumingala. E sakto, sa lips ko siya nahalikan. Pareho kaming nagulat. Pero di pa kami naghiwalay agad. Weird nga ang feeling e. Parang may glue. Ayaw na namin maghiwalay pareho...
Tawa pa rin si Yumi
YUMI Awww. Ang sweet naman. Parang sa pelikula. Si Krissy ba ?to?
JIGS Hindi. Hindi mo siya kilala.
YUMI So what happened? Nagkatuluyan kayo?
JIGS Nope.
YUMI Ha?
JIGS Ewan ko ba. Complicated kasi yung situation namin e. May boyfriend siya noon. Ako naman, takot pa sa isang relationship. Pero at least, na-discover namin na pareho pala kaming may gusto sa isa¹t isa. Pero hanggang doon na lang.
YUMI What happened after?
JIGS We talked about it. We both decided na it wont work. Tapos, bigla na lang, hindi na kami nagkikita. And then, I met you guys, iba na ang barkada ko.
YUMI Nakakatuwa naman.
JIGS Ikaw, pa¹no yung first kiss mo?
YUMI Ikaw ang nagturo sa akin ng game na ito di ba? Bakit ba lagi mong bini-break ang rules? Di mo na pwedeng tanungin ?yan!
JIGS Tine-testing ko lang kung lasing ka na. (Iinom ng wine) Okay, naka-warm-up na ako: What was the naughtiest thing you ever did?
YUMI ?Yan ang mga tanong! Ano ba¹ng ibig mong sabihin ng naughty?
JIGS Bahala kang mag-define.
YUMI Hmmm...marami e...(matatawa) baka maeskandalo ka.
JIGS Kanina ayaw mo ng korni. Ngayong medyo exciting naman...
YUMI Eto na...I had two boyfriends at the same time.
JIGS (Nagulat) Hala.
YUMI I was with Joel and Zach at the same time.
JIGS Yikes. Alam ba ni Joel?
YUMI Kaya nga kami naghiwalay nun e. Nahuli ako (matatawa).
JIGS Ano namang pumasok sa kukote mo¹t ginawa mo ?yon, aber?
YUMI Nag-eexperiment lang ako. E sa type ko sila pareho e. Ano¹ng magagawa ko? Saka para may thrill. Alam mo yon? Yung patago kang nakikipag-date sa isa para di mahuli. Everyday pa akong nakakalibre, kasi, alternate sila! (Tatawa) Akala n¹yo kayo lang mga lalaki ang pwedeng gumawa no¹n?
JIGS How can you love two guys at the same time?
YUMI Who said something about love? Walang kinalaman ang love dun. I was...having fun!
JIGS Nainlove ka na ba, ever?
YUMI Nakakailang tanong ka na? It¹s my turn.
JIGS Don¹t you want to answer the question anyway?
YUMI My turn!
JIGS Kulang ka pa sa wine. (Tatawa)
Ubos na ang unang wine bottle. Kukuha si Jigs ng isa pa sa ref.
JIGS Ang bilis nating uminom a.
YUMI Are you still a virgin?
JIGS Whoa! Where did that come from?
YUMI That¹s my fourth question.
JIGS (Magsasalin ng wine sa mga baso). Ano sa tingin mo?
Ngingiti si Jigs. Tititigan lang siya ni Yumi.
YUMI Don¹t tell me, wala pang nangyayari sa inyo ni Krissy hanggang ngayon? Ilang taon na ba kayo?
JIGS Mag-tu-two years na sana next week.
YUMI So virgin ka pa? I don¹t believe it!
JIGS Mukha ba akong tarantado?
YUMI Mukha kang nagpapaiyak ng babae e.
JIGS Insulto ba ?yon?
YUMI Compliment ?yon, tanga.
JIGS Ah, okay. Thanks.
YUMI Pero, you mean, you never felt the urge to do it?
JIGS Alin? Sex?
YUMI Wow! Nasabi rin niya!
JIGS Of course I always feel it. Natural lang ?yon sa tao no? Nasa iyo na lang ?yan kung ano¹ng gagawin mo sa urge na ?yon.
YUMI E natural naman pala e. Bakit mo pinipigilan? I mean, pag naiihi ka, iihi ka. Pag nagugutom ka, kakain ka. Pareho lang ?yon, di ba?
JIGS Pag naiihi ka, iihi ka dahil kailangan mong umihi. At hindi ka iihi kahit saan. Pupunta ka sa banyo. Pag nagugutom ka, kakain ka dahil kailangan. At hindi mo kinakain ang lahat ng pagkain na ihain sa iyo. Pag di ka gutom, di ka kakain. Pag di mo gusto yung pagkain, di mo gagalawin. Ang aso, pag may nakitang pagkain diyan, walang tanung-tanong. Lalamon ?yan.
YUMI And sex is the same?
JIGS Lahat ng bagay, nilalagay sa lugar. May context. At least, yun ang nagpaiba sa atin sa aso.
YUMI Grabe ka namang magsalita. Para mo na ring sinabing lahat ng nakikipagsex, aso ah!
JIGS Sinasabi ko lang, pag wala sa tamang konteksto, mali.
YUMI And what is that context?
JIGS Matanda na tayo. Ayokong maging preachy. Alam na natin ?yan.
Tahimik.
JIGS Kaso, kahit alam na natin, minsan di pa rin natin ginagawa.
Tahimik.
JIGS Masarap e. Sino ba¹ng ayaw nun?
Tahimik.
YUMI (Medyo nairita) So feeling mo santo ka at dapat kang i-congratulate for being a virgin!
JIGS Sinasabi ko lang ang pinaniniwalaan ko. Ineexplain ko lang kung bakit di ko ginagawa. May kanya-kanya tayong dahilan. Di ko pinipilit kahit kanino ang mga paniniwala ko...No need to get so cross about it, Yumi.
Tahimik.
JIGS It¹s not about being a virgin or not. It¹s about putting things into their proper places.
YUMI I¹m not arguing with you.
JIGS Me neither. I¹m just answering your questions.
Matagal na katahimikan.
Ngingiti si Jigs. Titignan niya si Yumi na medyo nairita sa nakaraang train of conversation nila. Magsasalin siya ng wine para kay Yumi.
JIGS Nasobrahan ka na yata sa wine e. (Tatawa) You still wanna go on with the game? Nine pa lang tayo, eleven more to go. (Ngingiti)
YUMI Shoot me.
JIGS Who was your first lay?
YUMI (Hahampasin ng unan si Jigs) Ang bastos mo talaga! So inaassume mo na hindi na ako virgin?
JIGS E sabi mo kasi, walang thrill ang game pag walang nananalo e. So I guess I¹m winning. Saka wala naman akong inimply na ganun a! I¹m just hitting two birds with one stone. Kasi kung virgin ka, e di simple lang ang sagot: wala. Kung hindi naman, e di sino?
YUMI Ang daya mo.
JIGS Akala ko ba ayaw mo ng korning tanong.
YUMI You think I¹ll answer that after giving your sermon, Father Jigs?
JIGS Ano ka ba? Inexplain ko lang yung personal reasons ko. Kung ano man ang sa iyo, I¹ll respect them as well as I know you respect mine. I¹m no saint. I¹m just trying to get to know you better. (Ngingiti)
YUMI How do you do that?
JIGS Alin?
YUMI I should have walked out on you kanina pa pero the way you say things..parang bumabaliktad sa¹yo...makes you more...charming. Kung ibang tao ka siguro, di na kita kakausapin.
JIGS You can¹t walk out. We¹re locked here for three days except for meals.
YUMI So I¹m forced to like you para di masira ang vacation ko. (Ngingiti)
JIGS You don¹t have to answer my question if you don¹t want.
YUMI I guess I¹ll be honest with you as you were honest with me...
Tahimik. Iinom ng wine si Yumi.
YUMI Di mo siya kilala. His name was Robert. He was my first boyfriend. It was Senior Prom Night. Alam mo na...typical senior prom story. Everyone wants to lose it on prom night. Everyone thinks na pag prom night, it was something special. We went out sa hall nang maaga. We made out sa kotse niya. One thing led to the other. Tapos, yun...yun na. We went back just in time for the awarding of the prom queen. Guess what, I won pa. (Mahinang tawa)
JIGS What was it like?
YUMI Now that I look back, it isn¹t as special as I thought it was. Pero it was different then. Back then, we were just led by our passions. Alam mo yon? Andun ka na. Hormones raging wild. Passions and Ideals are confused. Akala mo love, yun pala, curious ka lang pala. Akala mo yun na yon. Akala mo you are in-love at lahat ng gawin mo tama. Lahat ng gawin mo perfect. Everything was magical...well, almost.
JIGS Almost...?
YUMI Sa next question mo na ?yan. Ako na.
JIGS (Pabiro) Wine pa? Kulang ka pa yata e.
YUMI Nilalasing mo ko no? May balak ka sa¹kin no? (Tatawa)
JIGS Is that your question? Sasagutin ko na. (Tatawa)
YUMI Engot. Hindi ?yon. Here¹s something na curious lang ako. Kasi I¹ve been hearing things...saka you¹ve hinted on it na rin kanina...Are you still with Krissy?
JIGS Hindi na.
YUMI Since when?
JIGS Two, maybe three weeks ago?
YUMI Sino¹ng nakipag-break?
JIGS Pareho kami.
YUMI Why?
JIGS Maraming dahilan, actually. Naisip na lang namin na it won¹t work. Isa na do¹n, magkaiba kami ng gustong mangyari sa buhay. Magkaiba kami ng mga pinaniniwalaan.
YUMI Like what?
JIGS Marami.
YUMI At ngayon mo lang nalaman iyon after two years with her?
JIGS People change, Yumi.
Tahimik.
JIGS Right before graduation, she asked me to move in with her.
YUMI Talaga?
JIGS Sabi niya, doon na naman din daw papunta ang relasyon namin. Might as well practice na raw for the real thing. Tutal, she¹s working na naman, ako naman bagong graduate, we should try out na raw living together if it¹ll work for us.
YUMI Natakot ka sa arrangement?
JIGS Hindi naman sa natakot. If you love someone, ano pa¹ng ikakatakot mo, di ba?
YUMI E bakit umayaw ka?
JIGS It¹s just that, it¹s not my thing.
YUMI Sabi na nga ba e, bakla ka no? Sinasayang mo ang opportunities! (Matatawa)
JIGS Hindi ako oportunista. At lalong hindi ako bakla.
YUMI Fine.
JIGS Naisip ko lang na hindi pa pala ako handa sa mga ganitong bagay. Wala pa sa isip ko ang gano¹n. Na-shock siguro ako sa reality na iyon na nga ang next step sa relationship namin. I mean, two years of being together and knowing each other, we¹re practically ready to get married, if you know what I mean. Pero I realized, I¹m not ready for any of these. Narealize ko how immature I am. Na iba yung ideals ko two years ago sa ideals ko ngayon. I need to mature some more to get into this thing'I mean, getting married. Diyos ko, ilang taon lang ba ako...
YUMI Maturity has nothing to do with age.
JIGS But it has a lot to do with time.
Tahimik.
JIGS So I thought, bakit kailangan ng practice mode? Ibig sabihin, pag sumablay kami, split na kami? Live like a couple minus the commitment? Pa¹no pag nawala na yung magic? Goodbye na?
Iinom ng wine si Jigs.
JIGS Kung kasal na, kasal na. Wala nang practice. I think that¹s the real cowardice. Yung i-try muna natin kung it will work kasi takot kayo na baka hindi maging successful ang outcome. Saan na napunta ang excitement ng buhay? Kaya nga kayo in-love, para sabay kayong humarap sa totoong buhay, sa hirap at ginahawa, di ba? (Matatawa) Hindi yung pagpapraktisan muna ninyo para siguradong ginhawa lang.
Magkikibit-balikat lang si Jigs.
YUMI Are you always like that?
JIGS Like what?
YUMI So cerebral in everything. Kahit pagdating sa relationships.
JIGS Life is too precious para lang daanin sa trial and error.
Ngingiti si Jigs. Tahimik.
YUMI So, No hard feelings?
JIGS Friends pa rin kami. She still calls me up nga sa bahay e.
YUMI That¹s nice.
JIGS Kayo, bakit kayo nagbreak ni Carlo?
YUMI That¹s your sixth na ha?
JIGS Sure.
YUMI Alam mo, ironic para sa akin yung break-up namin ni Carlo. And the funny thing was, it was about...sex. Uy, sa atin lang ito ha?
JIGS Of course.
YUMI Kasi nga, I was looking for that magic nga di ba? I wanted to be in a relationship na special naman. So of all the boyfriends I had, sa kanya lang ako walang sexual relationship. As in nag-aabstain talaga ako. Kasi parang naisip ko, para magkaroon naman ng meaning yung ³making love² di ba? Parang, dapat di mo parating ginagawa, at ginagawa mo lang when you are sincere with yourself and with your partner. So I was investing muna emotionally. And I was actually starting to care about him. Yung, hindi ko na iniisip yung sarili ko. Yung siya lang ang inaalala ko. Akala ko perfect na...
JIGS Ano¹ng nangyari?
YUMI Patunayan ko raw na mahal ko siya. Magbigay daw ako ng proof. Pagbigyan ko raw siya. Sabi ko sa kanya, hindi pa ba sapat na proof ?yon? Na I¹m saving myself for that right moment, that special moment between us? Alam mo¹ng ginawa? Nilayasan ako!
JIGS You deserve someone better.
YUMI Talaga!
YUMI Isipin mo, kung kelan naman I grew tired of meaningless sex, when I¹m looking for the real thing, saka naman mawawala. Ang ironic ng buhay no?
JIGS That¹s the way we must learn.
YUMI Alam mo, kung tutuusin, never ko pang na-experience yung tunay na mag make-love. And I had to go all through those relationships para lang ma-realize yun. At least, ngayon, alam ko na ang hinahanap ko.
Iinom ng wine.
YUMI Ikaw ba, importante sa¹yo na virgin ang mapapangasawa mo? How do you see virginity ba?
JIGS Alam mo, di ko pa napag-isipan ?yan. Pero now that you¹ve mentioned it...It doesn¹t matter kung virgin ang mapangasawa ko o hindi. Of course I value virginity a lot. I treat it as the only real gift I could give to my wife to be. Imaginin mo na lang di ba, kung wife ko ang una ko. It¹s like the perfect wedding gift I could give to her. Pero kung siya hindi na virgin, I wouldn¹t care. As long as mahal ko siya. Kasi I don¹t expect her to give me the same gift. I don¹t do something because I expect people to do the same to me. Ibigay niya sa akin ang sarili niya nang buong-buo, sapat na sa akin ?yon. Masaya na ako sa ganoon.
YUMI (Mapapangiti si Yumi.) You know, that¹s the nicest thing I ever heard from a guy. That¹s why I always enjoy talking to you. You always say the nicest things.
JIGS Wow. Salamat. E ikaw, is making love to you equal to love?
YUMI I always took sex and love as opposite ideas. I mean, after the first time na...you know...sa Senior prom. Kasi afterwards, we broke up na ni Robert. Tapos naisip ko, yun na ba yung love? Baka hindi love yung naramdaman ko. Baka napagkamalan ko lang siyang love. I was just after the pleasure of intimacy. And then I felt empty. So empty. That¹s why I wanted to change. I wanted to believe in ³making love.² And I¹m still looking for it. Yung magic. Yung feeling mo, tao ka pala. I never felt that kahit isang beses. Men have penetrated my body but never my soul. And I wanted that. I wanted someone to touch my soul. To ³make love² to my soul through my body. Pero siguro, naging numb na¹ko sa dami ng relasyong pinagdaanan ko. Hindi ko alam kung mararanasan ko pa iyon. That¹s why I envy you.
Tahimik.
YUMI Sa tingin mo may pag-asa pa ako?
JIGS You still have your soul...(Ngingiti)
Tahimik.
YUMI With whom would you want to experience it?
JIGS Of course, sa asawa ko.
YUMI I mean, someone in particular. Take it as my seventh question. So give a name.
JIGS A name? Hindi ko alam. Basta kung sino ang magiging asawa ko.
Tahimik. Magkikibit-balikat si Yumi. Iinom ng wine.
JIGS Well, I always thought na it was Krissy. And then, it was just gone. Of course I loved her. And I still do. Pero the magic was just gone after we both found out na magkaiba kami ng mga prinsipyo sa buhay.
Tahimik.
JIGS My turn?
YUMI Shoot me.
JIGS Tell me something...a secret. Yung wala kahit isang nakakaalam.
Matagal na katahimikan.
JIGS You trust me naman di ba?
YUMI Well, you¹ve earned it, alright.
JIGS Saka wala akong tinatago sa¹yo. Sinagot ko lahat ng tanong mo as honestly as I could. (Ngingiti)
YUMI I uhm...
JIGS Yes...?
YUMI I need more wine.
Magsasalin si Jigs ng wine.
JIGS Take your time. We have less than fifty hours to go.
Iinom ng wine si Yumi.
YUMI I¹ll tell you something no one in the world knows except one other person. And that person probably forgot all about me already.
JIGS (Pabiro) What? You had sex with a stranger?
YUMI Ano ka ba?
JIGS Biro lang. Seryoso na.
YUMI Promise ha? Hindi ito lalabas.
JIGS Promise.
YUMI If this goes out, I will hunt you kahit sa libingan mo. Huhukayin kita at papatayin kita ulit.
JIGS Mamatay man ako ngayon.
YUMI Okay...(Pause) I...I was with Joel then... (Magiging mas seryoso ang tono niya) ...and Zach. I wasn¹t really with Zach, I was just going out with him pag wala si Joel, alam mo na...making out and stuff...Well, anyway, I was kinda serious din naman with Joel that time. Joel and I were...you know...doing it. And...
JIGS And...?
YUMI Uhm...I...uhm...I got pregnant.
JIGS What?
Tahimik. Iinom ng wine si Yumi.
YUMI I uhm...shit. Hindi ko naman talaga ginusto e. Uhm...Two months akong delayed...then I took that test. I found out na buntis nga ako...and Joel found out about Zach (maluha-luha na) and I didn¹t know what to say, you know? Maniniwala ba naman sa akin si Joel na naaliw lang ako kay Zach? Na I didn¹t really love him? Na wala lang iyon? And so he broke up with me and..I..uhm...I was afraid and uhm... (Magsisimula siyang magbreak-down)
JIGS It¹s okay...
YUMI I uhm...hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko, Joel left me. I wanted to tell him about the baby to make him come back but I don¹t think he¹d believe me after the thing with Zach...and...my parents are gonna kill me if...shit. (iiyak)
JIGS (lalapit kay Yumi para i-console ito) Ssshhh...you don¹t have to tell me this if it upsets you...
YUMI And so I went to a clinic...(hahagulgol) I didn¹t mean to, Jigs. I wasn¹t myself then. And I felt so afraid. So alone...
JIGS Tahan na. Ssshhh...
Iiyak lang si Yumi kay Jigs. Yayakapin ni Jigs si Yumi.
JIGS Alam ba ?to ni Joel?
YUMI How can I tell him? The only other person na nakakaalam ay yung duktor sa clinic. God...(iiyak) Oh God...
JIGS It¹s alright...
Hihimasin ni Jigs ang likod ni Yumi. Patatahanin niya ito. Matagal silang nakaganito lang.
Matagal na katahimikan.
YUMI Can you get me my yosi?
Tatayo si Jigs. Pupunta sa may side table sa tabi ng kama. Kukunin ang Yosi ni Yumi. Magsisindi siya ng isa at iaabot kay Yumi.
YUMI Thanks...
Matagal na katahimikan.
YUMI If we were...if we were the last two people on earth, would you consider doing it with me?
JIGS Doing what?
YUMI Alam mo na...
JIGS Alin? (Teasing ngingiti)
YUMI Gago mo. (Ngingiti)
JIGS Ngumiti rin.
YUMI So? Would you?
JIGS Alin nga? Di mo masabi no? Bakit di mo masabi? (Pagtatawanan si Yumi) Sabihin mo nga: Sex! Sex! Sex! Sex!
YUMI Shut up nga!
JIGS That¹s your eight na, ha?
YUMI I lost count. Answer it.
JIGS Why not?
Hihithit ng yosi si Yumi. Tahimik. Sasandal si Yumi sa balikat ni Jigs.
JIGS If you could be something else, what would you be?
YUMI I dunno...maybe a violin...yeah. Violin siguro.
JIGS Bakit?
YUMI I always saw the relationship of a violin and its player as very intimate. Pag tumutugtog ang violinist, ang nakikita ko at naririnig ko, he strokes the soul of the instrument and the instrument penetrates the soul of the player. Para silang nagmi-make love. Di ba? Very sexy, very intimate, very sublime. Di ba? Pareho silang sincere
sa isa¹t isa. Dahil kung hindi sila sincere, walang music na mabubuo. The violin surrenders her body to her player, her whole body and her whole soul, in full trust and sincerity. Di ba, compared to the sound of the other instruments, ang tunog ng violin parang isang naked woman? A naked woman in surrender? I want to be a violin. I want to be stroked in the soul. I want to make sincere music. I want to experience the sound of love.
Tahimik.
JIGS Lalim nun ah. (Ngingiti)
YUMI Pa¹no mo malalamang in-love ka na?
JIGS Paano? I don¹t think there¹s a formula to that. Basta malalaman mo na lang. I mean, ilang beses lang ba nangyari sa akin ?yon? I¹d like to believe na yun na nga ?yon...yung kay Krissy...
YUMI Kwento mo nga...paano mo narealize dati na mahal mo nga si Krissy?
JIGS Alam mo nakakatawa...korni actually. Babalik na naman ako sa pagiging korni nito e. Di ba ayaw mo sa korni.
YUMI Sige na. Hindi na kita aasarin.
JIGS I heard bells.
YUMI Ano?
JIGS Seryoso. Bigla na lang, habang nag-uusap kami, may narinig na lang akong bells, tapos music. Ewan ko kung iniimagine ko lang ?yon pero yun ang nangyari. Nakakatawa nga e. Parang kanta ng Beatles.
YUMI Seryoso ka ba?
JIGS O baka naman nagkataon noong oras na yon, may nagkakantahan sa kung saan sa school. Basta may narinig akong bells. Tapos napangiti ako. Pagtingin ko sa mata niya, iba na ang nakikita ko. Hindi ko na siya nakita as kabarkada lang. Biglang parang may magic. Hindi ko ma-explain. Baduy pero ganun. Tapos I just seized the moment. Umamin ako. A week later, kami na.
YUMI Korni nga. (Matatawa)
JIGS Korni talagang pakinggan. Pero pag nandun ka na. Pag naranasan mo na, feeling mo, hindi na korni.
Ngingiti si Yumi. Tahimik.
YUMI Alam mo, may times na parang tunog violin ang boses mo. O lasing lang ako?
Tahimik.
JIGS I¹m into my last question.
Iaangat ni Yumi ang ulo niya.
YUMI Shoot me. Better make it good.
JIGS If you were again to be the next victim of this tradition, if you were to be locked up in this room again...who would you want the next guy to be?
YUMI (Mag-iisip) I want someone whom I could talk to... Yung makukwentuhan ko ng mga sikreto ko. Yung may sense makipag-usap. Yung may laman. The violin player who¹d stroke my strings...not even. Yung mapapatunog niya ang strings ko without even touching them. (Tahimik) Lumuluwag na ang dila ko...kung anu-ano na ang nasasabi ko. (Ngingiti)
Tititigan lang ni Jigs si Yumi. Tahimik.
YUMI Siyempre yung masarap kausap.
Tahimik. Hindi makatingin si Yumi.
YUMI Yung kahit habambuhay wala kaming gawin kundi mag-usap... I think it¹s better than making love.
Mapapatingin si Yumi kay Jigs.
YUMI Gosh I want to kiss you so badly.
Matitigilan siya.
YUMI I can¹t believe I just said that.
Tahimik. Titignan niya ulit si Jigs.
YUMI Don¹t you want to kiss me?
Pause. Titignan siya ni Jigs sa mata.
JIGS Is that your last question? (Ngingiti si Jigs)
YUMI Yes.
DILIM.

after reading this email, ewan ko ba, bigla kong namiss si ruel.. haaaay.. di pa naman matutuloy ng uwi ang kuya ko :( i just hope im not looking at a closed door and ignoring the opened windows...

Secrets Women Oughta Know About Men

from an email.. any reaction guys? :D

Secrets Women Oughta Know About Men

Men don't actually look after good-looking Women. They prefer
presentable and neat Women.

Men hate flirts.

A Man can like you for a minute then forget you afterwards

When a Man says he doesn't understand you, it means you're not
thinking the way he is.

Men love Women with brains all the more than Women in mini-skirts.

"Are you doin' something?" or "Have you eaten already?" are the first
usual question Men asks on the phone just so to get away stammering.

Men maybe flirting around all day but before they go to sleep, they
always think about the Woman they truly care about.

When a Man really likes you, he'll disregard all your bad
characteristics.

Men go gaga over Women smile.

Men try to find stuff toy a Woman wants but would unluckily get the
wrong one.

Men can be wastrels especially when they want to get an impression
from you. But they are actually price conscious people.

Men virtually brag about everything.

Men cannot keep secrets that Women tell them.

Men think too much.

Men hate it when you talk about your ex-boyfriend.

When a Man wants to meet our parents…let them.

A Man wants to tell you many things, but he can't. And they have
sure one bad habit to gain courage to tell you everything, and that
is drinking.

Men cry.

Men's fantasies are unlimited.

Don't provoke a Man to heat up…believe me…he will

Men can never dream and hope too much.

Men usually try so hard to get the Woman who has dumped them, and
this makes it harder for them to accept their defeat.

Giving a Man a hanging message like "You know, what….uh never mind,"
would make him jump to a conclusion that's far from what you're
thinking.

When you touch a Man's heart there's no turning back.

A Man goes crazy when a Woman touches his hand.

Men are to good flatters when courting but they usually slammer when
they talk to the Woman they really like.

When a Man makes a prolonged "um…" or makes many excuses when you're
asking him to do you a favor he's actually saying that he does not
like you and he cannot lay down the card for you.

When a Woman says "no", a Man hears it as "try again tomorrow"
especially when they are given clues that the Woman likes them.

A Woman's height doesn't usually matter to a Man…but their weight
does.

Men tend to get serious with their relationship and become too
possessive. So watch out Women!

When a Man gets something that is too unyielding for a Woman, it
would be hard for him to let go of that Woman.

It's not easy for a Man to forget his Womanfriend after they broke up
especially when they're been together for three years or more.

Flings follow after a Man breaks up with a Woman he got so involved
with and it would take long before he commits himself again.

You have to tell a Man what you really want before he gets the
message clearly.

It's not actually cute giggling behind a Man's back. It's more of an
insult for him.

Women mature faster than Men' physical and emotional aspects. But
take note once a Man matures, you Women would surely be impressed
with him.

A Man has to experience rejection because if he's too good never been
busted, never been in love and hurt he won't mature and grow.

When an unlikable circumstance comes, Men blame themselves a lot more
than Women do. They can even hurt themselves physically, some even
commit suicide.

Men can only be violent when are provoked by their enemy or by
another Man but not with Women. Men who meddle with Women could be
either be gays or bastards.

Some Men hate gays.

Even the seemingly nicest Man can talk dirty behind a Women back.

Men hate it when Women try to do what they do, like smoking and
drinking.

Men are tiger in their peer groups but become tamed pussycats with
their Girlfriends.

Without Women, Men would end up zombies without anything to do or
talk about.

Men are curious being.

Men talk about themselves too much and are turned off by Women who do
the same.

Men have a strong passion to change but have a weak will power.

When a Man pretends to be calm and collected, check if he's
sweating. You'll probably see that he's nervous.

A Man acts nice to a Woman he likes. He may pick on her and start
teasing her.

When a Man says he's going crazy about a Woman….he really is.

When you keep a Man waiting for 80 minutes, or course it isn't OK!
He's just trying to be nice.

When a Man asks you to leave him alone, he's just actually
saying, "Please come and listen to me."

Men feels secure when a Woman phones him. The act doesn't look
cheap.

It is a fact that Men are physically superior to Women but
emotionally inferior. Women easily cry while Men can hold their
emotions but cannot control it once they burst it out. They could
cry, smoke, drink or be violent.

Men don't really have final decisions.

When a Man loves you, bring out the best in him.

If a Man starts to talk seriously, listen to him.

If a Man has been kept shut or silent, say something.

Men believe that there's no such thing as love at first sight, but
courts the Woman anyway and then realizes at the end that he was
wrong.

Men hate Women who act as if they're going to hell.

Men go gaga over a Woman who has a cute bedroom voice on the phone.

Men like femininity but not feebleness.

Men don't like Women who punch harder than they do.

If a Men tells you he love you once in a lifetime, he does.

A Man may instantly know if the Woman likes him but can never be sure
unless the Woman tells it to him herself.

A Man would waste his time over video games and basketball; the way
Women would do over their romance novels and make-ups.

Men love Women who can cook.

Men like Women who are like their mom's…no kidding.

You can never understand him unless you listen to him.

Men love their moms.

A Man has more problems than you can't see with your naked eyes.

A Man would sacrifice his money for lunch just to get you a couple of
roses.

A Man's friend knows everything about him. Use this for his
advantage.

Men often think about Women who like them. But this does not
necessarily mean that the Man likes her.

Don't be a snob. Men may easily give up on the first rejection.

Don't be bias. Try loving a Man without prejudice and you'll be
surprised.

Women who bathe in their eau de perfume do more repelling than
attracting boys.

Men are more talkative than Women are, especially when the topic is
about Women.

Men don't comprehend the word "get lost" too well.

When a Man tells you about his ideal Woman…don't try hard to
duplicate it, otherwise he can see it right through you.

Men really think that Women are strange and have unpredictable
decision but still love them more for that.

Beware; a Man can make a gossip scatter through half of the face of
the earth faster than Women can.

When a Man gives a crooked and pretentious grin at your jokes, he
finds them either un-amusing or offending and he's just trying to be
polite.

Men don't care about how shiny their shoes are unlike Women do.

Men tend to generalize Women but once they get to know you, they'll
realize they're wrong.

If a Man tells you about his problems, it doesn't mean he needs your
advice. He only needs someone to listen.

Any Man can handle his problem all by his own. He's just too
stubborn to deal with it.

Men hate it when Women find them cute.

Men find it so secure when a Woman swears.

Men learn from experience and not from romance novels, giving Women a
quite head start.

Your best friend whom your boyfriend seeks help from about his
problems with you may end up being admired by your Girlfriend.

When your boyfriend looks at another Woman or a stranger, it doesn't
mean he's cheating on you.

Men hate being leashed by their Girlfriend.

A Man tends to get jealous when his friend steals his Girlfriend's
attention away from him.

Man's weakest point is at the knee.

Like Eve…Women are Men weakness.

Men are very open about themselves.

No Man is bad when courting, He always shows his best.

When problem arise, a Man usually keeps his cool but is already
thinking of a way out.

It is good to test a Man first before you believe him. But don't let
him wait that long.

Men are not too conscious about their looks, which shows they're not
good in fixing things.