cc review: Next Fall

I only learned about this play from an FB status update by Miggs. It led me to his blog and got me curious with that photo of two male leads in a romantic pose.



Then, photogenic photographer-friend told me about it. He was wondering where I was. He was expecting me to be there. He thought i would love such plays, intellectual churva. haha

Some bells started ringing when I was told it was a Rep play. I had this idea that Rep was a tad elitist. English language plays or musicals. Played by mestizos and over-staying Caucasians. And true-blue Filipinos whom I felt looked awkward mouthing American or British scripts. I couldn't do 'suspension of disbelief'.

So Saturday afternoon, pc and I caught the matinee over at Greenbelt 1. I like watching matinees. It makes me feel I could enjoy the play and still have the whole night available. :-)



When the light piano background started playing, and the light focused on the sparse stage, i was carried into a different world, the small, tight world of Luke and Adam.



Certain issues resonated with me. But its not the religion thingie. The religion gap is something I always knew was real. Which was why I wanted to have a lover who believed in the same things I did. I found myself smiling at Luke's 'still in the closet' family. The father's homophobic stance was real and authentic.



No, I will not tell you the story. I can only tell you the following things about "Next Fall":

1. I loved it. The script was so well-written. Typical gay wit, funny and cutting. Yet with enough drama and reality.
2. I adored Adam, played by Bart Guingona. I realized that I didn't have to 'suspend my disbelief'. Adam could just as well be of Filipino descent. And the lines he delivered were the best. But also so consistent with his charact er.
3. I enjoyed the entire cast. The characters provided balance and contrast, and tension. (though some could have played better. hihihi)


4. I liked the stage, especially that pull-out apartment foyer. And the window scene with the Chrysler building.
5. I urge you all to watch it. It is not everyday that a serious play revolving around a gay couple is shown here in Manila. If only for that, this should be a must-see. But beyond that, it is a well-written, well-directed, well-acted play. And that's the real reason why this is a must-see.

And yes, I've dropped all my misconceptions about Rep. :-)

pictures courtesy of Jory Rivera Photography.

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quickie: first thing ill ask God

"Lord, ano ba talaga? Tama ba na di ako nagbibigay sa mga nanlilimos sa kalye?"


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quickie: a Chinese New Year Holiday

For the 1st time ever, Chinese New Lunar Year was declared a holiday. Why?

Im just thinking, if this is meant to butter up to the Fil-Chinese who control the economy, think again. If there is any ethnic group that believes in excellent work ethic, must be the ethnic Chinese. Methinks they would not necessarily welcome the work break, this being unproductive. They believe in making each and every second, and peso, productive. And that is something I greatly admire.

But heck, I enjoyed the break.

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fitting room 2

Naalala pa rin ni Lucas ang dampi ng kamay ni Bench clerk sa kanyang dibdib, kahit may 2 linggo ng nakalipas. Nagpasya siya na puntahan muli ang mall. Kailangan rin naman niyang bumili ng puti at itim na sando. para maraming pagpipilian.

Naglaro sa kanyang isipan si clerk. Maalala pa kaya niya ako? Baka naman talagang ganun lang yung bata, mapaglaro. Hindi maalis ang kabang nararamdaman niya habang palapit na ang jeep sa Mall. Ni hindi niya napansin ang init ng panahon, ang mga katabi, ang alingasaw ng ilog sa tabi. Isa lamang ang laman ng utak niya - paano niya lalaruin ang pagkakataon?

Wala ng paligoy-ligoy pa. Dumiretso na siya sa Bench, at sa underwear section. Nagpanic siya. Wala si clerk. Sus, sabi ko na nga ba, wika niya sa sarili, baka day-off pa. Kung malasin nga naman.

"Hello, Sir! Underwear po?" tanong sa kanya ng saleslady.

"Hindi. Nagtitingin lang." ang sagot niyang pabalang. At nagkunwaring tumingin ng mga brief, at shirt. Lumayo si saleslady.

Nakaraan ng ilang minuto, nagpasiya na siyang umalis. Sa pagtalikod niya, halos mabunggo na niya si clerk.

"Hello po. Yung sando po ulit? Anong kulay, Sir?" tanong naman ni clerk, na may pagka-aya-ayang ngiti. Naramdaman na naman niya ang pintig ng kanyang ari.

"Sige, patingin ng black naman." sagot niya kay clerk.

Habang naghahanap si clerk ng sando, pinagmasdan na niya ang hubog ng katawan. At ang ganda ng puwet, lalo na nung tumawad upang abutin ang mga stocks sa baba. Natuyo ang kanyang bibig. Tuloy ang kabog ng dibdib.

"Sukatin niyo uli, Sir?" tanong ni clerk habang binubuksan ang plastic na paglalagyan. May ibang tono ang tanong. May ibang dating. Marahil, alam na ni mokong na siya lamang ang binalikan ko dito, isip ni Lucas.

"Sige, subukan ko na rin." at lumakad na siya patungo sa fitting room.

Nung nasa loob na ng silid, di na niya sinara ang pinto. Nasa labas si Clerk, pinapanuod siyang magbihis. Mas lalo siyang na-turn-on. Ang tigas-tigas na ng kanyang nota. At alam niyang bakat na bakat na eto sa jeans niya. Nakita niya sa salamin ang bukol niya. At lalo pa siyang nalibugan.

Tinanggal niya ang kanyang shirt. Ngunit di niya pinatagal at sinuot na ang sando. Pinagmasdan ang sarili. At nakitang nakatingin si clerk. Lumapit si clerk sa likod niya. Pumasok na rin sa fitting room.

"Bagay talaga sa inyo ang shirt, Sir" wika ni clerk na halos pabulong. Nasa likod na niya si clerk. At nararamdaman na niya ang kanyang hininga sa tenga niya. Tumindig ang kanyang mga balahibo.

Sinara ni clerk ang pinto. At mula sa likod, inabot ni Clerk ang dibidib niya muli. Naramdaman na naman niya ang dampi ng mga kamay. Mainit. At ang paghinga ni clerk sa likod niya. Pinisil ni clerk ang kanyang dibdib. At nilaro ang kanyang mga utong.

Pakiramdam niya ay sasabog na ang etits niya sa tigas. Ang sarili niyang kamay naman ang nabuhay. Lumikod at hinanap ang bukol ni clerk. Madali niyang natagpuan. Dahil katulad niya, tigas na tigas na rin ang titi niya. Kinapa niya ang bukol. Pinisil. Hinayaan niyang maramdaman ang buong haba ng ari ni clerk. at nagulat siya sa haba.

Inabot na rin ni clerk ang kanyang titi. Tinignan niya ang salamin. Ang kanilang dalawang mukha ay magkatabi. Ngunit sa baba ang tingin ni clerk. Sa bukol niya na tuloy ang himas. Napaungol si Lucas.

Binukas ni clerk ang kanyang zipper. Pinasok ang kamay. Napapikit si Lucas.

At biglang tumunog ang kanyang cellphone. Nagulat sila, natauhan. Biglang bumitaw si clerk. Siya rin. Parang nagising. Naalimpungatan.

"Bigay ko sa iyo cellphone ko. Text mo ako. Off ko mamayang 9." mabilis na sinabi ni clerk. Binuksan ang pinto at sinilip muna kung walang ibang tao. Madaling lumabas si clerk.

Sumunod na rin si Lucas pagkatapos ng ilang sandali. Hinanap si clerk. Natagpuan niya sa ibang section at nilapitan.

"Kukunin ko na rin eto." diretso niyang nasabi. Walang makakahalata na naglalambot pa ang kanyang mga tuhod. Parang nawalan ng buto. Kahit ang puso niya ay kumakabog pa rin.

Kinuha ni clerk ang sando. Binalik sa plastic at nagpatungo sa cashier. Parang walang nangyari.

"Thank you po" at iniwan na siya sa counter muli.

Nagtaka siya. Nasaan ang cellphone number? Di na niya pinansin. Nagbayad siya at umalis.

Pag-uwi, binuksan niya ang sando. Dun niya nakita na nakasulat sa cardboard ng sando ang number ni Benjie. Binasa at pinasok sa cellphone.

Tinapon niya ang plastic at cardboard. At tinapos niya sa shower ang naumpisahan.




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fitting room 1

Napadpad siya sa isang sosyal na mall. Hindi niya madalas puntahan dahil mahirap makarating dito. Ilang sakay rin ang kailangan. At sosyal eto. Puro de kotse ang mga nagpupunta. Puro Ingles ang salita nila.

Dinayo niya kasi may panahon siya. At papunta rin naman siya ng Makati. Lumiligid siya sa mga shops. Talagang high-end. Yung iba, di na niya mabigkas ang pangalan. Ni pumasok, di niya binalak. Baka mapahiya lang siya pag pumasok siya. Pagdilatan ng sales girl na tadtad sa make-up.

Sa second floor, natuwa siya at nakita niya ang Bench. Salamat, may pamilyar na pangalan. Kaya ko eto, wika niya sa sarili. At naalala niyang gusto niyang bumili ng sando. yung kakaiba yung porma. Yung square ang collar.

Nakita niya sa gym suot-suot ng kanyang crush. Kahit mukhang pangbabae ang sando, bagay pa rin kay crush. Ganda kasi ng tindig at katawan niya. Naalala niyang pinagmamasdan niya si crush sa salamin, para hindi halata. At sabay niyang tinignan ang kanyang katawan. Di rin naman pahuhuli. May porma na. Marami na ang bumabati. Lalo na sa dibdib niya.

Ha. daig niya si crush sa dibdib. Nung nagsabog ang Diyos ng dibdib na malusog at matipuno, nakuha niya 'ata kalahati! Kaya pakiramdam niya, carry niya yung bagong style ng sando.

Pumasok sa loob ng Bench. Di kalakihan ang store na eto, kumpara sa iba, tulad ng Megamall. Maliit nga. Siguro kasi mahal ang renta dito, naisip niya.

"Good Afternoon", bati ng mga sales clerk, nakaputing shirt na may kwelyo. Mapa-lalaki o babaeng sales clerk, nakangiti at bumabati. Dumiretso siya dun sa estante ng mga underwear. At nilapitan siya ng isang lalaking clerk.

"Yes, Sir? Ano po hanap nila?, tanong niya. Napatingin siya kay clerk. Maganda ngiti kahit di naman kagwapuhan. Matangkad. At parang may katawan ring magandang nagtatago sa maluwag na shirt.

"Saan ba yung sandong, diretso ang kwelyo? Yung bago?", tanong niya habang nagmamasid sa mga display.

"Eto, Sir", dali-daling kinuha ni clerk ang sandong nakadisplay. "Eto po. Anong size, Sir"

"Siguro medium. para maganda ang fit", sagot niya habang tinitignan ang sando ng may kaunting alangan. Mukha ngang pambabae. Kaya ko kaya eto, inisip niya.

"Eto, Sir, gray na medium. Bagay yan sa iyo, Sir. Maganda ang dibdib mo", ngiti ni clerk.

Bigla siyang nakaramdam ng kakaibang pakiramdam. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso niya. May iilang mga pagkakataon na nakakaramdam siya ng ganito. Pag nasa locker area siya. O pag nagpa-spa siya. Dun sa City Lifestyle. Eto ang kabog ng dibdib pag may magaganap na eksena. Pag nagkakaroon ng pagtatagpo ng mga mata ng nangungusap, nagaanyaya ng kaunting sarap. nakaw at patago. naramdaman niya muli sa tono ng boses ni clerk.

"Gusto niyo sukatin, Sir? Nandun po ang fitting room" sabay turo sa likod, sa kanto.

Tumango siya at sumunod kay clerk, na naunang pumunta sa fitting room.

Di niya maintindihan kung bakit may kabog sa dibdib niya hanggang pumasok siya sa loob ng silid.

Inabot sa kanya ang sando. At nakatayo sa labas si clerk. Sinara niya ang pinto. At hinubad niya ang shirt niya. Sinukat ang sando.

"Ok ba ang fit, Sir" tanong ni clerk.

Parang may sumapi sa kanyang kalandian. Binuksan niya ang pinto upang ipakita kay clerk. Nakita niya ang ngiti sa mga mata at labi ni clerk habang pinagmamasdan ang hugis ng katawan niya. Nararamdaman niyang tinitigasan na siya.

"Sabi ko na nga ba, Sir. Bagay na bagay sa inyo!" ang bati ni clerk sa kanya. Tinignan niya ang sarili sa salamin muli. Oo nga, maganda sa akin.

"Sir, ganda talaga ng chest niyo. Pwedeng pahawak?"

Nagulat siya sa tanong. Oo at maraming humawak, kumakapa sa kanyang dibdib. Ngunit hindi nangyayari sa mall. Sa club. Sa sauna. Ngunit di sa mall.

Napangiti lamang siya. Nilapitan ni clerk at dahan-dahang nilapat ang kamay sa dibdib niya. Nagpupumiglas sa brief niya ang kanyang matigas na ari. Lalo na ng dumampi sa utong niya ang kamay ni clerk.

"Hanep, Sir. Ang tigas na. Puro muscle." tinanggal rin naman agad ng clerk ang kamay niya. Lumayo. "Gusto ko rin ng ganyan sana. Laso parang mahirap lumaki ang chest ko"

Di siya makapagsalita. Nangiti na lang. Eto ba ay paanyaya? Paano naman? Nasa mall kami! Duty siya.

Pumasok siya muli sa fitting room. Di niya sinara ang pinto. Sa salamin nakikita niya na tuloy na pinagmamasdan siya ni clerk. Hinubad ang sando at sinuot ang shirt niya.

"Sige, kunin ko yan." pabulong niyang binigkas. Nalilito siya. Alam niyang libog na libog siya ngayon. Wala ang partner niya. matagal na rin siyang di nagpapalabas. Kaso, inuhan siya ng takot. Baka naman di ganun ang pakay nitong si clerk. Talagang humahanga lang.

Dali-dali siyang pumunta na ng cashier, kasunod si clerk. Inaayos ni clerk ang sando sa paglalagyan. "Thank you, sir!" bati muli ni clerk, bago umalis at iwan siya sa counter.

Kumakabog pa rin dibdib niya habang palayo ng Bench.

Nung pag-uwi niya, hinubad niya ang lahat ng damit at tumingin sa salamin. Siniyasat ang katawan. Tinignan ang kanyang chest. Unti-unting naramdaman ang pagtigas ng kanyang ari. Hinawakan, hinaplos.

at nung natapos, humiga siya at inulit niya ang eksena sa utak niya.

"Babalikan ko yung hayop na yun"



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some instagram pics

really love this iphone app. brings out the artist in the amateur. haha











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a quickie: insecurities

young friend asks: you still have insecurities, at your age? that's an awfully long while to be carrying it around.di ka ba napapagod? i mean, don't you want to do something about that?

my reply: ok, here's a preview of your life 20 years from now

the insecurities. they dont go away. they remain there for a reason. they are there to keep me grounded. i am humbled by them. and they keep me aspiring.

but the big difference? how i react to them now. i hardly think about them. im reminded of them when im quite selfish or 'attached' to the physical. but i dont dwell on them. i acknowledge and embrace them as my own. but they don't possess me anymore.

it's a big difference for me.


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cc archives: manyaman (march 29, 2007)

that's "delicious" in capampangan. An affair I couldn't forget. Probably up there in the list of gorgeousness. he was a former contestant of those ginoong chuva-chuva. a campampangan with the looks, the height and the built. couldn't believe he actually fell for me, poor me. :)

picture this... malate, bed to be exact. after midnight, not too crowded on a saturday night. i was with partner and some other friends just dancing. i noticed him. one couldn't ignore him because he really is 'model arrive' or model ang dating. but he was with another guy, a gym mate even, and i thought they were a couple. not until i saw gym mate hugging another guy did i realize that His Gorgeousness (HG) is actually available.

while partner was dancing his heart away, i subtly eyed him from across the dancefloor. (yeah, yeah, crucify me) i noticed he was slowly starting to acknowledge my presence (pa-simpleng sumusulyap). that emboldened me to go towards his side of the place, where the bar was. i ordered another drink while hoping against hope he would approach me. NAAAH he didnt. but he did look my way a couple of times. so i took it as a sign of interest. baka shy-type lang.

went back to my place and continued eyeing him. aba eh nag-shift rin siya towards my side of the dance floor! from time to time, partner would come back to me then dance again. then the 'expected' happened. he moved to go to the 2nd floor rest room! OPPORTUNITY!

i casually remarked to partner that i was going to the rest room. i followed him. he was done and zipping up (or buttoning up) when he saw me, with a surprised look (recognition!). i really had to use the john so i was kinda antsy he might leave. but lo and behold, he stayed in the sink area, doing the 'proverbial' hand washing, preening behaviors typical of one stalling for time.

i made it quick and was behind him. i got to know him that night, got his number, texted him mine. got to finally talk to him the day after. and told him my civil status "M". he changed his tone upon knowing that. i was honest about it. and how attracted i was to him.

that started it. a week after, i took him to a friend's house, the house he shares with his new love. the four of us had dinner then drinks al fresco at their verandah. i set up 'seductive music' in the background (thank you itunes & itrip). with the candlelight, the booze and the heat, the drinking session soon became heavy petting session. BOY WAS THAT HOT! he was just absolutely gorgeous, i felt i hit the jackpot!

the affair started and the complications followed soon after. partner is always out of town so it wasnt with him. it was with another affair that i had started before i met HG. in short, HG was already No 3. but he quickly moved up to No 2 after previous No 2 (soon to be known as legal eagle) broke up with me (because of HG).

fate intervened and took HG to Europe and the Middle East (only after a month into the affair). and you know what distance does to love... so the affair eventually drifted into zilch.

post script

he surprised me with a visit recently. i thought it was going to be rekindled. we had dinner and promised to see each other within the week. it never happened. never got in touch again. i heard he went back to Europe... for good.
Posted by closet case at 10:51 AM



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which is easier?

The Gospel for Today was about that paralytic man who was brought to Jesus from the roof.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him,
"Child, your sins are forgiven."
Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,
"Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming.
Who but God alone can forgive sins?"
Jesus immediately knew in his mind what
they were thinking to themselves,
so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,
'Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk'?
But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"
-he said to the paralytic,
"I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home."

I've always wondered: why is Jesus looking for the easy way? Did Jesus not anticipate the scribes would consider what He did blasphemy?

Why is it easier to say "your sins are forgiven" rather than "rise, pick u
your mat and walk?" I'm thinking it is easier, or more convenient to say something as abstract as 'your sins are forgiven' because there is no expectation for the paralytic to walk by the guests. So if the paralytic fails to walk, no failed promise.

But it seemed so superficial. I wouldn't like to think that Jesus just 'afraid' of making announcements that fail. Because he will never fail. So what does he actually mean by "easier"?

Perhaps it is in the context of "ease of understanding" his message. His message has always been that of forgiveness and of redemption. He heals wounds and affliction caused by sin. The healing comes from forgiveness and repentance. The crowd, seeing someone forgiven and healed, would understand what they would need to do to be healed, too. They would understand that their sins caused their pain and affliction. And by asking forgiveness from the Lord, they will be healed.

But healing this paralytic by just commanding the affliction to disappear will not bring his message of forgiveness to the crowd. All they will know and remember was that the man was healed.

So this is how I am able to finally make sense of the gospel. And it just reaffirms how much wiser He is. And how important it is to always contemplate on His Word.

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cc watched: julie&julia

just finished watching 'julie&julia', the movie and all the special features of the disc. i never had much interest in special features (incl. behind-the-scenes). but because i still had some time after watching the movie, before dinner, i decided to watch the special features of the disc.

i remember an acquaintance who loves watching all the special features, esp. the behind the scenes footages. i remember him saying that these make the film infinitely more interesting. and thats the reason why he doesnt buy pirated movies, where a lot of these add-ons are subtracted.

watching the special features of julie&julia made me that realize he is right. the entire movie process is amazing itself. and seeing the actors as real people so soon after donning a 'character' makes me appreciate the art and skill! and of course, the entire creative process, conceptualization down to marketing is educational and inspiring.

back to the movie. well, i liked it because 1. meryl streep is in it. 2. its about blogging 3. meryl streep is in it.

mega-relate to the julie's blogging. how she started. how the first comment meant so much. and that argument with her hubby, how blogging made her so self-centered. and uncaring. hahaha. i should watch it. hehe.

a lot of people got bored with it, though. the pace does get really slow. and as much as i love meryl, her character's voice (julia child) does get tiring. and i didnt get nearly as hungry as i should have. lol

the special feature on julia child was an eye-opener. made me very curious about this celebrity chef. (though i guess she never crossed over to this side of the planet)

but i enjoyed. and at a time i was feeling quite ill, it made me smile.

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painting project

an instagram friend posted a pic of a painting he did. i was impressed and asked if he could be 'commissioned'. he gamely responded. he turned out to be a raider! and would be happy to do a painting for me. what colors? what theme? what would you like me to paint for you? initially, i was tempted to direct him and tell him what i wanted for the bedroom wall. what the color scheme was inside so he could complement it. but i changed my mind. i told him to paint based on what he would want to paint for corpcloset. so no directions from me. just paint whatever is inside your head when you think of cc. soon he'll be starting on the project. im so eager to post the final output here. with his permission, of course. on a side note, ive been thinking of doing a sitting for a group of painters. a cousin told me some of the professional visual artists like to do group painting/sketching if only to keep their basic skills updated. he actual did a sitting for a group of 10 for a minimal amount. and the variety of interpretations was just amazing. so im interested to do this. a naughty part of me is thinking of a nude sitting. lol. nude photography would be too risque but maybe painting wouldn't it? besides a photograph of you hanging on a wall is sooo.. whatever. hehehe well, i still dont have the body worthy of it. just a silly late night thought. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

it IS more FUN

i previously posted this question what's there to visit in the philippines? i thanked the raiders who answered and gave their ideas about what to promote in the philippines. of course, that post was based on trying to strategize the best way to market the country to foreigners. at lot of talk was generated by the ballyhooed 'Pilipinas Kay Ganda' campaign. and comparisons with 'Wow Philippines' were made. and these were all benchmarked against 'Malaysia, Truly Asia', 'Incredible India', etc. etc. but at the heart of it, i still wondered, what really is uniquely 'Philippines'? we can come up with great slogans but what are we really selling? and if i look at the country campaigns, i can even daresay that the elements are interchangeable, except perhaps for a tourism icon that is truly globally recognized. so when we talk about our pristine beaches, and geological formations, these don't seem so unique anymore. foreigners have hundreds of beach destinations to choose from. intramuros? they might as well go to europe. and i can go and on. mid-2011, a domestic campaign won awards for DOT.


and instead of racking its brains trying to be unique, it highlighted affordability. well, it is a compelling positioning. imagine the same thing at 10% of the price? but this was for domestic travellers, where cost is an issue. it could apply internationally, if we choose the 'budget traveller' segment as our target market. but we can't be fighting on price alone. there must be something else. in the late 80's, DOT had a poorly funded campaign positioning the country as 'Fiesta Islands'. i like 'fiesta', it is widely accepted locally and yet has an international ring to it. and it highlights something unique (so they say: the hundred and one fiestas we hold yearly). the only problem i had was that it was limiting. it was highlighting the events, not the country. and seasonal.


from the comments i got from the post, one included a reference article written by foreigner who just travelled here in the country. and it also lists down many of our usual tourist destinations. but it ended with how unique the Filipino smile is. or to be less romantic about it, how unique the experience was because of the way the Filipinos interacted with them. we were approachable, helpful, charming, hospitable, always laughing, inquisitive... we were 'fun'. and that struck a chord. if i were to plan a campaign, i would use that as the central insight. how do we market the tourist experience in the country, using the Filipino's unique character as a unique benefit? the great thing about the Filipino is that he/she is currently our no. 1 export product. and though there are some negative associations with being "Filipino" abroad (mostly from other Filipinos), the experience of working with Filipinos has been rich and rewarding. and they experience this not just in the workplace, but at other places as well, in churches, and even in the OFW homes as they welcome their foreign guests with overflowing food and karaoke. (at this point, please suspend comments on kidnappings and security!) the Filipino is fun-loving, whether in the homes of Hong Kong or on the building sites of Jeddah or here at home! so a tourist's experience of the Phiippines' beautiful beaches, wonderful sights becomes infintely richer as they are welcomed, entertained, charmed, served by the fun-loving Filipino! is this the campaign i've been looking for?


if you visit the site, you'll note the blurb below, an exact description of the insight.


the tagline itself, with SOOOO many people attacking it does not capture the entire insight. but it is not supposed to! the tagline is just that, a one-liner. the campaign will rest on the visuals, the copy, the entire concept as it plays out. in the same way, what is "malaysia, truly asia" as a simple line? but we remember that line remarkably well because we saw the entire campaign as a seamless "proof" of how 'Asia' malaysia is. so im excited to see the entire campaign. the insight is there. and the starting executions already show the potential of the campaign. i stop here. for ive said so much. but there is an amazing sequel to this post, coming from an article in rappler, from maria ressa... - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

another papal pronouncement

what a headline! pope: other denominations not true church

Pope Benedict XVI has reasserted the universal primacy of the Roman Catholic Church, approving a document released Tuesday that says Orthodox churches were defective and that other Christian denominations were not true churches.Benedict approved a document from his old offices at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that restates church teaching on relations with other Christians. It was the second time in a week the pope has corrected what he says are erroneous interpretations of the Second Vatican Council, the 1962-65 meetings that modernized the church.On Saturday, Benedict revisited another key aspect of Vatican II by reviving the old Latin Mass . Traditional Catholics cheered the move, but more liberal ones called it a step back from Vatican II.Benedict, who attended Vatican II as a young theologian, has long complained about what he considers the erroneous interpretation of the council by liberals, saying it was not a break from the past but rather a renewal of church tradition.msnbc article

this got the ire of many, many friends both real and virtual. one went as far as the actually cuss the pope for this pronouncement.

at a recent dinner before the fabcast, this topic came out. then they turned to me, the "devout" catholic, for comments. with all their fangs showing (hihihi), i can only muster a lame "what else do you expect the pope to say?"

on hindsight, though, well, that IS what i'd still want to say. what else should the pope, the leader of the catholic faith, defender, protector, say about such matters? i say this without agreeing to the the statement. i only agree that the pope is supposed to make this pronouncement.

the marketing rationale

if you will look at the catholic faith as some sort of brand/product (again, suspension of disbelief needed), you can liken the faithful to its loyal users. an old, reliable brand that has stood for the same things over the millenia. (much more than coke or apple!) and its base of users rely on it for exactly the same things.

now the catholic church is besieged by a lot of 'competition': other denominations, other faiths. and it is well aware that there is a continuous erosion of its 'users' as they convert. classic marketing dilemma: if it is a question of relevance, does the brand tinker with its basic premise/positioning to remain relevant and stem this hemorrhage? or will it rather remain faithful to its essence and be 'loyal' to its current users, though the numbers are getting fewer?

the bigger pay-off (stemming the tide and actually probably attracting new users) will come from a re-positioning. It is also more expensive (bigger investment). And a lot risker because of the probability of alienating the current loyal base.

the more conservative (and less expensive way) is to maintain the positioning and remain faithful to some 'core values".

if you think of Vatican II as some sort of reaction to be more relevant, the question is, did it work? the current pope seems to think it didnt. we dont have the figures but perhaps, the catholic faithful from 1960's hasn't grown as much. hence, the repositioning failed.

so we see a pope now looking at the current base of loyal users/faithful. and he is intent on keeping them by going back to the 'earlier' positioning of a more fundamental, conservative catholic church. he would rather appeal to this base, and keep them from converting. and give up trying to be 'more relevant' in these times.

hence, the return to the latin version of the holy eucharist. and lately, the strong rejection of gay marriage. he is just being consistent. and he is just saying what his loyal base expects him to say.

now, let me discuss this thing about 'true' church.

marketing's objective is to create 'a perceptual monopoly'. perceptual because it exists only in the mind of the consumer. as a marketer, i want my brand to be the ONLY one which can answer my consumer's needs and wants. the ONLY one. i justify that with all sorts of benefits and features. but i essentially communicate that my brand is the ONLY brand, there can be no other. is this real? of course not, especially for commodities. hey, water is water is water, right? but perrier? evian? you know what i mean.

id be a foolish marketer if i start out by saying that all water is the same. consider this statement: hey! all water is the same, but please buy my brand because .... sounds weird, right? why establish parity in the first place? you should establish differentiation and/or superiority!

which is why the pope simply had to say that the catholic church is the 'true church'. he had to differentiate. he had to claim 'superiority'. he had to claim that. if not, why even be faithful to the catholic church? if he said that all denominations are equal in the path to God and righteousness, why stick to the catholic faith?

the faithful, the loyal user base needs to hear, time and again, that they are on the 'right' path, or on the 'right side'. their allegiance needs to be reinforced. so..

again, on a marketing perspective, he is just saying what is expected of him.

a must-see

our hispanic colonial past, though said to mirror the other latin american countries, especially mexico, is still something i would call unique to our culture. the blend of asian-hispanic influences may feel like a clash of sorts, resulting in a confused pinoy heritage. but it remains part of us. part of me. and i feel a kinship towards it. which is why when i got to visit Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan in September, i was in love.


it is an experience that is worth recapturing. because i grew up in a house much like these. i have memories of capiz windows. of slatted wooden floors that needed to be polished with a bunot. of staircases and aparadors. of termite and mice infestations. of stories of aswangs and tikbalangs and white ladies. my dreams, and sometimes nightmares, all happen within the context of this old house.


seeing representatives of that era reconstructed, painstakingly transferred from previous locations, evokes lovely memories. i just had to bring the family there when my siblings came to visit for the holidays.


the resort allows some of the houses to be rented as suites. but they also have a hotel-type with rooms. i booked one house for all 11 of us, Casa Jaen, for an overnighter as a christmas gift. im glad to have given them a gift of time travel.


there's a bridge that connects to the shore. a wonderful and romantic walk at night reminiscent of paris. don't let the figures below scare you. the tikbalang and the manananggal serve as our gargoyles of notre dame!


tourists, local and foreign, would do well to visit this. the architecture spans generations, actually. and the houses have stories to tell. dinner at the plaza would have folk dancing. not a pinoy strong point but heck, it's still part of the package anyway.


ill come back here when the church is done. from the pillars already up, it seems like it would be a wonderful edifice, standing beside the 'river'.


and since this faces the west, you can have your fill of sunsets.


at only 3.5 hours away from manila via the scenic sctex, it is a perfect getaway for me and simplyred.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

shameless self promotion

i have unfollowed/unfriended (mayroon bang ganun?) twitter/fb acquaintances when i get turned off by blatant self-promotion. some of them are just full of uploaded pics (and sometimes videos) of themselves in various stages of dress and undress. just too much. others retweet the nice comments they receive every time. kailangan talagang malamam ko through your retweet that you are appreciated?

so one time, this came up in a fabcast. they were wondering about this common friend, a blogger. i remarked, hay naku. i unfollowed him because of shameless self promotion, i remarked. mgg quickly retorted. parang ikaw lang.

immediate reaction - felt my face growing super red. anger. hoy! how dare you, i thought to myself. ako pa? anonymous na nga ang blog ko! but i kept that to myself. and was just laughing as i mentally reviewed my online personas. my fb profiles? hmm well aside from the dp, my pics are not just me. more often, landscapes, other people. di naman lagi ako, ha?

days after, i am still bothered. and offended. then i realize that the perspective of another person will not always be the same as mine. and as far as he is concerned, i am as self-promoting as those that i actually detest (nah, not really detest. too strong. i look down upon) and it is true. if i had no career to consider, no 'image' to think about, id be using the online medium to super-promote myself and get affirmation. and i actually do. inserting a picture here and there in my different accounts to get noticed.

and i realize that that is the reason why i react to them who self-promote. i am just like them. with less balls.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

sixth sense

i just woke up.

i had a dream i was in my high school. in the old building part of the school. i was with my fag hag girl friend. that part of school was from hispanic times. and was thought to be haunted.

in the course of the dream, i was walking on the corridors when i started seeing dead people. first there was this black young priest who smiled and just walked into a wall. then as i went inside the men's toilet, there were two more, old priests (italians) whom i knew in my dream have died. but instead of fear, i felt like i had that eureka moment "wow! i can see dead people! i finally have 'the eye!'"

i was inside one of the rooms when i saw a group of them walking through, including one i knew, a friend. i asked him so casually how he has been since he died. and he just said that all has been fine.

i was asking fag hag whether she could see the person i was talking to! i was excited for her to see as well. but she didnt. and she still couldn't see.

i walked out into the corridors again, an intersection, and there was music and dancing, among the dead people in daylight! and i joined them in the revelry. and i can see them in all forms and sizes, some disfigured, some looking more like monsters. but none of them were scary at all. actually there was this peace and happiness as i realized i could see them.

and in my dream, i just wanted to tell people that 'hey, there is life after death.' it ain't so bad! nothing to be afraid of.

then i woke up. nothing abrupt. and i just had to write about it.

first post, 2012

im glad 2011 is over. one of my worst years, professionally. and when i reread that 2011 feng shui book, it actually mentioned that 2011 was going to be a major challenge. i would be worker so much harder than before. but i shouldnt lose heart.

and i didnt. i kept at it. trying to tap into a well of inspiration and drive somewhere deep within. i thought it wasnt there. but it was. and with that i had developed the steely resolve to do a hell of a lot better. yes. they can count 2011 as their yearl. yes. we are downl. but we are not out. far from it. (im practicing my first day of work speech, hehehe)

on a personal note,however, i did pretty well. two major things i have accomplished: to lose enough flab to actually see some abs. and to have started voice lessons. two projects that seemed to have been in the list forever. finally done and written off (well not exactly written off. im still at it.) coincidentally, for both projects, i slackened this december. i havent devoted enough time to practicing singing. and i have not been watching my eating during the holidays. but i wouldnt call them major fail either. i just need to bring both back starting today.

2011 was also good for travel. visited cities i have never see before: seoul, jakarta, bali, capetown, toronto. again, more cities to be 'written off' lol. but the downside, my worst case of insomnia ever. nights of totally no sleep and going to the office as walking dead. ugh. that was bad.

and on a health note, having done that executive check up again despite the schedule problems. done. after six years. but that will be done annually from now on.

finally, projects at the home decor area also accomplished. my attic is full of shelves now. even got the rug there finally. well some other loose ends but i got time for it.

some things i do want to get back doing. reading the daily scriptures. yeah. i used to do that everyday, every morning. should do that again. back to the sensible eating plan. ah yes, ive mentioned that. and getting that electric train set up permanently for tatay.

happy new year, raiders!