"I need a drink." Ryan thought to himself. It was a tough day. The negotiations didn't seem to be proceeding as planned. Well, as 'they' planned it. 'They' meaning Head Office. It was one of those long meetings where each point made became an argument. And unfortunately, he was alone facing the team from the other side.
He got off the cab and wandered into the hotel lobby. He was thinking if he was going to go up to his hotel room first and change or just saunter into the bar and help himself to some alcohol. The practicality of immediate alcohol gratification won him over. He went inside the dimly lounge and saw just a few guests inside. The small stage where the band, if you could call it a band, was still in darkness. Do you consider a torch singer and her back-up guitarist a band?
He was welcomed by the waitress in a long skirt but with a slit that went all the way up. And if you were a hot-blooded male, your eyes would probably be imagining whether there was underwear underneath.
But Ryan ain't no male, though he remains as hot-blooded and horny as they come. And being tired from that meeting didn't take away that libido. It may have even made it more intense. What he could do with a great massage in his room now.
"Sir? Would you like a drink now?" The fantasy was interrupted. Not rudely because the waiter asking the question was a welcome sight. He was quite tall. And the waiter's uniform did not bother to hide the broad shoulders and the chest. Now if he was just the masseur...
"Ah yeah. Could you give me the wine list?" He asked, trying to be cool and unaffected.
"Certainly, Sir." The waiter turned around and walked towards the other end of the bar to pick up the wine list. Ryan found his jaw dropping at the sight of the buns of the guy. 'Sheesh', thought to himself 'What is it about their uniforms? Is the hotel deliberately pimping the staff?' And he glanced around at the waiters and waitresses around. They were all strangely attractive and sexy. Or maybe it's just the lighting. Or lack of it.
The waiter, 'Jeffrey' as his nameplate bears, handed him the wine list and opened it up for him. "We have good Australian wine here, Sir. The Shiraz is recommendable."
"Hmm. Well, that sounds good. Give me a glass." He didn't want to bother pretending he knew anything about wine. As long as it tastes fine, and it delivers the buzz he so badly needed, it should be good. Besides, he was training himself to enjoy the pleasures of wine.
As Jeffrey left to fetch his drink, the waitress came over with a bowl of complimentary peanuts. And he debated on whether he should actually order something to eat. The TV monitors were showing either sports or CNN, with the volume turned low. He was not interested in either. He casually glanced at the other patrons. There was an older guy, trying to flirt with a waitress. And a couple who obviously came from a city tour. Perhaps on a honeymoon because they had eyes only for each other.
Jeffrey came back and served Ryan his wine. He made him taste first. Then poured more when Ryan approved. Again, Ryan didn't bother to actually taste it. It seemed okay.
"I hope you are enjoying the city, Sir. Is this your first time?" Jeffrey asked.
"Here in Davao, nah. I come here often. Always on business."
"So you've never visited the tourist spots, Sir?"
"Yes, I have. There was a trip when some friends followed and we all took time off. I love this place."
Jeffrey smiled. And he didn't seem to be in any hurry to leave. There weren't too many guests. Just too many of them waiting on tables.
"That's nice to hear, Sir. Are you from Manila?"
"Yup. You been there?"
"No. I would love to. But I've always just been here."
"Are you really from here?"
"Yes, Sir. Grew up in Matina."
Matina. That's the beach area. He used to love it there, not so much for the swimming, but for the view of the sea. But it has become cluttered lately.
"Ah yes. I know the place."
"You do? Not a lot of tourists know Matina. Just Times Beach"
"I am hardly a tourist. I wouldn't even mind settling here."
"You'd probably get bored, Sir."
"Bored? Why? You've got malls, bars and restos."
"Yes, Sir, but Davao City is really small, even if it has a huge land area."
Impressive, Ryan thought. The boy knew his geography. Well, some of it.
"I like it here. Just a few miles up, you got a huge mountain, and springs and forests. Then a few miles down, you have the beach. What else would you look for?"
"That's true, Sir. But if you are from Manila, it might bore you eventually... Would you want another glass?"
Ryan didn't realize he had already downed the glass and as they were chatting. He found Jeffrey hot and charming. And he was actually giddy that he was spending time chatting with him.
"Sure. Thanks."
Yes, he is horny now. Horny for Jeffrey. And he has no idea how to get from this point to getting into the boy's pants. Was he going to be bolder? Could he afford to be? He realized he only had two more days left.
Jeffrey returned with the bottle and poured him some more wine. But he was accompanied by a waitress this time. Ryan was puzzled.
"Sir, this is Ina. She'll take care of you for the rest of the night. I'm ending my shift."
'Damn! I haven't had the chance to get his number!!' Ryan cursed his fate. He smiled at Ina dryly. "Hello Ina. Could you get me the menu?" He suddenly felt hungry. With Jeffrey leaving, he might as well just grab something to eat.
He would have wanted to say goodbye, at least. But Jeffrey never came back. So he busied himself with his dinner. And soon enough, the 'band' had their first set. That was enough of a diversion till he started to feel the buzz, about four glasses later. And he was surprised it was just 10 minutes short of 9pm.
The horniness was still there. He decided to take a chance on the massage places around town. He was referred to one, quite near the hotel. So he had the concierge hail him a cab to take him there. "Amaranthus" was the name of the place. Exotic sounding for a rundown 'spa', if you could call it that.
A big guy greeted him at the makeshift counter. He looked around at the bamboo furniture and realized how dingy the place actually looked. But when he turned his attention to the receptionist, the guy was actually easy on the eyes. And he was more surprised to realize that he was going to be his therapist.
Small cubicles with plywood walls. A tiny cot and a plastic stool beside it. He was thankful for the buzz that made him easily forget where he was. And the massage was pleasant. Soon enough, the big hands of the therapist was carefully kneading his hind legs, making their way up his crack. 'Ahhhh' the signal for the extra service.
And when he turned over, he looked at the guy again. He kind of reminds him of Taylor Lautner, and the thought excited him. But as soon as he started fantasizing, the hotness level dropped when the guy whispered in his ear, negotiating for the extra service fee.
'Another negotiation?' he thought to himself. He was not in the mood for another one. So he nodded as the price was suggested. And quickly, those big hands started massaging his cock, not gently, almost hurriedly. 'Ugh' he thought to himself, and even wondered whether he would even get an erection.
Then the situation turned comical. Big guy stood up and murmured "Sir, does this turn you on?" He began dancing like a macho dancer, trying to make his stomach wave, with the customary hand up, bicep curled. "Good grief!' Ryan thought. "Just continue the massage, please." He mentioned exasperatedly.
Embarrassed, big guy got back to holding his still-limp cock, and started licking his nipples. That finally got some reaction from him. And soon enough, he was squirting on his belly.
The rolled tissue paper beside him was put to good use quickly. Big guy was also being nice and chatty as he was cleaning him up. And he gave him his mobile number. "Sir, I do home service, too."
He was out of the place fast. The massage and the release did him some good. But somehow, he was still up for some coffee. He hailed a cab that took him to the popular coffee shop, BluGre quite a distance from his hotel, in Matiina Town Square.
The coffee place was at the end of strip mini-mall. And as one approached the area, the music became louder and louder. It turned out to be beside an open-air hang-out place for the locals. He caught the smell the beer and smoke as he entered the coffee place. There was quite a crowd, even inside BluGre. But he found himself a small spot to settle and to enjoy his cup of durian-flavored cappuccino, the specialty.
He particularly loved durian, a taste he deliberately acquired quite a while back in one of the visits. Alone, he went to the stands selling the fruit and forced himself to enjoy the fruit. He really didn't have a deep aversion to the smell anyway. So eating the fruit wasn't much a chore. He actually immediately loved the sweetness, the tartness of the fleshy fruit. The taste was finally acquired.
Ryan walked out of the coffee shop and ambled into the chill place beside it. The energy level was rising with the band level shouting the words to the faster-paced songs. The crowd was enjoying it. And as he looked around, he saw much eye candy, young good-looking hunks with their girlfriends and/or barkadas. 'Ahhh, how I love Davao', Ryan thought to himself and smiled.
"Sir, you're here!" This was the greeting accompanied by a tap on the shoulder. He looked around and faced Jeffrey, his waiter at the bar earlier, his reason-for-horniness, the one who got away... almost.
"Hey!" was all he could say.
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Friday, January 10, 2014
Monday, January 6, 2014
Three Gay Films over Two Weekends
We recently watched some gay-themed movies. It's been a while since I have. I didn't know what to watch. I usually just type "best gay movies" on Google and check out the lists sites and people generate. Anyway, I came across three. c3 and I watched over the holidays.
Under One Roof (2002)
I start out with the one that had partner and I watching with "WTF?" all over our faces. It's East meets West, which is nothing new. In a gay romcom, which is nothing new again. But put in really bad acting from everyone, and frontal nudity from characters you would rather NOT see naked and you have a really bad picture. Sadly, they could have chosen better-looking Asians. (One of them, we suspect, is even Pinoy.) So guys, skip this one.
You Should Meet My Son (2010)
This movie I read about when a friend posted on FB a couple of years back. It was just a trailer, but it was an interesting trailer. The movie doesn't disappoint in the entertainment part. Doting mother and dowdy aunt look for a suitable partner for gay son. The premise is cute. The direction is cute. One of the actors is cute (and hunky). And they acted fine, well overly in some cases. There is a plot twist somewhere just to remove the predictability. And it works. We enjoyed this one.
Weekend (2011)
This British film is like gay Before Sunrise-Sunset-Midnight. It's a lot of conversation in a span of a weekend (of course). And just like other conversation-heavy movies, you can get tired. And even more for this movie because of the heavy accents. But still, superb acting from the central characters. And I love the camera angles and scenes. The central character grows on you. Partner and I started to develop a crush on him midway. At the end, we were Googling his name. Hihihi
I love this movie. It more than made up for the first one.
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Under One Roof (2002)
I start out with the one that had partner and I watching with "WTF?" all over our faces. It's East meets West, which is nothing new. In a gay romcom, which is nothing new again. But put in really bad acting from everyone, and frontal nudity from characters you would rather NOT see naked and you have a really bad picture. Sadly, they could have chosen better-looking Asians. (One of them, we suspect, is even Pinoy.) So guys, skip this one.
You Should Meet My Son (2010)
This movie I read about when a friend posted on FB a couple of years back. It was just a trailer, but it was an interesting trailer. The movie doesn't disappoint in the entertainment part. Doting mother and dowdy aunt look for a suitable partner for gay son. The premise is cute. The direction is cute. One of the actors is cute (and hunky). And they acted fine, well overly in some cases. There is a plot twist somewhere just to remove the predictability. And it works. We enjoyed this one.
Weekend (2011)
This British film is like gay Before Sunrise-Sunset-Midnight. It's a lot of conversation in a span of a weekend (of course). And just like other conversation-heavy movies, you can get tired. And even more for this movie because of the heavy accents. But still, superb acting from the central characters. And I love the camera angles and scenes. The central character grows on you. Partner and I started to develop a crush on him midway. At the end, we were Googling his name. Hihihi
I love this movie. It more than made up for the first one.
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Tuesday, December 31, 2013
my Man of the Year
Time magazine released their POY issue with Pope Francis on the cover. Nancy Gibbs wrote the essay detailing (justifying?) the choice. I couldn’t agree more with her.
“And yet in less than a year, he has done something remarkable: he has not changed the words, but he’s changed the music.”
Image lifted from: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/pope-francis-person-year-2013-time-magazine-529353
My priest-friend kept on emphasizing that. He has not contradicted what the Church has said in all its doctrinal sermons. And when it comes to gay marriage, he still tows the line. But he has kept on putting the spotlight away from these issues to the ‘real issues’ of poverty, inequality.
So what I hear him saying is: It’s not so much about finger-wagging and being ‘holier’. Let’s focus first on compassion, on giving, on healing. Too much energy has been spent on ‘fighting’ for traditional issues. Yet, people, millions of people are dying of hunger and disease because of income inequality, because of tyranny of a capitalism gone wild.
And when he says something like, who am I to judge a homosexual who does good, I am instantly inspired and gratified. If the Jesus Christ-appointed shepherd himself refuses to ‘classify’ me either as ‘goat’ or ‘sheep’, who could?
On that very personal note, my journey of faith has taken on a different dimension. I should have enough of my angst and guilt over what I do or whom I sleep with. If I truly believe, then go out and just shower love. If need be, let this ever-present conflict spur me to be humble and be generous.
I am sinful. That is a given. But I have to move on and help, and contribute, and love. And forgive. Myself and others. And as much as I am a wallower, I will have to put an end to all that ‘woe is me’ wailing. I will just chalk it up to ‘experience’. I will move forward and see that there is still so much to be done. And I am raring to do it.
All that wailing ends today, this last day of 2013.
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“And yet in less than a year, he has done something remarkable: he has not changed the words, but he’s changed the music.”
Image lifted from: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/pope-francis-person-year-2013-time-magazine-529353
My priest-friend kept on emphasizing that. He has not contradicted what the Church has said in all its doctrinal sermons. And when it comes to gay marriage, he still tows the line. But he has kept on putting the spotlight away from these issues to the ‘real issues’ of poverty, inequality.
So what I hear him saying is: It’s not so much about finger-wagging and being ‘holier’. Let’s focus first on compassion, on giving, on healing. Too much energy has been spent on ‘fighting’ for traditional issues. Yet, people, millions of people are dying of hunger and disease because of income inequality, because of tyranny of a capitalism gone wild.
And when he says something like, who am I to judge a homosexual who does good, I am instantly inspired and gratified. If the Jesus Christ-appointed shepherd himself refuses to ‘classify’ me either as ‘goat’ or ‘sheep’, who could?
On that very personal note, my journey of faith has taken on a different dimension. I should have enough of my angst and guilt over what I do or whom I sleep with. If I truly believe, then go out and just shower love. If need be, let this ever-present conflict spur me to be humble and be generous.
I am sinful. That is a given. But I have to move on and help, and contribute, and love. And forgive. Myself and others. And as much as I am a wallower, I will have to put an end to all that ‘woe is me’ wailing. I will just chalk it up to ‘experience’. I will move forward and see that there is still so much to be done. And I am raring to do it.
All that wailing ends today, this last day of 2013.
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Wednesday, December 25, 2013
a brooding afternoon on christmas eve
I swear the heavens are commisserating with me this aftrnoon. The clouds are all over the metro as I drink my coffee in a mall.
I just came from a trip to Bohol. As my christmas gift to the family, I sponsored their accommodations as long as they take care of the airfare and their meals. Three of my siblings and their families are home for the holidays. This is the first time we would be going on a trip that required flying.
I booked the tickets early part of the year. By July, I finalized the resort details. Then in August, twin 'calamities' struck. First, it was my mom's stroke. Then it was my dad's gastrointestinal surgery. The family was having second thoughts of pushing through. I told them to postpone deciding till November. I was confident my parents would be recovering in time.
By November, my dad had not fully recovered. Much hesitation to continue with the journey. And on a personal note, work became much more toxic. We were facing insurmountable challenges.
As December rolled in, my dad became stronger. And everyone finlly agreed to push through with the plans. So I felt relieved. And also pressured to make sure I didn't mess up, as plans also shifted a bit.
A day before our departure, one of my sisters, and her family, sent me a frantic text message. They were in Bohol and there was no one to fetch them from the airport. Fetch them? Weren't we supposed to fly together? Then I back-checked my messages from her. I got it all wrong. Luckily, I was still able to arrange transfers and a room for them. Good grief.
We all woke up early for that 530am flight. I arranged for three vehicles to bring us to the airport, to Terminal 3. No matter if that was such an early flight, there were long queues just going inside the terminal. Never mind. We have plenty of time.
Finally, we got inside and proceeded to PAL counters. My face became white as the guard told us that Bohol flights were in Terminal 2. "Please read the ticket, po." Oh Shit. I had brought all 14 of us, with two senior citizens and a toddler. WTF was I thinking?!? Frantically, we had to just get cabs to take us to Terminal 2. And as my sister got a wheelchair for my dad, the wheelchair assistant told us that PAL might just be able to bring us to Terminal 2 using the transfer shuttle. And luck prevailed. We were able to transfer for free and with enough time due to plane delay.
We made it safe and sound to Bohol. And all of them had a really grand time, they tell me. Well, I did, too. Partner was with me throughout, keeping me cool even as I was panicking. But I still really feel lousy for failing yet again in arranging the trip. I made such stupid, careless mistakes. Despite all my OC-ness, I missed those details that somehow ruined what would have been a perfect vacation.
I blame all the stress I've been under. But really, all that is still my fault. 2013 has become a year that exposed all my weak points, in so many levels. I need to work on so many things. Yet, I need to stop multitasking and focus. So I won't miss anything.
It's the night before Christmas. And all I could think about is how much I have failed this year. And the clouds seem to agree.
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I just came from a trip to Bohol. As my christmas gift to the family, I sponsored their accommodations as long as they take care of the airfare and their meals. Three of my siblings and their families are home for the holidays. This is the first time we would be going on a trip that required flying.
I booked the tickets early part of the year. By July, I finalized the resort details. Then in August, twin 'calamities' struck. First, it was my mom's stroke. Then it was my dad's gastrointestinal surgery. The family was having second thoughts of pushing through. I told them to postpone deciding till November. I was confident my parents would be recovering in time.
By November, my dad had not fully recovered. Much hesitation to continue with the journey. And on a personal note, work became much more toxic. We were facing insurmountable challenges.
As December rolled in, my dad became stronger. And everyone finlly agreed to push through with the plans. So I felt relieved. And also pressured to make sure I didn't mess up, as plans also shifted a bit.
A day before our departure, one of my sisters, and her family, sent me a frantic text message. They were in Bohol and there was no one to fetch them from the airport. Fetch them? Weren't we supposed to fly together? Then I back-checked my messages from her. I got it all wrong. Luckily, I was still able to arrange transfers and a room for them. Good grief.
We all woke up early for that 530am flight. I arranged for three vehicles to bring us to the airport, to Terminal 3. No matter if that was such an early flight, there were long queues just going inside the terminal. Never mind. We have plenty of time.
Finally, we got inside and proceeded to PAL counters. My face became white as the guard told us that Bohol flights were in Terminal 2. "Please read the ticket, po." Oh Shit. I had brought all 14 of us, with two senior citizens and a toddler. WTF was I thinking?!? Frantically, we had to just get cabs to take us to Terminal 2. And as my sister got a wheelchair for my dad, the wheelchair assistant told us that PAL might just be able to bring us to Terminal 2 using the transfer shuttle. And luck prevailed. We were able to transfer for free and with enough time due to plane delay.
We made it safe and sound to Bohol. And all of them had a really grand time, they tell me. Well, I did, too. Partner was with me throughout, keeping me cool even as I was panicking. But I still really feel lousy for failing yet again in arranging the trip. I made such stupid, careless mistakes. Despite all my OC-ness, I missed those details that somehow ruined what would have been a perfect vacation.
I blame all the stress I've been under. But really, all that is still my fault. 2013 has become a year that exposed all my weak points, in so many levels. I need to work on so many things. Yet, I need to stop multitasking and focus. So I won't miss anything.
It's the night before Christmas. And all I could think about is how much I have failed this year. And the clouds seem to agree.
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Friday, December 13, 2013
mirror. mirror.
I watched this movie, What's Your Number? starring Chris Evans and Anna Faris. Partner pointed out how Anna kept on mirroring whomever she was dating.
I realized how much of a mirror I am with my partners, too.
I am such a pleaser. I would quickly learn what makes him laugh, or tickle his fancy. And I would just go and learn it, copy it. So we will have something in common. When an ex was into badminton, I got into it, too. He liked Bocelli and Brightman. I got to appreciate them. And he was into watching figure-skating and tennis, well, I got interested in that, too.
Then I have another ex who was into classical music and opera. So I started to learn that and even took classical voice lessons. He loved gadgets and gizmos and cameras. I started buying more of those things. Even on impulse. He was all Downton Abbey, wood panelling, and I got into the lifestyle, too!
Ah. The pattern stares at me in the face. And it's not my partner's fault. It's mine. I just want to make sure we have common ground. We enjoy the same things. But sometimes, I end up not knowing when the "we" ends and the "me" begins?
I have been drinking hard drinks lately. Previously, my alcohol of choice was just wine, red wine more specifically. I could drink a glass or two everyday. And I could drink and just feel light. But I got introduced to hard drinks. Because partner enjoys it. He enjoys the night life in general. I have started to like it again. And on a few occasions, I have actually gotten drunk. Really drunk. Embarrassingly drunk.
And I trace it to me being both a mirror and getting competitive! I am challenged to outdrink partner. Parang mga lalaki lang. Palakasan uminom. Unahan matumba. But I never do, anyway. He ends up taking care of me, making sure I get to go home or to the hotel room, safe. I am not happy with myself.
All because I am mirroring again. In my effort to please, I lose sight of self.
This has got to stop.
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I realized how much of a mirror I am with my partners, too.
I am such a pleaser. I would quickly learn what makes him laugh, or tickle his fancy. And I would just go and learn it, copy it. So we will have something in common. When an ex was into badminton, I got into it, too. He liked Bocelli and Brightman. I got to appreciate them. And he was into watching figure-skating and tennis, well, I got interested in that, too.
Then I have another ex who was into classical music and opera. So I started to learn that and even took classical voice lessons. He loved gadgets and gizmos and cameras. I started buying more of those things. Even on impulse. He was all Downton Abbey, wood panelling, and I got into the lifestyle, too!
Ah. The pattern stares at me in the face. And it's not my partner's fault. It's mine. I just want to make sure we have common ground. We enjoy the same things. But sometimes, I end up not knowing when the "we" ends and the "me" begins?
I have been drinking hard drinks lately. Previously, my alcohol of choice was just wine, red wine more specifically. I could drink a glass or two everyday. And I could drink and just feel light. But I got introduced to hard drinks. Because partner enjoys it. He enjoys the night life in general. I have started to like it again. And on a few occasions, I have actually gotten drunk. Really drunk. Embarrassingly drunk.
And I trace it to me being both a mirror and getting competitive! I am challenged to outdrink partner. Parang mga lalaki lang. Palakasan uminom. Unahan matumba. But I never do, anyway. He ends up taking care of me, making sure I get to go home or to the hotel room, safe. I am not happy with myself.
All because I am mirroring again. In my effort to please, I lose sight of self.
This has got to stop.
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Tuesday, December 10, 2013
They did it for love.
I have finally witnessed a sweet, moving commitment ceremony between two men. It was the first I have ever witnessed. Though I recall now that my partner was invited to one a few years back. He brought me to the event but we arrived during the reception. I had written about the proposal previously. Even then, we were already getting kilig over the prospect of the ceremony. Canmaker, one of the grooms and a high school classmate, made us swear to help him organize the event. And so we did. But for weeks after that, nothing was happening much.
Canmaker knew he wanted something simple yet memorable. And it would have to be at the beach resort they frequently visit for vacations. He made us, his high school group, take care of the ceremony and act as over-all organizers. Then he fanned out venue set and decor to his production designer friends, the food to his chef friend and finally all the other details to his partner’s friends. They had a very select group of witnesses to the event. We were about 30 in all. And half of us was involved in the event.
It was fun just putting things together. We had a couple of meetings to discuss concepts and align ideas. And lots of email exchanges. There was a slight setback when Canmaker, his fiancee and production friends, made an ocular visit a week before the event. He was dismayed to see the condition of the resort, which he would politely describe as “rustic”. So much work had to be done to make the areas beautiful for the photo ops! (Yes, that was always the concern!) So, he told us not to expect much by way of amenities and accommodations and just focus on helping them make something memorable.
No matter, we all thought. We were all fired up anyway. And so the production people arrived early, even two days before the event, to get the place in order. By the time we arrived at the resort a day before, the place had started to show much promise. It was cleaned up and painted. And when they started putting the touches, voila, the area just came to life!
The program at 3pm started with cocktails at the verandah overlooking the beach. The place had magically transformed into Santorini, replete with white arches and linen swags There was even a photowall for the obligatory poses. We played some lounge-y music as the guests started arriving, all in the prescribed white top. By 415pm, the couple joined the guests to socialize. We served wine, fruit juice and splendid pica-pica.
At 430pm, the couple did their french exit to change into the ceremony clothes. Cocktails and chitchat continued. Shortly after, the emcees requested the guests to go down to the beach area and form two lines. They grabbed handfuls of rose petals from a basket.
All were lined up as they waited for the couple to make their entrance. The first bars of their theme song played in the background (“Sana Nga Ay Ikaw Na” by The Company) as soon as the couple appeared at the top of the short flights of steps. Canmaker was already welling up as they went down the steps, with their 'kids", two shitzu's, and marched between the lines formed by the guests. As they passed, the guests threw the rose petals at them.
When they got to the top of the line, the ceremony officer was waiting for them. And we, the guests, enclosed them in a circle. The sun was rightly timed as sunset was due soon.
In front of all of us, Canmaker and his partner made their vows. They came up with their own touching scripts. And as each was reciting his lines, each was choking up with tears. And so were we.
From then, they got the rings, tied in a bow around their two dogs. They put the ring on each other’s hand. Then solemnly, they were pronounced partners. Then they kissed. I watched this with sun in my eye. Which was just as well because I was tearing up. It looked so right. It looked so real. Because it is right. And it is real. No matter if the Church or the Government says it is not so.
We all went nearer the shoreline to catch the glorious sunset and have our pictures with the couple taken with it. Everyone was just giddy and happy for the couple.
And as darkness approached, we gave everyone their paper lanterns to light. Those darn lanterns took forever to catch fire. The technique, I realized, is to light it up with a candle on one corner of that square 'puck'. Then as the flame grows, set the lantern down on the ground so the air heats up faster. And that allows you to hold the paper sides up. One by one, the lanterns ascended in the dark blue sky, with the sea below it. It was quite a sight! With the lanterns, we made wishes for the couple.
From there, we enjoyed the cocktails until dinner was ready. It was on the balcony of the hotel building. When we got there, everyone was just amazed at how the area transformed into a stylish, intimate reception with the most heavenly dishes served. Canmaker was just blown away. All their friends pulled through for them! Read how one of the guests experienced the event.
The merriment continued into the night. And everyone was just drunk with joy for the couple who were doing this for no other reason but love.
I look back at that event, two weeks after, and I am still in awe that it all transpired, exactly as Canmaker wanted it. But beyond that, it was an affirmation that something like this was possible. It gave me hope. But not just for me. But for every other beki out there who dreams of a time when one can be proud about professing gay love to the whole world, with or without the legal trimmings.
*photo credits: Pics 1-3 by the blogger. Pics 4-6 by various photographers who will remain unnamed. But they own the rights to the use of the photos.
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Canmaker knew he wanted something simple yet memorable. And it would have to be at the beach resort they frequently visit for vacations. He made us, his high school group, take care of the ceremony and act as over-all organizers. Then he fanned out venue set and decor to his production designer friends, the food to his chef friend and finally all the other details to his partner’s friends. They had a very select group of witnesses to the event. We were about 30 in all. And half of us was involved in the event.
It was fun just putting things together. We had a couple of meetings to discuss concepts and align ideas. And lots of email exchanges. There was a slight setback when Canmaker, his fiancee and production friends, made an ocular visit a week before the event. He was dismayed to see the condition of the resort, which he would politely describe as “rustic”. So much work had to be done to make the areas beautiful for the photo ops! (Yes, that was always the concern!) So, he told us not to expect much by way of amenities and accommodations and just focus on helping them make something memorable.
No matter, we all thought. We were all fired up anyway. And so the production people arrived early, even two days before the event, to get the place in order. By the time we arrived at the resort a day before, the place had started to show much promise. It was cleaned up and painted. And when they started putting the touches, voila, the area just came to life!
The program at 3pm started with cocktails at the verandah overlooking the beach. The place had magically transformed into Santorini, replete with white arches and linen swags There was even a photowall for the obligatory poses. We played some lounge-y music as the guests started arriving, all in the prescribed white top. By 415pm, the couple joined the guests to socialize. We served wine, fruit juice and splendid pica-pica.
At 430pm, the couple did their french exit to change into the ceremony clothes. Cocktails and chitchat continued. Shortly after, the emcees requested the guests to go down to the beach area and form two lines. They grabbed handfuls of rose petals from a basket.
All were lined up as they waited for the couple to make their entrance. The first bars of their theme song played in the background (“Sana Nga Ay Ikaw Na” by The Company) as soon as the couple appeared at the top of the short flights of steps. Canmaker was already welling up as they went down the steps, with their 'kids", two shitzu's, and marched between the lines formed by the guests. As they passed, the guests threw the rose petals at them.
When they got to the top of the line, the ceremony officer was waiting for them. And we, the guests, enclosed them in a circle. The sun was rightly timed as sunset was due soon.
In front of all of us, Canmaker and his partner made their vows. They came up with their own touching scripts. And as each was reciting his lines, each was choking up with tears. And so were we.
From then, they got the rings, tied in a bow around their two dogs. They put the ring on each other’s hand. Then solemnly, they were pronounced partners. Then they kissed. I watched this with sun in my eye. Which was just as well because I was tearing up. It looked so right. It looked so real. Because it is right. And it is real. No matter if the Church or the Government says it is not so.
We all went nearer the shoreline to catch the glorious sunset and have our pictures with the couple taken with it. Everyone was just giddy and happy for the couple.
And as darkness approached, we gave everyone their paper lanterns to light. Those darn lanterns took forever to catch fire. The technique, I realized, is to light it up with a candle on one corner of that square 'puck'. Then as the flame grows, set the lantern down on the ground so the air heats up faster. And that allows you to hold the paper sides up. One by one, the lanterns ascended in the dark blue sky, with the sea below it. It was quite a sight! With the lanterns, we made wishes for the couple.
From there, we enjoyed the cocktails until dinner was ready. It was on the balcony of the hotel building. When we got there, everyone was just amazed at how the area transformed into a stylish, intimate reception with the most heavenly dishes served. Canmaker was just blown away. All their friends pulled through for them! Read how one of the guests experienced the event.
The merriment continued into the night. And everyone was just drunk with joy for the couple who were doing this for no other reason but love.
I look back at that event, two weeks after, and I am still in awe that it all transpired, exactly as Canmaker wanted it. But beyond that, it was an affirmation that something like this was possible. It gave me hope. But not just for me. But for every other beki out there who dreams of a time when one can be proud about professing gay love to the whole world, with or without the legal trimmings.
*photo credits: Pics 1-3 by the blogger. Pics 4-6 by various photographers who will remain unnamed. But they own the rights to the use of the photos.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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