How to Transfer Property Title - Part 1

I am here at the San Juan City Hall Registry of Deeds. Its 830am and office is still closed. Why am I not surprised?



This is Step 1 of a journey to transfer title of my mom's property to me. Something tells me this will be a loong journey. By 845am, the office opened and I was entertained. Oops. Wrong office. I have to go BIR to pay the corresponding taxes first. Duh oh ok.


Off I go to BIR, on the 4th floor of a commercial building where the only commerce that goes on happens on the 1st floor! 2 floors of retail space EMPTY! BIR office OIC tells me nicely that I would have to pay a freaking P165T in taxes. And I would need the certified true copies of my birth certificate, my parents' marriage contract, the tax declaration papers, etc. etc. etc. BUT BUT BUT he could probably lower the amount by P36T if I am able to show that this is my parent's conjugal property! Do you smell what I am smelling? Smells like I will owe Mr OIC a favor for such 'generosity'..

Anyway, I had to request tax declaration documents, duly authenticated, from the Assessor's Office. P60 for two copies. Accomplished fast!

It's just step 1!
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On being hit on

this may seem like a yabang post, i admit. forgive me, indulge me. i am referring to a woman hitting on me. yikes.

currently in a cagayan de oro hotel (down south). yesterday saw this rather well-maintained 40 to 50 woman at the lobby, in sporty outfit, white short shorts (pekpek shorts), tight-fitting work-out blouse with plunging neckline.. seemingly looking for someone... at 10pm!

cut to breakfast buffet area a while ago. only table available is beside hers. this time she's wearing a plunging neckline halter top, empire cut blouse. (di ba bading na bading ang pagka-describe ng outfit?) i keep to myself, eat my breakfast and read my Time magazine. she opens with 'i stole your sugar... i saw that you use equal.' i politely smiled and guessed i am being hit on. and she carries on about how these things dont work.

i play the role of interested listener and indulge her in conversation. thank God for mobile phones. hers goes off and she has to take the call and leave. hehehe. 'but ill be back' she promises.

i leave shortly and as a true gentleman, signal to her that I am leaving even as she is talking over the phone. 'when will you be leaving? i hope to see you again..' she hurriedly utters.

wow. desperate times call for desperate moves. flattering? just a bit kasi BABAE. honestly, SOME women, especially older women will fall for any one! as in! its not as if you really are such a gorgeous piece of cake. you dont have to be. you just have to be biologically male to attract some of them. i was also hit on by another vivacious, curvaceous mid-aged woman in a wedding. complete with one-liner (yung statement, not the eyebrows).

the perils of being in the closet with no wedding ring on the finger!

Hagia Sophia Iconography

As I promised artist Josh (and his doves) I am posting pics I took of the awesome Hagia Sophia, a 4th Century cathedral in Istanbul built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. It's amazing to actually see this, though not up close because this is like the 3rd biggest cathedral in the world. apologies though for just two pics of the icons, most of the pics i took focused on the architecture, which is more of my interest. It was a finalist in the recent seven wonders of the world vote.

So here it is, Josh, a post dedicated to your post on icons. Here's to a kindred spirit!

the podcast villain

currently listening to the podcast of the troikasters where I was a guest, together with tony. feeling a lot better and started realizing that i am either going to be cast as the EVIL LOVER or the clueless guest the troikasters are ganging up on! hahaha

But i think I am going to be more of the villain here... these things that i do certainly do not fit into the mold of a lot people, gay or straight. i cope, i am tempted, i give in, i seek it out, i enjoy it and after all that, i hide it. no rationalization, though. this is just it.

stone me... *magdalena by freddie aguilar plays in the background*

Maria Magdalena, by Honoré Daumier (1808-1879)

my first podcast appearance

just came from my first podcast guesting, courtesy of the troikasters - migs, mcvie & gibbs. i was one of two guests for their podcast on long-distance relationships. masaya pala though i am now in a weird mood right after. its been a long time since i have laid bare myself to people, talking about my beliefs, my activities, my corniness and my horniness. i feel so... naked. and while i was 'undressing', i felt i was being analyzed and dissected. i am so used to be the one to do the listening and the dissecting. kinda uncomfortable, i have to admit. guess you have to listen to the podcast to understand...

the sky didnt fall

i feel like chicken little, blogging about what i thought was the end. it wasnt. but first, thank you for the support, the kind words.

after i posted that entry, i really had to talk to him. i really didnt want it to end that way. and it could have, knowing that he is capable of standing his ground (proud as he is) and making good on his promise never to see me again.

i texted him - asked him not to go, asked him to talk to me and apologized for spending the night somewhere else. nr - no response.

i couldnt let him leave. so i got his packed luggage and brought this with me to the office. i felt deviously smart for 'hijacking' his things.

i was the walking dead going to work yesterday morning. it's a miracle i survived my meetings.

texted him again during lunch. and finally called him. he was home, in the condo and he just woke up. he asked where his things were. and he said he'd rather not talk about what happened.

went home last night. the chill in the air was very apparent. i didnt push the envelope, not wanting any conflagration.

the detente continues till today. i still want to talk about it, thresh it out because i dont want a repeat performance. i dont know how, without igniting his temper...

relationships - really take a lot of hardwork... during grey moments like these, you wonder whether it's worth all the trouble. honestly i cant answer it yet. but i guess questions like these shouldnt even be asked during grey moments...