The 2009 Manila Pride March. December 5, 2009.

For more information, visit the Task Force Pride Website or join the Facebook Fan Page.

Have you pre-registered for the 2009 Manila Pride March? It’s easy -http://bit.ly/1gAvZc

The horniest gay men out there would most definitely want this to be their reality.  I’m not the horniest gay man I know but I sure would love for this to come true. Charotzness. Just imagine your furniture are replaced by hot and hunky naked men (some of whom actually move and interact with you!).

Enjoy!

This is a video of a band called “Valley Lodge” for their single “All of My Loving,” which, I think deserves a lot of loving! Now excuse me while I wipe the drool off of my face.

The 2009 Manila Pride March. December 5, 2009.

For more information, visit the Task Force Pride Website or join the Facebook Fan Page.

Have you pre-registered for the 2009 Manila Pride March? It’s easy – http://bit.ly/1gAvZc

UPDATE (Decemeber 1, 2009): RICA WAS NOT EVICTED LAST WEEK.  THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! 

For this week, please do not vote and use the “BB Rica” keywords.  Voting this week is FOR eviction. You vote to evict, so don’t vote for Rica.

Dear friends, help us save Rica from getting evicted out of the Pinoy Big Brother House!

And to quote Rica:

Ang magandang laban, hindi kailangan pilayan ang kalaban.

Kaya vote na!

Simply follow these instructions (if you’re in the Philippines).

SMS VOTING IN THE PHILIPPINES

Text BB RICA to
2331 for Globe, TM, Sun Cellular and Bayan Wireless Landline
231 for Smart and Talk N Text
P2.50/text for Globe, TM, Bayan Wireless Landline, Smart and Talk N Text
P2.00/text for Sun Cellular

If you’re outside the Philippines, here are the voting instructions for Pinoy Big Brother Double Up. Remember to vote for RICA!

SMS VOTING OUTSIDE THE PHILIPPINES

JAPAN

Brastel Smart Phonecard Holders (via IVR):

For information to vote (Tagalog Customer Service Numbers):

Free dial :0120-659-535
From Mobile : 03-5637-5905

To vote:

Dial 0091-2074-0011 – (Candidate No) – (No of Votes)
Ex: To send Candidate no. 08 as many as 10 votes, dial: 0091-2074-0011–08-10

The call will be received by an automated answering service that will:
1. Give affirmative and thank you remark if successful, or
2. Error tones if failed.

Vote Package:

1 vote = Y40
5 votes = Y140
10 votes = Y200
30 votes = Y540

WorldDyne Indigo Phonecard Holders (mobile email):
For information to vote:
Type pbb@stxt.jp in the To area and PBB in the message body

To Vote:
Type pbb@stxt.jp in the To area
Type Number of votes, number sign #, and name of PBB housemate you want to vote in the message body
Ex: 10#Yuri

Vote Package:

1 vote = Y40
5 votes = Y140
10 votes = Y200
30 votes = Y540

Telecallnet Subscribers (mobile email):
For information to vote:
Type pbb@tctxt.jp in the To area and PBB in the message body

To Vote:
Type pbb@tctxt.jp in the To area
Type Number of votes, number sign #, and name of PBB housemate you want to vote in the message body
Ex: 10#Yuri

Vote Package:

1 vote = Y40
5 votes = Y140
10 votes = Y200
30 votes = Y540

SAIPAN/GUAM

IT&E (mobile):

To vote:

Text PBB to 7840
$0.10 per vote

SMART Prepaid International Roamers

To vote:

Dial *133# and go to International VAS to vote
Available worldwide except for Saudi Arabia and Kuwait
P5 per vote

SINGAPORE

Singtel:

To vote:

Text PBB (housemate) to 741651
SG$0.50 per vote

UAE

Etisalat:

To vote:

Text PBB (housemate name) to 4200
AED3 per vote

HONG KONG

Brastel Hongkong Smart Phonecard Holders (via IVR):

For information to vote (Tagalog Sustomer Service Numbers):

Dial 1570-247 or 3051-9402

To vote:

Dial 157093 – (Candidate No) – (No of Votes)
Example: To send Candidate no. 08 as many as 10 votes, dial 157093 – 08 – 10

The call will be received by an automated answering service that will:
1. Give affirmative and thank you remark if successful, or
2. Error tones if failed.

Vote Packages:

1 vote = HK$1.00
5 votes = HK$3.00
10 votes = HK$5.00
30 votes = HK$ 12.00

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnow.com/PBBdoubleup-mobile.html

From Ang Ladlad:

Dear Human Rights Defenders and Protectors a.k.a Friends,

The Motion for Reconsideration (MR) was filed today, Nov18 at the Comelec. We will wait for the Comelec’s decision to reconsider LADLAD’s accreditation to run for party list in the 2010 election. Comelec has the option to sit on this and let time pass until LADLAD, due to technicality, will not be able to register to run in the 2010 election because the Comelec has only a few days to finalize the list of party-list groups that would be included in the ballot. WE NEED TO PRESSURE THE COMELEC TO COME UP WITH A DECISION. JOIN US IN SAYING WE ARE NOT IMMORAL AND ARE NOT A THREAT TO THE YOUTH. JOIN US FIGHT FOR OUR LGBT RIGHTS! As Amnesty International would say, ALL HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL!! WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1. JOIN THE PROTEST ACTION ON WED. NOV 25, 2009
Because of Manny Pacquiao’s motorcade on Friday, Nov.20 around Manila, Ang LADLAD decided to move the rally to next week.

TENTATIVE DATE: Wednesday, Nov. 25
ASSEMBLY TIME: 9:30AM
VENUE: COMELEC

Your group can send your message of solidarity & support to LADLAD at their FB page or email at darnalipad_2000@yahoo.com, danton_ph@yahoo.com Your group can bring placards, streamers, anything rainbow, be in costume on that protest. imMORAL white shirts are being sold at P250. I’ve attached the design to this email. Contact Mj Yap thru FB or email her @ mjoyap@yahoo.com – Send your name, contact info, number of orders, & t-shirt sizes. I think they have male & female sizes

2. LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN The Internationall Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), together with Ang LADLAD will have a letter-writing campaign to pressure Comelec to come up with a decision the soonest time possible. We will inform you once we have uploaded the letter at the www.iglhrc.org website. You can copy & paste the letter together with the email addresses included in the article and send to the Comelec Commissioners, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) who have been so supportive of LGBT rights especially Atty. De Lima.

3. REPOST THIS INFO Please inform us of your intentions/interest for proper coordination with LADLAD Again Thank You.

“I have been telling them, you are not under-represented… actually you are over-represented in the Lower House and Upper House.”  – COMELEC Second Division Chairman Nicodemus Ferrer

So Mr. Chairman, would you like to elaborate on that and name all the members of the LGBT community in both Lower and Upper Houses?

.

Rainbow Rights Project is launching the Philippines’ first ever LGBT-produced and oriented radio show ever.

On Saturday, November 21, tune in to DWBL AM, 1242 kHz from 2:30 to 3:30 PM as Radio Rainbow Pilipinas airs its maiden episode.

You may also visit the Rainbow Rights Project official website for more details.

lifted from MyGandaAko.com (just because I can lift).

Gone are the days when you only mean the rubber flip-flops whenever you say “Havs” because Havaianas has just unveiled their newest line: bags!  Genetics has gone beyond science and has found its way into fashion. Havaianas, the world’s best rubber flip-flops, now shares its DNA to the newest addition to their family.

With the same sense of functional style, these new fashion statements from Havaianas showcase the basic features that define the chic brand. Aside from using the same rainbow of colors as the flip-flops’ palette, the different bag styles are subtly ingrained with distinct Havaianas elements: the rice pattern on the soles and the Greek pattern on the straps are integrated into different details of all the bag styles. Reinforcing the bag’s durability are familiar rubber elements that provide sturdy yet stylish bases, straps and locks. The round rubber buttons used to keep the flip-flops’ soles and straps together can also be found detailing the bags, locking-in the Havaianas DNA.

I got the chance to see these bags on the racks and on the ramp at the recently-concluded

Havaianas Newest Fashion Must-Havs Launch.  My favorites were the following (all ramp photos by Fritz Tentativa).

I love (like I have a huge crush on) this model. Both the bag and the person. He’s so cute!

And here are the rest of the latest fashion must-havs:

Havaianas Mega

Similar to flip-flops, an understated handbag such as the Havaianas Mega can be the most versatile item in  your bag wardrobe, adding a punch of color to any outfit. Havaianas Mega comes in two orientations, with the vertical Havaianas Mega NS currently available in Navy Blue and Black, and the horizontal Havaianas Mega LO currently available in Light Green and Red. Through careful attention to detail, the solid hues of Havaianas Mega underscore flexibility without compromising fashion or style.

Havaianas Mega Printed

Havaianas Mega Printed takes the same silhouette of the Havaianas Mega and adds a playful print. With its intricate design of flip-flop flowers, the Havaianas Mega Printed currently comes in Yellow|Gray and Light Blue|Brown. The added print makes the style a perfect option for the multi-faceted modern woman with an eye for style and a need for adaptability.

Havaianas Sack

Nothing beats the functionality of a durable carry-all, and Havaianas takes it a step further with the  introduction of the Havaianas Sack — perfect for men and women who prefer a simple, subtle, ever-so-versatile style. Mirroring the variety of color found in the flip-flops, this style is currently available in nine different colors – Black, Brown, Gray, Lawn Green, Light Blue, Navy Blue, Orange, Pink, and Red – and each Sack features a detachable rubber strap that you can mix and match to suit your mood and style.

Havaianas Side

Havaianas takes the basic messenger sling bag to fashionable new heights with the Havaianas Side. This style features a rubber bottom for a sturdy and unique base, while a similar rubber brace keeps the bag cover in place while adding a distinct edge to the style. Available in Black, Brown and Navy Blue, the Havaianas Side is ideal for the dynamic lifestyles of youthful and fashionable individuals who value ease and practicality.

Havaianas Tote

One can’t help but love the simple yet functional construction of the Havaianas flip-flops and now, the Havaianas Tote. By inserting a colorful printed drawstring bag into the traditional tote silhouette, this bag – currently available in Light Blue, Pink, and Yellow – provides a fashionable way to secure your essentials. Add in the internal pockets, and the Havaianas Tote is perfect for every woman whose life is filled to bursting – from the chic career woman with her pens and papers to the stylish mommy with her baby’s bottles and diapers.

Havaianas Zip

The brand’s originality and innovative spirit shines through with the introduction of the cool, new bag concept of the Havaianas Zip. With wide-open sides, and numerous pockets, the Havaianas Zip allows you to conveniently tote items you would normally hand-carry, such as skateboards, yoga mats, jackets—even puppies. Currently available in two sizes and six colors – Black, Navy Blue, Orange, Red, Pink and Yellow – the Havaianas Zip is perfect for diverse girls and guys who are willing to break out of the traditional bag mold.

Carry the Havaianas Lifestyle at www.havaianasphilippines.com/musthavs.

The all-new Havaianas Bag Collection is out now at selected All Flip-Flops stores nationwide: Alabang Town Center, Bonifacio High Street, Glorietta 3, Greenbelt 5, SM Megamall, Ayala Center Cebu, SM City Cebu, SM City Cagayan de Oro, SM City Davao, SM City Iloilo, SM City Lipa, and SM City Naga.

UP Babaylan and the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP) invite you to commemorate the lives of transgender individuals worldwide whose untimely deaths were caused by hate, to the 11th International Transgender Day of Rememberance.

From November 24 through November 27, various activities and events will take place at the University of the Philippines in Diliman:

November 24 (Tuesday) 10:00 AM – TDOR Exhibit Opening, Palma Hall Lobby (exhibit runs till the 27th)

November 27 (Friday) 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM – TRANSCEND: Stories and Struggles of Transpeople in the Philippines (A Forum) – UP Diliman Gender Office, Benton Hall

November 27 (Friday) 6:00 PM – Candle-lighting Ceremony – Palma Hall Lobby

To participate or for inquiries, contact STRAP Secretary Ms. Mae Emmanuel Hernandez at mobile (0905.352.0943) and email (mushy.mae@gmail.com).

Lifted from my new Food Blog (the old is officially retired). Go Visit KAININ MO! and let’s have fun sa kainan!

Days after the Century Corned Tuna Bloggers’Cook Off, I was still thinking about our winning pasta. I was replaying in my mind and air-tasting the delectable Asian-inspired dish. So when I went to SM Makati, I bought the ingredients that I didn’t have and headed home excitedly.

I went online to check the recipe, then starting measuring – approximating and assuming the correct measurements for each ingredient. Or so I thought.

All the ingredients were ready, the pasta almost cooked, and I – excited to start cooking the pasta sauce. The first few steps were fine. Until I got to the liquids. Apparently, I over-estimated the measurements and put in too much white wine and soy sauce, which made the whole thing taste sour and salty. Too sour and too salty. I immediately

went for the only remedy I know: add water and let it simmer. When it did not taste too sour and too salty anymore (just sour and salty), I decided to add in a big can of Century Corned Tuna.  My initial ingredients list included two small tall cans of Century Corned Tuna Chili.

Recreating the dish was not as simple as I thought it would be!  I blame it on the white wine and the soy sauce. Blame it on the miso too!  The miso that I was able to purchase from SM was so different from the one that we used at the cook-off. And I was looking for that very distinct taste in the pasta sauce which I knew was brought on by the miso.

After several minutes of mixing and simmering, I decided to call it quits with the sauce and that no matter how it tasted, I’d stand up for it. If people didn’t like how it tasted, then let them be. And oh, I added some rosemary to the sauce right before taking it out of the stove.

I left the pasta and the sauce, and a plated serving on the dining table for people at home to grab some if they felt like it. My mom, without instruction nor favor, took the plated serving and ate it. I was surprised when she told me she liked it.  I asked her again.  Seriously, I knew my “disaster recreation dish” didn’t really taste that good, but I was glad my mom liked it.

I can never be a good cook… unless I have a beautiful kitchen and I have all the ingredients I need, and I have all the things that need chopping, slicing and dicing, etc. done for me.  In short, I can never be a good cook nor a good chef, but I can be a fantabulous cooking show host! Now that’s a good shift in career.

In a not-so surprising turn of events, the Commission on Elections has yet again denied Ang Ladlad’s application for party-list accreditation. And this time, the reason is immorality.

Read this very deplorable news from Newsbreak below and see if you won’t get offended or angered by how the COMELEC officers think these days.

In light of this COMELEC decision, Ang Ladlad is calling all its members, allies, friends and supporters to a general assembly on 14 November 2009, Saturday, 8am-12nn at the Seminar Room 108 of the University Hotel, UP Diliman. For directions, call the University Hotel at landline 926.1975/926.1953 or mobile 0920.471.0111.

It’s time to get up and stand up for our rights!

FOR ‘IMMORALITY,’ GAY GROUP DENIED PARTY-LIST ACCREDITATION
by Lilita Balane
http://newsbreak.com.ph

Ang Ladlad’s own petition indicating intimate same-sex relations, brought that decision upon itself.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has rejected the petition of a group representing the “third sex” to be accredited for the party list on the ground that it “tolerates immorality, which offends religious beliefs.”

In an 8-page resolution, the Comelec cited the Ang Ladlad LGBT’s advocacy of sexual immorality with same-sex relationships.

The group–which claims to represent lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and trans-genders–brought the unfavorable decision upon itself. In its petition for accreditation, it described itself as representative of a marginalized and under-represented sector that is particularly disadvantaged because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Moreover, it defined the sexual orientation of the sector it is representing as capable of “profound emotional, affectional, and sexual orientation to, and intimate and sexual relations with, individuals of a different gender, of the same gender, or more than one gender.”

Thus, the Comelec’s resolution that “the definition of LGBT sector makes it crystal clear that petitioners tolerates immorality which offends religious beliefs.”

The resolution quoted passages from the Bible and the Koran about God showing his wrath against people who engage in same sex relationship.
Protecting the youth

Although Republic Act 7941, the party list law, doesn’t specifically list down immorality as a ground for banning a group from the party list, its Section 6.2 is indicative. It says that a group may be denied party-list participation if “it advocates violence or unlawful means to seek its goal.”

The Comelec’s law department said that laws should be incorporated in all contracts, permits, license, including accreditations. In the case of Ang Ladlad, the group collides with the provision of the Civil Code and the Revised Penal Code. Comelec said that Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code penalizes immoral doctrines, among them publicly expounding or proclaiming doctrines openly contrary to public morality. While Article 1409 of the Civil Code considers as void contracts whose purpose is contrary to morals and good customs.

“Should this Commission grant the petition, we will be exposing our youth to an environment that does not conform to the teachings of our faith…. As an agency of the government, ours too is the State’s avowed duty to protect our youth from moral and spiritual degradation,” the resolution said.

Ang Ladlad, through its president Danton Remoto, called the Comelec’s decision unfounded and based solely on religious beliefs.

“This is a decision by a very old man with obsolete ideas on homosexuality. They quoted something from the Internet, and did not even visit the library to research. This is an evidence of intellectual bankruptcy,” he said, adding that Comelec did not arbitrate based on evidence and documents, but just quoted verses from the Bible.

Remoto belied that they are advocating immorality, but they are supporting human rights for all.

He said Ang Ladlad is set to file a motion for reconsideration, but is expecting the Comelec to junk their appeal. Remoto said they will also bring their petition to the Supreme Court.

If all else fails, Remoto said he will run for a senatorial seat next year to prove that Ang Ladlad has the support of the sector he represents.

In 2007, the Comelec junked Ang Ladlad’s petition for accreditation for its failure to disclose the scope of its membership. The group claimed to be a national party, but field offices of the Comelec said that the group didn’t have chapters in most regions of the country. (Newsbreak)

I have already deleted my accounts in most of the gay social networking and dating sites about two months ago. This means that I should no longer be seen on sites like PlanetRomeo, Downelink, Connexion, Gaydar, Gay.com, etc.

However, recently, an office friend told me that he saw me on PlanetRomeo. I told him that I don’t have an account there anymore and that he probably saw it some two months ago. He retorted and said that it was fairly recent that he saw me there. Or at least he thought it was me. Apparently, someone thinks I’m goodlooking enough that they used my photo for their accounts.

So my dear friends who are on PlanetRomeo, if you see a profile with a photo of me, it only means one thing, the guy is an impostor!

To the impostors who use my photo, thanks. At least someone thinks I’m goodlooking enough to use my photo for the betterment of their dating and sex lives.

You’ve seen Eating Out 1. You enjoyed its "Sloppy Seconds" sequel. Now get ready for Eating Out 3: All You Can Eat.

This third installment to the series seems to have been upped in the production value department. And not only that, the more important thing is that there are a lot of hot newcomers, hot men in this movie. So better watch out for this one. You definitely will want to eat all you can eat!

I was recently invited to join the Century Corned Tuna Bloggers Cook Off and boy did I have so much fun. Since I was already feeling better than I did two weeks ago, I decided to say yes to the invite.

When I arrived at The Stock Market (Bonifacio High Street), I was told that I was going to be one of the participants for the cook off. I was a bit hesitant at first since I knew that I didn’t really know how to cook (if you count hotdogs or sauteeing tuna, then yes I do!) and that may hurt my team. I just then sucked it up and do whatever was necessary.

The Century Corned Tuna Bloggers’ Cook Off was patterned after Iron Chef. There were two long tables filled with ingredients and two stoves and cooking areas. Teams had to come up with two different dishes using the available ingredients PLUS the secret ingredient (which was really not so secret after all) – Century Corned Tuna. Teams were given an hour to complete their dishes. Teams may use any of the two variants of Century Corned Tuna – Regular or Chili. The criteria for judging: Plating (20%), Originality (20%), Taste (25%) and the Innovative Use of Century Corned Tuna (35%).

There were two teams, each having six members. I was part of the great Team B, together with Arpee, AJ, Erlyn, Jane and Omar. Our coach was Chef Donna Morales from Century Tuna.

The time started

but we still have not finalized our dishes. We were debating between quesadillas and pita pizzas for the appetizers and we haven’t finalized our main entree. When we finally came to our senses, we started with the slicing and dicing and we were off to the cooking stations.

(Photo above courtesy of Ajay)

(Photos above and below courtesy of Doc Gelo)

We were able to prepare the following:

Century Corned Tuna Quesadillas with Pears and

Century Corned Tuna Pasta with Asparagus, Spinach and Miso topped with Almonds

(recipe below).

After an hour, all dishes from both teams were presented on the long tables, each with its own presentation and plating style. Short interviews about the dishes were conducted by event hosts JM Rodriguez and Quickfire Chef Rosebud.

After the presentation, it was time for judging. The judges (Ariel Comia aka Bearbricklove – from the advertising agency; Doc Gelo; Century Corned Tuna execs and Century Superbod Model winners), along with the audience members went to our tables to taste the dishes we have prepared.

With a unanimous decision, so says Doc Gelo (one of the judges) in his blog, the winning team was TEAM B! We won! Our team took home P10,000.00 cash as a prize – something which we did not expect to receive but gladly did.

The winners! Team B with Quickfire Chef Rosebud, JM Rodriguez, Chef Donna Morales and Century Corned Tuna’s Product Manager Gela. (Photo courtesy of Ajay)

So what made us win? Here’s the recipe of the Century Corned Tuna Pasta with Asparagus, Spinach and Miso topped with Almonds:

Ingredients:

• Olive Oil
• Soy Sauce
• Onions
• Garlic
• Paprika
• Onion stalks
• Almonds
• Century Corned Tuna (Chili Flavor)
• Miso
• White wine
• Spinach
• Asparagus
• Pasta (Fettucine)
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Cook pasta until al dente. Set aside.
2. Toast almonds then slice into slivers. Set aside.
3. In a pan with olive oil, sauté garlic, onions, onion stalks and asparagus.
4. Add in Century Corned Tuna Chili.
5. Add a pinch of Paprika.
6. Add in soy sauce, white wine and miso.
7. Add in spinach.
8. Continue sauteing for about 3 to 5 minutes.
9. Add in the pasta to the pan and toss until all the ingredients are mixed well.
10. Put the pasta on a plate and top with almonds.

Other blog entries about Century Corned Tuna Bloggers’ Cook Off:

• Eating Tuna Has Never Been Better
• Century Corned Tuna Food Bloggers’ Cook Off
• Century Corned Tuna Bloggers Cook Off: we won!
• Century Corned Tuna Bloggers’ Cook Off
• Century Tuna Bloggers’Cook Off
• Kainin Mo!
• Recycle Bin of a Middle Child
• I Love Rainbows

And so I’m back again.  The site is always down (I have issues with my VPS hosting and I know nothing about fixing it, if you’re an expert, please help me!) but we’ll do our best to keep it up all the time.

After I posted something  about being back after suffering from gastritis and all that, I was hospitalized for about a week due to complications from gastritis plus duodenal ulcers, ulcers, duodenitis and gastrointestinal tuberculosis.  So I couldn’t post anything because even if I did have access to the Internet at the hospital, my hands were busy hosting the “sueros” for the medications and the dextrose.  After hospitalization, the doctor gave me a mandatory home-rest period of a month. I was on continuous treatment and medication (still am). Now, after three weeks of resting and getting better at home, I’m going back to work. The doctor said one month, but I have only filed for a three weeks worth of leave of absence from work so I really have to be back, or else I’ll lose my job.

So anyway, now that Bakla Ako, May Reklamo? is back in full swing (or at least try to be), we have a few changes.  There will be more personal entries and things and events in my personal life. Also, new entries to my food blog will be temporarily hosted and posted here since I’m having issues with putting it back up.

And so here I go again saying I’m BACK-LA!

“Fabcasters: The Fabulous Podcasts” is now available on iTunes. iPod users, come and subscribe! Click here (and please have your iTunes open). Or, just search the word “fabcasters” while you’re in the iTunes store. Enjoy!

The 2009 Manila Pride March. December 5, 2009.

For more information, visit the Task Force Pride Website.

Today is National Thank You Day in the Philippines so I would like to say my thanks (most of these are related to my recent hospitalization due to acute gastritis, duodenitis, duodenal ulcers, etc.). Thank you to:

• the Lord for not abandoning in during my times of trouble
• my Mom for lways being there for me and not leaving my side. for taking very good care of me and the rest of the family, even if she herself is sick.
• my father for being there for my mother
• my brothers and sisters who showed their love and support in their own ways
• my friends for all the prayers and well-wishes
• my blogger friends and friends from PR agencies for all the well-wishes and the continued trust in me
• you, reader of this blog – even if it’s down all the time.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Join Toblerone as they celebrate National Thank You Day on October 20, 2009 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. Be there to witness how the art of saying ‘thank you’ is elevated into an intrinsic cultural quality of being Filipino. Or visit http://www.thankyoudayphilippines.com for more information and lots of goodies.

I have not updated this blog for quite some time now. Actually, I have not updated any of my blogs.  And I apologize for not being able to.

There are several reasons why postings here have been few and far in between. First is that I have had issues with my host/server (still do, even if I’m already on VPS, so friends who are familiar with VPS Management, please help. thanks).

Second is that I have been very busy at work.  So busy that it caused too much stress that after work, all I do is head straight to bed.  For several weeks, I have been very scarce on the Internet. Now, I am very busy at work again with this new project.

Fourth is that I decided to stop smoking and began my quest last September 1. I have stopped before just to prove to myself that I could do it, but I went back. Hopefully, this time I’ll be sticking for good. I started smoking in 1998, starting with about five to ten sticks a day.  In early 2009, I smoked about a maximum of 15 sticks a day. Sometime in between those, for about a few months, I smoked more than a pack and a half a day.

When I stopped smoking, I didn’t do anything special. I never used substitutes like gum or lollipop or candy, no nicotine patches, nothing. That’s why it was more difficult for me.  And what’s also hard is that I did it cold turkey. I just stopped smoking.

Then the withdrawal.

A week into my stopping (I refuse to call it quit, because quitters are losers, hehe), the withdrawal symptoms started coming in. Different kinds of illnesses attacked my very svelte body. On the first week, I had bouts with chronic headaches (starting to have them again now), dizziness, nausea, vomiting and fevers. The following weeks were a more difficult battle for me. I had bouts of constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, cigarette cravings and more dizziness.  I have been smoke-free for 35 days now. I expected the withdrawal illness to have already ended, but my body seems to entertain them much. I’m now suffering from gastritis – which is such a pain in the ass (pun not intended) because for some odd reason, I could eat any food type, but my tummy would get really painful whenever I eat cooked rice.  So for more than two weeks, I have been eating rice sparingly.  I substituted rice with other carbo food items like bread and pasta, but rice is still different.  The good thing though is that I have been able to eat small amounts of cooked rice in the past few days without my stomach hurting like hell. And, this gastritis, I think, is on its way out. I’m wondering though what my Weekly Withdrawal Challenge illness for this week would be.

Fifth reason would be my doctor’s fault. He prescribed vitamins that make me crave for food and make me sleepy all the time, so most of my time whenever I’m home is spent sleeping, with short breaks for eating.

So yes, I am back. I am bakla!

I remember signing up for my very first gay dating site – Downelink. It was years and I remember why I signed up. Two reasons actually: to get laid and to find myself a boyfriend.  Months later, I signed up for guys4men (which is not planetromeo), gaydar, manjam, connexion, etc.  And in 2009, I had accounts and memberships to over 15 sites catering to gay dating.

I don’t think having an account with any of these is bad – whatever one’s reasons for joining may be. In fact, I personally think that it’s one good way of finding whatever it is a gay man is looking for. In fact I have found whatever I was looking for – people to have sex with, a boyfriend or two, textmates and friends.

And a week or two ago, I signed on to each and every single gay dating site and deleted my accounts and memberships. Yes, I deleted my accounts and cancelled my memberships in gay social networking sites and gay dating sites.  Why I did, I really don’t know.  I just thought of doing so one time as I was walking home from work.

There are many reasons why people delete their accounts.  It could be privacy issues, they found someone, that someone is extremely jealous and asks that both their accounts be deleted, they found a regular fuck buddy, they realize they have too many stalkers, or they don’t get what they want from the sites (hindi bumebenta).

My reason? It was just out of whim.  I have actually thought about it before, but didn’t have enough courage to do so. So when I finally did, I did not waste a minute and started deleting my accounts (the ones that I remember). Besides, I have never really “hooked up” with anyone from these sites in more than two or three years.  The “friendship” that people are talking about on these sites constantly eludes me.  Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now does not seem to have an account with any of these sites as well.

So yeah, I quit gay social networking.  But who knows, maybe I’ll sign up again in the near future (pag kinati? lol).

I guess my upcoming birthday gave me the inspiration to think and rethink my life.  I have started my quest to STOP (not quit, mind you) SMOKING and I’m currently on Day 6. I have a new dog. And I quit social networking. Who knows what changes will come along with my birthday season.