Rollercoaster Ride

19 years ago,  Dranreb was just part of the Thursday group.

17 years ago, I spent Christmas Day watching Tony sing Kahit Habang Buhay.

15 years ago, I wrote my first published article about my brief meeting with Lea in New York.

13 years ago, I just rooted for Dindi at the Miss Universe Pageant.

11 years ago, my only recollection of Marnie is from Ang TV.

9 years ago, Joey was just a VJ to me.

7 years ago, I just chaperoned Alfie at Globe’s Christmas Party.

5 years ago, I only attended Jose’s Opening Night Party and didn’t even talk to him.

3 years ago, Michiko was just a credit on my favorite movie ever.

This past year, these ‘celebrities’ stepped off the stage and into my life. I wonder how all that happened when all I did was go to New York. I wonder…did they leave the stage, or did I join them there?

I have two reminder boards in my office: one beside me, and the other one behind me.

In my job, this is the motto:

Publicity! Publicity! Publicity!

In my life, this is the virtue:

Humility. Humility. Humility.

Many think local New Yorkers are hard to please.

Here is my personal list of ’simple’ things that start off our days on a high note, or end it with a bang!

- 70 degreees in January.

- Happy hour at Morgan bar.

- Accessible Phoebe Cates (for guys!)

- Arriving on a subway platform as your train approaches.

- Catching the LIRR 8 seconds before the doors close. (You totally ran for it!)

- Just when you were about to give up (aka walk) A ‘lit’ taxi drives up!

- H&M everywhere

- Wondee

- Surprise visits

- Cupcakes, Cream puff and City Bakery.

- Weekend brunch with the girls

- Tocilog at Dragonfly

- Cosi’s signature salad!

- ‘Barnes and Nobles’ and ‘Borders’ Signings & Sightings

- $20 Edwin Mccain or Lisa Loeb  Concert Tix - at a small pub, that you’re so close! ( ‘Imported’ Philippine talents charge 5x that!&?#@!)

- Film screenings and premieres

- Art gallery openings

- Tons of friends

- Broadway a block away!

- Sample sales! (Rafe, Prada, etc)

It’s all about proximity - and mobility.

In the end, what could be a ‘blah’ day for others could very easily turn into a day you’ll never forget.

And with 365 days in a year,  your digital camera totally needs to tell the date!

Many New Yorkers look down on Bridge and Tunnel people. Those who need to use a bridge or tunnel to get to Manhattan on a daily basis. But when you get to visit many Manhattanites’ abodes, they’re so small you actually pity them because they can take a box and live there everyday.

When faced with a chance to move back to the city, it is a hard decision to make. Because I find that I love my Astoria Apt when I’m inside it, and love the Manhattan Apt when I’m outside it.

The only way to think of it is travel time in NY is not wasted time—you have books, ipods, cellphones and your thoughts. And that everyone just has a bedroom in Manhattan. The city is their living room,their kitchen and their entertainment room. And they can always do their work in Central Park. That’s what powerbooks are for.

I find myself looking at the hands of men to find - or not find - a silver lining on their ring finger. I wish they would also wear a ring on their index finger that would signify that they were gay; or one on their middle finger that would stand for their girlfriend. 

Just one look and you will know.

Maybe a ring on their thumb too if they are nutty.

According to a recent study published by Newsweek, 4 out 5 women have babies before they get married.

Another intellectual magazine announced that 9 out of 10 American teens have had pre-marital sex. C’mon. Not just Americans.

In the Philippines, it’s just not pronounced. It’s not even talked about or written about. But more people get pregnant there than here in the United States. Because they’re pro-life, and apparently, pro-sex.

When I was younger, I thought only older people got pregnant. But when I got older, my peers also got pregnant. When I get even older, our kids will get pregnant too.

Why should things be forbidden when people do them anyway? And people don’t get ‘punished’ for immoral acts–just illegal acts. So our society telling us that it’s better to do immoral acts than illegal ones (i.e. killing, stealing, taking drugs), if you don’t want to spend the rest of your life in jail. Our society has built more sanctions for crimes against humans than crimes against God (e.g. massive wealth). I guess we are really counting on forgiveness, and are confident to still get to Heaven, despite all this.

I wonder how our kids will lead their lives and what answers we will give to their questions. With artificial insemination a common practice, ‘very generous’ dads will have more than a thousand kids, and people might end up marrying their ’siblings’ because their ‘dad’ has a favorable hormone. Kids will know they’re adopted the moment they can recognize color. I even heard of people changing parents’ names on birth certificates in hospitals just to get away from the very tedious system of adoption in the Philippines. !$@&?!#&*!

Finally, ‘My Two Dads’ and ‘Three Men and A Baby’ have leaped off our screens into our homes, and into the legal system.

Good thing Jesus did not ask Mama Mary on earth was He born.

If money is measured by happiness, then I am quite sad.

If happiness is measured by money, then I am a millionaire.