The Ride and Chuck Taylors

Finally bought Chuck Taylors- the classic black and white ones. Wanted it since high school. HIGH SCHOOL. I don't really know why I haven't gotten around to it. Not until I saw Converse Century Ad. makes you realize it's been there for a hundred years- in every decade... fitting into whatever fashion statement there is and into whatever social or political upheaval there has been. No self respecting shoe addict wouldn't have one in their closet :p I think, it has come to a point when there is absolutely no one who'd say they never owned a pair before. and i'm talking about those in their 60s here.

The perfect day for its debut, a ride to the country. all possible thanks to a very important man that came into my life. somewhat my kindred spirit in the sense that.... somehow this is someone who needed freedom. and the ride is freedom. somehow this someone is lonely, like me. somehow this someone is at a crossroad like me.

Dirtied the shoes on its first day. And that was exactly how I wanted it. I felt that there is no point in owning a clean shoe. Just owning one for display isn't right. the shoes when i bought it- all white, clean black right out of the box- That's just wrong. Seeing it with mud on it however- THAT'S THE WAY CHUCK TAYLORS SHOULD LOOK. Experienced, touched, connected to the earth.

I guess, that's how we all should be - experienced, touched, connected- to people.

ro_oan

Whirlwind

The last two weeks went by like a whirlwind. Finished fast, blurry with so many memories to cherish.

Like Rikki's despedida from Orix. He was a former officemate. I do owe him much for inviting me to join the IT family. That is 'IT & Friend' proud to be the original member of that. Glad that the group seems to have more friends now and the more is the merrier. I know he's had it rough, but you'll admire his courage. Instead of sulking in the misery of life, he's still here smiling and full of fun. I admire him for that. I did tell him, let's keep in touch. Ofcourse, he made a joke about the touching part yet he said he'll definitely come and see me here in Ortigas.

I went to my nephew/godson's birthday party. Had two kiddie parties last month, and here I am back again in Jollibee. Can't say I'm complaining. I love Chickenjoy! :P Here is Jumong, such a big boy already. Though they are distant cousins, it's nice we still get together like this.

I also saw for the first time another nephew/godson of mine, Xandrei, he's now 6 yrs old! I remember not being able to make it to his baptism because of work. I see their parents often after that in reunions, unfortunately, Xandrei wasn't with them on those occassions. He doesn't know me, ofcourse. He remembers me though as Ninang Roan for the gifts I sent him every christmas without fail. It got me wondering why they wanted me to be the Ninang... would I be a good spiritual guide? hm....

And to think last Sunday, i went to see my 'future' goddaughter, Elle. The Baptism will happen in October. One more child to look after, I'm very honored. She's the sweetest child, with really long lashes like her mom. Also looks looks like her grandmother on her mom's side.

I was out and about for two weeks, meeting friends, visiting mamang in the hospital. Culminating with... riding a big bike.

That was just, heaven. The wind in your face and the howling of it in your ears...

I just realized now... this is probably the reason why I wasn't able to sleep much up to this day. Maybe I miss it. Or him.

ro_oan

Indifference to actually caring...

I have no political... 'care' so to speak. Sure I know who the President and Vice President of the country is. Yet, I can't name 5 senators or congressmen, who our barangay captain is, which councilor has the best interest for us...

I didn't care, not until she died.

I was a mere 3 yrs old when the people power revolution 1 happened. Although I heard stories of it... of my mom and brother going to join the march while I was left with my lola. The march, the significance, all of that was in various textbooks all through out high school. Reading about it is different. Although the book presented the reality of what happened, because it simply didn't impact on me directly, it didn't matter. It was just a part of history. end. no more second thought.

Then I saw the people. On the day she died. though i wasn't there, I was just hooked on the tv for 12 hrs. I still felt the feeling of 'community' in the purest sense. despite the fact that some people just went there to make 'USI' many still did genuinely care. and that struck me.

I was there when people power2 happened in edsa shrine. And only now did it dawn on me how it all started. that the same community i felt in people power 2 started of course with the first. with this incredible woman holding the reigns- or holding the flowers that is. Kapit bisig.

Thank you President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino

ro.oan

Blogging about my Kuya-Ate

So my brother is gay. And I get questions like "what's it like to have a gay brother?"

A bit difficult to answer straight away. Well, first off, he isn't a cross dresser, and he's one of those gay people who have no intentions of getting boobs and having their sex changed. He dresses, well, like a man. Is there an English term for that? in Filipino gay lingo it's called- PAMINTA - pa-men - or in English 'to be a man'. Very different I guess from the prevailing notion that gay means being an extrovert and so... OUT THERE.

I'm not saying he is a tamed one either. put on Beyonce and you can see him dancing to the tune of "Single Ladies" can you believe that?! There was this one time he actually dressed up like a girl (first cross dressing experience) he's wearing a leopard print gown with short brown straight hair. I can tell, he enjoyed it! but doing it everyday... not just his thing.

At the end, IT'S FUN. Because you get to enjoy both, having a brother and a sister. A brother who'll drive you and pick you up when it's raining cats adn dogs or when you go home it midnight, a sister who'll scream with you when there's a flying cockroach :D

ro_oan

Passing Away

In tagalog, the nearest translation to passing away is 'sumakabilang buhay' that is 'moving to the other side of life.' It's nice to know that death is not the end, but a journey to the next life. In this regard, I don't find it too difficult for my lola (grand mother) to pass away... you see she is very sick right now and we are afraid she will be going soon.
I don't want her to suffer anymore. I am not sure if I am bad... because most people will tell us that we pray for her to recover. But what I pray is that, 'Lord your will be done. I just don't want her to be in pain anymore.'
I still pray this today.