David and I just came home from an 8-day trip in Las Vegas. We stayed at The Mirage, one of the busiest hotels in Vegas ever. David rented a car and visited so many places, including:
1. Ethel's Chocolate Factory and Cacti Garden (Ethel's is the maker of M&M's chocolate candies, Skittles, Starbursts, Snickers, Milky Way, 3 Musketeers, Dove, Kudos, Twix, Cookies & etc. We had ice cream there)
2. Liberace Museum (actually we only visited the front desk and inquired about the tour and program. We were supposed to go back on Saturday but we did other things instead. However, I took a picture of the building)
3. Hoover Dam
4. Arizona (for 15 minutes by stepping out of the boundary between Las Vegas and Arizona when we visited Hoover Dam)
5. Red Rock Mountain
6. Los Angeles, California (after David missed to turn to the exit road when we were heading to the Outlet Mall. Calvin was with us)
Shows we watched:
1. Lance Burton magic show at the Monte Carlo Hotel
2. Mama Mia at the Mandalay Bay
3. Madame Tusauds at The Venetian Hotel
4. Mystere at The Treasure Island
Who's who:
1. Saw Fantasia Barrino at Atlanta, Georgia International Airport Terminal 9. She was with a bodyguard and an airport staff
2. Leonardo DiCaprio was at the private pool (called BARE) on Saturday at the hotel where we stayed. The pool is just next the pool where David and I went swimming every morning on the duration of our trip (it's so hot in Vegas). Later, Leo went to the JET nightclub of the hotel to party. I learned this in the news Sunday. I'm not a fan of Leo but it would have been nice to see how he looks like in person, right?
3. Helen Miren was at the Caesar's Palace ( we didn't get to see her. I only learned about this in the news). The hotel is just a walking distance from The Mirage
Tummy tuck:
1. David and I ate at buffet restaurants in The Mirage, Monte Carlo, Caesar's Palace, 4 Queens, and at a Chinese restaurant (I forgot the name of the resto).
2. We went grocery shopping at Smith's and ate at a park. We also filled the hotel refrigerator with groceries, mostly subs
Here's the thrilling news guys:
I was interviewed by Oprah and Larry King! I will show you the pictures as proof.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Saturday bash
David and I went to Canandaigua today to witness the "Arts in the Garden" festival at the Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion. It is an annual event which shocases the best works of arts in Rochester and other parts of the US. There was a $5 fee at the entrace.
The Sonnenberg mansion is a state historic park. There are about eight main gardens in the property, mainly:
1. Japanese garden
2. Rose garden
3. Italian garden
4. Blue and White garden
5. Pansy garden
6. Moonlight garden
7. Old-Fashioned garden
8. Rock garden which is composed of the rock garden, wild garden and the lily garden
I like the Japanese garden the best, but I was thrilled to see a cacti conservatory. There was a section devoted to orchids and tropical plants too in the conservatory.
oh, we also did wine tasting.
Later, we dined at the Lumberyard restaurant. I had Chipolte Pasta and Vegetables while David had Chicken Parmesan.
By the way, school opens on Monday. Sigh.
The Sonnenberg mansion is a state historic park. There are about eight main gardens in the property, mainly:
1. Japanese garden
2. Rose garden
3. Italian garden
4. Blue and White garden
5. Pansy garden
6. Moonlight garden
7. Old-Fashioned garden
8. Rock garden which is composed of the rock garden, wild garden and the lily garden
I like the Japanese garden the best, but I was thrilled to see a cacti conservatory. There was a section devoted to orchids and tropical plants too in the conservatory.
oh, we also did wine tasting.
Later, we dined at the Lumberyard restaurant. I had Chipolte Pasta and Vegetables while David had Chicken Parmesan.
By the way, school opens on Monday. Sigh.
Such a Cruel World
In order to lessen the burden on David's floor and for me to buy some of my textbooks I have to give up some of the books I have collected, namely:
1. Possession: A Romance by A. S. Byatt
2. Fear and Trembling by Soren Kierkegaard, edited and translated by Howard V. Hong and Edna H. Hong
3. The Venture of Islam 2: Conscience and History in a World Civilization (The Expansion of Islam in the Middle Periods by Mashall G. S. Hodgson
4. Western Literature in a World Context (The Ancient World through the Renaissance) by Paul Davis et. al (2,242 pages!)
5. A Short History of Renaissance and Reformation Europe (Dances over Fire and Water) 3rd Ed. by Jonathan W. Zophy
6. Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion by David Hume, edited by Richard H. Popkin
7. TheBook of Job, translated and with an introduction by Stephen Mitchell
8. Guests of the Sheik (An ethnography of an Iraqi Village) by Elizabeth Warnock Fernea
9. Islam Observed (Religious DEvelopment in Morocco and Indonesia) by Clifford Geertz
10. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
11. Patterns for College Writing: A Rhetorical Reader and Guide by Laurie G. Kirszner and Stephen R. Mandell
12. Such a Long Journey by Rohinton Mistry
13. I Could Tell You Stories: Sojourns in the Land of Memory by Patricia Hampl
1. Possession: A Romance by A. S. Byatt
2. Fear and Trembling by Soren Kierkegaard, edited and translated by Howard V. Hong and Edna H. Hong
3. The Venture of Islam 2: Conscience and History in a World Civilization (The Expansion of Islam in the Middle Periods by Mashall G. S. Hodgson
4. Western Literature in a World Context (The Ancient World through the Renaissance) by Paul Davis et. al (2,242 pages!)
5. A Short History of Renaissance and Reformation Europe (Dances over Fire and Water) 3rd Ed. by Jonathan W. Zophy
6. Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion by David Hume, edited by Richard H. Popkin
7. TheBook of Job, translated and with an introduction by Stephen Mitchell
8. Guests of the Sheik (An ethnography of an Iraqi Village) by Elizabeth Warnock Fernea
9. Islam Observed (Religious DEvelopment in Morocco and Indonesia) by Clifford Geertz
10. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
11. Patterns for College Writing: A Rhetorical Reader and Guide by Laurie G. Kirszner and Stephen R. Mandell
12. Such a Long Journey by Rohinton Mistry
13. I Could Tell You Stories: Sojourns in the Land of Memory by Patricia Hampl
Saturday, August 11, 2007
An Old New Song
My cousin at 5 years old singing:
De de da dey
De de da dey
Lala lulas mey
Lala lulas mey
De de de joy
De de de joy
Lalila lili
Lalila lili
Da de de da dey
Lala lulas mey
De de de joy
Lalila lili
De de da dey
De de da dey
Lala lulas mey.
Repeat
(Sing to the tune of "This is the day...")
De de da dey
De de da dey
Lala lulas mey
Lala lulas mey
De de de joy
De de de joy
Lalila lili
Lalila lili
Da de de da dey
Lala lulas mey
De de de joy
Lalila lili
De de da dey
De de da dey
Lala lulas mey.
Repeat
(Sing to the tune of "This is the day...")
Friday, August 10, 2007
Unstoppable!
It is often said whenever gay people converge it rains. Not on the day the Toronto Pride was held. In fact, rainbows adorned the streets and every nook and cranny of Toronto. Not a drop of rain fell on the week long celebration. The event was celebrating its 27th year and carried an apt theme: “Unstoppable!”
Fantabulous as ever, organizers of the event made sure that all corners of the world knew what’s at stake in the annual event. Even public officials, members of the different clergies, and other sectors of Canadian society participated in the celebration. It was a worthy endeavor. After posting a challenging theme last year, “Fearless,” this year’s celebration garnered a lot of praise. Other groups carried the banner, “We will not be silenced!” Probably their attention was always called because they cannot keep their mouth shut (literally and figuratively).
PRIDE, it is said, evolved as a mass protest after the 1981 Toronto bathhouse raids. Today, it is a yearly celebration being looked forward to not only by the LGBT community but also by the media and people around the world. Toronto is one of the cities in the world that has a big LGBT population. What’s comforting is the government of Toronto recognizes and supports the LGBT community and their programs. Even Mayor David Miller joined the parade, dancing and waving to the crowd, without admonition that he might be suspected as a closeted queen. That didn’t worry him as he looked every inch a man. That is why Miller is admired by the LGBT community. Unlike, perhaps, of other politicians in the Philippines who are still in the closet and would book the next flight for abroad if invited to participate in such events.
The highlight of the event was the Pride Parade which routed along Yonge, Gerrard and Bloor streets. It was a stellar success. Even if the afternoon heat almost roasted the crowd, nobody complained. Gay people flooded the streets. You name it – butch, bears, femmes, transsexuals, transvestites, queens, handsome gays and gays whose faces only their mothers could appreciate looking at. No one can deny that the gay community is the finest of the human species.
Not missing the event was the Philippine delegation. The Filipino gay divas paraded the streets with gusto, wearing their splendid costumes with flare and majesty. One would suspect that they were wearing the gowns they wore in gay beauty pageants at home. As we all know, every town and barangay has their own gay beauty pageants. You can be sure that it would be the same candidates who participated in another barangay’s gay beauty contest; although they’d carry another pseudonym, primarily of stars and beauty queens. Or were the gowns they wore in the parade “stolen” from their sisters’ or mothers’ baul?
At hotel lobbies, the gay men came and went, talking about Michael and Angelo. Later they’d shift to a more operant discourse, like “should we invite Adam and Steve too?” Then they’d head to Church St. to look at the nameless yet eager faces in the crowd.
At Church St., where the action shifted after the parade, the gay men’s eyes communicated with reformulated phrase, taking cues from past experiences. But the motive was the same – to enjoy life’s bounty as it may not happen again.In the morning the streets became a virtual ghost town. One would wonder - where did everybody go? Well, perhaps, the gay men were still in bed, exhausted and sore, but with insatiable smiles on their faces.
Fantabulous as ever, organizers of the event made sure that all corners of the world knew what’s at stake in the annual event. Even public officials, members of the different clergies, and other sectors of Canadian society participated in the celebration. It was a worthy endeavor. After posting a challenging theme last year, “Fearless,” this year’s celebration garnered a lot of praise. Other groups carried the banner, “We will not be silenced!” Probably their attention was always called because they cannot keep their mouth shut (literally and figuratively).
PRIDE, it is said, evolved as a mass protest after the 1981 Toronto bathhouse raids. Today, it is a yearly celebration being looked forward to not only by the LGBT community but also by the media and people around the world. Toronto is one of the cities in the world that has a big LGBT population. What’s comforting is the government of Toronto recognizes and supports the LGBT community and their programs. Even Mayor David Miller joined the parade, dancing and waving to the crowd, without admonition that he might be suspected as a closeted queen. That didn’t worry him as he looked every inch a man. That is why Miller is admired by the LGBT community. Unlike, perhaps, of other politicians in the Philippines who are still in the closet and would book the next flight for abroad if invited to participate in such events.
The highlight of the event was the Pride Parade which routed along Yonge, Gerrard and Bloor streets. It was a stellar success. Even if the afternoon heat almost roasted the crowd, nobody complained. Gay people flooded the streets. You name it – butch, bears, femmes, transsexuals, transvestites, queens, handsome gays and gays whose faces only their mothers could appreciate looking at. No one can deny that the gay community is the finest of the human species.
Not missing the event was the Philippine delegation. The Filipino gay divas paraded the streets with gusto, wearing their splendid costumes with flare and majesty. One would suspect that they were wearing the gowns they wore in gay beauty pageants at home. As we all know, every town and barangay has their own gay beauty pageants. You can be sure that it would be the same candidates who participated in another barangay’s gay beauty contest; although they’d carry another pseudonym, primarily of stars and beauty queens. Or were the gowns they wore in the parade “stolen” from their sisters’ or mothers’ baul?
At hotel lobbies, the gay men came and went, talking about Michael and Angelo. Later they’d shift to a more operant discourse, like “should we invite Adam and Steve too?” Then they’d head to Church St. to look at the nameless yet eager faces in the crowd.
At Church St., where the action shifted after the parade, the gay men’s eyes communicated with reformulated phrase, taking cues from past experiences. But the motive was the same – to enjoy life’s bounty as it may not happen again.In the morning the streets became a virtual ghost town. One would wonder - where did everybody go? Well, perhaps, the gay men were still in bed, exhausted and sore, but with insatiable smiles on their faces.
The Greenhouse Effect
First, a word of thanks to Pam who let us use her pool and jacuzzi last time. Thank you so much, Pam. I wish to see your cats - big cats! - again, but you know David is allergic to cats. Sigh.
David and I dined at the Greenhouse Cafe today. We decided not to order our usual fish fry. He had Chicken Cordon Bleu while I had the Chicken Tarver which is grilled chicken with sauteed mushrooms, succini, squash and, my favorite, artichoke in butter. Haley, our usual server wasn't around. We've learned from Shannon, her roommate and co-worker, that she's in San Francisco. Last time she was in Vegas. We also learned that the restaurant will be closing in Sept. for renovation. We thought it would be nice for the restaurant to upgrade most of the sections. However, we found out that the salad bar and clam chowder soup which comes with every meal will be taken off the menu. Aaaahhhhh!!!! (and a neverending aaaaahhhhhh!!!!!) Most of the people go there mainly because of the salad and soup. Also, next year they will not be accepting coupons anymore. Sigh!
Tomorrow, we had dental appointment at 10 a.m. Next week we are off to Vegas.
David and I dined at the Greenhouse Cafe today. We decided not to order our usual fish fry. He had Chicken Cordon Bleu while I had the Chicken Tarver which is grilled chicken with sauteed mushrooms, succini, squash and, my favorite, artichoke in butter. Haley, our usual server wasn't around. We've learned from Shannon, her roommate and co-worker, that she's in San Francisco. Last time she was in Vegas. We also learned that the restaurant will be closing in Sept. for renovation. We thought it would be nice for the restaurant to upgrade most of the sections. However, we found out that the salad bar and clam chowder soup which comes with every meal will be taken off the menu. Aaaahhhhh!!!! (and a neverending aaaaahhhhhh!!!!!) Most of the people go there mainly because of the salad and soup. Also, next year they will not be accepting coupons anymore. Sigh!
Tomorrow, we had dental appointment at 10 a.m. Next week we are off to Vegas.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Eyes Wide Open
Just finished watching the following movies on DVDs (thanks to Pittsford Library which has a wide range of movie collection):
1. Venus
2. The Ant Bully
3. Who's Camus Anyway?
4. She's the Man
5. Eat Drink Man Woman
6. Ran
7. March of the Penguins
8. Winged Migration
Currently watching:
1. Delicatessen
2. Big Fish
3. Sophie School
4. Children of a Lesser God
Currently reading:
1. The Mother Garden by Robin Romm
2. Tourist Season by Enid Shomer
3. Paula Spencer by Roddy Doyle
4. I Celebrate Myself: The somewhat private life of Allen Ginsberg by Bill Morgan
1. Venus
2. The Ant Bully
3. Who's Camus Anyway?
4. She's the Man
5. Eat Drink Man Woman
6. Ran
7. March of the Penguins
8. Winged Migration
Currently watching:
1. Delicatessen
2. Big Fish
3. Sophie School
4. Children of a Lesser God
Currently reading:
1. The Mother Garden by Robin Romm
2. Tourist Season by Enid Shomer
3. Paula Spencer by Roddy Doyle
4. I Celebrate Myself: The somewhat private life of Allen Ginsberg by Bill Morgan
Friday, August 3, 2007
Bonjour, Montreal
The day David, Pam and I drove to Montreal, Canada last week, it was raining. It was raining buckets, the kind that plants prayed for after weeks of scorching heat. It is summer in the Americas. But we, eager travelers, persisted. David and Pam, formerly Mrs. Rodrigues (no relation), took turns driving the car.
It was one of David and Pam's spur-of-the-moment vacation decisions. It was the same as last time they decided to go to New York City on a Friday evening after discussing the possibility to visit the Big Apple while eating lunch at a local restaurant. The trip to New York City happened during early spring, just as the snows were melting and plants were waking up from a deep winter’s slumber. The trip to Montreal was not a first choice. Because it is summer and a 10-hour trip to Washington, DC, their first choice, proved to be to far away, they agreed to connect with Montreal instead. After all, my Canadian visa expires this August, so the trip was worth it. David and I had just been to Toronto where we greatly enjoyed the African Lion Safari, found fear and fun in the rides at Canada’s Wonderland and witnessed the Toronto Pride Parade. Two of the pictures I took of the safari - the elephants doing their tricks and the pink flamingos - were published earlier in this paper. The caption, however, indicated that the safari was in Australia. The safari is in Vaughn, Ontario, Canada. I didn’t make the caption nor was I aware that the pictures were to be published.
We left Rochester at about 7 in the morning. At about noon we arrived at Alexandria Bay, New York hoping to catch a boat ride to visit the Thousand Islands. However, the rain hindered our plans. Disappointed, we decided to traverse the boundary. We left America with a heavy heart, praying that the weather would be better on the Canadian side. It wasn't. It poured like a baby crying to be fed.
We stopped at a tourist information center to secure maps and ask for directions. We were thankful that the information officers were cordial enough to show us directions because Canada is a pretty big place. We also learned that you can make hotel reservations through the information center agents. They give you discounts too.
Before heading for Montreal we visited several lovely places, mainly Gananoque (where we tasted some fine Canadian pastries) and Kingston where a horrifying thing happened to David (I’ll tell you about it next time).
One thing you need to take note of before heading to Montreal, Canada – learn how to speak some elementary French. You’d never feel left out and disoriented when somebody greets you “Bonjour, Monsieur!” and talks to you in French. Good thing David, my sponsor, speaks French, while Pam speaks Italian. Me? I just happen to like French and Italian dressings. Most of the street names, directions, literatures are in French. Hello, if I’d known that we were to visit the place I would have enrolled in a class where KC Concepcion took her French language lessons. I’m just kidding guys.
Montreal is where David should leave his heart because of the old buildings and architecture, especially churches. While David likes old buildings, Pam likes aged wines. We also did hotel hopping. Later we ended up in a nice hotel at the heart of Montreal’s Chinatown. Yes, after being mistaken as Chinese, we settled at a Chinatown hotel complete with the Chinese architecture and ornaments. I made a little Kris Aquino investigation – you know, locating the ba gua mirror. The hotel has a Chinese-inspired pond in the lobby, aligned according to Feng Shui. Good thing, Pam wasn’t able to bring her fishing poles or she would have fished out the carps (you have to pay CND$40 for a fishing license in Canada). However, the place proved to be the place to enjoy as it is close to the convention center, city hall, Old Montreal, malls, port, museums, and train and bus terminal.
Aside from admiring the magnificence of Notre-Dame Basilica and Mary Queen of the World Cathedral-Basilica, we fell in love with the splendor of Old Montreal. Good thing the next three days while we were in Montreal the sun showed up. It wasn’t fun going from one basilica to another under the rain. The visit to Montreal Casino was a learning experience for me, too. The casino-hotel provides free shuttle to visitors and coffee to those who aren’t afraid to stay awake for three days pushing the buttons of the slot machines. There was an old man who stood beside a slot machine and pushed the slot machine’s button as if he is tired of life. I told Pam that the man might have been sitting for a week in front of the machine and he needed some exercise. Think of it guys, the casino is open 24 hours, the coffee is free, you just use your credit card… all you need is to use your index finger. You have to give credit to the old man. I wonder how much money he spent on those slot machines?
Sunday morning we took a boat cruise to see some of the areas in Montreal. It was, however, not as magnificent as the boat cruise we took when we where in Bangkok, Thailand two years ago. Even so, the brunch was good. We also witnessed Montreal’s Just for Laughs Festival. It has been going on for 25 years. We were lucky enough to witness the highlights which were performed in the evening. The parade was special in that it highlighted entertainers
who have made people laugh through the ages.
After Montreal we went on tour around the Thousand Islands in Alexandria bay. The tour guide was fabulous in narrating the stories about each island we passed, cracking jokes along the way. If you want to take the tour, never forget to visit the Boldt Castle. There is a wonderful but sad story behind the building of the castle.
Two weeks from now we are off to Las Vegas, Nevada to watch magician, Lance Burton, perform and see Mystere (Cirque de Soliel) performers. I am sure there will be other exciting things to reveal to you soon about our trip to Las Vegas.
[published in Sun.Star Bacolod, August 3, 2007]
It was one of David and Pam's spur-of-the-moment vacation decisions. It was the same as last time they decided to go to New York City on a Friday evening after discussing the possibility to visit the Big Apple while eating lunch at a local restaurant. The trip to New York City happened during early spring, just as the snows were melting and plants were waking up from a deep winter’s slumber. The trip to Montreal was not a first choice. Because it is summer and a 10-hour trip to Washington, DC, their first choice, proved to be to far away, they agreed to connect with Montreal instead. After all, my Canadian visa expires this August, so the trip was worth it. David and I had just been to Toronto where we greatly enjoyed the African Lion Safari, found fear and fun in the rides at Canada’s Wonderland and witnessed the Toronto Pride Parade. Two of the pictures I took of the safari - the elephants doing their tricks and the pink flamingos - were published earlier in this paper. The caption, however, indicated that the safari was in Australia. The safari is in Vaughn, Ontario, Canada. I didn’t make the caption nor was I aware that the pictures were to be published.
We left Rochester at about 7 in the morning. At about noon we arrived at Alexandria Bay, New York hoping to catch a boat ride to visit the Thousand Islands. However, the rain hindered our plans. Disappointed, we decided to traverse the boundary. We left America with a heavy heart, praying that the weather would be better on the Canadian side. It wasn't. It poured like a baby crying to be fed.
We stopped at a tourist information center to secure maps and ask for directions. We were thankful that the information officers were cordial enough to show us directions because Canada is a pretty big place. We also learned that you can make hotel reservations through the information center agents. They give you discounts too.
Before heading for Montreal we visited several lovely places, mainly Gananoque (where we tasted some fine Canadian pastries) and Kingston where a horrifying thing happened to David (I’ll tell you about it next time).
One thing you need to take note of before heading to Montreal, Canada – learn how to speak some elementary French. You’d never feel left out and disoriented when somebody greets you “Bonjour, Monsieur!” and talks to you in French. Good thing David, my sponsor, speaks French, while Pam speaks Italian. Me? I just happen to like French and Italian dressings. Most of the street names, directions, literatures are in French. Hello, if I’d known that we were to visit the place I would have enrolled in a class where KC Concepcion took her French language lessons. I’m just kidding guys.
Montreal is where David should leave his heart because of the old buildings and architecture, especially churches. While David likes old buildings, Pam likes aged wines. We also did hotel hopping. Later we ended up in a nice hotel at the heart of Montreal’s Chinatown. Yes, after being mistaken as Chinese, we settled at a Chinatown hotel complete with the Chinese architecture and ornaments. I made a little Kris Aquino investigation – you know, locating the ba gua mirror. The hotel has a Chinese-inspired pond in the lobby, aligned according to Feng Shui. Good thing, Pam wasn’t able to bring her fishing poles or she would have fished out the carps (you have to pay CND$40 for a fishing license in Canada). However, the place proved to be the place to enjoy as it is close to the convention center, city hall, Old Montreal, malls, port, museums, and train and bus terminal.
Aside from admiring the magnificence of Notre-Dame Basilica and Mary Queen of the World Cathedral-Basilica, we fell in love with the splendor of Old Montreal. Good thing the next three days while we were in Montreal the sun showed up. It wasn’t fun going from one basilica to another under the rain. The visit to Montreal Casino was a learning experience for me, too. The casino-hotel provides free shuttle to visitors and coffee to those who aren’t afraid to stay awake for three days pushing the buttons of the slot machines. There was an old man who stood beside a slot machine and pushed the slot machine’s button as if he is tired of life. I told Pam that the man might have been sitting for a week in front of the machine and he needed some exercise. Think of it guys, the casino is open 24 hours, the coffee is free, you just use your credit card… all you need is to use your index finger. You have to give credit to the old man. I wonder how much money he spent on those slot machines?
Sunday morning we took a boat cruise to see some of the areas in Montreal. It was, however, not as magnificent as the boat cruise we took when we where in Bangkok, Thailand two years ago. Even so, the brunch was good. We also witnessed Montreal’s Just for Laughs Festival. It has been going on for 25 years. We were lucky enough to witness the highlights which were performed in the evening. The parade was special in that it highlighted entertainers
who have made people laugh through the ages.
After Montreal we went on tour around the Thousand Islands in Alexandria bay. The tour guide was fabulous in narrating the stories about each island we passed, cracking jokes along the way. If you want to take the tour, never forget to visit the Boldt Castle. There is a wonderful but sad story behind the building of the castle.
Two weeks from now we are off to Las Vegas, Nevada to watch magician, Lance Burton, perform and see Mystere (Cirque de Soliel) performers. I am sure there will be other exciting things to reveal to you soon about our trip to Las Vegas.
[published in Sun.Star Bacolod, August 3, 2007]
The China Syndrome
The banquet was over. Everyone was leaving the room, except for several people who stayed for a little chit-chat, you know, that do-I-know-you-from-somewhere talk. I saw an elderly lady trying to unknot a balloon string from a vase. The balloon was a bright metallic blue with a nice print on it. I thought an old lady must think it nice enough to give to her grandchild.
Another lady approached one of the members of the catering staff and asked what were they going to do with the beautiful flowers in the vases.
“They must be of the hybrid kind. They stayed fresh even after the program ended,” she said. The wait staff replied, “Ma’am, they’re made of plastic.” They both laughed.
After several minutes I noticed the other lady was still trying to untie the string. I approached her and offered my help. It took me about two minutes to undo the knot. During that time her husband came over. He said, "It’s a noble thing for you to do that." I just smiled.
I gave the balloon to the little old lady.
She said, "Thank you. It was nice of you to come here all the way from China."
Oops! That made me pause for a while. I actually raised one of my eyebrows, but held on to my charming smile. I told her I am not from China, but from the Philippines. She laughed at herself, the kind one hears from someone who isn’t sure how to react. But her husband got excited. He revealed to me that they had been in the Philippines years ago. He was at a conference, teaching ministers. I didn't ask him if he's a pastor or not. He said they also visited Mindanao, but were advised to leave the place because of a threat to security. Well, yeah, I said, one way to promote tourism.
Later, when I came home I told David, my sponsor, about the incident. He laughed. But I cannot contain myself. I went to the bathroom and looked at my face in the mirror. I don't look like Chinese nor do I walk like one. David’s friends have been asking me if I could tell an Asian man is Chinese or Japanese by the way he walks. I said I can’t, but I told them that you can tell that it was me from afar by the way I walk.
I love eating at the Chinese buffet here because of the wide variety of dishes served, but that hasn't turned me into a Chinaman. Though I guess it has given me a few more pounds to carry around the campus.
Not that I don’t want to be associated with the Chinese community, I have lots of Chinese friends. However, China has dominated the world; you will see Chinese and China made products everywhere. They don’t need another chap like me. I am proud of my Filipino-Spanish lineage. Although I am the only descendant of the Rodriguez family I know who has a flat nose. As a teenager I kept on bugging my parents to tell me the truth – am I adopted? I would ask. They of course were disturbed by my question and would frown at me.
I use items here that are made in China. Well, most of the items here are made in China – you name it. It may be clothes, electronic and dry goods, China makes it. When an American finds an item that says on the bottom "Made in USA" they jump as if they found an antique object. At a recent guided tour David and I took in Buffalo, New York, the guide was telling the members of the tour about America’s economy doing well when some of the old ladies said, “Yeah, everything we see now in the US are made in China.” Recently, several items that are made in China like toothpaste and pet food were taken off the shelves in grocery stores. It was a big deal that an official in China has issued a statement defending China-made products. But that’s not my point here. I am trying to figure out why I am being linked as Chinese.
After several thoughts I figured out that I am the biggest fan of kung fu movies. My favorite movies are Kung Fu Hustle and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. I like
Jet Li, who is Chinese, when he showcased his wushu, long fist, empty-hand techniques in his Wong Fei Hong movies.
I maybe the next Karate kid. What do you think?
[published in Sun.Star Bacolod, August 1, 2007under my column, The Mago Generation]
On the same date one of the pictures I submitted for consideration was published online. However, the caption was wrong (though I provided the correct captions for each pictures). The little castle is not Boldt Castle but its storage house for the castle's generator. It would have been nice if the SSB people submitted the picture I took of the Boldt Castle and not the powerhouse. Sigh (as in "a neverending sigh").
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